Stranger in a Too Familiar Land by Fyreheart Published: Published: 31.12.2010 - Updated: 28.08.2011 Summary: Harry Potter successfully fullled his desti!y by "illi!# $oldemort. %s he lay dyi!#& he 'as abruptly summo!ed to a!other 'orld. (hat happe!s 'he! a tired a!d cy!ical Harry disco)ers that he*s e+pected to sa)e their 'orld from a!other ,ar" ord /hapters: 18 Harry P. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 1 – The Dark Lord's Prisoner ,am! you& %lbus& Harry thou#ht as 'a)es of a#o!y coursed throu#h his body. ,am! you& your "i!d #ra!dfatherly act& your secrets a!d your thrice-cursed rder of the Phoe!i+& the lita!y ra! throu#h his mi!d as he tried to focus o! a!ythi!# other tha! his bloodstai!ed a!d bro"e! body. he rder rder follo'ed %lbus %lbus li"e sheep sheep follo'i!# their their leader to slau#hter slau#hter.. %lbus belie)ed i! e)eryo!e*s e)eryo!e*s redemptio!& redemptio!& so rather rather tha! pre-empti)e stri"es o! "!o'! ,eath aters& the rder o!ly respo!ded to attac"s o!ce they 'ere set i! motio!. he e!emy sou#ht out a!d murdered the supporters of the i#ht 'hile the rder debated the morality of "illi!# the e!emy. /aptured ,eath aters bribed their 'ay i!to ac4uittals a!d yet their )ictims 'ere left 'ith !o such reprie)es. 5!!oce!ts mi#ht be hurt6 'e must !ot si!" to their le)el& the a#ed 'i7ard rebu"ed Harry 'he! he proposed destroyi!# "!o'! ,eath ater properties a!d assets to remo)e their fu!di!# of $oldemort*s crusade. He also blamed %lbus for his o'! capture6 he had 'ar!ed the ma! of the )isio!s that sho'ed $oldemort 'as pla!!i!# to capture him& but %lbus 'as co!de!t that Harry 'ould be "ept safe 'hile hu!ti!# for horcru+es as lo!# as he !e)er stayed i! the same spot o)er!i#ht a!d a)oided usi!# his o'! 'a!d. ou must "eep searchi!#& my dear boy& he i!sisted. (e ca!!ot pre)ail as lo!# as a si!#le horcru+ remai!s. he search search for $oldemort*s $oldemort*s horcru+e horcru+es s had become become a full-time u!derta"i!# u!derta"i!# for se)eral se)eral people. people. Hermio!e o!ce o!ce a#ai! came came up 'ith a method to commu!icate to those searchi!# 'he! a horcru+ 'as fou!d. She had charmed medallio!s similar to the ,% coi!s they used i! their 9th ear. he medallio!s 'ere spelled to be i!)isible 'he! 'or!& but 'ould )ibrate 'he! a horcru+ had bee! fou!d& heat up 'he! 1 'as destroyed or become )isible 'he! all of them had bee! eradicated. He 'as still embarrassed at ho' easily the ,eath aters had captured him. He had bee! e+hausted& cold a!d 'et 'he! he !ally camped for the !i#ht. He placed a fe' 'ards arou!d his camp site a!d had the! collapsed i!to dreamless sleep o!ly to a'a"e! to a 'a!d i! his throat. hat had bee! bee! 'ee"s a#o a#o from 'hat 'hat he could tell& tell& but the co!ti!ual co!ti!ual a#o!y 'ith 'hich 'hich he li)ed made made it dicult to tell. tell. Harry Potter& hissed the ,ar" ord 'he! the tee! had bee! thro'! to the #rou!d before him& 'hat a pleasure to ha)e you ;oi! us. 5 'as ;ust telli!# telli!# my faithful faithful that 'e !eeded !eeded some !e' e!tertai!me e!tertai!me!t. !t. 5! fact& our !e'est !e'est members !eed !eed trai!i!# i! casti!# the cruciatus curse. om& 5 'ould li"e to say it*s a pleasure to see you& but your face te!ds to #i)e me the creeps& Harry tau!ted 'ith as much bra)ado as he could muster. he s!a"e-li"e s!a"e-li"e face face did!*t sho' the a!#er that that Harry e+pected& e+pected& but a! almost almost pleased smile smile pulled at the the thi! lips. 5 loo" for'ard to spea"i!# 'ith you i! a!other 'ee"&
er you to ucius
(ith a deep a!d o)er'helmi!# relief& Harry 'atched as the red eyes met his. His scar sudde!ly bro"e ope! a!d blood poured do'! his face& bloc"i!# his )isio! as e)e! more pai! lled his mi!d. eri!# reached reached a !e' !e' plateau a!d a!d 'as more tha! tha! the tee! could could e!dure. e!dure. Aust before the blac"!ess blac"!ess claimed him& him& he felt a tu# similar to a port "ey a!d 'o!dered if that 'as somethi!# Hermio!e had do!e to the medallio!s 'ithout telli!# him. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9 Ho#'arts stude!ts stood at the poi!ts of a pe!ta#ram& outli!ed i! chal" a!d protected by salt o! the @oor. he lo!# a!d complicated cha!t !eeded to summo! their champio! 'as i!tricate a!d !eeded all of their co!ce!tratio!. %t the appropriate time& they tur!ed to Be)ille a!d 'aited for him to cut himself a!d drip the blood i! the i!!er bou!daries of the 9-poi!ted star. He loo"ed at them i! dismay a!d #la!ced 'retchedly at the sil)er da##er that 'as across the room. Bo!e of them could lea)e their positio!s to retrie)e it a!d casti!# a spell to summo! the da##er 'ould rui! the spell already be#u!. 1 of the other dar"-haired tee!s suppressed a #ro'l of irritatio! a!d reached for his belt buc"le. He cut his o'! ha!d o! the metal buc"le a!d dripped the re4uisite drops of blood i!to the pe!ta#ram. he bushy-haired #irl across from him fro'!ed& but to#ether the 9 be#a! their cha!ti!# a#ai!. hey felt the ma#ic #ro' arou!d them as a! i!)isible 'i!d 'hipped their robes a!d hair a!d the ru!es o! the pe!ta#ram be#a! to #lo'. he pressure built u!til it 'as dicult to dra' a breath a!d co!ti!ue the i!ca!tatio!. (ith a! earsplitti!# crac" of thu!der a!d a bli!di!# @ash of li#ht& the pressure 'as abruptly released a!d a lar#e ob;ect fell i!to the ce!ter of the pe!ta#ram. he 9 stude!ts stude!ts stared i! horror horror at the the bloody a!d a!d #ruesome body body !o' occupyi!# occupyi!# the pe!ta#ram. pe!ta#ram. 1 of the tee!s tee!s bro"e bro"e free from the shoc" a!d ra! out of the room to the !earest replace. He thre' i! a ha!dful of Floo po'der a!d shrie"ed& Headmaster*s ce& Ho#'arts? Chapter 2 – Broken and Bloodied % do7e! members of the rder of the Phoe!i+ 'ere meeti!# i! %lbus ,umbledore*s oce 'he! the replace @ared #ree! a!d the pa!ic-stric"e! tee!a#ed )oice of Sebastia! Potter ba'led& 'ho su>ered mishaps a!d i!;uries duri!# the school year& she 'as adept at stabili7i!# e)e! the most traumatic of i!;uries i! hi#hly stressful situatio!s& situatio!s& e)e! u!e+pected home calls duri!# the (i!ter Holidays. She 4uic"ly pic"ed up her emer#e!cy "it that co!tai!ed the potio!s a!d supplies !eeded for most ma#ical a!d mu!da!e i!;uries a!d the! called out& Potter /otta#e& Codric Hollo'& (ales& the preferred home of the Potters. She stepped throu#h i!to a recei)i!# room& pleased a!d a bit relie)ed to see ily Potter 'aiti!# for her. he childre! are do'!stairs& the aubur!-haired beauty said& her calm e>ecti)ely mas"i!# the co!cer! i! her emerald eyes. She led the the cold @oor& 'ith a !od of ac"!o'led#eme!t to the Headmaster. he other members of the rder 4uietly li!ed the 'alls& ready to help as !eeded. !ce the elderly 'i7ard sa' that Poppy a!d Se)erus had the emer#e!cy heali!# i! pro#ress& he tur!ed to the stude!ts a!d liste!ed as Aames as"ed the perti!e!t 4uestio!s. Do! (easley& Be)ille o!#bottom& Hermio!e Cra!#er a!d the Potter t'i!s& Holly a!d Sebastia!& 'ere stari!# at the bro"e! form 'ith be'ildered a!d distrau#ht e+pressio!s. %s the Se!ior %uror stepped for'ard& he dre' their troubled eyes. Aames loo"ed at each of the tee!s& assessi!# their e+pressio!s a!d the! directed his atte!tio! to his o'! t'i!s. His !ormally #e!ial face 'as carefully !eutral& althou#h his bro'! eyes 'ere hard as he said curtly& +plai!. (e attempted to summo! a hero to defeat ord Slytheri!& e+plai!ed his so! 'ea"ly. (e thou#ht the ritual 'ould bri!# us a champio!& maybe a 'arrior-ma#e. He loo"ed at the #ruesome blood-stai!ed form 'ith apprehe!sio!. ,ad& 'e never thou#ht this 'ould happe!. Please belie)e us? Aames loo"ed loo"ed at his t'i!s i! surprise. surprise. (hate)er (hate)er he 'as e+pecti!#& e+pecti!#& that 'as!*t 'as!*t it. =ut 'hy did you attempt attempt this at all& all& much less 'ithout discussi!# it 'ith your pare!ts hat 'as irrespo!sible a!d e+posed all of you to u!"!o'! da!#ers. ou could ha)e lost co!trol of the spell a!d drai!ed your cores? Be)ille o!#bottom spo"e up hesita!tly& hey did it for me&
Hermio!e Cra!#er too" a step for'ard a!d added determi!edly& 5 had bee! researchi!# a!ythi!# a!d e)erythi!# 5 could that 'ould #i)e Be)ille a #hti!# cha!ce if Slytheri! comes after him. 5 e)e! be#a! researchi!# 'ays to !d or summo! a familiar for him. %lbus felt relucta!t admiratio! at the thou#ht of !di!# a familiar to stre!#the! their u!'illi!# hero. hat*s 'he! 5 came across this spell& co!ti!ued the you!# 'oma!. 5t re4uired 9 casters acti!# i! u!iso! 'ith a si!#le focus. he tra!slatio! i!dicated that the spell 'ould summo! someo!e 'ho could fulll the !eed the casters focus o!. 5f there 'as e)er a reaso! to !eed a hero& defeati!# Slytheri! seemed li"e a #ood reaso!. (e thou#ht the (i!ter Holidays 'ould be #ood& si!ce 'e 'ould ha)e time to e+plai! thi!#s a!d help ma"e pla!s before 'e had to retur! to school. (hile ily 'as 'illi!# to let her husba!d as" 4uestio!s appropriate for a! %uror& she 'as a mother a!d by /irce she 'a!ted a!s'ers. ,o 5 u!dersta!d that 'hat you*re telli!# us is that you 9 decided to perform a! arca!e ritual 'ithout adult appro)al or super)isio! Ho' did you determi!e the amou!t of po'er the spell 'ould !eed Ho' did you "!o' that you 9 could supply that po'er Ho' did you "!o' that you 'ould!*t drai! your ma#ical cores Ho' did you thi!" 'e as your pare!ts 'ould respo!d to you abducting someo!e abducting someo!e he tee!s be#a! be#a! to ha!# their their heads as ily*s ily*s )oice dropped dropped to a 'hisper 'hisper that 'as e)e! e)e! more terrifyi!# terrifyi!# tha! a shouti!# shouti!# ra!t. ,id it e)e! occur to you that you 'ere summo!i!# a se!tie!t bei!# that mi#ht !ot be sympathetic to your re4uest r that your spell did!*t specify the parameters of his health Hermio!e 'as blushi!# ercely& but said mee"ly& he spell co!strai!ts did specify that it had to be someo!e 'ho 'a!ted to lea)e his or her curre!t situatio!. (e thou#ht that mea!t they 'ould be sympatheticE She stopped spea"i!# as ily raised a! eyebro' a!d dropped her eyes. (e thou#ht 'e had co!sidered the parameters. (e e)e! pla!!ed to use Be)ille*s blood so that the hero 'ould be attu!ed 'ith his re4uireme!ts. Casps 'ere heard from the adults a!d e)e! %lbus closed his eyes brie@y. Usi!# blood i! a ritual 'as typically co!sidered dar" ma#ic. ou used my so!*s blood i! the summo!i!# dema!ded Fra!" o!#bottom as he #ripped his so!*s shoulder ti#htly. Be)ille shifted u!comfortably a!d tur!ed to loo" at his father. (ell& 'e pla!!ed to& but 5 left the ritual da##er across the room. (e could!*t lea)e our positio!s or use a summo!i!# spell to #et it& soE umE his )oice trailed o>. %lice loo"ed at her so!*s discomfort a!d as"ed 4uietly& So 'hat did you do& Be)ille /o!ti!ue 'ithout the blood Umm& !o Sebastia! used his belt buc"le to cut his ha!d a!d dropped the blood i!to the pe!ta#ram& Be)ille !ished i! a hurry. ily a!d Aames loo"ed at 1 a!other as a chill ra! do'! their spi!es. (hat that 'ould mea! to the focus of the ritual 'ould ha)e to be researched& but "!o'i!# that their so!*s blood had bee! used i! a!ythi!# this po'erful 'as disturbi!# to say the least. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5t too" o)er hours of !o!-stop potio!s& spells a!d e)e! mu!da!e ba!da#i!# before Poppy felt the you!# ma! 'as stable e!ou#h to be mo)ed to the Ho#'arts 5!rmary )ia Floo. !ce there& she be#a! a! i!-depth dia#!ostic charm& allo'i!# the results to be automatically recorded )ia a!imated 4uill o!to a scroll. he scratchi!# of the plume co!ti!ued for a lo!# time& as she e)aluated her patie!t. He appeared to be i! his late tee!s or early t'e!ties 'ith ra##ed blac" hair a!d had 3 lo!# scars from the ri#ht side of his forehead do'! the chee" a!d e!ded ;ust belo' his chi!& almost as if he had bee! cla'ed. he mar"s 'e!t o)er the orbital bo!e& a!d she 'o!dered 'hether he had lost the si#ht i! that eye. She tur!ed to the parchme!t as the scratchi!# stopped a!d reali7ed that it had simply used all a)ailable space o! the scroll. She set up a seco!d 1 sha"i!# her head i! dismay that it 'as !eeded a!d reacti)ated the spell. his spell listed all i!;uries& ill!esses a!d co!ditio!s from birth for'ard a!d she be#a! to read the patie!t*s history 'ith all the i!te!sity of a dedicated healer. For the 1st 19 mo!ths& the child appeared to ha)e e+perie!ced a !ormal childhood. Her eyes 'ide!ed at the 1st si#!ica!t i!;ury. he boy had bee! o! the recei)i!# e!d of the Avada the Avada Kadevra Kadevra curse? curse? She shoo" her head i! disbelief. He must ha)e bee! i! the bac"'ash of it she decided& or perhaps he had bee! held by someo!e 'ho 'as "illed by the U!for#i)eable. %lmost immediately after that& his health be#a! to cha!#e dramatically. hat 'ould ma"e se!se if his primary care#i)er had bee! "illed. From the time he 'as a toddler& he be#a! to sho' i!dicatio!s of either e+treme rou#h-housi!# or else deliberate physical abuse. /o!sideri!# mal!utritio! also be#a! arou!d the same time& she speculated that he had bee! mo)ed to a! abusi)e home after his care#i)er 'as "illed. She sa' ma#ical e+haustio! ma!y times duri!# his childhood& particularly after more se)ere physical i!;uries& a!d she had to belie)e that his accide!tal ma#ic had helped heal him of his i!;uries. )ery year sho'ed o!#oi!# mal!utritio!& barely escapi!# bei!# de!ed as star)atio!. She !oticed de#radatio! to his eyesi#ht a!d surmised the lac" of appropriate !ourishme!t had led to the dama#e. She made a me!tal !ote to bri!# a )isio! specialist i! to e+ami!e his eyes. Starti!# arou!d 11 years old& more serious i!;uries be#a!. She sa' that all of the bo!es i! 1 arm had bee! remo)ed a!d re-#ro'!. Poor boy& he 'as familiar 'ith the pai!ful process the!. She 'as #oi!# to ha)e to re-#ro' most of the bo!es i! his limbs o)er the !e+t fe' days. ects of 'hat the imbiber e!cou!tered i! the dream state. %!d the! it appeared he had bee! healed so that the process could be#i! a#ai!. 3
he 3 scars across his face 'ere re)ealed to be cla' mar"s& appare!tly from a 'ere'olf. Ho' he had a)oided bei!# bitte!& she 'as!*t certai!. Perhaps the 'ere'olf had bee! u!der the e>ect of the (olfba!e potio! so "!e' !ot to bite& but still helped torture the you!# ma! 'ho the parchme!t i!dicated 'as o!ly 1G years old. %s soo! as his system could ha!dle it& she 'as #oi!# to dose him 'ith ,reamless Sleep to ba!ish a!d re-#ro' the bro"e! a!d shattered bo!es so that he did!*t ha)e to su>er throu#h the pai! 'hile a'a"e. She 'ould ha)e to co!sult a !er)e specialist at St. ered. Her co!cer! 'as that e)e! if the physical dama#e could be repaired& she 'as!*t certai! 'hether he 'ould be perma!e!tly impaired me!tally. She loo"ed up brie@y from her re)ie' of her patie!t 'he! ,umbledore a!d Aames Potter come i!to the 5!rmary. he you!#er ma! 'as i! his %uror robes& so 'as ob)iously there i! a! ocial capacity. Ho' is he Poppy as"ed %lbus. %s 'ell as a!yo!e could be 'ho*s bee! abused all of his life a!d the! methodically tortured for the last mo!th. 5*)e !e)er see! a!yo!e sur)i)e e)erythi!# this poor you!# ma! has. He*s bee! e+posed to all 3 U!for#i)eables a!d 'as e)e! bitte! by a basilis"? Bo 1 ca! sur)i)e the illi!# /urse& said Aames i! co!fusio!. He 'as o!ly a toddler& so my #uess is that a pare!t 'as holdi!# him 'he! they 'ere struc" 'ith it a!d he 'as i! the bac"splash. His physical abuse be#a! o!ly after that time as 'ell. Aames !odded a!d the! too" a deep breath& 5f he 'as tortured& the! 5*ll !eed a copy of your dia#!ostic sca!. 5 ha)e !o reports of a missi!# perso! 'ith his descriptio!& but the spell the childre! used could ha)e summo!ed him from a!y'here. here*s !o #uara!tee that he*s e)e! =ritish. Poppy loo"ed at the 2 me!. 5 did!*t hear 'ho he 'as or ho' he arri)ed at your house& Aames. He ra! a ha!d throu#h his hair a!d shoo" his head i! disbelief. he "ids cast a summo!i!# spell. %lbus a!d ily ha)e e+ami!ed it brie@y& a!d it could ha)e pulled him from a!y'here. ered a!y other harm. 5*ll ha)e them all come i! for a! e+am& the ra)e!-haired %uror a#reed. %s to 'hy& they thou#ht they could summo! a hero to defeat Slytheri! a!d the =lood Purists. Be)ille o!#bottom seems to be brea"i!# u!der the 'ei#ht of e)eryo!e*s e+pectatio!s of him a!d belie)es that he*s !othi!# special. hey thou#ht if they could summo! someo!e capable of defeati!# the ,ar" ord& Be)ille 'ould be safe. Poppy shoo" her head at the childre!*s rec"less!ess. (ell& if it*s a!y co!solatio!& if he had!*t bee! summo!ed& he 'ould li"ely ha)e died. 5 do!*t thi!" he could ha)e li)ed a!other 20 or 30 mi!utes 'ithout medical treatme!t. Perhaps that 'ill "eep him from pressi!# a!y char#es a#ai!st the "ids 'he! he 'a"es up. (e ca! o!ly hope& muttered Aames. Ho'e)er& 5*ll !eed to i!terro#ate him about 'here)er he 'as bei!# held a!d 'hoe)er tortured him. 5f they 'ere =lood Purists& perhaps 'e*ll ha)e somethi!# ta!#ible o! some of them a!d ca! #et a co!)ictio!. 5f it did!*t occur i! =ritai!& the! 'e*ll pass o! the i!formatio! to his local la' e!forceme!t. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- he subdued tee!s 'aited as their pare!ts a!d
4
(e*)e bee! tal"i!# about 'hat you childre! did& said %rthur (easley. (e belie)e that ect. (e also do!*t "!o' 'hether the summo!i!# could ha)e a##ra)ated his physical co!ditio!. U!til 'e "!o' 'ho he is& 'e also do!*t "!o' 'hether his family 'ill see" le#al actio!s or reparatio!s. %lbus 'aited for the co!)ersatio! to 4uiet a!d the! added& here is somethi!# else to co!sider. Se)erus& 'ould you let us "!o' the results of your research 5
he Potio!s ort& he forced his eyes ope!. %lthou#h e)erythi!# 'as blurred& he reco#!i7ed the Ho#'arts 5!rmary. Ho'e)er& it 'as 'ro!#6 all 'ro!#. 5t 'as !ot o!ly i! pristi!e co!ditio!& but empty. =efore he had bee! captured& Ho#'arts had become a sa!ctuary for those 'hose homes had bee! destroyed or 'ho 'ere bei!# tar#eted by the ,eath aters& especially the mu##le-bor! a!d half-blood families. here 'as !e)er a time that the beds 'ere empty. I5 must ha)e s!apped i! capti)ity&J he thou#ht. I5*)e retreated to a safer time i! my mi!d. 5 'o!der if 5*m still i! the cell& or 'hether 5*m i! the lo!#-term 'ard at St.
'hile 5 me!d it. (ith a 4uic" i!ca!tatio!& he felt the area !umb a!d the! 'ith a loud crac"& the shoulder 'as put bac" i! place. Bo'& the medi'itch said 'ith a sli#ht smile of satisfactio! !o' that her patie!t 'as 4uiet a!d i! bed& my !ame is Poppy Pomfrey& a!d 5*m the i! the shado's& tryi!# to #et a'ay from the a!ti-apparitio! 'ards. He !e)er sa' Do! a#ai! a!d here his double 'as stari!# at him 'ith 'ide blue eyes. he tee!s 'atched as the you!# ma!*s face closed o>& !ot certai! 'hat had ;ust happe!ed. (e 'a!ted to e+plai! 'hat 'e did a!d 'hy& Be)ille said !er)ously. =efore the adults tal"ed to you. Harry 'o!dered 'hether he 'as halluci!ati!# or 'hether this 'as part of a! elaborate ,eath ater tric" to ma"e him thi!" he had bee! rescued a!d the! crush his spirit by sho'i!# it all to be a! illusio!. 5t*s because of Slytheri!& be#a! Do! a!d Harry almost s!ic"ered at the redhead*s familiar s!eer of dis#ust as he said the 'ord. He*s #o!e from o!ly political mo)es to s!ea" attac"s o! mu##le bor!s a!d e)e! half-bloods. Bot that it ca! be pi!!ed o! him a!d the =lood Purists& of course. hey*re too cle)er for that. Harry fro'!ed a!d loo"ed at Hermio!e to i!terpret Do!*s rambli!# e+pla!atio!. he bru!ette immediately respo!ded& hat is Do! (easley& the boy !e+t to him is Be)ille o!#bottom& beside him are Sebastia! a!d Holly Potter& a!d 5*m Hermio!e Cra!#er. (e*re stude!ts at Ho#'arts School of (itchcraft a!d (i7ardry i! Scotla!d. Harry*s eyes @ic"ered o)er each of the people as they 'ere !amed& a!d paused at the brother a!d sister. Potter He did!*t remember a!yo!e else !amed Potter at Ho#'arts. He tur!ed his atte!tio! bac" to Hermio!e as she co!ti!ued& ord Slytheri! is the last desce!de!t of Sala7ar Slytheri!& o!e of the fou!ders of Ho#'arts a!d is a )ery dar" 'i7ard. He*s a =lood Purist6 he belie)es i! the supremacy of purebloods a!d has bee! #etti!# la's passed that limit 'hat mu##le bor!s as 'ell as other species ca! do. 5t 'as all political at 1st& but i! the last )e years& )iole!ce be#a! to erupt& but !ot i! a 'ay that ca! be traced bac" to ord Slytheri! a!d his follo'ers. (e !eeded a champio!& i!terrupted Do! lea!i!# closer to the bed. (e !eeded someo!e capable of defeati!# Slytheri!& so 'e& he s'ept a! arm at the tee!s arou!d the bed& performed a ritual that summo!ed you. Harry !arro'ed his eyes at the illusio! of his best frie!d& e)e! as Hermio!e smac"ed the redhead o! the arm i! a! all too familiar #esture. he 'i7ardi!# 'orld seems to belie)e that Be)ille here is some type of /hose! !e because he sur)i)ed a! impossible situatio! as a baby. Harry @ic"ed his eyes to Be)ille*s u!mar"ed forehead a!d fro'!ed& 'hile Hermio!e "ept tal"i!#. hey seem to e+pect him to ri#ht all of the 'orld*s 'ro!#s. 5 'as researchi!# spells to summo! a familiar to help him 'he! 5 came across the ritual 'e used. 5t 'as o!ly supposed to summo! someo!e capable of defeati!# Slytheri! a!d someo!e 'ho 'as 'illi!# to lea)e their curre!t situatio!. Her eyes seemed to be be##i!# him to u!dersta!d& a!d he raised a 7
ha!d to rub his forehead& o!ly to pause as his mi!d reali7ed the ha!d 'as fully healed& althou#h sha"i!# sli#htly 'ith the postCruciatus tremors. (ell 5 obviously 'a!ted out of my pre)ious situatio!& he said #ruKy. 5 had bee! a priso!er for 4uite some time. He loo"ed arou!d at the tee!s& !o' co!)i!ced this 'as a halluci!atio! that he had co!cocted i! his mi!d. 5t made se!se that his mi!d 'ould ha)e his old frie!ds summo! him home. He ;ust did!*t u!dersta!d 'hy it made a!other )illai! for him to #ht. cha!ce that these 'ere ,eath aters i! dis#uise& he added& Ho'e)er& 5*m !o o!e*s hero. (he! ca! you se!d me bac" he Be)ille loo"ali"e slumped as if i! defeat& but Do!*s doppel#a!#er pu>ed up i! a!#er a!d frustratio!. ou*re supposed to be a champio!& a 'arrior& a savior & he s!arled. Someo!e bold a!d fearless 'ho 'ould help sa)e us from Slytheri! a!d his =lood Purists? =ut you*re !othi!# but a co'ard. 5*ll bet you 'ould be a Slytheri! yourself? Harry stopped s4ui!ti!# i! a! e>ort to see a!d i!stead !arro'ed his eyes i! a!#er. his #me!t Do! 'as acti!# as if Harry had!*t already #i)e! e)erythi!# to the 'ar e>ort. his belli#ere!t hot-headed tee! had!*t faced death cou!tless times& his eyes 'ere!*t hau!ted 'ith the e>ects of 'ar. his prat ob)iously 'as!*t his best frie!d. U!co!sciously he used "!o'led#e he #ai!ed from $oldemort a!d allo'ed his ma#ic to pool a!d the! cast a sile!t a!d 'a!d less Legilimens o! the ra!ti!# tee!& but i!stead of searchi!# the redhead*s memories& he shared 1 of his o'!. he redhead stopped tal"i!# mid-'ord& as his face paled dramatically a!d his eyes 'ide!ed i! horror. He be#a! to s'ay a!d 'ould ha)e falle! to the #rou!d if the other tee!a#ers had!*t cau#ht him. (ith a!other sile!t spell& he ca!celed the pri)acy spell that 'as muti!# their co!)ersatio! ;ust as Hermio!e yelled out Do!*s !ame. Aames Potter a!d %lbus ,umbledore e!tered the 5!rmary& hopi!# to ha)e a cohere!t i!ter)ie' 'ith their #uest 'he! they heard a yell from behi!d the pri)acy partitio!s. Aames had his 'a!d i! his ha!d a!d 'as mo)i!# rapidly to'ards the scree!ed area& his se!ses at hei#hte!ed alert before he e)e! thou#ht about it. He s'ept his 'a!d a!d 1 of the curtai!ed pa!els mo)ed aside& sho'i!# his childre! as 'ell as the other 3 that had summo!ed the you!# ma!. Bo 1 'as supposed to be )isiti!# the #uest& but he should ha)e "!o'! the tee!s 'ould ha)e fou!d a 'ay. Do! (easley 'as o! the @oor& shudderi!# u!der the co!cer!ed ha!ds of Hermio!e a!d Be)ille o!#bottom. (hat happe!ed to
5 thi!" 5 'ould li"e to rest !o'& said Harry 'earily6 the 'a!d less ma#ic had e+hausted him a!d this co!)ersatio! 'as too disco!certi!# to co!ti!ue. 5*m still !ot co!)i!ced that this is!*t a halluci!atio! a!d it*s a bit o)er'helmi!#. He closed his eyes a!d i#!ored e)eryo!e u!til they !ally left the 5!rmary. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sebastia! slid i!to a seat beside Be)ille 'hile Holly sat !e+t to Hermio!e across the table i! the Creat Hall for di!!er. hey had bee! permitted to stay at Ho#'arts u!til Do! had reco)ered& althou#h the Headmaster had e+pressed his disappoi!tme!t i! all of them for s!ea"i!# i!to Ho#'arts as 'ell as disturbi!# the reco)eri!#
es& my ord. 5t shall be do!e. he ma! bo'ed deeply a!d left 4uic"ly to fulll his ord*s biddi!#. 5!teresti!#& )ery i!teresti!#. %!d ;ust 'hat did you "!o' about this %lbus& ord Slytheri! muttered to himself. r are the stude!ts performi!# rituals ri#ht u!der your )ery i!trusi)e !ose these days He smir"ed a!d tur!ed bac" to the stac" of paper'or" i! fro!t of him. (hile ord Slytheri! 'as 'or"i!# i! his oce& %lbus ,umbledore 'as i! his o'! oce. He pulled bac" from a lar#e pe!sie)e o! his des" 'ith a sli#htly sic"e!ed e+pressio! o! his face for 'hat he had 'it!essed. He co!sidered the comme!ts he thou#ht he had deciphered. %s a teacher for ma!y decades& it had become almost a !ecessity to lear! ho' to read the lips of his more creati)e stude!ts. %!y fore'ar!i!# about upcomi!# pra!"s 'as helpful to limit the dama#e. (hile the i!huma! #ure i! the pe!sie)e had a! odd mouth that made it more dicult to i!terpret& he did!*t belie)e the !ame he had called the you!# priso!er 'as =lac". Harry& yes. =ut !ot =lac". --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry 'o"e up screami!#& his body dre!ched i! s'eat as he fou#ht his 'ay clear of the sheets. & a!d the! 'ith a @ic" of her 'a!d& cha!#ed his pa;amas a!d sheets. He simply si#hed hea)ily a!d !odded i! #ratitude. He closed his eyes 'earily a!d she made a me!tal !ote to spea" 'ith him i! the mor!i!#. (he! she retur!ed after brea"fast& she !oticed that the you!# ma! did!*t appear to ha)e slept a#ai! a!d his brea"fast tray 'as mostly u!touched. (ell& she could u!dersta!d that& but it made her e)e! more #rateful for the )isitor that had @oo*d i!to her oce that mor!i!#. She loo"ed up to see Se)erus S!ape arri)e 'ith a rac" of potio! )ials a!d smiled i! relief. 5t had ta"e! ma!y days to bre' the speciali7ed !er)e potio!s& but !o' they could be#i! to heal the !er)e dama#e. he Potio!s ects of the Cruciatus. He recomme!ded a special potio! re#ime! to re#e!erate the !er)es desi#!ed specically for your body a!d a#e.L She ha!ded him a thic" yello' potio! 'ith s'irli!# #rey @ec"s. He s!i>ed it cautiously a!d raised a! eyebro'. 5t does!*t smell as )ile as 5 e+pected& he said i! respo!se to her 4uestio!i!# loo". She seemed to restrai! a! a!s'eri!# smile& but said bris"ly& ,ri!" up& ee a!d 'arm spit. 5 #uess that*s better tha! ear'a+ a!d dirty soc"s& he comme!ted. hat did ear! him a chuc"le& 4uic"ly dis#uised as a cleared throat. Bo' ere!t 'orld tha! the 1 you left (ait& do!*t a!s'er that. he Healer too" out his 'a!d a!d raised it upri#ht a!d said& 5& Presto! ered. He loo"ed at the ma! 'ith some curiosity& 'o!deri!# 'hat his scheme 'as. So tell me&
Harry reached out a!d pressed the palm of his ha!d a#ai!st the table top. He felt the pressure a#ai!st his palm& but his ha!d stayed o! the top of the table. ry doi!# that multiple times throu#hout the day& usi!# a!y surface. )e!tually& you*ll be able to try it 'he! you sleep. hat 'ill be 1 'ay to reali7e that you*re dreami!# as 'ell& a!d that a!y memories are o!ly that. Harry pressed his ha!d a#ai!st his mattress& a!d 'hile the paddi!# pressed i!'ard& his ha!d stayed o! top. He loo"ed at the other ma! a!d !odded. Seems simple e!ou#h. Presto! #a)e him a! e!coura#i!# smile. Aust "eep doi!# that 'he!e)er you thi!" of it& er. hat did!*t seem li"e a ,eath ater tric"& but perhaps his ima#i!atio! 'ould su##est it. 5 'ould li"e to )isit the ibrary to see old !e'spapers a!d history boo"s& he admitted. hat*s a! e+celle!t idea. (hile dreami!# or halluci!ati!#& you ca! occasio!ally see 'ords o! a pa#e& but !ot a! e!tire boo"& at least !ot i! a!y cohere!t order. So readi!# old !e'spapers a!d history boo"s 'ill be both a #ood test of 'hether this is real& as 'ell as !di!# out the di>ere!ces bet'ee! your 'orld a!d this o!e. Harry tilted his head a!d co!sidered the Healer. ou seem to belie)e that 5*m a )isitor from a!other 'orld. =ased o! 'hat 5*)e heard about you& that seems a plausible e+pla!atio!. 1stly& the stude!ts used a summo!i!# spell that brou#ht you to us. Seco!dly& your acce!t is =ritish& but !o 1 'ith your descriptio! from =ritai! has bee! reported missi!# i! either the ma#ical or mu##le 'orld. Harry bli!"ed at that admissio!& 'hich the ered him the choice of crutches or a ca!e for his 1st 'al" throu#h Ho#'arts& but i!sisted that he had to use 1 or the other to help relie)e the stress o! the !e'ly re-#ro'! bo!es. Harry #rumbled at her& but #rud#i!#ly accepted the ca!e 'hile mutteri!# that at least it 'as!*t a pimp ca!e. She shooed the 2 me! out 'ith the 'ar!i!# to be out !o more tha! 3 hours& a!d to rest fre4ue!tly. Ha)e!*t 'e already used up my hour*s co!sultatio!& Healer
5t 'as "!o'! as the ,aily Prophet for as lo!# as 5*)e see! it& admitted Harry as he be#a! sca!!i!# headli!es. He stopped at ord Slytheri! addresses the (i7e!#amot 'here a picture of a! attracti)e middle-a#ed ma! 'as sta!di!# a!d #esturi!# ele#a!tly to the assembla#e. He could see the resembla!ce to the tee!a#ed shade of om Diddle that he had faced i! the /hamber of Secrets. he article described ord Slytheri!*s passio!ate appeal to the members of the (i7e!#amot i! support of passa#e of a bill to limit represe!tatio! of !o!-huma! species. hey certai!ly must be represe!ted& stated the disti!#uished ord& =ut as 'itches a!d 'i7ards ma"e up the ma;ority of the 'i7ardi!# 'orld& surely they should al'ays mai!tai! a ma;ority )ote He tur!ed the pa#e to read a sy!opsis of ord Slytheri!*s life. %ppare!tly i! the 1G90*s& the heir to Slytheri! 'as ide!tied as om ort failed as the Ho#'arts charter 'as set up to permit a!yo!e 'ith ma#ical ability to atte!d the school6 i! fact a fu!d 'as set up to pay tuitio! a!d supplies. %s Harry bro'sed the articles& he !oticed a slo' but subtle cha!#e i! the 'ordi!# of ma!y articles. hey 'e!t from impartial a!d factual& to usi!# 'ords that fa)ored Slytheri! a!d his %llies 'hile subtly demea!i!# his oppo!e!ts. Slytheri! a!d his %llies 'ere described as disti!#uished a!d 'ell-educated 'hile their oppo!e!ts 'ere impulsi)e a!d e)e! presumptuous. %ppare!tly 'he! Slytheri!*s cartel could !ot stop mu##le bor!s from ;oi!i!# the ma#ical society& they fou!d #ossip a!d sla!der to be a! e>ecti)e 'ay to limit their opportu!ities. %s he read throu#h the obituaries& he reali7ed he 'as seei!# more mu##le bor!s listed due to a )ariety of u!usual accide!ts a!d u!"!o'! ill!esses. He had to 'o!der if Diddle had be#u! usi!# assassi!atio! a#ai!st the mu##le bor!s 'he! le#islatio! did!*t stop them. his 'as totally di>ere!t from his history. Dather tha! publicly a!d )ery physically slau#hteri!# the mu##le bor!s a!d halfbloods& the =lood Purists had ta"e! a more cla!desti!e a!d subtle approach. He could see that they 'ould 'i! more follo'ers this 'ay. )e!tually& he reached ctober of 1G81 a!d slo'ly tur!ed the pa#es of the mo!th that had led to his pare!ts* murders. Potter Heir and Family Friend Killed in Robbery Attempt
The 1st born son of James and Lily Potter as well as their friend Remus Lupin were killed in what appeared to be a robbery attempt on the Potter home in Godric's Hollow. The youn couple left their son Harry in the c are of their lon!time friend while they attended a business meetin at Grinotts. The couple apparated back to their home when Potter" a youn #uror" felt the wards fall around their house. They arri$ed to find the wards breached and the door blown in as well as many curse marks on the walls" floors and ceilins. Lupin appeared to ha$e fouht ferociously in defense of his friend's youn son" but was e$entually killed by do%ens of con&ured sil$er darts. He was 1 years old. 1( month old Harry James Potter was found dead in his crib from an apparent )lastin *urse. # &ewelry bo+ in the master bedroom was missin, leadin in$estiators to deduce the deaths were due to an interrupted robbery attempt.
