Author's Warning: The next chapter contain has been particularly difficult to write so it may be delayed a day or two.
The duel which was originally contained in this chapter has been removed. It was too close to another duel written by another author. I had read that story quite a while ago. It was not my intent to copy some else's work, hence the reason why this chapter has been reposted minus that section. My apologies to sib-ff.
Training with Dumbledore…
Harry continued to train solo, the difference now was that Dumbledore wanted to observe and advise him, so Harry often used free periods to train during the day. Harry was still becoming accustomed to the amount of power he was now tapping into, and as originally suspect, it was continuing to grow. Harry felt better about that; it meant that at least in power levels, Harry and Voldemort would probably be very close to being equal.
It was early March and Harry was getting frustrated. With the help of Ginny and Hermione, he had scoured scores of volumes in the library dealing with defense against the dark arts. The problem was that most defense techniques relied on Dark Art spells, which he was unable to use. In frustration, Harry had resorted to neutral spells, which were commonly used in wizard construction. Blasting spells designed to help in the construction of foundations or blowing holes in rock. Boring spells that could create a three-inch hole in solid rock up to ten meters deep. He even found a variation of a flame spell used to smelt ores.
These were all powerful spells, capable of dealing incredible damage, but they all had various drawbacks. Some required too much time to cast, some were very draining, and some had an effect that was spread out over too great an area. He wanted to help Hogsmeade, not flatten it to a pulp or turn it into Swiss cheese.
The real problem, Harry realized, was that he had taken the simulated opponents as far as he could. He knew he would eventually reach this point. That was why he kept trying to increase the number of opponents he could handle at one time. The opponents, no matter how hard he tried to improve them, were, in the final analysis, just simulations.
Since Harry's friends had the class period off, they joined him while he was training today. Although he was secretly convinced Ginny would join him anytime she could see him shirtless. He was in the arena area while they remained in the observation room. He was running through some warm up meditations trying to focus on his task when Dumbledore walked in, carrying a large tome.
Dumbledore conjured a small table to place the book on, then turned to Harry.
"Harry, a moment if you will. I trust by now you realize what the inherent problems are with using these simulations?"
"Yes Headmaster. They have become predictable. The only reason I lose now is because I am overwhelmed by sheer numbers."
"Exactly Harry! Now, if I might make a suggestion, instead of multiple opponents today, how about a single opponent, which I shall control?"
Harry started. "I wasn't aware that was possible Sir."
"Oh, quite. If you'll just set up the opponent for me, I'll be ready to control it. I should warn you however, a human opponent is unpredictable, which means it's far more dangerous. I do promise not to use any spell that is too damaging."
Dumbledore drew his wand.
Harry's eyes narrowed suspiciously. He's planning on sneaking something up on me. He thought. Stay loose and be ready for anything!
His friends watched with interest.
Harry set up the opponent, this time making it look like Dumbledore. He activated the spectator shields and nodded to the Headmaster.
He barely had time to turn back to his opponent when he spotted an incoming curse. He rolled on his shoulder, heading for ground, and cast a sweeping hex. The fake Dumbledore sprang into the air and the hex missed its target. Continuing his roll, he was on his feet in time to see a ball of flame heading at him. Harry pitched sideways and returned a boomerang bludgeon at his opponent. The bludgeon blew through his opponent's shield and only narrowly clipped his opponent, spinning him around.
The fake Dumbledore grinned at him and started firing spells quickly. Harry started to combine both magical and physical defenses as he returned the spells, volley for volley. Shields glowed with each hit. He managed to get a second hit on his opponent, but it still wasn't enough to incapacitate him. He was himself hit with an arcing cutting hex that came down over the top of his shield. On more than one occasion, the spectator shield flared as rebounding spells hit it.
The duel finally ended when Dumbledore pulled a really nasty trick on him. Harry had fired a particularly nasty Tamping hex. It was really like multiple bludgeons. It was a wizard construction spell, used to tamp down gravel and dirt, making it hard packed.
The spell had barely left his hand when Ginny suddenly appeared in front of his target. Harry panicked and micro-jumped to her. He swung his arms around her, planning to micro-jump back, but his arms closed on nothing! Harry had barely a second to realize he had been tricked when he was slammed into the wall. His opponent had apparated out of the way! Harry slumped to the ground dazed; his back felt like it was on fire.
With the duel effectively over, the opponent and the spectator shields faded away. Pushing himself up with his arms, he eyed Dumbledore reprovingly. "That Sir, was cheating," he ground out.
Dumbledore chuckled before turning serious. "Tell me Harry, do you think Voldemort will play fair?"
Harry's eyes narrowed tightly. "Point taken Sir. I just wish it hadn't be so forcefully driven home."
He gasped and shook his head violently when the two girls tried to help him to his feet. "Don't…"
Ginny shot the Headmaster an accusing look.
Dumbledore eyed Harry speculatively for a moment. "Harry, use your magic to heal yourself. There will come a time in combat when you will need to know how to do this."
"But I don't have any healing potions…" He gasped.
"Not all healing comes from potions Harry. Concentrate on the greatest pain and use the magic to force it back."
Great, he makes it sound so easy, meanwhile I'm the one that has to do the work. Harry thought. Concentrate on the pain, well that's easy enough to do, it's everywhere and kind of hard to ignore. He snorted at his own wry thoughts.
Harry still lay propped up by his arms, his eyes screwed shut as he tried to follow Dumbledore's suggestions. He tapped into his magic and used it to batter back at his pain. Time and again, he'd gather his energy and slam it against the pain, pushing it further and further back. To the onlookers, Harry seemed motionless, but his body flared with the force of his magic.
His friends jumped when his eyes finally snapped open again. His face was no longer contorted by pain but his eyes glowed brightly in room. He stood slowly, as if he was expecting the pain to return at any moment. When he reached his full height, he looked bemused by what he had done. He hadn't made all of his pain go away, he still had a few cuts and bruises from the duel, but his back no longer hurt him.
"Bravo Harry! Well done. Combat healing of that magnitude is something you still need to practice and it should be used only in emergencies, but that was well done. Now come sit and we'll talk."
Harry walked over to the observation area and sat heavily in the chair. Between the duel and his self-healing, he needed a rest. Ginny worked on his cuts, healing them. Her eyes took on that glassy look again and he knew he'd have to distract her. Apparently, his naked torso affected her almost as much as hers affected him. Using legilimency he sent her a quick thought, a simple "Later Love, we'll study later."
Ginny's eyes widened as she looked at him. She smiled at him with her eyes and retook her seat.
Harry didn't use legilimency much as he didn't like its intrusive nature. But on a few occasions, he'd send Ginny a short message, usually when he wanted to say something to her that was too private to be shared with the people around them. The art kind of scared him. He knew one could use it to rip though an opponent's memory so he refused to study beyond the point of inserting a simple thought into someone nearby. To him, it was nearly as bad as a Dark Art discipline.
