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Beta: gallandro83
Part 2 Involvement
Chapter 6 hidden sides
The next few weeks flew by. The girls did not chase Harry, but still gave him the looks of 'I want you'. Harry and Susan learned to ignore them. Remus was able to become closer friends with Fleur. But it was still to slow for the meddling Susan's liking.
Harry grinned as he looked over to see Fleur and Remus talking quietly. The first Quidditch game of the season was well underway and Harry didn't realize how much he missed, if not playing, at least watching the game. Susan pointed out Owen who was the leading chaser for Slytherin.
Owen was on a Clean Sweep and caught the quaffle easily and dodged a bludger with a quick roll, then dived to avoid two chasers. He pulled up and raised his hand to shoot for the top hoop. He moved his arm in a shooting motion. The keeper fell for it and jumped up to intercept the shot for the high hoop. The young chaser smiled as he gripped the quaffle a fraction of a second more before he let it go and shot the quaffle into the left hoop. "AND OWEN YELLOW SHOOTS AND SCORES! 120 TO 70 FOR SLYTHERIN!" There was cheering from the Slytherin Side and a small group of Griffindors in the front row of the stands. Harry grinned at them. Alice was shouting insults to the Hufflepuff beaters. "Don't you dare hit one of those at Owen or you will have your-" She was drowned out by the fifth year commentator who shouted. "TOM DINK INTERCEPTS THE QUAFFLE AND HEADS FOR THE HUFFLEPUFF HOOPS! OH BOTH BLUDGERS NAIL HIM AND HIS BROOM. HE DROPPED THE QUAFFLE AND HUFFLEPUFF CAPTAIN LAURA ARCHER HEADS TOWARDS THE SLYTHERIN GOAL POSTS!" Laura Archer dodged a bludger that was aimed at her arm and did a sharp hook around another enemy chaser.
Harry nudged Susan gently. She looked at him and he pointed to the Slytherin keeper. There was a small golden blur floating there. Just as Susan saw it both seekers saw it as well. ARCHER SCORES! GIVING HUFFLEPUFF 80 TO 120! BOTH SEEKERS SEE THE SNITCH! The two small seekers dived and glided over the ground of the pitch both chasing the gold ball. The Slytherin seeker rose up from the ground a few spaces to avoid getting into contact with the Hufflepuff seeker who was flailing his arm. The Slythern seeker dodged a bludger sent in his direction and pitched slightly. The snitch finally rose in to the air before the seeker below him could reach it and the Slytherin seeker grabbed the snitch on its ascent. JAMES MALKITE GETS THE SNITCH! SLYTHERIN WINS! There were shouts of boos from the Hufflepuff stands and some from Griffindor before Pam, Alice, and Bruce told them in very colorful words to be quiet. Minerva shouted their names but they were already back to cheering Slytherins' win.
Harry chuckled at the display and walked Susan back to hospital wing to look over the injured. He said a quick good bye and she kissed him. The students laid up in beds cheered at the show. Harry grinned and went to his class for the big test that would start in the early afternoon.
-o-
"Alright congratulations you finished the first stage of the course." The class had just finished their basic Occlumency tests. Many of them looked exhausted from the mental attacks their professor gave them. "Since tomorrow is Hogsmeade weekend, you don't have class. Take the time to rest your mind, meditate only for ten minutes at most tomorrow and tonight if you feel you must." The class filed out except for the same four students. It became habit for Alice, Owen, Bruce and Pam to stay behind and discuss the class with their professor. They all sat on the couch and patiently waited for Professor Potter to walk over. Alice was stretching since they had been sitting in the same spots for some time when Harry took a seat from a desk. "I am glad everyone did so well on the unit."
Pam laughed, "It was neat trying to push you around my mind, though I wish I could lock up some of the time when I was just oggling-." She promptly blushed and closed her mouth.
The rest of the group laughed. "Its ok, I had problems like that too. And my teacher wasn't as nice about it as I was." Harry suddenly looked somber.
Owen asked, "Who was it?"
Harry smiled at him and said, "Professor Snape, he was the previous head of your house."
Alice chuckled, "That must have been fun."
"As you can imagine its hard to work with Occlumency when he is standing there glowering at me." Harry chuckled at them when the two upperclassmen snorted. Pam and Bruce remembered Professor Snape.
Alice asked. "So what are we going to start on Sunday?"
Harry smiled but said, "I don't want to ruin the surprise. But with all of you at the same level the lesson won't take much longer than an hour, then about another hour to master the skill. Then we will have a special class on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday." Harry felt good that they would have fun with those classes. He definitely would. "I have spoken to your professors for those scheduled days. And they agreed you are all doing well enough to miss those classes. But I will be moving the time around so you won't miss the same class two days in a row."
The group looked happy at the prospect of learning something quickly and skipping a few regular classes to attend their favorite class. The group talked more about what they planned to do. Alice said she was stuck in the castle for the day. The group felt sad and said they would stay with her but she quickly told them to go and enjoy the first Hogsmeade of the year. If they want they can stay with her next time. But she forbade them to stay for this one. The group laughed but nodded. They slowly trickled out of the class room to where it was Alice and Harry again. Harry moved around the class and placed books back on shelves and locked up his desk. "You ready to go?" Harry conjured a piece of parchment and signed a note for Alice so she would be able to go to her tower with out getting into trouble.
