CHAPTER 4
(A/N: Again, I have forgotten the disclaimer so here it is: I do not own any of the original Harry Potter characters, story lines, etc. only the ones you have never seen before)
Robes billowing behind him, Harry stalked through the halls, not saying a word to anyone. He didn't even acknowledge Snape when the head Slytherin asked him where he thought he was going. A dark, grief-stricken look on his face, Harry went outside and walked down to the lake.
The clouds in the air thickened and darkened as he thought. Dammit, because of me people get hurt! He cursed himself. While he remembered everyone who'd ever gotten hurt or killed to help him, or because of him, the wind picked up, thunder began to crash. His parents, Sirius, Cedric, the old muggle gardener, Fred, Moody, Ginny, Hermione, Neville, Ron, even Quirell; they'd all been hurt or killed because of Harry.
If someone looked outside, they would have sworn it was a different month of the year. And that's just what Selena Splikvin thought as she glanced out her office window. The sky was a mass of dark, the only light came from the flashes of lightning that seared across the landscape. Thunder roared almost constantly, while rain and hail pelted down from the sky with icy speed. Winds howled furiously, lashing at trees and the few students who were running for the shelter of Hogwarts; all but one wizard by the lake. The ground trembled, the plants strained at their roots. Everything in the sky, on or in the ground seemed to be reaching for something—or someone. She whistled softly. "Oh boy..."
Harry's self-cursing thoughts were broken by a chime of voices. "One of us," they whispered, "Be at peace cousin, we are here for you."
Though he was still bitter, the air began to heat, and the storm raged on, Harry stopped thinking and found seven sprites standing in front of him. The wind sprite was visible because the rain fell on it, revealing its form. The light sprite was darting around in a radius of one foot, making it hard to observe its features. The shadow sprite was standing next to the light one, arms crossed. Its eyes were black coals, and its outlined was blurred. The other sprite was shades of red, yellow, and orange, a fire sprite was his guess. Harry recognized the water, forest and earth sprites from Hagrid's lessons. "Cousin, what has happened?" they chimed.
"I keep getting people hurt," Harry replied bitterly. "I want it to stop."
"Then stop the storm, you will only cause more hurt to those caught in it." The sprites answered.
"How?" Harry asked, finally noticing the chaos around him, "I don't know how it started!"
"You made it," they replied, "when your emotions went free, the elements answered you. See how all things strain to reach you?" Harry looked at the grass, it was pulling upright, reaching for him. "They wish to comfort you. You are one of their own cousin, and one of our own."
Harry starred at them, "How do I stop it?"
"Tell them all is well. Be calm, be steady, be at peace."
Harry took a breath, and began to Occlude his mind.
"No! Do not block it out." The sprites told him, "Truly be at ease. They will not believe you if you try to hide it. They can see past your guards, they are not human."
Harry closed his eyes, and took a deep breaths, allowing all bitter thoughts to leave him. I'm fine. George'll be okay. It will be alright, he thought.
The grass and trees were the first to go, returning to their normal state. The air cooled bit by bit. The rain and hail ceased, the winds and thunder gradually stopped. The lightning no longer flashed, and the ground stopped moving, but the dark clouds remained. "Shadows are not so easily dismissed," the sprite of darkness told him. Without the other sprites' voices, the shadow sprite sounded cold and mischievious. Harry nodded, and thought of good things, the light things. Slowly, the clouds faded; eventhough a few remained, they were white. "Thank-," Harry began, only to find that the sprites were gone. Or all but one at least.
The cool, whispy voice of a wind sprite sounded near Harry. "Never fear, we will always be there to help cousin. There are many of us all throughout the world. But seek counsil among the humans here, there is one who knows our ways, and the ways of the elements. They can teach you how to control your being, your connection to our kin the elements. May the luck of elementals always be strong in your veins, farewell."
Harry was left standing next to the lake, but he didn't feel quite so alone anymore. Silently, and not as bitter as before, Harry returned to the castle. As he walked back across the grounds, he noticed the pellets of hail on the ground. Biting his lip, he hoped no one had gotten hurt by them. He slipped back into the castle with no one noticing that he alone was dry, and then climbed back up to the hospital wing. On his way though, Harry was intercepted by Splikvin. "One moment Harry," she said, putting an arm out to stop him. "We need to talk."
"About what Professor?" he asked tightly.
She checked to make sure no one else was in the hall. "About the little event you caused outside," she said quietly, and led Harry into the Defense room, then into her office.
