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"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Familiar/ Ghosts /Goblins" talking.
'Familiar/ Ghosts/ Goblins' thinking.
'Parseltongue, will/memories'
"Spell" is being used.
Enjoy.
Broken Shackles
Chapter 15
Realisation
As he was about to go to his classes, he remembered that about the letter to Ted about Sirius's break into Hogwarts as he knew the Ministry will keep this under the rug. He remembered to write it soon.
After his classes were done and he was free, Harry began to write.
'Hey, Ted,
Hope your search for something that can bypass the whole illegal Animagus is going well. I got another update for you.
Sirius broke in. Yeah, I know it might be a surprise for you and might have not heard it as I'm sure that Dumbledore and the ministry will try their best to keep this under their rug.
Sirius came here and attempted to go into the Gryffindor Tower but the Fat Lady recognised him and denied him access.
I saw claw marks on the portrait. So I think he slashed her portrait before running away. That's what is being said about the whole fiasco.
Don't know what really happened. But he tried to search for me. That's clear. I think Dumbledore is also suspicious of things. I can sense it.
I don't know where Sirius is. If I had, I would have fastened the whole process. Tell me what is the best way. Shall we file for a trial now or not? I can't decide.
That's it this time. Will be waiting for your reply.
Harry.'
Harry checked the letter twice just to be careful and after he was satisfied with it, he went to the Owlery and gave it to an eager Hedwig.
With some persuasion of introducing Mira next time and lots of bacon, she flew into the darkening sky to deliver the entrusted letter.
Harry went to check up on the covering rat he captured. He hid him in a small hidden desk in the Inner Chamber to be safe.
He knew even if the rat escaped, he can't go anywhere but around the Chamber of Secrets as Harry asked Hogwarts not to allow anyone to enter or exit the Chamber without his permission.
He knew a Coward like Pettigrew will faint the next second he comes face to face with all the dead rodents and snake statues in the Chamber of Secrets but the rat couldn't escape testing that.
Harry walked in to retrieve the special unbreakable box the stored Pettigrew in and took it out. Harry is not feeding him or anything.
Though he doesn't know how the condition in Azkaban is, he knew food was the most desired thing with all the deathly atmosphere caused by Dementors guarding the prison.
Even after all this time of starvation, Pettigrew was looking good and Harry got a wonderful idea staying on the topic of dementors.
With his wicked plan for Pettigrew in mind, Harry stunned the rat and took the jar with him under his invisibility cloak towards the Astronomy Tower.
Harry reached the Astronomy Tower and felt a cold chill in the air to see the humanoid figures roam around under their dark hooded cloaks.
Harry used his magic to levitate Pettigrew's jar into the air a few meters away from him and released a small burst of his magic.
His warm and string magic attacked the nearest Dementor as it hovered towards the hanging jar in the sky. Harry can feel the change in atmosphere as it slowly moved towards the jar.
He knew how deadly the Dementor's kiss is, that's why he put Pettigrew in the jar instead of openly throwing him towards the foul creatures.
Harry saw the Dementor reach the jar and watched in satisfaction as rat screams filled the empty sky. No one heard it as it is very far and the jar restricted its intensity a lot.
Soon Harry saw more Dementors move towards Pettigrew's jar and retrieved it and teleported to the Inner Chamber. He knew they couldn't enter the Castle as they were only sent to guard outside the Castle.
But he doesn't want to blow his cover by using his Patronus to control them and risk coming under anyone's notice as it is past curfew.
Harry appeared in the inner Chamber with a satisfied expression. He can still feel the chilliness of the jar and put it on the hidden desk.
After thinking about what to do, he decided to. practise his newly mastered Occlumency with Legilimency. Harry found so many genuine methods in Schpeel's book to practice them.
But first, he wanted to start his Animagus training as he wanted to achieve it first not to make the dream he saw true, but just to be careful.
He took the book Schpeel wrote and turned to the page where it starts talking about Animagus.
'Animagus. A magical art in which a Witch/Wizard can change into an animal at will. What do you think happens for them to perform such a feat?
How can they achieve something impossible with just practice and soul searching? Well, let's see how it happens and what makes them special.
First, to become an Animagus, you must master the art of Shielding your mind. It's not to protect yourself from attacks. It's to prepare yourself.
You see, in all my research about Magical Creatures and their lives, I came upon this interesting detail. Magical Creatures have strong minds, unlike us Magicals.
Let me explain. We Magical know what is what and what to do and what not to do. Magical Creatures are a magical variant of normal animals of the muggle world and sometimes we also have some mythical creatures like Dragons, Sphinx etc.