Harry felt his throat ti#hte! as he reali7ed that Demus #a)e his life i! both 'orlds to sa)e him. He closed the lar#e folder a!d placed it carefully bac" o! the shelf. 5 thi!" that*s e!ou#h for today& he said despo!de!tly to ort of creati!# so ma!y years of !e'spapers if this 'as a! elaborate hoa+& as"ed the ere!t li)es& but perhaps there 'ould be a hi!t of 'hat his pare!ts mi#ht ha)e bee! li"e. %!d they had t'i!s after their Harry died. dd that they 'ere the same a#e as the cou!terparts of his frie!ds thou#h a!d e)e! more odd that he 'as older tha! them. He could!*t be#i! to u!dersta!d ho' the time shift had occurred. 12
So 'hat 'as he supposed to do Say& Hi& my real !ame is Harry Aames Potter-=lac" a!d 5 'as your so! i! my 'orld eah& that 'ould #o o)er 'ell. =esides& he had already i!troduced himself as Harriso! =lac"& so perhaps he 'ould "eep 'ith that perso!a a!d ;ust obser)e these people for a 'hile. =ut ho' to stay i! touch 'ith them !ce he 'as physically reco)ered& 'hat e+cuse could he o>er that 'ould e!coura#e %lbus to i!)ite him to stay here at Ho#'arts %lter!ately& should he !d a place to li)e i! Codric*s Hollo' a!d hope to ru! i!to the Potters that 'ay hi!" Harry& he muttered. Perhaps if they did!*t ha)e a method to se!d him bac"& he could re4uest to sit i! o! some B(-le)el classes so that he could prepare to reta"e them i! this 'orld. hat 'ould be a )alid reaso! to be i! the school& a!d 'ould #i)e him e+posure to Sirius& ,umbledore& a!d the others. He reali7ed that his emotio!s 'ere causi!# his ma#ic to @uctuate a!d hastily focused o! his cclume!cy trai!i!# to bri!# himself u!der co!trol. He decided to push the idea of relatio!ships 'ith the Potters a!d Sirius aside for a 'hile a!d sat 4uietly& focusi!# o! his cclume!cy shields. He remembered the sudde! i!@u+ of "!o'led#e from $oldemort a!d hesita!tly be#a! to re)ie' the area he had cordo!ed o> to co!tai! that i!formatio!. He reali7ed it 'as!*t actually the ,ar" ord*s memories that he had i!herited& for 'hich he 'as #rateful& but facts a!d data o! a )ariety of esoteric sub;ects. 5! his mi!dscape& he had created a small library& 'here each boo" 'as a topic cate#ory 'here he stored i!formatio! a!d memories. He be#a! to create !e' boo"s for the library o! topics he had !e)er studied& i!cludi!# ru!es& 'ards& %rithma!cy& demo!olo#y& !ecroma!cy a!d 4uite a bit o! the ,ar" %rts. %ppare!tly $oldemort 'as hu!#ry for "!o'led#e o! ma!y topics. He chuc"led as he fou!d a )ariety of spells cosmetic charms& 5 'o!der 'hether old S!a"e Face had bee! tired of his i!huma! appeara!ce a!d s!orted i! amuseme!t of the me!tal ima#e of $oldemort i! lipstic" a!d blush. )e!tually he reali7ed the spells also fell u!der #lamour a!d camou@a#e cate#ories. He reco#!i7ed he !o' "!e' a! a!cie!t
Aames fou!d the you!# ma!*s i!te!se stare 'as a bit odd& but put o! his frie!dly i!terro#ator*s face. 5*m sorry to 'a"e you ere!t tha! my o'!. 5 'as bor! i! 1G80 a!d am 1G years old. Ho'e)er& 5 u!dersta!d that it*s !ot 1GGG a!d cou!terparts to people 5 "!e' are you!#er tha! 5 am. So 'hate)er the ritual 'as that brou#ht me here& time seems to ha)e bee! a rather... @e+ible... co!cept. he older ma! loo"ed the you!#er 1 o)er closely. So you are certai! this is !ot your 'orld ou seemed to belie)e you 'ere halluci!ati!# earlier. Harry*s lip curled i! a #rimace that held little amuseme!t. 5 did!*t belie)e it at 1st& but 5 spe!t se)eral hours #oi!# throu#h !e'spapers. hey 'ere too elaborate to be #me!ts of my ima#i!atio! or a! elaborate hoa+. Plus too much is di>ere!t from my o'! 'orld. (hat about your physical co!ditio! 'he! you arri)ed %ccordi!# to e!se to my co!ti!ued sur)i)al a!d 5 'ou!d up as a #uest i! his du!#eo!s so that he could perso!ally e+press hisE displeasureE 'ith my co!ti!ued e+iste!ce. he you!# ma! had bee! tar#eted by his 'orld*s )ersio! of ord Slytheri! a!d 'as able to be almost !o!chala!t& e)e! amusi!# about it hat did!*t ma"e se!se. (ith all due respect& you are )ery you!# -beat se!se of humor. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------%fter di!!er& Harry slo'ly 'al"ed 'ith the help of the ca!e to the Headmaster*s oce for the meeti!# 'ith the pare!ts of the childre! that summo!ed him. He had his cclume!cy shields at full stre!#th to help hide his emotio!s 'he! he met ily Potter. %s he approached the #ar#oyle that mar"ed the e!tra!ce to the Headmaster*s oce& he 'as surprised to see a blac"-clad #ure 'aiti!# for him. He 'as e)e! more surprised 'he! the ma! i!cli!ed his head a!d said politely& Cood e)e!i!#
u!comfortable He 'a)ed to'ards 1 of the 2 u!used seats a!d stated& Please& ta"e a seat a!d rest 'hile 5 i!troduce our other #uests. Harry decided it 'ould!*t loo" #ood if he collapsed duri!# i!troductio!s& so accepted the o>er a!d limped to a! ope! chair. He sat hea)ily a!d could!*t help but breathe a si#h of relief as he too" the 'ei#ht o> his heali!# le#s a!d spi!e. ha!" you& Headmaster. %s for the 'al"& 5 de!itely !eed the e+ercise. Se)erus too" the ope! chair !e+t to Harry a!d sat bac"& 'aiti!# for %lbus to co!ti!ue. Harry tried to focus o! the elderly 'i7ard to a)oid loo"i!# at the Potters& 'ho 'ere seated !earest to him. He co!ce!trated o! his cclume!cy shields a#ai! to e!sure he 'ould be able to co!tai! his emotio!s. (e appreciate you meeti!# 'ith e)eryo!e to!i#ht& of amuseme!t came from S!ape o! his ri#ht 'as echoed by Aames Potter o! his left. Be+t to the o!#bottoms are ,octors Cra!#er. hey are both de!tists a!d the pare!ts of Hermio!e Cra!#er. Harry a#ai! !odded politely to the
S!ape lled i! that i!formatio!& our bro"e! body crashed do'! i!to their pe!ta#ram a!d the childre! pa!ic"ed a!d immediately called for help. Fortu!ately& ma!y of the adults 'ere to#ether& i!cludi!# ere!t i! ma!y 'ays from my o'!. Aames put o! a !eutral face& but as a Se!ior %uror he had to as"& ,o you 'ish to press char#es of "id!appi!# a#ai!st the childre!& ered a heart-felt tha!" you. 5 'ould li"e to u!dersta!d 'hy the 9 of them felt compelled to perform the ritual& thou#h. 5 remember them sayi!# somethi!# about Be)ille& but 5 did!*t 4uite u!dersta!d. Fra!" o!#bottom practically #ro'led out& 5t all #oes bac" to that blasted reporter& Dita S"eeter. ere!t 'orld ;ust yet. 5 o!ly re#ret that my frie!ds 'o!*t "!o' 'hat happe!ed to me. hey are #oi!# to be )ery upset. h dear& your pare!ts? 5 ca!*t ima#i!e 'hat they*re #oi!# throu#h& e+claimed a co!cer!ed ere!ces bet'ee! our 'orlds& althou#h 5 did !otice that this 'orld had a! i!crease i! )iole!ce to'ards mu##le bor!s from the 80*s for'ard. (he! you say there are si#!ica!t di>ere!ces& 'hat types of disparities do you mea!& as"ed Fra!" o!#bottom. 16
He decided to a)oid me!tio!i!# the 1st 'ar 'ith $oldemort& as he did!*t 'a!t to ha)e to e+plai! that the ,ar" ord had #o!e after the Potters a!d their so! sur)i)ed. (ell& did a!yo!e ope! the /hamber of Secrets i! the last 90 years as"ed Harry. he /hamber of Secrets Surely that is a myth as"ed S!ape 'ith a fro'!. Bo& 5 'ould!*t be surprised if each of the Fou!ders created secure areas. Slytheri!*s 'as u!der#rou!d. He also left a basilis" i! hiber!atio! to protect the school i! case of attac". Diddle disco)ered the chamber a!d 'o"e a!d #ai!ed co!trol of the basilis" 'hile he 'as a stude!t i! my 'orld. Aames loo"ed at him curiously. our medical records i!dicated that you 'ere bit by a basilis" 'he! you 'ere 12. Harry raised a! eyebro' at him. 5 did!*t reali7e that medical records 'ere!*t "ept co!de!tial i! this 'orld. (e belie)ed you to be a )ictim of a crime committed here at 1st& said Aames. 5 !eeded a! ocial copy for the i!)esti#atio!. Harry !odded& althou#h he still did!*t li"e ha)i!# his perso!al i!formatio! ba!died about. 5 #uess 5 ca! u!dersta!d that. %!d yes& a dar" artifact 'as able to possess a stude!t a!d throu#h her the /hamber 'as ope!ed a#ai!. 5 fou!d the e!tra!ce but had to #ht the basilis". 5ts fa!# 'e!t throu#h my arm 'he! 5 stabbed it i! the roof of its mouth. =asilis" )e!om is hi#hly to+ic& S!ape comme!ted mildly althou#h his eyes ra"ed Harry*s face as if loo"i!# for rem!a!ts of basilis" )e!om. $ery& the tee! remar"ed calmly. 5 could feel myself dyi!# as the )e!om raced throu#h my system& but Fa'"es came a!d cried o! the 'ou!d. He loo"ed i! #ratitude at the cou!terpart of the phoe!i+ 'ho sa)ed him. o e)eryo!e*s surprise& Fa'"es respo!ded by lau!chi!# himself from his perch& la!di!# o! Harry*s shoulder& a!d rubbi!# his ha!d a#ai!st Harry*s chee" u!til the you!# ma! be#a! scratchi!# behi!d his head. %ma7i!#& ,umbledore mar)eled. He rarely respo!ds so fa)orably to stra!#ers. %lthou#h he did ;oi! you i! the 5!rmary 'hile you 'ere i! a heali!# coma. Harry smiled at the phoe!i+ a!d co!ti!ued scratchi!# it for a fe' mome!ts before a thou#ht struc" him. Has a ri'i7ard our!ame!t bee! held rece!tly %lbus loo"ed at the you!# ma! o)er his #lasses. he Headmasters of ,urmstra!# ha)e brou#ht it up se)eral times o)er the last fe' decades as a method of fosteri!# i!ter!atio!al cooperatio!& but 5 refuse to put a!y of my stude!ts i!to a pote!tially lethal competitio!. He fro'!ed before as"i!#& ,id your %lbus ,umbledore a#ree to it Harry sco'led& but 4uic"ly re#ai!ed his temper as Fa'"es trilled a soothi!# melody. 5t 'as held here at Ho#'arts duri!# my th ear. 1 of $oldemort*s mi!io!s spe!t the year Poly;uiced as our ,%,% i!structor& a!d he co!fou!ded the Coblet of Fire to belie)e there 'ere schools i! the our!ame!t. f course my !ame 'as the o!ly 1 submitted for the th school. 5 'as forced to participate as supposedly it 'as a ma#ically bi!di!# co!tract. %lbus loo"ed horror-stric"e!. =ut if you 'ere 1& the! it should ha)e re4uired your pare!t*s.. e+cuse me& your le#al #uardia!*s co!se!t. Surely they did!*t #i)e it Harry*s face 'as closed as he respo!ded& hey 'ere !e)er as"ed6 5 'as ;ust told 5 had to participate. Perso!ally& 5 thi!" the Headmaster decided it 'ould dra' out 'hoe)er 'as tryi!# to "ill me that year. of the school #rou!ds. Harry*s featured harde!ed 'ith pai! a!d loss mome!tarily before he smoothed it out. (hat happe!ed& as"ed %lbus #e!tly. /edric ,i##ory a!d 5 too" the /up to#ether a!d arri)ed at a cemetery. He 'as "illed immediately as a *spare*. He heard
ho!or of Slytheri!*s herita#e. U!fortu!ately& a!yo!e i!)ol)ed i! a! act of )iole!ce 'as 'eari!# a hood spelled to pre)e!t seei!# their features& so 'e ha)e limited i!formatio! as to 'ho is actually i!)ol)ed. 5! my 'orld& there 'as a spy i! his 5!!er /ircle. 5 hope you ha)e the same He assiduously a)oided loo"i!# at the Potio!s ere!t bet'ee! our 'orlds. Petti#re' 'as a ,eath ater i! my 'orld. He*s the 1 that cast the Avada Kedevra o! /edric. 5 do!*t "!o' 'hat he is here& but 5 'ould prefer !ot to ru! i!to him. (hile 5 'ill try to remember 5*m i! a di>ere!t reality& 5 mi#ht cast 1st 'ith a fe' people. (ho else mi#ht dra' that reactio!&
day& "!o'i!# he 'ould!*t sleep a!y more. access to the Floo system. 5 ha)e !o clothi!#& !o possessio!s a!d a borro'ed 'a!d& Headmaster& replied Harry dryly. ,o!*t you thi!" that 5*ll !eed to resol)e that o!ce 5 ha)e the fu!ds r 'ould you prefer that 5 'al" se)eral miles o! foot i! the middle of 'i!ter to Ho#smeade to !d a public Floo e)ery time 5 !eed to #o some place Bo& !o& 5 4uite u!dersta!d my boy& replied ,umbledore hastily. He modied the 'ards to permit the sta>& the healer a!d Harry access to that Floo. Perhaps he !eeded to !d employme!t for the you!# ma! here i! the castle to help him accumulate the fu!ds !eeded to replace his belo!#i!#s& ,umbledore mused. Harry made himself a pot of tea a!d sat i! fro!t of the replace& sippi!# it slo'ly. Healer er you a cup of tea he older ma! besto'ed his typical 'arm smile o! the you!#er ma!. Cood mor!i!#& er to call me Presto! is al'ays ope! to you. He 'aited for the tee! to !od& a!d the! co!ti!ued& 5 am !ot surprised that you remembered the 1st !i#ht& as it 'as the foreru!!er of e)erythi!# that follo'ed. 5 hope you reali7e that ha)i!# the !i#htmares is a )ery !ormal reactio!. 5t*s !ot a si#! of 'ea"!ess or disability. (hat 5 ca! help you do is lear! to co!fro!t 'hat happe!ed to you a!d lear! to accept it as a part of your past. 19
he tee! loo"ed at him 'ith clear si#!s of disbelief a!d Presto! smiled e!coura#i!#ly. 5t*s o!ly !atural to 'a!t to a)oid pai!ful memories a!d feeli!#s. =ut if you try to !umb yourself a!d push your memories a'ay& the !i#htmares 'ill li"ely !ot o!ly co!ti!ue& but could #et 'orse. Bo!e of us ca! escape our emotio!s completely O they emer#e u!der stress or 'he!e)er 'e let do'! our #uard O a!d tryi!# to do so is e+hausti!#. he a)oida!ce 'ill ultimately harm our relatio!ships& our ability to fu!ctio!& a!d the 4uality of our life. Harry lled his tea cup a#ai! as he tried to calm himself a!d co!sidered the older ma!*s comme!ts. (hat do you recomme!d ur discussio!s 'ill help relie)e your symptoms by helpi!# you deal 'ith the trauma you*)e e+perie!ced. Dather tha! a)oidi!# the ordeal a!d a!y remi!der of it& 5 'ill e!coura#e you to recall a!d cope 'ith the emotio!s a!d se!satio!s you felt duri!# your impriso!me!t. eri!# you a! outlet for emotio!s you*)e bee! bottli!# up& our discussio!s 'ill also help restore your se!se of co!trol a!d reduce the po'erful hold the memory of the trauma has o! your life. 5 do feel )ery out of co!trol& Harry admitted relucta!tly. he cell they had me i! suppressed my ma#ic& a!d as hard as 5 tried& 5 could!*t #ht bac". %!d the! 5 'as brou#ht here& a!d 5 ha)e !othi!#. 5 feel li"e 5*m Fate*s che' toy. 5 'ould much rather feel li"e 5*m i! co!trol of my o'! desti!y. /a! you help me ma"e that happe! 5 thi!" 'e ca! 'or" o! that to#ether& Harry& the eri!# himself as a tutor for you!#er stude!ts. Bo& that last 'o!*t 'or" u!til 5*m allo'ed to re-ta"e my B(s& a!d 5 !eed resources before the!. He stood a!d paced slo'ly bac" a!d forth across the sitti!# room& stretchi!# the muscles a!d ;oi!ts. =ah& 5 should ;ust o>er tours of the /hamber of Secrets& 1 #alleo! a trip& he muttered sarcastically. He stopped mid-stride a!d a slo' smile be#a! to spread o)er his face. & 5*ll !eed a bi# ba#E or 1 'ith ma#ically e!ha!ced space. 5 'o!derE He left his 4uarters a!d headed to the Nth @oor. =y the time he reached the tapestry of =ar!abas the =army& he 'as lea!i!# hea)ily o! the ca!e a#ai!. He lea!ed a#ai!st the tapestry for se)eral lo!# mome!ts& catchi!# his breath& a!d the! be#a! to 'al" bac" a!d forth thi!"i!#& 5 !eed the room of for#otte! a!d aba!do!ed thi!#s. %fter his 3rd pass& a lar#e 'oode! door appeared a!d he hurried across the hall to ope! it. 1 i!side& he smiled i! relief at seei!# a! e!ormous room lled 'ith aisle upo! aisle of bro"e! a!d dama#ed fur!iture& boo"s by the thousa!ds& chipped bottles of co!#ealed potio!s& rusti!# s'ords a!d bloodstai!ed battlea+es as 'ell as a myriad of clothi!# scattered arou!d the room. He stood at the bac" of the room a!d too" out his borro'ed 'a!d. %ccio 'a!d holster& he said as a test. He had to duc" as a do7e! or more 'rist a!d forearm holsters rushed to'ards him. He #ri!!ed a!d e+ami!ed each 1 a!d 'as pleased to see 1 of the forearm holsters 'as perfectly ser)iceable& if i! !eed of some oili!#. He a+ed it to his forearm a!d the! tur!ed bac" to the room. %ccio =a# of Holdi!#& he called out directi!# the 'a!d to'ards the room*s clutter. 3 ba#s hurtled to'ards him& a!d he cau#ht them 'ith a See"er*s re@e+. He e+ami!ed the 1st& but it 'as tor! do'! the middle& ma"i!# it i!e>ecti)e. he 2!d appeared to ha)e bee! thorou#hly che'ed by somethi!#& a!d he discarded that as 'ell. Ho'e)er& 'hile the 3rd had a tear& it 'as o! the seam a!d appeared to be repairable& albeit the ba# 'as a bit shi!y 'ith 'ear. 5t loo"ed li"e a commo! cloth sac" rou#hly the le!#th of his forearm& but 'he! he ope!ed it& he 'as able to t his arm up to his shoulder i!side a!d it still felt li"e there 'as ple!ty of space. =efore he left the room& he remembered Da)e!cla'*s diadem a!d tried to remember 'here he had see! the tar!ished tiara that he had used to help mar" 'here he had hidde! the boo" from the Half-=lood Pri!ce. He fou!d the )a!ishi!# cabi!et a!d made a poi!t of both loc"i!# a!d shri!"i!# it& a!d the! loo"ed for the bust upo! 'hich he had !oticed the tiara. (he! he sa' the bust 'as u!cro'!ed& he crossed his !#ers a!d hoped that it had !e)er held the diadem& a!d that it 'as still lost i! %lba!ia 'here Hele!a Da)e!cla' had hidde! it. Harry limped slo'ly do'! to the "itche!. He smiled at seei!# the portrait of the bo'l of fruit a#ai! a!d tic"led the pear& causi!# the door ha!dle to appear. He e!tered the bustli!# room& althou#h it 'as!*t !early as busy as it 'ould be i! 2 days 'he! the stude!ts retur!ed.
=efore she could ru! a'ay& he prese!ted the ba# of holdi!# as"ed& Bebby& are there a!y house el)es 'ho could repair this ba# for me he elf too" the ba# from his ha!d a!d e+ami!ed it critically before !oddi!# so 4uic"ly her ears @apped. his is bei!# a! easy repair 'ith house elf ma#ic. Bebby 'ill be as"i!# 1 of the se'i!# el)es to repair it 'hile the you!# ort at co!sumi!# most of the e!ormous bru!ch pro)ided. (he! he !ally pushed the remai!i!# food a'ay& Bebby immediately appeared. ou!#
a!d blac"& as thou#h he fre4ue!tly dyed his materials. Harry had a! impressio! of droopy bro'! eyes set i!to a lea! face. He 'as dressed i! blac" 'ith a bro'! leather apro! co)eri!# his chest a!d half of his thi#hs. Cood after!oo!& you!# ma!. 5*m C'illym ,e'r'as& the proprietor of the shop. %re you ;ust loo"i!# today& or is there somethi!# specic you 'ere i!terested i! Harry i!cli!ed his head politely. a fresh corpse& but it 'ould bear ma!y of the same properties& 'ould!*t it ,e'r'as che'ed o! his moustache for a mome!t as he e)aluated the you!# ma! before him. 5 'ould ha)e to see the s"i! of course& but 5 'ould thi!" it 'ould still be better tha! dra#o! hide. Harry 'al"ed to the cou!ter a!d laid his ba# of holdi!# across the 'oode! top. He ope!ed it a!d pulled out a foot or so of the shed basilis" s"i!. he armorer*s eyes ope!ed 'ide a!d he lifted the s"i!& i!ad)erte!tly pulli!# e)e! more out of the sac". He ope!ed it a!d held it up to the li#ht& the! e+cused himself a!d came bac" 'ith a bo'l a!d cloth. He loo"ed to Harry for permissio!& a!d at his !od& he 'iped the s"i! do'!& ma"i!# each !early blac" scale sta!d out. He loo"ed up Harry& u!able to mas" his e+citeme!t. Ho' much do you ha)e& he as"ed a!d !early held his breath as he 'aited for the a!s'er. %t least 19 meters& perhaps more& Harry replied 'ith a sli#ht smir". ou*re serious He loo"ed at the material i! his ha!ds a!d tu##ed a little more out of the ba#. h& 5 see. 5 'as thi!"i!# about auctio!i!# it& but if you*re 'illi!# to #i)e me a dece!t price a!d ma"e me a full suit as part of the deal& perhaps 5 'o!*t ha)e to auctio! it& a!d you ca! cor!er the mar"et o! basilis" armor. %! hour of erce !e#otiatio! later after the armorer had e+ami!ed e)ery i!ch of the s"i! i! e+cruciati!# detail& ,e'r'as #ri!!ed a!d said ,o!e? He e+te!ded his ha!d for Harry to sha"e a!d they sealed the deal 'ith a bi!di!# oath. hey had a#reed o! a fair price for them both& plus a full suit for Harry i!cludi!# tu!ic& pa!ts& boots 'ith a hidde! sheath for a da##erQ& #lo)es a!d 'a!d holster. 5! additio!& Harry purchased a pair of blac" dra#o! hide boots a!d cloa". Harry stood for 10 mi!utes 'hile the armorer measured e)ery part of him& ma"i!# careful !otatio!s o! a scroll. Bo'& 5*ll 'rite the letter to Cri!#otts authori7i!# the tra!sfer of fu!ds a!d you ca! retur! i! 2 'ee"s for the armor& or 5 ca! !otify you as each piece is !ished. 5*ll be happy to retur! i! 2 'ee"s& replied Harry 'ith a relie)ed smile. hat*s faster tha! 5 e+pected you to be do!e. 5 "!o' ho' dicult it is to 'or" 'ith ma#ical materials. %h& but this is #oi!# to be a pleasure? 5 doubt 5*ll be sleepi!# much for the !e+t 2 'ee"s. our suit 'ill be my masterpiece. Perhaps you 'ould!*t mi!d letti!# me ta"e some pictures 'he! you try it o! Harry lau#hed a!d a#reed to co!sider it. Upo! lea)i!# ,e'r'as*& the tee! headed to Cri!#otts. He mo)ed to the 1st a)ailable teller& a!d i!cli!ed his head after readi!# the !ame plate. Creeti!#s eller %+ebe!der. 5 'ould li"e to ope! a )ault& be#i!!i!# 'ith this tra!sfer of fu!ds. 5 'ould li"e to deposit all but 190 #alleo!s& a!d 'ill ta"e that as 100 #alleo!s a!d the rest co!)erted i!to do'! 1 of the !arro' dusty aisles& i#!ori!# Harry*s 'ide!ed eyes. He retur!ed 4uic"ly 'ith a sle!der !arro' bo+. (he! the elderly ma! ope!ed it& Harry 'as someho' u!surprised to reali7e it co!tai!ed a )ery familiar si#ht. 5 belie)e this is 'hat you came i! to !d& said lli)a!der as he prese!ted the ope! bo+. Harry stared at the holly 'a!d a!d !odded slo'ly. He reached out 'ith a sha"i!# ha!d a!d as it came closer to the 'a!d& it be#a! to hum. he 'a!d itself 'as hummi!#? 5t almost leapt i!to his ha!d a!d his ha!d shoo" as he tried to co!trol the ma#ic )ibrati!# i!side him. (ithout 'ar!i!#& a #olde! ball of e!er#y e+ploded from the 'a!d& clothi!# the e!tire store i! #olde! li#ht that be#a! to shimmer a!d cha!#e colors. % rai!bo' of colors cycled throu#h the room& #ro'i!# i! i!te!sity u!til both Harry a!d the 'a!d ma"er had to close their eyes. (a)e after 'a)e of ma#ic rushed throu#h the room& causi!# their s"i! to ti!#le a!d their hair to da!ce i! the i!)isible bree7e.
22
(he! the li#ht !ally lesse!ed& both Harry a!d lli)a!der loo"ed arou!d the shop i! surprise. (hat had bee! a! a!cie!t& dusty a!d 'ell-'or! shop appeared pristi!e a!d !e'. he dar"-haired you!# ma! stared at the 'a!d i! a'e a!d co!fusio!& 'hile a #ri! be#a! to tu# at the cor!ers of his mouth. (ell& that 'asE i!teresti!#& he !ally ma!a#ed. 5 thi!" 'e ca! e+pect #reat thi!#s of you& ere!t butto!-do'! shirts. 5 ha)e a !ice 'ool for 'i!ter& but you*ll 'a!t somethi!# else li"e a t'ill for summer. %!d perhaps a ble!d of broadcloth a!d sil" i! ;e'el to!es for the shirts ere!t 'ardrobes& a!d 5*ll trust your ;ud#me!t o! the fabrics. 5*ll also !eed 3 e)ery day robes& at least a medium 4uality a!d a couple of !ice formal robes& as 'ell as a summer a!d 'i!ter cloa". He pressed a! impressio! of his !e' )ault "ey o! the order form a!d had her promise to ha)e all the clothi!# deli)ered 'ithi! 3 days. Upo! lea)i!#
e!lar#ed the tru!"& placed e)erythi!# i!side a!d the! shru!" it a#ai! a!d !ally left the shop "eeper still sha"i!# his head at the bird !ally choosi!# her o'!er. !ce they left the store& he said& 5*m li)i!# at Ho#'arts& Hed'i#. (ould you li"e to @y there 5 still ha)e more shoppi!# to do. She che'ed o! his !#ers #e!tly a!d the! lau!ched herself i!to the s"y. Harry could!*t help but 'atch her @y a'ay u!til she became too small to see. Potta#e*s /auldro! Shop 'as his !e+t stop. He pic"ed up medium si7ed brass& copper a!d pe'ter cauldro!s a!d stirri!# rods made i! a )ariety of materials. He pac"ed those i!to his tru!" a!d headed to Slu# R Ai##ers %pothecary. He pic"ed up the i!#redie!ts for heali!# potio!s& blood reple!ishme!t& s"ele-#ro& bur! paste& calmi!# drau#ht& sleepi!# drau#ht a!d dreamless sleep potio!s. He also !oticed a bi! of Floo po'der a!d scooped up a lar#e amou!t of that as 'ell. (he! he dropped e)erythi!# o! the cou!ter& the cler" loo"ed at him 'ith surprise. Bo' that*s a! i!teresti!# assortme!t. Harry chuc"led disarmi!#ly. 5*m #oi!# to !eed to pro)e my 'orth to Professor S!ape at Ho#'arts& he said i! e+pla!atio!. %h& say !o more& the cler" smir"ed a!d be#a! totali!# his purchases. ell me& Harry as"ed& ,o you e)er carry basilis" )e!om he cler"*s eyes 'ide!ed a!d he rubbed his chi! co!sideri!#. Heh& !o' that*s a rare item& that is. /osts a #ood 100 #alleo!s for a si!#le dram& a!d 'e do!*t see much of it. Harry 4uic"ly co!)erted that i! his mi!d to 1 dram bei!# 18th of a! ou!ce. So 800 #alleo!s per ou!ce %t the cler"*s a#reeme!t& Harry added a do7e! imper)ious @as"s to his purchases& as a!other idea percolated i! his mi!d. (ith e)erythi!# purchased a!d loaded i!to his tru!"& Harry !ally left ,ia#o! %lley. He stopped at the ea"y /auldro! a!d ordered di!!er& as he !eeded to rest his achi!# ;oi!ts a!d bo!es before )isiti!# ere!ce bet'ee! slici!# a!d dici!# a! i!#redie!t hat 4uestio! started a! i!te!se hour lo!# re)ie' of e)ery 'ay a! i!#redie!t could be prepared& follo'ed by the i!teractio! bet'ee! 2 do7e! of the most commo!ly used compo!e!ts. o Harry*s imme!se surprise& the Potio!s
he Pepper-Up potio!& all 3 sta!dard Heali!# potio!s& =lood Deple!ishme!t& S"ele-Cro& bur! sal)e& calmi!# drau#ht& the sta!dard sleepi!# drau#ht& a!d the ,reamless Sleep potio!. Harry did!*t me!tio! that it too" i!!umerable trial a!d error sessio!s before he 'as procie!t i! those fe' potio!s a!d that he "!e' them out of !ecessity. Harry too" out his "!i)es a!d the mortar a!d pestle& pleased 'he! S!ape !odded appro)i!#ly at the up#raded "!ife set he had purchased. he ,reamless Sleep 'ould ta"e lo!#est& as it !eeded to steep for 12 hours after reachi!# a boil& 'hile the =lood Deple!ishme!t 'ould be completed 'ithi! 2 hours. He decided o! the =ur! Sal)e as his 3rd sample. He ra! throu#h all the i!#redie!ts i! his mi!d a!d the! proceeded to the supply cupboard. He started prepari!# i!#redie!ts as S!ape 'e!t to his des" 'ith his lesso! pla!s a#ai!. (ill you 'a!t me to come bac" 'he! the ,reamless Sleep is do!e steepi!#& Professor 5 'ill ;ud#e the pro#ress o!ce you set it aside. 5f e)erythi!# loo"s #ood the!& 5 'ill ta"e care of it after the steepi!# process is completed. es sir& tha!" you& Harry respo!ded& #lad he 'as!*t #oi!# to ha)e to come do'! arou!d mid!i#ht to complete the potio!. 2 hours a!d 30 mi!utes later& S!ape pro!ou!ced the =lood Deple!ishme!t a!d =ur! Sal)e acceptable for use i! the 5!rmary& a!d appro)ed the status of the ,reamless Sleep. ou may sit i! a!y of my B( classes& ers from terrible !i#htmares. Sirius =lac" lea!ed for'ard to pour a!other cup of co>ee. 5 thi!" it*s time that 5 met our you!# #uest& he stated. Bot o!ly is he co!sideri!# a e!si)e a!d defe!si)e ma#ic& a!d maybe lear! a fe' thi!#s about him. He clasped both ha!ds arou!d his co>ee cup a!d sipped it slo'ly& di>ere!t sce!arios ru!!i!# throu#h his mi!d. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- he tall ma! 'ith collar-le!#th blac" hair spotted a you!# ma! 'al"i!# do'! the hall'ay 'ith a ca!e& a!d hurried to catch up 'ith him. Harry heard the s'ift footsteps behi!d him a!d half-tur!ed& stu!!ed to see the ima#e of his #odfather stridi!# to'ards him. Hello& you*re Harriso! =lac" 5*m Sirius =lac". He #ri!!ed disarmi!#ly at the you!# ma! a!d held out a ha!d. So tell the truth& are 'e related Delated Harry #ulped. Bo' 'hat He did!*t 'a!t to lie to Sirius& but he certai!ly 'as!*t #oi!# to say *o!ly i! as much as you*re my #od-father a!d made me your heir*. He hesita!tly reached for the outstretched ha!d a!d pumped it t'ice& releasi!# it 4uic"ly after'ards. *his is !ot my Sirius*& he had to remi!d himself 'he! all he 'a!ted to do 'as crush the ma! i! a ribcrac"i!# hu#. he Headmaster as"ed me that as 'ell. Ho'e)er& =lac" is a pretty commo! !ame i! the ecti)e to chase after the bad #uys properly. %lbus o>ered me the ,%,% positio! T years a#o& a!d 5*)e bee! here e)er si!ce. Harry bli!"ed a!d made a! e>ort to "eep his face !eutral. So there 'as !o curse o! the positio! the!& u!li"e his 'orld. Sirius !ud#ed the tee!& So& am 5 famous i! your 'orld (ell-"!o'! for my e+ceptio!al #ood loo"s a!d luc" 'ith the ladies Harry #la!ced up at the ma! from u!der dar" lashes. his Sirius did!*t ha)e the #au!t a!d hau!ted loo" his #odfather had& a!d his eyes spar"led 'ith humor. He had to admit that the older ma! 'as #ood-loo"i!# i! a! aristocratic 'ay& a!d bore himself 'ith a casual ele#a!ce. He #ri!!ed& 5s that 'hat you*re "!o'! for here (hat ladies ha)e dra'! your atte!tio! Professor
He could!*t co!tai! the s!ort of amuseme!t& Sirius& you 'i!. e!si)e a!d defe!si)e spells. 5! additio! to the ear& they also ha)e 3 le)els of diculty. %t the lo'est le)el& they are statio!ary a!d help the stude!t practice precisio! casti!# a!d cha!!eli!#. %t the hi#her le)els& they mo)e a!d e)e! apparate arou!d the room& o>eri!# !ear battle-co!ditio!s. Harry loo"ed at the )a#uely huma!oid shapes 'ith surprise a!d respect. his loo"ed li"e a! e+celle!t 'ay to slo'ly rebuild his casti!# abilities. Presto! had stro!#ly e!coura#ed him to a)oid situatio!s 'here spells 'ere acti)ely cast at him for the time bei!#& u!til they 'or"ed throu#h more of the aftermath of his impriso!me!t& but practici!# cha!!eli!# a!d tar#eti!# sou!ded #ood to the tee!. Si!ce 5*m still reco)eri!# from the !er)e dama#e& 5 thi!" tar#eti!# practice 'ould be a #reat idea& Harry a#reed. %t least 5 ca! hold a cup 'ithout sloshi!# the co!te!ts out of it !o'. Sirius felt u!comfortable at the remi!der of all the tee! had e!dured. He #e!ui!ely 4uestio!ed 'hether Harriso! =lac" 'as related to the Sirius =lac" of the boy*s home 'orld or 'hether it 'as a coi!cide!ce. (hile the tee! had dar" hair& he did!*t ha)e the same hei#ht or build that Sirius did& but he could ta"e after his mother. he older ma! hoped to use some of their time today to lear! more about the tee!. Harry permitted Sirius to set the practice dummies at 3rd ear le)el. He practiced his tar#eti!# 'ith +&pelliarmus & a!d the dummy @ashed 'ith each successful hit o! the 'a!d tar#et. %fter se)eral mi!utes of tar#eti!#& he mo)ed to cha!!eli!# 'hile Sirius lea!ed a#ai!st the 'all of the classroom a!d 'atched. "Deprimo" he cast 4uietly& tar#eti!# the dummy o! the far left. % 'i!d hit the tar#et& roc"i!# it sli#htly. He co!ce!trated o! cha!!eli!# more ma#ic throu#h his 'a!d. "Deprimo$" he cast a#ai!. he 'i!d "!oc"ed the practice dummy o)er. Hm& perhaps somethi!# easier to e)aluate& he muttered. Sirius loo"ed i!terested& but stayed 4uiet. "+&celsiosempra" he cast at the dummy o! the ri#ht. he dummy rose a foot i!to the air. He co!ce!trated o! the stre!#th of the spell he 'a!ted a!d tried a#ai!. "+&celsiosempra0" he dummy rose to the ceili!# a!d Harry #a)e a sli#ht smile of satisfactio!. "Accio practice dummy& he called to cou!ter the @oati!# e>ect& co!ce!trati!# o! 'here he 'a!ted the dummy to drop. 5t retur!ed to its* positio!& althou#h a foot closer tha! it had bee!. %t his re4uest& Sirius cha!#ed the le)el to th ear a!d the hi#hest diculty& causi!# the dummies to mo)e a!d dod#e as he cast. He repeated all of his spells& focusi!# hard a!d at the e!d of 30 mi!utes& he 'as pleased 'ith his pro#ress a!d 'hat it i!dicated for the future. Bicely do!e& Harry Sirius said from behi!d him. 5t loo"s li"e it 'o!*t ta"e you )ery lo!# to perfect your tar#eti!# a!d cha!!eli!#. (hy do!*t 'e try a 3rd or th le)el duel& so that you ca! practice shieldi!# a!d cou!ters Harry sti>e!ed sli#htly a!d be#a! to sha"e his head. 5 do!*t thi!" so Professor. 5*m !ot 4uite sure 5*m ready. Sirius #ri!!ed at him as he dre' his 'a!d. ou*re doi!# #reat? %!d if you 'a!t to atte!d my B( le)el classes& 5 !eed to e)aluate both your o>e!si)e a!d defe!si)e abilities. (e*ll ha)e a !ice a!d simple duel6 'e ca! e)e! limit it to th e)el spells. %t Harry*s co!ti!ued hesitatio!& he added ca;oli!#ly& /ome o!& ho' ofte! do you #et a free shot at a teacher et*s see if you ca! "!oc" me do'!. he tee! #ri!!ed& for#etti!# mome!tarily this 'as!*t really his #odfather. & you*re o!. Prepare for your arse to become i!timately ac4uai!ted 'ith the @oor? hey bo'ed& a!d Harry cast a 4uic" disillusio! a!d mo)ed 4uietly to his left. Sirius be#a! a! +&pelliarmus& but 4uic"ly cha!#ed to !omenum 7evelio 'he! Harry disappeared. Harry cast "+&celsiosempra"$ but Sirius dod#ed& casti!# his o'! 1etri8cus otalus 'hich the you!#er ma! dod#ed. %s he mo)ed& Harry cast +&pelliarmus 'hich hit Sirius& a!d his 'a!d @e' to'ards Harry. Sirius tried a 'a!d less "Accio my 'a!d& but Harry mo)ed a!d it failed. Harry held up the 'a!d a!d smir"ed at the clo!e of his #odfather. Bo' if o!ly 5 had a camera& the Professor beate! by a reco)eri!# patie!t? =ah? the older ma! said 'ith a #ood-!atured #ri!. 5 dema!d a re-match? hey too" their places a#ai!& a!d after a 4uic" bo' the spells be#a! a#ai!. Sirius immediately tried a Conundo& 'hich Harry dod#ed& 'hile Harry tried a! +&pelliarmus & 'hich Sirius a)oided. =oth of them darted a!d mo)ed 4uic"ly as the spells @e'. Sirius used a lo' le)el "9urnunculus" 'hich the you!#er ma! e)aded. ".eminio0" Harry cast at himself& creati!# a duplicate. Ho'e)er& he did!*t cha!!el e!ou#h e!er#y to ma"e more tha! 1& a!d Sirius "ept the ri#ht ima#e tar#eted. "6tupey0" tried the older ma!& admiri!# the speed 'ith 'hich the you!#er ma! mo)ed& e)e! thou#h he 'as reco)eri!# from serious i!;uries. Harry tried a 4uic" "Incarcerous0" & but Sirius duc"ed a!d it 'e!t o)er his head. He 'as already casti!# a "6ilencio0" casti!# sli#htly to the tee!*s ri#ht& a!d #ri!!ed as he mo)ed i!to it& dod#i!# the 'ro!# 'ay. Harry tried a !o!)erbal 1rotego a!d 'as deli#hted 'he! it 'or"ed. Sirius arantallegra bou!ced o> the shield& lea)i!# it up& but 'ea"e!ed. Harry tried a !o!)erbal 9inite a!d #a)e a breath of relief as he re#ai!ed his )oice. a#er to see ho' the tee! reacted to a hi#her le)el spell& Sirius shouted& "7educto0" he spell @e' at the tee!& 'ho stopped i! shoc" a!d his 'hole body fro7e. he spell bro"e throu#h the 'ea"e!ed shield a!d struc" Harry*s shoulder& causi!# a small #eyser of blood to erupt. o Sirius shoc"& the tee! fell to the @oor a!d curled his body i!to a fetal positio!& e)e! thou#h he i#!ored the actual i!;ury. 26
h s'eet at some poi!t today. his situatio! ca!!ot re-occur u!less you 'a!t to completely destroy a!y cha!ce of reco)ery this you!# ma! has. He i#!ored the #uilt @oodi!# the ,%,% Professor*s face. Presto! retur!ed to the bed a!d #e!tly too" the you!# ma!*s face i! his ha!ds. Harry& ca! you hear me /a! you sta!d up %fter o!ly shudders a!d !o other )isible respo!se& Presto! tur!ed to the other 2. (e*re #oi!# to !eed pri)acy here. Poppy immediately cast a spell to'ards 1 'all& a!d se)eral pri)acy scree!s i!sta!tly mo)ed to surrou!d the bed. Sirius 'a!ted to protest at !ot bei!# able to see the you!# ma! he had i!;ured& but at a hard !ud#e from Poppy& he relucta!tly left& carryi!# his #uilt 'ith him. Presto! said calmly to his patie!t& his is Presto!
