Disclaimer: For the fourteenth time, I do not own Harry Potter or any of the other characters. However, I do not hesitate to stake claim on whatever I can…. Which means my plot…woohoo ^_^
A/N: Thanks for the reviews…I have finally finished the final plans for the story which I believe will be around 27 chapters or so… so hang in there… we are just getting started… and I hope to have more reviews in the future… they are a HUGE incentive to write ^_^
Chapter 14: Inquiring Minds
Harry Potter rushed down the hallway toward the huge gargoyle statue that he had come to know very well. He was late but he figured that it was for a good reason, he had been helping Hagrid with Grawp.
Hagrid had asked Harry to come down to his cottage after class so that he could visit with Grawp. Hagrid felt that he had become very lonely. Harry was very aware of the fact that he didn't visit as much as he should, but he had been rather preoccupied the past couple of weeks.
After Ginny had gotten out of the hospital wing they had quickly started up with plans for their DADA class. They were working on a demonstration of their own Patronus charms for the class. They had also been practicing hard with Quidditch.
Unfortunately they had not gotten any further in their research of the Veil. Hermione was determined not to give up and she reminded Harry of that every chance that she got.
Harry got off of the moving staircase and did not even bother to knock before entering Dumbledore's office. He pushed open the large door and paused as everyone turned and stared at him. He was the last one to arrive, but that did not really surprise him. Hermione and Ron wore equal expressions of bewilderment and Ginny looked simply amused. He looked toward Dumbledore and smiled apologetically. The old man nodded but motioned for Harry to sit in the half moon in front of his desk, formed by chairs.
"Thank you all for coming to this meeting, I just wish for some feedback on how you think the DADA classes are going thus far."
He shuffled through some papers before continuing, "The test scores in the classes have been exemplary, and so I have no concerns myself."
Luna stood up and addressed the headmaster, "I wanted to know if we could expand the present curriculum… I mean, there are so many things and creatures that these students are not informed about."
Harry, who was sitting on the other side of the room next to Hermione, heard her murmur, "That is because they do not exist." She had not been quiet enough as Luna turned and looked at her for a fleeting moment before turning her inquiring look back to Dumbledore.
He looked at the small girl, "I gather that you mean the things from your father's magazine. And although I also think not enough people are aware of them, I believe they may not be ready to learn about them."
Harry caught a small wink from the Professor and Luna smiled, once again sitting down in her seat.
Everyone was quiet as Dumbledore rummaged through some more papers. Seeming to find what he was looking for he placed the paper on his desk in triumph. He perused it for several moments, whilst everyone remained silent throughout the room.
"Miss Weasley, I had almost forgotten about your proposal."
Harry saw Ginny redden slightly as if she had forgotten as well. She turned her face and their eyes met. She smiled widely and winked, and it was then that Harry was sure that whatever she had proposed had been something first-rate.
"Everyone… Miss Weasley has asked if we could put on a special program for the students. I have to say myself that it sounds like a brilliant idea… Miss Weasley, why don't you share your idea with the others?"
Ginny nodded and spoke with hesitation initially, "Well, I wanted to put on a sort of demonstration for the DADA students. I know that they get plenty of theory," she looked pointedly at Hermione and Ernie, who were completely oblivious to the allegation, "but I thought it would be an excellent initiative for them to see what they are learning in use. So I thought that we could have a sort of battle competition here at Hogwarts. I imagine we could open it up to students 5th year and older for it can be single elimination. We can also host it within the Great Hall.
I am aware that we used to have the Dueling club and then last year we had the DA, but this year I don't think there are any actual chances to perform magic in a valuable context. The younger students can get the chance to see the benefit and usefulness of what they are learning at the same time that the older students are being able to sharpen their skills."
She looked around the room at all of their faces, looking for some kind of encouragement that it had been, in fact, a fine idea. No one said anything for some time before Harry took it upon himself to speak, "That sounds like a brilliant idea Ginny!"
Taking their cue from Harry, everyone joined in the mutual acceptance of the proposal and they were talking eagerly about who would prevail.
