April
It was a bright morning in the early part of summer; and the warm sun seemed to be pulling everything green, bushy and spiky up out of the earth towards it. However, not even the sun's power could penerate Hogwarts thick stone walls. The mood inside the castle was solemn and dark in the days that followed the attack. Many students were worried that Hogwarts was unsafe. Rumours to this effect echoed in whispers around the classrooms and the Great Hall.
Worse, The Daily Prophet had caught hold of part of the storey. It didn't know the full facts, as names were missing from the article. However, the truth wouldn't stop them displaying their usual array of speculations and accusations directed to Harry in particular. It reprinted one a Rita Skeeter's stories about him being friendly with a werewolf. New stories appeared daily, each one worse than the first.
Saturday morning came with an unusual rainstorm, bringing a cold wind and a deeper sense of dread to the school. Harry found himself sitting absent-mindedly in a chair in the Gryffindor common room, staring at the fire. How could a werewolf get into Hogwarts? It didn't make sense.
The new safety precautions that had been put in place since the attack meant that no student was allowed out after sunset. As it became dark at about 6 o'clock in the evening, this effectively cancelled all Quidditch practices during the week. A rota was drafted for the weekends, so that each team got an equal amount of time on the pitch.
Unfortunately, it was Hufflepuff's turn today, so Harry was bored.
"Master Harry Potter" squeaked a tiny voice that made Harry smile.
"Dobby" he grinned
"Harry Potter. It is good to see you"
"Thanks. Is good to see you as well" Harry replied, looking down at the elf, who looked back with his big tennis ball sized eyes.
"I have a message for Harry Potter from Choo."
"Cho" corrected Harry
"She is better and would like to see you"
"Okay" Harry yawned. "Let's go past the Ravenclaw common room. I'll get Luna." He didn't want to see Cho by himself.
Dobby led Harry and Luna through the castle to the infirmary; which was totally unnecessary, as Harry had been there on many occasions before. He could probably walk there in his sleep if he had to.
Madam Pomfrey was waiting outside, and spoke to them before they went in. "She's going to make it. But she is... She's a werewolf now. There was nothing I could do. Nothing more that I can do."
Madam Pomfrey looked as though she had failed
"You can see her if you want. She's... she's had quite a shock. Be prepared. She doesn't look well. But I know she needs her friends now."
Harry nodded, took a deep breath, and walked past Madam Pomfrey with Luna and into the ward. Luna held his hand.
He was surprised to see that she was sitting up in the bed. She had her knees pulled up to her chin, the bed sheet covering her from the waist down. As he peered at her through the dim light, he realised that she was shaking.
Harry studied her face and saw that there were the remnants of a nasty gash on her cheek and a black eye. Madam Pomfrey had already started the healing process on the outside, but Harry wondered when it would begin on the inside. There were more scrapes and bruises along her arms and a deep cut that started at her shoulder blades and disappeared beneath the shirt she was wearing.
"I... I don't remember what happened," she whispered. Her voice was hoarse. "I don't remember... after it grabbed me..." She shuddered. "How did I survive?"
Harry couldn't speak. He didn't know what to tell her - how to break it to her. Was she better off not knowing?
"It was actually Harry who saved you," said Luna
"He did?" Cho didn't look at either one of them. Something was very wrong about her.
"He distracted it with his patronus. If he didn't drop you..." her voice trailed off.
She looked Harry in the eye, but her gaze was wild and her eyes were wet, filling with tears as she spoke. "Why did you let me live?!" she exploded. "I hate what I am. What I've become! I don't want to be a werewolf..."
Cho was crying hysterically. Harry's heart broke for her. "I'm a monster!" she screamed. "A monster!"
Her breath came in shallow gasps, as wiped her tear-stained cheeks. She looked so helpless, so vulnerable.
"What am I going to do now?"
They were interrupted by voices in the corridor outside.
"We've got to," he heard Tonks say. "Dumbledore said..."
"He didn't say we had to register her," Remus interrupted. "He said we just needed to take care of her."
"But it's the law," she protested. "If Cho's caught, she'll be branded a renegade."
"Why would she be caught?" Remus questioned. "There's no reason why we can't hold off on it for a bit. We should wait. You don't realise what it's like - how terrible it would be for her. The Werewolf Registry is a terrible place. Once you get your name on that list, your life is never the same again."
"But they'll know," Tonks said. "People - especially the Ministry - are bound to get suspicious when she starts becoming ill around the full moon. It will only be a matter of time before someone figures it out."
"But until then," Remus interjected, "I believe it's best if we just keep it quiet."
"Shhh..." Tonks hushed.
They walked into the ward
"How are you Cho?" Remus asked at once.
"How do you think?" replied Cho angrily. "Are you here to welcome me to the club?"
"Oh dear." Said Tonks
"What were you talking about?" asked Harry
Tonks and Lupin exchanged glances, both looking grave.
Tonks sighed. "Cho's, er, condition is quite a predicament. All werewolves need to be registered with the Ministry."
"But" interrupted Lupin, if her condition was known to the public, the results could be disastrous. She would certainly have great difficulty getting a job."
"But that's prejudice!" Cho cried.
Remus's hands coiled into fists. "That's the way it is when you're a werewolf. No second chances. No special treatment. There is no forgiveness for a monster." His eyes were grave. "It's only a matter of time before you find out who your true friends are. And I guarantee you'll have many more enemies."
Madam Pomfrey brought over a tray with a flask filled with some peach-coloured liquid. "You need to make sure you drink this entire potion."
Cho took the flask, sniffed it, and then took a sip. She coughed and sputtered. She glanced at Harry, then took a deep breath, and drank the contents.
Cho was tiring quickly. Her eyelids would drop every once in a while, and he had to wonder what was in that potion Madam Pomfrey had instructed her to drink.
"I think we ought to let Cho get some rest," Harry said quietly to Luna.
Harry and Luna were taking a walk, up to the Owlery. Luna wanted to send a report about the attack to her father, and Harry had said that she could borrow Hedwig. They crunched their way over the tiny white bones that littered the floor.
Harry called Hedwig down from her perch high in the roof. She glided silently onto his outstretched arm, and hooted softly.
"She's just an adorable owl," said Luna, fastening the letter to Hedwig's leg.
After she sent Hedwig off, Luna took Harry's hand in hers and kissed him. Harry now knew what he had to do. He wrapped his arms around Luna and held her tight. This felt better than kissing Cho. With a shock Harry loosened himself from Luna, and looked out over the grounds. How could he think of Cho, when he was kissing Luna. He now had an idea how Cho had felt, when she had kissed him. At least he didn't act like a human hosepipe.
"Have you thought about what you're going to do during the break?" asked Luna
"Not really"
"Well, since we didn't get to see any Crumpled Horned Snoracks during the summer..". Harry stomach churned; he knew what was coming next.
"Well, "continued Luna, "would you like to come with us or not?"
"Yeah. That'd be great" lied Harry, forcing a grin. "I've never seen one before".
"Neither have I. What do you think about Cho?" asked Luna.
"Couldn't have happened to a nicer girl" Harry replied sarcastically.
That evening Harry had Occulmency with Professor Snape. Normally he would not be looking forward to this, but he remembered what Sirius had said. Tonight, he was determined to break into Snape's mind and solve a puzzle that had bothered him since his first year in Hogwarts.
He banged on the door to Professor Snape's office, then pushed it open. As always, the room was cold and dimly lit. Jars of pickled creatures filled the shelves in the room. It was an unpleasant sight.
"You're early for a change Potter" said Snape silkily. He was sitting behind his desk, marking essays. "Sit there until I have finished".
Harry did as he was told, and tried to calm and clear his mind. It wasn't easy when thoughts like "That's another 'P' for someone" kept floating through his head.
"I hope you've been practising Potter" said Snape after he had marked the final essay. "I'm growing tired of giving up my evenings to such a hopeless case".
Snape stood, walked around the desk and drew his wand.
"Legilimens!" said Snape, as usual, without warning
Harry's mind was blank. "There's nothing for you here Snape" he kept thinking to himself. He felt confident, in control.
"Legilimens!" said Harry
He was inside Snape's mind, in a tunnel. For a moment he didn't recognise it, then he realised that it was the one that led to the shrieking shack. He heard howling, then saw a large dog, or a wolf. Someone was pulling him back, away from the animal.
"Come on Snivellus. Do you want to get bitten?" Harry looked. It was his father; he looked worried. Harry had just witnessed James Potter saving Snape from Sirius's prank.
The vision faded, and then he was in Dumbledores Office.
"You owed James Potter a wizard's debt. Unfortunately your information was unable to save him and Lily" said a younger looking Dumbledore
"But that's the only reason I agreed to spy for you" said Snape angrily "surely the debt must be cancelled now"
"No" said Dumbledore gravely "it has been transferred to Harry Potter. This puts you in a difficult position. Voldemort, your master, has sworn to destroy him, and yet you must protect him"
"NO. THAT'S ENOUGH" roared Snape.
Harry was back in the office, on all fours, sweating. His knees were grazed. Professor Snape was leaning clutching the wall, pale and clammy. For a while neither said anything while they recovered.
"Well it seems you have been practising after all. Now get out"
Harry grimaced as he pulled himself up on a desk. As he hobbled towards the wooden door, his back turned, Snape called out "Obliviate"
"Protego" said Harry. The spell rebounded, causing Snape to duck. It struck the shelves on the wall behind him, breaking some of the jars.
Harry turned, his wand drawn, to see Snape soaked in embalming fluid. He had learnt two things that evening; Snape's secret, and that he did fight dirty. It wasn't difficult to see why his father had disliked him.
"Don't ever repeat what you saw tonight Potter. You are interfering with things that don't concern you"
Harry couldn't have got out of Snape's office any faster if he was on his Firebolt. He wasn't going to stay and argue. He had beaten Snape, and he knew exactly what he had to do first.
Naturally, the first thing he did was tell Ron, who leapt around the common room overjoyed and startling a group of first years. Next he told Hermione and Luna. Then he went and told Sirius, who was almost more estactic that Ron
Harry's euphoria disappeared the next day when he was summoned to Professor Dumbledore's Office.
"I hear that your Occlumency lessons have progressed rather well" said Dumbledore
"Er...Yeah, not bad" replied Harry, a little nervous.
"Harry, I need to know exactly what you have learnt. May I?" he asked.
Harry nodded
"Legilimens" said Dumbledore.
The events of the previous evening flashed before Harry's eyes, including Harry telling Ron, Hermione, Luna and Sirius
"Hmm" said Dumbledore thoughtfully "It would be no use modifying your memory to make you forget. I see Sirius is back amongst us"
Harry nodded.
"Next time you see him, would you ask him to come and speak with me. Thank you Harry. You may go now. Oh, and there is a meeting of the Order I would like you and Miss Granger to attend later this afternoon".
Harry, Hermione and Dumbledore travelled to The Burrow by portkey after their lessons for that day were over. They arrived just in time for the start of the meeting, which was attended by the usual members, with the exception of Tonks and Professor Mcgonagall who were probably still at Hogwarts, Harry suspected. Dumbledore stood up and opened the meeting once they had all settled into their seats around the oak table. Harry was surprised to see Fred and George, but remembered that they had joined The Order at Christmas time. They were dressed in their best dragon hide suits.
"Miss Granger as kindly agreed to join this meeting, to discuss the issue of house elves".
"Booooring" called Fred, faking a yawn. Harry rolled his eyes.
Hermione ignored him. "Yes. Thank you Professor" she beamed.
"Would you tell us about spew," began Snape. George tried to stiffled a laugh.