Her office was actually interesting to Harry. It was the size of a bedroom, and the walls were blue-green. Her desk, bookshelves and chair were mahagony. There was a glass door that led to her private chambers in the corner. A small potions lab table was set up against one wall, and a fireplace was on the opposite. There were two posters of the Russian and Blugarian quidditch teams on the wall above her desk, and they were autographed with personal notes to her. Several glowing spheres lit the room.
She gestured to one of the black armchairs next to the fireplace, "Have a seat." He sat, and so did she. "Care to tell me why you were so angry?" she asked.
"I was angry at myself," Harry replied quietly, "For getting everyone hurt or killed by Voldemort. Do you know about what happened to Ron's older brother, Fred?"
"No, I only knew something was amiss when the entire Weasley family came barging down the hall." She replied.
"I was out with a friend, in Hogsmede, when Voldemort tried to break into my mind. I shut him out, but not before he saw where I was. He sent three dementors and seven Death Eaters. My friend, Alex, she held off the dementors, and I went outside and knocked out five of the Death Eaters."
"They were found a few minutes ago," Splikvin told Harry before he could ask.
Nodding, he continued, "I went back inside after the last two Death Eaters went in. Alex was still keeping the dementors away, while Fred and George dueled Bellatrix and Crabbe or Goyle, I couldn't tell which one it was. I knocked him out, but not before Bellatrix his Fred with a poison slicing curse."
"Was anyone else hurt?" she asked.
"No, just Fred. But now he's hurt because of me. He'll be okay, but I still feel like shit." Harry finished bitterly.
She made no comment on his language. "That can be a good thing Harry," he looked at her, "Feeling wrong means you still have a conscience. Feeling wrong means that you still have a heart, that you are not evil. You are at fault, yes, but not of your own choosing. You are an elemental Harry, your self-bitterness revealed that."
"Can you help me?" he asked, staring at his clenched hands, "I don't want to hurt anyone."
"I myself am not an elemental, though I am an unofficial expert on people such as yourself. Not to mention I have a friend who is a shadow sprite." Harry looked up, surprised. Selena's mouth twitched in a smile, "I caught him lurking in my bookcase in my office in Durmstrang," she explained, "I believe he is actually under my wardrobe at the moment. Now, as far as controlling yourself, I suggest that we start next week. Seeing as how intense your first breakout was, I do not think I want to see your second."
"You mean they get worse?" Harry asked, horrified at what might happen.
She nodded, "Every time. I know an elemental who caused an earthquake. Seeing as how you are strongest in the wind and shadows, I believe your second or third could cause either a hurricane or a tornado."
"Next week is good," Harry replied, "The sooner the better."
Her eyes were grave. "Indeed, this is a matter in which patience is not ideal."
With the promise of secret elemental lessons, Harry went to find Ron and Ginny; they were still in the Hospital Wing. Pale and somewhat bitter still, Harry silently entered the infirmary. Snape was giving Mrs.Weasley a potion to help Fred, Hermione was next to Ron, Ginny was curled up in Bill's and Charlie's laps; George was still holding his twin's hand, Mr.Weasley had an arm around his wife, and Percy had his head in his hands. When the potions master came his way, Harry looked down so he wouldn't see the shame on his face. Snape halted, and tapped Harry on the shoulder, making the boy look up. The head Slytherin met his eyes and nodded, then continued out the door.
Confused as he was, Harry went and knelt next to Ron. "I'm sorry Ron," he whispered, "I didn't mean for this to happen." When Ron looked at him, Harry felt worse.
He'd never seen Ron cry, and that was what was happening right now. Ron patted Harry on the shoulder. "I know mate, and I don't blame you in the least."
By the next day, everyone in the school knew about Fred Weasley, even if they didn't know Harry'd been involved. Peeves moped and groaned in the hallway near the hospital wing, not even taking the time to harass the first years. What was stranger yet, was that a certain Slytherin hadn't even said a word about it.
Classes resumed as usual, and it was clear that Flitwick was upset by Fred's injury to anyone who saw him. In DADA, Proffesor Splikvin set up a routine that the class would drill on. They'd enter the room, and then the straw dummies in the room came to life, attacking the students mercilessly. They worked on this throughout the week, and more than one person went to Madame Pomfrey for burn treatment.
Finally, on Thursday, the quiet meal of breakfast was pierced by a shrieking firework and a cartwheeling Peeves who threw ink pellets at the diners. A loud applause burst from the Gryffindor table and Fred and George Wealsey entered the hall, wide smiles on their faces. "Thank you, thank you!" Fred hollered, arms outstretched, "No time for autographs I'm afraid!"
