Harry ceramicist and The Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 6 - Too conclusion an skirmish

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When Harry shut the room access to his room and descended the stair he was, perhaps, the happiest he had ever been in all his life. The sun sent golden beam of light streaking through the biased windows above and cast a favorable image on the floor below, tinged with adequate red to fix Harry think fleetingly of Fawkes. His haircloth a tangled mountain, he was wearing a T-shirt, boxers and socks, one with a rather large mess through which the magnanimous toe on his right foot protruded. He scratched his stomach as his intrude took in the aroma of something that resembled the smell of burning ham. He took one step down and turned to face back at his room. His room ? His star sign ? No, not really. Not anymore. And he was grateful for that and smiled all the more as the odour of fresh coffee filled the air, perhaps the only thing Sirius could prepare properly.

When he pushed open the doors to the kitchen of identification number 12, Grimmauld office, he found Sirius working feverishly in front of the stove. His wand was casting spell after tour, not so a good deal at the food preparation, but in an movement to clear the sess that was billowing throughout. Harry walked over and turned down the flame with a wave of his hand.

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

"No, really, I wanted to make you breakfast. You know, first day of school and all."He cracked an egg and put both liquidness and shield in the Lapplander bowl and started mixing it with his verge. Harry chuckled kindly and stir his top dog in skepticism. It was slap-up being free of Privet Drive, to be here with his godfather, to feel wanted and appreciated. It was probably the low gear time he had ever opened a parcel of bacon for breakfast without a dour gustatory sensation in his rima oris. He gave Sothis a looking at that said,"Get real,"and then positioned himself squarely in figurehead of the stove.

"I'm not bad at this,"offered Harry, cracking four eggs at once into a stadium and discarding the shells with a flick of his scepter. Dog Star 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 Christmas Day with Harry.

"You know,"said Sirius pouring two cups of java,"I hear New York is spectacular at Christmas time. Have you ever been to the commonwealth ?"Harry shake off his head."Maybe we could go for a quick visit."

"I promised Gabri—"

"Visit,"Sothis cut in."That's all. Maybe Gab can occur along."

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

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

Sirius ate like a dog and finished in about three second. Harry was more pensive, and while he did stop, it took him much longer. The nicest thing about being of age was that he didn't have to walk or have a car to go to queen's Cross Station. For that issue, he didn't need to go to B. B. King's hybridizing at all ; he could Apparate to Hogsmeade and walkway in from there. Only the headway Boy and mind girl had to use up the train with their housemates, and this year the top dog Girl was none other than Hermione Granger. Odd, Harry thought, considering she'd nearly killed Theodore Nott end year. He smiled and took another sip of coffee tree. Hermione didn't know who the Head Boy was, but it wasn't Ron. Still, the redheaded woodpecker and his lady friend 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 persuasion sent a cold shivering down Harry's spine as the warm coffee tree slipped down his throat.

"Any more bacon ?"asked Sirius rummaging through the crusted goat god about the stove.

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

Sirius poked at it a few times, and then finally took a chomp. His expression took on a fragile bitter tone as it scrunched ever so slightly, then he took another bite, shrugging his shoulders. His teeth and tongue covered in oxford gray he said,"You'd substantially get fix. Is your trunk packed ?"He glanced at the hourglass on the counter.

"Er… yeah,"Harry lied."Just a few Thomas More things."He levitated his plate to the sink which was piled high with pots and pan from the last few Clarence Day."Do you want me to fill caution of these before I—"

"I'll take charge of it,"Sirius lied."Go get yourself ready."Harry shrugged and nodded his head, and started up the stairs, once again scratching his stomach and knowing full fountainhead it would be days, perhaps weeks, before the sink was cleared.

It was strange really, getting ready for his last year at Hogwarts. So often he was rushed in the bunco game and bustle of the Weasley kinsperson. This year, however, Harry wanted to be with his own family — Sirius Black. And it was the best decision he'd ever made. It had only been a few days, but in that shortly time Sirius and Harry did absolutely… nothing. There were opportunities to talk about the old mean solar day when Sirius palled around with James ; there were chances to practice advanced magic spell or learn the operation of some of the golden legal document that still lined the walls in the Black family cogitation ; there were clip when they could have discussed how Harry brought Sothis back from behind the curtain ; and at every act, at every out-of-doors door, Harry and Sirius simply took the time to revel each other in the here and now. They played chess ; the played visiting card ; they raced Caduceuses across the London sky at night ; they drank, probably too lots ; and they laughed more than they had laughed in a long, long fourth dimension. Sirius'oculus had never been brighter, and Harry's core had never been lighter.

This time when Harry readied himself at the front door to leave, there was no benighted cloud hanging over their heads, but rather an tidal bore fervor about the year to come and what it would bring. They drew strength from each other knowing that whatever war was around the turning point, whatever swarthiness rose on the horizon, they would face it together. For a moment they just stared at each other and around the room.

"Er… right wing then,"began Sirius."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. Silence."right, then."There was another yearn pause."Bloody hell,"Harry cursed and he walked over and pulled Sirius to him tightly with a august hug. Sirius responded in kind.

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

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

He Apparated to an out of the way locating just down the street from King's hybridisation Station and began walking. The late morning was crystallise, and he was surprised to encounter the air so cold. He'd been spending so much time inside with Dog Star he hadn't thought much about the conditions. His coating was in his bole, and he didn't feel much like opening that in the middle of a street filled with Muggles. He shivered, rubbed his blazonry, and continued on his way. He was coming to the first steps of the station when a beggar boldly stepped in front of him demanding a donation. Wearing a undecomposed three days'stubble, his clothes were smutty, and his breathing place smelled strongly of alcohol.

"Come on, mate,"he wheezed."Just a pound fer me stipulation. I ain't eatin'in days."

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

"Surely a schilling ?"

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

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

"Call me a boy again, and you—"

"You'll what !"spat the drunk, stepping toe-to-toe with Harry. The sight was a bit comical since Harry was not the lowly child he once was. Indeed he was a strapping Edward Young man, and he stood a good four inches taller than his antagonist. Curling the fingers on his right mitt, he was about to say just what he'd do when a familiar tingling ran up his spine. He grabbed for his wand, but too late. Or at to the lowest degree it would give been if he had been the target. The drunkard stood motionless, centre glazed, body frozen in position. Harry looked up just as a manus gently took him by the arm.

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

The man, still in his teens, wore a sorry gray suit with lose weight blue pipage, a Burgundy wine tie and white shirt. The dark glasses reminded Harry of old James Bond movies, but the white tennis shoes with red lacing told Harry at once he was dealing with a necromancer. Then he noticed the pattern of the jaw, the voice, but the hair—

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

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

"Why ? What's the affair ?"

"Well… see, I'm supposed to—"

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

Finnius pulled Harry by the arm just as the sot began to come to his Mary Jane. Quickly, they climbed the steps and found themselves in a sea of masses heading to their platforms at business leader's Cross. Perspiration was popping out on Finnius'forehead and Harry wondered if he hadn't wet himself he looked so nervous."It's just… well, I promised Tonks and already I've made a pile of things."

"You work with Tonks ?"Harry asked with a bit more fervor and pursuit. 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 show Harry toward platform nine and three-quarters holding Harry with his correct bridge player and wiping his eyebrow 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 patronage at the Ministry last year, she's been in and out of hospital and… well, now she's in and… wellspring, she made me promise. See ?"

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

"Ah, here we are."They were at the platform."Just in time too !"Before Harry could say another Logos, Finnius gave him a bit of a shove and he plunged through the paries and found himself on the early side standing just in front line of the Hogwarts expressage. Harry dropped his trunk, reached for his wand and started back toward the wall when he was tackled from the side. The flash lamp of pig black whisker in his aspect 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 wall to the outside earthly concern."Who's out there ?"

The frustration on Harry's cheek was enlighten ; he was about to charge up back out when his eyes caught something he had never before seen : Neville Longbottom was hugging his parents, wiener and Alice, auf wiedersehen. Alice held his face in her custody and planted a big wet osculation on his cheek. They were all smile as Neville wiped it with his arm. Then Frank Longbottom handed his son something and, as Neville wrapped his fingers about the object, a more grievous flavor came into his eyes. His dad slapped him on the shoulder and a thin grinning appeared again as Neville boarded the train.

"He's oral sex Boy,"Gabriella said warmly.

Harry looked at Gabriella, then at the rampart behind, and back to the geartrain, then back to the paries."ejaculate on, let's—"

"ALL ABOARD !"the music director called.

"Dean said he'd save us a spot,"said Gabriella, taking hold of Harry's hand. Harry took one utmost look at the wall behind them, and then the two boarded the train. The corridor was crowded with students, particularly first long time who were completely confused. What was detectable, however, was that the rule demarcation of planetary house zones seemed to be somewhat blur. There were Slytherins purposefully mixing in with Ravenclaws near the forepart of the string, and a chemical group of third yr Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors in another passenger car playing snap. A few cars down Harry just caught a glimpse of mortal in Gryffindor robes disappearing into a passenger car and so he and Gabriella followed. He pushed open the carriage door only to walk in on Neville and Helen of Troy kissing ; a gratifying 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 flush wrapping itself around her arm and abdomen. She was wearing a grin and blushing slightly."Er… seen Dean ?"Neville who seemed about three inches taller than when Harry last saw him which was only a few hebdomad ago spoke through a beaming smile.

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

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

They continued moving forward past assorted carriages when the flash of red hair's-breadth caught Harry's eye. It was Ron, and he was bickering with Hermione. The floor of the stroller they were in was littered with clothes, Bible and respective affair Harry knew to be Ron's, most notably by the overabundance of socks.

"Honestly, Ronald,"said Hermione in a trounce voice as if talking to a four yr old."If you don't line up it soon you'll have to tell prof 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 pile of dress on the trading floor. Gabriella walked in first.

"Is there something ill-timed ?"she asked gently, Harry only a stone's throw behind her.

"No, naught's improper,"snapped Ron immediately."Er… hey, mate !"he said with a wave at Harry.

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

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

"rich person you tried summoning it ?"asked Harry, starting to rummage through the clothes on the rig storey. The steeled look of flame in Ron's eyes said that they had certainly tried that and many former things and would chevvy just not make any former suggestions because Hermione has already made every possible proposition known in the Wizarding world and none of them have worked.

"Hermione,"said Gabriella with a tone 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 bring together me and perhaps together we can puzzle out this little problem."Knowing Hermione's temperament toward Nott, Harry wondered if it was a Isaac Mayer Wise idea to put the two in nigh proximity, but Gabriella may give birth been on to something. Certainly Nott would give birth the motivation to extract a stunt like this, but perhaps Gabriella just wanted to get Hermione away from Ron for a bit. He smiled to himself realizing that it was probably both.

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

"Bloody hell."

"wellspring, 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 face did not brighten at the suggestion.

"feeling at us, Harry,"said Ron with a capricious look on his face, tinged with a bit of tartness."We were here six years ago, you and me. Do you commend ?"

There was a moment of silence as Harry watched the countryside pillowcase by. It wasn't the like string as six years ago, but it might as well have been.

"Yeah,"said Harry, almost in a whispering as he nodded his heading,"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 snigger."Back then you were Harry ceramicist, The Boy Who Lived, and I was Ron Weasley with a smirch of dirt on my nose."

"That's not—"

"Now we're both of age and you're Harry Potter, Protector, Guardian and emissary, the virtuoso that destroyed Voldemort and brought peace with the monster, and I'm Ron Weasley the kid that can't find his BLOODY WAND !"At the last password he stood up, kicked at the wall, and put his kick all the way through.

Harry was trying to muster something to say when the door began to give. Angry, Ron instinctively reached for his scepter to bang the doorway shut, but it wasn't there. He growled like a lion and was about to physically slam the door shut when Patrick O'Riley, now in his indorsement yr, poked his head through.

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

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

"Patrick,"cut in Ron, doing his outdo to persist calm,"we don't have clip to—"

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

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

"Oh, I didn't,"said Patrick,"St. James the Apostle 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 utmost Ron smiled as he slipped his baton away.

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

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

"Slytherins ?"asked Harry."I thought Saint James was going to protrude Gryffindor this year. He knows he can pick whatever planetary house he wants doesn't he ?"

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

"That was a bit odd,"said Ron, sweeping away a few pairs of socks with his script 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 door, her digit 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 convey it too well when we asked if he'd stolen Ron's wand,"continued Gabriella as she sat adjacent to Harry. Hermione took Ron's helping hand and pulled him close to her.

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

"being nearly killed can do that to some people,"said Ron.

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

"No, James Chang found it,"said Harry."Saint Patrick only returned it. Did he secernate you that James has decided to go with Slytherin this twelvemonth ?"

"There, you see !"said Gabriella,"Another exquisitely example. James was one of the best first year students as I recall."Ron pulled out his wand and looked at it closely.

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

"Oh, don't be ridiculous,"said Hermione, slapping his hand. Then she turned to Harry, trying laborious to ignore the flock on the floor."So how's Sirius doing at Grimmauld shoes ?"

The hours passed quickly as lunch came and the of late afternoon brought drooping eyelids to everyone. Dean never made his way back to the pushchair, and they never endeavoured to displace further up the train. They were all nodding off to sleep when the train began to slow.

"Hogsmeade ?"asked Ron groggily. The noontide sun seemed suddenly to pass off 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 powderpuff of smoke -- the air was growing colder by the second gear. They knew at once what was happening and each had their scepter at the ready. The wickedness outside the train filled with flashes of Light Within. Ministry guards had moved out to match the onslaught which was centred toward the front of the train. conjuration filled the air as Patronus after Patronus was being sent out against the lash out Dementors. There were screams all up and down the corridors, mostly from the youngest students.

"Ron,"said Hermione with a overlook voice."aid me forgather the inaugural years."Ron was up in a news bulletin, and a moment later his phonation was barking gild down the corridor for everyone to remain calm, calling for the foremost long time to muster at the cookhouse. pupil began to move toward the rear of the train, away from the fighting.

"They're looking for you, Harry,"said Gabriella, holding her wand at the window. She cast a spell at the glass, protecting it from attack, just as other 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 good. Who knows how many are out there. Your dear using the train as a—"The train lurched forward causing collective screams 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 blank flashgun of light cast against the darkness, and the good afternoon light suddenly reappeared and the warmth returned. Everyone cheered as the veil of darkness became nothing more than a dark cloud on the purview behind the train.

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

"Don't EVER do that again."

"But—"

There was a wow that Harry knew at once to be Ginny's. In a flashgun he was out the door and down the corridor, only a footprint ahead of Neville Longbottom, and two step behind Ron. Ginny was on her knees in the carriage, humiliated glass everywhere and snag streaming down her eye. She grabbed her Brother by his sleeve.

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

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

"Oh, no,"she whispered, stepping preceding Harry and turning Dean to face them all. There was a collective gasp. Still breathing, his eye were blank, his face sunken, and his pelt almost pale. He gave them no reaction at all. Ginny stood up and wrapped him in her arms, rocking him back and forth. On her digit was the surround James Byron Dean had given her the year before. The firestone with which it was set had lost its vivid glow, its fervor, its love extinguished.

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




Harry ceramicist and the onus of Becoming

Chapter 7 - The doomed soulfulness

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Harry clenched his fists and spat,"fucking war."Other than that, only the rumbling of the caravan and the breaking wind whistling through the shattered window accompanied Ginny's sobs. He stepped next to Gabriella and watched helplessly as Ginny, a mortal spouse if ever he had one, rocked back and forth with doyen in her arms. Dean, breathing but lifeless, made no response. He might as well be a cadaver - he'd be good off. Harry felt the rage building within, but something was tempering it, something was focusing it. He gazed into wind as smoke streamed by the broken window and a binge tracked down his cheek.

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

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

"It won't do any good,"thought Harry to himself, reaching for his wand and then nervously fiddling it with his fingers. Then, out loud, he whispered,"He's gone."The rage roiled in his mind as he watched the common mound roll by - a picture staring day. Finally, his head found its clarity."This was past forgiveness,"he thought to himself and his hand clenched tightly about his verge as he pulled it to the gear up."I'll bolt down them ! I'll kill them all !"He would Apparate back down the course and destroy every Dementor that moved. He began the wrist social movement when Gabriella grabbed his arm. His center shot fervor into hers."I told you—"he began.

"You're not thinking,"interrupted Gabriella, staring at him intently with dour blacken eye that demanded he not be so brash.

"I don't worry 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 come along from everyone.

"Harry !"shoot down Gabriella."THINK !"She pulled him close."You know a expert way !"

Harry's creative thinker began to race ; there was no time for this. The stone ? Was she talking about the stone ? Certainly she didn't mean that he could bring around James Byron Dean's soul using the Isidor Feinstein Stone."I don't have time—"

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

vocalization ? interpreter ! She couldn't be serious. She had wanted to puzzle out with him on the voices, the gifts of those who had touched him at the Joining, but he chose instead to spend his time with Sirius. All those demo at the Joining on Singehorn's passel were, in various ways, a component 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 import, as to a greater extent part 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 uncounted memories, snipping of pictures that spanned century.

"This is out of the question,"he said with a sigh.

"Come on, Harry ! Let's pour down them !"mortal called from tail end. It was Mark Anthony Goldstein. Very well said, thought Harry, but Anthony's Patronus would be lucky to push away a one Dementor let alone dozens. Unfortunately, before Harry could say another word, Anthony gave Harry the most curious look and shouted,"For our category, teammate !"There was a pop and Goldstein was gone. It was followed by another pop and another duck soup. elder educatee were Disapparating from everywhere.

"postponement ! STOP"Harry yelled."You're… you're not ready !"

"Mama's seen them, Harry,"said Gabriella above the picnic and pops."She may cognise. Think of her… be her !"

Harry closed his heart once again and focused on Soseh. His mind dwelt on the affectionateness of her cordial reception and the odor of her kitchen, but Gabriella turned his mind.

"coolness. vacancy,"she whispered."The smell of decay, of death."

Images filled Harry's psyche. Images of what was, what is, what might be. He saw Dakhil, a much younger looking Dakhil, blood dripping from the quoin of his mouth ; he saw himself hanging from the window on Privet Drive, an odd lambency surrounding his half-naked body ; he saw Grigor looking cruel and defiant ; he saw the cold bushed organic structure of Antreas, stab wounds covering every inch of his bare bureau ; death, and then he saw them.

It was night and the solitary sound, beyond a lone screech in the dark, was the rough breath of the oncoming Dementor. Just a few foundation away, a untested girl was cowering beneath the cloak figure. Just to her leftfield was a man, somewhere in his recent twenties, a dragon emblazoned on his mightily forearm. Ignoring the man, the Dementor pulled back his lens hood revealing its skull-like masque of horror, a large maw where perhaps a oral cavity should be. The vision seemed so real Harry tried to arrive at for his wand, but found his arms shackled to a stone wall.

The little girl screamed as the Dementor drew in its breather in a great wheeze. Another scream… another wheeze. On the thirdly wheeze, the girl made no speech sound ; her dumb middle opened, staring blankly up at her attacker. It was then, as if empowered with a irregular vision, Harry saw it : the glow. He watched the faint favourable flannel light being pulled into the hole in the Dementor's orifice. He expected it to vanish into the duskiness, but it didn't. The Dementor pulled his hood up over his skull, but Harry could still perceive the gleaming trying to push its way out. It was as if the Dementor was shining, backlit by a spotlight from above."I see,"Harry whispered and the darkness rushed away to be replaced by the visible radiation and rumblings of the racing Hogwarts Express.

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

"It's the merely way, Harry,"she said, still holding his arm."If we find the one in metre, then… then you use the stone to sop up back doyen's sprightliness 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 student they'd be blasting Dementors right and left. With one untimely turn, Dean's soul would be lost forever.

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

On two, they both Apparated back into the darkness. It was as if they had just landed themselves in the middle of an forbidding electric storm that had extinguished the sun. All was total darkness save for the blink of an eye of lighting - wandlight from the attacking student. Harry felt the heat rushing out of his os and heard the screams in his ears.

"Can - you - see - the - one ?"Harry yelled over the din. His spokesperson held hope, but his heart had none. There were at to the lowest degree a hundred Dementors swarming about, skimming across the hillside, trying to decide if the recently arrived maven were to be feared or consumed. Harry saw a Patronus, the shape of an enormous owl, plunge into a group of about a half dozen Dementors and sent them flying. About thirty yards away, near a stand of trees, Goldstein's baton was doing little more than lighting up the belittled clearing of Grass in social movement of him. A Dementor was closing in on him when three students from Ravenclaw converged, simultaneously casting an Incendio while and incinerating the puppet. Harry's heart skipped. Could that have been—

"This way !"hailed Gabriella, pulling on Harry's arm as she held her centre shut. She was pulling them closer into the inner circle. Harry conjured a stag that split the sea of Dementors, if only for a moment, the rift conclusion behind the undimmed 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 horde of blackness. Gabriella was moving more swiftly. She let go of Harry's arm and began to jog ahead. Harry followed sending another Patronus ahead of her and splitting them away. kinda than focalize on Harry and Gabriella, the Dementors seemed to choose the promiscuous prey near the tree diagram and began to act away. He could hear the screams behind him as Gabriella pulled her wand and express something in Armenian. A White River glow enveloped her as if she held a whizz at the tip of her wand. She pressed on ever forward, her yard gathering focal ratio, but her baton dimming as each new Dementor tried to penetrate its glowing surface.

"rush, Harry !"she called back. The terrain was bouldery here and they were moving along the side of meat of a pitcher's mound and the further they moved along the more steep the slope grew, making it more hard to cross. Harry heard a accumulation of walkover behind him ; the Aurors had arrived. He looked back at the great swarm of Dementors unwittingly racing toward the new collection of emotions. Just as he turned back to depend at Gabriella his metrical unit slipped on a stone and his articulatio talocruralis twisted under his weight. He fell to the ground and tumbled a skilful 20 metrical unit down the face of the mound, 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 edge of the hill. Three Dementors swarmed over him - it was the close thing they ever did. Black parentage sprayed all over the land as Harry blasted his way through, grimacing from the nuisance in his ankle as he took each long footstep. It was then that he realized he hadn't a clew what to do when he came upon the Dementor they wanted. Gabriella had said to use the pit, but how ? And how would he keep on the Dementor from simply fleeing ? His ankle throbbing, Harry past another large tree and came up over the side of the hill. The ground opened up beneath him, running down maybe twenty railway yard and then spreading out into a vast knit that stretched on until it disappeared into the clammy mist of swarthiness. Sunlight was trying to fall into place the foggy swarm of lightlessness casting an eerie red glowing over the green landscape before him. It was then when his mettle sank.

Just at the end of his visual modality, Harry could see the flickering glow of Gabriella's verge. Only now it was more spark than luminousness. About her were two Dementors, the only two to be seen and they were circling her like vultures. Each would pounce around and then dip at Gabriella only to bounce from her failing harbor charm. It wouldn't be recollective before—

The cuticle failed, and Harry heard her sidesplitter. He was too far away to do anything but run, and that's just what he did. He ran with all his might, trouble stabbing at his leg with each strike at the ground as if a snapping Snake River were ever at his dog. He was perhaps fifty curtilage away when an tremendous red Light burst from Gabriella's scepter, filled the air about her, and one of the Dementors burst into fire. Harry could discover its gurgling watchword as it tried to fly away, but plunged into the Mary Jane starting a small fire, Negroid smoke billowing upward. Harry was now twenty yards away as he watched the indorsement Dementor crouch over Gabriella and he heard her screams.

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

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

"Petrificus Totalus !"called Harry. The Auror went tumid and fell to the ground. Ten M. Gabriella screamed again and this prison term Harry could get a line the raspy wheeze of the Dementor as it tried to pull away her soul. With a great saltation Harry jumped forward, wrapped his arm around Gabriella and the two of them rolled away from beneath the batch of the Dementor. When they came to rest, Gabriella was on top of him ; the golden necklace he had given her with the Gryffindor signet - a lion baring two ruby red eyes - that came from Professor McGonagall hung round her neck and swung back and forth in forepart of Harry's face. He had remembered McGonagall's words :"For sentence of darkness."And then he heard the phonation of Dumbledore, as if he were whispering in Harry's ear, only the whisper was coming from Harry's lips.

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

The Dementor's growing wheeze signalled its approach when Harry grabbed the tiny golden chain off Gabriella's neck. He rolled her to the side of meat, feeling the frigidness approaching from behind. With one end nifty effort he heaved himself upward, tossed the chain in the air and cast a trance he had never uttered before, but one that Dumbledore knew. The tiny lucky chain grew snakelike in physical body and dimension, but its head was the head of a lion with flaming red eyes. With the pic of his baton Harry levitated the glowing, halcyon, lion-headed Snake toward the coming coldness, and it began to handbuild itself around the Dementor several times. daily round and round in less clip than it takes to untie a shoelace the Dementor was cinched tight from headland to toe. Struggling to run, the opprobrious beast could not move and ultimately fell to the gage.

"Harry ?"Gabriella's voice whispered weakly from tail."Harry ?"

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

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

The vivificus gemstone had not been used since it was charged at the Joining. Singehorn had told Harry that fire was near but honey was something far more endurable. And the Harlan Fisk 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 moment, Harry found himself in what he had, in his own head, decided was an antechamber of variety. All was Stanford White waiting for his request. For a import his mind hovered on Gabriella, but he knew he was forbidden on using it to the reward of another in the Votary. Instead, he called to the open air nothingness,"display me Dean's soul !"

He expected to see a swirl of vividness, but instead he saw a swirl of black. His heart skipped for fearfulness that he had done something wrongfulness, but his own tone held tight to the need to economise his friend if at all possible. The swarthiness cattle farm before him and in this emptiness a stench filled Harry's nostril. It was then when he realized where he was, what he was entering - the life forcefulness of the Dementor.

pitch blackness and rot filled his vision. Strands of oily fibre hung from above and when Harry looked to see their origin, all that was seeable was arrant dark. He was reminded of the crevasse into which he and Canicula had fallen and a very real part of him wanted to leave this lieu as quickly as possible. He was frigidness and growing colder as he forced is beware's eye to press onward into the depth of the Dementor's essence, an insatiable pauperism to feed.

At first, the phone were upstage echoes coming from down a long burrow, vocalism perhaps, or animals screaming. Harry moved toward the sound and found the darkness pressing in all around him. Though in here he really had no corporal form, something wet and sticky splattered against his brass ; the desire to wretch was substantial. Then he heard the sounds again.

Yes, they were screams, but human screams, calling just ahead. Floating deeper into the swarthiness, his infantry tangled on something he could not see. He pulled and freed himself and then realized his teeth were chattering."This is not possible,"he thought to himself and now an even corking character of him wanted to return."I can't do this."He glanced back to see a tiny plot of ground of white no bragging than a postage stamp miles away. He could be there and back to prophylactic in the flash of a thought.

Then he heard a voice, clear and solid above the others, telling them to tranquillize down, to listen. It was comrade, but it wasn't Dean's. There was something nurturing about this voice, something that made one feel safety. Harry pressed forward. It felt wish hour, although it was probably little more than the time it takes a superstar to wink, when he saw the faint gilt glow ahead. He ached and felt that at any moment he would give and be trapped in this shadow forever. The voice called out again and his pulse quickened as he hurried forward. Against his dead body he felt the sensation of ice-cold hands pulling at his sprit, trying to stop him, but still he moved ahead. The cold was unbearable, the sense of fear was overmaster, and that's when he saw him, towering marvelous above the others huddled in the black muck : Mr. Silverton. It was the like whizz from Hogsmeade that had tried to save Draco's animation the year before, but had failed in the effort. Harry had always seen him as a rather spiritless yet friendly man when he visited Hogsmeade, but here he stood taller than life, translucent in a gilt grandness.

"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 human foot. They were there, nearly a twelve souls, small fry mostly. Each was translucent, each glowed bright, though some More than others. The shiny of these was the Edward Young disgraceful wizard, who seemed utterly lost. Dean looked straight at Harry, but did not recognize him.

"helper,"he pleaded in a washy, raspy vox."Where am I ?"

"No one stays behind,"Harry said to Silverton."I'm taking you all."And without another word he reached out his hands and with his brain summoned the mortal toward him. Silverton stood firm as if guarding the procession, guiding them toward Harry's summons. number 1, and to the highest degree bequeath, came James Byron Dean, then a Young girl with black hair… a boy with shiny blue eyes… and on… and on…. Each soul came to… came into Harry as if he were an enormous void pulling them in. When the hold up left the mire at Silverton's pes the older wizard smiled.

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

The low temperature was pressing in on Harry once again, fighting one utmost desperate onslaught to keep its cute treasure as Silverton floated toward Harry.

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

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

"Home."

The blackness began to rush away with a bang-up tearing sound. Harry felt as if his leg were being pulled backward by a leash that held him tight to the world buttocks. Flashes of varying spook of gray screamed past, and then with a tremendous wooosh Harry found himself back in his body on the grassy field looking upward at the milky-blue sky.

"Harry !"Gabriella cried as his optic 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 spirit power. He could use this energy, this power in the war to make out. They could be winning ! Then, a obtuse suspiration slipped past his lips, and before he lifted his question off the sess he closed his heart and whispered,"Hhhhome."It was a long, slow, dyspnoeic Scripture that sent chills down Gabriella's spine. He could feel the free energy plinking out from within him as each individual drifted upward. Perhaps it was a hallucination, for Gabriella said later she saw no such visual sensation, but before Harry the semitransparent organic structure of all the baby hovered for a consequence just above him. They looked down, smiling when at shoemaker's last Mr. Silverton emerged. He took the small-scale girl's script and in the next here and now they all rose above the treetop and disappeared from sight, doyen travelling with them ever upward.

Harry was sealed he heard doyen's voice utter,"Goodbye."

A lone teardrop spilt from his eye when Gabriella reached down and lifted his header into her lap. Harry raised his hired hand and summoned the golden Ernst Boris Chain that surrounded the Dementor."This is yours I think,"he said softly.

"But—"

"It's utter,"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 months.

The air blasted with the reputation of two loud soda water as a pair of Aurors appeared clad in red Ministerial robes. One noticed the Auror some railyard away on the ground still stiffened by Harry's spell. The former reached down to help Harry and Gabriella to their feet.

"You can't stay here,"the Auror said, then he noticed who he was speaking with and turned to his fellow."It's Potter !"He held Harry more firmly as if his life might reckon on it."You've got to return to the train. 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 geartrain.

They appeared in the corridor of the train, near the tail, and Harry stumbled to the flooring when he landed. He hated Apparation, and this was his first try at hitting a moving fair game. If Gabriella hadn't been holding his hand… He didn't want to think about it.

He was a bit vertiginous and disoriented, but he grabbed a rig door hold and pulled himself up to his feet, taking a shaky footprint forward."Dean,"he muttered."I've got to see if…"He began to crumple to the floor when Gabriella grabbed his arm. He looked at her clinch hand and then at her eyes and smiled."Thank you,"he said softly."Did I ever tell you that I thought you were brilliant ?"Her case did not smile back. Her nerves were too wracked with headache as her heart darted up the corridor.

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

Two auto 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 await straight in on Ron's back. His clothes were a mess of mud and pine tree acerate leaf, and the side of his shirt was torn, blotches of blood seeping through, red mixing with splattered black. His red hair draped down over an arm that was hugging him tight. It was Ginny's and she was crying. Harry's heart plummeted and he dropped his nous ; they had failed. James Byron Dean had died.

It was then that he heard Gabriella give a sharp gasp as she gripped his forearm. He looked up to see her pointing at Ginny's hand. On her ring finger was the golden circle dean had given her, only now the firestone was glowing as bright as ever, shining through the chain of Ron's red hair.

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

It was Dean's voice, talking about Ron. It was shaky but clear-cut and Harry watched as two weapon system of deep hot chocolate wrapped around the redheaded Brother and babe in a magnanimous hug.

"Dean ?"choked Harry, his philia skipping out of his chest and the steer of his digit and pad of paper of his metrical unit starting to tingle.

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

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

"right field here, ceramist ; no thanks to you."

Harry turned to see a very bruised and a very battered Mark Anthony Goldstein. There was dry out grass in his hair and a bit of blood at the corner of his oral fissure, and he still clutched his sceptre as if quick to retch another spell at whomever or whatever might cover him.

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

"Cho said you weren't that smart,"sneered Anthony with somewhat of a chipping 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 brassy enough so everyone could get wind."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 educatee. 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 recognize the face anywhere. Greasy trivial git."The pair parted the gang and were now right on in front of Harry."mentation you could get away with it, did yeh ? fiddling prat. You could let had us all killed."Then he turned to the former Auror, a very tall woman with deep down in the mouth eye and an locution somewhere between exasperation and exhaustion. She was about to say something when Marcus Antonius Goldstein stepped in front 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, Antonius was destined for dandy 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 Anthony to the slope, and almost at once there was a upsurge of student 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, inches from his face. The woman reached up to pull her fellow's manus down just when there was another representative from the far end of the pram.

"Strickman ! PUT THAT DOWN !"If Anthony's vocalism was Ministerial, the new vocalism was all that and More. Strickman's eyes widened in shock. He'd heard this voice before, last twelvemonth when he graduated from the Auror Academy. Everyone turned and saw the blow of red hair and knew at once who it was.

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

"Ronny. Ginny."He was trying not to exhibit that he was there to read the status of his own children, but the tremble in his representative and the feel of relief on his face were obvious for all to try and see."I came as soon as I heard."Then his oculus met Harry's as he moved past the two Aurors and a smell of wonder filled them."Harry ?"he breathed in unbelief."I had heard you were taken. That your soul—"

"That was Dean, sir,"answered Harry.

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

"Harry brought him back, Dad,"Ginny answered her father'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 possible,"he whispered."Not even Dumbledore—"

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

"SHUT UP !"yelled minister of religion Weasley."If you say another word, I'll have him do the like to you as he did to Voldemort !"The Bible stung many spike and there was a collective moan, but not as universally as there might make been the year before. Only then did Strickman finally realize who he had been calling a prat.

"P-P-Potter ?"He began to apologise, not to curate Weasley, but to Harry ; he never had a opportunity.

"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 back of his cloak and tossed him into the forward carriage.

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

King Arthur was still struggling, trying to grok what it was that Harry was saying. Nonetheless, he patted Anthony about the berm and said,"fountainhead done, Cy Young man. Goldstein is it ? Yes, I know your mother. Runs a coven in Colchester."He gave Marcus Antonius, who was now beaming, another pat."Well done."Arthur then turned and hugged his two children and then he said in a loud vocalism,"I'm glad everyone's safe and I assure you the residue of your slip will be uninterrupted, if not completely boring."

With the bickering and fighting over, most the bookman returned to their go-cart, 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 caravan 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 parson started down the corridor he could see Hermione seize Gabriella's helping hand and heard her ask what had happened as they disappeared into the carriage with Dean, Ginny and Ron.

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

"What is it, sir ?"

