A/N: I completely forgot something very important last chapter!
Challenge: Story with Ginny/Harry pairing. On the eve of the final battle, Ginny thinks back to the stories she used to read as a child (see Chapter 20) about Prince Harry Potter. She compares the fantasy she used to hold to the reality of war, longing for such simplicity as the 'happily ever after' fairy tales.
This challenge comes from Virgin Suicide (who came up with the cookie-cutter fairy tales about Prince Harry) and me. If you are interested, drop me an email with the heading "Prince Harry Challenge" or something equally non-spam-like, so that I don't delete it. (Any subject titles having to do with enlarging anything will be deleted without being opened :)
And let me extend some super thanks to my betas Leamaryu, Virgin Suicide, Dowland, and CS Whitewolf. They did a super-fine job with this chapter, and it is now not only a work of fanfiction, but a work of art. Let's give them all a round of applause!
X
XIX
XIXIX "Equal and Opposite Reaction" XIXIX
They sat solemnly in Dumbledore's office, listening to Draco Malfoy's story. Several Aurors, including Mad-Eye Moody had already arrived. They had taken Crabbe and Goyle into custody and were questioning them in another room. Harry and Malfoy were sitting side by side, scowling as if daring Dumbledore or any of the Heads of House to say something about their relationship.
Much to Harry's relief, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all looked similarly resolute, even though Harry knew they still felt less than friendly toward Malfoy himself. They were supporting Harry.
While Malfoy talked, Harry kept his eyes on Dumbledore and on Severus, both of whom had their gazes locked on Malfoy, reading him in order to make sure he was telling the whole truth. Both of their faces were solemn and revealed very little, but Harry was able to pick up quite a lot even without using Legilimency on them—particularly from Severus.
As Malfoy was finishing up, the door slammed open and Moody stormed in. "It's a set-up," he barked.
"Very astute of you," said Severus calmly.
Moody sneered at him, but said nothing in reply. He turned to Dumbledore, pointing at Malfoy, and said gruffly, "What have you discovered about him?"
Dumbledore was silent for a moment as he regarded Moody. "Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter have secretly been, ah, friends for some time," he began pleasantly. "This morning, while he was with Ms. Parkinson, he overheard Messrs. Crabbe and Goyle discussing their plan to bring Mr. Potter to Voldemort. He excused himself from Ms. Parkinson, and ran to stop the attack. Ms. Parkinson escaped with the portkey they were intending to use, after attempting to cast the Killing Curse on Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore's eyes were hard as he finished his narrative.
Moody shook his head. "Do you really believe that Lucius Malfoy's son just happened to overhear a plot against Harry Potter and ran to the rescue—turning his back on his own name in the process?"
"Yes," said Dumbledore and Severus simultaneously.
Moody scoffed. "It was a set-up to gain Harry's trust. Crabbe and Goyle were set up to take the fall, and now the Parkinson girl is off to report to You-Know-Who that everything went according to plan."
Malfoy glowered at Moody and opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off when Harry snorted loudly. "Do you really think Malfoy's that stupid?" he laughed, "That he would try to pull off some ridiculous plot like that, and then lie about it to Albus Dumbledore!"
"Snape's been teaching them Occlumency—by the Dark Lord's orders!" growled Moody.
"With my approval," added Dumbledore, holding Moody's eye seriously. "And they were not very far in their training, I might add."
"You questioned Vincent and Gregory under veritaserum," interrupted Professor McGonagall. "Did they say the attack was a plot to win Harry's trust for Draco?"
"Vincent Crabbe revealed he was under orders not to discuss with Malfoy the plot to capture Harry, that he did not believe it when Malfoy revealed he was in a relationship with Harry, and that there was no other explanation for his actions, seeing as Malfoy was supposed to receive his Dark Mark in the coming months. In fact, Crabbe couldn't understand why he received his mark before Malfoy."
"The Dark Lord was postponing his Call to young Mr. Malfoy due to his indiscretion of having feelings for Mr. Potter," said Severus coldly to Moody. "I believed we discussed this during the winter holiday."
"He knew?" Malfoy asked Severus, his voice breaking just slightly in a very un-Malfoy way.
"He suspected that his warning to you was not going to be sufficient. Time was your test. You failed, obviously," mused Severus.
"Kudos to you," said Harry with a grin.
Malfoy glared at him. "This isn't funny, Potter. If he knew, I could have been killed at any point for being with you. The Dark Lord doesn't look kindly on traitors." He shared a look with Severus, and Harry suspected Malfoy would be having a conversation with his godfather very soon.
The office door slammed open again, and this time Remus Lupin entered, rushing forward to Harry. "Oh, Merlin! I came as soon as I could. What happened! Are you okay?" He knelt down before Harry and put his hand on the back of Harry's head, staring hard into his eyes as though looking for signs of damage.
"I'm fine, Remus," said Harry, smiling at the fatherly concern. "Malfoy stopped the attack before they got me."
"Malfoy?" said Remus curiously, turning to the blond youth sitting next to Harry, looking like he owned the world.
"We haven't yet cleared up the issue of his involvement," barked Moody.
"Yes we have, Alastor," said Dumbledore definitively. "Mr. Malfoy is not standing accused of an attack he thwarted. That line of questioning is closed."
