Chapter 19 - Brooding

Submitted: Thur 10 Aug 2011

Morning came too early for Harry. He'd been up late walking the halls. It was as if he was daring the staff at Hogwarts to find and punish him.

Ron was already adjusting his tie as Harry pulled himself out of bed. "Morning Ron. I didn't expect you to be so excited to begin lessons."

"Ha! I'm interested in breakfast. Lessons are simply a necessary diversion to lunch."

Harry cleaned up and threw on his robes. He didn't even try to tame his hair. He did remember to pull out Draco's old wand and a frown crossed his face as they headed down the steps. Ron could feel Harry wasn't in the best of moods, "I heard what happened. She's sorry, you know?"

"I am thankful she was there. I don't know what came over me." Harry tried to flick the wand but it didn't feel quite the same, "I'm still upset she broke my wand." Hermione saw him at the bottom of the steps.

"Harry, there you are. I tried looking all over for you when you didn't return for curfew. Where did you go?"

I went for a walk. This wand doesn't feel nearly the same. Maybe I should let you snap it as well," he said as he handed it to her.

Hermione's face twisted. "No Harry, that is your wand."

"It doesn't feel like it," he grumbled as he continued to walk. Hermione looked desperately at Ron and he shrugged. He'd made it to the portrait before they caught up to them.

"Harry, I said I'm sorry." Silence. "I felt like the wand wasn't right." Silence "You were going to..." her voice trailed off to more silence. "What do you want me to do, Harry?" She looked at Ron again and again he shrugged. The conversation was terribly one-sided the entire trip to the Great Hall. They sat down at the end of the table where the Seventh Years sat and Hermione finally gave up speaking to Harry. She instead focused on conversation with Dean and Ron while Seamus chatted up Susan and few girls from Ginny's year. Harry kept to himself.

In fact, Harry didn't speak a word the entire meal. Neville tried to get his attention twice but gave up when he got a nudge and the shake of the head from Ron. Midway through breakfast owls began dropping off letters and Professor Sprout began passing out timetables. He didn't even bother to compare classes. As soon as his meal was done he picked up his things and headed to his first lesson. The moment he stepped out of the Hall the real conversation began.

"What happened to him?" asked Neville.

"Last night he and Draco had a row," explained Hermione. She left out a few of the details, "He's angry with me because I stepped into the middle of it."

"I'd say so," observed Seamus, "he didn't look your way once the entire meal."

"I'll set him straight," Ron growled. "You were only trying to help."

"You'll do no such thing," Hermione warned Ron. "I snapped his wand," she admitted to the group. This brought gasps from everyone. The story suddenly got a whole lot more interesting and the entire Seventh Year side of the table went silent to listen. "I haven't liked that wand since I broke it the first time and I was disappointed when he repaired it. He needs to move on."

All along the table witches and wizards either nodded their agreement or clucked their tongues in disapproval. Ron was prepared to explain that there was more to the story but Hermione tightened her grip on his hand and shook her head "no." Nothing good would come from describing the events of the previous evening. Seamus spoke up, "I like Harry as much as anyone but I trust your judgement Hermione. Besides, this is between you and Harry." The last part he emphasized as he looked carefully around the table and into the eyes of all of those that had been paying attention. "No reason to be talking about this away from the table, is there Mates?" he asked the group. Silently he received nods of agreement by those in on the conversation and he nodded back to them.

Hermione squeezed the Irishman's shoulder as she began to gather her things together and Ron mouthed a silent "Thank you" to him as they got up to head to their first lesson. As it so happened, the first lesson was Potions and was once again shared with the Slytherins. Ron was stuck in his thoughts as they walked to the dungeons but as they approached the classroom he was brought to reality by a figure that quickly passed by him in a black cloak complete with gloves and a hood. He did a double take when he made to look in the hood and he found that there was no face, or head, within. He stopped to watch as the figure limped out of view.

"Harry," Ron asked, "Did you see that? I think there must be a new ghost in the castle. But this one was wearing real clothes. Walked by but it didn't seem to have a face." Hermione hadn't been paying attention but Ron now had her interest piqued.

"Don't know Ron. I saw Nick last night and he said a few ghosts crossed over after the Battle. The Baron and the Grey Lady crossed over. I never noticed but I suppose the Slytherins and Ravenclaws did." Harry still didn't make eye contact with Hermione. By now, others were standing at the door waiting. Draco was part of the crowd. Harry noticed him and felt terrible about his actions the night before. Without thinking he asked, "Draco, has a ghost taken over the Baron's role as House Ghost?"

