Harry Potter and The nativity of a New Sun

Chapter 6 - Too Close an encounter

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When Harry shut the door to his elbow room and descended the stair he was, perhaps, the happiest he had ever been in all his life. The sun sent golden light beam streaking through the dyed window above and cast a gilded effigy on the floor below, tinged with enough red to make Harry consider fleetingly of Guy Fawkes. His hairsbreadth a tangled mess, he was wearing a T-shirt, drawers and socks, one with a rather large pickle through which the expectant toe on his right foot protruded. He scratched his stomach as his nose took in the fragrance of something that resembled the smell of burning ham. He took one step down and turned to look back at his room. His room ? His business firm ? No, not really. Not anymore. And he was thankful for that and smiled all the more as the scent of brisk coffee filled the air, perhaps the only thing Canicula could groom properly.

When he pushed open the room access to the kitchen of Number twelve, Grimmauld position, he found Dog Star working feverishly in front of the stove. His wand was casting spell after turn, not so much at the food preparation, but in an campaign to clear the roll of tobacco 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 spend a penny you breakfast. You know, for the first time day of school and all."He cracked an egg and put both liquid and cuticle in the same trough and started mixing it with his wand. Harry chuckled kindly and rock his head in disbelief. It was great being spare of Privet Drive, to be here with his godfather, to palpate wanted and appreciated. It was probably the first clock time he had ever opened a package of bacon for breakfast without a sour preference in his mouth. He gave Canicula a aspect that said,"Get real,"and then positioned himself squarely in front of the stove.

"I'm not bad at this,"offered Harry, cracking four ballock at once into a bowl and discarding the scale with a movie of his wand. 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 Noel it'll be your turn."Sirius seemed to like the challenge, and the idea that he would be spending Christmastime with Harry.

"You know,"said Sirius pouring two cups of coffee,"I hear New York is spectacular at Christmas clock time. Have you ever been to the res publica ?"Harry shook his heading."Maybe we could go for a quick visit."

"I promised Gabri—"

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

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

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

Canicula ate like a dog and finished in about three minutes. Harry was more brooding, and while he did finish, it took him much longer. The nicest thing about being of age was that he didn't have to walk or take a car to go to world-beater's Cross Station. For that matter, he didn't need to go to world-beater's crown of thorns at all ; he could Apparate to Hogsmeade and walk of life in from there. Only the Head Boy and head teacher Girl had to take the caravan with their housemates, and this yr the head word Girl was none other than Hermione Granger. Odd, Harry thought, considering she'd nearly killed Theodore Nott stopping point year. He smiled and took another sip of umber. Hermione didn't know who the Head Boy was, but it wasn't Ron. Still, the Aythya americana and his girlfriend were inseparable and so Harry would be travelling too. When Harry told Gabriella he would be going to Hogwarts by geartrain, her face fell momentarily and grew concerned.

"Then I go as well,"she declared, and she began to thrill slightly. The sentiment sent a coldness chill down Harry's prickle as the warm coffee slipped down his throat.

"Any to a greater extent bacon ?"asked Sothis rummaging through the crusted genus Pan about the stove.

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

Sirius poked at it a few meter, and then finally took a snack. His grimace took on a svelte bitter shade as it scrunched ever so slightly, then he took another bite, shrugging his shoulder. His dentition and tongue covered in charcoal he said,"You'd undecomposed get quick. Is your trunk packed ?"He glanced at the hourglass on the counter.

"Er… yeah,"Harry lied."Just a few more than things."He levitated his dental plate to the sink which was piled high with pots and pans from the last few day."Do you want me to take maintenance of these before I—"

"I'll take care of it,"Sirius lied."Go get yourself ready."Harry shrugged and nodded his promontory, and started up the stairs, once again scratching his tummy and knowing full well it would be days, perhaps weeks, before the sinkhole was cleared.

It was foreign really, getting ready for his concluding class at Hogwarts. So often he was rushed in the hustle and bustle of the Weasley family. This class, however, Harry wanted to be with his own family — Sirius blackamoor. And it was the estimable determination he'd ever made. It had only been a few solar day, but in that short time Sirius and Harry did absolutely… nothing. There were opportunity to talk about the old solar day when Sirius palled around with James ; there were probability to practice advanced spells or acquire the surgical operation of some of the golden instruments that still lined the wall in the Joseph Black family study ; there were prison term when they could cause discussed how Harry brought Sirius back from behind the curtain ; and at every good turn, at every surface door, Harry and Sirius simply took the clip to love each other in the here and now. They played chess ; the wreak visiting card ; they raced Caduceuses across the London sky at dark ; they drank, probably too much ; and they laughed more than than they had laughed in a recollective, long time. Sirius'eyes had never been brighter, and Harry's nub had never been lighter.

This sentence when Harry readied himself at the forepart doorway to leave, there was no dark cloud hanging over their heads, but rather an aegir turmoil about the yr to follow and what it would bring. They drew long suit from each other knowing that whatever war was around the corner, whatever darkness rose on the purview, they would face it together. For a instant they just stared at each other and around the room.

"Er… rightfield then,"began Sirius."Off you go."He nervously patted the slope of his hip joint with his hands.

"I'll… I'll owl you when I get in,"replied Harry. Sirius nodded. Silence."right hand, then."There was another retentive pause."Bloody hellhole,"Harry cursed and he walked over and pulled Sirius to him tightly with a high-minded hug. Sothis responded in kind.

They held each other for Sir Thomas More than a import 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 crack, and he was gone.

He Apparated to an out of the way location just down the street from King's Cross Station and began walking. The lately sunup was clear, and he was surprised to get hold the air so dusty. He'd been spending so a lot time inside with Dog Star he hadn't thought much about the weather condition. His coat was in his automobile trunk, and he didn't feel much like opening that in the midriff of a street filled with Muggles. He shivered, rubbed his weapon system, and continued on his way. He was coming to the outset steps of the station when a beggar boldly stepped in presence of him demanding a contribution. Wearing a unspoilt three days'shuck, his dress were smutty, and his breathing time smelled strongly of alcohol.

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

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

"Surely a schilling ?"

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

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

"Call me a boy again, and you—"

"You'll what !"spat the wino, stepping toe-to-toe with Harry. The sight was a bit funny since Harry was not the small child he once was. Indeed he was a husky young man, and he stood a undecomposed four inch taller than his adversary. Curling the fingers on his decent hand, he was about to say just what he'd do when a familiar tingling ran up his spine. He grabbed for his baton, but too tardy. Or at least it would take in been if he had been the target. The drunkard stood motionless, middle glazed, soundbox frozen in position. Harry looked up just as a handwriting gently took him by the arm.

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

The man, still in his stripling, wore a dark gray-haired courting with thin blue angel pipage, a Burgundy wine tie and blank shirt. The darkness glasses reminded Harry of old James II alliance movies, but the White tennis brake shoe with red lace told Harry at once he was dealing with a thaumaturgist. Then he noticed the shape of the jaw, the vox, but the hair—

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

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

"Why ? What's the subject ?"

"Well… see, I'm supposed to—"

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

Finnius pulled Harry by the arm just as the drunk began to make out to his senses. Quickly, they climbed the gradation and found themselves in a sea of the great unwashed heading to their weapons platform at baron's Cross. sudation was popping out on Finnius'brow 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 mess of things."

"You work with Tonks ?"Harry asked with a bit more inflammation and interest. He hadn't heard from her all summer, and she wasn't at the Joining with Singehorn."Is she okay ? Where is she ?"Finnius continued to usher Harry toward political platform nine and three-fourths holding Harry with his right bridge player and wiping his brow with his left.

"Yeah, well, she's the one that convinced me I could be an Auror. Said she'd train me, see… herself. But since that business organisation at the Ministry last twelvemonth, she's been in and out of infirmary and… well, now she's in and… well, she made me hope. See ?"

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

"Ah, here we are."They were at the platform."Just in fourth dimension too !"Before Harry could say another word, Finnius gave him a bit of a shove and he plunged through the paries and found himself on the other side standing just in presence of the Hogwarts express. Harry dropped his trunk, reached for his wand and started back toward the paries when he was tackled from the slope. The flash of prey grim fuzz in his case 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 outdoor human beings."Who's out there ?"

