Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I make no money from writing Fanfiction... but if you wanna slip me a little sumthin sumthin…
[suggestive looks
No…?
Then like I said… I'm poor.
Pre-An: Unbetaed… update later…
Chapter 28 – On a very special episode of Blood tipped….
"Come now Harry…. They told me you were good…" Tonks cried cheerfully from the centre of the room.
Harry panted as he ran around the Great hall for the thirty second time…
He looked at the women with scorn… sweat dripping off his forehead.
"I … Hate… You!" Harry cried out haltingly…
"Flirting with me will only get you more laps…" Tonks warned cheerfully.
Harry spared the women one last glare…
Any hope or dream that Harry had had that the Auror would be professional about his training… They were no more.
Tonks held grudges… Even for the slightest of things.
Harry's threat of telling everyone her true name had earned him his most horrendous of all training regimen.
Harry had, under Sir's reign, had to dodge spells, avoid being bludgeoned by objects of varying weight and bluntness, rendered unconscious frequently, or even sustained moderately painful wounds…
Tonks however was worse.
She had introduced him to something that was so diabolical; Satan himself had reserved a level of hell just for her.
What was her obscenely evil plan… her foulest of orders…?
Laps…
Harry had not managed to completely hide his derisive scoff when she had ominously declared the practice… that was his second mistake.
The women had given him eight laps around the great hall… Harry had been able to handle that. He was used to running due to his childhood with his oh so wonderful cousin.
When the metamorph had realized that, she had decided to increase his laps by ten.
Then another ten… and another…
Tonks had stopped at 38…. Deciding that Harry had been suitably winded. After which the women would get up and start attacking the aching boy.
Harry's job was to stay conscious… each time he failed in this… he would have to do another 10 laps before he could escape to bed.
To add insult to injury…
"That's lovely Chippy… Thank you." Tonks complimented pleasantly as she sipped from her fruity concoction in the centre of the room. She always brought her infernal swivel chair…
Always watching Harry, always spinning, always drinking some obscenely colourful drink while Harry ran laps dripping in his own sweat…
"Thank yous mams… "Chippy stated uncertainly. As an original Order elf, the little being could not avoid following the woman's orders.
This had become necessary when it became clear that all the other house elves were simply incapable of 'not' aiding the clearly pained boy.
Tonks had to order Chippy not to serve Harry while running. Something she agreed to under protest.
Dobby had been the best though… every now and then the elf would appear when Tonks wasn't looking, and like a ninja, would quickly spray a steady stream of water into Harry's mouth, dab at his forehead, and freshen his clothes before vanishing just as quickly as he had come.
The elf was very skilled… Harry endeavoured to carpet bomb his saviour with socks in gratitude.
"You know… thirty eight is a fairly random number… lets bring it up to an even forty…" Tonks suggested cheerfully.
She conjured an ataman and leaned back in her chair as she sucked on her drink. The ataman spinning in sync with her as she watched Harry run around the obscenely large room.
He would pay dobby back… if he survived that was.
… .. … .. ….
"Ow..ow… ow…ow.. Ow…"
Luna looked at the boy in worried confusion… he was only trying to sit down after all.
"Are you okay…?"
Harry finally sat; giving off a content moan as he relaxed into his seat.
"I'm fine…" he answered blissfully.
Giving the boy an odd look, Luna poured herself a cup of juice… pouring the boy one as well since he seemed so unbearably comfortable in his stillness.
Sliding the glass over to him she asked…
"Wrackspurtles…?"
Harry looked at the girl for a moment… a puzzled frown marring his face.
"You know… I still don't know what wrackspurtles are?" Harry asked curiously.
"Invisible chaos turtles…" Luna answered immediately.
"Chaos turtles…?" Harry asked.
"Invisible Chaos Turtles…" Luna corrected pointedly.
"Opposed to the visible ones…" Harry asked.
"That's silly Harry, there's no such thing as a visible chaos turtle…" Luna laughed charmingly.
"What's this about chaos turtles….?" Ron asked as he took a seat opposite Harry.
"There is no such thing as a visible Chaos turtle…" Harry answered unsurely.
