Right, the story is really moving along now, so hopefully people should be able to work out who is sending the notes and what I'm leading the story up to.

Chapter 8: The Riddle Just Gets More Confusing

The month of September passed as quickly as it had begun. The lessons became more challenging and harder, the teachers constantly nagged them to produce better standards of work if they wanted the highest grades of N.E.W.T level as possible. Only Hermione seemed to take it seriously. With Quidditch Practice, Homework and the usual threats of Malfoy, Harry found himself forgetting the notes and the dreams he had been having.

The weather began to change dramatically, raining everyday so lessons held outside where taken inside instead, but Quidditch Practice continued even if it was pouring hard with rain. With all that was going on, Harry's dreams ceased, it seemed he had hardly slept and then he was waking up for the days lessons.

Every now and again, during Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson, Harry could tell Lupin was looking at him, trying to fathom if he was alright. However Harry gave him no reason to worry over his well-fare. Nearly everyone in the lesson had managed to produce a Patronus, and Lupin decided to test it against a Dementor.

Somehow, Harry didn't know how, Lupin had managed to transfigure the Boggart to remain in the form of a Dementor, thus enabling the class to practice the Patronus on the real thing. They lined up, Neville at the front, he was more eager to show his skill then he had been before. When the Dementor came forwards, Harry felt the familiar voices of his parents and he put his hand up to his head trying to calm himself. He had fought off a hundred Dementors before, one shouldn't be a problem!

Harry was fifth in line, after Hermione, who executed a perfect Patronus and banished the Dementor away.

Stepping forward, rolling up his sleeves, breathing calmly, the voices in his head subsided for the moment, he watched as the Dementor-Boggart glided forward again. The voices began again, louder:

"Lily, take Harry and run! I'll hold him off!"

"No, please not Harry, take me instead!"

"Stand aside you silly girl!"

A scream echoed in Harry's head. Raising his wand he bellowed "Expecto Patronum!". His silver stag erupted from his wand, his eyes blurring, Harry heard another voice in his head, but it was not his parents, nor Voldemort. A face took form in his head, a face of a watery-eyed man, Peter Pettigrew, or Wormtail. Wormtail's voice echoed into his mind, the words he said etched themselves deeply into Harry's mind: "Find Padfoot. The Veil is the key to it all!"

Without meaning too, in his semi-conscious state, Harry shouted out: "PADFOOT! NO! HE CAN'T BE GONE! HE CAN'T!"

And then all went black.


His eyes hurt terribly as he woke up. People were leaning over him, questioning glances.

"Harry? Are you okay? Harry?" Lupin was asking.

He shook his head, moaning, but carefully opened his eyes. "I heard a voice." Harry muttered, staring at Lupin. Hermione and Ron exchanged glances.

Lupin seemed to hesitate before asking: "And who was speaking?"

The face of Wormtail floated to his mind. "Wormtail," Harry replied, sweat dripping on his forehead, "Peter Pettigrew. He said: 'Find Padfoot. The Veil is the key to it all.'"

"Harry," Hermione began, "it doesn't mean anything, does it?"

The rest of the class was now muttering.

Harry continued, "I think it means Sirius is alive."

"He's not Harry," Lupin said, though Harry noticed an odd gleam in his eye as he spoke, "You saw him die. Nothing can change that."

"I don't believe you, I want to know the truth."

"If I could say what you want me to say I would but I cannot because it is not true what you hope for. If there was any hope of Sirius returning to us… then I'd tell you. Wherever he is, there is no escape."

Harry pushed himself to his feet. "I just wish none of this had ever happened. If I could change the past I would."

Lupin gently smiled. "I would go back to the day Peter escaped justice." He muttered quietly. Lupin looked round at the class. "Class dismissed. No homework will I set tonight."

Harry wiped his wet forehead, picked up his school bag and left the room, his mind buzzing with what had happened. The odd gleam in Lupin's eye: what did that mean? Was Lupin keeping something from Harry? And why would he? To protect him from finding out the truth?

The words of Wormtail remained in Harry's head for a long time, could it possibly be another message? Even if it was Wormtail helping him, why would he betray Voldemort? And besides, Wormtail only helped someone if it benefited himself. How could he even take the words he'd heard in his semi-conscious state to be another message? No, he would forget the words he heard and just get on with his life.


He spent most of his time alone, Ron and Hermione seemed reluctant to leave him, but Harry made excuses to be by himself. He knew he was excluding the others but the messages and work and Quidditch were all getting in the way, and anyway he didn't feel like talking to them either. Not even Claire could make him speak.

Cho Chang had been avoiding him since she'd come back to Hogwarts, but she was in her seventh year, and though briefly last year, on Valentine's day, she and Harry had gone out, she'd cried when ever the conversation had steered onto Cedric, who had been killed in the Triwizard Tournament.