The foiling on Harry's face was clear ; he was about to charge back out when his center caught something he had never before seen : Neville Longbottom was hugging his parents, frankfurter and Alice, good-bye. Alice held his brass in her work force and planted a big wet kiss on his impertinence. They were all smiles as Neville wiped it with his arm. Then Frank Longbottom handed his son something and, as Neville wrapped his finger about the object, a more serious look came into his oculus. His dad slapped him on the shoulder and a thin smile appeared again as Neville boarded the train.

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

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

"ALL ABOARD !"the music director called.

"dean said he'd save us a spot,"said Gabriella, taking hold of Harry's hired hand. Harry took one last facial expression at the rampart behind them, and then the two boarded the gear. The corridor was crowded with scholarly person, particularly first years who were completely confused. What was noticeable, however, was that the normal line of house zona seemed to be somewhat blurred. There were Slytherins purposefully mixing in with Ravenclaws near the front man of the train, and a group of third year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors in another carriage playing picnic. A few car down Harry just caught a glimpse of someone in Gryffindor clothe disappearing into a baby carriage and so he and Gabriella followed. He pushed open the carriage door only to take the air in on Neville and Helen hugging ; a dessert fragrance filling the air.

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

"Yeah, he's up forward."Then, with a confident moving-picture show of his wand Neville shut the door in Harry's face, following that with a charm 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 got been us !"

They continued moving forward past various carriages when the flash of red tomentum caught Harry's eye. It was Ron, and he was bickering with Hermione. The floor of the baby buggy they were in was littered with clothes, books and various matter Harry knew to be Ron's, most notably by the overabundance of socks.

"Honestly, Ronald,"said Hermione in a chew out representative as if talking to a four year old."If you don't receive it soon you'll have to tell professor Flitwick, and if you won't I will."

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

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

"No, nothing's wrong,"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 rebelliousness."I've just… er…"

"wealthy person you tried summoning it ?"asked Harry, starting to rummage through the wearing apparel on the pushchair floor. The steel expression of fire in Ron's eyes said that they had certainly tried that and many early things and would Harry just not make any other suggestion because Hermione has already made every possible trace 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 john, most probable Teddy. Would you join me and perhaps together we can solve this footling problem."Knowing Hermione's disposition toward Nott, Harry wondered if it was a Wise melodic theme to put the two in secretive proximity, but Gabriella may have been on to something. Certainly Nott would have the motivating to pull a stunt like this, but perhaps Gabriella just wanted to get Hermione away from Ron for a bit. He smiled to himself realizing that it was probably both.

"Sure,"said Hermione. She cast one more than look at Ron before she left and said,"And don't you stop looking !"The moment the daughter departed, Ron flopped down on the carriage Bench and blew the hair's-breadth out of his eyes.

"Bloody hell."

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

"looking at at us, Harry,"said Ron with a impulsive look on his face, tinged with a bit of sourness."We were here six years ago, you and me. Do you commemorate ?"

There was a moment of secrecy as Harry watched the countryside slip by. It wasn't the same train as six years ago, but it might as well have been.

"Yeah,"said Harry, almost in a whispering as he nodded his principal,"I remember."

"affair haven't changed much."

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

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

"That's not—"

"Now we're both of age and you're Harry Potter, shielder, defender and Emissary, the maven that destroyed Voldemort and brought pacification with the giants, and I'm Ron Weasley the kid that can't find his BLOODY verge !"At the live words he stood up, kicked at the rampart, and put his boot all the way through.

Harry was trying to muster up something to say when the doorway began to open. Angry, Ron instinctively reached for his wand to slam the door shut, but it wasn't there. He growled like a Leo and was about to physically slam the room access shut when Patrick O'Riley, now in his irregular twelvemonth, poked his read/write head through.

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

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

"St. Patrick,"cut in Ron, doing his best to remain calm,"we don't have time to—"

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

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

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

"Er… thanks,"answered Ron."You're okeh, kid."At final stage Ron smiled as he slipped his wand away.

"Why don't you and James II stay in here,"offered Harry."I haven't heard from the Changs all summer and was wondering how Cho was doing."At these Scripture, Saint Patrick became noticeably uncomfortable.

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

"Slytherins ?"asked Harry."I thought James was going to set out Gryffindor this year. He knows he can pick whatever 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 spine of the train.

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

"Yeah, it was."

"Why on globe would anybody select Slytherin over Gryffindor ? Everyone knows they're naught but a bunch of—"

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

"Er…."

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

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

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

"existence nearly killed can do that to some multitude,"said Ron.

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

"No, James Chang Jiang found it,"said Harry."Patrick only returned it. Did he tell you that William James has decided to go with Slytherin this year ?"

"There, you see !"said Gabriella,"Another fine deterrent example. Henry James was one of the better first year student as I recall."Ron pulled out his wand and looked at it closely.

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

"Oh, don't be ridiculous,"said Hermione, slapping his deal. Then she turned to Harry, trying hard to ignore the batch 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 lid to everyone. Dean never made his way back to the baby buggy, and they never endeavoured to incite further up the gear. They were all nodding off to sleep when the train began to slow.

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

"No,"said Hermione with a bit of business organization."It's too early."They all noticed the hold up give-and-take leave her lips in a puff of smoke -- the air was growing colder by the 2nd. They knew at once what was happening and each had their wand at the ready. The darkness outside the wagon train filled with fanfare of ignitor. Ministry guards had moved out to assemble the onrush which was centred toward the social movement of the train. Incantations filled the air as Patronus after Patronus was being sent out against the assault Dementors. There were screams all up and down the corridors, mostly from the youngest students.

"Ron,"said Hermione with a commanding phonation."Help me gather the first years."Ron was up in a flash, and a moment later his part was barking Holy Order down the corridor for everyone to remain calm, calling for the low gear years to muster at the galley. bookman began to move toward the buns of the gearing, away from the fighting.

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

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

"You can't be serious. Who knows how many are out there. Your best using the power train as a—"The train lurched forward causing collective screaming all up and down the corridor. Then it began to go -- chug… choo-choo… chug… choo-choo… She was quickly gathering speed. There was another flurry of shining white wink of get down mould against the wickedness, and the afternoon light suddenly reappeared and the warmheartedness returned. Everyone cheered as the veil of darkness became naught Sir Thomas More than a dark cloud on the horizon behind the train.

A look of relief spread across Gabriella's look, but wickedness still remained in Harry's optic as he reached and grabbed the carpus of the paw that was holding his arm. Slowly, but firmly he pulled her hand away, and looked at her with a very grim expression. She sensed his emotions before he said the word of honor and she didn't like what she was feeling. Finally, he spoke in a stern and heated voice.

"Don't EVER do that again."

"But—"

There was a scream that Harry knew at once to be Ginny's. In a fanfare he was out the door and down the corridor, only a measure ahead of Neville Longbottom, and two steps behind Ron. Ginny was on her knee in the posture, broken glass everywhere and rip streaming down her eyes. She grabbed her brother by his sleeve.

"Do something, Ron !"she cried out."They've taken him. They've taken James Byron 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 past Harry and turning dean to face up them all. There was a corporate gasp. Still breathing, his eyes were blank, his grimace sunken, and his skin almost pale. He gave them no reaction at all. Ginny stood up and wrapped him in her arms, rocking him back and Forth River. On her digit was the ring Dean had given her the year before. The firestone with which it was set had lost its brilliant glow, its fire, its love life extinguished.

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




Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Chapter 7 - The Lost Soul

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Harry clenched his fists and spat,"fuck war."Other than that, only the rumbling of the string and the wind whistling through the shattered window accompanied Ginny's sob. He stepped next to Gabriella and watched helplessly as Ginny, a someone mate if ever he had one, rocked back and forth with Dean in her arms. James Byron Dean, breathing but lifeless, made no reception. He might as well be a corpse - he'd be better off. Harry felt the furor building within, but something was tempering it, something was focusing it. He gazed into idle words as smoke streamed by the broken window and a tear tracked down his cheek.

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

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

"It won't do any good,"cerebration Harry to himself, reaching for his scepter 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 dark-green mound cast by - a picture perfect day. Finally, his judgment found its pellucidity."This was past forgiveness,"he thought to himself and his hand clenched tightly about his wand as he pulled it to the prepare."I'll kill them ! I'll kill them all !"He would Apparate back down the tracks and destroy every Dementor that moved. He began the wrist movement when Gabriella grabbed his arm. His eyes shot blast into hers."I told you—"he began.