"Yes, Too bad dinner doesn't end any earlier, these late nights are build up." Alice stopped another yawn.
Harry smiled and agreed. "That is another reason we are having those classes during the day as well. I plan on doing more of them later in the year so that you can all have at least one night of decent sleep a month."
Alice laughed, "I am sure I speak for everybody, that if we wanted to have a decent night of sleep we would just sleep instead of meditate."
Harry laughed, "You got a point there. I'll see you around tomorrow then."
"Yeah, I still have to finish up my studying for the OWLS this year."
Harry whistled as they stepped out of the portrait. "I can't imagine doing that, OWLS, then strait to NEWTS."
Alice smiled under her bangs. "Its not that bad. I already finished most of the OWL work, I am just brushing up over the year. And I get to relax and goof off with the other students during class. I can always tutor them later if they don't pay too much attention. Besides when I am all done I can just take electives. I always wanted to take a full course of muggle studies."
Harry shook his head. "I, for one, am very impressed that you were able to do so well. And I never took muggle studies but from what I saw of how little the wizarding world knows about the muggle one I wouldn't let myself be dependent on muggle studies to be able to survive out there. I once saw a pair of Aurors once walk around muggle London. One man was wearing a wedding dress that is made for a women. Other Auror was dressed in a very ugly spring dress in the middle of Autumn. When I asked them why they chose those, they complained it was the closest thing to robes they felt comfortable in." Alice didn't get it all but she understood the wedding dress part and was laughing along with him. "If you take muggle studies try and find a muggle friend to get some more extended knowledge." Harry winked at her.
She smiled, "If you talk to Miss Bones, tell her I would like to talk to her again when she has some free time. Its great to just chat about stuff." Alice waved happily and ran up the steps towards the tower, she was late for the Griffindor party that had started already.
Harry waved back then headed for the Infirmary where he was able to spend time with his girlfriend every late evening. He pulled out a quill and transfigured it into a white lilac. Harry entered the medical hall and was pleased that no one had to be laid up in the wing over night. Harry quickly walked to the back office. He rapped several times and waited. Susan opened the door and smiled when he handed her the flower.
"Thank you." She kissed him and then led him inside. "Have you spoken with Albus about tomorrow?"
Harry sat on the couch in front of the fire. Susan leaned against him after she slipped off her shoes. "Yes, I am going through with the testing tomorrow." Susan wrapped her arms around him and nodded. "All three of us will just do it in his office since it's the most secure location in the school. The Gargoyles have been instructed to never open the doors if I get out of control." Susan hugged him tighter.
"I am scared." She confessed. Harry kissed her.
"We both are. Albus believes, and so do I, that while we are testing the curse, I should be able to fight it. It is very weak right now from the lack of magic it needs to be fed. It hasn't been eating any magic for over four years. Believe me, if I feel for a moment that it is building close to what it was like before I left I will stop everything. Are you sure you want to come along? I am perfectly able to administer healing to myself if I need to." Susan wanted to throttle him for being dumb but just kissed his neck and hugged him tighter. The couple sat in the same position for a few hours until they both fell asleep. In the morning they would go through another trial and they were both worried that it would kill them both.
-o-
Saturday morning appeared faster than Harry had hoped. Sunlight beamed over his face making him reluctantly open his eyes and look away. He looked over to the weight on his shoulders and smiled as Susan was still there nuzzled against him. He kissed her forehead and waited for her stir. She looked up at him and smiled after a second of being confused as to why he was here. "Are you ready love?"
Susan placed her face to his neck again. "No. But we are going to do it anyway." Harry firmly wrapped his arms around her. I would never harm you Susan. I stopped myself then, and I can stop myself now. Harry led her to the back room where they both showered together and walked out the infirmary. They ate their breakfast and both looked over to Albus. He nodded at both of them then leaned over to speak to Minerva.
"Minerva, I am going to my office along with James, and Susan. We are not to be disturbed. Regardless of what is going on. I have told the Gargoyles to not allow anyone access including you. I have no idea how long we will be but it may very well be into the night." Minerva looked shaken by the sudden information but nodded and continued to eat her breakfast. Albus, Susan and Harry all stood up and headed for the headmasters office.
When they entered the office, many of the items were pressed to the side walls. The portraits all watched eager to see what was about to happen. Harry casted several wards around the room. He smiled as he finally was able to revert to his original self. Harry stole a quick glance over to his girlfriend. They both smiled when she took in a good look at him now that he was normal. "Susan can you stand over here please?" Susan obediently walked to the side entrance that lead upstairs to Albus' quarters. Harry raised his hands and a barrier blue and silver beaded lights formed around her in a square. Harry then weaved a stronger form of his magic barrier that had a yellow hue to it. "Susan."
She was looking at the lights that had now encircled her and looked up to him, "Yes Harry?" The barriers all turned gold in response to her voice.