"S.P.E.W." she corrected automatically.
"Whatever, but is it true that your goal is to free all the house-elves at Hogwarts by knitting clothes for them?
"Erm, well" said Hermione, clearly flustered by this unexpected line of questioning. "They can't help it they're brainwashed to think they have to work all the time," Hermione said stubbornly.
"Brainwashed or not, if they do not want it, you cannot force it on them. Forcing freedom they do not want on them would be no better than forcing servitude on them," Snape said "Did you not think that setting them free, just because you want them to be free, would be fair?"
"Dobby didn't mind" "The other house elves think Dobby is a regular scandal, getting wages and time off. Remember, Dobby wanted to be freed" added Mrs Weasley.
"Yeah, that's true" said Tonks "still I expect you always get one weirdo"
"Dobby's not weird" snapped Hermione "Well Harry told me once that Dobby was singing 'Ninety-nine house elves jumpin' on the bed!' when he first met him" chipped in George.
"Yeah, 'n didn't Dobby warn Harry that he should stay away from school or he was gonna hurt him good" added Fred.
"He was trying to save Harry's life, wasn't he Harry" said Hermione, getting to her feet, and glaring at Harry.
"Yeah"
"This is not the path I had intended for this discussion" said Dumbledore firmly." please sit down Miss Granger"
"As you know" he continued "House-elves are very powerful magical creatures in their own right. Their magic, which requires none of the types of focusing tools that our magic requires, is capable of producing very powerful charms."
Harry remembered that Dobby had used his magic to enchant a Bludger, to close the magic portal that leads to Platform 93/4, to interfere with Owl Post and steal someone's letters, to knock Lucius Malfoy down a flight of stairs, and he also can disappear at will.
"That's true" said Tonks "they use a very powerful form of ancient magic"
"Unfortunately, as long as they're enslaved, they aren't likely to be using this magic for anything but their mundane work." Said Dumbledore shaking his head. "It would be interesting indeed if we could convince the house elves to stand up for themselves and perhaps even fight against Voldemort."
Hermione was horrified. "You... you don't mean to use ... them as, as soldiers in the war do you?"
"One way or another they will be drawn into this war. It is in our interest to ensure they are on the right side" said Mr Weasley.
"Don't worry Miss Granger" said Dumbledore. "House elves are too important to lose."
The meeting finished and Harry was puzzled why Dumbledore had invited him, there seemed very little of any relevance to him. At least the twins had provided some entertainment, even if it was Hermione baiting.
He glanced at the clock on the mantle of the fireplace. It was half past six.
"We'd better get going, Harry. They are expecting us." Said Lupin
"Back to Hogwarts then?" said Harry, wondering why Lupin would be going as well.
Remus shook his head. "The Ministry, by Floo Powder."
"Does Dumbledore know?"
He shrugged. "Of course, I think he knows everything. His eyes and ears are everywhere - just as Voldemort's are. There's no keeping a secret from Dumbledore. But not everyone present at the next meeting can be trusted."
Harry felt butterflies in his stomach as he followed Remus down the corridor on the ninth floor of the Ministry of Magic. He knew where they were going. He just didn't know why.
He had been in Courtroom Ten before. It was for his hearing last summer when he used magic to fight off two dementors that attacked him and Dudley. It was not a pleasant experience. But what was even more eerie was walking through the Department of Mysteries, knowing that Sirius had died only a few meters away.
His first conclusion was that he must have done something wrong. Perhaps he broke a law that he was unaware of. Or was he being called as a witness?
When they reached the stairway that led to the tenth floor, Remus gave Harry an encouraging pat on the back. "Go on. They're waiting for you."
Harry hesitated. "You aren't coming?"
"I'd rather not deal with them right now, if it's all the same to you." He frowned. "Besides, it has already been decided."
"What has?"
Remus gave him a shove. "You'll see." He winked at Harry, then turned around and swaggered down the long hallway through the Department of Mysteries.
Harry turned away, took a deep breath, and began his ascent to the tenth floor. When he reached the doorway to Courtroom Ten, there was a guard. He was relived to see that it was not a Dementor as it had been in the Pensieve. It was merely a tough-looking wizard. He took one look at Harry and unlatched the door. It was covered with iron bolts that the guard threw open with some force.
Harry sucked in his breath as he entered the dimly lit dungeon. The walls were made of dark stone, and he felt as though he was stumbling to his very first Potions lesson that he'd had as a first year in the depths of Hogwarts. Torches were mounted on the walls, the flames dancing across the uneven floor.
Harry realised that he had stopped moving and he was slightly trembling in the wake of the courtroom. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end.
"Mr. Harry James Potter," a voice boomed from the darkness. "Sit down."
Suddenly, the chair in the centre of the dungeon was illuminated in bright light. It was covered with chains. The very same chains that had once held many Death Eaters captive. Harry gulped and slowly made his way to the chair, sitting down on the cold seat.
Were they going to chain him to the chair as they did with every criminal?
Harry somehow found the courage to look up at the Wizengamot. They were all dressed in plum-coloured robes with elaborate silver W's stitched on one side. Harry recognised the woman who spoke. It was Amelia Bones, Susan Bones's aunt. She sat in the benches above him, peering down at him through her monocle. Dumbledore, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, was sitting on her left side, looking indifferent. When Harry met his eyes, however, he could feel a spark of excitement.
He cleared his throat. "My apologies, Harry." But he could tell that he wasn't really sorry. "You have been called here, in front of the Wizengamot, to recount the events of the past few weeks. Severus Snape has already testified on your behalf."
Testify? Was he on trial? And the more pressing question on his mind - why would Snape ever testify on his behalf? He didn't dare ask these questions out loud. Perhaps they might only hold it against him.
"Before we come to a verdict, the Wizengamot wishes to question you about the recent events surrounding your visions." He glanced up at the Wizengamot. "It's your floor, Amelia."
The square-jawed, grey-haired witch stared at him with such intense eyes that Harry found it hard to look away from them. "Harry, would you please recall the vision you had on the night of the Azkaban Fortress breakout?"
Harry nodded. He was so utterly confused that the vision seemed to be the only thing that made sense to him. It was still vivid, even after all this time. He glanced at Dumbledore, who nodded encouragingly. Harry launched into explanation of what he had seen in the Wizarding prison. "Then I reached for my scar because it was tingling. It was the eeriest sensation. It didn't hurt; it was just... extremely sensitive. Then next thing I knew, Professor Leurre was shaking me" he added .
"And the Dark Lord didn't see you?" a voice from above questioned. It came from an elderly man who Harry didn't recognise. "He didn't know you were there?"
"No," Harry replied confidently. "He didn't. If he would have known that I was there, my scar would have hurt." He wondered why there was such a sudden interest in the fact that his scar was no longer hurting. Before, it had been such a big deal if he felt any pain. Now, he rarely felt any.
"And what of the Occlumency lesson you spent with Professor Snape?"
Shocked, Harry did a double-take of the member of the Wizengamot who asked the question. "Excuse me?" He must have not heard her right. What did his Occlumency have to do with anything?
The tall, leathery-skinned witch who had asked the question stood up. "Mr. Potter," she repeated loudly, "when you performed Legilimency on Severus Snape, what did you see?"
Harry felt his cheeks grow red. He didn't see how that was at all relevant to whatever was going on inside the courtroom. Why should he have to recall that memory; surely it was supposed to be a secret?
And then he realised what it was all about. Practising Legilimency must have been against Wizarding law. He knew he should have never tried the spell on Snape. Now he was going to get his wand snapped in half for trying to see a memory that he never wanted to remember.
"Please answer the question, Harry," Dumbledore urged.
Harry took a deep breath and looked down to the floor. He was ashamed. "When I tried to read Professor Snape's mind, I saw him - I was him. I was being pulled back along a tunnel by my father." He paused. "At the end of the tunnel was a werewolf."
"Then what?" the witch encouraged.
Harry felt his face flush even more. "Then I was in Professor Dumbledore's Office. He was reminding Professor Snape that he had failed to save my parents " He spoke quickly, wanting it to end.
"And what was Professor Snape thinking?"
All heads, all but Harry's, snapped in Dumbledore's direction. Harry felt anger well up inside of him. Why did he have to admit to everything? Why was Dumbledore making him recall this extremely awkward memory?
Harry sighed. "He was thinking, "How did this happen?" And then it was over."
The courtroom was silent. Harry suddenly realised that he was gripping the arms of his chair so tightly that his knuckles were white. It felt like hours before anyone spoke again.
Amelia Bones stood up from her seat. "Clearly, he is ready for the next step." Most of the other wizards and witches on the Wizengamot nodded in agreement. The next step? His punishment?
But the witch spoke up from the floor. He shook his head. "Snape used the Pensieve in front of him. The results are inconclusive. The test was faulty. Harry saw him extract the memory."
Utterly bewildered, Harry couldn't take sitting in silence any longer. He was still embarrassed from his recollection of the memory in the first place. "I beg your pardon, but what's going on? Am I trial?" he demanded.
"See," Amelia Bones said. "He doesn't even know why he's here. He didn't even know he was being tested. Clearly, the license should be granted. He has insight into the Dark Lord's plan. He will aide the war. He will be a great asset to our fight."
"He is more than an asset," Dumbledore stated. "He is a sixteen-year-old young man. He has the heart of a child, pure and of good intentions. He has a curious mind and a knowledge of magic that puts him at the head of his class." Harry felt himself blushing at the compliments. "He will use his gift wisely."
"Good intentions or not," Amelia interrupted. "The Wizengamot must be unanimous in order for a license to be granted."
"And who, on the Wizengamot, objects?" Amelia Bones said
"License for what?" Harry asked. But no one seemed to hear him.
"Then without further ado, as I'm sure we all have other places to be," Dumbledore said, standing up. "I am calling this matter to a vote. All those in favour of granting Harry James Potter a license to practice Legilimency, please raise your wands."
Harry watched, open-mouthed, as every member of the Wizengamot raise their wands in unison, including Dumbledore.
"As there are none opposed, please bring forward the contract for Harry to sign."
A piece of golden parchment with the Ministry's seal on it produced. Dumbledore brought it over to Harry and gave him a large, peacock feather pen for him to sign with. "Please sign on the line below."
Harry hastily read the parchment before putting his signature on it.
I, the undersigned, swear to practice the art of Legilimency in the most moral, ethical, secretive, and just ways. As a skilled Legilimens, I will not take advantage of weaker minds and will adhere to the policies set forth by the Ministry, or will face the consequences set up by the administration thereof.
It took Harry a moment for it all to sink in. He was on trial, but not for committing a crime. They were testing him. This was what Dumbledore was talking about when he called Harry a weapon. He had already learned the best defence against Voldemort through Occlumency. Now he would go on the offence, using Legilimency.
Harry signed the slip of parchment. Dumbledore took the pen back from him and rolled the contract back up.
"Congratulations, Harry. You are now the youngest Legilimens since the Dark Lord himself."
Harry felt a shiver down his spine. He didn't know whether to thank him or not. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Harry, you can leave now. Mr. Lupin will be waiting outside the corridor. He will escort you back to Hogwarts. In the meantime, prepare yourself. Legilimency instruction will begin in the days ahead. And Harry, please do not tell anyone at Hogwarts of tonight's events."
Harry nodded. He quickly got up from the chair and walked back to the door he had come through. He was very thankful to be one of the few who stood on trial in Courtroom Ten and walked out a free man.
