Harry Potter and the Curse of V'Ardian
Chapter 6
Of Power and Pride
Standard Disclaimers Apply
oOoOo
The weeks before Harry was due to return to Hogwarts passed slowly. As the days went on, he began to become steadily unwell, and he found himself becoming aware of his new vampiric abilities.
He made sure he always wore long sleeve to hide his new scar and over that time, he began to get to know Katherine better. Their friendship was grudging at first, but there was nobody else to talk to and so they had been resigned to the fact that the other was their only company.
She didn't talk about her personal life and Harry didn't ask, however curious he may have been. She told him her mother had been murdered by Death Eaters, Harry couldn't help thinking that at least they had something in common.
He couldn't shake the feeling that she was hiding something, and he didn't forget her similarity to Snape. He decided to be patient and discuss it with Ron and Hermione when he saw them.
But over those last few weeks of summer, the thing that most plagued Harry's mind was the letter. It had been short and unsigned, but Harry couldn't help but notice the coincidence in timing between Snape sending his letter and Harry receiving his- and how Hedwig had flown to him with Snape's letter.
For some reason, Lord V'Ardian was important to someone, though Harry didn't know who. He couldn't believe that it was him, though the name of V'Ardian was chillingly familiar.
And so it was that Harry received the greeting of 'Blimey, mate, you look terrible!' from Ron when he met them at King's Cross. He knew it was true. He hadn't been sleeping and he was constantly unsatisfied with everything.
He had made some vague reply about spending his holidays with Snape, and Ron had nodded fervently, sympathetically. Hermione simply fixed him with a beady eye, after, of course, engulfing him in a huge hug.
"Come on, let's get a carriage," he said, heading towards the shadow of the train. The light irritated him, and he had come to appreciate the darkness and gloominess that Grimmauld Place had offered.
He vaguely noticed the troubled looks on Ron and Hermione's faces, but ignored them as he headed towards the train, lugging his trunk behind him. He went straight to the last compartment and found it thankfully empty. With a sigh he took a seat and waited for Ron and Hermione to arrive.
They appeared a few minutes later and sat opposite him. Harry grimaced at the concerned looks on their faces. He didn't feel like answering questions right now. Obviously the expression on his face got through to him, as they both looked away and slumped back in their seats.
"So, Harry," began Ron, "who's this new girl that was at Grimmauld Place? Mum said she's from Italy, and her father is an old friend of Dumbledore."
Harry pondered the question for a second. Over the last few weeks they had developed an unspoken alliance, almost a closeness, but he wasn't going to tell them that. He looked out the window to see if he could spot her, and saw her sitting on a seat outside on the platform.
"That's her, on the seat over there," Harry said, pointing.
Ron and Hermione leaned over and looked.
Ron sat back, impressed.
"Wow, she's hot!" he exclaimed, causing Hermione to frown. Harry grinned at their reactions, when he suddenly remembered his suspicions.
"Do you think she seems familiar?" Harry questioned them.
Ron and Hermione shook their heads.
"Nah, mate. If I saw someone like that, I'd definitely remember them."
"Do you think you've seen her before, Harry?" asked Hermione.
Harry shook his head, staring out at her. Maybe he should go and ask her if she needed any help.
"D'you think she'll be in Gryffindor?" Ron enthused. "She looks like a Gryffindor."
Harry shrugged. She sure didn't look like a Gryffindor to him.
Ron peered out the window again.
"I hope she is! I wouldn't mind seeing those blue eyes everyday," he joked, causing Hermione's frown to deepen.
Harry forced a grin while considering Ron's comment. He certainly couldn't see the blue in her eyes. They were definitely black. He would have said something, had he not already experienced this 'ability' to see people differently to what they really were. He stared at the ceiling of the carriage, thinking. There was definitely something going on.
oOoOo
Harry nodded as Hermione explained about her and Ron's prefect duties and they stood up, closing the compartment door behind them.
He looked out the window to see Katherine still sitting there. He debated whether to go and help her, thinking he really should have stayed with her in the first place. Then again, she wasn't the kind of person who appreciated or accepted help easily.
Sighing and realising he had nothing better to do, he stood up and took the nearest exit onto the platform. He ignored the stares of other students and paced quickly over to her.
"You know you really should get on the train," he murmured.
She looked up at him with a trace of a smile on her face, surprising Harry.
"Would you help me with my trunk?"
"Er- sure. Where do you want to sit?"
