Knowledge is Power
Disclaimer/Plot/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER
Dedication: I'd like to dedicate this story to my many good friends and loyal fans: my recommended reads are Saviour of Magic by Colt01, For Love of Magic by Noodlehammer, Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality by Less Wrong, Partially Kissed Hero by Perfect Lionheart, Harry Potter and the Daft Morons and Angry Harry and the Seven by Sinyk, Harry Potter and the Prince of Slytherin by The Sinister Man, Harry Potter and the Rune Stone Path by Temporal Knight, A Study in Magic and A Study in Magic: The Application by Books of Change, Dark and Light by Pleasedial123 and Harry Potter: My Life Is My Own by Sashian
Pairings: Eventual Harmony; Others TBD
Normal Speech
'Thoughts'
/Parseltongue/
Review Answers:
ILikeThis: I plan on dealing with that particular problem at the same time Harrison takes care of business with Malfoy;
ALSO: A huge thanks to everyone who has enjoyed this story and those who can't seem to help but nitpick about the smallest things and forget this is FAN FICTION!
Thanks to all of you, this story is now at 500 reviews and rising and, trust me, we're still a LONG way off from any sort of completion just yet; in fact, part of me has an idea of dividing this adventure between years, but I don't know yet…
"I will nullify the debt owed to my family if Draco Alexander Malfoy, Heir of the Noble House of Malfoy, will meet me on the field of battle, one month from now, on Samhain, with Lord Malfoy present to witness this for himself…what say you?"
"I accept."
Chapter 14: Shield and Sword
When Harrison returned to his dormitory following his public, but still-successful challenge towards Draco Malfoy, he was a little surprised to find Neville and Hermione waiting for him, the latter leaning against one of the chairs in the Common Room while Neville was sat in said chair, staring longingly into the fireplace.
As the entrance to the Chamber of Pride closed behind him, Harrison looked once to Neville and Hermione before, sighing softly, he walked past the brunette, but not before he drawled out a single remark that made Hermione's eyes widen when she heard it.
"I forgive you."
"Excuse me?" asked Hermione, watching as Harrison made his way towards the study, but when she questioned him, he stopped dead in his tracks and sighed as he turned to face her.
"You were the one to choose to forego our unofficial brotherhood out of some melodramatic desire to teach me a lesson I never wanted to learn, but after the better part of a month, you still didn't get the result you hoped for. Now, after making a tactless, reckless and all-round foolish mistake of your own in aiding Ronald Weasley by fuelling the fires of an obvious rivalry between his family and the Malfoys, here you are wanting to try and mend the broken bridges between us."
Then, while Hermione stared, Harrison shrugged as he asked, "Why else would you walk into my dormitory as though you own the place, Miss Granger? Because, if it's for any other reason, then what I should actually say is thank you, because you'll only succeed in giving me a reason to change my password, which is a shame as I've rather-enjoyed the reminder of the old fable."
"Harrison," Neville piped up, looking up from the chair in front of the fireplace while he cleared his throat as he went on, "While I won't defend what me and Hermione did, we're not here to try and make up for what we did. We're here because of what you just did in front of the entire school."
"What do you mean, Neville? All I did was give a way out to someone who didn't deserve it," drawled Harrison coolly, looking now to Neville as he added, "I don't need anyone telling me that I did anything otherwise, because while Weasley and Miss Granger were running around the school after-hours like headless chickens, some of us were using our brains to find a way to deal with the obvious trap brought on by the arrogant little boy who was foolishly-named after one of the great beasts of magic!"
While Hermione and Neville looked shocked and even incredulous at how cold Harrison still sounded, even after they'd both given him his space so he could cool off and maybe let them back into his circle, Harrison sniffed once as he looked to Hermione before he asked, "That reminds me, what were you doing interfering in an affair you had no need to be involved with?"
"I was trying to help my friend!" exclaimed Hermione, earning a scoff from Harrison.
