Disclaimer - see Chapter 01
-~/\~-
~...~ = Parseltongue
/.../ = Telepathy between Harry & Carya (in italics)
' ... ' = thoughts
~*~*~ ... ~*~*~ = Flashback or changing POV
Chapter 20 - School Again and Out at Night or Decisions and The Forest
All rodents survived and were very healthy as the spells showed. Remus had performed the medical spells on the rats and mice before releasing them into freedom. There weren't any visible side effects from their monitoring spells of brainwaves and bodily functions and it was time to test the potion on themselves.
Remus was against it but the two had locked themselves into the lab by magical and muggle means and both took the same amount of potion. It should last about fifty minutes for Carya and about thirty for Tom.
The boy grimaced at the taste just as the girl did and they both felt a funny feeling in their stomach as they started to disappear. About half an hour later Tom was back feeling a bit dizzy. Carya joined him twenty-five minutes later.
When they got out they grinned at Remus who immediately tried every medical checking spell he knew on them. They were perfectly alright. No trace of the potion at all. No side effects apart from horrible taste it seemed.
After scolding the children thoroughly for putting themselves in such a danger he calmed down a bit and asked them about the potion.
"It could taste better, Remus but it's working perfectly. You need to take two drops per pound for one hour invisibility. We are currently working on an antidote for immediate return if need be. The funny thing is that you can see yourself as a ghostly figure while no one else can," said Carya.
"If you start turning solid again the potion is wearing off. A useful thing this potion. But we won't tell anyone right now. It's still in the experimental stage and we won't have anyone messing with our work. We won't tell anyone until we have the antidote or a spell to reverse the effect.
The funny thing is that only what has direct contact with your body disappears. It's a downside but still. If you dropped your wand it would become visible. But if you picked up something or rather someone they would become invisible too," added Tom.
"Problems with taking a person would be the time you could stay invisible though. It's shortened when mass is added to the magic surrounding you. If you intended to stay invisible for an hour and took a person under that magic who weighed just as much as you the complete time would be cut to half an hour," continued Carya and grinned at Remus,
"I told you I'd put the knowledge to good use Moony. You remember what I said before fourth year, right?"
"Yes I do. You were angry at being caught because of your smell and wanted to find a way around that by the means of a potion since a spell can easily be broken," Remus replied proudly.
When Sirius heard about the potion he was proud although he was worried that they had been in danger of poisoning themselves. He told the children to put the potion to good use by pranking Snape a bit but Remus warned them not to overdo it.
They promised to behave themselves like true Marauder's children and both remaining Marauders knew this was not a good sign at all. The train ride back to school was quite boring not even Fred and George came barging into their compartment to make a distraction.
In the middle of the ride Cat and Terence came in for a brief visit though and the 'Slytherin Six' found out that everyone had given up on searching for Rita Skeeter. She had been declared missing and presumably dead.
Hermione gulped at that but didn't say anything. She had always been feeding the offending bug but they had to let her out sometime in the future. Not before the end of the year though. Since the potion had been finished successfully Carya jumped right into her research about telepathy.
It would soon need the help from the others but for now she was able to do everything alone. She also decided to act on Tom's advice and talk to Rowena about her apparent empathic powers. That would be the most interesting part for the next days.
Dinner that evening was a very cheerful affair for the friends. They all sat at the couples table. All inter-house couples were there as well as the Weasley twins plus Ron and Lavender. Harry and his friends heard that those two had prevented another assault on Blaise and Neville during the holidays.
Severus watched the friends carefully for any outward sign of a change in behaviour but couldn't find anything apart from being annoyingly cheerful and happy. He scowled even more when the Potter girl had the guts to stare at him for a few minutes before starting to smile sweetly and returning her attention to her friends.
On April 20th classes were resumed and the children even got homework. The teachers were pushing their students to the limit to prepare them for the upcoming exams at the end of June. So many things had to be taught until then that the time seemed ridiculously short.
On their first weekend after easter the kids tried out Carya's new potion. They all took enough for two hours and raided the castle. Even Peeves was scared when they pranked him and the frightened ghost told the Bloody Baron of those scary invisible things which he couldn't identify.