"He…" Lupin looked from Harry to Dumbledore to Malfoy. "He thwarted…?"
"He saved me, Remus," said Harry, quirking an eyebrow as he turned to Malfoy, who wore a similar smirk.
Lupin's eyes widened and he turned around to Severus, who nodded once. "Oh… Oh," he said, slapping his hand to his forehead.
Ron, Hermione, and Ginny shared looks as they watched the proceedings. Ron seemed pleased that he knew before Lupin.
"Now I get it," continued Lupin. "That 'complex situation' you were talking about that day in St. Mungo's. I had thought you were talking about Ginny at the time. Then I thought you were talking about Severus." Lupin shook his head and laughed, wondering what he had been thinking. He missed the slight glare that Malfoy shot from Lupin to Severus at that remark, but Harry didn't.
"Snape! Ew!" said Ron, just a little too loudly. A few people snickered. Hermione nudged him sharply.
"No, Severus and I are just friends," Harry said markedly for Malfoy's sake.
He suddenly felt a pang of hurt come from Severus. His face was as unreadable as ever, but Harry wasn't fooled. 'Well, maybe more than just friends,' he thought. 'I mean, we are bonded.'
'Don't try to placate me, Mr. Potter,' thought Severus lightly with a bit of sarcasm. 'I know my place in your life.'
Harry felt there was more to the joke than what was on the surface. He narrowed his eyes slightly, still looking at Severus. Lupin and Malfoy both noticed and turned to the Potions Master.
'Sev, I—'
Severus cut him off by saying aloud, "Headmaster, we have lost three students this morning. I really must go address my House."
"I believe we all should," said McGonagall. "No doubt the rumors are already flying. Breakfast will be over soon. We should each hold House meetings to discuss this morning's events."
Dumbledore nodded. "That will be…"
He trailed off when the door slammed open for the third time and Lucius Malfoy strode boldly in, his eyes flashing dangerously. Severus moved at once to stand between the door and the couch on which Harry and Malfoy sat. Lupin stood up at Harry's side.
"Dumbledore, explain yourself," commanded Lucius. "I have received word of TWO Death Eater attacks at Hogwarts during the past week—one involving the Head of my son's House, and this one somehow involving my son. I want to know when exactly you allowed Hogwarts to deteriorate to such a dangerous state!"
'That condescending bastard!' Harry heard Ginny's thoughts yelling in his head. He looked over and saw his friends readying to attack should they be given the opportunity. To say they still held a bit of a grudge after the incident at the Ministry last year would be a gross understatement. They were all clutching their wands beneath their robes, glaring at Lucius with undeniable loathing.
Draco sat beside Harry looking calmly past Severus at his father, but Harry had felt him tense slightly the moment he entered.
"Lucius, my dear boy," said Dumbledore pleasantly, as though he was unaware that nearly every person in the room was poised and ready to kill the newcomer. "Would you care for some tea?"
"No, I do not want tea!" he intoned in cold fury. "I want my son out of this school immediately!"
Harry jumped to his feet and shouted, "Over my dead body!"
Lucius turned his steely gaze to Harry and Severus stepped forward to come between them once more.
"Hold your tongue, child," said Lucius bitingly. "Your fame gives you no right to come between my son and I… Draco," he said sharply, still focused on Harry, "Come along."
Harry felt a moment of panic. Was there anything he could do to keep Lucius Malfoy from taking his son? Draco was still a minor, after all. Harry had thought he and Dumbledore would be able to work something out—but there was no time now.
Severus squared his stance slightly and Harry realized that perhaps he was not the only person interested in Draco's safety.
"I am afraid," said Dumbledore seriously, all friendliness having drained from his voice, "That is impossible."
"In what way is it impossible for me to withdraw my son from this wretched school?"
"It is impossible because Draco has expressed a fear that his life is in danger because of you—or will be, once you learn the circumstances surrounding this morning's events."
"That is ridiculous!" shot Lucius. "My son is in no danger from me. He is in danger here! And I intend to withdraw him immediately."
Dumbledore shook his head. "Draco's fear was heard by several members of this staff—myself included—and until we determine that he is in no immediate danger, he is a ward of the school and will remain here in our custody."
Lucius paused before saying, "I am going to the Minister about this."
"These laws are as old as Hogwarts," the headmaster replied. "The Minister has no jurisdiction here."
"We shall see." Lucius fixed Dumbledore with a glare that would freeze lava. Then he turned and stormed out without ever once looking at his son.
Malfoy breathed an inaudible sigh of relief. Harry caught his eye.
"Albus," said Moody, "We need to escort the prisoners to Azkaban to await trial."
"Of course," said Dumbledore. Moody nodded his head and left. "Perhaps the rest of you would like to get some breakfast before you meet with your Houses? But Remus, I would like a word."
The students and professors filed out of the office. Severus was the first to leave, and had disappeared down the hall by the time Harry had made it down to the gargoyle at the base of the steps. Harry knew something was wrong, but he had other concerns at the moment.
He turned to Malfoy and said urgently, "Do you know who you can trust?"
Malfoy raised an eyebrow at him.
"In your House, I mean. Do you know who you can trust?"
"I've got a good idea," said Malfoy calmly.
