CONFUSION
Hermione sat in the middle of a blank forest as usual. Yes, forests are never blank, but this forest is so much filled of void it can be described in no other way than blank. There is no color, neither is the feeling of touch, she is just trying to figure out how to escape from there with out being lost in void. An inarticulate hiss came from the nearest bush; Hermione swirled around to look at the bush. Instead of looking at the bush, she is rammed in to the bush at full force. The bush caught her just as an octopus tries to catch its prey, but the bush is exerting no force on her. It that bush is void just as any other thing present in that place, and the void is trying to get it self filled with her. Hermione could now feel the small tingle on her finger, soon it extended to her head. A blank sound started to rise in her head, which she knew very well will arise only when she is exhausted beyond her capacity.
'No I have to get out of here' thought she desperately, but she is in no position to escape. The feeling started to descend down from her head – as though some invisible hands of ice are moving down her body. They slowly caressed her scalp numbing all the thoughts, only one feeling remained in world – nothing. Those hands are moving down now, on to her eyes, with in seconds she is seeing in to a pitch black abyss, she don't know whether any thing existed near her or with in kilometer or infinity.
'No! I have to get out of here.' Thought she desperately again.
'I have to wake up' she repeated to her self – 'please, I have to wake up' she repeated again. It is as though an extremely strong force is pulling her in to the dark ness, while an unknown light is shining on her body. She just has to open her eyes, which are feeling ridiculously heavy. She tried again to get up with all her strength, with a jolt, bush released her. Suddenly, she felt as though she is falling in to an abyss, her stomach felt weird, it's as though falling from great height. The muscles in her stomach are clenched together, while she could feel pain course through her backbone. She just hit some thing, thank god, she is intact, and Hermione opened her eyes in delight. She is looking directly in to some weird green eyes. She backed immediately looking at those eyes again. There is shock, then slowly, pain came in to them, as though looking at her is killing them, it transformed in to something immediately, hate, anger. Hermione slowly took in the appearance of the person before her. Harry is looking at her with bitterness and anger. Sure, she is the grand daughter of dark lord, but Harry doesn't even know it, then what inspired such unpolluted hate in him? Slowly, very slowly, Hermione's numb brain started to work again, but the solution it brought out need not be nice. Is he blaming me for Sirius's death? Hermione asked her self. Before she could stop her self, her eyes are filled with tears, not for the first time in her life, tears of helpless ness poured through her eyes. She whirled around and ran to her bedroom, she would never let him see her crying if she could help it. She cried down all her frustrations, the jealousy which she felt when her sister commented her, loneliness she felt all the time, every thing. After five minutes and one pack of tissues, her tears stopped. She felt slightly better but all her worries are still with her. So, in typical Hermione way, she settled down to solve them logically though she is still feeling utterly helpless and depressed. Finally, she came to the conclusion it is better to go down, and keep her emotions at minimum. She closed her eyes, and repeated to her self strongly, 'Harry is no friend of mine. He is just a person who shares the tower with me – I don't care for his friendship'. She opened her eyes after two minutes of hypnotizing her self, her usual method of dealing with stress and pain. 'It's funny that I should make my self feel so melancholy to meet my once upon a time friend' thought she chuckling sardonically.
She walked down stairs slowly, but resolutely. She is the best thing that has ever happened to him, so she wouldn't let her self feel other wise. 'Well, that's not right, but any other conviction wouldn't give me enough strength to face him' thought she involuntarily, remembering the latest psychiatric article she read. Yes, it's indeed a known and well established psychiatric theory she is applying to her self. Now, if she didn't read it any where in books, it wouldn't be Hermione. Would it be?
She walked down working her self to a level of bitchiness where she would have thrown a tantrum if she isn't a grown up girl. One, just one look at Harry, all her defenses crumbled like walls of cardboard against a tornado. 'Why do he have such an affect on me?' she cursed her self, nevertheless, she walked towards him.
He is seemingly heading towards her room, but he looked like he just realized he has broken his favorite trophy. Harry is silent with shock for a few seconds, then he started rambling off his apology. Hermione stopped him with a hand, smiled at his red face. Unfortunately, the smile didn't reach her eyes, made Harry feel still more horrible.
