A/N: The banshees in this story are not like the one described in Prisoner of Azkaban. The description is a little bit of myth I've heard and read but mostly stuff I made up to suit the plot.
Chapter 10: Banshees and Veelas
"Harry……..we need to talk" surprisingly it was Dean who spoke up to him.
"Oh? And what is there to talk about?" Harry's voice was calm but he was feeling exhausted. The shock of seeing his godfather here had been too much on top of everything else.
The other boys were standing behind Dean and looking at Harry too.
"Harry…….we just……we wanted you to know…." Dean's hesitant words died on his lips when Harry looked up at him.
Being back in the dorm brought back the bitter memory. The dementors had made sure that the memory remained fresh in Harry's troubled mind. He could remember every single detail of that night when his dorm-mates had burnt his last memories of his parents. It was all he had ever had of his parents. There was precious little he knew about them to begin with since the Dursleys never spoke of them and there wasn't anyone else he could ask either. That photo album had been Harry's most prized possession, even the invisibility cloak and his Firebolt weren't as important. He had lost all the pictures of his parents save one. And there was no Hagrid anymore to get him a new one either. Thinking about Hagrid only made Harry feel worse. He was just so tired of it all. He had done what he was born to do. He had killed Lord Voldemort. When would he be in peace with himself? When would all this pain go away?
Ron was standing far back behind his friends. He was very aware that Harry didn't want to see or speak to him right now. He probably never wanted to see Ron ever again. He didn't blame Harry. Who would after going through so much? Ron was sure that he had hurt Harry just as much as Voldemort if not more. It was bad enough that he had been jealous of Harry for becoming Champion, but Ron's behavior during the trial was unforgivable. He hadn't tried to listen to Harry once. He had even forbidden Hermione to talk to him, even when she had wanted to. Harry had tried again and again to make him listen but Ron was too angry and too blind to heed him. Ron had even given Harry a bloody nose one day during the trial when Harry had grabbed hold of his arm outside the courtroom and insisted that Ron hear him out. Now Ron wished almost everyday that he hadn't been so harsh to Harry. If he had even just pretended to listen to Harry maybe Harry would have felt better enough to have a fighting chance at the trial. Ron realized that his testimony had also been one of the solid reasons Harry was sentenced to Azkaban. If his best friend thought so little of him, it only showed how evil Harry was.
"Harry…..what we're trying to say is that we are real sorry for what we did that day. You know, uhh…burning all your stuff….We know some of them meant a lot to you. The invisibility cloak and the album…." Seamus had managed to speak fine until he looked up into Harry's eyes, then his courage failed too.
"We know we don't deserve to be forgiven and all but we just wanted you to know that we….err…..never regretted anything more than our actions on that day. We know we can't make it up to you….."
"You are right. You can't make it up to me. There's nothing you can do that would bring back the last things that I had to remember my parents by. So I wish you'd just shut up before I lose my temper and hex you out of existence" Harry had stood up, pointing his wand at the lot of them.
If they thought their pathetic apologies would make him forgive them or make him feel better, they could think again. How dare they apologize to him? This wasn't some small matter like spilling juice all over his homework. How dare they speak to him or look at him? How dare they even be in the same room as him?
At his words, the others had dropped their gazes to the floor except Neville. He was looking back at Harry unflinchingly. Neville had been staring at Harry wordlessly on that night too. He had just stood in the common room watching Harry come in to get his things and leaving again empty-handed. Harry had only seen him that once since the Tournament.
Harry breathed deeply. He didn't want to see Dumbledore tonight to explain why he had blown up his dorm-mates. He also didn't want the cubs to be sent off. They hadn't stopped growling since he had stood up, they could feel his anger towards the other humans and automatically considered them as their human's enemy.
"You can never really make it up to me for burning my belongings. I don't want to hear any more meaningless apologies. They mean nothing to me, they don't let you off the hook and they are certainly bad for my temper. So if you value your life and limbs, it would be best if you left me well alone. I have no choice but to stay here but I'm warning you right now to stay away from me and my property" calm and cool, he had to stay calm and cool. Hadn't he promised himself that he would deal with all this without emotions? He had to remember his resolve, Harry thought as he turned away and prepared to shower before bed.
