Chapter 21

Uncovering Knowledge

"So, please return to your tower," said Professor McGonagall.

"Professor, do you know what's going on at the Ministry yet?" asked Hermione.

"Unfortunately no Ms. Granger. We will let you know," said Professor McGonagall, looking at Harry. "Since Mr. Potter is now in the Order, I have no doubt that he will tell you correct?"

"Yeah," said Harry without a thought. 'Of course, he would tell what is going on or they would never stop bothering me…'

"I will summon you then Mr. Potter, or do you wish to remain here?" Harry looked at Ron and Hermione and back at Professor McGonagall.

"Are you sure about that?"

"I'm sure, Since Albus is not handling these matters, we are all putting in our effort, it is your decision Mr. Potter."

"Can I have a minute?" asked Harry and she nodded in answer. "Thanks," he walked over to a corner with Ron and Hermione.

"I think you should stay mate," said Ron.

"Yeah, so you can get to us faster if it is a Death Eater movement or Tengu's or anything, I will get to researching on counter charm for the Black Area charm. Plus, what else can you do in common room?"

"Well, I could work on my homework, investigate Tengu, learn more about cougars, or plan lessons for the next D.A."

"Okay, okay Harry, I you should get some sort of break and I still say that you can stay here."

"Okay, I'll stay," said Harry, walking back to the group of professors.

"You staying or go back to the tower?" asked Professor Conan.

"I'll stay behind," said Harry, getting a free chair and sits down. "I'll see you a bit Hermione, Ron."

"Yeah mate, bye," said Ron as the two left the staff room. Harry suddenly felt alone and very young. The professors in here were at least twice his age, and remained quiet.

"I'll go and find out if there are any news yet," said Professor Srycry, and everyone in the room nodded or replied okay in answer. After the door closed, Harry finally asked a question.

"Is she using the Floo Network for the news?" asked Harry. Headmistress McGonagall nodded in answer and Harry nodded mindlessly. "Okay, well personally I think it is a Death Eater's movement."

"Why?" inquired Professor Conan.

"Well, one person can't be causing all the problems can it?"

"You would be amazed Mr. Potter, " said Professor McGonagall. "Haven't you learn anything about investigating the murders on Halloween?"

"Of course, but not on such a big magnitude to cause the telephone booth stop working," the door slammed open and Professor Srycry ran in.

"The muggle London is being terrorized as well, directly from where the Telephone booth was. We had just discovered that the bodies in the Ministry are covered in black essence…" Harry wasn't sure of his hearing again as he blinked several times.

"It cannot be Tengu, can it?" said Harry, muttering to himself. "What else did you discover?" asked Harry.

"The wands are gone and placed with black feathers. There are no witnesses yet to who saw this murderer. We have found one message by him…." She passed the note that Harry assumed she written down. When the parchment came to Harry and began to read.

"The Bird will Bring your DEATH; As the Bird will take Your LOVE. The Feathers will be in Your Shadows.

-Tengu"

Harry then passed the parchment on after he memorized the words. 'So it is Tengu… how is he doing it? The muggle London is falling…'

"It would seem that Tengu strikes again, Mr. Potter, I think this is the time you should tell what you three found out in these murders," said Professor McGonagall.

"Well, the Halloween murders wasn't his first one, there had been recorded ones in other various of countries such as Russia, France, Sweden, China, and so on. The wands are taken as trophies for himself or herself. We don't even know what gender this serial killer is."

"Do you know how long this has been going on for?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"Well, we have found ones as far as the late 1960's. We haven't got much time to do any more research. This serial killer has been around for a long time," then everyone stared at each other. Harry felt some sort of tension in the air and finally broke it with a, "What?"

"P-Harry," said Professor McGonagall slowly. "I think this is quite important now, that Tengu attacked the Ministry. Will you three continue the investigation?" Harry nodded in answer.

"I can do that, but it seems that I have too much to do right now, it is stressful as it is…" said Harry sheepishly. True, he certainly got a lot of things going on, Quidditch, Dumbledore's Army, school itself, investigating, trying to find out who tampered with his Snitch. He had wanted to talk to Hagrid, Grawp, prevent the press finding out about his newly formed family. Not to mention Malfoy, Voldemort and his Death Eaters, and to top it all off, attempt to invent a counter charm for Black Area charm. Then as an afterthought, he remembered that he had to take Legillimency lessons with Severus. He sighed quietly.

"That is why you have Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley to help you. I'm sure others would be delighted to help," said Professor Srycry as Professor Snape scoffed at Harry.