!arry held out as long as he could$ and even when a sound came$ it barely escaped through tightly clenched /aws and lips pressed together with determination) !e thought he might have craced some o the teeth clenching them so tightly) !e held out until they dislocated his nees$ then the screams o agony eventually erupted out o him and echoed throughout the dungeon) Lucius #aloy-s lips turned upwards in amusement and satisaction at the scream o anguish) %s the memory be#a! to replay a#ai!& a )oice could be heard. his is o!ly a memory& Harry. his is !ot real. ou are at Ho#'arts. ou are !ot a priso!er. Professor =lac" is horried that his spell hurt you. his is o!ly a memory. 5t is i! the past. oo" at me& Harry. /ome bac" to me. he )oice repeated calmly a!d patie!tly o)er a!d o)er reassuri!# him u!til Harry slo'ly retur!ed his a'are!ess to the 'orld arou!d him. (elcome bac"& Harry& Presto! said 'ith 'arm appro)al i! his )oice. 5*m pleased that you 'ere able to liste! to me a!d come out of that memory. (ell do!e. Harry loo"ed arou!d him a!d after a fe' mome!ts reali7ed he 'as i! the 5!rmary. He tur!ed his hau!ted a!d almost u!seei!# eyes to'ards Presto! as he dre' a shudderi!# breath. (ell do!e 5*m a bas"et case& Presto!. 5 should!*t be allo'ed out 'ith !ormal people. Presto! shoo" his head a!d lea!ed for'ard& ou are perfectly !ormal& Harry. our respo!ses are completely !ormal as 'ell. our captors 'ere the de)ia!ts6 their brutal beha)iors 'ere ab!ormal. our respo!se a!d reco)ery is characteristic of a!yo!e 'ho has su>ered as much trauma as you ha)e. ,o you "!o' that out of e)erythi!# they did& the physical torture 'as!*t e)e! the 'orst& Harry said i! a mo!oto!e )oice. 5t 'as 'hat they did to meE to 'ho 5 'as. He paused a!d Presto! reali7ed his eyes 'ere !ot seei!# a!ythi!# i! this room. %fter se)eral mi!utes of sile!ce& he !ally as"ed #e!tly& /a! you tell me 'hat they did to 'ho you 'ere Harry slo'ly retur!ed to the room he 'as i! a!d dispassio!ately& om a!d his ,eath aters tortured me physically& but they also made sure that 5 reali7ed 5 'as nothing i! their eyes. 5f they 'ere!*t tal"i!# about 'hat they 'ere #oi!# to do or actually torturi!# me& they "ept up a steady dialo#ue of 'hat a 'orthless& po'erless piece of rubbish 5 'as. Ho' 5 'as!*t 'orth the air 5 breathed& but that 5 'as!*t 'orth the e!er#y of a! Avada Kedevra. He too" a deep a!d shudderi!# breath& %fter most of their *sessio!s*& 5 'ould be o! the #rou!d& layi!# i! my o'! lth a!d blood& tryi!# to stop the cries of a#o!y. hey co!sta!tly told me ho' 5 'as less tha! a 'i7ard& ho' 5 'as lo'er tha! )ermi!. 5 'as a o!ly a thi!#6 their thi!# a!d they 'ere free to torme!t me a!y 'ay they 'a!ted for a!y reaso!6 amuseme!t& boredom& e)e! a simple habit. He stopped a!d s'allo'ed hea)ily& a!d the! shoo" his head& u!able to co!ti!ue. Presto! said softly& hey dehuma!i7ed you& because they "!e' it 'ould hurt you. He #athered a bla!"et from the foot of the bed a!d 'rapped it arou!d Harry*s trembli!# body. %!d i! spite of yourself& you may ha)e come to belie)e it because you had !o hope a!d !o po'er. 5! that situatio!& it 'ould be !early impossible for a!yo!e to "eep their self-'orth. His )oice too" o! a deeper a!d more comma!di!# to!e. Harry& any normal person 'ould lose heart a!d fall i!to the dar" hole of despair. Any normal person 'ould hope for the death that they too" pleasure i! de!yi!# you. he #ree! eyes @ic"ered up to him a!d the! bac" do'! to the ha!ds that 'ere ti#htly cle!ched i! his lap. Presto! co!ti!ued& Harry& your reactio!s are !ormal a!d reaso!able. )e! thou#h the physical torture e!ded& any normal person 'ould li)e i! 'ith fear i! their bac" poc"et. Any normal person 'ould be mistrustful of other people& a!d @i!ch a'ay from bei!# touched. 5 may !e)er be able to u!dersta!d the horror you e+perie!ced& but 5 ca! promise you o!e thi!#. (e will 'or" throu#h it. 5 'o!*t lie to you. here 'ill be #ood days a!d there 'ill be dar" days. ur #oal 'ill be to 'or" o! ma"i!# sure that there are more #ood days& the days 'he! you ha)e faith a!d hope a!d trust a#ai!. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry 'as!*t see! for the rest of the day& usi!# the 5!rmary Floo to retur! to his 4uarters. Sirius =lac" reported to %lbus 'hat had happe!ed a!d ho' the tee! had bee! dri)e! almost catato!ic from a 7educto. (hile %lbus did!*t absol)e him of a!y blame& he did su##est that he 'or" 'ith Healer . room 'ith a ster! eye. 5 'a!t to reiterate that & but if attac"ed& his reco)ery 'ill be si#!ica!tly impacted. 5 am as"i!# for your assista!ce to ma"e sure that does!*t happe!. (ith their assura!ces& he left. he !e+t mor!i!#& Harry a'o"e screami!# from a!other !i#htmare& althou#h this time it started from his early childhood& 'here his U!cle $er!o! called him a frea" a!d a 'aste of space& a!d the! loc"ed him i! his cupboard. He pou!ded o! it& tryi!# to #et out& but 'as told that frea"s li"e him did!*t deser)e to be i! the prese!ce of !ormal people. he cupboard slo'ly dissol)ed i!to the cell $oldemort had "ept him i!& a!d his captors repeated that he 'as less tha! !othi!#& u!'orthy of the air he breathed& a!d that he deser)ed the discipline they !eeded to pro)ide. Presto! arri)ed for their mor!i!# appoi!tme!t a!d after accepti!# a cup of tea& he as"ed& (hat 'as last !i#ht*s !i#htmare about Harry shru##ed a!d a)oided the other ma!*s eyes. Hed'i# @e' to his shoulder a!d !ibbled his hair. he tee! stro"ed the bird*s 'hite feathers #e!tly& calmi!# some'hat 'ith the familiar motio!. Harry& be#a! Presto!& 'e*re i! a part!ership. 5t*s you a!d me 'or"i!# to#ether. 5 'ill help you #et throu#h a!ythi!#& !o matter 'hat. 5 do!*t ;ud#e you& but 5 'ill liste!. %!ythi!# you say to me is co!de!tial. he tee! ra! his ha!d throu#h his hair& as he debated tal"i!# to Presto!. Fi!ally& he too" a deep breath& )erythi!# is co!de!tial& !o matter 'hat f course& Harry. 5 #a)e you my oath. he older ma! 'aited patie!tly as his patie!t d#eted a little. ou ha)e!*t as"ed me 'hy 5 dueled Professor =lac" 'he! you e!coura#ed me to o!ly practice tar#eti!#. ,o you 'a!t to tell me about it Harry ra! his ha!ds throu#h his hair a!d the! tu##ed it ercely& 'hile Presto! 'aited patie!tly. 5t*s because 5 for#ot he 'as!*t really my #odfather. He loo"ed at Presto! a!d said& 5 told him 5 'as o!ly practici!# tar#eti!# a!d cha!!eli!#& but he be#a! ;o"i!# 'ith me a!d sudde!ly 5 for#ot 'here 5 'as. 5 o!ly reco#!i7ed that it 'as my #odfather teasi!# me a!d 5 'a!ted to "!oc" him o! his arse as a pra!". He smiled at the memory of the feeli!# of bei!# teased. 28
So 'here you*re from& Professor =lac" is your #odfather Presto! claried. he smile left the tee!*s face. %ctually& he*s dead i! my 'orld. %lmost e)eryo!e here is dead6 ,umbledore& S!ape& Poppy& a #ood !umber of the stude!ts. 5t 'as a terrible 'ar. our ord Slytheri! called himself ord $oldemort i! my 'orld. He 'as!*t e+actly sa!e a!d rather tha! political ma!eu)eri!#s& he 'as pretty much a terrorist& 'or"i!# throu#h fear a!d )iole!ce. Hed'i# croo!ed at him softly a!d hopped do'! to his lap& tu##i!# at his !#ers u!til he stro"ed her a#ai!. %fter a fe' mome!ts& Harry made a decisio!& too" a deep breath a!d loo"ed at the older ma!. 5t started before my birth. $oldemort 'as risi!# i! po'er a!d )iole!ce. after the traitor. 5 'as supposed to #ro' up 'ith him& 'ith Sirius& but ,umbledore decided to use my mother*s sacrice to create blood 'ards arou!d her sister*s house. U!fortu!ately& she 'as a ere!t !ame. So 5 tried it to see. (he! they did!*t react& 5 #ured 5 'as halluci!ati!#. he idea of a parallel 'orld still seems li"e it came out of someo!e*s too )i)id ima#i!atio!. Presto! chuc"led 'armly& 5 ha)e to a#ree 'ith you. 5t does sou!d li"e the basis for a #ood !o)el& does!*t it =ut here you are. %!d here e)eryo!e else is. 5 "!o' they are!*t the same& but they loo" so much li"e the people 5 "!e'& it*s really hard some days. Do! (easley a!d Hermio!e Cra!#er 'ere my best frie!ds i! school& but they*re you!#er tha! my frie!ds 'ould ha)e bee!. =esides& they*re !ot the same. room at 11:00 this mor!i!#. he sta> a!d 5 'ould li"e to spea" 'ith you before the stude!ts retur! this e)e!i!#. %lbus ,umbledore He too" a there& Harry 'o!dered. He chec"ed the time a!d reali7ed it 'as o!ly 19 mi!utes from 11. He 'ashed his face a!d combed his messy hair a!d the! made his 'ay to the sta> room& pleased that he remembered the 'ay from se)eral years earlier. He also !oticed that he relied o! the ca!e less tha! he had the pre)ious day. )e! 'ith the accide!t& he 'as pleased to see steady pro#ress physically. He reached the sta> room a!d rapped o! the door se)eral times 'ith his ca!. he door ope!ed to re)eal all of the sta> seated arou!d a lar#e table.
Harry sat i! the ope! chair by Professor ere!tly a!d 'o!dered 'hether he had tra!s#ured the clothi!#. 5 'ould be happy to ha)e his assista!ce& started Sirius 4uic"ly& but after yesterday& it*s probably !ot such a #ood idea. He lea!ed bac" i! his chair a!d slumped his shoulders& o!ce a#ai! feeli!# the #uilt of the pre)ious day*s episode. ha!" you for the o>er& Sirius& but you are probably correct. (hat do you thi!"& table for meals& u!less of course& you prefer to sit 'ith the stude!ts. he sta> table 'ill be !e for !o'& sir. ha!" you. (e*ll ha)e to #et you some robes& %lbus started. Harry i!ter;ected 4uic"ly& Bo !eed& sir. 5 )isited ,ia#o! %lley the other day a!d purchased some clothi!# a!d supplies. He !oticed the curious faces o! all of the teachers& but did!*t add a!ythi!# to that stateme!t. 5 see& %lbus bli!"ed. He reco)ered 4uic"ly a!d added& (ell& co!#ratulatio!s Dola!da. ou*)e hired yourself a )ery resourceful you!# ma!. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- he stude!ts led i!to the Creat Hall& chatteri!# a!imatedly 'ith their frie!ds about their holidays. Do!? 'hispered Hermio!e Cra!#er. She !ud#ed the boy 'ho 'as!*t payi!# atte!tio! a!d 'he! he tur!ed to her 'ith a hu>& she !odded mea!i!#fully at the sta> table. he redhead loo"ed a!d his eyes 'ide!ed sli#htly i! surprise at seei!# a ra)e!-haired you!# ma! seated !e+t to table. his is
Harriso! =lac" 4uestio!ed Pa!sy Par"i!so! at the Slytheri! table. She loo"ed o)er at ,raco member6 Harriso! =lac" 'as prese!ted as the assista!t to as she stood a!d 'atched him approach. ha!" you& he respo!ded politely. % trio of #irls #a)e him a cheerful Cood mor!i!#& a!d the! #i##led madly as soo! as they passed him. I fro'!ed i! co!ce!tratio!. 5t 'as created by ,r. Ubbly& a!d is used to heal me!tal 'ou!ds. ere!ce bet'ee! his S!ape ;ust 'riti!# i!structio!s o! the board a!d this S!ape actually lecturi!# a!d teachi!#. ou may !o' collect your i!#redie!ts a!d be#i! the potio!. Summo! me 'he! you reach the rumpe!t tails. 5f it is correct& 'e 'ill put it i!to stasis u!til the !e+t class. Harry prepared his 'or" surface& #etti!# his cauldro!& mortar a!d pestle a!d "!i)es arra!#ed& as he 'aited for the crush arou!d the supply cabi!et to dimi!ish. S!ape 'al"ed do'! the aisle to'ards him& a!d Harry !oticed that !o!e of the stude!ts seem to be terrori7ed at his passi!#. he tall Potio!s the rod. $ery !ice& ere!t potio!& lea)i!# Harry to store the rest of his i!#redie!ts a!d ta"e his tools to the 'ash basi! to thorou#hly clea! them. He 'as able to lea)e the room 10 mi!utes before the e!d of the class a!d a)oid the crush of stude!ts. He 'as !o' free u!til later i! the after!oo! 'he! he 'as #oi!# to re)ie' each of the House Muidditch teams 'ith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------%t the e!d of the rder a!d ,umbledore ;ust !odded at him. =ut ho' could he possibly #et the #alleo!s for so ma!y purchases& as"ed a be'ildered er our !a!cial support to the you!# ma!. (e*re respo!sible for Holly a!d Sebastia!& a!d 'e should ha)e made sure that he had e)erythi!# he !eeded. %lice o!#bottom blushed a rosy hue as 'ell. 5 did!*t thi!" of it either& ily. Fra!" added& er him a helpi!# ha!d immediately. 5t is our obli#atio! a!d duty. 5t*s !ot too late& said %rthur (easley. 5 thi!" Do! should #i)e up half of his allo'a!ce to help =lac". hat 'ould be a more substa!tial remi!der of his part i! the 'hole asco& !ot that his allo'a!ce is all that bi#. Aames slapped %rthur o! the bac" a!d e+claimed& +celle!t idea& %rthur? Holly a!d Sebastia! 'ill do the same. %lice a!d Fra!" #la!ced at o!ce a!other a!d 'ith a !od& Fra!" added& Be)ille as 'ell. hat 'ill be a more lasti!# impact that a lo!# essay o! 'hat could ha)e #o!e 'ro!# a!d the impact to eri!# him some type of compe!satio! from the childre! is o!ly fair. %lbus smiled appreciati)ely at the pare!ts. (ith that support a!d the small 'a#e he*ll recei)e as ort. She stood o! the spelled pitch that de@ected the 'i!ter s!o' holdi!# a Bimbus 200 i! her ha!d. (hat do you say& Harry Shall 'e try a little 1-o!-1 before the stude!ts arri)e hat 'ill let you practice a bit& a!d #i)e me the cha!ce to see you perform. ou may ha)e your pic" of the school brooms. Some of the /lea!s'eeps are fairly dece!t. He too" the !e' broom he had purchased the day before from his poc"et a!d e!lar#ed it. He hid a chuc"le that it matched the @yi!# i!structor*s Bimbus 200. Harry had!*t bee! able to ;ustify replaci!# his professio!al-le)el Firebolt 'ith the resources at his disposal& so settled for the )ery !e Bimbus model. %h& )ery #ood. ,id you borro' it or is it your o'! as"ed the @yi!# i!structor. 5 pic"ed it up yesterday at ,ia#o! %lley& admitted Harry. 5 ha)e!*t practiced 'ith it yet. %re you #oi!# to #i)e me some practice time before our match Dola!da chuc"led a!d said& 9 mi!utes& !o more? 5*m older tha! you a!d !eed e)ery ad)a!ta#e 5 ca! ta"e? He immediately pushed o> o! the broom a!d made a couple of practice ru!s arou!d the pitch& 'hile Dola!da ope!ed the bo+es holdi!# the MuaKe& S!itch a!d =lud#ers. %s she prepared for their match& Harry be#a! accelerati!# a!d decelerati!# to #et the true feel of the broom. He tried se)eral practice air loops& a!d 'as pleased 'ith the respo!si)e!ess of the broom. 5t 32
did!*t compare to his Firebolt& but it 'ould ser)e its* purpose. %t a 'histle from Dola!da& he looped bac" a!d la!ded beside her. She let the #olde! s!itch free& a!d it 7oomed a'ay a!d 4uic"ly disappeared as she pic"ed up the MuaKe. he usual 'ay 'e play 1-o!-1 is to let the =lud#ers ru! free a!d 'e attempt to score as ofte! as possible 'hile eludi!# them. (he!e)er 1 of us spots the s!itch& 'e #o after it. Sou!d #ood Harry !odded& that sou!ded li"e a typical 1-o!-1 match 'ith !o beaters& chasers or "eepers. & you ca! ha)e the 1st MuaKe thro'& Harry. Dola!da permitted the =lud#ers to soar i!to the s"y a!d immediately "ic"ed o> the #rou!d herself. Harry follo'ed her a!d o!ce they 'ere both up i! the air& he thre' the MuaKe as hard up as he could& shouti!# Co? =oth @yers raced after the MuaKe& their comparable brooms ma"i!# it a )ery e)e! co!test. Dola!da cau#ht the MuaKe as Harry duc"ed the 2 =lud#ers that hurtled to'ards him. He tur!ed a!d 7ipped to'ards his 3 #oalposts& tryi!# to be i! a positio! to bloc" her score. He almost missed 1 of the =lud#ers spri!ti!# to'ards him& but cau#ht the mo)eme!t out of the cor!er of his eye a!d rolled the broom o)er& causi!# the =lud#er to barely miss him. Dola!da thre' the MuaKe to'ards the ce!ter hoop ;ust as he rolled& co!de!t of ha)i!# the 1st score. o her surprise& his roll too" him to'ards the ce!ter of the 3 hoops a!d he cau#ht the MuaKe ;ust before it 'e!t throu#h his hoop. He lau#hed a!d @e' past her. Bo' her competitor i!sti!cts o)errode her e)aluatio! of him& a!d she de)oted herself to the #ame. She chased after him& pushi!# her broom to the limit& tryi!# to beat him to her hoops& but 'as at least t'o meters behi!d him a!d resi#!ed herself to him scori!# the 1st poi!ts. %s he dre' his arm bac" to thro' the MuaKe& a =lud#er strea"ed to'ards his bac". =lud#er? she cried. He shot up'ards i! respo!se a!d the =lud#er @e' belo' him. Ho'e)er& his mo)eme!t #a)e her the opportu!ity to catch up a!d she 'as i! positio! 'he! he tried to thro'. U!fortu!ately& the 2!d =lud#er fou!d her at that poi!t a!d she had to s'er)e abruptly to a)oid bei!# hit. He too" ad)a!ta#e of her mo)eme!t to thro' the MuaKe& a!d from his e+cited 'hoop& she "!e' he had scored. /hee"y brat& she called& #ri!!i!# i! spite of herself. Harry retur!ed the #ri! a!d the! 'hirled as both =lud#ers came bac" at them a!d they had to separate to restart their #ame. Dola!da used e)ery tric" she had lear!ed i! 0 years of @yi!# to out @y the you!#er ma!& but she had to admit that he 'as a !atural @yer. )e! o! a Bimbus he had o!ly bou#ht the pre)ious day& he 'as treati!# it as a! e+te!sio! of himself& somethi!# @yers usually could o!ly do after a lo!# ac4uai!ta!ce 'ith their broom. hey chased 1 a!other arou!d the pitch& 'ith some e+citi!# poi!ts #ai!ed o! either side& 'hile usi!# some ris"y mo)es to dod#e the =lud#ers. %s the #ame 'ore o!& the 2 of them be#a! to tease 1 a!other& t'irli!# arou!d the other& loopi!# 'he! possible& ma"i!# their #ame i!to a! aerial ballet. Sudde!ly Harry sa' su!li#ht re@ected o> somethi!# a!d he accelerated abruptly& i#!ori!# the MuaKe i! Dola!da*s ha!ds. She follo'ed his tra;ectory a!d reali7ed that he had spotted the #olde! s!itch. Ihe boy is de!itely a See"er&J she thou#ht 'ith admiratio!. She #ri!!ed 'he! the s!itch sudde!ly darted a'ay a!d do'!'ards. She pushed her broom& hopi!# to i!tercept it. he 'i!d 'ailed i! their ears as they both pushed their brooms to the limit& a)oidi!# the =lud#ers that sudde!ly reappeared. Her heart beat faster as the adre!ali!e rushed throu#h her system. hey 'ere !o' side by side i! a race o! matched brooms to see 'ho 'as #oi!# to claim the #olde! s!itch 1st. ach of them reached out a ha!d 'hile the other clasped the broom ha!dle ti#htly. he s!itch 'as still i! a do'!'ards tra;ectory a!d Dola!da 'as tryi!# to ;ud#e 'he! she 'as #oi!# to ha)e to pull up to a)oid a crash& but u!'illi!# to let Harry #rab the @yi!# ball 1st. Harry "ept his eye o! the S!itch& e+pecti!# it to sudde!ly dart i! a!other directio!& but it co!ti!ued its do'!'ard plu!#e. hey 'ere #etti!# da!#erously close to the #rou!d !o'& but Harry "ept his eye o! the s!itch. He i!ched for'ard o! the broom a!d reached perilously o)er the e!d of the ha!dle& e)e! as he sa' Dola!da pull up from his peripheral )isio!. Pull up? she yelled. Harry? Pull up? His ha!d closed arou!d the s!itch a!d he pulled up as sharply as he could. His feet scraped the #rass o! the pitch a!d he @e' less tha! half a foot abo)e the #rou!d. He circled bac" a!d came to a halt& breathi!# hea)ily& but holdi!# up the s!itch triumpha!tly. Harriso! =lac"? %re you i!sa!e Dola!da shouted at him. ou !early fri#hte!ed me to death? 5f that*s 'hat you*re #oi!# to teach the stude!tsE Her )oice 'as o)erridde! by the sou!d of shouts a!d applause. hat 'as i!credible? ou*re #oi!# to teach us those mo)es& are!*t you =loody a'esome? hat 'as the best 1-o!-1 5*)e e)er see!? Dola!da a!d Harry tur!ed arou!d to see the Cry!dor Muidditch team ru!!i!# to'ards them 'ith e!ormous #ri!s. 5 ca!*t 'ait for you to coach us? said a )oice familiar to Harry. He tur!ed to the side a!d reali7ed he 'as loo"i!# at Ci!!y (easley. Hi& 5*m Ci!!y (easley& Cry!dor See"er& she said e+citedly. Ho' did you ;ud#e 'he! it 'as safe to "eep #oi!# a!d 'he! you had to pull up Hold o! Ci!!y& said a!other familiar )oice. all dar"-s"i!!ed %!#eli!a Aoh!so! came for'ard a!d smiled at him. %!#eli!a Aoh!so!& team /aptai!& she said 'ith a brillia!t smile. et me i!troduce you to the rest of the team. (e ha)e a! embarrassme!t of redheads this year& she be#a! o!ly to be i!terrupted 'ith boo*s a!d hisses from the (easley t'i!s 'ho be#a! their t'i!-spea". Bo' is that aE E!ice thi!# to say& %!#eli!a Hush you 2& she said 'ith a fro'! that carried !o 'ei#ht behi!d it. hose 2 ;o"ers are Nth ears Fred a!d Ceor#e (easley& our =eaters. he redhead behi!d them is Do!& our eeper& a 9th ear. 5*m a Nth ear a!d 1 of the /hasers a!d the Potter t'i!s are the other 2 /hasers a!d are i! their 9th ear. Harry #la!ced at the aubur!-haired Holly a!d the dar"-haired Sebastia!6 he had!*t really scruti!i7ed them before. Bo' he could see the resembla!ce to ily a!d Aames Potter. He !odded politely to the e!tire team a!d tur!ed bac" to %!#eli!a 'ith a small #ri!& 2 sets of t'i!s ou ha)e my deepest empathy& s a!d protests from the t'i!s. 33
er the team a!y help or ad)ice. %!#eli!a a!d all of the (easleys played pretty much the 'ay he remembered them& althou#h he had tau#ht his 'orld*s Ci!!y a fe' more mo)es tha! this 1 demo!strated. He tur!ed his atte!tio! to the Potter t'i!s. (here Sebastia! had the same messy dar" hair he a!d Aames had& Holly had a reddish bro'! color& !ot 4uite the dar" red of ily& but almost a mi+ bet'ee! her pare!ts. hey both had trim builds& 'ith Sebastia! lea!i!# to'ards 'iry 'hile Holly 'as more 'illo'y. hey mo)ed easily amo!# the other players& passi!# the MuaKe a!d a!ticipati!# 1 a!other*s mo)es. hey follo'ed %!#eli!a*s directio!& but he 'ould!*t be surprised if they could score ;ust as easily 'ith o!ly the 2 of them. hey did!*t ha)e the boisterous !ature of the (easley t'i!s& but had more subtle a!d u!assumi!# perso!alities. He pushed o> o! his o'! broom a!d @e' to Ci!!y& o>eri!# her some ad)ice o! re!i!# her mo)es a!d i!troduci!# a fe' others. %t the e!d of the practice& the boys loc"er room 'as echoi!# 'ith e+citeme!t a!d chatter. He really "!o's ho' to @y a!d play& e!thused Do! (easley. (ith his help& 'e*ll beat Slytheri! for sure? ,o!*t for#et that he*s #oi!# to be coachi!# all of the teams& Sebastia! Potter remi!ded him. h bolloc"s? Do! muttered. 5 did for#et he 'as!*t ours alo!e. He #ri!!ed at his brothers. ere!ce i! her beha)ior a!d as"ed& 5s a!ythi!# 'ro!#& Bebby 5s there somethi!# 5 ca! do he house elf 'ru!# her ha!ds a!d cried& ere!t areas& he replied. %! e+celle!t use& the Professor said 'ith e+citeme!t. Bo'& the 'a!d mo)eme!t is a *U* shaped mo)eme!t follo'ed by a 4uic" @ic". He demo!strated the mo)eme!t a!d had the class practice. Harry had al'ays let Hermio!e cast the spell& so 'as pleased to ha)e a cha!ce to practice it himself. (he! he 'as co!de!t of the mo)eme!t& he !oticed that Flit'ic" 'as still 34
mo)i!# arou!d the class room correcti!# 'a!d mo)eme!ts& so he pulled out ->uintessence$ a .uide- to read the suppleme!tary i!formatio! o! the spell. (he! the class 'as do!e& Harry headed to'ards the Muidditch pitch to 'or" 'ith the Da)e!cla' team before di!!er. His 1o!-1 #ame 'ith Dola!da had raced throu#h the stude!t rumor mill& a!d he 'as surprised at ho' 'elcomi!# the Da)e!cla' team 'as. Dola!da stayed close lo!# e!ou#h to i!troduce him to the team /aptai!& Dod#er ,a)ies 'ho the! i!troduced him to the rest of the team. Harry chatted about 'ith them about 'hat the team sa' as their stre!#ths a!d 'ea"!esses. %t 1 poi!t& he had to stop as ddie /armichael& 1 of the =eaters 'as spea"i!#. he 9th ear held his broom i! his ha!d a!d 'as s'i!#i!# it bac" a!d forth sli#htly. ere!ce bet'ee! 'i!!i!# a!d losi!# a #ame& Harry declared as he loo"ed arou!d at the team. ou must chec" the bristles before a!d after e)ery @i#ht. % be!t bristle ca! impact ho' the broom ha!dles& ho' it speeds up or ho' it slo's do'!. he shaft !eeds to be clea!ed a!d 'a+ed o! a re#ular basis. oo much 'a+ a!d you 'ill ha)e trouble stayi!# o!. oo little a!d it 'ill slo' do'! i! the air. 5f you 'a!t your team to 'i!& you each !eed to ta"e care of your broom& e)e! if it*s a school broom. %fter that& they pushed o> i!to the air a!d ra! throu#h their practice 'ith Harry o>eri!# tips a!d tech!i4ues to each of the players. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry ;er"ed i!to a sitti!# positio! o! his bed& #aspi!# as his heart pou!ded i! his chest. His body 'as slic" 'ith s'eat. He too" a deep a!d sha"y breath a!d the! shoo" his head. 5 ca!*t "eep this up& he muttered i! despair. 5 ca!*t li)e li"e this. He 'as 'aiti!# for Presto! at the replace 'he! he Floo*d throu#h i! the mor!i!#. Cood mor!i!#& Harry& the older ma! said as he eyes raced o)er the te!se form of the you!#er ma!. 5 #ather you did!*t ha)e a #ood !i#ht*s sleep 5 do!*t "!o' 'hat to do& Presto!& Harry admitted& but 5 ca!*t "eep this up. 5 o!ly #et 2 !i#hts of dece!t sleep a 'ee"& a!d that*s 'ith the ,reamless Sleep. He rubbed his eyes tiredly. 5 ;ust do!*t "!o' 'hat to do. 5 'a!t to bu!dle up all these memories a!d loc" them a'ay behi!d a hi#h security )ault at Cri!#otts. =loc"i!# the memories 'ill cause them to s!ea" up o! you 'he! you least e+pect it& Harry. 5f 'e 'or" throu#h the emotio!s you felt 'he! it occurred& that 'ill !ot o!ly o>er a! outlet for the emotio!s you 'a!t to bottle up& but as hard as it is to belie)e !o'& it 'ill help restore your se!se of co!trol a!d reduce the po'erful hold the memories ha)e o! your life. Harry stared at him for se)eral lo!# mome!ts a!d the! hea)ed a deep shudderi!# si#h. 5*ll try to belie)e that. (hat !o'. (hy do!*t you tell me about the dream !arry had screamed on occasion$ but not as oten as the death eaters seemed to crave) he teen held out as long as he could$ and even when a sound came$ it barely escaped through tightly clenched /aws and lips pressed together with determination) !e thought he might have craced some o the teeth clenching them so tightly) hey broe each bone only to heal them and brea them again) hey cut him open with 7educto and Difndo$ only to heal the bleeding and torn (esh) And yet he held on to the almost invisible spar o hope that somehow he would be ound and rescued) *oldemort entered the cell with Lucius and %ellatri& and looed around with distaste) I he still had a nose$ it would have crinled at the smell) With limbs that trembled and betrayed him$ !arry tried to stand and lean against the cold stone wall) !e was 8lthy$ matted with his own blood and urine$ and still he tried to stand beore his tormentors) ";ou will never win$" he hissed through teeth clenched in pain) ";ou can ill me$ but you will still not win)" "5h !arry$ do you thin we-re going to ill you:" !e stroed !arry-s chee almost lovingly) "'o$ no$ my dear boy$ we-re going to brea you and then remold you into my perect servant)" his almost did reap a scream as the teen-s voice rasped harshly ";ou will never turn me Dar and I will never give in)" *oldemort merely laughed in sincere amusement and hissed$ "Let-s play a game together$ shall we !arry:" With a voiceless spell$ he cast a bone3crushing he& at !arry-s !arry-s leg$ causing an impossibly white bone to /ut out through the 8lthy sin) he boy gasped and shited his weight to his let leg$ his hands reaching the chains above the manacles to help eep him up) "*ery good$ !arry$ but the game isn-t over)" !e cast another bone3crushing he& at the right thigh and the boy turned even whiter beneath the dirty and bloodied ace) !is hands clung to the chains in desperation$ trying to eep the weight o? the shattered and broen bones) !e pointed the wand at the raven3haired young main and began breaing bones with pleased precision until the !arry couldn-t eep the screams inside any longer) !e screamed until blood escaped his lips and tears ran down his ace) It was a long time beore the darness claimed him) Harry stayed i! his room for most of the day after Presto! left. He had promised !ot to loc" his emotio!s a!d memories a'ay& so spe!t most of the day practici!# meditatio! a!d cclume!cy tech!i4ues u!til he !ally felt calm a!d co!trolled a#ai!. =y the!& it 'as time to ;oi! the Slytheri! team for their practice sessio!. Dola!da*s sharp eyes seemed to see the te!sio! hidde! behi!d the layers of co!trol he 'as holdi!# a!d as"ed& %re you all ri#ht today& Harry ,o you 'a!t me to ta"e this practice He #a)e a small smile of appreciatio! at the older 'oma! for her co!cer!. 5*ll be !e& but tha!" you. hey 'al"ed o!to the pitch a!d Dola!da said& his is ere!ce& e)e! as he forced himself !ot to dra' his 'a!d. he years of hostility bet'ee! the ;u!ior