Ron gave the boy a stare then swivelled his head to Luna who was nodding her head knowledgably…
For a moment he looked like he wanted to comment… but he thought better of it and instead forked himself some bacon.
Deciding to take the Ron route… Harry proceeded to enjoy his breakfast. All the while wondering if Luna was serious or not…
It being a Saturday… Ron asked the inevitable, "What's your plan for today…?" question.
Harry proceeded to shock the boy though when he answered, "Studying…"
"But it's Saturday…" Ron reminded him in horror.
"No choice… I have to do the history owl again in less than two weeks." Harry answered sullenly.
"History…? Why?!" Ron questioned… seemingly insulted by the statement.
"Dumbledore convinced me to; beginning of the year…" Harry answered despondently, with a hint of resentment laced between his words.
"But it's history… No one takes history… Hermione doesn't even take history…" Ron protested.
It was true… after fifth year… no one, despite their grades ever took the class. There were a few… but the number of students, past fifth year, who were enrolled in the subject could be counted on both of Harry's hands… an unusually large number, as generally, it would take only one hand.
"I know…" Harry remarked sorrowfully. Ron's reminders weren't making him exactly cheerful.
Ron sparred the boy another look… seeming to sympathise with his plight.
"Well if you don't care… does it matter how well you do? I don't think your vying for Binn's job…" Ron asked hesitantly.
Ron paused and looked over at Luna…
"What?"
"Well, its just… you're a Ravenclaw…" Ron admitted with a frown… expecting some kind of recrimination for advising Harry to do less than his best.
Knowing what Ron meant, Luna casually mentioned, "I dropped history in third year so I could take divinations, ancient runes, and care of magical creatures… I didn't want a large course load."
"You can drop history…?" Ron asked in shock… scandalized that no one had told him this earlier.
"Professor Binn's wasn't fond of my theories…" Luna remarked evasively.
Instead of asking the girl to elaborate Ron decided to get back on subject…
"Right, well there you go. Study, but don't kill yourself over it. It's not like you need an OWL in history…" Ron advised.
An annoying voice in Harry's head condemned Harry for being swayed by the teen's words. Reminding him that he should give it his all, that he should not slack off; that part was shushed though by the other part of his mind…
Harry could practically see the figurative angel and demon on his shoulders, advising him.
The angel spouting off sayings like, 'Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it.'
The more laid back, devil would coax him with well planned arguments and subtle nudges, persuading him with guile; such as crying 'Come on…' in a laughable manner.
Its argument was very persuasive, clearly well thought out and logical…
Reluctantly though, Harry answered, "I should really study…"
Ron looked at the boy disappointedly…
"You've changed…" he stated sadly.
Grabbing a handful of bacon and slapping them together between some bread, Ron stood and with a final patronizing look, turned his back on the boy.
"Don't worry Harry; that was a very responsible choice…" Luna praised comfortingly.
"Thanks… you want to study with me then?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Not a chance…" Luna answered immediately.
Patting his hand sympathetically she finished off her juice and gave the boy a chaste parting kiss on the cheek as she walked out of the great hall cheerfully.
Harry sulked moodily …
'Doing the right thing sucks…'
… .. … .. …
Harry had spent an agonizing eight hours going through his notes from last year. He was lucky he didn't leave them behind, and a quick stop in the library had allowed him to borrow the text's necessary.
Even still… as he sat on his bed trying to decipher dates and names… he couldn't help but look out his window; to the soggy slush filled world outside.
The grey skies… the muddy cold ground. The lifeless tree's…
It was a testament to how much he hated studying the subject that he wanted to frolic in the dreary late January weather.
Soon though, he was reminded by his room mates that he had a DA meeting to start.
Even though he preferred DA to studying history, it did require quite a bit of moving around; and that was painful for the boy considering the hell that was Tonk's regime.
Deciding to skip the start up attack, he instead had the students review the spells they covered last time… claiming that next week they would return to their usual routine…
… .. … .. …
Ending early… Harry shooed the students away. Deciding he needed a hot bath, Harry waved aside Ron and Luna's worries as he made his excuse to leave.