Harry smiled at her. "Now only you can break down the barrier. You can send magic out but none can come in. Even I would have a hard time breaking it down. When we are done, say, Finite Incantatitem and you will break down the barrier. Don't say it until all three of us agree that we are done. Alright?"
Susan felt upset, she thought she would do more than just watch. But she nodded. Harry kissed his hand and pressed it against the barrier. Golden waves of light moved away from his hand in wake waves. Susan did the same.
"Sorry Albus lets get started." Called Harry over his shoulder. He gave Susan one last parting glance then turn to his former headmaster. Albus had his wand out and was already enchanting a circle that was in the middle of the room. Harry stepped into the circle and centered himself in it. The drawn circle began to glow on the ground. A light suddenly beamed and encircled around Harry. Albus's brow slacked now that he no longer needed to concentrate. Albus nodded for Harry to go ahead. "Alright," Harry looked over to Susan. "I am releasing my barriers." There was a sudden pop and violet-black light burst in an explosion from Harry. The light didn't travel farther than the circle Harry stood in. He took several deep breaths. When he looked to Albus his eyes were glazed over. "O.K. its loose." Harry sucked in his breath. All the air in the cylinder poured itself into the young professor.
Harry looked around slightly surprised. "A barrier?" Harry grinned and touched it. It stung his hand and he shook it slightly amused. "I wonder how strong it is." Susan looked at Harry concerned, she didn't know that he might not remember who he was. Harry raised his hand at the barrier and it gently shook form the sudden impact. Harry snarled. "I am not going to be a prisoner!" He raised both hands to the barrier. His palms glowed white before another impact shook the whole office. Harry panted for a moment before he looked over to Albus, "Sorry. I forgot how much effort it took to fight it. Especially with all the ambient magic in this building. It overwhelmed me for a moment with just the magic in the air of this cage." Harry looked over to Susan who was beginning to cry. "I am alright now Susan. Sorry to have scared you." Harry looked back to Albus. "Albus lets skip through the first three tests I can tell now they won't help with this curse." Albus nodded, silently agreeing.
-o-
Alice had finished her OWL homework and wasn't interested in over viewing her NEWT course material so she walked down to the class room and realized with a pang she would be the only one in the class that was not in Hogsmeade. She let out a depressing sigh. She silently wished she could find her 'dad' or Miss Bones. One of them might want to talk to her. Alice grabbed a random book from the shelf and sat on a chair. The book was muggle and dealt with improving concentration. She sat down to read it only to feel restless. After a half an hour she slammed the book in frustration. "O.k. I was dumb not to let them stay." She blew out air that she had been holding in. "Too bad no one in my class are friendly to me anymore."
The room shook for a moment. "What was that?" When another one didn't follow she sighed. "Must be a potion exploding." Alice felt a touch of resentment towards her friends but shrugged it off. The weeks of meditation and organizing her thoughts told her that thinking those thoughts would be counter productive. She moved to a comfortable couch and began to meditate.
When she opened her eyes she looked around the room. It was full dark outside. "Man what the hell was that? I just thought I was meditating for a bit. I must have been down here for almost the entire day." She stretched then suddenly felt her stomach grumble. "Heh, I guess I missed lunch, hopefully I haven't missed dinner." She got up and ran out of the portrait and found her self outside of the castle. "Whoa." Alice looked around and saw the castle was different from what she thought it should look like. She looked over to the exit of the gates and saw her house she and Aunt lived in. She shivered and rationalized. "O.K. this is either a dream or I found something that I blocked out in my mind." Alice thought of what she could do to test it. She wrote out things with her wand and read them perfectly normal. At least they were for her. "Well unless my mind is playing tricks on me, I guess this is in my mind since I shouldn't be able to read while sleeping."
She walked around the castle and tried to find another way back in or at least snap out of her trance.
-o-
Harry was slumped over and dripped sweat. Albus didn't look any better. Seven hours of burning magic would tire anyone. Harry had changed back and forth several times after a few tests. But other than that he was glad nothing else was needed. He looked to Susan who stood and watched. She had stopped crying half way through the test. He felt horrible for allowing her to see him like this.
"Harry I am sorry but aside from the barrier you made I don't see how to stop the curse. What ever we do the curse eats it. I am actually worried what would happen if you die prematurely. Would the curse seek someone else or rest in your very bones. The ideas are disturbing." Harry heartily agreed. Cursed bones are easily one of the most powerful items in magic and only a few have come up in the last thousand years.
"Are we done for today Albus?" Harry took in another deep breath. He hadn't felt this magically drained in some time.
"Yes I think we are, but lets give us a half hour rest before we bring down any wards so you can recover enough to place your own personal ones."
Harry nodded relieved. He sat down in the circle and looked over to Susan. She smiled at him reassuringly. She kissed her hand and placed it against her barrier. Harry did the same from inside the circle barrier.
-o-
Alice had been wondering around in the space for some time and found nothing that could tell her where she was, how she got there or even how to get back out. The castle of Hogwarts was sealed off. There were no doors she could try to open and after feeling the walls she knew they were all solid. After sitting back down and meditating she still found herself inside the space in her mind. Alice had read about places where wizards had broken off part of their minds to forget, or to protect something. The second year knew that those who have partitioned their minds should know they have done it. What confused her more was the fact that there didn't seem to be anything here but places.