Harry was up before dawn the next day. He needed to get used to his schedule from day one if he planned to stick to it. The next couple of hours were spent working on maintaining his excellent form. After a proper shower, Harry worked on his hair. He knew the hairstylists back at the boutique would be disappointed if they knew how little of their advice had been put into practice. Harry had learnt all the tips and he now did something to get his messy hair under adequate control, but he wasn't about to spend half an hour in front of the mirror, applying all sorts of stuff to his hair.
Harry wondered when McGonagall would call him up to speak about his hair. He was the only boy in the school who had shoulder-length hair. He wasn't planning on cutting it either. He knew how much most people wanted to forget the injustice of last year. He realized that most of the witches and wizards at this school would feel immensely better if he dyed his hair black and went back to games and detention like everyone else so that they could all pretend that Azkaban never happened. Harry had no intention of obliging them. He wasn't going to forget about Azkaban and he wasn't going to let them forget it either. After giving his hair a final brush and looking at his neat image one final time, Harry left the dorms. Neville's alarm clock had begun ringing as he descended the stairs to the Common Room. Most of the castle was just waking up as Harry made his way towards Dumbledore's office.
Harry stood in front of the gargoyle, guessing the names of sweets he thought might be the password. He wished he knew the spell that could open doors and passageways without passwords. He was sure such a spell existed and could be found in the library if he really looked for it. And why not? He no longer had a genius best friend who knew everything and could be relied on. In fact, Harry didn't want to rely on anyone anymore. It was one of the reasons he didn't put up a big fight when ordered to come back to Hogwarts. He wanted to learn magic. It was his heritage, something he had gotten from his parents. He had every right to do magic and be a wizard even if he couldn't stand other wizards. Harry wanted to learn magic and become a qualified wizard. From what he had heard from Hagrid, his parents were really good wizards. His mother was good at Charms and his father was good at Transfiguration and he himself was good at Defense against the Dark Arts. But he must have inherited the brilliance in Charms and Transfiguration from his parents too, right? And the way everyone spoke about his dad and the Marauders, his dad must have been really good, becoming Animagi and inventing the Marauders' Map. Harry wanted to be really good at doing magic. He never wanted to depend on anyone else to do anything.
Then there was his new wand, Harry thought as he forgot about the password to Dumbledore's office. He took out his wand cautiously and holding it with both hands, just stared at it. Last night, he had used the wand for the first time to do a cleaning spell on the cubs' cage. The rush of power he had felt at doing just the simple spell had left him dizzy. When he raised his wand again slowly to cast the silencing spell around his bed, he couldn't help but feel excited. There it was again. The rush of adrenaline going to his head made him want to cast a hundred more spells. Harry had never felt so excited about doing magic even in his First Year.
Harry didn't think he wanted to stay in the wizarding world after Hogwarts. He much preferred living around muggles as long as it weren't his relatives. But he wanted to learn all the magic he needed before he left Hogwarts. Becoming an Animagi would be fun and useful. He also wanted to learn all about making enchanted maps and finding secret passages and passwords to follow in his father's footsteps. He wanted to learn every charm and transfiguration spell he might ever need to live independently. He wanted to learn all the different curses and hexes to use on anyone who annoyed him like Ron and Malfoy. He wanted to…
His thoughts were interrupted as the gargoyle jumped aside and Dumbledore stepped out from behind it.
"Harry. Why don't you come upstairs so that we can talk in my office" Dumbledore beckoned before going back up to his office.
Harry followed him and took a seat. Dumbledore was already seated behind his desk.
"Now, what was it you wanted to see me about?" Dumbledore was acting the way he always did. The traces of uncertainty that were there when he had seen Harry at Azkaban and again in the Leaky Cauldron had vanished.
"I want to re-pick my electives. I find it impossible to carry on with Care of Magical Creatures and Divination for the next two years" Harry answered in a calm and matter-of-fact manner.
"I see. You are aware that changing elective subjects is against the school rules?" Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon glasses.
"Yes. I am also aware that re-accepting expelled students is also against the school rules. Therefore, I see no reason why I shouldn't be allowed to re-pick my electives" Harry remained as cool as ice. He knew it was essential if he hoped to be taken seriously.