He had been too tired the day before yesterday to make his way up to the fifth floor and had suffered the consequences the day after… unfortunately the day after, the bathroom had been occupied and he had to trudge back to the Gryffindor dorms smelly and tender. The Standard bathing facilities, inadequate for his needs, and likely to alert his year mates.
Turning a corner toward the bathroom, with the password on his lips… Harry was ready to take an unmanly, warm, bubble bath to soothe his tired muscles.
He was to be stopped though by familiar, intriguing, whispers…
"… And I should help you because?"
"Because it is your lords wish…" A familiar haughty voice answered back.
"Your lord, not mine… And he never came to me asking for my help… I'm not about to put my self at risk for nothing…"
"So your siding with the Mudbloods and blood Traitor's then…." Malfoy's indignant tones, snapped coldly.
"Oh do shut up Draco… Do you really think I'm that simple…? You want my help… give me something for it." The familiar voice replied condescendingly.
Intrigued, Harry waved his wand around himself in sweeping motions; trying to detect a hint of foreign magic in the air. They had covered the basics of the detection spells before Christmas, but with Harry's added sensitivity, he had found that he was particularly adept at it; picking up on some of the more subtle magic's that were easy to overlook.
He was not to be disappointed though; detecting a thin perimeter charm mere feet away.
Marking his boundaries… Harry disillusioned himself and walked just outside the perimeter alarms wake. It was a mobile one, attached to the wizard in general so he had to be careful if the person moved.
Walking around a corner, mindful of the charm, Harry found Malfoy and Nott walking away in heated debate. Heated on Malfoy's side at least… Nott seamed to be enjoying himself as the boy beside him became infuriated….
"What do you want…?" Malfoy grudgingly demanded.
"What are you offering?" Nott asked with a smirk. The boy stopped abruptly as Malfoy whirled on him…
For a moment Harry thought Malfoy would have tried to bear his wand down upon the Slytherin… but he reigned in his temper.
"You can Copy my potions Essay…"
Nott Laughed derisively….
"You want me to help you do something for the Dark Lord for a chance at copying your potions essay… Goodbye Malfoy." Nott chuckled amusedly… turning about face and walking toward Harry.
Harry's sensitivity was kicking in and he could feel the perimeter charm approaching him.
It was planted on Nott…
Taking a few quick steps back, Harry tried to avoid making contact and alerting the boy's to his presence. He was thankful for the low lighting otherwise the moving distortions would be easier to pick up.
"Wait…" Malfoy commanded in agitation.
Nott thankfully complied, mere inches away from causing Harry to reveal his presence as he had trapped himself between he charm and a suit of armour.
Giving himself a generous amount of space between him and the charms barrier, in case Nott tried that again, Harry watched Malfoy's conflicted features.
"A hundred Galleons…"
"I'm not interested in your money, unless you're willing to raise that amount substantially."
"Then what do you want…" Malfoy whispered harshly.
"I want your blood, nothing less." Nott answered smugly.
Harry got the impression the boy was being literal.
Malfoy blanched…
"500 Galleons…
"No…"
"A thousand…" Malfoy grunted.
"I have more than that in my trust vault… my offer isn't too bad, a few teaspoons is all I ask." Nott replied charmingly.
"You're mad if you think I'll give you my blood, I've heard the rumours…" Malfoy scornfully rebutted.
"Then you have nothing to offer me as far as I can tell… Good luck on your little project." Nott teased.
"Wait…" Malfoy shouted.
"Shush, fool…!" Nott whispered angrily, breaking his aloof charming mask for the first time that evening.
Malfoy ignored the aggressive tones, seemingly fighting an internal battle.
"15 000 Galleons and not a Knut more…"
Nott paused… Harry knew that was a ridiculous amount of money… even for some one like Malfoy to give up.
"I suppose that would be acceptable… but you could keep your money for just a spoonful of…"
"No…" Malfoy interrupted; latching on to the acceptance…
Malfoy rushed forward into the boy's face… "You'll get your money, I expect you to deliver your side of the bargain…"
Nott gave the boy a mocking stare, taking a dignified step back.
"Of course… once I am paid that is..." Nott stipulated.
Malfoy's eye twitched in aggravation. Instead of answering he reached into his robe and tossed the boy what appeared to be an empty vial.