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

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

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

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

Wands began to look from everyone.

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

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

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

Voices ? Voices ! She couldn't be serious. She had wanted to go with him on the voices, the natural endowment of those who had touched him at the Joining, but he chose instead to spend his time with Sothis. All those present at the Joining on Singehorn's mountain were, in several ways, a part of him now. They had shared of themselves freely, but there were so many he couldn't sort them out and clock time was dripping through his fingers.

"I can't."

"You must."

For a instant, as more voices clambered about the corridor for a countermove on the Dementors, he tried to reach down recondite inside, calling to those who had shared of themselves, scanning through countless memories, snipping of moving-picture show that spanned centuries.

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

"Come on, Harry ! Let's drink down them !"individual called from behind. It was Susan Anthony Goldstein. Very well said, thought Harry, but Susan Anthony's Patronus would be lucky to campaign away a one Dementor let alone dozens. Unfortunately, before Harry could say another word, Mark Anthony gave Harry the most funny look and shouted,"For our family, mate !"There was a pop and Goldstein was gone. It was followed by another pop and another snap. older scholarly person were Disapparating from everywhere.

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

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

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

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

prototype filled Harry's mind. Images of what was, what is, what might be. He saw Dakhil, a much untested looking Dakhil, origin dripping from the street corner of his backtalk ; he saw himself hanging from the window on Privet movement, an odd glow surrounding his half-naked body ; he saw Grigor looking cruel and defiant ; he saw the cold dead trunk of Antreas, stab wound covering every column inch of his bare chest ; demise, and then he saw them.

It was night and the only sound, beyond a lone scream in the wickedness, was the raspy breath of the oncoming Dementor. Just a few foot away, a young girlfriend was cowering beneath the robe digit. Just to her left field was a man, somewhere in his late twenty, a dragon emblazoned on his mightily forearm. Ignoring the man, the Dementor pulled back his hood revealing its skull-like masquerade party of horror, a boastfully hole where perhaps a mouth should be. The vision seemed so tangible Harry tried to reach for his baton, but found his arms shackled to a stone wall.

The missy screamed as the Dementor drew in its breathing spell in a great wheeze. Another scream… another wheeze. On the thirdly wheeze, the female child made no strait ; her dull eyes opened, staring blankly up at her attacker. It was then, as if empowered with a endorsement vision, Harry saw it : the glow. He watched the deliquium golden ovalbumin light being pulled into the jam in the Dementor's orifice. He expected it to disappear into the duskiness, but it didn't. The Dementor pulled his punk up over his skull, but Harry could still perceive the glow trying to campaign 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 lights and rumblings of the racing Hogwarts Express.

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

"It's the but way, Harry,"she said, still holding his arm."If we find the one in time, then… then you use the stone to reap back Dean'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 pupil they'd be blasting Dementors right and left. With one wrong piece, Dean's soul would be lost forever.

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

On two, they both Apparated back into the darkness. It was as if they had just landed themselves in the middle of an ominous thunderstorm that had extinguished the sun. All was inkiness save for the blink of an eye of lighting - wandlight from the attacking students. Harry felt the heat rushing out of his bones and heard the scream in his ears.

"Can - you - see - the - one ?"Harry yelled over the din. His vocalisation held Hope, but his warmness had none. There were at least a c Dementors swarming about, skimming across the hillside, trying to decide if the recently arrived star were to be feared or consumed. Harry saw a Patronus, the frame of an enormous owl, plunge into a group of about a half dozen Dementors and sent them flying. About thirty thousand away, near a outdoor stage of Tree, Goldstein's wand was doing little more than lighting up the modest glade of forage in strawman of him. A Dementor was closing in on him when three students from Ravenclaw converged, simultaneously casting an Incendio spell and incinerating the fauna. Harry's heart skipped. Could that have been—

"This way !"hailed Gabriella, pulling on Harry's arm as she held her eyes shut. She was pulling them closer into the pack. Harry conjured a stag that split the sea of Dementors, if only for a moment, the breach closing behind the bright 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 spunk of the swarm of blackness. Gabriella was moving more swiftly. She let go of Harry's arm and began to jog ahead. Harry followed sending another Patronus ahead of her and splitting them away. quite than center on Harry and Gabriella, the Dementors seemed to favour the easier prey near the trees and began to move away. He could see the screech behind him as Gabriella pulled her sceptre and uttered something in Armenian. A white luminescence enveloped her as if she held a mavin at the tip of her wand. She pressed on ever forward, her pace gathering speed, but her wand dimming as each new Dementor tried to penetrate its glowing surface.

"Hurry, Harry !"she called back. The terrain was rough here and they were moving along the side of a Benny Hill and the further they moved along the more steep the incline grew, making it more difficult to traverse. Harry heard a appeal of snaps behind him ; the Aurors had arrived. He looked back at the cracking cloud of Dementors unwittingly racing toward the new collection of emotions. Just as he turned back to look at Gabriella his foot slipped on a gem and his ankle twisted under his weight. He fell to the ground and tumbled a good twenty dollar bill feet down the English of the James Jerome Hill, scraping the slope of his leg badly before he came to rest.

He looked up and saw the flickering gleam of Gabriella's wand disappear over the boundary of the hill. Three Dementors swarmed over him - it was the lowest affair they ever did. Black stemma sprayed all over the footing as Harry blasted his way through, grimacing from the nuisance in his ankle as he took each tenacious footstep. It was then that he realized he hadn't a clue what to do when he came upon the Dementor they wanted. Gabriella had said to use the I. F. Stone, but how ? And how would he go on the Dementor from simply fleeing ? His ankle joint throbbing, Harry past another heavy tree and came up over the English of the hill. The dry land opened up beneath him, running down maybe xx yards and then spreading out into a vast plain that stretched on until it disappeared into the clammy mist of wickedness. sunlight was trying to penetrate the brumous swarm of blackness casting an eerie red glow over the dark-green landscape before him. It was then when his heart sank.

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

The shell failed, and Harry heard her thigh-slapper. He was too far away to do anything but run, and that's just what he did. He ran with all his might, pain stabbing at his leg with each strike at the reason as if a snapping snake were ever at his heels. He was perhaps fifty pace away when an enormous red luminousness explosion from Gabriella's sceptre, filled the air about her, and one of the Dementors burst into flame. Harry could hear its gurgling outcry as it tried to fly away, but plunged into the weed starting a minor fire, total darkness smoke billowing upward. Harry was now twenty yards away as he watched the second Dementor crouch over Gabriella and he heard her screams.

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

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

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

"Really, Nicolas ? An delight 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 fortunate chain off Gabriella's neck opening. He rolled her to the side, feeling the coldness approach from behind. With one lastly great effort he heaved himself upward, tossed the Ernst Boris Chain in the air and cast a piece he had never uttered before, but one that Dumbledore knew. The bantam favourable chain grew snakelike in shape and dimension, but its drumhead was the head of a lion with flame red optic. With the moving-picture show of his wand Harry levitated the glowing, golden, lion-headed snake toward the coming frigidness, and it began to curl itself around the Dementor respective times. Round and round of drinks in less time than it takes to unbrace a shoestring the Dementor was cinched tight from header to toe. Struggling to escape, the black beast could not be active and ultimately fell to the green goddess.

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

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

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

The vivificus Harlan F. Stone had not been used since it was charged at the connexion. Singehorn had told Harry that fervour was good but love was something far more endurable. And the Harlan Fiske Stone, snuggled close to Harry's liver, was already covered in Harry's blood. All that remained was the conjuration :"courage, wiseness, Love."

In an instant, Harry found himself in what he had, in his own brain, decided was an anteroom of sorts. All was White waiting for his petition. For a moment his mind hovered on Gabriella, but he knew he was forbidden on using it to the advantage of another in the Votary. Instead, he called to the overt malarkey,"Show me Dean's someone !"

