ChapterThirteen
Harry wandered around the room, wondering whether the pictures were actually asleep and he could get away with picking up some of the more interesting items or if they were only pretending and watching him from the corner of their eyes. His attention was caught by a beautiful, if rather sickly looking bird.
Even as Harry watched, more of it's gold and red feathers fell to the floor. Harry walked over and held his hand out. The bird nipped at him gently before nuzzling against his hand.
"There, there." Harry said softly stroking the birds head, "It'll be better soon."
Harry took a step back and watched as the bird burst into flames. He waited for the ashes to settle on the floor before sifting through them with his fingers and digging out the small, wrinkled hatchling.
Harry grinned and brushed off some of the ash before putting him back on his perch.
"Harry."
Harry spun round, he hadn't seen Dumbledore come in.
"Sorry sir I didn't see you there." Harry smiled, his heart rate returning to normal, "What's his name?"
Dumbledore smiled softly, "Fawks."
"I love phoenix." Harry said turning back to Fawks who nuzzled back into his hand, "I've only met one other before, her name was Ruby, but Uncle Sirius has a lot of books on them. How long have you had him?"
"Sit down Harry." Dumbledore said gently but firmly.
Harry nodded and sat down in the chair on the opposite side of Dumbledore's desk. Dumbledore remained silent for several minutes, that dragged on into hours from Harry's point of view, looming at Harry from his half moon spectacles.
Suddenly the door burst open and Hagrid filled the doorway, still carrying the dead chicken.
"It weren't 'Arry!" Hagrid cried, "Honest he were with me minutes before, no way he had time! I'd swear it! Sweat it in front of the 'hole ministry if I 'ave to!"
"Hagrid!" Dumbledore shouted over the top, "I do not believe Harry had anything to do with it."
Harry looked at him shocked, "You don't?"
"You don't?" Hagrid echoed.
"No Hagrid. I am in fact quite sure Harry had nothing at all to do with it." Dumbledore said gently.
Hagrid looked awkwardly at the dead cockerel in his hand, "Right. Right well I'd best just wait outside then."
Dumbledore nodded, "That would be best."
Hagrid gave Harry a quick smile and shut the door behind him.
"Professor, if you don't think I attacked Justin why am I here?" Harry asked.
"I know you didn't do this Harry. This is dark and powerful magic, even the most advanced second year could not manage such destruction." Dumbledore gave him a reassuring look.
"Sir, why am I here?" Harry asked again.
Dumbledore gave a gentle smile, "Is there anything you want to tell me Harry?"
A lot of things went through Harry's head, Dobby, Ronald's behaviour, the voices. The voices, hearing voices was not a good sign for anyone. Harry was just about to tell Dumbledore when he saw the shine in his eyes. Past the kindness, past the concern for Harry's well being, there was something dark and so, Harry shook his head.
"No Sir. I'm fine. Thank you." Harry said, forcing a smile to his lips.
Dumbledore pursed his lips and a flash of annoyance passed across his face, "Very well then Harry, you may go. I will inform your mother of what's happened, naturally."
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore." Harry said and left the office as fast as he could without running.
He was just down the stairs, when he spotted Severus waiting in the corridor.
"Harry." Severus wrapped Harry in a tight hug, "I'm so sorry, I was trying to get up there but it was sealed. Are you all right?"
Harry nodded, "I'm fine." He looked around but they were alone, "I don't understand though. Dad I'm worried someone's after me."
Severus held him close, "It's OK. You're going to be fine."
"Is Justin?" Harry was almost afraid to ask.
Severus nodded, "He's petrified, in the hospital wing. His parents have been told. And Nearly Headless Nick will be all right as well, but it will take some time."
"I'm so glad we're heading home soon." Harry sighed, his head buried in his father's chest.
They had no trouble getting a carriage to themselves on the train home. It was the first time Harry had been grateful that everyone was terrified of him. Harry had opened a carriage door to see three Hufflepuffs sitting in there.
He was about to apologise and shut the door again but they gathered up their bags and all but ran down the corridor away from him. He wanted to be angry and go after them, but he really couldn't be bothered, so just took the carriage. It would be pretty full with all of them anyway.
Hermione made her way down the train, getting warnings from everyone to stay away from Harry or she'd be next. She finally reached the carriage and slammed the door open.
"Can I join you?" She asked.
"Yeah of course you can." Pansy said shuffling over.
Hermione smiled and thank them, taking a seat, and pulling out a book.
"Fantastic beasts and where to find them." Harry said, reading the cover, "Found anything?"
