/

Chapter twenty six

Advice and choices

/

At lunch, Harry was greatly relieved to see that those two goofy girls had both returned alive and well. Even though they were sitting in the Great Hall silently, each of them frowning in a different way.

Red-eyed Daria was munching on her food quite disinterestedly, answering Ginny's questions with only one word. Angela seemed to be slicing the meat on her plate by rote as she stared straight ahead with an absent-minded expression, a thoughtful wrinkle on her forehead.

Harry slowly finished his meal and tried to address her in thoughts. He was surprised to encounter a delicate wall in front of her mind. He increased his efforts a little, but not too much to make her think he was trying to force his way to her.

Angela! he called.

She flinched a little and finally focused on him.

Yes, Harry? Is there something wrong? she asked, still somewhat unfocused.

What are you still thinking about? Or about whom? he added suspiciously.

It´s nothing important… Angela fidgeted anxiously and frowned even more. Merlin, Harry really knew her well. It was none other than Draco Malfoy that was constantly drilling figurative holes in her head. However, she knew her boyfriend would not be pleased by it, so she decided to keep theories about her former classmate to herself.

You're lying, Harry stated with a bit of disappointment, probably figuring out something must have happened on their trip outside of Hogwarts.

Angela sighed. She did not want to lie to him, especially not when she was already hiding something from him, but she did not want to upset her over worried boyfriend at the same time. Then she thought of an excuse. And it was not even an excuse, since she had been thinking about it a lot lately.

Well… I'm thinking of how to notify Dumbledore about those windows.

What? Harry had absolutely no idea what she was hinting at.

Security of all the castle windows is completely inadequate, as you know yourself. I'm quite surprised they haven't done anything about it yet, so I want to see Dumbledore about it, she explained.

Oh, you mean this… Harry remembered. Nevertheless, he still felt that Angela was not telling him the whole truth. However, then we will not get outside so easily either, he pointed out gloomily.

Exactly, she agreed. What is more important though? Our secret outings or castle security?

Castle security of course, Harry responded. Shall I go there with you?

You don't have to… Angela started, but then stopped. She realized there was something else she wanted to talk to the headmaster about. Actually, you should probably come as well.

Why? Harry asked curiously.

There's something else, and it involves you, too.

What exactly?

We won't talk about it now, I'll tell you both at once, okay? Shall we join him as he leaves?

Yeah, that would be probably for the best. He could have changed the password since the last time, Harry remarked, wondering what so important Angela might want to discuss.

/

As soon as Dumbledore left the Great Hall, they rose from their seats almost at the same time and caught up with him on the stairs.

"Professor?" Harry addressed him. "Could we talk to you, please?"

The Hogwarts headmaster turned to them and eyed them cautiously. Angela's stomach dropped when she saw his face, wrinkled and tired, up close. The old wizard certainly did not look very good.

"Harry? Angela? Both of you at once? All right, come with me then," he urged them softly, continuing his slow trip up the stairs.

Angela and Harry looked at each other and followed him. On the first floor, instead of ascending more stairs, the headmaster headed to the right and to the end of the corridor.

"We shall use a shortcut," he commented for explanation.

He tapped his wand twice on the wall in front of him and a low door appeared in it. The three of them walked through them, the door closed and they found themselves in complete darkness for a brief moment. There was a strange, unidentifiable sound and then they were flooded with daylight as Dumbledore opened the door again. They walked out into the hallway right in front of the gargoyle guarding the entrance to the headmaster´s office. In a moment, they were already entering it.

Fawkes greeted his master quietly and looked at his guests without interest. It was clear that he was already very close to his Burning Day. Dumbledore motioned for them to sit down and settled heavily into his chair across from them. When neither Harry nor Angela were up to anything and just watched the headmaster carefully, he urged them to speak himself.

"So, what do you want to talk about? Go for it," he said with a slight smile.

They looked at each other again and Harry nodded at Angela to speak first. After all, she was the one who mainly wanted to go here. The young witch brushed her hair back from her face, focused her eyes at Dumbledore, and began.

