Note to Reader's, The Full Title is:
When It's Time to Change, You've Got to Re-Arrange, Who You Are and What You're Gonna Be
(The title also end's with a lot of Sha na na's, and if you understand this, you've must be as old as I am. LOL)
And I'm still waiting for someone to guess where I got the title.
A/N: Many apologies for taking so long to get the next chapter out. I haven't written a story in a LONG time, so it's very difficult to get into the "flow" of creative writing. I also have to blame my English Composition II class, as I now have to spend an inordinate amount of time ensuring that I don't sound like I'm writing a thesis paper.
grabs Samson and gives him/her a noogie Special thanks to you for being my first reviewer EVER. Thank yous to everyone else too!! It was great to get your encouragement to continue on with this story.
There isn't much action in this chapter as I'm still "setting the scene", but I hope it's still interesting. As always, reviews are welcome, critical or otherwise, but flames will have a dung bomb tossed at them.
The Answers to Questions Always Seem to Create More Questions
If you reveal your secrets to the wind you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees. ~Kahlil Gibran
Three teenagers were huddled closely together at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, their chattering having died down to soft whispers. The sounds of their voices bouncing off the walls and ceiling of the mostly empty room had unnerved them. Usually they didn't notice the echoes, as the room was normally filled with hundreds of other students prattling on. To them, the reverberation of their voices was…eerie, hence the whispering.
At the main table, the lone occupant relished the relative quietness of the large room, as he lay down his utensils after completing his breakfast. This was Snape's first meal during this year's school season that he was able to enjoy, not having to worry about his fellow professors trying to force him into being social.
He gave a satisfied sigh as he pushed himself away from the main table. Gathering what strength he was able to recoup from the filling meal, Snape stood up from his seat, being careful to avert his gaze from the main floor, as he was trying to forestall the moment he would have to actually look at the Unholy Trio of Terror.
Rounding the last corner of the main table, it was inevitable that his eyes fell on the three lone students sitting at the Gryffindor table, since he was heading for the main doors of the Great Hall and had to pass them to get there. He threw a scowl in their general direction, and the three whispering teenagers fell silent. Snape sneered at the identical looks of wide-eyed nervousness.
'I've still got it,' he thought, smirking.
As he drew closer to them, the three students turned their gazes elsewhere – floor, table, ceiling – anywhere, but in his direction. Their apprehension was literally radiating from them.
"If you are quite finished, I have matters to attend to that are more important than babysitting you truants," Snape snapped curtly.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione silently nodded, gathering their personal items as Snape swept past them. Scrambling out of their seats, the three cautiously followed their testy potions professor towards the main door, being careful not to get too close, as they might get points deducted for breathing on him.
Upon nearing the large doors, voices could be heard arguing from the other side. For, while the Great Hall may still have the silencing spell upon it, it was only one way – they could hear people on the outside, but no one could hear them.
Snape abruptly stopped and snarled, "Moody."
Turning sharply, he glared at the three students standing mutely behind him.
"As much as I would relish watching that insane…man, and I use that term loosely, terrorize you into spilling your guts, the Headmaster has instructed you to speak to no one. So, though my enjoyment shall have to go unfulfilled, I am directing you to take the teachers entrance located just behind where that hairy giant sits.
"Follow the corridor to the end, and go up two flights of stairs. Turn right at the top of the landing, then take the fifth corridor on your right. The end of the corridor will take you to the main landing that leads to the dormitories. If your tiny brains can comprehend those instructions, you should be able to find your way to the Headmaster's offices from there. Now get out of my sight."
Like startled rabbits, the three teenagers fled to the teacher's entrance and quickly disappeared through the opening.
Turning back to the main doors, Snape muttered the incantations to break the locking and silencing spells Dumbledore had put into place. Shaking his head in disbelief that, while the main doors were locked, the two other "private" doors were open to anyone who wished to enter. That no one had, gave credence to the Headmaster's blind trust in his employees, and their unwavering obedience. Spineless sods. They were just lucky that "Mad-Eye" Moody either didn't know where the entrances were located, had forgotten about them, or figured everything would be over by the time he got to the other entrances.
Straightening up and throwing back his shoulders, Snape flicked his wand, causing the main doors to fly open, crashing against the walls as he stalked out. Upon exiting, he caught sight of Moody backing away from his position of looming over Filch as he attempted to intimidate the smaller man. Filch, not one to be easily bullied, was defiantly glaring up at the malformed DADA professor.
"What is the meaning of this?" Snape snarled as he strode angrily towards the two men.
"I have been telling this…this ogre for the last twenty minutes that the Headmaster strictly forbid anyone, including teachers, to enter the Great Hall, Professor. He wouldn't believe me, and tried to force his way past." Filch glowered at the offending man. "But Mrs. Norris and I, we have our ways of seeing that the Headmaster's orders are followed."
Filch's expression changed to one of smugness at having won the confrontation against THE teacher who taught the subject of defense. It was quite a coup for him, as DADA professors tend to have more knowledge of getting around protection spells. And just because he doesn't go swooping around and waving a wand threateningly, doesn't mean he wasn't without his little tricks. Oh, no…being the caretaker of Hogwarts has taught him quite a few things it has…quite a few.
"Very well, Mr. Filch. I will take it from here. You may go back to your regular duties." Snape gave him a look that brooked no argument.
