CHAPTER 30: Consequences
When Harry awoke the next morning it took him a minute to realize where he was. When he felt the warm body roll over to close the distance between them the previous night came rushing back to him. He remembered the dance, Blaise's warning, the trip with Ollivander that got cut short by Malfoy, and finally his night spent with Ginny. Harry considered waking the girl, but she looked so comfortable sleeping that he didn't have the heart to do it. Harry groggily got up and put his shirt back on and reached to pull back the curtains. As he got a hold of the curtains and had his hand thrown backwards he remembered the imperturbable charm he had placed on it. Ending the spell Harry made to grab for the curtains again when he heard giggling from the otherside.
"Why do you think she put that up?" One girl asked, obviously referring to the charmed curtains.
"Maybe she has a guy in there?"
"That's not any guy, she must have Harry Potter in there!" More giggling.
"Don't be thick, guys can't get up the stairs or else the alarm would go off!" This comment was followed by a brief silence.
"Then why'd she cast the charm then?" More silence. Moving quickly but quietly Harry returned to the bed and woke Ginny with a soft kiss. She began to moan good morning but Harry silenced her with a hand over her mouth. Ginny's eyes popped open to see Harry standing over her with a finger to his lips and a hand over her mouth. She nodded in understanding.
Don't freak out it's me, Harry. I don't want to talk out loud because your dorm mates are on the other side wondering why you've put an imperturbable charm up. I'm going to have to apparate out, you need to make sure they don't realize I was here, ok?
Ginny nodded, surprisingly in control of herself after finding out that Harry had telepathic abilities. After another quick kiss Harry winked and dissaparated, Ginny timed it perfectly and coughed just as he disappeared to cover up any sounds of the pop her boyfriend made.
Harry reappeared seconds later on his own bed. Obviously his dormmates had heard the noise but not registered the crack as an apparating wizard, and went to investigate.
"Morning, Harry." Ron said with a huge smile on his face, Harry realized that it was still relatively early and nobody else was awake. "Where have you been?" His mind reeling, Harry searched for an answer.
"I've been…around." Ron opened his mouth as if to respond when Harry heard a movement coming from one of the other beds. They both stopped talking to listen, but Harry realized where it was coming from first. "Ron, if you're out here, who's in there?" Harry asked slowly, gesturing towards Ron's bed.
"Nobody!" Ron said too quickly. "Maybe it was Neville."
"No…it was coming from your bed…" Harry made to pull back the curtains but was hit in the back by a full body bind. Ron walked up to him and promised that he would explain in a minute. Ron disappeared behind the curtains, leaving Harry with only the ability to move his eyes. A second later a very startled Hermione appeared from behind the curtain, followed by a blushing Ron.
"It's not what it looks like, Harry. We weren't actually doing anything! I promise!" Hermione ran out of the dorm quickly before anyone else could wake up.
"Finite Incantatem!" Ron whispered, releasing Harry from the spell. "Before you say anything, we really didn't do anything…I mean we kissed…but nothing else…" Harry was torn between laughing and beating up his friend. He decided on the former after realizing that he had almost been caught in the same situation. Harry thought about using legilimency to make sure Ron had treated Hermione, who was almost like a sister, right, but decided that he really didn't want to know. "So where were you last night then? I know you weren't back until an hour ago at the earliest, I know because I checked!" Harry was about to respond when Ron's face went white. "Just please tell me you didn't…you know…"
"No, nothing like that, Ron. I promise if you don't mention anything that goes on between you and Hermione I won't talk about me and Ginny." Ron looked as if he really did want to find out what had happened between his best friend and baby sister, but decided against it.
"Deal. How did you get up those stairs though?" Harry smiled.
"It's a secret, and no it's impossible to learn how to do it." Ron looked slightly crestfallen, but nodded in understanding.
The two made their way down to the common room where their girlfriends were waiting, both blushing fiercely. Harry realized that they must have had a similar conversation to the one between he and Ron because nobody mentioned it as they went to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"Would you four please follow me?" Professor McGonagall asked politely but with a stern look on her face. Harry got up, pretending like he had no idea what was going on, but the other three weren't quite as smooth.
McGonagall led them down the familiar path to the Headmaster's office where, as usual, the stone gargoyles moved out of the way before McGonagall could say the password. The five proceeded up the spiral staircase to the office, where Dumbledore patiently awaited them.
