Harry Potter and the Mind Mage

By James Milamber

A/N: Two posts in one day. Damn I'm good…

For all those who wanted an action chapter, enjoy! Finally Malfoy gets a can of whoop-ass opened on him…

gpotter: Being an Aussie guy myself, I think I can take that as a compliment ;) Nice to know my OC's are going down so well. No offence, but you are OBSESSED with ORLANDO BLOODY BLOOM! Sheesh, get over it, girl…;)

Isabela Pontes de Campos: Send a little of that heat this way, would ya? It's BLOODY FREEZING down here! Course, I do live about an hour north of the closest bit of land to the South Pole (if you exclude Tassie, which most of us do) Sorry to anyone from Tassie, by the way ;p

AlphaPhi: Wow, another Brazilian? Hmm…as to Isabelle and Sirius, I say that dogs are born opportunists.

MsMissProngs: Who's going to stop her if Harry says she can? Who'd be dumb enough?

Aadrita: Aww, I was getting used to waiting for a review from "Dree"…oh well. It's all good. California is pretty cool (not so big on LA though, Sydney is bad enough with 4 million people, never mind the 20 odd in LA). Actually, it's the only place I've been to overseas. That and Arizona (remind me not to go there again in the summer…)

CreativeQuill: In my mind, I designed Isabelle to my ideal of the perfect Slytherin. At least, that's how she started. Lets just say she's changed drastically and let it go at that…

charmedunderharry'sspell: Luna is still around, she just hasn't really been spending time with Harry and co. Neither has Neville… (wink, wink)

JCsDancerGurl: 'Course I have, Saerry's story "Not Myself" was the first fic I ever read, way back when she was still writing third year.

True to her word, Isabelle changed back into her Slytherin robes before her first class. She entered Harry's class later that morning with Ginny, happily chatting away as they sat together not far from the front of the room. Harry concealed a smile; as he had known they would, the two got on well together, once they broke down the House-barrier.

Isabelle sat with them again for lunch, and again Malfoy scowled at them from across the hall. Harry had to admit that one set of green and silver robes in a sea of red and gold did look a little peculiar, but Isabelle seemed content to ignore the stares of those around her.

Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Isabelle left the hall together, climbing the marble staircase as they headed towards their respective classes. They turned a corner into the Defense corridor and spotted Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle waiting for them.

'So, Lestrange,' he said casually as they drew near. 'You've got Potter and his flunkies protecting you now, have you? I'd thought even you couldn't sink that low.'

'Sod off, Malfoy,' Ron growled.

'Oh, I'm scared,' Malfoy said sarcastically. 'Potter's tame ape is threatening me. Oh no, now I'm in trouble.' Crabbe and Goyle laughed.

'We mean it Malfoy,' Hermione said angrily. 'Get lost now before I give you a detention.'

'For what, loitering?' Malfoy sneered. 'Shut your hole, you filthy Mudblood.'

Ron let out a roar, leaping at Malfoy. Ginny, Hermione and Isabelle all grabbed him, struggling to hold him back. Harry just glared at the platinum haired boy, trying very hard not to loose his temper. Even now, he could feel the Basilisk stirring.

'I'm warning you now, Malfoy,' Harry grated. 'Get out of here if you value your life.'

Malfoy laughed maliciously as Crabbe and Goyle sniggered. 'And what is iddy biddy baby Potter going to do?' he said in a mock baby voice.

Something within Harry snapped; he was instantly transported back to the Department of Mysteries…he watched Sirius fall through the veil…he was in the Atrium, and Bellatrix was laughing…Voldemort and Dumbledore were fighting…

Harry felt a searing pain in his scar, and a massive kinetic force surged out of him in a wave. Ginny guessed what was coming and dove to the floor, pulling Ron, Hermione and Isabelle with her. The wave passed straight over their heads; Malfoy and his goons were not so lucky.

The three Slytherins were picked up off their feet and slammed into the wall so hard that there were several distinct snaps as bones broke. The stones in the wall cracked under the immense pressure, and Malfoy's face twisted into a grimace of pain. Crabbe and Goyle both passed out as their head collided with the wall with twin sickening crunches. All three stayed against the wall, pinned in place.