"Those weren't easy to come by… Don't waste them." And with that… Malfoy abruptly turned and headed away.
Nott watched the boy vanish around the corner… turning around he brought the vial up and observed it with a critical eye.
Harry couldn't see into the vial clearly, whatever it was must have been tiny… he wished he could take a step closer, but didn't want to risk being caught in case…
In case…?
What was stopping him? They were clearly up to something for Voldemort… whatever Malfoy had just paid for had been incredibly important… and Harry doubted he would have to risk getting a detention.
Deciding, Harry willed a suit of armour on the opposite side of the hallway to clang and creak with a low powered, mined, percussive blast.
Nott immediately shifted upon hearing the noise and tried to conceal the vial.
That was Harry's cue as he summoned the object toward the clanging armour away from him.
Nott immediately raised his wand and tried to hold on to the vial. Shooting off a banisher and a decidedly unfriendly cutter at the area Harry was projecting his magic.
Harry let the summoner fail, and watched as Nott's arm swung towards him; the vial in his clutches.
Harry ran forward, closing the distance between the two. Harry could feel the perimeter charm activating; Nott's head swinging in surprise towards Harry's direction.
All Nott saw before he was engulfed in a point blank stunner, was a moving distortion rushing him in the darkness…
Not believing how easy that had been, Harry waved his wand around him trying to detect something or someone else…
Finding nothing, Harry carefully pried open the boy's hands, revealing the vial below his fingers.
Picking it up gently, as this vial was worth 15000 galleons, Harry observed the contents…
Several strands of hair were present, thirteen strands in total… Some brown, others a familiar red, but one an uncomfortable blonde. Not liking the possibilities, Harry clung to the vial tightly.
Looking down at the stunned boy he wondered whether he should take him with him…
Deciding against that, Harry spotted a convenient broom closet and stuffed the unconscious boy inside.
Re-stunning him to be on the safe side… Harry shut and locked the door.
Walking purposefully and hurriedly, Harry made his way to the familiar gargoyle and onto the revealed stairwell behind it.
Stopping behind the door, Harry stopped to contemplate his actions…. He had just attacked and stolen from a student… Snape would have a field day.
Resigning himself, Harry knocked on the door loudly and calmly…
Waiting a few moments, Harry was about to knock again, but heard Professor Dumbledore's quite voice beckon him, asking him to, "Come in…"
Opening the door, Harry spotted the headmaster making his way down from the stairwell to his private chambers. He was apparently preparing for bed as he had already changed into what Harry recognized as unreasonably colourful sleeping robes.
"Harry, what brings you here at this time…? Please sit." Dumbledore asked quickly upon spotting the boy.
Instead of heading toward the indicated chair, Harry Walked toward the man and held out the vial.
Dumbledore curiously stepped off the steps and reached out for the offered vial.
"Can I use your Pensieve...? It'll be easier to just show you my memory." Harry asked.
"By all means…" Dumbledore invited taking his eyes off the contents of the vial to observe the boy.
"Thanks…" Harry said distractedly.
Closing his eye's as Dumbledore retrieved the pensieve… Harry recalled the events of the night with his wand raised to his temple.
Upon feeling the mental snap, Harry pulled the memories away from his head and flicked them into the bowl that now lay before him.
"Will you be joining me…?" Dumbledore asked.
"I think I'll sit this one out…" Harry stated, sitting down tiredly in the chair.
Dumbledore nodded while placing the vial on the desk in front of Harry.
Swinging his beard over his shoulder and holding onto his hat, Dumbledore dipped his head into the bowl and was sucked into the event.
Looking around the office Harry wondered if any student had ever spent as much time as he did in the Headmaster office.
Letting his eye's wander, Harry's vision fell upon the portraits who were all pretending to be asleep to varying degree's of success.
"I know you're awake…" Harry addressed sarcastically.
One or two of the portraits cautiously opened their eyes sheepishly…. A few others pretended even harder, scrunching up their faces, trying to really sell their supposed unconsciousness...
"Why do you guy's even pretend…" Harry asked curiously.
"It's something to do…" A nameless portrait announced.
