Hey everyone,
Let me just say one thing: I am NOT going to entirely break the Heartstamp Spell up right this chapter. I am going to create a little hurdle in that desire of the readers, but I do plan to have everyone Molly affected freed from her influence before the end of OotP. And I think I already know how I will do that.
Hope you enjoy,
Venquine1990
Chapter 38
Mind Problems Galore
14th of August 1995
The Arena, Potter Place
Andromeda's POV
"Sirius, I must ask you to reconsider your idea of meeting with Narcissa at London. Not only is the location too vital to the Order, but going back there might bring the Heartstamp spell back to full power on you. And then we're not even talking about the other effects that place might have on you if you do return."
Albus tells Sirius urgently and I can tell that he is really sincere in his concern for my cousin, yet Sirius asks: "Then where would you have me meet her, Albus? I am willing to have her there, because it is Black property, a neutral location. But Potter Place isn't, plus I don't have control of the wards and James is still working on that."
Yet Albus smiles and says: "Did you forget, my boy? Bathilda lives only a few doors down from here and she has me in control of her ward scheme. I can easily make sure that it's just you, Andy and her meeting there." At this Sirius turns thoughtful and he asks: "Let her know that we want to borrow the place tomorrow, will you?"
Albus nods and I decide to give a bit of my own contribution. I lie the book down, making sure to create a small bookmark and put it between the book before moving over to where Beast is still covering the son of my favorite cousin and I ask him: "Can I see Harry? I would like to break his Heartstamp spell down."
The being happily nods at this, yet he only pulls his cloak back enough that I can see Harry's head. Of course, thanks to the spell being what it is, is this more than enough for me. I lie my hand on the boy's forehead the same way I did young Hermione earlier on, yet I don't start the same chant I used to weaken her spell before.
Instead I start a stronger chant, one using the most basic form of Latin every created, when the language was still in diapers, so to say and was at its most powerful due to having no restrictions or complications added. And by pulling bouts and bouts of my own magic from my core, do I feed the power of the chant.
And while the boy is fast asleep, do his eyelashes light up very brightly and I know my own are also pure white and shining with power. Yet then I raise my other hand to stop anyone from coming near as something happens that I know needs to happen, but that I also know is probably worrying everyone who cares for the boy.
Shadows, blobs of dark energy, start to slowly gather at the boy's eyes, first at the very outer edges of his eyelashes and then slowly start to move till they cover both his eyes, making it look as if he has enchanted mascara on his eyes to become animated, yet I can tell that the way it moves, grows and shrinks terrifies the others.
Beast is also growling, but I use my free arm to let him know not to change his stance or stop me and at the same time do I continue my chant. And while part of me is able to know and notice all of this, does my inner eye show me something else, something that is almost enough for my emotions to break my concentration.
In my mind's eye I actually see what Harry can't, him being asleep and Molly and Ginerva Weasley doing all kinds of things, one of them casting, recasting and powering up the Heartstamp spell or putting new orders in the spell, while the other steals precious possessions of the boy and then duplicates old rags to look like them.
I see this happen several dozen times, the boy being several different ages – twelve, thirteen once and fourteen several times – and I even see it happen a few times by just Ginny over the course of the last two years. And to my disgust does she also seem to have learned how to put the spell on several of Harry's actual possessions.
"I'll have to take those from him for a while, I guess." I think to myself, but don't focus on this and instead focus on why my chant is letting me see this. And while I am sure that Harry will never know or notice this, do I change my chant, moving onto the next phase and do I pull the subconscious memories from his mind.
And as I do this, do the others all sigh relieved as slowly but surely the dark masses move up Harry's eyes, past his eyebrows and onto my hand, where my chant makes them be absorbed by my finger nails. And as I see the last memory move away, as I hear the last order fade into the background, do I know that it worked.
My own eyes turn back into their regular color and I pull my hand away. Yet then suddenly do I feel something that my mother never told me about. I feel fatigue attack me like crazy and I start to stumble. Yet before I can misstep on the arena steps, does a large body appear behind me, preventing me from falling down.
I look behind me and see Simba looking at me worriedly. He then pushes up and helps me regain my footing, at which I thank him with a nod. I then turn back and focus on my fingernails, feeling the mass of dark magic swirling and gathering power beneath them. Yet I glare at this and in the most basic of Latin I say: "No more."
And the power of these two simple words is enough for the dark energy to be destroyed, the masses dissipating into the void of the air that is around them and some of these masses pop as if they are bubbles that get pricked by the very things that were keeping them contained. And to see them vanish makes me sigh relieved.