"We came to inform you of a rather serious deficiency in the protection of the castle, Professor. It amazes us that all you need to do is use a simple unlocking spell on all the castle windows and get in and out without any problems. There are regular patrols below the walls, but just with a broom, one must only wait for a while and then fly up to the higher windows, which are out of the guards´ sight. I don't think the security around the entire school grounds is strong enough to allow us to have windows unprotected like that, don't you think?"

As she spoke, Dumbledore's calm, tired expression gradually changed until he looked almost horrified. He was silent for a while, and there was something unrecognizable in his eyes.

"How did you even figure that out?" he asked slowly.

"Well…" Angela hesitated and looked at Harry. "Is it important?"

"Not really," the headmaster admitted, running a hand over his forehead. "How could I be so blind?" he whispered almost to himself.

"It's not your fault, Professor," Harry spoke up. "Nobody here realized that. We are also late with coming to you with this. Too late," he emphasized. "It's always been that way."

"We´re extremely lucky that nothing happened during that long time. That no one thought of… I'm sure you know what I mean," Angela noted.

"But it should be fixed as soon as possible now," Harry emphasized.

"Yes, sure, right away," Dumbledore nodded and stood up rather cautiously. "Wait here a moment, please," he asked them, disappearing in the fireplace engulfed by the green flames.

"I'm worried about him," Harry noted grimly as the green glow faded.

"He doesn't look good at all," Angela agreed. "And we didn't add to his mood."

"Maybe he is sick?"

"Surely Madam Pomfrey would do something about that, wouldn't she?"

"You're probably right… But what is it with him then?"

Angela shrugged helplessly. "How about we ask him?" she suggested.

"We'll see," Harry murmured, but he did not really want to poke into the headmaster´s privacy.

Before long Dumbledore returned, but instead of sitting down, he remained standing by Fawkes.

"It's being arranged," he announced simply, gently stroking the phoenix's feathers. "Thank you."

"Anyone would do that, Professor," Angela flatly rejected the compliment.

He looked at her suddenly and she could see something of the old familiar mischievous spark in his eyes.

"Not everyone, Angela, not everyone," he pointed out with conviction.

They were silent. Dumbledore sat down again.

"But that wasn't the only thing you came for, was it?" he asked probingly.

"No… There is something else I want to tell you about," Angela replied uncertainly.

"Please, go on," Dumbledore encouraged her. Harry watched his girlfriend curiously as well.

"It's about the Fidelius Charm protecting the Grimmauld Place. I know we made a deal, and that I agreed to be its guardian if anything happens to you, but… Well, I just…" Angela was unable to express herself.

"Just talk, Angela. I won't bite your head off for that," Dumbledore smiled and the brown-haired witch relaxed a little.

"I've thought about it a lot and I just don't think I'm the right person for it. After all, it should be someone else, someone more experienced. I'm afraid that... that I can easily fall into the clutches of the Dark Lord, and if it came to that, then... I would probably betray the headquarters of the Order. I am not strong or brave enough to take responsibility for this. I apologize, I do. To you, Professor, and to you, Harry," Angela poured out regretfully.

Harry reached out and took her hand firmly: "You have absolutely nothing to apologize for," he concluded firmly.

"I was right that it would be too much for you, wasn't I?" assumed Dumbledore without any reproach.

Angela just nodded wordlessly.

"You did well coming to me with this, Angela. No one can force himself or herself into such a task. It must be voluntary and carefully considered. I completely understand that you don't want to do that," Dumbledore spoke calmly and Angela felt a little better already.

"But now we have a problem, who it will be in the end," mused the Hogwarts headmaster thoughtfully. "I'd like to perform the necessary charm as soon as possible. I've wanted to talk to you about it myself, but somehow, I always forgot about it…" he added and both Harry and Angela frowned uneasily at the remark.

"It will be me," Harry stated bluntly.

Both Dumbledore and Angela looked at him with unreadable expressions.

"Don't look at me like that," he retorted. "With everyone watching over me, Voldemort won't be able to get to me anytime soon anyway. And even if he does, he's not going to pull information out of me about the Order of the Phoenix, but he's going to want to kill me straight away, so what," he said with bitterness, carefully trying to keep a sarcastic tone in his voice.

