Harry thrower and The giving birth of a New Sun

Chapter 6 - Too Close an showdown

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When Harry shut the door to his elbow room and descended the steps he was, perhaps, the happiest he had ever been in all his animation. The sun sent lucky rays streaking through the discolor Windows above and cast a golden mental image on the flooring below, tinged with enough red to defecate Harry think fleetingly of Fawkes. His hair a tangled mess, he was wearing a T-shirt, boxers and air-sleeve, one with a rather vauntingly hole through which the with child toe on his right foundation protruded. He scratched his stomach as his wind took in the scent of something that resembled the smell of burning ham. He took one footstep down and turned to look back at his way. His way ? His house ? No, not really. Not anymore. And he was thankful for that and smiled all the more as the scent of fresh burnt umber filled the air, perhaps the only affair Sirius could prepare properly.

When he pushed open the doors to the kitchen of routine 12, Grimmauld office, he found Dog Star working feverishly in front of the stove. His wand was casting while after tour, not so much at the solid food preparation, but in an movement to clear the smoke that was billowing throughout. Harry walked over and turned down the flame with a wave of his hand.

"Here,"he said gently,"let me help."His godfather looked wounded.

"No, really, I wanted to make you breakfast. You know, first day of shoal and all."He cracked an egg and put both liquid and plate in the Same bowl and started mixing it with his wand. Harry chuckled kindly and agitate his school principal in disbelief. It was outstanding being free of Privet Drive, to be here with his godfather, to experience wanted and prize. It was probably the showtime time he had ever opened a package of bacon for breakfast without a sour taste in his mouth. He gave Canicula a look that said,"Get rattling,"and then positioned himself squarely in strawman of the stove.

"I'm not bad at this,"offered Harry, cracking four eggs at once into a bowl and discarding the shells with a picture of his wand. Sirius shrugged and started to sit, but Harry stopped him."Oh no you don't. You need to see how this is done, and when I come back for Christmas Day it'll be your turn."Canicula seemed to like the challenge, and the musical theme that he would be spending Christmas with Harry.

"You know,"said Dog Star pouring two cupful of coffee tree,"I hear New House of York is spectacular at Yuletide time. Have you ever been to the States ?"Harry shook his head."Maybe we could go for a straightaway visit."

"I promised Gabri—"

"Visit,"Sirius cut in."That's all. Maybe Gab can come along."

"If we're not at war,"said Harry glumly.

"Or if the war's over by then,"suggested Sirius with Thomas More optimism. Harry nodded plating the food and levitating the scale to the table.

Sirius ate like a dog and finished in about three minutes. Harry was more wistful, and while he did stop, it took him much longer. The nicest matter about being of age was that he didn't have to take the air or exact a car to go to King's hybridizing post. For that affair, he didn't need to go to King's Cross at all ; he could Apparate to Hogsmeade and manner of walking in from there. Only the header Boy and Head miss had to take the power train with their housemates, and this year the caput Girl was none former than Hermione husbandman. Odd, Harry thought, considering she'd nearly killed Theodore Nott last year. He smiled and took another sip of coffee tree. Hermione didn't know who the Head Boy was, but it wasn't Ron. Still, the Aythya americana and his girlfriend were inseparable and so Harry would be travelling too. When Harry told Gabriella he would be going to Hogwarts by power train, her face fell momentarily and grew concerned.

"Then I go as well,"she declared, and she began to shiver slightly. The thinking sent a cold gelidity down Harry's spine as the tender coffee slipped down his throat.

"Any more Francis Bacon ?"asked Dog Star rummaging through the crusty goat god about the stove.

"That disastrous stuff you fried up over there on the side is bacon ; at least it used to be."

Sirius poked at it a few fourth dimension, and then finally took a bit. His expression took on a slight bitter spirit as it scrunched ever so slightly, then he took another raciness, shrugging his berm. His teeth and tongue covered in charcoal he said,"You'd better get make. Is your trunk packed ?"He glanced at the hourglass on the counter.

"Er… yeah,"Harry lied."Just a few more things."He levitated his plate to the sink which was piled mellow with pots and pans from the final few days."Do you want me to lead care of these before I—"

"I'll take care of it,"Sirius lied."Go get yourself ready."Harry shrugged and nodded his brain, and started up the steps, once again scratching his breadbasket and knowing full well it would be days, perhaps workweek, before the sink was cleared.

It was unknown really, getting prepare for his last year at Hogwarts. So often he was rushed in the hustle and hustle of the Weasley family. This year, however, Harry wanted to be with his own family — Sirius blackness. And it was the best decision he'd ever made. It had only been a few days, but in that suddenly time Sirius and Harry did absolutely… nil. There were opportunities to talk about the old sidereal day when Sirius palled around with James II ; there were luck to practice get along spells or hear the military operation of some of the gold legal instrument that still lined the paries in the Black fellowship discipline ; there were multiplication when they could have discussed how Harry brought Sirius back from behind the curtain ; and at every tour, at every give door, Harry and Sirius simply took the time to enjoy each other in the here and now. They played Bromus secalinus ; the meet notice ; they raced Caduceuses across the Jack London sky at night ; they drank, probably too lots ; and they laughed more than they had laughed in a tenacious, yearn time. Sirius'optic had never been brighter, and Harry's heart had never been lighter.

This meter when Harry readied himself at the forepart door to entrust, there was no dark swarm hanging over their question, but rather an eager excitement about the year to come and what it would play. They drew strength from each other knowing that whatever war was around the corner, whatever darkness rose on the horizon, they would face it together. For a moment they just stared at each former and around the room.

"Er… right wing then,"began Sirius."Off you go."He nervously patted the side of his hips with his hands.

"I'll… I'll owl you when I get in,"replied Harry. Sirius nodded. Silence."Right, then."There was another long pause."Bloody the pits,"Harry cursed and he walked over and pulled Sirius to him tightly with a rattling hug. Sirius responded in kind.

They held each other for more than a moment and then Canicula whispered in a somewhat raspy representative,"Be careful."Harry pulled away wearing an enormous smile.

"I've never been anything but !"He winked, there was a pass, and he was gone.

He Apparated to an out of the way placement just down the street from King's Cross place and began walking. The belatedly daybreak was crystalise, and he was surprised to see the air so cold. He'd been spending so much time inside with Sirius he hadn't thought much about the weather. His coat was in his trunk, and he didn't feel much like opening that in the middle of a street filled with Muggles. He shivered, rubbed his implements of war, and continued on his way. He was coming to the first gradation of the station when a beggar boldly stepped in social movement of him demanding a contribution. Wearing a estimable three years'stubble, his clothes were filthy, and his breath smelled strongly of alcohol.

"seminal fluid on, mate,"he wheezed."Just a pound fer me condition. I ain't eatin'in days."

"Sorry,"said Harry earnestly,"I don't have a pound."

"Surely a schilling ?"

Harry kept walking trying to ignore the interloper."Really,"he said over his shoulder,"I don't have any money."The man grabbed Harry by the arm.

"I can learn the jangle in yer drawers, boy !"It was true that Harry had a few galleons in his pocket, but no Muggle money of any sort. He was sorry for that, but he was irritated for being called a boy and he turned to face the beggar.

"birdcall me a boy again, and you—"

"You'll what !"spat the inebriate, stepping toe-to-toe with Harry. The sight was a bit comic since Harry was not the low kid he once was. Indeed he was a flog immature man, and he stood a serious four inches taller than his opponent. Curling the fingers on his properly hand, he was about to say just what he'd do when a familiar tingling ran up his spine. He grabbed for his wand, but too late. Or at to the lowest degree it would possess been if he had been the objective. The wino stood motionless, eyes glazed, body frozen in position. Harry looked up just as a hand gently took him by the arm.

"Sorry about that, sir,"said a Pres Young man not much sometime than Harry."I… er… I wasn't paying attention. Won't happen again, I promise."

The man, still in his teens, wore a morose grayish suit with thin blue piping, a burgundy tie and egg white shirt. The disconsolate field glass reminded Harry of old Jesse James bail movies, but the ashen tennis shoes with red laces told Harry at once he was dealing with a wiz. Then he noticed the human body of the jaw, the voice, but the hair—

"Finnius ?"Harry asked, wondering if he was talking to the former Head Boy of Hufflepuff who at graduation exercise had a start at a beard and whisker that hung down to his waistline."I thought you were going to start a lot ? The… er, The Grindly Gutters ?"

"Erm,"said Finnius, looking around nervously,"can we keep back going ?"

"Why ? What's the topic ?"

"Well… see, I'm supposed to—"

"Not you ?"Harry exclaimed in disbelief."Surely the Ministry—"

Finnius pulled Harry by the arm just as the drunk began to get to his sens. Quickly, they climbed the steps and found themselves in a sea of people heading to their platforms at King's crisscross. Perspiration was popping out on Finnius'forehead and Harry wondered if he hadn't wet himself he looked so nervous."It's just… well, I promised Tonks and already I've made a muss of things."

"You work with Tonks ?"Harry asked with a bit more excitement and interest. He hadn't heard from her all summertime, and she wasn't at the Joining with Singehorn."Is she okay ? Where is she ?"Finnius continued to show Harry toward program nine and three-quarters holding Harry with his right hand and wiping his supercilium with his left.

"Yeah, well, she's the one that convinced me I could be an Auror. Said she'd train me, see… herself. But since that business enterprise at the Ministry hold up year, she's been in and out of hospital and… well, now she's in and… well, she made me promise. See ?"

Harry didn't see, and he was getting a bit irritated. He yanked his arm out of Finnius'bobby pin."What do you mean she's in hospital ? What's wrongly ?"Finnius looked away from Harry's intense gaze.

"Ah, here we are."They were at the chopine."Just in prison term too !"Before Harry could say another word, Finnius gave him a bit of a shove and he plunged through the wall and found himself on the other side standing just in front of the Hogwarts expressage. Harry dropped his tree trunk, reached for his wand and started back toward the bulwark when he was tackled from the English. The twinkling of raven dim hair in his face told him at once it was Gabriella.

"You made it !"she cried."I was beginning to think—"She stopped, sensing at once that Harry's emotions were in turmoil."What's haywire ?"And then she too looked at the wall to the outdoors reality."Who's out there ?"

The frustration on Harry's typeface was clear ; he was about to charge back out when his eyes caught something he had never before seen : Neville Longbottom was hugging his parents, dog and Alice, sayonara. Alice held his face in her helping hand and planted a big wet candy kiss on his cheek. They were all grinning as Neville wiped it with his sleeve. Then Frank Longbottom handed his son something and, as Neville wrapped his fingers about the aim, a more serious look came into his eyes. His dad slapped him on the berm and a thin smile appeared again as Neville boarded the train.

"He's headland Boy,"Gabriella said warmly.

Harry looked at Gabriella, then at the wall behind, and back to the train, then back to the paries."come on, let's—"

"ALL ABOARD !"the music director called.

"Dean said he'd save us a spot,"said Gabriella, taking storage area of Harry's bridge player. Harry took one last-place looking at at the wall behind them, and then the two boarded the railroad train. The corridor was crowded with student, particularly first eld who were completely confused. What was noticeable, however, was that the rule demarcation line of mansion zones seemed to be somewhat blurred. There were Slytherins purposefully mixing in with Ravenclaws near the front man of the power train, and a group of third gear year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors in another baby carriage playing snap. A few machine down Harry just caught a glimpse of soul in Gryffindor robes disappearing into a baby carriage and so he and Gabriella followed. He pushed open the pram door only to take the air in on Neville and Helen hugging ; a sweet bouquet filling the air.

"Oh,"said Harry."Sorry."Neville had Helen up against the paries and there was some kind of vine with delicate pink prime wrapping itself around her arm and abdomen. She was wearing a smile and blushing slightly."Er… seen Dean ?"Neville who seemed about three column inch taller than when Harry last saw him which was only a few weeks ago spoke through a beaming smile.

"Yeah, he's up forward."Then, with a confident moving-picture show of his verge Neville shut the door in Harry's face, following that with a charm that sealed it tight. Gabriella just raised her eyebrow and smiled.

"See what happens when you're late."She smacked Harry's tummy."That could sustain been us !"

They continued moving forward past various pushchair when the flash of red pilus caught Harry's eye. It was Ron, and he was bickering with Hermione. The level of the carriage they were in was littered with clothes, book and assorted things Harry knew to be Ron's, most notably by the overabundance of socks.

"Honestly, Ronald,"said Hermione in a scolding phonation as if talking to a four year old."If you don't find it soon you'll have to say Professor Flitwick, and if you won't I will."

"Is that a terror ?"shot back Ron, holding both hands on his hips and kicking at the megabucks of clothes on the floor. Gabriella walked in first.

"Is there something incorrectly ?"she asked gently, Harry only a step behind her.

"No, nothing's wrong,"snapped Ron immediately."Er… hey, mate !"he said with a wave at Harry.

"He's lost his wand,"exclaimed Hermione.

"I haven't lost anything,"retorted Ron in rebelliousness."I've just… er…"

"Have you tried summoning it ?"asked Harry, starting to rummage through the clothes on the carriage level. The steel look of fire in Ron's eyes said that they had certainly tried that and many other matter and would harass just not make any early suggestions because Hermione has already made every potential suggestion known in the Wizarding world and none of them have worked.

"Hermione,"said Gabriella with a tint that Harry had come to have it off all too well, and yet was still new to Hermione."Perhaps one of my Slytherin housemates is playing a magic, most probably teddy bear. Would you join me and perhaps together we can puzzle out this little problem."Knowing Hermione's inclination toward Nott, Harry wondered if it was a wise mind to put the two in stopping point proximity, but Gabriella may have been on to something. Certainly Nott would have the motivating to draw out a stunt like this, but perhaps Gabriella just wanted to get Hermione away from Ron for a bit. He smiled to himself realizing that it was probably both.

"Sure,"said Hermione. She cast one more than look at Ron before she left and said,"And don't you stop looking !"The moment the lady friend departed, Ron flopped down on the pusher bench and blew the hair out of his eyes.

"Bloody hell."

"fountainhead, Fred or George can certainly get you a new verge,"offered Harry, sitting down across from Ron."Or maybe we can sneak out this weekend and Apparate to Ollivanders."Unfortunately, Ron's face did not brighten at the suggestion.

"expression at us, Harry,"said Ron with a impulsive feel on his side, tinged with a bit of sourness."We were here six age ago, you and me. Do you call up ?"

There was a second of silence as Harry watched the countryside strip by. It wasn't the like gear as six eld ago, but it might as well have been.

"Yeah,"said Harry, almost in a whisper as he nodded his head,"I remember."

"Things haven't changed much."

"They've changed loads."Harry reached forward and pulled on the small goatee now sprouting from Ron's chin.

"Really ?"asked Ron with a snicker."Back then you were Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, and I was Ron Weasley with a blot of grime on my nose."

"That's not—"

"Now we're both of age and you're Harry Potter, Protector, Guardian and envoy, the wizard that destroyed Voldemort and brought heartsease with the giant, and I'm Ron Weasley the kid that can't find his BLOODY WAND !"At the last Word of God he stood up, kicked at the wall, and put his boot all the way through.

Harry was trying to muster up something to say when the door began to open up. Angry, Ron instinctively reached for his verge to flap down the door shut, but it wasn't there. He growled like a lion and was about to physically slam dance the door shut when Saint Patrick O'Riley, now in his second year, poked his head through.

"Was that you, Ron ?"asked Patrick brightly, nodding his head toward the hole that now protruded into the corridor. Then he noticed Harry."Hey, Harry ! Dean said you were going to be up in his carriage."

"Later,"answered Harry."Right now I'm just—"

"St. Patrick,"cut in Ron, doing his well to remain serene,"we don't have clock time to—"

"Prob'ly mad ‘ bout losin'this,"interrupted Patrick, and he held up Ron's sceptre. For a moment Ron sputtered, unable to speak. Finally, he grabbed the wand and pulled it close, cradling it like a sister as a undulation of alleviation passed over his body.

"Where'd you find it ?"asked Harry.

"Oh, I didn't,"said Patrick,"Epistle of James did. When he showed it teh me, I knew at once whose it was. He was on his way teh take it teh Flitwick, but I told him I'd get it teh yeh."

"Er… thanks,"answered Ron."You're okay, kid."At death Ron smiled as he slipped his baton away.

"Why don't you and William James stay in here,"offered Harry."I haven't heard from the Yangtze Kiang all summertime and was wondering how Cho was doing."At these word, Patrick became noticeably uncomfortable.

"Gee, Harry,"he answered, looking back down the corridor,"we're already hangin'out with the Slytherins."

"Slytherins ?"asked Harry."I thought James River was going to start Gryffindor this year. He knows he can pick whatever menage he wants doesn't he ?"

"Yeah, well, he changed his mind o'er the summertime, I guess."Again he glanced nervously down the hallway."Well… see yeh !"He smiled and disappeared down the corridor to the cover of the train.

"That was a bit odd,"said Ron, sweeping away a few twain of socks with his helping hand and sitting down on the bench.

"Yeah, it was."

"Why on world would anybody prefer Slytherin over Gryffindor ? Everyone knows they're nothing but a bunch of—"

"Yes ?"Gabriella stood at the open room access, her fingerbreadth drumming against the frame.

"Er…."

"…Sweethearts !"chimed Hermione gaily as she stepped into the baby carriage with Gabriella."Except maybe… Teddy."She flopped down next to Ron.

"He didn't subscribe it too well when we asked if he'd stolen Ron's scepter,"continued Gabriella as she sat next to Harry. Hermione took Ron's hired hand and pulled him shut to her.

"No, but he didn't dare use a cross Bible or raise his vox,"said Hermione."Quite the man for a change."

"organism nearly killed can do that to some the great unwashed,"said Ron.

"I could feel right away he was telling the true statement,"said Gabriella,"so we decided to issue forth back. Patrick told us he found your wand."

"No, St. James Yangtze River found it,"said Harry."Patrick only returned it. Did he tell apart you that James has decided to go with Slytherin this twelvemonth ?"

"There, you see !"said Gabriella,"Another mulct representative. St. James the Apostle was one of the better first class students as I recall."Ron pulled out his wand and looked at it closely.

"I should probably get it examined,"he said."Maybe Nott put him up to it."

"Oh, don't be ridiculous,"said Hermione, slapping his paw. Then she turned to Harry, trying hard to brush aside the mess on the flooring."So how's Sirius doing at Grimmauld situation ?"

The minute passed quickly as lunch came and the later good afternoon brought drooping eyelids to everyone. Dean never made his way back to the passenger car, and they never endeavoured to strike further up the gearing. They were all nodding off to sleep when the gearing began to slow.

"Hogsmeade ?"asked Ron groggily. The high noon sun seemed suddenly to melt to darkness as if someone had just pulled down the curtain.

"No,"said Hermione with a bit of business concern."It's too early."They all noticed the last word leave her backtalk in a blow of dope -- the air was growing colder by the second. They knew at once what was happening and each had their baton at the make. The dark outside the gear filled with fanfare of light. Ministry sentry duty had moved out to forgather the outpouring which was centred toward the presence of the train. Incantations filled the air as Patronus after Patronus was being sent out against the attacking Dementors. There were screams all up and down the corridors, mostly from the youngest students.

"Ron,"said Hermione with a commanding voice."Help me gather the first years."Ron was up in a flash, and a moment later his voice was barking orders down the corridor for everyone to continue calm, calling for the first geezerhood to muster up at the galley. Students began to move toward the rear of the caravan, away from the fighting.

"They're looking for you, Harry,"said Gabriella, holding her scepter at the window. She cast a go at the trash, protecting it from attack, just as former windows began to shatter about the train.

"wellspring they're about to find out me !"shot Harry as he started for the door. Gabriella grabbed his arm.

"You can't be serious. Who knows how many are out there. Your undecomposed using the power train as a—"The train lurched forward causing collective screams all up and down the corridor. Then it began to impress -- chug… choo-choo… chug… choo-choo… She was quickly gathering pep pill. There was another bustle of hopeful white flashing of wakeful stamp against the shadow, and the afternoon light suddenly reappeared and the affectionateness returned. Everyone cheered as the veil of shadow became null Sir Thomas More than a grim cloud on the view behind the train.

A look of relief bed covering across Gabriella's face, but duskiness still remained in Harry's eyes as he reached and grabbed the wrist of the hand that was holding his arm. Slowly, but firmly he pulled her hired man away, and looked at her with a very dingy expression. She sensed his emotions before he said the words and she didn't like what she was feeling. Finally, he spoke in a stern and heated voice.

"Don't EVER do that again."

"But—"

There was a scream that Harry knew at once to be Ginny's. In a flare he was out the door and down the corridor, only a step ahead of Neville Longbottom, and two step behind Ron. Ginny was on her genu in the carriage, broken trash everywhere and tears streaming down her eyes. She grabbed her brother by his sleeve.

"Do something, Ron !"she cried out."They've taken him. They've taken James Dean !"

"But… but he's right here, Gin"answered Ron, looking at James Byron Dean who was still seated on his chair, but looking out the window at the rural scene running past. It was Gabriella who noticed first.

"Oh, no,"she whispered, stepping yesteryear Harry and turning James Byron Dean to face them all. There was a collective gasp. Still breathing, his heart were lacuna, his face sunken, and his skin almost pale. He gave them no response at all. Ginny stood up and wrapped him in her arms, rocking him back and Forth. On her fingerbreadth was the echo Dean had given her the year before. The firestone with which it was set had lost its brilliant glow, its fire, its love extinguished.

"They've taken him,"she cried again."They've taken his soul."




Harry potter and the incumbrance of Becoming

Chapter 7 - The doomed Soul

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Harry clenched his fists and spat,"Fucking war."former than that, only the rumbling of the train and the current of air whistling through the tattered window accompanied Ginny's son of a bitch. He stepped side by side to Gabriella and watched helplessly as Ginny, a person mate if ever he had one, rocked back and Forth River with Dean in her arms. Dean, breathing but lifeless, made no response. He might as well be a corpse - he'd be skilful off. Harry felt the rage edifice within, but something was tempering it, something was focusing it. He gazed into nihility as smoke streamed by the broken window and a rent tracked down his cheek.

"Ginny,"Gabriella whispered, then louder,"Ginny."The redhead, her face wet, looked up at Gabriella."May I see him ?"Ginny sniffed, wiped her grimace and nodded silently. Someone, a girl, screamed at the doorway and then ran down the corridor yelling for help.

"I'll get a healer,"said Neville despondently to Harry. His voice was a great deal sr. and much pitiful than Harry had ever heard before. They both knew it was pointless.

"It won't do any in effect,"view Harry to himself, reaching for his wand and then nervously fiddling it with his fingers. Then, out loud, he whispered,"He's gone."The rage roiled in his mind as he watched the unripe Alfred Hawthorne axial motion by - a picture perfect day. Finally, his idea found its clarity."This was past forgiveness,"he thought to himself and his hand clenched tightly about his wand as he pulled it to the ready."I'll obliterate them ! I'll wipe out them all !"He would Apparate back down the cart track and demolish every Dementor that moved. He began the wrist movement when Gabriella grabbed his arm. His eyes shot fire into hers."I told you—"he began.

"You're not thinking,"interrupted Gabriella, staring at him intently with dark bleak eye that demanded he not be so cheeky.

"I don't care how many of them there are !"cried Harry.

"I'm with you, Harry !"yelled Ron."We'll kill ‘ em all !"

"YEAH !"cried others."LET'S GO !"

Wands began to appear from everyone.

"Harry !"flash Gabriella."THINK !"She pulled him close."You know a better way !"

Harry's judgement began to race ; there was no time for this. The pit ? Was she talking about the stone ? Certainly she didn't mean that he could heal James Dean's soul using the stone."I don't have time—"

"Your voices, Harry,"she said softly but with a sharp tone.

Voices ? phonation ! She couldn't be serious. She had wanted to work with him on the voices, the natural endowment of those who had touched him at the connection, but he chose instead to spend his fourth dimension with Sirius. All those present at the Joining on Singehorn's mountain were, in versatile agency, a office of him now. They had shared of themselves freely, but there were so many he couldn't separate them out and time was dripping through his fingers.

"I can't."

"You must."

For a moment, as more vocalization clambered about the corridor for a counterattack on the Dementors, he tried to strive down deep inside, calling to those who had shared of themselves, scanning through unnumbered memories, snippets of photograph that spanned C.

"This is impossible,"he said with a sigh.

"come on, Harry ! Let's pour down them !"soul called from ass. It was Anthony Goldstein. Very well said, thought Harry, but Susan B. Anthony's Patronus would be lucky to press away a bingle Dementor let alone dozens. Unfortunately, before Harry could say another word, Anthony gave Harry the most peculiar look and shouted,"For our family unit, mate !"There was a pop and Goldstein was gone. It was followed by another pop and another cinch. Senior educatee were Disapparating from everywhere.

"Wait ! catch"Harry yelled."You're… you're not set up !"

"mama's seen them, Harry,"said Gabriella above the snapshot and pops."She may know. Think of her… be her !"

Harry closed his eyes once again and focused on Soseh. His thinker dwelt on the passion of her hospitality and the aroma of her kitchen, but Gabriella turned his mind.

"Coldness. Emptiness,"she whispered."The olfaction of radioactive decay, of death."

Images filled Harry's mind. Images of what was, what is, what might be. He saw Dakhil, a much younger looking Dakhil, pedigree dripping from the street corner of his mouth ; he saw himself hanging from the window on Privet driving, an odd glow surrounding his half-naked body ; he saw Grigor looking cruel and defiant ; he saw the frigidness dead body of Antreas, stab injury covering every column inch of his bare dresser ; death, and then he saw them.

It was night and the exclusively sound, beyond a lone scream in the darkness, was the raspy breath of the oncoming Dementor. Just a few base away, a immature girl was cowering beneath the cloaked figure. Just to her left hand was a man, somewhere in his late twenties, a dragon emblazoned on his right forearm. Ignoring the man, the Dementor pulled back his punk revealing its skull-like masque of horror, a large golf hole where perhaps a mouth should be. The vision seemed so real Harry tried to arrive at for his wand, but found his subdivision shackled to a Edward Durell Stone wall.

The lady friend screamed as the Dementor drew in its breathing space in a great wheeze. Another scream… another wheeze. On the third wheeze, the young lady made no audio ; her dull center opened, staring blankly up at her assailant. It was then, as if empowered with a second visual modality, Harry saw it : the glow. He watched the syncope golden white light being pulled into the hole in the Dementor's orifice. He expected it to evaporate into the wickedness, but it didn't. The Dementor pulled his exhaust hood up over his skull, but Harry could still perceive the glow trying to defend its way out. It was as if the Dementor was shining, backlit by a spotlight from above."I see,"Harry whispered and the darkness rushed away to be replaced by the light and rumble of the racing Hogwarts Express.

"I see !"cried Harry."I…"He paused."Soseh can see,"he said slowly shaking his foreland."Soseh has the natural endowment, I don't, at least not yet. I haven't tried. There's no way I can—"Gabriella's eyes were fixed on his. He knew she bore her female parent's natural endowment of vision, and her oculus were telling him that she too must go."No,"he said flatly."You're staying here."

"It's the only way, Harry,"she said, still holding his arm."If we find the one in time, then… then you use the gem to draw back doyen's life story force."Everyone looked at the two as if they'd both gone mad. There were footstep racing their way down the corridor. Harry glanced back, knowing that once the Aurors found out about the attack and the flight of the scholarly person they'd be blasting Dementors right and left. With one awry spell, Dean's soul would be lost forever.

"We must go now,"she insisted. Harry held the hand clutching his arm and nodded his assent.

On two, they both Apparated back into the duskiness. It was as if they had just landed themselves in the middle of an ominous electric storm that had extinguished the sun. All was blackness save for the flashes of lighting - wandlight from the attacking educatee. Harry felt the estrus rushing out of his bones and heard the sidesplitter in his ears.

"Can - you - see - the - one ?"Harry yelled over the din. His voice held Bob Hope, but his affection had none. There were at to the lowest degree a hundred Dementors swarming about, skimming across the hillside, trying to adjudicate if the recently arrived wizards were to be feared or consumed. Harry saw a Patronus, the shape of an enormous owl, plunge into a chemical group of about a half dozen Dementors and sent them flying. About 30 railyard away, near a viewpoint of trees, Goldstein's wand was doing little more than lighting up the lowly clearing of pot in presence of him. A Dementor was closing in on him when three students from Ravenclaw converged, simultaneously casting an Incendio go and incinerating the animal. Harry's heart skipped. Could that have been—

"This way !"hailed Gabriella, pulling on Harry's arm as she held her eye shut. She was pulling them closer into the pack. Harry conjured a hart that split the sea of Dementors, if only for a moment, the break closure behind the shining beast as it passed through. But in that moment, Gabriella squeezed Harry's arm.

"Yes !"she said with more certainty. Her eyes still closed she cried,"Follow me !"

They were plunging right into the heart of the swarm of blackness. Gabriella was moving more swiftly. She let go of Harry's arm and began to jog ahead. Harry followed sending another Patronus ahead of her and splitting them away. Rather than focus on Harry and Gabriella, the Dementors seemed to choose the wanton prey near the tree diagram and began to move away. He could hear the howler behind him as Gabriella pulled her wand and verbalised something in Armenian. A lily-white glow enveloped her as if she held a star at the tip of her wand. She pressed on ever forward, her pace gathering speed, but her verge dimming as each new Dementor tried to penetrate its glowing surface.

"rush, Harry !"she called back. The terrain was rough here and they were moving along the position of a mound and the far they moved along the more steep the ramp grew, making it more hard to traverse. Harry heard a collection of snaps behind him ; the Aurors had arrived. He looked back at the great cloud of Dementors unwittingly racing toward the new assemblage of emotions. Just as he turned back to look at Gabriella his foot slipped on a stone and his ankle twisted under his weight unit. He fell to the ground and tumbled a effective 20 groundwork down the face of the hill, scraping the slope of his leg badly before he came to rest.

He looked up and saw the flickering lambency of Gabriella's sceptre disappear over the border of the hill. Three Dementors swarmed over him - it was the conclusion thing they ever did. Black blood sprayed all over the ground as Harry blasted his way through, grimacing from the nuisance in his ankle as he took each long footstep. It was then that he realized he hadn't a clew what to do when he came upon the Dementor they wanted. Gabriella had said to use the Isidor Feinstein Stone, but how ? And how would he keep the Dementor from simply fleeing ? His mortise joint throbbing, Harry past another large tree and came up over the side of the Alfred Hawthorne. The flat coat opened up beneath him, running down maybe twenty M and then spreading out into a huge knit that stretched on until it disappeared into the dank mist of darkness. Sunlight was trying to get across the misty horde of blackness casting an eerie red glow over the green landscape before him. It was then when his bosom sank.

Just at the end of his visual sensation, Harry could see the flickering freshness of Gabriella's wand. Only now it was more flicker than visible light. About her were two Dementors, the only two to be seen and they were circling her like marauder. Each would swoop around and then plunge at Gabriella only to bounce from her failing shield spell. It wouldn't be long before—

The cuticle failed, and Harry heard her wow. He was too far away to do anything but run, and that's just what he did. He ran with all his might, pain stabbing at his leg with each hit at the ground as if a snapping snake were ever at his heels. He was perhaps l curtilage away when an enormous red lighter burst from Gabriella's wand, filled the air about her, and one of the Dementors burst into flame. Harry could hear its gurgling cry as it tried to fly away, but plunged into the grass starting a lowly fire, nigrify smoke billowing upward. Harry was now 20 yards away as he watched the endorsement Dementor crouch over Gabriella and he heard her screams.

There was a pop just off to his rightfulness. An Auror appeared, wand drawn.

"No !"Harry cried. The Auror looked only briefly at Harry then set to cast a spell at the Dementor hovering over Gabriella.

"Petrificus Totalus !"called Harry. The Auror went erect and fell to the priming. Ten yards. Gabriella screamed again and this prison term Harry could learn the raspy wheeze of the Dementor as it tried to overstretch away her soul. With a great leap Harry jumped forward, wrapped his arm around Gabriella and the two of them rolled away from beneath the batch of the Dementor. When they came to rest, Gabriella was on top of him ; the golden necklace he had given her with the Gryffindor signet - a lion baring two ruby red oculus - that came from prof McGonagall hung round her neck and swung back and Forth River in front end of Harry's face. He had remembered McGonagall's words :"For times of darkness."And then he heard the voice of Dumbledore, as if he were whispering in Harry's ear, only the rustling was coming from Harry's lips.

"Really, Nicolas ? An beguile gilded chain will trap them ? I never heard of such a thing."

The Dementor's growing wheeze signalled its approach when Harry grabbed the tiny golden Sir Ernst Boris Chain off Gabriella's neck opening. He rolled her to the side, feeling the moth-eaten approach from behind. With one final stage capital effort he heaved himself upward, tossed the chain in the air and cast a spell he had never uttered before, but one that Dumbledore knew. The midget favorable chain grew snakelike in shape and dimension, but its head was the head of a social lion with flaming red eyes. With the flick of his verge Harry levitated the radiance, golden, lion-headed serpent toward the coming frigidness, and it began to curl itself around the Dementor several times. Round and unit of ammunition in less meter than it takes to untie a shoestring the Dementor was cinched tight from head to toe. Struggling to escape, the black brute could not displace and ultimately fell to the Gunter Wilhelm Grass.

"Harry ?"Gabriella's interpreter whispered weakly from buns."Harry ?"

He knelt down by her English at once."Are you okay ?"he asked.

"The stone. Use the gem before the others come."

The vivificus Isidor Feinstein Stone had not been used since it was charged at the connexion. Singehorn had told Harry that fire was good but passion was something far more endurable. And the stone, snuggled close to Harry's liver, was already covered in Harry's bloodline. All that remained was the incantation :"braveness, Wisdom, Love."

In an flash, Harry found himself in what he had, in his own psyche, decided was an antechamber of sorts. All was white waiting for his postulation. For a moment his mind hovered on Gabriella, but he knew he was forbidden on using it to the advantage of another in the Votary. Instead, he called to the unfold nothingness,"appearance me James Byron Dean's soul !"

He expected to see a swirl of colour, but instead he saw a whirl of disastrous. His heart skipped for fear that he had done something wrong, but his own spirit held mingy to the need to save his friend if at all possible. The darkness spread before him and in this emptiness a foetor filled Harry's nostrils. It was then when he realized where he was, what he was entering - the life-time forcefulness of the Dementor.

pitch blackness and rot filled his visual sense. strand of oily fibre hung from above and when Harry looked to see their parentage, all that was seeable was utter darkness. He was reminded of the crevasse into which he and Sirius had fallen and a very rattling constituent of him wanted to allow for this billet as quickly as possible. He was cold and growing colder as he forced is judgement's eye to beseech onward into the deepness of the Dementor's essence, an insatiable need to feed.

At first, the sounds were aloof echo coming from down a long tunnel, part perhaps, or animals screaming. Harry moved toward the strait and found the iniquity pressing in all around him. Though in here he really had no corporeal chassis, something wet and sticky splattered against his brass ; the desire to wretch was strong. Then he heard the sounds again.

Yes, they were screams, but human screams, calling just ahead. Floating deeper into the darkness, his foot tangled on something he could not see. He pulled and freed himself and then realized his teeth were chattering."This is not potential,"he thought to himself and now an even greater theatrical role of him wanted to return."I can't do this."He glanced back to see a bantam patch of white no bigger than a postage pestle Roman mile away. He could be there and back to prophylactic in the flash of a thought.

Then he heard a interpreter, clear and strong above the others, telling them to quiet down, to listen. It was familiar, but it wasn't Dean's. There was something nurturing about this voice, something that made one feel safe. Harry pressed forward. It felt wish hours, although it was probably little more than the time it takes a star to twinkle, when he saw the faint golden glow ahead. He ached and felt that at any moment he would collapse and be trapped in this wickedness forever. The voice called out again and his pulse quickened as he hurried forward. Against his body he felt the sense impression of ice-cold custody pulling at his sprit, trying to stop him, but still he moved ahead. The cold was unbearable, the sense of awe was consuming, and that's when he saw him, towering tall above the others huddled in the contraband muck : Mr. Silverton. It was the same virtuoso from Hogsmeade that had tried to keep genus Draco's life the year before, but had failed in the try. Harry had always seen him as a rather modest yet friendly man when he visited Hogsmeade, but here he stood taller than life, translucent in a golden splendour.

"precipitation, save the youngster !"he called out to Harry, and then he added as if he'd always known,"protector of the Innocent !"

Harry looked down to see those huddled at Silverton's feet. They were there, nearly a dozen souls, minor mostly. Each was translucent, each glowed bright, though some more than others. The hopeful of these was the youth disgraceful wizard, who seemed utterly lost. doyen looked straight at Harry, but did not discern him.

"helper,"he pleaded in a debile, raspy vocalism."Where am I ?"

"No one stays behind,"Harry said to Silverton."I'm taking you all."And without another Son he reached out his helping hand and with his mind summoned the souls toward him. Silverton stood firm as if guarding the procession, guiding them toward Harry's summons. First, and most willing, came James Byron Dean, then a Brigham Young girl with inglorious hair… a boy with brilliantly spicy eyes… and on… and on…. Each psyche came to… came into Harry as if he were an tremendous vacuum cleaner pulling them in. When the last left the mire at Silverton's feet the former whizz smiled.

"You have done well,"he said warmly."Release us now, and I will lead them home."

The coldness was pressing in on Harry once again, fighting one stopping point desperate plan of attack to keep its precious gem as Silverton floated toward Harry.

"H-Home ?"Harry asked through chattering teeth."H-Heaven ? D-Dean needs t-to—"

"departure us, Harry,"breathed Silverton as he became one with Harry.

"Home."

The blackness began to rush away with a heavy watering phone. Harry felt as if his legs were being pulled backward by a tether that held him tight to the world keister. Flashes of varying shades of Gray screamed retiring, and then with a tremendous wooosh Harry found himself back in his physical structure on the grassy theatre looking upward at the milky-blue sky.

"Harry !"Gabriella cried as his eye blinked against the sudden brightness.

He felt dizzy, then strong, more powerful than he had ever felt. But then he realized why ; he still held their liveliness force. He could use this vim, this power in the war to hail. They could be victorious ! Then, a retard sigh slipped past his lips, and before he lifted his head off the Gunter Grass he closed his eyes and whispered,"Hhhhome."It was a long, slow, dyspneic watchword that sent chills down Gabriella's spine. He could palpate the get-up-and-go plinking out from within him as each soulfulness drifted upward. Perhaps it was a hallucination, for Gabriella said later she saw no such visual sensation, but before Harry the translucent bodies of all the children hovered for a moment just above him. They looked down, smiling when at last Mr. Silverton emerged. He took the small girl's hand and in the next moment they all rose above the treetop and disappeared from view, Dean travelling with them ever upward.

Harry was certain he heard Dean's vocalization utter,"Goodbye."

A lone tear spilt from his eye when Gabriella reached down and lifted his head into her lap. Harry raised his hand and summoned the golden chain that surrounded the Dementor."This is yours I think,"he said softly.

"But—"

"It's dead,"Harry answered before she could ask. And indeed the Dementor lay lifeless on the ground, deflated somewhat, as if it had been decaying there for calendar month.

The air blasted with the report of two loud dad as a yoke of Aurors appeared clad in red Ministerial robe. One noticed the Auror some yards away on the primer coat still stiffened by Harry's go. The other reached down to help Harry and Gabriella to their feet.

"You can't stay here,"the Auror said, then he noticed who he was speaking with and turned to his companion."It's Potter !"He held Harry more firmly as if his liveliness might depend on it."You've got to return to the geartrain. missy, will you help—"

"Hey ! He fired on—"the Auror that had been petrified began, but in that moment both Harry and Gabriella had Apparated back to the train.

They appeared in the corridor of the train, near the backside, and Harry stumbled to the floor when he landed. He hated Apparation, and this was his first gear attempt at hitting a moving quarry. If Gabriella hadn't been holding his hand… He didn't want to imagine about it.

He was a bit dizzy and disorientate, but he grabbed a carriage door handle and pulled himself up to his feet, taking a shaky whole tone forward."Dean,"he muttered."I've got to see if…"He began to crumple to the floor when Gabriella grabbed his arm. He looked at her clenched deal and then at her eyes and smiled."Thank you,"he said softly."Did I ever tell you that I thought you were brilliant ?"Her typeface did not smile back. Her mettle were too wracked with concern as her center darted up the corridor.

"Yes, yes,"said Harry."Let's go."

Two cars down there was a throng of scholar that only parted when they realized who it was. When Harry made it to James Byron Dean's car he stepped in to look straight in on Ron's back. His apparel were a flock of mud and pine needles, and the slope of his shirt was torn, blotches of blood seeping through, red mixing with splashed black. His red hair draped down over an arm that was hugging him wet. It was Ginny's and she was crying. Harry's heart plummeted and he dropped his read/write head ; they had failed. James Byron Dean had died.

It was then that he heard Gabriella pass a knifelike gasp as she gripped his forearm. He looked up to see her pointing at Ginny's hand. On her ring digit was the golden isthmus Dean had given her, only now the firestone was glowing as bright as ever, shining through the strands of Ron's red hair.

"He's alright Gin ; Madame Pomfrey will have him patched up in no time."

It was dean's vox, talking about Ron. It was shaky but clear and Harry watched as two weapon system of deep burnt umber wrapped around the redheaded brother and baby in a tumid hug.

"Dean ?"choked Harry, his kernel skipping out of his breast and the tips of his fingers and domiciliation of his feet starting to tingle.

"Harry ?"asked Dean from behind the Weasley's. Ron spun round and, as he did so, Ginny saw Harry. She immediately let out a squeal of joy. A moment later her arms were around Harry, tears streaming down here cheeks and cheer rising up all around the string. Soon, they were all kissing. Word spread that the counterplay had been a success, at least with the help of the Aurors that had been guarding the train. If it hadn't been for—

"Where's Anthony ?"slam Harry, realizing that the endure he saw was what could only be called a herd of Dementors stampeding away from Harry and toward the Ravenclaw.

"rightfulness here, Potter ; no thanks to you."

Harry turned to see a very bruised and a very knock about Anthony Goldstein. There was dried supergrass in his hair and a bit of blood at the turning point of his mouth, and he still clutched his sceptre as if ready to put another spell at whomever or whatever might cover him.

"Merlin's beard,"said Harry, stunned."You're alive."

"Cho said you weren't that smart,"sneered Anthony with somewhat of a microprocessor chip on his shoulder joint,"but I don't think she realized just how daft you really are."He was itching for a scrap, but Harry simply smiled.

"You were brilliant out there today, Goldstein,"said Harry cheap enough so everyone could discover."If it hadn't been for you—"

"That's the one !"

Everyone turned to see two Aurors in their embattled Ministerial robes making their way through the throng of students. One, the one pointing his finger at Harry, was promptly recognized. It was the Auror Harry had dropped in the field of battle. He was holding the other Auror by the arm and pulling her almost against her will.

"That's the one, right there - with the crank. I'd recognize the face anywhere. Greasy little git."The distich parted the crowd and were now right in social movement of Harry."Thought you could get away with it, did yeh ? piffling prat. You could have had us all killed."Then he turned to the other Auror, a very tall woman with rich profane oculus and an expression somewhere between exasperation and exhaustion. She was about to say something when Anthony Goldstein stepped in movement of Harry.

"Do you have any clew who you're talking to ?"he asked with a smug air of superiority that almost sounded Ministerial. Certainly, Anthony was destined for bully thing in government. It was then that the fair sex recognized Harry, but the other Auror was having none of it.

"Get out of my way, you !"he shoved Anthony to the incline, and almost at once there was a Benjamin Rush of students like a wave breakage against the shore filling the gap and forcing the two Aurors backwards.

"What's this ?"the Auror yelled, and he pulled his baton. In response, over two dozen wands suddenly appeared pointed directly at him, inches from his face. The woman reached up to pull in her companion's hand down just when there was another voice from the far end of the carriage.

"Strickman ! PUT THAT down !"If Anthony's articulation was Ministerial, the new voice was all that and more. Strickman's middle widened in shock. He'd heard this voice before, hold up year when he graduated from the Auror honorary society. Everyone turned and saw the shock of red hair and knew at once who it was.

"Dad !"cried Ron, whose height gave him the better view over all his peers. Wands quickly found their way back to their proper positions as all the pupil tried to act as normally as possible, considering they had just been through a Dementor attack.

"Ronny. Ginny."He was trying not to demonstrate that he was there to learn the position of his own nipper, but the tremble in his vocalisation and the looking at of relief on his face were obvious for all to hear and see."I came as soon as I heard."Then his eyes met Harry's as he moved past the two Aurors and a looking of wonderment filled them."Harry ?"he breathed in disbelief."I had heard you were taken. That your soul—"

"That was Dean, sir,"answered Harry.

"Dean ? Beasts of Bulgaria, not—"His eyes saw Dean standing side by side to Ginny."I… I don't understand."

"Harry brought him back, Dad,"Ginny answered her father's questioning centre."He brought his someone back."Chester A. Arthur Weasley looked at his girl and saw that she was sincere. Then he looked back at Harry.

"That… that's not possible,"he whispered."Not even Dumbledore—"

"That's right, rector,"spat Strickman."It's not potential ! This little prat—"

"SHUT UP !"yelled Minister Weasley."If you say another word, I'll have him do the same to you as he did to Voldemort !"The word stung many ears and there was a corporate moan, but not as universally as there might take been the year before. Only then did Strickman finally realize who he had been calling a prat.

"P-P-Potter ?"He began to apologize, not to minister of religion Weasley, but to Harry ; he never had a chance.

"You're dismissed,"shot the Minister,"both of you."It was the female Auror who was now doing the grabbing and dragging as she pulled Strickman by the backrest of his cloak and tossed him into the forward carriage.

"Here's your hero, sir,"said Harry, pulling the grimy Goldstein forward."He led the counterattack. If it hadn't been for him, I'd have never reached the Dementor that had Dean's soul."

Arthur was still struggling, trying to get the picture what it was that Harry was saying. Nonetheless, he patted Anthony about the shoulders and said,"Well done, offspring man. Goldstein is it ? Yes, I know your mother. Runs a coven in Colchester."He gave Anthony, who was now beaming, another pat."Well done."Arthur then turned and hugged his two children and then he said in a tacky voice,"I'm glad everyone's safety and I assure you the rest of your stumble will be uninterrupted, if not completely boring."

With the fuss and fighting over, nigh the scholarly person returned to their carriages, muttering about the battle as they went, and the crowd in the corridor thinned. King Arthur Weasley put his arm around Harry just as Hermione entered the string car.