Tell me something. When Witch hunts and Magical eradication was going on in the late 9th and early 10th century, how did the Magical Creatures survive?
I know your first answer is some witch or wizard protected them or hid them. You are wrong in your assumption.
From the experience of my expeditions, I bring this knowledge to your notice. Magical creatures not only have magic but also have intelligence when the likes of us couldn't understand.
It is for the very same reason there were very few Animagus and Familiar masters in my Era. It's difficult to understand them and that difficulty limits us in our progress.
What to do? First, you need a strong mind as the process I worked out helps you transform step by step instead of in one full transformation and losing control.
I don't think all that tedious process I heard doesn't come into force. I can't imagine someone going through all those steps only to lose control because of a weak will and mind.
For your satisfaction and comparison, I'll write that method after my creation. You can compare them and decide for yourself.'
Harry got interested. Though he knew the man is vexed with whatever that second method is, he is willing to do it if it helps him become an Animagus faster.
Harry knew Schpeel is no fool from his first-hand experience of reading his Occlumency, which he calls a Mind Protection book.
He knows what he is talking about and Harry is confident the method he suggests will be easier than the second one he called tediously. He hoped in without delay as he has a full night and he is willing to use Time-Turner to read more.
Though he is concerned about the weekend Quidditch match, he is confident in his skills. He still has hope that things are not grim as they appear around Hogwarts.
'So to become an Animagus, I want you to focus on yourself and do some soul searching.
Don't stroke it off as some useless exercise. Let me tell you a small secret. While the method I heard only allows you to transform into normal Animals, this allows you to transform into any creature you see in your soul.
I know it is very hard to believe. But it is true. I tried it myself and became a Unicorn of all things. I am a pure person, don't you think?'
Then there are some jokes about different attempts and how they resulted. Harry laughed heartily as Schpeel has become his greatest guide in the Wizarding world.
'Jokes aside, what should you do while soul searching? Search. Search for what is unique in you. Search for the qualities that make you and make you special from others.
Just searching for qualities makes you an Animagus? No. Searching for qualities is the first step. There are various steps to achieve the goal.
So when you are done with all the searching, you will have a mental image of yourself in an animal form. How do you find it? Well, I have painted many animals in this book which are only to be unlocked after you go through all pages.
I'll be watching you, remember. After you find the animal. most suitable for you, your heart responds whether it is the correct animal or not.
I know you might think now. Do you think I believe all this shit you're on about? Well, it's up to you. If you don't want to continue, just press the black symbol on the book cover, I won't pester you anymore.
So soul searching first. I want you to pick the qualities you feel are different one by one and assemble them in one place. After that, go through all the steps and finally, find the animal most suitable for you.
When you find the perfect match, we will discuss what happens then. Let's look at the ludicrous method to become an Animagus I came across.'
Harry saw the pages turn and he reached a page where the ink was different and is similar to the one used by the British Ministry of Magic.
'Step 1: Do Your Homework...
…in Transfiguration and Potions at least. Becoming an Animagus requires a witch or wizard to be skilled in both these areas to stand a chance of achieving such a complex transformation.
Step 2: Carry a single Mandrake leaf in your mouth…
…for an entire month – from full moon to full moon to be precise. Yes, we're serious. If you swallow the leaf or remove it from your mouth at any point, you have to start the whole thing again (no one likes to see that happen). You then have to find a 'small crystal phial that receives the pure rays of the moon', put your saliva-filled leaf inside, and add one of your hairs.
Step 3: Add a silver teaspoon of dew from a place that neither sunlight nor human feet have touched…
…for a full seven days. And if that wasn't hard enough, you then have to add the chrysalis of a Death's-head Hawk Moth to the crystal phial as well. Then put 'this mixture in a quiet, dark place' and leave it alone until the next electrical storm. And really leave it alone – don't even look at it. Don't even think about looking at it.
Step 4: While waiting for the storm, you must place your wand tip over your heart…
…every sunrise and sundown and speak the following incantation: 'Amato Animo Animato Animagus'. If you keep repeating your incantation, 'there will come a time when, with the touch of the wand-tip to the chest, a second heartbeat may be sensed.' Don't change anything! Keep going. Keep waiting for that storm!
Step 5: As soon as lightning appears in the sky, go to the place where…
…you've hidden your crystal phial. At last! If you've done everything right then you will 'discover a mouthful of blood-red potion inside it.' Then move somewhere where you aren't going to alarm anyone or place yourself in physical danger during your transformation. An Animagus transformation party is definitely a bad idea.