%s the practice co!ti!ued& Harry !oticed sli#ht di>ere!ces bet'ee! his 'orld*s er his best coachi!# o! Dola!da*s behalf. ou mi#ht co!sider "eepi!# your thumb o! top of the shaft& rather tha! the side& he said. 5f you "eep it poi!ted i! the directio! you 'ish to head& it #i)es you a sli#ht ha!dli!# ad)a!ta#e& a!d e)ery little bit helps. He !oticed that Muidditch team. He had to hold i! a si#h as acharias Smith s'a##ered for'ard at Dola!da*s i!troductio!. he tall blo!de had bee! a! a!!oya!ce i! his o'! 'orld& especially i! the ,% meeti!#s. He co!sta!tly 4uestio!ed a!d challe!#ed Harry a!d had bee! publicly s"eptical of his s"ill a!d leadership abilities. He co!ti!ued his criticisms outside of the ,% u!til the (easley t'i!s had threate!ed him. He too" re)e!#e o! the (easleys by su##esti!# duri!# a Muidditch comme!tary that o!ly Do!*s frie!dship to Harry #ai!ed him a place as the Cry!dor "eeper. %llo' me to i!troduce the team& Smith said 'ith #reat self-importa!ce. ur other 2 chasers are %pplebee a!d /ad'aller& our beaters are Dic"ett a!d *Flaherty& "eeper is ma!!ed by Fleet a!d Summerby is our !e' see"er. (e e+pect to bri!# the House /up to HuKepu> this year& 'ith or 'ithout your help. he other team members had the #race to loo" appalled at their /aptai!*s rude comme!ts. Harry merely i!cli!ed his head& /o!de!ce is a #ood thi!#& of self-importa!ce. 5 see e)eryo!e practices #ood broom mai!te!a!ce. (ell do!e. et*s push o> a!d see ho' you do i! the air& so that 5 ca! e)aluate each positio!. he HuKepu> team 'as actually pretty #ood& althou#h their see"er did!*t ha)e the e+perie!ce that /edric ,i##ory had lear!ed o)er the years. He too" the time to share some tips a!d tech!i4ues 'ith the you!#er player& 'ho seemed to de)our the ad)ice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry "!e' he 'as dreami!#& but he seemed u!able to 'a"e himself. !e ound himsel in !ogsmeade en/oying a weeend visit) !ermione was browsing the boostore while 7on was in ono-s) !arry leaned against the ono-s building$ en/oying the warm spring sunshine on his ace as he waited or his < riends) A mu@ed cry abruptly cut o? rom the alley behind the store gained his attention and he waled into the alley to investigate) Almost immediately$ he reali,ed there were B blac3robed 8gures cursing a 8gure on the ground) A !ogwart student was on the ground$ thrashing in agony under a pain curse$ but obviously silenced so that no 2 could hear him) 2 o the B saw his approach and immediately cast a stunning spell at him) he other < turned as well$ and !arry reali,ed they wore white mass) "Death +aters0" he reali,ed) !e had his wand out and a shield up beore the 2st spell reached him$ but it crumbled under repeated assaults) !e elt pain blossom in his shoulder and chest even as he cast the shield again) Ater a short but 8erce battle$ one o the attacers ell to !arry-s counter attac and then ortunately the noise drew the attention o his two riends who had begun to loo or him) 5nce 7on and !ermione appeared$ the other < Death +aters (ed) !arry collapsed in pain and let the darness tae him) !e awoe in the !ogwarts In8rmary in the bed) he other student had been Crucio-d severely while !arry had deep cuts made by a Difndo) #adame 1omrey his wounds while ondly reprimanding him or his recless behavior$ while !ermione and 7on stood nearby) As he lay on the bed ater #adame 1omrey let$ !ermione shoo her head and said in a trembling voice$ "I was so worried when you weren-t outside the store and then we heard the sounds o the 8ghting) What happened:" %eore !arry could answer her 4uestion$ Albus Dumbledore came around the privacy screen with several other 8gures) "Indeed$ #iss .ranger$" he said) "We are all wondering the same thing)" he !eadmaster was /oined by 1roessor #c.onagall and Auror Kingsley 6haclebolt) !arry ga,ed up at the < teachers and began retelling the details o his ordeal while the Auror too notes or an ofcial report) When !arry 8nished recounting the battle$ the !eadmaster ased$ "What happened to the man who died$ !arry:" !arry rowned slightly) "Did the 2 on the ground die then: I wasn-t certain what happened)" ";es$ !arry$" Dumbledore replied$ his voice heavy with sorrow and disapproval) "Why didn-t you try to escape once you saw they were Death +aters:" !arry looed at the elderly wi,ard in conusion) "I went into the alley because I heard someone call out or help) I couldn-t run because they would have cut me down rom behind) hey were casting lung stopping curses$ 6ectumsempra$ Difndo and Conringo) I tried stunning them$ but as soon as 2 was stunned$ 2 o the others revived him) I 8nally cast a Difndo at 2$ trying 36
to sever his wand hand) I he died$ it probably cut an artery causing him to bleed out)" !e was pleased to see that 6haclebolt at least seemed to approve his actions) !is !ead o !ouse inter/ected$ "Well done on eeping cool in an impossible situation$ #r) 1otter) While regrettable$ sometimes 2 must 8ght bac with deadly orce)" !arry gave her a smile o gratitude$ which aded when the !eadmaster replied) "#inerva$ there are always choices) It is important to do what is right rather than what is easy$" the older man responded in a grandatherly tone) !arry pushed himsel upright in the bed and ignored the pain in his chest and shoulders as he glared in disbelie at the elderly wi,ard) "!eadmaster$ what are you saying: What part o the encounter do you thin was easy: I was 8ghting or my lie against B adult wi,ards who were trying to ill me0 Do you even care that Death +aters were able to in8ltrate !ogsmeade and nearly murdered a student or are you more concerned about the act that I ought bac and won:" #adame 1omrey staled up to the bed and glared at visitors) "I believe it-s time that you let my patient to rest and recover)" 6he was appalled that the headmaster appeared to be more concerned that the teen had illed 2 o his attacers than the act that he was attaced and severely in/ured) With a sigh$ Dumbledore looed sadly at the in/ured teen and shoo his head beore he turned and swept out o the hospital room) With a (ic o her wand$ #adame 1omrey closed the doors behind him) Kingsley 6haclebolt shoo his head brie(y and then said$ "I you wouldn-t mind sharing your memory o the event$ #r) 1otter$ I thin we can wrap up the investigation 4uicly)" He 'o"e up& trembli!# i! a!#er at %lbus ,umbledore a#ai!. he ma! had al'ays seemed to ce!sure him 'he!e)er he harmed a! oppo!e!t& e)e! 1 tryi!# to "ill him. 5t 'as as if the ma! thou#ht he 'as tur!i!# dar" ;ust because he fou#ht to 'i!. %#ai!st multiple oppo!e!ts& 6tupey did!*t 'or". 1 of the others simply e!er)ated the do'!ed ,eath ater a!d they 'ere bac" i! the #ht& but ,umbledore al'ays seemed to 'a!t the ,eath aters to be captured ali)e& i#!ori!# that they 'ould soo! bribe their 'ay out or ;ust 'ait for $oldemort to brea" them out of ;ailE a#ai!. (he! Presto! came to )isit& they discussed his lo)e-hate relatio!ship 'ith his 'orld*s %lbus ,umbledore. Presto! !e)er too" sides& but liste!ed to his you!# patie!t a!d helped him 'or" throu#h his emotio!s. h& 5 almost for#ot? Harry said sudde!ly. (e bre'ed the bli)ious U!ctio! potio! this 'ee"& a!d Professor S!ape su##ested 5 as" you about *the ecacy of employi!# it i! my treatme!t*. He mimic"ed the Potio! ecti)e i! heali!# both physical a!d me!tal i!;uries. 5 'ould be 'illi!# to ha)e you try it. ou 'ould ta"e 1 )ial !o'& a!d the! a!other before sleepi!#. 5t 'o!*t erase your memories& but it 'ill #i)e you some dista!ce from them. He loo"ed at Harry a!d added& 5f you 'a!t to try it& 5 do!*t belie)e it 'ill harm you a!d may be helpful& but it*s up to you. Harry held out his ha!d a!d accepted the )ial from Presto!. %!ythi!# is better tha! 'hat 5*)e bee! li)i!# 'ith& he admitted. He ope!ed the )ial a!d dra!" the mi+ture do'!& #rimaci!# at the bitter taste. Presto! 'aited se)eral mi!utes& casti!# se)eral dia#!ostic charms e)ery mi!ute. %fter 10 mi!utes he said& ell me about last !i#ht*s dream a#ai!. o his surprise& Harry 'as able to recou!t the dream as 'ell as the actual e+perie!ce 'ithout the a!#er a!d se!se of betrayal that usually accompa!ied such a memory. He smiled at Presto!& he memories are all there& but it*s as if they are muted& e)e! dulled a little. Presto! retur!ed the smile. a"e a!other dose before bed a!d 'e*ll tal" a#ai! i! the mor!i!#. He Floo*d out& lea)i!# Harry feeli!# a sli#ht ti!#e of optimism for the 1st time i! a lo!# time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- hat after!oo!& Harry Floo*d to the ea"y /auldro! a!d after a 'a)e to om& he passed throu#h to the courtyard to tap the bric"s to ope! the portal to ,ia#o! %lley. He 'ould ha)e )eheme!tly de!ied that he had a spri!# i! his step as he headed to ,e'r'as* %rmor& but he could!*t fail to admit that he 'as really loo"i!# for'ard to seei!# 'hat the armor ma"er had do!e 'ith the basilis" hide. (elcome the armor. He had to admit that he loo"ed da!#erous a!d capable i! it& a!d li"ed that ima#e. He brie@y co!sidered 'eari!# it u!der his other clothi!#& but decided he 'ould !eed to ha)e them ad;usted to 'ear o)er the armor 'ithout bei!# too ti#ht. !ce cha!#ed& ,e'r'as pac"ed the suit for him. 5t is resista!t to shri!"i!#& the %rmorer 'ar!ed as he ha!ded him full-si7ed ba#s& but that mea!s it 'ill also be resista!t to o>e!si)e spells. Harry a#reed that bei!# resista!t to o>e!si)e spells 'as more importa!t tha! shri!"i!# his purchase. He shoo" ha!ds 'ith ,e'r'as a!d promised to recomme!d him to others. !ce bac" i! the %lley& he paused 2 doors a'ay from the %rmorer*s to loo" i!to a small shop called he Class
He e!tered the small shop a!d 'as #reeted 'ith a 'arm smile by a pretty 'oma! 'ith lo!# bro'! hair o!ly a fe' years older tha! he 'as. he shel)es 'ere li!ed 'ith beautiful blo'! #lass ob;ects& i!cludi!# a )ariety of !ormal a!d ma#ical a!imals o! 1 'all. Bear the fro!t cou!ter 'as a case lled 'ith #lass ;e'elry6 some 'ith metal @ec"s that created a shimmery metallic loo" 'hile others seemed to ha)e layers of colors creati!# stri"i!# pieces. % series of 2 meter tall shel)es do'! the ce!ter of the store co!tai!ed displays of )ases& bo'ls& perfume bottles a!d e)e! a! e!tire shelf of colorful blo'! #lass @o'ers. (he! Harry 'as at the far e!d of the store e+ami!i!# a series of plates s'irli!# 'ith colors& the door bell ra!# a#ai!. He 'as surprised that rather tha! the 'arm #reeti!# he had recei)ed& he heard a #asp from the pretty you!# 'oma!. He loo"ed arou!d the display to disco)er that se)eral #ures i! dar" cloa"s that hid their faces had e!tered the shop. 1 s!eeri!# )oice said& ou made a mista"e ope!i!# a shop i! ,ia#o! %lley 'he! pureblood busi!ess o'!ers could ha)e used this space. (ith a )oice that 'as o!ly sli#htly sha"i!#& the 'oma! a!s'ered& hey had the same opportu!ity as my family did to purchase the property. Shut up you 'orthless ecti)e. hey o!ly had 1 shelf destroyed before a red bolt of li#ht hit 1 of the robed #ures a!d he collapsed o! the #rou!d. (he! the other #ures sa' Harry& they each cast a 6tupey & 1 at the shop "eeper a!d 1 at Harry. He dod#ed the poorly cast 6tupey a!d retur!ed it& "!oc"i!# out the other )a!dal. he other robed #ure ra! out of the store as Harry ra! to the fro!t of the stop. He paused o!ly lo!# e!ou#h to step hea)ily o! their 'a!d ha!ds u!til he felt the bo!es brea". He shouted to the shop"eeper as he ope!ed the door& a"e their 'a!ds a!d cast Incarcerous o! them? a!d the! ra! out of the shop i! pursuit of the third )a!dal. hat #ure be#a! casti!# ra!domly& causi!# pa!ic i! the street. Harry shouted o!ce to stop before i!!oce!t shoppers 'ould be hurt. He cast a!other 6tupey & tryi!# to stop the #ure& 'ho he thou#ht 'as a ma!. Aust as he had the #ure i! his si#hs& he felt himself forcibly thro'! i!to a shop 'i!do'& his head hitti!# the @oor hea)ily. He felt himself starti!# to lose co!scious!ess e)e! as his body re#istered the pai! of multiple pieces of #lass i! his torso. =ra!do! %lteric 'as a !e'ly #raduated %uror. (he! he ;oi!ed his part!er o! a call about a disturba!ce i! ,ia#o! %lley& he 'as ready to defe!d the populace a!d sho' the ,< ;ust 'hat he 'as made of. He 'as!*t a typical roo"ie6 he came from a lo!# li!e of %urors a!d 'ould pro)e that he could hold his o'! 'ith the best of them? %s they e!tered the %lley& he sa' the people screami!# a!d ru!!i!# a'ay from 2 me!. 1 appeared to be ru!!i!# a'ay 'hile the other 'as a dar"-haired ma! 'ho 'as dra'i!# a bead o! him 'ith his 'a!d. He immediately ba!ished the dar"haired ma! i!to a !earby shop 'i!do'& thereby sa)i!# the @eei!# shopper. o his shoc"& !ot o!ly did his o'! part!er hit him upside the head& but the other shoppers tur!ed o! him i! a!#er. (hy did!*t you stop the other 1 hat ma! 'as tryi!# to sa)e us? (hy did you let the other 1 escape His part!er& ,u!ca! Halda!e& 4uic"ly disco)ered that the ma! had ru! out of he Class ered a co!cussio!. Harry si#hed a!d said& Creat& more scars. (ell actually& 5 thi!" the ,itta!y that 'as applied 'ill pre)e!t a!y !e' scarri!#. %lso& the ,aily racle ra! a lo!# story about 'ith the headli!e& *Hero ,o'!ed Protecti!# thers*. He chuc"led as Harry #roa!ed a!d fell bac" o! the bed& pulli!# the pillo' o)er his head. 38
% brief "!oc" 'as follo'ed by the door immediately ope!i!#. Harry i#!ored the i!trusio! a!d "ept the pillo' o)er his face& 'hile Presto! loo"ed at the !e'comer 'ith a raised eyebro'. He loo"ed bac" at the bed a!d said calmly& Harry& 5 thi!" you ha)e a #uest. Harry lifted the pillo' o> his face a!d almost immediately 'a!ted to replace it as he reco#!i7ed the #ure. Sta!di!# i! the room 'as a! older ma! 'ho bore a disti!ct resembla!ce to a! old lio!& 'ith a ta'!y #rey-strea"ed hair a!d sharp yello' eyes !ot 4uite hidde! by his 'ire-rimmed spectacles. e!ed as he replayed her 'ords i! his mi!d a!d loo"ed at the door i! horror. ucius ered a ha!d to Harry 'ho forced himself to sha"e it& stoppi!# the touch as soo! as polite!ess 'as satised. Dufus& 5*m sure you ha)e more importa!t thi!#s to atte!d to& he added to Scrim#eour. he older ma! !odded a!d e+cused himself.
% publicly or#a!i7ed lea#ue held duri!# the summer& Harry i!)e!ted 4uic"ly. (e played a #ame e)ery 'ee"e!d. 5t 'as hectic& but 'e had more competitio! that 'ay. 5!tri#ui!#& said the blo!de. b)iously your trai!i!# 'as ade4uate i! ,efe!se& ecti)e& Se)erus said& i!cli!i!# his head. 5!deed. 5f 5 had!*t already had it& meeti!# the e!tra!ce behi!d their table. Se)erus raised a! eyebro' at the Headmaster& 'hile er his heartfelt apolo#ies before& but he a#ai! felt truly ashamed of his beha)ior a!d 'o!dered ho' old he 'ould be before he !ally lear!ed his lesso!. Harry ope!ed the portrait e!tra!ce a!d raised a! eyebro'. Headmaster& he said 'ith careful ci)ility& 'hat bri!#s you to my 4uarters er you refreshme!ts Bo tha!" you& my boy& %lbus respo!ded as he sat by the replace. He !oticed a sli#ht @i!ch at calli!# the you!# ma! my boy a!d 'o!dered if perhaps his !ormal 'ay of spea"i!# 'as too familiar for his other 'orld #uest. He made a! e>ort to meet the tee!*s #ree! eyes a!d do)e i!to the purpose for his )isit. 5 made 2 )ery lar#e errors i! the last fe' days a!d both of them directly impacted you& er my si!cere apolo#y for that as 'ell. he you!#er ma! sat do'! abruptly& stari!# at the Headmaster i! surprise a!d disbelief. His 'orld*s %lbus ,umbledore 'ould !e)er ha)e apolo#i7ed so completely& !or 'ould ha)e o>ered a 'i7ard*s oath !ot to repeat the o>e!se. Fi!ally& he 40
shoo" his head a!d said& 5 tha!" you for the apolo#y Headmaster. 5f you promise it 'o!*t happe! a#ai!& 5 'ill trust you to "eep your 'ord. He met the other ma!*s eyes a!d added& 5f that trust is bro"e!& you 'ill !d it is u!li"ely to e)er be #ra!ted a#ai!. %lbus allo'ed some of the te!sio! to ease from his frame. He had bee! si!cerely ashamed of his )iolatio! of you!# =lac"*s pri)acy a!d 'ould ha)e u!derstood if the you!# ma! had bee! u!'illi!# to for#i)e him. ee!a#ers ofte! felt thi!#s so )ery stro!#ly& after all. ha!" you& e!ded you i! some ma!!er. Harry stood a!d mo)ed o)er to the replace 'here a small re alle)iated the 'i!ter chill a!d cast da!ci!# shado's i!to the sitti!# room. He lea!ed o! the ma!tle a!d stared at the @ames as his mi!d raced throu#h the years of memories. (ith his bac" still to the older 'i7ard he too" a deep breath& releasi!# it slo'ly before tur!i!# bac" arou!d to face the Headmaster. our cou!terpart 'as a co!trolli!# ma!ipulator 'ho treated people li"e pa'!s o! a chess board rather tha! huma! bei!#s. He sacriced 'hoe)er 'as !ecessary if it 'as for 'hat he percei)ed as bei!# better for the #ood of the ma!y. f course& those sacrices al'ays seemed to be made by others& but that*s beside the poi!t. %s Headmaster& he did !othi!# to stop the i!ter-house ri)alries a!d e)e! e!coura#ed them 'he! he permitted a House to belie)e they had 'o! the House /up o!ly to a'ard last mi!ute poi!ts a!d ta"e it a'ay from them i! fro!t of the e!tire school. Harry reco#!i7ed that the older 'i7ard appeared u!comfortable& but co!ti!ued rele!tlessly. He permitted me to be ostraci7ed a!d ridiculed by the e!tire school more tha! o!ce 'hile doi!# !othi!# to stop the sla!der a!d rumors. He forced me to compete i! the ri'i7ard our!ame!t& e)e! thou#h someo!e else had e!tered my !ame. He hired i!compete!t teachers a!d either 'as i!capable of e+pe!di!# the e!er#y to !d better or did!*t care e!ou#h about the stude!ts to do so. He permitted at least 1 sta> member to me!tally a!d emotio!ally abuse the stude!ts u!der his care a!d did !othi!# but chide the abuser #e!tly for his beha)iors. Harry too" a!other deep breath a!d a#ai! released it slo'ly& tryi!# to let the a!#er seep from his body. ,id 5 ha)e a problem 'ith your cou!terpart es& 5 most certai!ly did. (he! 5 'as you!# a!d !aV)e& 5 lo)ed a!d trusted him completely& more tha! a!y other perso! 5 had e)er met. 5 fully belie)ed the "i!dly #ra!dfather perso!a he pro;ected. 5 did!*t thi!" a!yo!e could be better tha! %lbus ,umbledore& 'hich made the re)elatio! of his !umerous ma!ipulatio!s o)er the years e)e! more brutal a!d hurtful. h yes& 5 had problems 'ith your cou!terpart after lear!i!# ;ust ho' badly he had betrayed my trust. here 'as a lo!# pause bro"e! o!ly by the crac"li!# of the re. Fi!ally %lbus uttered remorsefully& 5 si!cerely re#ret that the Headmaster of a!y school 'ould !ot put the safety a!d educatio! of his stude!ts before all else. 5 am e)e! sorrier that my rece!t actio!s 'ould rei!force the belief that he a!d 5 are ali"e. 5 ca! o!ly hope that my future actio!s 'ill dimi!ish those co!cer!s. Harry loo"ed at the elderly ma! 'ho re#arded him 'ith ear!est blue eyes. 5 hope so as 'ell& Headmaster. 5 si!cerely hope so as 'ell. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry #lared at Dola!da Hooch as she teased him about the starry-eyed loo"s ma!y of the female stude!ts 'ere #i)i!# him o)er lu!ch. 5*m #oi!# to ha)e to as" Professor S!ape to teach me ho' to #lare them i!to fearful submissio!& he muttered. o his left& he heard the Potio!s
Wpe!W he hissed to the s!a"e etched i!to the tap& a!d the e!tire +ture obedie!tly sa!" i!to the #rou!d& re)eali!# the dar" a!d musty-smelli!# e!tra!ce. (ith the additio!al comma!ds of WstairsW a!d Wli#htsW& Harry made his 'ay i!to the passa#e'ay. He 'al"ed past the locatio! 'here he had fou!d the massi)e shed s"i! a!d co!ti!ued throu#h the tu!!el. He reco#!i7ed the area 'here oc"hart caused a ca)e-i! i! his 'orld& a!d proceeded cautiously 'ith 1 eye o! the ceili!# i! case it 'as u!stable. )e!tually& he fou!d himself before the massi)e doors #uarded by a comple+ loc"i!# de)ice usi!# t'o metal s!a"es. Wpe!W he comma!ded a#ai!& a!d 'ith a #ri!di!# rumble of lo!# u!used machi!ery& the s!a"es t'isted a!d tur!ed to u!loc" the #reat doors. he ope!i!# of the door caused the torches to li#ht 'ithi! the massi)e temple-li"e /hamber a!d Harry e+perie!ced a se!se of dX;Y )u as he e!tered6 rememberi!# ho' fri#hte!ed he had bee! 'he! he had come to rescue Ci!!y (easley. From 'here he stood at the e!d of the lo!# chamber& he could easily see the to'eri!# sto!e pillars e!t'i!ed 'ith more car)ed serpe!ts that rose to support the ceili!#. %s he dre' le)el 'ith the last pair of pillars& he could see the e!ormous statue of Sala7ar Slytheri! alo!# the bac" 'all. 5t still seemed as hu#e as it did 'he! he 'as 126 a! ima#e of a! a!cie!t 'i7ard 'ith a lo!# beard that ri)aled or e)e! e+ceeded ,umbledore*s beard. He 'al"ed to the hu#e sto!e feet ;ust barely )isible belo' the sto!e robe a!d scattered 2 of the rooster feathers. Steppi!# bac" to'ards the opposite 'all& he co!ti!ued to drop feathers u!til he reached the other side of the chamber. He dre' his 'a!d a!d the! loudly hissed& WSpea" to me Slytheri!& #reatest of Ho#'arts ?W %s had happe!ed 'he! Diddle*s tee!a#ed diary memory had said those Parselto!#ue 'ords& Slytheri!*s #i#a!tic sto!e face be#a! to mo)e. he statue*s mouth slo'ly ope!ed 'ide& the ;a' droppi!# to create a #api!# ca)ity i!to a!other compartme!t of the /hamber& too hidde! i! shado's to percei)e 'hat lay 'ithi!. His heart beat faster as somethi!# stirred 'ithi! the statue*s mouth& the! he heard it O scales upo! sto!e as somethi!# massi)e slithered to'ards the ope!ed mouth. 5!sti!cti)ely& Harry dropped his eyes to a)oid the basilis"*s deadly #a7e. He sa' the e!ormous blac"-scaled body reach the @oor a!d it*s hu#e ;a's ope!ed& re)eali!# deadly fa!#s as the head s'u!# arou!d. o his surprise he heard& W5s the school i! da!#er (ho dares attac" Ho#'artsW W5s that your purpose&W he respo!ded i! surprise& Wto protect the schoolW he head s'u!# bac" i! his directio!. W5 'as hatched a!d raised to protect the school a!d the stude!ts& althou#h !o 1 has called o! me for ma!y years.W he basilis" paused a!d seemed to e)aluate him. W(ho are you that you spea" the la!#ua#e of s!a"es %re you desce!ded from the Slytheri! li!eW Harry co!sidered his choices a!d decided o! ho!esty 'ith the #reat beast. 5t had !ot attac"ed a!d did!*t seem to be as hostile as the 1 that had !early "illed him. W5 'as o!ce a Ho#'arts stude!t. Bo' 5 help the Flyi!# 5!structor. 5 do !ot thi!" 5 am related to Sala7ar Slytheri!& but it has bee! 1.000 years si!ce he 'al"ed the school halls.W he basilis" mo)ed u!til it 'as fully i!to the /hamber. he torches caused additio!al colors to da!ce amo!# his scales& bri!#i!# dar" #ree! a!d e)e! a purple e##pla!t color to shimmer amo!# the blac" scales. WSo lo!#&W it mused. 5t sudde!ly stopped a!d seemed to s!i> the air a!d the! loo"ed do'! at the #rou!d& s!i!# delicately. he massi)e head tur!ed bac" to'ards Harry. W,id you come to "ill me& huma! 5 smell the sce!t of roosters.W Harry ti#hte!ed the #rip o! his 'a!d& but the basilis" did !ot mo)e closer to him. W5 thou#ht 5 mi#ht ha)e to.W he #reat beast coc"ed its head at him. W(hyW it 4uestio!ed. W5E h bolloc"s... 5 am !ot from this 'orld. i! my arm& a!d 5 dro)e that fa!# i!to the boo"& 'hich "illed the spirit.W he #reat head 'a)ed bac" a!d forth& as if thi!"i!#. W% spirit li)i!# i! a boo" that could drai! the life of a stude!t !ly a! e)il ritual could cause such a thi!#.W he head stopped a!d he thou#ht the creature 'as stari!# at him. Wou did 'ell to "ill both.W 5t slithered for'ards a fe' feet a!d the! paused a#ai!. WHo' ma!y seaso!s 'ere you 'he! this happe!edW W5 'as 12&W Harry co!fessed. he #reat body rose up a#ai! i! shoc". W% hatchli!#? % stude!t a!d a hatchli!#? )il? Bo 1 should harm a hatchli!#?W he hissi!# 'as #reatly a#itated. WShhh& calm yourself Creat 1&W Harry soothed. W5 sur)i)ed.W WShasa!ae&W the basilis" respo!ded. %t Harry*s pu77led sile!ce& she added& W
W% phoe!i+ cried i!to the 'ou!d&W he disclosed. W5 'ould!*t ha)e sur)i)ed other'ise.W He thou#ht about it a!d the! added& W5 'as i! the outer chamber a fe' 'ee"s a#o& a!d too" 1 of your shed s"i!s. 5 had some armor made from it.W he deadly head tilted to 1 side. W% 'ise idea&W she seemed 4uite pleased 'ith the idea. W do'! a side tu!!el that Sala7ar co!rmed led to a hidde! e+it outside of the castle. 5s there a!ythi!# you 'a!t me to ta"e from here before 'e lea)e& sir as"ed Harry. Bo& this chamber 'as merely Shasa!ae*s refu#e. Ho'e)er& let us see ho' the ce!turies ha)e treated the remai!der my retreat. Detur! to the mai! /hamber& you!# Spea"er& a!d mo)e to the far bac" 'all. !ce out i! the mai! /hamber& Harry 'as treated to a!other se)eral mi!ute tirade o! 'hoe)er had completed the /hamber after his death. his i!cluded teachi!# 43
Harry !ecroma!cy so that he could raise the #uilty o!ly to torture them to death. he tirade o!ly stopped 'he! Harry be#a! s!ic"eri!# at the portrait. Fi!ally mo)i!# to the far 'all& Harry follo'ed the portrait*s i!structio!s u!til he reached a sectio! of the 'all that held a! i!laid s!a"e e!#ra)i!#. Wpe! Study&W hissed the portrait. 5mmediately& the s!a"e receded i!to the 'all& 'hich shimmered brie@y before a! or!ate 'oode! door appeared. %t Harry*s sudde! i!hale& the portrait smir"ed& ,id you ima#i!e 5 created this ha)e! ;ust for Shasa!ae here 'ere times 'he! all of us 'ished for the tra!4uility of a pri)ate retreat. 5 am certai! that Codric& Hel#a a!d Do'e!a all fashio!ed their o'! hidde! sa!ctuaries 'ithi! the castle. Harry e!tered a!d could!*t 'ithhold his #asp of ama7eme!t a!d e+citeme!t 'hile Sala7ar #rumbled at the si#ht before them. he dust-coated room 'as a richly appoi!ted library full of shel)es. 1 'all 'as lled 'ith ti#htly rolled scrolls that had !e)er bee! modied i!to boo" form. 5 should ha)e besto'ed a sta!di!# order for the Ho#'arts house el)es to mai!tai! these chambers& muttered Sala7ar& eyi!# the accumulated #rime 'ith distaste. %s you ca! ascertai!& this 'as my study a!d pri)ate library 'here 5 co!ducted my research or simply retreated for 4uietude. 5 "ept my more treasured tomes here6 if i!deed a mille!!ia has passed& ma!y may be u!"!o'! to this time. he Headmaster a!d professors 'ould probably sell their souls to ha)e access to this& Harry murmured i! a'e. 5 am afraid to touch a!ythi!#& i! case it crumbles from a#e. 5 cast impermeable spells o! all materials here& but it 'ould be prude!t to e!sure the charms ha)e co!ti!ued before attempti!# to ope! a!ythi!#. (e 'ill retur! a!other day o!ce 5 ha)e had time to co!sider the most ad)a!ta#eous approach& decided Sala7ar. 5 also built a potio!s lab as 'ell as a bed chamber do'! here& re)ealed the portrait. he potio!s lab had a sealed cabi!et e!cha!ted to "eep i!#redie!ts fresh. (he! 'e retur!& 'e 'ill i!)esti#ate to see ho' those charms e!dured as 'ell. For !o'& if you #o throu#h the door o! your left& the tu!!el 'ill bri!# you to the mai! Ho#'arts "itche!. %t Sala7ar*s comma!d& Harry ordered Wi#htsW o!ce he 'as i! the blac" tu!!el& a!d crystal orbs embedded i! the 'all lit up 'ith a lumi!esce!ce. 5 am pleased to see that e!cha!tme!t co!ti!ues& remar"ed the portrait smu#ly.
Harry #ri!!ed a#ai!6 this should be i!teresti!#. %ctually& 5 ;ust as"ed her for it a!d she politely ac4uiesced. Aames shoo" his head a!d stared at the you!# ma!& (hat do you mea! you as"ed her =asilis"s ca! spea" !#lish Bo& 5 spea" parselto!#ue& Harry admitted cheerfully. His #ood !ature disappeared as both Aames a!d Sirius immediately recoiled from him as if he had ;ust calmly a!!ou!ced himself to be a ca!!ibal. Se)erus remai!ed seated& 'atchi!# the i!terplay 'ith !arro'ed eyes& ready to step i! if 'a!ds 'ere dra'!. ou*re a parselmouth Aames spit the 'ords out as if they 'ere polluti!# his mouth. Harry loo"ed at the 2 horried me! a!d the! shoo" his head i! disbelief. 5 see. ou*re as !arro'-mi!ded a!d pre;udiced as the =lood Purists6 you ;ust ma"e the co!scious decisio! to discrimi!ate o! a! i!herited ability to spea" a forei#! la!#ua#e 'hile they discrimi!ate based o! pare!ta#e. Bo' use the situatio!. Harry cut him o> 'ith a! abrupt #esture. Bo Professor. 5 'ill !ot be patie!t 'ith such blata!t a!d i!tolera!t bi#otry. 5 did!*t #ht a 'ar a!d !early die o!ly to be "id!apped a!d re)iled by those as small-mi!ded as $oldemort. he other me! @i!ched at the icy de!u!ciatio! i! his )oice. he tee! tur!ed a!d stal"ed from the room& his ma#ic s'irli!# arou!d him. 2 me! 'atched from do'! the hall'ay as the #ure of a you!# ma! stal"ed a'ay from the Headmaster*s oce& fury e)ide!t i! his posture. h dear& said %lbus. 5 'o!der 'hat that 'as about. hey co!ti!ued up the stairs to the Headmaster*s oce. %lbus e!tered the room 'ith Peter Petti#re' to see Se)erus ar#ui!# ercely 'ith Aames a!d Sirius. Peter 'histled sharply to #et their atte!tio!. (hat is all the commotio! about a!d 'ho 'as the you!# ma! 'ho stomped out i! a ra#e Peter? (elcome bac"? e+claimed Aames. ou 'o!*t belie)e 'hat 'hat*s bee! happe!i!# 'hile you 'ere a'ay? ou& me& re 'his"ey to!i#ht& said Sirius& #i)i!# a 1-armed hu# to his old frie!d. Se)erus i!cli!ed his head& Petti#re'. He recei)ed a! e4ually !eutral S!ape a!d a !od i! retur!. So 'ho 'as the you!# ma! that left a!d 'hy did you loo" li"e you had bee! hit by a 'ide-eyed charm 'he! 5 came i! hat*s Harriso! =lac". he "ids summo!ed himE supposedly from a!other 'orld ;ust li"e ours as a champio! or hero. hey paused to #i)e a brief recap of the you!# ma!*s actio!s si!ce he 'as brou#ht to their 'orld. =ut 'e ;ust lear!edE be#a! Sirius. he boy is a Parselmouth? e+claimed Aames 'ith horror drippi!# from his )oice. %lbus loo"ed surprised a!d the! thou#htful& as he co!templated the boy*s history a!d the implicatio!s of the disclosure. he smaller ma! loo"ed at his 2 old frie!ds a!d fro'!ed. hat*s it ou*re acti!# li"e he "ic"ed you i! the family ;e'els& despoiled your sister a!d stole your last "!ut because he ca! spea" to s!a"es Aames loo"ed at him oddly. %ll you ca! say is *that*s it* (e*)e ;ust disco)ered that the so-called hero is ,ar" a!d he*s i! a school full of childre!? %ssociati!# 'ith < childre!? (ait Aames& let me ma"e sure 5 u!dersta!d correctly. ou co!sider him to be a ,ar" 'i7ard a!d u!'orthy to associate 'ith your childre! because he ca! tal" to reptiles Peter claried. Peter& 'hat*s 'ro!# 'ith you as"ed Sirius a!#rily. =ei!# a Parselmouth is a ,ar" ability? Se)erus 'as surprised that the other 2 me! had!*t heard or heeded the 'ar!i!# to!e i! Petti#re'*s )oice as the smaller ma! co!ti!ued softly& %!d you both belie)e that if a 'i7ard has a!y *dar"* ability or characteristics& the! he should be a)oided a!d ostraci7ed from polite society Aames a!d Sirius !odded& althou#h they too" a step bac" at the seethi!# a!#er formi!# o! their frie!d*s rou!d face. Se)erus S!ape smir"ed a!d 'o!dered from 'here Petti#re' had i!herited his Slytheri! characteristics. 5! icy to!es that 'ould ha)e made a! abomi!able s!o'ma! proud& Peter s!eered&
he bro'! haired ma! paused to co!sider his 'ords& 5 o)erheard Sirius =lac" spea"i!# 'ith %uror Potter about ho' he is from a parallel 'orld. he %uror 'as relie)ed that the you!# ma! did!*t press char#es a#ai!st those that summo!ed him. He loo"ed at the ma! across from him to ;ud#e his reactio! to the !e's& but 'as disappoi!ted to see o!ly the !ormal !eutral mas" the ord 'ore. %lthou#h he arri)ed 'ith !o resources& he ma!a#ed to outt himself 'ith clothi!#& a 'a!d& boo"s a!d a tru!" i! ,ia#o! %lley a!d paid i! cash. He 'as see! e!teri!# a! %rmorer*s shop& but the shop o'!er 'as u!'illi!# to share a!y i!formatio!. /harles fro'!ed6 he had o>ered 4uite a lar#e bribe 'hich 'as a!#rily refused before he 'as sho'! the door. 5! additio!& he 'as #i)e! 4uarters i! the castle a!d #i)e! permissio! to audit some classes i! preparatio! for ta"i!# his B( e+ams here. astly& Healer Presto! after =lac" 'as i!;ured6 appare!tly i! a moc" duel 'ith Sirius =lac". (e 'ere told that you!# =lac" 'as u!der the Healer*s care for O a!d 5 4uote O the ma!y traumatic e)e!ts he e!dured. (e 'ere specically 'ar!ed !ot to sub;ect the you!# ma! to a!y physical or ma#ical attac"s as it 'ould impact his reco)ery. Slytheri!*s head tilted a!d his dar" eyes stared o> at the 'all as he co!sidered the i!formatio!. (hat else He 'as the you!# hero ide!tied i! the ,aily racle that helped defeat some )a!dals that 'ere teari!# up a shop ope!ed by a half-blood. He defeated 2 a!d 'as chasi!# the 3rd 'he! a! o)er-ea#er %uror se!t a ba!ishi!# spell at him& se!di!# him to St.
