Author's Note: Thanks to Mary who commented on the second chapter, there's a little more of Ron and Hermione, but I plan for it in chapter 4. Also thanks to those who read the second chapter, and to my friend Sofi, who told me not to stop writing. (Oh and the word 'Occamy' is a play on words by J.K. Rowling, the definition is- an alloy imitating silver or gold).
Disclaimer: Again, I repeat, I do not own Harry Potter, he and the HP universe belong to J.K. Rowling. The Occamy can be found in her Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them.
Chapter Three
Silver keys and Occamys
Harry was dreaming. He was looking outside a large window towards the setting sun, splashes of crimson red outlining the sky. Below were the tree tops of a great forest, further away were hills filled with trees. There was something flying in the distant horizon, hard to make out and coming closer. Finally, it came to land on the window ledge, which Harry was leaning against. He stared at this odd creature that resembled a snake with two legs, but like a bird had wings and bright plumage. The creature opened its beak, instead of a normal bird cry, out came a human voice.
"Oi! Wake up, Harry," said the voice.
Harry woke feeling something heavy hit the top of his head and groped around for his glasses. He looked around, to find what Ron had thrown at him, a wrapped present lay on the floor. Harry looked at the foot of his spare bed in Ron's room to find a number more of wrapped parcels. Forgetting his dream, Harry found the thrown present.
"Happy Birthday," said Ron.
"Great, thanks" Harry replied opening the present from Ron, which turned out to be an assortment of Honeydukes sweets. He grabbed his next present from Hermione and proceeded to tear it open. It was large book with Quidditch Players zooming across the cover.
"Wow," breathed Harry in amazement. "Snidgets to Snitches: A Seeker's Bible, awesome. "
"Well I'm surprised, Hermione actually found an interesting book," Ron sniggered, while looking over his shoulder.
Harry flipped through a few pages of the book then set it down and continued opening the rest of his presents from Hagrid, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley. Fred and George had given him a bunch of Extendible Ears and box of Weasley's Wildfire Whiz-Bangs. Finally, it came down to a lone envelope addressed to him, Harry opened it expecting a card, instead something small and metallic dropped into his lap. He picked it up and examined it.
"What's that?" Curious, Ron walked over to him.
"A key… " Harry said frowning.
"There's no note, or anything? Something written on the key, maybe?"
Harry looked the key and envelope over. The key was normal enough, old and silver looking, it could go to anything. The envelope held nothing else inside and his name on the outside was in handwriting he didn't recognize.
He turned the key over and saw the shape of a star etched on the other side. "Nothing except a star engraved on it," he said at last.
"So, why would someone send you a key that didn't go to anything. I mean, it's got to serve some purpose," Ron said reasonably.
"Dunno, haven't got anything to unlock, do I?" Harry said with a shrug and then getting up to change clothes. He set the key down on top of his new Quidditch book, when a knock on the door came from outside Ron's bedroom.
"Hurry up, you two!" called Mr. Weasley. "We've got to look sharp if you want to take your Apparation Tests today. There'll be a line by the time we get there."
They heard Mr. Weasley's retreating footsteps as he went back downstairs. Harry turned and saw Ron had paled slightly.
"Almost forgot about them," said Ron quietly.
"No worries, you'll do fine" Harry replied encouragingly.
"Yeah, just like last time," muttered Ron as he left the room.
They went downstairs to find Hermione, Ginny and Charlie eating breakfast at the scrubbed wooden table, while Mrs. Weasley bustled around the kitchen. Harry noticed the Weasley's grandfather clock was by the kitchen sink, he took a second glance at it, knowing something was off. All the hands still pointed to 'mortal peril', but there were now 10 golden hands instead of nine. The tenth hand read the name 'Fleur.'
"It's been like that since the wedding," said Ginny, who had noticed. "Didn't even change to 'traveling' when Bill and Fleur left for their honeymoon to the States."
"Harry, dear, sit down and grab a bite to eat," ordered Mrs. Weasley, her eyes flickering to the clock in worry.
"Right, thanks," said Harry as Mrs. Weasley piled his plate full of food.