"You're right… I need to learn how to lighten up my load…" the adults laughed around the table as Harry chuckled. "Or is that how all of you have?"

"Something similar to that Harry, something similar," muttered Professor McGonagall, but Harry caught on what she said.

"I can't wait for the holidays, I'll figure something out then," said Harry. "Is there anything else?"

"Oh yes," spoke up Professor Srycry. "I think you ought to know that the telephone booth you were in, is in shambles."

Harry froze where he sat, now if they really did not have the portkey, they would have little to no chance of surviving. Harry swallowed visibly and looked at her again.

"D-do you know how long it has been that way?" Professor Srycry nodded, and looked at her watch.

"It would seem that he attacked the telephone booth mere five minutes after your portkeyed away."

"No way," said Harry, furrowing his eyebrows together. It didn't make any sense at all, he could have found out sooner than here. Perhaps from Sirius, but maybe they had only arrived at Grimmauld place and found out from Arthur Weasley that an alarm went off. After receiving the homework and then he tried the Black Area charm which proved chaotic. He later had asked if there were any news when they found the other professors. They hadn't, and it would have only been about forty minutes since he returned. Taking away five for the attack on the booth, and they could easily find out what is going on at the Ministry sooner. "Why didn't you check earlier?"

"The scene wasn't cleared to have any clear information," said Professor Srycry. "Plus the charm that you had cast, well, its certainly delayed us quite a bit."

"So sorry for delaying you," said Harry in sarcasm tone. "But I understand," said Harry quickly, to prevent any lectures from Professors for using the tone. "I'll continue the research on Tengu serial murders," said Harry.

"Good to hear, I think that will be all, do you need an escort back to the tower?" asked Professor McGonagall, but Harry shook his head no when she said the word escort.

"No thanks, I can go there myself," said Harry. "Oh, and when are we allowed back out?"

"Well, considering that this murder scene is by Tengu, I think it is safe to let students out. Harry, can you tell Gryffindors that they are allowed to leave?" Harry nodded in answer.

"I'll update you as soon as possible, well then, bye," with that, he left the room but Professor Conan came after him. "What?

"Professor McGonagall thought you should have the password into the staff room," said Professor Conan. Harry arched an eyebrow, clearly he wasn't expecting anything like this.

"Why?"

"So that way if you can't find a professor, you can come here, chances are, there's always one in the room," he explained.

"Oh, I suppose that is logical, but er–okay, what's the password?"

"Tea time," said Professor Conan.

"Okay, thanks, bye Professor," Harry said, walking back to the tower.

"Bye Mr. — Harry," he said. Harry wasn't sure how he was to adjust to this, it seems that all of the professors were in the Order now. Now the Professors are calling him by his first name, which he found a bit odd. He thought that with time, he would get used to it. He sighed as he climbed up the stairs and forgot that one riser included a trick step and fell victim to it and groaned. 'Convenient, real convenient,' thought Harry angrily as he tried to pull his leg out of the stair. He realized this was the same step that he fell victim back in his fourth year after taking a bath with the egg and laughed at the memory.

"What are you laughing about Potter?" drawled Malfoy.

"Oh, Professor Snape told that it was safe to be out? Plus, it is none of your business of what I laugh about."

"And it would seem that you are stuck," said Malfoy, smirking.

"Yeah so, I'm getting myself out of here," said Harry, giving another pull at his right leg and growled.

"So, do you want to start training this Saturday?"

"I don't know Malfoy," said Harry, remembering all the things he had to do.

"Oh so you're chickening out then?"

"It's not that! I have a lot of things to do," said Harry, continuing to pull at his leg.

"You're too busy to even train your blocking charm?" he asked, still thinking that Harry is chickening out.

"Yes Malfoy, I have remedial potions, planning lessons for D.A.–"

"What, you still take remedial potions?" he asked with a hint of surprise.

"Yes Malfoy, and I-I'm learning on becoming an Animagus, and you know we have a lot of homework," said Harry trailing off. He couldn't let him know about other things.

"I still say you are chickening out," he said with a smirk. Harry quietly growled again, finally stopping to pull his leg out.

"Fine, how about for one hour on Saturday, five in the morning?"

"Two," Malfoy said, "Breakfast doesn't start until seven."

"We can get something from the kitchens," said Harry exasperatedly.

"Kitchens? We have kitchens?"

"I'm surprised that you managed not to hear about Hermione's S.P.E.W…"

"I heard about that," said Malfoy, irritated.

