YOU KNOW THE DRILL ALREADY SO STOP PESTERING ME! I ONLY OWN MY OWN CHARACTERS NOT THE HP CHARCTERS
THE RELUCTANT SLYTHERIN
Chapter 6: Tell Me what the Rain Knows
Harry followed Ron and Hermione since both are Prefects and had to do their duty around the halls. When their duties were done they traveled down the halls towards Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. When they got there they were surprised to find a trail of blood going towards the familiar sinks. "Hello again Harry," said Myrtle as she floated down to him. "What brings you back to my bathroom?" she asked, "Um do you know of someone named Tory?" Harry asked, "Yes, but what is she to you?" Myrtle asked, "I need to speak to her and…" he managed to get Dobby to prepare some meals for her as they past the kitchens before heading towards the bathroom. "You brought her food?" she asked, "Yes we noticed that the other members of her house hex and poison her food," Harry said calmly, "Very well then she went there," Myrtle said pointing towards the sinks but they already knew that. "But how could she get in?" Hermione asked, "She could talk to snakes just like Harry can," Myrtle replied, "How do you know?" Ron asked, "Oh she mentioned this conversation she had with a snake in Diagon Alley. I don't see why she was so fascinated by them before." Myrtle said, "Well she did come from a place that has no snakes whatsoever." Hermione said and Myrtle looked startled, "No snakes?" she said and the trio nodded, "Well sorry to break the conversation but we have to get going," Harry said and approached the sinks. He hissed the words and the entrance way opened.
They followed the blood down the long passage way noticing for the first time that there are no snake skins and that the place had been cleaned out of mildew and mold. "No wonder the toilets work better now," Ron had joked as they came to the door to the chamber and were in shock to find that there was blood leading inside. 'Open' Harry commanded and the door opened allowing them into the chamber. When they entered the familiar snake heads and so forth they walked down the waterways till finally at last they found what they were looking for.
Tory lay in a pool of blood with her owl beside her also in pain but he at least was conscious as he looked up in surprise at them, "It is ok," Harry assured him as he Hermione and Ron helped to look at Tory.
She was in a lot of pain for they can see the boils on her skin and the breaks from the beatings. "This is bad Harry," Hermione said and they heard mumbling from Tory but could not hear. It was then that they could hear her thoughts, egg…. must protect the egg……I promised him that much…..it is the least I can do….teach it peace….love…..respect……life……teach not to kill, at the confused mumbling of thoughts from Tory it was her owl that weakly made and image of a large egg beyond the open mouth of Salazar Slytherin. Harry crawled in and gasped at his finding.
It was a nest and not just a nest a snake's nest. He knew immediately that this was the nest of the Basilisk and from the smell of it not many survived. He looked at the nest and saw that only one egg remained. When he walked into the nest he could feel the warmth of the nest, she must have placed a warming spell on this nest Harry thought as he grabbed the egg. The egg was warm and from the feel of it something was moving inside the egg. He guessed what ever Tory did it kept the Basilisk alive but he was worried, Hey guys I need you to look at this Harry said and wrapped the egg in his robes before crawling out and holding it up so it does not get wet.
Hermione was the first to see it and gasped in surprise. "Oh my god! Harry do you realize that you are holding a basilisk egg?" she said out loud and Harry nodded, "Yea and I bet she is the one who was raising it." He said and was about to smash the egg when something came from somewhere a presence and he looked down at the owl who was struggling to get up. The owl turned to him and showed him images of Tory and the voice that she and the owl heard. Harry understood Parseltongue, Ron and Hermione did not so they did not know of the conversation between Tory and the voice. Harry recognized the voice very well and looked down at the egg. He felt sorry for killing the snake but from what the voice said to Tory it was grateful that Harry freed it from years of torment. "Are you going to smash it?" Ron asked, "No," Harry said, "I think she will not be happy that I did it," Harry then walked over to Ron and handed the egg to him. "Do you want to hold it or do you want to carry Tory?" Harry asked, "I will hold the egg and Hermione gets the owl," Ron said and Hermione carefully grabbed the owl that once again collapsed this time in her arms. Harry the put his robe back on and grabbed Tory. He was surprised to find how light she was as he carried her away back up to the bathroom and to the hospital wing.
The walk to the hospital wing was a long one and Harry was finding it harder to keep the anger from his mind. From looking at Tory's shrunken face and the boils and burns as well as lacerations and scars on her body Tory looked like death had taken her long ago. Why didn't you fight back Tory? He thought to her but the unconscious form of Tory Kahalewai did not answer.