"Ah, thank you, Minerva. Lemon drop?" All five shook their heads before the old wizard signaled for the professor to take her leave. "I have two matters to discuss with you. First, Draco Malfoy has escaped." Harry and Ginny's eyes went wide with shock while Hermione and Ron just looked clueless. After filling the two in on last nights events Dumbledore continued. "It appears that he had an emergency portkey in case he was captured. As soon as we revived him he disappeared. I would greatly appreciate it if you kept this bit of information to yourselves, as we do not want to publicize young Draco's actions just yet, we do not want him to become something of a martyr." Harry nodded, but a different plan began to formulate in his mind. The second order of business is that it has come to my attention that certain students were out of bed last night. And while I understand that you are young and I do trust that you wouldn't do anything that could cause…regret, I must make you aware that not a violation of school rules to do such a thing, and must warn you against further excursions." After the initial shock the four students nodded their heads solemnly to agree with their headmaster. "Very well, you three may leave, but I wish to speak with Harry here for a second." The other three took their leave and left Harry and the headmaster alone. "Harry, I just wanted to warn you that while I can successfully track most students in the school, and your special abilities do not hide you. I see that you've realized you can enter the girls dormitory, but I must caution you, you will not always be able to keep control of yourself when you put yourself in those situations."
"Sir, how exactly do you track the students?" Dumbledore looked taken aback for a second before peering at Harry over his half moon spectacles. Harry stared back and felt a soft prodding inside his head. Anger welling up inside of him Harry reversed the connection Dumbledore had been trying to use to gain access into Harry's head and pushed himself into the headmaster's thoughts. Harry watched as Dumbledore handed a small vial to a house elf who proceeded to pour the translucent liquid into the goblets filled with pumpkin juice. Harry realized that it was the start of term feast and pulled himself from the headmaster's mind. "You bastard! We've been learning about tracking potions in Snape's class for a week, now I know why he needs them brewed perfectly, because you use them!"
"Harry, you must understand-"
"What?" Harry was shouting now, "That its for our own good? Just like sending me to that hell hole to live in for 15 years was for my protection, and just like me not even knowing who me or my parents were was for my protection, and just like keeping Sirius cooped up was for his protection, and how not telling me the prophecy was for my protection! You've lost your right to do anything on my behalf! I wouldn't even be surprised if there was more you're not telling me!" When Harry finished Dumbledore averted his eyes, as to make it impossible for Harry to look into them. "YOU ARE HIDING SOMETHING ELSE, AREN'T YOU? TELL ME WHAT IT IS OR I SWEAR TO GOD YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME AGAIN!" Dumbledore took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I was afraid you would react like this, that is the reason I've hidden so much from you."
"Cut the bull, sir. I wouldn't be reacting like this if you had told me the truth, just like you promised me!"
"Well, if you truly feel that way then here is the key to your family vault. I was holding it until I thought you were ready. I daresay you will find some interesting things in there. I hope you understand that I cannot allow you to attend any more order meetings." Harry laughed loudly.
"So you wish to make up for your mistake of keeping information from me by keeping more information from me? So be it, just don't get in my way." Harry turned and stormed from the room, realizing that the first thing he would need to find was the antidote to Dumbledore's tracking potion. He doubted Snape would help him, but he had another source much closer to the action.
Harry almost ran right past Ginny because he was so emerged in his plans. When he heard the quiet cough from his girlfriend he snapped out of it and walked over to her.
"I've got some things to do today so I probably won't be around much. I could use your help though, go find Dobby in the kitchens and ask him to meet me in my dorm room in a few minutes." When Ginny agreed to do that he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and set off at a run. As soon as he was in a completely empty corridor he apparated to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. She, fortunately, was nowhere to be seen. He walked over to the sink, which opened before he could even open his mouth. Looking down the slimy tube Harry had a flashback of the first time he opened the chamber and had Lockhart to throw down as a test. Unfortunately he was all alone this time and had to take the plunge. When Harry hit the bottom he brushed himself off before jogging down the corridor. He past the spot where Lockhart had caused an avalanche and kept running until he reached the inner door. Once again this door sprung open to allow Harry inside the chamber. When Harry entered the main chamber he saw the Basilisk's body laying just where he left it. Harry walked over and, taking out his sword, chopped it's fangs out of the mouth.