"It's ok Harry. I just thought you don't like seeing me." Said she motioning him to sit. There, I clearly expressed my indifference, thought Hermione.
" It's not that Hermione , I just happen to remember every thing." Answered Harry.
" I know Harry. It is hard to take in. Sirius is like a parent I never had. And it pains me to think if only I was vehement while opposing u, It wouldn't have happened. I told my self it would have happened any way if it has to be happened, but it just pains me even more. I am sorry Harry. I am really sorry." Now, tears are streaming down her face with more intensity. Even that didn't prevent her from commenting to her self – ' if only I knew what happened to him accurately'. Yes, she had asked every one she can about what happened to Sirius, but they replied he died. She just couldn't understand how people can die just like that, that is with out being hit by AvadaKedavra. Harry stood up suddenly, walked to fireplace facing any thing other than Hermione. It pained her even more, he couldn't even accept her sympathy. What will he do if he knows her grandfather is voldemort him self, when he didn't even accept her condolences towards his godfather's death? Asked Hermione. Funnily, it made her feel more guilty than angry. The guilt she is suppressing from the moment she had known how Sirius died flooded her, even before she could stop her self from looking so – forlorn – words left her mouth.
" Harry, can you forgive me? " called Hermione tentatively. Now, she had done it. she had many reasons to utter that sentence in even more pitiable intonation, but not one of them is some thing she can tell to Harry.
" When ever I talked with you in phone, there is hidden pain in your voice. I am sorry Harry, I could have stopped u, but I just made you leave. I know all the time it is going to be a trap. I should have come here earlier. Please, can you forgive me?" asked Hermione pitifully.
What ever Hermione had expected him to do, it is not what he had done. Harry walked towards her, hugged her. It's not a hug that consoles, but which conveys dependence, that very feeling of being depended upon convinced her more than she can imagine. They just sat there crying out their pain.
Hermione gasped and released Harry when a jolt of current hit her. He is almost screaming clutching his scar, his face is paler than ever. Hermione's heart beat rose with tension, 'what in the name of Merlin is happening to him?' she asked her self while vigorously shaking him. Harry is still writhing in pain, while clutching his scar. She is just about to floo order when he stopped flailing like a sheep about to be slaughtered, Hermione is visibly relaxed, but that doesn't mean she is eased of her panic since his next words shocked her beyond her wits.
'Azkaban is attacked'.
Those words are enough to jolt her awake.
'dear god! I am dreaming' she told her self as though dreaming is a task meant for idiots. Well, it is meant for idiots since Trelawny asks for dreams.
Since she is intelligent than most people, she immediately remembered daily prophet would come in few minutes. So she started her morning with analysis of her dream. She isn't stupid enough to believe her dream is seer dream. No thanks, she is very much scientific. She remembered the blank forest, and the sticking feeling vividly, that must be the result of going to sleep thinking about Azkaban. So, her nearest memory in time - that is talking to Harry – woke her up. Prophet's owl arrived shortly after she brushed her teeth and about to wash her face. She took the paper eagerly deciding to post pone cleaning her self for now, and opened it.
It would be understatement of century to say she is surprised. In fact, she is shell shocked. Only explanation her brain could come up with for head line is – something is terribly wrong. So it is –
MINISTRY PROTECTS AZKABAN FROM DARK LORD
(Azkaban, Lewe Lowan): yester day night at nearly 9:00 pm Dark lord's forces attacked Azkaban prison with about fifty death eaters. Ministry forces, containing fifty aurors and a group of volunteers waiting at the border of Azkaban defended the impregnable prison of Azkaban. Azkaban prison is protected with heavy security wards attached with alarms (restricted information of ministry). How Dark Lord entered prison with out activating a single alarm is not known, but a brave wizard working as jailor of Azkaban prison intimated ministry before matters got out of hand. Ministry responded immediately by sending a group of wizards there, and with in five minutes span, reinforcements are sent to Azkaban prison to defend the prison and boost strength of dwindling forces of Ministry. Dementors themselves cornered Dark lord and his death eaters while some of Ministry aurors tried to fight dementors with patroni. "It wouldn't have been necessary. Dementors are on our side." Said Minister Fudge when asked about aurors fighting the dementors. How ever, shortly after dementors surrounded dark lord, you-know-who left along with his death eaters who followed him to Azkaban. Minister replied Ministry would open a comity to investigate about the sabotage in ministry, when asked how you-know-who had obtained restricted information from ministry - Minister hazily changed topic towards to Martyrs who gave their lives fighting against dark lord. Aurors Pat Malcolm and Augustus doodle checked the prison for any escaped prisoners, and not one of prisoners are able to escape thanks to the brave jailor who intimated Ministry immediately, though Mr. Boddick didn't live long enough to receive his order of Merlin, third class which is to be awarded to his wife later. Aurors Hestia Jones, Erithria Roder and Jugson Judy died due to Hypothermia during this attack. All of the above aurors are to receive order of Merlin third class in a meeting held later this week. Stories of these brave martyrs are given in second page.
