Chapter 52
Packs and Threats
Leon's POV
"Hey, seeing that Auron got to read so soon after his arrival here, I suggest I read next." I tell the crowds sitting around me, not paying attention to Sora and Riku kissing or Roxas and Axel kissing and only interested in reading a chapter of this, so far, interesting yet dangerous sounding book. Auron nods at me and I walk over.
The strong man then walks over to the Weasley family and of course, I already know why. This is mostly to me being quite like Auron and therefore being the strong but silent type that easily blends in with the crowds and discovers things about the people in the crowds through observation that others can't or don't notice.
I personally smile as I had already noticed his looks at young Charlie Weasley and I think: "The scarred Dragon Keeper and the Scarred Escapee of Hell; quite the nice combo." And with that, while sitting down to read the next chapter, do I think back to my own crush, the young blonde with the dark, dark past.
I then look at the chapter and ask: "Is this a name as well?" Instantly Ron whitens and says: "I think I already know and trust me, you do not want to know. I don't even want to remember that I know, so you definitely do not want to know." This intrigues me as the boy seems to be rambling out of pure fear and I start to read.
Aragog
Summer was … horribly wrong.
"We really have to learn to be a little more independent and not turn into mindless sheep whenever Dumbledore isn't around." McGonagall moans and she goes on: "This is the second time in two years that he is absent when we supposedly need him most and look what happens." The other teachers nod and I read on.
Harry and … people off..."
This makes the adults around gasp, while the students look at each other weirdly and then Sirius asks: "So, out of fear of the attacker coming back, you completely isolate students from their friends and keep them in your Hospital Wing with nothing – no offence – but your constant worrying?" And the woman spats:
"What's wrong with that?" To which Remus says: "Sirius just means that he believes it possible for the Petrified students to be able to hear what is going on around them and to hear that their friends visit them would comfort them and make them know what is going on – what is being done to help them recover."
The woman looks shocked and Sirius says: "I know you love your patients, Pomfrey, my friends and I know that like no other, but just being alone with you in a place that reminds us of nothing but our illness is not the right way to help us heal." The woman seems to contemplate this and she asks him curiously:
"What do you suggest then?" And the man says: "What I've been suggesting since the first time you send James out of the Hospital Wing because my arm had to heal. Let your patients have their friends keep them company. That way, they can enjoy themselves – I know, Hospitals aren't to be fun – but it also keeps their minds off the pain."
The woman looks shocked and asks: "Would it really?" Sirius nods and says: "I always felt the pain of healing the most a few minutes after you send my friends out and I know for a fact I'm not the only one, am I?" And almost everyone shakes their head, agreeing with the man and giving the woman something to think about as I read on.
With Dumbledore … quickly stifled. Even the twins kept it to only a prank a week, something Harry and Ron were really mind-boggled over as they both remembered the daily pranks the twins had pulled last summer.
Harry constantly … they were?
"Thank Merlin that oath didn't work. It would have made you do things I would have had a heart attack over for sure, just because a charmed set of instincts would have told you to prove your loyalty to Dumbledore and prove him right." Remus tells us all as he pulls his son closer, almost into his lap and Harry hugs him tightly as I read on.
Hagrid's hint … to follow.
"Seeing the situation, that is a bad thing." One of the twins says, a grim face on his look, but I can tell he is trying to get us all to smile and the other says: "But seeing our little brother's fear for Spiders, we count it as something good." Some students snicker at this and Ron smiles at his brothers gratefully before I read on.
Harry looked … and suspicion.
"Axel, portal, please." Harry almost spats, the strain sounding through in his voice showing how much he is trying to stay polite and the elder Malfoys groan as Axel sends Draco back to Destiny Islands. Then Narcissa asks: "Is this what you were talking about earlier, Harry?" Harry nods, his face tense with held back rage and I read on.
Draco Malfoy … ever had.
"Actually, he told Ron and Harry, not them." The twins chorus, trying to cheer Harry up, but the boy groans: "Please guys, don't." The twins look at each other shocked and one of them asking: "Harry asking us not to joke?" And the other says: "That's never happened before." But I ignore their shock – just like Harry – and read on.
Maybe we'll … filling in..."
"Hurtful, but true. The last part, at least, but that was because I believed the Governors would be wise – I mean, stupid – enough to realize their mistake – correction best move ever – and would – sadly enough – get Dumbledore back in his position." The woman says and we all snicker at how she constantly corrects herself as I read on.
Snape swept … his cauldron.
"I have to say, Potter, that so far I don't understand why you are this angry. What exactly, if I may ask, happened – I daresay – behind my back that I wasn't aware of?" Snape asks Harry and he says: "Just read on. I need to keep hold of myself. Axel, please! Close that portal." The redhead does as asked and I read on.
"I'm quite … wasn't Granger..."
