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Harry raged on, the figure didn't even struggle, "I wish that I didn't survive the attack when I was one. I wish Quirrel had strangled me in my first year. I wish that basilisk poison in second year had killed me. I wish the dementors had just finished me off on the train in third year. I wish for a lot of things, a lot that begged for death because I believe it would be easier the living. I'm still living because everyone else needs me, Ron and Hermione need me, hell, the Slytherins need me. You think that I don't realize that I'm the last hope? God, if anyone is an imbecile, it's your clueless arse."
Harry could have shown that something resembling a smile was visible under the black hood.
The figure gently pushed Harry off and took up Harry's wand; he prepared to bolt. The mysterious person stretched out it's arm, holding out his wand for him to take it.
Harry did, warily of course, and asked, "What you do that for?"
It imitated Harry's shrug, "Dunno," and started walking away.
Before Harry's jaw could drop, it tossed back over it's shoulder, "By the way, you aren't the only one."
Chapter 17: Happy Christmas
Stacks of presents were shining with bright ribbons and wrapping underneath an enormous green fir tree. As everyone else opened their piles on that Christmas morning, Harry sat in a corner of the Head Dorm, staring blindly into space.
He was still numb with shock from the prior evening, he exposed himself to the stranger, probably giving out his weakness.
Funny, was that he or she did not strike him last time when he was mouthing off. Harry wondered if what he had done was a mistake and kept thinking about it when a red-eyed Hermione Granger shuffled down the spiral staircase. She sniffed once and stared at him, scrunched up against the wall and far away from the Christmas tree.
Even more startling was that it seemed he hadn't laid a finger on any of the boxes addressed to him.
"Harry. . .why haven't you opened any of your presents? I got you something really good this year--"
She was interrupted by Ron coming through the portrait door, while the wealthy figures on the painting mumbled something about appearances, he was still in his long pajamas and carrying a heap of gifts. His freckled face was wide with a grin, "Oye! Look at all this stuff the Gryffindors got us! There's some for you Hermione…think Lavender and the other girls got a little overboard, and Harry, there's one from Luna"
The red head stopped talking and his grin vanished, "What are you doing?"
The other boy looked away from whatever he was looking intently at, "I've got to tell you guys something." Ron dropped the gifts beside the tree, decorated with scarlet and gold, and Hermione knelt in front of Harry; looking very concerned.
His breath came in shaky, "Last night, when you all were asleep, I went walking around the castle because I didn't feel sleepy. Just to clear my mind. I think that might have been a bad idea."
Ron questioned, seating in a chair nearby, "Did you get in trouble? Did Filch catch you?"
Hermione shushed him and Harry shook his head, unblinking orbs widened under black bangs, "No, but I knew someone was following me. A while ago, I did the same thing and someone attacked me in the hallway. Someone who told me that if they caught me wandering around in the middle of the night again, I'd regret it."
His friend's reactions were different, Hermione went a sickly pale and began wringing her hands, Ron on the other hand turned red in the face and the ears, shouting, "Who was it? Because I'm gonna kill them!"
"I don't know. They had a hood on, I couldn't see. I met with the same person last night and I couldn't take it anymore. I threw the person on the wall and lost my temper. Went on about how no one knows how I feel and how I wish…."
Ron asked, still sounding angry, "Wish what?"
Harry's eyes darkened with suppressed emotions, "How I wished to die." Ron's face went from bright red to white within seconds and Hermione clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Everything I do affects the people around me and the people I love get hurt. I know that I need to stop Voldemort, that's what's important to me right now, not how I'm feeling. But it was still…I-it was unnerving…to share that with someone I didn't know. What if it was a Deatheater? Or--?"
Harry found that his words were cut off by Hermione's two fingers pressed against his lips.
The bushy haired girl said seriously, "Harry, I wouldn't worry about it. It was probably just someone trying to get a rouse out of you," her voice became cheerful, "Beside, it's Christmas! You can go to Dumbledore later if you're so worried but now, we have all these presents to open. Won't you come and enjoy the holiday, if only for a day?"
Harry looked from Ron's encouraging eyes to Hermione's hand that was stuck out at him. He made his decision, by taking her hand and joining them to unwrapping presents.
They were lovely gifts and he was thankful for his friends.
As it turns out, Ron was to leave Hogwarts for the Christmas vacation, leaving his two friends in the school. Harry could have head to Grimmauld Place, since he inherited everything that was Sirius's, but the loyal Gryffindor, didn't want Hermione to spend a vacation alone.
She protested that she'd hold herself up in the library, her parents were off in Greece, and Harry wouldn't change his mind.
When the Weasley's came to get Ron, the Boy-Who-Lived greeted Bill, Charlie, and the twins. The elder Weasley's patted him on the back while Fred and George took turns shaking his hand. Even though their faces were bright from the cold and merry with Christmas cheer, Harry could see deep inside that they were mourning.
It would be the first Christmas without Ginny, their baby sister.
Thinking about her, Harry's stomach twisted into knots and he fought back a lump rising in his throat.
