I do not own anything. I'm just translating. The characters belong to the great J.K. Rowling. The story belongs to the amazing Brigi. Her e-mail: tbwtpbe et hotmail .com
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THE BOY WITH THE PIERCING BLUE EYES
Chapter 24 – Shadows (part 2)
Mysterious deaths at East End
from Basil Faulkner
UK, London, East End, Spitalfields
Three victims, an uninhabitable house, and the killer is on the loose.
The early morning brought terror to the people of Spitalfields. Migrants going to start the morning shift discovered the strange phenomenon. A green symbol was floating above a house at Durward Street. At first, all thought the skull with a snake coming out of its mouth was made to appear there with lasers. But when they failed to find the source after half an hour, the neighbors fled from the scene in panic.
The police closed down the whole street immediately. From the house under the symbol, they transported three bodies to Hospital London. Cause of death is unknown as of now, but medical experts suspect poisoning. No sign of violence could be found on the middle-aged woman and her two daughters, and the authorities couldn't find any anything that indicated forced entry. The neighbors were woken up by something like an earthquake. They could hear timbers crackling. Pyrotechnics are investigating the possibility of an explosion.
The sign that could be seen even from Commercial Road disappeared around six-thirty in the morning. The residents of Spitalfields and the nearby Whitechapel are still very uneasy because of the unexplainable phenomenon. Immediately, rumors appeared (mostly among Asian people). Some people claimed to have heard human voices coming from the ruins of a Victorian building standing on Durward Street. Others talk about the Truman pub at Hanbury Street; rumor has it that the ghost of a prostitute, Annie Chapman who was killed there more than a hundred years ago, still haunts the place. The former George Yard (now Gunthrope Street) was a scene of a murder once; last night a passerby saw a hooded man walking through the tunnel. In fact, people weren't this panicked since Jack the Ripper. Our report can be read on the third page…
"What's a laser?" Neville asked
"Jack…"
"Jack the Ripper…"
"That was the Dark Mark!"
"Yeah! They wrote about it in details!"
"Death Eaters!" They whispered in horror.
"And the Muggles saw it all…"
"This is a big problem…"
"Harry!" Hermione looked at him desperately.
"East End… I think it's still quite a run-down place…" The boy muttered when he saw the worry in the girl's eyes.
"They start at places like that… They can work without being noticed…"
"This doesn't mean that they are going to try it in the suburbs or something!" Harry squeezed her hand, because she paled like never before. "Whitechapel…" He muttered and knelt on the table to see the end of the report, then sat down thinking.
"Why did they choose that place?" Lavender said shaking.
"Because they know that the Muggles are afraid of that place." Luna remarked coolly.
Everyone looked at her for a moment.
"A lot of murders that took place there are still unsolved. They faded into history, but people are still talking about them." Harry continued. "You saw. They still think that the ghost of a prostitute is hunting in the pub. This is the best way to cause panic among the Muggles."
"And since there are too many witnesses, the Ministry can't just erase their memories." Ernie added.
Harry glanced at the Slytherin table where Draco and his gang were eating and laughing while reading the Prophet. He looked at the headmaster; they knew what shocked him now.
"It started again." They whispered.
Some of the students looked at Harry and whispered, but when the boy noticed this they looked away.
"Why now?"
Harry wasn't really surprised. He feared this moment since last summer, and most people didn't even care back then. But now, that this happened, everyone felt scared.
"It's a miracle they waited this long.
The whole week passed with anxiety in the air and even Dumbledore couldn't calm the students. The professors seemed nervous during lessons and could hardy focus sometimes. The pupils managed to ask questions they had no answers to. The school life turned from cheerful to grey. There were no people on the corridors; they rather stayed at the safer common rooms. A few Slytherins marched the corridors surprisingly cheerfully though. The advanced courses the sixth year students were looking forward to, became boring. Honeybourne tried to lighten the mood with cheap jokes and stories from his school days. Ron was so annoyed by the man's behavior that he took a dungbomb to class, making the professor run out of the classroom screaming. The divas from the Ministry weren't so popular anymore either; no matter what they wore. Stainthorp were still wooing to Rowena and Snape became more and more nervous for his son. The rain made it impossible to practice Quidditch so the DA group got together to talk about things. Harry took the fake Galleon he got from Hermione and wrote the date on it. He was waiting for his friends in the Room of Requirements at said time, standing by the window.