Dumbledore stood up from his desk, causing the conversations to subside, "I also agree, Miss Weasley that this is a magnificent plan… but I will have to work on making sure that it is properly supervised as well as that everyone is aware of the proper dueling rules. I will also contact the Heads of Houses to discuss the idea as well as when they would like the event to happen… I also imagine that many people will want to participate so I advise that we have a type of pre duel so that we can narrow down our list of contenders; as you know we can not have this challenge last a week."
They were soon after excused from the meeting and most of them were truly excited. Harry noticed however that his friends were not as thrilled as the others have proved to be. Hermione and Ron had marched up ahead with Ginny, while Harry had stayed after for a moment to apologize to Dumbledore for being delayed.
As he rounded the corner to the hallway he stopped when he heard Ron's muted and infuriated words, "Ginny that was not a good idea."
"Why not Ron?"
"For two reasons; the first being the Triwizard Tournament and how well that turned out for Harry. And the second is the Ministry of Magic and how well that turned out for Harry."
"Ron, don't be thick, this is a simple school duel. It is more of a presentation for the younger students then anything."
"But Ginny, I don't think this will help… why have duels when we don't have to?"
Harry turned the corner to face his friends. Hermione, who he had not heard, had her face buried behind a book, neither seeming to know what the other two had been talking about, or Harry's new presence.
However Ron and Ginny had become completely conscious of his presence. Harry did not want to cause any problems between his friends, but he had to admit that he did not want to be protected by anyone else and he figured there was no time like the present to make that perfectly lucid.
Harry looked at Ron fixedly, "I think that this is a good idea and I think it was brilliant for Ginny to suggest it. I know that you are worried about me but I need you to trust that I can take care of myself. I don't need you mothering me Ron; unfortunately I have many people already doing that."
He set lips into a straight expression, neither a smile nor a frown and he walked away. He was not even sure if he wanted to partake in the duel, but he did not want them to cancel it because of him. And like Ginny said, it was a simple school event; he doubted that Dumbledore would let anything happen to any of the students during the combat.
He kept walking for a while, desperate to end all of the thoughts that were running through his head. He was relived to finally see something that would do just the thing. He looked up to see the picture on the wall that led to the kitchens. He had wanted to speak with Dobby for a while, and he figured the chat was long overdue.
He reached his hand up and lightly brushed his finger against the side of the pear, which squirmed and giggled.
Upon entering the kitchens he saw Dobby right away. He was squatting over a form on the floor, which was flapping its arms and legs in every direction. Dobby seemed to be trying to pour a liquid into the mouth, but was being enormously unsuccessful.
As Harry moved closer, he saw that the figure on the ground was Winky, or something that used to bear a resemblance to the house elf called Winky.
Dobby turned around, apparently alerted by Harry's footsteps. "Harry Potter sir, I am very sorry." Dobby looked very alarmed and oddly worn-out.
Harry looked down at the figure on the floor, "What is wrong with her?"
Dobby turned to face the same figure and shook his head dejectedly, "Dobby does not know sir. Dobby is thinking Winky is very lonely and very sick, but nothing makes her happy."
Harry tried to touch Winky's brow, which turned out to be a dire idea, as all it succeeded in doing was causing her to start moaning shrilly.
"Don't worry Harry Potter, sir; Dobby will take care of it…somehow."
"Dobby, I wanted to ask you a question actually, about Gryffindor Tower."
Harry noticed that Dobby looked panicked and immediately flung himself headlong into a long tirade of apologies. "Dobby is sorry sir, but he must get her to stop… no one will go and Dobby does not have enough time to do it all himself… Winky is always causing problems."
Harry felt sincerely terrible, as he had not meant to hurt Dobby, and he wanted to find out just what exactly had been going on. The tower had become increasingly messy. At first all of the students had handled it well, pitching in to help clean, and making their own beds. But, the last few weeks it had gone totally out of their hands. No matter how much they tried to clean, they were always covered in at least a film of dust each time they sat in the common room.
"So if I ask Hermione to stop leaving out clothes the other house elves will help you?"
Dobby shook his head, his eyes starting to fill up with tears, "It is no use… they will not believe her."