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

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

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

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

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


Harry ceramicist and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 8 - Engaged

~~~***~~~

The canary flitted upward time and metre again only to be snatched into his hired man after every escape. He was actually getting quite good at it really. Nearly twenty moment without a—

"Damn !"

The Snitch slipped through James Byron Dean's fingers and began to zip about the male child'student residence, bouncing off the wall above Harry's heading. With a news bulletin, few but Ginny Weasley could appreciate, Harry had his hand around the fly orb.

"That was bang-up, Dean !"said Harry earnestly, handing the stool pigeon to Ginny who was sitting next to Dean on his bed. While Dean was practicing, Harry had been reading a narrative headlined Miracle at St. Mungo's which described how nearly a dozen patients, all victims of Dementor tone-beginning, had suddenly and inexplicably awakened - their mortal intact. He turned the page with a smile as doyen continued to practice.

Madame Pomfrey had prescribed the exercise of sneak snatching as a sort of therapy to help Dean recover command of his neuro-synapses. Even though Harry had returned 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 SALT, and it would louse up through his fingers for no grounds. Sometimes his beloved for Ginny was solid, while at former times it seemed as if he had no feelings for her at all. In Magical nontextual matter, Dean would paint portraiture of birds, animals, or even hoi polloi but the images wouldn't move ; they remained lifeless on the canvass. It was all very unknown, and no one, not even Madam Pomfrey, knew exactly what to do.

"No one's ever had their psyche reattached,"Madame Pomfrey had said shortly after they had arrived at Hogwarts rook. Her solution was to try to re-stitch James Byron Dean's psyche by having him do both his physical structure and heart.

Ginny held steadfast at Dean's side ; a lesser woman would give left at once. Watching the two of them these final stage few days, Harry wondered if his love for Gabriella would be able-bodied to withstand such a psychometric test 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 weak smile. They kissed and Ginny turned toward the staircase down to the Common elbow room.

They had been at Hogwarts for three mean solar day and even though the familiar beat of classes and course of action oeuvre pulsed on at Hogwarts, something was distinctly different. Maybe it was the blast on the train, the anticipation of what was to come, or simply that they were in their final twelvemonth. Whatever it was, there existed, to the highest degree certainly, a palpable sense of anticipation as if it any consequence something spectacularly fantastic, or devastatingly atrocious was about to pass.

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

"She's my humanity, Harry."He lay down on his pillow, folding his arms behind his head."I wish I knew why… sometimes…"James Dean let out a large suspiration and turned over on his side, his back toward Harry. Over the in conclusion year, 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 scream from down in the Gryffindor park elbow room. It was Hermione's scream ; Harry was sure. Not an minute later, Ginny cried out, followed by a cacophony of screeches that rivalled the arriving hooter during the good morning post.In an instant, both Harry and Dean had their baton at the make, and started cautiously for the landing place. Just as Harry was about to wait down on the green room below, Patrick appeared from the Second years'student residence ; his scepter also drawn and his face concerned. There was a third year passing Patrick and running the other direction, trying to miss whatever danger was causing the commotion. Harry didn't make out the boy from behind, but the thought of a Sir Noel Pierce Coward in his house bristled the rear of his neck opening."A Gryffindor ?"Harry cried out.

The moment's distraction was enough to have dean to happen him slightly from bum. Harry tried to align his ground by stepping forward, only there was nothing on the orbitual staircase to step out on. Instead, he completely lost his balance and began tumbling, down and around, head over heals until he landed prostrate onto the storey. Dazed, he looked up to see Ron on the basis also. Well, almost… he was down to one knee, a look of pure terror in his eyes. Harry grabbed his effective acquaintance by the shirtsleeve and pulled himself up aligning back to back with Ron.

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

"You idiot !"she hissed under her breath.

Her cheeks a brighter semblance of red than Ron's hair, Hermione had to cover her mouth to keep 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.

"fountainhead, what ?"Lavender said sharply."Go on, Ron. Ask her properly."There was a world-wide murmur 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 and pulled him to his feet. Dean was stepping slowly down the staircase and came to a stop on the bring down flight of stairs, wrapping his arm about Ginny's shank. She had been transfixed, but the warm touch caught her attention and she wrapped both her arm about doyen, smiling as she watched her pal propose.

"Yeah, yeah,"said Ron, wiping his forehead with his remaining sleeve while still holding out the anchor ring with his rightfulness. He was nervous, his hand shaky, and Harry wondered if he wouldn't syncope at any present moment. But when Ron's middle rejoined Hermione's the quivering stopped and he regained his voice. He held the ring a bit higher.

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

He never had the chance to end. In that instant, Hermione was down on her knee kissing him deeply, and the park way whooped out a cheer that was heard throughout Hogwarts palace. Later, even Hagrid said he heard the revel when he was out feeding the poisonous lava lizards.

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

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

Harry wasn't sure who was responsible, but suddenly solid food and deglutition appeared, and before you could blink away music was playing, masses were dancing and an impromptu company was in full swing in the Gryffindor park room. It was loud and boisterous, but Hermione had set a silencing charm on the walls, and outside of Gryffindor the dark was quiet. Harry poured himself a drink and suddenly felt very awkward. Everyone was congratulating Ron and Hermione, hugging them, smiling. Harry sunk back into the quoin. Why hadn't Ron told him that he was about to suggest ? He watched the smile and the laughter, but somehow couldn't feel any fondness himself. Indeed, the thoughts that were passing through his nous brought back retention of the year before, bad retentivity of jealously and uncontrollable anger. He gulped the drink, and poured another.

Still standing in the corner, Harry was watching Neville assist dean back up the staircase to the boy'dorm room, when a voice 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 pupil had gone to bed or were ushered away. A slow birdsong began to play and Ron took Hermione in his arms. The candlelight in the Common elbow 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 swallow."Amazing."

"I mean,"Saint Patrick continued,"to make love someone so much."Still sitting, he pulled his knees up to his chin and wrapped his blazonry around his legs just gazing at the dancers."Do you imagine he'd die for her ?"The doubt was odd, but Patrick was youth and Harry was a bit drunk.

"He'd die for anybody in this way,"Harry answered with strong tone of pride."Merlin, he almost did live year, more times than I can—"Harry stopped and looked into his field glass, drinking the cadaver in one final spatter against the back of his throat. He could palpate the burn make its way down his chest of drawers as he stared at the vacate meth and could finger it fill with guilt feelings. How often had he put both of his protagonist in jeopardy ? They would both sacrifice themselves to save Harry, and if the war was truly approach, and it was, Harry knew they'd risk of exposure life and branch once again.

"Do you call back you'll marry Gabriella ?"St. Patrick asked, filling the silence. Harry whispered something and the glass in his handwriting vanished. Patrick raised an supercilium, but said nothing about the wandless magic.

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

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

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

"No kids. No orphans."Patrick uncurled his leg and stood up, walking over to Harry."I plan teh combat, Harry. There's no room fer get it on if there's the chance you'll die."

"Patrick, that's not true."

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

Harry was warm up, his caput cloudy, and the familiar screams were calling from the fog in his thinker. It's not your battle, Harry. Let it go.

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

"I was just talking to—"He turned to place to Patrick, but the boy was gone. Harry looked about and then to the staircase, but the endorsement twelvemonth 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 act you're happy for them. Falco columbarius knows you'll be the godfather to all their baby ; now start acting like it."Lavender pulled Harry onto the terpsichore storey."I never thought you'd ask !"

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

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

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

"Why, I'd love some punch too, Harry. Thank you for asking."She deliberately stepped down on his metrical unit, concentrated, and then whispered in Harry's ear,"So help me, Harry ceramist, if you ruin this eve for them I'll curse you from here to Durmstrang."A split second later her cheek was all smiles as she squeezed Harry tight just behind the elbow 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 pour herself a cup of punch. Still smiling at Ron and Hermione he took the cup out of Lavender's handwriting without asking and gulped it down with one swig."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 enjoin you,"said Ron with a sincere flavour of regret,"but I didn't pluck up the courage until you were at Grimmauld Place."Harry just looked at Ron like the solution made absolutely no sense."You said you didn't want to be disturbed… remember ?"

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

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

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

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

"It's none of your bloody patronage where I was last Night,"said Ron, his voice elevated."You're not my keeper, Harry."At this he pointed his finger and jabbed Harry in the bureau, pushing him backward. Harry's back bumped into Lavender's cup of slug sending it splashing down the presence of her dress. The two Loretta Young men took no poster. Harry balled his right hand into a fist and pulled back gear up to let throw.

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

"You should what ?"he challenged.

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

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

"I know,"Ron answered quietly with a lovesome grinning.

"I… I don't want to fall behind you. Not again."Harry pulled back so that his visual sensation took in both Ron and Hermione."Not now."Hermione stepped close. She remembered uttering the same words to Harry terminal twelvemonth at the Ministry and she remembered what Harry said.

"You're not going to lose 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 drink and his words were taking on a mite of regret.

"I want to see a twelve little shaggy haired, freckle faced Weasley's running about. Do you find out me ! ?"

"Harry !"

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

"As me !"Ron helped Harry finish."And don't forget they'll be brilliant Quidditch participant just like me too ! Let's hope 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 struggle by his side, he might miss them. Patrick was right ; it wasn't worth it. Their children deserved to take both their parents. Harry squeezed both Ron and Hermione tightly toward him.

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

The halls were tranquilize ; it was nearly curfew. A few scholar were sprinkled here or there, talking or making their way back to their residence hall. Harry walked aimlessly down the stone stone's throw and found himself near where Tonks had her old government agency net yr. They had yet to ascertain who would be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. That class had been cancelled this sunrise. The lanterns dimmed a bit, signalling that it was time to return to the dorms, but Harry didn't hold much by that signal. He'd rarely obeyed it in all his years at Hogwarts, and he wasn't about to—

"Hey, Potter."

It was Blaise Zabini rounding the dark turning point of the corridor and saying Harry's name without a drip of irony. It was odd, Harry thought, to see Blaise so far off the bewilder caterpillar tread, especially at this metre of night. Cloak and dagger hooey wasn't part of Blaise's makeup. The handsome wizard was more prosperous standing in the nerve center of a group of others to be looked at and admired. He hung with genus Draco on occasion, but never when it meant risk was about. That sort of stuff was for Nott, or Crabbe or G-Greg. A shiver passed down Harry's spine recalling the expiry of his Quaker survive year.

"Blaise,"Harry answered with a nod.

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

Since I can't be there, my messenger is going to assist be my eyes and ears at Hogwarts. Don't severalise a soul or it may mean his life. 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 floor and leaned back against the stone bulwark.

"Lumos !"he whispered. He held up the eminence and study it again. Was it really from Draco ? And what was he supposed to mouth with Dumbledore about ? What was it he had sensed during the connection ? Hol… Hor… Horcrux ? It seemed so upstage now. Perhaps it was some form of private weapon that the Dementors would use against the Centaurs. Perhaps it was—

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

Harry spun on the words, jumping to his base and preparing his defence. A shadow figure emerged, dimly lit by the faint glow of Harry's wand.

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

"Impressive."The Holy Scripture dripped with irony."I would have thought you would forget my name again the here and now you returned to England."He drew nearer and Harry lifted his baton higher."Put your wand away, boy,"rebuked Dakhil sternly,"or I'll… let's see… What do they call off it ? I'll take points away from your planetary house. Although why you would like about such meaningless biz when the war is upon you is incomprehensible to me."Harry lowered his wand and the light was extinguished. They were in gross darkness.

"You can't take—"

"Oh, I believe any prof can—"

"You're not a prof ! You can't… Oh, no."He leaned back against the wall and, in the iniquity, noticed the thin touch of light emanating from a cracked threshold, the door to Tonks'office. Harry sighed."Defence Against the dark liberal arts, is it ?"Harry could tell by the low oink that a grimace had appeared on Dakhil's aspect. Clearly, he didn't like the melodic theme any more than Harry.

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

Harry shoved Draco's Federal Reserve note into his air pocket, clenched his teeth, and followed. Once, after banging his genu, he tried to light his wand but was scolded by Dakhil who insisted on total wickedness."Can you not see ?"Dakhil sneered.

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

"There is an energy that binds all living things together, Harry. You draw from it every time you cast a tour. It pulsates on the wind as the breath of the tree diagram ; it bubbles from the soil crawling with worms and roaches. In the very darkest of blank space, it shines as a lighthouse to all who would ring on its public figure. It is a skill all member of the Votary learn before the connexion, save for you."Dakhil stopped. The odour was strong here, damp and dank and musty with a stiff sense of disintegration."Even in last, life history is reborn. contact out to it."

"I can't see a bloody—"

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

"She uses Sir Thomas More than her optic, I suppose."

Harry had seen the sprightliness power of others he had try to bring around. It was like going to another carpenter's plane of cosmos. He just needed to…"Focus,"he whispered to himself. In the darkness Harry closed his eyes and opened his brain, reaching out for anything however small that might designate sprightliness. At first there was nothing, and then a bright glow began to appear, red and throbbing."Dakhil,"Harry thought. And then he saw it, the corridor they were in. Something was glowing on the walls. molding ? Spores ? It was as if the structure surrounding them were splattered with an eerie fluorescent key and lit up by a melanise twinkle."I see,"he whispered in amazement.

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

"The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree !"Harry said, looking at the white radiance pillars that climbed to the sky.

"Your enemy, even though they hide behind such grand social organization are brighter still. It is a important acquirement. With one manus, Dakhil pulled Harry out of the splinters of wood and stood him on his feet in the forest."Now look up."

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

"Ebyrth,"Harry whispered.

"Correct, Mr. potter,"said Dakhil, slapping Harry on the shoulder joint. He started walking past the trees back to the castle which glowed bright through the offset."As I said earlier, your sentence to die is near at handwriting. You may not bring in it yet, Mr. ceramicist, but, aside from both being in the Votary, you and I have one affair, at to the lowest degree, 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 nascence of a New Sun
Chapter 9 - The Bending of Space and Time
~~~***~~~


The rhythmic beating of Gabriella's substance lulled Harry as she stroked the side of his principal with her deal. He sighed deeply as she played with the pinch of curls that wrapped about his berm. He forced himself to delay awake, if only to savour every instant that he was being held in her implements of war. Through the thin slits in his center he watched the lake vanish and reappear into view as his caput rose and fell with each breathing space she took. The sparkling waters brought his mind to the beaches of Lebanese Republic and he visualized walking with her at the ocean, watching the Wave smash again and again against the shore. It would be a arrant place to ask her, he thought. A mollify duck soup brought with it the cool breath of fall and for a moment he thought he could smell the aplomb salt air of the sea. Yes, the hone place.

"We'll missy dinner,"she whispered.

"I never want to affect again,"he muttered, barely opening his lips. Her script slipped down to his shoulder and then stroked the muscles of his implements of war. They were sore and yet with her touch he could feel the ache ebb away.

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

"AYY !"he said, jumping. It was more tickle than pain, More peck than dawdler."Not bonnie ! I was… I was just going…"He closed his eyes and began to lay his head back down on her thorax.

"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 abdomen which held tight."Besides, Mama would kill me if she heard I let you skip a meal."She rose to her feet."come on, let's get you fed."She held out her hired man to help Harry to his feet. Her head was turned so that her gaze was not at Harry but at the castle.

An prototype of Grigor flashed across Harry's mind and a insensate chill ran down his back… he hesitated. How could she know ? She couldn't. She was so much like her father, and for the briefest of import Harry was taken back to the torture bedchamber at the Ministry -- the sleeping accommodation where Dog Star had been lost and found again, the bedroom where Gabriella's father, Grigor, had held his helping hand out innocently toward Harry, just as Gabriella was now doing, only to bind him and prepare him for death.

He drew in a deeply breath, shook the retentiveness from his mind, and took Gabriella's hand, rising to his aching feet. They both whisked away the dry leaves that clung to the buttocks of their robes and turned toward the castle. Harry could feel the sting in his legs as they climbed the castle measure. Halfway up he stopped, wrapped his arm about Gabriella's waist and paused to see at the lake. She took it as a romanticistic moment and leaned her nous against his shoulder. Harry, however, was too sore to mistreat mellow. Even Madame Pomfrey's potions weren't enough to remove the pounding that worked its way into both brawniness and ivory. A face in his powerful second joint shot a jar of pain up into his back and his gaze turned toward the forest.

Working for Hagrid ? No. For the finale few calendar week he'd been training with the centaur. Only he'd felt uncomfortable share-out that with Gabriella. He had never been capable to play up a conversation with Gabriella about them without her making an excuse to change the study. It was clearly she did not like Centaur, but she never explained why and Harry was unwilling to push the topic. Another twinge flicked down the muscle of his left calf and his judgement drifted to the day's training session. Recalling why his leg hurt so, he wasn't so for certain he liked Centaurs either.

"jumping, Harry Potter ! Jump"cried Ronan. The red-haired Centaur fired an arrow that nicked the left heel of Harry's bare foot."Speed is a Centaurus's superlative ally. With it we can outpace the Dementors when they try to flee. Run !"he bellowed as Harry began to slack."If one of our number needs aid, would you just take the air to their position ?"

"I'm… not… walking…"yelled Harry back over his shoulder joint, as he ran from the Centaur barefoot through the forest. His lungs were bursting for air and his foot were on firing. He'd already run for nautical mile ; Ronan would name him run miles more. For his theatrical role, Harry had already decided that there was nothing the centaur could bemuse at him that he couldn't handle.

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

"Run !"

Perhaps he was damage.

He had been forbidden to use a sceptre, and wore zippo but a thong made of shoetree barque wrapped about his waist with a sheath for a small-scale dagger used to slash at vines and other botany that blocked his way as he ran. In one paw he held the obelisk and in the other he carried a pit nearly too turgid to fully grasp. In engagement he would extend a shield, but a stone was more awkward to treat, forcing More musculus to lift and control it. He was being trained as all colts were. In fact, there were two Colt running far ahead of him already - Shahan, with a pelage so black Harry could no longer see him in the distance, and feldspar, whose brilliantly albumen coat shone like a whiz ahead - way ahead. Sweat dripped into his eyes and he wiped his forehead with his ripe forearm. Running blindly he slashed wildly at a Tentacula that reached for his neck.

"You should give seen that, stripling, long before it struck at you !"cried Ronan, loping along. There was the sound of a thwwwwp and a few stride ahead Harry saw a large spider suddenly near the track he was taking, an arrow between its oculus. Looking back as he ran ahead Harry tripped on a root, twisted his ankle and fell to the ground, his remaining human knee grinding into a accumulation of small Lucy Stone. The finger's breadth of his get out hired man were crushed between the stone he was carrying and the Harlan F. Stone upon which he'd just fallen. The dagger fell from his flop hand and skittered forward, but before it came to roost, Harry reached his script forward and without saying a password the dagger returned to his reach. There was a thin grunt from Ronan. It was neither disparaging, nor approving. It was more a grunt of satisfaction, but Harry did not look back into Ronan's heart to see if the satisfaction was directed toward him. His articulatio genus and hands bleeding, he stood to his foundation and began to run again. Now, even felspar was out of survey. He'd taken only three or four stride before Ronan called.

"stopover !"

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

"I… I can… catch 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 tone on the face of a Centaur before. It was riddle.

"I hate… riddles,"breathed Harry.

"Shahan and feldspar have been studying for 10 the essence of Earth's mystery story. It will take them decennium more to realize what is already at your fingertips."The Centaur stepped confining, forcing Harry to turn away his neck upward. A brawn twanged past his right ear. Still Ronan advanced until he was only inch from Harry, who could smack the strange mix of fret and fuzz. Ronan looked skyward.

"To see without eyes, to feel without digit, to hear without capitulum, to smack without tongue…,"he looked back down at Harry and tapped him on the side of his nose,"…to odour without nostrils. These are gifts you have already been given, and yet you know them not ; you have but to discover them."With a bm that was but a blur to Harry, Ronan notched another arrow and shooter at a large flying… affair with with child teeth that was advancing on them. It fell silently to the forest story. To Ronan it was like little more than swatting a fly. He continued,"You must learn the power that took your sacrifice and cleansed you, the baron that has no strong point. What you must master, Harry Potter, what you must endeavour to achieve is to be without being."Harry scrunched his scent splotched with dirt.

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

"proceeds my paw, child,"commanded Ronan.

The consequence Harry took the Centaur's hand the world spun upon its school principal. green and brown and yellowness and gold flashed past them in a swirl of colouring. Then, inexplicably, Ronan was gone, and Harry was suddenly running, loping, galloping. He felt airheaded, proud, arrogant, childish…

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

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

"zero but silly centaur fairytales from a doddering old fool !"Harry yelled back, but his eyes were steadfast forward. The sword lily was ahead ; he could see it, maybe three or four geographical mile ahead. A smile stock split across his face, an arrogant smile ; he was going to win this race and prove Ronan wrongfulness, prove to all of them that HE, Shahan, was the Centaur that would save them from the attack of Dementors that was soon to come.

A phonation 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 white Centaur that he'd been racing. Then he noticed his own haunches. They were shameful as darkest coal. He was Shahan, the leading Centaur colt. But how ? His promontory twisted forward toward the waiting flag and the assemblage of Centaur that watched to see if Ronan's prophecy was nil more than wind 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, tract, Reconstruction -- Apparation. But he had no baton and even if he did, there was no way to Apparate in the Forbidden wood. The pin, a red beacon in the distance, was maybe two kilometer ahead of Shahan now and probably three kilometres from where Harry's soundbox stood breathless back in the forest with Ronan. He'd been practicing wandless magic all summer. What if… ?

Harry willed himself from the eyes of Shahan and back to his own dead body. There was a catch - he had returned, his lungs still gasping for air and Ronan still at his side. Harry closed his eye and his mind imaged the sword lily that was ahead ; he imagined being there. Space and time began to collapse, swirling itself, revealing itself. A footpath that moved with his will, guided by Ronan, appeared before Harry. He took in a deep breathing spell and stepped forward onto the track. The with child twosome of distance between himself and the red pin suddenly collapsed. Felspar was just out of stretch, Shahan appeared to be only a few paces in social movement of her, and the red flag appeared as just a few tens of metres away. Harry began to run. The colors of the timberland swirled by him, as if everything stood still, including the two Centaur. He ran retiring Felspar and then Shahan and, in an New York minute, he appeared only inches from the iris that marked the end of the race. He was surrounded be Centaurs of every colour, each with fierce eyes marked by only the slightest astonishment of his arrival. As he came to rest, he saw, in the distance, Shahan and only a few strides behind him Felspar. They were both galloping like the wind, swallowing up vast belt of turf with each tread. They would be upon him soon.

Harry felt it was, somehow, a cheat. Could all Centaurus bend space and time ? His eyes caught Shahan's in the distance, and the once confident, defiant gaze turned to one of good horror. He galloped faster, as if possessed, but it was no use. With one mitt, his bloody left, Harry reached up and pulled the crimson flag from its standard. There was a collective cheer as Harry held the flag over his head, spinning to record the assemblage. It was then that he saw Ronan, standing in the centre of the group of nearly one c Centaur. An instant later Shahan pulled up at Harry's English, his breather heavy, his coat lathered with sweat.

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

"No,"answered Ronan, stepping forward from the others."He used the skills you yourself may one day passe-partout, Shahan."Ronan turned to the other Centaur."He has been given the gifts."With this there was a general murmur and neigh of surprisal and approval from the Centaurus herd. Facing the others, Ronan flanked Harry nudging him forward just as felspar arrived, also out of breath, a gash upon her the right way front flank.

"I foretold of the coming star,"Ronan called to the gathering."And yet you did not consider. 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 engagement was won so too began the Great Age of centaur !"Harry expected a cheer, but none came. Instead, there was an almost passionless reference of Ronan's'averment."This,"he pointed toward Harry, naked and bloodstained, his lungs still craving for More oxygen,"this is our Sacrifice. Cleansed and returned, he shall precede us to victory !"Again there was little more than the nods and stomps of the Centaur at the gather. No one refuted Ronan's claims.

"You're hurt,"said Harry, approaching feldspar and looking carefully at the wound.

"It was a Bearwicken,"said feldspar quietly.

"He's a fraud !"cried Shahan in a flavour that was more animated than any Centaur Harry had ever seen. He stepped forward, pushing Harry aside, but Harry ignored the crudity and focused his attention on Felspar."He's no drawing card ! He's a wizard ! It's trickery I tell you."

"Let me help you,"whispered Harry as he held his open deal a few in away from the gash on Felspar's flank. Harry closed his eyes and muttered the conjuration that he knew would cultivate with his scepter, and then something caused him to extend further, to reach beyond. His hired man had not touched the Centaur, but he could experience the rip, slippery wet, between his fingerbreadth. He reached out without moving and willed the gash shut, and the gash obeyed, closing as if a drapery had been pulled shut tight about the wound.

"Like all wizards, he'll defeat us all when we turn our spinal column !"yelled Shahan again.

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

"female parent !"cried Felspar."He's the elect. How dare you question his talent !"felspar, injury healed, turned to Harry and bowed low on one knee."As long as Ebyrth radiance, I am in your Robert William Service. Only last will cheat us of time."

A number of other Centaurs followed in variety, each bending low to one knee and bowing their heads. Ronan approached Harry, nodding his read/write head and bending to one knee as well.

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

The vision of Hagrid's cabin firmly fixed in his mind, 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 chair future to the burning fire, fang laying at his side and Hagrid singing some song in French people. The log on the fire cracked as Harry, still naked, looked at his Gryffindor gown that hung from a hook near the door. The way they were draped over the claw they almost looked material - lifelike, as if they contained some smell all their own. Harry's stomach churned just as Hagrid turned, surprised to find oneself Harry in his hut.

"Harry ?"

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

"Harry ? Are you okay ?"

Harry looked down into her heart and smiled. He was sore and tired ; dark rings hung under his center. The mentation of going inside to present three coil on the healing plants of Kirkcaldy was almost too much to bear.

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

"Look, you're tired and it's meter for dinner,"she said, deliberately changing the conversation."We can let the cat out of the bag about the star topology later."Harry nodded silently and together they entered the palace and began to walk to the Great Granville Stanley Hall.

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

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

William James noticed Harry and Gabriella and stood straighter, stopping Patrick's story with a apparent motion of his hand. Harry smiled and waved, and James returned the gesture with a grin of his own. Patrick turned to see who James was looking at and when he saw Harry, his facial expression bore an expression of great headache.

"No admiration,"Harry thought,"I feel like I'm going to muff chunk. I must depend like hell."As he and Gabriella continued toward the Great Hall for dinner, the more loathsome he felt.

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

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

"I can't rise those."

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

Saint Patrick followed James IV into the Great Hall just as Ron and Hermione appeared from Gryffindor tower. They were headed, arm in arm, into the Great Asaph Hall when Ron noticed Gabriella trying to facilitate Harry toward the stairway that led to the infirmary wing.

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

"What happened ?"

"I'm fine, really,"demanded Harry, and in fact he was beginning to feel better although the base was still a bit unfirm under his feet. They stepped him over to a tenacious bench beneath a magnanimous portrait of a great 9th century fight scene. Harry hated it here, he always had ; the clang and crash of steel against armour was always deafening when the battler weren't sipping tea together, discussing whose strategy was superior in the last fight. Ron noticed a bruise beneath Harry's collar and leaned in close to Harry's ear.

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

"CHHHHT,"nip Harry with a flack of air between his clench teeth, trying to quiet is friend. Seated between a mind-reader and an empath, Harry had petty Hope of keeping anything hush-hush, but he didn't want to discuss his training with the centaur in front of Gabriella.

"You said you'd exact me,"complained Ron."‘ The next time I go,'you said."Ron crossed his arms."I thought maybe this year would be different."Harry opened his rima oris to explain.

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

So, Hermione knew. So much for Ron's sworn oath that he wouldn't tell apart a psyche. Harry rolled his eyes and shook his nous knowing that Hermione was only partially even out. She was right about the skewer part, but Harry knew at once Ron would take on the protect theatrical role the wrong way. He did.

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

"Ron,"Harry began, holding up his hand,"the matter is—"

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

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

"Ron,"Harry said, taking hold of Ron's arm,"I said you would go with me the side by side time 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 interest than anger.

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

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

"What kind of trial run ?

"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 sense that. Hermione knew he was feeling fine ; she'd read the Harry Potter Holy Writ long ago. Both woman just glared, while Ron was steadfast.

"Can't you see the man's exhausted ? He has to eat !"he exclaimed."Blimey ! Give him a break for Merlin's sake."He put Harry's arm about his berm."ejaculate on, Paraguay tea. Let's get you a pungency and then we can go over the weekend's practice agenda. I know Ginny's been playing fine as chaser and all, but I think if…."

In the Great Hall, Dumbledore had the star sign sit wherever they wished for breakfast and lunch, but for dinner each house ate at separate tables from the others. It was a compromise between the visual sense of the future and a respect for custom. Tonight, Harry was grateful because it meant, for a while at least, he and Gabriella would be separated. As they entered the Great residence she kissed him on the cheek, holding his left hand. He toyed with the golden ring he'd given her the year before on Valentine's. There was a sparkle in her heart and a sly smile upon her face.

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

"You know already. You just won't public lecture about it."His smiling had a undertone of sadness as their fingers let go of each former. Her twinkle faded and her centre would not oblige his gaze as she turned away. Harry did not await back as he followed Ron to the Gryffindor board.

Lavender and Parvati were having an animated conversation about the meaning of a large spot on the tablecloth. Annapurna had spilt her beverage and it left a dark, twirling outline 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 coil,"said Lavender, her finger tracking the schema of the top of the toadstool.

"A Hart Crane,"countered Anapurna, pointing at the recollective crook neck opening of the toadstool.

"That makes no sentience,"said Lavender."No, it's a Celtic language spiral and,"she pointed to some coloured inner spots,"with these here it would typify eternal life."

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

"Then you're both right,"chimed in Hermione. The two young ladies looked up, daze expressions on both their faces."The crane represents longevity. unending life… longevity… same thing."She shrugged her shoulders and took a collation of dinner.

"NooOoo,"both Parvati and Lavender harmonized in a rather long and melodious line."It could have in mind deception if—"

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

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

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

"HERMIONE !"cried Lavender.

"How could you !"scolded Parvati.

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

"ejaculate on, Lavender."Anapurna spun on her heals and took off, Lavender right behind her, but not before she shot a scathing glare at Hermione. No sooner had they left the table than Ron let out a snigger, a firearm of loot shooting from his nose.

"Ronald Weasley, I should…"

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

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

"Oh, right, and you two are the poster duo for honest and unfold discussions."

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

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

He wasn't certain the drama was having the effect he wanted. Ron simply nipped one of his leftover cow dung and Hermione only let out a retentive disapproving sigh. Past the tip of return, at least for this arguing, Harry stood up and left the Great Hall in as foul a modality as he could muster. His idea focused on the Gryffindor table, he didn't notice the Slytherin that stood as well and followed him out of the Great G. Stanley 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 courtship of armour 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 portrayal of the Fat Lady when there was a tap on his hand and a whisper in his ear.

"Your days grow short."

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazed, Harry shook his straits and turned toward the portrait of the Fat lady.

"parole ?"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 Draco had mentioned ? Whatever that was.

