Chapter 13
Harry looked around but couldn't see past the fog. When he realized that this felt familiar, he rushed forward and began looking closely at the details.
He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that the castle wasn't completely destroyed. Only a few of the outer walls as well as one key support wall had been damaged but it wasn't irreparable. His skin crawled with a feeling that the earth couldn't be trusted. He slowly walked closer to get a better look at the large lake next to the castle. If a body of water could appear both strong and vulnerable at once the Black Lake did so, which provoked many questions...
How could this happen to Hogwarts? What could the Black Lake have to do with anything? Why did some of the rubble seem scorched? What did it all mean?
He looked at the area surrounding the castle again because it suddenly occurred to him that all the elements were present...well at least they were during the day. Earth and air met between the water and the fire of the sun ...and when the sun was hidden, Fawkes was here for balance. Harry let his gaze stray up to the Headmaster's tower, wondering if a phoenix had always lived here.
The disturbingly colorful rubble drew his eye next and he bent to pick up a stone fragment that was obviously from an intersection of stones. Red met green on one side while blue and yellow came together on the other.
He almost dropped the fragment of stone as he noticed the coat of arms on the nearby wall. It was missing a piece...the center piece ...the piece in his hand. He walked over and used one finger to trace the open space which felt oddly like he was a child in art class drawing a sun.
Harry carefully placed the stone puzzle piece where it belonged. It clicked into place, completing the capital letter H and Harry knew just what he needed to do.
/*/*/*/*/*
Harry's eyes opened and he felt the urgency of the situation. A candle flared to life as he hurriedly wrote down the details of the newest version of the dream. He needed to talk this out with someone but, who could he rely on to safely discuss this information?
Could he risk speaking to one of the adults in his life? Adults hadn't ever believed what he told them - at least not about the important things. To get anything done, in the last four years, it had been up to him to take matters into his own hands. This felt serious and his godfather - despite his name - was usually anything but. Remus was capable of serious conversation but consistently suggested going to Dumbledore when the going got tough. Molly didn't seem able to think objectively about anyone. Arthur was busy with work at the ministry. Bill and Charlie were always away and therefore their reliability was unknown. Percy was a git of epic proportions and the twins were off preparing their business.
Ron was unreliable right now. Hermione wasn't responding to his letters and this was sensitive enough that he couldn't allow a written copy out of his sight anyway. Dudley wasn't magical in the traditional sense so Harry didn't know if he would understand. Ginny and Luna might be able to have the conversation but they were younger than him and less knowledgeable so there was a distinct possibility that they wouldn't be able to help.
The need for air had him rushing out onto the balcony where he looked up into the stars for the answers.
"You seem to be thinking deep thoughts, pup." Sirius said softly to keep from startling his godson. He'd woken from a nightmare and decided to sit outside for a while rather than wake his lover. "Can I help?"
"I don't know. I'm worried, Padfoot." Harry turned to look at him. "My dream came back ...the one I mentioned at the beginning of the month. I noticed more details and I need to talk to someone but I don't know who and the implications alone... Well, it could affect...I don't know how many people."
Sirius looked closely at Harry's expression and knew this wasn't the time for joking. "I hope you know that you can count on me, Harry. Even if all you need is to talk."
"Even if I ask you not to discuss it with Moony?" Harry asked quietly.
The older man hesitated but only for a moment. "Even then."
Harry took note of Sirius' attitude and decided to take him up on the offer. When the dream had come up at first, he'd glossed over it without giving any details. The second time it happened, he'd told his godfather about the general feeling of concern for the school. Harry knew that this time he would need to show his faith in his godfather's commitment.
He nodded solemnly. "Alright. Let me tell you what I remember of the first two dreams and then I'll tell you about tonight's."
When Harry was finished, he let his eyes focus on his godfather's face.
"So the first dream didn't give you any sense of urgency?" Sirius murmured in a thoughtful tone while fingering his thin mustache. A slow shake of Harry's head was the only answer so he continued his thoughts. "The second one sent you into a panic for information and reassurance from Roody. What exactly was it that worried you?"
"After the second dream, it was mostly structural integrity I was concerned about but I also found it strange that the stones seemed imbued with the house colors." Harry sighed. "It was disturbing to see them damaged and crumbling."
"How was this time different?" Sirius asked carefully.
Harry thought for a moment before answering. "I realized right away that it was the same dream and that I was looking at Hogwarts. I also knew what to look for because of my previous worry."
Sirius nodded slowly, forming his next question. "So, structurally speaking, what did you see?"
"Several outer walls were damaged along with one major support wall." Harry told him, holding nothing back.
"Was there anything in the surrounding area that seemed important?" Sirius asked, still fiddling with his mustache.
