PART SEVEN
Harry could hardly believe that Avendar was willing to teach him Elven Magic. Not even Draco had been allowed to learn it.
"Why are you teaching this to me and not the others?" Harry asked on top of the North Tower.
"You are the Protector of Dreams," Avendar shrugged. "That's all I know. Perhaps your friend Draco knows but I believe he was only given an outline of the Prophecy in the most basic sense. Elves guard their Prophecies jealously."
Harry merely nodded.
"Focus," Avendar told him. "Now again, you must think like an Elf for this magic to work. You must gain a deep love and understanding of the woods. I suggest spending time meditating in the Forest."
Harry wanted to object. The Forbidden Forest was a dangerous place but he knew that he had to master some Elven Magic to have the upper hand in any conflicts in the future. He knew that once again the freedom of the Wizarding World, and not just that of Britain's Wizarding World, rested on his shoulders. An enormous task but he was used to the weight of it.
"Very well," Harry said looking up at the sky.
The sun was setting and sky was changing into hues of blue, purple, pink and orange. Harry stood and Avendar followed suit.
"I think I'll go now," Harry told the Elf. "Spend some time in the Forest."
"But darkness is coming," Avendar pointed out.
"I know," Harry said as he moved toward the staircase. "But if I can't learn to love it in the darkness I won't be able to in daylight either."
Avendar had no reply and Harry hurried quickly down the stairs. It was not that he wanted to actually be out in the Forbidden Forest at night but something had been calling to him all day and he thought that perhaps this might be it.
Harry moved to the perimeter that separated Hogwart's school grounds from the Forbidden Forest itself. He peered into its darkening paths and without looking behind him he quickly entered into the Forest. It was darker in here than out on the castle grounds, was one of the first thoughts that went through Harry's mind. But it also seemed more peaceful and sinister. Like the proverbial calm before the storm.
He moved further into the Forest trying to stay as quiet as possible. He was not scared or worried. In fact he rather liked being in the Forest by himself. He moved deeper into the Forest trying to embrace it but it was embracing him. Harry drew back from the feeling trying to calm his rapid heart rate. He had never felt anything quite like that before and it startled him to feel like the Forest was responding to him. Determination kept him moving forward even though he felt like turning back now, he was not a coward. He finally came across a clearing but he set himself down in the trees and bushes off to the side of it. Even he knew it would be foolish to sit in plain view in the clearing at night in the Forest.
Eyes closed he reached out to embrace the Forest and again felt it embrace back. This time he did not fight it but let it happen. He did not know for how long he sat there but when he opened his eyes he felt peace and it was like the Forest was inside him. Perhaps this was what Avendar meant by learning to love the woods.
Instead of going right back to the castle he chose to sit and stay where he was for a bit longer. He liked the newfound peace and comfort that he had found.
Draco Malfoy paced the quarters that he shared with Harry and Avendar. It was dark out now and neither of them had come to dinner or back to the rooms. He had checked the North Tower and they had not been there, he could not understand it.
Exasperated he ran a hand through his blond hair. He noted that it was getting a bit long and that he should probably trim it. He walked into the small library to see if perhaps he could take his mind off his worries with a book. At one point if anyone had told Draco Malfoy that he would be worrying after Harry Potter he would have hexed them or laughed, even right up until the start of the war. But then things had changed.
The war had changed a lot of things but especially how he viewed other people. True, during training he and Harry had become close but Draco had never worried about him and now it seemed like he worried about him pretty frequently. Harry was right; they would make a set of screwed up twins or brothers.
The main door swung open and Draco came to see who it was.
"Avendar," He said to the Elf. "Where's Harry?"
"In the Forest," Avendar answered.
"The Forbidden Forest at night," Draco stated.
Avendar nodded.
"Shit," Draco tossed the book he had grabbed on to a nearby couch. "Well that's really not good. You do know that there are some pretty dark creatures in that Forest right? And you let Harry go in there by himself?"
"He has to learn to love the woods," Avendar said. "He told me that if he could not love them in the darkness then he definitely wouldn't be able to in the day."