He expected to see a swirl of colour, but instead he saw a swirl of total darkness. His spunk skipped for veneration that he had done something untimely, but his own spirit held tight to the need to economise his friend if at all possible. The darkness spread before him and in this vacancy a stench filled Harry's nostril. It was then when he realized where he was, what he was entering - the lifespan forcefulness of the Dementor.

lightlessness and rot filled his imaginativeness. Strands of oily fibre hung from above and when Harry looked to see their origin, all that was visible was verbalise duskiness. He was reminded of the crevasse into which he and Sirius had fallen and a very actual piece of him wanted to bequeath this place as quickly as possible. He was cold and growing colder as he forced is heed's eye to contract onward into the profundity of the Dementor's nub, an insatiable motive to feed.

At first of all, the sound were remote echoes coming from down a long tunnel, voice perhaps, or fauna screaming. Harry moved toward the sound and found the darkness pressing in all around him. Though in here he really had no corporeal conformation, something wet and sticky splattered against his face ; 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 darkness, his ft tangled on something he could not see. He pulled and freed himself and then realized his teeth were chattering."This is not potential,"he thought to himself and now an even greater division of him wanted to return."I can't do this."He glanced back to see a tiny darn of ashen no bigger than a postage stamp sea mile away. He could be there and back to safety in the flash of a sentiment.

Then he heard a voice, clearly and impregnable above the others, telling them to quiet down, to heed. It was conversant, but it wasn't Dean's. There was something nurturing about this vocalization, something that made one feeling safe. Harry pressed forward. It felt like hours, although it was probably little more than the time it takes a star to scintillate, when he saw the syncope lucky freshness ahead. He ached and felt that at any moment he would crumple and be trapped in this darkness forever. The vocalisation called out again and his heartbeat quickened as he hurried forward. Against his body he felt the wiz of ice-cold men pulling at his sprit, trying to stop him, but still he moved ahead. The frigidness was intolerable, the sensation of fear was flood out, and that's when he saw him, towering tall above the others huddled in the blackened ooze : Mr. Silverton. It was the same wizard from Hogsmeade that had tried to save Draco's life the year before, but had failed in the attempt. Harry had always seen him as a rather meek yet favorable man when he visited Hogsmeade, but here he stood taller than life, translucent in a golden splendour.

"hurry, save the shaver !"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 infantry. They were there, nearly a 12 souls, small fry mostly. Each was semitransparent, each glowed bright, though some more than others. The brightest of these was the untried black mavin, who seemed utterly lost. dean looked straight at Harry, but did not recognize him.

"avail,"he pleaded in a frail, grating vocalization."Where am I ?"

"No one stays behind,"Harry said to Silverton."I'm taking you all."And without another Good Book he reached out his work force and with his judgment summoned the someone toward him. Silverton stood firm as if guarding the procession, guiding them toward Harry's summons. offset, and most bequeath, came Dean, then a untested girl with dark hair… a boy with bright drear eyes… and on… and on…. Each mortal came to… came into Harry as if he were an enormous emptiness pulling them in. When the last left the quag at Silverton's foundation the previous wizard smiled.

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

The frigidness was pressing in on Harry once again, fighting one last desperate attack to hold on its precious treasure as Silverton floated toward Harry.

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

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

"Home."

The pitch blackness began to pelt along away with a great tearing sound. Harry felt as if his pegleg were being pulled backward by a tether that held him tight to the world behind. Flashes of varying shades of gray screamed past, and then with a terrible wooosh Harry found himself back in his soundbox on the grassy champaign looking upward at the milky-blue sky.

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

He felt dizzy, then stiff, more knock-down than he had ever felt. But then he realized why ; he still held their living force. He could use this energy, this power in the war to come. They could be victorious ! Then, a slow sigh slipped past his lips, and before he lifted his caput off the smoke he closed his heart and whispered,"Hhhhome."It was a yearn, slow, breathless word that sent chills down Gabriella's prickle. He could feel the energy plinking out from within him as each soul drifted upward. Perhaps it was a hallucination, for Gabriella said later she saw no such imaginativeness, but before Harry the translucent consistency of all the kid hovered for a moment just above him. They looked down, smiling when at finale Mr. Silverton emerged. He took the small missy's hand and in the future mo they all rose above the crown and disappeared from sight, dean travelling with them ever upward.

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

A lone binge spilt from his eye when Gabriella reached down and lifted his school principal into her lap. Harry raised his handwriting and summoned the golden 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 news report of two loud pa as a duad of Aurors appeared clad in red Ministerial robes. One noticed the Auror some yards away on the primer still stiffened by Harry's magical spell. The other reached down to help Harry and Gabriella to their feet.

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

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

They appeared in the corridor of the gear, near the keister, and Harry stumbled to the trading floor when he landed. He hated Apparation, and this was his number one attempt at hitting a moving object. If Gabriella hadn't been holding his hand… He didn't want to suppose about it.

He was a bit dizzy and disoriented, but he grabbed a passenger car door handle and pulled himself up to his feet, taking a shaky step forward."Dean,"he muttered."I've got to see if…"He began to crumple to the story when Gabriella grabbed his arm. He looked at her clenched 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 cheek did not smile back. Her nerves were too wracked with business organisation as her eyes darted up the corridor.

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

Two cars down there was a throng of students that only parted when they realized who it was. When Harry made it to Dean's car he stepped in to take care straight in on Ron's back. His wearing apparel were a mess of mud and pine needles, and the side of his shirt was torn, blotch of blood seeping through, red mixing with swash fateful. His red tomentum 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 head ; they had failed. 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 closed chain fingerbreadth was the golden dance band 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 very well Gin ; Madame Pomfrey will have him patched up in no time."

It was Dean's interpreter, talking about Ron. It was shaky but clear and Harry watched as two arms of cryptic coffee wrapped around the redheaded brother and sister in a enceinte hug.

"Dean ?"choked Harry, his heart skipping out of his bureau and the wind of his fingers and domiciliation of his feet starting to tingle.

"Harry ?"asked doyen from behind the Weasley's. Ron spun cycle and, as he did so, Ginny saw Harry. She immediately let out a squeal of joy. A minute later her arms were around Harry, tears streaming down here face and cheers rising up all around the caravan. Soon, they were all caressing. Word bedcover that the counterattack had been a winner, at least with the helper of the Aurors that had been guarding the geartrain. If it hadn't been for—

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

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

Harry turned to see a very bruised and a very knock about Anthony Goldstein. There was dry out grass in his hairsbreadth and a bit of blood at the nook of his oral cavity, and he still clutched his sceptre as if make to cast another spell at whomever or whatever might track him.

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

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

"You were brilliant out there today, Goldstein,"said Harry trashy 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 gown making their way through the throng of scholar. One, the one pointing his finger at Harry, was promptly recognized. It was the Auror Harry had dropped in the field. He was holding the former 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 little git."The twain parted the crowd and were now right in front of Harry."Thought you could get away with it, did yeh ? Little rump. You could throw had us all killed."Then he turned to the other Auror, a very marvellous cleaning woman with cryptical blue middle and an manifestation somewhere between exasperation and enfeeblement. She was about to say something when Anthony 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, Marcus Antonius was destined for great things in government. It was then that the woman recognized Harry, but the other Auror was having none of it.

"Get out of my way, you !"he shoved Anthony to the incline, and almost at once there was a rush of scholarly person like a Wave break against the shore filling the gap and forcing the two Aurors backwards.

"What's this ?"the Auror yelled, and he pulled his sceptre. In reaction, over two dozen wand suddenly appeared pointed directly at him, inches from his face. The woman reached up to root for her associate's helping hand down just when there was another vox from the far end of the rig.

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

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

"Ronny. Ginny."He was trying not to present that he was there to memorise the status of his own children, but the tremble in his voice and the flavour of succour on his grimace were obvious for all to find out and see."I came as soon as I heard."Then his middle met Harry's as he moved past the two Aurors and a look of wonderment filled them."Harry ?"he breathed in disbelief."I had heard you were taken. That your soul—"

"That was Dean, sir,"answered Harry.

"doyen ? Beasts of Bulgaria, not—"His middle saw doyen standing following to Ginny."I… I don't understand."

"Harry brought him back, Dad,"Ginny answered her male parent's questioning heart."He brought his soul back."King Arthur Weasley looked at his daughter 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 little prat—"

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

"P-P-Potter ?"He began to apologize, not to pastor Weasley, but to Harry ; he never had a prospect.

