Return Of The Elemental
Chapter 7 – Mione
An awkward pause greeted Harry's question. Hermione and Ron turned to face Harry, well Ron faced Harry, Hermione was looking at her shoelaces with keen interest..
'Oh sorry Harry' said Ron with a hint of proud ness in his voice, 'I s'pose were going to have to fill you in on a lot of things aren't we. You see, me and Hermione are dating' he finished happily.
'O' was all Harry could say. He looked at Hermione and felt his heart tumble down his stomach like a pinball, he knew that he would have missed a lot being away for so long but he wasn't really expecting to come back and see that his best friend and the girl that he loved together, Hermione looked up from her shoe laces to see that Harry was looking at her with a look that only she could see.
Thinking that he had better say something Harry cleared his throat.
'Umm, congratulations guys….. I'm really happy for…' said Harry, knowing he didn't sound convincing, but hoped that Hermione and Ron didn't notice. Unfortunately for Harry, Hermione did notice and she felt a pang in her own heart.
'Thanks mate' said Ron stepping forward and patting Harry on the back, 'I was hoping you'd take this well, are you sure your alright with it?'
'Ye-yeah… its fine… just fine' said Harry, not taking his eyes off Hermione.
'Well' said Crystal sensing something between Hermione and Harry, 'Shouldn't we be getting down to Hagrid's?'
'Yes, yes, you're right Crystal' said Hermione thankful for someone taking action. For some reason once she had locked eyes with Harry she could not move, she felt that Harry was searching her with his blazing green eyes. She was saved the trouble from ungluing herself from the ground by Ron, who had grabbed her hand and pulled her towards Hagrid's hut.
Harry could only stand and watch as he saw Ron drag Hermione off to Hagrid's. He then noticed that he wasn't alone, Crystal was standing next to him.
'Are you alright Harry' she asked knowing that he wasn't but though it was the only thing to say.
Normally when Harry was asked this question he usually said that he was 'fine' or 'yeah', but for this point in time he did not feel like saying that he was fine.
'To tell you the truth… No, I'm not alright' Harry said whilst turning to face Crystal, 'I come back and find that my two best friends are going out, whi-'
'Did you expect her to wait for you? She thought you were dead Harry' Crystal said, she knew why Harry was not fine.
'Of course not but….. What did you-? How did you-?'
'It's alright Harry, I'm not going to tell anyone' Crystal said stifling her laughter over Harry's shocked face. 'But don't you think you should tell Hermione how you feel?'
'Thankyou' Harry said becoming calm again, his face losing its shock look and replacing it with a look of hurt, 'and no I shouldn't tell Hermione, there's no point Crystal, she's with Ron and I wouldn't do anything that would split them up.'
Crystal felt sorry for Harry, he clearly had deep feelings for Hermione but he was willing to hold them down, he treasured Ron's happiness more than his own.
'Excuse me Crystal, but can you tell Hagrid I'll come down and visit him later tonight, I need some time to myself for a bit' said Harry looking off into space.
'What? Aren't you coming to class?' replied a shocked Crystal.
'Nah, I think I need to go for a run to clear my head, bye' he then called for his staff and left a dumbfounded Crystal behind.
Crystal then quickly remembered that she still had to get to class and ran in the direction of Hagrid's cabin hoping to find that she was not late for the first class of the school term. When she rounded the last corner she saw that the Slytherins were just arriving, being led by her most hated person in the whole wide world, Draco Malfoy, it looked as though Hagrid was not there yet. She silently sidled up besides Ron and Hermione, once they noticed her they looked for Harry. They were saved asking there question when a pissed voice floated through the air.
'Where is that bastard Potter? When I see him he's gonna wish he never put my father in Azkaban' Draco Malfoy spat.
'Oooo, I'm sure Harry is going to be so scared when he here's your after him Malfoy' Hermione said sarcastically.
'If I were you Mudblood, I would keep my filthy mouth shut!' said Malfoy heatedly. 'Now tell me where Potter is.'
'That's it Malfoy' shouted Ron whilst pulling out his wand and pointing it at Malfoy. 'I've had enough of your shit-'
The crowd that surrounded the pair started to disperse onto the sides of which peer they were supporting, each giving there chants of supports. Hermione ran forward to Ron.
'Ron it's alright, let the little ferret throw his insults' she said whilst throwing a cold stare over at Malfoy.
