Author's Note: I have this chapter all but finished, so while I'm sitting here stuck on what to right, I think I should answer the reviews. BTW, I kinda screwed up with posting the last chapter only a few hours after the fifteenth, you may want to look to see if you read it or not, not that it's all that good, but you'll be missing a chunk of the story otherwise.
Smiley: sorry, but if you mean feature Harry and Hermione as a couple, then the answer is no, as you'll see in this chapter. In my mind they are more like a brother and sister (I know I'm not the first to come to that analogy) However, I do hope to get a bit more of her and Harry talking, maybe you'll like that. Thanks for reading either way.
Ray: thanks as usual for your review, I know I've dropped the ball on giving Harry an edge, best I can say is that I'll work on it. Unfortunately I have found that I am not good at giving plot and character at the same time, and right now, I need to get some ideas moving. I think you may catch a glimpse of that in this chapter, just keep in mind I'll keep trying to improve the quality of both. Thanks for sticking around to see where we go.
ILikeSpaghetti: I like spaghetti too. Yeah Spaghetti! Seriously, it was great to find your review waiting in my e-mail. I know what you mean about withdrawal, I just can't focus without a healthy dose of hog warts and heroes every few days, lol. Thanks for your kind words.
To everyone else, thanks for reading. I hope to hear from you after this chapter, but even more, I hope you actually like what you read. Enjoy.
Jeremy
Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Harry Potter or any characters or places in this story, they belong to JK Rowling. I am making no money from this story.
Chapter 17 Snakes in the Grass
The days slowly rolled by as the month of October took reign. The mornings about the castle grew chill and windy. Harry and Ron had taken to wearing an extra layer of clothing for their dawn Quidditch practice. Many days were actually beginning with a drizzle of rain before the clouds would clear to a pale autumn sky.
It was one such morning that they returned to the common room to find the other Gryffindors gathered around the bulletin board. With a smirk on his face, remembering the dread from the previous year's Educational Decrees, Harry stepped up to see what this new announcement could be. With a sigh of relief he found that it was not a posting of some sweeping new legislation, but rather a notice for Halloween. Ron however grimaced as he read over Harry's shoulder. The notice read:
All Students
Please Note that the Halloween Feast this year
Will be held as a ball. It is a semi-formal event,
so dress robes are not required, and is open to all
Students. There will be a feast followed by music
and dancing. The doors shall open at Seven o'clock
And the ball will end at Eleven o'clock.
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster
"Well," started Harry, "That sounds like fun eh?" In all reality though he thought it was a strange idea. Why would anyone hold a ball during the middle of a war. Surely with all the attacks occurring in both the wizard and muggle worlds there was something better that they could be doing.
Ron broke through his thoughts, looking at him slightly bewildered. "Fun? Have you lost it mate? Don't you remember what it was like last time there was a ball?"
"Of course I do, but this time there isn't any pressure, for me any way. I don't have to be sitting in front of everyone, or find a date, or anything. Actually, I don't even have to go if I don't want to. What? I'm serious," Harry responded to Ron's wide-eyed stare. "Besides, it doesn't really seem so important, with everything else that's going on," his voice trailed off as a distant look glazed over his face.
For a moment Ron remained in utter disbelief, knowing Harry's thoughts had turned to concerns far away, unconcerned with the small matters that they should all be able to worry about. Thinking of the unfairness of it all stiffened his own resolve. He would see to it that his friends were allowed one night of fun, despite the war blazing beyond the halls of Hogwarts. His mind was set and he straightened up. "Well, I learned my lesson last time, I know just what I'm going to do." With that he turned and headed further into the common room, to put his plan into action.
Harry followed him, slightly bemused, wondering exactly what Ron intended to "do". Ron paused for a moment as his eyes searched the room. "What are you looking for?" Harry asked, but Ron did not answer, instead he strode over to a table in the corner of the room, and Harry followed.
"Excuse me Hermione. I was umm, wondering if you read the notice today?" She responded to Ron by nodding her head, but not looking up from her book. A smile crept over Harry's face as he figured out what lesson Ron had learned. "Good, well then, I was err, wondering, ahh hoping you would like to go to the ball with me?" He ended the statement as a question, and was beginning to look a little green.
