Chapter Sixteen- Shock
Turning, Harry saw a curse heading straight at his chest, streaking through the hall.
By instinct, he dodged down, falling to his knees and raising his wand. The spell flew over his head, exploding against the makeshift ward behind him. Leaping to his feet, Harry jumped away from the sparks, scanning up and down the hall. With a muttered oath, he realized that the passage was perfectly straight and clear, leaving him in the open.
Another curse shot at him, quicker than the last, but as easy to duck. Angry that he had been startled by this attack, he had to fight an urge to blast apart the hall. Without knowing more of what was happening, that might only work against him. Determined to gain the offensive, he straightened and pointed his wand in front of him.
"Retegere!" Harry murmured, attempting a general revealing charm. Apparently it was expected, as nothing was exposed. Though, perhaps the attacker wasn't using a Disillusion spell, but an Invisibility Cloak. Harry tried an unveiling charm. "Revelare!"
When no one was uncovered, but another curse came at him, Harry moved to the wall, keeping the ward behind him to protect his back. Erecting a mild shield, he attempted to calculate the logistics of this attack. Based on the spacing of the spells, it was likely to be only one person, using the spell wall to corner him. He couldn't hear nor locate this person, but as of yet, none of the curses seemed especially devastating, almost as though they were playing with him.
Suddenly his shield was dispelled, a streak of blue light blasting clear through it. As Harry pushed away from the wall, landing face down, he had the vague thought that playtime was over.
Not bothering to rise, Harry flipped to his side and cast a little known silencing spell that would pass through any barriers. "Capistrare!"
Slowly raising to his knees, senses intense, Harry heard a low muffled grunt that indicated that his muzzling curse had hit. Smirking, he stood, thinking which incantation he could use to show his disadvantaged foe. Harry stepped forward cautiously, aiming his wand at the area the noise sounded from.
Beginning his incantation, his voice hitched as a cold wind blew across him from behind. Spinning, he gasped as a corpse-like hand grasped his shirt, pulling him close. An overwhelming wave of despair lanced through him, calling forth memories that he'd relived too often these last few days.
Grasping the tendrils of his Occlumency, Harry wrenched away from the Dementor, falling hard to the stone floor. With sheer willpower, he raised his wand that he still had clasped in a white-knuckled hand.
"F-frigidum!" Harry exclaimed as quickly as he could.
A keening wail echoed through the hall as light burst from Harry's wand and washed over the ghastly creature. Suddenly the Dementor jerked backwards and began spinning in dizzying circles, its shape shifting uncontrollably.
As the depressing power lifted, Harry immediately realized that it was not actually a soul-sucking monster, but nothing more than a Boggart. Quickly cancelling his last spell, Harry stood and aimed at the creature.
"Cachinno!"
In a puff of smoke the Boggart dissipated with a last screech. Whirling around, Harry narrowed his eyes and once more took aim. He had a sudden idea of just what this little exercise had been about.
"Retis! Retegere Maxima!" Harry exclaimed angrily.
The air near the opposite side of the hall was disturbed as several Obscuring Charms were destroyed easily. As the last of them faded away, a figure was revealed, wrapped tightly in a brown rope net.
In a clipped tone, Harry bit out, "Finite Incantatum."
As soon as the restraining spells were released, Mad-Eye Moody pushed himself ungracefully to his feet. He quickly straightened his robes and then turned a suspicious glare upon Harry. Raising an eyebrow, Harry put away his wand and crossed his arms. For a moment the two wizards stared at one another, neither willing to look aside first. Harry realized he was probably being disrespectful, but found himself uncaring.
A sudden noise down the hall had both men glancing that way. A group of chattering young students rounded the corner, halting as one when they caught sight of Harry and Moody. Several gasps echoed down the hall as they recognized the former. Harry rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"Get moving, you miscreants," Moody growled sharply, startling the students into movement. They turned on their heels and took off in the opposite direction. Moody turned back to Harry. "You, with me."
Moody dispelled the wards in the hall, gesturing for Harry to go back the way he had come. The professor walked to the side and just behind him, as though escorting a prisoner. Harry saw the man watching him and sighed inwardly. What exactly was my reason for coming back? Harry asked himself darkly.
Quickly the two wizards made their way back to the stone guardian of the headmaster's office. Moody muttered the password out the side of his mouth, and pushed Harry onto the stairs as soon as they appeared. They rode in silence, Harry ignoring the other man's stare.