"Harry, you're safe !"she cried."They're saying you captured a—"

"Hermione,"interrupted Mr. Weasley,"might I have a password with Harry… alone ?"

"Oh, certainly, sir,"she answered. And as Harry and the minister started down the corridor he could see Hermione grab Gabriella's hand and heard her ask what had happened as they disappeared into the perambulator with Dean, Ginny and Ron.

"Harry,"began Mr. Weasley,"I need to speak with you about something very authoritative. I was hoping to assume you back to the Ministry with me right now, but under the circumstances it's perhaps best that you stay put. Once you're settled at the schoolhouse, I'll birdcall for you."

"What is it, sir ?"

"Not here, not now, Harry. The walls…"Mr. Weasley smiled, but it was not a well-chosen grin."…the rampart have ears."

"I don't hold often faith that the walls at the Ministry are any unspoilt, sir."

"No. No, I know you don't,"answered the Minister as he stopped to look at Harry."But this is something too crucial to discuss anywhere else, even at Hogwarts. I'll send for you in a workweek or so, okay ?"Harry nodded."And don't worry, Harry. Where we're going no one knows about. Not even I knew about it until just shoemaker's last week. But if what you say is lawful about Malfoy and the Dementors, and certainly this blast points to that, we must act soon and we must act decisively. It's time to drive the offensive."

"You know I'll do whatever it takes,"answered Harry.

"I know you will, son,"answered Arthur."I know you will. That's what frightens me."


Harry thrower and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 8 - Engaged

~~~***~~~

The sneaker flitted upward time and time again only to be snatched into his hand after every safety valve. He was actually getting quite good at it really. Nearly twenty minutes without a—

"tinker's damn !"

The Snitch slipped through Dean's fingers and began to zip about the boys'hall, bouncing off the paries above Harry's head. With a newsbreak, few but Ginny Weasley could appreciate, Harry had his paw around the winged orb.

"That was great, Dean !"said Harry earnestly, handing the Snitch to Ginny who was sitting next to Dean on his bed. While James Dean was practicing, Harry had been reading a story headlined Miracle at St. Mungo's which described how nearly a 12 patients, all victims of Dementor attacks, had suddenly and inexplicably awakened - their souls intact. He turned the Page with a smile as Dean continued to practice.

Madame Pomfrey had prescribed the exercise of Snitch snatching as a variety of therapy to help Dean regain ascendence of his neuro-synapses. Even though Harry had returned Dean's soul, he was feeling somewhat disconnected from himself. It was hard to explain just exactly how he was disconnected. Sometimes he would reach for something, like a shaker of salt, and it would fumble through his fingerbreadth for no reason. Sometimes his love for Ginny was strong, while at early prison term it seemed as if he had no look for her at all. In wizardly Arts, Dean would paint portraits of chick, animals, or even masses but the images wouldn't movement ; they remained lifeless on the sail. It was all very strange, and no one, not even gentlewoman Pomfrey, knew exactly what to do.

"No one's ever had their soulfulness reattached,"Madame Pomfrey had said shortly after they had arrived at Hogwarts castle. Her solution was to try to re-stitch Dean's soul by having him exercise both his body and heart.

Ginny held steadfast at dean's side ; a lesser womanhood would have left at once. Watching the two of them these last few days, Harry wondered if his love for Gabriella would be able to hold up such a examination of faith. Somewhere, deep down inside, he felt it would, perhaps it already had, and he smiled as Ginny stroked Dean's back, encouraging him to try again.

"Nah, Gin,"answered dean, truly dog-tired."I'm… a bit tired."

"You're right, babe,"Ginny replied."Rest a bit and we can go to dinner later."

"Thanks,"said doyen with a frail smiling. They kissed and Ginny turned toward the staircase down to the Common way.

They had been at Hogwarts for three days and even though the familiar rhythm of course of instruction and course of action work pulsed on at Hogwarts, something was distinctly dissimilar. Maybe it was the onslaught on the railroad train, the prediction of what was to come, or simply that they were in their final twelvemonth. Whatever it was, there existed, near certainly, a palpable sense of expectation as if it any import something spectacularly wonderful, or devastatingly dreadful was about to happen.

As Ginny stepped from their room, Harry turned to Dean and said warmly,"She's wonderful, isn't she ?"

"She's my world, Harry."He lay down on his pillow, folding his arms behind his head."I wish I knew why… sometimes…"James Byron Dean let out a big suspiration and turned over on his English, his back toward Harry. Over the stopping point year, James Byron Dean had grown confident in his human relationship with Ginny and Harry no longer shook the cornerstone on which their relationship was anchored. doyen continued,"I think… maybe this year at Christmas—"

There was a sudden scream from down in the Gryffindor Common elbow room. It was Hermione's screech ; Harry was certain. Not an instant later, Ginny cried out, followed by a cacophony of scream that rivalled the arriving owl during the first light post.In an minute, both Harry and Dean had their wands at the cook, and started cautiously for the landing. Just as Harry was about to reckon down on the Common elbow room below, Patrick appeared from the moment long time'student residence ; his wand also drawn and his typeface concerned. There was a third year passing Saint Patrick and running the other focal point, trying to bunk whatever danger was causing the rumpus. Harry didn't pick out the boy from behind, but the thought of a Noel Coward in his house bristled the backrest of his cervix."A Gryffindor ?"Harry cried out.

The moment's distraction was enough to cause dean to bump him slightly from can. Harry tried to adjust his footing by stepping forward, only there was nothing on the circular staircase to step out on. Instead, he completely lost his Libra the Balance and began tumbling, down and around, head over heals until he landed prostrate onto the floor. Dazed, he looked up to see Ron on the ground also. Well, almost… he was down to one human knee, a flavor of pure little terror in his optic. Harry grabbed his best ally by the shirtsleeve and pulled himself up aligning back to punt with Ron.

"Where are they ?"he cried to Ron over his shoulder, scepter at the set up. Quickly, he spun around and saw Hermione looking down at him."What's going on ?"Harry asked excitedly."Why did you scream ?"Then, looking to the position, Harry noticed the large number of Gryffindors looking down at him, all with rather cross construction on their faces. It was Parvati who stepped over and grabbed him by the nape of the neck, pulling him away from Ron.

"You idiot !"she hissed under her breath.

Her cheeks a brighter colour of red than Ron's haircloth, Hermione had to traverse her oral cavity to sustain from laughing. It wasn't until then that Harry noticed Ron was holding something in his hand - something atomic number 79 and shiny.

"Er… so, yeah then…"Ron sputtered."Well ?"Hermione was about to say something when Lavender poked Ron in the shoulder.

"well, what ?"Lavender said sharply."Go on, Ron. Ask her properly."There was a general murmuration of consent to this, mostly of the feminine persuasion.

"Yes, go on, Ron,"followed by,"Do it right."

"Bloody netherworld,"Harry whispered, stunned by what he was seeing. Parvati pinched his neck and pulled him to his infantry. Dean was stepping slowly down the staircase and came to a stop on the depress flight, wrapping his arm about Ginny's waist. She had been transfixed, but the quick touch caught her tending and she wrapped both her weapon about Dean, smiling as she watched her pal propose.

"Yeah, yeah,"said Ron, wiping his forehead with his result sleeve while still holding out the ring with his rightfulness. He was anxious, his hand shaky, and Harry wondered if he wouldn't deliquium at any moment. But when Ron's centre rejoined Hermione's the shaking stopped and he regained his vox. He held the ring a bit higher.

"As I was saying before our dearest friend dropped in,"he cast Harry a glance and smiled,"would you do me the pureness of being Mrs. Ronald Weasley."There was a pause."Or Mrs. Ronald Granger… you know… however that's supposed to ferment, if you want to keep your—"

He never had the prospect to stop. In that instant, Hermione was down on her knees kissing him deeply, and the Common room whooped out a cheerfulness that was heard throughout Hogwarts castle. Later, even Hagrid said he heard the revelry when he was out feeding the deadly lava lizards.

"Well ?"cried out Seamus."answer him proper !"To this there was rolling refrain of"Here, here !"called out mostly from the masculine members of Gryffindor. Hermione pulled herself away from Ron's oral fissure and he held the ring before her.

Hermione held out her manus and said breathlessly,"Yes !"There was another cheer, more resounding than the first, as Ron slipped the infield ringing upon her finger. They kissed again.

Harry wasn't sure who was responsible, but suddenly food and beverage appeared, and before you could blink music was playing, people were dancing and an impromptu political party was in full moon golf shot in the Gryffindor common room. It was loud and robustious, but Hermione had set a silencing charm on the wall, and outside of Gryffindor the nighttime was quiet. Harry poured himself a crapulence and suddenly felt very awkward. Everyone was congratulating Ron and Hermione, hugging them, smiling. Harry sunk back into the corner. Why hadn't Ron told him that he was about to advise ? He watched the grin and the laughter, but somehow couldn't finger any warmth himself. Indeed, the thoughts that were passing through his mind brought back memories of the year before, bad memories of jealously and ungovernable anger. He gulped the drink, and poured another.

Still standing in the recess, Harry was watching Neville help Dean back up the stairway to the boys'dormitory, when a phonation startled him.

"Pretty amazin'ain't it ?"

Saint Patrick was seated in a chair next to Harry. How long had he been there ? Most of the younger students had gone to bed or were ushered away. A slow song began to meet and Ron took Hermione in his branch. The candlelight in the common Room dimmed and soon everyone was dancing. Harry watched as Ron and Hermione appeared for a moment and then slipped back into the crowd and, suddenly, he realized that it would never be the same.

"Yeah,"Harry whispered back, taking another drink."Amazing."

"I mean,"Patrick continued,"to love someone so much."Still sitting, he pulled his knees up to his chin and wrapped his weaponry around his pegleg just gazing at the dancers."Do you think he'd die for her ?"The interrogation was odd, but Patrick was young and Harry was a bit drunk.

"He'd die for anybody in this room,"Harry answered with strong tone of pridefulness."Merlin, he almost did lowest year, More clip than I can—"Harry stopped and looked into his glass, drinking the clay in one final spattering against the rear of his throat. He could sense the burn mark make its way down his bureau as he stared at the abandon drinking glass and could feel it fill with guiltiness. How often had he put both of his Friend in jeopardy ? They would both sacrifice themselves to save Harry, and if the war was truly add up, and it was, Harry knew they'd risk life and limb once again.

"Do you think you'll marry Gabriella ?"Patrick asked, filling the secrecy. Harry whispered something and the chalk in his hand vanished. Saint Patrick raised an eyebrow, but said nix about the wandless magic.

"Gabriella ?"Harry asked, looking blankly ahead. He chuckled to himself, but the laughter was more sad than happy. Already she'd risked her life and the school twelvemonth hadn't even started. How many Sir Thomas More friends would ingest to die before—"

"I don't think I'll marry,"said Patrick emphatically."No Kid fer me."

"I'm sorry ?"asked Harry. Saint Patrick looked up at him with an expression that was torn, shredded in some way Harry couldn't comprehend, at least not in his present state of mind.

"No kidskin. No orphans."St. Patrick uncurled his legs and stood up, walking over to Harry."I plan teh fighting, Harry. There's no elbow room fer love if there's the opportunity you'll die."

"Patrick, that's not true."

"Ain't it ? I won't leave grief behind. I won't leave my child without a da. Not like me parents did me. I mean, you were a infant fer Merlin's interest, and yer parents are out fightin'Voldemort. Why didn't they just leave well enough alone ? Wouldn't yeh rather have ‘ em at yer slope right now ?"

Harry was warm, his headway cloudy, and the familiar screams were calling from the fog in his idea. It's not your fight, Harry. Let it go.

"What is your job ! ?"Lavender's voice snapped. She was only a few inches in front of Harry, and her face was very thwart."Are you going to stand here all alone all night ?"

"I was just talking to—"He turned to manoeuvre to Patrick, but the boy was gone. Harry looked about and then to the staircase, but the moment year was no where to be found.

"If you don't think they've noticed,"hissed Lavender,"you're wrong."She grabbed him by the arm."Now get out there and pretend you're glad for them. merlin knows you'll be the godfather to all their tiddler ; now start acting like it."Lavender pulled Harry onto the terpsichore floor."I never thought you'd ask !"

She danced with Harry, haltingly toward the just engaged couple, and then deliberately twirled her partner into Ron just as the song was ending.

"Hey, Harry,"said Ron, smiling."Whew, I could use a intermission ; how ‘ bout you Hermione ?"

"Some lick would be decent,"she answered with a twinkle in her eye. She took Ron by the arm and they started to walk toward the snacks. Harry just stood, his understructure frozen. Finally, Lavender took him by the arm.

"Why, I'd have it away some puncher too, Harry. Thank you for asking."She deliberately stepped down on his animal foot, intemperately, and then whispered in Harry's ear,"So help me, Harry Potter, if you ruin this evening for them I'll curse you from here to Durmstrang."A split second later her face was all smiles as she squeezed Harry tight just behind the articulatio cubiti and walked over to hold out Ron and Hermione were standing.

Another pat on Ron's articulatio humeri and a hug for Hermione. Harry swallowed hard.

"I… I'm happy for you ; for you both,"Harry started as Lavender began to pour out herself a cup of punch. Still smiling at Ron and Hermione he took the cup out of Lavender's deal without asking and gulped it down with one gulp."It's fantastic."He took the ladle from Lavender's paw and poured himself another cup."I mean… Wow ! What a surprise."He gulped again.

"I was going to secern you,"said Ron with a solemn tone of regret,"but I didn't pluck up the courage until you were at Grimmauld Place."Harry just looked at Ron like the answer made absolutely no good sense."You said you didn't want to be disturbed… remember ?"

"Yes, I remember,"replied Harry, turning his back completely on Lavender to face Ron. The passion was definitely rising under his collar."But surely… on the train—"

"Blimey ! You're joking, right ?"Ron interrupted, drawing in Harry's annoying and reflecting it back. It was a dance the two played many sentence and Hermione took notice.

"Now, Ron, I think what Harry's trying—"

"And lowest nighttime ? Were you too meddling conclusion night ?"Harry snapped, and then he remembered not seeing Ron last Nox."Where were you anyway ?"Hermione began to blush violently.

"It's none of your bloody business where I was last dark,"said Ron, his voice elevated."You're not my keeper, Harry."At this he pointed his finger and jabbed Harry in the chest, pushing him backward. Harry's back bumped into Lavender's cup of punch sending it splashing down the front of her dress. The two Whitney Young men took no posting. Harry balled his right hand into a fist and pulled back set to let throw.

"I should…"he began. Ron stepped closer, clenching his own clenched fist and drawing them near his chin.

"You should what ?"he challenged.

They stood there, toe to toe for more than a few heartbeats ; not too long considering their hearts were pounding so quickly. Finally, a small grin shattered Harry's scowl and he let go. He threw his decent clenched fist past Ron's left ear. Ron saw the grin and returned the wayward slug with an undercut from his own right field hand that flew past Harry's midsection and up under his left arm. The two clenched in a machismo form of way.

"You know I love you,"Harry whispered in Ron's ear."I love you both."

"I know,"Ron answered quietly with a warm smile.

"I… I don't want to lose you. Not again."Harry pulled back so that his vision took in both Ron and Hermione."Not now."Hermione stepped close. She remembered uttering the Sami words to Harry last year at the Ministry and she remembered what Harry said.

"You're not going to drop off us, Harry,"she said, tenderly taking him by the arm. Harry grabbed her and pulled her into the hug. He'd had a picayune too often to drink and his words were taking on a tinge of regret.

"I want to see a dozen slight bushy haired, freckle faced Weasley's running about. Do you get wind me ! ?"

"Harry !"

"I want them to be as smart as Hermione and as loyal as… as…"

"As me !"Ron helped Harry fetch up."And don't forget they'll be magnificent Quidditch players just like me too ! Let's hope they don't take after their mother when it comes to flying, eh Harry ?"

"Ron !"

Harry's centre were beginning to fog with dampness. If they continued to agitate by his English, he might fall behind them. Patrick was right ; it wasn't worth it. Their children deserved to let both their parents. Harry squeezed both Ron and Hermione tightly toward him.

"It's magnificent. I… I just can't be here the right way now."He turned without saying another word, without looking at another face, and left the green room.

The halls were muted ; it was nearly curfew. A few educatee were sprinkled here or there, talking or making their way back to their dorm. Harry walked aimlessly down the stone steps and found himself near where Tonks had her old office lowest yr. They had yet to learn who would be teaching defence force Against the Dark humanistic discipline. That course of study had been cancelled this morning. The lanterns dimmed a bit, signalling that it was time to return to the dorms, but Harry didn't hold much by that signal. He'd rarely obeyed it in all his years at Hogwarts, and he wasn't about to—

"Hey, Potter."

It was Blaise Zabini rounding the night corner of the corridor and saying Harry's name without a dripping of satire. It was odd, Harry thought, to see Blaise so far off the outfox track, especially at this clock time of Night. Cloak and obelisk stuff wasn't persona of Blaise's makeup. The well-favoured champion was more comfortable standing in the centre of a chemical group of others to be looked at and admired. He hung with genus Draco on occasion, but never when it meant peril was about. That variety of stuff and nonsense was for Nott, or Crabbe or G-Greg. A shiver passed down Harry's spur recalling the end of his ally last year.

"Blaise,"Harry answered with a nod.

The two passed shoulder to shoulder when the tip of Blaise's wand touched Harry's deal. Harry felt a piece of sheepskin suddenly appear on his palm and his fingerbreadth curled around it. He stopped to look back at Blaise, but the Slytherin never stopped walking and never turned back to look at Harry. Finally, Blaise disappeared about the end of the corridor and Harry held up the annotation to read it.
Do you escape me ? Sorry about the ugliness on the train. Sent someone to warn you at the station, but an Auror intervened. I heard Weasles bought a pretty expensive ring in Diagon Alley. You two aren't engaged now are you ?

Since I can't be there, my messenger is going to assist be my eyes and spike at Hogwarts. Don't recount a someone or it may mean his life. Have you spoken to the old dodder about it yet ? rush or it may be too late.


He just finished when the lanterns went dark, signalling curfew. Instead of returning to the party at Gryffindor, Harry sat down on the Lucy Stone base and leaned back against the rock wall.

"Lumos !"he whispered. He held up the note and read it again. Was it really from Dragon ? And what was he supposed to speak with Dumbledore about ? What was it he had sensed during the connection ? Hol… Hor… Horcrux ? It seemed so distant now. Perhaps it was some sorting of privy weapon that the Dementors would use against the centaur. Perhaps it was—

"Out all alone, boy ? Do you think that wise ?"

Harry spun on the words, jumping to his metrical unit and preparing his defense lawyers. A morose figure of speech emerged, dimly lit by the faint glow of Harry's wand.

"Dakhil !"Harry hissed. What was the drawing card of the Votary doing here ?

"Impressive."The word dripped with sarcasm."I would have thought you would forget my name again the moment you returned to England."He drew nearer and Harry lifted his scepter higher."Put your wand away, boy,"rebuked Dakhil sternly,"or I'll… let's see… What do they call it ? I'll take detail away from your house. Although why you would care about such meaningless plot when the war is upon you is incomprehensible to me."Harry lowered his baton and the ignitor was extinguished. They were in utter darkness.

"You can't take—"

"Oh, I believe any prof can—"

"You're not a professor ! You can't… Oh, no."He leaned back against the wall and, in the darkness, noticed the thin breath of unclouded emanating from a cracked door, the door to Tonks'berth. Harry sighed."Defence Against the Dark Arts, is it ?"Harry could tell by the low grunt that a grimace had appeared on Dakhil's case. Clearly, he didn't like the idea any More than Harry.

"I'm afraid so,"he answered."And instead of taking points away, perhaps it is time for your outset lesson."He spun his cloak and disappeared into the darkness."Follow me, boy !"

Harry shoved Dragon's line into his pocket, clenched his teeth, and followed. Once, after banging his knee, he tried to perch his verge but was scolded by Dakhil who insisted on total wickedness."Can you not see ?"Dakhil sneered.

"I'm no lamia,"retorted Harry. Dakhil stopped.

"There is an Energy that binds all living affair together, Harry. You draw from it every time you cast a trance. It pulsates on the steer as the breath of the tree ; it bubbles from the dirt crawling with worms and roaches. In the very dingy of places, it shines as a beacon to all who would predict on its public figure. It is a skill all fellow member of the Votary learn before the connexion, save for you."Dakhil stopped. The smell was strong here, damp and dank and musty with a strong sense of disintegration."Even in demise, life is reborn. Reach out to it."

"I can't see a bloody—"

"Not with your center, fool !"Harry heard Dakhil sit as an old wooden bench creaked under his weightiness."What Soseh sees in you…"

"She uses to a greater extent than her center, I suppose."

Harry had seen the life force of others he had try to heal. It was like going to another planing machine of universe. He just needed to…"Focus,"he whispered to himself. In the darkness Harry closed his optic and opened his psyche, reaching out for anything however small that might indicate life. At showtime there was nothing, and then a bright glow began to appear, red and throbbing."Dakhil,"Harry thought. And then he saw it, the corridor they were in. Something was glowing on the bulwark. mildew ? Spores ? It was as if the structures surrounding them were splattered with an eery fluorescent paint and lit up by a black-market Inner Light."I see,"he whispered in amazement.

"As long as one sees, one is never lost."Dakhil pulled his wand and a terrific burst of twinkle shattered against the rampart breaking through to open air. The two emerged from some broken down hovel into the depths of the forest.

"The tree !"Harry said, looking at the white glow tower that climbed to the sky.

"Your foeman, even though they hide behind such thou structures are brighter still. It is a crucial attainment. With one deal, Dakhil pulled Harry out of the splinters of wood and stood him on his feet in the forest."Now look up."

Harry looked to the sky. It was sprayed with stars of every colour conceivable. But in the centre was a gentle glow brighter than all the others, a golden lead following it in the sky.

"Ebyrth,"Harry whispered.

"Correct, Mr. ceramicist,"said Dakhil, slapping Harry on the shoulder. He started walking past the tree diagram back to the castle which glowed bright through the branches."As I said earlier, your time to die is near at script. You may not agnise it yet, Mr. thrower, but, aside from both being in the Votary, you and I have one thing, at least, in common."

"And what's that ?"Harry said with to a greater extent of a sneer than anything else.

"We are both already dead."




Harry ceramicist and the birthing of a New Sun
Chapter 9 - The Bending of quad and Time
~~~***~~~


The rhythmic licking of Gabriella's heart lulled Harry as she stroked the side of his head with her manus. He sighed deeply as she played with the hints of curls that wrapped about his shoulder joint. He forced himself to stay awake, if only to savour every moment that he was being held in her arms. Through the thin scratch in his eyes he watched the lake vanish and reappear into aspect as his head rose and fell with each breath she took. The sparkling water system brought his head to the beaches of Lebanese Republic and he visualized walking with her at the sea, watching the waves crash again and again against the shore. It would be a complete place to ask her, he thought. A gentle breeze brought with it the coolheaded breather of pin and for a moment he thought he could smell the coolheaded salt air of the sea. Yes, the perfective tense place.

"We'll young woman dinner,"she whispered.

"I never want to move again,"he muttered, barely opening his sassing. Her hand slipped down to his shoulder and then stroked the muscles of his arms. They were sore and yet with her touch he could feel the ache ebb away.

"If you're going to keep on working for Hagrid in the timberland,"she said more firmly,"you're going to postulate to keep up your strength."Her finger slipped down to his side and playfully gave him a quick exigency.

"AYY !"he said, jumping. It was more tickle than bother, more mass than poke."Not fair ! I was… I was just going…"He closed his eyes and began to lay his head back down on her dresser.

"Oh no you don't,"she said, pushing his articulatio humeri back and sitting up herself."I like what working for Hagrid's done to you."She slapped his stomach which held tight."Besides, Mama would pop me if she heard I let you skip a meal."She rose to her feet."come on, let's get you fed."She held out her hand to help Harry to his feet. Her top dog was turned so that her gaze was not at Harry but at the castle.

An image of Grigor flashed across Harry's creative thinker and a cold frisson ran down his back… he hesitated. How could she recognise ? She couldn't. She was so a lot like her don, and for the brief of moments Harry was taken back to the torture chamber at the Ministry -- the sleeping accommodation where Canicula had been lost and found again, the chamber where Gabriella's father, Grigor, had held his handwriting out innocently toward Harry, just as Gabriella was now doing, only to constipate him and develop him for destruction.

He drew in a trench intimation, shook the memory from his mind, and took Gabriella's hand, rising to his aching fundament. They both whisked away the dry leaves that clung to the bottoms of their robe and turned toward the castling. Harry could feel the sting in his legs as they climbed the rook measure. Halfway up he stopped, wrapped his arm about Gabriella's waistline and paused to search at the lake. She took it as a romantic instant and leaned her head against his shoulder. Harry, however, was too sore to step higher. Even Madame Pomfrey's potions weren't enough to remove the throbbing that worked its way into both musculus and bone. A nerve in his rectify thigh shot a jounce of painfulness up into his back and his gaze turned toward the forest.

workings for Hagrid ? No. For the finish few hebdomad he'd been training with the Centaurus. Only he'd felt uncomfortable sharing that with Gabriella. He had never been able to bring up a conversation with Gabriella about them without her making an excuse to change the field of study. It was gain she did not like centaur, but she never explained why and Harry was unwilling to press the subject. Another twinge flicked down the muscularity of his bequeath calf and his mind drifted to the day's training academic term. Recalling why his legs hurt so, he wasn't so sure he liked Centaurus either.

"saltation, Harry Potter ! jump"cried Ronan. The red-haired centaur fired an arrow that nicked the left heel of Harry's bare ft."Speed is a Centaurus's greatest ally. With it we can outpace the Dementors when they try to take flight. Run !"he bellowed as Harry began to slow."If one of our number penury aid, would you just walk to their side ?"

"I'm… not… walking…"yelled Harry back over his shoulder, as he ran from the Centaur barefoot through the woodland. His lungs were bursting for air and his feet were on fire. He'd already run for Swedish mile ; Ronan would have him run miles more. For his part, Harry had already decided that there was nothing the Centaur could throw at him that he couldn't handle.

"Ayyy !"he cried, slashing his human foot against a jag Harlan F. Stone.

"Run !"

Perhaps he was haywire.

He had been forbidden to use a sceptre, and wore naught but a flip-flop made of tree bark wrapped about his waist with a case for a little dagger used to lash at vines and other flora that blocked his way as he ran. In one hired hand he held the dagger and in the other he carried a stone nearly too magnanimous to fully savvy. In battle he would carry a shield, but a stone was more awkward to handle, forcing more muscleman to swipe and control it. He was being trained as all colts were. In fact, there were two colt running far ahead of him already - Shahan, with a coat so moody Harry could no longer see him in the space, and Felspar, whose shining snowy coat shone like a genius ahead - way ahead. Sweat dripped into his heart and he wiped his forehead with his properly forearm. Running blindly he slashed wildly at a Tentacula that reached for his neck opening.

"You should have seen that, stripling, long before it struck at you !"cried Ronan, loping along. There was the phone of a thwwwwp and a few step ahead Harry saw a expectant spider dead near the route he was taking, an arrow between its eyes. Looking back as he ran ahead Harry tripped on a ancestor, twisted his ankle joint and fell to the primer coat, his left hand knee grinding into a solicitation of small-scale Oliver Stone. The fingers of his left hired hand were crushed between the stone he was carrying and the stones upon which he'd just fallen. The obelisk fell from his right hand and skittered forward, but before it came to lie, Harry reached his mitt forward and without saying a discussion the dagger returned to his compass. There was a fragile grunt from Ronan. It was neither disparaging, nor approving. It was more a grunt of satisfaction, but Harry did not seem back into Ronan's eyes to see if the satisfaction was directed toward him. His knees and deal bleeding, he stood to his feet and began to run again. Now, even Felspar was out of view. He'd taken only three or four strides before Ronan called.

"stay !"

Breathing hard, Harry turned and for the first time all afternoon he looked up into the centaur's eyes.

"I… I can… overtake them,"Harry heaved.

"I know you can, stripling, but do you love how ?"Ronan smiled, revealing a sly smiling. Harry had never seen such a spirit on the fount of a Centaur before. It was riddle.

"I hate… riddles,"breathed Harry.

"Shahan and felspar have been studying for X the heart of earthly concern's mysteries. It will take them decades more to bring in what is already at your fingertips."The Centaur stepped closer, forcing Harry to bend his neck opening upward. A muscle twanged past his right hand ear. Still Ronan advanced until he was only column inch from Harry, who could smack the strange mix of exertion and pilus. Ronan looked skyward.

"To see without optic, to find without fingers, to hear without ears, to savor without tongue…,"he looked back down at Harry and tapped him on the side of his nose,"…to tone without anterior naris. These are gift you have already been given, and yet you know them not ; you have but to bring out them."With a apparent motion that was but a blur to Harry, Ronan notched another arrow and shot at a large flying… thing with large dentition that was advancing on them. It fell silently to the forest floor. To Ronan it was like little more than swatting a fly. He continued,"You must hear the top executive that took your sacrifice and cleansed you, the power that has no intensity. What you must master, Harry ceramist, what you must endeavour to attain is to be without being."Harry scrunched his nose splotched with dirt.

"Did I say ? I really hate conundrum,"he muttered, beginning to catch his breath.

"Take my bridge player, child,"commanded Ronan.

The moment Harry took the Centaur's hand the creation spun upon its psyche. Green and brownish and yellow and gold flashed past them in a swirl of color. Then, inexplicably, Ronan was gone, and Harry was suddenly running, loping, galloping. He felt lightheaded, proud, arrogant, childish…

"I told you the superstar was a fake !"he cried back over his articulatio humeri."Ronan's an old fool !"He kicked his heals and speed forward, the wind whistling past his pinna.

"You're wrong !"yelled a vocalization from behind."He's been chosen ! Ronan said so !"

"Nothing but silly Centaur cock-and-bull story from a doddering old fool !"Harry yelled back, but his heart were unwavering forward. The iris was ahead ; he could see it, maybe three or four miles ahead. A smile snag across his face, an arrogant smile ; he was going to win this race and prove Ronan wrong, prove to all of them that HE, Shahan, was the centaur that would pull through them from the onslaught of Dementors that was soon to come.

A interpreter whispered in Harry's ear. It was Ronan's."You see with Shahan's centre. Where would you be, Harry thrower ?"

Harry looked back. Behind him was feldspar, the dazzling whiten Centaurus that he'd been racing. Then he noticed his own haunches. They were smuggled as darkest ember. He was Shahan, the lead Centaur colt. But how ? His head twisted forward toward the waiting fleur-de-lis and the gathering of Centaurs that watched to see if Ronan's prophecy was nothing more than wind and myth.

Where would I be ?

"The flag,"Harry whispered to himself, to Ronan, to the jazz. He focused again. He knew how to get there with a wand : Vision, Pathway, Reconstruction -- Apparation. But he had no wand and even if he did, there was no way to Apparate in the Forbidden Forest. The iris, a red beacon in the distance, was maybe two kilometre ahead of Shahan now and probably three kilometre from where Harry's body stood breathless back in the forest with Ronan. He'd been practicing wandless magic all summertime. What if… ?

Harry willed himself from the optic of Shahan and back to his own consistency. There was a cracking - he had returned, his lungs still gasping for air and Ronan still at his side. Harry closed his middle and his psyche imaged the flag that was ahead ; he imagined being there. Space and time began to collapse, swirling itself, revealing itself. A pathway that moved with his will, guided by Ronan, appeared before Harry. He took in a mysterious breather and stepped forward onto the itinerary. The great span of distance between himself and the red flag suddenly collapsed. felspar was just out of reach, Shahan appeared to be only a few paces in presence of her, and the red masthead appeared as just a few tens of beat away. Harry began to run. The colours of the wood swirled by him, as if everything stood still, including the two Centaurs. He ran past tense feldspar and then Shahan and, in an flash, he appeared only column inch from the signal flag that marked the end of the race. He was surrounded be centaur of every people of color, each with violent eyes marked by only the slightest astonishment of his comer. As he came to rest, he saw, in the aloofness, Shahan and only a few strides behind him feldspar. They were both galloping like the fart, swallowing up immense belt of turf with each stride. They would be upon him soon.

Harry felt it was, somehow, a cheat. Could all Centaur bend space and sentence ? His middle caught Shahan's in the aloofness, and the once confident, noncompliant gaze turned to one of skinny horror. He galloped faster, as if possessed, but it was no use. With one script, his bloody left, Harry reached up and pulled the crimson flagstone from its standard. There was a corporate sunshine as Harry held the flag over his head, spinning to show the gathering. It was then that he saw Ronan, standing in the nub of the group of nearly one C Centaurs. An instant later Shahan pulled up at Harry's position, his breath heavy, his coat lathered with sweat.

"That's not possible !"he cried."He… he used his scepter !"

"No,"answered Ronan, stepping forward from the others."He used the acquirement you yourself may one day master, Shahan."Ronan turned to the former Centaur."He has been given the gifts."With this there was a worldwide mussitation and whicker of surprise and approval from the Centaur ruck. Facing the others, Ronan flanked Harry nudging him forward just as feldspar arrived, also out of breathing space, a slice upon her good straw man flank.

"I foretold of the coming whiz,"Ronan called to the gathering."And yet you did not believe. I sought out the Sacrifice against your will, and the water system returned him to us. Only once before has this ever happened, and when that conflict was won so too began the Great Age of Centaurus !"Harry expected a cheer, but none came. Instead, there was an almost emotionless acknowledgment of Ronan's'assertion."This,"he pointed toward Harry, naked and bloodstained, his lungs still craving for to a greater extent O,"this is our Sacrifice. Cleansed and returned, he shall lead us to victory !"Again there was little Sir Thomas More than the nods and stomps of the Centaurs at the gathering. No one refuted Ronan's claims.

"You're harm,"said Harry, approaching Felspar and looking carefully at the wounding.

"It was a Bearwicken,"said Felspar quietly.

"He's a fraud !"cried Shahan in a spirit that was more revive than any Centaurus Harry had ever seen. He stepped forward, pushing Harry aside, but Harry ignored the rudeness and focused his attention on felspar."He's no leader ! He's a superstar ! It's skulduggery I tell you."

"Let me help you,"whispered Harry as he held his open hired man a few inches away from the gash on Felspar's flank. Harry closed his oculus and muttered the incantation that he knew would make with his wand, and then something caused him to exsert further, to arrive at beyond. His hand had not touched the Centaur, but he could find the blood, slippery wet, between his fingers. He reached out without moving and willed the cut shut, and the slash obeyed, closing as if a drape had been pulled shut mean about the wound.

"Like all champion, he'll bolt down us all when we turn our back !"yelled Shahan again.

"The Chosen heals !"asserted a large, female Centaur from the assembly. A chestnut coat and no bow about her shoulder, she stepped forward from the others."Did the Waters teach you these gifts or is this wizardry ?"The last word was disparaging and even evoked some hisses from the others.

"Mother !"cried feldspar."He's the chosen. How dare you question his gifts !"feldspar, wound healed, turned to Harry and bowed low on one knee."As long as Ebyrth shines, I am in your service. Only death will wander us of time."

A number of early Centaurus followed in variety, each bending low to one knee and bowing their heads. Ronan approached Harry, nodding his school principal and bending to one knee as well.

"You still lack strength and endurance, Harry Potter, but these things can be learned. Now, it is clock time to rest."He held his helping hand to Harry's eyes."take to the timberland's friend."Harry's mind immediately thought of Hagrid."Run !"

The visual sensation of Hagrid's cabin firmly fixed in his mind, Harry willed himself there. Again a way of life opened up and he took off running. Moments later, he found himself where he began the day, seated on Hagrid's chair future to the electrocution fire, Fang laying at his side and Hagrid singing some call in French. The logs on the fire cracked as Harry, still naked, looked at his Gryffindor robe that hung from a lure near the doorway. The way they were draped over the hooking they almost looked substantial - lifelike, as if they contained some flavour all their own. Harry's stomach churned just as Hagrid turned, surprised to detect Harry in his hut.

"Harry ?"

"Harry ? Shall we go inside ?"Gabriella had spun to front Harry whose eyes were distant and bent-grass on the far horizon above the lake. Her voice snapped him back from reliving the memory. He had learned something great today, and he'd learned it from the Centaurs.

"Harry ? Are you okay ?"

Harry looked down into her optic and smiled. He was sore and tired ; dark doughnut hung under his middle. The thought of going inside to face three scrolls on the healing works of Kirkcaldy was almost too much to bear.

"They're not that bad you know,"he whispered. Her eyebrow furled in confusion."Centaur,"he added.

"Look, you're tired and it's time for dinner party,"she said, deliberately changing the conversation."We can talk about the asterisk later."Harry nodded silently and together they entered the castling and began to walk to the Great Hall.

Near a great suit of armour Harry noticed Saint Patrick talking to James Chang. Saint James the Apostle was leaning against the gemstone wall, his arms crossed as well as his legs. He was either extremely bored, or he didn't like what he was hearing. Still, Patrick was quite passionate about it ; his arms were swinging wildly about and more than than once Harry heard him leaven his voice.

"It's gone I tell yeh ! There nothin'there but dust. And there's no way I'm—"

James noticed Harry and Gabriella and stood straighter, stopping Patrick's report with a move of his hired man. Harry smiled and waved, and James returned the gesture with a smile of his own. Patrick turned to see who William James was looking at and when he saw Harry, his face bore an look of great business concern.

"No wonderment,"Harry thought,"I feel like I'm going to mishandle chunks. I must bet like hell."As he and Gabriella continued toward the Great mansion house for dinner, the more vile he felt.

"Great,"he muttered to Gabriella who was picking up on his sudden change in emotion.

"I'm taking you to Madame Pomfrey,"Gabriella insisted."Something's wrong."She turned him to the staircase.

"I can't climbing those."

"I'll levitate you if I have to."

Patrick followed James into the Great foyer just as Ron and Hermione appeared from Gryffindor towboat. They were headed, arm in arm, into the Great mansion when Ron noticed Gabriella trying to help Harry toward the stairway that led to the hospital wing.

"Harry ?"called Ron. Quickly, he came over to Harry and helped Gabriella support him. Hermione was right behind him.

"What happened ?"

"I'm fine, really,"demanded Harry, and in fact he was beginning to feel better although the floor was still a bit unsteady under his human foot. They stepped him over to a farsighted terrace beneath a large portrait of a great ninth C battle scene. Harry hated it here, he always had ; the clash and crash of sword against armour was always deafening when the combatants weren't sipping tea together, discussing whose strategy was superscript in the last conflict. Ron noticed a contusion beneath Harry's nab and leaned in close to Harry's ear.

"You went out again today, didn't you ?"he whispered. His flavour was more wild than concerned.

"CHHHHT,"shot Harry with a flack of air between his clenched teeth, trying to calm down is friend. Seated between a mind-reader and an empath, Harry had little Leslie Townes Hope of keeping anything underground, but he didn't want to discuss his training with the Centaurs in front man of Gabriella.

"You said you'd take me,"complained Ron."‘ The future time I go,'you said."Ron crossed his blazonry."I thought maybe this year would be different."Harry opened his sassing to explain.

"Ron,"injected Hermione,"they'd just as soon skewer you as anything else. Harry's just trying to protect you."

So, Hermione knew. So much for Ron's sworn oath that he wouldn't narrate a person. Harry rolled his center and sway his headland knowing that Hermione was only partially correct. She was right about the skewer constituent, but Harry knew at once Ron would take the protect part the wrong way. He did.

"I don't need Harry's protection ! We're at war !"

"Ron,"Harry began, holding up his hired man,"the thing is—"

"Skewer you ?"asked Gabriella."What are you talking about ? Was Hagrid making you work with Stabbing Snapspiders again ?"

Hermione's eyes narrowed on Harry, whose own gaze darted away to count at Ron who was ignoring Gabriella's question and was now standing in a miff and about ready to storm off. Harry stood too, the giddiness he was feeling all but gone.

"Ron,"Harry said, taking detainment of Ron's arm,"I said you would go with me the side by side metre I could. This morning I asked you know who, and they said I had to go by myself. I had a test… of sorts."

"trial run ?"asked Ron, now with more interestingness than anger.

"They ?"asked Gabriella, taking to her feet.

"This morning you were supposed to help professor Barghouti's second year class for their DADA lesson,"scolded Hermione, also rising.

"What variety of test ?

"Who are they ?"

"Didn't you hear what happened to little Nolie Langston from Slytherin ?"

Harry feigned dizziness again and tilted in toward Ron who grabbed him by the berm."I think I need to eat,"he muttered, and then leaning closer he whispered to Ron,"Saturday."Gabriella knew he was feeling fine ; she could sense that. Hermione knew he was feeling fine ; she'd read the Harry potter Book long ago. Both women just glared, while Ron was steadfast.

"Can't you see the man's exhausted ? He has to eat !"he exclaimed."Blimey ! give him a break for Merlin's sake."He put Harry's arm about his shoulder joint."Come on, married person. Let's get you a bite and then we can go over the weekend's recitation schedule. I know Ginny's been playing fine as Chaser and all, but I think if…."

In the Great Hall, Dumbledore had the sign sit wherever they wished for breakfast and lunch, but for dinner each house ate at separate tables from the others. It was a via media between the vision of the future and a respect for custom. Tonight, Harry was grateful because it meant, for a while at to the lowest degree, he and Gabriella would be separated. As they entered the Great vestibule she kissed him on the cheek, holding his leftover script. He toyed with the golden halo he'd given her the class before on Valentine's. There was a sparkling in her oculus and a sly smile upon her face.

"You will separate me later ?"she asked, but the tone was more suggestive of a statement than a question.

"You know already. You just won't talk about it."His smile had a speck of sadness as their finger's breadth let go of each other. Her twinkle faded and her eyes would not support his gaze as she turned away. Harry did not expect back as he followed Ron to the Gryffindor table.

Lavender and Parvati were having an alive conversation about the meaning of a large stain on the tablecloth. Parvati had spilt her potable and it left a dark, twirling synopsis of something resembling, at least to Harry, a boastfully toadstool. He sat down realizing he did, very much, need to eat.

"It's a Celtic volute,"said Lavender, her finger tracking the outline of the top of the toadstool.

"A crane,"countered Parvati, pointing at the long hunched neck of the toadstool.

"That makes no horse sense,"said Lavender."No, it's a Celtic spiral and,"she pointed to some sour inner maculation,"with these here it would typify ageless life."

"No. See this here ? The way the whorls dissolve away ? Not perpetual life… life, decease, and rebirth. It's clearly a crane,"Parvati said, pointing out the bird's features."Here are the center, the curled neck, the long legs."She grew more confident with each verbal description.

"Then you're both right,"chimed in Hermione. The two young ladies looked up, stunned formula on both their faces."The crane represents seniority. endless life… longevity… like thing."She shrugged her shoulders and took a bite of dinner.

"NooOoo,"both Parvati and Lavender harmonized in a rather foresightful and musical melodic line."It could mean magic trick if—"

Deliberately, Harry accidentally spilled his tea onto the stain covering up any discernible detail. The liquid began to pour off the sharpness toward Parvati and Lavender and they both took to their feet.

"That looks like a murky pond to me, Harry"said Ron, chewing on a stick of scratch."See the great ripple flowin'down the table."

"Honestly, Ron,"sighed Hermione, whisking out her wand and vanishing the tea and grime together.

"HERMIONE !"cried Lavender.

"How could you !"scolded Parvati.

"ME ?"queried Hermione, clearly flummoxed."But they—"

"Come on, Lavender."Parvati spun on her heals and took off, Lavender right behind her, but not before she shot a scathing brilliance at Hermione. No Oklahoman had they left the board than Ron let out a Bronx cheer, a small-arm of breadstuff shooting from his nose.

"Ronald Weasley, I should…"

"Honestly, Hermione, Harry just wants to eat. You can't begrudge the man his peace treaty after all he's been through today."Ron took another sting of bread and looked at Harry's home base."Are you going to eat those ?"he asked pointing at some chip shot. Harry just glared back. Ron shrugged and took another chomp of bread.

"And as for you,"Hermione continued, now turning to Harry,"you dependable tell Gabriella straight away what you're up to, or it'll spoil what you both have."Setting down his crotch, Harry looked up at her.

"Oh, rightfield, and you two are the post-horse twosome for honest and give discussions."

"Harry,"said Hermione without losing footstep,"you know there's something bothering her. You need to line up out what it is."

"Don't you think I've tried ! ?"asked Harry, raising his voice just enough for those around him to stop their conversations. He knew he hadn't, not really, but he also knew that Hermione didn't know. Her eyes simply looked into his, probing, her expression equanimity. The look was unnerving because he knew his own grammatical construction was giving him away."Well I have,"he insisted, pushing his plate in for good measure.

He wasn't indisputable the drama was having the force he wanted. Ron simply nipped one of his leftover fries and Hermione only let out a long disapproving sigh. Past the point of return, at to the lowest degree for this argument, Harry stood up and left the Great Granville Stanley Hall in as foul a mood as he could summon. His creative thinker focused on the Gryffindor table, he didn't notice the Slytherin that stood as well and followed him out of the Great Hall.

Harry was moving down the corridor toward Gryffindor when he heard the footsteps behind him. He stopped and turned ; only no one was there. He looked over past a suit of armour and then behind a pillar - still no one. Tired, if not completely exhausted, he continued toward Gryffindor and his awaiting prep. He was nearly at the portraiture of the Fat Lady when there was a tap on his hand and a whisper in his ear.

"Your days grow short."

Harry felt the notation appear on his palm tree and spun at once.

"Blaise ?"he whispered back, but there was no answer.

Harry unfolded the piece of parchment."They think it's at the Ministry. Is it ?"was all it said. The portrayal swung open and Harry quickly moved to obscure the greenback, only he didn't have to. It flashed in a quilt of smoke and disappeared. Neville stepped out of the Gryffindor Common room followed by the most unlikely of faces - Severus Snape. Strangely neither took much observation of Harry. Beyond a little head nod by Neville, it was as if he didn't even exist.

"The matter is, Professor,"Neville was saying as he past Harry,"if the two stem are to accept the issue you want, they'll have to be grown to exactly the same length."

"Quit restating the obvious, Longbottom,"replied Snape without so a great deal as a nod toward Harry as he past."The questions is can you do it ?"Neville scratched his chin as they disappeared down the corridor.

"I think so, with the right light. If I can take up some…"and the conversation faded away.

Amazed, Harry shook his head and turned toward the portraiture of the Fat Lady.

"Password ?"she asked with a smile.

Just before he answered, Harry paused, scratching his Kuki-Chin much as Neville had just done. What was at the Ministry ? The Horcrux that Dragon had mentioned ? Whatever that was.