"I'm sorry Ron, I was finishing my essay, what did you say?" she responded blankly while she began packing away her books.
Ron cleared his throat nervously, "I said, would you like to go to the ball with me?"
She looked taken aback for a moment, but quickly replied, "Yes, I can, I mean I do, no, I mean I will," she finished breathlessly.
All three were beaming now, "Well now that's settled, we just have to find someone to go with Harry. I don't reckon Parvati would have a second go with you mate. Anyone you think you might fancy?" Ron said while Hermione gave his hand a small squeeze.
Harry just shook his head disbelievingly, "No, and I told you I'm not going to even bother looking. It just isn't a priority for me, and I don't need the added pressure, or expectations of some girl who's read one to many Witch Weekly articles."
A goofy grin spread across Ron's face, "We'll see." Then his grin turned into a more sly look, though he was trying to conceal it, and failing miserably. "Hey I know, why don't you take Ginny. It's still early, so if you ask her now, she might not have a date yet." His voice sounded almost hopeful, but Harry was already heading to the dorm waving his hands helplessly over his shoulder.
Harry felt all too well the added pressure he needed to avoid, without Ron trying to force a date on him. The following week brought more tales of suffering with each daily paper, while his Occlumency lessons still yielded less results. He found now that he was also spending a lot of his extra time planning the DA meetings, which he was now holding twice a week, along with Quidditch practices. And that was in addition to the now daily escapes he had to make from the array of girls asking him to go to the ball. Most days left him without a spare moment and it began to wear on him.
One evening in particular, he felt that he was trapped, and being hemmed in. The doom that awaited him was not eased in his mind by extra studies, or thoughts of Quidditch matches, or even the fulfillment of helping other student prepare to defend themselves. Harry decided that he needed a change from his routine just in that moment. He dropped his bag in his dormitory, and headed out through the common room. At first he wandered the halls, ignoring the growing hunger he felt. Hours, it seemed, he let his feet lead him along many quiet halls. Until finally, his legs had borne him outdoors, and guided him to the lake, and he felt like walking no further. On the further shore the trees of the forest loomed up as silver giants shining in the night. Nearer at hand a chill breath of the fall whispered in his ear, sending ripples into the stars that were reflecting on the lake. The grass about him stood gray in the twilight, yet it held the memory of green from the day lit hours not long passed. Evening had just drifted into night, and it was nearing curfew. There were many glints of lights twinkling at him from the castle windows.
It was in the simple beauty of this place he called home that he found relief. All he cared for, and wished to protect was housed on this land. Every good feeling and memory he had ever had was started here. And he knew that it was dear to him, Hogwarts always meant hope; he just needed to look up from his daily toils to remind himself why this place was special. Feeling his burden lessen, he turned and headed back to the school.
But it was in the looking up, that Harry found that not all was well. As he neared the broad entrance doors, he saw several dark-clad figures slipping along the side of the school heading past the green houses towards the forbidden forest. For a moment he paused, questioning himself as to whether he should follow, or if it would be another in his long list of rash actions, playing the hero, so to speak. The thought died quickly as he saw the group of maybe four, he couldn't tell in the deep gloom, already they were halfway to the forest, and would easily disappear before he could summon help. His decision made, he started after them, following their the pale lanterns, prowling behind them as silently as he could.
Creeping into the eves of the wood, Harry was torn between wishing his friends were with him, and relief that none of them could be harmed because they were following him. The group he followed spoke no words that he could hear, though a low murmuring seemed to bind the air around them. Swiftly they made their way to a deep glade far within the borders of the forest. The dark cloaks that each wore were featureless in the moonless night, unless that the darkness itself was so extraordinary, that they seemed to be woven from the surrounding twilight.
Now hidden within the dell, the four separated and formed a small circle, each facing inward. One moved to the center and placed some object on the ground and returned to their place. Now in turn, each placed some indiscernible token upon the ground.