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


Harry ceramist and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 10 - visual sensation
~~~***~~~




Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.
The silver legal document rose and fell on Dumbledore's mahogany desk as Harry stroked Fawkes'feathers, waiting for the headmaster to riposte. Not much bigger than a breadbox, it was a strange collecting of train and springtime and Harry spent some time trying to deduce its meaning. The contraption, rimmed with winged creatures Harry couldn't recognize, reminded him of a similar device in the Joseph Black family estate at Grimmauld Place. It too had the same round rings that ran up a notched stairway only the Black device was halcyon, its fly creatures looked more menacing, and Harry had never seen it operate.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.

Shot by a spring, another Ag ring ran up the staircase only to reach the top, waver, and fall into a pile below. The big money seemed to be shrinking as Harry stood watching, but he could not see where the rings disappeared to, nor could he discover the reference for the rings that sprung Forth River from the fanny. There it was - a never ending rise that seemed to stimulate no purpose.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…

Unable to contain himself, Harry reached out and grabbed the silver closed chain before it had a prospect to come from atop the diminished staircase. The conniption changed and he suddenly found himself on the Hogwarts Express walking toward the nominal head of the train, two paces behind Greg Goyle. But, this couldn't be - Greg was beat. It took him a moment to realize that he'd traveled back in meter. They were about to turn over the forepart of the caravan ; Greg wasn't dead, he was about to die.

Harry tried to speak, but no countersign came. He tried to reach his manus up to stop Greg, but it would not move. Unable to check his motion, Harry could do null but watch history unfold as it had lastly yr. He poked his head into a carriage, telling a chemical group of fifth eld what was up.

"I've been wondering what was taking so long with the food trolley car,"said Ernie Macmillan. Harry explained that the professor had gone missing and Ernie joined him to discern the trouble. As Harry slipped back out of the rig with Ernie, Goyle took the item and started toward the presence of the train. Once again Harry tried to end his friend when, through the glass door to the box ahead, Harry saw a witch in dark robe suddenly appear in the corridor. Anaxarete. Harry wished he could roll a violent death curse, but it was no use ; he could do nothing. She glanced back, revealing a sinister smile and piercing green optic. Harry tried to order himself in front of Greg, but was ineffectual to slip by Goyle's broad shoulders. It didn't topic ; an trice later she was gone and an instant after that the nominal head of the train exploded with a tremendous Patrick White news bulletin.

Harry fell to the trading floor of Dumbledore's office staff, the silver gray ring firmly clenched within his hands. He was shaking, the blowup still ringing in his pinna, when he opened his eyes and found Dumbledore looking down at him. The schoolmaster bent with difficulty to one knee joint and held out his deal.

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

Harry took Dumbledore's hand and rose to his animal foot. He held the ring out between his pollex and forefinger.

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

Tink.

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

"It is a memory al-Qur'an of sorts… a photo album."Dumbledore moved to his desk and sat down, leaning back against his electric chair."Different for each who reads it."Harry couldn't help but think that the outstanding wizard of the age was beginning to show signs of wear. He had grown much thinner since Harry last saw him at the end of the shoal year, and his hands were beginning to draw in in an unnatural way.

"Like a Pensieve ?"Harry asked.

"Not quite, Harry,"replied the master."A Pensieve lets you store or take away your retention so that you can look them over later. You can select the computer memory to remove, to examine."He leaned forward and held his hands together."This is a Möbius political machine. It reflects a wizard's life history. It is a never ending loop-the-loop that plays over and over again, shrinking or expanding to befit the viewer. Each argent circle is a scroll of a portion of your aliveness. While the tintinnabulation play in order, there is no way, unfortunately, to determine which memory, which life experience you will visit."

A tingle past by Harry again, and for a moment he thought he felt the breather of last whisper its gens 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 train ; when I was with Greg, just when… just when…"

"I understand."Dumbledore sighed. He stood and walked back to the gimmick. He waived his verge and uttered an incantation and the halo stopped running up the staircase, and fell wherever they were in the cycle."I wish your computer storage could be happier, Harry. I would hate to see you as a tottering old man, sitting down in a moth-eaten post wondering if you could risk reliving the tragedies that grasping a few rings might bring. Fawkes quietly vocalized his correspondence, as Dumbledore slipped his wand away and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder."I know you have been chosen, Harry. But you need not post 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 bluish eyes,"it's the paths we choose that make us who we are. I'm not doing this because I was chosen. I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. Lucius Malfoy is going to use this to try and sail the duskiness back across this land, and I won't let him."Harry's own eyes were fierce with determination and rebelliousness."I've been training with Ronan."Harry paused."Are Centaur magical ?"

"Very much so, Harry,"said Dumbledore with a smile."It is folly for wizards to believe they are the most powerful animal on this earthly concern. You know, of course, centaur have keen sight and are skilled with a bow, but these thing are physical skills that many wizards dismiss. Ahh… not so, Harry… not so. Why do you think a Centaur never misses his target ?"Harry shrugged."Because a skilled Centaur can be the arrow all the way to its destination, nudging its flight along the way. They can turn space and time, Harry. Even while wizards are unable to Apparate on Hogwarts earth, Ronan can disappear and reappear wherever he pleases simply by using his mind."

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

Dumbledore said null. Harry could distinguish by his aspect that he was instill, or storm, but the old thaumaturge made no word of it. Instead he stood from his president and walked over to his telescope.

"They are practically better custodian of such science than wizards would ever be,"the aged wizard whispered, looking down into the lens of the scope. The musical instrument 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 seat.

"It is not your war, Harry,"said Dumbledore still looking into the lens."The Ministry can plow the likes of Lucius and his ilk."He adjusted the centering."They have no strong point in numbers, no allies for support, no bema in which to hide. It's only a matter of time."

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

"Lucius is no fool,"answered Dumbledore."He'll remain hidden for as long as possible and only strike when he thinks he can win."The wizard looked up."He can't win, Harry."But Harry wasn't so for certain. He turned his binding on Dumbledore and walked over to Fawkes, stroking the fowl's plume. Harry didn't acknowledge how to bring it up, but he had to ask.

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

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

"A… A Horcrux."

The portraits that were earlier minding their own business, napping, reading the composition, or off to some other billet were suddenly thrown into a turmoil. The headmasters of old began complaining at once about the gall of the young man to discuss such topic here.

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

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

Dumbledore finally quieted them all by threatening to impart down a flat solid of darkness. His typeface was grave, almost pale and the tone of his voice was filled with enceinte concern. Harry knew at once that whatever a Horcrux was, it was dark thaumaturgy, but then… did he expect otherwise ?

"Harry,"began Dumbledore slowly, his voice quite and sombre,"what makes you believe that Lucius Malfoy would apply a Horcrux ?"Harry turned away from Dumbledore, not leave to observe eye contact."Certainly such word does not come from our friends the Centaurs."

"Well… I… I heard that…"He stalled and then turned back to typeface Dumbledore. How could he know how one employed a Horcrux if he didn't even know what one was ?"prof, what is a Horcrux ?"Dumbledore walked back to the silver automobile that was now placidity on the table. He tapped it with his wand and the flatware rings began to roll again. He took a mob and held it in his manus for but a moment when he laughed and placed it back along its track.

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

"prof ?"

"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."

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

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

"I… I suppose she'd be happy."

"But she is happy, Harry. Certainly, if you were to ask, she would wish well that he was still at her side, but she is very happy."Dumbledore's workforce squeezed the wooden mesa and he drew in a mysterious breathing spell. When he turned to look back into Harry's eyes, his face was grave and his own eyes rear."What I'm about to recount you, Harry, is not supposed to lead this room."Harry glanced toward the door as if there might be someone there."Harry, I know with whom you would care to share. You should get it on that it is forbidden. I would not even verbalise of it with you, had you not brought it up first. Do I have your give-and-take ?"

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

"Imagine for a moment that I could split you into three people. Not written matter mind you, but three trenchant portion of your very essence… your soul. One would stick around with the body you now possess ; the other two would be put away for storage you might say. If you, the piece of you that inhabits the torso you now have, were to die, one of the other voice would search out another organic structure to inhabit… to control. You, part of you, would live again."

"Part of me ?"

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

"You have more than memories, More experiences."

"Precisely ! But a split soul would only occupy with it percentage, shadows of the memories the master soul carried. Imagine, my boy, if you had to choose… what constituent of your soulfulness would you carve away ? What part of you would stay ? There are many choices. You could cut up out the bad retentiveness, perhaps the expiry of Greg Goyle, and go on believing that he had never died ? But then, what would hap if you were to die, and the Horcrux storing only the bad memories was released ? What sort of turn person would remain ?

"Then there are those genius who believe that it is the tragedy of a wizard's life that drives him forward ? Such a wiz might hold back the tragic store at the prepare erasing all joy and happiness, perhaps the day you first arrived at Hogwarts ?.

"And it's not just retentiveness, Harry. It's also the essence of who we are, what we have become, both good and evil, darkness and loose. A genius must settle how to separate each slice of joy and sorrow into flyspeck opus, sprinkling a lilliputian bit of everything into each portion of your person, splintering all you ever were into fragment of fogged glass that can never really be made solid again. narrate me, Harry, what choice would you make ?"

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

"No, Harry, nor would I."Dumbledore's shoulders drooped slightly as if a large exercising weight sat public square upon them."Thankfully, to the highest degree wizards and witches would resist to choose as well. few still know that there is such a path one can pack ; and only the most brawny of those would be capable to take it."Suddenly looking quite tired, Dumbledore returned to the chair behind his desk and let out a late sigh, closing his optic."The Horcrux is simply the depot vessel… it could be a rock, a cloak, a cup—"

"But Lucius—"

"Think, Harry,"Dumbledore interrupted."It might even be a book…"There was a foresightful intermission. Harry could hear a number of the portraiture on the wall gumming to themselves. Clearly they were infelicitous with the focusing of the conversation, particularly Phineas.

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

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

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

"Yes,"said Dumbledore, nodding."You also saw Tom Riddle die in the sleeping accommodation of Secrets. I had always assumed he had divided himself in two. Who would take a chance fracturing themselves to a greater extent than once ?"Dumbledore chuckled to himself grimly."Who indeed ?"Then he turned back to Harry."This news palls the sensible horizon with a new darkness. Tell me, Harry, why you believe that mortal 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 tidings. 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 summer, 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.

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

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

"Harry,"said Dumbledore with grave business organisation,"such H2O are filled with Grindylows and Inferi."Harry looked at Dumbledore, confused.

"Inf— ?"

"It's far too severe for you to begin some journey to look the Earth for a Horcrux. Voldemort's been to the sharpness of the globe and beyond ; it could be anywhere. More likely, it has already been activated. No, I will speak with the members of the—"

"Sir, you can't. I swore that I'd—"

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

Dumbledore breathed in deeply and closed his eyes as he slowly let out his breath."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'feathers, 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 bulwark. I'm certainly Lucius does. That we know another Horcrux might exist gives us an edge we dare not lose. Do you give any idea—"The chimes of the great clock struck twice.

"Oh dear,"said Dumbledore."I've made you late for class."He paused, struggling for the briefest of moment about what to say adjacent."You skillful be on your way. We can continue this later. Tell Professor Barghouti it was all my error and I'll confer with him about it later."

"But—"

"Go on, Harry,"interrupted Dumbledore.

Harry sighed, grabbed his books and started for course of study. Just as he was about to wave his deal across the large brass doorhandle, Dumbledore stopped him.

"Harry, there are those that we can trust—long-time friends and soul mates. I understand that you may be compelled to try help. If you must discuss this, preserve the conversation within the paries of Gryffindor."Harry paused for a moment, taking in the headmaster's news.

"But that means—"

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

As Harry walked down the corridors toward Defence Against the Dark Arts class, his mind was spinning with the new information and trying to digest everything that Dumbledore has shared with him. Within the walls of Gryffindor. Even though this twelvemonth students were free to enter the Common way of any house into which they were invited, Harry knew exactly what Dumbledore meant ; he shouldn't reliance Gabriella. He pondered how he would keep Gabriella out of any discussion he might experience with Ron or Hermione concerning the Horcrux. Maybe he was improve off not saying anything to anybody. His concerns about Gabriella faded quickly, however, when arrived late to class and professor Barghouti took ten tip away from Gryffindor for Harry's tardiness. He wouldn't let Harry say a give-and-take about where he was or who he was with.

Normally, Harry arrived early to form so that he could sit in back. He like the legal age of the class wanted to sit in as far away from prof Barghouti as potential. For nigh students it was because their professor was a lamia ; Harry simply didn't like him. Every sentence Harry looked into his heart he felt that he had to shew himself desirable ; that he was somehow lacking when it came to the Votary. Now, having arrived to class late, Harry had to sit in movement adjacent to the only other students who would : Hermione and Gabriella. Harry took his seat next to Gabriella who offered him a supportive smile after he was chastised by Barghouti about prison term direction.

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

"I want each of you to find a mate and while one effort to penetrate his partner's mental defences the early will use the technique you described in last Nox's homework assignment. For those of you who found the assigning to tedious and chose instead to practice Quidditch,"again he looked at Harry,"expect to expend the eventide with Madame Pomfrey as she treats your headache."

"But, professor,"complained Hermione while raising her script.

"Yes, Ms Granger ?"

"What if people don't want to have their mind read ? It is, after all, a misdemeanor of personal space."

"True, Ms. Granger ; it is a violation. But then, so is the Killing Curse and we've learned to guard ourselves, as best we can, against such an attack. Would you favor to have your mentation read freely by Lucius Malfoy's spies ? Have them know your programme so that they can pop you or your fuck one when you least expect it ?"

"But—"

"duad with someone you trust,"he interrupted."We'll public lecture of this no more."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"You know you can't."

"I can try,"he shot back with a bit of defiance. His voice was heated for no good reasonableness, 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 come close to reading her mind.

Around the class some educatee were having better achiever than others. virtually attempts were fairly week and were being met by immediate repulsions. This resulted in more than a few pupil being knocked backwards out of their chairs. Ron was popping down on to the earth more sentence than you could shake off a wand at and Barghouti was taking nifty satisfaction in being capable to repel Ron's advances. Just behind Harry, Hermione had teamed with Neville who, at the import, was trying to pervade her mind. Avoiding Gabriella's optic, Harry took a deep breath.

"Ready ?"he asked.

"Go tiger,"said Gabriella with a smile.

Harry began to focus as best he could on Gabriella's thoughts, but all he was sensing was the back of his eyelids. Squeezing his eyes closed more firmly, he heard another large thump that he took to be Ron's arse once again striking the slating floor. It felt like an eternity, but at some breaker point he could hear Gabriella calling his figure. Not with her mouth, but with her mind. Instead of pushing him back, she was trying to wheedle him in. Even with the help he was finding it extremely hard to labor 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 exertion to agitate his way in.

Suddenly, there was a jolt from ass. Trying to penetrate into Neville's judgment, Hermione had been repelled backwards and fell against Harry. She grabbed his shoulder joint and began to rip him backwards. Without thinking and still focused mentally to interpenetrate Gabriella with all his index, he reached out toward her. She grabbed his hands and when she did the scene in Harry's mind changed. The sound was sucked out of the elbow room and all was darkness. He had penetrated Gabriella's mind ; but what was this… her memory or something More ?

The to-do of the class had disappeared and an eerie quiet surrounded him. He heard first, a rushing of urine, a drip-drip-drip, a rustle of leaves and then crying… Then the air filled with a musty, wet scent of pine and loam… The Forbidden Forest, he knew at once. Slowly, a brightness began to open up before him and he realized that the crying came from the baby he was holding in his implements of war. This was no retentivity ; Harry was himself in this visual modality. He found that his robes were soaked. Both he and the young kid, still less than a year old, looked as if they'd just come from the lake. The baby, glistening wet, was wrapped in dark folds of damp cloth, dripping on his bang. A helping hand touched his shoulder from behind.

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

A rush of fear began to pullulate itself over Harry. He was cold-blooded, shivering, teeth chatter, the minor in his weapon continued to cry out for its mother, but Harry knew that it was a cry that would never be answered. He wanted to scream, to run, but when the shaver looked at him his heart warmed and his resolve strengthened. Slowly Harry's digit brushed the child's impudence.

"You know,"he whispered, quelling the small fry's tear,"you have your female parent's eyes."


Harry ceramist and the nascence of a New Sun

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

sea bass pounding, strings reverberating, the band was loud and Harry was not feeling all that well. He slumped back, sinking into the large, overstuffed president and rubbed his synagogue. Why did he let Ron and Dean challenge him into a drinking duel upstairs ? The Quidditch lucifer 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 baby firm and why not celebrate… a little ? It was Allhallows Eve after all ; their endure at Hogwarts.

Feeling a bit drunk, he then had let Neville convince him to eat far too often during the feast. Why not ? It was, after all, their last Hallowe'en 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 performing, all three of us saw it, Harry."Her voice was more benevolent 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. O.K., that was a lie - he did know. That was just what Hermione did. She wanted to puzzle out a job that she didn't understand and not knowing the solution was driving her mad. Nonetheless, after her protest, Harry had simply rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders.

"If she doesn't want to sing 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 night air, he was just cold-blooded and drunk. He shook his head, disagreeing with Hermione, unceremoniously pushing her gentle hand away, and had wandered, stumbling a bit, back into the dance, where he had found the nice cushy hot seat he now was melting into. Frustrated, Hermione had left his side before he entered the Great G. Stanley Hall, and he was grateful for that. Rubbing his temples, Harry considered the new Song dynasty. Yes, the banding was very loud, but everyone was having a cracking time.

The Great foyer was wickedness save for the bit that bathed the dance orchestra in an eerie orange and purple light. Now and then a row of candela burning at the front of the leg would flash bright, sparkling into the air. It was the only prison term you could make much of anything out, except when a prof's baton grew promising, lighting up two snogging student typically in a darkened corner covered by the fog that floated some three foot off the floor.

Harry was surprised to see Saint Patrick dancing with a third base year young woman from Slytherin, if you could call in his whirling dancing. The lad was flailing his arms and pounding his ft ; 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 fount, for it was Harry who had won their other bet. He smiled even more broadly, thinking that Ron would give to go three nights straight without wearing any windsock. There was another bright flash and he caught sight of Gabriella passage by Epistle of James Changjiang as she entered the Great Hall. Eyes blurred, Harry thought she had been carrying something, but couldn't make out what it was before the elbow room went dark again. His stomach churned ; he did not feel well at all. A moment later she was at his side with a gemstone mug in her bridge player, steam boiling out the top and rolling down over her deal.

"You owe me for this !"she called out over the raging music."Ginny told me what you did upstairs. You can't do that, Harry. It's too severe for you to be this vulnerable."She handed the mug to Harry, who was nodding his head even though he couldn't make out a single Holy Writ she was saying, and squished in succeeding to him on the oversized cushion. Harry took a tentative sip. Feeling her warmness next to his, Harry was sure she had been praising him for drunkenness Ron and Dean under the mesa. There was another flashing of sparks and he noticed a few of the younger pupil including Epistle of James and Patrick were leaving. He looked back down into his mug, mustered up the bravery and swallowed down the rest. The burden was nearly immediate. The nausea 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 hand.

"You did a marvellous job helping Professor Flitwick with the decorations. The ophidian that kept swallowing first long time was quite creative."

"A Slytherin inspired me,"replied Harry, smiling back at her now that the reverberance was leaving his ear. He glanced over at the snake that was over in the corner of the Great Hall. The few world-class year educatee that remained were still lining up to be swallowed by the large, grey creature with fierce yellow middle. Once swallowed, educatee were transported to the front line of the point where the striation was playing. It was the lonesome way the younger students could make their way to the front of the horde that crushed up against the level. If they were prosperous, they got to sing with the dance band. If they weren't, the older students would thrash them to the cover of the crew. This late, it became more a game than anything else with initiatory class finding some variety of treat or concoction from Fred and George's shop class in their pouch by the time they were flung out of the crowd.

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

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

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

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

At advantageously it was unmanageable to hear, and with the long interruption and total lack of chemical reaction on Gabriella's part, Harry wondered if she'd even heard him. He tried to repeat himself.

"I said, Hermione thinks—"

"I know what Hermione thinks,"Gabriella snapped."AND I know what YOU think."She let go of Harry's hands and crossed her arms and legs. Her center were not raging, they were sad, almost frightened.

"I didn't mean value to—"

"You just don't understand, Harry."Her jaw was set as they watched another first class go flying off the microscope stage and be thrown to the back of the Great foyer, 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 eyes darted toward the anteroom off the Great Asaph Hall. No one could get in there keep professor ; yet prof Dumbledore had taken Harry there the year before and he remembered how to get in. Still he hesitated, but then his meat began to race a bit, thinking of the hypothesis. It was dark ; if they stayed stopping point to the rampart no one would see them slip behind the stagecoach.

"fountainhead ?"Gabriella called out.

Harry took her psyche and nodded for her to follow. It wasn't easy making it to the wall, but the crowd was focused on a particularly shriek song by the lead Singer with bass note of hand that pounded the flooring and tossed ethnic music off their human foot. Undetected, Gabriella and Harry slipped into the side way and the music instantly fell away. The antechamber was dimly lit by the warm glow of the fireplace and a handful of lit candles. Beyond that there wasn't another joint of furniture in the lieu. Harry paused, thinking about the right spell, but before he put it together, Gabriella had conjured up a decent loveseat near the fireplace.

For the abbreviated of moments he thought to ask Gabriella about what he had seen in her mind, but being in this particular room on this particular Night caused remembering of Cho to look sharp over him. His emotions were mixed between excitement and business concern. He hadn't heard from Cho since schoolhouse let out and when Gabriella offered to chat Cho at her house, Mrs. Chang Jiang said that she had gone to the commonwealth and wouldn't be back for the ease of summertime. The only student who had any touch with her at all was Anthony Goldstein who seemed to be her beau now. He seemed to crow that he knew something that Harry didn't and he wouldn't say a watchword about what Cho was up to ; only that she was healthy and well-chosen and that they'd be seeing a lot more of each other after he graduated.

"Has she answered your alphabetic character ?"Harry whispered without thinking.

"Who ?"asked Gabriella, a bit confused.

"Cho. Only Mark Antony seems to know 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 headache for Cho was odd, out of piazza. Why here ? Why now ? Still, it was somehow heart-warming, and she took his handwriting again as they sat down together by the fire.

"If something was wrong, we would have heard,"she said comfortingly."If anything, Antony's filled with superbia and felicity. I can sense it. He feels as if he's doing something tremendously important. Is it so bad if he won't parcel ? Why ?"She smiled devilishly."Are you jealous ?"Gabriella pinched Harry's side and made him yip.

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

He leaned over and kissed Gabriella hard against the mouth. It had been eld since they had been truly alone together, and she pressed her lips firmly back against his. Her weapon wrapped around his cover and she pulled him tight to her breast. His hand slipped to the warm, cushy bod of her abdomen. Thoughts of centaur visions slipped past both their nous in favour of other, more pleasurable, action.

Later, as Harry was tying up the lace of his trainer, he realized how artfully Gabriella had managed to retain him from asking her about the vision they'd seen. She kissed him one last time as he reached for the knob on the threshold that led back out to the Great mansion house. There was still a throng of people crowding against the leg when they slipped back out of the ante-chamber. They chose not to dance and instead made their way out to the front of the rook. It was well past times midnight, but there were still a few couples huddled together, watching the night sky. It was the most spectacular Halloween Harry could remember. The stars were smart as a whip, but then he saw it. His regard froze and his smile fell.

"What ? What's the thing, Harry ?"Gabriella placed her hired man against the incline of Harry's grimace and then looked to the paradise above her shoulder."What's wrong ? What do you see ?"

"Ebyrth,"said Harry flatly. Gabriella leaned her top dog against his shoulder and patted his spine, saying nothing. Harry sighed deeply."I… I just don't get it."

"What ?"

"I don't see how it can arise practically 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 things haven't started already,"said Harry, but then a mysterious, rough voice broke the dark's stillness.

"What makes you think they haven't ?"

Both Gabriella and Harry jumped. It was Professor Barghouti. The moment the other couples saw him they began to shinny up the nominal head dance step of the castle, constantly casting backward glances to make sure he wasn't following them, and occasionally reaching for their necks as if to assure themselves that they hadn't been bitten. Harry forced himself to find his composure, but Gabriella had beaten him to it.

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

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

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

"Harry !"Gabriella snapped.

"Yes, boy,"said Barghouti unimpressed,"as a thing of fact…,"he ran his tongue across his teeth, and this sentence a row of jagged, razor-sharp tooth 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 face with his expectant hired man,"but your war has begun. Does that make you feel better ?"Harry's eyes were incredulous.

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

"The Centaurus of the Great Forest are not the only Centaurs in the world, boy. And, as practically as you might like to believe that England is the centre of the humanity, 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 aid about the war,"queried Harry."Why the long face now ?"

"Because, oh chosen one,"Barghouti sneered,"your Quaker Lucius Malfoy has enlisted the assist of vampire and hence his choice of first hit - the Carpathians. Only they're not just killing Centaurs, they're wiping out anything and anyone in their itinerary - all of them Muggles. A whole village was destroyed. The Muggle papers are reporting that the devastation was due to a gas explosion."A fit of air popped between his lips."I must refund to Singehorn for a few days. I fear my old friend may prompt to intervene and reprize old error. Professor Dumbledore has been informed and professor Lupin will pick out concern of my classes."

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

"You wish to save up the world, boy ?"Barghouti snapped, spinning back upon Harry. He was clearly wild, as if Harry had started the unhurt affair ; as if Harry had placed the comet in the Shangri-la himself."Why don't you try saving this school first ? Why don't you try saving THEM ?"His handwriting shot out toward the trees that surrounded the school ; all was darkness. Harry squinted, which only made Barghouti all the more worsen.

"Have you learned NOTHING ?"he cried. There was a small squeal from one of the remaining scholar near the rook doors who quickly ran inside, slamming the room access behind her."Can you not SEE ?"

Harry looked again into the darkness, squinting. Then he remembered. He took a thick breath and closed his eyes. Then, he reached out with his mind toward the woods. As Dakhil had shown him before, all exist matter began to appear before him - the grass, George W. Bush, and tree all glowed brightly. He scanned further out and then saw it : a Centaur some ten yards into the trees, bow in hand. movement to the right caught his visual sensation again - another Centaur, another bow. Harry continued to run down. Every thirty to fifty yards another Centaur stood guard, watching over the school in the darkness. But Harry couldn't tell if they were trying to hold on something out, or something in.

"What are they doing ?"he whispered.

"I am wear of teaching the ignorant,"Barghouti muttered."The Centaurus can sense the darkness, fool. It is already upon you. You would be wise to detect its source before it swallows you whole."In a swirl he disappeared before Harry had a chance to say another word. The sound of flapping annex, faded to nothingness. What he noticed, after the dust 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 duskiness of the forest. Then he realized that she was searching for what Harry could see, but she could not. She was afraid of the Centaurs. She took a measure behind Harry, almost as if using him as a shield against the wickedness, and then pulled him toward that castling doors.

"Let's go inside,"she breathed.

"They're protecting us, Gab,"said Harry, trying to calm her cheek."They won't detriment you. They would never ache you."Her eyes never left the forest and, if anything, the fear that filled the black consortium of her center slipped toward anger.

"Now."

Harry sighed and nodded his header."Alright,"he acquiesced, and followed her up the stair, noting that she was ever sure to keep his torso between her and the swarthiness of the afforest. When the door finally closed behind them, he could see the weight raise from her shoulders and the relief bed covering across her face. She leaned back against the doors, placing her workforce over her face. Harry stepped closer, touching her shoulder softly.

"Baby, what is it ?"he asked."What's incorrect ?"The hands upon her cheek began to tremble and tears began to streak down her cheeks, one by one, but she would not cry, not out tawdry. Slowly, her oculus turned to the English to bet at Harry. He'd seen that look when Gabriella lost her father, Grigor. It was a tone of precariousness, of care, of Death. Without saying a Word of God, she shook her head and turned to walk away. She'd gone only a few step before Harry called her to stop, but she wouldn't listen. She past the Harlan F. Stone pillar and began to maneuver down to the keep, to the entrance of Slytherin. Her foot did not make the number one 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 free hand came up under Harry's neck opening and he was out cold on the floor.

When he came to, he was lying on a slating storey, but he wasn't at the top of the stairway leading down to Slytherin anymore. He was bound with circle, unable to act, in some room, well lit by blowlamp. The rampart were Harlan Stone, and along their top was a crown-moulding made of oak. Along its grimace, every few feet, was engraved a snake's school principal.

"Slytherin,"Harry hissed.

"wellspring done, Potty."The voice came from behind and Harry had to vagabond over to see who he knew to be there.

"how-do-you-do, Teddy,"Harry said, knowing Nott hated the name. Harry was not surprised to find Crabbe at Nott's English."Taken to abduct now ? A gradation up from watching murder I suppose."

"Just gathering road-kill, throne,"Nott retorted."A piddling shuttle told me you'd been drinking… a bit too much. Imagine my surprisal when I found you passed out on the stairs to Slytherin."Nott stepped nigher."Were you trying to find your true love ?"Harry said zilch."I can find you a mirror if you'd like."

"I see you found yours,"Harry smirked, tossing his school principal in Crabbe's instruction. Crabbe took more criminal offence than Nott and kicked Harry in the position. The blow was hard and a burst of air shooter from Harry's mouth.

"Why don't you untie me Crabbe, and then let's see how weather you are ?"Harry's eyes were on flame. 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 macrocosm will do without its hoagy. How ever will we get on… once you're dead ?"Harry's centre narrowed on Nott. Crabbe's eyes darted nervously toward Nott.

"Dead ?"he muttered under his breath. Evidently, he was not in on Nott's good architectural plan.

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

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

"Oh, they die, Teddy. 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."shady affair, vampire. When they're pierced, their lamia shell sheds away and for a minute they're who they once were, the madness gone."Harry looked up at the green ceiling."I like to think that in that consequence, good had a chance to rush in and fulfil their psyche once more. They have a chance to be saved."

"trumpery,"shot Nott, believing more than disbelieving.

"Yes,"said Harry still looking upward."lamia, at least, have a second gear chance."He turned to present Nott."You on the other hand… I suppose you'll rot for all eternity."Crabbe's face was Patrick White, but Nott's was flushed with choler and frustration. It was his spell to kick 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 hell ! I knew it !"

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

"How'd you find this place, Weasley ?"tiff Nott.

"A petty bird told him,"said the voice behind Ron. It wasn't Gabriella, it was James Chang ; Harry's understanding began to spring up once more. There wasn't much of a chance if Ron couldn't drag it together… and quickly. The 2nd year who had freely chosen to be in Slytherin this semester stepped in front of Ron with his wand drawn.

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

"Obliviate !"chanted James, casting a magical spell well beyond his years. A burst of orange ignitor erupted from his wand throwing both Nott and Crabbe against the wall, knocking them unconscious, and wiping their judgement of recent memories. The metier of the Obliviate spell determined how much retention was removed. Normally, a second year wouldn't even be able to cast the spell, but Harry was sure that the force would be lasting.

Ron released Harry from his ties while Henry James bound his two house sidekick."They'll be the ones missing the match tomorrow,"he whispered with a grin pursing his brim.

Rising to his base, Harry felt a little silly, the nausea once again returning, and had to tilt on Ron for support. He looked over at Henry James, wanting to thank him for his help, but more queer about the patch.

"James,"he asked,"how did you—"He was struck from tail end.

"Harry !"

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

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sooo sorry."She kissed his cervix and face, and then looked into his centre."Can you forgive me ?"Harry looked over at the two Slytherins on the floor and back at James.

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

They made their way up a narrow row of stone stride that opened out on the Slytherin common room. Harry hadn't been here since he was a starting time year. James and Saint Patrick nonchalantly split away from the group to babble out to some former second years that had just returned from the eve'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 better 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 twelvemonth ago I think he might hold taken this opportunity to kill me, just to prove himself to his Father and the other Death eater. 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 ? James said he was goin'to turn you over to them… to the Death feeder. He might not have delivered the blow, Harry, but he still would let been dancin'on your grave."

"James 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 portraiture of the Fat peeress.

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

"aplomb,"said Ron with a smiling, rocking a bit on his own two legs. Harry didn't think it would take much to knock him over."I'd like to see Nott with an pointer up his arse."Gabriella tried to summon a smile, but couldn't.

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

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

"toffee drops,"said Harry and the painting swung spread out and Ron stumbled through. Before it shut, he looked back at the two, pointing his fingerbreadth in no particular management and shook it."But not too long, P-Potter. It'sss biz Night !"

A few moments later, Gabriella and Harry were alone in the corridor outside the Gryffindor park way. Gabriella walked him over to a stone judiciary and the two sat down. Even though the rampart and floor were now spick, he never liked sitting here, remembering the Dementors that had nearly killed prof McGonagall the year before. There was a sense of death in the air and for a second Harry felt a cool rush swimming up his spine, whispering destruction's public figure. Gabriella held his hand, but would not hold his gaze. Instead, she watched their finger's breadth intertwined and mingling.

"Mama has the good deal,"she began."You know that, Harry. Me… I can only sense the emotions of others. I can't see the doorway and window that open on to the other planes."

"But—"

"Shhhh."She put one hand gently across his rim."Since I was young, before I ever went to Al Bsahri, I have had one sight. Sometimes years would exceed before it would return, the same scenery, over and over. Since we've returned to Hogwarts this year, it comes to me nearly every day."She leaned her brain against Harry's articulatio humeri."Yesterday, I asked Mama what happened when you and Hermione plunged into the view that has been playing in my judgement without you for so many years."There was a hanker intermission, and Harry could hear laughter coming from way down the staircases below ; it died away.

"And ?"he asked, nudging Gabriella along.

"A visual modality from another woodworking plane is like a finely cut gem, a ball field with many facet. One can look in and see different images from all slant. You and Hermione became voice of my imagination and somehow shared it from your own view. We all saw the same affair, but all differently. And what we each saw can mean dissimilar things."

"Then why don't you want to—"

"No visual sensation is perfect, Harry ; and, like time-turners, there are also linguistic rule about looking into the futurity. nearly would make alteration based on the imperfect knowledge they see, often changes that principal to more desolate event. Only the best, those like Mama, have any Leslie Townes Hope of moving the grit of prison term to shape the outcome of the former airplane. Others go mad trying to switch what n-never was to c-come."She began to tremble as she delivered the live on speech and in the silence that followed Harry felt a tear drop onto his forearm. He put his arm around her and held her tight.

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

"It begins with a newsbreak of lightness, a fire erupting from a glistening emerald lake. We are surrounded by them. There is a scream and then silence. And then there is me… human face down in the marvelous dope. I… I am dead, Harry. Buried deep in my cover is the long wooden arrow of a Centaur."


Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 12 - blind circumstances
~~~***~~~

The air was warm for downslope, yet the sky was a heavy Charles Grey. Flying with the charm of his Caduceus P2 off, Harry could feel the wetness in the air. He knew it would rain soon and that, Sir Thomas More than anything else, focused his energies on finding the sneak. It had been hard concentrating. Last year, Ron had lost Harry's ling when he had been attacked flying into the Burrow. So this year he was riding the a la mode example of Caduceus, the new P2, P for ceramist. Cleansweep was paying him a pocket-sized fortune to use his figure for their new broom, monies that Harry was using to wait on the sept who had lost loved one in the war. That didn't seem to count much. Even his own house was ribbing him for the stigmatization of his figure and it didn't help that smack in the middle of the visitor stand was a ten foot by twenty foot crystalline portrait of Harry flying the new ling and waving at the crowd. Every so often watchword would appear : The Caduceus P2. So quick it'll blow the competition away. It was a play on the story run by the Daily prophet about Harry's defeat of Voldemort. The story said that the tour Harry cast of characters was so powerful, not only did it destruct Voldemort, but it nearly took the Ministry down with it. Even now, the Ministry was digging out and repairing the gaping fall into malarky that remained after the storey of the death chamber fell away, swallowing whole the drapery of Phenolem and the ambo upon which it stood. Harry glanced again at the immense sheet of lechatelierite, his own image smiling back at him and waiving, and shook his promontory to crystalize his thinking.

He'd been distracted all day and most folks thought it had to do with foremost game jitters. He was Gryffindor's Quidditch captain this class and nearly everyone believed it a folly decision. Since the blast on the train, the whole school knew that he was going to be fighting the Dementors when the war with the Centaurs came. How could anyone rivet on training their squad with a load like that on their articulatio humeri ? Indeed, even prof McGonagall thought that Ron Weasley might make the undecomposed pick ; she told Harry so.

"If I can't stimulate your nous on the plot, you're no use to the team, Mr. potter,"she had said in assurance."Ron Weasley bleeds Quidditch and his judgment is sharp 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 mate and all Gryffindor would sooner fly into the lake than let you down. The question is — can you hold back 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 in force strategist, and there's no one wagerer in Northern Britain when it comes to keeping a Quaffle from skewering the anchor ring. Dennis Creevey is the fastest in all Hogwarts and is starting to come up with plays I could never daydream of. Jack Sloper's put on thirty pounds since last year and he can knock a poof off a fencepost at fifty beat. Slytherin was the entirely squad that had a supplication to drum us, but with Malfoy gone they don't have a prospect. The squad doesn't need me to result them ma'am. Anyone can guide us to the cup."McGonagall looked at Harry over the top of her looking glass.

"Is that so ?"she had asked."Well then, Mr. Potter, I suppose you'll do then. I want the squad roster, to let in the player replacing Katie at Chaser, and the every week practice schedule by tomorrow morning. And, to proceed you motivated since this will be such an slow yr, let's say that if we don't win every plot by More than one-hundred fifty points, you'll be back in my office on Billy Sunday for detention."

"But—"

"ternary 60 minutes, each workweek. 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 undecomposed pursuer and when jimmy Peakes tried out for Beater he played ferociously, unseating Hooper from the team. Finally, Harry selected Demelza Erithacus rubecola as chaser, if for no other reason than she was particularly good at dodging Bludgers. The shuffle caused a lot of growing pains and harm feelings, but after three weeks of practice Harry was confident once again that the squad could not be defeated.

Now, flying high over the pitch shot, Harry wasn't so certainly. Trying to snub his own nerve, he glanced at the scoreboard to happen Gryffindor up by forty which, as far as Harry was concerned, was pathetic. They should deliver been clobbering Hufflepuff from the start, but Ron was letting nearly every Quaffle through. Having heard that the coach of the chatterbox, Bernard Bennegin, was coming specifically to reconnoitre Ron's performance he was a flighty shipwreck. To make matters worse he was suffering from a holdover and was having trouble seeing the Quaffle, let alone stopping it. The only good news show was that jemmy and Jack 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 busy yelling at Ron for being such a git she hadn't scored a exclusive goal.

Harry scanned the skies once more, searching for the Snitch. The Hufflepuff Seeker, Summerby, had seen it about an 60 minutes earlier. Harry had been well out of view, and if it hadn't been for a well placed Bludger by Sloper, Gryffindor would have lost. It was then Harry turned off the good luck charm of his ling, hoping that he might better smell out the sneaker's location. Suddenly, the icteric face of the sales talk erupted in cheers ; Hufflepuff had scored. Harry forced himself not to front at the scoreboard. He had to remain rattling, but before you could say snicklfritz the crowd erupted again - another grade for Hufflepuff. Finally, Harry called timeout.

The team gathered over by Ron whose spike were flaming red with embarrassment. Ginny began to rupture into her comrade.

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

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

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

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

"full point it !"yelled Dennis above the fray. 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 spot just a footling thirster, you'll intercept them. Ginny, we could use a fiddling more of your care on the Hufflepuff incline of the field. Dem, they're starting to catch on to Harry's first few plays."His oculus dotted to Harry who nodded in agreement."I think we should move on to what he was showing us last weekend."

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

"Dennis is right,"countered Ginny."At the whip 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 unflawed. Just restrain the Bludgers off our backs and we'll score for sure."Then Dennis looked at Harry."Harry, I don't inculpation you if you tell me to sod off, but…"

"Go on,"said Harry.

"fountainhead, 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 involve the stoolie today, and if Summerby sees it again we've lost. Are you with us ?"

Harry had to smile at the new general on the field."Our own footling Napoleon,"he thought. Madame Hooch blew the whistle for play to resume. Hufflepuff broke their scrummage and began to fly into position. Harry looked down on the auction pitch below. There was naught he loved more in the universe than flying.

"I'm with you,"he said with assurance."Summerby won't have a fortune. I swear."Harry shot into position just to the west and a little below Summerby. If anything, the sky was growing darker and the air colder, but he resisted the temptation to engage the good luck charm of his broom.

Dennis had been right. Over the next forty minutes or so, Ron had blocked six straight Hufflepuff attempts while the Gryffindor Chasers had scored four times. Still, they would demand the canary. He flew over by the Slytherin stands and learn a smattering of razz, and one cheerfulness.

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

"Go, Harry !"she cried. Harry waved back, smiling and giving her a thumbs-up."NO ! GO !"she yelled, pointing her finger. The gesture and the gasp of the crowd told him at once that the sneaker had been seen. He spun to see Summerby plunging toward the turf at the northward end of the tar. Below him was a glint of amber, racing low and heading toward the visitor'sales booth. Summerby was ahead by at least fifty meters when Harry began to tear.

"You bloody idiot !"Harry cursed at himself as he clenched his teeth."You flobberworm sucking imbecile !"The jazz roared furiously at his face. The Snitch was flying low to the turf and Harry could see that it would have to turn or rise once it hit the stands on the opposite side of the pitch. Even as good a flyer as Summerby was, he would not pass the Snitch until it hit the wall. Harry leaned forward, accelerating his Scots heather."It will spring up,"Harry whispered to himself, focusing wholly on the amber orb that was coming closer."It will rise."He chose to fly the straight parentage to wiretap the Snitch where he thought it would be. If the Snitch turned left or right at the wall, Summerby would accept it before Harry could respond. If the stoolpigeon flew up… Harry groaned. At this speed it was still unacceptable. Harry poured all his push into making his Scots heather accelerate. The derriere of his robe began to tatter in the vicious wind and his goggles were pressing hard against his face. The pressure tunnelled his vision, but he didn't aid. He could still see the golden glint growing big before him."Faster ! Damn it ! Faster !"

The pitch below him was a haze ; the stands faded to dark and all that Harry could see was the prosperous snitcher and the track of yellow that followed it -- the trail of yellow that Harry was passing. Faster ! A canvass of purple — the visitor'stands. The favorable sneak flying upward. Yes !
Harry's fingerbreadth pressed firmly against the winged fink when he heard the screams of terror. They conflicted with his own horse sense of joy.

"We won !"thought Harry, feeling the intemperately metal in his batch."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 matter Harry recognized was the sound of plastic being divulge, torn and then crumpled. The rhythmical mastication that followed told him at once that Ron was nearby. Harry smiled. He tried to open his eyes, but couldn't. He leaned to his right-hand side and felt a dull ached that ran up the depart half of his consistency. With his rightfulness manus he felt the sheets about his chest, the pillow behind his head, the bandages that wrapped his face.

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

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

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

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

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

A number of folks touched Harry's good arm. He felt of few kisses against his buttock. He heard a few cheery bye-bye and Later, mates, but he also heard a few snuff and whoreson. The threshold 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 bandage that wrapped about his grimace, just to have a peak.

"No you don't, Mr. ceramist !"cried Madame Pomfrey. She grabbed his arm and gently pulled it down."The bandage are to stay on for the next three week if you wish to own any hope of seeing again."

Okay. So he had been growing more and more discerning since he first became witting. And the bandage were starting to freak him out… just a bit. Something in the back of his head had said the word, but he had pushed it back down. Only trouble was… the dark street corner of Harry's mind were shouting now.

"See again ?"he asked."What the hell does that think ? I… I'm subterfuge ?"he asked weakly. Madame Pomfrey let out a enormous suspiration.

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

"It was the vitreous silica portrait, Harry,"Gabriella said sadly."You slammed right through it, sending splinters of chicken feed everywhere. They shattered your goggles and your… your…"

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

"You've b-been out for two years, Harry,"said Gabriella, another shiver of sadness cracked her voice. Harry reached up and touched the bandage wrapping his look.

"Mr. Potter,"snapped Madame Pomfrey."If you keep touching your wrapping you'll assuredly disturb their magic spell ! I will not have you go blind ! Do you hear me ! If you keep moving your arms I will block them."Her voice was hoarse. She'd been crying ; Harry could tell. The sadness in the way was almost consuming. Finally, he turned his capitulum in the direction of Gabriella.

"Did we win ?"he asked.

"What ?"she replied, still dazed.

"Did we win ?"he repeated."I did catch 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 room access explosion outdoors.

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

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

"Blimey, Harry,"he began,"it was amazing. There you two were, screaming across the sales pitch to the due north. Everyone was standing, even prof Snape. Although, who he was cheering for, I don't know. But he was screaming just the same. Summerby was flying low to the priming coat, his robe flicking up desiccated grass and tossing it into the air. The blowing dust made it count as if his Calluna vulgaris was on fire.

"I thought for sure we'd lost, when you spun over and started closing in from on highschool. The Snitch was flying just to my right field and I could get sworn there were twinkle flying out the stern of your ling. It was glowing red. Heading toward the stands, it was clear you were going to put across Summerby, but you were too high ; everyone could see that. But it didn't matter. No one has ever seen soul fly that fast at Hogwarts… ever ! Crimey, maybe in all Britain !

"When you passed Summerby, I thought you'd dive to avoid the stands, to grab the Snitch that was still screaming low to the ground. But you didn't ; you stayed straight on. When the Snitch darted up toward you…"Ron sighed in exaltation."It was a miracle, mate. Like you were calling out to it and it obeyed. Pop ! right into your mitt."There was a long interruption."It's when everyone's eyes popped up with the Snitch we saw what was going to materialise. That's when the screech began."Ron walked over next to Harry's bed."Summerby smashed into the bread and butter down low. Broke his leg and lost a couple teeth. He got out of the infirmary yesterday. You… you…"Ron swallowed strong.

"You held on, fellow. 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 grin. Ron sat back down next to Gabriella.

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

"That's because there's cypher up there to anguish,"added Gabriella.

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

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

When the threshold closed, Madame Pomfrey walked over to Harry's bed. He was wondering if he'd ever look into the darkness consortium of Gabriella's optic once again. He was scared.

"Harry,"she said softly."We'll do everything possible, but you need to throw them clip to heal. The wrap will stay on for at least three weeks. Your lid will be sealed longer still. Even when you can open your eyes, Harry, I don't suspect you'll see more than than specter of illumination and nighttime. Once we know what you can and can't see, Healer Sventstein can lead off making the proper corrections. You'll have to be patient, my dear, very patient."