Mr. Filch nodded, called out for Mrs. Norris, and quickly walked away, cat tailing closely behind him.
After briefly watching the retreating caretaker, Snape turned his glare to the deformed figure left his presence, who was sporting his own glare in return.
"The Headmaster gave you explicit orders to return to your quarters or the staff room after ensuring that the children were safe in their dormitories. Why did you not follow them?"
"I thought Albus needed my help," Moody replied coldly.
"Your help was neither requested, nor wanted. And while you may be an old friend of Albus, your orders came from the Headmaster of Hogwarts. You are here as a professor, and, as such, you are expected to act in that capacity. When an order is given by your superior, you are expected to obey without question. The lives of the students may depend on it, and your first duty as a professor is to see to their safety." Snape bit out furiously.
As Moody angrily opened his mouth to respond, Snape held up a hand to stop him.
"Headmaster Dumbledore has given me leave to deal with this situation as I see fit. If the Headmaster wasn't a man to give people second chances, I would discharge you without delay. To that end, you have been given your first warning, Moody. Any further insubordination will be grounds for your immediate dismissal."
Moody clenched his jaw, cheeks ticking, then spun around and began to stalk away. He briefly paused as Snape called out in a low voice.
"I'll be watching you very closely, Moody."
Body stiffening, Moody continued to march away angrily, his peg-leg clunking in a sharp staccato with every other step.
Once the angry figure was out of sight, Snape's shoulders drooped in exhaustion, the lingering effects of the portal, again, sapping his energy. Rubbing his forehead in attempts to stave off the headache that was beginning to form, he breathed in deeply, then moved to slowly make his way to the infirmary.
****************************************************************************************************
After rushing through the teacher's entrance, Harry, Ron, and Hermione swiftly made their way down the corridor. On reaching the stairs, Hermione took the lead, with Ron and Harry following closely after. Hearing a loud CRASH, all three hesitated, Harry's foot still hovering over the first stair. Glancing behind him, Harry wavered, torn between continuing on as he was ordered to, or returning to the Great Hall to see if the potions professor needed help…no matter how unwelcome it would be.
"Harry!" Hermione sharply called out. "Don't do it! Professor Snape will eat you alive if you return! If there is a problem, he will not want us to get involved - especially if it concerns Professor Moody!"
"Yeah, mate. Besides, that loud racket is probably Professor Moody making a grand entrance, or Professor Snape making a furious exit. Either way, none of us would be welcome there," Ron pointed out.
Hesitating just a moment longer, Harry nodded, and indicated that Hermione should continue on. Hermione gave a sigh of relief as she continued making her way up the stairs, the two boys quietly following in her wake.
Following Snape's instructions, it didn't take the trio long to find their way to the main landing which led to the dormitories. Hearing voices drifting faintly from a corridor on their left, they quickly walked in the opposite direction, making their way towards the Headmaster's office, using the shortest route possible.
Facing the ugly stone gargoyle that protected the entrance to the office hidden behind it, Hermione had just given the password when the three heard a low noise, and turned to see Dumbledore shuffling towards them. Apparently, he was just returning from the infirmary.
"Ah, good. I am happy to see that you didn't have to wait." Dumbledore exclaimed. "I presume that you partook of a meal during your delay in the Great Hall?"
At their nods, he gave them a warm smile, gesturing them to climb the stairs to his office.
Stepping off the stone staircase at the top, they all entered the large circular room.
Waving the young students to the chairs around his desk, Dumbledore said, "If you children will excuse me a moment, I need to inform the teachers that they may release the students from their towers."
As the Headmaster walked toward the fireplace at the far side of the room, Ron and Hermione quickly took their seats before the Headmaster's desk, but Harry veered off to give Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, a happy greeting and a few strokes to his fiery plumes.
Dumbledore finished shortly, then began to move back where the young students were sitting patiently.
With one last pat on the phoenix's head, Harry took the last seat, just as the Headmaster settled his own large frame in the high chair behind the desk.
"Tea, anyone? Or would you prefer something sweeter?" Dumbledore offered.
After Hermione agreed to tea, and Harry and Ron gave their own request for hot chocolate, the four of them exchanged pleasantries for several minutes, as they sipped their hot drinks.
"I hope you don't mind if we wait for Professors McGonagall and Snape to join us, before we begin discussing the events in the Great Hall," Dumbledore inquired.
Though they exchanged uncomfortable looks at the thought of having to be in the potions master's presence again so soon, they reluctantly nodded.
"Come, come, children. Professor Snape is not as terrible as you think," the Headmaster said, eyes twinkling merrily. "I know for a fact that he has never once eaten one of his students…"
At this, Ron, Hermione, and Harry gave Dumbledore dubious looks.
"…but he has mentioned how pleasant it is to gnaw on them occasionally."
The three students blanched, which caused the Headmaster to chuckle, his eyes sparkling in amusement.
There was a sharp knock at the door before it opened, revealing the two professors they were waiting for. Snape strode in first, to be met with the wide-eyed stares of three pale faces.
Arching an eyebrow at Dumbledore, he said, "Telling stories about me again, Albus?"
"No, no. Just reassuring them that your eating habits do not include that of rambunctious pupils on the menu." Dumbledore responded, giving the potions master a small mischievous smile.