Chapter – B+sted Harry moa!ed loudly& shatteri!# the peaceful !i#ht a!d 'a"i!# both Hed'i#& 'ho slept o! a perch i! her bo!ded*s room as 'ell as Sala7ar out i! the sitti!# room. Hed'i# leapt the short dista!ce to Harry*s headboard a!d rumbled softly i! her chest as she 'atched the you!# ma! thrash 'ithi! the sheets. "I died or you and your mother$ !arry$" said a ghostly ames 1otter) "I gave up my lie and or what: Did you tae ater me in rans8guration or your mother in Charms: 'o$ you became a 1arselmouth) 'o 1otter would orsae the Light to become a dar wi,ard0" "%ut Dad$" cried !arry$ "I-m not a dar wi,ard0 I couldn-t help being a 1arselmouth0 It-s not my ault0" !is ather only aded away$ shaing his head in disappointment) Another 8gure materiali,ed near him) "5h !arry$ we had such plans or you$" said Lily 1otter sorrowully) "We loved you so much and had such high e&pectations o you) %ut you never 4uite measured up$ did you my son: ;ou were always in trouble at !ogwarts$ you didn-t mae many riends and you didn-t even try your best in your classes) 6uch a disappointment)" "#um0 I tried0 I really did0 %ut I didn-t understand the wi,arding world at 2st) I didn-t understand anything0 he other students always e&pected me to be some type o super hero$ but I was /ust !arry0" he auburn3haired woman aded away without acnowledging him$ only to be replaced by a 2= year old Cedric Diggory) ";ou illed me$ !arry) I tried to beriend you$ and what did you do: Insisted I tae the Cup with you$ and then I was immediately illed) !ow many more people did you ill$ !arry:" "'o0 Cedric$ I-m so sorry0 I didn-t now the Cup was a portey0 I didn-t now you would be illed0" !arry thought his heart would shatter under the accusations) Was he that bad o a son and riend: Cedric turned his bac on him and another sound drew !arry-s attention) !e twisted around to see 6irius$ who looed at him mournully) ";ou led me to my death$ 1up) ;ou reused to learn 5cclumency and let *oldemort tric you with alse visions) ;ou should have remembered the mirror) I wouldn-t have died i you had only remembered the mirror) Instead$ I came to save you rom your mistaes$ but you /ust led me to my death)" !arry crumbled to his nees$ stretching his hand out to his godather) "6iriusII never wanted you to die) I would have gladly died in your place0" "'o e&cuses$ 1up) ;ou were a poor sonE a poor studentE a poor riend and a poor godson) In act$ you ailed at everything$ !arry) 'o godson o mine would have been a 1arselmouth lie a 6lytherin) It-s a good thing your parents didn-t live to see how you turned out) hey would have been ashamed o you)" he teen collapsed orward$ his orehead hitting to cold stone (oor) "I))I loved you$ 6irius)" "!arry$" a cold voice said behind him) !arry closed his eyes in pain$ but he touched his tongue to his dry lips beore saying$ "7on" "Can-t you even loo at me$ !arry: I ought beside you and what happened: Did my death mean anything: 5r did you mae my death meaningless:" "7on$" !arry-s voice craced in grie) "6uch a disappointment$" said Lily) "'ot much o a 1otter$" added ames) Cedric-s voice stated$ "I have to wonder whether he planned or me to die by o?ering to tae the cup together)" "!e led me to my death$ 4uite 6lytherin o a 1arselmouth$ wouldn-t you say:" 6irius voice sneered) "#y best mate and he let me to die$" whispered 7on) Hed'i# ;umped do'! to the mattress !ear Harry*s pillo' a!d dod#ed his thrashi!# arms. She mo)ed for'ard a!d bit his ear sharply. he tee! shot up i! bed& pa!ti!# hea)ily& his ha!d #raspi!# the 'a!d he "ept be!eath his pillo'& his eyes loo"i!# for the threat. 46
Hed'i# bar"ed at him i! satisfactio! a!d ;umped i!to his lap& i#!ori!# that his body 'as damp 'ith s'eat. Cradually& the tee!*s breathi!# slo'ed a!d he te!tati)ely reached a ha!d to stro"e the o'l. He 'as re'arded 'ith a rumble of pleasure as she butted his ha!d 'ith her head& dema!di!# scratches. His ha!d automatically scratched the spot behi!d her !ec" that she could!*t 4uite reach to pree!& a!d she stretched out to #i)e him better access. Harry spe!t a! hour stro"i!# a!d scratchi!# Hed'i# before he sho'ered a!d dressed. he! he sat i! fro!t of the replace a!d rubbed his eyes tiredly. % cup of chamomile tea& 5 thi!"& said Sala7ar from abo)e the replace& 'here he 'atched the you!# ma! 'ith some co!cer!. ered to relay a messa#e& so 5 told them about the basilis" a!d Professor =lac" 'a!ted to "!o' ho' 5 "!e' so much. 5 e+plai!ed that she told me. he "!o'led#e that 5 'as a Parselmouth 'as... !ot 'ell recei)ed& he said @atly. Harry shoo" his head. (hy i! ect me. 5 o!ly thou#ht they 'ould be surprised. 5 did!*t e+pect the )eheme!t reactio! they had. specially !ot from the ima#e of your father a!d #odfather. eah& that too. He s!orted a!d added& S!ape 'as!*t upset at it at all6 he ;ust seemed curious. =ut Aames... he seemed to thi!" it mar"ed me as a dar" 'i7ard& a!d Sirius bac"ed him up. =loody hell& Presto!& 5 ha)e!*t do!e a si!#le *dar"* thi!# si!ce 5*)e bee! here. hey bloody "id!apped me& a!d 5 did!*t press char#es. 5 'e!t out of my 'ay to help i!!oce!ts i! ,ia#o! %lley a!d 'hat happe!s hey call me dar"? h hell& 5 ca! !e)er li)e up to a!yo!e*s e+pectatio!s& !o matter 'hat 'orld 5*m i!? he! 'hy do you try as"ed the Healer #e!tly. 47
he tee! #a)e him a half-hearted #lare& but respo!ded& =ecause the ,ursleys trai!ed me from childhood to belie)e that accepta!ce 'as based o! my performa!ce. es& you*)e helped me u!dersta!d that Presto!. 5t does!*t mea! 5 ca! ;ust stop beha)i!# the 'ay 5*)e beha)ed for the last 1G years? he older ma! too" a!other sip of his tea. Harry& do you belie)e that spea"i!# to s!a"es is i!here!tly e)il Bo& that*s ;ust stupid. 5t*s !ot a!y di>ere!t tha! lear!i!# s... 'hat 'as the stereotype you told me about HuKepu>s are loyal& but du>ers& Harry admitted a bit embarrassed. So for 'hate)er reaso!& Aames a!d Sirius "!e' of a parselmouth stereotype a!d accepted it as true. Sou!ds li"e i#!ora!ce to me. Harry #a)e him a 'ea" #ri!. 5 told them they 'ere as !arro'-mi!ded a!d bi#oted as the =lood Purists& o!ly their discrimi!atio! 'as based o! the ability to spea" a la!#ua#e& a!d the! 5 stormed out. Presto! chuc"led a!d said Cood for you? He 'as secretly pleased that his patie!t had re#ai!ed e!ou#h self-co!de!ce to sta!d up for himself& e)e! if his a!+ieties ma!ifested i! his dreams. He 'ould accept 'hate)er pro#ress they could ma"e. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry sat !e+t to the Potio!s door& the Headmaster called to him. Harry courteously 'aited i! the hall'ay for the older ma! to catch up to him. ,o you ha)e a class to audit at the mome!t& er my o'! apolo#ies for the situatio! that occurred yesterday i! my oce& the other ma! be#a!. He !oticed Harry*s @i!ch& but co!ti!ued& 5 'as accompa!yi!# Peter Petti#re' 'he! 'e sa' you stal"i!# a'ay. Aames a!d Sirius e+plai!ed their unease 'ith your ability to spea" Parselto!#ue. Peter 'as e+tremely displeased 'ith their beha)ior a!d rebu"ed them 4uite e>ecti)ely. 5 added my o'! displeasure after 5 heard the e!tire story as 'ell. Harry had tur!ed to #lare at %lbus 'he! he me!tio!ed Petti#re'& but the! stopped 'al"i!# e!tirely 'he! he heard that Peter had stood up for him. (ait& you*re telli!# me that 1eter 1ettigrew champio!ed me %lbus stopped a!d smiled at the stu!!ed you!# ma!. He 'as furious& actually. Aames a!d Sirius had for#otte! that 1 of their former best frie!ds 'as a 'ere'olf a!d therefore a *dar"* creature. 5f they could co!dem! you& the! they 'ere co!dem!i!# him as 'ell. He told them he 'as ashamed of them a!d left after blo'i!# out the 'i!do's i! my oce. He be#a! 'al"i!# a#ai! a!d after se)eral steps& heard Harry hurryi!# after him. ou*re spea"i!# of Demus upi! He 'as my ,%,% teacher i! my 3rd ear at Ho#'arts& but 5 read that he died here. %lbus smiled i! surprise& (as he Ho' mar)elous? 5 'as #rie)ed 'he! he died so you!#. (as he a #ood teacher 1 of the )ery best& Harry said softly. His throat cau#ht sudde!ly as a 'a)e of homesic"!ess 'ashed o)er him a!d he missed Demus acutely. %lbus !oticed the sudde! #rief the you!# ma! displayed& so 'aited se)eral mome!ts before he said& 5 also 'a!ted to tha!" you for 'ar!i!# me about the basilis" hu!ti!# i! the Forbidde! Forest. 5 'as!*t a'are that that Slytheri! had left such a formidable #uardia! for the school& althou#h 5 recall you me!tio!i!# #hti!# 1 i! your early Ho#'arts years. $oldemort co!trolled her i! my 'orld. 5 did!*t 'a!t to ta"e the cha!ce of someo!e doi!# the same here a!d pla!!ed to "ill her& o!ly to disco)er that she 'as i!ce!sed that her cou!terpart had harmed a stude!t. She had !o problem 'ith !o!purebloods bei!# i! the school. 5!deed& said a fasci!ated %lbus. 5t is a shame that 'e ha)e lost so much "!o'led#e o)er the ce!turies. Perhaps you 'ill permit me to accompa!y you to the /hamber 1 of these days Harry could!*t help but smile. he Potio!s
,eath aters had bee! i! his o'! 'orld. He 'o!dered 'hat his Hermio!e 'ould ha)e said if she could see him !o'& surrou!ded by boo"s a!d dili#e!tly researchi!#. He felt eyes upo! him a!d loo"ed up from his boo" to see the stude!ts that had summo!ed him sta!di!# i! fro!t of his table. He arched a! eyebro' i!4uiri!#ly. ere!t i! his 'orld. 5 thou#ht that 5 mi#ht ta"e a er&
/a! 5 come throu#h& Pro!#s 5 do!*t "!o' if you can& but you may & he respo!ded 'ith a #ri!. he other ma! #ru!ted i! a!!oya!ce& but stepped throu#h the @ames a!d i!to the Potter*s study. (hat*s the matter& as"ed Aames& reco#!i7i!# the troubled loo" o! his frie!d*s face. 5 do!*t "!o' 'hat*s #oi!# o! a!ymore& Aames. 5 really do!*t& especially after e)erythi!# Peter said. He be#a! paci!# the room. Peter 'ill calm do'!& said Aames 'ith assura!ce. He*ll come arou!d. He 'as right & Sirius cried belli#ere!tly. He 'as ri#ht. (e for#ot ere!ce bet'ee! ere!ce. +actly? eri!# i! his you!# life. She tur!ed to her husba!d*s best frie!d. Hello Sirius& 'hat bri!#s you here to!i#ht other tha! tal"i!# about Harriso! =lac" Sirius eyes 'ide!ed a!d darted bet'ee! her a!d Aames. % sli#ht sha"e of his frie!d*s head let him "!o' that Aames had!*t re)ealed the you!# ma!*s Parselto!#ue abilities to his 'ife. Um... ;ust 'a!ted to tal" 'ith Aames. ou "!o' ho' it is& ily. Her #ree! eyes bore i!to his o'! a!d he d#eted u!der the stare. She 'as as bad as 'he! her stare 'as tra!sferred to him. he sign of a dar" 'i7ard is i! his beha)iors a!d actio!s& corrected his 'ife. ou!#
he blo!de retur!ed to the paper'or" o! his des"& 'hich the %uror too" as dismissal& a!d he stal"ed out of the room& but closed the door 4uietly behi!d him. ere!t i! ours. He*s de!itely !ot a traitor a!d is e+tremely loyal to his frie!ds. He pretty much blud#eo!ed us for bei!# bi#ots. % )ery #ood frie!d of ours 'as a 'ere'olf& a!d he died tryi!# to protect my 1stbor! so!. Bo!e of us e)er thou#ht of Demus as a dar" creature6 he 'as ;ust Demus 'ho happe!ed to ha)e bee! bitte! as a you!# child. 5t de!itely 'as!*t his fault. Peter had to poi!t that out to us a!d remi!d us ho' Demus had bee! shu!!ed a!d despised by most of the 'i7ardi!# 'orld for a! assault that happe!ed to him as a child. He loo"ed at Harry 'ith pai! e)ide!t o! his face. He 'ould ha)e bee! ashamed of us for ;ud#i!# you based o! a! ability that you ha)e !o co!trol o)er. Harry felt a 'a)e of homesic"!ess for Demus a!d closed his eyes brie@y& biti!# the i!side of his chee" to help re#ai! co!trol. He ope!ed his eyes a!d loo"ed at both repe!ta!t me!. 5 accept your apolo#y& he said 4uietly. 5 hope i! the future you 'ill ;ud#e me based o! my actual beha)iors rather tha! assumptio!s. =oth me! #ri!!ed at the you!# me! a!d #a)e him their assura!ces. %fter they left& Harry 'as ama7ed at the di>ere!ce bet'ee! the 'orlds. hey seemed to be si!cere& said Sala7ar 4uietly from his portrait. 5 thou#ht so too. =ut more tha! a!ythi!#& 5*m ama7ed that Peter Petti#re' is the 1 that prompted them to re-thi!" their pre;udices. 5! my 'orld& he 'as a 'ea" ma!& the pe!ultimate follo'er. %!d yet here he stood up to Aames a!d Sirius a!d told them o> for co!sideri!# me *dar"* a!d he has!*t e)e! met me. hat ;ust bo##les my mi!d. hey 'ear the same faces& but they are!*t the people you "!e'& respo!ded Sala7ar. 51
5 "!o'& that*s 'hat ma"es e)erythi!# so odd. 5t*s hard tryi!# to reco!cile e)erythi!# 5 "!e' about these people 'ith 'ho they really are& a!d yet 5 'ould be a hypocrite to e+pect them to beha)e as their cou!terparts did i! my 'orld. Fa'"es loo"ed up from the fruit he had bee! e!;oyi!# as he 'atched the 2 me! apolo#i7e to the you!# ma! 'hose compa!y he had come to e!;oy. He trilled a soothi!# so!#& pleased 'he! Harry rela+ed i!to his chair& allo'i!# the te!sio! to release from his body. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry a!d Presto! a#reed to be#i! meeti!# e)ery other day& so Harry ;oi!ed the Ho#'arts sta> at brea"fast. He sat 'ith Dola!da Hooch o! 1 side a!d Se)erus S!ape o! the other. He !odded politely to Sirius =lac"& 'ho 'as seated !e+t to the bro'!-haired Professor =urba#e. hat 'as a!other thi!# di>ere!t bet'ee! his 'orld a!d this 1. ered the bird a strip of baco!& 'hich 'as accepted #ratefully. !ce eate!& the o'l too" o> a#ai!. Harry 'as surprised to reali7e that ma!y of the professors had recei)ed similar e!)elopes. Seei!# that most of them 'ere already perusi!# the missi)e& he bro"e the seal a!d ope!ed his. 5! #litteri!# #old script& he read that he 'as i!)ited to a ball hosted by recei)ed a! i!)itatio!. ou 'ere summo!ed to his oce after the u!fortu!ate e!cou!ter i! ,ia#o! %lley& 'ere you !ot %!d the local !e'spaper portrayed you as the u!su!# hero 'ho 'as )iciously attac"ed by a! %uror. his pro)ides the opportu!ity for the the side of the road. Harry dre' his 'a!d a!d cast a Lumos. he li#ht sho'ed a crumpled #ure attempti!# to mo)e a!d #roa!i!# i! pai!. oo"i!# arou!d i! case of a! ambush& Harry approached cautiously. %s the li#ht from the 'a!d illumi!ated the area& the #ure rolled o)er& re)eali!# the features of Peter Petti#re'. Harry #rasped his 'a!d more ti#htly& tryi!# to stop the automatic he+ that rose to his lips& e)e! as his mi!d catalo#ued the di>ere!ces. his ma!*s face& 'hile 'hite 'ith pai!& did !ot bear the 'ea" a!d fearful features of the Petti#re' he "!e' from his 'orld. he ma!*s hair 'as a li#ht bro'!& 'hile it 'as thi! a!d #rayi!# o! the ma! he remembered. He had a sle!der build& but seemed more lithe tha! s"i!!y. he ma!*s bro'! eyes loo"ed at Harry a!d seemed to bri#hte! 'ith relief. Aames& tha!"
of the dar"er spells that he lear!ed from Diddle& but chose to o!ly i!capacitate the attac"ers. !ce the #hters reali7ed someo!e 'as behi!d them& they tur!ed a!d be#a! retaliati!#. Harry sa' some red-headed #ures come out of the home a!d be#i! cou!ter-attac"i!# 'he! they reco#!i7ed that the attac"ers 'ere split bet'ee! 2 e!emies. Deali7i!# that the (easleys 'ere !o' i! the thic" of the battle& the tee! mo)ed li"e a ma! possessed& darti!# for'ard to i!capacitate a #ure o!ly to dod#e the multiple curses strea"i!# his 'ay to !d a!other co)er to start the process o)er a#ai!. Fi!ally& the rder a!d %urors be#a! to arri)e a!d Harry cau#ht his breath. He sa' =ill bleedi!# from a #ou#i!# curse a!d 4uic"ly cast a heali!# spell. 5s e)eryo!e all ri#ht (ho is i!;ured he as"ed ur#e!tly& the adre!ali! still @o'i!#. 5 thi!" e)eryo!e is all ri#ht !o'& er.
Harry lau#hed& the 1st free a!d !atural lau#h a!yo!e had heard from him si!ce he had arri)ed. Her !ame is Fleur ,elacour. She is Fre!ch a!d is part $eela. 5! my 'orld& =ill a!d Fleur 'ere e!#a#ed to be married. $eela? #asped =ill. %!d Fre!ch dear brother& lau#hed Ceor#e. ere!ce i! er to help Be)ille. He hit his head o! the table t'ice more. He 'as barely ali)e a!d i! pai!& pulled from his o'! 'orld a!d frie!ds& a!d 'he! he 'ould!*t ;ump at the cha!ce of bei!# a hero& 5 called him a co'ard? Bo 'o!der he forced that memory of bei!# tortured at me. 5 deser)ed it. Ci!!y rubbed his shoulders but replied& eah& you did. =ut you apolo#i7ed& did!*t you Do! shoo" his head& Bot #ood e!ou#h& especially if 5 'as his best frie!d i! his 'orld. he t'i!s loo"ed at each other a!d held a pri)ate co!)ersatio! 'ith their eyes. hey each #a)e a! imperceptible !od. (ell& if you 'a!t to 'allo' i! your self-pity& be#a! Fred. E'e 'o!*t tell you about the #or#eous Fre!ch part-$eela blo!de that =ill 'as #oi!# to marry i! Harry*s 'orld. 54
Ci!!y*s head s!apped up. h ectio!ately !ibbled o! a !#er before duc"i!# her head u!der his ha!d& ob)iously dema!di!# more petti!#. Harry chuc"led a!d stro"ed her head do'! to her !ec"& a!d the! rubbed u!der the feathers& scratchi!# her !ec" ;ust 'here she li"ed it. ou seem to ha)e a true familiar bo!d 'ith your o'l& comme!ted Sala7ar as he loo"ed at the 2 e!;oyi!# each other*s compa!y. Harry smiled up at the portrait. She 'as my best frie!d i! my 'orld. Sometimes she 'as the o!ly 1 5 could tal" to for mo!ths. She is the most i!telli#e!t o'l e)er hatched& he added. Hed'i# seemed to !od her a#reeme!t a!d the! 'aited e+pecta!tly. %!d the best !atured a!d the most beautiful& the tee! added& a!d chuc"led 'he! Hed'i# rumbled i! co!te!tme!t. He smiled a#ai! at the portrait as he stro"ed Hed'i#. She al'ays "!o's 'here 5 am a!d ca! !d a!yo!e to deli)er a !ote. She u!dersta!ds e)erythi!# 5 say as 'ell& do!*t you #irl Hed'i# rumbled a!d !odded. (he! you are do!e bo!di!# 'ith er classes o! the social #races 'he! Ho#'arts 'as fou!ded& Sala7ar Sala7ar !odded his appro)al of the 4uestio! a!d use of his !ame before respo!di!#& (e o>ered a class o! *(i7ardi!# /ustoms a!d raditio!s*. ti4uette 'as of course a! eleme!t of that i!structio!. ,o you miss teachi!# as"ed Harry. % #ood e>ort& but do !ot as" a 4uestio! that could pote!tially remi!d the liste!er of loss& cou!seled Sala7ar. ry a#ai!. (hat pi4ues your i!terest these days tried Harry. Sala7ar !odded his appro)al. (ell do!e. hat #i)es the spea"er a! opportu!ity to e+tol his i!terests a!d #i)es you a! ad)a!ta#e for your !e+t discussio! or i!teractio!. Harry shoo" his head& 'o!deri!# if he 'ould e)er thi!" li"e a Slytheri!. Dela+ a!d do !ot try so hard& chuc"led Sala7ar& easily readi!# his pupil*s e+pressio!s. /all for tea& Harry. ou !eed to lear! ho' to hold a! i!telli#e!t co!)ersatio! 'hile holdi!# a be)era#e 'ith #race a!d ele#a!ce i! your ha!d. Harry #roa!ed a!d muttered sadist but complied. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Peter reco)ered 'ithi! hours from the blood boili!# potio! 'ith
Peter*s lips t'itched a#ai! a!d the! a broad #ri! bro"e across his face& althou#h he tried to hide it behi!d his teacup. hey roused her ire& did they 5*m #lad it 'as them a!d !ot me. 5!deed. =oth me! #a)e a me!tal shudder at the hei#hts that ily*s temper could reach o!ce i!@amed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry strai#hte!ed his bac"& raised his chi! a!d made a! e>ort to meet his doom 'ith all the Cry!dor coura#e he possessed. he #ar#oyle ;umped aside a!d he allo'ed the stairs to carry him to the Headmaster*s oce 'here he 'ould meet the others from Ho#'arts that 'ere atte!di!# the had bee! i!)ited. b)iously ,umbledore held importa!t positio!s both i! the (i7e!#amot a!d as the Headmaster of Ho#'arts. Sirius 'as the Head of the %!cie!t a!d Boble House of =lac"& as 'ell as 'ealthy a!d held a seat o! the (i7e!#amot. he orts 'ere suitable a!d he had follo'ed the proper eti4uette as she smiled at him as he strai#hte!ed. 5 am e!cha!ted that you could ;oi! us this e)e!i!#. ha!" you for permitti!# me i!to your beautiful home& he respo!ded. 5t is our pleasure to ha)e you here& she said 'ith a!other 'arm smile. Ho'e)er& he 'as!*t about to co!fuse the social #races 'ith #e!ui!e 'armth or "i!d!ess. ,raco& you "!o' out i! the e!tra!ce hall6 a lar#e area 'ith portraits li!i!# the 'alls 'ho loo"ed at each #uest 'ith curiosity& a!d a ma#!ice!t carpet that co)ered most of the marble @oor. % stri"i!# arra!#eme!t of @o'ers lled the lar#e circular table i! the ce!ter of the room. $oices came throu#h the ope! doors beyo!d the hall that dre' them i!to hall'ay leadi!# to the ele#a!t arched e!tra!ce i!to the ballroom. he ballroom 'as e!ormous 'ith soari!# 'hite marble colum!s& #ilded 'all pa!els alter!ated 'ith rich ;e'el-to!e tapestries. he lofty fresco ceili!# 'as lit by crystal cha!deliers. %s Harry loo"ed arou!d& a profusio! of colors 'ere represe!ted by the scores of 'itches a!d 'i7ards i! atte!da!ce& a!d he 'as secretly pleased to reali7e that his attire e4ualed those already i! atte!da!ce. U!til he could calm his !er)ous!ess& Harry stayed !ear the Ho#'arts sta>.
56
Cood e)e!i!#& . He bo'ed to ere!t captures atte!tio! easily. %!d your ad)e!tures i! ,ia#o! %lley o!ly added to the appeal& she respo!ded 'ith a! arched bro'. 5*m !e)er #oi!# to li)e that do'!& am 5 He thou#ht he had ma!a#ed to "eep the 'hi!e out of his )oice& but her 'arm chuc"le let him "!o' he 'as!*t totally successful. %ll 5 did 'as try to stop some bullies u!til the %urors arri)ed. he older 'oma!*s #rey eyes e)aluated him closely. Ha)e you co!sidered a career as a! %uror& eta #o'! 'ith a metallic embroidered !ec"li!e a!d beaded s"irt. He bo'ed to her 1st& the! to Aames a!d i!cli!ed his head to'ards the t'i!s. Aames a!d Sebastia! 'ere both i! traditio!al blac" formal robes 'hile Holly 'ore a dar" a4ua #eor#ette o)ers"irt 'ith a pale a4ua sati! u!der dress. %s a!other da!ce started& Harry tur!ed to ily a!d as"ed& ered the appropriate bo'. ord Slytheri!& it is a! ho!or to ma"e your ac4uai!ta!ce. 5 am Harriso! =lac". 57
% smile tu##ed at the older ma!*s lips. %h yes& 'hat did the ,aily racle call you He !oticed the barely co!trolled embarrassme!t as he co!ti!ued& the hero of ,ia#o! %lley. 5*m !e)er #oi!# to li)e that do'!& Harry repeated his earlier 'ords ruefully. =ut it ear!ed you a meeti!# 'ith the eri!# the tray. ,obby? he e+claimed before he could stop himself. he house elf loo"ed at him i! surprise. 5t 'as de!itely ,obby& but 'ith ama7i!# di>ere!ces. here 'ere !o 'ou!ds or bruises )isible o! his body& a!d he 'ore a crisp 'hite pillo'case 'ith the ere!ce i! pro!u!ciatio!& 'hich surprised me. members to 'atch the participa!ts. Sirius 4uestio!ed Se)erus ability to co!trol the stude!ts 'ith his #lare& 'hich started the #ood-!atured tradi!# of i!sults. Harry could!*t 4uite suppress a #ri!. (hile acid-to!#ued& this S!ape 'as!*t !asty a!d bitter. (hile still a pra!"ster& Sirius 'as ob)iously more tolera!t a!d accepti!# of Slytheri!s. he tee! shoo" his head at the surreal picture before him of Sirius a!d Se)erus actually #etti!# alo!#. ,umbledore*s )oice 'as soft& From your e+pressio!& 5 assume my professors 'ere !ot 4uite the same i! your 'orld& ere!t. he door ope!ed sudde!ly a!d Peter Petti#re' e!tered& holdi!# a! old parchme!t. He loo"ed arou!d the room i! co!fusio! a!d the! stared at Harry before e+claimi!#& h s'eet
Bo& Peter said sha"i!# his head. Ho' could 5 be 'ith !arry 1otter sta!di!# before me Harry closed his eyes a!d si#hed i! frustratio! as Sirius as"ed i! co!fusio!& (hat do you mea! Harry Potter his is Harry %lac . Se)erus loo"ed at the you!#er ma! a!d a! eyebro' arched. hat e+plai!s a #reat deal& he murmured. Bo 'o!der 5 thou#ht you 'ere Aames& e+claimed Peter sha"ily. =ut... you do!*t loo" 4uite the same !o'. Sirius loo"ed do'! at Peter*s copy of the ere!t !ame& so 5 decided to test you by calli!# myself Harriso! =lac". 5*m used to bei!# called Harry& so 5 made it Harriso!. =lac" 'as the !ame of my #odfather a!d 5 actually ha)e a le#al ri#ht to the !ame& so 5 too" that as my sur!ame. 5t helped that it*s also a commo! ere!t Harry Potter. hat*s 'hy the summo!i!# 'or"ed o! you& said S!ape 4uietly. 5!stead of o!#bottom*s blood& Sebastia! Potter*s blood 'as used. He pi!!ed the you!# ma! 'ith sharp obsidia! eyes. (hat happe!ed i! your 'orld ou said your )ersio! of ord Slytheri! 'as "illed. 5 "illed him& said the you!# ma! 4uietly. here 'as a prophecy. Bo'& 5 do!*t belie)e i! prophecies6 they ca! be made to mea! a!ythi!#& they ca! be t'isted a!d misi!terpreted do7e!s of 'ays& e)e! after e)eryo!e a#rees that they*)e bee! fullled. U!fortu!ately& Diddle belie)ed i! this 1. et*s sit do'!& shall 'e& said ,umbledore 4uietly. %!d perhaps you*ll share your story 'ith us hey all sat a!d 'aited for Harry to be#i! a#ai!. 1 of Diddle*s follo'ers heard most of the prophecy a!d #a)e it to his master. 5t could ha)e t either the Potter baby or the o!#bottom baby. he Potters 'ere u!der a Fidelius charm& but their secret "eeper betrayed them. Sirius )oice 'as outra#ed a!d he dema!ded& (ho 'ould do that 5! my 'orld& it 'asE he loo"ed at the ma! i! 4uestio!& Peter Petti#re'. Peter*s eyes 'ide!ed i! shoc". Bo& that ca!*t be? 5 'ould never betray Aames a!d ily a!d 5 lo)ed Harry. His face 'as distorted 'ith horror a!d disbelief. hat*s 'hy you 'ere so upset 'he! you fou!d out Peter 'as a frie!d of the Potters& %lbus said 'ith u!dersta!di!#. hat a!d he tortured me 'hile 5 'as $oldemort*s priso!er. =ut 5*m tryi!# hard to separate the people from my 'orld from the people i! yours. He loo"ed at the #rief-stric"e! Peter Petti#re' a!d added& 5 "!o' that you did!*t betray them& Peter. U!fortu!ately& the Peter i! my 'orld 'as a mar"ed ,eath ater a!d #a)e the locatio! of my pare!t*s house to Diddle. Diddle "illed my father 1st 'ho 'as tryi!# to buy time for my mother to #et a'ay 'ith me. Diddle made it upstairs a!d told my mother to step aside6 she 'ould!*t a!d tried to protect me. He %*d her !e+t. he! 'he! he tried to % me& it rebou!ded bac" a!d destroyed himE or so it seemed. hat 'orld*s Petti#re' came upstairs& sa' the corpses& too" his master*s 'a!d a!d escaped. Se)erus 'as compari!# this !e' i!formatio! to 'hat they had already lear!ed of the you!# ma!. f courseE your medical history sho'ed the illi!# /urse& but 'e assumed you 'ere i! the bac"'ash of it6 perhaps a pare!t 'as holdi!# you 'he! he or she 'as "illed. Bo& it hit me directly a!d 5 sur)i)ed. U!"!o'! to me for the !e+t decade& 5 became famous as... he used his !#ers to ma"e ima#i!ary 4uote mar"s& Ethe =oy-(ho-i)ed. His dis#ust at the title 'as e)ide!t o! his face a!d i! his )oice. Sirius shoo" his head i! shoc"ed ama7eme!t& 5 'o!der ho' you 'ere able to sur)i)e the "illi!# curse. eri!# from ,eme!tia or a mi!d curse He certai!ly sou!ds li"e it. He shoo" his head. 5*m sorry& please e+cuse my i!terruptio! a!d co!ti!ue 'ith your story. %!y'ay& my Sirius came to the house after it 'as all o)er a!d fou!d Ha#rid ta"i!# me a'ay. He dema!ded that Ha#rid tur! me o)er because he 'as my #odfather a!d my pare!t*s 1st choice to raise me if they died. =ut you "!o' that Ha#rid 'ould !e)er )iolate a! order from the #reat %lbus ,umbledore. He paused to #lare at this 'orld*s ,umbledore& 'ho #rimaced sli#htly. So Sirius #a)e Ha#rid his @yi!# motorcycle to ma"e the trip easier a!d decided to #o after Petti#re'. (he! he cau#ht up to him& Petti#re' made it sou!d li"e Sirius 'as the betrayer& the! cast a blasti!# curse at the street a!d ble' up a
(hat trial hey s!apped his 'a!d 'ithout 1riory Incantatum a!d thre' him i! %7"aba! 'here he 'e!t partially i!sa!e o)er the !e+t 12 years. =ut... my cou!terpartE 'as!*t he /hief (arloc" of the (i7e!#amot %!d if Sirius 'as 1 of the rderE he should ha)e i!sisted o! a trial. es& he should ha)e a#reed Harry 4uietly. Sirius stared at the you!# ma! i! shoc" a!d a bit of horror at heari!# his other self 'e!t to %7"aba!. He shoo" the thou#ht out of his mi!d a!d focused o! the tee!. Harry& 'hat happe!ed to you& he as"ed softly 'atchi!# his pseudo-#odso!*s face carefully. ,umbledore decided that 'hate)er protectio! my mother #a)e me could be e+te!ded by li)i!# 'ith her blood relati)e. %ppare!tly he made some form of blood 'ards arou!d their property. =lood relati)e ily*s pare!ts 'ere dead a!d... his eyes 'ide!ed a#ai! a!d the! he laid a ha!d across them. oo!ey. Please& please do!*t tell me you 'ere se!t to Petu!ia. Petu!ia a!d $er!o! ,ursley a!d their ama7i!# so!& ,udley. % )ery !ormal family tha!" you )ery much& 'ho had a! absolute loathi!# for a!ythi!# ma#ical a!d therefore ab!ormal& i!cludi!# me. hey treated me li"e a house elf a!d "ept me i! a closet u!til 5 recei)ed my Ho#'arts letter. =ut... ,umbledore 'as sha"i!# his head& /hildre!*s Ser)ices should ha)e bee! i!)ol)ed. )e! if my cou!terpart 'as co!cer!ed about Diddle*s follo'ers& you should ha)e bee! processed by /hildre!*s Ser)ices a!d your home care super)ised. of Se)erus for bei!# out after curfe'. (H%? %ll me! 'ere stu!!ed a!d horried at this beha)ior. (he! 5 4uestio!ed the Headmaster& he told me that suspe!di!# or e+pelli!# Sirius 'ould ha)e e+posed Demus as bei!# da!#erous a!d the . he respo!se after this e!cou!ter left you soul-'ou!ded 'ith deep feeli!#s of betrayal. ou had bee! persiste!tly tar#eted by bullies a!d they charmed their 'ay out of pu!ishme!t. ou lear!ed that you could!*t trust the eader of the i#ht a!d tur!ed more to'ards the dar". 5! the e!d& you ;oi!ed Diddle. S!ape*s face t'isted i! dis#ust. ectio! for ily caused him to #o to ,umbledore a!d he be##ed him to "eep them safe. He the! became a spy for the i#ht a!d 'as respo!sible for most of the i#ht*s i!formatio! i! the 2!d 'ar. he 2!d 'ar Diddle became i!corporeal for o)er a decade after "illi!# my pare!ts 'he! the "illi!# curse rebou!ded o! him. He possessed a!imals a!d the occasio!al huma! u!til he bur!ed them out. Petti#re' brou#ht him bac" i! a ritual usi!# the bo!e 60
of his father& my forcibly ta"e! blood a!d Petti#re'*s )olu!tarily #i)e! ha!d. He #ai!ed a !e' body& althou#h it 'as 4uite a fe' serpe!ti!e characteristics. Peter loo"ed physically ill& but ma!a#ed to as"& (hy did he use your blood Harry si#hed a!d rubbed his eyes. Diddle possessed our ,%,% professor i! my 1st ear a!d tried to "ill me se)eral times. He loo"ed at S!ape a!d added& our cou!terpart despised me as my father*s so!& but still sa)ed me more tha! o!ce. Ho'e)er& 5 'as stupid a!d rushed i!to a co!fro!tatio! 'ith him at the e!d of the year& a!d my mother*s protectio! bur!ed his host*s body. !ce he used my blood i! his resurrectio! ritual& my mother*s protectio! !o lo!#er 'or"ed a#ai!st him. Sirius shoo" his head as if tryi!# to u!dersta!d so much i! such a short time. So you 'ere some type of celebrity because you sur)i)ed the "illi!# curse& you 'ere placed 'ith for the ritual& but it stra!#led him 'he! he hesitated to "ill me because of a life debt. Se)erus 'as "illed by Diddle*s s!a"e familiar. %lbus 'as dyi!# from both a curse a!d dri!"i!# poiso!& a!d 'he! the child of a , 'as ordered to "ill him& he as"ed Se)erus to do it to sa)e the other boy*s soul. Se)erus #asped i! horror& the shoc" brea"i!# throu#h his !ormal mas". of lau#hter that held little humor& but respo!ded& (ell& Fa'"es stayed 'ith him throu#h it all& so he probably is!*t 4uite as appalli!# as 5 portray him. Ho'e)er& at least you !o' u!dersta!d 'hy 5 'as some'hat dista!t a!d terse 'he! 5 1st arri)ed. %fter e)erythi!# you*)e #o!e throu#h& 5 thi!" 'e 'ould for#i)e you if you ra! !a"ed throu#h the streets dyed hot pi!" a!d a!!ou!ci!# the 2!d comi!# of ere!t from his o'!. 5!@ue!ce a!d persuade them& cou!tered Sala7ar calmly. For e+ample& let us suppose that you 'ished to limit mo!opolies a!d decided to approach se)eral (i7e!#amot members for support. (ould it !ot be to your ad)a!ta#e to reco#!i7e that the Family of the member you 1st i!te!ded to approach o'!ed the most farms i! =ritai! a!d mi#ht be fu!dame!tally opposed to such a restrictio! r that the 2!d member you pla!!ed to approach had marital ties to the 1st Family =ei!# a'are of your peers as 'ell as 'hat is importa!t to them o!ly adds to your stre!#th. Harry #rumbled& 5 "!o'& but it*s li"e ta"i!# up a !e' hobby a!d !ot really e!;oyi!# it. 5t ta"es a lot of time a!d e>ort 'ith !o immediate be!et. 61