"Don't be alone, ever. If you can't be with one of us," Harry looked to each of his friends in turn to make sure it was okay for him to offer their services. They made no argument, although none of them looked exceedingly happy about it. "Be with someone from the DA," he finished. "We'll be in the library after the House meeting, okay?"
"Yeah, okay," he drawled uninterestedly. Then he fixed Harry with a sly grin. "So, ah, walk me to breakfast?"
Harry smirked but said nothing because just then, Hermione let out a horrified gasp.
"Oh no! I nearly forgot!" She turned to Harry, her eyes wide. "Harry, we've got to go—now!"
She grabbed Ron's arm and took off running. Harry sent a confused, if not slightly panicked, look at Malfoy, and then took off behind Ginny. Malfoy shrugged and ran after them.
Hermione ran past the Great Hall and slammed her way through the front door. Running down the walkway, they saw the small team of Aurors with Crabbe and Goyle nearing the apparation point. And standing at the gate blocking their way was Luna Lovegood.
They could hear Moody speaking gruffly to her, apparently ordering her out of the way, but Luna shook her head as though she didn't understand him. Then Crabbe fell to his knees. When the group drew nearer, they realized he was crying.
"Please, Luna… forgive me. I didn't have a choice. I thought you had left me… please…"
Luna looked down to her feet, saying nothing, but resolutely blocking the gate.
"That's enough," said the youngest Auror, pulling out his wand. "Young lady," he said, turning his wand on Luna, "You are going to have to move out of the way so that we can…"
Crabbe looked up at the Auror who was pointing his wand at Luna, and a wave of undeniable fury washed over him. He jumped up from his knees at the Auror. In his shock, the Auror turned his wand on Crabbe instead and opened his mouth.
Hermione screamed, "Nooo!" and bolted forward.
Crabbe and the Auror both faltered, glancing her way. Crabbe lost his footing and stumbled ungracefully to the ground. Moody cast a full body bind on him. The young Auror gazed around, perplexed, looking from Moody to Crabbe to Hermione to his wand.
"Merlin's beard," he said in shock.
Hermione rushed over to Luna and wrapped her arms around her. "It's okay," she said. "Crabbe's okay. Come on, let's go back to the castle." She led Luna away from the gate and toward the group of waiting friends.
Luna's eyes were wide and she looked lost. Harry stepped forward and rested his hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay," he said quietly.
"Potter! You get your hands off of her!" bellowed Crabbe from the ground. "I'll kill you!"
"Stupify!" said Moody, and Crabbe settled into a silent lump where he lay.
Luna spun around to look at the unconscious Crabbe, her body shaking. Without warning, she burst into tears. Hermione pulled her close as the Ravenclaw sobbed in hyperventilating gasps.
"It's…all… my…fault…" she choked out.
"No it's not, Luna," said Harry firmly.
"You're better off without him!" shot Ron, but Luna only cried harder.
Ginny elbowed Ron sharply, hissing, "You're not helping, Ron!"
The Aurors conjured a stretcher for Crabbe, and opened the gate, leading the prisoners off of Hogwarts grounds.
"Harry…" sobbed Luna. "I never should have kissed you, Harry. I never should have…"
Moody held up a small teapot and said, "Portus," tapping his wand against it. He and the Aurors began arranging themselves and the prisoners so that everyone was touching it.
The students watched on in a silence broken only by Luna's ragged breathing. One moment the Aurors and Crabbe and Goyle were there. Then space closed around them, and they were gone.
"Let that ogre rot in Azkaban!" snarled Malfoy quietly.
Upon hearing the insult against Crabbe, Luna turned to Malfoy, her eyes flashing with an emotion as close to anger as Harry had ever seen in her eyes. She opened her mouth, but closed it again, saying nothing, and then abruptly turned and ran back into the castle.
"Luna," whispered Hermione urgently, following after her.
Ginny took a few steps toward the door, but then thought better of it. She stopped and stormed back to Malfoy, and slapped him across the face.
"Listen to me, Malfoy," she intoned dangerously in a very low voice. "Let's get something straight. I don't like you. I know you sold me out to your father and I know that your father was behind my possession by Tom Riddle's diary. You can't even begin to imagine what that did to me, and I want you to know that I swore revenge against your family for that."
Malfoy's eyes widened slightly, and Harry wondered briefly if he had even been aware that his father was directly involved in the opening of the Chamber of Secrets.
"But Harry loves you," continued Ginny, speaking swiftly, "And I love Harry, and for his sake, I am willing to rescind that vow against you. I'll even make an effort toward civility." She stepped even closer and her eyes darkened as she said, "But so help me Hera, if you hurt anyone I care about, I will hurt you."
She glared at him a moment more, before calming her expression and adding in a neutral tone, "And thanks for saving Harry this morning." She cuffed his arm in a friendly manner, and then ran after Luna and Hermione.
Malfoy turned to Harry with raised eyebrows. Harry opened his mouth, but was cut off when Ron stepped up.
"I second that," he said tiredly. "All of it. I'll put aside our family rivalries because there are other things more important." He looked over his shoulder at the front door, and then turned back to say, "But I still don't like you. I'm going to breakfast."