My voice had softened the more I had read and finally only a hissing sound, quite like Sephiroth – the dark side of my lovely Cloud – is heard coming from my throat as I can barely believe anyone that young can be that cruel. Then I finally shout: "HOW IN RADIANT GARDEN'S NAME IS THAT BOY NOT A HEARTLESS YET?"
But my shout is overpowered in the end by a loud, furious shout of: "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" And a tremendous wave of energy almost blows me full against the walls of the lobby. Then a gigantic creature erupts from a single wand and students all around scream as a humongous silver white dragon raises his head and roars loudly.
I look down at the power source and see Harry, his wand almost breaking by the force of his magic and anger and Viktor quickly runs over, grabs Harry around the waist and kisses him fiercely, obviously trying to distract him. But the boy's anger seems stronger than his love for his Bulgarian boyfriend and the dragon flaps his wings.
It flies up and I see the end of the tail letting go of the wand it was attached to. It then starts to fly circles around the stadium when suddenly a girl's voice shouts: "Petrificus Totalus!" And I see Harry stiffen, his wand falling from his hand and as the piece of wood hits the ground, does the dragon roar one last time and disappear.
I then look at where the spell that hit Harry came from and see Hermione, tears in her eyes and her entire form hidden in Blaise Zabini's body, lowering her wand, while Blaise is both furious and whispering sweet, comforting words in her hair and ear, obviously thinking his girlfriend's distress more important than his own fury.
Ron looks at her shocked and she says: "I – I had to. He was – he was too furious. I had to – to make him – him drop his – his wand. I – I had to." The redhead nods and turns back to Viktor, where I see that the Bulgarian has, somehow, managed to turn the stiff body limp and that he is now holding it close to his own.
I look around and it seems that the fear for the dragon has made everyone else forget about their anger for the blonde. Still, I know that asking Axel to bring him back now will be the worst decision we can make and instead I say: "Auron, Hercules, why don't you two and I show that brat some discipline next break?" The two nod and I read on.
The bell … bare hands -"
Harry saw just as red in fury, but he whispered, 'Ron, the best revenge is a sneak attack. Wait for him to think he got away with it, let him forget what he said and then strike. He's too focused now on making us look bad for attacking him. Think strategic, Ron, think strategic.'
"Hurry up … get loose and Harry still trying to get him to think strategically, something he knew Ron to be an expert in thanks to his Chess expertise. It was … the greenhouses. Ron had agreed with Harry's plan to let Malfoy think he got away with his words and was already, happily, muttering about ways to get back at the blonde – later.
"And trust me, in my anger, I would have agreed with most of them. And those were quite vile, I can tell you that." Dean then tells the group and Ron smirks, smiling in happiness when his twin brothers hit him on the back with the words: "Way to go, little bro." I wonder what that stragetic mind can come up with and read on.
The Herbology … Ernie Macmillan.
Instantly most of the Hufflepuffs glare at the lad in question, obviously still angry at his behavior of a few chapters earlier and the boy cringes, before he says: "With good reason. I sought him out with good reason." And when the rest of his group nods in agreement, do the other Hufflepuffs stop glaring and do I continue reading.
Ernie took … shook it. He was still furious at what Ernie said about him being attacked by Voldemort and how he survived and all that – not to mention the fact that Ernie, like most of Hogwarts it seems, only realized Hermione was Muggleborn when she had been attacked – but he didn't want the House of Loyalty and Noble Actions against him and thus decided to let it go – after a well-planned, well-timed prank, of course.
The boy in question hits himself on the forehead and asks: "So it was Harry who made me wear Gryffindor colors for a whole day?" And Harry, finally conscious again, mumbles: "Yep." Before Hannah asks: "How'd you do that?" And Harry mumbles: "Asked the twins." Making the two mumble: "Of course." Before I read on.
Ernie and … and Ron, the first of who had trouble hiding a devious smirk.
"That Draco … running away. It gave him extra trouble taking care of the Shrivelfig, but Hermione could be healed if he could find out what Hagrid's hint meant.
"Looks like … of earshot.
"Severus, why were you the one to escort them?" McGonagall asks the man and he sneers: "Because I had two classes who both had Herbology after my Potions class. I first escorted my second class to Herbology and then escorted them to that fool – I mean Defence Against the Dark Arts." McGonagall nods and I read on.
"We'll have … Lockhart's classroom.
Harry again build his walls of books, with the back of the books to him and the smaller pictures of the man at the back cover covered by thick parchment, but Lockhart was yet to be sited and this was something Harry considered a blessing.
Preferring not … so again, even if it had granted him a bottle of Unicorn Blood willingly given and a ride on a Centaur's back.
Lockhart bounded … of buoyant.
"I come back on my earlier self-correction. I didn't mean fool, I meant dimwitted, brain-dead twerp." Snape sneers furiously and McGonagall says: "Not to mention annoying as hell. With his constant smiles and positive, I'm–a–hero attitude, bouncing around the Teacher's Room every time we met there." The woman shudders and I read on.