"You have been studying those electives since your Third Year. Picking new electives would mean you have to finish four years worth of studying by the end of this term for the new electives. The OWLs cover the Third, Fourth and Fifth Years' studies and you will also be sitting for your Sixth Year exams. You must realize that is almost impossible. That is too much work to be completed in one term. You are already going to have a hard time keeping up with your Fifth and Sixth Years studies"
"I realize that and I am willing to do the extra work. I must insist on the new electives. There is no way I will continue with either of my current electives" Harry remained firm on his demands.
Dumbledore remained silent as he studied the young man in front of him. He could see Harry's determination. Dumbledore realized that Harry wasn't prepared to take no for an answer. Some things needed time and just couldn't be forced. He sighed, Sirius would be disappointed.
"Very well! If that is what you truly want, I will arrange for your new elective teachers to teach you the whole syllabus in extra classes. You remember that you have to take at least two electives of course. Have you chosen your electives yet?"
"Yes. I'd like to take Arithmancy and Ancient Runes" Harry replied confidently.
Dumbledore remained quiet for a moment.
"Are you sure about that, Harry? Those two subjects are among the hardest electives. Studying four years' syllabus in one term for those two subjects will leave you no time for anything else all year. Maybe you might want to look over all the other choices before you make your decision" Dumbledore suggested.
"I have already looked through all the choices available. I bought the Fifth and Sixth Years' books for all of them and I have looked over all of them during the last few weeks. My decision is made" Harry said with certainty.
Seeing the stubborn set of Harry's jaw, Dumbledore knew Harry would not change his mind. With such determination, Harry could possibly make it through the term with the new subjects. He wondered if Harry would be willing to study with other students. He was certain a certain Miss Granger would be more than willing to help him with the new subjects. Maybe something could be arranged once Harry had been through a few weeks of study.
Dumbledore accepted Harry's decision and explained the schedule and amount of work needed for the different subjects. Professor McGonagall would give Harry his extra classes' schedule later that day.
"However for this week, you will be having Defense against the Dark Arts extra classes every day" Dumbledore finished.
"Why?" Harry's single word was filled with resentment. He felt angered at being told to spend every evening with Lupin. He wished that subject had also been an elective so he could drop it. He had been planning to wait a couple of weeks before dropping the extra classes after he had proven he could study the subject without extra classes.
"It is for your own protection, Harry" Dumbledore leaned forward.
Harry couldn't help but snort.
"What do I need protection from? Voldemort is already dead."
"There are other things that pose a threat to you now. Professor Lupin will explain it to you in your class this evening. And now I believe you have just enough time to have breakfast and prepare for classes" Dumbledore continued when he noticed Harry was about to interrupt.
Before either of them could say anything else there was a knock on the door and it was wrenched open.
"Headmaster, I am terribly sorry to bother you so early but I needed to speak to you abou…" Sirius Black's rapid speech came to a halt when he noticed Harry sitting there.
"I will be on my way then" Harry got up and passed his godfather without looking at him.
"Harry….? I…." whatever else Sirius was going to say died away as Harry turned to look back at him. His eyes were filled with a silent fury in that brief glance before he turned back and left, closing the door behind him.
Sirius had to close his eyes before any tears slipped out. Seeing Harry's pure white hair tore his heart into pieces. Why had he suffered so much? Why hadn't his godfather been there for him? Sirius felt the guilt well up inside him, suffocating him. He knew that behind all the anger and fury was a great deal of hurt. Harry had closed up completely. God only knew how they were all going to get though this.
"What was Harry doing here?" Sirius turned around to find Dumbledore looking at him sadly.
"He came to ask if he could re-pick his electives" Dumbledore said quietly.
"No! You…you didn't let him drop Care of Magical Creatures…..you wouldn't…..did you?" Sirius whispered.
"I am afraid I had no choice, Sirius. He was adamant. I couldn't refuse" Dumbledore looked old and tired as he said it.
"But you couldn't let him drop my subject. How will I ever speak to him if he won't take the subject I am teaching? He will never speak to me outside classes. Please, Professor Dumbledore….please. You have to do something. You must persuade him to come to class. I can never see him any other way. What will I do?" Sirius ran a hand through his hand, looking desperate.
"That will not be possible Sirius. You know how stubborn Harry is, we are already testing his patience as it is. I cannot force him to take Care of Magical Creatures. Sirius, please calm down. I am sure you will have plenty of chances to speak to him. You will be receiving his guardianship any day now" Dumbledore continued to reassure the distraught man in his office.
