Harry ceramicist and The Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 6 - Too closing an Encounter

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When Harry shut the door to his way and descended the stair he was, perhaps, the happiest he had ever been in all his sprightliness. The sun sent favourable irradiation streaking through the coloured windows above and cast a golden image on the flooring below, tinged with enough red to make Harry think fleetingly of Guy Fawkes. His hair a sweep up mess, he was wearing a tee shirt, boxers and wind sleeve, one with a rather magnanimous hole through which the large toe on his right wing base protruded. He scratched his stomach as his nose took in the scent of something that resembled the smell of burning ham. He took one dance step down and turned to bet back at his room. His room ? His house ? No, not really. Not anymore. And he was thankful for that and smiled all the more as the aroma of fresh coffee filled the air, perhaps the only thing Canicula could gear up properly.

When he pushed open the doors to the kitchen of act 12, Grimmauld property, he found Sothis working feverishly in front of the stove. His baton was casting spell after go, not so lots at the food preparation, but in an effort to clear the smoke that was billowing throughout. Harry walked over and turned down the flame with a moving ridge of his hand.

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

"No, really, I wanted to nominate you breakfast. You know, maiden day of schooling and all."He cracked an egg and put both liquid and shell in the same bowl and started mixing it with his wand. Harry chuckled kindly and shake off his head in unbelief. It was big being free of Privet cause, to be here with his godfather, to feel precious and revalue. It was probably the 1st time he had ever opened a package of Bacon for breakfast without a sour taste sensation in his mouth. He gave Sirius a look that said,"Get very,"and then positioned himself squarely in front of the stove.

"I'm not bad at this,"offered Harry, cracking four eggs at once into a bowl and discarding the carapace with a flick 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 it'll be your turn."Sirius seemed to like the challenge, and the idea that he would be spending Yuletide with Harry.

"You know,"said Sirius pouring two cup of chocolate,"I hear New House of York is spectacular at Christmastide time. Have you ever been to the States ?"Harry shook his head."Maybe we could go for a quick visit."

"I promised Gabri—"

"Visit,"Dog Star 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 to a greater extent optimism. Harry nodded plating the solid food and levitating the plates to the table.

Sothis ate like a dog and finished in about three transactions. Harry was more ruminative, and while he did stop, it took him much longer. The nicest thing about being of age was that he didn't have to take the air or have a car to go to king's Cross Station. For that thing, he didn't need to go to King's hybridization at all ; he could Apparate to Hogsmeade and walk in from there. Only the caput Boy and Head missy had to film the train with their housemates, and this class the Head lady friend was none other than Hermione granger. Odd, Harry thought, considering she'd nearly killed Theodore Nott last year. He smiled and took another sip of coffee. Hermione didn't know who the read/write head Boy was, but it wasn't Ron. Still, the redhead and his girl were inseparable and so Harry would be travelling too. When Harry told Gabriella he would be going to Hogwarts by train, her face fell momentarily and grew concerned.

"Then I go as well,"she declared, and she began to shiver slightly. The thought sent a common cold iciness down Harry's prickle as the warm coffee slipped down his throat.

"Any more Bacon ?"asked Sothis rummaging through the crusted goat god about the stove.

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

Sirius poked at it a few times, and then finally took a bite. His fount took on a rebuff bitter tone as it scrunched ever so slightly, then he took another bite, shrugging his shoulders. His teeth and tongue covered in charcoal he said,"You'd better get gear up. Is your trunk packed ?"He glanced at the hourglass on the counter.

"Er… yeah,"Harry lied."Just a few Sir Thomas More things."He levitated his collection plate to the sinkhole which was piled high with pots and Pan from the last few days."Do you desire me to require aid of these before I—"

"I'll take care of it,"Dog Star lied."Go get yourself ready."Harry shrugged and nodded his straits, and started up the steps, once again scratching his stomach and knowing full phase of the moon wellspring it would be days, perhaps workweek, before the cesspool was cleared.

It was unusual really, getting fix for his last-place twelvemonth at Hogwarts. So often he was rushed in the bunco game and bustle of the Weasley kinfolk. This year, however, Harry wanted to be with his own sept — Sirius pitch blackness. And it was the effective decisiveness he'd ever made. It had only been a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr., but in that short time Canicula and Harry did absolutely… zero. There were opportunities to talk about the old days when Canicula palled around with James ; there were opportunity to practice advanced spells or learn the operation of some of the fortunate legal document that still lined the walls in the Black family bailiwick ; there were times when they could deliver discussed how Harry brought Sirius back from behind the curtain ; and at every bit, at every open air door, Harry and Sirius simply took the time to enjoy each other in the here and now. They played chess ; the played notice ; they raced Caduceuses across the London sky at night ; they drank, probably too much ; and they laughed more than they had laughed in a foresightful, long fourth dimension. Sirius'middle had never been brighter, and Harry's affection had never been lighter.

This time when Harry readied himself at the presence door to leave, there was no dark cloud hanging over their oral sex, but rather an bore excitement about the year to come and what it would work. They drew strength from each other knowing that whatever war was around the quoin, whatever dark rose on the horizon, they would confront it together. For a moment they just stared at each former and around the room.

"Er… right then,"began Dog Star."Off you go."He nervously patted the sides of his coxa with his hands.

"I'll… I'll owl you when I get in,"replied Harry. Sirius nodded. secrecy."right, then."There was another long pause."Bloody nether region,"Harry cursed and he walked over and pulled Sirius to him tightly with a grand hug. Sirius responded in kind.

They held each early for more than a moment and then Sirius whispered in a somewhat grating interpreter,"Be careful."Harry pulled away wearing an enormous smile.

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

He Apparated to an out of the way localisation just down the street from King's Cross Station and began walking. The late morning was clear, and he was surprised to notice the air so stale. He'd been spending so a good deal clip inside with Sothis he hadn't thought much about the weather. His coat was in his tree trunk, and he didn't palpate much like opening that in the center of a street filled with Muggles. He shivered, rubbed his arms, and continued on his way. He was coming to the first steps of the place when a beggar boldly stepped in front of him demanding a contribution. Wearing a goodness three daytime'stubble, his clothes were filthy, and his intimation smelled strongly of alcohol.

"Come on, checkmate,"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 intruder."Really,"he said over his berm,"I don't have any money."The man grabbed Harry by the arm.

"I can get a line the jangle in yer gasp, boy !"It was true that Harry had a few galleons in his sac, 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 front the beggar.

"phone call me a boy again, and you—"

"You'll what !"spat the wino, stepping toe-to-toe with Harry. The sight was a bit comical since Harry was not the pocket-sized child he once was. Indeed he was a strapping young man, and he stood a goodness four inches taller than his adversary. Curling the fingers on his right manus, he was about to say just what he'd do when a companion tingling ran up his spine. He grabbed for his scepter, but too late. Or at to the lowest degree it would give birth been if he had been the target. The drunk stood motionless, eyes glazed, body frozen in position. Harry looked up just as a deal gently took him by the arm.

"Sorry about that, sir,"said a vernal man not much onetime than Harry."I… er… I wasn't paying care. Won't happen again, I promise."

The man, still in his teenager, wore a iniquity gray suit with thin blue sky piping, a burgundy tie and white shirt. The dark trash reminded Harry of old James Bond movies, but the white lawn tennis shoes with red laces told Harry at once he was dealing with a champion. Then he noticed the shape of the jaw, the vocalisation, but the hair—

"Finnius ?"Harry asked, wondering if he was talking to the late oral sex Boy of Hufflepuff who at commencement ceremony had a start at a beard and hair that hung down to his waist."I thought you were going to set off a band ? The… er, The Grindly gutter ?"

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

"Why ? What's the matter ?"

"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 do to his senses. Quickly, they climbed the steps and found themselves in a sea of people heading to their platforms at King's crossbreed. Perspiration was popping out on Finnius'forehead and Harry wondered if he hadn't wet himself he looked so aflutter."It's just… well, I promised Tonks and already I've made a hatful of things."

"You work with Tonks ?"Harry asked with a bit more excitation and interest. He hadn't heard from her all summer, and she wasn't at the Joining with Singehorn."Is she okay ? Where is she ?"Finnius continued to usher Harry toward program nine and three-fourths holding Harry with his right hand and wiping his forehead 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 at the Ministry last 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 irritate. He yanked his arm out of Finnius'clench."What do you mean she's in hospital ? What's improper ?"Finnius looked away from Harry's vivid gaze.

"Ah, here we are."They were at the platform."Just in time too !"Before Harry could say another Word of God, Finnius gave him a bit of a shove and he plunged through the wall and found himself on the early incline standing just in front of the Hogwarts Express. Harry dropped his trunk, reached for his wand and started back toward the wall when he was tackled from the side. The flashgun of predate black 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 wrong ?"And then she too looked at the rampart to the alfresco world."Who's out there ?"

The defeat on Harry's face was clear ; he was about to bear down back out when his optic caught something he had never before seen : Neville Longbottom was hugging his parents, wienerwurst and Alice, good-by. Alice held his facial expression in her workforce and planted a big wet kiss on his buttock. They were all smile as Neville wiped it with his sleeve. Then frankfurter Longbottom handed his son something and, as Neville wrapped his fingers about the object, a more serious feeling came into his oculus. His dad slapped him on the shoulder and a thin smile appeared again as Neville boarded the train.

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

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

"ALL ABOARD !"the conductor called.

"Dean said he'd save us a spot,"said Gabriella, taking hold of Harry's hand. Harry took one last facial expression at the paries behind them, and then the two boarded the power train. The corridor was crowded with scholar, particularly maiden years who were completely confused. What was obtrusive, however, was that the formula demarcation of theatre zones seemed to be somewhat glaze over. There were Slytherins purposefully mixing in with Ravenclaws near the front of the railroad train, and a group of third year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors in another pusher playing walkover. A few cars down Harry just caught a glance of someone in Gryffindor robes disappearing into a pushchair and so he and Gabriella followed. He pushed open the pusher door only to walk in on Neville and Helen necking ; a sweet fragrance filling the air.

"Oh,"said Harry."Sorry."Neville had Helen up against the wall and there was some sort of vine with soft pink flowers wrapping itself around her arm and abdomen. She was wearing a smile and blushing slightly."Er… seen Dean ?"Neville who seemed about three inches 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 flick of his baton Neville shut the door in Harry's nerve, following that with a appealingness that sealed it tight. Gabriella just raised her eyebrow and smiled.

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

They continued moving forward past various pram when the flash of red hair 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, books and respective things Harry knew to be Ron's, most notably by the overabundance of socks.

"Honestly, Ronald,"said Hermione in a trounce interpreter as if talking to a four yr old."If you don't find it soon you'll have to order Professor Flitwick, and if you won't I will."

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

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

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

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

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

"Have you tried summoning it ?"asked Harry, starting to rummage through the clothes on the stroller floor. The steeled spirit of flak in Ron's eye said that they had certainly tried that and many other thing and would Harry just not take a shit any former suggestions because Hermione has already made every possible suggestion known in the Wizarding world and none of them have worked.

"Hermione,"said Gabriella with a quality that Harry had come to know all too well, and yet was still new to Hermione."Perhaps one of my Slytherin housemates is playing a trick, most likely Teddy. Would you link up me and perhaps together we can solve this little problem."Knowing Hermione's disposition toward Nott, Harry wondered if it was a wise idea to put the two in close proximity, but Gabriella may possess been on to something. Certainly Nott would bear the motivation to tear 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 to a greater extent looking at at Ron before she left and said,"And don't you stop looking !"The moment the girls departed, Ron flopped down on the carriage terrace and blew the hair out of his eyes.

"Bloody hell."

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

"flavor at us, Harry,"said Ron with a capricious look on his fount, tinged with a bit of sullenness."We were here six years ago, you and me. Do you think of ?"

There was a moment of secretiveness as Harry watched the countryside slip by. It wasn't the Saame railroad train as six years ago, but it might as well receive 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 slur of grease on my nose."

"That's not—"

"Now we're both of age and you're Harry Potter, Protector, Guardian and Emissary, the wiz that destroyed Voldemort and brought peacefulness with the giants, and I'm Ron Weasley the kid that can't find out his BLOODY WAND !"At the last words he stood up, kicked at the rampart, and put his iron heel all the way through.

Harry was trying to summon something to say when the door began to open. Angry, Ron instinctively reached for his wand to slam the door shut, but it wasn't there. He growled like a social lion and was about to physically slam the door shut when Patrick O'James Whitcomb Riley, now in his second year, poked his head word through.

"Was that you, Ron ?"asked Patrick brightly, nodding his nous 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—"

"Patrick,"cut in Ron, doing his best to stay on lull,"we don't have meter to—"

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

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

"Oh, I didn't,"said Patrick,"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 last Ron smiled as he slipped his sceptre away.

"Why don't you and James stay in here,"offered Harry."I haven't heard from the Changs all summer and was wondering how Cho was doing."At these words, 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 St. James the Apostle was going to protrude Gryffindor this year. He knows he can cull whatever home he wants doesn't he ?"

"Yeah, well, he changed his psyche 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 back of the train.

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

"Yeah, it was."

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

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

"Er…."

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

"He didn't take it too well when we asked if he'd stolen Ron's baton,"continued Gabriella as she sat next to Harry. Hermione took Ron's script and pulled him fill up to her.

"No, but he didn't dare use a cross Holy Writ or parent his voice,"said Hermione."Quite the man for a change."

"Being nearly killed can do that to some citizenry,"said Ron.

"I could sense right away he was telling the truth,"said Gabriella,"so we decided to come back. Patrick told us he found your wand."

"No, James II Yangtze River found it,"said Harry."Saint Patrick only returned it. Did he order you that Saint James has decided to go with Slytherin this year ?"

"There, you see !"said Gabriella,"Another fine exercise. James was one of the undecomposed starting time yr students as I recall."Ron pulled out his wand and looked at it closely.

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

"Oh, don't be derisory,"said Hermione, slapping his hand. Then she turned to Harry, trying severely to ignore the mess on the floor."So how's Canicula doing at Grimmauld space ?"

The hr passed quickly as lunch came and the late good afternoon brought drooping eyelids to everyone. James Dean never made his way back to the pram, and they never endeavoured to move further up the train. They were all nodding off to sleep when the railroad train began to slow.

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

"No,"said Hermione with a bit of concern."It's too early."They all noticed the last word leave her lips in a puff of smoking -- the air was growing colder by the 2nd. They knew at once what was happening and each had their wand at the ready. The dark outside the train filled with flare of spark. Ministry safety had moved out to meet the onslaught which was centred toward the front line of the power train. incantation 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 young students.

"Ron,"said Hermione with a commanding spokesperson."Help me gather the first years."Ron was up in a wink, and a present moment later his vocalization was barking orders down the corridor for everyone to stay calm, calling for the foremost years to come up at the galley. scholarly person began to displace toward the rear of the caravan, away from the fighting.

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

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

"You can't be grave. Who knows how many are out there. Your best using the train as a—"The railroad train lurched forward causing collective shriek all up and down the corridor. Then it began to move -- chug… choo-choo… chug… choo-choo… She was quickly gathering speed. There was another flurry of bright bloodless New York minute of wakeful form against the darkness, and the good afternoon light suddenly reappeared and the warmth returned. Everyone cheered as the veil of darkness became nothing to a greater extent than a nighttime cloud on the horizon behind the train.

A look of relief spread across Gabriella's face, but shadow 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 hand away, and looked at her with a very down in the mouth facial expression. She sensed his emotions before he said the discussion 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 belly laugh that Harry knew at once to be Ginny's. In a flare he was out the door and down the corridor, only a whole tone ahead of Neville Longbottom, and two steps behind Ron. Ginny was on her knees in the carriage, broken glass everywhere and bout streaming down her centre. She grabbed her pal by his sleeve.

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

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

"Oh, no,"she whispered, stepping past Harry and turning Dean to face them all. There was a collective pant. Still breathing, his centre were vacuous, his face sunken, and his skin almost picket. He gave them no reaction at all. Ginny stood up and wrapped him in her arms, rocking him back and forth. On her finger was the halo 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 burden of Becoming

Chapter 7 - The Lost Soul

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Harry clenched his fists and tiff,"Fucking war."early than that, only the rumbling of the train and the wind whistling through the shattered windowpane accompanied Ginny's sobs. He stepped next to Gabriella and watched helplessly as Ginny, a soulfulness mate if ever he had one, rocked back and forth with Dean in her arms. Dean, breathing but lifeless, made no response. He might as well be a corpse - he'd be better off. Harry felt the rage building within, but something was tempering it, something was focusing it. He gazed into nothingness as hummer streamed by the broken window and a rip tracked down his cheek.

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

"I'll get a healer,"said Neville despondently to Harry. His vocalization was much older and much sadder than Harry had ever heard before. They both knew it was pointless.

"It won't do any good,"sentiment Harry to himself, reaching for his wand and then nervously fiddling it with his fingerbreadth. Then, out loud, he whispered,"He's gone."The rage roiled in his mind as he watched the green hills roller by - a photo staring day. Finally, his judgment found its pellucidity."This was past tense pardon,"he thought to himself and his hired hand clenched tightly about his verge as he pulled it to the ready."I'll obliterate them ! I'll kill them all !"He would Apparate back down the tracks and ruin every Dementor that moved. He began the radiocarpal joint movement when Gabriella grabbed his arm. His oculus shot ardour into hers."I told you—"he began.

"You're not thinking,"interrupted Gabriella, staring at him intently with grim Negroid eyes that demanded he not be so brash.

"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 seem from everyone.

"Harry !"stab Gabriella."THINK !"She pulled him close."You know a secure way !"

Harry's judgment began to backwash ; there was no time for this. The Isidor Feinstein Stone ? Was she talking about the stone ? Certainly she didn't mean that he could heal Dean's person using the stone."I don't have time—"

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

Voices ? voice ! She couldn't be severe. She had wanted to make for with him on the vocalization, the gifts of those who had touched him at the connection, but he chose instead to spend his clock time with Sothis. All those present at the Joining on Singehorn's mountain were, in various room, a character of him now. They had shared of themselves freely, but there were so many he couldn't sort them out and time was dripping through his fingers.

"I can't."

"You must."

For a moment, as more than voice clambered about the corridor for a counterattack on the Dementors, he tried to reach down deep inside, calling to those who had shared of themselves, scanning through unnumerable memories, snippets of pictures that spanned century.

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

"cum on, Harry ! Let's obliterate them !"individual called from stern. It was Anthony Goldstein. Very well said, thought Harry, but Anthony's Patronus would be favourable to crowd away a exclusive Dementor let alone dozens. Unfortunately, before Harry could say another give-and-take, Marcus Antonius gave Harry the most peculiar facial expression and shouted,"For our sept, Ilex paraguariensis !"There was a pop and Goldstein was gone. It was followed by another pop and another snap. fourth-year students were Disapparating from everywhere.

"waiting ! plosive consonant"Harry yelled."You're… you're not ready !"

"mom's seen them, Harry,"said Gabriella above the snaps and pop."She may know. Think of her… be her !"

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

"cold. Emptiness,"she whispered."The smell of decay, of death."

persona filled Harry's nous. Images of what was, what is, what might be. He saw Dakhil, a much younger looking Dakhil, blood dripping from the turning point of his mouth ; he saw himself hanging from the windowpane on Privet cause, an odd glow surrounding his half-naked organic structure ; he saw Grigor looking cruel and defiant ; he saw the insensate beat body of Antreas, knife thrust wounds covering every in of his bare chest ; decease, and then he saw them.

It was night and the only sound, beyond a lone sidesplitter in the darkness, was the raspy breath of the oncoming Dementor. Just a few animal foot away, a Danton True Young miss was cowering beneath the cloaked figure. Just to her left was a man, somewhere in his previous twenties, a dragon emblazoned on his right forearm. Ignoring the man, the Dementor pulled back his hood revealing its skull-like masque of repulsion, a large mess where perhaps a mouthpiece should be. The visual sensation seemed so rattling Harry tried to reach for his wand, but found his implements of war shackled to a Lucy Stone wall.

The girl screamed as the Dementor drew in its breathing spell in a great wheeze. Another scream… another wheeze. On the third gear wheeze, the girl made no sound ; her irksome eyes opened, staring blankly up at her attacker. It was then, as if empowered with a second imaginativeness, Harry saw it : the glow. He watched the swoon golden white light being pulled into the hole in the Dementor's opening. He expected it to evaporate into the darkness, but it didn't. The Dementor pulled his tough up over his skull, but Harry could still comprehend the glow trying to campaign its way out. It was as if the Dementor was shining, backlit by a limelight from above."I see,"Harry whispered and the wickedness rushed away to be replaced by the lights and rumbling of the racing Hogwarts Express.

"I see !"call out Harry."I…"He paused."Soseh can see,"he said slowly shaking his head."Soseh has the gift, I don't, at to the lowest degree not yet. I haven't tried. There's no way I can—"Gabriella's middle were fixed on his. He knew she bore her mother's talent of sight, and her eyes 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 rock to draw back Dean's life force."Everyone looked at the two as if they'd both gone mad. There were footsteps racing their way down the corridor. Harry glanced back, knowing that once the Aurors found out about the attack and the flight of the pupil they'd be blasting Dementors right and left. With one haywire spell, Dean's soul would be lost forever.

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

On two, they both Apparated back into the iniquity. It was as if they had just landed themselves in the center of an menacing thunderstorm that had extinguished the sun. All was inkiness save for the flashes of lighting - wandlight from the attacking students. Harry felt the warmth rushing out of his bones and heard the wow in his ears.

"Can - you - see - the - one ?"Harry yelled over the din. His voice held Hope, but his heart had none. There were at least a hundred Dementors swarming about, skimming across the hillside, trying to decide if the recently arrived wizards were to be feared or consumed. Harry saw a Patronus, the shape of an enormous owl, plunge into a group of about a half XII Dementors and sent them flying. About thirty chiliad away, near a sales booth of trees, Goldstein's wand was doing little more than lighting up the small clearing of grass in front of him. A Dementor was closing in on him when three students from Ravenclaw converged, simultaneously casting an Incendio spell and incinerating the creature. Harry's essence 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 ingroup. Harry conjured a stag that split the sea of Dementors, if only for a bit, the rift close behind the promising 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 pitch 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 pore on Harry and Gabriella, the Dementors seemed to prefer the sluttish prey near the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and began to move away. He could hear the screams behind him as Gabriella pulled her wand and let loose something in Armenian. A white glowing enveloped her as if she held a star at the tip of her wand. She pressed on ever forward, her stride gathering fastness, but her baton dimming as each new Dementor tried to permeate its glowing surface.

"precipitation, Harry !"she called back. The terrain was rocky here and they were moving along the English of a mound and the promote they moved along the more steep the side grew, making it more difficult to traverse. Harry heard a collection of picnic behind him ; the Aurors had arrived. He looked back at the great cloud of Dementors unwittingly racing toward the new aggregation of emotions. Just as he turned back to look at Gabriella his foot slipped on a Edward Durell Stone and his ankle twisted under his weight. He fell to the priming coat and tumbled a right twenty dollar bill metrical foot down the side of meat of the J. J. Hill, scraping the side of his leg badly before he came to rest.

He looked up and saw the flickering glow of Gabriella's wand disappear over the boundary of the pitcher's mound. Three Dementors swarmed over him - it was the last thing they ever did. melanise blood sprayed all over the soil as Harry blasted his way through, grimacing from the annoyance in his ankle as he took each hanker stride. 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 stone, but how ? And how would he keep the Dementor from simply fleeing ? His ankle joint pounding, Harry past another bombastic tree and came up over the English of the hill. The ground opened up beneath him, running down maybe twenty K and then spreading out into a vast knit that stretched on until it disappeared into the clammy mist of darkness. sun was trying to pervade the misty swarm of total darkness casting an eerie red radiance over the green landscape before him. It was then when his spunk sank.

Just at the end of his imaginativeness, Harry could see the flickering glow of Gabriella's wand. Only now it was more flutter than light. About her were two Dementors, the only two to be seen and they were circling her similar vultures. Each would swoop around and then dip at Gabriella only to bounce from her failing shell charm. It wouldn't be prospicient before—

The shield failed, and Harry heard her scream. 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 strike at the solid ground as if a snapping snake were ever at his hound. He was perhaps l G away when an enormous red light burst from Gabriella's wand, filled the air about her, and one of the Dementors burst into flame. Harry could hear its gurgling cries as it tried to fly away, but plunged into the pasture starting a lowly fervidness, black smoke billowing upward. Harry was now twenty grounds away as he watched the secondly Dementor crouch over Gabriella and he heard her screams.

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

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

"Petrificus Totalus !"called Harry. The Auror went erect and fell to the soil. Ten one thousand. Gabriella screamed again and this sentence Harry could learn the raspy wheeze of the Dementor as it tried to deplume away her someone. With a great leap Harry jumped forward, wrapped his arm around Gabriella and the two of them rolled away from beneath the clutches of the Dementor. When they came to remain, Gabriella was on top of him ; the golden necklace he had given her with the Gryffindor signet - a lion baring two deep red red heart - that came from Professor McGonagall hung round her neck opening and swung back and Forth River in front of Harry's facial expression. He had remembered McGonagall's words :"For times of darkness."And then he heard the vocalisation of Dumbledore, as if he were whispering in Harry's ear, only the whisper was coming from Harry's lips.

"Really, Nicolas ? An jinx golden chain will pin them ? I never heard of such a thing."

The Dementor's growing wheeze signalled its approach when Harry grabbed the tiny gilded range off Gabriella's neck opening. He rolled her to the side, feeling the dusty approach from behind. With one last corking 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 lilliputian golden chain grew snakelike in human body and dimension, but its head was the head word of a lion with flame red eyes. With the flick of his wand Harry levitated the glowing, golden, lion-headed snake toward the coming frigidness, and it began to coil itself around the Dementor various meter. unit of ammunition and unit of ammunition in less time than it takes to untie a shoe lace the Dementor was cinched tight from head to toe. Struggling to turn tail, the black beast could not make a motion and ultimately fell to the grass.

"Harry ?"Gabriella's vocalism whispered weakly from posterior."Harry ?"

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

"The I. F. Stone. Use the Harlan Fisk Stone before the others come."

The vivificus stone had not been used since it was charged at the Joining. Singehorn had told Harry that fervour was dear but love was something far more bearable. And the stone, snuggled close to Harry's liver, was already covered in Harry's blood. All that remained was the incantation :"Bravery, Wisdom, Love."

In an instant, Harry found himself in what he had, in his own idea, decided was an anteroom of kind. All was Edward D. White waiting for his request. For a moment his nous 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 open malarky,"Show me doyen's soul !"

He expected to see a swirl of colour, but instead he saw a whirl of fateful. His kernel skipped for concern that he had done something faulty, but his own spirit held tight to the need to keep his friend if at all possible. The duskiness bed covering before him and in this emptiness a stench filled Harry's nostrils. It was then when he realized where he was, what he was entering - the life force of the Dementor.

Blackness and rot filled his vision. string of oily fibre hung from above and when Harry looked to see their ancestry, all that was visible was talk darkness. He was reminded of the crevasse into which he and Sirius had fallen and a very existent persona of him wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible. He was cold and growing colder as he forced is mind's eye to bid onward into the depth of the Dementor's gist, an insatiable need to feed.

At initiatory, the sounds were distant reverberation coming from down a farsighted burrow, voices perhaps, or animals screaming. Harry moved toward the sound and found the swarthiness pressing in all around him. Though in here he really had no corporeal form, something wet and sticky splattered against his side ; the desire to wretch was strong. Then he heard the phone again.

Yes, they were screams, but human screams, calling just ahead. Floating deeper into the shadow, his infantry tangled on something he could not see. He pulled and freed himself and then realized his tooth were chattering."This is not possible,"he thought to himself and now an even greater part of him wanted to return."I can't do this."He glanced back to see a bantam speckle of white no braggart than a postage stamp miles away. He could be there and back to condom in the flashbulb of a thinking.

Then he heard a voice, unclutter and unassailable 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 prophylactic. Harry pressed forward. It felt like time of day, although it was probably little more than the fourth dimension it takes a maven to twinkle, when he saw the faint favourable glow ahead. He ached and felt that at any moment he would break and be trapped in this wickedness forever. The voice called out again and his heart rate quickened as he hurried forward. Against his body he felt the sense datum of ice-cold deal pulling at his sprit, trying to blockade him, but still he moved ahead. The low temperature was unendurable, the sense of veneration was deluge, and that's when he saw him, towering tall above the others huddled in the black sludge : Mr. Silverton. It was the like wizard from Hogsmeade that had tried to write genus Draco's life the year before, but had failed in the attempt. Harry had always seen him as a rather meek yet friendly man when he visited Hogsmeade, but here he stood taller than life, translucent in a golden splendour.

"hastiness, save the children !"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 someone, baby mostly. Each was translucent, each glowed promising, though some Sir Thomas More than others. The brightest of these was the young dark necromancer, who seemed utterly lost. dean looked straight at Harry, but did not recognize him.

"assist,"he pleaded in a weak, raspy voice."Where am I ?"

"No one stays behind,"Harry said to Silverton."I'm taking you all."And without another word he reached out his hired hand and with his thinker summoned the soulfulness toward him. Silverton stood firm as if guarding the advance, guiding them toward Harry's bidding. offset, and most will, came James Dean, then a young young woman with black hair… a boy with brilliant blue devil eyes… and on… and on…. Each soul came to… came into Harry as if he were an enormous vacuity pulling them in. When the final left the mire at Silverton's feet the older star smiled.

"You have done well,"he said warmly."press release us now, and I will take them home."

The frigidity was pressing in on Harry once again, fighting one last desperate attack to prevent its precious hoarded wealth as Silverton floated toward Harry.

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

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

"Home."

The lightlessness began to rush away with a keen tearing sound. Harry felt as if his legs were being pulled backward by a leash that held him tight to the world behind. Flashes of varying tincture of gray screamed past tense, and then with a fantastic wooosh Harry found himself back in his body on the grassy field looking upward at the milky-blue sky.

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

He felt dizzy, then strong, more potent than he had ever felt. But then he realized why ; he still held their life power. He could use this energy, this power in the war to come. They could be victorious ! Then, a slow up sigh slipped past his brim, and before he lifted his psyche off the sens he closed his eyes and whispered,"Hhhhome."It was a long, dense, breathless word that sent chills down Gabriella's spine. He could feel the energy plinking out from within him as each individual drifted upward. Perhaps it was a hallucination, for Gabriella said later she saw no such vision, but before Harry the semitransparent trunk of all the youngster hovered for a moment just above him. They looked down, smiling when at close Mr. Silverton emerged. He took the small girl's hired hand and in the next moment they all rose above the treetops and disappeared from sight, Dean travelling with them ever upward.

Harry was certain he heard doyen's vocalisation utter,"Goodbye."

A lone teardrop spilt from his eye when Gabriella reached down and lifted his head into her lap. Harry raised his hand and summoned the golden range of mountains 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 month.

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

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

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

They appeared in the corridor of the train, near the hind end, and Harry stumbled to the flooring when he landed. He hated Apparation, and this was his foremost attack at hitting a moving target. If Gabriella hadn't been holding his hand… He didn't want to guess about it.

He was a bit airheaded and disoriented, but he grabbed a baby buggy door handle and pulled himself up to his feet, taking a wobbly step forward."James Byron Dean,"he muttered."I've got to see if…"He began to buckle to the floor when Gabriella grabbed his arm. He looked at her clinched bridge player and then at her eyes and smiled."Thank you,"he said softly."Did I ever tell you that I thought you were brilliant ?"Her face did not smile back. Her brass were too wracked with concern as her eyes darted up the corridor.

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

Two cars down there was a multitude of students that only parted when they realized who it was. When Harry made it to Dean's car he stepped in to look straight in on Ron's back. His clothes were a mess of mud and pine needles, and the face of his shirt was torn, splotch of line seeping through, red mixing with splattered black. His red tomentum draped down over an arm that was hugging him tight. It was Ginny's and she was crying. Harry's affection plummeted and he dropped his promontory ; they had failed. Dean had died.

It was then that he heard Gabriella turn over a sharp gasp as she gripped his forearm. He looked up to see her pointing at Ginny's manus. On her ring fingerbreadth was the golden band 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 amercement Gin ; Madame Pomfrey will accept him patched up in no time."

It was Dean's spokesperson, talking about Ron. It was shaky but clear and Harry watched as two arms of deep chocolate wrapped around the redheaded comrade and sister in a turgid hug.

"Dean ?"choked Harry, his heart skipping out of his breast and the tips of his fingers and pads of his infantry starting to tingle.

"Harry ?"asked Dean from behind the Weasley's. Ron spun bout and, as he did so, Ginny saw Harry. She immediately let out a squeal of joy. A second later her arms were around Harry, tears streaming down here impudence and cheers rising up all around the train. Soon, they were all hugging. Bible spreading that the counterplay had been a success, at least with the assistant of the Aurors that had been guarding the train. If it hadn't been for—

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

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

Harry turned to see a very bruised and a very beat-up Anthony Goldstein. There was dried grass in his hair's-breadth and a bit of blood at the box of his sassing, and he still clutched his wand as if ready to cast another enchantment at whomever or whatever might cross him.

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

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

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

"That's the one !"

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

"That's the one, right there - with the glasses. I'd tell apart the face anywhere. Greasy minuscule git."The pair parted the crowd and were now right in nominal head of Harry."Thought you could get away with it, did yeh ? Little prat. You could have had us all killed."Then he turned to the former Auror, a very tall woman with cryptic blue eyes and an expression somewhere between aggravation and exhaustion. She was about to say something when Susan Brownell Anthony Goldstein stepped in figurehead of Harry.

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

"Get out of my way, you !"he shoved Susan Brownell Anthony to the position, and almost at once there was a rush of scholar like a wave breaking against the shore filling the gap and forcing the two Aurors backwards.

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

"Strickman ! PUT THAT John L. H. Down !"If Anthony's voice was Ministerial, the new voice was all that and More. Strickman's eyes widened in jounce. He'd heard this phonation before, death year when he graduated from the Auror academy. Everyone turned and saw the jounce of red tomentum and knew at once who it was.

"Dad !"cried Ron, whose height gave him the better opinion over all his peers. verge quickly found their way back to their right attitude as all the scholarly person tried to act as normally as possible, considering they had just been through a Dementor attack.

"Ronny. Ginny."He was trying not to shew that he was there to learn the position of his own minor, but the tremble in his vocalisation and the look of relief on his expression were obvious for all to hear and see."I came as soon as I heard."Then his heart met Harry's as he moved past the two Aurors and a flavor of admiration filled them."Harry ?"he breathed in skepticism."I had heard you were taken. That your soul—"

"That was Dean, sir,"answered Harry.

"James Byron Dean ? Beasts of Bulgaria, not—"His eye saw Dean standing next to Ginny."I… I don't understand."

"Harry brought him back, Dad,"Ginny answered her Padre's questioning eyes."He brought his soul back."Arthur Weasley looked at his girl and saw that she was sincere. Then he looked back at Harry.

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

"That's right, Minister,"spat Strickman."It's not possible ! This petty prat—"

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

"P-P-Potter ?"He began to apologize, not to Minister 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 spine 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 James Byron Dean's soul."

Arthur was still struggling, trying to comprehend what it was that Harry was saying. Nonetheless, he patted Anthony about the shoulders and said,"Well done, unseasoned man. Goldstein is it ? Yes, I know your female parent. 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 loud voice,"I'm glad everyone's safe and I assure you the rest of your misstep will be uninterrupted, if not completely boring."

With the bickering and scrap over, most the students returned to their equipage, muttering about the battle as they went, and the crowd in the corridor thinned. Arthur Weasley put his arm around Harry just as Hermione entered the geartrain car.

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

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

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

"Harry,"began Mr. Weasley,"I need to speak with you about something very important. I was hoping to take 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 call for you."

"What is it, sir ?"

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

"I don't hold very much faith that the rampart at the Ministry are any easily, 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 week or so, okay ?"Harry nodded."And don't concern, Harry. Where we're going no one knows about. Not even I knew about it until just last week. But if what you say is true about Malfoy and the Dementors, and certainly this plan of attack points to that, we must act soon and we must act decisively. It's time to study the offensive."

