Chapter five

Later that night Harry and Neville pretended to sleep until Pomfrey went to her rooms, then they talked in whispers. They were tired but were determined to stay awake until Snape arrived. Neither Harry nor Neville was sure Snape would want to talk in front of Neville so unless Snape realised Neville was awake, he was going to pretend to be asleep. Harry didn't think Snape would really care, he knew Neville had been acting as a bodyguard and he knew about the twins who got Harry out of competing.

Neville closed his eyes and half buried his head into his pillow when he heard footsteps, Harry pushed himself up as Snape got close.

'Good, you're awake.'

'I knew this must be important so I stayed awake. You said you found something in my blood?'

'There is a lot to go into but yes, I found that you had a few other potions given to you, ones that do not wear off, they need the antidote.'

'What type of potions?'

'One is to suppress your magic, one to block any gifts you may have and one is a loyalty potion. That last one has been expelling itself from your system over the last few years.'

'That would mean I was given it before I came to Hogwarts, but I didn't know I was a wizard until Hagrid came to give me my letter.'

'Excuse me?'

'Hagrid, see, the muggles, the Dursley's kept destroying my letters. They were scared because they were addressed to my cupboard. Then they thought they could outrun witches and wizards, but Hagrid found us and explained I was a wizard. He took me shopping to get my Hogwarts stuff.'

'We will get back to that, especially the comment about the cupboard. Yes, these potions must have been given to you as a child. When, I cannot say. Now as you were raised by muggles in a muggle neighbourhood a potion can be given to stop accidental magic. But that is not the potion you were given otherwise you would not have been able to perform any magic.'

'I did some accidental stuff when I was young, I had no idea it was me though.'

'All children will do accidental magic when they are upset or angry. Now I have no idea who the Dursley's are but they must have made you angry or upset at times to do magic.'

'Petunia Dursley is my mother's sister.'

'You…you were given to Petunia?'

'Yeah, Dumbledore left me there. When I found out I lost my respect for him and over the last year or so I've actually began to…well, hate him. I told him how they treat me, all he tells me is I'm safer there. How safe am I when my whale of an uncle likes to use his fists on me,' Harry sighed, 'But these potions, to suppress my magic, is that why I have so much trouble with spells?'

'Yes, you are only accessing about a quarter of your magical powers. Tell me, at any time when you were a child did you change anything about yourself or dream of being a particular animal?'

'I never changed anything but my aunt shaved my head, except my fringe to keep my scar hidden. It grew back overnight. I did dream of an animal; it was a hawk with white wing tips.'

'The gifts that were blocked was your metamorphmagus ability and your animagus ability. I can understand blocking your metamorph abilities when you live with muggles, a child will change certain aspects of themselves when they are upset. If you did that in front of too many muggles then our world could be in danger of being discovered. But since you're animagus ability and magic was also blocked I would say this was done deliberately.'

'Why would they do this and who would do it?'

'I was told you were being raised by a distant relative of your father's that is why I believed you were just like him. I was lied to, so I would say that the headmaster is the one to give you these potions. I have no idea why. I owe you an apology Mr. Potter. I was led to believe you were loved, even spoilt by your family so I assumed you would be like your father. I told the truth when I said he was arrogant, he was, but to be completely honest, he was well liked and only showed that arrogance to me and other Slytherin students. You're father and godfather were popular boys, they would often bully weaker students or students who were different. I happen to be on the end of their treatment many times. I see you, your father's face and thought you would be like that.'

'I would never bully anyone; I know what that's like. My cousin and his gang bully me all the time. Here at Hogwarts bully's use magic, muggles use their fists and feet, especially on anyone smaller than them. I despise bullies almost as much as I despise Voldemort,' Harry growled.

'Yes, I can see you do. Now the last potion, the loyalty potion which is considered a dark potion but it's not illegal. You said you're feelings towards the headmaster has changed over the last year, I would say it was given to you so you would remain loyal to him but since it is slowly leaving you, that's why your feelings towards him have changed.'

'At the end of my first year I asked if I could stay at Hogwarts, that the Dursley's were mean and cruel. He went on about family and how my mother's sacrifice kept me safe but only there. I believed him then. Second year, before I started, I was locked in my room for weeks. But one day they stopped giving me food, Fred, George and Ron rescued me in the flying car. I wrote to Dumbledore because I got blamed for doing magic but it was Dobby, the house elf. He was warning me about the danger at Hogwarts, he didn't want me to return. It was to do with the chamber of secrets and how Malfoy, um, Lucius Malfoy slipped Voldemort's diary into Ginny Weasley's cauldron when we went shopping. Dumbledore again told me I had to stay with my mother's blood, she sacrificed herself so I would be safe. It was the beginning of my third year that I realised he kept playing on my feelings for my mother, I hated him for using my mother like that.'

