"Welcome my dears to chapter twelve." *Mystery voice.
Pippin looks around after hearing the stranger's voice. His eyes widen then, "Aaaahhhh!"
"What, who's attacking' us? What's dying?" Merry snaps awake from his little catnap completely dazed.
Neo-Kitty turns to see what Pippin is screaming about and sweatdrops. "Pippin, it's just Trelawney."
Pippin still panicking, "What's that, some kind of humungous bug- monster?"*~*
"Well some people might say that..." Neo-kitty smiles nervously at the now annoyed divination teacher.
"Why is she here?" Merry asks groggily rubbing sleep out of his eyes.
Neo-kitty smiles proudly, "To do my disclaimer!"
Both hobbits look at her, then at Trelawney, tilt their heads, and blink a few times.
"Why?" Pippin asks again.
"Because, it is tradition for an authoress, such as myself, to have at least one disclaimer done by a character from the story." Neo-kitty stands proudly eyes shining with a sign that says "sacred honored tradition" behind her.
"Okay..." Hobbits are at a loss for words.
"Besides, it was fun conning her into doing this." Neo-kitty smirks happily.
"May we hurry this up please," Trelawney interrupts. "I have many important things to do in fact I have to*** blah blah blah etc."
"Fine just shut up and do your job!" Neo-kitty snaps.
*glares* Trelawney huffs, "Neo- kitty does not own Harry Potter or those two midgets over there." *stomps off*
"Midgets!!" Merry huffs indignantly.
"At least we don't look like bugs!" Pippin yells after her retreating form.
"Okay, that was definitely number one on my bad idea list." Neo-kitty eyes the two now angry Halflings. "Okay then on to the chapter."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (This never ceases to fascinate me.)
(One month later in the "training room".)
"Ahhh." Ron screamed as a small flame landed near his newly potted plants. "Watch it with those Malfoy!" he snapped as he moved to dump the contents of his watering can on the flame.
"I'm doing what I can Weasley!" Draco yelled back as he willed the miscreant flame that was threatening Ron's flowers to go out.
Hermione looked up from the small instrument she had been fiddling with in her lap. "Both of you cut it out! If I mess up placing this last spell it won't work correctly." She huffed, gesturing to the small flute she now held in her hand, with her wand.
Both boys each mumbled halfway apologetic "sorry" and went back to working in silence.
Harry had watched the whole thing from his favorite spot by the window, barely keeping his amused chuckles in check. Ron and Draco had been getting at each other's nerves just like always. Thankfully these arguments were not quite as malicious as the old ones had been. This was partly due to the truce and mostly due to the fact that both of them were too busy trying to control their new-found powers.
Draco had been working on condensing flames into a solid form that he could use. He had mastered most other techniques in about two weeks and Harry recalled him saying that mastering keeping flames solid would be cake. It had already been another two weeks and Draco could barely manage to make an inch long solid flame that he could hold in his palm.
Ron had found his niche with his small flower- pot jungle, as Draco had taken to calling it. Hermione had hypothesized that this was due to his connection with the earth element. He, however, did not neglect exorcising his control over the actual element itself. Ron could shift a fair amount of soil and gravel if needed but breaking bedrock or shifting boulders was still way out of his league.
Hermione had had quite the time deciphering exactly what the prophecy had meant when it had said the scholar would heal with the river's song. Hermione was great at many things, academics at the top. There were only three things she was bad at; sports, chess (against Ron), and singing. So she turned to the place she always went when she had a problem - the library. She had immersed herself in the school library's section on music used in magic. The book "Magical Interpretations of Music" solved her dilemma when she found that some magical instruments had the power to heal if enchanted correctly. This had set Hermione into her "I can and I will do this and no one can stop me" mode. She had purchased the metal from a special order catalogue and had followed the instructions on forming it into her instrument. It had turned out to be a small flute, a piccolo if you will, and Hermione had begun to charm it accordingly. Her water control studies had taken up any other parts of her spare time. She of course excelled and was well on her way to taking on controlling many liters of water.
Harry smiled as he thought of his friend's great progress. By this time, the other three had settled and were completely focused on completing the task at hand. Draco had made a foot long solid flame, though his brow was shinning with sweat. Ron was coaxing one of his roses to bloom, talking to it softly. Hermione was concentrated on her last spell she was placing on her piccolo her eyes set on it as she muttered Latin.
'They're all doing so well." Harry sighed looking back out his window, 'but I...'
He personally had made no progress. His friends had tried to convince him that he was already leaps and bounds ahead of them and he even had more on his plate controlling his mind reading. Heck, even the crazy little voice in the back of his head had been reassuring him that he was doing well. Harry had thanked them for trying to cheer him up but knew that it wasn't the truth. Deep down Harry knew that he was at a "brick wall" in his progress.
Harry had mastered calling up a full blown storm that was not the problem. The problem was when the lightning started. The bolts were erratic and beyond his control but no matter what he did he could not call a storm without them. Even a small drizzle had ground striking bolts. He had wanted to get to the root of this problem but Snape had made that impossible.
The ever so wonderful potions master had almost caught him the last time he had risked going outside to practice. It was just a small misty drizzle if anything and wouldn't have been a problem save for the fact that aforementioned potions master almost got fried by the aforementioned lightning bolts. Though it had been worth seeing Snape tear off the field at break neck speed to avoid any more close encounters it was now way to risky for Harry to practice at all.