I should be studying thought Harry to himself as he stared out of his dormitory window at the blue sky. To the east, the red glow signified the imminent rising of the sun. He listened to the birds through the slightly open window. It was Saturday, the first day of the mid term break, and Harry groaned as he recalled his promise to go and hunt the Crumpled Horn whatsit with Luna. It was only his affection for her that convinced him to go; if he wasn't careful, he would probably end up as mad as she was. He smiled to himself; that was just the way he liked her.
Harry had been awake for half an hour already, and was packed, dressed and ready to go. Luna had left Hogwarts the previous night to help her dad with the camping equipment, but she had given Harry a Portkey to the site.
Ron's snoring ceased abruptly, and he sat up in bed
"The bird's are a bit noisy" he yawned. "Where are you off to so early?"
"I'm hunting Crumpled Horned things this weekend with Luna and her father."
"Are you mad?" goggled Ron
Luna tangled one hand through his black hair and stroked his ear with the other as they began an enthusiastic snogging session. This time something went horribly wrong. Her eyes snapped open in time to see his face bubble and change, but she was physically unable to extract herself from his embrace. Luna wriggled and tried to escape, but her lips seemed plastered to this shape-shifting oddity. Luna fought back a gag as Harry's face shimmered and she found herself face to face with a large, hairy, smelly, Crumple-Horned-Snorkack. She was finally able to break contact, as it had no discernible mouth, and she moved backwards reaching behind her ear for her wand. The Snorkack growled menacingly and advanced, but Luna was ready for it. She pointed her sausage at it and bellowed, "breakfastus nummy-nummums!"
Sausage? Where did the sausage come from?
Luna sat up in the unfamiliar bed with a sigh. At least this time it hadn't been Snape.
It was 6:10AM. She swung her feet onto the ground and stood resolutely - the alarm would have woken her in twenty minutes anyway. She bathed and dressed as quickly as possible and headed towards the small tent kitchen to start breakfast. Luna's stomach growled menacingly (so that's where the sound effect had come from!) and she decided that today was a large breakfast day.
She began assembling ingredients on the counter and table and with a flick of her wand, flour, eggs, milk, sausages, and assorted fruits began forming themselves into dishes. Luna had done this many times since her mother had gone, and was far better at it than her father. Cookbooks had been unnecessary for at least a year - she had memorised and refined all of their favourites. There was absolutely no fear of owls dropping by with threats to cease her underage magic, either - that was the beauty of living in an officially all-wizarding household.
Luna's father walked into the kitchenette in his pyjamas, wild hair resembling an angry game bird. "Morning daddy," she smiled as he kissed her on the top of the head. She handed him a large mug of strong tea; he squeezed her shoulders and headed over to the table trying to smooth down his hair.
"So, what are we having today?" he asked after a few sips of her strong brew.
"Um, you know, this and that," she answered noncommittally, focusing her attention on an egg beater that was feeling particularly surly this morning and was trying to rough up a neighbouring bag of sugar.
Her father stood, gulping the last of his tea and said, "I'm sure whatever it is will be marvellous dear. I'll just go and make myself presentable, then."
"Uh-huh," she mumbled distractedly as he left the room.
When her father returned from his communion with toiletries and fresh clothing, he was ready to eat. The table was filled with dishes ranging from scrambled eggs to mashed potatoes. Luna was already helping herself to a slice of birthday cake.
"Birthday cake? Hmm. Whose birthday is it this time, love?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Umm. The tent," she answered through a mouthful of eggs.
"Oh. Well then, happy birthday, brave Sir Tent," he said as he filled his plate with mashed potatoes, eggs, sausage, fruit crepes and a thin slice of cake. He offered the first forkful up as a toast, exclaiming, "Huzzah for you, old man!" and began to eat.
Luna was concentrating on a spot on the wall at the far end of the room, but lifted her glass of juice nonetheless in a silent tribute to the tent. The rest of their breakfast was completed without incident. She knew the tent was glad she had remembered.
The silence was broken by a loud crack, followed by an 'ouch'.
She sprung from her seat and said, "That must be Harry, Dad. Can you manage the clean-up?"
"I think I may," he said as he began sorting through his notes, "but remember that we're meeting the guide in half an hour, so be quick."
"Uh-huh," Luna mubbled as she went outside.
The tent was pitched on a grassy plateau between the snow topped peaks of two mountains. Placed randomly around the tent were a number of green leaved thorn bushes. She took a deep breath of the cool, clean mountain air. The sun had only recently risen over the eastern peak, and had yet to dispell the glowing dawn mist.
Harry was getting to his feet. He was badly scratched and his clothes were torn in places. The portkey had transported him into the middle of a particularly large bush.
"Quickly Harry" said Luna grabbing his arm, "come inside the tent. This is dangerous countryside. Being outside alone could leave a person vulnerable to unimaginable dangers"
Oblivious to any danger, real or otherwise, Harry allowed himself to be led into what appeared to be a small brown tent. As he learnt from the Quidditch world cup, wizarding tents were often larger inside than they appeared, so he wasn't supprised to see Mr Lovegood eating his breakfast in the middle of a large room.
"Morning, Harry" said Mr Lovegood "Toast?"
"Thanks" said Harry helping himself.
"Great issue of the Quibbler coming out next week; 10 things you didn't know about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". Mr Lovegood seemed particularly enthusiatic. "Arthur Weasley suggested it".
Harry remembered how Mr Weasley told him that the Quibbler was going to carry special articles for The Order.
"Did you know he was a half blood? His father was a muggle" said Harry helpfully.
"So the rumours go. I wasn't going to put that one in, as there's not much supporting evidence"
Harry nearly sprayed his toast all over the inside of the tent, but settled on choking on it instead.
"Careful there Harry" Mr Lovegood contined "But Arthur was very insistent. Anyway I'm off to plan our route for today."
Luna's father called her from what sounded like just outside the door of the tent ten minutes later, and judging by his slightly annoyed tone of voice, it was time to meet the guide.
She grabbed her jumper and daypack, then tromped happily through the tent flap, her braided hair coming apart in a giant dirty blonde halo around her face she shed her daypack, untying her sweater from around her waist. Harry followed for his first guided tour of the Swedish countryside
That evening they returned to the tent, utterly exhausted, having walked for hours beside an endless river. Despite the distance travelled, not one single Snorkack had been seen. Her father, staggered through the entrance completely bedraggled, throwing himself face first on the couch.
"Glass of water, dad?"
"mmph."
"I agree completely. Is there anything that Ermengard doesn't know? I mean she's not even a local, and she knows where all the best bugs hide, and all of the local Snorkack legends!" Luna ran back to stand in front of the couch and bent slightly over to stare at her father's arm where it was busy covering his eyes. "Dad? Honestly, I would think you of all people would be a little more excited! We're on the verge of an amazing discovery! Dad?"
In response, Luna's father let loose a giant, emphatic snore.
"What do you think Harry?"
Harry's feet were aching, and had not been taking the slightest notice of what Luna was saying.
"What?" said Harry removing his shoes and socks to reveal sickle size blisters.
"Are you listening?" she asked suspiciously
Assuming an innocent expression he replied, "Of course I was listening intently to your lecture on the.....what did you call them - Horned Whosits?"
She grinned as she shook her head. "That proves you were not paying attention! You can't even remember their proper name!"
"What's for dinner? I so hungry I could eat a Crumple Horned Thingy"
"It's more likely to eat you, they are reputedly carnivorous, not herbivorous." Said Luna, sounding uncannily like Hermione.
"I think I'm going to eat, then sleep" announced Harry.
"Aren't you going to wash first?" asked Luna looking horrified.
"No."
Arching her eyebrow wearily, Luna said, "You might enjoy smelling like a wet kneazle I do not relish it, so I think I'll bathe first. Then I'll turn my attention to the insides of my eyelids."
Harry woke to find himself in a strange bed. His thigh and calf muscles were painfull, and his feet felt as though they had swollen to the size of balloons. He sat up to look at them. The blisters had shrunk, but were now leaking.
Great he thought. And there's more to come today.
He could hear Luna talking to her father in the kitchen.
"Well I suppose you did have the right to be a bit overcome with emotion last night."
Harry thought he caught a glimpse of something moving inside the tent out of the corner of his eye. He reached under his pillow for his wand.
"Who's there?"
Slowly,a flappy pointed ear, followed by large green eyes appeared from behind the doorway.
"Harry Potter mustn't be angry with Dobby" squeaked the elf.
"Dobby" groaned Harry "Are you stalking me?"
"Dobby hears that Harry Potter is hunting Crumple Horned Snorkacks and has come to protect him"
"How can I be in danger from something that doesn't exist?"
"Young Miss and Weazy said Dobby should go"
"Aren't you needed at Hogwarts?" asked Harry, faking a concerned tone of voice "I've heard that Crumple-Horned Snorkacks will attack it today and eat all the plants"
Dobby looked teriffied and gave a frightened squeak then vanished with a loud crack.
In the kitchen, Luna sat down with a cool drink and began rebraiding her hair. She began organising the day's adventures in her head. Having decided that they would follow the river up stream this time, she made her way to the bathroom.
After waiting outside the bathroon for the best part of twenty minutes, Harry began to lose his patience.
"Luna! Please come out soon and stop being a toilet-hogging only child!" Harry called from outside the door
"Nearly done" she replied dreamily.
Fifteen minutes passed before she opened the door.
"What have you been doing in there?" asked Harry exasperatedly
"Cleanliness is so important. Don't be long; we're meeting the guide again soon." Said Luna swaning away to her room.
The day was as unproductive as yesterday. Not a single sighting of anything remotely magically or unusual. However, Luna seemed to be enjoying herself.
"It doesn't matter if we don't see any, because that just makes the mystery more interesting. I mean if we found conclusive proof..."
We wouldn't be traipsing all over this mountain all day long grimaced Harry to himself.
The hike continued through the river's floodplain (the Snorkack's natural habitat). The sun shone onto the back of Harry's neck, before long it started to burn. His feet were soaked after trudging through endless miles of mud and he wished he had some murtlap escence to put on his blisters. After another hour they stopped for lunch. Part way through their pumpkin pasties Luna let out a scream of delight.
"A worm!!"
"Don't worry. It won't hurt you" said Harry sarcastically.
"No, it's not that. It's a brown worm". Luna was jumping up and down on the spot.
The relevance of this escaped Harry. "Aren't brown worms every where?"
"No, no. That's the common grey worm. Don't you see?"
Harry shook his head.
"The Swedish brown worm is the main part of the Snorkack's diet" Luna said excitedly, "we're getting close now"
The encounter with the worm turned out to be the closest they got to a Snorkack, and Harry was glad to return to the tent.
"Well, the mystery contiues" said Mr Lovegood wearily
Not for me it doesn't thought Harry. As much as he still liked Luna, there was nothing on earth that could make him go Snorkack hunting again.
"So" asked Ron unable to supress a laugh, "did you find any interesting creatures?"
Having survived Luna's expedition, Harry was now dreading the prospect of having to endure derisory comments from his fellow Gryffindors, who no doubt thought he was as mad as Luna.
"No. We saw a Swedish brown worm"
"But you did enjoy a nice peaceful weekend away, with dramatic scenary, didn't you?" asked Hermione, who was sitting next to Ron in the common room.
"No. I spent the entire weekend walking. I have blisters the size of galleons" moaned Harry.
"As long as you enjoyed yourself" mocked Ron.
"So what did you two do then?"
"Nothing". Hermione glared at Ron.
"Who put Dobby up to following me around anyway?"
