Chapter Thirteen
Professor Lupin walked into the classroom looking rather worn out. Harry was keeping check of the lunar calendar, as always, and it was only a couple of days past the full moon. No wonder Remus was so tired.
"Now class today I thought we'd look at a couple of creatures who not only target witches and wizards but also muggles. Anyone got any suggestions?" Professor Lupin asked, leaning against his desk, "Yes Miss Davis."
Tracy flicked her platinum blonde hair over her shoulder, "I read once about a case where a boggart attacked a muggle school. It hid in the sewer."
Lupin smiled, "Yes well done. Boggarts have been known to attack muggles when provoked but they wont go out of their way to attack, well anyone really. Today we're going to be focusing on two creatures who will go out of their way to attack people."
Lupin took out two large cages and placed them on the two front, empty desks. He took off the first cover to show an angry looking dwarf, about three foot high with a bright red hat on. It blinked in the light for a few seconds before beginning to bang on the bars of the cage with a large bone.
"That's a Red Cap Sir." Blaise said, "My uncle had a run in with one once, ended up in St Mungo's for a week."
Lupin nodded, "Well done Mr Zabini, two points. Yes these little guys might not have much magic to hit you with, but they are very strong and take great pleasure in beating anyone who comes near them. Can anyone tell me where they live?"
Harry slowly raised his hand.
"Yes Mr Potter."
"In blood soaked soil I think." Harry said, "That's why there is so much trouble with muggles getting hurt. A lot of famous battle fields are common places for people to visit."
"Excellent Mr Potter." Lupin beamed, "Another two points for Slytherin, and you are quiet right that is the biggest issue with them. One of the largest populations of Red Caps is at Culloden, which actually isn't far from here, but happens to have a rather popular visitor centre on it."
Lupin waited a few moment for the class to scribble down some notes before taking off the other cover.
"Any guesses?" Lupin asked.
Harry wasn't sure there was even something in the cage, it was like a puff of smoke that had gotten trapped some how. There was a bright light fading in and out.
"It's a Will-O'-The-Wisp Sir." Millicent Bulstrode said, leaning back in her seat, as though she wanted to be as far away from the creature as possible.
"Well done Miss Bulstrode; three points there. Not many people know it by that name, it is better known as a Hinkypunk. Anyone know how they work?" Professor Lupin asked, "Yes Miss Parkinson."
"They have a bright light and make moaning sounds, to lure people off paths and trap them, get them lost in forests." Pansy said, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Well done, and another two points." Lupin smiled, "And as you can see they are very good at being basically invisible. It can be nearly impossible to see them in the dark and it would take a very heartless person to ignore their pleas for help if you didn't know what they were."
Pansy put her hand up, "Where do they trap people Professor? Do they create a trap for them?"
Professor Lupin shook his head, "No they simply use the bad ground conditions around them. That is why they are most commonly found in swamps, bogs that sort of thing."
Pansy looked thoughtful and made two copies of the information, one in her work book and the other on a scrap of paper she then tucked away.
Lupin continued to explain how to spot a Red Cap nest and that you should always bring a small jar of animal blood with you as a gift if you are going to be straying into their territory. Pansy jotted down several notes, but most of the information was already in her text book.
What she was really interested in was the Hinkypunks. Having seen the creature in the cage she was sure that was what had lured her into the forest but as the other Professors had pointed out at the time; Hogwarts didn't have quick sand.
"Now what do you do if you hear someone, off the path, calling for help?" Lupin asked, "First and easiest thing to do it ask them to call their name. For all Hinkypunks can mimic sounds of distress they wouldn't be able to say a name so it is a quick way to see if there really is someone in trouble. But can anyone spot an issue with this method?"
Draco raised his hand, "They could be unable to talk."
"Exactly Mr Malfoy," Lupin said, "So if you want to be sure,"
He turned his back to the class and pointed his wand at the cage holding the Hinkypunk.
"Lumos." He said clearly.
The tip of his wand let out a bright glow of light. The Hinkypunk all but disappeared in the light but it's small lantern turned a solid black colour. It looked like it was covered in slime, or melting, dripping down and moving in the light.
"That's disgusting." Tracy sniffed, wrinkling her nose.
Professor Lupin put his wand out, "Yes not a pretty sight is it? A melting lantern like that is the best way to determine if you are dealing with a Hinkypunk and if you're not sure still? I would always advise that you get help. Remember there is no harm getting into trouble if you have someone to get you out of it." Lupin smiled mischievously, "Now we've got a short while left, break off into groups and talk about what you've learned."
Remus sat down gratefully at his desk and started to look over some marking that needed doing. Harry was worried about how tired he looked but shook his head to focus as Daphne and Pansy moved their chairs over to Harry and Draco's desk.
"It was a Hinkypunk that caught me in the forest on Halloween." Pansy said firmly.
"We knew that." Harry pointed out.
"Yes." Pansy said, "But we didn't know what it was doing there. You heard Professor Lupin, they live near marshes and bogs the forbidden forest isn't boggy."
They nodded thoughtfully.
"So it makes no sense that a Hinkypunk would be there." Daphne said, "So why was it?"
"It's not a case of why was it, but who put it there." Pansy told them.
"I don't understand." Draco shook his head, "Why would someone put a Hinkypunk in the forest?"
"And then make magic quick sand?" Harry added.
"I don't know but whoever it was was trying to kill me or at least someone." Pansy whispered.
Harry shook his head, "You've always come with us for Halloween; how would anyone know they'd be able to get you by yourself? It's not that I don't believe you, we've just got to be sure."