He grabbed her trunk and began wheeling it towards the train. It was much heavier than his, and he wondered what she had in there.
"I suppose I should sit with you, considering I don't really know anyone," she said.
Harry didn't think this was such a good idea, but didn't voice his opinion. After all, what was so wrong with it? The niggling little voice in his head piped up.
She's probably going to be in Slytherin. And there's that thing with Snape…If she really does know him personally he isn't going to like her hanging around with me.
But Harry kept walking, Katherine following him silently. They reached the compartment and she helped him push the trunk into the overhead rack.
Moments later, the whistle blew, and the train began moving.
"So where are your friends?" Katherine asked, taking a seat
"They're prefects" Harry muttered
"Are they both in Gryffindor too?"
"Yes. They houses at Hogwarts don't really mix much, especially Slytherins."
Katherine frowned.
"Do you think Slytherins are bad?" she asked.
"Well as a whole, they do have a reputation. I know they aren't all bad but the fact is that all of my enemies are in that house."
Katherine laughed out loud and Harry looked up in surprise.
"What?"
"You're 16 years old, Harry. You don't have enemies at Hogwarts."
Harry continued to stare at her. Then it was her turn to ask.
"What?"
Harry shook his head, turning his gaze out the window.
"You won't know how it is until we get to Hogwarts, I suppose," he said.
However, what neither of them knew, was that she wouldn't have to wait that long.
After a while they lapsed into a comfortable silence, and Harry got the impression that Katherine had demons of her own to think about. Her direct attitude was refreshing, much easier to deal with than the half-answers and awkward silences he had to deal with when he spoke to others. Maybe it was because she hadn't automatically been impressed with him the first time they had met.
His thoughts were interrupted by the door sliding open and Ron and Hermione entering.
Harry rolled his eyes as Ron stopped, gawking at Katherine and causing Hermione to bump into him from behind.
"Ron- what's going on? Is Harry all right?"
Harry could see Hermione trying to peer over Ron's shoulder, which was far above her small stature. Hermione let out an exasperated sigh and gave Ron a shove in the back, sending him sprawling onto the seat next to Harry.
He coughed, embarrassed, and sat up, Katherine staring at him with a look akin to contempt on her face.
"Uh, guys, this is Katherine. Katherine, this is Ron and Hermione."
Katherine gave a small smile in Hermione's direction.
"Hello."
"Hi, Katherine," she beamed, and suddenly she was off on one of her speeches about Hogwarts, and Harry was content with the knowledge that he would have at least a few minutes of peace.
The weather outside was dismal and grey, and it was impossible to tell what time of day it was. He wondered if he should change into his robes, but was drawn from his musings as the compartment door slid open. Harry assumed it was the lunch lady and ignored it, until he heard the unctuous voice of Draco Malfoy.
"Well, well, Potter's got a new friend. Allow me to introduce myself," Malfoy drawled, extending his hand.
Katherine took the outstretched hand, but Harry was pleased to see that she drew away quite quickly. Malfoy soon forgot about Katherine however, as he turned towards Harry.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry spat, glaring. He was rapidly becoming irritated at the ingratiating and arrogant smirk on his face.
However, this look quickly turned to one of hate and anger.
"I've come to even out a few issues with you, Potter," said Malfoy, stepping towards Harry. Harry too stood up, hand ready to draw his wand.
"I'd rather not, Malfoy," said Harry quietly. He looked behind Malfoy and saw Crabbe and Goyle, whom Hermione was glaring up at. She stood up.
"Malfoy, if you cause any trouble I will report you to Professor McGonagall. I am a prefect."
Malfoy sneered and turned around.
"Stay out of this, you stupid Mudblood!" he hissed, and Harry saw Ron's become angry.
"Bugger off, Malfoy!" he hissed, and Malfoy laughed.
"Like you could do anything to me!" he gloated.
Harry was getting angry, far quicker than he previously did when talking to Malfoy.
"Look, Malfoy, I have absolutely no desire to discuss the details of your Death Eater father right now. Let him know that I saw him in Diagon Alley, and I'm going to find out why."
"Harry!" Hermione pleaded, but Malfoy had already turned to Harry.
"What did you say, Potter?" he hissed, raising his wand.
"Malfoy, put your wand down!" Hermione ordered, stepping forward.
"You'll regret this, Potter," Malfoy hissed, stepping back from Harry.
"I'm sure I will," said Harry, as Malfoy turned to leave. "Give my regard to your Master, Malfoy."
It happened so quickly, Harry had no time to react.