He walked casually back to the castle, and Harry said with a sigh, "Actually, that's a vast improvement from when they first found out."
Malfoy smirked and nodded understandingly. "Ginny's kind of scary, isn't she?" he said.
Harry smiled with something akin to pride. "Yeah. I'm glad I'm on her good side."
Malfoy cut him a look. "Lucky you. Let's go eat."
Harry and Malfoy made their way to the Great Hall side by side, and as they entered, Harry knew everyone was watching them. He turned to Malfoy and said loud enough for people to hear, "Malfoy, thank you for saving me this morning."
He reached out his hand and Malfoy grabbed it, shaking it firmly with a smile—a genuine smile, not his patented Malfoy smirk. "Anytime, my friend," he responded, just as loudly.
They turned and headed toward their tables amidst the murmuring of the other students. Harry pretended not to notice.
XIXIX
Professor McGonagall conducted the House meeting in the common room. She explained briefly what happened this morning, and then urged everyone to write to their parents. She had already notified them of the attack, inviting them to contact her or Dumbledore if they had any questions or concerns. But, she said, they would all certainly be interested first and foremost in knowing of their children's well being.
There were also going to be some changes made at Hogwarts. There would be a nightly patrol by teachers after hours, and the prefects were to make their rounds in pairs. Any person who was neither a student nor one of Hogwarts' faculty members would raise an alarm in the wards as soon as they entered Hogwarts grounds. For that reason parents would, from now on, have to schedule visits with Dumbledore. Heads of House would take a nightly attendance at curfew, and after each student was accounted for, the dormitory entrances would be sealed until morning. Students were urged to stick together despite those and other measures taken for their safety. And next weekend's Hogsmeade visit would be cancelled, she announced to victimized groans.
McGonagall then opened the floor for questions, which, Harry was pleased to note, she answered honestly and to the best of her abilities. She held nothing back from her House.
All the same, after she left, the room turned to Harry for more answers. He, Ron, and Ginny told their housemates about what happened this morning outside of the Great Hall. And Harry confirmed that he and Malfoy had been in secret contact with each other on and off again since their truce just before the winter break, and that Malfoy was indeed trustworthy. Ron and Ginny remained silent on the matter—a point that was not missed by anyone.
XIXIX
"Can't we at least wait until after lunch?" Ron complained as they headed to the library. "We have had a rather busy morning."
Harry rolled his eyes at him, annoyed by Ron's laziness, and Ginny frowned. "Ron does have a point, Harry," she said.
Harry looked to his twin, wondering what she was talking about. He knew quite well that despite this morning's events she was still anxious to find answers that would help Harry to vanquish Voldemort. So he said simply, "Ginny, you know we need this information. We've got to find it while we have time, and as it is, we've lost the entire morning-"
Ginny stopped and looked hard at her twin. "That's just the thing, Harry! Crabbe and Goyle tried to abduct you this morning, and take you to Lord Voldemort," Harry noted the stress she placed on his name in order to stress the importance of the situation, "And you just brushed it off like it was just a minor annoyance, and not an attempt on your life! You're not acting like yourself."
Harry narrowed his eyes and said with dry sarcasm, "Well, I haven't actually been myself lately, have I?"
"Stop!" Hermione stepped between the two of them as though it were about to come to blows. "We're all upset about what happened this morning. But we have to go meet Malfoy in the library right now. We can unwind after that."
"Shit, I forgot you invited Malfoy," groaned Ron, but then he caught himself. "I mean—sorry, Harry." Ron looked at Harry bashfully. Harry nodded his understanding, but said nothing in reply. Hermione wrapped her arm around Ron and looked him softly in the eye. "I know, I know," he muttered. "I'll be good."
She smiled and tugged him on toward the library. "Come on," she said. "We do have a lot to get done."
Ginny moved to follow but Harry grabbed her wrist. "You guys go ahead," he said. "I want to talk to Ginny a minute."
When they were alone, Harry and Ginny moved to the wall and spoke underneath a painting of a Veela and a unicorn. Harry leaned against the cool stone wall and closed his eyes, his face pointing up toward the ceiling. He took a deep breath to help him figure out what to say, but in the end, he couldn't see a reason why he shouldn't just be straightforward about it all.
"Ginny, are you still in love with me?" he asked, turning to look her in the eye.
She paused to think, and then shook her head slightly. "I'm afraid for you," she said, and Harry could hear that she was speaking their twin language. "I feel what a mess you still are, in your head. And it all calms down when you're focused on Malfoy, but then you're focused on Malfoy and not any of the things you should be thinking about right now."
Harry let the words wash over him, feeling the subtleties of meaning through his link with Ginny. And he saw everything that she was worried about—both what she said aloud, and what she held back. It did have to do with his behavior lately, and it had a lot to do with Malfoy. But Ginny was very shaken by the morning's events. She put on a really good strong front. It had even fooled Harry.
He hugged her tightly. "I'm okay," he whispered into her. "If Malfoy hadn't been there, you would have saved me, I know it."
"I thought it was a prank," she whispered back, her voice shaking slightly. "And anyway, if that stunning spell had hit you, I would've been out too."
Harry shook his head. "Ginny, you've stunned me before and stayed awake through it. That's not even possible, but you did it."