No one did know them of course because they weren't dead, just invisible and soundless. Not even Mrs. Norris was able to detect them although she seemed to feel their presence. The real test was Professor Moody.
The children nearly ran into him during the second hour. Fortunately for them he couldn't hear their breaths or footsteps. They didn't know about his magical eye though. It swept around wildly before resuming it's normal position. The students carefully walked past him and he didn't seem to notice.
Carya decided to take her chance and picked up a crumpled piece of paper. She threw it at Moody and he whirled around but didn't seem to see her. Satisfied she stuck out her tongue and followed the direction of her friends.
It seemed that you could see those who were under the same potion. Well, there was a price to everything. Nothing was perfect, especially not something mixed up like this. They could be glad it had worked out like it did at all.
Back in their secret rooms the potion slowly wore off and they could clearly see each other again.
"Wow, I thought my heart would stop when Carya threw that paper ball at him. Don't do that ever again, do you hear me, Carya? You scared me to death!" Harry growled.
"Did I? You seem very much alive to me!" she replied cheekily and Harry just groaned.
She was in one of her more cheerful moods and nothing could take her down now.
"If we can figure out the telepathy thing now we can even talk to each other while under the influence of the potion. That would be the cream on the cake, don't you think?" she added and everyone just shook their heads.
They settled down for the night and the twins had another Voldemort-free dream. The rest of April and the first two weeks of May were spent training Harry for the third task and trying to attempt telepathy.
The latter wasn't really successful but they did show signs of progress at it. Harry learnt many offensive and defensive spells and even some unimportant ones that could prove to be useful though. Carya had found out that her potion turned useless after three weeks of storage in bright rooms.
The one kept in the dark was still okay as was the one in the dark and cold. She decided to give Harry a vial for the third task so he could disappear if need be. Her sense of dread had grown since she had talked to Ravenclaw.
The woman had explained how she could train her abilities and Carya had done that. She often sensed things now before they happened. Many potions accidents in their class had been prevented by that sense of foreboding before but now she knew when it was time to duck.
Classes were getting more difficult and sometimes Harry wished he could take exams instead of participating in the Tournament. His only consolation was that both Sirius and Remus would be there at the third task.
Slowly the foreign guests started withdrawing themselves from the Hogwarts students to support their own Champions. The closer the third task got the more nervous everyone became. Even those who were just watching everything were filled with anxious anticipation.
The date for the final task was set for June 11th and Harry dreaded the date. He was working all week to keep up with homework, additional training and spending time with his friends. He thanked Slytherin that they wouldn't have any classes on Saturday before the task.
That gave him one final day to try and relax himself. The only interruption of their training during the whole month of May was Terence Higgs birthday on the 18th. It was celebrated throughout the Quidditch team since they didn't have any games to celebrate about this year.
As June drew nearer Harry increased the amount of letters towards his guardians. Carya did the same. She told them about her feeling that something bad was going to happen and what the portrait of Rowena had told her about being an empath.
To say the two canines were worried now was an understatement of the year. They wrote daily letters and asked for anything unusual to be told immediately. The children complied and took turns in writing the notes to their guardians. Tom, Ginny and Hermine helped them.
At the beginning of June the twins and their friends had another encounter with Ron and his girlfriend. They were found together in the library working on a potions essay. Snape had once again dared to pair Slytherins and Gryffindors with each other.
He even had gone so far as to place Tom with Lavender and Carya with Ron. Nothing had happened and both Potions had been absolutely flawless. The Potions Master then assigned the teams an essay about the potion to be handed in the next afternoon.
And there they sat working together without insulting each other. These kids who had been worst enemies at the beginning of the school-year had now buried the deep hatred and were still on a permanent cease-fire.
Dumbledore was very proud of them, especially Ron Weasley. He and Carya had matured the most during the last months. The headmaster asked the heads of Gryffindor and Slytherin to his office after seeing the children quietly working together in the library.
"Severus, Minerva, I'd like to inform you that I will allow Mister Weasley to take the exams at the end of this month. Both he and Miss Potter have matured very much during this year. It was quite daring of you Severus to give them a shared assignment," Albus said and Minerva gaped in shock.