"Is that everyone?" Ernie stood on tiptoes to count them all. He asked Hannah to lock the door.
"Is everyone okay?" Harry asked with a faint smile.
"We've been better…"
"I'd be better if things wouldn't happen…" Cho sighed.
"Even though we are learning defense spells and how to attack… I'm still nervous." Justin muttered.
"I called you here to start the practice again. It might make you feel a little bit safer. Not instead of the class, of course."
"A little practice won't hurt!" Hermione smiled.
The others nodded and confidence appeared on their faces. The Patil-twins smiled at each other. They though it's a good time to start practicing. The room changed immediately, everything was covered with soft cushions so no one would get hurt. The murders committed by the Death Eaters made all of them to work harder, so they finished successfully.
Knocking was heard on Lupin's door on Saturday morning.
"Come in!"
Snape entered the modest room with a steaming cup in his hand.
"I brought you the potion. Don't… forget to drink it…"
"Okay… and thank you…" Remus said weakly. He was sitting in an armchair with his legs tucked under him, looking pale and weak.
"Are you… okay?" Severus asked with suspicion in his voice.
"This is… just the usual… I'm used to it." His colleague sighed.
He looked at the Potions Master with bright eyes. Lupin managed to surprise Severus, because he looked away and stepped to the window. He pulled out the gray curtain and looked out.
"What the…" A strange smile appeared on his face.
"What happened?" Remus stood up slowly.
"This woman never gives up?!" Snape pointed toward the lake.
Lupin leaned close to the window and saw Rowena going to the lake. She threw her cloak on the ground and sat down. After taking off his shoes she pulled out a pair of skates from her bag.
Remus grinned.
"Do you think she can ice-skate?"
But they hissed when the woman fell after the very first step. They were laughing hard.
"Oh my God, it's hard to look!" Remus grabbed the desk as to not fall.
Severus laughed with an unusually cheerful face.
"This is everything but dance." He muttered.
"Even I'd be better…"
"And she fell again!" Snape wiped his eyes.
"You'll get into trouble for this… Teach her how to ice-skate! Otherwise she'll be very angry."
Severus was about to pass the job to his colleague, but remembered that he's going to transform soon. So he said quietly.
"I haven't skated in twenty years…"
"Then it's time to do it again…" Remus smiled.
"Harry, are you coming to skate?" Ginny asked when she burst into the boy's room. Seamus was changing, so he screamed and tried to cover himself with the bed-curtain.
"Hey! Can't you knock?"
"Okay, sorry… So, are you coming, Harry?"
The boy looked at Ron and Hermione who was sitting next to him. They were doing homework, not very enthusiastically.
"Yeah, sure." Harry said.
He took his skates out of the trunk and tired them on to see if they were good or not. It seemed his feet grew since last year.
"I wonder if I can use Extention Charm on clothes and shoes?!" He mused for a minute then put the skates in his backpack.
Ginny dragged him out of the castle enthusiastically. They could see a lot of people on the ice.
"Come! Come!"
The ice was thick enough to skate on it. Although it was strange; the leaves were still on the trees, but the lake was frozen. The children didn't understand it, but were happy with the new way to entertain themselves. Ever since the horrible news… they didn't have a chance to laugh and have fun. However, the courtyard was crowded and full of laughter now.
"Look, Cho's there!" He pointed towards the girl while he was skating hand in hand with Ginny.
"I see. She's with Marietta, right?"