"We weren't taking it seriously at all though," she said, and her voice was angry. "And then Malfoy said he was with you and your thoughts scattered so that you didn't even recognize it when you saved him from the killing curse. Like it was no big deal for you to hear those words."
Harry squeezed her tighter. "You know I've heard those words hundreds of times. I've said those words."
"No you haven't, Harry! Snape has. That's not really you!"
"But it feels like me. And it gives me strength." He paused, remembering his own life, and trying to separate it from the life he took from Severus. And for a moment, Harry was afraid. "I'm calm when I'm focused on Severus. I'm calm when I'm focused on you."
He pulled away and looked her in the eye. "Ginny, my head isn't straightened out yet. We both know that. But it is getting better. The problem is that life is also just really, really messed up right now. It stands to reason that I'm so confused—because everything is so confusing."
Ginny nodded and spoke almost inaudibly, so that Harry heard her thoughts more than her words, "I almost lost you this morning. And Malfoy's been messing you up for so long, but was the one to save you. And just… my sense of you keeps shifting. It's like I'm bonded with twenty different people."
Harry smiled despite himself. "And I have one consistently strong twin to keep me grounded."
Ginny gave him a friendly glare and thought, 'Stop trying to flatter me, Harry Potter.'
Harry grinned. "Malfoy thinks you're scary," he said, and Ginny laughed. "Really. Of course, I agreed with him and said I was glad I was on your good side, and he said I was lucky for that."
"Shut up," laughed Ginny.
Harry smiled, but looked her in her eyes seriously. "As messed up as I am right now, do you ever regret becoming my twin?"
"No," she said immediately. Then she paused to make sure. "No, I don't. I'm just… Harry, I'm not used to being afraid. I don't really know what to do about it."
"Neither do I, Ginny. Neither do I."
He slung his arm over her shoulder and they walked to the library in silence. Their minds were opened to each other, and they enjoyed the closeness of just being together, and being open, and being alive.
When they entered the library, Malfoy was already there, talking at a table in the corner with Hermione. Ron was browsing the shelves. When Malfoy saw Harry and Ginny approaching arm in arm, his eyes flickered with jealousy, but he quickly checked it.
"Potter," he said, with relief evident in his voice, "Granger's been telling me about the prophecies and your studies into dark magic to find a way to kill Voldemort's soul."
Ginny turned to Hermione with eyebrows raised. Hermione pretended not to notice.
"Honestly," continued Malfoy, speaking eagerly, "I really wish you had told me all of this earlier—not that I blame you for not telling me, mind you. Under the circumstances I wouldn't have told me either. But I'm glad you've been doing something.
"The thing is," he said, "Killing souls is legendary magic—in the sense that it's the stuff of legends. It's not real. And that Dementor story is babble. Dementors have been around longer than wizards."
"How do you know?" asked Harry.
"It's that muggle thing… the… what did you call it?"
"Grim Reaper," supplied Hermione. "Turns out it's real. Before wizardkind organized itself into modern civilization, Dementors were apparently unchecked in bringing living death to people. It's just a myth now to muggles."
"Thanks to wizards," said Malfoy pompously.
"What about killing souls?" asked Ginny, doing her best to ignore Malfoy's superior tone.
"It can't be done. Not by wizards, at any rate. It is believed that Dementors actually do completely destroy the souls they consume, because there's not a known case of a successful séance with someone who was given the Dementor's kiss."
Harry shuddered involuntarily, remembering being limp and helpless as the Dementors closed in on him, and one removed it's hood. Ginny grabbed his hand, and Harry washed away the memories and pulled himself back to present.
"What you should be focusing on," said Malfoy, his eyes catching ever so briefly on their clasped hands, "Is trying to sever Voldemort's link with the living. Most souls, after their bodies die, are sucked into another plane of existence. But Voldemort's done something that keeps him here. Have you really not talked to Severus? He should know a good deal about it."
Harry sat up abruptly and Ginny turned to him. "Harry, do you-?"
Harry shook his head and said in their twin language, "Give me a second." He thought through Severus' memories that he had, but he couldn't remember anything about how Voldemort kept his soul from dying. "I can't believe that never occurred to me," said Harry. "But no, I don't remember anything. Those memories are gone if they were ever there."
Malfoy raised his eyebrows. "Have you talked to him or not?" he asked.
Harry turned to him and said in English, "No, I haven't. I'll do so."
Hermione sighed, "Well, that's settled. I'm gonna go find Ron." She jumped up with a satisfied smile, and began searching through the shelves for her boyfriend.
'She's acting strange,' thought Harry and Ginny to each other at the same time.
'Do you mind…?' thought Harry.
'I'll find out,' replied Ginny, and she got up to follow Hermione.
Harry watched her go, and then turned to Malfoy. "Did you talk to Severus?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Is everything okay between the two of you now?"
Malfoy nodded. "I think so."
Harry noticed that he was avoiding his eye, but he let it drop for the time being.
XIXIX
At lunch, Harry looked over the Ravenclaw table for Luna, but she was absent, as were several other fifth years, and Professor Flitwick.
"She's having a hard time of it," said Hermione quietly, and Harry nodded his understanding.
"Hermione has something to tell us," said Ginny pleasantly.
Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"Go on," urged Ginny.
