Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
By: Fred and George Weasley are MY Kings
Chapter 14: Felix Felicis (A/N: This is the REAL title of chapter fourteen in JKR's half-blood prince… according to mugglenet anyway. This is my theory of what it will be about… enjoy!)
DISCLAIMER: Everything you don't recognize is mine: Everything you recognize isn't mine!
FIRSTLY REVIEWS:A/N: Just wanted to quickly put ina reply to a question I recieved previously:I am planning on having about 25-30 total chapters but I don't know if I will get that much…. I have it all written down in my notebook (basic plot lines per chapter) but I may end up combining a few plot lines. I guess we will just see.
Blue Mittens: Thanks it means a lot to me and everyone else here... It's going to be hard though. Secondly, I didn't think you meant to be rude to Vertigo4ever… you just seem like a really nice person. I am sure she'll understand. Thanks for the review!
Benwa: Thanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed.
Star: Thank you for pointing out my error! That chapter was revised so I guess I will have to revise it again, hehe. Hope you continued reading, and I really hoped you enjoyed Chapter 1! Secondly, I am honored that you think it is great that I am writing this. I really do it because I enjoy writing so much… and I obviously love Harry Potter.
Nandhp: Thank you for keeping those young guys your thoughts. Our whole school district is just stunned… They were just so young. I can't tell you how much it means to everyone here! As far as the shell pensive, you are in luck my good friend! This chapter is FULL of Sirius's memories, now that Harry will finally have some time to himself to actually look at them. Enjoy! And thanks again for the caring review.
Chapter 14: Felix Felicis
The Gryffindor team went to visit Elizabeth directly after their defeat over Slytherin giving Harry no opportunity to talk to anyone. The scarlet team entered the hospital wing, all in great moods, figuring that Elizabeth would be back and up in no time. It turned out that she had broke her arm, which Madame Pomfrey quickly mended while muttering, "Such a dangerous sport… enough to kill someone, mark my words." Elizabeth was static once her arm was fully mended and left with her fellow teammates to throw a monstrous party in the Gryffindor common room.
Indeed, the party was monstrous, but Harry wasn't quite in the mood to celebrate. He was anxious to get some time to himself in which he could finally finish his looking at Sirius's memories.
Harry stole up the dormitory stairs, entered the dormitory, and went directly to his trunk while drawing his wand. Harry dug for the great leather-bound book and found it after much sifting. He had hidden it, along with the other gifts from Sirius, under about 10 pairs of unwanted socks, all without their pairs, and an old T-shirt, that was about ten times too big, that he had inherited from Dudley. He took the book to his four-poster bed, and made himself comfortable before closing the curtains. Opening the great scrapbook, Harry felt a surge of excitement. He hadn't realized it before, but it meant so much to him that he could just share these memories from his godfather about his beloved parents. It was the best gift Harry had ever received. He had always wanted just a chance to get to know his parents, and he felt like this was his chance.
Harry wasted no time in turning the scrapbook to the shell pensive and activating it. The familiar screen popped up (again reminding Harry of a muggle television set) and this time Harry selected the memory titled: The Middle Part I. He laid flat on his stomach, propped himself up on his elbows (much like he had before), and watched the shell pensive begin unfold before him as it spun in a maze of different shades of purple. Suddenly the memory came into view. Sirius was in the boy's dormitory…
The Middle Part I (A/N: Nandhp, this is just for you! --- Harry's POV is in parenthesis)
Sirius Black was lying on his back on his four-poster bed in the fifth year dormitory, staring into space (Harry noticed immediately that he looked exactly like he had in Snape's pensive. Harry reasoned that the boys must've been in fifth year) In fact, he was bored out of his mind sick of Potter's rambling. All the git did was ramble about one person… Lily Evans. Sirius supposed that he sometimes may have told detailed descriptions to James about his exploits with the female sex, but at least his were interesting and not all about the same bloody person. This was torture, but he couldn't very well just get up and leave (It was very clear to Harry that Sirius looked peeved about something, as Harry heard the soft murmur of other voices.)