"Yeah…"
"I don't understand how she can still be friends with her…"
"Ah, leave it… Let's greet Anthony and the others."
"Hey, Harry…" The girl stopped. "Isn't that Professor Snape… and… "
"Rowena." Harry's face lit up.
It was a strange sight. Severus tried to pull the woman or at least show her how to stay on her feet. But since he was out of shape too, he fell easily and pulled Rowena with him.
"It's not going to work." He groaned when they fell again, though he didn't seem annoyed, just smiled.
"This is all your fault!" The woman yelled. "I'm black and blue everywhere. I have to learn ice-skating, Severus!"
"Okay, okay, I've heard that…"
"Professor Dareling!" Harry and Ginny stopped next to them.
"Professor Snape! Can we help?"
"That'd be good…" The woman muttered while touching her aching butt.
"Did you hurt yourself? We saw you had a big fall…"
The twins joined them and pulled up their former Potions professor. He made an embarrassed grimace but didn't seem angry.
"I don't understand what's so hard in this…" Fred began.
"Yeah. It's very easy to learn!"
"Then teach him." The woman said. "He's always dragging me down…"
"Come!" The two boys took her hands and pulled her to the middle of the lake.
Harry, Ginny and Snape stayed at the edge of the ice and sat on a big rock.
"Professor… I don't mean to be disrespectful or anything, but…" Harry began. "Is there any news? You know…"
"Nothing." The man sighed.
"I'm sure he's fine…" Ginny added, nodding vigorously.
"If what your brothers say is true, Miss. Weasley, I'd better fear the wrath of my son… not that he's going to get hurt…" Severus said with a bitter smile.
"He'll come around. He'll know that his place is here, with you."
Snape didn't say anything. Harry didn't know what worried him more. The fact that his son was out alone, or that the boy thinks his father doesn't want him anymore. Or that he is still the target of the Death Eaters… But Harry figured the professor was also worried about what others will think when they find out that he has a son. From a Muggle woman. If the pureblood students in his house find out… he won't be bale to use his influence on them. And Snape's reputation will disappear in the circle of Death Eaters too. Strange thing will happen soon, Harry thought.
"Wow!" Rowena stopped in front of them, making the three to look up.
"Any progress?"
"Some… But Severus, I have to complain about your students again. Your two prefects just ran over Colin Creevey and Justin. One of them had to be taken to the Hospital Wing. I took twenty points from them. Can't you talk to them to at least not do this intentionally? Someone can get seriously hurt!"
"It's impossible." Snape smiled wryly. "You know that no one can tell to Draco Malfoy what to do."
"If you don't try…"
"I never said I'm not going to try…" He took off his skates.
"They always say 'Mudblood' and all…"
"Okay, okay, I said I'm going to talk to them…"
While the professors walked into the building, Harry watched Malfoy. He was laughing at a second year then pushed him when he almost managed to stand up. He wanted to go there and punch him so bad.
"Harry!" Ginny took his clenched hand. "Leave it!"
"Yes? Until when? Until somebody gets hurt seriously?!"
Harry was still thinking about all this in the next couple of days. Malfoy and Pansy abused their power as prefects all the time, making others do things. Fortunately, they couldn't deduct points this year, but they called for Mr. Fitch all the time to give out detentions.
He was very grateful that he didn't have to suffer through Herbology with the Slytherins. The class was over a few minutes ago but they were washing their hands to get the mud off of them.
"Let's go…" Ron whined after his stomach grumbled. "I'm starving, Hermione!"
Harry was standing right behind them in line, eager to get out of the green house. The warm autumn sun made his head ache. When he wiped his forehead it seemed a little bit warmer than usual.
Fanning himself with one hand he leaned on the table and touched his throbbing temples.
"What the hell is this?" He muttered and closed his eyes.
When he opened them again everything was blurry. He clung to the edge of the table but his legs gave away and he fell. The students ran to him surprised.
"Harry!"
"What's wrong?"