Harry turned his attention back to Dumbledore. The old wizard, twinkling with amusement, was watching Harry intently and Harry suddenly had the idea that Dumbledore knew exactly what had just taken place.
Finally Dumbledore decided to break the silence. "Harry, I've been aware of your search for spells you can use, and of Madam Pince's displeasure as you and your friends have romped through the restricted section like a natural disaster. I have brought you an old volume, one that was given to me a long time ago. I also noted that, as you and I dueled, Miss Granger's fingers would twitch in anticipation."
Turning to Hermione, his eyes still dancing, "Miss Granger, your love of books is legendary, and I daresay when the next edition of Hogwarts: A History, is published, there will be a chapter dedicated to you alone. I would caution you however, Miss Granger, books contain many lessons, but some of the most important lessons in life cannot be found in books."
Hermione was torn between pleasure over his praise, and his cautionary warning.
Extending his wand, he replicated the book so there were now three copies. "Now this is the Big Book of Light and Neutral Art Spells. I daresay you will find it easier looking through this than driving Madam Pince into an early retirement." He handed a copy to Hermione, Ginny and Harry.
Harry glanced at Ron who looked on, then shrugged. "No worries Harry. You, Ginny and 'Mione are the bookworm types. Besides, I can always borrow your copy."
Dumbledore turned back to Harry. "Starting with your next training session Harry, I'll be controlling your opponents for you. As you can see, it does make for a more dynamic and realistic dueling situation. If you do well enough there, perhaps you and I might try sparring sometime soon."
Harry gulped while the other three looked aghast. He was going to duel with Dumbledore?
Here, there, everywhere…
Harry lay on his bed, reading. In Defense class today, they had been given apparation manuals with the reduced age limits and their permits. They were supposed to undergo twenty hours of lecture time before even attempting to apparate, instead of the usual ten hours of lecture. The Ministry was insisting that the students be very carefully briefed on the topic as well as the laws involved.
Harry read his book; it was dry reading, the first section covering the applicable laws. He was thinking of tossing the book aside for the night, when he finally reached the theory portion of the text.
Apparation is the process whereby a witch or wizard can move physically from one location to another. A good apparationist can visualize his or her projected destination. With the destination firmly in mind, they focus their magic inwards, projecting themselves into their intended destination.
Harry placed his book down on his nightstand still open. He placed his glasses on the open book and lay back in his bed. It was getting late, and he might as well try to sleep.
He lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling. It didn't sound all that hard. It didn't sound hard at all…
Harry thought of places he knew well. He started to drift off, thinking about what he had read.
Then he vanished with a soft pop.
Bad landing number 1…
Remus sat on the couch by the fireplace; Tonks was getting them some drinks. She had certain designs on her husband this evening and she wanted him relaxed.
Tonks, wearing a filmy nightgown under her robe, was just entering the living room when there was a slight pop, and Harry, still in his pajamas, still in a prone position, and still nearly asleep, appeared about knee high in front of her.
Tonks screamed and pitched forward as she tripped over Harry, her drinks went arcing through the air heading straight for Remus. Harry woke with a start and thudded to the ground with a yell. Remus bolted up from the couch in time to receive an alcoholic shower.
Harry had been thrown from his bed, and someone was partially on top of him! He saw blurry shapes moving and, still in a sleep-induced state, panicked. Without even thinking about it he vanished again with a soft pop.
Tonks slowly picked herself up and turned to look at what she had tripped over. Remus came up behind her.
"Remus, what was that? I could've sworn I tripped over someone!"
Remus shook his head. "I'm not quite certain Tonks. I thought I saw Harry, but he was in his pajamas!"
"Maybe you better floo Dumbledore?"
"I think I will."
Bad Landing #2…
Harry's next destination was even worse than the first. He had jumped in a panic and his destination was rather vague.
Arthur Weasley was just heading up to bed when there was a soft pop from the top of the stairs and a body came crashing down on him. The two of them continued to the bottom of the stairs, to land at Molly's feet. Molly caught a glimpse of a pajama clad black haired figure just before it vanished with a soft pop.
Arthur groaned and lay there while Molly rushed to floo Hogwarts.
Meanwhile back at Hogwarts…
It was the strident sound of the braying elephants that alerted Albus Dumbledore that something was wrong. The alarm echoed throughout the castle. Dumbledore frowned; that alarm meant the apparation wards had been breached. He started to check his instruments to determine what was going on when the Floo flared to life. Remus and Tonks stepped into his office.
"Professor Dumbledore! Its Harry!"
Before Dumbledore could even respond the floo flared again admitting Molly and Arthur.
Remus looked and smelled like he had bathed in gin, and Arthur walked with a noticeable limp.
Dumbledore was about to say something when Professor McGonagall called on the Floo, saying she needed him in the Gryffindor common room. Seeing his visitors she suggested they might want to come along.
Hogwarts, we have a problem (just a few minutes earlier)…
The alarms were still sounding and the students of Gryffindor were stumbling down into the common room. Many thought it was another attack. Most had their wands out and ready. The students were milling about in the common room when suddenly a motion drew everyone's attention.
Harry's return to Hogwarts was even more poorly planned than his trip to the Burrow, if such a thing was possible.
Harry reappeared over a couch, twelve feet over it. And, gravity being what it is, he dropped like a rock. He hit the couch and rebounded over the heads of the students present. No one had recognized him as yet, but several DA members, not willing to take chances, shot at the moving form as it sailed over their heads. Fortunately for Harry, only two actually hit him. Unfortunately for Harry, it was two of the most powerful witches in the school.
Harry landed in a crumpled heap on the floor near the boy's staircase. He was out cold as a result of dropping to the ground at Grimmauld Place, falling down the stairs in the Burrow and being hit by two Stupefy spells, one from Ginny and the other one from Hermione.
Gryffindor Common Room...
Dumbledore, Remus, Tonks and the Weasleys entered the Gryffindor common room to find Professor McGonagall, Ron, Ginny and Hermione there. On the couch lay Harry, a cool cloth against his forehead.
Harry fluttered his eye's open. "Well this isn't the infirmary. I guess that's something."
Ginny leaned down and put his glasses on him. He looked up at the faces peering down at him, and groaned. "I guess that wasn't a very vivid and very embarrassing nightmare?"
Dumbledore asked him to explain what he had been doing. He related the tale about reading his apparation manual and then going to sleep thinking about what the theory section had said. "I started to fall asleep Headmaster. After that, things became sort of crazy I guess…"
Remus snorted. "I'll say. You appeared in our living room, tripped Tonks who split our drinks all over me…" Tonks looked to be trying very hard not to laugh. She was holding her sides. Molly was hiding a smile behind her hand.
