Disclaimer:
J.K. Rowling is the owner of Harry Potter. Stories she has written and characters that she created are not mine. I don't take credit for any of her work. I do thank her for providing such a wonderful universe to dream about and write in.
Harry Potter and the Shadow of Evil
By: Starwin
Chapter 15 – Inside my Head
Harry blink groggily, his head hurt very badly. The lights on the ceiling were swaying back and forth. Harry wasn't sure where he was. His thoughts seemed all jumbled up.
He closed his eyes, rolled over on his side and took a long breath preparing his body for getting out of bed. When he opened his eyes he found Hermione staring at him, uncomfortably close to his face. Harry pulled back in surprise feeling now fully awake. But when Harry blinked Hermione vanished like a ghost. The image of her face faded quickly but Harry still felt unnerved.
He rubbed his hand against his head. His thoughts were starting to become clearer now. Harry pushed himself up and looked around to find himself in the hospital wing.
What had happened to him? Harry focused his mind trying to think back. To his surprise everything snapped into place like it never had before. Harry could recall each event in dramatic detail.
The door with the blackness behind it was where his memories trailed off. The next thing Harry could clearly recall was waking up here. Fragments of dreams littered the blank space in between.
Harry shook his head. There wasn't anyone else in the hospital wing. All the other beds were empty and even Madam Pomfrey was nowhere to be found.
Not wanting to stay in this place any longer Harry pull his sheets off, stepped out of bed, found his clothing, dressed and left.
Harry's stomach groaned behind his shirt. He couldn't remember the last time he had eaten anything, yesterday maybe? His feet turned and began to take him towards the great hall. The light outside the windows indicated it was still morning, though how early it was Harry didn't know.
The great hall was packed with people and still more people were arriving. Harry checked the clock on the wall, he still had 30 minutes before class. Harry moved down the Gryffindor table and found the spot where he usually sat, next to Ron.
"Morning," Harry said as he sat down next to Ron. Ginny dropped her cup of pumpkin juice and the orange liquid inside spread out across the table. Ron jumped. Many of the people around Harry went silent.
"Harry!" Ron said his face a mixer surprise and excitement. Ginny was glowing red as she tried to contain the spilled pumpkin juice. "Blimey mate it's great to see you!" Harry felt confused he had seen Ron yesterday.
"Don't be silly Ronald," Harry said. "I saw you yesterday at dinner." Ron looked taken aback. "What?"
"Harry, didn't anyone tell you," Ron asked uneasily.
"Tell me what?" Harry said as he reached for some toast. He was starting to feel a bit annoyed with Ron, it always took him so long to get to the point.
"You've been in the hospital wing all week long," Ginny said when Ron failed to answer. "Today is Friday." It was Harry's turn to feel surprised. Surly he couldn't have been asleep for that long. But Harry knew Ginny wasn't joking.
As Ginny and Harry looked across the table at each other Ginny squinted as though looking for something on Harry's face that she could barley see.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Where are your glasses?" Ginny asked. Harry had completely forgotten about them. He had pushed them into his pocket when he had dressed. Harry shrugged.
"I guess I didn't put them on," Harry said simply, "But I'm seeing just fine without them." Ginny looked uneasy but Harry didn't give it anymore thought. Right now he was hungry.
Breakfast tasted better than Harry remembered it, like he was having his first taste of good food. But the things on Harry's plate were what he always ate… weren't they? Harry wasn't sure. It didn't matter, it all tasted good.
As though and internal alarm had gone off Harry glanced up at the clock on the wall, fifteen till. He felt a panic. If today was Friday that meant he had Defense Against the Dark Arts started in ten minutes and he hadn't had time to study the shield spell at all! They had a test on it today and he had done so poorly last time. He had meant to ask… to ask someone… Harry's mind was fuzzy as he tried to recall the mental note. There had been someone in the class that had preformed the shield spell flawlessly well Harry had only managed a small glow. But for the life of him Harry couldn't remember who it had been.
"Come on Ronald," Harry said grabbing Ron's arm and standing. Ron looked taken off guard.
"What?" Ron managed.
"We have class in 15 minutes!" Harry said.
"That gives us 10 more minutes to eat doesn't it?" Ron asked as Harry pulled Ron along behind him.
---
Harry and Ron were the first people to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. The room was empty.
"Well," Ron said, "I hope you're happy, sitting alone in a class room is exactly how I wanted to spend morning." Ron said sarcastically.
"Shut up Ron," Harry retorted, "it's better to be early than late." Harry said as he moved over his notes, they seemed incomplete and undetailed. Some of the notes didn't even relate to the class. Harry couldn't understand how he had let his notes slide so much last lesson.
"Harry," Ron said uncertainly. "Are you sure you're feeling alright, because you've been acting pretty strange mate."
"I feel fine Ronald," Harry said. As he turned the piece of parchments with his notes over, hoping he had written something on the other side.