"She's just so gorgeous, I cannot get over it." James said after about a five-minute retort to Moony as to why he couldn't "just get over Evans" (Harry leaned closer to get a better look at his fifteen year old father, who was currently blabbing about something). Sirius rolled his eyes for about the hundredth time that night. He was so accustomed to doing it that he barely even noticed when he did it. (Harry snickered as he saw his godfather's face.)
"A bit superficial, don't you think, James?" Another voice came out, and Sirius knew it immediately as their friend Remus Lupin. Sirius rolled his eyes for the hundredth-and-one time, namely because Lupin always insisted on having good morals. He also did the gesture because of the mere fact that Lupin was actually listening. Then again Lupin didn't have to go through this every other night. Sirius had set his muggle stopwatch, a birthday gift from his latest twit, Hanna, in hopes of a new record breaker…(Harry had to wonder where on earth Sirius got the muggle watch and just what exactly he was doing with it). The current longest, recorded just two days ago, had lasted 66 minutes. Sirius quickly glanced as the speeding numbers flashed by the screen. It was nearing an hour…seven more minutes and he would hit a new record, and Sirius would have to immediately tell Clara. The two, who had always had a rather rocky relationship, had gotten closer… and no not in any romantic way… Clara was, after all, head over heels for a blind git who periodically turned into a great ugly beast on the full moon. Sirius and Clara had settled their fights in order to make fun of their two hormone-struck friends, by recording how long they talked about each other. Lily's record was only about thirty minutes, making James look even more foolish, especially considering the fact that Lily complained about him whereas he graced her every movement. Sirius finally couldn't take it any more, even if it was going to be a record breaker.
"Blimey James! Why don't you just ask the blessed girl out again? You just sit here and grumble to us." (So was this how they got together? Harry thought, was it just Sirius always pushing them on each other?)
"Sirius, she turns me down every time. There is only so much my ego can take."
"That's because she thinks you are just playing the field. Honestly Prongs, girls always play hard to get. You can't take no for an answer!"
"Erm, except in certain situations, Prongs," Moony corrected. (Harry was immediately disgusted and shuddered… this was his mother they were talking about!)
"Right Moony, what are the chances of anything remotely close to that happening. You know what a clam Evans is." (Sirius actually wanted me to hear this?)
"Padfoot, that is so disrespectful," Moony said shaking his head in some slight amusement.
"Being a clam isn't a bad thing either. It makes her all the more mysterious." (Please spare any more details. Honestly any other memory padfoot and I would have been fine. Why this out of all of them? I don't want to know this about my parents.)
"Whatever you say Prongs. Evans just isn't my cup of tea." (It suddenly struck Harry that perhaps Sirius had been a bit shallow as a teenager… referring to his mother in many such manners. Of course, we all know it can be blamed on the lack of maturity.)
"Speaking of tea, is Wormtail still gone?" At the topic being diverted Sirius clicked off his muggle watch. Four seconds away! Sirius had even distracted James… God only knew how long it would've gone on if he had remained quiet. (Harry had to wonder why Sirius was stopped the watch at that precise moment. What on earth was he up to?)
"I didn't know Wormtail went to tea? Who threw the party? Man, what a girl little Pete is… He's never going to hear the end of this!" Sirius smiled his devilish grin, now sitting up on his four-poster bed.
"Sirius there is nothing wrong with drinking tea on a date,"
"There you go mate," Sirius said to James. "Take Lily out to tea. I cannot wait to hear the success of Petey's date. Haha."
"You aren't necessarily one to make fun, Padfoot. How is a certain third year doing?" Lupin asked raising his left eyebrow with a smirk primly placed on his face. Sirius face fell but he quickly recovered. (What? Sirius and a third year? Now it is getting interesting.) Damn Remus for always bringing it up. So maybe he had fallen hard for a younger girl… after all, after nearly every break up the girls all yelled that it was his loss, which almost caused him to laugh, and that he couldn't handle their maturity. Maybe he and Gretchen were on the same maturity level. He then smiled. Maybe it was just the fact that they were all the same, and all rather boring. But Gretchen wasn't like that.
"Well, Moony you really need to stop bringing that up, considering that you have some unsettled business with a lovely lady named Ms. Prewett." (So Hermione was right. Something did happen in their past.)