"Erm, sorry,"said Harry,"changed my mind."He turned and headed back down the corridor, wondering if his hidden note presenter was still nearby. As much as he hated the thought of climbing back up the staircase, he had to go down and verbalise with Dumbledore. Besides, the three scrolls on the healing plants of Kirkcaldy could wait till later.


Harry Potter and the nativity of a New Sun

Chapter 10 - Visions
~~~***~~~




Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.
The silver instrument rose and fell on Dumbledore's mahogany desk as Harry stroked Fawkes'feather, waiting for the headmaster to return. Not much bigger than a breadbox, it was a strange aggregation of gear and natural spring and Harry spent some time trying to deduce its import. The contraption, rimmed with winged creatures Harry couldn't recognize, reminded him of a interchangeable device in the Shirley Temple Black kinsfolk acres at Grimmauld Place. It too had the Lapp circular ringing that ran up a saw-toothed stairway only the Black gimmick was golden, its wing creatures looked more menacing, and Harry had never seen it operate.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.

Shot by a spring, another silver gray ring ran up the staircase only to hit the top, falter, and capitulation into a pile below. The passel seemed to be shrinking as Harry stood watching, but he could not see where the pack disappeared to, nor could he discover the rootage for the rings that sprung Forth from the underside. There it was - a never ending procession that seemed to have no purpose.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…

Unable to contain himself, Harry reached out and grabbed the silver annulus before it had a chance to decrease from atop the diminished staircase. The scene changed and he suddenly found himself on the Hogwarts Express walking toward the front of the train, two paces behind Greg Goyle. But, this couldn't be - Greg was utterly. It took him a consequence to take in that he'd traveled back in time. They were about to hit the front of the geartrain ; Greg wasn't dead, he was about to die.

Harry tried to verbalize, but no discussion came. He tried to reach his hand up to intercept Greg, but it would not run. Unable to master his question, Harry could do nothing but watch story open as it had finish year. He poked his head into a rig, telling a group of one-fifth years what was up.

"I've been wondering what was taking so long with the nutrient trolley,"said Ernie Macmillan. Harry explained that the professors had gone missing and Ernie joined him to pick out the trouble. As Harry slipped back out of the carriage with Ernie, Goyle took the head and started toward the figurehead of the string. Once again Harry tried to kibosh his friend when, through the glass doors to the box ahead, Harry saw a enchantress in non-white robe suddenly appear in the corridor. Anaxarete. Harry wished he could cast a kill swearword, but it was no use ; he could do nothing. She glanced back, revealing a sinister smile and piercing putting green eyes. Harry tried to localise himself in forepart of Greg, but was unable to pass Goyle's unspecific shoulder joint. It didn't matter ; an instant later she was gone and an instant after that the front of the wagon train exploded with a wonderful white trice.

Harry fell to the flooring of Dumbledore's place, the silver gray halo firmly clenched within his hands. He was shaking, the explosion still ringing in his ear, when he opened his eyes and found Dumbledore looking down at him. The headmaster bent-grass with difficulty to one knee and held out his hand.

"I take it you did not find yourself in one of prof Binns'lectures, Harry ?"

Harry took Dumbledore's hand and rose to his foundation. He held the ring out between his thumb and index finger.

"What… what is it ?"he asked still shaken. Dumbledore took the anchor ring and placed it back atop the Ag staircase.

Tink.

It fell into the big money below which now was growing larger as Dumbledore stood and spoke with Harry.

"It is a computer storage record book of sorts… a photograph album."Dumbledore moved to his desk and sat down, leaning back against his electric chair."Different for each who reads it."Harry couldn't assist but think that the outstanding wizard of the age was beginning to show signs of wear. He had grown much dilutant since Harry last saw him at the end of the school class, and his script were beginning to curl in an abnormal way.

"Like a Pensieve ?"Harry asked.

"Not quite, Harry,"replied the Headmaster."A Pensieve lets you store or transfer your memory so that you can take care them over later. You can pick out the memory board to off, to examine."He leaned forward and held his bridge player together."This is a Möbius machine. It reflects a wizard's life history. It is a never ending loop that plays over and over again, shrinking or expanding to accommodate the viewer. Each silver rotary is a roll of a luck of your lifetime. While the gang play in lodge, there is no way, unfortunately, to make up one's mind which computer storage, which life-time experience you will visit."

A shiver past tense by Harry again, and for a moment he thought he felt the breath of death voicelessness its name against the nape of his neck.

"I take it, Harry,"continued Dumbledore,"that your experience was not a pleasant one."

"No, sir,"answered Harry, sitting himself."It was… on the train ; when I was with Greg, just when… just when…"

"I understand."Dumbledore sighed. He stood and walked back to the device. He waived his wand and uttered an incantation and the doughnut stopped running up the staircase, and fell wherever they were in the rhythm."I wish your memory board could be happy, Harry. I would hate to see you as a tottering old man, sitting down in a dusty office wondering if you could risk reliving the disaster that grasping a few rings might bring in. Fawkes quietly vocalized his agreement, as Dumbledore slipped his sceptre away and placed his script on Harry's berm."I know you have been chosen, Harry. But you need not aim yourself between the centaur and the Dementors ; it is not your war."

"You said it yourself, professor,"said Harry, looking up into Dumbledore's still shining blue eyes,"it's the paths we choose that make us who we are. I'm not doing this because I was chosen. I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. Lucius Malfoy is going to use this to try and sweep the darkness back across this land, and I won't let him."Harry's own eye were savage with finding and rebelliousness."I've been training with Ronan."Harry paused."Are Centaurus magical ?"

"Very much so, Harry,"said Dumbledore with a grinning."It is folly for wizards to believe they are the most powerful creatures on this earth. You know, of trend, Centaurs have keen sight and are skilled with a bow, but these things are forcible skills that many wizards dismiss. Ahh… not so, Harry… not so. Why do you recall a Centaur never misses his target ?"Harry shrugged."Because a skilled Centaur can follow the arrow all the way to its address, nudging its flight along the way. They can turn space and meter, Harry. Even while wizards are unable to Apparate on Hogwarts grounds, Ronan can disappear and re-emerge wherever he pleases simply by using his mind."

"He showed me today. He taught me today."

Dumbledore said zero. Harry could tell by his formula that he was imprint, or surprised, but the old whiz made no word of it. Instead he stood from his chairman and walked over to his telescope.

"They are much effective stewards of such skill than wizards would ever be,"the aged wizard whispered, looking down into the lens of the telescope. The instrument was fixed on the dowry of the sky through which the comet Ebyrth was now passing. Harry no longer needed a telescope to see the comet's bright tail.

"It is not your war, Harry,"said Dumbledore still looking into the lens."The Ministry can handle the likes of Lucius and his ilk."He adjusted the focus."They have no strength in figure, no ally for funding, no bema in which to cover. It's only a matter of time."

"Then why oasis't they been caught ?"asked Harry."It's been months, and nothing."

"Lucius is no fool,"answered Dumbledore."He'll remain hidden for as long as possible and only strike when he thinks he can win."The genius looked up."He can't win, Harry."But Harry wasn't so sure. He turned his vertebral column on Dumbledore and walked over to Fawkes, stroking the dame's feathers. Harry didn't be intimate how to bring it up, but he had to ask.

"What if… what if he had a weapon ? A hole-and-corner weapon ?"

"Secret weapon ?"asked Dumbledore, turning to face up Harry more fully."What do you mean ?"

"A… A Horcrux."

The portraits that were earlier minding their own business, napping, reading the theme, or off to some early seat were suddenly thrown into a tumult. The headmaster of old began complaining at once about the impudence of the young man to discuss such matters here.

"It's an abomination, Albus !"one cried.

"Lucius is cunningly malefic,"called Phineas,"But he would never crawl to such depths."

Dumbledore finally quieted them all by threatening to play down a plane of iniquity. His face was grave, almost pale and the spirit of his voice was filled with expectant concern. Harry knew at once that whatever a Horcrux was, it was obscure conjuration, but then… did he expect otherwise ?

"Harry,"began Dumbledore slowly, his voice quite and sombre,"what makes you believe that Lucius Malfoy would apply a Horcrux ?"Harry turned away from Dumbledore, not willing to hold eye inter-group communication."Certainly such news does not come from our champion the Centaurs."

"Well… I… I heard that…"He stalled and then turned back to fount Dumbledore. How could he have intercourse how one employed a Horcrux if he didn't even know what one was ?"professor, what is a Horcrux ?"Dumbledore walked back to the silver machine that was now placidity on the table. He tapped it with his wand and the silvery rings began to roll again. He took a ring and held it in his handwriting for but a present moment when he laughed and placed it back along its path.

"Precious,"he whispered to himself."So precious."

"professor ?"

"It was the day when prof McGonagall asked me if I enjoyed teaching at Hogwarts. She was thinking of applying to instruct here as well, but wasn't sure if her husband would agree."

"Husband ?"asked Harry incredulously."Professor McGonagall was married ?"

"Oh yes, Harry,"answered Dumbledore."And very happily I might add. He was killed by a end feeder when Voldemort first returned. She joined the fiat of the Phoenix soon after. Since then, she's been our potent ally against the darkness."This new intelligence had Harry's head spinning just a bit. He'd always assumed…. Dumbledore turned back to the silver auto."Can you suppose what it would be like if Professor McGonagall did not have the computer memory of the murder of her married man ?"

"I… I suppose she'd be happy."

"But she is felicitous, Harry. Certainly, if you were to ask, she would wish that he was still at her side, but she is very happy."Dumbledore's hands squeezed the wooden table and he drew in a bass breath. When he turned to expect back into Harry's eyes, his look was grave and his own eyes can."What I'm about to tell you, Harry, is not supposed to leave this room."Harry glanced toward the door as if there might be someone there."Harry, I know with whom you would like to share. You should hump that it is prohibit. I would not even talk of it with you, had you not brought it up first. Do I have your news ?"

"Yes, sir,"replied Harry, his vocalization smaller than he thought it should be. He began to wonder if he should have ever asked. Dumbledore stepped close.

"Imagine for a moment that I could rive you into three people. Not copies mind you, but three distinct component part of your very essence… your soul. One would stay on with the soundbox you now possess ; the other two would be put away for storage you might say. If you, the part of you that inhabits the eubstance you now have, were to die, one of the former parts would seek out another consistence to inhabit… to operate. You, part of you, would live again."

"region of me ?"

"The part that you hid away."Again Dumbledore turned to the machine on the tabular array."The pile of halo that you see in front of me here, Harry, is larger than your was. Why ?"

"You have More memories, more experiences."

"Precisely ! But a split person would only direct with it helping, dark of the storage the master copy soul carried. Imagine, my boy, if you had to choose… what circumstances of your soul would you carve away ? What function of you would stay on ? There are many pick. You could cut up out the bad retention, perhaps the death of Greg Goyle, and go on believing that he had never died ? But then, what would materialise if you were to die, and the Horcrux storing only the bad memory was released ? What sort of soured person would rest ?

"Then there are those wizards who believe that it is the tragedy of a wizard's life that drives him forward ? Such a wizard might keep the tragical retentiveness at the ready erasing all joy and felicity, perhaps the day you first arrived at Hogwarts ?.

"And it's not just retentivity, Harry. It's also the essence of who we are, what we have become, both skilful and evil, darkness and light. A maven must decide how to separate each slice of joy and sorrow into tiny pieces, sprinkling a little bit of everything into each portion of your somebody, splintering all you ever were into shards of haze over shabu that can never really be made whole again. enjoin me, Harry, what choice would you pee ?"

"I… I wouldn't choose such a life, sir,"replied Harry, horrified of the thought.

"No, Harry, nor would I."Dumbledore's shoulders drooped slightly as if a large weighting sat square upon them."Thankfully, nearly wizards and witches would deny to pick out as well. fewer still know that there is such a track one can drive ; and only the most sinewy of those would be able-bodied to take it."Suddenly looking quite tired, Dumbledore returned to the chairman behind his desk and let out a deep sigh, closing his eyes."The Horcrux is simply the storage vessel… it could be a tilt, a cloak, a cup—"

"But Lucius—"

"Think, Harry,"Dumbledore interrupted."It might even be a book…"There was a long pause. Harry could hear a turn of the portraits on the wall mumbling to themselves. Clearly they were unhappy with the focussing of the conversation, particularly Phineas.

"The diary ?"Harry answered finally, his voice more certain than incertain, and with each new question the uncertainty vanished."Tom enigma's diary ? That was a Horcrux ? Voldemort used a Horcrux."

"Lucius is cunning, ruthless and evil, but I have seen deeply into his eyes. He could not subdue the Horcrux even if he desired to."

"But I saw Voldemort die,"said Harry."There was nothing left."

"Yes,"said Dumbledore, nodding."You also saw Tom Riddle die in the chamber of secret. I had always assumed he had divided himself in two. Who would take a chance fracturing themselves more than than once ?"Dumbledore chuckled to himself grimly."Who indeed ?"Then he turned back to Harry."This news palls the sensible horizon with a new swarthiness. Tell me, Harry, why you believe that person is employing a Horcrux because, if someone is, Voldemort is most certainly behind it."

Again, Harry found himself turning away. He didn't want this news. He thought it had something to do with Lucius, with the war that would soon be upon them. He didn't want to consider what he had felt all summertime, what he had felt since returning to Hogwarts, that Voldemort was somehow still alive. But where ? How ? Harry, his eyes sincere, looked back at Dumbledore.

"Sir, I… I can't. I gave my word."Dumbledore's optic narrowed and then, quite naturally, he smiled back.

"Well, I suppose if you told me, then your promise to sustain our conversation of the Horcrux private would imply nothing."

"If it does exist,"Harry said anxiously,"we have to recover it before it's too late."

"Harry,"said Dumbledore with grave worry,"such waters are filled with Grindylows and Inferi."Harry looked at Dumbledore, confused.

"Inf— ?"

"It's far too dangerous for you to set out some journey to search the world for a Horcrux. Voldemort's been to the edges of the Earth and beyond ; it could be anywhere. More likely, it has already been activated. No, I will speak with the members of the—"

"Sir, you can't. I swore that I'd—"

"Relax, Harry, there will be no demand to implicate your involvement. In fact, it's more to our advantage to retain your public figure completely out of the picture."

Dumbledore breathed in deeply and closed his eyes as he slowly let out his breathing space."Yes, I think I understand. He didn't just split himself in two. He may not hold stopped at three. There's no telling."He walked over and stroked Fawkes'plume, clearly uncomfortable with what he was about to say."I despise arcanum, Harry, but if Voldemort has reanimated he may, once again, have agents working within the schooltime rampart. I'm sure Lucius does. That we know another Horcrux might be gives us an edge we dare not lose. Do you have any idea—"The chimes of the bully clock struck twice.

"Oh dear,"said Dumbledore."I've made you belated for class."He paused, struggling for the abbreviated of second about what to say following."You best be on your way. We can continue this later. Tell prof Barghouti it was all my fault and I'll confer with him about it later."

"But—"

"Go on, Harry,"interrupted Dumbledore.

Harry sighed, grabbed his volume and started for division. Just as he was about to curl his script across the large brass section doorhandle, Dumbledore stopped him.

"Harry, there are those that we can trust—long-time protagonist and soul mates. I understand that you may be compelled to seek assist. If you must discuss this, keep the conversation within the paries of Gryffindor."Harry paused for a instant, taking in the headmaster's words.

"But that means—"

"You know what it means. Now, be on your way."

As Harry walked down the corridors toward Defence Against the Dark Arts division, his mind was spinning with the new information and trying to digest everything that Dumbledore has shared with him. Within the wall of Gryffindor. Even though this year scholar were free to come in the green Room of any house into which they were invited, Harry knew exactly what Dumbledore meant ; he shouldn't trustfulness Gabriella. He pondered how he would keep back Gabriella out of any give-and-take he might have with Ron or Hermione concerning the Horcrux. Maybe he was better off not saying anything to anybody. His business organisation about Gabriella faded quickly, however, when arrived late to course of instruction and prof Barghouti took ten decimal point away from Gryffindor for Harry's tardiness. He wouldn't let Harry say a Bible about where he was or who he was with.

Normally, Harry arrived early to course of instruction so that he could sit in back. He like the majority of the class wanted to sit in as far away from Professor Barghouti as possible. For nigh students it was because their professor was a vampire ; Harry simply didn't like him. Every time Harry looked into his eyes he felt that he had to prove himself worthy ; that he was somehow lacking when it came to the Votary. Now, having arrived to class late, Harry had to sit in front side by side to the only other students who would : Hermione and Gabriella. Harry took his seat succeeding to Gabriella who offered him a supportive smile after he was chastised by Barghouti about time management.

"Now, as I was saying,"said professor Barghouti with a bit of a drawl that reminded Harry all too much of a cross between Snape and Malfoy,"before we were so rudely interrupted… Occlumency is more art than learned, more nature than nurture. Nonetheless, even the most inept wizard,"he looked at Harry,"can get word to drive at least rudimentary try to penetrate the mind. Fortunately, most of you are sorely lacking as Legilimens."Barghouti stared once again at Harry.

"I want each of you to discover a partner and while one endeavor to click his partner's mental defences the other will use the techniques you described in live on nighttime's homework assignment. For those of you who found the assignment to verbose and chose instead to praxis Quidditch,"again he looked at Harry,"expect to expend the evening with Madame Pomfrey as she treats your headache."

"But, Professor,"complained Hermione while raising her hand.

"Yes, Ms Granger ?"

"What if people don't want to ingest their judgment read ? It is, after all, a violation of personal space."

"True, Ms. husbandman ; it is a violation. But then, so is the Killing torment and we've learned to defend ourselves, as best we can, against such an attack. Would you opt to have your thoughts read freely by Lucius Malfoy's undercover agent ? Have them get it on your plans so that they can pour down you or your screw 1 when you least ask it ?"

"But—"

"couple with mortal you trust,"he interrupted."We'll talk of this no more."

Hermione's sassing pursed as she crossed her arms. Harry knew that look before. Still, he didn't think that it was such a big raft. Instinctively, he paired with Gabriella. Ron was about to pair with Hermione when Barghouti grabbed him by the arm.

"I think not, Mr. Weasley. I understand you're quite gifted in this area. Today, you can be my partner."Barghouti offered a rare smile and both Ron and Harry expected to see his fang, but all that appeared was a straightforward row of bright, pearly tooth.

Harry turned his desk about and sat opposite Gabriella. He had let her into his mind many times before. There was something playful, almost erotic about how they would communicate in this way. While she had become quite adept at curling herself around Harry's thoughts, she never went deeper than Harry offered. For his part, he had never been able to see her thoughts unless he opened his own first. They always had to play in Harry's psyche, and he had never tried to agitate her away. She was smiling at him, a twinkle in her eyes, as she took his handwriting in hers. It wasn't until their manpower touched that his middle skipped. Foremost in his mind was something he couldn't let her see — his conversation with Dumbledore. His deal pulled away ; he couldn't stop her from sensing his emotions, but he could stop her from reading his judgment.

"Harry,"she asked, sensing immediately his emotional shift,"what's wrong."

"Erm… N-nothing,"he answered evasively."I… I mean we already know you can get into my head. How ‘ bout I try to get into yours first ?"She said zilch, trying to put his row in alignment with the feelings she was sensing."That's okay, isn't it ?"he asked.

"Sure,"she said slowly. She reached out her bridge player again, but Harry placed his own in his lap.

"Erm… Let me present it a go without contact."

"You know you can't."

"I can try,"he fritter away back with a bit of rebelliousness. His voice was heated for no safe reasonableness, and he knew she'd signified that as well. If he stayed flustered, she'd be right ; there would be no way for him to follow close to reading her thinker.

Around the class some students were having better success than others. most effort were fairly week and were being met by immediate repugnance. This resulted in more than a few students being knocked backwards out of their hot seat. Ron was popping down on to the background more times than you could shake up a scepter at and Barghouti was taking great gratification in being able to repel Ron's cash advance. Just behind Harry, Hermione had teamed with Neville who, at the moment, was trying to penetrate her mind. Avoiding Gabriella's optic, Harry took a deep breath.

"Ready ?"he asked.

"Go tiger,"said Gabriella with a smiling.

Harry began to focus as best he could on Gabriella's thoughts, but all he was sensing was the back of his eyelid. Squeezing his optic closed more firmly, he heard another with child thump that he took to be Ron's arse once again striking the ticket flooring. It felt like an eternity, but at some point he could hear Gabriella calling his name. Not with her mouth, but with her mind. Instead of pushing him back, she was trying to coax him in. Even with the assist he was finding it extremely unmanageable to crowd his way through the dark to her thought. Not aware that he was now grabbing the boundary of the desk with his mitt, he redoubled, tripled his efforts to push his way in.

Suddenly, there was a saccade from behind. Trying to penetrate into Neville's nous, Hermione had been repelled backwards and fell against Harry. She grabbed his articulatio humeri and began to perpetrate him backwards. Without cerebration and still focused mentally to dawn Gabriella with all his business leader, he reached out toward her. She grabbed his hand and when she did the scenery in Harry's mind changed. The audio was sucked out of the elbow room and all was swarthiness. He had penetrated Gabriella's mind ; but what was this… her memory or something more ?

The commotion of the class had disappeared and an eerie secrecy surrounded him. He heard first, a rushing of urine, a drip-drip-drip, a rustle of leaf and then crying… Then the air filled with a musty, wet odor of true pine and loam… The Forbidden Forest, he knew at once. Slowly, a brightness began to open up before him and he realized that the tears came from the baby he was holding in his arms. This was no memory board ; Harry was himself in this vision. He found that his robes were soaked. Both he and the offspring child, still less than a year old, looked as if they'd just come from the lake. The baby, glistening wet, was wrapped in sullen folds of dampen textile, dripping on his iron boot. A hand touched his berm from stern.

"You'll have to take care of him now, Harry."It was Hermione, her articulation seeped in gloominess."She'd want it that way."

A kick of fear began to pour itself over Harry. He was frigid, shivering, teeth chattering, the nipper in his blazonry continued to cry out for its mother, but Harry knew that it was a cry that would never be answered. He wanted to call, to run, but when the child looked at him his fondness warmed and his firmness of purpose strengthened. Slowly Harry's finger brushed the tiddler's boldness.

"You know,"he whispered, quelling the nestling's tear,"you have your mother's eyes."


Harry ceramist and the birth of a New Sun

Chapter 11 - Notty Boy
~~~***~~~

freshwater bass buffeting, train reverberating, the striation was loud and Harry was not feeling all that well. He slumped back, sinking into the bombastic, overstuffed chairperson and rubbed his temples. Why did he let Ron and James Dean challenge him into a boozing duel upstairs ? The Quidditch match against Hufflepuff was tomorrow and he swore he wouldn't take a sip. But then Ron convinced him that they were two-hundred percentage point favourites over their sister theatre and why not celebrate… a little ? It was Halloween after all ; their in conclusion at Hogwarts.

Feeling a bit inebriate, he then had let Neville convert him to eat far too a great deal during the feast. Why not ? It was, after all, their last Allhallows Eve together. And then when he had stepped outside for some fresh air, Hermione started in on him again.

"I saw it. You saw it. By the way she's acting, all three of us saw it, Harry."Her voice was more sympathetic than chiding as she set her hired hand upon his berm. She had tried this approach shot once already ; it hadn't worked then either. Harry didn't know why she wouldn't just let it go. Okay, that was a lie - he did know. That was just what Hermione did. She wanted to solve a problem that she didn't understand and not knowing the answer was driving her mad. Nonetheless, after her protestation, Harry had simply rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders.

"If she doesn't want to talk about it, then—"

"You need to order her what you saw,"Hermione had said, stepping in more closely to Harry, but his nous had grown foggier than ever. Instead of being refreshed by the night air, he was just cold and drunk. He shook his principal, disagreeing with Hermione, unceremoniously pushing her conciliate hand away, and had wandered, stumbling a bit, back into the dance, where he had found the Nice cushy hot seat he now was melting into. Frustrated, Hermione had left his side before he entered the Great Hall, and he was thankful for that. Rubbing his synagogue, Harry considered the new song. Yes, the band was very loud, but everyone was having a bully time.

The Great Hall was dark save for the stain that bathed the dance band in an eery orange and empurple light. Now and then a row of candles burning at the forepart of the point would flash bright, sparkling into the air. It was the sole time you could make much of anything out, except when a professor's sceptre grew bright, lighting up two snogging students typically in a darkened corner covered by the fog that floated some three understructure off the trading floor.

Harry was surprised to see St. Patrick dancing with a third year little girl from Slytherin, if you could call his gyrations dancing. The lad was flailing his arms and pounding his invertebrate foot ; Harry expected to see him smiling, but Saint Patrick didn't seem too pleased with it. Ron was nowhere to be seen, which put a momentary smirk on Harry's face, for it was Harry who had won their earlier bet. He smiled even more broadly, thinking that Ron would have to go three nights straight without wearing any air sock. There was another brilliant flash and he caught lot of Gabriella release by Jesse James Chang as she entered the Great Hall. Eyes blurred, Harry thought she had been carrying something, but couldn't make out what it was before the room went dark again. His tum churned ; he did not sense well at all. A present moment later she was at his side with a stone mug in her hand, steam boiling out the top and rolling down over her handwriting.

"You owe me for this !"she called out over the raging euphony."Ginny told me what you did upstairs. You can't do that, Harry. It's too dangerous for you to be this vulnerable."She handed the mug to Harry, who was nodding his head even though he couldn't make out a undivided intelligence she was saying, and squished in next to him on the oversized cushion. Harry took a probationary sip. Feeling her passion next to his, Harry was trusted she had been praising him for boozing Ron and James Byron Dean under the table. There was another flash of sparks and he noticed a few of the immature educatee including James and Patrick were leaving. He looked back down into his mug, mustered up the courage and swallowed down the rest. The effect was nearly immediate. The nausea passed and his imagination began to clear. He was feeling better, but he was growing tired. When he set the mug down, Gabriella took him by the hired man.

"You did a marvellous job helping Professor Flitwick with the decorations. The snake in the grass that kept swallowing first age was quite creative."

"A Slytherin inspired me,"replied Harry, smiling back at her now that the sonority was leaving his ear. He glanced over at the snake that was over in the corner of the Great Hall. The few first year pupil that remained were still lining up to be swallowed by the large, grey creature with vehement yellow centre. Once swallowed, scholar were transported to the front of the stage where the band was playing. It was the only way the younger scholar could make their way to the front of the horde that crushed up against the stage. If they were lucky, they got to sing with the dance orchestra. If they weren't, the sr. students would jactitate them to the back of the crowd. This former, it became more a secret plan than anything else with first years finding some sort of treat or concoction from Fred and George I's shop in their scoop by the time they were flung out of the crowd.

"I can't believe you're the only one who offered to help,"said Gabriella.

"Flitwick usually does it all himself. Er… go year… I made a promise, I guess."

Harry was suddenly nervous, remembering where he was and what he had done last class at Halloween. At first he tried to look away, but he could feel Gabriella's bleak eyes penetrating his feelings, so he turned to her and tried to change the subject to something he knew she wouldn't want to talk about, especially not here.

"You know… Hermione thinks you should tell us what we saw."

At advantageously it was difficult to take heed, and with the long pause and total lack of response on Gabriella's part, Harry wondered if she'd even heard him. He tried to repeat himself.

"I said, Hermione thinks—"

"I know what Hermione thinks,"Gabriella snapped."AND I know what YOU think."She let go of Harry's custody and crossed her branch and legs. Her eyes were not angry, they were sad, almost frightened.

"I didn't mean to—"

"You just don't understand, Harry."Her jaw was set as they watched another first year go flying off the stage and be thrown to the book binding of the Great entrance hall, disappearing into the swirling fog that hung low on the level. Without looking at Harry, she yelled,"Is there somewhere we can go so we're not screaming at each former ! ?"

Harry was taken aback. He didn't expect that she'd deficiency to talk at all about it. His eyes darted toward the anteroom off the Great Hall. No one could get in there salve prof ; yet professor Dumbledore had taken Harry there the year before and he remembered how to get in. Still he hesitated, but then his center began to subspecies a bit, mentation of the possibleness. It was dark ; if they stayed close to the wall no one would see them slip behind the microscope stage.

"well ?"Gabriella called out.

Harry took her head and nodded for her to follow. It wasn't easy making it to the wall, but the crowd was focused on a particularly screeching Song dynasty by the leash vocalist with bass voice promissory note that pounded the floor and tossed kinfolk off their foot. Undetected, Gabriella and Harry slipped into the side room and the euphony instantly fell away. The antechamber was dimly lit by the warm glow of the hearth and a handful of lit candles. Beyond that there wasn't another reefer of article of furniture in the stead. Harry paused, thinking about the right spell, but before he put it together, Gabriella had conjured up a nice loveseat near the fireplace.

For the brief of moments he thought to ask Gabriella about what he had seen in her judgment, but being in this finicky room on this finical night caused memories of Cho to stimulate over him. His emotions were mixed between turmoil and concern. He hadn't heard from Cho since shoal let out and when Gabriella offered to visit Cho at her home, Mrs. Chang Jiang said that she had gone to the States and wouldn't be back for the rest period of summer. The merely student who had any striking with her at all was Anthony Goldstein who seemed to be her fellow now. He seemed to gloat that he knew something that Harry didn't and he wouldn't say a Word about what Cho was up to ; only that she was good for you and happy and that they'd be seeing a lot More of each early after he graduated.

"Has she answered your letter ?"Harry whispered without thinking.

"Who ?"asked Gabriella, a bit confused.

"Cho. Only Anthony seems to experience anything, but he seems to be playing Prince Valiant by keeping mum. Have you heard anything ?"

"You know I haven't,"answered Gabriella."Why do you—"

"I hope she hasn't relapsed,"said Harry with fear.

To Gabriella, Harry's sudden fear for Cho was odd, out of stead. Why here ? Why now ? Still, it was somehow heart-warming, and she took his hands again as they sat down together by the attack.

"If something was wrong, we would throw heard,"she said comfortingly."If anything, Mark Anthony's filled with pride and happiness. I can smell it. He feels as if he's doing something tremendously important. Is it so bad if he won't percentage ? Why ?"She smiled devilishly."Are you green-eyed ?"Gabriella pinched Harry's side of meat and made him yelp.

Harry put on his best Bogart imitation."These middle are only green for you, sweetheart."

He leaned over and kissed Gabriella hard against the brim. It had been ages since they had been truly alone together, and she pressed her lips firmly back against his. Her coat of arms wrapped around his back and she pulled him besotted to her breast. His handwriting slipped to the warm, soft flesh of her belly. Thoughts of Centaurus sight slipped past both their minds in favor of other, more enjoyable, activities.

Later, as Harry was tying up the lacing of his trainer, he realized how artfully Gabriella had managed to go on him from asking her about the vision they'd seen. She kissed him one last time as he reached for the knob on the doorway that led back out to the Great Hall. There was still a multitude of people crowding against the stage when they slipped back out of the ante-chamber. They chose not to dance and instead made their way out to the presence of the castle. It was well preceding midnight, but there were still a few couples huddled together, watching the night sky. It was the most spectacular Halloween Harry could call back. The star topology were brilliant, but then he saw it. His gaze froze and his smile fell.

"What ? What's the affair, Harry ?"Gabriella placed her handwriting against the side of Harry's look and then looked to the heavens above her shoulder."What's wrong ? What do you see ?"

"Ebyrth,"said Harry flatly. Gabriella leaned her school principal against his articulatio humeri and patted his spinal column, saying nothing. Harry sighed deeply."I… I just don't get it."

"What ?"

"I don't see how it can grow lots brighter. I see it during the day now."

"It may be bright for you,"she answered quietly,"but almost the rest of us can't yet see it at all."

"Where's the war ? I don't know why things haven't started already,"said Harry, but then a deep, tetchy voice broke the Nox's stillness.

"What makes you think they haven't ?"

Both Gabriella and Harry jumped. It was prof Barghouti. The moment the other couples saw him they began to scramble up the straw man footmark of the castle, constantly casting backward glances to constitute sure as shooting he wasn't following them, and occasionally reaching for their necks as if to assure themselves that they hadn't been bitten. Harry forced himself to regain his calmness, but Gabriella had beaten him to it.

"Dakhil, where have you been ?"she asked."I've been looking for you all day ?"

"I had a visit with a werewolf,"he answered."Only accommodation, don't you think ?"He laughed at his own joke and while Gabriella laughed as well, Harry was having none of it.

"Just got back then, did you ? Wings a bit tired ? Slurp up a few tourer along the way ?"

"Harry !"Gabriella snapped.

"Yes, boy,"said Barghouti unimpressed,"as a thing of fact…,"he ran his tongue across his teeth, and this time a row of jagged, razor-sharp teeth appeared,"…I did."

"Dakhil !"chided Gabriella. Barghouti merely chuckled again and the teeth became full-strength and chopper snowy.

"You may not see it, boy,"said Barghouti, tapping Harry across the fount with his big hand,"but your war has begun. Does that make you feel better ?"Harry's eyes were incredulous.

"What do you mean ?"he asked."There hasn't been an incident since the train."

"The Centaurus of the Great Forest are not the only if Centaurs in the world, boy. And, as much as you might care to believe that England is the gist of the world, it is but a very small part of it."He looked at Gabriella."It is as I had feared. The war has begun at home."

"I thought you said you didn't tutelage about the war,"queried Harry."Why the long face now ?"

"Because, oh chosen one,"Barghouti sneered,"your friend Lucius Malfoy has enlisted the service of lamia and hence his alternative of first strike - the Carpathians. Only they're not just killing Centaurus, they're wiping out anything and anyone in their path - all of them Muggles. A whole village was destroyed. The Muggle papers are reporting that the desolation was due to a gas explosion."A burst of air popped between his lip."I must return to Singehorn for a few daylight. I fear my old friend may move to intervene and repeat old mistakes. prof Dumbledore has been informed and Professor Lupin will engage care of my classes."

"Wait ! I'm going with you,"said Harry emphatically. Barghouti snickered and turned."I said—"

"You wish to save the earth, boy ?"Barghouti snapped, spinning back upon Harry. He was clearly angry, as if Harry had started the unanimous thing ; as if Harry had placed the comet in the firmament himself."Why don't you try saving this school first ? Why don't you try saving THEM ?"His hand shot out toward the trees that surrounded the schooling ; all was darkness. Harry squinted, which only made Barghouti all the more aggravate.

"have you learned NOTHING ?"he cried. There was a small squeal from one of the remaining students near the rook doorway who quickly ran inside, slamming the door behind her."Can you not SEE ?"

Harry looked again into the darkness, squinting. Then he remembered. He took a deep breathing place and closed his oculus. Then, he reached out with his creative thinker toward the timberland. As Dakhil had shown him before, all survive thing began to appear before him - the Grass, George W. Bush, and trees all glowed brightly. He scanned further out and then saw it : a Centaur some ten railyard into the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, bow in hired hand. Motion to the right hand caught his visual sensation again - another Centaur, another bow. Harry continued to scan. Every XXX to fifty cubic yard another Centaur stood guard, watching over the school day in the duskiness. But Harry couldn't William Tell if they were trying to celebrate something out, or something in.

"What are they doing ?"he whispered.

"I am weary of teaching the ignorant,"Barghouti muttered."The Centaurus can smell the darkness, fool. It is already upon you. You would be wise to find its author before it swallows you whole."In a whirl he disappeared before Harry had a chance to say another Book. The sound of flapping wings, faded to nothingness. What he noticed, after the dust settled, was that Gabriella's digit were digging into the soft flesh of his forearm.

"What— ?"He looked over at her and saw pure fear on her face. She was mesmerized, staring intently at the darkness of the woods. Then he realized that she was searching for what Harry could see, but she could not. She was afraid of the Centaur. She took a step behind Harry, almost as if using him as a shield against the swarthiness, and then pulled him toward that palace doors.

"Let's go inside,"she breathed.

"They're protecting us, Gab,"said Harry, trying to sedate her nerves."They won't hurt you. They would never hurt you."Her optic never left the afforest and, if anything, the fright that filled the Black person pools of her heart slipped toward anger.

"Now."

Harry sighed and nodded his head."Alright,"he acquiesced, and followed her up the stairs, noting that she was ever sure to keep his dead body between her and the iniquity of the forest. When the doorway finally closed behind them, he could see the weight rhytidoplasty from her shoulders and the succour feast across her aspect. She leaned back against the doors, placing her hands over her fount. Harry stepped stuffy, touching her shoulder softly.

"infant, what is it ?"he asked."What's wrong ?"The hands upon her cheek began to tremble and tears began to streak down her nerve, one by one, but she would not cry, not out flashy. Slowly, her eyes turned to the side to face at Harry. He'd seen that feeling when Gabriella lost her father, Grigor. It was a feeling of uncertainness, of fear, of death. Without saying a word, she shook her oral sex and turned to walk away. She'd gone only a few paces before Harry called her to end, but she wouldn't listen. She past the stone column and began to head down to the donjon, to the incoming of Slytherin. Her human foot did not fix the first step before Harry grabbed her by the arm and spun her around.

"Tell me what's—"He never finished. She didn't use her scepter ; she didn't need to. Her dislodge handwriting came up under Harry's neck opening and he was out cold on the floor.

When he came to, he was lying on a slate floor, but he wasn't at the top of the stairway leading down to Slytherin anymore. He was bound with ropes, ineffective to motivate, in some way, well lit by torches. The walls were stone, and along their top was a crown-moulding made of oak. Along its brass, every few base, was engraved a snake's head.

"Slytherin,"Harry hissed.

"Well done, Potty."The spokesperson came from behind and Harry had to rove over to see who he knew to be there.

"Hello, teddy bear,"Harry said, knowing Nott hated the name. Harry was not surprised to find Crabbe at Nott's side."Taken to kidnap now ? A step up from watching murder I suppose."

"Just gathering road-kill, Potty,"Nott retorted."A piddling bird told me you'd been drinking… a bit too much. Imagine my surprise when I found you passed out on the stairs to Slytherin."Nott stepped penny-pinching."Were you trying to detect your dependable making love ?"Harry said zippo."I can find you a mirror if you'd like."

"I see you found yours,"Harry smirked, tossing his head in Crabbe's direction. Crabbe took Thomas More discourtesy than Nott and kicked Harry in the side. The nose candy was hard and a volley of air dead reckoning from Harry's rima oris.

"Why don't you untie me Crabbe, and then let's see how endure you are ?"Harry's middle were on fire. Fearful, Crabbe stepped backward.

"I… I wonder how w-well Gryffindor will do without their Seeker tomorrow,"Crabbe shot back shakily.

"So that's it, is it ?"asked Harry.

"I wonder,"added Nott,"what the Wizarding world will do without its hero. How ever will we get on… once you're short ?"Harry's eyes narrowed on Nott. Crabbe's eyes darted nervously toward Nott.

"Dead ?"he muttered under his breathing time. Evidently, he was not in on Nott's full plans.

"That's a bit bluff for you, teddy bear, isn't it ?"

"Did you know ?"asked Nott, ignoring Harry's question and Crabbe's fear."Malfoy's enlisted over two dozen vampire and more are joining every day. They're crushing everything in their path, and soon, they'll be here at Hogwarts. Soon, they'll be coming for you, and they don't die, Potter."

"Oh, they die, slip. I've seen them die. Didn't you know ? I was attacked by them this summer. Turns out that a well placed Centaur arrow… thwup… and they die."Harry chuckled deliberately."amusing affair, vampires. When they're pierced, their vampire shell sheds away and for a minute they're who they once were, the madness gone."Harry looked up at the green roof."I like to conceive that in that here and now, goodness had a hazard to hotfoot in and fill their individual once more. They have a chance to be saved."

"Rubbish,"dig Nott, believing more than disbelieving.

"Yes,"said Harry still looking upward."vampire, at least, have a second chance."He turned to face Nott."You on the other hand… I suppose you'll rot for all eternity."Crabbe's face was Caucasian, but Nott's was flushed with anger and frustration. It was his round to give up Harry hard in the gut. It was all Harry could do not to throw up.

"Don't trouble, Potterkins. You won't die tonight. But you will fall behind to Hufflepuff in tomorrow's—"

"Bloody blaze ! I knew it !"

A flash of red tomentum told Harry at once who had just entered the room. Ron was breathing hard, his wand drawn, but his hand was shaking noticeably, not because he was scared or winded, but because he'd had too much to drink. Harry could puddle out a flash of green robes behind him ; he assumed it was Gabriella which, with Ron in his present condition, he was grateful for. Both Nott and Crabbe turned toward Ron still standing at the door, wands drawn.

"How'd you find this position, Weasley ?"spat Nott.

"A little snort told him,"said the representative behind Ron. It wasn't Gabriella, it was St. James the Apostle Chang ; Harry's apprehension began to get once more. There wasn't much of a chance if Ron couldn't pull it together… and quickly. The bit year who had freely chosen to be in Slytherin this semester stepped in front of Ron with his baton drawn.

"Chang ?"Nott asked, almost laughing."You little—"

"Obliviate !"chanted James, casting a spell well beyond his years. A burst of Orange River luminousness erupted from his wand throwing both Nott and Crabbe against the bulwark, knocking them unconscious mind, and wiping their mind of late memories. The strength of the Obliviate enchantment determined how much remembering was removed. Normally, a second yr wouldn't even be able to cast the spell, but Harry was sure that the effect would be lasting.

Ron released Harry from his ties while Henry James bound his two house brothers."They'll be the one missing the lucifer tomorrow,"he whispered with a smile pursing his backtalk.

Rising to his feet, Harry felt a little dizzy, the nausea once again returning, and had to lean on Ron for support. He looked over at St. James, wanting to thank him for his aid, but more curious about the spell.

"James II,"he asked,"how did you—"He was struck from buns.

"Harry !"

It was Gabriella, followed closely be Patrick. She wrapped him in her arms.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sooo sorry."She kissed his neck and cheek, and then looked into his optic."Can you forgive me ?"Harry looked over at the two Slytherins on the story and back at James.

"Let's go,"he said, a cool sweat beading on his forehead ; the potion Gabriella had given him earlier was obviously beginning to wear thin off."This place gives me the creeps."

They made their way up a narrow row of Oliver Stone steps that opened out on the Slytherin common room. Harry hadn't been here since he was a first year. James IV and Saint Patrick nonchalantly split away from the group to talk to some former second years that had just returned from the evening's company while Gabriella walked Harry and Ron out. The three began their trek up to the Gryffindor pillar. By the metre they made it to the towboat, Harry was feeling lots beneficial and it was Ron that was leaning on Harry and Gabriella.

"I hope James blasted Nott's memory board to the gemstone Age,"said Ron.

"No you don't,"answered Harry coolly, recalling his conversation with Dumbledore about the Horcruxes."Two yr ago I think he might have taken this chance to kill me, just to examine himself to his Church Father and the other expiry eater. Tonight, he was just a bag full of hot air. He's learned something since then, since his father died."Harry paused."Compassion I think."

"Oh, p-lease !"cried Ron."Nott ? Compasshhhionate ? St. James said he was goin'to flex you over to them… to the demise Eaters. He might not stimulate delivered the setback, Harry, but he still would have been dancin'on your grave."

"King James told you that ?"asked Gabriella."Saint Patrick told me that they were going to shed him in the lake."

"If they had tried, they wouldn't have gotten very far,"said Harry calmly.

"What makes you say that ?"asked Ron, just as the reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Centaur,"answered Harry, he looked at Gabriella."At night, they've got the castle surrounded."

"cool,"said Ron with a smile, rocking a bit on his own two legs. Harry didn't think it would rent a great deal to knock him over."I'd like to see Nott with an arrow up his arse."Gabriella tried to rally a smile, but couldn't.

"Ron,"she said,"you go on in. I need to talk with Harry alone for a moment."Ron grinned.

"Sure,"he said."I get it."He turned toward the paining."Err… Erm…."He turned back to Harry."P-Password, mate ?"

"Toffee drops,"said Harry and the painting swung undetermined and Ron stumbled through. Before it shut, he looked back at the two, pointing his fingerbreadth in no picky charge and stir it."But not too long, P-Potter. It'sss game Nox !"

A few moments later, Gabriella and Harry were alone in the corridor outside the Gryffindor vernacular elbow room. Gabriella walked him over to a stone judiciary and the two sat down. Even though the walls and base were now spotless, he never liked sitting here, remembering the Dementors that had nearly killed professor McGonagall the year before. There was a sense of death in the air and for a moment Harry felt a chill rush swimming up his back, whispering death's name. Gabriella held his hand, but would not hold his regard. Instead, she watched their digit intertwined and mingling.

"Mama has the sight,"she began."You know that, Harry. Me… I can only feel the emotions of others. I can't see the doors and windowpane that open on to the other planes."

"But—"

"Shhhh."She put one helping hand gently across his sassing."Since I was young, before I ever went to Al Bsahri, I have had one spate. Sometimes years would pass before it would revert, the same scenery, over and over. Since we've returned to Hogwarts this year, it comes to me nearly every day."She leaned her header against Harry's shoulder."Yesterday, I asked mummy what happened when you and Hermione plunged into the scene that has been playing in my intellect without you for so many years."There was a yearn pause, and Harry could listen laughter coming from way down the staircases below ; it died away.

"And ?"he asked, nudging Gabriella along.

"A vision from another plane is like a finely cut jewel, a rhomb with many facets. One can look in and see different icon from all angles. You and Hermione became office of my visual modality and somehow shared it from your own perspectives. We all saw the same thing, but all differently. And what we each saw can imply dissimilar things."

"Then why don't you want to—"

"No vision is consummate, Harry ; and, like time-turners, there are also principle about looking into the future. about would piss changes based on the imperfect cognition they see, often changes that lead to more desolate outcomes. Only the in force, those like Mama, have any hope of moving the backbone of time to shape the upshot of the other planes. Others go mad trying to commute what n-never was to c-come."She began to tremble as she delivered the hold up words and in the quiet that followed Harry felt a pluck fall onto his forearm. He put his arm around her and held her crocked.

"Gabriella,"he asked,"what is it ? You need to lift this weight from off your soul. I swear I won't do anything to change the future."Her eyes met his ; she did not believe him, so he repeated himself more forcefully."I swear on my parents that I won't do anything to commute the future. Please, evidence me what you saw."Again there was another silence, and then Gabriella squeezed Harry's hand. Finally, not looking into Harry's eye, she began to whisper.

"It begins with a flash of Light, a ardor erupting from a glistening emerald lake. We are surrounded by them. There is a howler and then secretiveness. And then there is me… face down in the tall grass. I… I am dead, Harry. Buried deep in my back is the farsighted wooden arrow of a Centaur."


Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 12 - subterfuge Fortune
~~~***~~~

The air was warm for dusk, yet the sky was a backbreaking grey. Flying with the charms of his Caduceus P2 off, Harry could feel the wetness in the air. He knew it would rain soon and that, more than anything else, focused his push on finding the stoolpigeon. It had been hard concentrating. hold out yr, Ron had lost Harry's broom when he had been attacked flying into the Burrow. So this twelvemonth he was riding the recent poser of Caduceus, the new P2, P for Potter. Cleansweep was paying him a small lot to use his gens for their new Scots heather, monies that Harry was using to serve the families who had lost loved ones in the war. That didn't seem to matter much. Even his own house was ribbing him for the branding of his name and it didn't help that smack in the middle of the visitor stand was a ten human foot by xx foot crystalline portraiture of Harry flying the new broom and waving at the crowd. Every so often words would come along : The Caduceus P2. So fast it'll blow the competition away. It was a play on the story run by the Daily Prophet about Harry's defeat of Voldemort. The story said that the tour Harry plaster cast was so sinewy, not only did it destroy Voldemort, but it nearly took the Ministry down with it. Even now, the Ministry was digging out and repairing the gaping fall into wind that remained after the floor of the decease sleeping room fell away, swallowing whole the pall of Phenolem and the dais upon which it stood. Harry glanced again at the huge sheet of crystal, his own image smiling back at him and waiving, and shook his head to clear his view.

He'd been distracted all day and virtually folks thought it had to do with world-class game jitters. He was Gryffindor's Quidditch Captain this year and nearly everyone believed it a folly conclusion. Since the plan of attack on the string, the whole school knew that he was going to be fighting the Dementors when the war with the Centaurus came. How could anyone concentre on training their team with a burden like that on their articulatio humeri ? Indeed, even prof McGonagall thought that Ron Weasley might make the better alternative ; she told Harry so.

"If I can't experience your mind on the secret plan, you're no use to the team, Mr. Potter,"she had said in confidence."Ron Weasley bleeds Quidditch and his mind is sharp when it comes to analyzing the other team'weaknesses."Harry had nodded and had turned to leave her post when she stopped him."But no one commands trueness like you, Harry. It takes seven to win a Quidditch friction match and all Gryffindor would sooner fly into the lake than let you down. The question is — can you hold on from letting all Gryffindor down ?"

"No, ma'am. I mean yes ma'am,"Harry sputtered."I mean…"He sighed."I won't lie, professor. Ron's the estimable strategist, and there's no one bettor in northern Great Britain when it comes to keeping a Quaffle from skewering the rings. Dennis Creevey is the riotous in all Hogwarts and is starting to come up with drama I could never dream of. diddley Sloper's put on thirty Ezra Loomis Pound since finale yr and he can knock a poof off a fencepost at l cadence. Slytherin was the only team that had a supplicant to beat us, but with Malfoy gone they don't have a opportunity. The team doesn't need me to conduct them ma'am. Anyone can guide us to the cup."McGonagall looked at Harry over the top of her glasses.

"Is that so ?"she had asked."Well then, Mr. Potter, I suppose you'll do then. I want the team roll, to let in the musician replacing Katie at Chaser, and the weekly practice agenda by tomorrow morning. And, to maintain you motivated since this will be such an easy twelvemonth, let's say that if we don't win every game by more than one-hundred fifty head, you'll be back in my situation on Sundays for detention."

"But—"

"Three hours, each week. Good-day, Mr. Potter."

Harry had thought the challenge simple enough, but sorting out the team proved more difficult than he expected. They couldn't line up a good chaser and when Jimmy Peakes tried out for Beater he played ferociously, unseating Hooper from the team. Finally, Harry selected Demelza robin redbreast as Chaser, if for no other reason than she was particularly secure at dodging Bludgers. The shuffle caused a lot of growing striving and hurt feelings, but after three weeks of practice Harry was surefooted once again that the team could not be defeated.

Now, flying highschool over the pitch, Harry wasn't so sure enough. Trying to ignore his own face, he glanced at the scoreboard to chance Gryffindor up by 40 which, as far as Harry was concerned, was wretched. They should take been clobbering Hufflepuff from the showtime, but Ron was letting nearly every Quaffle through. Having heard that the coach of the Magpies, Bernard Bennegin, was coming specifically to scout Ron's performance he was a nervous crash. To make affair unfit he was suffering from a holdover and was having fuss seeing the Quaffle, let alone stopping it. The only soundly news was that jemmy and diddlysquat were keeping the Bludgers off the squad while Dennis and Demelza were scoring nearly at will. Ginny could have been too, but she was so busy yelling at Ron for being such a git she hadn't scored a I goal.

Harry scanned the skies once more, searching for the Snitch. The Hufflepuff seeker, Summerby, had seen it about an time of day earlier. Harry had been well out of positioning, and if it hadn't been for a well placed Bludger by Sloper, Gryffindor would have lost. It was then Harry turned off the charm of his broom, hoping that he might better feel the Snitch's location. Suddenly, the yellowed side of meat of the pitch erupted in cheers ; Hufflepuff had scored. Harry forced himself not to search at the scoreboard. He had to persist alert, but before you could say snicklfritz the crowd erupted again - another account for Hufflepuff. Finally, Harry called timeout.

The team gathered over by Ron whose auricle were flaming red with embarrassment. Ginny began to shoot down into her blood brother.

"So serve me, Ron !"she yelled,"The next Quaffle that goes through one of those annulus is going to find its way up your—"

"Hang on !"Harry interrupted."We're not here to campaign with each other ; we're here to find a way to win."

"You could be looking for the Snitch !"snapped Ginny as she pulled out her wand."So assist me, if either of you two drink on a game night again, I'm going to hex you both back into Professor Trelawney's class !"

"You think you can jeopardise me ?"yelled Ron at his Sister as he pulled his own wand, however shaky his mitt was.

"Stop it !"yelled Dennis above the fray. With a no-nonsense part that commanded attention, Dennis Creevey, who was still the minuscule on the squad, began to point out what needed to be done.

"Ron, they're constantly feinting right and shooting left. If you move eminent in the air and hold position just a little foresighted, you'll break off them. Ginny, we could use a little more than of your attention on the Hufflepuff side of the theater. Dem, they're starting to take in on to Harry's first few plays."His eyes dotted to Harry who nodded in understanding."I think we should move on to what he was showing us last weekend."

"But we've only flown that three or four times,"argued Demelza.

"Dennis is right on,"countered Ginny."At the worst we'll have given them a new look. At the skillful we'll score three or four before they catch on."

"Jack, Jimmy, you guys have been flawless. Just keep the Bludgers off our vertebral column and we'll score for sure."Then Dennis looked at Harry."Harry, I don't blame you if you tell me to sod off, but…"

"Go on,"said Harry.

"well, it seems like you've been day dreaming up there, Harry. I know there are a k affair you should be thinking about besides Quidditch, but we're gon na involve the fink today, and if Summerby sees it again we've lost. Are you with us ?"

Harry had to smile at the new general on the area."Our own little Napoleon,"he thought. Madame Hooch blew the whistling for maneuver to resume. Hufflepuff broke their scrum and began to fly into side. Harry looked down on the pitch below. There was nothing he loved more in the domain than flying.

"I'm with you,"he said with confidence."Summerby won't have a chance. I swear."Harry shooting into position just to the west and a footling below Summerby. If anything, the sky was growing darker and the air colder, but he resisted the temptation to rent the charms of his Calluna vulgaris.

Dennis had been right. Over the following forty second or so, Ron had blocked six straight Hufflepuff effort while the Gryffindor Chasers had scored four times. Still, they would postulate the stoolpigeon. He flew over by the Slytherin stall and heard a handful of hisses, and one cheer.

Harry could think of few Hogwarts women besides Gabriella Darbinyan able to hold up the taunts and mockery of Slytherin for being Harry's girlfriend. Of course, there were no taunts or mockery, because all of Slytherin was deathly afraid of Gabriella. Perhaps because she came from a school known for its dark magic, but more because any comment usually meant the commenter had a one-way ticket to the hospital wing. Harry looked down and saw her smiling up at him.

"Go, Harry !"she cried. Harry waved back, smiling and giving her a thumbs-up."NO ! GO !"she yelled, pointing her finger. The gesture and the gasp of the crew told him at once that the Snitch had been seen. He spun to see Summerby plunging toward the turf at the north end of the sales pitch. Below him was a glint of gold, racing low and heading toward the visitor'stall. Summerby was ahead by at least fifty metre when Harry began to consign.

"You bloody idiot !"Harry cursed at himself as he clenched his teeth."You flobberworm sucking idiot !"The wind roared furiously at his typeface. The stoolpigeon was flying low to the turf and Harry could see that it would let to move around or lift once it hit the stands on the opposite side of the lurch. Even as good a flyer as Summerby was, he would not reach the stoolie until it hit the wall. Harry leaned forward, accelerating his Calluna vulgaris."It will uprise,"Harry whispered to himself, focusing wholly on the gold orb that was coming closer."It will rise."He chose to fly the heterosexual person note to bug the stoolpigeon where he thought it would be. If the Snitch turned left or right at the wall, Summerby would take in it before Harry could react. If the Snitch flew up… Harry groaned. At this speed it was still impossible. Harry poured all his energy into making his broom accelerate. The tails of his robe began to tatter in the vicious lead and his goggles were pressing hard against his facial expression. The pressure tunnelled his vision, but he didn't care. He could still see the golden spark growing gravid before him."Faster ! shit it ! Faster !"

The pitch below him was a fog ; the stands faded to dark and all that Harry could see was the golden snitch and the track of yellow that followed it -- the lead of yellowness that Harry was passing. Faster ! A weather sheet of empurple — the visitors'stands. The golden Snitch flying upward. Yes !
Harry's finger pressed firmly against the fly stool pigeon when he heard the screech of panic. They conflicted with his own horse sense of joy.

"We won !"thought Harry, feeling the hard metal in his clasp."Why would anyone be— ?"
Then everything went violently red… just before he lost consciousness.

Waking, and still feeling a bit foggy, the number 1 thing Harry recognized was the sound of charge card being unwrapped, torn and then crumpled. The rhythmic chewing that followed told him at once that Ron was nearby. Harry smiled. He tried to open his middle, but couldn't. He leaned to his right side and felt a dull ached that ran up the left one-half of his torso. With his right paw he felt the sail about his chest, the pillow behind his caput, the patch that wrapped his case.

"He's awake,"whispered Gabriella out of the darkness. A fond touch took his hand."Hi, sweetie,"she said softly."How are you feeling ?"

"Hey, mate,"Ron added before Harry could answer."Erm.. don't worry ; Madame Pomfrey will stimulate you back to new in… in no time."The voice had a bit of a tremor in it and it wasn't because a drinking chocolate salientian found its way down the wrong pipe.

"That's right,"added Hermione with a stiff and unnatural timbre. And then interpreter, oodles of voices it seemed to Harry, added their agreement.

"You'll be fine, Harry."“ Don't worry, Harry."“ Flyin'in no prison term, you'll see !"“ Shut up, stupid."“ Hey, I didn't mean—"

"Alright… Alright…"echoed the voice of Madame Pomfrey."You've seen him move, now be off, all of you."

A number of folks touched Harry's good arm. He felt of few kisses against his boldness. He heard a few cheery Good-byes and Later, mates, but he also heard a few sniffs and shit. The doorway swung closed with a late thunk.

"I'm still here,"whispered Gabriella and she took his hand once more. With his sore arm Harry reached up to pry off the bandage that wrapped about his cheek, just to have a peak.

"No you don't, Mr. Potter !"cried Madame Pomfrey. She grabbed his arm and gently pulled it down."The patch are to remain on for the following three weeks if you wish to have any Bob Hope of seeing again."

O.K.. So he had been growing more and more apprehensive since he first became conscious. And the bandages were starting to freak out him out… just a bit. Something in the rear of his thinker had said the word, but he had pushed it back down. Only problem was… the dark quoin of Harry's judgment were shouting now.

"See again ?"he asked."What the sin does that have in mind ? I… I'm subterfuge ?"he asked weakly. Madame Pomfrey let out a tremendous sigh.

"Oh, dear,"she said quietly,"I didn't mean for it to come out that way."Gabriella's paw tightened about Harry's and he felt her shudder.

"It was the crystal portrait, Harry,"Gabriella said sadly."You slammed right through it, sending splinters of field glass everywhere. They shattered your goggles and your… your…"

"Your centre were shredded, Mr. thrower,"cut in Madame Pomfrey."I wish I could say I've seen worse, but I haven't. I had Healer Sventstein from St. Mungo's perform the operation. If it were up to me, you'd still be there, but professor Dumbledore insisted that you remain within the castle."

"You've b-been out for two days, Harry,"said Gabriella, another tremor of lugubriousness cracked her voice. Harry reached up and touched the bandage wrapping his human face.

"Mr. thrower,"snapped Madame Pomfrey."If you keep touching your wrapper you'll assuredly disturb their magic spell ! I will not suffer you go blind ! Do you hear me ! If you keep moving your arms I will immobilize them."Her voice was husky. She'd been crying ; Harry could tell. The sadness in the room was almost overwhelming. Finally, he turned his head in the direction of Gabriella.

"Did we win ?"he asked.

"What ?"she replied, still dazed.

"Did we win ?"he repeated."I did captivate the Snitch. hootch saw that, didn't she ? We did win, didn't we ?"

"Harry, how can you—"

"RON !"Harry screamed. In a newsflash the door fusillade open.

"What ? What is it, Harry ?"Ron called nervously.

"Did we win ?"Harry asked. Without Harry saying another word, Ron began an exhibition that was nearly poetic. At least… he thought it was.

"Blimey, Harry,"he began,"it was amazing. There you two were, screaming across the lurch to the north. Everyone was standing, even professor Snape. Although, who he was cheering for, I don't know. But he was screaming just the same. Summerby was flying low to the terra firma, his robe flicking up dehydrated grass and tossing it into the air. The blowing debris made it expect as if his broom was on fire.

"I thought for sure we'd lost, when you spun over and started closing in from on in high spirits. The sneaker was flying just to my right hand and I could have sworn there were sparks flying out the tail of your broom. It was glowing red. Heading toward the stands, it was clean-cut you were going to devolve Summerby, but you were too high gear ; everyone could see that. But it didn't matter. No one has ever seen someone fly that fast at Hogwarts… ever ! Crimey, maybe in all U.K. !

"When you passed Summerby, I thought you'd dive to nullify the rack, to grab the sneak that was still screaming low to the terra firma. But you didn't ; you stayed straight on. When the snitcher darted up toward you…"Ron sighed in ecstasy."It was a miracle, mate. Like you were calling out to it and it obeyed. Pop ! Right into your mitt."There was a long pause."It's when everyone's optic popped up with the Snitch we saw what was going to happen. That's when the screams began."Ron walked over next to Harry's bed."Summerby smashed into the reinforcement down low. Broke his leg and lost a couple teeth. He got out of the hospital yesterday. You… you…"Ron swallowed hard.

"You held on, mate. Yeah, we won, alright."Ron patted Harry on the chest."C. H. Best shit Seeker in all Britain."

"You still think Krum's better then, do you ?"asked Harry with a smile. Ron sat back down next to Gabriella.

"well, now,"Ron answered,"I know you've had your fair share, Harry, but I still think master can handle a guesswork to the head with a Bludger salutary than you."

"That's because there's nothing up there to hurt,"added Gabriella.

"okeh, okay you three,"said Madame Pomfrey."Mr. potter needs his rest."She shuffled the two champion outside the room, but not until Gabriella kissed Harry on the backtalk.

"I love you,"she whispered into his ear."Whatever happens, I love you."

When the door closed, Madame Pomfrey walked over to Harry's bed. He was wondering if he'd ever look into the dark pools of Gabriella's eyes once again. He was scared.

"Harry,"she said softly."We'll do everything potential, but you need to give them clip to heal. The wrapper will quell on for at least three weeks. Your lids will be sealed longer still. Even when you can afford your eyes, Harry, I don't suspect you'll see more than shades of light and dark. Once we know what you can and can't see, therapist Sventstein can commence making the proper discipline. You'll have to be affected role, my heartfelt, very patient."

He could get a line her folding some document, putting trash away he thought, and then she stepped over to the incline of the elbow room and poured something into a glass or chalice.

"I need you to drink this,"she said, helping him sit up and wrap his paw around the cup. He winced when she held his get out arm."Yes, the solid left side of your soundbox was pretty much hamburger centre. We've summoned out all the trash shards we can. There may be a few that aren't responding. I'll study on that more tomorrow."She sounded tired, so Harry decided not to argue about the drink and swallowed it down in one long tipple. The pain running down his slope ebbed away and the apprehension about his vision faded. Soon he was asleep.

When Harry woke, he found himself confused and lost. He couldn't understand why he couldn't see and he began to lam around, rising out of bed, the endocarp floor frigidity beneath his au naturel feet. He was about to hit up to his face when a manus took him by the arm. At first he was startled, but the part settled him at once.

"Easy there, flyboy."It was Sothis."Bad dream ?"

"Sirius ?"Harry asked to the darkness, reaching out and touching Sirius'face.

"Afraid so,"Harry's godfather responded."I was in the orbit ; thought I'd halt in."Harry began to move forward.

"Hold on ! clutches on !"Sirius stopped Harry from running into the candela hovering at his bedside."Let's er… let's get you back in bed."Canicula helped Harry mount into bed and pulled the shroud back over him."There, that's better."He patted Harry's good leg and remained standing at his bedside.

"What clip is it ?"Harry asked.

"Not quite three in the morning."

"Three in the morning ?"He paused, rising up on his elbows and looking about the elbow room."Anyone else here ?"

"Just you and me little comrade. How are you feeling ?"

"Blind,"Harry answered flatly, dropping back against his pillow.

"Yeah,"agreed Sirius smartly."That's what I hear."Harry could learn Sirius sink back into his chair and sigh."I have to accommodate, Harry, that was the quick I've ever seen a broom fly, and I've seen a few Quidditch catch in my day. When you hit that damn portrait with your motion-picture show on it, the thing exploded. It was like a giant crystal pyrotechnic. And that you still held onto the Snitch… well, it's been all over the papers. to the highest degree figure you broke the record, but the tribe from Cleansweep want you to come out and do a fly-off against Comet — twenty grand galleons to the success's charity."Harry turned on his side, his back toward Sirius.

"Like that's ever going to happen,"he muttered.

"What do you intend ?"

"You know what I mean,"Harry answered curtly."If they've told anybody, they've told you. I'm screen and I'm… I'm going to stay blind."

"That's not on-key, Harry,"began Sothis."Madame Pomfrey—"Harry spun and faced Dog Star. Sirius didn't demand to see Harry's eyes to know the look he was getting right now. He sighed."Ten pct is not zero percent,"he whispered.

"Yeah, right,"Harry replied and dropped back down again. Likewise, Canicula sunk back into his hot seat, crossing his arms and searching for what to say. There wasn't much he could say. Harry, after all, was correct. Once a beldame or thaumaturge lost their heart there was often picayune that could be done—eyes simply obligate too much magic. Healers could re-grow many things, but the eyes… the eyes, particularly of a powerful crone or wizard, were nearly impossible to repair. Sirius let out a low groan as the silence stretched between them. After that, the flutter of candlelight was the only haphazardness that accompanied their breathing. At close, it was Sirius who began again, not sure if Harry was even still awaken. His voice was unsteady, recalling a part of his yesteryear he had never shared with Harry.

"When I… when I was in Azkaban, there was nothing to see but darkness, nothing to smell but the malodour of last, nada to find out but the cries of lament, cipher to taste but the end of tears that had recollective since died away, and the only thing one felt was the frigidity breathing place of desperation. What solid food they gave us was more like black gruel with a consistency somewhere between mud and slime."Canicula chuckled grimly to himself."When the Dementors departed, leaving this black goop behind, I would smile. It was the entirely joy I had, sensing their departure, knowing that however awful the food was, the emptiness that screamed from my belly would soon be staved for another day. That crusty pipe bowl of dirt and my pure hatred for Peter Pettigrew were all that kept me alive.

"I never dreamed that one day…"Sirius'vocalization halted and he had to bury to gather himself."That one day… the son of my dearest friend would double up my ten-percent of nothing and save me… not from the Dementors of Azkaban… not from the pall of Phenolem, but… from myself. I was used up inside, Harry ; a casing of a wizard and lupus erythematosus a man. You've shown me, even now as darkness rushes in toward us, how to last again… how to love again. I'm amazed that today, I once again walk the halls of Hogwarts—a free man, not because I'm free of the horrors of Azkaban, but because I'm free of the darkness and hatred that once consumed my person. Because of you, I'm free to taste the delicious fruit of animation once again."

"Erm, surely you're not referring to your cooking ?"asked Harry, turning back to font Sirius. Because I think you could start your own eating place for Black sludge."

"If I could smack you, I would,"shot Sirius, kicking the post of Harry's bed with his fundament, a tear sliding down the face of his face.

"Bring it on, old man !"called Harry, rising up in bed and brandishing two clenched fist that were swinging wildly in the air—something akin to a packer's placement."I can aim you with both eyes tied behind my back !"Harry was smiling as Sirius rose to his ft. The old whiz wiped his optic and then, gently, took Harry's hands in his own.

"You just have to believe that it'll get better, Harry. It will. I know it will."The smiling on Harry's face drooped.

"Sirius, if I can't see, I can't battle… I can't fly… I can't…."Harry shook his nous and then looked toward where he knew Sirius to be."So many mass are depending on me. I can't let them down. I can't—"

"Enough already ! Stop telling me what you can't do ! I don't want to hear it anymore !"This time Sothis'voice was heated."I still wake in the middle of the night grasping for my bed sheet, fearing that it has all been a dream, wondering if in the nothingness of Nox I'm really still trapped behind the Curtain of Phenolem. One day the nightmares will end ; I know so, because I believe they will. Until they do, I will go to catch some Z's at night, searching for those dreams that will contain me through trough morning.

"Harry, you need to believe that one day you will see again."

"Yeah, but—"

"And more than that,"Sirius interrupted,"until the day comes when your visual sense returns, you'll have to find a way to see through your blindness."Harry's contiguous reaction was to let a burst of air push through his back talk in scoffing dismissal of Sirius'intelligence. He began to decrease back into his pillow when he stopped himself and held fast to Sirius'hand. To see through cecity ? power it still be possible ?

Not certainly what to expect, Harry reached out with his mind as Dakhil had shown him — to see without seeing. Why hadn't he thought of it before ? Almost immediately he could recognize the luminosity of Dog Star before him. It wasn't an double so much as an air of Inner Light that shown bright. Harry leaned forward in his bed. Reaching out further he began to take in the dim radiance of the organic lifetime that clung to the bulwark, ceiling and base. Without saying a word he let go of Sirius'mitt and rose out of bed.

"Harry, I don't think—"But Harry held up his handwriting and his godfather simply watched.

What Harry was ‘ seeing'wasn't so much an image as an imprint of all that was around him. It would use up time to decipher the shapes, hues and intensities. There was a glow coming toward them. Harry pointed at the door.

"person's coming,"he said. Sothis spun, confused. An New York minute later, Madame Pomfrey walked through the threshold.

"Harry potter !"she cried."Get back in bed this instant !"Harry smiled as she reached over to help him, but he moved out of the way before she could reach him.

"I should give known it was you by your colouring,"he said happily."Bright gamy — the coloring material of a healer's spell."He looked back at his godfather."Sirius, you're a bit orangish right now. You were vivid a minute ago. What's legal injury ?"

"My god,"whispered Dog Star."You can see."


Harry ceramist and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 13 - The New summation
~~~***~~~

"The stream. The stream ! Do you see the stream ?"

"Ye… yes, Ro… Ronan. I… I see… the bloody… stream."

"jump !"

Ronan didn't need to differentiate him. Harry had already started the saltation.

It had been bitterly cold all day, but with all the running Harry was beginning to regret his decision to wear clothes. They were pushing the limits between forcible and magical sweat and Harry's feet, well clad in a pair of trainer, were on fire. The light jacket and pants he was wearing were suffocating and felt like they weighed a thousand Pound.

Once again he was training with Shahan and Felspar. Over the finally few Clarence Shepard Day Jr., the three had been put though their footstep by Ronan, Firenze and others — running, lifting, and shooting arrow from one side of the Forbidden Forest to the early. Harry was exhausted — a feeling he was beginning to enjoy. If anything, he preferred to be out in nature.

Still blind, he was developing his limited power to strain out and feel the aura of biography around him. While he could make printing about where affair were at Hogwarts, occasionally very clean objects would drop his attention. A radical of Slytherin fourth eld had discovered this about a week after Harry had returned from infirmary and had taken to conjuring marbles in areas where they knew Harry would be walking. Harry, in turn, developed a few spell that helped clear his way. The tinkling of marbles usually meant that a Slytherin was nearby, waiting to watch Harry get wise. But since Harry could observe someone's aura, even through walls, the culprit was usually found fastened to the wall with their underclothing on their headland and zilch else. It was a page out of what Nott and Parkinson had done to Ron last year and Harry didn't judgment a little playful payback.

In the forest, however, Harry felt as if his visual sense was better than having sight. Everything was alive and vibrant. Tree and vegetation, the tumid animals and the smallest spores, Harry could see it all as if he'd never been blind.

Shahan had cleared the stream ahead and was already pulling away. Felspar came a bit short and she splashed water into the air. Harry, just a step behind feldspar, was curt still, landing a full-of-the-moon meter away from the bank's boundary. His feet landed firmly in the water and he struggled to hold on his symmetricalness so as not to fall into the icy water completely. He'd only taken three steps when he noticed the coolness around his metrical foot. When he focused his attention downward he could sense clearly that his flight simulator were gone, the bottoms of his pants in tatter. Where the splash from Felspar hit the figurehead of his Garden State it had dissolved away as if it had been burned by acid, the aura of his bare skin underneath beaming through.

Stepping backward as he moved out of and away from the current, Harry focused at the running water. For the initiatory sentence he noticed that its colour was unlike than the other streams he'd seen through the woods. The illume emanating from this water was whiter, more than crystalline, more pure. With a bang-up jump off Ronan, who had been following, jumped from bank to bank with rest. Harry expected to be chastised for stopping, yelled at for falling fanny, but Ronan said nothing. Harry noticed that the whitish-gray of Ronan's aura warmed a bit. He'd learned, at least with his ally, that such a change meant a smile. He wondered what it meant with a Centaur.

Shahan had long disappeared in the undergrowth ahead, but feldspar stopped forgetful of the inspissation tree diagram and returned to Harry and Ronan.

"Is something wrong ?"felspar asked.

"Only one of the three has seen it,"answered Ronan coolly."I asked you not to count on your site and to turn over out with your vision."

"But Shahan said—"Felspar began, but Ronan cut him off.

"You are your own Centaur, Felspar ! You have passed these waters so often, and yet you still can not see ?"felspar stepped closer to the flow, staring down at its ripples.

"Not with your eyes, foolish one !"snapped Ronan. Felspar stepped back and closed her eyes. A here and now passed before she rose up on her rear legs and spun toward them.

"The downslope !"she cried with excitement."The stream that feeds the falls !"Then feldspar stepped over to Harry, noticing his bare ft and mortise joint."Harry potter, your fetlock are bare."She stepped closer."But the bod is unharmed. If ever I held doubt in the Chosen, they have forever washed away."Felspar nodded with a slender bow. Harry nodded in return key and the smiled as he saw feldspar own fetlock joint.

"And I thought you couldn't be any whiter,"Harry said, grinning.

"The boy is redress, feldspar,"said Ronan."Your own fetlock joint have grown brighter. Like the Chosen, you now wear socks."He laughed as felspar looked down to see that indeed her snowy pelage was glistening to a greater extent brightly from the articulatio genus and hock down.

"Perhaps you should jump in wholly,"suggested Harry.

"No,"said Felspar immediately, backing away from the water."I would not place the purity of my heart at such a standard. Indeed, if I had known these were the very waters…"

"Felspar,"said Ronan,"catch up to Shahan if you can and enjoin him that we are done for the day. He has, once again, failed the test. You are fortunate that you stopped to return. In these times we must think of to consider of the herd before our own interests."felspar bowed.

"Shahan will not be pleased,"Felspar said to the ground.

"As I am not,"retorted Ronan."For three unbowed days Shahan has failed to encompass the lesson. Firenze says Shahan did not even trouble to research for Ebyrth. The Centaur is of no use to the heard if he refuses to larn our mode. I care not that he is young."Then Ronan stepped penny-pinching to Felspar ; his posture becoming rigid."You would be wise not to hear to Shahan's thoughts, felspar. That your coating should switch people of colour at all is not a honest sign. Your female parent has raised you better."Then Ronan's conduct changed back to one of teacher.

"focus your mind on where you need to be, Felspar."He said nothing more, but Felspar turned toward the portion of the forest through which Shahan had disappeared. A moment later in a streak of T. H. White she was gone.

"Is that not an Apparation ?"Harry asked.

"One can not Apparate on these grounds, Harry ceramist. The dry land is too filled with magic. The Centaur can bend place and tardily time so that length travelled can be covered far more quickly than on hoof alone. You have accomplished this already. What's more you have learned to allow your mortal body and travel with the other living spirits of the forest."

"You helped me… when I was with Shahan."

"Yes,"answered Ronan."But I need not point you again ; these attainment are yours to dominate. Do you sense the Bowtruckle staring at us from across the current ? Perhaps he can help oneself you see what you've thirsted for. Reach out to the tool's mind."

When Harry did extend to out, he found it far easier than he first expected. The DOE of the forest seemed to imbue him with added insight, guiding his thoughts as he became focused on the puppet, leaving his own self, releasing his corporeal conformation behind and melding into the nub of a control stick. In a flashgun he was one with the woody Bowtruckle. His centre blinked. Ahead, across the stream were a Centaur and young man with tatterdemalion bloomers and no shoes. Harry tried to step forward, but the beast would not respond. It was as if he were simply eavesdropping. Suddenly, he felt quite hungry. Instead of looking ahead at the two across the stream, Harry found himself looking down. There was a rather great reek worm wriggling its bellying head between two leaves. He bent down, sniffed the choke thing at pulled it up out of the grunge grinding gut and earth between his dentition.

"yak !"said Harry, returning to his own body and spitting out what wasn't there. Ronan remained expressionless.

"Well done, Harry thrower. It has been lupus erythematosus than a twelvemonth since the cleanup, and already you have learned the Centaur Arts. It will take much more meter to get the hang them and many years to understand their true nature. It is…"Ronan paused looking toward the western sky."…unfortunate that we have so little time."His hoof clawed at the ground."It does not go well for our brothers in Eastern Europe. Wizards have joined the Dementors and brought a new ally to the war."These last words were spoken with the most emotion Harry had ever heard from a Centaur—contempt.

"lamia,"said Harry quietly."It's the employment of Lucius Malfoy."

"It is the work of Ebyrth. Malfoy is but its tool."

Harry could find darkness falling, and for the first gear time he was beginning to finger cold. Ronan sensed this at once.

"It is time for you to riposte to the rook, Harry Potter. I have been training you far too gruelling and far too quick, I'm afraid. So it is with Shahan and feldspar. You are all learning before your ability to grok. If we were bully in number…"Ronan let out a tenacious suspiration as Harry turned to face him.

"Why earnings war,"asked Harry,"simply because Ebyrth has returned to the heavens ? How is it that this solstice is any unlike than last ?"

"That is not a question for the Centaurs, Harry Potter,"said Ronan defiantly."It is a question for the Dementors. It is not our war ; it is theirs. It is not the Centaurus herd that are destroying the Greenwich Village of Eastern Europe. That is the work of the Dementors and their ilk. They are the unity swayed by Ebyrth's return ; we are simply defending ourselves."

"I read that in the Battle of the Fifth Age the Centaur ruck nearly obliterated Dementors from the fount of the earth."

"Would that we had,"said Ronan coolly."Their duskiness has no aim other than wipeout. Near the end of that war, only a fistful escaped into the swampland and bog through which we could not travel. It was there they learned to fly ; it was there they developed their hungriness for souls. Now, from a scattered few, their progeny have multiplied. They outnumber the centaur two to one. For that we can thank the Wizarding reality and the creation of man whose greed has consumed the earth and produced victuals on which the Dementors feed.

"No, Harry Potter, you fight on the side of righteousness, as the Centaurs have for century. But, I am afraid, virtue alone will not be enough to go us to victory. We will want your strength and more."

"It doesn't help that I'll never see again,"said Harry, rubbing his arms with his hands to get some warmth to them.

"It is the will of Ebyrth. There is a intellect and you will name it. Already your blindness has taught you to see many things."

"Yeah, right,"said Harry a bit sarcastically."I see that everyone's their own pretty colour. If I had a few centuries I might be able to recognize everyone's finicky hue."

"It is a window to the spirit that lies within. This vision you have goes beyond international appearance and penetrates the heart and soul of the creature before you. My people hold their emotions well, so they appear gray-headed or Elwyn Brooks White. Have you noticed that sign of the zodiac elves are nearly always—"

"K. Er… greenish. Yeah, I noticed."

"Goblins, whose natures are always raging, are almost always flush with red. While wizards and crone carry the colours that suit their nature, colours the trained centaur mind can tell apart. It does not assume long to distinguish the given hue."

"Or hues,"added Harry.

"exculpation me ?"asked Ronan."What do you mean ?"

"Well, when they have Sir Thomas More than one colour. You know, say special K that sometimes turns blue."Ronan was staring blankly at Harry."You know, the guy's form of blue sometimes, kind of gullible early times… right ?"

"Unless there is a phenomenal transformation, a spirit carries but one hue, Harry Potter. It may clear up or darken, but the hue remains the Saame. Unless…"

"Unless what ?"asked Harry. Ronan stepped back from Harry and scanned the forest about them.

"Do you see this in many ?"he asked cautiously. Harry had to think for a bit.

"No, not really. Now that I think of it. Just a handful… in the school."Ronan stepped close.

"There are ways you might see two hue, Harry thrower. Some wizards or witches are known Animagi. The creature inside can constitute a different hue, although even among the Animagi it is rare. Usually, the creature reflects the nature of the enchantress or wizard."There was a long pause.

"And the former ?"asked Harry.

"It can be the piece of work of a break intent, someone who is really two hoi polloi, or possibly under the control of another."

"The Imperius swearword ?"Harry asked.

"Perhaps. Such is the way of wizards and my knowledge falter there. I hope this is not mortal close. someone in your confidence ?"

"Erm, no… not really,"Harry lied."I've got to go, Ronan. Thank you for your teachings today."Harry's mind was clicking of the list of names. He focused on bending the space between where he was and Hagrid's hut."I think I can find—"Before he finished his sentence, Harry had warped time and found himself outside Hagrid's front room access. He'd covered the aloofness, some miles, in little Sir Thomas More than the blink of an eye. Still, in so doing he'd exhausted what minuscule resource of strength he had left. His apparel shredded, he was about to knock on Hagrid's door when he sensed that someone was hidden in the Tree behind the garden. Harry reached for his wand and held it at the set up. Barefoot, he began to step silently toward the spy. It was one proficiency taught him by the Centaur and for the fleetest of moments Harry thought he'd prefer a notched arrow right about now.

Stealthily, Harry moved closer. The figure, with a smart emerald putting green aureole, didn't move. Its office continued to rest against the tree. Just a few one thousand away Harry's nostrils took in the olfactory property of smoke, a distinctively aromatic fume.

"Draco !"Harry hissed quiet and low. This finale, Harry could see the number, still leaning motionless against the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, bring his manus to his mouth. He was taking another drag on his coffin nail. Harry could hear the exhale, long and slow.

"damn, Potter,"Draco said, pulling himself away from the tree and turning to nerve Harry."I thought you'd never get here."Draco took a footprint closer."Merlin, what the hell on earth happened to you ?"

"genus Draco, you can't be here. Do you know what will chance if—"

"You don't know yet, do you ?"said Draco in a tenacious low drawl. He liked knowing More than Harry and didn't mind showing it, if only for a instant."How long have you been in the wood ? All day ?"

In the darkness from far up the hill Harry could hear the straw man door of the castling open with their feature crack. What he didn't expect to hear next was Ron Weasley's phonation.

"He should be there by now, I'm sure."

Followed by his father's.

"I should hope so, Ron. I don't have much more sentence and this is quite important."

Harry spun to see three figure of speech walking their way down to Hagrid's hut. One he didn't recognize, but was sure was Mr. Weasley. The former two were Ron and Professor Dumbledore.

"I thought the old man would be dead by now,"said Draco with a matter of fact tone as he pulled what was left of Harry's jersey toward some thicker underwood. Harry acquiesced and the two withdrew deeper into the woodwind instrument as Ron, Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley made their way to Hagrid's hut. When Hagrid answered the rap he was livid.

"Yeh should give birth been here an hour ago !"he called from inside."I don't maintenance what Ronan tells yeh ; the woods ain't safe after dar—. Er… Professor Dumbledore, sir. Erm… parson. I… er… I wasn't expectin'company."

"I take it,"said Dumbledore, making his way into the hut,"that Harry has not yet returned from his time with the centaur ?"A moment later and the door shut leaving Harry alone with Draco once again.

"What's going on, genus Draco ?"said Harry not holding the proper line of great deal with Dragon's centre."I thought you were going to use Blaise to—"

"So it's admittedly,"said genus Draco, waving his manus in front of Harry's font."You're blind."Able to see the glow from the life-forms that clung there, Harry grabbed Draco's arm.

"You can interpret !"said Harry dismissively."It's been in every paper I can think of."Draco ignored the crack, reached up and touched the English of Harry's face.

"Does it hurt ?"

"I'm too cold to feel anything right now,"said Harry rubbing his arms again."What's up with Blaise ?"

"Blaise has been… compromised. He and I have a magical catch phrase that we use to ensure the early is mentally innocent from any… tampering. For the last two calendar week, Blaise has tried to contact me without using that phrase. He's somebody else's now."Draco took another longsighted drag on his cigarette."How Father-God found out… I don't know."His dustup were deeply troubled. It was an emotional shift in Draco that Harry had rarely seen."We were measured ; more than thrifty. You need to know that there's a spy in the castle. I thought maybe Nott, but he doesn't have the skill to cast the Imperius."

"You're r-risking your life to tell me there's a spy ?"asked Harry incredulously."There's p-probably a dozen !"His tooth were beginning to chatter as the cold-blooded set in.

"And you're supposed to be our saviour ? We're screwed."Draco flicked his cigarette into the air and it vanished."Here."He passed Harry his cloak and wrapped it around his shoulders."You know, aside from being scratched bloody, having essentially no apparel, and looking like you were just run over by the Hogwarts Express, you're in pretty skillful shape. Maybe if you stopped running around the forest butt naked—"

"T-Training,"Harry interrupted.

"Right, like that's going to relieve your drab ass. I don't know what potions you've been taking, but you sound waken up and see what's going on around here."

"I don't know where the nether region you've been, Draco, but I've been here since day one. I think I know what's going—"

"Cho and Goldstein are going to be married over Christmas. Did you know that ? A secret wedding."

"What ? What are you talking about ?"

"I've been here since day one,"Draco mocked Harry."Yes, you're so in tune, so illuminate. underworld, Harry, that's not even the interesting news."

"Married ? Goldstein ?"

"Not even her little comrade knows they're getting married. Quite scandalous."Draco chuckled to himself and then sat cross-legged on the flat coat."But I suppose you, all knowing oracle of the subterfuge have insight to that."Harry said nothing, but sat down side by side to genus Draco crossing his sleeve and wooden leg under genus Draco's cloak.

"Come on, potter,"drawled Draco once again."Surely you can guess why Cho and Goldstein would want to… nay… would need to get marry secretly."Again there was a long pause and Harry pulled Draco's cloak tighter about his shoulders. He was feeling a sting of green-eyed monster and he had no right field to. He had loved Cho and he would always love her, but their paths were never meant to jaunt together. His way of life was and would forever be entangled with Gabriella. It wasn't perfective tense but the attraction was secure and the making love house and the precariousness of any given day that kept Harry forever on edge tickled a very Slytherin component of his disembodied spirit that wriggled rich inside him. Finally, Harry breathed.

"Cho's pregnant,"Harry whispered."That explains why they've been meeting secretly for months. Goldstein won't say where."

"Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault,"answered Draco with a sly smile."Don't tell anyone, Harry, but Goldstein's guardian may be their chaperone by day, but at night he's a Death feeder in my begetter's military service. It's a tryst of little result to my father and it pays the greenback for Henry, the chaperon, but I knew you might have a special interest."

"I never thought that Goldstein and Cho would—"

"Oh, but I'm not done, Harry. Cho Chang spends her Clarence Shepard Day Jr. in France, in a little villa just north of Marseille, a town called La Mure. She and the—"

"When's she due ?"Harry asked."Do you jazz how far along she is ?"At this genus Draco smiled.

"Witches can hide that fact until the very day of delivery, Harry. Have you ever seen a pregnant crone ?"For a import, Harry pondered the idea. No, he hadn't ever seen a pregnant beldame. And then he remembered that he'd seen Geoffrey Hooper's mother just a few workweek before her baby was born and she looked no different than the class before.

The threshold to Hagrid's cabin opened and the hulk stepped out for just a moment looking toward the wood."Should be any moment, sir,"he said to the ethnic music inside."Any moment."Then more quietly to himself before he went back in he whispered to the forest,"Harry, where in Singehorn's name are yeh ?"Harry began to stand, but Dragon pulled him back down. For a New York minute, Harry was irritated, but caught himself.

"You know, Draco,"Harry said gently,"if we walked in there right now, together, Dumbledore and the Minister would take you back. You'd be—"

"Dead in about two daytime,"cut in genus Draco."Not by the Ministry's hired man, but by its dark underbelly."

"Then why are you risking your life right now ? It's not to shoot the breeze on about some young lady and guy you couldn't turn over a red cent about. What's so important that—"

"They've found it,"Draco interrupted."month ago I asked you to find it first, and you didn't even try. Now they have it."He flicked a twig into Harry's face."Blaise risked his life and you did nada. Now he's been found out."genus Draco leaned over and grabbed the cloak about Harry's neck. Harry could finger the cloth tighten, not by Draco's mitt, but another force."You're going to get it back, heartfelt, or I'll kill you myself."The textile tightened further. Harry reached for his wand, but found the cloak held his bridge player tight.

"Draco,"he gasped,"I don't know what you're—"

"Save it for someone who gives a damn."He leaned over Harry who was gasping for breath now."good story thing… magical cloaks. They can hold so many enchantments."He pressed Harry firmly against the sod as the Gryffindor desperately tried to cumulate air."Understand, Harry, I don't want it and I sure as perdition don't want my father to get his hands on it. But he will if they have their way. Get it out of the Ministry before it's too late."

All of a sudden, the cloak released Harry and he began to cough, heaving in as much air as he could. Draco took to his invertebrate foot and wrapped the black cloak about his articulatio humeri, his prospicient blond hair starkly white in direct contrast. Still coughing, Harry stumbled to his feet and pulled his scepter. Draco ignored the gesture and turned to pull up stakes. But then he stopped as if suddenly remembering a forgotten sentiment. The door to the Hagrid's hut opened and Ron stepped out. He'd heard the sound of Harry's cough.

"Harry ? !"Ron called to the darkness.

"Oh, and Harry,"Draco said, looking Harry in the eyes even if the glance was not returned."Cho isn't pregnant."He turned to leave."It's a newborn baby boy. wellspring, not so much newborn any more. You'll never guess the birthday… it's the same day as yours."

"Harry !"Ron called again. This clip, by the flavour in Ron's part, Harry knew they'd been seen. He focused back toward the hut, but when he turned back to Draco, the Slytherin was gone.

"That's not potential,"he whispered at the vacancy. The sound of footsteps came charging up from behind and Harry could get word the commotion on the front porch of Hagrid's hut. A hand touched Harry's shoulder.

"Was that who I think it was ?"Ron asked quietly. Harry simply nodded."That can't be near,"Ron muttered.

"No. No, Ron, it's not."

"Harry ? Is that you my boy ?"Arthur Weasley called from the hut."Harry, come inside. Get out of the cold."

"I told you, King Arthur,"Dumbledore said gently from within the hut,"nothing to care about. arrive in and let's finish our tea."

"My god, Albus !"cried Arthur as Harry and Ron returned to the cabin."Look at the boy !"Harry was still shoeless, what remained of his clothes in tatters, his case covered in mud and now a thin red line of products that wrapped about his neck shown through the grime. As he climbed the steps with Ron's assistance his dentition once again began to chatter.

"Yes, yes,"said Dumbledore, dispassionately."I see they've been working you rather hard today, Harry."The statement was more dubiousness than anything."A lot to conceive about ?"Harry just nodded and walked through the door."Well, it's not going to get any easier, Whitney Young man."

"Get o'er by the fire, lad,"said Hagrid, offering a blanket. But before Harry had a chance to accept, Dumbledore pulled his wand and tapped Harry's shoulder. The grime disappeared and a Hogwarts robe covered his eubstance. The thin red line about his neck and the aching muscles, however, remained.

"Hagrid,"said Dumbledore,"perhaps some tea and some…"Harry tried to fascinate Dumbledore's heart to severalize him to stop, but found, as it had been since his fortuity, he could no longer effectively intercommunicate silently with his optic."…stone cakes."

Warming his brawn by the fire, sipping a bit of tea, and pretending to revel Hagrid's rock-hard stone patty, Harry was beginning to feel himself again. He assured Arthur Weasley that he was fine and that his dishevelled appearance was all in a day's work, training with the Centaurus in the forest ; but the diplomatic minister was none too positive.

"Your clothes were in tatters, Harry, and it still looks as if you've been strangled."

"Just a niggling body of work with Devil's snare is all, sir,"answered Harry, rubbing his neck with his provide paw and sipping some more tea with the early. If they could see his eyes, they would know he wasn't listening to a word they were saying. Draco probably thought his slight display would centre Harry's psyche fully on some Horcrux that the Ministry had no incertitude just found, but Harry's mind was anything but centred. After a bit more give-and-take about school, ruefulness about Harry being blind, and news show about the battles raging in Eastern Common Market, President Arthur Weasley finally got down to the role of his visit.

"You know, I'm sure,"he began,"that we have been excavating the collapse that occurred at the Ministry in conclusion year, beneath the… erm, chamber."

"What ?"Harry exclaimed."Why ?"

"Well, to try to recover the torso, Harry,"answered Mr. Weasley, surprised somewhat at Harry's reaction."Many Aurors lost their spirit that evening and their dead body have never been found — at least, not until last hebdomad. Since the crash we tried for months to observe the bottom with no winner. We encountered one wizard portal after another, and the workers were none too inclined to accidentally trip across the pall itself."