Harry nodded tensely. "The lake featured prominently along with the fact that the four elements were all present."
Sirius hummed and stood up, beginning to pace. "Four elements...four colors...four houses..."
"The stone fragment I placed into the Hogwarts coat of arms was made of the colors of the houses." Harry said as he watched his godfather's movements.
"Korlag said that the founders of Hogwarts had wandless magic..." Sirius frowned. "What if he meant...? No. That's..."
"What?" Harry asked excitedly, though he tried to stay calm.
"I was going to say... but it couldn't be... could it?" Sirius whispered in awe. "Elemental magic?"
"That's what I was thinking!" Harry said standing up.
"What made you think it?" Sirius asked as his idea gained momentum.
"When I opened the door yesterday from across the room, it didn't feel the way it usually does." Harry told his godfather. "It usually feels like magic is a mental thing and the words and wand are doing all the work but yesterday..."
"What?" Sirius asked pausing to look at Harry's face.
"There was a rush of air as I reached for the door...and the book too, now that I think about it." Harry said cautiously. "When I woke from the dream just now, and needed light, a candle lit itself."
"What's going on?" Remus asked sleepily, as he joined them. "Isn't it a bit early to be up?"
"Nightmare..." Sirius murmured and dropped a kiss on the werewolf's cheek. "I was just getting some air and then Harry needed to talk."
"Moony, I want to talk to you both but I feel like you still have some kind of attachment to Dumbledore." Harry began. "I should've thought of it before. Would you both go to Gringotts and get tested for spells and potions that may be affecting you?"
Sirius nodded immediately and, although he didn't seem enthusiastic about it, Remus agreed as well. "Go back to bed, Remmie. I'll be along soon." When Remus nodded, Sirius sighed and waited until the door was closed behind him. "Dumbledore has had a lot to do with the lives of so many people, Harry. The truth is difficult to hear and even more difficult to accept...but we do accept it and support you."
Harry nodded tightly. "I understand that, but can you understand that I need confirmation that you're both clean of his influence before I can fully trust Remus? He's an important person to both of us and I want to trust him but..."
"You have to be cautious. I know." Sirius reassured him gently. "Alright so elemental magic...have you felt any connection with the other elements or just air and fire?"
Harry thought about it. "Water calms me...in the dream, the lake was calm and steady...all three times."
Sirius nodded slowly. "Try assigning the elements to the houses. Maybe that will shed some light."
Harry hummed but set to work. "If we go strictly by color, then I'd have to say that either Gryffindor or Hufflepuff are fire because red and yellow make me think of the sun. Ravenclaw could either be air or water since blue is associated with both of them. Slytherin could be earth or water."
Sirius considered this. "Let's think about house traits then. Gryffindor would be fire due to the volatile temper and short fuse we're said to have. The mascot is a lion and a lion's mane resembles fire."
Harry nodded, getting into it. "Ravenclaw has to be air. Intelligence, wisdom, and wit are things not shown with action. They're demonstrated with words or a lack of action. Also, the eagle is their mascot and it flies in the air."
"Badgers are known to dig tunnels and live in old burrows of other animals. Hufflepuff might be earth." Sirius suggested.
"In Hufflepuff, they value hard work and tenacity along with fairness, truth, and friendship." Harry's thoughts echoed his godfather's. "That means Slytherin is water."
"Slytherin traits...overlap with Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff." Sirius pointed out. "Determination is another way of saying tenacity. Intelligence and wit are among their values as well, and they contribute to the idea of being cunning."
"Another word for cunning is slippery." Harry smirked sarcastically. "My dream gave me an odd feeling of not being able to trust the earth I was standing on. If we equate Hufflepuff to earth and then extend that to members of the actual houses... how much can I trust my cousin Zacharias?"
"Perhaps you need to test him?" Sirius suggested. "Or get an oath of loyalty?"
"Hmm..." Harry mused. "That's an idea. I'll think about that but along those lines, Luna is Ravenclaw and, therefore, air. She's been supportive if a bit cryptic."
"The Weasleys?" Sirius posed.
"Gryffindors in both house and ancestry. All of them have something they're passionately fired up about." Harry smiled as he thought them over. "Ron has that short fuse and a hot, violent temper."
"Slytherin?" Sirius asked.
"I can't count on Voldie, though he is technically my cousin. I'm seriously considering the Malfoys." Harry admitted softly. "Something about the way the lake appeared in my dream just pushes my thoughts in their direction."
Sirius watched Harry's expression as he was speaking. He knew he could tease his godson but it might undo the trust he'd earned over the last couple of hours. "Don't forget the mirrors, pup. You can get in touch whenever you need us."
"Alright. I'll try to get some more sleep." Harry sighed. "Night."