He was broken out of his thoughts as a soft lilting note met his ears. Harry turned around to see Hermione playing her instrument. Ron and Draco had also stopped and were watching her intently.
The music was soft and soothing and made you feel like you had just stepped into a warm bath. After she finished Ron congratulated her enthusiastically and Draco had nodded in approval.
"That was lovely Hermione," Harry smiled and asked. "Where did you learn that song?"
Hermione looked thoughtful then shrugged, "I just knew it. To tell you the truth I've never played a true tune on any instrument. In fact the only instrument I've touched before now was the flute Hagrid gave you Harry."
"I guess we each have inherent powers or something," Ron murmured thoughtfully. "Maybe they classify us by title and so forth."
Draco snorted, "If that's true you should be the gardener of earth not the guardian."
Ron shot him a glare snipping back, "What about you? That little flame sword your making would work better as a butter knife."
The two of them glowered at one another - you could almost see the sparks as their personalities clashed.
Hermione huffed and carefully removed the head-joint [1] from her piccolo storing both pieces in a small case she had transfigured. Once she was done she stepped in between the two boys saying, "I think we should go. We have been in here long enough for one night."
Draco shrugged and went to gather his things from off a desk. Ron also turned away to store his plants some place safe and out of sight. Harry moved from his post hissing as he realized his foot had been asleep and was now all pins and needles. They were soon ready to go after checking to make sure the coast was clear. Hermione removed the silencing charm from the room and scooted out the door to join Harry and Draco in the hall. Ron shut the door quietly and then peered into the room willing the dust from the corner to go back where it had been. Soon the whole classroom was layered in thick dust once more.
The dust was a key part of keeping Filch off their trail. When they had returned to the room for a third time a week after their first escapade the room had had a nice layer of dust which Ron, of course, shifted out of the way. Then, after they finished, Ron put it all back giving off the illusion that the room had never been used at all. Also, they met on different days every week ranging from practice every other day to even just once per week. This kept Filch from catching them going to and from the practice room. Finally, the silencing charm had just been an obvious need. They couldn't allow anyone to figure out what they were doing.
The group of friends huddled near a suite of armor as Harry unrolled the Marauders Map to make one last check to be sure that the way back to the commons was clear.
"I still can't believe you've had something like this for about three years now." Draco muttered quietly as Harry gazed at the map and watched Mrs. Norris stalk into the library and Filch chasing after Peeves near the divination tower. "Pure genius, though you can tell that they had to have been Gryffindors. They are way to brash and proud to be either Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, and not near conniving enough to be Slytherins."
"Thank you for your wonderful deduction but right now we need to head back while the coast is clear." Ron whispered sarcastically earning him a sour look from Draco.
Harry led the way careful to take the exact root he had planned out. Draco left without a word when he came to the stairs leading to the dungeons; cloak flowing out behind him as he stalked away.
"I thought Snape had a copyright on that," Ron whispered. Hermione thwacked him on the back of the head and told him to shut up.
Harry shook his head and they made the rest of the trip to Gryffindor tower without incident.
***
They had long since settled into bed and Ron could be heard snoring in the next four-poster. The whole fifth year boys dorm was asleep, well that is except for Harry. He had grown used to staying up late normally but the added anxiety about his powers made his sleep apnea worse than usual.
Harry stared blankly up at the curtains on his four-poster. He then eyed the dark lump at the end of his bed. It was his kneazle Storm snoozing away. The kneazles had grown and were now almost full size. Harry had been right about Storm; he was and is extremely intelligent. Ron's kneazle, Dune, spent most of his time sleeping in a patch of sunlight or in Ron's lap. Sleet was well behaved and Hermione showered both her and Crookshanks with affection. Blaze was quite a handful for Draco from what he had seen. She was as fast as greased lightning and had the uncanny ability of being able to trip anyone she deemed worthy as a victim; let us say that Ron was not very fond of her.
'I need to stop thinking,' Harry thought realizing that he had already failed at that. He groaned and turned on his side.
'What's the matter? Can't you sleep?' The ever persistent voice had returned.
'No,' Harry thought back wondering why he continued to talk to this figment of imagination.
'Are you still worried about your powers?' It asked in a serious tone of voice, for once.
Harry didn't answer it even though he knew that it was right.
'You have to trust me on this,' the voice insisted. 'You just have to let your powers sort themselves out and you will be a pro in no time.'
'What if I hurt someone?' Harry asked darkly. 'I could be meaning well but that doesn't change the fact that they would be hurt because of me.'
'You would never let anyone get hurt. I know you wouldn't and you know you wouldn't,' the voice replied patiently.
'Just because I wouldn't want them to get hurt doesn't mean it wouldn't happen just look at what happened to...' Harry broke off realizing he had been about say what had been really bothering him deep down.
'Oh,' the voice had caught on. 'This isn't about your powers at all.'
Harry had never felt so stupid. He always tried to be strong for other people but deep down, he was still trying to get over the guilt.
'He wouldn't want you to blame yourself.' The voice told him softly.
'I know, I know, everyone has told me a million times but...that still doesn't change what happened.' Harry replied then added miserably. 'You don't understand. No one does, my friends try but... they just can't begin to relate.'