There was only one line on the other side, written in neat hand writing that Harry didn't recognize. The line was very small. Harry squinted and looked closer. As Harry read the words it was like a voice inside his head was speaking them.
"help me," the words and the voice said together. Harry dropped the parchment.
"There that's exactly what I mean," Ron said, "we've been friends for six years now and not once have you ever called me Ronald!" Harry looked back down at the piece of parchment but there were no words on the back. Harry flipped the page back to the front, he must still not be fully awake.
"Don't be silly," Harry said as he looked over at Ron, "I call you Ron all the time mate."
"If you're joking, Harry, it isn't funny," Ron said. Harry didn't have a clue what Ron was talking about, he could be so irritable some times. Harry was trying to study, trying to get ready for the test but Ron kept talking mindless chatter.
"Sometimes, you're a pain in the ass, Ronald." Harry said. Ron drew back like Harry had struck him. Finally he had shut up and Harry cloud scan through his notes uninterrupted. There seemed to be nothing talking about the wandless shield spell in them.
The door to the classroom opened and other students began to arrive. Ron wasn't looking at Harry anymore. Ron was a jerk anyhow, Harry thought as he organized his parchment on his desk.
The room filled with students, but Professor Solaris had still not arrived. Harry waited patiently. It seemed that Solaris had a tendency for being late to class… or did he? Harry thought about last time. The illusion he'd used would've taken time to prepare, he would have had to of fact been early.
"Stupid git's late again," Malfoy hissed. Harry pursed his lips and noticed something odd. Harry looked at the person sitting next to Malfoy, then Harry's eyes flicked to the back of the room. Harry realized what was going on and he couldn't help but smile.
'Very clever professor,' Harry thought. Goyle, who was sitting next to Malfoy, winked at Harry but did not say anything.
"What are you smirking at Potter," Malfoy hissed. Harry let out a laugh, this was too funny. Malfoy stood from his seat taking a step towards Harry and pulled his wand threateningly. "Too bad your dirty mudblood isn't hear to protect you!"
A hand reached up from next to Malfoy and pulled the wand from his grip. Malfoy whirled in surprise as Goyle stood from his seat a moved to the front of the class room.
"Goyle what are you doing!" Malfoy said angrily.
"I am suspending the use of your wand, Mr. Malfoy," Goyle said, but the voice that had come out of Goyle's throat was not his own. Malfoy's face went pale and he sank slowly back down into his seat.
Harry didn't know how he had spotted it so quickly but he had noticed that the class room contained two Goyles instead of one.
"We have a few more moments before the Polyjuice potion wears off," Goyle said from the front of the class. "I counted five Slytherin and two Gryffindor students who were able to spot me and I am awarding ten points for each of them. However due to Mr. Malfoy's inappropriate behavior, and comment, I will take be taking 20 points from Slytherin. And Mr. Malfoy I would like a word after class."
Malfoy opened his mouth to protest but as he did Goyle's skin rippled the black hair on his head began to grow longer and become silver in color. His pudgy face hardened and Goyle became slightly taller. The man standing before them was not Goyle any longer, it was Professor Solaris dressed in Slytherin robes.
"Much better, no offence Mr. Goyle," Solaris said looking at Goyle sitting in the back of the class room. "So, who here can explain the properties of the Polyjuice potion." Harry's hand shot up into the air. Solaris pointed him out.
"The Polly-Metamorphism potion, also called the polyjuice potion, is a potion that once ingested can transform the drinker into the appearance of another person. The potion is most effective when used for the same gender and should not be used for animal transformations. The potion has an effective length of exactly one hour." Harry said. The rest of the room had become very quite and Harry wasn't sure what was wrong. Even Ron was staring at him. But Solaris seemed oblivious to whatever it was the other students thought was wrong.
"Very good Mr. Potter," Solaris said, "5 points for Gryffindor. As this demonstration proves the Polyjuice potion is less effective when the person you are trying to disguise yourself as, is in the room. I am, however, surprised that so few Slytherin were able to spot me.
"Can anyone tell me what magical spells exist to detect someone using the Polyjuice potion?" Again Harry's hand shot into the air, Solaris waited a moment looking for other hands but there was no one else. Solaris pointed Harry out again.
"There are no known spells that can detect someone using the Polyjuice potion," Harry said, "there is another potion that will counter act the effects of the Polyjuice potion but detecting someone using the Polyjuice potion is usually a matter of perception not magic." Solaris nodded.
"Correct again, Mr. Potter, another 5 points for Gryffindor." Solaris said. "Not all form of magical concealment can be detected by spells. For those of you who haven't figured it out yet each class will not only be lessons in Defense but also detection." Solaris moved behind his desk and pulled out a glowing white ball of what appeared to be mist.
