To make up for the fact that I completely ignored this story for no apparent reason for a time, I decided to post chapter five, a mere day after chapter four's release. We've got some new characters as well as a few old ones, which was all kinds of fun. A bit of a short one here, I admit, but we're getting into a thicker bit of plot now that we know Liz and Harry are actually related. Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Chapter Five – Looking for More
Harry, with renewed enthusiasm about life in general, took Liz about the school, introducing her to anyone he knew as they met. She insisted on visiting the dungeons, determined to see the Potions lab and meet the professor McGonagall spoke of. Stanton seemed a decent enough man, slightly tentative and awestruck at meeting not only the famous Harry Potter but Elizabeth Hogan as well. They only excused themselves when a curious and whispering class of fourth years began to trickle in for their lesson not long after they arrived. Eventually they made their way to Hagrid's hut to allow Harry the opportunity to share his news.
As Fang's booming barks responded immediately to their knock, the man they sought pulled open the door, attempting to push the beast away while beaming down at the pair. "Harry!" he cried, ushering them inside and toward his only table. "Din't expect ta see ya at Hogwarts today! And who's this lass?"
"Hagrid, I want to introduce you to my cousin, Elizabeth Potter." At his gaping, completely baffled expression, Harry once again rattled off the story, with more vigor and confidence than before. The broad smile that had seemed permanently fixed to his face wavered, however, as Hagrid remained incredulous.
"What're ya goin' on abou', Harry?" he asked, concerned etched in his features. "Yer dad never had a brother."
"But…Hagrid…we've proof! Madam Pomfrey did the genetic spell…we were both there! Liz and I are related!"
Patting him on the shoulder reassuringly, Hagrid smiled grimly. "Perhaps it's time ya headed home, there, Harry. Ya shouldn't be worrin' yerself like this. Have ya bin workin' too hard, mayhaps?"
Quickly realizing the futility of their visit, Liz rose to her feet, pulling Harry along with her. "I'll take care of him, Hagrid, don't worry about it. We'll, ah, come back some other time?"
Hagrid nodded, giving Harry a final smile of pity as they saw themselves out. Harry was silent for most of their return trip to the main school, Liz watching him worriedly.
"What the hell was that?" he finally demanded, hardly noticing as they reentered the castle.
"I think we may have just learned more about the spell, actually," Liz replied casually, meandering the corridors while Harry mused. "So far everyone we've talked to knew of the spell – McGonagall, Kingsley, even Madam Pomfrey, apparently – or weren't alive when it was cast. I guess it didn't just hide us; it wiped us completely from their memories."
"Harry! What brings you to Hogwarts?" Their discussion came to a halt by the arrival of a young man slightly older than the two relatives. His short chestnut hair curled absentmindedly about his round face as he trotted toward them, bright blue eyes beaming. Harry returned the grin as the two excitedly shook hands.
"Jakob! I didn't even think to come find you! How are classes going?"
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck with a small grimace. "Ah, decent enough, I suppose. Easier than last year, certainly. I actually believe most of them hold a chance of passing." While Harry roared with laughter, the man turned his gaze to Liz. "You haven't introduced me to your charming companion, Potter. Your manners are slipping in your old age."
Harry appeared unfazed by the teasing he just received. "Liz, Jakob Kroon, professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Jake, Liz, my…well…it's all rather complicated. Significantly more complicated than we previously thought, in fact."
Lifting her hand to shake yet another new acquaintance's, Liz rolled her eyes in Harry's direction. "Know simply that we've suddenly found ourselves related. A pleasure, Professor."
"Jakob, please," he insisted, quirking a thick eyebrow. "And the feeling's mutual." Releasing her hand, he crossed his arms, mischievously glancing between the two. "This tale sounds promising. I find myself exceptionally curious to discover how it all turns out."
"You're certainly not the only one," she replied with a sigh. Automatically, as if to relay her nervousness, her fingers flew to the copper ring on her thumb. Deciding to notice it for the first time, Harry studied the accessory while his companions talked, suddenly curious as to where it came from. It could almost be a wedding band, the metal smooth and simplistic. It looked far too large for her thin fingers, nearly taking over her thumb with its thickness. As it spun, he almost thought he noticed a subtle spark of magic jolt along the ring's edge, but before he could consider it further, Liz drew away his attention. "What are we doing next, Harry?"
"Our best option will be to head to the Ministry and see what we can find," he replied distractedly, brows furrowed as he attempted to regain comprehension of the flow of conversation. "I think I know someone who'd be willing to help, as long as we ask nicely. We should leave immediately."
Jakob seemed reluctant to see them go. "Well, I wish you luck on your journey. Hopefully you find the answers you seek." Sending them a final grin, he continued down the corridor, readjusting the satchel hanging over his shoulder. Liz watched him go, an intrigued expression on her face.
"Come on," Harry muttered, guiding her back out the enormous front doors. "I'll send McGonagall an owl from the Ministry explaining everything. If we hurry, we should arrive just as he comes back from lunch. Maybe that will put him in a more pleasant mood."
The pair remained mostly silent as they made their way to the Ministry. Liz was content to simply observe, enjoying the rush and sound of magical folk darting through security checkpoints or racing to catch a lift. Not surprisingly, Harry brought her back to the Auror headquarters, guiding her to a section of the department she wasn't familiar with. They approached a ghosted over glass door proclaiming INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT HEAD, AUROR SUBDIVISION and Harry hastily knocked. After hearing a muffled call from within, he opened the door, ushering Liz ahead of him.
