Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does. As Proof of this, notice the sixth book does not have Luna searching for Crumple Horned Snorsnaks... in Harry's pants!
Thanks to Mordecai from DLP for the editing help, and IP82 for the thorough review.
Chapter 13 – well ain't that interesting'
"Alright class. Settle down. I've got a special treat for you all today." The man said with giddy pleasure, clearly discernable through his thick accent.
Harry tried to hide the quiver of apprehension that shook his spine at his familiar words.
By the way some of the students took steps back, it was apparent that they recognized the same warning signs he had.
"Normally the ministry don't allow such fascinating creatures to be brought before students but with Professor Dumbledore's backing. I was able to get us all… an Occamy!" Hagrid exuberantly proclaimed.
'Oh… well that isn't so bad then…' Harry sighed in relief. He thought that Hagrid had convinced Dumbledore to bring back Norbert. He could handle a snake.
By the apprehensive looks of the class, Harry thought that maybe some of them didn't share his enthusiasm.
Correctly interpreting the faces of his students, Hagrid chuckled.
"No need to fret… Harry, if you'd be willing, I'd like you to be our interpreter. It's not everyday we got us a person who can speak parseltongue." Hagrid looked on hopefully.
Harry blushed at the attention, and frowned internally as Hagrid reminded everyone about what he could do. He nodded none the less, but hoped people had gotten used to that little tid bit by now.
Hagrid beamed.
"Well follow me, I've got him around back" Hagrid cried with glee. His excitement evident. He finally had the chance to communicate with one of his animals.
Harry could almost hear Hagrid wondering whether this snake would one day become a "pet".
As Hagrid led the group with Harry reluctantly in the lead, he let his eyes wander briefly. Walking side by side, were Ron and Hermione.
Hermione was in her standard learning mode with a quill at the ready, wand by her side, and a determined face, declaring to the world that she was here to learn and nothing more. Ron, who was twirling his wand sedately, seemed more apathetic to his current situation.
But something about the two didn't sit well with Harry.
Hermione seemed a little less… confident? Maybe… less sure of herself? Harry couldn't place it, but she seemed to be lacking something that Harry had always attributed to her. He didn't really miss whatever was missing either, but the off putting air about her left Harry feeling wrong footed.
Ron was more of a mystery though. As he carelessly twirled his wand with some skill indicating he had done this more than once, Harry noticed that his distracted mask hid a deeply pensieve mind.
Harry hadn't really had long to talk with either over the last few days. The weekend had ended with its usual Sunday fanfare. Harry had been so preoccupied with his ever changing relationship with the young witch from the avian table, and his forced imprisonment in the hospital wing (longer than Harry thought even Pomfrey could justify), he had ignored his friends completely. He felt guilty and didn't try and deny that he was at fault partially, but he wondered what consequences were to be had because of it.
"Oh a fat one… come close dear, wiggle your jiggles my pretty, don't be shhhy." Harry heard cooed from somewhere to his far right.Turning he saw a large cage made from steel tethers.
"He seems ta like you Ms. Crombay." Hagrid smiled happily to a chubby Ravenclaw.
"That's right dear, I simply adore you, so why don't you take a stroll on over and let me give you a hug." A hiss echoed from the ceiling of the box.
There hanging by its tail and two hind legs was what Harry would have called a winged lizard. The soft white wings were retracted, but clearly large as they hung from a silvery green snake. Its head angular as it glared hungrily at Harry's classmate. Two hind legs acting more like talons as they gripped the tether bars.
The Slytherin's who were in the class, thankfully without Malfoy, looked at the creature in interest, probably considering this one of their better care of magical creatures classes.
The 6th and 7th years were sometimes mingled together with all there year mates. If it could be helped, they would try to keep a House pair together exclusively, but more often than not, there were 3 if not all 4 representative Houses per subject.
"Oh he's talking… Harry, did you catch what he was saying." Hagrid enthusiastically demanded.
"Err…" Harry succinctly answered as he focused on the now rapidly hissing snake. What was he to tell Hagrid, who looked as excited as he did when he had watched Norbert hatch. Harry didn't think telling everyone that the snake fancied nibbling on the chubby students was a good way to start out a year.
"What's the oaf talking about, how would any of them know what I'm talking about." The snake muttered to himself, incredulous of the half giant.
"Hi" Harry said lamely in parseltongue. Some of the students winced and gave him shifty eyed stares as he spoke the language of the serpent.
The snake stopped its mutterings and looked up at Harry. As the snake had few if any facial muscles, Harry could not discern its emotions, but by the rapidly blinking eyes and uncoiling of its exceedingly long tail, Harry assumed that it was surprised.
"Speak, ugly one." The snake commanded. Harry decided, he was allowed to take offence to that.
"Ugly… look who's talking scale face." Harry retorted in retaliation.
"How dare you, do you know 'any' manners you mongrel. Respect your betters… or face punishment for your folly." The snake hissed imperiously.
Harry admitted that he was impressed that the snake even knew the word folly, and also that there was a word in parseltongue that represented it. But its vocabulary did not help it make Harry like it any more.
He fully uncoiled from the ceiling and unfurled his wings to flap itself into a slow hovering descent.
Harry thought the snake a little too pompous for its own good, as Harry understood this minor act as posturing "What are you going to do… huh? Bite me?" Harry mocked. He got the impression that if a snake could blush this one would have.
"You'll taste my venom you suicidal monkey." The snake hissed in anger.
"I've been bitten by deadlier and larger snakes than you. I'd like to see you try." Harry scoffed at the angrily hissing serpent.
"Come here and say that…" the snake jeered as it slithered to the end of the cage sticking its head out of the tether bars but not managing to fully exit due to his wings.
Harry was about to take a step forward but then realized he was arguing with a snake.
Turning around he noticed the curious faces of the students. Hagrid was near convulsions with excitement to learn what the conversation had been about.
"Well Harry, what he say?" Hagrid asked expectantly.
"Tell him I said I would eat his eyes from there very socket and pump each and ever yone of you apes with my venom until your veins become bloated and burst, you filthy little creature." The snake suggested tauntingly.
Glaring at the snake, Harry put on a mischievous smile.
"Oh he's telling me that he really appreciates the cage you built him Hagrid. He was terribly afraid a bird would get him."
"That's not what I said human… The truth… I want their flesh to fill my belly!" The snake hissed in rage.
"But he is feeling a little sad today, apparently, he misses his mum, he was the runt of the litter and everyone picked on him you see …" Harry said sympathetically. He could see Hagrid wanting to burst, ready to mother the vile little reptile already.