Hestia Jones is an auror-in-charge for catching dark creatures, especially vampires. Following her, all the details of other aurors and wizards died at attack are given.
Harry's eyes stopped at the name Hestia. He had known her. She is in the advanced guard that picked him up last year. All too familiar churning feeling started to rise in Harry's stomach. Some more lives taken by lord voldemort. Why can't the bloody monster die and leave the world alone? Harry questioned him self vehemently. He has to ask Remus why they didn't tell him this. While Harry is still thinking about contacting Remus, Remus him self called Harry.
"Remus? Have you seen daily prophet? "Asked Harry involuntarily.
"Yes, Harry. We too don't understand it. Kingsley says what ever information given in daily prophet is true. One of aurors he has known had checked prisons for escaped prisoners, they are still in prison. But, Dumbledore says Dark lord left with all his followers, I mean the ones locked in Azkaban too. I will inform you the minute Dumbledore comes. Okay."
"Don't you have any idea on what happened Remus?" asked Harry desperately. He absolutely hates it when he can't understand what happens.
"No Harry. What ever happens, don't leave house Harry. Is that understood? "
"yes." answered Harry dully.
"Inform me immediately if you had any visions. Okay?"
"Okay."
"I will call you later." Said Remus, next minute Remus disappeared from the mirror.
Harry silently read the article again thinking how Dumbledore and Daily Prophet are correct at the same time. He is never so confused in his life. At least with chamber of secrets they didn't have any clues or they have all clues.
'Okay, I think it would be best if I go to Hermione and discuss this with her. I would forget what my name is if I continue pondering over this' thought Harry moving towards the door. He stopped at the door suddenly as he remembered what Remus has said about not going out of house. 'Half an hour will not hurt any one.' Thought Harry opening doors of the house.
"Harry" cried out Venissa happily. She just parked the car in front of his house and is about to open the door. Harry took one longing glance towards Mrs.Figg's house and got in to the car.
"I thought I should whistle forever to call you when I started car." said Venissa starting a conversation.
"Hmm…" answered Harry looking dejectedly out of window.
Venissa looked at him once and concentrated on driving.
All too soon they stopped at the meditation club.
Niyath is at door to lead Harry in to a different room. His instructor is waiting over there.
He led Harry towards a painting in a wooden frame that looked almost like an entrance. Harry looked quizzically at Pathanzali who indicated Harry should cross the threshold to get on other side. Harry stepped in to the portrait, next second he is in the midst of wilderness that is portrayed in the frame.
'They got magical entrance here' thought Harry involuntarily. 'And the ministry is bloody boasting about its control over magical world'.
Pathanzali soon followed him in to the forest. They soon reached a small clearing in front of a big tree which uncannily looked like whooping willow. Harry wondered what he is doing here. Surely he isn't here to fight this tree. That is when Harry noticed the tiger skins that are spread on the ground.
Pathanzali sat down on one and motioned Harry to sit on another. Harry did as he is told.
"Son, you have bottled up too many feelings in side you. that is never good for magical creatures like us. Now, close your eyes and release all your feelings on the tree in front of you till you feel all the feeling vanish."
Harry didn't understand how to release his feelings in to tree. Feelings are not water to be poured in a dish, neither the tree in front of him looked like an utensil. So, he did the best possible thing. He put up a question mark face and let out an "Er…".
Pathanzali actually smiled at the actions of his disciple.