Harry was hoping it was nothing more than a prank, and he could get away without doing anything foolish; but in his stomach he knew that this was more than just a bit of mischief. He continued to watch from the shadow of a tree, as the four figures turned outward and began chanting a spell, "negritude ad operire perubique"; one voice starting and each adding to it in turn until all were raised together. But the first voice he recognized, and the incantation was easy enough to guess, something about disease covering something, but it was obviously a piece of dark magic. Unsurprisingly, the lead voice belonged to Draco Malfoy. In the center of their circle a sickly green light slid along the ground between the tokens that were placed there, but in the dim light Harry still couldn't make out what they were. But now he was come to it, what should he do. He could guess at two of the other dark figures, as Malfoy was almost never without them. He wasn't sure of the fourth, but it mattered little, if he could stop one of them, he would at least stop the spell, which he was sure needed to be done. He didn't know the actual effects of the spell, or what purpose it was being cast for. Beyond that though, he didn't know if it could be undone once completed. Help was now even further from his reach and would not be coming. "Time to do something stupid," he murmured to himself and stepped out from behind the tree.
Stealthily he inched closer, and took aim at the one he thought to be Malfoy. "Stupefy!" he cried and leapt towards the circle. Draco never saw the spell that hit him, and was instantly out of the fight. The others turned on him but Harry fell one of the larger of the larger two, assuming it was Crabbe or Goyle. A yellow flash grazed across his cheek, and Harry ducked in time to miss the second curse. "Serpensortia! Protego," came the next two spells even as more hexes flew towards him. The snake that had launched from his wand needed no command as it sped toward the other oversized boy. Harry had blocked a stunner that was aimed at him when a horn sounded at the northern edge of the wood. Harry did not lose his focus though, and used a disarming spell on the unknown fourth member of the group. Meanwhile, Goyle, or maybe Crabbe was still being chased by the snake and was failing at his attempts to banish the thing as it nipped at his heels.
As pounding footsteps came closer, Harry made to stun whomever it was running from the snake when a shout of "Avis!" caught him off his guard. Harry dove to the ground to avoid the flock of birds that soared at him. In that instant the four had made their escape from the clearing. Apparently the fourth witch or wizard had grabbed Malfoy's wand when Harry turned. They must have revived Draco and the other, and run off in the commotion. Still as Harry stood again and faced the oncoming of who he now knew to be Hagrid, from the pounding footfalls and the baying of Fang, he was satisfied that he had stopped whatever that spell would have done. He also noticed that in the remains of their circle were left the different tokens. He was glad, because that would help to identify the spell. Also, he noted that some of the items were expensive, and would not be easily replaced. There he could see a branch of wormwood, and egg of some sort, hellebore root, a whole bicorn horn, and a small glass vial in the center, still corked, but apparently empty.
Hagrid bounded into view with his crossbow in hand. "Harry, wha' are yeh doin' here?" he gasped. "The forest ain' safe no more, you oughta know tha'."
Harry glanced over his shoulder again to be sure that the four dark figures had left, and spoke to Hagrid in a low tone, "Hagrid, good thing you showed up, I need to go see Professor Dumbledore. There were just four wizards who I followed here from the school. They were dressed almost like Death Eaters, and they were performing some spell. Look!" Harry stepped aside and showed the remains of the circle. "Please Hagrid, I think it was a group of students, and the incantation didn't sound pleasant."
Hagrid didn't hesitate for a second, "Alrigh', alrigh'. Come on then 'arry, get tha mess an le's get outta here." Harry quickly stooped and gathered all the items and they headed in as near a straight line as they could for the castle. They weren't deep into the forest, and there was little brush to contend with. Actually the trees that surrounded them were vast in their height and beauty. Almost one would wish to have more time to spend among them in the daylight. But now it was dark, and those woods were no place to linger at night.
Soon they reached the door to the entrance hall. Harry had relayed a brief account of who and what he had seen, all the while doubling his pace to keep up with Hagrid's massive strides. "You go on up an see Dumbledore. Tell im I'll be waitin' down 'ere at the doors in case they haven' already come back in."