Draco nearly returned with a snarky comment but the exchange the previous night had left him mentally exhausted. He just didn't have the energy to continue at each other's throats. "Yes, Adolphus the Pure took his place," he replied quietly. When he heard groans he remarked hastily, "They called him 'the Pure' because he refused to marry when the woman he loved died. He became a Professor at Hogwarts and Head of Slytherin House. He was killed in a duel here at Hogwarts nearly two hundred years ago."

"Thanks," answered Harry absentmindedly. The exchange was not lost on anyone in the corridor. Ron and Hermione shared looks. The Slytherins in the corridor were even more confused. Harry's attention returned to Ron, "Makes me wonder who will keep Peeves in check."

The door opened and Slughorn let everyone in, "Good morning to you all! Please, everyone find a seat." Harry found a seat by himself after watching Ron and Hermione sit close to the front. He hadn't really been interested in looking around. Instead he kept his nose in his book and wished he still had the Potions text belonging to one half-blooded Prince.

The room was close to full when the lesson started. Just before Slughorn began Ginny slipped in and found a seat next to Harry. "Hi," she whispered. The room smelled foul and most everyone in the room looked to each other hoping to get an idea of what the smell could be. Of course Hermione knew and Ron smiled once she quietly whispered in his ear. Harry knew his silent treatment to Hermione was childish but he still wasn't ready to speak to her. Meanwhile, Harry was shaken out of his thoughts by a hand on his knee and a quiet request, "I didn't see you all night or morning. Can we get off alone for lunch? Maybe sit outside?" Harry wasn't in the mood but nodded yes knowing that this would give him a good excuse to stay away from Ron and Hermione..and everyone for that matter.

"Welcome to your final year for Potions. Today we shall learn to make Skunks Blood."

The first week followed the formula of the first day. Harry had double Potions Wednesday morning and Transfiguration in the afternoon with Professor McGonagall. He had Thursday to study. Friday Harry sat a morning for regular Defence Against the Dark Arts with Ewan Duncan, often referred to as DADA, and then the afternoon was spent with the Auror Trainees and aspiring Trainees for a special session of DADA that dealt with scenarios Aurors may see in the line of duty.

Monday Harry sat Herbology and was smart enough to have Neville on one side and Ginny on the other. Monday afternoon was a lesson he'd decided to sit merely out of fancy. He found that he missed Hagrid and so he decided to sit the Magical Creatures lesson. He had no desire to sit the exam and he'd informed both Professor McGonagall and Hagrid of this but he was still accepted heartily by Hagrid because the only other person in the class was Luna Lovegood.

Tuesday was Charms in the morning with Professor Flitwick. The Professor had given Harry a special project along with the normal essay which was related to his house at Grimmauld Place. The Professor had even checked a book out of the Restricted Section for Harry so that he could practice the use of the ward. He was sitting in the Common Room reading this book when a huge commotion was heard at the Portrait. "I'm not going in there. I don't care if there's a dozen Veelas dressed only in their knickers. Don't give me that look, Hermione," Harry could hear Ron grouse, "You know what I mean. You heard what Hagrid said. Even the Centaurs are nervous. Something's killed two of them since mid-August. Do you know what it takes to kill a Centaur?"

By now the two of them were in the Common Room. Hermione saw Harry and made straight for him, "Harry, you've got to help me. A couple of older boys dared a few of the First Years to go into the Forbidden Forest and pick a Pointed Pimplenut from one of the trees. It's near curfew and they say the kids have been gone since just before Supper. They were supposed to be back before dark."

Harry had done the best he could to avoid Hermione and she'd made little effort to bother him since the morning of Potions. He really didn't want to talk to her but now he was worried as well. "Have you spoken to Professor McGonagall?" The Professor had still not given up her duties as Head of House. Word was that she couldn't find a replacement for either she found suitable. Harry expected she was having difficulty making the transition to Headmaster and was reluctant to give up her teaching duties.

"No, Harry. She'd kill the boys for putting them up to it," explained Hermione.

"So what do you propose? We go into the Forest, off limits, and put ourselves at risk as well?" Harry asked.

Hermione couldn't look him in the eyes, "Yes. I'd hoped Ron would go with me but he won't. He says it's too dangerous."

Harry scowled, "Blimey Hermione. It is too dangerous. Ron doesn't want you to get hurt and he's got a good mind to say no. What happened to your 'following the rules to the letter' Hermione? You're smarter than this. You're Head Girl."

There were several paying attention now. A small group in the corner looked very guilty. Hermione shifted uncomfortably, "Little Creevey was one of the older boys. He said they were just taking the Mickey out of a few of the First Years that were talking big. They didn't think the kids would do it. Madeline and Kenneth are in there with two other kids."

