Stroke of Midnight
Chapter 5: Seers, Parselmouths, and Animagi
It was a wonderful Tuesday morning. It had been a relatively quiet week and one person was enjoying every second of it. Madam Pomfrey was currently reading a novel. Barley anyone had come in in the past week. She had already organized the whole Hospital wing, sent a list of potions she was low on to Severus, and finished all of her paperwork. She sighed as she turned the page. Nothing could go wrong with how wonderful today was.
Harry Potter ran into the Hospital Wing.
Scratch that. Harry Potter could ruin her day.
"Mr. Potter. What have you done this time?"
Harry was out of breath and flushed. "Trelawney- Greg- passed out- North Tower. Need to talk to Dumbledore." He managed to pant out.
Pomfrey quickly grabbed some Floo powder and Flooed to the North Tower. She returned with both of them. As she laid them down she looked at Harry. "Grab some Floo powder and head to the Headmaster's office. The prophecy must have been powerful to knock out not only two seers but one of them being the most powerful we've ever seen."
Harry did as he was told and was in Dumbledore's office a moment later. "Harry, what a surprise." Harry immediately saw that Dumbledore had company. It was on second look that he realized that it was Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. "What do you wish to talk to me about?"
"Sir it may not be wise to speak openly of this matter."
"Potter, if my son has not already told you, I have switched sides. I was a spy for the Order but now I am merely an adviser."
"No, Malfoy, that's not what I meant. I meant that I will have to perform a spell to talk to Albus about what I have just heard."
Dumbledore nodded and Harry cast the spell. "Well what is it Harry?"
"Sir, we need to call an emergency meeting of the Order."
"Can thi-"
"Sir, Trelawney had another vision."
Lucius snorted. "That old fool. Why would this matter to the Order?"
Harry turned sharply to Lucius. "You know last year at the Department of Mysteries?" At the former Death Eater's nod he continued. "Remember the prophecy that Voldemort wanted? Well it was Seen by Professor Trelawney."
"How do you know?"
"Because I heard it when the prophecy was made." Lucius turned to Dumbledore.
"You mean you know what it says?"
"As will everyone, at the next Order meeting. Harry, if you will?"
Harry sighed. He went over to where Dumbledore kept Harry's Pensieve. He took it out and placed his memories inside it. Dumbledore had thought it a good idea to record all of his thoughts and memories at the beginning of the year. Ever since, once a month he came to Dumbledore's office and placed a month's worth of memories into the Pensieve.
Harry lifted the spell and made to leave for his next class. "Harry, the next meeting will be tonight."
Harry continued without acknowledging the old man. "Potter." He stopped and turned. "I admit that I never really liked you, but I am sorry about all those times I threatened you and tried to kill you. Maybe we can call a truce?"
"I wouldn't mind that, Sir. Call me Harry, though."
"And me Lucius."
Narcissa got up and held out her hand to Harry. "I would like a chance also. Narcissa."
Harry shook her hand and then ran off. He was going to be late to class.
Harry ran into Potions. Only Harry, Draco, Hermione, Marlena, Greg, and Shaniques made the class. As Snape was about to snap at him, Harry held up a hand. He made sure that no one could listen in and spoke. "The next Order meeting is tonight. And to answer your question Sev, I just came from Dumbledore's. Trelawney and Greg passed out after having a combined vision."
Everyone was shocked. Draco was the first to speak. "Why did you call my godfather Sev?"
"We became friendly at the beginning of the year. He only tortures me for Old Snake Face. If he found out we were friendly, He-Who-Must-Fuck-Up-Everything would use it to his advantage." Snape chuckled at the nickname.
"Is Greg alright?" Shaniques asked.
"Yah, just out cold. He's with Madam Pomfrey right now."
"So, Sev is it?" Marlena asked with a smile. Snape just scowled at her.
"Just because I favor Slytherin doesn't mean that you can call me that. I only allow Harry and Draco to call me Sev." He turned to Hermione who was about to talk. "Ms. Ganger, I know that it's unfair. But really with a genius like you in Gryffindor, Slytherins need an advantage."