"Remember the causes which make you feel intense emotion. Now, imagine those feelings ebbing away and entering that tree in front of you."
"Okay." Answered Harry and closed his eyes.
'What should I do now?' – 'what am I feeling at the moment?' – Harry thought concentrating hardly. Well, there is nothing he is feeling.
'Why in the name of Merlin I get to do occuluding properly when I am supposed to do exact opposite thing? 'Asked he him self angrily.
'Angry' that is what he is feeling now. But the discovery it self is an achievement and Harry gleefully tried to remove his anger from his brain and pour it in to the tree. 'Angry?' – 'am I feeling angry now?' asked he to him self. To him, it felt like he is exited. 'Why am I feeling angry by the way?' next question is popped in to his mind. 'Bloody hell! When did I become a Nevelle and forgot why I am angry just before a minute?' – Now, now, that's enough reason to become angry with him self. But to pour his anger in to the tree, he should be angry with tree – right? But how can you be angry with a tree? – Harry is very confused. He is never confused so much in his life, and the thought of - whether he was as confused ever before- confused him enough to lead in to further confusion. He should clear this with his 'sir' first. Other wise he would forget his very own name. He opened his eyes to see very amused looking Pathanzali.
He looked at Pathanzali confusedly. Pathanzali smiled condescendingly at Harry and pointed his fingers at the grass in front of him. Even Mc-Gonegal will laugh at such a sight. There is a small grass patch of an area of his hand size, with one grass root trying to turn up, and one grass leaf trying to go in to the earth, another grass weed bent in half way, and other bent in half arc, two more which are interlocked as though they have stopped in particularly hard waltz step, its as though somebody had yelled – statue – in a night club and all its occupants obeyed immediately. 'Surely I am not that confused?' thought Harry amusedly. He looked at Pathanzali who is now giving a genuine smile, his black eyes twinkling amusedly.
"Think about all your disturbing thoughts. Think about one at a time. And let the emotion that associates with that thought flood your brain. Then just let that feeling wash over you. Now, don't get lost feeling your emotion, and let that emotion leave you and enter that tree. Now, I will show you."
Pathanzali looked at the partying grass, and a slow grin broke on his face. He stretched his hand towards the tree, and closed his eyes. After a minute, the tree did a weird flip – flop where half of its branches smashed against another half of its branches, with tree doing a half spin. That felt too weird. I should tell Weasley twins about this – they would develop it in to magnificent joke – thought Harry involuntarily. Pathanzali opened his eyes and looked at Harry.
"Now son, you use the strong feelings like anger, pain." He motioned Harry to begin.
Harry closed his eyes and slowly gathered his thoughts. What is he thinking recently? He asked him self. 'Sirius', 'Prophecy', 'Voldemort', etc.
He remembered Sirius first of all. Slowly, reluctantly, he started to remember it. This is the first time he willingly tried to face that memory. He hoped Sirius is some where happily prancing around, but he always refrained from thinking about Sirius as gone. Even when he cried the night before, he didn't dare remember that memory, lest he will loose control over him self.
He is standing there – in front of veil of death.
Sirius is cackling with laughter." you can do better than that Bella" he taunted his cousin. The green light hit him in the middle of chest, he is falling … Nooooo … don't remember it. Said a little voice in his head.
Once is enough.
Never suppress your feelings son. They will go away only to return with more vigor – Pathanzali's words echoed through his mind.
Sirius, if he didn't do this now, he will not be able to do this ever again – Dumbledore's words after third task.
'I am going to face this' – thought Harry stubbornly. ' If I don't do this now, I will never be the same again'.
But his stubborn ness doesn't mean seeing Sirius fall through veil will not hurt him.
A small tremor of pain started at his chest. He couldn't attribute it to any of physical causes.
It's as though some body is constraining his lungs from holding any further air.
All the pain of loosing Sirius, the only parent he ever had, came back.
It's as though he has just seen Sirius die, but only difference is this time, he accepted Sirius is indeed dead.
He felt a small burning feeling rise in his chest. It is becoming incredibly painful. He just couldn't do any thing. It is as though he is being possessed by Voldemort. Every part of his body hurt. His body felt as though it is on fire. He will do any thing to have this pain leave his body. Why don't this just burn me away so I can be with Sirius and my parents? He found him self asking.
