Okay, I know I should have had this up a long time ago. (Like several months ago!) Someone really needs to sign me up for Procrastinators' Anonymous. Well here is a new chapter. Trust me, even though the ending of the actual books from JK Rowling so devastatingly different, I will keep writing this.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and what I am writing will turn out incredibly different.
Chapter 24: Another Strange One
By: tojot
Hearing a loud snore, Harry opened his eyes. The bright light attacked his eyes causing him to slam them shut once again. Cracking his eyes open a sliver he looked around as his eyes got used to the bright sunlight poring through the windows of the room he was in. Harry saw that he was back in his room at Grimmauld Place and the snoring was coming from Ron who was planted in a chair beside the bed. He figured the red-haired young man had set up camp in the room considering the candy wrappers, dishes and knitted clothing littered the floor of part of the room. Hearing a soft moan, Harry realized that somebody else was there, asleep on the couch, someone with brown hair. Grabbing his glasses from the bedside table, he found that his body was rather sore, he let out a groan.
Before he had finished putting on his glasses, the person who was on the couch had now shot up and drew him into a hug that nearly knocked him off the bed.
"Ow, ow, ow." Harry let out in pain. The person he could easily guess now to be Hermione let him go like she had remembered that she was touching fire.
"I'm so sorry, Harry, I had forgotten that you would be rather sore when you woke up."
"Who told you that?" Harry asked.
"Leo, he hasn't left, He has been worried about you just as much as the rest of us have. He keeps muttering that Gryphon is going to kill him." Hermione said as she pointed to a large shadowed lump in the corner that was covered by a gray blanket.
"Harry, Don't you dare do that again." Hermione continued in an upset tone. "You just exhausted yourself and just barely managed to escape this time but what about the next time you encounter Voldemort or his Deatheaters?"
"Hermione," Harry began in a whispered tone. "As much I would like to obey your plea, it is an impossible promise to make. Have you forgotten the prophecy?"
It was clear that he had upset her even more for she ran from the room, slamming the door in the process. Ron and Leo woke from the noise. A feeling told Harry not to follow her, which she needed time alone to think.
"Wha's goin' on?" Ron slurred as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
Leo didn't say anything. His vivid blue eyes could be seen from the far corner's shadows. Somehow Harry could tell that Leo knew what was going on. Ron had saved Harry the Article on the Front page of the Christmas edition of the Daily Prophet. Ron read it as Harry opened the Christmas presents at the end of his bed.
Stock Christmas Massacre
Christmas was not so cheery for folks in Stock this year. At 10:00 PM Christmas Eve, Residents of Stock found themselves under a brutal and vicious attack by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's Followers. A fourth of them were wiped out. The other three-quarters were mysteriously rescued, had their minds wiped and hidden by some unknown party that was gone by the time Aurors arrived on the scene. Many of You-Know-Who's Deatheaters who were injured and left behind have been taken into custody. Over ten trolls and several Deatheaters have been found dead and include Roldolphus and Bellatrix Lastrange who escaped from Azkaban last year. Bellatrix was found dead in the middle of the road covered in toxic greenish-yellow ooze, her wand snapped in half and it's core missing. Her case was similar to a case that Healers have encountered earlier in the year with the Deatheater Dantes, whom of which has not recovered from his injuries which are both mental and physical. Ministry Officials do not yet now of the reason behind this attack and believe that this attack was based on the fact that this town was clearly an all muggle town, though sources tell us that it is the town that a very close friend to Harry Potter resides. But whatever the reason this tragedy could have been worse had it not been for that Unknown party to stop another town from being wiped off the Map of Great Britain.
After the article had been read, Harry found it very hard to swallow as his throat felt like his stomach had come to visit it.
"So you had a hand in stopping those Deatheaters?" Ron asked as he threw the article to the bedside table.
"I really didn't do much of the fighting." Harry said quietly, "Leo asked me to get as many people out the town as I could. I will admit to taking out Bellatrix.Though, I am not sure how I managed to snap her wand." It was then Harry noticed a very old book in Ron's hand.
"What is that your reading?" Harry asked baffled that Ron was reading something. Something that looked historic.
"It's a journal that I found when I was cleaning out that attic before my trip." Ron replied as he handed the Journal to Harry. "Rowden Weasley. Dad said he was one of Weasley's most noble wizards. There were a ton of medals in a chest with this. Though, When I read through this, I don't know how he got those medals or how he became so great. He wrote about all of his pranks on people."