"What is it?" asked Ron.
Hermione turned to him and sighed deeply as though screwing up her courage to announce something truly embarrassing. After a very long pause, she whispered, "I'm a Seer."
"What!" Ron and Harry exclaimed simultaneously.
"Well, at first when I went to Sybil for those lessons, I was just pretending so that she would let me read her books, but then—then, I started having minor visions. It was like," she paused, briefly furrowing her eyebrows, "Something would dawn on me and I would know it to be true, but it was something I had no way of knowing."
"The battle prophecies," Harry realized. "You knew they would be there, and you knew where to look before you checked."
Hermione nodded. "Yeah, stuff like that."
"And today…?" asked Ginny proudly, although she clearly already knew.
"When I was hit with that stunning spell, I Saw everything that happened while I was out—and then I Saw what would happen in Dumbledore's office, and then I Saw us outside with Luna and Crabbe," Hermione shuddered. "And that we were going to go to the library with Malfoy and that he would help us get on the right track with our research," she breathed. "And he really does want to help," she finished, turning to Ron as though pleading for him to accept Malfoy into the fold.
Ron nodded. "It was just hard sitting there with him, that's all."
Hermione smiled. "Anyway, it was the most intense and vivid vision I've had yet. I'll have to talk to Sybil about it this afternoon. She'd want to know."
Ginny grinned at her and Hermione rolled her eyes. "Okay, so I was wrong about her. She's not a complete phony." Harry and Ron laughed and Ron put his arm around her.
"Hermione, this is bloody brilliant!" he said. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
Hermione smiled sheepishly. "I thought you would make fun of me."
"No way for that," said Harry. But then he grinned devilishly, "So what am I about to say?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "You're about to apologize to me for that."
"You're right. I'm sorry," he said, and in such a sincere tone that Hermione had to laugh.
"Hermione," said Ginny slowly, as though trying to work something out in her head, "What was it about Luna and Crabbe anyway—I mean, something else was supposed to happen, wasn't it." It was not a question.
Hermione nodded solemnly. "That Auror nearly killed Crabbe. And Luna wouldn't have made it after that. She blames herself, you know. If he had died… well…"
"Merlin…" whispered Harry. "You saved Crabbe's life."
Hermione shrugged. "A lot of that going around today, huh?"
"I don't know how you can be so blasé about it, 'Mione," said Ginny.
"No kidding," said Ron, looking at his girlfriend with awe.
Hermione turned back to her lunch, taking on a sensible air that clearly stated she wanted the subject dropped. But then she said, "Oh yeah, Harry, you have to talk to Snape soon, but don't push anything with him, okay?"
Harry gave her a weird smile. It was strange getting cryptic advice from Hermione the Seer. "Okay," he said.
He looked up to the head table and saw Severus deep in conversation with Professor Sinistra. He would try to talk to him this evening. He turned his head to the Slytherin table, caught Malfoy's eye and smiled. Malfoy smirked back and nodded his head in acknowledgement.
Merlin, it was nice finally being able to do that.
XIXIX
It was only because Harry wanted to go alone that he used his invisibility cloak when he headed down to the dungeons that evening after dinner. It was before curfew, but more importantly, word had spread around the school of Harry's visit to Severus' chambers on the night he was attacked—and that they had even shaken hands. So Harry had nothing to fear by revealing that they were on speaking terms.
However, he didn't want to waste his energy expanding his consciousness to fill the hallways so he would know who was lurking around every corner. The invisibility cloak was a simpler form of safety, so it was what Harry chose to use.
He figured Severus would be in his quarters, but as he passed the Potions classroom, he noticed that the door was ajar. He pushed it open a bit further and peered in. Severus was busy brewing in the front of the classroom, entirely absorbed by his work—so absorbed actually, that Harry wasn't sure if he had noticed the door move when he entered. He walked quietly to the front of the classroom and stood nearby, watching Severus for what seemed a long time. He was clearly meditating on something. He was brewing to relax, and Harry couldn't help but notice that Severus looked much calmer than he had seen him all week.
Harry wondered if he should disturb him or leave, and finally decided to let him know he was there, and offer to come back another time. He gently opened his mind and Severus startled, dropping a vial he had just emptied into his potion. It shattered on the floor and he swore.
He looked up to glare at the empty space before him, and Harry noted that there was real anger in his expression.
"I'm sorry," whispered Harry quietly. "I'll leave you alone." He turned to go, but Severus waved his wand and the door closed and locked.
"Is there something you need from me, Mr. Potter?" he asked calmly, but Harry heard the bite in his voice.
"I wanted to talk to you about killing Lord Voldemort."
"I see." Severus cast a Stasis Charm over his cauldron and repaired the broken vial. He then walked into his office, indicating that Harry follow him. Harry did so, removing the invisibility cloak behind Severus' back. Severus seated himself at his desk, and Harry sat across from him. "What do you want to know?"
"Can it be done?" he asked. "More specifically, can whatever Voldemort has done to himself be undone? I can't find any memory of it."
"That is because I have no memory of it. He had been experimenting on himself for decades before I joined the fold. I do not know the extent of the magic that is holding him to this world."
"Is there any way to truly destroy him?" asked Harry.
"If there is, Mr. Potter, you'll be the one to do it, I'm sure."
