Harry Potter and the Soul of the Serpent
Chapter 9
Facing Reality
Standard Disclaimers Apply
oOoOo
In the weeks after the trip to Gringotts, Harry made a friend, received barrels of letters from 'fans,' and became immersed in the wonders of the Dark Arts. Most interesting, was the idea of possession. Harry studied it obsessively, but didn't attempt anything. Just in case, he told himself. That was all. He wasn't following in the foot steps of Riddle. He was preparing himself.
He read about apparition. It looked pretty easy to him. Could come in handy, too. Again, he couldn't and didn't try it. The Chamber of Secrets became his sanctuary. Whenever he was not studying with Katie, or out flying, he would be in the Chamber, increasing his knowledge of the Dark Arts. He knew he had been right to promise himself, a year ago, that he wouldn't let anyone control his life anymore. He was tempted to leave the school grounds just to spite Dumbledore. But that would be needlessly foolish.
The Chamber was a veritable mine of information, and Harry doubted anyone in the school, even the Slytherins, had such an extensive library at their fingertips. These were the things he needed to know to defeat Voldemort, and he cursed Dumbledore for not exposing him to it.
The fan mail was an annoying intrusion to his relatively peaceful days. He threw it in the fire, not bothering to remove the ones he knew were from Ron and Hermione. He didn't need sympathy.
Katie was a constant source of relief from the dull monotonous life that was Hogwarts during the holidays. Harry seldom spoke with anyone save her, and Harry was sure the lack of people visiting him was due to Dumbledore's insistence that he be left alone. But not for much longer, Harry thought. Today the train would be arriving.
That evening, Harry waited in the shadows on one side of the entrance hall, Katie on the other. They had agreed it would be best for them not to be seen together. It was a wise decision. The sun set and night loomed over Hogwarts. At a quarter past eight, the doors of Hogwarts opened to admit a stream of tired students. He met Katie's eye across the hall and observed the students coming in. He knew Katie was not looking forward to the return of the Slytherins. It meant less time with her father, more time with people she despised. He had arranged to meet her tomorrow in the Room of Requirement.
As usual, the younger students entered first, taking seats at the front of the Great Hall. At last he saw the seventh years, most talking animatedly with their friends. Harry noticed some that didn't look too happy. Ron and Hermione were looking around the entrance hall, obviously hoping to see him. Unfortunately, they did. Harry prayed they wouldn't make a scene.
"Harry!" Hermione squeaked. Before he could reply her bushy hair obstructed his view and she flung herself on him. Harry stood stiffly for a moment and returned the hug briefly. She let go of him and was enveloped in another hug, this time by Ron. Harry noticed most of the other student had stopped and were staring. One was walking up to him, smirking.
"How was Azkaban, Potter?" Malfoy drawled.
Harry stared at him.
"Fine, thanks. Hows your life?"
Malfoy looked bewildered at his response.
"Better than yours," he sneered.
Harry felt anger bubbling up in his chest.
"Don't get to used to it," he hissed.
Malfoy raised his eyebrows.
"Are you threatening me, Potter?"
"Yes, I believe I am," Harry said quietly.
The standoff was broken up by Professor McGonagall, who had come to see what the disturbance was. She ushered the students into the Great Hall and turned to the four of them.
"This behaviour will not be tolerated," she reprimanded. "Mr Malfoy, join your house immediately."
Malfoy looked sulky but turned and entered the hall. Professor McGonagall turned to them.
"Try to avoid him," she said simply.
Harry gave her a look and walked through the doors of the Great hall. He sat down quickly to avoid people staring at him, but from every house, people were leaning out of heir seats to get a glimpse of him and people were whispering to their neighbours.
Harry and Ron took places next to him as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on the stool and it began its song.
A thousand years or more ago,
Founders four you all should know,
Made a pact to act as one,
But in due time it came undone.
Never since have houses four,
Acted as one, as they once saw,
But come this year, all will change,
Events occur both wrong and strange.
A Gryffindor and Slytherin will unite,
Both from Dark but for the Light.
The One returns to fulfil his fate,
But who can tell, it may be too late.
An unknown power, and filled with hate,
Two opposites prove to deny their fate,
Time will tell and he will show,
Who will win and who will go.
The time draws near, and none shall see,
The troubles faced by one such as he.
So heed my words, hear them true,
None can escape the Dark but you,
You who hold a secret deep,
One that you are doomed to keep.
So Gryffindor, you be brave,
He who has the world to save,
Ravenclaw, of mind so fast,
Help he who knows not what to cast.
Hufflepuff of hearts so kind,
Dig deep and empathy you will find,
Slytherin, cunning, fast and sly,
Let old rivalries wither and die.
