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:

So, before we get started with responses for this chapter, a special shout-out to an old friend, StormyFireDragon, who's reviewed this story in some chapters; thanks, Storm and, like many others, I hope you enjoy the adventure as we continue;

And now for the responses…

Nysk: Sorry to say, you may find yourself disappointed when things come out;

T4: Dumbledore…a rocky road riding ally: Severus…an adversary who'll get his comeuppance, but I won't say when or in what form;

Jostanos: How true, my friend; how true;

Lightningblade49: Walking a tightrope as thin as a strand of hair across a pit of ravenous crocodiles with boiling hot water also waiting at the bottom of the pit: let's hope he doesn't fall;

Sort of like Accidental Magic on a much-higher scale to the point where Harrison was literally under the control of his own emotions, which Harrison didn't like one bit.

He was the master of his own fate, not the unknown power within him, whatever it was.

Chapter 18: Bah, Humbug!

After the drama surrounding Harrison and Draco's duel, life slowly started to return to normal for Hogwarts.

Although many of the students still chose to discuss the dramatic conclusion and the unusual way Harrison had been made numb to his pains until the duel was over, for Harrison himself, the time that followed was filled with three things: study, self-reflection and a sense of something suspicious that was going on, both inside and outside him.

His scars from Sectumsempra still hadn't healed: according to Madam Pomfrey, without the proper aid from a Healer whom was more-experienced than her in the treatment of such curse scars, it was highly-unlikely they ever would.

Still, Harrison did learn Draco had been given a fortnight's detention and a year's ban from playing for the Slytherin Quidditch Team for using such clearly-dark magic on another student. Even if Harrison had said there were no restrictions, Malfoy was still a student and, as such, he had to face the consequences like everyone else.

Of course, no-one but Harrison seemed to figure out how useless the second punishment was because of the rule that said first-years couldn't play Quidditch anyway, but he relented when he heard it was Snape himself who'd given the punishment.

'Of course, who else would show such obvious favouritism under the guise of punishments?'

Knowledge is Power

Thanks to his allowance from Dumbledore, Harrison managed to spend more time in the Chamber of Pride, though when he did so, Filius, Neville and Hermione were all worried to notice how the boy spent most of his time, if not all of it, poring over books in the library, as well as the Mystica, to find out more about his weird experiences in the duel.

More than once, Hermione – who'd taken it upon herself to supervise Harrison's recovery – found Harrison unconscious in the training room or the library, a book sprawled open nearby or, at other times, she found his wand smoking from the overexertion and ferocity of his training.

More than once, she also reported to Filius about how Harrison seemed to have become obsessed with theories and research on spells like his Lightning Whip, as though trying to figure out how he'd cast a spell he'd never even read about. While he was in this state of mind, Hermione knew it'd be pretty stupid, if not useless to disturb Harrison while he was in research mode while, at the same time, she couldn't help but worry about her friend's wellbeing, if not his mindset.

In truth, ever since she'd seen him fall and scream bloody murder in the duel, Hermione had started to worry more about Harrison.

Knowledge is Power

When she'd heard him scream, Hermione had felt more than just worry.

His scream had been more than just pain.

It was almost like the experience of pain, let alone the sight, smell and tang of his blood was so alien to Harry that he always thought himself able to survive and take on any challenge with little in the way of collateral damage.

As such, he didn't believe he could be hurt because his sharpest weapon was also his greatest defence.

And that weapon and defence was Harrison's mind.

But then Harrison had been seriously, if not almost-grievously wounded in the duel against Malfoy, and Hermione, along with everyone else, had seen Harrison Potter's diamond-hard will crumble like sand between his fingers.

And now, like when he'd first taken on Professor Snape in Potions and distanced himself from Neville and Hermione after Hermione had made the mistake of touching him and making an ill-advised choice to try and get through to him, Harrison was trying to rebuild that sand and re-forge that diamond-hard wall of will using knowledge and studies as his distractions.

And yet, while Hermione knew it was better to leave him to it, lest he turn his unseen ire on her or anyone else, she couldn't help but worry.

What else could she do?

He was her friend.

Knowledge is Power

As November disappeared and December drew around, a different kind of air came to Hogwarts as the up-and-coming time of Christmas started to take hold of the minds and hearts of staff and students alike.

