Posted: October 12, 2004
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter and am not using this story for financial gain.
The Bonded
Chapter Four
Ginny pulled the bacon off the stove and proceeded to set the table. It had been three months of absolute bliss for Ginny since the day she got married. Harry was every bit the loving and caring husband that she had imagined him to be and she couldn't wish for any more. She looked out the kitchen window to see Harry practicing his sword forms and a smile crept onto her face as she watched him.
The seven years of training that both of them had gone through instilled some habits in them that they could not break. One of Harry's was waking up just before dawn everyday to practice. Ginny herself often woke up at this time during training but now that she had the option of sleeping past sunrise she took full advantage of it. She had never really been a morning person. Today however, she was up with sun just as Harry was.
Harry and Ginny's time at Phoenix Isle had come to an end.
Today would be their last day at Phoenix Isle until they had completed their Hogwarts education. It tore at Ginny's heart to be separated from Harry that long but she knew they would see each other during this time. Not even hell itself could prevent them from being together. They had to keep up appearances however, and this was standard practice anyways.
All mages made sure that they could live their life outside of Phoenix Isle. While it was possible to live your entire existence on the Island most people had family, and families did not live there. So an education was one of the things everybody got. Even though they knew more about magic and fighting than most they needed the degree so…they got it. In fact, many mages decided to take a muggle education as well. Their theories and ideas of physics and natural laws had led the way for more than one charm being created.
Besides, it wasn't like they were short on time. The average mage life span was somewhere around 500 years. Warrior Mages lived beyond even that. This came from the control they had over their body's energies. The more control and power one had the longer they lived. This was also why wizards lived longer than most, as they required at least some control of their internal energies to perform many of their spells.
One way or another though, Harry and Ginny had to go to school so Dazna was coming by for breakfast and to brief them on what they would be doing. Ginny heard the back door open and Harry walked into the kitchen, his sword strapped to his back.
"Something smells delicious," he said, walking up behind Ginny as she pulled the eggs of the burner. Ginny turned to look at him as he eyed her up and down. "Something looks delicious too."
Ginny gave him and mischievous smile, "See something you like, Mr. Potter?" She stepped closer to him.
Harry nodded his head and responded in kind, "It looks positively divine, Mrs. Potter."
Ginny felt her heart race as Harry called her that. It still sent a thrill down her spine every time she heard those words. She leaned in and gave her husband a deep kiss before stepping back and wrinkling her nose. "First," she said. "You need a shower, and then you can come eat breakfast."
Harry's eyes brightened, "Followed by some desert maybe?" He waggled his eyebrows at her.
Ginny used her spatula to smack him lightly on the arm. "Control yourself," she replied giggling. "Dazna's coming over for breakfast and it won't do to have him walk in on us after we've cleared the table of other dishes."
"We could always lock the door on him…"
"Shower…now…" Ginny pushed him out of the kitchen.
"Fine, fine," Harry threw his hands up in the air. "I know when I'm not needed."
Ginny laughed at his antics and turned back to breakfast. Dazna would be coming soon. "Hello?" A voice called out from the living room. "Are you guys up yet?"
Speak of the Devil…Ginny wiped her hands off on her apron. "In here, Dazna," she called out to the elder mage.
Dazna came into the room with a small box under his arm and several files in his hand. He sat the files down on the table and walked over to where Ginny was standing. "Ah! How are you on this fine day, Ginny?" he asked jovially. "I see that we will be in a treat for breakfast this morning. Your skills in the culinary arts are second to none." He dodged around her attempts to stop him and nabbed a piece of bacon. "Tasty," he said munching on his stolen bacon.
"Oh you," Ginny laughed. She always enjoyed talking to Dazna. He had such an upbeat look at things in life and he never failed to cheer her up. Unfortunately, she could tell that she was going to need a lot of cheering today.
Dazna pulled the box from underneath his arm and handed it to her. "This is a little gift from me to you and Harry. Speaking of which, where is your wayward husband?"
"You didn't have to get us anything Dazna." Ginny exclaimed taking the package from Dazna. She turned and placed it on the counter remembering to take a look at it later. "Harry's taking a shower. He will be done in a little bit. Would you like some coffee?"
Dazna waved his hand, "No thank you, my dear. I was never able to acquire the taste for that brew myself."
"Oh, some tea then perhaps?"
"Don't trouble yourself on my account."
"Nonsense," Ginny said, pouring a cup of tea from the kettle on the stove. "It's no trouble at all, besides you're our guest. And we Potters pride ourselves on our hospitality." Indeed, in the few short months that they had been married, Harry and Ginny had acquired a reputation of always having an open door. There was always a kettle on the stove and anybody could stop by for a cup of tea or some other drink and visit with the Potters. Ginny had made a few adjustments to the house when she moved in and though the house had been friendly before, it was infinitely more warm and inviting after her changes.
Their neighbors would often pass by and see Ginny working in the kitchen garden while Harry would be repairing one thing or another around the house. Both proficient mages, they enjoyed doing their work by hand over using their magic. When asked why, they would simply shrug and say that it was more worthwhile to them to do it the muggle way. And it was, Ginny took great pride in her garden and when her first carrots had sprouted she was ecstatic to know that it came from her hard work. It made her home seem much more like her home.
Ginny handed the cup of tea to Dazna with a smile. He took the cup with a thank you and sipped at it gently. He raised an eyebrow at the taste. "Green tea?" he asked inquiringly.