Hermione had stepped behind Malfoy to close the door when Malfoy spun around and uttered an incantation. The spell, meant for Harry, hit Hermione in the chest and she gave a surprised grunt and fell to the floor.
Harry snapped. He stepped over Hermione's prone body and swung at Malfoy, catching him on the chin. Malfoy's head snapped back and he stumbled backwards. Crabbe and Goyle looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
Malfoy straightened up, a murderous look on his face. He raised his wand, but Harry was quicker. He thrust his hand forward, palm open, and Malfoy gave a soft 'oh' of surprise as an invisible force pushed him backwards. Harry followed him out into the corridor.
"You will never do that again," Harry growled, ignoring the threatening glances from Crabbe and Goyle.
Malfoy spat at Harry and raised his wand.
"That is what I think of you, Potter. You will pay for what you've done to my father!"
"Not before you pay for what you've done," Harry hissed. "Tell me what you did to Hermione!"
A sick, satisfied grin twisted Malfoy's features and he began the incantation again, at Harry.
Impulsively, Harry reached out and grabbed Malfoy's face, forcing him to stop. Malfoy gave a yell of pain as Harry's hand grew hot and pulled away. He put a hand to his face where Harry had gripped him, and Harry saw the skin was red and raised, reminding him of Quirrel in his first year.
"What the hell was that?" Malfoy hissed. He drew his hand away and Harry saw a faint white outline falling from the corner of his eye. It was a scar, the same scar that resided on Harry's own arm. Malfoy raised his wand, but again found an invisible force pushing him backwards. He fell to the ground, unconscious, and Crabbe and Goyle ran off.
He stood, staring in horror at Malfoy, as Ron tried to pull him back into the compartment.
"Harry, help me! Hermione's not moving!"
Harry slammed the door on the prone figure of Malfoy and knelt down next to Hermione. She was lying with her eyes shut, her breathing coming fast and panting. She was mumbling, twitching as though having a bad dream.
"What did he do to her, Harry?" Ron asked, face pale. Katherine came and knelt beside them, taking Hermione's hand. Harry looked at his friend.
"Ron, go and get which ever teacher is supervising," he said, and Ron immediately got up and disappeared.
Katherine peered at Harry as he looked for signs of injury.
"You said his name was Malfoy. Is he related to the man you saw in Diagon Alley?"
"Yes," said Harry, avoiding meeting her dark gaze. "His name is Draco, son of Lucius Malfoy."
"What did you do to him?"
Harry was silent. He didn't even know what he had done. He stood up, his voice rough.
"Nothing more than he deserved."
Katherine pierced him with a disbelieving look which he ignored, opening the door of the compartment. He was standing, glaring down at Malfoy, when Ron returned, closely followed by Tonks.
"Harry, what happened?" Tonks asked, her voice allowing no room for her usual camaraderie.
"Malfoy attacked Hermione. We don't know what's wrong with her."
Tonks glanced at Malfoy and then pushed past him into the compartment. Harry heard her swear under her breath as she knelt next to Hermione. She stood up, levitating Malfoy over to her. She conjured stretchers underneath them and turned back to Harry, passing him the pendant that he had seen so many Order members wearing.
"I have to take these two to St Mungo's, Harry. I'm the only Auror on this train, so if anything happens, I need you to use this. Hold it and say the name of the person you want to contact and they'll know something's gone wrong."
She glanced at Ron and Katherine before disappearing, taking Hermione and Malfoy with her.
Harry looked at Ron, who was staring at him strangely.
"What?" he snapped, irritated.
"How'd you do that, Harry?" Ron asked hoarsely.
"Do what?"
"What you did to Malfoy. You did magic without a wand."
Harry shrugged.
"I've done it before, when I get emotional. It's no big deal."
Ron looked at Harry, the expression on his face one of awe and….fear?
Harry looked away. Maybe it was because of what Dumbledore had done, now that he had full use of his powers. Harry went over to his seat and pulled on his robes, before turning back to Ron.
"I'll tell you about it later," he said.
Ron seemed to accept this, and the three of them returned to sitting in silence. Harry looked over at Katherine, her face devoid of emotion. What secrets was she hiding?
oOoOo
The sky outside was pitch black, and Harry thought they should see the lights of Hogsmeade station anytime soon. Ron had left the compartment to begin his prefect duties, though Harry wondered if it was really because he was worried about Hermione. Tonks had not returned, and they had heard no news about their friend. Harry could feel the warm weight of the pendant on his chest and hoped he wouldn't have to use it.