Rolling his eyes at the answer, Harry turned fully to face the paintings… wanting some company as Dumbledore watched his questionable actions.
Speaking of said actions… "What brings you here Mr. Potter…?" Headmaster Gripits asked, cutting through the noisy chatter of the other portraits.
"Just showing Dumbledore how I stunned and stole from a fellow student a few minutes ago…" Harry answered bluntly.
There was a moment of silence as the portraits comprehended Harry's words.
"I take it there is more to your tale than that…?" Charlene Gripits asked in a sternly amused fashion.
"A bit… yes." Harry answered cheekily.
"Well do entertain me Mr Potter…" Gripits invited.
Harry, deciding he had nothing better to do, gave an abbreviated breakdown of events… mentioning prices, suspected motives and other such things… ending with Harry's attack and incapacitation of the boy in question.
Once finishing, the only thing the portrait could say to that was…. "Never a dull moment with you… is their Mr. Potter?"
"Apparently not…" Another voice answered from behind Harry.
Turning around, Harry saw the tall figured of Professor Dumbledore as he took a seat behind his desk; somehow escaping the pensieve without ever having alerting Harry.
"Sir…"
"Harry… You do realize that that was a very risky move? Had Mr. Nott caught a glimpse of you or hade turned more lethal spells upon you… we would not be here having this conversation." Dumbledore admonished.
"Yes sir…" Harry agreed semi repentantly.
"Very well…" Dumbledore stated; sparring Harry one last firm stare before letting his lips twitch.
"Do you have any theories or anything else to add…?" Dumbledore invited.
"I think those hairs are from Ron or Ginny, Hermione, and probably Luna as well. Could they be trying to brew Polyjuice…?" Harry suggested.
"That would seemingly fit… but I believe for 15000 galleons, Mr. Malfoy could brew his own Polyjuice…" Dumbledore admitted.
"What intrigues me is the fact that Mr. Malfoy went to Mr. Nott. The Nott family has had quite a few unsubstantiated rumours surrounding them…" Dumbledore stated cryptically.
"Sir…?" Harry asked.
"Tell me Harry, have you ever heard of Voodoo?" Dumbledore asked.
"As in Chicken bones, zombies and Dolls?" Harry asked unbelievingly.
"Yes, though I do not know of any spell or charm that uses Chicken bones…" Dumbledore admitted a little flummoxed.
"And Nott… the sixth year Slytherin, who I just stunned in less than a minute, knows how to do Voodoo?" Harry asked unbelievingly. Harry thought that anyone who could claim such a random skill would be a bit more of a challenge.
"No, it is doubtful that young Mr. Nott knows very much in the craft… though he may know some. It is his Aunt that is the true master… or so the rumour goes. Do not be fooled, Voodoo is a very powerful and selective practice. Thankfully those capable of performing it are few and secretive. Much like Parseltongue… the ability to dabble in this area of magic is highly frowned upon." Dumbledore explained.
"It is an area of magic dealing with individuals… A practitioner can with the right tools, materials, and knowledge, enchant a person to do whatever it is they wish."
"They can bring a person to the brink of death or strengthen them to the level of a Demi God. Mentally trapping them into their own minds creating almost soulless husks, willing to do the practitioners bidding… I suspect this is the magic that Mr. Malfoy sought tonight." Dumbledore stated quietly.
Harry starred in horror at the vial…
"And he could have done that to…" He left the sentence unfinished as he stared at the vial in revulsion. Wanting to smash and burn its contents immediately.
"It is doubtful; such magic requires tremendous resources and the willing donation of each person's sample." Dumbledore assured.
"Willing…"
"Whoever these hairs belong to, the owner would have had to have willingly parted with them… and I do not see Mr. Malfoy eliciting such trust and generosity from your friends."
"So it's not, Voodoo…" Harry stated in relief.
"We can not rule it out… the Nott's are the only family suspected in Britain that are both capable and knowledgeable to practice it. I myself am not well versed in the area of magic, and it would be impossible for me to even attempt the magic, though I will make every effort to discover what the purposes of these hairs were for…"
"Sir… Nott's in the broom cupboard, I could get him… And I have the memory of Malfoy's plan. Surely you have enough evidence to question him…" Harry asked incredulously.