While an array of large trees started to be noticeable being carried by Hagrid into the Great Hall and the white blanket of snow that came with the wintertime atmosphere started to cover the grounds, the students started to discuss their plans for winter and the holidays that were coming. Some talked about parties and the who's who that'd be there while others talked about going home or going on holiday with friends and family for one reason or another.

Among the not-so-Golden-Trio, however, talk about Christmas took a weird turn.

Namely because of the conversation that turned to such a direction…

Knowledge is Power

"Have either of you ever heard of a Mind Palace?"

Suffice to say, Neville and Hermione were both surprised to hear Harrison finally break his in-study vow of silence to speak to them.

However, when both of them looked up from their respective seats around the fireplace in the Chamber of Pride, they were both just as surprised, but also curious by the fact Harrison was lying in front of the aforementioned fireplace, his hands linked behind his head while his eyes were closed in thought. The warm flames from the fireplace seemed to create a wall of shadows that danced along Harrison's body, bathing him in its glow and the warmth that came with it, though Harrison didn't seem too bothered by that.

Instead, he seemed to be considering whatever thoughts had led to his strange question, which prompted Hermione to ask, "What?"

"A Mind Palace," replied Harrison, his eyes still closed while his brow furrowed as he explained, "It's something I read about in the Mystica: it's a high-level Occlumency technique that takes one years to master because of the organisation and mental strength required to be aware of it, even when you're not in a state of thought."

"Sounds impossible," remarked Neville, looking up from the Potions homework they'd meant to be working on over the impending holidays, but the Trio had agreed among themselves to take care of it before then.

"Sure does," agreed Harrison, before he earned a gasp from Hermione as he rolled over onto his stomach, drawing him nearer to the flames while he also rested his head on his hands, propping himself up on his elbows.

And yet, he still didn't open his eyes, even as he continued with his explanations to his two friends-not-friends, "But, apparently, a Mind Palace is capable of hiding secrets of magic even from the maker itself: according to the book, the more-complex your Palace is, the deeper you can go and the more information you can amass."

"Sounds weird," reasoned Hermione, looking to Neville, who shrugged ruefully before Hermione looked back to Harrison as she asked him, "Why are you asking about these things, Harrison?"

"Just a thought," muttered Harrison, rolling onto his back once again, which, to Hermione's relief, took him away from the flames.

At the same time, both Neville and Hermione smiled when they saw Loki move from where he'd been lying comfortably at the feet of his master to snuggle up against the warmth of Harrison's body.

As the black cat lay across his stomach, purring contentedly from the warmth he was giving off, Harrison's lip twitched in amusement before he reached down and tickled Loki behind his ears in a cute, if not carefree manner.

Once again, Hermione glanced to Neville, who shrugged again before, heaving a sigh, he looked to Harrison as he said, "Listen, Harrison, since we've now got your attention for longer than thirty seconds, I think we ought to have a talk about the holidays."

"I hope you have a nice time," drawled Harrison.

While Hermione looked intrigued by his casual response, Neville cleared his throat before he told his friend, "I…I'm sure I will, but…um…Hermione and I have been wondering…are you staying or are you…"

"I'm staying, naturally," answered Harrison, still refusing to open his eyes even as he added, "I figured that I might go and check out some books on elemental magic in the library. Maybe go and investigate some of the flowers that grow in winter; heck, I might even push the boat out and go take a walk in the woods. See what's so dangerous about this so-called Forbidden Forest; who knows?"

"Uh…Harrison," replied Hermione, swallowing down her worries before she asked, "You…you do know it…it's Christmas, don't you?"

"Actually, it's known as the Winter Solstice, Hermione," argued Harrison, earning a nod of mutual agreement from Neville before Harrison added, "I don't know about you two, but I'd certainly like to find a way to pay my respects to Mother Magic for her gifts. Also, I've got a little added research to do about a more-personal task that's escaped my attention for a while now thanks to Malfoy and his ilk, so who knows? Maybe the peace and quiet will come in handy; I might even ask Professor Flitwick if I can access Ravenclaw Tower for a look in their…"

"Harrison, don't you get we're trying to invite you to join us?" asked Hermione, cutting off whatever else Harrison might have said.