)e! so& you 'ill humor me i! this& stated Sala7ar 'ith a sli#ht smile that #re' as Harry dre' the ;our!al to'ards him a#ai!. %! hour later& Harry closed the ;our!al 'ith a si#h. Sala7ar& he be#a! te!tati)ely a!d loo"ed up at the portrait& 'hich raised a dar" eyebro' at him. (hat do you thi!" about permitti!# Se)erus S!ape a!d %lbus ,umbledore do'! i!to the /hamber (he! S!ape heard about the /hamber a!d Shasa!ae& he 'as 4uite e+cited about it a!d immediately as"ed if he could see it. he Headmaster also e+pressed a! i!terest. he ima#e of the Fou!der fro'!ed i! thou#ht. (hat be!et did this #i)e to his protX#X r 'ould he be #i)i!# a'ay a )aluable article of trade for !o #ai! Bo& he decided& it 'ould further reduce the sti#ma of Harry bei!# a parselmouth because o!ly by bei!# 1 could the 2 sta> members #ai! e!tra!ce to his /hamber. 5! additio!& he 'a!ted Shasa!ae protected& a!d the Headmaster 'ould be able to pro)ide that protectio! as lo!# as he 'as co!)i!ced that the basilis" 'as a #uardia! of the school. $ery 'ell& Sala7ar said slo'ly. 5 ca! percei)e be!et i! them )isiti!# the /hamber a!d meeti!# Shasa!ae. 5! additio!& they 'ill o'e you a! u!spo"e! debt for ma"i!# such a )isit possible. Harry burst out lau#hi!# a!d shoo" his head at the Fou!der. ou are such a 6lytherin& Sala7ar? he portrait a#ai! arched a! eyebro' at him. 5t has ta"e! you this lo!# to reali7e that 5 fear 5 may ha)e mis;ud#ed your i!tellect after all. )e! so& his lips t'itched at heari!# the #e!ui!e amuseme!t i! the you!# ma!*s lau#hter. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------He 'as so #raceful& e!thused a)e!der =ro'! i! a hus"y 'hisper. (he! he held me i! his arms& 5 thou#ht 5 mi#ht fall i! a fai!t& e+cept that he*s so stro!#& he held me up. )e! 'ith the scars do'! his face& he*s )ery ha!dsome& added Susa! =o!es. %!d he loo"ed so ele#a!t6 if 5 did!*t "!o' better& 5 'ould ha)e thou#ht him a scio! of a! old a!d 'ealthy pureblood Family. She paused to smile at the memory of the ha!dsome you!# ma!. )e! my %u!t %melia li"ed him6 said he 'as *4uite the charmer*& a!d she*s !ot easily impressed. 5 sa' that he da!ced 'ith both Cree!#rass sisters. 5 'o!der if they*re i!terested i! him& 'hispered a)e!der i! a dreamy )oice. She 'ould!*t mi!d seei!# Harriso! =lac" ;oi! the =ro'! Family6 after all e)e! their !ames 'ere compatible? Holly Potter pouted sli#htly as she liste!ed to the #irls 'ho co!ti!ued to #o i!to raptures o)er ha)i!# da!ced 'ith Harriso! =lac". She loo"ed o)er at uidditch game)))" 62
Harry smiled at the memory. Presto! 'as a source of stre!#th a!d tra!4uility i! the turbule!t 'orld i! 'hich he fou!d himself. He e)e! helped him 'or" throu#h his emotio!s about this Peter Petti#re' bei!# so di>ere!t from the 1 'ho betrayed his pare!ts& helped bri!# $oldemort bac" to life a!d ;oi!ed i! o! the tortures. 5t had bee! a! i!credible surprise 'he! he hesitated at $oldemort comma!d to crush his 'i!dpipe. %ppare!tly the sil)er ha!d made by the ,ar" ord co!sidered that pause treachery a!d caused it to stra!#le the rat. Ihis Peter "!e' that the =urro' 'as #oi!# to be destroyed a!d 'as fra!tic to #et the !e's to ,umbledore or someo!e 'ho could do somethi!# about it. 5 'o!der if he*s ,umbledore*s spy 'ith the =lood Purists.J Harry thou#ht a mome!t lo!#er a!d the! murmured& %!d does that mea! S!ape is!*t a spy at all i! this 'orld %re you spea"i!# to me& as"ed Sala7ar*s portrait 'ith humor i! his )oice& or are you holdi!# a co!)ersatio! 'ith yourself al"i!# to myself a#ai!& Sala7ar. 5 'as ;ust thi!"i!# that if this S!ape had !e)er bee! tar#eted by the ere!t a#e tha! the Fou!ders& althou#h he supposed that they 'ere fairly pro#ressi)e from the perspecti)e of the era i! 'hich they li)ed. 5s!*t it almost time for your /harms lesso!& as"ed Sala7ar 'ith a poi!ted loo" at the cloc". Harry si#hed a!d too" a fe' mome!ts to practice his meditatio! tech!i4ues a#ai! before faci!# the school a!d the pac" of #i##li!# school #irls that seemed to stal" his e)ery mo)eme!t. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry held the )e!om that Shasa!ae had do!ated for 2 'ee"s before decidi!# to )isit the apothecary about selli!# a )ial. He did!*t 'a!t to @ood the mar"et& but perhaps 1 )ial a mo!th 'ould!*t be too much. f course& he could let the apothecary "!o' he 'ould be 'illi!# to e!tertai! special orders for #reater amou!ts. hat mi#ht e)e! help u!co)er some of the shadier miscrea!ts supporti!# the =lood Purists. He could al'ays dema!d that lar#e orders detail ho' the )e!om 'ould be used. Harry? he tee! paused a!d made sure to "eep a pleasa!t smile o! his face as he tur!ed to see the ,%,% professor rapidly approachi!# him o! the ,ia#o! %lley side'al". He 'as a little surprised to see Peter Petti#re' accompa!yi!# the ma!& but perhaps bei!# see! 'ith Sirius =lac" o!ly helped his spy acti)ities. Cood after!oo!& Professor& Harry !odded at Sirius& a!d er my oath if it 'ill help you accept me as bei!# di>ere!t from him. He spit the last 'ord 'ith dis#ust. he fact that you stood up to your frie!ds a!d defe!ded both Demus a!d me sho'ed me you*re 2 totally di>ere!t people. He did!*t ha)e the coura#e to sta!d up li"e that. Peter shoo" his head sadly but added softly& ha!" you& Harry. he 2 me! follo'ed Harry as he sold 1 @as" of basilis" )e!om to the apothecary& a!d tried to i#!ore the sheer !umber of #alleo!s the tra!sactio! #e!erated. He also su##ested that he mi#ht be able to obtai! lar#er 4ua!tities if the price 'as ri#ht. %s they 'al"ed out of the shop& Sirius said& /a! 'e buy you di!!er he ea"y /auldro! is !earby& but 5 'ould recomme!d he Fat ,uc" for somethi!# a bit more appeti7i!#. 63
Harry decided to be dari!# a!d try he Fat ,uc"& a restaura!t he did!*t remember from his 'orld. /ompared to the dar" shabbi!ess of the ea"y /auldro!& this restaura!t 'as !othi!# less tha! ma#!ice!t. % #ra!d staircase desce!ded to the mai! di!i!# room& 'hich featured hi#h ceili!#s& #ilded cha!deliers& a car)ed sto!e replace& ha!d-pai!ted chi!a a!d a #olde! harp that pro)ided deli#htful bac"#rou!d music. he ma[tre& a small impeccably dressed ma! hurried for'ard to #reet them 'ith a bo'. (elcome& ord =lac"& it is a deli#ht to 'elcome you a#ai! to our humble establishme!t. 5 ha)e a !e table for you a!d your party. He too" them to a cor!er table that loo"ed out at the other di!ers& but had a! air of i!timacy about it. 5 hope you 'ill e!;oy your meal. Harry raised a! eyebro' at Sirius& 'ho chuc"led a!d said& (hat ca! 5 say 5t*s #ood bei!# the Head of a! %!cie!t a!d Boble House. =esides& the ladies lo)e this place& so 5*m here fre4ue!tly. 5! fact& 5 recomme!d the /hef*s /hoice. 5*)e !e)er re#retted choosi!# that. hey all a#reed a!d allo'ed the /hef to select their meal. )er their 1st course of shrimp bis4ue poured o)er a li#ht baco! custard& Peter as"ed a 4uestio! that had bee! causi!# him curiosity. Harry& 5 "!o' that you said all of us had died i! your 'orld& a!d 5*m si!cerely sorry for your loss. 5 ;ust 'o!dered about the other ered the same fate i! the other 'orld a!d sudde!ly reali7i!# that perhaps he had!*t. Harry smile 'ith #e!ui!e a>ectio!. Demus upi! 'as still ali)e a!d 'ell 'he! 5 'as captured by $oldemort. 5! fact& he 'as my 3rd ear ,%,% professor& a!d from 'hat 5 u!derstood& the best 1 i! years. He tau#ht me ho' to cast the 1atronus charm. He smiled a#ai! at the memory. 5! your 3rd ear hat*s )ery impressi)e? f course& Demus 'ould ha)e made a #ood professor& stated Peter. 5 al'ays thou#ht he 'as a Da)e!cla' i! Cry!dor colors. %!d 'as heE Sirius 'a)ed his ha!d& !ot 4uite sure ho' to as" about Demus lyca!thropy. He still had his furry little problem i! my 'orld& but that did!*t "eep him from bei!# a 'o!derful ma!& said Harry 4uietly as he sa)ored the s'eet a!d smo"y @a)ors of the soup. He 'as e)e!-tempered& patie!t& "i!d& a!d #e!tle& althou#h he did!*t play too ma!y pra!"s by the time 5 "!e' him. 5 thi!" his life 'as a bit too hard to "eep the pra!"ster i! him #oi!#. he soup 'as remo)ed a!d replaced 'ith @ou!der& ser)ed o! a 'hite cor! puree a!d topped 'ith a blac" truKe esse!ce. Harry too" a bite a!d smile at the li#ht @a)or. =efore 5 left& your cousi! 'as tryi!# to co!)i!ce him that his mo!thly cha!#es 'ere !o 'orse tha! her o'! mo!thly cycle. Sirius cou#hed o! the bite of sh. ere!t cuts of obe =eef. he 1st is a strip stea" 'hile the seco!d is a short-braised rib roast& both ser)ed 'ith a sherry ;us. his is accompa!ied by aspara#us i! Holla!daise sauce. ,id you meet my brother i! your 'orld& as"ed Sirius arou!d a bite of his stea" after the 'aiter departed. De#ulus Bo& 5*m afraid he had passed a'ay by the time 5 #ot to "!o' my 'orld*s Sirius. He ori#i!ally ;oi!ed the ,eath aters& but the! tur!ed o! $oldemort 'he! he reali7ed ;ust 'hat the ,ar" ord 'as 'illi!# to do to achie)e his #oals. He e)e! stole a "ey artifact critical to the ,ar" ord*s immortality& but he died doi!# so. ouE or rather your cou!terpart !e)er told me too much about him. ed at the descriptio!& but the! mouthed (ormtail a!d be#a! s!ic"eri!# a#ai!. Peter co!ti!ued& 5! our 2!d ear& 'e reali7ed the truth about Demus a!d 'e decided to try to become a!ima#i& so he 'ould!*t be alo!e i! his tra!sformatio!s. =y 9th ear& 'e all ma!a#ed it. Fortu!ately Pro!#s a!d Padfoot 'ere bi# e!ou#h to "eep
!ou#h& lau#hed Harry. He tur!ed to Peter a!d added& So you*re #oi!# to teach me that @ea spell& ri#ht 5*m sure 5*m #oi!# to !eed it e)e!tually. Sirius #roa!ed a!d ba!#ed his head do'! o! the table. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------,o you happe! to ha)e a fe' mome!ts for me& *s chalice& Da)e!cla'*s diadem a!d Slytheri!*s loc"et a!d ri!# amo!# other thi!#s. Ho'e)er& 'he! 5 met ord Slytheri! at the ere!ce 5!stead of se!di!# him bac" to the blea" a!d abusi)e orpha!a#e& 2 teachers 'or"ed to !d a! alter!ati)e for him ,id that cause the di)er#e!ce from 'hat happe!ed i! his 'orld o)er the !e+t T years of Diddle*s schooli!# Bo horcru+& !o released basilis"& !o murdered parchme!t. laborate #ilded script prese!ted the i!)itatio!. ou are cordially i!)ited to a! i!timate #atheri!# for tea at Slytheri! e+it& !ot !otici!# the 4uestio!i!# loo"s that follo'ed him. %s soo! as the door shut i! his 4uarters& Harry be#a! yelli!#& Sala7ar? He actually did it? our bloody ma!y times #ra!dso! actually i!)ited me to a bloody tea party? +celle!t& the portrait replied smu#ly. his 'ill pro)e to be a! admirable opportu!ity for you. 5 do!*t 'a!t it to be a! *admirable opportu!ity*. 5 'a!t to be left alo!e. 5 do!*t "!o' if he*s e)il i!car!ate li"e his cou!terpart o!ly sa!e& 'hich ma"es him more da!#erous6 or 'hether he*s a respectable but mali#!ed aristocrat. Sala7ar smir"ed at the you!# paci!# 'i7ard. (hy do you assume he*s !ot both 5f he is truly a Slytheri!& a!d the #e!ealo#y you read to me did appear plausible& the! he could be both da!#erous a!d respectable& both a member of the aristocracy a!d immoral or some'here i! bet'ee!. Harry sat hea)ily i! the chair !earest the replace a!d stared at the portrait before resti!# his elbo's o! his "!ees a!d co)eri!# his face. 5*m doomed& he muttered. otally a!d absolutely doomed. Perhaps& the portrait replied cheerfully. Bo' tell me 'hat you "!o' about the eti4uette for a tea party. Harry raised his face from his ha!ds. here*s eti4uette for atte!di!# a tea party ou do!*t ;ust #o& dri!" a couple cups of tea a!d lea)e Sala7ar smir"ed at the you!# ma! a!d the! too" o! 'hat Harry thou#ht of as his *teachi!# )oice*. (he! atte!di!# a tea& there are a fe' courtesies to be obser)ed. %s each #uest arri)es& they 'ill be seated a!d should politely co!)erse as they 'ait 65
for other #uests to arri)e. !ce all the #uests ha)e arri)ed& the host or hostess 'ill be seated. %t that time& he or she 'ill remo)e their !ap"i! from the table a!d place it o! their lap. ou 'ill the! do the same. Si!ce you 'ere i!)ited by ord Slytheri! a!d 'e are u!a'are of 'hether he has a chatelai!e& 'e 'ill assume a host for this discussio!. Harry shoo" his head. (ait& a chatel-'hat Sala7ar fro'!ed at the i!terruptio!. % ch]telai!e is the mistress of the home. Si!ce ord Slytheri! is u!married& he could ha)e a spi!ster relati)e ser)e as his chatelai!e& althou#h his #e!ealo#y #a)e !o i!dicatio! of other relati)es. he portrait s!i>ed a!d said& 5f 5 may proceed %t Harry*s embarrassed !od& he co!ti!ued& De#ardi!# the !ap"i!& 'he! you ha)e !ished 'ith your tea a!d meal& you should place your !ap"i! to the ri#ht of the plate o! the table. 5f for some reaso! you !eed to lea)e the table& you should place your !ap"i! o! your seat u!til you retur!. Be+t& you should reali7e that there is a! order i! 'hich tea foods are to be eate!. He i#!ored Harry*s #roa! of frustratio! a!d co!ti!ued& 1st are the sco!es or mu!s& typically follo'ed by the small sa!d'iches& a!d e!di!# 'ith the s'eets. a"e small bites 'he! eati!# a!d !e)er stu> the 'hole sa!d'ich or dessert i! your mouth e)e! thou#h it seems small e!ou#h. %lso& 'he! seated at a table& raise o!ly the teacup to dri!"& !ot the saucer. Place the teacup #e!tly bac" o! the saucer. He i#!ored Harry rolli!# his eyes. 5s that e)erythi!#& as"ed Harry 'ho 'as tryi!# !ot to 'hi!e& but he 'as!*t a bloody #irl a!d should!*t ha)e to atte!d bloody tea parties? Sala7ar re)ie'ed 'hat had bee! said a!d the! added& Be)er slurp your tea6 i!stead sip it 4uietly. Be)er dip a sco!e i! ;am or cream6 i!stead brea" o> bite si7e pieces a!d add the ;am or cream i! your o'! plate. Sco!es are !ot to be eate! 'ith a for". Place all for"s or spoo!s o! their correspo!di!# plates. Be)er lay a ser)i!# ute!sil o! the tablecloth or table. (he! the tea party is o)er& the host 'ill place his !ap"i! o! the table. %t that time you should fold your !ap"i! i! half or 4uarters a!d !eatly place it o! the table to the ri#ht of your plate. he portrait thou#ht for a mome!t a!d the! said& 5 thi!" that should #et you throu#h the e)e!t 'ithout embarrassi!# yourself. Harry stared at the portrait before co)eri!# his face o!ce a#ai!. 5*m doomed& he repeated. ou 'a!t me to ha)e tea 'ith a possible murderer a!d to do it 'ith a smile a!d re!eme!t. 5 am completely a!d absolutely doomed. His se!se of disaster remai!ed u!til the follo'i!# mor!i!# 'he! Presto! came by for their discussio!. 5*m !ot sure 5*m #oi!# to be able to do this& Presto!& the you!# ma! said. ere!t purpose 5*m 1 of the healers supporti!# a childre!*s charity that ord Slytheri! spo!sors& Presto! e+plai!ed. he 'ord is he*s pla!!i!# to i!)ite all of the healers at some poi!t or a!other to small e)e!ts to e+press his appreciatio!. Harry ba!#ed his head a#ai!st the bac" of his chair. =ut 'e do!*t "!o' for sure& do 'e 5s !othi!# !ormal i! my life& he 'hi!ed. Bo& respo!ded both Presto! a!d Sala7ar 'ith matchi!# smiles. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Shortly before 3 o*cloc" o! the Tth of
(e are also pleased to ha)e ers somethi!# u!i4ue. 5 ha)e to admit that 5*m o!ly familiar 'ith Ha!del*s ect better tha! a!y of their peers& 'hile =eetho)e! said he 'as *the master of us all. =eetho)e! also said that Ha!del should be the e+ample used 'he! tryi!# to lear! ho' to achie)e #reat e>ects by simple mea!s. (he! Slytheri! tur!ed his atte!tio! to the pia!ist& Harry tur!ed to his left a!d addressed the polite )e!eer he felt he 'as 'eari!#. his type of #atheri!# 'ould !e)er be a fa)orite. Ho'e)er& his mood 'as impro)ed at seei!# the array of almo!d macaroo!s& 'hite chocolate truKes& chocolate-dipped stra'berries& a!d mi!i Xclairs that lled the table. Fi!ally& 'he! the their host laid his !ap"i! o! the table& Harry folded his o'! !ap"i! i! half a!d placed it o! the table to the ri#ht of his plate& follo'i!# Sala7ar*s i!structio!s carefully. %s Slytheri! stood& Harry also stood a!d helped the ladies 'ith their chairs. He had bee! 'ar!ed there 'ould be se)eral mi!utes of polite co!)ersatio! 'hile sta!di!# before the 1st #uest 'ould ta"e their lea)e. heir host mo)ed easily throu#h his #uests& spea"i!# to each 1 i! tur!& #i)i!# them his i!di)idual atte!tio!. /omi!# to Harry he said pleasa!tly& er e)e! thou#h 5 e!;oyed myself. he dar" eyes e+ami!ed him for a fe' mome!ts a!d the! a smile tu##ed at the older ma!*s lips. ou i!tri#ue me& & Sala7ar. 5 'as!*t raised to utter pretty mea!i!#less phrases a!d to smir" a!d simper li"e you 'ere. 67
% Slytheri! !e)er simpers& Sala7ar retorted. )erythi!# else is a da!ce6 the mo)eme!t of the co!)ersatio!& e)aluati!# a!d ma"i!# co!!ectio!s& the #i)i!# a!d #atheri!# of i!formatio!E His smile tur!ed positi)ely e)il as he said& ou should complete the e!tries i! your character proles 'hile the i!formatio! is still fresh i! your mi!d. Harry #roa!ed a!d 'o!dered 'hether a! Incendio 'ould destroy the portrait& but !ally #rud#i!#ly retreated to his des" a!d pulled out the ;our!al that co!tai!ed the i!formatio! that Sala7ar i!sisted he be#i! to #ather. He tur!ed to ,irector =o!e*s pa#e a!d !oted the tea party a!d that she had bee! seated at Slytheri!*s ri#ht ha!d. He added a pa#e for each of the other people& telli!# Sala7ar about them as he 'rote. orded to her by as"i!# astute yet mildly phrased 4uestio!s of the other #uests. *%!d you!# member at Ho#'arts& has co!sta!t access to the childre! of promi!e!t Families a!d !o 1 "!o's 'ho he is or 'hether he*s 4ualied i! a!y ma!!er to teach those stude!ts. Surely that*s !ot 'hat you*re telli!# me Do#er Hampto!& a mi!or cler" i! the ducatio!al ,i)isio! tried !ot to s4uirm u!der the ered. r that he 'as home-schooled a!d too" his .(..s i! a !o!-5/( cou!try. He t'itched sli#htly as he added& 5t*s also possible that he*s a member of a 'ealthy family that someho' ma!a#ed to obscure his e+iste!ce. He did!*t me!tio! that pureblood families fre4ue!tly bribed ocials to either create or hide the records of ille#itimate o>spri!#. 5 su##est you !d out e+actly 'ho he is a!d 'here his 4ualicatio!s are& the member& e)e! if he is o!ly a! assista!t. he Headmaster 'as #i)e! a! e+emptio! for Dubeus Ha#rid& but !o applicatio! for e+emptio! of the .(. re4uireme!t 'as led for a!y other sta> member. es&
Crey eyes became icy. hat is !ot 'hat 5 re4uested& Hampto!. 5 e+pect to ha)e a full report 'ithi! the 'ee". His )oice became )ery 4uiet. ,o 5 !eed to repeat my i!structio!s Bo sir. f course !ot& sir. 5*ll ha)e that i!formatio! by this time !e+t 'ee"& sir& the cler" babbled. he blo!de*s blo!de*s lips t'itched t'itched i!to a calm a!d a!d satised smile. smile. Cood. ,ismissed. ,ismissed. He tur!ed tur!ed bac" to the papers papers o! his des" des" a!d i#!ored the !er)ous cler" 'ho bo'ed a!d stumbled out of the oce. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- he Di#ht Ho!orable Ho!orable ord ord Slytheri!& ha!" you for ope!i!# your your home a!d hosti!# the tea tea this after!oo!. after!oo!. he repast repast 'as delicious delicious a!d the the compa!y li)ely li)ely a!d e!tertai!i!#. 5 e!;oyed meeti!# your #uests a!d lear!i!# more about ere!t tha! his cou!terpart i! my 'orld. hat lu!atic certai!ly did!*t host teas& !or did he ha)e the social #races 'ith polite co!)ersatio!. He bullied a!d threate!ed a!d fri#hte!ed people i!to obeyi!# him. He seemed to !eed absolute domi!atio! of e)eryo!e. his Diddle seems to be more of a! aristocratic politicia!. he Fou!der*s Fou!der*s portrait portrait raised a! eyebro' eyebro' at the youth. youth. (hy does that co!fuse co!fuse you& my you!# protX#X protX#X 5f he*s ;ust a 'ealthy aristocrat& if he*s ;ust a politicia!& then why the bloody hell was I summoned here:" His here:" His )oice rose i! a#itatio! as he !ished the se!te!ce. He*s !ot a! i!huma! mass murderer li"e my 'orld*s Diddle 'as. He*s !ot i!sa!e& or if he is& he*s hidi!# it pretty 'ell. %!d there are!*t the o!-#oi!# attac"s that 5 e+pected. he 1 o! the shop i! ,ia#o! %lley that 5 i!terrupted is the o!ly 1 that*s happe!ed si!ce 5*)e bee! here6 or at least the o!ly 1 publici7ed. He raised frustrated eyes to the portrait a!d repeated& (hy the hell am 5 here Perhaps you should be holdi!# this co!)ersatio! 'ith the you!# people that summo!ed you& su##ested the portrait. e!ded o'l. 5 "!o' you*re perfectly capable of deli)eri!# them& Hed'i#& but 'he! as beautiful a! o'l as you appears& she*s bou!d to be !oticed. 5 ;ust 'a!ted them deli)ered 'ithout a!yo!e else !otici!#. %lthou#h she hu>ed at him& she did tur! arou!d after se)eral mi!utes of caresses. Harry si#hed at the temperame!tal bird a!d retur!ed his atte!tio! to Bebby& 'ho seemed to be 'atchi!# the 2 'ith amuseme!t. ed& but seemed mollied. Harry #a)e a! appreciati)e smile to the house elf a!d retrie)ed the !otes from his boo" ba#. (ould you please discretely lea)e these 'here the stude!ts 'ill !d them& Bebby 69
f course er you a!y assista!ce you may re4uire& sir. Harry !odded be!i#!ly at the you!#er tee!. our courtesy is appreciated& member. Harry lea!ed for'ard i! his chair a!d met each of the tee!*s eyes brie@y& "eepi!# his face cordial. (he! you summo!ed me to this 'orld& it 'as because you 'ere loo"i!# for a champio! to defeat Slytheri!. 5 thou#ht 5 'as comi!# i!to a full-out 'ar& 'ith o!-#oi!# attac"s& but 5*)e o!ly see! the 1 )a!dalism attac" i! ,ia#o! %lley& 'hile e)erythi!# else seems to be all political. He loo"ed arou!d at each tee! a#ai!. 5 !eed you to e+plai! to me 'hy you felt so much desperatio! that you decided to summo! a *champio!*. 5t seems to me that you !eed to de)elop appropriate political strate#ies more tha! a!ythi!#. He should ha)e #uessed that Do! 'ould respo!d 1st& Bo& it*s more tha! ;ust politics you daft #it? Hermio!e #asped a!d hit the tee! i! the arm. Do!& 'here are your ma!!ers? %!d "eep it do'! before ort or simply coi!cide!ce. Shortly after their i!4uiries be#a!& our house 'as attac"ed& a!d it 'as presumed it 'as by 'hoe)er 'as tar#eti!# mu##le bor!s i! retaliatio! for my pare!t*s i!)esti#atio!. 5 sur)i)ed the house collapsi!#& a!d Dita S"eeterE he boy paused as his face t'isted i! dis#ust. He shoo" his head a!d co!ti!ued& Dita S"eeter decided that 5 must be a =oy-(ith-%-,esti!y. She e)e! had the !er)e to say that 5 had bee! sa)ed by
70
5f 5 'as #oi!# to be a focus of their atte!tio!& the! 5 !eeded to be stro!#er. Hermio!e thou#ht of the idea of a familiar& a!d researchi!# that fou!d the spell to summo! a champio!. he i!crease i! )iole!ce to'ards mu##le bor!s a!d the threat to my family caused us to attempt the ritual. Harry sat bac" i! his chair a!d tried !ot to ba!# his head a#ai!st the table. hey pulled him out of his 'orld because of a fe' threats ord Slytheri!*s full !ame 'as !e)er used Aust a )eiled refere!ce to him ,id it occur to you that perhaps he 'as bei!# deliberately set up as the leader as a fei!t to dra' atte!tio! a'ay from a!other perso! or #roup Be)ille !odded relucta!tly. ere!t tha! 'hat you ha)e here. 5 do u!dersta!d your co!cer!s& Be)ille. =ei!# the focus of Dita S"eeter*s articles a!d u!reaso!able e+pectatio!s is tou#h. he readers be#i! to belie)e 'hat she says i!stead of thi!"i!# for themsel)es& a!d i! your case& they choose to 'ait for their *sa)ior* to ta"e actio! i!stead of doi!# a!ythi!# themsel)es. %re you really a!#ry that 'e performed the ritual& as"ed Be)ille somberly. Harry ble' air slo'ly out his pursed lips as he co!sidered. 5 ha)e to admit that it*s hard for me to u!dersta!d your desperatio! 'he! your 'orld is so di>ere!t. ou do!*t ha)e scores of people bei!# brutally murdered e)ery year6 you ha)e )a!dals. ou do!*t ha)e e!tire families bei!# tortured a!d "illed6 you ha)e 4uestio!able ill!esses a!d accide!ts. he tee!s loo"ed at each other u!comfortably at his 'ords. 5f 5 did!*t ha)e my o'! e+perie!ces to use as a compariso!& 5 mi#ht be able to u!dersta!d your fears& but it*s dicult. (e*re )ery sorry 'e dra##ed you i!to this& ered them a small polite smile a!d left the ibrary. hat poor ma!& murmured Holly. He*s bee! throu#h so much a!d seems so alo!e. 5 'ish 'e had !e)er summo!ed him& 'hispered Be)ille. 5t 'as so u!fair to him. 5 should ha)e faced my respo!sibilities rather tha! try to palm them o>. 5f 'e had!*t performed the ritual& he 'ould ha)e died& retorted Hermio!e. 5t may !ot ha)e bee! the best thi!# to do& but 5*m #lad that he*s ali)e. Do! !odded& -beat se!se of humor. hey li"e him a lot. Sebastia! smiled a!d added& 5 'ish 5 could see that side of him. %s lo!# as 'e*re here& 'hy do!*t 'e start o! our /harms home'or"& said Hermio!e. She i#!ored the #roa!s from the others a!d ope!ed her boo" ba# to 'ithdra' parchme!t for her essay. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ho' do you feel about their re)elatio!s& Harry& as"ed Presto! the follo'i!# mor!i!# after Harry related his co!)ersatio! 'ith the tee!s. 5 'a!ted to scream at them& admitted the you!# ma! as he ra"ed his ha!ds throu#h his hair. hey had the balls to pull a total stra!#er from his life ;ust because they 'ere uncomortable . (e had all out 'ar6 attac"s o! ,ia#o! %lley a!d Ho#smeade& 'hole families bei!# tortured a!d brutally murdered& pare!ts forced to "ill their o'! childre! u!der the 5mperiusE He paused a!d shuddered as the memories s'amped him. hey ;ust had political i!tri#ue& petty )a!dalism a!d mi!or )iole!ce. he %urors could ha!dle the later 'hile ,umbledore should ha)e bee! able to create a )oti!# allia!ce i! the (i7e!#amot. here 'as !o reaso! to summo! a!yo!e O much less me? (ould you rather ha)e died i! your cell& posed the
esE maybeE 5 do!*t "!o'... he tee! tu##ed at his hair i! frustratio!. 5 'ould rather be ali)e i! my 'orld& 5 thi!". )e! thou#h so ma!y died& it 'as my 'orld. 5 shared e+perie!ces 'ith those people. )e! 'ith e)eryo!e that died O a!d that 'as a'ful O it 'as still my 'orld. 5 mour!ed the dead& especially the i!!oce!ts& but 5 do!*t now these people. 5 'as!*t raised here. 5t*s li"e they*re all imposters 'eari!# the s"i!s of my frie!ds... a!d it hurts. His )oice bro"e at the e!d. 5t hurts so much sometimes& Presto!. Hed'i# lau!ched from her sta!d a!d la!ded i! the you!# ma!*s lap& !ud#i!# his ha!d 'ith her head. He automatically be#a! stro"i!# the a>ectio!ate o'l& a!d felt himself calm u!der the rhythmic a!d familiar se!satio!. Harry& it*s all ri#ht to be a!#ry& ;ust as it*s all ri#ht to #rie)e. here is !o time limit o! ho' lo!# you should ha)e those feeli!#s& there*s !o set formula that says as of 9 o*cloc" o! Friday& you*ll be !e. ife does!*t 'or" that 'ay. ou !eed to reco#!i7e a!d accept that the heali!# process ta"es time. 5 should be stro!#er tha! this& muttered Harry. 5f 5 could ha!dle $oldemort& 5 should be able to ha!dle this. ,o!*t do'!play your emotio!s& Harry. 5f you are distressed& it does!*t ha)e to be 'orthy of the feeli!#s by a!yo!e else*s terms. ,e!yi!# your a!#er or your #rief ca! e!d up e+te!di!# ho' lo!# you ha)e those emotio!s. Harry co!ti!ued stro"i!# Hed'i# a!d the! si#hed hea)ily. hat*s all 5 !eed& for these feeli!#s to #o o! a!d o!. oo" at e)erythi!# you*)e #o!e throu#h& Harry. Perso!ally& 5 thi!" you should pat yourself o! the bac" ;ust because you*re still sta!di!#. ou*)e do!e e)erythi!# you ca! to ad;ust a!d adapt. 5 hate to use a! old clichX& but you*re slo'ly ta"i!# this 'hole ordeal a!d letti!# it mold you i!to a stro!#er ma!. 5 do!*t feel stro!#er& Harry #ro'led. ,id you e)er thi!" you 'ould be able to face %lbus ,umbledore a#ai! %!d yet you ha)e. ,id you thi!" you 'ould be able to face the basilis" i! the /hamber a#ai! et you did& a!d made a !e' frie!d. ,id you e)er ima#i!e you 'ould ha)e tea 'ith om Diddle =ut you ma!a#ed it. Harry could!*t help but smile. ea 'ith Diddle 'as surreal. %!d yet you did it. So as o)er'helmi!# a!d frustrati!# as this e!tire ordeal has bee!& you*re still adapti!# a!d #ro'i!# stro!#er because of it. 5 do!*t feel a!y stro!#er& thou#h& repeated the tee!. Presto! smiled at the scared ma!. So you*ll fa"e it u!til you feel it. Harry se!se of humor asserted itself a!d he lau#hed at the older ma!. & deal. He loo"ed at Sala7ar*s portrait a!d the! bac" at Presto! a!d cha!#ed the sub;ect. 5*m thi!"i!# of ta"i!# S!ape a!d ,umbledore do'! to the /hamber. hey both 'a!t to see it. ou*)e already coped 'ith seei!# the basilis" a#ai! yourself. He paused a!d the! as"ed& ,o you 'a!t to share the e+perie!ce& or do you feel li"e the /hamber is *yours* a!d feel territorial about it Heh& 5 'as the o!ly perso! to #o do'! there i! my 'orld& u!til se)eral years later 'he! 'e !eeded a basilis" fa!#. =ut S!ape is a totally di>ere!t perso! here. 5 actually li"e him. He*s still "i!d of s!ar"y a!d sarcastic& but he seems to be a dece!t #uy. %!d %lbus ,umbledore (ell& he*s di>ere!t tha! his cou!terpart too. his ,umbledore 'ould !e)er ha)e allo'ed the ri'i7ard tour!ame!t to be held6 !e)er mi!d forci!# me to compete. He 'as ho!estly horried that Sirius 'as!*t pu!ished more se)erely for almost murderi!# S!ape by e+posi!# him to eri!# from ,eme!tia or a mi!d curse. ,o you thi!" you*re still carryi!# o)er feeli!#s from your 'orld*s ,umbledore to him Harry si#hed loudly as he petted Hed'i# some more. 5 do!*t actually want to for#i)e ,umbledore& but this ma! is!*t the 1 'ho caused so much pai! to so ma!y people. So yes& 5*m lear!i!# to separate him from the other ma!. He #ri!!ed mischie)ously a!d added& %lthou#h 5 'ould!*t mi!d if Shasa!ae made him 'et himself. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------=oth the Headmaster a!d Potio!s
(e ha)e di>ere!t ideas of 'hat co!stitutes e!tertai!me!t& Headmaster& said Se)erus se)erely. He loo"ed arou!d at the corridor a!d the! bac" at Harry 'ith e)ide!t disappoi!tme!t. 5s this the /hamber& ed& but co!ti!ued co!ti!ued to stro"e stro"e the #ia!t #ia!t s!a"e s!a"e as he i!spected i!spected her closely closely.. (hat a pity that Parselto!#ue ca!*t be lear!ed& he murmured. Harry bli!"ed at the older ma!. /a!*t it 5 !e)er tried to teach someo!e ho' to spea" it. 5 'ould be 'illi!# to try to i!struct you. /a! you say WhelloW Shasa!ae bli!"ed at the you!# 'i7ard. WHello&W she replied 'ith a 4uestio! i! her to!e. Harry lau#hed a!d haste!ed to e+plai! that he 'as #oi!# to see if he could teach either ma! to spea" Parselto!#ue. W5t is dicult& but !ot impossible from 'hat Sala7ar told me&W she hissed. Shasa!ae says it*s dicult to lear! Parselto!#ue& but possible he related to them 'ith a broad smile. 5 'ould be i!terested i! ma"i!# the attempt& %lbus said 'ith a smile at the #reat s!a"e. %s 'ould 5& Se)erus a#reed. Shasa!ae follo'ed them arou!d the /hamber as they i!)esti#ated it& a!d hissed i! lau#hter as they tried to lear! ho' to say WhelloW to her. )e!tually& both of them 'ere able to ma"e a credible #reeti!# to their imme!se pleasure. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry cou!ted himself luc"y as he escaped from
Hmph& be sure you come see me if it e)er lasts for more tha! 1 day. She put her 'a!d a'ay a!d as"ed& %re you still spea"i!# 'ith Healer the bed a!d #ri!!ed at her. (e spea" t'ice a 'ee" !o'. He assures me that 5*m #etti!# stro!#er all the time& but that 5 ca! fa"e it u!til 5 feel it. She could!*t hold bac" a chuc"le. hat sou!ds li"e him& she admitted. %ll ri#ht& you*re free to #o& the 'ee"e!d sessio!s. +celle!t. 5 'ill coordi!ate times 'ith %lbus a!d the! #i)e you optio!s 'he! 'e are li"ely free. %!d 5*ll try to set up a! actual lesso! pla!& so that you ca! lear! the most useful 'ords a!d phrases 1st. he sou!d of of 'i!#s a!!ou!ced a!!ou!ced the mor!i!# mor!i!# mail& mail& a!d Harry loo"ed loo"ed up to see if Hed'i# Hed'i# 'as #oi!# to to come steal steal baco! from him this mor!i!#. o his surprise& 2 u!familiar o'ls la!ded before him a!d e+te!ded their le#s. 1 bore the member a!d is re4uesti!# a copy of my .(..*s or at least !otice of 'here they 'ere ta"e! so that they ca! obtai! a copy. He loo"ed bac" do'! at the letter. %ppare!tly it*s a re4uireme!t that a!y teachi!# sta> member ha)e a! utsta!di!# B( i! the sub;ect they are teachi!# a!d ad;u!ct sta> must ha)e appropriate ( scores. 5 am certai! that the Headmaster 'ill be able to resol)e the situatio!& Se)erus replied. Harry !odded a!d stood to #o to the Headmaster*s oce& 'he! additio!al @utteri!# cau#ht his atte!tio!. %! a!cie!t o'l la!ded hea)ily o! the table a!d stumbled before ri#hti!# itself. Harry sat bac" do'! as he reco#!i7ed rrol& the (easley o'l& a!d hid a chuc"le at the elderly o'l*s a!tics. He o>ered the bird a sip of 'ater a!d the! a bit of his sco!e. )e!tually& the elderly o'l reco)ered e!ou#h to o>er his le# to Harry. He u!rolled the letter a!d smiled at the i!)itatio! from e!tra!ce. Harry strode 4uic"ly throu#h throu#h the halls& a)oidi!# eye co!tact 'ith the #i##li!# #irls 'ho tried to catch his atte!tio!. He reached the #ar#oyle a!d #a)e the 'ee"*s pass'ord& Daspberry ortes. he #ar#oyle ;umped aside re)eali!# the stairs& a!d Harry let them carry him up to the Headmaster*s oce. %s he raised his ha!d to "!oc"& he heard& /ome i!&