'No it's not Hermione' said Ron, although not taking his eyes off the glaring Malfoy who had also pulled his wand out. 'I'm not going to let him torment you anymore.'
Ron then pushed Hermione away and took up a fighting stance.
'Just think Malfoy' said Ron, his voice full of confidence, 'I don't even have to wait for the duelling club to start to get you with a good jinx' he then loss some of his confidence as he heard Malfoy laugh maniacally.
'What you think I'm going to use a simple jinx on you Weasel' he said whilst becoming eerily calm, 'like you I have also been waiting for this moment Weasley, here let me show you something that you are missing by not choosing to use the Dark Arts, I will show you a curse that my father taught me before I came back to this joint' he then raised his wand swiftly and before Ron knew what was going on, Malfoy had shouted a curse at him.
'Sansuris' Malfoy had sent a curse at Ron. The black beam of magic that shot from Malfoy's wand, hit Ron in the chest before he could even call upon a protective shield. Ron then fell forward and started rolling around on the ground screaming in pain. Hermione and Crystal than ran crying towards Ron, Hermione knew that the curse Malfoy had used was like a simpler form the Cruciatus Curse, she had read about it when she was doing research on the Three Unforgivables.
They were to busy with trying to help Ron that they did not notice the large Black horse charging straight towards the class.
'Lookout' shouted Lavender Brown to the class. But most of the class didn't really need the warning as they quickly ran off in all different directions, moving away from this rampaging beast.
There were only four people left who still didn't notice that a large stallion was speeding towards them.
As the horse got closer the class realised that it was not a horse, but a beautiful Unicorn. They all watched as they saw the Unicorn draw nearer to the small group.
It was only at the last second that Malfoy turned round after hearing the sound of hooves, but he was to late the Unicorn had speared its horn through his robes and carried him off towards the lake.
It was then that the curse broke and Ron was free from his torture. He tried sitting up but found that he did not have enough energy and groaned to himself. It was then that he noticed that he wasn't alone.
'Oh Ron are you alright?' asked Hermione wiping away some tears.
'Yeah, I think so' said Ron, finding it easier to talk if he just lay on the ground. 'What happened?'
'Well Malfoy put some curse on you' Crystal said. 'And then a huge black unicorn came and carried him off, he really saved you because it didn't look like Malfoy was going to take the curse off anytime soon.'
Just then Hagrid came out from behind his hut leading another Unicorn, but this one was opposite to the one that just charged them all, this one looked like a female and was all white.
'What the bloody ell appened here' he roared.
'It was Malfoy, Hagrid' said Hermione quickly, 'he called me Mudblood and then put the Sansuris curse on Ron.'
Hagrid didn't know what the Sansuris curse was but one look at Ron told him it wasn't a tickling charm.
'I'll get that little toe rag later, C'mon Ron lets get yer up ter to the hospital wing' said Hagrid looking through the class that had come back down from hiding.
'He got carried of by a huge Unicorn' shrieked Pansy Parkinson. 'Will he be alright?'
'I hope not' Crystal shouted, 'I hope that little prick gets what he deservessssssss…….' She trailed off because she saw the black unicorn walking calmly back towards the group.
Everyone started retreating back except for Hagrid, Crystal, Hermione and Ron.
The Unicorn stood quietly in front of them and then in the blink of an eye Harry was standing before them. He quickly bent down and kneeled next to Ron.
'Are you alright Ron?' he asked, dismissing the looks of shock he was receiving from all of them. 'What curse was he using? Ron can you even hear me?'
'When did you become an Animagus?' Ron asked stupidly.
'I'll tell you later but for now tell me what curse he used' he said impatiently.
It seemed as though Ron couldn't say anything else, so Hermione answered for him.
'It was the Sansuris curse Harry.'
'Thanks Hermione' Harry then stood up, grateful that some would tell him what was going on. 'You better stand back a bit' he told Hermione, Crystal and Hagrid. Once they were back far enough he called for his staff. 'Mione.'
'Yes Harry' said Hermione stepping forward, thinking that Harry had called her name.
'No I wasn't talking to you' Harry said whilst snatching his staff out of the air. 'I was calling for my staff' he then looked away from her, 'Mione is the name of my staff Hermione.'
'Why is it called that?' Hermione asked curiously.