Lupin blushed feverishly, and didn't come up with a retort. James, however choose that moment to interject, "You really think she is just playing hard to get?" (Harry was suddenly reminded of Ron.)
Sirius wanted to give his friend a good kick in the arse but held himself back. He really didn't want to have to start the bloody stopwatch again. "Prongs if you can't keep up with the conversation, don't add to it." Sirius replied. But James didn't appear to be listening. "I think I am going to have another go… but this I need something flashy… something big. Something to tell her that I really love her."
Sirius who had begun to zone out again was suddenly steered back to the conversation.
"What?" Sirius exclaimed and he looked over to Lupin who seemed just as surprised as Sirius was.
"I said I needed something flashy."
"No after that," Sirius demanded.
"Oh erm, nothing," James said a flush creeping up his checks and his neck.
"Liar. You just said that you loved her didn't you?" James didn't answer but he avoided Moony and Padfoot's eyes, looking at anything and everything else he could. (Harry's own mouth had dropped open. James was only fifteen. He couldn't really love her already, could he? He was too young.)
"James, I don't think it is a good idea to say that, especially now." Remus said quietly.
"Okay so maybe I am not really text book definition in love with her. But… there is something."
"Prongs, I think you like the idea of her more then anything else." Remus again stated. (Was Lupin right? Do I do that too? Just like the idea of someone?)
"Yeah," James said now looking very uncomfortable (Harry could easily see why. Guys were not very good at describing their feelings in this manner.) "Err, guys I am gonna… I h-have to go to the library. Finish up some Transfiguration homework." And in a flourish, Harry saw his father stand, grab his bag, and leave through the door.
"This won't last, don't worry Padfoot. James grows out of everything," Remus said smiling and shaking his head after his friend, and then he turned his attention back to Sirius. "You both grow out of everything."
"Moony, I don't know about you, but I have a feeling that James will never grow out of Lily Evans. I used to think that too, but the fact that it has been going on ever since third year is starting to change my mind just a tad." Sirius said sarcastically.
"Sirius, come on,"
"Look, Remus you're always the logical one, but for once use my logic. James is never to give up on Lily, until he has her. Hell might freeze over, but I don't think James will care. I don't understand what he has with her or why he is simply chasing after her… but whatever tickles his fancy, right?" Remus just nodded. (Sirius was right. Dad didn't stop until he got mum. I just wondered if he really loved her like he claimed.)
Sirius again rolled over on back and stared up at the ceiling as he heard Remus leave the room. Sirius turned to his side and pulled out some sort of pin (Harry recognized it immediately. It was the mysterious pin that Sirius had give Harry… one of the vault contents!)
"Good Luck, eh? I suppose it could never hurt… I do need some luck if I am ever going to pull it off after all." Sirius pinned the brooch underneath his robe as he smiled mischievously. (Harry had to wonder what Sirius was going to do next… maybe he didn't even want to know. At least he now knew that the pin stood as some sort of Good luck symbol. )
The memory stopped and left Harry wanting more. That memory hadn't been too long. What if he just took a look at another? The pensive again returned to the familiar screen and Harry turned to activate the memory labeled The Middle Part II, anxious to see it hoping that maybe it would explain more. However, as he glanced at his own watch he noticed that it was well past midnight and that the others were probably due up any minute. Harry got up, now becoming full aware of how tired he really was, and closed the scrapbook (thus deactivating the shell pensive) as he put it back in its spot in his trunk.
He settled back down in his bed, closed the curtains, and closed his eyes. As sleep began to claim him, he couldn't help but think of Luna and wonder about the mystery of the half-blood prince. Then suddenly he drifted off to sleep.
Harry wasn't sure how long he had been asleep, but he jerked awake as he heard Ron calling his name.
"What?" Harry groaned as he saw Ron standing over him as the sun was just beginning to shine against the wall in the background.
"We think this is bad news…" Ron said frowning holding up a piece of weathered parchment.
IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI
According to Hermione, an owl had arrived to her at dawn and she had immediately snuck up to the boy's dormitory. The three were now in the deserted common room and by the looks of things, it seemed as though the gang would again be spending the greatly anticipated Christmas break at St. Mungo's. The letter had read:
Trio,
Great strategic loss, one attacked outside…regretfully dead, no suspect. W's loss. One Still alive, barely.