"You okay, Andy?" Sirius asks me and I nod before I say: "I am, Sirius. I also took out every last bit of the Heartstamp spell from your son. It's just that collecting the dark magic of that spell, when done by a Light-aligned witch or wizard, can really drain them. Sorry, I won't be able to do it again anytime soon, I'm afraid."
But my cousin doesn't seem to care for this and says: "The fact that you did my little boy first means the world to me, Andy. Thanks for that." At which his partner, other son and the mates of both his kids nod in agreement before we all turn to the Beast as a yawning sound comes from within his cloak, which he pulls aside.
Harry blinks and looks around as he asks: "Wait, what happened?" To this Sirius moves closer and asks: "We finished the chapter, pup, and Andy managed to break the Heartstamp Spell on you. How do you feel?" And the boy looks down and says: "I – I don't know – strange?" Which worries the rest, but I ask:
"You feel more confident, don't you? That's a side effect of the Heartstamp Spell. It slowly but surely makes the target more insecure about their own decisions unless they are affected by the orders put on them by the spell caster. You'll feel stronger in your own opinion and be more willing to voice and stand up for it too, over time."
I then smile at his mates and say: "Especially, if taking a decision of your own choice has an effect that is the opposite of what the caster would want. So say, the caster wants you to be straight, but you are in love with someone of the same gender, you'll be more willing to express that once the spell has been taken down."
This makes Harry smile widely and he turns to the rest of his family, but Sirius shakes his head and says: "Andy is a Light-aligned witch, Harry, and the Heartstamp spell has a lot of dark side-effects and whatnot. Breaking it apart really drained her. She'll only be able to do it to one of us every so often, all at once could hurt her."
At this Harry nods and then he thanks Beast for allowing him his bit of rest before he asks: "Maybe – I don't know – we can try it every other chapter or so?" At which I smile and say: "I will definitely be able to regather my energy over the time it takes us to even read one, so I guess we best get going with the next one."
At which my daughter happily says: "Well trust me, the next one is going to be everything last chapter was not." We all turn to her and see that she has the book open and has obviously read the title. "Well then, Nymphadora, why don't you do us the honors?" I ask and while my daughter sends me a fake glare, does she start to read.
Dumbledore's Army … other explanation."
"And there goes my previous statement right out the window." My daughter groans, yet then Luna says: "Things always need to go bad before they can go right – though the books don't seem to agree with me there." And the idea that she might already know the outcome of these books makes me worry for her as Dora reads.
"You think … quite unnoticed.
"As long as you make sure you practice and at least try to manage the spell assigned to you within that class. And for the record, that is the same thing your grandmother told us when she found out about us doing the same. Still don't really get why Flitwick cared at the time." James mumbles at the end and Sirius shrugs as Dora reads on.
"I've been … your frog."
"You know, I just realized something." Harry suddenly says and he goes on: "Hermione – at least in the book – is perfectly able to read the secretive and illegal stuff that Umbridge is doing, but is being – no offense – a total newbie when it comes to other cases of secrecy. It has to be the Heartstamp Spell that is affecting her."
Yet at this the girl whitens and says: "But – but that – but Molly – she – she's against the Club. She – she could –." But then the twins hug her and one of them says: "Don't worry, she won't." And the other goes on: "Yeah, she won't risk us like that." Which does indeed calm Hermione down before my daughter continues her chapter.
Harry looked … him. Silencio."
"That Heartstamp Spell is really turning me into a second version of that horrible woman, isn't it?" Hermione asks, but to this Sora suddenly says: "Maybe, but I got to say, you're pretty impressive." We all look at him and while I wonder if he means the fact that these books aren't affecting her the way the spell wants, does he say:
"I mean the pictures we took with us when we came here. They were covered in Heartless, remember? Why would that woman sink so deep into the Darkness as to be able to call and control those beasts unless you guys managed to fight off the effects of the spell. See what I mean?" And Hermione gratefully nods as my daughter reads.
The large … in. Ha!
Yet while this news should make everyone who loves Quidditch excited, does it not seem to be the case for one person who I know is a Quidditch nut and Sirius sighs as he says: "That would have been better if Minerva just did it herself. Now Umbridge is going to consider it a power-play and think she should get back at them."
At this James hits him over the back of his head and he asks: "Do you have to be so negative?" To which Sirius says: "I don't like it either, Jamie, but I'd rather we be prepared for bad news, so it won't hit us too harsh when it comes. These books are dark enough I feel we need it." His mate nods in understanding at this and my Dora reads on.
So I … her face.
"Warning, more Heartstamp statements incoming, warning." The twins chorus and Hermione sighs in relief as she says: "At least this time we know we can expect it. Though I can only wonder how bad I am going to turn out in this." To this Ariel, who took the girl to sit next to her, pulls her close as my daughter hesitantly reads on.
