Chapter 51
Talents And Fears
Auron's POV
The last hour I kept my eyes on two groups. One was Hercules and his trainee's and I have to admit he really knows how to train people, even if they don't look like they have the potential to become Heroes. The other is Sora and Riku, but those two seem way too busy with each other to notice even the person sitting next to them.
Shaking my head at Sora being distracted so easily by the silver-haired boy, I look around a little more and see the second eldest sending a look at Harry that is a strange mix of longing and acceptance. Wondering what is up with that, I wander over and ask: "Is there something wrong?" The young man looks shocked and says:
"No, why should there be?" To which I answer: "Because of the strange mix of emotions I saw in your eyes. Is there any reason you look at young Harry like that?" The red-head sighs and asks: "Why are the silent types always so damn observant?" To which I answer: "Because our silence makes us blend in the crowds without others noticing."
The red-head laughs, an open laugh that strangely attracts me to him and he says: "It's just – I spend as much time as I could with Harry last summer and I started crushing on him. I thought I was chosen by his Potter Curse – a Curse that choses a red-head to bond with a Potter male that is perfect for said male by destiny, magic and character, but –."
He sighs again and says: "Looking at Harry now, seeing how easily he fits into Viktor's body and how easy it seems for him to openly show affection to the Bulgarian makes me wonder if I should fight for my place in Harry's life or if I should just see how those two work out together. Maybe Harry's just not affected by the Curse yet."
I nod, interested by this curse and ask: "So it always affects Potter males and always choses a Red-head?" The lad nods and says: "Always, at least according to the charts and family trees I have been able to find about the Potter family." These last few words catch my interest and I ask: "What do you mean, able to find?"
The lad looks confused and I say: "Seeing the gift that Dumbledore man took from Harry and all." The red-head look shocked and he says: "Now that you mention it, I had to break several spells to reach even the first of them. I just thought it was the Noble and Ancient House of Potter protecting her own Family History and all."
I nod and say: "You better tell Harry first chance you get. Don't tell him about your crush just yet. First try and see if you still like him that way and if you might like him like that in years to come." The red-head nods, while I – for some strange reason – have trouble keeping my eyes away from his dazzling blue eyes.
I then leave for the Lobby and tell the woman holding the book: "I'll read next. I haven't come here without reason, after all." The strict looking woman nods and hands me the book. I nod back at her, feeling respect just for her looks and care and sit down, paging through the closed book to the bookmark before I start to read.
Cornelius Fudge
The man in question seems shocked and asks: "What do I have to do with this chapter?" And Harry answers: "All I can say is Hagrid, Lucius Malfoy, Invisibility Cloak." And the man, together with the Malfoy elder moan, apparently understanding the weird riddle, unlike everyone else and I shrug as I start to read the actual chapter.
Harry, Ron … monstrous creatures.
Now Harry cringes and says: "Not the best way to start the chapter." And Ron moans: "Do you think they will also come up this chapter, Harry?" But the boy shakes his head and says: "What happened around them was a little too big to put in this chapter along with our visit. I think it'll be shown next chapter." Ron nods and I read on.
During their … christened "Fluffy."
"I actually told Gran about that during Christmas and she brought me to see the Longbottom Mind Healer because it was still, sometimes, giving me nightmares. I haven't been scared of it since." Neville tells his friends and they smile at him, while Harry asks: "Mind Healer?" And Hermione answers her friend:
"A Mind Healer to Magicals is what a Psychiatrist is to Muggles." This makes Harry shudder and she asks: "Are you alright?" He nods and says: "I've just – Vernon kind of told me the same crazy stories about Shrinks and Psychiatrists as he did about the death of my parents." The girl looks at her friend concerned and I read on.
And if … on it.
Now everyone laughs, the giant himself almost falling over the back of his cloud in his laughter and Harry goes on: "Too bad the monster was actually a Snake. Would have made the leash a bit hard to stay around the neck." Now the giant really falls off his seat, his legs flapping in the air of laughing and I let everyone have their laugh.
After a while Hagrid is one of the last still laughing and then suddenly a young girl says: "You really have a good reading voice, Mr. Auron." I send her a short, thankful smile and see Charlie nodding in agreement, which actually makes me want to smile widely. Not understanding why this could be, I read on instead.
But he … that followed.
By the fourth time this had happened, Harry suddenly remembered how Hagrid loved Dragons and other Dangerous Creatures, but detested Snakes – including his hatred for Slytherins which Harry now fully understood.
He then remembered how he had always been the scapegoat for if something went wrong at the Dursley residence and he began to wonder if Hagrid – large, kind, gentle Hagrid – could really hold a creature that causes so much terror? By the fifth repeat he was sure the giant couldn't and apparently he wasn't the only one thinking this.
"Riddle might … asked dully. Harry didn't want to answer that, seeing all the terrors they had faced on a single floor last year.