Madam Pomphrey was rudely awakened when her wards went off around the hospital wing and she ran to the door to see who would wake her this time of night. When she ran to the door she was shocked to find Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley all looking healthy and fine for once, but what they had in their hands or arms was another story. "TORY! Put her here at once!" Madam Pomphrey said as she ran to get her wand and Harry, Ron and Hermione relaxed a bit as she called the headmaster and told the children to stay. When the headmaster did come he was not pleased with the results and he could hear Poppy muttering to herself, "I told her, I've told her! She would not listen to me and escaped my binds and my wards unnoticed!" the healer said as she walked around the room in anger grabbing various potions. She then slowly dripped it down her throat one after the other and Tory's body already felt cold but Harry would have none of it.
"You think that last curse those Slytherins did to her killed her?" asked McGonagall when the headmaster called the rest of the staff. Dumbledore looked on sadly, "It pains me to say so but I think yes that might have killed her." He said and felt lost how could he have not known? He thought to himself and the doors flew open and Professor Snape charged in. When he saw the state his student was in he was really furious, "Who did this?" he growled and Dumbledore said this much, "Some members of your house," he said and Snape growled deep in his throat, "I've tried to tell her to see you but she would not listen! She is as stubborn as Potter! " he said staring at Harry and Harry gulped.
Snape looked at the exchange student with pity in his eyes as he slowly removed a lock of hair from her eyes, "she was a bright one that she is," he said, "But if I'd caught on to her hidden abuse marks I would have punished those responsible regardless of what house they are in." Snape said and Harry could see the pained look in his eyes. "Um sir?" Harry said and Snape was back to his usual self, "Let's just say Potter that I have an understanding of what she went through." With that he turned and left the room in haste. "I will be calling her headmaster from her home school about this," Dumbledore said sadly as he turned and walked out of the room followed by McGonagall and Madam Pomphrey ushered the trio out but Harry would not leave, "I want to stay," he said staring at the school healer, "You want to stay Mr. Potter?" she said, "Yes ma'am," Harry replied, "Very well but you have to be quiet," she said and gave his friends a reassured look before they turned and left.
Dumbledore stood in his office a grieving look on his face as he wrote the letter down and handed it to Fawkes who can teleport to what ever location he asked. He silently waited until Fawkes returned with a reply and the headmaster took it and shivered at the tone of voice the other principal said in the letter. As if on cue a figure apparated into Hogwarts as well as a few others. "What is this Dumbledore that one of my students is nearly dead?" he said with a growl.
Harry was busy trying not to cry as he looked at the sleeping figure of Tory as she lay there, Madam Pomphrey tried her best to sooth the Slytherin girl as much as she could but because of her state none of the potions are working. Harry fell asleep with his head on his arms over the bed and he had been asleep for a while when the doors opened and Professor Dumbledore came back with several figures with him. Harry moved out of the way as they examined the girl and the owl. "Dumbledore you got a lot of explaining to do," the man hissed. Harry took a look at him and he was indeed tall. His skin was deeply tanned with short black hair that was curly at one point. His face bore a strange tattoo that went down from his eye to his cheek and he was well built. He did not wear the usual robes but a tunic and long pants that were slightly torn near the knees and ankles. "I am sorry Keali'i but had I known this would happen I would have placed her in another house," Dumbledore replied but the other would not have listened. "My student was sent here to study magic with foreigners like you and look at what happened!" he hissed. "I apologize Keali'i but I did not know of the situation myself," Dumbledore said, "If you ask me the girl is just as stubborn for not staying here after her abuse." Poppy said and Harry flinched remembering that tone.
The other man turned to her, "She would not listen to you when you told her to stay in bed and rest?" he said, "I told her stubborn fool, she did this to herself pushing herself too far. Instead of getting some healing done on her wounds look at this," Poppy said and pulled back the sheet to reveal a nearly naked body covered in bruises, scrapes and hardly had anything left in that matter, "She is wasting herself away like this." Poppy said, "If her family and cousin were here they would have a fit," Keali'i said. It was then that he noticed a new figure in the room as he turned to Harry, "And you might be," he said, "Um I'm Harry, Harry Potter sir I am in Tory's year but I stay in Griffindor not Slytherin," he said and the man looked at him and nodded, "Very well boy it seems that someone here cares for her," "Actually four but I sent them back to their rooms," Poppy said, "Harry refuses to leave so I allowed him to stay," she said, "My boy what is that you are holding," Keali'i said noticing the egg for the first time and Harry blushed and tried to hide it, "Is that a basilisk egg?" Keali'i said taking the egg from Harry with a wave of his hand and Keali'i held it gently, "Harry what are you doing with a basilisk's egg?" McGonagall asked. "Actually we found it when we found Tory," Harry said and the man examined the egg, "It looks to be very old I'd say a few years old, normally Basilisk eggs lasted for about a year before they hatch but this one is nearly ready," he said holding out the egg. "But if a Basilisk is born again at Hogwarts then it would kill off the students." A teacher said and they turned to McGonagall. "No it won't!" Harry said, "Tory won't let it," he said and Keali'i smiled for the first time that night.