"When do Bill and Fleur get back anyway?" Ginny asked.
"Not for another two weeks. You know, they've got to make use of the hotel room for a week. Then go sight-sighing," said Charlie with a mischievous wink.
"Charlie! Really, now I know where Fred and George got it from, " chastised Mrs. Weasley.
"What Mum? Weren't you just saying the other day how nice it would be to have a grandchild?"
"That's beside the point," she replied with a look of longing on her face.
Harry helped himself to his bacon and eggs then began buttering his toast. Hermione, already finished with her breakfast was reading the paper. She sat straight up in her seat and began reading an article from the Daily Prophet out loud.
"It says here that Hogwarts is to re-open!" she exclaimed. " 'After much debating from the twelve governors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a decision has been reached. The school will remain open under new headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, for any students wishing to attend. For those who wish to transfer, a program has been set up between Beauxbatons Academy and Durmstrang Institute. An extensive background check is to be administered for all teachers at Hogwarts, after the murder of past headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, by colleague, Severus Snape….' "
"I figured they couldn't close down Hogwarts," said Charlie.
"Do you know what this means?" Hermione asked, eyes blazing.
"They filled the Defense Against the Dark Arts position?" asked Harry.
"Besides that, Harry. Our school lists will be coming either today or tomorrow!" Hermione jumped up so suddenly that her chair was knocked over, and she stared out the window for an owl.
"How will we be getting to the Ministry?" Ron asked, in between a mouthful of bacon.
"We'll be using the Floo Network," said Mr. Weasley walking into the kitchen. "Almost ready? I'm sure they'll be queued up at the Apparation Center."
Harry stood only able to finish a quarter of what was on his plate. Ron however, hurried to shove the rest of his breakfast in his mouth.
"Oh, really Ron, you'll make yourself sick," said Hermione next to him.
Ron smiled sheepishly and stood up to follow Harry and Mr. Weasley to the fireplace.
"I'll go first, Harry you follow next, then Ron," said Mr. Weasley, giving them each a handful of Floo powder. He turned back to fireplace and threw his powder in, it blazed green, and he stepped into it while shouting, "Ministry of Magic, London!"
Mr. Weasley disappeared so Harry strode up to the fireplace and threw his Floo powder down, stepping into it he repeated, "Ministry of Magic, London!"
Harry felt a roaring in his ears and coughed at the soot he inhaled, all too soon it was over. Mr. Weasley was in front of him so he walked out of the fireplace. Behind Mr. Weasley, Harry could see other witches and wizards disappearing in dozens of fireplaces on the right wall. Ron instantly appeared in the fireplace Harry had just come out of.
"Well, boys you'll need identification," said Mr. Weasley as he pushed a button alongside the fireplace.
"State your name and business," said a familiar cool female voice.
"Harry Potter and Ron Weasley here for Apparation Tests," replied Mr. Weasley. A small clattering noise came as two silver badges dropped into a shoot on the wall.
"Thank you, " said the cool voice. "Visitors to Ministry must submit to a search and present wand for registration at security desk."
Harry and Ron both reached for their pins, and secured them to their shirts. Harry surveyed the familiar Atrium he was standing in. The Fountain of Magical Brethren, which had come to life more than a year ago during Dumbledore's duel against Lord Voldemort, was now lifeless and shooting water. And here, he was standing on the exact spot where Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes, had burst into flames and ashes after swallowing a jet of green light from Voldemort's wand.
They began walking past the other fireplaces on the left wall, the security desk further ahead sitting in a corner. Mr. Weasley stopped abruptly alongside the fountain, Harry and Ron behind him. Looking around Mr. Weasley Harry saw why. Amos Diggory, father of the deceased Cedric Diggory, was standing beside a scarlet-robed witch with auburn hair. Mr. Diggory had apparently stopped talking to his companion and was looking at Harry in a peculiar manner. The witch had also turned around to curiously stare at him. Harry feeling very uncomfortable, stepped back behind Ron and his father.
"Amos, how are those giant reports coming?" asked Mr. Weasley, drawing his attention.
