Chapter Ten:

The Vision

     Harry and Ron finished their patrol of the corridors uneventfully. They made their way up to Gryffindor Tower. They were still bewildered as to how Professor Agapanthus had seen them. She didn't appear to have a magical eye like Moody's. Maybe she couldn't see them. Maybe they had done something that had given them away.

"Esu eht eltteb," muttered Ron when they reached the Fat Lady.

They both clambered inside the opening, surprised to see Hermione sitting in a chair working through what appeared to be an astronomical amount of homework.

She then closed her book and looked at the two of them through narrowed eyes, as though she could already tell that they had done something wrong. She blinked and said clearly, "You've been ages. What took you so long?"

Harry was clearly surprised at this question but answered with, "On patrol and we found out something rather interesting."

Ron and Harry took turns telling Hermione everything that had happened. She was listening while doing her homework, which according to her was an essay discussing the use of Veracitectors, ancient tools disguised and worn as pieces of jewelry that were used to decipher and reveal truths regarding other ancient objects. When she finished her homework, as Ron and Harry were finishing their tale, Hermione took out a pair of knitting needles and began knitting elf hats. Then she said reproachfully,

"Well, I don't know what gave you the right to be sneaking around. But all the same I'm glad you did. There's something not right about Agapanthus. She knows more than she's telling us."

"No kidding," replied Ron darkly, "I mean first she tries to kill Harry during Defense Against the Dark Arts and now she can see though Invisibility Cloaks."

"I don't think she tried to kill me. I don't know why I think it, but I know it's true. Besides she let us go didn't she?" stated Harry.

Ron looked scornfully at Harry annoyed with him for disrupting his once smooth train of logic and Hermione nodded, "I agree with Harry. She let you two go. Whatever she was doing in there couldn't have been big stuff."

Harry, Ron and Hermione continued to discuss the topic avidly when the portrait hole opened up once more. Dobby the house-elf clambered his way down the stairs into the common room and upon seeing Harry he ran to him.

"Harry Potter, sir!" exclaimed Dobby, "It's wonderful to see you again sir!"

Harry gave Dobby a sort of involuntary pat on the head and said,

"Good to see you. You're still doing Gryffindor Tower alone I see."

Harry shouldn't have said this for then Hermione exclaimed,

"What? Dobby, do you do all of cleaning work for Gryffindor Tower by yourself?"

"Yes, miss," replied Dobby who was beginning to feel like he shouldn't have come.

"Why?" persisted Hermione who was twirling yarn through her needles furiously making her knitting look like an extremely thick spider's web.

"Well, the other house-elves don't like to find the hats. I don't mind doing it alone," answered Dobby his ears hanging low.

Hermione exclaimed in dismay, she had been making and leaving hats and other pieces of clothes for her project S.P.E.W.(Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare) for years trying to free the elves by providing knitted clothes to give them their freedom. Now she threw her knitting into the fire. She ran toward Harry and said,

"I need the cloak."

Harry didn't even ask why. He simply handed her the cloak and she tore out of the tower. Dobby smiled weakly at them and began tending to the Common Room. Harry began trudging his way up the stairs when Ron, who was just behind him, muttered,

"Mental. Purely mental."

Upon reaching his bedside, Harry looked expectantly at Sirius' picture to find, to his dismay that Sirius had not yet returned. Harry didn't want to think of what this could mean. Quickly changing into his pajamas and climbing into his bed where he drifted into an uneasy sleep.

The next morning Harry awoke looked over at the empty frame again only to see that Sirius had still not returned and that Ron was already up, halfway dressed,

"Come on mate lets get going, first week-end of the year."

Harry leapt out of bed and quickly changed. He and Ron ran down the stairs to find Hermione, tapping her foot anxiously stifling a yawn already waiting for them.

"What took you two so long?" she asked tossing her hair back.

Harry and Ron didn't answer as all three of them set off for the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry told Hermione all about sending Sirius to check on Lupin and how he hadn't returned yet. Hermione dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand and said,

"He's fine. He's beyond Voldemort's power now after all. He's merely a picture now. Anyway I too have some news, last night I went down to the kitchens-"

"What?!" exclaimed Ron looking at Hermione in a new sort of way, "Little miss prefect snuck out in the middle of the night and went down there?"

Hermione nodded, Harry noticed that she did this slightly mournfully, and continued, "I went to the kitchens to have a word with the other house-elves about Dobby having to do Gryffindor Tower all by himself. They agreed to work together again as long as I didn't make any more elf-hats (Hermione paused at a look from Ron). So I was walking back up to the common room again-using the cloak-when I saw Professor Agapanthus. She wasn't in her office; she was headed towards the Dungeons."

"The Dungeons?" asked Harry, "What would she want there?"

"I haven't the slightest idea," answered Hermione.

"I do," stated Ron and Harry and Hermione looked at him expectantly as they found seats at the table, "Harry and I saw her muttering over a cauldron. Maybe she needed ingredients for whatever it was she was making."