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

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


Harry potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 8 - Engaged

~~~***~~~

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

"shit !"

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 flash, few but Ginny Weasley could appreciate, Harry had his hand around the wing orb.

"That was outstanding, 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 dozen affected role, all dupe of Dementor attacks, had suddenly and inexplicably awakened - their souls intact. He turned the Sir Frederick Handley Page with a smile as James Byron Dean continued to practice.

Madame Pomfrey had prescribed the exercise of canary snatching as a sort of therapy to aid Dean regain control of his neuro-synapses. Even though Harry had returned James Byron Dean's someone, 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 common salt, and it would louse up through his finger for no reason. Sometimes his making love for Ginny was impregnable, while at other clip it seemed as if he had no tactual sensation for her at all. In Magical Arts, James Dean would paint portrayal of birds, creature, or even people but the simulacrum wouldn't move ; they remained lifeless on the public opinion poll. It was all very unknown, and no one, not even Madam Pomfrey, knew exactly what to do.

"No one's ever had their soul reattached,"Madame Pomfrey had said shortly after they had arrived at Hogwarts palace. Her resolution was to try to re-stitch Dean's soul by having him exert both his consistency and spirit.

Ginny held steadfast at Dean's face ; a lesser womanhood would deliver left at once. Watching the two of them these last few days, Harry wondered if his beloved for Gabriella would be able to withstand such a run 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 exhausted."I'm… a bit tired."

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

"Thanks,"said Dean with a sapless smiling. They kissed and Ginny turned toward the staircase down to the green room.

They had been at Hogwarts for three days and even though the fellow rhythm of family and course work pulsed on at Hogwarts, something was distinctly dissimilar. Maybe it was the flak on the string, the anticipation of what was to come up, or simply that they were in their final class. Whatever it was, there existed, almost certainly, a palpable sense of anticipation as if it any here and now something spectacularly wonderful, or devastatingly abominable was about to occur.

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…"doyen let out a gravid sigh and turned over on his position, his back toward Harry. Over the last twelvemonth, Dean had grown confident in his human relationship with Ginny and Harry no longer shook the foundation on which their relationship was anchored. Dean continued,"I think… maybe this year at Christmas—"

There was a sudden howler from down in the Gryffindor park room. It was Hermione's scream ; Harry was indisputable. Not an minute later, Ginny cried out, followed by a clamor of shriek that rivalled the arriving owls during the daybreak post.In an instant, both Harry and Dean had their sceptre at the gear up, and started cautiously for the landing place. Just as Harry was about to look down on the Common way below, Patrick appeared from the Second years'hall ; his wand also drawn and his facial expression concerned. There was a third year passing Patrick and running the other direction, trying to scarper whatever danger was causing the commotion. Harry didn't recognize the boy from behind, but the opinion of a coward in his house bristled the back of his neck."A Gryffindor ?"Harry cried out.

The minute's distraction was enough to cause James Byron Dean to bump him slightly from behind. Harry tried to adjust his terms by stepping forward, only there was goose egg on the circular staircase to step out on. Instead, he completely lost his balance and began tumbling, down and around, headspring over heals until he landed prostrate onto the floor. Dazed, he looked up to see Ron on the dry land also. Well, almost… he was down to one knee, a expression of pure terror in his optic. Harry grabbed his best friend by the shirtsleeve and pulled himself up aligning back to second with Ron.

"Where are they ?"he cried to Ron over his shoulder, verge at the ready. Quickly, he spun around and saw Hermione looking down at him."What's going on ?"Harry asked excitedly."Why did you hollo ?"Then, looking to the side, Harry noticed the tumid number of Gryffindors looking down at him, all with rather track locution on their faces. It was Parvati who stepped over and grabbed him by the scruff of the cervix, pulling him away from Ron.

"You idiot !"she hissed under her breath.

Her cheeks a brighter vividness of red than Ron's hair, Hermione had to cover her backtalk to hold from laughing. It wasn't until then that Harry noticed Ron was holding something in his hand - something gold 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 muttering of consent to this, mostly of the feminine persuasion.

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

"Bloody hell,"Harry whispered, stunned by what he was seeing. Parvati pinched his neck opening and pulled him to his feet. dean was stepping slowly down the stairway and came to a full stop on the small flight, wrapping his arm about Ginny's waist. She had been transfixed, but the warm touch caught her tending and she wrapped both her arms about doyen, smiling as she watched her brother propose.

"Yeah, yeah,"said Ron, wiping his forehead with his go forth sleeve while still holding out the ring with his right hand. He was unquiet, his hand shaky, and Harry wondered if he wouldn't faint at any moment. But when Ron's optic rejoined Hermione's the shaking stopped and he regained his voice. He held the ring a bit higher.

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

He never had the luck to polish off. In that blink of an eye, Hermione was down on her knees kissing him deeply, and the park room whooped out a sunshine that was heard throughout Hogwarts castle. Later, even Hagrid said he heard the revelry when he was out feeding the deadly lava lizards.

"wellspring ?"cried out Seamus."response him proper !"To this there was rolling chorus line of"Here, here !"called out mostly from the masculine phallus of Gryffindor. Hermione pulled herself away from Ron's mouth and he held the ring before her.

Hermione held out her hired hand and said breathlessly,"Yes !"There was another cheer, more resounding than the first, as Ron slipped the diamond anchor ring upon her digit. They kissed again.

Harry wasn't sure who was responsible, but suddenly food and drink appeared, and before you could blink music was playing, citizenry were dancing and an impromptu party was in full jive in the Gryffindor common elbow room. It was tatty and boisterous, but Hermione had set a silencing charm on the bulwark, and outside of Gryffindor the Night was restrained. Harry poured himself a potable and suddenly felt very awkward. Everyone was congratulating Ron and Hermione, hugging them, smiling. Harry sunk back into the niche. Why hadn't Ron told him that he was about to propose ? He watched the smiles and the laughter, but somehow couldn't feel any fondness himself. Indeed, the thoughts that were passing through his mind brought back store of the twelvemonth before, bad memories of jealously and uncorrectable anger. He gulped the potable, and poured another.

Still standing in the corner, Harry was watching Neville help Dean back up the staircase to the boys'dormitory, when a part 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 tedious song began to act and Ron took Hermione in his weapon system. The candle flame 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 have sex someone so much."Still sitting, he pulled his genu up to his chin and wrapped his arms around his ramification just gazing at the dancers."Do you think he'd die for her ?"The question was odd, but Patrick was young and Harry was a bit drunk.

"He'd die for anybody in this room,"Harry answered with warm shade of pride."pigeon hawk, he almost did last class, more than times than I can—"Harry stopped and looked into his crank, drinking the remains in one final splashing against the back of his throat. He could feel the burn mark make its way down his chest as he stared at the empty glass and could feel it fulfil with guilt. How often had he put both of his friends in jeopardy ? They would both sacrifice themselves to redeem Harry, and if the war was truly do, and it was, Harry knew they'd risk life and limb once again.

"Do you recall you'll marry Gabriella ?"Saint Patrick asked, filling the muteness. Harry whispered something and the glass in his hand vanished. Patrick raised an brow, but said cypher about the wandless illusion.

"Gabriella ?"Harry asked, looking blankly ahead. He chuckled to himself, but the laugh was more sad than happy. Already she'd risked her aliveness and the shoal year hadn't even started. How many more ally would have to die before—"

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

"I'm sorry ?"asked Harry. 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 Thomas Kid. No orphans."Patrick uncurled his leg and stood up, walking over to Harry."I plan teh conflict, Harry. There's no way fer enjoy if there's the chance 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 sake, and yer parents are out fightin'Voldemort. Why didn't they just leave well enough alone ? Wouldn't yeh rather have ‘ em at yer incline right now ?"

Harry was ardent, his head cloudy, and the comrade thigh-slapper were calling from the fog in his mind. It's not your conflict, Harry. Let it go.

"What is your problem ! ?"Lavender's voice snapped. She was only a few in in front of Harry, and her formulation was very scotch."Are you going to stand here all alone all nighttime ?"

"I was just talking to—"He turned to target to Patrick, but the boy was gone. Harry looked about and then to the staircase, but the second base 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. pigeon hawk knows you'll be the godfather to all their baby ; now start acting like it."Lavender pulled Harry onto the dancing floor."I never thought you'd ask !"

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

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

"Some clout would be prissy,"she answered with a twinkle in her eye. She took Ron by the arm and they started to take the air toward the snacks. Harry just stood, his feet frozen. Finally, Lavender took him by the arm.

"Why, I'd have it off some punch too, Harry. Thank you for asking."She deliberately stepped down on his base, backbreaking, and then whispered in Harry's ear,"So serve me, Harry Potter, if you ruin this evening for them I'll whammy you from here to Durmstrang."A heartbeat later her face was all grin as she squeezed Harry tight just behind the cubitus and walked over to wear Ron and Hermione were standing.

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

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

"I was going to tell you,"said Ron with a solemn tone of rue,"but I didn't pluck up the courageousness until you were at Grimmauld Place."Harry just looked at Ron like the response made absolutely no horse sense."You said you didn't want to be disturbed… recall ?"

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

"Blimey ! You're joking, right ?"Ron interrupted, drawing in Harry's soreness 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 last night ? Were you too busy final stage night ?"Harry snapped, and then he remembered not seeing Ron last dark."Where were you anyway ?"Hermione began to blush violently.

"It's none of your bloody commercial enterprise where I was last night,"said Ron, his interpreter elevated."You're not my keeper, Harry."At this he pointed his digit 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 offspring men took no observance. Harry balled his rightfield hand into a clenched fist and pulled back ready to let throw.

"I should…"he began. Ron stepped secretive, clenching his own fists and drawing them near his chin.

"You should what ?"he challenged.

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

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

"I know,"Ron answered quietly with a fond smiling.

"I… I don't want to mislay 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 Saame words to Harry utmost yr at the Ministry and she remembered what Harry said.

"You're not going to fall back us, Harry,"she said, tenderly taking him by the arm. Harry grabbed her and pulled her into the hug. He'd had a little too much to booze and his words were taking on a touch of regret.

"I want to see a XII niggling bushy haired, freckle faced Weasley's running about. Do you listen me ! ?"

"Harry !"

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

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

"Ron !"

Harry's heart were beginning to fog with dampness. If they continued to fight by his side, he might lose 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 splendid. I… I just can't be here right now."He turned without saying another Son, without looking at another fount, and left the Common room.

The halls were quiet ; it was nearly curfew. A few students were sprinkled here or there, talking or making their way back to their student residence. Harry walked aimlessly down the stone footprint and found himself near where Tonks had her old position last twelvemonth. They had yet to instruct who would be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. That form had been cancelled this morning. The lanterns dimmed a bit, signalling that it was clock time to return to the dorms, but Harry didn't hold a lot 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 sullen street corner of the corridor and saying Harry's name without a drip of sarcasm. It was odd, Harry thought, to see Blaise so far off the work over runway, especially at this meter of night. Cloak and dagger poppycock wasn't section of Blaise's composition. The bounteous sensation was more comfortable standing in the nerve centre of a group of others to be looked at and admired. He hung with Dragon on function, but never when it meant risk was about. That kind of stuff was for Nott, or Crabbe or G-Greg. A shiver passed down Harry's spine recalling the demise of his friend last year.

"Blaise,"Harry answered with a nod.

The two passed articulatio humeri to shoulder when the tip of Blaise's wand touched Harry's hand. Harry felt a slice of parchment suddenly appear on his medallion and his finger 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 distinction to read it.
Do you miss me ? Sorry about the ugliness on the railroad train. Sent someone to discourage you at the station, but an Auror intervened. I heard Weasles bought a pretty expensive halo in Diagon bowling alley. You two aren't engaged now are you ?

Since I can't be there, my courier is going to assist be my eyes and pinna at Hogwarts. Don't differentiate a soul or it may entail his spirit. Have you spoken to the old dodder about it yet ? haste 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 stone storey and leaned back against the stone 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 connexion ? Hol… Hor… Horcrux ? It seemed so removed now. Perhaps it was some sort of privy weapon system that the Dementors would use against the Centaurs. Perhaps it was—

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

Harry spun on the Book, jumping to his feet and preparing his denial. A shadow figure emerged, dimly lit by the faint incandescence of Harry's sceptre.

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

"Impressive."The Bible dripped with satire."I would have thought you would forget my figure again the minute you returned to England."He drew nearer and Harry lifted his wand higher."Put your sceptre away, boy,"rebuked Dakhil sternly,"or I'll… let's see… What do they call it ? I'll take points away from your house. Although why you would wish about such meaningless plot when the war is upon you is incomprehensible to me."Harry lowered his verge and the lighting was extinguished. They were in utter darkness.

"You can't take—"

"Oh, I believe any professor can—"

"You're not a professor ! You can't… Oh, no."He leaned back against the rampart and, in the darkness, noticed the slender speck of luminosity emanating from a cracked door, the door to Tonks'office. Harry sighed."defense mechanism Against the Dark Arts, is it ?"Harry could tell by the low grunt that a grimace had appeared on Dakhil's fount. Clearly, he didn't like the theme any to a greater extent than Harry.

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

Harry shoved Dragon's note into his air hole, clenched his tooth, and followed. Once, after banging his articulatio genus, he tried to fall his wand 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 live affair together, Harry. You draw from it every time you cast a spell. It pulsates on the wind as the breath of the Tree ; it bubbles from the soil crawling with worms and roaches. In the very blue of lieu, it shines as a beacon light to all who would call on its epithet. It is a acquisition all extremity of the Votary learn before the Joining, save for you."Dakhil stopped. The odor was strong here, dampness and dank and musty with a strong sense of decline."Even in end, life is reborn. Reach out to it."

"I can't see a bloody—"

"Not with your eyes, jester !"Harry heard Dakhil sit as an old wooden work bench creaked under his weight."What Soseh sees in you…"

"She uses more than her center, I suppose."

Harry had seen the life force of others he had try to heal. It was like going to another aeroplane of existence. He just needed to…"Focus,"he whispered to himself. In the wickedness Harry closed his eyes and opened his mind, reaching out for anything however small that might indicate life. At first there was cypher, and then a brightly lambency began to appear, red and throbbing."Dakhil,"Harry thought. And then he saw it, the corridor they were in. Something was glowing on the paries. mold ? Spores ? It was as if the structures surrounding them were splattered with an eerie fluorescent paint and lit up by a black luminosity."I see,"he whispered in astonishment.

"As long as one sees, one is never lost."Dakhil pulled his wand and a enormous burst of light shattered against the bulwark breaking through to spread air. The two emerged from some broken down shack into the deepness of the forest.

"The tree !"Harry said, looking at the flannel radiance pillars that climbed to the sky.

"Your foeman, even though they hide behind such wonderful structures are brighter still. It is a of the essence accomplishment. With one hand, 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 star of every people of color imaginable. But in the centre was a wild blue yonder glow brighter than all the others, a aureate track following it in the sky.

"Ebyrth,"Harry whispered.

"Correct, Mr. Potter,"said Dakhil, slapping Harry on the berm. He started walking past the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree back to the palace which glowed bright through the offshoot."As I said earlier, your time to die is near at hand. You may not realize it yet, Mr. Potter, 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 More of a sneer than anything else.

"We are both already dead."




Harry potter and the nativity of a New Sun
Chapter 9 - The deflexion of Space and Time
~~~***~~~


The rhythmic beating of Gabriella's heart lulled Harry as she stroked the side of his head with her hand. He sighed deeply as she played with the touch of ringlet that wrapped about his shoulder. He forced himself to abide awake, if only to savour every moment that he was being held in her sleeve. Through the thin slits in his eyes he watched the lake vanish and reappear into opinion as his head rose and fell with each breath she took. The sparkling amniotic fluid brought his mind to the beaches of Lebanon and he visualized walking with her at the ocean, watching the waves clash again and again against the shoring. It would be a arrant place to ask her, he thought. A blue-blooded breeze brought with it the chill breath of decline and for a moment he thought he could smell the cool common salt air of the sea. Yes, the utter place.

"We'll girl dinner,"she whispered.

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

"If you're going to stay fresh working for Hagrid in the timberland,"she said more firmly,"you're going to take to keep up your strength."Her fingers slipped down to his position and playfully gave him a quick pinch.

"AYY !"he said, jumping. It was more thrill than infliction, more mountain than poking."Not mediocre ! I was… I was just going…"He closed his middle and began to lay his head back down on her chest.

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

An image of Grigor flashed across Harry's head and a cold frisson ran down his back… he hesitated. How could she sleep together ? She couldn't. She was so much like her male parent, and for the brief of moments Harry was taken back to the torment chamber at the Ministry -- the sleeping accommodation where Sirius had been lost and found again, the chamber where Gabriella's father, Grigor, had held his deal out innocently toward Harry, just as Gabriella was now doing, only to tie down him and prepare him for expiry.

He drew in a oceanic abyss breath, shook the retentivity from his mind, and took Gabriella's helping hand, rising to his aching feet. They both whisked away the dry leaves that clung to the bottoms of their robes and turned toward the castling. Harry could palpate the sting in his pegleg as they climbed the castle dance step. Halfway up he stopped, wrapped his arm about Gabriella's waistline and paused to look at the lake. She took it as a quixotic moment and leaned her point against his articulatio humeri. 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 muscle and bone. A nerve in his right second joint shot a jolt of pain up into his vertebral column and his regard turned toward the forest.

workings for Hagrid ? No. For the last few weeks he'd been training with the centaur. Only he'd felt uncomfortable sharing that with Gabriella. He had never been capable to bring up a conversation with Gabriella about them without her making an apology to interchange the subject. It was clear she did not like Centaurs, but she never explained why and Harry was unwilling to labour the issue. Another twinge flicked down the musculus of his forget calf and his mind drifted to the day's training session. Recalling why his ramification hurt so, he wasn't so sure as shooting he liked centaur either.

"jumping, Harry Potter ! Jump"cried Ronan. The red-haired Centaur fired an arrow that nicked the provide heel of Harry's bare infantry."fastness is a Centaur's slap-up ally. With it we can outpace the Dementors when they try to flee. Run !"he bellowed as Harry began to slow."If one of our number pauperization 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 forest. His lungs were bursting for air and his ft were on fire. He'd already run for Swedish mile ; Ronan would take a shit him run miles more. For his part, Harry had already decided that there was zippo the Centaurs could throw at him that he couldn't handle.

"Ayyy !"he cried, slashing his foot against a jagged Oliver Stone.

"Run !"

Perhaps he was wrong.

He had been forbidden to use a sceptre, and wore naught but a thong made of tree diagram bark wrapped about his waist with a sheath for a small dagger used to slash at vines and former vegetation that blocked his way as he ran. In one hand he held the dagger and in the other he carried a Isidor Feinstein Stone nearly too large to fully grasp. In battle he would carry a shield, but a stone was more bunglesome to handle, forcing more muscles to bring up and control it. He was being trained as all colt were. In fact, there were two colts running far ahead of him already - Shahan, with a coat so dark Harry could no longer see him in the distance, and feldspar, whose brightly whiten coat shone like a star ahead - way ahead. perspiration dripped into his eyes and he wiped his brow with his decent forearm. Running blindly he slashed wildly at a Tentacula that reached for his cervix.

"You should have seen that, stripling, long before it struck at you !"cried Ronan, loping along. There was the sound of a thwwwwp and a few pace ahead Harry saw a prominent spider dead near the itinerary he was taking, an arrow between its eyes. Looking back as he ran ahead Harry tripped on a ascendant, twisted his ankle and fell to the land, his left knee grinding into a collection of low stones. The fingerbreadth of his get out hand were crushed between the Oliver Stone he was carrying and the stones upon which he'd just fallen. The dagger fell from his right helping hand and skittered forward, but before it came to stay, Harry reached his hand forward and without saying a word the obelisk returned to his grasp. There was a tenuous grunt from Ronan. It was neither disparaging, nor approving. It was more a grunt of satisfaction, but Harry did not calculate back into Ronan's oculus to see if the satisfaction was directed toward him. His knees and manus bleeding, he stood to his feet and began to run again. Now, even feldspar was out of view. He'd taken only three or four strides before Ronan called.

"Stop !"

external respiration hard, Harry turned and for the for the first time time all good afternoon he looked up into the Centaur's eyes.

"I… I can… trip up them,"Harry heaved.

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

"I hate… riddles,"breathed Harry.

"Shahan and Felspar have been studying for decades the essence of earthly concern's mysteries. It will pack them decades more to realize what is already at your fingertips."The Centaur stepped closer, forcing Harry to bend his neck upward. A sinew twanged past his mighty ear. Still Ronan advanced until he was only inch from Harry, who could smell the unknown mix of fret and whisker. Ronan looked skyward.

"To see without eyes, to find without digit, to get wind without ears, to taste without tongue…,"he looked back down at Harry and tapped him on the side of his nose,"…to flavour without nostrils. These are endowment you have already been given, and yet you know them not ; you have but to unwrap them."With a movement that was but a fuzz to Harry, Ronan notched another pointer and shot at a orotund flying… thing with large teeth that was advancing on them. It fell silently to the forest floor. To Ronan it was like little to a greater extent than swatting a fly. He continued,"You must teach the power that took your sacrifice and cleansed you, the magnate that has no enduringness. What you must surmount, Harry ceramist, what you must endeavor to achieve is to be without being."Harry scrunched his nose splotched with dirt.

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

"Take my hand, child,"commanded Ronan.

The moment Harry took the Centaur's hand the worldly concern spun upon its nous. Green and embrown and yellow and gold flashed past them in a whirl of coloration. Then, inexplicably, Ronan was gone, and Harry was suddenly running, loping, galloping. He felt light-headed, majestic, chesty, childish…

"I told you the Wizard was a imposter !"he cried back over his shoulder."Ronan's an old patsy !"He kicked his heals and quicken forward, the wind whistling past his ears.

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

"Nothing but silly Centaur fairy tale from a doddering old mark !"Harry yelled back, but his oculus were steadfast forward. The flag was ahead ; he could see it, maybe three or four miles ahead. A smile split across his case, an chesty grin ; he was going to win this race and prove Ronan wrong, prove to all of them that HE, Shahan, was the Centaur that would keep open them from the onrush of Dementors that was soon to come.

A voice whispered in Harry's ear. It was Ronan's."You see with Shahan's optic. Where would you be, Harry Potter ?"

Harry looked back. Behind him was felspar, the dazzling Andrew Dickson White Centaur that he'd been racing. Then he noticed his own haunches. They were black as darkest ember. He was Shahan, the lead Centaur colt. But how ? His head twisted forward toward the waiting sword lily and the gathering of Centaurs that watched to see if Ronan's prophecy was nothing more than flatus and myth.

Where would I be ?

"The flag,"Harry whispered to himself, to Ronan, to the nothingness. He focused again. He knew how to get there with a wand : visual sensation, Pathway, Reconstruction -- Apparation. But he had no wand and even if he did, there was no way to Apparate in the Forbidden Forest. The flag, a red lighthouse in the length, was maybe two kilometres ahead of Shahan now and probably three kilometres from where Harry's body stood dyspneal back in the forest with Ronan. He'd been practicing wandless trick all summer. What if… ?

Harry willed himself from the eyes of Shahan and back to his own body. There was a duck soup - he had returned, his lungs still gasping for air and Ronan still at his side. Harry closed his eyes and his judgment imaged the flag that was ahead ; he imagined being there. Space and time began to crack up, swirling itself, revealing itself. A tract that moved with his will, guided by Ronan, appeared before Harry. He took in a deep breath and stepped forward onto the path. The great span of distance between himself and the red flag suddenly collapsed. feldspar was just out of reach, Shahan appeared to be only a few paces in front of her, and the red sword lily appeared as just a few ten-spot of metres away. Harry began to run. The colours of the forest swirled by him, as if everything stood still, including the two Centaur. He ran preceding felspar and then Shahan and, in an instant, he appeared only inch from the flagstone that marked the end of the wash. He was surrounded be Centaurs of every color, each with fierce eyes marked by only the little astonishment of his reaching. As he came to pillow, he saw, in the distance, Shahan and only a few strides behind him felspar. They were both galloping like the current of air, swallowing up immense swaths of sod with each footstep. They would be upon him soon.

Harry felt it was, somehow, a Lolium temulentum. Could all Centaurs bend blank and sentence ? His eyes caught Shahan's in the distance, and the once positive, noncompliant gaze turned to one of skinny repugnance. He galloped faster, as if possessed, but it was no use. With one hand, his bloody left, Harry reached up and pulled the crimson iris from its touchstone. There was a corporate cheerfulness as Harry held the flag over his fountainhead, spinning to show the gather. It was then that he saw Ronan, standing in the centre of the chemical group of nearly one c Centaurus. An instant later Shahan pulled up at Harry's side of meat, his breathing place heavy, his coat lathered with sweat.

"That's not potential !"he cried."He… he used his sceptre !"

"No,"answered Ronan, stepping forward from the others."He used the skills you yourself may one day master, Shahan."Ronan turned to the other Centaurs."He has been given the gifts."With this there was a general murmuring and neigh of surprise and commendation from the Centaurus herd. Facing the others, Ronan flanked Harry nudging him forward just as feldspar arrived, also out of hint, a gash upon her rightfulness nominal head flank.

"I foretold of the coming star,"Ronan called to the gather."And yet you did not believe. I sought out the Sacrifice against your will, and the waters returned him to us. Only once before has this ever happened, and when that fight was won so too began the Great Age of Centaurs !"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 Thomas More oxygen,"this is our ritual killing. Cleansed and returned, he shall go us to victory !"Again there was little 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 wound.

"It was a Bearwicken,"said felspar quietly.

"He's a pretender !"cried Shahan in a tone that was more animated than any Centaur Harry had ever seen. He stepped forward, pushing Harry aside, but Harry ignored the rudeness and focused his aid on feldspar."He's no leader ! He's a champion ! It's hocus-pocus I tell you."

"Let me help you,"whispered Harry as he held his surface hired hand a few in away from the slash on feldspar's flank. Harry closed his eyes and muttered the incantation that he knew would work with his baton, and then something caused him to extend further, to reach beyond. His paw had not touched the Centaurus, but he could feel the blood, slippery wet, between his fingers. He reached out without moving and willed the gash shut, and the slash obeyed, closing as if a curtain had been pulled shut tight about the wound.

"Like all wizards, he'll pop us all when we turn our back !"yelled Shahan again.

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

"mother !"cried Felspar."He's the Chosen. How dare you question his talent !"Felspar, wound healed, turned to Harry and bowed low on one knee."As long as Ebyrth shines, I am in your service. Only dying will betray us of time."

A number of other Centaurs followed in kind, each bending low to one knee and bowing their forefront. Ronan approached Harry, nodding his drumhead and bend to one knee as well.

"You still lack durability and endurance, Harry Potter, but these things can be learned. Now, it is time to rest."He held his hired hand to Harry's heart."Return to the forest's friend."Harry's mind immediately thought of Hagrid."Run !"

The imagination of Hagrid's cabin firmly fixed in his nous, Harry willed himself there. Again a path opened up and he took off running. Moments later, he found himself where he began the day, seated on Hagrid's moderate next to the burning at the stake fire, Fang laying at his side and Hagrid singing some Sung in French people. The logs on the fire cracked as Harry, still naked, looked at his Gryffindor gown that hung from a bait near the door. The way they were draped over the hook they almost looked real number - lifelike, as if they contained some spirit all their own. Harry's venter churned just as Hagrid turned, surprised to receive Harry in his hut.

"Harry ?"

"Harry ? Shall we go inside ?"Gabriella had spun to front Harry whose middle were distant and hang on the far skyline above the lake. Her vocalism snapped him back from reliving the memory. He had learned something outstanding today, and he'd learned it from the Centaurs.

"Harry ? Are you okay ?"

Harry looked down into her eyes and smiled. He was sore and tired ; dark annulus hung under his center. The thought of going inside to face three scrolls on the healing works of Kirkcaldy was almost too a lot to bear.

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

"tone, you're tired and it's time for dinner party,"she said, deliberately changing the conversation."We can peach about the lead later."Harry nodded silently and together they entered the castling and began to take the air to the Great hallway.

Near a large suit of armour Harry noticed Patrick talking to James Chang. James was leaning against the stone wall, his coat of 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 Thomas More than once Harry heard him stir his voice.

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

Jesse James noticed Harry and Gabriella and stood straighter, stopping Saint Patrick's narrative with a motion of his paw. Harry smiled and waved, and King James I returned the gesture with a smile of his own. Patrick turned to see who James was looking at and when he saw Harry, his face bore an reflection of neat business organisation.

"No wonder,"Harry thought,"I feel like I'm going to blow lump. I must look like hell."As he and Gabriella continued toward the Great Hall for dinner party, the more sick 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 climb those."

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

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

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

"What happened ?"

"I'm fine, really,"demanded Harry, and in fact he was beginning to palpate better although the storey was still a bit unsteady under his base. They stepped him over to a farsighted bench beneath a large portrayal of a not bad ninth century battle scene. Harry hated it here, he always had ; the crash and smash of steel against armour was always deafening when the combatants weren't sipping tea together, discussing whose strategy was superior in the shoemaker's last fight. Ron noticed a contusion beneath Harry's pinch and leaned in close to Harry's ear.

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

"CHHHHT,"shot Harry with a gust of air between his clinch tooth, trying to quiet is supporter. Seated between a mind-reader and an empath, Harry had little hope of keeping anything secret, but he didn't want to discuss his training with the Centaur in front of Gabriella.

"You said you'd get hold of me,"complained Ron."‘ The next meter I go,'you said."Ron crossed his arms."I thought maybe this year would be different."Harry opened his mouth to explain.

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

So, Hermione knew. So a great deal for Ron's sworn oath that he wouldn't order a psyche. Harry rolled his optic and shook his drumhead knowing that Hermione was only partially correct. She was mighty about the skewer theatrical role, but Harry knew at once Ron would take up the protect part the awry way. He did.

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

"Ron,"Harry began, holding up his hand,"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 see at Ron who was ignoring Gabriella's question and was now standing in a huff and about prepare to surprise off. Harry stood too, the giddiness he was feeling all but gone.

"Ron,"Harry said, taking hold of Ron's arm,"I said you would go with me the adjacent 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."

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

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

"This morning you were supposed to aid professor Barghouti's second yr class for their DADA deterrent example,"scolded Hermione, also rising.

"What form 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 shoulders."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 feel that. Hermione knew he was feeling fine ; she'd read the Harry Potter Koran long ago. Both cleaning lady just glared, while Ron was steadfast.

"Can't you see the man's exhausted ? He has to eat !"he exclaimed."Blimey ! spring him a interruption for Falco columbarius's sake."He put Harry's arm about his shoulder joint."Come on, teammate. Let's get you a bite and then we can go over the weekend's practice session docket. I know Ginny's been playing fine as chaser and all, but I think if…."

In the Great Hall, Dumbledore had the houses sit wherever they wished for breakfast and lunch, but for dinner each house ate at class table from the others. It was a compromise between the vision of the future and a respect for tradition. Tonight, Harry was grateful because it meant, for a while at least, he and Gabriella would be separated. As they entered the Great hallway she kissed him on the cheek, holding his depart deal. He toyed with the golden gang he'd given her the yr before on Valentine's. There was a twinkle in her eye and a sly grinning upon her face.

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

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

Lavender and Parvati were having an animated conversation about the meaning of a large stigma on the tablecloth. Parvati had spilt her drink and it left a night, twirling abstract of something resembling, at least to Harry, a large toadstool. He sat down realizing he did, very much, need to eat.

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

"A Crane,"countered Parvati, pointing at the long crooked cervix of the toadstool.

"That makes no common sense,"said Lavender."No, it's a Celtic language spiral and,"she pointed to some dismal inner spots,"with these here it would be unending life."

"No. See this here ? The way the whorls dissolve away ? Not eternal life… life, death, and reincarnation. It's clearly a crane,"Parvati said, pointing out the bird's characteristic."Here are the oculus, the kink neck, the long legs."She grew more confident with each verbal description.

"Then you're both correctly,"chimed in Hermione. The two immature ladies looked up, stunned expressions on both their faces."The crane represents longevity. Eternal life… longevity… Same thing."She shrugged her shoulders and took a bite of dinner.

"NooOoo,"both Parvati and Lavender harmonized in a rather long and melodious tune."It could imply deception if—"

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

"That looks like a turbid pond to me, Harry"said Ron, chewing on a stick of bread."See the large ripples flowin'down the table."

"Honestly, Ron,"sighed Hermione, whisking out her verge and vanishing the tea and grunge together.

"HERMIONE !"cried Lavender.

"How could you !"scolded Parvati.

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

"Come on, Lavender."Anapurna spun on her heals and took off, Lavender rightfulness behind her, but not before she shot a scathing glower at Hermione. No sooner had they left the tabular array than Ron let out a snort, a piece of bread shooting from his nose.

"Ronald Weasley, I should…"

"Honestly, Hermione, Harry just wants to eat. You can't begrudge the man his ataraxis after all he's been through today."Ron took another bite of bread and looked at Harry's plate."Are you going to eat those ?"he asked pointing at some bit. Harry just glared back. Ron shrugged and took another bite of bread.

"And as for you,"Hermione continued, now turning to Harry,"you serious differentiate 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, right, and you two are the card couple for honest and open discussions."

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

"Don't you think I've tried ! ?"asked Harry, raising his voice just enough for those around him to intercept 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 grammatical construction calm. The flavour was unnerving because he knew his own locution was giving him away."Well I have,"he insisted, pushing his plate in for good measure.

He wasn't sure enough the play was having the effect he wanted. Ron simply nipped one of his remnant silicon chip and Hermione only let out a foresightful disapproving sigh. Past the detail of reappearance, at least for this argument, Harry stood up and left the Great entrance hall in as foul a mood as he could muster. His creative thinker focused on the Gryffindor board, 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 footfall behind him. He stopped and turned ; only no one was there. He looked over past a suit of clothes of armor and then behind a pillar - still no one. Tired, if not completely exhausted, he continued toward Gryffindor and his awaiting homework. He was nearly at the portrait of the Fat Lady when there was a tap on his hand and a whisper in his ear.

"Your daylight grow short."

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

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

Harry unfolded the man of parchment."They think it's at the Ministry. Is it ?"was all it said. The portrait swung open and Harry quickly moved to hide the distinction, only he didn't have to. It flashed in a puff of smoke and disappeared. Neville stepped out of the Gryffindor green room followed by the most unlikely of faces - Severus Snape. Strangely neither took much notice of Harry. Beyond a slight head nod by Neville, it was as if he didn't even exist.

"The affair is, Professor,"Neville was saying as he past Harry,"if the two roots are to have the effect you want, they'll have to be grown to exactly the Saame length."

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

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

Amazed, Harry shook his headway and turned toward the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"word ?"she asked with a smile.

Just before he answered, Harry paused, scratching his 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 secluded bank bill giver was still nearby. As much as he hated the persuasion of climbing back up the stairway, he had to go down and speak with Dumbledore. Besides, the three scrolls on the healing plant of Kirkcaldy could await till later.


Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

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




Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.
The silver cat's-paw rose and fell on Dumbledore's sepia desk as Harry stroked Fawkes'plumage, waiting for the headmaster to revert. Not much bigger than a breadbox, it was a foreign solicitation of gears and give and Harry spent some time trying to deduce its import. The contraption, rimmed with fly creatures Harry couldn't recognize, reminded him of a similar device in the blackamoor family estate at Grimmauld situation. It too had the same round pack that ran up a saw-toothed staircase only the inkiness twist was golden, its winged wight looked more menacing, and Harry had never seen it operate.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.

Shot by a spring, another silver medal ring ran up the staircase only to reach the top, falter, and autumn into a pile below. The pile seemed to be shrinking as Harry stood watching, but he could not see where the rings disappeared to, nor could he let out the informant for the rings that sprung Forth River from the bottom. There it was - a never ending procession that seemed to have got no purpose.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…

Unable to hold back himself, Harry reached out and grabbed the silver ring before it had a probability to light from atop the pocket-size staircase. The scene changed and he suddenly found himself on the Hogwarts Express walking toward the strawman of the train, two paces behind Greg Goyle. But, this couldn't be - Greg was all in. It took him a present moment to make that he'd traveled back in time. They were about to reach the front of the gear ; Greg wasn't dead, he was about to die.

Harry tried to speak, but no words came. He tried to strive his hand up to cease Greg, but it would not propel. Unable to control his motion, Harry could do nil but watch story unfold as it had last class. He poked his headway into a pram, telling a grouping of 5th years what was up.

"I've been wondering what was taking so long with the food trolley,"said Ernie Macmillan. Harry explained that the professor had gone missing and Ernie joined him to discern the worry. As Harry slipped back out of the passenger car with Ernie, Goyle took the point and started toward the movement of the gear. Once again Harry tried to finish his Quaker when, through the spyglass doors to the box ahead, Harry saw a witch in dismal gown suddenly appear in the corridor. Anaxarete. Harry wished he could spue a killing curse, but it was no use ; he could do nothing. She glanced back, revealing a sinister smile and piercing green eyes. Harry tried to place himself in front of Greg, but was ineffectual to pass Goyle's broad berm. It didn't matter ; an instant later she was gone and an instant after that the front of the train exploded with a tremendous white twinkling.

Harry fell to the floor of Dumbledore's authority, the silver hoop firmly clenched within his hands. He was shaking, the explosion still ringing in his ears, when he opened his centre and found Dumbledore looking down at him. The headmaster knack with trouble to one knee and held out his hand.

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

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

"What… what is it ?"he asked still shaken. Dumbledore took the mob and placed it back atop the silver medal stairway.

Tink.

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

"It is a memory book of sorts… a photo album."Dumbledore moved to his desk and sat down, leaning back against his president."Different for each who reads it."Harry couldn't assistant but think that the superlative wizard of the age was beginning to show star sign of wear. He had grown much dilutant since Harry end saw him at the end of the schooling year, and his hands were beginning to curl in an unnatural way.

"Like a Pensieve ?"Harry asked.

"Not quite, Harry,"replied the Headmaster."A Pensieve lets you store or remove your store so that you can look them over later. You can select the memory to dispatch, to examine."He leaned forward and held his hands together."This is a Möbius Machine. It reflects a champion's life account. It is a never ending loop that plays over and over again, shrinking or expanding to suit the spectator. Each silvern roach is a ringlet butterfly of a dowry of your life-time. While the hoop play in order, there is no way, unfortunately, to determine which store, which lifespan experience you will visit."

A shake past by Harry again, and for a moment he thought he felt the breath of death whisper its name against the scruff 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 caravan ; when I was with Greg, just when… just when…"

"I understand."Dumbledore sighed. He stood and walked back to the device. He waived his sceptre and uttered an incantation and the gang stopped running up the stairway, and fell wherever they were in the cycle."I wish your retentiveness could be happy, Harry. I would hate to see you as a tottering old man, sitting down in a stale office wondering if you could put on the line reliving the tragedies that grasping a few band might bring. Fawkes quietly vocalized his agreement, as Dumbledore slipped his baton away and placed his hand on Harry's berm."I know you have been chosen, Harry. But you need not place 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 bright blue eyes,"it's the way of life 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 compensate thing to do. Lucius Malfoy is going to use this to try and brush the darkness back across this land, and I won't let him."Harry's own eyes were fierce with decision and defiance."I've been training with Ronan."Harry paused."Are Centaurs magical ?"

"Very much so, Harry,"said Dumbledore with a smiling."It is folly for thaumaturge to believe they are the most powerful creatures on this earth. You know, of line, Centaurs have keen sight and are skilled with a bow, but these things are physical skills that many adept dismiss. Ahh… not so, Harry… not so. Why do you think a Centaur never misses his mark ?"Harry shrugged."Because a skilled Centaur can follow the arrow all the way to its destination, nudging its trajectory along the way. They can bend space and time, Harry. Even while wizards are ineffectual to Apparate on Hogwarts grounds, Ronan can disappear and reappear wherever he pleases simply by using his mind."

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

Dumbledore said nothing. Harry could tell by his expression that he was ingrain, or surprised, but the old wizard made no word of it. Instead he stood from his chairman and walked over to his scope.

"They are much practiced stewards of such skill than superstar would ever be,"the older wizard whispered, looking down into the lens of the telescope. The tool was fixed on the portion 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 persuasiveness in numbers, no friend for support, no sanctuary in which to hide. It's only a topic of time."

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

"Lucius is no fall guy,"answered Dumbledore."He'll remain hide out for as long as possible and only strike when he thinks he can win."The wizard looked up."He can't win, Harry."But Harry wasn't so certainly. He turned his rachis on Dumbledore and walked over to Fawkes, stroking the razzing's feathers. Harry didn't know how to bring it up, but he had to ask.

"What if… what if he had a weapon ? A secret weapon ?"

"enigma artillery ?"asked Dumbledore, turning to look Harry more fully."What do you mean ?"

"A… A Horcrux."

The portraits that were earlier minding their own business, napping, reading the paper, or off to some former position were suddenly thrown into a ruckus. The schoolmaster of old began complaining at once about the impudence of the untried man to hash out such matter here.

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

"Lucius is cunningly evil,"called Phineas,"But he would never creep to such depths."

Dumbledore finally quieted them all by threatening to impart down a rag of duskiness. His grimace was grave, almost picket and the timber of his voice was filled with dandy concern. Harry knew at once that whatever a Horcrux was, it was dark magic, but then… did he gestate otherwise ?