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

"I need you to drink this,"she said, helping him sit up and wrap his manpower around the cup. He winced when she held his left arm."Yes, the unit left side of your body was pretty a great deal hamburger meat. We've summoned out all the glass shards we can. There may be a few that aren't responding. I'll work on that more tomorrow."She sounded sap, so Harry decided not to argue about the drink and swallowed it down in one hanker draught. The pain running down his side ebbed away and the apprehension about his visual sensation faded. Soon he was asleep.

When Harry woke, he found himself upset and disoriented. He couldn't understand why he couldn't see and he began to flail around, rising out of bed, the Harlan Stone level cold beneath his unfinished foundation. He was about to pass on up to his cheek when a hired hand took him by the arm. At first he was startled, but the voice settled him at once.

"Easy there, flyboy."It was Canicula."Bad pipe dream ?"

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

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

"Hold on ! clutches 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 time is it ?"Harry asked.

"Not quite three in the morning."

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

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

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

"Yeah,"agreed Sirius smartly."That's what I hear."Harry could see Canicula dip back into his chair and sigh."I have to include, Harry, that was the riotous I've ever seen a ling fly, and I've seen a few Quidditch couple in my day. When you hit that damn portrait with your moving-picture show on it, the thing exploded. It was like a giant crystal firework. And that you still held onto the Snitch… well, it's been all over the papers. Most public figure you broke the record, but the folks from Cleansweep want you to derive out and perform a fly-off against Comet — twenty dollar bill thousand galleons to the succeeder's charity."Harry turned on his side, his back toward Dog Star.

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

"What do you mean ?"

"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 appease blind."

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

"Yeah, right,"Harry replied and dropped back down again. Likewise, Canicula sunk back into his president, crossing his limb and searching for what to say. There wasn't much he could say. Harry, after all, was correct. Once a witch or wizard lost their eye there was often little that could be done—eyes simply hold too much magic. therapist could re-grow many affair, but the eyes… the center, particularly of a potent witch or wizard, were nearly impossible to restore. Dog Star let out a low moan as the secretiveness stretched between them. After that, the flicker of candlelight was the sole randomness that accompanied their ventilation. At hold up, it was Dog Star who began again, not for sure if Harry was even still awake. His voice was unsteady, recalling a percentage of his yesteryear he had never shared with Harry.

"When I… when I was in Azkaban, there was nothing to see but darkness, goose egg to smell out but the stench of death, null to hear but the battle cry of lament, nothing to taste but the oddment of bust that had long since died away, and the merely thing one felt was the frigid breathing place of desperation. What food they gave us was more like black gruel with a consistency somewhere between mud and slime."Canicula chuckled grimly to himself."When the Dementors departed, leaving this black ooze behind, I would smile. It was the only joy I had, sensing their difference, knowing that however awful the food for thought was, the void that screamed from my belly would soon be staved for another day. That ill-humored bowl of horseshit and my pure hatred for Saint Peter the Apostle Pettigrew were all that kept me alive.

"I never dreamed that one day…"Sirius'representative halted and he had to get down to gather himself."That one day… the son of my pricy friend would parlay my ten-percent of nothing 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 shell of a wizard and less a man. You've shown me, even now as darkness hurry in toward us, how to live again… how to love again. I'm amazed that today, I once again walk the halls of Hogwarts—a free man, not because I'm discharge of the repulsion of Azkaban, but because I'm free of the darkness and hatred that once consumed my soul. Because of you, I'm release to taste the delicious fruits of life once again."

"Erm, surely you're not referring to your cookery ?"asked Harry, turning back to face Sirius. Because I think you could pop out your own restaurant for Shirley Temple Black sludge."

"If I could smack you, I would,"shot Dog Star, kicking the Emily Post of Harry's bed with his fundament, a tear sliding down the side of his facial expression.

"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 bagger's positioning."I can contract you with both eyes tied behind my back !"Harry was smiling as Canicula rose to his feet. The senior sorcerer wiped his eyes and then, gently, took Harry's hands in his own.

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

"Sirius, if I can't see, I can't battle… I can't fly… I can't…."Harry shook his headland 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—"

"sufficiency already ! closure telling me what you can't do ! I don't want to listen it anymore !"This time Sirius'articulation was heated."I still wake in the middle of the night grasping for my flat solid, fearing that it has all been a ambition, wondering if in the nothingness of dark I'm really still trapped behind the mantle of Phenolem. One day the nightmare will end ; I know so, because I believe they will. Until they do, I will go to kip at dark, searching for those dreams that will carry 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 imaginativeness riposte, you'll have to find a way to see through your blindness."Harry's immediate reaction was to let a outburst of air get-up-and-go through his lips in scoffing firing of Sothis'words. He began to accrue 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 await, Harry reached out with his creative thinker as Dakhil had shown him — to see without seeing. Why hadn't he thought of it before ? Almost immediately he could recognize the brightness of Sirius before him. It wasn't an range so much as an aura of luminosity that shown bright. Harry leaned forward in his bed. Reaching out further he began to take aim in the dim glowing of the organic life that clung to the walls, ceiling and trading floor. Without saying a parole he let go of Sothis'handwriting and rose out of bed.

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

What Harry was ‘ seeing'wasn't so lots an image as an depression of all that was around him. It would take prison term to trace the shapes, chromaticity and loudness. There was a glowing coming toward them. Harry pointed at the door.

"Someone's coming,"he said. Sirius spun, confused. An exigent later, Madame Pomfrey walked through the room access.

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

"I should let known it was you by your coloring,"he said happily."Bright blue — the vividness of a healer's spell."He looked back at his godfather."Sirius, you're a bit orange right now. You were burnished a minute of arc ago. What's wrong ?"

"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 flow ?"

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

"saltation !"

Ronan didn't indigence to recite him. Harry had already started the spring.

It had been bitterly cold all day, but with all the running Harry was beginning to regret his conclusion to fatigue wearing apparel. They were pushing the boundary between forcible and magical exertion and Harry's feet, well clad in a couple of trainer, were on flaming. The light jacket and bloomers 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 few days, the three had been put though their step by Ronan, Firenze and others — running, lifting, and shooting arrow from one side of the Forbidden Forest to the other. Harry was exhausted — a impression he was beginning to delight. If anything, he preferred to be out in nature.

Still blind, he was developing his limited ability to touch out and sense the atmosphere of lifespan around him. While he could make impressions about where things were at Hogwarts, occasionally very clean objects would overleap his aid. A radical of Slytherin twenty-five percent 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 number, developed a few spells that helped exculpate his way. The tinkling of wits usually meant that a Slytherin was nearby, waiting to watch out Harry tumble. But since Harry could maintain someone's aura, even through walls, the culprit was usually found fastened to the wall with their underwear on their head teacher and zero else. It was a pageboy out of what Nott and C. Northcote Parkinson had done to Ron last year and Harry didn't psyche a little playful vengeance.

In the forest, however, Harry felt as if his imaginativeness was expert than having sight. Everything was alive and vibrant. Trees and vegetation, the largest fauna and the belittled spores, Harry could see it all as if he'd never been blind.

Shahan had cleared the stream ahead and was already pulling away. Felspar came a bit shortstop and she splashed water into the air. Harry, just a footmark behind Felspar, was little still, landing a full moon meter away from the bank's sharpness. His ft landed firmly in the weewee and he struggled to keep his Balance so as not to settle into the icy water completely. He'd only taken three steps when he noticed the coolness around his feet. When he focused his aid downward he could sense clearly that his trainer were gone, the bottoms of his trouser in rag. Where the splash from feldspar hit the front line of his New Jersey it had dissolved away as if it had been burned by Elvis, 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 functional water. For the first fourth dimension he noticed that its gloss was different than the other current he'd seen through the woods. The light emanating from this water supply was clean, More crystalline, more pure. With a with child leap Ronan, who had been following, jumped from bank to bank with ease. Harry expected to be chastised for stopping, yelled at for falling behind, but Ronan said nothing. Harry noticed that the whitish-gray of Ronan's glory warmed a bit. He'd learned, at to the lowest degree with his ally, that such a change meant a smile. He wondered what it meant with a Centaur.

Shahan had long disappeared in the underwood ahead, but felspar stopped short of the knob Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree 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 web site and to strain out with your vision."

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

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

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

"The falls !"she cried with excitement."The current that feeds the descent !"Then felspar stepped over to Harry, noticing his bare pes and ankle."Harry ceramicist, your fetlock are bare."She stepped closer."But the flesh is unharmed. If ever I held question in the Chosen, they have forever washed away."Felspar nodded with a slight bow. Harry nodded in coming back and the smiled as he saw feldspar own fetlocks.

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

"The boy is right, Felspar,"said Ronan."Your own fetlocks have grown brighter. Like the chosen, you now wear socks."He laughed as feldspar looked down to see that indeed her white coat was glistening more brightly from the knee and soak down.

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

"No,"said Felspar immediately, backing away from the water."I would not localize the pureness of my essence at such a measure. Indeed, if I had known these were the very waters…"

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

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

"As I am not,"retorted Ronan."For three straightaway days Shahan has failed to encompass the object lesson. Florence says Shahan did not even bother to search for Ebyrth. The Centaur is of no use to the heard if he refuses to learn our ways. I care not that he is young."Then Ronan stepped closer to Felspar ; his strength becoming strict."You would be wise not to listen to Shahan's thoughts, felspar. That your coat should shift colour at all is not a good sign. Your mother has raised you better."Then Ronan's deportment changed back to one of instructor.

"Focus your mind on where you need to be, Felspar."He said nothing more, but Felspar turned toward the circumstances of the woodland through which Shahan had disappeared. A minute later in a streak of white she was gone.

"Is that not an Apparation ?"Harry asked.

"One can not Apparate on these undercoat, Harry Potter. The earth is too filled with trick. The Centaur can deform distance and tiresome metre so that distances travelled can be covered far more quickly than on hoof alone. You have accomplished this already. What's more you have learned to pass on your mortal torso and change of location with the other living spirits of the forest."

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

"Yes,"answered Ronan."But I need not show you again ; these accomplishment are yours to command. Do you sense the Bowtruckle staring at us from across the watercourse ? Perhaps he can assist you see what you've thirsted for. get hold of out to the creature's mind."

When Harry did arrive at out, he found it far soft than he first expected. The muscularity of the forest seemed to interpenetrate him with added insight, guiding his thoughts as he became focused on the animal, leaving his own self, releasing his corporeal form behind and melding into the meat of a stick. In a newsflash he was one with the woody Bowtruckle. His eye blinked. Ahead, across the stream were a centaur and young man with tatterdemalion pants and no shoes. Harry tried to step forward, but the tool would not reply. It was as if he were simply eavesdropping. Suddenly, he felt quite hungry. Instead of looking ahead at the two across the current, Harry found himself looking down. There was a rather prominent reek worm wriggling its bulbous head between two folio. He bent down, sniffed the unsporting matter at pulled it up out of the ground grinding gut and earth between his teeth.

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

"fountainhead done, Harry potter. It has been less than a yr since the cleanup, and already you have learned the Centaurus prowess. It will take much Sir Thomas More metre to overcome 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 primer coat."It does not go well for our sidekick in Eastern Europe. Wizards have joined the Dementors and brought a new ally to the war."These end words were spoken with the most emotion Harry had ever heard from a Centaur—contempt.

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

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

Harry could finger swarthiness falling, and for the low time 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 punishing and far too fast, I'm afraid. So it is with Shahan and felspar. You are all learning before your ability to comprehend. If we were gravid in number…"Ronan let out a long sigh as Harry turned to confront him.

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

"That is not a question for the Centaurs, Harry Potter,"said Ronan defiantly."It is a query for the Dementors. It is not our war ; it is theirs. It is not the Centaurus herds that are destroying the villages of Eastern European Economic Community. That is the work of the Dementors and their ilk. They are the ones swayed by Ebyrth's return ; we are simply defending ourselves."

"I read that in the conflict of the one-fifth Age the Centaurus herds nearly obliterated Dementors from the face of the earth."

"Would that we had,"said Ronan coolly."Their darkness has no aim early than end. Near the end of that war, only a handful escaped into the swamp and peat bog through which we could not travel. It was there they learned to fly ; it was there they developed their thirst for souls. Now, from a scattered few, their progeny have multiplied. They outnumber the Centaurus two to one. For that we can give thanks the Wizarding humans and the Earth of man whose greed has consumed the solid ground and produced sustenance on which the Dementors feed.

"No, Harry thrower, you fight on the face of righteousness, as the Centaur have for centuries. But, I am afraid, virtuousness alone will not be enough to lead us to victory. We will need your strength and more."

"It doesn't aid that I'll never see again,"said Harry, rubbing his sleeve with his hands to convey some affectionateness to them.

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

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

"It is a windowpane to the disembodied spirit that lies within. This vision you have goes beyond external appearing and penetrates the essence of the creature before you. My citizenry hold their emotions well, so they appear grey-haired or white. Have you noticed that star sign elves are nearly always—"

"Green. Er… green. Yeah, I noticed."

"hob, whose natures are always wild, are almost always flush with red. While wizards and Wiccan carry the colours that suit their nature, colours the educate Centaur nous can recognise. It does not take long to acknowledge the given hue."

"Or hues,"added Harry.

"Excuse me ?"asked Ronan."What do you intend ?"

"fountainhead, when they have more than one colour. You know, say green that sometimes turns blue."Ronan was staring blankly at Harry."You know, the guy's kind of down sometimes, form of honey oil other times… right ?"

"Unless there is a phenomenal transformation, a heart carries but one hue, Harry Potter. It may brighten 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 closer.

"There are agency you might see two hues, Harry Potter. Some virtuoso or witches are known Animagi. The beast inside can represent a unlike hue, although even among the Animagi it is uncommon. Usually, the creature reflects the nature of the witch or wizard."There was a longsighted interruption.

"And the other ?"asked Harry.

"It can be the body of work of a fractured flavor, someone who is really two hoi polloi, or possibly under the control condition of another."

"The Imperius condemnation ?"Harry asked.

"Perhaps. Such is the way of wizards and my cognition falters there. I hope this is not somebody close. Someone in your confidence ?"

"Erm, no… not really,"Harry lied."I've got to go, Ronan. Thank you for your educational activity today."Harry's intellect was clicking of the list of names. He focused on bending the place between where he was and Hagrid's hut."I think I can find—"Before he finished his sentence, Harry had warped time and found himself outside Hagrid's front door. He'd covered the distance, some sea mile, in little more than the blink of an eye. Still, in so doing he'd exhausted what little resourcefulness of strength he had left. His wearing apparel shredded, he was about to knock on Hagrid's door when he sensed that someone was hidden in the trees behind the garden. Harry reached for his sceptre and held it at the set up. Barefoot, he began to step silently toward the spy. It was one technique taught him by the centaur and for the fleetest of bit Harry thought he'd prefer a notched pointer right wing about now.

Stealthily, Harry moved closer. The number, with a bright emerald green aureole, didn't move. Its post continued to perch against the tree. Just a few yards away Harry's nostrils took in the scent of weed, a distinctively aromatic smoke.

"Draco !"Harry hissed quiet and low. This close, Harry could see the figure, still leaning motionless against the tree diagram, bring his hand to his mouth. He was taking another drag on his fag. Harry could find out the exhale, long and slow.

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

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

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

In the swarthiness from far up the hill Harry could hear the presence doors of the castle surface with their characteristic chap. What he didn't expect to hear next was Ron Weasley's voice.

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

Followed by his Father's.

"I should trust so, Ron. I don't have much 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 beat by now,"said Draco with a issue of fact flavour as he pulled what was left of Harry's jersey toward some thicker underwood. Harry acquiesced and the two withdrew deeper into the forest as Ron, Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley made their way to Hagrid's hut. When Hagrid answered the knock he was livid.

"Yeh should possess been here an hour ago !"he called from interior."I don't care what Ronan tells yeh ; the afforest ain't safe after dar—. Er… prof 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 Centaurus ?"A here and now later and the door shut leaving Harry alone with Draco once again.

"What's going on, Draco ?"said Harry not holding the right line of slew with Draco's eyes."I thought you were going to use Blaise to—"

"So it's on-key,"said genus Draco, waving his hand in front end of Harry's brass."You're blind."Able to see the lambency from the life-forms that clung there, Harry grabbed Draco's arm.

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

"Does it hurt ?"

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

"Blaise has been… compromised. He and I have a magical pinch phrase that we use to secure the other is mentally free from any… tampering. For the finish two calendar week, Blaise has tried to contact me without using that musical phrase. He's mortal else's now."Draco took another recollective pull on his cigaret."How father found out… I don't know."His words were deeply troubled. It was an emotional shift in Dragon that Harry had rarely seen."We were measured ; More than careful. You need to make out that there's a spy in the castling. I thought maybe Nott, but he doesn't have the skill to mold the Imperius."

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

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

"T-Training,"Harry interrupted.

"Right, like that's going to make unnecessary your deplorable ass. I don't know what potions you've been taking, but you upright wake up and see what's going on around here."

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

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

"What ? What are you talking about ?"

"I've been here since day one,"Draco mocked Harry."Yes, you're so in tune, so enlightened. Hell, Harry, that's not even the matter to news."

"Married ? Goldstein ?"

"Not even her trivial pal 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 subterfuge have insight to that."Harry said cypher, but sat down side by side to Draco crossing his munition and legs under genus Draco's cloak.

"Come on, potter,"drawled Dragon once again."Surely you can infer why Cho and Goldstein would want to… nay… would necessitate to get wed secretly."Again there was a tenacious pause and Harry pulled Draco's cloak tighter about his shoulders. He was feeling a pang of jealousy and he had no rightfield to. He had loved Cho and he would always screw her, but their paths were never meant to travel together. His itinerary was and would forever be entangled with Gabriella. It wasn't perfect but the attractive force was strong and the beloved firm and the uncertainty of any given day that kept Harry forever on boundary tickled a very Slytherin part of his life that wriggled deep inside him. Finally, Harry breathed.

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

"French Republic,"answered Draco with a sly smiling."Don't William Tell anyone, Harry, but Goldstein's guardian may be their chaperone by day, but at night he's a Death Eater in my father's armed service. It's a tryst of short result to my father and it pays the government note for henry, the chaperone, but I knew you might experience a special interest."

"I never thought that Goldstein and Cho would—"

"Oh, but I'm not done, Harry. Cho Yangtze Kiang spends her day in France, in a short villa just north of Marseille, a town called La Mure. She and the—"

"When's she due ?"Harry asked."Do you know how far along she is ?"At this Dragon smiled.

"Witches can shroud that fact until the very day of deliverance, Harry. Have you ever seen a significant crone ?"For a moment, Harry pondered the approximation. No, he hadn't ever seen a pregnant 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 different than the year before.

The threshold to Hagrid's cabin opened and the giant 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, Dragon,"Harry said gently,"if we walked in there right now, together, Dumbledore and the Minister would take in you back. You'd be—"

"Dead in about two sidereal day,"cut in Draco."Not by the Ministry's manus, but by its darkness underbelly."

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

"They've found it,"Draco interrupted."Months ago I asked you to find it first, and you didn't even try. Now they have it."He flicked a twig into Harry's case."Blaise risked his life and you did nothing. Now he's been found out."Draco leaned over and grabbed the cloak about Harry's neck. Harry could experience the cloth tighten, not by Draco's bridge player, but another force."You're going to get it back, beloved, or I'll kill you myself."The cloth tightened further. Harry reached for his baton, but found the cloak held his hands tight.

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

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

All of a sudden, the cloak released Harry and he began to cough, heaving in as a great deal air as he could. Draco took to his feet and wrapped the sinister cloak about his berm, his foresighted blonde hair starkly Patrick Victor Martindale White in contrast. Still coughing, Harry stumbled to his feet and pulled his sceptre. genus Draco ignored the motion and turned to pull up stakes. But then he stopped as if suddenly remembering a bury mentation. The door to the Hagrid's hut opened and Ron stepped out. He'd heard the sound of Harry's coughing.

"Harry ? !"Ron called to the swarthiness.

"Oh, and Harry,"genus Draco said, looking Harry in the middle even if the coup d'oeil was not returned."Cho isn't pregnant."He turned to leave."It's a newborn infant baby boy. Well, not so often newborn any Sir Thomas More. You'll never guess the birthday… it's the Saame day as yours."

"Harry !"Ron called again. This clip, by the tone in Ron's voice, 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 emptiness. The audio of footstep came charging up from behind and Harry could get wind the tumult on the movement porch of Hagrid's hut. A hand touched Harry's articulatio humeri.

"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 ?"Arthur Weasley called from the hut."Harry, come inside. Get out of the cold."

"I told you, Chester A. Arthur,"Dumbledore said gently from within the hut,"nothing to worry about. Come in and let's last 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 wearing apparel in tatters, his face covered in mud and now a thin red line that wrapped about his neck shown through the grunge. As he climbed the steps with Ron's assistance his teeth once again began to gabble.

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

"Get o'er by the fire, lad,"said Hagrid, offering a cover. But before Harry had a chance to take on, Dumbledore pulled his wand and tapped Harry's shoulder. The grime disappeared and a Hogwarts robe covered his body. The lose weight red origin about his neck and the aching muscles, however, remained.

"Hagrid,"said Dumbledore,"perhaps some tea and some…"Harry tried to arrest Dumbledore's centre to tell him to stop, but found, as it had been since his accident, he could no longer effectively pass along silently with his center."…stone cakes."

Warming his muscle by the fire, sipping a bit of tea, and pretending to enjoy Hagrid's rock-hard Harlan Stone cakes, Harry was beginning to feel himself again. He assured King Arthur Weasley that he was fine and that his frowzled appearance was all in a day's work, training with the Centaur in the forest ; but the Minister was none too win over.

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

"Just a little workplace with Devil's side drum is all, sir,"answered Harry, rubbing his neck with his leave behind hired hand and sipping some more tea with the other. If they could see his optic, they would know he wasn't listening to a word they were saying. Draco probably thought his short display would centre Harry's judgement fully on some Horcrux that the Ministry had no doubt just found, but Harry's judgment was anything but centred. After a bit more raillery about school, regrets about Harry being blind, and news about the battles raging in Eastern Europe, Arthur Weasley finally got down to the intention of his visit.

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

"What ?"Harry exclaimed."Why ?"

"well, to try to recover the bodies, Harry,"answered Mr. Weasley, surprised somewhat at Harry's reaction."Many Aurors lost their liveliness that evening and their trunk have never been found — at least, not until in conclusion week. Since the collapse we tried for months to notice the bottom with no succeeder. We encountered one magical portal vein after another, and the workers were none too inclined to accidentally stumble across the drape itself."

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

"No, Ron,"interrupted Dumbledore,"the pall and the dais were destroyed in the fall. No, just the eubstance, consistency from both sides, have been returned to their loved ones."

"Well, yes, Albus,"added Arthur with some nervousness."Most of them, anyway. We have yet to incur Draco Malfoy's remains."Ron began to cough.

"Hagrid,"he asked, clearing his throat once again,"do you ingest any more stone cakes ?"

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

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

"Yes, yes, absolutely, Harry, absolutely."Arthur patted Harry's lap."But there was one other recovery at the very depths of the gaping fissure."All at once, Mr. Weasley's aura faded and Harry knew the come after word were a lie."They pulled it up today, just before lunch. I looked for you in the first place, Harry, but you'd already left for the forest."Arthur Weasley stood from his chair and looked out the window facing the castle, the colour returned to his aura."I was thinking we could induce a dedication of variety. You could come up to the Ministry as we put it on display. It would certainly prompt the people in these blue times that we can vanquish darkness."

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

"Oh, yes, I'm sorry, Harry,"answered Arthur."I've wanted to discuss our search since you and I spoke on the train. I never knew taking care of the Ministry would consume so practically of my time."His centre wandered for a moment and then returned to meet Harry's."No affair,"he whispered."In our search, we recovered the cloak. The black-market cloak of… You-Know-Who. The only remnant of his darkness and a symbol to all of his defeat."

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

"I knew you might feel this way, Harry,"said President Arthur with understanding."That's why I came myself. You must clear what an ikon you've become in the Wizarding existence. Just one ikon of you, perhaps wand drawn, next to the cloak of the iniquity you destroyed would mean so much to—"

"It's insane !"said Harry, rising to his feet."Do you love 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 think what all the conditional relation are. time to consider what's best for… everyone involved."Harry expected to see the warmth of anger build in Dumbledore's atmosphere, but if anything his luminosity dimmed with a coolness of concern.

"I… I'm sorry, sir,"said Harry, cooling his own temperament."Yes, that's what I need Minister… time."

"Please, Harry, you needn't call me—"

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

"Certainly, Harry, I understand. Until then, we'll keep it safe ; I can assure you."Harry started for the door."Here, let me walk you to the castle."

"I got it dad,"said Ron, dropping one of the stone cakes on the board with a thud."Finish your tea and have some more… er, cakes."Ron ran to the door next to Harry's face. Staring at the cake and then Hagrid, Arthur was about to say something when Dumbledore spoke out instead.

"Excellent idea, Mr. Weasley,"he said to the new redhead."Please find Harry safely back to the castle."

"Goodnight, Hagrid,"said Harry to the whale still in the kitchen, baking up another batch of bar for his guests."Thanks !"

"Sure matter, 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 clock time Harry and Ron were at the castle pace, Harry had answered most of Ron's interrogative sentence.

"I just don't get it, Harry,"said Ron shaking his question."It's just a piece of cloth. You killed him."

"Ron, you saw my apparel tonight. They were burnt away because I fell into the magical current that feeds the dip. commemorate when you fell in concluding twelvemonth ?"

"Pulled in you mean,"said Ron, rubbing his mightily articulatio radiocarpea."Yeah, I remember. My clothes disappeared."

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

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

"tarradiddle or not, the water destroys cloth. I doused Voldemort in nearly ten gallon of the clobber. It was enough to dissolve every evilness bone in his physical structure, but the cloak… tinker's dam ! I should have 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,"do Harry."If it's share of Voldemort, it should suffer been destroyed."Harry sighed."Maybe Hermione will know."Ron shrugged and nodded in correspondence as he reached to give the castle threshold. Ron heaved on the fleshy handle just as Harry's mitt stopped him and shut them again.

"Ron ?"he asked."You have a lot of brothers and sisters. Erm… how yearn does it contain to… er… for a witch to… you know… give a baby, after… you know."For a second gear, Ron just stared at Harry, and then reaching ever so slightly to the persuasion on the tip of Harry's creative thinker he understood.

"Oh ! How long does it take for a child to be born after construct ?"he asked.

"Yeah… yeah, that's it."

"Well my mum's always going on how I took longer than most… ‘ Forty two weeks, and in the middle of the war !'she'd say.

"So… figurin'my birthday, what would you say… you know… for my folk music to…er—"

"Do the nasty ?"said Ron with a smile. Harry simply nodded. Well, Ron thought for a moment, touched his fingers and counted backwards, and then a luminescence of a grin crossed his facial expression once again.

"Pretty damn near to Allhallows Eve, Harry."He poked Harry in the ribs."Do you remember they were wearing costumes ?"Harry didn't react in the way Ron expected. Instead, he leaned his book binding against the palace door and slid down to a sit on the pit landing.

"Oh, Merlin,"he whispered in a unwell kind of voice."Oh, bloody, screwing, Merlin."

"What ? What is it, Harry ?"

"Ron… I think… I think I'm a father."


Harry potter and the parturition of a New Sun

Chapter 14 - wedding Plans ~~~***~~~

When Harry and Ron passed through the portrait of the Fat ma'am, Harry found the Gryffindor coarse room, warmer than pattern. Near the open fireplace sat the aura of Parvati, Lavender, Gabriella, Hermione, Ginny and Dean. Towards the rachis, Neville was helping St. Patrick and a few others, Harry had yet to recognize, prepare for their Herbology exams. Evidently, the examination involved a electrocution works of some sort, perhaps fireseed, Harry thought, since there was a inflate cloud of fastball that hung over the group and nobody seemed to take care.

Harry, his mind fractured at the instant, brought his attention on Patrick. The smoke was clouding his ability to see the auras of those at the spinal column table, but the separate out light emanating from Patrick was the Saame as it had been since Harry first met him after the chance event - blueing and green. Each semblance waxed and waned, growing more green whenever he was excited or near Harry.

"Patrick ?"Harry thought silently to himself, but the thought was short lived.

"Harry ! Ron !"cried Dean. His voice brought Harry's attention back to the group about the fireplace. The vociferation sounded like a plea for aid, as if Dean felt, at the instant, like a trapped rat in a snake's John Milton Cage Jr.. He began to stand when Ginny grabbed his arm.

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

"Er… yeah, expectant,"muttered James Dean miserably, sinking back into the sofa.

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

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

"You could deliver fairy's carry it."

"I kind of like it,"Hermione said as she held her hand to her chin and tapped her brass with one finger."But I think the second…"James Dean let out an hearable groan, but the girl ignored him while Hermione began to twinkle through manikin after model, dress after dress, as if riff page of a book. It was only then when she noticed that Ron and Harry had entered the mutual room.

"Ron !"she exclaimed."You're just in time."Dean's eyes grew full and he shook his pass as nondescriptly as he could to ward them off. Ron caught it, but Harry did not."We were just looking over attire when—"She stopped herself mid-sentence, noticing the face on Ron's face."What's wrong ?"

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

"cipher,"they said simultaneously.

Gabriella patted Harry's impudence.

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

"No thanks,"interjected Harry. While he had grown accustomed to seeing educatee from early houses in the vulgar room, he had completely forgotten that the girls were going to get together this eve to discuss Hermione's wedding plans for the summer."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 squeaky clean and jerk,"she replied sceptically."You know, if you weren't working out in the forest today, we could have got gotten at least three hours on the pitch."

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

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

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

"Dumbledore cleaned him up,"offered Ron. This was followed by a chorus.

"Dumbledore ?"

"fountainhead, 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.

"fountainhead, he only had a minute,"said Ron, stepping closer to his sister. She had risen to her invertebrate foot and doyen took the chance to quickly dart away and head toward the spiral staircase to the boy'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 only girl ?"

Less than a moment later everyone was talking at once. Ron and Harry were being bombarded with motion about everything from the minister's visit, to why Dumbledore needed to beseech Harry new gown, to what pattern Ron thought would be nice for the new china.

Unexpectedly, there was a tacky explosion from the dorsum of the way that caused everyone to shriek. A rather heavy fireball spewed forth from the mesa where Neville and the others were working. It was Neville who stopped it from lighting the whole piazza on fire by casting a squeeze good luck charm.

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

The hurly burly that had surrounded Harry, quickly gathered about the back board and the scorched faces that stood there. Harry took the chance to follow Dean's footfall up the staircase. Near the top he heard a rather dejected St. Patrick apologize, but what he saw was a blueish aura beaming with pridefulness. Then Harry noticed St. Patrick flash him a thumbs-up from within the hanker sleeve of his robe, a signal that no one could see.

"Sorry, Neville,"said Patrick with a shrug of his shoulder joint."I'm just no good at this kind of clobber. I'll be favourable to make it to the third base twelvemonth at this rate."

Gabriella looked back toward the open fireplace to find Harry and before she could find where he was Harry disappeared into the boy'dormitory. Inside he found doyen, belly down on his bed, reading a book about Quidditch. He loved the game so, it was a shame 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 count at one More china pattern."He looked back at the book and turned the Thomas Nelson Page."talking about pressure… blimey."He turned another page."I mean… I love Ginny and all, but does she actually think I'm going to ask her to get married me ?"He turned another page ; clearly not having read the hold up."So… finis year… yeah, maybe. But that's your fault."James Dean looked up, pointing a finger at Harry.

"Me ?"

"fountainhead, I mean, I was in a battle — fighting you for her. You know. That sort of thing, well… it gets a guy in the climate. But this stuff downstairs… wedding dresses, and colouration of prorogue clothes, and…"James Dean sighed."Talk about deflating."Without looking back down to the book, he turned another Thomas Nelson Page. Then, quite suddenly, Dean groaned and turned over on his bed, placing the undefendable Holy Scripture over his chest."Merlin, I love her."There was silence and he sighed again."She's been my populace. She brought me back after the accident."Dean held his mitt up, flexing the fingers in front of his face. His individual had been reconnected to his somatic form and Ginny had been there every step 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 robe and putting on a loose twain of dungaree."Face it, dean, you're her world too."

"I just don't want to be thinking about married couple while I'm still in school,"answered dean, sitting up on the edge of his bed and facing Harry."There's enough to be getting on about without having to worry about in-laws… Red China patterns…"

"…children,"added Harry quietly.

"Merlin, no,"shot Dean."I can't even imagine. But then Ginny's 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 Dean."Neither one of them used any protection their first few fourth dimension. Hermione found out and had a fit."

"Hermione ?"queried Harry.

"fountainhead, I told Neville that he was being an retard. I told him how Lee Jordon told me that Fred told him that George hooked up with some miss in Hogsmeade last class and wound up with a cause of runespoor warts. Had to go to St. Mungo's to get them removed. Can you believe it ? Yeesh."Lee covered his crotch with his manus and grimaced.

"But why Hermione ?"

"If you want to know any spell, spell, or hex to get the job done, Harry, who do you go to ? Hermione."Harry looked a bit disgruntled and crossed his arms. James Dean sensed Harry's pride and added,"After all, everyone knew she and Ron were together since the crepuscule of stopping point year. She knew how to be safe, and Neville indisputable wasn't going to blab out to Ginny."

Harry wasn't certain how to take that. He didn't have a clue until last Christmas that Ron and Hermione were together. Yet, everyone else seemed to know. Further, he was pretty sure that last year Tonks had used her Metamorphosis skills to take on the appearance of Helen so that she could sneak into Gryffindor column with Neville. It brought up memories… bad memories. Suddenly, going to talk to Hermione about anything didn't seem like such a good idea. Harry began to drum his desk with his finger, then crossed his implements of war and just looked down at the trading floor. He could see the aura's of the living organisms that his mates had tracked in under their shoes. Maybe Aunt Petunia wasn't such a half-baked bat after all - at least as far as wiping one's feet at the threshold was concerned.

"What's up, Harry ?"asked Dean."Why are you so wound up anyway ?"

Barefoot and shirtless, Harry walked over to the window. Yule was a week away and, sadly, no blow had fallen. The soil below and the surrounding forest glistened brightly in Harry's cecity. He placed his left script on his chest of drawers, just above Asha's meat, the Edward Durell Stone that even now sat hidden within him. Focusing senior high above the crown he found nothing but blackness. Late in the evening, clouds had moved in, covering all in a dark mantle through which no stars shone. He peered at the same quadrant of sky in which he knew Ebyrth hung, growing ever closer. He closed his centre and dropped his head heavily against the chalk window.

Voldemort's cloak should induce been destroyed by the water from the falls, but it wasn't. Why ? Was it the Horcrux Dragon thought it was, or simply an object of world power that Lucius craved ? There was a spy in the castle, probably within Gryffindor or Slytherin that had given up Blaise. He was now under a decease Eater's Imperious oath. Who was the spy ? Could they have turned Patrick too ?

It wasn't enough that war was raging in Eastern Europe and would soon beautify the forest about Hogwarts, if not the castling itself. Now there was a nipper. Could it really be his ? That was a stupid question. Of trend it could be ; the timing was near unadulterated and they had been… well, stupid person. It was just before the Halloween feast. Harry was going to tell Cho about Gabriella… let Cho screw that they couldn't be together, that Gabriella was the one he truly loved. But then she touched his arm… the look in her eyes. Even now, the store sent a shiver down his spine and made his inside quiver. Neither of them was in the rightfulness frame of mind, but they both knew what they wanted. Now they were both paying for it. At least Cho was. Harry began to wonder… if the child was Harry's, did Anthony know, or was Cho simply using him ?

Harry shook his head, trying to sack his muddled thought process. Maybe he was making a big deal of nothing. Maybe Anthony was the Father-God. But the vision… Gabriella's visual modality that both he and Hermione shared. He'd seen a child. Gabriella saw her own decease and yet Harry saw life. He thought it was their baby, his and Gabriella's. Now, Harry wasn't so sure.

The window was insensate and a shiver ran across his body. He turned and walked over to his storehouse 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 fumble about for a pair of socks.

"Yes ?"

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

"Kinda,"answered James Dean, looking at black and maybe a iniquity US Navy blue angel.

"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 word.

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

"Accio cloak !"Harry called with his right bridge player in the air, fingerbreadth outstretched for a taking into custody. His cloak flew into his typeface."Almost,"Harry muttered. He stood and put on the cloak on and then slipped his wand into his sleeve and stepped toward the door.

"Dean,"he said,"please leave my excuse to prof 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 scar on his veracious arm.

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

"Whew ! I made it !"cried Ron, jumping into their room."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 point."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 interior.

"You found it ?"she asked in a about whisper.

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

"Malfoy ?"asked James Byron 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 fingerbreadth. He glared at Ron."Great program, mate."

"Well,"said Ron,"I tried to—"Harry held up one finger to his back talk and Ron lowered his interpreter."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 limb.

"Bloody underworld,"he whispered.

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

"You did !"cried Dean."How could you not tell me ? Did you all get laid ?"Harry could see the fire building in Dean's emotions. cipher said a Holy Scripture."How yearn have you known ?"

"Get over it, doyen !"Harry snapped."Draco wanted it secret and we're keeping it that way. We know because we were there. Ginny knows because her comrade has a big fat mouth."Harry gestured at Ron without looking his way."Draco's heart is here at Hogwarts, Dean. Until we can unclutter his name we can't make him out as a fugitive."

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

"He saved my life, Dean,"interjected Ron."That you do know. That I've told everyone. But my Holy Writ isn't enough to keep him out of Azkaban. I should have intercourse, the Minister's my Dad and, no, he doesn't know about Draco either."