Ron hits himself on the head and mumbles: "Good point there, mate." Then suddenly his eyes widen and he shouts: "I call dips back on my oath made last chapter!" Shocking everyone, except Harry and Hermione, who smile at the lad in pride. Wondering why this could be, I silently read at first and, not finding anything, I read out loud.
"We always … his award."
He didn't want to accuse Hagrid of anything, but how else was he supposed to find out who really did it. All leads he had was that Slytherin was a Parsletongue, so the monster was a Snake. Hagrid loved gigantic monsters, so maybe he knew of gigantic snakes and wanted one, but that the monster he had held during the attacks was definitely not a snake, so perhaps it had attacked and scared the actual attacking Snake out of the school when Riddle had tried to kill it.
Ron tried a different tack just when Harry wanted to bring up this new theory.
"Riddle does … Hagrid, anyway?"
"I repeat, I call dips –." Ron shouts, but then Percy hits him on the shoulder and says: "I understand, little brother. Don't forget all that monster of an ex-monster of ours did to me to separate me from you. It's no more than normal that you would hate me for all that separation and all." But then Ron grumbles:
"Maybe, but not enough to call you anything like that monster." And while Percy seems shocked that his comforting words had no effect on his little brother does Ron go on grumbling: "Should have been killed by his own monster, he should. Would have saved us years of pain, it would have." This intrigues me and I read on.
"But the … stay here ..."
Sure, his trust in Riddle had taken a harsh blow when he had seen Riddle attack Hagrid like that, but Riddle was still the only one he could talk to about the actual monster and all and Harry had, after his contemplations of Hagrid being guilty or innocent, decided he wouldn't give up on the diary – or let it be confiscated as had been his earlier plan – until he had unraffled the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets – his instincts were after all telling him those two were connected and he was determined to listen to them this time.
"No wonder I didn't see you handing that book in until it was too late, Mr. Potter." McGonagall tells him, but then, strangely enough, the youngest Weasley girl says: "That wasn't his fault, Professor. Just wait and you'll see." The woman looks at her, a mix of worry and confusion in her eyes and while I wonder about the mix, do I read on.
Ron bit … Harry quickly. He had decided that Hagrid had been framed and wouldn't let anything bad be said about his friend anymore – no matter how dangerous the pets he kept.
The three … castle lately?"
This makes everyone laugh and then one of the twins says: "First Harry." And the other goes on: "And now our own little brother." They then turn to each other and chorus: "How did we not notice?" But they shrug at each other, causing a lot of students to laugh at them and when silence has returned, do I continue reading.
In the … been expelled. They now fully understood why he never spoke of it.
It was … hospital wing." Harry was glad to hear this as it meant that the students could – hopefully – further confirm that it hadn't been him and because he really felt bad for poor Collin Creevey, who had now missed almost 4 months of his First Year.
The second-years … very seriously.
"And a matter you could have used your new book for, had it not been for that retched Dumbledore." Remus growls and then Charlie decides to take his chance and says: "It wasn't just that book Dumbledore kept from Harry, Mr. Lupin." Instantly the lad has everyone's attention and Remus asks him worriedly:
"It wasn't?" Charlie shakes his head and says: "I tried to find some books concerning the Potter Family History and had to break several spells and wards to get to even the 1st and that was only a small book about the last 4 generations of Potters. I found another 9 over the last year, but it really wasn't easy."
Everyone looks at this shocked and then suddenly the lad picks something from his pocket and grows it out with his wand until it has the size of an extra-large backpack. He opens the bag and takes out several large tomes, some looking old, gigantic and dusy, others looking small, new and spotless and all with a strange symbol on the spine.
A man's head with messy black hair is surrounded by rose vines and under this is a soft blue triangle turned upside down with dark green spots in it and a single hand holding a wand to the left and a rose to the right. Under this is a dark blue V and under that a beige V, slightly bigger, with wolves shown on the V, also in V-formation.
I look at the symbol in interest and Sirius gasps as he says: "The Potter Coat of Arms." Harry looks at it shocked and asks: "Wait, there are letters under the wolves." And only then do I notice the strangely written letters, written in a language I can't understand. Sirius then says: "It's French, a traditional language for Ancient Houses."
The boy seems interested in this and asks: "What does it say?" And Sirius smiles at his son as he says: "It says Force du coeur, which is French for Strength of the Heart." Harry looks at Sirius in admiration and the man says: "Your family was one who believed that true power didn't come from magic or blood, but from the heart."
Harry shines with this knowledge and then he asks: "Charlie, can I have those books? I would like to read them myself." The redhead nods and sends me a questioning glance. I nod at him, trying to ignore the jealousy I feel in my heart and he hands Harry the books as he says: "Try and read chapter 17 of this one first, okay?"