Alice sighed and looked over to the gates that led to her house. "I guess I have no choice but to go to that damn house." Alice began to walk down the road to her Aunts house. It sat on a similar hill but slightly different to the one the house sat on in real life. Unlike Hogwarts where she had to spend some time trying to get into it. The door to the mansion was where it should be. Alice grabbed the handle and her face immediately changed. She remembered exactly what she hid here. "bugger."
-o-
Owen, Pam and Bruce met up at the gates of Hogwarts and walked back together. "You think Alice would mind that we have an extra party for her?" asked Owen cheerfully.
"I am sure she was bored out of her mind today. Its our fault too. We should have come back early." Pam looked guilty.
"No, she was right she would have been mad if we stayed plus the first Hogsmeade of the year is always the best." Bruce carried several bottles of butterbeer for them and Alice. "Besides it makes it sweeter when we can all relax somewhere in the castle together at night."
Pam laughed, "Can it be? The snobby, rule loving, rich boy wants to stay up after hours?"
The seventh year made a face copying Pam's teasing word for word. "I'll have you know I was a terror in my day. I…. Just happened to mellow out in my old age." The three laughed at that and entered the castle. They all agreed to look for Alice and come back at the library in ten minutes. Pam was back first since she looked in the library and the surrounding halls. "Any luck?" asked Pam, when Owen and Bruce walked up to her.
"Nope," the girls in her dorm said they haven't seen her all day."
"No one was in the infirmary, I thought for sure she would be there talking to Miss Bones. Wait, none of us checked Professor Dursley's class room."
There was a collected hands applying themselves to foreheads. The three friends hurried down to the class room and saw her sitting on the floor leaning against one of the couches. They smiled at each other. "Yo Alice wake up!" Bruce placed down the butter beers.
Pam walked up to the girl and extended a hand out to touch her. She received a magical shock. "Oww. Alice don't do that it hurts." Pam shook her hand. When she looked down, Alice was still sitting there with her eyes closed. "Alice?" Her voice was a little more concerned. Pam tried to touch her again. Violet tendrils of magic threw her back several feet where she landed flat on her back. Pam got up immediately. She looked at Alice who let out a slight whimper. She looked over to the two boys. "Guys! Get Professor Potter now!"
-o-
Harry waved for Susan to go outside, he needed to speak with Albus in private, she looked hurt for a moment but Harry's eyes pleaded. She nodded and walked out. Harry turned to Albus who nodded. "I am sorry we are in this mess Albus. I think when I exorcized the mass of the curse it changed the original nature of it. I don't think it was ever meant to absorb the magic around me. It just latched onto my own ability." Harry stood unsteadily.
"That is likely the case. I am not condemning you. I was pleased your quick action led to leaving the curse as it is now." Harry nodded sadly. "I can't imagine how the loss of Rain affected you, especially on how he is apart of your own mind. However I know what the consequences would have been if you or your tiger did not decide to sacrifice him." Harry nodded. He felt a tear of regret and frustration in his eye. Harry said a quick good bye and walked out of the office with a sad looking headmaster gazing after him.
Harry was just strong enough walk out of the office under his own power. Susan walked closely to him as they headed down the hall towards the Gargoyle. Harry's girlfriend wanted to get Harry to the infirmary to give him a once over to make sure his magic reserves would be alright. "I am sorry we couldn't find anything James." Susan said quietly.
Harry reached out and grabbed her hand. "I didn't expect to find anything the first time we did this, we just know now what not to try. We'll be ok." She smiled as they cleared the steps of Albus's office. Harry froze in his steps. "Oh God. What is that?" He started running. He almost stumbled but Susan stabilized him as they ran.
"What is it?"
"There is something wrong. There is pain tainted magic flooding the halls." He continued to run and looked around for a moment. "Its coming from my class room." Harry cleared three steps at a time being careful not to get himself killed by miss stepping. Bruce saw him and shouted, "Professor Dursley!"
Harry caught up to him, "What is wrong?"
Bruce started running back to the class room with Harry and Susan close behind him. "I don't know, me, Owen and Pam went down to the class to find Alice. When Pam tried to get her out of her meditation, she was thrown back. Alice looked bad."
Harry sped up his pace and passed by Bruce. Susan and Bruce were trying to keep up but were already half a hallway behind him.
Harry saw the portrait and shouted, "ARVALIS!" The old man hissed a 'not so loud' but the door opened as he reached it. Harry ran in and saw Pam pacing around Alice trying to just touch her. "Don't do it Miss Johnson."
Pam ran up to him and said, "What's wrong with her?" She was beside herself with tears.
"I don't know yet." Harry sat in front of Alice. He heard Susan and Bruce come in. "Everyone stay back there." Harry murmured a few words. Violet energy repelled them. "Looks like she found something in her mind she wasn't expecting." Harry stood up and looked over to the group. "Susan I am going to need you to stay. Everyone else, out. Now." Pam wanted to protest but the look her professor gave her made her stop. The three students left the room. When the portrait closed Harry sighed and stood up.