"You did what?" she exclaimed.
"I paired them together. Mister Riddle with Miss Brown and Miss Potter with Mister Weasley. I knew about the risks and I was watching them closely. Nothing could have happened. They didn't even complain about being paired with each other," the Potions Master explained his actions icily.
"No need to get angry Severus. I was merely asking," Minerva answered defensively.
Severus Snape just snorted and glare at his colleague and former teacher. Before the two could start yet another argument the headmaster cleared his throat.
"I believe we have to talk to them, especially now since Miss Potter is the one to give Mister Weasley the final permission for taking the exams but they don't know that," he explained and the teachers were stunned.
Severus was surprised that the headmaster laid the possible future of a Gryffindor in the hands of one of his Slytherins and Minerva was shocked about the same thing.
'How dare he let a Slytherin decide about one of my Gryffindor's future? I know that Ron made a horrible mistake but this is going too far!' Minerva thought frantically and furious.
"I know this shocks and surprises you but it will happen this way. Please inform the two students that I will see them after dinner tonight!" Albus said and left no room for arguments.
The two professors swiftly left the circular office of the headmaster and looked for their students. Ron was easily found since he was sitting in the library. McGonagall explained him that he would have to meet the headmaster after dinner that evening.
Snape was having more problems with locating Carya though. He just couldn't find her. In a last attempt he looked out for the twins ravens but they were gone too. He decided to send her a note during dinner if she showed up at all.
For both their sakes the 'Slytherin Six' were indeed attending dinner that night. Carya got the note halfway through it.
'Huh? Who's sending me a note during dinner? What? This is from Snape. I have to meet with whom?' she thought and then accidentally called out in her mind, /No way! I'm not going!/
/Hey, Carya what's wrong? Why are you so upset suddenly?/ Harry asked worriedly.
/Snape sent me a note. I'm supposed to meet with Dumbledore and Weasley after dinner! For Slytherin's sake, Harry, why me? Weasley I could stand for a decent amount of time now but Dumbledore?/ she all but shouted and started glaring at both the Potions Master and Albus Dumbledore.
"I take it she got the note." said Snape dryly just loud enough for Dumbledore to hear.
"What do you mean Severus? Why is Miss Potter this upset if you only told her about the meeting?" Albus asked confused while Severus shook his head in frustration.
As clever as the headmaster was but he never realised his mistakes and that was exactly what had led Tom Riddle into the darkness fifty years ago. Severus had enough and started glaring at his colleague too.
"Albus, do you ever listen? Miss Potter and her friends haven't forgiven you for breaking your promise to tell Mister Riddle everything the morning of the second task. They are still very upset because of you!" Snape said emphasising every word,
"She does not trust you any longer Albus. Don't you remember what happened after her fight with Miss Brown? The girl is not nearly as open with her emotions now as it seemed back then. Hurt her like you did and she'll never forgive you!
She is a Slytherin. For Merlin's sake, Albus, open your eyes and see what's going on at Hogwarts!" the Potions Master growled at Dumbledore before he stood up and left the Hall.
He was in dire need of some fresh air. That old man was definitely infuriating. He might know almost anything that happened at Hogwarts but was unable to see his own mistakes. Perhaps the people were right and Albus was truly growing old.
Meanwhile Carya and Harry had argued a great deal about the meeting she would have to attend later. They had told their friends too and the six discussed it. But in the end the Potter girl had no other option than to go.
She saw that Ron didn't like the idea either and got up when he did. Both children met in the entrance hall and regarded each other curiously for a second. The next moment Snape and McGonagall appeared and led them to the headmasters office.
Once inside Carya stood rigidly near the door leaning against the wall. She refuse to sit down or get anywhere near the headmaster's place while Ron took a seat next to Minerva McGonagall. Severus stood next to the door in a similar manner as his student.
Dumbledore arrived shortly after and he was wearing his annoying cheerful smile. It made Ron feel better but Carya was getting angry and her eyes showed that. This was the one thing she hadn't learned yet.
