Soul of the Enemy
By Willow Spirit
Disclaimer: I only own the plot. Everything else belongs to the wonderful J. K. Rowling.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Heads up, there is a dream sequence at the end of this chapter.
Chapter 20 – Remember
The battle did continue, or at least not in the way that Harry had imagined. Alex was apparently avoiding him, which was fairly easy since it was the weekend and they didn't have to sit together in class. They were barely in the same room for two minutes at a time. If Harry was in the common room, then Alex was in the library. If Harry was in the Great Hall, then Alex was always "late" for meals. This worried Harry most of all. He was fairly certain that Alex wasn't eating well. It looked like she had lost a bit more weight but he couldn't get her to eat more if they weren't at the table together.
Harry knew he had to do something by the time Sunday afternoon rolled around. They wouldn't be able to get through their classes this week if they didn't get things sorted out between them. After giving it some thought, he realized that they needed to talk. So with all the determination he could muster, Harry ventured off to the library in search of Alex.
When he entered the library, he went straight to the back. His suspicions were confirmed, as he found Alex sitting alone at a small table in a corner. Her work was spread out all over the place, but it didn't look like she was getting much done. She idly twirled her wand around in her fingers and just stared at it with this blank look. Her whole body froze as Harry approached. Alex looked at him warily out of the corner of her eye, then immediately started packing up her things.
"You don't have to leave," Harry said quickly.
"Yes I do," Alex sighed. "We're not doing this here. If we must, then let's move it somewhere else."
"You really don't like talking in front of others, do you?" Harry couldn't help himself; the question seemed to fly out of his mouth.
"Not when it's personal," Alex said as she flung her bag over her shoulder. "It's none of their business."
The two Gryffindors left the library and walked through the halls until they came to a fairly empty corridor. "Alright," Alex stopped and faced Harry with her arms crossed over her chest. "Let's get to it. What do you have to say?"
"Oh, thanks for making this so easy for me," Harry frowned.
"Who said I would?" Alex shot back. "Look, Potter, you're the one who wanted to have this conversation. I was perfectly fine just sitting in the library by myself."
"Fine. I just wanted to say that I still feel the way I did the night of the dance. I doubt I'll be changing my mind any time soon, either."
"And I still say that you're confused," Alex shook her head.
"Well, it's not like it makes complete sense to me!" Harry exclaimed with a hint of anger. "I haven't known you for a long time, but I love you anyway. There are so many things about you that I don't know, but I still love you. It's annoying and frustrating, knowing that you have secrets, and I wish that you would just open up to me and trust me, like I've trusted you."
"What a lovely thing to say," Alex had this incredulous look on her face. "And how dare you try to turn the tables on me. I'm not the bad guy here and you're not exactly the innocent victim here, either."
Harry took a moment to breathe and relax. This was not going so well. Alex definitely had a nasty temper and he was on the verge of releasing it. He didn't want it loose and running rampant, he wanted to smooth things over. "Isn't there anyway you can talk to me about your past?" Harry asked with extreme caution. "I just want to know you better."
"I don't think so, Potter," Alex said as patiently as she could. "There are so many things I'll never be able to tell you. You'll have to learn to accept that."
"But why?"
"Because it's all part of me and who I am," Alex explained.
Harry didn't know how to respond after that. He knew such a thing would be hard to accept. It would kill him not knowing as much as he could about her. Then again, another part of him really wanted to respect Alex's wishes. He just hoped that she had very good reasons for guarding her past.
"Fine," Harry finally relented. "You win…again. I promise I won't bother you again about any of this and…"
"Potter," Alex sighed. "It's not you, okay. I just can't have a boyfriend right now. It's really not a good time. And one more thing, if you want a piece of advice."
"What kind of advice?" Harry was afraid to ask.
"If you want to keep your friendship with Longbottom, I suggest you talk to him," Alex shrugged. "I mean, it's up to you of course, but I'm sure he thinks you hate him right now. And I don't think it would hurt if you talked to Ginny too, if you haven't already."
"Sure, as long as you talk to Neville so he doesn't get the wrong idea about that kiss."
"Already done."
Oh. Harry only nodded, before they started off down the hallway. As soon as they took a few steps, they saw an ugly sight. Malfoy was sauntering down the hall with Grabbe and Goyle in tow. There was no where else to go. Harry and Alex could either turn and walk away or continue on right past them. Of course, neither Harry nor Alex was going to be influenced by Malfoy's presence. So they each stood a bit straighter and their hands were ready to go for their wands. Naturally, though, Malfoy couldn't resist stopping and making some nasty comment.
"Oh, look!" Malfoy exclaimed. "It seems as though Reid here as moved on from Longbottom to Potter. What was wrong, Reid? Longbottom couldn't satisfy you? One public kiss was enough and now you've dumped him…"
"Shut up, Malfoy," Alex glared at him in disgust.