The voice was silent for a moment then stated ruefully. 'I know I don't understand what you went through but, I want to. In a sense, I want to help you it is my job and most of the time I can but this is way out of my league. But you know what, I'm gonna keep on trying because you're worth it Harry. Trust me on this one, if you don't believe anything else I say. You are worth my effort and time.'
Harry was stunned, he could think of nothing to say back. That was perhaps the greatest thing anyone had ever said to him.
'Now then,' the voice went to a businesslike tone. 'Let's see if we can buy you a first class ticket to dream land.'
Harry felt the sleep creeping up on the edge of his mind. Just before he dropped off he muttered, "Thanks."
'Anytime,' the voice replied but he was already asleep.
***
The next morning Harry felt surprisingly refreshed. He had not gotten that much peaceful sleep in a long time. He had woken up to storm poking at his nose with his paw. The kneazle enjoyed waking him up and occasionally following him down to breakfast to beg for food.
Harry sat up and put on his glasses. He then turned to greet Ron who had just returned from the shower.
"Come on you can't sleep on that." Ron was shifting his kneazle off his clothes that were laid out on his bed. He picked up one garment and shook it sending hair fluttering everywhere. Dune had given Ron a dirty look for waking him up but was now already back asleep. Ron eyed him with a hidden affection muttering, "Honestly."
Harry smiled and gave Storm a quick scratch up his chin before heading off for a shower himself.
He returned shortly and got dressed. He then grabbed his bag with the appropriate books in it and made his way down to the common room.
"Ron, why can't you ever be responsible? You should have taken notes for HoM or you should have asked to copy them earlier than the morning of the quiz." Hermione could be heard from the top of the stairs.
"I am responsible," Ron defended himself. "I just forget things."
Hermione gave him a withering look and smiled as Harry joined them. "Harry, tell Ron he's irresponsible. He listens to you."
Ron turned to him as well saying, "Tell her it's not my fault and that that class is the doldrums."
Harry held up his hands in a warding gesture, "Sorry you guys, I don't tread in dangerous waters. Let's just go to breakfast okay."
The trio made their way out of the portrait hole and down to the great hall. Ron and Hermione still picked at each other all the way. After they sat at the table Ron tried for one last attempt.
"It's not like we have the class first Hermione." He wheedled giving her a pleading look. "Just let me borrow them during divination."
Neville looked over at the mention of divination. "Aren't we doing some kind of orb gazing today?" He asked nervously. "I looked them up and they're supposed to be really fragile."
Harry nodded, "Yeah, it's supposed to be similar to a crystal ball."
"Just palm sized," Ron indicated his hand cupping it into about the size of an orb.
Neville had a look of complete anxiety on his face at the proximity of holding such a fragile object.
"Don't worry Neville," Dean smiled cheerily. "I'm sure she has spares."
***
Potions had become even more of nightmare once Hermione, Ron, and Draco had discovered their powers. The other teachers were no problem but Snape was hot on Harry's trail and he was sure to pick up some of their strange behavior eventually.
A few weeks earlier Harry and Draco had been working together on a Delirium potion. Things had been going well until they realized one of the cutting knives had fallen near the fire under the cauldron. Draco of course retrieved it and had set it back away from the flame. Snape came over and was going to use said knife to dice something quickly. Angry red burns appeared instantly on his hand and Draco hurriedly apologized explaining what had happened. The Professor looked at him strangely when he said he picked it up until Draco explained that he had used tongs. Snape looked at their table, there were no tongs. Thinking fast Draco explained he had let some one borrow them. Snape merely eyed the two of them and then went to get a potion for his burns
That had been close but nothing compared to what was going to happen today.
Snape stood at the front of the class and explained the newest assignment, "Today you and your partner will brew a potion with only the instructions. You will have to complete them correctly in order to test the potion and then tell me what it is at the end of class." He gestured to the instructions on the board as he said this.
Draco eyed the board thoughtfully and Harry prayed that they could pull this off. Both boys began and they soon were halfway through. Snape swept over to their table and stood over their shoulders.
"Those are too thick Potter," He commented icily.
Harry held himself in check repeating a mantra in his mind, 'I won't let him get to me.'
Snape looked disappointed when he got no reaction and moved on to terrorize Neville.
Harry felt proud for being the bigger person and moved to put his ingredients in the cauldron. He looked down into the liquid as it turned pure white when his part was added.
"That's it now we just let it boil for fifteen minutes." Draco sighed leaning back. When Harry didn't move he stated, "Hey you can sit down now Potter."
Harry stood stock still gazing into the liquid Draco went to shake him but thought better of it. He instead stared at the now motionless boy as he stood there for about ten minutes.
"What are you doing Potter?" Snape had returned and was now glaring down at Harry.
Draco hurriedly tried to pull him back into his seat as discretely as possible. He didn't want to, since he felt that Harry was having a vision, but at this point it was either make him sit down or let him get caught.
"Answer me Potter." Snape growled softly so as not to draw attention. Something odd was going on here.
Harry finally looked up at him and it made the potions master take a step back. His eyes were fiery orbs of emerald burning with some inner fire.
"You see much Professor." Harry stated in a soft voice he leaned forward so he was inches from Snape. His lips hardly seemed to move as he spoke, "But I see what you cannot. Understand that what is happening now is just a prelude. He is readying himself for a great attack but he does not know that there will be an even greater power here to meet his attack and defend against it."