5! that case& u!less you ob;ect& 5 belie)e it 'ould be possible to add your ( results outside of the =ritish ered at Ho#'arts. He !e)er had it publicly published& so if it is Codric*s boo"& it is 1 of a "i!d. 5 'o!der 'hat other relics he has of the of us. he portrait loo"ed at Harry 'ith a! air of appraisal. Harry !arro'ed his eyes at the portrait. ou 'a!t me to #o& do!*t you Bot o!ly that& respo!ded respo!ded the portrait 'ith a smir"& but 5 'a!t you to bri!# me 'ith you. Chapter 13 9 Inn+endoes. Insin+ations and Intimations Harry #e!tly added the 9th 'ard o! top of the other u!der the 'atchful pai!ted eyes of Sala7ar Slytheri!. He breathed a si#h of relief as the 'ard structure accepted the !e'est spell. He loo"ed up at the portrait a!d said& & that*s the harmful i!te!t o! the surrou!di!# area& harmful spell protectio! o! the surrou!di!# area a!d the i!terior& !otice of arri)als& 'i!d dama#e& a!d !ally re dama#e 'ards. Proceed& i!structed Sala7ar& 'atchi!# the you!#er ma! carefully. he dar" haired haired you!# ma! ma! loo"ed loo"ed at the paper paper house lyi!# i! fro!t fro!t of the replace. replace. He thou#ht thou#ht of crushi!# crushi!# it u!der his foot& a!d stepped for'ard. 5mmediately& he felt a ri!#i!# that a!!ou!ced the 'ards 'ere u!der attac" a!d his foot bou!ced o> a! i!)isible shield arou!d the paper house. He cast a blud#eo!i!# charm& 'hich 'as absorbed by the 'ards. % blast of 'i!d rebou!ded o> the i!)isible shields. %! Incendio 'ould Incendio 'ould ha)e rebou!ded a!d caused his fur!iture to catch re if he had!*t immediately cast a! A4uament a! A4uamentii charm to dro'! the re. %cceptable& appro)ed the portrait. Bo' be#i! to layer i! the charm a#ai!st ,ar" /reatures. Harry lifted his 'a!d a!d fro'!ed as he be#a! to layer the Tth 'ard. 5 "!o' you*)e e+plai!ed it& but 5 still thi!" the harmful i!te!t should be e!ou#h& he muttered. here are layers& de#rees a!d !ua!ces amo!# each 'ard& my you!# protX#X. ou must lear! ho' each 'or"s 'ith 1 a!other. !ce you master each 'ard& 'e 'ill be#i! 'ith detailed i!te#ratio! rather tha! simple layeri!#. Harry liste!ed 'ith o!ly partial atte!tio! as he tried to add the Tth 'ard. He stru##led as he felt them shift a!d be#i! to falter& pouri!# more po'er i!to the spell. he result 'as a loud deto!atio! as the 'ards collapsed a!d the paper house burst i!to @ames. =u##er& Harry muttered as he 'iped soot from his face. 5t*s al'ays the Tth layer. 75
(ait u!til you*re 'or"i!# o! the 30th layer 'he! they implode& smir"ed Sala7ar. he tee! #lared tiredly at the portrait. ou e!;oy bei!# sadist& do!*t you 5 belie)e the same alle#atio! 'as commo!ly held by my stude!ts a mille!!ium a#o. Said co!)ictio! did !ot pre)e!t me from ha)i!# them repeat the e+ercise the!& !or 'ill it foster !e#li#e!ce o! my part !o'. =e#i! the se4ue!ce a#ai!. ou do reali7e that the more e>ort you put i!to lear!i!# this& the more po'erful the 'ards. Harry #roa!ed a!d tra!s#ured a!other parchme!t i!to a paper house a!d be#a! the 'ardi!# chai! a#ai!. %fter the 1st 'ard 'as cast& he loo"ed bac" at the portrait. (hat do you mea!& *the more e>ort 5 put i!& the more po'erful the 'ards 'ill be* Slytheri! loo"ed at Harry as if he had disappoi!ted the Fou!der a!d pi!ched the brid#e of his !ose. ou "!o' !othi!# of rituals he as"ed. Harry shoo" his head a!d loo"ed at him e+pecta!tly. Dituals dra' po'er from surmou!ted challe!#es& completed tas"s a!d hard-'o! accomplishme!ts. )e! !ormal !o!-ritual ma#ic is more po'erful if you #o throu#h some trouble to actually #et it. For e+ample& if you searched for a particular spellboo" for 'ee"s& loo"i!# throu#h libraries& boo"s stores a!d 2!d-ha!d shops a!d the! had to perform a )ariety of chores for the shop"eeper i! order to obtai! it& it is more li"ely that you 'ill lear! the spells i! the boo" more 4uic"ly a!d achie)e better results from them tha! if you had bee! ha!ded the boo" the mome!t you 'a!ted it. (he! ma#ic is earned it*s stro!#er a!d more focused. Harry*s bro' furro'ed as he tried to comprehe!d this !e' co!cept. Sala7ar& $oldemort i! my 'orld used a ridiculously co!)oluted method that i!)ol)ed the ri'i7ard our!ame!t to capture me a!d use me i! a blood ritual to restore him to a body. 5t !e)er made se!se to me 'hy he did!*t ha)e his ,eath ater ;ust slap a port"ey o! me sometime duri!# the school year. Ho'e)er& if 5 u!derstood 'hat you said& if $oldemort had #otte! his ha!ds o! me earlier& the cha!ces of the rebirth ritual succeedi!# 'ould ha)e bee! lesse!ed =ut because 5 competed a#ai!st other 'i7ards a!d 'itches i! the tour!ame!t a!d o)ercame the challe!#es& my blood the! #a)e $oldemort additio!al po'er Slytheri! i!cli!ed his head i! a brief !od of a#reeme!t& Precisely. $oldemort al'ays seemed to attac" o! either Hallo'ee! or the spri!#. ,oes that also mea! that specic dates also hold #reater po'er he pai!ti!# rolled his eyes. Ha)e you !e)er lear!ed of Samhai! a!d =elta!e (hat is Ho#'arts teachi!# stude!ts these days 5 am #oi!# to ha)e to ha)e a serious discussio! 'ith ,umbledore someday )ery soo!. 5 do!*t remember them e)er bei!# me!tio!ed i! a!y class& Harry admitted. So Hallo'ee! or Samhai! is a day of po'er& a!d =elta!e is i! the Spri!# a!d is a!other day of po'er Bo 'o!der $oldemort attac"ed o! those days e)ery year. Samhai! a!d =elta!e are 2 e+tremely po'erful days a!d 'ill result i! e+ceptio!ally pote!t ma#ic& Slytheri! #ra!ted. (ere 5 to perform a! i!tricate ritual& 5 'ould attempt to use those or a similar day myself& depe!di!# o! the purpose of the rite. Bo'& retur! to the 'ards a!d let us see if you ca! ma!a#e the Tth 1 this time. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ord Slytheri! read the letter tha! accompa!ied the le a!d tur!ed to it 'ith i!terest. %fter a )ery fe' mi!utes& he raised a! ele#a!t eyebro' at the papers before him a!d could!*t co!tai! the mi!uscule smile of appreciatio! that he e+perie!ced. he Hero of ,ia#o! %lley*s les had bee! miraculously fou!d i! /a!ada misled u!der his #i)e! !ame rather tha! his sur!ame. He i!cli!ed his head i! a #esture of respect for the schemi!# a!d ma!eu)eri!# that resulted i! the copy of the le before him. Harriso! =lac" 'as appare!tly the adopted so! of 2 the soot& a!d had to smile at the familiar room 'ith its hapha7ard collectio! of 'or! fur!iture a!d a half-!ished "!itti!# pro;ect po"i!# up from a ba# !ear a chair by the 'i!do'. % smili!#
76
outside sho'i!# 1 of his ere!t tha! yours& Harry be#a! 4uietly. 5t 'as much more )iole!t6 'e 'ere truly at 'ar. ,uri!# the ,ar" ord*s 1st rise to po'er& your cou!terparts ;oi!ed the rder of the Phoe!i+ to #ht a#ai!st $oldemort a!d his follo'ers. ou 'ere 4uite e>ecti)e& as e)e!tually you became prime tar#ets. Harry*s )oice trailed o> as he played 'ith a 'atch ba!d arou!d his 'rist. (e 'ere "illed i! your 'orld& 'ere!*t 'e& as"ed Cideo! after a brief #la!ce at his brother 'ho 'as loo"i!# at the you!# ma! 'ith curiosity. ach of the 'i)es #ripped their husba!d*s ha!ds sile!tly. Harry si#hed hea)ily. 5t 'as before 5 'as bor!& 5 thi!". ou 'ere attac"ed by 9 ,eath aters. he 'ord 'as that you fou#ht li"e true heroes& but ultimately fell. (e should cou!t oursel)es fortu!ate&
feels di>ere!tly. She laid a soft ha!d o)er his. ou are 'elcome 'ith the Pre'etts a!d the (easleys. ou*re ;ust the type of you!# ma! 'e 'a!t to i!clude i! the family. 5! a! e>ort to li#hte! up the emotio!al atmosphere& =ill added& =esides& 5 let /harlie "!o' that a *seer* had hi!ted at a Fre!ch part-$eela as a match for me& a!d /harlie 'a!ts to "!o' if you ha)e a!y !e's o! a a!cX for him as 'ell. ed. ou ma"e the decie!cies i! your educatio! readily appare!t. he subtle comme!ts& 4ueries a!d ripostes i! social discourse ca! be most e!tertai!i!# to a discer!i!# mi!d. (ell& ho' about if you #o )isit your desce!de!t by yourself a!d 5 stay home the! Sala7ar #lared at the you!#er ma!. our attempted di)ersio!s 'ill accomplish !othi!#. Proceed. Harry si#hed a!d remo)ed the pai!ti!# from the 'all a!d laid it o! the des". %fter a shri!"i!# spell& he placed the pai!ti!# o! a chai! a!d lifted it o)er his head& letti!# the portrait rest a#ai!st his chest. % disillusio!me!t spell follo'ed by a !oticeme-!ot spell o! the pai!ti!# allo'ed it to lie o! his chest u!!oticed. He stepped o)er to the Floo a!d chec"ed the time 'ith a 4uic" empus. he Floo to ord Slytheri!*s home 'ould ope! for o!ly 2 mi!utes a!d he did!*t 'a!t to miss it - 'ell& actually he did& but Sala7ar 'ould ma"e his life a li)i!# hell if he did. Harry a!d his disillusio!ed Sala7ar !ec"lace Floo*d i!to a! ele#a!tly appoi!ted room a!d 'ere met by a house elf clad i! a ti!y butler*s u!iform. he di#!ied little elf bo'ed a!d said& ord Slytheri! as"ed Caspar to sho' ered them cream a!d su#ar& 'hich both decli!ed. he house bo'ed a!d disappeared 'ith a 4uiet pop. Harry sipped his tea a!d tried !ot to stare at his host. (ith this third e!cou!ter& he could !ot de!y that this 'as u!4uestio!ably !ot the ord $oldemort of his 'orld& but a still ha!dsome 'i7ard i! his late middle years 'ho 'as certai!ly at the hei#ht of his po'ers. Slytheri! 'as a#ai! dressed i! muted colors& 'eari!# a robe that e)e! Harry could tell 'as of the !est material. (ould the om Diddle of my 'orld ha)e bee! li"e this if o!ly he had!*t bee! retur!ed to a! abusi)e orpha!a#e e)ery summer& the you!# ma! 'o!dered. Ho' are you e!;oyi!# Cry!dor*s ma!uscript& as"ed his host politely. Harry blushed& reali7i!# he had!*t tha!"ed the ma! for the i!)itatio! or the cha!ce to see such a rare 'or". 5t is truly e!thralli!#& ord Slytheri!. 5 ca! o!ly blame my poor ma!!ers o! ho' absorbi!# the 'or" is. ha!" you for this u!i4ue opportu!ity. he older ma! i!cli!ed his head #raciously. ou are 'elcome&
Ho'E 4uai!t& s!eered his host. So you #re' up 'ithout the be!ets of a ma#ical commu!ity. (ere you forced to practice ere!t type of brutality& respo!ded the older ma!. He sipped his tea a#ai!. ell me& do you fre4ue!tly e!da!#er yourself for others& ere!t type of hero are you !ot& e!se& 5 am merely attempti!# to lear! a bit more about you. ou are the -!ero o Diagon Alley- after all. Harry felt the comme!t hit home. He hated ho' the ,aily Prophet had alter!ated bet'ee! calli!# him the /hose! 1 a!d the! ma"i!# him out to be a psychotic me!tal case. he article i! the ,aily racle had #otte! him the e+act same type of atte!tio! a!d he loathed it& 'hich appare!tly this ma! reco#!i7ed a!d used to tau!t him. Bo matter 'hat Sala7ar ad)ised& he had !o desire to play 'ord #ames 'ith this supercilious bastard a!y lo!#er. 1 'ould thi!" a ma! of your years 'ould lear! !ot to belie)e e)erythi!# 'ritte!& he #rou!d out bet'ee! !early cle!ched teeth. Bo' if you 'ill e+cuse me& 5 belie)e 5 ha)e o)erstayed my 'elcome. Sala7ar heard the a!#er i! his protX#X*s )oice a!d 'as sure the ma! opposite him heard it as 'ell. He si#hed me!tally6 althou#h Harry had @ashes of cu!!i!#& he lac"ed the subtleties of a true Slytheri!& u!li"e their host. %s Harry stood tryi!# to co!ceal his loathi!# of Slytheri!*s co!desce!di!# attitude& a disembodied )oice said& !ou#h. Demo)e the disillusio!me!t& Harry. (ith a barely !oticeable ha!d mo)eme!t& Slytheri!*s 'a!d 'as i! his ha!d a!d !e#li#e!tly poi!ted to'ards Harry& as the older ma! raised a! ele#a!t eyebro'. Harry s!eered at the ma! a!d slo'ly 'ithdre' his 'a!d o!ly to poi!t it to his o'! chest. (ith 2 4uic" spells& he remo)ed both the disillusio!me!t a!d the !otice-me-!ot spells o! the portrait. ord Slytheri!*s eyes 'ide!ed at the portrait ha!#i!# o! his #uest*s chest. ord Slytheri!& allo' me to i!troduce Sala7ar Slytheri!& Fou!der of Ho#'arts& Harry said 'ith a self-satised smile at the other ma!*s e)ide!t surprise. He cast a 4uic" !#or#io o! the portrait so that it retur!ed to its ori#i!al si7e a!d propped it o! the chair !e+t to him. 79
ered a rell of tea to Harry& 'ho decli!ed. hat alo!e 'ould attract the atte!tio! of a!yo!e i!terested i! the rare a!d u!usual. He tipped his head a!d e+ami!ed Harry 'ith a critical eye. f course& 'he! the you!# ma! i! 4uestio! 'as purportedly summo!ed to )a!4uish me& 5 #re' more curious. Harry felt his stomach drop. Slytheri! "!e' 'hy he had bee! summo!ed IBot #ood&J he thou#ht& I!ot #ood at all.J 5 co!#ratulate you o! your i!formatio! or#a!i7atio!& Sala7ar said i!cli!i!# his head 'ith respect. Bo 1 i!)ol)ed i! politics a!d i!ter!atio!al busi!ess ca! sur)i)e 'ithout a chai! of operati)es 'illi!# to share i!teresti!# tidbits of i!formatio! as it is lear!ed& Slytheri! ac"!o'led#ed. He the! sat a!d ;ust scruti!i7ed Harry 4uietly. %fter se)eral lo!# a!d i!te!sely 4uiet mome!ts& Sala7ar said& (hat ha)e 5 tau#ht you about ord Slytheri!*s curre!t tactic& Harry Harry lips t'itched& but he respo!ded obedie!tly& ered Harry a slice 'hich the you!#er ma! decli!ed& a!d the! ate 1 of the 4uarters. %re you su##esti!# that you are not a =lood Purist& 4uestio!ed Harry. Sala7ar #rimaced sli#htly at the you!# ma!*s blu!t!ess. He !eeded to spe!d more time teachi!# Harry tact. heir host met his eyes a!d they reached a !o!-)erbal accord to i#!ore the you!#er ma!*s tactless!ess.
Harry shoo" his head i! co!fusio!. 5f you do!*t a#ree 'ith the =lood Purists actio!s& the! 'hy do!*t you do a!ythi!# about the assumptio! that you*re the leader of the #roup Sala7ar a!d Slytheri! loo"ed at each other a!d e+cha!#ed subtle mo)eme!ts& each deplori!# Harry*s clumsy 4uestio!. W1 hopes you 'ill be able to teach this you!# 1 a sembla!ce of subtlety at some poi!tW Slytheri! hissed i! Parselto!#ue to the portrait. WHe came to the trai!i!# late&W Sala7ar respo!ded i! "i!d& Wbut he is !ot impossible to i!struct.W WHe is sitti!# ri#ht here&W Harry hissed. For the 1st time& the you!#er ma! sa' his host stu!!ed. He stared at Harry i! disbelief& a!d the! a calculati!# loo" appeared i! his eyes. ou become more i!teresti!# e)ery day& ere!ces& you should replace your 'a!ds. His dar" eyes bored i!to both of the li)i!# me!*s #a7es. %!y blood relatio!ship is mea!i!#less at this time& u!less of course& a smir" bro"e across his pai!ted features as he focused his #a7e o! his desce!de!t& your ob;ecti)e is to #ai! a! heir. 5f that is your i!te!t& the! 5 su##est you reco#!i7e that threats a!d attempted sub;u#atio! 'ill lesse! your li"elihood of success. %! heir? Harry #asped& stari!# at the portrait i! shoc". heir host rolled his eyes a!d made a poi!t of stori!# his 'a!d bac" i!side his slee)e a!d loo"ed poi!tedly at Harry. he you!#er ma! relucta!tly retur!ed his 'a!d to the arm holster a!d i!cli!ed his head at Slytheri!. %t least !either of you is totally i!capable of commo! se!se& #ro'led the portrait& althou#h 5 e+pect a little more perspicacity from 1 beari!# my !ame or from a stude!t of mi!e. Perhaps a!other topic 'ould pro)e more ame!able& their host su##ested sua)ely. he commo! u!dersta!di!# is that there 'ere !o e!cha!ted portraits of the Fou!ders& o!ly mu!da!e o!es. He loo"ed at Sala7ar. 1 'o!ders 'hy a mille!!ium has #o!e by 'ithout you ha)i!# bee! re)ealed. Sala7ar smiled a!d i!cli!ed his head to'ards their host. (e each had a! e!cha!ted portrait& but 'e 'a!ted Ho#'arts to #ro' based o! the pre)aili!# 'orld a!d customs& !ot those of our era. (e each secured a portrait i! a! obscure locatio! that permitted us to obser)e 'hat 'as happe!i!# i! the school throu#h )isiti!# other portraits& 'ithout follo'i!# #e!eratio!s becomi!# depe!de!t o! our "!o'led#e a!d beliefs. ach #e!eratio! should sta!d o! its o'!. his 'as a sub;ect that Harry had !e)er raised 'ith the portrait a!d he could!*t help i!ter;ect& he! 'hy ha)e e!cha!ted portraits at all if !ot to ad)ise your successors (e e+ist purely as safe#uards& Sala7ar respo!ded. 5f the school e)er fell i!to the #rasp of those that 'ould fail to follo' the basic te!ets of the charter& 'hether by e!da!#eri!# the stude!ts or faili!# to pro)ide a proper educatio!& the! our portraits ha)e the ability to secure co!trol of the buildi!# a!d its 'ards. hat does !ot e+plai! 'hy you re)ealed yourself !o'& i!ter;ected Slytheri!. my portrait a!d become more i!)ol)ed 'ith the stude!ts a#ai!. r at least 1 stude!t& cou!tered his desce!de!t #la!ci!# at Harry& to 'hich Sala7ar i!cli!ed his head i! sile!t a#reeme!t. 5! my youth& 5 tra)eled to the Far ast& o>ered Sala7ar. 5 e+plored a )ariety of rich a!d remar"able cultures& both ma#ical a!d !o!-ma#ical. %t that time& 1 of the !o!-ma#ical philosophers ac4uai!ted me of 'hat a! old ada#e that they called a *curse*. Specically& *
% pity. 5t 'ould li"ely e+plai! a #reat deal& perhaps e)e! eleme!ts of 'hich you are u!a'are. (hy do 5 suspect that you are "eepi!# more secrets tha! you are telli!# me& ord Slytheri!& Harry 4uestio!ed 'ith a barely discer!able s!eer. 5 do !ot "!o'& & a!d Harry cast a 'armi!# charm o! 'hat appeared to be a you!# ma! a!d the! co!;ured a stretcher. He carefully le)itated the stude!t o!to the stretcher a!d the! 'ith a shru#& added the bro"e! broomstic" as 'ell. %s he tur!ed bac" to'ards the castle& he reali7ed the me!tal tu# had lesse!ed& but that he still felt a se!se of ur#e!cy& althou#h !o' it led him i! the directio! of the 5!rmary. He hurried to'ards the 5!rmary a!d 'as pleased to see
82
ay him do'! i! this bed& she said rmly& already be#i!!i!# a dia#!ostics spell. 5! the bri#ht li#ht of the 5!rmary& he could ma"e out the bruised features of Sebastia! Potter. He le)itated the you!# ma! to the bed a!d the! as a! after-thou#ht mo)ed the broom pieces o!to the !i#ht side table. 5 cast a 'armi!# charm o! him& the! a le)itatio! to put him o! the stretcher before @oati!# it here& Harry e+plai!ed& "!o'i!# that ma#ic could pote!tially i!terfere 'ith some potio!s. our 'armi!# charm probably pre)e!ted the o!set of hypothermia& Poppy said appro)i!#ly. 5t appears he has a mild co!cussio!& dislocated shoulder& a fracture to 1 'rist a!d a sprai! to the other& as 'ell as a )ariety of co!tusio!s. (ith a s'eep of her 'a!d& she !ished the dia#!ostic spell a!d tur!ed bac" to'ards her oce to collect potio!s. )er her shoulder she said& 5 assumed the shattered broom has somethi!# to do 'ith his co!ditio! 5 fou!d him o! the Muidditch pitch& Harry admitted. 5 thi!" he 'as practici!# some mo)es a!d lost co!trol a!d crashed. Poppy #lared at the tee! a!d shoo" her head& e)e! as she arra!#ed the potio!s a!d be#a! feedi!# them to him. Muidditch a#ai!? Flyi!# alo!e at !i#ht? 5 s'ear the sport should be ba!!ed at the school. (ell& he*s #oi!# to !d himself o! the i!;ury list a!d ba!!ed for @yi!# for the !e+t 'ee" tha!"s to those stu!ts. She co!ti!ued to mutter about rec"less childre! a!d their obsessi)e House Heads 'ho e!coura#ed such beha)ior. Shall 5 i!form Professor )isited the 5!rmary for a stomach soothi!# potio! before her 1st class. %fter liste!i!# i! horror at ily Potter*s tirade to'ards her so!& she bac"ed a'ay from the door'ay a!d decided that she could e!dure a! upset stomach more tha! she could tolerate mo)i!# a!y closer to the furious red-headed 'oma! a fe' yards a'ay. =y !oo!& the ra!t had made it arou!d the school causi!# the (easleys to @i!ch i! commiseratio!& as it seemed comparable to a er the Slytheri!*s lau#hter a!d the Cry!dor Muidditch team*s empathy& althou#h his sister*s lecture mo)ed him to ope! his mouth to ob;ect& u!til he remembered Harry*s comme!t about ho' he 'ould feel if he had fou!d Holly*s bro"e! a!d bloodied body. %re you liste!i!# to me& Holly hissed at him& her temper ri)ali!# their mother*s. Sebastia! laid a ha!d o! her arm. 5 "!o' 5 'as stupid a!d rec"less& he said softly. 5 should !e)er ha)e #o!e out at !i#ht a!d 5 should !e)er ha)e bee! 'ithout a spotter. 5*m sorry 5 scared you. 5 'o!*t do it a#ai!. His 4uiet si!cerity made her stop i! mid-hara!#ue. Hmph. See that you do!*t& his sister respo!ded. 5 do!*t li"e !di!# out my brother !early died from stupidity. 5t e>ects my reputatio! as 'ell& you "!o'. 83
He #ri!!ed at her a!d !odded& accepti!# her for#i)e!ess #ratefully. His frie!ds #a)e a si#h of relief as the sibli!# te!sio! decreased. ,id 5 tell you that Harry =lac" is the 1 that fou!d me& he as"ed. His sister loo"ed at him i! surprise. ects of the ritual. ,o you thi!" that*s 'hy he said 5 could call him Harry outside of class =ecause he felt a compulsio! from the spell Do! loo"ed at him i! surprise. He told you to call him by his 1st !ame He said that after carryi!# myE a!d 5 4uote *scra'!y carcass throu#h the school i! the dead of the !i#ht*& 'e 'ere familiar e!ou#h that 5 could use his #i)e! !ame. 5f that 'as part of the spell& it*s ;ustE 'ro!#& muttered Sebastia!. Bo 1 should be compelled to act a certai! 'hy because of a spell. hat*s almost as bad as the Imperius curse? Bo& respo!ded Hermio!e @atly. % compulsio! is more of a! inclination to do somethi!#. 5t ca! be i#!ored if the perso! ob;ected to it. 5f you told him to ;ump o> the %stro!omy to'er& it does!*t mea! he 'ould do it& because he "!e' it 'ould be lethal. =ut !ot that ma!y people ca! #ht the Imperius& a!d if they 'ere told to ;ump& they 'ould do so. 5t*s !ot the same. hat does!*t ma"e it right & ar#ued Sebastia!. Bo& it does!*t& a#reed Hermio!e 4uietly. he other tee!s !odded i! solem! a#reeme!t. Sebastia! stood up a!d loo"ed arou!d. He*s !ot here !o'. 5 !eed to tal" to him. able smile. (ell& sirE be#a! Sebastia!. He paused a!d loo"ed at Hermio!e 'ith pleadi!# eyes. (e thi!" the summo!i!# ritual did more tha! bri!# you to this 'orld& be#a! Hermio!e. Harry "ept a bla!d& but )a#uely i!terested loo" o! his face. h es sir& 'e thi!" the blood compo!e!t of the ritual may ha)e a>ected you i! a 'ay 'e did!*t a!ticipa!t& co!ti!ued Hermio!e. 5!deed& murmured Harry. 5! 'hat 'ay he blood 'as supposed to #i)e you the i!cli!atio! to support the perso! 'hose blood 'as usedE butE& Hermio!e #ulped a!d the! too" a deep breath a!d co!ti!ued i! true Cry!dor fashio!. (e thi!" it may ha)e a>ected you i! other 'ays. ou 'ere the o!e that fou!d Sebastia!E i! the dar"E 'ell after curfe'E 'e thi!" the ritual may ha)e caused you to see" him out a!d aid him. Harry lea!ed bac" i! his chair a!d e+ami!ed each of the tee!s. hey all loo"ed #uilty a!d remorseful. ou did!*t co!sider the ramicatio!s of usi!# a 'i7ard*s blood i! a ma#ical ritual =lood rituals are usually co!sidered dar" for a reaso!6 they either are used to harm someo!e or they are used 'ithout the blood do!or*s permissio!. he stude!ts shifted u!comfortably. Ho'e)er& !ot e)ery blood ritual is dar". here are blood 'ards that are used to protect families6 there are blood trac"i!# spells used to !d lost childre!. 5t*s usually all i! the i!te!t. He shifted his #a7e to Be)ille o!#bottom 'ho appeared deeply ashamed. our i!te!t 'as to help your frie!d& but at the e+pe!se of a!other. ou !e)er e)e! co!sidered the impact of the other& !or did you perform due dili#e!ce i! your research. He loo"ed bac" at Hermio!e 'ho !o' bore a humiliated e+pressio!. (ith a si#h& he co!ti!ued& ou are 4uite correct. he ritual did cause me to see" out er him aid 'he! he 'as i!;ured. He pi!!ed Sebastia! 'ith a sharp loo". Ho'e)er& 5 do!*t e+pect
Harry raised a! eyebro' a!d a!other smile t'itched his lips. 5*m researchi!# ord*s Slytheri!*s (i7e!#amot )oti!# records for the last 20 years& cross-refere!ci!# them by topic by date by spo!sor a!d by 'hat mar#i! the )ote passed or failed. 5f you 'a!t to help& ta"e a paper. ord Slytheri!& #asped Be)ille i! shoc". %fter e)erythi!# 'e*)e do!e& you*re still loo"i!# i!to helpi!# us 5t*s al'ays 'orth'hile to be 'ell-i!formed& to the B( /harms class he 'as auditi!#. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Holly matched her stride to Sebastia!*s& "!o'i!# that other stude!ts thou#ht it 'as some odd t'i! thi!# 'he! they 'al"ed i! ta!dem& their bodies i! perfect sy!chro!i7atio!. Ho'e)er& it 'as more of a tric" that they played& a pra!" their father seemed to appreciate. he t'i!s follo'ed Be)ille 'ho 'as @a!"ed by Hermio!e a!d Do! do'! the corridor to'ards to the library to meet Harry =lac". 5 do!*t u!dersta!d 'hy you had to )olu!teer all of our time& #rumbled Do! ahead of them. ou*re the 1 that*s #ood at research. Ho!estly Do!& do!*t you thi!" 'e all o'e the ma! a little help Hermio!e #lared mea!i!#fully at the red-head& 'ho immediately bac"ed do'!. Cuess so& he admitted. =ut 5 do!*t "!o' ho' much help 5*ll really be. Sebastia!& Holly 'hispered& i!dicati!# 'ith brief eye co!tact that they should let the others #ai! a fe' steps o! them. !ce she 'as certai! they 'ould!*t be o)erheard& she 'hispered& 5 'as thi!"i!# about ho' the e>ort? )er the !e+t 2 hours& there 'as little tal"& e+cept 'he! 1 stude!t fou!d a! i!teresti!# article that they shared 'ith the others. Holly !ally fou!d her cha!ce to 4uestio! Harry =lac" 'he! Be)ille said& Here*s 1 about your ,ad& Sebastia! a!d Holly. 5t*s 'he! he ear!ed a ,isti!#uished Ser)ice a'ard for capturi!# that murderer 'ho 'as preyi!# o! tee!a#ed
to!i#ht& but certai!ly u!dersta!d if this type of dry research is less i!teresti!# tha! 'aiti!# for a potio! to boil. (ithi! a fe' mi!utes& he #athered the parchme!ts a!d bid the tee!s #ood !i#ht. (ell& that 'as i!teresti!#& Holly said slo'ly. He de!itely did!*t 'a!t to tal" about your older brother& a#reed Be)ille. Perhaps he ;ust felt u!comfortable "!o'i!# that he 'as murdered here a!d did!*t 'a!t to be 4uestio!ed by your pare!ts r perhaps usi!# Sebastia!*s blood i! the ritual had a! e)e! #reater impact that 'e a!ticipated& said Hermio!e slo'ly. Holly stared at Hermio!e as her o'! mi!d raced throu#h 4uestio!s a!d possible a!s'ers. ou "!o'& Sirius 'as our Harry*s #odfather a!d 'as !amed his heir as he 'as!*t married. 5f Sirius had died 'ithout childre! a!d our Harry sur)i)ed& he could ha)e le#ally bee! able to ta"e the !ame Harry Potter =lac". Do! loo"ed co!fused bet'ee! the 2 #irls. (hat are you 2 #oi!# o! about 5 thi!" my sister a!d Hermio!e are 'o!deri!# if usi!# Potter blood summo!ed someo!e 'ith Potter blood from a!other 'orld& said Sebastia! hoarsely. He stared at Holly a!d held a sile!t co!)ersatio! 'ith her. 5 thi!" Holly a!d 5 are #oi!# to #o see Sirius before curfe'. (e*ll see you later. he other tee!s 'atched the t'i!s disappear out of the library. Be)ille loo"ed at Hermio!e a!d as"ed& ou do!*t really thi!" that Harriso! =lac" is Harry Potter& do you he boo"ish bru!ette shoo" her head distractedly. 5 do!*t "!o'& Be)ille. 5 really do!*t "!o'. 5t sou!ded as if it pai!ed her to admit it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sirius loo"ed up 'ith a smile o! his face 'he! the portrait a!!ou!ced he had )isitors. He hoped it 'as Harry a#ai!& but the! reali7ed the portrait had me!tio!ed )isitors as i! more tha! 1. He #a)e the pass'ord that allo'ed the #uardia! portrait to s'i!# ope!& re)eali!# his Sebastia! a!d Holly. /ome i!& s4uirts? 5t*s #ood to see you? (hat bri!#s you to see old Padfoot 5! !eed of ideas for a pra!" 5 ha)e a #ood idea 5*)e bee! sa)i!# to pra!" your father& he smir"ed disi!#e!uously as he tried to tempt them. Ha)e a seat& he added as they stood there loo"i!# a bit u!comfortable. Holly too" a seat across from her the ma! she called U!ca Siri u!til she 'as at least T years old. Sirius& it*s about the ritual 'e used to summo! Harriso! =lac" here& she be#a!. She !oticed that his face immediately fro7e a!d the! cha!#ed immediately to 1 of bla!d i!terest. % 4uic" side'ays #la!ce sho'ed that Sebastia! had see! the same e+pressio!. (hat about the ritual& the old er a!y i!formatio! to suspicious 4uestio!s u!til he had the full picture of 'hat 'as #oi!# o!. Sebastia! #la!ced at Holly& the! Sirius a!d !ally the older ma!*s des". Holly #a)e !o i!dicatio! that she had see! him& but co!ti!ued to as"& ,o you thi!" it 'ould ha)e summo!ed a Potter Sirius bli!"ed at Holly*s percepti)e 4uestio!& but his )o' "ept him from a ca!did a!s'er. Ho'e)er& he could hed#e a bit. %lthou#h he 'as
Shasa!ae*s lar#e head tipped to'ards him. W5s that !ot the !ame you said 'as your o'! hey as"ed 'hether you "!e' yours selfW W5 did!*t tell e)eryo!e my real !ame&W Harry remi!ded the massi)e basilis". W=ut the o!es li"e my frie!ds may ha)e started to reali7e that 5 may be more tha! 5 admitted to.W WHuma!s&W the basilis" respo!ded 'ith amuseme!t. WSo much ado about so little. ou are 'ho are& re#ardless of the !ame you use. ou are a spea"er& you are a ma!& you are Sala7ar Slytheri!s stude!t& you are a 'i7ard& you are a )isitor from a!other 'orld. ,oes a!y of this cha!#e because of your !ameW Harry had to smile at the colossal basilis"*s strai#htfor'ard perspecti)e. WBo& it does !ot cha!#e. =ut ha)i!# others "!o' my true !ame could cause complicatio!s 5 am !ot ready to ha!dle.W he basilis" tur!ed a yello' eye o! the tee!& the i!!er lid closed to pre)e!t i!;ury. WSo you hide do'! here to a)oid those complicatio!s& yesW (he! Harry loo"ed a'ay i! embarrassme!t& she made a hissi!# sou!d that he reco#!i7ed as her lau#hter. W%s lo!# as you are hidi!#& you may as 'ell ma"e yourself useful a!d e+plore more. 5 am certai! that Sala7ar 'ould li"e to "!o' the co!ditio! of his rooms.W Harry*s i!terest soared as he remembered the study that Sala7ar had brie@y sho'! him& a!d recalled him me!tio!i!# a bed chamber a!d potio!s lab as 'ell. He mo)ed to the far 'all u!til he reached a sectio! of the 'all that held a! i!laid s!a"e e!#ra)i!#. Wpe! Study&W he comma!ded& rememberi!# the i!structio!s the portrait had #i)e!. 5mmediately& the s!a"e receded i!to the 'all& 'hich shimmered brie@y before a! or!ate 'oode! door appeared. Harry ope!ed the door a!d smiled broadly that his memory of the ama7i!# room 'as accurate. b)iously some house el)es had bee! do'! here at the portrait*s re4uest& as 'hat 'as o!ce dust-coated 'as !o' pristi!e. He mo)ed ea#erly to'ards the rich 'oode! shel)es& temporarily a)oidi!# the 'all lled 'ith ti#htly rolled scrolls. He let his eyes roam o)er the a!cie!t boo"s& most 'ith !o titles o! their spi!es. He !ally stopped at o!e leather-bou!d boo" that appeared to be i! better co!ditio! tha! others. He #e!tly lifted it from the shelf a!d loo"ed at the co)er. "Healing Magicks for the Minde and Soule" 'as the e!#ra)ed title. He re)ere!tly ope!ed the boo"& a!d disco)ered the pa#es 'ere !er 4uality )ellum rather tha! sta!dard parchme!t. (hile it 'as hard to decipher the occasio!al odd spelli!# from a!cie!t days& the tee! 'as fasci!ated 'ith the material. he author fou!d that ma!y patie!ts 'a+ed u!der cloude-lled 'el"i!& their souls did cry for the feel of su! upo! their shoulders a!d o>ered di>ere!t treatme!ts for those that su>ered so& i!cludi!# recurri!# di!!ers of sh a!d such mushrooms as are !ot poiso!ous. his sou!ds li"e Su!shi!e or Seaso!al %>ecti)e ,isorder& he murmured to himself. 5t 'as "!o'! bac" the! Harry hesitated to touch a!y other boo"s& as Sala7ar had me!tio!ed casti!# impermeable spells& but that it 'ould be prude!t to e!sure the charms had !ot deteriorated o)er time& a!d that he 'ould co!sider the best approach. he tee! si#hed a!d #e!tly replaced the boo" o! the shelf& eyi!# the other tomes 'ith a 'istful loo". Ho'e)er& he 'as!*t about to ris" a!ythi!# crumbli!# at his touch. He 'al"ed throu#hout the study& but e)ery 'all appeared to be lled 'ith boo"s& 'ith !o space for a hidde! door to either the bed chamber or potio!s lab. Fi!ally he hissed i! Parselto!#ue& Wpe! bed chamberW. He heard the sli#ht sou!d& as if #ears 'ere tur!i!#& a!d the! 1 'all of shel)es be#a! to s'i!# out'ards i!to the room. f course& Harry chuc"led& Sala7ar 'ould ha)e hidde! it. %s he approached the room& crystal orbs embedded i! the ceili!# lit up the ceili!#& illumi!ati!# the room 'ith #e!tle li#ht. % lar#e elaborate bed domi!ated the room& 'ith a! or!ame!ted ca!opy a!d richly-embroidered ha!#i!#s. Harry could!*t help but push o! the bed a!d disco)ered a soft featherbed u!der the !e li!e! sheets. o his surprise& the lar#e pillo' 'as!*t i! a pillo' case althou#h a soft cloth 'as laid o)er the pillo' resti!# o! a sheet-draped bolster. 5 #uess they did!*t ha)e pillo'cases bac" the!& he thou#ht to himself. He !oticed that the bed 'as!*t the same as the poster beds that he remembered from his years i! the Cry!dor dormitories& but i!stead had ha!#i!#s draped from a frame suspe!ded from the ceili!# beam. he ca!opy itself 'as embroidered 'ith a! emerald serpe!t i!side a sil)er circle. oo"i!# arou!d the room the sto!e chamber& he reali7ed the tapestries o! the 'alls 'ere more tha! ;ust decoratio!s& althou#h they 'ere ma#!ice!t 'or"s of art. hey seemed to #i)e a history of the area& Harry reali7ed. 1 had Ho#'arts castle u!der co!structio!& 'hile a!other sho'ed it !early completed 'ith o!ly the %stro!omy to'er still bei!# built. %!other tapestry sho'ed the u!icor!s a!d ce!taurs of the Forbidde! Forest. %!other sho'ed stude!ts sitti!# do'! at a feast i! the Creat Hall. %s rich as the colors 'ere a!d as colorful as the topics& Harry reali7ed they helped 'arm the room a!d "ept the damp!ess a'ay. He spotted a door a!d ope!ed it to re)eal a small a!teroom& holdi!# se)eral chests a!d multiple pe#s o! the 'alls holdi!# a!cie!t robes that had appare!tly bee! spelled to be impermeable& as they appeared to be ready to 'ear. He 'a!ted to ope! the chests& but decided to 'ait for Sala7ar*s permissio!. He did!*t !eed to see the ma!*s u!der#arme!ts after all? He made up his mi!d to retur! 'ith Sala7ar as soo! as possible to see more. He did!*t 'a!t to harm the a!cie!t ma!uscripts or dama#e a!y a!ti4ue clothi!# throu#h his fumbli!#. 5! the same 'ay& he 'as!*t about to loo" throu#h the ma!*s potio! lab a!d pote!tially cause harm throu#h brea"i!# a!y 'ards o! the room. He e+ited the bed chamber a!d study a!d tur!ed to a door )isible o! his left& rememberi!# it 'as a tu!!el that brou#ht him to the Ho#'arts "itche!. He a#ai! admired the crystal orbs that pro)ided the ambie!t li#hti!#& a!d 'o!dered 'hy a!yo!e 'ould prefer ca!dleli#ht to these. %t the e!d of the tu!!el& he s'u!# ope! the door i!to the "itche! a!d 'as immediately met 'ith do7e!s of eyes stari!# at him. ou!# master?