"Or maybe you're thinking things will be better with Potter," Malfoy carried on. "Can't say they will be."
"Run away, Malfoy," Harry warned. "Now."
"I don't think I will," Malfoy smirked.
"Hey, Malfoy, see any good pictures lately?" Alex asked. Malfoy's smirk was instantly replaced by a deep scowl.
"You don't know who you're playing with," he glared.
"Is this the part where I'm supposed to go: 'oh, I'm so scared! Somebody please help me!'"
"You will regret this," Malfoy's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You won't be so bold and confident when I'm through with you."
Alex burst out laughing. "What are you going to do? Pull another practical joke on me? Like that really worked well last time. I'm still shaking inside when I think about it."
"Just you wait until…"
"Why don't you give it a rest," Harry rolled his eyes in boredom.
"Stay out of this, Potter," Malfoy spat. "This is between me and Reid now." Harry merely glared back and decided to not respond. He knew Alex could handle things anyway.
"God, you must be extremely brave or incredibly stupid," Alex looked over Malfoy. "And by the looks of things my vote is for stupid. Seriously though, why do we keep on arguing like this? I always win, yet you keep on dragging your sorry ass back for more verbal abuse."
"Enough!" Malfoy roared, his hand twitching for his wand.
"Oh, so now you want some physical abuse too?" Alex quipped. "If that's what you really want."
"Someone's going to teach you a lesson, someday," Malfoy fumed. "And I hope I get to see it."
No one said a word for a long, tense moment. Then Alex surprised everyone by stepping closer to Malfoy. They were nearly face to face, a mere foot apart. They stared at each other for a little while longer.
"You aren't worth my time, you ignorant little boy," Alex said softly, but with great force. And before Malfoy could overcome his indignation, Alex and Harry were on their way, leaving the three stunned Slytherins behind.
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Firenze, the centaur, stood once again out in the open just outside the school. A cool breeze whipped through the trees on this fine April evening. The dark sky was accented by a bright moon and thousands of twinkling stars. Firenze was studying these very stars, trying to read their secrets. Of course, he was looking for one message in particular.
He finally found it after a few moments of searching, the message he had originally found on a cold night in January. The message, it seemed, had changed a bit since then. It made it seem like the great danger was already at Hogwarts and that said danger was growing with each day.
Firenze's thoughts drifted to the Potter boy, and the conversation they had had many weeks ago. Firenze had given him a warning. Did the boy still remember that warning or had he forgotten it?
"I hope you do remember, Harry Potter," Firenze said to himself softly. "So much depends on it."
As luck, or fate, would have it, Harry had an unusually strange dream that same night. Perhaps some higher power thought that he needed a wake up call, or maybe the whole thing was just a dream. Either way, it was a message that Harry would not soon forget.
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Harry was dozing near the fireplace in the common room. He was pretty sure he was alone. Everyone else was in bed. It was very late, but Harry didn't want to be in his room. Just as he was almost asleep, he thought he heard something. His eyes flew open. It sounded like soft footsteps.
Harry sat up a bit and looked around. Funny, he didn't see anyone. Harry slouched back down in his armchair, feeling sort of confused. Was he going crazy? Then he heard the sound again. His head spun around and he nearly choked. There, standing in the middle of the room, was Sirius.
No words could come out of Harry's mouth. Sirius was here, looking very put together, by the way. He was dressed in a white shirt and white trousers, and his dark hair was neatly combed and tied at the back of his head. Harry couldn't believe it, Sirius was here!
"Hello, Harry," Sirius said quietly.
For some reason, hearing Sirius's voice suddenly made everything real. Harry knew that it was really him. Launching himself out of his chair, Harry wasted no time and immediately crashed into his godfather.
"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed, giving him a huge bear hug. "I can't believe it! It's really you!"
"Yeah, kid, it's me," Sirius smiled as he patted his godson on the back. "Long time no see, huh?"
"I can't believe it," Harry repeated. "How did you get here? Why are you here?"
"One thing at a time, Harry," Sirius said. "I can stay a little while. There are some things we need to discuss, alright? Why don't we go sit down?"
Harry and Sirius each took a seat in front of the fireplace. The whole thing just seemed so unreal to Harry. He was afraid to take his eyes off his godfather, fearing that he would vanish as quickly as he appeared.
"Now there are some very important things we need to talk about," Sirius started. "And I won't be able to stay forever, so we'd better get down to business."
"How did you…"
"I'm here on a mission, Harry," Sirius explained. "They sent me here to remind you."
"Who?" Harry was so confused. "And what am I supposed to remember?"
"They sent me," Sirius said like it was obvious. "You didn't remember the dream that you had and they wanted me to refresh your memory. That dream has a lot of meaning behind it, Harry, and it'll be important for later on. You might really need it."
