Unexpected Present
Harry was unfortunate enough to meet Professor Trelawney on his way to the Headmaster's office. She seemed deeply focused on her deck of cards, mumbling nonsense as she passed him in a hurry. She momentarily stopped but then moved again paying zero attention to Harry who had just passed by.
"How does she make up these stuff? How come a Knave of spades means whatever she said?" Harry murmured to himself before moving on. He proceeded to the seventh floor and stood in front of the gargoyle.
He gave it the password and stood on the stairs which took him to the door of the Headmaster's office.
The office was a bit different from last week as Dumbledore had added a new instrument to his collection of weird tools. It was put right next to a book titled, Horcruxes.
"Good evening, sir."
"Good evening, Harry." Dumbledore responded, "I see that you're interested in my new magical tool."
"What is it, sir? Harry asked.
"It's a very special device that Professor Slughorn has built for me. As you can see it has two metal poles attached to it's top. Those poles are connected to the Dark Detector I gave Hermione. When she finds the Horcrux, I shall know as well."
Fawkes looked at Harry and sang beautifully. Harry smiled at the bird and nodded.
"Harry, we have already told you about Horcruxes. You know Tom has more than one. I think it's necessary for you to understand how Tom got to where he is now. So I have this," Dumbledore showed Harry a tiny bottle containing a silvery substance. "This, as Richie Bloom once said, will show us how the Potion went really wrong." He stood up and moved toward his pensive. "This is a memory, Harry. You'll be entering the pensive with me to see it. Oddly, this time you'll enter with my permission, too."
The memory belonged to Bob Odgen who was employed by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and sadly dead. Dumbledore had procured the memory some time ago. Harry looked at the pensive eagerly as he uncorked the bottle and poured the memory in it.
The memory was interesting and frightening perhaps but not very informative in Harry's mind until Dumbledore explained who the Gaunts were. He was horrified by the notion that Merope had poisoned Tom Riddle sr. with a love potion. Even more so when he realized Riddle had abandoned her while she was pregnant.
"Professor, should I tell Hermione about what I saw today?" Harry asked.
"My boy, that's your own choice to make. If you deem it necessary for her to know then tell her."
Harry left the office thinking deeply about what he had seen. He had always known that life was not fair, and it certainly had been more than unfair to him. Yet Harry had never given up on being good. Apparently, Voldemort had made a different choice than his. He had decided to take revenge from the world around him while Harry had decided to save those who were dear to him.
"Perhaps we both do take drastic measures." Harry whispered to himself as he remembered saving Ginny Weasley from the basilisk.
**HP**
Harry held the first official DA session a week later. This time the he only allowed those who had attended it before, or a member could vouch for them. The infamous five who had followed Harry to Department of Mysteries where there. Dean and Lavender where there, too. A Ravenclaw who Harry recognised from their Alchemy sessions came just before Daphne Greengrass and Theodore Nott entered the room to other members' surprise.
"Fin." Greengrass greeted the Ravenclaw.
"Greengrass, I didn't know you were coming."
"Potter is quite apt at teaching. I hope he can review some of things Moriarty teaches." she said.
Both Slytherins were here because Hermione had allowed it.
"I don't think anyone else will join us." said Harry. "We'll start with something we've worked on before. I've added a little twist thought."
He walked toward a small cupboard that he had acquired from Filch.
"There is a Boggart inside this cupboard."
"I think Lupin covered that ages ago." said Nott.
"Shut up, Nott." Ron said.
"Calm down, Ron. He's right. Lupin did cover Boggarts three years ago. We are going to use this one for a different purpose. My boggart is a Dementor and it looks quite real. I want us to practice our shields against something similar to a Dementor."
Daphne nodded approvingly.
"Can you three produce a corporeal Patronus?" Hermione asked the Slytherins and Fin.
"I can produce some vapors, but Theodore can make a tangible shield." Daphne responded ashamedly.
"I really have no idea how it works." Fin responded nervously.
Harry took time to explain the spell to him and asked him to observe others for that session.
Right after their first attempt, everyone realised how unprepared they had been.