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

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

Arthur was still struggling, trying to comprehend what it was that Harry was saying. Nonetheless, he patted Susan B. Anthony about the shoulder and said,"Well done, young man. Goldstein is it ? Yes, I know your female parent. Runs a coven in Colchester."He gave Mark Antony, who was now beaming, another pat."Well done."Arthur then turned and hugged his two small fry and then he said in a tatty vocalisation,"I'm glad everyone's safe and I assure you the repose of your trip will be uninterrupted, if not completely boring."

With the bickering and fighting over, almost the scholarly person returned to their equipage, muttering about the battle as they went, and the crowd in the corridor thinned. Chester A. Arthur Weasley put his arm around Harry just as Hermione entered the wagon train car.

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

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

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

"Harry,"began Mr. Weasley,"I need to speak with you about something very crucial. I was hoping to consume you back to the Ministry with me right now, but under the circumstances it's perhaps best that you stay put. Once you're settled at the 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 grinning."…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 calculate at Harry."But this is something too important to discourse anywhere else, even at Hogwarts. I'll send for you in a week or so, okay ?"Harry nodded."And don't vexation, Harry. Where we're going no one knows about. Not even I knew about it until just last hebdomad. But if what you say is true about Malfoy and the Dementors, and certainly this onrush points to that, we must act soon and we must act decisively. It's fourth dimension 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 Potter and the nascency of a New Sun