Thought we'd fill you in.
Gred and Forge
"How the bloody hell does that fill us in?" Ron said after Hermione had read it aloud for the second time.
"Ron, relax. They can't just come out and say it. What if it got into the wrong hands? They had no choice. We should be able to figure this out," Hermione said casting a weary look at the letter.
"Well, obviously two people were attacked, outside… that must mean like outside headquarters," Harry said, shrugging helplessly.
"One is dead, and one is barely alive," Hermione said tears filling her eyes. "Oh no, it's so horrible. The order won't be able to bare another death."
"I wonder if Lupin is all right…" Harry said worriedly.
"Well we know Fred and George are all right," Ron sighed as he pointed at the signature at the bottom of the letter. "I can't get over that… that W's loss thing though."
"Why?" Hermione asked, confused.
"Well, it's probably stupid I guess… but well, I was thinking maybe it meant that the Weasley's loss… like someone from my family… died." Ron said, stumbling over his words as his voice gave a fearful tremble.
Hermione then seemed to make the connection as she gasped and tears filled her eyes. "Ron… I think Percy was killed."
"What?" Ron choked out.
"It says they were outside… outside of the order… and that it was W's loss. Every other Weasley is in the order… this is terrible." Harry felt his stomach drop, hoping against hope that Hermione was wrong, just this once. But of course, she wasn't.
Ron looked distraught as he grabbed the parchment angrily out of Hermione's hand and read it for himself. His face fell and Harry could see his best friend's eyes fill with pain. "Oh no, this can't be happening. Not Percy. I can't imagine what mum is going through." Ron said closing his eyes while wearing a painful expression on his face. Hermione quickly engulfed Ron in a hug as she began sobbing. Harry felt awful as he sat watching his two friends. He then covered his face with his hands, not saying a word.
Dumbledore had informed Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny that the death had indeed been Percy and that Clara was currently in St. Mungo's suffering from some sort of form of magical coma. According to the professor, there was not much hope left for the brave woman, but the healers were determined and Dumbledore had faith in them. "Do not lose your faith," Dumbledore said, his eyes no longer having their lusty sparkle, has the four got up to leave from his office, "Faith is the greatest medicine that Ms. Prewett can ever receive."
"Professor," Hermione started, " I just don't understand why? Why were they attacked?"
"Well, Hermione," Dumbledore replied, " It seems to me that the two were meeting to discuss something… a certain thing that they shouldn't have known." As Harry looked at Dumbledore he saw something strange… something that Harry would never forget to his dying day. He saw in Dumbledore's very eyes, the sight of Dumbledore crying and yelling, 'Why such precious lives Tom? Why when you only want the boy? What will you do when you have him Tom? You don't know, do you?'
Then he felt cold as he heard a voice answer from inside his own head, 'Old man, no life is precious. The boy will be mine. My search is no longer on the verge of failure. Trust is your weakness, and you will soon see just how much.'
Was Voldemort inside of him? Why had he heard the voice? Why had he heard Dumbledore's thoughts? Were they talking about him? Were they talking about the half-blood prince? Not knowing what to do, Harry remained silent and refused to look into Dumbledore's eyes again. He had seen and heard enough.
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Harry had a horrible school week, as did everyone else. Ron and Ginny's were easily the worst… They hardly ate and didn't talk much at all. If the rare occasion that they did actually talk it would be things such as "The funereal is Thursday," or "Please pass the butter." Deaths seemed to get closer and closer to home and it seemed like there was no way possible to escape it. The only thing that kept his spirits up at all was the weekly D.A. meeting. Harry was anxious to start the actual practicing again and started up with the simple disarming charms. Harry saw with much pleasure that all of his students last year had actually become remarkably better and could easily disarm many of the less experienced others. Ron and Ginny both seemed to get a little bit back to themselves during the D.A. meeting and actually let out a laugh, which was amazing to anyone who witnessed it. The recent deaths had made the rest want to work harder as well. Harry circled the room, similar to how he had last year, and gave out a few pointers.