She had to make sure that her eyes didn't betray her emotions in situations like this. Dumbledore started talking and Carya only half listened to him.
"Ah, there you are, Miss Potter, Mister Weasley, I'm sure you are curious as to why you have been asked here," Albus said.
Ron nodded looking quite uncomfortable again but Carya just raised and eyebrow and made a noise that sounded oddly like a snort. Snape looked at her in surprise as did Minerva.
'Why in Slytherin's name is she acting just like I have done so often in the past? What is Potter trying to do?' Snape thought.
Albus didn't notice that or he simply ignored it.
He just continued, "I asked you here because a decision about Mister Weasley's participation in the end of year exams must be made. As you know Ronald, I told you that we would decide whether or not you would be allowed to take them according to your behaviour once you returned.
Ron nodded. Of course he knew. But that wasn't the only reason why he had been studying so much and kept out of trouble. The main reason had been his mother becoming so distant to him. That scared as well as hurt him and he wanted his old life back.
"Now I have to tell you who the one is to decide what will happen. The heads of houses agreed with me that Miss Potter should decide whether you would be allowed to take the exams or not," Dumbledore said and Ron's head shot up.
He looked truly frightened now. And his eyes darted towards Carya Potter who was still leaning against the wall showing no outward sign of surprise. Only Snape who was a Slytherin himself noticed the slight widening in her eyes.
The girl turned her gaze towards Ron and studied his face. His eyes showed fear and desperation but he remained passive before letting his gaze drop to the floor in defeat. He would accept every decision she would make.
After only a minute Carya frowned slightly and with a dark look she turned her own gaze towards Dumbledore and McGonagall. The Transfigurations professor had never seen her with such an expression and it was scary that Carya Potter, a fourteen year old girl, could even look like that.
"Ronald has certainly changed for the better over the last months. He didn't even pick fights when the other Slytherin's insulted him. He may take the exams," she said deathly calm her gaze never leaving the teachers.
"Thanks," came the weak answer from Ron who knew what she had just done for him.
Had Carya been the vicious, cruel girl he had thought she was, she just would've forbidden him to try and be allowed into fifth year. But she didn't, she acted fair and put her grudge against him aside for the moment.
"May I go now?" growled a low voice interrupting everyone's thoughts in the process.
It was Carya. She wanted to leave and it really seemed as if she wouldn't take no for an answer. Minerva was shocked that she had the guts to talk to the headmaster like that but stayed silent. She too was grateful that Ron had been given a chance and the girl was Severus responsibility, not hers.
When the headmaster nodded she turned around and left without a glance back. When she passed Snape she nodded curtly to him.
"Professor," she said politely to her head of house, showing some respect for him before she disappeared.
As odd as it seemed but Snape was genuinely surprised by the respectful tone she had used. She seemed to know more about him than she let on but she still acted indifferent around him.
It might have to do with the fact that he no longer ridiculed the Potters and their friends in class but had acknowledged their skill in silence. And it might even have to do with the fact that he was Draco's godfather. Snape was sure that the boy had told his friends about that.
As Carya walked down the hallway she heard someone shouting her name.
"Hey, Potter! Wait!" a boy called and she turned around.
Ron was running after her at top speed and was panting heavily when he finally reached her.
"Merlin's Bones, you're really fast, Potter. Eh, I wanted to thank you properly, I ..." he began.
"Stuff it Weasley, I didn't do this because I have forgiven you and certainly not because I like you. I still despise you and I'm only doing this for three reasons. Firstly your mother, she was always nice to my siblings and me and I know that she would be devastated if one of her children would have to leave Hogwarts like that.
Secondly because it was the so called 'right thing to do', not that I normally act upon that principle but it will be to my advantage too," she said seriously before adding something with a slight hint of amusement in her voice.
"And thirdly because I just love to see your face when Snape takes points from Gryffindor for the most ridiculous reasons." she said smirking slightly before leaving a flustered Ron in the hallway.
Severus who was just on his way down to his quarters had heard her last sentence and smiled inwardly. The girl was a Slytherin to the bone, just like her mother had been. But Lily had been kinder than Carya and not as dark as this girl was.