Arthur picked up the tale from that point. "Once you left there, you appeared at the top of the stairs in the Burrow and slid all the way down, knocking me over in the process. Then we both fell the rest of the way."
McGonagall backed away, holding her sides and desperately trying to stifle her laughter, as Ginny continued. "You appeared in the common room, right next to the ceiling. You landed on the couch and bounced. At that point, 'Mione and I both hit you with stupefies. Then you landed by the boy's stairs…"
He didn't know what to say. Ron was rolling on the floor laughing. Ginny still looked mortified that she had stunned him. Hermione looked upset. Dumbledore was chuckling and the others were in various states of hysterical laughter. McGonagall was wiping tears from her eyes and trying to contain herself.
Harry struggled to his feet and stood there, glaring at them all. "Well, since you're all going to be laughing at me, I might as well go off to bed!" He swayed slightly, lifted his nose and tried to make a stately, dignified exit for the Boy's dorm as the howls of laughter increased in volume behind him.
He was stopped by a voice coming from behind him. "But Harry, you can't apparate into or out of Hogwarts. It say so in Hogwarts: A History." Hermione called after him.
He decided that wasn't worthy of replying to so he continued up the stairs.
Harry, his dignity intact, never noticed until the next morning that, during last night's journey, he had ripped his pajama bottoms, exposing one buttock to the open air.
The next morning...
The next morning at breakfast, Harry stuck his nose in his new spell book, determined to ignore the snickering looks from the teachers and his friends. It probably would have worked except for one thing.
Dumbledore stopped at his table. "Harry, I must say that was rather good last night. I'm awarding your house ten points for pointing out that the anti-apparation wards have holes in them, and I'm giving you this book of household charms. I expect you'll find the section on clothing repair most informative."
"As it turns out Harry, your accidental apparation last night did allow me to pinpoint some flaws in our anti-apparation wards. They were quite small, but big enough for a person to squeeze though. I think we've fixed the problem, however. So you'll be comforted to know there shouldn't be any more apparation accidents. Wards do break down over time. I should check them more often."
With his eyes dancing like crazy, Dumbledore headed up to the main table.
Harry wanted to slide under the table and hide there. By now most of the school knew of his little trip and his exposure.
Snape's apartment, after a DA meeting…
Serena and Severus had returned from attending a DA meeting. In the previous meetings, Severus had lectured the members on Death Eater Tactics and operations. This meeting had been the first time the two of them had the opportunity to see some of Harry's new techniques in use.
"Can you believe it? Students? They're doing things unheard of in defensive magic! And right under our noses, I might add! How did a bunch of students come up with ideas that trained Aurors haven't thought of? It's amazing to me…"
Serena Snape had watched her husband pace, raving about the DA, for the last half hour. At first, she'd thought he was angry. Eventually, she realized he was shocked and a bit overwhelmed by what the students had managed to accomplish on their own.
She now sat in an armchair in the living room, watching her husband pace circles around her, the coffee table and the couch, with delight. Usually she was the one to pace and she found the role reversal quite amusing.
She had tried to gain his attention ten minutes ago, but he had ignored her totally. But now he was starting to repeat himself, so she tried once again.
"…movable shields? Who's ever head of such a thing?" Severus was exclaiming for the second time.
"Don't you think…?" Serena tried.
"And some of them without wands? I'm telling you, it shouldn't be…"
"Obviously it is, Severus. But I think you should remember…"
"I know their not children anymore, but still! And right under the Headmaster's nose?"
"Severus, will you listen to me for…"
"And did you see the way they moved? The coordination and …"
Serena sighed and said quietly, "Severus, I'm pregnant."
"...so efficient in their….WHAT?"
She grinned when he whirled around, tripped on the coffee table and fell heavily to the arm of the couch. Taking in his stunned expression, she started laughing.
"Oh Gods, if you could see the look on your face!" She gurgled, trying to contain her merriment.
"Serena…what? Pregnant? But… I don't understand. The contraceptive charm…" He broke off, ashen faced and shaking.
"I was kidding. I needed something to get your attention."
"Kidding? You mean…?"
"I'm not pregnant," she said with a soft smile at her panicked husband.
He went limp and slid down to a couch cushion in an undignified heap. Raking fingers through his long hair, he scowled at her. "That wasn't funny!"
"To you, perhaps. I found it quite humorous," she replied, her eyes dancing with glee. "Besides, you were starting to repeat yourself," she added as she stood up.
Conjuring a pot of tea and two cups, she filled one and handed it to him. Filling the other, she sat down beside him, grinning as he sat up and sent her another glare.
"Impudent wench," he muttered.
"Slytherin snake," she replied, mildly.
"So, you have my attention. What was so important?" He asked before sipping his tea.
"Are you over your shock, then?"
"For now," he replied, wryly.
"Well, now that we've seen what sort of things the DA is capable of, don't you think it's time to tell Harry about the Cruciatus potion?" She asked, placing her teacup on the table.
"Good Gods, I hadn't thought of that," Severus exclaimed. "After it was tested, I only thought of the benefit to the Aurors and Order members. I never thought of the students!"
"You can't be omnipotent all the time," she said, with an airy wave of her hand. "Even the mighty Professor Snape is allowed to miss the obvious from time to time."
"I'll ask him to come 'round tomorrow evening then, shall I?" He asked, ignoring her jab.
"That works for me," she replied, taking his teacup from him and placing it on the table. Turning back to him, she grinned, leaned in and whispered, "What say we work on your contraceptive charm, hmm?"
The Second Vision…
It had been bothering Harry for a while now. He had tried to put it off, but it was looming over him. He felt guilty for ignoring it, but every time he looked at Ginny, she reminded him about it. It wasn't so much that Ginny reminded him of the Hogwarts Battle. It was more that she represented what he wanted on the other side of that dreaded event.
Harry knew things were coming to a climax and he had to prepare. He had to be ready to divulge information if they survived Hogsmeade. Harry lay in his bed pondering. He couldn't sleep. Finally, he did the only thing he could think of. He pulled out his Pensieve, closed the curtains around his bed, and then cast a silencing charm.
Pulling the memory, he placed it into the Pensieve. First, he reviewed the memory as it was originally given to him.
The light flared again and suddenly Harry was over what could only be Hogwarts. The Griffyndor Tower had collapsed. The castle was aflame and the courtyard was littered with bodies. Even from this height, he could make out who they were. Professors McGonagall and Sprout were on the ground surrounded by a number of first and second year students. Ron! Ron laid covering Hermione, protecting her to the last. Ginny? GINNY! Her body lay near the grand entrance to the school, naked and bloody. Harry choked back a sob, while that same evil laughter echoed in the distance.
No help here. There are no clues from what I can see, I'll have to enter it frozen, He thought.