"Quills and parchment," Solaris said as he held the ball. "I want you to focus, to look past the mist. See the object hidden behind it." Harry concentrated. Slowly an outline began to emerge. First it was just a dark shadow but soon Harry could make out a shape in side, it was a… a tea kettle?
"If you can see the object, please keep the answer to yourself," Solaris said, "write the number one, on your parchment and the name of the object." Solaris produced a wand, made a circle and tapped the air with a quick strike like he was tapping the top of an invisible desk. A stone pillar began to pour out of the end of Solaris' wand. The pillar had the number one on it.
Solaris set the ball of mist down on top of the pillar and then pulled another object out from behind his desk. The new object was a vase. Again Solaris created a pillar and placed the vase atop it. The process was repeated until more than twenty pillars, twenty five by Harry's count, were lined across the front of the room. Each had a different object on top it with a different type on concealment spells.
Harry recognized all of them. He quickly finished his list. The scratching of quills and whispers still reached his ears and he knew he had been the first to finish. Some of the concealment spells were very advanced. Number 13 for example was the Invisacus charm, which made objects not only invisible but intangible, that was N.E.W.T level spell. Lucky for Harry he had spent extensive time in the library studying for his N.E.W.T.s last year. The funny thing was that he couldn't recall when or what books he had read about them.
Class was half over when Solaris asked for the parchments to be handed forward. Many people groaned and a couple in the back even protested. Solaris held up a hand.
"This is simply an evaluation of your knowledge of concealment," Solaris said in a calming voice. "It's not a test, well, it is. But I would be surprised if anyone was able to see all of the objects here." Ron held his hand out to take Harry's paper. Harry started to hand it to him when he noticed something odd in the top corer. He had written down the wrong name. Harry's quill hovered over the words for a moment confused at what he had been thinking. Harry tapped his quill against the parchment and whispered 'eradcus' the ink words, 'Regnarg Enoimreh' sunk into Harry's parchment and vanished. Harry scrawled his name across the top and passed his paper to Ron.
Harry had been felling a nagging in the back of his brain throughout the Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. Like there was something he had forgotten about or something he hadn't remembered to do.
Solaris took the stack of papers and placed them on his desk.
"And now the moment you have all been looking forward too, your first Defense test. I hope you've all practiced." Solaris said with a smile. Groans came from the students. Harry felt a panic, he hadn't practiced at all and last time his shield had been horrible!
But that wasn't right, last time Harry's shield had been flawless, the best out of the class. Harry's head was starting to beat with a steady drum. This minor headache had come and gone most of the morning but this time it felt more intense.
Solaris began to call out names of students asking them to come to the front of the class to perform their shield spell in before of everyone. There was an uneasy knot in Harry's stomach. What if he couldn't make a shield at all? Harry pictured the whole class laughing and pointing at him. Except for one person sitting in the first row who looked far more nervous than Harry felt.
The delusion snapped away as Solaris called Harry's name.
"Very good Mr. Weasley," Solaris said ticking off something on the notepad he had in his hands. "Alright, Mr. Potter you're up."
'Focus, focus," Harry chanted as he stood and moved before the whole of the class. 'You have done this before you can do it again, just pretend there isn't anyone watching.' Harry held his palms out. 'See the shield.'
"Protego!" Harry said. A small ball of light glowed dimly between his hands but a shield did not form. Solaris looked surprised. Harry could hear murmurs from some of the students sitting in front of him. It was no use, he just couldn't do magic without a wand.
"Try again, Mr. Potter," Solaris said uneasily, "remember, see the shield." Harry nodded, his face screwed up with concentration. Harry closed his eyes willing for strength.
"Protego." Harry said again but this time as he said the word there was a voice in his head that whispered, "it's impossible." The glow between Harry's hands vanished more quickly than last time. It had been even smaller. Harry looked at his hand as if they had something to do with his problem.
"I think that's enough, Mr. Potter," Solaris said concerned. Harry could see the smug smile on Malfoy's face, could hear the whisperings of the class. Solaris moved his quill to make a note on the paper.
"Wait," Harry said defiantly. Solaris looked up at him. "Let me try once more, Professor." Solaris' face remained passive and for a moment Harry saw the Seraphim as he really was. It was like seeing past a concealment spell, all the humanness that had been out of place vanished for an instant.
"Go ahead, Mr. Potter." Solaris said. Harry nodded.
'I can do this, I know it's possible!' Harry said to himself.
'It isn't,' said the voice in his head. 'You just can't cast a spell without a wand!'
"Yes I can," Harry said allowed. "PROTEGO!" Harry roared. There was a flash of light and in front of Harry a huge shield erupted into existence. The top ended high above Harry's head and the bottom cut into the floor. There was a cry of surprise from the students out in front of Harry. Solaris was saying something but Harry couldn't hear him.
The shield was starting to become heavy, the light unbearably bright. There was shouting now but Harry couldn't understand the words that were being said.