"I didn't think it would be so real." said Ron as he panted heavily on the ground. Nott and Greengrass were much paler than usual and Fin had fainted. Neville was crying on the ground and Ginny was whimpering. The only one who had easily resisted the dementor effects was Hermione who was standing uncomfortably next to Harry who was shaking slightly.
Neville looked at her sadly. He didn't know why but her resilience was disturbing him greatly.
"How come you're okay, Lestrange?" asked Greengrass. Her voice was pained.
"Well she's a Lestrange,isn't she?" Lavender answered before Hermione could, "She isn't a pathetic mortal being like us when she has their blood."
"Lavender!" yelled Neville and Ron at her.
"Lavender, get out of here before I do something I regret." said Ginny, "Ron you've got to talk your girlfriend about her nasty tongue.
"No." said Hermione firmly. "She's a bit disturbed, that's all. We should take a break before trying again."
Everyone nodded. Suddenly, four sofas appeared out of thin air. Harry and Hermione took a red one furthest away from others. Ginny joined them, and the couple were too tired to protest.
"Is it because you're a natural occlumens?" she asked Hermione.
"I guess. Sirius has managed to repel dementor effect before during his time in Azkaban. He is a natural, too."
"I don't think he ever said that Hermione." interjected Harry. "He said he was full of rage-"
"Oh, come on, Harry. Sirius hates occlumency. He would never admit that he's still sane because of his curse, as he calls it." Hermione said.
"Your mother held up as well." said Ginny.
"Bellatrix is probably a natural, too." said Hermione.
"Yes, she was too sane for someone who has spent more than a decade years in Azkaban." Harry pointed out. "She had a good amount of control over her emotions."
"They would have succeeded, if Dumbledore's crowd hadn't come to our rescue." Ginny claimed.
"You know what? I'm going to use all of the evil power that I have inherited from her to do good things." Hermione said cheerfully. " Now, just imagine her face when she hears that."
The trio burst into laughter.
**HP**
During the next few weeks all the sixth years realised how difficult doing nonverbal spells was. With that Hermione earned some additional respect. Doing spells nonverbally came naturally to Hermione and she would do almost all her spells nonverbally on the first try. It seemed almost unfair to others who struggled to learn it.
Harry was truly excelling at Potions. The Half-Blood Prince was helping, but Harry would sometimes come with some really weird ideas which would almost always turn out well. He had once managed to turn Ron's hair green and even that hadn't looked too bad.
Finally, it was time for Quidditch tryouts. Harry was not really worried about it. However, Ron's attitude toward them had begun to agitate him. There was also the issue of Hagrid to worry about.
"I really have no idea how to explain not taking his subject." Harry said.
"Yeah, that's going to be hard. How about we sincerely hate your subject?" Ron suggested sarcastically.
"Hey, I don't hate it." protested Hermione.
"Really? Have you forgotten the Skrewts? Or Grawp!? Thanks Merlin that we never had to take care of him." Ron exclaimed incredulously.
"We just saw him once and he did nothing dangerous. I hate avoiding Hagrid. We've got to talk to him."
"Me too. Let's do it after Quidditch." said Harry.
"I suppose you can't really avoid it. Alright, we'll do it." Ron agreed reluctantly.
They entered the Great Hall. Harry took out his own Advanced Potion Making copy and started to read it.
"Dear, have you given that book back?" Hermione asked innocently.
Harry gulped, "Well, not exactly," He said carefully.
Hermione's soft smile was replaced by a frightening scowl, which reminded Harry of the scowl Bellatrix had when Harry had insulted her by calling Voldemort a half-blood.
"Come on, Hermione. It's a valuable source. I gave Slughorn my brand new copy which cost 9 Galleons by the way."
"Harry, I sometimes feel you're obsessed with that book. You're even sleeping with it." Hermione protested.
"Yeah, you can only do that with your girlfriends." said Ginny innocently.
"Ginny!" said Ron scandalised. "What did you just say? Hold on- Did you just say ``girlfriends?"