Meanwhile, Harry was making an entrance in the Great Hall which was currently full of breakfasting students. As expected a great hush fell over students and teachers alike. Harry swept the Hall with one look before heading for a deserted part of Gryffindor table and sitting to have his breakfast. Harry didn't look up again until he was finished ignoring all the whispering he could hear around him. Professor McGonagall swept past the table, handing the Gryffindors their timetables. Harry accepted his silently. He had Double Charms, Transfiguration, Arithmancy and finally Defense against the Dark Arts for the day. Of course he also had extra classes at the end of the day.
First day of the term was as busy as usual. All the teachers started the classes with a discussion of the term's syllabus and ended it with giving out a long assignment. When Harry entered the Charms classroom barely before the lesson started, Professor Flitwick looked at him and flinched so bad that he toppled off his stack of books behind the desk. Professor McGonagall carried out her lesson as usual despite his presence but Harry caught her giving him worried looks form time to time. Lunch was an affair of hushed whispers all over again. Harry didn't know if Arithmancy was better or worse than the other classes. On one hand, Harry barely knew Professor Vector and the other students in the class minus one ex-best friend with big black bags under her eyes and a very agitated and distracted manner throughout the class. On the other hand, the teacher might as well have been speaking Mermish for all he understood. Harry went through the classes with a cool and detached attitude.
The other Gryffindors had obviously been warned by his dorm-mates to keep their distance. Harry even saw Fred and George walking towards him determinedly at lunch before being intercepted by none other than Ron. Harry was glad that everyone was leaving him alone right now. He knew it wouldn't last but at least it gave him time to get used to his new life. There was still the staring and muttering that he had to put up with. Everywhere he walked, the other students stepped out of his way rather hurriedly and everyone was silent until he was gone before they continued conversation and walked to classes. He was of course aware that he was the main topic of conversation since he had heard his name mentioned countless times. All the students from his year except the Slytherins winced every time they happened to glimpse his white hair. No one could stop discussing how different Harry was and how he had changed. Even the Slytherins were overcome enough to leave him alone, which was a first for Harry since the day he had become Seeker in his First Year. Defense Against the Dark Arts turned out alright. Harry didn't feel as bad as he thought he would on having to take the subject with Professor Lupin. He was glad the wizard had not shown any reactions to his presence.
When the class was over Professor Lupin held him back for a moment to tell him to be back for his extra class at eight. Harry nodded and left the classroom. He returned to Gryffindor Tower to drop off his bag and freshen up before going to dinner. The cubs had been waiting to greet him enthusiastically. They had finished p all the food he had left for them. Harry was surprised at first because that amount of food was supposed to last them the whole day. But growing cubs needed their energy, he thought wryly glancing around at all the torn and tattered bed sheets and hangings. Harry let the rush of excitement course through him once again as he used his wand to fix the place up. He smirked remembering Charms class when he had accidentally smiled after casting a charm three times in a row using his wand. Most of the students had looked terrified by his smile.
Harry told the cubs to follow him as he left the dorms. He made his way towards the kitchen, the cubs trotting behind him. They passed some students on their way. The cubs drew as much attention as their owner causing the other to stop and watch the procession until Harry and the cubs were out of sight. Harry was received in the kitchen by a thoroughly excited Dobby who bowed so low, his nose got quite squished to the floor.
"It is so good to see you again Master Harry Potter sir. Dobby had never been so happy. Dobby knew Master was never evil and Master didn't kill any of those wizards. Master Harry Potter is too kind to do anything like that. Master Harry Potter freed Dobby and gave Dobby socks for Christmas. Even if the socks were matching, it was still too kind of Master Harry Potter. Dobby must take care of Harry Potter now that he is back at Hogwarts. They don't have any house elves at that nasty Azkaban prison. Master must not have gotten any proper food there. Dobby will cook the best food for him. Dobby will make sure…." Dobby's lengthy outburst ended when he sighted the tigercats. His eyes bulged out and his frame stooped lower as he took a step back in fear.
"It's alright, Dobby. These are my pet tigercats. They won't hurt you. I need a favor, Dobby. I need you to feed the cubs when I'm in class. Can you do that for me?" Harry asked.