"Voss, keep your focus on your opponent."
"Denis, erm would you mind facing the other way so you don't set the bookcase on fire again?"
"Colin, you might want to try opening your eyes before you cast the spell."
Dobby seemed to be quite aware that the students were using the room of requirement again, as he constantly entered during meetings and provided the group of about forty teenagers with refreshments. "He is a creepy little bloke isn't he?" Elizabeth Conners said the first time Dobby had provided the group with food. Hermione had just glared at the poor fourth year, and still refused to speak to the girl. This had set everyone else quite aware to the fact that they may want to think twice about insulting the creature the next time he came. Hermione didn't look very intimidating, but everyone knew she had wit that could kill and that they did not want to be on the receiving end of her temper.
During the precious time that Harry could take his mind off of his troubles, he found his mind revolving about Luna. He was lost for any explanation as to why he liked her. After all, people were already calling them an item… Him and Loony Lovegood. Surprisingly, he didn't care but found that the phrase rather delighted him. After the D.A. meeting, she stayed back to walk him back to his common room, or so he thought anyway. Turned out she had a different idea. Taking his hand without a word, she led him through the corridors, all the way with Harry complaining and questioning her motives, and up to the great astronomy tower where dusk was beginning to come quickly.
"Erm, Luna… Why are we up here? It's a bit cold." And indeed it was.
"Shhh!" was all that she said in reply.
"But, Luna," Harry whispered into her ear, "Why are we here?"
"You'll see, just wait. I want it to be a surprise." Harry wasn't sure if he was going to really like this, considering the fact that it had to be past 5:30 by now as the sky was clearly dark, meaning that if they were caught wandering the halls, they would surely have detention. Harry hadn't had one yet this year, probably some sort of a record and he was definitely not looking forward to getting one if he didn't have to. For some reason, he didn't utter any word of protest but instead pulled Luna closer to him and shared her warmth as he put his arms around her. She seemed a bit startled by his actions but returned the gesture. They sat there without a word, but instead of feeling awkward, it just felt right.
Suddenly Luna pulled away and looked up into the majestic navy purple sky with its swelling stars. "Look, there it is!" Luna said pointing up, and as Harry gazed in the direction, which was southeast. There was a sight that Harry could honestly never say that he had ever seen before. Of course, he had heard of it and knew immediately what it was. It was a lunar eclipse, and the two sat and watched as the dark shadow began to slowly cover the face of the moon. Luna looked up as though mesmerized. "It's so gorgeous. I love the moon." Harry almost laughed considering the fact that her name was so very closely related to the moon, but stopped himself when he saw that she was on thevergecrying. "My dad loved the moon too…Firenze told me that the lunar eclipse symbolizes years of change." And soon Harry understood all to well why she had dragged him there with her. She just needed some company.
"Harry, I need to know."
"Need to know what?"
"What you know Harry..."
"Luna, I have no idea what you are talking about."
"I need to know what you know about my family's murder. I have to know Harry. I can't live with myself if I just sit here and don't do anything to bring their killer to justice. I have to know!" Luna was sobbing now, and Harry felt his heart give out in pity… He knew how it felt to be in her position. He could not just come out and tell her, but he could use this chance to do something else. Harry knew that this was his time to put all of his own insecurities inside and take a hold of the only thing that was still right in his life. He gently pulled Luna to him, her face still wet with tears, and he pressed his lips upon hers.
It was in all reality the kiss of the inexperienced, but to both Luna and Harry it was something more magical then anything they had ever felt. Their lips tingled with mirth, their minds buzzed with anticipatation and excitement, and their hands hungrily pulled each other closer. Luna ran her right hand through Harry's messy hair as she pushed his head closer to her own, and Harry could feel her knees wobble. He too pulled her closer as his left arm settled perfectly around her slim waist. Harry was savoring every minute and he felt his mind melt. Nothing mattered so long as he had Luna here. But Harry felt her pull away and coldness surround him as she looked down to the ground. "Don't give me your pity, Harry… I need answers." She said looking up as tears fell down her cheeks.
Harry felt as though he had been slapped. Was that all she thought that just was… pity?
"That wasn't pity, Luna." He said angrily.