Because he was tall Keali'i knew that Harry has yet to begin his growth spurt as he kneeled down to him. "Tell me boy how did Tory get a hold of this egg?" he asked, "Um it was her owl that told me he showed me that Tory saw," and Harry explained about the voice that he heard through the owl and to the discovery of the egg. The tall tattooed man nodded, "I see," he said standing up again, "I have a question though?" Harry said, "Ask young one," was the reply, "Well how come Tory did not defend herself when she had the chance," Harry asked, "I mean she knew some shielding spells and such but she did not defend herself against all the hexes during dinner," Harry said and this displeased the man but he nodded in understanding, "That is because Tory is not allowed to use her real power," he said, "A restraint was put on her weakening her power as such so she can't use wandless magic. At my school we teach our students a different kind of magic ancient magic. That makes them very power indeed and if allowed to they can be quiet formidable." He said holding the egg, "Where did you find her?" he asked, "In the chamber of secrets," Harry said and the man looked on questioning, "It was created by Salazar Slytherin a thousand years ago," Harry said and the man nodded, "I see so it is a wonder why Ms. Kahalewai is able to bring the snake back." He said and holding the egg he passed it back to Harry. "You seem fond of her somewhat yet you don't know her," he said, "I watched her and felt sorry for I know what it is like," Harry began and the man nodded. "Well I can see that she will take some time to recover why don't you help her out by taking care of her Pueo." He said, "Pueo?" Harry asked looking at the owl, "Yes, a Pueo is the Native Hawaiian Owl only found in Hawaii but we don't use them for mail," the man said with some amusement. "Why?" Harry asked, "My dear boy do you know where Hawaii is located," the man said and Harry shook his head. Smiling the man stood up and conjured a spell.
Harry was shocked that the man conjured up a globe or what appeared to be a globe. It had clouds like the earth swirling around and rotating slowly. "Come here," he said and pointed to a spot, "See that tiny group of dots there," he said and Harry nodded, "That is Hawai'i my home it is so isolated that an owl will not survive the journey across the sea. So our owls are used as familiars and guides." He said and Harry looked in wonder at the tiny islands. The globe vanished and the man stood up again, "Well now I see that it has been settled though i want to remove that restraint on her now that I know that people are wanting to see her healthy again. I warn you now boy she is quiet formidable even as an average student academically she is quite powerful magically and physically." He said and muttered a spell on her to unleash her restraints. He then turned to walk away to talk move privately with the headmaster but not before turning back to Harry, "She has a good friend in you Mr. Potter so don't blow it," he said and turned away.
It was the next morning that Ron and Hermione came in to find Harry sitting next to Tory's bed and the slow rise and fall of her chest was enough to know that she was alive and resting. They looked at him and could see the bags under his eyes. "Harry I think you should get to bed," Hermione said and Harry lifted his head up, "Yeah mate you look like shit," Ron said and Harry flicked him off earning him a good friendly whack from his friend. "Off to bed Harry before I make Hermione pull you by the ear," he said and Harry slowly got up, "Don't worry Harry one of us will watch for you," Hermione said as she sat down and Ron took him back to the dorm.
Harry woke up later feeling refreshed as he got into the shower and freshened himself up. As he stood there letting the hot water take the tensions out of his mind he could not help but wonder at what was happening to him. His mind was adrift, what is happening to me? He thought as he looked up, "Why is this happening?"
He gotten dressed and was about to head outside when he saw a note on the desk. Taking it in his hand he read it.
Harry
Don't worry about homework mate got you covered. On the bed are your make up assignments from the professors and surprisingly Snape. I don't know how I got him to give a make up assignment but I did. Don't worry so much about Tory, Hermione is taking care of her for you and will let you know of any changes. As for me I am taking care of the owl. Man she has one strange looking owl I have never seen one like this before. By the way after you finish your assignments we still have Quidditch practice at 3:00 so be there
Ron
Harry smirked when he saw what his friend did and thanked him as he got to work. He was so busy he did not realize the time till it was quarter to three. He rushed down to the Quidditch field for practice and to get his mind off a certain Slytherin.
Hermione sat by herself beside Tory's bed doing homework when she heard footsteps behind her. Crookshanks was the first to rise and meowed a warning. Turning Hermione was met by a stranger. "Um sorry but the Hospital wing is off limits," she said, "Oh don't worry I have permission young lady." He said and Hermione noticed the strange tattoos on his face. "I am Keali'i Hamakua headmaster of the Hawaiian Academy of Magic," he said and she looked at him in shock. "H…head…HEADMASTER!" she shrieked for when Harry came back he mentioned him to the others but probably did not know that he was the headmaster. "I am sorry sir I did not know," she said, "Do not worry child it is alright for now," he said looking at Tory, "She would make a great keeper to that Basilisk when it hatches and teach it not to kill," he said and Hermione looked not so sure, "You mean she can speak Parseltongue?" she asked, "That was a discovery I made when I came here but because Hawaii has no snakes and will not allow it for the safety of our magical creatures it was not tested. But because Tory proved that trait can be passed on we can assume that it is possible." He said, "Um sir," Hermione asked, "Yes child," "Um how come Tory had restraints on her magic?" she asked, "We teach ancient magic in our school and do not use wands to cast it." He said demonstrating by showing a glowing ball of fire in his hand.