And he lies a large, dark green tome with silver bands imprinted onto the spine in a line of 3 on top of the others. Harry looks at him weirdly and he says: "Trust me, you will want to read that chapter." And he sends a significant look at Viktor, catching both his and Harry's attention before I do the same myself as I read on.
"It could … said Harry. What he wouldn't give to have those hours free and make potions at times other than at night.
"We can't … Dark Arts."
"THANK MERLIN, I DIDN'T!" Ron suddenly shouts and he smiles at Lupin, who shakes his head and says: "I wasn't that good, Ron." Causing just about the entire Courtyard and Arena to shout as one: "WHAT?" Before the twins and one of their friends shout: "YOU'RE JOKING, RIGHT?" The man turns red and Harry coughs.
We all look at him and while he has his head in the book Charlie recommended, does he aim his wand at an empty spot in the Arena and says: "Expecto Patronum!" And a gorgeous white stag dashes out of his wand, canters around the stadium and vanishes as Harry asks: "What did you just say?" At which many laugh as I read on.
"But that's … pixies loose." Harry felt the same way and decided he wouldn't give up the subject just yet. Only if Lockhart would still teach next year, would he switch to Independent Studies, that way he would still study Defense, just not around Lockhart anymore. He happily adviced this to Ron and they agreed on this together, while Hermione rolled her eyes.
Neville Longbottom … Ancient Runes.
Suddenly I see Harry sending him a hurt look and Neville asks: "Are you alright, Harry?" But all Harry says is: "We both deserved the same, Neville. We both deserved to have been given advice by our parents." The boy whitens and asks: "How – how do you know?" And Harry rolls his eyes as he gloomily mutters:
"Dumbledore did something good last year. He gave me access to his Pensive." The boy nods and asks: "H-her trial?" Harry nods and Hermione asks: "What are you two talking about?" But Harry turns stern and says: "Sorry Hermione, but this is not my secret to tell and I won't." Neville smiles at him at this and I read on.
Dean Thomas … with them. The thought of his uncle helping him with anything concerning his future just by itself caused him to shiver; he really didn't want to know what his Uncle wanted for his future.
I then suddenly hear soft hushing tones and when I look up, I see Viktor softly cuddling with a shuddering Harry. Instantly Harry's parents are around him and Sirius asks: "Are you alright, little one?" But Harry whispers: "The upcoming summers. I just – I just really fear hearing about them." This worries us all and I read on.
Not that … strengths, Harry."
Now all Weasleys smile at their brother in pride and Arthur hits his son on the back as he says: "That's my son. Brilliant advice, Percy." And the other Weasleys all make comments in agreement with that, causing the third eldest brother to turn red with proud embarrassment and while many smile at the family as a whole, do I read on.
But the … help him. Ron also chose the two subjects that sounded the easiest and that was a good thing for Harry, who had decided to keep a low profile as student.
"But Harry, what about your plan to, each year, keep a steady pace up until a certain time and then slowly work up from there?" Hermione asks her friend and Harry mumbles in defeat: "That plan got a harsh blow down a cliff and died in our First year, Hermione." The girl looks shocked and goes to sit with him as she asks:
"What do you mean?" And Harry turns his head away as he says: "The test scores weren't lost, Hermione. That's all I'm saying." The girl looks confused and Ron asks: "Harry, could you please at least tell us when you felt your plan get that blow?" And Harry growls: "In March." Making the two look at each other confused.
Then Neville gasps and says: "Those test scores we got for Charms that Professor Flitwick said were lost after he called Harry to his office. That one day at the beginning of March when Flitwick told us we'd have to redo the test." The two look at him and Harry growls: "Right at once, Nev." While all the teachers look at said Charms Teacher.
Flitwick seems white with shock and guilt and McGonagall asks: "Fillius, what were Harry's scores for those two tests you let them make?" And the man says: "Well, his first test score was 432, but – well –." But then the woman shouts: "FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY TWO? OUT OF WHAT?" And the man mumbles:
"Five hundred." Shocking the woman senseless and Snape asks: "And the second? The one you had him make after your talk with him?" The small man sighs and says: "It was 112 out of the same." Making the two teachers look at Harry and Snape asks: "Potter, I can tell this memory hurts you, but why lower your score so badly?"
And the boy, having his eyes closed against tears threatening to spill, mumbles: "Because Professor Flitwick thought I had cheated by looking at Hermione's scores and told me that I shouldn't cheat just because I didn't have the same talent in Charms as my mother. He then said he'd let me do the test again and he did."
"He thought you had looked and copied my answers? How were you even able to do that? On the day we first took that test, I was furious at Ron and thus sat myself on the other side of the room. How on earth were you supposed to see my answers from the other side of the room?" Hermione asks the boy looking absolutely furious.