Harry looked through the journal that was filled with large script, Hoping to find something about his fight with Ellinarus. But to no avail, Harry found only mentions of the dark wizard. At the end, the Journal was unfinished. It still had several pages to go. Rowden only spoke of joyous happy occasions. But there was nothing in the book that was any use to Harry about the Phoenix Blaze.
Coming back to Hogwarts had never been so tension filled. Dumbledore asked them to return a little earlier than had been originally planned, and a temporary protection had been set on the school. Hermione barely spoke to Harry after what had happened, when she did she sounded like she had a headcold. Harry's feeble plea against going back through the Floo system fell on deaf ears this time. Leo was assigned to be their chaperone and he couldn't exactly go using the more public transportation of the Hogwarts Express when he was wearing his rough armor.
But it wasn't much of a care among the trio. They were really anxious to find out more about what was going on at Hogwarts with the weird creature and the "insta-grow tree" as Ron had called it.
Just hours after Harry woke up, he was informed by Ron that there had been no more news about the Incident at Hogwarts since the first article had come out. Leo refused to say anything about the matter, remained as unmovable as a buried brick wall. Harry wondered what measures were being taken to prepare Hogwarts for the possible attack. He also wondered if anything had happened with the Alljandre and the white tree.
Once they had made it outside in the thick snow, after they had deposited their trunks in their dormitories, Harry was still saddened to see that nothing had happened with the Tree and Alljandre. She still remained encased within its trunk as he peered through the slats of a fence that had been erected to keep the students out.
"It's still not awake yet." Ron said behind him.
"No, she's not." Harry said.
"I wonder how this will affect the school?" Hermione said quietly. "I hope that it won't distract the teachers and the students from the learning process."
"Only you would be worried about a thing like that." Ron said starting in on another argument.
When he heard the word 'affect', Harry's thoughts started replaying what Voldemort had revealed to him in the vision when the Holidays had started. His voice plagued his mind with a miasma of negative words about the dormant creature only five feet away from him. It all became too much that he had to yell "Stop!" The exclamation luckily cleared his mind of negative thoughts. He began to walk back to the castle.
The exclamation also startled Ron and Hermione out of their argument thinking that it was for them. When they realized that Harry was walking away their argument ceased and both fell silent for now, following after Harry.
The truth was, the dormant Alljandre was going to affect school in a way, if Gryphon really was asleep within the tree, then the Defense Against the Dark Arts class was an instructor short. Harry wondered whom Dumbledore was going to place in her stead until the woman was fit enough to return to her post.
When Harry had been going through his trunk, a thought struck him that he should keep at the Marauders Map at hand for awhile.
They had been told that classes would start back up next week. Dinner was a quiet event since not everyone had returned yet to the school. Though, Harry, Ron and Hermione noticed a small boy sitting at the Gryffindor table. He had a mass of thick blonde hair and pointed ears from what they could see at this time. He sat alone. None of the three had enough energy in them to introduce themselves. Harry figured that he would ask the next day.
Professor McGonagall held an animagi lesson that evening. Hermione had finally achieved the laborious task of the transformation to her animagi form, but it took a while for the transformation to get to the desired look. Harry was almost finished getting the delicate details of the panther, like the shape of the eyes and the small curve at the tips of the ears.
"Very well, you both have done nicely." McGonagall commented, "But I still want you both to keep practicing until you can transfigure yourselves with speed. You are weakened when there is an attack as you are transforming, so speed becomes a benefit for all Animagi in a battle. I'll see you both back here on Saturday." She handed each their portkey and sent them back to their beds.
For once everyone slept in that morning, taking complete advantage of the free week. Harry woke up in late morning, feeling sore but refreshed. Seeing that Ron was not there, Harry decided to look for him. As he came into the Gryffindor common room, He saw the small Catlike boy from dinner sitting on the couch facing away from him.
"Are ye looking for the red-haired boy, Harry Potter?" The boy said startling Harry. The boy didn't even turn at any point to look to see who had come down the stairs.
"Er…Yes." Harry answered. "How did you know it was me and who are you?"
The boy snickered lightly, closed the book he was reading with a thud, and turned around to face him with bright blue eyes. "The reason why I knew it was thee was because ye are the last boy to come down from the dormitories." The boy said with a devious smile reminiscent of a cat playing with a ball of yarn. "Hermione Granger is still up in the girls dormitories though. I haven't seen her come down from them yet. I beg thee for forgiveness for being so rude, my name is Felix A. Gryphon."