Harry's whole body radiated an intense nimbus of green light, and he was floating a foot off the floor. His arms raised, his head thrown back, he looked like a figure out of legend. In that moment, Ginny Weasley fully realised the power of the boy she had fallen in love with, and it scared her.

Harry floated closer to the barely conscious Malfoy heir as students began to gather, drawn by the commotion. A Ravenclaw third year fled to get Dumbledore as Harry lowered his head so he was staring into Draco's gray eyes. Eyes that were wide with fear.

'If you ever say another word to me, or any of my friends, I will kill you,' Harry hissed, his voice distinctly snake-like as the Basilisk made itself known.

'Harry!' Dumbledore's voice broke through his rage, and he spun to face the Headmaster. Dumbledore's tall frame radiated power that would make almost any wizard flinch, and his eyes flashed with blue fire. Harry Potter was far from an ordinary wizard, however. 'Harry, get away from him!'

'You listen to me, Headmaster,' Harry hissed. 'Draco Malfoy attacked one of my friends last night. It was ONE ON FIVE! He came here, insulted me, insulted the ones I care about…the same as he's been doing for six years. And I'm SICK OF IT!' The last words came out as a roar, and Dumbledore unconsciously stepped back. Harry pointed a trembling finger at Malfoy. 'If he does it again, I can not be held accountable for the consequences!'

There was a blinding flash of light, and when it faded, Harry had vanished. Ginny, still laying on the floor gazing at the place Harry had been in astonishment, was suddenly enveloped in the same green light that had surrounded Harry, and she also vanished.

Ron and Hermione exchanged a long glance. 'This can't be good,' Ron said finally.

'What the hell just happened?' Isabelle demanded as all three stood.

'Later,' Hermione glanced around at the gathered students, who were now being herded away by Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick and James.

========

Harry reappeared deep in the forbidden forest. A second later, Ginny appeared as well, sprawled at his feet on the soft earth.

'Ginny?' Harry asked, startled. The green light was gone now, and he appeared normal. He had intended to transport only himself – just to see if he could actually do it. He had no idea why Ginny had come too. 'Are you alright?' he asked her, helping her to her feet.

She didn't answer, but her arms went around him tightly and she buried her face in his chest. Without warning, she burst into tears.

The anger left him in an instant. Harry didn't have to ask her why she was crying. He knew she was scared. Hell, he had even frightened himself back there. He hadn't even considered Ginny. His arms automatically went around her, his fingers entangling themselves in her fiery hair. He didn't say anything, but rocked her gently back and forth in his arms, his chin resting lightly on the top of her head.

Deep down, he knew he had gone too far, and he felt guilty for causing so much damage. Now I know what Gryffindor was on about, he thought moodily as Ginny continued to sob in his arms. If Ginny wasn't so quick, I could have really hurt everyone. The thought of Ron, Hermione, Isabelle and most of all Ginny laying in the Hospital wing, battered and bruised because he couldn't control himself, almost made him physically ill.

After a moment he became aware of an odd sensation in his right leg. He ignored it, his attention remaining focused on the redhead in his arms, until the sensation reached the top of his leg and began to climb up his side. It was only then that he released one arm to scratch himself. He was not at all prepared for the result.

Simultaneously, there was a loud hissing noise and Ginny screamed, leaping away from Harry violently. A small, bright green snake about a foot long with a red stripe from nose to tail dropped to the ground in front of them, gazing with curious eyes at Harry.

'Forgive me, Master,' the snake hissed, raising itself slightly so it could see Harry better. 'I did not mean to startle you or your mate. One felt the Mark of the Serpent on you and felt obliged to respond.' The snake performed the same peculiar half-bow as the Anaconda had all those weeks ago.

Ginny was breathing heavily, staring at the snake in disbelief.

'Umm…thanks,' Harry said, glancing quickly at Ginny.

'It is proper,' the snake said. Harry got the distinct impression that the voice was feminine. 'One is called Zith, and one offers you one's services, Marked One, as one must.'

'What do you mean?' Harry asked, curious as to the snake's meaning.

'One will protect you with one's life,' the snake answered, raising its head proudly. 'It will be an honour to serve.'