"Sorry," Ginny replied. "It's the only tea we have left. We won't be back in this house for quite a while and we didn't want to buy more food and have it go to waste." Ginny made sure to have all types of different foods and drinks in their house in case anybody ever stopped by. Mages came from all over the world and not everybody liked coffee. It was fun to talk to them though. English was the main language on the Island but Harry and Ginny had taken it upon themselves to learn several of the other major languages so they could communicate better with the other inhabitants. It might even come in handy on a mission one day.
"I see," Dazna replied and sipped at his tea some more.
"Ah, Dazna!" Dazna jumped nearly a foot in the air and turned to face the noise. There stood Harry not two feet behind him and looking rather apologetic. "Oops, sorry about that." Harry chuckled.
Dazna clutched at his beating heart. "Goddess Harry, don't scare me like that. You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Dazna prided himself on being able to hear when other people were coming. Harry and Ginny however were the best he had ever trained and moved without sound. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem because Dazna was a highly trained war mage and if he couldn't hear he was almost always able to sense the presence of someone coming near. But they had developed a technique that allowed them to control what sort of natural and magical energies they were emitting. That made it almost impossible for Dazna to ever be able to tell when they were around.
"Well if you would pay more attention to your surroundings I wouldn't surprise you like that. Maybe your hearing is going bad in your old age. I mean you're what…two hundred and thirty now? That's getting up there in years, old man."
"Insolent whelp," Dazna responded. "I may be two hundred years older but I can still beat on you."
Harry snorted, "Please, you couldn't lay a hand on me, old man. Your arthritis would act up in the middle of the fight."
Ginny giggled softly at the two men in her life. She may have six older brothers and parents but Harry was her husband and Dazna was his surrogate father. That made them family and Ginny loved all of her family. "Harry, Dazna that is enough. Now go sit at the table and I'll be in with the rest of breakfast. Now shoo!" She waved her hands in sweeping motion, ushering the men out of the kitchen.
Dazna looked at Harry as they were pushed out of the kitchen. "A little imperious isn't she?" he asked.
Harry laughed, "You have no idea."
It only took a moment for Ginny to come back out with the plate of eggs and once she sat down the three began to eat a very tasty breakfast. After the dishes were cleared, they sat around the table, Harry and Ginny nursing cups of coffee while Dazna had his tea. "So what's going to happen?" Harry asked, breaking the silence.
Dazna put his tea down and handed both Ginny and Harry a folder while opening the last one himself. "In one month Harry, you will be entering Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a first year student. Ginny, you will be returning home to stay with your mother. You both will have to maintain the illusion of eleven year olds including all actions and growth that goes with the territory. Pretty straight forward.
"Now here is were things get a little complicated. You two are the youngest full warrior mages in history, not only that but you are our captains so we have decided to take steps. In Hogwarts, we currently have three mages stationed and they will report to you and provide you protection." Harry and Ginny opened their mouths to protest but Dazna raised his hand to stop them. "It's the way things are. Cynthia and I always have an escort when we leave Phoenix Isle too; it comes with the territory of high rank."
Dazna could see that they didn't like it but that was just plain tough. He was not about to have the two most promising mages he had ever seen get hurt just because some punk kid got lucky. Besides, they were family and he'd be damned before he let something happen to them.
"Now then," he continued with a sigh. "Normally we don't let the other mages know who each other are but this occasion calls for a change in some of the rules. We have decided to make you an official unit, Harry you are the Squad leader with Ginny and the other three mages falling under your command." He motioned for them to open their folders. There were personnel files of his three agents stacked on top of each other inside them. There was also a detailed map of the Hogwarts grounds including all of the secret passages and a list of the current passwords for all the rooms, as well a detailed roster of the current student body and staff. Dazna was a high believer of good intelligence and would often wait until he knew the first names of all his enemies before acting.
"The man on top is Cedric Diggory also known as 'Rock.' He's been on Phoenix Isle for the last fifteen years and is returning to his third year in Hogwarts. You'll find a picture of his current illusion under his dossier." Harry flipped up the cover sheet and looked at the picture. Cedric was fairly tall with broad shoulders and grey eyes.
"He holds the rank of Lieutenant and is a master swordsman. There are very few warrior mages that can fight as well as he can, his energy attacks leave room for improvement though. He was sorted into the Hufflepuff, is a respectable member and a good student. He will be expressly guarding you Harry." Dazna paused here to see what Harry had to say.
Harry read over the man's file briefly. Looks to me that he will be okay. He thought. He could think of several worse people to guard him. Trained by Jill…that's a relief. Harry knew that Jill was a competent teacher and from what the file said it appeared that Cedric was a model student and picked up on her teachings quickly. "Okay," Harry said. "Who's next?"
Dazna sat aside his papers on Cedric and Harry and Ginny did the same. "This is Lieutenant Commander Katie Bell."
Ginny interrupted, "Bell? As in the Bells that live about a mile or two from the Burrow? As in the Katie Bell that kept Harry occupied while leaving me alone to fight Jill and subsequently loose to grandma? That Bell?"
"Yes," Dazna nodded chuckling to himself. It had been almost two years since the fight but Ginny still brought it up from time to time…it was a bit of a sore spot for her. "That Bell. We like to call her 'Shadow.' Next to you two, she is the youngest mage we have, inducted just before you, Ginny. She is assigned to protect Ginny specifically. Given her close proximity to your house should help prevent anything from happening while she is there. She is a second year Hogwarts student and her specialty is stealth." Dazna took a drink of his tea. "There's a very good reason we call her Shadow, she can move about the darkness and attack almost as well as you can Harry. She is absolutely ruthless when it comes to her enemies and those who threaten her friends. A wizard made a rather rude comment to her friend Angelina one time and the poor fool found he self pinned to the side of a wall courtesy of Katie's knives."
