HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE
I own nothing. Harry Potter and co. belongs to She-Who-Must-be-Worshipped, J. K. Rowling.
A/N: Hey, thanks for the reviews (even if there were only three of them.... grumble, grumble). It was much appreciated. I know I suck at writing. This is my first time doing something remotely like this so please bare with me, I'm still learning. So if you have comments, pointers and suggestions, it will be welcome with utmost appreciation.
Chapter 2: The Day After Tomorrow
Harry awoke the next morning feeling thoroughly relax and rested. He didn't have his recurring dream of Sirius and the prisoner in the veil last night, which was a big surprise, seeing that he always have them every night. In fact, he was feeling totally excited for tomorrow that Harry haven't even once thought about the prophecy since yesterday's meeting with Remus. All he could think about was he would be able to have a friend here in Privet Drive. And it being Hermione was just simply Godsend.
Harry slowly got up from his bed and went to the open window. It was still a bit dark outside, as the sun was just starting to rise. Early birds were already flying around looking for their breakfasts and morning joggers were already running out on the street. He could hear the paperboy cycling down the street as he throws morning papers on the lawn, sidewalk and some even atop the roof.
Harry turned his gaze inside and grew anxious when he noticed that Hedwig hadn't come back from his letter delivery yesterday, then remembered that Ron was in Romania so he stopped worrying. It will be sometime after Hedwig shows up again. He picked up the loitering books around his room and put them back in his trunk, deciding to forego the theory reading a couple of days or so. He already made plans for looking around the neighborhood this day, his plan to look for the house the Grangers where going to move to will take a whole day, as he so believes. When he was satisfied that everything was in its place, he grabbed a set of fresh clothes and headed to shower.
When he emerged from the showers completely clean and refreshed, and of course fully clothed, he ran downstairs for breakfast and found out that the Dursleys were already there. Uncle Vernon was seating at the head table, reading his newspaper, this day complaining about sewerage systems- "as it now housed a couple of alligators". When he noticed Harry, it clearly took all of his effort not to send a scathing remark his way, the threat from Moody still on his mind. He was already thinking of leaving for work but remembered he hadn't taken his breakfast yet, so he stayed. Aunt Petunia was at the stove, cooking eggs and bacons and didn't let on if she noticed Harry taking a seat at the table. Dudley was already on his side of the table, a fork on his left hand and a toast on the right, his beady eyes never leaving the television. He just grunted when he saw Harry but continued on watching the TV. Somehow, the boxing training did Dudley a lot of good.... or bad, however way you see it. His heavy weight had changed completely from flabby fats to mean muscles. He is now more capable of pounding anyone to nothingness and never shied from showing it. Harry now really sees him as one big, mean, dumb, ugly fighting machine. But still, Harry does not fear him. Compared to fighting Voldemort, Dudley is just a piece of cake. He was not even a piece of cake. He's more like breadcrumbs. Or a breadcrumb for that matter. But Dudley does have his uses. Which reminds him....
"Hey, Dudders. You know anyone moving here in Little Whinging?" Harry asked. He noticed Aunt Petunia's ears suddenly perked up, the thought of new neighbors appealing to her thirst for rumor.
"Huh?"
"You know, movers? People leaving their home to move to another?" Harry asked slowly with hand gestures as if talking to a dumb person, but Harry surmise, that that exactly is what he's doing.
"I know what movers are, you freak. And to answer your question, I saw a moving truck the other day in front of Mrs. Figg's house, perhaps she's moving out," Dudley answered then added suspiciously, "Why?"
Wow, Harry thought, that was the most civilize answer I got from Dudley all these years. Perhaps it's his way of saying thank you for saving his life last summer from the Dementors. Or Uncle Vernon just told them about Mad-eye Moody's warning. Probably the latter. Gratitude and Dudley don't mix. "Nothing, I just heard someone mentioning it in the park," at least it wasn't a complete lie.
"Really? Well, I hope Mrs. Figg doesn't move, how ever would we get rid of you?" Aunt Petunia said, looking directly at Harry.
Harry just stared back at her.
"Ahem. Right.... Well.... Here you go Duddikins, eat your breakfast."