With one last laugh they all got to work on their potions. Harry and Draco worked together and managed to make their potion flawless. After Potions they all went to Charms and once again Harry and Draco paired up. It seemed that they were inseparable. The only problem was that Draco kept trying to get Harry to go out with him.
Harry couldn't stand much more. The previous night he had been in tears. It was breaking his heart to keep having to turn down Draco. He wasn't falling in love with the older boy anymore. No, he was already in love with him. Hermione knew what it was doing to Harry and while they had a free period she managed to drag Draco away from Harry.
"Draco you have to stop."
"Why. You know that I love him. My birthday is only a couple of days away. The need to be with him is growing so much."
"Yes but this is hurting Harry. Not only is he forbidden to date, but he doesn't want you to get hurt. He's in love with you and every time you ask him, his heart breaks a little. Last night he was crying because of this."
Draco sat on a desk. He looked defeated. "All I want to do is be with him. I just want to hold him and make all of his problems just go away. I want a life with him. Fuck this is screwed up."
Hermione sat with him. "Yah, since he won't defeat Voldemort before May 15th. Then you'll die, and Harry will break. He won't ever be able to defeat Old Snake Face if you die. Damn it."
They looked at each other, lost about what to do.
Harry was alone in the library. Ron was at Flying class, Ginny was in her special classes, Hermione was who know where, as was Draco. Greg was still unconscious in the Hospital wing. Shaniques was with him. He had woken up but needed rest. The prophecy had taken a lot out of him. Just then Marlena sat next to him. For some reason he was not bothered by the fact that she was in Slytherin, nor with Blaise and Pansy. Draco was obvious.
"So what's up, Lena?"
"Not much. You?"
/I sense power in him. He is also trustworthy. Hmmm…. He would be a wise ally, Master./
/I agree. He would be a good ally. Yes he does have much power doesn't he/
"You speak Parseltongue?" Harry hissed at her. He was wide eyed and barely managed to contain his voice to a whisper. The only known Parselmouths were Voldemort and himself.
Her eyes widened. Harry forgot that it had been kept a secret that he spoke Parseltongue. Only those at the school in his second year knew. "You too?"
/Yes. How did you learn? The only known Parselmouths are myself and Voldemort. I have the power because he transferred his some power to me./
/I have been one since birth. My parents were baffled as I have no relation to Salazar Slytherin. I guess we're lucky that the power won't die out. Ha, I just had a thought. We could make comments to each other during conversations. It'll drive people nuts./
/I like your thinking lady./ "What is the snake's name?"
"Sylenne."
/Hello Sylenne. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am glad that you find me trustworthy./
/You are indeed powerful. Yes I sense Salazar in you. You are an original Parselmouth./
Harry chuckled. 'He must sense the power Voldemort gave me.' "Well as much as would love to stay here and converse in hisses all day we must get to class." They both reluctantly got up and made it to McGonagall's class before the bell rang.
Blaise, Pansy and Seamus worked on changing one element into another. It was very advanced transfigurations. The others had to work twice as hard as they had to master the same spells and work on their animagus forms. Shaniques seemed to be unable to transform while Ron, Hermione, and Neville seemed to be making half transformations. Neville managed to put lion paws on himself, Ron shrunk himself with a scaly tail, Hermione gave herself feathers and wings.
Greg, who had gotten out of the Hospital Wing, made to transformation into his hawk form for about five minutes. Then he had returned to normal. It was a task to stay in your animal form if you were new to it. Marlena had the same problems with her cobra form. She and Harry had conversed for a little bit though while she managed to stay in her form for almost ten minutes.
Draco and Harry had mastered small animals like insects and rodents. Once they learned a form they could stay in it for as long as the wished. This was an advantage to being an Uncountes Animagi. They were going to move on to reptiles next class.
Professor McGonagall spoke to the class before dismissing it. "Very good all of you. Potter, Malfoy, you are moving along quite quickly. Mr. Curley, Ms. Rosinski, you need to practice staying in your animagus forms longer. Weasley, Granger, Longbottom, Dorisca, you need to imagine your form and flow into it."