These actor's line cooled doyen's fires, if only a smidgen, and his manpower found his pockets. There was a moment of muteness and then he turned to Ginny reached out and took her hired hand.

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

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

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

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

"Right,"cut in Harry,"so that's why you… all,"he waved toward the group,"can visualize out how we get the cloak tomorrow night. I'll meet you at the entrance to the Ministry at midnight. Have the programme ready and I'll help you however I can."He grabbed Gabriella's script."seed with me."They started for the threshold when Hermione grabbed the back of Harry's cloak, stopping him in his running.

"What do you mean ? Where are you going ? Your Potions exam is tomorrow."Harry turned back, his face tush but his eyes blank.

"First, I'm going to see a supporter of mine in Ravenclaw, and then… then I'm going to France."

There was a collective,"What ! ?"from everyone but Ron.

"It's one secret I'm afraid,"said Harry, raising his hired hand to quiet his friends,"that needs to be kept… at to the lowest degree for now."Again he took Gabriella's arm."Come on."Everyone turned to Ron as Gabriella and Harry left the elbow room. Almost immediately, Gabriella began to ask doubt, but Harry held a fingerbreadth to his lips.

"Not here… not now,"he whispered.

They were about to take in out through the portraiture of the Fat madam when Lavender stopped them near the fireplace.

"So I guess Hermione's done looking at garb for the nighttime ?"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 chatty glance toward Annapurna.

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

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

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

"Cho Yangtze River ?"Gabriella asked blankly.

"Yes, Cho Yangtze Kiang !"Harry snapped."How could you not know ? You two were inseparable at the end of last year. She helped you through exams. Merlin, you spent Thomas More sentence with her than with me. How could you not have a go at it ?"

The stone staircase came to rest against the wall. The two climbed off that one and onto another that began to slither into yet another direction.

"So we're going to see Susan Brownell Anthony,"Gabriella said knowingly. Harry said nothing, wishing only that the staircase would move more quickly."Tell me Harry, are you still so jealous ?"

"Jealous ?"Harry asked angrily."Jealousy has nothing to do with this. I have a right hand to recognize !"His conclusion words were loudly and reverberated off the pit walls.

"They have a rightfield to their privateness, Harry,"Gabriella replied with an edge in her vox."They have a right to go along the Daily vaticinator out of their living. Frankly, I don't see how it's any of your business. It's percipient 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 tower. A third twelvemonth Ravenclaw joined them on the moving sheath upward. Harry moved close to Gabriella failing miserably at keeping his part hushed.

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

"Yes ! None of your byplay ! They were pudding head, Harry,"Gabriella said struggling to maintain her composure in social movement of the third twelvemonth, although Harry could smell the anger building within her."It was a misunderstanding, a fault that Anthony's wizard enough to set straight. Can't you see that he's trying to do the flop thing by caring for what will soon be his kinsfolk ?"

At this, the third year Ravenclaw looked back over his articulatio humeri at Harry and Gabriella. Gabriella flashed him a look that put the boy's nose back into the volume he was reading. The Harlan Stone staircase came to a stoppage 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 schoolma'am pregnant ? If that's what she was. You hardly carry the more baronial 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 beginner. He stopped and leaned against the balusters. The delay was just long enough that the stairway began to incite again.

"She was not my mistress,"Harry said quietly to the darkness."I… I was not myself end year. You know—"Gabriella put her hands about Harry's shoulders.

"I know,"she whispered sadly. Harry turned to front 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 impudence and pulled him close. They held each other that way for some time and when the stairway came to a stop consonant Gabriella moved to get off, but Harry stood still.

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

"What ?"

"I could be the begetter,"he repeated, stepping close up to her."It wasn't Anthony that was the poor fish one ; it was me - Halloween of last year. Cho's child… it could be mine."

Harry waited to see the reaction, but none came. The news program had no effect on Gabriella's glory. 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 affair 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 soul who's not supposed to sleep together anything, you know quite a bit already. You know there's a baby. You know she's in France."

"La Mure,"added Harry.

"Then you know all there is to know, Harry. The town's not that large 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 palace alone. Besides, Professor Snape has already released me from tomorrow's exam for—"

"—for high marks,"interrupted Harry."Yeah, I know. I know."He paused for a few minute and then agitate his head. But before Harry could say a word Gabriella began.

"Harry,"she said gently, holding her hand to his aspect,"I don't upkeep how well you can see what others can not."She took his deal."You're blind. It makes a difference of opinion. You can't go somewhere you've never been, verbalize to people you've never met and think that it's no big deal."There was another long pause.

"Cho's bodyguard is a dying 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 hypnotism in his mind. Finally he said,"You're right wing. I probably wouldn't get a chance to see her… not without help."He squeezed Gabriella's hand."Besides, you need to be there. I need you to be there."

It took XX second to get what they needed before they could sneak out through the hidden tunnel to Hogsmeade. It took half that fourth dimension to make it to Le Mure. Gabriella was right, Harry would have been lost without her. It was bad enough trying to remember his French people ; it was worse trying to estimate out what deal motion or facial nerve reflection went along with it. Blind, he could find none of it, but Gabriella was nearly perfect. In fact, Harry began to inquire if she had known the way all along. Finally, knowing that Cho's apartment was just around the block, the two decided to spend the night at a small inn and delay until morning. It was the low gear they'd been truly alone since the summer.

Harry offered to sleep on the flooring, but Gabriella pulled him close to her. There was a lovingness to her feeling that meant more than to him than anything in the whole world. That night he laid his individual bare, telling her everything he knew, everything she'd listen to, including Draco's theory about Voldemort's cloak. Only when he touched on his education with the Centaurus, would she noticeably change the depicted object. He fell asleep in her arm and woke the adjacent cockcrow the Lapplander way. The sun was just breaking into the windowpane as he stroked her long bleak hair, wondering with some fear what the future tense would bring.

After breakfast, they walked down the alley toward the small apartment social system that the innkeeper had described to Gabriella. When they finally arrived, Harry covered himself with the invisibility cloak. Gabriella knocked at the door and the room access opened, held subject by an sr. man with grey-headed hair and a jade look on his face. There were launching and Gabriella slipped inside. The room access shut before Harry could follow. There was a moment of silence and then squeals of joy. Harry knew the sound ; Cho was inside. A few consequence later the man left, jingling coins in his air pocket. Harry's design had worked - Gabriella, handing the man a duo 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 snap and he had Disapparated. Then the grumbling began ; louder, then soft, then louder again. Finally, Harry heard,"Don't be silly."A second after that, the doorway opened and Gabriella ushered him inside.

All the patch, 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 beginning sentence he had observed a Disapparation without his sight and he noted with interest the sudden burst of energy that accompanied it. But more than than anything else his attention was focused on one thing above all - a dim reddish gleaming that glimmered from the back of the apartment. Through all the wall it could have been anything - a cat, a dog. But Harry knew, by how well its colours blended with Cho's, what was there.

"Harry ?"Gabriella asked to the void before her. Cho stood only a few pes away. Harry sensed warmth sundry with discernment. As for himself, he could feel the fret of his palms as he reached up and slipped off the cloak.

"Cho ?"he asked to the glow before him. The aura didn't motion, the individual didn't speak, but the colour began to blanch almost immediately. Then her hired hand went to her face, covering her mouth.

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

"This ?"Harry asked, holding his manus near his synagogue."It's zip. Just a bit of glass. surgical operation's scheduled for next month ; should get me full as new."Cho took his hand and then touched his brass.

"I'm so no-count,"she whispered."I should have come to visit."She took him in her weaponry and held him tight. He could feel her palpitation in his weapon system."I couldn't… I couldn't bear to see you again."

"Great,"Harry drawled."Always salutary to bonk you're view of kindly."

"Harry !"snapped Gabriella shortly. She took Cho gently by the arm and said,"Cho, can we make out in and deliver a sit ?"Cho loosened her clutch on Harry and wiped her face with her handwriting.

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

The station was larger than Harry expected, compared to what it looked like from the outside, but it was sparsely furnish and what furnishing there were appeared old and tatterdemalion. As they entered the kitchen he noted a few Ravenclaw memorabilia here and there. He even recognized a ling, the Scots heather he bought her last year, was propped up in the corner. Cho offered them some coffee, they accepted and together they sat at a modest table in the kitchen. There was a little talk about the weather condition and shoal.

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

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

"That's cracking,"said Cho softly. There was an awkward silence, and then, finally, Harry could wait no longer.

"I heard… I heard you and, er, Tony were going to tie the knot… get married. I told Gab we should get by and find out when. Ask what you might need to, erm…"He looked around at the moth-eaten furniture."… spruce the billet up."

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

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

"It's so sex, Cho !"she said joyfully."I'm sure you're a wondrous mother. The baby is so lucky to have 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.

"Well,"added Harry,"I can't see him, but I have a pretty estimable idea that he's flop through there, isn't he ?"He pointed to the back room and swallowed."I think it's great that you and… er, Tony are doing the… er, justly matter. 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 modest red jumper. He smiled and muttered a few sound as she sat him in his chair, offering him a biscuit to chew on. The sluggish fog of Harry's eyes were focused somewhere above the boy's headland, but his mind's eye was captivated on the gilded red glow before him. It was superb, almost blinding, and Harry wondered if the brightness of the glow was because he was a sister or something more. The biscuit snapped out of Cho's hand and flew into the waiting grasp of the babe's.

"look at that ! So soon ?"cooed Gabriella."He's just perfect."And then she began to babble infant public lecture to the fry.

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

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

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

"No. Not really,"answered Cho cautiously."But he can digest with help and he's already tried to walk."She paused."I think, maybe, he'll be in Hufflepuff,"she added wistfully."He loves it when I take him to the zoo."

"What's his name ?"asked Gabriella.

"Jamie,"answered Cho.

"After your Brother ?"

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

"I have to let in,"said Gabriella,"that he's the splitting range of you. And that's a just thing ; you're much better looking than Anthony."She laughed and Cho did too. It sounded as if it had been the first sentence Cho had laughed in quite some sentence. But then the tone in Gabriella's voice changed.

"In fact, he doesn't looking much like a Goldstein at all. You're both so dreary, and Jamie's skin is so pale."

"He… he doesn't get out much,"said Cho, growing aflutter.

"Cho, you know I love you like a sister. Don't you ?"Gabriella asked gently."fountainhead, I think Harry has a right to know. You see, he told me that you two slept together at Hogwarts - just once, on Halloween. Caught in the heat of the present moment, I guess."Gabriella took a breath, gathering her strength."I don't upkeep why it happened. And it doesn't bother me anymore that it happened. The fact is it happened… nine month before little Jamie here was born."

"Well—"

"Cho,"Gabriella interrupted."Harry may bear his suspicions, but he can't see what I can, and the eyes never lie. You and Antonius, you both have brown middle. Both your parents each have brown middle. It would conduct a knock-down genius to produce a boy with anything other than brownish eyes and the magic would most certainly be to grow the colouration of the optic to his own."Cho said nothing. Harry said zippo."It's admittedly, Jamie is the part epitome of his beautiful mother. But the eyes… I think he has his Church Father's eyes."Cho remained understood. Once again, Harry watched as her halo blanched.

"What do you mean ?"asked Harry blindly. Gabriella took his hired man.

"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 Potter
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Beyond the babbling of the baby sitting beside Harry, there was silence. Perhaps, if one were to mind closely, the sound of a wench chirping or a distant bus creaking to a stop could be heard, breaking the hush of the daybreak. Then Cho's foot began to nervously tap against the position of the table. In front of Harry, she had been confronted by Gabriella with the trueness, but still she would not, or could not speak. Harry had known before they came to Anatole France that the child would be his, and though he had not heard the words from Cho's lips, he wasn't about to become angry ; it was hard enough not to show how frightened he was feeling. No, if anything, he needed some fourth dimension himself to get over the sinking smell in his stomach, as if he'd just fallen off his heather. He would wait for Cho to be set. He breathed deeply the aroma of his coffee berry, took a sip, set the cup down and put out his finger, with which the trivial boy began to bite toothlessly.

"Jamie ?"Harry said tenderly."I… I like that name."

He smiled and put his hand on the boy's head.

"Oh, my. What a mind of hair ! Is it black ?"This simpleton question was purposefully directed at Cho. There was the rhythm of a interruption before she answered.

"Yes,"she said quietly, with a bit of a crack in the Book. Harry could hear her swallow.

"Thank pigeon hawk he's got his mother's looks,"Harry said with a chortle. He took another sip of coffee.

"You'll see him one day, Harry,"said Gabriella with an encouraging shade. Harry tilted his headway down and sway it slowly.

"I don't think so,"he said quietly, his brim still turned in a slight smile.

"What do you stand for ?"asked Cho, surprised."Surely they can—"

"I was just examined by Madame Pomfrey,"interrupted Harry."The visual sensation charms aren't knitting. There's still too much glass."

"But couldn't they just—"

"There are dozens of tiny shards - too many and too small to go away without vanishing pieces of my eyes and if they summon them out they'll shred whatever levelheaded eye tissue that's left."Cho gasped.

"I… I didn't know. I thought—"

"No issue,"said Harry taking to his feet."I can see the fervidness in his somebody, even if I can't see their colour of his eyes."He went to the coffee pot to rain cats and dogs himself one More cup. On the way, he tripped on a small-scale 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 ground nearly before it landed with a simple wave of his hand. Since losing his raft, his abilities without a verge, abilities he rarely used in front of others, had strengthened. Without skipping a beat, he poured himself another cup, but rather than turn he continued to face up the cabinetry. Yes, he could see the fervency in the boy's gloriole, but he would give anything to have got his eyesight back… to see his tiddler, his son. He began to tremble. For the first time in months he was cold with fear, and it wasn't veneration of a Dementor or demise Eater. It was reverence for his child and his child's mother, fear for a hereafter that was already so uncertain, so dark. It felt as if all the air in the room was being sucked away.

"At least,"he said, holding the warm cup in his hands,"Anthony won't need to… to look into my eye and wonderment. I… I wouldn't want that."Cho stepped up behind Harry and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Mark Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw Prefect at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and wizardry ?"asked Cho."He might be a bit proud at fourth dimension, but he's no patsy, Harry. He knows."She turned Harry to face 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 typeface."He knew that too. I… I didn't."With these Holy Scripture, Cho began to cry. She held Harry by the front of his shirt and pulled him close, sobbing into his chest. Gabriella left her chairwoman and the three hugged for some time while Cho repeated over and over how blue she was, and Harry repeated over and over that it was okay, that he was the one who was sorry. It was piddling Jamie who broke up the leash as he began to cry.

"Oh… he's hungry,"said Cho blotting her heart. She picked the boy up into her branch and ushered them all into the front room where the hearth sat cold, but the slightly tattered hot seat were more comfortable. Even without the flak, Harry watched with wonder the fondness that filled the room. He could distinguish she loved the boy deeply. Nor, was the emotion lost on Gabriella, sitting at Harry's position, who was gathering a glow herself as she took in the way's emotions of love. He took Gabriella's hand and for the first clip in a long sentence Harry tried to relax, letting the swirling fears of the futurity fade from his mind. It was Cho that started the conversation as Jamie continued to nurse.

"I wanted to hold back this secret, Harry - mystery from my parents, secret from my brother, mysterious from you. At first I was ashamed and then—"

"But—"

"Let me terminate,"asked Cho."I need to finish, or I may never be capable to."Harry nodded."final year you wanted to tell me about Gabriella."Cho looked at Gab."He did so want to force me away, to tell me of the Muggle girl he had met back home."Her eye returned to Harry."But I could see that, just under the skin, there was a fire of desire and I… I wanted… my erupt 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 touch of bitterness or lugubriousness.

"I know that now,"answered Cho."Maybe I knew it then, at least that he wasn't in his right creative thinker. I could have used a sheathing charm. I thought about it. I even reached for my wand before it happened Halloween dark behind the Great Hall."Gabriella guesswork Harry a coup d'oeil 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 fount I died ?"asked Harry."Like Cedric ?"Without speaking, Cho simply nodded.

"I was being unintelligent. 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 mind."So I hid it - I hid my pregnancy and I hid Jamie."She put the baby over her articulatio humeri and began to pat its back."I thought that after You-Know-Who had been destroyed I could tell you, but then I heard about the new war… that Malfoy's destruction feeder were out to kill you. What would they do if they knew you had a son ?"She shook her heading."This summer, I travelled to the United state of matter with Anthony… Tony. One dark, I fell asleep in his arms and when I woke up the following morning the befuddling magic spell had warn off. I was significant for all to see. In that blink of an eye I panicked, horrified by what he might think, what he might do, and in the next I felt Tony's ghost, tender and caressing on my stomach. He stayed at my face and he's never left."Jamie let out a rather impressive burp and everyone smiled.

smile, Cho held Jamie in her lap and said something in Formosan as she wiped the milk from his chin.

"Tony's hired Chalmers"said Cho, referring to the guard that was probably now close to finishing his morning meal,"to find out over Jamie and I, while he finishes schooltime. It's costing him every knut he has. Once we're married we'll qualify for benefits from the Ministry. They offer housing and, maybe, we can determine a dainty place to—"

"Benefits ?"spat Harry, his spikelet snapping rigid."From the Ministry ? You can't be unplayful ! You're not going to take 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 have in mind 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 safety there."

"We're safe here,"said Cho, standing herself, the baby held snugly in both sleeve.

"Safe ! Are you kidding me !"cried Harry."What's his name… bedchamber ? He's a decease Eater !"

"Oh,"Cho chuckled,"now you're just being absurd. Chalmers wouldn't hurt a fly. He's only working for Tony because of the kindness in his gist. He hardly makes enough money to get by on."

"So he moonlights for Lucius Malfoy as a end eater !"exclaimed Harry."At least he doesn't know that the boy is mine. Thank pigeon hawk for that."Cho's face dropped with surprise at these parole.

"How could you possible know that we haven't told him ?"she asked. Now Gabriella stood, stroked Jamie's brass and took him in her own arms, patting his dorsum as he rested against her shoulder.

"Because,"Gabriella said softly with a tuneful voice as if she were singing to the baby,"if Chalmers knew, Lucius would sleep with. 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 articulatio humeri."You little liar. You looked me straight in the eye and told me he fell into the abyss."Harry turned his back.

"Don't you look away from me !"Cho yelled."Let me see your face."Harry acquiesced. When he faced her, any anger he felt evaporated and his shoulder slumped.

"This is pointless,"he breathed."He'll be back here any import. Maybe he's a kindly old doddered just trying to make a buck any way he can. Cho, you can't contract a chance."He placed his handwriting on her shoulders."I have money and it's my responsibleness. Let me at least helper pay the card until Anthony graduates. Let me at to the lowest degree reach you a roof over your head where the 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 head. Cho crossed her weapons system and walked over to the open fireplace that had no fuel for the fire.

"I… I'll have to ask Tony,"answered Cho."Do you think… I know it's difficult overseas, but do you think we could get in touch to the floo network ? I miss the family so, and we are going to tell them… after Tony graduates."

"That's one thing the Ministry can do,"said Harry, suddenly happy Cho was changing her creative thinker."But you can tell Tony later. First, we need to—"There was a picnic and an split second later the front door opened. Gabriella motioned for Harry to hide out. He had just plenty time to shoot under his cloak and gather himself into the quoin before Chalmers walked through the front door.

The senior man was too thin and not lots taller than Cho. When he entered he took his coating off and hung it against the rampart with a sticking charm.

"Beautiful day today, girl Yangtze River,"he said with a toothy smile."Beautiful Day !"He stepped over and gave Gabriella a nod."And thank you missy for the fine meal."He paused."It's been a piece since…"His side grew pensive, but then he shook his head."No matter."He slapped his manus together and pulled his scepter."Let me clear these dishes for you."Harry stood silently against the wall as Chalmers walked with a bit of a limp into the kitchen. There was a distinct beat to the cadence of his walk that Harry, two months ago, would not otherwise have noticed. It was then that Harry saw a change in Gabriella's glory ; something was legal injury.

"Oh,"said Chalmers with a tone of surprise in his voice."Three loving cup. Did you have another visitor today ?"Without waiting for an answer he levitated the dish aerial into the sink where the scrubbers began to wash them. Cho was frozen, but Gabriella stepped over without hesitation.

"Yes,"she said quite calmly,"a lady friend of ours, also from Hogwarts. She had to leave early to get back for her afternoon exam."Chalmers nonchalantly straightened the chairs.

"wellspring, you know how Mr. Goldstein feels about visitant, young woman Chang."He settled himself into one of the cushioned electric chair and began to open the newspaper, still scanning the way with the eyes."At least strangers."Harry could separate that the old man was on guard, sensing something that was not right."Just tryin'to keep you and the baby safe he is."

Baby Jamie babbled something and then pointed at Harry hidden beneath the cloak. The motion was enough to cause Chalmers to sour and bet back into the far street corner at the cracked and hollow wall. Jamie babbled again and gave a visible radiation laugh. Chalmers smiled.

"fountainhead, wee Jamie is felicitous enough to have guests."He held up the front Thomas Nelson Page."What's your friend's figure, missy ?"

"Hermione… Hermione Granger,"answered Gabriella. There was the slender pause and she added,"And I should be on my way as well."She gave Cho a hug and kissed Jamie's impertinence."Thanks so much for letting us sojourn. He's just adorable and you're a rattling mother."

"Thank you, Gabriella,"answered Cho, kissing Gab's cheek."I couldn't ask for a kinder, strong friend. Please make out sojourn after the wedding. I think I'll feel more comfortable then - Mrs. Goldstein."

"Oh ! That reminds me,"said Gabriella suddenly."Mr. Chalmers is it ?"Chalmers set his theme in his lap.

"Just Chalmers, missy."

"Cho was showing me the nursery and I noticed the back windowpane. We had discussed placing a sealing good luck charm, but I wasn't certainly if—"

"Yes, missy,"cut in Chalmers proudly."The entirely house is sealed tight. No one can get in without license. It's a Bucinum charm."

"Oh love,"said Gabriella."A Bucinum charm ?"Chalmers nodded his brain."I think a Trepidus good luck charm would be safer."

"Trepidus spell ?"asked Chalmers blankly.

"Oh yes,"added Cho."A Trepidus magical spell would be ideal."

"Certainly,"continued Gabriella,"I mean, if someone tries to break in the Bucinum magical spell blows them up. That could harm the baby. Do you recall you could show me where you set the charms ? Together we can make the replacement."

"Oh, please do, Chalmers,"asked Cho pleadingly."Gabriella's a first class witch. She studied at Al Bsahri you know."

"Did she now,"said Chalmers with interest as he took to his feet."I've heard they reopened the school this year."

"Yes,"said Gabriella,"it's quite lovely."

"well, let's have a feeling around and see what we can do."Together, Chalmers and Gabriella made their way to the back of the house, leaving Cho and Jamie alone with Harry. Even as Harry moved toward the front door beneath his invisibleness cloak, Jamie followed him with his gaze, pointing with his script. Cho walked to the threshold and opened it.

"When… when do you marry Gold— Anthony ?"Harry asked.

"Christmas,"Cho answered. She tried to make the word auditory sensation 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 spirit to protect me… and your son. He's honest, hardworking, and… and… and I'm marrying him on Christmas."Jamie wriggled in her weaponry, both hands outstretched toward Harry.

"You deserve to be glad,"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 face.

"Harry,"she said."Tony… he looks at me… he looks at me the way you look at Gabriella. What girl wouldn't want that ?"She leaned over and kissed him on the back talk, and then draped the cloak back over him."I'll ask him about your crack. He's a proud man, Harry, and a bit stubborn. You should be capable to appreciate that."

"I love you, Cho. If there's ever anything you need… anything at all, let me live and it's yours. I'll see to it, I swear."Cho smiled, but her eyes were sad. Jamie began to suck in on his finger's breadth. The door opened and Gabriella appeared followed closely by Chalmers.

"Ah, here you are,"said Gabriella. The sun was warm on her human face as she put her arms out and gave Gabriella a hug."The apartment is sealed tight."Cho took in a cryptical breathing time.

"good, thank you,"she said."I was just giving Jamie a little sun."

"Which he can get through the windowpane, my dear,"said Chalmers herding Cho back into the home."Now come inside."He seemed quite protective, but Harry wondered if it wasn't something more."A pleasure to encounter you, Miss Darbinyan, was it ?"

"Yes, and a delight it was to fulfil you,"Gabriella replied."It's good to see my Quaker in such very well hands. Cho, I'll be by before tenacious with those endowment I promised."

"Gifts ?"Cho asked."Oh, yes, natural endowment. Yes, yes, anytime. Be safe ; there's a tranquility distance to Apparate just behind that gray edifice over there."They kissed good-bye and Gabriella began to walk down the street, Harry at her side. Chalmers stood for some clock time after Cho had gone inside, watching from the stoep. Gabriella waved one go metre as she turned the corner out of sight. Harry was about to rend off the cloak when she stopped him.

"halt 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 hour before.

"Did you see them ?"Harry asked."I didn't hear an Apparation."

"star sign elves,"Gabriella whispered,"at to the lowest degree 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 person 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 freeway as me ? It was craziness !"

"He'd have found out soon enough,"said Gabriella with a suspiration as the two turned another corner. The street was deserted save for two young male child playing football near the end by a chain-link fence. Gabriella pulled her wand. She was going to attack the two that were nearing the niche, but Harry stayed her mitt.

"Gab, no,"he whispered."Grimmauld Place."

"But—"

"Now !"

A moment later they found themselves on the streets of London, just outside of identification number 12, Grimmauld lieu. They waited to see if they might have got been followed, then checked that the streets were clear. Finally, Harry uncloaked and walked up the steps to the doorway, knocking twice. The door opened of its own accord and the two walked in. There was a rustling, a thud, and then Sothis appeared atop the staircase wearing bagger and a t-shirt. Wand drawn he pointed it blindly toward the door.

"freeze !"he screamed."Or I'll obliterate you !"

"I hope not,"answered Harry."I'm kinda hungry."

"Harry ?"Sirius said, blinking his eyes."Harry what the hell… Gabriella ?"Sirius made an endeavour at slicking back his tomentum and started down the stairs.

"It's after noontide,"Harry said."Don't secern me you were still sleeping."

"I was up late finally Night. Remus finished grading written document and we— Hey, isn't your Potions exam today ?"Sirius'oculus shot to the door."And why didn't you use the floo ? What's going on ?"

"Erm… can we eat first,"asked Harry.

"What,"shoot down Dog Star in a singularly insistent whole step,"is… going… on ? !"

"Sirius,"said Gabriella softly,"I think it best if we sit down."

"You do, do you ?"snipped Dog Star, but Gabriella's Joseph Black oculus caught a soft-spot in Sirius'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 handwriting.

"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. Spit it out."Harry tried, but he couldn't arrest his godfather's gaze.

"I… I, erm…"He sucked in a tumid gulp of air and exhaled."Igoterpregnant."

"What ?"Sothis asked."What was that ?"

"I… I got her pregnant."

"What !"Sirius stood and whirl towards Gabriella."You're meaning ?"Gabriella turned the sausage with her wand."How could you—"

"Let him fetch up,"she replied, floating three plates out onto the table.

"Not Gabriella,"Harry said. Sirius turned back to facial expression Harry."Cho… Cho Chang."Sirius fell back into his president.

"Are you sure ?"asked Sirius with a disbelieving tone."Because sometimes witch can—"

"Oh,"cut in Gabriella sharply."He's sure."

"Merlin,"he whispered, scratching his mentum."Harry, you should jazz better."

"I know. I know I should know better."

"And you,"Sirius said, turning back to Gabriella,"why are you here with this cheating trash if Cho's running around fraught ?"Expressionless, Gabriella placed the sausages on the dental plate and added some warmed beans.

"It was cobbler's last year,"she answered sitting down and handing Sothis a fork.

"The baby was born in July,"said Harry."On my birthday. His name is Jamie."

Dog Star'forking fell with a clangor onto the plate, splattering red beans onto his white-ish tee shirt.

"A b-boy ? Jamie ?"

"They're keep in a dump,"said Harry quickly,"and I can't have my son living like that. I won't have another Potter live with junk and spiders, not as long as it's in my superpower. So, I offered to have them delay at your castling. You know… until Mark Antony graduates. merlin deliver his soul if he ever—"

"My rook ? Susan Anthony ? Who's Anthony."

"Goldstein. wellspring Cho calls him step. How cheesy is that ? Anyhow, the affair is…."

It was well into the even before Harry had set Sirius straight on all the item, uncertain as they were. Canicula then began a speech that lasted for nearly thirty minutes and included a few references to Harry's parents. But when Harry began to dig into deeper Sirius changed the theme. After venting about Harry's stupidity, he had agreed to take Anthony, Cho and Jamie in and help in any way he could.

The sausage balloon Cho cooked little more than a memory, Sirius grew thirsty again and he convinced them to go to a Tai restaurant that he had found just a few mental block away. When they arrived, Harry discovered that it was run by an old Muggle, but frequented by a number of witches and necromancer. The occasional flashing of magic that occurred never seemed to enervate the old man. Sothis called him a pundit, a Muggle in tune with the magic trick of the innate earthly concern but possessing no skill his own. Harry was half-way through his Panang Curry when he realized that tonight he was to get together Ron and Hermione at the Ministry.

"The cloak,"he muttered suddenly to himself, before taking another bite.

"What's that, Harry ?"asked Sirius. Harry looked up into Sirius'optic ; they were smiling. Harry's cecity didn't allow him to see that the creases that had once drawn the sides of Sirius'oculus down were now curling upward. But he could sense the brightness of the nimbus in his godfather's formula. For a moment, Harry considered telling Canicula of their program at the Ministry. Gabriella touched his hand.

"Sir Thomas More tea ?"the server asked, and all three nodded. Harry continued to reckon toward Canicula who was as glad as ever. The thought of asking Dog Star to facilitate them, particularly at the Ministry, curdled the curry in Harry's stomach.

"I said I almost choked,"Harry said with a cough.

"You're eating too fast,"said Gabriella knowingly, rubbing his arm and smiling."It's not a race."

"Probably the curry,"said Sirius, taking another bite."It's a bit zesty tonight."

"Yeah… yeah that's it,"Harry answered. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and set it on the board."Erm… Actually, I think I better be—"

"Harry,"interrupted Gabriella,"I have to go before it gets past midnight."

"Is it getting that belatedly ?"asked Sirius, his mouth half full. Harry shot her a glance ; his sass frowned. He didn't want her at the Ministry any more than he wanted Sirius. There were too many memories—bad memory. Then she said something that surprised even Harry.

"I need to see Jamie,"she said,"just for a moment. I should possess taken care of it this morning, but I forgot. I've not been in tune with the old ways for some time. Mama would be disappointed in me."Unconsciously, Harry began to rub the dragon scar that was emblazoned on his right forearm.

He remembered what Gabriella's mother, Soseh, had said at the end of shoemaker's last school yr."The blessing is inscribed on the male of each multiplication by the cleaning lady of the generation before. It will be Gabriella's obligation to elapse the thanksgiving to your sons."Once it was clear that Harry would accept Jamie as his son, it was Gabriella's duty, by oath, that she pass to him the blessing of Asha.

"The Votary,"Harry whispered quietly, staring down at the bowl of yellow and gold. Then his dull eyes looked toward hers."It's too dangerous,"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 flat,"said Gabriella."But it makes no divergence. By honour, I have no selection. It must be done, and the Oklahoman it's done the greater the might of Jamie's blessing, of his auspices. He'll need Asha's help in these multiplication of darkness."

"You mentioned the Death feeder escort, but you didn't mention that you were followed,"said Sothis, his eyes turning toward Harry with a more serious glare.

"Draco said that Chalmers doesn't workplace nighttime, at least not for Goldstein. Sirius, you need to go with her, keep her safe. That way you can see Jamie and pass on the news, maybe convince Cho to affect into the castle tonight while Chalmers is away."

"And you ?"Dog Star asked.

"I'll just head back to Hogwarts. If the two were a duet of Lucius'thugs out to get me it'd be better if I wasn't there."Canicula sighed, looking longingly at an unaffected barbeque plain rib. He licked his lips and pushed his shell forward.

"Very well, let's go."They paid and made their way outside and down the street, finding a more remote skittle alley often used by the visiting enchantress and wizards to Apparate. Sirius took Harry by the arm and looked him in the eyes, but Harry turned away to look down the street as a car past by.

"straightaway to Hogwarts,"said Canicula sternly,"O.K., Harry ?"

"straight person to Hogwarts,"Harry agreed. Gabriella kissed him on the cheek.

"I can see your emotions roiling,"she whispered in his ear."Be vigilant and say, ‘ Hi !'to Ron and Hermione for me."She pulled her baton as did Sirius."Oh, and don't concern ; Jamie will be ticket. I'll make sure that no wickedness harms your child."Harry tried to come up a smile.

"Did I ever tell you how often I loved you ?"he asked and then they kissed."I'll see you at school in the sunup. Keep her condom, Sirius."There was a cinch and both Gabriella and Sirius had vanished. Harry focused his imagination to another contribution of London and in the next moment found himself at a telephone box above the entryway to the Ministry. As off-putting as Apparating was for Harry, he was ill prepared for what happened following.

"Stupefy !"The blast of red luminosity hit Harry squarely in the chest, knocking him backward some ten to twenty substructure, his wand tumbling from his helping hand."There, Harrington,"a large cloaked figure said with a rather blusterous voice, picking up Harry's verge,"and you were about prepare 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 closest wizard laugh, but the pocket-size man behind him said nothing.

"fountainhead, I've got your wand, footling man. I doubt you'll—"

"Diffindo !"Harry hissed, stretching his right arm forward. Orange light erupted from the shoulder down and extended out and beyond Harry's fingertips.

The movement of the Death eater's cloak looked as if a orotund saber had just slashed across it, tearing material and flesh alike up and outward. Harry could feel the stemma spattering his face. The expiry Eater screamed falling to his knee joint. Unsteadily, Harry stood. The unharmed piazza seemed to be spinning. He was woozy and a gathering sensation of sickness was building inside.

"Accio wand !"he cried, wrenching his wand from the demise Eater's clasp and in to his own hand. Limping forward he yelled"BOY ?"Then he placed his wand on the forehead of his foe."BOY ?"Blood continued to trickle from beneath the crouching death feeder's ribs and between the handwriting that clutched his chest."Who do you cultivate for ?"Harry asked, already knowing the answer.

Harry had focused so practically tending on the large demise feeder, he had neglected the smaller one that had retreated to the shadows.

"I said WHO - DO - YOU - work FOR !"Standing over his cowering victim, it was then that he noticed the lighter - lots of lights. Five to a greater extent aureole had Apparated ; he was surrounded. Seemingly emboldened by the new arrivals, the smaller Death feeder emerged from the shadows and held out his sceptre.

"Expel—"There were three spells cast almost simultaneously that stopped the wizard before he had a chance to finish.

"Stupefy !"“ Diffindo !"and Harry's shield charm,"Contego !"

Only, Harry didn't need the shield charm… for himself. The first spell came from one of the approaching atmosphere Harry presumed to be to a greater extent decease eater. The bolt, not the strongest Harry had ever seen, knocked the diminished adept backward, albeit only a few feet. Fearing for his life, and rightfully so, the bantam Death Eater Disapparated. The second magic spell came from yet another aureole, small yet intense. It was directed at the cripple champion crouching before Harry. The resultant was terrible and instantaneous ; the Death feeder's head fell to the gravelled pavement and his torso slumped forward, draining rake at Harry's feet, a boiling pool of illumination like lave erupting from a vent.

Harry spun to look the five magician approaching him, holding his sceptre high. Two showed touch of both red and commons in their air as they drew nearer."Imperious cuss ?"Harry wondered. And then a vocalisation came to him that startled him more than that of the previous demise Eater.

"Bloody hell, Henry James ! What in pigeon hawk's name did you do that for ?"

The colour, the canter, the tone… Harry knew at once it was Ron Weasley.


Harry Potter and the parturition of a New Sun

Chapter 16 - The Burden shout
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"He was reaching for his verge,"said James IV, pointing at the beheaded Death Eater at Harry's metrical unit."He was going to pop Harry !"

"He was on his articulatio genus,"snapped Hermione."Harry had him firmly in control."

"He didn'have the… that fiddling guy in control,"countered Patrick."I had teh take him down."

"You're just favorable he was as frightened as a molamar in water supply,"said Anthony Goldstein with a rather overbearing voice.

"Goldstein ?"asked Harry in surprise as the group converged on him.

"darn, Potter,"said Goldstein,"you're a bloody mess. And I do think bloody. Scourgify !"The sputter covering the front man of Harry's facial expression, shirt and gasp vanished, though the kitty on the sidewalk remained."There, that's better."

"Who in Hades told Goldstein ?"cried Harry.

"Actually, Potter,"replied Goldstein,"I stumbled on this merry company as they tried to slip out. Seemed like a good DA mission.

"Are you kidding ?"snapped Harry, gazing at the halo of the man who'd be his son's father. There was a purity about it, but Harry was to heat to consider it."You… you can't be here. It's too dangerous."

"Yes, I see that,"said Goldstein with a rather sarcastic feel. Gingerly, Harry stepped out of the blood, pooling at his invertebrate foot. Hermione ran over to him and hugged him.

"Who were they ?"she asked."Nobody's supposed to have intercourse we're here."

"That's what I thought,"answered Harry."I was trying to get an solvent when James here decided to play the butcher."Harry turned to the second year."The next time I need your avail Yangtze Kiang, I'll ask for it."Harry sensed at once the anger building within the low maven, but then it subsided almost as quickly as it came.

"I… I was just trying too heavy I guess,"answered James."It was scary."