Even though with all of Uncle Vernon's insistent complaining, Dudley's deafening munching, and Aunt Petunia's constant glaring, Harry's good mood didn't lessen one bit.
So with a light heart, Harry finds himself at the front door of Mrs. Figg's house. He hadn't seen her since the trial at the Ministry and hadn't even proper thanked her yet for her help. Without her testimony, Harry might have lost his wand and got expelled from Hogwarts.
Harry knocked nervously on her front door. He doesn't exactly know what to say to her since he found out that she was a squib. He had known her as the batty old lady who has some affectation to cats not some squib ordered by Dumbledore to watch over him ever since he was sent here.
"Harry? What are you doing here?" asked Mrs. Figg as she opened the door fully and stepped aside to let Harry in.
"Err.... Just passing by," Harry said as he entered. The house still smells oddly and was still filled with cats, or most likely half-kneazles, Harry realized. Mrs. Figg then led him to the living room and offered cookies and tea to which he accepted wholeheartedly. She left for the kitchen and Harry took advantage and look around the room hoping to see something that was.... well, magical. Harry was still having a hard time believing that in all the times he had spent here with Mrs. Figg, he had absolutely no idea that she was magical, squib or not.
"Here you go Harry," Mrs. Figg said jovially as she put the cookies and tea in the table in front of him. She then took a sit across him and looked blankly at him, clearly waiting for him to say something.
"Well.... Err...."
"Come on now, don't be shy."
"Err.... First, I would like to thank you for.... err.... you know, what you did for me at the trials."
"That was nothing, Harry. I just did what was the right thing to do. Now come on, we both now you didn't come here for that."
"Uhm.... Remus mentioned that the Grangers were moving here. Do you know exactly where?"
"Well of course. Dumbledore had already told me about it. Brilliant idea really. That way, you'll have someone here to accompany you and they in turn will be better protected. And they're moving just across from my house, so that I can keep my eye on them as well, you know. The house across has been abandoned for some time now and Dumbledore manage to make it habitable in just one night. I dare say it now even looks nicer than my house."
Harry was tempted to say that anything looks nicer than her house for it strangely reminds him of his divination room with Professor Trelawney but decided it would be extremely rude. Nobody wants to be, in anyway, compared to the semi-fraud professor.
"They had already moved their stuff in there. I had even met the parents, nice people that bunch, and were decidedly excited to move. Nice neighborhood, they say, and nearer to their clinic than their last house."
"Do they know that you're a.... uhm...."
"A squib? Speak up boy I can't hear you. Nah, I didn't tell them. They don't need to know, right?"
And here they go again, not telling information to the people concerned. Sometimes they're acts for secrecy annoys Harry deeply. Didn't they know that people would be able to deal better with things if they were better informed? Sure, your enemies not knowing what you are up to is definitely on a positive side, but your allies as well? Why keep your friends in the dark if they can be helpful, right?
"— warn her from that fat prig of a cousin of yours. Rumor has it he's now quite taken with the young ladies. I heard that he even once tried to take advantage of young Cecil. Hmph.... Bad seeds I always say."
Oh great another rumormonger. At least she's on my side. "Don't worry Mrs. Figg, Hermione can take care of herself on her own."
"Oh! Yes, yes, quite right," agreed Mrs. Figg while looking at Harry oddly.
Harry then realized that that she must have been thinking of him thinking Sirius. Probably thinks that I'm going to destroy her house with my great redecorating skills, as Professor Dumbledore had found out. Harry decided that he wanted to get away from here as soon as possible. He was determined not to think about the prophecy, as he cannot do anything about it yet.
"Uhm.... I must be going now. Aunt Petunia expects me for lunch today," Harry lied but he didn't really care about it right now. "Thank you for the cookies and tea."
"Oh, alright then. You take care, Harry," Mrs. Figg said as she led Harry out of the front door.
Once outside, Harry decided to look at the Grangers' house.
It was magnificent. It was a two-story house. The front gates, painted with elegant white, were low enough so one can see the inside from the outside. Their front lawn was something the Dursleys' would die of envy. It was made up of trimmed Bermuda grass with white roses on its side. Sculptured plants lines the walls of the house. The walkway in the middle is made up of small pebbles that lead directly to the elegant front door. The walls here are painted white like the color outside.
