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athenakitty: Yes, they can do magic in Hogwarts, and Tonks enchanted the TV. Thanks for the review!
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Here we go!
Chapter Twelve:
"I hated that movie!" Ginny screamed, her face flushed. "It was horrible! And that guy who turned around and had a big bullet hole in his head, and… I hated all those dead people!"
"Come on, Gin." Said George reassuringly. "It wasn't real. All just people dressed up and trying to look scary-" he cut off, his face growing pale.
"What?" she screamed. "What's wrong? George?"
Slowly, he raised a shaking, pale finger toward the empty doorway. "C-Can't you see her?" he asked shakily, his eyes wide.
"No! What can you see? Are you alright?!"
He drew in a shaky breath. "I see dead people,"
Ginny screamed, bolting from the room.
The twins burst into hysterics. "This is so fun!" cried Fred, tears coming into his eyes. "Did you see her face?"
Glaring at them, Harry sent a message to Rosie.
# Can you create an illusion? Just to scare the twins a bit. #
Way ahead of you.
Harry glanced up. Visible only to the twins, Rosie and Harry, was a man, his eyes hollow and blood running down his face.
The twins screamed in unison, bolting after Ginny.
Mrs. Weasley frowned. "Serves them right for scaring poor Ginny, but what has got into those two?"
"Maybe they found the movie more scary then they let out." Said Rosie smoothly. "Serves them right."
Tonks appeared in the doorway, grinning.
"Guess who's paying us a visit?" she said, her eyes flashing.
"Who?" asked five people at once.
"A certain person has regained his memory," she looked at Harry. "I'm sure you remember Gilderoy Lockhart?"
Harry dropped his glass, shattering into a million pieces.
"No," he moaned mournfully, and then he bolted towards the door.
"Harry!" called Tonks, grabbing the back of his robes. "Where are you going? Gilderoy was especially excited about seeing you." She smirked at him.
"Erm…" he looked at his father desperately. "Homework," he said suddenly. "Really important. Yes… homework. Don't we have to do homework, Rosie?"
Rosie checked her watch. "Oh, no. We have plenty of time! We can do homework later."
Harry, looking absolutely horrified, glanced at Sev.
"Don't be so mean," said Severus in a purr like tone. "Just let him go."
"Harry! So wonderful to see you!"
Harry froze, closing his eyes and trying to steady his breathing.
"If that git doesn't run right now," growled Harry quietly in a deadly tone. "I will put him in so much pain he will wish for the cruciatus curse."
"Woah, Harry!" said Tonks brightly. "A little hostile there!"
Hands turned Harry round to face Lockhart, who was beaming at him.
"So glad to see you, old chap!" he cried happily, bringing Harry into a hug. Harry didn't return it, his arms merely hung loosely at his sides.
"So happy to be out of St. Mungo's! What do you think about that then?" cried Lockhart.
Harry merely grunted in response, showing no emotion in his face.
Lockhart, who at first seemed a little put out at Harry's response, regained his composure. Lockhart gave Harry what seemed to be a stern look.
"Now, Harry," he said firmly. "I don't want you beating yourself up over my loss of memory. Yes, it was your fault, but I forgive you!"
Harry merely raised his eyebrows. "Of course," he said flatly. "I'm so happy I've got that off my chest. I've felt terrible that you were planning to take me and Ron's memory away but it ended up hitting you instead."
Lockhart seemed to miss the sarcasm dripping from Harry's voice.
"Yes, well… no need to feel bad, now." Lockhart said, giving a theatrical sniff and turning the other way to face the others.
Harry took that moment, reaching his hand into his robes and training his wand on Lockhart. Hermione snatched his wand away before an incantation could actually pass through his lips. Harry glared at her.
Severus, who had been looking amused and sympathetic all at the same time while watching Harry's encounter, snarled as Lockhart approached him.
"Severus! Still as grumpy as ever, I see!" Lockhart moved forward to hug him as he had Harry, but Severus pushed him back roughly.
"Hello, Gilderoy!" cried Tonks. "Now, young Harry here was just saying how much he would love to have some photographs taken-"
Harry cast a silencing spell wandlessly. She immediately shut up.