Chapter 8 - Engaged

~~~***~~~

The Snitch flitted up fourth dimension and time again only to be snatched into his deal after every escape. He was actually getting quite practiced at it really. Nearly twenty minutes without a—

"tinker's damn !"

The Snitch slipped through Dean's fingerbreadth and began to zip about the boy'dormitory, bouncing off the wall above Harry's head. With a newsflash, few but Ginny Weasley could appreciate, Harry had his paw around the wing orb.

"That was great, 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 news report headlined Miracle at St. Mungo's which described how nearly a twelve patient, all victims of Dementor attacks, had suddenly and inexplicably awakened - their souls intact. He turned the Page with a grinning as doyen continued to practice.

Madame Pomfrey had prescribed the workout of stoolpigeon snatching as a sort of therapy to help Dean regain dominance of his neuro-synapses. Even though Harry had returned doyen's soul, he was feeling somewhat disconnected from himself. It was concentrated to explicate just exactly how he was disconnected. Sometimes he would get hold of for something, like a shaker of salt, and it would fumble through his digit for no reason. Sometimes his honey for Ginny was strong, while at other multiplication it seemed as if he had no feelings for her at all. In Magical liberal arts, Dean would paint portrayal of hiss, animals, or even people but the persona wouldn't motion ; they remained lifeless on the canvas tent. It was all very unknown, and no one, not even Madam Pomfrey, knew exactly what to do.

"No one's ever had their soul reattached,"Madame Pomfrey had said shortly after they had arrived at Hogwarts castle. Her solution was to try to re-stitch doyen's mortal by having him drill both his physical structure and spirit.

Ginny held steadfast at Dean's position ; a lesser woman would get left at once. Watching the two of them these last few days, Harry wondered if his beloved for Gabriella would be able to withstand such a trial run of religion. 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 worn-out."I'm… a bit tired."

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

"Thanks,"said James Byron Dean with a washy smile. They kissed and Ginny turned toward the staircase down to the green room.

They had been at Hogwarts for three twenty-four hour period and even though the familiar rhythm of course of study and course work pulsed on at Hogwarts, something was distinctly different. Maybe it was the attack on the train, the prevision of what was to follow, or simply that they were in their concluding year. Whatever it was, there existed, most certainly, a palpable sense of anticipation as if it any moment something spectacularly tremendous, or devastatingly dreadful was about to happen.

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

"She's my worldly concern, Harry."He lay down on his pillow, folding his arms behind his headland."I wish I knew why… sometimes…"doyen let out a enceinte sigh and turned over on his slope, his back toward Harry. Over the live year, Dean had grown confident in his relationship with Ginny and Harry no longer shook the foundation on which their relationship was anchored. Dean continued,"I think… maybe this twelvemonth at Christmas—"

There was a sudden scream from down in the Gryffindor park room. It was Hermione's scream ; Harry was sure. Not an instant later, Ginny cried out, followed by a clamor of screeches that rivalled the arriving bird of night during the morning post.In an instant, both Harry and James Byron Dean had their wand at the ready, and started cautiously for the landing. Just as Harry was about to bet down on the park way below, Patrick appeared from the Second yr'dorm room ; his wand also drawn and his face concerned. There was a thirdly year passing Patrick and running the other direction, trying to run whatever danger was causing the commotion. Harry didn't recognize the boy from behind, but the thought of a Noel Coward in his family bristled the spine of his neck."A Gryffindor ?"Harry cried out.

The bit's distraction was enough to cause dean to bump him slightly from bum. Harry tried to adjust his ground by stepping forward, only there was null on the circular staircase to ill-use out on. Instead, he completely lost his balance and began tumbling, down and around, head over heals until he landed prostrate onto the floor. Dazed, he looked up to see Ron on the priming coat also. Well, almost… he was down to one stifle, a looking at of utter terror in his middle. Harry grabbed his best friend 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 fix. Quickly, he spun around and saw Hermione looking down at him."What's going on ?"Harry asked excitedly."Why did you holler ?"Then, looking to the slope, Harry noticed the large number of Gryffindors looking down at him, all with rather scotch expressions 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 colour of red than Ron's tomentum, Hermione had to shroud her back talk to hold back from laughing. It wasn't until then that Harry noticed Ron was holding something in his hand - something atomic number 79 and shiny.

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

"Well, what ?"Lavender said sharply."Go on, Ron. Ask her properly."There was a general 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. Annapurna pinched his cervix and pulled him to his base. James Byron Dean was stepping slowly down the staircase and came to a stop on the depleted flight, wrapping his arm about Ginny's waist. She had been transfixed, but the warm hint caught her tending and she wrapped both her arms about Dean, smiling as she watched her brother propose.

"Yeah, yeah,"said Ron, wiping his forehead with his left sleeve while still holding out the closed chain with his right field. He was nervous, his hand shaky, and Harry wondered if he wouldn't faint at any moment. But when Ron's eyes rejoined Hermione's the quivering stopped and he regained his articulation. He held the ring a bit higher.

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

He never had the chance to finish. In that heartbeat, Hermione was down on her genu kissing him deeply, and the Common room whooped out a cheer that was heard throughout Hogwarts castle. Later, even Hagrid said he heard the revel when he was out feeding the poisonous lava lizards.

"well ?"cried out Seamus."result him proper !"To this there was rolling Greek chorus of"Here, here !"called out mostly from the masculine members of Gryffindor. Hermione pulled herself away from Ron's oral cavity and he held the tintinnabulation before her.

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

Harry wasn't sure who was creditworthy, but suddenly food and drink appeared, and before you could blink medicine was playing, people were dancing and an impromptu party was in full golf shot in the Gryffindor Common room. It was trashy and boisterous, but Hermione had set a silencing good luck charm on the bulwark, and outside of Gryffindor the Night was quiet. Harry poured himself a deglutition and suddenly felt very awkward. Everyone was congratulating Ron and Hermione, hugging them, smiling. Harry sunk back into the nook. Why hadn't Ron told him that he was about to propose ? He watched the smiles and the laughter, but somehow couldn't feel any warmth himself. Indeed, the thought process that were passing through his judgment brought back memories of the year before, bad memories of jealously and uncorrectable anger. He gulped the drinkable, and poured another.

Still standing in the corner, Harry was watching Neville help Dean back up the staircase to the son'dormitory, when a voice startled him.

"Pretty amazin'ain't it ?"

Patrick was seated in a hot seat next to Harry. How long had he been there ? almost of the young students had gone to bed or were ushered away. A easy song began to play and Ron took Hermione in his arms. The candlelight in the green 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 boozing."Amazing."

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

"He'd die for anybody in this room,"Harry answered with strong flavor of pride."Falco columbarius, he almost did last class, more times than I can—"Harry stopped and looked into his glass, drinking the clay in one final stir against the back of his throat. He could feel the burn mark make its way down his chest as he stared at the empty shabu and could palpate it take with guilt. How often had he put both of his ally in jeopardy ? They would both sacrifice themselves to lay aside Harry, and if the war was truly approach, and it was, Harry knew they'd risk life and limb once again.

"Do you guess you'll marry Gabriella ?"Patrick asked, filling the silence. Harry whispered something and the meth in his bridge player vanished. Patrick raised an brow, but said nothing about the wandless legerdemain.

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

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

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

"No Thomas Kyd. No orphans."Saint Patrick uncurled his legs and stood up, walking over to Harry."I plan teh battle, Harry. There's no room fer love if there's the chance you'll die."

"Patrick, that's not true."

"Ain't it ? I won't leave grief behind. I won't leave my small fry without a da. Not like me parents did me. I mean, you were a baby fer merlin's rice beer, 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, his forefront cloudy, and the familiar screams were calling from the fog in his idea. It's not your battle, Harry. Let it go.

"What is your problem ! ?"Lavender's voice snapped. She was only a few inch in front of Harry, and her expression was very thwart."Are you going to tolerate here all alone all dark ?"

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

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

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

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

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

"Why, I'd lie with some punch too, Harry. Thank you for asking."She deliberately stepped down on his foot, strong, and then whispered in Harry's ear,"So help me, Harry Potter, if you ruin this eve for them I'll curse word you from here to Durmstrang."A trice later her face was all grin as she squeezed Harry tight just behind the elbow and walked over to wear thin Ron and Hermione were standing.

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

"I… I'm felicitous for you ; for you both,"Harry started as Lavender began to teem herself a cup of punch. Still smiling at Ron and Hermione he took the cup out of Lavender's hand without asking and gulped it down with one 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 tell you,"said Ron with a earnest tone of voice of rue,"but I didn't pluck up the courage until you were at Grimmauld Place."Harry just looked at Ron like the answer made absolutely no sensory faculty."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 irritation 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 survive night ? Were you too busy in conclusion night ?"Harry snapped, and then he remembered not seeing Ron live nighttime."Where were you anyway ?"Hermione began to blush violently.

"It's none of your bloody line where I was last night,"said Ron, his vocalization elevated."You're not my keeper, Harry."At this he pointed his fingerbreadth and jabbed Harry in the breast, pushing him backward. Harry's back bumped into Lavender's cup of poke sending it splashing down the straw man of her dress. The two young men took no observation. Harry balled his right hand into a clenched fist and pulled back quick to let bemuse.

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

"You should what ?"he challenged.

They stood there, toe to toe for Sir Thomas More than a few heartbeats ; not too long considering their tenderness were pounding so quickly. Finally, a small smile shattered Harry's scowl and he let go. He threw his decently clenched fist past Ron's left ear. Ron saw the smile and returned the wayward punch with an undercut from his own right on hand that flew past Harry's middle and up under his left over arm. The two clenched in a machismo variety of way.

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

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

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

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

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

"Harry !"

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

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

"Ron !"

Harry's eyes were beginning to fog with damp. If they continued to fight by his side, he might fall back them. Patrick was right ; it wasn't worth it. Their nipper deserved to throw both their parents. Harry squeezed both Ron and Hermione tightly toward him.

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

The dormitory were still ; it was nearly curfew. A few students were sprinkled here or there, talking or making their way back to their dorms. Harry walked aimlessly down the stone footprint and found himself near where Tonks had her old office live year. They had yet to learn who would be teaching Defence Against the Dark prowess. That family had been cancelled this morning. The lanterns dimmed a bit, signalling that it was time to return to the hall, but Harry didn't hold lots by that sign. 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 dour recess of the corridor and saying Harry's epithet without a drip of sarcasm. It was odd, Harry thought, to see Blaise so far off the beaten track, especially at this time of night. Cloak and dagger stuff wasn't parting of Blaise's make-up. The liberal virtuoso was more comfortable standing in the centre of a chemical group of others to be looked at and admired. He hung with Dragon on occasion, but never when it meant danger was about. That sort of stuff was for Nott, or Crabbe or G-Greg. A thrill passed down Harry's spinal column recalling the death of his admirer last year.

"Blaise,"Harry answered with a nod.

The two passed shoulder to shoulder when the tip of Blaise's verge touched Harry's hand. Harry felt a piece of music of parchment suddenly appear on his palm and his digit curled around it. He stopped to appear back at Blaise, but the Slytherin never stopped walking and never turned back to expect at Harry. Finally, Blaise disappeared about the end of the corridor and Harry held up the note to read it.
Do you pretermit me ? Sorry about the ugliness on the geartrain. Sent someone to warn you at the station, but an Auror intervened. I heard Weasles bought a pretty expensive band in Diagon bowling alley. You two aren't engaged now are you ?

Since I can't be there, my courier is going to help oneself be my eye and ears at Hogwarts. Don't differentiate a someone or it may mean his life. Have you spoken to the old dodder about it yet ? Hurry or it may be too late.


He just finished when the lanterns went shadow, signalling curfew. Instead of returning to the party at Gryffindor, Harry sat down on the Harlan Stone floor and leaned back against the gemstone rampart.

"Lumos !"he whispered. He held up the bill and read it again. Was it really from Draco ? And what was he supposed to verbalise with Dumbledore about ? What was it he had sensed during the joining ? Hol… Hor… Horcrux ? It seemed so distant now. Perhaps it was some kind of mystical 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 give-and-take, jumping to his human foot and preparing his defense reaction. A dark figure emerged, dimly lit by the faint glow of Harry's wand.

"Dakhil !"Harry hissed. What was the loss leader of the Votary doing here ?

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

"You can't take—"

"Oh, I believe any professor can—"

"You're not a professor ! You can't… Oh, no."He leaned back against the wall and, in the darkness, noticed the thin hint of wakeful emanating from a break through room access, the door to Tonks'berth. Harry sighed."Defence Against the iniquity humanistic discipline, is it ?"Harry could tell by the low grunt that a grimace had appeared on Dakhil's nerve. Clearly, he didn't like the estimate any more than Harry.

"I'm afraid so,"he answered."And instead of taking points away, perhaps it is meter for your 1st lesson."He spun his cloak and disappeared into the darkness."Follow me, boy !"

Harry shoved genus Draco's preeminence into his pouch, clenched his dentition, and followed. Once, after banging his knee joint, he tried to illumine his wand but was scolded by Dakhil who insisted on come darkness."Can you not see ?"Dakhil sneered.

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

"There is an Department of Energy that binds all living thing together, Harry. You draw from it every time you cast a charm. It pulsates on the wind as the breath of the trees ; it bubbles from the grunge crawling with worms and roaches. In the very darkest of piazza, it shines as a beacon to all who would holler on its name. It is a skill all members of the Votary learn before the Joining, save for you."Dakhil stopped. The odor was strong here, damp and dank and musty with a strong sentiency of radioactive decay."Even in death, life is reborn. pass out to it."

"I can't see a bloody—"

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

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

Harry had seen the life force of others he had try to mend. It was like going to another carpenter's plane of macrocosm. He just needed to…"Focus,"he whispered to himself. In the darkness Harry closed his optic and opened his mind, reaching out for anything however small that might indicate life. At first there was nothing, and then a brilliant glow began to appear, red and throbbing."Dakhil,"Harry thought. And then he saw it, the corridor they were in. Something was glowing on the bulwark. mold ? Spores ? It was as if the social structure surrounding them were splattered with an eerie fluorescent rouge and lit up by a black igniter."I see,"he whispered in amazement.

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

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

"Your opposition, even though they hide behind such grand structure are brighter still. It is a essential science. With one paw, Dakhil pulled Harry out of the matchwood 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 imaginable. But in the meat was a naughty glow brighter than all the others, a golden lead following it in the sky.

"Ebyrth,"Harry whispered.

"Correct, Mr. Potter,"said Dakhil, slapping Harry on the articulatio humeri. He started walking past the Tree back to the castling which glowed bright through the branches."As I said earlier, your clip to die is near at hired man. You may not realise it yet, Mr. potter, but, aside from both being in the Votary, you and I have one thing, at least, in common."

"And what's that ?"Harry said with Sir Thomas More of a sneer than anything else.

"We are both already dead."




Harry thrower and the giving birth of a New Sun
Chapter 9 - The bend of Space and time
~~~***~~~


The rhythmical thrashing of Gabriella's heart lulled Harry as she stroked the side of his head with her hand. He sighed deeply as she played with the hints of curls that wrapped about his berm. He forced himself to rest awake, if only to savour every here and now that he was being held in her implements of war. Through the thin slits in his middle he watched the lake vanish and re-emerge into view as his head rose and fell with each breath she took. The sparkling body of water brought his brain to the beaches of Lebanon and he visualized walking with her at the ocean, watching the wave crash again and again against the shoring. It would be a sodding office to ask her, he thought. A patrician breeze brought with it the poise hint of autumn and for a moment he thought he could smell the cool salt air of the sea. Yes, the perfect place.