Nodding, Harry remembered his own bout with Katie during that test. He felt better knowing that Ginny was going to be in good hands. Shadow warriors like Katie tended to be rather direct in dealing with threats. Plus, they knew all the ways to attack someone without notice and the people that went after Ginny wouldn't be nice and leave their card at the door.
"Good. Now the last person there is Julia Sinistra. She has been my inside source of Hogwarts for many years now and is the astronomy teacher there." Dazna smiled slightly, "It works out very well actually, she loves her job and it doesn't take much work for her to get any information I need. The password list is from her so you can thank her when you get there." Dazna looked at Harry intently. "Pay attention to what information she gives you Harry, She is very good at what she does, I trained her in that task myself."
Harry raised an eyebrow at this. Dazna was the number one spymaster of all the mages. He had the perverse ability to sneak into any locked room, get the exact intelligence that he needed and get back out without anyone ever finding out. If Dazna personally trained Julia than she must be good at her craft. "I'll remember that," he said to the elder.
"Good," Dazna nodded. "Now, as a teacher she'll be able to make your life a little easier while you're in Hogwarts but don't abuse the privilege."
Harry and Ginny grinned widely. "Now Dazna," Ginny admonished. "Are you insinuating that we might use our position to get…shall we say slightly 'inflated' grades in her class?"
"No," Dazna shook his head. "I'm not insinuating Ginny I'm flat out accusing. Don't get me wrong Ginny, I know that you wouldn't do something like that but let's face the facts, you married Harry here and he's not the type to inspire trust on this aspect."
"Be nice," Harry murmured.
"I am being nice," Dazna said. "I didn't say anything to your face." Dazna and Ginny laughed at the expression on Harry's face.
"Can we get back to this please?" he grunted a little sourly.
"Ahh," Ginny said. "Did we hurt little Harry's feelings. Well let me kiss it and make it better." And she leaned over the table and gave Harry a lingering kiss on his lips. "Better now?"
"I think I might need one more," Harry said hopefully.
Dazna laughed out loud, "Not now children." He calmed down and looked back to his folder. "Pay attention to this now. There have been rumors flying around and my sources tell me that Dumbledore is moving something to the school that may bring some unwanted attention so Harry, be on your guard. Whatever he his bringing in could be dangerous. We haven't been able to identify what the object is yet but we are getting closer. Be careful."
Harry nodded, "I will."
"Good, other than that there isn't anything else that I can think of that is that important. Just make sure you read those files and make sure you know a way out of the castle incase things turn sour. There are some very strong wards over that school and they don't react well to people trying to teleport through them." Dazna pushed his chair out from the table and stood up. "Well then that's everything. Cynthia and I will be by tomorrow to see you off. Make sure you pack everything you need."
Harry followed suit and stood up, Ginny right beside him. "All right then," Ginny said. "You take care and we'll see you tomorrow." They walked him to the front door and wished him well before turning back into the house. She looked at Harry, "Are you all packed dear?"
Harry shook his head in the negative, "I can't take anything with me. The Dursley's would never let me have anything of my own but I'll be fine. Once I get my letter and school supplies Dazna said he'd bring over my armor and clothes, until then I'll just have to make due. Are you all packed?"
"Yes," Ginny said. "I just threw together a duffle bag this morning."
"Well then," Harry sighed and stretched his arms high above his five and a half foot frame. "I guess I'll go practice some more then." He turned and got ready to go back outside when something tackled him from behind.
"Oh no you don't," Ginny growled as she sat atop her husband's chest. "This is our last day together and I'm not going to let you ruin it by practicing all day."
"Then what do you suppose we should do?" Harry asked a large grin hidden in his voice.
Ginny smile was almost feral, "I suppose I could think of something…" She leaned down to her lover and gave him a fervent kiss which he responded to in kind and any other plans they might have had for that day were put on hold.
It was a bright and beautiful weekend morning. The birds were singing cheerful songs, the sun was shining brightly, and a summer wind was blowing lightly bringing the smell of flowers on its whispering winds. All in all it was perfect day to be alive.
Ginny hated every minute of it. She thought rather bitterly that it would be just like the world to mock her on this horrible day. If it was up to her, the weather would be much gloomier to reflect her mood. Maybe a thunder cloud here and there but definitely no sun.
"Do you have everything?" Cynthia's voice cut through Ginny's moping like a knife through butter. Ginny gave a little glare her way but Cynthia ignored it. She reluctantly gave in.
"Yes Grandma," Ginny replied her shoulders sagging.
"There now," Ginny felt Harry's arms wrap around her from behind. "Is my lovely wife depressed? I would have thought that after three months married to me you would have been itching to get away." Harry joked with a wry little smile. Ginny could tell that he was trying to make her feel better and was glad for his attempts, futile as they were; for they gave her a warm feeling in knowing that he cared for her. She could feel the reassurance he was giving her through their bond and marveled at he husband's strength. Ginny knew that he wished that this didn't have to happen as much as she did but he was making certain that she would be okay. She drew on his strength and stood a little straighter in his arms.
"I'll be okay," she said. "I just really wish that we didn't have to do this."