The final Quidditch match was scheduled for late April, and, once again, Gryffindor were favourites to take the cup. The weeks leading up to the game brought with it the usual excitement of the Quidditch final game between the two leaders, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Harry, Ron and Ginny were busy practising for the big game, while Hermione was left to research in the library. She was determined to find everything she could about House elf culture, and how it could be used to enlist their help in the coming war. Over the past few weeks, her research had become an obsession. She spent every waking moment away from classes and homework, in the library. So far she had found little, if anything that would benefit the order.
Ron was growing frustrated with the added work while they prepared for the Quidditch match, as well as their upcoming mock exams. He was irritated about the amount of homework and growing angry at the lack of attention from his girlfriend. His attitude was beginning to rub off on everyone around them. Even Seamus and Dean were snapping at each other as the hours grew into frustrating days.
Harry was trying to keep his head about him, but it wasn't easy. His mind kept flitting back to his last occlumency lesson with Snape, wondering if he was plotting a terrible revenge. Then there was he Legilimency classes, and the prospect of spying on Vodemort himself. Finally, he found his mind focused on Luna, which, althoug pleseant, was still distracting.
Ginny was feeling the frustration of her O.W.L.s as well as the irritability of being moaned at by Ron.
By the time the final game arrived, the frustration had grown into some violent outbursts. Ron and Hermione had set it off with a full-blown fight, that started with her telling Ron "It's only a game", and ending with Ron getting a slap. After that he decided not to talk to anyone, including Neville and Luna, although neither had done anything to annoy him. Harry and Ginny weren't much better, but the most stressed person was without doubt Seamus. He hit Dean in the face, breaking his nose and sending him to Madame Pomfrey. Even the teachers seemed to be fighting; Professor Mcgonagall was seen arguing with Professor Sprout after she told her that she had been clearing a space in her office for the Quidditch cup.
"That cup hasn't resided in your office for the past fifty years" yelled Mcgonagall "and it won't for another fifty"
Ron had managed to bring about a great deal of practice sessions and when they mounted their brooms for the final game, they knew exactly how to read the actions of the other members of their team. They were in perfect sync with each other, passing the quaffle with ease and skill, while Harry kept an eye open for the golden snitch.
Predictably, the Sytherin's were supporting Hufflepuff, much to the displeasure of the Hufflepuff team. Despite Malfoy's absence the Slytherin's were teasing, tormenting and throwing insults at Ron, Ginny, Harry and the rest of the team at every chance.
Thankfully match day arrived before anyone inflicted any seroius harm on their fellow students. The atmosphere at breakfast was highly charged; the electricity could be felt rebounding off the cold grey stone walls. The merest spark could have set off a full scale riot.
As in previous years, the match was to be played on Saturday morning, so that lesson would not have to be cancelled. Ron looked up at the ceiling of the Great Hall that had been bewitched to display the sky.
"Bright sunlight, but it's shining towards the Hufflepuff end, so we can use that to our advantage" he was mubbling to himself.
After breakfast came the Ron's team talk in the changing rooms, which was full of "There's usually a breeze coming off the lake, so watch out for it", and "The sun is behind us, so we can use that when we attack"
"Remember, we're not just sportsmen, and women" he added, noticing the scowl from Ginny, "wining or losing reflects on everyone in Grffyndor house"
Harry was reminded of Hermione's statement about it only being a game, and realised, that for Ron, it wasn't; it was a battle against a terrible enemy that would give them no second chances.
Madam Hooch's shrill whistle started the game. Almost immeadiatly Ginny scored. After ten minutes it was clear that Grfindor were on course for yet another victory; Hufflepuff were being flatterned.
Ron called a time out after forty five minutes of playing, just when Harry had caught sight of the little fluttering sphere near the rings at the Gryffindor end of the pitch. Ron was irritated from having to listen to the Slytherin's constant jeering and felt the team needed a rest to revise their strategy.
The strategy would be to capture the snitch now, while they were leading by a considerable margin. Ron believed that it was time to use the Wronski Feint, and a chaser would join the rest of the team to defend the goal. This would allow everybody to try to spot the snitch.
The game began again, and Harry pretended to mark Zacharias Smith, the Hufflepuff seeker, while waiting for his chance. Huffle puff pulled a few goals back. No one had yet seen the snitch, which allowed Harry to pretend.
He stirred his broom away from the Gryffindor end of the pitch, glancing across his shoulder to see the trick working, as Zacharias headed off right behind him. He dodged and twisted around the support posts of the house towers, then went into a head on dive towards the ground. Instantly Harry pulled back on his broom, taking his firebolt into a straight up pitch, and then maneuvered the sleek broom toward the Gryffindor end of the field. Then he saw the snitch.
Zacharias saw the trick too late, reaching the ground and twisting his ankle as he tried to pull up in time to avoid a full-blown crash. With pain throbbing up his leg, he headed after Harry, but was too late. Harry's fingers stretched out and wrapped around the golden object. The game was over and Gryfindor had won the cup again.
Suddenly Harry was thrown from his broom. He scrambled to retain control of it with one hand, while the other continued to hold tightly to the winged ball, but to no avail. He landed on his back in the mud. The force of the impact had winded him, as he gasped for air, he saw Ron racing towards the Hufflepuff seaker.
Ron, however was mad, his anger growing to heights he hadn't felt in a very long time. He raced up behind the Zacharias, his leg reaching out and kicking the back of the young man's broom, tipping him backwards until he led his broom into a three hundred and sixty degree circle. The crowd was screaming because Harry had caught the snitch, then because the two players were about to take on each other, fists balled and looks of hatred on their faces. Ginny saw the expressions and headed as quickly as possible toward the two, but by the time she had reached them she was too late.
Ron and Zacharias had hold of each other's robes, Ron had a received a particularly nasty blow and was forcing himself to see through a very swollen eye, while his opponent was trying to regain composure from receiving a fist in his own face, a fat lip and a crooked nose to show evidence of the angry blow he had received.
Madam Hooch was at their sides in no time flat, blowing her whistle violently. However, they were too angry to hear, each throwing punches while holding onto their brooms. It wasn't until two very firm sets of hands held them back, did they realise what was going on. Snape had mounted a broom - the first anyone had ever seen him on - while Ginny had used a rope spell to control Ron. Both young men were surprised and angry; now with those holding them back then with each other.
"Detention for both of you," Madame Hooch growled. "One week starting tonight. This game is over."
Ron had no choice but to follow after Ginny to the locker room, he was still in ropes.
"Let me go!" he snapped as she dragged him into the locker room ahead of the rest of the team.
"You have to be the thickest wizard in all of Hogwart's," Ginny insisted, waving her wand and releasing him from her spell. "Why did you do that, and right in front of the entire school?"
"He started it. What was I supposed to do, just walk away and pretend nothing happened?"
"That's not funny Ronald," Ginny growled. "Your temper just cost you an entire week of detention." She glanced around to make certain the other team members had headed to the showers.
"Who cares?" snapped Ron, "that little git's had it coming since last year"
"Hey you guys," Dean said heading out of the showers, a towel around his waist, his hair dripping to his shoulders. "Are you going to stand here fighting all day, or are you going to join us for the victory celebration?"
"Yeah, we're coming," Ron said, glaring at his sister.
"Great, because it starts in five minutes."
"We'll be there," Ron told him, turning back to Ginny. "That is if it's all right with you?"
Ginny tutted. "I'll let you have the worst hex you could ever dream of."
"I think I already got that," growled Ron. "When you tied me up in front of the whole school."
"If you're not careful, I'll do worse than that next time." Ginny turned and left the locker room, unable to bear the sight of her brother any longer.
The evening meal that night was eaten with a great deal of excitement. Everyone except for the Hufflepuff House was eagerly reliving the final game. There was a great deal of talk about Ron's fight, which did little to relieve Ginny's anger.
Dumbledore sat in Myrtle's bathroom explaining the prophecy to Sirius's ghost.
"So tell me, Sirius, are you familiar with the changeling theory?"
Sirius nodded. "Yes, but you aren't serious are you?"
The dim light in Myrtle's bathroom cast Dumbledore's face into shadow. It was at times of great stress that he really appeared his age.
"It would explain so much. Why the other Fawkes-cored wand chose Harry, Why the Sorting hat wanted to put Harry in Slytherin, Why Harry's so good at escaping from Voldemort, how it is that he seems to know what to do instinctively"
"Maybe, or perhaps Harry is just a damn good wizard. Look at James & Lily" countered Sirius. "I mean he fought a mountain troll at 11, killed a Basilisk at 12, used the Patronus Charm against a whole group of Dementors at 13. Then there was the Triwizard Tournament, not to mention that he fought twelve adult Death Eater's and survived last year."
"You are quite right" agreed Dumbledore "those are exceptional achievements, but have you ever thought why?"
Sirius shook his head. "But it's just so unlikely"
Dumbledore turned to face the wall and cleared his throat.
"When Voldemort attacked Harry in Godric's Hollow and the curse rebounded on him, it split him in two. The inhuman parts that he'd acquired through magic and different Dark Arts transformations during his adult life, together with his conscious memories was the first half. His human parts with his "soul" and his original innate powers and temperament with only a vague memory of his own name was the other"
"The first part escaped to distant lands, and the other" Dumbledore paused. Saying it would turn his theory into something tangible. "And the other part connected with Harry who happened to be the closest living being in range"
Sirius took a deep breath. Being a ghost, this was unnecessary, but old habits die-hard.
"Harry Potter thus became a hybrid entity containing two souls and two innate temperaments and Voldemort became a powerful embodied evil memory. To top things off, I also enhanced his abilities before his birth, so there's part of me in him too" concluded Dumbledore.
Dumbledore sighed and looked at his feet
Sirius sighed, and for a while neither said anything. The only noise in the bathroom was the distant gurgling from the toilet where Myrtle was resting.
"So it explains why Voldemort's wand chose Tom Riddle and its brother chose Harry; they both have with Tom Riddle's soul inside." Said Sirius. "It's not suprising he's in such a state"
Dumbledore turned away from Sirius, and stared at the wall
"How long have you known?" asked Sirius, looking at the back of Dumbledore's head.
"Since last year. A rather useful instrument of mine picked up the two souls." Dumblesore cast his mind back remembering how two snakes had appeared, and he mubbled "In escense divided. It also has implications for the prophecy"
"Like what?"
"How Voldemort would be able to get his soul back without it killing Harry in the process? If Voldemort simply kills Harry with an Avada Kedavra curse, it seems logical that both souls would be lost to him, and then neither would live. In order for Voldemort to win, he needs to find a way of extracting Tom Riddle's soul from Harry's body and then kill him.
"But if he were to do that, how will that affect him since his soul's been living the life of Harry Potter, being filled with love, for 16 years? It might not suit him at all anymore. It might destroy him," said Sirius
"Neither can live while the other survives" recited Sirius
"Indeed. It is a complex problem, and I shall devote some thought to it"
"I want to help. What can I do?" asked Sirius. "I might be dead, but I'm still his godfather"
"He's no longer a child. He needs to be prepared"
"Is that why you let Malfoy attack him and his friends?"
Dumbledore nodded. "But he must not know about Tom Riddle's soul"
"Doesn't he know already?"
"I believe Voldemort isn't aware that he's missing his soul. Harry is equally oblivious that he's the one holding it. So it must remain."
Dumbledore began to pace along the grey flagstones again
"There's one more thing" he said "Of all the people in Harry's life, you are the one person he is most likely to listen to."
Dumbledore turned, fixing his gaze onto the ghost. "I need you to make sure he studies, and trains hard. Perhaps you could even tutor him. He'll need all the help he can get if he's to fight Voldemort, now that things are more... difficult."