Harry was about to say no when he again glanced up at Ginny's face. Her disbelief was gone now, replaced with a kind of cautious wonder. He looked down at the snake again, and an idea struck him.

'Very well Zith, I accept your offer of service,' Harry said, instinctively knowing that the offer required a slightly formal response.

To Harry's immense surprise, the snake began to purr. It performed the half bow again, touching its nose to the ground. 'Then one shall enter your service until you see fit to dismiss me,' the snake said, slithering forward. Harry lowered his arm, and the snake coiled itself around his wrist, still purring softly.

'Do you understand English?' Harry asked.

'Of course,' Zith replied, somehow managing to look amused. 'To attempt to speak it, however, would place one's tongue in much danger of being bitten.'

'Good,' Harry looked up at Ginny. 'This is Zith, and she just volunteered to be my bodyguard.'

'I know,' Ginny whispered.

'What do you mean, you know?' Harry asked.

'I…I…' Suddenly Ginny's legs gave out from under her and she collapsed to her knees, burying her face in her hands. Harry was by her side in an instant, supporting her by enfolding her in a hug. For the second time she began to cry, although this time it was much weaker that the last.

Harry waited patiently, wondering what had gotten her so upset. A rather disconcerting suspicion crept into his mind, but he pointedly ignored it.

'I could understand what the snake was saying,' Ginny finally whispered, so quietly Harry was sure he hadn't heard right.

'Sorry?' he asked. 'Did you just say –'

'I'm a Parselmouth!' Ginny cried, shoving Harry away roughly. He sprawled backwards in the dirt, an expression of utter disbelief on his face. Zith hissed in annoyance as she was jolted by the impact. 'How else do you think Tom could get me to open the Chamber? With my teeth?'

'Ginny,' Harry said carefully, 'there's nothing wrong with being a Parselmouth.'

'How can you say that?' she raged, abruptly back on her feet. 'I thought you would understand!'

'I do!' Harry said hotly. 'I also know there's nothing you can do about it!'

Zith was watching them both curiously. 'What is the matter?' she asked finally.

'Ginny can talk to snakes, too,' Harry said shortly. 'She's a little upset by it.'

'Ah, one sees,' Zith said thoughtfully. 'She still believes that serpents are evil.'

'No I don't,' Ginny said, her eyes flashing. 'This "gift" came from Tom, and I don't want anything to do with him!'

'A gift is a gift, Ginny,' Harry snapped. 'Do you think I feel any better about this? You've faced Voldemort once, I've faced him four bloody times! How do you think I feel?'

Ginny shook her head in disbelief. 'I can't believe you just said that,' she said, her voice shaking. 'You think my experience is worth so little? I had him in my head for a whole year! At least when you faced him it was only for a minute!'

'That's not what I meant and you know it,' Harry said, suddenly feeling very weary.

'Oh do I just?' Ginny said coldly, then spun abruptly on her heels and stalked off into the forest. Harry groaned and flopped backwards onto the ground, letting out a sigh.

'Women,' he muttered.

'She will come around, Master,' Zith said confidently.

'I'm glad you're sure,' Harry said dubiously. 'Because I'm not.'

He lay there a while longer, and finally decided he could put off his return to the castle no longer. Summoning as much concentration as he could, he imagined the Entrance Hall. There was a brilliant flash of green light, and the hall materialized around him. Once again, Ginny appeared at his feet. Her hair was tangled, her arms were covered in scratches, and her robes were torn. She glared at Harry before picking herself up and stalking away.

'Wonder why that happens,' Harry mused as he climbed the staircase in her wake.

Zith hissed softly. 'Perhaps it is because you are linked so closely,' she suggested as they reached the top of the marble staircase.

'I think it's time for a little chat with Professor Milton,' Harry muttered, heading for the Defense classroom.

A/N: As always, all reviews are welcome. Feed me!

Full points to anyone who can tell me where Zith comes from (not Whimsical Firefly, I know you know already).

A note in passing: If you are going to E-mail me for any reason, let me know with a review first. That way your message won't get accidentally deleted when I clear my Junk Mail folder. Put something about ff .net in the subject line, too.