"What are you talking about?" Snape whispered softly to his student. He eyed Draco out the corner of his eye and saw the young boy had grown pale.
Harry spoke again every word soft yet piercing in the teacher's mind, "There is a prophecy that must be fulfilled and you will be a key part of it Severus Snape. Be ready." The boy then leaned back and sat in his chair shutting his eyes than opening them again a few moments later a bewildered look in his eyes.
Draco removed the potion from the fire and let a small vile of it cool drawing Snape's attention by asking a question, "Do we have to test the potion if we know which one it is already sir?"
His teacher gave him a strange look but Draco held firm. Unfortunately Snape was not to be distracted.
"What was he talking about?" The potions master waited for his star pupil to answer.
Draco looked at him stunned, "Sir, he wasn't talking."
Harry wanted to scream. He remembered the vision and he had seen that they would require adult assistance in the fight against Voldemort. That was okay, heck he had expected that there were only four of them. Dumbledore or even Sirius probably would have been his first choice but no, the one that will help them is his absolute last choice. To make matters worse now said person knew about it.
'He had to know.' The voice insisted for about the millionth time.
'Yeah, and you had to tell him in the middle of class,' Harry thought sarcastically.
'Nobody heard,' the voice pointed out.
'That's even better now Snape knows that I have powers,' Harry shot back angrily then realizing something he asked. 'Have you taken me over before or was this the first time?'
'Taken over is such a strong way to put it,' the voice answered delicately.
'How long has this been going on?' Harry asked now furious. 'You didn't even ask me!'
The voice was about to defend itself when the bell rang signaling the next period. Harry moved to make a run for it but the teacher was too fast.
"Potter, Granger, Weasley, and Mr. Malfoy stay!" He barked as the other students skittered out the door. Some of them gave them pitying looks as they passed.
The four of them stood before the rattled professor knowing that the moment of truth had come.
"Strange things have been going on at this school." Snape began eyeing each of his students. "And unless I am mistaken one of you has always been nearby. For awhile I simply let it pass as being a fluke but then things became more frequent; accidents being mysteriously prevented and those unnatural storms. Now, I have just gotten a warning from one of you and I have been told that he did not speak a word." He gave Harry a dark calculating look.
Draco stepped in trying to help amend things, "Sir, he really didn't say anything maybe you just heard."
"Mr. Malfoy!" Snape broke him off, "I know I heard something whether you heard it or not!"
Hermione and Ron looked worriedly over at the now semi panicked Harry. He was pale and his eyes were blank and staring.
The reason for his blank look was he was talking to the voice.
'I got you into this let me help you out.' The voice pleaded with him. 'I can explain to him.'
'No,' Harry shook his head. 'I have to do this. I can't just hide behind someone else and you can't shield me forever.' He stated that last part pointedly.
"Professor," Harry began softly looking up to him. "I don't expect you to believe anything you will hear us say but we will tell you what has been happening." This statement got him three shocked looks and a cocked eyebrow from Snape. "But we have to go to class right now and this will take longer than a passing period to explain. Can we meet you somewhere to talk?"
'Okay,' Ron thought loudly causing Harry to pick up on it. 'Hell has just frozen over.'
The potions master looked down at his student and nodded slowly. "Alright, after dinner this evening I want to see you four in my office." He gave them a sharp look, "and I want the whole story no edited details."
The four nodded solemnly. Satisfied with that he dismissed them and they went on their way to their classes.
Once they were out of earshot Ron asked, "Harry, what were you thinking?"
"You saw how determined Snape was to get answers Ron." Hermione stated, "There was no choice."
They went silent for awhile until Draco thought of something and asked, "What did you see Harry?"
"See?" Ron asked confused then realization hit, "Oh you had a vision."
"Can you remember it Harry?" Hermione queried as she dug out the notebook they wrote Harry's visions in.
Harry looked over at his friends as they waited for his answer and sighed, "I saw that we will have to deal with Snape a lot longer than just one meeting in his office."
***
Ok, that's it for this chapter... isn't it suspenseful?
Oh well before you guys start throwing stuff at me for the cliffhanger ending I will reply to my reviews.
Lady Abbey Bartlet- Thanks for the super duper long review. *hugs* You are the best! Not only are you encouraging, but you ask good questions too. On the subject of pairings, I will probably deal with that more later but right now there are enough problems without having to deal with hormones. The spirit-guide other wise known as "the voice" is very important but I can't give you too many details. I won't say much more except it will soon take on an even more prominent and perhaps (solid) form. The kneazles are important so keep an eye out for strange kitty behavior. Thanks again for the awesome review! Ciao cutie!
Isis Rose Potter- Here's your next chapter, enjoy!
Serpent of Light- He he he. Yeah my spelling sucks. Thanks for catching that though. I also enjoy some evil Snapey goodness. I hope you liked the chapter.
Iggit- I don't even know why I comment on you anymore. I'll talk to you soon. Bye.
Oh yeah and that nifty number one thingy goes with this foot note. It explains about the head joint and stuff I'll try to use these on confusing stuff. See ya guys later. Ciao!