"Apparently the house-elves haven't told you what I've been requesting for midnight snacks then," Snape smirked.
Any color that was left in the three student's faces quickly faded away, as they hunched down in their chairs, attempting to make themselves smaller targets.
The Headmaster gave out a burst of laughter, while Professor McGonagall, who had followed Snape into the room, tried to hide a chuckle behind her hand.
"Now Severus, are you trying to disabuse them of the notion that you don't eat students?" Dumbledore said, still chuckling.
Taking a seat at Dumbledore's left, Professor Snape responded in a mocking voice, "Now why would I do that?"
Laughing softly, Professor McGonagall took the seat next to the potions master and gave her own opinion, "Because you enjoy traumatizing small children in your spare time?"
Snape gave the three silent students a sharp considering look, causing Ron to give out a squeaky 'Meep'.
Chortling, the Headmaster waved his hand to get the potions master's attention, and said, "I believe we should change the subject. The children are beginning to look quite distressed."
Snape gave him a disappointed look, still smirking.
His expression turning serious, the Headmaster looked at the group around him and said, "Now, I believe we need to discuss the unusual experience we all shared, starting with the events that led up to the incident in the Great Hall." Giving Harry a reassuring look, "Harry, could you please explain, to the best of your knowledge, the visions and impressions you received leading up to when you located Professor Snape."
Carefully setting his empty mug on the desk before him, Harry clasped his hands in his lap. Forehead crinkling slightly, he stared at an empty spot above the Headmaster's head with a serious expression, as he gathered his thoughts before opening his mouth to speak.
"We were sitting in the Gryffindor common rooms, playing chess, and making jokes." Harry hesitantly spoke, his glance briefly flitting to the potions master, who sneered in return. "One moment I was talking to Ron, the next, I felt this overwhelming pressure where my scar is. It…it didn't hurt, like the other visions, and I knew, somehow, it was different. I still kind of knew what was going on around me, and could hear Ron and Hermione, but like it was far away."
Harry paused a moment before continuing, "At first there were just pictures, of the big cloud of light, the portal, with the girl caught in the middle of it. Then…then it was like I could feel her pain, but it didn't hurt me like the visions from Voldemort do. It…it didn't hurt me at all."
Harry broke off, giving the Headmaster a confused look.
Snape leaned forward, giving Harry a sharp look, "What do you mean, 'visions from Voldermort'?"
Dumbledore laid a staying hand on Snape's arm. "One thing at a time, Severus."
The Headmaster then turned to his young student, and attempted to help Harry make sense of his story, "Now Harry, do you mean that you could feel that the girl was in pain, but didn't actually experience the pain she was feeling?"
"Yes! That's it exactly!" Harry exclaimed.
The Headmaster motioned for Harry to continue.
"That was when I felt it…them…" Harry stopped again, frustrated that he couldn't convey his thoughts coherently.
"It's OK Harry." Dumbledore spoke soothingly. "Why don't you just say them or they, if you don't know. We can worry about who or what they are later."
Harry gave the Headmaster a grateful look.
"OK…them. I felt them. They didn't have bodies, or forms. They were like…like a powerful presence. Very powerful. I c-could feel their power…all around me, through me. It was…it was massive." Harry dropped to a whisper, voice tinged with awe.
"Would you describe them as omnipotent beings?" McGonagall questioned softly.
"No." Harry said, his expression turning thoughtful. "No. While they felt very powerful, it was like they had a lot of power, but only so much. It didn't feel limitless."
"More power than Voldemort?" asked Snape, his sharp gaze piercing Harry.
"Much more," Harry responded quietly, his eyes locking with the potions master's. "Their power makes Voldemort look like a squib."
There were several gasps, and even Snape sat back in his chair, a shocked look on his face. But nothing seemed to faze the Headmaster, as he seemed to ponder Harry's response before returning his attention to the young boy sitting before him.
"If they have that much power, why didn't they help the girl themselves?"
"I don't know." Harry said slowly, shrugging his shoulders, as confused as the rest of the people in the room.
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "Then that is another question we will have to contemplate later. If you will continue, Harry."
"The rest of the vision was mostly feelings I received, not actual words. The closing of the doorway, the blood, that the girl was dying, that it was important to save her – they were just feelings that somehow made themselves understood in my head. That's why I told you that I just knew. Then there were the pictures of what we should do, the ones that actually happened in the Great Hall, and a feeling of urgency." Harry glanced at the Headmaster with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry…I know that doesn't help much."
Waving away his apology, the Headmaster said, "Most visions tend to be vague, Harry. Don't feel that the lack of information is your fault. We are lucky enough to have what information you can provide us. Now, can you tell us anything about the comments you made in the Great Hall? Specifically, why you don't think they or the girl are dark wizards or beings, and why, if she dies, we die."
Looking at his hands still clasped in his lap, Harry slowly, almost reluctantly, answered, "When…when I have visions from Voldermort, I can feel his hatred and violence, his… darkness. It's like it oozes from him. Does that make sense?"
Harry lifted his eyes to the Headmaster, who nodded his head in understanding.
"With…them, it was like…like…finding the most wonderful place you could ever be. Like the most pleasant emotions you could ever have. Like…like…" Here, Harry's words stumbled, eyes darting around, as he tried to describe his impressions of the unknown beings in his visions. He fell silent, unmoving, eyes dropping once more to his clasped hands.