For if you ignore these words of mine,
Ruin will come in little time,
The sun will die and Darkness grow
The life of old you will never know.
And now rejoice in what has been,
A gift beyond what can be seen,
Of happiness and love and life,
Heed my words or fall in strife.
Not a soul spoke as the Sorting Hat finished its song. It had given warnings before, but had never spoken openly of the war at hand, or of the future. It had as good as made a prediction.
The only sound in the Great Hall came as Harry Potter stormed through the room. The big oak doors burst open before him and slammed behind him, echoing through the deathly silence.
oOoOo
"What does it mean, Albus?" Professor McGonagall asked.
Dumbledore sighed and bowed his head.
"I thought it would be obvious," said Snape, "or at least it would be if the Headmaster decided to tell us everything," his eyes flashed dangerously as Dumbledore looked at him, alarmed.
"I must talk to you about this alone, Severus. Would you excuse us," he said to the other teachers. When they had gone, Dumbledore turned to Snape.
"Harry told you of the prophecy?"
"Yes."
"You must understand, Severus, why others cannot hear of this. Voldemort does not know the fullprophecy yet. If he finds out, I fear he may step up his attack to get to Harry."
Snape sneered.
"And in the meantime he is still trying to get to Potter to find out the full extent of the prophecy."
oOoOo
Harry stood, staring out the window when Ron and Hermione entered the dormitory.
"Harry?" Hermione said softly. Harry turned to face them.
"Harry, mate, are you all right?"
"No."
Ron's face crumpled and Hermione looked like she was about to burst into tears. Harry walked past them and sat on his bed, wondering where his other three room mates were. Ron and Hermione sat on either side of him. What was there to talk about? He wanted to be left alone. Somehow he couldn't find that bond of friendship he had always had with them. He felt the pendant against his collar bone and wished he could go there now.
"Harry, talk to us," Hermione pleaded softly.
"Did you believe them? Did you think I was a murder? Did you think I killed your brother, Ron?"
Neither answered.
"Well?" he looked at them.
"Not at first…" Ron answered quietly. "But when you said it… nobody ever thought someone would ever be able to interfere with the Veritaserum."
Harry buried his head in his hands.
"Why is Lucius Malfoy out?"
The question threw them.
"WE don't know," Hermione replied. "But you know how friendly he was with Fudge. I daresay it was merely a large bribe."
Harry laughed derisively.
"I saw him a couple of weeks ago, in Diagon Alley."
"You were in Diagon Alley?"
"Yeah, getting my stuff."
"Fred and George told me about that," said Ron abruptly.
Hermione gasped.
"Why didn't you tell me, Ron?"
"Well it didn't really matter. As soon as mum found out she sent message to Dumbledore demanding that we be allowed to see Harry."
"Dumbledore said no?"
"Obviously," said Ron.
Harry had had enough.
"Maybe I didn't want to see you," he snapped.
Ron and Hermione were silent.
"Do you really mean that, Harry?" Hermione whispered.
"Yes," Harry stated with conviction. When they didn't reply, he sighed deeply.
"Look, I just needed some time to myself, that's all. I'm happy to see you guys, really," he added.
Hermione and Ron nodded slowly and got up to leave. As they walked out the door, Harry saw Ron grasp Hermione's hand and squeeze.
Harry felt anger building in him again. They had something he didn't. That was the kind of thing he had missed out on. He had missed ou ton his own life.
But Azkaban was your life.
The thoughts were never-ending.
oOoOo
Harry hurriedly put down the book he had been reading and grasped the pendant. He had suddenly remembered something and come down to the chamber to look it up, but he now realised he was going to be late for Potions. He grabbed his things and appeared outside Snape's office. Unfortunately, Snape was in front of him. Harry dropped his text book in surprise. Snape spun around, wand out, to see Harry holding the pendant and looking decidedly guilty.
"Where did you come from, Potter? Snape hissed, lowering his wand.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"I mean, the Great Hall is that way, yet you are coming from the dungeons."
Harry stuffed the pendant inside his robes and retrieved his text book from the floor.
"Well I guess I came a different way today," Harry replied.
"Well you are late," said Snape, looking unconvinced. "Ten points from Gryffindor. See that you take a more direct route next time."
Harry breathed a sigh of relief and entered the classroom.
Once inside, Snape began the lesson and they began brewing an antidote. Harry was much more careful this year. He didn't want to get thrown out of Potions class simply because he wasn't concentrating. The potion was not particularly difficult, and Harry was done well before the end of the lesson. When he approached Snape with his labelled flask, Snape spoke to him quietly.
"You are to stay after class, Potter," he said.