He was still deeply in thought when he reached his rooms and he forgot to look for students out after curfew that day too. If he had made his usual round he would have caught the six friends this time. The were not inside the castle but sneaking out onto the grounds.
The full moon was still a whole week away and the children felt relatively safe. Once outside and out of sight from the castle they changed into their animagus forms and disappeared into the forest. It was delightful to run through the night.
Tom was again curled around Carya because he couldn't move as fast as his friends. They were still out when the sun began to rise again. Carya, Harry and the others raced back towards Hagrid's hut and changed into human form.
They walked back up to the castle together and pretended to have been out on an early morning walk. No one noticed something, not even Snape since he hadn't checked on his students the last night.
The kids went to breakfast and then got their bags for Saturday classes. They all seemed tired but extraordinary happy. Severus only noticed that something was different from normal when they were more than just quiet during Additional Potions class.
In Survival they once again practised with weapons and wands to complete their knowledge on Duelling. The 'Slytherin Six' had become really good and Duelling with wands. They still needed much practise with their weapons though. But the progress was clearly visible.
Carya, Tom and Draco were naturals when it came to swords while Ginny was pretty good with daggers. Harry and Hermione's best seemed to be the long-bow and the knifes. This had surprised Harry as he had wanted a sword for his favourite weapon.
When Survival was over the six friends could barely stand. Severus idly wondered what had been that exhausting. He concluded that they'd stayed up the last night which wasn't that farfetched, it just wasn't the whole truth.
They all went to bed right after dinner that day. Of course when Snape made his round in Slytherin Dungeon neither of the five Slytherin's could be found in bed. He sighed deeply and prayed to every god who willing to listen that they stayed on the right path.
The children woke late on Sunday and they thoroughly enjoyed an early lunch in the Founder's Chambers. Dobby was only too willing to provide them with everything necessary. The little elf was quite fond of the Potters and really liked their friends.
Hermione, Ginny and Draco then helped Harry to practise his charms and curses for the third task while Carya and Tom brewed a new batch of their 'Spy-Potion' as the two had dubbed it for now.
They were determined to give Harry a vial of it to ensure he was prepared for everything possible. No one saw the friends that day. They didn't turn up at all and the students started whispering about their mysterious absence once again.
The other Champions were training hard as well. A few girls had caught glimpses of Viktor Krum duelling with one of his classmates and Fleur Delacour was rumoured to have practised many defensive enchantments.
Cedric had been given permission to use an abandoned classroom for his own training. The teachers were worried about Harry though. It seemed as if the boy didn't take the third task serious. Cedric might not have asked for direct advice but at least he had asked for a place to train.
Harry hadn't done anything of the sort. Whenever they did see the boy during the day or in class he was either paying attention to the lesson or happily chatting with his friends and his girlfriend. Even Dumbledore had become a bit worried about it all.
He still hadn't figured out where the kids disappeared to. Before they had come to Hogwarts the castle had always aided him in search for missing students but this time it simply refused to do anything.
It almost seemed as if the castle's magic was trying to hide the children from prying eyes. Filch didn't bother to find them either. He had made amends with the 'Slytherin Six' and although they were playing pranks quite often the never left a mess for him to clean up.
It mostly disappeared all by itself. It had been quite a shock for the Squib-caretaker to see that his precious Mrs. Norris had taken an immense liking to the Potter girl and her friends. That had not only shocked him but all teachers and students alike.
The following week was horrible. Everyone seemed to walk on eggshells and the tension was increasing with every passing hour. The students were unsure for whom they should cheer during the task. The champions were getting nervous too.
They all hardly ate anything anymore and Armand had to be forced to eat at all by a friend of his. Fleur looked sick most of the time. Cedric looked grim and Viktor mirrored the Hufflepuff's expression. Vladimir wasn't seen in the castle at all.
He stayed on the boat the entire time doing god knows what. The only still slightly carefree champion was surprisingly the youngest of them - Harry Potter. Harry had every reason to feel confident though.