[1] The head joint is the top piece of a piccolo and flute. The body has all the keys and major functioning parts while the head joint has the lip plate and tone hole. ^_^
Pippin looks around after hearing the stranger's voice. His eyes widen then, "Aaaahhhh!"
"What, who's attacking' us? What's dying?" Merry snaps awake from his little catnap completely dazed.
Neo-Kitty turns to see what Pippin is screaming about and sweatdrops. "Pippin, it's just Trelawney."
Pippin still panicking, "What's that, some kind of humungous bug- monster?"*~*
"Well some people might say that..." Neo-kitty smiles nervously at the now annoyed divination teacher.
"Why is she here?" Merry asks groggily rubbing sleep out of his eyes.
Neo-kitty smiles proudly, "To do my disclaimer!"
Both hobbits look at her, then at Trelawney, tilt their heads, and blink a few times.
"Why?" Pippin asks again.
"Because, it is tradition for an authoress, such as myself, to have at least one disclaimer done by a character from the story." Neo-kitty stands proudly eyes shining with a sign that says "sacred honored tradition" behind her.
"Okay..." Hobbits are at a loss for words.
"Besides, it was fun conning her into doing this." Neo-kitty smirks happily.
"May we hurry this up please," Trelawney interrupts. "I have many important things to do in fact I have to*** blah blah blah etc."
"Fine just shut up and do your job!" Neo-kitty snaps.
*glares* Trelawney huffs, "Neo- kitty does not own Harry Potter or those two midgets over there." *stomps off*
"Midgets!!" Merry huffs indignantly.
"At least we don't look like bugs!" Pippin yells after her retreating form.
"Okay, that was definitely number one on my bad idea list." Neo-kitty eyes the two now angry Halflings. "Okay then on to the chapter."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (This never ceases to fascinate me.)
(One month later in the "training room".)
"Ahhh." Ron screamed as a small flame landed near his newly potted plants. "Watch it with those Malfoy!" he snapped as he moved to dump the contents of his watering can on the flame.
"I'm doing what I can Weasley!" Draco yelled back as he willed the miscreant flame that was threatening Ron's flowers to go out.
Hermione looked up from the small instrument she had been fiddling with in her lap. "Both of you cut it out! If I mess up placing this last spell it won't work correctly." She huffed, gesturing to the small flute she now held in her hand, with her wand.
Both boys each mumbled halfway apologetic "sorry" and went back to working in silence.
Harry had watched the whole thing from his favorite spot by the window, barely keeping his amused chuckles in check. Ron and Draco had been getting at each other's nerves just like always. Thankfully these arguments were not quite as malicious as the old ones had been. This was partly due to the truce and mostly due to the fact that both of them were too busy trying to control their new-found powers.
Draco had been working on condensing flames into a solid form that he could use. He had mastered most other techniques in about two weeks and Harry recalled him saying that mastering keeping flames solid would be cake. It had already been another two weeks and Draco could barely manage to make an inch long solid flame that he could hold in his palm.
Ron had found his niche with his small flower- pot jungle, as Draco had taken to calling it. Hermione had hypothesized that this was due to his connection with the earth element. He, however, did not neglect exorcising his control over the actual element itself. Ron could shift a fair amount of soil and gravel if needed but breaking bedrock or shifting boulders was still way out of his league.
Hermione had had quite the time deciphering exactly what the prophecy had meant when it had said the scholar would heal with the river's song. Hermione was great at many things, academics at the top. There were only three things she was bad at; sports, chess (against Ron), and singing. So she turned to the place she always went when she had a problem - the library. She had immersed herself in the school library's section on music used in magic. The book "Magical Interpretations of Music" solved her dilemma when she found that some magical instruments had the power to heal if enchanted correctly. This had set Hermione into her "I can and I will do this and no one can stop me" mode. She had purchased the metal from a special order catalogue and had followed the instructions on forming it into her instrument. It had turned out to be a small flute, a piccolo if you will, and Hermione had begun to charm it accordingly. Her water control studies had taken up any other parts of her spare time. She of course excelled and was well on her way to taking on controlling many liters of water.
Harry smiled as he thought of his friend's great progress. By this time, the other three had settled and were completely focused on completing the task at hand. Draco had made a foot long solid flame, though his brow was shinning with sweat. Ron was coaxing one of his roses to bloom, talking to it softly. Hermione was concentrated on her last spell she was placing on her piccolo her eyes set on it as she muttered Latin.
'They're all doing so well." Harry sighed looking back out his window, 'but I...'
He personally had made no progress. His friends had tried to convince him that he was already leaps and bounds ahead of them and he even had more on his plate controlling his mind reading. Heck, even the crazy little voice in the back of his head had been reassuring him that he was doing well. Harry had thanked them for trying to cheer him up but knew that it wasn't the truth. Deep down Harry knew that he was at a "brick wall" in his progress.
Harry had mastered calling up a full blown storm that was not the problem. The problem was when the lightning started. The bolts were erratic and beyond his control but no matter what he did he could not call a storm without them. Even a small drizzle had ground striking bolts. He had wanted to get to the root of this problem but Snape had made that impossible.
The ever so wonderful potions master had almost caught him the last time he had risked going outside to practice. It was just a small misty drizzle if anything and wouldn't have been a problem save for the fact that aforementioned potions master almost got fried by the aforementioned lightning bolts. Though it had been worth seeing Snape tear off the field at break neck speed to avoid any more close encounters it was now way to risky for Harry to practice at all.
