Harry Potter and the Heir to Gondor
A Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings fusion by Andrew J. Talon
Disclaimer: This is a fanbased parody work of prose. Please support the official release.
Author's Note: An extra long chapter, just for you.
The Weasleys had won the Daily Prophet Lottery, so Ron, Fred and George had gone off to join their family and enjoy the winnings. Harry really did wish them well. They deserved to have some good luck their way. It was just a shame he couldn't go with them on vacation.
Then again, that might have just made the Daily Prophet coverage even more annoying-It was still full of references to him. Still, it was a great picture they'd taken in front of the Pyramids.
So he and Hermione spent their days poring over books and tomes provided by his aunt and Dumbledore, and on training with Aunt Petunia. Hermione's parents were apparently okay with it. Though Harry could imagine they'd be less okay with what their daughter would be put through.
"Why focus so much on physical combat?" Hermione had asked.
"Because magic may fail, but steel never will," Petunia stated. "After all, that basilisk Harry fought would shrug off any spells he threw at it."
"Then I'd like to learn swordplay too!" Hermione insisted. Petunia had hummed... And then begun to feel the shocked Hermione up.
"What are you-?!"
"Checking your muscles," Petunia explained, rolling her eyes, "hmm. Still too soft, but some potential." She pulled her hands away and shook her head, leaving a blushing Hermione.
"A sword will not do for you," Petunia had said, "knives and a staff would fit you better."
"Er, why is that?" Hermione asked, her embarrassment overcome by her curiosity.
"You can channel the magic through the stave at both ends," Petunia said, "and knives are good for close range as a back up."
So Hermione had begun training in the use of a stave. Apparently Dumbledore had one that would work well, and Petunia had given it to Hermione to train with.
Harry was sitting on the couch, drinking water, and wincing in sympathy as Hermione sparred with his aunt. Petunia, as per her usual, seemed to dance around any opponent's blows and smack them with the flat part of her sword.
"OW!"
"You need to be more flexible," Petunia said, "you're staying too stiff!" She dodged around another swing from Hermione, and gave her a slap on the rump.
"EEP!"
"That's too flexible," Petunia tutted, "you must be like a willow. Bend, but do not break. Try again."
Hermione, covered in sweat and resembling an angry, drowned cat, managed to get back into position. She swung the staff with a loud cry. Petunia blocked it, and the next swing, and parried the thrust that finished the kata. Petunia shook her head.
"That's slightly better," she stated. She then slapped Hermione's hands with the flat of the blade, making her drop the staff to the floor.
"OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" Hermione demanded, holding her hands together. Petunia sighed as she sheathed Hadhafang.
"Your grip is too high, if I can do that," Petunia stated. "But we'll work on that later. Now, go and rest."
Petunia turned and walked out to the backyard, vanishing into the night as the streetlamps flickered on. Hermione sulked a bit as she sat next to Harry on the couch. Harry finished his water, then took some salve from the extremely large first aid kit they now possessed. With the ease of repeated practice, he began to rub it on Hermione's bruised hands.
"If it helps, she did that to me the first few weeks of training too," Harry said.
"She's a sadist," Hermione grumbled. Harry laughed a bit.
"Yeah, she sure is," he agreed. "But you know what she said-"
"Yes yes, sweat now rather than bleed later," Hermione groaned. "She's just getting blood from me right now."
Both looked down at their joined hands for a moment, as Harry rubbed the salve into the angry red and blue bruises. Red came over both their faces.
"Um, I-I can handle it from here," Hermione murmured.
"Uh, sure," Harry managed, getting up off the couch and heading outside. Hermione buried herself in the first aid kit, hiding her red face behind her bushy hair as best she could.
Harry breathed deep of the cool night air. Moths gathered around the porch lights. Cars drove in the distance, as the city lights came on and the stars shone down. He turned and looked over at his aunt. She was sitting in a garden chair, her eyes closed. She was humming a soft song under her breath. A song that made Harry freeze.
"That song... What is it?" He asked.
Petunia slowly turned to her nephew.
"An Elvish lullaby," she said. "Your grandmother sang it to me. Your mother sang it to you." She looked out at the night sky, her gaze lost in memory. "I never sang it to Dudley."
She let out a soft breath through her nostrils. Harry pulled up the other garden chair, and sat next to her.