"Thanks Hagrid, I'll tell him," and Harry turned and strode off to the Headmaster's office. On the way up the stairs, it did occur to him that he was probably in for some punishment, after going into the forest, and being out after curfew. This is a bit more important than how many detentions I have to serve though, he thought to himself as he reached the gargoyle.
"Ice mice," Harry stated and the gargoyle leapt aside. When he reached the top of the revolving stairs he knocked on the door and waited for the summons from inside.
"Enter," came the soothing voice of the Headmaster. "Ahh, Harry, good evening. You are out rather late I believe. I will assume that this visit is not in regards to the Halloween Ball. What may I do for you?" Dumbledore asked from behind his desk. The twinkle in his eyes was subdued, Harry thought perhaps due to the recent attacks.
Harry steadily set about relaying his tale again for the elder wizard. He produced each of the tokens and the Headmaster examined them. When Harry had finished he slumped back in his seat to give Dumbledore time to ponder all that he had heard. Harry was used to this part of their meetings now, and was in no rush after the long evening to do anything. Harry watched as the man in front of him stood from his seat and began to pace the floor of his office.
Dumbledore returned to his seat after uncounted minutes of thought. "Forgive me Harry, I was lost in thought for a moment. It seems that once again this school owes you a debt of gratitude. I see that you have been injured, would you like to see Madam Pomfrey before we continue?"
As Dumbledore mentioned it, Harry felt a burning sensation on his cheek. Putting his hand on his face, he found a small cut along his cheekbone, not deep, but trickled with a little blood. He hadn't noticed it before, but now, after having time to settle he could tell that it would need some attention. Still, he wished to learn more about what had happened in the forest, and what Dumbledore planned on doing. "Not yet sir. I would prefer to hear what you think about this, and then I will go see her afterwards if that is alright."
Dumbledore nodded his assent, "Very well then Harry. Although, it occurs to me now that you were not at dinner this evening, may I offer you a sandwich?" Harry suddenly felt the hunger that he had long since forgotten. He nodded his head, and a second later a platter of sandwiches appeared on a side table, along with a pot of tea. "There are many questions we must consider in this matter, not the least of which is why you would follow four unknown wizards into the Forbidden Forest." Harry caught the sparkle that shone brighter in Dumbledore's eyes for an instant. "However, I believe it is far more relevant to ask why those students would be performing that spell. Indeed I am also curious as to why they chose the forest as the location to cast it. I am familiar with this spell, and it's uses. It was originally used to clear land of wildlife and vegetation, it worked slowly, but thoroughly, to remove parts of the environment and make the land open for wizard use. In more recent years it has been used as a weapon. You see Harry, by applying this spell to a water source or food supply for a community the aggressor could simply starve their victims, or even effectively use it to poison their enemies. However, the draw back is that it can only cover a certain area, perhaps no more than a mile. Simply stated it does not have the power to directly effect Hogwarts at that distance." Dumbledore paused here to think more.
Harry quietly sat munching on a roast beef sandwich. If what the Professor said was true, then there had to be something else that they intended to effect. Wait what did he say, directly effect? Maybe it wasn't meant to effect Hogwarts in a direct sort of way. "Sir, is it possible that they could have intended to effect Hogwarts indirectly. I mean, wouldn't spreading disease in the forest provoke some of the creatures who live there?"
"Now you have it my boy. Yes, that would be a very clever plan, if only they hadn't been seen. Certainly relations with the Centaurs have been strained lately. This might have been enough to solidify any anti-wizard feelings that they hold. A very Slytherin plan I must confess, never would their hand in this have been felt if you had not intervened. That still leaves much to think about however. We have now the who, what, when, and the where. That still leaves the how and the why. How did they learn this spell, and gather the supplies, and manage to sneak out on the first night of the new moon. Why they did it is another matter entirely, although I believe the answers should be easy enough to guess. At any rate, I will be speaking with Professor Snape ere the evening grows much longer. You, however, have done enough already tonight. Please go see Madam Pomfrey, and then return to your dorm Harry and get some rest. I will fill you in in the morning with the results." Harry knew that the conversation was over, and he gladly headed out of the Headmaster's Office in desperate need of a bed.