She turned to the other three in the class. "You are doing well as well. Element changing is the most advanced form of transfigurations, besides Animagi transformations. Contrary to belief, there are five elements, not four. Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water, everyone knows these. Most people do not know that Lightening, or electricity as it is called in the muggle world, is also an element."
She released the class and they all went to dinner. As they ate Harry thought about his day. 'Hmmm…. After Charms Draco stopped trying to ask me out. I wonder if he lost interest.' Harry's heart sunk at his thoughts. 'At least I won't have to have my heart break every time I say no. But can I handle seeing Draco with someone else?' Honestly Harry didn't think so.
It was soon time for the Order meeting. They had to go in groups of twos. Harry and Ginny touched the coin and said the password, as did Hermione and Ron. "Phoenix."
Fawkes joined them as they were transported to 12, Grimmauld Place. They all made their way to the room were the meeting was to be held. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Remus, Kingsley, Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody, Lucius, And Narcissa were all there already.
"What are they doing here?" Ron hissed, referring to the Malfoys.
"They've changed sides, Ron. Do you really think Dumbledore would just let them into the Order without checking to make sure of that?" Harry said calmly. "Lucius, Narcissa, what a surprise to see you here. I didn't think you would be here tonight."
Many eyes widened as he said this. Lucius smiled and spoke. "Well, I'm still astounded that the Order let children join. So I guess we're fair, eh Harry?" Harry chuckled and sat down. Ron paled, Hermione just gaped, and many others had their jaws on the floor.
Then another surprise hit them. Draco walked in. "Hello. Sorry I'm late. Couldn't find the bloody coin." He sat next to Harry.
The other three students sat down in a daze. "Since when has Draco been in the Order?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, I was spying on my father. Now I guess I'm more of an adviser, seeing as my father has also joined the Order."
They all looked at Dumbledore who motioned to three still vacant seats. "The last three should arrive momentarily." Fawkes sat on Harry's shoulder and once again many people were confused.
"Harry, why is Fawkes sitting on your shoulder? He is Dumbledore's pet." Tonks stated.
"Oh, well it seems that Fawkes originally was owned by Godric Gryffindor, so he was bound to return to one of his descendants. He decided to return now. But I believe we'll be discussing that later, am I correct Professor?" He looked at Dumbledore for conformation which he received with a nod.
The members of the Order of the Phoenix believed they were not going to be surprised anymore tonight. Boy, were they wrong. Little did they know that the meeting would consist of more surprises than they could ever imagine.
The first thing to prove them wrong was who walked through the door next. It was none other than Gregory Curley, Shaniques Dorisca, and Marlena Rosinski. They marched through the doors and sat down in the tree empty seats.
Dumbledore raised his wand and the doors closed, the room became blurry, and nothing would be heard outside the room. "Let's start with the least complicated things first shall we?" When there were murmurs of agreement he continued. "Lucius, Narcissa, And Draco Malfoy have been in the order for some time. Draco longer than his parents.
"They have joined of their own reasons and we have, as Harry pointed out, thoroughly checked them out. They are loyal to the side of light. Thought they can no longer provide us with information, they can advice us on what Voldemort is planning, how he will react, and such matters as that."
Ron looked like he was about to say something, but Harry glared at him. This effectively shut him up. Harry then spoke. "Sir, I knew that Greg was in the Order, and I understand that it is important to have a seer that can look for where Voldemort might strike, but why are Shaniques and Marlena here?" He quickly looked at them. "Not that I'm complaining. Hell we need all the help we can get. But I'm curious as to why you two are here."
Greg chuckled. He looked at Dumbledore who nodded. "Harry, I know that you're wondering why we appeared at school last week." He turned to Shaniques who had hit him. "Will you stop? Just because I use it once and awhile doesn't mean you have to get angry every time I do."
He returned to Harry. "We were home schooled before. Then I had a vision. We've been in the Order since it was regathered. The vision was of Voldemort torturing my family. I told them of it and we came to a decision. They would stay there and I would flee. I however knew what had to be done. I bespelled my parents and my little sister to put them to sleep. We put them in hiding and I stayed.