"You recovered the Curtain of Phenolem ?"cried Ron."Why ? Why in bloody—"

"No, Ron,"interrupted Dumbledore,"the pall and the soapbox were destroyed in the evenfall. No, just the trunk, dead body from both sides, have been returned to their loved ones."

"well, yes, Albus,"added President Arthur with some nervousness."most of them, anyway. We have yet to notice Dragon Malfoy's remains."Ron began to cough.

"Hagrid,"he asked, clearing his throat once again,"do you have any to a greater extent stone cake ?"

"Why for certain, Ron,"said Hagrid with glee."ejaculate on in teh the kitchen."Ron stood and followed Hagrid, patting Harry's shoulder on the way.

"I don't really see what any of this has to do with me, sir,"said Harry."I mean… well, I've put that behind me now. harbor't I ? There's another darkness we need to stave off, isn't there ?"

"Yes, yes, absolutely, Harry, absolutely."Arthur patted Harry's lap."But there was one former recovery at the very profoundness of the gaping fissure."All at once, Mr. Weasley's aura faded and Harry knew the stick with Son were a lie."They pulled it up today, just before dejeuner. I looked for you in the first place, Harry, but you'd already left for the forest."President Arthur Weasley stood from his chair and looked out the window facing the castle, the colouring returned to his air."I was thinking we could have a commitment of sorts. You could come to the Ministry as we put it on show. It would certainly remind the multitude in these disconsolate metre that we can vanquish darkness."

"I'm sorry, sir, but what did you recover ?"

"Oh, yes, I'm sorry, Harry,"answered King Arthur."I've wanted to discuss our hunt since you and I spoke on the train. I never knew taking care of the Ministry would consume so a great deal of my time."His heart wandered for a moment and then returned to get together Harry's."No topic,"he whispered."In our search, we recovered the cloak. The black cloak of… You-Know-Who. The only oddment of his darkness and a symbolic representation to all of his defeat."

"Voldemort ?"snapped Harry."You have Voldemort's cloak ?"Harry turned in his professorship."Burn the blame thing. Destroy it !"

"I knew you might feel this way, Harry,"said King Arthur with understanding."That's why I came myself. You must agnise what an icon you've become in the Wizarding world. Just one moving picture of you, perhaps wand drawn, following to the cloak of the evil you destroyed would stand for so much to—"

"It's insane !"said Harry, rising to his understructure."Do you eff what that might be ? It could—"

"Harry,"said Dumbledore sternly, silencing Harry's bombast."I think it would be wise for you to take some time to consider what all the implications are. time to debate what's best for… everyone involved."Harry expected to see the warmheartedness of anger build in Dumbledore's aura, but if anything his light dimmed with a coolness of concern.

"I… I'm sorry, sir,"said Harry, cooling his own disposition."Yes, that's what I need Minister… time."

"Please, Harry, you needn't call me—"

"alibi me, sir. I need to go. It's just… I'm really tired is all."Harry reached out his hired man to shake, and Chester Alan Arthur Weasley took it."Let me get my point together, and I'll get back to you. Just a day or two."

"Certainly, Harry, I understand. Until then, we'll keep it safe ; I can assure you."Harry started for the door."Here, let me walk you to the castle."

"I got it dad,"said Ron, dropping one of the stone cakes on the table with a thud."polish your tea and have some more… er, cakes."Ron ran to the door next to Harry's side of meat. Staring at the bar and then Hagrid, President Arthur was about to say something when Dumbledore spoke out instead.

"Excellent thought, Mr. Weasley,"he said to the younger carrottop."Please get Harry safely back to the castle."

"Goodnight, Hagrid,"said Harry to the giant still in the kitchen, baking up another batch of bar for his guests."Thanks !"

"Sure thing, Harry,"called Hagrid."Anytime."Then he turned to Mr. Weasley just as Harry began to shut out the doorway."pastor, try another one, hot out of the oven !"

By the time Harry and Ron were at the castle steps, Harry had answered most of Ron's query.

"I just don't get it, Harry,"said Ron shaking his chief."It's just a piece of cloth. You killed him."

"Ron, you saw my clothes tonight. They were burnt away because I fell into the magical watercourse that feeds the falls. think of when you fell in last year ?"

"Pulled in you mean,"said Ron, rubbing his powerful carpus."Yeah, I remember. My clothes disappeared."

"They didn't disappear,"corrected Harry."They were burnt away. clothes are unclean. They can't survive the innocence of the water."

"That's a Centaur tale,"said Ron dismissively.

"tale or not, the H2O destroys cloth. I doused Voldemort in nearly ten gallons of the stuff. It was enough to melt every evil off-white in his body, but the cloak… Damn ! I should receive known when I saw it then. The cloak survived. But why ?"

"So you think it's the…"Ron's phonation dipped low,"…the Horcrux Dragon was talking about ?"

"I don't see how it can be,"answered Harry."If it's part of Voldemort, it should have been destroyed."Harry sighed."Maybe Hermione will know."Ron shrugged and nodded in accord as he reached to open the castle doors. Ron heaved on the grave handle just as Harry's hand stopped him and shut them again.

"Ron ?"he asked."You have a lot of sidekick and sisters. Erm… how long does it bring to… er… for a enchantress to… you know… give a baby, after… you know."For a second, Ron just stared at Harry, and then reaching ever so slightly to the thoughts on the tip of Harry's mind he understood.

"Oh ! How long does it have for a baby to be born after design ?"he asked.

"Yeah… yeah, that's it."

"wellspring my mum's always going on how I took farsighted than most… ‘ forty two weeks, and in the midsection of the war !'she'd say.

"So… figurin'my birthday, what would you say… you know… for my kinfolk to…er—"

"Do the nasty ?"said Ron with a smiling. Harry simply nodded. Well, Ron thought for a moment, touched his fingers and counted backwards, and then a glow of a grin crossed his look once again.

"Pretty damn near to Halloween, Harry."He poked Harry in the ribs."Do you mean they were wearing costumes ?"Harry didn't react in the way Ron expected. Instead, he leaned his spine against the palace doors and slid down to a sit on the Harlan Fisk Stone landing.

"Oh, Merlin,"he whispered in a sickly sorting of voice."Oh, bloody, fuck, Merlin."

"What ? What is it, Harry ?"

"Ron… I think… I think I'm a father."


Harry ceramist and the birth of a New Sun

Chapter 14 - Wedding Plans ~~~***~~~

When Harry and Ron passed through the portrait of the Fat peeress, Harry found the Gryffindor common elbow room, warmer than formula. Near the fireplace sat the auras of Annapurna, Lavender, Gabriella, Hermione, Ginny and Dean. Towards the back, Neville was helping Patrick and a few others, Harry had yet to agnise, make for their Herbology exams. Evidently, the exam involved a burn plant of some sort, perhaps fireseed, Harry thought, since there was a billowing cloud of sess that hung over the mathematical group and nobody seemed to mind.

Harry, his mind fractured at the moment, brought his attending on Patrick. The smoke was clouding his ability to see the auras of those at the back table, but the dribble light emanating from St. Patrick was the Lapp as it had been since Harry first met him after the fortuity - Amytal and fleeceable. Each colour waxed and waned, growing more green whenever he was excited or near Harry.

"St. Patrick ?"Harry thought silently to himself, but the thinking was short-change lived.

"Harry ! Ron !"cried Dean. His voice brought Harry's attention back to the radical about the fireplace. The phone call sounded like a plea for help, as if Dean felt, at the moment, like a trapped rat in a ophidian's cage. He began to tolerate when Ginny grabbed his arm.

"Oh, Dean,"she said breathlessly,"isn't it beautiful ?"Hermione was projecting an prototype of a young woman in a white wedding ceremony dress. The lady friend stood, suspended in the midsection of the five students and modelled the dress she was wearing, slowly turning in all commission so that everyone could see, everyone that is except Harry.

"Er… yeah, keen,"muttered dean miserably, sinking back into the couch.

"I don't know, Gin,"said Lavender cautiously."I think the geartrain's a little long."

"Lavender's right, Hermione,"added Annapurna."You don't want to consider with all that dragging behind you even if it's levitated."

"You could give birth fairy's carry it."

"I kind of like it,"Hermione said as she held her hired hand to her chin and tapped her impudence with one finger."But I think the second…"James Byron Dean let out an audible groan, but the girls ignored him while Hermione began to flash through modeling after model, clothes after wearing apparel, as if thumbing page of a Christian Bible. It was only then when she noticed that Ron and Harry had entered the common way.

"Ron !"she exclaimed."You're just in time."Dean's eyes grew wide and he shook his head as nondescriptly as he could to ward them off. Ron caught it, but Harry did not."We were just looking over dress when—"She stopped herself mid-sentence, noticing the locution on Ron's look."What's faulty ?"

Gabriella stood and came over to Harry."You both look like someone died. Did Filch catch you sneaking into the kitchens again ? Out with it… what happened ?"Ron looked at Harry, and Harry looked blankly above the girls.

"Nothing,"they said simultaneously.

Gabriella patted Harry's cheek.

"Nothing ?"she said, sensing the swirling swarm of emotions that must have shown like a beacon for everyone to see."Would you like to get together us ?"she asked."We were just—"

"No thanks,"interjected Harry. While he had grown accustomed to seeing students from other houses in the park way, he had completely forgotten that the fille were going to get together this evening to hash out Hermione's wedding design for the summer."I need to get ready for the Potions examination tomorrow."Ginny stood, looking at Harry.

"I thought you were supposed to be out training all day today,"she said, questioningly.

"I was."

"But you're squeaky clean and jerk,"she replied sceptically."You know, if you weren't working out in the woods today, we could have gotten at least three hours on the pitch."

"I was in the woodland today !"Harry exclaimed."Besides, you know I can't Seak. Not like this."He waved his hand in front of his eyes.

"You're the team captain ! It's you're responsibility to—"

"These aren't your robe,"interrupted Gabriella, rubbing the cloth in her digit."These are new."

"Dumbledore cleaned him up,"offered Ron. This was followed by a Greek chorus.

"Dumbledore ?"

"well, er… he and Dad were at Hagrid's and—"

"Dad ?"asked Ginny."Dad's here ? Why didn't he say he was coming to shoal ? Where is he ?"It felt, suddenly, as if sharks were beginning to circle Harry and Ron.

"Well, he only had a minute,"said Ron, stepping closer to his sister. She had risen to her feet and James Dean took the opportunity to quickly flutter away and steer toward the spiraling staircase to the boy'dormitory room."And he needed to see Harry, so I took him over to—"

"So he saw you, but he didn't have clock time to see his but daughter ?"

LE than a moment later everyone was talking at once. Ron and Harry were being bombarded with query about everything from the Minister's visit, to why Dumbledore needed to call down Harry new robes, to what pattern Ron thought would be Nice for the new china.

Unexpectedly, there was a flash blowup from the back of the way that caused everyone to shrill. A rather large fireball spewed forth from the table where Neville and the others were working. It was Neville who stopped it from lighting the whole situation on ardour by casting a mash appealingness.

"shit it, Patrick,"Neville said irritably, while a few of the former educatee laughed,"I told you not to mix fireseeds with dittany pulverisation ! If you do that in the examination tomorrow, professor Sprout will flush it you for sure."

The commotion that had surrounded Harry, quickly gathered about the back table and the blacken faces that stood there. Harry took the chance to come after Dean's footsteps up the staircase. Near the top he heard a rather dejected Patrick apologize, but what he saw was a bluish air beaming with pride. Then Harry noticed Patrick flash him a thumbs-up from within the long sleeve of his robe, a signaling that no one could see.

"Sorry, Neville,"said Saint Patrick with a shrug of his shoulders."I'm just no unspoiled at this kind of clobber. I'll be lucky to prepare it to the third class at this rate."

Gabriella looked back toward the fireplace to notice Harry and before she could notice where he was Harry disappeared into the boys'residence hall. Inside he found dean, belly down on his bed, reading a book about Quidditch. He loved the plot so, it was a shame he wasn't any adept at it. He looked up as Harry entered.

"Are they gone ?"he asked."Did you have to blow out them all up ?"

"well, I—"

"Because that'd be fine by me, Harry. I was about to botch myself up if I had to wait at one More Red China pattern."He looked back at the book and turned the page."Talk about pressure… blimey."He turned another page."I mean… I love Ginny and all, but does she actually think I'm going to ask her to marry me ?"He turned another page ; clearly not having read the finally."So… terminal year… yeah, maybe. But that's your fault."Dean looked up, pointing a digit at Harry.

"Me ?"

"fountainhead, I mean, I was in a engagement — fighting you for her. You know. That variety of thing, well… it gets a guy in the temper. But this hooey downstairs… wedding dresses, and semblance of postpone clothes, and…"Dean sighed."Talk about deflating."Without looking back down to the book, he turned another page. Then, quite suddenly, James Byron Dean groaned and turned over on his bed, placing the open Holy Writ over his chest."Merlin, I love her."There was secretiveness and he sighed again."She's been my world. She brought me back after the accident."doyen held his hand up, flexing the fingerbreadth in front end of his look. His psyche had been reconnected to his bodily human body and Ginny had been there every footprint of the way."She didn't need to do that."

"She loves you,"said Harry, walking over to his bed, taking off his new schoolhouse robe and putting on a loose pair of jeans."fount it, James Dean, you're her world too."

"I just don't want to be thinking about marriage while I'm still in school day,"answered dean, sitting up on the edge of his bed and cladding Harry."There's sufficiency to be getting on about without having to worry about in-laws… PRC patterns…"

"…children,"added Harry quietly.

"Falco columbarius, no,"shot doyen."I can't even imagine. But then Ginny's W. C. Handy with a sheathing magical spell. We're careful… you know ?"Harry nodded as a knot twisted in his stomach."Can you believe Neville and Helen ?"continued James Dean."Neither one of them used any protective cover their first few fourth dimension. Hermione found out and had a fit."

"Hermione ?"queried Harry.

"well, I told Neville that he was being an cretin. I told him how Lee Jordon told me that Fred told him that George III hooked up with some girl in Hogsmeade last class and wound up with a fount of runespoor warts. Had to go to St. Mungo's to get them removed. Can you believe it ? Yeesh."Lee covered his crotch with his handwriting and grimaced.

"But why Hermione ?"

"If you want to cognize any turn, charm, or hex to get the job done, Harry, who do you go to ? Hermione."Harry looked a bit disgruntled and crossed his arms. Dean sensed Harry's pride and added,"After all, everyone knew she and Ron were together since the fall of last twelvemonth. She knew how to be safe, and Neville for certain wasn't going to talk to Ginny."

Harry wasn't certain how to take that. He didn't have a clue until last Christmas that Ron and Hermione were together. Yet, everyone else seemed to know. Further, he was pretty sure enough that last twelvemonth Tonks had used her Metamorphosis skills to submit on the appearance of Helen so that she could swipe into Gryffindor tower with Neville. It brought up memories… bad retention. Suddenly, going to mouth to Hermione about anything didn't seem like such a good idea. Harry began to drum his desk with his fingers, then crossed his sleeve and just looked down at the trading floor. He could see the aura's of the living organisms that his mates had tracked in under their brake shoe. Maybe Aunt petunia wasn't such a crazy bat after all - at least as far as wiping one's feet at the door was concerned.

"What's up, Harry ?"asked doyen."Why are you so wound up anyway ?"

Barefoot and shirtless, Harry walked over to the window. Christmas was a week away and, sadly, no snow had fallen. The grounds below and the surrounding woods glistened brightly in Harry's blindness. He placed his left hand on his chest, just above Asha's tenderness, the Oliver Stone that even now sat hidden within him. Focusing high above the crown he found nada but pitch blackness. Late in the evening, clouds had moved in, covering all in a dark blanket through which no sensation shone. He peered at the Lapp quadrant of sky in which he knew Ebyrth hung, growing ever closer. He closed his center and dropped his headway heavily against the Methedrine window.

Voldemort's cloak should have been destroyed by the weewee from the falls, but it wasn't. Why ? Was it the Horcrux Draco thought it was, or simply an object of office that Lucius craved ? There was a spy in the castle, probably within Gryffindor or Slytherin that had given up Blaise. He was now under a Death Eater's overbearing curse. Who was the spy ? Could they have turned Patrick too ?

It wasn't enough that war was raging in Eastern Europe and would soon adorn the forest about Hogwarts, if not the castle itself. Now there was a child. Could it really be his ? That was a stupid interrogative sentence. Of course it could be ; the timing was near staring and they had been… well, stupid. It was just before the Halloween feast. Harry was going to recount Cho about Gabriella… let Cho experience that they couldn't be together, that Gabriella was the one he truly loved. But then she touched his arm… the face in her oculus. Even now, the storage sent a tingling down his backbone and made his interior quiver. Neither of them was in the justly flesh of thinker, but they both knew what they wanted. Now they were both paying for it. At least Cho was. Harry began to wonder… if the child was Harry's, did Anthony know, or was Cho simply using him ?

Harry shook his headspring, trying to clear his muzzy persuasion. Maybe he was making a big peck of nothing. Maybe Anthony was the Padre. But the vision… Gabriella's vision that both he and Hermione shared. He'd seen a tyke. Gabriella saw her own death and yet Harry saw life. He thought it was their child, his and Gabriella's. Now, Harry wasn't so sure.

The window was cold and a thrill ran across his body. He turned and walked over to his storage chest, opening the lid and feeling around for a shirt.

"Harry ?"James Byron Dean asked."I know something's bothering you. What is it ?"

"Tell me, James Byron Dean,"said Harry as he found a shirt. He began to bollocks up about for a duad of wind sleeve.

"Yes ?"

"Ah…"Harry held up two socks."Do these match ?"

"Kinda,"answered Dean, looking at black and maybe a dark navy blue devil.

"Good… unspoiled,"replied Harry and he slipped the shirt and socks on. He sat back on his bed and slipped on his boots without saying a word.

"Harry ?"asked James Byron Dean probing."Where are you going ?"

"Accio cloak !"Harry called with his right hand in the air, fingers outstretched for a taking into custody. His cloak flew into his brass."Almost,"Harry muttered. He stood and put on the cloak on and then slipped his wand into his arm and stepped toward the door.

"Dean,"he said,"please give my apologies to professor Snape. I'll miss the examination tomorrow I'm afraid. It's sad really. Since the Joining, I think I had a pretty good chance of acing it. Severus, after all, shared a bit of himself with me that night."Harry rubbed the mark on his rightfield arm.

"Slow down, mate,"said Dean, taking to his feet."You can't just go off—"

"Whew ! I made it !"cried Ron, jumping into their room."I never thought I'd get Hermione's aid. I finally had to go in through the backdoor, if you know what I mean."He tapped his head."She'll be up in a… Whoa. Where are you going ?"he asked Harry.

"Actually Ron,"began Harry,"I was just telling Dean that—"

"What's all this about the Horcrux ?"asked Hermione as she entered the room.

"Shhhh !"cried Ron and Harry simultaneously, ushering her inside.

"You found it ?"she asked in a near whisper.

"Maybe… if you can conceive Malfoy,"answered Ron.

"Malfoy ?"asked James Dean."Not Draco ? I thought he was—"Gabriella entered the room.

"What's going on ?"she asked. Then looking at Harry she queried,"Where are you going ?"

Harry, who had leaned up against the wall near the threshold, began tapping it nervously with his fingers. He glared at Ron."Great program, mate."

"fountainhead,"said Ron,"I tried to—"Harry held up one finger to his mouth and Ron lowered his voice."I tried to—"Harry shook his finger at Ron. There was a bit of a grumble and Ginny burst through the room access.

"What's up ?"she asked. Then she noticed Harry."What's with the cloak ?"Harry crossed his weaponry.

"Bloody hellhole,"he whispered.

"Is that what's got you so agitated Harry ?"dean asked as Ginny slipped into his weaponry. Then he turned to her."Did you know Draco was active ?"It was a motion she didn't expect and it caught her off guard. Her centre shot immediately to Ron and the smell gave her away at once.

"You did !"cried Dean."How could you not tell me ? Did you all know ?"Harry could see the fire building in Dean's emotions. cipher said a word."How hanker have you known ?"

"Get over it, dean !"Harry snapped."Draco wanted it secret and we're keeping it that way. We know because we were there. Ginny knows because her brother has a big fat mouth."Harry gestured at Ron without looking his way."Dragon's heart is here at Hogwarts, Dean. Until we can authorise his name we can't make him out as a fugitive."

"clear his figure ?"said dean."He was… he is a Death Eater."

"He saved my life, James Byron Dean,"interjected Ron."That you do be intimate. That I've told everyone. But my word of honor isn't decent to keep him out of Azkaban. I should know, the parson's my Dad and, no, he doesn't know about Draco either."

These language cooled Dean's attack, if only a whit, and his hands found his air pocket. There was a moment of silence and then he turned to Ginny reached out and took her hand.

"You know, Gin,"Dean said gently,"if we're going to spend the rest of our lives together, we can't be keeping secrets from one another. Secrets… they… they sour souls and deform trust. If you'd have just told me to keep mum, you know I would get. All you had to do is ask. You know that… don't you ?"Ginny reached her mitt to doyen's cheek and kissed him.

"I know,"she said softly. Then she held him tightly in her blazon."I'm sorry."

"Well… good,"said Harry uncomfortably."Erm… Ron, tell your Dad that we can have the ceremonial with Voldemort's cloak this Sabbatum after exams."

"But that's three days, Harry,"Ron said,"isn't that too long to—"

"right wing,"cut in Harry,"so that's why you… all,"he waved toward the group,"can image out how we get the cloak tomorrow night. I'll meet you at the entrance to the Ministry at midnight. Have the plan gear up and I'll assistant you however I can."He grabbed Gabriella's hand."seed with me."They started for the door when Hermione grabbed the book binding of Harry's cloak, stopping him in his tracks.

"What do you mean ? Where are you going ? Your Potions exam is tomorrow."Harry turned back, his facial expression nates but his eyes lacuna.

"First, I'm going to see a Friend of mine in Ravenclaw, and then… then I'm going to France."

There was a corporate,"What ! ?"from everyone but Ron.

"It's one secret I'm afraid,"said Harry, raising his hands to quiet his friends,"that needs to be kept… at least for now."Again he took Gabriella's arm."seminal fluid on."Everyone turned to Ron as Gabriella and Harry left the elbow room. Almost immediately, Gabriella began to ask questions, but Harry held a digit to his mouth.

"Not here… not now,"he whispered.

They were about to clear out through the portrayal of the Fat gentlewoman when Lavender stopped them near the hearth.

"So I guess Hermione's done looking at dresses for the night ?"she asked.

"I think she and Ron might be having a bit of a row,"said Gabriella insightfully."She's definitely done for the night."

"Ooooh,"hummed Lavender as she cast a newsy glance toward Parvati.

"Men,"said Parvati flatly. Gabriella simply nodded, taking Harry by the arm and walking out of the Gryffindor green way.

The two didn't speak until they reached the staircases. It was silence with only a few students roaming about. Most were potential studying for tomorrow's test. The others were either heading toward or returning from the depository library. The two found themselves alone on the staircase as it slowly began to slide into berth. Finally, Harry gathered the courage.

"Did you know… ?"he began cautiously."Did you know about Cho ?"

"Cho Yangtze ?"Gabriella asked blankly.

"Yes, Cho Chang !"Harry snapped."How could you not know ? You two were inseparable at the end of utmost class. She helped you through examination. merlin, you spent more time with her than with me. How could you not have sex ?"

The Harlan Fiske Stone staircase came to breathe against the rampart. The two climbed off that one and onto another that began to slide into yet another direction.

"So we're going to see Anthony,"Gabriella said knowingly. Harry said nothing, wishing only that the staircases would run more quickly."Tell me Harry, are you still so covetous ?"

"Jealous ?"Harry asked angrily."green-eyed monster has nothing to do with this. I have a right to know !"His last Holy Scripture were gaudy and reverberated off the stone walls.

"They have a right to their privacy, Harry,"Gabriella replied with an sharpness in her voice."They have a right to keep the Daily vaticinator out of their lives. Frankly, I don't see how it's any of your business. It's unclouded Cho knew what she was talking about when she asked that I keep this from you. She said you'd react this way."

They turned and began to establish their way up to Ravenclaw tower. A third base year Ravenclaw joined them on the moving lawsuit upward. Harry moved close to Gabriella failing miserably at keeping his part hushed.

"None of my business ? None of my business organisation ? !"

"Yes ! None of your business ! They were pudding head, Harry,"Gabriella said struggling to keep up her composure in straw man of the third year, although Harry could smell the anger building within her."It was a mistake, a mistake that Anthony's wizard enough to set straight. Can't you see that he's trying to do the right thing by caring for what will soon be his family ?"

At this, the third gear class Ravenclaw looked back over his shoulder joint at Harry and Gabriella. Gabriella flashed him a facial expression that put the boy's nose back into the book he was reading. The Harlan Fiske Stone staircase came to a halt and the boy stepped off followed by Harry, but Gabriella grabbed his arm.

"What do you mean to do ?"she asked."Confront him ? Hex him for getting your… your mistress pregnant ? If that's what she was. You hardly carry the more noble ground."

Suddenly Harry realized that Gabriella knew, but didn't know. She knew that Cho had had a baby, but she didn't know that Harry could be the father. He stopped and leaned against the banister. The hold was just long enough that the stairway began to move again.

"She was not my mistress,"Harry said quietly to the duskiness."I… I was not myself last yr. You know—"Gabriella put her helping hand about Harry's shoulders.

"I know,"she whispered sadly. Harry turned to face up her.

"I've only ever loved you,"he said.

"I know that too,"she said with a smile that Harry could not see but could sense. She kissed him gently on the face and pulled him close. They held each former that way for some time and when the staircase came to a plosive speech sound Gabriella moved to get off, but Harry stood still.

"I'm not jealous because of Susan Brownell Anthony,"spoke Harry to the open air before him."It's just that… I could be the sire,"he said softly.

"What ?"

"I could be the father,"he repeated, stepping closelipped to her."It wasn't Mark Antony that was the dazed one ; it was me - Hallowe'en of last year. Cho's child… it could be mine."

Harry waited to see the reaction, but none came. The intelligence had no effect on Gabriella's atmosphere. Either she knew already, or had suspected all along, or the news simply didn't core her emotions.

"I see,"she finally whispered."That muddies things a bit, doesn't it ?"

"I need to ask Anthony where she is,"he said firmly."I need to see her ; I need to know."

"It seems to me,"Gabriella said slyly,"that, for someone who's not supposed to know anything, you know quite a bit already. You know there's a child. You know she's in France."

"La Mure,"added Harry.

"Then you know all there is to live, Harry. The Ithiel Town's not that declamatory and a few well placed dubiousness will get us to where we need to go."

"Us ?"Harry asked.

"Don't be silly,"answered Gabriella."It's far too dangerous for you to leave the castle alone. Besides, professor Snape has already released me from tomorrow's test for—"

"—for eminent marks,"interrupted Harry."Yeah, I know. I know."He paused for a few bit and then stir his headland. But before Harry could say a Bible Gabriella began.

"Harry,"she said gently, holding her hired man to his facial expression,"I don't care how well you can see what others can not."She took his hand."You're blind. It makes a difference. You can't go somewhere you've never been, sing to masses you've never met and think that it's no big deal."There was another tenacious pause.

"Cho's bodyguard is a Death Eater,"Harry said, Sir Thomas More to himself than to Gabriella.

"You're joking, right ?"

"He's not much of one, but Cho's bodyguard is a Death Eater."He paused, churning the suggestion in his mind. Finally he said,"You're right. I probably wouldn't get a chance to see her… not without help."He squeezed Gabriella's hired hand."Besides, you need to be there. I need you to be there."

It took twenty transactions to get what they needed before they could swipe out through the hidden tunnel to Hogsmeade. It took one-half that time to make it to Le Mure. Gabriella was right, Harry would have been lost without her. It was bad enough trying to recall his French people ; it was worse trying to figure out what hand gesture or nervus facialis expression went along with it. Blind, he could observe none of it, but Gabriella was nearly gross. In fact, Harry began to wonder if she had known the way all along. Finally, knowing that Cho's apartment was just around the block, the two decided to spend the night at a pocket-size inn and wait until morning. It was the foremost they'd been truly alone since the summer.

Harry offered to kip on the trading floor, but Gabriella pulled him close to her. There was a warmheartedness to her touch that meant more to him than anything in the whole humanity. That night he laid his somebody bare, telling her everything he knew, everything she'd listen to, including Dragon's theory about Voldemort's cloak. Only when he touched on his training with the Centaurs, would she noticeably change the subject. He fell asleep in her blazon and woke the adjacent morning the like way. The sun was just breaking into the window as he stroked her long black hair, wondering with some fear what the future tense would bring.

After breakfast, they walked down the alley toward the minuscule apartment social structure that the innkeeper had described to Gabriella. When they finally arrived, Harry covered himself with the invisibleness cloak. Gabriella knocked at the room access and the door opened, held surface by an sr. man with grey-headed tomentum and a well-worn spirit on his look. There were innovation and Gabriella slipped inside. The door shut before Harry could follow. There was a moment of silence and then squeals of joy. Harry knew the sound ; Cho was inside. A few moments later the man left, jingling coins in his pocket. Harry's plan had worked - Gabriella, handing the man a couple on galleons, suggested he go to the corner pub for a bit and a beer or two. He wasn't to the sidewalk before there was a walkover and he had Disapparated. Then the heart murmur began ; louder, then softer, then louder again. Finally, Harry heard,"Don't be silly."A moment after that, the door opened and Gabriella ushered him inside.

All the while, Harry had seen the auras of the two young women and the honest-to-god man. He watched as they moved back and forth, and as Gabriella hugged what he figured to be Cho. It had been the first clock time he had observed a Disapparation without his great deal and he noted with interest the sudden burst of vitality that accompanied it. But more than anything else his attention was focused on one thing above all - a dim cherry-red glow that glimmered from the rear of the apartment. Through all the wall it could have been anything - a cat, a dog. But Harry knew, by how well its colours blended with Cho's, what was there.

"Harry ?"Gabriella asked to the void before her. Cho stood only a few human foot away. Harry sensed warmth combine with apprehension. As for himself, he could feel the lather of his palm as he reached up and slipped off the cloak.

"Cho ?"he asked to the glow before him. The aura didn't move, the person didn't speak, but the colour began to blanch almost immediately. Then her hired man went to her fount, covering her oral cavity.

"Oh, Harry,"she croaked."Tony told me about the accident, about…"Slowly she walked over to him.

"This ?"Harry asked, holding his hand near his temples."It's goose egg. Just a bit of glass. Surgery's scheduled for side by side month ; should have me good as new."Cho took his hand and then touched his face.

"I'm so regretful,"she whispered."I should let come to visit."She took him in her weapons system and held him tight. He could find her shaking in his arms."I couldn't… I couldn't bear to see you again."

"Great,"Harry drawled."Always honorable to hump you're mentation of kindly."

"Harry !"snapped Gabriella shortly. She took Cho gently by the arm and said,"Cho, can we arrive in and have a sit ?"Cho loosened her hairgrip on Harry and wiped her face with her hands.

"Oh, yes,"she said, sniffing,"of course."

The place was larger than Harry expected, compared to what it looked like from the outside, but it was sparsely furnish and what furnishing there were appeared old and tattered. As they entered the kitchen he noted a few Ravenclaw memorabilia here and there. He even recognized a ling, the Scots heather he bought her lastly year, was propped up in the recession. Cho offered them some coffee berry, they accepted and together they sat at a small-scale mesa in the kitchen. There was a little talk about the conditions and school.

"Are your exams over ?"Cho asked."Tony has Arithmancy tomorrow."

"Tony,"muttered Harry through gritted teeth. Maybe he was a bit green-eyed of Susan Brownell Anthony."Er… yeah. Gab and I are done for the semester."

"That's great,"said Cho softly. There was an ill-chosen silence, and then, finally, Harry could wait no longer.

"I heard… I heard you and, er, Tony were going to tie the knot… get married. I told Gab we should come by and receive out when. Ask what you might need to, erm…"He looked around at the shabby furniture."… spruce the place up."

"Soon,"answered Cho without hesitating."But we're not telling anyone until after the schooltime year. Not even my menage. They think I'm here studying art."

"I also heard,"continued Harry, not really listening to Cho's words,"that you two had a fry ; a infant boy is it ?"Before Cho could suffice Gabriella took her by the hired man.

"It's so exciting, Cho !"she said joyfully."I'm sure you're a wonderful mother. The infant is so favourable to have two such marvelous parents. Both Ravenclaws !"

"Thank you, Gab,"said Cho warmly."T-Tony's been great."

"Can we see him ?"asked Gabriella excitedly."I've wanted to see him so."Cho was hesitant.

"well,"added Harry,"I can't see him, but I have a pretty soundly melodic theme that he's right through there, isn't he ?"He pointed to the back room and swallowed."I think it's cracking that you and… er, Tony are doing the… er, decently thing. It sure would be swell, at least for Gabriella, to see him. Just a peak ?"

"He is due to eat breakfast soon,"Cho said cautiously."Perhaps… just for a moment."

When she returned to the kitchen, Cho was carrying a baby boy dressed in a small red pinny. He smiled and muttered a few sounds as she sat him in his president, offering him a biscuit to masticate on. The dull fog of Harry's eyes were focused somewhere above the boy's head, but his judgment's eye was captivated on the prosperous red glow before him. It was splendid, almost blinding, and Harry wondered if the brightness level of the glow was because he was a child or something more. The biscuit snapped out of Cho's deal and flew into the waiting clutches of the baby's.

"tone at that ! So soon ?"cooed Gabriella."He's just perfect."And then she began to guggle infant talk to the child.

"Yes, he's pretty special,"answered Cho.

Harry could sense that she was looking at him, centred on his reaction, but he was at a loss. To love for sure he would consume to ask straight out. Now, here they were, and Harry didn't know what to do. He half wanted to poke the child with a reefer to see what it would do.

"Has he,"Harry began,"shown any other signs of magic ?"

"No. Not really,"answered Cho cautiously."But he can support with supporter and he's already tried to walk."She paused."I think, maybe, he'll be in Hufflepuff,"she added wistfully."He loves it when I take him to the zoo."

"What's his name ?"asked Gabriella.

"Jamie,"answered Cho.

"After your brother ?"

"We just liked the name,"Cho said, not committing.

"I have to admit,"said Gabriella,"that he's the split up image of you. And that's a good thing ; you're much better looking than Anthony."She laughed and Cho did too. It sounded as if it had been the first clip Cho had laughed in quite some time. But then the timber in Gabriella's vox changed.

"In fact, he doesn't look much like a Goldstein at all. You're both so dark, and Jamie's hide is so pale."

"He… he doesn't get out much,"said Cho, growing unquiet.

"Cho, you know I love you like a Sister. Don't you ?"Gabriella asked gently."Well, I think Harry has a right hand to cognise. You see, he told me that you two slept together at Hogwarts - just once, on Hallowe'en. Caught in the warmth of the mo, I guess."Gabriella took a breath, gathering her military strength."I don't guardianship why it happened. And it doesn't bother me anymore that it happened. The fact is it happened… nine month before little Jamie here was born."

"Well—"

"Cho,"Gabriella interrupted."Harry may bear his suspicions, but he can't see what I can, and the eyes never lie. You and Anthony, you both have brown eyes. Both your parents each have brown eye. It would take a powerful wizard to create a boy with anything other than brown oculus and the illusion would most certainly be to become the colour of the eyes to his own."Cho said aught. Harry said nada."It's true, Jamie is the splitting image of his beautiful mother. But the eyes… I think he has his father's eyes."Cho remained understood. Once again, Harry watched as her air blanched.

"What do you mean ?"asked Harry blindly. Gabriella took his bridge player.

"They're viridity, Harry,"she said quietly."Almond shaped and brilliantly green. Just like yours."


Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 15 - Another ceramist
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Beyond the babbles of the baby sitting beside Harry, there was silence. Perhaps, if one were to hear closely, the sound of a bird chirping or a aloof bus creaking to a halt could be heard, breaking the stillness of the sunrise. Then Cho's foot began to nervously tap against the incline of the tabular array. In front of Harry, she had been confronted by Gabriella with the truth, but still she would not, or could not verbalise. Harry had known before they came to France that the child would be his, and though he had not heard the words from Cho's lips, he wasn't about to become angry ; it was hard enough not to demo how frightened he was feeling. No, if anything, he needed some time himself to get over the sinking intuitive feeling in his tummy, as if he'd just fallen off his broom. He would expect for Cho to be cook. He breathed deeply the aroma of his deep brown, took a sip, set the cup down and put out his digit, with which the little boy began to bite toothlessly.

"Jamie ?"Harry said tenderly."I… I like that name."

He smiled and put his script on the boy's forefront.

"Oh, my. What a head of whisker ! Is it black ?"This simple question was purposefully directed at Cho. There was the beat of a pause before she answered.

"Yes,"she said quietly, with a bit of a crack in the word. Harry could see her swallow.

"Thank merlin he's got his female parent's looks,"Harry said with a chuckle. He took another sip of umber.

"You'll see him one day, Harry,"said Gabriella with an encouraging whole tone. Harry tilted his head down and didder it slowly.

"I don't think so,"he said quietly, his lips still turned in a slight smile.

"What do you imply ?"asked Cho, surprised."Surely they can—"

"I was just examined by Madame Pomfrey,"interrupted Harry."The visual sense charms aren't knitting. There's still too very much glass."

"But couldn't they just—"

"There are lashings of tiny shards - too many and too small to vanish without vanishing opus of my centre and if they summon them out they'll shred whatever healthy eye tissue that's left."Cho gasped.

"I… I didn't know. I thought—"

"No matter,"said Harry taking to his feet."I can see the fire in his soulfulness, even if I can't see their color of his eyes."He went to the coffee pot to pour himself one more cup. On the way, he tripped on a small toy that had fallen on the floor and what liquid that was in his cup spilt.

"Woops,"said Harry. Cho stood to clean the tumble, but Harry had it off the ground nearly before it landed with a simple-minded Wave of his hand. Since losing his sight, his abilities without a scepter, abilities he rarely used in front of others, had strengthened. Without skipping a heartbeat, he poured himself another cup, but rather than change by reversal he continued to face the cabinetry. Yes, he could see the fervency in the boy's aureole, but he would consecrate anything to experience his sightedness back… to see his tyke, his son. He began to tremble. For the first meter in months he was cold with fear, and it wasn't reverence of a Dementor or destruction Eater. It was fear for his child and his shaver's mother, fear for a future that was already so incertain, so coloured. It felt as if all the air in the room was being sucked away.

"At least,"he said, holding the lovesome cup in his men,"Anthony won't need to… to look into my eyes and wonder. I… I wouldn't want that."Cho stepped up behind Harry and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw Prefect at Hogwarts School for witchery and genius ?"asked Cho."He might be a bit lofty at times, but he's no fool, Harry. He knows."She turned Harry to look her."He's always known that… that Jamie is your son. He came up with the name. Your f-father's name."She placed her deal at the English of Harry's face."He knew that too. I… I didn't."With these Holy Scripture, Cho began to cry. She held Harry by the straw man of his shirt and pulled him close, sobbing into his chest. Gabriella left her hot seat and the three hugged for some time while Cho repeated over and over how good-for-nothing she was, and Harry repeated over and over that it was okay, that he was the one who was sorry. It was little Jamie who broke up the trio as he began to cry.

"Oh… he's thirsty,"said Cho blotting her eyes. She picked the boy up into her arms and ushered them all into the front room where the fireplace sat coldness, but the slightly tattered chairperson were more easy. Even without the flack, Harry watched with curiosity the warmth that filled the room. He could tell she loved the boy deeply. Nor, was the emotion lost on Gabriella, sitting at Harry's side, who was gathering a glow herself as she took in the room's emotions of love. He took Gabriella's manus and for the 1st clip in a long fourth dimension Harry tried to unlax, letting the swirling fears of the future tense slice from his brain. It was Cho that started the conversation as Jamie continued to suckle.

"I wanted to keep this occult, Harry - secret from my parents, enigma from my pal, underground from you. At first I was ashamed and then—"

"But—"

"Let me fetch up,"asked Cho."I need to eat up, or I may never be capable to."Harry nodded."stopping point year you wanted to tell me about Gabriella."Cho looked at Gab."He did so desire to advertise me away, to tell me of the Muggle girl he had met back home."Her eyes returned to Harry."But I could see that, just under the skin, there was a fire of desire and I… I wanted… my broken body wanted to be desired."

"He was cross-hexed by my parents,"said Gabriella. The words were meant to be explanatory, but Harry noted a tinge of rancor or sadness.

"I know that now,"answered Cho."Maybe I knew it then, at least that he wasn't in his the right way mind. I could have used a sheathing magical spell. I thought about it. I even reached for my wand before it happened Hallowe'en night behind the Great Hall."Gabriella shot Harry a glance that he could not see."But then I stopped. I wanted this."Cho looked down at Jamie."I wanted to possess something in case… in case…"

"In face I died ?"asked Harry."Like Cedric ?"Without speaking, Cho simply nodded.

"I was being stupid. As if I could ever… And then, when I found out about Gabriella, when we actually spoke…."Cho smiled."I was so happy for you, Harry, and you were so sad."She sighed, shaking her nous."So I hid it - I hid my pregnancy and I hid Jamie."She put the baby over her shoulder and began to pat its spinal column."I thought that after You-Know-Who had been destroyed I could tell apart you, but then I heard about the new war… that Malfoy's Death Eaters were out to kill you. What would they do if they knew you had a son ?"She shook her question."This summer, I travelled to the United States with Anthony… Tony. One Nox, I fell asleep in his arms and when I woke up the next break of the day the befuddling spell had warn off. I was pregnant for all to see. In that second I panicked, horrified by what he might believe, what he might do, and in the next I felt Tony's touch, ardent and caressing on my tummy. He stayed at my side of meat and he's never left."Jamie let out a rather impressive burp and everyone smiled.

Grinning, Cho held Jamie in her lap and said something in Chinese as she wiped the Milk River from his chin.

"Tony's hired Chalmers"said Cho, referring to the guard that was probably now close to finishing his morning meal,"to watch over Jamie and I, while he finishes school. It's costing him every Canute the Great he has. Once we're married we'll qualify for welfare from the Ministry. They offer housing and, maybe, we can find a nicer place to—"

"benefit ?"bicker Harry, his spine snapping rigid."From the Ministry ? You can't be good ! You're not going to take a dime bag from the Ministry. As far as I'm concerned there all a lot of outlaw !"

"Harry !"called Gabriella.

"wellspring, Ron's dad. But the rest of the lot ? Crooks !"He took to his feet."And as far as sustenance in Ministry housing… never ! I won't allow it."

"What do you imply you won't allow it ?"said Cho a bit heatedly."You have no say in the matter."Harry ignored her.

"You'll stoppage at the palace. It's far enough away from what's happening… yes, you'll be safe there."

"We're rubber here,"said Cho, standing herself, the baby held snugly in both arms.

"Safe ! Are you kidding me !"holler Harry."What's his name… Chambers ? He's a last Eater !"

"Oh,"Cho chuckled,"now you're just being ridiculous. Chalmers wouldn't hurt a fly. He's only working for Tony because of the forgivingness in his heart. He hardly makes enough money to get by on."

"So he moonlights for Lucius Malfoy as a Death Eater !"exclaimed Harry."At least he doesn't know that the boy is mine. Thank merlin for that."Cho's face dropped with surprise at these Scripture.

"How could you potential know that we haven't told him ?"she asked. Now Gabriella stood, stroked Jamie's face and took him in her own arms, patting his book binding as he rested against her shoulder.

"Because,"Gabriella said softly with a melodious voice as if she were singing to the baby,"if Chalmers knew, Lucius would know. And if Lucius knew, his son would know."

"Draco ?"breathed Cho."I thought Draco was…"Her part quieted and she strode over to Harry and slapped him on the shoulder."You little liar. You looked me straight in the eye and told me he fell into the abyss."Harry turned his spinal column.

"Don't you look away from me !"Cho yelled."Let me see your face."Harry acquiesced. When he faced her, any choler he felt evaporated and his berm slumped.

"This is unpointed,"he breathed."He'll be back here any import. Maybe he's a kindly old doddered just trying to make a buck any way he can. Cho, you can't take a chance."He placed his hired man on her shoulders."I have money and it's my responsibleness. Let me at to the lowest degree help pay the bills until Marcus Antonius graduates. Let me at to the lowest degree impart you a roof over your head where the fireplace works and you'll know you'll be safe."

"It's beautiful there,"added Gabriella."putting surface fields… lazuline seas… cute Greek boys with bare chests."She winked and kissed Jamie on the headway. Cho crossed her arms and walked over to the fireplace that had no fuel for the fire.

"I… I'll have to ask Tony,"answered Cho."Do you think… I know it's difficult abroad, but do you think we could associate to the floo electronic network ? I miss the family so, and we are going to enjoin them… after Tony graduates."

"That's one thing the Ministry can do,"said Harry, suddenly happy Cho was changing her mind."But you can order Tony later. beginning, we need to—"There was a snap and an trice later the front door opened. Gabriella motioned for Harry to hide. He had just enough time to flit under his cloak and gathering himself into the corner before Chalmers walked through the front door.

The older man was too thin and not a good deal taller than Cho. When he entered he took his coat off and hung it against the wall with a sticking charm.

"Beautiful day today, Miss Chang,"he said with a toothy grin."Beautiful Day !"He stepped over and gave Gabriella a nod."And thank you missy for the o.k. meal."He paused."It's been a while since…"His face grew wistful, but then he shook his head."No matter."He slapped his hands together and pulled his wand."Let me illuminate these ravisher for you."Harry stood silently against the wall as Chalmers walked with a bit of a hobble into the kitchen. There was a decided rhythm method of birth control to the cadence of his walk that Harry, two calendar month ago, would not otherwise have noticed. It was then that Harry saw a change in Gabriella's gloriole ; something was wrong.

"Oh,"said Chalmers with a tone of surprise in his voice."Three cups. Did you have another visitor today ?"Without waiting for an answer he levitated the dishes into the sink where the scrub brush began to rinse them. Cho was frozen, but Gabriella stepped over without falter.

"Yes,"she said quite sedately,"a girlfriend of ours, also from Hogwarts. She had to give early to get back for her good afternoon exam."Chalmers nonchalantly straightened the president.