"You shouldn't talk like that, Harry," Angela frowned at him.

"I'm right, aren't I?" he retorted impatiently.

"Yes, you are, Harry," Dumbledore agreed surprisingly.

"Do you agree with him, Professor?"

"Yes, this time, I do, Angela," the Headmaster nodded slowly.

"We can do the spell right now," Harry suggested.

"I don't mind," Dumbledore replied calmly, only Angela was still slightly frowning. "Angela, you will be the only witness. The less people will know about it, the safer for Harry."

Young Rosier hummed something and looked out the window.

"Give me your left hand, Harry," Dumbledore urged. Harry reached across the table to the Headmaster, who placed the tip of his wand in his palm.

"Repeat after me," he prompted him. "Volvus Fidelius ilion mette."

"Volvus Fidelius ilion mette," Harry chanted without the slightest hesitation.

A bluish mark appeared on his palm for a short while and immediately disappeared.

"After my death, then, you will become the guardian of the Fidelius Charm that constantly protects the Order of the Phoenix," Dumbledore stated gravely.

Harry only now felt the weight of responsibility he had taken on and swallowed a little nervously.

"I'll tell only Lupin," the headmaster noted, glancing questioningly at them both.

"Yes, of course, but it will be better if no one else finds out," Angela responded.

"It'll stay between us," Dumbledore agreed, leaning back tiredly in his chair.

Angela met Harry's gaze and they looked at each other in seemingly silence for a moment. Dumbledore watched them and waited.

"Professor… We wanted to ask one more thing," Angela began, though she could see Harry's slight disapproval.

"Yes?" Dumbledore prompted her, once again curious.

"Forgive me for saying it so directly, but it seems to us that you are ill. Ever since the holidays, you are getting more and more tired, pale and…"

"Weaker," the headmaster finished for her, when she did not mean to do it herself. "Yes, I know. I am past my years too, Angela."

"Sure, no one's denying it, but at the end of last school year you were full of energy and you didn't look as tired as you do now," Harry countered.

"That's possible, but I'm not sick," Dumbledore shook his head.

"How can you know for sure?" Angela asked.

"If I was sick, I would know it. It's just my age getting to me, that's all. Besides, Professor Snape is trying his best to help me. He is giving me a medicine that…"

"You're taking something that Snape is making for you?" Harry interrupted, a disapproving smirk appearing on his face. Angela looked almost scared.

"Yes, there's nothing strange about that, Harry. He's a potions master after all," replied Dumbledore.

"There´s no denying it, but I don't trust Snape even the bit," Harry gritted between his teeth.

At that moment, he also remembered the snake's strange warning at the beginning of the school year. Sometimes an enemy appears as a friend, but only to those who are blind to their betrayal. But you will see through too late to stop them.

That the traitor would be Snape? Frankly, for Harry, no one else matched such a threat.

"What if he poisons you instead of healing?" Angela shouted out suddenly. "I wouldn't be surprised about it at all."

Harry was pleased that she shared his opinion.

"But Angela, please," Dumbledore protested. "I have complete faith in Professor Snape. And especially you should have understanding for him. He is in the same situation you were in for a long time."

After this statement, both Angela and Harry gave him a rather disapproving look, but said nothing more. They figured it would be worthless.

Harry shifted uneasily in his chair: "So, we should rather…"

However, Dumbledore interrupted him: "Did you want to tell me something else?" he suddenly turned to Angela.

Her conscience stung her as she remembered that as a member of the Order of the Phoenix, she was supposed to report anything suspicious and yet… A Death Eater at school and she had not said a word. However, it was about Draco and he apparently had not come with evil intentions back then…

"No, sir," she shook her head in self-denial.

"All right then," nodded the headmaster.

Angela got up and Harry followed her.

"We said what we wanted, sir," she said slowly. "We'll go and not bother you anymore."

They headed for the door hand in hand.

"Wait a moment," the headmaster said loudly.

They turned back at once.

"How long has it been going on between you two?" he asked with a soft smile.

They looked at each other a little surprised.