"Like what, Harry?" Dumbledore gently prompted him.
"Like…coming home." Voice thick with emotion, Harry looked up at the Headmaster with tears in his eyes, and an expression that spoke of losing the most precious thing in the world.
With a sad look, Dumbledore nodded his head in understanding, before speaking softly, "And the girl, Harry?"
Harry took a moment to pull himself together before responding, "I…I…there was something…I could feel her…I…"
He stumbled to a halt in frustration. Wriggling in his seat, Harry gave the Headmaster a pleading look, "I know there's something, but I can't… They were so…so…big around me, I…it's hard to…to…"
"Quietly, Harry." Dumbledore's soft voice tried to soothe him. "We can help you try to remember, but you will need to calm yourself first. Close your eyes, Harry."
Still squirming with agitation, Harry complied.
"Take a deep breath and try to relax your muscles as you breathe out. That's it. Again."
Dumbledore's quiet voice rolled peacefully over the young teen, helping ease the tension in his body. The Headmaster continued his soothing words until he saw that Harry was in a relaxed state, hands resting lightly on the arms of his chair.
"Now I want you to picture the moment in which you received your first impression of the young woman. Do you see her Harry?" Once he received Harry's slow nod, the Headmaster continued, "As you look at that picture, I want you to focus your attention on the young woman, and move yourself closer to her. Can you do that Harry?"
Harry nodded again, eyes closed, and a look of intense concentration on his face.
"I'm here…next to her. She…she's beautiful," Harry sluggishly said.
Dumbledore continued to coax him, "Now Harry, I want you to do something for me. I need you to open yourself up to her feelings, and tell us what you sense. Can you do that?"
Again, the young teen nodded his head. A moment later, he gave out a loud gasp, clenching his hands on the armrests of his chair.
"Pain…loss…sadness…she hurts, her heart hurts." Harry panted out. "But…but over everything, I feel…I feel…love, a great love for someone…many someones. And…and…acceptance. She…she knows what she's doing. She jumped into the portal on purpose."
Harry's eyes popped open, capturing Dumbledore's gaze, as he sobbed out, "She sacrificed herself to close the portal."
There was a stunned silence in the room…even the normally unflappable Headmaster was shocked at this. To think that a young woman, in the prime of her life, would willing give up her life to end a spell of the Ancient Dark Arts…it was almost incomprehensible.
Hermione slipped one of her hands into his, as Harry pulled out a handkerchief from his robes to mop up the tears on his face.
"If she was willing to sacrifice herself to close the portal, she couldn't be a dark wizard, could she?" Hermione asked shakily.
Professor Snape chose to answer this question, his voice solemn, "No, she couldn't. A portal requires innocent blood to both open and close a portal. A dark wizard would not be considered innocent."
There was another moment of silence, as everyone absorbed this information.
Shaking himself out of his reverie, Dumbledore gave Harry a sympathetic look as he asked, "I'm sorry, Harry, but we need to know one more thing."
Harry nodded his head in understanding and said, "Why will we die if she dies. To be honest sir, I don't know. All I know is that she will be important to us."
"Will be?"
"That was the impression I got, sir."
"Hmmm." Dumbledore sat back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully, then gave Harry a piercing look before sharply saying, "What was your first impression of her, Mr. Potter?"
Quickly sitting up in his chair, Harry blurted out the first word that came into his head, "Powerful!"
Blinking owlishly, Harry looked surprised, as did everyone else.
"My apologies Harry. I wanted to see if I could get you to respond instinctively." Dumbledore gave Harry a conciliatory smile. "Powerful you say?"
"Yes, sir." Harry said, giving a tired smile to the Headmaster, letting him know that he took no offence.
"I'm assuming you are not able to elaborate on that?"
"No, sir. I think that's everything." Harry relaxed wearily back into his seat.
Dumbledore looked at Ron and Hermione. "Is there anything more that either of you can add?"
Both of them shook their heads, and Hermione said, "Except for the words written on the parchment I gave you, I don't think we can provide any other information, sir."
"Very well," Dumbledore said, nodding his head. Stroking his beard again, the Headmaster fell into silent contemplation.
"Albus?" Professor McGonagall called out softly, gaining the attention of the Headmaster. "Who do you think these beings are?"
"That is a very good question Minerva. To be honest, I think we have too little information to make even an educated guess." Dumbledore gave her a small smile, his eyes softly twinkling as he asked, "Can you tell me who or what has no body or form, is vastly powerful, yet does not use that power to save a young girl from a portal?"
"You make it sound like a twisted game of 20 questions, Albus." McGonagall huffed at him. "For all I know, it could be aliens."
The three students giggled at McGonagall's response, and Snape snorted in disbelief.
Taking a moment to call up more tea, hot chocolate, and biscuits, Dumbledore chuckled merrily as he handed out the hot beverages and passed the tray of treats.
"As fantastic as the thought of aliens may sound, it would be very remiss of us to not consider it. There is an entire galaxy of unexplored and unknown possibilities, other species notwithstanding, that mankind has yet to discover. So, while we shouldn't discount your suggestion, though made in jest, it doesn't account for the impressions young Harry felt while in their presence."