"Come now … nobody answered. Even the girls were starting to see what Harry had been seeing the entire year – a dimwitted idiot, whose fame disabled him from seeing any further than the tip of his own dying brain.
This makes a lot of students snicker and Harry mumbles: "And there I was being generous to how I thought of him." Making a dam burst and making the entire Coliseum shake on its own foundations with laughter. Glad for the lad to have broken the sad and anger-filled atmosphere, I smile at him shortly before reading on.
"Don't you … Thomas loudly. Harry smiled at the fact that, even now, people were willing to stand up for Hagrid and he gave Dean an encouraging smile from behind his fort of books.
"My dear … Harry muttered. The last thing he wanted was for Lockhart to know of his Invisibility Cloak – a Lockhart he could see was one thing, but an invisible Lockhart made him shudder in fear terribly.
But Lockhart's … stupid face.
"I actually did." Seamus then suddenly says and Harry asks: "What? When?" Making the Irish lad look at him shocked as he says: "Right that lesson. Didn't you see me do so?" Harry shakes his head and Ron moans: "How could we have missed that? I would have given the world to see that." The Irish lad smiles and I read on.
Instead he contented himself with the memory of his knee hitting Lockhart where it hurts and scrawling a … he nodded.
Now Hermione and Blaise smile at the boy and a teary Hermione whispers a soft thank you, while Blaise holds her close and gives the redhead a proud thumb's up and grateful smile. Ron waves away the thank you and nods at Blaise, whispering: "Anytime." Back at the tanned young Snake before I continue reading the chapter.
The Gryffindor … to bed.
Harry saw Ron worry for Ginny and he did the same; he had after all seen Ron keep a protective eye on Ginny whenever he could and the boy had even, subtly, slid food onto his little sister's plate at least trice a week – and still Ginny looked paler and in worse a condition than the students who had had that case of flue last October.
The girl seems to be feeling quite the same right now, if her fearful trembling in her older brother's arms is anything to go by and I see Ron mouth to Harry: "Only one more." Making a worried Harry nod back, while I wonder what will happen to the poor girl next chapter. Deciding to quickly find out, I read a little faster.
Harry and … Portrait hole, Ron throwing one last worried glance over his shoulder before the portrait closed.
It was … the teachers. When they had passed the Fourth Floor, they heard Professor McGonagall talking with one of the ghosts and they kept themselves pasted against one of the walls, barely daring to breath in fear of her cat-ears picking up on the sound. Harry almost had a heart attack when he saw the woman stop, only ten feet away from where they were standing and felt his tensed stomach relaxing when she shook her head and walked on, continuing her conversation with the ghost he now recognized as Professor Binns.
"I should have made the connection." The woman moans and Harry asks: "What do you mean, Professor?" And the woman sighs before turning to the lad and she answers: "You have only used your cloak three times now, Mr. Potter, meaning that the scent of the previous owner is still all over it, covering your own and Mr. Weasley's."
The boy looks shocked and asks: "You – you smelled my dad?" The woman nods and Harry gives her a watery smile, before Sirius throws up his arms and says: "No wonder that cloak never worked on her! It had James' scent all over it! Unbelievable!" And everyone laughs at this, except Remus, who hits him over the head as I read on.
At last … away hopefully. Harry understood his fear perfectly and whispered, 'Don't worry, with a bit of luck, we run into Firenze. He'll protect us, he did me last year, remember?'
To which Sirius moans: "Don't remind me!" And Remus says: "Sirius, you have to understand that bad things like pup getting manipulated into a meeting with Voldemort will come up every now and then during the story." The black-haired man grumbles and says: "Don't have to like it, though." Causing snickers as I read on.
They reached … teeth together.
"It's really that bad?" Hagrid asks and Harry shrugs with a pained, apologizing look on his face, before he looks from me and the book to his parents and then he says: "I know he won't like it, but I think it's better if we switch Draco for Hagrid." Everyone looks shocked and Sirius asks: "Why do you think that, Harry?"
And the boy answers: "Because I think you and dad will rip him to shreds if you hear what he told us to do – or better, when you hear the results." The two men cringe and ask: "That bad?" To which Harry, cringing himself, comments: "Even worse than Fluffy and Devil Snare combined." Causing fear everywhere.
But then Hagrid says: "Harry, that can't be. Aragog knows not to attack my friends." But Harry mutters: "But Aragog is not Buckbeak, Hagrid. That is all I'm saying." The giant looks confused and then Harry says: "Hagrid, just trust me and go. We'll call you back when the chapter is over." The man nods and Axel opens the portal.
The gigantic, beardy man walks through and Charlie says: "I'll go with him. I want to –." But then he stops both talking and walking and when I look at the lad I see Ron clinging to him, white with fear and trembling something terribly. Instantly the second eldest has his younger brother on his lap and mutters: "Never mind."