"I said what I said." Ginny smirked at Harry and Hermione's incredulous faces.
Harry shook his head violently. "Anyway, I'm keeping the book."
Hermione was too shocked to disagree. She simply raised her hand and that day's Daily Prophet fell right into her palm. She swiftly unfolded it and read it silently.
"Any deaths?" Asked Neville.
"No, there isn't any, but we have more Dementor attacks plus an arrest."
"Excellent, who was it?" asked Harry eagerly, hoping that it was someone big.
"Stanley Shunpike!?" She said as she laughed bitterly and hysterically, " From all the people in all the possible universes, they go and arrest… Stan?"
She laughed even harder which started to freak out some Slytherins who were trying to have their breakfast peacefully. Draco was so surprised by her laughter that he spilled his pumpkin juice all over himself.
"What?" Harry spit his pumpkin juice back into its cup.
Hermione read the newspaper for him,explaining that Stan was under suspicion for Death Eater activities.
Ron suggested that he might have been under the imperius curse.
"I don't think that's the case here. He was arrested after being overheard talking about Death Eaters secret plans in a pub. Oh dear, even Voldemort would commit suicide if one of his Death Eaters talked about secret plans in a pub."
Everyone laughed including Lavender Brown who was trying to hide it by covering her mouth.
"He was probably joking or bluffing. Remember the time he told a veela that he was the Minister for Magic?" said Ron, "This is all stupid. I don't think those people are thinking straight."
"The Ministry wants people to think they are doing something," said Hermione, "When you get a very well organised criminal group you try to take them out gradually. When you get a well organised terrorist group like Death Eaters you panic and try to take control which will ultimately force you to act hastily and make horrible mistakes, such as arresting someone who's obviously not a Death Easter."
"So your parents are terrorists?" askedbParvati Patil.
Hermione looked at her silently with a very polite smile and nodded. Suddenly someone neck-slapped Parvati.
"Lestrange, I'm really sorry for my sister's rude behavior. Please pardon us." Padma said before she took her sister away forcibly.
"Their parents are considering taking them out of Hogwarts." said Ginny. "I think if they found out one of their daughters has insulted Hermione Lestrange, they'll surely pull them out immediately."
"It's not like I'm going to do something to her." said Hermione with a frown.
"See Hermione, The problem is that they don't know you. They simply have an image of Bellatrix Lestrange's carbon copy in their heads without even seeing you."
"Which isn't far from reality. Sorry Mione, but it's the truth." said Neville apologetically.
"I'm not … " Hermione couldn't continue as a very large owl brought her a rather long box.
"I just had a déjà vu." said Harry smirking evilly, "Today is 19th, isn't it?"
"Harry, we agreed on no birthday presents more expensive than eleven Galleons." Hermione chided.
"Em, that's not from me. Maybe Lucinda sent it."
Hermione didn't reply as she was busy reading the letter attached to the box. She simply pushed the box away from herself and kept reading.
"This isn't from Lucinda, Harry." she said with horrified eyes, "It's a gift from… from Bellatrix!" sh threw the letter on the box as if it could stain her irresponsibly. Harry picked it up carefully and began reading.
Dear Daughter,
Today is the day you were gifted to your father and me. I had something more girly in mind, but Rodo insisted that we give you this. I know you're not a fan of flying, but try it at least.
Wish you the best
Your mother
B.B.L
Harry could hear people whisper around them. Hermione seemed to be in deep depressing thoughts.
"Well, you've got a broom, honey. Not that you could ride it."
"Not funny, Harry. I'm going to give it to McGonagall right now." she assumed a righteous face and grabbed the box, but before she could stand up Ron stopped her.
"Won't you at least open it? We ought to know the model before McGonagall shreds it into pieces." He begged her with innocent eager eyes.
"You want to know the broom model? Don't you realise who sent it?" Hermione could believe his second best friend.
"A look wouldn't hurt, would it?" said Neville unexpectedly.
"If you want to kill boys, just send them a broomstick." Hermione announced before opening the box reluctantly.
The broom was gorgeous. It had a beautiful red handle and golden head.