"Just thinking … it anymore?"
"First of all, no Hermione, I am not holding you responsible for these statements. Second of, Harry, you have no idea how badly I am wishing you took that advice right – wait, a bleeding second!" Sirius suddenly says and he stands up, moves down to the gem in the center and starts to pace around it, a thoughtful frown on his face.
"Dad?" Harry asks and Sirius mutters: "The timing of this all. The Floo-call, the orders I decided to follow up with, the way I worded my arguments and now this." Here he looks up and gasps as he says: "That no-good witch." He then turns to Hermione and says: "This was planned. The whole blasted thing was planned."
The girl looks confused, but then Ron says: "That – makes a disturbing amount of sense. Hermione is under the influence of the Heartstamp Spell to be more like Molly, whereas Harry, even to Molly's knowledge, is strong enough in his care for Sirius to fight the spell. So to then have Hermione disagree on Sirius' word –."
And Hermione gasps as she says: "Would make Harry all the more determined to see the Club through. But – wait a minute – Sirius, do you know what that means?" And Sirius asks: "I thought I just said that when I said this was all planned." But Ron shakes his head and then, strangely enough, turns to Albus and says:
"It means that she knew of the Club before the meeting in the Hogs Head. Harry didn't show any dislike or doubt on forming the club back at the pub, but he was doubtful of it for two weeks. Meaning that, whoever was guarding Harry and who was there when Hermione first brought it up –." And the man darkly ends:
"Told her long before Dung told us about the pub meeting, giving her plenty enough time to plan all this and to even probably report to Ginny, so she could adjust the spell on both of you accordingly." At this the man stands up and says: "Excuse me a minute. It would seem I need to smoke out yet another traitor."
Yet at this Sirius shakes his head and says: "No Albus, you need to read this chapter with us. Reading about how the club is formed and how my son handles it will be good for you. You need your morals high, especially for a task like this." And the ancient man sends the father a grateful smile as he sits back down and my daughter continues to read.
Hermione looked … my mother."
"All thanks to a spell that I will be happy to destroy when we are done with this chapter, dear. And Sirius, I would like to do you after that. I can tell that, for some reason, you, Harry and Hermione are the ones most influenced by this spell, as if she cast it most at the three of you." My cousin nods at this as my daughter reads on.
Hermione bit … Let's go."
At this the twins share a look and one of them says: "It's kind of amazing and ironic –." And the other goes on: "But that period of time of her not being able to be a Captain –." And they chorus: "Seems to have pulled her out of her Wood-like behavior." Which makes their mate and team mate snicker as Nymphadora continues reading.
They all … in weeks.
This makes Riku and Harry share a smile and James asks: "Care to share?""Riku managed to break the connection in my scar that – well – connects my mind to Voldemort, that allows me to feel his emotions and make me know when he is planning something or if something goes right or wrong for him, things like that."
"You've been healed?" James asks, sheer relief sounding through his voice and Harry nods as he says: "I think so. It was scary, because, when Riku was doing so, I lost sight of him and couldn't feel his presence within me anymore, but – he told me he was sure the connection was severed when he woke up himself."
The man turns to Riku at this and Riku says: "When one dives into the heart of another, they enter this realm that is several platforms made of stained glass. Two of them were based on emotions Harry felt the most often and the third was the core of the connection. Only the connection itself was, sentient, somehow, and broke the stairs down.
It made Harry unable to sense me, but Sora sensed my need for him to help me through, so while I made sure the connection was destroyed, did he help me return to my own form." At this James nods and I hear Dean whisper: "That must have been when he left us in our rooms." At which Seamus nods as Dora continues reading.
"What's up … he said.
This makes all of the Order members share worried looks and Harry asks: "This has to do with that promise I made you, doesn't it? About where to and where not to go, right?" Sirius mutters: "More than probably." To which Harry nods and says: "Then all the more reason not to go there, if Voldemort wants it that badly."
This seems to shock Albus and a few others and Dean asks: "But – what about your other adventures? First Year and all that?" To this Harry turns to him and says: "Yes, I did all that – after getting proven that teachers aren't going to do it themselves. Both times I went to try and find a capable teacher before I went on all that."
"Huh, we never heard anything about that." Seamus mumbles and Harry rolls his eyes as he says: "No, of course not. It would make what I did less heroic. I mean, what hero goes to others for help?" And everyone can hear the disgust in Harry's voice every time he says the word hero, making Dora read on, obviously feeling for him.
Again, he … was furious."
"Do we want to know what he's up to?" Dean asks and Moody retorts: "Depends. Do you really want to know what goes on in the mind of a bloody madman? Yes, I know what I said." He then goes on as Albus sends him a raised eyebrow, but then James pulls Harry close and says: "You do realize that's exactly what my son is doing, right?