"We'll miss dinner party,"she whispered.

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

"If you're going to keep working for Hagrid in the timber,"she said more firmly,"you're going to need to keep up your strength."Her digit slipped down to his side and playfully gave him a quick catch.

"AYY !"he said, jumping. It was more titillate than hurting, Sir Thomas More slew than scoke."Not fair ! I was… I was just going…"He closed his eyes and began to lay his headway back down on her chest of drawers.

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

An image of Grigor flashed across Harry's thinker and a insensate shiver ran down his back… he hesitated. How could she bonk ? She couldn't. She was so much like her father, and for the abbreviated of moments Harry was taken back to the torture chamber at the Ministry -- the chamber where Sirius had been lost and found again, the bedroom where Gabriella's father, Grigor, had held his hand out innocently toward Harry, just as Gabriella was now doing, only to tie down him and set up him for death.

He drew in a oceanic abyss breathing space, shook the retentivity from his mind, and took Gabriella's hand, rising to his aching feet. They both whisked away the dry leaves that clung to the bottoms of their robe and turned toward the castle. Harry could feel the sting in his legs as they climbed the castle steps. Halfway up he stopped, wrapped his arm about Gabriella's waist and paused to reckon at the lake. She took it as a romanticistic minute and leaned her head against his articulatio humeri. Harry, however, was too sore to pace higher. Even Madame Pomfrey's potions weren't enough to remove the throbbing that worked its way into both muscular tissue and os. A nerve in his right thigh shot a jolt of nuisance up into his vertebral column and his gaze turned toward the forest.

Working for Hagrid ? No. For the last few week he'd been training with the Centaurs. Only he'd felt uncomfortable sharing that with Gabriella. He had never been capable to institute up a conversation with Gabriella about them without her making an excuse to vary the subject. It was assoil she did not like Centaurs, but she never explained why and Harry was unwilling to campaign the way out. Another twinge flicked down the heftiness of his go out sura and his mind drifted to the day's training academic session. Recalling why his peg hurt so, he wasn't so trusted he liked Centaurs either.

"Jump, Harry ceramicist ! Jump"cried Ronan. The red-haired Centaurus fired an pointer that nicked the forget heel of Harry's bare foot."speed is a centaur's with child ally. With it we can outpace the Dementors when they try to flee. Run !"he bellowed as Harry began to slow."If one of our act needs aid, would you just take the air to their side ?"

"I'm… not… walking…"yelled Harry back over his shoulder, as he ran from the Centaur barefoot through the forest. His lungs were bursting for air and his feet were on fire. He'd already run for geographical mile ; Ronan would make him run Admiralty mile more. For his division, Harry had already decided that there was cipher the centaur could throw at him that he couldn't handle.

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

"Run !"

Perhaps he was incorrect.

He had been forbidden to use a verge, and wore zero but a flip-flop made of corner bark wrapped about his waist with a sheath for a minuscule dagger used to slash at vines and other vegetation that blocked his way as he ran. In one hand he held the obelisk and in the former he carried a stone nearly too large to fully grasp. In conflict he would carry a buckler, but a stone was more awkward to handle, forcing Sir Thomas More heftiness 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 coating so non-white Harry could no longer see him in the length, and Felspar, whose shining Stanford White coat shone like a star ahead - way ahead. sudor dripped into his middle and he wiped his hilltop with his right field forearm. Running blindly he slashed wildly at a Tentacula that reached for his neck.

"You should have seen that, stripling, long before it struck at you !"outcry Ronan, loping along. There was the audio of a thwwwwp and a few stride ahead Harry saw a large wanderer dead near the track he was taking, an pointer between its centre. Looking back as he ran ahead Harry tripped on a rootage, twisted his ankle and fell to the ground, his allow knee grinding into a collection of small-scale endocarp. The finger's breadth of his left hand were crushed between the Isidor Feinstein Stone he was carrying and the stones upon which he'd just fallen. The obelisk fell from his right paw and skittered forward, but before it came to rest, Harry reached his paw forward and without saying a word the sticker returned to his hold. There was a slight grunt from Ronan. It was neither disparaging, nor approving. It was more a oink of atonement, but Harry did not look back into Ronan's eye to see if the satisfaction was directed toward him. His articulatio genus and deal haemorrhage, he stood to his groundwork and began to run again. Now, even felspar was out of view. He'd taken only three or four strides before Ronan called.

"Stop !"

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

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

"I know you can, stripling, but do you have it off 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… conundrum,"breathed Harry.

"Shahan and Felspar have been studying for decennary the sum of Earth's mysteries. It will take them decades more to realize what is already at your fingertips."The Centaur stepped closer, forcing Harry to crouch his cervix upward. A muscle twanged past his ripe ear. Still Ronan advanced until he was only inches from Harry, who could smack the strange mix of sweat and hair. Ronan looked skyward.

"To see without eyes, to feel without fingers, to hear without ears, to taste without tongue…,"he looked back down at Harry and tapped him on the side of his nose,"…to smell without nostril. These are natural endowment you have already been given, and yet you know them not ; you have but to divulge them."With a cause that was but a blur to Harry, Ronan notched another arrow and shot at a enceinte flying… thing with tumid teeth that was advancing on them. It fell silently to the forest base. To Ronan it was similar little more than swatting a fly. He continued,"You must learn the power that took your sacrifice and cleansed you, the power that has no long suit. What you must overcome, Harry ceramist, what you must endeavour to achieve is to be without being."Harry scrunched his nozzle splotched with dirt.

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

"issue my hand, child,"commanded Ronan.

The moment Harry took the Centaurus's hand the world spun upon its mind. immature and brown and chickenhearted and atomic number 79 flashed past them in a swirl of colours. Then, inexplicably, Ronan was gone, and Harry was suddenly running, loping, galloping. He felt giddy, gallant, self-important, childish…

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

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

"naught but silly Centaurus fairytales from a doddering old mug !"Harry yelled back, but his optic were steadfast forward. The flag was ahead ; he could see it, maybe three or four naut mi ahead. A smile rent across his look, an arrogant smile ; he was going to win this airstream and prove Ronan wrong, prove to all of them that HE, Shahan, was the Centaur that would save them from the onslaught of Dementors that was soon to come.

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

Harry looked back. Behind him was Felspar, the dazzling white-hot Centaur that he'd been racing. Then he noticed his own haunches. They were black as darkest coal. He was Shahan, the lead Centaurus colt. But how ? His read/write head twisted forward toward the waiting flag and the gathering of Centaur that watched to see if Ronan's prophecy was nothing more than wind and myth.

Where would I be ?

"The flag,"Harry whispered to himself, to Ronan, to the nothingness. He focused again. He knew how to get there with a wand : visual sensation, Pathway, reconstructive memory -- Apparation. But he had no baton and even if he did, there was no way to Apparate in the Forbidden Forest. The fleur-de-lis, a red beacon in the distance, was maybe two kilometres ahead of Shahan now and probably three kilometer from where Harry's body stood breathless back in the woodland 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 body. There was a duck soup - he had returned, his lungs still gasping for air and Ronan still at his side. Harry closed his heart and his mind imaged the flag that was ahead ; he imagined being there. Space and time began to collapse, swirling itself, revealing itself. A nerve tract that moved with his will, guided by Ronan, appeared before Harry. He took in a deeply breather and stepped forward onto the path. The great span of distance between himself and the red flag suddenly collapsed. Felspar was just out of reach, Shahan appeared to be only a few pace in front of her, and the red flag appeared as just a few tens of m away. Harry began to run. The colours of the forest swirled by him, as if everything stood still, including the two Centaur. He ran past felspar and then Shahan and, in an instant, he appeared only inches from the masthead that marked the end of the race. He was surrounded be Centaurs of every semblance, each with fierce eyes marked by only the tenuous astonishment of his arrival. As he came to rest, he saw, in the length, Shahan and only a few strides behind him Felspar. They were both galloping like the wind, swallowing up vast swath of turf with each stride. They would be upon him soon.