"You will pay human… mark my words, I will be free and when I am, I will crawl down your throat and eat you from the inside out!" The snake hissed loudly.
Thinking he should give some warning to Hagrid…" Oh but he doesn't like to be touched… so no one should actually go near him. But he loves to have people to talk to. He can understand you all even if you can't understand him."
The snake hissed things that even his parseltongue could not translate, and Harry assumed they were unpleasant to hear. The serpent version of Malfoy seemed apoplectic with rage.
"Of course… he didn't seem to like it when people were placing him in the cage. I thought it was because he didn't like being confined but, he's just afraid to be touched" Hagrid whispered to himself in comprehension.
"Harry what's his name?" Hagrid demanded.
"Your vile lips are unworthy of my name. I will escape your prison, and seek you all in your sleep." The snake yelled.
"Shirley! He said he heard a human being called that; he thought it was a great name." Harry cried out almost in laughter at the clear shock the snake portrayed as he named it.
Hagrid beamed and a couple of the students giggled at the name.
"Class, lets make 'Shirley' feel welcome. Say hello" Hagrid commanded as if he were introducing the class to a new student.
"Hello Shirley." The class called back.
Harry had a hard time keeping a straight face for the rest of the class.
… .. … .. … .. … .. …
After the class, Harry had eventually worked up the courage to admit to Hagrid that he had lied, but not to what extent. He explained that the snake was far too angry to be around students. Hagrid was visibly disappointed but accepted the fact. Harry assumed that Hagrid thought he was trying to save him any embarrassment. Even though that was true, Harry didn't feel it necessary to enlighten his friend to how much he enjoyed 'translating' for the creature.
"Next snake you get, run him by me and I'll let you know. We may find one you'll like." Harry offered.
Hagrid visibly brightened at the offer and shooed Harry away to lunch as he dreamt of what could be.
… .. … .. …
Being a Wednesday, Ron had a free period after lunch. Harry thought now a good time to make up for a near week of ignoring his friend.
"Ron, wait up." Harry called, as he caught up to his room mate.
"Hey Harry." Ron said in greeting, forgetting his own pensieve behaviour.
"Sorry I've been ignoring you for a while there mate. Don't know what got into me." Harry said, deciding it would be better to get to the point of it all.
"Huh?" Ron said as he turned his head to stare at Harry in confusion.
"I haven't been around in a while, always off doing my own thing, I don't remember the last time we talked or you sulked about the Cannons…" Harry said with a half sad smile.
"Their just having a bad year is all!" Ron exclaimed quickly, ignoring the rest of what Harry said.
Harry laughed. "It's been a very long year then." Harry teased with a more heartened smile as Ron went on to defend his favourite team.
Leading Ron down to the kitchens instead of the great hall, Harry spotted a familiar corridor.
"… that's why, the Tornadoes were always a no good stinking team filled with Slytherin cheaters, they probably cursed the team." Ron explained pointedly, using his favourite explanation for why the Cannons were playing shoddily.
"Ya…sure… but Ron, what you reckons down there." Harry asked as he pointed at the dark corridor.
Stopping from filling Harry in on more cannon propaganda, Ron let his eyes follow Harry's finger.
"Down where?" Ron asked. As he stared at the indicated spot Harry was pointing.
"The corridor right opposite the kitchens." Harry said wondering whether his friend had been confounded.
"Harry, there's no corridor there…" Ron said warily. Walking towards where Harry had indicated, he put his hand at the entrance and leaned against it.
Harry gaped as Ron let the non existent wall support him.
"That's not possible" Harry said startled as he stood next to his friend and stuck his arm into the corridor.
Ron leapt back startled. "How the hell did you do that?" He asked shocked as he looked at his friend in wonder.
Pulling his arm out to show to Ron, "There's a corridor here, but for some reason only I can see it, or go through it." Harry explained his confused theory.
Deciding to freak out his friend a little he stepped into the corridor completely.
"Bah! Harry, get out of the wall now!" Ron demanded as he poked and prodded the wall with his finger trying to force his way in; finally ending up rapping his knuckles against the wall in frustration, as if knocking on a door.
Harry smiled, waiting till Ron took one final step closer; Harry stuck his arms out of the corridor and grabbed Ron, pulling him into the wall.
Ron wailed in terror as he was sucked into a wall to face a deeply amused Harry Potter.
"You prat! Don't do that." Ron yelled in frustration as Harry grinned mischievously.
"How did you know you could pull me in? I couldn't push through on my own." Ron finally asked after calming down significantly.
"Oh I didn't, but I took a guess." Harry said with a smile imagining Ron smacking into the wall in an alternate failed attempt at entry.
Ron seemed to be thinking the same thing as he mumbled about inconsiderate prats.
"Come on, let's explore a bit, we got most of the afternoon off today." Harry coaxed as he lit his wand, and took a step down into the dark floor below the stairs.
Letting some excitement sparkle in his eyes at a little sleuthing, Ron eagerly caught up to Harry, and followed his lead.
"How did you find this place?" Ron asked as he looked on the corridor in interest.
"I got lost and found myself here." Harry said distractedly. He was contemplating the lack of presence in the corridor. Most times, the hall felt, dark and ominous, now it just felt empty. He puzzled over the lack of wind as well; there was no resistance what so ever.
Finding their way back to the five way stop, Harry tried to get his bearings.
"Alright, this corridor should lead to a dead end. Don't know why it even exists if it doesn't go anywhere, and this one is where we came from. So we got three options. Where to first?" Harry asked as he did as Luna had and marked the indicated corridors with flaming letters.
Ron deciding to do this the mature way, recited a lyric oddly similar to Eaney Meany Miney Mo, and chose the corridor directly to the left of there exit.
"You don't happen to have the map on you do you." Ron asked hopefully.
Smacking his head, Harry quickly took off his back pack and searched it for the familiar piece of parchment. Having been with out it so many times this week, Harry had decided to take it with him.
"Nice" Ron complimented.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good" Harry declared.
Watching the spidery webs of ink spread out Harry immediately went to where the kitchens were labelled.
"It's not listed" Harry said in disappointed surprise.
"But… were still on the map though?" Ron pointed out as he saw two dots labelled Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. They were on a blank section of the map for the floor they were on.
Taking a few steps forward, the two dots moved. The map blinked out and then back and Harry saw to his amazement…two horizontal lines come to existence
"The map just drew part of the corridor." Harry said in surprise. For sure enough, looking to where they had started, to the few feet of where they were now, two stretches of wall ran parallel to them on the map.
"This must be how they mapped the place." Ron said impressed.