'No special reason' mumbled Harry, still not looking at her. 'You better get back over there Hermione, you don't want to get hurt.'
Hermione did as she was told and watched as Harry began to chant under his breath holding his staff over Ron, who looked a little scared. While this was going on the class started gathering around again, they were all speaking about how Harry was an Animagus.
Harry's chanting was now becoming louder and a blue sphere was starting to surround Ron's body, Harry stopped his chanting and looked at the sphere as it emitted a flash of light that made everyone throw there arms up shielding there eyes. Once the light vanished everyone stared in shock as they saw Ron floating back to the ground, when he finally hit the soft earth he looked as though he was fully energised.
Hermione than ran forward and hugged him.
'Oh Ron your alright.'
'Yeah it's amazing, I feel fine, thanks Harry.'
'No problem' said Harry, looking at the Hermione wistfully. 'Umm I'll go and finish my run then, bye.
'Harry wait' said Hermione running forward to stop him, but she was too late, Harry had changed into his Unicorn form and ran into the Forbidden Forest.
'Was that Harry?' asked Hagrid stepping forward to check on Ron. No one answered him
'So that's what he meant when he said he needed to take a run to clear his head' said Crystal looking at the place in the forest where Harry just disappeared into.
'All right everyone' shouted Hagrid to the class. 'Back ter the castle with ya, will start unicorns next lesson.'
As the class moved quickly back to the castle Hermione stood exactly where she was, staring off into space. She was thinking about Harry, before he had transformed and left, she swore that Harry had given her that very emotional look once before. Comprehension than dawned on her.
'Oh Merlin, I'm such a pillock' she exclaimed throwing her hands over her mouth.
'It took you a while Hermione, I thought you were supposed to be smart' Crystal said from beside Hermione, making her jump out of her skin.
'Crystal! What are you doing here?' she spoke very squeakily.
'Oh, I was only waiting to see how long it would take for you to realise that Harry has some very strong and I mean very strong feelings for you' Crystal said smiling.
'How do you know?' asked Hermione disbelievingly.
'Well, let's just say it one of the few qualities I possess. I think that reading peoples feelings is something like an art, but hey someone has to do it, but that's not the main question on the cards right now, the big question is….. How do you feel about Harry?' she asked this latter part of her speech very seriously.
'I-I-I don't know, I can't really think at the moment' Hermione said sadly, 'Did Harry say something to you? Is this how you found out?'
'Well to tell you the truth I really figured it out myself. You just have to look at the way he looks at you, the clincher that really told me though was when he just called for his staff. That was a very beautiful staff wasn't it Hermione?' Crystal was saying this slowly, hoping that if she spoke slowly Hermione would understand quicker.
'Wh-what are you saying?' said Hermione quietly, but she already knew.
'Hermione it's the most obvious thing in the world' shouted Crystal exasperatedly, 'Harry named his staff after you!' Silence followed.
'Hermione' said Crystal cautiously, seeing that Hermione was crying. 'Are you alright, I'm sorry I shouldn't have shouted at you… Hermione.'
A huge grin spread across Hermione tearstained face. Harry really did love her and she was certain that she felt the same. The grin then faded and she started crying again. Crystal walked forward and enveloped her best friend in a warm hug.
'What am I going to do about Ron?' Hermione cried through sobs.
Crystal thought that seeing as though today was reveal your true feelings day, she thought she better tell Hermione her true feelings. She pulled back from the hug and looked Hermione in the face.
'Umm, Hermione, I should probably tell you something, umm, you see, I like Ron… Please don't hate me' she added quickly. To her relief Hermione did not hex her, but quite the opposite, she started smiling and jumping up and down whilst squealing like a maniac.
'Hermione are you alright' Crystal asked worriedly.
'Don't you see Crystal' squealed Hermione, 'this can work perfectly, we just need to let Ron know how you feel, I don't know if you've noticed but he is awfully protective of you.'
'How could I not notice, every guy that has tried to ask me out since I came here has been threatened by Ron, I think it's kind of sweet. So do you think he will want to go out with me?' she asked hopefully.
'I'm pretty sure. Oh this is so great, I mean I don't think Ron really loved me anyway, I think he was just there when I was feeling tormented over Harry's death and he decided to be a friend and help, I think that's all he ever was, a friend' Hermione finished sadly, she was starting to think about Harry again.