"What is it Harry?" Susan walked next to him.
They both looked at the girl. "Alice partitioned something in her mind. Since she doesn't know how, I am expecting that she stumbled on a very bad memory and is stuck in it." Harry stood in front of her and held out his palm. He felt a force press against it. "Susan I am going to do something stupid."
Harry took off his robes and sat down again. He felt slightly comfortable in just slacks and a t-shirt. "Susan, can you summon your spider Shan? I am going to dive into her mind but I need an anchor."
Susan's face contorted. "Alright, give me a second. I haven't done this in a while." She gave Harry a small smile. Susan pulled out her wand and closed her eyes to concentrated on strength. When she opened them the blue of her eyes extended from iris to the pupil. Several long silver legs wrapped around Susan's body. The spider jumped off Susan's back and looked up at her surprised to be there. "There is no time to explain Shan."
The spider's body moved in the pattern of a head nodding. It looked over to Harry. "Shan I need you to come over here and wrap a magic dispersing web around me. I am really weak and I have a curse sealed with in my body. It can't get out while I am in Alice's mind. Got that?" The spider promptly sprayed a web around Harry, the web glowed gold before beads of silver light encircled him. The web began to constrict until it was tightly wrapped around Harry's body. It continued to wind tighter. It finally went into his body until it could not tighten anymore. The silver light of the web was still connected to the spinnerets of the spider and it feed the web caged.
Susan looked satisfied with the job and said, "We are done here Harry, be careful."
Harry smiled gratefully at the two. Harry closed his eyes and let himself fall into Alice's mind.
-o-
Harry found himself in front of Hogwarts. He quickly looked around knowing that Alice would not be there. He saw a dark corner of the field and saw a house in the distance. He ran as fast as he could. God I hope I am not too late. Harry jumped over several toys that littered the ground when he passed the gates to Hogwarts. The door to the mansion was open and Harry slowed to stop in front of it. He placed his hand on the door and felt anger there. He pulled his hand away shaken from the mental image it left. He finally kicked it the rest of the way open with his foot and walked in. Alice was sitting in the middle of the parlor her back to him. He could hear her cry. "Alice?" The girl stood up and turned to him. Harry was relieved it was Alice but became more alarmed when he saw her wearing a white mask. He relaxed slightly when he realized it wasn't a death eater mask. The black markings scrawled across it in to barely distinguishable lines of a face.
"I am scared." Alice said in a small voice. She took a single step back. The ink on the mask changed again the markings looked angry. "I won't be scared!" A wave of violet magic flailed at Harry. He dodged it and started walking towards her. "I have to fight back!" Another wave attacked Harry. This one was quicker. Harry took the hit of the wave and felt his knees buckle. Not because it was a hard hit but the memories that were trapped in there.
The girl was sitting on a chair in the parlor. She was reading a book on blood lines. Her aunt appeared. Her aunt raise her wand. Imperio. Scream.
Harry shook off the fragmented memories. He ran towards Alice calling her name. "I can't stop fighting!" Alice thrust another wave of magic. Harry was split between what this would show about her that Alice had locked away and dodging it to get to Alice. Harry avoided the beam of light and ran the last stretch to Alice. "I won't be like you!" Harry wrapped his arms around her as she screamed out 'you'.
"You will be a good little pure blood and accept your place in life as a Niete." NO. "You will! Imperio" NOpain
"You will take this punishment until you are!" pain
Harry felt Alice scream. It rang in his ears when the building disappeared. Alice and Harry were standing in a stone room. It was like similar to the class room but not quite right. Harry saw Alice standing still. She still wore the mask but she looked confused. "Alice?" he asked quietly.
Alice looked at him. "Alice…" she said blankly. The mask smiled. "My name is Alice." Alice sat down with a thump. The mask began to crying. Ink ran down the face of the mask. Harry saw a few tears drip off confused girls' chin. Harry sat down next to her and gave her a hug. "You are safe now." The mask cracked. Harry slowly rocked her as he heard Alice sob. "No one will get you here. You are safe with me." Harry saw another crack in the mask. "I promise never to let anyone hurt you like that again." Harry felt the weight of the promise he just committed himself to.
"Promise." Alice said as if she were trying to remember what the word meant. The cracks began to multiply. Light from inside the mask pulled the mask towards Alice's face. The fragments sank into her and she looked up at him still scared.
Harry brushed her bangs away and smiled at her. "Welcome back Alice." She wrapped her arms around him and cried. Harry just sat there with his charge. Harry consoled the little girl somewhere between their minds .
-o-
Harry felt himself back in his own body. He looked to Susan who smiled in relief. Susan looked down to her spider. "Thank you Shan, that will do." The silver spider let go of the line around Harry and clicked at Susan affectionately before it began to fade away.
Alice slowly opened her eyes. Harry and Susan hovered over her still concerned. "Are you alright Alice?" Asked Susan tentatively.
Alice looked around confused then remembered everything. She was crying again, but said, "Thanks d-dad. I needed that." Susan gave Alice a hug who quickly hugged her back. Harry gave her an appreciative look.