Just then does Draco come back out of the portal and he seems to be looking for a place to stay. Wondering why he isn't going to sit with his parents I see them looking at him stoically and realize he fears their wrath. But then Harry says: "Draco, Cedric, Susan, you better sit with your families for this part of the chapter."
The three mentioned people look at the boy in confusion and he says: "For their own comfort and yours. They will want to remember that you are here and not part of what is being read. Trust me." And when Ron nods in trembling agreement, do the three quickly do as proposed, sitting with their white family members and I read on.
Harry left … pitch-dark Forest and it would only enchant their chances to trip over a treeroot or something.
"C'mon, Fang … or something..."
Now small smiles appear on the faces of the two boys and Harry mumbles: "I love your blown up wand, Ron. It did exactly what I've been wanting to do for months." The trembling boy laughs and Sirius asks: "So his wand blows up – but at a good timing?" Harry nods and says: "Very, very good timing." Before I read on.
Harry tapped … Let's go."
Harry personally could not be happier and prouder than he felt right then. He had pointed at the spiders as a last resort to make Ron go back, because he knew of the dangers of the Forest and because he knew of Ron's fear for Spiders, but for Ron to go against that fear and fight it just to go into the Forest with him was something Harry would never forget.
"Why am I not surprised you tried to ditch me again?" Ron asks sarcastically and Harry smiles guiltily before Ron shakes his head and says: "You and your stupid noble streak, buddy. You have no idea." He then smiles at the boy, together with Hermione, with smiles filled with such love and loyalty it baffles me and he says:
"Mate, when we were about to face Fluffy, you tried to ditch us and we said we were coming with you. We didn't just mean on that journey, Harry. We meant on every journey you – or Dumbledore – wanted to go on, whether it's to stop someone stealing the Stone, fight our fears and stop innocent lives from being lost."
Hermione then goes on and says: "You haven't had friends your entire life, except for Erica and Mss. Crenson, Harry, but we're here now, we were here back then and we will be here for another 2, 5, 10, maybe even 20 years if we can manage it. You're stuck with us, Harry, so stop trying to ditch us, because it just won't work."
By now Harry has tears in his eyes as he looks at his friends and the two walk over, Hermione kissing his tear-stained cheeks and Ron hugging him strongly before slapping him on the shoulder. Harry clings to both of them and they hold onto each other, all three, for the longest of times before Harry sits back down with Viktor.
Sirius then walks over and lies a hand on Hermione's shoulder as he says: "I, Sirius Orion Black, acknowledge you, Hermione Jeanne Granger, as Daughter of the House of Black, Eternal Friend of the House of Black and, as Mother of Harry James Potter-Black-Lupin, Eternal Friend of the House of Potter. So I swear, so Mote it Be."
The girl looks shocked and then Sirius does the same, before stepping back, staying one step behind Remus, who also steps forward and while I can see how his eyes have turned from the soft amber brown to pure amber with a wild, feral look in them, does this not seem to scare the girl and she stands her ground as he says:
"I, Remus John Lupin, Alpha of the London Pack of Potter, hereby acknowledge you, Hermione Jeanne Granger, as official Cub in my pack. May your wisdom help your brother, my Cub Harry James Potter-Black-Lupin, and may your loyalty and love for him and for your pack never waver. So I swear. So mote it be."
But instead of going on to Ron does the man lower to Hermione's feet and now a hint of fear is seen in Hermione's eyes. But then she sees the euphoric smile on Sirius' face and she barely hisses as Remus suddenly bites her in her right ankle, drawing and sucking blood with his fangs and licking the wound clean and spotless afterwards.
He then looks from Ron to Arthur – who nods in acceptance – before performing the same ritual, saying the exact same words, except for the wisdom part. Instead the man says: "May the Strenght of your Heart always aid your brother, Harry James Potter-Black-Lupin." Before following up with the rest of the ritual.
Both bitten teens smile at the man as he steps back and then Sirius steps forward again and kisses both teens on the forehead, whispering: "I bless this union of Packs." Both times before kissing the teens and holding their shoulders tightly as he does so. They then all sit back down, Harry looking at the scene curiously and I read on.
So, with … the path.
"And here it goes wrong." Harry moans and then suddenly I notice the Weasleys busily pushing and levitating their cloud seats over to where the black-haired lad and his family are sitting. Arthur is the first to reach them and looks at Remus inquiringly. The two share a powerful glance for a long while and then, finally, Remus nods.
He then turns to Harry and asks: "Harry, do you think Arthur would make a better uncle than Vernon?" And Harry looks shocked as Arthur says: "As Alpha of the pack, Remus can't allow me to take the same role as him in your life, but I won't mind taking a brother role, becoming a sub-Beta, so to say, if you agree, of course."