But this seems to be the wrong thing to do as Harry cringes and shrinks down on himself, as if he had been physically struck and he whimpers: "I don't know. I don't know. I'm sorry. Please – don't hurt me. I'll be good." The girl looks shocked and Viktor whispers: "He's having a backlash." And he quickly hugs the lad tightly.
Harry shudders and shakes terribly and Ron slowly helps a tearful Hermione away from the two and over to Blaise as Viktor whispers loving words softly in Harry's ear, Sirius and Remus sitting on opposite sides of the lad, Sirius patting Harry's hair and Remus rubbing a warm hand over his back in constant circles.
This seems to slowly let Harry realize where he is and a tiny voice, hidden by a pair of legs and a pair of arms wrapped around the legs, squeaks: "Uncle?" But Viktor whispers: "Not here, бедни ми миличк. He's not here. You're safe. вие сте в безопасност." And these foreign words seem to indeed calm the boy down further.
бедни ми миличк is Bulgarian for My Poor Darling
вие сте в безопасност is Bulgarian for You Are Safe
Harry slowly looks up and sees Viktor smiling at him lovingly. He smiles back and quickly moves his head from the left to the right, his instincts obviously making him check to see if this strangely dangerous man is really not around. Deciding to find out why this is as soon as I can, I focus my attention on someone else.
Charlie has been sitting with the rest of his family this entire time, while I had expected him to make his move concerning Harry and the chance of comforting the lad. He sees me looking and shakes his head, making me understand that he has accepted Viktor as Harry's Mate, apparently maybe even chosen by the Potter Curse.
Looking back at the lad and how he is being held, I realize I agree with the redhead and that makes the strangely anger tiger I feel inside my chest stop roaring in jealousy every time I think of Harry and Charlie possibly being together. Wondering if the red-haired lad could have, perhaps, stolen my heart instead I ignore this thought.
I then wait for the two parents and partner of young Harry to calm him down and then Remus asks: "Auron, would you mind if Harry, instead, read that chapter Charlie told him about?" I shake my head, knowing Harry will be better off focusing on something else. The family smiles at me gratefully and I continue reading.
Gryffindor's next … been better.
This turns everyone cheerful again and Cedric tells a reading Harry: "You would have made one fine opponent, Harry." To which Harry smiles, still with his head deep in the book and Sirius asks: "What do you mean, would have? Did something happen?" The elder lad nods and Sirius looks worried as I read on.
But his … looking frantic.
"Although of this I have no idea." Cedric then goes on and Sirius moans and with his arms in the air he says: "So not one thing, but two things go wrong just when something brilliant is supposed to be happening. Why am I not surprised?" And Harry, still reading, mumbles: "Because it's me?" Making the man look at him as I read on.
"Harry – I … the floor.
"N-N-Not the cloak, right?" Sirius asks fearfully and Harry mumbles: "No, that strangely enough turned itself invisible. Ron almost tripped over it." The man sighs in relief and I see Harry glancing at Viktor with wonder and curiosity shining in his eyes, making Viktor look back at him, before he goes back to reading. I smile and read on.
The bedclothes … his trunk. It was an immense relief to him to softly put back his photobook, his hand-knitted sweater, his Invisibility Cloak – handed to him after Ron almost slipped over it – and his extra Potions kit holding all his rarest ingredients.
It was … him out. He knew he could trust Neville with this knowledge, the two of them had grown onto each other as brothers when Harry had it hard the year before, but he didn't want Neville to fall for Riddle's tricks and be framed like Hagrid. Besides, as great as Neville was, again this year, turning out to be, Harry didn't fully believe he could handle the dark magic that constantly kept his neck hairs on end whenever he was near the book.
They hurried … said Harry, although he had often seen Parvati take her sister into Gryffindor Common room and he was sure her twin often did the same for her.
"Fair enough." The brunette smiles and then Harry softly says: "Huh." Before closing the book. I share a glance with Charlie, telling him with my eyes that he should take his shot, while my heart tries to tell me otherwise and Charlie asks: "Did you read anything interesting in that chapter I recommended you, Harry?"
The boy nods and then he turns to Viktor and asks: "Would you mind if I try something? Just to test out a theory I've read here?" The Bulgarian shakes his head and Harry grabs his wand. He aims it at the lad and whispers a small spell, suddenly turning the extremely short brown hair of the lad into a soft brown-red mix.
Harry tilts his head and whispers the spell some more, deepening the red color of the hair, but then he shudders and says: "Finite Incantatem." Causing the brown to return. Viktor conjures a mirror and asks: "Did you do something?" Harry sighs and hands him the book, opening it back on the same chapter and says:
"According to the chapter Potter Males fall for redheads that, by destiny, by magic and by personality are absolutely perfect for them. I just wondered how you looked as a redhead, but –." He then softly lets his hand go over the stubby black hair and says: "I can't get enough of that dark hair, no matter what the book says."