'I'm sure Harry will understand when you tell him how you feel Hermione, he has waited a long time to be with you, and once you tell him that you love him you will live happily ever after, so to speak.' Crystal said soothingly.
'Oh thankyou Crystal' Hermione than gave her another hug.
'What are you guys doing?' said Ron who had come back to look for them, wondering where they were.
'Oh sorry Ron' said Crystal happily, 'just having a little girls meeting.'
'What about?' asked Ron suspiciously.
'Nothing that concerns you Ronald' said Hermione twice as happy as Crystal.
'Well I don't believe you' said Ron pouting. 'Now come on our next class will be starting soon.'
The trio then walked back towards the castle talking about Harry and what training he must have done to be so powerful. They were interrupted in the middle of there conversation when Emmeris swooped down upon them with a letter clasped in her beak. She delivered the letter whilst giving Hermione, what she thought a very cold look. Ron then opened the letter and read out aloud while Hermione watched Emmeris take flight again.
Dear Crystal, Ron and Hermione, please meet me at the Quidditch pitch after classes today. I would like to tell you about my journey.
After Ron had finished reading the note he looked up to see two hungry expressions on Hermione and Crystal's faces.
'He's going to tell us where's he has been, oh I can't wait till classes are over' said Hermione excitedly.
The trio then went in and faced the rest of the day's classes with a strange amount of enthusiasm. Finally it was time to head down to the quidditch pitch and here about Harry's trek. But as they were walking through the entrance hall they were met by Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape and Shacklebolt, and then walking behind them was Ginny who was holding Shydan.
'I take it we are not the only one's to get an invitation to meet Harry' asked Dumbledore smiling around at Harry's friends.
'Do you mean to tell me that Harry wants to talk to Professor Snape' asked Ron incredulously.
'Watch your mouth Weasley or I will be forced to take points off Gryffindor' snapped Snape, ignoring the snickering that was being made by Professors McGonagall and Shacklebolt, Dumbledore was only smiling as he spoke to Ron.
'No Mr Weasley, Harry did not invite Professor Snape, I did. Harry told me to bring along a few people that I trusted and here they are' he said whilst throwing up his hands at the other Professors, who were all looking quite pleased with themselves.
'Well can we go now' asked Hermione impatiently.
'Of course Miss Granger, we mustn't keep Mr Potter waiting should we, I'm sure he is very excited to tell us about his change' once again he was greeted with raised eyebrows from Hermione. 'Come, Harry will tell you what I'm talking about' he then led the group towards the quidditch pitch.
The group was met half way along the grounds by Hagrid who said that he had a note from Harry telling him to go down to the quidditch pitch, so Hagrid joined the crowd and followed. But once the group arrived at the quidditch field they did not see Harry anywhere, all they could see was what Ron said was a snitch hoovering in the centre of the pitch.
'Look' Ginny yelled pointing up above everyone.
They all turned there attention to the afternoon sky and saw a blur flying directly towards the snitch. It was Harry, the snitch still hadn't moved and he was closing in fast, because he was flying straight towards the ground, and everyone feared that if he didn't pull out now he was going to crash.
But Harry was not pulling out, he had been chasing this bloody snitch all afternoon and he had not caught it once. He did not notice his audience that were watching him in fear, all he had his sights on was the little evasive snitch. He lay down on his Ice broom and reached his right arm out, just a bit further…. Yes, he had got it. He was so relieved that he finally caught it that he didn't pull out of his dive fully and crashed into the ground. He let go of his broom and slid over 20metres along the smooth field still clutching the struggling snitch in his hand. Once he had finally stopped sliding he stood up to see that he had ripped the front of his robes, you could now see his well toned torso as well as part of his Elemental tattoos.
'I'll have to fix this before everyone comes' said Harry to himself, but he was too late, he looked up to see his friends and teachers running towards him. Hermione reached him first and lunged herself at him nearly knocking him over.
'Oh Harry I though you were hurt' she then pulled back and looked at his muscles and tattoos that were showing through his ripped robes, she started blushing furiously turning her eyes back up to Harry who was smiling at her, this did not improve the situation, Harry's smile made her heart turn over itself, finally for her, reinforcements came.
Everyone else had caught up with Hermione and were all looking at Harry with different expressions on there faces.