"Aunt Petunia, I..." Harry came up short, and looked down. He found the words he'd meant to say gone. Petunia didn't look at him.
"I thought the past would be buried forever," Petunia admitted, "I thought the task was done. A task of thousands of years. Hundreds of generations. I thought I could be... Normal." She shook her head. "I think I was just pretending at it. So deep in denial."
She turned to her nephew, and fixed her gaze on him. He could almost see the glittering of stars in her eyes.
"I know the fame you have is annoying, Harry," Petunia said gently, "and I know that the expectations placed on your shoulders will be heavy. But if you learn nothing else from me, know this. Trying to run and hide from your destiny causes nothing but pain. To yourself and..." She looked down, "to others."
"Even if you don't know what that destiny is?" Harry asked, a bit irritated. Petunia smiled wryly.
"No one truly knows their destiny, until they meet it," she said, "but I do know that yours is not to just be a normal young man. You cannot stand idly by while others suffer. Especially those you care about. It means you have a good heart. A strong one." She glanced down at Anduril, securely at Harry's hip.
"It is why the sword chose you, and rejected Salazar Slytherin, Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw," she said, "and that is something to be proud of."
Harry's ears burned, and he looked down in modesty.
"I... R-Right," Harry managed. Petunia let out another soft sigh.
"Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban," she said. Harry looked up.
"Who?" He asked.
"He was your father's best friend. I met him once or twice," Petunia said. "But he was allegedly working for the Death Eaters. He apparently betrayed your parents to their death."
"He-Apparently?!" Harry gasped. Rage filled him, and he gripped his sword tightly. "How do you-?!"
"I asked around," Petunia said. She raised her eyebrows. "Being 'hot' does have certain advantages. Dumbledore didn't tell you to protect you. Like a foolish old man, he sees you as just a child."
She shook her head, and leaned forward. She took Harry's hands, resting them against Anduril.
"But Harry," she said, "I am not training you to seek revenge. If Black is after you, do not go to him. Do not seek him out. Just be ready to defend yourself, and your friends, and the innocent. Revenge is a foolish quest, the most worthless of causes. Do not seek him out. Understand?" Petunia asked softly, but firmly. Her eyes were intense.
Harry grit his teeth, and managed a slow nod.
"I... All right, I won't," he said, "but if he comes near me or anyone I'll..." He tightened his grip on Anduril, "I'll kill him!"
Petunia hummed.
"There are many in this world who deserve death, Harry," she said, "and many others who deserve life. I wouldn't be too quick to dish out death and judgement, if I were you."
"But you said he betrayed my parents!" Harry insisted.
"That is the story, Harry," Petunia said softly, "but the world of wizards is one of lies and deceit. Half truths, and conveniences. I am not saying you shouldn't strike him down if you have no other choice, however..." She looked out into the night, silent for a moment. Harry stared at his aunt.
"What?" He murmured. "What is it?"
Petunia remained silent. She then turned to Harry.
"Not everything is as it appears, Harry," she said, "you need to remember to use your head, and your heart. Do not trust everything you hear and see. You must see beyond the superficial, to the deeper truths underneath. Understand?"
"Now you sound like a wizard," Harry muttered, annoyed. Petunia chuckled.
"I assure you, it will make sense in time," she said, ruffling his hair. He brushed her hand away, but he couldn't help enjoying the fondness her tough conveyed. Maybe it was just from a magical oath but... He had been denied it for so long.
"Now," Petunia said, "we must focus on listening to the song of the Valar. Listen to my song, Harry. And try to feel the songs of everything else."
"All right," Harry managed, nodding. He leaned back, as Petunia sucked in a deep breath.
"Ter i lóme, nai lye ómanya rahtuva,
Or i súre, nai lyenna órenya wilyuva..."
Harry closed his eyes, and leaned back. The song was beautiful. And as he listened, he began to hear and feel so much more.
Songs of the stars overhead.
The music of Hermione inside, as she fussed over a book with her bandaged hands.
The music of his aunt, sad and warm and beautiful...
And a song... Of open fields, the running of great beasts, the smell of the wind, old friends long gone, regrets...
Harry opened his eyes and looked out into the night. He swore he could see something, black and massive, moving in the shadows.
Then it was gone.
"Harry? Pay attention," Petunia said softly.
"Ah, sorry," Harry said. Petunia nodded, and resumed her song.