The man let out a breath of air relieved that he was able to pull her out. "Any time Alice." Harry messed Alice's hair.
Alice took several breathes when she looked up still scared but asked insecurely. "Did you mean it?"
Harry smiled and got on his feet feeling a little weak. "Every word." He extended his hand and Alice took it smiling. "Lets get us both checked out. And get some sleep, I am exhausted." Alice smiled and realized how weak she was. Both magically and physically.
Alice looked at Miss Bones and said, "Um, I didn't eat anything. Could I eat at the infirmary?" Susan smiled and nodded.
The portrait opened the Alice's friends enveloped her in their arms. Pam refused to let her go for over a minute. By then the group was half way to the infirmary. When both Harry and Alice were checked out, Susan ordered them both to stay in their beds for the night. Alice and Harry shared a grin at that. Pam asked finally, "So what the hell happened?"
Alice felt shaky for a second but it passed quickly. "I think da-Dursley would explain it better." Alice looked down inter her cup of soup and drank it slowly. She was beat red but only Pam noticed her almost slip up.
Owen and Bruce looked over to Harry who was laying in bed behind Alice. Harry was still laying down when he said. "Alice had several memories that she partitioned in her mind so she would not have to deal with them. Its different from regular mental repression because the partitioned memories are hidden away the moment they were at their most painful for Alice. And since she didn't do it on purpose she didn't remember she placed locks on her mind. When she was meditating she triggered a key in herself to unlock that partition."
Everyone looked at Alice but she said before they asked. "I am not talking about it. I need to come to grips with it first." Alice felt her body shake again. She stopped and her friends just gave her another hug before leaving to go to bed.
Harry sat up on his bed and asked, "Susan? Sorry for being a prat but I think I am hungry too." Susan gave him an impish grin and summoned a house elf to get him soup. Harry began to quietly eat on his bed. Alice turned around to sit on the other side of her bed so she was facing her 'father'. Harry placed down his spoon and looked up to her. "How are you feeling now?"
She still had her cup of soup in her hands. She lowered it to her lap and thought about it before she said, "Its like a distant memory but I feel it. When I think about it I start to shake." Alice then started to shiver a little. She stopped and looked at him. "That was the first time you called me by my first name." She said suddenly. She smiled at the thought.
Harry grinned. "You had me scared, I didn't care about formalities then." Alice nodded and went back to her soup.
Susan fussed over them for another hour before she was finally satisfied with them being tucked in and ready for sleep. Harry laughed saying. "Your almost as bad as Madame Pomfery." That earned him a light slap. Alice giggled and Susan gave them both a kiss on the forehead and told them to fall asleep.
When the door closed and the lights were finally out Harry laid there for a few moments before he said, "Not able to sleep?"
Alice giggled. "How can you tell?"
Harry smiled at the ceiling. "Cause I wouldn't be able to either. Would you want to talk about it or is it too soon?"
Alice mm'ed for a moment before she asked. "Were you able to see some of the memories?"
Harry unstuck his arm from his blanket and moved his hand through his hair. "Yeah I saw a little bit, they were more like flashes really. I remember you sitting on a chair, and your aunt being mad and telling you to be a good little pure blood."
Alice scowled and spat. "I remember hating her." Alice calmed for a moment. The girl was finally able to pull herself out of the tucked position and sat up. She felt tears stinging her eyes before she started speaking. "Aunt Nan wanted to teach me how to be a proper pure blood. When I refused to listen, she put me under the Imperius spell to make me listen. I got so angry when she tried that. I would shout no and be back to normal." Alice began crying harder and was barely able to get the last part out. "And then- she would get mad and put me back on the Imperius and then cast Crucio to punish me and make me listen. She. Didn't. Want. Me. To. Scre-" Alice couldn't finish. Harry had abandoned his blankets and was sitting on Alice's bed and hugging her. Alice sobbed into his chest and Harry sat there for the rest of the night not daring to leaving her side even after she finally fell asleep.
-o-
"Morning Susan," Harry said quietly. Susan walked over to him. He still sat on Alice's bed and had his hand on her forehead. He kissed Susan without moving his hand. Susan looked at the hand and Harry explained. "She sleeps longer if I remind her that I am still here. What she locked up in her mind was awful Susan."
Susan grabbed a chair and sat next to Harry. They both sat there watching Alice sleep for a time. Susan finally looked at them both then and smiled. She leaned against Harry and said, "You're a good daddy."
Harry smiled and looked from Susan to Alice. "I hope so." Harry looked at the time and it was almost nine in the morning. He gave a large yawn and looked at Susan who wanted to scold him. Harry smiled.
Susan looked back to Alice and couldn't help be soften when the girl was sleeping so peacefully. "Have you been up all night?" She asked softly.
Harry nodded. "I didn't want to leave her alone like this." Harry looked down to the sleeping student. "She has been alone long enough." Susan gave him a slight hug and told him she would get him some breakfast. She walked into her office and went to change clothes. Harry looked intently at the young girl. I need to get her out of there. Harry closed his eyes remembering he still needs to speak to Albus.