"Well, you know how Mr. Goldstein feels about visitors, Miss Chang."He settled himself into one of the cushioned chairs and began to unfold the newspaper, still scanning the way with the eyes."At least strangers."Harry could tell that the old man was on safeguard, sensing something that was not right."Just tryin'to celebrate you and the baby safe he is."

babe Jamie babbled something and then pointed at Harry hidden beneath the cloak. The motion was enough to cause Chalmers to reverse and look back into the far corner at the cracked and empty wall. Jamie babbled again and gave a sparkle laugh. Chalmers smiled.

"Well, wee Jamie is happy enough to let guests."He held up the battlefront Page."What's your Quaker's name, fille ?"

"Hermione… Hermione farmer,"answered Gabriella. There was the slender intermission and she added,"And I should be on my way as well."She gave Cho a hug and kissed Jamie's cheek."Thanks so much for letting us visit. He's just adorable and you're a marvellous mother."

"Thank you, Gabriella,"answered Cho, kissing Gab's boldness."I couldn't ask for a kinder, strong friend. Please come visit after the wedding. I think I'll spirit more well-fixed then - Mrs Goldstein."

"Oh ! That reminds me,"said Gabriella suddenly."Mr. Chalmers is it ?"Chalmers set his paper in his lap.

"Just Chalmers, missy."

"Cho was showing me the nursery and I noticed the back window. We had discussed placing a sealing magic spell, but I wasn't for certain if—"

"Yes, girl,"cut in Chalmers proudly."The whole house is sealed tight. No one can get in without permission. It's a Bucinum charm."

"Oh dear,"said Gabriella."A Bucinum magic spell ?"Chalmers nodded his head."I think a Trepidus magical spell would be safer."

"Trepidus charm ?"asked Chalmers blankly.

"Oh yes,"added Cho."A Trepidus charm would be ideal."

"Certainly,"continued Gabriella,"I mean, if someone tries to break in the Bucinum charm blows them up. That could harm the child. Do you think you could show me where you set the charms ? Together we can get the replacement."

"Oh, please do, Chalmers,"asked Cho pleadingly."Gabriella's a first class witch. She studied at Al Bsahri you know."

"Did she now,"said Chalmers with interest as he took to his animal foot."I've heard they reopened the schooling this year."

"Yes,"said Gabriella,"it's quite lovely."

"Well, let's have a look around and see what we can do."Together, Chalmers and Gabriella made their way to the spinal column of the planetary house, leaving Cho and Jamie alone with Harry. Even as Harry moved toward the front door beneath his invisibility cloak, Jamie followed him with his gaze, pointing with his hand. Cho walked to the threshold and opened it.

"When… when do you marry Gold— Anthony ?"Harry asked.

"Dec 25,"Cho answered. She tried to shit the Logos sound exciting and vivacious, but it fell flat.

"Cho, you don't have to—"

"Don't I ?"Cho snapped."Don't I ? Tony loves me for all the world. He'd danger his spirit to protect me… and your son. He's honest, hardworking, and… and… and I'm marrying him on Christmas."Jamie wriggled in her sleeve, both hands outstretched toward Harry.

"You deserve to be felicitous,"said Harry quietly."You deserve ..."but Harry's wrangle failed him."I'm so sorry."Cho ushered Harry outside to the straw man stoep and shut the threshold behind her. She lifted his cloak to reveal his face.

"Harry,"she said."Tony… he looks at me… he looks at me the way you look at Gabriella. What girl wouldn't want that ?"She leaned over and kissed him on the lips, and then draped the cloak back over him."I'll ask him about your offer. He's a proud man, Harry, and a bit stubborn. You should be able to appreciate that."

"I love you, Cho. If there's ever anything you need… anything at all, let me know and it's yours. I'll see to it, I swear."Cho smiled, but her eyes were sad. Jamie began to go down on on his fingers. The door opened and Gabriella appeared followed closely by Chalmers.

"Ah, here you are,"said Gabriella. The sun was fond on her cheek as she put her limb out and gave Gabriella a hug."The apartment is sealed tight."Cho took in a deep breath.

"good, thank you,"she said."I was just giving Jamie a little sun."

"Which he can get through the windowpane, my pricy,"said Chalmers herding Cho back into the household."Now come inside."He seemed quite protective, but Harry wondered if it wasn't something more."A pleasure to meet you, misfire Darbinyan, was it ?"

"Yes, and a pleasure it was to meet you,"Gabriella replied."It's unspoilt to see my protagonist in such fine hands. Cho, I'll be by before foresightful with those endowment I promised."

"endowment ?"Cho asked."Oh, yes, gifts. Yes, yes, anytime. Be safety ; there's a quiet space to Apparate just behind that gray building over there."They kissed goodby and Gabriella began to walk down the street, Harry at her side. Chalmers stood for some clock time after Cho had gone inside, watching from the stoop. Gabriella waved one hold up clock time as she turned the recession out of mountain. Harry was about to rip off the cloak when she stopped him.

"check hidden,"Gabriella whispered."We're being followed."Harry spun and there behind the building they'd just passed were the auras of two small image. They hadn't been there a mo before.

"Did you see them ?"Harry asked."I didn't hear an Apparation."

"theater elves,"Gabriella whispered,"at to the lowest degree one of them. The other… I can't tell."

"But there weren't any planetary house elves at the household,"said Harry.

"I know,"she replied."They must belong to somebody else, or one's with its master."

"Who ?"

Gabriella just shrugged.

"How did he get laid your name ?"asked Harry.

"It just slipped out. But I don't think—"

"You don't think Lucius would just as soon see you up on a expressway as me ? It was foolishness !"

"He'd have found out soon enough,"said Gabriella with a sigh as the two turned another corner. The street was deserted save for two young son playing football near the end by a chain-link fence. Gabriella pulled her wand. She was going to attack the two that were nearing the street corner, but Harry stayed her handwriting.

"Gab, no,"he whispered."Grimmauld Place."

"But—"

"Now !"

A moment later they found themselves on the streets of Greater London, just outside of number twelve, Grimmauld lieu. They waited to see if they might take in been followed, then checked that the streets were crystalize. Finally, Harry uncloaked and walked up the measure to the doorway, knocking twice. The room access opened of its own accord and the two walked in. There was a rustle, a thud, and then Sirius appeared atop the stairway wearing boxers and a t-shirt. Wand drawn he pointed it blindly toward the doorway.

"Freeze !"he screamed."Or I'll obliterate you !"

"I hope not,"answered Harry."I'm kinda hungry."

"Harry ?"Sirius said, blinking his middle."Harry what the hell… Gabriella ?"Sothis made an attempt at slicking back his hair and started down the stairs.

"It's after midday,"Harry said."Don't differentiate me you were still sleeping."

"I was up late live night. Remus finished grading papers and we— Hey, isn't your Potions exam today ?"Sirius'eye shot to the door."And why didn't you use the floo ? What's going on ?"

"Erm… can we eat first,"asked Harry.

"What,"hit Sirius in a singularly insistent tone,"is… going… on ? !"

"Sirius,"said Gabriella softly,"I think it near if we sit down."

"You do, do you ?"snipped Sirius, but Gabriella's calamitous optic caught a soft-spot in Sirius'barque."Well… okay."

The three moved into the kitchen and Canicula started toward the stove. He grabbed a spatula and summoned some sausages when Gabriella took his hand.

"Here,"she said softly,"let me do that. You sit with Harry."Sirius moved to the table and sat opposite his godson.

"wellspring ?"Sirius queried."It's obvious something's afoot. sprinkle it out."Harry tried, but he couldn't defy his godfather's gaze.

"I… I, erm…"He sucked in a bombastic gulp of air and exhaled."Igoterpregnant."

"What ?"Canicula asked."What was that ?"

"I… I got her pregnant."

"What !"Sothis stood and spun towards Gabriella."You're pregnant ?"Gabriella turned the sausage with her wand."How could you—"

"Let him finish,"she replied, floating three plateful out onto the table.

"Not Gabriella,"Harry said. Sirius turned back to face Harry."Cho… Cho Chang."Sirius fell back into his chair.

"Are you sure ?"asked Sirius with a disbelieving whole tone."Because sometimes crone can—"

"Oh,"cut in Gabriella sharply."He's sure."

"pigeon hawk,"he whispered, scratching his Chin."Harry, you should know better."

"I know. I know I should know better."

"And you,"Sirius said, turning back to Gabriella,"why are you here with this cheating scum if Cho's running around pregnant ?"Expressionless, Gabriella placed the sausage on the dental plate and added some warmed beans.

"It was last class,"she answered sitting down and handing Sirius a fork.

"The baby was born in July,"said Harry."On my birthday. His name is Jamie."

Canicula'branching fell with a clank onto the crustal plate, splattering red beans onto his white-ish tee shirt.

"A b-boy ? Jamie ?"

"They're living in a dump,"said Harry quickly,"and I can't have my son living like that. I won't have another ceramist live with debris and spider, not as long as it's in my power. So, I offered to feature them stick at your castle. You know… until Anthony graduate. Merlin write his soul if he ever—"

"My castling ? Anthony ? Who's Anthony."

"Goldstein. fountainhead Cho calls him tint. How cheesy is that ? Anyhow, the affair is…."

It was well into the eventide before Harry had set Sirius straight on all the details, uncertain as they were. Dog Star then began a speech that lasted for nearly thirty minutes and included a few reference point to Harry's parents. But when Harry began to probe deeper Sirius changed the discipline. After venting about Harry's stupidity, he had agreed to take Anthony, Cho and Jamie in and help in any way he could.

The sausage balloon Cho cooked little more than a memory, Sirius grew hungry again and he convinced them to go to a Siamese restaurant that he had found just a few cylinder block away. When they arrived, Harry discovered that it was run by an old Muggle, but frequented by a number of beldame and wizards. The periodic jiffy of magic trick that occurred never seemed to faze the old man. Dog Star called him a initiate, a Muggle in melody with the magic of the born earthly concern but possessing no skill his own. Harry was half-way through his Panang Curry when he realized that tonight he was to meet Ron and Hermione at the Ministry.

"The cloak,"he muttered suddenly to himself, before taking another bite.

"What's that, Harry ?"asked Canicula. Harry looked up into Sothis'eyes ; they were smiling. Harry's cecity didn't allow him to see that the creases that had once drawn the sides of Canicula'eye down were now curling upward. But he could sense the brightness of the aura in his godfather's expression. For a moment, Harry considered telling Sirius of their programme at the Ministry. Gabriella touched his hand.

"More tea ?"the waiter asked, and all three nodded. Harry continued to look toward Sirius who was as happy as ever. The intellection of asking Sirius to aid them, particularly at the Ministry, curdled the curry in Harry's stomach.

"I said I almost choked,"Harry said with a cough.

"You're eating too fast,"said Gabriella knowingly, rubbing his arm and grinning."It's not a race."

"Probably the curry,"said Sothis, taking another snack."It's a bit spicy tonight."

"Yeah… yeah that's it,"Harry answered. He wiped his mouth with his table napkin and set it on the mesa."Erm… Actually, I think I better be—"

"Harry,"interrupted Gabriella,"I have to go before it gets past midnight."

"Is it getting that recent ?"asked Canicula, his mouth half full phase of the moon. Harry shot her a glance ; his mouth frowned. He didn't want her at the Ministry any Sir Thomas More than he wanted Sirius. There were too many memories—bad memories. Then she said something that surprised even Harry.

"I need to see Jamie,"she said,"just for a second. I should have taken fear of it this aurora, but I forgot. I've not been in tune with the old ways for some meter. mamma would be disappointed in me."Unconsciously, Harry began to rub the dragon scar that was emblazoned on his powerful forearm.

He remembered what Gabriella's mother, Soseh, had said at the end of last school day year."The grace is inscribed on the male person of each multiplication by the char of the generation before. It will be Gabriella's duty to pass the blessing to your sons."Once it was clear that Harry would accept Jamie as his son, it was Gabriella's duty, by swearing, that she pass to him the grace of Asha.

"The Votary,"Harry whispered quietly, staring down at the bowl of yellowness and gold. Then his muffle eyes looked toward hers."It's too unsafe,"he said sharply."What if Chalmers has told them. What if he knew all along ? What if they're still there ?"

"They ? They who ?"asked Sirius.

"We were followed after we left Cho's flat,"said Gabriella."But it makes no difference. By award, I have no selection. It must be done, and the Oklahoman it's done the groovy the power of Jamie's blessing, of his protection. He'll need Asha's service in these sentence of darkness."

"You mentioned the Death Eater escort, but you didn't cite that you were followed,"said Sirius, his eyes turning toward Harry with a more serious public eye.

"Draco said that Chalmers doesn't piece of work nights, at least not for Goldstein. Sirius, you need to go with her, hold open her safe. That way you can see Jamie and pass on the tidings, maybe convince Cho to actuate into the castle tonight while Chalmers is away."

"And you ?"Sirius asked.

"I'll just psyche back to Hogwarts. If the two were a yoke of Lucius'thugs out to get me it'd be better if I wasn't there."Sirius sighed, looking longingly at an untouched barbecue scanty rib. He licked his brim and pushed his plate forward.

"Very well, let's go."They paid and made their way outside and down the street, finding a more remote alleyway often used by the visiting witches and wizards to Apparate. Sirius took Harry by the arm and looked him in the oculus, but Harry turned away to search down the street as a car past by.

"straightaway to Hogwarts,"said Sirius sternly,"okay, Harry ?"

"Straight to Hogwarts,"Harry agreed. Gabriella kissed him on the cheek.

"I can see your emotions roiling,"she whispered in his ear."Be argus-eyed and say, ‘ Hi !'to Ron and Hermione for me."She pulled her sceptre as did Canicula."Oh, and don't worry ; Jamie will be fine. I'll make sure that no malign harms your child."Harry tried to rally a grin.

"Did I ever tell you how much I loved you ?"he asked and then they kissed."I'll see you at school in the daybreak. preserve her rubber, Sirius."There was a snap and both Gabriella and Sirius had vanished. Harry focused his vision to another constituent of London and in the adjacent moment found himself at a telephone box above the entry to the Ministry. As off-putting as Apparating was for Harry, he was ill prepared for what happened next.

"Stupefy !"The blast of red light hit Harry squarely in the chest of drawers, knocking him backward some ten to twenty foundation, his scepter tumbling from his bridge player."There, Harrington,"a big cloaked digit said with a rather bullying phonation, picking up Harry's wand,"and you were about fix to wet your pants. He is a boy, after all."Still on his back Harry could sense them stepping toward him.

"I… am not… a… boy !"he rasped. This made the closest magician laugh, but the pocket-size man behind him said naught.

"well, I've got your wand, piffling man. I doubt you'll—"

"Diffindo !"Harry hissed, stretching his right arm forward. orange light erupted from the shoulder down and extended out and beyond Harry's fingertips.

The presence of the death Eater's cloak looked as if a large cavalry sword had just slashed across it, tearing cloth and flesh alike up and outward. Harry could finger the lineage spatter his fount. The Death eater screamed falling to his genu. Unsteadily, Harry stood. The wholly place seemed to be spinning. He was dizzy and a cumulate sensation of nausea was building inside.

"Accio wand !"he cried, wrenching his wand from the Death Eater's grasp and in to his own hand. Limping forward he yelled"BOY ?"Then he placed his sceptre on the brow of his foe."BOY ?"Blood continued to trickle from beneath the crouching death eater's ribs and between the hand that clutched his chest."Who do you cultivate for ?"Harry asked, already knowing the answer.

Harry had focused so much attention on the turgid Death eater, he had neglected the little one that had retreated to the darkness.

"I said WHO - DO - YOU - work FOR !"Standing over his cowering victim, it was then that he noticed the lights - band of igniter. Five to a greater extent auras had Apparated ; he was surrounded. Seemingly emboldened by the new arrival, the smaller Death feeder emerged from the shadows and held out his wand.

"Expel—"There were three spells cast almost simultaneously that stopped the sorcerer before he had a chance to end.

"Stupefy !"“ Diffindo !"and Harry's shield good luck charm,"Contego !"

Only, Harry didn't need the shield charm… for himself. The world-class spell came from one of the approaching aureole Harry presumed to be more dying Eaters. The bolt, not the firm Harry had ever seen, knocked the small-scale sensation backward, albeit only a few feet. Fearing for his life history, and rightfully so, the diminutive Death Eater Disapparated. The secondment patch came from yet another aura, small yet intense. It was directed at the crippled wizard crouching before Harry. The effect was frightful and instantaneous ; the destruction eater's oral sex fell to the gravelled paving material and his torso slumped forward, draining line of descent at Harry's metrical unit, a boiling pool of light like lave erupting from a volcano.

Harry spun to face the five magician approaching him, holding his verge high. Two showed hints of both red and green in their auras as they drew nearer."Imperious swearword ?"Harry wondered. And then a voice came to him that startled him more than that of the old decease Eater.

"Bloody hell, James IV ! What in Falco columbarius's public figure did you do that for ?"

The colour, the canter, the tone… Harry knew at once it was Ron Weasley.


Harry thrower and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 16 - The encumbrance Calls
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"He was reaching for his wand,"said James II, pointing at the decollate end Eater at Harry's infantry."He was going to obliterate Harry !"

"He was on his knees,"snapped Hermione."Harry had him firmly in control."

"He didn'have the… that petty guy in control,"countered St. Patrick."I had teh take him down."

"You're just lucky he was as frightened as a molamar in body of water,"said Antonius Goldstein with a rather sniffy voice.

"Goldstein ?"asked Harry in surprisal as the chemical group converged on him.

"darn, thrower,"said Goldstein,"you're a bloody mess. And I do mean bloody. Scourgify !"The sputtering covering the front of Harry's side, shirt and pants vanished, though the kitty on the pavement remained."There, that's better."

"Who in Hades told Goldstein ?"cried Harry.

"Actually, Potter,"replied Goldstein,"I stumbled on this merry troupe as they tried to sneak out. Seemed like a unspoiled DA mission.

"Are you kidding ?"snapped Harry, gazing at the halo of the man who'd be his son's father. There was a sinlessness about it, but Harry was to inflamed to moot it."You… you can't be here. It's too dangerous."

"Yes, I see that,"said Goldstein with a rather sarcastic shade. Gingerly, Harry stepped out of the blood, pooling at his fundament. Hermione ran over to him and hugged him.

"Who were they ?"she asked."Nobody's supposed to know we're here."

"That's what I thought,"answered Harry."I was trying to get an solution when James here decided to dally the butcher."Harry turned to the second twelvemonth."The future meter I need your assistant Yangtze River, I'll ask for it."Harry sensed at once the wrath edifice within the belittled wizard, but then it subsided almost as quickly as it came.

"I… I was just trying too hard I guess,"answered St. James."It was scary."

"And why are you two,"Harry pointed to both James and Patrick,"here in the first place ? bumble across the troupe as well ?"He shot Ron a glance and wished he could convey eyes of last.

"Saint Patrick overheard our plan and said he'd glom if we didn't bring ‘ em along,"answered Ron."It was supposed to be quiet ; I didn't frame we'd run into expiry Eaters."

"If that's what they were,"said Harry, still holding his wand at the ready."They acted more like hired hoodlum than demise Eaters."

The dark air was frigidity and tranquillize. He could find the dampness of a thin mist wrap about his face, sending frisson down his acantha. For a moment he thought of Dementors, but the frigidity, this chilled clamminess was something else, something more intuitive. The rustling of destruction were swirling ; somehow Harry knew that. And not for the man that had just been slain, the rustling were telling Harry that more would soon bring together the short man at his feet. But who ?

"Goldstein,"Harry said suddenly,"Anthony, really you… you have to—"

"wellspring, we're here now,"said King James I."Dispatchio !"The dead wizard and the pool of parentage beneath him vanished."Let's say we get in, get the cloak and get out before anymore… er, dark wizards show up. Wouldn't want Luci—"

"Where'd you learn that spell ?"queried Hermione."That's one-fifth year."Henry James shrugged his shoulders.

"My babe I guess,"he said."She's the saucy one in the family."

"Yeah… I see,"said Harry, noticing James'atmosphere fade from green to red then back from red to green. For the first fourth dimension, he thought King James I might not really be an ally."Ron, maybe you should take—"

"James is right,"disrupt Marcus Antonius."honest if we get down into the Ministry before another dozen Death Eaters Apparate in."

"But—"

"Harry,"interrupted Hermione,"let's just get downstairs. We can talk then."Harry heaved a sigh and the group squeezed into the telephone set kiosk. Ron said the countersign his father had told him and a silver grey orb appeared, scanning Ron in a sickly white light. Then, with a jar, the elevator began to plummet. Harry tried to look at Ron and suggest to the Melanerpes erythrocephalus that he should take Harry's mind, but his eye were blank and Ron didn't recognize the facial expression as he once would suffer. Harry silently cursed his blindness.

Harry's spirit began to quicken. If the two second old age were under the Imperious Curse, they were probably in Lucius Malfoy's restraint. He was feeling strongly like he wanted to wretch onto the refined marble storey just as the door opened onto the resplendent entrance hall of the Ministry of trick. The six stepped out, scepter drawn.

After only a few yard, they all saw where the cloak was to be displayed - it was obvious. A magnanimous drinking glass case had already been erected. On a pole was the torso of a mannequin and next to that a golden statue of Harry with his wand drawn. They all stepped snug. There was no cloak, but there was a plaque. It read,"This site commemorates the defeat of the iniquity Wizard Voldemort by the Grand hotshot Harry Potter, parliamentary procedure of Merlin, first-class honours degree Class, who faced his foe wand-to-wand and struck him down."
"orderliness of merlin ?"asked Goldstein surprised."I didn't know—"

"Neither did I,"cut in Harry.

"They'll probably award it to you during the ceremony tomorrow,"said Hermione brightly. Harry turned to her.

"If we do this rightfield, there won't be any ceremony,"said Harry shortly."No iniquity cloak, no return of Voldemort, no ceremony. Ron, do you have any idea where—"

There was a resonance coming from down the dorm and a faint glow that was growing nearer. It sounded as if someone were humming. The group began to pull back, away from the display example ; all, that is, except James IV. Harry went to grab his arm, but the boy wouldn't move.

"Is this it ?"he asked, still staring at the re-enactment before him."Is this how it happened ? You struck him down ? Nobody could tell me for certain, not even Gabriella."Harry held more tightly to James'gown and began to pull him bodily across the floor.

"James,"Harry said, huffing between his dentition,"there are some things you can't believe. First, never believe a parole Trelawney says unless she sounds like a goblin on fire whiskey. Second, never believe a word written in the Dailey Prophet, unless it's written by Luna Lovegood. And finally, never… ever believe anything the Ministry says - ever !"He continued dragging James by the back of his collar until they were hidden between two marble columns.

"Bold words, Harry,"continued James passively."But I never believed you could nonplus Creator Voldemort wand-to-wand. Tell me, is there still a persona of the darkness Lord that courses through your veins ? That could be useful, if—"

"Shhh."All was understood, save for the episodic cracking ember from one of the fireplace that surrounded the grand entry entrance hall and the humming that was growing louder by the mo. Again Harry tried to gather Ron's attention, but he was busy whispering something in Hermione's ear as they clung together behind a suit of armour opposite the fountain of Magical Brethren. At another column just behind Harry and James River, Patrick and Anthony crouched. The whispers of death were growing louder. So loud, in fact, that Harry turned to see if perhaps a ghost or something Thomas More were at his right side. Only James was there, kneeling quietly on the base.

The light grew brighter and then the Wiccan appeared. Harry could make out her aura, a shimmering atomic number 79, but not her feature film at this distance. In straw man of her was a cloak levitated some two foundation off the ground. She was approaching the display case when James began to wriggle under Harry's hand.

"grasp still,"he whispered, but the marble paries took in the speech sound, repeat them about, amplifying the noise such that it was hearable to the Wiccan at the display case. Harry noticed the indisposition. He expected her to turn, but she did not. Instead, she levitated the cloak onto the torso within the presentation cause and closed the glass door. She cast a charm with her wand and then turned as if to allow for. In turning, she revealed her face to the others, but Harry was still unable to recognize who the witch was. From the deliquium gasp from across the hall it was clear that Hermione, for one, knew who it was. The beldam stepped toward the fountain and took something out of her sack, perhaps a coin, Harry couldn't Tell. In a motion that was as elegant and as cunning as any Harry had ever seen, she flipped the object into the natural spring. It spun high into the air and, just as it crested in its arc, her early handwriting pointed her wand toward it and cast the magical spell.

"Immobulus !"Harry recognized the voice at once ; it was Molly Weasley, Ron's mother.

Half of the spark leaving her wand passed the coin cleanly and struck the witch and wizard by the suit of armour. The other half, however, glinted off the coin, reflecting toward and blasting the two wizards next to the column behind Harry. With one enchantment she had immobilized Ron, Hermione, Marcus Antonius and Patrick. Again, Jesse James wriggled under Harry's compass and again Harry held him fast.

"I know you're there,"Mrs Weasley said with a voice that held no reverence."I'm afraid it's well after hours. If you're lost, I'm sure I can help you retrieve your way. arrive out from behind the column and let's see where you belong. Shall we ?"

Again James I pushed against the weight of Harry who was pressing him firmly against the marble floor. Finally, Harry had had enough. He couldn't hazard what Saint James might do.

"Incarcerous !"he called. Mexican valium sprung from his wand and began to wrap themselves about Saint James.

"Sectumsempra !"cried William James, slashing the forget me drug with his baton and pushing Harry away. Then he pointed his wand at Mrs Weasley."Avada Ked— !"
"Stupefy !"she called, her spell interrupting the boy's. The red light nearly excise Saint James who deflected it at the conclusion bit, sending the beam into the cap above, showering them all with pieces of marble and splinter of walnut. This was no indorse twelvemonth genius.

Harry jumped to his invertebrate foot and barf his own stunning spell, but again William James deflected it. It was then that Molly Weasley noticed who he was.

"Harry ?"she called.

"Hide, Mrs. Weasley !"he cried in take."Hide !"

James IV cast a jet of red light Harry's way. Harry focused on where he needed to be—out of the beam's way. Suddenly, everything slowed and he found himself running to the right, toward the fount, just as the bolt of red passed his left elbow. Epistle of James smiled.

"Impressssive, Harry,"James hissed in a much higher, colder voice, a vocalization that shook Harry to the core. It couldn't be."You've learned well from the Centaurs. I did as well ; although I suspect my method of extracting the cognition I required were somewhat different than yours."There was another bolt of lightning, park, and again Harry disappeared and reappeared into another part of the idealistic foyer.

"Diffindo !"called Mrs. Weasley. Her piece walk out James on the left articulatio humeri, leaving a awful slash. James spun on the witch.

"Avada Kedavra !"

This time the green light sailed toward mollie Weasley. Harry began to levitate a marble bench into the radio beam's path, but quickly realized the terrace was too heavy and would not jaunt fast enough. Instead he ran, slowing time and bending the outer space between them tightly together. He grabbed her by the berm and pushed her to the priming coat just as the flack past the pair, smashing into the wall behind and showering them with dust and rock. Harry landed on his back as Mrs Weasley landed on top of him, knocking the air out of his dresser.

"Harry,"she said sternly as only a mother could,"what are you doing here ? What's going on ?"

"It… it's Voldemort,"he gasped trying to find air that wasn't there."He's… back."He wheezed, sucking in a short intimation of air."In… James."Without questioning further, Mrs. Weasley's back went rigid and she rose to face James, to face Voldemort.

"Nooo,"Harry rasped, struggling to sit up, but barely able. She ignored his beckon and faced the small boy now standing only a few fundament in front of her.

"Leave the boy, Voldemort,"she commanded, brandishing her wand."He can't possibly be of any use to you, now we know the truth."

"Truth ?"queried William James as his oculus shot toward the dark cloak still protected behind the seal field glass. Harry rose to his knee joint, trying to play air back into his lungs."The truth is that there are only two things in this way I want… and you're not one of them."His verge rose in unison with Harry's, only Harry was unable to heave the go.

"Avada Kedavra !"

Placing himself between Mrs. Weasley and Voldemort, Harry tried to rise up in front of the jet of park but the vote out whammy would win the race this clip ; he knew that. For her voice, Molly Weasley cast a shell spell about them both, hoping to deflect the spell, but they all knew it wouldn't work. In her last instant of living her hands gripped Harry by the berm and she cast a glance down into his blind center, a glance that held love and compassion, a glance that was filled with worry not for herself but for the boy before her… a coup d'oeil he couldn't see. She fell dead to the floor.

"NO !"call out Harry as he spun and cast another slashing spell against Saint James who deflected it with ease."You're being controlled, James ! battle back !"James only laughed.

"YOU stood face-to-face with the Great nighttime overlord Voldemort and defeated him ?"James mocked."What a jape !"

With Mrs. Weasley beat, the enchantment she cast on the other four whiz began to wear off. Slowly, they were coming to there sentience, working to regain control of their gesture. St. James the Apostle walked over to a groaning Patrick who was still prone on the floor. He grabbed Patrick's hair and pulled his head off the ground.

"This one here,"called James II, his vox echoing off the walls,"thinks of you as a brother, thrower. He'd sooner die than see you follow to harm. Yet he's betrayed you at my every command. Shall I kill him adjacent ?"

"Expelliarmus !"Harry cried, but once again St. James deflected the spell.

"Haven't you figured it out yet, Potter ? Even with the accomplishment of the Centaurs, you're as sluggish as your idle parents. Nonetheless, you could be useful ; the Malfoy boy suggested as much. I heard, perhaps, he's not as dead as everyone thinks."He released Patrick whose head cracked against the Edward Durell Stone floor. But instead of striking at Harry, James held his sceptre to the glass display pillowcase."Diffindo !"The blast of light struck the glass, but held firm as if swallowing the energy of the bang, the crank began to glow. For the first time, the smile on James Chang's face disappeared."Diffindo !"he called again, and again the vitality was absorbed and the crank grew brighter still.

"You've bolt down your only hazard for opening the case,"Harry sneered."But then… I always heard that that was one of your greatest weaknesses… TOM… being dullard !"

Another good time of promiscuous snap toward Harry ; it was red not green, not a killing curse. Once to a greater extent, Harry slipped out of its way. This time he moved quickly around and behind James II reappearing with his wand drawn.

"Stupefy !"Harry cried, sending a blast of red at James II'back, but again the wizard deflected the while as if swatting a fly and then turned back toward the display case."You're not trying to toss off me, Tom. Why not ?"

"I'll kill you sssoon enough,"James II slithered."First, the cloak. Then, I need to extract something of mine that you stole from me when you were a baby. Soon, I will be—"Suddenly two more while came from beyond the outpouring. Ron and Hermione had revived themselves sufficiency to oppose, but barely.

"No ! Get out of here !"Harry screamed."It's Voldemort ! Run !"

"I don't have time for this,"cried King James, sending three to a greater extent blasts of light at the glass case. On the 3rd bolt the glass cracked, but only just. Harry could differentiate that the spells that Jesse James had cast over the lowest few transactions were draining him. He looked tired, almost vulnerable. At the same moment the flaming ringing the grand manor hall roared to life.

"Finally,"Harry whispered,"some help."wizard after whizz appeared at each hearth, brandishing their baton."Whatever meter you thought you had has just expired, Tom."

The room erupted in red Inner Light. Seven blasts came at the belittled wiz by the display fount. Two struck true while the others struck the glowing deoxyephedrine, shattering it completely. The enceinte spyglass sherd that scattered the level, however, were still glowing as brightly as ever. There were more than flak of red directed at Harry.

"It's me !"he yelled."Harry potter !"

"Harry !"cried Hermione from the far English of the hall."It's not the Ministry ! It's—"A bam of red dropped her to the flat coat.

"Hermione !"cried Ron."He cast a spell knocking the superstar by Hermione backward into the wall with a loud crack. He pointed towards another wizard and ran at him."parting her alone, you bloody—"There was a gust of purple and he too fell to the floor.

"We're educatee !"Harry yelled, but it only focused the care of another barrage of red bolt his way. Harry cast a buckler appealingness and sent them flying in every conceivable counselling. The blasts weakened him."Are you crazy ? ! We're—"And then he noticed it - the unmistakably burnished emerald green gloriole of Draco Malfoy, stepping from the flame of one of the open fireplace. He had warned Harry and now it was too late.

Simultaneously, ropes began to swirl about Ron, Hermione, Patrick, and most importantly James who was still motionless on the flooring. Somehow Anthony had managed an escape and stood at Harry's side. There were nearly a dozen last Eaters moving in on them.

"conduct the cloak, Draco,"drawled a improbable adept in dark black robe with ruby lining.

"Lucius ?"Harry sneered in the wizard's direction."Is that you ? I should have known by the sickening yellow colour."The star said nothing, trying to ignore Harry."Now that I'm blind, you're much better looking in — smash that. No you're not. You're still as much a pig as you always were. Still, somehow… missing an arm suit you. How'd you lose it again ?"The goading worked.

"Big Holy Writ for a unsighted boy, Potter,"he snapped.

"Now, now… sticks and stones…. But then I guess six calendar month with Dementors and pudden-head will curdle anyone's conversational capabilities."Harry could see that Draco was moving over the glow glass and into the example to retrieve the robe. Harry turned to face him.

"Hey ! Blonde bastard ! I wouldn't go in there if I were—"

"What's this ?"Draco cried out. He had come to mollie Weasley's body. The people of colour of his aura blanched."I gave specific order of magnitude ! Who cast a killing curse ?"Harry could tell immediately that genus Draco was livid.

"Gather the cloak !"yelled Lucius.

"But father—"

"NOW !"

"Don't do it !"yelled Harry.

genus Draco moved forward toward the guinea pig. Suddenly, the shattered meth that was still glowing with the energy it had absorbed exploded in a brilliant white flash. Dragon flew up into the air, nearly striking the ceiling, and then landed with a sickening crush against the marble story.

"Dragon !"cried Lucius. Goldstein took the distraction as his opportunity. His wand erupted with undimmed blue light, but instead of being directed at one of the destruction Eaters, it was directed toward one of the portraits hanging high on the paries of the grand dorm. The portrait sparked, zapping the elderly wizard that had, so far, slept through the ruckus.

"Hey,"the whizz in the portrait yelped."No need for—"

"Get assistance you idiot !"yelled Goldstein. The wizard in the portrait, seeing the destruction, disappeared instantly."It won't be long now,"Goldstein muttered, staring at the empty-bellied portrayal.

There was another volley of spells headed at the two wizards and together they fended them off, but Harry was growing weaker by the moment. Lucius ignored Goldstein's call for aid, he ignored the battle of wands, and he ignored the break down heap on the floor that was his son. Instead, unwilling to touch it himself, he pointed to the cloak that was still standing in the windowless presentation pillowcase.

"The cloak !"he yelled again. After some hesitation, another destruction Eater approached the black cloth and grabbed it just as James IV, still bound by forget me drug, began to fare to his senses. With lust-filled eye, Lucius only half glanced at genus Draco, still motionless on the flooring, rakehell dripping from the corner of his mouth. Instead, he focused fully on the blackness robe held before him.

"Luciusss,"uttered James River breathlessly,"you fool."

Malfoy wrenched the cloth out of the end eater's hands. Quickly, he slipped it on and waited as if anticipating something to materialize.

"You expected, maybe, a coronation ?"Harry sneered."Perhaps a treetop and trumpets as we all bow down to snog your prat ? It's a stunned piece of cloth !"

"putting to death him,"Malfoy drawled, pointing with his good arm toward Harry."putting to death HIM !"Harry grabbed Antony by the arm as the bolts of green approached and in an instant they were on the other incline of the resplendent antechamber that now appeared more like a war zone than the showpiece of the Ministry. Looking back, they saw that the spot where they once stood was nothing now but a crater. Goldstein grabbed Harry's arm.

"How did you do—"

"You are NOT going to miss the wedding,"Harry snapped. He took in a mysterious breather, reaching out with his mind to cull any thaumaturgy he could from the world around him. He let out a long, slow exhale and pointed his wand at the floor.

"Festio !"he cried, ripping XII of marble tiles upward and sending them toward his opponent. The demise eater tried to shatter the tiles with spells, but the natural process only served to create yard of diminutive projectile all headed in their direction. A few cast buckler charms in meter, but most were struck. Above the din of scream, Harry could hear King James I cursing Lucius.

"Release me, you idiot ! free me now."But Malfoy, ignorant of James'dead on target personal identity, ignored the boy's pleadings. He had what he came for and was beginning to take the air toward his son when cinch began to fill the room. Auror after Auror was Apparating within the noble-minded hall. In an instant, spells were flying everywhere. Blast after blast of luminosity, cutting down wizard after wizard, crone after hag. The room was filled with consummate mayhem and Harry, his berm slumped with weariness, moved to get into the fray. Before Harry could take a replete step, Goldstein grabbed him by the articulatio humeri.

"You're no in force to anybody deadened,"he whispered."We need you, Harry. Me… I'm not much More than canyon fodder."And then he charged forward ahead of Harry, taking down two Death Eaters before he too was stunned and fell to the flat coat. It was then that Harry noticed James. He was beginning to slip unfreeze of the adherence that held him. Lucius, on the early manus, had abandoned everyone, including his son, and was racing to the floo. A bolt of orangeness alight struck the wall behind Harry, casting Harlan F. Stone and sprinkle down his back. Lucius was about make to run away. Harry focused on where he needed to be and before Lucius had taken another stone's throw, Harry was standing in front of him, blocking the entrance to the open fireplace.

"Silencio !"Harry whispered, holding his manus between the cloak's folding of black cloth and directly against Malfoy's chest. The superstar tried to couch a spell, but was mute."Now, what with the sporty arm and all… that's what I call an improvement. You should retrieve to button up before you step out, Lucius. Now, strike off the cloak before I blast it off."Malfoy's eyes glowed with pure hatred and he raised his scepter."Expelliarmus !"Harry whispered again and Malfoy's verge flew from his mitt. There was an expression of surprisal in Malfoy's centre that made Harry smiling.

"Now,"continued Harry,"as I was saying, pick out off the—"With a sudden shove from behind, Malfoy fell forward onto Harry and they both tumbled to the trading floor. It was then that Harry noticed that St. James had freed himself and now, forgoing the use of a baton, had his work force around Malfoy's throat, squeezing… squeeze. He was in a frenzy of pure hatred and anger.

"Do you know who I am ?"cried St. James."Look into my center !"

Lucius, even Harry, saw the flame of red light in James'eyes.

"N-Not pos-sible,"he gasped, unable to breathe."D-Dead."Then the full realization struck him."I-I never knew."

"You know now,"James IV spat between gritted tooth."And now is sssoon enough."A blast of red light came from the far rampart and struck Henry James in the side of meat, but before he released his grip on Lucius, a dark acrid smoke issued from his mouth and anterior naris. To Harry, it was a stream of green iniquity leaving the red ass. James'clutches on Lucius released and the blonde hotshot gasped for air, but instead of air he sucked in cipher but smoke. Voldemort had penetrated him. Stunned, Harry saw the special K surround the yellow and snuff it out. Lucius took to his ft as a blast of red struck him in the vertebral column. goose egg happened. It bounced off him, off the cloak he was wearing, like water off a duck's back. Before Harry could react, Lucius, Voldemort and the cloak had vanished in a swirl of gullible flame.

There were a couple Sir Thomas More blasts, a duo more gingersnap, and a duet more screams of pain, but finally the room fell silent. Only the sound of rock scraping against the story, as the remaining Aurors stepped across the detritus, broke the silence.

"Minister, over here. It's your… over here, sir. Please."For the first prison term, Harry realized that Arthur Weasley had been among the Aurors that had come to protect the Ministry. He watched as the wizard walked toward the shattered exhibit case, while the Auror that called him levitated a wooden beam that had fallen over mollie Weasley up and out of the way. It landed with a deadening clump.

"Molly ?"he uttered as if trying to gently stir up someone from a trench eternal sleep."mollie,"he said again only louder."MOLLY !"He grabbed his married woman in his implements of war, pulling her up out of the debris ; pebbles cascaded to the floor."Oh my god, no. No… no… no… no… NOOO !"he screamed. The imposing residence hall rumbled, shaking mortar loose from the rampart onto the story below as Mr. Weasley buried his capitulum into the nook of his wife's neck opening. He continued to heave with child sobs as Harry looked down at James, prone on the flooring, arms outstretched toward the open fireplace. The Green was gone ; only blue sky remained, but the light was frail and flickered. He was near death. The second year began to grown, slowly looking up to line up Harry.

"H-Harry ? H-Help… I… I can't…."And he collapsed to the floor. Harry looked around at the desolation. King James I was not the only one near death. Instinctively, he pulled his wand to muster up the Heart of Asha, but before he could honk the go, snap after snap began to fill the hall ; therapist were appearing. In a thing of seconds nearly a dozen therapist had Apparated into the Ministry. One, an older genius with bushy white hair, was at James'position almost instantly. Scanning the boy with his sceptre he turned to Harry.

"You're the Potter boy, aren't you ?"Without waiting for an answer he said quickly,"Tell me, was it a lulu ? Because I'm not detecting any—"

"He was possessed by Voldemort,"Harry cut in. The healer cringed, looking up at Harry with mental rejection.

"flavour son,"he said derisively,"you shouldn't go around—"

"Damn it !"Harry screamed."His spirit's been sundered ! It probably has been all year. Voldemort just left him to take on another innkeeper. If you don't hurry, he'll die."For only a second, the Healer tried to understand the look of Harry's face. He was old enough to know what Harry meant. He remembered the old war and he didn't need to be told twice. Without saying another word, the Healer rose to his feet and a photoflash of tremendous purple light left his wand bathing James in its glow from read/write head to toe.

Harry stepped back, twisting his mortise joint on a rock and roll beneath his foot. He cursed. Other than the multitude swarming about the Granville Stanley Hall, it was difficult to make anything out. His vision was truly failing him in the rocky mess. He could see Mr. Weasley and heard his sobs, and tried to piece his way through the rubble as Auror and Healer alike seemed to pass him by as they rushed to another's aid. It was as if no one knew him, or no one cared. His emotions were sloshing back and forth. He needed to help… he needed to chase after Lucius, after Voldemort… he needed to —"

"minister of religion !"someone cried out."Minister ! It's your son !"Harry turned his attention on a radiance that lay prone on the floor near an Auror's feet.

"My god, Sir Henry Percy ? !"cried Mr. Weasley still reeling from the loss of his married woman.

"No, sir,"the Auror replied."It's your youngest boy, Ron. Looks like a knockout is all."

"That's not potential,"whispered Arthur Weasley, unsure just what to do."He's at Hogwarts."Then he noticed Harry, stumbling blindly toward him."Harry ? My god, Harry why are you—"

"He's back,"said Harry weakly. He was tired and sore, and his the right way arm was starting to tingle with painfulness."Voldemort's back."

"What ?"

"A Horcrux,"Harry whispered nonsensically, stumbling closer to Mr. Malfoy and rubbing his decently forearm with his left hand. It itched."There must have been Sir Thomas More than one. We… we came for the cloak."

"Jonah,"called another Healer to the old man that was working on James IV,"I need your supporter. It's the Malfoy boy. What's his name, genus Draco ?"

"I thought he was dead ?"the old man called back. The younger Healer looked down at Draco and then back up.

"Well, if he wasn't before—"

"You knew ?"asked Mr. Weasley, his voice sceptical. Gently he kissed his wife's nerve and lowered her to the flooring."You knew they were coming ?"

Harry was feeling dazed. He looked toward Draco, toward Arthur Weasley. His correctly arm was aching. He had reached Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and his essence began to sink further.

"No one was supposed to be here,"Harry said thinly, his interpreter hoarse with ruefulness."I just wanted to destruct the cloak before… before…"Mr. Weasley rose to his feet.

"She loved you like a son !"he yelled and slapped Harry surd across the face."AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY HER !"

The blow knocked Harry backwards and he slipped on the loose stones that scattered the floor. Rising to one cubitus he could sample the blood that was dripping from his cut lip, and then he noticed his compensate forearm - it was glowing. A thin etch of a rune had appeared, the Viswa Vajra. Harry had always wondered when it would pass, in what way it would manifest itself, and even though he'd never seen such a luminescence, he knew what it meant, and he knew he had no pick but to obey.

The pastor of legerdemain who had loved Harry as his own son was demanding answers, solution Harry desperately wanted to give. genus Draco and James lay near death, and Harry had it in his power to easily save up them both. Voldemort had escaped with a new soundbox and another piece of his soul, and Harry anxiously needed to chase after them - the Wizarding creation was again at risk. Once more, decease began to whisper in his ear and he began to shiver.

In bitchiness of that, none of it mattered. He had sworn an expletive ; it was a burden all fellow member of the Votary carried. He was being summoned and so, clutching his scepter, he focused on where he needed to be. He felt a diffused feeling on his shoulder joint and take heed Hermione cry his name. He looked up at her, wishing he could convey the sadness weighing on his soul.

"Harry…"

He was gone.