моята парче човешкото съвършенство means My Piece of Human Perfection
Viktor smiles and mutters: "Just like I can't get enough of your beautiful emerald green eyes, моята парче човешкото съвършенство." The two smile at each other and then Sirius says: "You know, that Curse might be true, but it has occurred, over the last 200 generations, that it was the attributes a Potter fell for, not the hair."
Harry looks at him shocked and asks: "Really?" Sirius nods his head with a smile and Remus says: "Take your grandfather for instance. He fell for a Black, who naturally have the same hair-color as their name, yet it was her magic, destiny and character that made him fall for her so hard he loved her immensely and died by her side."
The boy smiles and says: "Good." Before cuddling with Viktor's side and says: "Because I can't imagine life without Viktor and I think I'd have a heart attack if I ever saw him with red-hair." The three laugh and I send Charlie an apologetic glance. The redhead nods gratefully and while I try not to cheer outwardly, do I read on.
They woke … the idea and that wasn't because his earlier plan was now impossible.
He'd have … up again.
This makes the giant smile at his friend gratefully, but Harry has already dived into another book and Sirius says: "Don't bother with him. He's been deprived of learning about his family his entire life. He just wants to know what we all do." We all nod, the teachers smiling at the lad encouragingly and I read on, feeling proud of him.
But then Ron groans and says: "And, unless I'm mistaken, it goes wrong right next sentence." This confuses Cedric and he says: "I thought things started going wrong at the start of the match." But instead of Ron, does Hermione shake her head and say: "No, it already starts now. I'm sure of it too." Cedric looks at her concerned and I read on.
As he … the stairs.
"I really shouldn't have gone alone." The girl mutters to herself and Sirius whitens before he says: "No, you really shouldn't have. If Harry heard that voice, you should have gone to a teacher, not the library." And with that does the girl shudder and does her tanned friend pull her close against him for comfort as I read on.
"What does … come from. He wanted to make sure the snake was moving away from the pitch, he had to hear if it was.
"Loads more … the library?"
Harry wondered if Hermione had learned anything about possibly the monster, but just because they now both knew that the monster was some kind of snake could not possibly get her any closer to finding out what kind of snake. He, after all, had been going through hundreds of books on snakes during History of Magic for the last few months and had come up blanc, so how was she to find out what snake they were dealing with?
"I did, because someone was constantly pulling the strings; someone who only wants things at Hogwarts to go how he wants it and doesn't care one iota of what happens to those who are wrapped into these planned events of his." Hermione mutters darkly, all the while shuddering terribly and I look at her worriedly before I read on.
"Because that's … the game.
Harry seems to be listening as he reads as he stops reading and instead hits himself on the head and says: "I was so distracted right there. How could I even think that?" This worries the others too and an elder woman sitting with the Hufflepuffs asks worriedly: "So there's still someone inside the castle?" Harry nods and I read on.
The teams … his broom, his mind fully intend on finishing this match as quickly as he had done the one last year, when Professor … been canceled,"
"And that's what I meant with saying Harry would have made one fine opponent. I never got to play against him until the year after. And that hadn't even been a fair match." He then looks at Harry and says: "Our teams will play again when we come back to school, okay Harry?" Harry nods, a smile on his face as he reads on and I do the same.
Professor McGonagall … Cup... Gryffindor..."
The boy in question, now a young man only a few years younger than Charlie, cringes and says: "Had I known what I know now, I would have fully understood why she cancelled the match." The woman in question smiles at him and Sirius moans: "Do I want to know?" Making just about everyone shake their heads as I read on.
Professor McGonagall … looked worried. Harry was more worried than irritated, but he was also relieved as this meant he had more time to find out what had made Hermione run for the library. Instantly, upon remembering this, he whitened and with the silent plead of 'Please no, please no,' going on in his head he walked on.
And this phrase seems to be shared with most of the Arena as everyone has turned white, none more than those close to the girl in question and the woman that just asked about students still in the castle and while I see practically everyone seeking comfort with each other and hugging each other, do I read on with a restrained voice.
Harry and … hospital wing. This did not improve Harry's mood and he went from pleading to mumbling, 'She's in the Library. She's in the library. Let her be in the Library. She has to be in the library, she just has to.'
"There has … horrible somersault and it felt as if his pleads had fallen to deaf ears. Professor McGonagall … common room.
This makes Percy sniff softly and his brothers quickly go sit around him. We all look at them in confusion and the twins look at Percy inquiringly. When he nods, they chorus: "The Ravenclaw was his girlfriend." Shocking everyone around and making many send sad and comforting glances at the young rimmed-glasses wearing lad.
Only then do I notice how there are two Weasleys missing and I see Arthur holding his daughter, Ginny being as white as Percy is. Wondering why this could be, I look at the elder Weasley like the twins had looked at Percy, but he shakes his head and mouths: "Inside the story." I nod at him and continue reading.