Wow, Harry thought, it looks like the house of angels.
"Harry, help me Harry."
He was inside the Department of Mysteries again, in front of the now Sirius-free veil. The man inside the prison, for Harry was now sure it wasn't Sirius, was looking at Harry intently; his face was still covered in shadows.
"The time is near."
"What? What are you saying?"
"The time is near Potter. As the mighty falls, the veil will call and open up the skies of Ardeth!"
"What? Who are you?"
"It is time to wake up, Harry Potter of the Hollow Hills."
Harry was woken up by a loud screech. Harry scrambled out of his bed and saw that Hedwig finally came back with a letter attached to her right leg. Although looking tired and worn out, Hedwig hooted happily when Harry lightly scratched her head.
"That was fast. You must be really tired, huh Hedwig?" Harry asked as he removed the letter from her, his mind still on his dream. This was the first time the figure in the prison spoke to him directly. Most of the time, it was as if he was speaking to a different man outside the prison. But as Harry tried to remember parts of his dream, it was starting to dissipate from his mind. The harder he tries to remember, the faster it vanish, it was as if like holding water in his hands. And moments later, the dream is gone entirely from his mind.
Hedwig nodded her head in agreement and Harry chuckled as he put her back in her cage where she immediately fell asleep. Harry unrolled the parchment and saw the untidy scrawl of Ron.
Hey mate,
Glad to hear from you. We were really worried when you didn't reply the first week. Especially mum, she was having hysterics! And it didn't help either that the twins charmed Ginny's bed to follow her all over the place. We almost didn't leave, mind you. But thank goodness Professor Dumbledore came and sort mum out.
So here we are, in Romania once again! The dragons are awesome! And guess what? Norbert's here! He's gigantic now! He's almost as long as the Gryffindor table! Can you believe that?
Anyway, I'll see you and Hermione at the start of term. Hey, did Hermione write to you yet? I get the feeling she's up to something. I don't know, don't ask what. I can just feel it in her letters. You think, she's writing Vicky again? Ask her would you? Ginny thinks I'm just being an insufferable git.
Your best mate,
Ron
P.S. Ginny says hi. I think she's writing Dean too bloody much. I kept asking her about it but she just slams the door at my face. Go figure.
Harry just kept on laughing as he read through Ron's letter. At times like this, Harry thanks anyone who's in power for friends like Ron. He's childlike manner and humor brings a somewhat normalcy to Harry's ever gloomy life. And his constant badgering over Hermione's relationship with Vicky does seem funny at times.
Hermione!
He almost forgot! Harry checked the watch beside his bed and found out that it was already 12:30 noon. After a quick shower, Harry hurryingly ran outside heading towards the Grangers.
When he arrived there, he found out that there was no one in the house. Harry was perplexed. Isn't today that the Grangers should be arriving? Having nothing else to do, Harry went across and knocked at Mrs. Figg.
"Harry! Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your friend?"
"That's just it Mrs. Figg, there's no one home. Haven't they arrived yet?"
"But they already had. I saw them earlier. Oh! Now, I remember! Your friend, Hermione was it? She asked me where the park was. Maybe she's still there. Her parents wen...."
Harry didn't let Mrs. Figg finished. With a quick thank you, he ran towards the park, hoping that Hermione was still there.
When he reached it, he found Hermione sitting at the swing he sat on the day before yesterday. She was magnificent. Harry have never really seen her wearing besides the Hogwarts uniform, except at the Yule Ball at their fourth year where Hermione was simply gorgeous. Now, she was wearing denim pants that seems to stick to her skin and a simple small shirt. Harry had never seen her so beautiful. But then Harry remembered the events last term, and guilt started to overwhelm him. He started walking towards her and her back was towards him and was mumbling to herself so she didn't hear him crept towards her.
"—pletely coward! For goodness sake, you're a bloody Gryffindor! Why don't you just go to their house, knock and look for him? Why can't you just face him and tell to his face that you're just beside him if he needs you. Of course he needs you and.... and.... you need him too.... with all the...."