"Harry, I can't do this. I-I just need answers. I know that it all involves you, and I need to know why they were killed."
"You know that it involves me? Luna… you don't think that I… no Luna had nothing to do with your family's murder."
"Please don't lie…" Luna said her headdropping, more tears coming down. "They were looking for you Harry. I don't know why, but they were looking for you. They k-killed them Harry all b-b-because t-they were lo-ooking for y-you."
"Luna, you think it's my fault then, don't you?" Harry asked turning away from her, not daring to look at anything but the floor.
"I don't know Harry, my thoughts don't make sense anymore," Luna said between tears.
"Well, Luna, they were not looking for me… please just calm down and stop crying. It will be easier to tell you everything that way." Harry said turning back to face her. She seemed to struggle with herself for a moment, but then she angrily wiped her tears away and sniffed. "Tell away, Harry," Luna said in a calm, emotionless voice that stung him, for unexplainable reasons.
And so he did. He told her everything, his whole bloody life story in quiet tones so people passing (although there probably wouldn't be any) by couldn't possibly hear, as she sat and watched with a horrified look on her face throughout its whole duration. She was quite an audience member, smiling at the appropriate comical sections, looking teary as he described what happened to Cedric, and finally looking fearful whenever he mentioned anything about Voldemort. He explained everything about the Half-blood Prince and the Order of Phoenix (not all of its member's names though, for Harry didn't even know that). The moon had moved clear overhead by time he had finished and Luna looked at him with a mysterious glimmer in her eyes. She hadn't said anything since he had started and they both sat there in silence, thinking. Finally she stood and sat down close to him while sighing. Wordlessly, he pulled her into a quiet embrace as their lips gently touched and their hands met. Everything was right in those few moments in the perfect stillness of the silent December night with the stars shining and the moon smirking all-knowingly down upon them as they kissed each other softly and just as wonderfully as before. For they both knew that neither kiss had been out of pity. Rather, it was from a completely different emotion… one that they were too afraid to face completely yet, but would soon and be all the more happy.
"Potter! Lovegood!" A voice sounded causing the couple to jump and pull away quickly from each other. Harry muttered a quick curse under his breath as he saw who the owner of the voice was. Professor Snape gloated at them, his upper lip curling with a lantern in his left hand, wand in his right. "What have we here? Detention with me in the dungeons, both of you. Do you not have any concern for the rules? You are out of dorms well past 5:30, ten points from, Ravenclaw." Then he continued, "Fifteen points from Gryffindor."
"Fifteen? Professor that does not sound very fair, especially considering you only gave me ten." Luna said as she stood to her full height. Harry followed and did the same.
"Well, Miss Lovegood, if you would like me to adjust it in all fairness very well, five more points will be taken away form Ravenclaw. I would, after all, hate to not be fair to the rule-breaking students. Now Miss Lovegood, I believe you are to be off to your common room. I believe I will accompany Mr. Potter back to his. Off you go." Luna left reluctantly casting a sorry look in Harry's direction.
As soon as she left, Snape turned his scowl back onto Harry. "You are very lucky Potter. The headmaster requires your attendance in his office. I believe that your punishment will most likely be shirked seeing as the headmaster seems to have a horrible soft spot for the likes of you. I am certain, however, that your little girlfriend's punishment will not be so easily avoided."
"If she has to carry out with the detentions then I have to, too. I was at fault just as much as she was."
Snape looked surprised as he glanced upon Harry's face. Instead of speaking, he merely turned on his heel and made his way back in. It seemed as though there were just something Snape had to say as he again turned around and spoke. "I honestly would've thought you and Granger.A bit surprising, you stooping so low to date a Ravenclaw. Whatever the case Potter, just make sure there are no future Potters in my lifetime. I have already lived through two generations and asking me to live through three would be a death wish."
Harry ran through the halls, thanking his good luck, as he landed next to the gargoyle. He spoke the password, and climbed the stairs leading to Dumbledore's office. The sight greeted him as always with the sound of soft snoring and the glow of warm lamp light, giving the whole room a rather cozy appearance.