"Nai loruvalye,
Hendu holine...
Nai loruvalye,
Éli calime..."
Two weeks passed, in near constant training, exercise, and even getting some school work done. It was rewarding, to be honest-The happiest time Harry could ever remember spending at the Dursley house. For the first time, it felt like a home instead of a prison.
Bonding with Hermione was also nice. Sure, she could badger him a lot with her urging to study properly. Ron especially. But they were both interested in learning more about Middle Earth and the secrets of the past. He was even beginning to get a hang of Elvish-A little of it, anyway.
The last night before they were to go to Diagon Alley, he was woken up by angry, loud shouting downstairs. Alarmed, Harry picked up Anduril and his wand and snuck to the staircase. He heard the shouting-It was his aunt.
"Honestly Vernon, don't all husbands want a gorgeous wife? You can't deny that I am that!"
There was silence. Muffled noise, from the phone.
"What do you mean?! You always thought I was beautiful-How has this changed?!"
More muffled noise. Harry could practically hear his aunt's teeth grinding.
"I'm too beautiful?! It's unnatural?! Why can't you tell me the truth, Vernon?!"
It was much quieter. Petunia's voice became soft, and filled with regret.
"I didn't lie to you! I gave up everything-I hid this-All for you! It turned me into a monster, Vernon!"
Now his uncle was shouting. Harry could hear it faintly over the phone.
"We tormented and abused an innocent child, Vernon! Out of fear and hatred!" Petunia retorted, "I can see it now! I can recognize it! Magic or no magic, we did wrong to him! ... How can you say that?! You're the one who left! The one who took our son away!"
Some more words. Petunia walked into view, her head bowed as she listened to Vernon's reply.
"He isn't a monster! He did nothing to me! I took the oath! It's important! Can't you see that?! Can't you understand?! Vernon? ... VERNON!"
Petunia fell silent. She walked over silently, and set the phone receiver back in the cradle. She then sat at the table, and bowed her head to cry, with quiet sobs.
Harry felt frozen. It was clearly a private moment, not something she wanted him to see, but... He stepped down the steps, and approached his aunt at the kitchen table. He held out a hand to her shoulder.
"Aunt Petunia?"
Petunia said nothing. Harry rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Aunt Petunia?" Harry tried again.
Petunia took slow, deep breaths. She wiped her eyes. Only then did she turn and look at her nephew. Her eyes were red, and her cheeks stained with tears. She rested a hand on his, and squeezed it.
"... I'll be all right," she said. "Go on. Get to sleep, Harry. You're going to need it."
"But-"
Petunia silenced him with a look. Harry slowly nodded, and headed upstairs. He spared one last look at his aunt, sitting all alone at the table. Contemplating the ring on her finger. At last, she slid it off, and tucked it into the drawer underneath the table.
Only then did Harry head back to bed.
Petunia got Harry and Hermione up early. They had a quick breakfast, before they got all their luggage into the black car. Petunia had made Harry dress in properly fitted trousers, and a green button up shirt she had obtained on a shopping trip.
She herself wore a wide brimmed black hat, a black dress and black long coat over it-Very conservative. Yet the cuts in the dress exposed much of her legs when she walked, and her sword.
"Come along Harry, Hermione, Hedwig," Petunia said, "let's go."
They drove to London, the conversation intermittent and largely inconsequential. They pulled up in front of the Leaky Cauldron. Petunia got out first, her keen eyes scanning around the area as though expecting threats. Harry and Hermione got the luggage out onto a folding wheeled cart. Hedwig squawked indignantly, but settled down when Harry gave her some bacon.
"Come along, Harry, Hermione," Petunia said. They entered the Leaky Cauldron, a wizard gratefully holding the door for them. He gave Petunia a look up and down. She ignored this, though Harry treated the man to a glare.
The wizard coughed and averted his eyes. Petunia's stoic look changed to a more pleasant one, as did Harry's-The Weasley family was gathered around a long table, eating breakfast. They perked up upon seeing Harry. Ron, covered in more freckles than before, got to his best friends first and hugged them.
"Harry! Hermione! It's great to see you!" Ron laughed. Harry grinned and hugged him back, and Hermione joined in.
"HARRY!" Mrs. Weasley gave Harry a rib crushing hug, and then Hermione. "Hermione! So good to see you!"