"You would have me arrest them then?" Dumbledore asked patiently.
"Well question them at least… we were just talking about zombies and bringing people to the brink of death…." Harry reminded the man.
"You are quite correct, I do not fault you for taking this threat seriously… but let me ask you Harry… Can you be certain these are all the hairs Mr. Malfoy has in his possession?"
Harry paused…
"If I were to interrogate Mr. Nott or maybe even derive what his purpose in this little plot was, what would stop Mr. Malfoy, or even Voldemort to simply pick up where he left off? I suspect Mr. Malfoy does not even have all the hairs or information on the plot… he is most likely, simply acting as a scavenger for Tom…."
"Scavenger…?"
"Yes, in the last war, Tom had been known to collect as many samples of hair, and other pieces of wizards and witches, as possible… Those who went in search of these samples were referred to as scavengers… collecting the samples before the now standard cleaning charms vanished them. His followers or even he himself could simply transform into anyone, no one was above suspect. The scavengers had done so thorough a job, I fear Tom had at least one hair from almost every Wizard or Witch in the country over the age of thirty."
"I myself have been spotted in area's I do not recall ever being… I have gone to great lengths to keep any samples from being obtained, but I'm afraid Tom has quite a few of my own locks of hair hidden somewhere. You as well I'm afraid… More than likely." Dumbledore stated reluctantly.
Harry stared at Dumbledore, horrified. He didn't like the idea of his face masking any death eater as they strolled freely amongst alleyway's and crowded streets.
Would his face be the last some random innocent saw, before they were struck down or tortured?
"I believe the most prudent course of action would be to let Mr. Nott be as is… see what he will attempt to do. Will he go to Mr. Malfoy and admit his loss, what would Mr. Malfoy's response be…? Voldemort's as well…" Dumbledore explained.
"While I'm sure their plan will change slightly with what has already happened… it will buy us time."
Seeing where Dumbledore was going with this… Harry nodded, trusting his judgement in this matter.
"For now, I have already signalled order members to spy upon Mr. Malfoy and Nott. I myself will have these hairs tested to ascertain the identity of each sample… I will notify you of my findings as soon as I have them. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes sir… Thank you sir…" Harry said pleased that action was being taken. Knowing that something was being done and knowing what was being done were two very different things… Harry was very comforted with the knowledge he was given.
Standing up to leave at his obvious dismissal… Harry made his way to the door before being stopped once more.
"Oh and Harry…"
Turning around, Harry stared at the headmaster curiously.
"Please refrain from rendering anyone else unconscious and locking them in any other enclosed spaces in the castle… I do not wish for this to become a habit with you…" Dumbledore admonished amusedly, clearly remembering the last time Harry had done something similar.
… .. … .. …
It had been almost another week since the incident. The day after, Harry had sat with Luna at the Ravenclaw table, on the Slytherin side. Malfoy had entered red faced and decidedly grumpy. Nott a few moments later, The stunner having released sometime into he night. He seemed oddly paranoid, though one had to really look to notice.
They did not talk to each other in such a public place, and when checking the map, the boys were rarely scene in each others presence with out a few other students near by.
Harry personally couldn't see why they didn't just meet in the Slytherin dorms after hours rather than a random hallway. Or why not wait till Hogsmead weekend and go off away from the other students to talk. It was sloppy…
Harry's attention though could not remain solely on boy's no matter how much he wanted it too.
The History OWL retake was days away. Despite Ron's advice, Harry found himself studying the subject as much as he could falling behind in his potions and Runes work.
He had even mailed Remus hoping the man might have his own notes handy, His Runes notes being so thorough and helpful…but Remus sadly replyed that it would take him time to find them, as much of it was buried away in a storage locker on the other side of town. Harry had mailed back telling the man not to bother but thanked him none the less.
Harry had considered asking Hermione for her notes, but it felt wrong for obvious reasons.
Luna couldn't help him having dropped the subject in second year, and the only other source of information he could think to ask were his dorm mates…. Many of whom had tossed or shredded said notes the first chance they got.