Hermione sighed and turned the book round. Harry saw that every other page had been marked with a small post-it-note.
"We just don't have enough information." She said shaking her head, "I mean say it's the same monster that attacked last time, it lives for at least fifty years, but what if it's not? What if it's just reproduced and it's a new one? We need more details."
"Well surely the whole petrifying thing would help narrow it down?" Neville asked.
"You would think but I can't find anything that fits. It's not even in this book so far, no creature petrifies it's victims. Freezes, paralyses, a few that turn you inside out and then stops you from being able to move but petrifying is quiet specific." Hermione said annoyed, "We don't even know how it's getting around the school." She sighed and put the book down.
"We'll find something out Hermione don't worry." Harry smiled to her, "So plans for Christmas?"
"We're still going to France but a couple of days after Christmas. Mum and Dad needed a few days rest after they closed the practice, it's always busy this time of year." Hermione smiled.
"Practice?" Pansy asked.
"My parents are dentists." Hermione explained, "They have their own practice, they set it up between them a few years ago."
"That's pretty cool." Daphne said, "Oh while I remember, here's the list of books I've been through already, feel free to double check but I thought makes sense for us to have separate reading lists. I doubt I'll get a huge amount done over the holidays anyway. We're always to busy."
"And I get to deal with darling Aunt Bella." Draco sighed.
"How is she doing?" Harry asked, he was already dreading seeing her at the party.
"She's even worse than normal." Draco said checking the door was closed, "She round all the time or out and about which is really unusual for her. Mum's worried."
Harry shook his head, "On top of everything else going on, your Aunt would pick this year to completely loose it." he smirked.
"She even brought the kids round." Draco said sitting back.
"Wow really?" Neville asked.
"Why is that weird?" Hermione asked confused.
"Aunt Bellatrix doesn't like Mum and Dad much, a lot of family drama and she hates Aunt Dromada because she married a muggle. Sorry." Draco blushed, "I didn't mean..."
Hermione waved her hand, "Don't worry about it. I never knew your family was like that though."
"Most older families are or were until You-Know-Who fell. Even the Weasleys are but they pretend that their not. They have a cousin that's a squib, totally kicked him from the family; they don't even talk about him any more but they pretend they're so much better than the rest of us." Daphne said shaking her head angrily.
"Well you guys have been there for me." Hermione smiled, "The Weasleys never have. Percy is always glad of my test results, it looks good a Gryffindor coming top of her year, but there's still always a 'could do better' attitude. Ronald just spews hate at me." she covered her mouth with her hand suddenly.
"You just need to ignore him. You're so much better than he is." Harry grinned and pulled her hand down, "And your teeth aren't as bad as you think they are."
Hermione smiled.
The door flew open, "Oh look it's 'the heir of Slytherin'!" Millicent laughed.
Tracy flicked her long blonde hair and smirked, "How's it going heir of Slytherin?"
"Where are the monkeys?" Pansy asked, "Unlike you to pick a fight without back up."
Tracy sniffed at her, "I don't need back up, but they're on their way. They're just getting my food." She looked over to Hermione who was sitting in the corner trying to make herself as small as possible, "Look it's the little Gryffindor. Still swapping sides?"
"I don't believe there are sides." Hermione told her.
"Well then, you're wrong." Tracy moved forward and crouched down so she was eye to eye with Hermione, "And when you're lying in the hospital wing, unable to move, can't even scream but still awake, frozen, remember you chose not to pick sides." Tracy said quietly. She stood up and smiled nastily at them, "Have a good holiday." she turned on her heel and left, Millicent following her mindlessly.
Hermione shrunk back against the seat. As the silence grew thicker in the carriage everyone thought of what to say.
"You're not awake." Daphne said, "If you get petrified, you're not awake, it's like you're asleep. Some people even report having dreams."
Hermione gave a weak smile, "Thank you. I know she's just saying it to upset me but it gets in your head after a while."
"We wont let anything happen to you." Harry said firmly, "We'll find out what's going on and then fix it before you, or hopefully anyone else, gets hurt."
"Hanging around with Slytherins is a risk for all of us." Neville said, "We're on everyone's enemy list."
"Well if you want to have some space..." Draco said, "We will understand."
Hermione shook her head, "No I wont let them scare me. I don't pretend to know who the heir is but I do know it's not Ronald or Tracy. They're just saying it to scare me and I wont let myself be scared."
Everyone nodded. The door opened suddenly, crashing against it's frame and they all jumped, felling their hearts racing.
"So sorry, that was loud. Anything from the trolley dears?"