He didn't understand why they needed to send an Auror on the Hogwarts Express.
Harry felt the train begin to slow and peered out the window. In the distance he could see the lights of Hogsmeade, but not the station. That was when he realised that something was wrong.
He stood up abruptly.
"Stay here," he said to Katherine, and hurried from the compartment. He dashed up to the front of the train, passing the prefects carriage so quickly that none of them saw him. He looked out the window and saw, through the darkness of the night, the platform approaching. Minutes later, the train came to a halt and Harry stepped slowly onto the platform. Behind him he could hear the rumble of students starting to get off the train, but ahead of him, all was still. The silence carried with it the stench of death, and Harry's heart sunk. He had felt this way before. He knew what it meant. Slowly he raised his wand.
"Lumos."
His voice was hoarse. He stepped forward, ignoring the voices of the prefects calling to the students.
"Harry!" he heard someone call, but he raised his wand so that the beam of light shone high over the ground.
That was when he saw the body. His heart skipped a beat in shock, hoping beyond hope that it wasn't who he thought it was. Who he knew it was. But that was impossible. No one else was that big.
He dropped his hand and ran for the figure of the man lying on the ground, only one thought in his mind.
Please don't be dead.
But wishes, he had learnt, were not for him. Nothing that he wanted ever came true. He knew, with a strange sinking feeling, even before he reached the man's side that they were never going to speak again. Harry flung himself onto the ground next to the man, fingers searching for a pulse, for any sign that his friend was still had a chance.
"Harry!"
He heard Ron calling from the train, could hear students screaming as beams of light lit up the gruesome scene in front of him. Ron came pounding up to Harry.
"Oh, Harry! Is he alright?"
Ron sounded unsure and scared, his skin pale beneath his freckles. Harry looked up at him and Ron could see the answer in his eyes, and the corresponding guilt.
"Ron, go back to the train. Get everyone into the carriages. You need to get them to Hogwarts." His voice sounded hollow even to him, but Ron nodded, his eyes on the still form of the man. Other students began to gather behind them, the light from there wands lighting up the platform. Ron looked up, behind Harry, and saw something in the half-light.
The gasps behind him indicated that the other students had seen it too.
He raised a shaky hand, finger pointing.
"Harry…look…"
Harry stood and turned to look where Ron was pointing.
The light from the wands lit up the wall of the platform, upon which was a message inscribed with what looked to be blood.
And Harry knew that it was meant for him.
"What does it mean, Harry? Who wrote it?"
But Harry didn't answer. Instead, he turned to the students surrounding the three of them, and they flinched at the palpable aura that was emanating from him. After that night, some would say they could see hate in his eyes, hate and power. More than a few would admit they had been scared. All would comment on the deep sorrow they had seen there, as though Harry Potter held some great burden. Maybe it was because of this indefinable sense of power that they all listened to him.
"All of you, get in the carriages," he said. "They will take you to Hogwarts."
Slowly he turned around to gaze up at the message written on the wall. Shortly after that, the prefects began shepherding the younger students towards the carriages. Only two people were left, standing behind the great Harry Potter.
One, his best friend, and another whom no one had ever seen before. A blue-eyed, dark-haired girl by the name of Katherine Winters. Eventually they too, followed the other students to the carriages and it was then that Harry lifted his hand to the pendant and summoned those that were needed.
They were there within seconds, apparating from wherever their busy lives had taken them. Harry stayed with his friend as they arrived and as the students left. The first to arrive was Severus Snape and Andromeda Tonks, both of whom had been at Hogwarts. When they rushed to Harry's side and stared in shock down at the still form of the dead man, and asked what had happened, Harry pointed up at the words scrawled across the wall.
"He did it because of me."
oOoOo
Harry was escorted directly to the Headmaster's office. He hadn't expected otherwise, after all, Dumbledore firmly stood by his belief that 'understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.'
But Harry didn't want to accept that Hagrid, his first contact with the wizarding world, his first friend, was dead. He already understood why it had happened. And there would be no recovery for Hagrid, the innocent man who had got in the way of evil.
That night, Dumbledore flew between concern and weariness, and rage at what had happened. He questioned Harry and Harry answered as best he could. There were questions about the station, about Hagrid, and then there were the questions about what he had done to Draco Malfoy.
Dumbledore didn't asked why the people who had murdered Hagrid had written what they had on the wall of the station, because they both knew. Professor Snape, standing behind Harry, already knew. Professor McGonagall, next to Dumbledore, looked as though she desperately wanted to know what Voldemort meant by 'You know what I need. He can be the last.'