Harry seems shocked and asks: "You – you all want to – to be – part of the pack?" And all of the Weasleys nod before the twins chorus: "Would be about high time for your pack to grow, don't you think little brother?" Harry nods, tears once more streaming down his face and he hides in Viktor's chest as I read on, smiling widely.
Harry paused … the trees.
Harry could barely believe they were doing this; that Ron was doing this. Not only was he facing his biggest fear, he was also going into the dangerous part of the Forest and still the lad had not given into his fear. Harry wondered just how strong their friendship was and vowed to himself to never more doubt it, no matter what happened over summer.
Harry nods in agreement, his face still hidden in Viktor's shirt and then I see Sirius and Remus share a glance and Remus says: "Arthur, once you're part of the pack, I'll have to ask you to see to Harry and his needs for next book. We won't be able to do so, you see." The man nods, but Harry looks up shocked and asks:
"Why not?" And Remus answers: "You know what that book will be about, pup, and we know you well enough that you will not allow us to comfort you as you will probably grow to feel guilty about thoughts and beliefs you, at the time, had true rights to." And while this makes the boy look cross with himself, do I read on.
They couldn't … the wand light. The fact he had almost spend two years out of the cupboard seemed to have really done its number on Harry and he slowly felt his eyes adapt a little better to his glasses and a little worse to dark locations, like the Forbidden Forest at the deepest of the night.
"Wait, what cupboard are we talking about here, exactly?" Auron asks and Harry sighs as he says: "The Muggles I lived with were quite cruel in their ways of treating me and so my first bedroom, for ten years, was a cupboard under the stairs." I see the man's eyes widen and then he stands up and walks off, saying:
"If anyone needs me, I'll be crushing Heartless in Hades' little tournaments." To which Phil asks: "Why not here?" And the man answers: "Because I don't want to slay creatures as harshly as my anger will let me in front of innocent teenage eyes." The Satyr nods in acceptance and the man leaves for the Underworld as I continue to read.
They walked … their skins.
Instantly all the adults are on guard and then suddenly a new voice sounds: "Nymphadora, forget your duty as Auror. I want you here for this. I want the same comfort as Amelia, Narcissa and Nella are enjoying with their children." And I see a black-haired woman with wild hair and worried eyes looking at her daughter.
The young woman in question has spiked pink hair lying down to her shoulders and before my very eyes it turns red as she says: "Fine, I'm coming. But don't call me Nymphadora. You know I don't like that." But the woman retorts: "Well, I won't call my own daughter by her surname, just so you know." Her daughter groans and I read on.
"What?" said … heard Fang!"
This causes a lot of fear to go round and First and Second years start to move to sit over with the older years, younger siblings seeking comfort with their older relatives and others just asking their House Mates if they could sit with them. None of the elder years refuse the younger years and happily offer them some seats.
Then Sirius says: "Narcissa, Andromeda, get over here. Our entire family should be together for this, no matter how our opinions may differ." The two woman nod and move their and their family's clouds over. I personally feel overwhelmed with the amazing group, existing out of eighteen people and look at them shortly before reading on.
The darkness … to move. Harry tried to suppress the feeling he always had when he was sitting in his cupboard, waiting for his uncle to punish him for something he, sometimes, didn't even remember doing.
"D'you think … Harry whispered. He really hoped so, he never wanted to feel like this again and he had a good feeling Ron felt the same way.
"Dunno –" Then … their eyes.
"Wait, what is light doing in the Forbidden Forest?" McGonagall asks and Snape goes on: "Especially seeing that the boys are out after midnight. It can't be the sunrise, that shouldn't be for another couple of hours, at least." The other teachers nod and then all look at Harry and Ron, Harry held by Viktor and Ron by Charlie.
The two look at each other and then Harry says: "First of all, Blaise, Hermione. Get over here. You are family as well, you should be here too." The two smile at him and while they move their own clouds over, does Ron say: "Second, is this only the – say – prequel to –." But then he gulps, shivers and I read on, not wanting to scare him further.
Fang yelped … our car!"
It takes me a second before I realize what I'm reading and I look up and ask: "You mean that car that was attacked by the Whomping Willow and that drove off, making Ron worry about the reaction of his father?" The two boys nod and for a short time I hold quiet, giving them time to call other family members over. When they don't, do I read on.
"What?""Come … its owner. The small silver antenna at the back of the roof was even twirling around, although Harry wondered if that could be because of magic or because of the wind.
"It's been … its own.
"It must have somehow combined its own magic with the magic of Hogwarts and because the magic around the Forest is mostly excessive magic coming from the wards and students performing spells, it must have indeed turned into some kind of wild, metallic animal. How absolutely amazing, I never expected this to happen!"
Arthur shouts at the end, but then Ron whimpers and the man turns worried in seconds and asks: "It – it doesn't attack you – does it?" Ron shakes his head and says: "It's what the car's light lured out what scares me." The man looks both concerned and confused and I wonder what could be lured out by those lights as I read on.