Once Crystal and Ginny's eyes gazed over Harry's body, they had joined Hermione in blushing and trying to avert there eyes from his well toned muscles. But it was a battle they were not winning.
Professors McGonagall, Snape, Shacklebolt and Hagrid were all looking at Harry's Elemental tattoos with looks of awe written on there faces.
Professor Dumbledore had a proud look on his face.
Ron was to busy looking at Harry's broom that he had picked off the ground to notice Harry yet. He knew he had seen this broom somewhere else before, and then it hit him.
'Bloody hell Harry, or should I say Brendan Maher? When did you go to Australia?' shouted Ron, making him get disapproving looks from Professors McGonagall and Snape.
Harry started laughing.
'You know Ron, sometimes you can be the smartest bloke in the world, how did you know that my name when I was travelling was Brendan Maher' said Harry impressed with his best friend.
'I remembered your broom from somewhere and then it just hit me, I saw an article back in fifth year, it was about the world record time for the fastest snitch catch, it was in the Australian league, I think it was the Woollongong Warriors seeker, they were playing against the Thundelarra Thunderers, the picture showed this guy holding this very broom. I didn't think it was you till now, but hang on, Hermione thought that it was you, she said something about your eyes' he then turned to Hermione who was still blushing, 'didn't you Hermione?'
'Umm' said Hermione looking anywhere but Harry. 'Yes I thought that even though it didn't look like Harry, there was still something in his eyes that reminded me of him' she herself then finally looked into Harry's eyes and saw sparkling emeralds looking straight back at her with wonder. Silence once again followed as Harry and Hermione looked into each others eyes.
'If you don't mind me asking Harry' spoke up Dumbledore, breaking the silence. 'How is it that you came to rest in Australia?'
Harry finally took his eyes off Hermione and spoke to the group.
'That is what I have called you all down here for, I want to tell you how sorry I am for going away to train. I myself was shocked when I was told by my mentor that I had to go and train with him, I really didn't want to go at first but then he convinced me to do it for the one's I love' his eyes flickered over Hermione for the tiniest of seconds while saying the latter part of his story, he then took off his ripped robes fully, his whole upper body was now naked showing everyone his Elemental tattoos.
'You see' Harry continued, 'I'm apparently the last of an ancient race' he said, hoping he didn't sound superior. Everyone looked shocked at this except for Dumbledore, Hermione, Ginny and Crystal's eyes were now glued to Harry, ogling appreciatively at his chest and abdominal muscles.
'Ah, so you're an Elemental' said Dumbledore proudly, 'I thought so' he then saw that Harry had a sent him a curious glance. 'Your performance at the start of term feast gave it way, now please continue with your story.'
'Oh' said Harry sheepishly, 'well anyway it all started when I arrived back at the Dursleys after my 4th year, that night I received a letter from an unknown person telling me that they would like to train me and that they would arrive in 3 days coming to get my answer. Well 3 days later at 11:00 at night, he arrived-'
'Who' pressed Ron. Harry just smiled and continued.
'Merlin was the one who wrote the letter' Harry then told the collected audience what Merlin told him, about the charm he had placed on himself to wake him up and how Harry was the last of his race and that Merlin wanted to train him.
'-so I went with him and he taught me lots of stuff ranging from the history of the Elementals to Healing, our first stop was Ayers Rock in Australia. In Australia I Earth Element, that was of course after I woke up after my 3 month sleep' Harry said blushing.
'What? Why were you asleep for 3 months?' asked Hermione with eyebrows raised.
Harry smiled sadly at her and once again that day called for his staff.
'Because of this' he then raised his arm, 'Mione' he shouted to the sky. Moments later his staff appeared. 'This is my staff it used to be my wand but we changed it with a chant. The colour of the stone on top-'
'Shows how powerful the Elemental is' Hermione butted in, in an awed voice. 'Harry that stone is the most powerful colour an Elemental can achieve isn't it?'
'Umm, yes it is' said Harry, slightly embarrassed that everyone was looking at him weirdly, even Snape.
'That is a very beautiful staff you have there Harry' said Dumbledore.
'Yes it is' was all Harry replied whilst looking sadly at the ground.
Dumbledore than gave a knowing smile at Hermione.
He knows thought Hermione. He knows that Harry has feelings for me.