"Are you any relation to Professor Gryphon?" Harry asked, highly curious.
The boy smiled and said, "Aye, I am her Offspring."
"Her son." Harry stated to himself in surprise. "How come she never told us that she had a son?"
"In the time that ye have known her, has she really told thee about her past?" Felix rolled his eyes.
"Well, no…" Harry said finding it very easy to talk to this boy.
Felix shrugged, "That's in her nature to keep secrets, even though I am her son, I still do not know much of her past. For instance, no matter how many times I ask her what the signet ring on her right index finger signifies, she still will not tell me."
Harry's thoughts went back to conversation with Voldemort. With a shake of his head he put the thought aside for now.
"Felix can you tell me how you know Hermione's name, much less my name?"
"Ye do not realize how much the Headmaster Dumbledore speaks of thee." Felix replied, "When he was orienting me to the school he was sure to help me understand who I would be associating with in Gryffindor."
The conversation didn't last much longer when Harry thanked him and excused himself to get cleaned up and dressed. When he came down from the dormitories the second time, he found Hermione chatting with the newcomer. When she noticed Harry, ushered him over to meet him. Harry found it comforting to see Hermione smiling again.
"I regret to say, Ms. Granger that I have already met Mr. Potter." Felix replied with a smile and stood, "If ye will excuse me, some kippers and cream call my name. Fare thee well." And he disappeared through the portrait hole.
Harry looked at Hermione who was surprised to see Felix go. "So what was so important?" He asked.
"I just wanted you to meet him." Hermione said. "I believe it is my job to make sure the new students are taken care of with the orientation to the school."
"Professor Dumbledore already took care of his orientation." Harry told her.
"Well, that explains it." Hermione sighed, "I am surprised that Professor Gryphon is his mother."
"Though, I wonder who his father was." Harry stated as they started down to breakfast themselves.
"I think it is Leo." Hermione said.
"Leo?"
"Yes, it is clear that Leo is from the same race that Professor Gryphon came from." Hermione told him. "And he has blue eyes." They past a cackling Peeves who was painting a mural on the fifth floor wall realistically depicting Filch and Mrs. Norris in Tutus in a strange pose with limbs flailing.
"Are you so sure." Harry said as he pulled his gaze away from Peeves' Masterpiece. "There only seems to be platonic friendship between Gryphon and Leo."
"Leo basically regards her as someone of great importance, I think it's love." Hermione stated her opinion and walked on ahead when Harry stopped in thought.
"Or is it more out of reverence." Harry thought to himself. "Nah, maybe Hermione's right."
"Harry? Are you coming?" Hermione asked realizing that Harry had stopped. Harry nodded and caught up to her.
They both found Ron in serious discussion with Luna who had arrived that morning. The plates in front of them were empty. Harry and Hermione slid in next to them on each side of the Gryffindor table.
"…I am telling you, Ronald, the new student has to be one of them." Harry heard Luna say to Ron.
"So you're telling me that that puny little kid over there…" Ron said indicating Felix who was leaving the Great Hall with a nod of his head, "Is an Alljandre."
Harry choked on his cereal.
"I am sorry Luna, but I know for a fact that that is not what an Alljandre looks like." Ron said as he thudded Harry on the back until the cereal dislodged itself. "You okay Harry?" Harry only nodded.
"An Alljandre is big, winged, fluffy and white. That boy doesn't have those features." Hermione added.
Luna just shrugged added, "Well, I still think that he is one."
"You do that." Hermione stated. Harry started to feel a little tension between the girls.
"Now ladies, were all friends here, no need for any animosity." Neville said as he took a seat next to Ron. He was in a pair of Wading boots.
"Isn't the lake a little cold for you to be on a Herbology run, Neville?" Hermione asked concerned.
"It is a little, but I took a heating charm to the boots, so I am nice and toasty. Well, anyway the Ganders Moss at the far edge of the lake has turned iridescent blue this season. It only does that every eleven years. You should see it, it's quite a sight to see."
"So what's so important about Ganders Moss?" Luna asked.
"Besides the fact that the moss is so pretty to look at once every eleven winters, it can induce certain alchemic effects in some people like flight, enhanced strength, enhanced eyesight, enhanced mental capabilities, or peculiar physical capabilities. When taken by an Old or injured person, it makes them spry " Neville said, "but the moss only works when it turns blue and its effects only last a day. It's rare to find a patch because when it turns back to green in the spring it looks like regular moss."