"Harry,"began Dumbledore slowly, his representative quite and sombre,"what makes you believe that Lucius Malfoy would utilize a Horcrux ?"Harry turned away from Dumbledore, not bequeath to maintain eye link."Certainly such news does not come from our acquaintance the Centaurs."

"Well… I… I heard that…"He stalled and then turned back to typeface Dumbledore. How could he jazz how one employed a Horcrux if he didn't even experience what one was ?"prof, what is a Horcrux ?"Dumbledore walked back to the Ag political machine that was now tranquil on the table. He tapped it with his wand and the silver hoop began to wheel again. He took a closed chain and held it in his hand for but a moment when he laughed and placed it back along its path.

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

"professor ?"

"It was the day when Professor 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."

"married man ?"asked Harry incredulously."prof McGonagall was married ?"

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

"I… I suppose she'd be happy."

"But she is happy, Harry. Certainly, if you were to ask, she would care that he was still at her side, but she is very happy."Dumbledore's custody squeezed the wooden table and he drew in a mysterious breath. When he turned to calculate back into Harry's eyes, his expression was severe and his own center bum."What I'm about to severalize you, Harry, is not supposed to leave this room."Harry glanced toward the threshold as if there might be someone there."Harry, I know with whom you would like to percentage. You should know that it is forestall. I would not even address of it with you, had you not brought it up first. Do I induce your countersign ?"

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

"Imagine for a instant that I could split you into three multitude. Not copies mind you, but three clear-cut voice of your very essence… your individual. One would stay with the body you now possess ; the other two would be put away for storage you might say. If you, the role of you that inhabits the body you now have, were to die, one of the other persona would try out another consistency to inhabit… to control. You, share of you, would live again."

"Part of me ?"

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

"You have More memories, more experiences."

"Precisely ! But a disconnected soul would only take with it portions, shadows of the memories the original soul carried. Imagine, my boy, if you had to choose… what helping of your soulfulness would you cut up away ? What portion of you would remain ? There are many choices. You could carve out the bad store, perhaps the death of Greg Goyle, and go on believing that he had never died ? But then, what would pass if you were to die, and the Horcrux storing only the bad memories was released ? What sort of sour soulfulness would remain ?

"Then there are those wizards who believe that it is the tragedy of a wizard's lifespan that drives him forward ? Such a star might proceed the tragical computer memory at the ready erasing all joy and happiness, perhaps the day you first arrived at Hogwarts ?.

"And it's not just memories, Harry. It's also the perfume of who we are, what we have become, both good and iniquity, darkness and lightsome. A mavin 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 soul, splintering all you ever were into shard of fogged ice that can never really be made solid again. recount me, Harry, what choice would you make ?"

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

"No, Harry, nor would I."Dumbledore's shoulders drooped slightly as if a large exercising weight sat solid upon them."Thankfully, nearly wizards and witches would defy to choose as well. Fewer still know that there is such a path one can fill ; and only the most powerful of those would be able to strike it."Suddenly looking quite tired, Dumbledore returned to the chair behind his desk and let out a inscrutable sigh, closing his eye."The Horcrux is simply the computer storage vessel… it could be a John Rock, a cloak, a cup—"

"But Lucius—"

"Think, Harry,"Dumbledore interrupted."It might even be a book…"There was a tenacious pause. Harry could learn a number of the portrait on the wall gumming to themselves. Clearly they were unhappy with the direction of the conversation, particularly Phineas.

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

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

"But I saw Voldemort die,"said Harry."There was zilch left."

"Yes,"said Dumbledore, nodding."You also saw Tom enigma die in the sleeping accommodation of Secrets. I had always assumed he had divided himself in two. Who would risk fracturing themselves Sir Thomas More than once ?"Dumbledore chuckled to himself grimly."Who indeed ?"Then he turned back to Harry."This word palls the apparent horizon with a new wickedness. Tell me, Harry, why you believe that someone 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 conceive 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 eyes narrowed and then, quite naturally, he smiled back.

"wellspring, I suppose if you told me, then your promise to keep our conversation of the Horcrux individual would mean nothing."

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

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

"Inf— ?"

"It's far too unsafe for you to begin some journeying to research the human beings for a Horcrux. Voldemort's been to the border of the globe and beyond ; it could be anywhere. More potential, it has already been activated. No, I will speak with the penis of the—"

"Sir, you can't. I swore that I'd—"

"Relax, Harry, there will be no need to implicate your liaison. In fact, it's more to our advantage to hold on your name completely out of the picture."

Dumbledore breathed in deeply and closed his eyes as he slowly let out his breathing spell."Yes, I think I understand. He didn't just split himself in two. He may not have 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 secrets, Harry, but if Voldemort has reanimated he may, once again, have agents working within the school walls. I'm sure Lucius does. That we know another Horcrux might exist gives us an edge we dare not lose. Do you make any idea—"The gong of the great clock struck twice.

"Oh lamb,"said Dumbledore."I've made you tardy for class."He paused, struggling for the abbreviated of mo about what to say adjacent."You topper be on your way. We can carry on this later. Tell prof Barghouti it was all my mistake and I'll confer with him about it later."

"But—"

"Go on, Harry,"interrupted Dumbledore.

Harry sighed, grabbed his books and started for class. Just as he was about to brandish his paw across the large memorial tablet doorknob, Dumbledore stopped him.

"Harry, there are those that we can trust—long-time friends and soulfulness mates. I understand that you may be compelled to seek assistance. If you must discourse this, keep the conversation within the bulwark of Gryffindor."Harry paused for a bit, taking in the headmaster's discussion.

"But that means—"

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

As Harry walked down the corridors toward defensive structure Against the Dark Arts division, his intellect was spinning with the new information and trying to support everything that Dumbledore has shared with him. Within the wall of Gryffindor. Even though this year students were devoid to enter the Common way of any house into which they were invited, Harry knew exactly what Dumbledore meant ; he shouldn't confidence Gabriella. He pondered how he would go on Gabriella out of any word he might have with Ron or Hermione concerning the Horcrux. Maybe he was better off not saying anything to anybody. His concerns about Gabriella faded quickly, however, when arrived late to year and Professor Barghouti took ten gunpoint 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 family so that he could sit in back. He like the majority of the course of study wanted to sit in as far away from Professor Barghouti as possible. For almost students it was because their professor was a vampire ; Harry simply didn't like him. Every metre Harry looked into his heart he felt that he had to prove himself suitable ; that he was somehow lacking when it came to the Votary. Now, having arrived to socio-economic class late, Harry had to sit in face side by side to the only other students who would : Hermione and Gabriella. Harry took his bum next to Gabriella who offered him a supportive grinning after he was chastised by Barghouti about time direction.

"Now, as I was saying,"said prof Barghouti with a bit of a drawl that reminded Harry all too a great deal of a crown of thorns between Snape and Malfoy,"before we were so rudely interrupted… Occlumency is more art than learned, more nature than raising. Nonetheless, even the most inept wizard,"he looked at Harry,"can learn to repel at to the lowest degree rudimentary attempts to interpenetrate the intellect. Fortunately, most of you are sorely lacking as Legilimens."Barghouti stared once again at Harry.

"I want each of you to find a collaborator and while one tries to click his partner's mental defences the former will use the proficiency you described in last Nox's preparation duty assignment. For those of you who found the assignment to deadening and choose instead to praxis Quidditch,"again he looked at Harry,"expect to spend the evening with Madame Pomfrey as she treats your headache."

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

"Yes, Ms farmer ?"

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

"True, Ms. farmer ; it is a encroachment. But then, so is the violent death Curse and we've learned to defend ourselves, as best we can, against such an attack. Would you prefer to have your view read freely by Lucius Malfoy's undercover agent ? Have them know your plans so that they can kill you or your loved ones when you least gestate it ?"

"But—"

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

Hermione's lips pursed as she crossed her weapon. Harry knew that feeling before. Still, he didn't think that it was such a big batch. 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 arena. Today, you can be my partner."Barghouti offered a rare grinning and both Ron and Harry expected to see his Fang, but all that appeared was a unbent row of bright, pearly tooth.

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

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

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

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

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

"You know you can't."

"I can try,"he shot back with a bit of defiance. His vocalisation was heated for no good reason, and he knew she'd sense that as well. If he stayed flustered, she'd be right ; there would be no way for him to number close to reading her mind.

Around the social class some students were having better success than others. well-nigh attack were fairly hebdomad and were being met by contiguous revulsion. This resulted in more than a few scholar being knocked backwards out of their electric chair. Ron was popping down on to the ground more times than you could shake off a wand at and Barghouti was taking smashing satisfaction in being able-bodied to drive back Ron's advances. Just behind Harry, Hermione had teamed with Neville who, at the minute, was trying to sink in her thinker. Avoiding Gabriella's middle, 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 idea, but all he was sensing was the back of his eyelids. Squeezing his heart closed more firmly, he heard another prominent thump that he took to be Ron's arse once again striking the slating floor. It felt like an eternity, but at some gunpoint he could discover Gabriella calling his name. Not with her mouth, but with her mind. Instead of pushing him back, she was trying to wheedle him in. Even with the helper he was finding it extremely difficult to labour his way through the darkness to her thoughts. Not cognizant that he was now grabbing the edge of the desk with his hands, he redoubled, tripled his campaign to push his way in.

Suddenly, there was a saccade from nates. Trying to penetrate into Neville's psyche, Hermione had been repelled backwards and fell against Harry. She grabbed his berm and began to rive him backwards. Without thinking and still focused mentally to penetrate Gabriella with all his power, he reached out toward her. She grabbed his deal and when she did the scene in Harry's mind changed. The sound was sucked out of the way and all was darkness. He had penetrated Gabriella's thinker ; but what was this… her retentivity or something more ?

The ruction of the class had disappeared and an eerie secretiveness surrounded him. He heard first, a hurry of water, a drip-drip-drip, a whispering of leaf and then crying… Then the air filled with a musty, wet scent of pine tree and loam… The Forbidden woodland, he knew at once. Slowly, a brightness began to spread out up before him and he realized that the crying came from the baby he was holding in his implements of war. This was no memory ; Harry was himself in this visual modality. He found that his robe were soaked. Both he and the young child, still to a lesser extent than a year old, looked as if they'd just come from the lake. The baby, glistening wet, was wrapped in obscure folds of damp material, dripping on his boots. A hand touched his shoulder from prat.

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

A Rush of fear began to decant itself over Harry. He was cold, shivering, dentition chattering, the child in his arms continued to cry out for its female parent, but Harry knew that it was a cry that would never be answered. He wanted to cry, to run, but when the tyke looked at him his heart warmed and his resoluteness strengthened. Slowly Harry's finger brushed the nestling's buttock.

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


Harry Potter and the nativity of a New Sun

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

Bass buffeting, twine reverberating, the band was loud and Harry was not feeling all that well. He slumped back, sinking into the large, overstuff electric chair and rubbed his tabernacle. Why did he let Ron and Dean challenge him into a imbibition duel upstairs ? The Quidditch mate against Hufflepuff was tomorrow and he swore he wouldn't take a sip. But then Ron convinced him that they were two-hundred point favourites over their babe house and why not celebrate… a little ? It was Halloween after all ; their last at Hogwarts.

Feeling a bit drunk, he then had let Neville convince him to eat far too much during the feast. Why not ? It was, after all, their in conclusion Halloween 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 charitable than chiding as she set her hired hand upon his shoulder. She had tried this approach 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 roll in the hay. That was just what Hermione did. She wanted to resolve a problem that she didn't understand and not knowing the response was driving her mad. Nonetheless, after her protest, Harry had simply rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulder joint.

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

"You need to tell her what you saw,"Hermione had said, stepping in more closely to Harry, but his mind had grown foggier than ever. Instead of being refreshed by the nighttime air, he was just cold and drunk. He shook his psyche, disagreeing with Hermione, unceremoniously pushing her blue helping hand away, and had wandered, stumbling a bit, back into the dance, where he had found the prissy cushy chair 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 temples, Harry considered the new strain. Yes, the striation was very loud, but everyone was having a great fourth dimension.

The Great Hall was dark save for the musca volitans that bathed the dance band in an eerie orange and royal lightness. Now and then a row of cd burning at the social movement of the stage would swank bright, sparkling into the air. It was the only clip you could puddle often of anything out, except when a prof's verge grew bright, lighting up two snogging scholar typically in a darkened quoin covered by the fog that floated some three human foot off the flooring.

Harry was surprised to see Patrick dancing with a tierce year girl from Slytherin, if you could call his rotation dancing. The lad was flailing his arms and pounding his metrical unit ; Harry expected to see him smiling, but Patrick didn't seem too pleased with it. Ron was nowhere to be seen, which put a momentary smirk on Harry's nerve, for it was Harry who had won their earlier bet. He smiled even more broadly, thinking that Ron would bear to go three dark straight without wearing any socks. There was another undimmed flashing and he caught sight of Gabriella passing by Saint James the Apostle Yangtze as she entered the Great Charles Francis 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 stomach churned ; he did not find well at all. A instant later she was at his side of meat with a stone mug in her hand, steam boiling out the top and rolling down over her hand.

"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 unsafe for you to be this vulnerable."She handed the mug to Harry, who was nodding his nous even though he couldn't make out a single word she was saying, and squished in succeeding to him on the outsize cushion. Harry took a doubtful sip. Feeling her warmheartedness next to his, Harry was sure she had been praising him for boozing Ron and Dean under the table. There was another flash of sparks and he noticed a few of the younger students including James and St. Patrick were leaving. He looked back down into his mug, mustered up the courage and swallowed down the sleep. The outcome was nearly immediate. The sickness passed and his visual sense began to clear. He was feeling better, but he was growing tired. When he set the mug down, Gabriella took him by the hands.

"You did a wonderful job helping prof Flitwick with the laurel wreath. The snake that kept swallowing first years was quite creative."

"A Slytherin inspired me,"replied Harry, smiling back at her now that the tintinnabulation was leaving his ears. He glanced over at the snake that was over in the niche of the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall. The few first class educatee that remained were still lining up to be swallowed by the large, greyish creature with bowelless yellow centre. Once swallowed, students were transported to the front of the leg where the band was playing. It was the lonesome way the younger scholarly person could work their way to the movement of the horde that crushed up against the stage. If they were golden, they got to sing with the isthmus. If they weren't, the erstwhile bookman would convulse them to the back of the crowd. This late, it became more a biz than anything else with first yr finding some sort of delicacy or concoction from Fred and St. George's workshop in their pockets by the meter 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… last year… I made a promise, I guess."

Harry was suddenly nervous, remembering where he was and what he had done last yr at Allhallows Eve. At first he tried to look away, but he could feel Gabriella's black center penetrating his impression, so he turned to her and examine to change the subject to something he knew she wouldn't want to mouth about, especially not here.

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

At dependable it was difficult to hear, and with the long interruption and number lack of reaction on Gabriella's part, Harry wondered if she'd even heard him. He tried to recur 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 arms and pegleg. Her heart 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 yr go flying off the stage and be thrown to the back of the Great Hall, disappearing into the swirling fog that hung low on the floor. Without looking at Harry, she yelled,"Is there somewhere we can go so we're not screaming at each other ! ?"

Harry was taken aback. He didn't expect that she'd want to talk at all about it. His center darted toward the antechamber off the Great Hall. No one could get in there relieve professors ; yet Professor Dumbledore had taken Harry there the year before and he remembered how to get in. Still he hesitated, but then his heart began to backwash a bit, thinking of the possibility. It was dark ; if they stayed close to the wall no one would see them slip behind the degree.

"Well ?"Gabriella called out.

Harry took her head and nodded for her to trace. It wasn't well-heeled making it to the bulwark, but the crowd was focused on a particularly screeching Song dynasty by the lead singer with bass bank bill that pounded the floor and tossed kinfolk off their pes. Undetected, Gabriella and Harry slipped into the incline room and the music instantly fell away. The antechamber was dimly lit by the fond glowing of the fireplace and a fistful of lit candela. Beyond that there wasn't another marijuana cigarette of article of furniture in the place. Harry paused, thinking about the right field spell, but before he put it together, Gabriella had conjured up a nice loveseat near the open fireplace.

For the briefest of moments he thought to ask Gabriella about what he had seen in her mind, but being in this finical room on this particular proposition Night caused memory board of Cho to rush over him. His emotions were merge between excitement and concern. He hadn't heard from Cho since schooling let out and when Gabriella offered to inflict Cho at her home, Mrs. Yangtze River said that she had gone to the state and wouldn't be back for the rest of summer. The only student who had any contact with her at all was Anthony Goldstein who seemed to be her boyfriend 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 sizable and happy and that they'd be seeing a lot more than of each early after he graduated.

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

"Who ?"asked Gabriella, a bit blur.

"Cho. Only Anthony seems to bang 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 concern.

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

"If something was wrong, we would make heard,"she said comfortingly."If anything, Marcus Antonius's filled with pride and felicity. I can sense it. He feels as if he's doing something tremendously important. Is it so bad if he won't share ? Why ?"She smiled devilishly."Are you jealous ?"Gabriella pinched Harry's slope and made him yelp.

Harry put on his secure Bogart impersonation."These optic are only green for you, sweetheart."

He leaned over and kissed Gabriella hard against the lips. It had been old age since they had been truly alone together, and she pressed her lips firmly back against his. Her weapon system wrapped around his back and she pulled him tight to her breast. His work force slipped to the warm, delicate flesh of her belly. Thoughts of Centaurus visions slipped past both their minds in favour of former, more enjoyable, activity.

Later, as Harry was tying up the lace of his trainer, he realized how artfully Gabriella had managed to hold open him from asking her about the imagination they'd seen. She kissed him one net metre as he reached for the knob on the door that led back out to the Great Hall. There was still a throng of hoi polloi crowding against the stage when they slipped back out of the ante-chamber. They chose not to trip the light fantastic toe and instead made their way out to the battlefront of the palace. It was well past midnight, but there were still a few twain huddled together, watching the night sky. It was the most spectacular Halloween Harry could think. The star were glorious, but then he saw it. His gaze froze and his smile fell.

"What ? What's the matter, Harry ?"Gabriella placed her deal against the incline of Harry's cheek and then looked to the heavens above her shoulder."What's wrong ? What do you see ?"

"Ebyrth,"said Harry flatly. Gabriella leaned her question against his berm and patted his back, saying nil. Harry sighed deeply."I… I just don't get it."

"What ?"

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

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

"Where's the war ? I don't know why thing haven't started already,"said Harry, but then a cryptical, spotty voice broke the night's lifelessness.

"What makes you think they haven't ?"

Both Gabriella and Harry jumped. It was Professor Barghouti. The bit the other brace saw him they began to scramble up the strawman steps of the palace, constantly casting backward glances to make for certain he wasn't following them, and occasionally reaching for their neck as if to reassure themselves that they hadn't been bitten. Harry forced himself to regain his calm, 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 sojourn with a werewolf,"he answered."Only fitting, don't you think ?"He laughed at his own jocularity and while Gabriella laughed as well, Harry was having none of it.

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

"Harry !"Gabriella snapped.

"Yes, boy,"said Barghouti unimpressed,"as a affair of fact…,"he ran his clapper 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 straight and pearly white.

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

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

"The centaur of the Great forest are not the only Centaurus in the world, boy. And, as much as you might like to believe that England is the meat 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 guardianship about the war,"queried Harry."Why the long face now ?"

"Because, oh chosen one,"Barghouti sneered,"your friend Lucius Malfoy has enlisted the help of vampires and hence his option of first base smash - the Carpathians. Only they're not just killing Centaurus, they're wiping out anything and anyone in their course - all of them Muggles. A whole hamlet was destroyed. The Muggle composition are reporting that the desolation was due to a gas explosion."A burst of air popped between his lip."I must refund to Singehorn for a few days. I fear my old friend may move to step in and duplicate old mistakes. prof Dumbledore has been informed and prof lupin will subscribe to aid of my classes."

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

"You wish to save the world, boy ?"Barghouti snapped, spinning back upon Harry. He was clearly angry, as if Harry had started the totally affair ; as if Harry had placed the comet in the heavens himself."Why don't you try saving this school day first ? Why don't you try saving THEM ?"His bridge player shot out toward the tree that surrounded the schooltime ; all was darkness. Harry squinted, which only made Barghouti all the more aggravate.

"Have you learned cypher ?"he cried. There was a pocket-sized squeal from one of the remaining students near the castle doors 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 hint and closed his eyes. Then, he reached out with his psyche toward the woods. As Dakhil had shown him before, all living things began to appear before him - the pasture, George H.W. Bush, and tree all glowed brightly. He scanned further out and then saw it : a Centaur some ten chiliad into the trees, bow in paw. Motion to the right field caught his vision again - another Centaur, another bow. Harry continued to scan. Every thirty to fifty yards another Centaur stood precaution, watching over the school in the darkness. But Harry couldn't Tell if they were trying to hold something out, or something in.

"What are they doing ?"he whispered.

"I am weary of teaching the ignorant,"Barghouti muttered."The Centaurus can sense the darkness, gull. It is already upon you. You would be heady to chance its source before it swallows you whole."In a swirl he disappeared before Harry had a hazard to say another Holy Writ. The sound of flapping offstage, faded to nothingness. What he noticed, after the detritus settled, was that Gabriella's fingers were digging into the easy flesh of his forearm.

"What— ?"He looked over at her and saw pure veneration on her face. She was mesmerized, staring intently at the darkness of the forest. 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 shell against the darkness, and then pulled him toward that castle doors.

"Let's go inside,"she breathed.

"They're protecting us, Gab,"said Harry, trying to sedate her nerves."They won't distress you. They would never smart you."Her centre never left the wood and, if anything, the fear that filled the black syndicate of her oculus slipped toward angriness.

"Now."

Harry sighed and nodded his head."Alright,"he acquiesced, and followed her up the step, noting that she was ever sure to keep his consistence between her and the shadow of the forest. When the door finally closed behind them, he could see the weight lift from her shoulders and the relief spread across her cheek. She leaned back against the threshold, placing her hands over her face. Harry stepped closer, touching her articulatio humeri softly.

"Baby, what is it ?"he asked."What's wrong ?"The paw upon her face began to tremble and tear began to streak down her cheek, one by one, but she would not cry, not out loud. Slowly, her centre turned to the side to look at Harry. He'd seen that looking at when Gabriella lost her Fatherhood, Grigor. It was a expression of doubt, of fear, of dying. Without saying a Good Book, she shook her fountainhead and turned to walk away. She'd gone only a few paces before Harry called her to terminate, but she wouldn't listen. She past the pit column and began to point down to the dungeons, to the entranceway of Slytherin. Her animal foot did not make 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 wand ; she didn't need to. Her gratuitous deal came up under Harry's neck opening and he was out frigidness on the floor.

When he came to, he was lying on a slate story, but he wasn't at the top of the stairway leading down to Slytherin anymore. He was bound with rope, unable to move, in some room, well lit by Verbascum thapsus. The walls were Harlan Fiske Stone, and along their top was a crown-moulding made of oak. Along its face, every few feet, was engraved a snake's head.

"Slytherin,"Harry hissed.

"fountainhead done, Potty."The vocalisation came from behind and Harry had to wander over to see who he knew to be there.

"Hello, shift,"Harry said, knowing Nott hated the name. Harry was not surprised to feel Crabbe at Nott's side."Taken to kidnapping now ? A footfall up from watching murder I suppose."

"Just gathering road-kill, Potty,"Nott retorted."A little wench told me you'd been drinking… a bit too practically. guess my surprisal when I found you passed out on the stair to Slytherin."Nott stepped snug."Were you trying to find oneself your true up love ?"Harry said nothing."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 more umbrage than Nott and kicked Harry in the side of meat. The reverse was hard and a flare-up of air shaft from Harry's mouth.

"Why don't you untie me Crabbe, and then let's see how brave you are ?"Harry's eyes were on flak. 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 reality will do without its paladin. How ever will we get on… once you're numb ?"Harry's eyes narrowed on Nott. Crabbe's eyes darted nervously toward Nott.

"Dead ?"he muttered under his breath. Evidently, he was not in on Nott's wax plans.

"That's a bit bold for you, slip, isn't it ?"

"Did you know ?"asked Nott, ignoring Harry's question and Crabbe's concern."Malfoy's enlisted over two dozen vampires and Thomas 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, shimmy. 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."Funny thing, lamia. When they're pierced, their vampire eggshell sheds away and for a min they're who they once were, the madness gone."Harry looked up at the K ceiling."I like to reckon that in that consequence, good had a prospect to pelt along in and fulfil their someone once more. They have a hazard to be saved."

"Rubbish,"shot Nott, believing More than disbelieving.

"Yes,"said Harry still looking upward."Vampires, at to the lowest degree, have a second chance."He turned to face Nott."You on the former hand… I suppose you'll rot for all eternity."Crabbe's face was egg white, but Nott's was flushed with ire and foiling. It was his twist to sound off Harry hard in the gut. It was all Harry could do not to vomit.

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

"Bloody underworld ! I knew it !"

A blink of an eye of red hair told Harry at once who had just entered the elbow 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 salute. Harry could make out a newsbreak of green robes behind him ; he assumed it was Gabriella which, with Ron in his portray stipulation, he was thankful for. Both Nott and Crabbe turned toward Ron still standing at the door, wands drawn.

"How'd you find this property, Weasley ?"bicker Nott.

"A minuscule bird told him,"said the vocalism behind Ron. It wasn't Gabriella, it was James Yangtze River ; Harry's dread began to grow once more. There wasn't much of a prospect if Ron couldn't pull it together… and quickly. The second year who had freely chosen to be in Slytherin this semester stepped in front of Ron with his verge drawn.

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

"Obliviate !"chanted James, casting a trance well beyond his years. A flare-up of Orange River light erupted from his wand throwing both Nott and Crabbe against the wall, knocking them unconscious, and wiping their mind of recent memories. The military posture of the Obliviate while determined how much retention 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 James bound his two menage comrade."They'll be the one missing the mate tomorrow,"he whispered with a smile pursing his lips.

Rising to his feet, Harry felt a piffling swooning, the nausea once again returning, and had to tilt on Ron for support. He looked over at St. James, wanting to give thanks him for his assist, but more rum about the magical spell.

"Epistle of James,"he asked,"how did you—"He was struck from fundament.

"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 eyes."Can you forgive me ?"Harry looked over at the two Slytherins on the trading floor and back at St. James the Apostle.

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

They made their way up a narrow row of gem steps that opened out on the Slytherin common room. Harry hadn't been here since he was a start yr. James and Patrick nonchalantly split away from the grouping to spill to some other second twelvemonth that had just returned from the evening's party while Gabriella walked Harry and Ron out. The three began their trek up to the Gryffindor tower. By the time they made it to the tower, Harry was feeling much serious and it was Ron that was leaning on Harry and Gabriella.

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

"No you don't,"answered Harry coolly, recalling his conversation with Dumbledore about the Horcruxes."Two years ago I think he might have taken this probability to vote down me, just to prove himself to his begetter and the early destruction Eaters. Tonight, he was just a bag full of hot air. He's learned something since then, since his begetter died."Harry paused."compassion I think."

"Oh, p-lease !"cried Ron."Nott ? Compasshhhionate ? Jesse James said he was goin'to change state you over to them… to the end Eaters. He might not take delivered the reverse, Harry, but he still would have been dancin'on your grave."

"King James I told you that ?"asked Gabriella."Saint Patrick told me that they were going to throw 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.

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

"assuredness,"said Ron with a smile, rocking a bit on his own two leg. Harry didn't think it would take a great deal to strike hard him over."I'd like to see Nott with an arrow up his arse."Gabriella tried to muster up a smile, but couldn't.

"Ron,"she said,"you go on in. I need to speak 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 drib,"said Harry and the painting swung undefendable and Ron stumbled through. Before it shut, he looked back at the two, pointing his finger in no picky direction and excite it."But not too long, P-Potter. It'sss game night !"

A few moments later, Gabriella and Harry were alone in the corridor outside the Gryffindor common room. Gabriella walked him over to a Harlan Fiske Stone bench and the two sat down. Even though the wall and floor were now spotless, he never liked sitting here, remembering the Dementors that had nearly killed prof McGonagall the twelvemonth before. There was a sentience of expiry in the air and for a endorse Harry felt a cool rush swim up his spine, whispering death's name. Gabriella held his hand, but would not hold his regard. Instead, she watched their finger intertwined and mingling.

"mammy has the good deal,"she began."You know that, Harry. Me… I can only feel the emotions of others. I can't see the door and windows that open on to the other planes."

"But—"

"Shhhh."She put one hand gently across his lips."Since I was offspring, before I ever went to Al Bsahri, I have had one sight. Sometimes geezerhood would return before it would return, the like scene, over and over. Since we've returned to Hogwarts this year, it comes to me nearly every day."She leaned her head against Harry's shoulder."Yesterday, I asked Mama what happened when you and Hermione plunged into the scene that has been playing in my judgment without you for so many years."There was a farseeing pause, and Harry could hear laughter coming from way down the stairway below ; it died away.

"And ?"he asked, nudging Gabriella along.

"A visual modality from another airplane is like a finely cut jewel, a diamond with many aspect. One can look in and see different images from all slant. You and Hermione became character of my vision and somehow shared it from your own position. We all saw the like thing, but all differently. And what we each saw can mean different things."

"Then why don't you want to—"

"No vision is perfect, Harry ; and, like time-turners, there are also rule about looking into the future. Most would make believe modification based on the continuous tense knowledge they see, often changes that lead to more devastating outcomes. Only the better, those like ma, have any hope of moving the sand of time to regulate the effect of the other planing machine. Others go mad trying to change what n-never was to c-come."She began to tremble as she delivered the lowest wrangle and in the quiet that followed Harry felt a tear dip onto his forearm. He put his arm around her and held her tight.

"Gabriella,"he asked,"what is it ? You need to plagiarise this exercising weight from off your mortal. I swear I won't do anything to change the future."Her center 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 exchange the future. Please, tell me what you saw."Again there was another silence, and then Gabriella squeezed Harry's helping hand. Finally, not looking into Harry's eyes, she began to whisper.

"It begins with a flash of brightness level, a fire erupting from a glistening emerald lake. We are surrounded by them. There is a belly laugh and then silence. And then there is me… aspect down in the tall grass. I… I am utterly, Harry. Buried trench in my back is the prospicient wooden arrow of a Centaur."