'As do I, but you and Mr. Longbottom must not reveal how I feel or how either of you feel. And yes I know he is awake, I do not mind. Now, I made the antidotes for the three potions, there is one problem, you will feel very weak to begin with, your magic may release in one go or in small bursts. We will need to find a way for you to be away from everyone for at least four hours, I would prefer six.'

'What about the next Hogsmeade visit?' Neville suggested.

'I was going to see Mr. Grenich about all the legal stuff,' Harry's brow furrowed, 'I'll work on seeing him another time, he can keep writing to me on how everything is going.'

'You've seen a lawyer?'

'Yeah, it started because of the lies written in those books, then Neville told me about the dolls and stuff, he's going to find out who is getting the money for that, since I'm not. But he's going to be taking the Dursley's to court for child abuse. Um, since you're helping me and I really need someone to trust, an adult and a teacher, I should tell you about my dream, or visions, Dumbledore knows I get them.'

'Very well.'

'In one dream Peter Pettigrew is with Voldemort, he has sort of a little body thing. Peter is feeding Voldemort snake milk from Nagini, his snake, it's huge. One time they are talking to another man about using me, taking me, something about my blood, it has to be my blood. Someone put my name in the cup, I thought at first it was to get me killed or a set up by someone like Malfoy. Now I'm not so sure, not if this dream was a real vision. It seems that when I dream and my scar hurts at the same time it's real. If this is real and they want my blood, couldn't that mean there is someone here, inside Hogwarts that is working with Voldemort?'

'Since you did not trust the headmaster you felt like you could not trust anyone, this though could be dangerous so I am glad you told me. If there is a supporter inside the castle then they must be using polyjuice potion. My store cupboard has been broken into. I thought it may have been you since I know you did brew it during second year, how I have no idea.'

'Hermione brewed it and we needed to become Slytherin's to find out if Malfoy was the Heir of Slytherin. But I give my word that I've never stolen anything from you.'

'I believe you, but someone here is so they are not who they appear to be. I will work on that, for now I like Mr. Longbottom's suggestion. The day before your next Hogsmeade visit, break a vial or spill something in my class, which will allow me to give you detention. Naturally I will take points, but they will be returned.'

'I really don't care about points Sir, there is a dangerous person here. If they can't get me or my blood then they might hurt others. I'll make sure to do something just not dangerous.'

'Study page three hundred and twenty of your potions book, it will allow you to decide what you will use. I must go before Poppy decides to check up on her patient. Remember, keep this to yourselves, we have no idea who to trust.'

'We promise,' Harry and Neville said together then watched as Snape left the hospital. Both boys had a lot on their minds but it was also late. They decided to talk the next day and try to figure out who might be after Harry, especially now he's out of the triwizard tournament. It could mean they try to get Harry some other way.

When Harry was released the following morning, he was still weak. Madam Pomfrey said he must rest and could not return to classes for another two days. So, Neville walked slowly beside Harry until they got to Gryffindor tower. They stepped into the dorm room to see Hedwig sitting on Harry's bed.

'Hey girl, did you come for attention or food?'

'Actually, I went and got her this morning since you said you needed to write those letters.'

'Thanks Neville, I just have to be careful what I write. I know they won't say anything but we gave him our word.'

'Well, Snuffles mainly wants to know how you are and Mr. Grenich will need to be told about changing the day of your next meeting.'

'Yeah, I will just go with that, leave the other thing until I've had the...you know.'

Neville saw Harry gesture with his head towards the portraits, 'Do you think he uses them?'

'After hearing what he did, I wouldn't put anything past him,' Harry pulled his bag onto the bed, 'Won't be long Hedwig, then you need to deliver two letters for me. Did you let your Gran know Neville?'

'Yep, wrote yesterday but as you said, we gave our word, so I'll wait.

Harry wrote first to Sirius then to his attorney, he sealed both envelopes then tied them with the strap on Hedwig's leg.

'Safe flight girl, but take your time,' Harry smiled as his owl hooted happily before taking off through the window, 'Since I have to stay resting, I might as well catch up on our class work.'

'I saw all the notes from our classes next to your bed. I'm sure the teachers will allow you to take your time.'

'Probably, but to make...um, forget that, I'll do Snape's, as I'm sure he won't care what he was told,' Harry raised his eyebrows, Neville nodded. Harry might be acting a bit paranoid but someone did enter him into the triwizard tournament. There must be a reason and one of those reasons could be to kill him, or even get him to Voldemort, if that dream was a vision. It was time to be more cautious.