A/N: I know I said it would be a long chapter. I apologize for back to back short chapters. I reached a point with this chapter where I just had to stop. I guess I'm in a cliffie mood of sorts. Any the next chapter should be a nice long one.
Any way here is another chapter for August. Enjoy…
Chapter 101
The following morning Harry woke up quite early and went ahead and got out of bed. He didn't bother with waking anyone else. Harry carefully walked through the dormitory to the bathroom to shower. After drying off and dressing, Harry quietly left the dormitory and headed on down to the common room. Harry paced for a few minutes while he thought how to get everyone to the Room of Requirement without causing a stir.
Harry headed on back upstairs to the fourth year boys dormitory. Before entering the dormitory Harry thought about casting the 'notice me not' charm when he muttered something that he could not translate into English, just like he had before. The young wizard could feel a swirl of magic encase him, engulf him. Taking a chance, Harry yelled as loud as he could and was relieved that no one came running to see what was wrong or going on. With a smile he entered the dormitory and went straight for his trunk and opened it slowly as to not make a sound as he was not sure if the spell or charm he had casted would surround other things or people. Harry pulled out some parchment and a self-inking quill and sat down on his bed. He quickly wrote a note to Ron and Neville telling them that he was going to have breakfast and then go straight to the Room of Requirement and to let Hermione and Ginny know. Harry also requested for them to let Mercedes and Violet know and to worry about the other two as he would take care of that. Once Harry finished the note he folded it up and sealed it with magic and a simple question for Ron and Neville to answer that would give them access to the note. After leaving the note next Ron's bed on the night stand, Harry once again left the dormitory. Though this time when reaching the common room Harry did not stop and continued on through the portrait hole.
Though it was awfully quite Harry enjoyed the peacefulness to it. As Harry reached the double doors to the Great Hall he could hear the faint sounds of the inhabitants of Hogwarts awaking. Without a pause Harry entered the Great Hall and as tempted to sit at a tablet that was not Gryffindor's but didn't go through with it.
'Definitely something to do after Voldemort is finished for good but before I graduate from Hogwarts.' Harry thought as he made his way to the Gryffindor table.
The instant Harry sat down a plate, goblet, utensils and food appeared in front of him. With a smile he loaded his plate and goblet. While Harry ate a few students began to flow into the Great Hall. By the time Harry had finished his breakfast maybe a quarter of the Great Hall had filled up. As Harry headed out he gave a glance towards the Slytherin table. Though there were a few from each year Harry didn't see Dudley or Draco.
Harry had just left the Great Hall when it hit him that he could have asked Snape if he'd pass a message on to Draco and Dudley. Not wanting to go back in and straight to the staff table to ask Snape if he could have a word in private, Harry walked a short distance away from the doors with the intention on calling Dobby for help. Before Harry could call Dobby he spotted the two Slytherin's he wanted to talk to heading towards him. Harry quickly glanced around to be sure that no one else was around or near enough to catch anything. Once sure that it would be safe to be civil, friendly towards to the Slytherin's, Harry mouthed to them to meet him in the Room of Requirement. After receiving a nod from both wizards indicating that they understood and would be there after breakfast, Harry while using secret passageways made his way to the Room of Requirement.
The silence in the air confirmed that there were no students on the seventh floor meaning that everyone else was indeed in the Great Hall having breakfast.
"Dobby!" Harry called out.
"Harry Potter calls Dobby." Dobby squeaked happily with wide eyes.
"As I promised you Dobby, I will be telling you what happened last night before you assisted me to bed. I'm going to go on inside the Room of Requirement. My friends, Dudley and Draco will be arriving once they have had breakfast, if for some reason they are unable to enter you can assist them or let me know so that I can open the door from inside." Harry said as though he was speaking to a witch or wizard.
"Dobby helps Harry Potter's friends." Dobby excitedly squeaked.
"Thank you Dobby." Harry said before turning from the elf and pacing in front of the wall.