And on … Professor McGonagall, Harry let out a soft whimper of despair. "I don't … at Hermione. Harry wished he had kept his mouth shut about hearing the voice, even though his instincts were telling him that that had been a good thing. He didn't know what to make of his instincts anymore.
"I will … any case." Harry left as the last of the three, once more ignoring his instinct, now telling him to have a closer look at Hermione.
"Really should have listened to those damned instincts." Harry mumbles, just hard enough to be heard while his face is still tucked inside the book and Ron kids: "Found anything interesting yet, Harry?" To which Harry says: "One of Five Potter males are Elementals, apparently." The redhead looks shocked and Hermione asks:
"When was the last?" To which the boy answers: "Don't know." But then Sirius and Remus share a look and Remus says: "James wasn't and neither was Charlus. If neither Charlus' dad nor his grandfather was an Elemental either – that could mean –." But before he can get to the conclusion of his beliefs, does Harry say:
"Hey, there's a charm to check it right here." And instantly both his parents are besides him before Remus says: "I think I get it." To which both his mate and his son turn to him and the man reads the spell a few more times before he nods and stands up, instantly having the attention of the entire Arena and Courtyard on him.
He then turns to his son with wand in hand and casts the charm, which actually causes Harry to turn a strange purple and grey color. The boy examines the color around his hand and then checks the book, a grimace growing on his face as he says: "Guess either grandpa's father or grandfather were an Elemental then."
And this actually shocks those around him as Remus asks: "Negative?" And Harry nods as he says: "The grey does imply that I am a natural flyer, but the purple indicates that I am still the wrong generation, so – no gift." And while this makes some of those around us sigh sadly, does Remus return to his seat as I read on.
"All students … evening activities."
"Were those rules really lived through? That's worse than when we had an attack on Hogsmeade by Voldemort himself." Sirius shouts in shock and McGonagall sighs and says: "We did not know how else to keep students from being attacked." The man nods and smiles at her gratefully, making her smile back slightly before I read on.
The Gryffindors … come forward."
Harry wanted to come forward, but two things held him back. One was that she had yet to fully earn back his trust – or at least enough for him to trust her with the important information he had been able to gather. The other was that he had no diary and thus no evidence and he was still without all the clues required to solve the mystery.
"Harry, you know Minerva would have been happy if you had just come forward with the note that you wanted to confide your information into a teacher of your choice. She would have accepted anyone you chose, you know that right?" Sirius asks and Harry nods slightly, his head still in the book and I sigh, before reading on.
She climbed … scattered applause.
Ginny seems to turn even more white as she hears this and Ron sighs, going to sit with her instead of Percy as he says: "Lee, you have no idea how – indirectly – wrong you were that day." The lad looks confused and Ron says: "The Heir was behind the attacks, just not – physically." This doesn't get us anywhere further and I read on.
Percy Weasley … only half-listening, even if he didn't believe for one second that Percy was this upset just because another Prefect had been attacked.
"Well, to be honest was that still a big reason behind my shock and paleness. I did, slightly, believe that Prefects couldn't be attacked by the monster and the fact that one had been made me fear for your lives all the more. That Hermione was also attacked didn't help my nerves." The young red-haired lad admits quietly.
Instantly Ginny goes to sit on his lap and for some reason do I get the feeling that he takes comfort out of the chance to comfort his little sister and calming her down, helping her gain some of her color back. Wondering what could have happened to the girl, who seems scared and guiltridden every time the attacks are mentioned, I read on.
He didn't … of stone or the instinct telling him to go and check on her again, this time more thoroughly.
And if … the Dursleys. Harry almost whitened completely at just the thought. He was sure his uncle had yet to forget his little stunt with the flying car and he feared the consequences already.
Tom Riddle … had felt, even if he was still furious at the fact that it had been Hagrid who had been the victim.
Then suddenly Harry curses and Sirius shouts: "Harry, language!" While being looked at by Remus as if he's lost it. But Harry says: "It here says that Potters, at age eleven, get the ability to control one Dangerous Creature of their choice for one Hour. Now there's some valuable information I could have used over the past few years."
This worries me and Sora asks: "The Monster wasn't the only dangerous creature you faced?" Harry shakes his head and says: "I faced two more in the last two years. Although, me not learning to control them did have a handy advantage." And he happily twirls his wand as he reads on. Feeling intrigued with the lad, I continue the reading.
"What're we … a start." He didn't believe it for one second, but he had yet been given the chance to share his theory with Ron, so it was best to work with old, forgotten believes.
"But McGonagall … Invisibility Cloak.
"And apparently a lifetime supply of family history." Harry then comments and then an older Ravenclaw asks: "Ever going to put that book down, Potter?" A joking tone added to his voice as he asks this, but Harry answers: "In due time, in due time." Before he silently reads on. The older lad shakes his head and I read on.