In response, Harrison's right hand – the one stroking Loki – twitched before a low sigh escaped Harrison as he moved, lifting himself from his spot in front of the fireplace while he finally opened his eyes as he asked, "Why?"

"Because…because that's what friends do over the holidays," replied Hermione, indicating the nearest window as she explained, "They…they go out and have fun, take part in snowball fights, build armies of snowmen, go sleigh riding and…and they decorate the house in tinsel and other stuff. I mean…if this is your dorm, couldn't you have made it look a bit more Christmassy?"

"Why?"

"Because it's traditional," answered Neville.

"Why?"

"Who do you think you are? Socrates?" asked Hermione, earning a smirk from Harrison as she told him, "No-one ever needs a reason why; even my parents close the surgery for the full fortnight surrounding Christmas and New Year. They then wait until I finish school before they decorate the house and we…we have fun. I don't even think about school until after Boxing Day, so…"

"What's the point?" asked Harrison coolly, earning surprised looks from both Hermione and Neville before they watched as he got to his feet, Loki now nestled in his arms where Harrison continued stroking his cat as he explained, "Christmas is just a time for false promises, too much food and drink, too many sweets and not enough genuine affection. Oh, and then there's the overspending and the ridiculous idea that a gift makes up for something; and don't get me started on New Year's Resolutions!"

"But Harry," insisted Hermione, her shock now more evident than ever as she asked, "How…how can you be so…such a…a Scrooge about this?"

Again, Harrison smirked slyly before he put on a surly, if not disgruntled look as he drawled out a response.

"If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with Merry Christmas on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!"

As Hermione stared at Harrison with a slack-jawed expression, Neville's eyes suddenly narrowed before he asked, "Harrison, have you ever had a Christmas you could enjoy? Or even a decent time with…with people you enjoy being around?"

This time, Harrison didn't respond.

Hermione seemed to get the hint as quickly as Neville did, resulting in her looking at Harrison with a shocked, if not pitying look as she asked, "Are you saying you've never had a real, merry Christmas? No fun times, silly games, carol singing, snowball fights or anything? Not even a present?"

"I had a present…"

"That you didn't secretly buy for yourself," added Hermione, remembering when she'd come across Harrison reading his copy of Copperfield and told her how he'd gotten it.

"Oh," answered Harrison, before he shrugged as he added, "Then no…now, if you'll both excuse me, I need to make sure Hedwig's healthy enough to look after herself and then I should check the warming charms on my bed. Then it's time for lunch."

With that, he left the two kids alone, though Hermione still couldn't help but feel sorry, if not hurt that her best friend was so alone at such a good time of year; true, he'd never really told them anything about his time pre-Hogwarts, choosing instead to be mysterious and vague with the details.

But that didn't mean Hermione and Neville couldn't put the pieces together themselves.

As Neville looked to Hermione, she swallowed before opening her mouth to respond…

"Oh," said Harrison suddenly, surprising both students as they saw him stick his head around the door between the bedroom and the Common Room, "By the way, Hermione, you can tell your parents I'd be honoured to accept their invitation…but, regrettably, I don't have a gift to give them at this time of the year…except my hopefully-welcome company."

Then he was gone again.

As Hermione looked from the door to her other best friend, she gulped before she asked, "Did…did we really just hear that?"

"Hang on," said Neville, lifting a hand before he slapped himself across the face, wincing from the pain as he added, "Yep…we heard it, but what do you think changed his mind?"

"Good will to all men?" asked Hermione, earning a soft laugh from Neville before the brunette frowned as she asked, "What about you, Neville? Are you sure your Gran won't mind you spending the holidays in a Muggle household?"

"Compared to the thought of having to come up with an excuse to miss the Ministry Ball for the Chosen Few, you mean?" asked Neville, earning a shrug from Hermione before the young boy laughed;

"She'd be bloody delighted to know I've made plans."

Chapter 18 and, huh, talk about weird: Harrison's actually willing to spend time with people who aren't just Neville and Hermione and he seems to want to celebrate the holidays: what changed his mind?

Also, will the magical atmosphere of the most wonderful time of the year be able to thaw the ice in Harrison's heart or will he perhaps need three ghosts of his own to change his tune?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapter: Harrison, Neville and Hermione experience the fun and games of a Muggle Christmas, but Harrison still seems frosty;

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