Harry thought for a second before he came up with a decent solution, "Ok, what if she comes and apologizes, and then she promises to end S.P.E.W.?"
Dobby smiled and nodded his head, "Thank you Harry Potter, sir, Dobby is always knowing he can count of you, Dobby will repay Harry."
With that he scurried back over to where Winky was laying, now fast asleep.
~~~***~~~***~~~
Harry returned to the common room after his visit with Dobby. He found Ron sitting on the sofa, staring into the fireplace, chess game in head. As soon as the portrait hole shut, Ron turned to Harry hopefully. He raised the board to his friend, "Want to play some Wizard's chess Harry?"
Harry nodded, as he knew that this was his best friend's form of an apology.
He sat down across the table from Ron and they set up the pieces. Neither of them said a word, as they had been through so much at this point that nothing was really worth saying.
The game continued for a fairly long time, Harry being sorely beaten by Ron.
They were both startled out of concentration as Hermione clamored in through the portrait hole, breathless and flushed.
"I think I found something."
She held out a piece of parchment. Harry peered over to see very elaborate handwriting.
"What is it?" Ron looked bewildered.
"Well," she tried to regain her composure, "I was looking through these old journals in the Restricted Section… and I happened upon one that was hidden in the back behind the other books… I can't believe this but I think it belonged to Grindelwald!"
Ron grabbed the parchment out of her hand, "Wait a minute… the wizard who Dumbledore defeated? That is bloody brilliant! But how did you get into the Restricted Section?"
Hermione sighed loudly, "don't you ever pay attention? Dumbledore said that we could use it because we are teaching the classes… Anyway it says something about the Veil… well not about the Veil in particular… but it talks about one of the portals anyway, Grindelwald supposedly says that because he had the Veil he would finally be able to figure out where the Gateway was. You know, the Gateway of Ecnanimod? Well anyway it makes sense about why Voldemort would want to find the veil."
She seemed quite satisfied with herself and smugly crossed her arms athwart her chest.
Harry hated times like this, when he was expected to understand a connection that was presented to him. The only thing that reconciled him was the look of utter confusion that was displayed all over Ron's face.
"Excuse me, but how exactly does this make sense?"
Hermione looked sort of put off, but then excitement played over her face as she started to explain the details, "Well, it is obvious that Voldemort wants the Veil to get to the gateway. It didn't make sense to me why Voldemort would even be interested in the Veil. But then we find out that Percy is kidnapped. He was very close to Fudge last year and Voldemort had to know that, through his contacts at the Ministry. So he wants to get to the Veil so that he can get to the Gateway. Think of it this way, he tries to get immortality through the Philosopher's Stone, but that fails… then he brings himself back to power through you, but he finds that you are still a viable threat… so he needs another option. The only way he can guarantee ultimate power is through immortality, and that is brought through the Gateway."
Ron had gone visibly white, "But who said that Percy even knows anything about the Veil? And even if he does, I don't think he would tell him… he is too loyal to Fudge."
"Yes Ron," Hermione spoke quietly this time, "but there are other ways of getting someone to disclose secret information."
Ron gasped the word "Torture" before burying his face in his hands.
Harry quickly intervened, "Not necessarily… there is always a truth serum."
Ron looked slightly relieved, "So what should we do? Tell someone?"
Hermione shook her head.
Harry and Ron were completely shocked. Ron's mouth dropped open and Harry just stared at her until Ron verbalized what was going through both of their minds. "You don't want to tell anyone? Like an authority figure? Like going against the Rules?"
Hermione looked defensive, "It is certainly not going against any rules, I am just saying that we might be completely off… and besides it doesn't help them search out Voldemort any faster… I think we should just wait and see what else we can find out before we go and make assumptions that can lead to very important outcomes."
Ron grumbled, "More research, now that is the Hermione we know and love." As soon as he said this Harry noticed how quickly he had seemed to avert his gaze to the far window… and the fact that Hermione's gaze was unmoving and set straight on Ron. Her eyes did not move as Ron finally returned her stare. He immediately smiled innocently and he rose up from the couch. "Well I'm off, lots of studying to do." He winked at Hermione and disappeared out of the portrait hole.