As they stepped off the stairs, the door swung open before them. Walking in, Harry nodded a greeting to Dumbledore, letting Moody guide him towards the headmaster's desk.
"Well, Alastor. Harry. That certainly was a short exam. I trust everything is quite all right?" Albus asked, his eyes glinting in amusement. Harry had a sudden feeling that the man knew exactly what had happened.
"No, everything is not fine, Albus," Moody growled, nudging Harry into one of the chairs next to them.
"And what could have possibly occurred?" Dumbledore sat back, calmly sipping from a teacup.
Moody took the seat beside Harry, holding a hand in the very front of his robes. Harry bit back a smirk as he realized that the man was holding his wand, clearly waiting should Harry try something. The younger wizard was almost tempted, just to see what Moody would do.
Keeping his magical eye trained on Harry, Moody answered Dumbledore, "Albus, what do you know of this . . . boy? Or where he has been?"
The headmaster glanced quickly at Harry with a quirk of his lips, then looked back at his old friend. "Why do you ask, Alastor?"
"Because I don't trust his story," Moody answered sharply. "Really, where could he have gone that he couldn't have contacted anyone? Not to mention his use of curses I haven't even heard of!"
Harry blinked and almost laughed as the retired Auror cleared his throat after his last comment. It was apparent he didn't like admitting what he had, and Harry was hard pressed to feel bad for his discomfort, after that little 'test' in the hall.
"Now, now, Alastor. I am certain of his story as to his absence, and surely nothing he may of cast was distinctly harmful?" Dumbledore questioned mildly.
"No," stated Mad-Eye, looking cross. "And I take it you watched the exam?"
As Dumbledore nodded, Harry finally broke his silence. "Exam? Don't you mean ambush?" he asked, then turned to the headmaster. "I thought teachers weren't allowed to harm students?"
"Nothing I did would have overtly injured you, boy," Moody told him, glaring sharply at him. "What did you expect would be the best way of testing Defence Against the Dark Arts? The class wouldn't be good if the students couldn't defend themselves against attack."
"Oh, then that blasting curse that broke through my shield wouldn't have done anything if it hit me?" Harry asked dryly. He then wondered, "What is it with Defence teachers going after me? First Quirrell, Lockhart, and Moony, then Crouch disguised as none other than the professor who attacked me today."
Albus covered his chuckle with another sip of tea, then addressed him. "Mr Potter, I am confident that Professor Moody was not attempting to kill you, merely to distinguish your skill."
"Of course." Harry sat back and crossed his arms, almost amused.
"Albus, there is no need for my explanations, but there is cause for his! Were I still an Auror, I'd have taken him in immediately," Mad-Eye stated severely.
"Surely you are exaggerating, Alastor," answered Dumbledore.
"No, I don't believe I am. The boy destroyed a Boggart, after seriously causing it harm in its form of a Dementor! Then he was able to not only disable myself, but also break through my Hiding Charms!" Moody exclaimed, his rough voice grating. "Where ever he has been, he can not be trusted not to be using Dark Arts!"
At that, Harry's eyes flashed angrily. "I was doing no such thing!"
Before he could continue, Dumbledore broke in quickly. "Harry, now, calm down. We can straighten this out quite easily. What spells did you use?"
"All of them?" Harry thought back to the small fight. "Well, on Professor Moody there was Retegere, Revelare, and a maximum Retegere. And Finite Incantatum. I am sure none of those are Dark. Should I explain their origins?"
"No, boy," growled Moody. "I know very well what kind of spells those are. What of those others, though? The silencing one, and the netting one?"
Harry paused for a moment, realizing that the man wouldn't give up until Harry explained the other spells. "Oh, Capistrare and Retis. The former is a muzzling spell, related to Silencio, though it affects the voice as a muffler rather than one to disable. And the latter is a form of a trapping spell that produces a net. I assure you there is nothing dark in either."
Moody still remained unconvinced. "And the ones you used on the Boggart, Potter? That type of creature is only primarily affected by-"
"Riddikulus, I know," Harry interrupted. "And that is mostly true. But there are several more abstract spells that haven't been used for a few hundred years that are variations on ones we use today. The original spell against a Boggart wasn't just to repel it, but rather to destroy it. That was the one I used- Cachinno.