He said goodbye to them and some time passed considerably. Harry found himself wandering aimlessly outside into the cold. Hermione Granger sat in the stands, going through a book with her portable waterproof fire in a jar, right by her side. Her hooded cloak covered her head and the shadows hiding her eyes gave her a sinister look.
He came up from behind her and asked, "How do you do that?"
She jolted up from her reverie and twisted herself around, "Do what?" Harry pointed to the jar and she smiled, "I'll tell you one day. Right now I'm busy." She turned back to her reading and he reached for a few stray papers, "What are you---?"
Abruptly, her hand came up and grabbed his wrist forcefully, "No. Don't touch it."
Harry backed up and she went back to her trance-like reading, he muttered, "Sorry," and climbed down. When he got inside, he found that his arm was throbbing.
Harry rubbed it absently and was mentally planning to finish the rest of his holiday alone in the library when a figure appeared out of nowhere, whisking him down the hallway. He frowned at the Head of his House, "Professor, what are doing? What's going on?"
Her austere eyes peered down upon him, "The Headmaster wishes to speak to you in private. Come along Potter, keep up."
With MgGonagall keeping a unyielding grasp on his arm, they raced to the entrance leading to Dumbledore's office; as soon as they cross the threshold, some of the portraits greeted Harry genially. He waved back at them halfheartedly and found that the witch had not followed him and shut the door behind him.
Harry stood uncomfortably in the great room for a few moments before going up to Dumbledore's office, he spotted Fawkes perched watching him in all his beautiful red and gold colors.
The sight of him warmed his heart and Harry could dotingly remember his soothing touch the times when the creature landed on his shoulder.
"You are wondering why I had Professor MgGonagall bring you here."
Harry looked up to see Albus Dumbledore standing on his staircase, taking the last several steps very slowly; knees noticeably shaking. The boy made a move to help him but the man made his way over without delay once he was off the stairs. Dumbledore gave him a slight smile, "I am old Harry, there is no doubt. My years have passed with grace and prosperity. Now, back at the subject at hand."
The white bearded wizard sat in his comfy chair and examined at him through his half moon glasses, "This won't surprise you, but I have been keeping some important things from you."
Harry shook his head and sat in a plump red chair across from the desk, "What? Am I really half Vampire and half Dragon or something?"(1)
Dumbledore chuckled with gusto at his comment, "No Harry. It's about Lily Potter." At the mention of his mother's name, Harry's eyes widened and he leaned forward instinctively.
"Harry, I know you do not know much about your parents, and yes, the Pensive incident was reported to me by Severus."
Harry grumbled under his breath and it further seemed to entertain the Headmaster, "I imagine you would like to know about their past, the decision to tell you was decided when you were old enough to take it. The minimum age was seventeen, now, I think you're ready.
'First, everything that was your parents is now yours. As the legal heir, the money, property, documents, papers, the lot belongs to you. Sometime soon, the Ministry will call for you and you will receive the information and other various things. No one lied to you when they told you about your Father, James. He was in Gryffindor, Head Boy, Chaser of the Gryffindor Quiddich Team, a descendant of a long line of Magic bloodlines-"
"And an enormous prat," declared the bitter boy.
Dumbledore held up a wrinkled hand, "Harry, I must ask you not to interrupt. Yes, at his young age he was juvenile as it was said by his peers and his best friends but James was a respectable person Harry. He was courageous and loved your Mother very much, and she in turn was the same.
'About your Mother, Lily, you have been lied to about the subject of her blood. If you could find her family tree and look back into the line, you would find very powerful wizards. The males were the inherits of the magic ability, surprisingly several coming from the House of Slytherin. In the case of Lily, it came as quite a astonishment to your grandparents when she got her letter on her eleventh birthday. Petunia Dursley never showed any traits and we believe that it skipped her, as well as her son. The magicline came from your Grandmother Heather, there was no magic history from your Grandfather, but Lily was told that she was simply Muggleborn."
Harry spoke aloud in recognition, "She never knew. You never told her."
The old man sighed, "I'm afraid not."
The raven haired boy licked his lips, controlling his anger by focusing on the floor.
"James did not know either. When his parents were told that he was marrying your Mother, they did not give their approval. But when we confided in them, they couldn't be happier to know that Lily had magic blood. I know you do not like hearing this Harry, but it is the truth I have sworn to notify you."
Harry broke him off, "I'm sorry Sir but I have to know….did they know about the prophecy?"
The Headmaster's eyes were a dreary blue, "They did. The results of Lily's psychic power forced us to reveal it. They were married at the time and it was a reason why they were hesitate to stay together, for if they had a child, the child would either be murdered or a murderer. Harry, you weren't told everything. There was more then one prophecy that was made but it was not made by myself or Professor Trelawney, they were made very long ago by beings that are unidentified. We cannot find all of the prophecy's, some were lost forever but we did happen to find one other. And your parents were told off it in hopes that they could change the course of events hat would occur. They weren't successful."
Harry's throat was dry and he was dreading to ask his question, his voice cracking, "What was it?"