It was … Ron swore.
The Professor in question hits himself on the head and mutters: "You have got to be kidding me." He then sighs and says: "On the other hand is that only better, seeing my behavior towards Potter back then." Then suddenly I see that Fudge seems to have realized something and the man gasps in shock before I read on.
It was … behind him.
"Oh dear, this won't end well." Fudge suddenly says and McGonagall asks: "Is there something you would like to share, Cornelius?" The man sighs and says: "Let's just say that I, again, forget about the treaty and act like a self-centered, position-hungry and biased idiot." The woman looks at him confused before I read on.
"Oh," he … the windows. Harry felt like the time they had discovered about Norbert and was reminded of writing Charlie – he wondered if Ron had continued doing so afterwards, but shook the thought of, believing it not to be important until later time, and focused back on his giant friend.
"Too bad I didn't think about that myself." Ron moans, but Charlie comforts him and says: "I probably wouldn't have written back anyway, little brother. I would have worried too much about our letters falling into that woman's hands." The younger redhead smiles lovingly at his older brother and I continue reading.
He poured … was Dumbledore.
"OH NO, NOT HIM!" Almost the entire crowd shouts and Phill moans: "Why him? Why the man that ruins everything? What is he doing there? Why there?" And Hagrid answers with a growl: "Because of the friendly, helpful image he wanted to keep up with me." And while I'm intrigued by the length difference between the two, do I read on.
He entered … shut up.
Harry hums interested as Ron hits himself on the head and then Sirius gently asks him: "Harry, you're not reading that just to not have to focus on things going bad in the books, are you?" Harry shakes his head and says: "I'll stop shortly. Just a little more to read." One of his fathers nods in acceptance and I read on.
Hagrid had … to act."
"The Ministry had nothing to do with the attacks on Hogwarts, not unless the Board so verified and accepted it, Cornelius." A woman with a monocle suddenly tells the man strictly and Fudge sighs and says: "Trust me, you'll get a reason to shout my hide full soon enough." The woman gets thin lips as she hears this and I read on.
"I never … in touch."
I see the blonde haired man named Lucius cringe at this and apparently the woman with the monocle sees the same as she asks: "The School Governors, Cornelius, or just your old pall Lucius in name of those Governors?" Both men now cringe, making the woman sigh and shake her head in defeat before I continue the chapter.
"Yet again … doing something.
This shocks me silent and instead Charlie whispers: "Got to be seen –." He stops to take a deep breath, obviously trying to remain calm, but then he shouts: "DOING SOMETHING?" Before suddenly Harry asks: "Oh, are we there already? Oh, Goody." And to the shock of everyone, he closes the book and lies it down next to him.
Everyone looks at him shocked and Sirius says: "Harry, you said you weren't reading just to avoid hearing the bad things written in the book." And Harry says: "I wasn't. I just knew I'd have a go at the Minister myself if I heard that fully focused and apparently Potters have a really nasty temper. Just didn't want to unleash it, not now."
The man looks shocked before hitting himself on the head and with his hand over his eyes he shakes his head, while Fudge seems relieved at this. But then Harry spats: "Not that I like hearing it any less, of course." The man cringes and says: "I promise, Mr. Potter, it will never happen again." The boy nods and says:
"Never forget, Minister, your prime priority as Minister of our Country is making sure we, your people and voters, can trust in you to lead us into new ages and better times – or at least that our lives won't be overrun by your decisions." The man nods, I feel impressed with his way with words and continue to read the chapter.
If it … croaked Hagrid.
Instantly Sirius whitens and whimpers: "Please – Fudge – Cornelius – tell me you didn't." But the Minister keeps his mouth shut and Sirius moans, his face hidden by his hands and he says: "Azkaban. I can't believe it! I wouldn't even wish that on my worst enemy when I am raged out at them." This worries me and I read on.
Before Fudge … the small cabin.
"The difference in lifestyles is never a matter to insult another one over, if you ask me. I mean, I now know I'm richer than even Dursley could ever dream to be and I would still prefer a room the size of the Gryffindor dorm over what I can only assume will be in the Manors I own." Harry tells the blonde and the man nods as I read on.
"I simply … blue eyes.
"The only thing he should have done. The one thing none of the other Governors should have undone no matter what." McGonagall moans and Sirius asks: "Why do I have mixed feelings about this?" And the woman answers: "Because this time one of Lucius' good actions get undone by the wrong people." The man moans and I read on.
"Dreadful thing … the school."