"As for the one I had canted at the Dementor, that was one meant to completely cut off its source of power- happiness. Frigidum would have destroyed a true Dementor, and was used regularly before the Patronus Charm came into existence. Unfortunately, it takes a large amount of raw power and only works against one of the creatures at a time. You can look either up if you have access to some rather old texts."
Finishing his explanation, Harry leaned back in his chair. He watched the two professors think over what he had said, and found it humorous that they had learned of those spells from him. For several moments quiet reigned in the office, broken only by the sound of breathing and the whirling objects upon the tables.
Dumbledore finally spoke. "Well, now, I believe Mr Potter has given quite agreeable accountings of what he did. What do you think, Alastor?"
Moody reluctantly nodded his head. "Yes. But, Potter, where did you learn all of that?"
Harry looked at the professor for several moments. Then he glanced at Dumbledore briefly, then turned his gaze to the window. When he looked back at Moody, his face was completely neutral, but his eyes glinted intensely.
"It is dangerous for anyone to know the entire story, Professor." He maintained eye contact with the older wizard. "Should it be found out, the consequences would be troublesome and precarious."
Moody seemed almost taken aback by Harry's demeanor, but as he regained his composure, Harry could see the man assessing him. Alastor Moody was no fool, and had been an Auror long enough to recognize someone who's battle training was not merely from books. With his real eye, Moody looked toward Dumbledore, then turned his full attention back on the younger wizard. His lips quirked upwards in his strange smile.
"Things can never be easy with you, can they, Potter?" Mad-Eye asked with a slight shake of his head.
"Of course not, Professor. It's my curse," Harry replied, with a sardonic grin of his own.
With a slight chuckle, Moody turned to Dumbledore. "You know of what truly happened?"
The headmaster nodded. "That I do, Alastor."
Nodding, Moody looked between Harry and Albus for a moment. "Very well. I'll concede, for now." Focussing on Harry, he went on. "But watch yourself, Potter. You never do know who may not accept that. Constant-"
"Vigilance. I understand, sir," Harry said, and Moody gave a gruff laugh.
"Well, now that's settled, doesn't Harry have a written exam to sit?" asked Dumbledore, the twinkling of his eyes bright in the morning light.
"For what it's worth," Moody grumbled, forcing himself out of his chair.
Harry stood as well, and raised an eyebrow at the Defence professor.
Dumbledore was the one to explain. "Alastor is not of the mind that books or written work give any useful experience in defending oneself from the Dark Arts."
"They do say that the quill is mightier than the sword," Harry responded.
"I'd like to see a scholar put down his quill and wield a sword. Probably impale himself and save the enemy the trouble," Moody growled.
Chuckling, Harry waved a farewell at the headmaster and followed Moody out of the office.
The rest of Harry's exams were nearly boring in comparison to his first two. Other than meeting with the professors he hadn't yet seen, all of whom were very happy to see him back, and concealing the full extent of his knowledge, the next few days passed rather peacefully.
Mostly he was able to avoid other students, though a couple of times he was forced into a reunion. None were as volatile as the one with Ron, making it easier on Harry, albeit they were all somewhat awkward.
He continued to keep a cheerful mood around others, especially his godfather and Remus, keeping any negative emotion hidden until he was alone in his room. Every night he would Disapparate to outside of Hogsmeade, into a clearing well hidden near the edge of the Dark Forest that Dumbledore had told him about in passing. There he would set up security wards and deal with his thoughts as he continued training his body in the way he had been taught. Though that didn't leave much time for sleeping, Harry was unconcerned, knowing well how hard he could push himself.
The morning after his last placement exam, he was called into a meeting with the headmaster and the head of Gryffindor house. Both were pleased to tell him that he had passed very well, and was absolutely able to fit back into his year. As McGonagall handed him his timetable, she congratulated him on his above average results in the tests. He accepted both her words and the parchment with a genuine smile, then caught Dumbledore's gaze beside her. The headmaster offered him a wink and a lemon drop, and Harry gave a small laugh.
Though she seemed slightly confused by the two wizards' interactions, McGonagall merely shook her head and informed Harry that he was to start back in classes that day. He nodded slowly, and she placed her hand on his shoulder.
Harry smiled, glancing down at his timetable. His first class would be Charms, followed by Transfiguration, then a double period of Defence Against the Dark Arts. All in all, not too bad, he thought. At least I don't have to suffer through Potions or History of Magic until tomorrow.