The duo quickly started walking at a faster pace and watched as the map updated itself to fill in a new hidden destination in the castle, blinking with each step they took.
Finally they reached a blank stretch of wall and looked down into the map.
"That isn't right…?" Ron said in confusion.
The wall on the map showed a doorway a few feet ahead of them. As the map was updating by taking in a radius of 6-8 feet away from itself. Ron walking towards where the map indicated there to be a door. Placed his hand on the blank wall, and blinked in surprise as a gilded gold handle appeared.
Immediately wall sconces appeared out of no where all along the dark corridor they had just traversed, and lit themselves as the wall before them vanished to be replaced by a more opulent wooden door that took up the entire fake wall.
"Whoa…" they both said in awed shock at the surprising behaviour of the corridor.
Harry wondered why it had reacted to Ron's touch like it had. If the first corridor that ended in a wall had the same hidden door, why had it not done the same when he had touched it?
Sharing a brief moment where the two communicated with their eyes they came to the agreement to push on.
Ron and Harry with wands out each grabbed a door and pulled. Harry's door stayed shut but Ron's opened without so much as a creek.
Sharing a confused look Ron attempted to pry open the same door. It creaked open freely.
Looking at each other puzzled Ron grasped both handles while Harry raised his wand higher in a more defensive stance.
Ron quickly swung both doors open and pointed his wand inside the room. Harry following suit as they stood side by side.
In a way the room was like an extension of the hall. Made entirely from large stone, the room had five additions. On every wall, including the ceiling and floor except the entrance, large concave discs made from what looked like a metallic crystal, were affixed.
The room seemed to hum at their entrance.
Ron froze.
Eyes wide he took in the details of the room and raised his hand and started counting off the hums. When he pulled away his thumb, the hum took on a more urgent pitch.
Ron's eyes widened in panic and he grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him away from the room at a run.
"Ron …Ron what are you doing? What's the …"
"Run!" Ron cried in desperation as he sped to the five way intersection. Running down the indicated exit Harry had marked, he stopped and headed back, all the while cursing in irritation.
"Ron what are you…?"
"Get rid of the markings now!" Ron cried in desperation as he swung his wand back and forth as if swatting at a fly or orchestrating a particularly violent violin solo.
Not questioning his friend especially when three of the five corridors started to brighten up with red light. Harry quickly vanished the writing and followed Ron as he desperately ran down the only dim corridor.
"What's going on Ron…?" Harry demanded as the corridor seemed to tremble and Harry noticed a faint red light forming behind and in front of them at either end of the corridor.
"You … found…There's a … Node!" Ron cried desperately; heavily winded.
Harry had no idea what those were, but by Ron's clear desperation to get away from the red light, Harry, using his well trained legs, sped up while dragging a slowing Ron, faster away down the vibrating corridor.
Quickly spotting the exit as the corridor was all but glowing from both red pricks of light that shone a bright, blood red. Harry put on a final burst of speed.
The corridor stopped its hum…. and then the entire hallway shook as if under a terrible earthquake. Both ends of the corridor shone brightly and Harry could feel the lights approach.
Quickly pivoting Harry and Ron dived into the stairway, and up 5 or 6 steps clearing them from the lower corridor, before a loud whooshing noise announced the joining of the two light sources.
A giant stream of light the size of Harry's torso struck dead centre and half blinded Harry as he averted his eyes.
They remained silent as they watched torrents of energy speed back and forth in a chaotic battle of violence and beauty. The silence that the event had inspired was suddenly broken by laughter.
"Ha…" Ron cried in hysterics, as he broke down and laughed; feet from the magical beam of energy.
"Ron…?" Harry asked in concern.
"Fred and George will be so jealous." He cried in hysterics as he wiped tears from his eyes.
Harry let the corners of his mouth quirk slightly in humour as he took in the situation. It wasn't truly funny, but something about surviving this danger, and having the adrenalin pumping caused Harry to chuckle as well.
The two friends let there laughter run its course before Harry finally asked the question that had plagued his mind.
"What just happened?"
"Oh we almost were vaporized, that's what happened. Everywhere you go Harry…" Ron said with a fond smile.
"Vaporized…huh." Harry said as he contemplated Ron's words. "… and if we hadn't have vanished my writing?" He asked.
"The corridor and maybe part of Hogwarts may have exploded killing us all." Ron said dryly.
"Huh…" Harry said in a slightly higher pitch as he contemplated what could have been.
"Butterbear?" Harry asked.
"Read my mind." Ron said. As they exited the corridor, and made there way towards the kitchens.
They stopped however when they came face to face with an un-amused headmaster.
"I believe we should hold off on the butterbears for now." He said in dry disapproval with a hint of his twinkle peaking through.
… .. … .. … .. …
"So…" Dumbledore said by way of a conversation starter.
"Sir." Ron and Harry said back.
"I believe I overheard Mr. Weasley explaining to you what could have happened." Dumbledore explained.
"Yes sir" Ron and Harry agreed.
"Now do you both believe this merits punishment, this being the near destruction of Hogwarts situation that it is." Dumbledore asked.
"Yes sir." They both repeated in slightly nervous tones.
"Well then… Mr Weasley. For preventing the school from being destroyed. I award you two hundred points. Mr. Potter, for almost destroying the school, I deduct two hundred points." He said with a smile.
"I will forgo assigning you both detentions for this afternoon's behaviour seeing as you had no way of knowing where you were going." He smiled.
Both relaxed at Dumbledore's white washing of the situation. "Thank you sir."
"But I believe we shall have to keep this little incident a secret. As I'm sure you both know, your head of house and professor Snape may be highly critical of your punishment, not even mentioning your mother." Dumbledore smiled as Ron blanched at the prospect of what his mum would have done to him.
"But I have to ask… how did you get inside the node in the first place?" Dumbledore leaned forward, highly interested by the answer.
Ron and Harry exchanged glances, and Harry sat up straighter as he answered.
"I found the corridor a week ago and I was the only one who could see it so I took Ron down into it." Harry admitted.
"You saw the entrance?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes sir." Harry answered.
"Were you the one that opened the door to one of the focusing chambers or was it Mr. Weasley?" He asked
"I did sir. They wouldn't open for Harry." Ron spoke up.
"Ah well that is a relief at least."
"Sir…?" Harry asked in confusion.
"The nodes Hogwarts draws its power from are some of the strongest recorded on the planet. When Salazar Slytherin was expelled from this school a millennia ago, the remaining founders deemed it a risk to allow him access. They developed a way to barricade certain high security areas in the school against Parselmouths, as at the time the gift was still exceedingly rare, as it is now. If Voldemort were to ever get a hold of these nodes, I shudder to think what he could do with them." Dumbledore explained.