Harry stopped pacing and faced the wall. He watched an ornamental metal door appear on the wall and then open to allow him admittance. Harry was pleased with the setting in the room for what was to happen in the room.
The furniture looked comfortable enough to sit on for hours, for days. A couch, a love seat and a few arm-chairs sat in a half-moon shape. In the middle of the half-moon shape on the floor was a coffee table. The floor space between the coffee table and furniture was lined with a fluffy carpet that looked soft and warm. Straight across from the furniture a roaring fire flickered in the fireplace giving off just the right amount of warmth.
Harry closed the door and took a seat on the couch. He wasn't sitting right in the middle, just a little off to one side. Harry figured that Hermione would be on his other side leaving the middle of the couch in between them.
Several minutes passed before anyone began to arrive. Harry was pleased that everyone arrived in waves. The twins were the first to arrive. Hermione, Ron and Neville were the next to arrive. Ginny, Violet and Mercedes followed not long after. Draco and Dudley arrived last with Dobby.
Harry and Hermione began with when the Minister had shown up and forced his way in and demanded to talk to them. Hermione went on and explained what happened from her point of view once Harry had placed a strong, powerful body-bind on her and the protection shields around her. Harry described the magic that was uncontrollably bubbling out of Hermione. After a short pause, Dudley told everyone in the room how he couldn't sleep and new something wasn't right, something was wrong. Draco quickly spoke up to explain how he happened to end up in the hall outside the door. Dudley then continued with how he and his mum had helped Harry.
Through the explanation not one mentioned anything about the connection that formed between Hermione and Snape. Now was not the time to do so but maybe sometime down the road if even then. For now Harry and Hermione were just going to let time run its course.
Harry and Hermione started to feel a little uncomfortable from the looks they were receiving from Ginny, Dudley and Draco. It was obvious that three knew that there was something else they were saying. No one brought it up to Harry and Hermione's relief. Though they did know that it would only be a matter of time until they are questioned about what they hadn't divulged.
"As much as we would like to hang out more…" Fred began.
"We have to go." George finished.
"Go and do what?" Ron asked indignantly as if his brothers' leaving was an insult directed at him alone.
"That would be our business." Fred replied.
"And none of yours." George added.
"Ron it doesn't matter. I have no problem with your twin brothers bailing on us." Harry said jokingly.
"Nor do I have a problem with their departure." Hermione said with a smile and laughter in her eyes.
"Unfortunately I have to leave as well. I have an appointment with Professor McGonagall. I've been having some problems with Transfiguration and she agreed to help." Violet said reluctantly.
"I also have to go. No problems with classes, unless you count the detention to serve. I was a little clumsy last week in Potions and…well let me just say that I made a mess. Also, I sort of blew up at Professor Snape." Mercedes said sheepishly.
"I hate to say it but, I must be going as well. Snape gave me some extra work to do for Potions. I don't know how I am going to memorize and actually retain what I am supposed to memorize. He is giving me until the last class before the Christmas Holiday." Neville said with a slight tremble.
"Maybe we should have waited until everyone didn't have a scheduled engagement elsewhere." Harry teasingly said.
The twins headed out dragging Ron with them. Violet, Mercedes and Neville all left at the same time leaving Harry and Hermione alone with Ginny, Dudley and Draco. Dobby followed shortly after they left.
"What is it that the both of you are not telling?" Ginny, Dudley and Draco asked at the same time.
"Yes, there is something that Hermione and I are not sharing with everyone." Harry said confirming that they were keeping something from everyone but avoiding answering the question.
"Harry…I think it would be okay to tell these three. I mean you don't want to keep anything from Ginny, though I am sure that since it has to do with me that you could slide on not telling her. I'd feel really bad about it. And Dudley is our cousin, he's family. And I know we…I can trust Draco." Hermione said with confidence radiating off of her and obviously reflecting in her voice. "There is no way that I'll tell Ron…at least not now. Maybe in ten years, if even then."
"What the bloody hell are you talking about?" Ginny blurted out.