As the Day finally arrived, Harry found himself very highstrung, He was given the Day off classes for it as thankfully the teachers weren't that cruel to make him attend when he had to write a major wizarding test in a few hours.
It took all of Harry's will power not to stun Seamus when he had hummed a funeral march as he exited the great hall.
Arriving in Professor McGonagall's office, Harry was directed to a lone seat by his head of house. She told him that the examiner would arrive soon and soon left herself as she attended to her own class.
Almost as soon as the women had left, the fireplace erupted in green flames, and two men popped out with varying degrees of grace. Startled Harry stood as well though not knowing what to do once he had…
One was the familiar Headmaster, his long beard hanging jauntily from the elderly face, the other, a tall, frail, older man, with a large bald spot, complete with comb over, and a chocked wheeze as he exited the fire.
Dumbledore patted the man on the back as he belched out what appeared to be remnants of the floo system.
Dumbledore's eyes wandered as he gave the man a few more gentle pats and fell upon Harry.
"Ah Harry, Prompt as usual. I'd like you to…" He was interrupted by a particularly pronounced wheezing cough from the man. Harry cringed a little at the pained sounds.
"… To Professor Abernackle. He was my own History Professor, succeeded by Professor Binn's." Dumbledore introduced with a jovial smile.
The man certainly seemed ancient enough to have taught Dumbledore… and well on his last leg if that cough was any indication.
Deciding not too voice that thought Harry plastered on a respectful smile and stepped forward with his right hand.
"It's nice to meet you Professor..." Harry greeted; his hand extended patiently.
While giving one final cough, tilting his head to the side, Abernackle reached out and firmly grasped Harry's Hand.
Harry was surprised by the strength of the man's stubby little fingers. Abernackle finally clear of the powder turned his attention fully to the boy.
"A pleasure Mr. Potter…" The man greeted cheerfully. He had a slightly falsetto voice, oddly complimenting his frail frame.
The man's eyes latched on to Harry's forehead like so many others, but other than that slight sign of recognition, he said nothing more; turning his attention to Dumbledore instead.
"Now seems like a good time, no need to dilly dally. I will meet you in your office afterwards…?" Abernackle asked pleasantly.
Dumbledore complied with a respectful smile. "It would be a pleasure; The Password for today will be Toffee Tarts."
It was strange to witness but Abernackle seemed to be directing Dumbledore… Much like Professor Flitwick might direct anyone of his students. There appeared to still be remnants of the student professor relationship between the two. An oddity in itself considering who Dumbledore was.
Turning his attention to Harry, Dumbledore spared a comforting and encouraging smile…
"Good luck Harry, I'm sure you'll do splendidly." With one last parting glance Dumbledore excused himself, leaving Harry with the stranger.
"Well Mr. Potter, How are you fairing… Ready for your OWL?" Abernackle asked pleasantly as he motioned for Harry toward a seat.
"Hopefully…" Harry stated with a smile.
"Yes… that seems to be way of things now a days." Abernackle chuckled amusedly.
Sitting down, Harry waited as Abernackle ruffled through his papers that had 'magically' appeared out of no where.
Pulling out a booklet and a familiar red quill… He placed the items in front of Harry.
"Right then Mr. Potter, You will have two and a half hours to complete the exam, the same format as the last one I believe. Do you have any questions?"
"No sir…"
"Alright then… When I say begin you may start."
Pulling out a watch, Abernackle waited a few moments…
"… and begin."
… .. … .. …
"How'd you do?" Ron asked as Harry wandered into he common room.
"I have no idea."
The exam had been tough… Harry doubted he would have done better if he had more time to study. He had to skip quite a few questions, as he had no idea what to write in.
But Harry did think he did slightly better than last time.
"Probably a Pass… I doubt it's an EE or anything." Harry answered.
Overall he was just glad it was over finally.
"Oh here…" Ron said suddenly. Reaching over the couch he had been laying on he dug into his back pack and pulled out his notebook.
"Here you go… No homework from Tonks but Flitwick wants us to be able to start researching the protean charm." Ron explained.
Harry took the notes thankfully and opened the book; cringing at the chicken scratches that were Ron's class notes.