"Neither do I but it will only be a year. We will survive, we have to survive." Harry tightened his arms around his beloved. Dazna and Cynthia had talked to him about how hard this would be on Ginny. It was hard on Harry too but, as Cynthia had pointed out, females were generally much more emotional than males and this would be very difficult for his young wife.
"Ginny," Cynthia said lightly. "It's time to go." Ginny and Cynthia were going to teleport back to Cynthia's house and then make their way back to Ginny's house the normal way. Well, normal for a wizard that is.
Ginny wiped away at some tears that had made their way down her cheeks. "Okay Grandma." She turned in Harry's arms and looked up to his face. "Promise to write me?" her voice was almost pleading.
"As often as I can without drawing suspicion," Harry promised. "Give me your hand." Ginny held her hand up and Harry took into both of his. She could feel him take the magic in his body and direct it into her wedding band. It pulsed slightly after he drew his hands away. She looked at the ring with a critical eye but try as she might she couldn't see anything different about it.
"What did you do?" she asked.
"I did two things," Harry answered. "I made it invisible to everybody but you and me so you can keep wearing it. Then, I poured some of my magical essence into it. Anytime you start feeling lonely, just touch your ring and you should feel my magic comfort you. It's the best I can do without being there myself." Harry desperately hoped that this would help her get through this rough time.
Ginny touched the ring and felt Harry's comforting presence rush trough her. She smiled up at Harry. "Thank you, Love." She stood up on her toes and gave Harry a smoldering kiss to remember her by before turning and walking to her Grandma. She waved goodbye to Harry before teleporting out, not to speak to Harry for another year.
Harry sighed as the familiar surroundings of the cupboard materialized around him. It had been seven years since he had been in this closet and it seemed like a lifetime ago. Nine years ago he had asked Dazna to train him so his whale of a cousin couldn't beat on him so easily anymore. At the tender age of nine, Harry had no idea that in that moment his life changed in astounding ways. For the good, Harry thought as he looked at the simple gold wedding band that adorned his left hand.
Harry quickly changed his mage uniform into a pair of Dudley's old cast offs. For the month and a half that he had been gone, a magical construct had taken Harry's place. Anybody with magical training of any kind could have instantly spotted the object but for the Dursley's it was a perfect cover. Harry checked a mirror to make sure that he had the proper illusion set up; it wouldn't do to have gone through all this trouble only to have Harry walk outside with his current eighteen year old body.
Time to face the music, Harry opened the door to his closet and stepped into the kitchen to see the table filled with presents for Dudley. It was time to begin his act of life.
Harry pushed his cart through the crowded train station grumbling irritably. The source of his irritation was the wizarding world at large. Do they just want to stay separate from everyone in the world forever? It was as if they didn't want muggle born witches and wizards finding their way to Hogwarts. I'm I just supposed to know where this imaginary platform of nine and three quarters is? Harry continued to rage silently. Is this just some sort of joke to them? 'Oh look there's the stupid muggle born all alone in the train station without a clue of what to do. Let's all laugh at him.'
It was then that Harry heard a passing voice on the wind. "Packed with muggles, of course." Harry twisted to look at the origin of the voice as fast as he could. He caught a glimpse of a plump little woman followed by a gaggle of red headed children.
Could it be…? Harry wondered. He quickly tried to follow them and fell in line behind the path they were making through the crowd. They stopped rather suddenly just outside of the ninth platform and Harry had to use a little more strength then necessary to stop his cart to avoid running into the redheaded boy in front of him. As his cart came to a complete stop he felt a small tug at his bond with Ginny and looked up.
As if just feeling it herself, the young redheaded girl standing next to the plump woman's side slowly turned around to face Harry. His heart jumped up to his throat. There standing not five meters in front of him was his beloved. Harry wished he could run over and take her into his embrace and never let go but he knew. He knew that the act must be maintained so he cleared his dry throat and spoke up, "Excuse me…"
Harry scanned the hall after sitting down at the Gryffindor table for the first time. First things first, he thought to himself. He quickly spotted the three mages in the school and gave them orders in the subtle hand code that all mages were taught. 'Meet me at the astronomy tower at midnight.' He caught the confirmation signal and quickly settled into dinner.
The time flew by rather quickly and before he knew it Harry was making his way silently to the astronomy tower. Outside the door, Harry saw Cedric standing guard. As he approached Cedric snapped to a salute, his feet together, back ramrod straight, and right arm crossed across his chest leaving his balled fist to rest over his heart. "Sir," he said crisply. "Lieutenant Bell and I have completed our survey of the area and find it to be clean. There's no one spying on us, Sir."
Harry nodded his head towards Cedric, "Lead on Lieutenant." Cedric dropped the salute and lead Harry up the stairs. As he opened the door and walked in both Sinistra and Katie snapped to attention. Harry waved them off, "At ease." The two Lieutenants relaxed and sat back down at a round table that had been set with tea.
Harry sat down and Katie handed him a cup, he took a sip and looked at his three soldiers before starting the meeting. "Okay," he said. "This is my first time at Hogwarts, what am I walking into?" He listened patiently as each of his Lieutenants gave their report in turn. They told him about house rivalries and gave him a more personal look at each of the teachers. It took about forty minutes for them to finish the briefing.
"Alright then," Harry said. He turned to Sinistra. "I want you to deploy your information network. Hagrid brought something that is both very valuable and potentially dangerous on these grounds and I want to know what it is. I also want to know that if it comes to a fight over this object, whom can I trust?"