He really didn't want to enter this memory. Unlike the Hogsmeade vision, this was too personal, too close to home for him. His hand trembled as he froze the Pensieve and entered the memory.
Like the last time, he floated gently to the ground. He tried to avert his eyes from the bodies of his friends, especially Ginny, but he couldn't. The visions tore at him. Like a moth to a flame he was drawn to where Hermione and Ron lay. Harry was forced to smile a sad smile. Ron had not only given Hermione her promise ring but from the look of it, an engagement ring as well.
Stepping over debris, he walked to where Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout lay.
Hmmm that second year… Shari Something-or-other… she's a first year Gryffindor now. He thought. That is a start. Next year for sure. Bending over, he could see her sprawled out; a well-placed Reducto had blown out a major piece of her back. He shuddered and backed away. Turning away, he headed for Ginny.
Harry cringed. Nearby lay a student with an open notebook. The robes suggested a third year student. And there was Ginny…
He moved closer. He stood for a long time staring at her form, before turning away to look at the book the third year had dropped. Hmmm… potions homework? The dreamless sleep potion? I wonder what part of the year they teach that? He was having a lot of trouble concentrating. The image of Ginny haunted him and he couldn't get it out of his mind.
Harry pulled himself from the vision. He trembled and tried to clear his mind of her broken, beaten body. Oh Merlin, I can't do this by myself!
He opened the curtains, grabbed his robe and cast a holding charm over his Pensieve before placing it in the pocket of his robe. He knew he HAD to talk to someone about this tonight. But first, he had something even more important to do.
Harry transformed into Wings and vanished from the boy's dorm. He appeared a moment later in Ginny's. He glided silently to her bed and transformed back. Harry knew exactly what he had to do. It was instinctual at this point. Closing the curtains to her bed and casting a silencing charm, he swept Ginny into his arms, still asleep. He pulled her to himself, holding her tightly.
Ginny woke up to a feeling that was both wonderful and terrifying. She was being held, tightly. She looked up in the darkness to spot the soft green light coming from Harry's eyes. "Harry?"
"Promise me you'll stay safe Gin… Promise me you won't die!" He hissed.
"Harry? What are you…?"
Harry cut her off by crushing his lips to hers. This wasn't passion, this wasn't a chaste kiss, and it wasn't sexual. His overwhelming need to keep her safe, made him want to pull her into himself and keep her there. Ginny didn't understand, all she knew was her man was kissing her, trying to relay some need to her. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back.
Finally, he released her. He reached across and touched her gently, "I had to see you were still ok Gin. I'm sorry I woke you."
"What was it Harry? A nightmare?"
"Yeah Gin, just a nightmare. Now that I know you're alright, I'll let you get back to sleep." Harry cringed back from telling her the truth, although lying to her made him feel terrible all over again.
"Harry?" Suddenly Ginny turned very shy. "Would you like to stay?"
He grabbed her again. "Oh Merlin, I'd love to Gin, but I can't, not tonight. Please understand. I want you so bad Gin, I need you, but not tonight. I promise soon. I promise you a lifetime of it Gin."
Ginny searched his eyes, she could see a new pain there, and he wasn't rejecting her. Something was bothering him more than a simple nightmare, but she could also sense he was trying to protect her from whatever it was.
Harry stepped away from her. "I love you Ginevra Weasley. I'll give my life to keep you safe," he whispered. Then he transformed into Wings and vanished.
Wings appeared far above the castle, spiraling tight, his song taking on a distressed note. He was a little comforted by his time with Ginny, but he still had to share the information with someone. Who? Dumbledore? Not his friends that much was sure. Remus? Who? WHO?
Suddenly Fawkes appeared. What troubles you Fledging?
Fawkes! I have information I must share with someone, but I don't know who to share it with. I thought assuming my phoenix form would calm me, but it isn't working. This is just too much tonight.
Alas, Albus is not yet ready to hear what you need to tell him. But you have others in this place you trust, as you were once told. Trust your friends. Seek the brewers Fledging. They are ready to hear your news.
My Thanks Fawkes! I will seek them now.
Wings vanished from sight and reappeared in front of the Snape's quarters. The change from the calming presence of his phoenix back to his human form was enough to trigger a panic attack in Harry. As soon as he was human again, he felt the impact of that awful vision again. His friends, HIS GINNY!He pulled the Pensieve from his pocket and with a feeling of desperation he knocked…
Late Night, Snape's Private Quarters…
The knocking on the door was loud enough to wake the dead. As Severus threw on a robe, grabbed his wand from the bedside table and headed for the apartment door, Serena rose from the bed grumpily.
Who on earth would be pounding on our door at this hour of the night? She asked herself, glancing at the clock. It's after one in the morning, for Merlin's sake!
Severus wasn't happy either. As he marched through the living room, he stubbed his toe on an end table. With an angry flick of his wand, the candles were lit.
He hobbled to the door, muttering, "If the castle isn't on fire, I'm going to transfigure the person at the door into a jack-ass, I swear!"
He yanked the door open with a scowl. "What the hell is…Harry?"
The young man standing before him was a wreck. His body was covered in sweat and his hands trembled so badly he nearly dropped what he held in them. Seeing the look of anguish in his eyes, Severus simply stepped back to allow him in.
Harry darted in and ran to the living room. Stopping, he looked around in panic. Whirling, he faced Severus and choked, "Your wife? I need you both to see."
Walking to him, Severus placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze before calling for Serena. He was unwilling to leave Harry alone in this condition.
When Serena entered the room, she bit back the caustic remark she'd been ready with and took in the scene before her. Oh Gods, what now?
"Harry?" Serena asked gently. "What is it?"
"Can we go into the dining room?" Harry asked in a rush. "You'll need to be seated for this and I…" He broke off suddenly, and sent her a pleading look.
"Of course. This way, then," she said, leading him into the dining room.
Watching as Harry put a Pensieve down on the table, she glanced at her husband with concern. He returned her look and waved her into a chair.
When Harry sat down, Severus and Serena pulled out the chairs on either side of his tense form and sat. They watched the young man stare at the Pensieve in the lengthening silence. He didn't move. He didn't even blink.
Feeling the goose bumps rise on her flesh, Serena finally reached out and took Harry's hand. When he didn't respond, she reached over, grasped his chin gently and turned him to face her.
"Harry, what is it?" She asked softly, the pain in his eyes tearing at her heart.
"It's the vision I didn't show anyone… it's so horrible… I took another look at it tonight. Please, when do the third years learn about dreamless sleep potions? Its important…"
Serena leaned back for a moment. "Why do you need…?"
"It's important! It's key. It's the only clue I have and I can't go back into… into that…", he pointed a trembling finger at the Pensieve.
"Alright Harry. I'll check my lesson plan," she said, before summoning her course outline to her and flipping through it.
Severus watched the two. His curiosity piqued by the Pensieve.