"Damn it," Draco growled grabbing a warm cape from the closet. "This is really not my day."
"Where are you going?" Avendar asked.
"Out," Draco snapped stepping out from the rooms and shutting the door rather loudly behind him.
He walked briskly down the hall but thankfully Avendar did not follow. He wanted to be alone, he was so sick of it all.
And then Hermione appeared before him.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
"For a walk Miss Granger," He sneered.
"I don't trust you," She told him.
"Good for you," Draco attempted to sweep past her.
He could feel Hermione's eyes burning into his back but he did not turn around to look at her. Draco still could not figure out why Harry had been friends with her in the first place. He should have accepted Draco's offer all those years ago.
'And then maybe you'd find yourself kissing the hem of a madman's robes,' Draco reminded himself.
He had to admit it was possible. He knew that Harry had a dark streak, just like Draco and Severus did. But if he had become Draco's friend right then and there it was a possibility that Draco might have been able to get him to join the Dark Lord. It was true, and Draco willingly admitted it, when he had been younger he had blindly followed his father but now he was not so blind and he knew his father was wrong. Voldemort was crazy, it seemed that all Dark Wizards were a little screwed up in the head and Draco had no desire to follow someone like that.
Draco slipped outside of the castle. He made sure that Hermione was not following him. He would not have put anything past her but there was nothing around.
He looked to the Forbidden Forest, a dark shadow ahead of him. If the night was black then Draco was a hippogriff. The Forbidden Forest was black. There was no other way to describe it and he thought hard as to how he would find Harry in it.
'Just follow the screams,' He thought to himself.
But really that was not funny. Imagining Harry being torn apart by the various dark creatures that lived in the Forbidden Forest made him worry even more.
Determined he pushed away his doubts and moved toward the Forest. He drew the cape tightly about himself and plunged into the blackness of the Forest. He listened hard but heard nothing but dead silence. Draco thought to himself of any useful spells that might help him to locate Harry until he remembered the matching bracelets that he, Harry and Severus wore.
He pushed up his sleeve and held his wand to the silver snake and lion bracelet. He pictured Harry in his mind and said, "Locatus."
His bracelet tugged at him to move forward. He followed it, stumbling occasionally over a root or bush he could not see in his way. Draco refused to use 'Lumos' for fear that it would attract some of the many creatures in the Forest to him.
And then the bracelet stopped its tugging. He was just outside a clearing but he could not see any sign of Harry.
"Damn it Potter," He whispered. "Where in the hell are you?"
"Here Malfoy," Draco heard Harry call softly.
Draco turned and saw a cluster of bushes and trees overlooking the clearing. He moved toward them and crawled his way to Harry.
"Potter what the hell are you doing out here?" Draco asked settling in next to him.
"Learning to love the woods," Harry said. "I figured now was as good a time as any."
"Next time at least let me know," Draco ruffled Harry's hair. "I was actually worried brother."
Harry did not say anything but Draco had a feeling he was pleased.
"Let's go back now," Harry stood and he grabbed Draco's hand to help him up. "I think I've learned all I'm going to tonight."
Harry did not let go of Draco's hand as they began walked out into the clearing and Draco did not point that out. Harry seemed to know where he was going and Draco did not feel like stumbling around in the dark any longer.
The sound of hooves could be heard over their breathing. Draco and Harry both froze at the sound and quickly Harry dragged them into the cover of the trees. It was not that they did not trust the Centaurs but not all of them were friendly like Firenze.
"Harry Potter?" A single Centaur called out. "Are you still here?"
"That's Ronan," Harry whispered to Draco. "He's all right."
Harry stepped out into the clearing followed by Draco.
"Harry Potter," The Centaur said. "I am glad to have found you. The stars have been calling to me to give you a message."
"What is the message Ronan?" Harry asked the Centaur.
"You're task is not yet over Harry Potter," The Centaur said calmly. "Darkness abounds and it comes for you."