"We started dating last September, but then…" Angela began, not wanting to continue. Therefore, Harry completed her.

"We've had a short break since January."

"And we got back together in August," added the girl sheepishly.

"And how long have you known, Angela," asked Dumbledore.

"What do you mean?" she did not understand.

"About that prophecy," he explained.

Angela looked at him blankly: "Well, I…"

"I told her everything recently," Harry spoke up instead.

"I assumed so," nodded Dumbledore. "It's admirable how much you two love each other despite your differences. One can see that you are happy together… I'm so glad, Harry, that you found someone with whom you can forget all the misfortunes that happened to you."

Harry looked tenderly at Angela who smiled beautifully.

"I also think it's mostly because of Harry that you're on our side, Angela, even though you made Voldemort your enemy with it."

"You're probably right, Professor," she admitted seriously.

"There's one last thing I would like to tell you," continued Dumbledore. "Remember that Voldemort is indeed a powerful and very vengeful warlock, but love has overcome him once and will surely overcome him again. Unfortunately, he has barely begun his display of power and I think we are in for some very bad times ahead. Yet, you two, do not give up, love and support each other. How you feel about the other is as special as you are. Good luck, both of you."

Dumbledore finished talking and they stared at him in silence for a long time, before they were able to say their thoughtful goodbyes and left.

/

Late evening, St. Mungo's Hospital, the sixth floor

Someone's quick footsteps echoed through the empty hospital corridor. They stopped in front of the closed door of one room. A deep voice whispered something; the doorknob of the room lit up for a moment and then went out. It moved down as if by itself and the door opened wide. Footsteps came in, the door shut again quietly. There was another whisper and a warning border appeared just outside the door.

Footsteps crossed a room with six beds where unconscious or comatose patients lay, to a bed near the window. They stopped there and for a while, there was no sound.

Daria's grandmother lay motionless on the bed, breathing shallowly. Intravenous nutrition flowed into her arm, the health supportive system which the Healers took over from the Muggles, only it was replenishing itself.

There was a sound like running water and a tall figure in a dark, hooded cloak appeared at the foot of the bed. The stranger threw his hood back and the overgrown blonde hair appeared in the darkness of the room. Draco Malfoy lazily pulled up a chair with his wand and sat down so that he was close to the grey haired head.

He just sat there for a while, looking thoughtfully at the wrinkled and kind face. He knew he would have to do it someday. His father also believed that this woman´s unconsciousness was caused by her old body's reaction to the Cruciatus Curse. However, he could not let her sleep like this forever. He had just hoped that her awakening would look a little different and have a different ending. However, Daria's reaction buried his hopes deep under.

He touched with his wand the old woman's forehead. Without him saying anything, the end of it glowed with a soft pink colour and began to wrap around her head. After a moment, he pulled it away and Mrs Merill opened her eyes with a sigh. She blinked and only after looking around a bit, did she focus on Draco who was watching her seriously.

"Welcome back, Madame Merill," he said quietly.

"Draco Malfoy?" the old woman said weakly. "What did you do to me? Did you put me to sleep?"

"There was no other way. I´m sorry."

"You have absolutely nothing to apologize for, young man," Daria's grandmother countered unexpectedly. "I know very well what your task was and that you did your best to avoid it... Didn't you have any problems with that?"

"No, my father didn't recognize it."

"That's a relief. But where am I?"

"In the hospital. You were unconscious for a long time. Both the Healers and Daria believe that I am to blame, for torturing you."

"What? But that's not true!" objected Mrs Merill. "What kind of doctors are these? It was the Imperius Curse you used, wasn't it? To make it look like I was in pain…"

"Yes," Draco nodded.

"And you woke my husband up too," Daria´s grandmother remarked. "Normally, not even blasts from the cannon under the window would have woken him up."

"That is also true. You are a very intelligent lady," Draco replied calmly.

"How long have I been lying here?"

"Almost a month. I could not come earlier. That would be suspicious. I apologize to you for it as well."

"I understand, really. But now, I can tell my granddaughter the truth. She likes you so much."

"No, she doesn't. Not anymore. And you won't tell her the truth either," Draco stated harshly. "No one will ever know."