"I'll start tomorrow, Sir." Sinistra nodded.
"Good, Bell I want you to start training some Gryffindors to fight. Cedric, you too. Only your closest friends for know, leave others out of it." Harry looked around warningly at all of them. "I don't want anyone to know of my involvement and I absolutely don't want anyone to even hear of Ginny. She isn't protected very well by anybody right now and I want her safe, is that clear?"
The three saluted, "Yes, Sir!"
"Fine then," Harry continued. "You are dismissed. We will meet again within the month." Harry drank the last of his tea and waited for Katie to tell him that the hall was clear before departing.
Harry winced as Ron let out a particularly nasty remark about Hermione. Judging by the magic he could feel around them, Hermione was very close to them. "Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long." Ron muttered snidely. "Honestly, Harry, she's such a know-it-all! I don't know how anyone can stand her!" Harry really wished that Ron would get over this jealousy problem of his. It would make him a much nicer person to be around.
Just then someone brushed past the two in a hurry. Harry only caught a glimpse of watery cinnamon eyes and bushy brown hair before the person was around a corner and out of sight. "I think she heard you." Said Harry with his eyebrows drawn together in concern.
Ron snorted, "So what? She must realize she's not making any friends." But he looked rather uncomfortable.
Good, Harry thought. He should feel guilty about that. It was a thoughtless thing to say.
Hermione didn't turn up for the next class and wasn't seen all afternoon. On their way down to the Great Hall for the Halloween feast, Harry and Ron overheard Parvati Patil telling her friend Lavender that Hermione was crying in the girls' bathroom and wanted to be left alone. Ron looked still more awkward at this, but a moment later they had entered the Great Hall, where the Halloween decorations put Hermione out of his mind.
A thousand live bats fluttered from the walls and ceiling while a thousand more swooped over the tables in low black clouds, making the candles in the pumpkins stutter. The feast appeared suddenly on the golden plates, as it had at the start-of-term banquet.
Harry had written to Ginny earlier today and was waiting eagerly for her response. It had been the first time he was able to send a letter to her with everything that was going on. It had pleased him to see that Dazna was correct when he was telling them about Katie, Cedric, and Sinistra. They did their jobs with speed and precision, though the item that Dumbledore had secreted away in the third floor corridor was still unknown, Sinistra promised that she was getting closer. Harry wasn't worried though, he had plenty of time.
He was just helping himself to a baked potato when Professor Quirrell came sprinting into the hall, his turban askew and terror on his face. Everyone stared as he reached Professor Dumbledore's chair, slumped against the table, and gasped, "Troll – in the dungeons – thought you ought to know." He then sank to the floor in a dead faint. There was an uproar. It took several purple firecrackers exploding from the end of Professor Dumbledore's wand to bring silence.
"Prefects," he cried, "lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!"
Percy was in his element. "Follow me! Stick together, first years! No need to fear the troll if you follow my orders! Stay close behind me, now. Make way, first years coming through! Excuse me, I'm a prefect!"
Now Harry was worried, he knew exactly what types of wards were stationed all around the castle and he knew exactly what they were supposed to prevent. A troll making its way onto the grounds was one of these things. He glanced around and quickly caught Katie's eye. 'Stay with the students,' he signaled. 'I'm going to see what's going on.' She nodded reluctantly and Harry turned to Ron and make up some excuse when a thought flashed across his mind. Hermione!
"Come on, Ron." Harry said steering Ron away from the other first years. He would need someone to get her out if he came across the troll. Harry had no doubts that he could take down the beast if it came to it but that would mean revealing his position to Ron and that just wouldn't do. No the best bet would be to get Hermione out and let the teachers deal with the wandering troll. Sinistra would give him details later.
"Where are we going? Percy better not see us!" Run demanded, pulling back.
"We've got to go find Hermione. She doesn't know about the troll!" Ron frowned but didn't hesitate to continue following Harry. Harry let all his training come to the fore as he hurried down the halls. All excess movement ceased and his gait became like that of a predatory cat. His footsteps were silenced and his senses at full alert.
If Ron noticed any change in his friend, he didn't voice it, "Can you smell something?"
Harry sniffed and a foul stench reached his nostrils, a mixture of old socks and the kind of public toilet no one seems to clean. And then they heard it – a low grunting, and the shuffling footfalls of gigantic feet. Ron pointed – at the end of a passage to the left, something huge was moving toward them. They shrank into the shadows and watched as it emerged into a patch of moonlight.
It was a horrible sight. Twelve feet tall, its skin was dull, granite grey, its great lumpy body like a boulder with its small bald head perched on top like a coconut. It had short legs thick as tree trunks with flat, horny feet. The smell coming from it was incredible. It was holding a huge wooden club, which dragged along the floor because its arms were so long. The troll stopped next to a doorway and peered inside. It waggled its long ears, making up its tiny mind, and then slouched slowly into the room.
Harry noticed a flash of gold. "The keys in the lock," Harry muttered. "We could lock it in."
"Good idea." Ron whispered back.
Harry silently padded over to the door before jumping in a leap and slamming the door shut, turning the key in the lock as he went. Harry felt better knowing that the troll was locked up. This way there would be no danger to Hermione, and the professors could be called in to deal with the troll.
As they ran back down the hall, Harry's feeling of elation died out as a high petrified scream rang out through the hall. Harry didn't even pause, whirling around on his toe he ran full tilt back down the hall towards the frightened cries, not even caring that if Ron followed him or not. Harry didn't bother slowing down as he approached the locked door as he flared his aura, taking care to keep it out of the visual range, and blasted the door off of its hinges.