"Slowly, Arthur." Mr. Diggory replied. " We've been trying to locate and contain the ones causing all this destruction, but I am being pestered about dragons now…" he cast a look at the witch next to him.
"Well, busy day," Mr. Weasley said briskly. "Must be going, good luck though."
They walked off and Harry noticed Mr. Diggory and the witch were still watching them, or more specifically him. Ron and Harry both handed their wands to the wizard-guard at the security desk to be registered. Then they flowed back into the crowd of Ministry witches and wizards and passed through the golden gates into the smaller hall, where twenty lifts awaited.
They entered the nearest lift with a group of wizards clamoring over Quidditch, and the golden wrought grilles closed with a small crash. The lift began its slow ascent, chains rattling, and Harry was trying to listen to the boisterous group of wizards. They seemed to be conversing about a new broomstick, when the female voice spoke once more.
"Level seven, Department of Magical Games and Sports, incorporating the British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters, Official Gobstones Club, and Ludicrous Patents Office.
The lift doors opened and the group of chattering wizards got out, Harry saw them walking down an untidy corridor with Quidditch posters. The grilles slid shut and the three were juddered upward, the woman's voice coming on yet again.
"Level six, Department of Magical Transport, incorporating the Floo Network Authority, Broom Regulatory Control, Portkey Office, and Apparation Test Center."
The grilles opened to another corridor, much cleaner than the last. Mr. Weasley led them down a corridor with a bunch of closed doors to one side and windows on the other. Harry recalled that these windows were enchanted, for The Ministry of Magic was underground, and also because it seemed to be pouring rain outside.
Mr. Weasley halted outside a door labeled 'Apparation Test Center,' he opened it to reveal a waiting room of sorts. A grumpy looking witch sat behind a desk writing, uncomfortable wooden chairs lined the walls, most of which were occupied. The sullen witch tore two pieces of paper from a small notepad and thrust them to Ron and Harry.
"Wait, until your number is called," she said shortly, going back to writing.
Harry looked down to read his paper, it read- 'Number 126', and Ron's- 'Number 127'. Mr. Weasley was already seated in a chair and leafing through an old Witch Weekly magazine. Harry and Ron sat down, dumbfounded, Mr. Weasley still pretending to read the magazine spoke.
"Told you there would be quite a line, didn't I?" he said.
"You knew we would be kept waiting like this?" Ron asked, rounding on him.
"Oh, yes. Same thing happened with Charlie when he had to take it over," replied Mr. Weasley, unable to hide a smile.
Ron's ears turned red and he snatched up an old magazine off the table beside his chair. The door next to the irritable witch opened many times, each time a voice called out a number and closed behind the young witch or wizard that came forth. Finally it came down to the number before Harry, and he began to fidget in his seat, but it was nothing compared to Ron, who kept dropping his magazine.
"Number one-hundred-and-twenty-seven," called out a voice from the open door.
Harry stood and barely noticed Mr. Weasley wishing him luck. He walked through the door and into a bright, circular room with three other closed doors. He turned to meet the man belonging to the voice that had called his number. He was a tall, thinning gray-haired man, that squinted down to read Harry's name tag.
"Harry Potter, is it? The Harry Potter? Well, I am Burton Bodelle and I will be your Apparation Examiner. I hope you can remember the three D's- 'Destination, Determination, and Deliberation,' " he spoke in hurried manner, not waiting for Harry to reply. Mr. Bodelle opened the door to the right and gestured for Harry to enter.
The inside of this room was almost as empty as the last, for the exception of a rusted tin can sitting on a pillar in the middle of the floor.
"Now, Mr. Potter, that tin can is a portkey and it will take us to an area in London that you must observe and imprint to your memory. It is important because we will use the portkey to return to this very room and you will then try to Apparate back to the exact location the portkey took us. Is that all understood?" he paused more to take a breath then to allow Harry to nod. "Good, on the count of three, we will touch the portkey. One, two, three!"