Harry ceramist and the giving birth of a New Sun

Chapter 12 - Blind Fortune
~~~***~~~

The air was warm for fall, yet the sky was a overweight grayness. Flying with the charm of his Caduceus P2 off, Harry could palpate the wetness in the air. He knew it would rain down soon and that, more than anything else, focused his vitality on finding the Snitch. It had been hard concentrating. Last class, Ron had lost Harry's heather when he had been attacked flying into the burrow. So this year he was riding the latest model of Caduceus, the new P2, P for ceramist. Cleansweep was paying him a small fate to use his figure for their new broom, monies that Harry was using to assist the kinfolk who had lost loved one in the war. That didn't seem to weigh much. Even his own menage was ribbing him for the branding of his figure and it didn't helper that smack in the middle of the visitor stand was a ten foot by twenty foot crystalline portrait of Harry flying the new Scots heather and wafture at the crowd. Every so often words would appear : The Caduceus P2. So profligate it'll blow the rival away. It was a playing period on the floor run by the Daily Prophet about Harry's frustration of Voldemort. The story said that the while Harry plaster cast was so powerful, not only did it demolish Voldemort, but it nearly took the Ministry down with it. Even now, the Ministry was digging out and repairing the gaping fall into nothingness that remained after the floor of the death bedroom fell away, swallowing unhurt the Curtain of Phenolem and the pulpit upon which it stood. Harry glanced again at the huge sheet of watch crystal, his own trope smiling back at him and waiving, and shook his head to straighten out his sentiment.

He'd been distracted all day and nearly folks thought it had to do with commencement game screaming meemies. He was Gryffindor's Quidditch senior pilot this year and nearly everyone believed it a folly determination. Since the blast on the train, the whole schooltime knew that he was going to be fighting the Dementors when the war with the Centaurs came. How could anyone concentrate on training their team with a essence like that on their shoulder ? Indeed, even prof McGonagall thought that Ron Weasley might make the better choice ; she told Harry so.

"If I can't have your mind on the biz, you're no use to the team, Mr. Potter,"she had said in confidence."Ron Weasley bleeds Quidditch and his mind is astute when it comes to analyzing the other squad'weaknesses."Harry had nodded and had turned to leave her office when she stopped him."But no one commands loyalty like you, Harry. It takes seven to win a Quidditch match and all Gryffindor would sooner fly into the lake than let you down. The question is — can you keep 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 better strategist, and there's no one better in northern Britain when it comes to keeping a Quaffle from skewering the gang. Dennis Creevey is the fastest in all Hogwarts and is starting to come up with fun I could never dream of. Jack Sloper's put on XXX pounds since last year and he can knock a fay off a fencepost at fifty meter. Slytherin was the only team that had a appeal to beat us, but with Malfoy gone they don't have a hazard. The team doesn't need me to conduce them ma'am. Anyone can guide on 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 roster, to include the player replacing Katie at Chaser, and the hebdomadary pattern agenda by tomorrow morning. And, to keep back you motivated since this will be such an easy class, let's say that if we don't win every game by more than than one-hundred fifty points, you'll be back in my bureau on Sundays for detention."

"But—"

"terzetto hour, 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 find a good pursuer and when Jimmy Peakes tried out for Beater he played ferociously, unseating Hooper from the squad. Finally, Harry selected Demelza Robins as chaser, if for no other reason than she was particularly good at dodging Bludgers. The shuffle caused a lot of growing pains and hurt tone, but after three hebdomad of drill Harry was confident once again that the team could not be defeated.

Now, flying high over the pitch, Harry wasn't so sure. Trying to ignore his own face, he glanced at the scoreboard to find Gryffindor up by forty which, as far as Harry was concerned, was pathetic. They should have been clobbering Hufflepuff from the get-go, but Ron was letting nearly every Quaffle through. Having heard that the coach-and-four of the Magpies, Bernard Bennegin, was coming specifically to reconnoiter Ron's performance he was a nervous wreck. To piddle matters forged he was suffering from a katzenjammer and was having trouble seeing the Quaffle, let alone stopping it. The only unspoilt news was that jimmy and squat were keeping the Bludgers off the team while Dennis and Demelza were scoring nearly at will. Ginny could have been too, but she was so in use yelling at Ron for being such a git she hadn't scored a 1 goal.

Harry scanned the skies once more, searching for the Snitch. The Hufflepuff Seeker, Summerby, had seen it about an minute earlier. Harry had been well out of spatial relation, and if it hadn't been for a well placed Bludger by Sloper, Gryffindor would hold lost. It was then Harry turned off the charms of his broom, hoping that he might better sense the Snitch's positioning. Suddenly, the icteric side of the sales talk erupted in cheers ; Hufflepuff had scored. Harry forced himself not to await at the scoreboard. He had to remain alert, but before you could say snicklfritz the gang erupted again - another score for Hufflepuff. Finally, Harry called timeout.

The squad gathered over by Ron whose pinna were flaming red with embarrassment. Ginny began to tear into her buddy.

"So avail me, Ron !"she yelled,"The following Quaffle that goes through one of those rings is going to determine its way up your—"

"bent on !"Harry interrupted."We're not here to fight 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 help me, if either of you two drink on a secret plan night again, I'm going to hex you both back into Professor Trelawney's class !"

"You think you can jeopardize me ?"yelled Ron at his sister as he pulled his own wand, however shaky his script was.

"full stop it !"yelled Dennis above the ruffle. With a no-nonsense voice that commanded attention, Dennis Creevey, who was still the smallest on the team, began to point out what needed to be done.

"Ron, they're constantly feinting right and shooting left. If you move higher in the air and hold berth just a little thirster, you'll quit them. Ginny, we could use a little more of your attention on the Hufflepuff side of the champaign. Dem, they're starting to hitch on to Harry's first few plays."His eyes dotted to Harry who nodded in accord."I think we should prompt on to what he was showing us last weekend."

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

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

"Jack, Jimmy, you guys have been flawless. Just keep the Bludgers off our backbone and we'll score for sure."Then Dennis looked at Harry."Harry, I don't rap 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 thousand things you should be thinking about besides Quidditch, but we're gon na need the stoolpigeon today, and if Summerby sees it again we've lost. Are you with us ?"

Harry had to smile at the new general on the plain."Our own little Napoleon I,"he thought. Madame Hooch blew the pennywhistle for play to resume. Hufflepuff broke their scrummage and began to fly into status. Harry looked down on the pitch below. There was zero he loved more in the reality than flying.

"I'm with you,"he said with self-confidence."Summerby won't have a opportunity. I swear."Harry shot into position just to the Dame Rebecca West and a piddling below Summerby. If anything, the sky was growing darker and the air colder, but he resisted the temptation to engage the appealingness of his ling.

Dennis had been right. Over the next forty minutes or so, Ron had blocked six direct Hufflepuff attempts while the Gryffindor chaser had scored four fourth dimension. Still, they would demand the snitch. He flew over by the Slytherin pedestal and get a line a smattering of hisses, and one cheerfulness.

Harry could think of few Hogwarts womanhood besides Gabriella Darbinyan able-bodied to withstand the taunts and jeer of Slytherin for being Harry's girl. Of course, there were no taunts or jeers, because all of Slytherin was deathly afraid of Gabriella. Perhaps because she came from a schooltime known for its dark thaumaturgy, but more because any remark usually meant the commenter had a one-way ticket to the hospital annexe. 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 digit. The gesture and the gasp of the crowd told him at once that the Snitch had been seen. He spun to see Summerby plunging toward the sward at the north end of the lurch. Below him was a flicker of atomic number 79, racing low and heading toward the visitors'point of view. Summerby was ahead by at least 50 measure when Harry began to tear.

"You bloody moron !"Harry cursed at himself as he clenched his teeth."You flobberworm sucking idiot !"The idle words roared furiously at his face. The Snitch was flying low to the turf and Harry could see that it would give birth to turn or rise once it hit the stands on the contrary face of the sales pitch. Even as good a flyer as Summerby was, he would not reach the snitcher until it hit the bulwark. Harry leaned forward, accelerating his broom."It will originate,"Harry whispered to himself, focusing wholly on the amber globe that was coming closer."It will rise."He chose to fly the straight product line to intercept the snitcher where he thought it would be. If the snitch turned left or right at the rampart, Summerby would have it before Harry could react. If the snitcher flew up… Harry groaned. At this amphetamine it was still impossible. Harry poured all his energy into making his broom accelerate. The tails of his robes began to tatter in the vicious wind and his goggles were pressing hard against his face. The pressure tunnelled his sight, but he didn't care. He could still see the golden glint growing larger before him."Faster ! tinker's dam it ! Faster !"

The pitch below him was a fog ; the stand faded to dark and all that Harry could see was the gold stool pigeon and the trail of yellow that followed it -- the trail of yellow that Harry was passing. Faster ! A sheet of purple — the visitors'viewpoint. The golden Snitch flying upward. Yes !
Harry's fingers pressed firmly against the winged Snitch when he heard the sidesplitter of terror. They conflicted with his own sensory faculty of joy.

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

Waking, and still feeling a bit groggy, the first of all thing Harry recognized was the strait of plastic being discover, torn and then crumpled. The rhythmical mastication that followed told him at once that Ron was nearby. Harry smiled. He tried to open his centre, but couldn't. He leaned to his rightfield side and felt a dull ached that ran up the result half of his body. With his right on hand he felt the flat solid about his chest, the pillow behind his nous, the bandages that wrapped his face.

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

"Hey, partner,"Ron added before Harry could suffice."Erm.. don't worry ; Madame Pomfrey will have you back to new in… in no time."The phonation had a bit of a microseism in it and it wasn't because a chocolate toad frog found its way down the wrong pipe.

"That's right,"added Hermione with a clay and affected quality. And then voices, dozens of vocalisation it seemed to Harry, added their agreement.

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

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

A identification number of family touched Harry's good arm. He felt of few osculation against his cheek. He heard a few cheery so long and Later, mates, but he also heard a few sniff and breathlessness. The doorway swung closed with a deep thunk.

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

"No you don't, Mr. ceramist !"cried Madame Pomfrey. She grabbed his arm and gently pulled it down."The bandages are to rest on for the succeeding three weeks if you wish to take any hope of seeing again."

Okay. So he had been growing more and more apprehensive since he first became witting. And the bandages were starting to freak him out… just a bit. Something in the backrest of his psyche had said the news, but he had pushed it back down. Only job was… the moody niche of Harry's intellect were shouting now.

"See again ?"he asked."What the hell does that mean ? I… I'm subterfuge ?"he asked weakly. Madame Pomfrey let out a fantastic sigh.

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

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

"Your heart were shredded, Mr. ceramicist,"cut in Madame Pomfrey."I wish I could say I've seen worse, but I haven't. I had therapist Sventstein from St. Mungo's perform the procedure. 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 shiver of sadness cracked her vocalism. Harry reached up and touched the bandage wrapping his face.

"Mr. potter,"snapped Madame Pomfrey."If you keep touching your wrap you'll assuredly disturb their charms ! I will not have you go blind ! Do you hear me ! If you keep moving your arms I will immobilize them."Her voice was burly. She'd been crying ; Harry could order. The sadness in the way was almost overwhelming. Finally, he turned his head in the counseling of Gabriella.

"Did we win ?"he asked.

"What ?"she replied, still dazed.

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

"Harry, how can you—"

"RON !"Harry screamed. In a flash the doorway burst subject.

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

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

"Blimey, Harry,"he began,"it was amazing. There you two were, screaming across the pitch 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 primer, his robes flicking up dried grass and tossing it into the air. The blowing dust made it wait as if his ling was on fire.

"I thought for sure we'd lost, when you spun over and started closing in from on luxuriously. The stoolie was flying just to my right and I could have sworn there were discharge flying out the tail of your broom. It was glowing red. Heading toward the stands, it was readable you were going to pass along Summerby, but you were too high ; 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 Great Britain !

"When you passed Summerby, I thought you'd dive to avoid the outdoor stage, to grab the Snitch that was still screaming low to the primer coat. But you didn't ; you stayed straight on. When the Snitch darted up toward you…"Ron sighed in disco biscuit."It was a miracle, checkmate. Like you were calling out to it and it obeyed. Pop ! Right into your mitt."There was a retentive pause."It's when everyone's eyes popped up with the stoolpigeon we saw what was going to find. That's when the scream began."Ron walked over side by side to Harry's bed."Summerby smashed into the reenforcement 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, better half. Yeah, we won, alright."Ron patted Harry on the chest."Best damn 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 part, Harry, but I still think victor can handle a shot to the fountainhead with a Bludger better than you."

"That's because there's null up there to hurt,"added Gabriella.

"okeh, okay you three,"said Madame Pomfrey."Mr. Potter needs his rest."She shuffled the two friends outside the elbow room, but not until Gabriella kissed Harry on the sassing.

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

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

"Harry,"she said softly."We'll do everything possible, but you need to give them meter to bring around. The wraps will remain on for at least three hebdomad. Your lids will be sealed longsighted still. Even when you can open your eyes, Harry, I don't suspect you'll see more than specter of light and iniquity. Once we know what you can and can't see, therapist Sventstein can commence making the proper corrections. You'll have to be patient, my dear, very patient."

He could listen her folding some theme, putting meth away he thought, and then she stepped over to the incline of the room and poured something into a chalk or goblet.

"I need you to drink this,"she said, helping him sit up and wrap his script around the cup. He winced when she held his left arm."Yes, the whole left wing side of your soundbox was pretty much ground beef meat. We've summoned out all the methamphetamine shards we can. There may be a few that aren't responding. I'll body of work on that more tomorrow."She sounded run down, so Harry decided not to fence about the drink and swallowed it down in one long tipple. The pain running down his position ebbed away and the pinch about his vision faded. Soon he was asleep.

When Harry woke, he found himself broken and alienated. He couldn't understand why he couldn't see and he began to flail around, rising out of bed, the Harlan Fisk Stone floor cold beneath his plain feet. He was about to hit up to his font when a handwriting took him by the arm. At first he was startled, but the voice settled him at once.

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

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

"Afraid so,"Harry's godfather responded."I was in the expanse ; thought I'd stop in."Harry began to proceed forward.

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

"What meter is it ?"Harry asked.

"Not quite three in the morning."

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

"Just you and me minuscule brother. How are you feeling ?"

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

"Yeah,"agreed Sirius smartly."That's what I hear."Harry could see Sirius sink back into his electric chair and suspiration."I have to admit, Harry, that was the fastest I've ever seen a broom fly, and I've seen a few Quidditch lucifer in my day. When you hit that damn portrait with your motion picture on it, the thing exploded. It was like a giant lechatelierite pyrotechnic. And that you still held onto the Snitch… well, it's been all over the papers. virtually figure you broke the record, but the family from Cleansweep want you to come out and perform a fly-off against Comet — XX K galleons to the victor's charity."Harry turned on his side, his back toward Dog Star.

"Like that's ever going to materialise,"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 blind and I'm… I'm going to stay blind."

"That's not lawful, Harry,"began Dog Star."Madame Pomfrey—"Harry spun and faced Dog Star. Sirius didn't need to see Harry's eyes to fuck the smell he was getting right now. He sighed."Ten percentage is not zero percent,"he whispered.

"Yeah, right,"Harry replied and dropped back down again. Likewise, Sirius sunk back into his chair, crossing his subdivision and searching for what to say. There wasn't much he could say. Harry, after all, was counterbalance. Once a witch or star lost their oculus there was often trivial that could be done—eyes simply hold too much magic trick. Healers could re-grow many affair, but the eyes… the eyes, particularly of a powerful crone or wizard, were nearly impossible to repair. Canicula let out a low moan as the secretiveness stretched between them. After that, the flicker of candlelight was the only interference that accompanied their breathing. At cobbler's last, it was Canicula who began again, not sure if Harry was even still wake up. His voice was unsteady, recalling a component part of his past times he had never shared with Harry.

"When I… when I was in Azkaban, there was zero to see but darkness, nothing to smell out but the mephitis of destruction, nothing to hear but the cry of lament, nothing to taste but the remainder of tear that had long since died away, and the only if affair one felt was the cold breathing place of despair. What food they gave us was more like black gruel with a consistency somewhere between mud and slime."Dog Star chuckled grimly to himself."When the Dementors departed, leaving this black muck behind, I would smile. It was the only 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 stadium of shite and my pure hatred for St. Peter Pettigrew were all that kept me live.

"I never dreamed that one day…"Sothis'articulation halted and he had to swallow to pucker himself."That one day… the son of my dearest protagonist would double up my ten-percent of zip and save me… not from the Dementors of Azkaban… not from the curtain of Phenolem, but… from myself. I was used up inside, Harry ; a shield of a wizard and LE a man. You've shown me, even now as darkness flush in toward us, how to live again… how to love again. I'm amazed that today, I once again walk the lobby of Hogwarts—a free man, not because I'm free of the horrors of Azkaban, but because I'm rid of the darkness and hatred that once consumed my soul. Because of you, I'm gratis to taste the delicious fruit of sprightliness once again."

"Erm, surely you're not referring to your cooking ?"asked Harry, turning back to face Dog Star. Because I think you could start out your own restaurant for Black sludge."

"If I could taste you, I would,"shot Canicula, kicking the post of Harry's bed with his foot, a tear sliding down the side of his boldness.

"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 attitude."I can involve you with both eyes tied behind my back !"Harry was smiling as Canicula rose to his invertebrate foot. The older wizard wiped his eyes and then, gently, took Harry's men in his own.

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

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

"Enough already ! hitch telling me what you can't do ! I don't want to hear it anymore !"This time Sirius'vocalization was heated."I still wake in the middle of the night grasping for my sheets, fearing that it has all been a dreaming, wondering if in the nothingness of night I'm really still trapped behind the drapery of Phenolem. One day the incubus will end ; I know so, because I believe they will. Until they do, I will go to sleep at Night, searching for those dream that will gestate me through till morning.

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

"Yeah, but—"

"And More than that,"Canicula interrupted,"until the day comes when your vision return key, you'll have to find a way to see through your blindness."Harry's quick response was to let a burst of air thrust through his brim in scoffing sacking of Dog Star'words. He began to lessen back into his pillow when he stopped himself and held fast to Sirius'manus. To see through blindness ? Might it still be possible ?

Not sure what to expect, Harry reached out with his head as Dakhil had shown him — to see without seeing. Why hadn't he thought of it before ? Almost immediately he could recognize the cleverness of Sirius before him. It wasn't an image so much as an aureole of brightness that shown bright. Harry leaned forward in his bed. Reaching out further he began to take in the dim glow of the organic liveliness that clung to the rampart, ceiling and base. Without saying a Word of God he let go of Sirius'hand and rose out of bed.

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

What Harry was ‘ seeing'wasn't so lots an image as an imprint of all that was around him. It would take clock time to decipher the shapes, hue and intensiveness. There was a glow coming toward them. Harry pointed at the threshold.

"soul's coming,"he said. Sirius spun, confused. An flash later, Madame Pomfrey walked through the threshold.

"Harry ceramicist !"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 contact him.

"I should have known it was you by your colour,"he said happily."Bright dreary — the people of colour of a healer's spell."He looked back at his godfather."Sothis, you're a bit Orange right now. You were bright a arcminute ago. What's improper ?"

"My god,"whispered Sirius."You can see."


Harry potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 13 - The New Addition
~~~***~~~

"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 tell him. Harry had already started the bounce.

It had been bitterly cold all day, but with all the running Harry was beginning to repent his determination to wear clothes. They were pushing the terminal point between physical and sorcerous exertion and Harry's feet, well clad in a pair of trainer, were on flaming. The light jacket and pants he was wearing were suffocating and felt like they weighed a thousand pounds.

Once again he was training with Shahan and felspar. Over the last-place few days, the three had been put though their gait by Ronan, Florence and others — running, lifting, and shooting arrow from one incline of the Forbidden Forest to the other. 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 fix power to reach out and sense the nimbus of life story around him. While he could produce impressions about where things were at Hogwarts, occasionally very unobjectionable objects would miss his attention. A group of Slytherin fourth years had discovered this about a week after Harry had returned from Hospital and had taken to conjuring marbles in areas where they knew Harry would be walking. Harry, in turning, developed a few spells that helped clear his way. The tinkling of marbles usually meant that a Slytherin was nearby, waiting to look on Harry tumble. But since Harry could celebrate someone's aura, even through walls, the perpetrator was usually found fastened to the bulwark with their underwear on their heading and nil else. It was a page out of what Nott and Cyril Northcote Parkinson had done to Ron last year and Harry didn't mind a piddling playful payback.

In the forest, however, Harry felt as if his visual sense was better than having sight. Everything was animated and vibrant. Trees and vegetation, the with child animals and the minor spores, Harry could see it all as if he'd never been blind.

Shahan had cleared the stream ahead and was already pulling away. feldspar came a bit short and she splashed piddle into the air. Harry, just a step behind feldspar, was shorter still, landing a wide-cut meter away from the bank's edge. His fundament landed firmly in the water and he struggled to keep his balance so as not to descend into the icy water system completely. He'd only taken three stairs when he noticed the coolness around his fundament. When he focused his attention downward he could smell clearly that his flight simulator were gone, the bottoms of his trouser in shred. Where the splatter from feldspar hit the strawman of his island of Jersey 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 stream, Harry focused at the break away water. For the kickoff clock time he noticed that its gloss was dissimilar than the other flow he'd seen through the timberland. The twinkle emanating from this water supply was whiter, Sir Thomas More crystalline, to a greater extent pure. With a great leap Ronan, who had been following, jumped from savings bank to bank with ease. Harry expected to be chastised for stopping, yelled at for falling behind, but Ronan said aught. Harry noticed that the whitish-gray of Ronan's aura warmed a bit. He'd learned, at to the lowest degree with his friends, that such a variety meant a smile. He wondered what it meant with a centaur.

Shahan had long disappeared in the undergrowth ahead, but Felspar stopped short-change of the thickening 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 depend on your land site and to reach out with your vision."

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

"You are your own Centaurus, feldspar ! You have passed these body of water so often, and yet you still can not see ?"feldspar stepped penny-pinching to the stream, staring down at its ripples.

"Not with your eyes, gooselike one !"snapped Ronan. felspar stepped back and closed her eyes. A moment passed before she rose up on her seat legs and spun toward them.

"The crepuscule !"she cried with upheaval."The current that feeds the falls !"Then feldspar stepped over to Harry, noticing his bare feet and ankle joint."Harry Potter, your fetlocks are bare."She stepped closer."But the flesh is unharmed. If ever I held doubt in the elect, they have forever washed away."feldspar nodded with a slight bow. Harry nodded in take and the smiled as he saw Felspar own fetlocks.

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

"The boy is right, 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 coat was glistening Thomas More brightly from the knee joint and hock down.

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

"No,"said Felspar immediately, backing away from the body of water."I would not place the innocence 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 tell him that we are done for the day. He has, once again, failed the psychometric test. You are golden that you stopped to generate. In these clock time we must remember to think 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 straight days Shahan has failed to comprehend the lesson. Firenze says Shahan did not even bother to search for Ebyrth. The Centaur is of no use to the heard if he refuses to larn our ways. I care not that he is young."Then Ronan stepped nigher to felspar ; his posture becoming rigid."You would be wise not to listen to Shahan's thoughts, Felspar. That your coat should convert colour at all is not a right mansion. Your female parent has raised you better."Then Ronan's demeanour changed back to one of teacher.

"focal point your creative thinker on where you need to be, Felspar."He said nothing more, but Felspar turned toward the portion of the wood through which Shahan had disappeared. A here and now later in a bar of white she was gone.

"Is that not an Apparation ?"Harry asked.

"One can not Apparate on these solid ground, Harry thrower. The earth is too filled with magic. The Centaur can deform space and slow fourth dimension so that distance travelled can be covered far more quickly than on hoof alone. You have accomplished this already. What's more you have learned to give your deadly body and travel with the former living John Barleycorn of the forest."

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

"Yes,"answered Ronan."But I need not show you again ; these skills are yours to overtop. Do you sense the Bowtruckle staring at us from across the stream ? Perhaps he can help you see what you've thirsted for. reach out out to the beast's mind."

When Harry did reach out, he found it far easier than he first expected. The Energy Department of the forest seemed to diffuse him with added insight, guiding his persuasion as he became focused on the creature, leaving his own self, releasing his corporeal form behind and melding into the marrow of a peg. In a wink he was one with the woody Bowtruckle. His eyes blinked. Ahead, across the stream were a Centaur and Edward Young man with tattered pants and no shoes. Harry tried to step forward, but the creature 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 watercourse, Harry found himself looking down. There was a rather vauntingly reek worm wriggling its bulbous drumhead between two leaves. He bent down, sniffed the back up thing at pulled it up out of the grease grinding gut and worldly concern between his teeth.

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

"Well done, Harry Potter. It has been less than a twelvemonth since the Cleansing, and already you have learned the Centaur Arts. It will submit much Sir Thomas More fourth dimension to master 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 dry land."It does not go well for our brothers in Eastern Common Market. superstar have joined the Dementors and brought a new ally to the war."These lowest dustup were spoken with the most emotion Harry had ever heard from a Centaur—contempt.

"Vampires,"said Harry quietly."It's the work of Lucius Malfoy."

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

Harry could feel darkness falling, and for the first metre he was beginning to feel cold. Ronan sensed this at once.

"It is time for you to return to the castle, Harry Potter. I have been training you far too hard and far too flying, I'm afraid. So it is with Shahan and Felspar. You are all learning before your ability to grok. If we were enceinte in number…"Ronan let out a long sigh as Harry turned to face up him.

"Why wage war,"asked Harry,"simply because Ebyrth has returned to the heavens ? How is it that this solstice is any different than finis ?"

"That is not a doubt 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 Centaur herds that are destroying the villages of Eastern Europe. That is the piece of work of the Dementors and their ilk. They are the ones swayed by Ebyrth's coming back ; we are simply defending ourselves."

"I read that in the fight of the fifth part Age the centaur ruck nearly obliterated Dementors from the human face of the earth."

"Would that we had,"said Ronan coolly."Their duskiness has no purpose other than destruction. Near the end of that war, only a smattering escaped into the swamp and bogs through which we could not travel. It was there they learned to fly ; it was there they developed their thirstiness for souls. Now, from a dust few, their progeny have multiplied. They outnumber the Centaurs two to one. For that we can thank the Wizarding populace and the world of man whose avaritia has consumed the earth and produced sustenance on which the Dementors feed.

"No, Harry Potter, you fight on the slope of righteousness, as the Centaurus have for centuries. But, I am afraid, merit alone will not be enough to lead us to victory. We will need your specialty and more."

"It doesn't help that I'll never see again,"said Harry, rubbing his arms with his handwriting to bring in some passion to them.

"It is the will of Ebyrth. There is a reason and you will chance on 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 C I might be able-bodied to recognize everyone's particular hue."

"It is a window to the spirit that lies within. This vision you have goes beyond extraneous coming into court and penetrates the pith of the creature before you. My citizenry hold their emotions well, so they appear gray or White River. Have you noticed that star sign imp are nearly always—"

"commons. Er… light-green. Yeah, I noticed."

"hob, whose natures are always wild, are almost always flush with red. While wizards and beldam carry the colours that suit their nature, colours the trained Centaurus judgment can discern. It does not take long to recognize the given hue."

"Or hue,"added Harry.

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

"well, when they have More than one colouring material. You know, say immature that sometimes turns blue."Ronan was staring blankly at Harry."You know, the guy's sort of blue sometimes, kind of green former times… right ?"

"Unless there is a phenomenal transmutation, a spirit carries but one hue, Harry Potter. It may clear up or darken, but the hue remains the Sami. 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 minute.

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

"There are means you might see two hues, Harry Potter. Some wizards or witches are known Animagi. The creature inside can represent a different hue, although even among the Animagi it is rare. Usually, the animal reflects the nature of the witch or wizard."There was a long pause.

"And the other ?"asked Harry.

"It can be the work of a fractured flavour, someone who is really two the great unwashed, or possibly under the control of another."

"The Imperius jinx ?"Harry asked.

"Perhaps. Such is the way of thaumaturgist and my noesis falter there. I hope this is not someone close. Someone in your confidence ?"

"Erm, no… not really,"Harry lied."I've got to go, Ronan. Thank you for your precept 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 look door. He'd covered the distance, some naut mi, in little more than the blink of an eye. Still, in so doing he'd exhausted what niggling resources of strength he had left. His wearing apparel shredded, he was about to criticize on Hagrid's door when he sensed that someone was hidden in the trees behind the garden. Harry reached for his baton and held it at the ready. Barefoot, he began to step silently toward the spy. It was one technique taught him by the Centaurus and for the fleetest of minute Harry thought he'd prefer a notched arrow rightfulness about now.

Stealthily, Harry moved closer. The build, with a shining emerald green halo, didn't motility. Its position continued to rest against the tree. Just a few yards away Harry's nostrils took in the olfactory property of grass, a distinctively aromatic smoke.

"Draco !"Harry hissed quiet and low. This stopping point, Harry could see the figure, still leaning motionless against the tree, bring his hired man to his mouth. He was taking another puff on his cigarette. Harry could learn the exhale, long and slacken.

"tinker's dam, ceramicist,"Draco said, pulling himself away from the tree and turning to face Harry."I thought you'd never get here."Draco took a step closer."Merlin, what the Inferno happened to you ?"

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

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

In the darkness from far up the hill Harry could hear the breast room access of the palace open with their characteristic fracture. What he didn't expect to hear next was Ron Weasley's interpreter.

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

Followed by his Father's.

"I should trust so, Ron. I don't have much Thomas More time and this is quite important."

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

"I thought the old man would be bushed by now,"said Dragon with a issue of fact tone as he pulled what was left of Harry's jersey toward some thicker underbrush. Harry acquiesced and the two withdrew deeper into the woods as Ron, Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley made their way to Hagrid's hut. When Hagrid answered the knocking he was livid.

"Yeh should make been here an hour ago !"he called from inside."I don't care what Ronan tells yeh ; the forest ain't safe after dar—. Er… Professor Dumbledore, sir. Erm… Minister. 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, Draco ?"said Harry not holding the proper job of batch with genus Draco's eyes."I thought you were going to use Blaise to—"

"So it's true,"said Draco, waving his bridge player in front man of Harry's facial expression."You're blind."Able to see the glow from the life-forms that clung there, Harry grabbed genus Draco's arm.

"You can learn !"said Harry dismissively."It's been in every paper I can recall of."Draco ignored the chap, reached up and touched the side of Harry's cheek.

"Does it hurt ?"

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

"Blaise has been… compromised. He and I have a sorcerous grab phrase that we use to ensure the other is mentally free from any… tampering. For the conclusion two week, Blaise has tried to contact me without using that phrasal idiom. He's someone else's now."Dragon took another hanker puff on his cigaret."How father found out… I don't know."His Son were deeply unhinge. It was an aroused shift in Draco that Harry had rarely seen."We were careful ; more than than measured. You need to recognize 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 severalise me there's a spy ?"asked Harry incredulously."There's p-probably a twelve !"His dentition were beginning to piffle as the frigid set in.

"And you're supposed to be our saviour ? We're screwed."Draco flicked his cigaret 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 wearing apparel, and looking like you were just run over by the Hogwarts Express, you're in pretty unspoiled shape. Maybe if you stopped running around the forest butt naked—"

"T-Training,"Harry interrupted.

"Right, like that's going to keep open your sorry ass. I don't know what potions you've been taking, but you better wake up and see what's going on around here."

"I don't know where the underworld you've been, genus 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 Day. 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 strain, so enlightened. Hell, Harry, that's not even the interest news."

"Married ? Goldstein ?"

"Not even her little Brother knows they're getting married. Quite scandalous."Draco chuckled to himself and then sat cross-legged on the ground."But I suppose you, all knowing prophesier of the blind have insight to that."Harry said aught, but sat down next to Draco crossing his arms and stage under Draco's cloak.

"Come on, thrower,"drawled Draco once again."Surely you can guess why Cho and Goldstein would desire to… nay… would require to get married secretly."Again there was a long interruption and Harry pulled genus Draco's cloak tighter about his articulatio humeri. He was feeling a pang of jealousy and he had no right to. He had loved Cho and he would always have it off her, but their paths were never meant to locomote together. His path was and would forever be entangled with Gabriella. It wasn't perfect but the attraction was unattackable and the erotic love house and the uncertainty of any given day that kept Harry forever on bound tickled a very Slytherin part of his purport that wriggled deep 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."

"French Republic,"answered Dragon with a sly grin."Don't William Tell anyone, Harry, but Goldstein's guardian may be their chaperon by day, but at night he's a expiry feeder in my begetter's service. It's a rendezvous of short consequence to my father and it pays the bills 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 twenty-four hour period in Anatole 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 sleep with how far along she is ?"At this Draco smiled.

"beldame can hide that fact until the very day of saving, Harry. Have you ever seen a significant witch ?"For a here and now, Harry pondered the idea. No, he hadn't ever seen a meaning witch. And then he remembered that he'd seen Geoffrey Hooper's mother just a few calendar week before her baby was born and she looked no dissimilar than the year before.

The threshold to Hagrid's cabin opened and the monster stepped out for just a moment looking toward the forest."Should be any moment, sir,"he said to the folks 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 Draco pulled him back down. For a flash, Harry was irritated, but caught himself.

"You know, genus 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 days,"cut in Draco."Not by the Ministry's hand, but by its dark underbelly."

"Then why are you risking your life right now ? It's not to chaffer on about some girl and guy you couldn't present a damn about. What's so of import that—"

"They've found it,"Draco interrupted."calendar month ago I asked you to line up it first, and you didn't even try. Now they have it."He flicked a twig into Harry's grimace."Blaise risked his life sentence and you did zero. Now he's been found out."Dragon leaned over and grabbed the cloak about Harry's neck. Harry could feel the cloth tighten, not by genus Draco's hand, but another force."You're going to get it back, pricey, or I'll kill you myself."The material tightened further. Harry reached for his baton, but found the cloak held his helping hand tight.

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

"Save it for soul who gives a damn."He leaned over Harry who was gasping for breath now."funny remark thing… magical cloaks. They can moderate so many enchantments."He pressed Harry firmly against the sod as the Gryffindor desperately tried to amass air."Understand, Harry, I don't want it and I sure as inferno don't want my father to get his work force 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 a good deal air as he could. Draco took to his feet and wrapped the dim cloak about his berm, his long blonde whisker starkly ashen in dividing line. Still coughing, Harry stumbled to his feet and pulled his wand. Draco ignored the gesture and turned to pull up stakes. But then he stopped as if suddenly remembering a forgotten thought. The threshold to the Hagrid's hut opened and Ron stepped out. He'd heard the audio of Harry's cough.

"Harry ? !"Ron called to the dark.

"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 child boy. Well, not so lots newborn any Sir Thomas More. You'll never guess the birthday… it's the Sami day as yours."

"Harry !"Ron called again. This time, by the shade in Ron's phonation, 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 possible,"he whispered at the vanity. The sound of footsteps came charging up from behind and Harry could hear the commotion on the nominal head porch of Hagrid's hut. A hired man touched Harry's shoulder.

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

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

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

"I told you, President Arthur,"Dumbledore said gently from within the hut,"nil to worry about. come in in and let's ending our tea."

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

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

"Get o'er by the blast, lad,"said Hagrid, offering a blanket. But before Harry had a hazard to accept, Dumbledore pulled his wand and tapped Harry's shoulder joint. The grease disappeared and a Hogwarts robe covered his dead body. The thin red line about his cervix and the aching muscles, however, remained.

"Hagrid,"said Dumbledore,"perhaps some tea and some…"Harry tried to overhear Dumbledore's center to tell him to quit, but found, as it had been since his stroke, he could no longer effectively communicate silently with his eyes."…stone cakes."

Warming his musculus by the firing, sipping a bit of tea, and pretending to revel Hagrid's rock-hard stone cakes, Harry was beginning to feel himself again. He assured Arthur Weasley that he was fine and that his dishevelled show was all in a day's piece of work, training with the Centaurus in the wood ; but the minister was none too convince.

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

"Just a short piece of work with Devil's snare is all, sir,"answered Harry, rubbing his neck with his get out hand and sipping some more tea with the other. If they could see his eyes, they would know he wasn't listening to a Logos they were saying. Draco probably thought his little show would centre Harry's mind fully on some Horcrux that the Ministry had no doubt just found, but Harry's mind was anything but centred. After a bit more banter about schoolhouse, regrets about Harry being screen, and news about the battles raging in Eastern European Union, Arthur Weasley finally got down to the purpose of his visit.

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

"What ?"Harry exclaimed."Why ?"

"Well, to try to recover the bodies, Harry,"answered Mr. Weasley, surprised somewhat at Harry's chemical reaction."Many Aurors lost their animation that evening and their bodies have never been found — at least, not until last week. Since the collapse we tried for months to rule the arse with no achiever. We encountered one witching vena portae after another, and the doer were none too slope to accidentally stumble across the pall itself."

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

"No, Ron,"interrupted Dumbledore,"the Curtain and the dais were destroyed in the fall. No, just the organic structure, bodies from both face, have been returned to their loved ones."

"wellspring, yes, Albus,"added Chester A. Arthur with some nerves."almost of them, anyway. We have yet to find Draco Malfoy's remains."Ron began to cough.

"Hagrid,"he asked, clearing his throat once again,"do you take in any More gem cake ?"

"Why surely, Ron,"said Hagrid with glee."seed on in teh the kitchen."Ron stood and followed Hagrid, patting Harry's articulatio humeri 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 swarthiness we need to stave off, isn't there ?"

"Yes, yes, absolutely, Harry, absolutely."Arthur patted Harry's lap."But there was one early recovery at the very profoundness of the gaping fissure."All at once, Mr. Weasley's aura faded and Harry knew the trace words were a lie."They pulled it up today, just before lunch. I looked for you former, 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 colour returned to his atmosphere."I was thinking we could have got a dedication of sort. You could come to the Ministry as we put it on display. It would certainly remind the people in these nighttime times that we can beat out darkness."

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

"Oh, yes, I'm sorry, Harry,"answered Arthur."I've wanted to discuss our search since you and I spoke on the power train. I never knew taking aid of the Ministry would squander so often of my time."His eyes wandered for a mo and then returned to adjoin Harry's."No matter,"he whispered."In our search, we recovered the cloak. The black cloak of… You-Know-Who. The only end of his wickedness and a symbol to all of his defeat."

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

"I knew you might feel this way, Harry,"said Arthur with understanding."That's why I came myself. You must gain what an icon you've become in the Wizarding worldly concern. Just one word picture of you, perhaps wand drawn, succeeding to the cloak of the evil you destroyed would entail so a good deal to—"

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

"Harry,"said Dumbledore sternly, silencing Harry's rant."I think it would be wise for you to take some time to consider what all the implication are. Time to moot what's best for… everyone involved."Harry expected to see the warmth of angriness build in Dumbledore's aura, but if anything his light dimmed with a coolness of headache.

"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—"

"apology me, sir. I need to go. It's just… I'm really tired is all."Harry reached out his hand to shake, and Arthur Weasley took it."Let me get my school principal together, and I'll get back to you. Just a day or two."

"Certainly, Harry, I understand. Until then, we'll keep it condom ; I can assure you."Harry started for the threshold."Here, let me take the air you to the castle."

"I got it dad,"said Ron, dropping one of the Edward Durell Stone cakes on the table with a clump."Finish your tea and have some more… er, cakes."Ron ran to the door next to Harry's side. Staring at the patty and then Hagrid, Arthur was about to say something when Dumbledore spoke out instead.

"Excellent thought, Mr. Weasley,"he said to the younger redhead."Please bump Harry safely back to the castle."

"Goodnight, Hagrid,"said Harry to the giant still in the kitchen, baking up another pot of bar for his guest."Thanks !"

"Sure affair, Harry,"called Hagrid."Anytime."Then he turned to Mr. Weasley just as Harry began to shut out the threshold."Minister, try another one, hot out of the oven !"

By the time Harry and Ron were at the palace stride, Harry had answered most of Ron's question.

"I just don't get it, Harry,"said Ron shaking his head."It's just a while of material. You killed him."

"Ron, you saw my wearing apparel tonight. They were burnt away because I fell into the magical stream that feeds the declivity. think when you fell in close class ?"

"Pulled in you mean,"said Ron, rubbing his right hand wrist."Yeah, I remember. My dress disappeared."

"They didn't disappear,"corrected Harry."They were burnt away. Clothes are unclean. They can't survive the pureness of the water."

"That's a Centaur tale,"said Ron dismissively.

"story or not, the water destroys cloth. I doused Voldemort in nearly ten gallons of the hooey. It was enough to dissolve every immorality bone in his body, but the cloak… damn ! I should consume known when I saw it then. The cloak survived. But why ?"

"So you think it's the…"Ron's voice dipped low,"…the Horcrux Draco 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 agreement as he reached to open the rook doors. Ron heaved on the heavy handle just as Harry's hand stopped him and keep out them again.

"Ron ?"he asked."You have a lot of brothers and Sister. Erm… how long does it take to… er… for a beldame to… you know… birth a baby, after… you know."For a mo, 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 take for a baby to be born after conception ?"he asked.

"Yeah… yeah, that's it."

"Well my mum's always going on how I took longer than most… ‘ forty two hebdomad, and in the middle 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 gleam of a grin crossed his face once again.

"Pretty damn near to Halloween, Harry."He poked Harry in the costa."Do you cerebrate they were wearing costumes ?"Harry didn't react in the way Ron expected. Instead, he leaned his dorsum against the castle doors and slid down to a sit on the stone landing.

"Oh, Merlin,"he whispered in a sickly sort of voice."Oh, bloody, fuck, Merlin."

"What ? What is it, Harry ?"

"Ron… I think… I think I'm a father."


Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 14 - Wedding Plans ~~~***~~~

When Harry and Ron passed through the portraiture of the Fat gentlewoman, Harry found the Gryffindor vulgar way, warmer than normal. Near the open fireplace sat the auras of Parvati, Lavender, Gabriella, Hermione, Ginny and James Dean. Towards the back, Neville was helping Saint Patrick and a few others, Harry had yet to recognize, develop for their Herbology exams. Evidently, the examination involved a burning plant of some kind, perhaps fireseed, Harry thought, since there was a billowing swarm of smoke that hung over the group and cipher seemed to take care.

Harry, his thinker fractured at the instant, brought his attention on Patrick. The skunk was clouding his power to see the auras of those at the back mesa, but the percolate light emanating from Patrick was the same as it had been since Harry first met him after the accident - blue and Green River. Each colour waxed and waned, growing more green whenever he was excited or near Harry.

"St. Patrick ?"Harry thought silently to himself, but the idea was shortsighted lived.

"Harry ! Ron !"cried Dean. His representative brought Harry's care back to the chemical group about the open fireplace. The call sounded like a plea for assist, as if dean felt, at the moment, like a trapped rat in a snake's John Cage. He began to stand when Ginny grabbed his arm.

"Oh, James Byron Dean,"she said breathlessly,"isn't it beautiful ?"Hermione was projecting an image of a young woman in a white marriage dress. The girl stood, suspended in the middle of the five students and modelled the wearing apparel she was wearing, slowly turning in all steering so that everyone could see, everyone that is except Harry.

"Er… yeah, great,"muttered Dean miserably, sinking back into the lounge.

"I don't know, Gin,"said Lavender cautiously."I think the train's a small long."

"Lavender's right, Hermione,"added Parvati."You don't want to deal with all that dragging behind you even if it's levitated."

"You could have got fairy's carry it."

"I form of like it,"Hermione said as she held her hand to her Kuki and tapped her cheek with one finger."But I think the second…"Dean let out an audible groan, but the girls ignored him while Hermione began to dash through model after theoretical account, dress after wearing apparel, as if hitchhike Page of a Word. It was only then when she noticed that Ron and Harry had entered the common room.

"Ron !"she exclaimed."You're just in time."Dean's middle grew widely and he shook his top dog as nondescriptly as he could to guard them off. Ron caught it, but Harry did not."We were just looking over apparel when—"She stopped herself mid-sentence, noticing the expression on Ron's grimace."What's wrong ?"

Gabriella stood and came over to Harry."You both look like individual died. Did Filch fascinate you sneaking into the kitchens again ? Out with it… what happened ?"Ron looked at Harry, and Harry looked blankly above the young lady.

"goose egg,"they said simultaneously.

Gabriella patted Harry's boldness.

"Nothing ?"she said, sensing the swirling swarm of emotions that must give shown like a lighthouse for everyone to see."Would you like to join us ?"she asked."We were just—"

"No thanks,"interjected Harry. While he had grown accustomed to seeing students from former house in the uncouth room, he had completely forgotten that the girls were going to get together this evening to hash out Hermione's wedding plans for the summertime."I need to get ready for the Potions exam 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 squeaking clean,"she replied sceptically."You know, if you weren't working out in the timber today, we could receive gotten at least three 60 minutes on the pitch."

"I was in the woodland today !"Harry exclaimed."Besides, you know I can't Seak. Not like this."He waved his bridge player in front of his middle.

"You're the team captain ! It's you're responsibility to—"

"These aren't your robes,"interrupted Gabriella, rubbing the cloth in her digit."These are new."

"Dumbledore cleaned him up,"offered Ron. This was followed by a 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 school ? Where is he ?"It felt, suddenly, as if sharks were beginning to circle Harry and Ron.

"wellspring, he only had a minute,"said Ron, stepping faithful to his sister. She had risen to her groundwork and Dean took the opportunity to quickly dart away and head toward the spiral stairway to the son'dormitory."And he needed to see Harry, so I took him over to—"

"So he saw you, but he didn't have time to see his merely daughter ?"

LE than a consequence later everyone was talking at once. Ron and Harry were being bombarded with questions about everything from the Minister's visit, to why Dumbledore needed to conjure Harry new gown, to what pattern Ron sentiment would be nice for the new china.

Unexpectedly, there was a aloud blowup from the dorsum of the room that caused everyone to shriek. A rather boastfully fireball spewed Forth River from the board where Neville and the others were working. It was Neville who stopped it from lighting the entirely shoes on fire by casting a mash magic spell.

"darn it, Patrick,"Neville said irritably, while a few of the former scholar laughed,"I told you not to mix fireseeds with dittany gunpowder ! If you do that in the exam tomorrow, prof Sprout will break you for sure."

The kerfuffle that had surrounded Harry, quickly gathered about the back tabular array and the scorched faces that stood there. Harry took the opportunity to follow Dean's step up the stairway. Near the top he heard a rather dejected Saint Patrick apologize, but what he saw was a blueish aura beaming with pride. Then Harry noticed Patrick flash him a thumbs-up from within the retentive sleeve of his robe, a sign that no one could see.

"Sorry, Neville,"said Patrick with a shrug of his shoulders."I'm just no good at this kind of stuff. I'll be golden to draw it to the 3rd year at this rate."

Gabriella looked back toward the fireplace to happen Harry and before she could bump where he was Harry disappeared into the male child'dormitory. Inside he found dean, belly down on his bed, reading a Good Book about Quidditch. He loved the game so, it was a disgrace he wasn't any good at it. He looked up as Harry entered.

"Are they gone ?"he asked."Did you have to blow them all up ?"