Many voices echoed from in front of Harry, they were shouting something. Harry felt the shield tremble in his hands but it did not vanish. Shouts came again, louder and more voices this time. "EX PRATICUS!" Harry was able to hear the words this time but he had no idea what they meant. Again the shield shuttered but it didn't vanish. A third roar erupted from in front of Harry, this one almost deafening. This time the shield became completely still, the light dimmed and the protective barrier shimmered away.
Harry was looking at the class, they all had their wands pointed at him. Harry felt drained, like all the energy inside him had been sucked out.
"That was most impressive, Mr. Potter," Solaris said as he held his arms out for the class to lower their wands. Harry didn't know what was going on, why did all of the have their wands pointed at him. Had they been trying to attack him? Then Harry noticed that many of the Slytherin students didn't have their wands out at all. "It took the full strength of this class to dispel your shield. You must be protecting something very important to you to have created such a barrier." Solaris looked around as the teacher like air returned to him.
"But just because Mr. Potter can make a very big shield doesn't mean the rest of you get to slack. Please take a seat please Mr. Potter." Solaris said. He waited until Harry was back at his desk before making a note on his pad.
"Next up, Mr. Longbottom," Solaris said. Neville took a deep breath and moved before the class.
---
Harry was happy to finally get to lunch. His head had been pounding all through the rest of the lesson. Harry wasn't even sure what the homework had been.
'Study concealment of locations,' something in Harry's head rang out. The pounding became worse and he felt tired from his ordeal with the shield spell. Harry was seriously considering going to the hospital wing but he couldn't miss Arithmancy, there was a test today.
Ron was unusually quite as he sat next to Harry. Ginny kept looking between them.
"If you two keep fighting like that people are going to think you're married or something!" Ginny said with a giggle.
"What," Ron gasped. "That's not funny, Ginny!"
Harry let out a sigh.
"Don't worry, Ronald," Harry said as he put his arm around Ron's shoulders. "I won't tell anyone if you don't." Ron pushed Harry's arm off.
"Shove off Harry!" Ron said angrily. Harry felt hurt he hadn't meant to be funny, just supportive. Harry turned away from Ron and seriously considered taking up his place further down the table again.
"Anyway," Ginny said shaking her head at the both of them, "are you sure you're feeling alright, Harry?" Harry shrugged, his head was pounding and he could barley keep his eyes open.
"Fine," Harry lied. Ginny's eyes narrowed like something in his voice had given him away. "Really, I'm fine. But I wish I'd had more time to study for the test in my next class." Harry added.
"Test!" Ron cried sitting up. "What test! I don't remember Trelawney saying anything about a test!" Harry felt confused.
"Don't be silly Ronald," Harry said. "I meant in Arithmancy." Ron's jaw dropped open.
"Harry," Ginny said, her voice sounded uneasy. "I really do think something's wrong."
"I told you," Harry said starting to feel angrily. "I'm fine." Harry's head began to pound harder. What was wrong with him? "I need to go to the bathroom, I'll catch you up latter." Harry stood and left the great hall.
Harry pushed the bathroom door open and headed for one of the sinks to rinse his face. Harry ran the cold water and splashed it against his skin. He looked up into the mirror to see if there was anything visibly wrong with him.
For a moment Harry wasn't sure what he was looking at. The face in the mirror wasn't his own but it was the same time. The world around Harry suddenly shifted like there had been a small earth quake. Harry gripped the sink for support. The headache was pounding inside his head now.
Harry's scar burst with pain and Harry couldn't help but let out a cry. Voices suddenly struck up from the stalls behind him, girls voices.
"Oh my god!" One of the voices shouted, "Is that a boy!"
"GET OUT!" Another voice shouted. "GET OUT YOU PERVERT!"
Harry looked around realizing where he was. He had gone into the Girls bathroom by mistake. Harry rushed out the door.
His head pounded again and his scar flared like it was on fire. Harry staggered off down the hallway trying to keep his balance as the world doubled before his eyes. He was having trouble seeing now. The walls all seemed to be moving. Harry pushed his palms against his eyes as he leaned against a wall for support. It felt like things were exploding inside his head.
As suddenly as it had come the pain vanished. Harry opened his eyes. The world had stopped moving. He took a long breath as the fire inside his head slowly dimmed but the headache remained, pulsing dimly as if to remind him that it hadn't bee a dream.
Harry had to get to class. He wasn't sure what time it was but he knew that it had to be almost time by now.
Harry began to walk down the corridor towards Arithmancy. He was almost there when the headache returned in full force for an instant. It felt like someone had hit him hard in the back of the head.
Harry looked around. What was he doing here? This was no where close to his Divination class. Harry turned and headed up a few flights of stairs. He was most likely late by now but he didn't care.