"There's that word again…"
"Because we are friends, Harrison!" snapped Hermione suddenly, but all that succeeded in doing was earning another scoff from Harrison while she shook her head as she asked, "Merlin's beard, what's with you? Ever since I first met you, you've shown you have more twists and turns than the Spaghetti Junction with your emotions. You were willing to let us in and then, because I made one mistake, which I'll admit, I made it, but because of that, you shut us out again. And then you went off on one saying you knew I was trying to get you to open up and admit your feelings, but when you said it, you didn't even care you were saying it. Even when I…even when Professor Flitwick and Neville told you that we see you as a friend even if you don't, you pushed us further away. And now, you're doing it again when, logically, the best thing you can do is surround yourself with allies because, from what I've heard, Malfoy's not going to take your challenge lying down. And Lucius Malfoy will be there too, and…from what Neville's told me about him, he's as fierce as he is cunning."
"It's just a shame he never passed those traits to his son," remarked Harrison, looking up from his musings as he went on, "But if you're offering to help me prepare for my challenge, Miss Granger, I'd welcome it, but before I do, let me ask you something."
"What?" asked Hermione.
"You say you see me as a…a friend," said Harrison, his voice edged by a note of hurt and disdain for the very mention of the word, though he didn't let it disrupt his concentration, or his cold, formal, stern demeanour as he continued, "But in the past month, you've openly-stated I should have died ten years ago when Voldemort killed my parents and, on more than one occasion, today included, you've tried to stick your nose in where you don't belong and, even when I drop a subtle, but open hint about my past, you still chose to belittle me. In the process, as much as you say I pushed you away, you tried to do the same with a pretty clever attempt to manipulate my emotions into opening up and then, when I told you I wouldn't fall for it, you tried even harder to coerce me into letting you in rather than doing what I can only assume a real…one of those…would do and let me have my secrets and understand when I'd rather not talk and not be as openly-pathetic as everyone seems to love thinking I am just because they read my name in a book and word-of-mouth that's more like hearsay discussed in a pathetic tabloid newspaper."
Here, Harrison clenched his fists so tightly that Hermione and Neville saw them trembling as he turned away from their gaze before he went on in a soft, hissing tone of voice, "When will you people understand that nobody knows me, but does that mean they all have the right to try and be the first to do it? What do they expect will happen? A jackpot awarded to them? A holiday in Majorca? Maybe even a hallowed entry into the Guinness Book of Records: the first one to crack the impossible code."
As he said the last part, Harrison stiffened before he turned to Hermione once again as he told her, "I told you, Hermione…I tried being a normal kid and all I got was hurt; I also told you I took on mind games and attempts to tug on my heartstrings like one's playing a violin and yet, despite all that happened afterwards, I'm still standing. So, tell me something, Hermione Granger…"
Before Hermione could ask what he wanted her to say, Harrison walked towards her, standing so close that she could see the fire in his green eyes as he asked her, "For all your smarts, which I have always admired, even though this is the first time I admit it, but for all you know and all the observations you make, did it never occur to you that these same pains have made me so closed off and, dare I say it, sociopathic to the point of inhumanly-mature? Or were you just trying to enjoy being such an insufferable know-it-all who needs to know everyone else's business…"
The sound of Hermione's hand striking Harrison's cheek not only cut off his tirade, but it was so sudden and sharp that the sound was more like a gunshot in the silence of the Common Room.
While Neville looked on in disbelief and surprise, Hermione watched as Harrison's eyes widened before he looked to her, his expression not only disbelief, but also pain and what looked like fear, if not anxiety, as he looked at her.
As for Hermione, she seemed as stone-faced as he was, though her voice betrayed that image, "Do you think, for one second, Harrison James Potter, you're the only one who was hurt, belittled and went through pain because you were smarter than everyone else around you? Do you think you're the only one who believed he didn't want friends, even though a time would come where he needs them because, if nothing else, they keep him grounded and make sure he has someone watching his back?"
As Harrison stared, his fingers reached up and touched the slowly-forming bruise on his cheek while Hermione swallowed hard as she looked deep into his emerald-green eyes as she told him, "I…I'm sorry I hit you, but…but it was the only thing I could think of doing that would get you to listen to someone other than your own ego for once. And you're right, before I say anything else, I'll admit this: you're right that I was hoping to find out more about you, but not so I could claim to know more about you than you do or anyone else. I wanted to find out more about you because, when I first met you, I saw you for who you were and I was surprised."
Here, she gulped before she looked to Neville as she explained, "Harrison and I first met Weasley before we met you, Neville, and when we did, I used a bit of my own cunning to hide my true self behind a mask. One that worked because it got rid of him, but it also gave me a chance to see what Harrison would do…and he…you didn't disappoint me."