"It's your call Hermione. As you said it has to do with you." Harry said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Professor Snape and I now have a connection. It was only supposed to make us a bit more aware of each other but, we are sensing what the other one is feeling. If I feel distressed he will sense it." Hermione said surprising in a summarized way.
"How?" Ginny asked.
"Why?" Draco asked.
"Did something not go as it was supposed to?" Dudley asked with a hint of concern and a dash of worry.
"We don't know and we're trying to figure that out. Professor Snape is going through the book to see if there might be something in there to explain in more detail as to why we can sense what the other feels. I don't think that the effects were supposed to happen so soon. At least that's the impression I get from Professor Snape anyway." Hermione explained in answer to Neville's question. "As for why…again we don't know. The how…well, it is tied in somehow with the lent magic and the magic that transferred to replenish."
"You said that you can sense what the other feels. Do you know the cause as to why the other feels a certain way?" Draco inquired.
"No, we can just sense what the other feels. Sometimes it's faint but other times it can be rather strong."
"You don't suppose that this connection could become stronger? I mean to the point of actually knowing why the other feels a one way or another." Draco asked curiously.
"I don't know. It could happen but I'd rather not think about it." Hermione said feeling a little uncomfortable with the idea that the connection could become stronger to the point of knowing why she or Snape feels one way or another.
"I know that the Room of Requirement doesn't show on the Marauder's Map and depending on how one words things; other people cannot gain access to the Room of Requirement. Dobby can come and go as he pleases. With this connection…do you think that Snape can still sense what you are feeling while here?"
"That, Ginny, is a good question." Harry said.
"It doesn't seem like it. I'm not sensing anything from him. Some of the emotions I've had though not letting them show…if Professor Snape could sense it I guarantee you that he'd be reacting and I'd sense it. Although the room could be dulling what I feel."
"Or what you are feeling isn't as strong as you think. Besides I don't think that you've really paid much attention to what could be going on elsewhere." Harry suggested.
"You have a couple good points there." Hermione said softly.
"Hold on…Harry, you and Hermione are best friends with Ron. Why keep this from him at all?" Dudley asked curiously and confused.
"He'd flip out." Ginny answered. "My brother is giving you a chance because you are Harry and Hermione's cousin by blood and giving Draco a chance because…actually I don't know why. Regardless he's giving you and Draco a chance. Ron is quite adamant on refusing to give Professor Snape a chance or cut him some slack."
"But, Ron hasn't said anything…"
"Hermione, you and Harry haven't been around. If either of you could hear him sometimes. Don't ask me what he says because I will not repeat it."
"What does Ron have against my Godfather?"
"Slytherin to put it bluntly. So, if Ron knew about this connection between Hermione and Snape, knowing my brother he would turn it around into something disgusting."
"My Godfather would not go after a witch that is underage or a student." Draco said defensively.
"We know that Draco." Ginny said in a calming tone. "Ron can be a daft stubborn idiot sometimes."
Suddenly there was a 'pop' sound. The group of five flinched and looked in the direction of where the sound came from. In front of the door to the room stood a terrified and shaking Dobby.
"Dobby what's wrong" Harry asked concerned as he briskly crossed the room to the elf.
Hermione gasped as she was overcome with enrage and worry emotions.
"E-elder M-Malfoy…" Dobby stuttered terror evident in the elf's voice.
"Hermione are you alright?" Ginny asked in a slightly higher pitched tone than normal.
"I…I'm fine. Snape is rather enraged and worried about something." Hermione said breathily.
"Dobby are you saying that Lucius Malfoy is here or at least was here?" Harry calmly asked the elf though inside Harry was not feeling anything near calm.
"Dobby not knowing Harry Potter." Dobby replied in a shaky voice.
"Did Lucius argue with Professor Snape?"
"Yes, Harry Potter, he did."
"Did Professor Snape send you here?"
"Asked Dobby to find Godson."