'as 1st& follo'ed by a meat pie a!d a steami!# bo'l of mashed potatoes. (he! he heard Bebby ar#ui!# 'ith a!other elf about 'hether to prepare a roast chic"e! for him& he 4uic"ly said& his 'ill be ple!ty& tha!" you )ery much? 5s the ered& loo"i!# at the hea)ily lade!ed table 'ith a critical eye. Harry per"ed up6 he did lo)e treacle tarts. 5mmediately 2 of the pastries appeared o! the table& alo!# 'ith a pitcher of mulled pump"i! ;uice. 5 lo)e Ho#'arts& Harry e+claimed before tac"li!# the small feast before him. Bebby a!d the other el)es smiled broadly at the implied praise. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------,o you thi!" U!cle Peter has a!y i!formatio! o! Harriso! =lac"& Holly as"ed her brother as they arri)ed o! the se)e!th @oor. Sebastia! loo"ed arou!d to ma"e sure !o 1 'as there before a!s'eri!#. 5 do!*t "!o'& but si!ce 'e could!*t !ic" Sirus* copy of the ere!ce a!d Harriso! =lac" is actually our older brotherE 'ell& i! a 'ay. et*s see if this 'or"s. Sebastia! thou#ht po'erfully& "We need a room with a woring 9loo" as he 'al"ed bac" a!d forth 3 times before the picture of =ar!abas the =almy. %fter he completed his 3rd pass& a door appeared before them. /hec"i!# a#ai! to ma"e sure !o o!e sa' them& they 4uic"ly e!tered the room a!d loc"ed the door behi!d them. Holly 'al"ed 4uic"ly to the Floo a!d cast a 4uic" 5!ce!dio at the stac"ed lo#s. (he! the @ames @ared& she too" the ha!dful of Floo po'der she had ta"e! from the pot o! Sirius ma!tle a!d thre' it i!to the @ames. Peter Petti#re'*s Home& she called. She "!elt before the re a!d called out& U!cle Peter hey*re calli!# !o'& Peter said 4uietly to'ards the mirror i! his ha!d as he heard Holly*s )oice. he re@ectio! sho'i!# 'as!*t his o'!& but that of Sirius =lac". Ci)e them hell& respo!ded his frie!d 'ith a 'ic"ed #ri!& a!d the! the mirror 'e!t dar" before it sho'ed Peter*s re@ectio! i! it. He placed the mirror bac" i!to the poc"et of his robe& hea)ed a si#h a!d 'al"ed o)er to the replace. Holly? he e+claimed 'ith a #ood sembla!ce of surprise. (hat bri!#s you to my Floo 5s e)erythi!# all ri#ht Sebastia! ;oi!ed Holly*s head i! the Floo a!d Peter #a)e them him a fo!d smile as 'ell. Bothi!#*s 'ro!#& U!cle Peter. (e*)e ;ust ru! across somethi!# odd 'ith Harriso! =lac" a!d 'a!ted to follo' up o! it. Peter assumed a !eutral e+pressio!. Somethi!# odd Sebastia! pic"ed up the tale. es& U!cle Peter. ,id you hear about my @yi!# accide!t a fe' days a#o % 'ry smile t'isted the older ma!*s lips. 5 )a#uely recall your mother threate!i!# to #rou!d you u!til you 'ere 30. Sebastia! @ushed a!d tried a 'ea" #ri!. (ell yeah& 5 'as pretty stupid& 5 "!o'. =ut the thi!# is& Harriso! =lac" fou!d me a!d 'e belie)e the ritual caused him to help me 'he! 5 'as i!;ured. hat led us to 'o!der 'hat else usi!# my blood mea!t. %!d 'hat does that ha)e to do 'ith a Floo call to me Holly tur!ed her lar#est eyes o! Peter. (e 'a!ted to borro' your copy of the ered. He told me to call him Harry. (e thi!" usi!# my blood may ha)e summo!ed a li)i!# Harry Potter? 5 repeat& 'hat #i)es you the ri#ht to i!)ade the ma!*s pri)acy ;ust for your o'! curiosity BoE butE he could be our brother? Holly cried. Peter*s face softe!ed. Bo Holly. our brother 'as murdered years a#o. (e lost him a!d Demus upi!. his ma! 'as abducted from a!other 'orld. 5f he is related to the Potters& the! surely it*s up to him to ma"e the decisio! to re)eal it r do!*t you thi!" he*s su>ered e!ou#h He fro'!ed at the 2 as if co!sideri!# their moti)es. ell me& 'hy are you tryi!# to force him i!to a co!fro!tatio! that he does!*t !eed or 'a!t for your o'! morbid curiosity he t'i!s loo"ed at each other a!d the! bac" at Peter. (e thou#ht 'e had a ri#ht to "!o' if he 'as our older brotherE Holly tried. our brother is dead. his is a!other ma! e!tirely& e)e! if he someho' bears a !ame other tha! =lac". et it #o you 2. ou are putti!# yoursel)es before others o!ce a#ai!. 5 thou#ht you had lear!ed a lesso! 'he! you "id!apped a! i!!oce!t ma!& but appare!tly 5 'as 'ro!#. & U!cle Peter. (e*ll bac" do'!& Sebastia! said relucta!tly. Ho'e)er& our frie!d Hermio!e is!*t the type to #i)e up 'he! she*s #i)e! a pu77le. She does!*t bac" do'! u!til it*s sol)ed. Perhaps you should remi!d your frie!d that ;ust because she wants to "!o' somethi!#& it does!*t entitle her to the i!formatio!. here is such a co!cept as pri)acy. He #a)e a me!tal @i!ch e)e! as he !arro'ed his eyes at the t'i!s. He had!*t #i)e! a thou#ht to Harry*s pri)acy himself 'he! he used the member UhE !o. ha!" you for the ad)ice& U!cle Peter. (e better #o before curfe' is up. hey 'ithdre' from the Floo a!d hurried bac" to the Cry!dor dorms to 'ar! Hermio!e of possible repercussio!s& lea)i!# Peter to si#h 'ith both relief a!d remorse. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry si#hed hea)ily at the parchme!ts i! fro!t of him. (ith the stude!ts* help O 'ell& 'ith Hermio!e Cra!#er*s help& the re)ie' of ord Slytheri!*s )oti!# record 'as !o' complete. he )otes 'ere !o' cate#ori7ed i!to a )ariety of topics& from those that #uara!teed prefere!tial treatme!t to Purebloods& to i!tra-border =ritish commerce a!d ta+es& to i!ter!atio!al treaties a!d tari>s. Harry*s 1st re)ie' seemed to pro)e that that Slytheri! primarily )oted alo!# pureblood li!es& e!suri!# that mu##lebor!s a!d other species 'ere co!ti!ually restricted. Ho'e)er& he 'as !o' o! his th re)ie' of the )oti!# record a!d the 'ords i! his o'! !otes 'ere be#i!!i!# to s'im as his head pou!ded. 88
%fter the 2!d re)ie'& Sala7ar had him docume!t the results of other ce!tral members of the (i7e!#amot& both those that held traditio!al )ie's a!d those that 'ere more liberal. He had bee! se!t bac" to the ,aily racle archi)es to loo" for public stateme!ts about "ey )otes. (he! as"ed for his opi!io! of a proposal that o!ly purebloods could o'! busi!esses or at least the ma;ority share of a busi!ess& Slytheri! 'as 4uoted as sayi!# 5 do!*t a#ree 'ith forci!# a!cie!t families i!to becomi!# shop"eepers. His oppositio! s'ayed the )ote a#ai!st the measure. %s Harry researched the )otes more closely& he disco)ered that estra!#e seemed to be a "ey ally& as the 2 fre4ue!tly prese!ted proposals to#ether that 'ere #eared to'ards i!ter!atio!al treaties a!d commerce. ! occasio!& he supported pureblood measures proposed by 3 others6 Do'le& Bott a!d Dosier. Harry si#hed a#ai! a!d tur!ed to'ards the portrait abo)e the replace. Sala7ar& as much as 5 'a!t to say that Diddle )oted to suppress others a!d support o!ly the purebloods& 5 do!*t thi!" that*s actually true. %!d 'hat leads you i!to that opi!io!& as"ed the portrait. He had the "ey )ote i! se)eral measures that 'ould ha)e be!etted o!ly the purebloods& Harry admitted. 5t*s co!fusi!#& because he does support ma!y pureblood measures& but they do!*t !ecessarily restrict a!yo!e else*s ri#hts& they uphold pureblood ri#hts. Perhaps it*s the phrasi!# that you are usi!# that is causi!# your co!fusio!& Sala7ar respo!ded. %t Harry*s fro'!& he co!ti!ued& From 'hat you ha)e told me& my desce!de!t is supporti!# traditio!al )alues6 the ld (ays a!d ld Family )alues. 5! my estimatio!& he appears to be more of a !eutral traditio!alist tha! a =lood Purist. Huh& Harry #ru!ted. He re)ie'ed the )oti!# records a#ai!. Delucta!tly he said& here*s !othi!# 'ro!# 'ith bei!# a traditio!alist& is there %t Sala7ar*s arched eyebro' he added& 5 mea! it*s !ot ille#al or a!ythi!#. He*s ;ustE really co!ser)ati)e& 5 #uess. He thre' himself i!to the chair before the replace a!d rubbed his eyes tiredly. 5f Diddle is!*t behi!d the measures to restrict mu##lebor!s or behi!d the escalati!# )iole!ce& the! 'ho is hat my you!# frie!d& is the 4uestio!. Perhaps you should 4uery the ma! himself for his opi!io! He smir"ed as Harry #roa!ed a!d dropped his head i!to his ha!ds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- he 9 'itches a!d 'i7ards stopped their cha!ti!# as the portal collapsed yet a#ai! arou!d the T #ure sta!di!# i! the ce!ter of the desi#! o! the @oor. he participa!ts a!d those 'atchi!# #roa!ed i! frustratio!. 3 times they had tried the ritual a!d 3 times they had failed. % bro'!-haired you!# 'oma! sta##ered a'ay from the pe!ta#ram a!d collapsed i!to a chair& accepti!# the Pepper-Up potio! ha!ded to her& a!d do'!ed it 4uic"ly. 5s e)eryo!e ready to try a#ai! tomorro'& she as"ed tiredly. %ssorted murmurs of a#reeme!t met her 4uestio!. 5t*s my tur! to be the focus& said 1 of the tired 'i7ards. (e*ll !eed someo!e to ta"e my poi!t i! the pe!ta#ram. % tall red-head immediately said& 5*ll do that. Hermio!e !odded rmly. (e*ll try a#ai! tomorro' the!. Chapter 1, – An ne(pe)ted Intr+der Follo'i!# se)eral days a!d i!creasi!#ly sarcastic remar"s from Sala7ar about bei!# afraid to 'rite a letter& Harry !ally sat do'! to 'rite a !ote to om Diddle. %fter i!!umerable eti4uette lesso!s 'ith Sala7ar& he did!*t e)e! as" for ad)ice before be#i!!i!# the missi)e. ,ear ord Slytheri!& ha!" you for your #racious hospitality duri!# my rece!t )isit.
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Sirius loo"ed at the curious stude!ts 'atchi!# them i! the hall a!d a sli#ht @ush appeared o! his chee"s for shouti!# i! the hall'ay. he older ma! half-shru##ed a!d smiled 'i!!i!#ly at the stude!ts before se!di!# them o! their 'ay 'ith a! ob)ious shoo*i!# motio!. 5 ha)e!*t see! you for a fe' days& a!d 'a!ted to ma"e sure 5 had!*t do!e somethi!# to cause you to a)oid me& Sirius admitted o!ce they 'ere alo!e i! the corridor. he ,%,% professor felt better immediately at the #e!ui!e e+pressio! of surprise that crossed the dar"-haired tee!*s face. Bo& he said at o!ce. 5 ha)e a lot #oi!# o! at the mome!t bet'ee! coachi!# a!d auditi!# the B( le)el classes a!d some perso!al pro;ects. 5 ha)e!*t bee! a)oidi!# you deliberately. %h& Sirius respo!ded 'ith a teasi!# smile& the! 5 ;ust did!*t factor i!to your co!sideratio!s at all. He a>ected a dramatic pose& 1 ha!d o! his forehead a!d the other o! his heart. 5*m hurt& distrau#ht e)e!? o !ot e)e! be 'orthy of a si!#le thou#ht duri!# your busy day. He 'a)ered o! his feet as if about to fai!t. 5 'o!*t catch you if you fai!t& 'ar!ed Harry& u!able to restrai! a #ri! at Sirius performa!ce. %!d he shatters me yet a#ai!? moa!ed Sirius piteously. (ell& there*s o!ly 1 thi!# for it. ou*ll ha)e to ;oi! me for di!!er to!i#ht. He dropped the theatrics a!d smiled at the you!#er ma!. (hat do you say (e*ll a)oid the Creat Hall a!d ha)e the house el)es bri!# somethi!# to my 4uarters. hat sou!ds #ood to me& Harry respo!ded 'ith a smile. He 'ould e!;oy a fe' hours 'ith Sirius. (hile !ot his #odfather& the ma! 'as amusi!# a!d spe!di!# time 'ith him 'armed a cold a!d empty place i! his chest. 5 mi#ht e)e! be able to co!)i!ce my baby brother to ;oi! us. He ;ust retur!ed from a se)eral mo!th tour of the co!ti!e!t& some busi!ess& some politics& but "!o'i!# him& mostly pleasure. Ho' about N o*cloc" 5*ll be there& promised Harry. =y the 'ay& are!*t you late for your ,%,% class Sirius chec"ed the time a!d s'ore loudly. See you at N& he said o)er his shoulder as he too" o> at a ru! to'ards his classroom& hopi!# it had!*t bee! destroyed by the u!super)ised stude!ts. Harry #ri!!ed broadly a!d headed bac" to his 4uarters& as he had a free period this hour. % fe' mi!utes before N o*cloc"& Harry chuc"led at the !e' pai!ti!# #uardi!# Sirius =lac"*s pri)ate chambers a!d 'o!dered ho' lo!# it 'ould be before
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He 'as i!)ited to be a! assista!t Muidditch coach as he prepares for his B(s& added Sirius& #i)i!# Harry a proud smile. he tee! had to a)oid lau#hi!# at the sheer !umber of proud loo"s the older ma! 'as #i)i!# him6 !o doubt causi!# his you!#er brother to #ai! ;ust impressio! Sirius 'a!ted him to ha)e. Sirius "ept De#ulus tal"i!# about his o)erseas trip u!til di!!er 'as ser)ed& bei!# sure to bri!# Harry i!to the co!)ersatio! re#ularly. % 1st course of steami!# soup appeared o! the di!i!# room table a!d Sirius said& /ome o!& my boy& to Harry before #esturi!# to De#ulus as 'ell. Harry did!*t "!o' 'hether it 'as the to!e or a! e+pressio! o! the older ma!*s face& but De#ulus stopped mid-step a!d stared at his brother 'ith da'!i!# shoc" o! his face. ouE youE i!corri#ible reprobate? he #rou!d out. his 'as 1 of your prans? %t Sirius bar" of lau#hter a!d slap o! his shoulder& the you!#er ma! shoo" his head. 5 should ha)e "!o'!. %ppare!tly my time amo!# truly cultured 'i7ards o! the /o!ti!e!t lesse!ed my s"ills at ide!tifyi!# 1 of your reprehe!sible hoa+es. 5 had almost made up my mi!d to trac" do'! the old Family tapestry to see if there 'as pro#e!y u!der your !ame. He tur!ed to Harry a!d dema!ded& %!d 'hat is your real !ame& you!# ma! %ctually& it is Harriso! =lac"& but 5 should add that =lac" is a commo! !ame amo!# the & he reali7ed 'ith a! i!ter!al chuc"le. 5!deed& she is both lo)ely a!d #raceful. ucius is fortu!ate to ha)e her. She is the perfect politicia!*s 'ife& De#ulus a#reed. ur cousi! as 'ell& added Sirius. 5 li"ed her 'he! 'e 'ere #ro'i!# up. %l'ays thou#ht she 'as too #ood for ere!t le#islatio!. 1 should al'ays co!rm his stateme!ts a!d the! still research more& as he is )ery cu!!i!# i! his comme!ts a!d approach. 5*)e heard rumors about him as 'ell& Harry admitted. =ut #ossip ca! be started by a!yo!e for a!y reaso!& so 5 try !ot to #i)e it too much crede!ce. he ,aily Prophet i! his 'orld made sure he !e)er trusted a!ythi!# pri!ted i! that ra#. Cood poi!t& Sirius #ri!!ed. 5f half the rumors about me 'ere true& 5 'ould ha)e a do7e! co!cubi!es a!d e!ou#h childre! to populate a small to'!? (ishful thi!"i!#& respo!ded Harry. he u!e+pected respo!se caused Sirius to bar" out i! lau#hter 'hile De#ulus attempted to hide a s!ort. %s the last bite of the lamb chops disappeared& those dishes disappeared a!d 'ere replaced by a li#ht /r_me =r`lXe. 5 applaud your sta!ce o! #ossip& De#ulus said as he !ished his dessert. =ut 5 'ould also ad)ise you to be 'ary of ord Slytheri!. (hile he is charmi!# a!d a !e di!!er compa!io! 'ho has someho' out-ma!eu)ered all of the match-ma"i!# mothers i! =ritai!& he is also cu!!i!#& ambitious& 'ealthy a!d li"ely has moti)es the rest of us ha)e yet to discer!. 5 'ill #ladly ta"e that ad)ice& Harry replied 'ith a bla!d smile. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry recalled De#ulus =lac"*s 'ords as he stepped i!to he Fat ,uc" a!d ra! a ha!d o)er his dress robe. He loo"ed e)ery bit the part of a you!# aristocrat accordi!# to Sala7ar& but 'as still u!able to co!trol his !er)ous!ess at meeti!# ord Slytheri! alo!e. Harry had held up Slytheri!*s respo!se to his !ote a!d read it out to Sala7ar se)eral days a#o. 5t co!tai!ed a! i!)itatio! to di!!er *to further discuss his 4ueries*. 5!teresti!#& comme!ted Sala7ar. ,i!!er i! a public setti!# e!sures that you are o! !eutral #rou!d& #i)i!# !either of you a! ad)a!ta#e. U!less he o'!s the restaura!t& replied Harry suspiciously. 5 'ill ma"e a Slytheri! out of you yet& Sala7ar smir"ed proudly. 91
Harry !o' stood i! the restaura!t e!tra!ce hall tryi!# to co!)i!ce himself that a!other )erbal da!ce 'ith om Diddle 'as a #ood idea. He too" a deep breath before he desce!ded the #ra!d staircase to the mai! di!i!# room. He 'as immediately approached the ered the you!#er ma! a half smile. (hile the ere!t ideas occurred to him& he s'allo'ed hea)ily. i"e the ducatio! departme!t hey could ma"e sure stude!ts o!ly lear! 'hat they 'a!t them to lear! a!d could basically dumb do'! the e!tire populatio!. r perhaps they could #et to the people i! co!trol of the Floo system hey could shut it do'!& causi!# chaos. hey mi#ht e)e! !d a 'ay to sei7e strate#ic people out of the system e!tirely. 92
(ell reaso!ed& the older ma! said. Harry tried to hide his co!cer! behi!d the same dispassio!ate e+pressio! the other ma! 'ore& but did!*t thi!" he 'as !early as successful. ,oes!*t that mea! that 'e should be prepared to act if they act here should be emer#e!cy pla!s i! place. (hat 'ould you recomme!d& ered cou!ter measures& sho'i!# your political lea!i!#s. %!d you belie)e he recei)ed !othi!# from the e)e!i!# Harry stared at the portrait 'ith a #api!# mouth a!d 'ide eyes. =loody hell& he 'hispered. He lear!ed a! a'ful lot about me& 'ithout me e)er reali7i!# it. 5 'ill never sur)i)e politics? %t Sala7ar*s amused e+pressio! he retorted& (ell (hat did you lear! from his comme!ts /a! he be trusted 5s he bei!# ho!est o Harry*s irritatio!& the humor #re' o! the portrait*s face. He ca! be trusted i! situatio!s 'here he #ai!s somethi!# from the outcome or the allia!ce. He 'ill be ho!est 'he! it 'ill be to his ad)a!ta#e. %DCH? %!d 5 still do!*t "!o' if he*s spi!!i!# a 'ild tale or 'hether there*s a! isolatio!ist or#a!i7atio! tryi!# to u!dermi!e the =ritish 'i7ardi!# society? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------% 4uill scratched e>ortlessly across parchme!t i! the su!li#ht study 'here ily Potter 'as 'riti!# a paper o! a !e' /harm she a!d Filius Flit'ic" had de)eloped that 'as a combi!atio! of a 'ard a!d Fidelius charm. %bruptly& she felt a! alarm screech a#ai!st her ma#ical core& alerti!# her that the 'ards o! the ma!or had bee! breached. She 'ithdre' her 'a!d a!d prepared to defe!d herself. %lmost i!sta!tly& Aames Potter apparated i!to the house& his 'a!d dra'! a!d a curse o! his lips. He rela+ed mar#i!ally 'he! he sa' his 'ife healthy a!d u!harmed& e)e! as she dre' her o'! si#h of relief at seei!# her husba!d. he 'ard alarm 'as still shrie"i!# for atte!tio!& a!d 'ith a brief i!ca!tatio!& Aames sile!ced it. he baseme!t& he muttered to his 'ife& 'ho !odded. he 'ards had #i)e! her the i!truder*s locatio! as 'ell. hey proceeded cautiously to the baseme!t& 'ith Aames ta"i!# poi!t. Bo i!truder 'as fou!d i! the 1st se)eral rooms& a!d their !er)es 'ere stretched thi! 'he! they reached 1 lar#e stora#e room. % sile!t "Lumos by Aames bri#hte!ed the area. o his surprise& a )a#uely familiar sce!e 'as displayed before him. %! u!co!scious #ure lay face-do'! o! the stora#e room @oor6 the same room used by the childre! to summo! Harriso! =lac" to their 'orld. Fortu!ately this #ure did!*t appear to be a bloody mess. Aames slo'ly approached the body 'hile ily stood across the room ready to stu! a!d i!carcerate the i!truder. He rolled the #ure o)er a!d professio!ally !oted me!tally that it 'as a! older #rayi!# li#ht-s"i!!ed male 'ith a scarred face a!d a sle!der build. =ehi!d him& he heard ily #asp. Aames... she e+claimed i! appare!t shoc"& a!d the! seemed u!able to say more. Aames stayed focused o! the trespasser. He patted do'! the ma! a!d fou!d a! arm holster co!tai!i!# a! ash 'a!d& appro+imately 11&9 i!ches he me!tally recorded for his report. he 'a!d seemed dimly familiar to him a!d he stared at it for a fe' mome!ts before sha"i!# his head a!d tuc"i!# it a'ay. He co!ti!ued to search the ma! a!d fou!d a small bo+ o! a chai! arou!d his !ec"& but 'as u!able to remo)e it. He 4uic"ly chec"ed other poc"ets a!d patted the ma!*s le#s loo"i!# for a 2!d 'a!d or other 'eapo!. Fi!ally he stood a!d too" a step bac" from the u!co!scious #ure. !ly the! did he ta"e his eyes a'ay to #la!ce at ily. 93
His 'ife 'as stari!# at the u!co!scious ma! 'ith a! ope! mouth& her eyes 'ide 'ith shoc". ily he as"ed 4uietly& his co!cer! for her co!ditio! e)ide!t. Her #ree! eyes s!apped to him a!d she shoo" her head i! disbelief. Aames& 5 ca!*t belie)e you do!*t reco#!i7e him. Deco#!i7e him Aames loo"ed a#ai! at the #ure*s face a!d slo'ly his o'! eyes 'ide!ed a!d he sta##ered a step before re#ai!i!# his bala!ce.
i! the ,< 'ere able to report that spell 'or" pro)ed that the blood still retai!ed rem!a!ts of Harry Potter*s ma#ical si#!ature. hey 'ere able to #ather all of the dried blood that came from Harry a!d 'ith Hermio!e Cra!#er i! the lead& they be#a! to research ho' to !d out 'here the portal ori#i!ated. hey thou#ht they fou!d it a!d 'ith the participatio! of all of the sur)i)i!# (easleys& Be)ille& u!a& Demus& o!"s a!d Hermio!e& they tried to ope! a portal to pull him bac" usi!# his dried blood& but could!*t seem to establish a li!" to him. (ithout "!o'i!# the ritual or compo!e!ts used to summo! him& Hermio!e theori7ed that a retur! portal had to be ope!ed from his side& or that he had to acti)ely participate i! the ritual. She speculated that they mi#ht !eed to se!d someo!e to him to let him "!o' they 'ere tryi!# to reach him& lear! about the ritual used to summo! him& a!d ide!tify methods o! ho' to retur!. 5! testame!t to their lo)e for Harry& they each ar#ued that they should be the 1 to #o throu#h to the other 'orld& a!d !ally dre' lots. Be)ille 'as 1st to ma"e the attempt& but 'hile the portal be#a! to form& it collapsed the mome!t he tried to access it. hey tried to se!d u!a !e+t& but 'hile she reported that she could see a hospital bed 'ith herself lyi!# i! it& she could!*t #o throu#h. hey surmised that the perso! could!*t e+ist t'ice i! the same dime!sio!& a!d that the cou!terpart 'ould ha)e to !ot e+ist or be deceased for them to #et throu#h. hey !e+t tried 'ith %rthur (easley& but the portal collapsed 'ithout him seei!# a!ythi!# as soo! as he tried to access it. Demus made the !e+t attempt a!d =ill (easley too" his spot o! the pe!ta#ram. Flash:a)k end He ope!ed his eyes a!d stared at the cou!terparts of 2 of his oldest a!d dearest frie!ds. ,id Harry "!o' about them % thou#ht struc" him a!d he tried !ot to cry out. (as Sirius ali)e here as 'ell He felt li"e his heart 'ould e+plode a!d he bli!"ed bac" the tears. (hat is the !e+t step& he as"ed 4uietly. (here is he /a! 5 see him ily could!*t help herself6 she had to "!o'. Demus... did Harry... did he li)e i! your 'orld or 'as he "illed there too Aames fro7e at the 4uestio!& u!able to breathe 'hile he 'aited for Demus to respo!d. Chapter 1/ – 0e'll ;et his !arro' hips. %lo!# hot sho'er helped relie)e the rest of his sore muscles. He dressed carefully a!d 'al"ed 4uietly do'! the stairs& follo'i!# his se!siti)e !ose to the "itche!. %s he approached the door& he heard Aames )oice sayi!# some'hat petula!tly& Fi!e& you 'i! ily. (e*ll let him 'rite a letter to you!# =lac"& but at the same time& 5*m #oi!# to alert %lbus. hat*s !e& Aames& ily*s )oice respo!ded a#reeably. Si!ce you!# . Demus #ri!!ed broadly heari!# that the you!# ma! he assumed to be his cub 'as a! %ssista!t Muidditch /oach& presumably at Ho#'arts si!ce the o!ly %lbus he "!e' 'as %lbus ,umbledore. hat also implied that Harry 'as reaso!ably healthy to ta"e o! that role& a!d that helped to soothe the 'olf i! him. =oth Aames a!d ily loo"ed up as he e!tered6 ily 'ith a 'arm smile a!d Aames 'ith a curt !od of his head. %fter brea"fast& 'hy do!*t you 'rite a letter to
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Harry 'as !ishi!# brea"fast i! the Creat Hall 'he! a lar#e ea#le o'l la!ded i! fro!t of %lbus a!d allo'ed him to u!tie a rolled parchme!t. he o'l the! immediately lau!ched itself across the table to'ards Harry& a!d o>ered him the same le# that still had a parchme!t tied. Harry raised a! eyebro'& but u!tied the missi)e a!d fed the o'l a piece of baco! from his plate. He tur!ed the parchme!t o)er a!d felt his throat ti#hte! as he reco#!i7ed the ha!d'riti!#. (ith sha"i!# ha!ds& he u!rolled the letter. Harriso! =lac"& %fter $*s defeat& 'e fou!d his retreat a!d 'here you had bee! "ept. % rather brillia!t you!# 'itch of your ac4uai!ta!ce 'as able to disco)er that a portal had bee! ope!ed a!d you 'ere pulled throu#h it. Beedless to say& that brillia!t you!# 'itch did!*t rest u!til she disco)ered a method of re-creati!# the portal 'ith the help of your frie!ds a!d family. 5 'as able to come throu#h last !i#ht& a!d am curre!tly the #uest of Aames a!d ily Potter. o co!rm 'ho 5 am& 'e 1st met o! the Ho#'arts +press a!d 5 had to remi!d you se)eral times to eat your chocolate. %s soo! as 5 ha)e your permissio!& 5 'ill apparate to Ho#smeade a!d come see you at Ho#'arts. o)e& ered it to the tee!. Harry reco#!i7ed the potio! bei!# o>ered a!d immediately #ulped it do'!& rela+i!# some'hat as the shoc" be#a! to subside. He felt %lbus eyes o! him a!d loo"ed up at the elderly 'i7ard& 'ho 'as loo"i!# at him 'ith some co!cer!. Aames e+plai!ed the situatio!& the older ma! said 4uietly. 5 su##est you ta"e the mor!i!# o> for your reu!io!. Harry !odded abstractedly a!d be#a! to sta!d& o!ly to ha)e the ea#le o'l hoot at him dema!di!#ly. He used the same parchme!t to respo!d& immediately. Harry stood& but 'as stopped by a ha!d o! his arm. He loo"ed at it bla!"ly a!d the! bac" at Sirius =lac"& 'ho 'as 'atchi!# him 'ith some co!cer!. 5s e)erythi!# all ri#ht& as"ed the older ma! 4uietly. Harry lau#hed sha"ily. %s" me a#ai! i! a fe' hours. (ith that& he left the Creat Hall usi!# the e+it !earest the sta> table to a)oid the stude!ts. %! hour later& Harry 'as paci!# i! fro!t of the Ho#'arts #ates 'o!deri!# 'hether he 'as about to be ambushed or 'hether his Demus upi! had someho' arri)ed from their o'! 'orld. He had to force himself to breathe !ormally before he started to hyper)e!tilate from the te!sio!. 3 crac"s sou!ded to his left a!d he spu! 'ith his 'a!d outstretched a!d a stu!!i!# spell o! his lips. He reco#!i7ed Aames a!d ily Potter& a!d remembered that eri!# a!d torme!t saturated the mor!i!# air. he older ma! cast a pri)acy spell arou!d the cryi!# tee!& e)e! as he roc"ed him i! his arms. He loo"ed up at Aames a!d ily& 'ho 'ere 'atchi!# 'ith e+pressio!s of shoc" at the bro"e! #ure before them. ,o you "!o' 'here his 4uarters are& he dema!ded& irritated that they ;ust stood there a!d 'atched the collapse of his cub. Muarters& repeated Aames dumbly& tra!s+ed by the a!#uished you!# ma! before them. % smac" from his 'ife brou#ht him bac" to himself& as she ercely 'hispered& He ob)iously !eeds pri)acy& Aames. he %uror reali7ed the you!# ma! 'as o! the )er#e of a! emotio!al brea"do'! a!d poi!ted bac" to'ards Ho#'arts. Sirius a!d 5 )isited his 4uarters o!ce. 5 ca! sho' you the 'ay& but do!*t "!o' the pass'ord. Demus s'u!# the tee! up i!to his arms a!d the! cast a disillusio!me!t spell o)er him& allo'i!# the pri)acy 'ard to remai!& so that !o passerby 'ould hear his a!#uished 'eepi!#. ead o!& he dema!ded of Aames. %fter se)eral lo!# mi!utes stridi!# throu#h empty hall'ays as class 'as i! sessio!& Aames stopped before #uest 4uarters #uarded by a portrait of the a!cie!t 'i7ard a!d alchemist& Hermes risme#istus. he you!# master is !ot 'ithi!& the portrait said to the 3 me! before him. Demus remo)ed the disillusio!me!t from arou!d Harry& 'ho 'as sobbi!# 4uietly i!to the 'ere'olf*s shoulder. h my& the portrait said& Aust a mome!t. He disappeared from the frame& lea)i!# Demus fro'!i!#& his eyes darti!# arou!d the halls to e!sure Harry*s pri)acy 'as "ept. % fe' mome!ts later& the portrait re-appeared a!d ope!ed the door. Demus stopped i! the door'ay a!d loo"ed bac" at Aames a!d ily. 5 do!*t thi!" he 'ould appreciate 'it!esses to this brea"do'!& he said 4uietly. (hy do!*t you #o see %lbus (ith that& he tur!ed a!d e!tered the #uest 4uarters& a!d the portrait slammed itself shut as if i! a#reeme!t 'ith the 1 carryi!# his char#e. Demus remo)ed the pri)acy 'ard from arou!d the tee!& a!d the a!#uished sobs could be heard a#ai!. %lmost i!sta!tly& a house elf appeared 'ith a )ial i! her ha!d. % calmi!# drau#ht for the you!# master& she a!!ou!ced to Demus. He loo"ed at her i! surprise& a!d the! bli!"ed as she disappeared as soo! as his ha!d closed arou!d the )ial. He bro"e the seal a!d smelled it to co!rm the co!te!ts& the! lifted it to Harry*s lips. Here cub& ca! you dri!" this for me hat*s a #ood boy. a"e a little sip. His #e!tle )oice co!ti!ued to o>er support a!d e!coura#eme!t u!til Harry allo'ed the potio! to slide do'! his throat. %s the calmi!# drau#ht too" e>ect& Harry slid o> the other ma!*s lap 'ith a blush of embarrassme!t& but stayed close& rela+i!# as the older ma! 'rapped a! arm arou!d his shoulders.
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5E 5*m sorry& Demus& he be#a!. 5 thou#ht 5 'ould !e)er see a!yo!e from home a#ai!. 1st 5 thou#ht 5 'ould die alo!e i! $oldemort*s du!#eo! a!d the! 5 thou#ht 5 'ould !e)er be able to #et home a!d see a!yo!e a#ai!E He hiccupped as he tried to s'allo' a!other sob that 'a!ted to escape. (e !e)er stopped loo"i!# for you& Harry& !ot for a mome!t. (ithout a!y spies left amo!# the ,eath aters& 'e ;ust could!*t !d you. (e e)e! had pla!s to "id!ap members of the 5!!er /ircle& but !o!e of them 'ere see! publicly after you 'ere ta"e!. eah& 'ell they sa' me ofte! e!ou#h& 'hispered Harry. %lthou#h ucius& =ellatri+ a!d (ormtail 'ere my primary torturers& they let ;ust about e)eryo!e ha)e a #o at me at some poi!t. hey 'ould bri!# me 'ithi! a heartbeat of dyi!# a!d the! heal me& ;ust so they could start o)er a#ai!. His shudder at the memories 'as both )isible a!d felt a#ai!st the older ma!*s body. Demus tried to force the #ro'l do'!& but the 'olf 'a!ted to tear someo!e*s throat out for hurti!# his cub. o his surprise& the feral #ro'l seemed to reassure the bro"e! tee!. ed Harry& tryi!# to dry his tears. here 'as so much of your blood i! the cell& cub. (e made sure that all of it 'as ta"e!& so that !o 1 could use it for some immoral purpose& but the! Hermio!e fou!d a 'ay to use it to !d you. (e used that blood to ope! the portal& a!d there 'as a li!e of people that 'a!ted to #o throu#h to loo" for you. %ll of the (easleys )olu!teered& as did Be)ille o!#bottom& u!a o)e#ood& Bymphadora o!"s& a!d me. (e !ally had to dra' lots about the order 'e 'ould #o i!. Be)ille o!#bottom tried 1st& but the portal ;ust collapsed as soo! as he tried to access it. u!a o)e#ood 'as !e+t a!d at 1st it appeared that she 'as #oi!# to ma"e it6 she e)e! reported seei!# a! ima#e of herself i! a hospital bed ;ust before the portal collapsed. hat 'as 'he! Hermio!e theori7ed that our cou!terparts could!*t e+ist i! this 'orld for us to #et throu#h. Do! a!d Be)ille are ali)e here& Harry co!rmed. =ut it did!*t occur to me u!til you me!tio!ed u!a that 5 ha)e!*t see! her. Hermio!e is here too. %rthur (easley tried !e+t& ere!t here& . f course Bebby be "!o'i!# 'hat