"Bloody hell. Is that…" Ron said in awe.
"A Firebolt Deluxe yeah." said Neville with a dreamy voice.
"Now, I'm taking this to McGonagall." Hermione picked it up as everyone around her yelled, "NO."
"It's a crime to destroy it." cried Ron.
"One deserving a lifetime imprisonment in Azkaban." continued Harry.
Hermione ignored everyone and took the broom to McGonagall.
"Professor, this was sent to me by Death Eaters. I thought I should bring it to you."
Deputy Headmistress gave her a stern look.
"Do these Death Eaters have names?" she asked.
"Bellatrix Lestrange and Rodolphus Lestrange."
"Miss Granger, we can't confiscate birthday presents coming from students' parents. The Board of Governors would be after our heads, if we ever did that."
"Surely, this can't be safe." Hermione pleaded desperately, "I should be able to…"
"Use it well, Miss Lestrange?" said Dumbledore. He was leaning toward her with his awfully pink robe. The only people on the high table who weren't interested were Snape and Moriarty. Flitwick was looking at her broom quite eagerly.
"Professor, I really don't want it." Hermione said.
"I'm afraid school policy is clear. We cannot take it from you unless it hurts students. I doubt your mother would send you a cursed broom." Headmaster told her, "Professor Moriarty could check it for us."
"I don't have my wand on me, Albus," said Moriarty as he tried to go back to his conversation.
"Ah, it's alright. You can borrow my wand." Dumbledore suggested pragmatically.
"Uh… I'd rather not." Moriarty looked at the wand distastefully.
"Then, I suppose I'll check it myself, Miss Lestrange." Dumbledore took the broom and cast a few advanced spells. After several minutes he gave it back to Hermione. "There's nothing wrong with this broom, Hermione. Go back to your friend, please."
Hermione returned to her seat dejectedly. Harry seemed a bit angry that they had refused to take it.
"But they could take my Thunderbolt. Why can't they take this one."
"That law only applies to parents. Sirius is not your father, so his parcel like all other parcels can be confiscated." said Ron.
"It's not like she can fly with it." said Ginny. "Everyone knows she's bad at flying."
"I can fly." Hermione said confidently.
"Yes, she's a decent flyer." Harry tried to defend his girlfriend lamely.
"Thank you, Harry."
"Are you willing to prove that, Harry?" asked Ginny defiantly.
"Um…"
"Yes, he is," said Hermione.
"Today is the Quidditch tryouts. We can see Hermione's skills if she participates." Neville suggested.
"Excellent idea, Neville." Ginny smiled softly at Neville.
The sixth year Gryffindors left the table as a unified mass. Harry saw Ron move to Lavender and talk.
"Hey Ginn. Is Ron with Lavender?" asked Dean.
"Yeah, I don't think they have kissed or anything." Ginny whispered to him.
They soon arrived to the pitch. Katie who had spent the morning preparing for the tryouts was surprised with the volume of the audience.
"Um Harry, do you know why there are so many people here?" Katie asked.
"They want to see Hermione fly."
"Oh, that's interesting. Is she any good?"
"I'd rather not to comment on that."
"Smart boy, Harry." she smiled, "Keep your girlfriend happy."
Hermione was calm. She had learnt to fly during summer. Lucius had been rigorous with his teachings. She knew she would be able to do some impressive maneuvers. Bellatrix, during her dueling sessions, had taught her to float without a broom. It would be very useful here if something nasty happened.
Some of the contenders were very bad at flying. There was a chap called McLaggen who was a decent flyer. Harry was disturbed by a group of girls who kept smiling at him and did nothing but chatting and sniggering. Their leader was a girl who he recognised as Romilda Vane.
Katie started with simple test and then started to ask harder things. Eventually she managed to select a group for the real tests. When it was Hermione's turn to fly she surprised everyone by flying swiftly around the pitch in the matter of seconds and returning to her place. She did well as a chaser but she turned out to be the perfect beater.
"Wow, I didn't know Hermione was so good." Katie told Harry, "She's a real fighter. It's like the second coming of Fred and George Weasley."