Draco inwardly felt a chill spread. Now the Centaurs were getting new directions from the stars. Elves and Centaurs, he was not sure which he disliked the most at the moment.
"Thank you for the message Ronan," Draco chose to be polite.
The Centaur nodded and disappeared back into the darkness.
"Let's get out of here now," Draco suggested.
Harry nodded and grabbed Draco's hand again, leading the way.
'Always the leader,' Draco snorted softly. 'You lead and I follow. Hopefully this time you'll learn a little more patience and I won't have to pull you out of the fire because the last time nearly killed us both.'
"Don't worry," Harry spoke once they reached the safety of Hogwarts grounds. "I'll try not to do anything stupid."
Draco could only shake his head. Sometimes Harry surprised even him.
"I don't know if I totally trust Avendar," Harry lowered his voice considerably.
"Really?" Draco asked because he knew that he felt the same way.
"This Ely'ed you talked about," Harry began to explain his feeling. "He seems like a competent being, so why would he send someone who doesn't even know anything about the Elvish Prophecy to us? That's one interesting point to consider. Also, why would he want to teach only me Elvish magic when you're also one of the important people in this Prophecy?"
"One could also argue that he knew are names that are mentioned in the Prophecy," Draco pointed out willing to play devil's advocate. "But most Elves are familiar with those names. I agree with you though, I don't trust him not fully. There's just something about him that makes me question him and until Ely'ed tells me otherwise I don't plan on changing my opinions any time soon."
"Always such a stubborn bastard Draco," Harry chuckled trying to make a joke of it but he sobered right up. "You're right though. We'll just have to wait and watch and be extra careful, even around Avendar."
"Especially around him," Draco said seriously. "He can learn our strengths and weaknesses if we aren't careful and if he really is a turncoat we'll be at a serious disadvantage."
Harry nodded.
Draco could still feel the darkness clinging to him, the worry and anxiety. It refused to let go. He had a feeling that something was going to happen, perhaps not the start of the war, but something.
"I think I'll write to Ely'ed," Draco decided. "I'll ask him to send someone who knows my safety code. That will be a certain bet that it's someone he trusts."
Harry agreed and Draco felt a little calmer but he still stayed alert and tense, ready to spring into action at a moments notice. He could tell that Harry was the same way.
"Harry," Hermione stepped out from the shadows in the hallway startling both boys so badly that they drew their wands.
Hermione paled and then her brown eyes flashed with anger.
"What is the matter with you?" She hissed. "What if I were only a student? You should know better than to draw your wands at Hogwarts in that manner. There's no reason for it."
"Now you listen here Granger," Draco said having had enough of her little speeches. "There is more than enough reason for it. I didn't return just because I was sent for. I returned because there is intelligence that a Dark Wizard is building up forces on the European Continent. You're stupid if you can't see that one of the first things the Dark Wizard will do it try and take out Harry."
"Oh really?" Hermione folded her arms over her chest. "Why would they want to do something like that?"
"He represents the one true obstacle that could get in his way," Draco felt tired, felt like brushing past her but he was compelled to try and explain it to her. "After all Potter took out one powerful Dark Wizard. This one doesn't have a reputation to go off of like Voldemort did; therefore the quickest and best way to earn a good one would be to kill Harry Potter and his little strong hold of friends at Hogwarts. And if you think this castle is safe you're a fool."
Hermione sputtered for a few moments but before she or anyone else could cut in another voice interrupted.
"He is quite right I'm afraid," The Headmaster spoke from behind the two men. "There is indeed a Dark Wizard on the Continent. Only Harry, Severus and Draco have been informed thus far. A few other Order members are aware as well but not all. Dark times are upon us yet again Miss Granger. Will you put aside the rivalries and animosity to band together once more to defeat it?"
Hermione stared at the old wizard. Draco and Harry did not turn around, they knew he spoke the truth and they trusted him not to do anything to them at the moment. Draco studied Hermione, she seemed to be considering the Headmaster's words but he could not always read her.
"How long have you known?" Hermione's question came out as a choked whisper.