As Harry passed a window something outside caught his eye. He turned to see what it was but all he saw was his own reflection, bushy brown hair and soft face. Harry ran his hand along his face. Something wasn't right, on his forehead he felt a scar but in his reflection there wasn't one.
Harry blinked and the reflection had been replaced by his own. Harry looked uncertainly at the glass trying to remember what he had just seen but the more he tried to recall it the further away it slipped.
"Are you alright Mr. Potter?" A voice asked from next to Harry. It was Professor Solaris he had a stack of papers clenched in one hand. Harry looked at him blankly.
"Fine," Harry said. He wasn't sure why he kept telling people this. Solaris nodded. Harry had half expected him to say 'are you sure' or 'you don't look fine to me.' But Solaris looked perfectly content with Harry's answer.
"You had better get off to class then, Mr. Potter," Solaris said. "You're already late." Harry nodded and head off down the hall towards Arithmancy. For the life of him Harry couldn't recall why he had been so far away from the class room.
Harry reached the door and took a deep breath. He had never been late for Arithmancy before and he wasn't sure how Professor Vector's would take it.
Harry turned the knob and opened the door. Professor Vector's voice died as he looked at Harry. Harry had interrupted a lecture, the worst crime of all against any teacher.
"Yes," Professor Vector said, his voice was gruff and he had a short white beard around the bottom of his face. He looked very out of place, much more like a muggle than any professor Harry had ever seen. "How can I help you?"
Harry felt surprised, he was late but that didn't mean Professor Vector had to pretend he didn't know who Harry was. After all Harry had been his top student for the last 3 years.
"I'm sorry I am late Professor," Harry said moving towards his seat. Professor Vector looked surprised.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter isn't it?" Professor Vector said. For a moment Harry was about to say 'no, my name is…' but he had lost the thought midway through so he just nodded instead.
"I wasn't informed that you would be joining our class." Professor Vector said. "Do you have a note?" Harry felt uneasy. He didn't have a note for being late because there was no excuse for his tardiness.
"I'm sorry Professor, I don't have one," Harry said.
"Well Mr. Potter unless you are well versed on tri-complex congregational theory I would suggest that you retrieve a note to be here before jumping into the middle of an advanced Arithmancy class."
"Tri-complex congregational theory is the mathematical theory for providing a negative area of a transfigured object. Express by x of i over therticon c." Professor Vector looked taken aback for a moment.
"That's correct Mr. Potter." Some of the other students turned to look back at Harry. They should all know by know that he had already read the entire Arithmancy book. Professor Vector pointed at a long magical equation on the board. "What do you think the answer to this problem is, Mr. Potter?"
Harry read it carefully. It was a simple problem even a first year Arithmancy student could solve it.
"It's…" Harry began but his mind had blanked. The words were on the tip of his tongue but he just couldn't get it out. "It's… I don't know…" Harry looked around at the room. What was he doing here, this wasn't Divination. All of the students were looking at him.
"Excuse me," Harry said standing and moving to the door. No one said anything as Harry exited the class. Harry stood in the hallway outside. What had come over him?
Harry dully considered going to his divination class but decided against it.
Something was horribly wrong inside Harry's head. This headache wasn't getting better, it was getting worse. Harry didn't clearly recall entering the Arithmancy class or even why he had come to it in the first place.
Harry was trying to figure out what to do now. His voice suddenly spoke as though it had a will of its own.
"Hermione," Harry said dully. "Hermione might know what to do!" Harry realized. That must have been the reason he had come to Arithmancy class, to find Hermione! But she hadn't been there. Harry tried to think where else she might be.
Harry couldn't think of any other place to look for her. Who knew Hermione better than he did, Ron? No, Ron might have a crush on Hermione, but they were always fighting and their personalities differed far too much for Ron to think much like Hermione.
Ginny? Harry realized. Her and Hermione, for the most part were almost always talking with each other. Harry could recall some very private conversations the two of them had had. Harry shook his head. A moment ago he had been some place else, been someone else.
"I have to find Ginny." Harry realized as he thought it aloud. But where was she? Today was Friday, what class did Ginny have on Friday. Her class schedule popped into Harry's head almost the moment he had thought about it, along with the schedules of many other students. Harry didn't recall when he'd had time to read everyone else's schedule but apparently he knew them all.
Ginny would be in Care of Magical Creatures today. It was a normal class which meant…
The bell rang above Harry's head. Which meant she was getting out of it now. Harry recalled the next class in her schedule, Herbology in greenhouse 5. Moving quickly Harry sprinted down the hallway. Ginny was much closer to the class room than we was.
Harry was a little out of breath when he arrived at the entrance to greenhouse 5. A few moments latter a large group of Gryffindor fifth-years appeared.
"Harry?" A voice asked from some place in the crowed. A red headed witch pushed her way out from the cluster of students and sprinted full speed into Harry wrapping her arms around him.