Step 6: Place your wand-tip against your heart and speak…
…the incantation 'Amato Animo Animato Animagus' and drink the potion. You will then feel fiery pain – lucky you – and an intense double heartbeat.
Step 7: The shape of the creature into which you will shortly transform will appear…
…in your mind. The instructions ten warn: 'You must show no fear/ It is too late now, to escape the change you have willed'. Yikes!
Step 8: When your transformation is complete you are strongly advised to pick up your wand…
…and hide it somewhere safe, so you can find it post-transformation. To return to human form, visualise your human self as clearly as you can. Don't worry if you don't change back immediately, 'with practice, you will be able to slip in and out of your animal form at will, simply by visualising the creature'. Once you're an advanced Animagus, you should be able to transform without your wand.
The (many) things to be wary of…
When the process of becoming an Animagus goes wrong, it often goes seriously wrong. We're talking horrible half-human, half-animal mutations here, with no known cure.
The first transformation is usually uncomfortable and frightening. Clothing and items such as glasses or jewellery meld to the skin and become one with fur, scales or spikes.'
'When you first transform, try to avoid panicking otherwise the animal mind 'may gain the ascendancy' and you could do something stupid or dangerous.
Generally, wizards prefer to have their clothes Transfigure with them, to escape the embarrassment of reappearing naked'.
Harry read and saw lines form below it.
'How is it? Don't you think it's stretching a bit too far? What are all those ridiculous things like an electrical storm? What do you consider an electrical storm?
Anyway, you can opt for whichever is comfortable for you and go that path. But be careful, becoming an Animagus is different from mastering a mind art.
That may protect you and your mind from invasion or attack. But this helps you in the most unfavourable situations and allows you to do some more. All the best, champ.'
Ended the line as the book shut. Harry knew what to do now. He is going to work hard to become an Animagus. Schpeel's version, that is.
With Terry and Hermione
After talking to Terry in the library about Harry, she started to sit with him if Harry and Padma are not present for the class and they are on one such occasion.
"Now, really!" said Professor Trelawney as everyone's heads turned in their direction. Parvati and Lavender were looking scandalized.
"You are disturbing the clairvoyant vibrations!" She approached their table and peered into their crystal ball. Terry felt his heart sinking. He always got this grim feeling from the feeling.
And the approaching Professor didn't do anything to decrease that feeling. She was upon them in no time and peered into the crystal ball.
"There is something here!" she whispered, lowering her face to the ball so that it was reflected twice in her huge glasses.
"Something moving … but what is it?" Terry was now concerned. She always speaks of things that should happen to him, but end up happening to Harry. He felt something fishy, but couldn't put his finger on it.
"My dear …," Professor Trelawney breathed, gazing up at Terry. "It is here, plainer than ever before … my dear, stalking toward you, growing ever closer … the Gr —"
"Oh, for goodness' sake!" said Hermione loudly. "Not that ridiculous Grim again!" Professor Trelawney raised her enormous eyes to Hermione's face.
Parvati whispered something to Lavender, and they both glared at Hermione too. Professor Trelawney stood up, surveying Hermione with unmistakable anger.
"I am sorry to say that from the moment you have arrived in this class, my dear, it has been apparent that you do not have what the noble art of Divination requires. Indeed, I don't remember ever meeting a student whose mind was so hopelessly mundane."
There was a moment's silence. Hermoine had enough.
"Fine!" said Hermione suddenly, getting up and cramming Unfogging the
Future back into her bag. "Fine!" she repeated, swinging the bag over her
shoulder and almost knocking Ron, who sat on the other side of their table off his chair. "I give up! I'm leaving!"
And to the whole class's amazement, Hermione strode over to the trapdoor, kicked it open, and climbed down the ladder out of sight.
It took a few minutes for the class to settle down again. Professor Trelawney seemed to have forgotten all about the Grim. She turned abruptly from Terry's table, breathing rather heavily as she tugged her gauzy shawl more closely to her.
"Ooooo!" said Lavender suddenly, making everyone start. "Oooooo, Professor Trelawney, I've just remembered! You saw her leaving, didn't you? Didn't you, Professor?
'But you told two of our numbers will leave us forever!' You said it ages ago, Professor!" Professor Trelawney gave her a dewy smile.
"Yes, my dear, I did indeed know that Miss Granger would be leaving us. But the other… One hopes, however, that one might have mistaken the Signs. … The Inner Eye can be a burden, you know. …" she said and went to her seat.
Terry decided to drop Divination at that moment. The subject always gives him headaches as he has to make the hard choice to tell Harry about all the times he got grim and danger approached.