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"Professor Bimba!"
Harry was panting because he could barely breathe. Strange images appeared before his eyes. A tearing cloak… screams… a bloody weapon… maybe a scissor? Fighting… long, red hair…
"Ginny!" He shouted.
"What?" The others looked at each other.
"Ginny!" Harry shouted even louder.
He staggered to his feet and started running. He ran to the gate and pushed away those who got in his way.
The images, screams and painful feeling came over and over again. Once blurry, than clear, but they showed Harry where to go.
He ran into the girl's room on the corridor that led to the Slytherin common room and what he saw made his stomach flip.
Goyle and Pansy were holding Ginny by her hands. The girl was black and blue, clearly beaten. Her knees were bleeding, just like her neck and chin and her clothes were wet from the water on the floor. Her lips were also bloody and a big red bump appeared under her eye. Tears, blood and sweat ran down her face. Millicent, who was standing in front of her, turned around to see who arrived. In her hand were bloody scissors, ready to cut a new lock of hair off. Red hair were scattered all around them.
Harry backed against the wall in horror, then all he felt was hatred. His whole body was shaking with rage. All he thought about was revenge and he couldn't remember anything else, just the terrified screams coming from the three culprits…
"Harry James Potter, we're waiting for an explanation!" Fudge demanded.
The Winzengamot investigated the crime committed by the three Slytherins. Word about Arthur Weasley's daughter being beaten and hurt got around and peopled became furious. Her long hair was cut and scars were on her face and neck too. They even got her eye, but she could still see with it, fortunately.
They found the unconscious girl in Harry's trembling arms. The three Slytherins were on the floor, knocked out, and Harry wouldn't let go of Ginny. No matter what he couldn't recall how he handled the three culprits.
Millicent, Pansy and Goyle were summoned to the Winzengamot too and even though a lot of the juries wanted to expel them, they were sent back to Hogwarts. The punishment Pansy Parkinson got was the greatest, they took her prefect badge. The new prefect turned out to be Theodore Nott. The students suspected that it was thanks to Dumbledore. He wanted to keep an eye on them to know if they acted willingly or someone used them.
Sock then rage appeared in Hogwarts after the news spread. The headmaster warned everyone that any act of revenge won't be tolerated and will be punished. However that didn't calm them down. The gap between the Slytherin and the other three houses grew even bigger. But everyone thought strange that Malfoy didn't join the three to hurt Ginny. He was certainly capable of doing something like this. However, they couldn't think of him as innocent, because he often laughed when the topic came up, not caring what others thought about him.
The wizard society didn't take the matter lightly either when the Evening Prophet wrote an article about the Weasley-girl's incident. They were talking about it for days, giving more and more detail. A few judges gave interviews and they all supported the Weasley family. A lot of people sent gifts to the girl still in the Hospital Wing.
Ginny was quarantined to keep her from curious eyes. Madame Pomfrey gave her sleeping and calming potions to let her rest for a few days and to calm her down. Only the family members, teachers and close friends could visit her and just for a short period.
"I don't know what to say, Minister…" Harry tried. "I don't… remember anything…"
"They didn't find any external injuries on the three Slytherins. Yet, they were unconscious. What happened during those few seconds?"
"I don't … know…maybe unconscious magic again… like three years ago… when my uncle's sister… well…"
"We know, Harry." Dumbledore interrupted.
While the judges signed the papers, Harry remembered those images again. The unconscious Ginny, hair all around, blood and tears… He was still trembling.
Two days later Harry, the Weasley family and Hermione were sitting next to Ginny's bed. He looked at her with pity in his eyes; the injuries barely visible on her skin. Her hair was still messy and a few locks were cut off, making her look worse. Mrs. Weasley was holding her hand while the twins stood there with trembling hands. Their father forbade them to do anything as revenge. The two elder brothers, Charlie and Bill were standing next to their father silently. Ron was resting with his head on Hermione's lap, not saying anything. Everyone was shocked when Percy showed up. His father noticed him first and talked to him before the others could accuse him or ask questions. Percy spoke softly and nodded when his father told him something. When both finished the lost boy looked up with tearful eyes and hugged his father. The man hugged him back, stroking his hair and sighed in relief. A few family members also cried tears of joy; the family was back together again. Percy sat next to them to wait for Ginny's awakening.