"Much too busy!" George agreed with a bow, "Weasley Wizarding Weezes is open once more! Please, feel free to stop by at any time!" Still grinning, they raised their wands and shouted, "Accio brooms!" Their brooms came speeding towards them, and the twins mounted them, and flew out of the hall; an explosion of fireworks in various colors and shapes followed.
The school atmosphere picked up from there, and Harry was fully able to relax now that Fred was completely healed. The next day, Harry headed down to the quidditch pitch with from after dinner, it was time for the try-outs.
There were several spectators in the stands, all from Gryffindor. Ron lead what remained of the quidditch team, which was Ginny alone, to the center of the pitch. Harry was waiting with the group trying out for seeker, there were only two other people with him: Dennis and Dean. "Ginny made me," Dean told Harry when he asked. There were ten people trying out for Chaser, and seven trying out for Beaters. Jack and Kirk had both resigned, and Ginny had switched to Chaser. "Alright you lot!" Ron called in his magnified voice, "This is the Gryffindor quidditch team try-outs! If you're scared of heights, or aren't a good sport in both wins and losses, leave now, because I'll make you later!" No one moved, so Ron continued. "Good. Now, seeing as how the fewest number of people signed up for Seeker, we'll start with you. C'mon up!" Harry, Dean and Dennis approached. "Now, you'll all be using Cleansweeps, just so we can make sure everything's even. Any objections?"
"No," they chorused.
"Alright then, grab a broom, and get into the air!" They did so, and were soon joined by Ginny. "Okay, here's how this'll work. I'm going to be the Snitch, all you have to do is follow me as close as you can. I'll be doing all sorts of things, so get used to strange maneuvers. When you're in reach of my broom, grab the tail of it. A whistle will sound, that's the signal for you to let go. I'll keep flying, and you let the other two fly until all of you have tagged me. Got it? Alright, let's fly!"
Ginny tore off into a steep dive, the others just behind her. She led them through a series of loops, sharp turns, climbs, track backs, and dives. Dean crashed on the second dive, and he gave up, saying he didn't want to be a Seeker anyway. Dennis put up a fair fight, but Harry easily beat him.
Once Dennis tagged Ginny, three minutes after Harry, Ron called them back to the ground. "Thanks for participating, you can go back to the common room or stay to watch." Ron said, "Up next, Beaters!"
Naturally, Harry stayed. To his surprise, Neville had signed up for beater, and did quite well. He was a bit rough around the edges, but that was fixable. Another good Beater trainee was a third year girl named Sara, though she didn't have the best handling of her broom. There were two places open for Chaser, and Harry found five rather talented players out of the ten who applied. Ron's going to have a hard time choosing, Hary thought as the tryouts came to a close.
"You did a good job Ron," Harry told his friend in the common room that night.
"Thanks Harry. Hey, what do you think of training a reserve seeker?"
"Brilliant," Harry replied.
Ron nodded and yawned, "Well, I'm goin' to bed mate. The list'll be posted tomarrow."
"Alright, see you later." Harry replied, and went back to finishing his transfiguration homework.
The entire Gryffindor house seemed to be crammed in the space next to the bulliten board when Harry and Ron entered the common room the next morning. "What the bloody-" Ron began, then took a breath. "Alright already! Stop squeezin' together you lot!" he bellowed, quieting them down. "If you weren't at the quidditch try-outs, back off! Let the players see who made it will ya? And wait your turn!" The students quietly shuffled either outside, to the armchairs, or to the dormitories, leaving about twenty people. "Very nice Ron," Hermione said, now descending the stairs from her dormitory.
"Thanks Herms," Ron replied. Harry caught the look in Ron's eyes and almost grinned, instead he went to check the list.
The New Gryffindor Team:
Ron Weasley: Keeper and Captain
Ginny Weasley: 1st Chaser
Elise Dirkle: 2nd Chaser
Jackie Mellot: 3rd Chaser
Euan Abercrombie: 1st Beater
Neville Longbottom: 2nd Beater
Harry Potter: Seeker
Dennis Creevy: Reserve Seeker
Thank you to all who participated and/or supported us at the tryouts, wish us luck! Ron Weasley
Harry grinned and couldn't help feeling relieved that he'd made it onto the team. Just then, Hedwig appeared at his side, holding a letter from Alex. She asked how he was doing, if Hedwig was happy, and also if 'Mr.Weasley #2' was okay yet. Unfortunately, she was going to be busy for the next month or so, and she only had Tuesdays off. Harry was dissapointed that he wouldn't be able to see her, and told her so in his letter.