'Anyway' continued Harry. 'Once my staff was completed I could find out what my Elemental Guardians and Animagus forms would be would you like to see them. Everyone present nodded enthusiastically. Harry then called for his Elemental guardians, they all erupted from the top of his staff with such force that it made everyone except Harry step back. The four guardians hit the ground and bowed to Harry. To say that everyone was shocked was an understatement, shitting themselves would have been a better way to describe it, the reason for this was in the direction they were all looking, it seemed that Taipan was just smiling wickedly at them.
'These' said Harry, 'are my guardians, let me first introduce you to my Fire Guardian' the Phoenix then flew forward and sat on Harry's shoulder. 'This special phoenix is Blaze, he is my Fire Guardian. Harry then spoke to Blaze through his mind.
/Hello Blaze, how are you going/
/Very well Harry, at least better then them/ spoke Blazenodding to Harry friends. They were all looking up at Taipan, apparently thinking that he was going to eat them any second, except Hagrid who looked like his birthday had come early.
'He won't do anything unless I tell him to, you don't have to worry' shouted Harry.
'Of course I seemed to have forgotten about that part' said Dumbledore foolishly.
'What part professor?' asked Hagrid excitedly.
'Harry has the ability to talk to any animal of that Element' Dumbledore then shouted to Harry, 'But what I don't get Harry is why you have four guardians when it was said that every Elemental only had one Guardian and one Animagus form each?'
'Well you see professor' shouted Harry, cautiously back, 'apparently I'm the first to have four Guardians and four animagus forms, umm, anyway like I said Taipan won't harm anyone unless I tell him to, he is my Air guardian' he then turned to Tallis, 'this is Tallis my Earth guardian' he said pointing at the proud Lion. 'And last but not least is Lockyer, she is my Water guardian' he said rubbing the Dolphins long nose.
/Thanks guys, I promise to call for you more often, I have a feeling will be getting a lot of trouble soon/ said Harry.
/That is alright Harry, we are here to help/ said Tallis.
/We will do anything you ask of us/ piped up Blaze.
/Yeah, anything, even if you ask Taipan to stomp on that slimy haired man, he will do it/ said Lockyer cheekily.
/Thanks guys, bye/ said Harry watching his guardians vanish. He then turned round to face everybody's look of respect.
'Harry that was bloody brilliant' Ron said with amazement.
'Thanks Ron… Umm it's nearly getting dark, so I'll quickly show you my Animagus forms shall I?'
'Please do Harry' answered professor Dumbledore.
Harry then spent the last remaining rays of sunlight showing everyone his Animagus forms. He first transformed into his Unicorn form, followed by his Otter form then his Eagle form and then finally his wise white Wolf form, he once again stayed like this as he played with Shydan who ran away from Ginny when he saw that Harry had transformed into his Wolf appearance. The pair wrestled with each other whilst being looked upon by the group, who all had happy smiles on there faces, even Snape's lip gave a little twitch while watching Harry play the big brother to Shydan. The sun had set now so Harry, to the great disappointment of Shydan, transformed back into his shirtless human form.
His tattoos were glowing in the dying light and everyone was looking at them. Harry decided to finish his story quickly.
'From Australia, I then went to Mount Everest in Nepal to study the Air Element, then to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean to obviously study the Water Element, then to a Volcanic Island in Indonesia were I learnt how to Control the Fire Element. These tattoos show that I have mastered the Elements and this tattoo right in the middle' he said whilst raising his hand to point at the centre symbol, 'just means that I am a fully trained Elemental… Oh yeah, I can also use the Ice and Lightning Elements' he finished lamely.
There was a short amount of silence after Harry finished, apparently everyone had been expecting Harry to explain everything he accomplished, but what they didn't know is that Harry wanted to keep a couple of secrets to himself. Dumbledore sensed this and decided to protect Harry before anymore questions were thrown at him.
'Thankyou Harry for giving us that marvellous display of your abilities and also for telling us your story, now I think that it is time for dinner so lets get back up to the great hall-'
'If its alright professor I think I'll miss dinner' said Harry, 'I don't really want to go in the great hall, I'm sure all the students will know that I am an animagus, seeing as though I gave them a little treat in Care of Magical Creatures class today. But could you tell Dobby and Clatey that I will probably drop by the kitchens later and get a little snack?'