Hermione looking thoughtful, hesitantly spoke, "Headmaster? I've read a lot of books about the wizarding world, but I haven't seen much on the subject of spirituality. Why is that?"
"Because it's a bunch of twaddle, everyone knows that." Snape sneered.
Hermione ducked her head in embarrassment, but Dumbledore's curiosity was roused.
"Why do you ask, Ms. Granger?"
"Well…I know there are things in the muggle world that are different here, just as there are things here that are different in the muggle world. I have a theory to propose, but it's difficult to express without knowing the background of how spirituality is portrayed in the wizarding world.
Sipping at his tea, Dumbledore took a moment before answering Hermione's question.
"As I understand it, back when the world was first creating what we call 'civilization', there was a wide increase in religious organizations. These organizations, made up mostly of muggles, became a powerful force to be reckoned with, as more people congregated in one place, creating the first cities. The leaders of these organizations saw the wizarding community as a threat to their power, and began the first 'witch hunts', inciting other muggles to cast out or kill anyone showing magical abilities. This caused a permanent rift between magical and non-magical peoples, those who once lived side by side in peace."
The Headmaster paused to take another sip of tea before continuing.
"Before their community could be decimated, the wizards and witches who were the most powerful among them held a tribal meeting, where it was decided that they and their tribes would flee to carefully chosen lands, and create their own society. And so it happened. As they fled, they came across others like them, and convinced many to join them in their withdrawal from the muggle world. Upon reaching their chosen destinations, they claimed their lands, wove magical spells to make it uninhabitable to all muggles, then cast other spells to remove themselves and their dwellings from the eyes of non-magical people."
The three students sat in rapt attention, having never heard this before, as Professor Binns tended to concentrate on wars that happened between other magical races.
"Why did the leaders think wizards and witches were a threat?" Ron mumbled his question through a mouth full of biscuits.
"If you were muggles who were building beliefs based on a centralized figure or figures who were purported to perform 'miracles', how would you view the skills of wizards and witches?" Dumbledore questioned, looking at the young red-head.
"Oh! They saw them as competition!" Ron's eyes widened in comprehension. "If a bunch of people could do the same thing, their miracles wouldn't look like miracles."
The Headmaster nodded his head.
"Quite so. Which is why, when the wizarding community withdrew from the muggle world, one of the first laws created was forbidding the formation of any religious groups. In order to survive, the community needed to live as a whole, and could not risk the fear of persecution by the concept of one person being above all others.
"There are some, though, who continue to recognize certain beliefs – Wicca being the most predominant. But most of these beliefs that are still in practice tend to be used for making a person feel more harmonious with nature. Meditative rituals, if you will, similar to the muggle practice of…yoda...is it?"
Hermione and Harry giggled, but Ron looked confused.
"I believe you mean yoga, sir." Hermione corrected laughingly.
"Yes sir, it's yoga, with a 'g'. Yoda is a little green guy with big ears, who looks kind of like a really old house-elf, now that I think about it." Harry snickered.
"Yoda? Who's Yoda?" Ron asked, looking bewildered.
"It's a muggle pop-culture reference, Ron. We seriously need to get you out into the muggle world." Hermione patted his arm consolingly.
"But we'd have to take your wand from you first. We wouldn't want you to hex the Death Star." Harry grinned cheekily.
Hermione giggled as Ron continued to look perplexed.
Chuckling, Dumbledore smiled at the young girl sitting before him. "Getting back to the subject at hand, does that answer your questions, Ms. Granger?"
Still smiling, Hermione nodded. "It does sir. But I'm afraid that my theory will yield no specific answers."
Sighing, Dumbledore nodded his head in understanding, but motioned to the young Gryffindor to continue.
"In the muggle world, religious organizations still exist, but the majority of them are not bloodthirsty anymore, as many wizards and witches may think. From the time that the wizarding world withdrew from the muggle world through today, I would estimate that there have been thousands of different beliefs spread out across the world. Some were very primitive, some were pompous with a lot of fanfare, but all had one common factor…their god or gods never had physical form."
"So you're saying that we're dealing with a god?" Professor McGonagall queried, a look of skepticism on her face.
Shaking her head, Hermione said, "No…no, right now I'm just giving you the general background of the basic beliefs in most religions. Many of these thousands of religions were centralized around a being of limitless power, while some believed there were groups of beings, or lesser gods, who were in charge of various limited aspects such as life, death, nature, the elements, and so on. The fact that most of these religious icons do not have a form is where my theory starts."
The Headmaster nodded thoughtfully, having some idea of where she was heading with her information.
"While I don't believe we are dealing with a god, there are various accounts of 'helpers' to the gods or goddesses – other 'celestial' beings, if you will. These celestial beings, while not as powerful as the gods themselves, are attributed with having vast amounts of power given to them by their deity, in addition to not having tangible forms either. The only problem with my theory is that, with the thousands of religious, it is impossible to narrow down these celestial beings or lesser gods as the one or one's who Harry encountered."
"Are you saying that there are thousands of religions in the muggle world today?" Professor McGonagall asked in astonishment.
"There are probably only a little over a hundred, if you count the various derivatives of the major religions." Hermione corrected. "The thousands of religions I was speaking of takes into account the ones that died out over time, and ones that are now considered mythology to historians. But, hypothetically, if gods and their 'helpers' are real, they may not disappear just because their religion died out, which is why we can't narrow it down."