"For what must happen it was crucial that Voldemort learn of my powers. So he came, knowing I was going to be a seer. He told me to join him. I refused. That's when he brought out my parents and my sister. He told me that if I didn't join him they would die. I still refused. Marlena came in and distracted him while I portkeyed my parents and sister away. But I had to watch them endure the Cruciatus Curse.
"It was then that Voldemort remembered that I was there. He was furious that I had helped them escape. Marlena managed to slither out in her cobra form. She waited outside for me with two brooms. It was then that Shaniques came to the rescue. She managed to jump on old Voldie's face and I turned into my hawk form for the first time and we all escaped."
Harry gasped at Greg's story. He was about to ask another question but Greg continued. "I'm not just a seer. I'm the leader of the seers. We have a family that rules over the others because they were stronger. The Curleys managed to keep a straight line of male seers. My father was the first one to not be a seer in over a century. This gave me extraordinary seeing gifts along with another." He took a deep breath. "I can read minds. I don't need a spell or potion. I can naturally read minds."
The whole room was quiet. "Alright, that explains why you came to Hogwarts last week, but why are they here? And there are some holes in your story."
"I know, I know. Alright Lena, if you'll take over for the moment." She nodded and stood as he sat down.
"I am a Metamorphmagus." Tonks smiled and nodded.
"Thought you would be. We all seem to like weird hairstyles don't we?"
Marlena smiled and Harry broke in. "You could also help us if I'm not around. You could tell us what Voldie is telling his snakes to do."
Once again there was a collective gasp. "Yes, I'm also a Parselmouth. Now you had better watch out. Me and potter are going scheme right in front of you." /This is going to be fun, right Harry/
/So much fun./
"Stop conversing in Parseltongue. We would like to know what is said here."
Harry turned to Snape. "What, Sev? Feel left out? Well now you've got a Slytherin and an almost Slytherin plotting against you."
Marlena chuckled and muttered ideas to Harry about revenge. In Parseltongue of course. /No, I think just conversing in front of him is making him nervous enough./ They both laughed loudly. This caused Snape to look even more frightened.
Shaniques stood. "Well yes I think I should explain why I'm here and fill in the missing holes." Instead of talking she simply turned into a ferret. McGonagall gasped.
"You're a full Animagus! We haven't had a student at Hogwarts be a full animagus for at least 50 years."
"That's not exactly true, Minerva. James, Peter, and Sirius were all illegal Animagi." Remus looked down at the ground.
"Well how else would they have spent full moons with you Remus?" Dumbledore had a twinkle in his eye. "Well if that's all the questions on the members?" Everyone agreed. "Now then, we have some pressing matters at hand." The headmaster took out a box and handed it to Harry. "Tom sent this for you, Harry."
"Well I wouldn't want to disappoint Old Snake Face, would I?" He opened the box and as he suspected there was a rat inside. He laid it on the table. Remus looked extremely angry as did Ron and Hermione.
"That's Scabbers isn't it Harry?" Ginny asked confused.
"Well yes but more importantly," Harry flicked his wand and the rat changed shape. "it's also someone who owes me a life debt. He also happens to be the wizard who betrayed my parents, framed Sirius, and was Voldemort's right hand for a long time." Only one other person knew who it was before the rat changed.
Lucius sneered. "Well, well, well. If it isn't little Peter Pettigrew. The Dark Lord seems to have been angry at you."
Peter woke up and looked around. "Peter you owe me a life debt. I would like you to pay up."
"How, Potter?"
"By first emptying your thoughts into a Pensieve. Then I'll hand you over to the dementors." Peter shuddered but did as he was told. He was immediately knocked out by Remus. They transformed him put him in the box, made sure he would not remember the meeting or hear any information.
"We should get much information out of him." Dumbledore said but Harry shook his head.
"Nothing important. Voldemort knows that he owed me a life debt. Therefore he wouldn't leave any information that could be dangerous to him. No what we will get from his memories is the general direction that Voldemort is heading."