The latest incident was with the whole Sirius Black's break-in. At least if he drops the subject, he can have a peaceful mind without any burden.
Scene Break
That Weekend
Quidditch Stadium
After practising soul searching, Harry got permission from Professor Flitwick to practice and his team took the grounds in joy.
The weather worsened steadily as Harry's first Quidditch match drew nearer. Harry saw the weather change in his eyes as strong winds filled the sky during their practice sessions.
The day before the match, the winds reached a howling point and the rain fell harder than ever. It was so dark inside the corridors and classrooms that extra torches and lanterns were lit.
And on the day of the match, he felt an all too familiar sensation of a low hum in the back of his mind. 'So they came true. I pray everything goes as planned,' thought Harry going through the first stream he got about the match.
Undaunted and unaware of the upcoming circumstances, the Ravenclaw team trained harder than ever under the eye of Madam Hooch who volunteered to help.
His team did their best in practice and the weather allowed them to out all the theories and scenarios they came up with to test. They were prepared for the match and as promised, are going to win the House Cup.
Soon they saw strong winds and heavy rain all day, and as Harry dreamed, he heard a distant rumble of thunder. 'So it came to this,' thought a determined Harry.
The popularity of Quidditch can be seen in the stadium as the whole school turned out to watch the match as usual, but they ran down the lawns toward the Quidditch field, heads bowed against the ferocious wind, umbrellas being whipped out of their hands as they went.
The team changed into their blue robes and excitedly waited for their new Captain's pep talk.
Harry was looking different in his blue and bronze instead of the normal red and gold of the Gryffindor with a bronze 7 in the middle of the shirt and cape.
"Ok, guys. The weather was bad, but we can do this. Follow all the counters we came up with and the win is ours. For Ravenclaw!" Harry said, raising his hand.
"For Ravenclaw!" All cheered and entered the rainy pitch. The wind was so strong that they staggered sideways as they walked out onto the field.
If the crowd was cheering, they couldn't hear it over the fresh rolls of thunder. Rain was splattering over their eyes. How on earth was he going to see the Snitch in this?
Well, he can see perfectly, but the wind can be annoying and add the rain, you have the 2 worst wines for a seeker. But luckily, he had some counters for them.
They put their plan into action as they saw the Hufflepuffs approaching from the opposite side of the field, wearing canary-yellow robes.
"Captains, shake hands," called Madam Hooch, the referee to the match. Harry and The Captains walked up to each other and shook hands; Cedric smiled at Harry and he returned the gesture.
As he walked back to his team, Harry saw Madam Hooch's mouth form the words, "Mount your brooms." He pulled his right foot out of the mud with a squelch and swung it over his Nimbus Two Thousand.
Madam Hooch put her whistle to her lips and gave it a blast that sounded shrill and distant and they were off.
Harry rose fast, but his Nimbus was swerving slightly with the wind. He held it as steady as he could and turned, squinting into the rain.
Within five minutes Harry was soaked to his skin and frozen, hardly able to see his teammates, let alone the tiny Snitch.
He flew backwards and forward across the field past blurred blue and yellow shapes, with no idea of what was happening in the rest of the game.
He couldn't hear the commentary over the wind. The crowd was hidden beneath a sea of cloaks and battered umbrellas.
He lost track of time. It was getting harder and harder to hold his broom straight, but with his flying, he is keeping it afloat.
The sky was getting darker, as though night had decided to come early. Twice Harry nearly hit another player, without knowing whether it was a teammate or opponent; everyone was now so wet, and the rain so thick, he could hardly tell them apart …
With the first flash of lightning came the sound of Madam Hooch's whistle; Harry could just see the outline of Cho as she was near the hoop for some reason through the thick rain.
Deciding to use his magic, Harry released a small burst of his magic and unknowing to him, his eyes got a yellow tint in them, which allowed him to see clearly.
Harry saw Cedric Diggory pelting up the field, and a speck of gold was shimmering in the rain-filled air between them. With a jolt of panic, Harry threw himself flat to the broom handle and zoomed toward the Snitch.
"Come on!" he growled at his Nimbus as the rain whipped his face.
"Faster!" But something odd was happening. An eerie silence was falling across the stadium. The wind, though as strong as ever, was forgetting to roar.
It was as though someone had turned off the sound, as though Harry had gone suddenly deaf. 'What was going on?' Harry thought. He felt Deja vu.
They both went head to head and tried their best to catch the running snitch. Harry saw the snitch go up in the air and moved up to catch it and when it was in his grasp, he felt goosebumps and a tingling feeling.