"Now, Harry, why don't you go down to breakfast? I'm sure all of your friends would be pleased," Dumbledore suggested. "In fact, Minerva, we should probably be heading down ourselves."
McGonagall nodded and herded Harry out the door before her. Though he went calmly, Harry was suddenly hit with a fearful feeling. He thought over that as they walked, concerned by the force of it. He was nervous about getting back in the mainstream of Hogwarts, but this wasn't mild agitation. It was almost as though something was going happen and it wasn't going to be good. His instincts were typically right, and they'd been honed by the training of the last couple years. Harry carefully extended his senses, scanning the halls as he walked, keeping alert of minute changes.
Nothing occurred during the trip to the front hall, and as they were fairly late to breakfast, they didn't encounter any students. Both Dumbledore and McGonagall patted his shoulder and gave him words of reassurance as they left him to go in the teacher's entrance, though Harry only vaguely registered and responded to them.
Once alone in the Front Hall, Harry glanced around, but still didn't sense anything out of the ordinary. With a deep breath, he placed a hand on the latch and pushed open the doors to the Great Hall. Everything was arranged in the same way as before he had left, and the morning light shined over the occupants of the hall from both the charmed ceiling and the windows. As he slipped in, the noise level was fairly high, until he was spotted. As the students hushed their neighbours, pointing him out, he kept a calm visage.
He scanned the room, noticing both the headmaster and deputy headmistress take their places at the Head Table. After a moment, he turned to the Gryffindor table, inwardly wincing at the silence that echoed around him. Harry walked forward a couple of steps, and the hall was snapped out of its stupor.
The force of the voices nearly made him wish he'd cast a silencing spell, and several of his old friends and housemates jumped up and surrounded him, talking wildly. Managing to smile brightly at everyone, he was nonetheless more than grateful when Dumbledore rose and told the students in no uncertain terms to sit down quietly.
Harry found himself pulled toward the Gryffindor table, and sat down as his classmates pushed to get closer to him. He took a deep breath, and looked around, seeing many several faces watching him, even from the other house tables.
"Harry!" cried someone, and Harry was suddenly grabbed around the shoulders by a small form with long red hair.
"H-hey, Ginny," Harry said, finding his breathing slightly cut off.
"Oh, sorry!" exclaimed Ginny, pulling back slightly. "Ron and Hermione said you were back, but the rest of us hadn't seen you! Mum is going to have an aneurysm when she finds out!"
Harry turned to her and gave her a smile as she finally released him. Behind her stood Hermione and his old dormmates, except for Ron. Glancing along the table, he saw the tall redhead mid-way down, studiously staring into his porridge. Harry shook his head slightly and turned back to the others.
"Harry, it's great to see you! What happened?" Neville Longbottom asked, sitting down next to Ginny, who'd forced several people aside to give them room.
"Neville, I told you already, remember?" Hermione said, her tone exasperated. She shook her head and gave Harry a quick hug, sitting on his other side. "Hi, Harry. I wondered when you'd be back in school. Did you take all of your placement tests? Professor McGonagall said that's what you were doing. What were your scores? Are you allowed back in regular classes? Did you know that Remus and Sirius are teaching Defence? I'm so glad you're back. This well be great year. What do you think? I already explained to most of the Gryffindors what you told us about the time you've been gone. I thought that would be easier for you. Are you all right? And why are you looking at me like that?"
Harry blinked at her, and several of the students around them snickered. She glared at them all, and they quickly ducked their heads. Harry smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Hermione, everything's great. As for all of your questions, let me see," he said, then paused for a moment. "Er, well- yes, pretty good, yes, yes, this will be, yes, and because I'm glad to see some things never change."
It was Hermione's turn to look startled. After a moment, she worked through his answers and gave him a large grin.
"See, I knew someone would be able to understand me," she stated, crossing her arms smugly.
Several of the Gryffindors around them were looking at Harry again, this time with slight awe. He chuckled and grabbed a glass of pumpkin juice, taking a deep drink.
As he put it down, Neville addressed him again. "Harry, can you tell us where you've been? Yes, Hermione, I know you told us, but I want to hear from Harry," Neville explained as the brunette looked to speak.
Harry briefly glanced out a window, seeing the clear blue sky washed out by the sun. Turning back to the eager faces around him, he started his prepared explanation.
After finishing, he waited as the others thought over his words. Looking up at the Head Table, he saw some of the teachers watching him. Snape scowled as Harry caught his eye, and Harry sighed inwardly. Past the Potions master, both Remus and Sirius grinned at him.