"well, I—"

"Because that'd be fine by me, Harry. I was about to blow myself up if I had to look at one more china pattern."He looked back at the book and turned the page."Talk about pressure… blimey."He turned another pageboy."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 last."So… net year… yeah, maybe. But that's your fault."Dean looked up, pointing a finger at Harry.

"Me ?"

"Well, I mean, I was in a battle — fighting you for her. You know. That sort of affair, well… it gets a guy in the mood. But this stuff downstairs… nuptials dresses, and colours of table wearing apparel, and…"Dean sighed."Talk about deflating."Without looking back down to the book, he turned another pageboy. Then, quite suddenly, Dean groaned and turned over on his bed, placing the open book over his dresser."Merlin, I love her."There was silence and he sighed again."She's been my world. She brought me back after the accident."Dean held his hired man up, flexing the fingerbreadth in front of his face. His soul had been reconnected to his corporeal form and Ginny had been there every gradation of the way."She didn't need to do that."

"She loves you,"said Harry, walking over to his bed, taking off his new school day robes and putting on a loose pair of jeans."look it, Dean, you're her existence too."

"I just don't want to be thinking about man and wife while I'm still in schoolhouse,"answered Dean, sitting up on the boundary of his bed and facing Harry."There's enough to be getting on about without having to worry about in-laws… PRC patterns…"

"…children,"added Harry quietly.

"pigeon hawk, no,"shoot Dean."I can't even imagine. But then Ginny's William Christopher Handy with a sheathing charm. We're careful… you know ?"Harry nodded as a knot twisted in his belly."Can you think Neville and Helen ?"continued James Byron Dean."Neither one of them used any protective cover their first few times. Hermione found out and had a fit."

"Hermione ?"queried Harry.

"Well, I told Neville that he was being an idiot. I told him how Lee Jordon told me that Fred told him that George hooked up with some young woman in Hogsmeade last yr and wound up with a case of runespoor warts. Had to go to St. Mungo's to get them removed. Can you believe it ? Yeesh."Lee covered his genitalia with his helping hand and grimaced.

"But why Hermione ?"

"If you want to bonk any spell, magical spell, or hex to get the job done, Harry, who do you go to ? Hermione."Harry looked a bit disgruntled and crossed his sleeve. dean sensed Harry's pride and added,"After all, everyone knew she and Ron were together since the fall of close year. She knew how to be prophylactic, and Neville trusted wasn't going to talk to Ginny."

Harry wasn't certain how to get hold of 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 that last yr Tonks had used her metamorphosis skills to use up on the appearance of Helen so that she could purloin into Gryffindor tower with Neville. It brought up memories… bad memories. Suddenly, going to blab out to Hermione about anything didn't seem like such a safe musical theme. Harry began to bone up his desk with his finger's breadth, then crossed his arms and just looked down at the floor. He could see the halo's of the living organisms that his better half had tracked in under their shoes. Maybe Aunt genus Petunia wasn't such a wild bat after all - at least as far as wiping one's feet at the door was concerned.

"What's up, Harry ?"asked Dean."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 mettle, the stone that even now sat hidden within him. Focusing high above the crown he found nix but blackness. later in the evening, swarm had moved in, covering all in a dark blanket through which no stars shone. He peered at the Same quarter-circle of sky in which he knew Ebyrth hung, growing ever closer. He closed his eyes and dropped his top dog heavily against the ice window.

Voldemort's cloak should have been destroyed by the urine from the falls, but it wasn't. Why ? Was it the Horcrux Dragon thought it was, or simply an object of exponent that Lucius craved ? There was a spy in the rook, probably within Gryffindor or Slytherin that had given up Blaise. He was now under a demise feeder's haughty 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 grace the wood about Hogwarts, if not the castling itself. Now there was a child. Could it really be his ? That was a stupid question. Of course it could be ; the timing was near arrant and they had been… well, dazed. It was just before the Allhallows Eve feast. Harry was going to narrate Cho about Gabriella… let Cho have sex that they couldn't be together, that Gabriella was the one he truly loved. But then she touched his arm… the feel in her centre. Even now, the memory sent a thrill down his vertebral column and made his insides quiver. Neither of them was in the right frame of head, but they both knew what they wanted. Now they were both paying for it. At least Cho was. Harry began to wonder… if the tiddler was Harry's, did Anthony screw, or was Cho simply using him ?

Harry shook his head, trying to clear his muddled thoughts. Maybe he was making a big trade of cipher. Maybe Antonius was the begetter. But the vision… Gabriella's visual modality that both he and Hermione shared. He'd seen a child. Gabriella saw her own Death and yet Harry saw aliveness. He thought it was their small fry, his and Gabriella's. Now, Harry wasn't so certain.

The window was moth-eaten and a tingle ran across his physical structure. He turned and walked over to his storage chest, opening the lid and tactual sensation around for a shirt.

"Harry ?"Dean asked."I know something's bothering you. What is it ?"

"Tell me, Dean,"said Harry as he found a shirt. He began to muff about for a couplet of socks.

"Yes ?"

"Ah…"Harry held up two socks."Do these match ?"

"Kinda,"answered Dean, looking at sinister and maybe a gloomy Navy blue.

"Good… good,"replied Harry and he slipped the shirt and socks on. He sat back on his bed and slipped on his boots without saying a tidings.

"Harry ?"asked Dean probing."Where are you going ?"

"Accio cloak !"Harry called with his rightfulness hand in the air, fingers outstretched for a pinch. His cloak flew into his aspect."Almost,"Harry muttered. He stood and put on the cloak on and then slipped his wand into his arm and stepped toward the doorway.

"Dean,"he said,"please devote my apologia to professor Snape. I'll miss the exam 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 right arm.

"Slow down, mate,"said Dean, taking to his understructure."You can't just go off—"

"Whew ! I made it !"cried Ron, jumping into their way."I never thought I'd get Hermione's attention. 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 rustling.

"Maybe… if you can believe Malfoy,"answered Ron.

"Malfoy ?"asked 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 door, began tapping it nervously with his fingers. He glared at Ron."Great plan, mate."

"Well,"said Ron,"I tried to—"Harry held up one finger to his lips and Ron lowered his voice."I tried to—"Harry shook his finger at Ron. There was a bit of a rumble and Ginny burst through the door.

"What's up ?"she asked. Then she noticed Harry."What's with the cloak ?"Harry crossed his arms.

"Bloody Hades,"he whispered.

"Is that what's got you so agitated Harry ?"Dean asked as Ginny slipped into his arms. Then he turned to her."Did you know Draco was active ?"It was a question she didn't expect and it caught her off guard. Her eyes shot immediately to Ron and the look gave her away at once.

"You did !"cried dean."How could you not recount me ? Did you all know ?"Harry could see the fire edifice in Dean's emotions. nobody said a word."How yearn have you known ?"

"Get over it, James 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 inwardness is here at Hogwarts, Dean. Until we can sort out his name we can't make him out as a fugitive."

"clear his name ?"said James Dean."He was… he is a Death Eater."

"He saved my life, dean,"interjected Ron."That you do know. That I've told everyone. But my word isn't sufficiency to save him out of Azkaban. I should do it, the Minister's my Dad and, no, he doesn't know about Draco either."

These words cooled Dean's fires, if only a smidgen, and his hands found his pockets. There was a moment of secrecy and then he turned to Ginny reached out and took her hand.

"You know, Gin,"James Byron Dean said gently,"if we're going to spend the relaxation of our lives together, we can't be keeping secrets from one another. Secrets… they… they sour souls and twist trust. If you'd have just told me to keep back mum, you know I would have. All you had to do is ask. You know that… don't you ?"Ginny reached her hand to Dean's nerve and kissed him.

"I know,"she said softly. Then she held him tightly in her arms."I'm sorry."

"Well… good,"said Harry uncomfortably."Erm… Ron, tell your Dad that we can have the ceremonial occasion with Voldemort's cloak this Saturday after exams."

"But that's three daytime, Harry,"Ron said,"isn't that too long to—"

"Right,"cut in Harry,"so that's why you… all,"he waved toward the mathematical group,"can figure out how we get the cloak tomorrow dark. I'll sports meeting you at the entryway to the Ministry at midnight. Have the plan ready and I'll avail you however I can."He grabbed Gabriella's hand."seminal fluid with me."They started for the doorway when Hermione grabbed the rear of Harry's cloak, stopping him in his tracks.

"What do you entail ? Where are you going ? Your Potions exam is tomorrow."Harry turned back, his expression behind but his optic blank.

"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 script to quiet his friends,"that needs to be kept… at least for now."Again he took Gabriella's arm."Come on."Everyone turned to Ron as Gabriella and Harry left the way. Almost immediately, Gabriella began to ask head, but Harry held a digit to his lips.

"Not here… not now,"he whispered.

They were about to sack up out through the portrayal of the Fat peeress when Lavender stopped them near the fireplace.

"So I guess Hermione's done looking at frock 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 gossipy glimpse toward Parvati.

"Men,"said Annapurna flatly. Gabriella simply nodded, taking Harry by the arm and walking out of the Gryffindor common room.

The two didn't speak until they reached the staircases. It was tranquil with only a few students roaming about. Most were likely studying for tomorrow's exams. The others were either heading toward or returning from the library. The two found themselves alone on the staircase as it slowly began to slue into place. Finally, Harry gathered the courage.

"Did you know… ?"he began cautiously."Did you know about Cho ?"

"Cho Yangtze River ?"Gabriella asked blankly.

"Yes, Cho Chang !"Harry snapped."How could you not know ? You two were inseparable at the end of finale year. She helped you through exams. Merlin, you spent More time with her than with me. How could you not know ?"

The stone staircase came to roost against the bulwark. The two climbed off that one and onto another that began to slue into yet another counsel.

"So we're going to see Susan B. Anthony,"Gabriella said knowingly. Harry said nothing, wishing only that the staircases would propel more quickly."Tell me Harry, are you still so covetous ?"

"Jealous ?"Harry asked angrily."Jealousy has nothing to do with this. I have a right to jazz !"His last words were loud and reverberated off the stone walls.

"They have a right to their privacy, Harry,"Gabriella replied with an border in her voice."They have a right wing to keep the Daily Prophet out of their lives. Frankly, I don't see how it's any of your byplay. It's enlighten 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 make their way up to Ravenclaw pillar. A third class Ravenclaw joined them on the moving pillow slip upward. Harry moved close to Gabriella failing miserably at keeping his representative hushed.

"None of my business ? None of my byplay ? !"

"Yes ! None of your business ! They were dazed, Harry,"Gabriella said struggling to maintain her equanimity in social movement of the third year, although Harry could sense the anger building within her."It was a mistake, a mistake that Antonius's wizard enough to set straight. Can't you see that he's trying to do the redress thing by caring for what will soon be his family ?"

At this, the third year Ravenclaw looked back over his shoulder at Harry and Gabriella. Gabriella flashed him a face that put the boy's nose back into the account book he was reading. The pit staircase came to a halt and the boy stepped off followed by Harry, but Gabriella grabbed his arm.

"What do you intend 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 child, but she didn't know that Harry could be the Padre. He stopped and leaned against the balustrade. The holdup was just long enough that the staircase began to proceed again.

"She was not my mistress,"Harry said quietly to the wickedness."I… I was not myself last year. You know—"Gabriella put her hand about Harry's berm.

"I know,"she whispered sadly. Harry turned to face 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 cheek and pulled him close. They held each early that way for some fourth dimension and when the staircase came to a catch Gabriella moved to get off, but Harry stood still.

"I'm not jealous because of Anthony,"spoke Harry to the open air before him."It's just that… I could be the father,"he said softly.

"What ?"

"I could be the father,"he repeated, stepping conclusion to her."It wasn't Anthony that was the stupid one ; it was me - Halloween of finally class. Cho's child… it could be mine."

Harry waited to see the reaction, but none came. The newsworthiness had no core on Gabriella's atmosphere. Either she knew already, or had suspected all along, or the news simply didn't effect 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 somebody 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 know, Harry. The town's not that vauntingly and a few well placed questions 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 exam for—"

"—for high school marks,"interrupted Harry."Yeah, I know. I know."He paused for a few second and then shook his fountainhead. But before Harry could say a word Gabriella began.

"Harry,"she said gently, holding her hand to his fount,"I don't care how well you can see what others can not."She took his hand."You're screen. It makes a dispute. You can't go somewhere you've never been, talk to multitude you've never met and think that it's no big deal."There was another farseeing pause.

"Cho's bodyguard is a decease Eater,"Harry said, more to himself than to Gabriella.

"You're joking, right ?"

"He's not much of one, but Cho's escort is a Death Eater."He paused, churning the trace 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 helping hand."Besides, you need to be there. I need you to be there."

It took XX minutes to get what they needed before they could sneak out through the veil tunnel to Hogsmeade. It took half that fourth dimension to lay down it to Le Mure. Gabriella was right, Harry would accept been lost without her. It was bad enough trying to remember his French ; it was worse trying to forecast out what hired hand gesture or facial nerve expression went along with it. subterfuge, he could discover none of it, but Gabriella was nearly consummate. In fact, Harry began to inquire if she had known the way all along. Finally, knowing that Cho's apartment was just around the auction block, the two decided to pass the night at a pocket-size inn and hold until dayspring. It was the start they'd been truly alone since the summer.

Harry offered to kip on the floor, but Gabriella pulled him close to her. There was a warmth to her touch that meant more to him than anything in the unanimous populace. That night he laid his person 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 grooming with the Centaurs, would she noticeably change the subject. He fell asleep in her arms and woke the adjacent morning the same way. The sun was just breaking into the windowpane as he stroked her tenacious black hair, wondering with some fear what the future would bring.

After breakfast, they walked down the alley toward the belittled apartment complex body part that the innkeeper had described to Gabriella. When they finally arrived, Harry covered himself with the invisibleness cloak. Gabriella knocked at the doorway and the room access opened, held open by an former man with grey tomentum and a tired facial expression on his face. There were introductions and Gabriella slipped inside. The door shut before Harry could watch. There was a present moment of silence and then squeals of joy. Harry knew the auditory sensation ; Cho was inside. A few moment later the man left, jingling coins in his sac. Harry's program had worked - Gabriella, handing the man a couple galleons, suggested he go to the recess pub for a bite and a beer or two. He wasn't to the sidewalk before there was a grab and he had Disapparated. Then the murmur vowel began ; louder, then easygoing, 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 older man. He watched as they moved back and Forth, and as Gabriella hugged what he figured to be Cho. It had been the start time he had observed a Disapparation without his sight and he noted with pursuit the sudden burst of zip that accompanied it. But more than than anything else his tending was focused on one affair above all - a dim reddish gleam that glimmered from the back of the flat. Through all the paries it could take been anything - a cat, a dog. But Harry knew, by how well its colouring material blended with Cho's, what was there.

"Harry ?"Gabriella asked to the nihility before her. Cho stood only a few metrical foot away. Harry sensed warmth fuse with taking into custody. As for himself, he could find the travail of his palms as he reached up and slipped off the cloak.

"Cho ?"he asked to the glow before him. The glory didn't relocation, the person didn't speak, but the colour began to blanch almost immediately. Then her paw went to her typeface, covering her backtalk.

"Oh, Harry,"she croaked."Tony told me about the chance event, about…"Slowly she walked over to him.

"This ?"Harry asked, holding his helping hand near his temples."It's nothing. Just a bit of Methedrine. Surgery's scheduled for next month ; should have me good as new."Cho took his hand and then touched his face.

"I'm so drear,"she whispered."I should have come to visit."She took him in her subdivision and held him tight. He could feel her shakiness in his coat of arms."I couldn't… I couldn't bear to see you again."

"Great,"Harry drawled."Always in effect to lie with you're sentiment of kindly."

"Harry !"snapped Gabriella shortly. She took Cho gently by the arm and said,"Cho, can we come in and consume a sit ?"Cho loosened her grip on Harry and wiped her face with her hands.

"Oh, yes,"she said, sniffing,"of course."

The plaza was tumid than Harry expected, compared to what it looked like from the outside, but it was sparsely furnished and what furnishings there were appeared old and tattered. As they entered the kitchen he noted a few Ravenclaw memorabilia here and there. He even recognized a broom, the broom he bought her stopping point year, was propped up in the street corner. Cho offered them some coffee, they accepted and together they sat at a meek table in the kitchen. There was a little talk about the weather and school.

"Are your examination over ?"Cho asked."Tony has Arithmancy tomorrow."

"Tony,"muttered Harry through gritted dentition. Maybe he was a bit covetous of Anthony."Er… yeah. Gab and I are done for the semester."

"That's great,"said Cho softly. There was an unenviable muteness, 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 detect out when. Ask what you might need to, erm…"He looked around at the ratty piece of furniture."… spruce the station up."

"Soon,"answered Cho without hesitating."But we're not telling anyone until after the school yr. Not even my phratry. They think I'm here studying art."

"I also heard,"continued Harry, not really listening to Cho's words,"that you two had a child ; a babe boy is it ?"Before Cho could answer Gabriella took her by the hand.

"It's so charge, Cho !"she said joyfully."I'm sure you're a tremendous mother. The child is so lucky to induce two such wonderful 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.

"fountainhead,"added Harry,"I can't see him, but I have a pretty good theme that he's mighty through there, isn't he ?"He pointed to the spinal column room and swallowed."I think it's groovy that you and… er, Tony are doing the… er, right thing. It sure would be great, 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 jump shot. He smiled and muttered a few strait as she sat him in his chairwoman, offering him a biscuit to jaw on. The damp fog of Harry's middle were focused somewhere above the boy's head word, but his mind's eye was captivated on the fortunate red gleaming before him. It was brilliant, almost blinding, and Harry wondered if the brightness of the freshness was because he was a baby or something more than. The biscuit snapped out of Cho's hand and flew into the waiting appreciation of the baby's.

"Look at that ! So soon ?"cooed Gabriella."He's just perfect."And then she began to babble baby talking to the youngster.

"Yes, he's pretty peculiar,"answered Cho.

Harry could sense that she was looking at him, centred on his reaction, but he was at a loss. To know for sure he would hold to ask straight out. Now, here they were, and Harry didn't know what to do. He half wanted to pry the baby with a stick to see what it would do.

"Has he,"Harry began,"shown any other augury of magic ?"

"No. Not really,"answered Cho cautiously."But he can stand with assist 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 public figure ?"asked Gabriella.

"Jamie,"answered Cho.

"After your comrade ?"

"We just liked the name,"Cho said, not committing.

"I have to admit,"said Gabriella,"that he's the separate figure of you. And that's a in force affair ; you're much better looking than Anthony."She laughed and Cho did too. It sounded as if it had been the foremost time Cho had laughed in quite some time. But then the tincture in Gabriella's voice changed.

"In fact, he doesn't look much like a Goldstein at all. You're both so dark, and Jamie's skin is so pale."

"He… he doesn't get out much,"said Cho, growing unquiet.

"Cho, you know I love you like a baby. Don't you ?"Gabriella asked gently."fountainhead, I think Harry has a right to know. You see, he told me that you two sleep together at Hogwarts - just once, on Halloween. Caught in the heat energy of the moment, I guess."Gabriella took a breath, gathering her forte."I don't guardianship why it happened. And it doesn't bother me anymore that it happened. The fact is it happened… nine calendar month before short Jamie here was born."

"Well—"

"Cho,"Gabriella interrupted."Harry may induce his suspicions, but he can't see what I can, and the eyes never lie. You and Mark Antony, you both have brown optic. Both your parents each have brown eyes. It would assume a brawny wizard to raise a boy with anything other than brown eye and the magic would most certainly be to turn over the colour of the eye to his own."Cho said nothing. Harry said nothing."It's dependable, Jamie is the ripping image of his beautiful female parent. But the eyes… I think he has his father's eyes."Cho remained silent. Once again, Harry watched as her aura blanched.

"What do you mean ?"asked Harry blindly. Gabriella took his bridge player.

"They're K, Harry,"she said quietly."Prunus amygdalus shaped and brilliantly green. Just like yours."


Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 15 - Another thrower
~~~***~~~

Beyond the babbles of the baby sitting beside Harry, there was muteness. Perhaps, if one were to listen closely, the sound of a bird chirping or a distant bus creaking to a halt could be heard, breaking the stillness of the morning time. Then Cho's foundation began to nervously tap against the slope of the table. In front end of Harry, she had been confronted by Gabriella with the Sojourner Truth, but still she would not, or could not speak. Harry had known before they came to France that the child would be his, and though he had not heard the Logos from Cho's back talk, he wasn't about to become angry ; it was hard enough not to show how frightened he was feeling. No, if anything, he needed some clock time himself to get over the sinking smell in his belly, as if he'd just fallen off his broom. He would expect for Cho to be ready. He breathed deeply the scent of his chocolate, took a sip, set the cup down and put out his finger, with which the piffling boy began to bite toothlessly.

"Jamie ?"Harry said tenderly."I… I like that name."

He smiled and put his hand on the boy's headland.

"Oh, my. What a question of hair's-breadth ! Is it smuggled ?"This simple-minded interrogation was purposefully directed at Cho. There was the meter of a pause before she answered.

"Yes,"she said quietly, with a bit of a crack in the word. Harry could hear her swallow.

"Thank Merlin he's got his female parent's looks,"Harry said with a chuckle. He took another sip of coffee.

"You'll see him one day, Harry,"said Gabriella with an encouraging tone. Harry tilted his promontory down and escape from it slowly.

"I don't think so,"he said quietly, his mouth still turned in a slight grin.

"What do you mean ?"asked Cho, surprised."Surely they can—"

"I was just examined by Madame Pomfrey,"interrupted Harry."The imagination charms aren't knitting. There's still too a lot glass."

"But couldn't they just—"

"There are dozen of tiny shards - too many and too small to vanish without vanishing pieces of my middle 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 thing,"said Harry taking to his human foot."I can see the fire in his mortal, even if I can't see their colour of his eyes."He went to the chocolate pot to pour himself one more than 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 spill, but Harry had it off the solid ground nearly before it landed with a simpleton Wave of his script. Since losing his sight, his abilities without a sceptre, abilities he rarely used in presence of others, had strengthened. Without skipping a beat, he poured himself another cup, but rather than turn he continued to face the cabinetry. Yes, he could see the attack in the boy's aura, but he would give anything to have his eyesight back… to see his fry, his son. He began to tremble. For the first of all metre in months he was cold with awe, and it wasn't fear of a Dementor or Death feeder. It was fear for his child and his child's mother, care for a time to come that was already so unsure, so dismal. It felt as if all the air in the room was being sucked away.

"At to the lowest degree,"he said, holding the warm cup in his hands,"Anthony won't need to… to count 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 Witchcraft and genius ?"asked Cho."He might be a bit gallant at meter, but he's no gull, Harry. He knows."She turned Harry to front 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 hand at the side of Harry's face."He knew that too. I… I didn't."With these words, Cho began to cry. She held Harry by the front of his shirt and pulled him close, sobbing into his chest. Gabriella left her death chair and the three hugged for some time while Cho repeated over and over how sorry she was, and Harry repeated over and over that it was okay, that he was the one who was sorry. It was short Jamie who broke up the trine as he began to cry.

"Oh… he's hungry,"said Cho blotting her centre. She picked the boy up into her weapons system and ushered them all into the front line room where the open fireplace sat cold, but the slightly tattered professorship were more comfortable. Even without the fire, Harry watched with wonder the warmth that filled the elbow room. He could state she loved the boy deeply. Nor, was the emotion lost on Gabriella, sitting at Harry's slope, who was gathering a glow herself as she took in the room's emotions of love. He took Gabriella's hand and for the low gear time in a longsighted clock time Harry tried to relax, letting the swirling fears of the future fade from his mind. It was Cho that started the conversation as Jamie continued to lactate.

"I wanted to keep this cloak-and-dagger, Harry - enigma from my parents, secret from my brother, secret from you. At first I was ashamed and then—"

"But—"

"Let me polish off,"asked Cho."I need to end up, or I may never be able to."Harry nodded."terminal yr you wanted to narrate me about Gabriella."Cho looked at Gab."He did so want to drive me away, to severalise me of the Muggle fille he had met back home."Her eyes returned to Harry."But I could see that, just under the peel, 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 mite of bitterness or sadness.

"I know that now,"answered Cho."Maybe I knew it then, at least that he wasn't in his mightily brain. I could give used a sheathing good luck charm. I thought about it. I even reached for my sceptre before it happened Halloween 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 have something in case… in case…"

"In case I died ?"asked Harry."Like Cedric ?"Without speechmaking, 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 head."So I hid it - I hid my gestation and I hid Jamie."She put the baby over her shoulder and began to pat its backrest."I thought that after You-Know-Who had been destroyed I could secernate you, but then I heard about the new war… that Malfoy's last Eaters were out to obliterate you. What would they do if they knew you had a son ?"She shook her head."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 succeeding dawn the befuddling charm had warn off. I was meaning for all to see. In that moment I panicked, horrified by what he might call up, what he might do, and in the adjacent I felt Tony's hint, fond and caressing on my stomach. He stayed at my side and he's never left."Jamie let out a rather telling eructation 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 sentry go 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 knut he has. Once we're married we'll qualify for welfare from the Ministry. They offer living accommodations and, maybe, we can observe a dainty place to—"

"Benefits ?"spat Harry, his spine snapping inflexible."From the Ministry ? You can't be serious ! You're not going to engage a dime from the Ministry. As far as I'm concerned there all a bunch of crooks !"

"Harry !"called Gabriella.

"well, Ron's dad. But the rest of the lot ? Crooks !"He took to his feet."And as far as living in Ministry housing… never ! I won't allow it."

"What do you think you won't allow it ?"said Cho a bit heatedly."You have no say in the matter."Harry ignored her.

"You'll stay at the castle. It's far enough away from what's happening… yes, you'll be safe there."

"We're prophylactic here,"said Cho, standing herself, the babe held snugly in both arms.

"Safe ! Are you kidding me !"cried Harry."What's his name… Chambers ? He's a death eater !"

"Oh,"Cho chuckled,"now you're just being idiotic. Chalmers wouldn't hurt a fly. He's only working for Tony because of the kindness in his nerve. He hardly makes enough money to get by on."

"So he moonlights for Lucius Malfoy as a Death eater !"exclaimed Harry."At to the lowest degree he doesn't know that the boy is mine. Thank Merlin for that."Cho's font dropped with surprise at these Logos.

"How could you potential know that we haven't told him ?"she asked. Now Gabriella stood, stroked Jamie's cheek and took him in her own arms, patting his back as he rested against her articulatio humeri.

"Because,"Gabriella said softly with a melodious voice as if she were singing to the child,"if Chalmers knew, Lucius would do it. And if Lucius knew, his son would know."

"genus Draco ?"breathed Cho."I thought Draco was…"Her voice 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 cover.

"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 shoulder slumped.

"This is pointless,"he breathed."He'll be back here any moment. Maybe he's a kindly old doddered just trying to establish 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 obligation. Let me at least help pay the broadsheet until Marcus Antonius graduates. Let me at least give you a roof over your head where the open fireplace works and you'll know you'll be safe."

"It's beautiful there,"added Gabriella."Green fields… azure seas… cute Greek boys with bare chests."She winked and kissed Jamie on the read/write head. Cho crossed her munition 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 hard overseas, but do you think we could connect to the floo net ? I miss the family line so, and we are going to evidence them… after Tony graduates."

"That's one thing the Ministry can do,"said Harry, suddenly happy Cho was changing her psyche."But you can state Tony later. low gear, we need to—"There was a snap and an minute later the straw man door opened. Gabriella motioned for Harry to hide. He had just enough time to dart under his cloak and gather himself into the turning point before Chalmers walked through the presence door.

The former man was too thin and not much taller than Cho. When he entered he took his coating off and hung it against the rampart with a sticking charm.

"Beautiful day today, Miss Yangtze Kiang,"he said with a toothy smiling."Beautiful Day !"He stepped over and gave Gabriella a nod."And thank you missy for the amercement meal."He paused."It's been a while since…"His boldness grew wistful, but then he shook his head."No matter."He slapped his hands together and pulled his scepter."Let me exonerated these lulu for you."Harry stood silently against the wall as Chalmers walked with a bit of a limp into the kitchen. There was a distinct rhythm to the metre of his walk that Harry, two months ago, would not otherwise have noticed. It was then that Harry saw a change in Gabriella's aura ; something was wrong.

"Oh,"said Chalmers with a tone of voice of surprise in his voice."Three cupful. Did you have another visitor today ?"Without waiting for an resolution he levitated the smasher into the cesspool where the scrubbing brush began to wash them. Cho was wintry, but Gabriella stepped over without hesitation.

"Yes,"she said quite sedately,"a girlfriend of ours, also from Hogwarts. She had to entrust early to get back for her afternoon exam."Chalmers nonchalantly straightened the chairman.

"wellspring, you know how Mr. Goldstein feels about visitant, fille Chang."He settled himself into one of the cushioned chairs and began to spread out the newsprint, still scanning the way with the centre."At least strangers."Harry could tell that the old man was on safety device, sensing something that was not veracious."Just tryin'to retain you and the baby secure he is."

Baby Jamie babbled something and then pointed at Harry hidden beneath the cloak. The movement was enough to cause Chalmers to flex and look back into the far corner at the cracked and empty wall. Jamie babbled again and gave a light gag. Chalmers smiled.

"well, wee Jamie is happy enough to make guests."He held up the front page."What's your friend's gens, missy ?"

"Hermione… Hermione husbandman,"answered Gabriella. There was the slim pause 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 wonderful mother."

"Thank you, Gabriella,"answered Cho, kissing Gab's cheek."I couldn't ask for a kinder, warmer friend. Please arrive visit after the wedding ceremony. I think I'll feel more comfortable 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 baby's room and I noticed the binding windowpane. We had discussed placing a sealing charm, but I wasn't sure if—"

"Yes, missy,"cut in Chalmers proudly."The whole house is sealed tight. No one can get in without permission. It's a Bucinum charm."

"Oh dearest,"said Gabriella."A Bucinum charm ?"Chalmers nodded his point."I think a Trepidus charm would be safer."

"Trepidus charm ?"asked Chalmers blankly.

"Oh yes,"added Cho."A Trepidus magical spell would be ideal."

"Certainly,"continued Gabriella,"I mean, if soul tries to kick downstairs in the Bucinum charm blows them up. That could harm the child. Do you think you could usher me where you set the charms ? Together we can spend a penny the replacement."

"Oh, please do, Chalmers,"asked Cho pleadingly."Gabriella's a initiative category hag. She studied at Al Bsahri you know."

"Did she now,"said Chalmers with stake as he took to his feet."I've heard they reopened the school this year."

"Yes,"said Gabriella,"it's quite lovely."

"fountainhead, let's have a looking around and see what we can do."Together, Chalmers and Gabriella made their way to the rear of the menage, 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 doorway and opened it.

"When… when do you espouse Gold— Anthony ?"Harry asked.

"Christmas,"Cho answered. She tried to cause the Good Book phone exciting and vibrant, 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 risk his lifespan to protect me… and your son. He's honest, hardworking, and… and… and I'm marrying him on Christmas."Jamie wriggled in her arms, both work force outstretched toward Harry.

"You deserve to be felicitous,"said Harry quietly."You deserve ..."but Harry's words failed him."I'm so sorry."Cho ushered Harry outside to the front stoop and shut the threshold behind her. She lifted his cloak to reveal his facial expression.

"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 whirl. 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 optic were sad. Jamie began to suck on his fingerbreadth. The threshold opened and Gabriella appeared followed closely by Chalmers.

"Ah, here you are,"said Gabriella. The sun was ardent on her face as she put her arms out and gave Gabriella a hug."The apartment is sealed tight."Cho took in a deep hint.

"Good, thank you,"she said."I was just giving Jamie a little sun."

"Which he can get through the window, my dear,"said Chalmers herding Cho back into the business firm."Now come inside."He seemed quite protective, but Harry wondered if it wasn't something more."A pleasance to suffer you, misfire Darbinyan, was it ?"

"Yes, and a pleasure it was to meet you,"Gabriella replied."It's good to see my booster in such fine hired man. Cho, I'll be by before long with those giving I promised."

"endowment ?"Cho asked."Oh, yes, gifts. Yes, yes, anytime. Be safe ; there's a placid infinite to Apparate just behind that Thomas Gray building over there."They kissed bye-bye and Gabriella began to walk down the street, Harry at her slope. Chalmers stood for some time after Cho had gone inside, watching from the stoup. Gabriella waved one end time as she turned the street corner out of flock. Harry was about to pull off the cloak when she stopped him.

"stay hidden,"Gabriella whispered."We're being followed."Harry spun and there behind the building they'd just passed were the auras of two small figures. They hadn't been there a minute before.

"Did you see them ?"Harry asked."I didn't hear an Apparation."

"House elves,"Gabriella whispered,"at least one of them. The other… I can't tell."

"But there weren't any house elves at the house,"said Harry.

"I know,"she replied."They must belong to someone else, or one's with its master."

"Who ?"

Gabriella just shrugged.

"How did he know 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 pike 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 male child playing football game near the end by a chain-link fence. Gabriella pulled her sceptre. She was going to attack the two that were nearing the nook, but Harry stayed her hand.

"Gab, no,"he whispered."Grimmauld Place."

"But—"

"Now !"

A mo later they found themselves on the streets of London, just outside of issue dozen, Grimmauld billet. They waited to see if they might accept been followed, then checked that the streets were gain. Finally, Harry uncloaked and walked up the whole tone to the door, knocking twice. The door opened of its own accord and the two walked in. There was a whisper, a thud, and then Sothis appeared atop the staircase wearing boxer and a t-shirt. baton drawn he pointed it blindly toward the threshold.

"frost !"he screamed."Or I'll obliterate you !"

"I hope not,"answered Harry."I'm kinda hungry."

"Harry ?"Canicula said, blinking his eyes."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 tell me you were still sleeping."

"I was up late last night. Remus finished grading papers and we— Hey, isn't your Potions exam today ?"Dog Star'eye shooter to the door."And why didn't you use the floo ? What's going on ?"

"Erm… can we eat first,"asked Harry.

"What,"changeable Sirius in a singularly insistent tint,"is… going… on ? !"

"Sothis,"said Gabriella softly,"I think it practiced if we sit down."

"You do, do you ?"snipped Sirius, but Gabriella's fatal heart caught a soft-spot in Dog Star'bark."Well… okay."

The three moved into the kitchen and Sirius 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.

"Well ?"Sirius queried."It's obvious something's afoot. sprinkle it out."Harry tried, but he couldn't agree his godfather's gaze.

"I… I, erm…"He sucked in a large gulp of air and exhaled."Igoterpregnant."

"What ?"Dog Star asked."What was that ?"

"I… I got her pregnant."

"What !"Sirius stood and spun towards Gabriella."You're pregnant ?"Gabriella turned the sausage with her sceptre."How could you—"

"Let him finish,"she replied, floating three crustal plate out onto the tabular array.

"Not Gabriella,"Harry said. Dog Star turned back to fount Harry."Cho… Cho Chang."Sirius fell back into his chair.

"Are you sure ?"asked Dog Star with a disbelieving flavor."Because sometimes witches can—"

"Oh,"cut in Gabriella sharply."He's sure."

"Falco columbarius,"he whispered, scratching his chin."Harry, you should know better."

"I know. I know I should have intercourse better."

"And you,"Sirius said, turning back to Gabriella,"why are you here with this cheating trash if Cho's running around pregnant ?"Expressionless, Gabriella placed the sausage on the plates and added some warm up attic.

"It was concluding twelvemonth,"she answered sitting down and handing Canicula a fork.

"The babe was born in July,"said Harry."On my birthday. His name is Jamie."

Dog Star'forking fell with a clangour onto the plate, splattering red dome onto his white-ish jersey.

"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 ceramicist live with dust and spiders, not as long as it's in my big businessman. So, I offered to have them stick around at your castle. You know… until Anthony grad. Falco columbarius save his soulfulness if he ever—"

"My castle ? Anthony ? Who's Anthony."

"Goldstein. well Cho calls him quality. How cheesy is that ? Anyhow, the affair is…."

It was well into the evening before Harry had set Sirius straight on all the details, uncertain as they were. Sirius then began a words that lasted for nearly XXX min and included a few address to Harry's parents. But when Harry began to probe cryptic Sothis changed the subject. After venting about Harry's foolishness, he had agreed to take Antony, Cho and Jamie in and aid in any way he could.

The blimp Cho cooked little More than a memory, Sirius grew hungry again and he convinced them to go to a Thai restaurant that he had found just a few blockage away. When they arrived, Harry discovered that it was run by an old Muggle, but frequented by a issue of beldame and adept. The occasional trice of deception that occurred never seemed to faze the old man. Sirius called him a Savant, a Muggle in tune with the magic trick of the natural world 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 Dog Star. Harry looked up into Sirius'eyes ; they were smiling. Harry's blindness didn't allow him to see that the creases that had once drawn the sides of Sirius'eyes down were now curling upward. But he could sense the brightness of the nimbus in his godfather's expression. For a moment, Harry considered telling Sirius of their plan at the Ministry. Gabriella touched his hand.

"More tea ?"the waiter asked, and all three nodded. Harry continued to look toward Canicula who was as happy as ever. The thought of asking Sirius to facilitate them, particularly at the Ministry, curdled the curry in Harry's belly.

"I said I almost choked,"Harry said with a coughing.

"You're eating too fast,"said Gabriella knowingly, rubbing his arm and smiling."It's not a race."

"Probably the curry,"said Sirius, taking another bit."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 late ?"asked Sirius, his backtalk half total. Harry shot her a glance ; his mouthpiece frowned. He didn't want her at the Ministry any 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 moment. I should have taken care of it this morning, but I forgot. I've not been in melodic phrase with the old elbow room for some time. mom would be disappointed in me."Unconsciously, Harry began to rub the dragon scratch that was emblazoned on his correct forearm.

He remembered what Gabriella's mother, Soseh, had said at the end of end school class."The blessing is inscribed on the males of each genesis by the woman of the propagation before. It will be Gabriella's tariff to choke the benediction to your sons."Once it was clear that Harry would admit Jamie as his son, it was Gabriella's duty, by oath, that she pass to him the approval of Asha.

"The Votary,"Harry whispered quietly, staring down at the sports stadium of yellow and gold. Then his irksome optic looked toward hers."It's too serious,"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 Sothis.

"We were followed after we left Cho's apartment,"said Gabriella."But it makes no difference. By honor, I have no option. It must be done, and the sooner it's done the greater the power of Jamie's benediction, of his protection. He'll need Asha's help in these times of darkness."

"You mentioned the Death Eater escort, but you didn't quotation that you were followed,"said Sirius, his eyes turning toward Harry with a more serious public eye.

"Draco said that Chalmers doesn't body of work night, at to the lowest degree not for Goldstein. Canicula, you need to go with her, sustain her prophylactic. That way you can see Jamie and toss on the news, maybe convince Cho to affect into the castle tonight while Chalmers is away."

"And you ?"Sirius asked.

"I'll just brain back to Hogwarts. If the two were a couple of Lucius'thugs out to get me it'd be better if I wasn't there."Sirius sighed, looking longingly at an untouched barbeque bare rib. He licked his sassing and pushed his plateful forward.

"Very well, let's go."They paid and made their way outside and down the street, finding a more remote alley often used by the visiting Wiccan and necromancer to Apparate. Canicula took Harry by the arm and looked him in the eye, but Harry turned away to look down the street as a car past tense by.

"Straight to Hogwarts,"said Sirius sternly,"okey, Harry ?"

"heterosexual to Hogwarts,"Harry agreed. Gabriella kissed him on the cheek.

"I can see your emotions roiling,"she whispered in his ear."Be open-eyed and say, ‘ Hi !'to Ron and Hermione for me."She pulled her verge as did Dog Star."Oh, and don't worry ; Jamie will be OK. I'll make sure that no malevolent harms your child."Harry tried to muster a smile.

"Did I ever tell you how much I loved you ?"he asked and then they kissed."I'll see you at schooltime in the morning. Keep her safe, Sirius."There was a snap and both Gabriella and Sirius had vanished. Harry focused his vision to another persona of London and in the next minute found himself at a phone box above the entrance to the Ministry. As off-putting as Apparating was for Harry, he was ill prepared for what happened next.

"Stupefy !"The clap of red light hit Harry squarely in the dresser, knocking him backward some ten to twenty feet, his wand tumbling from his hired man."There, Harrington,"a large clothed digit said with a rather bullying voice, picking up Harry's wand,"and you were about ready to wet your pants. He is a boy, after all."Still on his back Harry could feel them stepping toward him.

"I… am not… a… boy !"he rasped. This made the airless wizard laugh, but the smaller man behind him said nothing.

"Well, I've got your baton, little man. I doubt you'll—"

"Diffindo !"Harry hissed, stretching his redress arm forward. Orange light erupted from the berm down and extended out and beyond Harry's fingertips.

The front of the Death Eater's cloak looked as if a great cavalry sword had just slashed across it, tearing cloth and flesh alike up and outward. Harry could feel the stock sputter his face. The demise feeder screamed falling to his knees. Unsteadily, Harry stood. The entirely place seemed to be spinning. He was dizzy and a collect aesthesis of nausea was building inside.

"Accio wand !"he cried, wrenching his baton from the Death eater's clench and in to his own hand. Limping forward he yelled"BOY ?"Then he placed his scepter on the forehead of his foe."BOY ?"Blood continued to trickle from beneath the crouching Death Eater's ribs and between the hands that clutched his dresser."Who do you work for ?"Harry asked, already knowing the solution.

Harry had focused so often attention on the large Death Eater, he had neglected the smaller 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 - lots of lightness. Five to a greater extent auras had Apparated ; he was surrounded. Seemingly emboldened by the new arrival, the lowly Death eater emerged from the shadows and held out his wand.

"Expel—"There were three spells cast almost simultaneously that stopped the wiz before he had a chance to polish off.

"Stupefy !"“ Diffindo !"and Harry's harbour spell,"Contego !"

Only, Harry didn't need the shield charm… for himself. The inaugural magic spell came from one of the approaching auras Harry presumed to be more than last feeder. The bolt, not the potent Harry had ever seen, knocked the small wizard backward, albeit only a few feet. Fearing for his life, and rightfully so, the diminutive Death feeder Disapparated. The s patch came from yet another air, small yet acute. It was directed at the game wizard crouching before Harry. The consequence was frightful and instant ; the decease Eater's head fell to the gravelled pavement and his torso slumped forward, draining line of descent at Harry's feet, a boiling pool of Christ Within like lave erupting from a vent.

Harry spun to face the five whiz approaching him, holding his wand high. Two showed hints of both red and green in their auras as they drew nearer."Imperious scourge ?"Harry wondered. And then a interpreter came to him that startled him more than that of the previous last Eater.

"Bloody Scheol, St. James ! What in pigeon hawk's public figure did you do that for ?"

The semblance, the canter, the tone… Harry knew at once it was Ron Weasley.


Harry Potter and the birthing of a New Sun

Chapter 16 - The effect outcry
~~~***~~~

"He was reaching for his wand,"said James, pointing at the decapitate Death feeder at Harry's feet."He was going to kill Harry !"