"Alright, I'm completely lost here," Harry said.
"Of course you are, that's why I'm here," Sirius smiled. "I'm here to put you back on track. So let me ask you something: do you remember a certain conversation you had with Firenze back in January?"
"Yeah, I remember," Harry said after a few seconds.
"Remember what it was about?" Sirius asked.
"Err…it was about something he saw in the stars," Harry recollected. "I think he said that there was some kind of danger coming to Hogwarts, or that it might already be here."
"That sounds about right," Sirius nodded. "Now did you stay alert for any signs of danger?"
"Sirius, I don't know if it's actually here," Harry said hesitantly. "I mean, I've tried to keep my eyes open and all but so far I haven't seen anything really suspicious. Nothing seems to be happening inside the school. Maybe Firenze got the message wrong. Maybe the danger's not even here yet or maybe it's meant to be found on the outside."
"Harry, haven't you learned anything over the years," Sirius chuckled. "Something dangerous doesn't have to have the word 'danger' tattooed on its forehead. It doesn't have to come in the shape of a Dark Lord, either. It can come in many different shapes and forms. You know the worst creatures of all are the ones that don't appear to be dangerous on the outside; a kind of 'wolf in sheep's clothing' kind of deal."
"I still can't think of anything…"
"That's because you're not thinking clearly," Sirius gave Harry a sympathetic smile. "Sometimes it's hard to see the answer, even if it's right in front of you. You have to keep an open mind, too. You need to accept different possibilities."
"I'll try my best," Harry said. "It's still going to be hard, though, not knowing what it could be."
"I know," Sirius said. The two of them just sat in silence for a while. Harry really enjoyed it, as he never did have many quiet moments like this when Sirius was around. Everything had always been so chaotic and crowded. Now it was calm and peaceful. Still, a part of Harry was extremely worried about this supposed danger.
"But how will I know?" Harry asked softly. "Will I be able to tell what this danger is? What if I miss it, will Hogwarts be in trouble?"
"You've got to have faith in yourself, Harry," Sirius said. "I know I believe in you and I always will. And remember, I'll always be by your side no matter what happens."
Harry simply nodded, trying to keep the tears out of his eyes. Having Sirius's trust meant the world to him. He couldn't believe they were sitting here together, but as much as Harry wanted it to, the visit couldn't last forever. To his disappointment, Sirius stood as if he meant to leave.
"Wait!" Harry exclaimed, jumping out of his seat. "Can't you stay a bit longer?"
"Sorry, Harry but my time here is running up," Sirius too looked like he wanted to stay. "They'll be wanting me to get back any minute now."
"I wish you didn't have to go," Harry said in a near whisper. "I miss you, Sirius."
"I miss you too, kid," Sirius smiled sadly. "So does your Mom and Dad. They say hi, by the way. We're all proud of you."
Harry only gaped at Sirius as he turned to walk away. Suddenly Sirius paused like he just remembered something. "I nearly forgot," he said. "There is one bit of advice that I can give you about the dream you had."
"The one I can't remember?" Harry replied dryly.
"Yeah, that's the one. Just keep an eye out for the black panther. It's the key that will lead you to the danger."
"What black panther?" Harry was now very confused.
"That one," Sirius gestured across the room. Harry turned to look and saw a large black panther sitting there staring back at him. Harry gasped. All at once, images started flashing through his head. He was following this panther through the halls, the voice that was singing, opening the front doors and being swallowed by the light, everything he had forgotten about that dream from months ago.
"'Bye, Harry."
Harry heard Sirius call out to him, then he suddenly found himself awake in his own bed. Breathing heavily, Harry tried to figure out what was going on. He waited for his heartbeat to come down a bit, then reached for his glasses. When he looked at his alarm clock, he saw it was only 2:30 in the morning.
Harry sat up in his bed, his mind going a million miles an hour. He remembered everything now. Why hadn't he remembered that dream from before? How did Sirius get here? Had that been a dream, too? But it felt so real. Wanting a bit of fresh air, Harry got up and quietly moved over to the window. He gently eased it open and took a few deep, calming breaths. Harry stood there for a few minutes, just watching the peaceful grounds below. Everything was incredibly silent and still.
Harry was about to shut the window and return to his bed, when he suddenly thought he saw something lurking in the shadows. He froze and held his breath. Then he saw it again. It was creeping around the edge of the forest, doing its best to keep out of sight. Harry tried to see it again, but it failed to make another appearance. Maybe he was only tired, or maybe his dream had something to do with it. Either way, Harry wondered if he was going insane.
Because he was pretty sure that he had just seen a black panther roaming the grounds at Hogwarts.
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A/N: You know what I'm going to say. Please review!
Next Chapter: Harry tells Ron and Hermione about the dream...and tragedy strikes Hogwarts