"Dobby." Draco said in a flat tone. "I'm not going anywhere unless I know without a doubt that he's not here anymore." Draco said firmly leaving no room for argument.
"Dobby come over here with us." Hermione said as soothingly as she could muster while trying desperately to shake the emotions she was sensing from Snape.
Dobby slowly with wobbly legs walked over to Hermione and the rest of the group.
"I'll be back in a bit. I'm gonna see if Lucius is still on grounds and if at all possible let Snape know that Draco is safe from Lucius' wrath." Harry said as he left the Room of Requirement before anyone could try to talk him out of it.
The first place Harry went was to his room in Gryffindor House to retrieve the Marauder's Map. Just as before the name 'Amon Velius' was represented by a black dot and no sign of Lucius Malfoy. Harry remained where he was as the map showed that Amon Velius was still with Snape in the Potions classroom. After about twenty minutes and nothing had changed on the map, Harry pulled out the invisibility cloak, draped the cloak around him while clutching the map and headed out of Gryffindor House to the Potions classroom.
Halfway to the Potions classroom Harry slowed down and checked the Marauder's Map to see the dot representing Amon Velius in the hall walking away from the classroom and in the opposite direction of Harry. The young wizard sighed as he had wanted to see the human form of the dot on the map. Harry was not going to head back to the Room of Requirement just yet as he had to have something to report, in a sense. Harry pulled off the cloak and stowed it away after clearing the map of its contents.
Harry was almost to the door to the Potions classroom when Snape walked out looking annoyed, furious and worried. Harry wasn't sure if he should continue on and attempt to talk to the wizard. But, he knew he had to take the chance.
"Professor." Harry called out to get the attention of Snape.
"Mr. Potter, now isn't exactly a good time." Snape said in a soft growl.
"I know where your Godson is." Harry said in hopes that Snape would talk to him.
"I think we should not be in the corridor." Snape said without a growl as he held open the door to the classroom.
Harry walked into the classroom ahead of Snape.
"I know this is off topic, but didn't you have a detention to see to?"
"I arranged for Professor Flitwick see to the detention." Snape answered indifferently. "You said that you know where Draco is."
"Yes, he's in the Room of Requirement with Dudley and Hermione. And Draco is not leaving until he knows for sure that his father is no longer on grounds."
"Thank you, Mr. Potter."
"Sir…I don't mean to be intrusive but was Draco's father here a moment ago?"
"Didn't the elf Dobby find you?"
"Yes, but…"
"Lucius Malfoy was indeed here a moment ago." Snape said with and odd look on his face.
"This is going to sound crazy but, has Mr. Malfoy been acting strange? Is he extremely different compared to shortly after Draco was born?"
"And why would you be asking me that?"
"I'd rather not say right now. I have a suspicion but don't want it to appear as though I am making an accusation."
"You suspect that maybe Lucius isn't actually who he seems to be?" Snape asked with a gut feeling.
"Yes, sir." Harry answered choosing to be as completely honest as he was comfortable with. "I haven't mentioned a thing to Draco about it." Harry quickly added.
"I agree with you, on both accounts Mr. Potter. I thought that something was quite un-Lucius but today…that was not Lucius Malfoy." Snape confided in Harry.
"Professor…the next time Lucius Malfoy is on grounds could you possibly find a way to let me know shortly after he meets with you?"
"Might I ask why?"
"I have this map that shows everyone on grounds with the exception of the Room of Requirement. I just…I need to be sure of something. Whatever I discover at that time I will talk to you first."
"If I am able to do so without it being noticeable I will inform you the next time I see him, whoever he is."
"With any luck we'll know something before the Christmas holidays." Harry muttered.
"Indeed." Snape agreed.
"Professor, have you had an opportunity to look through the book yet? I know you haven't had the book long…"
"Not as much of an opportunity as I would have preferred."
"You could be searching the book now…I will be on my way then." Harry said as he turned and then bolted out of the classroom. He could almost swear that he could hear the sound of laughter.