"He was on his knees,"snapped Hermione."Harry had him firmly in control."

"He didn'have the… that minuscule guy in control,"countered Patrick."I had teh take him down."

"You're just favourable he was as frightened as a molamar in H2O,"said Susan Anthony Goldstein with a rather haughty voice.

"Goldstein ?"asked Harry in surprisal as the group converged on him.

"Damn, Potter,"said Goldstein,"you're a bloody fix. And I do mean bloody. Scourgify !"The splatters covering the front of Harry's human face, shirt and pants vanished, though the pool on the pavement remained."There, that's better."

"Who in Aides told Goldstein ?"cried Harry.

"Actually, Potter,"replied Goldstein,"I stumbled on this merry troupe as they tried to pinch out. Seemed like a good DA mission.

"Are you kidding ?"snapped Harry, gazing at the aura of the man who'd be his son's father. There was a pureness about it, but Harry was to inflamed to consider it."You… you can't be here. It's too dangerous."

"Yes, I see that,"said Goldstein with a rather sarcastic timber. Gingerly, Harry stepped out of the origin, pooling at his foot. 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 answer when James here decided to make for the butcher."Harry turned to the moment year."The future sentence I need your helper Chang, I'll ask for it."Harry sensed at once the anger building within the lowly wizard, but then it subsided almost as quickly as it came.

"I… I was just trying too hard I guess,"answered James."It was scary."

"And why are you two,"Harry pointed to both James and Patrick,"here in the 1st place ? Stumble across the company as well ?"He shot Ron a glance and wished he could take eyes of end.

"Patrick overheard our plans and said he'd shit if we didn't bring ‘ em along,"answered Ron."It was supposed to be tranquillize ; I didn't figure of speech we'd run into death Eaters."

"If that's what they were,"said Harry, still holding his wand at the ready."They acted more like hired thugs than Death Eaters."

The Nox air was cold and quiet down. He could find the dampness of a thin mist wrap about his boldness, sending shivers down his back. For a moment he thought of Dementors, but the coolness, this chilled clamminess was something else, something more visceral. The whispers of death were swirling ; somehow Harry knew that. And not for the man that had just been slain, the whispers were telling Harry that more would soon get together the dead man at his feet. But who ?

"Goldstein,"Harry said suddenly,"Anthony, really you… you have to—"

"Well, we're here now,"said William James."Dispatchio !"The drained magician and the consortium of blood 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."James shrugged his shoulders.

"My sister I guess,"he said."She's the smartness one in the family."

"Yeah… I see,"said Harry, noticing James River'aura fade from special K to red then back from red to green. For the first time, he thought James might not really be an ally."Ron, maybe you should take—"

"James II is right,"interrupted Susan Anthony."Best if we get down into the Ministry before another dozen destruction 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 speech sound booth. Ron said the word his father had told him and a silver orb appeared, scanning Ron in a sickly white Inner Light. Then, with a jar, the elevator began to plummet. Harry tried to look at Ron and hint to the Aythya americana that he should understand Harry's creative thinker, but his optic were clean and Ron didn't accredit the nervus facialis verbalism as he once would give. Harry silently cursed his sightlessness.

Harry's heart began to whet. If the two second years were under the Imperious Curse, they were likely in Lucius Malfoy's control. He was feeling strongly like he wanted to wretch onto the round off marble storey just as the doors opened onto the resplendent incoming hall of the Ministry of Magic. The six stepped out, sceptre drawn.

After only a few step, they all saw where the cloak was to be displayed - it was obvious. A enceinte chicken feed case had already been erected. On a pole was the torso of a mannequin and succeeding to that a golden statue of Harry with his verge drawn. They all stepped secretive. There was no cloak, but there was a plaque. It read,"This website commemorates the defeat of the darkness genius Voldemort by the Grand magician Harry Potter, Order of Merlin, First Class, who faced his foe wand-to-wand and struck him down."
"society of Falco columbarius ?"asked Goldstein surprised."I didn't know—"

"Neither did I,"cut in Harry.

"They'll probably award it to you during the observance tomorrow,"said Hermione brightly. Harry turned to her.

"If we do this right field, there won't be any ceremony,"said Harry shortly."No Dark cloak, no issue of Voldemort, no ceremony. Ron, do you have any mind where—"

There was a rapport coming from down the Marguerite Radclyffe Hall and a faint freshness that was growing nearer. It sounded as if mortal were humming. The chemical group began to rive back, away from the display slip ; all, that is, except Epistle of James. Harry went to grab his arm, but the boy wouldn't motion.

"Is this it ?"he asked, still staring at the re-enactment before him."Is this how it happened ? You struck him down ? cipher could separate me for sure, not even Gabriella."Harry held more tightly to James'robe and began to pull him bodily across the floor.

"James,"Harry said, huffing between his teeth,"there are some things you can't believe. low gear, never believe a word of honor Trelawney says unless she sounds like a goblin on fire whiskey. minute, 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 King James I by the dorsum of his dog collar until they were hidden between two marble columns.

"bold face words, Harry,"continued James passively."But I never believed you could flummox Lord Voldemort wand-to-wand. Tell me, is there still a part of the nighttime overlord that courses through your veins ? That could be utilitarian, if—"

"Shhh."All was silent, relieve for the occasional cracking ember from one of the hearth that surrounded the grand entrance manor hall and the humming that was growing louder by the minute. Again Harry tried to gather Ron's care, but he was meddlesome whispering something in Hermione's ear as they clung together behind a suit of armour opposite the Fountain of Magical pal. At another pillar just behind Harry and Saint James, Saint Patrick and Anthony crouched. The whispers of death were growing louder. So tatty, in fact, that Harry turned to see if perhaps a ghost or something more were at his right wing slope. Only James was there, kneeling quietly on the floor.

The ignite grew brighter and then the witch appeared. Harry could make out her aura, a shimmering gold, but not her features at this distance. In front of her was a cloak levitated some two feet off the ground. She was approaching the show font when James began to wriggle under Harry's hand.

"Hold still,"he whispered, but the marble walls took in the sound, recall them about, amplifying the randomness such that it was audible to the hag at the presentation case. Harry noticed the hesitation. He expected her to change by reversal, but she did not. Instead, she levitated the cloak onto the torso within the presentation instance and closed the drinking glass door. She cast a appeal with her wand and then turned as if to leave. In turning, she revealed her face to the others, but Harry was still unable to distinguish who the witch was. From the faint gasp from across the hall it was readable that Hermione, for one, knew who it was. The beldame stepped toward the spring and took something out of her air pocket, perhaps a coin, Harry couldn't William Tell. In a movement that was as graceful and as craft as any Harry had ever seen, she flipped the object into the outpouring. It twirl high into the air and, just as it crested in its arc, her other mitt pointed her sceptre toward it and cast the patch.

"Immobulus !"Harry recognized the vocalization at once ; it was Molly Weasley, Ron's mother.

Half of the fall leaving her baton passed the coin cleanly and struck the enchantress and whiz by the cause of armour. The former half, however, glinted off the coin, reflecting toward and blasting the two genius next to the newspaper column behind Harry. With one magical spell she had immobilized Ron, Hermione, Susan Anthony and Saint Patrick. Again, James wriggled under Harry's grasp and again Harry held him fast.

"I know you're there,"Mrs. Weasley said with a vox that held no fear."I'm afraid it's well after hours. If you're lost, I'm certainly I can help you receive your way. Come out from behind the column and let's see where you belong. Shall we ?"

Again James pushed against the weight of Harry who was pressing him hard against the marble floor. Finally, Harry had had enough. He couldn't risk what Epistle of James might do.

"Incarcerous !"he called. Ropes sprung from his wand and began to wrap themselves about James.

"Sectumsempra !"cried James I, slashing the ropes with his wand 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 lighting nearly struck Epistle of James who deflected it at the hold up moment, sending the beam into the cap above, showering them all with pieces of marble and splinters of walnut tree. This was no back year superstar.

Harry jumped to his groundwork and throw up his own stunning tour, but again King James deflected it. It was then that molly Weasley noticed who he was.

"Harry ?"she called.

"Hide, Mrs Weasley !"he cried in retort."hide !"

James cast a jet of red light Harry's way. Harry focused on where he needed to be—out of the beam's path. Suddenly, everything slowed and he found himself running to the rightfulness, toward the spring, just as the bolt of red passed his left elbow. Henry James smiled.

"Impressssive, Harry,"James hissed in a much high, colder interpreter, a voice that shook Harry to the core. It couldn't be."You've learned well from the Centaurus. I did as well ; although I suspect my methods of extracting the knowledge I required were somewhat dissimilar than yours."There was another bolt, Green River, and again Harry disappeared and reappeared into another percentage of the opulent hall.

"Diffindo !"called Mrs. Weasley. Her spell struck James on the allow shoulder, leaving a nasty gash. James spun on the witch.

"Avada Kedavra !"

This clock time the jet lighter sailed toward Molly Weasley. Harry began to levitate a marble terrace into the ray of light's way of life, but quickly realized the bench was too heavy and would not go fast enough. Instead he ran, slowing time and bending the infinite between them tightly together. He grabbed her by the shoulder and pushed her to the ground just as the gust past the pair, smashing into the wall behind and showering them with detritus and rock. Harry landed on his back as Mrs. Weasley landed on top of him, knocking the air out of his chest.

"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 breathing space of air."In… James."Without questioning further, Mrs. Weasley's back went rigid and she rose to face up King James, to face Voldemort.

"Nooo,"Harry rasped, struggling to sit up, but barely able. She ignored his beckon and faced the modest boy now standing only a few human foot in nominal head of her.

"parting the boy, Voldemort,"she commanded, brandishing her wand."He can't possibly be of any use to you, now we know the truth."

"true statement ?"queried James as his eyes shot toward the dark cloak still protected behind the sealed glass. Harry rose to his knee joint, trying to bring air back into his lungs."The trueness is that there are only two thing in this elbow room I want… and you're not one of them."His wand rose in unison with Harry's, only Harry was ineffective to heave the spell.

"Avada Kedavra !"

Placing himself between Mrs Weasley and Voldemort, Harry tried to arise up in front of the jet of light-green but the pop swearing would win the slipstream this clip ; he knew that. For her part, Molly Weasley cast a shield good luck charm about them both, hoping to deflect the tour, but they all knew it wouldn't oeuvre. In her go instant of living her men gripped Harry by the shoulders and she cast a coup d'oeil down into his subterfuge eyes, a glance that held love and compassionateness, a glance that was filled with concern not for herself but for the boy before her… a glance he couldn't see. She fell dead to the base.

"NO !"cry out Harry as he spun and upchuck another slashing piece against James IV who deflected it with ease."You're being controlled, St. James ! conflict back !"James only laughed.

"YOU stood face-to-face with the Great nighttime God Almighty Voldemort and defeated him ?"James I mocked."What a joke !"

With Mrs. Weasley beat, the spell she cast on the former four star began to wear off. Slowly, they were coming to there Mary Jane, working to regain controller of their motions. James walked over to a groaning Patrick who was still prone on the story. He grabbed St. Patrick's hair and pulled his head off the ground.

"This one here,"called James, his articulation echoing off the walls,"thinks of you as a chum, potter. He'd Sooner die than see you descend to harm. Yet he's betrayed you at my every command. Shall I kill him next ?"

"Expelliarmus !"Harry cried, but once again James deflected the trance.

"Haven't you figured it out yet, Potter ? Even with the skill of the Centaurus, you're as slow as your suddenly parents. Nonetheless, you could be useful ; the Malfoy boy suggested as much. I heard, perhaps, he's not as bushed as everyone thinks."He released Patrick whose top dog cracked against the Lucy Stone floor. But instead of striking at Harry, James held his scepter to the glass display font."Diffindo !"The blast of Inner Light struck the glass, but held business firm as if swallowing the energy of the blast, the shabu began to glow. For the first gear meter, the smile on Henry James Chang's boldness disappeared."Diffindo !"he called again, and again the energy was absorbed and the glass grew brighter still.

"You've killed your lonesome chance for opening the case,"Harry sneered."But then… I always heard that that was one of your greatest weaknesses… TOM… being stupid person !"

Another blast of light barb toward Harry ; it was red not green, not a killing torment. Once More, Harry slipped out of its way. This sentence he moved quickly around and behind William James reappearing with his wand drawn.

"Stupefy !"Harry cried, sending a bam of red at James'back, but again the sensation deflected the turn as if swatting a fly and then turned back toward the display case."You're not trying to down me, Tom. Why not ?"

"I'll kill you sssoon enough,"James slithered."low, the cloak. Then, I need to extract something of mine that you stole from me when you were a child. Soon, I will be—"Suddenly two to a greater extent spells came from beyond the fountain. Ron and Hermione had revived themselves adequate to fight, but barely.

"No ! Get out of here !"Harry screamed."It's Voldemort ! Run !"

"I don't have prison term for this,"cried King James, sending three Thomas More blasts of light at the glass case. On the third bolt the chicken feed cracked, but only just. Harry could tell that the turn that James had cast over the last few minutes were draining him. He looked tired, almost vulnerable. At the same moment the fires ringing the grand Marguerite Radclyffe Hall roared to life.

"Finally,"Harry whispered,"some help."Wizard after wizard appeared at each hearth, brandishing their verge."Whatever time you thought you had has just expired, Tom."

The room erupted in red light. septenary clap came at the small wiz by the video display case. Two struck true while the others struck the glowing meth, shattering it completely. The boastfully ice fragment that scattered the floor, however, were still glowing as brightly as ever. There were More bam of red directed at Harry.

"It's me !"he yelled."Harry thrower !"

"Harry !"cried Hermione from the far slope of the dorm."It's not the Ministry ! It's—"A blast of red dropped her to the ground.

"Hermione !"cried Ron."He cast a spell knocking the wizard by Hermione backward into the wall with a meretricious crack. He pointed towards another wizard and ran at him."leave-taking her alone, you bloody—"There was a blast of purpleness and he too fell to the trading floor.

"We're scholar !"Harry yelled, but it only focused the attention of another barrage of red bolts his way. Harry cast a shell spell and sent them flying in every conceivable instruction. The blasts weakened him."Are you crazy ? ! We're—"And then he noticed it - the unmistakably bright emerald green air of Draco Malfoy, stepping from the flames of one of the fireplaces. He had warned Harry and now it was too belated.

Simultaneously, ropes began to eddy about Ron, Hermione, Saint Patrick, and virtually importantly Jesse James who was still motionless on the floor. Somehow Anthony had managed an escape and stood at Harry's side. There were nearly a dozen Death feeder moving in on them.

"hold the cloak, Draco,"drawled a tall superstar in dark black robe with deep red lining.

"Lucius ?"Harry sneered in the maven's direction."Is that you ? I should have known by the sickening yellow colour."The adept said cypher, trying to disregard Harry."Now that I'm screen, you're much better looking in — strike that. No you're not. You're still as much a pig as you always were. Still, somehow… missing an arm courting you. How'd you lose it again ?"The spurring worked.

"Big words for a blind boy, ceramicist,"he snapped.

"Now, now… reefer and stones…. But then I guess six calendar month with Dementors and dolt will clabber anyone's conversational capabilities."Harry could see that Draco was moving over the radiance glass and into the event to recollect the robe. Harry turned to face him.

"Hey ! blond bastard ! I wouldn't go in there if I were—"

"What's this ?"genus Draco cried out. He had come to Molly Weasley's eubstance. The vividness of his aura blanched."I gave specific parliamentary procedure ! Who cast a killing curse ?"Harry could separate immediately that Dragon was livid.

"gathering the cloak !"yelled Lucius.

"But father—"

"NOW !"

"Don't do it !"yelled Harry.

Dragon moved forward toward the case. Suddenly, the shattered glass that was still glowing with the energy it had absorbed exploded in a brilliant white instant. Draco flew up into the air, nearly striking the ceiling, and then landed with a sickening crush against the marble floor.

"Draco !"cried Lucius. Goldstein took the distraction as his chance. His wand erupted with bright bluish light, but instead of being directed at one of the last Eaters, it was directed toward one of the portrayal hanging heights on the wall of the grand hall. The portrait sparked, zapping the elderly sorcerer that had, so far, slept through the commotion.

"Hey,"the wizard in the portrait yelped."No need for—"

"Get aid you idiot !"yelled Goldstein. The superstar in the portraiture, seeing the destruction, disappeared instantly."It won't be long now,"Goldstein muttered, staring at the empty portrait.

There was another volley of spells headed at the two thaumaturgist and together they fended them off, but Harry was growing debile by the moment. Lucius ignored Goldstein's claim for aid, he ignored the engagement of wands, and he ignored the break down heap on the story that was his son. Instead, unwilling to relate it himself, he pointed to the cloak that was still standing in the windowless display case.

"The cloak !"he yelled again. After some hesitancy, another decease Eater approached the black material and grabbed it just as James, still bound by rophy, began to arrive to his senses. With lust-filled eyes, Lucius only one-half glanced at Draco, still motionless on the flooring, blood dripping from the recess of his oral fissure. Instead, he focused fully on the black gown held before him.

"Luciusss,"uttered Henry James breathlessly,"you fool."

Malfoy wrenched the material out of the death eater's handwriting. Quickly, he slipped it on and waited as if anticipating something to happen.

"You expected, maybe, a enthronisation ?"Harry sneered."Perhaps a crown and horn as we all bow down to kiss your arse ? It's a stupefied composition of cloth !"

"Kill him,"Malfoy drawled, pointing with his sound arm toward Harry."killing HIM !"Harry grabbed Mark Anthony by the arm as the deadbolt of green approached and in an instant they were on the other side of the resplendent residence hall that now appeared more like a war geographical zone than the showpiece of the Ministry. Looking back, they saw that the situation 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 party,"Harry snapped. He took in a deep breathing time, reaching out with his mind to pick any magic he could from the world around him. He let out a long, dim exhale and pointed his baton at the storey.

"Festio !"he cried, ripping lots of marble tiles upward and sending them toward his adversaries. The Death Eaters tried to shatter the tile with go, but the activity only served to make 1000 of tiny projectiles all headed in their focussing. A few roll shield charms in time, but most were struck. Above the din of screeching, Harry could hear James cursing Lucius.

"liberation me, you idiot ! Release me now."But Malfoy, ignorant of Saint James the Apostle'true indistinguishability, ignored the boy's pleadings. He had what he came for and was beginning to walk toward his son when snaps began to fill the room. Auror after Auror was Apparating within the sublime residence hall. In an split second, spells were flying everywhere. flak after blast of light, cutting down wizard after mavin, witch after enchantress. The way was filled with utter mayhem and Harry, his shoulder slumped with fatigue, moved to enter the disturbance. Before Harry could hire a good step, Goldstein grabbed him by the shoulder.

"You're no commodity to anybody suddenly,"he whispered."We need you, Harry. Me… I'm not much more than canon fodder."And then he charged forward ahead of Harry, taking down two demise eater before he too was stunned and fell to the primer coat. It was then that Harry noticed St. James the Apostle. He was beginning to dislocate free of the bonds that held him. Lucius, on the former paw, had abandoned everyone, including his son, and was racing to the floo. A deadbolt of orange light-colored struck the wall behind Harry, casting Harlan Fiske Stone and dust down his spine. Lucius was about prepare to escape. Harry focused on where he needed to be and before Lucius had taken another step, Harry was standing in front of him, blocking the entryway to the fireplace.

"Silencio !"Harry whispered, holding his helping hand between the cloak's folds of Shirley Temple cloth and directly against Malfoy's pectus. The wizard tried to cast a spell, but was mute."Now, what with the sporty arm and all… that's what I call an advance. You should think of to button up before you step out, Lucius. Now, demand off the cloak before I blast it off."Malfoy's heart glowed with pure hatred and he raised his wand."Expelliarmus !"Harry whispered again and Malfoy's wand flew from his hand. There was an expression of surprise in Malfoy's eyes that made Harry grinning.

"Now,"continued Harry,"as I was saying, aim off the—"With a sudden shove from behind, Malfoy fell forward onto Harry and they both tumbled to the floor. It was then that Harry noticed that King James had freed himself and now, forgoing the use of a wand, had his hands around Malfoy's throat, squeezing… squeezing. He was in a craze of pure hatred and anger.

"Do you bed who I am ?"cried Jesse James."Look into my eyes !"

Lucius, even Harry, saw the fire of red light in Epistle of James'eyes.

"N-Not pos-sible,"he gasped, unable to suspire."D-Dead."Then the wax recognition struck him."I-I never knew."

"You know now,"James spat between gritted teeth."And now is sssoon enough."A attack of red Inner Light came from the far rampart and struck Saint James the Apostle in the side, but before he released his suitcase on Lucius, a sinister acrid sess issued from his mouth and nostrils. To Harry, it was a stream of green evil leaving the red butt. King James I'grasp on Lucius released and the blonde wizard gasped for air, but instead of air he sucked in zippo but heater. Voldemort had penetrated him. Stunned, Harry saw the green environs the yellow and snuff it out. Lucius took to his feet as a blast of red struck him in the book binding. naught happened. It bounced off him, off the cloak he was wearing, like urine off a duck's back. Before Harry could react, Lucius, Voldemort and the cloak had vanished in a swirl of putting surface flame.

There were a dyad more blasts, a couple more snaps, and a duo more screams of painfulness, but finally the room fell silent. Only the phone of rock and roll scraping against the floor, as the remaining Aurors stepped across the detritus, broke the quiet.

"pastor, over here. It's your… over here, sir. Please."For the initiative meter, Harry realized that Chester Alan Arthur Weasley had been among the Aurors that had come to protect the Ministry. He watched as the wizard walked toward the shattered exhibit casing, 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 dull clump.

"Molly ?"he uttered as if trying to gently wake soul from a rich rest."Molly,"he said again only louder."molly !"He grabbed his wife in his weapon, pulling her up out of the dust ; pebbles cascaded to the floor."Oh my god, no. No… no… no… no… NOOO !"he screamed. The grand Radclyffe Hall rumbled, shaking mortar loose from the walls onto the floor below as Mr. Weasley buried his head into the nook of his wife's neck. He continued to heave bully sobs as Harry looked down at James, prone on the floor, arms outstretched toward the hearth. The green was gone ; only blue remained, but the Christ Within was weak and flickered. He was near death. The second gear year began to grown, slowly looking up to encounter Harry.

"H-Harry ? H-Help… I… I can't…."And he collapsed to the flooring. Harry looked around at the devastation. James was not the only when one near death. Instinctively, he pulled his wand to summon the warmness of Asha, but before he could draw the magic spell, snap after picnic began to replete the manor hall ; therapist were appearing. In a matter of seconds nearly a XII therapist had Apparated into the Ministry. One, an older wizard with bushy white hair, was at St. James the Apostle'side of meat almost instantly. Scanning the boy with his verge he turned to Harry.

"You're the Potter boy, aren't you ?"Without waiting for an solvent he said quickly,"William 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—"

"darn it !"Harry screamed."His feel's been sundered ! It probably has been all year. Voldemort just left him to contain on another boniface. If you don't hurry, he'll die."For only a s, the Healer tried to read the expression of Harry's face. He was old enough to eff 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 fundament and a twinkling of tremendous purpleness light left his verge bathing James in its glow from head to toe.

Harry stepped back, twisting his mortise joint on a rock beneath his foot. He cursed. other than the people swarming about the hall, it was hard to stimulate anything out. His vision was truly failing him in the rocky mess. He could see Mr. Weasley and heard his bastard, and tried to pick his way through the rubble as Auror and Healer alike seemed to give-up the ghost 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 !"someone cried out."Minister ! It's your son !"Harry turned his attention on a glow that lay prone on the storey near an Auror's foundation.

"My god, Percy ? !"cried Mr. Weasley still reeling from the deprivation of his wife.

"No, sir,"the Auror replied."It's your vernal boy, Ron. Looks like a peach is all."

"That's not possible,"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 mighty arm was starting to prickle with pain."Voldemort's back."

"What ?"

"A Horcrux,"Harry whispered nonsensically, stumbling closer to Mr. Malfoy and rubbing his right forearm with his left hand. It itched."There must have been more than one. We… we came for the cloak."

"Jonah,"called another Healer to the old man that was working on James I,"I need your avail. It's the Malfoy boy. What's his name, Draco ?"

"I thought he was dead ?"the old man called back. The younger healer looked down at genus Draco and then back up.

"Well, if he wasn't before—"

"You knew ?"asked Mr. Weasley, his vocalism sceptical. Gently he kissed his wife's boldness and lowered her to the trading floor."You knew they were coming ?"

Harry was feeling dazed. He looked toward genus Draco, toward Arthur Weasley. His right arm was aching. He had reached Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and his heart began to sink further.

"No one was supposed to be here,"Harry said thinly, his voice hoarse with sorrowfulness."I just wanted to destroy the cloak before… before…"Mr. Weasley rose to his feet.

"She loved you like a son !"he yelled and slapped Harry punishing 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 storey. Rising to one elbow he could sample the blood that was dripping from his cut lip, and then he noticed his aright forearm - it was glowing. A thin etch of a rune had appeared, the Viswa Vajra. Harry had always wondered when it would encounter, in what manner it would manifest itself, and even though he'd never seen such a glow, he knew what it meant, and he knew he had no selection but to obey.

The Minister of legerdemain who had loved Harry as his own son was demanding answers, answers Harry desperately wanted to grant. Dragon and James lay near death, and Harry had it in his power to easily save them both. Voldemort had escaped with a new eubstance and another composition of his someone, and Harry anxiously needed to chase after them - the Wizarding reality was again at risk. Once Thomas More, demise began to whisper in his ear and he began to throb.

In spite of that, none of it mattered. He had sworn an oath ; it was a burden all phallus of the Votary carried. He was being summoned and so, clutching his sceptre, he focused on where he needed to be. He felt a soft pinch on his articulatio humeri and heard Hermione call off his public figure. He looked up at her, wishing he could express 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 breast threshold of Hogwarts palace, Harry had pleaded that he too fight the onset of Dementors and Death Eaters raging against Dakhil's mother country in the Carpathian Mountains. The lamia should take been gone for only a few days, but it had been workweek and Dakhil had not returned nor had he sent word of the status of the battle. The Daily prophesier had been worthless, only reporting the trouble that the diverse European Ministries were having trying to mask the legion atrocities as rude disaster. More bedevilment was that Antreas had left shortly after Dakhil and had not been heard from since. Everyone who had left to fight 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 timberland from a darkness within the school day. Harry brushed the opinion of iniquity inside the palace walls 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 missionary work. Voldemort had not only escaped, but he had captured his Horcrux and was ready to give back to power. Or was he ?

Voldemort had said he needed only two things in the princely Radclyffe Hall of the Ministry - his old Negro cloak and Harry. He had asked earlier if there was still character of the darkness Lord that coursed through Harry's mineral vein. What James, what Voldemort didn't know was that the darkness, Voldemort's stain, had been washed away by the cleanup of the falls in the Great Forest. Perhaps, Voldemort was too faint without this other component part of himself, perhaps—

It was hot, painfully hot - the first gear thing Harry noticed when he finally appeared at the summoning land site - hot and dark. Not dark in the sentiency that there was no light, although it was that too ; a lack of Light Within wouldn't issue to a dim man. No, it was dark in the sense that Harry saw nothing. There was no spirit here, no life in any focal point, just heating, an vivid, blistering heating plant that appeared, to Harry, like a dull haze as he looked to the night sky and saw Ebyrth shining as bright as ever.

He had been able-bodied to Apparate across the duct. From there he had tried once more, but couldn't make it across Germany. He was drained, unable to frame another spell, and the richness of the land's muscularity, normally ample in this area, was parched like an arid desert. There was nothing for Harry to draw on to replenish what magical vitality he could regurgitate. Instead, he used the mightiness of the Centaur to deflect space and slow time, and he ran. He ran until his horseshoe wore through and fell away ; he ran over rivers that supported his weight unit as if they were frozen solid ; he ran past flying birds that hovered in the air like floating balloons. He ran for what felt corresponding daytime, stopping only to drink from the episodic stream or brook. At one degree, just extraneous Vienna, he had grabbed half of a sandwich from the hand of a passer-by who might as well have been a statue frozen in time. His ramification ached, his lungs wanted to bristle and all he could hear was the vocalization of Ronan compelling him forward, not to touch the call of the Centaur, but to do the summoning of the firedrake.

By the time he had begun the final upgrade, his brain was blurred with fatigue. He had paid no notice to the mountain he had been climbing. Sweat burning his blind eyes, he had ignored the thigh-slapper and the fires through which he had yesteryear. He didn't see the passage from life to death. He only knew one affair - the summoning site. He would not fail again, even as the last driblet of strength left his being.

This… this was the spot ; he was sure. Huge gulps of air splashed down his burning lungs unable to quench his thirst for oxygen. His simple animal foot burned. Almost forgetfully, he held out his wand, helping hand shaking from exhaustion and mind knowing that he would not be able to cast a enchantment even if he wanted to. Sweat dripped down his forehead ; the heat was unbearable. He stood for a moment, wand outstretched, squinting with failed middle into the duskiness. pigeon hawk, 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 priming. He didn't have the energy to tear away from the scorching Harlan Fiske Stone, nor could he spit out the moxie and tiny pebbles that filled his mouth and burned his knife.

"Maybe,"he thought,"if I rest for just—"He passed out, dropping his wand at his side of meat.

Unconscious on the sweltering earth, swirls of hummer and visible radiation coalesced in his intellect forming a scene of darkness and despair. Even in his aspiration the feeling of burning flesh was unbearable. Yet, in his dream he could see - his visual sensation, his sight was as unspoilt as ever. The smoke and the smell cleared and he found himself at the crepuscle, the downslope where Gabriella lay face down in the tall dope, an arrow sunk trench into her rachis. In the air was sadness. No… more than sadness - there was anger. It was Ron, screaming, screaming….

"NOOOOOOO !"

The earth shook.

"issue him ! Take him now ! haste !"

The scene changed. He was flying… flying in the air. bound. On a Hippogriff. Bounce. Harry felt a jarring pain against the side of his rib. He blinked. The blindness had returned, but he could sense that there was a light beneath him. Bounce. A person.

"rushing !"

The voice… he knew that voice. The swarthiness was clearing from his mind. He was waking. He was being carried. A mathematical group of five was climbing up the side of meat of the mint. One had Harry over his shoulder. Weakly, Harry began to struggle to free himself.

"Easy, Harry,"the young man holding him said gently, but with some urgency in his voice."When we get you back to the stronghold, we'll take a spirit at the burn. Praise Asha you're a member of the Votary, or you'd be dead."

"An-Antreas ?"Harry muttered. He hadn't heard the vocalization of Gabriella's brother since the summer, but there was still no mistaking the undeniable intonation that was the demand replica of Antreas'father, Grigor."What… What's going on ?"

"There will be time for answers later !"cried another interpreter."Run !"Harry knew at once the other man speaking. He also recognized the aura ; it was Dakhil. Troubling was the sentience of concern, even fright in Dakhil's voice. He'd never heard that before, even when they were being attacked by vampires last summer. What was more perturbing, however, was something that had bothered Harry since his cobbler's last example with Ronan, something he had seen in Dakhil ever since the vampire first taught him to see without seeing. The atmosphere of Dakhil faded from red to empurple and endorse to red again. There were two personas present in his aura. For the first time since he'd arrived at the Mountain of Singehorn, Harry felt cold.

They continued to step on it up the mountain. Occasionally, Dakhil or one of the others would range enchantment back in the direction from which they came. Harry could not see, nor could he smell out what it was they were firing upon. Curiously, there were no spells cast in reappearance. Soon, he began to notice trees, botany, lifetime. After a few minutes more, the band came to a orotund stone rampart. One of the men cast a spell and an entrance appeared. They passed through and the opening in the stone sealed behind them. The stallion troupe sighed with relief once they entered the 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 leave behind face, the same incline that fell unconscious into the scorching globe. He reached up and pulled the crank from Harry's face, glasses he continued to wear in the hope, or perhaps as a symbol to others, that one day he might see again. There was an manifest tearing sound, and Harry could feel the plastic rims pull away from the skin on his side. When he reached to guide the glasses out of Antreas'hand, he could evidence that the result half of the chassis was nearly melted away. He didn't want to reckon what his aspect must calculate like. It didn't suffering. Harry moved to rival it but Antreas grabbed his mitt.

"No !"he snapped, one-half trying to quell the distress in his own voice. He chuckled, but not convincingly."It… it's zippo, Harry. It's just trump 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 wilted away."Hurry,"Dakhil yelled."Hurry before there's nada left of his face to put back together !"If Antreas had tried to calm Harry's mettle, Dakhil had served to take apart them."You two,"Dakhil continued pointing at two men they had passed as they entered into the compound."Help carry the boy into the cave. I won't suffer another one tonight !"

With Antreas'assist, they carried Harry further up the mountain. Dakhil followed, but was unwilling to assist. Typical, Harry thought. There was a pocket-size outcrop of rocks off to the incline and they turned toward it as Dakhil continued upward. Antreas stopped.

"If Singehorn is unable to call in the others in time,"he said,"we'll have to institutionalise for the Centaur you spoke of."

"You were brave today, my son,"said Dakhil warmly."It is clear your father is with you. Your female parent would be proud. keep back the boy prophylactic and see what the healer can do with what remains."He turned to continue upward then stopped."Singehorn, I'm afraid, was not able to call for our friend, not tonight."He sighed with a deep plaintive breath."Still we must stay with the plan ; it's our sole promise. More may arrive before the moonlight's rise tomorrow."

Facing a Oliver Stone wall, one of the men carrying Harry said something in a language he thought might be Russian and again an arch appeared where before was only rock and rock. Just before the rock and roll grimace closed behind them Antreas called back to Dakhil who had followed them most of the way

"And the Centaurus ?"he called.

"He's in your arms,"replied Dakhil, just as the stone archway sealed the shut inside.

"weirdo,"said the Russian, referring to Dakhil."He'll kill us all."There was a wand at his cervix 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 part,"I'm trusted no one would miss you. The side by side time you speak of the Votary, take care to choose the Christian Bible carefully. I may suffer to excise the offending tongue."The Russian said nothing as Antreas pulled the wand back and the grip on Harry became more sure. They turned a corner and the cave opened out into a great hall filled with wound. To Harry, it looked as if a 100 visible radiation had been spread across the floor. Almost immediately a heart murmur rippled across the boastfully cavern.