The front doors creaked open and Pam poked her head through. Bruce and Owen did the same. Harry smiled at them. When the door opened more, the whole class was there wanting to know if they could come in. Harry waved for them to come over but put a finger to his lips to tell them to be quiet. They all walked around Alice's bed. Harry whispered a few words to spell her forehead with his hands warmth and finally raised his hand off Alice's forehead. He looked at them and said quietly. "She doesn't want to be alone right now, it would do her good to have some company near by. She is just sleeping right now." Harry looked at his class. They were all looking at Alice, all wearing the same concerned face. He smiled at them. "I am glad that you all came to visit. It will mean a lot to her." Harry got off the bed and Alice only stirred a little. He nodded to the group and left for Susan's Office.
He came in as she was coming out of her own quarters. She smiled and looked outside and saw the group huddled around the single bed. She stood in front of the door looking at them. Harry walked behind her and placed an arm around her waist. "They all came?" She asked.
Harry nodded. Susan felt the nod against her cheek and said, "Lets get you fed and get you to bed. I am sure you are very tired, and you still have a class to teach."
Harry moaned, "Thanks for reminding me. At least I can get a full days sleep." Harry yawned. Susan laughed before she said, "No you don't, its Sunday. Remember? You got class in three and a half hours." Harry just dropped his shoulders. He had clearly forgotten what day it was. Harry ate a quick breakfast and went back to his hospital bed.
The group of kids were still there and talked quietly to themselves. Harry said quietly, "I am going to sleep for a few hours, class is still on." With that he promptly laid down and was sleeping in moments.
The class saw him lay down. They laughed quietly when he was already fast asleep.
-o-
Harry woke up and saw Alice hover over him. She giggled when his brows furrowed. "Get up, class is going to start without you soon." Harry sat up and noticed that it was just her and him in the hospital wing. Harry yawned again and looked at her sleepily.
"How long have you been awake?"
"I woke about an hour after you passed out."
Harry got out of bed and looked at her. She seemed much better after a long sleep. "I am sorry I wasn't there to see you wake up." Harry said earnestly.
Alice smiled and said, "I know you stayed up all night. Thank you." She ran up and gave him a hug. When she backed off she said teasingly. "Now get back to class mister. You are going to be late!" She waved as she headed off before him. Harry laughed. He stood up and stretched and went to Susan's office. Susan was at her desk going over some papers for a few students who had chronic illnesses. Harry told her he was heading out and would come back after the class was over. Susan kissed him soundly and pushed him out of her office with a playful slap to his rear.
Harry laughed as he ran to his class. He was already a minute late. He walked in as the class sat in their seats patiently waiting for the lesson to begin. He grinned at their faces as they were trying very hard to keep them strait. Harry changed back to Professor Potter and sat in front of his class.
"Alright class, we are going to try something a little different than what you have been used to." They all were excited and listened keenly to their professor. "We have covered meditation and practiced awareness and now we are going to combine those two skills to be able to see magical signatures." They all just sat there confused. A few seemed slightly disappointed.
"Sir isn't there a spell you can cast to do that?"
"Mr. Jones, you plan on training to be an Auror correct?" The seventh year nodded. "Well while your chasing someone and lost sight of him will you be able to have the time to cast a spell while he got farther away?" There was sudden understanding from some of the students. "The skill I am going to show you is a wandless skill. And that is one of the reasons we concentrated on meditation even now. So you would all be able to focus enough to use your magic with out the aid of a wand. Soon I hope you will all be able to use this spell with out the incantation, but that is a way off for most of you. Mr Jones come over here. You can be first." The boy flushed but walked up to his professor. "Stand towards the class." Harry smiled. He didn't want to confuse the boy by seeing his magical signature. It had too many nuances to it.
"Close your eyes and settle your mind so its in a meditative state. You remember what the surrounding class looks like?" Mr. Jones nodded. "Good. Now when I say so, open your eyes and say 'sight'." Harry stepped away from his student. "Now try to extend your awareness to your surroundings. You got it?" He nodded. "Alright open your eyes."
Mr. Jones opened his eyes and at the same time said, "Sight." He was suddenly blinded by the light he was seeing. There were several hues to each person. Some were brighter than others. He managed to utter. "Wow." Several students were getting excited. Mr. Jones looked around the room. He was surprised. "Professor? The walls! How?"
"Wait, and don't look at me yet, I need to explain some things first. Close your eyes." Mr. Jones did as ordered. "Think of relaxing your magic." The seventh year had trouble doing it but managed to work it right when he could see normally again.
"That was great!" He said cheerfully. "Everyone was different colors. Is that like looking at Auras?" He then turned back to his professor.
Harry shook his head. "Aura's are a state of being. What you were seeing was the reflection of magical power, and conditioning. As you saw it varies from person to person. And colors can even help show what a particular person excels at in magic. Such as transfiguration, and conjuring. It's a kind of aura, and I'll call it an aura but its not the kind of aura seers refer to."