Harry was very confused. What the hell were nodes, he remembered Dumbledore mentioning them once, but he never guessed the importance and power they wielded.
"I was actually coming to see you before I felt the node activate. It was not supposed to start one of its cycles for another month." Dumbledore explained.
Harry looked at the man expectantly wondering what he wanted to talk to him about.
Dumbledore appeared to try to open his mouth but stopped and ever so slightly flashed his eyes in Ron's direction; Harry got the impression that he was asking permission to say something in front of him. Hoping that that something didn't have to do with the prophecy Harry nodded his head.
"After last week's incident in my office, I went through your medical history; I have a working understanding of medi-wizardry, so I was able to deduce a few things." Dumbledore explained. Ron quirked his eye at Harry at the mention of an incident but said nothing as he listened.
"To be honest Harry, I believe that the ritual may have had a far more reaching effect on you than it would on others. You and another have significantly different cortical levels than the average wizard. Serotonin and other neuro chemicals were present in areas of your brain at levels that the average witches and wizards have never before recorded to have had." Dumbledore announced authoritatively.
Most of what Dumbledore said went over his head, but he at least got his reference to 'another'; being the other prophesised child of course.
"And this means?" Harry asked in confusion.
"I'm not sure. When these levels were first recorded after Voldemort had attacked you, I had believed they were in response to the killing curse, but further research indicates that levels of your brain have been stimulated that we know next to nothing about, areas that remain stimulated rather than return to normal as I and the medical team had expected."
At Harry's slight frown from being told another reason why he stood out from the crowd, Dumbledore commented with a slight smile. "I'm sorry to say, but it appears you were never intended to have a normal life, Harry."
"Is Harry going to be alright… with these newrey chemicals in his brain?" Ron asked with some worry. Harry was touched with his concern and impressed with his forethought, but troubled by the point he had brought up. Was he going insane slowly, were these abnormal levels of chemicals in his brain, leading him to an early grave?
"Not to worry Mr. Weasley, as far as we can tell they are not causing Harry any ill effects." Dumbledore smiled down at his student, with a little pride shining through, clearly pleased with the concern and loyalty displayed.
"Unfortunately, with this new information and the fact that you were introduced to ritual magic with an unknown intent… we have no idea what possible effect they may have on … Mr. Weasley?"
Ron starred wide eyed at Harry. "How did you get exposed to ritual magic?" Ron asked in shock.
"I told you…" Harry said in confusion.
"Oh no you didn't. I definitely would have remembered that!" Ron retorted.
"Sure I did… I know I … I think I did?" Harry said searching his memory for the conversation.
"Huh… I guess I forgot." Harry admitted.
"You forgot!" Ron demanded as if Harry were daft.
"Yes well… Maybe I could fill you in. Mr Potter had been understandably distracted at the time."
Dumbledore proceeded to give Ron a thankfully, highly abbreviated version of events.
"Due to this ritual, we believe Harry has been experiencing unconfirmed abilities." Dumbledore finished.
"Abilities?" Ron accused.
"Hey no fair, I just realized myself." Harry defended himself.
Ron reluctantly let it drop.
"I was looking for you Mr. Potter because I have been reviewing memories with you in them for the last week trying to see if there have been other emergences of these powers. I believe I have found just that."
Pointing at the familiar bowl, Harry stood and at Dumbledore's "Will you be joining us Mr. Weasley?" Ron soon followed into Dumbledore's memories.
They stood in a dark room with a dozen voices whispering excitedly.
"He'll be here soon, quiet…" an excited Nymphadora Tonks whispered a foot away from memory Dumbledore.
Suddenly a dual pop occurred followed by Harry's voice shooting spells at the group.
Harry realized that he was reliving his birthday party. "Sir what am I looking for" Harry asked.
"You are seeing it my boy. You are performing this ability as we speak." Dumbledore explained as Harry tried to see what he was doing that had set Dumbledore off.
The world suddenly paused as Harry shot a stupefy, the red beam and everyone in the room paused as well as Dumbledore walked forward.
"A little test, tell me Harry what is wrong with this picture?" Dumbledore asked as he allowed Harry an uninterrupted view of the scene.
'This must be how he likes to teach' Harry thought as he tried to spot the odd thing out.
Walking up close and frowning as he could barely make out his own face in the unlit room he tried to spot any kind of oddity.
After circling himself five or 6 times. Harry was starting to get frustrated.
'I'm just casting a stupefy… there's nothing…' Harry let his eyes glide along his outstretched arm and paused at the origin of the beam.
"Where's my wand?" Harry asked aloud.
"What?" Ron asked in shock as he finally spotted the inconsistency.
"Very good Harry. Yes, you are displaying a unnatural amount of control for someone with out a wand." Dumbledore praised. Harry watched as the memory unpaused and then the fight continued. Harry and Ron trained there eyes to follow Harry's hand as it shot energy out of the tip of his thumb and index finger as he aimed his hand as if wielding the non existent wand.
Finally exiting the memory, Harry fixed Dumbledore with a confused expression. "I can do wandless magic?" He asked.
"You can, as can most wizards and witches. But to do so can be deadly."
"What about accidental magic… or apperating, or parseltongue, or all the other things wizards can do with out a wand. Isn't that magic?" Harry asked trying to refute the development.
"Unfocused… different variety, and levels of power used." Dumbledore answered respectively.
"I will not bore you with the details but in essence, witches and wizards are not the epitome of magic others would have you believe. Unlike true magical creatures, our bodies can not focus and perform feet's of magic with out external tools."
"So what are we then?" Ron asked confused. He had probably heard the argument before in his life, but to be faced with the reality of the situation, had clearly shaken him.
"Witches and wizards… strictly speaking in magical ability, we are no more powerful than a diricrawl or phoenix. We are able to perform certain feet's of magic, but with out the right tools at our command, other activities are beyond our reach."
"Is there a creature ahead of us on this 'list'?" Harry asked. This was actually quite interesting. He wondered if his Guide talked about things like this.
"Well again, this must be kept in perspective, but strictly speaking in terms of magical ability. House elves, merfolk, and to an extent veela." Dumbledore explained.
"Hermione will love that…" Ron mumbled to himself.
"Wait what about the goblins… they're pretty prominent, aren't they ahead of us?" Harry asked. They always looked down upon Harry, people spoke about them with nervousness at times. They had fought magical wars against wizards. They must have wielded incredible power.
"Actually that is a common misconception that people make, further propagated by the goblins strict confidentiality. The Goblin race as a whole, are muggles." Dumbledore explained to the shocked pair.