"And why are you two,"Harry pointed to both James and St. Patrick,"here in the first stead ? Stumble across the troupe as well ?"He shot Ron a coup d'oeil and wished he could take heart of death.

"Saint Patrick overheard our plans and said he'd hook if we didn't bring ‘ em along,"answered Ron."It was supposed to be smooth ; I didn't public figure 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 strong-armer than demise Eaters."

The night air was frigidness and quiet. He could feel the dampness of a slim down mist wrapper about his side, sending shivers down his spine. For a present 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 voicelessness were telling Harry that more would soon unite the bushed man at his fundament. But who ?

"Goldstein,"Harry said suddenly,"Marcus Antonius, really you… you have to—"

"Well, we're here now,"said James."Dispatchio !"The utter wizard and the pool of profligate 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 charm ?"queried Hermione."That's fifth year."James shrugged his articulatio humeri.

"My sister I guess,"he said."She's the smart one in the family."

"Yeah… I see,"said Harry, noticing James'atmosphere fade from green to red then back from red to green. For the start meter, he thought Saint James the Apostle might not really be an ally."Ron, maybe you should take—"

"James is right,"interrupted Susan B. Anthony."Best if we get down into the Ministry before another dozen Death Eaters Apparate in."

"But—"

"Harry,"interrupted Hermione,"let's just get downstairs. We can talk then."Harry heaved a suspiration and the group squeezed into the speech sound booth. Ron said the password his father had told him and a silver orb appeared, scanning Ron in a sallow tweed light. Then, with a jar, the lift began to plummet. Harry tried to look at Ron and suggest to the redhead that he should read Harry's mind, but his heart were blank and Ron didn't realize the facial expression as he once would have. Harry silently cursed his cecity.

Harry's nub began to quicken. If the two second twelvemonth were under the Imperious oath, they were likely in Lucius Malfoy's control. He was feeling strongly like he wanted to wretch onto the polished marble floors just as the room access opened onto the glorious entrance Marguerite Radclyffe Hall of the Ministry of conjuration. The six stepped out, wands drawn.

After only a few paces, they all saw where the cloak was to be displayed - it was obvious. A large glass case had already been erected. On a rod was the torso of a mannequin and next to that a fortunate statue of Harry with his verge drawn. They all stepped closer. There was no cloak, but there was a plaque. It read,"This site commemorates the defeat of the wickedness necromancer Voldemort by the 1000 Wizard Harry ceramist, Order of Merlin, beginning Class, who faced his foe wand-to-wand and struck him down."
"Order of Merlin ?"asked Goldstein surprised."I didn't know—"

"Neither did I,"cut in Harry.

"They'll probably award it to you during the ceremony tomorrow,"said Hermione brightly. Harry turned to her.

"If we do this right, there won't be any ceremony,"said Harry shortly."No iniquity cloak, no riposte of Voldemort, no ceremony. Ron, do you have any idea where—"

There was a sonorousness coming from down the hall and a faint incandescence that was growing nearer. It sounded as if somebody were humming. The group began to rip back, away from the display case ; all, that is, except James. Harry went to grab his sleeve, but the boy wouldn't move.

"Is this it ?"he asked, still staring at the re-enactment before him."Is this how it happened ? You struck him down ? Nobody could tell me for sure, not even Gabriella."Harry held more tightly to James'robes and began to pull him bodily across the level.

"James I,"Harry said, huffing between his teeth,"there are some things you can't believe. first, never believe a word 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 James by the book binding of his collar until they were hidden between two marble columns.

"Bold words, Harry,"continued Saint James passively."But I never believed you could perplex Lord Voldemort wand-to-wand. severalize me, is there still a part of the Dark Almighty that courses through your veins ? That could be utilitarian, if—"

"Shhh."All was understood, save for the periodic snap ember from one of the fireplaces that surrounded the one thousand entrance hall and the humming that was growing louder by the minute. Again Harry tried to pile up Ron's attention, but he was interfering whispering something in Hermione's ear as they clung together behind a courting of armour opposite the Fountain of Magical Brethren. At another column just behind Harry and Saint James the Apostle, Patrick and Anthony crouched. The rustling of Death were growing louder. So loud, in fact, that Harry turned to see if perhaps a ghost or something More were at his veracious side. Only James II was there, kneeling quietly on the floor.

The illume grew brighter and then the witch appeared. Harry could make out her aura, a shimmering gold, but not her features at this length. In presence of her was a cloak levitated some two metrical unit off the terra firma. She was approaching the show case when James began to wriggle under Harry's hand.

"Hold still,"he whispered, but the marble walls took in the sound, reverberate them about, amplifying the noise such that it was audible to the crone at the video display caseful. Harry noticed the hesitancy. He expected her to turn, but she did not. Instead, she levitated the cloak onto the body within the exhibit type and closed the crank door. She cast a charm with her sceptre and then turned as if to leave. In turning, she revealed her face to the others, but Harry was still unable to discern who the witch was. From the deliquium gasp from across the hall it was clear that Hermione, for one, knew who it was. The Wiccan stepped toward the fountain and took something out of her pocket, perhaps a coin, Harry couldn't Tell. In a motion that was as graceful and as cunning as any Harry had ever seen, she flipped the objective into the jet. It reel high into the air and, just as it crested in its arc, her early hand pointed her baton toward it and cast the spell.

"Immobulus !"Harry recognized the articulation at once ; it was Molly Weasley, Ron's mother.

one-half of the light leaving her wand passed the coin cleanly and struck the crone and necromancer by the suit of armor. The other half, however, glinted off the coin, reflecting toward and blasting the two wizards next to the editorial behind Harry. With one go she had immobilized Ron, Hermione, Anthony and St. Patrick. Again, Jesse James wriggled under Harry's grasp and again Harry held him fast.

"I know you're there,"Mrs. Weasley said with a voice that held no fear."I'm afraid it's well after minute. If you're lost, I'm for sure I can serve you find your way. fall out from behind the column and let's see where you belong. Shall we ?"

Again James pushed against the weighting of Harry who was pressing him voiceless against the marble floor. Finally, Harry had had enough. He couldn't risk what James River might do.

"Incarcerous !"he called. roofy sprung from his scepter and began to enwrap themselves about Saint James the Apostle.

"Sectumsempra !"cried James, slashing the Mexican valium 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 twinkle nearly hit Henry James who deflected it at the last bit, sending the beam into the ceiling above, showering them all with piece of marble and splinter of walnut tree. This was no back year wizard.

Harry jumped to his invertebrate foot and cast his own stunning charm, but again James deflected it. It was then that Molly Weasley noticed who he was.

"Harry ?"she called.

"Hide, Mrs. Weasley !"he cried in regaining."skin !"

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 right wing, toward the fountain, just as the bolt of red passed his unexpended elbow. James II smiled.

"Impressssive, Harry,"James hissed in a much higher, colder voice, a interpreter that shook Harry to the core. It couldn't be."You've learned well from the Centaurs. I did as well ; although I suspect my method of extracting the knowledge I required were somewhat dissimilar than yours."There was another dash, cat valium, and again Harry disappeared and reappeared into another function of the grand hall.

"Diffindo !"called Mrs. Weasley. Her spell smitten Epistle of James on the bequeath shoulder joint, leaving a smutty slash. St. James the Apostle spun on the hag.

"Avada Kedavra !"

This clip the green lighter sailed toward mollie Weasley. Harry began to levitate a marble terrace into the beam's path, but quickly realized the bench was too threatening and would not move around fast enough. Instead he ran, slowing meter and bending the space between them tightly together. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her to the priming coat just as the bang past the pair, smashing into the paries behind and showering them with dust and sway. Harry landed on his spinal column as Mrs. Weasley landed on top of him, knocking the air out of his chest.

"Harry,"she said sternly as only a female parent 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 forgetful breathing place of air."In… James."Without questioning further, Mrs Weasley's back went rigid and she rose to present James, to face Voldemort.

"Nooo,"Harry rasped, struggling to sit up, but barely able-bodied. She ignored his beckon and faced the modest boy now standing only a few feet in battlefront of her.

"Leave the boy, Voldemort,"she commanded, brandishing her wand."He can't possibly be of any use to you, now we know the truth."

"Truth ?"queried Jesse James as his eyes shot toward the dark cloak still protected behind the sealed looking glass. Harry rose to his knees, trying to bring air back into his lungs."The truth is that there are only two things in this room I want… and you're not one of them."His wand rose in unison with Harry's, only Harry was unable to puff the while.

"Avada Kedavra !"

Placing himself between Mrs. Weasley and Voldemort, Harry tried to uprise up in front of the jet of commons but the drink down curse would win the race this time ; he knew that. For her part, Molly Weasley cast a buckler magical spell about them both, hoping to avert the spell, but they all knew it wouldn't body of work. In her terminal blink of an eye of life her hands gripped Harry by the shoulders and she cast a glimpse down into his blind eyes, a glance that held love and compassion, a glance that was filled with worry not for herself but for the boy before her… a glance he couldn't see. She fell dead to the trading floor.

"NO !"cried Harry as he spun and cast another slashing trance against King James I who deflected it with ease."You're being controlled, James ! Fight back !"James only laughed.

"YOU stood face-to-face with the Great nighttime master Voldemort and defeated him ?"James I mocked."What a trick !"

With Mrs. Weasley dead, the go she cast on the other four wizards began to wear off. Slowly, they were coming to there senses, working to recover control of their question. James walked over to a groaning Patrick who was still prone on the flooring. He grabbed St. Patrick's tomentum and pulled his head off the solid ground.

"This one here,"called King James I, his voice echoing off the wall,"thinks of you as a brother, Potter. He'd sooner die than see you come to harm. Yet he's betrayed you at my every command. Shall I kill him next ?"

"Expelliarmus !"Harry cried, but once again William James deflected the go.

"harbor't you figured it out yet, ceramist ? Even with the skills of the centaur, you're as slow as your dead parents. Nonetheless, you could be utile ; the Malfoy boy suggested as a lot. I heard, perhaps, he's not as all in as everyone thinks."He released Patrick whose promontory cracked against the stone floor. But instead of striking at Harry, James held his wand to the glass display case."Diffindo !"The gust of visible radiation struck the glass, but held firm as if swallowing the Energy Department of the attack, the glass began to shine. For the first time, the smile on James Chang's face disappeared."Diffindo !"he called again, and again the zip was absorbed and the glass grew brighter still.

"You've belt down your entirely chance for opening the case,"Harry sneered."But then… I always heard that that was one of your dandy weaknesses… TOM… being pillock !"

Another bam of Light shot 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 Saint James the Apostle reappearing with his baton drawn.

"Stupefy !"Harry cried, sending a blast of red at James'back, but again the maven deflected the magical spell as if swatting a fly and then turned back toward the display instance."You're not trying to kill me, Tom. Why not ?"

"I'll killing you sssoon enough,"James slithered."First, the cloak. Then, I need to educe something of mine that you stole from me when you were a infant. Soon, I will be—"Suddenly two to a greater extent spells came from beyond the fountain. Ron and Hermione had revived themselves decent to fight, but barely.

"No ! Get out of here !"Harry screamed."It's Voldemort ! Run !"

"I don't have time for this,"cried James, sending three more blasts of light at the glass face. On the third bolt the shabu cracked, but only just. Harry could assure that the turn that James had cast over the finale few instant were draining him. He looked tired, almost vulnerable. At the Lapplander consequence the fires ringing the elevated antechamber roared to life.

"Finally,"Harry whispered,"some help."wizard after wizard appeared at each hearth, brandishing their baton."Whatever meter you thought you had has just expired, Tom."

The room erupted in red lighter. Seven blasts came at the small-scale wizard by the display case. Two struck true while the others struck the radiance glass, shattering it completely. The heavy glass shards that scattered the floor, however, were still glowing as brightly as ever. There were More blasts of red directed at Harry.

"It's me !"he yelled."Harry Potter !"

"Harry !"cried Hermione from the far slope of the hall."It's not the Ministry ! It's—"A blast of red dropped her to the background.

"Hermione !"cried Ron."He cast a trance knocking the sensation by Hermione backward into the wall with a loud crack cocaine. He pointed towards another wizard and ran at him."Leave her alone, you bloody—"There was a clap of purple and he too fell to the floor.

"We're scholar !"Harry yelled, but it only focused the attention of another barrage of red bolt his way. Harry cast a shield charm and sent them flying in every conceivable direction. The blasts weakened him."Are you crazy ? ! We're—"And then he noticed it - the unmistakably bright emerald super C aura of Dragon Malfoy, stepping from the flames of one of the fireplace. He had warned Harry and now it was too late.

Simultaneously, ropes began to swirl about Ron, Hermione, Patrick, and most importantly James I who was still motionless on the floor. Somehow Anthony had managed an escape and stood at Harry's side. There were nearly a XII Death feeder moving in on them.

"Take the cloak, Dragon,"drawled a marvellous wizard in iniquity pitch-black robe with crimson facing.

"Lucius ?"Harry sneered in the wizard's direction."Is that you ? I should have known by the sickening yellow colour."The adept said null, trying to cut Harry."Now that I'm blind, 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 suits you. How'd you lose it again ?"The spur worked.

"Big tidings for a unreasoning boy, Potter,"he snapped.

"Now, now… sticks and stones…. But then I guess six calendar month with Dementors and dullards will curdle anyone's colloquial capabilities."Harry could see that Draco was moving over the glow deoxyephedrine and into the lawsuit to remember the robe. Harry turned to face him.

"Hey ! Blonde mother fucker ! I wouldn't go in there if I were—"

"What's this ?"Draco cried out. He had come to Molly Weasley's consistency. The colouring of his halo blanched."I gave specific social club ! Who cast a killing curse ?"Harry could secern immediately that Draco was blanched.

"gather the cloak !"yelled Lucius.

"But father—"

"NOW !"

"Don't do it !"yelled Harry.

Draco moved forward toward the case. Suddenly, the shattered glass that was still glowing with the energy it had absorbed exploded in a brainy white trice. genus Draco flew up into the air, nearly striking the cap, and then landed with a sickening crunch against the marble flooring.

"genus Draco !"cried Lucius. Goldstein took the distraction as his opportunity. His verge erupted with bright bluish Christ Within, but instead of being directed at one of the Death Eaters, it was directed toward one of the portraits hanging senior high school on the wall of the terrific hall. The portrait sparked, zapping the elderly wizard that had, so far, slept through the tumult.

"Hey,"the mavin in the portrait yelped."No need for—"

"Get help you idiot !"yelled Goldstein. The wizard in the portrait, seeing the wipeout, disappeared instantly."It won't be long now,"Goldstein muttered, staring at the vacate portrait.

There was another burst of tour headed at the two sorcerer and together they fended them off, but Harry was growing sapless by the moment. Lucius ignored Goldstein's claim for aid, he ignored the battle of wand, and he ignored the knit heap on the floor that was his son. Instead, unwilling to disturb it himself, he pointed to the cloak that was still standing in the windowless show case.

"The cloak !"he yelled again. After some hesitation, another Death feeder approached the black cloth and grabbed it just as James, still bound by circle, began to come in to his gumption. With lust-filled center, Lucius only half glanced at Draco, still motionless on the floor, origin dripping from the box of his mouth. Instead, he focused fully on the Shirley Temple gown held before him.

"Luciusss,"uttered James I breathlessly,"you fool."

Malfoy wrenched the cloth out of the end feeder's work force. Quickly, he slipped it on and waited as if anticipating something to hap.

"You expected, maybe, a enthronisation ?"Harry sneered."Perhaps a tip and trumpets as we all bow down to snog your arse ? It's a stupefied piece of cloth !"

"Kill him,"Malfoy drawled, pointing with his good arm toward Harry."putting to death HIM !"Harry grabbed Anthony by the arm as the bolts of common approached and in an instant they were on the former face of the resplendent Charles Francis Hall that now appeared more like a war zone than the collector's item of the Ministry. Looking back, they saw that the blot where they once stood was zip now but a Crater. Goldstein grabbed Harry's arm.

"How did you do—"

"You are NOT going to drop the wedding party,"Harry snapped. He took in a deep breath, reaching out with his mind to cull any magic he could from the world around him. He let out a long, easy exhale and pointed his wand at the trading floor.

"Festio !"he cried, ripping lots of marble tiles upward and sending them toward his adversaries. The Death feeder tried to shatter the tiles with enchantment, but the action only served to create thousands of tiny projectile all headed in their direction. A few cast cuticle charms in clock time, but most were struck. Above the din of screams, Harry could learn James cursing Lucius.

"release me, you idiot ! Release me now."But Malfoy, ignorant of Jesse James'true identity operator, ignored the boy's pleadings. He had what he came for and was beginning to walk toward his son when grab began to fill the room. Auror after Auror was Apparating within the grand vestibule. In an twinkling, piece were flying everywhere. Blast after good time of light, cutting down wizard after wizard, beldame after Wiccan. The elbow room was filled with utter mayhem and Harry, his articulatio humeri slumped with weariness, moved to enter the disturbance. Before Harry could aim a full step, Goldstein grabbed him by the berm.

"You're no good to anybody short,"he whispered."We need you, Harry. Me… I'm not much more than canyon fodder."And then he charged forward ahead of Harry, taking down two death Eaters before he too was stunned and fell to the terra firma. It was then that Harry noticed James. He was beginning to slip free of the bond that held him. Lucius, on the other hand, had abandoned everyone, including his son, and was racing to the floo. A bolt of orangeness light struck the rampart behind Harry, casting Isidor Feinstein Stone and dust down his rear. Lucius was about make to turn tail. Harry focused on where he needed to be and before Lucius had taken another pace, Harry was standing in figurehead of him, blocking the incoming to the open fireplace.

"Silencio !"Harry whispered, holding his paw between the cloak's folds of black cloth and directly against Malfoy's chest. The star tried to cast a spell, but was mute."Now, what with the sporty arm and all… that's what I call an melioration. You should remember to button up before you step out, Lucius. Now, guide off the cloak before I blast it off."Malfoy's eyes glowed with pure hatred and he raised his wand."Expelliarmus !"Harry whispered again and Malfoy's wand flew from his helping hand. There was an aspect of surprise in Malfoy's eyes that made Harry smiling.

"Now,"continued Harry,"as I was saying, take 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 James had freed himself and now, forgoing the use of a scepter, had his hands around Malfoy's throat, squeezing… squeezing. He was in a frenzy of pure hatred and anger.

"Do you bed who I am ?"cried James."Look into my heart !"

Lucius, even Harry, saw the flame of red luminousness in William James'centre.

"N-Not pos-sible,"he gasped, ineffectual to breathe."D-Dead."Then the good actualization struck him."I-I never knew."

"You know now,"James spat between gritted dentition."And now is sssoon enough."A blast of red light came from the far wall and struck James in the side of meat, but before he released his suitcase on Lucius, a sinister pungent green goddess issued from his mouth and nostrils. To Harry, it was a stream of green wickedness leaving the red behind. Saint James the Apostle'clutch on Lucius released and the blonde wizard gasped for air, but instead of air he sucked in nothing but smoke. Voldemort had penetrated him. Stunned, Harry saw the commons environment the yellow and snuffle it out. Lucius took to his metrical unit as a blast of red struck him in the cover. Nothing 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 green flame.

There were a couple more gust, a twain more snaps, and a distich more screams of pain, but finally the way fell silent. Only the speech sound of rock scraping against the flooring, as the remaining Aurors stepped across the dust, broke the silence.

"parson, over here. It's your… over here, sir. Please."For the first time, Harry realized that Arthur Weasley had been among the Aurors that had come to protect the Ministry. He watched as the wizard walked toward the tattered showing case, while the Auror that called him levitated a wooden beam that had fallen over molly Weasley up and out of the way. It landed with a muffled clunk.

"mollie ?"he uttered as if trying to gently wake someone from a deep slumber."molly,"he said again only louder."MOLLY !"He grabbed his wife in his arms, 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 hall rumbled, shaking mortar loose from the paries onto the floor below as Mr. Weasley buried his head into the nook of his wife's neck. He continued to heave great breathlessness as Harry looked down at James, prone on the floor, arms outstretched toward the hearth. The jet was gone ; only bluing remained, but the light was weak and flickered. He was near death. The second year began to grown, slowly looking up to receive Harry.

"H-Harry ? H-Help… I… I can't…."And he collapsed to the floor. Harry looked around at the ravaging. William James was not the only one near Death. Instinctively, he pulled his baton to cite the Heart of Asha, but before he could drift the magic spell, snap after cinch began to fill up the student residence ; Healers were appearing. In a topic of seconds nearly a dozen Healers had Apparated into the Ministry. One, an older wizard with bushy clean tomentum, was at Epistle of James'face almost instantly. Scanning the boy with his wand he turned to Harry.

"You're the Potter boy, aren't you ?"Without waiting for an answer he said quickly,"Tell me, was it a looker ? Because I'm not detecting any—"

"He was possessed by Voldemort,"Harry cut in. The therapist cringed, looking up at Harry with incredulity.

"Look son,"he said derisively,"you shouldn't go around—"

"Damn it !"Harry screamed."His spirit's been sundered ! It probably has been all year. Voldemort just left him to take on another host. If you don't hurry, he'll die."For only a second, the healer tried to read the expression of Harry's face. He was old enough to cognise what Harry meant. He remembered the old war and he didn't need to be told twice. Without saying another discussion, the therapist rose to his feet and a New York minute of wonderful purple light left his scepter bathing James in its gleam from point to toe.

Harry stepped back, twisting his articulatio talocruralis on a rock beneath his foot. He cursed. Other than the masses swarming about the Granville Stanley Hall, it was difficult to make anything out. His vision was truly failing him in the bumpy mess. He could see Mr. Weasley and heard his dickhead, and tried to pick his way through the detritus as Auror and healer alike seemed to fleet 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 —"

"diplomatic minister !"someone cried out."Minister ! It's your son !"Harry turned his care on a radiance that lay prone on the floor near an Auror's feet.

"My god, Walker Percy ? !"cried Mr. Weasley still reeling from the loss of his married woman.

"No, sir,"the Auror replied."It's your youngest boy, Ron. Looks like a stunner is all."

"That's not possible,"whispered King 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 right arm was starting to prickle with painfulness."Voldemort's back."

"What ?"

"A Horcrux,"Harry whispered nonsensically, stumbling closer to Mr. Malfoy and rubbing his right forearm with his left helping hand. It itched."There must make been More than one. We… we came for the cloak."

"Book of Jonah,"called another healer to the old man that was working on James,"I need your help. It's the Malfoy boy. What's his figure, Draco ?"

"I thought he was abruptly ?"the old man called back. The jr. Healer looked down at Draco and then back up.

"wellspring, if he wasn't before—"

"You knew ?"asked Mr. Weasley, his voice sceptical. Gently he kissed his married woman's cheek and lowered her to the base."You knew they were coming ?"

Harry was feeling dazed. He looked toward Draco, toward Arthur Weasley. His right arm was aching. He had reached Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and his heart began to dip further.

"No one was supposed to be here,"Harry said thinly, his voice hoarse with sadness."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 toilsome across the fount."AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY HER !"

The blow knocked Harry backwards and he slipped on the liberal stones that scattered the base. Rising to one cubitus he could smack the blood that was dripping from his cut lip, and then he noticed his right forearm - it was glowing. A fragile etch of a runic letter had appeared, the Viswa Vajra. Harry had always wondered when it would happen, in what fashion it would manifest itself, and even though he'd never seen such a radiance, he knew what it meant, and he knew he had no choice but to obey.

The Minister of thaumaturgy who had loved Harry as his own son was demanding reply, solvent Harry desperately wanted to open. Dragon and James lay near death, and Harry had it in his mightiness to easily save them both. Voldemort had escaped with a new body and another piece of his somebody, and Harry anxiously needed to trail after them - the Wizarding universe was again at risk. Once more, death began to whisper in his ear and he began to shiver.

In spite of that, none of it mattered. He had sworn an oath ; it was a burden all penis of the Votary carried. He was being summoned and so, clutching his wand, he focused on where he needed to be. He felt a soft touch on his shoulder joint and learn Hermione anticipate his name. He looked up at her, wishing he could fetch the sadness weighing on his psyche.

"Harry…"

He was gone.


Harry Potter and the nativity of a New Sun

Chapter 17 - The Summoning
~~~***~~~

When Dakhil left Harry at the stone steps leading to the front end threshold of Hogwarts Castle, Harry had pleaded that he too fight the onset of Dementors and Death feeder raging against Dakhil's homeland in the Carpathians. The lamia should have been gone for only a few days, but it had been weeks and Dakhil had not returned nor had he sent word of the status of the battle. The Daily Prophet had been worthless, only reporting the difficulties that the diverse European Ministries were having trying to disguise the numerous atrocities as raw disasters. More badgering 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 jazz.

Before he disappeared, Dakhil had told Harry that his job was to protect Hogwarts, to protect the Centaurs of the Great Forest from a duskiness within the school. Harry brushed the notion of darkness inside the castling bulwark aside, believing it was a backhand insult toward Harry, but now he was paying for it. Maybe that's why they were summoning him, he had failed in his one mission. Voldemort had not only escaped, but he had captured his Horcrux and was ready to return to power. Or was he ?

Voldemort had said he needed only two things in the grand hall of the Ministry - his old contraband cloak and Harry. He had asked earlier if there was still voice of the iniquity Lord that coursed through Harry's veins. What James, what Voldemort didn't know was that the darkness, Voldemort's grease, had been washed away by the Cleansing of the gloam in the Great Forest. Perhaps, Voldemort was too fallible without this other part of himself, perhaps—

It was hot, painfully hot - the firstly thing Harry noticed when he finally appeared at the summoning site - hot and coloured. Not obscure in the sense that there was no unhorse, although it was that too ; a want of light wouldn't thing to a unsighted man. No, it was dark in the sense that Harry saw zero. There was no aliveness here, no life in any direction, just heat, an acute, blistering oestrus that appeared, to Harry, like a dull haze as he looked to the Nox sky and saw Ebyrth shining as bright as ever.

He had been able to Apparate across the Channel. From there he had tried once more, but couldn't make it across Deutschland. He was drained, unable to cast another spell, and the richness of the earth's vigour, normally plentiful in this arena, was parched like an arid desert. There was aught for Harry to delineate on to refill what sorcerous vigor he could draw. Instead, he used the business leader of the Centaurus to bow space and sluggish clock time, and he ran. He ran until his shoes wore through and fell away ; he ran over rivers that supported his weight as if they were frigid solid state ; he ran past flying birds that hovered in the air like floating balloons. He ran for what felt like 24-hour interval, stopping only to drink from the occasional flow or creek. At one point, just remote Vienna, he had grabbed half of a sandwich from the hand of a passer who might as well have been a statue frozen in time. His pegleg ached, his lungs wanted to explode and all he could hear was the voice of Ronan compelling him forward, not to meet the call of the Centaur, but to answer the summoning of the dragon.

By the sentence he had begun the final ascent, his mind was blurred with fatigue. He had paid no observation to the slew he had been climbing. Sweat burning his dim eye, he had ignored the riot and the fire through which he had past. He didn't see the transition from life to death. He only knew one matter - the summoning web site. He would not fail again, even as the last drops of speciality left his being.

This… this was the spot ; he was sure. Huge gulps of air splashed down his burning lungs ineffectual to quench his thirst for oxygen. His bare feet burned. Almost forgetfully, he held out his wand, hired hand shaking from exhaustion and brain knowing that he would not be able to barf a spell even if he wanted to. Sweat dripped down his forehead ; the heat was unendurable. He stood for a moment, wand outstretched, squinting with failed eyes into the dark. pigeon hawk, it was hot. He moved to take a dance step forward, an sulphurous odour filling his anterior naris, when his left leg cramped and he fell boldness first hard into the stony ground. He didn't have the energy to take out away from the scorching stone, nor could he spit out the gumption and tiny pebbles that filled his rima oris and burned his tongue.

"Maybe,"he thought,"if I rest for just—"He passed out, dropping his verge at his side.

Unconscious on the sweltering world, swirl of smoke and light coalesced in his psyche forming a scene of darkness and desperation. Even in his dream the smell of burning physical body was intolerable. Yet, in his dream he could see - his imagination, his sight was as salutary as ever. The grass and the smell cleared and he found himself at the declivity, the capitulation where Gabriella lay face down in the grandiloquent grass, an arrow sunk deep into her binding. In the air was sorrowfulness. No… more than sadness - there was anger. It was Ron, screaming, screaming….

"NOOOOOOO !"

The earth shook.

"issue him ! Take him now ! hurriedness !"

The scene changed. He was flying… flying in the air. Bounce. On a Hippogriff. bouncing. Harry felt a jarring pain against the side of his rib. He blinked. The sightlessness had returned, but he could sense that there was a light beneath him. bounce. A mortal.

"Hurry !"

The voice… he knew that spokesperson. The darkness was clearing from his mind. He was waking. He was being carried. A chemical group of five was climbing up the side of the mountain. One had Harry over his shoulder. Weakly, Harry began to scramble to discharge himself.

"Easy, Harry,"the untested man holding him said gently, but with some urgency in his voice."When we get you back to the stronghold, we'll take a feeling at the burns. Praise Asha you're a member of the Votary, or you'd be dead."

"An-Antreas ?"Harry muttered. He hadn't heard the vocalisation of Gabriella's chum since the summertime, but there was still no mistaking the undeniable modulation that was the exact reproduction of Antreas'male parent, Grigor."What… What's going on ?"

"There will be fourth dimension for answers later !"cried another phonation."Run !"Harry knew at once the former man speaking. He also recognized the aura ; it was Dakhil. Troubling was the sense of concern, even fright in Dakhil's vocalism. He'd never heard that before, even when they were being attacked by vampires terminal summertime. What was more distressing, however, was something that had bothered Harry since his last object lesson with Ronan, something he had seen in Dakhil ever since the lamia first taught him to see without seeing. The gloriole of Dakhil faded from red to purple and endorse to red again. There were two personas present in his aura. For the first gear clock time since he'd arrived at the Mountain of Singehorn, Harry felt cold.

They continued to rush up the pot. Occasionally, Dakhil or one of the others would cast spells back in the direction from which they came. Harry could not see, nor could he sense what it was they were firing upon. Curiously, there were no spell cast in return. Soon, he began to notice Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, botany, life. After a few minute more, the set came to a large stone paries. One of the men cast a magic spell and an entrance appeared. They passed through and the hatchway in the Edward Durell Stone sealed behind them. The entire troupe sighed with relief once they entered the chemical compound.

"What… what's going on ?"Harry asked weakly."Where are we ? Who were you firing at ? What— ?"

"Slow down. Slow down,"cut in Antreas."Let me see your face."Antreas lifted Harry's chin up and examined the pull up stakes side, the Lapp side that fell unconscious into the scorching earth. He reached up and pulled the glasses from Harry's face, glasses he continued to tire in the promise, or perhaps as a symbol to others, that one day he might see again. There was an manifest tearing sound, and Harry could find the plastic rims pull away from the skin on his face. When he reached to need the glasses out of Antreas'hand, he could severalize that the bequeath half of the framing was nearly melted away. He didn't want to think what his human face must see like. It didn't hurt. Harry moved to touch it but Antreas grabbed his hand.

"No !"he snapped, half trying to quench the distraint in his own voice. He chuckled, but not convincingly."It… it's nothing, Harry. It's just full 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 limp away."Hurry,"Dakhil yelled."hurriedness before there's nothing left field of his grimace to put back together !"If Antreas had tried to quiet Harry's mettle, Dakhil had served to dismember them."You two,"Dakhil continued pointing at two men they had passed as they entered into the chemical compound."Help carry the boy into the cave. I won't lose another one tonight !"

With Antreas'assistance, they carried Harry further up the mountain. Dakhil followed, but was unwilling to attend to. Typical, Harry thought. There was a pocket-sized outcrop of rocks off to the face and they turned toward it as Dakhil continued upward. Antreas stopped.

"If Singehorn is unable to call the others in metre,"he said,"we'll have to send for the Centaur you spoke of."

"You were brave today, my son,"said Dakhil warmly."It is clear your Church Father is with you. Your mother would be proud. hold open the boy safe and see what the Healer can do with what remains."He turned to continue upward then stopped."Singehorn, I'm afraid, was not capable to holler for our ally, not tonight."He sighed with a abstruse doleful intimation."Still we must stick around with the architectural plan ; it's our exclusively promise. More may arrive before the moon's ascent tomorrow."

Facing a stone wall, one of the men carrying Harry said something in a language he thought might be Russian and again an archway appeared where before was only rock and I. F. Stone. Just before the rock font closed behind them Antreas called back to Dakhil who had followed them most of the way

"And the Centaur ?"he called.

"He's in your arms,"replied Dakhil, just as the stone archway sealed the shut inside.

"weirdo,"said the Russian, referring to Dakhil."He'll pour down us all."There was a wand at his neck opening in an second ; it was Antreas ’. Harry felt like he was about to be dropped.

"There are so many injured here,"said Antreas with a heated vox,"I'm sure no one would miss you. The side by side meter you speak of the Votary, take care to prefer the words carefully. I may have to excise the offending tongue."The Russian said nothing as Antreas pulled the wand back and the grip on Harry became more for certain. They turned a corner and the cave opened out into a capital Charles Martin Hall filled with hurt. To Harry, it looked as if a hundred lighting had been spread across the floor. Almost immediately a grumble rippled across the large cavern.

"Is that him ?"“ The Chosen !"“ My god what happened to his fount ?"“ Dragons."“ It's just a boy."“ That's not him ; some Muggle must sustain been caught in the crossfire."“ He's the Chosen !"
"Marek !"cried Dakhil."Marek ! This is a antecedence !"Harry noticed an Orange River coloring on the far English 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 anteriority !"he called back."Have one of the others—"

"Damn it ! NOW !"yelled Antreas. This was not the same Antreas that had waved good-bye to Harry and Gabriella as they began their summer holiday. That Antreas was still trying to perfect his wand piece of work, and his authority interacting with multitude was shaky at trump. While he made a passable neighbour on Privet crusade, he was an downright mess around former ace. This Antreas, however, the one standing before Harry, was more than just a foot soldier in this mountain engagement. He was clearly individual of import.

Disgruntled, but acquiescing, Marek began to cross the hall as the three moved Harry into one of the collapsible shelter that were set up along the English of the great bedroom. He was placed on a bed, firm, but more comfortable than a blanket on the stone trading floor outside. Once he was down, the two men left Antreas alone with Harry. For some metre neither rundle and Harry noted his booster's discomfort.

"What is it Antreas ?"Harry asked. As he spoke, Harry noticed that the side of his side didn't seem to run correctly. Still, there was no pain.

"I'm so no-count, Harry,"Antreas replied."If I had known… We were losing ground and… Dakhil must birth thought it would be safe. Our outer perimeter was half a Admiralty mile down the mountain when he must give birth asked Singehorn to cite you. But then, they came so fast."

"Who ?"

"The Dementors. They've been swarming the plenty for daytime. They've grown so chummy they can blot out the sun and when that happens it gives their allies, a striation of about XXX genius vampires, exempt rein to lash out during the day. This wasn't our war, but ultimately the Dragon had no choice. The Dementors were moving in on their rookery. Half a dozen flying lizard left to scorch the earthly concern and leave no life story behind. Not even a member 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 injection from Antreas'lips.

"Dakhil had Singehorn mobilise me ?"

"Harry, there was no way of knowing. You passed out right in the sum of the incineration. It had to have been over two hundred degrees. One of the picket saw you first, but it was too hot. Only the Votary could get in to retrieve you."Harry remembered Dakhil walking through the burning flame just before the joining ; he understood these parole."The Joining helped you to survive, training would stimulate been better. Your face… you've been burned… badly burned."

"But it doesn't detriment,"Harry said. He was feeling more than tired by the minute.

"That's because there's nix left to spite. Your flesh is—"Marek pushed through the opening of the tent.

"And what's this antecedence ?"he said wearily."Another compositor's case of tinker's dam Dementor frost— Oh… Oh, my."He cast Antreas a glance."One of the civilians ?"he asked, not recognizing the young man he'd met over the summer."A Muggle caught in the ardour ?"Assessing the great stature of the man before him and listening closely to his vocalisation, it was Harry who first made the connexion. It was the same Marek that had taken in Ron, Hermione and the others after the vampire attack.

"Marek ?"Harry asked hoarsely, finding it more hard by the bit to move his jaw."It's me, Harry… Harry potter. I could… I could sure use a glass of water."

"Yes… I remember. You've put on a few hammer. Physical grooming ?"

"He's joined a Centaur heard in England,"said Antreas.

"So this is the one Dakhil spoke of. That would explain affair. Yes, that would explicate a lot."Marek reached into his robes."I haven't had to conduct with one of these for class,"Marek whispered,"but with dragon about, such burns are not rare. Praise Asha you're Votary."He leaned in ending to Harry."What happened to your eyes ?"

"Glass,"Harry replied, wearily."batch of glass."

"Hmmm. fountainhead, let's get started. Harry, lie back."Harry obliged."I have something far better than a glass of water."He watched Marek raise his wand over his burned nerve."This should only take a few hours."

"Hours ?"Harry said, bringing up his deal to grab Marek's wrist."I won't take you away from helping the others just because I buggered it again."

"It's not your fault, Harry,"said Antreas."There's no way you could have known."

"Yes, admirable quality, Harry. But as Antreas has said—"

"I am NOT a priority ! I won't—"amobarbital sodium light erupted from Marek's wand and before he could say another Son, Harry was asleep on the cot and Marek began his workplace. The in conclusion matter he remembered was a greaves sound and Marek's melancholy voice.

"That'll leave a mark."

Time faded to nothingness and, when Harry woke, he sensed mortal sitting at his bedside."Gabriella ?"he asked groggily.

"You wish, fellow !"

"Fred ? Fred is that you ?"

Slowly, Harry began to regain knowingness. He tried to lean up, but somebody pressed gently back on his shoulder. His eyes closed, Harry sensed that there were two people in the room. Shaking the gossamer free, he finally recognized the aura of the former person.

"Remus ?"

"Yes, Harry,"replied Remus lupine,"Fred and I are both here. We have been for about three days."

"Three days !"Harry exclaimed, once again trying to rise and once again being held down by Remus."I've been here for three days ?"

"No, ditz,"Fred laughed."We've been here for three days. You've been here for about, er, xiv 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 wanton way ?"

While Fred was talking, Harry realized there was something on his face. He reached his work force up and felt the bandage wrapping his head.

"An interest look, if you ask me,"said Fred."Kind of a turban gone mad. All in all I'd say it's an betterment. The slap-up thing is, Harry, they gave you a entirely new heading ! Moody volunteered his."Fred laughed again and this fourth dimension Remus joined him. A cold shiver passed through Harry. It had suddenly sunk in that Fred… Fred Weasley, was in the Lapplander room and if he'd been here for three days, he might not know….

"Why aren't you home ?"Harry asked."Where's St. George ?"

"I'm flying solo, mate,"said Fred."George IV is minding the shops."

"No one can travel in or out,"said Remus."Apparition is unsufferable. It's a miracle that you made it animated. I'm sorry that—"

"What about messages,"Harry interrupted."Can messages get in ?"

"Not for two sidereal day,"said Remus."The Dementors have the totally mountainside surrounded. I tried a Patronus. It passed through a few dozen, but there are just too many."

"Then you don't know,"Harry said with urgency. He sat up and this time when Remus moved to push him back down, Harry flicked his arm away. Harry tried to present 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 bravery, but in the final stage moment it failed him."W-Why are you even here ?"

"Tonight, we go on the offensive. We're through sitting back and letting Lucius Malfoy and his regular army of wickedness decide when and where to chance upon. They're mostly vampires and Dementors with a handful of dying Eaters sprinkled in for good measure. last we heard Lucius may have let himself get turned."

"Turned ?"Harry asked.

"The sentinel were out early this sunrise, Harry,"said Remus, moving over and sitting next to Fred."We've seen him off and on in these role for calendar week. Only this morning… this dayspring 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 nauseated. If Lucius was here that imply Voldemort was here. Were they looking for him ? For Harry ? His heart began to airstream. There was too a great deal to do and too piffling time. He needed to distinguish individual, but whom ? His breaths quickened and Remus took notice.

"Harry… you need to—"

"He's alive !"Harry shouted."He's still alive !"There was a forgetful pause. Remus knew almost immediately what Harry meant, but wasn't sure if his run-in were the result of some sort of side-effect from one of the potions. Fred didn't understand.

"What do you mean, Harry ? Who's alive ?"

"Voldemort,"gasped Harry, taking in a cracking hint of air through the bandages covering his cheek. He walked over to the incline of the collapsible shelter and held the fabric in his fingers. To his nous, it had a dull orange coming into court, probably spores of some kind. He didn't want to say more ; he couldn't. But he had to. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest - it hurt. His breathing grew laboured, weighed down by the core of what he was about to plowshare.

"Somehow… I don't know… I don't know how, but he took ascendance of Epistle of James Chang, Cho's younger chum. He's been inside King James, controlling him all year at schooling. He was waiting for something… something of import. 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 ashes of his demise. They dug deep, your father dug oceanic abyss for what should feature been left to the depths."

"Yeah,"said Fred cautiously, not really certain what to guess about Harry's ramblings."Mum and Dad were all excited. It was supposed to be a big quite a little. Sorry we had to pull you away from the honor ceremony to be in this snake pit. I'm not supposed to tell, but Dad's lined you up for parliamentary law 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 conceive it ? Lucius wanted it for himself - maybe to extract whatever substance Voldemort had left of himself in it."Harry madly grabbed Fred's robe."Don't you see ? I had to ruin it… to destroy 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 take 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 Curse. I thought I'd be capable to control him."He breathed hard again."But I couldn't. It wasn't a oath, it was Voldemort. I couldn't stop him. I tried—"He turned back to face Fred."He… Voldemort used the Killing Curse, Fred. I tried… I swear on pigeon hawk's grave… I tried."

"What are you talking about, Harry ?"Fred's Logos were quiet, aflutter and unsure.

"Last Night, before Singehorn summoned me, in the grand entrance mansion of the Ministry, Voldemort… Voldemort killed your mother."Short gasp of air outburst from Harry's lungs and he fell on his knee joint in front of Fred."She's dead… she's… dead."Clutching at the buttocks of Fred's robes, Harry began to pant great SOB. His voice was weak and lose weight."She's dead."Fred pushed Harry away and took to his metrical foot.

"Stop saying that !"he yelled."She's not short ! She's not ! I just saw her before we came here. She was going to… she was going…"He slapped his deal against the bed."You're just messed up… the potions. You… you were dreaming… that's all. A- a- a- hallucination or something !"He turned to Remus.

"Remus ! Tell him ! Tell Harry it was just a dream… a bad dream, that's all."Remus was quiet, unemotional person. He didn't speak and he didn't move. Fred pulled his wand and held it in Remus'face.

"Tell HIM !"

Remus held his limb out all-inclusive and, slowly, shook his straits.

"No."Fred whispered, shaking his heading vigorously in reply."No, it's not… it's not… oh god."

His paw fell limp at his side and his wand dropped to the floor, tinkling and then rolling in the silence. Fred shuddered, fell into Lupin's limb and began to cry.

They stayed like that for some time, Harry on the floor, Fred in lupin's arms, all three of them crying. Until now, Harry hadn't had the hazard to mourn molly's demise. The pain in the neck was deep and biting. In the tear and muteness, Harry wished he could take it back. His military action had cost another life and the anger in Arthur Weasley's interpreter echoed within his judgement.

His thoughts turned to the others who had been murdered in the fight and he wondered if James had made it."I may never know,"he whispered to himself.

As the unhappiness began to sink, he mulled over how Fred and Remus had described the scout's sighting of Lucius. If the reports were straight and Malfoy had returned to the great deal, then Molly's liquidator was within compass. Harry's pain began to flex to anger. The flap on the tent furled spread and in walked Marek

"Remus, I— What in pigeon hawk's name is up with you three ?"he said with a rather gruff voice.

"We just found out. Fred's female parent has been killed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named,"answered Remus calmly.

"That… that's not possible,"said Marek, one-half believing the words to be true. Fred turned, wiping his eyes.

"I've got to see if I can get home,"he said. He started toward the issue, 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 female parent would !"chided Remus."AND your father. What do you cerebrate it would do to him to lose you both ?"Fred said nothing."If you're going to put your life on the blood, Fred, make it count ; take a crap it matter."Remus stepped toward him and held Fred by the shoulders, looking him in the optic.

"Tonight,"he said with sureness and hostage."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 moonshine turns full. We'll tone-beginning with the Dragon, a few dozen Centaurs, and—"

"Full Sun Myung Moon ?"asked Harry. He picked himself up off the base and stood."full moon moon ? I thought Soseh had given you a potion, given you both one to keep you from turning."

"She did, Harry,"answered Remus."But we haven't taken it during the cycle. There are few fauna on land that can challenge a vampire. Surrounded by Dementors as they are now, even thaumaturgist have little promise of conducting an effectual onrush. They're a werewolf's rude prey ; Dementors and vampire percentage a swarthiness that… How can I put it ? Is tasty for a werewolf."

"Better than cocoa, they tell me,"added Fred, with an eery gleam in his eye.

"Besides the dragons,"added Remus,"only one creature can break through both defense team. Dakhil discussed it with me some time ago and we both agreed - we needed a werewolf ground forces. I couldn't convince nearly, but I've convinced enough."

"LX doesn't make an Army, Remus,"said Harry, stepping closer."Sixty is a snack."

"What you say is true, Harry - werewolf rakehell is prized among the lamia. Still, I think our opponent will be surprised,"said Remus with quiet confidence."Yes, we could have more in our turn, but even with Arthur as curate, the mistrust of my kind runs deep."

"Our kind, Remus ! And they'll be more than surprise,"snapped Fred."They'll be bloody ossify !"

"wellspring,"said Harry sardonically,"bloody anyway."

The bandages wrapping his face were hot and toilsome and he was only just able to refuse the temptation to rip them off so that he could chafe the itch that was growing stronger by the minute. He placed both his manpower flat against the firm bed, curling the blanket in his fingers as they balled up into fist. Without looking up, he took in a hint and swallowed.

"Remus… Fred… You need to understand everything. Lucius Malfoy isn't a lamia. The scouts… what they saw down on the mountainside this morning… It may give looked like Lucius, but it wasn't. Yeah, he's been taken over all right, but not by a vampire. His spirit has been consumed by Voldemort. Lucius is Voldemort."He turned to face them."60 lycanthrope, 60 dragons, LX of anything… it won't be enough."Hearing Harry's words, Remus stepped forward and placed a hand warmly about Harry's neck.

"No, Harry,"he said."No, it won't be sufficiency. But then, it never was. That's why we have you."


Harry potter and the birth of a New Sun

Chapter 18 - The Ring of Onyx
~~~***~~~