Christmas was a quiet affair at the Potter/Black/Snape household that year. Lily was frantic about letting Harry go back to school with all the attacks and Petunia still hadn't forgiven them for events over the summer.
This was proven when she sent their Christmas presents of a 20p coin for Harry and a broken safety pin for Danica, which Severus quickly took off her to stop her from stabbing herself.
"I understand you are still upset Petunia but sending a safety pin to a child…Yes we took it off her!…no we're not ungrateful…yes I…we did…I'm sorry he doesn't…books are a wonderful… Harry and Danica love getting books…no I'm…NO!… No I'm not saying they're smarter than Dudley…I'm sure…well that's brilliant…Petunia… hello… hello?" Lily put the phone down and sat on the sofa, head in her hands.
Danica was sitting on the floor playing with the little dragon figure on the bottom of their tree. Kreacher sat next to her making the baubles and decorations dance. Harry had his nose buried in yet another book on myths and legends, he was trying to read but really was listening to his mother plead on the phone.
"Mum, have you seen Bellatrix lately?" Harry asked putting the book down.
"Random jump their Harry." Severus said, comforting Lily.
"My brain went from my Aunt to Draco's." Harry said.
"I saw her once. I think she was recovering from a cold or something, she looked rather pale and jumpy. Why are you asking?" Lily asked, smoothing her white dress.
Harry shook his head, "Doesn't matter. Just stressed at the moment I guess, everything at school you know."
"You don't have to go back Harry." Lily said
"I know. I'm going to start taking my presents upstairs." Harry smiled and stood up.
"I can do that Master Harry." Kreacher offered.
"No don't worry. I'm happy to do it. You keep playing with Danica." Harry grinned.
Kreacher nodded. Harry took an armful of presents and headed upstairs. He was followed quickly by Sirius who waited in the doorway of Harry's room.
"Can I help? What's up?" Sirius asked.
Harry sighed, this wasn't going to be easy, "It's complicated."
"Listen to me Harry. Keeping it all bottled up isn't going to help anyone." Sirius said coming into the room and sitting next to Harry on the bed.
"I have a friend, she's a muggleborn and I'm scared for her." Harry whispered, "I promised that I'd keep her safe but really, that's a promise I don't know how to keep."
"If anything happens to her, that is not your fault. It's not you doing or not doing anything." Sirius reassured him.
"Someone is trying to blame me." Harry said firmly, "Mrs Norris, I hated her, she chased Hedwig and the next day she ends up petrified, then Colin who was a pain in my ass and then Justin who everyone thinks I set the snake on."
"Maybe that's where you need to look." Sirius said
"What do you mean?" Harry shook his head, "Lots of people have others they don't like and know I didn't like certain people. The worst one is Ronald but he's to useless to be attacking people."
"No with a Parselmouth. It's rare Harry but someone else must be able to speak it if they're Slytherin's heir." Sirius pointed out.
Harry sat back and nodded, "You're right. We have a clue." he grinned.
"Just be careful Harry. You're Mum couldn't live if anything happened to you. I know you love your friends and you don't like it when people get hurt; but please please keep yourself safe." Sirius told him.
Harry nodded and they made their way downstairs for dinner.
He was dressed up waiting in the entrance hall come new years eve waiting for Danica. Her dress from last year was far too small so she was wearing a new one that Lily was just putting the finishing touches on. It was pale blue with glittering snowflakes and puffed sleeves. Danica twirled into the hall and gave a low curtsey.
"Where did you learn that?" Harry asked.
"Aunty Alice taughts me." she grinned and held tightly to Harry's hand.
It was only a moment later that the large door to Malfoy manor was being opened by a Petal dressed smartly in a clean white pillowcase.
"Thank you." Lily smiled lifting her ball gown to step into the hallway. The hall was beautifully decorated as always and Danica played with the falling snow flakes as they walked along. Harry looked around him as he waited patiently to be announced into the ball room.
He greeted Narcissa and Lucius, this year dressed in deep emerald green, and went off to find Draco. They watched in amazement as Sirius made a beeline, ignoring the girl trying to get his attention, for Nikka and swept her a low bow.
"Hello." He grinned.
Nikka laughed and let him kiss her hand, "Hello."
"Would you like to dance?"
Nikka nodded and allowed him to twirl her onto the dance floor. Harry wondered over to Tonks and sat down.
"Hi." He smiled.
"Wotcher Harry, Draco." she grinned. She looked far happier this year in her tea-length black and purple dress.
"Not falling over this year?" Draco smirked.
Tonks shook her head, "No. Did get my broom though so totally worth it." She looked over to the food table and sighed, "He's back again."