Some of the Gryffindor girls giggled. Harry ignored him.
"Ginny," Harry said taking her by the shoulders and pulling her back from him so he could look into her face. "Do you know where Hermione is?" Ginny seemed taken aback by the question. She licked her lips.
"I think she is in the hospital wing," Ginny said. "Harry, what's wrong."
"Nothing," Harry said hurriedly. "Thanks," Harry let Ginny go and began to hurry off but he had only gone a few steps when a hand grabbed his wrist.
"Something is wrong Harry," Ginny said from behind him. She had a tight grasp on his wrist. "Tell me." Harry tried to pull free but Ginny held him fast.
"I just need to see Hermione," Harry said. Ginny's grip tightened.
"Because you don't want to see me?" Ginny asked pain in her voice. Harry stopped trying to pull away. He turned to look at Ginny and noticed that the group of Gryffindor students were watching, their ears wide trying to listen in.
"No," Harry said leaning closer to Ginny and whispering. "Something isn't right, I think Hermione might know how to fix it." This however didn't seem to calm Ginny at all.
"I'm pretty smart too, why don't you try trusting me for once?" Ginny said in a hurt voice. Harry's head pounded and he winced. Ginny searched his face, there was fear in her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Pain," Harry said mashing his hand into scar. "Unbearable pain."
"Come on," Ginny said sternly, "were going to get Ron!"
---
At first Ginny had pulled Harry along behind her but after a while she finally let go and Harry followed obediently.
They had reached the staircase below Trelawney's room.
"Wait here," Ginny said and she vanished up the stairs. For the moment the pain in Harry's head had vanished again but this time he had been left with a feeling of urgency. It was becoming more important for Harry to find Hermione because something… something bad was happening to her. Harry didn't know how he could even know this but he did.
Harry considered heading off to try and find her on his own but Ginny reappeared before Harry could make up his mind. Ron was following right behind her.
"Thanks for the rescue," Ron said. "I thought she was going to bore me to death, I mean…" Ron spotted Harry. "What's wrong?" Ron's tone changed to concern now.
"Not here," Ginny said. She took Harry by the wrist again and pulled him down the hallway looking for an empty class room. The three of them moved inside and Ginny locked the door with a magical spell.
"Ron where is the Ethereal Connector charm?" Ginny said turning on her brother. Ron looked suddenly uneasy like he had been put under a spot light.
"I… I told you I don't… we must have lost it on the way to the hospital wing," Ron managed to stammer out. Even Harry could tell that Ron wasn't being truthful, he was poor liar to say the least. Ginny moved in on him.
"Ron, I know your lying to me, where is it?" Ginny said, Harry swore that her eyes were glowing red with anger. Ron looked around in panic.
"Look, Ginny I don't think we should use it again," Ron said there was a tear rolling down his face and he looked like he was going to burst out crying any second. Harry had never seen Ron like this before.
"Give it to me Ron," Ginny said angrily.
"No," Ron said. "You almost didn't make it out last time and Hermione…" Ron trailed off, he couldn't bring himself to say whatever had happened to Hermione.
"That's what we need it for!" Ginny said. "Hermione didn't make it out, she is still inside Harry's head." Both Ron and Harry were taken aback by this.
"What?" Harry said. Had Ginny gone mad? "Gin, that's ridiculous, how could Hermione be inside my head."
"We used a charm called an Ethereal Connecter," Ginny said turning on Harry. "It lets you enter into peoples minds. We went in to help you but we got separated from Hermione. I think that somehow she didn't make it out with me and Ron. You've been calling Ron, Ronald all day long, that's exactly what Hermione calls him when she is annoyed with him. I'm also willing to bet there are a lot of other things you have seen or heard, like her voice, or images of her."
Harry felt taken aback how could Ginny possible know that.
"It's called Ego Entanglement, its one of the dangers of ethereal intrusion." Ginny said. "and a big reason why it's illegal."
"How do you know all this?" Harry asked uncertainly. This was the sort of thing he would have expected from Hermione.
"Let's just say I put a lot of time and study into this area of magic, for personal reasons." Ginny said. "I don't have time to explain it all now," Ginny added as Harry was about to ask another question. "Ron give the me charm or I swear I will hex you so badly that you won't be able to walk for a year!" Ron still looked defiant but produced from his pocket a small white square on a silver chain. Ginny snatched it out of his hand.
"I won't let you go alone," Ron protested. Ginny looked at him as she put the charm around her neck, she took a deep breath.
"You need to stay here this time Ron, so that if something goes wrong you can get help." Ginny said.
"No," Ron retorted angrily. "I won't let you do this by yourself!" Ginny shook her head and took hold of the charm without responding. Her body went limp and Ron managed to grab her before she collapsed against the floor.
"Damn it Ginny!" Ron shouted. He tried to pull her fingers off the charm but Harry's hand shot out.