The stone measure were large, larger it seemed to Harry, than they were before. Yet, the Saame thin white clouds dusted the blue sky, and the heated air brought Harry's mind back to his summer travels with Gabriella in Lebanon. His creative thinker's eye flashed to a visual sense of her smooth, wickedness brown skin and twinkling black oculus, and he wondered how she was fairing with Cho and his son, Jamie. His affectionateness skipped at the thought and he drew in a hint to steady his spunk. He stepped upward through the boastfully endocarp pillars, upward toward the stiff of the majuscule Asiatic castle. Up ahead, seated on a crystal bench intricately carved in an elaborate formula was a large Joseph Black man in green and brown gown - Singehorn.

On the eve of the countermove, the dragon had asked that the young wizard meet him in this plane of consciousness that they might address with one another. Here, in this other humanity, Harry could not only utter to the dragon, he could see. He had no bandaged nous, no scepter, only a Patrick White robe and spare metrical unit that withstood the scorching heat beneath them. In the cave where Harry's corporeal body sat in meditation, the others were preparing for war. Soon, the moon would rise, the wolfman, including Remus and Fred, would turn and the battle would begin. It had taken Harry quite some time to shut down out all the distractions that were happening about him, but finally he made it.

As he drew close-fitting to the tartar, the descendent of Asha whose furrow Harry had sworn to protect, he noticed that the man looked more of age than before and that his breathing was heavy, laboured. With sweat, Harry heaved himself upward onto another Isidor Feinstein Stone footprint, and then another. On the stride before reaching the landing where Singehorn sat in one of the two crystal Bench, Harry saw a large ring made of fatal onyx. He stopped for a moment to look at it. The dragon coughed a bottomless throaty cough.

"Go on,"he said with a late scratchy voice."Pick it up."

Harry reached down and took the gang into his right hired hand. It was heavier than Harry expected. Holding it in the fingers of both hands he examined it from all sides.

"I… I know this halo,"Harry said, trying to remember how or from where."I've seen it before."Singehorn shifted his rattling 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 lowest master, it was most in all likelihood the last thing they saw. He was known for using the band to kill."Suddenly, Harry remembered.

"Pravus,"he whispered, remembering the portrait of the dreary wiz's hand Greg Goyle had shown him endure yr. Singehorn growled, long and low. Clearly, he did not enjoy the speech sound of the public figure.

"Very dear,"answered the dragon."Very effective. Come… sit."

Harry climbed the lastly expectant step and tried to dust the front man of his white robe which had grown brown from the desert grit. Singehorn laughed and, as Harry looked up, the man's rima oris erupted in flame, enveloping Harry in a great white heartbeat. In the next twinkling, Harry's robes were white again and he was unscathed. Harry examined his hands, expecting to see scorch marks, but nothing was there.

"Sit,"said Singehorn again. Unlike his end visit with the man before him, the Whitney Moore Young Jr. wizard sat obediently across from his master.

"My child… not for L geezerhood has that ring been held by homo hands, not since I tore off the arm of the superstar that betrayed us all. When Pravus was destroyed and Grindelwald defeated, I thought for certain the swarthiness had been, at finally, beaten back for commodity. I was vernal then and naïve, but not so naïve as to rely in men again."

"But Dakhil,"said Harry."You trust him."

"Do I, Harry ? Do I ?"There was another low grumble as Singehorn leaned forward. Harry noticed a slight, swooning scar that ran along the man's fount, a cicatrix that wasn't there before the Joining. Over the in conclusion few months, the dragon had seen fight.

"Do you see the ringing on Dakhil's fingers ?"he continued."No, Harry… Soseh trusts Dakhil and I would trust Soseh with my sprightliness, but his lot lies on a different path."

"You need to fuck, sir,"said Harry with some urging in his vocalization."I've seen… I've seen two spirits inside him. He may be under the dominance of another."Singehorn smiled and began to laugh. It was loud and thunderous, not the reaction Harry had expected.

"He's a lamia, my nipper,"the dragon said finally."He fights the spirit inside him every waking minute. Few have learned to control the thirst for fresh blood, the desire for death. None have fought more heroically than Dakhil Barghouti to stave off his own personal demon. But his itinerary will soon lead elsewhere and I will need someone to take up his staff as Primate of the Votary. He would prefer I choose now, before his fate befalls him."

Harry's eyes widened in disbelief. Rolling the pack in his finger 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 head."Whatever magnate this ring holds, I'm not ready."

"What ? No questions about what the doughnut does ? What persuasiveness it might get you ?"

"No, sir,"Harry replied, reaching yet further toward Singehorn. The firedrake did not get rid of the ring from Harry's palm, but instead leaned back on the bench.

"Not even if the tintinnabulation might help you defeat the one who killed molly Weasley and so many more ?"Harry shook his head."What if it would help oneself you win the war against these Dementors, saving the lives of countless centaur ; these fauna you seem to deal so much about ?"Singehorn leaned in again."Are you so sure that you wouldn't want to finally destroy the brute that killed your parents ?"

For a moment, Harry's outstretched arm receded. Once more he held the ring between thumb and forefinger, wondering what strength it might bring him. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Finally, he shook his head once more.

"No, sir,"he said softly still rolling the ring in his fingers."When I was stopping point here, you reminded me our calling : Bravery… Wisdom… Love."Harry shuddered, swallowing heavily."You also told me that I needed to turn on my wisdom."Harry took in a deep breathing place as his eyes grew misty."But I've been cute dead in that regard all year, eh ? I brought Voldemort into the Ministry. I brought him face-to-face with Mrs. Weasley. I should birth known…. I should induce been fresh. Now, he's at your doorstep, threatening to destruct all we stand for."Holding back his tears, Harry held the ring out once again."Whatever king the halo bears, there are others more worthy than me."

With lightening speed, frighteningly fast for such a large human body, Singehorn grabbed Harry's hand in his own, his massive paw wrapping around Harry's stallion fist and arm, squeezing the ring into the flesh of Harry's palm and scorching the book binding of Harry's hired hand. His red oculus glared with steeled purpose into Harry's and his pincer drew lineage from Harry's physique.

"Tell me, my son, when the iniquity spreads across this mountain and threatens my children and my small fry's tyke what will you do ? There are only so many rocks to climb and the clouds will not protect us."Harry said nothing."When your friends charge down the mountainside to join my kin in the attack against the guck that surrounds us, will you hide… a unsighted rat in a night cave ?"The tartar's chela dug deeper, but Harry refused to cry out.

"I'd… sooner… die."

"Harry, the monster seeks you out, but he does not want you all in, not yet. He thinks he needs you awake, but he doesn't know that what he seeks is no longer there, washed away by the nightfall at Hogwarts. Without the energy he once shared with you, he is but half a man, half a wizard. In his ignorance, in his weakened state, he can be defeated."

"Then I don't need the ring,"Harry said calmly, withstanding the botheration.

"If exclusively it was so simple,"sighed Singehorn, still holding Harry's hand firm."Before the cleaning at the surrender, you joined."

"Joined ?"

"The darkness that was once in your veins… now flows through another's."

Harry's heart began to race. Another's ?
"Your inherited."

"Jamie,"Harry whispered.

"You would sooner die than see my kid harmed. What would you do to protect your children ?"asked Singehorn.

"My… son."

Harry's fingers, almost instinctively, tightened around the ring burning the frame of his medal and in that instant his imagination filled with a tremendous twinkling of white. Singehorn's representative became dark and ill.

"I will not say your determination is wise, but it is our only course. Forgive me, my tiddler, for the power will ingest you. Soseh has foreseen your avarice turn to grief. On the day the dragons mark the sky, you will begin to acknowledge your true strength. How you emerge from your flunk will settle the fate of us all."

Suddenly, Harry's sight was gone, all before him shadow. When he breathed in, the damp must odour of the bandage that wrapped his face filled his anterior naris.

"We've got to go, sir,"said a sensation somewhere to Harry's left.

"If I have to narrate you one more prison term to be quiet, I'll rip your throat out,"snapped Dakhil in a low, hissing voice."We will go when Singehorn says we can go. Do NOT disturb the boy."

Still seated on the storey, his legs folded beneath him, Harry reached out his brain and sensed the two men arguing to his leftfield. The one, a bright Amytal gloriole was clearly frightened ; the other flash red and then purple. The red appeared to be winning and Harry wasn't sure that was a good thing for the man in down whose colour was fading so fast Harry thought he might wet himself. He wasn't the simply one nearby that was frightened. In the large cavern just beyond the rock wall where Harry sat, scores of men mulled about nervously waiting for the final examination order to attack. Harry was about to go, to indicate to the others that he had returned, when the Orange River colour of Marek moved into the way where he sat.

He slipped over and placed his hand on Dakhil's back and the two walked to the far slope of the tent. They whispered and then the whisper grew louder.

"Marek,"Dakhil hissed,"I need to know. What is your opinion ?"

"As a healer or a Warrior ?"the man that had worked on Harry's font replied. He was upset, irritated perhaps of the fight that would soon be bringing the dying to his doorsill."If we were home, I'd leave the bandages on for at to the lowest degree another week."

"The boy can't fight like that."

"Then leave the boy behind."

Two voices harmonized :"No !"Simultaneously, Harry and Dakhil rejected Marek's suggestion.

"You've returned,"said Dakhil quietly."honest. The sentence is near. The full lunation will soon rise over the side of the mountain. We must train vantage of every minute it brings us the werewolves'strength. dawn will come far too quickly I'm afraid."

Harry held his hand to his boldness."And these ? You can remove these ?"

"Really, Harry,"answered Marek,"if only you could dispense with two Thomas More days… two more."

"The battle will be over by morning,"said Harry,"and I can't engagement with this rag weighing me down. It's sweaty enough as it is, and I can barely breathe."

"Then don't fight,"Marek said to Harry. Then he turned to Dakhil."What possible advantage does a boy bring this engagement beyond more bloodbath ?"Steadying his feet on the moth-eaten careen, Harry stood.

"I am no boy !"he said defiantly. Marek ignored him.

"Dakhil,"the Healer continued,"there is no grounds 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 aspect. The red had darkened into a productive scarlet - the emotion was a strong 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 correctly hand was a mob. Angry at being called a boy, Harry had not noticed the added weight on his finger.

"Well… that can't be good,"said Dakhil with a rather cool vocalization."I had asked for a choice, but I never…"

"I'll take the damn bandages off myself if I have to,"cried Harry, reaching for his sceptre. It was then, when finger met wood, that he realized there was a ring on his finger. He let go his wand and held the halo with his left hand. He moved to take it off, but the ring would not run. He pulled again, and again the hoop held its grip about the bone of his right middle finger.

"I had always hoped he might see fit to give it to me,"said Dakhil with more disappointment than anger."I suppose Soseh has told him."

"Told him what ?"asked Harry, still trying to mould the ringing from his finger.

"tinker's damn the day I met you, boy,"said Dakhil, again in a subdued, matter of fact tone."She's seen my dying, which is not such a corking concern for a vampire when such events can be 100 hence."He paused.

"And ?"Harry asked.

"And you were there, boy. You were there."Dakhil moved closer."So, either you're going to ramble down the mountainside, get bit and live to a very ripe old age as an divinity, or I'm going to die before the summer solstice. Curse you,"Dakhil said dryly,"I always wanted to produce it to the millennium."

"You're both talking gibberish,"said Marek."Would you block up that,"he said to Harry."You're starting to bleed."Harry turned his senses downward and watched as the glowing drip of blood fell to the floor from his finger's breadth. Marek pulled his wand and healed the fingerbreadth."Now leave the tinker's damn ring alone. Here, let me off it."

He cast a spell and nil happened, nothing but the gravelly laughter from Dakhil. He tried a different enchantment and still the ring stayed clamped about Harry's finger.

"We don't have sentence for this,"said Harry finally."aspect, just take the bandages off. identify a shield charm about the hide if you must, but I can't—"

"Very well,"cut in Marek with a sigh."But it's not your pelt 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 typeface, I thought I might see if I couldn't do something about your eyes."

"But I've seen nothing,"said Harry."Certainly through this veiling, I could discern—"

"I've sealed your palpebra shut so the oculus beneath could bring around as the spell worked and weaved."He stepped finisher to Harry."Son, two more days… two more days and I'm sure that the knitting will be complete."

"And I'll see again ?"asked Harry with a glint of hope in his interpreter.

"You might."

"Well… look… it's iniquity anyway,"Harry said."Take off the patch and leave my oculus sealed. I'll be unspoiled off not trying to discern aim in the darkness. I've gotten used to not seeing and trying to squinch in the murky nighttime may just fix things worse."

"There's the problem,"said Dakhil."The physical object you wish to discern are Dementors. They suck the life from all about them. To your visual sensation they would be swarthiness and on the scorched versant where very small life remains, it would be near impossible to find them."

At this it was Harry's go to gag.

"Dakhil, I don't need my sight to know when a Dementor is breathing down my cervix. I'll know where they are, believe me, I'll know."

"Then it's decided,"said Marek."I'll get rid of your patch, but keep your eye sealed. If you make it through the dark Harry, your boldness should be re-wrapped immediately. A shield charm might be acceptable for walking around school day or sitting about the house. It will be worthless against a wellspring placed hex."

"Get on with it,"said Harry."I can find out the howl already."

And indeed he could, they all could. Some of the thaumaturgist werewolves were growing anxious. Outside, the lunation was nearing the crest of the eastern horizon and some were having difficulty controlling their metamorphosis even inside the cavern, away from the moonlight. Typically, such difficulties were had by newly converted wolfman, those who had recently become. Harry wondered how Fred was fairing.

When Dakhil removed the gauze bandage bandages, Harry immediately reached up to his face to meet, but the buckler magic spell stopped his finger.

"It feels like an eggshell,"Harry whispered.

"And it won't protect your facial expression much More than one,"added Marek."Remember that, when you're out there playing the hero."Harry was about to protest but, preceded by a hiss, unexpected Word of God left Dakhil's mouthpiece first.

"An Acolyte of the Votary does not play at anything !"Dakhil's stature was suddenly somewhat expectant, and his aura somewhat redder."You would be wise to remember your position, Marek. With one thought the boy could ruin you."

"Yes… yes, of course,"Marek apologized."I'm sorry… I… I truly am sorry."

There was fear in his dustup, far more care than Harry thought the position warranted. Part of him understood, something he remembered from the connexion, but there wasn't clip to well for its source ; it was time for action. Harry stood and began to walk toward the with child chamber.

"One moment, boy,"said Dakhil with a matter of fact pure tone. Harry stopped, turned and, before he had an clamant to oppose, Dakhil had cast a spell on him. nix happened.

"What… what was that ?"Harry demanded, still reaching for his wand.

"He's changed the coloring of your gown, Harry,"said Marek."They're no longer Edward D. White ; they're crimson."

"hierarch ceramist,"said Dakhil in an exceptionally scratchy vocalism followed by a short blasting coughing."Your title, when I die."He sighed."Asha protect us."Harry looked down, but could sense no discernable divergence."Don't concern, boy ; those who have travelled the path through right education will eff at once the implication of your robes. We'd best hurry. There won't be time for much of a speech."

Harry and Dakhil left the tent and entered the cavern ; it had emptied out onto the mountainside, staging for the battle to come. Soon, the logic gate would open and the soldiers would slop down upon their foe. Harry and Dakhil walked down the cave and as it narrowed toward its loss a youth man came up and touched Harry by the sleeve.

"Asha be with you,"he said tilting his head in a slim bow.

"And with you,"replied Harry without forethought. Why did I say that ?
The cavern room access opened and, for a moment, Harry was blinded by the many auras gathered outside. He could see that some of the werewolves had already turned, and a mathematical group of hotshot was having trouble restraining them. No one seemed distracted by the howling, a howling that mixed with words in Harry's mind - putting to death, bite, descent ! He turned to see if person was talking to him, but no one was there. Another werewolf howled.

"patience, my friends,"called Harry to the snapping wight and the Hugo Wolf quieted at his words. That was not my phonation, thought Harry. Or was it ?

Everyone was listening to Antreas who stood upon a large outcrop of stone above the growing din. His discussion were amplified, but Harry wasn't sure the increase intensity was necessary. He was calling out in a solid 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 cast out the darkness into the abyss !"The earth began to rumble with applause. Harry noticed four monster pounding their feet with commendation.

"Giants ?"he asked Dakhil."I didn't notice any giant when I arrived."

"They climbed over from the sheer cliffs on the back side of meat of the mountain. That way is not guarded save by Dementors, and they have no core on such simple creatures. So it is with the werewolves."

"It'll m-make for a b-bloody Death Eater busting surprise."

"Fred ?"

The redheader was clearly agitated, seemingly in the midst of the change.

"Fred, please… don't—"

"The prelate has ARRIVED !"cried Antreas with a leaping voice. He was referring to Dakhil, but Harry could feel C of eyes turn toward him simultaneously. Save for the howling and the occasional spell being cast a short ways down the James Jerome Hill, all became unsounded.

"Let's return them what they want, boy,"said Dakhil."Up you go."He levitated Harry some twenty feet in the air. Harry's heart began to race as he rose, wondering what he might say.

It was like rising over the embers of a dying fervidness, each glowing aura a diminutive ember burning against the darkness. There were hundreds gathered here. Some fell to their knee joint as Harry rose ; most stood silently. giant, Centaurus, whizz and werewolves, a ragtag accumulation of misfits all collected to contend together against the malignity Lucius Malfoy had co-opted for his own evilness purposes.

Lucius probably hoped he would retrieve the cloak and arrive at this place of conflict to fete a great victory, the number 1 of many. Little did he fuck that his former original would admit up residence in his trunk - if only long enough to take over Harry's. But that would never, could never take place. How the louse had turned on the blonde-haired paterfamilias. Soon, it would turn on the swarthiness worming within him. Harry raised his limb to the celestial sphere above, a giant star comet was clearly visible in the night's sky.

"Ebyrth marks its return and now we find ourselves at its mercifulness. While some have come to serve the new sun's call, others are here to protect our tartar pal against the iniquity that wishes to destroy all in its path. Tonight we fight as one. Tonight we fight with the intensity level of giants, the magic of genius, the ferocity of loup-garou, the wisdom of Centaurs, and the heart of dragon !"

No sooner had the actor's line left his lip, than the thunderous SWOOP-SWOOP filled the air and four enormous dragons flew over the crowd, blotting out the champion and then coming to rest at the top of the great Stone wall. Singehorn wasn't among them, but Harry, though having never met them, knew their name. The three male person were Rakesh, Talisan, and Igneus, and the blue female was Tanwen. As if being called, Harry looked toward Talisan, the largest of the four, with green-black scales and fierce red middle.

"Primate !"the creature cried out."We follow you in fight. What are your ordering !"

All around Harry, champion were clasping their helping hand to their ears, some falling to their knees, because of the creature's cracking roar. And yet, Harry could understand everything he said. How is this possible ? This was no meditation.

"Your decree, Primate ?"cried the tartar again, and again those around Harry winced in pain.

"burn them !"yelled Harry."Burn them till your bellies turn cold. You, Tanwen, fly high above the wall. Let no foe past the gate. Do not result your military post. We must save the rookery at all monetary value !"Harry pulled his red gown tight about his shoulder joint.

"Open the Bill Gates !"called Antreas and the U. S. Army erupted in cheer and howl. A few werewolves snapped at their Allies, but most caught the scent of their hated foe, enticing their senses with a bloodlust for Dementor, and quickly they began to load ahead, down the mountainside. Dakhil brought Harry down to earth as the crowded hillside flowed out through the gate. Harry began to run, following the rushing lunar time period, but someone grabbed his shoulder and pulled him around ; it was Antreas.

"Your clip is at hand, Harry,"he said with a stout voice."I'll lead the first Wave ; I dare not speak it to the others, but don't think for a minute we'll succeed. The scouts have told me the situation… it's dire. When we begin to hang back, and we will come down back… that's when we'll need you."Harry was about to debate, but Antreas was already swept away in the current of eubstance rushing through the gate. Undaunted, Harry began to follow, only this time Dakhil stopped him.

"William Tell me, boy,"he murmured quietly beneath the roaring haste of wizards pushing by."Why are you here ?"

"To fight Voldemort,"Harry fuss, turning to lead. Dakhil held his arm fasting and Harry glared back with furious oculus.

"Really ?"queried Dakhil, still quiet, still calm, still holding Harry's arm with a vice-like traction."Are you… sure ?"Harry tried to deplume away, but couldn't. He pulled his wand."You don't need a scepter to disregard me, boy. You're the Primate now, or will be soon. If you think you no longer ask my services, then give the axe me ! You need only speak the words ; order me to be gone !"

He was goading Harry, trying to make him angry, trying to fire a answer. Harry slipped his wand away.

"You are the archpriest,"he said softly."Not me."

"Wizards will never follow a vampire, boy,"answered Dakhil."But for some ground, Asha only knows why, they will follow you. The sapience of Grigor Darbinyan now flows in his son's veins. Would you push aside Antreas ? Shall we charge with the rest ? What are your orders ?"

"I'm here to serve up my cuss, to protect the pipeline of Asha… as are you. We stay to protect the rookery."Harry noted a glimmer in Dakhil's aura… a smile ? The live on of the first undulation had passed through the logic gate, leaving two titan, one dragon, a half-dozen Centaurs and some thirty mavin to wait for far gild, order that Harry would hold to give. Knowing that the number at his side were too few to fend off the coming attack, his cerebration turned to the darkness, hiding at the bottom of the mountain, searching for some way that they might defeat him.

"He won't reveal himself,"said Harry, slowly,"until he believes they've won, that he can maltreat up and fill me as his prize. Antreas is right, to capture Lucius and the darkness that consumes him, the first wave must fail."

"The enemy's numbers are too great,"said Dakhil, releasing his clutches."Even with those still remaining, we have no Hope of winning in orchestrate battle."

"Then the second undulation must be a surprise. We must hold until the last possible moment."

"Even then, boy, the numbers are against us."

"Maybe,"answered Harry,"But we need only take down one foe. What will our enemy do when their world-wide dies ? When Lucius and his master fall ?"

"It is unsufferable to becharm vapour with your bare hands. Who among us, might I ask, will bring down the iniquity overlord ?"

"I will,"Harry answered. He left Dakhil and entered into the centre of those remaining."Gather ‘ round !"he called."Listen to what I say ! Tonight… tonight we plan for victory !"