Suddenly a deep voice sounded through his mind.
'Direct on tree'
'Why should he direct this on tree? He could burn him self and then he can forget everything. ' But the pain of burning became incredible. Let this go else where – thought he desperately. Any where ? He asked him self. Tree – reminded a little voice in his head. Let this pain go to that tree – thought he desperately. But the burning feeling just increased. 'On to the tree' he commanded the burning sensation. It just got increased. Harry slowly thought – let this feeling go to the tree – I don't want to die. He begged the fire.
That thought startled him more than any thing. He had to live. If he had to live, he shouldn't burn. – Imagine the feeling leaving you and direct it at the tree-
Harry tried to imagine the feeling leave him self. But the burning feeling stubbornly stayed with him, but it got steadied. Harry couldn't think properly. He would have loved nothing more than slipping in to black ness, but some how he know if he slipped in to black ness, that would mean his death. He tried to imagine the feeling leave him despite his numbed down brain. The horrible pain washed away all his thoughts. But, this pain doesn't make him twitch like crucio, but it hurt him the same. He couldn't even remember what his name is. He should drive away this pain or this pain would eat him away. He imagined the feeling leave him self again despite the pain. The pain lessened to some extent.
Once, if once I loose control, I lost control for ever – Harry didn't even know how this thought entered his mind. He concentrated on imagining the pain leaving him – slowly, very slowly, the pain started to leave him.
If he had opened his eyes, he would have seen the surprised look on Pathanzali's face and the brilliant emerald green flames that are burning the whooping willow in front of him. The pain left him – slowly, albeit it left him.
If one of order member's has seen him in his current position, they wouldn't have thought using AvadaKedavra on Pathanzali immediately.
Harry's skin is burnt badly; it is all in a sickly color of black mixed with red, boils are starting show on his skin. Pathanzali closed his eyes, immediately a cold wave of water washed over Harry's skin. His skin returned to its normal color, but Harry had collapsed long since. The last memory he remembered is pain leaving him. He immediately collapsed in to blissful blackness. Pathanzali lifted Harry as soon as he returned to his normal state – as soon as he stood there, an entrance formed out of thin air in front of them. He walked through the entrance entering the meditation centre immediately.
"Harry, Harry …" some one is trying to wake him.
Harry wanted nothing more than open his eyes and answer to that voice. But he felt too exhausted. He didn't even have energy to open his eyes.
Suddenly, he felt a glass stuck on his mouth, he tried to open his mouth, but even before he could he slipped in to black ness again.
That voice called again this time shaking him vigorously. Harry opened his eyes, and saw Venissa bent over him, her eyes filled with worry.
"Thank god, you woke up. Now, go in to your house and take rest. Hey, first let down the ladder I gave you then go to bed. Okay." She asked him.
Harry didn't understand how he got there from meditation centre. He just nodded his head in answer, he is feeling extremely tired.
Harry wanted nothing more than to go and sleep on bed, but Venissa asked him to let out ladder. If he didn't, then Dursleys might kill him in sleep for all they care. He walked to the window summoning all his energy, and let down the rope ladder that Venissa attached to his window with out being known by uncle Vernon. Harry is too tired to walk to his bed, he took two steps towards his bed and he flopped down on his bed haphazardly with his legs hanging and he lost focus once again.
He is standing in what looked like a vast Hall. The Hall is dingy and dull, but it shown signs of being grand in the past. Dusty chandeliers above spoke of the once upon a time grandeur of the Hall. But that is not what caught his attention. There are about five hundred or so chairs which are arranged in neat rows in that hall. It is as though some one is arranging an educational lecture over there. Oh Yes! They are indeed arranging the educational lecture.
Harry watched as the seats are filled one by one, most of the people wearing custom made robes whose very demeanor screamed 'PURE BLOOD '.
If it is not for the apprehensive look on all the faces assembled there, Harry would have said Minister of Magic had arranged this meeting.
Voldemort stood up and surveyed him self in the mirror. His robes looked like as though an invisible wind is flowing through them and his blood red eyes looked as menacing as ever.
He walked on to the stage with his usual bellowing robes style. A hushed silence fell over the hall immediately, and all occupants of the hall stood involuntarily.