Hermione Granger was shrinking against the wall opposite, looking as if she was about to faint. The troll was advancing on her, knocking the sinks off the walls as it went. Harry quickly erected a shield over the frightened girl and roared at Ron, "Draw it away from her!"
Harry rolled forward on his shoulder and came up beside Hermione. "Are you okay?" he asked the frightened girl. She seemed to be in shook but managed a feeble nod of her head. Harry took that as a good sign and turned his full attention to the troll; it was distracted by Ron's yelling and presented a nice target for Harry.
Hermione looked over at Harry as she heard a low growl come from his throat. Her look changed to one of deep astonishment as two daggers appeared in Harry's hands. Witch she may be, but Hermione was raised as a muggle and well aware of muggle fighting techniques. Even to her untrained eye, Harry looked very dangerous.
As Ron shouted and threw a large piece of rock at the troll Harry leaped forward, slamming one knife into the beast's kidney and twisting it as he pulled it free. Being humane was lost on Harry as innocents were threatened. He would use what ever he could to bring this troll down.
The troll howled in pain and fury as it brought the club around to see what had injured it. Harry looked to were Hermione was still standing, frozen in horror. "Come on," he yelled. "Run!" But she was unresponsive and Harry didn't have time to deal with that. He knew that the wound would kill the troll it was just a matter of how long it could go. The troll lifted its club and slammed into Harry, throwing him to one side.
Groaning Harry rolled back to his pressing one hand to his side. He felt one of his ribs shift and could feel the blood running freely down his side. Shit, he thought. There was no avoiding it now, he would have to show his power if he wanted to end this quickly. The troll had focused on Hermione again and was advancing on her position.
Harry let his power flow freely, using it to enhance his movements and increase his strength. He dashed over to Hermione while Ron continued to pester the troll with small spells and rocks. "Let's go Hermione!" Harry yelled wrapping one arm about her waist to get her moving. The troll had other ideas however and it raised its club high above its head before smashing it down right in front of the two teenagers.
Time slowed for Harry as he saw the tile shrapnel hurling through the air. He had no doubt that it would kill them and from the look on Ron's face he knew it as well. But Ron was unaware of Harry's position as a mage. He raised one hand towards the flying rocks and created a dome of force around Hermione and himself. Time returned to normal as the rocks slammed against the shield and fell to the ground.
In an instant, Harry threw one dagger as straight as an arrow and pierced the troll right through the heart. The beast grunted and sat suddenly, looking at the foreign object sticking out of its chest. One last breath shuttered from its lungs as it departed the realm of the living.
Sighing in relief, Harry summoned his dagger back to him wiping it clean of blood before sheathing it. Ron made his way over to Harry and Hermione carefully, something akin to a look of awe on his face. "H-how…H-…What did you do?" the redhead stuttered.
"Nothing that you will remember," Harry replied and quickly cast a memory charm on his two friends. At that moment, several teachers ran into the bathroom, the noise of the battle having reached their ears. Sinistra took one look at Harry's condition and her face suddenly became filled with rage. The lieutenants took their jobs seriously and here, they had failed. Her spies had not told her of the troll and now their commander was hurt. She looked over at the troll and with a flick of her wand set the troll on fire in a raging inferno.
"Mr. Weasley, Miss. Granger," Sinistra looked at the tree students. If you would be as kind as to escort Mr. Potter to the hospital wing I'm sure he would like to get the wound looked at." She turned to her fellow teachers. "Flitwick, I will leave you to deal with this mess while Quirrell and I find out how this beast got her in the first place. Minerva, I am sure that you can report to the Headmaster on the current situation, yes?" McGonagall nodded slightly. "Good." And the astronomy teacher exited the bathroom, Quirrell stuttering along behind her.
Harry and Katie walked down the empty halls of Hogwarts side by side. At the early hour of 1:30, most of the castle was fast asleep and their progress was unimpeded. The dark suits of armor stood a vigil that seemed to caste a blanket of silence over every thing that they overlooked upon. Not even the scratching sound of an occasional rat was heard…nor was the passage of the two war mages.
Trained for years, the two that walked the castle hallways were two of the best shadow warriors to come out of Phoenix Isle. As such the minuscule sounds of passage and everyday life were far beneath them and looked upon with disdain. Their gait could not even be described as a walk for it was more like the noiseless gliding that was seen in the movement of ghosts. If it had not been for the obvious solidness to their bodies, a passing observer might even view them as such.
It was strange to see that they were both decked out in full mage uniform and fully armed. Both Harry's two and Katie's single silver bars that designated their rank gleamed in the moonlight. They strolled casually down the hallways of Hogwarts, as if walking down a school's hall armed to the teeth with all manner of swords, daggers, and knives was a common occurrence. While it may have been so during the times of the founders, it was not so anymore but these two were on an undertaking of fair importance.
'Do you know what the creature was?' Katie signaled in the barely perceptible hand language that all war mages used. 'I would hate to hunt down this thing and find it to be some poor kneazel or niffler instead.'
'It was drinking unicorn's blood,' Harry signaled back. 'That should tell you all you need to know about it…this is no light creature.' The run in with the creature…person…whatever it was had unnerved Harry more than he'd like to admit. Drinking unicorn blood was a terrible thing to do, having dire affects on the well being of one's soul. Damning your very being to spend the rest of eternity in the heavy realm of the Goddess' wrath. Better to die than to spend time without end in hell.