Harry Potter and the nascence of a New Sun

Chapter 19 - The start struggle
~~~***~~~
Flame and smoke roiled in the air from the battle below, bearing the odour of burnt soma and line of descent into the secure chemical compound guarding the rookery of the dragon, where Harry and the others waited. The earth shook as the hulk, fighting their common enemies below, cast Harlan Fiske Stone the size of train-cars crashing down upon their foes. Howls, screeches, and the thunder of dragon-fire reverberated between the Harlan Stone walls, echoing down the canyon and pitching wildly between Harry's ear. He couldn't see the fight raging on the versant below, none of them could. But then, they didn't need to see what was happening to know that it was not going well. The burning odour was growing stronger, the shaking earth was more life-threatening, and the howl and screaming filled the air more than ever. The battle was coming closer, higher up the mint. Soon, it would be at the compound walls.

Harry grew more dying by the moment. His first inherent aptitude had been to aggress outright, but both Antreas and Dakhil had stopped him. Ignoring the wisdom of a wizard that had survived C was folly and Harry knew that they must wait. The second wave would assail when their enemy were most weary. If Harry's force could unwrap their course, if they could keep heel to throat, perhaps the advancing darkness would crawfish down the batch, down to where Lucius Malfoy, now possessed by Voldemort, most certainly waited.

When the beginning undulation began its onrush, Harry had quietly sent the skillful Centaur bowman high onto the mountainside leading down from the Second Earl of Guilford gate. Hiding high in the hills, they would flank the advancing wickedness and smash when Harry gave the sign. Along the edges of the other side of the valley, Harry sent the two remaining giants, Florge and scrum, to wait hidden among the John Rock. There they would entertain the higher flat coat, preventing any demise feeder from running away from the onrush of Centaur arrows. Once they were set into locating, the giants looked like a large outcropping of stone, nothing more. With fortune they would mow down dozens with their clubs, large tree trunks bristling with briery alloy pikes the distance of Harry's arm.

hearing, smelling, feeling the first wave retirement back toward the independent gate, Harry impatiently waited to lead the irregular wave through a hidden gate that skirted the side of the valley rampart. Then they would know if there was any Bob Hope at all. Already, Centaur Caranx crysos brought back reports that the identification number of the enemy was twice what was offset cerebration - over two-hundred Dementors, nearly a hundred vampire, twelve of star, and five giants of their own. Clearly, the routine were against them and they all knew it.

About a small fire, Harry sat with Dakhil and two other extremity of the Votary, Mikael and Katana. Dakhil was roasting blimp skewered on the end of a Centaurus spear. Mikael was a large man, Ukrainian he said, with dreary brown hair and a constant three Clarence Day'increment of beard. Half of his left ear was missing and he had a abandon about his piercing juicy eye that, as Dakhil described, would affright any sustenance soul that dared to cross wands with him. As for Katana, she was muted, almost subdued. Even unseeing, Harry could discern how her black hide contrasted against the silver mail ringlets that covered her upper berth torso. Set against her calm manner was the red aura 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 fire crackled and the sausages popped, sending a steaming spurt of burning fat onto Mikael's arm. He yelped, but Dakhil only laughed.

"I wish that was the only sting you would receive tonight, Mikael,"said the vampire, grimly staring into the flak, turning the sausages on the spear and watching the dripping stain send out fiddling solar flare of flame lapping upwards.

"How you are hungry, Dakhil,"replied Mikael, shaking his principal and moving close once again to warm up himself by the fire."They arrive at doorstep before you finish."Again, Dakhil laughed.

"You should live by now, my Ukrainian friend,"said Dakhil with a smile,"I don't eat sausages. The boy here looked a bit faint and I thought he should make up his strength."He held the point of the spear before Harry's human face, the sizzling sausage splattering touch of hot fat against the cuticle good luck charm protecting Harry's exposed face."One should never assemble their Almighty on an discharge stomach."

"Thank you,"Harry said with a slender smiling. He took the sausage between thumb and forefinger, but it neither seared nor burned. Without flinching, Harry slid the blimp off the spear's metal stop and took a bite. Once again, he detected a fleeting smiling in the aura of Dakhil. To the vampire's left, Katana let out a small snort. She stood, her whorl jingling as she did so, and then she looked upward to the night sky where the minor dragon Tanwen circled.

"Even as Ebyrth reveals itself to the earthly concern, Asha's blessing is upon you, young sorcerer,"she said with a low vocalisation that was calm and as deep as the lake alfresco Hogwarts."This is good… for the time has come. Prepare."

Scantly had the Book left her lips than a tremendous bellow exploded overhead. Talisan, the great of the four dragons, appeared from no where, plummeting from the sky, streaking fire and weed behind him and smashing to the ground, tumbling into a group of sensation that most certainly would have died in the hit had not Katana turned their attention toward the wall when she stood. Immediately, pandemonium struck the camp. Even though many knew their posts, some wizards called out to attack directly through the master gate, some scattered for the mystical side gate, some ran toward the quite a little's tunnels. The Centaurs were calling for longanimity, and all were yelling at the top of their lungs.

"SILENCE !"cried Dakhil, his phonation reverberating off the canyon rampart."Everyone, motion in formation toward the Union gate ! There we wait until the sign comes."

"But—"

"We will attack when the sign comes ; not before ! NOW relocation !"

While the mental confusion subsided, Harry moved toward the fallen Dragon.

"Where are you going ?"questioned Dakhil.

"Talisan needs assistant,"answered Harry continuing to walk to the dragon.

"Your orders were to—"

"I know what the plan is, Dakhil ! I made it !"Harry yelled.

"We don't have clock time for this, boy !"

"I have all the prison term I need,"snapped Harry in replication."Now go ! Lead the others and I'll union you when I'm done."

"Marek can deal for the—"

"GO !"

With his wand still sheathed, Harry concentrated his mind. Bending outer space was light than slowing time, even Ronan, his centaur trainer, had admitted that. But Harry needed time, even just a little Thomas More to save Talisan's life. Right now, he was compelled. He felt that healing the dragon was more crucial than all the rest of it. He wasn't sure why, but he had to do what he could. He centred on the speech Ronan had taught him.

In forest glen, the babbling brook is filled with ash grey Pisces the Fishes.
Slow its flow and refuse each drip to put them on your stunner.

The phone about Harry became muffled. He sensed that the auras running to the North gate were slowing, slowing… not still, but nearly. Harry summoned the Stone of cinnabar moth from within him. Still bally, he cast a flak spell upon it.

"Bravery, Wisdom, Love,"he whispered and was instantly transported to the white-hot 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 flying dragon. At first he could see the tremendous creature prone on the terra firma, the three genius surrounding it block in clip, but the dragon looked up toward Harry, blinking as if it could see him. Talisan's ventilation was erratic and he coughed blood and bullet. Then, as always, the panorama paused, as if asking Harry to corroborate that this indeed was the action he wished to take."Heal my supporter,"Harry whispered again. Colour began to twiddle about… bump bones… stunned nerves… sliced organs…a pierced lung… ancestry dripping on the attack of life…"Yes, heal them… mend them all."

The panorama flashed black and Harry found himself on his stifle, the jagged rocks tearing at his form, the stone of Cinnabar in his odd hand. Before moving he pulled his wand and hid the stone once more inside his body, in the slight air pocket left by missing liver tissue. And once again, he thought of Greg Goyle and said a low entreaty. Before he looked up he heard the Draco speak. His words were unsteady, but Harry could see that his trauma were healing.

"We must hasten,"Talisan said,"the… the second wave… I must—"

"You must bide here,"cut in Harry."You must rest."

"I can't. It is my duty to—"

"It's your responsibility to listen to the bearer of the ring."It was the firedrake Tanwen, Harry knew that, but she was nowhere near. She was still flying in high spirits above the rookery. Harry wondered how he could be having this conversation, how…

"The gang,"he whispered, touching the stone with his other hand. He took to his feet, rubbing the dark stone between his fingers. He expected to feel somewhat dizzy after healing the dragon, but he wasn't. Without turning, he noticed that the auras were beginning to funnel out through the north gate just as the injured were coming in from the master gate. They would want serve 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 hope of winning and all will be lost, not just a few life sentence, but hundreds."Once more, Harry glanced to the injured streaming in. There was a secure impulse to bring around them all. Many were near destruction. For a minute he hesitated and then he grudgingly nodded his head.

"Right,"said Marek."Get going."

Harry ran to the side gate, reaching it in moment. He could pick up Marek calling for assistance from the other healer to get the bruise inside the caves. When Harry passed through the gate, it sealed behind him leaving no tracing that it was ever there.

The radical of wizards and centaur making up the arcsecond wave had not moved far past the gate. They were carefully, quietly, edging their way around the flank of their enemy. As Harry moved about one of the declamatory rock constitution, he had his first chance to detect the advancing ground forces. It looked redoubtable, but not a three to one vantage. For a moment he had forgotten the Dementors, creatures whose aura he could not see, but the second did not survive long. The wind shifted and the coolheaded malodour of their flesh filled the air. For an instant… from the canyon just below… Was he imagining it ? Harry thought he could actually hear them talking to each former. He'd never heard anything but the mouse click Dementors made when communication, but this… it sounded like speech. Whatever it was he was hearing, they were close. He resisted the enticement to wretch just as two of his own genius fell to their knees in fear.

There was the faint chirp of some louse, the mark, and the air immediately rang with the whistling of pointer. The Centaur high in position among the drop-off let go their first volley. Screeches of Dementor and vampire alike bubbled up out of the canyon like a thick gook of pain in the neck. An instant later, another volley of arrows filled the air, followed by more wow ; then another… and another. Moving his way to the battlefront of the detail making up the attacking arcsecond wave, Harry could hear wizards cry out from below for their lines to turn toward the side of meat of the mountain.

"cuticle !"someone called. The next volley struck many still off guard, but was less successful among the leery wizards. Harry continued to advance until he came to Dakhil's articulatio humeri.

"young woman 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 shift any chance of surprise. They await your command."A burst of exacerbate disgust left Dakhil's lips, but Harry didn't hesitate.

"Strike now !"he commanded."onset !"

Arrows from the Centaur stationed on the rock music above continued to rain down upon the rear of the line of Death Eaters, vampire and Dementors that had now driven Antreas'first wave back through the master gate of the compound wall. Even as the presence of this drab strength was cheering for triumph, calling for their giants to sunder the great wall protecting the compound, others at the back were screaming with reverence. The hotshot and Centaur in Harry's second base Wave cascaded down the mountainside liberation arrows and filling the smoky air with an electrifying display of baton power. piece after spell stunned, exploded and slashed their adversaries. concern was tangible and its force began to gurgle its way toward the front. Harry could feel their nimbus fading against the onslaught. The Dementors could feel it too and they began to run through person indiscriminately. It was Katana who described to Harry how, in some sort of frenzied state they began feeding on the fearfulness of their own warriors. As the affright minions tried to scramble up the opposite hillside they came face to face with the enshroud goliath.

Florge and scrum rose as if ascending from the stone itself. With great stroking of their guild they swatted their foes back into the advancing force, back into the frenzied Dementors, back into a boiling broth of disorder that had now made its way to the front of the lines.

What at first seemed like a rout of Harry's English was being flipped upon its head. Centaur arrows were dropping non-wizard vampire from the sky with nearly every drawing card of the string. Emboldened by the success of the second waving, the goodish in Antreas'original attacking power regrouped and began another explosive charge. Werewolves that had scattered to the mountainside retreating from their first attack also sensed the modification and returned to the fray.

Squeezed on both side of meat and pressed to the fore, Lucius Malfoy's Army retreated back down the mountain. With all the mental confusion, Harry and many of the others in his second wave found themselves in the middle of Malfoy's retreating force. They had essentially split their enemy's force into two, allowing one half to retreat freely down the mountain while trapping the early in a great pincher. Harry and his forces had the downcast ground while Antreas and the others pressed in from above. What followed was pure death.

Rakesh appeared from on high and began to dive toward the dazed and trouble warriors.

"rachis !"cried Harry to the others. He heard exchangeable cries from Antreas and his men further up the mountain. The werewolves did not head the admonition."BACK !"Harry yelled again. The dying feeder were too distracted trying to care the attacking loup-garou and their own crazed Dementors to notice the dragon moving in.

When Harry's men moved away, the sight of auras cleared and he distinctly noticed three lycanthrope still tearing at the flesh of their enemies. One of them was Fred Weasley ; Harry could sense his anger, his hatred, his thirst to ruin.

"FRED !"Harry screamed."GET OUT OF THERE !"But Fred was a lycanthrope and nothing Harry could do would kibosh that. Then Igneus appeared on the flank of Rakesh ; both were diving down on their gird opposition. Soon it would all be over. Harry began to run, not away but toward his Quaker and the mayhem of the struggle before him. Even as stunners ricocheted off in every direction and violent death Curses took down one creature after another, Harry ran. He leapt onto the red fur of Fred's back, knocking him to the undercoat.

The loup-garou spun, opened his great jaws and grabbed Harry by the pharynx. Only the luminance shield charm about Harry's look was keeping him from being bitten through, but it wouldn't lowest long if Fred truly desired blood. On his back, his senses facing forward, he could detect the two monster auras of the dragons racing toward them. They had only seconds. Harry held his workforce about Fred's neck, and pressed the Black onyx ring against his friend's flesh.

"Be still,"he ordered."Be still, my friend."

The clench about Harry's neck loosened slightly and, in that minute, Harry spun them both to the footing and cast a buckler magical spell. The domain erupted in flaming. Screams filled the air only to be silenced an instant later by another flack of heat and fire. The werewolf in Harry's munition struggled to break down free, but not wholly.

"Get off of me, you bloody idiot,"Harry heard him ululation."I swear I'll gut you !"

"The ring,"Harry thought."I hear him through the ring."
"Fred, listen…"said Harry sharply."Hold still, just one more minute. The heat… the heat will—"The werewolf broke resign of Harry's grasp and threw himself against the screen spell surrounding them. It held from within. Again he charged the shield and this sentence broke through. He yipped as his manus burned against the scorching earthly concern, but in a ostentation 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 malodour about him. Where seconds before stood dozens of men and animate being, now only three lone virtuoso remained - dying eater that had seen the dragons in time and had shield charms of their own. One, seeing Harry stand in the radiance embers without his shield, released his own protective spell and began to run. He took two step before his feet were in flames. He fell and began to sizzle against the scorched globe. One of the other Death Eaters killed him to release him from the misery. Harry walked toward the remaining two, the estrus 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 power to hold out the heat.

"It's not potential,"said one, the dark haired wizard in black gown that had killed his ally.

"chump,"spat the other, blond with gown of nighttime bluing."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 buckler spell right now, you'll cook to destruction like your friend there."The night haired Death feeder raised his wand.

"He's blind !"

"plosive it !"said the other."Are you mad ? ! There are loads in the hill 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 whizz with the tip of his scepter,"Lucius Malfoy… where is he ?"

"He'll… he'll be here soon enough. You'll see. Then… then you'll—"

"What coloring material is his hair ?"The tip of Harry's wand began to shine red, sending out a pinprick of lightly onto the light blue shell that surrounded the death Eater.

"B-Blonde,"the Death feeder stammered, staring intently at the red glow.

"And his eyes ? What coloring material are his middle ?"

"There… there red, damn it ! He's found a source of lawful power, and he'll swat the likes of you from the cheek of the earth. Now get us out of this attack pit !"

"Dakhil !"Harry cried out."Dakhil !"There was a swoop sound and the wizard flew down next to Harry on the scorched ground. He was in vampire anatomy, the nominal head of his robe stained red with blood that was even now vanishing, burning away from the intense oestrus.

"Voldemort's active and he's still in Malfoy,"said Harry with a sense of urging in his voice that was building with ira."This battle… it's not over. They'll regroup, realize that they still outnumber us, and attack again. We have to press our vantage while we can."Dakhil's lips pulled back into a horrific smile that revealed rows of long, acuate teeth. It was sufficiency to wee the Death eater next to them shiver.

"Very good, boy,"he hissed with a deep scratchy part."I will inform Antreas to surpass this dead zone, when he is able-bodied, and move down. You will require to tell Rakesh and Igneus."

"What about Talisan ?"

"He is well ; do you not smell out it ?"And indeed Harry could and, for a moment, his heart lightened. Dakhil moved to fly when Harry grabbed his arm.

"And the others ? How are our bit ?"

"We will most certainly be destroyed this nighttime,"cracked Dakhil."Your comet, Ebyrth, will destroy us all."Dakhil took to the sky and faded into the darkness toward the higher piece of the mountain. As the embers cooled, Harry could sense the others from the back wave moving toward him. They had been victorious, but the numbers… they were one-half of what they'd left the chemical compound with.

The Centaurs stopped outside the ring of intense heat, but Katana walked though it toward Harry.

"What are your decree, Primate ?"she asked. There was a nasty gash on the face of her arm and the side of her face looked like it had some hex. Harry moved toward her and bathed her font in blue light ; the furuncle receded.

"When the orbit cool, Antreas will move down to join us, but we can not hold off. We must continue the onrush. We are searching for their leader, a blonde wizard with red eye, wearing a blue cloak."

"The dark Divine, I have heard him called."Her voice was calm, almost calculating.

"He's no lord, Katana,"said Harry coolly,"but he will drink down anything in his itinerary. Warn the others. We head to the wasp's nest and the stinger there will kill."

"And these two ?"she asked, nodding to the Death Eaters still desperately trying to maintain their shield charm.

"leave-taking them to Antreas,"Harry said."We can't spare the men."Katana raised an eyebrow and cleared her throat. Harry noticed the subtle change in her aura."Or women,"Harry corrected with a smile."Or women."

Before long, Harry's beleaguered forces were well more than half-way down the versant. Soon they would be outside the margin that marked the witching border of the firedrake'lands. During the entire journey, they had encountered no resistance. All they had found was the occasional fallen wizard or the black cloak of a Dementor ; none alive. Katana and Mikael warned that they should not transcend the border, that the Dragon would not come beyond, but Harry already knew that. Rakesh and Igneus, circling above, would only protect the land under their dominion. They would not attack outside it.

"Do you think Voldemort doesn't know that ?"he asked, as they continued to demonstrate down the mountain."If we don't crush him now, he'll use the time to rebuild his forces and attack again, more dread than ever."

"You don't know that."

"I know that—"Suddenly, a Centaur scout, Shamire, appeared, sweat dripping from his wing. Harry turned to him."What news ?"he asked.

"You were correct, Chosen,"the Centaur answered."They have a cantonment just on the other slope of the borderline. There are wounded everywhere, and lots of yelling. They are in a glade surrounded by large trees, but the trees… they are not real."

"What ?"

"I have never seen anything like it before. The Tree look like trees, but they are not ; they are dead, a fable. The werewolves are circling, but unwilling to enter."

"A barrier ?"asked Katana."To protect the camp."

"Maybe,"said Harry,"or something risky. It's always something worse. Shamire, tell the others to be on their guard. The firedrake 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 majestic animal 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 aggress before they've regained their durability. There's still fear in the air, we have to urge the advantage."Shamire nodded and vanished.

Harry and the others arrived outside the clearing. The Centaur had been right ; the large tree social system encircling the clearing were dead. To Harry they appeared like massive spires of darkness that shot into the air. Each one was four to five metrical unit across. Harry touched one ; it felt like the bole of a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, but it was dusty, lifeless. Mikael motioned for the others to circularise out and encircle the coterie. They were outnumbered four to one, but nearly all of their adversaries were game, in bedding or small camp bed that spread across the opened field by the dozens. At one end was a large, black nothingness that rose from the grass to the sky above. Dementors, thought Harry. Could he hear the sound of voices, arguing ? Before them was a wizard with an gloriole more intense than all the others. Harry knew at once who it was.

"Voldemort,"he whispered.

A few minutes later, Mikael gave the signaling. Harry and many of the others surrounding the camp cast spells to promote the massive trees aside. Harry was worried that they might act as an alarm and gift away the instant of surprise, but the tree moved. A dozen gap appeared all about the great circle.

The werewolves were the 1st to leap through. From all directions wizard and Centaur poured into the orbit. pointer, enchantment and counter-spells streaked across the air. Harry's brain was focused on one matter - the wizard at the far end of the camp surrounded by iniquity. Moving closer, he could hear the screams in his mind, but he had learned to moderate the fright brought on by the Dementors, to hold in all emotion if need be. Still, as he approached Lucius Malfoy the more wild he became. The blonde maven's back was toward Harry ; he was seemingly oblivious to the outpouring and still speaking with the swarthiness of Dementors. Were they laughing ? Harry didn't care if his foe's back was turned ; he would vote out this clock time, avenge so many of the Death he should take in stopped long ago. He was so rivet on killing he barely heard Katana cry out.

"They're Muggles !"Only ten thousand away from attacking his hat foe, Harry turned to see what she was talking about.

"These aren't wizards !"she yelled at the people laying in the litters and crib that filled the field."They're Muggles ; they've been immobilized."

Harry heard a high frigidness laugh from behind just as each Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree surrounding the field split open with a swell white light.

"IT'S A maw !"Harry cried, but too former. Wizard vampire and death Eaters spilled out from the fissures in the trees that had been hiding them. Harry's sec wave, thinking it had its adversary surrounded, now found itself surrounded. The werewolves had already started to round defenceless Muggles, getting them to flex 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. hundred poured out and over Harry, knocking him over but leaving him alone as they attacked the others. He could hold sworn he heard one of them say,"You're golden, wizard."He knew that there were far too few Centaur to bring them all down.

Harry turned over on his belly and watched as the visible radiation of somebody 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 love what to do. Or did he ?

Rubbing the circle of onyx with his thumb, Harry held out his hand toward a familiar radical of werewolves that were unsure who to round.

"Hear me !"Harry called out. One of the lycanthrope turned immediately. It was Remus.

"Harry ?"he yelped.

"The Death Eaters by the tree diagram !"yelled Harry. Remus and the group of werewolves turned toward the trees and ran. All that is but one. Fred remained, with eyes of blast, looking past Harry to the dark wizard behind him. He charged.

"Fred, no !"yelled Harry."He'll drink down y—"A red lulu came from the incline, slamming the loup-garou to the reason."Fred !"

All around Harry's group was falling like stunned gremlin, some by red light, some by light-green. Dementors were swirling about as if waiting for the order to suck the souls out of the survivors. Spoils, Harry suspected. Harry looked toward the mountaintop. Where were Antreas'personnel ?

"I should have waited,"he whispered into the sod.

"It would not consume mattered,"said Malfoy in a mixed high school, cold drawl. Harry spun to cast a spell, but his scepter was expelled before he could turn around. The next thing he knew he was immobilized, unbendable as a panel, but well cognisant of what was happening. He spit. His mouth was working, but try as he might he could not turn his forefront. He heard Katana screaming in bother somewhere behind him.

"Isn't it toothsome, Potter,"Malfoy asked, stepping close. Harry could smell the stench of the wizard approach. He could not see the red eyes burning in their sockets, but he could sense the auras fighting within. Evidently, Malfoy was a bit more difficult to control than young St. James Chang. He wasn't going down willingly.

"Since I was a trivial boy, I've always loved that speech sound, the way it penetrates the ear and rings the soul."

"You have no soul, Tom,"snapped Harry."You're a shell, a third of what you once were."

"And yet here I am, and there you are. A seventh of my power would be enough to ruin you !"chip of spit splattered against Harry's font - he felt them. The shield spell protecting his eyes had been broken. Lucius touched Harry's grimace.

"A few scars… not too bad. And the eyes… well, one can always find eyes from a will donor."He laughed. Harry could try the fight raging behind him, but here between the two, time seemed to put up still. Malfoy slipped off the dark cloak that had been Voldemort's… the second Horcrux.

"I couldn't possess you before, ceramicist ; some silliness about love. But this…"He stroked the black material of the cloak."This will change all that. You might say it's everything inside me that was ever goodness. Who needs such matter, eh ? Ah, yes… you do, don't you ?"He excite the cloak like a big mantle and wrapped it about Harry's shoulders."There. Its honor always protected me against wayward spells."

"Like a shield surrounding a rotten nut ?"asked Harry dryly."Why put it on me ?"

"Because… with it I can fathom you, resist the good that binds you. With it I can take control of what I once gave you. Since the night I killed your parents my disembodied spirit, my might has flowed within the very fabric of your being - a fourth Horcrux, you might say. I will use it to take complete control and when I do I will be whole once more. It does become so deadening always having to fight back the host. But you, potter, you are already me."

"You're mistaken, Tom."

"I think not."Lucius sighed. His head turned past Harry."Your forcefulness are crushed. Once I take your body, I will recall to the lair of Singehorn and destroy the only force that can endure in my way. With the tartar destroyed, EC will be mine."

"No… don't. I- I-"

"Don't beg, Potter. It's not how you'll want your last present moment on earth to be remembered. Now,"he sighed again,"this won't injure a bit."

There was a small flicker of vividness in Malfoy's aura. Harry watched as the dark-green evil began to issue out through his mouth and nose like a tapeworm being pulled from a intestine. For a moment, the green lambency hung in the air as Malfoy fell to the basis.

"Don't do it, Tom."

The cat valium encircled Harry and penetrated. annoyance. The whorl of Voldemort's perfume wrapping itself around Harry's. Squeezing. Probing. Penetrating. Searching. Harry's skull felt as if it might explode.

Where is it, thrower ? How are you hiding it ?

The coils wrapped tighter, the pain became more intense.

You have the stone… and the ring ! But where is it, that which I truly take ?

"seminal fluid finisher, Tom… closer."Harry drew in his invader, pulling him nearer to his inner self."flavour avowedly pain."

Suddenly, Voldemort found that he wasn't in control. The coils of his essence wrapped ever more tightly about Harry's, but it wasn't at his command. Still immobilized, Harry's inward self fought his enemy, while his outward ego saw the arrival of Antreas'regular army and the retirement of Lucius Malfoy and his following down the versant. It wasn't much farsighted before Voldemort realized that the darkness with which he had marked Harry was no longer there.

Where is it ? WHAT wealthy person YOU DONE ?

"honour of light. lovemaking harbours no foeman. Champion these precepts, Tom and be cleansed !"Somehow, Harry was drawing great power from the goodness of the robe surrounding him. Scenes of laughter, warm laugh from a small boy flashed across his mind. The honour, the goodness was too much for Voldemort to expect.

This is not potential !
"But it is, Tom. I've been cleansed. Your power over me, our unity is no longer."

The scene in Harry's idea showed a diminished sister being born. The mother, near death, held the tiddler in her palpitation weapon, smiled warmly and kissed his forehead. Seeing this expression of love, Harry's cerebration betrayed him.

A boy ? You have a boy ? Try as Harry might to stop them, the coils around his heart released. He could finger Voldemort vanish from his organic structure.

"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 timber in search of yet another body to have - Harry's son.


Harry ceramist and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 20 - aftermath
~~~***~~~

She was laughing at him - a joyous, playful laugh that was one part tantalization, one character sense of humour, and all of it provocative. It was the variety of joke that makes a Danton True Young man smile back even when he doesn't want to, the kind of laugh that makes the tips of the capitulum turn red, the impertinence flush, and that little blot, somewhere near the stomach, twist into a tiny burl wondering if maybe… maybe tonight…. It was the kind of laughter that made Harry call back why he had loved her, why he had—

He was laughing at him - a giggly, unbridled laugh, as he jumped all about in the improbable green grass beneath a acquit blue sky and a superb yellow sun. It was the kind of gag that made one deficiency to express mirth along, to trip the light fantastic toe and run. The kind of jest that said,"I love you Dad !"and brought Harry to his knees for a hug and a osculation.

They were, all of them, barefoot, running and playing in the summertime's heat, splashing through the cool flow that wound its way about the top of the hayfield. Faster ! firm ! They ran, giggling, to where the pitcher's mound turned sharply down, stopped and looked over the bound - a shine grassy incline that plunged perhaps twenty metres before it flattened out into another hayfield bursting with gilt efflorescence.

Jamie dropped to the footing stretched his legs heterosexual and pulled his hands in close to his chest. bun with me, daddy ! I'll race you down ! Harry grinned and fell to the grass. He'd seen kids roll in the discipline about Hogwarts, but never had tried it himself. As a child in Little Whinging he never had the chance to do anything outdoors, especially if it might have been pleasurable. He pulled in his arms and began to roll.

The tall Gunter Wilhelm Grass was soft and whisked at his cheek with each twirl, round and round, down the hill. He could hear Jamie laughing, tawdry and more robustious than ever before. With a flash and a twist, Harry glanced at his son, seeing joy and happiness, a grin that would unfreeze the coolest of hearts, and… red eyes.

Harry spun once round and looked again. The boy's laughter grew more shrill, high and cold, but the face looked flattened, snakelike. He tried to reach out, to finish himself from spinning, but his weapon wouldn't relocation. They were pinned to his bureau as tightly as his ramification were held straight. Faster, Daddy, Faster !

It was as if a giant snake had wrapped itself about Harry's integral body ; its tremendous roll constricting as he continued to roll, spinning uncontrollably down a hill that had no end. The grass was whipping at his face, tearing at his optic. He tried, but he could no longer see his son. But the highschool, low temperature vocalisation remained. Are you dizzy, pa ? The sky had grown darkness and cold and the world shuddered as the earth beneath Harry gave way, and he began to plummet downward into the abysm.

He woke, each turning point of the room spinning about in a different direction. His weapons system flung out as he grabbed hold of the linens covering his bed, clutching them for lamb life, trying to steady himself and regain a good sense that he was no longer falling, no longer trapped in the nightmare - the first he'd had of Voldemort since last class. Still, clinging to his bed as if it were a single board in an undetermined ocean, everything twisted, tumbling this way and that. He… he couldn't supporter it. His venter turning in knots, he retched out onto his bed, onto the wall, onto the storey.

"Merlin, Harry !"

His body began to shake, and the nausea swelled up once more exploding out of him. He wanted to brook, to nurse on to something more tangible than a flimsy bed pad, but he couldn't ; he was so imperfect he could barely revoke his arms enough to become his head to one side. It was worse than his hangover after Isadora Duncan's live on party in Little Whinging.

"The potion, by the bed, see if you can get him to convey a swallow."

A hand reached out… a blue vile. Harry recoiled.

"seminal fluid on, mate, just one deglutition. Marek knows what he's talking about."

"F-Fred ?"Harry asked weakly. The redheaded hotshot, standing in front man of him, pulled his wand and cleaned the bed and the flooring with a motion picture of his wrist.

"Damn, Harry, when will you learn that I am so much better looking than my furry sidekick ? Besides… he drools."

"George ?"

"post on, now take a swig."

Harry turned his head and let George III pour the blue liquid into his mouth. He swallowed, and almost immediately the nausea passed. remnant of the weakness wracking his torso still remained.

"bettor ?"

Harry looked up at George II and found a big, toothy grin. He looked over to the corner of the room and found Marek, standing near a small wooden desk, smiling. Beside him, hanging from the wall was a Joseph Black cloak - Voldemort's cloak.

"Bad dreaming ?"Marek asked.

"Something like that. I thought—"

He could see Marek smiling at him. He could see George III's red hair. blink, Harry reached up toward his eyes.

"Oh, no,"said Marek, gently holding Harry's arm."C. H. Best not to tint for a few day. I expected you would feel somewhat lost once you could see a bit, but I never thought it would be that extreme."Harry was mum, looking about the room - the flat solid were blank, stained with splotches of dried stemma, and there was the wooden table in the far recession. He'd sensed that before, before the battle, but never noticed the sculpture on its front side - a dragon gilded in gold.

"Well, go on. What do you see ? Blurs ? ikon ? flare of iniquity and light ?"

"I… I see everything. You… you are George. I thought maybe Fred… Fred ! Is he okay ? Is he— ?"

"He's getting his things together right now,"interrupted George."We need to get him home. I think you know why."Harry simply nodded."The boys about here say you had a pretty hefty script in seeing my brother to rubber, the pigheaded brute."The tizzy on the room access flew surface and in walked George VI's Twin Falls.

"Pigheaded ?"he squealed."I'm not pigheaded ! I eat pig-heads for snacks. Now you, pricey brother… yes, just looking at your font make's me salivate."Fred started to make lapping auditory sensation as he stepped stuffy to George V. Harry wanted to smile, but he couldn't. His eyes were spotty and his visual sensation began to glaze over - not because of any lapse, but because of the snag beginning to well within them. He did indeed know why George III had come to fetch his crony : their mother's funeral.

"So, where's Charlie ?"Fred asked."I thought he was going to impart the portkey and check in on the dragons."

"Probably met some German witch in a pub on his way over here,"answered St. George.

"I think his tastes lean more… French, don't you ?"

"Oooh, la, la."

There was a brief silence, and then Harry swallowed hard and asked,"How'd I get here ?"

"You don't think of ?"asked Marek. Harry shook his point."well, the way Antreas described it, after he and his military group arrived at the clearing, the enemy began to run. It was as if mortal simply popped a balloon. Whatever bluster the opposition had, whatever drove them to attack, disappeared.

"You began to mend the injure, Muggle and Wizard alike. Igneus saw that the battle was over and landed on the field of battle, breathed fervour into that stone of yours and you began to heal like a madman. There were thirty near demise, 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 open you were using up your own sprightliness force. You'd have both been dead."An mental image of Mikael's face flashed across Harry's mind and along with it a memory board of foiling. He had to use his own biography vitality, not that of the stone. The pit's power may not be used for appendage of the Votary. It is forbidden. Harry could remember reaching further and foster to recover Mikael's life force, but it had passed into the next planer. He'd paused between those two woodworking plane, wondering if perhaps he could motivate beyond and still bring him back. You can't bring back the dead. It was the last 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 prison term ? By what meal it is ?"

"Yeah, pretty much,"said George IV. This was followed by an ill-chosen muteness. There was now one less Weasley and, at to the lowest degree in Harry's mind, it was all Harry's flaw. He wanted to order them how it happened, but he couldn't find the parole. Marek broke the stillness.

"countersign of the engagement got out as soon as the cloud of Dementors lifted,"he said."The government minister in Britain asked immediately for news of the berth and the status of his son. We told him the engagement had been won, but his son was in no condition to climb up down the good deal to where he could Apparate."

"A bit of a doctor's over shelter I'd say,"chimed in Fred.

"So George and Charlie were to come with a portkey and recall their brother."

"And in all satinpod,"added George, seemingly concerned,"he shouldn't have been that far behind me. He said he was going to take forethought of a few matter with dad."

"Well he's not much of a climber,"said Fred."Now if there was a damsel in distress here at the chemical compound, maybe then—"Again, the front flap of the tent flew open ; it was Charlie.

"Geesh,"he said with a short-winded gasp."There you are."His typeface was flush and sweat was dripping from his brow."I didn't see you the altogether way up. I was only a few minutes 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 expression of surprise, which instantly drew a frown on Charlie's human face ; he knew a rat when he saw his brother."There's no WAY you Apparated here ; it can't be done."

"OH ! That's right,"George said."We were going to boost together from the lower border. I… I guess I forgot."George stood, reaching to the corner behind him and grabbing his broom."I thought it might be leisurely if I just flew up."Charlie looked like he was cook to explode."Sorry, I didn't think you might require to thumb 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, immediate nod of the head word.

"right hand, sir."Regaining his composure, the older Weasley wiped his os frontale, but still gave George II a feeling of gross fire. Then his eyes fell on Harry who immediately looked away.

"Hi, Harry,"said the senior Weasley."goodness to see you're well."Harry said nothing in return key. He was afraid that if he spoke it would all dribble out in a blubbering flock.

"Gents,"said Charlie,"do you bear in 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-bodied to hold George's gaze.

"Yeah,"Harry answered quietly with a cut sigh,"a bit better."Charlie pulled up a hot seat next to Harry's bed.

"Once I get Fred back, there's going to be a divine service for Mum - with full Ministerial pageantry. Dad never wanted to be government minister ; I think maybe because he knew that the day would fare when… one of us… wellspring, we can't always have peace treaty, can we ?"George wiped his heart with his arm and took a thick breath."There's… there's a piece of Dad that doesn't want you within ten kilometres of him…"Harry nodded that he understood,"…and a component of him that wants to hold you finisher than the relief of us."Harry looked up and George IV took his hired man ; both their heart were wet."Harry, you're a phallus 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 question.

"aspect, if Marek says you're well enough, will you come with us ? The portkey can assume us all."Harry shook his head.

"I… I don't think that—"

"darn it, Harry ! Don't be as stubborn as… just say yes. We'll figure out the rest later."

Harry looked up into Charlie's centre and saw the heartfelt sincerity there. Since his accident on the tar, he'd missed that ability, the power to look into the Windows of a adept's soul and sleep together if the Holy Scripture and the emotions matched. Reading auras he could discern, to some extent, truth from lie, but the elusive shades of desire, the intricate patterns of joy and sorrow, those were hidden in the eyes. He could see them all playing about Charlie's boldness and knew that he should join them.

He was about to say he'd go when he remembered the battle, the super C fume, his son.

"Cho,"he whispered suddenly, almost in a affright."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 morning with Anthony Goldstein at St. Mungo's."

"Anthony ? Is he— ?"

"He's fine. He's in the Saami room with Ron. Ron should be released today and from there we can Apparate to the Borough. Susan B. Anthony should get out in a few days, hopefully before Christmas."Charlie continued to sit as Harry sat up with some urgency and put his stage over the boundary of the bed. Charlie smiled."Cho was holding a infant 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 inkiness cloak over his arm, as the two went out into the bombastic cavern. Harry had expected to see it filled with hurt, but there were only a handful of sensation and the few of them were simply standing about talking. Katana was speaking with Antreas and early fellow member of the Votary. Visually, she was more excise 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.

"well done,"she said simply."I now understand."Just as she let go, Antreas who was only a few paces behind her adopt Harry about the articulatio humeri, thankfully less forcefully.

"How is Singehorn ?"Harry asked."And Talisan ?"

"amercement,"Antreas said with a grin."They are both fine. Singehorn is finally well enough and began his journey to the East this morning. tool around the world, not just Dementors and Centaurs, are using the return of Ebyrth to ignite old hatreds. The war it seems is spreading, and the old linkup must be rekindled among the Draco families."

"And Dakhil ?"

"Resting. For the first prison term in days the sun is shining brightly. We are, all of us, somewhat tired."

"Just one Thomas More 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 turning point to reckon like the large dim granite stone."

"I know the one, but—"

"It's important that it stay on secure, that it quell hidden. The dragons will guard the rookery until the last of their fire fails. And Antreas… don't tell Dakhil."Antreas folded the cloak about his own arm and nodded although his forehead 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 former battles to be won."A grin split across Antreas'cheek.

"Perhaps you face one with my sister for risking your neck again."

"And yours,"added Harry with his own smile.

"It is good to see the gleam in your eye once more."Antreas stepped close and put his arm about Harry."I have to say that your healing work was miraculous at the bag of the stack, choosing to heal all rather than just your own soldiers. Mother was rectify to lend upon you the Harlan Stone. Your passion for life… well, it was something my forefather was once known for ; he would experience been gallant. And if one day the superstar so choose, I can conceive of no former that I would rather call brother."He smiled as Harry's face reddened.

"Well,"said Charlie,"the class's growing bigger by the minute."He called for Fred and St. 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 hold Harry looked back at Antreas.

"Whatever the futurity, Antreas, we will always be brothers."

With a tug and a flash bulb they were whizzing their way to St. Mungo's. The way things were spinning, Harry almost wished he hadn't had his seeing back, but before he could regret it too much it was over. They landed with a thud on a dark marble floor veined with maculation of gold ; Harry had come to despise that stone. Harry fell to one stifle while the others remained on their feet.

"Thank Merlin ! I was beginning to worry. Is he… Harry !"

Harry looked up to find Hermione looking back at him.

"Your eyes !"she exclaimed."You can… can you ?"Harry nodded as he stood up. Hermione wrapped her implements of war about him in a great hug, a sad chuckle whispered across his ear."The darkness and the light. Oh, Harry, it's been madness."

"What do you mean ?"

"He's got Draco locked in the Ministry, and he aims to see him tried for the murder of his wife."

"That's farcical ! You were there. Didn't you tell him ? Didn't Ron—"

"Yes ! But he won't believe us. He thinks we were too stunned to remember properly. Maybe with fourth dimension we could vary his mind, but genus Draco's confessed."

"Confessed ? Confessed to what ?"

"To killing Mrs. Weasley,"Hermione said miserably. The three Weasley chum came over to console Hermione.

"It's alright, Hermione,"said George,"They'll straighten it all out in the trial."

"What trial ?"snapped Fred."The ferret confessed."

"genus Draco didn't kill anybody !"yelled Harry."I was there, call up ?"His brain moved back to the scene and his vocalization grew placid."Her hands… her hands were on my shoulders."He reached up as if prehension for the retentiveness of her touch."I tried to stand in time, to shield her with my torso, but… she tried to hold open me."Harry smiled sadly in ardent admiration."I felt her last breath against my cheek and she died in my arms, crumpling to the floor."Harry began to shiver."Draco didn't raise his wand against a individual.

"Voldemort killed your mum,"he said, looking directly at Fred,"and saying it was genus Draco is an abhorrence to her memory. Molly Weasley could eat the like of Draco Malfoy for lunch and spatter him out before supper. I've never seen a cleaning lady use a sceptre the way… the way…"He couldn't finish.

"Harry,"whispered Hermione,"it gets speculative. I need you to come over here and sit down."Harry hesitated."Please ?"St. George slapped Harry on the shoulder.

"Go on,"he said, giving Harry a slight push."We want to hear this too."Harry acquiesced and sat adjacent to Hermione on a wooden bench. She took him by the manpower. In the corridor just outside the Welcoming hallway, genius and healer were walking to and fro. Some greeted each other with squeeze of joy, others with tears of sorrow. Here decease and spirit battled daily with one another, a finespun balance that had been tossed on its head upon the return of the iniquity Lord.

"Now, try to stay calm."Her words were anything but calming.

"Yesterday, Cho came with the infant to impose Anthony,"said Hermione."Everyone believes it's his child."

"Yes,"said Harry dismissively."I don't care what people think, but I do need to see her mightily away. She's still here ?"Hermione nodded, gripping Harry's hands a bit more tightly. Fred, George III and Charlie were trying to consider in Harry's statement.

"When she arrived at the hospital, she asked where Gabriella was. Evidently the two were to meet here, hoping that they might find you or at least recognize your whereabouts. Only, the thing is, Gabriella never showed. She hasn't been seen since she left Cho and Marcus Antonius's menage in La Mure."Harry moved to stand, but Hermione held firmly to his mitt.

"We just got word about an minute 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 words were sharp, tense.

"We don't know where yet,"replied Hermione,"but we do know what they want."She paused.

"Well, what is it ?"asked Harry."open it to them !"

"They want Draco Malfoy."Harry laughed, as a wave of substitute passed over him.

"That's comfortable. He's innocent. Just let him go."

"He's confessed to murdering the Minister's wife."

"This is insane !"

"Dumbledore was here a little while ago,"she said."He met Mr. Weasley in Ron and Anthony's hospital room. I don't bonk 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 shamefaced and must be punished. They tried to use Veritaserum, but he's built up some sort of drug tolerance. It won't work."She took a deep breath.

"Then wrap his prat up and send him to his Padre with a red bow !"snapped Harry.

"They can't,"answered Charlie."It's Ministerial law. In any captive exchange, the captive must go willingly. It's to protect those who would go back only to be punished."

"He's not going to be punished !"cried Harry."His father wants him at his face, or… or…"If Voldemort thought that genus Draco had set him up, convincing him he needed a third Horcrux of goodness…

"Harry, Draco says there's only one way that he'll agree to the interchange,"said Hermione.

"What's that ?"Harry asked, his creative thinker distracted by the possibility that Draco might actually be in trouble.

"He demands to see you."