It came as a surprise that she approached him in late October. He had only glimpsed her from afar but hadn't had enough courage to speak to her. Her face was shining, and her long hair was braided, her face a vision of beauty.

"Hi Harry," her voice sounded smooth, not shaky as it had before, perhaps she had gotten over Cedric?

"Hi,"

"How was your holidays?"

"Fair. Yours?" Harry asked.

"We went to America. It had lots of interesting features on the American Wizards there. Amazing place. You should really go, you'd enjoy it."

Harry shrugged. "So…practicing for Quidditch?" he knew it was a dumb question but being around Cho put him in high spirits.

She nodded. "Yeah, first match of the season, Gryffindor verses Slytherin. Then I think Ravenclaw plays Hufflepuff."

"Good luck." Harry said. He looked at his watch. "Anyway I've got to go and see Katie about Quidditch. I'll see you around." He waved and then parted leaving her standing at a loss in the hallway.


He made his way to Gryffindor Common Room. He needed to go over the Quidditch Practice sessions with Katie. Katie was sitting at a table with her books lay strewn around her, her face was flushed, she looked up as Harry sat down.

"We can't go through it tonight, Harry. I've got several essays to finish by Friday. If I don't get them done tonight, I'll be behind, it'll mean no Practice tomorrow."

"Okay, I don't mind." Harry said.

He joined Ron and Hermione at their table and pulled out his Potions homework that Snape had set them that morning: Describe how the Potion Xevefrar has its uses in everyday Wizarding Life. Give examples of certain situations where the Potion Xevefrar is appropriate and inappropriate. The essay was due in the following week, but knowing Snape, Harry thought it would be wise to get the work done by his next lesson which was on Friday. He opened his two Potion books: Of Brews and Potions for the Extreme by Phyllida Spore and Plants: Poisonous and Harmless by Elisa Gardner.

Flicking through the books he found the information he wanted and began to construct and write his essay. He was adamant this year to work as hard as he could. He wanted to be an Auror when he left, and that meant putting in the work and swotting like Hermione had done for the last five years. In fact for the first time he actually enjoyed writing a Potions Essay.

He found it quite easy.

During one of his free periods Harry went for a walk around the school in his Invisibility Cloak. It was a simple way of staying out of the others way and besides he knew if he spoke to Ron or Hermione they would want to know about the Prophecy. He still hadn't had a chance to take it all in, he was afraid of what his fate entailed. He didn't know what to do with himself.

During Thursday morning in his free period he took his Invisibility Cloak and went to the Library. Madam Pince was very strict and kept a very good eye on all students who entered her territory. Hidden by the Cloak he searched the shelves looking for books on magical objects, he was looking for anything that would help him understand the Veil. Even though he thought Wormtail's words were not a message but just a figment of his imagination, Harry still wanted to research it. After much searching he decided he'd have to ask Madam Pince for aid.

Slipping off the cloak and hiding it carefully in his robes he walked up to Madam Pince, who was shocked and surprised to see a student in the Library when she hadn't even seen him enter, however she didn't question him about it.

"I'm looking for information on magical…doorways or arches." He struggled to find the right word.

The Librarian eyed him suspiciously but got up and brought him three books:

Objects Found in the 19th Century by Delia Olsen

Arches of the Ancient World by Grethius Dormhelm

Magical Ways Throughout Europe by Eine Francis

He checked them up and made his way up to Gryffindor Tower, sat in the most comfortable chair and began to read, ignoring the stare of Ron that looked at him from across the Common Room.

He hadn't had any breakfast so at Lunch he went down with Ron to the Gryffindor Table.

"What have you got all those books for?" Ron asked.

"Research."

"On what?"

"Arches, Veils." Harry murmured.

He saw Ron glance at him but he said no more for which Harry was grateful.

Hermione joined them; she'd just come from Ancient Runes. "Harry? Did you see the Daily Prophet this morning?"

"No. Should I have?" Harry asked.

Hermione opened her bag and pulled out the Prophet. "There's been another death. Will Shaken-Pear. You know, who Charlie reckons betrayed the Order?"

Harry took the paper and began to read. The large picture of Will Shaken-Pear beamed up at him.

SHAKEN-PEAR DEATH: SUICIDE OR MURDER?

Will Shaken-Pear, a qualified Ministry Wizard, was found dead the other day at his home in Yorkshire. The 67 year old, who sixteen years ago said that he had been put under the Imperious Curse by He Who Must Not Be Named, was brought in to the Ministry after the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix was attacked on August 1st this year. He claimed that he had been in contact with no one save his wife, Lucy Veer a Muggle-born Witch, and his son, David.

However he was cleared of the charge by Albus Dumbledore who claimed that Will had been with him for the past few days.

"It's clear that whoever did this, knew that Mr Shaken-Pear could in fact betray them if not dealt with straight away." Says Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic.

Whether or not, the death is being treated as suspicious. Facts about this man has been spread wrongly over the years: he in fact has a love of all things Muggle and to prove it, he married Lucy Veer, a pretty Muggle-Born Witch.