Harry waved for him to sit down and the next person stood up and tried. After an hour the class all tried to and were able to perform 'sight'. They were all confused about the walls and why their Professor refused for them to see his magical signature. When they all sat down he stood from his desk. "Ok. First things first. The walls." Harry pointed at the wall on his left. The class's gaze followed. "As you have noticed when you were looking with the spell on, everything contains magic. Muggles have magic to varying degrees as well. They just don't have the ability to have it manifest it self. The books, tables, desks, all have a little magic in them from contact by various people. The walls, ceiling and floor of this room do not because of a very strong spell I placed on them. The barriers of this classroom do not allow magic to even touch the room itself. Which is why you don't see anything when you look at them. You just see a normal wall with a slight tinge of blue because of the spelled barrier itself. This is the strongest barrier I ever made, and I am the only one who knows how to make it."
The class tore away form the walls to their professor. They all just looked at him as awe struck as they did when they first saw him as Professor Potter. Harry grinned at them. "Ok now that the walls are explained, I guess I should explain myself since I forbade you to see mine. Although I caught Miss Niete and Miss Johnson look." Both girls ducted their heads. The class laughed. "Its alright. I would just rather had explained first before you all looked. I have several signatures. The first is my natural magical aura. The second is the aura that I used to defeat Voldemort." Harry was surprised that no one flinched when he said Tom's name. He smiled then continued. "The third is the magic passed on to me the first time Voldemort tried to kill me." Harry paused there looking sad for a moment then said, "And the fourth is a light centered here." Harry pointed in the center of his chest. "This was Voldemorts last curse. And its still there, sealed inside and unable to escape." The class looked surprised. Harry looked at them. None of them seemed scared or even alarmed to say he was still under a curse. When he looked up from his chest he said, "Go ahead and look at me with 'sight'." Several students did it immediately and some took a few seconds.
A few students gawked, some were blinded, and many more looked at him in awe. Alice looked at Harrys magical signature wondering a few things she saw there. There was a small pale green light on Harry's forehead. A vibrant green light in Harry's eyes. A violet light in the center of his chest that she now knew was a curse. And they were all almost being blinded out by his own blue magical aura. All the students in the class has a magical aura that flares away from their bodies. Their professors aura was the exact shape of his body. A few looked like they wanted to ask some questions about it, but didn't. They knew their professor shared more with them than they could have imagined. Alice took a closer look at the last curse Voldemort made. "Professor, the curse, its in the same magic barrier that the wall is made of isn't it?"
Harry looked at her surprised that anyone noticed. "Yes it is, ten points to Griffindor." Pam patted Alice on the back pleased with her friend. "This spell is the reason I am able to be here now. Without it, I could never have come back into the magical world without feeding the curse and making it stronger." The class looked back at their professor. He saw they all canceled the spell. "With out this spell, I would still be in the muggle world living as I did before." Harry looked at their faces.
"So professor, does that mean you have it on all the time?" Owen asked getting a little of the awe back in his voice.
Harry nodded. "Yes, I do. I have the spell on this curse, this room and around several rooms in the castle at all times." Harry felt a little insecure. He had told them far more than he wanted to but decided that they should know sooner or later. It just happened to be now.
Several students just stared at him. At least its not in the 'I want you now' way. He thought wearily. He looked at the time and was pleased they were done early. "Ok class we are done for the day. Go try out the spell around the castle. Get a feel for walking around while using the spell, you will need it for tomorrow. We got a special class tomorrow! You will meet in here at 9 a.m.! Don't be late I have already cleared it with all your other professors." The class suddenly buzzed with excitement. Everyone hurriedly ran out to try the new spell. Harry smiled when it was just Alice and himself alone again. "Any better?" Alice walked up to him and sat on his desk while he cleaned up after his students.
Alice was looking around the class with the sight spell and suddenly stopped. "I think I am going to be ok. The memories stopped coming up all the time this morning when you were sitting there. But still I don't know if I will get any sleep tonight." Alice shivered.
Harry patted her head. Thinking that he would need to speak to Albus before he does anything rash. "Lets go down to the infirmary. We can eat there and get you a draught of peace to take before you sleep later tonight."
Alice nodded. They headed out of the class room to the infirmary. At the same time, they both thought they were on their way to see the one person missing from their family.
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Woohoo! Part two is starting! Looks like both me and my beta are kinda busy now with the arrival of December. So I am going to put us a quick preview at the end of each chapter to keep you over until the next one comes up. Its at the bottom with some spoiler space.
Thanks for the reviews so far.
Heaven's Reaper: I could have used them as flash backs but I kinda hate using them. I did a fanfic where close to the entire chapter was a flash back, and it was ok, but it seemed to slow the story down and go in another direction that I don't want it to go at the time.
zero-skillz: Glad to see that I still get your seal of approval.
Tradiferis: Thanks for the review. Harry knows the ramifications of the curse and the importance and the unlikely hood of finding a cure. But I am not saying it either way if he does find one or not. Harry is making a plan for his future now that Susan is in it, but what that means to everyone else is still something to speculate.
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Preview chapter 7
Alice smiled when she saw that she was right.
Pam moaned. "What! Another riddle?"
One step ahead two steps behind,
Sight has more than one level in mind.
See and feel they are not the same,
Only with both can you end the game.
"So he have to learn another way of using sight with just feeling?" Asked Owen blankly.
Bruce sighed tiredly. "I hate this class."