"What do you mean?" Mrs Merill wondered.

"I have to change your memory. I cannot let anyone know what really happened. When you wake up tomorrow morning, you will hate me as much as your granddaughter."

The old woman took a shaky inhale of breath for objections: "But that's…"

"I'm sorry. But Daria didn't even want to listen to me when I tried to explain it to her. She doesn´t trust me anymore. Good night, Mrs Merill."

Before Daria's grandmother could say anything else, Draco put her to sleep and focused. To replace her memories with others, he had to be completely calm.

When he was done, he slowly stood up, returned the chair to its place, and disappeared with the repeated sound of running water. His footsteps headed for the door, where he cancelled the warning boundary and quickly left.

/

On Monday morning, Daria was in for a big surprise at breakfast. She was staring blankly into the distance in no better mood than the day before, when someone unexpectedly placed a hand on her shoulder from behind.

She turned sharply and looked up into the breathless face of Professor McGonagall.

"Miss Prescott, could you come with me?" she addressed her seriously.

"What happened?" Daria panicked immediately.

Ginny looked up at them curiously.

"Don't worry. Just come, I have to talk to you," the professor urged her.

Daria stood up, shrugged at Ginny's questioning look, and followed the professor into the Entrance Hall. Angela also followed them with a curious look as well. McGonagall led Daria up to the wall and looked straight at her.

"I only found out a little while ago. It concerns your grandmother, Miss," McGonagall announced.

Daria felt like she was out of breath. "What's wrong with her?" she whispered, waiting tensely.

"She woke up early this morning," McGonagall replied with a smile.

"What?" she gasped in disbelief. "Really? You're not lying?"

"How could I lie to you about this, Miss!" protested the professor. "I'm telling you the truth. At first she ate her breakfast with gusto and immediately after that asked for you."

"That's not unreal" Daria exclaimed happily. "Can I visit her? Professor, would you please let me see her!" she pleaded.

"Of course I would," McGonagall smiled. "I'm releasing you from today's classes. You can use my fireplace to get to Mungo´s. They are already waiting for you there."

"Thank you very much! You have no idea how happy you made me!"

"I can only guess from your expression," remarked the professor.

"What happened?" asked a questioning voice. Angela could not take it anymore; she left breakfast early and saw happy expressions as she walked past Daria and McGonagall.

"Oh, Angela! You won't believe this!" Daria beamed. "Grandma woke up! This morning!"

"Seriously? That's great!" Angela hugged her friend. "Will you go to see her?"

"Yes, the professor promised to let me go," answered Daria.

"Then be sure to say hello to her from me!"

"Don't worry, I will," her friend nodded and turned back to the professor. "Could I go see her right now?"

"Sure," McGonagall nodded. "Just come," she urged.

Daria said goodbye to Angela and followed the professor. Angela was looking behind them with a smile, but suspicious thoughts were already beginning to swarm in her head.

How came Mrs Merill wake up so suddenly? She had a hunch that if someone she knew very well had a hand in it, she was sure he would be able to do it, despite the hospital's careful surveillance...

/

In the Defence class, Shiernov surprised them at the very beginning with her announcement:

"It occurred to me that we could diversify our lessons a little and I came up with a small event, which the headmaster has already approved of. We will hold a Wizarding Duel Match two weeks from today."

The class started humming excitedly.

"It will concern all seventh and sixth graders and will be held on Saturday from nine o'clock in the morning. Minor differences in your knowledge will not be an obstacle, I think. Non-verbal incantations can also be used, therefore students of younger years who have not yet taken the related lessons cannot participate. You will find out more detailed rules only on the day of the competition."

The bored expression disappeared from everyone's face almost immediately. Finally, some change! They would also be able to think and talk about something other than tedious newspaper articles or long-winded assignments and essays, or going over the same gossip.

"The winner of this tournament will not only get fifty points for his House, but there will also be a reward waiting for him and for one person he or she chooses, the essence of which of course I will not reveal to you."

The students began to whisper excitedly among themselves and argue about what might be waiting for the winner.