Harry cut him a look. "That's not helpful to me, Professor," he said, following suit with the use of formalities.
"I am sorry to disappoint."
They held each other's eye for a long moment. Severus' face was completely inexpressive; his voice had been as calm as he could make it.
Harry sat forward and opened his mind so that Severus could read him as he liked, and he thought to him, 'Sev, what's wrong?' He let his concern flow freely, with his Occlumency shields down completely so that Severus could look anywhere without Harry knowing it.
Severus averted his eyes—a clear sign that he was not going to look into Harry's mind—and Harry wasn't sure if he should be pleased that his trust would not be taken advantage of.
"I was worried about you," he said quietly.
"I assure you I am quite alright," replied Severus.
"You don't seem to be."
"Not everything is as it seems, Mr. Potter," and Harry couldn't help feeling that Severus was referring to Malfoy.
He raised his shields again and Severus turned back. Looking him in the eye, Harry asked, "What do you want me to do, Severus?"
"I don't want you to come sneaking down here again. If you require my attention, you can walk down before curfew and knock on the door like any other student."
Harry opened his mouth, but closed it again as Hermione's words echoed through him. 'Don't push anything with him…'
"Okay," he said. He looked away for a few moments, and then asked, "What do you suggest I do about Voldemort?"
Severus blinked once, slowly. "I'm trying to find something," he said. "I'll let you know."
Harry nodded. "And my training?" he asked.
"Continue to practice with Ms. Weasley. I will speak to the headmaster about continuing your lessons, as I do not feel I can help you any further."
Harry looked at him in disbelief. "But—!"
"Mr. Potter, I believe our link causes more harm than good at this point. You will benefit more if Professor Dumbledore were to instruct you."
Harry just looked at him, his mouth slack, and he knew he wasn't covering the hurt in his eyes. Severus was washing his hands of him. Harry wanted to know why, but he couldn't bring himself to ask. His pride was stopping him. Or was it Severus' pride within him?
He reigned in his features until his face was as inexpressive as the Potions Master's. "Very well," he said. "I thank you for all the help you have given me, and I'm sorry to have wasted your time this evening. I'll see myself out." He nodded briefly. "Professor."
Ginny was waiting for him just inside the common room, and she hugged him tightly. Hermione and Ron were there a moment later.
"What's wrong?" asked Ron.
Harry turned to Hermione. "Would it have gone worse if I had pushed him?"
Hermione nodded, her face twisted in sympathetic sadness. "Yes," she said quietly. "Much."
Harry looked around the room, but saw nothing. "Thanks then," he mumbled absently, and headed up to bed.
Hidden behind the curtains of his four-poster, he tried to work on some homework assignments, but was so distracted that he hardly got anything done before evening roll call.
XIXIX
XIX
X
A/N: Oops. The shit hasn't hit the fan all the way yet. This chapter would be as long as the Bible if I held out for the fan-hitting shit. So, um, soon, okay?
SheWolfe7: Thank you! And yes, the final push is coming… any time now…
Malfoysnogger: Hopefully, things will continue to get more interesting.
Charmed 88: Well, if you lived through your spacers and are reading this, thank you.
Rowenna: Thanks. Working as fast as I can. I'm going to finish this by mid-July, or die trying. Or just… not finish by mid-July. But I'll try.
TheTrueSilver: Thanks!
Shania Maxwell: Thanks!
Gwaeren: Thanks, sweetie. Although you are intimidating me with your high expectations. I hope this one lived up to them. :)
Teira: Thanks! Glad you enjoy.
BratPrincess-187: Thanks. And yeah, but you know? I'm thinking the engagement is off now. :p
Isis-mystic: Yeah, Harry's in love. Who knows if Ginny will follow suit. Hopefully they'll get a handle on that before anything weird happens. And you can thank Virgin Suicide for the story book thing- her idea totally!
Redmeadow: Thank you. Seriously. Most anti-Ginny people just say, Blech! Ginny, but I don't get reasons behind it. So thanks for clarifying.
Liber Creperum- Liber Diabolus: Thanks!
Dracos-hot: giggles and blushes Wow you know how to make a girl feel good about her fic! Glad you like it so! And as far as not updating on days you have to work… um… that could be difficult. Why don't you just quit your job and drop out of school and just wait around on the computer all day for me to update? I mean, ahem… yeah, sorry. Can't help you there. Peace, chickie!
Anni: Thanks! And I could promise that Draco's not going to die in the end, but what's the fun in that? ;)
Relle: Ginny offered me sweets to exchange myself with you for a day. So I'll take over your life and you take over mine, and I get candy, and you're at the mercy of Ginny… bwahahahahaha!
Pure Black. See what I can do, 'kay?
StacieAnn: Thank you. And coming soon. Promise.
Flounder2: I'll accept that… (takes pensieve out of lock-up). And thanks.
ManicReversed: No kidding. His dad too. Wouldn't want to be in his shoes.
Nemati: Thanks!
Sati White: Thank you. As a matter of fact, when I finish the push to end some fanfics I'm working on, I'm going to start cranking out my original novel. It's been a long time coming.