And that it's hurting him and that the madman is the same person as who took him his aunt?""Your point?" Moody asks and James growls: "My point, Lord Moody, is that I would like you to practice at least some subtlety while on Potter land. Can you do that?" And Moody feels properly chastised as he nods and his Trainee reads on.
He looked … Harry shrugged.
"I really would, my boy. If only so I can act accordingly." Albus tells Harry, but this seems to be the wrong thing to say as Sirius glares at him and asks: "Albus, are you trying to be a hypocrite? You want Harry out of the war effort and are ignoring him for no reason – yet at the same time you want him to confide in you about the enemy?
Really? Do you know what message that sends to my son? Allow me to spell it out for you. Oh Harry, nothing about you or your current situation is important to me, but the war is and if you feel in pain over what our enemy is going through, you need to tell me, while I will try and keep you out of the war at the same time.
Do you see what I'm getting at here, Albus?" And Albus does indeed look quite guilty as he sighs and says: "I don't know why, but for some reason I just keep losing sight of those most important to me and expressing what they mean to me in my need to see this war won for our side. I am truly sorry for that, Sirius, Harry."
The two nod and Hermione asks: "Could that be because of the Heartstamp Spell?" And Moody growls as he says: "Sounds plausible to me. If Albus isn't all that caring for those that can help him win the war, it makes it easier for that witch to kill them off.""Subtlety, Lord Moody." James snarls and Moody cringes as Dora reads on.
"C'mon… we've … it now?
"You're going to end up there." Sirius sighs and yet Harry says: "Only in the book, dad. Remember, I promised –.""You would break that promise." Luna suddenly says and we turn to her as she says: "If you knew what lured you, you would." Yet while Harry wants to take offense, does Sora stop him and say: "She's reading the wind."
And this makes his younger brother look closer and it's true. Luna is actually sitting at the very highest step and her entire upper body is turned away from us, her blonde hair blowing out of her face as she must be in the closest contact with the powers that are her own she has ever been since she first arrived here before me.
We all look at her and Harry asks: "Will we find out soon.""Before you're ready." The girl mumbles and this makes Harry shiver before the girl delivers the most confusing, yet to Harry apparently most horrifying message. "You saw me look away." She says, her tone horribly dark and Harry tears up in pain as he nods.
Yet when the others look at him, does he shake his head and ask: "Beast, Simba?" And the two stand up, Simba moving so that Harry can lie a hand on his back and Beast's claw wrapped around a large part of Harry's back as the two lead him away. And while this really worries everyone, does Dora sigh and continue the reading.
"Mimbulus mimbletonia … and recklessness…
"That sounds like you growing up, love." James tries to joke, but we can all hear the concern in his voice and I say: "If you're all okay with it, I wouldn't be against making some draughts that work against potions like that. I even managed to invent one that makes you immune to them after you take it for a solid month."
This makes a lot of those around me share a look and Sirius mutters: "That would be a good idea. Considering that Molly was a Potions Mistress herself and that Voldemort has plenty of Potions masters of his own, it would only be better for us all to have some of that." The others nod and then Erik turns to me and asks:
"Would you be opposed to brewing potions that can help my wife with her pregnancy? Keep it safe against potential threats?" To which I answer: "I would need to give her a diagnose first, so I know what I'm dealing with and how far she is, but I have no problem with that. Next break?" Erik nods, Ariel smiles at us and Dora reads on.
… Hermione said … Grimmauld Place…
This makes Hermione turn to Sirius in guilt, but the man says: "That part you were actually correct in, though not for the reasons book-you thought. I just don't get why I never – damn that good-for-nothing spell." Sirius growls and we all get what he means. The spell is keeping him from properly telling others he suffers from anxiety.
"And if you combine that with the chance that she is both keeping him quiet about his issue and probably increasing the effects of the anxiety with her spell –." And with that do I want to turn to Luna again, but instead something else conveys what I am thinking as three horribly devastating roars of sound reach us from far away.
We turn to where the sound is coming from, which is the same direction as where Harry led Simba and Beast to and while the roar of a ferocious beast and a noble feline sound caring and protective, does my heart break over how devastated, scared and broken the third screaming voice sounds, as that can only be Harry himself.
The boy sounds heartbroken, he sounds lost, he sounds terrified, he sounds anguished. He sounds like a Veela who has lost the chance to find his mate and is in the final stage of heartache before his death. And the boy's own mates are instantly motivated by this as Lea grabs Fred and George before vanishing in dark energy.