"Don't," Harry said his eyes wide. "She has to release it if you pull her fingers off she might not be able to return to her body." Ron looked at Harry helplessly as he held his sisters limp body in his arms.
Harry waited for any sign that Ginny had entered his mind but there wasn't anything besides the slow pounding of the headache.
Ginny let out a long breath and her eye's fluttered open as her hand released the charm.
"You're alright!" Ron said relieved. "I can't believe you just did that!"
"I don't think that helped," Harry said as the headache began to pick up pace.
"I couldn't get in," Ginny said as she pushed herself up and got to her feet. "There's some kind of barrier stopping me. Dumbledore must have put some kind of shield in place."
Harry reached for one of the desk as he felt unsteady.
"The headache is getting worse." Harry said as he pressed his hand against his head. Ginny looked uneasy.
"I think your headache is being caused by the break down of the ego borderline." Ginny said uneasily.
"Which means what?" Ron asked.
"It means that either he or Hermione is losing the war to exist in Harry's mind," Ginny said. "If we can't find a way in soon to help sort this out…" Ginny looked away.
"Then what?" Ron said now panicked.
"Then…" Ginny said her voice was chocked.
"Then one of us will die." Harry said finishing. Ginny had tears rolling down her face and Ron didn't look much better. The headache was letting up again and Harry's thoughts were becoming clearer now. They needed another way into his head.
"What about Legilimancy?" Harry asked.
"Not with the barrier that's in place now," Ginny said rubbing the tears from her face. "It would be almost impossible and we might do more damage than good. There might be something else, a potion, Iturss serum, but it would take months to make and it wouldn't let us into you mind to help."
Harry nodded as his brain recalled the Iturss serum. It was a concoction that permitted the drinker to enter their own mind. Most often used by Aurors on witnesses to a crime. Harry recalled reading about it in one of the books in the restricted section, it was a very complex potion with hard to come by ingredients.
Then a thought occurred to Harry, a horrific. But there wasn't any other choice, Hermione was in danger.
"Snape might have it," Harry announced.
"But even if he does," Ron said, "how are you going to get it from him, break into his room?"
"No," Harry said, he knew what he had to do. He had to swallow his pride. "I'm going to ask for his help."
"WHAT!" Ron cried out in surprise. "Harry he'll probably expel you on the spot if you…"
"I don't have time to worry about that and I don't have time to get this wrong," Harry said angrily. "If Hermione is in danger I can't put her at any more risk by being a fool, even if it means being expelled." Harry snatched the pendent from Ron. "You two get back to class."
"Were coming with you mate!" Ron said defiantly.
"No," Harry said his temper flaring, made worse by the headache pounding against his skull. "You two have already gotten too involved."
"She is our friend too!" Ginny said defiantly. "Its our fault she is in danger in the first place!"
"You won't be able to do anything to help," Harry said angrily. "Now go back to class and let me deal with this."
"No way," Ron said. "We won't let you do this alone." Harry took a deep breath. He already felt bad about what he was about to do.
"I'm sorry then Ron, Gin," Harry said whipping out his wand. "Petrificus Totalus!" Ron fell backwards to the floor stiff as a board Ginny had her wand half out before her arms snapped to her sides and sat motionless on the floor. "I really am sorry."
Harry pulled the pendent off from around Ginny's neck and hurried out of the room.
---
Harry took a deep breath as he stood outside the door of Snape's office. Harry was still a bit surprised with himself at what he had just done. He had petrified two of his friends, granted the spell only lasted an hour at most, but he still felt bad.
Harry knocked on the door, there was no answer. What if Snape had class? Harry waited. He was about to knock again when the door suddenly opened and the pale face of Snape appeared in the crack.
"Potter," Snape sneered. "What do you want, I am busy." Snape's cold eyes glared down at Harry.
"I need Iturss serum," Harry said flatly. He had not intention of explaining himself to Snape. The sneer on Snape's lip became more pronounced.
"Iturss serum Potter? Why?" Snape hissed.
"That's none of your business." Harry hissed back.
"Watch your tone Potter," Snape retorted, "Iturss serum it is extremely hard to make and very dangerous if not used correctly. I am not accustomed to handing it out to any student that wants some."
Harry knew that Snape would be like this.
"But your going to give me some," Harry said his eyes narrowing as he reached into his pocket and pulled the white bone charm on the silver chain out, to dangle it before Snape's eyes. "Or maybe I should tell Dumbledore what really happened to Hermione and who supplied the means." Snape's eyes narrowed.
"So it comes to blackmail, Potter?" Snape said darkly.
"Whatever it takes to save my friend," Harry said even more darkly.
Snape stepped back and pulled the door open the rest of the way so that Harry could come inside.
"Sit then, Potter," Snape said as he moved off into the rows of strange things in jars. Harry moved to the chair in front of Snape's desk but he did not sit. Snape's office had always given Harry an uneasy feeling and this time was no exception. The strange things that floating in the glass jars around the room always made Harry feel sick.
