Harry and the Pirates

Chapter 05

Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Scotland

For Harry and Dudley, the first few weeks of school were a whirlwind of new experiences. Professor Snape "suggested" that the first-year Slytherins stick together and look out for one another; apparently, there had been incidents with members of other Houses, particularly Gryffindor, when Slytherins had been victimised. The expression on Snape's face when he told them this made Harry think that there was some history behind their House Head's words. Since the advice given seemed eminently sensible, Harry, Dudley and Hermione followed it religiously. And, outside of their own House, even those Slytherins with the least use for Muggle- borns defended their younger Housemates impartially, pureblood and Muggle-born alike.

Ron Weasley, unlike the other firsties, ignored Snape's warnings. One evening he came staggering back into the Slytherin common room, shaking and shuddering. His hair had been turned a bright green, his face was dead white, and his nose had been painted red. Harry ran up to him, with Dudley and Hermione right behind.

"Ron! What in the world happened to you?" shrieked Hermione. At her shout, Slytherins began appearing, coming from their dorms to see what was the matter. Harry and Dudley helped Ron into a chair, as some of the older Slytherins ran for their House supplies of remedies.

"I was headed up to the Quidditch pitch when my twin brothers came across me. They told me that they were glad I was here, and said they had a treat for me," Ron mumbled. Two of the seventh-year prefects, Tommy Bulstrode and Susan Flint, were working on him as he spoke. "Next thing I remember, I was climbing down the stairs back here."

"You took something they gave you?" Harry raised an eyebrow and shared a significant glance with Dudley. The boys from Roanapur had heard a good deal about the twin Weasleys, and nothing they had heard was reassuring. The other Slytherins had many tales to tell of the twins' propensity for pranks, and some of the Ravenclaws, with whom the Slytherins generally had good relations, had confirmed that the twins should be treated with great caution at all times.

"They're my brothers!" Ron was nearly in tears. "I had thought they wouldn't mind me being in a different House! I thought I'd finally be able to get away from them!"

"I take it that being their younger brother wasn't always fun, fun, fun?" Hermione gave Ron a very penetrating look.

Ron looked haunted. "Always, pranks, pranks, pranks! Mum was so busy, she couldn't keep them under control, and neither could anybody else! Dad, Bill and Charlie were away most of the time, and when Mum tried putting Percy in charge, the twins ganged up on him and drove him nearly off his head!"

"Well, you aren't alone now!" Harry looked around, to find that the other Slytherins were all nodding at him. "We're Slytherin House and an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us! Anybody else want to get in on this with me?" A chorus of agreement answered him.

OOO

A few nights later, Harry, Dudley and Hermione were skulking through the corridors, after curfew. Since Harry had taken the lead in the matter, the older Slytherins had assigned him to dealing with the twins, and had said that he could recruit whom he pleased. Dudley, of course, was the first person he turned to. "You're my backup, Cousin. We're blood relatives. We've got Roanapur in our blood and bones. I'd rather have you than any number of Pureblood pet poodles." Dudley had blushed and nodded; he didn't always know how to take praise.

Hermione was along because of her book-knowledge. She had been a bit unsure about the whole thing, but she was furious about the unprovoked attack on Ron. "Those two are nothing but a couple of bullies!" she had fumed. "I had to put up with enough from my schoolmates back in Muggle school; I was hoping this place would be different! Well, this time I'm not putting up with it any more!"

They had heard some odd rumours about strange things in the school, and were wondering if some of those things would be of use. They had already investigated the third-floor corridor that had been placed off-limits by Dumbledore, and had been stymied by the lock on the door. Harry privately resolved to return, with his friends and his Muggle lockpicks.

Harry opened a door, and peered in. "Nothing much in here, I don't think," he commented.

Just then, a familiar, hated voice echoed down the corridor. "What's this, Mrs. Norris? Students out of bed? Students prowling the halls? Well, we'll see about that, won't we?" Roanapur reflexes took over, and Harry and Dudley ducked quickly into the room, pulling Hermione with them and softly shutting the door. Once they were in, they bolted the door, hoping that Filch wouldn't think they could have opened it. Filch hated all students, and delighted in getting them into trouble if he could. Harry and Dudley privately thought he was much like some of Chief Watsup's men in Roanapur. The chief of the Roanapur municipal police was quite susceptible to reason, as long as it was spendable, but some of his men were never happier than when they had dragged some hapless victim into the station for a "talking-to." Harry and Dudley had been immune to that, thanks to Balalaika's influence, for which they were profoundly grateful.