"You look fit!" Mr. Weasley laughed, shaking Harry's hand. "I uh, I see your aunt's been keeping you exercising?"
"Every day," Harry said. Petunia gave a smile and nodded, politely shaking hands with the adults. Fred and George clapped Harry on the shoulders, before they went off to ogle his aunt. Percy gave Harry a handshake, looking very official, before he headed off to read some notes and books. Ginny stuttered out a greeting, while turning bright red, before she fled to the table to focus on her breakfast. This left Ron, Harry and Hermione alone. Ron gave his best friends a bright smile.
"It's brilliant! You two look trim!"
"Us? Look at you!" Hermione laughed, "how was Egypt?"
"Oh, it was brilliant! We got to see all these ancient tombs, and saw the curses Egyptian wizards used to protect them," Ron made a face, "lots of disfigured Muggles found that out the hard way, ugh. OH!" Ron backed off, and pulled out a wand, "we had money left over so I could get a new wand! 13 inches, unicorn tail hair!"
"Brilliant," Harry said with a grin. "You've needed that for a long time!"
"O-Oh! Oh, and uh, this!" Ron rummaged in a pack, and pulled out a sword in a leather scabbard. He held it up with a grin. "Bill got me this! A goblin sword, from his bosses! He's a curse breaker, ya know?"
"Oh Ron," Hermione sighed, "are you sure that's any good? I mean, it might not be any use!"
"Come on, Bill's a top curse breaker! They wouldn't give him junk!" Ron insisted.
Aunt Petunia stepped in, taking hold of the sword. Ron was too shocked at how she snuck up on him to resist as she took the blade into her hands.
"O-Oh, Mrs Dursley," Ron managed, "uh, y-you're looking beautiful-I mean well! You look well!"
Petunia drew the sword, and backed away. She swung the short sword in wide arcs, making it whoosh through the air, before she tried balancing it on her fingers. She nodded in approval, as she resheathed the blade. She ignored all the onlookers completely, as she favored Ron with a smile.
"This is a good sword, Ronald Weasley," she said. "It is short but strong, well balanced and well made. Designed for fighting in enclosed spaces, I imagine."
"Y-Yes ma'am!" Ron managed, turning red as she smiled at him. She handed the sword back to him, her fingertips brushing over his.
"I'll expect you to join us in practicing-I won't let you slack off, understand? You will become proficient," she stated. Ron nodded eagerly.
"Y-Yes Mrs. Dursley!"
"Just Miss Petunia, if you please," Petunia corrected him calmly, though Harry felt her mood change. She looked over at Harry. "Apparently the Minister of Magic is putting us all up for the night, and driving us to King's Crossing in the morning. You have just enough time to get your shopping done today. I have to see to some arrangements. I'll see you at lunch?"
"Sure thing," Harry said. He looked at Ron and Hermione, "Ready you two?"
"Um, actually, I need to get some personal shopping done myself!" Hermione said happily. "See you back at the Cauldron for lunch?"
"Sounds good," Harry nodded. Hermione headed off. Petunia walked away, as Ron watched her go. Harry elbowed Ron.
"Ron," Harry hissed.
"I-I'm sorry, but... Wait, she's going to be at Hogwarts this year?" Ron asked.
"She is?" The Twins asked, leaning in. Harry was getting used to people popping up unexpectedly by this point, but Ron jumped. All the Weasley boys fixed Harry with an intense look though.
"Er, yeah," Harry said with a nod, "extra security, and doing errands for the Headmaster, I guess?"
"Oh thank Merlin and God," Fred cried softly. George held his fist up, tears running dramatically from his eyes.
"We truly are blessed!"
"Yeah, but she handled my sword," Ron said smugly.
"AHEM," Harry growled. Fred and George backed off, as Ron paled.
"Er-I mean-I didn't-!"
"Let's just go shopping, huh? I don't want you and your sword to annoy me any more," Harry grumbled, dragging his best friend towards the entrance to Diagon Alley.
Visiting Diagon Alley was actually relaxing and fun for Harry. It was also pretty uneventful, save for a moment when Hermione's new cat, Crookshanks, tried to eat Ron's sickly rat Scabbers. He was still getting a lot of attention from the wizards though: A few even stopped to shake his hand and thank him. He hadn't gotten that since he was four years old.