'Of course Harry, but if you don't mind me asking, where are you going?' asked Dumbledore curiously.
'Oh just for a dip in the great lake, I think Draco has had enough swimming lessons today' he then gave a wink to the crowd and walked down towards the lake, he yelled back over his shoulder, 'Hey Ron, could you just take my broom up to your dormitory.
'What have you done to Malfoy, Potter?' Snape yelled after Harry. 'Whatever it is I shall be taking house points off and giving detentions' it seemed as though Harry just ignored him.
'If that is the case Severus' said McGonagall sharply, 'then Malfoy will get docked 3 times the amount of house points than what you decide to take off Potter, and twice as many detentions.'
This shut Snape up and in conceding defeat he turned sharply and strode back towards the castle. Ron, Hermione, Crystal, Ginny and the professors held back silent laughter as they watched Snape walk back in a huff to the castle. They themselves followed the Potions professor shortly afterwards, they all chatted idyll about what Harry had just told and showed them. (Ginny and Crystal were talking about something other than his animagus forms) Hermione still had a question so she caught up with Dumbledore and asked it.
'Professor Dumbledore. Who is Clatey?'
'Ah well, when Harry went to go and talk to Lucius Malfoy last night, he met Clatey, she is, or should I say was, a House Elf that was bound to Lucius. Harry did not like the way Mr Malfoy was treating Clatey so he decided to help and get her freed, Harry then brought her here to Hogwarts where she has become quite happy, she has already made friends with Harry's other admirer Dobby I believe' he then smiled at Hermione and leaned in closer to speak to her, 'quite an unusual name Harry has given his staff isn't it Hermione?' he then gave her a wink and pulled the doors to the Entrance Hall open.
He definitely knows thought Hermione. She herself stepped into the Entrance Hall smiling, like her Harry cared about the welfare of House elves, she was quickly joined by the others. It looked as though everyone were having there own private conversations.
Hagrid and Professor Shacklebolt were talking about Harry's guardians.
Ginny and Crystal were still talking about Harry with flushed faces.
And in the corner Professor McGonagall was poking Ron in the chest.
'-Do you understand Weasley' she was whispering dangerously, 'I want Potter back on the team, do whatever it takes, I mean Creevey is alright but he has nothing on Potter. I have waited to long for the cup to be back in my office Weasley so get Harry' she then turned and walked in through the doors of the great hall.
'Geez it's not like there's no pressure there is it?' said Ron looking dishevelled. 'Do you think Harry will want to play quidditch again?' he asked his friends hopefully as they walked through the doors to eat dinner.
'I'm not sure' shouted Hermione over the noise of the hall. 'Harry was right, everyone is talking about him.'
The whole hall was in an uproar, the news of Harry being an animagus spread like wild fire. And the story about Malfoys disappearance was being thrown into the conversation as well.
'I'm telling you, Potter ran forward and speared Malfoy through the heart with his horn.'
The quartet could only laugh at this statement. They then turned quickly around to face the doors to the entrance hall, for the second time in two nights they had been rocketed open. But this time there was someone there, it was Harry in his Unicorn form and on the tip of his horn was the dangling form of Malfoy, who looked as though he had passed out recently.
Harry placed Malfoy on the ground and tapped him on the head with his horn, Malfoy snapped back to life with a jolt, he then turned around and saw a huge black Unicorn snorting down at him. It took a few seconds for Malfoy to realise what was going on before he ran out of the hall screaming like a Banshee, leaving Harry and the whole hall laughing widely in his wake. Harry then looked at his friends sitting at the Gryffindor table and reared on his back legs, then turned and ran back out into the grounds.
The great hall then quieted down and began to eat. After the students had seen Harry for themselves, they went onto the next main topic of Hogwarts. Many conversations were going on about the coming quidditch match, which was Gryffindor vs Slytherin, lots of opposing quidditch players came up and spoke to Ron asking him whether Harry was going to play Seeker again, these were mainly the opposing captains or seekers.
'That question is still being contemplated, Harry has to make the decision himself' said Ron over and over again to the Hufflepuff captain, Zacharias Smith.
After it looked as though everyone had stopped eating and pestering Gryffindor quidditch players, professor Dumbledore stood up and made an announcement.