Lockhart frowned, confused at her sudden lack of speech.
"I think she was saying something about photographs…" his face brightened. "Harry! How about you and me do some! We could make the front page!"
Harry's face darkened, and he felt small parts of his magic spinning out of control.
Small cracks were appearing along the stone walls, and Harry saw Severus raise an eyebrow in his direction.
"Come on! I know a person who can do some photos!" Lockhart grabbed Harry's arm, but he wouldn't budge.
"Oh," said Lockhart slowly. "Maybe later, then. I'm quite thirsty, actually…"
But as he went to pick up a glass, it shattered into a million pieces. McGonagall gave Harry a warning look, and Severus looked distinctly proud.
"How strange," muttered Lockhart. "Do things usually blow up at Hogwarts?"
"Only when certain people are around other people that they despise," bit out Harry, his teeth barred. Some candles flared into life.
McGonagall snorted at this.
Lockhart completely missed the point. "Dumbledore!"
Dumbledore's smile faltered for a brief second.
"Now, I was wondering if I could stay here for the night? This is a rather big castle, after all."
Behind Lockhart, Harry was wildly shaking his head no, running a thin finger across his neck to indicate the consequences if Dumbledore agreed.
Dumbledore, seeing Harry's desperation, agreed immediately. "Of course you can stay! I'll show you to your room!"
Harry's eyes widened.
This couldn't be happening to him…
As soon as the two left, McGonagall rounded on Harry.
"Would you mind stopping destroying the castle? I doubt Dumbledore would be happy if he had to rebuild the whole thing."
Harry blinked and looked around him. The table was splintering badly and the floor and walls had rather large cracks running through them.
Mrs. Weasley sighed and looked at her watch. Her eyes widened.
"IT'S ELEVEN O'CLOCK!" she shrieked.
"So?" said six voices in unison.
"BED! NOW!"
Sighing, they headed towards the Gryffindor dorms.
"Erm… Harry?"
Harry turned. It was Severus.
"Erm… I was wondering…" he shrugged. "Do want to stay in my rooms for tonight? I went down there before and the house elves had already put your trunk down there. Probably Dumbledore's doing… meddling old fool…"
Harry laughed and nodded. "That would be great."
Severus took his hand and led him down a corridor.
"So you don't like Lockhart, then?" asked Severus, sounding amused.
Harry snarled. "I. Hate. Him. Can't stand him."
Sev laughed. "We have something in common."
Severus was running a thumb over Harry's right hand. Frowning, he lifted Harry's hand into the light.
"What's this?"
It was the scar from last year. Where I must not tell lies was permanently imprinted on his skin.
"Nothing," Harry mumbled, trying to pull away, but Severus held strong.
His eyes widened as he realised what it said.
"Who did this, Harry?" he asked, his eyes flashing.
"No one," Harry started walking again.
"Who?"
There was a pause.
"Umbridge,"
There was a sharp intake of breath from Severus.
"This way," he instructed quietly, leading him down a flight of stairs.
"How?"
"Quill." Said Harry.
"I'm sorry?" he asked, frowning.
"Quill. I got a detention. I had to write 'I must not tell lies' and she used a special quill which used my blood as the ink."
Severus growled and gently ran his thumb over the scar again.
"That evil fucking bitch-"
"Excuse me!" said Harry, smiling. "You are supposed to be the father! I do not tolerate that kind of language!"
Severus laughed and looked at Harry fondly. "So I never get to swear any more?"
He stopped, clutching at his left forearm.
"Harry…" he whispered. "Harry, I have to go… there is going to be an attack."
Harry! There is going to be an attack!
# I know. #
"Harry…" Sev whispered. "You have to stay here. Do not leave the castle…"
He swallowed and ran a finger over Harry's cheek.
"Don't go…" whispered Harry. He didn't want him to get hurt.
Severus gave Harry a false smile. "See you in the morning, little one."
And he left.
Harry stood there, dumbstruck.
Harry teleported to the Gryffindor Common Room where Rosie was currently trying to pull out her hair.
"Harry!" cried Rosie, leaping off the sofa. "We have to go!"