Hermione looked at Ron astonished, "That's brilliant! I bet that's what she was after. Well done, Ron!"

Ron grinned sheepishly and Harry thought for a moment. Yes that did make sense but what was she making? It couldn't be that important because she didn't mind them seeing it. Harry dismissed these thoughts and he discussed team practices with Ron.

The day seemed to go by slowly, homework and studies did little to help pass the time, and there was still no sign of Sirius at mid day. Harry and Ron had decided to have the first Quiddich practice tomorrow and spent most of the afternoon booking the field and alerting the other team members.

When they returned Harry noticed something odd. Ginny was walking around the Common Room handing people violet pieces of parchment. She handed one to Harry and it read:

Hermione Granger's Wicked Sixteenth Birthday Party

Join us as we honor Hermione Granger for her Wicked Sixteenth Birthday Party in Madam Puddifoot's. The party will be held on the first Hogsmeade trip of the year, at 4:00 in the afternoon on September the 19th .

Harry gave his violet parchment over to Ron to let him read it. After Ron had finished reading it they both looked at each other dangerously and cried,

"I haven't bought her a present!"

"Well, I can't fix that for you," said Ginny, "But if Hermione ever comes your way, tap the parchment with your wand. It's sort of a surprise."

Harry was in a crisis-like state of panic while he awaited Sirius' return. How could he have forgotten Hermione's birthday? He would have to quickly buy the present while in Hogsmeade. Finally with a small pop Sirius returned to the frame,

"Harry, I'm back," he stated anxiously.

Harry nearly jumped out of his skin and replied, "How's Lupin?"

"Pretty bad," replied Sirius looking serious and concerned, "He got ambushed by a bunch of Dementors and Death Eaters."

"Is he going to be all right?" asked Harry.

"He should be okay after awhile. He was barely recognizable when I saw him," answered Sirius.

"Tell me exactly what happened and why it took you so long to get back here," said Harry eager to hear everything.

Sirius sighed and answered, "Lupin was doing serious work for the Order, I'm not supposed to say anymore here, and he was attacked by a bunch of Voldemort's followers. Arthur found him and managed to get him to St. Mungo's. When I got to Grimmauld Place and slipped into my portrait there, no one was home so I waited until Molly came home and I beseeched her to tell me about Lupin and to take me to him."

Sirius brushed his hair from his face and continued, "Anyway, we had a hell of a time getting me in my two foot frame past security but we finally made it in his room. Poor Remus, he was knocked cold and it was a long time before he said anything. He was delirious and thought we were back at Hogwarts. The Medi-Wizard said he'd be alright but I had my doubts so I waited until I saw some improvement."

Harry nodded; disgruntled that Sirius couldn't tell him what Lupin was doing. However, Harry was relieved to hear that Lupin was supposedly getting better and he was glad that Sirius had told him this much so Harry said good-night and went to sleep.

Snoring from Sirius' portrait awoke Harry the next morning, and he tiptoed gingerly down the stairs. Harry found Ron waiting for him so they could set out for the Quidditch Pitch. They greeted each other and snuck past a sleeping Hermione.

"She was waiting for you too, but she got… erm… distracted," stated Ron with a grin on his face.

The two of them made their way to the Quidditch Pitch, and began preparations. The team would be joining them shortly. Once they had finished the rest of the team members had arrived. Ginny was melodramatically leading the group, flanked by the Creevey brothers who were looking up at her in awe. Jack and Will were both whispering excitedly about something.

Harry desperately wanted to laugh at the picture they presented, but he managed to restrain himself and when everyone was in hearing distance Harry said,

"All right, we're just going to go over the basics of your positions today. Ron will be a sort of co-captain so you listen to him too

Harry was amazed at how everyone was looking at him with their full attention. When they began they started off very poorly. Harry felt like an Orchestra Conductor. However, he knew, once they got the hang of it, they would begin to look like a team.

Harry was also amazed at the hidden talent the Creevey brothers seemed to possess. They could hit the Bludgers harder than anyone Harry had ever seen before. They were almost like Bludgers themselves. He then gave the duties to Ron for a moment so he could practice himself. Harry set off the Snitch and mounted his Dreamstorm. Harry zoomed around using different tactics as he tried to catch the Snitch. Regardless what he did it didn't take Harry long to catch it.

Once he had finished practicing, Harry made his way towards Ron and the others as they continued practicing. Jack and Will were flying intricate patterns in the air, calling down to Ron, evidently re-enacting their Uncle Swooping Stan's famous Swooping Swish from the 2000 World Cup finals. Ron just stood there, his mouth hanging open, as he followed the swift movements of the twins.

It took several calls of Ron's name from Harry before Ron was snapped back to reality. Ron ran over to Harry and exclaimed,

"They're brilliant! They've re-enacted the moment perfectly!"