He chuckled to him self amused at the awe he inspired in people.
He smiled at the crowd with his ghastly face breaking in to weird grin.
"My friends, Please be seated." He addressed the crowd.
All the people sat down at the same time showing military discipline. Voldemort laughed inwardly, daily prophet is indeed doing its job properly. Not that he had any ties with it but the paper has done some of their dirty work for them.
"My Friends, I assume all of you know why we are here to day. Yes, we are here to discuss the future of the wizard world.
As many of you already believes, and some of you implements, our aim is to free magical world of the mud bloods or put ever so nicely by muggle loving fools – muggleborns. Now, I know some of you may not agree with such strong terminology, but believe me that is nothing but the naivety.
Let me ask you one question. What is the reason we should allow them to mingle with us and let them have the same rights as us when we are so better than those filthy scum?
If we look at the history, all muggles have ever done is scorn us, slaying every person who is assumed to be magical. Now, why we wizards, who are in every essence better than muggles must hide from them, if it isn't for the hypocritical cowards who dare call them selves government?
We are more powerful than muggles, and as such we should have our power established among them, not scurrying away from them so that they wouldn't notice.
Muggles are good for nothing other than work, and work they shall once we end our conquest.
Now, I ask you to decide your own future. Whether you want to spend rest of your life as cowards running away from everything that is worth in the life or as perspicacious and intrepid wizards who choose to live their life as they want but not as some fools have decided for them? Join me my dear friends, I will promise you dark lord's friends are always rewarded beyond imagination."
Voldemort waited for the dramatic effect he wanted, and all the crowd is listening with rapid attention and apprehension on their faces. Some of them are seemingly bursting with excitement.
"Perhaps, a little demonstration is needed" said dark lord in his high pitched condescending voice.
"My loyal friends do come in" announced he surveying the hall.
Next moment, Death eaters appeared out of thin air allover the hall. They have lined up the walls of the hall and the crowd is caught in the middle.
"Now, may be I should address more of your concerns seeing as many of you would want to join me."
Hermione sat in Mrs.Figgs house – she didn't sit exactly, she had actually jumped around hall in few lapses trying to sooth her nervous ness. Yes, that is very, very childish, but thankfully there are no one to tell others about her nervous ness, and her extremely childish anti-nervousness methods. She sat down for few minutes on coach, and then walked to the fireplace, tried to take some floo powder. In last minute she decided against it, and did another lapse of hop-around-hall. Order members told her to stay in Mrs. Figg's house and they will contact her as soon as possible to tell her about the news of last night, but no one contacted her till now, and now time is ten in morning. She wanted nothing more than contacting them and asking them what happened, but the thought of them taking rest after such an ordeal is stopping her. Unable to sit on sofa for much longer time, she moved to window to look what is happening at Harry's house. What she had seen made her faint in surprise. A rope ladder is hung at the window of Harry's open window, and it is moving as though some one invisible is climbing it.
'My god! I don't believe death eaters are here so soon. I have to help' thought she.
She immediately cast a disillusionment charm on her and moved out of door. She can do magic out side school because she had cast a masking spell on her self in the Ravenclaw's chamber. She moved out slowly, and reached the rope ladder with out arousing any suspicion.
When she neared the window she had seen the sight she hadn't expected. A black girl who looked like a muggle is trying to wake Harry, and a plate of breakfast is placed on nearby table. Harry's invisibility cloak is in the corner on his trunk. Hermione slowly climbed up to window, and jumped in to the room. This noise startled the girl who is trying it wake Harry.
"Who are you?" asked the girl pointing a gun in the direction of Hermione. Hermione is surprised by her agility.
She retained charm on her and started to approach girl slowly, with out making any noise.
"Who are you?" Hermione asked in return.
"Well, you are the one sneaked. So I think you should say who you are first." Answered Venissa still trying to guess where Hermione is. Hermione stopped at the tip of her gun, and with a swift movement, removed gun from her hand, thrown it in the dustbin, locked Venissa's legs.
"Finite incantatem" – Hermione removed the charm on her self.
Venissa could see her now. She ignored Venissa, and moved toward Harry, checked his pulse.
"Hermione "called Venissa suddenly.