"I can't believe we're listening to this rubbish." Snape snapped out. "There is nothing to support the existence of gods, and there never has been."
"That's why they call it Faith, Severus." Dumbledore answered quietly. "Who's to say it is true or not, surely not any of us. Besides, look at all the magical creatures in the wizarding world. Unicorns, centaurs, phoenixes…to muggles, they are creatures of myth, yet they exist here. Who's to say that things wizards and witches call myths do not exist in the muggle world."
Snape's mouth snapped shut, a look of contemplation on his face.
The Headmaster returned his attention to the young girl. "Your theory has merit, Ms. Granger. I assume that there is little use in researching this, due to the vast number of possibilities?"
Hermione nodded, "If you take into account all the possible religions and myths, and the fact that most of them have more than one 'celestial being' or lesser god, the resulting number is mind-boggling. Even if we kept it to just the religions currently in practice, there would still be too many to consider."
Nodding in understanding, the elder wizard turned to the rest of the group.
"So we now have other species or ecclesiastical beings as possibilities for the identity of the person or persons Harry met in his vision. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Harry?"
The Headmaster had noticed the hesitation on Harry's face, and softly coaxed him to respond.
"Well…uh…the Yoda thing got me thinking…"
"That's a first." Snape sneered.
Dumbledore shot a reprimanding look in the potions master's direction, before turning his gaze back to the young boy in front of him.
"Go on Harry. No idea should be left out, no matter how impossible it may seem."
Giving him a grateful look, Harry continued, "In the muggle world, there are books, movies, and television programs that use different types of portals in their stories. Dimensional portals, time portals, and even ones that lead to parallel worlds. I don't know if they actually exist, but they must have gotten the idea from somewhere – maybe from scientific research. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, how do we even know if the girl is from this world, or this time, or even this dimension?"
"A very good point, Harry. With what little there is known about portals, any of those possibilities could be correct." Dumbledore nodded, then looked around at the group again. "Any other suggestions?"
At the indications that no one else had any other ideas, Dumbledore sighed, "Well then, as it seems it is more likely that the young woman will awaken long before we find an answer, there is not much use in wasting time on research. And I'm afraid the answer to their lack of involvement in the young lady's plight will most likely depend on their identity. No, I do not believe we will be receiving any answers until the young woman awakens, and maybe not even then."
The Headmaster waved his wand, calling a house-elf to gather the empty cups and plates, before addressing the two silent professors.
"Severus, Minerva, I would like you to keep an eye open for any unusual reports in the wizarding newspapers, which may have a connection to this morning's events. Going on the assumption that the young woman is from our world and time, be sure to review the international wizarding papers also, as she may be from another country."
There was a tinkling crash, followed by a thump. All the inhabitants of the office turned to see the house-elf on the floor, picking up pieces of a broken tea cup.
"Oh! Floozy is sorry, sir. Floozy is a bad clumsy house-elf. Floozy must punish himself."
The house-elf attempted to bash his head on the floor in penance, but was stopped by Harry, who, in his infinite experience with Dobby, knew how to prevent it.
"That's OK Floozy. I've broken things before too. Let me fix it for you." With a swift reparo, the tea cup was fixed, and Harry picked it up and handed it to the distressed house-elf.
"Harry Potter is too kind to this bad house-elf. Too Kind." Floozy burst in to tears, as he placed the repaired tea cup on the tray, before launching himself at the young boy in a tight hug.
Harry, awkwardly patting the distressed house-elf on the head, flushed in embarrassment.
"Uh…you're not a bad house-elf, Floozy. You just had an accident like everyone else. You should probably get back to the kitchen, though. Tell Dobby I said 'hello', OK?"
The house-elf released him so suddenly, Harry staggered for a moment before catching his balance.
The house-elf beamed up at the young boy, his eyes sparkling with tears of happiness. "Dobby said Harry Potter is kind. Dobby is right. Harry Potter is very nice."
Picking up the tray, Floozy gave a wave to the now very red-faced Harry, before winking out of the room.
"So now you're extending your fan-club to the house-elves, Potter?" Snape mocked, as he arched an eyebrow at the flushed boy.
Harry scowled at the potions master before stomping back to his chair.
Dumbledore sighed, shaking his head in disappointment over the teacher and student who could barely be civil with each other, even after almost four years of knowing each other. Nevertheless, it wasn't young Harry's fault. Children would only respond with kindness if given kindness, and that was not something the potions master was willing to bestow upon the 'boy-who-lived'.
'I need to shake some sense into Severus. His misguided belief about Harry's home-life and fame has blinded him to the child's pain and suffering. I know he must keep up appearances because of his spying, but some of his comments are downright cruel.'
Shaking himself from his reverie, Dumbledore turned to the three young students before him, and fixed them with a serious gaze.
"I believe you know what I will ask of you now."
Harry nodded, "No one must know, so we shouldn't tell anyone what happened."
"More than that, young Harry. You should not talk about it at all, as you never know who may be listening." Dumbledore corrected.