It was a bright morning in the early part of summer; and the warm sun seemed to be pulling everything green, bushy and spiky up out of the earth towards it. However, not even the sun's power could penerate Hogwarts thick stone walls. The mood inside the castle was solemn and dark in the days that followed the attack. Many students were worried that Hogwarts was unsafe. Rumours to this effect echoed in whispers around the classrooms and the Great Hall.
Worse, The Daily Prophet had caught hold of part of the storey. It didn't know the full facts, as names were missing from the article. However, the truth wouldn't stop them displaying their usual array of speculations and accusations directed to Harry in particular. It reprinted one a Rita Skeeter's stories about him being friendly with a werewolf. New stories appeared daily, each one worse than the first.
Saturday morning came with an unusual rainstorm, bringing a cold wind and a deeper sense of dread to the school. Harry found himself sitting absent-mindedly in a chair in the Gryffindor common room, staring at the fire. How could a werewolf get into Hogwarts? It didn't make sense.
The new safety precautions that had been put in place since the attack meant that no student was allowed out after sunset. As it became dark at about 6 o'clock in the evening, this effectively cancelled all Quidditch practices during the week. A rota was drafted for the weekends, so that each team got an equal amount of time on the pitch.
Unfortunately, it was Hufflepuff's turn today, so Harry was bored.
"Master Harry Potter" squeaked a tiny voice that made Harry smile.
"Dobby" he grinned
"Harry Potter. It is good to see you"
"Thanks. Is good to see you as well" Harry replied, looking down at the elf, who looked back with his big tennis ball sized eyes.
"I have a message for Harry Potter from Choo."
"Cho" corrected Harry
"She is better and would like to see you"
"Okay" Harry yawned. "Let's go past the Ravenclaw common room. I'll get Luna." He didn't want to see Cho by himself.
Dobby led Harry and Luna through the castle to the infirmary; which was totally unnecessary, as Harry had been there on many occasions before. He could probably walk there in his sleep if he had to.
Madam Pomfrey was waiting outside, and spoke to them before they went in. "She's going to make it. But she is... She's a werewolf now. There was nothing I could do. Nothing more that I can do."
Madam Pomfrey looked as though she had failed
"You can see her if you want. She's... she's had quite a shock. Be prepared. She doesn't look well. But I know she needs her friends now."
Harry nodded, took a deep breath, and walked past Madam Pomfrey with Luna and into the ward. Luna held his hand.
He was surprised to see that she was sitting up in the bed. She had her knees pulled up to her chin, the bed sheet covering her from the waist down. As he peered at her through the dim light, he realised that she was shaking.
Harry studied her face and saw that there were the remnants of a nasty gash on her cheek and a black eye. Madam Pomfrey had already started the healing process on the outside, but Harry wondered when it would begin on the inside. There were more scrapes and bruises along her arms and a deep cut that started at her shoulder blades and disappeared beneath the shirt she was wearing.
"I... I don't remember what happened," she whispered. Her voice was hoarse. "I don't remember... after it grabbed me..." She shuddered. "How did I survive?"
Harry couldn't speak. He didn't know what to tell her - how to break it to her. Was she better off not knowing?
"It was actually Harry who saved you," said Luna
"He did?" Cho didn't look at either one of them. Something was very wrong about her.
"He distracted it with his patronus. If he didn't drop you..." her voice trailed off.
She looked Harry in the eye, but her gaze was wild and her eyes were wet, filling with tears as she spoke. "Why did you let me live?!" she exploded. "I hate what I am. What I've become! I don't want to be a werewolf..."
Cho was crying hysterically. Harry's heart broke for her. "I'm a monster!" she screamed. "A monster!"
Her breath came in shallow gasps, as wiped her tear-stained cheeks. She looked so helpless, so vulnerable.
"What am I going to do now?"
They were interrupted by voices in the corridor outside.
"We've got to," he heard Tonks say. "Dumbledore said..."
"He didn't say we had to register her," Remus interrupted. "He said we just needed to take care of her."
"But it's the law," she protested. "If Cho's caught, she'll be branded a renegade."
"Why would she be caught?" Remus questioned. "There's no reason why we can't hold off on it for a bit. We should wait. You don't realise what it's like - how terrible it would be for her. The Werewolf Registry is a terrible place. Once you get your name on that list, your life is never the same again."
"But they'll know," Tonks said. "People - especially the Ministry - are bound to get suspicious when she starts becoming ill around the full moon. It will only be a matter of time before someone figures it out."
"But until then," Remus interjected, "I believe it's best if we just keep it quiet."
"Shhh..." Tonks hushed.
They walked into the ward
"How are you Cho?" Remus asked at once.
"How do you think?" replied Cho angrily. "Are you here to welcome me to the club?"
"Oh dear." Said Tonks
"What were you talking about?" asked Harry
Tonks and Lupin exchanged glances, both looking grave.
Tonks sighed. "Cho's, er, condition is quite a predicament. All werewolves need to be registered with the Ministry."
"But" interrupted Lupin, if her condition was known to the public, the results could be disastrous. She would certainly have great difficulty getting a job."
"But that's prejudice!" Cho cried.
Remus's hands coiled into fists. "That's the way it is when you're a werewolf. No second chances. No special treatment. There is no forgiveness for a monster." His eyes were grave. "It's only a matter of time before you find out who your true friends are. And I guarantee you'll have many more enemies."
Madam Pomfrey brought over a tray with a flask filled with some peach-coloured liquid. "You need to make sure you drink this entire potion."
Cho took the flask, sniffed it, and then took a sip. She coughed and sputtered. She glanced at Harry, then took a deep breath, and drank the contents.
Cho was tiring quickly. Her eyelids would drop every once in a while, and he had to wonder what was in that potion Madam Pomfrey had instructed her to drink.
"I think we ought to let Cho get some rest," Harry said quietly to Luna.
Harry and Luna were taking a walk, up to the Owlery. Luna wanted to send a report about the attack to her father, and Harry had said that she could borrow Hedwig. They crunched their way over the tiny white bones that littered the floor.
Harry called Hedwig down from her perch high in the roof. She glided silently onto his outstretched arm, and hooted softly.
"She's just an adorable owl," said Luna, fastening the letter to Hedwig's leg.
After she sent Hedwig off, Luna took Harry's hand in hers and kissed him. Harry now knew what he had to do. He wrapped his arms around Luna and held her tight. This felt better than kissing Cho. With a shock Harry loosened himself from Luna, and looked out over the grounds. How could he think of Cho, when he was kissing Luna. He now had an idea how Cho had felt, when she had kissed him. At least he didn't act like a human hosepipe.
"Have you thought about what you're going to do during the break?" asked Luna
"Not really"
"Well, since we didn't get to see any Crumpled Horned Snoracks during the summer..". Harry stomach churned; he knew what was coming next.
"Well, "continued Luna, "would you like to come with us or not?"
"Yeah. That'd be great" lied Harry, forcing a grin. "I've never seen one before".
"Neither have I. What do you think about Cho?" asked Luna.
"Couldn't have happened to a nicer girl" Harry replied sarcastically.
That evening Harry had Occulmency with Professor Snape. Normally he would not be looking forward to this, but he remembered what Sirius had said. Tonight, he was determined to break into Snape's mind and solve a puzzle that had bothered him since his first year in Hogwarts.
He banged on the door to Professor Snape's office, then pushed it open. As always, the room was cold and dimly lit. Jars of pickled creatures filled the shelves in the room. It was an unpleasant sight.
"You're early for a change Potter" said Snape silkily. He was sitting behind his desk, marking essays. "Sit there until I have finished".
Harry did as he was told, and tried to calm and clear his mind. It wasn't easy when thoughts like "That's another 'P' for someone" kept floating through his head.
"I hope you've been practising Potter" said Snape after he had marked the final essay. "I'm growing tired of giving up my evenings to such a hopeless case".
Snape stood, walked around the desk and drew his wand.
"Legilimens!" said Snape, as usual, without warning
Harry's mind was blank. "There's nothing for you here Snape" he kept thinking to himself. He felt confident, in control.
"Legilimens!" said Harry
He was inside Snape's mind, in a tunnel. For a moment he didn't recognise it, then he realised that it was the one that led to the shrieking shack. He heard howling, then saw a large dog, or a wolf. Someone was pulling him back, away from the animal.
"Come on Snivellus. Do you want to get bitten?" Harry looked. It was his father; he looked worried. Harry had just witnessed James Potter saving Snape from Sirius's prank.
The vision faded, and then he was in Dumbledores Office.
"You owed James Potter a wizard's debt. Unfortunately your information was unable to save him and Lily" said a younger looking Dumbledore
"But that's the only reason I agreed to spy for you" said Snape angrily "surely the debt must be cancelled now"
"No" said Dumbledore gravely "it has been transferred to Harry Potter. This puts you in a difficult position. Voldemort, your master, has sworn to destroy him, and yet you must protect him"
"NO. THAT'S ENOUGH" roared Snape.
Harry was back in the office, on all fours, sweating. His knees were grazed. Professor Snape was leaning clutching the wall, pale and clammy. For a while neither said anything while they recovered.
"Well it seems you have been practising after all. Now get out"
Harry grimaced as he pulled himself up on a desk. As he hobbled towards the wooden door, his back turned, Snape called out "Obliviate"
"Protego" said Harry. The spell rebounded, causing Snape to duck. It struck the shelves on the wall behind him, breaking some of the jars.
Harry turned, his wand drawn, to see Snape soaked in embalming fluid. He had learnt two things that evening; Snape's secret, and that he did fight dirty. It wasn't difficult to see why his father had disliked him.
"Don't ever repeat what you saw tonight Potter. You are interfering with things that don't concern you"
Harry couldn't have got out of Snape's office any faster if he was on his Firebolt. He wasn't going to stay and argue. He had beaten Snape, and he knew exactly what he had to do first.
Naturally, the first thing he did was tell Ron, who leapt around the common room overjoyed and startling a group of first years. Next he told Hermione and Luna. Then he went and told Sirius, who was almost more estactic that Ron
Harry's euphoria disappeared the next day when he was summoned to Professor Dumbledore's Office.
"I hear that your Occlumency lessons have progressed rather well" said Dumbledore
"Er...Yeah, not bad" replied Harry, a little nervous.
"Harry, I need to know exactly what you have learnt. May I?" he asked.
Harry nodded
"Legilimens" said Dumbledore.
The events of the previous evening flashed before Harry's eyes, including Harry telling Ron, Hermione, Luna and Sirius
"Hmm" said Dumbledore thoughtfully "It would be no use modifying your memory to make you forget. I see Sirius is back amongst us"
Harry nodded.
"Next time you see him, would you ask him to come and speak with me. Thank you Harry. You may go now. Oh, and there is a meeting of the Order I would like you and Miss Granger to attend later this afternoon".
Harry, Hermione and Dumbledore travelled to The Burrow by portkey after their lessons for that day were over. They arrived just in time for the start of the meeting, which was attended by the usual members, with the exception of Tonks and Professor Mcgonagall who were probably still at Hogwarts, Harry suspected. Dumbledore stood up and opened the meeting once they had all settled into their seats around the oak table. Harry was surprised to see Fred and George, but remembered that they had joined The Order at Christmas time. They were dressed in their best dragon hide suits.
"Miss Granger as kindly agreed to join this meeting, to discuss the issue of house elves".
"Booooring" called Fred, faking a yawn. Harry rolled his eyes.
Hermione ignored him. "Yes. Thank you Professor" she beamed.
"Would you tell us about spew," began Snape. George tried to stiffled a laugh.