Hermione didn't hear what Harry said under his breath but he got up and went upstairs. Ron and Hermione were still arguing when he came back down wearing his trainers and carrying a small bag. He looked over to a couple of kids sitting by the fire, "Keep an eye out for Ginny. If she comes back down tell her a few of us went to the forest to find a couple of kids. Ask her to wait up and if we aren't back by midnight to go say something to Professor McGonagall and Hagrid. Got it?" The kids nodded and he headed to the portrait.

"You lot coming or am I on my own?" Harry had poked his head back in the Commons. Ron and Hermione rushed to join him.

As they walked out the Fat Lady gave the boys a cross look, "Where are you headed at such a late hour? Oh, it's you Hermione. Out for rounds?"

"Yes, Madam," Hermione lied. Well, not quite lied, she thought to herself.

Harry grumbled the entire way to the forest. "Bleedin' Creevey trying to get himself booted out of school before a week is finished...when I get a hold of that boy I'm going to...And Madeline, what is she thinking going into the forest. I can understand Kenneth. He's just an idiot. She knows better though. She's a smart girl."

Harry was too annoyed to be afraid of anything nearby. Ron and Hermione were listening for any and every sound that could pose a threat but Harry was intent on getting this over with. Without thinking Harry was headed straight for Centaur territory. Occasionally Ron and Hermione would duck when a crack or rustle was heard but Harry would turn back to them and growl, "Come on. It's just some animal more afraid of you than you are of it."

Ron passed a sidelong glance to Hermione, "I don't know about that."

"You were the one that asked me to do this. Now are you lot coming or not?" Harry looked determined to get this done.

"Harry, we should at least be careful. What you are doing is reckless," Hermione reminded him.

"Then take my bloody wand," Harry spat out. "No that's been done. I'm sick and tired of being asked to help. Then told what to do. And then told I've done it all wrong." He stepped forward into the clearing to find what must have been half the Centaur colony bearing down on him and his mates with their bows drawn.

Bane stepped forward of the others and called to the Centaurs, "Stand down." He then returned his glance to Harry.

"Well met," Harry attempted in greeting the Centaur.

"Not on this nigh," lamented Bane. "We have lost two of our our own since the last Moon and your young frolic in the forest as if it is a night of celebration. You are no longer a cub and you too enter our Territory with little respect for our rights and boundaries." Bane's remarks came with a growl and the contempt on his face was unmistakeable, "You are aware what we do with wizards of age that infringe on our territory without our consent."

Harry remembered that Centaurs preferred formal speech and did the best he could even stumbling over some of the words, "Bane, I have deep respect for your Tribe's sovereign rights to this portion of the forest but it is these very cubs we have come to search for. I regret that they entered your portion of the forest but they did this with provocation from a few of their elder...cubs. They were sent on a fool's errand."

"Even a fool must be punished," replied the angry Centaur, "And you being in this forest more than once are aware of our customs. You know the penalty for such transgressions."

Harry raised his arms in frustration, "Then be done with it! Send the cubs with my party when you are done! Harry was in no mood for this and his lack of patience actually took the Centaur aback. He growled at the Centaur, "Now!"

The tribe looked to Bane and he spoke a silent curse, "I cannot do this young wizard. The stars show we still live in dark times and this blight on our forest shall not be cleansed without your help." His anger returned, "But to show us such disrespect..."

"I am sorry, Bane," and Harry actually was. "I have suffered great humiliation at the hands of those I consider family," he looked back at Hermione, "and now these same mates ask me to on their behalf," Hermione thought she heard a whinny from a few of the younger Centaurs when he stumbled over the word and Bane turned back to glare at them, "for the freedom of the cubs in question." Harry thought for a moment for a way for he and Bane to save face, "May we offer a fair trade for the freedom of the children and for safe passage for ourselves this evening?"

Bane considered, realising by the look on Harry's face that he was attempting to reconcile, "Young wizard, it is unlike most wizards greater in age or in wisdom to even make such an offer." Bane rubbed the small tuft of hair on his chin. "Let me consult a few of my herd." Hermione walked over to Harry and asked him quietly, "Do you think they will ask for something we can give?"

Harry whispered back just loud enough for Ron to hear as well, "If he's taking advice then he's seriously considering. He won't ask for more than he thinks we can give if he's serious."