"Harry? Generally the Dreamless Sleep potion is taught between the middle of March and the middle of April. Does that help?"
Harry slumped in defeat. "I had hoped you would have a finer date than that," he said softly.
Severus broke in. "Harry, did you search the entire memory?"
Harry shuddered violently. "I couldn't, it's… it's too bad."
Severus shot Serena a glance before speaking again. "Harry, how about if we went in with you? That way, all of us can search the memory. You won't be alone."
Harry flinched visibly, like he was avoiding a blow. Serena reach over and took his hand again. "Harry, we'll be with you the whole time. You'll be safe."
Harry looked defeated. Numbly, he nodded in agreement. The three clustered around the Pensieve. Harry released the holding charm on it and then played the sequence forward to where he wanted it to stop.
The light flared again and suddenly Harry was over what could only be Hogwarts. The Griffyndor Tower had collapsed. The castle was aflame and the courtyard was littered with bodies. Even from this height he could make out who they were. Professors McGonagall and Sprout were on the ground surrounded by a number of first and second year students. Ron! Ron laid covering Hermione, protecting her to the last. Ginny? GINNY! Her body lay near the grand entrance to the school, naked and bloody. Harry choked back a sob while that same evil laughter echoed in the distance.
With a jerky nod, he signaled the others to join him.
They landed softly in the courtyard of Hogwarts. The damage was incredible. Serena gasped and Severus reached out to take her hand. In this place of death, the touch of a living person was a most welcome comfort.
Harry felt dead. He pointed them over to where Professor Sprout and Professor McGonagall lay in the dirt. He led them in that general direction, stopping at one particular body.
"Shari. She's a first year Gryffindor now. But she's wearing a second year stripe, so this is next year."
Serena looked around. From here she could see Hagrid's hut burning. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted Ron and Hermione lying together.
Harry pointed at another body closer to the Entrance Hall. "I found a note book over there. Potions. It ended with the Dreamless Sleep potion."
Severus looked at Harry when the young man refused to move any further. "Harry, we're with you. Nothing can hurt you now."
"We can't do this without you," Serena added gently.
Harry nodded jerkily.
The three approached the third year. Severus bent down to look at the book and noticed a letter, partially sticking out of the book, with a date visible. April 7th. He showed the letter to his wife.
Harry should have noticed that. How did he miss it? He thought. Both he and Serena turned to face Harry, she to show him the note, and he to ask how he had missed the letter.
Harry wasn't paying any attention to them. His eyes were focused on a figure just outside the Entrance Hall. His limbs were trembling and he shook his head in violent denial at the sight before him. Serena and Severus turned to see what he was looking at.
Serena swayed and grabbed for Severus. Severus' gaze darkened with a terrible anger. Ginny Weasley lay in front of the Entrance Hall. She was naked and bloody, and it was obvious that she had died as a result of abuse, not some mercifully quick spell.
Severus looked at Harry one last time before he invoked the spell to eject everyone from the Pensieve. Severus and Serena sat in their chairs around the table, trying to absorb what they'd just seen.
Harry didn't look at them. He stared at the table top, mumbling, "I have to beat him… I have to beat him…"
Serena met her husband's eyes and mouthed, "Living room."
When Severus nodded, stood and led an unresisting Harry out, she followed. Taking a short detour, she stopped in the potion lab and grabbed a bottle from a shelf by the door before rejoining them.
Severus had helped Harry to the couch. He'd tried speaking to the young man, but Harry remained unresponsive. Frustrated, he stood when Serena entered the room. Moving towards her with a concerned frown, he looked at the bottle in her hand questioningly.
"Dreamless Sleep," she murmured.
He nodded. Perhaps sleep was best for now.
"What about an Obliviate?" She asked.
"I'm not sure taking the memory will help him, Serena. He needs this information. Besides, you know I dislike playing with someone's mind."
"Not the whole memory, Severus, just the part with his friends, with Ginny. We'll ask him first, of course. If he agrees, you'll have to do it. I don't have the same control you do with memory charms."
Severus raked his fingers through his hair and scowled. He hated toying with people's memories, but Serena was right. If the young man agreed, it might be for the best. "Fine, but I'm not sure how to get through to him right now. He's a mess."
They both moved back to Harry and sat; Severus on the coffee table in front of him, Serena on the couch next to him. She placed the potion on the table in front of her, turned and took Harry's hand.
"Harry? You need to pay attention now. We can help you, but you need to listen. Harry? Come back to us now," Serena said gently, repeatedly, while stroking his hand.
As his wife murmured to him, Severus watched him closely. Harry's far away, pain filled eyes flickered a few times before finally focusing on his own black eyed gaze.
"Harry?" Severus asked, softly.
"Yes, Professor?" Came the emotionless reply.
"Do you remember what happened?"
Harry jerked suddenly, flinching away and closed his eyes tightly. Severus took his other hand and squeezed it. "It's all right. We're here. We can help. But you need to listen. Can you do that?"
At the Professor's calming words, Harry opened his eyes. Meeting Severus' gaze once more, he nodded.
"You know that what you saw isn't what will be. Only what might be." When the young man tried to interrupt, Severus' voice hardened as he continued. "Ginny, your friends, they aren't dead. And they won't be! You're not alone in this fight, Harry. But you can't push them away. You need them. Draw your strength from them, to fight for them and for yourself."
As the Professor's calm, strong words sank in, Harry started to relax. Ginny wasn't dead. Ron, Hermione…they were all in Gryffindor Tower, safe. Looking into the eyes of the man before him, looking for any hint of deception, he felt his locket warm. Taking a shuddering breath, he nodded once more.
"Harry," Serena said, drawing the young man's gaze. "We can help you. Severus can remove the memory of Ginny and your friends. Not the whole memory, as it's too important for you to lose. But the most painful parts can be taken away. Once it's done, we'll explain to you that a portion of the memory was removed because of the pain it caused you. But it has to be your decision."
Mum, Dad? Harry thought, closing his eyes. I need your help with this. You've told me I can trust them. I believe you, but I don't know what to do. It seems like an easy solution, doesn't it? Maybe too easy? I don't know. I don't want to see it again, but I can't stop replaying it over and over. Gods, Ginny! Mum, Dad? Sirius? Should I let the memory be Obliviated?
He waited for a moment, hoping for a response. When the locket warmed, he sagged in relief. He wouldn't have to see Ginny's broken body again. Opening his eyes once more, he looked at Professor Snape.
"Sir, I know you don't like doing this. But I think I need it. Please, take the memory," he said with quiet conviction.
An hour later, Severus and Serena entered their bedroom, hoping for a few hours of sleep. After removing the memory, they had escorted Harry to the Gryffindor common room and administered the Dreamless Sleep potion. While the most disturbing images had been removed from Harry's memory, what was left wasn't pleasant. A good night's sleep would help.