Hermione was extremely reluctant to join the team, but she was eventually persuaded to at least be the reserve beater.
"That means that you have to participate in team practices." Ginny said. "Well, sometimes..."
"Ginny you already knew I could fly, didn't you?" said Hermione.
"Of course not." she responded unconvincingly.
Hermione snarled at that.
"Okay, I saw you riding a broom last year. You seemed to do well, so I thought maybe I could encourage you show your flying skills."
"Ginny you do realise that Harry and I are…"
"-an item? Yes, I know. I don't want to break you guys apart. I simply want to…I - no… You know what? Forget about it." said Ginny and ran to the castle without looking back.
"Hey, where did Ginny go?" said Ron behind Hermione suddenly, startling her.
"Back to the castle. She is happy to be a part of the team I guess."
"Okay, keeper is next. Wish me luck."
Hermione went and sat next to Harry.
"I'm worried. McLaggen looks good." Harry said nervously.
"Pompous, too. Is he a prince or something?" Hermione said. "He was very rude to me the other day."
Cormac McLaggen was good. He saved four out of five. The fifth, however, was lost as he took the wrong direction. Hermione smiled slightly at that. Harry had felt her move a bit. Could have she…?
Ron was next. Lavender Brown wished her luck rather loudly. Harry and Hermione waved for him. He looked a bit nervous, but he managed to save all five.
McLaggen tried to argue with Katie who outright refused to give him another chance. Ron joined them with a bright smile.
"Now we're all on the team." he declared happily.
"I'm a reserve player, Ron." said Hermione annoyedly.
Miles away from Hogwarts, Great Britain, Death Eaters and far away from British Ministry of Magic's jurisdiction, a very small hut was located in taiga forests near a very small village hidden from plain sight. Villagers believed the forest was cursed and refused to enter. However, the inhabitants of this house knew of no curse that they couldn't handle easily. Valeria Oblomova was the official owner of the hut, who people knew as a scary asian descent old hag - Very unpopular in the village yet nobody would dare to cross her. She had two guests who had barely ever left the hut since their arrival, but Boris the local hunter had seen them once or twice from far away. No one had seen their faces, but there were some stories about them. Some said they were undead corpses guarding her house and others believed them to be her unwilling lovers that she had trapped in her house. Some older villagers used to call Valeria by a different name - Baba Yaga.
People had banned the name since a boy insulted Valeria by calling her that. Too much misery had come their way. Although they disliked her greatly, at the same time they needed her medical expertise, so Valeria was always welcomed to visit. When she was there, mother's would whisper to their children. "Нельзя называть Валерию Бабой-Ягой" [Nilzia nazyvat Valeriyu Baboy-Yagoy.] Which meant one shouldn't call Valeria Baba Yaga.
The very afternoon Hermione received her gift. Valeria and her two guests were enjoying their late dinner.
"Говяна? [Gavyana beef?]" She asked the tall older man with gray hair,.
"Нет, не хочу. Суп мне хватает. [Nyet, ni khachoo. Soop mnye khvatayet. No, I don't want (it). Soup is enough for me."
"I want some." said the younger with long black hair and boney face.
"Of course, Handsome men like you must eat to stay strong." said Valerie with a slight hint of Russian accent as she gave him a large piece of meat.
"Would it kill you to speak Russian, Reg?" the senior man said with disdain. He too like Regulus was from Britain and he spoke London English despite his Scottish roots.
"Don't bother the kid. Let him speak his own language." said Valeria.
"Those who have a preferential language will get killed by their ignorance very soon."
"John, surely you're there for him when the time comes," said Valeria kindly.
"I might be dead. Then he's dead, too. He must learn to speak different languages in different areas."
"Why does it matter. We're going back to Britain anyway." said Reg.
"We're going to Paris first." John disagreed.
"Why?" Regulus asked.
"I have to meet a friend there."
"Is your friend, Mr. Alchemist?" Valeria asked.
"Yes, I think it's time we had a little chat."
Valeria smiled knowingly. She knew exactly how the conversation would go.