"Hi Hermione," Harry greeted smiling as she completely turned around with surprise written all over her face.
"Ha...Harry.... I.... I just.... What?"
"Just shut up Hermione and give me a hug," Harry commented and was rewarded when Hermione threw herself at him, completely covering his face with brown curly hair as she hugged him fiercely. "Hi."
"Hello Harry," Hermione greeted back with a slight tremble on her voice. Of course Harry noticed it and asked her if she was all right. Hermione nearly broke because of that. Harry had just lost his godfather and he was asking if I was all right! Me! "Don't be stupid Harry, of course I'm all right."
Harry noticed that she still didn't let go of him, which surprisingly for Harry was fine with him. It felt warm and nice and just right. He was okay with it if they stayed like this until next term. Unfortunately, Hermione eventually let go and moved to sit at the swing, motioning for Harry to sit next to her. She took hold of his hand and asked in a sincere voice if he was all right. Harry decided then to be honest with her. Well, not completely honest, but honest enough.
"Not really, but I know I will be. I just needed some time I guess. Losing Sirius sure hurts as hell, but I know the pain will eventually recede, not disappear but decrease. Remus and I already talked. It helped. It really did, so I guess I'll be fine eventually."
"I'm glad to hear that. You'll be fine Harry. It'll take some time but Ron and I will be with you every step of the way. Never forget that. You're not alone Harry. You'll never will."
"Thanks Hermione, I kn..."
"Hey, look Big D! It's Potter! And he's with someone," yelled Piers from down the corner. Moments later, Dudley and the rest of his gang came to view. Piers was the smallest in Dudley's gang, just a few inches below Harry's 5'10", while the others, Dudley included, stands inches above six feet.
"Dudley and his gang?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yup," Harry confirmed.
"It looks like he worked out."
"Yup," Harry said with a nod as Dudley and his gang reached them. Dudley was looking apprehensive about something and looked like he wanted to be far away from Harry as possible, which is very understandable considering how Harry was staring coldly at him.
"So Potter, hitting on the new girl in town?" said the one in the farthest.
"Yeah, you should stay away from him miss, he's bad news," agreed another.
"He's a freak. Ain't that right Big D?" asked Piers.
"Well, uhm...." Dudley was sweating right now. He didn't want to anger Harry, as he knows something had changed in him since he came home last week. And add to that, the warning his father gave him give him the creeps. But on the other hand, he couldn't lose face on his gang. He couldn't show that he was terrified of Harry. He was about to agree when all of his bravado left him. Harry was now holding his wand on his right hand, twirling it around like a drummer in a band.
"Hahaha! What are you going to do with that? Poke our eyes out?" Piers asked while holding his aching stomach from laughing.
Hermione was watching Harry know with a curious look on her face. It was apparent that she was going to let him play this one out on his own.
"Nah, I was thinking in the lines of pulling your eyes out instead of poking them," Harry said calmly as it was the most natural thing to do. The others reaction were bordering on fear while others were bordering on anger. Harry Potter after all was a criminal to them, so some of them were down right terrified of him. Dudley, to his delight was now a shade of pale green.
"Was that a threat?!" shouted the tallest one of them as he moved forwards towards Harry. Harry eyed him warily; you're a brave one, aren't you. The tall one stopped at his track, unable to read Harry's expression.
"Not really. You know, you're starting to piss me off," Harry said as he finally stood from his swing. "And you do not want me pissed off, don't you Dudley?"
"Er.... Right...." Dudley was openly terrified now to the confusion of others. Dudley doesn't fear anyone, lest of all, the scrawny little Potter, right? "C.... c'mon guys. Let's not beat him up in front of our new neighbor."
Dudley started walking away while the others reluctantly follow.
"You'll get yours, Potter!" yelled the tallest one as they finally turned a corner, out of view from Harry and Hermione.
"Well, that was quite a welcome show," Hermione said with a grin appearing on her face.
"Yeah.... well, welcome to Little Whinging, Ms. Hermione Granger, resident Know-it-All of the Gryffindor Tower, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