Yet the sounds don't stop even after they vanish and this makes us all share worried looks, yet then Even vanishes for a few moments and when he returns he says: "They're with him, but Lea told the twins to just let him let it out. I agree. I saw Harry and I could tell, he needed to." We all nod and with a tight voice, does Dora read on.
… most efficacious … explain satisfactorily?
"I do have a theory of what is inside Harry's scar, one I sincerely hope I am wrong about, but even if I'm right –." Here Albus stops and says: "It would seem that young Riku made even that theory invalid when he severed the connection." And while the young man looks at him with a curiously raised eyebrow, does Dora read on.
… where the … rolled sideways…
Yet this makes me frown more than anything and I growl: "I will have a word with all of the teachers before classes start next year, Albus. Because this being described like this proves only one thing; the book wants to let us know that this is something that happens a lot and we both know what this description says without words."
The man nods and says: "Students are tiring themselves out into falling asleep, instead of just going to bed, all to ensure they can finish their homework. I will make sure to be there with you when you meet them and have Poppy alerted as well." And while this clearly makes my cousin worry for his son, does my own daughter read on.
He was … from it…
At this Albus turns grim with worry and he turns to Riku as he asks: "Can you please ask Harry if he had this same dream last night, Riku?""Because of the connection that got severed?" The boy asks and when Dumbledore nods, does he ask: "How exactly do these two factors connect?" And Albus hesitates before he says:
"Because if he still has those dreams, it might still allow Voldemort the chance to learn about the DoM – through Harry. And considering that we don't want Harry anywhere near that place and what young Mss. Lovegood just told us of Harry and his promise." And while the man stops here, does Riku still nod and say:
"I'll make sure to ask him first chance I get, though if you don't mind –." Here he turns to his grandmother and say: "I'll let gran know, so she can let you know. That way, I won't be involved in the Order anymore than my brother or his friends." At this Albus and Augusta nod in happy agreement before Dora reads on.
"Harry Potter … ever knitted;
Here Hermione sighs before she turns to Dumbledore and asks: "That doesn't do anything to Dobby's status, does it?" And Dumbledore shakes his head as he says: "Dobby is most definitely a unique case amongst House-Elves, if for no other reason that he seems able to survive just by being paid instead of being bonded."
This seems to worry the girl, but Sirius seems to feel contemplative as he asks: "Albus, how exactly did Dobby become freed in the first place?" And when Albus answers: "Harry freed him from Lucius through a trick." Does it seem to tell my cousin something as he mutters: "Ah, I see." But he doesn't say anything else and so Dora reads.
he was … all himself,
This makes Hermione look quite guilty and she says: "I'll make sure not to do that anymore." And I decide to throw her a bit of a bone as I smile at her and say: "You know, if you like knitting, I can help you learn how to really make human-sized clothes and whatnot." And the girl smiles at me gratefully as Dora continues reading.
sir, but … with Umbridge…
"Aaah, now that is a wonderful idea." Dumbledore says and James smiles as he goes on: "Indeed. The House Elves probably know Hogwarts better than you are and it sounds like Dobby would do anything for Harry, so he will probably know the safest, most secretive place possible." Which makes Dora read on in relieved excitement.
"Wait a … off, sir…
"I thought Butterbeer wasn't able to make someone drunk." Hermione says shocked and Sirius says: "It's not able to make wizards drunk. House-Elves are much more in touch with magic, so the magic that is actually inside Butterbeer to mix the beverage with the flavor alongside keeping the alcohol to an acceptable level is stronger for them.
And it is that magic that can actually make them drunk – though it can also kill them if they aren't bonded to a family or location." To which Ron says in shock: "Meaning that, even if she is still grieving the Crouch Family, Winky did bond herself to Hogwarts." Sirius nods, Hermione sighs in relief and Dora reads on.
and Dobby … chamber pots?"
And this mention actually shocks the man before he smiles widely and says: "So that is why I never found that intriguing room again." Yet Riku seems intrigued for a different reason and he asks: "I wonder, what else can that room turn into." And while this works on the interest of everyone else, does my daughter read on.
"Dobby expects … to finish.
At this both Sirius and James smile at the girl and James says: "Thank you. I would have preferred if it was Siri or myself, but I am glad that, in some way, you are looking out for my little boy's health and well-being." And the girl beams back at him as she says: "It's what friends do." Making everyone else smile as Dora reads on.
"Not tonight … your arm?"
"Wait, WHAT?" James asks shocked and Ron says: "His former master tricked Ginny into taking a dark magic item and it caused dangers to reach Hogwarts. Dobby wanted to keep Harry away from that, so he tried to get him injured enough he would be send home. It was out of proper intentions, just – done by an elf that isn't all there."