Filch could be heard outside, getting closer and closer, and finally pausing just outside the door. He tried it, and when he found that it was locked, he went on his way, muttering "Nasty little brats, always getting up to mischief, think they can outsmart me, do they…" Harry, Dudley and Hermione went very quiet until they were sure he was gone.

Once the menace was past, they looked around. There were some odds-and-ends of furniture scattered about, and a big full-length mirror stood in one corner. Idly, Hermione went and looked in the mirror…and let out a startled squeak. Harry and Dudley hurried to her side.

"I saw myself, only older! And I was Head Girl, and getting top honours for my studies, and being offered a wonderful job!" Harry and Dudley looked at each other and nodded. Hermione Granger's ambition stood out, even in Slytherin, traditionally the home of the ambitious. She studied like it was about to go out of style, attacked each homework assignment with great fervor, and quizzed the older Slytherins constantly about the best ways to advance oneself in the magical world. At first, this had startled their elders, but by that time, the older boys treated Hermione rather like an indulged little sister, patiently answering her barrages of questions. The girls still didn't quite know what to make of her, but her age-mates were happy to let her help them with their own studies.

"So it shows the future, does it?" Harry looked at the mirror. Across the top of the frame, he read: "Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi." He shook his head. "That's not in any language I know; it's not Russian, it's not Thai, it's not Chinese, and it's sure not English. What do you make of it, Dudley?" While Harry was the brains of their long partnership, Dudley had grown up on the same streets as he had, and often had insights worth listening to.

"Never saw it before, Harry. Maybe we should copy it down and see what the older Snakes can make of it, eh?" Harry nodded, stepping close to the mirror as he pulled out a sheet of parchment and a quill. He jotted down the inscription, then looked in the mirror, and was astounded.

"My God! This thing shows me as head of the Roanapur underworld! I've got Hotel Moscow reporting to me, and the Triads, Italians and Colombians as well! Maybe it does show the future?"

As Dudley crowded up to take a turn, Harry was pulled aside by Hermione. "One of these days, Harry Potter, you've got to tell me about this 'Roanapur' place. Is it really run by criminals?"

Dudley let out a loud gasp, then turned bright red. "What is it, Dudley?"

"Er…it's me. And Balalaika." Dudley wriggled with embarassment. "I'm older, and Balalaika's telling me that she couldn't get along without me…and then she's kissing me…"

"Say no more, Dudley," Harry held up a hand. "I think I get the drift. Besides, we've a lady present. Such things are not for her innocent ears." Hermione gave Harry a furious glare, and Harry grinned at her. He had known that would get her goat, and had done it for just that reason.

Just then, a voice came from the corner. "Ah, I see that you, along with many others, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised." All three Slytherins jumped, and whirled around, wands out, only to put the wands away quickly when they saw that it was Professor Dumbledore.

"What…how…?"

"I do not need a cloak to become invisible, Mr. Dursley. Have you not figured out, yet, what the mirror truly shows you?" The Headmaster pointed to the inscription at the top. "Read it backwards."

"'I show not your face, but your heart's desire,'" Hermione read slowly.

"And each of you saw what your hearts now desire the most. Miss Granger, you saw yourself completely successful, headed for the top of our little society…a most commendable ambition, by the way, and one that is well within your grasp. Mr. Potter, you desire success too, but in a form that's more familiar to you. It may well be in your future. And Mr. Dursley wishes to have the love of this 'Balalaika' person. I have received a letter from her, by the way; she wishes to tell me that I have a free hand in educating the pair of you, Mr. Potter, Mr. Dursley. She sounds a fascinating person; I shall have to write back and tell her that your teachers are pleased with your progress so far."

The old wizard opened the door with a flick of his wand. "Now, back to your dormitories. If you wish to retaliate on your Housemate's behalf against his brothers, I would suggest trying something they aren't expecting. Observation of their habits would help." The three went out into the hall, with Dumbledore behind them. "And I trust you can see why the Mirror of Erised is dangerous. People have wasted away in front of it, not willing to stop staring at their dreams. If you should see it in future, you will know its peril."

As they headed back to the Slytherin common room, Harry braced himself. So far, he had managed to fob Hermione's curiosity about his hometown off with vague generalities, but he'd let the cat right out of the bag. He thought about what would happen if he introduced her to Balalaika, and grinned to himself. They'd probably be the best of friends in short order!

END Chapter 05