"For a few months 'Mione," Harry answered her. "I knew a few months before Draco came back and he's known for as long as I have. McGonagall has known since about the time that Draco arrived, maybe a week before. The Dark Mark has already been used on the Continent Hermione. Bill Weasley's team was attacked a month ago. Bill is fine, recovering now at the Burrow but two members of the team were killed in the initial attack and a third died at the hospital. The others are now at St. Mungo's or are about to be released. They were lucky."
"Three dead?" Hermione shook her head.
"Headmaster," Draco said turning to the man. "I don't think this is the place for the conversation."
"No worries Mr. Malfoy," The Headmaster smiled softly. "I have wards up. But if it will make you feel better we can return to Mr. Potter's quarters."
"Headmaster," Harry spoke up. "Are there any quarters for Avendar? Draco and I are getting a bit cramped."
"Of course, of course," Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled. I shall show him to some now."
The group walked down the hallway towards Harry's rooms. Harry opened them and stepped inside. Avendar was seated on the floor, apparently meditating. He opened his eyes when the door opened and stood.
"Ah, there you are," The Headmaster stepped forward. "I have some guest quarters that would suit you better. And this way Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter won't have to share a room."
"If you think it best," Avendar agreed but he seemed somewhat disappointed.
The Headmaster waited patiently while Avendar packed his things into his knapsack and then he led the Elf from Harry's rooms and far down the hallway to another part of the castle where he placed Avendar in guest quarters.
While they waited for Dumbledore to come back Harry busied himself in the tiny kitchen getting tea and pumpkin juice and some snacks.
"So Malfoy," Hermione aimed a brief glare at the blond man as she took a seat. "Why did you come back in the first place?"
"You wouldn't understand Granger," Draco sighed. "You really wouldn't if you haven't worked it out by now."
"Come back to clear your precious family name?" She sneered. "Or maybe to get some of your own fame since Harry has more than enough to go around?"
Draco was tempted to get up and slap her. But he kept his face carefully blank and neutral as best he could. He did not understand why she had to be so insulting all the time.
"Hermione," Harry spoke up from the doorway with a large tray in hand. "You don't know what you're talking about so shut the hell up or I'll be tempted to slap you myself."
Hermione looked shocked. Harry set the tray down and turned his head to give Draco a wink. The blond knew that Harry was on his side against the witch. A knock on the door stopped any further fights or insults being traded as Harry got up and opened the door. Draco fingered his wand just in case it proved to be an intruder. He relaxed noticeably as Headmaster Dumbledore came into the room.
"Ah, tea and biscuits," Dumbledore smiled approvingly. "Thank you my boy."
Dumbledore took a seat in one of the chairs and used his wand to get himself a cup of tea with two shortbread biscuits. He munched on one of them quite happily, totally ignoring his old students who waited patiently and indulged in his eccentricities. Finally he looked up and seemed embarrassed that he had forgotten all about them but both Harry and Draco knew that this was mostly an act on the Headmaster's part, an act that usually worked.
"Now then Miss Granger," The Headmaster said taking a sip of tea. "I'm here to tell you that Harry, Draco and Severus have a warbond. You know what that is correct?"
Hesitantly Hermione nodded. She knew remotely what they were.
"It means that we're closer than most people," Draco launched into an explanation. "It means that if we allow our barriers in our minds down we have a limited ability to communicate telepathically and feel emotions that the other person is feeling. We can take pain and give pleasure. So if one of us is being tortured for example the others can take some of that pain and send them pleasure so that they're still able to fight and function."
"That's why Harry didn't fall off his broom all those times he was hit with Cruciatus Curse," Hermione paled, suddenly realizing that her friends' magic was not what had solely kept him able to fight so well. "And all the times he healed faster than normal during the war was that because of this bond?"
"Yeah Hermione," Harry nodded. "You can't tell this to anyone. The only people who know are Poppy, Draco, Severus and Albus. We are trusting you with a secret that could kill any of us."
"I won't tell anything," Hermione promised and she meant it.