"Harry?" Ginny asked carefully. "Why can't you tell us anymore? Is it dangerous?"
Harry turned his gaze on her and nodded. "Yeah, it is."
For a moment no one spoke, then Neville grabbed a plate of pancakes. "All right, then. If it's dangerous, then I would rather you or anyone else not be at risk," he said lightly. "Besides, it's just good that you're back, Harry."
Before Harry could respond, a sudden noise like a heavy wind drew his and everyone else's attention toward the Head Table. Several students let out exclamations, many standing as they goggled at the back of the hall.
All of the professors, including the headmaster, had completely disappeared, along with the entire table. All that was left before the students were several chairs, empty of their former occupants.
Harry was up and moving through the crowd of students when he halted, the back of his neck tingling. Another sound of wind, this time barely distinguishable in the din, sounded from behind the panicked teenagers, near the doors of the Hall.
Harry didn't have time to turn before his head burst with pain and he cried out, nearly staggering to his knees. Holding his breath, he focussed strongly on the black of his mind and called on his Occlumency. As the darkness overtook the pain, his gaze refocused on the hall.
Suddenly a soft laugh sounded from behind all of them, and Harry closed his eyes briefly. A scream echoed through the hall, followed by more, and frantic scrambling started around him. Harry opened his eyes and turned around, toward the front of the Great Hall.
"Well, this is certainly an interesting predicament, is it not?" drawled the hissing voice of Lord Voldemort.
The student body struggled backwards, away from the man before them. Voldemort smiled, chuckling darkly. Flanking him were several Death Eaters, their masks stark against their dark hooded cloaks.
Voldemort himself stood calmly before the young witches and wizards, apparently joyful with his frightened reception. He took a step closer and more scared cries rang out. His robes billowed around his thin form even in the still air, the deep green draping impressively. Though at his side, his hand held his wand and he flicked it outwards. The house tables disappeared.
As the students rushed as far as they could from the monstrous figure of the Dark Lord, he walked forward once again.
"Fear not, little children," Voldemort said softly, though all heard. "I mean thee no harm. I have merely come to give you this- an offer. Or a warning. However you may take it." His red eyes scanned over the group of fearful students. "I wish those of you worthy to join me. Those that do not, will die. This school can not save you, as you can clearly see."
Abruptly his eyes locked with an angry emerald gaze standing before the other students. Voldemort smiled condescendingly.
"Ah, Harry Potter," he greeted. "I did tell you we would meet again very soon, did I not?" Scanning the others behind Harry, he said, "No one will save you, should you chose wrong or are impure. Not Dumbledore, the Ministry, the Order of the Phoenix, nor Harry Potter."
Voldemort walked forward, stopping in the middle of the hall. His men stayed near the door. The Dark Lord waved his wand once more, and Harry was pulled several feet toward him.
Many voices yelled out from behind him, but Harry ignored it. As he regained his footing, he held his wand tightly. Locking eyes again with Riddle, he allowed his Occlumency to push any emotions and memories to the back of his mind.
"Hello, Tom."
A/N: Hope you're enjoying the story! Please review and let me know.
All of my original spells are in Latin. Feel free to use them if you wish. If you do, let me know, I'd like to read your story. (If you write, whether you use anything of mine or not, I'd like to take a look. Let me know, and I'll check the stories out!)
Latin:
Retegere- to reveal (Revealing Charm)
Revelare- to unveil (Unveiling Charm)
Capistrare- to muzzle (Muzzling Curse, must be removed with Finite)
Frigidum- dispassionate (Dementor Destroying Curse)
Cachinno- to laugh loudly (Boggart Destroying Curse)
Retis- net (Netting Charm)
Now, I told you to let me know if you wanted a hint regarding what is upcoming, and the one person who answered that asked for one. So, if you do not wish to read it, skip over the words in between the lines. Keep in mind this teaser is vague, as it is just that- to tease.
Hint - Come the time where the barrier between worlds is at their lowest, an old enemy and a new foe use it to their advantage. By mistake, more than what they had planned occurs, and four individuals are forced together in a place only one knows.
Check my warnings in the summary for one of the things I have planned, and know that it is coming eventually. Sometimes things get revealed that change appearances.
Don't hate me for that! Rest assured that everything is now speeding up and will culminate soon!
Best Regards and Pleasure Reading,
-Zenn