She left the office early, to complete the Sorting. Harry left not long after her and accompanied Snape and Dumbledore to the Feast, thought he protested against it. Stares followed him as he walked to the seat that Ron, who sat silent and pale, had saved for him, and he was stunned at the huge amount of students Hogwarts was now holding.
"Sorting just finished," whispered Seamus from across the table. "At least a hundred students from overseas schools, plus the first years. Don't know if any are in our dormitory yet. And we got a new teacher for Defence. Don't know her name yet."
Harry looked up at the head table, where Snape had just taken a seat, his glance flitting to the Slytherin table with a small, satisfied grin on his face. Harry wondered what Snape was so happy about. He had never seen Snape smile before, and the fact that he chose the night of Hagrid's death to do so angered him. Harry followed Snape's gaze and saw Katherine sitting next to Theodore Nott. She looked up and met Harry's eye and he looked away. He had known she would be in Slytherin. Ron noticed where he was looking.
"Looks like she isn't as good as I thought," he muttered angrily. "Filthy, slimy Slytherins."
Dumbledore however, had remained standing, and the Hall grew silent as the decorations around the hall changed from the usual vibrant colours to black. He began to speak.
"A terrible thing has happened tonight, one which I would never have believed would happen. This is just another indicator of the times. We must do our best to unite under the shadow that threatens to wipe out all happiness that we strive to create. Rubeus Hagrid was a good and honourable man, who played an important role in the war against Voldemort. I ask that you all observe a minutes silence for him."
Dumbledore bowed his head and Harry followed suit. Not a whisper could be heard in the Great Hall and Harry knew that for all the people who said he was nothing but a great big oaf, Hagrid would be greatly missed.
Dumbledore raised his head, glasses glinting in the light.
"Remember what has happened here tonight, but do not forget who it was that caused it."
Dumbledore's gaze flickered over to Harry for a second, as though he were speaking directly to him.
"But now, let us eat and celebrate the memory of our good friend."
And suddenly the speech was over, and Harry thought that that surely couldn't be it. A couple of minutes? Hagrid deserved more.
However, Harry's thoughts of vengeance were driven from his mind by the sight of Ron sitting next to him, and Harry realised he wasn't the only one who was upset by his passing. Ron's morose expression was testament to that.
The food appeared in front of them and Ron slowly began ladling mashed potato onto his plate. Harry looked at the mountains of food but for once, nothing appealed to him. Instead, he turned to the Head table to search for the new Defence teacher.
His eyes fell on a sombre-looking woman (though at the present time all of the teachers looked sombre and serious) with hair that was currently black, though Harry knew that at any other time it would be bright pink.
"Ron, look! It's Tonks!"
"What?" Ron asked, barely glancing up from his meal.
"Tonks! Teaching Defence!"
Ron's head swivelled around to stare up at the head table where Tonks was indeed sitting beside Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout.
"Cool!" he said.
There was little talk in the Great Hall that night, particularly from the Gryffindor table. Harry spent the time silently but studiously detecting all the new students, especially the Slytherins.
Eventually the feast came to a somewhat dispirited end and Dumbledore stood up. The hall fell silent as he began to speak.
"Before you all retire for the night, I have a few last minute messages. As you know, this year we required a new Defence Against The Dark Arts Teacher and through some staffing changes we were able to ensure that this was possible."
Harry frowned. Staffing changes?
"I am pleased to announce that the new Defence Against The Dark Arts Teacher will be none other than Professor Severus Snape. A stunned silence filled the hall and Harry's jaw dropped in shock. Snape sat smirking.
"No way!" Harry said loudly, causing several heads to turn.
Ron had a similar expression of disbelief plastered on his face.
"However, due to certain issues, there will be a slight change with the teaching method this year. Professor Snape will be teaching Senior Defense Against the Dark Arts and Senior Potions, while a new teacher will be teaching those students in the junior years. Please welcome Professor Tonks!"
As Tonks waved to the students, Harry and Ron gazed at each other in horror.
The school year had just gotten a lot worse.
oOoOo
A/N: Thankyou to AngelAriel and Dark Syaoran, and all others who reviewed! I apologise for the longer than usual wait but I've been really busy with school etc. and I lost my memory stick with my story on it (how stupid of me). But I'm back on track so keep reading :)
Chapter 7: Of Centaurs and Snape