Inside sat an exceptionally blonde-haired man, a tall stack of books leaning precariously on each side of him. His gray eyes, slightly lighter than hers, darted disinterestedly across a page as a quill scribbled notes behind him. Glancing up to take in his visitors, his jaw clenched.
"Potter," he growled, raising a hand to flick irritatingly at the quill. It shivered slightly and fell, landing in his palm as he clenched it into a fist. He glared daggers at the pair of them.
"Malfoy," Harry replied testily, nodding at the man formally. He rested a hand on Liz's shoulder and guided her forward. "We've come in search of help."
Raising his delicate brows, the man shifted his hard gaze to Liz to consider her. She met the look solidly, refusing to be bullied into submission with something as trivial as a glance. They studied one another, each challenging the other to make the first move, until he motioned for them to sit. As they did, he called back out to the corridor. "Collins!"
A petite, black haired head poked instantly into the doorway, her startled hazel eyes darting about the room. "Yes sir?"
"I am not to be disturbed until further notice. Owl Mother to inform her that there has been a change of plans. And make sure that Huegel's report is on my desk by tomorrow morning!"
"Yes sir," she replied, ignoring his harsh tone. As she closed the office door behind her, the man returned his attention to his guests.
"What makes you think I'll want to help you, Potter?" he asked, but his voice lost its fierce edge in favor of curiosity. Once again he looked Liz over, the hint of a smile at his lips. "Don't tell me you've gone and done something foolish and potentially scandalous?"
Liz's eyes narrowed at the assumption. "I can't say that I appreciate the insinuation behind your words, Mr. Malfoy. I hardly think it's proper manners when you're dealing with a complete stranger."
"An American. The plot thickens." Smirking now, he turned to Harry. "What is this about?"
Harry told the tale once again, his voice exasperated at the constant repetition. Liz remained silent throughout, preferring to study the stoic face of the department head as he listened. When Harry concluded, Malfoy clasped his hands together atop the desk.
"And I suppose you seek my assistance in researching this…unknown spell," he stated, refusing to meet Liz's eyes. As Harry nodded, the man sighed, rubbing his temple lightly before speaking again. "It would be difficult and I cannot guarantee anything – we can't even know for certain if it was a spell he created or discovered. This is Dumbledore, after all, and for all his eccentricities, the man was brilliant. We'd be more likely to waste our time than actually discover anything of use."
"We have to try," Liz interjected, finally regaining his attention. "Without breaking it, or at least revealing it, we might as well not be related at all. Every spell has a counter spell, and Albus Dumbledore would not have left us with no way of breaking it. I'm sure of it."
Malfoy considered her, his smirk almost transformed into a genuine grin. "Look at that, Potter – perhaps you really are related. She certainly has the family's determination."
"Wow, Malfoy…that was almost a compliment," Harry replied, his eyes dancing. Malfoy responded with a groan.
"Don't get used to it, hero boy. Very well, I shall assist. But only because I find this all so dreadfully fascinating."
Liz nodded her reluctant appreciation. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy."
Shooting her the shadow of a smile, he rose to his feet. "It's Draco, if you please. I try not to remind others of my unfortunate heritage."
She attempted to cover her mirth. "Ah…right. Draco." She was only slightly successful, as evidenced by Harry's laugh and Draco's eye roll.
"Yes, Draco. Unfortunate heritage, remember." He guided them back down the corridor toward a large door marked STORAGE. After opening it and pointing them inside, he began to explain. "The Investigation Department contains the most extensive collection of worldwide wizarding history to be found anywhere. Every legal, and quite a few illegal, spells, curses, potions, and artifacts are recorded in some form here. If we're going to find anything of worth, our best chance lays beyond this entrance." Before them stood a long, dimly lit corridor leading to a second blockaded doorway. As they reached it, Draco rotated toward the two of them, a highly serious expression on his face. "If either of you are to enter, you will be required to take an Unbreakable Vow that you will not reveal any information you learn beyond your initial purpose. We'll need to perform the spell before proceeding any further."
The cousins spared each other a single glance before nodding their agreement. The three knelt to the floor, Harry and Draco grasping each other's right forearms as Liz performed the spell. Once complete, they traded, Liz feeling a peculiar sensation rising up to her shoulders and chest when she grabbed hold of Draco. From the startled expression on his face, she suspected something similar had occurred for him as well. She hardly paid attention as the spell was cast, distracted in wondering where the tingle originated from, and finally regained a small amount of composure once their hands were released. Clenching her fist uncomfortably, she followed the men into the adjacent room. All thoughts of what occurred flew from her mind at the sight before her.
It was if they entered a giant library, but far larger than any she had seen before. It seemed to be the size of London itself, rows upon rows stretching further than the naked eye could spy. Liz's mouth gaped open as they walked through the endless stacks, their footsteps barely making a sound. Draco led them along, an amused expression on his face.
"Enjoying yourself?" he muttered quietly, but the sound still echoed radiantly in the vast space. Her silver eyes met his with a trace of wonder.
"This is…I don't even know what to say," she whispered, unable to look away from the knowledge before her for any extended span of time. "The sheer number of potions in this room…you have access to it whenever you please?"
"Being the department head is advantageous at times," he replied, finally finding the row he sought. "Here we are – detailed information on every known aspect of Albus Dumbledore's life, including spells he created and used. If information on it exists, it should be here."
The section was its own shelf, towering ten rows high and double in length. Harry and Liz studied it all reluctantly.
"That is a lot of books," Harry stated as Liz choked back a laugh. Draco sneered in response.
"Very astute, Potter. Shall we begin? The answer won't find itself."