As he settled back into his bed, Harry heard the sound of his uncles muffled voices as they spoke to each other. Then he heard the squeak of their bedsprings before he drifted off to sleep.
When Harry awoke the next morning the house was already abuzz. "Ziva?"
"Master Harry's things are already packed except for your school robes and an outfit for traveling." The little elf said as soon as she arrived. "Ziva will miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Ziva. Do you think our bond has completed?" Harry asked gently.
"Ziva believes it has." She giggled. "Now, the others are expecting you. Kipsey and Landy have been busy in the kitchen. Breakfast is set up like a buffet."
"Sounds wonderful, Ziva." Harry answered with a grin as he began getting dressed.
A knock at the door sounded as he slipped into his shoes and it opened to reveal Remus. "Hello, Harry."
"Good morning, Moony." Harry said waving him in.
"I ordered this several weeks ago and planned to give it to you if you had the dream again." Remus said, sitting down at the desk as he handed over a package wrapped in brown paper. "It's a charmed journal. It will add a page every time you fill five, and it will only allow you to see the contents unless you give permission to someone in the spot on the inside back cover."
"That's wicked. Thanks, Moony." Harry said with a smile. They stood and hugged and then they went down to breakfast with Harry leading the way.
Everyone was in the kitchen when they arrived. Molly seemed lost without something to do but nobody needed anything so she moved the last bits of her food around the plate absently.
Harry chose his meal and sat at the head of the table.
Ron was beside him so they greeted each other though Ron had his mouth full. Ginny rolled her eyes at him.
Sirius grinned at his godson. "I wrote to Korlag after we talked last night. He'll see us today at noon for that test and Olgok is on hand just in case."
Harry beamed at the words. "I'll keep the mirror close." The two shared a look and nodded.
After the meal, everyone else was rushing around to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything, but Harry was at his desk transcribing the scraps of notes he'd taken over the last couple of months into his new journal. His nutrient potion. His dreams. The story of Rowena's Roost and her friend Nessie.
"They're ready to go, Harry." Dudley said solemnly.
"Ok." Harry threw the unnecessary scraps into the fire and faced the cousin he'd grown up with. "I'm ready too. I'll write..."
"I'll write back. You know..." Dudley offered his hand. "It's the first time I'm sad to see you go."
Harry's eye teared up as they shook hands but he blinked the feeling away. "Thanks, Dudley." The other boy tried to pull back but Harry pulled him into a hug instead. "I mean it. He could've broken my arm that night. You got him to stop and you got me out of there. I am so glad I took you with me."
Dudley sounded choked up as he answered with a solemn 'me too'.
"Now I'm going to go learn things at my school..." Harry said softly. "And you're going to go learn things at yours and we'll be able to help each other...I'll see you at Christmas."
"Christmas." Dudley said with a jerky nod before retreating to the drawing room.
Harry grabbed his trunk and started to put it in his rucksack along with his school robes, the communication mirror, his lord's seal, his journal, and a quill.
"No, Master Harry! Please to be giving the trunk to Dobby." Dobby protested.
Harry shrugged and handed it over.
"Dobby will be bringing it to your suite." The little elf said as he disappeared.
Harry chuckled but had to admit that the rucksack was lighter without it. Flinging it onto his back, Harry rushed to meet everyone in the drawing room where they would floo to the train station. He said a heartfelt goodbye to Sirius and waved silently to Dudley before following Remus through.
Ron tumbled out after Harry and then the others joined them one by one until Molly stood in their midst and hurried them all along. Harry grinned at the sight of a little firstie being taught how to enter the platform by his parents as they waited their turn.
"Maybe it'll be helpful to see someone else go first, Harry." Molly suggested.
Harry nodded as she said the same to the child's parents. "Best go at a bit of a run if you're nervous. Like this!" And off he went, turning around to wait for the others of his party. Ron came through first with the little firstie and his parents just after. Molly was next and Ginny and Luna followed her with Remus bringing up the rear.
Looking around, Harry realized they'd arrived early. Hardly anyone was around and the train doors were wide open. "Looks like we've got our pick of the compartments, Ron."
"You mean you've got your pick. I have to report for prefect duty." Ron said as he made a face.
Harry sighed. "Well, you can help me choose so you know where to find me later...and there's something I want to talk about before we get to school so..."
Ron fell silent but nodded and looked up and down the train before waving goodbye to his mother and boarding one of the cars.
Ginny knew what he wanted to talk about so she waved them on and distracted her mother with talk of Christmas until they'd gone.
"You should take the second to last compartment. An elf is in the last one to keep track of luggage and things but there's no way anyone could surprise you coming from that direction." Ron said awkwardly, waiting for Harry to say what he needed to.
"So...uhm...I guess there's really not many ways to say this..." Harry hedged. "Do you remember how I told you I asked Cho to the Yule ball?"