Harry continued to move through the castle at nearly a run. At hearing the obvious sounds of Filch, Harry quickly slipped through one of the secret passageways. While in the passageway Harry checked the map to see where he was exactly and to be certain that the dot representing the name Amon Velius was indeed no longer on grounds. Harry spent quite a bit of time checking the map for Amon Velius. The wizard Harry was looking for did not seem to be anywhere and then for a second Harry saw the name of said wizard. With how the dot blipped off the map, Harry knew that whoever Amon Velius is had reached a Disapparition point and disapperated. Harry then checked to see where he was. Realizing that he was about to pass an entrance/exit for the seventh floor he quickly cleared the map once again and stepped out into the corridor not noticing that Hermione would be right about where the entrance/exit was.
Hermione jumped and shrieked as she clutched her chest. Dobby suddenly appeared in front of Hermione ready to attack whoever had caused the witch such a fright.
"Firstly, Hermione I truly am sorry for giving you such a fright. I certainly did not mean to do that." Harry said with regret in his voice. "And Dobby I am really pleased with you for protecting Hermione." Harry said honestly.
Dobby's eyes suddenly opened as wide as they could as his ears drooped along his face. Hermione was still clutching her chest and breathing a bit heavily. Harry quickly spun around with his wand drawn.
"Professor." Harry said surprised as he had not thought about a certain Professor showing up.
"What the hell is going on here?" Snape bellowed demandingly.
"It's my fault sir. I gave Hermione a fright. To her I appeared out of nowhere or well someone appeared out of nowhere." Harry explained with a pained expression. "I did not mean to…I didn't see her name on the map that I have. I feel terrible."
"Miss. Granger are you alright?" Snape asked ignoring Harry's explanation though he had heard it.
"Fine…I'm fine Professor. To be honest right now it has more to do with shock and relief than it is fright." Hermione answered breathlessly.
"Hermione…" Harry said a little confused as to what she was talking about.
"I kept control of my magic." Hermione said as though it was plainly obvious. "Wait…my magical signature must have recognized Harry's and the blood relation so though I did get a fright I had to have known that it was Harry stepping out of the wall. It makes perfect sense." Hermione thought out loud. "At least to me it makes perfect sense anyway." Hermione added as she realized Harry and Snape had heard her.
"It makes perfect sense." Harry agreed.
"That it does." Snape also agreed. "It is known that one's magical signature will recognize a blood relative though it is rare. But then again you both are descendants of Morgan le Fay, plus Mr. Potter you are also a descendant of Merlin." Snape explained.
"Sorry to have caused you and concern Professor." Hermione said softly, nervously.
"No need to apologize Miss. Granger." Snape with a hint of exasperation. "It is to be expected with the connection. Now, I shall leave the two of to continue to entertain your friends." Snape said with finality and turned in a billow of black cloak and walked away.
"Dobby returns to young former master now." The elf said before vanishing with a pop.
"I have to talk to you without anyone else around." Harry said slightly desperate.
"Just one problem Hermione, how do we persuade…them to leave without any of them realizing that there is something else that I am keeping from them?" Harry asked.
"No idea. We'll figure out something. It's obvious that you want to talk to me privately now, but you might have to wait until later."
"I realize that and unfortunately I will probably have to wait longer than I want to." Harry said in defeat.
Harry and Hermione started walking at a fast pace to the door to the Room of Requirement. Neither wanted to cause the three inside to ask questions as to what took them so long to return. Slightly nervously they entered the Room of Requirement.
"Is he gone?" Draco asked not caring that fear was rolling off of him.
"He has indeed left the grounds."
"Dobby takes young Malfoy and friend Dudley to Slytherin House. No one there now." Dobby offered.
"Thank you Dobby." Draco said as he stood up and took the offered hand from the elf.
Dudley quickly stood, moved over where Draco and Dobby were and took Dobby's free hand. A second later both Slytherin boys were gone.