What was worse, no none creature preyed on unicorns. The peaceful herbivores having no natural enemies that would behave in such a manner as Harry saw during his detention in the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid. That pointed to the most logical conclusion that whatever Harry had encountered out there was a person and Harry could think of very few people that would be willing to suffer the consequences of drinking unicorns blood in an effort to live a while longer.
Harry wanted none of them within a hundred miles of Hogwarts.
So came the reason for the two paramount shadow warriors in the world to be making their way through the school and to the main entrance. Whoever had been out there that night was probably still around…and Harry wanted him dead. Back tracking along the route Harry had gone last night, they hoped to be able to pick up its trail and hunt it down.
'Remember,' Harry signed, 'If you find it, no flashy moves, no trying to figure out who or what it is…just kill it.'
Katie seemed to take it as an order and that suited Harry just fine. This wasn't a time for honorable battles or giving the underdog a chance. This was a time to murder. To kill without mercy and, despite other's objections, know that you are doing the right thing in doing so. The life of a warrior mage was not all glory and glamour. It was duty.
The broom swished across the creaking wood of the Burrow's front porch, stirring up faint clouds of dust in its wake. Ginny held the supple wood loosely in her hands, worn smooth by years of use. The evening was dying away and the sun was falling quickly behind the hills that dotted the landscape. It was her favorite time of the day, a time were she could just relax and forget the troubles of the day. The worries that crowded her thoughts would just melt away. It was one of the few times that she would let her guard down and stop being Ginevra Weasley, daughter of Molly and Arthur Weasley, and just be Ginny. She'd gradually relaxed into a rhythm, allowing the gentle motion of the sweeping to take away whatever thoughts she might have.
She paused for a moment and wiped a hand across her forehead, smiling and flipping back a few bangs that dangled in front of her eyes. The cloud of dust she'd been stirring up in her wake settled to the ground. The sky above her darkened to many colors of red, gold, and orange – fireworks at the end of the day. The green grass on the hill seemed to glow an emerald green…a shade that she had seen many times before whenever she looked into Harry's eyes.
Harry. The thought made the smile disappear as quickly as it had come. Harry was far away and even had he not been it would be many years before they could once again be husband and wife. The circumstances forcing them to hide behind facades that left them yearning for the other's love. She returned to her sweeping with renewed vigor, the dust swirling up about her ankles again. Her hips swayed gently with the soft movement relaxing her. Gradually, she was able to push down thoughts of Harry beneath the pleasant monotony of the broom's motion.
Unbidden, a soft song came to her lips, her voice flowing and lifting over the soft breeze without effort. The melodious words carried with them all the sadness and loneliness that they could. She could almost hear the soft, slow strains of the violin in the background.
Remember, Remember, I will still be here…
The motions of the broom matched the slow, swaying rhythm of the song. Closing her eyes, Ginny let the broom and song take over, her actions automatic.
As long as you hold me in your memory I will never fear…
It brought back pleasant memories, of times with Harry. The years they spent together were full of happy times and thoughts. Thoughts that dealt with sneaking cookies from Grandma or arguing over what movie to watch. Never worrying about whether or not they would see each other again before something happened. Not worrying about that thrice damned prophecy hanging over their heads. Unconsciously, Ginny's voice grew louder as the song went on.
Even though you have gone and left me alone in tears…
Her body moved as gracefully as if it would in a dance with Harry. But this time, it was a dance of one.
To you my heart will always remain true…
Behind her, the parents of seven listened to the heartrending song their only daughter was singing. Molly felt the emotions rolling of her daughter and was grateful for the support that Arthur was giving her, lest she break down right there on the doorstep. Ginny's song rose in volume and the sweeping stopped as she rode on the feelings that the beautiful melody was drawing from her.
Remember, Remember I will always love you…
The sun fell behind the hills and let its rays of light and warmth fall on Ginny one last time before disappearing completely.
Remember…Remember…me…and you.
Tears sparkled in the fading light as they fell of Ginny's chin, caught in the wind. The broom was forgotten and dropped from her lifeless hands as Ginny just stood there…letting the wind wrap her up in its cold embrace.
"I miss you Harry…"
Harry was pissed. No matter how hard he tried to tell the teachers that the Sorcerer's Stone was now longer safe they just ignored him. If he didn't have to masquerade as an eleven year old he would show those teachers a thing or two. He didn't train for seven years and take the Phoenix Accession test for nothing. But appearances must be maintained.
Harry reigned in control of his emotions and watched as Hermione tried to work out the logic puzzle on the table. Sinistra had been livid when the troll had found its way into the school without her knowledge and was determined to find what was putting this school in so much danger. Her information network paid off just last night and she had told Harry about the Stone and how to get past the enchantments inside.
He knew that he wanted the small smallest bottle to go on but Hermione was doing a good job and he could tell her if she was wrong. Hermione read the paper several times. Then she walked up and down the line of bottles, muttering to herself and pointing at them. At last, she clapped her hands.
"Got it," she said. "The smallest bottle will get us through the black fire – toward the Stone."
Good girl, Hermione, Harry thought to himself. "There's only enough there for one of us," he said. He had no intention of letting Hermione go foreword anyhow. "That's hardly one swallow." They looked at each other. "Which one will get you back through the purple flames?" Hermione pointed at a rounded bottle at the right end of the line.