"Muggles are in charge of the wizarding world's gold…" Ron asked flabbergasted.
"We have gotten side tracked… Harry I'd like to run an experiment if you will." Dumbledore stated, brushing aside the earlier topic.
Holding out his hand and looking at Harry's wand, Harry quickly obliged and handed him his eleven inch holy friend.
"Mr. Weasley, if you would step behind me." Dumbledore asked. Ron quickly followed his instructions.
Dumbledore waved his wand at a near by cupboard and a glass sphere similar to the one he had been instructed to 'fill' in his training sessions appeared, although it had an additional silver ring wrapped along its surface.
"This is a trapper. It will capture any spell and keep it in stasis for further study. The silver band allows us to study any anomalies that the trapper may detect." Dumbledore explained as he conjured a podium and physically placed the sphere on top where a circular indent let it rest steadily.
"Harry, I'd like you to try and cast a wingardium leviosa on the orb." Dumbledore explained.
Feeling slightly self conscious, Harry nodded and turned to face his glass opponent.
Raising his hand in a similar position as he had in the memory, Harry intoned…
"Wingardium Leviosa" He even swished and flicked. But the ball lay motionless.
"Maybe it was a one time thing sir." Harry said in slight disappointment.
"That is a possibility, but it is also possible that you did not believe you could perform the spell." Dumbledore explained with a raised eyebrow.
"Sir?" Harry asked. He had cast that spell on many an occasion. He was fairly sure he could do the spell.
"I'm sure you know how to perform the spell, but I do not believe you believe you can do it, with out a wand." Dumbledore explained kindly.
"Believe you will cast the spell, if it helps, imagine you are holding your wand, and cast." Dumbledore instructed.
Frowning in slight frustration with the man… 'Oh ya. Let's get the 6th year to perform magic that should be impossible. If he fails he just doesn't have enough faith to pull it off' he cynically scoffed to himself.
Resigning himself to trying anyway. He took a breath and focused on the globe… studying it and the room. Trying to imagine his magic waiting to release itself from his hand in waves of power.
For the second time in a week a voice in his mind piped up. 'I didn't have to do this in the citadel… I just did it. There's no need to do any of this focusing stuff… I just have to… do it.' His mind spoke. Feeling a slight wave of confidence at his mental command, Harry pointed his hand at the ball…
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
The ball filled with a bright light as the silver band spun around the surface.
"Well done Harry." Dumbledore congratulated.
Harry just stared at the ball with wide eyes, not believing it had been that easy. His hand didn't even feel any different from the contact of the magic.
Harry didn't realize Dumbledore was scanning him until his wand flashed across his peripheral.
"One moment Harry, I must check to make sure your magic is not becoming toxic after performing this feet." Dumbledore explained as his wand arm glowed a slight yellow, and then varying other parts of his body glowed the same way.
"Curious…" Dumbledore commented thoughtfully to himself. As he let his wand drop to his side.
"What's curious sir?" Ron asked as he was still staring at his friend in shock.
"There is a large concentration of magic coalescing behind your lungs and along your spinal chord. They pose no threat, but I have never seen such a thing. I can not fathom what its purpose is." Dumbledore said, with a gleam in his eye that Harry recognized in Hermione and Madame Pomfrey. It was the look of someone waiting to sink their teeth into something, whether it be a book, patient, or unwitting abomination of magic.
"We should investigate this matter further Harry, but for now…" he handed Harry back his wand… "It would be better if you refrained from mentioning or practicing your ability with out my presence." Harry did not mistake it for a request as so much as an order.
Harry could see the logic in it, but felt a little offended that Dumbledore thought he would not use discretion.
"Now I believe you two will be late for transfiguration if you do not hurry…" Dumbledore said by way of dismissal.
Ron's stomach grumbled in protest.
The headmaster had punished him after all.
… .. … .. …
Harry returned to his bunk feeling drained. After finally finishing transfiguration, Harry had to speedily study for potions and create the potion indicated for the next class. It was slightly worse than his usual standards as he rushed, but it was still passable.
He pulled out his runes book and started to study, after asking the room to clean up his work station. He had been having trouble the last few days in his studies for the subject.
The notes indicated that he had to have a firm understanding of the all the runes studied so far before he was to move on. That meant memorization. He had memorized quite a few, but his mind seemed to halt and he was having a hard time concentrating on his work. The simple truth of it was, Harry was more interested in creating a magical object with the runes than learning there language. Something, he needed to know when he went to write his O.W.L and N.E.W.T. for the subject.
Setting the book aside in frustration Harry had packed his things and made his way up to his dorms.
… .. … .. …
Setting his bag down, and checking his watch to see he had another 2 hours before he had to be in the great hall for his training; Harry lay back on his bed and stared at the ceiling.
The door to his room opened and Ron entered twirling his wand in familiar motions as he walked mindlessly over to his bed and copied Harry's motions.
"Ron…?" Harry asked in concern.
Quickly turning, Ron spotted Harry.
"Mate, what you doing here so early." He asked in surprise.
"Where's your head at… you've been off in your own little world all day." Harry asked concerned for his friend.
"I have…?" Ron asked.
"Does this have to do with my …you know...?" Harry raised his hand and swished and flicked his wrist.
"No… its nothing. Just got something's on my mind is all." Ron admitted.
Wondering what had possessed him to ask his next question; Harry sat up and looked over at his mate.
"Want to talk about it?" He asked.
Ron starred at Harry for a moment, his eyes transfixed on his best friend. Sitting up and looking at Harry, he asked.
"Do you think I'm stupid?" Ron asked point blank.
Widening his eyes in surprise, Harry stared at Ron in confusion. "I don't think your stupid mate. Well not until you asked such a dumb question that is." Harry teased trying to get Ron to lighten up as he was not used to having to deal with serious Ron that often.
"I'm serious, I don't get a lot of good grades, I do horribly on my essays, and we both know I say stupid things…" Ron said heatedly as he started to tick off his faults on his hand.
Taking a wild guess, Harry asked "Does this have to do with what Hermione said?"
By Ron's shifty eyes and silence Harry guessed that he had hid the nail on the head.
"It's true though, I mean I am lazy, I've never actually done my homework or studied on my own. I've never taken the initiative to do anything but play quiditch and coast by." Ron said a little defeated.
'Damn it Hermione!' Harry cursed in his head as he felt sympathy for his friend. Maybe because this could have easily been himself.
"Don't listen to a word she said. Ya, you may like quiditch a bit much, and you don't like to do your studies, but who does. You don't give yourself enough credit." Harry said comfortingly as he weighed the pros and cons of getting up and sitting beside his friend.