Harry nodded. "I know. Make an illusion of us. Can you do that?"
Rosie nodded, and with a wave of her hand, there were clones of Harry and Rosie standing side by side.
"Good."
And in a puff of black smoke, they were in a small town on the outskirts of France.
"What on earth does Voldemort want here?" asked Nightmare.
Shadow merely shrugged. "Dunno. But I remember you challenging me to a certain competition."
Nightmare grinned and nodded, showing off her pointy white teeth.
"Let's go."
As he and Nightmare brought down the Death Eaters one by one, he saw his father amidst them, wearing the customary black robes and white masks.
If he dies I'm gonna kill him. Thought Harry savagely.
# You lay a finger on my dad and you will never see the light of day again. #
Gotcha!
Harry slowly walked down the road, searching for any signs of live Death Eaters amidst the bodies. Suddenly he stopped. He heard his father's ragged breathing, just off to the left in a dingy alleyway.
Harry veered off course.
Severus was in a terrible state. He had a large cut down the side of his face with blood dripping out, and his mask had been ripped off. From what Harry could tell, his left wrist had been broken, as well.
Harry knelt down in front of him and brought a vial out from the folds of his cloak.
Harry would have loved to take a picture of his face. Severus looked completely baffled.
"Aren't you going to kill me?" he asked warily.
"No. Take this potion. It will help stop the bleeding."
"Why aren't you going to kill me?"
Harry studied Sev's face.
"What have you noticed about Nightmare and I, Severus?"
Sev looked shocked that he knew his name.
"That you have appeared at two Death Eater attacks and killed all the Death Eaters."
Shadow allowed a small smile to grace his lips.
"We kill loyal Death Eaters. We kill Death Eaters who wish to hurt others. We do not, however, kill Death Eaters who bring information back to Dumbledore."
Severus' mouth fell open.
"Take the potion, it will help."
Severus cautiously took the vial and swirled the liquid around, eyeing it sceptically.
"How do I know it's not poison?"
Shadow laughed quietly. "Ah, my father. Always the cautious one."
Severus froze. "Harry…?"
Oh holy fucking shit. This is so not good.
Well, the cats out of the bag now.
Severus' breath caught up in his throat. "Oh, Harry…"
"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM 'IM!"
Harry spun around. Hagrid was sprinting toward them, his huge fist raised.
"DON' TOUCH 'IM!" roared Hagrid, who swung his fist at Harry.
Harry held back the huge fist with his left hand, doing it with apparent ease.
"Hagrid!" said Severus quickly. "He knows! He knows I'm a spy! It's alright!"
Hagrid dropped his fist. "Yeh sure?"
Severus nodded.
Hagrid eyed Harry. "You're the one in the Prophet, ain't yeh?" At Harry's hesitant nod, he continued. "You'd do well to join the Order. Good folks, they are. And it would clear up a lot of this Prophet business,"
Harry shook his head. "Nightmare and I work alone." He growled. "Get out of here." He added to Sev and Hagrid.
"But-"
"GO!"
With a glance back in his direction, the two were gone.
Slowly, Shadow turned towards the huge crates that a rookie Death Eater had been hiding behind.
Seconds later, a Death Eater named Jordan Luke died from blood loss.
Harry and Rosie appeared back at Hogwarts, and was disgusted to find their clones listening with rapt attention to Lockhart's story.
"And then, I took a wooden stake and thrust it into his heart and the vampire who had killed millions…" He placed a hand over his heart and ended in a whisper. "Was… alas… no more."
Rosie's clone gasped in horror.
Whoops. Guess I need to work on the illusion's personalities…
Harry couldn't agree more.
Carefully, Rosie and Harry took the place of the clones.
"Would you like to hear another of my amazing stories?" asked Lockhart brightly.
Harry snorted. "You wish. Bored out of my mind."
Lockhart faltered, looking baffled at the change of heart. "B-But… you've liked all my other stories…"
"Whatever," said Rosie coolly, raising her eyebrows. "Come on, Harry."
And the two left a downhearted Lockhart sitting all alone.
AN: I kinda feel like my writings getting a bit sloppy… Anyway, please review! Hope you like this chapter.