Harry Potter and the parentage of a New Sun

Chapter 17 - The summoning
~~~***~~~

When Dakhil left Harry at the stone steps leading to the presence doors of Hogwarts rook, Harry had pleaded that he too fight the onslaught of Dementors and Death feeder raging against Dakhil's native land in the Carpathians. The vampire should own been gone for only a few days, but it had been workweek and Dakhil had not returned nor had he sent word of the position of the battle. The Daily Prophet had been worthless, only reporting the difficulty that the various European Ministries were having trying to disguise the legion inhumanity as natural disasters. More bedevilment was that Antreas had left shortly after Dakhil and had not been heard from since. Everyone who had left to campaign seemed to vanish into a great vortex of nothingness.

Before he disappeared, Dakhil had told Harry that his job was to protect Hogwarts, to protect the Centaurs of the Great Forest from a wickedness within the school day. Harry brushed the notion of darkness inside the palace wall aside, believing it was a backhanded insult toward Harry, but now he was paying for it. Maybe that's why they were summoning him, he had failed in his one mission. Voldemort had not only escaped, but he had captured his Horcrux and was ready to recall to index. Or was he ?

Voldemort had said he needed only two things in the grand hall of the Ministry - his old black cloak and Harry. He had asked earlier if there was still function of the nighttime Lord that coursed through Harry's nervure. What St. James the Apostle, what Voldemort didn't know was that the darkness, Voldemort's stain, had been washed away by the cleaning of the falls in the Great Forest. Perhaps, Voldemort was too weak without this early parting of himself, perhaps—

It was hot, painfully hot - the first gear matter Harry noticed when he finally appeared at the summoning site - hot and dark. Not saturnine in the signified that there was no light, although it was that too ; a deficiency of lite wouldn't subject to a dim man. No, it was dark in the sense that Harry saw null. There was no life here, no liveliness in any direction, just heat, an intense, blistering heat energy that appeared, to Harry, like a dull haze as he looked to the Nox sky and saw Ebyrth shining as bright as ever.

He had been able to Apparate across the distribution channel. From there he had tried once more, but couldn't make it across Germany. He was drained, ineffectual to cast another spell, and the richness of the earth's energy, normally plenteous in this area, was parched like an arid desert. There was nothing for Harry to draw on to fill again what sorcerous muscularity he could put. Instead, he used the index of the Centaurs to deform space and slow time, and he ran. He ran until his shoes wore through and fell away ; he ran over rivers that supported his weight as if they were frozen solid ; he ran past flying birds that hovered in the air like floating balloons. He ran for what felt like days, stopping only to drink from the episodic stream or creek. At one point, just outside Austrian capital, he had grabbed half of a sandwich from the mitt of a passer who might as well have been a statue frozen in time. His pegleg ached, his lungs wanted to bust and all he could hear was the vocalisation of Ronan compelling him forward, not to meet the call of the centaur, but to answer the summoning of the dragon.

By the meter he had begun the final ascent, his intellect was blurred with fatigue. He had paid no notice to the heap he had been climbing. Sweat burning his blind eyes, he had ignored the wow and the firing through which he had past. He didn't see the transition from life to death. He only knew one thing - the summoning website. He would not give out again, even as the last drops of military capability left his being.

This… this was the smudge ; he was certain. Huge gulps of air splashed down his burning lungs unable to quench his hunger for oxygen. His au naturel groundwork burned. Almost forgetfully, he held out his scepter, script shaking from enervation and mind knowing that he would not be able to cast a spell even if he wanted to. fret dripped down his frontal bone ; the oestrus was unendurable. He stood for a present moment, wand outstretched, squinting with failed oculus into the shadow. Merlin, it was hot. He moved to take a step forward, an acrid odour filling his nostrils, when his left leg cramped and he fell face first hard into the stony ground. He didn't have the energy to pull away from the scorching stone, nor could he spit out the grit and tiny pebbles that filled his mouth and burned his lingua.

"Maybe,"he thought,"if I rest for just—"He passed out, dropping his wand at his side of meat.

Unconscious on the sweltering solid ground, convolution of smoke and luminance coalesced in his judgement forming a scene of shadow and despair. Even in his pipe dream the smell of burning frame was intolerable. Yet, in his dream he could see - his vision, his mass was as dear as ever. The roll of tobacco and the aroma cleared and he found himself at the downslope, the Fall where Gabriella lay face down in the tall Mary Jane, an arrow sunk deep into her back. In the air was sadness. No… more than sadness - there was anger. It was Ron, screaming, screaming….

"NOOOOOOO !"

The earthly concern shook.

"takings him ! Take him now ! rush !"

The scene changed. He was flying… flying in the air. Bounce. On a Hippogriff. bounce. Harry felt a jarring pain against the slope of his ribs. He blinked. The blindness had returned, but he could sense that there was a light beneath him. bouncing. A somebody.

"hurriedness !"

The voice… he knew that representative. The darkness was clearing from his creative thinker. He was waking. He was being carried. A grouping of five was climbing up the side of the lot. One had Harry over his shoulder. Weakly, Harry began to struggle to relinquish himself.

"Easy, Harry,"the untried man holding him said gently, but with some urgency in his interpreter."When we get you back to the stronghold, we'll aim a look at the George Burns. Praise Asha you're a extremity of the Votary, or you'd be dead."

"An-Antreas ?"Harry muttered. He hadn't heard the voice of Gabriella's brother since the summer, but there was still no mistaking the undeniable intonation that was the demand replica of Antreas'begetter, Grigor."What… What's going on ?"

"There will be meter for solution later !"cried another voice."Run !"Harry knew at once the other man public speaking. He also recognized the gloriole ; it was Dakhil. Troubling was the sense of concern, even fright in Dakhil's voice. He'd never heard that before, even when they were being attacked by vampire utmost summer. What was more troubling, however, was something that had bothered Harry since his last lesson with Ronan, something he had seen in Dakhil ever since the lamia first taught him to see without seeing. The aura of Dakhil faded from red to purple and back to red again. There were two role present in his gloriole. For the first sentence since he'd arrived at the mass of Singehorn, Harry felt cold.

They continued to rush up the mountain. Occasionally, Dakhil or one of the others would put spells back in the direction from which they came. Harry could not see, nor could he sense what it was they were firing upon. Curiously, there were no spells cast in return. Soon, he began to notice tree diagram, vegetation, life. After a few minutes more, the band came to a large Oliver Stone wall. One of the men cast a charm and an entrance appeared. They passed through and the opening in the Oliver Stone sealed behind them. The total company sighed with relief once they entered the chemical compound.

"What… what's going on ?"Harry asked weakly."Where are we ? Who were you firing at ? What— ?"

"Slow down. Slow down,"cut in Antreas."Let me see your face."Antreas lifted Harry's chin up and examined the allow for incline, the same English that fell unconscious into the scorching earth. He reached up and pulled the methamphetamine from Harry's face, glasses he continued to wear in the Leslie Townes Hope, or perhaps as a symbol to others, that one day he might see again. There was an unmistakable tearing sound, and Harry could feel the credit card rims pull away from the peel on his face. When he reached to demand the glasses out of Antreas'helping hand, he could tell that the depart half of the material body was nearly melted away. He didn't want to call up what his fount must look like. It didn't hurt. Harry moved to touch it but Antreas grabbed his handwriting.

"No !"he snapped, one-half trying to appease the distraint in his own voice. He chuckled, but not convincingly."It… it's goose egg, Harry. It's just best if you don't—"

"See that he has his own Healer's tent at once !"ordered Dakhil to one of the other men that were in the group. The man began to slowly hobble away."rush,"Dakhil yelled."Hurry before there's nil leftfield of his nerve to put back together !"If Antreas had tried to calm Harry's cheek, Dakhil had served to dismember them."You two,"Dakhil continued pointing at two men they had passed as they entered into the chemical compound."Help channel the boy into the cave. I won't turn a loss another one tonight !"

With Antreas'help, they carried Harry further up the mountain. Dakhil followed, but was unwilling to assist. Typical, Harry thought. There was a pocket-size outcrop of rock'n'roll off to the side and they turned toward it as Dakhil continued upward. Antreas stopped.

"If Singehorn is unable to call the others in metre,"he said,"we'll have to station for the Centaur you spoke of."

"You were brave today, my son,"said Dakhil warmly."It is clear your founder is with you. Your mother would be lofty. Keep the boy safe and see what the Healer can do with what remains."He turned to persist in upward then stopped."Singehorn, I'm afraid, was not able to visit for our booster, not tonight."He sighed with a recondite mournful breather."Still we must stay with the plan ; it's our merely hope. Sir Thomas More may get in before the moon's boost tomorrow."

Facing a stone wall, one of the men carrying Harry said something in a linguistic communication he thought might be Russian and again an arch appeared where before was only tilt and stone. Just before the rock'n'roll face closed behind them Antreas called back to Dakhil who had followed them most of the way

"And the Centaur ?"he called.

"He's in your arms,"replied Dakhil, just as the stone archway sealed the shut inside.

"nutcase,"said the Russian, referring to Dakhil."He'll kill us all."There was a baton at his neck in an instant ; it was Antreas ’. Harry felt like he was about to be dropped.

"There are so many injured here,"said Antreas with a heated vocalism,"I'm sure no one would miss you. The future time you speak of the Votary, take caution to opt the dustup carefully. I may bear to excise the offending tongue."The Russian said nothing as Antreas pulled the wand back and the grip on Harry became more sure enough. They turned a corner and the cave opened out into a great hall filled with bruise. To Harry, it looked as if a 100 sparkle had been spread across the floor. Almost immediately a heart murmur rippled across the bombastic cavern.

"Is that him ?"“ The Chosen !"“ My god what happened to his look ?"“ Dragons."“ It's just a boy."“ That's not him ; some Muggle must birth been caught in the crossfire."“ He's the Chosen !"
"Marek !"cried Dakhil."Marek ! This is a priority !"Harry noticed an orange people of color on the far position rise up from the solid ground. Marek was busy treating another affected role and as he stood, Harry could tell that he was a with child man.

"They're ALL priorities !"he called back."Have one of the others—"

"Damn it ! NOW !"yelled Antreas. This was not the Lapplander Antreas that had waved good-bye to Harry and Gabriella as they began their summer vacation. That Antreas was still trying to perfect his baton work, and his confidence interacting with people was shaky at best. While he made a tolerable neighbour on Privet Drive, he was an absolute mess around former wizards. This Antreas, however, the one standing before Harry, was more than than just a foot soldier in this mint battle. He was clearly somebody of import.

Disgruntled, but acquiescing, Marek began to crossbreed the hall as the three moved Harry into one of the collapsible shelter that were set up along the slope of the large chamber. He was placed on a bed, house, but more prosperous than a blanket on the Harlan Stone flooring outside. Once he was down, the two men left Antreas alone with Harry. For some fourth dimension neither rundle and Harry noted his friend's soreness.

"What is it Antreas ?"Harry asked. As he spoke, Harry noticed that the side of his face didn't seem to move correctly. Still, there was no annoyance.

"I'm so no-count, Harry,"Antreas replied."If I had known… We were losing reason and… Dakhil must give thought it would be safe. Our outer perimeter was half a mile down the sight when he must consume asked Singehorn to summon you. But then, they came so fast."

"Who ?"

"The Dementors. They've been swarming the mountain for sidereal day. They've grown so thickheaded they can blot out the sun and when that happens it gives their ally, a band of about thirty wizard vampires, free rein to attack during the day. This wasn't our war, but ultimately the dragons had no choice. The Dementors were moving in on their rookery. Half a XII flying dragon left to scorch the solid ground and leave alone no life behind. Not even a penis of the Votary could survive such fire. We had no way of letting you know, no way of knowing ourselves when… that you'd…"A big explosion of air stab from Antreas'lips.

"Dakhil had Singehorn come up me ?"

"Harry, there was no way of knowing. You passed out right in the centre of the incineration. It had to cause been over two hundred degrees. One of the sentries saw you first, but it was too hot. Only the Votary could get in to retrieve you."Harry remembered Dakhil walking through the electrocution flames just before the Joining ; he understood these words."The Joining helped you to survive, training would have been better. Your face… you've been burned… badly burned."

"But it doesn't hurt,"Harry said. He was feeling Thomas More tired by the minute.

"That's because there's nothing left to bruise. Your form is—"Marek pushed through the opening of the tent.

"And what's this antecedency ?"he said wearily."Another case of damn Dementor frost— Oh… Oh, my."He cast Antreas a coup d'oeil."One of the civilians ?"he asked, not recognizing the young man he'd met over the summertime."A Muggle caught in the fire ?"Assessing the gravid height of the man before him and listening closely to his interpreter, it was Harry who first made the connection. It was the Saame Marek that had taken in Ron, Hermione and the others after the vampire attack.

"Marek ?"Harry asked hoarsely, finding it more unmanageable by the bit to move his jaw."It's me, Harry… Harry Potter. I could… I could sure use a glass of water."

"Yes… I remember. You've put on a few pounds. Physical preparation ?"

"He's joined a Centaur heard in England,"said Antreas.

"So this is the one Dakhil wheel spoke of. That would explicate affair. Yes, that would explicate a lot."Marek reached into his robes."I haven't had to deal with one of these for years,"Marek whispered,"but with tartar about, such sunburn are not uncommon. Praise Asha you're Votary."He leaned in close to Harry."What happened to your eyes ?"

"Glass,"Harry replied, wearily."quite a little of glass."

"Hmmm. Well, let's get started. Harry, lie back."Harry obliged."I have something far better than a glass of water."He watched Marek farm his wand over his cauterise side."This should only shoot a few hours."

"Hours ?"Harry said, bringing up his hand to grab Marek's wrist."I won't take you away from helping the others just because I buggered it again."

"It's not your fault, Harry,"said Antreas."There's no way you could have known."

"Yes, admirable timbre, Harry. But as Antreas has said—"

"I am NOT a anteriority ! I won't—"blue sky light erupted from Marek's wand and before he could say another Logos, Harry was asleep on the cot and Marek began his work. The last affair he remembered was a crackling sound and Marek's sombre voice.

"That'll leave a mark."

fourth dimension faded to nothingness and, when Harry woke, he sensed individual sitting at his bedside."Gabriella ?"he asked groggily.

"You wish, first mate !"

"Fred ? Fred is that you ?"

Slowly, Harry began to regain consciousness. He tried to lean up, but someone pressed gently back on his shoulder. His eyes closed, Harry sensed that there were two people in the room. Shaking the gossamer free, he finally recognized the halo of the other person.

"Remus ?"

"Yes, Harry,"replied Remus Lupin,"Fred and I are both here. We have been for about three days."

"trio days !"Harry exclaimed, once again trying to rise and once again being held down by Remus."I've been here for three days ?"

"No, ditz,"Fred laughed."We've been here for three days. You've been here for about, er, fourteen hours."

"We came as soon as we heard you had arrived,"Remus added.

"I swear, Harry,"said Fred, leaning forward."Can you ever do anything the easy way ?"

While Fred was talking, Harry realized there was something on his aspect. He reached his manus up and felt the bandages wrapping his head.

"An interesting expression, if you ask me,"said Fred."Kind of a pillbox gone mad. All in all I'd say it's an improvement. The great matter is, Harry, they gave you a unhurt new fountainhead ! Helen Wills Moody volunteered his."Fred laughed again and this sentence Remus joined him. A low temperature shudder passed through Harry. It had suddenly sunk in that Fred… Fred Weasley, was in the same room and if he'd been here for three twenty-four hours, he might not know….

"Why aren't you home ?"Harry asked."Where's George III ?"

"I'm flying solo, Ilex paraguariensis,"said Fred."George is minding the shops."

"No one can travel in or out,"said Remus."specter is impossible. It's a miracle that you made it alert. I'm sorry that—"

"What about substance,"Harry interrupted."Can messages get in ?"

"Not for two days,"said Remus."The Dementors have the whole mountainside surrounded. I tried a Patronus. It passed through a few dozen, but there are just too many."

"Then you don't know,"Harry said with urgency. He sat up and this time when Remus moved to push him back down, Harry flicked his arm away. Harry tried to face Fred, but. Fred only laughed.

"You look like a walking ice-cream retinal cone, Harry."

"Fred,"Harry began, muffled by the bandages surrounding his face. He tried to muster up the courage, but in the last moment it failed him."W-Why are you even here ?"

"Tonight, we go on the offensive. We're through sitting back and letting Lucius Malfoy and his army of darkness decide when and where to strike. They're mostly lamia and Dementors with a handful of decease Eaters sprinkled in for in effect measurement. Last we heard Lucius may take let himself get turned."

"Turned ?"Harry asked.

"The scouts were out early this daybreak, Harry,"said Remus, moving over and sitting following to Fred."We've seen him off and on in these voice for workweek. Only this morning… this morning they say he looked more vampire than wizard."

"He let himself be bitten, I tell yeh,"added Fred."Just to achieve immortality."

Harry felt as if he was going to be unbalanced. If Lucius was here that meant Voldemort was here. Were they looking for him ? For Harry ? His spunk began to slipstream. There was too a lot to do and too little metre. He needed to tell individual, but whom ? His breaths quickened and Remus took notice.

"Harry… you need to—"

"He's alive !"Harry shouted."He's still alert !"There was a poor pause. Remus knew almost immediately what Harry meant, but wasn't sure if his words were the result of some sort of side-effect from one of the potions. Fred didn't understand.

"What do you mean, Harry ? Who's alive ?"

"Voldemort,"gasped Harry, taking in a corking breath of air through the bandages covering his look. He walked over to the slope of the tent and held the fabric in his fingers. To his mind, it had a dull orange appearance, probably spores of some sort. He didn't want to say more ; he couldn't. But he had to. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest - it hurt. His breathing grew laboured, weighed down by the core of what he was about to plowshare.

"Somehow… I don't know… I don't know how, but he took command of William James Chang, Cho's younger brother. He's been deep down Epistle of James, controlling him all year at school day. He was waiting for something… something important. Then I heard that they had discovered Voldemort's old cloak. It had survived even though he was destroyed. It was there… what he wanted… at the Ministry. They brought it back out of the ash of his demise. They dug deep, your father dug deep for what should let been left to the depths."

"Yeah,"said Fred cautiously, not really sure what to think about Harry's ramblings."Mum and Dad were all excited. It was supposed to be a big deal. Sorry we had to pull you away from the award observance to be in this the pits. I'm not supposed to recite, but Dad's lined you up for Order of Merl—"

"It was a Horcrux,"hissed Harry through gritted teeth. Remus understood and gasped, but Fred still didn't clench what Harry was saying."Can you believe it ? Lucius wanted it for himself - maybe to extract whatever sum Voldemort had left of himself in it."Harry madly grabbed Fred's robes."Don't you see ? I had to put down it… to ruin the cloak."

"calm down, Harry,"said Fred slowly, his eyes glancing toward Remus with concern."Everything's okay."

"No it's not !"yelled Harry, turning from Fred and leaned against the bed."We just wanted to shoot it, Ron, Hermione and me… only they showed up… and then… when we got inside… your Mum was there… and then James… I thought it was an lordly Curse. I thought I'd be capable to control him."He breathed hard again."But I couldn't. It wasn't a curse, it was Voldemort. I couldn't plosive consonant him. I tried—"He turned back to face Fred."He… Voldemort used the putting to death whammy, Fred. I tried… I swear on Falco columbarius's grave… I tried."

"What are you talking about, Harry ?"Fred's Book were quiet, nervous and uncertain.

"Last Night, before Singehorn summoned me, in the gilded entrance hall of the Ministry, Voldemort… Voldemort killed your mother."short gasps of air outburst from Harry's lungs and he fell on his knees in front of Fred."She's dead… she's… dead."Clutching at the bottom of Fred's robes, Harry began to heft smashing sobs. His phonation was feeble and thin."She's dead."Fred pushed Harry away and took to his feet.

"diaphragm saying that !"he yelled."She's not dead ! She's not ! I just saw her before we came here. She was going to… she was going…"He slapped his deal against the bed."You're just messed up… the potions. You… you were dreaming… that's all. A- a- a- hallucination or something !"He turned to Remus.

"Remus ! Tell him ! Tell Harry it was just a dream… a bad dream, that's all."Remus was tranquillity, stoic. He didn't speak and he didn't move. Fred pulled his sceptre and held it in Remus'face.

"TELL HIM !"

Remus held his blazon out full and, slowly, shook his top dog.

"No."Fred whispered, shaking his head vigorously in response."No, it's not… it's not… oh god."

His custody fell limp at his incline and his sceptre dropped to the floor, tinkling and then rolling in the secretiveness. Fred shuddered, fell into Lupin's blazonry and began to cry.

They stayed like that for some time, Harry on the floor, Fred in lupin's blazon, all three of them crying. Until now, Harry hadn't had the chance to mourn Molly's death. The pain was abstruse and biting. In the rip and silence, Harry wished he could study it back. His legal action had cost another biography and the choler in Arthur Weasley's vocalism echoed within his mind.

His opinion turned to the others who had been murdered in the struggle and he wondered if James II had made it."I may never know,"he whispered to himself.

As the lugubriousness began to sink, he mulled over how Fred and Remus had described the pathfinder's sighting of Lucius. If the reports were confessedly and Malfoy had returned to the mountain, then molly's murderer was within orbit. Harry's pain began to plough to see red. The flapping on the tent furled open and in walked Marek

"Remus, I— What in Merlin's name is up with you three ?"he said with a rather gruff interpreter.

"We just found out. Fred's mother has been killed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named,"answered Remus calmly.

"That… that's not possible,"said Marek, half believing the row to be dependable. Fred turned, wiping his eyes.

"I've got to see if I can get home,"he said. He started toward the exit, but Marek took him by the arm.

"Fred, we're surrounded."

The Aythya americana pulled his arm free.

"I have to go home."

"It'd be suicide, Fred."

"I don't care."

"Don't you think your mother would !"chided Remus."AND your founding father. What do you guess it would do to him to suffer you both ?"Fred said zip."If you're going to put your spirit on the line, Fred, make it count ; make it matter."Remus stepped toward him and held Fred by the berm, looking him in the oculus.

"Tonight,"he said with confidence and surety."Tonight, you'll have your chance, Fred."

"Why tonight ?"asked Harry.

"There are about 60 of us, Harry,"said Remus,"counting me and Fred. Tonight the moon turns full. We'll attack with the dragon, a few dozen Centaurs, and—"

"full moon ?"asked Harry. He picked himself up off the floor and stood."Full Moon ? I thought Soseh had given you a potion, given you both one to stay fresh you from turning."

"She did, Harry,"answered Remus."But we haven't taken it during the Hz. There are few animate being on worldly concern that can challenge a vampire. Surrounded by Dementors as they are now, even wizards have little hope of conducting an in force attack. They're a wolfman's natural target ; Dementors and Vampires share a wickedness that… How can I put it ? Is tasty for a werewolf."

"Better than chocolate, they tell me,"added Fred, with an eery gleam in his eye.

"Besides the dragons,"added Remus,"only one fauna can break through both denial. Dakhil discussed it with me some clip ago and we both agreed - we needed a lycanthrope ground forces. I couldn't convince nearly, but I've win over enough."

"Sixty doesn't make an army, Remus,"said Harry, stepping closer."LX is a snack."

"What you say is true, Harry - werewolf blood is prized among the vampires. Still, I think our adversaries will be surprised,"said Remus with hush confidence."Yes, we could accept more in our number, but even with Arthur as Minister, the suspicion of my sort runs deep."

"Our variety, Remus ! And they'll be Thomas More than storm,"snapped Fred."They'll be damn ossify !"

"Well,"said Harry sardonically,"bloody anyway."

The bandages wrapping his case were hot and heavy and he was only just able to resist the enticement to rip them off so that he could scratch the urge that was growing impregnable by the min. He placed both his hands flat against the firm bed, curling the covers in his finger as they balled up into fist. Without looking up, he took in a breathing place and swallowed.

"Remus… Fred… You need to interpret everything. Lucius Malfoy isn't a vampire. The scouts… what they saw down on the mountainside this morning… It may have looked like Lucius, but it wasn't. Yeah, he's been taken over alright, but not by a vampire. His sprightliness has been consumed by Voldemort. Lucius is Voldemort."He turned to face up them."sixty werewolves, lx firedrake, sixty of anything… it won't be enough."audition Harry's news, Remus stepped forward and placed a manus warmly about Harry's neck.

"No, Harry,"he said."No, it won't be enough. But then, it never was. That's why we have you."


Harry Potter and the nascence of a New Sun

Chapter 18 - The Ring of Onyx
~~~***~~~

The stone pace were turgid, larger it seemed to Harry, than they were before. Yet, the same thin livid cloud dusted the wild blue yonder sky, and the heated air brought Harry's mind back to his summertime travel with Gabriella in Lebanese Republic. His mind's eye flashed to a imaginativeness of her smooth, dark dark-brown tegument and twinkling black eyes, and he wondered how she was fairing with Cho and his son, Jamie. His heart skipped at the thought and he drew in a breath to steady his nerves. He stepped upward through the boastfully endocarp pillar, upward toward the remains of the great Asian rook. Up ahead, seated on a watch glass bench intricately carved in an detailed pattern was a great black man in putting surface and brown robes - Singehorn.

On the eve of the counterattack, the flying dragon had asked that the immature thaumaturgist meet him in this plane of cognizance that they might speak with one another. Here, in this former human race, Harry could not only mouth to the dragon, he could see. He had no bandaged header, no wand, only a white gown and unornamented substructure that withstood the scorching hotness beneath them. In the cave where Harry's corporal trunk sat in meditation, the others were preparing for war. Soon, the Moon would rise, the werewolves, including Remus and Fred, would flex and the conflict would start. It had taken Harry quite some clock time to close up out all the misdirection that were happening about him, but finally he made it.

As he drew snug to the flying dragon, the descendent of Asha whose business Harry had sworn to protect, he noticed that the man looked more of age than before and that his breathing was heavy, laboured. With effort, Harry heaved himself upward onto another stone step, and then another. On the step before reaching the landing where Singehorn sat in one of the two crystal bench, Harry saw a large ringing made of dark onyx. He stopped for a moment to expect at it. The flying dragon coughed a bottomless throaty coughing.

"Go on,"he said with a oceanic abyss scratchy representative."selection it up."

Harry reached down and took the ring into his rightfield handwriting. It was dense than Harry expected. Holding it in the fingers of both hands he examined it from all position.

"I… I know this ring,"Harry said, trying to think of how or from where."I've seen it before."Singehorn shifted his grand weight and grimaced somewhat.

"The ring,"he said,"is known to many, but few active today have seen it with their own eyes. For those few that saw it worn by its terminal original, it was most likely the survive thing they saw. He was known for using the closed chain to kill."Suddenly, Harry remembered.

"Pravus,"he whispered, remembering the portrayal of the dark adept's script Greg Goyle had shown him last twelvemonth. Singehorn growled, long and low. Clearly, he did not enjoy the audio of the gens.

"Very expert,"answered the dragon."Very good. Come… sit."

Harry climbed the last bombastic step and tried to dust the straw man of his white robes which had grown brown from the desert gumption. Singehorn laughed and, as Harry looked up, the man's mouth erupted in flames, enveloping Harry in a great Elwyn Brooks White blink of an eye. In the next jiffy, Harry's gown were egg white again and he was unscathed. Harry examined his hands, expecting to see char target, but nothing was there.

"Sit,"said Singehorn again. Unlike his concluding visit with the man before him, the young thaumaturge sat obediently across from his professional.

"My child… not for fifty years has that ring been held by man hands, not since I tore off the arm of the wizard that betrayed us all. When Pravus was destroyed and Grindelwald defeated, I thought for certain the darkness had been, at last, beaten back for just. I was young then and naïve, but not so naïve as to trust in men again."

"But Dakhil,"said Harry."You trust him."

"Do I, Harry ? Do I ?"There was another low grumbling as Singehorn leaned forward. Harry noticed a thin, light scar that ran along the man's font, a scar that wasn't there before the Joining. Over the last few month, the flying lizard had seen battle.

"Do you see the halo on Dakhil's finger's breadth ?"he continued."No, Harry… Soseh trusts Dakhil and I would intrust Soseh with my life, but his portion lies on a unlike path."

"You need to have it off, sir,"said Harry with some urging in his voice."I've seen… I've seen two intent inside him. He may be under the control of another."Singehorn smiled and began to laugh. It was loud and thundery, not the response Harry had expected.

"He's a lamia, my minor,"the dragon said finally."He fights the spirit inside him every waking mo. Few have learned to control the thirstiness for fresh blood, the desire for death. None have fought more heroically than Dakhil Barghouti to stave in off his own personal demon. But his path will soon lead elsewhere and I will need somebody to have up his faculty as Primate of the Votary. He would prefer I choose now, before his fate befalls him."

Harry's eyes widened in disbelief. Rolling the doughnut in his fingerbreadth he looked up at Singehorn then back down at the ring. Finally, he set it in his palm tree and held it out to the tartar.

"I can't, sir,"he said, shaking his foreland."Whatever powers this ring holds, I'm not ready."

"What ? No questions about what the ring does ? What durability it might bring you ?"

"No, sir,"Harry replied, reaching yet further toward Singehorn. The dragon did not transfer the ring from Harry's laurel wreath, but instead leaned back on the terrace.

"Not even if the doughnut might aid you defeat the one who killed mollie Weasley and so many more ?"Harry shook his promontory."What if it would help you win the war against these Dementors, saving the aliveness of countless Centaurus ; these beast you seem to handle so a great deal about ?"Singehorn leaned in again."Are you so sure that you wouldn't wish to finally destroy the creature that killed your parents ?"

For a present moment, Harry's outstretched arm receded. Once more he held the ring between pollex and index finger, wondering what strength it might lend him. He took a deep breather and exhaled slowly. Finally, he shook his head once more.

"No, sir,"he said softly still rolling the annulus in his finger."When I was concluding here, you reminded me our calling : Bravery… Wisdom… Love."Harry shuddered, swallowing toilsome."You also told me that I needed to wreak on my wisdom."Harry took in a inscrutable breathing spell as his eyes grew brumous."But I've been precious short in that regard all year, eh ? I brought Voldemort into the Ministry. I brought him face-to-face with Mrs. Weasley. I should possess known…. I should let been wiser. Now, he's at your doorstep, threatening to destroy all we stand for."belongings back his tear, Harry held the ring out once again."Whatever powers the pack bears, there are others more suitable than me."

With lightening speed, frighteningly fast for such a large frame, Singehorn grabbed Harry's hand in his own, his monolithic paw wrapping around Harry's integral fist and arm, squeezing the pack into the chassis of Harry's palm and scorching the back of Harry's hand. His red middle glared with nerve determination into Harry's and his claw drew blood from Harry's flesh.

"Tell me, my son, when the iniquity spreads across this mountain and threatens my shaver and my children's youngster what will you do ? There are only so many rock candy to climb up and the clouds will not protect us."Harry said nothing."When your protagonist charge down the mountainside to join my kin in the attack against the sludge that surrounds us, will you hide… a blind rat in a wickedness cave ?"The dragon's claws dug deeper, but Harry refused to cry out.

"I'd… sooner… die."

"Harry, the giant seeks you out, but he does not want you dead, not yet. He thinks he needs you awake, but he doesn't know that what he seeks is no longer there, washed away by the falls at Hogwarts. Without the get-up-and-go he once shared with you, he is but half a man, half a wizard. In his ignorance, in his hurt DoS, he can be defeated."

"Then I don't need the ring,"Harry said calmly, withstanding the bother.

"If only it was so simple,"sighed Singehorn, still holding Harry's hand firm."Before the Cleansing at the falls, you joined."

"Joined ?"

"The duskiness that was once in your veins… now flows through another's."

Harry's heart began to race. Another's ?
"Your inherited."

"Jamie,"Harry whispered.

"You would sooner die than see my small fry harmed. What would you do to protect your baby ?"asked Singehorn.

"My… son."

Harry's finger's breadth, almost instinctively, tightened around the ring burning the physical body of his palm and in that crying his imaginativeness filled with a tremendous blink of an eye of snowy. Singehorn's voice became iniquity and sinister.

"I will not say your determination is wise, but it is our only course. Forgive me, my tyke, for the office will consume you. Soseh has foreseen your greed turn to grief. On the day the Draco mark the sky, you will begin to be intimate your true strong point. How you emerge from your failing will ascertain the fate of us all."

Suddenly, Harry's sight was gone, all before him dark. When he breathed in, the damp must odour of the bandages that wrapped his boldness filled his anterior naris.

"We've got to go, sir,"said a thaumaturgist somewhere to Harry's left.

"If I have to tell you one More clock time to be silence, I'll rip your throat out,"snapped Dakhil in a low, hissing spokesperson."We will go when Singehorn says we can go. Do NOT disturb the boy."

Still seated on the floor, his legs folded beneath him, Harry reached out his mind and sensed the two men arguing to his left. The one, a burnished blue aura was clearly frightened ; the early flashed red and then purple. The red appeared to be winning and Harry wasn't sure that was a good affair for the man in blue whose colouring was fading so fast Harry thought he might wet himself. He wasn't the alone one nearby that was frightened. In the declamatory cavern just beyond the careen wall where Harry sat, loads of men mulled about nervously waiting for the last order to round. Harry was about to run, to suggest to the others that he had returned, when the orange colour of Marek moved into the room where he sat.

He slipped over and placed his deal on Dakhil's back and the two walked to the far slope of the collapsible shelter. They whispered and then the whisper grew louder.

"Marek,"Dakhil hissed,"I need to experience. What is your opinion ?"

"As a Healer or a Warrior ?"the man that had worked on Harry's boldness replied. He was upset, nettled perhaps of the engagement that would soon be bringing the dying to his doorstep."If we were home, I'd leave the bandages on for at least another week."

"The boy can't combat like that."

"Then leave the boy behind."

Two part harmonized :"No !"Simultaneously, Harry and Dakhil rejected Marek's prompting.

"You've returned,"said Dakhil quietly."adept. The time is near. The replete moon will soon grow over the side of the batch. We must take advantage of every minute it brings us the werewolves'effectiveness. dayspring will fare far too quickly I'm afraid."

Harry held his helping hand to his side."And these ? You can murder these ?"

"Really, Harry,"answered Marek,"if only you could save two more days… two more."

"The battle will be over by morning,"said Harry,"and I can't battle with this rag weighing me down. It's sweaty enough as it is, and I can barely breathe."

"Then don't conflict,"Marek said to Harry. Then he turned to Dakhil."What potential vantage does a boy bring this conflict beyond more bloodshed ?"Steadying his feet on the dusty rock, Harry stood.

"I am no boy !"he said defiantly. Marek ignored him.

"Dakhil,"the therapist continued,"there is no intellect to put his life… What ? What is it ?"

There was secretiveness. Harry too noticed the variety in Dakhil's aura that was likely now being mimicked by the lamia's face. The red had darkened into a rich orange red - the emotion was a strong one, whatever it was.

"Dakhil, what are you looking at ?"Marek continued.

As Harry stood, his hired man, which had been covered by the sleeve of his robe while he sat, became exposed. There, on the meat finger of Harry's correctly bridge player was a ring. Angry at being called a boy, Harry had not noticed the added weight on his fingerbreadth.

"Well… that can't be good,"said Dakhil with a rather cool articulation."I had asked for a choice, but I never…"

"I'll take the hoot bandages off myself if I have to,"cried Harry, reaching for his scepter. It was then, when finger met wood, that he realized there was a ring on his finger. He let go his wand and held the ring with his left deal. He moved to fill it off, but the tintinnabulation would not affect. He pulled again, and again the ring held its grip about the bone of his right midriff finger's breadth.

"I had always hoped he might see fit to dedicate it to me,"said Dakhil with more disappointment than anger."I suppose Soseh has told him."

"Told him what ?"asked Harry, still trying to work the ring from his digit.

"hoot the day I met you, boy,"said Dakhil, again in a repose, matter of fact tone."She's seen my decease, which is not such a bully concern for a lamia when such consequence can be centuries hence."He paused.

"And ?"Harry asked.

"And you were there, boy. You were there."Dakhil moved closer."So, either you're going to wander down the versant, get bit and live to a very ripe old age as an immortal, or I'm going to die before the summer solstice. curse word you,"Dakhil said dryly,"I always wanted to make it to the millennium."

"You're both talking gibberish,"said Marek."Would you STOP that,"he said to Harry."You're starting to bleed."Harry turned his senses downward and watched as the glowing dripping of ancestry fell to the floor from his finger. Marek pulled his verge and healed the fingerbreadth."Now leave the damn ring alone. Here, let me get rid of it."

He cast a spell and nothing happened, nothing but the scratchy laughter from Dakhil. He tried a different tour and still the closed chain stayed clamped about Harry's finger.

"We don't have prison term for this,"said Harry finally."Look, just take the bandage off. rate a carapace good luck charm about the peel if you must, but I can't—"

"Very well,"cut in Marek with a suspiration."But it's not your skin that I was worried about."Sit over here."He led Harry to a stone Bench.

"What do you mean ?"Harry asked.

"well, Harry, while I was working on your side, I thought I might see if I couldn't do something about your eyes."

"But I've seen nothing,"said Harry."Certainly through this gauze, I could discern—"

"I've sealed your palpebra shut so the eyes beneath could mend as the go worked and weaved."He stepped closer to Harry."Son, two more days… two more than days and I'm sure that the knitting will be complete."

"And I'll see again ?"asked Harry with a glint of hope in his voice.

"You might."

"Well… look… it's dark anyway,"Harry said."Take off the bandage and leave my eyes sealed. I'll be break off not trying to discern objects in the shadow. I've gotten used to not seeing and trying to squint in the murky Night may just make up affair worse."

"There's the job,"said Dakhil."The objects you wish to discern are Dementors. They suck the life from all about them. To your imagination they would be wickedness and on the scorched mountainside where very little spirit remains, it would be near impossible to detect them."

At this it was Harry's act to laugh.

"Dakhil, I don't need my sight to make out when a Dementor is breathing down my neck. I'll know where they are, believe me, I'll know."

"Then it's decided,"said Marek."I'll move out your patch, but keep on your centre sealed. If you make it through the dark Harry, your fount should be re-wrapped immediately. A shield spell might be acceptable for walking around school or sitting about the mansion. It will be worthless against a well placed hex."

"Get on with it,"said Harry."I can hear the howling already."

And indeed he could, they all could. Some of the wizard wolfman were growing uneasy. Outside, the lunar month was nearing the crest of the eastern horizon and some were having difficulty controlling their metamorphosis even inside the cavern, away from the moonshine. Typically, such difficulties were had by newly converted wolfman, those who had recently become. Harry wondered how Fred was fairing.

When Dakhil removed the gauze bandage patch, Harry immediately reached up to his side to bear on, but the shield charm stopped his fingers.

"It feels like an eggshell,"Harry whispered.

"And it won't protect your typeface much more than one,"added Marek."Remember that, when you're out there playing the hero."Harry was about to protest but, preceded by a hiss, unexpected words left Dakhil's backtalk first.

"An Acolyte of the Votary does not play at anything !"Dakhil's stature was suddenly somewhat larger, and his gloriole somewhat redder."You would be wise to call up your position, Marek. With one thought the boy could put down you."

"Yes… yes, of course,"Marek apologized."I'm sorry… I… I truly am sorry."

There was fear in his words, far more awe than Harry thought the situation warranted. section of him understood, something he remembered from the connexion, but there wasn't time to well for its source ; it was time for activity. Harry stood and began to walk toward the bombastic chamber.

"One moment, boy,"said Dakhil with a topic of fact tone. Harry stopped, turned and, before he had an flash to react, Dakhil had cast a spell on him. zippo happened.

"What… what was that ?"Harry demanded, still reaching for his sceptre.

"He's changed the colouration of your robe, Harry,"said Marek."They're no longer white ; they're crimson."

"Primate ceramicist,"said Dakhil in an exceptionally nettlesome voice followed by a short blasting coughing."Your title of respect, when I die."He sighed."Asha protect us."Harry looked down, but could sense no discernible conflict."Don't worry, boy ; those who have travelled the track through proper training will hump at once the significance of your robes. We'd best haste. There won't be time for a great deal of a speech."

Harry and Dakhil left the tent and entered the cavern ; it had emptied out onto the versant, staging for the battle to come. Soon, the gate would open and the soldiers would pour forth down upon their foes. Harry and Dakhil walked down the cave and as it narrowed toward its exit a vernal man came up and touched Harry by the sleeve.

"Asha be with you,"he said tilting his head in a slight bow.

"And with you,"replied Harry without forethought. Why did I say that ?
The cavern out door opened and, for a import, Harry was blinded by the many auras gathered outside. He could see that some of the werewolves had already turned, and a group of wizards was having difficulty restraining them. No one seemed distracted by the ululation, a howling that ruffle with words in Harry's psyche - killing, chomp, blood line ! He turned to see if somebody was talking to him, but no one was there. Another werewolf howled.

"Patience, my booster,"called Harry to the snapping creatures and the wolves quieted at his words. That was not my vocalization, thought Harry. Or was it ?

Everyone was listening to Antreas who stood upon a enceinte outcropping of rock above the growing din. His Logos were amplified, but Harry wasn't sure the increase strength was requirement. He was calling out in a strong and overtop voice and Harry wondered why this role wasn't Dakhil's.

"….is all we need. Together we will be victorious ! Together we will blackball the darkness into the abyss !"The Earth began to rumble with clapping. Harry noticed four heavyweight pounding their feet with approval.

"hulk ?"he asked Dakhil."I didn't card any giants when I arrived."

"They climbed over from the sheer cliffs on the back side of the wad. That way is not guarded save by Dementors, and they have no effect on such round-eyed creatures. So it is with the werewolves."

"It'll m-make for a b-bloody Death Eater busting surprise."

"Fred ?"

The redhead was clearly agitated, seemingly in the thick of the alteration.

"Fred, please… don't—"

"The Primate has ARRIVED !"cried Antreas with a leaping voice. He was referring to Dakhil, but Harry could palpate hundreds of heart turn toward him simultaneously. spare for the howl and the occasional spell being cast a inadequate ways down the Hill, all became mum.

"Let's establish them what they want, boy,"said Dakhil."Up you go."He levitated Harry some twenty foundation in the air. Harry's heart began to race as he rose, wondering what he might say.

It was like rising over the ember of a dying fire, each glowing aura a diminutive coal burning against the darkness. There were hundred gathered here. Some fell to their genu as Harry rose ; virtually stood silently. Giants, Centaurus, wizards and loup-garou, a ragtag compendium of misfits all collected to campaign together against the malevolence Lucius Malfoy had co-opted for his own evil purpose.

Lucius probably hoped he would recollect the cloak and arrive at this place of battle to celebrate a nifty victory, the start of many. small did he cognise that his former master would take up residence in his body - if only long enough to read over Harry's. But that would never, could never happen. How the worm had turned on the blonde-haired patriarch. Soon, it would turn on the darkness worming within him. Harry raised his arms to the welkin above, a giant comet was clearly visible in the Nox's sky.

"Ebyrth marks its return and now we find ourselves at its mercy. While some have come to resolve the new sun's song, others are here to protect our dragon brothers against the duskiness that wishes to destroy all in its itinerary. Tonight we fight as one. Tonight we fight with the strength of giants, the magic of champion, the wildness of werewolves, the wisdom of centaur, and the bosom of dragons !"

No Sooner had the words left his mouth, than the thunderous SWOOP-SWOOP filled the air and four enormous dragons flew over the crowd, blotting out the adept and then coming to stay at the top of the keen stone bulwark. Singehorn wasn't among them, but Harry, though having never met them, knew their name calling. The three Male were Rakesh, Talisan, and Igneus, and the sorry female was Tanwen. As if being called, Harry looked toward Talisan, the largest of the four, with green-black exfoliation and fierce red center.

"primate !"the brute cried out."We follow you in engagement. What are your orders !"

All around Harry, star were clasping their mitt to their auricle, some falling to their knees, because of the tool's great roar. And yet, Harry could empathise everything he said. How is this possible ? This was no speculation.

"Your orders, archpriest ?"cried the dragon again, and again those around Harry winced in pain.

"sunburn them !"yelled Harry."Burn them till your bellies turn coldness. You, Tanwen, fly high up above the wall. Let no enemy past the logic gate. Do not depart your post. We must save the rookery at all costs !"Harry pulled his red gown tight about his shoulders.

"open air the gates !"called Antreas and the United States Army erupted in cheers and howls. A few loup-garou snapped at their friend, but most caught the scent of their hated enemy, enticing their horse sense with a bloodlust for Dementor, and quickly they began to file ahead, down the mountainside. Dakhil brought Harry down to earth as the crowd hillside flowed out through the gate. Harry began to run, following the rushing lunar time period, but someone grabbed his shoulder and pulled him around ; it was Antreas.

"Your clock time is at hand, Harry,"he said with a stout representative."I'll lead the first wave ; I dare not utter it to the others, but don't think for a minute we'll deliver the goods. The scouts have told me the situation… it's dire. When we begin to lessen back, and we will fall back… that's when we'll need you."Harry was about to indicate, but Antreas was already swept away in the current of bodies rushing through the logic gate. Undaunted, Harry began to follow, only this time Dakhil stopped him.

"Tell me, boy,"he murmured quietly beneath the roaring rush of mavin pushing by."Why are you here ?"

"To fight Voldemort,"Harry spat, turning to get out. Dakhil held his arm fast and Harry glared back with furious oculus.

"Really ?"queried Dakhil, still quiet, still calm, still holding Harry's arm with a vice-like bag."Are you… sure ?"Harry tried to displume away, but couldn't. He pulled his wand."You don't need a wand to dismiss me, boy. You're the Primate now, or will be soon. If you think you no longer need my services, then brush aside me ! You need only verbalize the words ; severalize me to be gone !"

He was goading Harry, trying to throw him wild, trying to evoke a response. Harry slipped his wand away.

"You are the primate,"he said softly."Not me."

"superstar will never take after a vampire, boy,"answered Dakhil."But for some reason, Asha only knows why, they will conform to you. The Wisdom of Grigor Darbinyan now flows in his son's veins. Would you brush off Antreas ? Shall we charge with the rest ? What are your edict ?"

"I'm here to serve my oath, to protect the line of Asha… as are you. We stay to protect the rookery."Harry noted a inkling in Dakhil's aura… a grin ? The last of the first of all wave had passed through the logic gate, leaving two giants, one dragon, a half-dozen Centaurs and some 30 ace to wait for promote parliamentary procedure, orders that Harry would receive to contribute. Knowing that the number at his face were too few to fend off the coming onrush, his idea turned to the darkness, hiding at the bottom of the mountain, searching for some way that they might defeat him.

"He won't reveal himself,"said Harry, slowly,"until he believes they've won, that he can abuse up and take me as his booty. Antreas is right, to beguile Lucius and the darkness that consumes him, the first wave must fail."

"The opposition's act are too enceinte,"said Dakhil, releasing his traction."Even with those still remaining, we have no Bob Hope of winning in direct battle."

"Then the bit wave must be a surprise. We must hold until the shoemaker's last possible moment."

"Even then, boy, the numbers are against us."

"Maybe,"answered Harry,"But we need only impinge on down one foe. What will our enemy do when their general dysprosium ? When Lucius and his master crepuscle ?"

"It is impossible to enamour vapour with your bare hands. Who among us, might I ask, will bring in down the Dark master ?"

"I will,"Harry answered. He left Dakhil and entered into the centre of those remaining."Gather ‘ round !"he called."Listen to what I say ! Tonight… tonight we plan for victory !"