And while this doesn't seem to reassure the mother entirely, does Ron then turn to Hermione and say: "And besides, it wasn't Dobby that made Harry lose all the bones in his arm, he only attacked him with a Bludger. It was Lockhart who took him his bones." Which doesn't make things any better for James as Dora reads on.
"This room … more objections.
"So, I know we already suspect that Hermione is under a combination of the Heartstamp spell and several potions. Am I the only one who thinks that the potions are affecting her ability to keep things secret, whereas the spell makes her trust in only those who Molly trusts?" Dora suddenly asks and yet this surprises me and I ask:
"Wait, when did you start suspecting that?" And my daughter winces as she says: "Right, I forgot to tell you this. We became suspicious in the chapter before I picked you up. It was the one that described how the Club first got together at the Hog's Head." I nod and then turn to Hermione as I gently tell her:
"If you really suspect yourself to be under both potions and spell influence, I will have to diagnose you as well before I can start doing for you what I did for Harry." The girl nods and Sirius says: "I say we hold a small break after this chapter, so you can diagnose both your new clients before we read on." We all nod and Dora reads on.
Together with … Hog's Head.
"I just hope that we managed to keep this all secret better than I did last time." Hermione mutters and Even smirks at her as he says: "Considering that we're not reading how or where this happens, I think we can assume that you did. No need to worry over what is not being told." The girl smiles at him gratefully and Dora reads on.
At half … people were.
"That is so awesome!" Dean and Seamus chorus in amazement, yet James smirks and says: "Perhaps, but Harry and Sora are the only ones who have true rights to ownership of that item. So expect nothing more than to be allowed to borrow it from time to time." The young lads nod at this in acceptance and Dora giggles as she reads on.
"Filch is … we need."
This seems to concern Riku and he growls: "That sounds too – varied. It means that someone could hide something filled with Dark Magic within it and ask the room to hide the aura of said item or something." This seems to worry the others and Riku asks: "Would it be wrong if I lead some Order members in there?
I won't do any fighting, but I do think I can lead them to the objects that are – better off destroyed or neutralized." At this Dumbledore nods and then Sirius says: "Would you be willing to do the same for the core of London? We did discuss that back during the start of the book, remember?" Riku nods again and Albus says:
"I will make sure to put together a small group of experts when Andromeda diagnoses her patients. Perhaps we can make sure to do this after we end our reading for the day." At which Sirius nods and yet Sora turns to Riku and says: "If you're going, I'm going. I am not going to let you go somewhere dangerous on your own."
Yet when Riku wants to object to this, does he get silenced by Sora kissing him passionately and Sirius and I smile at each other over this as Sirius says: "Looks like it's not just Harry who progressed into the next stage of his bond with his mates. Sorry Riku, but I doubt you will be going anywhere without Sora anytime soon."
Yet the silver-haired lad seems not to care for this – or even hear his mate's father – as he has lost himself in the passion he is now sharing with his beloved and while this makes Dean and Seamus turn a little red, does Augusta just shake her head and say: "Tonks, just read on, these two are busy." And my daughter giggles as she reads.
They did … find us…
Here Moody nods and says: "Good, make sure you add that last part every time you do this. If you do and keep a close eye on your members, you might just get this through to the end – or at least last acceptably long." And while some of us frown at him for not ending that on a positive note, does Dora just roll her eyes and read on.
"Harry!" said … Moodys office.
"I wondered what happened to that thing." Moody mutters before he huffs and says: "Though that Crouch was really stupid if he thought –." But then Albus says: "Actually, it did show Minerva, Severus and myself on the night you were freed, Alastor." Intriguing his friend and oldest battle partner as Dora reads on.
"These will … was right.
"Now that is just utterly ironic, seeing as how this was your idea." Ron mutters, yet then Luna smiles and says: "She wasn't sure, because part of her kept reminding her that her friend wasn't entirely into this. Her loyalty to him kept her back." And this seems to shock the girl, yet she then turns red with glee as Dora reads on in pride.
"Harry, this … on it.
"He better not in the future." Moody growls, yet then I suddenly notice something. "The howling has stopped." I state and everyone seems shocked at this as the howling of the three had become like familiar background music to the reading. We all look at where it was coming from and see something that shocks us.
Harry is walking alongside Fred, George and Lea, yet the way that there is almost no distance between them and how they are still able to walk perfectly in sync as well as the fluidness of their movement almost makes it look as if they are dancing towards us, as if their emotions are strengthening their every move and step.
"Those no-good bastards." Sirius suddenly growls furiously, but James stops him and says: "Neither Simba nor Beast would have allowed that. You know as well as I they would have stopped that." And this calms his mate down, Sirius nodding in agreement, while Ron and Hermione turn red, getting what isn't being said there.