"Oh, well, she found out that there are house elves in the kitchen," said Harry.

"Really? Interesting, I'll have to see the kitchens then…."

"Promise me you won't kick any of them or insult or whatever," said Harry, remembering Dobby.

"Don't worry, I won't," said Malfoy harshly. "Honestly Potter, I think you are a bit high-strung."

"Am I? Am I?" asked Harry, finally exploding. "You don't know anything as to what happened over the summer! Oh and besides the attack on Surrey," he said. "Plus, I had my Hearing today clearing my name because I did some magic! Let's not forgot Hagrid's little brother that went out of control for no reason! Don't fo--" he wanted to continue but Malfoy threw a silencing charm at him, causing him to be quiet.

"Potter, I don't need to listen to your rants," snarled Malfoy. "So what if all of those happens to you and more? Potter, if you keep this up, you really don't belong in Slytherin. I did hear that you were almost placed in Slytherin." Harry simply glared at him and pointed at his throat for him to speak. "If you rant and yell, I'll hex you so you won't wake up until tomorrow," threatened Malfoy. Harry nodded, promising not to yell or rant. "Good, finite incantatem."

"How did you know that I was nearly placed in Slytherin?" asked Harry quietly.

"Walls do have ears Potter," said Malfoy, not revealing anything else. Harry only glared at him and continued to pull at his leg. "That's it," Malfoy said, walking up the stairs and behind Harry, he pulled Harry out of the trick step with both arms under Harry's armpits. "This one is easy to remember, why did you forget?"

"Oh, I wasn't paying attention," answered Harry honestly.

"Bloody Gryffindors, they never pay attention," muttered Malfoy.

"Slimy Slytherins," hissed Harry, and the two chuckled.

"There's a bit of irony in that, bloody for red colors of Gryffindor, and they are usually the one cause a lot of trouble, causing bloodshed," remarked Malfoy.

"Slytherins have snake for a mascot and they're slimy. Plus most Slytherins I know are either too greasy or uses a lot of gel," said Harry, grinning.

"I should hex you for that Potter," growled Malfoy, but the two chuckled quietly. "I haven't used gel since my fourth year," said Malfoy.

"That's surprising," said Harry seriously.

"Why is that?"

"Because I saw you a few weeks ago with some gel in them," said Harry.

"….Shut up potter, I was trying different styles," said Malfoy.

"I need to get back to the tower, they don't know that they are allowed out and I was supposed to deliver that to them and other things…"

"What other things?" asked Malfoy.

"Oh just pertaining to what happened today," said Harry mindlessly.

"You know what happened at the Ministry?" asked Malfoy, interested, following Harry who started his way back to the tower.

"Yes Malfoy, and I don't think I'm quite willingly to tell you what happened today…"

"Fine Potter, I'll just find out in Daily Prophet tomorrow morning."

Harry sighed, "Fine Malfoy, I'll tell you my version. But only because I hate that Daily Prophet," Malfoy smirked slightly. "Well, you know about the murders on Halloween? Tengu?"

"What murders?" asked Malfoy, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I thought you read everything in the newspaper Malfoy," said Harry.

"I do, I just skip some articles that–okay, just fill me in," said Malfoy.

"Well, Tengu murdered fifteen people, left no witnesses on Halloween. Right around the time when there was that strange storm came and left. I think this serial killer is a very fast person…."

"So, you're saying one person single-handedly killed everyone at the Ministry?"

"Not everyone, Mr. Weasley got out of there because of an alarm and few others had left because of the alerts. Again, there were no witnesses. I think whoever rose the alarm were all ready killed. But here's the interesting part Malfoy," said Harry, turning to him.

"What?" drawled Malfoy.

"He uses Black Essence curse, the one you tried in DADA," said Harry. "He leaves the essence on the body and also puts black feathers on the bodies. He takes wands as his trophies."

"Mmm, this is interesting," said Malfoy. Harry then realized something, grew suspicious of him, and asked him a question.

"Malfoy, where did you learn the curse anyways?"

"The same book that you read," answered Malfoy.

"Oh…" said Harry slowly. "Anyways, about what happened today, right now muggle London is being terrorized. But — on the way out, here's another interesting part, but I don't know if I should tell you…."

"Why not Potter?" asked Malfoy.

"I — well, I did tell you that I had my Hearing earlier today," said Harry.

"Oh, is that what you were yelling about earlier?"

"One of the things, yes," said Harry sheepishly.

"You mean to say you were there that happened?"