Harry pressed a finger against the tin can at the exact same moment Mr. Bodelle called out the last number. He felt a sensation behind his navel, as he was being jerked forward, and his feet left the ground. His feet hit asphalt at such a force that it caused him to stumble foreword. Mr. Bodelle caught Harry by the arm so that he didn't fall.
"You now have one minute to observe your surroundings Mr. Potter," said Mr. Bodelle pulling out a pocket watch.
Harry quickly surveyed his environment, he stood in an alleyway between an abandoned old factory and its warehouse. A fence was in front of him, graffiti written on it and on the walls. The ground was broken cement and there was a smell of smoke that hung in the air. He looked up, smoke-stacks blocked his view of the sun, faded words were painted on one the smoke stacks, he could make out the letters S-T-E---L.
"Time is up," said Mr. Bodelle, interrupting his thoughts. "Touch the portkey on the count of three. One, two, three!"
Again, Harry was pulled forward, sights and sound rushing by in howls and blurs of color. He lurched this time when his feet slammed to meet the ground, but not enough to fall. They were back in the room at the Apparation Center. Mr. Bodelle picked up the tin can with his cloak, sure not touch it, and placed it on the pillar.
"If you will Mr. Potter, recall the location we were just at, and Apparate back," said Mr. Bodelle.
Harry closed his eyes and concentrated, he remembered the alley with its graffiti and broken cement, and the scent of smoke that lingered in the air. He willed himself to that place and stepped into horrible sensation of being compressed. Harry felt the tight pressure on his chest instantly lessen, and he breathed in smoke filled air.
"Excellent work Mr. Potter!" said Mr. Bodelle, who had Apparated a moment after him.
"Thank you," Harry said relieved.
"Now if you'll just sign here and here, I can issue your Apparation License," he said, handing Harry the clipboard and a quill.
Harry signed on two pages and gave it back to Mr. Bodelle, the old man tapped the first page twice with his wand and the paper became a small card, which he handed to Harry.
" 'Certified Apparation License, Issued to: Harry J. Potter…' " Harry read as he peered down at the license. It also listed his birthdate and the date he received his license."Ahem, well if that is all… I suggest you Apparate back to the Ministry of Magic," said Mr. Bodelle.
"Er- Right, thanks" muttered Harry still staring in wonder at the license he had waited all summer to get. So far, he thought this was the best birthday gift yet.
Harry Apparated to the waiting room where Mr. Weasley was still seated, he put down his magazine and gave Harry a quick pat on the back. A few minutes past in silence when Harry jumped at a sudden noise next to him.
---CRACK---
On the seat beside him, Harry saw the long legs of Ron. He looked up to see Ron's smiling face.
"Passed did you?" Harry asked sarcastically.
Ron jumped down from the chair to give Harry a friendly shove and waved his new license in front of his face. Mr. Weasley stood up and gave Ron a half hug.
"Come boys, I think we've disturbed the Waiting Room long enough," said Mr. Weasley smiling at the secretary-witch, who gave them a nasty look.
They walked out of the room and back along the corridor, Ron retelling the tale of his test.
"So, we take the portkey to this place under a bridge, and I can hear lots of cars above. And the water smelled funny, not mention it didn't look too clean. We were back in the room and I remembered everything, clear and precise, then Bang! I'm there, in the same spot under the bridge, and he's handing me my license!" said Ron ecstatic.
Harry and Mr. Weasley let Ron gloat on the lift back to Atrium, knowing he needed it more, this being his second time taking the test.
When the lift doors opened Mr. Weasley didn't exit, instead he turned to face the boys with a serious expression upon his face.
"I need to hurry on up to work, I'm already an hour late. So I'm trusting you both to head back to the security desk, then Apparate straight to the Burrow," he said in a no-nonsense way that he usually saved for the twins.
Harry and Ron nodded to him, then exited the lift. They were jostled by the crowd, but managed to find their way back to Security. Harry was just about to Apparate when Ron nudged him hard in the back.
"Hey! What was that fo-" Harry stopped. Behind him stood the Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, and bunch of Ministry officials, one of which was Ron's brother, Percy. The Minister limped toward them, supported by his cane.