"S.P.E.W." she corrected automatically.
"Whatever, but is it true that your goal is to free all the house-elves at Hogwarts by knitting clothes for them?
"Erm, well" said Hermione, clearly flustered by this unexpected line of questioning. "They can't help it they're brainwashed to think they have to work all the time," Hermione said stubbornly.
"Brainwashed or not, if they do not want it, you cannot force it on them. Forcing freedom they do not want on them would be no better than forcing servitude on them," Snape said "Did you not think that setting them free, just because you want them to be free, would be fair?"
"Dobby didn't mind" "The other house elves think Dobby is a regular scandal, getting wages and time off. Remember, Dobby wanted to be freed" added Mrs Weasley.
"Yeah, that's true" said Tonks "still I expect you always get one weirdo"
"Dobby's not weird" snapped Hermione "Well Harry told me once that Dobby was singing 'Ninety-nine house elves jumpin' on the bed!' when he first met him" chipped in George.
"Yeah, 'n didn't Dobby warn Harry that he should stay away from school or he was gonna hurt him good" added Fred.
"He was trying to save Harry's life, wasn't he Harry" said Hermione, getting to her feet, and glaring at Harry.
"Yeah"
"This is not the path I had intended for this discussion" said Dumbledore firmly." please sit down Miss Granger"
"As you know" he continued "House-elves are very powerful magical creatures in their own right. Their magic, which requires none of the types of focusing tools that our magic requires, is capable of producing very powerful charms."
Harry remembered that Dobby had used his magic to enchant a Bludger, to close the magic portal that leads to Platform 93/4, to interfere with Owl Post and steal someone's letters, to knock Lucius Malfoy down a flight of stairs, and he also can disappear at will.
"That's true" said Tonks "they use a very powerful form of ancient magic"
"Unfortunately, as long as they're enslaved, they aren't likely to be using this magic for anything but their mundane work." Said Dumbledore shaking his head. "It would be interesting indeed if we could convince the house elves to stand up for themselves and perhaps even fight against Voldemort."
Hermione was horrified. "You... you don't mean to use ... them as, as soldiers in the war do you?"
"One way or another they will be drawn into this war. It is in our interest to ensure they are on the right side" said Mr Weasley.
"Don't worry Miss Granger" said Dumbledore. "House elves are too important to lose."
The meeting finished and Harry was puzzled why Dumbledore had invited him, there seemed very little of any relevance to him. At least the twins had provided some entertainment, even if it was Hermione baiting.
He glanced at the clock on the mantle of the fireplace. It was half past six.
"We'd better get going, Harry. They are expecting us." Said Lupin
"Back to Hogwarts then?" said Harry, wondering why Lupin would be going as well.
Remus shook his head. "The Ministry, by Floo Powder."
"Does Dumbledore know?"
He shrugged. "Of course, I think he knows everything. His eyes and ears are everywhere - just as Voldemort's are. There's no keeping a secret from Dumbledore. But not everyone present at the next meeting can be trusted."
Harry felt butterflies in his stomach as he followed Remus down the corridor on the ninth floor of the Ministry of Magic. He knew where they were going. He just didn't know why.
He had been in Courtroom Ten before. It was for his hearing last summer when he used magic to fight off two dementors that attacked him and Dudley. It was not a pleasant experience. But what was even more eerie was walking through the Department of Mysteries, knowing that Sirius had died only a few meters away.
His first conclusion was that he must have done something wrong. Perhaps he broke a law that he was unaware of. Or was he being called as a witness?
When they reached the stairway that led to the tenth floor, Remus gave Harry an encouraging pat on the back. "Go on. They're waiting for you."
Harry hesitated. "You aren't coming?"
"I'd rather not deal with them right now, if it's all the same to you." He frowned. "Besides, it has already been decided."
"What has?"
Remus gave him a shove. "You'll see." He winked at Harry, then turned around and swaggered down the long hallway through the Department of Mysteries.
Harry turned away, took a deep breath, and began his ascent to the tenth floor. When he reached the doorway to Courtroom Ten, there was a guard. He was relived to see that it was not a Dementor as it had been in the Pensieve. It was merely a tough-looking wizard. He took one look at Harry and unlatched the door. It was covered with iron bolts that the guard threw open with some force.
Harry sucked in his breath as he entered the dimly lit dungeon. The walls were made of dark stone, and he felt as though he was stumbling to his very first Potions lesson that he'd had as a first year in the depths of Hogwarts. Torches were mounted on the walls, the flames dancing across the uneven floor.
Harry realised that he had stopped moving and he was slightly trembling in the wake of the courtroom. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end.
"Mr. Harry James Potter," a voice boomed from the darkness. "Sit down."
Suddenly, the chair in the centre of the dungeon was illuminated in bright light. It was covered with chains. The very same chains that had once held many Death Eaters captive. Harry gulped and slowly made his way to the chair, sitting down on the cold seat.
Were they going to chain him to the chair as they did with every criminal?
Harry somehow found the courage to look up at the Wizengamot. They were all dressed in plum-coloured robes with elaborate silver W's stitched on one side. Harry recognised the woman who spoke. It was Amelia Bones, Susan Bones's aunt. She sat in the benches above him, peering down at him through her monocle. Dumbledore, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, was sitting on her left side, looking indifferent. When Harry met his eyes, however, he could feel a spark of excitement.
He cleared his throat. "My apologies, Harry." But he could tell that he wasn't really sorry. "You have been called here, in front of the Wizengamot, to recount the events of the past few weeks. Severus Snape has already testified on your behalf."
Testify? Was he on trial? And the more pressing question on his mind - why would Snape ever testify on his behalf? He didn't dare ask these questions out loud. Perhaps they might only hold it against him.
"Before we come to a verdict, the Wizengamot wishes to question you about the recent events surrounding your visions." He glanced up at the Wizengamot. "It's your floor, Amelia."
The square-jawed, grey-haired witch stared at him with such intense eyes that Harry found it hard to look away from them. "Harry, would you please recall the vision you had on the night of the Azkaban Fortress breakout?"
Harry nodded. He was so utterly confused that the vision seemed to be the only thing that made sense to him. It was still vivid, even after all this time. He glanced at Dumbledore, who nodded encouragingly. Harry launched into explanation of what he had seen in the Wizarding prison. "Then I reached for my scar because it was tingling. It was the eeriest sensation. It didn't hurt; it was just... extremely sensitive. Then next thing I knew, Professor Leurre was shaking me" he added .
"And the Dark Lord didn't see you?" a voice from above questioned. It came from an elderly man who Harry didn't recognise. "He didn't know you were there?"
"No," Harry replied confidently. "He didn't. If he would have known that I was there, my scar would have hurt." He wondered why there was such a sudden interest in the fact that his scar was no longer hurting. Before, it had been such a big deal if he felt any pain. Now, he rarely felt any.
"And what of the Occlumency lesson you spent with Professor Snape?"
Shocked, Harry did a double-take of the member of the Wizengamot who asked the question. "Excuse me?" He must have not heard her right. What did his Occlumency have to do with anything?
The tall, leathery-skinned witch who had asked the question stood up. "Mr. Potter," she repeated loudly, "when you performed Legilimency on Severus Snape, what did you see?"
Harry felt his cheeks grow red. He didn't see how that was at all relevant to whatever was going on inside the courtroom. Why should he have to recall that memory; surely it was supposed to be a secret?
And then he realised what it was all about. Practising Legilimency must have been against Wizarding law. He knew he should have never tried the spell on Snape. Now he was going to get his wand snapped in half for trying to see a memory that he never wanted to remember.
"Please answer the question, Harry," Dumbledore urged.
Harry took a deep breath and looked down to the floor. He was ashamed. "When I tried to read Professor Snape's mind, I saw him - I was him. I was being pulled back along a tunnel by my father." He paused. "At the end of the tunnel was a werewolf."
"Then what?" the witch encouraged.
Harry felt his face flush even more. "Then I was in Professor Dumbledore's Office. He was reminding Professor Snape that he had failed to save my parents " He spoke quickly, wanting it to end.
"And what was Professor Snape thinking?"
All heads, all but Harry's, snapped in Dumbledore's direction. Harry felt anger well up inside of him. Why did he have to admit to everything? Why was Dumbledore making him recall this extremely awkward memory?
Harry sighed. "He was thinking, "How did this happen?" And then it was over."
The courtroom was silent. Harry suddenly realised that he was gripping the arms of his chair so tightly that his knuckles were white. It felt like hours before anyone spoke again.
Amelia Bones stood up from her seat. "Clearly, he is ready for the next step." Most of the other wizards and witches on the Wizengamot nodded in agreement. The next step? His punishment?
But the witch spoke up from the floor. He shook his head. "Snape used the Pensieve in front of him. The results are inconclusive. The test was faulty. Harry saw him extract the memory."
Utterly bewildered, Harry couldn't take sitting in silence any longer. He was still embarrassed from his recollection of the memory in the first place. "I beg your pardon, but what's going on? Am I trial?" he demanded.
"See," Amelia Bones said. "He doesn't even know why he's here. He didn't even know he was being tested. Clearly, the license should be granted. He has insight into the Dark Lord's plan. He will aide the war. He will be a great asset to our fight."
"He is more than an asset," Dumbledore stated. "He is a sixteen-year-old young man. He has the heart of a child, pure and of good intentions. He has a curious mind and a knowledge of magic that puts him at the head of his class." Harry felt himself blushing at the compliments. "He will use his gift wisely."
"Good intentions or not," Amelia interrupted. "The Wizengamot must be unanimous in order for a license to be granted."
"And who, on the Wizengamot, objects?" Amelia Bones said
"License for what?" Harry asked. But no one seemed to hear him.
"Then without further ado, as I'm sure we all have other places to be," Dumbledore said, standing up. "I am calling this matter to a vote. All those in favour of granting Harry James Potter a license to practice Legilimency, please raise your wands."
Harry watched, open-mouthed, as every member of the Wizengamot raise their wands in unison, including Dumbledore.
"As there are none opposed, please bring forward the contract for Harry to sign."
A piece of golden parchment with the Ministry's seal on it produced. Dumbledore brought it over to Harry and gave him a large, peacock feather pen for him to sign with. "Please sign on the line below."
Harry hastily read the parchment before putting his signature on it.
I, the undersigned, swear to practice the art of Legilimency in the most moral, ethical, secretive, and just ways. As a skilled Legilimens, I will not take advantage of weaker minds and will adhere to the policies set forth by the Ministry, or will face the consequences set up by the administration thereof.
It took Harry a moment for it all to sink in. He was on trial, but not for committing a crime. They were testing him. This was what Dumbledore was talking about when he called Harry a weapon. He had already learned the best defence against Voldemort through Occlumency. Now he would go on the offence, using Legilimency.
Harry signed the slip of parchment. Dumbledore took the pen back from him and rolled the contract back up.
"Congratulations, Harry. You are now the youngest Legilimens since the Dark Lord himself."
Harry felt a shiver down his spine. He didn't know whether to thank him or not. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Harry, you can leave now. Mr. Lupin will be waiting outside the corridor. He will escort you back to Hogwarts. In the meantime, prepare yourself. Legilimency instruction will begin in the days ahead. And Harry, please do not tell anyone at Hogwarts of tonight's events."
Harry nodded. He quickly got up from the chair and walked back to the door he had come through. He was very thankful to be one of the few who stood on trial in Courtroom Ten and walked out a free man.