Ron nodded.
"Well after she turned me down and went with Cedric, I started thinking maybe..." Harry continued awkwardly. "Most of the things I liked about her were superficial and so I really thought it out and..."
Ron sighed in frustration. "For Godric's sake, Harry just spit it out!"
"I'm gay." Harry blurted. "It wasn't her female wiles I liked but her athletic build...her skill in quidditch and her intelligence. By that standard, Cedric himself came to mind and Malfoy and Olliver and even the twins."
"You like..." Ron was muttering when the door slammed open to reveal Hermione.
"Boys!" Hermione entered the compartment like a windstorm. "I cannot believe you would go against Dumbledore like that! Writing to me and each other when he specifically told us not to! How very dare you? Well? Explain yourselves."
Harry took instant offense. "First of all, we were in the middle of something if you don't mind. Second, if you'd read the letters we sent..."
"Of course I read them! I read the Quibbler that Ron sent and the Daily Prophet, as well!" She cut him off. "I can't believe the lies being spouted about our esteemed Headmaster Dumbledore. They're absolutely outrageous! I don't know where they got their information and I don't really care. As for what they're saying about you!" She barked out a derisive laugh. "A lord? An Earl of all things! It's obviously some kind of hoax and you're just perpetuating it by spreading the lies."
"My lordship is not a hoax, Hermione! The Prophet got that right. Gringotts performed a blood test, Hermione." Harry protested. "I've also found out that I have money and properties and a title! Oh, and my cousin Dudley? He isn't a muggle, after all. He's a squib!"
"What?" Hermione hissed. "That's not possible! Your mother was a muggle-born and that means her parents were muggles. Her sister is a muggle and since her husband is a muggle too - your cousin is a muggle! That's what all the books I've read say, and that's what Dumbledore says."
"Well, it's not what the blood test the goblins at Gringotts performed says." Harry growled at her. "Our ancestors on my mother's side were none other than..."
"Stop lying, Harry! Please!" Hermione sniped as she sat down in a huff. "You are the orphan child of a pureblood man and muggle-born woman. You were raised by your mother's muggle sister and her muggle husband. Your cousin is a magic hating muggle!"
"Harry, I want to say goodbye and get back to the house." Remus interrupted, drawing her attention. "Miss Granger? I couldn't help but overhear your misinformed rant. I attended the meeting with the Gringotts official. I assure you that Harry is telling the truth. His blood test showed his lineage all the way back to the..."
"It showed that my mother was born to a squib of the combined Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw line." Harry cut him off with a cautious head shake. Knowing her as well as he did, Harry could see her running through her memories and book-learned information in her mind. "Each of the founders had a barony title to their name."
Her eyes blinked rapidly. "Even if that were true, you'd be a viscount - not an earl."
"Didn't the paper detail it?" Harry poked her with a fact check. "I was sure Gringotts gave them the full breakdown."
She scoffed. "You want me to believe that Godric Gryffindor had relations with Salazar Slytherin's daughter?"
"Harry, I must go." Remus interjected. "The train leaves in two minutes."
"Alright, Moony. I'll be in touch." Harry answered with a wave, not wanting to watch him leave.
"We're due in the prefect car, Ron. I'll have to talk sense into him later." Hermione snarled as she swept out of the compartment muttering about how much Dumbledore had done for him and that he was being an ungrateful sod.
Ron sighed and shrugged helplessly before following her.
Harry knew he'd found the damaged support wall but couldn't think of a way to repair it.
The train began to move and Harry found the presence of mind to wave goodbye to Molly as they rolled past.
Ginny and Luna came to sit with him for the first stretch of the trip and the trolley witch stopped in.
"Two of everything, please." Harry ordered.
"Do you really want all that?" Luna asked softly.
"Well no but..." Harry admitted in confusion.
Luna's head tilted with curiosity. "Then why waste?"
"But what if Ron comes back and I've ordered the wrong thing?" Harry asked her.
"Sometimes the suffering of one is tolerable for benefit the many." Luna commented sadly.
"Well yeah, but who's suffering? Me or him?" Harry asked sarcastically before sighing and adjusting his requested order. "Two packs of droobles, a licorice wand and a chocolate assortment."
The trolley witch handed over the candy and took the coins before moving along.
"Luna, why'd you say that about the suffering and the one versus the many?" Harry asked gently. "Is it something you've seen or..."
"Oh, no." Luna smiled and shook her head. "I heard someone say it. Dumbledore talks about the greater good a lot."
Ginny frowned and shared a worried look with Harry. "Maybe we should give Harry some space, Lulu."
Just then the door burst open and Luna beamed at the intruder. "Hello, Draco! I've had the most wonderful summer with Harry!"