"But it's true though, she was right; I've always needed Hermione to remind me to do my studies." Ron reminded Harry.
"So if I were to tell you that this pillow wards away bears, you'd believe me?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm not following mate?" Ron asked bemused.
"Well point in fact, I don't see any bears around, and I've got this pillow which I claim to be able to be able to repel all bears away. Doesn't that make this pillow a bear repeller?"
Harry asked mockingly.
"What are you…?"
"Answer the question… is this pillow a bear repeller?"
"No, because it's just a coincidence. Just because you claim it to be true doesn't make it true, it's just that a bear has never been around to prove you wrong." Ron responded impatiently.
"Exactly, Hermione has always been around to tell us when and how to study. Me and you, we've never actually been able to study on our own because she always initiates it before we get the chance to do anything. Just because Hermione claims she's the reason we do so well, doesn't make it true, it just means we haven't proven her wrong yet." Harry answered back smugly. A little proud he had been able to pull that out his arse.
Ron looked like he was having an internal debate, he clearly hoped Harry was right, but his self doubts were holding him back. Years of being compared to his highly successful brothers, eating away at his confidence.
Getting an idea Harry grabbed a piece of paper, and scribbled down some characters.
Standing up and taking out his books Remus had given him, he walked over to his curious friend. "Tell you what, you figure out what this means… and then we'll talk. Until then I got to go… have a errand to run." Harry said as he smiled down gently at his friend.
"Are these runes…?" Ron asked. "Harry I don't know runes, how am I supposed to figure it out?"
"A week ago I would have said the same thing, but here I am writing this down. Prove Hermione wrong Ron, figure it out. If you can then you're clearly not as dumb as you think you are." Harry said as he walked out of the room.
… … .. .. … …
A week had passed and Harry was in great spirits. Ron had figured out his little puzzle rather quickly and shown Harry the next morning. Bolstered by his success, Harry quickly scribbled another note, with a set of runes he had just memorized the night before. He had solved them before Harry had turned in.
Soon after Ron had taken to writing out notes on Harry's dresser in runes, with this constant back and forth messaging. Harry started to regain some of the enthusiasm he had for the subject as with Ron's help he was starting to memorize Runes quicker and quicker to the point in which he had been able to read the gist of Ron's note by simple glance.
Harry made sure to tell Ron this, and thanked him for the help.
Harry guessed that either Ron had a secret talent for Runes or languages he had never tapped into before, or he was exceedingly determined to prove Hermione wrong.
Soon Ron started to diversify his study habits, delving into charms work, and noticed a slight improvement in his last two assignments. At this rate Harry was confident Ron would start to achieve a few more EE or even a few O's.
Hermione on the other hand was not doing so well. Her grades remained steady, and Ron had not let his drive to prove himself, drive him away from Hermione; but she rarely looked happy anymore.
… .. … .. …
Exiting his charms class, Harry was feeling quite pleased with himself. He had managed to finally perform the Evertamens spell they had been taught the first day in class. Flitwick having given Harry more time because of his newly discovered sensitivity. But Harry had managed to be the third in the class to perform the spell. His stomach wobbly but under control as he vanished the yellow potion.
Walking out of the room, he spotted a friend.
Signalling Ron to continue on with out him, he guided Katie to the side of the hall away from the bustling crowds trying to get to there next class.
"Hi ya Harry. Two things…" Katie asked as she walked alongside him in the corridor.
"Shoot Katie…" Harry answered.
"First thing… are you doing the D.A. again this year?" she asked.
Harry stopped in his tracks. "Is it really necessary? I mean last year we had the toad, this year it looks like Dumbledore picked out some qualified teachers." Harry asked.
"Well yes, but he's only here until November… then who knows what kind of teacher we'll get. If we were to start it up then, it would look like we're calling him Lockhart or something." She answered.
"True…" Harry conceded. "But I don't know if a lot of people will wanna do it again…" Harry retorted. He had secretly feared that if he had started it over again, people would wonder who he was to try and teach defence. Last year he could get away with it as no one could be worse than Umbridge, but this year the students seemed to have a decent instructor. He didn't want to come across as some pompous fool who thought he could teach others to stay alive.
"Actually, I can guarantee you all of the people who came from Gryffindor. I'm their proxy." She added with an affectionate smile.
Harry blushed.
"Let me get back to you on that." Harry asked as he didn't want to commit himself to anything yet.
"Fair enough..." she conceded.
"You said there were two things?" Harry asked.
"Right…Why the HELL aren't you on the team!" she yelled at him.
Harry winced at the volume of the girl. Harry wondered if he would ever meet a girl with a yell that didn't make him think his ears were about to bleed.
"I had to give it up… I'm taking two independent study courses… McGonagale said she wouldn't let me play except as a reserve." Harry apologized.
Looking like she wanted to yell some more but holding it back she frowned in resigned anger.
"Fine…" she huffed irritated, accepting that as a valid excuse but soon the indignation turned into a worried frown "but … I'm the captain now; I don't have you as seeker, what if I loose the quiditch cup this year." she said with a frown.
"Come now Katie… you guys did alright before I came along." Harry said with a blush as he tried to cheer up the girl.
She raised an eyebrow at him. "We were loosing for 7 years straight, Harry. Every game we won since then was when you were there." Katie reminded him.
Harry was about to point out their win fifth year, but she quickly replied "…and fifth year we got lucky. The chasers got a good lead and Ron Weasley had a good day." Katie responded. Harry wanted to defend his friend but he wasn't there because of Grawp.
"Oh… Well still you'll do brilliantly. And if for some reason you do loose, more than likely, everyone will just blame me for quitting so you're still safe." Harry said to calm the girl. He frowned though when he realized that that probably would be what would happen.
Katie perked up immediately.
Skipping away in renewed cheer, that scarily reminded him of Tonks, Harry turned around to catch up with Ron but found another Weasley staring at him in shock and anger.
"You gave up quiditch…" she stated in a cold voice.
"I had to…" Harry admitted defensively. He wasn't sure why he had to justify himself to Ginny though. Harry had noticed the more angry stairs the girl had directed his way as of late. He was sure he had not done anything to deserve them as he had not even talked to the girl in God knows how long.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Ginny asked with a growl. Harry's hackles raised in response. "I got distracted." Harry growled back, not even trying to hide his irritation with the girl. Something about the expected answers and compliance some of the people in his life seemed to think they were privileged to, angered him.
Ginny seemed to take offence to this as she let her posture display it.