Fang didn't … find them." He would have preferred to just leave Ron with the car, but he respected Ron's wish to face his biggest fear too much to even suggest it, but then he noticed something.
Ron didn't … with terror.
"That – oh, oh God. That – that – that." Ron utters, obviously reliving the memory and then Harry grabs his face, but instead of turning it to himself, he turns it to Ginny. This, strangely enough seems to be exactly what the lad needs as he calms down and hugs his worried, but pale looking sister and while he does so, do I read on.
Harry didn't … black pincers.
"Wait!" Remus shouts and he goes on: "Eight long, hairy legs, two holding my cub, a pair of shining black pincers and Ron is terrified of these creatures?" Everyone looks at him and he shouts: "WHAT IN MERLIN'S NAME IS HAGRID THINKING, PUTTING AN ACCROMANTULA NEST IN THE FOREST?"
Everyone is shocked by his outburst and then Nella asks: "An Accromantula? Is that what Riddle tried to attack? Is that what Hagrid was caring for?" And Remus growls: "I can't think of any other monster that fits that description, Nella." The woman whitens and grabs her son's and husband's hands in fear as I read on.
Behind him … with spiders.
"Swarming? With how many?" Bill asks scared and Harry says: "I lost count at fifty with the bigger ones." Before Ron asks: "You actually counted them?" Harry nods and Ron whimpers: "Why?" To which Harry answers: "So that I would know what we would be up against if we had to make an escape."
The boy looks shocked and Harry says: "Hey, you were there. You saw and heard what I did. The minute I was back on my own legs, my brain cleared and I was back on survival mode, so to speak." To which Ron moans: "Praise the Ancient Lords for that!" Making Harry shake his head very quickly in confusion before I read on.
Craning his … were popping. Harry felt terrible. His friend had tried to brave his biggest fear to help him solve the riddle behind Hagrid's comment and now he was surrounded by – he quickly counted – more than fifty of his worst nightmares. Harry never wanted this to be how his best friend would be awarded for his courage, he just wanted answers.
Ron smiles at his friend and says: "Not your fault, Harry." And Remus growls: "No, Hagrid's. And Dumbledore's. The bastard knew darn well what was going on with the Chamber and he actually let all of this happen. He won't be happy when I'm through with him." Many of the adults nod in agreement and I read on.
Harry suddenly … called. "Aragog!"
Instantly the caring smile is wiped off of Ron's face and instead he turns whiter than the ghosts I've seen floating through the Great Hall. Arthur and Charlie quickly take the boy between themselves and while Ron grabs his dad's arms wrapped around his waist with one hand, does he hide the rest of his body in Charlie's embrace.
I feel very concerned for the young lad and then see that, while Ginny is sitting in the same position with the twins, with Percy and Bill on either side of the twins, is the girl looking at Ron with tears of guilt streaming down her face. She then whispers: "Ron, I – I never wanted – I never wanted this – I never wanted you –."
But Ron, white and trembling, looks at his sister and for a short while the fear seems to disappear as he shakes his head and says: "You have no hand in this, Ginny. You were victim of Hagrid's stupidity, Dumbledore's manipulations and that bastard's sweet words as much as me." The girl smiles at him gratefully and I read on.
And from … was blind.
"That's at least something, right?" One of the Hufflepuffs asks, but his fellow House mates shush him and I look around. Susan seems to fear spiders as much as Ron as she trembles and cries in her aunt's embrace and Narcissa and Lucius have their son sitting in between them, their arms tightly around him and each other.
Tonks is sitting between Sirius and her mother and while she is comforted by the woman, does she herself whisper words of comfort to the man, of which I hear the words: "He's right here, Siri." Sirius in the mean-time, is caressing Harry's hair, while the boy in question is held by a furiously growling, worried Remus Lupin.
Nella Diggory, I then notice, is more comforted by her son and husband than that she offers comfort to either of them and almost all of the First and Second years are being put to sleep by Sleeping Draughts handed to them by a bustling Madam Pomfrey and a softly, angrily, muttering Professor Snape. I sigh at this and read on.
"What is … Aragog paused.
"Thank Merlin!" Goes through the entire Coliseum and then Hades suddenly says: "My, my, what a fuss about something called Aragog." We all look at him and he says: "Hey, I'm just here to bring Auron back, alright. That dickhead of a brother of mine needs help locating Ariana." And he throws the man into the Courtyard.
Auron saves himself from falling on his face easily and glares at Hades with his one good eye, but the Devil has already turned around and while we all glare at him, does he retreat down the stairs, which are hidden mostly from view by those disgusting dark clouds with thunder erupting here and there. Auron sits down and I read on.