I should be studying thought Harry to himself as he stared out of his dormitory window at the blue sky. To the east, the red glow signified the imminent rising of the sun. He listened to the birds through the slightly open window. It was Saturday, the first day of the mid term break, and Harry groaned as he recalled his promise to go and hunt the Crumpled Horn whatsit with Luna. It was only his affection for her that convinced him to go; if he wasn't careful, he would probably end up as mad as she was. He smiled to himself; that was just the way he liked her.
Harry had been awake for half an hour already, and was packed, dressed and ready to go. Luna had left Hogwarts the previous night to help her dad with the camping equipment, but she had given Harry a Portkey to the site.
Ron's snoring ceased abruptly, and he sat up in bed
"The bird's are a bit noisy" he yawned. "Where are you off to so early?"
"I'm hunting Crumpled Horned things this weekend with Luna and her father."
"Are you mad?" goggled Ron
Luna tangled one hand through his black hair and stroked his ear with the other as they began an enthusiastic snogging session. This time something went horribly wrong. Her eyes snapped open in time to see his face bubble and change, but she was physically unable to extract herself from his embrace. Luna wriggled and tried to escape, but her lips seemed plastered to this shape-shifting oddity. Luna fought back a gag as Harry's face shimmered and she found herself face to face with a large, hairy, smelly, Crumple-Horned-Snorkack. She was finally able to break contact, as it had no discernible mouth, and she moved backwards reaching behind her ear for her wand. The Snorkack growled menacingly and advanced, but Luna was ready for it. She pointed her sausage at it and bellowed, "breakfastus nummy-nummums!"
Sausage? Where did the sausage come from?
Luna sat up in the unfamiliar bed with a sigh. At least this time it hadn't been Snape.
It was 6:10AM. She swung her feet onto the ground and stood resolutely - the alarm would have woken her in twenty minutes anyway. She bathed and dressed as quickly as possible and headed towards the small tent kitchen to start breakfast. Luna's stomach growled menacingly (so that's where the sound effect had come from!) and she decided that today was a large breakfast day.
She began assembling ingredients on the counter and table and with a flick of her wand, flour, eggs, milk, sausages, and assorted fruits began forming themselves into dishes. Luna had done this many times since her mother had gone, and was far better at it than her father. Cookbooks had been unnecessary for at least a year - she had memorised and refined all of their favourites. There was absolutely no fear of owls dropping by with threats to cease her underage magic, either - that was the beauty of living in an officially all-wizarding household.
Luna's father walked into the kitchenette in his pyjamas, wild hair resembling an angry game bird. "Morning daddy," she smiled as he kissed her on the top of the head. She handed him a large mug of strong tea; he squeezed her shoulders and headed over to the table trying to smooth down his hair.
"So, what are we having today?" he asked after a few sips of her strong brew.
"Um, you know, this and that," she answered noncommittally, focusing her attention on an egg beater that was feeling particularly surly this morning and was trying to rough up a neighbouring bag of sugar.
Her father stood, gulping the last of his tea and said, "I'm sure whatever it is will be marvellous dear. I'll just go and make myself presentable, then."
"Uh-huh," she mumbled distractedly as he left the room.
When her father returned from his communion with toiletries and fresh clothing, he was ready to eat. The table was filled with dishes ranging from scrambled eggs to mashed potatoes. Luna was already helping herself to a slice of birthday cake.
"Birthday cake? Hmm. Whose birthday is it this time, love?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Umm. The tent," she answered through a mouthful of eggs.
"Oh. Well then, happy birthday, brave Sir Tent," he said as he filled his plate with mashed potatoes, eggs, sausage, fruit crepes and a thin slice of cake. He offered the first forkful up as a toast, exclaiming, "Huzzah for you, old man!" and began to eat.
Luna was concentrating on a spot on the wall at the far end of the room, but lifted her glass of juice nonetheless in a silent tribute to the tent. The rest of their breakfast was completed without incident. She knew the tent was glad she had remembered.
The silence was broken by a loud crack, followed by an 'ouch'.
She sprung from her seat and said, "That must be Harry, Dad. Can you manage the clean-up?"
"I think I may," he said as he began sorting through his notes, "but remember that we're meeting the guide in half an hour, so be quick."
"Uh-huh," Luna mubbled as she went outside.
The tent was pitched on a grassy plateau between the snow topped peaks of two mountains. Placed randomly around the tent were a number of green leaved thorn bushes. She took a deep breath of the cool, clean mountain air. The sun had only recently risen over the eastern peak, and had yet to dispell the glowing dawn mist.
Harry was getting to his feet. He was badly scratched and his clothes were torn in places. The portkey had transported him into the middle of a particularly large bush.
"Quickly Harry" said Luna grabbing his arm, "come inside the tent. This is dangerous countryside. Being outside alone could leave a person vulnerable to unimaginable dangers"
Oblivious to any danger, real or otherwise, Harry allowed himself to be led into what appeared to be a small brown tent. As he learnt from the Quidditch world cup, wizarding tents were often larger inside than they appeared, so he wasn't supprised to see Mr Lovegood eating his breakfast in the middle of a large room.
"Morning, Harry" said Mr Lovegood "Toast?"
"Thanks" said Harry helping himself.
"Great issue of the Quibbler coming out next week; 10 things you didn't know about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". Mr Lovegood seemed particularly enthusiatic. "Arthur Weasley suggested it".
Harry remembered how Mr Weasley told him that the Quibbler was going to carry special articles for The Order.
"Did you know he was a half blood? His father was a muggle" said Harry helpfully.
"So the rumours go. I wasn't going to put that one in, as there's not much supporting evidence"
Harry nearly sprayed his toast all over the inside of the tent, but settled on choking on it instead.
"Careful there Harry" Mr Lovegood contined "But Arthur was very insistent. Anyway I'm off to plan our route for today."
Luna's father called her from what sounded like just outside the door of the tent ten minutes later, and judging by his slightly annoyed tone of voice, it was time to meet the guide.
She grabbed her jumper and daypack, then tromped happily through the tent flap, her braided hair coming apart in a giant dirty blonde halo around her face she shed her daypack, untying her sweater from around her waist. Harry followed for his first guided tour of the Swedish countryside
That evening they returned to the tent, utterly exhausted, having walked for hours beside an endless river. Despite the distance travelled, not one single Snorkack had been seen. Her father, staggered through the entrance completely bedraggled, throwing himself face first on the couch.
"Glass of water, dad?"
"mmph."
"I agree completely. Is there anything that Ermengard doesn't know? I mean she's not even a local, and she knows where all the best bugs hide, and all of the local Snorkack legends!" Luna ran back to stand in front of the couch and bent slightly over to stare at her father's arm where it was busy covering his eyes. "Dad? Honestly, I would think you of all people would be a little more excited! We're on the verge of an amazing discovery! Dad?"
In response, Luna's father let loose a giant, emphatic snore.
"What do you think Harry?"
Harry's feet were aching, and had not been taking the slightest notice of what Luna was saying.
"What?" said Harry removing his shoes and socks to reveal sickle size blisters.
"Are you listening?" she asked suspiciously
Assuming an innocent expression he replied, "Of course I was listening intently to your lecture on the.....what did you call them - Horned Whosits?"
She grinned as she shook her head. "That proves you were not paying attention! You can't even remember their proper name!"
"What's for dinner? I so hungry I could eat a Crumple Horned Thingy"
"It's more likely to eat you, they are reputedly carnivorous, not herbivorous." Said Luna, sounding uncannily like Hermione.
"I think I'm going to eat, then sleep" announced Harry.
"Aren't you going to wash first?" asked Luna looking horrified.
"No."
Arching her eyebrow wearily, Luna said, "You might enjoy smelling like a wet kneazle I do not relish it, so I think I'll bathe first. Then I'll turn my attention to the insides of my eyelids."
Harry woke to find himself in a strange bed. His thigh and calf muscles were painfull, and his feet felt as though they had swollen to the size of balloons. He sat up to look at them. The blisters had shrunk, but were now leaking.
Great he thought. And there's more to come today.
He could hear Luna talking to her father in the kitchen.
"Well I suppose you did have the right to be a bit overcome with emotion last night."
Harry thought he caught a glimpse of something moving inside the tent out of the corner of his eye. He reached under his pillow for his wand.
"Who's there?"
Slowly,a flappy pointed ear, followed by large green eyes appeared from behind the doorway.
"Harry Potter mustn't be angry with Dobby" squeaked the elf.
"Dobby" groaned Harry "Are you stalking me?"
"Dobby hears that Harry Potter is hunting Crumple Horned Snorkacks and has come to protect him"
"How can I be in danger from something that doesn't exist?"
"Young Miss and Weazy said Dobby should go"
"Aren't you needed at Hogwarts?" asked Harry, faking a concerned tone of voice "I've heard that Crumple-Horned Snorkacks will attack it today and eat all the plants"
Dobby looked teriffied and gave a frightened squeak then vanished with a loud crack.
In the kitchen, Luna sat down with a cool drink and began rebraiding her hair. She began organising the day's adventures in her head. Having decided that they would follow the river up stream this time, she made her way to the bathroom.
After waiting outside the bathroon for the best part of twenty minutes, Harry began to lose his patience.
"Luna! Please come out soon and stop being a toilet-hogging only child!" Harry called from outside the door
"Nearly done" she replied dreamily.
Fifteen minutes passed before she opened the door.
"What have you been doing in there?" asked Harry exasperatedly
"Cleanliness is so important. Don't be long; we're meeting the guide again soon." Said Luna swaning away to her room.
The day was as unproductive as yesterday. Not a single sighting of anything remotely magically or unusual. However, Luna seemed to be enjoying herself.
"It doesn't matter if we don't see any, because that just makes the mystery more interesting. I mean if we found conclusive proof..."
We wouldn't be traipsing all over this mountain all day long grimaced Harry to himself.
The hike continued through the river's floodplain (the Snorkack's natural habitat). The sun shone onto the back of Harry's neck, before long it started to burn. His feet were soaked after trudging through endless miles of mud and he wished he had some murtlap escence to put on his blisters. After another hour they stopped for lunch. Part way through their pumpkin pasties Luna let out a scream of delight.
"A worm!!"
"Don't worry. It won't hurt you" said Harry sarcastically.
"No, it's not that. It's a brown worm". Luna was jumping up and down on the spot.
The relevance of this escaped Harry. "Aren't brown worms every where?"
"No, no. That's the common grey worm. Don't you see?"
Harry shook his head.
"The Swedish brown worm is the main part of the Snorkack's diet" Luna said excitedly, "we're getting close now"
The encounter with the worm turned out to be the closest they got to a Snorkack, and Harry was glad to return to the tent.
"Well, the mystery contiues" said Mr Lovegood wearily
Not for me it doesn't thought Harry. As much as he still liked Luna, there was nothing on earth that could make him go Snorkack hunting again.
"So" asked Ron unable to supress a laugh, "did you find any interesting creatures?"
Having survived Luna's expedition, Harry was now dreading the prospect of having to endure derisory comments from his fellow Gryffindors, who no doubt thought he was as mad as Luna.
"No. We saw a Swedish brown worm"
"But you did enjoy a nice peaceful weekend away, with dramatic scenary, didn't you?" asked Hermione, who was sitting next to Ron in the common room.
"No. I spent the entire weekend walking. I have blisters the size of galleons" moaned Harry.
"As long as you enjoyed yourself" mocked Ron.
"So what did you two do then?"
"Nothing". Hermione glared at Ron.
"Who put Dobby up to following me around anyway?"