And then a horribly familiar wave of cold swept over him, inside him, just as he became aware of something moving on the field below. …
Before he'd had time to think, Harry kept his gaze on the snitch and caught it firmly as he knew this was going to happen. He made sure the snitch was in his hands before he turned back.
At least a hundred dementors, their hidden faces pointing up at him, were standing beneath him. It was as though freezing water were rising in his chest, cutting at his insides. And then he heard it again. …
Someone was screaming, screaming inside his head … a woman …
"Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!"
"Stand aside, you silly girl … stand aside, now. …"
"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead —"
Numbing, the swirling white mist was filling his brain. … What was he doing? Why was he flying? He needed to help her. … She was going to die.
… She was going to be murdered. …
He was falling, falling through the icy mist.
"Not Harry! Please … have mercy … have mercy. …"
A shrill voice was laughing, the woman was screaming, and Harry heard no more. His magic flared and pushed the Dementors back but unlike the single one on the train, there were many of them now.
Everything was happening just like in the dream. Harry took his wand out, which was in his wand holster and as it was about to catch him, shouted the only spell that can repel them.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM," shouted Harry and a Doe leapt out of his wand and rammed into the incoming Dementors. Soon some more Patronus joined him, sending them back.
He lost control of his broom but because of his flying ability, he remained still in the air, gripping his Nimbus 2000 without much effort.
This is the first time he used his flying skill in public like this and his broom is with him, they assumed he was balancing with his broom.
Everything felt familiar yet strange at the same time. He can't explain his feeling and as other misty figures joined his Doe, he slowly descended.
For a second, he imagined seeing another Doe ramming into a Dementor which came close, but because of their close proximity, he can't tell if it was true or not.
Harry felt being touched by many hands, but couldn't understand what they were saying as his mind went blank after that. He saw concerned dark eyes before losing consciousness.
Evening
Harry's Room
"Quiet down. You could disturb him!" Exclaimed Cho as she shushed Terry and Padma.
"As if we can while you are here," retorted Padma with a teasing smile and Cho made a shoo motion to send them out.
"Fine, fine. We are leaving." Terry said and as soon as the door shut, Cho was on Harry's bed, hugging him closely.
"I was very concerned when all those… those-"
"Dementors,"
"Yeah, Dementors ganged up on you. An-"
"Harry?!" Cho doubtfully questioned.
"Harry!" She exclaimed in joy.
"You are awake. Thank Merlin,"
"Just woke up. What happened?" He asked groggily.
"Well, after you fell to the ground, softly as. if slowly descending, Dumbledore and other Professors used their Patronus to fend off the Dementors following you.
You fell unconscious and after a thorough check-up by Madam Pomfrey, you were brought here," explained Cho and Harry nodded.
"Why are you still wet?" He asked as he observed her sticking Quidditch uniform.
"I forgot to dry it," she replied and applied some cleaning and frying charms on it.
"Oh, you got a letter. I think it's from Mr Edward," said Cho as she put a sealed letter in his hands.
"I'll bathe. You can read it in the meantime," she offered and went into his bathroom to clean herself. Harry absentmindedly nodded and took the letter to read.
'Hey Harry,
Sorry for the delay, Harry. We are all doing well and as you suspected, Sirius's break-in was kept under rugs. I can't find even a small whisper about it anywhere.
While I was looking into some previous cases and judgments about illegal Animagus in other Magical countries to find any loopholes, I found a way to bypass it.
I want to talk about it, but it would be better to talk in person. So I want you to come here during Christmas Break.
But I want to make something clear. It's useless to file a suit for Sirius's freedom now, Harry. Let me explain.
We have evidence, yes. But Sirius, the accused or escaped in this case, is not there. The Wizengamot will order the Aurors to find him and a manhunt starts again.
Sirius is slippery and can hide well. So it would be better to file a trial for his freedom when he is with us safely.
I'll look out for him and if he tries to come to Hogwarts again, bring him with you to me immediately.
I can understand your love for Sirius and I promise I won't allow him to be imprisoned on any charge again.
Hedwig is a great Owl, Harry. She wouldn't leave until I wrote a response and she even hooted angrily when Dora tried to shoo her.
Take care,
Ted.'
Harry found Ted's reasoning sound and decided to wait for Ted or himself to find Sirius.
Cho came out fully clothed from her bath by the time he completed his letter. After Harry's bath, they started talking, enjoying each others presence.
And Cut.
That's it for this Chapter, folks. Hope you liked it. Tell me, what do you think of the chapter and story in general.
Any suggestions are welcomed.
See y'all in the next chapter.
Black Infinity 1289,
Ja Ne.