"But now calm down," Shiernov interrupted them uncompromisingly. "We've got enough to talk about for today, so let's get down to it."

The class fell silent obediently and began to pay attention.

/

When Daria finally arrived back to school for dinner, Angela ignored the hostile looks from both Slytherins and Gryffindors, got up from the table and sat next to her.

"Hello," she greeted with a smile. She did not notice that Daria was sitting rather tensely. Ginny, right across from her, gave her a murderous look, then stood up and walked away.

"So?" Angela asked without giving Weasley a single glance.

Daria shrugged: "Good, they let her go home," she replied.

Angela raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Why do you say it so coldly? I thought you would be happy."

"I am," her friend retorted unexpectedly rudely. "But only because grandma is fine. Not from what she told me!"

"And what did she tell you?" she asked quietly.

"What really happened that night!" Daria snapped angrily, so that her closest classmates turned to her including Harry, Hermione and Ron. "And believe me, about that little friend of yours, whom you are always standing up for, was nothing good!"

Angela stared at angry Daria in shock.

"Does she remember?" she asked with caution.

"Why shouldn't she remember it?" Daria bristled.

"Well, after being unconscious for so long, it would only make sense if…"

Daria interrupted her: "She remembers very well and exactly what happened to her! Who came to her house and what did he do to her!" she blurted out, her eyes shining. "How I hate that scumbag!" she shouted out, jumped up and was gone in a flash.

Angela remained seated. She stared in disbelief at the spot where Daria had been a moment ago.

Would Draco really lie to her? Was he so good at it that even she could not recognize if he was telling the truth or lie?

She caught Harry's questioning look. She just shook her head and rather walked back to her seat.

/

The next day there was a lively bustle outside the potions´ classroom, caused by the debating students of Gryffindor and Slytherin. However, just before the start of the class, they began to fall silent in surprise. Potter and Rosier were approaching hand in hand from the end of the corridor. They were coming to class together for the first time ever and everyone was turning and staring at them in disbelief.

Angela gripped Harry's hand tighter, biting her inner lip nervously. They remained standing not far from the students and in a moment, Hermione and Ron caught up with them.

I told you it wasn't a good idea, Angela sent over to Harry, trying to ignore the insulting sneers and disdainful looks.

Just ignore them, Harry replied.

Easier said than done. Just look at the way they stare at us.

She had not received any threatening letters in a while, but she still did not feel good about everyone glaring at them.

They will not stop on that. You should get used to it, Harry replied her a little grumpily.

Angela was already silent.

The door to the basement classroom opened exactly as always. The students poured in and Harry pulled Angela to the benches in the back despite her slight resistance. She sat down between him and Hermione and stared down.

Snape jotted something down in a notebook behind the desk and waited for everyone to calm down, which did not take any longer than normal considering his sharpened expression.

Then he raised his head and glanced across the room in front of him. He frowned when he first found an empty seat in the second row and then found the missing student in the back. He stood up, folded his hands behind his back and glared at Angela. She diligently studied her fingers, as if checking for dirt behind her nails.

"Rosier! I don't remember letting you change seats!" snapped Snape ominously.

The Slytherins pricked up their ears tensely.

Angela took all control and raised her face to him with an innocent expression.

"I didn't think you'd mind, Professor," she replied calmly.

"Then you guessed wrong!" the Bat informed her.

"We're not in our first year, Professor," Angela said coldly. "You don't have to tear us apart like little children."

Ron, in the seat next to her, was covering his amused laughter with a handkerchief, into which he was blowing his nose. Hermione gritted her teeth to stop the twitching corners.

"Keep your clever talk and get back to your seat!" Snape declared.

Angela did not move and stared into his eyes, which narrowed to dangerous slits in the professor's eyes.

"Instantly!" he hissed icily.

Deciding that it would be better to retreat, Angela gathered her things and stood up. Harry looked up at her with a frown.

Let it be, Harry, she sent to him. One day, we dye his hair pink as retribution.

Harry had to stop himself from giggling as he imagined Snape with such a hair. Angela walked to her old place, also laughing in her mind.

We should make some proper hairdo for him as well, she heard Harry adding in her head.