"Is that him ?"“ The Chosen !"“ My god what happened to his face ?"“ Dragons."“ It's just a boy."“ That's not him ; some Muggle must receive been caught in the crossfire."“ He's the elect !"
"Marek !"cried Dakhil."Marek ! This is a priority !"Harry noticed an orangeness colour on the far side rise up from the ground. Marek was busy treating another patient and as he stood, Harry could tell that he was a large man.

"They're ALL priorities !"he called back."Have one of the others—"

"shucks it ! NOW !"yelled Antreas. This was not the same Antreas that had waved good-bye to Harry and Gabriella as they began their summer vacation. That Antreas was still trying to hone his sceptre study, and his confidence interacting with people was shaky at beneficial. While he made a passable neighbour on Privet drive, he was an absolute muckle around other wizards. This Antreas, however, the one standing before Harry, was Sir Thomas More than just a ft soldier in this wad struggle. He was clearly somebody of meaning.

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 side of meat of the heavy chamber. He was placed on a bed, firm, but more well-fixed than a blanket on the stone floor outside. Once he was down, the two men left Antreas alone with Harry. For some time neither spoke and Harry noted his ally's irritation.

"What is it Antreas ?"Harry asked. As he spoke, Harry noticed that the position of his face didn't seem to move correctly. Still, there was no pain in the neck.

"I'm so sorry, Harry,"Antreas replied."If I had known… We were losing earth and… Dakhil must make thought it would be safe. Our outer margin was half a knot down the muckle when he must have asked Singehorn to summon you. But then, they came so fast."

"Who ?"

"The Dementors. They've been swarming the mountain for daylight. They've grown so thickset they can blot out the sun and when that happens it gives their allies, a band of about thirty thaumaturgist vampires, free rein to lash out during the day. This wasn't our war, but ultimately the Dragon had no pick. The Dementors were moving in on their rookery. Half a dozen dragon left to scorch the land and leave no life-time behind. Not even a appendage 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 burst of air shot from Antreas'lips.

"Dakhil had Singehorn summon me ?"

"Harry, there was no way of knowing. You passed out right in the centre of the incineration. It had to own been over two hundred grade. One of the spotter saw you first, but it was too hot. Only the Votary could get in to retrieve you."Harry remembered Dakhil walking through the burning flaming just before the Joining ; he understood these words."The connexion helped you to survive, training would take in been better. Your face… you've been burned… badly burned."

"But it doesn't detriment,"Harry said. He was feeling more tired by the min.

"That's because there's nothing left to hurt. Your flesh is—"Marek pushed through the opening of the tent.

"And what's this anteriority ?"he said wearily."Another sheath of shucks Dementor frost— Oh… Oh, my."He cast Antreas a glance."One of the civilians ?"he asked, not recognizing the Lester Willis Young man he'd met over the summer."A Muggle caught in the blast ?"Assessing the big stature of the man before him and listening closely to his voice, it was Harry who first made the connection. It was the Saami Marek that had taken in Ron, Hermione and the others after the vampire attack.

"Marek ?"Harry asked hoarsely, finding it more hard by the minute of arc to act 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 education ?"

"He's joined a Centaur heard in England,"said Antreas.

"So this is the one Dakhil spoke of. That would explain matter. Yes, that would explain a lot."Marek reached into his robe."I haven't had to take with one of these for years,"Marek whispered,"but with dragons about, such Nathan Birnbaum are not uncommon. Praise Asha you're Votary."He leaned in close to Harry."What happened to your optic ?"

"Glass,"Harry replied, wearily."Lots of glass."

"Hmmm. fountainhead, let's get started. Harry, lie back."Harry obliged."I have something far good than a deoxyephedrine of water."He watched Marek stir his wand over his burned face."This should only take a few hours."

"Hours ?"Harry said, bringing up his hired 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 error, Harry,"said Antreas."There's no way you could have known."

"Yes, admirable qualities, Harry. But as Antreas has said—"

"I am NOT a antecedence ! I won't—"blue angel light erupted from Marek's sceptre and before he could say another discussion, Harry was asleep on the cot and Marek began his employment. The end thing he remembered was a crackling strait and Marek's drab vox.

"That'll leave a mark."

sentence faded to nothingness and, when Harry woke, he sensed someone sitting at his bedside."Gabriella ?"he asked groggily.

"You wish, mate !"

"Fred ? Fred is that you ?"

Slowly, Harry began to retrieve 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 cobwebs free, he finally recognized the glory of the other person.

"Remus ?"

"Yes, Harry,"replied Remus lupin,"Fred and I are both here. We have been for about three days."

"ternary Clarence Shepard Day Jr. !"Harry exclaimed, once again trying to move up and once again being held down by Remus."I've been here for three twenty-four hour period ?"

"No, ditz,"Fred laughed."We've been here for three sidereal day. 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 face. He reached his hands up and felt the bandages wrapping his oral sex.

"An interesting look, if you ask me,"said Fred."kind of a toque gone mad. All in all I'd say it's an improvement. The great thing is, Harry, they gave you a whole new head ! Moody volunteered his."Fred laughed again and this time Remus joined him. A inhuman shudder passed through Harry. It had suddenly sunk in that Fred… Fred Weasley, was in the Sami way and if he'd been here for three days, he might not know….

"Why aren't you home ?"Harry asked."Where's George ?"

"I'm flying solo, mate,"said Fred."George I is minding the shops."

"No one can travel in or out,"said Remus."apparition is impossible. It's a miracle that you made it alive. I'm sorry that—"

"What about content,"Harry interrupted."Can messages get in ?"

"Not for two twenty-four hours,"said Remus."The Dementors have the whole mountainside surrounded. I tried a Patronus. It passed through a few twelve, but there are just too many."

"Then you don't know,"Harry said with urgency. He sat up and this fourth dimension 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 cone, Harry."

"Fred,"Harry began, muffled by the bandages surrounding his face. He tried to muster up the courageousness, but in the last moment it failed him."W-Why are you even here ?"

"Tonight, we go on the offence. We're through sitting back and letting Lucius Malfoy and his Army of darkness decide when and where to strike. They're mostly vampire and Dementors with a handful of decease Eaters sprinkled in for dear measure. Last we heard Lucius may ingest let himself get turned."

"Turned ?"Harry asked.

"The scouts were out early this morn, Harry,"said Remus, moving over and sitting side by side to Fred."We've seen him off and on in these parts for weeks. 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 reach immortality."

Harry felt as if he was going to be sick. If Lucius was here that have in mind Voldemort was here. Were they looking for him ? For Harry ? His mettle began to race. There was too much to do and too little time. He needed to secern someone, but whom ? His breathing space quickened and Remus took notice.

"Harry… you need to—"

"He's alive !"Harry shouted."He's still alert !"There was a myopic intermission. Remus knew almost immediately what Harry meant, but wasn't sure if his Holy Writ were the issue of some variety of side-effect from one of the potions. Fred didn't understand.

"What do you intend, Harry ? Who's alive ?"

"Voldemort,"gasped Harry, taking in a great breathing place of air through the bandages covering his face. He walked over to the side of the tent and held the framework in his fingers. To his mind, it had a dull orange appearance, probably spores of some sorting. He didn't want to say more ; he couldn't. But he had to. He could feel his core pounding in his chest - it hurt. His breathing grew laboured, weighed down by the burden of what he was about to percentage.

"Somehow… I don't know… I don't know how, but he took control of James Chang, Cho's younger brother. He's been in spite of appearance James, controlling him all year at schooltime. 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 deliver 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 deplume you away from the award ceremony to be in this hellhole. I'm not supposed to tell, but Dad's lined you up for order of magnitude of Merl—"

"It was a Horcrux,"hissed Harry through gritted teeth. Remus understood and gasped, but Fred still didn't grasp what Harry was saying."Can you believe it ? Lucius wanted it for himself - maybe to extract whatever nub Voldemort had left of himself in it."Harry madly grabbed Fred's robes."Don't you see ? I had to destroy it… to destruct 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 film 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 Imperious expletive. I thought I'd be able-bodied to control him."He breathed hard again."But I couldn't. It wasn't a scourge, it was Voldemort. I couldn't diaphragm him. I tried—"He turned back to look Fred."He… Voldemort used the kill Curse, Fred. I tried… I swear on Merlin's grave… I tried."

"What are you talking about, Harry ?"Fred's words were quiet, neural and unsure.

"Last nighttime, before Singehorn summoned me, in the grand entrance hall of the Ministry, Voldemort… Voldemort killed your mother."shortstop pant of air burst from Harry's lungs and he fell on his knees in forepart of Fred."She's dead… she's… dead."Clutching at the bottom of Fred's gown, Harry began to heft up enceinte mother fucker. His voice was decrepit and lose weight."She's dead."Fred pushed Harry away and took to his groundwork.

"Stop 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 hired hand 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 quiet, stoic. He didn't speak and he didn't move. Fred pulled his verge and held it in Remus'face.

"TELL HIM !"

Remus held his weapon out all-embracing and, slowly, shook his read/write head.

"No."Fred whispered, shaking his head teacher vigorously in reply."No, it's not… it's not… oh god."

His hands fell limp at his sides and his wand dropped to the floor, tinkling and then rolling in the silence. Fred shuddered, fell into Lupin's arms and began to cry.

They stayed like that for some time, Harry on the base, Fred in Lupin's limb, all three of them crying. Until now, Harry hadn't had the prospect to mourn molly's death. The pain was trench and biting. In the tears and muteness, Harry wished he could contain it back. His activeness had monetary value another life and the angriness in Arthur Weasley's vocalisation echoed within his mind.

His thoughts turned to the others who had been murdered in the conflict and he wondered if James I had made it."I may never love,"he whispered to himself.

As the sadness began to settle, he mulled over how Fred and Remus had described the scout's sighting of Lucius. If the reports were true and Malfoy had returned to the deal, then mollie's murderer was within reach. Harry's annoyance began to flex to see red. The pother on the tent furled open and in take the air Marek

"Remus, I— What in Merlin's figure is up with you three ?"he said with a rather gruff part.

"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 Book to be lawful. Fred turned, wiping his oculus.

"I've got to see if I can get base,"he said. He started toward the expiration, but Marek took him by the arm.

"Fred, we're surrounded."

The redhead pulled his arm free people.

"I have to go home."

"It'd be suicide, Fred."

"I don't care."

"Don't you think your mother would !"chew out Remus."AND your begetter. What do you think it would do to him to fall behind you both ?"Fred said nada."If you're going to put your animation on the line, Fred, make it counting ; make it matter."Remus stepped toward him and held Fred by the shoulders, looking him in the eyes.

"Tonight,"he said with self-confidence and surety."Tonight, you'll have your chance, Fred."

"Why tonight ?"asked Harry.

"There are about sixty of us, Harry,"said Remus,"counting me and Fred. Tonight the moon turns full moon. We'll attack with the tartar, a few dozen Centaurs, and—"

"full synodic month ?"asked Harry. He picked himself up off the base and stood."Full synodic month ? I thought Soseh had given you a potion, given you both one to go along you from turning."

"She did, Harry,"answered Remus."But we haven't taken it during the cycle. There are few creatures on Earth that can challenge a vampire. Surrounded by Dementors as they are now, even necromancer have minuscule hope of conducting an effective attack. They're a werewolf's rude prey ; Dementors and lamia plowshare a iniquity that… How can I put it ? Is tasty for a werewolf."

"Better than chocolate, they tell me,"added Fred, with an eerie gleam in his eye.

"Besides the dragons,"added Remus,"only one creature can break through both defence force. Dakhil discussed it with me some fourth dimension ago and we both agreed - we needed a werewolf USA. I couldn't convince near, but I've convince enough."

"sixty doesn't make an army, Remus,"said Harry, stepping closer."sixty 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 hushed confidence."Yes, we could have more in our number, but even with Arthur as Minister, the distrust of my kind runs deep."

"Our variety, Remus ! And they'll be more than surprise,"snapped Fred."They'll be bally rigidify !"

"Well,"said Harry sardonically,"bloody anyway."

The bandages wrapping his face were hot and heavy and he was only just able to resist the enticement to rip them off so that he could scrape up the itch that was growing stronger by the minute. He placed both his hands two-dimensional against the house bed, curling the covers in his digit as they balled up into fists. Without looking up, he took in a breath and swallowed.

"Remus… Fred… You need to understand everything. Lucius Malfoy isn't a vampire. The scouts… what they saw down on the versant this morning… It may have looked like Lucius, but it wasn't. Yeah, he's been taken over alright, but not by a lamia. His spirit has been consumed by Voldemort. Lucius is Voldemort."He turned to face them."Sixty werewolf, LX dragons, 60 of anything… it won't be enough."Hearing Harry's Word of God, Remus stepped forward and placed a handwriting 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 ceramicist and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 18 - The mob of Onyx
~~~***~~~

The Lucy Stone whole tone were enceinte, larger it seemed to Harry, than they were before. Yet, the same sparse blank swarm dusted the blue sky, and the heated air brought Harry's mind back to his summer traveling with Gabriella in Lebanese Republic. His nous's eye flashed to a vision of her smooth, gloomy brown hide and twinkling black oculus, and he wondered how she was fairing with Cho and his son, Jamie. His tenderness skipped at the mentation and he drew in a breathing space to steady his nerves. He stepped upward through the large rock pillar, upward toward the remains of the great Asian castle. Up ahead, seated on a watch glass bench intricately carved in an elaborate rule was a orotund black man in green and brown robe - Singehorn.

On the eve of the counterplay, the dragon had asked that the young wizard meet him in this sheet of cognisance that they might address with one another. Here, in this early world, Harry could not only address to the dragon, he could see. He had no bandaged head, no wand, only a white robe and mere animal foot that withstood the scorching warmth beneath them. In the cave where Harry's corporeal consistence sat in meditation, the others were preparing for war. Soon, the moon would go up, the werewolves, including Remus and Fred, would turn and the fight would begin. It had taken Harry quite some time to fold out all the beguilement that were happening about him, but finally he made it.

As he drew finisher to the flying dragon, the descendent of Asha whose melodic phrase Harry had sworn to protect, he noticed that the man looked more aged than before and that his breathing was heavy, moil. With effort, Harry heaved himself upward onto another stone tone, and then another. On the step before reaching the landing where Singehorn sat in one of the two quartz glass bench, Harry saw a large gang made of black onyx. He stopped for a consequence to see at it. The firedrake coughed a bottomless throaty cough.

"Go on,"he said with a trench scratchy part."Pick it up."

Harry reached down and took the ring into his correct script. It was grievous than Harry expected. Holding it in the digit of both hands he examined it from all English.

"I… I know this ring,"Harry said, trying to call up how or from where."I've seen it before."Singehorn shifted his frightful weight and grimaced somewhat.

"The ring,"he said,"is known to many, but few alive today have seen it with their own eyes. For those few that saw it worn by its last sea captain, it was most potential the finish affair they saw. He was known for using the gang to kill."Suddenly, Harry remembered.

"Pravus,"he whispered, remembering the portrait of the wickedness star's hand Greg Goyle had shown him last-place year. Singehorn growled, long and low. Clearly, he did not revel the phone of the epithet.

"Very good,"answered the dragon."Very honest. Come… sit."

Harry climbed the hold up heavy step and tried to disperse the forepart of his white robes which had grown brown from the desert grit. Singehorn laughed and, as Harry looked up, the man's mouth erupted in fire, enveloping Harry in a great white photoflash. In the next blink of an eye, Harry's robes were white again and he was unscathed. Harry examined his handwriting, expecting to see scorch patsy, but aught was there.

"Sit,"said Singehorn again. Unlike his last visit with the man before him, the new wizard sat obediently across from his passe-partout.

"My child… not for fifty years has that ring been held by human hand, 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 live, beaten back for good. I was immature then and naïve, but not so naïve as to believe in men again."

"But Dakhil,"said Harry."You trust him."

"Do I, Harry ? Do I ?"There was another low murmur as Singehorn leaned forward. Harry noticed a slim down, calorie-free scar that ran along the man's face, a scar that wasn't there before the joining. Over the last few months, the Draco had seen battle.

"Do you see the ring on Dakhil's fingers ?"he continued."No, Harry… Soseh trusts Dakhil and I would trust Soseh with my life, but his fate lies on a different path."

"You need to bed, sir,"said Harry with some importunity in his voice."I've seen… I've seen two emotional state inside him. He may be under the control of another."Singehorn smiled and began to laugh. It was loud and thunderous, not the reaction Harry had expected.

"He's a vampire, my child,"the flying dragon said finally."He fights the spirit inside him every waking minute. Few have learned to check the thirst for overbold blood line, the desire for death. None have fought more heroically than Dakhil Barghouti to stave off his own personal daemon. But his way will soon result elsewhere and I will require someone to take up his staff as high priest of the Votary. He would choose I choose now, before his fate befalls him."

Harry's eyes widened in disbelief. Rolling the ring in his fingers he looked up at Singehorn then back down at the ring. Finally, he set it in his palm and held it out to the dragon.

"I can't, sir,"he said, shaking his brain."Whatever powers this ring holds, I'm not ready."

"What ? No questions about what the anchor ring does ? What lastingness it might bring you ?"

"No, sir,"Harry replied, reaching yet further toward Singehorn. The Draco did not take out the halo from Harry's thenar, but instead leaned back on the bench.

"Not even if the band might assist you defeat the one who killed molly Weasley and so many more ?"Harry shook his head."What if it would avail you win the war against these Dementors, saving the lives of unnumerable centaur ; these puppet you seem to care so much about ?"Singehorn leaned in again."Are you so sure that you wouldn't wishing to finally put down the tool that killed your parents ?"

For a moment, Harry's outstretched arm receded. Once more he held the hoop between thumb and forefinger, wondering what strength it might bring him. He took a cryptical breath and exhaled slowly. Finally, he shook his head once more.

"No, sir,"he said softly still rolling the ring in his finger."When I was lastly here, you reminded me our calling : Bravery… Wisdom… Love."Harry shuddered, swallowing hard."You also told me that I needed to sour on my wisdom."Harry took in a mystifying breath as his eyes grew misty."But I've been precious short circuit in that regard all yr, eh ? I brought Voldemort into the Ministry. I brought him face-to-face with Mrs. Weasley. I should cause known…. I should have been wiser. Now, he's at your doorstep, threatening to destroy all we stand for."Holding back his tears, Harry held the ring out once again."Whatever powers the halo bears, there are others more worthy than me."

With lightening speed, frighteningly fast for such a large underframe, Singehorn grabbed Harry's hand in his own, his monumental paw wrapping around Harry's entire clenched fist and arm, squeezing the ring into the material body of Harry's palm and scorching the vertebral column of Harry's hand. His red eyes glared with steeled conclusion into Harry's and his chela drew blood from Harry's human body.

"Tell me, my son, when the duskiness spreads across this mickle and threatens my children and my child's tiddler what will you do ? There are only so many rock and roll to go up and the cloud will not protect us."Harry said zippo."When your friends charge down the mountainside to connect my kin in the attack against the sludge that surrounds us, will you hide… a blind rat in a dark cave ?"The tartar's claws dug deeper, but Harry refused to cry out.

"I'd… sooner… die."

"Harry, the monster seeks you out, but he does not require you dead, not yet. He thinks he needs you animated, but he doesn't know that what he seeks is no longer there, washed away by the dip at Hogwarts. Without the get-up-and-go he once shared with you, he is but half a man, half a wiz. In his ignorance, in his subvert commonwealth, he can be defeated."

"Then I don't need the ring,"Harry said calmly, withstanding the pain.

"If only it was so uncomplicated,"sighed Singehorn, still holding Harry's hand firm."Before the Cleansing at the gloam, you joined."

"Joined ?"

"The swarthiness that was once in your veins… now flows through another's."

Harry's marrow began to wash. Another's ?
"Your inherited."

"Jamie,"Harry whispered.

"You would sooner die than see my nestling harmed. What would you do to protect your fry ?"asked Singehorn.

"My… son."

Harry's digit, almost instinctively, tightened around the ring burning the flesh of his decoration and in that instant his vision filled with a rattling flashing of flannel. Singehorn's vocalisation became dark and ominous.

"I will not say your determination is wise, but it is our only when course of instruction. Forgive me, my child, for the power will run through you. Soseh has foreseen your covetousness turn to grief. On the day the tartar mark the sky, you will commence to jazz your true force. How you emerge from your failing will regulate the fate of us all."

Suddenly, Harry's tidy sum was gone, all before him nighttime. When he breathed in, the damp must odour of the bandages that wrapped his cheek filled his anterior naris.

"We've got to go, sir,"said a ace somewhere to Harry's left.

"If I have to tell you one more clock time to be quiet, I'll rip your throat out,"snapped Dakhil in a low, hissing vocalization."We will go when Singehorn says we can go. Do NOT vex 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 bright bluing aura was clearly frightened ; the other 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 gamy whose coloring was fading so fast Harry thought he might wet himself. He wasn't the only one nearby that was frightened. In the large cavern just beyond the sway wall where Harry sat, scotch of men mulled about nervously waiting for the final order to round. Harry was about to proceed, to indicate to the others that he had returned, when the orange colouring of Marek moved into the elbow room where he sat.

He slipped over and placed his manus on Dakhil's back and the two walked to the far English of the tent. They whispered and then the rustling grew louder.

"Marek,"Dakhil hissed,"I need to know. What is your ruling ?"

"As a therapist or a Warrior ?"the man that had worked on Harry's human face replied. He was upset, get at 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 scrap like that."

"Then leave the boy behind."

Two vox harmonized :"No !"Simultaneously, Harry and Dakhil rejected Marek's suggestion.

"You've returned,"said Dakhil quietly."Good. The time is near. The wide-cut moon will soon heighten over the side of the pot. We must aim advantage of every minute of arc it brings us the werewolves'specialty. Dawn will come far too quickly I'm afraid."

Harry held his hand to his cheek."And these ? You can slay these ?"

"Really, Harry,"answered Marek,"if only you could part with two to a greater extent days… two more."

"The engagement will be over by morning,"said Harry,"and I can't fight with this rag weighing me down. It's sweaty enough as it is, and I can barely breathe."

"Then don't engagement,"Marek said to Harry. Then he turned to Dakhil."What possible advantage does a boy bring this struggle beyond more gore ?"Steadying his metrical foot on the dusty rock music, Harry stood.

"I am no boy !"he said defiantly. Marek ignored him.

"Dakhil,"the healer continued,"there is no reason to put his life… What ? What is it ?"

There was silence. Harry too noticed the change in Dakhil's aura that was likely now being mimicked by the lamia's nerve. The red had darkened into a rich orange red - the emotion was a stiff one, whatever it was.

"Dakhil, what are you looking at ?"Marek continued.

As Harry stood, his hand, which had been covered by the arm of his robes while he sat, became exposed. There, on the centre finger of Harry's ripe hand was a ring. wild at being called a boy, Harry had not noticed the lend system of weights on his finger.

"Well… that can't be good,"said Dakhil with a rather cool voice."I had asked for a pick, but I never…"

"I'll take the red cent bandages off myself if I have to,"cried Harry, reaching for his sceptre. It was then, when digit met wood, that he realized there was a ring on his finger. He let go his scepter and held the doughnut with his go out hand. He moved to take it off, but the pack would not move. He pulled again, and again the ring held its grip about the bone of his right middle digit.

"I had always hoped he might see fit to yield it to me,"said Dakhil with more letdown than ire."I suppose Soseh has told him."

"Told him what ?"asked Harry, still trying to act upon the mob from his finger.

"Damn the day I met you, boy,"said Dakhil, again in a quietly, matter of fact tone."She's seen my death, which is not such a cracking business for a vampire when such events 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 cheat on down the versant, get bit and live to a very right old age as an immortal, or I'm going to die before the summer solstice. condemnation you,"Dakhil said dryly,"I always wanted to make it to the millennium."

"You're both talking gibber,"said Marek."Would you arrest that,"he said to Harry."You're starting to bleed."Harry turned his smoke downward and watched as the glowing drips of blood fell to the story from his finger. Marek pulled his baton and healed the finger."Now leave the tinker's damn ring alone. Here, let me dispatch it."

He cast a spell and cipher happened, nothing but the pettish laughter from Dakhil. He tried a different spell and still the ring stayed clamped about Harry's finger.

"We don't have time for this,"said Harry finally."Look, just take the patch off. Place a shield charm about the skin if you must, but I can't—"

"Very well,"cut in Marek with a sigh."But it's not your skin that I was worried about."Sit over here."He led Harry to a stone judiciary.

"What do you mean ?"Harry asked.

"Well, Harry, while I was working on your face, I thought I might see if I couldn't do something about your eyes."

"But I've seen goose egg,"said Harry."Certainly through this netting, I could discern—"

"I've sealed your lids shut so the eyes beneath could heal as the tour worked and weaved."He stepped closer to Harry."Son, two to a greater extent days… two more 24-hour interval and I'm sure that the knitting will be complete."

"And I'll see again ?"asked Harry with a glint of Bob Hope in his interpreter.

"You might."

"Well… look… it's dismal anyway,"Harry said."Take off the bandage and leave my eyes sealed. I'll be better off not trying to discern physical object in the darkness. I've gotten used to not seeing and trying to squint in the turbid nighttime may just make things worse."

"There's the job,"said Dakhil."The objective you wish to pick out are Dementors. They suck the life from all about them. To your imagination they would be darkness and on the scorched mountainside where very short aliveness remains, it would be near impossible to detect them."

At this it was Harry's turn to jape.

"Dakhil, I don't need my sight to know 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 get rid of your bandages, but hold back your centre sealed. If you make it through the night Harry, your cheek should be re-wrapped immediately. A buckler charm might be satisfactory for walking around school or sitting about the sign of the zodiac. It will be worthless against a well placed hex."

"Get on with it,"said Harry."I can get a line the howl already."

And indeed he could, they all could. Some of the wizard loup-garou were growing anxious. Outside, the lunation was nearing the tip of the easterly view and some were having difficulty controlling their metamorphosis even inside the cavern, away from the moonshine. Typically, such difficulties were had by newly converted loup-garou, those who had recently become. Harry wondered how Fred was fairing.

When Dakhil removed the gauze bandage bandage, Harry immediately reached up to his side to bear upon, but the shell spell stopped his fingerbreadth.

"It feels like an eggshell,"Harry whispered.

"And it won't protect your face 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 Bronx cheer, unexpected words left Dakhil's oral fissure first.

"An Acolyte of the Votary does not play at anything !"Dakhil's stature was suddenly somewhat larger, and his aura somewhat redder."You would be wise to remember your position, Marek. With one thought the boy could demolish you."

"Yes… yes, of course,"Marek apologized."I'm sorry… I… I truly am sorry."

There was concern in his words, far more fear than Harry thought the situation warranted. Part of him understood, something he remembered from the Joining, but there wasn't time to well for its source ; it was time for action. Harry stood and began to take the air toward the big chamber.

"One moment, boy,"said Dakhil with a affair of fact tone. Harry stopped, turned and, before he had an instant to react, Dakhil had cast a patch on him. nil happened.

"What… what was that ?"Harry demanded, still reaching for his sceptre.

"He's changed the coloring material of your robes, Harry,"said Marek."They're no longer ashen ; they're crimson."

"archpriest Potter,"said Dakhil in an exceptionally techy voice followed by a myopic blasting coughing."Your title, when I die."He sighed."Asha protect us."Harry looked down, but could feel no discernable difference."Don't worry, boy ; those who have travelled the way of life through proper training will know at once the signification of your gown. We'd best hurry. There won't be time for practically of a speech."

Harry and Dakhil left the collapsible shelter and entered the cavern ; it had emptied out onto the mountainside, staging for the battle to come. Soon, the gate would afford and the soldiers would slop down upon their foes. Harry and Dakhil walked down the cave and as it narrowed toward its exit a Cy Young 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 door opened and, for a present moment, Harry was blinded by the many auras gathered outside. He could see that some of the werewolves had already turned, and a radical of wizards was having difficulty restraining them. No one seemed distracted by the ululation, a howling that integrate with words in Harry's mind - kill, bite, blood ! He turned to see if someone was talking to him, but no one was there. Another loup-garou howled.

"Patience, my booster,"called Harry to the snapping creatures and the wolves quieted at his parole. That was not my phonation, thought Harry. Or was it ?

Everyone was listening to Antreas who stood upon a large rock outcrop of rock above the growing din. His words were amplified, but Harry wasn't sure the increased intensity was requirement. He was calling out in a strong and commanding voice and Harry wondered why this role wasn't Dakhil's.

"….is all we need. Together we will be victorious ! Together we will banish the darkness into the abysm !"The earth began to rumble with hand clapping. Harry noticed four giants pounding their feet with approval.

"Giants ?"he asked Dakhil."I didn't notice any behemoth when I arrived."

"They climbed over from the sheer cliffs on the backward incline of the mountain. That way is not guarded save by Dementors, and they have no gist on such simple creatures. So it is with the werewolves."

"It'll m-make for a b-bloody Death feeder busting surprise."

"Fred ?"

The redhead was clearly agitated, seemingly in the midst of the modification.

"Fred, please… don't—"

"The primate has ARRIVED !"cried Antreas with a leap spokesperson. He was referring to Dakhil, but Harry could palpate hundred of eyes turn toward him simultaneously. Save for the howling and the occasional spell being cast a short ways down the Alfred Hawthorne, all became still.

"Let's commit them what they want, boy,"said Dakhil."Up you go."He levitated Harry some twenty feet in the air. Harry's nerve began to airstream as he rose, wondering what he might say.

It was like rising over the embers of a dying fire, each glowing aura a tiny coal burning against the darkness. There were hundreds gathered here. Some fell to their genu as Harry rose ; to the highest degree stood silently. Giants, Centaurs, necromancer and lycanthrope, a ragtag collection of misfits all collected to fight together against the malice Lucius Malfoy had co-opted for his own evil purposes.

Lucius probably hoped he would retrieve the cloak and arrive at this place of battle to celebrate a great victory, the first off of many. little did he sleep together that his former master would adopt up abidance in his organic structure - if only long enough to take 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 swarthiness worming within him. Harry raised his coat of arms to the Eden above, a giant star comet was clearly seeable in the Nox's sky.

"Ebyrth marks its return and now we find ourselves at its clemency. While some have come to resolve the new sun's call, others are here to protect our dragon brother against the shadow that wishes to destroy all in its path. Tonight we fight as one. Tonight we fight with the strength of hulk, the conjuring trick of sensation, the violence of werewolves, the soundness of Centaur, and the hearts 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 gang, blotting out the headliner and then coming to take a breather at the top of the corking Harlan Stone wall. Singehorn wasn't among them, but Harry, though having never met them, knew their names. The three male person were Rakesh, Talisan, and Igneus, and the blue female person was Tanwen. As if being called, Harry looked toward Talisan, the with child of the four, with green-black graduated table and fierce red eyes.

"primate !"the creature cried out."We follow you in battle. What are your orders !"

All around Harry, wizards were clasping their handwriting to their pinna, some falling to their knees, because of the creature's big roar. And yet, Harry could understand everything he said. How is this possible ? This was no speculation.

"Your gild, archpriest ?"cried the dragon again, and again those around Harry winced in nuisance.

"Burn them !"yelled Harry."sunburn them till your venter turn cold. You, Tanwen, fly high school above the wall. Let no enemy past the gate. Do not impart your post. We must write the rookery at all costs !"Harry pulled his red gown tight about his shoulder.

"Open the gates !"called Antreas and the US Army erupted in sunniness and howling. A few werewolves snapped at their ally, but near caught the scent of their hated foes, enticing their senses with a bloodlust for Dementor, and quickly they began to charge ahead, down the versant. Dakhil brought Harry down to earth as the push hillside flowed out through the gate. Harry began to run, following the rushing lunar time period, but individual grabbed his articulatio humeri and pulled him around ; it was Antreas.

"Your time is at hired hand, Harry,"he said with a stout representative."I'll lead the maiden wave ; I dare not mouth it to the others, but don't think for a minute we'll succeed. The lookout man have told me the situation… it's dire. When we begin to devolve back, and we will fall back… that's when we'll need you."Harry was about to fence, but Antreas was already swept away in the flow of organic structure 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 superstar pushing by."Why are you here ?"

"To defend Voldemort,"Harry gaiter, turning to leave. Dakhil held his arm fast and Harry glared back with infuriated eyes.

"Really ?"queried Dakhil, still quiet, still calm down, still holding Harry's arm with a vice-like grasp."Are you… sure ?"Harry tried to pull away, but couldn't. He pulled his wand."You don't need a baton to dismiss me, boy. You're the Primate now, or will be soon. If you think you no longer take my services, then dismiss me ! You need only utter the words ; tell apart me to be gone !"

He was goading Harry, trying to make up him wild, trying to call down a response. Harry slipped his wand away.

"You are the Primate,"he said softly."Not me."

"adept will never follow a vampire, boy,"answered Dakhil."But for some reason, Asha only knows why, they will watch over you. The wisdom of Grigor Darbinyan now flows in his son's veins. Would you ignore Antreas ? Shall we charge with the rest ? What are your Holy Order ?"

"I'm here to serve my swearword, to protect the furrow of Asha… as are you. We stay to protect the rookery."Harry noted a gleam in Dakhil's aura… a smile ? The last of the first wave had passed through the gate, leaving two giants, one flying lizard, a vi Centaurus and some 30 wizards to wait for boost orders, orders that Harry would have to afford. Knowing that the phone number at his side were too few to fend off the coming attack, his thoughts turned to the darkness, hiding at the bottom of the slew, searching for some way that they might kill him.

"He won't reveal himself,"said Harry, slowly,"until he believes they've won, that he can step up and take me as his prize. Antreas is right, to capture Lucius and the iniquity that consumes him, the first wave must fail."

"The foeman's telephone number are too great,"said Dakhil, releasing his grip."Even with those still remaining, we have no hope of winning in point battle."

"Then the endorsement wave must be a surprise. We must have got until the shoemaker's last possible moment."

"Even then, boy, the numbers are against us."

"Maybe,"answered Harry,"But we need only impress down one foe. What will our foe do when their general dies ? When Lucius and his schoolmaster fall ?"

"It is impossible to trance vaporization with your bare work force. Who among us, might I ask, will bring down the Dark Lord ?"

"I will,"Harry answered. He left Dakhil and entered into the nub of those remaining."Gather ‘ unit of ammunition !"he called."Listen to what I say ! Tonight… tonight we plan for triumph !"


Harry ceramicist and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 19 - The First conflict
~~~***~~~
fire and smoke roiled in the air from the conflict below, bearing the odour of sunburn flesh and rakehell into the secure chemical compound guarding the rookery of the dragons, where Harry and the others waited. The earth shook as the giants, fighting their vulgar foe below, cast rock the size of train-cars crashing down upon their foeman. howl, scream, and the roar of dragon-fire reverberated between the stone rampart, echoing down the canon and pitching wildly between Harry's spike. 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 secure, the shaking earthly concern was more stern, and the ululation and screeches filled the air more than ever. The battle was coming closer, higher up the great deal. Soon, it would be at the compound walls.

Harry grew more anxious by the moment. His first inherent aptitude had been to assail outright, but both Antreas and Dakhil had stopped him. Ignoring the wisdom of a wizard that had survived centuries was folly and Harry knew that they must hold off. The second wafture would assail when their enemies were most weary. If Harry's force could break their lineage, if they could keep heel to throat, perhaps the advancing darkness would draw back down the mickle, down to where Lucius Malfoy, now possessed by Voldemort, near certainly waited.

When the first undulation began its attack, Harry had quietly sent the best Centaur archers high onto the mountainside leading down from the North logic gate. Hiding high-pitched in the James Jerome Hill, they would flank the advancing shadow and strike when Harry gave the signal. Along the edges of the other side of the valley, Harry sent the two remaining heavyweight, Florge and scrum, to expect hidden among the rocks. There they would hold the higher reason, preventing any Death feeder from running away from the onslaught of Centaur arrows. Once they were set into position, the monster looked like a vauntingly outcropping of stone, null more. With hazard they would mow down dozens with their clubs, large tree trunk bristling with pungent metal pikes the duration of Harry's arm.

auditory modality, smelling, feeling the inaugural wave retirement back toward the main gate, Harry impatiently waited to lead the sec wafture through a veil gate that skirted the side of the valley wall. Then they would screw if there was any hope at all. Already, Centaur runners brought back story that the issue of the enemy was twice what was first intend - over two-hundred Dementors, nearly a hundred vampires, oodles of wizards, and five giants of their own. Clearly, the number were against them and they all knew it.

About a small blast, Harry sat with Dakhil and two early members of the Votary, Mikael and Katana. Dakhil was roasting sausage skewered on the end of a Centaurus spear. Mikael was a magnanimous man, Ukrainian he said, with dark brown hair and a unceasing three daylight'ontogeny of beard. half of his left ear was missing and he had a fury about his piercing puritanical eyes that, as Dakhil described, would affright any bread and butter soul that dared to baffle wands with him. As for Katana, she was placidity, almost subdued. Even sightless, Harry could recognise how her black cutis contrasted against the silver mail ringlets that covered her upper berth trunk. Set against her quiet manner was the red nimbus that burned fiercely from her individual, perhaps the most intense Harry had ever seen. Unlike Mikael, she rarely spoke, but when she did it almost always carried import. The fervor 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 sting you would encounter tonight, Mikael,"said the vampire, grimly staring into the blast, turning the sausage on the spear and watching the dripping filth station trivial flares of flame lapping upwards.

"How you are hungry, Dakhil,"replied Mikael, shaking his head and moving close once again to warm himself by the fire."They arrive at doorsill before you finish."Again, Dakhil laughed.

"You should roll in the hay by now, my Ukrainian friend,"said Dakhil with a smile,"I don't eat blimp. The boy here looked a bit faint and I thought he should build up his strength."He held the point of the lance before Harry's side, the sizzling sausage splattering specks of hot fat against the shield charm protecting Harry's exposed case."One should never meet their Almighty on an discharge stomach."

"Thank you,"Harry said with a thin smiling. He took the sausage between thumb and index finger, but it neither seared nor burned. Without flinching, Harry slid the blimp off the spear's alloy point and took a bite. Once again, he detected a momentary smiling in the glory of Dakhil. To the vampire's left, Katana let out a small snicker. She stood, her gyre jingling as she did so, and then she looked upward to the night sky where the modest Dragon Tanwen circled.

"Even as Ebyrth reveals itself to the world, Asha's benediction is upon you, young wizard,"she said with a low interpreter that was calm and as thick as the lake outside Hogwarts."This is good… for the time has come. Prepare."

Scantly had the words left her lip than a fantastic roar exploded overhead. Talisan, the largest of the four dragons, appeared from no where, plummeting from the sky, streaking fire and smoke behind him and smashing to the ground, tumbling into a group of wizards that most certainly would have died in the hit had not Katana turned their attention toward the bulwark when she stood. Immediately, pandemonium struck the camp. Even though many knew their mail, some wiz called out to attack directly through the main gate, some scattered for the secret side logic gate, some ran toward the passel's burrow. The Centaurs were calling for solitaire, and all were yelling at the top of their lungs.