"Hagrid has … to Azkaban." Harry knew it was a snake, but he wasn't stupid; he knew the natural enemy of the spider was the snake, so he wasn't going to speak that word in a nest filled with deadly – perhaps man-eating – spiders. Still, he sincerely hoped these giant spiders could tell him what kind of snake it was they were dealing with.
Aragog clicked … an egg.
"What is it with Hagrid and receiving eggs, honestly?" Lee asks, throwing up his arms, but then suddenly I see Snape looking thoughtful and he asks: "Harry, how big was the Accromantula in Riddle's memory?" Harry looks confused and says: "I don't know, about waist high with me, back then. Why?"
And the man answers: "Because that is the size of an Accromantula not even a year old. Hagrid had only gotten that egg that same year and something tells me that wasn't a coincidence." Instantly Harry seems onto his thought process and he whitens as he whispers: "No! No way! He wouldn't." But Snape retorts:
"Wouldn't he?" And instantly this seems to confirm to Harry that someone would. He sits back, completely baffled and says: "I don't believe it. That man was playing people – even – even then? Even fifty years ago? When he was only a teacher?" And instantly I realize who the two of them are talking about.
Fury fills my every fiber and I hiss: "I can understand why the Fates wanted him dead so early." Making everyone who must have also caught on nod in agreement. Then Lee asks: "Care to verify to those still unknown?" And Harry spats: "Dumbledore, Lee. Dumbledore was behind all of it once again." Lee looks shocked and I read on.
Hagrid was … Hagrid's goodness..."
"One Accromantula is one thing, Hagrid, but an entire nest?" One of the twins moans and the other goes on: "And in the Forest? Are you really that mad? Who is to say those mad spiders won't go hunting outside the forest?" Instantly I fear for the students' lives and deciding to ask this question to the giant myself later, I read on.
Harry summoned … Harry urgently. He wanted to know, he needed to know – for Collin and Nick, for Justin and Hermione.
More loud … of talking and this filled Harry with fear above all else.
He was … of Hagrid."
"I'M GOING TO KILL THAT IDIOT!" Remus shouts, but then Sirius shouts: "REMUS, THINK OF HARRY!" And instantly the man calms down and instead lovingly caresses his son's hair, obviously trying to tame in his anger through his love for the child. I smile at the amazing strength of the man and read on.
Harry spun … the hollow.
"A loud long note?" One of the twins asks before turning to his brother, who asks: "And a blaze of light?" The two seem to understand what this means as they smile widely and Lee, apparently also aware of the situation, shouts: "FLYING CAR TO THE RESCUE!" Making hopeful relief go all round as I read on.
Mr Weasley's … obviously knew.
By now all First, Second and Third years, and a few elder years with obvious fears for spiders, have been put to sleep by the Matron and Potions Master and Lucius says: "I will have the Board of Governors check that Forest. Other than the Unicorns and the Centaurs are there a little too many monsters roaming around for my liking."
All other adults nod and I see that Remus and Sirius have trouble holding back their anger, no matter how much they are trying to change it into care and worry for their son. Harry then suddenly stands up and asks Axel: "Do you guys have a world where wild animals can roam free?" Axel nods, while I wonder why and answers:
"We have two, why do you ask?" And Harry whispers something in the man's ear. He nods and says: "I'd suggest Wild Jungle then. Pride Lands is a little more Feline land." Harry nods and walks back to his parents. He hugs them both, the two of them clinging onto him as he does so and he says: "Run." The two look at him and he says:
"Take the Portal to Wild Jungle, change forms and run your anger out. I can almost magically sense it and it's making my neckhairs stand on end, if you get what I mean." The two nod and they leave through the portal made by Axel, while I wonder what Harry means with changing form. Deciding to find out later, do I read on.
Harry looked … of sky. Relief went through his entire form like water streaming down a waterfall into a large river.
"Nicely phrased, buddy." Ron mumbles, taking the last gulp of his own Dreamless Sleep Draught and I see Madam Pomfrey giving Mr. Weasley one, mouthing the words just in case before she looks at Ginny. The Weasley elder nods and while Harry takes place between Viktor and the young Tonks woman, do I read on.
The car … from view. He had never been more glad to see the amazing structure of Hogwarts as he was then, but he wasn't stupid. Ten minutes of riding at 60 kilometers per hour meant that the Accromantula nest was only about 500 feet away from the school, something the spiders could easily cross if they wanted to. Harry vowed he would get rid of those spiders – anonymously – once he was out of Hogwarts. He didn't want to hurt Hagrid, but this deserved payback.
"Thank GOODNESS for that!" Ron shouts, apparently fighting the Draught, and he goes on: "So I wasn't the only one wanting those monsters dead." Harry shakes his head and says: "I just had more of a clear head and don't forget – I only take revenge when my targets least expect it." The redhead smiles groggily at his friend and I read on.