"If anyone was in league with He Who Must Not Be Named then they would not have done that such thing. It would violate his rules." Explains Albus Dumbledore. "I am very saddened by this great loss. Will was a great Wizard and one that I'll never forget."

The Ministry of Magic is investigating Will Shaken-Pear's death. Anyone with information should come forward.

Reported by Ellis Parker

Harry put the paper down, looking at Hermione. "So he didn't betray us then?"

"Dumbledore vouched for him. He was innocent." Hermione whispered. "Yet the Ministry still think him guilty."

"Do you think it was Voldemort who killed him?" Harry asked.

Hermione nodded. "Definitely. What if he was spy in Voldemort's ranks? What if he was reporting to Dumbledore? He could have been killed for that. He might've known something that Voldemort wants kept hidden."

"I wonder if he sent me the notes?" Harry said.

"I think its very unlikely Harry. The 'S' could stand for Shaken-Pear but why would he put SB? I mean he could have made a mistake." Hermione explained.

"Changed your attitude about the notes all of a sudden haven't you?" Ron demanded.

Hermione reddened. "I've been musing over it. Why would anyone send Harry notes with the intention to harm him? They tried to help him. They gave him a warning and I think that during that Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson where you fainted and you said you'd seen Wormtail form in your mind? I think it meant something. The dreams, the notes, everything is connected in some form. We just need to find out why and who it is."

"I've been trying to do that," Harry muttered, "I'm investigating arches and veils. I believe the Veil at the Department of Mysteries may have something to do with it. I…just can't find anything about it in any of the books Madam Pince gave me."

"We'll help you look," Ron said, "If we work together we'll find out more."

"Thanks."


October 31st dawned bright and sunny for the first time in weeks. It was a Saturday so there was no lessons. A Hogsmeade Trip had been arranged and the three of them enjoyed the walk through Hogsmeade and looking in all the shops. The Halloween Feast that evening was stupendous, exciting and welcoming. The decorations gave the Castle an air of scariness.

That night Harry was sitting in the Common Room, it was practically empty, it was past midnight, and he was studying the Marauders Map. His eyes scoured the parchment until they lingered upon a group of people sat huddled in the Library. What were teachers doing sitting in the Library at this time of night?

He told Hermione and Ron that he was going out for a walk in his Invisibility Cloak. They didn't object and Harry made his way quickly to the Library keeping an eye on the Map as well. By the time he got there, slipped in and stood in the darkness, a few more people had arrived. They consisted of: McGonagall, Dumbledore, Snape, Lupin, and a few Order members: the Weasley's, Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody and Kingsley.

He barely breathed as he listened to what they spoke about.

"-know that Voldemort is up to something. He's killed many of our number already, but recruiting more. People are afraid. The situation is coming a lot more dangerous then before." Dumbledore was saying.

"What about our contact?" Harry heard Tonks say.

"They will lay quiet for a while, but more messages will find their way to Harry in the next few days. Voldemort would be too suspicious if we knew everything. We've got to make it look like we are finding this stuff out on our own. The main thing is not letting Harry know the circumstances of who truly is supplying Voldemort with information. It would hurt him more then I ever could with the words I said to him last June. In time he will work it out, or the person sending him the notes will come face-to-face with him. I do not wish to hurt more then I already have. He does not know yet, but I'm sure he'll discover the truth behind the Veil and the immense power it holds. I'll only fear the day when it comes." Dumbledore said.

Harry's heart almost stopped. Dumbledore had been lying to him? So he had been right about researching the Veil. Dumbledore knew something about Sirius and the Veil that Harry didn't know himself. He felt betrayed, utterly betrayed.

He sat there in silence, he didn't even hear Dumbledore dismiss the others, didn't even notice as a shadow fell over him.

"Potter." It was Mad-Eye Moody.

Harry looked up at him through the Cloak.

"Forget everything that you heard tonight and all will be well." Mad-Eye said and then departed.

He sat there for hours in the darkness thinking about what he had heard. He felt betrayed. Finally he summed up the courage and made his way back to the Tower. Ron and Hermione were waiting for him, pacing round the Common Room, and when they saw him looking dishevelled with tears leaking down the side of his cheeks, they had no idea what to say.

Harry lay in bed, eventually falling asleep, his dreams taunted by the words Dumbledore had spoken.

He slept terrible that night, he woke about nine, turned over to close his eyes again but saw a piece of paper laying flat on his cabinet. He put on his glasses and opened the piece of paper. What he read made him feel queasy and realise that he could no longer trust Dumbledore because the script said:

Find Padfoot. The Veil is the Key to it all.

S

It was the very same words he had received from Wormtail in his semi-conscious state when he had been fighting the Dementor-Boggart.

TBC

I have no time for Review Responses at the moment, but I hoped you enjoyed this chapter.