Hermione was impressed, "We also hold a vast knowledge of all the ancient magic in the world today as well as modern spells. That is why we have this exchange program to help with the information exchange." He said, "our school may be with the Muggle world when it comes to technology but the power of modern magic is yet to be reached," he said, "And communication with other schools as well such as Hogwarts." He stood up, "It was nice meeting you…." "Hermione Granger," she said and the man bowed and left.
Harry went to check on Ron after Quidditch practice and indeed Ron found himself troubled as he was talking to Hagrid about Owl care. "What is it guys?" Harry asked Ron, "It is this owl," Ron said still holding the owl, "I don't 'no what to do 'arry," Hagrid said, "I've tried everything and this bird is not responding." He said, "Who ever put that curse on it made good work of this familiar." He then walked in, "I've taken care of sick owls before and none of the medicine I have for it does any good." Hagrid said, "Besides I don't know much about the likes of this owl. Or what kind it is," he said, "It's a Pueo," Harry said remembering what Keali'i said, "The man Keali'i was with me last night and he told me that owl can only be found in the Hawaiian Islands," Harry said, "No wonder I have never seen another member of its kind here," Ron said, "I am 'orry boys but I can't help ya on that here one." He said regrettably and Harry and Ron nodded, "We understand Hagrid and thanks for trying," Harry said and the half giant nodded before going back to the hut.
Harry and Ron made their way back to the common room and checking in with Hermione who was busy with Tory and said that she soon will be up there. They both tried to do the best they could with the owl and take care of the Basilisks egg since Harry was left with its care. The egg is fine being put under an incubation spell and is on Harry's bed with wards against harm to it. Harry and Ron played chest while trying to come up with a way to help the sick owl. Hours went by when Hermione came in and yawned. Ron joined her in going to bed leaving Harry alone with the owl.
It began to storm outside yet again and this time there was thunder and lightning and the feverish owl squealed in fright making noises so loud that everyone could be heard yelling at it. Even silencing charms were not working on the owl and Harry had a feeling that it was immune to such spells. He took the owl into his arms and tried to sooth it even asking Hedwig to help but it did not work. It was feverish and Harry could see images of the abuse that this owl and its master faced. They were scattered yes but still very graphic and horrid. Without thinking Harry began to sing a soft melody one he had heard the night that Tory was found in the Chamber of Secrets.
Tell me what the rain knowsO are these the Tears of AgesThat wash away the Wolf's WayAnd leave not a trace of the day?The owl suddenly began to calm as Harry held it close to him stroking it and saying comforting words to it like a baby.
Tell me what the rain knowsO is this the flood of fortuneThat pours itself upon me?O see how I drown in this seaHarry did not notice the many feet of the Griffindor tower as they all heard him and came to listen. He was so preoccupied in singing that everyone stood there stunned that the great Harry Potter could sing.
Hark, hear the howl that eats the moon aliveYour fur is on fireThe smoke turns the whole sky raven blackAnd the world upon your back will crackRon and Hermione stood stunned that Harry sang that song and tears began to form in his eyes and they realized that he is also remembering. Harry on the other hand was having memories of a mother he hardly knew except in the stories of others. He held on to those memories and sang to the bird and the bird calmed down and began to mew and hoot softly.
Where will you goNow you've no home?Let the rain wash away your last daysAt the end of the song Harry could hear nothing as the bird was safely sleeping in his arms and smiled softly, "Wolf's Rain," said a voice and Harry turned to Seamus, "The song I remember what show I heard it on it was called Wolf's Rain. Its an Anime on Cartoon Network," "Anime?" Harry questioned, "Japanese Animation," Hermione corrected, "Mate where did you learn to sing like that?" asked Ron, "I don't know, I have always thought I was terrible at singing," Harry said, "Harry you did not sound terrible at all," another person Lavender said, "I mean your voice filled the whole Griffindor Tower," and this time McGonagall came in to the conversation, "Well Mr. Potter yet another talent that you have learned you never possess and it sure put that owl to sleep." She said and Harry looked down and indeed the owl was asleep. "I thought it was dangerous to hold an owl like that apparently this owl can be handled like a human child," she said and then turned to the others, "Alright people back to bed," she said and they all marched off to bed. Harry stared at the owl for a minute before going to bed himself.
TBC