"But…"
"Harry, need I remind you of your second year, and the lack of secrecy regarding the Chamber of Secrets? While that particular indiscretion did not result in any harm, this situation is quite different, in that there is an innocent young woman whose condition is currently one of extreme vulnerability. Should someone of…questionable loyalties…overhear a conversation about a powerful young woman who is currently defenseless, how long do you think it would be before she is in danger?"
The Headmaster pierced the three Gryffindors with his gaze.
"For that matter, there is also the threat of the Ministry of Magic. Should they discover there is a potentially powerful 'tool' for them to use, it is unlikely they will let the young woman be. And the Ministry is not without its own problems of having members with dubious allegiances.
"No. It is better that you not speak of the events in the Great Hall, nor the young woman, at all. Should you need to discuss these subjects, you are welcome to return to my offices and speak of them here. But outside of my office, it is imperative that you not talk about it. I must also insist that you not make any unnecessary visits to the infirmary, as that will draw unwanted attention to her presence. Are we clear?"
All three students nodded their heads, Harry and Hermione with expressions of alarmed comprehension.
Dumbledore smiled warmly at them, eyes twinkling.
"Very good. Very good. Now, how shall we explain the necessitation of temporarily closing the Great Hall, and your presence there, while ever other student was required to go back to their dorms?"
Many ideas were presented and discarded, until they finally determined that it would be easiest to claim they just discovered that a student had hidden a nest of snake eggs, recently hatched, in one of the private corridors leading to the Great Hall. Harry, being the only parselmouth at the school, was asked to 'talk' the snakes into being relocated elsewhere, as the snakes were of the poisonous variety. Ron and Hermione's presence could be explained away in that they would never let their best-friend face anything dangerous alone.
"Well, I believe that covers everything." Dumbledore said, then smiled at the three young teens before him, "Now, shouldn't you three be enjoying what is left of your holiday?"
The three young teens grinned at him, tossing out 'yes, sirs' as they scrambled from their seats and headed to the door of the office. Yelling out their goodbyes, they quickly exited.
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In a hidden place between the dungeons and the main floor, the castle kitchen resides. Filled with the chatter of many little creatures, of the house-elf variety, it tends to be a very noisy place. It was into the middle of this milieu that a tray bearing Floozy appeared.
Hurriedly setting his laden tray on the counter next to the sink, Floozy rushed over to the 'leader' of the house-elves (denoted by his tea cozy hat, horseshoe tie, and brightly patterned mismatched socks) and began chattering at him while flailing his arms about in a frantic fashion.
An expression of alarm flit across the face of the 'leader', a house-elf known as Dobby (to those who cared to learn his name), and he called out to several house-elves, once Floozy finished.
Speaking quickly, Dobby pointed to each elf, giving them instructions. Each house-elf nodded in understanding, then winked out to destinations unknown.
Taking Floozy's arm, Dobby guided the shaken house-elf to the kitchen fireplace, pushed him down onto a small stool, and handed him a small mug of butterbeer to calm him.
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Scrambling down the stairs of the Headmaster's office, Ron, Harry, and Hermione were relieved to have escaped the presence of the disagreeable potions master relatively unscathed. While they knew the Headmaster wouldn't have let them come to any harm, it was still extremely unpleasant to be glared at for over an hour.
As the trio made their way back to the Gryffindor dorms, a quiet silence fell upon them. Hermione cast a worried glance at Ron. Spying a door that led to one of the classrooms, she grabbed the red-head's arm and pulled him into the room. A confused Harry followed, closing the door behind them.
"Ow...hey!! What's with the tug-of-war with my appendages?" Ron frowned.
After quickly placing a silencing charm on the room, Hermione spoke firmly to her friend, "You can't tell your father, and especially not Percy."
"I wouldn't tell Percy what I ate for breakfast!" Ron said with irritation.
"And your father?" Hermione asked softly. "I know you admire your dad a great deal, and tell him everything, but you can't say anything to him either."
"But he wouldn't say anything, Herms!" Ron exclaimed.
"Ron, even if he didn't want to, he is bound by Ministry rules to disclose information on situations such as this. He has no choice in the matter, and that's why you can't say anything to him." Hermione was unwavering in her stance.
"She's right Ron. Do you want to put someone in danger, just because you want to tell your dad? I'd like to tell Sirius everything, but even I know telling him about this could have disastrous consequences." Harry added.
"But…" Ron faltered.
"Questionable loyalties, Ron. There is no doubt that your dad is on the side of good, but he's surrounded by many people who may not be." Harry said softly.
Ron sighed, "You're right. I know you're right. I just don't like to keep secrets from my family. I won't say anything until Professor Dumbledore says it's ok."
Harry and Hermione smiled at him in approval.
Dispelling the silencing charm, the trio continued their trek back to the Gryffindor tower.
Upon entering the common room, they were quickly bombarded with questions from their housemates. Having kept secrets from their fellow Gryffindors before, the trio were easily able to put on a believable act. Hermione described the 'snakes' and their lethal properties, while Ron exaggerated the size of the 'little buggers' (Hermione pushing his hands to less than a foot apart, after Ron tried to convince the other students that the recently hatched snakes were four feet long). Harry just stood there quietly with a small smile on his lips, as he usually does when his two best friends are describing something he did.
Their housemates ate it all up.
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Back in the Headmaster's office, the two professors remained behind, watching the exuberant teens fly out with an energy vaguely remembered from their own youth.