Harry envied Ginny for one thing. She could sleep through these horrible days. She didn't have to stand before judges or answer questions asked by journalists; didn't have to avoid the murmuring classmates and hear good wishes from others. He could barely sleep since that day. Even now, he was swaying on his chair, his face buried in his hands.
Suddenly a faint voice coming from an awakening person caught them. They all looked at the girl who shifted. She opened her eyes slowly, blinked in surprise when she saw her entire family. The girl tried to sit up, but after the long sleep she could do it only with her mother's help. No one said anything. She pulled her legs up and when she saw the bandages on her body, her memories started to come back. Tears filled her eyes and to hide them, he buried her face in her knees.
"Oh, honey. It's okay. No one can hurt you now…" Her mother stroked her back.
But Ginny noticed something. Her long hair always covered her face when bending like this, but now… She looked up, raised her arms and touched a few stray strands of hair that barely reached her chin.
"My hair… What happened to my hair?" She asked, startled.
Her brothers looked at each other, and a painful expression appeared on her father's face.
"Nothing, honey." Mrs. Weasley tried to reassure her.
"Where's my hair, mom?!" She screamed. "Give me a mirror!"
Everyone was rooted to the spot.
"Give me a mirror! Harry, give me a mirror!"
Hermione took pity of her and handed the girl a little mirror. Ginny looked at her reflection, the scares and the roughly cut red hair. Her heart started pounding and everyone jumped when she screamed. She was hysterical and threw the mirror away. Her mother and Percy ran to her to calm her, but she didn't stop crying. Madame Pomfrey ran out of her room and grabbed some calming potion when she saw what happened.
Harry couldn't bear to listen to the horrible screams, so he backed away and ran out of the Hospital Wing. The noises could be heard even on the corridors. He leaned against a wall and stared in front of him. The screams wouldn't disappear and he thought he might go mad if he stayed here anymore. He looked to his side and saw Snape, Lupin and Professor Dareling frozen in their place. They were about to visit the girl. Harry ran past them with robes billowing behind him.
He ran to the headmaster's office without slowing down. When he reached the statue guarding the door he stopped panting. He had to get in somehow. He had to talk to…
"Yes, that's rather unfortunate…" He heard Dumbledore's voice from the left.
The footsteps were coming closer. Harry looked up and saw the headmaster approaching with Professor Trelawney.
"Harry." The old wizard said.
"I have to talk to you, sir!"
"All right then! Come to my office! Please join us, Professor!"
When they entered the office, Dumbledore went to his desk and offered seats to Trelawney and the boy. However, Harry couldn't sit down. He was just as angry as he was after Sirius' death.
"I'm list…"
"Why?"
"Pardon?"
"Why did I see that? How was I able to see what happened to Ginny Weasley? It was like when I say Arthur Weasley being attacked! But why? How is this possible? It can't be Voldemort behind this!" At the mention of the name his professor squeaked. "Voldemort can't control me anymore! He can't get into my mind without me knowing! Why did I see that then?"
Dumbledore was watching him for a while silently.
"Unfortunately, Harry, I can't give you an answer to this question."
"Why does everything have to be so mysterious?" The boy exclaimed. "Why can't anyone ever tell me anything?!"
"We don't know the answer ourselves, Mr. Potter." Trelawney said, surprising them both.
She cleared her throat when Harry looked at her then continued.
"It would be ironic, if the one whose faith depends on a prophecy turns out to be… a 'Seer'."
Harry felt himself grow pale.
"S-seer?" He asked faintly. "I can't be a 'Seer'."