Professor Dumbledore got up weakly and came beside Harry's chair, placing a hand on the back of it, surveying at the seventeen-year-old that suddenly looked like a shaking first year.
"The prophecy stated that they would die on an evening in October, protecting their child. Voldemort would fail in resulting to kill you, making your scar and securing your Fate. They tried, they were determined to keep a happy life with you but I think they knew deep down in their hearts the fear of having their future confirmed."
Harry feltsomething drip onto his shirt and sting his eyes but he didn't move. So, it was like they weren't there.
"What about me," he choked a whisper, "Am I doomed to be like them?"
Dumbledore said with as much reassurance as he could muster, "My boy, there is no such prophecy." Harry argued, his voice rising wildly, "But you said there was other prophecy's, ones you didn't even know about!"
A comforting gesture laid upon his arm, "Harry, I can assure you that we are still looking for them and the only ones with you involved was your parents and Voldemort's. Please, try to stay calm." Harry blinked rapidly and wiped his face, "I know Sir. I'm sorry…this just is…"
Albus Dumbledore went back to his desk and opened a drawer stiffly, pulling out a small green box.
Taking a closer look, Harry realized that it was decorated with jade stones and silver trimming. The Headmaster motioned for him and Harry was given the bow when he followed, "This is yours, it belonged to your Mother. Given by her Mother and from there, your Great Grandfather. It's not very old but it meant a lot to Lily, she never took it off once she received it. Not for anything."
Carefully and with quivering hands, Harry opened the lid of the box. Inside, cradled in the deepest red silk, was a necklace.
He picked it up and gazed at it admiringly, it had a braided fine gold chain, dangling from the chain was a round gold pendent with a single emerald embedded in the middle.
Harry clasped it tightly in his fist, it was his Mother's. His Mum had touched it, had worn it. Savoring the feel of the cool metal in his palm, he flipped it over and saw something smeared on the smooth back.
Before Harry could wipe it off, he heard the Headmaster inquire, "What do you think?"
The old man was caught off-guard when the teenager all of a sudden hugged him and affirmed, "Thank you Professor, you have no idea how much this means to me." Albus laughed, "To see you happy Harry, is the greatest reward." Harry grinned broadly and watched as the old man sighed deeply, going down to sit in his chair.
He posed, "I don't mean to be prying Sir, but did your Christmas go well?" The Headmaster smiled, "Yes, I was given books. It seems I am getting the same presents every year, although they are convenient."
Abruptly, Harry got an idea at that moment.
"Have a good day Harry."
He nodded and left the office, his head buzzing with his new information and his idea. Harry took a few days to sleep with everything and remained in isolation in till everyone came back from Christmas vacation.
The Welcome Back Feast was loud and joyous, the students were gossiping and talking about their adventures in foreign lands and the wonderful Christmas parties they attended.
Harry ate his roast, swallowing and eating like he was famished.
Ron had came back with a huge award, apparently he had entered a Nationwide Wizards Chess competition and won first place. The redhead spent the rest of the day bragging to the younger grades who listened eagerly while everyone else rolled their eyes amused.
It was nearing the end of dinner when Dumbledore made an announcement, dressed in scarlet robes, "Students and teachers of Hogwarts, I wish you all a pleasant evening. I am appointing our Deputy Headmistress my position because of an illness that has taken a hold of me. I will return as soon as I possibly can and I will miss all of your smiling face while I am gone."
A roaring applause overtook the Great Hall as he beamed and sat down with the help of Flitwick and MgGonagall.
Hermione murmured anxiously, "I do hope he'll be alright."
Ron said offhandedly, "Of course he'll be. He's Dumbledore, don't worry about it." Everyone got up to leave; Harry took up a brown package from under the table, flicking his wand and whispering, "Mobilarbus!"
It began floating and he pointed his wand at the teacher's table. The package fell into the Headmaster's lap, several students and teachers hung back to observe. The man looked generally confused and pulled off the ribbon, looking into the opening.
The expression on his face was priceless, a mixture of many levels of shock.
In his right hand was a pair of wool socks.
His twinkling blue eyes met a pair of bright green, that remained by the doorway then disappeared in the hallway.
His two best friends waited for him, Ron was staring at his left hand, "What's that?" He looked down and saw the necklace in his hand, he had not left it out of his sight since he got it but never put it on.
Hermione walked up to him and said with a smirk, "It's beautiful." The bushy haired girl went behind him and slung it on his neck, clasping the ends together so that it dangled between his chest.
She asked softly, "Is it yours?"
Harry fingered the emerald and smiled.
(1) No offense to the writers of Half Blood stories.
A/N: Ello ello all! I do hope you enjoyed this chaper because it's majorly important, we are almost nearing the end of the story. I know my writing for this story isn't the best but I think the meaning is pretty decent, I came up with it when I was just starting up. Enjoy!
LMDGlUVR4EVA: I am thrilled! I was so amazed at your response that I started blushing. Lol. Well, thank you. I'm glad to hear you're still reading!