Harry looked over to see a nervous looking Dobby trying to blend in. Their eyes met and Harry looked away to late. Dobby rushed over and all but threw a cheese cake into Tonks's hands.
"Here, this is for Missy Nyphy." Dobby said.
"Tonks. Tonks Dobby." She said putting the cheese cake down, "Thanks."
"Master Harry is here? No no no too close too close!" Dooby squealed, "Harry Potter must leave! Now!"
"I'm fine Dobby. I'm surrounded by a lot of very powerful witches and wizards who wouldn't let anyone hurt me." Harry said calmly.
"But some bad ones! People who are monsters, people who believe bad things! Master and Mistress were bad once. They followed the dark lord! Many still do!" Dobby wailed.
Harry rolled his eyes, "I don't know what to say Dobby. Really, I've never felt safer."
Dobby shook his head, "No no no! The voices Harry Potter they whisper!"
"Dobby go up stairs." Draco told him firmly, "Listen you're… you're just tired please just go to bed. Do I need to get your mother?"
Dobby burst into tears and covered his eyes with his ears, "I can't…. I wants to help."
"I know Dobby but Petal will get worried if you aren't in bed at your normal bedtime." Draco said levelly.
Dobby sniffed and nodded, walking towards the door, "I'm just trying to help Harry Potter. Bad things...bad things…."
"What is up with him? Harry asked, "I've never met a house elf like him."
"We have no idea, he's always just been a bit off." Draco shrugged, "He always gets worse when Bella is around though, maybe it's partly part of the whole family drama?"
"I thought he was your Dad's." Harry said.
"Nope. Well Dobby was born to the Malfoys but Petal was with Druella when she married Cygnus. There is a theory that House elves can't deal with that many changes to their allegiance." Tonks said, "House elves are very powerful and they don't always take to magic normally so we've been learning about it in Auror training."
"How's that going by the way?" Harry asked.
"Going pretty well." Tonks smiled, "Struggling a bit with stealth and tracking, I'm way too clumsy but Nikka helps me out loads and I help her with defensive spells."
"You're still friends then." Draco smirked.
Tonks nodded, "Yeah. I thought, well you know what Sirius is like. I thought he just wanted yet another fling but apparently that isn't the case, they work really well together."
"Nothing to do with you and Lupin then?" Harry asked, eye brows raised.
"We're just friends." Tonks said, blushing slightly, "He doesn't want a relationship like that. He feels it would be….ill advised...with his condition."
"Please welcome, Duke and Duchess of Waterford Lord and Lady Lestrange and Lord Rabastan." the caller announced.
"Wow they brought the brother-in-law."Draco said, "Wonder who's got the kids?"
Pansy and Daphne wandered over.
"She looks really ill." Daphne whispered to them all, "Do you think she's pregnant again?"
"She never lets Rodolphus touch her so I don't think so." Harry pointed out, "Plus mum says she's been ill for months, she'd be showing by now."
Harry watched as Bellatrix went around the room, flirting with whoever she could and giving Rabastan a good few kisses in not so dark corners. Rodolphus couldn't seem to care less and was doing a fair bit of flirting himself in his drunk state.
Harry mingled for the rest of the evening until he saw Narcissa alone and had to ask a question.
"Harry, I so hope you are having a good time." She smiled, "Anything I can get you?"
"I wanted to ask you a question if I could. It's going to sound really random." Harry warned her.
Narcissa nodded and lead him to a chair.
"Dobby seems to be struggling a lot this year." Harry said.
"That's not really a question but yes he has gotten worse. We're not sure what to do but we've forbidden him to leave the house. After what he did to you, Draco and Mr Ronald Weasley we didn't have much of a choice."
"It must be difficult. Did you have any issues with Mr Weasley?" Harry asked
Narcissa nodded, "Yes. His father, a Mr Arthur Weasley works for the ministry. They've searched the house twice already. They've not found anything of course. We got rid of everything years ago, soon after your mother and I became such good friends. He's determined to find something though. Anyway I have to stop my sister from starting a fight with Sadie Flawly over there. Did you have a question?"
"Yeah sorry, umm if things had gone to plan, Dobby wouldn't be yours would he?" Harry asked.
Narcissa shook her head, "No Petal, was always meant to go with whoever married Lucius. Why? I'm sorry, Harry, I have to go."
She rushed off to distract Bellatrix from her latest conquest as it was finally dawning on Rodolphus that he was being made a fool of, again.
Harry sat quietly thinking. He was starting to wonder what was going on and had an idea; at least for the Dobby part of the mystery. He needed to speak to the house elves at Hogwarts.