"I'm heading down to lunch, I didn't eat much at breakfast. I'm about as hungry as Ron is all the time." Ginny said as she left the Room of Requirement.
"Well, that was easy." Hermione said with a small smirk. "So, what do have to talk to me about?"
"Amon Velius and Lucius Malfoy." Harry replied in a matter of fact tone.
"Harry why are you still stressing on this?" Hermione asked.
"I'm not stressing about it Hermione. I haven't thought about the Amon and Lucius thing for a while now. Dobby said that Snape and Lucius were arguing. The map showed the name Amon Velius with Snape. Though I did not get to see the wizard I did talk to Snape. Snape does not think that we have been seeing and dealing with Lucius."
"So this Amon Velius is Polyjuiced as Lucius Malfoy." Hermione said as a statement and not a question. "Um…Harry…where is Lucius Malfoy?" Hermione asked as a thought popped into her mind and it wasn't a good thought.
"Before trying to figure out the question to that I have to see with my own eyes. Actually seeing this person as Malfoy Sr. is important and crucial. I have to have the proof before I go saying anything to anyone." Harry answered though not the answer that was needed.
"You have a point there. But, how are you going to be able to see Lucius Malfoy, if it is him?"
"Snape is going to do his best to let me know the next time he sees this so called Lucius on grounds again. Needless to say I will be keeping my cloak and the map on me at all times. In fact, I would appreciate it if you make sure that I don't leave Gryffindor Tower without them."
"I promise to make sure that you have your cloak and the map before even leaving our common room." Hermione assured Harry.
"Thank you. I just want to find out as soon as possible so that I can put this behind me. If it is indeed Lucius Malfoy I will drop it. If it turns out that it is not…well, I'll-we'll deal with it for should that bridge appear."
"Lunch now then?"
"Lunch."
xxxXXXxxx
As the days passed there had been no sign of Lucius Malfoy in the flesh or any signs of Amon Velius on the map. Harry still kept his cloak and the map on him. He wanted to be sure that he was ready for when he received the notification of Lucius on grounds. And in the event that Snape was unable to send word that Lucius was on campus Harry would have the map to let him know.
Harry was about to give up on finding out the truth about Amon Velius and Lucius Malfoy as the term came to a close. The Christmas Holidays had begun and with reluctance Harry headed down to the Great Hall with his house mates for the feast. There was an upside to the upcoming holiday even if he didn't find out what he wanted to. Hardly any students would be on grounds for the holiday as their families would want them home for the holiday. They, meaning Harry, Hermione and Snape would be able to search through the book and if able or necessary cross reference books in the school library or Snape's personal library. With everything that had gone on and the latest subject on mind, Harry forgot that no one would be leaving Hogwarts for the holiday. And add in the fact that he had not seen anyone from the visiting schools the past several days.
Though Harry wasn't paying much attention to the Great Hall full to beyond capacity, he had a feeling that there was something he was missing. A gut feeling that told him that he was missing something. While lost in thought about other things, Harry sat next to Ginny and stared at the table with a blank expression on his face.
"Now that everyone is here, I have a few announcements to make before filling our bodies with food and drink." Dumbledore's voice boomed throughout the Great Hall getting the undivided attention from all. "Firstly, on Christmas night there will be a Yule Ball from eight in the evening to midnight. It the Yule Ball is tradition during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Fourth years and up are allowed to attend, now those allowed may ask a younger student to go to the Ball with them. Hogwarts students are to meet with their Head of House after dinner in their houses for more instruction and warning. Secondly, I ask you to forgive me. Due to a few situations the schedule for the Tournament had not been posted as it had to be revised in order for all Champions to compete. The first task will take place on the twenty-first of January. After lunch the Champions will remain in the Great Hall and escorted to where you will need to be. At that time you will be informed of what you will need to do to complete the task. Lastly all Champions will be excluded from exams as the Tournament will be enough of a load to deal with. I wish all the Champions the best of luck. With that out of the way let the feast begin."