"Even though you don't seem to have any special talent in Divination, what happens to you is truly remarkable, Harry." Dumbledore continued.
"Previously, did you have… similar visions?" Trelawney looked at him through her oversized glasses.
"Only last year…" Harry became uncertain. "But it was different. Voldemort was the reason back then! I saw what I saw because of him! This…"
"Harry." The headmaster raised his index finger to stop him. "This is why I said we can't answer your question."
"The visions of a Seer are irregular and unpredictable." Trelawney began in a calming voice. "This ability can be a blessing and a curse at the same time. But it can be used to our advantage."
"I have to ask you Harry, if you experience something similar… even a bad feeling… any symptoms… Come to us. To me or to Professor Trelawney."
Harry just stood there. He was disappointed because he didn't figure out anything, so he just nodded.
He was in a melancholic mood for days, walking the corridors silently and alone. He missed Ginny greatly. Being all alone, all his frustration came out during school activities. He drove himself to his limit during Quidditch training and encouraged the other members to do the same. He fought his opponent whole-heartedly during DA practice too, leaving everyone behind. Fencing helped him the most; striking down on the dolls furiously.
"What's wrong Saint Potter?" He heard Draco's mocking voice. "Why is the guardian of the weak so nervous?"
Harry sighed and turned to him. Draco and his full gang were standing there smiling. He drew his sword and slashed as a greeting.
"A round?" He asked.
"Anytime." Harry muttered and stepped to him.
He greeted his opponent too then they looked at each other intently. Harry never saw Draco being this serious about anything before.
"Even if you weren't there…" Harry whispered. "I know you were in it too…"
"Why don't you prove it?" Malfoy made the first move.
"Don't worry, I will."
He was attacking, and Draco backed away, but defended himself elegantly. He suddenly stepped to the right and bent down like he was about to fall, but just dodged and attacked from the side. Harry, to prevent this, stepped to the right too but could barely avoid the attack. Malfoy smiled proudly; they both knew who was better and stronger at this. Draco didn't want Harry to have an opportunity to strike again so he stepped forward and made his opponent back away. Harry knew that the wall was near and not to get cornered, he had to do something. So to not move anymore he crouched at the next attack then stabbed his opponent on the stomach; the practice sword not making any injuries. Draco felt a dull sting. He touched the place where the sword was then looked at Harry with evil eyes. The Gryffindor boy wanted to get away but Malfoy made him fall. The sword dropped a few feet from them. Crabbe laughed and Malfoy attacked again, so Harry jumped up and made his way toward his sword on all four. He grabbed it but the blond boy was already striking down as if pinning a bug. Harry kicked to get away and stood up somehow so Draco's sword hit the floor. However, he managed to step on it and when Malfoy pulled it out he heard a cracking sound. The blunt end of the sword broke and fell off. Harry backed away and wanted to tell him that the sword is sharp now but Draco swished again and because his opponent couldn't defend himself, he managed to scratch his shoulder. The sight of the injury seemed to satisfy him. Harry touched his shoulder and dropped his sword. They were looking at each other for a moment then determination flared up in the blond boy's eyes and he raised his sword to thrust it again…
Harry saw a different face instead of Malfoy's; a beautiful face with black hair looking at the floor. But now he looked at Harry with his piercing blue eyes and the boy smiled.
"Get down… now!" He said.
Harry followed the instruction without hesitation.
For outsiders he seemed to fall like a sack, but now his chest was out of the way of Draco's sword. Everyone screamed when the blade pierced him, making blood splatter all around.
Harry felt and experienced the same things he did during summer. His vision blurred when Draco pulled out the sword from his right arm and with feigned surprise, threw it away. He collapsed and lost consciousness.
That's all for today.
Sorry, I don't know how to make the article more… professional.
Next chapter… Blood, a rabbit, dementors, the truth, a tragic accident…
Reviews are much appreciated.
Bye
Hermina