"You four are pretty special." Luna says as they reach us and Harry turns to her as she says: "You haven't bonded yet and still you are so close it almost looks as if you have. It's really a gorgeous sight." She then gasps and says: "And it made the pictures 5% less valid. One picture even became completely obsolete."
This instantly has Sirius reach into a pocket of his robe and Ron asks: "You keep those there.""For if Luna's words were to come true, yes." Sirius answers before he hands the envelope over to Luna and asks: "Which one became obsolete, Luna?" And the girl pulls the pictures out of the envelope and scours them before she says:
"This one." Showing a picture that – to all of our shock – is nothing but a blank canvas, white and with nothing to show on its frame. Sirius then takes the other pictures, scours through them and says: "It was the one of George. The one where he was lying on his own bed, staring out the window of his bedroom with blank eyes."
This seems to confuse most of those around me, but then Harry gasps and he clings to one of the twins. And this seems to explain the whole thing to us all and the other two – of which one I now realize must be George – also instantly start to cling to Fred, who is rooted to the spot as he too must realize what this means.
The other Weasleys are all clinging and seeking support with each other and I hear Hermione whisper: "How many are we going to lose in these books?" Yet she doesn't get any answers as everyone is too hurt by the idea that we might lose someone, that Harry might lose one of his mates. And Lea seems highly against this as he growls:
"I will personally take you to my homeworld, timelines be damned, before I lose any of you. Any of you." This makes Hermione turn to Sirius, who nods at her and he says: "Trust me, Lea, you're not alone in plans like that." And while this both concerns and reassures me somehow, does the group then sit down as my daughter read on.
"Well, I've … you think?"
"Don't you think you should have mentioned this instead of reading that book? I mean, doing it now, while Harry is trying to get this all started makes him look stupid. It kind of undermines the authority you tried to give him." Ariel asks the girl and she turns red as she says: "Didn't think of that.""Neither did I." Dora says before she reads on.
"Can we … isn't it?"
"And the best way to get this whole group into even more trouble if something goes wrong. That no-good little witch doesn't want this to work out. I guess that's on advice of her witch of a mother." Moody growls and Sirius asks: "You think she'll be the one to ruin this?" But Moody shakes his head and says:
"No, she's more likely to advice or nudge someone else to do so, probably either Smith, Chang or that friend of Chang's. And right now, my money is mostly on the latter. She doesn't want to be there, so she has the most plausible reason to grow against this more and more." At this most of us nod, all of us seeing what he means as Dora reads on.
There was … Harry said.
"No." Moody snaps here and he goes on: "None of them are allowed to leave anymore, not now that they are all into this whole thing this deep. It will just give them a reason to betray the rest of you. If this is done – I said, if this is done, Black, not if your kid plans to do this – you lot will need to think of a different punishment."
"Do you really think we're going to need it, Moody? I mean, considering that Mr. Diggory is going to be our DADA teacher and all that." And while Moody wants to start a rant, does Sirius say: "Let's leave that up to the books. If we can find something in there that they need to train for, they can discuss it with Amos.
If not, we can all agree to just leave what needs to be done to those best equipped or abled to complete the tasks we read of in the books and the kids can just focus on whatever it is that Amos plans to teach them. And besides, we both know that Amos himself is quite protective, don't we Alastor?" Moody nods at this and Dora reads on.
Smith did … left partnerless.
"Why exactly, Mr. Potter, is that predictable?" Augusta asks and yet it's Neville that sighs as he says: "Because my clumsiness scares people off and by now everyone else has made their own cliques. The Chasers, Fred and George, Harry, Ron and Hermione, etc., etc., etc." This makes his gran grimace and Dora reads on, sounding just as upset.
"You can … over them.
This makes all of the adults grimace and James is this time the one to copy this bit of text as he says: "Better make sure I give this to Amos at first chance so he has some idea of what to expect." To which Albus says: "Leave that to me, James. I will need to see him to sign his contract." James nods at this and Dora continues reading.
"Expelliarmus!" said … Couldn't resist."
"We will always get back at those who hurt, degrade or insult those we love." The twins chorus, Fred now having Harry on his lap, George cuddling in his side and Lea respectively pulling him against his own side and Moody growls: "Just make sure it doesn't keep you from doing what you need to." The two nod and Dora reads on.
Harry walked … jinx her.
This makes some of those around us roll our eyes, yet Hercules frowns at this and he asks: "Didn't a previous chapter name him as her boyfriend?" The others nod and Hercules mutters: "I wonder if he really is that – or just a practice dummy for her to perfection her Heartstamp Spell on." At which Dora reads on, grimacing.