Harry left Ron to his own devices and began watching the Creevey brothers whacking at Bludgers with all their might. Harry was simply flabbergasted at the brothers' talent. When they touched down he made his way over to them.

"Where did you learn to hit like that?" asked Harry.

"Our dad used to play cricket and we play with him whenever we get the chance," began Colin.

"Being a Beater is a lot like being a Batsman in Cricket isn't it?" inquired Dennis.

Harry nodded because he just wanted them to keep doing what they were doing. Harry rounded up the team and said,

"Okay, our first match is against Slytherin in two weeks. We're going to have practices every other day. We need to get ready."

They all trudged along towards the castle and along the way they ran into a very unpleasant person. Malfoy and a sea of green robed Quidditch players were making their way towards the Pitch.

"Oh, clever team you have there Potter," began Malfoy and then facing his team mates though speaking loud enough so all could hear he continued, "Looks like Potter had to scrape the bottom of the barrel this time. It appears to me that size has no appeal to him."

Malfoy tuned around and sneered at Colin, Dennis, and Ginny. He turned back to his team, who were sniggering, and added, "People are so tired of Potter's big head that unsuspecting First Years had to be on the team."

Ron turned red and half-bellowed, "Do you know who those two arrgggggggggggh!""

Harry had quickly dropped the Quaffle upon Ron's foot to keep him quiet. The last thing Malfoy needed to know was how Jack and Will were on the team because of their uncle. Harry scrambled to pick up the Quaffle and gave Ron an apologetic look. Then putting the Quaffle back in the bin where it belonged he continued on past the Slytherin Team.

Ron and Harry returned to the Common Room to find Hermione still sleeping soundly exactly where they had left her. Ron gave her a few hours before poking her in the middle of the back.

"Is it time for Quidditch already?" yawned Hermione getting up wearily.

"No," answered Harry, "It's over."

Hermione, now fully awake, looked at Harry apologetically, "Oh, Harry I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to I just laid down and shut my eyes and…"

"We completely understand your lack of… how should we say it?... care," stated Ron.

Hermione looked at Ron in complete shock. Tears sprung down her face and with that she stormed back up to her dormitory where Harry suspected she got more sleep.

The rest of the day was spent with Ron releasing all the hatred he felt for Hermione at the moment. Harry really thought that Hermione was in the right but Harry knew that if he would like to retain all of his body parts that he should at least pretend to agree with Ron.

It was soon time to go to bed, which Harry really didn't want to do for it meant classes would be starting again but it was impossible to prohibit the inevitable so Harry went to his four-poster and drifted off to sleep.

Gold. That was all Harry could see. Harry was watching himself move up a long golden corridor towards a small extravagant doorway. He pushed open the door and entered a beautiful room. It contained a small crystal-blue spring. In the center was a golden statue shaped like a woman.

Harry looked around and was surprised to see Lupin and Mr. Weasley standing in the room as well, though they couldn't see him. They both made their way towards the statue and it wasn't until then that Harry realized that there was large golden cauldron behind the statue of the woman.

Lupin and Mr. Weasley grabbed the cauldron and pulled it out. Lupin pulled a bag and from it Lupin sprinkled peacock-blue pebbles into the basin. Mr. Weasley dropped a black feather inside and the contents of a silver flask. They each took out a book and read a long incantation from it.

There was a flash of light and the cauldron was full of water that looked like the spring. They then poured the water on the statue. There was a lurch, as though Harry was watching a movie and there was something wrong with the tape, and now Harry saw that the statue was gone and the room was filled with Dementors and Death Eaters.

Lupin was backed into a corner firing spell after spell when, what appeared to be, every Death Eater in the room pointed their wands at him and released spells. They all struck Lupin with such force that even though Harry was watching from someplace far away he felt the impact.

"NOOO!" screamed Harry sitting bolt upright.

"HARRY!" roared a voice near Harry's bed.

Harry turned to see that Sirius was gazing worriedly at him. Harry also noticed that Ron, Seamus, Dean, and Neville were standing by his bed. Harry felt his face and was surprised to see sweat dripping down it.

"Harry, what happened?" asked Ron.

"There… was this room… and there was a statue… and then it was gone and Lupin… Lupin got attacked!" shrieked Harry getting out of bed.

Sirius looked at Harry in amazement. Harry vaguely wondered why but that didn't matter Harry had to explain what had happened so someone could do something.

"Lupin got attacked? But Harry, he's already been attacked remember?" reminded Ron.

Realization dawned on Harry's face. It must have been a dream this time but Harry couldn't fool himself. Harry fooled the others though by lying on the bed again and trying to go back to sleep.

It wasn't until after everyone had gone back to bed when Sirius whispered, "Careful here Harry. Listen, I don't know how you saw that but that is exactly what happened to Lupin from my understanding of it. Now, I can't tell you what they were doing but they were in a beautiful golden room."

Harry pretended to be asleep. Sirius stopped talking and eventually Harry began to hear snores from his picture again.