Happy with his picks Harry quickly dissaparated only to appear seconds later in his bed. Minutes later Dobby appeared by his side, wondering what his new master needed of him.
"Dobby, did you know that Professor Dumbledore put tracking potions in all of the student's drinks at the opening feast?" Dobby looked around uneasily before answering.
"Yes, Harry Potter, sir, Dobby is knowing. Dumbledore is putting potion in drink every year. Dobby is overhearing Professor Snape saying that the potion tracks not only the wizard but his magics too."
"You mean he can find out what spells we cast and when?" Dobby nodded vigorously. "Do you have any idea how I can reverse the effects?" Dobby looked around before leaning in to whisper to Harry.
"Dobby is also hearing that only two people can counter such a strong potion, one is Professor Snape. The other is a bad, evil wizard living in Knockturn Alley. The nasty wizard owns a potions shop there." Harry thanked Dobby for the information and dismissed him. If he was going to be completely free of Dumbledore's hold then he needed to reach that man in Knockturn Alley, even if it meant alerting Dumbledore to his newfound knowledge.
Harry grabbed his black hooded cloak from his bag and put it on before apparating to Knockturn Alley. He earned a few glances, but obviously a wizard with a black cloak and hood was a common sight around there.
Harry found the potion shop relatively quickly. It was a very small, dark place with glowing bottles on the shelves surrounding Harry.
"May I help you?" Harry turned to see a strange looking older man emerging from a back room.
"I was told that you posses a potion able to counter the affects of Albus Dumbledore's tracking potion." Harry spat out the name as he had heard many dark wizards do, hoping to fit in better.
"And who was it, exactly, that told you this?" Harry considered using Malfoy's name but decided the truth was the best way.
"I heard it from Professor Snape, and I've come to realize that I can trust his opinion." The man suddenly smiled, obviously Harry had passed the interrogation.
"Yes, you can always trust old Severus to help a…friend in need." Harry laughed along with the old man at the phrase he had chosen. "Now this potion is a very rare and very powerful one. At the moment I only have enough for one person, and that alone is mighty expensive." Harry waved dismissively.
"Price is not a problem, and I only have the need for one potion at this point in time. How much would you like for it?" After Harry paid and took the potion he made his way out of Knockturn Alley, hoping Dumbledore would get worried after realizing he completely disappeared from the radar while in the dangerous place.
Harry's next stop was Ollivander's, where he got a friendly greeting from the old man. Harry realized that simply inviting the man to the castle for the ball had probably been one of his best memories, not counting the special wands of course. Harry recounted, in great detail, his encounter with the basilisk in his second year and then even showed him Gryffindor's sword. Ollivander asked to hold it, and after Harry agreed he promised to get to work right away. The wand would probably be ready in about two hours. Harry thanked the man before leaving for his last stop, Gringott's wizarding bank.
When Harry presented his two keys to the Goblin at the front desk he was motioned over to a cart. When Harry got in he saw that the driver was none other than Griphook, the Goblin that had taken him in his first mining cart ride back before his first year. The ride to the family vault wasn't nearly as long as Harry had expected it to be.
"Lantern please." Griphook said.
"Here you go, Griphook." The goblin stopped.
"What did Mr. Potter call me?" At this point Harry was afraid that he had said the wrong name.
"Er-Sorry, I called you Griphook. My first cart ride six years ago was with a goblin named Griphook, and I thought you were him."
"You are correct, my name is Griphook. I was simply surprised to hear a wizard call me that. I'm surprised you remembered, or, for that matter, card enough to address me by it."
"Wizards don't treat you Goblins too well, do they?" Griphook shook his head.
"We are simply bankers, if there is money involved most wizards assume we should act like house elves." Harry had to laugh, thinking about Dobby working in Gringotts was just too much.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Griphook." Harry had no idea what else to say, but apparently it was enough as Griphook turned and proceeded to open the family vault. Harry nearly keeled over when he saw what was inside.
The vault in front of him had almost three times the amount of money in it as Harry's vault held. It also had old furniture, portraits, weapons, and deeds. Harry didn't get too look through everything but realized he most likely owned a good deal of land throughout Europe. His thoughts, however, were cut short when he heard a familiar voice call out from the back of the vault.
"It's about time you found this vault, Harry." Harry could barely move.
"Dad?"