"Yes," replied Harry slowly. He wasn't sure if he wanted to tell him anymore. Nevertheless, he figured what he was going to do with it. Tell his father that he was nearly killed today? Just how useful would that be to Voldemort then?

"Where were you when that happened?"

"Well, after we went on the elevator and got a portkey on the way. I didn't really want to deal with Knight bus — "

"Get to the point Potter," said Malfoy impatiently.

"I am, I have to tell you bits of it so you can understand how I have gotten there," said Harry, irritated as they took the long way to tower.

"Fine, continue," said Malfoy, sighing in irritation.

"After we got the portkey, came back to the Atrium, you been to the ministry before right?"

"Yes, so you stayed in Atrium?"

"No, but we were going to but I suggested that we go back out to muggle London…"

"Are you mad? Mingle with the muggles?" exclaimed Malfoy, a bit disgusted.

"Malfoy, the reason I wanted to get out of Atrium is because one, I wanted fresh air before the portkey set off. Two, there were too many complications in there," he had meant to say memories but Harry felt that it was too personal. "And three, I had an instinct that we had to leave."

"Typical, you seem to run on your instincts," muttered Malfoy.

"… Right, we got on the telephone booth but half way up, the booth stopped moving for no reason. That is when it happened, we were so damn close Malfoy," said Harry.

"Mm, yeah, you were close. I guess luck runs by you again."

"No, it ran by me twice," said Harry, shaking his head.

"Twice?"

"After we were portkeyed away, someone found out that only five minutes after we left, the booth was in shambles.," Malfoy's eyebrows rose in interest and surprise.

"I suppose luck did run by you twice," said Malfoy. "You know what Potter?"

"What?"

"I'm getting tired of the black portraits, walls and the floors. Do you know who cast the Black Area charm?" Harry remained quiet, he didn't want to tell Malfoy what lay outside of Hogwarts. "Potter? You do know, don't you?"

"Yes I do Malfoy, do you even know how far this charm went?"

"No, I don't know who did this or how big the charm covered. Tell me Potter," said Malfoy, getting anxious.

"I ought to tell you first, that this charm covered half of this Earth. The person who did the charm is standing in front of you," said Harry, enjoying the expression he received from Malfoy. It was mixed of surprise, fear, shock, horror, and gaping mouth. His eyes bulged out, and he snapped out of it.

"You're lying Potter," said Malfoy, Harry shrugged.

"Didn't think you would, you can always ask one of the Professors here," Malfoy glared at him.

"I will, make no mistake," said Malfoy. "So, you must be as strong as Dumbledore and the Dark Lord." Harry shook his head. "What?"

"No, Dumbledore only covered the entire of England," said Harry.

"You fool, do you think our magic abilities don't improve with time? I wouldn't be surprised if he could cover twice this planet and the moon."

"Oh, you're right, I didn't think about that…."

"Of course you didn't think Potter! You need to count in how long the person has been around and factor that."

"Yeah, well I'm here now… I'll see you later," said Harry, arriving at Fat Lady's Portrait, however you could only see the outlines of her picture.

"Bye Potter, don't forget this Saturday at five in the morning," said Malfoy, leaving.

"…. Major Anuis…" he climb through the portrait hole and found that the Gryffindor common room was in chaos. "Oh no…" groaned Harry. "Sonorous.. HEY GUYS! PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL SAID YOU COULD LEAVE NOW! HERMIONE, RON, I GOT SOME NEWS! QUIETUS, ahem, okay."

Gryffindors began to run out of the portrait hole, seemingly at the same time and Harry slapped his forehead as the Fat Lady yelled at the students.

"HEY! WATCH IT! WHOA watch out for that wand!" shrieked Fat Lady, but last of the students finally closed the door.

"What did you find out?" asked Hermione.

"It is Tengu alright, and luck did not run by me once, but twice," said Harry grimly.

"Twice? What do you mean?" asked Ginny.

"After five minutes we were portkeyed away, Tengu busted the booth up, if she had set it for even thirty minutes…."

"Blimey Harry," said Ron.

"I know, I know, close call," said Harry. "On top of that, muggle London is being terrorized as we speak."

"Oh no," said Hermione softly.

"All by one person?" asked Mark.

"Yeah, I'm beginning to wonder if he's got any weakness, he moves so fast…."

"How do you know it's a he?" asked Hermione.

"I'm only guessing," said Harry. "Anyways, the bodies are exactly as it was on Halloween night. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Mark if you wish, Professor McGonagall wants us to research more on Tengu. Oh, and for the first known murders he committed, for some reason, they want to know when he started killing people…."