Taking a brief moment to move to the seats recently abandoned by the young students, Snape and McGonagall fixed their gaze on the man behind the desk.
"Visions, Albus?" McGonagall asked.
"From Voldemort?" Snape added, arching his eyebrow.
"Ah yes, I was afraid you would be bringing that up again." Dumbledore sighed wearily. "I must ask that this information goes no further than this room, and must be kept from Voldemort by all means possible."
The Headmaster gave Snape a sharp look, and the dark haired professor nodded in understanding.
"It would seem that the scar our young Harry received from Voldemort somehow connects them together when the Dark Wizard is either physically nearby or having particularly strong feelings of hatred. I have been told that Harry's latest vision was just before the term began, and was somewhat painful this time."
"What was this vision about?" Minerva asked.
"Unfortunately, Harry has not chosen to reveal that information to me as of yet." The Headmaster sighed, a sad look on his face.
"Well get the brat back up here and make him tell you!" Snape snapped.
Dumbledore pinned his gaze on the potions master and spoke sharply, "Severus, you would do well not to insult the boy because he has not chosen to speak to me of his visions. Young Harry is not very trusting of adults, and it has taken me this long to get him to open up as much as he has. I will not push him further, and risk losing what trust he does have in me.
"No. Harry must make his own choice to trust me, but I hope he will not take much more time to do so. I fear that his visions will only become worse as Voldemort gains power. How much worse, I do not wish to imagine."
Snape scoffed, "You are mistaken in allowing him to set the terms of your relationship. The boy is spoiled, and your coddling will only make him worse."
"Do not think to judge him on what you presume to be true, Severus. You know nothing of him, and choose to turn a blind eye to what is right in front of your face." Dumbledore responded angrily, then softened as he said, "Take the time to look into his eyes, Severus. Truly look. You will be surprised at what you find. And when you finally do see the truth, I can only hope that you will not be too hard on yourself over your treatment of him."
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It was in secrecy that these big-eyed and big-eared creatures moved, passing along, to others of their species, information known only them. Much deliberation and planning commenced among these small creatures known as house-elves – strangers to each other as individuals, but familial in their common cause.
To various locations around the world, Britain, France, North America, these miniature figures were sent to accomplish specific tasks in secret.
In a plain sparsely furnished studio apartment, one of these house-elves appeared, causing its lone occupant to start in surprise. With a quick spell, unknown to anyone outside their species, the occupant's mind was erased of a specific memory, leaving him momentarily staring blankly at the newspaper in his hands. Once she ensured that all the occupant's possessions were erased of information relating to the memory, the house-elf quickly disappeared again.
The occupant shook himself out of the blank stare, muttering to himself, "Daniel Sideburn you have got to get some sleep. Too bad I ran out of pepper-up potion last week."
Dropping the newspaper emblazoned with "Sunnydale Times" at the top, Daniel walked into his bedroom and shut the door.
As evening turned into the witching hours in Scotland, Dobby himself popped over to the leading wizard newspaper, The Daily Prophet. Human figures were scurrying about, as they rushed to put the final touches on the newspaper to be copied for delivery the next day. Production had barely begun when the small figures, who generally went unnoticed anyway, quietly spread themselves out. At the designated signal, from Dobby, they began to softly chant, weaving their magics about the building.
The scurrying of the humans slowed, until they finally stopped whatever they were doing, and stood trance-like in their places. The production equipment stopped and became silent.
Dobby plucked one of the completed newspapers from the line, chanted a protection spell upon in, then rolled it up and placed it into a pocket of his cloak.
The magic continued to twine about and around the humans, erasing specific memories and replacing them with others. And, as the mantra whispered to an end, the newspapers began to glow.
Their chanting complete, the house-elves watched as their magic sought out what they specified it to. Scribbled notes disappeared completely, and the stylized print on the newspapers began to morph, the headline being replaced with a story on the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
Dobby watched carefully, as the last original front page began to fade. He nodded his thanks to his fellow elves before disappearing from the Daily Prophet building.
As the last memory was replaced, and the last newspaper changed, the elf magic disappeared. The equipment started to run again, and humans began to scurry about once more, continuing with their projects, not noticing the house-elves drifting away quietly.
Back in the Hogwarts kitchen, Dobby trotted into his small private room. Opening up his special 'sock drawer', he moved aside several of the brightly designed footwear to make room for the important document he carried.
Dobby removed the newspaper from his cloak pocket and unrolled it, scanning the contents of the front page with a small sad smile.
Half of the paper in his hands was covered by a wizard picture of a malevolent looking cloud of light, swirling round and round, occasionally shooting bolts of lightening. A non-moving muggle picture of a brightly smiling blonde woman took up the bottom left-hand corner.
Garishly splashed across the top of the page, just underneath the "Daily Prophet" logo, it read:
Slayer Defeats Hellgoddess, Then Dies In Portal
By Daniel Sideburn
Dobby sighed as he rolled the newspaper back up, placed it into the drawer, and covered it up with socks. No one would disturb the drawer, as all house-elves have a high belief in ethics, and no humans were interested in socks – besides, they rarely came to the kitchens anyway.
As he closed the drawer, he sighed and spoke to himself.
"No one must know. Not yet. Someday…soon. House-elves know it is not all true. She is not dead. She will tell Dobby when they can know."