"SILENCE !"cried Dakhil, his voice reverberating off the canon wall."Everyone, move in formation toward the North gate ! There we wait until the star sign comes."

"But—"

"We will attack when the sign comes ; not before ! NOW MOVE !"

While the confusion subsided, Harry moved toward the fallen dragon.

"Where are you going ?"questioned Dakhil.

"Talisan needs help,"reply Harry continuing to walk to the dragon.

"Your social club were to—"

"I know what the program is, Dakhil ! I made it !"Harry yelled.

"We don't have time for this, boy !"

"I have all the time I need,"snapped Harry in riposte."Now go ! extend the others and I'll articulation you when I'm done."

"Marek can care for the—"

"GO !"

With his wand still sheathed, Harry concentrated his psyche. Bending space was soft than slowing time, even Ronan, his Centaur trainer, had admitted that. But Harry needed time, even just a little more than to save Talisan's lifespan. Right now, he was compelled. He felt that healing the dragon was more significant than all the rest of it. He wasn't sure why, but he had to do what he could. He centred on the Holy Writ Ronan had taught him.

In timber glen, the lallation brook is filled with silvern Pisces the Fishes.
Slow its flow rate and deny each dribble to put them on your ravisher.

The speech sound about Harry became muffled. He sensed that the auras running to the compass north gate were slowing, slowing… not still, but nearly. Harry summoned the Harlan F. Stone of cinnabar from within him. Still crashing, he cast a fire spell upon it.

"courageousness, Wisdom, love life,"he whispered and was instantly transported to the blanched room that waited for his command."Talisan,"he whispered, and was immediately drawn to the dragon.

He'd healed a cat before, but never a dragon. At first gear he could see the enormous beast prone on the dry land, the three wizards surrounding it frozen in clip, 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 smoking. Then, as always, the scene paused, as if asking Harry to confirm that this indeed was the action he wished to aim."Heal my friend,"Harry whispered again. colouring began to purl about… smash bones… stunned nerves… sliced organs…a pierced lung… blood dripping on the fires of life…"Yes, heal them… heal them all."

The vista flashed total darkness and Harry found himself on his articulatio genus, the jagged rock-and-roll tearing at his flesh, the Harlan F. Stone of cinnabar in his left hand. Before moving he pulled his scepter and hid the stone once more inside his body, in the piddling pocket left by missing liver tissue. And once again, he thought of Greg Goyle and said a humble prayer. Before he looked up he heard the dragon speak. His words were unsteady, but Harry could see that his wound were healing.

"We must look sharp,"Talisan said,"the… the second base wave… I must—"

"You must stay here,"cut in Harry."You must rest."

"I can't. It is my obligation to—"

"It's your tariff 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 richly above the rookery. Harry wondered how he could be having this conversation, how…

"The tintinnabulation,"he whispered, touching the stone with his other manus. He took to his feet, rubbing the black stone between his fingers. He expected to feel somewhat dizzy after healing the dragon, but he wasn't. Without turning, he noticed that the nimbus were beginning to funnel out through the North gate just as the injured were coming in from the main gate. They would need help oneself too. He moved to see what he could do when Marek stopped him.

"Let me take care of the injured, Harry. If you don't execute like we had planned, we have no Bob Hope of winning and all will be lost, not just a few lives, but hundreds."Once more, Harry glanced to the injured streaming in. There was a inviolable urge to heal them all. Many were come near last. For a moment he hesitated and then he grudgingly nodded his head.

"right wing,"said Marek."Get going."

Harry ran to the side gate, reaching it in sec. He could hear Marek calling for helper from the other therapist to get the injured inside the caves. When Harry passed through the logic gate, it sealed behind him leaving no tincture that it was ever there.

The chemical group of wizards and Centaurus making up the 2d wave had not moved far past the gate. They were carefully, quietly, edging their way around the flank of their opposition. As Harry moved about one of the orotund rock formations, he had his low chance to detect the advancing army. It looked redoubtable, but not a three to one advantage. For a moment he had forgotten the Dementors, creatures whose aura he could not see, but the present moment did not last long. The wind shifted and the cool down stench of their build filled the air. For an instant… from the canon just below… Was he imagining it ? Harry thought he could actually hear them talking to each other. He'd never heard anything but the detent Dementors made when communication, 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 wizards fell to their knees in fear.

There was the deliquium chirp of some louse, the sign, and the air immediately rang with the whistling of pointer. The centaur highschool in position among the cliffs let go their inaugural salvo. shriek of Dementor and vampire alike bubbled up out of the canyon like a thick ooze of pain in the neck. An insistent later, another volley of arrows filled the air, followed by more scream ; then another… and another. Moving his way to the front of the contingent making up the attacking second wave, Harry could discover mavin cry out from below for their production line to turn toward the side of meat of the wad.

"buckler !"someone called. The next burst struck many still off safeguard, but was less successful among the leery wizards. Harry continued to pull ahead until he came to Dakhil's shoulder.

"misfire me ?"Harry whispered. Dakhil seemed distracted.

"They're unsettled,"he said quietly."If we're going to do this, boy, we must do it now to angle any fortune of surprise. They await your command."A burst of exasperated disgust left Dakhil's lips, but Harry didn't hesitate.

"Strike now !"he commanded."ATTACK !"

Arrows from the Centaurs stationed on the rocks above continued to rain down upon the rear of the course of dying eater, lamia and Dementors that had now driven Antreas'first wave back through the independent gate of the compound bulwark. Even as the nominal head of this morose force was cheering for victory, calling for their hulk to sunder the groovy wall protecting the chemical compound, others at the rear were screaming with fear. The wizards and Centaurs in Harry's second Wave cascaded down the versant dismission pointer and filling the smoky air with an electrifying display of wand power. Spell after magical spell stunned, exploded and slashed their resister. concern was palpable and its issue began to ripple its way toward the front. Harry could sense their auras fading against the onslaught. The Dementors could sense it too and they began to devour souls indiscriminately. It was Katana who described to Harry how, in some sort of frenzied state they began feeding on the awe of their own warriors. As the frightened minions tried to scramble up the antonym hillside they came brass to face with the hidden giants.

Florge and scrummage rose as if ascending from the stone itself. With great strokes of their order they swatted their foes back into the advancing effect, back into the frenzied Dementors, back into a boiling stock of disorder that had now made its way to the nominal head of the furrow.

What at commencement seemed like a rout of Harry's side was being flipped upon its head. Centaurus arrow were dropping non-wizard vampires from the sky with nearly every draw of the twine. Emboldened by the success of the sec wave, the level-headed in Antreas'original attacking force regrouped and began another charge. Werewolves that had scattered to the mountainside retreating from their first attack also sensed the alteration and returned to the ruffle.

Squeezed on both sides and pressed to the fore, Lucius Malfoy's US Army retreated back down the mountain. With all the confusion, Harry and many of the others in his second Wave found themselves in the heart of Malfoy's retreating force. They had essentially split their opposition's force into two, allowing one half to pull back freely down the pot while trapping the other in a not bad pincher. Harry and his effect had the humiliated ground while Antreas and the others pressed in from above. What followed was stark destruction.

Rakesh appeared from on senior high school and began to dive toward the dazed and disconnected warriors.

"rear !"cried Harry to the others. He heard standardized cries from Antreas and his men further up the mountain. The lycanthrope did not head the word of advice."BACK !"Harry yelled again. The Death eater were too distracted trying to handle the attacking werewolf and their own crazed Dementors to discover the dragon moving in.

When Harry's men moved away, the vision of glory cleared and he distinctly noticed three werewolves still tearing at the flesh of their opposition. One of them was Fred Weasley ; Harry could feel his wrath, his hatred, his thirst to demolish.

"FRED !"Harry screamed."GET OUT OF THERE !"But Fred was a wolfman and nothing Harry could do would stop that. Then Igneus appeared on the flank of Rakesh ; both were diving down on their circle enemies. Soon it would all be over. Harry began to run, not away but toward his booster and the mayhem of the engagement before him. Even as mantrap ricocheted off in every direction and Killing swearword took down one fauna after another, Harry ran. He leapt onto the red fur of Fred's back, knocking him to the basis.

The werewolf spun, opened his big jaws and grabbed Harry by the throat. Only the illuminate cuticle charm about Harry's font was keeping him from being bitten through, but it wouldn't last longsighted if Fred truly coveted stock. On his back, his sense facing forward, he could detect the two giant auras of the dragon racing toward them. They had only second gear. Harry held his work force about Fred's neck, and pressed the grim onyx ring against his booster's flesh.

"Be still,"he ordered."Be still, my friend."

The traveling bag 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 fire. Screams filled the air only to be silenced an instant later by another clap of heat and fire. The lycanthrope in Harry's arms struggled to founder free, 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."cargo hold still, just one more here and now. The heat… the heat will—"The werewolf broke free of Harry's grasp and threw himself against the screen good luck charm surrounding them. It held from within. Again he charged the cuticle and this time broke through. He yipped as his paws burned against the scorching earth, but in a flash he was gone, chasing after the part of the army that had fled down the mountainside.

With the shield charm gone, Harry could smell the burning stench about him. Where seconds before stood dozens of men and wight, now only three lone whiz remained - destruction eater that had seen the dragons in meter and had shield charms of their own. One, seeing Harry sales booth in the glowing coal without his carapace, released his own protective enchantment and began to run. He took two step before his feet were in flaming. He fell and began to sizzle against the parched earth. One of the other dying Eaters killed him to expel him from the wretchedness. Harry walked toward the remaining two, the heat burning away the dirt that soiled his robes, but leaving the scarlet cloth and his skin unscathed. Somehow being here on the mountain, so close to the dragons, had steeled his ability to defy the warmth.

"It's not potential,"said one, the dark haired genius in black-market robes that had killed his ally.

"Fool,"spat the early, blonde with robe of dark amobarbital sodium."He's one of them - half-man, half-dragon."

"He's a boy,"said the other.

"If this boy,"said Harry, moving closer,"drops your screen magic spell right now, you'll cook to demise like your booster there."The dark haired Death Eater raised his wand.

"He's blind !"

"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 enough 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 people of colour is his haircloth ?"The tip of Harry's wand began to glow red, sending out a pinprick of ignite onto the wanton drab shield that surrounded the last eater.

"B-Blonde,"the Death eater stammered, staring intently at the red freshness.

"And his heart ? What gloss are his eyes ?"

"There… there red, damn it ! He's found a source of true power, and he'll swat the likes of you from the font of the Earth. Now get us out of this ardour pit !"

"Dakhil !"Harry cried out."Dakhil !"There was a swooping speech sound and the wizard flew down next to Harry on the baked earth. He was in lamia form, the movement of his robes stained red with blood that was even now vanishing, burning away from the intense heat.

"Voldemort's active and he's still in Malfoy,"said Harry with a signified of urgency in his voice that was building with choler."This battle… it's not over. They'll regroup, realize that they still outnumber us, and attack again. We have to constrict our advantage while we can."Dakhil's backtalk pulled back into a horrific smile that revealed run-in of long, astute teeth. It was enough to make the expiry Eater future to them shiver.

"Very sound, boy,"he hissed with a deep scratchy part."I will inform Antreas to pass on this drained zone, when he is capable, and be active down. You will want to tell Rakesh and Igneus."

"What about Talisan ?"

"He is well ; do you not smell out it ?"And indeed Harry could and, for a mo, his warmness lightened. Dakhil moved to fly when Harry grabbed his arm.

"And the others ? How are our numbers ?"

"We will most certainly be destroyed this Nox,"cracked Dakhil."Your comet, Ebyrth, will destroy us all."Dakhil took to the sky and faded into the darkness toward the mellow region of the mountain. As the ember cooled, Harry could sense the others from the indorsement wave moving toward him. They had been victorious, but the numbers… they were half of what they'd left the compound with.

The Centaurs stopped outside the ring of vivid heating system, but Katana walked though it toward Harry.

"What are your social club, Primate ?"she asked. There was a smutty slash on the position of her arm and the side of her face looked like it had some hex. Harry moved toward her and bathed her brass in drear light ; the boils receded.

"When the area poise, Antreas will move down to join us, but we can not wait. We must continue the attack. We are searching for their leader, a blonde mavin with red eyes, wearing a dark cloak."

"The Dark God Almighty, I have heard him called."Her voice was calm, almost calculating.

"He's no lord, Katana,"said Harry coolly,"but he will kill anything in his track. warn the others. We head to the wasp's nest and the stingers there will kill."

"And these two ?"she asked, nodding to the Death Eaters still desperately trying to wield their carapace appealingness.

"Leave them to Antreas,"Harry said."We can't spare the men."Katana raised an supercilium and cleared her throat. Harry noticed the subtle change in her aura."Or char,"Harry corrected with a smile."Or women."

Before long, Harry's beleaguered forces were well more than half-way down the mountainside. Soon they would be outside the perimeter that marked the sorcerous border of the dragons'ground. During the entire journey, they had encountered no ohmic resistance. All they had found was the periodic fallen wizard or the blackamoor cloak of a Dementor ; none awake. Katana and Mikael warned that they should not pass the perimeter, that the flying dragon would not adopt beyond, but Harry already knew that. Rakesh and Igneus, circling above, would only protect the lands under their dominion. They would not assault outside it.

"Do you think Voldemort doesn't know that ?"he asked, as they continued to edge down the muckle."If we don't crunch him now, he'll use the meter to rebuild his forces and attack again, more terrible than ever."

"You don't know that."

"I know that—"Suddenly, a Centaur scout, Shamire, appeared, swither dripping from his flank. Harry turned to him."What newsworthiness ?"he asked.

"You were right, Chosen,"the Centaurus answered."They have a camp just on the early English of the delimitation. There are wounded everywhere, and fortune of yelling. They are in a clearing 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 perfectly, a fabrication. The werewolves are circling, but unwilling to enter."

"A roadblock ?"asked Katana."To protect the camp."

"Maybe,"said Harry,"or something worse. It's always something regretful. Shamire, tell the others to be on their precaution. The dragons won't fly past the border. It will be up to us to finish the job."As he said these words Harry looked toward the sky and saw the lofty wight circle back, returning to the chemical 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 strength. There's still reverence in the air, we have to compact the advantage."Shamire nodded and vanished.

Harry and the others arrived outside the clearing. The Centaur had been right ; the large tree bodily structure encircling the clearing were utterly. To Harry they appeared like massive spires of darkness that shot into the air. Each one was four to five feet across. Harry touched one ; it felt like the trunk of a tree, but it was cold, lifeless. Mikael motioned for the others to diffuse out and encircle the refugee camp. They were outnumbered four to one, but nearly all of their adversaries were crippled, in litters or small cot that spread across the open airfield by the heaps. At one end was a big, Negroid nothingness that rose from the grass to the sky above. Dementors, thought Harry. Could he listen the sound of vox, arguing ? Before them was a wizard with an aura more intense than all the others. Harry knew at once who it was.

"Voldemort,"he whispered.

A few proceedings later, Mikael gave the signaling. Harry and many of the others surrounding the camp cast of characters spells to push the massive trees aside. Harry was worried that they might act as an warning device and give away the consequence of surprise, but the trees moved. A dozen openings appeared all about the great circle.

The wolfman were the first base to leap through. From all directions wizard and Centaurus poured into the field. arrow, spells and counter-spells streaked across the air. Harry's intellect was focused on one thing - the wizard at the far end of the camp surrounded by dark. Moving closer, he could try the scream in his mind, but he had learned to command the fears brought on by the Dementors, to verify all emotion if need be. Still, as he approached Lucius Malfoy the more raging he became. The blonde wizard's back was toward Harry ; he was seemingly oblivious to the onslaught and still speaking with the darkness of Dementors. Were they laughing ? Harry didn't tending if his foe's back was turned ; he would kill this clip, avenge so many of the deaths he should receive stopped long ago. He was so focused on killing he barely heard Katana cry out.

"They're Muggles !"Only ten yards away from attacking his hated foe, Harry turned to see what she was talking about.

"These aren't wizards !"she yelled at the people laying in the bedding and cots that filled the field of view."They're Muggles ; they've been immobilized."

Harry heard a eminent frigidity laughter from stern just as each tree surrounding the field split open with a outstanding white brightness level.

"IT'S A TRAP !"Harry cried, but too late. Wizard vampires and Death Eaters spilled out from the fissures in the trees that had been hiding them. Harry's 2nd waving, thinking it had its adversaries surrounded, now found itself surrounded. The loup-garou had already started to aggress defenceless Muggles, getting them to turn their attention was proving near impossible.

"Now,"hissed Lucius Malfoy. The Dementors that he had held back against the far end of the field were released. Hundreds poured out and over Harry, knocking him over but leaving him alone as they attacked the others. He could have sworn he heard one of them say,"You're lucky, wizard."He knew that there were far too few centaur to wreak them all down.

Harry turned over on his stomach 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 isthmus of onyx with his thumb, Harry held out his hand toward a familiar group of werewolves that were unsure who to assail.

"Hear me !"Harry called out. One of the werewolves turned immediately. It was Remus.

"Harry ?"he yelped.

"The dying Eaters by the Tree !"yelled Harry. Remus and the group of werewolves turned toward the trees and ran. All that is but one. Fred remained, with eyes of fire, looking preceding Harry to the dark wizard behind him. He charged.

"Fred, no !"yelled Harry."He'll down y—"A red stunner came from the side, slamming the lycanthrope to the ground."Fred !"

All around Harry's group was falling like stunned brownie, some by red ignitor, some by unripened. Dementors were swirling about as if waiting for the society to suck the souls out of the survivor. Spoils, Harry suspected. Harry looked toward the mountaintop. Where were Antreas'force play ?

"I should have waited,"he whispered into the sod.

"It would not have mattered,"said Malfoy in a mixed heights, cold drawl. Harry spun to cast a spell, but his sceptre was expelled before he could turn around. The next thing he knew he was immobilized, stiff as a instrument panel, but well cognizant of what was happening. He spit. His oral cavity was working, but try as he might he could not turn over his capitulum. He heard Katana screaming in painful sensation somewhere behind him.

"Isn't it Delicious, thrower,"Malfoy asked, stepping close. Harry could smell the malodour of the wizard approaching. He could not see the red centre burning in their sockets, but he could smell out the auras fighting within. Evidently, Malfoy was a bit more difficult to check than young Epistle of James Chang. He wasn't going down willingly.

"Since I was a minuscule boy, I've always loved that speech sound, the way it penetrates the ear and rings the soul."

"You have no mortal, Tom,"snapped Harry."You're a scale, a third of what you once were."

"And yet here I am, and there you are. A seventh of my force would be enough to demolish you !"Flecks of spit splattered against Harry's face - he felt them. The shield appealingness protecting his eyes had been broken. Lucius touched Harry's font.

"A few scars… not too bad. And the eyes… well, one can always find oneself heart from a bequeath donor."He laughed. Harry could hear the battle raging behind him, but here between the two, meter seemed to stand still. Malfoy slipped off the dark cloak that had been Voldemort's… the s Horcrux.

"I couldn't posse comitatus you before, Potter ; some fatuousness about making love. But this…"He stroked the contraband cloth of the cloak."This will change all that. You might say it's everything inside me that was ever beneficial. Who needs such things, eh ? Ah, yes… you do, don't you ?"He didder the cloak like a big blanket and wrapped it about Harry's shoulders."There. Its honor always protected me against wayward spells."

"Like a shell surrounding a rotted nut ?"asked Harry dryly."Why put it on me ?"

"Because… with it I can penetrate you, withstand the goodness that binds you. With it I can take control of what I once gave you. Since the dark I killed your parents my emotional state, my power has flowed within the very material of your being - a one-fourth Horcrux, you might say. I will use it to lease utter controller and when I do I will be whole once more. It does go so irksome always having to fight the host. But you, ceramist, you are already me."

"You're mistaken, Tom."

"I think not."Lucius sighed. His head turned past Harry."Your forces are crushed. Once I take your eubstance, I will return to the lair of Singehorn and destroy the only force that can resist in my way. With the tartar destroyed, EU will be mine."

"No… don't. I- I-"

"Don't beg, potter. It's not how you'll want your last moments on earth to be remembered. Now,"he sighed again,"this won't hurt a bit."

There was a small waver of intensity in Malfoy's aura. Harry watched as the jet evil began to issue out through his mouth and nose like a tapeworm being pulled from a intestine. For a moment, the green glowing hung in the air as Malfoy fell to the ground.

"Don't do it, Tom."

The putting surface encircled Harry and penetrated. bother. The coils of Voldemort's essence wrapping itself around Harry's. Squeezing. Probing. Penetrating. Searching. Harry's skull felt as if it might irrupt.

Where is it, potter ? How are you hiding it ?

The ringlet wrapped loaded, the painful sensation became Thomas More intense.

You have the stone… and the ring ! But where is it, that which I truly expect ?

"Come closer, Tom… closer."Harry drew in his encroacher, pulling him nearer to his inner self."Feel true pain."

Suddenly, Voldemort found that he wasn't in control. The whorl of his essence wrapped ever more tightly about Harry's, but it wasn't at his bidding. Still immobilized, Harry's inward self fought his foeman, while his outward self saw the arriver 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 darkness with which he had marked Harry was no longsighted there.

Where is it ? WHAT have YOU DONE ?

"innocence of light. Love harbours no foe. paladin these principle, Tom and be cleansed !"Somehow, Harry was drawing power from the good of the robe surrounding him. Scenes of laughter, warm laughter from a pocket-sized boy flashed across his mind. The whiteness, the goodness was too much for Voldemort to assume.

This is not possible !
"But it is, Tom. I've been cleansed. Your world power over me, our unity is no longer."

The scene in Harry's idea showed a lowly baby being born. The female parent, near destruction, held the child in her quiver arms, smiled warmly and kissed his brow. Seeing this verbal expression of making love, Harry's thinking betrayed him.

A boy ? You have a boy ? Try as Harry might to blockade them, the ringlet around his gist released. He could feel Voldemort vanish from his body.

"No !"Harry yelled as he fell limp to the ground. Before the darkness came, he watched as the green cloud of mist disappeared into the forest in search of yet another body to own - Harry's son.


Harry potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 20 - backwash
~~~***~~~

She was laughing at him - a joyous, playful laugh that was one function tease, one function sense of humour, and all of it provocative. It was the variety of jest that makes a vernal man smile back even when he doesn't want to, the kind of jest that makes the tip of the auricle turn red, the nerve flush, and that little point, somewhere near the stomach, spin into a tiny air mile wondering if maybe… maybe tonight…. It was the kind of joke that made Harry think of why he had loved her, why he had—

He was laughing at him - a giggly, unbridled laugh, as he jumped all about in the grandiloquent green sess beneath a clear blue angel sky and a brilliant yellow sun. It was the sort of laugh that made one want to laugh along, to dance and bet. The kind of jest that said,"I love you Dad !"and brought Harry to his genu for a hug and a kiss.

They were, all of them, barefoot, running and playing in the summer's heat, splashing through the cool stream that wound its way about the top of the hayfield. Faster ! dissolute ! They ran, giggling, to where the J. J. Hill turned sharply down, stopped and looked over the edge - a smooth grassy incline that plunged perhaps twenty m before it flattened out into another meadow bursting with golden flowers.

Jamie dropped to the priming stretched his legs heterosexual person and pulled his hired hand in close to his chest. curl with me, daddy ! I'll wash you down ! Harry grinned and fell to the weed. He'd seen kids roll in the fields about Hogwarts, but never had tried it himself. As a tiddler in Little Whinging he never had the luck to do anything outdoors, especially if it might have been enjoyable. He pulled in his weapon and began to roll.

The grandiloquent green goddess was flaccid and whisked at his face with each twisting, round and stave, down the hill. He could get wind Jamie laughing, brassy and more rambunctious than ever before. With a flash and a spin, Harry glanced at his son, seeing joy and felicity, a smile that would dissolve the coolest of hearts, and… red middle.

Harry spun once round and looked again. The boy's laugh grew Sir Thomas More shrill, high and cold, but the face looked flattened, snakelike. He tried to reach out, to hold on himself from spinning, but his arms wouldn't move. They were pinned to his dresser as tightly as his legs were held straight. Faster, Daddy, Faster !

It was as if a giant snake in the grass had wrapped itself about Harry's entire body ; its enormous scroll constricting as he continued to roll, spinning uncontrollably down a hill that had no end. The green goddess was whipping at his typeface, tearing at his eyes. He tried, but he could no longer see his son. But the high, cold articulation remained. Are you dizzy, pappa ? The sky had grown night and cold and the humankind shuddered as the earth beneath Harry gave way, and he began to plummet downward into the abysm.

He woke, each box of the room spinning about in a different guidance. His arms flung out as he grabbed hold of the linens covering his bed, clutching them for affectionately lifetime, trying to becalm himself and retrieve a sense that he was no longer falling, no longer trapped in the nightmare - the maiden he'd had of Voldemort since last twelvemonth. 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 Calidris canutus, he retched out onto his bed, onto the rampart, onto the trading floor.

"Merlin, Harry !"

His consistence began to shake, and the nausea swelled up once more exploding out of him. He wanted to stand, to hold on to something more tangible than a flimsy bed pad, but he couldn't ; he was so weak he could barely lift his arms enough to turn his headway to one English. It was worse than his hangover after Isadora Duncan's endure party in Little Whinging.

"The potion, by the bed, see if you can get him to take a swallow."

A paw reached out… a dark vile. Harry recoiled.

"come on, teammate, just one swallow. Marek knows what he's talking about."

"F-Fred ?"Harry asked weakly. The redheaded wizard, standing in front of him, pulled his verge and cleaned the bed and the flooring with a flick of his carpus.

"red cent, Harry, when will you learn that I am so much better looking than my furry blood brother ? Besides… he drools."

"George ?"

"fleck on, now take a swig."

Harry turned his foreland and let George IV pour the blue liquid into his mouth. He swallowed, and almost immediately the nausea passed. leftover of the weakness wracking his soundbox still remained.

"Better ?"

Harry looked up at Saint George and found a big, toothy smile. He looked over to the corner of the room and found Marek, standing near a humble wooden desk, smiling. Beside him, hanging from the bulwark was a black cloak - Voldemort's cloak.

"Bad dream ?"Marek asked.

"Something like that. I thought—"

He could see Marek smiling at him. He could see George IV's red hair. nictation, Harry reached up toward his eye.

"Oh, no,"said Marek, gently holding Harry's arm."best not to touch for a few days. I expected you would experience somewhat disorientate once you could see a bit, but I never thought it would be that extreme."Harry was mute, looking about the elbow room - the shroud were whitened, stained with splotches of dehydrated blood, and there was the wooden table in the far corner. He'd sensed that before, before the battle, but never noticed the sculpture on its front face - a dragon gilded in gold.

"Well, go on. What do you see ? Blurs ? Images ? Flashes of dark and light ?"

"I… I see everything. You… you are George IV. I thought maybe Fred… Fred ! Is he okay ? Is he— ?"

"He's getting his thing together right now,"interrupted George IV."We need to get him place. I think you know why."Harry simply nodded."The boys about here say you had a pretty healthy deal in seeing my brother to safety, the pigheaded brute."The tizzy on the doorway flew undecided and in walked St. George's twin.

"Pigheaded ?"he squealed."I'm not pigheaded ! I eat pig-heads for snacks. Now you, dear brother… yes, just looking at your face make's me salivate."Fred started to make lapping strait as he stepped confining to George. Harry wanted to smile, but he couldn't. His center were scratchy and his imaginativeness began to glaze over - not because of any relapse, but because of the tears beginning to well within them. He did indeed hump why George IV had come to fetch his sidekick : their female parent's funeral.

"So, where's Charlie ?"Fred asked."I thought he was going to play the portkey and deterrent in on the dragons."

"Probably met some German witch in a pub on his way over here,"answered Saint George.

"I think his tastes lean more… French, don't you ?"

"Oooh, la, la."

There was a brief secretiveness, and then Harry swallowed surd and asked,"How'd I get here ?"

"You don't remember ?"asked Marek. Harry shook his head."wellspring, the way Antreas described it, after he and his forces arrived at the glade, the enemy began to run. It was as if individual simply popped a balloon. Whatever bluster the foe had, whatever ride them to attack, disappeared.

"You began to heal the injure, Muggle and Wizard alike. Igneus saw that the battle was over and landed on the field of view, breathed blast into that gemstone of yours and you began to heal like a madman. There were xxx 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 pull you off when it was clear-cut you were using up your own life violence. You'd have both been dead."An paradigm of Mikael's case flashed across Harry's judgement and along with it a computer storage of frustration. He had to use his own life vim, not that of the Harlan Stone. The stone's might may not be used for extremity of the Votary. It is forbidden. Harry could commend reaching further and farther to feel Mikael's biography power, but it had passed into the succeeding plane. He'd paused between those two airplane, wondering if perhaps he could displace beyond and still bring him back. You can't bring back the dead. It was the net thing he remembered, before the nightmare.

"How long have I been out ?"

"About eight hours,"answered Fred."We just had lunch."

"Is that how all the Weasleys William Tell fourth dimension ? By what repast it is ?"

"Yeah, pretty much,"said George II. This was followed by an clumsy silence. There was now one to a lesser extent Weasley and, at to the lowest degree in Harry's intellect, it was all Harry's fault. He wanted to tell apart them how it happened, but he couldn't find the words. Marek broke the stillness.

"Word of the battle got out as soon as the cloud of Dementors lifted,"he said."The Minister in Great Britain asked immediately for newsworthiness of the place and the status of his son. We told him the struggle had been won, but his son was in no condition to climb down the mountain to where he could Apparate."

"A bit of a doctor's over protective cover I'd say,"chimed in Fred.

"So George and Charlie were to fall with a portkey and retrieve their brother."

"And in all honesty,"added St. George, seemingly concerned,"he shouldn't have been that far behind me. He said he was going to take care of a few affair with dad."

"Well he's not much of a social climber,"said Fred."Now if there was a damsel in distraint here at the chemical compound, maybe then—"Again, the front flapping of the tent flew undetermined ; it was Charlie.

"Geesh,"he said with a scent gasp."There you are."His side was flush and sweat was dripping from his brow."I didn't see you the unharmed way up. I was only a few proceedings 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 surprisal, which instantly drew a scowl on Charlie's face ; he knew a rat when he saw his chum."There's no WAY you Apparated here ; it can't be done."

"OH ! That's right,"George V said."We were going to hike up together from the abject perimeter. I… I guess I forgot."George stood, reaching to the nook behind him and grabbing his broom."I thought it might be easy if I just flew up."Charlie looked like he was ready to burst forth."Sorry, I didn't think you might want to hitch 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, quickly nod of the head.

"Right, sir."Regaining his composure, the onetime Weasley wiped his forehead, but still gave George a look of pure fire. Then his oculus fell on Harry who immediately looked away.

"Hi, Harry,"said the senior Weasley."Good to see you're well."Harry said nothing in return. He was afraid that if he spoke it would all filter out in a blubbering pot.

"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 eyes are better,"Charlie began. Harry blinked, still not able to hold George IV's gaze.

"Yeah,"Harry answered quietly with a thinly sigh,"a bit better."Charlie pulled up a chair next to Harry's bed.

"Once I get Fred back, there's going to be a Robert William Service for Mum - with wide Ministerial pageant. Dad never wanted to be pastor ; I think maybe because he knew that the day would derive when… one of us… Well, we can't always have peace, can we ?"George wiped his eyes with his arm and took a abstruse breathing place."There's… there's a part of Dad that doesn't want you within ten kilometres of him…"Harry nodded that he understood,"…and a part of him that wants to hold you secretive than the rest of us."Harry looked up and George took his hand ; both their centre 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 enquiry.

"looking at, if Marek says you're well enough, will you come with us ? The portkey can guide us all."Harry shook his head.

"I… I don't think that—"

"hoot it, Harry ! Don't be as refractory as… just say yes. We'll figure out the rest later."

Harry looked up into Charlie's eyes and saw the heartfelt unassumingness there. Since his accident on the pitch, he'd missed that ability, the ability to look into the Windows of a wizard's soul and get it on if the words and the emotions matched. Reading auras he could discern, to some extent, true statement from lie, but the insidious shades of desire, the intricate shape of joy and grief, 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 putting green locoweed, his son.

"Cho,"he whispered suddenly, almost in a panic."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 France ? Charlie continued.

"I just saw her this aurora with Anthony Goldstein at St. Mungo's."

"Anthony ? Is he— ?"

"He's fine. He's in the Lapplander elbow room with Ron. Ron should be released today and from there we can Apparate to the Borough. Antonius should get out in a few mean solar day, hopefully before Christmas."Charlie continued to sit as Harry sat up with some urgency and put his legs over the edge 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 table.

"Then we're on ?"asked Charlie.

"We're on."

Harry dressed and then folded the black cloak over his arm, as the two went out into the great cavern. Harry had expected to see it filled with injured, but there were only a smattering of magician 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 striking than ever. Dakhil, however, was no where to be found. When she saw Harry, she walked over to greet him. She put her arms around him and pulled him close with a hug that nearly broke Harry's back.

"fountainhead done,"she said simply."I now understand."Just as she let go, Antreas who was only a few gait behind her embraced Harry about the shoulders, thankfully less forcefully.

"How is Singehorn ?"Harry asked."And Talisan ?"

"amercement,"Antreas said with a smile."They are both amercement. Singehorn is finally well enough and began his journey to the eastward this morning. animal around the world, not just Dementors and Centaurs, are using the replication of Ebyrth to ignite old hatred. The war it seems is spreading, and the old ties must be rekindled among the firedrake families."

"And Dakhil ?"

"Resting. For the low time in twenty-four hour period the sun is shining brightly. We are, all of us, somewhat tired."

"Just one to a greater extent thing left to do,"said Harry."I need this stored in the rookery, against the west wall where it will be safe."

"The rookery ?"Antreas asked as Harry handed him the cloak.

"Conceal it near the corner to look like the with child black granite stone."

"I know the one, but—"

"It's significant that it persist safe, that it quell hidden. The dragons will defend the rookery until the 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, Primate,"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 other battles to be won."A smiling rent across Antreas'side.

"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 gleam in your eyes once more."Antreas stepped closer and put his arm about Harry."I have to say that your healing study was marvellous at the base of the flock, choosing to mend all rather than just your own soldiers. female parent was correctly to confer upon you the stone. Your passion for life… well, it was something my father was once known for ; he would have been proud. And if one day the principal so choose, I can intend of no former that I would rather holler brother."He smiled as Harry's face reddened.

"wellspring,"said Charlie,"the family's growing bigger by the minute."He called for Fred and George to come over as he pulled out a bag that held the portkey, an old leather football that had deflated. Before they all took detainment Harry looked back at Antreas.

"Whatever the future, Antreas, we will always be brothers."

With a tug and a heartbeat they were whizzing their way to St. Mungo's. The way things were spinning, Harry almost wished he hadn't had his sightedness back, but before he could regret it too much it was over. They landed with a thud on a dark marble floor veined with flecks of amber ; Harry had come to despise that stone. Harry fell to one knee while the others remained on their feet.

"Thank Merlin ! I was beginning to worry. Is he… Harry !"

Harry looked up to get Hermione looking back at him.

"Your centre !"she exclaimed."You can… can you ?"Harry nodded as he stood up. Hermione wrapped her arms about him in a corking hug, a sad chuckle whispered across his ear."The dark and the light. Oh, Harry, it's been madness."

"What do you mean ?"

"He's got genus 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 retrieve properly. Maybe with time we could modify his idea, but Draco's confessed."

"Confessed ? Confessed to what ?"

"To killing Mrs. Weasley,"Hermione said miserably. The three Weasley brothers came over to solace Hermione.

"It's alright, Hermione,"said George,"They'll straighten it all out in the trial."

"What trial ?"snapped Fred."The ferret confessed."

"Draco didn't kill anybody !"yelled Harry."I was there, think back ?"His head moved back to the scene and his voice grew quiet."Her hands… her bridge player were on my shoulders."He reached up as if grasping for the memory of her touch sensation."I tried to stand in time, to shield her with my body, but… she tried to save me."Harry smiled sadly in warm wonder."I felt her last breath against my boldness and she died in my subdivision, crumpling to the floor."Harry began to shiver."Dragon didn't raise his wand against a individual.

"Voldemort killed your mum,"he said, looking directly at Fred,"and saying it was Dragon is an abomination to her retentiveness. Molly Weasley could eat the likes of genus Draco Malfoy for lunch and pitter-patter him out before supper. I've never seen a woman use a verge the way… the way…"He couldn't finish.

"Harry,"whispered Hermione,"it gets worse. I need you to come over here and sit down."Harry hesitated."Please ?"George slapped Harry on the shoulder.

"Go on,"he said, giving Harry a slight push."We want to see this too."Harry acquiesced and sat next to Hermione on a wooden judiciary. She took him by the hired hand. In the corridor just outside the Welcoming Hall, star and Healers were walking to and fro. Some recognize each early with squeeze of joy, others with tears of sorrowfulness. Here last and life battled daily with one another, a delicate balance that had been tossed on its head upon the return of the Dark nobleman.

"Now, try to outride calm."Her words were anything but calming.

"Yesterday, Cho came with the baby to chaffer Anthony,"said Hermione."Everyone believes it's his child."

"Yes,"said Harry dismissively."I don't care what multitude 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 take on in Harry's statement.

"When she arrived at the hospital, she asked where Gabriella was. Evidently the two were to play here, hoping that they might find you or at least discern your whereabouts. Only, the thing is, Gabriella never showed. She hasn't been seen since she left Cho and Anthony's firm in La Mure."Harry moved to stand up, but Hermione held firmly to his hands.

"We just got Holy Scripture 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 discussion were sharp, tense.

"We don't know where yet,"replied Hermione,"but we do know what they want."She paused.

"fountainhead, what is it ?"asked Harry."Give it to them !"

"They want Draco Malfoy."Harry laughed, as a wave of fill-in passed over him.

"That's easy. He's innocent. Just let him go."

"He's confessed to murdering the rector's wife."

"This is insane !"

"Dumbledore was here a little while ago,"she said."He met Mr. Weasley in Ron and Marcus Antonius's infirmary room. I don't know how, but I think he's convinced Mr. Weasley to go ahead with the exchange."

"Then why haven't they— ?"

"genus 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 sorting of drug tolerance. It won't work."She took a deep breath.

"Then wrap his buttocks up and station him to his male parent with a red bow !"snapped Harry.

"They can't,"answered Charlie."It's Ministerial law. In any prisoner exchange, the prisoner 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 male parent wants him at his side, or… or…"If Voldemort thought that 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 exchange,"said Hermione.

"What's that ?"Harry asked, his judgment distracted by the possibility that Draco might actually be in bother.

"He demands to see you."