As Serena slipped off her robe, she noticed her husband's scowl.
"What is it?" She asked.
"I just realized that I spent the last few hours comforting James Potter's son," he replied in puzzlement, dropping to the bed and laying back.
"Severus Snape! Don't you dare start that again," Serena exclaimed, climbing onto the bed and kneeling beside him.
"Serena, you don't understand…" Severus started to explain.
"Oh, I understand more than you think!" She replied, furiously. "You still can't see beyond the boy's father! What the hell is wrong with you, you bloody man?" Leaning over, she shook her finger in his face. "If you do anything to hurt that boy, you'll pay for it, Severus. I'm serious! I won't allow your past with his father to cause him more pain!"
Grabbing her shaking finger, he sat up quickly, rolled her over and pinned her to the bed, hissing, "Would you listen to me? Merlin woman, it's a wonder you can hear anything the way you yammer on all the time!"
Glaring, she remained quiet.
"For five years that boy has annoyed me. And not just because of whom his father was. That's not something I can just let go of over night! In the last year, I've been able to ignore it. Tonight I realized that, for the last few months, I haven't had to ignore it because it wasn't there any longer! Then tonight, when he showed up…Gods, Serena, I'm not good with young people. You know that! Yet I found myself wanting to comfort him?"
Shoving himself off her, he rolled to his back and stared at the ceiling. "I wasn't angry, Serena," he continued quietly. "I was worried. Worried about a boy who stopped being just 'James' son' months ago. I've gone soft, that's what it is. Merlin!"
"You haven't gone soft. You're just learning to let go, that's all," Serena replied, curling into his side. "And it's about time too, I might add. Don't worry; your first years will still be terrified of you. You're a right of passage through Hogwart's. If the students can survive you, they can survive anything!"
When he grunted in response, she chuckled, pulled the blankets over them both and tucked her head under his chin.
When she murmured her goodnight, he kissed the top of her head and sighed. Gods, I AM going soft.
Lunch the next day…
Harry had slept in late. Serena Snape had told him not to worry about sleeping in, as they would inform his teachers that he might miss class.
Harry got up just before noon. He vaguely remembered Ron trying to wake him. He took a quick shower, changed into some clean clothes then he head down to the Great Hall for lunch.
Joining his friends he started filling his plate when Ginny stopped him.
"Harry, you owe me an explanation for last night." She looked at him sternly.
"Your right Ginny, I do owe you an explanation. But I'm afraid I can only give you a piece of it." Noting her look he added hastily, "I'm not going to hold anything back from you guys, but the fact is, certain parts I don't remember and don't want to remember. I let Professor Snape obliviate some of my memory last night."
Ron dropped his fork, while both Ginny and Hermione looked stunned. "YOU DID WHAT?" Ron exclaimed, "Are you insane?"
"Ron! Keep your voice down!" Harry hissed at him, looking mad. "I didn't do it because I thought it would be fun. I LET him do it me. I agreed to it! I needed it."
Lowering his voice, he continued. "Look, using the Pensieve, I took myself into the one vision I haven't shown anyone. I needed to get some idea of a time frame. I now have the information I needed. I came to your room last night Gin, because something I saw upset me a lot. I needed to reassure myself that you were ok.
Then I took the Pensieve and showed the memory to the Snapes. I don't remember exactly what I saw in that, but when we were done, I felt like I had died. They helped me Ron. He Obliviated parts of the memory and I let him do it. I don't want to remember what I saw. I've got what I need, and no one else is going to see that memory, except perhaps, Dumbledore. Trust me on this Ron, you don't want to see that vision."
Ginny placed a hand on his arm. He looked at her, and then he grabbed her tightly. "I just wanted to make sure you were safe Ginny," he whispered in her ear.
Ideas and Revelations…
Harry sat quietly in the library a few days later. Something had been bothering him since before Valentines Day. Thumbing through his notebook, he happened on sketch of Ginny's Heart Shaped crystal and he froze. Could it be?
Thumbing through his notes, he started checking. Yes, the crystal within a crystal would provide several interesting possibilities. Sure, they were much harder to make, but the combination of the matrices would allow him to invoke the Protean bond in ways it wasn't designed to! The mark could be used as a receiver for all sorts of magic. if he used the proper crystal structures. The only problem he could see was that there was an inherent weakness where the crystals met. That meant power might be a problem. The crystal might be limited in this use. Flipping to an empty page, he started to write furiously, occasionally pausing to summon a book he needed.
It was near curfew and he had been working nonstop until Madam Pince insisted he leave. Scowling, he left the library and went straight to the Room of Requirement.
He spent the entire night working on this new idea. He summoned volume after volume to him, checking his references and putting the concepts to paper.
Harry paused and read his notes. It should work! He quickly pushed his notebook over to one side and stood pacing. How to test it though? How? He stopped. Yes! That might work, he thought. Sitting down once more, he began work on a test crystal.
He left the room of requirement an hour later, surprised to see it was morning. Where had the time gone?
Testing 1 2 3…
Harry walked into the Great Hall at breakfast and looked around carefully.
YES! Now to see if this works like I hope, he thought.
Spotting his friends, he walked over to them. Instead of sitting next to Ginny, he sat next to Hermione. Ginny frowned and Hermione looked at him curiously. He motioned for them to lean closer.
"I want each of you to keep an eye on our resident Death Eaters. I want to test something. Watch them for reactions." He whispered.
Harry pulled out an oblong crystal from his pocket. It was a translucent green with a strange pink interior and within that, something dark. He held it in the palm of his hand and his hand glowed slightly.
He stopped and looked at the three of them.
"Michael Corner is laughing," Ron reported.
"So is Marietta Edgecombe," Ginny said.
"Pansy is trying to stifle a giggle," Hermione concluded.
"Ok, that's the first test, let me try a little more power."
His hand flared a little brighter this time. His friends reported the same results.
"OK, I don't want to make them suspicious, but I need to try a little more power."
His hand flared again, more brightly than before. Suddenly, the crystal grew very hot. He gasped in pain and hastily dropped it on the table. It had turned completely black and smoked a little. He held his hand with his other, the blisters already forming. He hissed in pain and shook his head.
"Oh well. I'd hoped the matrix would be able to handle more power, but it's too unstable."
Ginny grabbed his burned hand and started healing it. He smiled at her gratefully.
Hermione looked at Harry suspiciously. "Harry, just what was that all about?"
He used his free hand to pull out his notebook. Flipping to the right page, he slid it over to her. "I'm too tired to try explaining it 'Mione. Just read. I started working on this yesterday, worked all night on it actually."
Hermione looked at the open page before. Spotting the title, she frowned and read.