Harry ignored him and returned to his seat, wondering what Snape wanted now. By the time Harry had packed up the lesson was about to end. It was three weeks into the term, and Harry already had enough homework to do without little get-togethers with Snape all the time. He had managed to be on better terms with Ron and Hermione, but he spent most of his time alone in the chamber. He met Katie occasionally, but both decided it was better not to be seen together. Harry was surprised, but he was actually keeping up in class fairly well, considering. Over the last three weeks, Harry had been thoroughly filled in about what had happened over his year in Azkaban. It seemed Voldemort had been fairly silent, apart from a few daring attacks on the Ministry.
Harry looked around as the rest of the class left. Lucky, he thought. They got to go to dinner while he had to stay here with Snape. Katie gave him a quick smile when no one was looking and left the room.
"Come here, Potter," said Snape. Harry approached Snape's desk.
"To my extreme vexation, the headmaster has decided you need to resume learning Occlumency. As you are here you will have your first lesson now."
"I don't need lessons," Harry replied bluntly.
"The headmaster believes you do Potter, and after your shocking lack of improvement in your fifth year-"
"I said I don't need lessons," Harry said. "I don't need them."
Snape glared at him. If you are going to be difficult Potter, I will be forced to speak to the headmaster."
Harry sneered.
"Dumbledore has no idea what is best for me, sir."
"I did not say this was for your sake, Potter."
"That does not change the fact that I don't need lessons," replied Harry.
"Legilimens."
Snape blinked.
"Legilimens."
The spell had little effect.
"Care to explain why you are suddenly so adept at Occlumency, Potter?"
Harry shrugged.
"I've had a whole year trying to block things out," he said. "If Azkaban taught me anything, it was patience and detachment from what I was feeling. And the fact that you can't trust anyone."
Well, at least that explained the boy's improvement in Potions.
"Fine," snapped Snape. "We will begin with Legilimency, though it is sooner than I expect. I must have time to prepare."
Harry rolled his eyes as Snape removed his Pensieve from the cupboard. He spent the next few minutes carefully selecting and removing various memories before placing the Pensieve back in the cupboard.
"Sir, am I going to be practicing on you?" Harry asked.
"Unfortunately, yes," Snape scowled. "Before we start you must know that the aim of Legilimency is to enter a person's mind and the eventual aim is to be able to do it so that the person does not know you are doing it," said Snape. "Sometimes it takes many years practice."
Oh, how I wish I were anywhere but here, Snape thought distractedly.
"Me too, Professor," said Harry.
Snape ignored him, but Harry grinned when Snape's head suddenly jerked up in surprise.
"You what?" he snapped.
"I wish I were anywhere but here too," Harry said.
"How did you hear that, Potter," asked Snape.
Harry shrugged.
"Magic?"
Snape sneered.
"Don't be smart with me, Potter."
"Fine. I didn't hear it. You thought it, and I was in your head. I don't want these lessons and I don't need them. Satisfied?"
Snape looked livid.
"You will have a detention for this Potter. You will not talk to me like this," he hissed.
"Fine. Can I go then?"
"Yes. But I will be talking to the headmaster about this."
As Harry left the dungeons, Ron came running towards him across the entrance hall.
"Harry! Thank goodness I found you! Are you coming, or what?"
"Coming where?"
"Quidditch try-outs! You can be seeker again."
Harry looked at the ground.
"I dunno, Ron."
Ron's face fell.
"Why not, Harry? I think you need to get your mind off of… y'know, other things."
Harry glared at him.
"What I need is for people to stop reminding me of other things."
Harry softened as Ron began to apologize.
"But maybe I should try out. Just for something to do."
Harry forced a grin at Ron and went to get his broom. He knew he would get the position, but did he really want it? He was happy when he was flying, but did he really need Quidditch for that? He wanted nothing more than to be out of the spot light, and Quidditch wouldn't help that. Oh well, he thought. Sometimes you have to give up something in order to gain a better thing.
He ignored the niggling voice that said he'd already given up so much, and received nothing for it.
That evening, Katie caught up with him on his way back to the dorm and congratulated him on winning the position of seeker again. They took a detour, and it wasn't long before they moved on to other topics.
"So how are you going so far, Harry?"
He shrugged.
"Fine, I guess. Studying hard, trying to be as invisible as possible. I'm not as far behind as I thought I'd be, thanks to you."
"That's good." She looked at him critically for a moment. "I don't see you around much," she said. "Is there somewhere you go?"
"What? No. No, there isn't," Harry lied. He couldn't tell anyone about the chamber. "It's just dangerous for you to be seen with me."
"Oh, okay. Well, see you around, Harry."
"Yeah, see you," he replied, watching her walk off. He could tell she knew he was lying.
oOoOo
A/N: Well, the whole point of this chapter was showing the Sorting Hat. I think I could have had an extra chapter before this one to explain things better, but it isn't too confusing.
Chapter 10: Attack