Dumbledore sighed and nodded. "You're right. I should have known that he wouldn't leave any information with Wormtail. Well on to more matters." He told the Order of Harry's heritage and why it was kept a secret. "Harry, who have you told of the prophecy, the first one I mean?"
"Only Draco knows the contents sir." Dumbledore nodded and showed them the prophecy that Voldemort had risked everything for. He then showed them the second prophecy that had told them of Peter's return.
The whole room was silent. Harry shivered and Draco found his hand under the table. Harry relaxed at the contact. He knew that Harry was afraid of what the prophecy contained. Harry took out his Pensieve. "This is the prophecy that I heard today."
Two figures appeared and spoke in the same tone. They repeated what they had said this morning. When it was over Harry was violently shaking and Draco drew him into an embrace. The tremors did not stop for several minutes. Even when they did, Draco moved his seat closer and didn't let go of the younger wizard. Harry had no objections.
"So Harry that meant that everyone close to you will die?" Hermione asked in a small voice.
"No, only those closest to him would die. Those that would hurt him the most." They all turned to Greg. He went to Harry and knelt before him. "But remember the rest of the prophecy? It has hope."
"Where?" They all looked at Ginny. "I can see no hope in that prophecy. Everyone Harry cares about will die."
"As I said not everyone. Just select few." He turned to her. "And there is hope. If Harry wins, it said he could restore everything."
"No it said he would have the chance. It's different. Besides, I hate to bear bad news but it also said that the heir of Slytherin would survive." The room was once again quiet. Draco hugged Harry tighter as Greg sat back in his seat.
"Harry has also conversed with Voldemort a week ago."
"I'll tell them. I was present and Harry isn't in the mood." They looked at Greg. "Hey mind reader here. Anyway, Harry and Voldemort are going to have the final battle a Godric's Hollow."
Suddenly Hermione looked at Draco. "You are a descendant of Merlin."
"We both are." Lucius said.
"The prophecy said that the blood of Merlin would be spilled."
Harry looked at Draco with wide eyes. "Damn. I should have seen it sooner." Harry ran out of the meeting saying one phrase over and over.
"I won't let you get hurt because of me."
The meeting had ended soon after Harry had run out. All the students save Harry went back to Hogwarts. Dumbledore found him sitting with his legs folded against his chest. "Harry, I know this may seem hopeless to you now, but think. There could be another heir of Slytherin."
"It doesn't matter. It said that the heir of Slytherin would survive, not live. That means Voldemort will win."
"I am lifting the dating ban on you Harry."
Harry nodded and portkeyed back to Hogwarts. He had a very restless night.
Sleep did eventually come. Instead of the nightmares he expected though, everything was gray. It was foggy. Suddenly he saw Sirius. "Padfoot!" He went running to his Godfather. They embraced and talked for a long time.
Finally though Sirius stopped. "Harry, I have missed you. Don't mourn for me. I'll always be here." He pointed to Harry's heart.
"Sirius, stop being so cheesy." Harry chuckled.
"Alright I gotta go. Oh, and tell Lena that if I do ever get out of here we'll hook up."
With that he walked out of Harry's dream. Harry was alone for a little bit until two people walked up to him. "Mum, Dad."
They all embraced and Harry felt at peace. "Harry, we haven't much time. Listen, you must remember what we tell you."
Lily started. "Check the vaults. It'll help you."
"Could you get anymore cryptic?" Harry asked annoyed.
"Yes, that's as straightforward as it gets. Don't let Voldemort rule your life with fear." James glared at him. "Don't fight destiny. Let what'll happen happen."
Harry nodded as his mother spoke quietly. "Don't forget what we did Harry. Those that gave their lives will be included in the offering."
With one last hug from his parents, Harry woke up.
Harry awoke in the Hospital Wing. Suddenly he heard Draco yell. "He's awake."
It seems that he had slipped into a coma three nights ago. The night of the meeting. It was Friday afternoon. He assured everyone that he was fine. At last it was Harry and Draco alone. Harry knew what he was going to do as soon as he awoke.
"Hey Draco?"
"Yah?"
"Would you like to go out on a date with me tomorrow night?"