"Harry, decided to pay the Ministry a visit after all?" asked Scrimgeour in a false pleasant manner. "Having second thoughts about what we discussed?"
"Actually, I was just about to leave," Harry replied evenly. "For you see, I didn't want people to think I supported the Ministry's handle on things."
Scrimgeour's yellow eyes narrowed to glare at Harry. "The Ministry has done an extensive search to apprehend suspected Death Eaters. What approach would you rather us take?" he snapped.
"Made any real Death Eater arrests lately?" Harry said flatly. "If you'll excuse me, I must be going."
Before Scrimgeour could get another word in, Harry thought of the Burrow, where he truly wished to be, away from Ministry's clutches. He Apparated, feeling the strong pressure on his head, his sight flooded with darkness and then his vision cleared to show the Weasley's home. Apparating, wasn't so bad he began to think, or maybe he was just getting used to it. Ron Apparated beside him, laughing.
"That was brilliant, Harry!" said Ron, "Took me a minute to decide it wouldn't be a bright idea to kick Percy in front of all those Ministry delegates."
Harry laughed despite his annoyance at the Ministry almost ruining his birthday. They walked up to the Weasley's door and knocked.
"Who is it?" came Mrs. Weasley voice inside.
"C'mon Mum. You know it's me and Harry," whined Ron. "Open up so we can tell you about our visit to the Ministry."
Silence greeted them, then a relenting Mrs. Weasley opened the door for the two. They followed her over to the living room where Hermione was sitting in a chair reading, with Crookshanks curled up on her lap.
"Well, I suppose you both passed, because you didn't use Floo to get back," stated Mrs. Weasley.
"Yeah, Mum. We both passed with flying colors and all." Ron said with a wave of his hand. "But get this, Harry and I were about to leave when Rufus Scrimgeour walks up."
Hermione looked up from her book, "What did he want this time?" she inquired.
"The same thing he always does," Harry replied in bored voice. "My support to the Ministry and its dealings."
"That's nothing new then," Hermione said while rolling her eyes then going back to her book.
"Well, at least we've had a more exciting morning than you, and that's something, isn't it?" said Ron grumpily.
"Actually, our Hogwarts letters came today..." Hermione flushed red at saying this.
"And what? You've managed to read all the books for this year already?" asked Ron joking.
"No, it's just that…. I've been made Head Girl," she said quietly and looking down.
Ron stared at her, then leapt over to hug her. Harry feeling awkward about what to do, sat down across the table and smiled at Hermione.
"It's just, I wasn't expecting it. There are so many others I thought would be made Head Girl," muttered Hermione, blushing again.
"Hermione, don't kid yourself. You know there's no other witch in our year that's better than you," complimented Harry.
"Thanks," was all she could manage, before hiding behind her book once more.
Ron sat down next to her, tossed Harry his Hogwarts letter, and begun to tear at his own. Harry slowly opened his, noticing he was Quidditch Captain again, he scanned over his new school books, and found the one he had been looking for. Under Defense Against the Dark read the title,
Advanced Spellcraft for Defensive Magic by Camilla Walsh.
"Wonder who McGonagall got to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts post," he said.
"Dunno who would be mad enough to take it," said Ron. He was looking over his letter when he made a strange noise halfway between a cry of surprise and choking.
"What is it!" said Hermione distressed.
Ron held up a silver shinning badge in his hand with the initials 'HB' marked on it. He simply gaped, aghast at the badge, and Hermione looked startled and extremely taken aback. All Harry could think of was how Fred and George would react over this news. Mrs. Weasley rushed over to see what was wrong, then stopped dead as she stared at Ron's outstretched hand. She vaulted over to embrace him tightly and let out an ear-splitting shriek of delight.
"Oh, Ron! This is simply wonderful! I did hope you would get to be Head Boy. Especially after Fred and George leaving during their last year, and Percy not talking to us," bawled Mrs. Weasley, as she hugged Ron closely.
At this moment, Charlie and Ginny walked in to the living room together. Ginny giggled and Charlie raised an eyebrow at the scene before them. Ron was still in his mother's arms and attempting to struggle away from her.