Bane signalled to a Centaur that then galloped into the forest. Bane then walked back to Harry and his best mates, "Young Wizard, as you know, our Tribe seeks not material goods. We can think of nothing that you might own that we might have need or desire for." The Centaur considered, "But the stars show that our paths shall be aligned for quite some time. The Elder has asked us since the Nameless Serpent was slain to treat thee fairly." Again the Centaur stroked his chin, "I ask this young wizard...I ask that in exchange for the the return of the young cubs and your safe passage that you agree to aid us if and when the need arises."

Harry thought for a moment, "This is all you ask?"

Hermione thought she saw the Centaur blush. "Young wizard, in your youth you may not understand the full implications of this request. You agree to come to our aid regardless of right or wrong or the threat to your safety. Even two of the same herd would be reluctant to offer something of this magnitude."

Harry pulled out his wand, "Bane, I have always had great respect for you and your herd. I hope that there will come a day when you and I may call each other Friend. Until then I happily agree to your request." Harry raised his wand slightly above his head and proclaimed, "I swear on my magic that I shall offer a favour of aid to Bane or a member of his herd if and when a need arises." Many of the herd had never seen a spell cast other than during the Battle months before and stepped back when they saw the swirl of magic that gently blazed from the wand and swirled around them all.

The four children were brought to the circle just as he completed his oath. They too were amazed at the small display. They rushed to Hermione and she hugged the girls. Ron gave the boys a sober look that made them slow their approach.

Harry and Bane shared a look of acknowledgement before the Centaur gave a slight bow. "What you have offered and given is no small thing young wizard. What began as an unfortunate incident I shall remember as an extension of friendship. Take care young wizard and well met."

Harry responded, "Likewise, thank you Bane." The Centaur signalled his herd and they headed back into the forest. Once they were out of eyesight Harry turned on his heel and announced quietly, "Let's head back." This time Harry was more careful and he made a conscious effort to listen for danger. His initial anger had left him and he was much more cognizant of where they were. Soon they found a trail and were out of the forest in no less than a half an hour. Once they reached the edge Harry looked to Hermione and Ron, "I have something I need to do. You lot get back as quickly as you can." Harry checked his old watch, "In a quarter hour Ginny will be sending a search party for us so hurry."

Hermione tried to hug him but his response was only lukewarm. As soon as she let go he headed back into the forest.

Hermione waited a few moments and began to follow him. Ron looked at her helplessly, "What are you doing? We need to get back."

"I'm curious where he'd let off to this hour of night. Get the children in and I'll see you soon. You should have just enough time." Ron stood open mouthed as she followed Harry quietly into the forest until one of the boys tapped him on the shoulder. Ron's response was a glare at the young boy and a "What were you thinking?" They then headed back quickly.

Hermione on the other hand continued to follow Harry as best as she could. What saved her was Harry's fearless movement into the forest. She couldn't see well in the dark but she could hear him crunch through the undergrowth. Just as the crunching became faint enough that she might lose him the sounds abruptly went silent. She moved more quickly and noticed she should see a faint light ahead of her. Not soon after she came to a clearing with a small stone hut made in much the same fashion as Hagrid's.

She carefully walked closer to the hut and tried looking in the window. Inside she saw and heard the strangest thing. Harry was speaking to what looked like a crone. The witch was in pyjamas and an evening robe. Hermione didn't hear the question but she could make out the response. "Harry, the place is perfect. Don't worry. Hagrid checks on me any time he's on this side of the forest and I have my broom to get back and forth to the castle. I thought Ron would recognise me on Wednesday until I remembered I was wearing that Wheeze."

"La..."

"Hecate!" Harry started at her quick and loud response.

"Right. You know people would accept you for who you are."

"Some would. You would. Others would talk behind my back about how hideous I look. Others would feel sorry for me. I'd rather be alone than suffer through that."

"I'm not going to argue. I've done enough of that. If you don't need anything I'll head back."

"Not now Harry. I wouldn't mind if you'd come in a week or two so I can practise my Tarot Readings. Firenze has me reading the stars but he seems to believe I will have as much luck with Trelawney's methods. I don't know why. He always implied she was a bit of a fraud in the past."

"He thinks you have a gift. Do what he says and learn all you can. Send me an owl when you are ready to do a reading and I'll come by to help."

"Thanks Harry." Hermione ducked down as Harry made his way out of the hut and back into the forest. She carefully watched the direction he took so she wouldn't get lost. When he was out of sight she stood back up and began to walk to the spot where he entered the forest.

"Who is that?" she heard a voice call out from behind.

A/N Please disregard the gap in chapter numbers. I combined a few chapters early on to make them more consistant in size but I have not been able to make changes to numbering of the later chapters. There are no missing chapters. Thanks!