Harry sat as he noticed Dumbledore just gestured for him to do so. There was another man present, sitting beside Dumbledore. He had a long, straight nose and a sharp jagged face that was framed with curly locks of chocolate brown hair. His eyes were a bright grayish color that gave the man a wise and somewhat cunning look to him. His eyes were perfectly round and they observed Harry through a pair of thin spectacles, made merely for reading.
Harry had no clue as to whom the man could be but he sat regardless, his curiosity bubbling. "Good evening Harry. Professor Snape informed me just a while ago about not being able to locate you in the common room. May I ask what you were doing at such an hour? It is, as I am sure you know, well past curfew time. Why it is going on 11:00!" Professor Dumbledore said, and Harry noticed that the shine was back in his brilliant blue eyes.
"Erm, I was just strolling about. I lost track of time." Harry lied. He knew that Snape would tell Dumbledore what really happened later, but he didn't feel like this was the time for him to come clean with Dumbledore. He still didn't know who the man was.
Dumbledore seemed to have noticed Harry's uptight nature, for the old man then introduce the two. "Harry this is our new Minister of Magic, Felix Felicis. He is here because he is very interested in funding the order with supplies and legal backing."
"I am also very interested in exactly what you saw of the murder of the muggle boy named Hank Kendal." Felix Felicis jumped in.Harry looked at Dumbledore stupidly, who just simply nodded.
"Please go on Harry. I know we can trust Mr. Felicis." Dumbledore said kindly. Just then something jerked back to Harry… 'Trust is your weakness, and you will soon see just how much' No Dumbledore couldn't trust this man… Voldemort was most likely planning this. If only Harry could somehow tell Dumbledore without Mr. Felicis hearing, but unfortunately Harry was forced to tell his story, which would let Voldemort know just how much the order knew. Reluctantly, Harry told his story with all the detail so as not to make Felicis suspicious.
"Well, Professor, Mr. Potter, I best be back to the ministry. But I do believe your side and will have my best detectives look into the case… see if they can find anything fishy." And with that the new minister was gone, leaving Harry and Dumbledore alone.
"Dumbledore, I have to tell you something. Earlier this week when you told us about Percy and Clara… I-I heard your thoughts."
"Say no more Harry. I felt your presence in my mind. It was always expected that you had the ability."
"I don't think I follow."
"Harry, you have the ability to read people's eyes."
"Err… What exactly does that mean?" Harry asked slightly confused. How the bloody hell did you read someone's eyes?
"It is a process similar to Legimency, however, it is passed down through genetics. Unlike Legimency, you only can see the person's feelings. It is called the practice of Oyosmiroency. Your mother was known for her ability in it, and I must say that is really no surprise that you can as well. You have her eyes after all."
"I read people's eyes?"
"Not techniquecally of course. It is of course based on the quote that eyes are mirrors to the soul. You see others' souls, Harry. A bit of an unnerving quality at times. Of course, the people first have to willing let you in, other wise you cannot. There is no forced entry like that Legimency. Oyosmiroency is so rare, that many do not know it even exists."
"But if I saw you're soul, then why did you feel my presence in your head and why did I hear Voldemort too?"
"It is important to understand that soul and mind are not always separate. In fact many times when you do happen to gain access of seeing someone's feelings, they reflect their thoughts. That is why I felt your presence in my head. As far as Voldemort, you two have a bond that goes beyond any magical ability. It is a link so strong and so rare that it is possible for you to see his soul and vice versa when you become in your most fragile states. It is a mystery to most, and I will not pretend for one moment that I am an expert on it."
"Well Voldemort answered your thoughts as though he could hear what I was seeing."
"It is possible that the link between you two may have transported the information to him. Or perhaps he may have entered your thoughts."
"No, I didn't feel him… and I would've." Harry said remembering how his scar hadn't hurt at all.
"Well than Harry there seems to be some other power to that scar that maybe we haven't learned yet. I am curious as to what Tom said, regardless."
"He said 'Old man, the boy will be mine. My search is no longer on the verge of failure. Trust is your weakness, and you will soon see just how much.'"
"Alas, still bluffing just like he always has."
"But, Dumbledore, what if he is right? Can we really trust...?"