Using embedded complex crystalline
structures to
Force the Protean Mark to act as a
receiver for standard magic
By H. J. Potter
Using a combination of crystalline structures, it may be possible to force the mark, created by the Protean Charm, to act as a receiver for the effects of ordinary magic. The core of this concept requires the essence of the particular mark to be incorporated within a series of embedded crystals (See Fig 1.) I foresee the possibility of using this complex structure to send low power magics, such as charms, directly to the mark of anyone within the appropriate distance.
There are several significant disadvantages to this concept. One cannot send high-powered spells through the complex structure. The interface between crystals is inherently weak. Additionally, because of the power limitations, the range is limited to probably less than 100 meters.
Creating such a complex structure required the incorporation of an existing dark detector that had been reshaped to conform to the necessary shape and size parameters. The dark detector provides the "essence" needed and acts as the core of the structure tying it to a specific protean mark…
Hermione whipped her head up to glare at Harry. He had done it to her again! She wanted to stamp her foot and scream! She was about to tear into him until she noticed that Harry was snoring gently next to her, his head dipping slowly down to the empty plate before him.She snapped the notebook shut angrily and looked over to Ginny. In a steely voice she said, "It's a good thing he's your man. If I didn't love him like a brother, I'd kill him now." With that she stormed away from them, marching up to the head table and leaving Ginny and Ron looked puzzled. Harry snored on.
She stopped in front of Professor McGonagall. "Professor… that… oh… that boy… I want to… he's done it again!"
Professor McGonagall looked over the table at her favorite student. "Calm yourself, Miss Granger. Who has done what? Tell me what the problem is please."
"He's done it again Professor! Harry! Look! He did this without even telling me!"
She opened his notebook and thrust it at McGonagall. Minerva read a bit, then placed a hand on Dumbledore's arm, interrupting his conversation with Professor Sprout. He leaned over and glanced down at the notebook, then raised an eyebrow.
"It seems our Mr. Potter has been busy again. Where is he?" He looked up and quickly spotted the quiescent Harry, snoring at the Gryffindor table.
In a hushed tone, Hermione said, "He said he was up all night doing that Sir. He came in here a little while ago with a new crystal type I've never seen before and ran a few tests, causing three certain students to laugh. I can't believe he went off and did this without at least telling me about it."
"Hermione… you are truly the smartest witch we've seen in a long time, but Harry didn't do this to offend you or make you angry. He gets a burst of inspiration and his own determination will not let him let go of it until he's figured it out. He is not trying to compete with you," Dumbledore soothed, before continuing. "In a way, it's more tied to artistic talent than pure intelligence, my dear. I often wonder. If it hadn't been for the drawings he's been making, would he have ever come up with these ideas?"
Her anger deflated. "Oh, I know that Professor, it's just so frustrating. He runs off and comes up with these wonderful ideas, but still likes to check his homework against mine."
"He truly does need your help Hermione. He is a very capable wizard, quite smart in his own way. But he's concentrated his efforts on those aspects of our world that directly impact his life, whereas, you have a driving thirst to learn all you can. Perhaps someday, when this war is over, he will have the same thirst my dear. For now however, I for one am glad he's maintaining his focus.
Let him get a few hours sleep before you wake him. We'll meet tonight in my office to discuss this latest development. In the meantime, I'll make some copies of this latest idea of his. I'd suggest you and your friends help him get to bed for now and have Ronald wake him at noon." Dumbledore told her.
Headmaster's office, Hogwarts…
Later that evening, a very tired Harry, with Ginny in tow, entered the Headmasters office. McGonagall, Flitwick, both Snapes and Hermione were present. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow over Ginny's presence, but waved them in anyway.
"Ah Harry. We've just been going over your work, but are you sure you want Miss Weasley here tonight?" Asked Dumbledore.
"Yes Sir. To be honest, I'm rather tired tonight and I don't think I'll be of much use to anyone. I brought Ginny here because she's wearing the inspiration for this latest work and well… I didn't think she'd will being to part with it willingly." Turning to her, he asked, "Would you show the Professors the necklace I gave you for Valentine's Day please?"
Ginny took off her necklace and passed it to Professor McGonagall to examine before it was passed on.
"Ginny's necklace contains no magical properties, but it's what gave me the idea. I built the ruby, and then built the diamond right around it. It's been bugging me since the day I made her necklace. Previously, I had been fusing crystals together, like placing building blocks one on top of another. The idea of putting one or more inside another changes the dynamics of how the crystals work."
As Harry continued to speak, the necklace was passed from one Professor to another until it got to Dumbledore, who took an extra few minutes to look it over.
"Two things became immediately apparent to me when I was looking at this. Because the stones are not fused together, the amount of power the matrix can handle is very limited, probably to low energy charms. Its range is limited as well. What I found more interesting is something I haven't tried yet. I think anyone can power one of these crystals Sir, probably easier than I can." He shrugged ending with, "This is one time that having too much power isn't a good thing."
Dumbledore handed the necklace and Harry's notebook to Ginny. She handed the necklace to Harry, then turned around and lifted the back of her hair. Harry smiled and put it back onto her.
Watching their actions, Dumbledore chuckled. "I think that necklace has more power than you think, Harry. At least it does for Miss Weasley, as she seems to be able to control you with it.
I can see you're still tired, so why don't you and Miss Weasley return to your common room. The rest of us can discuss this in some detail, and Miss Granger can share our ideas with you in the morning. Perhaps tomorrow you might be able to make us one of these new crystals to work with?"
Harry nodded at that, trying to hide a yawn. "Yes Sir, tomorrow. If I tried tonight, I'd probably fall asleep."
After Harry and Ginny left, Dumbledore looked at those left. "Well? Comments?"
Hermione looked ready to burst, so Dumbledore nodded for her to start.
"Sir, I haven't had much time to read Harry's paper, but given the low powered nature of this new idea, I've looked at what charms could possibly be of use. Basically, they fall into two categories - useful and non-useful. Of the useful, since it's doubtful this can used as a weapon, it seems to me that there are several tracking charms which might be helpful…"
The meeting lasted several more hours before breaking up. Everyone thought they needed more time to digest this latest idea of Harry's.
Slytherin Common Room, Late night, end of March…
Draco Malfoy sat in a dim corner of the Slytherin Common room. The past two months had been a living hell for him. He had received several owls from his father, threatening to offer him to his master as a target dummy. The nightly detentions with Filch had been degrading, and then there was his time spent with Dumbledore.
That man is fucking bonkers! He thought savagely. First he made me write long essays on the rise of mudblood power, and then a comparative essay on the power of the Wizarding world versus the muggle world.
The last essay had been a real eye opener for Draco. No one had ever told him that muggles had weapons so powerful they could destroy the world. Even Voldemort couldn't do that.
But all that paled when he thought about the humiliation he had received from his own housemates! No one cared that he was a Malfoy anymore. He was a subject of laughter and mockery now. Even the first years laughed at him. Openly laughed at him!