The finest china with gold trim appeared on the tables as well as crystal goblets with a gold trim on the top. Silver utensils and severing utensils were available or in certain dishes to enable the students to school out what they wanted. A variety of different dishes from around the world appeared and weighted down the tables which groaned and creaked in protest. As far as the beverages were concerned one only had to make a simple request and the goblets would only fill with what was requested providing it was age appropriate.
The sound of chatter, silverware scraping on plates, goblets being set down on the table and chatter in various volumes filled the Great Hall. As the stomachs filled the noise and chatter slowly dissipated and the Great Hall began to empty.
xxxXXXxxx
All Harry wanted to do was to go straight to bed but knew that it would be a while before he could do that. It was quite loud in the common room as everyone was talking nearly at once about the upcoming Yule Ball. Harry wasted no time and went straight for the stairs leading up to the dormitories and sat down. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville followed suit.
Harry really didn't listen to McGonagall as she went over everything she expected of them from behavior to attire. Harry could hear her speak but didn't catch a single word until they were dismissed to bed and wasted not one second to quickly head up the stairs. Once reaching the main dormitory floor Harry stopped and waited for the rest to catch up to him. Hermione, Ron and Neville went on past and on to their dormitory.
"Sorry for the instant departure…"
"Not necessary Harry. I'm sure that you're tired and just want to get some sleep." Ginny said cutting Harry off.
"That and there's something on my mind. I promise to tell you in time. There's quite a bit to piece together first otherwise I'd tell you now. Yes, Hermione knows…"
"I understand why you shared whatever is on your mind with Hermione. She will after all ensure that you're not spending all of your time thinking about it."
"I would be honored if you would go to the Ball with me Miss. Weasley." Harry said with a smile and laughter in his eyes.
"Of course I will go to the Ball with you Mr. Potter." Ginny said with a faint chuckle.
"I will see you tomorrow Ginny." Harry said with a promise in his voice.
"I will see you tomorrow. Good night Harry."
"Good night Ginny."
The two went in different directions for the night.
xxxXXXxxx
Harry grudgingly opened his eyes. He had wanted to sleep in but mostly he wanted to continue the dream he was having. Harry fumbled his around until his fingertips made contact with his glasses. He grasped his glasses and put them on so he could see what horrid time it was. Harry groaned at seeing that was only 7:30 in the morning. Knowing he would not be able to get back to sleep he reluctantly got out of bed and went straight to the bathroom to shower figuring that he might as well shower and dress for the day. It was a small consolation that he did not have to wear his school clothes.
Once dressed Harry made to leave the dormitory but turned around and grabbed the map and invisibility cloak.
While sitting on one of the couches in front of the fireplace Harry searched the map for someone in particular. His eyes froze as he saw the name Amon Velius next to Severus Snape in Snape's Head of House office. Harry quickly folded the map and put in a pocket and threw the cloak over himself before sprinting out of Gryffindor House. He continued the sprint all through the castle until he reached his destination. Harry was delighted that the door was not completely closed. Not that he wanted to know what was being said…he just needed to be sure of the voices inside. Quickly pulling out the map Harry checked it. Sure enough there were three dots, his name, Snape's name and Amon Velius. Harry stared at the names for a moment to be sure he was really seeing what was before his eyes.
Harry was snapped out of his staring at hearing the voice of Lucius Malfoy. Harry looked back at the map and while still hearing the voice of Lucius Malfoy and Snape's voice, plus Snape addressing the wizard in the office with him as Lucius, the map indicated that Amon Velius instead of Lucius Malfoy was in the office with Snape. Harry barely caught the sound of footsteps and quickly leaped out of the way just as the door flew open to see Lucius Malfoy leave angrily. Harry quickly looked at the map to see the dot with the name Amon Velius retreating, when he looked up Harry's eyes saw the form of Lucius Malfoy. Harry repeatedly in quick repetition looked back down at the map and back up to the retreating wizard's form.
A/N: Reactions? Thoughts? Comments? Anything?