Hermione jumped at being called by name by a stranger.
"Oh! So you are Hermione. Harry talks about u." said she eyeing Hermione curiously.
"Who are you?" Hermione repeated her question again.
"Venissa. Venissa Wikfield" said Venissa in perfect imitation of James bond. "Now, please remove this curse or whatever off me." told Venissa.
Hermione removed the curse of her, and Venissa walked towards her and sat beside her.
"What happened?" asked Hermione.
"I don't know. Mr. Niyath brought him like this, and he gave me an vial of some blue liquid to give him when he reaches his house. He said he would send medications." Answered Venissa.
Hermione sat there silently.
After five minutes they decided to feed Harry forcefully, but Harry didn't swallow any thing so they just sat down beside him.
Around 1'o clock, Venissa left to bring a meal. Hermione suddenly felt a cool gust hit her face. She involuntarily drawn her wand, and held it at the window. Nothing happened.
She turned around suddenly as there is a small clink in air.
A man is standing there, for lack of better description Hermione said he looked exactly like Dumbledore but he resembled Dumbledore in nothing but clothes. Hermione raised her wand to petrify him, but as she is about to do that, another cool gust of wind hit her, and she found her self pinned to wall with weird looking cuffs.
He brought out some vials of potions from no where, and started to arrange them in order.
"Who are you?" demanded Hermione struggling to get free.
"His protector." He answered then proceeded to give those potions to Harry.
"Mr. Niyath sent you?" asked Hermione, to which he nodded affirmative.
"Release me." She almost ordered but he didn't move an inch.
She looked at him for sometime; he is deeply engrossed in giving those potions to Harry. She observed her cuffs again. They are blue white. She remembered the last theory of magic she has read. 'Magic is nothing but a wish. Stronger the wish, stronger the magic. Subtle the caster is, more accurate results are.' – Time for some practical. She imagined the cuffs dissolve in to water, and when she completed she opened her eyes to look at her hands. They are still present on the walls, but its as though some unknown force is binding them there. Hermione imagined the binding force leave, so it did after a minute. She looked up and found the strange man looking at her with a surprised look.
"That is very good. I believe you are Hermione granger?" asked he.
Hermione felt a small probe in the back of her head, immediately steeled her. If possible he looked even more surprised.
He observed her with curious eyes, just as he is about to say something Harry woke up.
"Sir." Harry almost cried out.
"How are you feeling my son? "Asked the man with a benevolent look which Hermione thought would be impossible for him.
"Good sir." Answered Harry.
"What is the memory you meditated upon?" asked Pathanzali.
Harry thought for some time before he understood what he is asking.
"My god father's death." Answered Harry.
"When did that happen?" asked pathanzali.
"One month back." Answered Harry.
Pathanzali didn't say any thing for a second, and then he said almost as though he found his voice, "you are brave son."
He then handed the potions tray to Harry and with out wasting a single sentence he explained Harry what those potions are for, left the place.
To Harry, it appeared like he is preoccupied.
"What happened Harry? "Asked Hermione as soon as he left.
Harry first looked around to get the food, then when he started to explain he remembered he should inform Remus.
He immediately pulled up the mirror, and explained it to him.
When he completed and was about to eat his food again, Hermione repeated her question.
He explained to her Pathanzali is teaching him how to meditate, and he just collapsed during the morning session of to day.
'There is more to it than he is letting out' thought Hermione as she observed Harry.
They sat there for some time talking, and then Venissa returned with meals for Harry and Hermione.
"You owe me for that." Said Venissa as soon as she entered the room.
"Okay, tell me what you want later." Answered Harry starting to dig in the food she had brought. He liked breakfast, but it didn't satisfy his appetite.
There is a pact between him and Venissa that he would buy her pranks from magical world, she would pay his bills in muggle money. He loved Venissa's choice of food; she always brought most delicious food, and the thing that perfectly fit his mood.
"Hey, you have an radio?" asked Harry after completing his food.
"Yeah." Answered Venissa by pulling out one, and tuning it to the news channel. Harry always asked for news, she doesn't know why, but she complied.
"A terrible storm attacks village of little Hangleton. Live from Kalis Rosen"
Came a voice from Radio. Harry and Hermione looked each other's face just as the news began.
23