Damn them all! He raged. I'll find a way to show them that no one laughs at a Malfoy! I'll make them sit up and take notice. I'll teach them to fear the name of Draco Malfoy somehow…
"Draco?"
Glancing up, he nearly growled. "What do you want, Pansy? Come to laugh like the others?" Damn her. She was wearing the same silver robe, belted loose enough to show…skin? Now what is she playing at? Stupid bitch! It's her fault I'm in this position. Why did I listen to her?
"No Draco, I can feel how badly you're hurting and I've come to offer you a chance to redeem yourself. I'm here to help you get back on the good side of our master… If you're nice to me, that is."
"Oh? In case you haven't noticed Pansy, they won't let me have a wand for more than six hours a day, and my father refuses to send me another. There's little I can do without one," he said, sarcastically.
She laughed huskily. "Ah Draco, you underestimate me. But then, you always did."
"If you have something to say, do so. I tire of your games."
"Games? Oh, this is no game, Draco. My plan will allow you to rejoin your family with honor. People will fear you once again. Your father, and the Dark Lord will be proud!" She said, fiercely.
"I'm watched, Pansy. You know that. Dumbledore would…"
"Dumbledore is a fool!" She hissed, sliding closer. "Listen well, Draco. When I am through, Dumbledore will be gone. And so will we!" Kneeling before him, she placed her hands on his knees and looked into his eyes. He's interested, but need a bit more twisting, she thought
"Do you want payment for all that's been taken from you?" She asked.
"Don't ask foolish questions, Pansy. You know I do."
"I can give you the means, you know."
"How? And how much more will it cost me? You're part of the reason I'm in this mess!"
"So I told you to kill the mudblood in front of Potter and his friends? Come now Draco, you did that yourself. You should have waited, and you know it."
Pounding a fist on the arm of his chair, he glared at her. No matter how much he wished to deny what she said, he knew it was the truth. "Your plan?" He prompted, choking back a curse.
"I'll not tell you all of it, only your part. When all is set, you will be required to kill Potter. Yes," she said, almost purring. "I can see that appeals to you. The Dark Lord will raise you high for that, Draco."
"Pansy, it would never work," he said, but couldn't hide his anticipation. Kill Potter? Oh yes, he'd be willing to give much for that opportunity!
"Yes, it will. Once done, we will be leaving this wretched school. Leaving to join our Master and take our rightful place by his side. All you must do is wait for my signal. We wouldn't want you making another mistake, would we?"
Grabbing her hair, he pulled her head close to his and hissed, "Have you forgotten? I have no wand!"
Cat quick, she slid one hand between his thighs and cupped him tightly. "Release me, if you wish to keep these," she threatened, before squeezing her hand.
She was released immediately, and the look of shock on his face was priceless. "You're learning Draco." Removing her hand, she sat back on her heels and looked at him. "The wand problem has been taken care of. But before I tell you how, I will have a promise from you, a blood oath, mind you. You will not be allowed to slip out of it when you think it convenient!"
"What do you want?" He asked, sullenly.
"Marriage, of course. Smile, Draco, we're about to be engaged. I need the power of the Malfoy name. You need an intelligent wife to keep you from making more mistakes. An excellent match, don't you agree?" There was a dangerous gleam in her eye that any smart man would have noticed.
But then, Draco Malfoy really wasn't that smart. Looking down at her, he thought of his parent's marriage. It was based on much the same sentiment as Pansy suggested for them both. Arranged marriages were common among purebloods. Besides, she's a whore in the bedroom. At least she'll amuse me!
"So be it. I agree. Now, about this wand?"
"Not so fast. A blood oath, if you'll remember." Removing a dagger from the pocket of her robe, she unsheathed it, and held out her hand. "Your palm?"
Grimacing, he held out his hand, palm up. Quickly cutting both their palms with the dagger, she clasped his hand and pulled out her wand.
"The words, Draco. Say them now."
"On my oath as a Malfoy, for the honor of my blood, I pledge my life to yours."
Leaning over, she pointed her wand at their joined hands and murmured, "Spiritus Fides!"
They both gasped in pain. As the spell was released, their joined palms burned. As the pain ebbed away, they started to relax, only to cry out as the bond took hold, tightening around them, burning into them like hot embers.
When it was over, they both sat panting, staring at each other in shock. When Draco finally pulled his palm back and looked at it, he saw a black scar where the dagger had cut him.
"You have your oath," he spat. "Now finish this!"
"Now Draco, be nice. I'm about to give you the world." Reaching down, she removed a wand holster from her ankle. Holding it up, she turned it enough so he could see the wand it contained and smiled slyly. "Your wand, I believe?"
"My wand? But Dumbledore…"
"You can be so dim sometimes, Draco. Of course it's not your old wand. It's a replacement. Unregistered, I might add."
"But how?" He asked in bewilderment.
"Does it matter?"
"No. No it doesn't." And Draco Malfoy found himself smiling, for the first time in many months. You're dead, Potter!
Authors Notes:
To the reader that pointed out the phase of the moon would have given a more precise indication of the time. You would be right, except for the fact that the moon Harry saw was the moon shining down on Privet Drive. Inside the visions, there was no mention of any moon. Harry, who has had five years of astronomy lessons, would have picked that clue up too easily. That's why I omitted it.
Hagrid? Well you see he won an all expense paid trip to visit rare magical creatures. Actually, we decided to push him far into the background because (a) it's a major pain to try to type his accent and (b) his loyalty to Dumbledore would have made him immediately a problem in the eyes of Harry. And quite frankly, I don't believe ANYONE would approve of Harry disliking Hagrid. We couldn't see that happening, so let's just pretend he's around somewhere.
We both greatly appreciate the anti-writers block potions. Are they good to dunk Oreos in?
You will learn how that first year Gryffindor was killed, probably in the next chapter.
Hit Wizard Schanne was more interested at that point in preserving his own skin than engaging in a fact finding mission. Frankly if I were him, I'd probably be running home to change out of my soiled pants at that point.
Slytherin DA? You'll see.
SeekerTLK: My wife is hissing at you at the moment. We've worked hard to keep up the pace, although I have to admit we've slowed a little. But the chapters have gotten longer in the past few days. Now if you'll excuse me, my wife has a slow leak and I need to patch her up.
Draco? Well he's back in this chapter for a brief moment. Let's just say to all those people that believe in Draco/Harry slash or Draco/Ginny or Draco/Hermione or Draco redeeming himself, are not going to get their wishes fulfilled here. It is our humble opinion that redeeming Snape was enough work.
Why is Lockheart still on the top ten bachelor list? To be honest we don't know, we emailed the editors of Teen Witch Weekly, but they haven't replied to our email as yet.
Please continue to read and review. We may not reply to everyone, but we'll try to answer questions.