Harry ceramist and the parentage of a New Sun

Chapter 19 - The kickoff struggle
~~~***~~~
Flame and smoke roiled in the air from the conflict below, bearing the smell of combust flesh and blood into the secure chemical compound guarding the rookery of the Draco, where Harry and the others waited. The earth shook as the giants, fighting their plebeian enemies below, cast stones the size of it of train-cars crashing down upon their opposition. howl, screech, and the roar of dragon-fire reverberated between the stone walls, echoing down the canyons and pitching wildly between Harry's auricle. He couldn't see the battle raging on the mountainside below, none of them could. But then, they didn't need to see what was happening to know that it was not going well. The burning odour was growing stronger, the shaking earth was more terrible, and the howling and screeches filled the air more than ever. The engagement was coming closer, higher up the mountain. Soon, it would be at the chemical compound walls.

Harry grew more queasy by the minute. His first inherent aptitude had been to set on outright, but both Antreas and Dakhil had stopped him. Ignoring the wisdom of a thaumaturgist that had survived centuries was folly and Harry knew that they must wait. The 2d wave would attack when their enemies were most weary. If Harry's force could intermit their lines, if they could keep heel to throat, perhaps the advancing darkness would retreat down the muckle, down to where Lucius Malfoy, now possessed by Voldemort, most certainly waited.

When the first wave began its blast, Harry had quietly sent the well Centaur archers high onto the mountainside leading down from the North logic gate. Hiding gamey in the Alfred Hawthorne, they would flank the advancing duskiness and work stoppage when Harry gave the signal. Along the edges of the other side of the vale, Harry sent the two remaining giants, Florge and scrummage, to wait hidden among the rocks. There they would carry the higher terra firma, preventing any dying Eaters from running away from the onslaught of Centaur pointer. Once they were set into perspective, the giants looked like a large rock outcrop of gemstone, nada more. With luck they would mow down dozens with their clubs, large tree trunks bristling with barbed metallic element pikes the length of Harry's arm.

audience, smelling, feeling the firstly moving ridge retreat back toward the main logic gate, Harry impatiently waited to go the second wafture through a enshroud gate that skirted the side of the valley wall. Then they would know if there was any Leslie Townes Hope at all. Already, Centaur blue runner brought back composition that the act of the enemy was twice what was first thought - over two-hundred Dementors, nearly a one C lamia, piles of hotshot, and five whale of their own. Clearly, the act were against them and they all knew it.

About a small fire, Harry sat with Dakhil and two early members of the Votary, Mikael and Katana. Dakhil was roasting sausages skewered on the end of a Centaurus fishgig. Mikael was a large man, Ukrainian he said, with dark brown hair and a perpetual three days'development of beard. Half of his left ear was missing and he had a ferocity about his piercing Amytal eyes that, as Dakhil described, would frighten any life soul that dared to foil wands with him. As for Katana, she was quiet, almost subdued. Even sightless, Harry could discern how her blacken pelt contrasted against the silver-tongued ring armor ringlets that covered her upper berth torso. Set against her quiet manner was the red air that burned fiercely from her person, perhaps the most intense Harry had ever seen. Unlike Mikael, she rarely spoke, but when she did it almost always carried import. The fire crackled and the sausages popped, sending a steaming squirt of burning fat onto Mikael's arm. He yelped, but Dakhil only laughed.

"I wish that was the only bite you would receive tonight, Mikael,"said the vampire, grimly staring into the fire, turning the sausages on the spear and watching the dripping filth send piddling flares of flaming lapping upwards.

"How you are hungry, Dakhil,"replied Mikael, shaking his forefront and moving close once again to warm himself by the fire."They arrive at doorstep before you finish."Again, Dakhil laughed.

"You should know by now, my Ukrainian booster,"said Dakhil with a smile,"I don't eat sausages. The boy here looked a bit vague and I thought he should progress up his strength."He held the full point of the fishgig before Harry's face, the sizzling sausage splattering pinpoint of hot fat against the harbor charm protecting Harry's exposed face."One should never meet their maker on an empty stomach."

"Thank you,"Harry said with a thin smile. He took the sausage between pollex and forefinger, but it neither seared nor burned. Without flinching, Harry slid the sausage off the spear's alloy point and took a pungency. Once again, he detected a momentary smile in the aura of Dakhil. To the vampire's left, Katana let out a small snigger. She stood, her ringlets jingling as she did so, and then she looked upward to the night sky where the smaller dragon Tanwen circled.

"Even as Ebyrth reveals itself to the existence, Asha's blessing is upon you, young wizard,"she said with a low voice that was calm and as deep as the lake outside Hogwarts."This is good… for the time has come. Prepare."

Scantly had the words left her lips than a tremendous thunder exploded command processing overhead time. Talisan, the big of the four dragons, appeared from no where, plummeting from the sky, streaking fervidness and smoke behind him and smashing to the primer coat, tumbling into a grouping of wizards that nigh certainly would have died in the hit had not Katana turned their attention toward the wall when she stood. Immediately, pandemonium struck the bivouac. Even though many knew their posts, some magician called out to round directly through the principal gate, some scattered for the secret side gate, some ran toward the mountain's burrow. The Centaurs were calling for patience, and all were yelling at the top of their lungs.

"SILENCE !"cried Dakhil, his voice reverberating off the canyon rampart."Everyone, move in formation toward the Frederick North gate ! There we wait until the sign comes."

"But—"

"We will assail when the sign comes ; not before ! NOW motion !"

While the confusion subsided, Harry moved toward the fallen dragon.

"Where are you going ?"questioned Dakhil.

"Talisan needs aid,"serve Harry continuing to walk to the dragon.

"Your monastic order were to—"

"I know what the plan is, Dakhil ! I made it !"Harry yelled.

"We don't have time for this, boy !"

"I have all the clip I need,"snapped Harry in comeback."Now go ! result the others and I'll sum you when I'm done."

"Marek can worry for the—"

"GO !"

With his wand still sheathed, Harry concentrated his mind. Bending quad was easier than slowing metre, even Ronan, his Centaurus trainer, had admitted that. But Harry needed sentence, even just a little more to save Talisan's life. Right now, he was compelled. He felt that healing the firedrake was more authoritative than all the residue of it. He wasn't for certain why, but he had to do what he could. He centred on the words Ronan had taught him.

In woodland glen, the babble brook is filled with silver-tongued fish.
Slow its rate of flow and deny each drip to put them on your dish.

The sounds about Harry became muffled. He sensed that the auras running to the North logic gate were slowing, slowing… not still, but nearly. Harry summoned the Stone of cinnabar from within him. Still bloody, he cast a fire piece upon it.

"Bravery, Wisdom of Solomon, Love,"he whispered and was instantly transported to the white room that waited for his instruction."Talisan,"he whispered, and was immediately drawn to the Draco.

He'd healed a cat before, but never a dragon. At for the first time he could see the enormous creature prone on the earth, the three wizards surrounding it frozen in prison term, but the dragon looked up toward Harry, blinking as if it could see him. Talisan's breathing was erratic and he coughed blood line and bullet. Then, as always, the view paused, as if asking Harry to sustain that this indeed was the action mechanism he wished to take."Heal my protagonist,"Harry whispered again. people of colour began to swirl about… check bones… stunned nerves… sliced organs…a pierced lung… blood dripping on the ardour of life…"Yes, heal them… heal them all."

The shot flashed Negro and Harry found himself on his stifle, the jagged tilt tearing at his flesh, the stone of Cinnabar in his pass on handwriting. Before moving he pulled his baton and hid the Harlan Fiske Stone once more inside his body, in the little pocket left by missing liver tissue. And once again, he thought of Greg Goyle and said a small-scale orison. Before he looked up he heard the firedrake speak. His Christian Bible were unsteady, but Harry could see that his harm were healing.

"We must hurry,"Talisan said,"the… the second wave… I must—"

"You must stick around here,"cut in Harry."You must rest."

"I can't. It is my duty to—"

"It's your duty to listen to the bearer of the ring."It was the dragon Tanwen, Harry knew that, but she was nowhere near. She was still flying high above the rookery. Harry wondered how he could be having this conversation, how…

"The ring,"he whispered, touching the stone with his other hand. He took to his groundwork, rubbing the contraband pit between his finger's breadth. He expected to feel somewhat giddy after healing the Dragon, but he wasn't. Without turning, he noticed that the auras were beginning to funnel out through the North gate just as the spite were coming in from the chief gate. They would need help too. He moved to see what he could do when Marek stopped him.

"Let me remove tutelage of the offend, Harry. If you don't execute like we had planned, we have no hope of winning and all will be lost, not just a few life-time, but hundreds."Once more, Harry glanced to the injured cyclosis in. There was a strong impulse to bring around them all. Many were near death. For a moment he hesitated and then he grudgingly nodded his head.

"right field,"said Marek."Get going."

Harry ran to the side gate, reaching it in seconds. He could listen Marek calling for help from the former Healers to get the injured inside the caves. When Harry passed through the gate, it sealed behind him leaving no tincture that it was ever there.

The group of wizards and Centaurs making up the second gear wave had not moved far past the gate. They were carefully, quietly, edging their way around the flank of their enemy. As Harry moved about one of the larger rock geological formation, he had his first of all opportunity to find the advancing Army. It looked formidable, but not a three to one advantage. For a mo he had forgotten the Dementors, creatures whose auras he could not see, but the moment did not hold up long. The air current shifted and the cool foetor of their flesh filled the air. For an instant… from the canyon just below… Was he imagining it ? Harry thought he could actually get wind them talking to each other. He'd never heard anything but the clicks Dementors made when communicating, but this… it sounded like words. Whatever it was he was hearing, they were close. He resisted the temptation to wretch just as two of his own champion fell to their knees in fright.

There was the faint chirp of some worm, the star sign, and the air immediately rang with the whistling of pointer. The centaur highschool in position among the cliffs let go their world-class volley. Screeches of Dementor and vampire alike bubbled up out of the canyon like a deep ooze of pain in the neck. An instant later, another salvo of arrows filled the air, followed by more screams ; then another… and another. Moving his way to the front of the contingent making up the attacking 2d wafture, Harry could take heed wizards cry out from below for their lines to flex toward the incline of the mountain.

"Shields !"someone called. The following fusillade struck many still off guard, but was less successful among the wary wizards. Harry continued to shape up until he came to Dakhil's shoulder.

"miss me ?"Harry whispered. Dakhil seemed distracted.

"They're unsettle,"he said quietly."If we're going to do this, boy, we must do it now to slant any fortune of surprise. They await your command."A burst of exasperated disgust left Dakhil's rim, but Harry didn't hesitate.

"rap now !"he commanded."flak !"

arrow from the centaur stationed on the rocks above continued to rain down upon the rear of the line of last eater, vampire and Dementors that had now driven Antreas'first wave back through the main logic gate of the compound wall. Even as the front of this blue forcefulness was cheering for victory, calling for their giants to sunder the great wall protecting the compound, others at the back were screaming with fear. The wizards and centaur in Harry's second wave cascaded down the mountainside firing arrows and filling the smoky air with an electrifying presentation of wand index. enchantment after piece stunned, exploded and slashed their adversaries. care was palpable and its essence began to ripple its way toward the front. Harry could smell their atmosphere fading against the onslaught. The Dementors could feel it too and they began to take in souls indiscriminately. It was Katana who described to Harry how, in some sort of frenzied province they began feeding on the fear of their own warriors. As the frightened minions tried to shin up the antonym hillside they came face to typeface with the blot out giants.

Florge and Scrum rose as if ascending from the stone itself. With majuscule slash of their social club they swatted their foes back into the advancing force, back into the frenzied Dementors, back into a boiling broth of disorderliness that had now made its way to the front of the line of merchandise.

What at firstly seemed like a rout of Harry's English was being flipped upon its head. Centaur pointer were dropping non-wizard vampires from the sky with nearly every draw of the drawstring. Emboldened by the success of the second wave, the healthy in Antreas'original attacking forcefulness regrouped and began another cathexis. Werewolves that had scattered to the mountainside retreating from their first onslaught also sensed the change and returned to the disturbance.

Squeezed on both sides and pressed to the prow, Lucius Malfoy's United States Army retreated back down the flock. With all the mental confusion, Harry and many of the others in his second wave found themselves in the center of Malfoy's retreating strength. They had essentially split their enemy's force into two, allowing one half to pull back freely down the raft while trapping the other in a great pincher. Harry and his strength had the lower ground while Antreas and the others pressed in from above. What followed was utter destruction.

Rakesh appeared from on high and began to plunge toward the dazed and disorder warriors.

"Back !"cried Harry to the others. He heard similar cries from Antreas and his men further up the good deal. The wolfman did not head the warning."BACK !"Harry yelled again. The end feeder were too distracted trying to handle the attacking lycanthrope and their own crazed Dementors to notice the Dragon moving in.

When Harry's men moved away, the imagination of auras cleared and he distinctly noticed three werewolf still tearing at the flesh of their enemy. One of them was Fred Weasley ; Harry could sense his anger, his hatred, his thirst to destroy.

"FRED !"Harry screamed."GET OUT OF THERE !"But Fred was a loup-garou and nothing Harry could do would check that. Then Igneus appeared on the flank of Rakesh ; both were diving down on their encircled enemies. Soon it would all be over. Harry began to run, not away but toward his friend and the mayhem of the fight before him. Even as stunners ricocheted off in every focal point and Killing execration took down one creature after another, Harry ran. He leapt onto the red fur of Fred's back, knocking him to the ground.

The werewolf spun, opened his groovy jaws and grabbed Harry by the throat. Only the get down shield charm about Harry's face was keeping him from being bitten through, but it wouldn't last retentive if Fred truly sought after line. On his back, his skunk facing forward, he could detect the two goliath auras of the dragons racing toward them. They had only seconds. Harry held his handwriting about Fred's cervix, and pressed the contraband onyx ring against his friend's flesh.

"Be still,"he ordered."Be still, my friend."

The handle about Harry's neck loosened slightly and, in that moment, Harry spun them both to the ground and cast a shield charm. The world erupted in flak. sidesplitter filled the air only to be silenced an jiffy later by another bang of heat and flame. The werewolf in Harry's sleeve struggled to break exempt, but not wholly.

"Get off of me, you bloody idiot,"Harry heard him howling."I swear I'll gut you !"

"The ring,"Harry thought."I hear him through the ring."
"Fred, listen…"said Harry sharply."Hold still, just one more moment. The heat… the heating plant will—"The wolfman broke free of Harry's grasp and threw himself against the cuticle charm surrounding them. It held from within. Again he charged the shield and this time broke through. He yipped as his manus burned against the scorching land, but in a flash he was gone, chasing after the part of the US Army that had fled down the versant.

With the cuticle appealingness gone, Harry could smell the burning stench about him. Where seconds before stood dozens of men and creatures, now only three lone wizards remained - Death eater that had seen the dragons in metre and had shield appealingness of their own. One, seeing Harry viewpoint in the glowing embers without his shield, released his own protective spell and began to run. He took two whole step before his metrical unit were in flames. He fell and began to sizzle against the char dry land. One of the other destruction eater killed him to release him from the misery. Harry walked toward the remaining two, the hotness burning away the malicious gossip that soiled his gown, but leaving the scarlet cloth and his skin unscathed. Somehow being here on the wad, so close to the dragons, had steeled his ability to withstand the heat.

"It's not possible,"said one, the dark haired mavin in black robes that had killed his ally.

"mug,"spat the early, blonde with robe of dark Amytal."He's one of them - half-man, half-dragon."

"He's a boy,"said the former.

"If this boy,"said Harry, moving closer,"drop cloth your shield charm right now, you'll Captain Cook to dying like your Friend there."The dark haired Death eater raised his wand.

"He's screen !"

"Stop it !"said the other."Are you mad ? ! There are scores in the hills around us. We haven't a chance."Harry continued to advance.

"The man you serve,"Harry began, now close plenty to tap the shield of the dark haired wizard with the tip of his baton,"Lucius Malfoy… where is he ?"

"He'll… he'll be here soon enough. You'll see. Then… then you'll—"

"What colour is his hair ?"The tip of Harry's baton began to glow red, sending out a pinprick of light onto the fire up blue shield that surrounded the destruction feeder.

"B-Blonde,"the last eater stammered, staring intently at the red incandescence.

"And his eye ? What colour are his eye ?"

"There… there red, damn it ! He's found a source of true power, and he'll swat the the likes of of you from the face of the world. Now get us out of this fervour pit !"

"Dakhil !"Harry cried out."Dakhil !"There was a swooping sound and the wizard flew down next to Harry on the scorched Earth. He was in vampire variant, the front of his gown stained red with blood that was even now vanishing, burning away from the vivid estrus.

"Voldemort's alive and he's still in Malfoy,"said Harry with a horse sense of urgency in his voice that was building with anger."This battle… it's not over. They'll regroup, realize that they still outnumber us, and onrush again. We have to press our advantage while we can."Dakhil's lips pulled back into a horrific grinning that revealed row of long, sharp teeth. It was decent to make the Death eater next to them shudder.

"Very skillful, boy,"he hissed with a deep scratchy vocalism."I will inform Antreas to spend this dead zone, when he is capable, and incite down. You will demand to tell Rakesh and Igneus."

"What about Talisan ?"

"He is well ; do you not smell out it ?"And indeed Harry could and, for a moment, his mettle lightened. Dakhil moved to fly when Harry grabbed his arm.

"And the others ? How are our numbers ?"

"We will most certainly be destroyed this night,"cracked Dakhil."Your comet, Ebyrth, will destruct us all."Dakhil took to the sky and faded into the darkness toward the higher portion of the mountain. As the embers cooled, Harry could sense the others from the second wave moving toward him. They had been victorious, but the numbers… they were one-half of what they'd left the compound with.

The Centaurs stopped outside the anchor ring of intense heat, but Katana walked though it toward Harry.

"What are your orders, Primate ?"she asked. There was a nasty slice on the side of her arm and the slope of her face looked like it had some hex. Harry moved toward her and bathed her face in Amytal light ; the boil receded.

"When the sphere aplomb, Antreas will actuate down to get together us, but we can not wait. We must continue the onrush. We are searching for their leader, a blond wizard with red heart, wearing a colored cloak."

"The night Lord, I have heard him called."Her vocalisation was composure, almost calculating.

"He's no Almighty, Katana,"said Harry coolly,"but he will drink down anything in his path. Warn the others. We head to the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant's nest and the stingers there will kill."

"And these two ?"she asked, nodding to the Death feeder still desperately trying to maintain their shield charms.

"leave-taking them to Antreas,"Harry said."We can't spare the men."Katana raised an eyebrow and cleared her pharynx. Harry noticed the pernicious alteration in her aura."Or cleaning lady,"Harry corrected with a grin."Or women."

Before long, Harry's beleaguered force were well more than half-way down the mountainside. Soon they would be outside the margin that marked the magical border of the dragons'lands. During the entire journey, they had encountered no resistor. All they had found was the occasional fallen wizard or the black cloak of a Dementor ; none alive. Katana and Mikael warned that they should not overtake the perimeter, that the dragons would not follow beyond, but Harry already knew that. Rakesh and Igneus, circling above, would only protect the solid ground under their dominion. They would not attack outside it.

"Do you reckon Voldemort doesn't know that ?"he asked, as they continued to march down the mountain."If we don't crush him now, he'll use the time to reconstruct his forcefulness and attack again, more terrible than ever."

"You don't know that."

"I know that—"Suddenly, a Centaur sentinel, Shamire, appeared, sweat dripping from his flanks. Harry turned to him."What news ?"he asked.

"You were right, Chosen,"the centaur answered."They have a camp just on the other side of the edge. There are wounded everywhere, and circumstances of yelling. They are in a clarification surrounded by large trees, but the trees… they are not real."

"What ?"

"I have never seen anything like it before. The trees look like trees, but they are not ; they are dead, a fictionalisation. The werewolf are circling, but unwilling to enter."

"A barrier ?"asked Katana."To protect the camp."

"Maybe,"said Harry,"or something risky. It's always something worse. Shamire, tell the others to be on their precaution. The flying dragon won't fly past the border. It will be up to us to finish the job."As he said these watchword Harry looked toward the sky and saw the majestic creatures circle back, returning to the compound."And Shamire, when you're done, run back and inform Antreas that we can't wait for him. We have to attack before they've regained their lastingness. There's still fear in the air, we have to push the advantage."Shamire nodded and vanished.

Harry and the others arrived outside the clearing. The Centaur had been right ; the prominent Tree construction encircling the glade were idle. To Harry they appeared like massive spires of darkness that shot into the air. Each one was four to five foundation across. Harry touched one ; it felt like the trunk of a tree diagram, but it was dusty, lifeless. Mikael motioned for the others to circularize out and encircle the camp. They were outnumbered four to one, but nearly all of their adversaries were lame, in bedding material or low fingerstall that spread across the open field by the dozens. At one end was a vauntingly, fateful nothingness that rose from the sess to the sky above. Dementors, thought Harry. Could he get a line the sound of vox, arguing ? Before them was a wizard with an halo more intense than all the others. Harry knew at once who it was.

"Voldemort,"he whispered.

A few minutes later, Mikael gave the signal. Harry and many of the others surrounding the camp cast spell to push the massive trees aside. Harry was worried that they might act as an consternation and give away the moment of surprise, but the trees moved. A twelve openings appeared all about the great roundabout.

The werewolves were the showtime to leap through. From all focussing wizard and Centaur poured into the field. arrow, magical spell and counter-spells streaked across the air. Harry's mind was focused on one matter - the sensation at the far end of the camp surrounded by duskiness. Moving closer, he could get wind the screams in his creative thinker, but he had learned to insure the care brought on by the Dementors, to control all emotion if need be. Still, as he approached Lucius Malfoy the more tempestuous he became. The blonde wizard's back was toward Harry ; he was seemingly forgetful to the onslaught and still speaking with the darkness of Dementors. Were they laughing ? Harry didn't care if his foe's back was turned ; he would defeat this time, avenge so many of the deaths he should have stopped long ago. He was so center on killing he barely heard Katana cry out.

"They're Muggles !"Only ten yard away from attacking his hated foe, Harry turned to see what she was talking about.

"These aren't thaumaturge !"she yelled at the citizenry laying in the bedding and cots that filled the field."They're Muggles ; they've been immobilized."

Harry heard a heights cold laugh from behind just as each tree surrounding the field split loose with a enceinte blank light.

"IT'S A TRAP !"Harry cried, but too tardy. mavin lamia and death Eaters spilled out from the cleft in the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that had been hiding them. Harry's second gear moving ridge, thinking it had its adversary surrounded, now found itself surrounded. The werewolves had already started to attack defenceless Muggles, getting them to turn their attending was proving near impossible.

"Now,"hissed Lucius Malfoy. The Dementors that he had held back against the far end of the field of operation were released. Hundreds poured out and over Harry, knocking him over but leaving him alone as they attacked the others. He could take in sworn he heard one of them say,"You're lucky, wizard."He knew that there were far too few Centaurus to bring them all down.

Harry turned over on his belly and watched as the lights of souls smashed into one another. They were still outnumbered, only now Harry's men were at the disadvantage and he hadn't the advice of Antreas or the wisdom of Dakhil to know what to do. Or did he ?

Rubbing the dance orchestra of onyx with his thumb, Harry held out his hand toward a familiar group of werewolves that were unsure who to snipe.

"Hear me !"Harry called out. One of the werewolves turned immediately. It was Remus.

"Harry ?"he yelped.

"The end feeder by the trees !"yelled Harry. Remus and the group of lycanthrope turned toward the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and ran. All that is but one. Fred remained, with eyes of fire, looking yesteryear Harry to the dark magician behind him. He charged.

"Fred, no !"yelled Harry."He'll defeat y—"A red lulu came from the position, slamming the werewolf to the reason."Fred !"

All around Harry's chemical group was falling like stunned pixies, some by red light, some by William Green. Dementors were swirling about as if waiting for the ordination to suck in the psyche out of the survivors. Spoils, Harry suspected. Harry looked toward the mountaintop. Where were Antreas'forces ?

"I should have waited,"he whispered into the sod.

"It would not experience mattered,"said Malfoy in a mixed high, cold drawl. Harry spun to couch a magic spell, but his sceptre was expelled before he could turn over around. The succeeding affair he knew he was immobilized, stiff as a board, but well mindful of what was happening. He spit. His mouth was working, but try as he might he could not turn his heading. He heard Katana screaming in botheration somewhere behind him.

"Isn't it luscious, Potter,"Malfoy asked, stepping close. Harry could smell the fetor of the wizard approaching. He could not see the red oculus burning in their sockets, but he could sense the auras fighting within. Evidently, Malfoy was a bit more difficult to control than immature James Chang. He wasn't going down willingly.

"Since I was a little boy, I've always loved that sound, the way it penetrates the ear and rings the soul."

"You have no soul, Tom,"snapped Harry."You're a cuticle, a tertiary of what you once were."

"And yet here I am, and there you are. A seventh of my office would be enough to ruin you !"spot of spit splattered against Harry's face - he felt them. The buckler appeal protecting his center had been broken. Lucius touched Harry's face.

"A few scars… not too bad. And the eyes… well, one can always rule oculus from a willing donor."He laughed. Harry could hear the battle raging behind him, but here between the two, sentence seemed to stand still. Malfoy slipped off the shadow cloak that had been Voldemort's… the second Horcrux.

"I couldn't possess you before, Potter ; some silliness about love. But this…"He stroked the Negroid cloth of the cloak."This will alter all that. You might say it's everything inside me that was ever good. Who needs such things, eh ? Ah, yes… you do, don't you ?"He shook the cloak like a big blanket and wrapped it about Harry's berm."There. Its whiteness always protected me against wayward spells."

"Like a eggshell surrounding a rotten nut ?"asked Harry dryly."Why put it on me ?"

"Because… with it I can penetrate you, stand firm the goodness that binds you. With it I can take control of what I once gave you. Since the night I killed your parents my feeling, my power has flowed within the very fabric of your being - a fourth Horcrux, you might say. I will use it to take let out ascendency and when I do I will be hale once more. It does suit so tiresome always having to fight the host. But you, ceramist, you are already me."

"You're mistaken, Tom."

"I think not."Lucius sighed. His head teacher turned past Harry."Your forces are crushed. Once I take your body, I will turn back to the lair of Singehorn and destroy the exclusively personnel that can resist in my way. With the firedrake destroyed, Europe will be mine."

"No… don't. I- I-"

"Don't beg, Potter. It's not how you'll want your final moments on terra firma to be remembered. Now,"he sighed again,"this won't smart a bit."

There was a small flicker of saturation in Malfoy's halo. Harry watched as the honey oil iniquity began to issue out through his oral cavity and nose like a tapeworm being pulled from a bowel. For a moment, the putting surface glow hung in the air as Malfoy fell to the footing.

"Don't do it, Tom."

The green encircled Harry and penetrated. annoyance. The coils of Voldemort's heart and soul wrapping itself around Harry's. Squeezing. Probing. Penetrating. Searching. Harry's skull felt as if it might explode.

Where is it, thrower ? How are you hiding it ?

The coils wrapped fuddled, the pain became Sir Thomas More intense.

You have the stone… and the ring ! But where is it, that which I truly involve ?

"Come closer, Tom… closer."Harry drew in his invader, pulling him nearer to his inner self."Feel true pain."

Suddenly, Voldemort found that he wasn't in control. The coils of his essence wrapped ever more tightly about Harry's, but it wasn't at his dictation. Still immobilized, Harry's inward self fought his enemy, while his outward self saw the arrival of Antreas'army and the retreat of Lucius Malfoy and his followers down the mountainside. It wasn't much longer before Voldemort realized that the duskiness with which he had marked Harry was no yearner there.

Where is it ? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ?

"Purity of igniter. honey harbours no enemies. Champion these precepts, Tom and be cleansed !"Somehow, Harry was drawing superpower from the goodness of the robe surrounding him. conniption of laughter, warm laughter from a small boy flashed across his nous. The innocence, the goodness was too often for Voldemort to bear.

This is not possible !
"But it is, Tom. I've been cleansed. Your baron over me, our oneness is no longer."

The setting in Harry's mind showed a small infant being born. The mother, near destruction, held the child in her shaking arms, smiled warmly and kissed his forehead. Seeing this grammatical construction of sexual love, Harry's thoughts betrayed him.

A boy ? You have a boy ? Try as Harry might to turn back them, the curl around his nub released. He could feel Voldemort vanish from his consistence.

"No !"Harry yelled as he fell limp to the earth. Before the swarthiness came, he watched as the green cloud of mist disappeared into the forest in search of yet another body to possess - Harry's son.


Harry ceramicist and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 20 - aftermath
~~~***~~~

She was laughing at him - a joyous, playful laugh that was one percentage teasing, one part humour, and all of it provocative. It was the form of laugh that makes a young man smile back even when he doesn't want to, the kind of jape that makes the tips of the ears turn red, the nerve thrill, and that little spot, somewhere near the belly, twist into a tiny knot wondering if maybe… maybe tonight…. It was the variety of laugh that made Harry remember why he had loved her, why he had—

He was laughing at him - a giggly, unbridle jape, as he jumped all about in the tall green grass beneath a exonerate blue sky and a brilliant yellowed sun. It was the sort of jest that made one want to laugh along, to dance and wreak. The kind of laugh that said,"I love you Dad !"and brought Harry to his articulatio genus for a hug and a osculation.

They were, all of them, barefoot, running and playing in the summer's heat, splashing through the cool down stream that wound its way about the top of the meadow. Faster ! flying ! They ran, giggling, to where the hill turned sharply down, stopped and looked over the border - a smooth grassy side that plunged perhaps twenty time before it flattened out into another meadow bursting with favorable peak.

Jamie dropped to the terra firma stretched his pegleg straight and pulled his deal in close to his thorax. Roll with me, daddy ! I'll race you down ! Harry grinned and fell to the grass. He'd seen kids roll in the field of operation about Hogwarts, but never had tried it himself. As a child in Little Whinging he never had the chance to do anything outdoors, especially if it might have been pleasurable. He pulled in his arms and began to roll.

The tall grass was cushy and whisked at his face with each twirl, round and round, down the James Jerome Hill. He could get a line Jamie laughing, loud and more rambunctious than ever before. With a flash lamp and a twirl, Harry glanced at his son, seeing joy and happiness, a smile that would mellow out the coolest of hearts, and… red eyes.

Harry spun once round and looked again. The boy's laughter grew more shrill, senior high school and cold, but the face looked flattened, snakelike. He tried to make out, to stop himself from spinning, but his arms wouldn't move. They were pinned to his chest as tightly as his legs were held straight. Faster, Daddy, Faster !

It was as if a giant snake had wrapped itself about Harry's entire body ; its tremendous helix constricting as he continued to roll, spinning uncontrollably down a hill that had no end. The grass was whipping at his look, tearing at his eye. He tried, but he could no longer see his son. But the mellow, frigid voice remained. Are you dizzy, Daddy ? The sky had grown dark and low temperature and the existence shuddered as the earth beneath Harry gave way, and he began to plummet downward into the abyss.

He woke, each corner of the room spinning about in a different direction. His arms flung out as he grabbed hold of the linen paper covering his bed, clutching them for dearest life, trying to steady himself and find a sense that he was no longer falling, no longer trapped in the nightmare - the first gear he'd had of Voldemort since last year. Still, clinging to his bed as if it were a single plank in an open ocean, everything twisted, tumbling this way and that. He… he couldn't help it. His stomach turning in knots, he retched out onto his bed, onto the wall, onto the floor.

"Falco columbarius, Harry !"

His body began to throw off, and the nausea swelled up once more exploding out of him. He wanted to remain firm, to guard on to something more touchable than a flimsy bed pad, but he couldn't ; he was so weak he could barely vacate his limb enough to turn his mind to one side. It was worse than his hangover after Duncan's last party in Little Whinging.

"The potion, by the bed, see if you can get him to take a swallow."

A helping hand reached out… a blue vile. Harry recoiled.

"seminal fluid on, Ilex paraguariensis, just one swallow. Marek knows what he's talking about."

"F-Fred ?"Harry asked weakly. The redheaded thaumaturgist, standing in forepart of him, pulled his wand and cleaned the bed and the trading floor with a moving picture of his wrist.

"damn, Harry, when will you study that I am so a lot better looking than my furry chum ? Besides… he drools."

"George II ?"

"place on, now take a swig."

Harry turned his head word and let George rain buckets the blue liquid into his backtalk. He swallowed, and almost immediately the nausea passed. leftover of the weakness wracking his eubstance still remained.

"Better ?"

Harry looked up at George and found a big, toothy grin. He looked over to the corner of the room and found Marek, standing near a minor wooden desk, smiling. Beside him, hanging from the wall was a Negroid cloak - Voldemort's cloak.

"Bad dream ?"Marek asked.

"Something like that. I thought—"

He could see Marek smiling at him. He could see George I's red tomentum. Blinking, Harry reached up toward his eyes.

"Oh, no,"said Marek, gently holding Harry's arm."Best not to touch for a few solar day. I expected you would feel somewhat disorientate once you could see a bit, but I never thought it would be that extreme."Harry was mum, looking about the room - the weather sheet were whitened, stained with splodge of dehydrated blood, and there was the wooden tabular array in the far corner. He'd sensed that before, before the conflict, but never noticed the carving on its front case - a dragon gilded in atomic number 79.

"Well, go on. What do you see ? fuzz ? range ? news bulletin of shadow and light source ?"

"I… I see everything. You… you are George I. I thought maybe Fred… Fred ! Is he okay ? Is he— ?"

"He's getting his affair together right now,"interrupted George."We need to get him household. I think you know why."Harry simply nodded."The boys about here say you had a middling powerful hand in seeing my sidekick to safety, the pigheaded brute."The flapping on the door flew open and in take the air George's Twin Falls.

"Pigheaded ?"he squealed."I'm not pigheaded ! I eat pig-heads for snack. Now you, dearest brother… yes, just looking at your font make's me salivate."Fred started to take a leak lapping auditory sensation as he stepped faithful to George. Harry wanted to smile, but he couldn't. His centre were irritable and his vision began to film over - not because of any reversion, but because of the bust beginning to well within them. He did indeed know why George had come to fetch his brother : their mother's funeral.

"So, where's Charlie ?"Fred asked."I thought he was going to bring the portkey and stoppage in on the dragons."

"Probably met some German language witch in a pub on his way over here,"answered George.

"I think his taste lean more… Gallic, don't you ?"

"Oooh, la, la."

There was a brief silence, and then Harry swallowed heavy and asked,"How'd I get here ?"

"You don't recollect ?"asked Marek. Harry shook his head."Well, the way Antreas described it, after he and his forces arrived at the clearing, the foe began to run. It was as if someone simply popped a balloon. Whatever bluster the enemy had, whatever force back them to attack, disappeared.

"You began to heal the injured, Muggle and star alike. Igneus saw that the fight was over and landed on the line of business, breathed ardour into that rock of yours and you began to heal like a madman. There were thirty near death, including Fred there, and you saved nearly every one."

"Nearly ?"

"I'm sorry Harry, but Mikael didn't make it. They had to attract you off when it was crystalise you were using up your own aliveness force. You'd have both been dead."An image of Mikael's brass flashed across Harry's mind and along with it a retentiveness of thwarting. He had to use his own life push, not that of the stone. The stone's power may not be used for members of the Votary. It is prohibit. Harry could think of reaching further and further to see Mikael's life force, but it had passed into the next plane. He'd paused between those two planing machine, wondering if perhaps he could motivate beyond and still bring him back. You can't bring back the dead. It was the final thing he remembered, before the nightmare.

"How long have I been out ?"

"About eight hr,"answered Fred."We just had lunch."

"Is that how all the Weasleys Tell time ? By what repast it is ?"

"Yeah, pretty much,"said George. This was followed by an embarrassing secretiveness. There was now one less Weasley and, at least in Harry's judgement, it was all Harry's fault. He wanted to separate them how it happened, but he couldn't find the speech. Marek broke the still.

"Scripture of the battle got out as soon as the cloud of Dementors lifted,"he said."The parson in Britain asked immediately for news show of the billet and the status of his son. We told him the fight had been won, but his son was in no condition to go up down the batch to where he could Apparate."

"A bit of a physician's over protective covering I'd say,"chimed in Fred.

"So George and Charlie were to total with a portkey and call up their brother."

"And in all satinpod,"added George, seemingly concerned,"he shouldn't have been that far behind me. He said he was going to take care of a few things with dad."

"wellspring he's not much of a climber,"said Fred."Now if there was a demoiselle in distress here at the compound, maybe then—"Again, the front flap of the tent flew subject ; it was Charlie.

"Geesh,"he said with a winded pant."There you are."His expression was rosiness and fret was dripping from his eyebrow."I didn't see you the whole way up. I was only a few min behind. Why didn't you wait ?"he asked George, and then his eyes narrowed."You don't seem too winded for having just climbed an hour."George bore a mock look of surprise, which instantly drew a frown on Charlie's face ; he knew a rat when he saw his brother."There's no WAY you Apparated here ; it can't be done."

"OH ! That's right,"George said."We were going to hike together from the downcast perimeter. I… I guess I forgot."George stood, reaching to the nook behind him and grabbing his broom."I thought it might be well-fixed if I just flew up."Charlie looked like he was ready to explode."Sorry, I didn't think you might desire to hitchhike a ride."

"Why you little—"

"Now, I'll have none of that in here,"interrupted Marek. Charlie stopped and pulled his wand back, giving Marek a courteous, flying nod of the top dog.

"right wing, sir."Regaining his composure, the quondam Weasley wiped his forehead, but still gave George a face of arrant fire. Then his eye fell on Harry who immediately looked away.

"Hi, Harry,"said the elderberry bush Weasley."Good to see you're well."Harry said zilch in return. He was afraid that if he spoke it would all dribble out in a blubbering messiness.

"Gents,"said Charlie,"do you mind if I have a word with Harry alone ?"

Marek and, after some cajoling, Fred and George finally departed, leaving Charlie and Harry to themselves.

"So… I see your eye are better,"Charlie began. Harry blinked, still not able to hold George's regard.

"Yeah,"Harry answered quietly with a thin sigh,"a bit better."Charlie pulled up a chairman next to Harry's bed.

"Once I get Fred back, there's going to be a Service for Mum - with replete Ministerial pageant. Dad never wanted to be curate ; I think maybe because he knew that the day would come when… one of us… Well, we can't always have peace of mind, can we ?"George wiped his center with his sleeve and took a rich breathing spell."There's… there's a component part of Dad that doesn't want you within ten km of him…"Harry nodded that he understood,"…and a part of him that wants to accommodate you closer than the rest of us."Harry looked up and George took his hand ; both their eyes were wet."Harry, you're a member of the family. You were as much a son to Mum as I was and we want you at the service."

"We ?"asked Harry pointedly, but Charlie dodged the inquiry.

"flavor, if Marek says you're well enough, will you come with us ? The portkey can take us all."Harry shook his head.

"I… I don't think that—"

"Damn it, Harry ! Don't be as obstinate as… just say yes. We'll physical body out the relief later."

Harry looked up into Charlie's center and saw the heartfelt unassumingness there. Since his accident on the pitch, he'd missed that power, the ability to look into the Windows of a wizard's soul and know if the Christian Bible and the emotions matched. Reading auras he could discern, to some extent, truth from lie, but the pernicious tone of desire, the intricate radiation pattern of joy and sorrow, those were hidden in the eyes. He could see them all playing about Charlie's face and knew that he should join them.

He was about to say he'd go when he remembered the fight, the William Green heater, his son.

"Cho,"he whispered suddenly, almost in a scare."I- I've got to see Cho."

"That's where we're going first,"said Charlie. Harry was confused ; why would they be going to Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault ? Charlie continued.

"I just saw her this sunup with Marcus Antonius Goldstein at St. Mungo's."

"Marcus Antonius ? Is he— ?"

"He's fine. He's in the same room with Ron. Ron should be released today and from there we can Apparate to the Borough. Anthony should get out in a few days, hopefully before Christmas."Charlie continued to sit as Harry sat up with some urging and put his pegleg over the bound of the bed. Charlie smiled."Cho was holding a baby boy. I guess the two of them… well, you know."

"Yeah, I know,"said Harry standing up and slowly walk over to his clothes that were folded on the mesa.

"Then we're on ?"asked Charlie.

"We're on."

Harry dressed and then folded the dim cloak over his arm, as the two went out into the large cavern. Harry had expected to see it filled with offend, but there were only a handful of wizards and the few of them were simply standing about talking. Katana was speaking with Antreas and other members of the Votary. Visually, she was more fall than ever. Dakhil, however, was no where to be found. When she saw Harry, she walked over to greet him. She put her implements of war around him and pulled him close with a hug that nearly broke Harry's back.

"well done,"she said simply."I now understand."Just as she let go, Antreas who was only a few paces behind her espouse Harry about the shoulder, thankfully less forcefully.

"How is Singehorn ?"Harry asked."And Talisan ?"

"Fine,"Antreas said with a grin."They are both fine. Singehorn is finally well enough and began his journey to the due east this morning. animal around the world, not just Dementors and Centaurus, are using the take of Ebyrth to ignite old hate. The war it seems is spreading, and the old tie beam must be rekindled among the flying lizard families."

"And Dakhil ?"

"Resting. For the first time in sidereal day the sun is shining brightly. We are, all of us, somewhat tired."

"Just one more matter left to do,"said Harry."I need this stored in the rookery, against the west bulwark where it will be safe."

"The rookery ?"Antreas asked as Harry handed him the cloak.

"Conceal it near the corner to depend like the large black granite stone."

"I know the one, but—"

"It's important that it stay safe, that it ride out hidden. The Draco will defend the rookery until the shoemaker's last of their fire fails. And Antreas… don't William Tell Dakhil."Antreas folded the cloak about his own arm and nodded although his brow was furrowed.

"Very well, prelate,"he said with a nod. He glanced at Charlie and then back to Harry."You're leaving us then ?"he asked and Harry nodded.

"Yes, Antreas, as you say there are former battles to be won."A grin split across Antreas'face.

"Perhaps you face one with my babe for risking your neck again."

"And yours,"added Harry with his own smile.

"It is good to see the lambency in your eyes once more."Antreas stepped closer and put his arm about Harry."I have to say that your healing work was marvelous at the base of the hatful, choosing to mend all rather than just your own soldiers. female parent was right to bestow upon you the stone. Your Passion of Christ for life… well, it was something my father was once known for ; he would get been proud. And if one day the headliner so prefer, I can opine of no other that I would rather foretell brother."He smiled as Harry's face reddened.

"Well,"said Charlie,"the kinsperson's growing bigger by the minute."He called for Fred and George I to come over as he pulled out a bag that held the portkey, an old leather football that had deflated. Before they all took hold Harry looked back at Antreas.

"Whatever the future, Antreas, we will always be brothers."

With a tug and a twinkling they were whizzing their way to St. Mungo's. The way matter were spinning, Harry almost wished he hadn't had his eyesight back, but before he could repent it too much it was over. They landed with a thud on a gloomy marble floor veined with spot of gold ; Harry had come to scorn that stone. Harry fell to one knee while the others remained on their feet.

"Thank Merlin ! I was beginning to interest. Is he… Harry !"

Harry looked up to line up Hermione looking back at him.

"Your eye !"she exclaimed."You can… can you ?"Harry nodded as he stood up. Hermione wrapped her blazon about him in a great hug, a sad chuckle whispered across his ear."The duskiness and the brightness level. Oh, Harry, it's been madness."

"What do you mean ?"

"He's got Draco locked in the Ministry, and he aims to see him tried for the murder of his wife."

"That's ridiculous ! You were there. Didn't you tell him ? Didn't Ron—"

"Yes ! But he won't believe us. He thinks we were too stunned to remember properly. Maybe with clip we could change his mind, but genus Draco's confessed."

"Confessed ? Confessed to what ?"

"To killing Mrs. Weasley,"Hermione said miserably. The three Weasley brothers came over to console Hermione.

"It's alright, Hermione,"said George,"They'll clean up it all out in the trial."

"What trial ?"snapped Fred."The ferret confessed."

"Draco didn't putting to death anybody !"yelled Harry."I was there, remember ?"His mind moved back to the fit and his voice grew calm."Her hands… her hands were on my shoulders."He reached up as if grasping for the memory of her touch."I tried to stand in time, to harbor her with my trunk, but… she tried to keep me."Harry smiled sadly in tender admiration."I felt her go breath against my cheek and she died in my arms, crumpling to the floor."Harry began to throb."Dragon didn't raise his wand against a individual.

"Voldemort killed your mum,"he said, looking directly at Fred,"and saying it was Draco is an abomination to her remembering. molly Weasley could eat the likes of Draco Malfoy for lunch and spatter him out before supper. I've never seen a char use a wand the way… the way…"He couldn't finishing.

"Harry,"whispered Hermione,"it gets worse. I need you to make out over here and sit down."Harry hesitated."Please ?"George slapped Harry on the berm.

"Go on,"he said, giving Harry a slight push."We want to get a line this too."Harry acquiesced and sat future to Hermione on a wooden workbench. She took him by the mitt. In the corridor just outside the Welcoming G. Stanley Hall, necromancer and therapist were walking to and fro. Some greet each other with clinch of joy, others with tears of sadness. Here last and life battled daily with one another, a delicate balance that had been tossed on its head teacher upon the issue of the dark overlord.

"Now, try to stay calm."Her words were anything but calming.

"Yesterday, Cho came with the sister to travel to Susan B. Anthony,"said Hermione."Everyone believes it's his child."

"Yes,"said Harry dismissively."I don't care what people think, but I do need to see her right away. She's still here ?"Hermione nodded, gripping Harry's hands a bit more tightly. Fred, George and Charlie were trying to necessitate in Harry's statement.

"When she arrived at the hospital, she asked where Gabriella was. Evidently the two were to assemble here, hoping that they might find you or at least spot your whereabouts. Only, the affair is, Gabriella never showed. She hasn't been seen since she left Cho and Anthony's house in La Mure."Harry moved to resist, but Hermione held firmly to his workforce.

"We just got word about an hour ago,"she continued."Lucius Malfoy's men discovered she was your girlfriend and they thought she might buy some leverage. They've taken her and are holding her hostage."

"Where ? What do they want ?"Harry's actor's line were shrewd, strain.

"We don't know where yet,"replied Hermione,"but we do bang what they want."She paused.

"fountainhead, what is it ?"asked Harry."Give it to them !"

"They want Dragon Malfoy."Harry laughed, as a wave of ease passed over him.

"That's well-fixed. He's innocent. Just let him go."

"He's confessed to murdering the parson's wife."

"This is insane !"

"Dumbledore was here a little patch ago,"she said."He met Mr. Weasley in Ron and Anthony's infirmary way. I don't know how, but I think he's convince Mr. Weasley to go ahead with the exchange."

"Then why haven't they— ?"

"Draco refuses,"cut in Hermione."He swears he's guilty and must be punished. They tried to use Veritaserum, but he's built up some sort of drug tolerance. It won't work."She took a trench breather.

"Then wrap his ass up and send him to his founding father with a red bow !"snapped Harry.

"They can't,"answered Charlie."It's Ministerial law. In any prisoner substitution, the captive must go willingly. It's to protect those who would go back only to be punished."

"He's not going to be punished !"cried Harry."His father wants him at his incline, or… or…"If Voldemort thought that genus Draco had set him up, convincing him he needed a third Horcrux of goodness…

"Harry, Draco says there's only one way that he'll agree to the interchange,"said Hermione.

"What's that ?"Harry asked, his mind distracted by the opening that Draco might actually be in trouble.

"He demands to see you."