"Don't you raise your voice at me, did you even think about Gryffindor or the team. I expected a lot better from you Harry James Potter." She said with finality. Her hips swayed and her chin lifted as if she had made a fantastic point and waited for Harry to see the error of his ways.
Never before in his life had he wished he could strike a women, Bellatrix did not count, but hearing the words spew forth from the littlest redhead made Harry want to whack her upside the head and hope her brains magically appeared.
"If you had 'eavesdropped' on the entire 'private' conversation you would know I had to drop the team because of my course load Ginerva…" Harry said acidly. He wondered if he had said the entire conversation in parseltongue as everything sounded like a hiss to him, but by Ginny's flaring eyes, she had understood and she took offence.
Ginny crinkled her nose in irritation, clearly not pleased that Harry was no where as repentant as she had deemed acceptable. She ignored his response entirely as she was set on hearing The-Boy-Who-Lived see things her way.
Not willing to cause a scene, as some passer by's took notice of the aggressive pair, Harry stood with his back straight and shoulders high, as he took on the women who would claim to be feisty.
"I'll see you later Ginny."
'Hopefully by then you'll channel someone with a brain you mindless twit.'
Harry started to walk away. Ginny looked like she wanted to reprimand him further but by the steely glare he sent her, she frowned irately and walked away in a huff.
… .. … .. …
Making his way to defence, Harry sat stonily up front letting the sunlight comfort him as he pulled out his notebook and wand. Seeing that the list of spells were not in his book he unzipped his back pack and searched every compartment.
Harry paused at one and frowned. There next to a crumpled piece of paper that Harry recognized as his course outline he was searching for, was a brightly coloured box.
He had left it inside since the summer holidays, it being his present to Hermione for her birthday. In previous years she had adamantly refused to tell anyone when it was, but Harry remembering his one summer in third year, realized it must have been fairly close to the start of term if her parents had given her money to buy her own present. Taking the opportunity that presented itself he had asked Mrs. Granger, who smiled enthusiastically and gladly gave Harry the date. It was actually today.
He had bought her a large novelty snow globe of the cove he had noticed she had gandered at it more than once. It was a little pricey due to its size and detail, but Harry at the time had not cared. How many times had she given him a gift, how many times had she stood by him, how many times had she been there for him? But now, the gift and the date it was associated with gave Harry a confused feeling.
She had been horrible to him not too long after he had bought it, and her most recent insult, had not only severely affected his self confidence, it had affected Ron's as well. He had not said a single word to the girl, and had rebuffed any further attempts at reconciliation she had tried, until she had stopped all together.
He could ignore the voice of the girl in his head no longer. He had been a git; she had been one as well, but Harry knew he needn't have been so bull headed about it. It was his pride, the same thing that had helped him retain his sanity at the Dursley's and also the very same thing that had kept him from learning occlumency and preventing Sirius's death.
What was he supposed to do with the box? Just give it to her and make up? It seemed obvious, but the implementation and follow through, they seemed daunting.
"All right class, wands out, I want to see the first three stages of the nullifying field you were supposed to have practiced." The familiar gruff tones immediately set Harry alert, as he readied himself to be evaluated by the man he respected, but his not so dulcet voice was still not enough to drive the shrunken box in his bag, from his mind.
… .. … … .. …
Resigning himself to being the one who reset their relationship once more, Harry had begged off training for the evening as, Hermione had, like him, taken to coming in late to Gryffindor tower, but well before curfew. Sir had frowned and questioned him on whether he was getting lazy and loosing his resolve, but after Harry explained that it was his friends birthday, he had demanded Harry be ready to work an additional 2 hours tomorrow night to make up for missed time, and dismissed him with an aggravated frown.
Stopping by the kitchens He had asked Dobby whether he could prepare a small cake, blueberry, for at least three people, one of them being a Weasley which made the cake slightly bigger than if it were for another.
Dobby had accepted with pride as he was asked instead of Chippy who looked on enviously at Dobby. Harry at least was thankful that she was not in tears, and glaring at the other elf in jealously like Dobby had taken to doing.
Making his way to the Great Hall he sat next to Neville and stole a sandwich from a tray as he felt like company today.
"Hey Harry" the smiling boy greeted in between bites of his small potpie. "How's it going Neville?" Harry asked, taking note of a large collection of girls giggling somewhere behind him.
"Don't mind them; they've been at it since I got here." Neville said in response to Harry's puzzled frown as he turned around.
There at the Ravenclaw table was an awkwardly smiling Luna surrounded by what Harry would dub, Parvarti clones.
The Blonde Ravenclaw was being pulled into huddles as they pointed at other people and giggled, Luna seemed to say something and momentarily, Harry felt a flash of irritation come off what he was sure was one of the girls. The girl in question just laughed as if Luna had made a hilarious joke and the rest followed suit but Harry noticed the slight squinting of the girl's eye.
Suddenly Luna's head swivelled and she stared at Harry. A giant wave of relief washed over him and the girl eagerly waved Harry over going so much as to stand up and call him.
Never had he not wanted to join the girl but by the predatory looks some of the girls were giving him, he decided he needed backup.
"Neville, I think I need you to cover my 6" Harry whispered as he picked up his bag, and busied himself with filling his plate with another ten sandwiches, He didn't care that he was starting to get full from his one, he needed a distraction.
"What's your 6?" Neville asked curiously.
"Just grab your plate and come with me…" Harry said in desperation and irritation, as he stood up.
Neville confusedly followed Harry's instructions and walked along side his room mate towards a rapidly giggling gaggle of girls.
"Harry, Neville, Hi!" Luna said brightly, her voice strained as much as Harry's courage was. Both did not seem like they wanted to be anywhere around the tiny devils.
"Hi Luna… What's going on" Harry asked with an eye towards the girl he was sure he felt irritation come from earlier. She blushed under his attention and fluttered her eyelashes at him, misinterpreting his stare.
"These are the 'friends' I was telling you about." Luna said pointedly.
"Really" Harry asked in mock surprise as Neville watched the by play between the two in confusion.
"Hi I'm Neville." Neville introduced as he held out a hand to a girl with pigtails. The girl shook it but her eyes were on Harry the entire time.
'Oh…crap!' Harry cursed in realization.
"Harry, I just remembered, you said you'd help me with my divinations homework. And Trelawney's got a test for us next class, can you spare a moment?" She all but begged.
"But Harry's not taking div…Ow" Neville yelped as Luna kicked him in the shins.
"Right, Divinations! Sorry girls, I did promise" Harry said with a regretful eye as he picked up Luna's bag and dragged a limping Neville out of the room.