Ernie Macmillan … sorry, Marietta!"
"Why on earth did she even do that? Is she trying to make her friend betray them?" Moody asks, but Harry shakes his head and says: "It's part of her plan regarding me. I was just like that when I asked her out last year. She's pretending to be like that to make me think we have something in common." At which the man growls:
"That little witch. If she didn't use this just to get herself a boyfriend, I would have considered her either a wondrous partner in strategy or a really dangerous enemy." At which Lea says: "She might just turn into either, sir, when she finds out that her precious target has already been taken by someone else, let alone three others."
At this Alastor turns to Albus and he nods as he says: "I will make sure that Filius keeps a close eye on her. Her actions may be defended by the Ravenclaw Hierarchy, but what she will do if she goes against this bond will not be allowed to be." Which makes James and Sirius smile at the ancient man in gratitude as Dora reads on.
Her curly-haired … Umgubular Slashkilter –"
"Luna, it really isn't a good idea to voice your father's hidden messages. You are too young for people to realize that you are talking in code. It will just make them think you crazy – well, crazier than some idiots are already making you out to be. I meant Ginerva, Hermione." Belle ends and Hermione utters an apology looking red.
"But people deserve to know." Luna says and Belle smiles at her as she says: "I know they do, Luna. But it's like you said. Why waste your time on those who don't want to listen anyway? Just focus on things you like – for your reasons, not your father's – and leave coded messages to those who are known to leave them.
Make friends and then create your own code with them, so you can have fun and keep each other safe. How does that sound?" At this the girl turns thoughtful and she asks: "It sounds good, but – can I really do it? Make friends, I mean?" And this seems to shock everyone before Harry turns to her and with pain in his voice he asks her:
"Luna, don't you count us as friends?" And the girl seems just as shocked as she asks: "I'm with friends?" And everyone looks at her shocked, but then Belle moves over to sit with her and says: "Yes, sweetie. You may have been without friends for so long you don't recognize them, but yes. You are with friends now."
This seems to shock and intrigue the girl and she says: "I just thought I was brought here for my gift. You know, because those three are Time Travelers and all that." But at this Harry says: "No Luna, you were brought here, because we read of how you never had friends before and we thought you deserved to have some at long last."
He then turns to Sora and Kairi and says: "Heck, my brother and Kairi liked you just based on the description the book gave you." And the look that the girl gives the two proves one thing. Luna hasn't had someone like her for so long, she didn't even know people still could like her. This really hurts me and then Dora sighs and reads on.
"Don't ask … Lady's portrait.
"I don't think the others will like it that you know where their common rooms are." Luna says, but Harry shrugs and says: "I'd rather know where my potential enemies or threats are than care for who's feelings I hurt by knowing where to find them. I don't intend to break their privacy and the Map doesn't either.
It shows where the common room is, not how to enter it or what it looks like. It's just shaped like a large, square classroom with the words common room and the name of the House on it." This makes the girl nod and Lupin says: "Disrupting privacy was never a Map's intention." Making the others smile as Dora reads on.
"That was … her nervous.
"She will not get you." The boy's mates all chorus with a possessive growl to their voices and yet Harry rolls his eyes and says: "Excuse to hide that I was gay, remember? She can look as appealing as she might think she is to me, unless she grows red hair, gorgeous green eyes and abs the size of a Bludger, I will not care."
This makes the three mates smirk and they chorus: "Good." Before, to the shock of practically everyone, Fred and George assault Harry's cheeks, while Lea goes over to dominate Harry's lips, all three proving that they have truly fallen in love with the boy and that they will let him know, but also that they want to thank him.
"That's either thanks to how they grew closer earlier on or its Harry's allure getting the better of him." I think, yet then I read the chapter title of the next chapter and mutter: "Looks like my cousin plans to make another lousy move." At which Sirius moves over to read the title over my shoulder and he says: "Time to gather some Chasers."
Here they come.
However, next chapter will probably not be focused on the Quidditch chapter. For one reason, I do not want to get into Umbridge territory before I NEED to – and you all know I love postponing that where and when I can – but also because I think I should give some proper attention to both Hermione and Ariel.
Personally, I feel as if I have just not been giving enough attention to the KH crew and I really hope that this chapter proved this and that I intend to change that. Also, I have started making more notes, so there is also a decrease in the chance of me writing about something I already wrote about in a previous chapter.
Like I said in the AN of another chapter, 2018 is a year of change for me and my stories. I am really going to use this year to grow as a writer, to change my stories for the better and to fix up mistakes I made in older chapters. And personally, I just hope that you will enjoy it all, the improvements, the changes, the fixes.
Let me know,
Venquine1990