He was prepared quite well thanks to his friends. Tom and Carya had surprised the group with their extensive knowledge on useful curses and hexes. Draco had helped Harry with practising every defensive spell they could find.
Ginny and Hermione had looked through every charms book they could get their hands on and written down all charms that could possibly help the boy through the maze. Therefore they ignored the curious and worried glances thrown their way.
They simply continued enjoying the days before the task was due. But Harry was only calm on the outside. Inside he was still confident but he didn't think it would be easy either. Something was off. He had the same weird feeling his sister had experienced for weeks now.
It had begun after their first attempt at telepathy without their twin bond. The six had managed to catch a glimpse on snippets of the others emotions but that was it. It was a start though and they would still practise it.
What kept Harry going was the knowledge that regardless what happened his friends would always stand behind him and that his guardians would be watching the task too. His first real signs of a nervous breakdown showed themselves on the day before the task - June 10th.
Harry was fidgeting in his seat the whole day and could hardly concentrate on classes. The unusually calm Slytherin finally showed that he too was only human. His friends did their best to distract him though. The best suggestion was made by Tom though.
He told them that it would be really cool to roam the forest as animagi once again. And not only during the deep of the night but even before dusk. Around dinnertime the six friends met at Hagrid's hut which was empty since the half-giant was attending the meal in the Great Hall.
The friends cast a 'Don't-Notice-Me' charm around them and changed into their animal forms. It was great and Harry didn't think of the next day at all until they were back in their chambers around midnight.
The kids showered and immediately went to bed after that. Harry was sleeping restlessly and Carya didn't fare any better. This time it didn't help at all that their beloved was sleeping next to them. Both were shaken by their old and all too familiar nightmare.
After that one ended visions of the present took it's place but the twins wouldn't remember once they woke up. Only a sense of dread would remain with them. A feeling that something was not right at Hogwarts.
It wasn't until the early morning that exhaustion caught up with them and put the two children into a deep and dreamless sleep. Both awoke once their friends got up though. They looked tired but felt better than that.
They even seemed to be quite well rested considering that half of their sleep was filled with horrible nightmares. None of them wanted to attend breakfast in the Great Hall but since Harry had no choice they all went downstairs.
The headmaster had told them that the Champions were required to attend the meals on the day of the third task. The students thankfully did not have any classes because it was a Sunday. The six knew that Remus and Sirius had been allowed to come and visit.
That was because they were Harry's legal guardians. The twins and Draco were delighted that they could spend the day with Moony and Padfoot. The other three were happy about that too. They hoped that it distracted the twins a bit as they both weren't feeling that well.
Harry was nervous about the task and Carya had a dreadful feeling that something bad was going to happen before the day was over. Right after breakfast Harry was lead to the small chamber he knew from the day the champions had been chosen.
His friends and siblings would wait for him in the entrance hall. Remus and Sirius were already in there and with them were several other adults. Out of them Harry only recognised Cedric's father since he had seen the man at the Quidditch World Cup.
It was obvious though who belonged to whom as he knew the other Champions.
"Sirius, Remus!" Harry said happily.
He had missed the two Marauders dearly and was glad to see them while he was still so incredible nervous about the third task.
"Hi Harry, how are you?" asked Remus gently.
"Hey kiddo, what are you up to?" said Sirius grinning.
"I'm fine Remus, thank you. I'm okay, really and there's nothing going on Sirius, nothing at all. We really should be going. They others are waiting in the entrance Hall for us!" Harry replied offhandedly.
He could've fooled many with that but his guardians knew exactly that something was wrong. They didn't ask further though and would wait until the child volunteered the information.
When Harry passed Remus he leaned closer and whispered something into the werewolf's ear,
"Carya wants to talk to you Remus. She thinks you'll look at it more objective than 'mother-hen' Sirius. She has one of those bad feelings again, about the task I think," the boy told Remus.
Remus nodded barely noticeable and together the three of them left in order to join the rest of the infamous 'Slytherin Six'. Carya greeted them cheerfully by grinning at Harry, hugging Remus and playfully punching Sirius.
-~/\~-
Finished December 13th, 2009
Revised June 10th, 2010