Putting the book aside for later perusal, Harry groaned to himself as he realized he would have to get caught up in potions and start studying Runes much more diligently. He didn't want to be caught unawares when some one finally came to quiz him.
Both boys were interrupted from their thoughts though by a multitude of giggles that were quickly approaching.
Raising his head carefully like a gazelle checking the serengetti for predators, Harry spotted the source of the noise.
Ron had flattened himself against the couch instinctively as the hoard of girls varying from forth to fifth years walked by. All conspiring and swarming around one another like locusts.
Harry quickly averted his eyes as one girl turned to watch him staring. This had caused an upsurge in giggles before the swarm finally vanished up the stairway to the girls dorms.
"What was that?" Harry asked in confusion.
"They've been like that all day… " Ron said moodily, finally lifting his head now that the giggling noise had vanished.
"Why… ?" Harry asked in morbid curiosity.
"Lavender mentioned that Some boy had asked her to go to Hogsmead for Valentines Day… Stupid wanker…" Ron grumbled.
"Valentines day?"
"February 14… you know… frilly decorations, lots of cards, the female population becomes just a tad more unhinged…" Ron reminded.
"What day is it?"
"The twenty ninth…" Ron stated.
"Crap…" Harry stated with renewed sorrow.
Harry realized that he now had to plan something for Luna… Would she want to go to hogsmead with everyone else… Did she expect Candy, and flowers and gifts…
Relationships seemed like more trouble than they were worth…
Ron seeming to have read harry's mind smiled a crooked smile.
"You going to take Luna out for Tea?" He asked mockingly.
"Shut it…"
"You know… if you do your transform thing and put on a diaper…" Ron said signifigantly… waggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"I will bury you… I will dig a hole and bury you alive…. No one will find you…" Harry threatened.
If anything, Harry threat seemed to only encourage the boy.
"You know that's not a bad idea… People could pay you to deliver messages and to shoot people in the ass with fake arrows." Ron advised.
Giving the boy a death glare harry suddenly had an idea…
"You know… I could send an arrow to Hermione for you then…"
Ron's wide grin suddenly twisted into something unpleasant.
"I don't know what you're talking about…" The boy said uncomfortably.
"No it'll be great…. I'll make an arrow just for you…" Getting up in his seat, Harry concentrated hard on a mental image.
With the mental image firmly in mind Harry started to conjure a ludicrously unrealistic Bow.
A pink frame, with a Feathered end in the shape of giant puffy heart.
The head of the arrow was a giant red sucker…
"What do you think…?" Harry asked mockingly.
Blushing the boy just scowled at Harry.
Feeling some sympathy for the boy he sat down opposite him.
"Well are you going to ask her then…?" Harry asked
"Ask her what…" Ron asked stubbornly.
Rolling his eyes at the boy…Harry just sighed.
"You know… if you don't ask her now, someone else might… it would be like forth year all over again…" Harry warned.
Ron refused to say anything but he sparred Harry a glance at his warning.
"Well it's up to you… but if you don't ask her soon, I'll permanently stick this arrow to your arse…" Harry warned lightheardedly.
Ron turned immiedietley… at the threat. " You wouldn't…" He stated defiantly.
Harry gave the boy a mocking stare. Getting upHarry made his way to the stairwell to the boy's dorm.
Absently he asked outloud…
"I wonder if I can get the Arrow to recite Poetry?"
AN: This is the last sucky chapter, I promise… I kind of wrote myself into a dead end so I had to tie up some loose ends.
I do want to tease you lot though… I left a little plot trick here somewhere… It should be obvious but easy to overlook. Let's see if you guys can figure it out.
Something I forgot to mention before. The bird toy from the previous chapter was a reference to an actual toy. A Tim's bird. Look it up on google if you want to see it. It actually does fly by flapping its wings. I was looking at it as I wrote the last chapter.
I'm finally going to step up my other side plots as I got to tie them up for this story. You'll notice that the time line is moving fairly fast. That's because I want to get to the last chapter fairly quickly. That's where the plot really kicks in. I would have written Valentines day in this chapter but it didn't feel right to include it in this chapter so I left it out.
Anyway till next time.
Quazi