"Well, Voldemort attended here at Hogwarts back in the 1940's, so, if he started killing around there, then we have even better proof that there are ties between them," said Hermione. Harry sat down, thinking and nodded.

"Yeah, that would make sense…."

"Oh, and I found some Latin words that could be the counter charm for Black Area charm."

"It doesn't always need to be something from Latin, we could even use it in plain old English…" he pulled out his wand for demonstration. "I don't think this will work, but here it goes, Return to normal!" he waved his wand in counter clockwise and sparks flew out of the point and at the floor. Harry blinked and looked at Hermione who looked puzzle. Harry slid out of his seat and crawled to where Harry shot at.

"Hey Hermione, do you know any magnifying spells?"

"Yes I do," said Hermione, "where?"

"Right here," he pointed in the general area that he shot at. Hermione took her wand out and pointed at the said area.

"Magnifio!" The carpet grew into a 'bubble' big as Harry's hand. and Harry leaned in and found a single thread is colored both red and gold. He looked up at Hermione who was studying it.

"Do you know what this means?" said Hermione slowly.

"What?" asked Ron, confused and went over to look at the colored thread. "Hey! This is back to normal!"

"Well, do you want to spend for the next worthless months, converting every tiny thing back to normal? Ron, half of this Earth is in dark grey!"

"You're right mate…."

"As I was trying to say something," interrupted Hermione. "We achieved one step in making a spell!"

"You're right Hermione, so its 'Return to normal' with counter clockwise, in small circle motion…" said Harry.

Hermione immediately grabbed a quill and began to write feverishly, taking notes of what happened, from Harry performing the Black Area charm to the latest discovery.

"Why can't you try finite incantatem?" asked Ginny.

"…you can try that," said Hermione, continuing to write the notes down.

"Finite incantatem" she said, pointing the wand at the wall, but did nothing. "It didn't work…" she said frowning.

"That's what I thought," muttered Hermione, also putting the spell Finite Incantatem that had failed.

"Guys, you can keep working on this, I'm going to go and research on Tengu's history."

"Okay Harry, do you think you need some help?" asked Hermione.

"Mmm, well, Mark, want to come along?"

"Sure Harry," said Mark, getting up from his seat and the two left the common room and went down the stairs. The two started talking about muggle jokes such as why did the chicken cross the road and theories of what pure families would have to say.

"I would think they would be confused and just say it's because they're stupid," said Harry.

"No, I think some would say that a wizard or a witch lured the chicken across the road," argued Mark.

"I don't think they would say that, a muggle would," reasoned Harry.

"So you're saying that they would say that a muggle would lure a chicken across the road?"

"Something like that," said Harry, laughing.

"Or a pureblood would say that a mudblood lured the chicken from the other side?" drawled a familiar voice.

"Malfoy, don't you dare use that word around me!" snarled Harry, and Malfoy backed away a little.

"Whoa Potter, no need to fly off the handle," he said coolly.

"I can't until you stop using that word," said Harry, glaring. "Besides, how did you hear about the muggle joke of crossing the road?"

"I only overheard your conversation, that is what being a true Slytherin is," said Malfoy.

"Yeah, and I'm the true Gryffindor because I pulled a sword out of the Sorting hat back in my second year with Godric Gryffindor on the blade," said Harry.

"Don't make up stories Potter," scoffed Malfoy.

"Really? I'm surprised that you didn't hear about that one, it's been circulating since beginning of my fifth year."

"…Potter, how am I supposed to know when you are lying and when you are not?" asked Malfoy.

"Ask the walls, they do have ears," replied Harry, continuing their way to the library, leaving the blonde boy behind. After a few minutes of silence, Mark finally asked Harry something.

"Harry, what does he mean by mudblood?"

'Oh the innocence… if I don't tell him, then he may never find out and he won't have to deal with them…. But he would eventually find out…' Harry sighed, "It's a nasty word, not used in civilized conversation," he said, remembering what Hermione said back in second year. "It means that a wizard or a witch born of muggle parents. People who say them puts the muggle-borns as yourself below them."

"Oh, that's mean," said Mark, furrowing eyebrows together. "I think that is the worse word I have heard yet…" He said as they entered the room. Harry mentally shook his head at his innocence, and wished he didn't have to drag him into this.

"Okay, you know where to look," said Harry, going over the bookshelves on wizarding criminology. He was surprised at how diverse Hogwarts library has.