"Neville, is there a way to preserve its blue color for say… three months." Hermione asked theoretically. Everyone gave her questioning stares.
"Possibly, but I am not sure, the Herbologist in my book only provides brief information, perhaps if you keep it frozen." Neville suggested.
"I intend to find out." Hermione said as she got up from her now finished meal. Harry bid everyone goodbye and followed her up, past Peeves' mural to an empty Gryffindor Tower.
"Are you doing this for my sake Hermione?" Harry asked her. Her back was turned to him in the doorway to the Girls dormitories."
"Yes, because I am worried." Hermione admitted. "Voldemort and his followers will be coming in less than three months and none of us are trained enough to face fully trained wizards. I am worried about the outcome Harry. I am still trying to come to terms that you have to fight. I am hoping that this moss can give us an edge if we can preserve some."
"You have a point there, I am glad that you are trying to support me with this." Harry told her.
"Your welcome. So are you coming with me?" She said anxiously, "If you are you are going to need your winter cloak."
Harry grabbed his cloak and soon found himself trailing behind Hermione as they trudged through the snow. Hermione lead him to the far edge of the lake. Neville had been right, moss here had changed color. It was very hard to spot with all the snow and ice but it was there. Hermione pulled a jar from the satchel she had brought along with her.
"Have you found out more information about that vision that you had with Voldemort in December?" Hermione asked as she dipped the jar in the icy wet moss.
"I have," Harry said, "but not enough. Things seem a little muddy still."
Hermione put a lid on the jar and placed it in the snow. She then brought a gloved hand gently to Harry's cheek and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Harry, if you need help you are always welcome to come to me. Or you can go to Dumbledore."
"No adult will tell me what the deal is with Gryphon." Harry thought bitterly. "And even though you are trying to find out all you can you really can't help me with this matter either."
"I know, thank you." Harry replied quietly to acknowledge Hermione's offer. Hermione removed her hand from his cheek and went back to collecting moss. Harry looked out and over the lake.
"Hermione what are your views on this?" Harry said surprising himself with the question.
Hermione sighed and looked over the lake to the castle and the overgrown tree. "Just like you, I feel like there is so much more to this matter and not enough information. Even though I wish you would just tell me what is on your mind, I respect the fact that you don't and that you are honest about it." She finished with a sad smile directed towards him.
"Hermione, Have you found out anything about the last person who used the Phoenix Blaze?" Harry Asked.
"No, According to the history books, Dumbledore defeated Grindlewald single-handedly and Dumbledore couldn't tell me anything since he is too busy. As for Professor Gryphon, I know she isn't in the Hospital Wing
Soon the school began to fill up after the holidays and that Friday, Harry held a DA Meeting at the insistence of Dumbledore. Little Felix, who was adamant about attending the meeting, ended up getting some odd stares from the rest because of his sudden appearance to the school. He seemed to make fast friends with the First years of Gryffindor. Harry taught them a new spell that he had noticed in a book he had read over the week from the library.
"Now repeat after me." Harry announced to the group. "Magnus Lunes"
"Magnus Lunes." Everyone echoed back.
"Okay, Magnus Lunes only works in places were there is a ceiling." Harry announced to the group, "If done where there is no ceiling, the subject will just keep going up and up until they can find something to attach to, Even if it means attaching to a planet in outer space."
With a quick flick of his wand, Harry sent his subject, Ron, to the ceiling.
"The counter jinx is Amitto Magnus." Harry looped his movement and brought Ron down slowly.
"So this is the Jinx Professor Gryphon used on Malfoy." A young Slytherin commented gleefully.
"It is, but the counter jinx speed is at the discretion of the wielder. You have to keep concentration so you don't send your subject plummeting to the floor." Harry added. The DA session lasted but an hour longer with everyone practicing these two spells.
"That was really good. Now we are done for the evening, so I want you all to keep practicing and we will convene tomorrow to learn more." Harry told them all.
McGonagall also kept up to date with Animagus lessons. Hermione had succeeded into transforming into a full Lioness with ease. Harry could completely transform too but it took him longer to get the transfiguration right. McGonagall commented on how quickly that they had managed to become Animagi. But she still felt it wise to continue lessons until she was sure that everything was set for them to do it without instruction, till it was second nature.
Authors Note: Thank you for reading and please come back for the next chapter when it is up. Comments are welcome, but not mandatory. Thanks again.