Once Hedwig flew off, Harry went down to breakfast. While he ate and talked, a black and grey falcon dropped a letter in front of him, then took off before anyone could notice.
Meet me in my office at 3 pm. Your lessons will begin then. -S.S.
His first thought was that S.S. meant Severus Snape, but then he remembered Selena Splikvin, and gave a quiet sigh of relief. He pocketed the note, and realized that he hadn't worked out at all in the past week. So he left the hall, and prepared to teleport. "Psst!" a voice hissed.
Harry spun around, wand out. Remembering Snape's attempted attack on him during the summer, he didn't move.
"Over here," the quiet voice came.
"I know," Harry replied, just as quiet. "But who are you?" To his surprise, Draco Malfoy stepped out of the shadowy doorway, beaconing. Harry raised an eyebrow and kept himself armed, but did not move. Sighing, Malfoy took out his wand and tossed it to Harry, who caught it. Pocketing the wand, but keeping hisown out,Harry followed the Slytherin through the door.
It was an empty classroom, and the desks and chairs were stacked up against the wall. The entire room was dusty, and had a musky smell. "What do you want?" Harry asked, voice mostly polite.
"A truce."
Harry barely kept his surprise from showing. "Oh really? Why?"
Malfoy looked down, not really wanting to answer. "My father—I cannot call him that any longer."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, lowering his wand.
"You know I planned to be a Death Eater, I'm not denying it. But, when I was inspected by him, he used the Cruciatus Curse on me," Malfoy began.
"He does that to all of his followers," Harry put in.
Malfoy nodded, his shoulders slumped, and his voice was somewhat bitter. "No one ever told me that, until I found out for myself… After I was inspected, he sent me away, to initiate the newest members. Lucius told me to leave; but I was curious, so I hid in a tree. I—I watched as seven people had the Dark Mark burned into them," Malfoy's eyes grew haunted, as Harry's did when he remembered Sirius' death, but he continued. "They screamed loud, horrible screams of pain. And he, he enjoyed it! What was worse, was that my own father didn't mind, and he expected me to go through with that, his son!"
Malfoy shook his head, "After they received the mark, every Death Eater there used the Cruciatus Curse on them, and then he did as well. They screamed more, but I still stayed; I was hoping to see something that would convince me to join, something that made up for all that pain. I—I wanted it to stop…but it never did. Three hours later, he was still torturing them, and not just with the Cruciatus Curse. I couldn't take it, so I left—and I refuse to go back."
Harry was silent, then he gave Malfoy back his wand. "I know what it's like, to feel betrayed, left out, or abandoned, just like you thought being a Death Eater would be different from what it really was."
Malfoy took his wand back, "I find that hard to believe," he said quietly.
Harry chuckled, startling them both. "And I don't really blame you. Hogwarts is the one place I'm welcomed, where I have friends. You see, I never really knew my parents, they died to save me when I was only one. Then, Dumbledore took me to my aunt's house—she's a muggle. She hated my mother, and still does. In fact, she hates all magic, even the word, just because my mum was a witch, and she wasn't. I lived in that hell-hole for eleven years. My cousin and his friends had a favorite sport: Harry Hunting." Malfoy's eyes jerked wider, and Harry smiled bitterly. "Yeah, me. They pretty much always won, and by that I mean caught and kicked me around for a while. My aunt and uncle didn't have a problem with it. Actually, it only really stopped after I got my first letter from Hogwarts."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. As you can guess by now, my life away from Hogwarts isn't the pampered thing most people thought. I got so fed up with people running my life that I left two weeks into the summer this year, I won't say where I went, only that my friends got really spooked by my dissapearance."
Malfoy nodded, "I heard that you went missing from Fa- Lucius." He then stuck out a hand, "I'd like a truce between us, and a promise that neither of use will repeat what we said in here."
Harry nodded and shook Malfoy's hand, "Deal; though, we might want to stay a bit—aloof with each other in view of everyone else."
"Indeed, we don't want the entire school to die of shock before we graduate." He then smirked, "In quidditch though, I'm afraid the truce must be bent to a certain degree."
Harry smirked back, "Agreed."
Coming Up:
Elemental Lesson Number One
A Slip of Knowledge
Interesting Partners
Then:
Snape picks on Neville in class
Death Eaters attack once more
( A/N: Ah, the handshake was such a historical moment, don't you think? Hope you enjoyed this chapter!)