'Ladies and Gentlemen, could I have your attention please?' the hall quieted immediately, 'I am pleased to inform you that I have decided to hold the first of this years balls after the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin' excited whispers went through the crowd, Dumbledore continued. 'Dress robes are required as well as partners, there is only one person I know of that I am excepting to come alone and that is Mr Harry Potter' a simultaneous groan went throughout the female population, Dumbledore only chuckled. 'Look on the bright side ladies, after I informed Mr Potter last night that so many of you were vying for his affections he told me to tell you that he will go as a bachelor so that he can dance with anyone that ask him' after hearing this the girls spirits picked up and they began speaking to there friends about the dress they were going to wear on the night.
'Oh and one more thing' said Dumbledore with a look of sadness on his face. 'Can I see the Gryffindor quidditch team after dinner?' He then sat back down and waited for the Gryffindors with professor McGonagall.
'What's going on Albus?' she asked, hoping it was about Harry playing again… she was wrong. The team arrived in front of there Headmaster and he spoke.
'I know that you would expect Harry to play again but he wont' he then looked at Colin Creevey current Gryffindor Seeker, 'he has told me that he will not push anyone off the team, do not pressure him or you may well end up like young Mr Malfoy' he said with a twinkle in his eye. 'Now off to bed with you.'
The team then turned sadly and trudged back to Gryffindor.
'Why won't Harry play' chorused the Gryffindor beaters, Neville Longbottom and Parvati Patil.
'You heard Dumbledore, he doesn't want to push anyone off the team' answered Crystal, who played Gryffindor Chaser since the start of last season.
'Do you reckon if I asked him he would do? Maybe that way he won't feel so bad' said Colin.
'Don't you dare, did you see what he did to Malfoy' spat Seamus Finnigan, 'that could be you next.'
'Just drop it guys, we don't need Harry anyway' said Ron without any real conviction in his voice.
'Hungarian Horntail' Ginny said to the fat lady. She had been silent since the talk with Dumbledore, and felt that she had better give the password seeing as though no one else would. The team then walked into the Gryffindor common room to see that the whole of Gryffindor was waiting for them.
'Well what did Dumbledore say?' shouted a fifth year from the back.
'He just wanted to tell us that Harry won't be playing for us' said Ron miserably.
'Bullocks' shouted the same fifth year.
'Hey Ron' said Tess Donavan, a 6th year girl. 'Where did you get that broom from?' she asked pointing at Harry broom that Ron was still carrying.
'Oh, this is Harry's'
'Does he know Brendan Maher?' asked the girl again.
'What?' said Ron stupidly, and then he understood. 'O, I suppose there's no harm in telling you, seeing as though you'll probably figure it out. When Harry was away he played a game for the Woollongong Warriors in the Australian league and disguised himself as Brendan Maher where he recorded the world record for the fastest snitch catch' awed gasps went throughout the common room, Ron wanted to know how the girl knew about the broom though. 'How do you remember though? That article came out 2 years ago?' the girl then blushed.
'Well I kind of saved the picture' she whispered softly.
'O, okay' was all Ron could say.
'Righto everyone time to settle down now, go on clear off' shouted Hermione in a tone not much different from professor McGonagall.
Everyone then started to head up to there respective dormitories, not wanting to upset the new Head Girl. Now there was only Ginny, Crystal, Ron, Hermione and Shydan left in the common room.
'Where do you think Harry is?' asked Ginny whilst scratching Shydan behind her ear.
'Didn't he say something about visiting Dobby?' answered Ron.
'Yeah and Clatey' said Hermione staring into space.
'Who's Clatey' replied Ron 'Is that they name of his girlfriend?'
'WHAT' shouted Hermione, then calming herself down, 'er, sorry about that. When Harry went to capture Lucius Malfoy he found a House Elf there named Clatey, Malfoy was hurting Clatey, so Harry got her free and brought her to Hogwarts' she finished fondly. 'I'll see you guys tomorrow, goodnight' she then ran up to her dormitory.
'What was that all about?' asked Ron looking up the stairs to the girl's dormitories missing the looks that Ginny and Crystal were sharing. They knew what was wrong with Hermione and they did not feel like sharing it with Ron, so they both ran quickly up to there own dormitories leaving a stupid looking Ron behind.
'Women' muttered Ron, as he made his way up to his own room to sleep.
Note: Thanks for reviewing everyone, hopefully you've all found this again.
Flyin Eagle