He was broken out of his thoughts as a soft lilting note met his ears. Harry turned around to see Hermione playing her instrument. Ron and Draco had also stopped and were watching her intently.
The music was soft and soothing and made you feel like you had just stepped into a warm bath. After she finished Ron congratulated her enthusiastically and Draco had nodded in approval.
"That was lovely Hermione," Harry smiled and asked. "Where did you learn that song?"
Hermione looked thoughtful then shrugged, "I just knew it. To tell you the truth I've never played a true tune on any instrument. In fact the only instrument I've touched before now was the flute Hagrid gave you Harry."
"I guess we each have inherent powers or something," Ron murmured thoughtfully. "Maybe they classify us by title and so forth."
Draco snorted, "If that's true you should be the gardener of earth not the guardian."
Ron shot him a glare snipping back, "What about you? That little flame sword your making would work better as a butter knife."
The two of them glowered at one another - you could almost see the sparks as their personalities clashed.
Hermione huffed and carefully removed the head-joint [1] from her piccolo storing both pieces in a small case she had transfigured. Once she was done she stepped in between the two boys saying, "I think we should go. We have been in here long enough for one night."
Draco shrugged and went to gather his things from off a desk. Ron also turned away to store his plants some place safe and out of sight. Harry moved from his post hissing as he realized his foot had been asleep and was now all pins and needles. They were soon ready to go after checking to make sure the coast was clear. Hermione removed the silencing charm from the room and scooted out the door to join Harry and Draco in the hall. Ron shut the door quietly and then peered into the room willing the dust from the corner to go back where it had been. Soon the whole classroom was layered in thick dust once more.
The dust was a key part of keeping Filch off their trail. When they had returned to the room for a third time a week after their first escapade the room had had a nice layer of dust which Ron, of course, shifted out of the way. Then, after they finished, Ron put it all back giving off the illusion that the room had never been used at all. Also, they met on different days every week ranging from practice every other day to even just once per week. This kept Filch from catching them going to and from the practice room. Finally, the silencing charm had just been an obvious need. They couldn't allow anyone to figure out what they were doing.
The group of friends huddled near a suite of armor as Harry unrolled the Marauders Map to make one last check to be sure that the way back to the commons was clear.
"I still can't believe you've had something like this for about three years now." Draco muttered quietly as Harry gazed at the map and watched Mrs. Norris stalk into the library and Filch chasing after Peeves near the divination tower. "Pure genius, though you can tell that they had to have been Gryffindors. They are way to brash and proud to be either Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, and not near conniving enough to be Slytherins."
"Thank you for your wonderful deduction but right now we need to head back while the coast is clear." Ron whispered sarcastically earning him a sour look from Draco.
Harry led the way careful to take the exact root he had planned out. Draco left without a word when he came to the stairs leading to the dungeons; cloak flowing out behind him as he stalked away.
"I thought Snape had a copyright on that," Ron whispered. Hermione thwacked him on the back of the head and told him to shut up.
Harry shook his head and they made the rest of the trip to Gryffindor tower without incident.
***
They had long since settled into bed and Ron could be heard snoring in the next four-poster. The whole fifth year boys dorm was asleep, well that is except for Harry. He had grown used to staying up late normally but the added anxiety about his powers made his sleep apnea worse than usual.
Harry stared blankly up at the curtains on his four-poster. He then eyed the dark lump at the end of his bed. It was his kneazle Storm snoozing away. The kneazles had grown and were now almost full size. Harry had been right about Storm; he was and is extremely intelligent. Ron's kneazle, Dune, spent most of his time sleeping in a patch of sunlight or in Ron's lap. Sleet was well behaved and Hermione showered both her and Crookshanks with affection. Blaze was quite a handful for Draco from what he had seen. She was as fast as greased lightning and had the uncanny ability of being able to trip anyone she deemed worthy as a victim; let us say that Ron was not very fond of her.
'I need to stop thinking,' Harry thought realizing that he had already failed at that. He groaned and turned on his side.
'What's the matter? Can't you sleep?' The ever persistent voice had returned.
'No,' Harry thought back wondering why he continued to talk to this figment of imagination.
'Are you still worried about your powers?' It asked in a serious tone of voice, for once.
Harry didn't answer it even though he knew that it was right.
'You have to trust me on this,' the voice insisted. 'You just have to let your powers sort themselves out and you will be a pro in no time.'
'What if I hurt someone?' Harry asked darkly. 'I could be meaning well but that doesn't change the fact that they would be hurt because of me.'
'You would never let anyone get hurt. I know you wouldn't and you know you wouldn't,' the voice replied patiently.
'Just because I wouldn't want them to get hurt doesn't mean it wouldn't happen just look at what happened to...' Harry broke off realizing he had been about say what had been really bothering him deep down.
'Oh,' the voice had caught on. 'This isn't about your powers at all.'
Harry had never felt so stupid. He always tried to be strong for other people but deep down, he was still trying to get over the guilt.
'He wouldn't want you to blame yourself.' The voice told him softly.
'I know, I know, everyone has told me a million times but...that still doesn't change what happened.' Harry replied then added miserably. 'You don't understand. No one does, my friends try but... they just can't begin to relate.'