The final Quidditch match was scheduled for late April, and, once again, Gryffindor were favourites to take the cup. The weeks leading up to the game brought with it the usual excitement of the Quidditch final game between the two leaders, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Harry, Ron and Ginny were busy practising for the big game, while Hermione was left to research in the library. She was determined to find everything she could about House elf culture, and how it could be used to enlist their help in the coming war. Over the past few weeks, her research had become an obsession. She spent every waking moment away from classes and homework, in the library. So far she had found little, if anything that would benefit the order.
Ron was growing frustrated with the added work while they prepared for the Quidditch match, as well as their upcoming mock exams. He was irritated about the amount of homework and growing angry at the lack of attention from his girlfriend. His attitude was beginning to rub off on everyone around them. Even Seamus and Dean were snapping at each other as the hours grew into frustrating days.
Harry was trying to keep his head about him, but it wasn't easy. His mind kept flitting back to his last occlumency lesson with Snape, wondering if he was plotting a terrible revenge. Then there was he Legilimency classes, and the prospect of spying on Vodemort himself. Finally, he found his mind focused on Luna, which, althoug pleseant, was still distracting.
Ginny was feeling the frustration of her O.W.L.s as well as the irritability of being moaned at by Ron.
By the time the final game arrived, the frustration had grown into some violent outbursts. Ron and Hermione had set it off with a full-blown fight, that started with her telling Ron "It's only a game", and ending with Ron getting a slap. After that he decided not to talk to anyone, including Neville and Luna, although neither had done anything to annoy him. Harry and Ginny weren't much better, but the most stressed person was without doubt Seamus. He hit Dean in the face, breaking his nose and sending him to Madame Pomfrey. Even the teachers seemed to be fighting; Professor Mcgonagall was seen arguing with Professor Sprout after she told her that she had been clearing a space in her office for the Quidditch cup.
"That cup hasn't resided in your office for the past fifty years" yelled Mcgonagall "and it won't for another fifty"
Ron had managed to bring about a great deal of practice sessions and when they mounted their brooms for the final game, they knew exactly how to read the actions of the other members of their team. They were in perfect sync with each other, passing the quaffle with ease and skill, while Harry kept an eye open for the golden snitch.
Predictably, the Sytherin's were supporting Hufflepuff, much to the displeasure of the Hufflepuff team. Despite Malfoy's absence the Slytherin's were teasing, tormenting and throwing insults at Ron, Ginny, Harry and the rest of the team at every chance.
Thankfully match day arrived before anyone inflicted any seroius harm on their fellow students. The atmosphere at breakfast was highly charged; the electricity could be felt rebounding off the cold grey stone walls. The merest spark could have set off a full scale riot.
As in previous years, the match was to be played on Saturday morning, so that lesson would not have to be cancelled. Ron looked up at the ceiling of the Great Hall that had been bewitched to display the sky.
"Bright sunlight, but it's shining towards the Hufflepuff end, so we can use that to our advantage" he was mubbling to himself.
After breakfast came the Ron's team talk in the changing rooms, which was full of "There's usually a breeze coming off the lake, so watch out for it", and "The sun is behind us, so we can use that when we attack"
"Remember, we're not just sportsmen, and women" he added, noticing the scowl from Ginny, "wining or losing reflects on everyone in Grffyndor house"
Harry was reminded of Hermione's statement about it only being a game, and realised, that for Ron, it wasn't; it was a battle against a terrible enemy that would give them no second chances.
Madam Hooch's shrill whistle started the game. Almost immeadiatly Ginny scored. After ten minutes it was clear that Grfindor were on course for yet another victory; Hufflepuff were being flatterned.
Ron called a time out after forty five minutes of playing, just when Harry had caught sight of the little fluttering sphere near the rings at the Gryffindor end of the pitch. Ron was irritated from having to listen to the Slytherin's constant jeering and felt the team needed a rest to revise their strategy.
The strategy would be to capture the snitch now, while they were leading by a considerable margin. Ron believed that it was time to use the Wronski Feint, and a chaser would join the rest of the team to defend the goal. This would allow everybody to try to spot the snitch.
The game began again, and Harry pretended to mark Zacharias Smith, the Hufflepuff seeker, while waiting for his chance. Huffle puff pulled a few goals back. No one had yet seen the snitch, which allowed Harry to pretend.
He stirred his broom away from the Gryffindor end of the pitch, glancing across his shoulder to see the trick working, as Zacharias headed off right behind him. He dodged and twisted around the support posts of the house towers, then went into a head on dive towards the ground. Instantly Harry pulled back on his broom, taking his firebolt into a straight up pitch, and then maneuvered the sleek broom toward the Gryffindor end of the field. Then he saw the snitch.
Zacharias saw the trick too late, reaching the ground and twisting his ankle as he tried to pull up in time to avoid a full-blown crash. With pain throbbing up his leg, he headed after Harry, but was too late. Harry's fingers stretched out and wrapped around the golden object. The game was over and Gryfindor had won the cup again.
Suddenly Harry was thrown from his broom. He scrambled to retain control of it with one hand, while the other continued to hold tightly to the winged ball, but to no avail. He landed on his back in the mud. The force of the impact had winded him, as he gasped for air, he saw Ron racing towards the Hufflepuff seaker.
Ron, however was mad, his anger growing to heights he hadn't felt in a very long time. He raced up behind the Zacharias, his leg reaching out and kicking the back of the young man's broom, tipping him backwards until he led his broom into a three hundred and sixty degree circle. The crowd was screaming because Harry had caught the snitch, then because the two players were about to take on each other, fists balled and looks of hatred on their faces. Ginny saw the expressions and headed as quickly as possible toward the two, but by the time she had reached them she was too late.
Ron and Zacharias had hold of each other's robes, Ron had a received a particularly nasty blow and was forcing himself to see through a very swollen eye, while his opponent was trying to regain composure from receiving a fist in his own face, a fat lip and a crooked nose to show evidence of the angry blow he had received.
Madam Hooch was at their sides in no time flat, blowing her whistle violently. However, they were too angry to hear, each throwing punches while holding onto their brooms. It wasn't until two very firm sets of hands held them back, did they realise what was going on. Snape had mounted a broom - the first anyone had ever seen him on - while Ginny had used a rope spell to control Ron. Both young men were surprised and angry; now with those holding them back then with each other.
"Detention for both of you," Madame Hooch growled. "One week starting tonight. This game is over."
Ron had no choice but to follow after Ginny to the locker room, he was still in ropes.
"Let me go!" he snapped as she dragged him into the locker room ahead of the rest of the team.
"You have to be the thickest wizard in all of Hogwart's," Ginny insisted, waving her wand and releasing him from her spell. "Why did you do that, and right in front of the entire school?"
"He started it. What was I supposed to do, just walk away and pretend nothing happened?"
"That's not funny Ronald," Ginny growled. "Your temper just cost you an entire week of detention." She glanced around to make certain the other team members had headed to the showers.
"Who cares?" snapped Ron, "that little git's had it coming since last year"
"Hey you guys," Dean said heading out of the showers, a towel around his waist, his hair dripping to his shoulders. "Are you going to stand here fighting all day, or are you going to join us for the victory celebration?"
"Yeah, we're coming," Ron said, glaring at his sister.
"Great, because it starts in five minutes."
"We'll be there," Ron told him, turning back to Ginny. "That is if it's all right with you?"
Ginny tutted. "I'll let you have the worst hex you could ever dream of."
"I think I already got that," growled Ron. "When you tied me up in front of the whole school."
"If you're not careful, I'll do worse than that next time." Ginny turned and left the locker room, unable to bear the sight of her brother any longer.
The evening meal that night was eaten with a great deal of excitement. Everyone except for the Hufflepuff House was eagerly reliving the final game. There was a great deal of talk about Ron's fight, which did little to relieve Ginny's anger.
Dumbledore sat in Myrtle's bathroom explaining the prophecy to Sirius's ghost.
"So tell me, Sirius, are you familiar with the changeling theory?"
Sirius nodded. "Yes, but you aren't serious are you?"
The dim light in Myrtle's bathroom cast Dumbledore's face into shadow. It was at times of great stress that he really appeared his age.
"It would explain so much. Why the other Fawkes-cored wand chose Harry, Why the Sorting hat wanted to put Harry in Slytherin, Why Harry's so good at escaping from Voldemort, how it is that he seems to know what to do instinctively"
"Maybe, or perhaps Harry is just a damn good wizard. Look at James & Lily" countered Sirius. "I mean he fought a mountain troll at 11, killed a Basilisk at 12, used the Patronus Charm against a whole group of Dementors at 13. Then there was the Triwizard Tournament, not to mention that he fought twelve adult Death Eater's and survived last year."
"You are quite right" agreed Dumbledore "those are exceptional achievements, but have you ever thought why?"
Sirius shook his head. "But it's just so unlikely"
Dumbledore turned to face the wall and cleared his throat.
"When Voldemort attacked Harry in Godric's Hollow and the curse rebounded on him, it split him in two. The inhuman parts that he'd acquired through magic and different Dark Arts transformations during his adult life, together with his conscious memories was the first half. His human parts with his "soul" and his original innate powers and temperament with only a vague memory of his own name was the other"
"The first part escaped to distant lands, and the other" Dumbledore paused. Saying it would turn his theory into something tangible. "And the other part connected with Harry who happened to be the closest living being in range"
Sirius took a deep breath. Being a ghost, this was unnecessary, but old habits die-hard.
"Harry Potter thus became a hybrid entity containing two souls and two innate temperaments and Voldemort became a powerful embodied evil memory. To top things off, I also enhanced his abilities before his birth, so there's part of me in him too" concluded Dumbledore.
Dumbledore sighed and looked at his feet
Sirius sighed, and for a while neither said anything. The only noise in the bathroom was the distant gurgling from the toilet where Myrtle was resting.
"So it explains why Voldemort's wand chose Tom Riddle and its brother chose Harry; they both have with Tom Riddle's soul inside." Said Sirius. "It's not suprising he's in such a state"
Dumbledore turned away from Sirius, and stared at the wall
"How long have you known?" asked Sirius, looking at the back of Dumbledore's head.
"Since last year. A rather useful instrument of mine picked up the two souls." Dumblesore cast his mind back remembering how two snakes had appeared, and he mubbled "In escense divided. It also has implications for the prophecy"
"Like what?"
"How Voldemort would be able to get his soul back without it killing Harry in the process? If Voldemort simply kills Harry with an Avada Kedavra curse, it seems logical that both souls would be lost to him, and then neither would live. In order for Voldemort to win, he needs to find a way of extracting Tom Riddle's soul from Harry's body and then kill him.
"But if he were to do that, how will that affect him since his soul's been living the life of Harry Potter, being filled with love, for 16 years? It might not suit him at all anymore. It might destroy him," said Sirius
"Neither can live while the other survives" recited Sirius
"Indeed. It is a complex problem, and I shall devote some thought to it"
"I want to help. What can I do?" asked Sirius. "I might be dead, but I'm still his godfather"
"He's no longer a child. He needs to be prepared"
"Is that why you let Malfoy attack him and his friends?"
Dumbledore nodded. "But he must not know about Tom Riddle's soul"
"Doesn't he know already?"
"I believe Voldemort isn't aware that he's missing his soul. Harry is equally oblivious that he's the one holding it. So it must remain."
Dumbledore began to pace along the grey flagstones again
"There's one more thing" he said "Of all the people in Harry's life, you are the one person he is most likely to listen to."
Dumbledore turned, fixing his gaze onto the ghost. "I need you to make sure he studies, and trains hard. Perhaps you could even tutor him. He'll need all the help he can get if he's to fight Voldemort, now that things are more... difficult."