"What was that for?" Neville asked once they had cleared the great hall and hidden in a classroom overlooking the lake.
"Don't play innocent with me Neville Longbottom, you know perfectly well what." Luna said crossly as she stared at Neville with hard eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about…" Neville said, but the quirking of his lips betrayed him as he tried not to smile.
Reaching out and plucking a sandwich from the plate he was still holding, Luna sighed in relief as she leaned against the windowsill and let the slightly chilly air fill her lungs.
Neville looking in-between the two let a faint smile cross his face before quickly saying, "I just remembered, I forgot to do my transfiguration homework, I should get started on that."
Quickly leaving with the sly smile on his face Harry wondered when Neville had become so… un Neville. The boy was making Jokes, teasing others, and if the look meant anything, becoming a bit too crafty. Harry also wondered if he was going to get in trouble for stealing a plate, but figured he could return it before dinner was served.
"So those were the people you were talking about before…" Harry stated as he took a seat on the opposite side of the long window sill. Conjuring up a pitcher and two glasses, he filled them with cold water.
"Show off…" Luna said in mock sternness as she stole the offered glass and took a sip. Harry smiled cheekily back at her, as he was showing off slightly. He was quite proud of his almost mastery of the art. Being able to conjure objects of medium size comfortably was a skill few people ever attained. At the moment he was working on speed, which he was admittedly average at… for the moment at least.
"Like I told you… it's strange." Luna finally replied.
Harry didn't need any bursts of thought and emotion to tell him that Luna had arrived at the same conclusion as he had. She was just choosing to ignore it.
They were using her because of him. Harry thought it would be bad form to admit it out loud so decided silence was his best bet.
They stayed that way, just staring out on to the water for countless moments before Luna finally asked…
"Do you still think they're just being nice?" The wording was accusatory, but the way she said it was hopeful. Harry was surprised to note that Luna was willing to look past the obvious to attain companionship.
A difficult dilemma presented itself to Harry. Should he tell her the truth and risk crushing whatever hope she had garnered, or outright lie and risk loosing what trust he had gratefully attained.
Mulling it over deeply and quickly, Harry opened his mouth and answered. "I think that they don't have open minds, they probably wouldn't see a Snorkacks if they smacked it on its horn." Harry said with a smile.
"You can do better" Harry said as he took a slow sip of his own glass so he could observe her reaction.
Her eyes stayed on him for a moment, a thoughtful gaze upon her.
"I think your right… its sad to see such closed minds in today's youth." she declared tragically.
"That it is…" Harry said with a more confident smile.
"Does this mean you believe in Snorkacks?" Luna asked hopefully. A twinkle reminiscent of their headmaster in her silvery eyes.
"It means that I have an open mind…" Harry said with a raised eyebrow not falling for the trap.
Luna pouted cutely before turning towards the window and staring out at the water.
Harry wasn't sure but he could have sworn he heard a content voice whisper… "That's all I ask."
… .. … .. …
Harry waited uncomfortably on the usually very comfortable chair by the fire. His discomfort, not from the chair, but from the anticipation of what was to come next.
He had gone down to the kitchens after transfiguration, and after watching Hermione glide out of the room hidden behind her extra wild hair. He had only ever seen her hair like that on occasions where she was letting stress get to her. He had reminded Ron of the date and thankful that he had taken Ron with him when he got the present, as Ron had picked up an assortment of knickknacks and baubles that were cheap but numerous from all over the cove. Like Harry, Ron had not looked too comfortable in his chair.
The room had thankfully cleared out, late stragglers rushing in to meet curfew. Ginny had stared angrily at Harry before huffing and making her way up the girls set of stairs. Ron looked at Harry curiously but said nothing. Harry thought it would be best to inform his friend later tonight, just in case Ginny had loose lips.
Finally the portrait opened and a familiar head of brown hair walked in only to stop at the sight of her two male friends watching her.
Moments passed before Harry looked over and hit Ron in reminder. Immediately he took out his wand and poked at the glass bowl Harry had crafted in his early experiments with runes. The bowl filled with water rippled and soft music pumped out as the water hit the corner of the bowl.
Harry pulled out the cake and lit the candle while Ron started his badly off key version of Happy birthday.
Hermione just stared at them with wide eyes, eyes that glistened slightly.
Finishing the song Harry and Ron were feet away from their friend with the birthday cake extended.
"I… Harry, Ron… I'm… I…" Hermione stuttered. Her shock and guilt obvious for the two people who had surprised her on this day.
"Hermione" Harry interrupted.
Looking at him in trepidation, she looked into his jade eyes.
"Make a wish… Ron want's the cake." Harry said with a smile.
A chocked up laugh followed by a true smile followed his order and she blew out the three candles on the cake and was led to seat herself on the comfiest chair in the room.
"I don't know what to say…" Hermione admitted as she rubbed at her eyes. A warm feeling spread across Harry's chest and his cheeks tingled as Hermione tried to regain decorum. She was truly touched, and no matter what had transpired between them, Harry was still glad he could make her happy.
"You could say what I always say on my birthday..." Ron suggested.
"What's that?" she asked as she stared at the red head with unreadable eyes.
"'Where are my presents?' of course" Ron said with a charming smile as Hermione laughed and hugged him tightly.
Harry smiled at the pair as he pulled out his present and Ron his. Harry thought Hermione just might have had a good birthday after all.
AN: Well there you go… a lot happened in this chapter, it was a long chapter (11,153 words long). The corridor partially revealed… I was planning on stringing this plot point along for a bit longer but decided it would get irritating if it hadn't already. Nodes are so freaking important in my story. You have no idea. Let the theorizing begin!
And some of you may be pleased to note I'm going to attempt my Ginny subplot.
Hurrah from the DLP crowd.
I'm thinking of making the snake a regular some how… maybe having Hagrid encourage students to talk to it, annoy it with the students boring lives and in the case of some, inane gossip. But the snake doesn't really have any other purpose than amusement on my part. What say you… does the snake stay or go?
They made up with Hermione… look at that, does this mean, Hermione is off the hook for the rest of the story. What are you stupid! Consider this a 'three strikes your out' policy, she's at two, and she only has one left. She might get an extra swing if it suits me but nothing is actually resolved like the last fight, it's all just buried under the rug.
I'm curious as to what you guys think of Dumbledore's punishment and Harry's wandless abilities. I see Dumbledore as being in character and out of character as a school administrator all at once. I figured Dumbledore would make them sweat and consider the ramifications of there actions but let them off because they had no way of knowing and as far as I know it's not against the rules to visit other parts of the castle during your breaks. Even if they are hidden.