Dobby agreed albeit hesitantly. After a little more encouragement, Harry introduced Dobby to the cubs. The cubs accepted Dobby and the role he would play in their lives everyday. Harry decided it would be easier to have his dinner there rather than the Hall and sat down at the house elves' bidding. The cubs were served minced meat in bowls and settled down to enjoy their food as the house elves skirted around them to do their own work. When Harry left the kitchen with the cubs to return upstairs, the cubs caught the scent of fresh air and bolted out of the Entrance Hall instead of following Harry. Harry could feel their excitement at being in the open and he also sensed their confidence that he would follow them. The cubs seemed to know him pretty well. Harry followed them to the grounds and sat on the grass, watching them run around chasing each other or roll around in a mock fight. They would growl ferociously, each trying to prove himself the stronger. Harry had to laugh at their antics.
Regretfully, Harry couldn't allow them to play any longer. He had to get to his extra class in ten minutes. Harry got up and told the cubs to follow him. They did so but Harry could sense their disappointment at having to go inside. When he walked into the Common Room, it was full of people. All conversation died when everyone saw Harry's pets. They were all staring silently as Harry crossed the Common Room to go to the dorms. A Seventh Year Gryffindor Prefect was the only one to come over and speak.
"Harry, these creatures?" she started hesitantly.
"They are my pets. Tigercat cubs, twins" Harry replied briskly.
"Erm….I don't think students are allowed to bring them as pets. Only owls, cats and frogs are…"
"I know. But these are magical creatures. I have a special pass to keep them. Professor McGonagall is holding it. You can ask her" Harry understood she was only doing her job. At least it hadn't been Ron and Hermione who approached him. He hadn't missed the Prefect badges on their robes in the brief glimpses he had gotten of them.
"But, isn't it dangerous to keep them here? They are not going to harm the other students?" she looked at the cubs apprehensively.
The other students were also casting nervous glances towards the cubs. It was hard to miss the razor sharp claws and fangs. The cubs already moved with the lethal elegance of a jungle cat.
"They aren't going to harm anyone unnecessarily. They share a mind-link with me. They will only hurt or attack anyone who tries to harm me or anyone that they can sense I dislike" Harry answered smoothly.
Harry heard a couple of audible gulps but didn't turn around to see who made them. Instead he walked up the stairs followed by the cubs, leaving the rest of them more nervous than before. After dropping off the cubs and picking up his Defense books, Harry returned to the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom to find Professor Lupin already seated and waiting.
"Hello again Harry. Why don't you sit over here? Today we will only be working on theory so you won't be needing your wand. Professor Dumbledore has informed you that you will be having extra classes with me all week long?"
Harry nodded. He wanted to ask why but he found himself lost in memories. Professor Lupin had given him extra lessons on fighting Dementors in this very class. Everything was the same yet it would never be the same again. How could he? How could he have stood by and let Harry be sentenced to Azkaban? Professor Lupin had been one of his father's best friends. Okay, so that didn't guarantee much. Look at his own best friends. But still, no one understood Harry's fear of the Dementors more than Lupin. He had seen how Harry couldn't be in the same room with a Dementor without collapsing, yet he had stood and watched Harry's trial silently. Even if he hadn't testified against Harry, he hadn't helped him either. He should have told the court about Harry's fear. No one was prepared to listen to a word Harry said but if Lupin had spoken up maybe, just maybe the court would have sent him somewhere else instead.
"Alright, let me explain" Harry was brought back to the present to find Professor Lupin in front of him. He placed a book in front of Harry and pulled a chair to sit opposite him.
"What we will be covering in the next few weeks of your extra classes is not part of the Fifth and Sixth Year syllabus. For the time being you will be learning about two different species of magical creatures that pose a threat to you. Professor Dumbledore feels it is essential that you know how to defend yourself against them and I must agree" up-close Professor Lupin was looking a little tired but his hair hadn't greyed anymore than the last time Harry had seen him.
"What are these creatures? How come they are only a threat to me?" Harry was beginning to feel a little intrigued.
"Well, the creatures I am talking about are Banshees and Veelas. They only pose a threat to y.."
"Banshees and Veelas? I didn't know Veelas were Dark creatures" Harry was too surprised to stay quiet. Whatever he had been expecting, it wasn't this.
"They are not. That is why they aren't part of the Defense syllabus. They are mentioned briefly in Seventh Year Care of Magical Creatures but that's it. However you need to learn thoroughly about both Veelas and Banshees in order to defend yourself against them. Both types of creatures will try to take you the moment they sense you" Professor Lupin looked very serious as he said that.