They returned to the Leaky Cauldron, where Mrs. Weasley had brought out food from an expanded hamper. They all sat down and ate well of fried chicken, potatoes, and rich greens. With plenty of drinks bought from the bar.
A door opened overhead, and Harry looked up. Aunt Petunia came down, with Arthur following. Aunt Petunia looked a bit annoyed, but she did give Harry a small smile. Arthur hugged his wife and kissed her on the cheek.
"Thanks Molly," he said. He gratefully took a plate of food and started on it next to her. Petunia sat down and took her own plate with a smile to Molly. She finished her food off quickly, then made her excuses and headed back upstairs.
Harry frowned as he watched her go. He could follow, but given what had happened last night, he could guess why his aunt wanted solitude now. For the first time, he wished he could do something for her.
"Ah, Harry?" Arthur asked. Harry looked up at Mister Weasley, and smiled curiously.
"Ah, yes Mister Weasley?" He asked.
Arthur led Harry aside to a small alcove. He looked rather nervous, running his hand through his thinning red hair.
"So... Um... You're doing well, I hope?"
"Yes, Mister Weasley," Harry said with a smile. Arthur nodded, smiling nervously.
"Good, good... I was just chatting with your aunt about a few, uh, odds and ends," he said. "Really, it's quite extraordinary! A Muggle at Hogwarts! Well, sort of. But still! What amazing times we live in. I will have many more questions-My children will pass them along but uh, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."
Arthur looked into Harry's eyes, very serious.
"Sirius Black is free. You know this, of course."
"Yes sir," Harry replied, confused. "I mean, I know he's after me. I know... About my parents."
Arthur looked a bit faint.
"You... You do? You do," he managed. Harry shook his head.
"I-I'm not going after him," Harry said urgently, and the color returned to Arthur's face, "I'm not! But... I mean..." He rested a hand on his blade handle. It felt reassuring.
"If he tries anything..." Harry let the thought trail off. Arthur nodded.
"Well, I'm hoping he doesn't get that close," Arthur said. "I just want you to know, Harry, you mean the world to us. All of us."
Harry smiled back.
"You too, Mister Weasley," Harry said back. He could catch hints of the music from the Weasleys-It was earnest, sincere, warm and friendly. It felt like home. He was hugging Mister Weasley before he knew it. Arthur blinked, but smiled and returned the hug happily.
"Oh my! You have changed, huh?" He asked.
Harry shrugged.
"Well..." He lowered his voice, "after sword training with my aunt, I got used to leaning on people to rest."
"Ah, quite, quite," Arthur said with an understanding nod. His eyes widened. "Oh dear, she's going to be teaching Ron."
"He'll be fine," Harry assured the Weasley Patriarch. "... Probably."
The rest of the day was spent having some fun in the Alley, before dinner, and retiring. Harry didn't see his aunt until breakfast the next day. She was sitting by Molly, who was recounting her misadventures with a love potion to GInny and Hermione. The girls were left giggling, while Petunia allowed herself a small, polite smile.
"Thank you Molly," she said, "I hadn't thought of that." She turned to smile at Harry, "good morning Harry. Sleep well?"
Ginny blushed, and immediately busied herself with the plates of food on another table. Hermione bit back a smirk, while Harry stared in confusion.
"Er, yeah. You too?" He asked. Petunia nodded.
"Yes," she said.
"It was very nice to get to know your aunt, Harry," Molly said with a broad smile. "Though honestly my dear, you should eat more! You're so pale and thin!"
"It's what I'm supposed to look like, I'm afraid," Petunia deadpanned. She nodded. "But thank you very much, Molly. I appreciate it."
"Honestly, after all I've heard about you I expected someone who looks a bit... Er... Older," Molly said carefully. Petunia chuckled.
"Yes, I imagine so," she said. Harry looked around.
"Where's Mister Weasley?" He asked.
Ron ran in from the front door, quickly dashing to Harry's side.
"He's coming! The Minister of Magic! He's coming!" Ron hissed. "Everyone be natural!"
"Oh Ron, calm down!" Molly soothed, "there's no need to fret!"
"The Minister is coming! The Minister is coming!" Percy squealed, "everyone stand up! STAND UP!"
The Weasley twins just rolled their eyes and kept eating their breakfast, as Arthur walked in with a shorter, more portly and round faced man in a green bowler hat and blue robes. Harry immediately recognized him from when he and Ron were hidden under an Invisibility Cloak in Hagrid's cabin last year: Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic.