"Ehm, Mr. Malfoy?" Lee asks bravely and when the blonde looks at him questioningly, does he say: "No offence meant, but ehm – with the way you just worded that – and with ehm – the common knowledge of you hating Muggles – is it too bad if I suspect you to be behind all this?" Yet the man in question sighs and says:
"No offence taken, Mr. Jordan. And I'm afraid I'd have to ask you to wait. That belief has been shared and investigated long before this, I can assure you." The dreadlock-hair styled teenager nods at the elder blonde and while I see said blonde send worried, guilt-ridden glances all around, especially to the Weasley girl, do I read on.
"Oh, now … who can?"
"Yes, who other than the man that sits back and plays his own men like pawns on a chessboard can save us from a monster he doesn't even know about?" Sirius moans dramatically, but then he whitens and says: "Please tell me you didn't." But Harry cringes too and says: "Sorry Sirius, circumstances asked for it."
"What kind of circumstances?" Sirius moans, taking his son on his lap, while I wonder how Harry can call the man his mother and Harry shakes his head and says: "Can't say. I don't want to cause her anymore pain. This is hard enough on her." The man looks around worriedly at these words, but I distract him and read on.
"That remains … at all."
"Okay, I admit. That was WAY beyond low." Lucius then states and Sirius growls furiously: "You have no idea." Making the blonde cringe. Sirius then glares at him and says: "You might be my cousin by marriage, but never give me a reason to put you there, because believe me. I will." Lucius whitens at the vow and I read on.
"Yeh can' … gray ones. Harry was having the feeling as if he was watching a wrestling match of two sets of eyes, both determined to make the other look down, while his neckhairs once more stood on end. The strange thing was the magic seemed to leak from Dumbledore, while Harry could – thanks to the diary – now easily identify it as Dark Magic.
This shocks all those around and Hagrid shouts: "That bastard was using DARK MAGIC IN MY HUT? How dare he?" But then Lucius mutters: "I wonder what kind of magic he was using. I sure as hell felt nothing." But then Harry hits himself on the head and says: "He made a Vow." We all look at him confused, before I decide to just read on.
"However," said … stood hidden.
"He used KIDS to make a VOW tying him to HOGWARTS OF ALL THINGS?" Arthur shouts and he goes on: "Is he mad? Does he not know of the consequences of that vow?" He then turns to Ron and asks: "You weren't hurt afterwards, were you? You didn't feel anything off, did you?" Ron shakes his head, confused and Sirius says:
"Thank Merlin, the Cloak must have kept the Vow from taking effect." Finally Hermione asks: "Why, what would have happened had that Vow taken place?" And Remus growls: "Had that Vow taken place, Harry and Ron would have been forced to carry part of Dumbledore's magic around to keep his spirit around Hogwarts."
"They would have been forced to WHAT?" The same elder woman as before shouts and Remus nods before he says: "It would have also made them both Deputy Headmasters, something which would have put way too much responsibilities on their shoulders. It would have made them appreciate his work all the more and –."
And Ron ends: "And our – and more importantly Harry's – loyalty and honor of Dumbledore would have skyrocketed, making it even easier for the damned bastard to manipulate my little brother." Harry smiles at hearing the words little brother and while I feel impressed with the kind of bond the two boys share, do I read on.
"Admirable sentiments … I'm sayin'."
"And that, Hagrid." Ron growls, while I wonder how he can be scared to death and furious at the same time, does he go on: "Was even worse a decision of us to follow than that you wanted to raise a Dragon in a Wooden Cabin." The Giant looks at the steaming, yet white-faced redhead in shock and I read on, feeling curious.
Fudge stared … closed door.
"And that ends this chapter. Quite the reactions this caused, didn't it?" I ask, slightly sarcastic, but then Kairi asks: "Hey, am I the only one noticing how little Axel, Roxas, Sora and Riku have contributed to this chapter?" And when we look at them, we see the two couples quite busy kissing their respective partner's lights out.
At this a nervous first year with the Gryffindor trim on his brest asks: "Ehm, should we try and – separate them? EEEK!" He screams in the end as Axel actually summons one of his Chakrams and aims it at the boy in question before Kairi says: "I think their situation is one that is like approach at your own risk of health."
And the first year in question nods his head frantically, while personally I have my eyes elsewhere, namely at the entrance to the Underworld and while I have no doubt that the Lord of that domain would have gagged at the sight of such romance, do I still worry over his lack of presence and what he could be up to next.
Hey everyone,
Well, this chapter got a bit more editing done, a few extra responses here and there and I decided on a change of where to put the translations. At first, the translation were at the start of the chapter, but after a reviewer commented on this, did I decide to change the layout, so now they are at either the end or start of a paragraph.
Also, I'm sure some of you are wondering why I didn't make Harry an Elementalist and that is quite simple. As much as it hurts me, this story will focus mostly on Harry Healing of his past injuries and trauma's. A Super Powerful or OP!Harry doesn't really fit that kind of story style, so I kept it to him being a Natural Flyer.
Okay, have fun,
Venquine1990