Harry stared at Hermione and she looked at him once the portrait hole had closed. "What's wrong Harry?"
Harry shook his head but couldn't help smiling facetiously, "Nothing at all, oh… and thanks Hermione, for all of the work that you are putting into helping me. It means more than you know."
She smiled and held out her arm, covering his hand with her own, "That's what best friends are for Harry." She got up from the couch and started toward the girl's dormitory. Before she reached them however, she spoke to Harry from over her shoulder, "I'm going upstairs to get some books… but I think you might want to head outside for a little while."
Harry looked at her inquisitively despite the fact that her back was facing him, "Why?"
"Your fellow DADA teacher is having a mid-semester crisis that I think you might be able to help her with." She started up the stairs and left Harry with no choice but to go find Ginny.
~~~***~~~***~~~
It did not take him a long time to find her. She was standing on the Quidditch field, whipping her wand around and mumbling angrily. Harry approached her with the same caution that one would a wild tiger.
"Erm… Ginny? What are you doing?"
She whipped her head around to meet his, her face the color of an apple… an exceptionally red apple.
"Harry… I need to be alone, please… thus the reason for my presence at an empty Quidditch pitch." Her response had been both quick and accusing, causing Harry to mildly flinch at her change in character.
He stood there staring at her before he could work up the courage for a response, "I just thought you could use a friend, or that I could help."
Ginny's eyes at once appeared more ashamed than anything and she stepped back from him. She dropped her wand to the ground in defeat and slumped into a heap on the moist grass.
"Harry I'm sorry… it's just that I am having some trouble with something but I didn't want you to know."
Harry took her sullen words as an invitation and sat beside her in the grass, picking up her wand from beside him. He twirled it slowly in his fingers.
"What are you having trouble with?"
She placed her hands over her face and responded, or somewhat muttered, "You know how we are doing the Patronus Charm for the student's next class?"
Harry spoke a quiet affirmation and waited for a response. But she did not continue, she simply raised her eyes to him and gave him a meaningful look.
Harry finally understood, "Oh…"
Before he could continue she interrupted, "It's just that I can't hold onto a happy memory, with everything that is going on right now I am finding it very difficult to even think of anything good or happy."
Harry continued to play with her wand, "Well… how about when you were younger… any happy moments there?"
Ginny looked at him seriously, "was that before or after the twins hexed my toys?"
"Point taken" Harry replied. "How about at Hogwarts… how about the excitement of first year?"
She then looked levelly at the ground, "Two words… Riddle's diary."
Harry smacked his head not even believing that he had just said that. He noted mentally that counseling others was definitely not his forte. He thought harder.
"Ok… sorry… but, oh ok how about Quidditch? Catching the snitch? Or how about the DA? You are the one who came up with the name that day… or Michael Corner?" Harry's stomached lurched as he remembered how he was now with Cho. "Or about class and how brilliant you are at teaching… or your family… or your friends… Neville, Luna, Dean, Hermione, Ron, me?"
Harry was running out of breath quickly and gasped for air. Despite this he was ready to continue. But before he could he was interrupted.
"I got it!" Ginny leaped up excitedly off of the grass, snatching her wand away from Harry's grasp. She shuts her eyes firmly and swished the wand gracefully while shouting the incantation, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
For a moment Harry was still in shock and he did not think that anything was going to happen. But suddenly in a flash there was a silvery gleam that lit the field in the every growing twilight.
A large lion appeared from the outside and danced around them, enclosing them within a circle of light. After a few moments the glow started to fade and all that was left was Harry and Ginny.
She danced around before flinging herself at Harry in a full-on Weasley hug.
"Thanks so much Harry! I was so worried that my lessons over the summer would have gone to waste." She pulled back from him slowly and looked at him in the eyes, "Thanks for helping me."
He smiled at her while she bent down to pick up the wand that she had once again dropped during her celebratory dance.
"What was the memory anyhow?"
She smiled mischievously, "That is personal business Mr. Potter." She winked at him and ran back up toward the school, once again leaving him no choice but to follow a girl.