Fudge's eyes lit up happily as he saw Harry, and he smiled like an uncle seeing his favored nephew. He reached out and warmly shook Harry's hands.
"It's such a pleasure to finally meet you, Harry! And to see you safe and sound," Fudge said cheerfully. He chuckled. "That adventure with the Basilisk-All of Magical Britain owes you a debt of gratitude! Ah..." A few reporters with cameras appeared, and Fudge gave Harry a wink, "I hope you don't mind if I take the opportunity for a photo? You must forgive a politician, yes?"
"Er, I suppose?" Harry said with a shrug.
Petunia stood up and was by Harry's side in an instant.
"You may have one photo, Minister," Petunia stated calmly, but firmly. Fudge beamed at her, unphased by the steel in Petunia's voice.
"Ah! And the love Mrs. Dursley! Lucius Malfoy has told me about how you saved his son-Good show, good show! He's one of my biggest supporters, you know! Wonderful, wonderful!"
"Miss Evans, if you please," Petunia stated stiffly. "You have one photo, Minister."
"Ah, very protective of you, I see," Fudge said with a charming smile, "you have a good guardian, Harry."
"I..." Harry looked up at Petunia, and then back to the minister. He nodded. "Yeah... I guess I do."
Fudge posed alongside Harry, with Petunia slightly behind Harry and out of frame. As soon as the re[prters flashed their cameras, Petunia immediately pulled Harry away and put herself in between him and the press.
"That's enough. We have to be going now," Petunia said.
"Indeed, indeed! Off with you, now, go!" Fudge said, shooing the reporters away. A blonde woman with green glasses scowled.
"Come on! One photo? Harry's barely been available to the press! You gotta give us more-"
"No time!" Arthur said, his arms full of bags and trunks. The Twins were carrying their own stuff, and helping Hermione with hers. Molly was directing Ron, Ginny and Percy to the remainder of the luggage. Harry imagined they were very well versed in this sort of thing.
"No time, no time! Maybe later!" Fudge said. He smiled and nodded to them. "Well, I hope to see you again soon, Harry! Arthur, your family is looking wonderful! And Miss Evans! You are quite the beauty!"
"Yes, I know," Petunia said politely. She "accidentally" elbowed the air behind and in front of her, and two wizards fell over, their Invisibility Cloaks falling down and revealing them. Harry recognized their red robes-Aurors. Aurors that the blonde woman in green glasses tripped over with a squeal.
Fudge gaped in disbelief and shock.
"Your bodyguards need to wear less cologne!" Petunia tossed back, as the Weasley family, Harry and Hermione got out the doors.
The school year hadn't even started yet and already Dumbledore was dealing with multiple headaches. The Dementors being assigned to Hogwarts for security-Ridiculous! He had called in every favor he could, but the best he had gotten was assurance that the monsters would not enter Hogwarts itself!
"Of all the times for Cornelius Fudge to grow a backbone," Dumbledore grumbled to himself as he walked the g
Halls of his school, "this is the time?"
Granted, a basilisk roaming the hallways was more than enough to make anyone jumpy-Dumbledore included. He was all for more Aurors to be deployed to the school to improve security.
He may have had plans for Harry Potter, but he wasn't about to let anyone die if he could help it!
Especially when said plans would need reworking anyway. The heir to Gondor, indeed! Despite the weight on his shoulders, the old wizard couldn't help a little smile of pride as he walked out onto the Hogwarts grounds.
He knew Harry had greatness in him, but so much? In some ways, his journey would be easier. In others...
"Headmaster!" Professor Sprout waved at him from a familiar hill. At least, he thought it was familiar. Something in his mind stuck out as different, Something just out of reach of recollection...
"As I told you, Headmaster," Sprout said, looking worried, "it's gone. Completely. We cannot find it anywhere."
It took Dumbledore a moment to realize what she meant. His eyes widened.
"The Whomping Willow?"
Sprout nodded. She pointed to a strange trail, like the wake of a boat in water, that stretched from where the violent tree had sat. It led into the Forbidden Forest.
"I take it this isn't ordinary behavior from this species?" Dumbledore asked.
"No Headmaster, it is not."
Dumbledore sighed. His headache grew worse.
"I thought not."
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