"Why would they want to take me?" Harry was beyond curious.
And so Professor Lupin began a long explanation about the two types of creatures which took up the next couple of hours.
He explained about Banshees first since they were the imminent danger to Harry. There isn't much known about them because unlike other magical races, the banshees have never been studied closely by wizards. This is because banshees live in tight colonies and aren't prepared to let any witches or wizards near them. Banshees are Dark creatures not unlike Vampires. They have magical senses and magical powers. Banshees use their magical sense of hearing like Veelas use their magical sense of smell. Banshees have very good magical hearing. They can hear heartbeats. That is how they look for victims. Banshees feed on grief like Vampires feed on blood. A broken heart beats differently than a normal heart. With their magical hearing, they can hear a broken heart beating from miles away. A banshee will trace the broken heart and on finding the person, they will let out an ear-piercing scream. Muggles and wizards alike fall victim to banshees and the scream is lethal to those who are in anguish. The victim's death releases the grief within him or her and this in turn becomes the source of magical power to the banshee.
Banshees do not have offspring. Their race consists solely of witches and on the rare occasion, wizards. Sometimes when a witch with a broken heart hears the banshee scream, she turns into a banshee instead of dying. Why some die and some turn to banshees is a mystery to wizardkind. Banshees are normally all witches but throughout history there have been rare cases of male banshees existing in a colony. A male banshee is known as a banshai. When a witch becomes a banshee, her hair turns pure white. The magical powers possessed by a banshee are not known in detail. The power that is common knowledge is the banshee's scream. It can hurt any creature that threatens a banshee and it is lethal to people with broken hearts. Another magical power of the banshees is their ability to fly. The basis of this power is still a disputed topic amongst wizards. Some say that banshees have invisible wings, others say they are able to just defy gravity, but the most popular belief is that banshees can control the wind. This theory is supported by the tendency of a banshee's hair and robes billowing elegantly even when there is no breeze.
Another common thing among all banshees is their necklaces. All the banshees seen to date wear a necklace of sort. It looks like a strip of gray silk that is slightly looser than a choker. There are black stones that seemed to be studded or threaded on that necklace. Most banshees have one large black stone on their necklace but some banshees have been seen with necklaces that two or three stones. Necklaces that have more than one stone tend to have smaller stones compared to the necklaces with only one stone. What these necklaces signify and where they come from is not known by anyone except the banshees themselves.
And then there are the veelas. This race consists of both male and female although the number of females is significantly higher. Their beauty is magical and mesmerizes all muggles and wizards who set eyes on them. They turn into birdlike creatures and have the ability to fly when angered. Their beauty and hypnotizing power is the magical power that they possess. Every veela comes into his or her magical inheritance upon reaching the age of sixteen. After that, they will be able to identify their mate by scent. A veela has very little time to bond with the mate and once bonded, the veela must remain with the mate for all their lives. Veelas who don't find their mates before the mate dies for any reason, live life as an empty shell. Veelas who are rejected by their mates die out of grief. A veela's life is forever dependant on his or her mate's every mood and wish.
Veelas and banshees are mortal enemies. Each hate the other race and battles among veela families and banshee colonies are universal. The war among the two magical races spans the past few centuries. History books tell the tale of a memorable feud long ago. Legend says that in those days veelas and banshees possessed a great amount of magical powers. Yet in that feud, they fought each other to such an extent that their magical resources were almost finished. At that time, the leading veela and banshee were locked in a bitter struggle. Both were very powerful and ended the battle by casting a terrible magic on each other. Their magic worked but it extended to the whole race rather that the leader alone. As a result of that fateful day, the magical resources of both races were greatly diminished. Since then, the veelas are cursed to be bound to a mate for all their lives. If they don't bond with the mate that they recognize from his or her spell, they will die a slow death. The veela curse on the banshees was also very powerful. Because of that curse, banshees can never have a mate and cannot have children. Their race only continues by turning other witches into banshees. Throughout the ages, the two races have remained foes.