Snape returned with a vial in hand.
"Sit, Potter," Snape insisted nastily.
"No thanks, I wasn't planning on staying." Harry said. Snape stood behind his desk but did not hand the vial to Harry.
"Potter, do you know what this serum dose? Do you know how dangerous it is?" Snape said. "I have made the mistake once of thinking that a student could handle something so dangerous but apparently I was wrong. I will not fall into the same trap twice, Potter, if you want this serum you will drink it here and you will explain to me what you intend to do."
Harry took a deep breath his eyes never leaving Snape's face. He didn't have a choice.
"Alright," Harry said at last and he sat in the chair. "I think Hermione is trapped inside my head. When she used this charm," Harry held up the white bone charm, "to enter my mind she didn't make it out."
Snape's face remained emotionless.
"Even if that is so, Potter," Snape hissed. "It had been five days since Miss Granger entered your mind. Even if she is still alive she had been gone from her body too long. She won't be able to return to it."
"That's not entirely correct," Harry said. Snape seemed taken aback.
"Excuse me, Potter, but I have had a fair amount more experience in the field of dealing with the human mind than you have," Snape sneered.
"The reason that most people can't return to their bodies," Harry pressed on, "is that the body dies after only a few hours without the mind. I think however that Hermione in some small way did manage to return to her own body. That is why she is still alive in the hospital wing." Snape's lip pursed.
"The odds of such and occurrence are almost non existent," Snape said as he clutched the vial tighter in his hand. "And Miss Granger is no longer in the hospital wing, she had been moved to St. Mungos where the medical staff are trying to determine if she is dead or not." Harry felt alarmed by this bit of news.
"But she is alive," Harry pressed. "I can hear her inside my head." Snape watched Harry but didn't respond. "It's not unheard of people surviving ego entanglment, more than four cases of it have been documented in the last hundred years." Harry said matter-of-factly. "In one case a person was trapped in someone else's mind for more than twenty years and was returned to their own body." Snape eyed Harry.
"In that particular case, Potter," Snape said, "both subjects were in a coma for those twenty years." Snape paused. "Where did you read that, Potter."
"I didn't," Harry said. "I think Hermione must have and for some reason her thoughts keep coming through like they're my own." Snape nodded.
"That means that the ego borderline is weak but still existent." Snape said, he took a deep breath. "Against my better judgment," Snape held out the vial, Harry took it. The glass was cold to the touch and purple liquid inside appeared to be moving. "You may proceed, Potter. But I will be watching and if there is any sign of trouble," Snape held out another glass vial filled with orange liquid. "I will not hesitate to wake you." Harry nodded.
Harry couldn't recall if Iturss serum had ever been used for something like this but he was sure it was the only way. Harry uncorked the vial, a pungent smell reached his nostrils.
"Potter," Snape said. Harry halted the vial he was about to drink it. For a moment he thought Snape was about to wish him luck. "The charm, put it on." Harry reached into his pocket and pulled the charm out. He looked up at Snape confused. "It you locate Miss Granger it will be the only way to get her out of you mind." Harry nodded and pulled the charm around his neck. He hadn't thought far ahead.
Harry moved the vial back to his lips and downed it quickly, it had a taste like onions.
Harry waited, but nothing seemed to be happening, Snape was watching Harry from behind his desk. Then there was a tingling sensation starting in Harry's hand, he held it up to look at it. His palm had a dark spot upon it, even though the rest of his hand was well lit. It was as though he was holding the back of his hand up to a bright light.
Suddenly Harry felt like he was being sucked into his palm. The black shadow grew quickly and filled all of Harry's vision.
Authors Notes:
And now the moment you've all been waiting for the Authors Notes. Anyone who wasn't waiting for the authors notes can click the button on the bottom of the page and go to the next chapter, when I put it up.
I'm not going to name out names because I can't put everyone down and give them the space they deserve for a thank you but do know that I read every review and as much as you hunger for the next chapter I hunger for each review!
So to all reviewers "THANK YOU SO MUCH" for reviewing my work!
Readers you also get a "thank you so much" but no caps for you until you leave at least one review, then you can read the line above.
I also know, from reviews and well because I put them there, that a lot of unanswered questions exist, though his isn't intended to be a mystery some facts need to remain in the area of gray or else there wouldn't be a story. I will assure you everything has its place and all questions (at least that I am aware exist) will be answered by the end of the story (as I do not intend to write a book 7… for the moment).
I will be trying to pick up the pace a little so that I can finish before July 16th because, well then my story sort of become AU (alternate universe for anyone who was wondering). Also because I will most likely get the book the night its released, like everyone here, and after reading it will be influenced by events in its pages.
So to end this ramble, chapters coming fasters… I hope.