Pansy nodded, "I know. And I've thought a lot about this, trust me. They must have known that Ron was going to come with us and anyone who knew that and knew me would know I'd end up off by myself."
"It still begs the question of how did they know Ron was going to be with us?" Harry pointed out.
"They have someone in the school." Daphne gasped, as quietly as she could.
Pansy looked grave and nodded, "That's the conclusion I came to."
Harry took a deep breath, there was not only someone on the outside seemingly out to get them but there was now someone in the school, feeding them secrets. This was huge and yet there wasn't really any proof that the teachers didn't already have. There was nothing they could do.
"We just have to keep our eyes open." Daphne told them, "And anything we think is strange, we keep a note."
Harry nodded in agreement. They'd get to the bottom of whatever was going on he was sure of that.
Just over a week later Harry was grateful to be leaving Divinations that day. He was fed up with Professor Trelawney sobbing and telling him how sorry she was for foreseeing his death, which would surely come soon. And yet, as Harry kept pointing out, he was young, healthy and had several powerful wizards and witches around him to protect him.
Harry was moaning to Daphne and Pansy about how annoying it was, add in Ron worshipping the ground Harry walked on, Harry was really thinking about changing subjects.
"Harry could I have a word?"
Harry looked over to see Professor Dumbledore, waiting for him.
"Umm, yeah sure." Harry said, stopping and taking the few steps over to Professor Dumbledore. Pansy and Daphne followed.
"Lets go to my office Harry, we'll have more privacy." Dumbledore looked pointedly at Pansy and Daphne.
"We'll meet you in Defence Against the Dark Arts then Harry." Daphne said, taking Pansy's arm and guiding her away.
Harry racked through his brain to wonder what he could have done lately that would have gotten him into so much trouble he had to go to the Head Masters office. He'd been nice to Ron, avoided the Lestrange twins and their little cult of followers. He was even up to date with his homework, even if he had made up all his Divination fortunes.
"Parma Violets" Professor Dumbledore said clearly, to the large gargoyle that moved out the way to reveal the spiralling stairs.
Harry stepped on the moving steps, following Professor Dumbledore. They reached the large, circle office and Dumbledore gestured to the seat at the large desk.
Harry sat down and tried not to feel nervous. He made sure to keep his eyes away from Dumbledore's, Severus had always told him to be careful about who's eyes you look into; eye contact made it easier to read minds.
"How are you doing Harry? Looking forward to the Christmas Holidays I hope?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry nodded, "Yeah, it's always good."
Dumbledore gave a slow nod, "I'm glad. And I'm glad you've recovered so well from your fall."
"Yeah, I don't really remember what happened." Harry lied, "But umm thank you. Dad said you were only a few seconds behind him doing a spell to break my fall."
Dumbledore gave a tight smile, "Yes, well. No thanks are needed, I would have done the same for any of the students."
Harry thought this was a strange thing to say, until Dumbledore had said it, it hadn't crossed Harry's mind that Dumbledore wouldn't have saved another student.
"What was it you wanted to talk me about Sir?" Harry asked, after a few moments of awkward silence.
"I received a letter, and inside it was a letter for you. A small note, asking me to give you the letter, explaining why. I have thought it over and feel you have a right to know what the letter says." Dumbledore said. He pulled out a scruffy envelope from one of his many desk draws and held it delicately.
"Did you read it?" Harry asked.
"No, only my letter which explained what was in the letter to you." Dumbledore said. He pulled out another envelope from the first, this one still sealed and handed it over to Harry.
Harry took it and looked it over, the paper was old and yellowed, a large stain covered one corner and the writing was messy and scribbled, like someone didn't have a lot of time to write.
"Do I have to read it here?" Harry asked, whatever was in the letter he wanted to read it by himself, not on display so he could have time to process what it said.
Dumbledore shook his head, "Of course not. I suggest you go to your room and read it now. I shall explain to Professor Lupin why you're late."
Harry gave a small smile and stood.
"Harry," Dumbledore called, just as Harry reached the office door, "Should you wish to talk about the contents of the letter or anything at all, my door is always open for you."
Harry nodded and thanked him before leaving the room. Dumbledore's office was a long way from the Slytherin dorms but Harry walked as quickly as he could and had thrown his bag down on his bed before taking out the letter to look it over again.
There was no senders mark, the seal hadn't even been pressed, just a blob of dirty red wax. Narcissa had once explained to him what different ink and wax colours meant but he hadn't been paying attention. With nervous fingers he opened the letter and pull out a single, torn sheet of parchment.
"Dear Harry,
You don't know me and after all these years I don't really know you. I met you several times when you were a child. Me and your father were the best of friends and I think he would want you to know what really happened that night he died.
I told You-Know-Who where your parents where hiding. I didn't have a choice, he would have killed me. This you know but what no one has told you is that He was only looking for your parents because they had been betrayed by someone else.
Severus Snape over heard that you'd be a threat. That's why You-Know-Who wanted to kill your parents. Snape is the reason your father is dead and he should be the one to blame. I had no choice but to tell, Snape wanted to hurt James. He hated him, always had and then he swooped in and stole your mother.
He is the real cause behind James's death. James was my best friend and I never wanted to see him hurt.
I have nothing to gain by lying to you Harry, you were such a sweet baby and I am so sorry James didn't get to see you grow to be a man. But I know you'll do the right thing.
By telling You-Know-Who that James was a threat, Snape may as well have made the killing curse himself.
Peter Pettigrew.
Harry forced himself to read over the letter again. Severus who'd helped raised him had been the reason his father was dead. He'd known about Peter Pettigrew and he certainly wasn't blameless but Snape had set Voldemort to go after his parents.