She indicated Harrison as she said the last part, but the emerald-eyed scion said nothing while Hermione went on, "And when you found out I knew who you were, I told you…and I'm quoting directly here, I told you that you're the first person I've met who accepts my studious nature without being so cruel about it at the same time. And, although I was curious about the book in your hands, you still chose to let me stick around and study on my own instead of being like anyone else I've met. So, tell me, Harrison, shouldn't that have been a clue that you're not alone in having suffered for being clever and more-studious than anyone else?"
"I…" Harrison began, but before he could finish, he was cut off when Hermione put her hand over his mouth.
"No, you don't get to talk," said Hermione, shaking her head while she actually pushed her hand so she was practically smothering Harrison's lips as she told him, "I thought I could wait before saying this, but since you're being worse than ever, I can't wait anymore, so let me say it and then you can speak. And I swear, if you try and contradict me again, Harrison, I will smack you stupid!"
Harrison's eyes widened as he heard how serious Hermione was about this.
He'd never really thought about it before, but she was a little scary.
Brilliant – there was no doubt about that – but scary!
As Hermione slowly lowered her hand from Harrison's mouth, she cleared her throat as she went on, "You then quoted Einstein when you told me what the best way was for me to try and figure out, for myself, who you were. But it was before that same explanation that I realised you weren't the Boy-Who-Lived, but I didn't know who you were. All I had was a name…and the possibility of friendship, even if it was only me thinking it; not once did I want to try and convince you to think the same of me…that's just not who I am."
Turning away from Harrison, who still stood and watched with silent awe and disbelief, as well as a now-visible red mark on his left cheek where Hermione had struck him, Hermione moved to one of the spare chairs by the fireplace before she perched herself on the arm of the chair as she went on, "Then, when we were talking about punishments, you showed the cold side of you that we've all seen lately, but that was a mistake on my part, one I've never tried to repeat since then; you just thought I did. What was it you said?"
"We're travelling companions, but that doesn't make us friends, let alone on a level of trust where such personal things are freely given," replied Harrison, his voice edged by the same dazed feeling he had inside him thanks to Hermione's surprising move, even as he went on, "Secrets should remain secret until the time is chosen for them to be spoken."
"And that time wasn't when I wanted, but you," said Hermione, now indicating the Chamber of Pride around them before she continued, "Then, after your surprising Sorting, you let us come here because you saw something in Neville and I, and I still don't know what it is about Neville that makes you able to be so open with him…open and friendly too, but I…I don't care anymore. Because, when you were working with him, even when I was here too, you…you were…you were normal."
"Hate to admit it, but she's got a point," remarked Neville, earning a scoff from Harrison as he looked to the green-eyed boy before he asked, "Why do you act so different around me, Harrison? Heck, you even came to visit me after the Flying disaster; all right, you didn't say anything. You just looked me over and gave a curt nod, but why did you do that, especially if we're not friends?"
"That's a story for another time," said Harrison, looking now to Hermione before he asked, "So what are you trying to say, Granger? Do you want me to say that I do sympathise with your past and that you're right and I'm wrong? Do you want me to beg for your forgiveness for my slight against you even though you clearly recall how you felt when you pushed me too far once before?"
"I just want my friend back," said Hermione honestly, shaking her head when Harrison scoffed again as she went on. "I said, my friend, Harrison; even if he doesn't see me as it, I…I do, okay? And I want to be able to help him because I want to help him, for no other reason except that. I want to feel like I belong again because, ever since we parted ways, aside from Neville, everyone else has made me feel like I did in the Muggle world: like an outcast. But do you know what I want most of all, Harrison?"
Harrison shook his head, earning a sigh from Hermione before she told him, "I want to be happy knowing that you have whatever you want, even if I don't fully understand it; I mean, before that first Potions lesson, we were happy…or at least, Neville and I were, while you seemed content; relaxed, even. But then, for reasons you don't have to explain, even if we heard what you and Professor Flitwick said. I want our little gang…our fam…I want the Golden Trio back together, studying and being able to trust us to help each other."
"The Golden Trio," scoffed Harrison, earning a clearing of the throat from Neville, as though reminding him to keep the peace, even as Hermione continued her tirade.
"I mean, you haven't even offered a remedial lesson to us to help with Defence or anything; and I know that's my fault, okay? I get that and, yes, I admit it: I did try and trap you, make you be more open with us, but I shouldn't have done that. I have no right to do that, Harrison, no-one does. And I'm sorry about the misunderstanding about touching you, which I guess I've made worse hitting you, but…please…just please let us help you!"