The voice was silent for a moment then stated ruefully. 'I know I don't understand what you went through but, I want to. In a sense, I want to help you it is my job and most of the time I can but this is way out of my league. But you know what, I'm gonna keep on trying because you're worth it Harry. Trust me on this one, if you don't believe anything else I say. You are worth my effort and time.'
Harry was stunned, he could think of nothing to say back. That was perhaps the greatest thing anyone had ever said to him.
'Now then,' the voice went to a businesslike tone. 'Let's see if we can buy you a first class ticket to dream land.'
Harry felt the sleep creeping up on the edge of his mind. Just before he dropped off he muttered, "Thanks."
'Anytime,' the voice replied but he was already asleep.
***
The next morning Harry felt surprisingly refreshed. He had not gotten that much peaceful sleep in a long time. He had woken up to storm poking at his nose with his paw. The kneazle enjoyed waking him up and occasionally following him down to breakfast to beg for food.
Harry sat up and put on his glasses. He then turned to greet Ron who had just returned from the shower.
"Come on you can't sleep on that." Ron was shifting his kneazle off his clothes that were laid out on his bed. He picked up one garment and shook it sending hair fluttering everywhere. Dune had given Ron a dirty look for waking him up but was now already back asleep. Ron eyed him with a hidden affection muttering, "Honestly."
Harry smiled and gave Storm a quick scratch up his chin before heading off for a shower himself.
He returned shortly and got dressed. He then grabbed his bag with the appropriate books in it and made his way down to the common room.
"Ron, why can't you ever be responsible? You should have taken notes for HoM or you should have asked to copy them earlier than the morning of the quiz." Hermione could be heard from the top of the stairs.
"I am responsible," Ron defended himself. "I just forget things."
Hermione gave him a withering look and smiled as Harry joined them. "Harry, tell Ron he's irresponsible. He listens to you."
Ron turned to him as well saying, "Tell her it's not my fault and that that class is the doldrums."
Harry held up his hands in a warding gesture, "Sorry you guys, I don't tread in dangerous waters. Let's just go to breakfast okay."
The trio made their way out of the portrait hole and down to the great hall. Ron and Hermione still picked at each other all the way. After they sat at the table Ron tried for one last attempt.
"It's not like we have the class first Hermione." He wheedled giving her a pleading look. "Just let me borrow them during divination."
Neville looked over at the mention of divination. "Aren't we doing some kind of orb gazing today?" He asked nervously. "I looked them up and they're supposed to be really fragile."
Harry nodded, "Yeah, it's supposed to be similar to a crystal ball."
"Just palm sized," Ron indicated his hand cupping it into about the size of an orb.
Neville had a look of complete anxiety on his face at the proximity of holding such a fragile object.
"Don't worry Neville," Dean smiled cheerily. "I'm sure she has spares."
***
Potions had become even more of nightmare once Hermione, Ron, and Draco had discovered their powers. The other teachers were no problem but Snape was hot on Harry's trail and he was sure to pick up some of their strange behavior eventually.
A few weeks earlier Harry and Draco had been working together on a Delirium potion. Things had been going well until they realized one of the cutting knives had fallen near the fire under the cauldron. Draco of course retrieved it and had set it back away from the flame. Snape came over and was going to use said knife to dice something quickly. Angry red burns appeared instantly on his hand and Draco hurriedly apologized explaining what had happened. The Professor looked at him strangely when he said he picked it up until Draco explained that he had used tongs. Snape looked at their table, there were no tongs. Thinking fast Draco explained he had let some one borrow them. Snape merely eyed the two of them and then went to get a potion for his burns
That had been close but nothing compared to what was going to happen today.
Snape stood at the front of the class and explained the newest assignment, "Today you and your partner will brew a potion with only the instructions. You will have to complete them correctly in order to test the potion and then tell me what it is at the end of class." He gestured to the instructions on the board as he said this.
Draco eyed the board thoughtfully and Harry prayed that they could pull this off. Both boys began and they soon were halfway through. Snape swept over to their table and stood over their shoulders.
"Those are too thick Potter," He commented icily.
Harry held himself in check repeating a mantra in his mind, 'I won't let him get to me.'
Snape looked disappointed when he got no reaction and moved on to terrorize Neville.
Harry felt proud for being the bigger person and moved to put his ingredients in the cauldron. He looked down into the liquid as it turned pure white when his part was added.
"That's it now we just let it boil for fifteen minutes." Draco sighed leaning back. When Harry didn't move he stated, "Hey you can sit down now Potter."
Harry stood stock still gazing into the liquid Draco went to shake him but thought better of it. He instead stared at the now motionless boy as he stood there for about ten minutes.
"What are you doing Potter?" Snape had returned and was now glaring down at Harry.
Draco hurriedly tried to pull him back into his seat as discretely as possible. He didn't want to, since he felt that Harry was having a vision, but at this point it was either make him sit down or let him get caught.
"Answer me Potter." Snape growled softly so as not to draw attention. Something odd was going on here.
Harry finally looked up at him and it made the potions master take a step back. His eyes were fiery orbs of emerald burning with some inner fire.
"You see much Professor." Harry stated in a soft voice he leaned forward so he was inches from Snape. His lips hardly seemed to move as he spoke, "But I see what you cannot. Understand that what is happening now is just a prelude. He is readying himself for a great attack but he does not know that there will be an even greater power here to meet his attack and defend against it."