Takuto-kun: Glad you like it, and damn! I forgot to go read the Krankheit translation! Must go do that straight away! And hmm… my German sucks. I'll try again another time, but not up for it right now. Later.
Wyall Jared: Thanks!
Chaos: Thanks!
tWiSt3d: Thank you and thank you. And please don't kill me for not having updated in so long—things have just been mad-crazy around here. I'm trying, really! Glad you like where the story is going. Hope you continue to do so.
Chekiita: Yeah, he is, isn't he? But you gotta love him
Firestar: Well put. Thank you.
Elebereth: Ah, we shall see… we shall see.
Slice: rolling on the floor engaging in a tickle fight with Slice No, no, no! You rock! Your reviews always make me laugh maniacally! And I need a good laugh this week, so thank you muchly! Sorry for the long wait, and hey, loved the latest of TQaF—I don't think I reviewed (bad me!) But I did love it! I mean, if the V-man can make Sev lose control like that, he is one scary mother-fucker!
Jeannie81: Thanks! That's exactly how I imagined it too (which, I guess grins sheepishly is why I wrote it like that…). Thanks for the review!
Claire Sayers: Hey! Wow! Thanks for all the reviews! I loved reading your thoughts as you progressed through the story. Awesomeness!
Insanitys Plaything: Eep! Here's a dose for you- just don't OD on it, 'kay?
Silence's Siren: Er… blushing furiously here… I don't know what to say. I, um… that is… Thank you. Very much. I can't believe you appreciate it so much. I can't tell you what that means to me. I feel like I got a full-on literary review—something someone would read on PBS. So thank you.
Miniricer: heehee. Thanks.
Wintermoon2: Okay, you win. I have faced the fact that we should be world famous authors—and don't think that wasn't a difficult fantasy to face! Yep, but here I am, all pig-headed now. I'm glad you liked the chap. And I'm glad that your exams went so well! Hurray for Wintermoon2!
Tsyuno: Glad to have amused you!
Raven Deathstar: Absolutely! Just for you!
Driven to insanity: hmm… slashy stuff you say? Maybe next time. In fact, yes. Next time.
Ivory: Why, thank you. I'm glad you've enjoyed it.
Kiki: you said it!
Testamentu: Yay! Cookies!
E.L.Prongs: Snog in the hallway! That's even better! I'm glad you've been enjoying. And glad you're digging on the Harry/Draco scene a bit now. Thanks for the review!
Ryen Selenity Caliburn: Thanks!
Alarivana: Thanks! I'm glad you like it!
Brenna8: full speed ahead!
Yuki Kurai: Thanks! And thanks for letting me know about the name thing. It does get embarrassing when you call someone by the wrong name (messed up a co-worker's name on her get-well-soon card… hiding…) Ahem, anyway… happy day!
Meggplant: Chocolate frogs for sale! That rocks! There was this Wanted Sirius Black poster at the movie theaters- and it was holographic and I squealed in delight! Thanks for the sparkles and balloons and chocolate frogs, by the way.
Leamaryu: Fuego, mi chico, I'm glad you like the story, and thank you for becoming my beta. And I'm sorry I killed Fleur. I had to. It was fated to happen, and I couldn't deter fate. I'm glad you dig the H/D relationship. Thank you muchly for the review and your betaing talents.
Yuki Kurai: heehee! Yes he did! Go Draco!
Mainiac: all hell scheduled to break loose any time now…
Blob: Nope. Chapter 20 was the last.
Guardian of Dreams: Wow, thank you!
D EDMUN: Thank you!
Cheshire(cat2: thanks!
CuriousDreamWeaver: Wow! Thanks!
Michael Serpent: Yay! Michael Serpent's reading! Michael Serpent's reading! Glad you like!
Emeline: Yay, thanks! Glad you like it.
DiagonAlley: Cool. They're not OOC! Thanks!
Sugar-plum-faerie: I'm glad you like the way the story's going and also (loved the robes billowing myself) that you like what the characters are doing. And I'll try to keep Ginny happy however I can… Thanks for reviewing!
Iluska: Yay! Thanks for reviewing! Love to hear from you! Makes me happy.
Hake Balms: Hey, thanks for the in depth review! I'm glad that so many things caught your attention. I love getting reviews that mention certain parts people like or dislike, and it made me quite happy to read yours! And sorry 'bout the cliffhangers. I can't help it most of the time. My chapters are vicious and the threaten me if I don't end them where they want to end… But really, thank you muchly for the review!
Alas a Cornucopia of Love: Thank you!
Draco Malfoy-Potter: Thank you!
Arsronus Liadon: Hey! Thanks for getting lost in my fanfiction- all suspension of disbelief and everything! I'm honored! Thanks!
Valerie: Oh Merlin, I hope you didn't miss your flight! I'm glad you're enjoying the story so much, and thank you for your constructive criticism. Your hurriedly scribbled review made me happy. I hope you enjoy Paris, and I hope to hear from you again. And I hope that your concerns for my story iron themselves out by the end (or perhaps in the sequel). Thanks for reading, and thanks for taking the time to review!
Deb-sampson: woo! All in one go! Fantastic. Thanks!
TopazDragonau: ooh! Yay! I'm glad you're digging the H/D!
Dj daisuke: Hey! I do take it as a compliment! Thank you very much for reviewing!