"Harry, do not believeany of that nonsense. For I am certain of the people to whom I bestow my trust." Dumbledore then cleared his throat, and continued, "Well, Harry I believe you must be off to bed this instant. I can't keep you up a minute longer. You'll need your energy to support the others tomorrow. Funerals are always tiring business."
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Percy's funereal was scheduled for the last day before break, so the many students that wished to attend could do so easily. The four had attended as well as Luna, Neville, and of course many others. The Gryffindor quidditch team and the entire order staff, except Lupin (had to look after Clara in St. Mungo's) and Doge (had to look after headquarters) showed up to give their support to the Weasley Family. Everyone looked like they were holding up, except Mrs. Weasley who looked absolutely devastated.
The ceremony itself was depressing and Harry, who was located in between Neville and Luna, found himself wanting to reach out to his best friend. However, he couldn't because Ron was seated with the entire Weasley family (Harry had never seen so much red hair in his life). Harry had of course been welcome to sit on the Weasley family bench with them, but he didn't want to intrude. Hermione seemed to be having the same issue as she kept giving Ron worried glances as tears streamed down her face. Luna didn't look as though she had eaten in days, as her tiny frame was more pale and sickly. Harry was worried about her, and couldn't help but feel a bit protective over her, as he lent a strong shoulder for her to cry on and held her hand causing him to receive a surprised look from Hermione.
Neville seemed healthy enough, but definitely not happy as he passed by the Weasley family giving them each a friendly handshake, gently saying that he was sorry for their horrible loss. As Harry looked at Neville now he couldn't help but notice that his friend had grown taller, and had matured a lot over the past few weeks. He seemed no longer as frightened as he used to, and Harry soon saw why. As Neville made his way up to Ginny in the visitation line at the beginning of the funereal, he saw Neville beam with self-confidence, an occurrence that had never happened before.
Then when Neville approached Ginny, Harry saw his friend place a gently kiss on Ginny's cheek and smile warmly up to her as Ginny returned it. Harry and Ginny met each other's gaze, and Ginny flushed. Harry couldn't help but smile; the two had always been perfect for each other.
A/N: First I want say that I am trying my hand at The Marauder's years… If interested check out my profile and you can link to it there. I hope to hear from all of you soon, hehe. Secondly, it has been a difficult week. As you know everyone is suffering a lot… four funerals in one week is a bit much. Please keep the families in your prayers! Thank you so much. A SPECIAL THANKS goes out to Nandhp and Blue mittens for being so supportive and caring about the losses.
Okay this chapter is my longest yet! 7,235 words! Lucky you guys. Okay so hmm we have Sirius memory, which was so much fun to write, we had news of Percy's death and the attack on Clara… Dumbledore tells the four why. We have an odd incident in which Harry reads Dumbledore's feelings and hears Tom's as well. Okay I feel like I need to explain this. I read this thing on about what things were going to show up in the sixth and seventh books. The importance of Harry having Lily's eyes was among the many. The only thing I could come up with was the fact that Harry would be able to read thoughts or something. After all, JKR seems to really stress the fact that in order to perform Legimency there must be EYE contact. And she is also always stressing that Harry has lily's EYES. See the connection? I have actually read a story where they had a similar theory and they made him have the power of Legimency. So in all the power of trying to be original I made up a special quality that Harry possesses… something much more rare and more powerful than Legimency.
Then there is the sweet romantic part with Harry and Luna. I am absolutely horrid at writing romance scenes, so I am terribly sorry for putting you through that. I tried so hard to keep it PG. I am strictly trying to keep it to that rating so my little brother can actually read this story. Anyway Harry comes clean with Luna, and the share another good snog, only to be interrupted by Snape. That, my dear friends, was my little brother's idea, and laughed like crazy when I wrote that part.
We meet Felix Felicis; the new minister of magic and Harry has a bit of a trusting issue. Dumbledore and Harry have a nice chat but Dumbledore doesn't really take Harry's warning about trust very seriously. Think that's it! Thanks for reading! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!
ANY COMMENT, QUESTIONS, COMPLAINTS, SUGGESTIONS, OR IDEAS? If so, please share!
Chapter preview: Second Christmas at St. Mungo's! Expect during the weekend.