"What are you talking about?" Snape whispered softly to his student. He eyed Draco out the corner of his eye and saw the young boy had grown pale.
Harry spoke again every word soft yet piercing in the teacher's mind, "There is a prophecy that must be fulfilled and you will be a key part of it Severus Snape. Be ready." The boy then leaned back and sat in his chair shutting his eyes than opening them again a few moments later a bewildered look in his eyes.
Draco removed the potion from the fire and let a small vile of it cool drawing Snape's attention by asking a question, "Do we have to test the potion if we know which one it is already sir?"
His teacher gave him a strange look but Draco held firm. Unfortunately Snape was not to be distracted.
"What was he talking about?" The potions master waited for his star pupil to answer.
Draco looked at him stunned, "Sir, he wasn't talking."
Harry wanted to scream. He remembered the vision and he had seen that they would require adult assistance in the fight against Voldemort. That was okay, heck he had expected that there were only four of them. Dumbledore or even Sirius probably would have been his first choice but no, the one that will help them is his absolute last choice. To make matters worse now said person knew about it.
'He had to know.' The voice insisted for about the millionth time.
'Yeah, and you had to tell him in the middle of class,' Harry thought sarcastically.
'Nobody heard,' the voice pointed out.
'That's even better now Snape knows that I have powers,' Harry shot back angrily then realizing something he asked. 'Have you taken me over before or was this the first time?'
'Taken over is such a strong way to put it,' the voice answered delicately.
'How long has this been going on?' Harry asked now furious. 'You didn't even ask me!'
The voice was about to defend itself when the bell rang signaling the next period. Harry moved to make a run for it but the teacher was too fast.
"Potter, Granger, Weasley, and Mr. Malfoy stay!" He barked as the other students skittered out the door. Some of them gave them pitying looks as they passed.
The four of them stood before the rattled professor knowing that the moment of truth had come.
"Strange things have been going on at this school." Snape began eyeing each of his students. "And unless I am mistaken one of you has always been nearby. For awhile I simply let it pass as being a fluke but then things became more frequent; accidents being mysteriously prevented and those unnatural storms. Now, I have just gotten a warning from one of you and I have been told that he did not speak a word." He gave Harry a dark calculating look.
Draco stepped in trying to help amend things, "Sir, he really didn't say anything maybe you just heard."
"Mr. Malfoy!" Snape broke him off, "I know I heard something whether you heard it or not!"
Hermione and Ron looked worriedly over at the now semi panicked Harry. He was pale and his eyes were blank and staring.
The reason for his blank look was he was talking to the voice.
'I got you into this let me help you out.' The voice pleaded with him. 'I can explain to him.'
'No,' Harry shook his head. 'I have to do this. I can't just hide behind someone else and you can't shield me forever.' He stated that last part pointedly.
"Professor," Harry began softly looking up to him. "I don't expect you to believe anything you will hear us say but we will tell you what has been happening." This statement got him three shocked looks and a cocked eyebrow from Snape. "But we have to go to class right now and this will take longer than a passing period to explain. Can we meet you somewhere to talk?"
'Okay,' Ron thought loudly causing Harry to pick up on it. 'Hell has just frozen over.'
The potions master looked down at his student and nodded slowly. "Alright, after dinner this evening I want to see you four in my office." He gave them a sharp look, "and I want the whole story no edited details."
The four nodded solemnly. Satisfied with that he dismissed them and they went on their way to their classes.
Once they were out of earshot Ron asked, "Harry, what were you thinking?"
"You saw how determined Snape was to get answers Ron." Hermione stated, "There was no choice."
They went silent for awhile until Draco thought of something and asked, "What did you see Harry?"
"See?" Ron asked confused then realization hit, "Oh you had a vision."
"Can you remember it Harry?" Hermione queried as she dug out the notebook they wrote Harry's visions in.
Harry looked over at his friends as they waited for his answer and sighed, "I saw that we will have to deal with Snape a lot longer than just one meeting in his office."
***
Ok, that's it for this chapter... isn't it suspenseful?
Oh well before you guys start throwing stuff at me for the cliffhanger ending I will reply to my reviews.
Lady Abbey Bartlet- Thanks for the super duper long review. *hugs* You are the best! Not only are you encouraging, but you ask good questions too. On the subject of pairings, I will probably deal with that more later but right now there are enough problems without having to deal with hormones. The spirit-guide other wise known as "the voice" is very important but I can't give you too many details. I won't say much more except it will soon take on an even more prominent and perhaps (solid) form. The kneazles are important so keep an eye out for strange kitty behavior. Thanks again for the awesome review! Ciao cutie!
Isis Rose Potter- Here's your next chapter, enjoy!
Serpent of Light- He he he. Yeah my spelling sucks. Thanks for catching that though. I also enjoy some evil Snapey goodness. I hope you liked the chapter.
Iggit- I don't even know why I comment on you anymore. I'll talk to you soon. Bye.
Oh yeah and that nifty number one thingy goes with this foot note. It explains about the head joint and stuff I'll try to use these on confusing stuff. See ya guys later. Ciao!
[1] The head joint is the top piece of a piccolo and flute. The body has all the keys and major functioning parts while the head joint has the lip plate and tone hole. ^_^