"You drink that," said Harry. "No, listen, get back and get Ron. Grab brooms from the flying-key room, they'll get you out of the trapdoor and past Fluffy – go straight to the owlery and send Hedwig to Dumbledore, we need him." Harry needed some way to put some urgency into her actions. "I might be able to hold of Qui-Snape off for a while, but I'm no match for him, really."
"But Harry – what if You-Know-Who's with him?"
"Well – I was lucky once, wasn't I?" said Harry, pointing at his scar. "I might get lucky again. Hermione's lip trembled, and she suddenly dashed at Harry and threw her arms around him. "Hermione!" He really needed to get her moving.
"Harry – you're a great wizard, you know."
"I'm not as good as you," said Harry. It was true, he wasn't even a wizard.
"Me!" said Hermione. "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things – friendship and bravery and – oh Harry – be careful!"
Harry finally got her to leave before picking up the smallest bottle on the table. For you, Ginny. He quickly downed the bottle in a single gulp and shivered as it ran through his body. It was like ice. He turned and walked through the fire to come face to face with Quirrell.
"I wondered whether I'd be meeting you here, Potter." Quirrell snapped his fingers. Ropes sprang out of thin air and wrapped themselves tightly around Harry. "You're too nosy to live, Potter. Scurrying around the school on Halloween like that, for all I knew you'd seen me coming to look at what was guarding the Stone."
Harry briefly contemplated vaporizing the man on the spot. The magic ropes that bound him were pathetic, though they would probably keep a first year stuck for a mage of his power they were a laugh. The only problem was that he didn't know who might be watching and if he were to play his hand, things would get very messy. He decided to play along.
"Potter, come here." The ropes fell of Harry and he walked over to join Quirrell in front of the Mirror of Erisod. "Look into the mirror and tell me what you see."
Harry saw his reflection, pale and scared-looking at first. But a moment later, the reflection smiled at him. It out its hand in his pocket and pulled out a blood red stone, winked at Harry, and put the stone back in its pocket. Harry felt something heavy drop into his real pocket, he had gotten the Stone. But this complicated things, he could try and bluff his way out but that would be iffy and the monster would try to kill him anyway. No, it was time to go on the offensive.
Harry spun away from the man and dropped into a low combat stance. Quirrell let out a yell of surprise but Harry didn't let the man get situated. He swept the Defense professor's feet out and rabbit punched him in the solar plexus. He retracted his hand quickly as he felt his hand burn and heard Quirrell cry out in shock. Harry grabbed the man's arm to put it in a lock put the burning sensation came back.
Then Harry knew: Quirrell couldn't touch his bare skin, not without suffering terrible pain – his best chance was to keep hold of Quirrell, keep him in enough pain until he passed out, or died. Harry quickly lunged forward and grabbed the man's arm once more, gritting his teeth against the torrent of pain. The pain continued to build and Harry felt blackness encroaching in on him. Quirrell's shrieks of pain were joined by his own and Harry felt himself fall backwards, remembering nothing else.
Some habits are almost impossible to break. But some don't need to be broken in the first place, which was why that, even after twenty years, Molly continued to check on her children every night. It was something she had done since Bill was born and was unable to sleep herself unless she knew they were okay and it saddened her that Ginny was her only child still sleeping in the Burrow.
The mother of seven leaned against the open doorway to her youngest daughter's room contemplating the events of the last year. Something was wrong, she could tell that much. Ginny had seemed depressed this last year, she was hiding it masterfully but Molly could see its traces. Every now and then something would slip. Just the other day she had listened to her baby girl singing on the front porch a song that was heartbreaking in both words and pure emotion. And then there had been the words the girl had mentioned after the song…'I miss you Harry…'
Molly didn't know how it came to be but she recognized the tone in which Ginny had said Harry's name. It was a tone she heard every time she spoke of Arthur and it worried her to no end that her daughter was speaking in such a loving voice already. She was only eleven for the Goddess' sake! And then there was the matter of this, 'Harry.' As far as Molly could remember, Ginny had no friends or relatives named Harry or Harold or anything even close to that. The closest she could come up was when Ginny had met young mister Potter on the platform of Nine and Three Quarters. But that contact had been so brief that nothing could have sparked between the two.
The matriarch shook her head softly and gazed once more at the face of her sleeping daughter, backing out of the room slowly. The peaceful smile on her face as she slept gave comforted Molly. She was softly closing the door when Ginny's scream ripped through her like a thousand knives. Molly slammed the door open and ran into the room as fast as she could. Ginny sat on her bed trembling violently as tears rolled uninhibited down her face. Her breath was labored and sobs were easily heard as she rocked back and forth, her arms wrapped tightly around her body.
Molly quickly rushed to her daughter's side and pulled her into her motherly embrace. Ginny buried her face into Molly's shoulder and sobbed even harder, mumbling over and over again, "Harry, Harry…" Molly tightened the embrace and let her daughter cry herself into exhaustion. Ginny's tears dried and the sobs stopped but Molly continued to hold her until she was certain that Ginny was asleep.
Arthur walked over to his wife's side having been woken up by Ginny's scream and gave her a concerned look. Molly just gave him a shrug of the shoulders and laid her baby girl back on her bed. She tucked in the covers and gave Ginny a small kiss on the forehead. Ginny turned in her sleep and mumbled, "I love you too Harry…now and forever."
Molly sat back at these words and traded a troubled look with Arthur. Perhaps…it was time to have a chat with the young Harry Potter.