"I can't," argued Harrison suddenly, his voice low and edged by a cold air of pain as he turned away from Hermione as he made his way to the door.
"Why not?" chorused Neville and Hermione, though the latter looked up at her friend as she asked, "Why can't you let us help you?"
"Because…" said Harrison, clenching his fists tightly once more before he gasped through clenched teeth, "I don't know how to let you help…"
"How about we start with your challenge to Malfoy?" asked Neville suddenly, swallowing down his worries with regards to what Harrison meant with those words while he suggested, "You need someone to help prepare you for anything while, at the same time, if you are willing to let us, we can help watch your back. Hermione says she wants the Trio back? Then let's bring them back; a sword and shield protecting the main man in the Trio; and I don't need your smarts or Hermione's to know that main man is you, Harrison."
"Hear, hear," said Hermione, clenching her own hands into fists while she told Harrison, "And…and I promise you; I'll even swear a witch's oath to it, Harrison; I…I won't ask you about anything, even if you accidentally let it out. Just please, let us help you figure out how we can help you…and then we can deal with whatever comes next as…as a team…"
"As a family," whispered Harrison, though when he said it, Hermione's blood ran cold when she saw something she never expected to see him do.
A single, semi-transparent tear suddenly rolled down Harrison's cheek, its shimmering form almost-shining in the light of the Chamber.
As Hermione saw it, she gulped very hard, so hard in fact that it seemed to stick in her chest, before she said, "If you're willing to let us be…then yes; after all, you're a student of all four Houses, so, sooner or later, as McGonagall said, that's going to make for one big family."
Silence followed her words before, as the other two watched, Harrison looked to Hermione before he told her, "I…I guess I could use a sparring partner and…and someone to…to suggest some spells that might help."
As Hermione smiled, Harrison's lip twitched before he added, "And I guess we could use the Mystica for some added help too, so I guess it's about time I fulfil my promise from the train and let you look at it, right…Hermione?"
"Only if you want to," said Hermione, but rather than respond, Harrison walked into the study at long last, leaving the two Gryffindors alone in the Common Room of the Chamber of Pride.
Once he was sure Harrison wouldn't hear him, Neville looked to Hermione before he asked, "What just happened?"
"I think we just helped Harrison open his eyes to the truth," said Hermione, earning a curious look from Neville before the brunette waved it off as she told him, "I don't know why he is…the way he is or what happened before us, Neville, but right now, we have to be exactly what you said."
Here, she indicated a stunned, but curious-looking Neville as she told him, "You must be his sword: for whatever reason, he trusts you and is able to be more…more-normal around you, so you have to be the sword for him. You have to do what you can to help rid him of his enemies and his own weaknesses…and I must be his shield."
"So, what? Your job is to protect him?" asked Neville curiously, earning a shrug from Hermione as she looked back to him.
"Only if he's willing to raise his hand and use me to do so, because, if he doesn't, and if he can't be helped against the evils out there, it might just destroy him…in ways none of us can begin to predict."
A different, somewhat-emotional and passionate Chapter 14 and it looks like the band's back together, but can Neville and Hermione really become the shield and sword to help Harrison succeed in his future endeavours?
Also, will Hermione's impressive tirade be able to do anything to open the door any further than Harrison seems to have opened it with regards to letting his friends – even though he doesn't admit they're such – into his life?
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: Filius offers help preparing Harrison for his bout, but his offer is cut short when a certain someone decides he's let things go on long enough: unfortunately for him, Harrison's not willing to just let it go and let bygones be bygones;
Please Read and Review
AN: Hermione
So, I admit, this chapter was a bit spur of the moment and might seem a bit random, if unnecessary, but after everything the Trio have been through, and given a few comments about it in reviews, I wanted to bring everything back to ground zero with regards to them working together as they used to.
As for Hermione striking Harrison to get him to wake up and see the truth, that was just something I put in for a bit of humour: after all, as a certain ferret learned, she's got a mean right hook and, as it says in this chapter, she's brilliant, but scary.
Also, Harrison's starting to see he's not alone in his troubled past, but he does have people willing to listen if and when he chooses to let them in…but the question is:
Will he?
Keep reading to find out