~~~***~~~***~~~
When Harry and Ginny had returned to the school, most of the students were already convened in the Great Hall for dinner. They reached the Gryffindor table together and sat side-by-side facing Ron and Hermione, who were already eating. Harry realized that he had forgotten to talk to Hermione about Dobby.
"I saw Dobby today."
Ron laughed through his chicken but Hermione looked intrigued. "How is he?"
"Hermione, listen, he asked me to tell you to stop with S.P.E.W. I know that you care a lot about the house elves but they will not even go near our Common Room. Before they even consider going back they would like an apology from you as well as a promise that you will stop trying to free them."
Hermione opened her mouth in shock, "Harry this is outrageous, they don't know what they are asking for… they need to be informed about their options… their choices in life."
Harry interrupted before he could be lectured again on the indentured servitude life of a House Elf. "I know… but the thing is they don't want to know… and not to mention the effect that all of this is having on Dobby. He is really overwhelmed, between taking care of Winky and trying to keep up with the cleaning… he is a wreck!"
Hermione looked up with watery eyes and Harry knew that he had hit his target straight on… he knew that it was cruel of him to make her feel bad, but he had also kept his word to Dobby.
"OK Harry." Hermione responded so quietly that had he not been listening for it, he might not have heard it. "I will go down tomorrow."
Dinner finished rather quietly after that, with everyone mourning his or her last remaining ideas of S.P.E.W. Suddenly Harry looked over as he saw Professor Dumbledore rise from his seat at the Head Table. It was obvious that others had also taken notice because the Great Hall went immediately quiet.
"Sorry for interrupting your dinner but I have an announcement to make."
A low murmur rippled through the crowd like a small wave.
"Before the end of term we are going to be having a Hogwart's Tournament. We have never done this before but we are all very excited. What it will entail is any 5th year or up, who wishes to participate will sign up during their Defense class. You will then face your fellow students in a pre tournament duel where we will narrow it down to fifteen finalists. On our last day here before Christmas vacation we will have a special presentation of the last final duels in front of all of the remaining students. The tournament will end when there is one student left. There is a strict set of rules that I expect all students to adhere to during each duel. The winner of the duel will earn their House 200 points toward the House Cup. We wish for this to be safe fun and informative, for all of the teachers agree that it is very helpful to see live duels to learn practical application as well as technique. Please make sure that you sign up within the next week and good luck to all!"
Before Dumbledore sat down, the entire room was filled with noise from students talking excitedly to one another. Even the younger students, who would not be participating, were bubbling with joy; two hundred extra house points was no small feat. It almost ensured that whoever won the duel would also win their House the House Cup.
Harry could tell that Ginny was bursting with pride that her idea had taken such flight; he leaned over so that just she could hear. "I think we just found you another happy memory."
Ginny smiled widely and Harry caught the unmistakable gleam of happiness in her eyes.
Harry couldn't help but feel gladness for her at that moment. That was until Draco Malfoy chose that moment to walk by the table.
"At last Potter… I won't have to hold myself back while wanting to finish you off…And Weasley… I'm sure you will want to enter too, but alas I fear all you are qualified to do is polish Potter's wand… and yet that job may be still above you. Better leave that job to your little bitty sister."
Harry and Ron jumped up to shout whatever curse came to mind. But before they could, none other than Ginny Weasley herself had pushed Malfoy onto the floor. She sat back down quietly while Crabbe and Goyle helped Malfoy up and they quickly left the Great Hall, muttering threats to small Gryffindors on their way out.
Everyone stared at Ginny who was finishing the last bit of food that had been on her plate. "Are any of you going to enter?" she said lightly as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.
When no one responded she looked up and returned everyone's stares, "What?"
Ron laughed and shook his head, "Guess we don't have to ask you the same question."
Thanks for all of the reviews!!! Keep them coming… I won't thank everyone b/c I want to get the chapter posted, so I will do it next chapter! ^_^
Thanks do my beta "Bootstrap" Jim… and for overlooking my slight modification of the story ^_- Thanks for all of the good work…. Everyone kudos to the beta ^_^