Harry went … his basket. Harry felt pity for the dog and sat down next to his basket, petting the animal long enough to make him fall asleep. When Harry … pumpkin patch. Harry had to admit it was a worthy first step of revenge.
"Wasn't really meant as such, buddy." Ron smirks and he says: "I just couldn't –." But then he yawns and Harry says: "It's alright, Ron." And strangely enough the words: "We've got her." Calm the redhead down enough to make him close his eyes and fall asleep. I then see Ginny smile at Harry gratefully and read on.
"Follow the … said Harry. He wanted to calm Ron down, so they could start thinking of ways to get the Accromantula's out of the Forest without Hagrid ever knowing it was them.
"That's exactly … uncontrollably now and Harry shortly wondered if it was because of the spiders or the thought of Azkaban. "What was … being innocent.
"In a way, he was." A young girl with blonde hair says and she goes on: "His trust in animals is as big as his trust in Dumbledore. I wonder if those two are linked together?" This makes most of us either look at her or each other shocked and I whisper: "She has a point there." Making those who heard me nod before I read on.
As the … were walking. For a second, on the Sixth floor, Harry wanted for one of the sentries to catch them, so they could relieve their story, but – seeing the direction from wence they came – he decided not to.
"Who exactly stood guard then?" McGonagall asks and Harry answers: "All I remember is seeing a green trim and that made me decide not to." The woman nods and says: "A Slytherin Prefect would indeed, at that point in time, not be the right person to show yourself with. Wise decision, Harry." The boy smiles at her and I read on.
At last … glowing ash. For a second Harry expected Hermione to make a comment and show herself, sitting in a large chair like she had done a year ago, but then he remembered her stiff body lying still in the Hospital Wing and he sighed. They took … very sleepy.
"Is that good or bad?" Andromeda asks tentatively and the twins chorus: "Good!" Before Percy says: "If Harry's been through something like this and he can't sleep, it will probably mean that he will find a vital clue that will help him solve the mystery." The woman nods, smiling at the redhead and I read the last part of the chapter.
He sat … name it. And seeing that Voldemort had been in Slytherin and that the Monster was obviously a Snake, that made quite a bit of sense. But he … this time. Just like after he had seen the memory, was he only a few clues wiser than the rest of the world. All he knew was that Hagrid was innocent and that the Monster was a Snake, but where it was hiding or what kind of, he didn't know and he didn't know where to find information on it either.
"He's brooding." The twins smirk and Andromeda's husband asks: "How is that something to smirk about? A boy his age shouldn't be brooding about things like this.""True there, dearest Tonks man." One of the twins says and the other goes on: "But after brooding, Harry always instantly finds the vital clues." And instantly I read on.
There was … had said.
This makes Mr. Tonks glare at the twins and he says: "There is no way Harry can find any vital clues in the words of something that actually fears speaking of the monster itself." But then Harry says: "Actually, that's exactly where I found the most obvious clue of all, uncle Ted." The man looks shocked and I hurriedly read on.
He was … still there?"
This makes almost all the girls gasp and look at each other shocked while the twins smile at Ted smugly and chorus: "Told you." But then Collin scratches his head and says: "I don't get it." And a Hufflepuff his age says: "Just wait, Collin. You'll hear about it soon enough." The two turn their attention back to me and I read on.
Ron rubbed … Moaning Myrtle?"
Gasps go through the entire Coliseum and the ones who seem most shocked are the teachers themselves, but then McGonagall shouts: "THAT NO-GOOD, SELF-ABSORBED MONSTER!" And we all turn her way as she snarls: "There is no way someone with Dumb's level of intelligence didn't figure that out.
He's known where the Chamber was for years, gave Hagrid the egg so Aragog could be framed for the crimes if it came to it and then probably put a Notice-Me-Not or Confundus spell on Myrtle's crime scene to make sure others would either ignore its significance or just get confuzzled by why the crime scene was in that bathroom."
Everyone looks at this shocked and the woman asks: "Do you perhaps have a world of solitude and silence? I – I need some time to myself." And Axel nods before he says: "We might as well switch you with Hagrid." And the woman nods herself as she enters yet another portal, Hagrid coming back to the furious glares of many adults.
"That's the end of the chapter." I then turn to the Weasleys and ask: "Now can you please tell us why you worry over your little sister and daughter so much?" But Arthur shakes his head and says: "All I can say is that Ron isn't the only one reliving his worst fears through this book." This doesn't help me any further and I sigh.
Hey everyone,
So a few changes have been made to this chapter. The first is that Hagrid came back a little closer than in the original, another is me yet again taking out the whole mentioning of Remus going into Heat and his need to "bond" with Sirius - which will also be taken out of future chapters - and finally is McGonagall leaving and not being back for a while. Personally, I wasn't looking forward to this chapter as I thought it would hold a lot of angst and anger, yet I think it came out well.
Hope you agree,
Venquine1990