"And that is why both races are a danger to you, Harry. You have suffered a great deal of pain and betrayal and it is more than evident by the change in your hair. That change was more magical than anything else. It is Professor Dumbledore's belief as well as mine that you might be turned into a banshai. A banshai has a very special place in a banshee colony. A colony with a banshai is considered superior to other banshee colonies. If there are any banshees close enough to hear your heartbeat, they will come in search of you. And when they see your hair, they will recognize that you can become a banshai. It might take only one banshee scream to turn you, or maybe it will take more. We do not have much understanding of what happens then. No one has ever even been able to attempt to speak to a banshee. All witches that become banshee leave all their possessions behind, even their wands. Neither do they ever contact any relatives or friends. We do not even know if banshees can speak and do magic like normal witches." Professor Lupin leaned back in his chair.
"As for the veelas, they can smell banshees. It is my guess that they can smell a banshai too. Since you are not a banshai, they will not get the scent of a banshai from you. However if they see you, they will realize that you are a potential banshai. That is a greater threat to you because a veela is most likely to try and kill a potential banshai. The war among veelas and banshees is ordinary enough, but veelas tend to take a huge interest in every banshai that ever existed. Veelas can convert a banshai into a veela. And they have successfully converted almost every banshai in history. How that is done is unclear. Veelas are friendly enough towards wizards and mingle freely with us. They aren't hesitant to speak about themselves and their abilities. But the slightest mention of a banshee or a banshai and they turn into their angry bird forms. Hence we have to be very careful. You will have to defend yourself against these two races probably for the rest of your life."
"Why? What's so horrible about being a banshai? Living away from wizards, having a special place in a surrogate family of sorts, it can't be that bad. Can it?"
"Harry, you don't mean that!" Professor Lupin had paled considerably at Harry's serious words.
"Don't I? I think I might like being somewhere far away from other wizards" Harry frowned thoughtfully.
"No, Harry. You can't mean that. Baanshees are Dark creatures. They kill people and feed on their grief and pain. You can't honestly say you would wish to do that" Professor Lupin was becoming more panicked and horrified by the moment. What if Harry was seriously contemplating it?
"Sometimes death is better than living with such pain" Harry's eyes were filled with an emotion that looked like loss.
"Sometimes it just hurts so bad that you would just rather die than suffer anymore" his voice was thick as he continued.
"Banshees only feed on that kind of grief, don't they? Don't they? If they killed every person that was feeling a little betrayed or hurt, then surely such deaths would be more common in the world. They only kill people whose hearts have broken completely. People who no longer wish to live anyway. That isn't such a bad thing after all" Harry still spoke as if he was speaking from some place faraway.
Professor Lupin was beyond worried. He got up from his seat and going over to Harry's side, grabbed hold of his shoulders and turned him around to face him.
"Harry, listen to me. I know that you are hurt. I know you are feeling angry. But you need to overcome it. I know that right now you feel like the pain will never end but it will. You need to give it time. You need to hold on. You need to accept this pain, live through it and survive it. It will get better, Harry. I promise, it will get better. You have to believe that. You have to!" he was unconsciously shaking Harry by then. He was so afraid of losing the boy to this chasm of pain. Harry shouldn't have to deal with this kind of pain. He shouldn't have to deal with it alone like this.
The shaking seemed to bring Harry back to the present. He blinked then turned his head to look at Professor Lupin curiously. He took a deep breath but didn't remove his hands from the boy's shoulders.
"Harry, the pain won't go away by leaving behind this place, or the people who caused it or even the memories. It will only manifest into something dark if you bottle it up inside. Banshees are what they are because their pain never heals. And they have to continue feeding on others' pain to keep going. If they had managed to heal their pain, they wouldn't remain banshees any longer. Being one of them could not bring satisfaction or happiness" Lupin finished in a whisper.
He released Harry and took his seat again.
"Well, I think we have covered enough for tonight. We shall study banshees for the rest of the week and next week we might be able to start on veelas. The protection spells aren't so complex so I believe you will be able to master them soon enough. However, we will continue to practice them throughout the term so you truly memorize them for a lifetime" Professor Lupin decided to end the lesson.
Harry returned to Gryffindor Tower still lost deep in thought. The Common Room held few students since it was late. Harry went upstairs and retrieved his books. He spent the next couple of hours understanding all that he had learnt in lessons that day. He eve had to refer to Fifth Year books to reinforce what he learnt in Transfiguration. After covering the lessons to his satisfaction, he turned in for the night. He couldn't say it had been a good first day back but it hadn't been that bad either.