"Guess we missed something?" Charlie said.
Harry wasn't paying attention, he was staring at the book Hermione had been reading. On the page that lay open was an illustration of a familiar animal. The top of the page read the name 'Occamy'. He stared at the book in disbelief at. Harry had thought the creature in his dream had come from his vivid imagination. Now, looking down on it in a book, he realized it was real. What he had seen in his dream was real. Harry stood up and caught Hermione's eye, she immediately understood he had something to say, but not in present company.
"Harry, I wanted to show you something in the book I got you for your birthday," Hermione said, making up an excuse for them to leave. "Ron, you'd be interested to."
Ron, glad to escape from Mrs. Weasley's grasp along with Ginny and Charlie's teasing, followed them quickly out of the room. They retreated up the narrow staircase to Ron's bedroom on the fifth floor. Harry ushered them in, then closed the door.
"What is it, Harry?" Hermione asked, worried by how he was acting.
"Yeah, you've got that look in your eye like you have something big to say," added Ron. "So spill it."
Harry sat down on his spare mattress and faced his friends. "That bird in your book Hermione, the Occamy, what can you tell me about it?"
"Well, muggles have found occamy remains and have thought them to be the missing link between reptiles and birds," Hermione recited in a scholarly tone. "They are mentioned again in the muggle myth, 'The Goose that lay the Golden Egg', this is because Occamy lays eggs of fine silver."
"I wouldn't mind getting some of those eggs, mind you," Ron interrupted.
"But it's nearly impossible, " continued Hermione. "Occamys' are very protective of their eggs. Not to mention they posses venom that can immobilize a person up to a full day. Plus they are only found in the Far East or India, it's rare to see them anywhere else."
"But what does this have to do with anything, Harry?" asked a confused Ron.
"Because I had a dream again," Harry said quietly, processing the information Hermione had given him "One in which I saw an Occamy."
"A dream about You-know-who? Was anyone hurt?" Ron asked stricken. " I thought Dumbledore told you he was using Occulmency against you,"
"No, there was no one in the dream, not that I could see. It was like the times I saw through Voldemort, " Harry ignored Ron's flinch at the name. "But at the same time it was different, as though it was missing something. There wasn't any strong emotion behind it. No strong hatred, or happiness, it was though it wasn't him."
He explained his dream to them in detail, the sun setting above the great forest and at last about the serpent-like bird that landed next to him.
"But, what doesn't make sense," Harry said slowly. "From what you've said Hermione, is an occamy in the forest. Or flying up to perch beside whoever eyes I was seeing through."
"I think you should tell Lupin, Harry," Hermione said tentatively.
Harry said nothing, so Hermione sat down pushing his unwrapped presents away to make room. Ron picked up the book she had moved and sat down as well.
"And what good would that do?" Harry replied angrily. "It would be the same thing over again like with Sirius and Dumbledore."
"Ow- OW!" Ron yelled in pain, jumping up and letting the book tumble to the floor. "That thing, it burned my hand!" He pointed down, not at the new book, but at the silver-star key that had been on top of it.
"What do mean burned you?" Hermione said disbelieving, she reached down to pick up the key. She dropped it a second after her hand had closed around the small key. "What- Ow!"
Harry bent down and easily picked up the key from where Hermione dropped it. "What are you two going on about? I can pick it up just fine."
"Don't be dense, Harry, there's a spell on it," Ron said, healing his burnt hand with his wand.
Harry looked bewildered and turned to Hermione for conformation.
"He's right. Obviously, someone cast a spell on the key so only the rightful owner could hold it. Which would mean you, Harry, seeing as how it's not burning you," she said. "But… all our mail is being checked still, so it couldn't be dangerous."
"Not dangerous! Sure, unless the wrong person holds it and it burns a bloody hole through their hand." Ron remarked sarcastically to Hermione then turned to Harry. "Enjoying your birthday then?"
"Yeah, it's been just thrilling," Harry replied, voice hollow. "And I have yet to visit the Dursely's later this evening."