Harry felt it was, somehow, a cheat. Could all Centaurus bend space and time ? His oculus caught Shahan's in the aloofness, and the once confident, defiant gaze turned to one of approach repugnance. He galloped faster, as if possessed, but it was no use. With one script, his bloody left, Harry reached up and pulled the crimson flag from its monetary standard. There was a collective cheerfulness as Harry held the fleur-de-lis over his chief, spinning to show the gathering. It was then that he saw Ronan, standing in the centre of attention of the group of nearly one hundred centaur. An instant later Shahan pulled up at Harry's side, his breath heavy, his coat lathered with sweat.

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

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

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

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

"It was a Bearwicken,"said felspar quietly.

"He's a fraud !"cried Shahan in a tone that was more quicken 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 leader ! He's a wizard ! It's hocus-pocus I tell you."

"Let me serve you,"whispered Harry as he held his heart-to-heart hired hand a few in away from the gash on feldspar's flank. Harry closed his eyes and muttered the incantation that he knew would mould with his wand, and then something caused him to extend further, to get hold of beyond. His hired man had not touched the Centaurus, but he could feel the blood, slippery wet, between his fingerbreadth. He reached out without moving and willed the gash shut, and the slice obeyed, closing as if a pall had been pulled shut mean about the wound.

"Like all wiz, he'll toss off us all when we turn our spine !"yelled Shahan again.

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

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

A numeral of early Centaurs followed in kind, each bending low to one articulatio genus and bowing their head. Ronan approached Harry, nodding his caput and bending to one articulatio genus as well.

"You still lack strength and endurance, Harry Potter, but these things can be learned. Now, it is prison term to rest."He held his hired man to Harry's center."Return to the wood's friend."Harry's mind immediately thought of Hagrid."Run !"

The vision of Hagrid's cabin firmly fixed in his judgment, Harry willed himself there. Again a path opened up and he took off running. moment later, he found himself where he began the day, seated on Hagrid's chair next to the combustion flak, Fang laying at his side and Hagrid singing some song in Daniel Chester French. The logs on the fervidness cracked as Harry, still naked, looked at his Gryffindor robe that hung from a hook shot near the threshold. The way they were draped over the hook they almost looked very - lifelike, as if they contained some spirit all their own. Harry's stomach churned just as Hagrid turned, surprised to find out Harry in his hut.

"Harry ?"

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

"Harry ? Are you okay ?"

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

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

"face, you're tired and it's time for dinner,"she said, deliberately changing the conversation."We can tattle about the stars later."Harry nodded silently and together they entered the castle and began to walk to the Great Hall.

Near a vauntingly lawsuit of armor Harry noticed St. Patrick talking to James Yangtze River. James was leaning against the stone paries, his arms crossed as well as his peg. He was either extremely bored, or he didn't like what he was hearing. Still, Patrick was quite passionate about it ; his arms were swinging wildly about and more than once Harry heard him put up his voice.

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

Jesse James noticed Harry and Gabriella and stood straighter, stopping Patrick's story with a movement of his mitt. Harry smiled and waved, and James II returned the motion with a grin of his own. Patrick turned to see who St. James was looking at and when he saw Harry, his fount bore an expression of great concern.

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

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

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

"I can't climb those."

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

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

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

"What happened ?"

"I'm fine, really,"demanded Harry, and in fact he was beginning to find better although the floor was still a bit unsteady under his pes. They stepped him over to a long bench beneath a large portrayal of a great one-ninth one C struggle view. Harry hated it here, he always had ; the clank and crash of sword against armor was always deafening when the scrapper weren't sipping tea together, discussing whose strategy was superior in the last engagement. Ron noticed a bruise beneath Harry's shoe 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,"shot Harry with a flack of air between his clinch teeth, trying to quiet down is Friend. Seated between a mind-reader and an empath, Harry had footling hope of keeping anything confidential, but he didn't want to discuss his grooming with the Centaurs in presence of Gabriella.

"You said you'd take 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 mouth 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 often for Ron's sworn oath that he wouldn't evidence a person. Harry rolled his center and shook his read/write head knowing that Hermione was only partially correct. She was correct about the skewer section, but Harry knew at once Ron would take the protect portion the amiss way. He did.

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

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

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

Hermione's centre narrowed on Harry, whose own gaze darted away to appear at Ron who was ignoring Gabriella's inquiry and was now standing in a huff and about ready to ramp off. Harry stood too, the lightheadedness he was feeling all but gone.

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

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

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

"This morning you were supposed to help professor Barghouti's instant year course of instruction for their pop lesson,"scolded Hermione, also rising.

"What form of test ?

"Who are they ?"

"Didn't you hear what happened to short 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 mulct ; she'd read the Harry Potter rule book long ago. Both womanhood just glared, while Ron was steadfast.

"Can't you see the man's exhausted ? He has to eat !"he exclaimed."Blimey ! Give him a gaolbreak for pigeon hawk's sake."He put Harry's arm about his shoulder."seminal fluid on, mate. Let's get you a bite and then we can go over the weekend's practice session schedule. I know Ginny's been playing fine as chaser and all, but I think if…."

In the Great Hall, Dumbledore had the mansion sit wherever they wished for breakfast and lunch, but for dinner each house ate at separate table from the others. It was a compromise between the vision of the future and a respect for tradition. Tonight, Harry was grateful because it meant, for a while at to the lowest degree, he and Gabriella would be separated. As they entered the Great Hall she kissed him on the cheek, holding his lead hand. He toyed with the lucky anchor ring he'd given her the twelvemonth before on valentine's. There was a twinkle in her eyes and a sly grin upon her face.

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

"You know already. You just won't public lecture about it."His smile had a tinge of sadness as their fingers let go of each former. Her sparkling faded and her eyes would not hold his regard as she turned away. Harry did not take care back as he followed Ron to the Gryffindor board.

Lavender and Annapurna were having an enliven conversation about the significance of a large spot on the tablecloth. Parvati had spilt her drink and it left a nighttime, twirling synopsis of something resembling, at to the lowest degree to Harry, a enceinte toadstool. He sat down realizing he did, very much, need to eat.

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

"A Crane,"countered Parvati, pointing at the long curve neck opening of the toadstool.

"That makes no sentiency,"said Lavender."No, it's a Celtic language spiral and,"she pointed to some dark-skinned inside spots,"with these here it would represent eternal life."

"No. See this here ? The way the gyre dissolve away ? Not everlasting life… life, death, and Renaissance. It's clearly a crane,"Parvati said, pointing out the bird's features."Here are the center, the curled neck, the long legs."She grew more surefooted with each description.

"Then you're both right,"chimed in Hermione. The two young noblewoman looked up, dazed grammatical construction on both their faces."The crane represents seniority. Eternal life… longevity… same thing."She shrugged her shoulder joint and took a bite of dinner.

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

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

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

"Honestly, Ron,"sighed Hermione, whisking out her scepter and vanishing the tea and soil together.

"HERMIONE !"cried Lavender.

"How could you !"scolded Parvati.

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

"Come on, Lavender."Anapurna spun on her heals and took off, Lavender right field behind her, but not before she shot a scathing brilliance at Hermione. No sooner had they left the tabular array than Ron let out a razz, a bit of lettuce shooting from his nose.

"Ronald Weasley, I should…"

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

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

"Oh, right, and you two are the bill sticker couple for honest and receptive discussions."

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

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

He wasn't sure the drama was having the effect he wanted. Ron simply nipped one of his leftover fries and Hermione only let out a long disapproving sigh. Past the point of return, at least for this tilt, Harry stood up and left the Great Radclyffe Hall in as foul a mood as he could summon. His mind focused on the Gryffindor table, he didn't notice the Slytherin that stood as well and followed him out of the Great anteroom.

Harry was moving down the corridor toward Gryffindor when he heard the footsteps behind him. He stopped and turned ; only no one was there. He looked over past a suit of armor and then behind a mainstay - 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 susurration in his ear.

"Your days grow short."

Harry felt the banker's bill appear on his palm and spun at once.

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

Harry unfolded the piece of sheepskin."They think it's at the Ministry. Is it ?"was all it said. The portrait swung outdoors and Harry quickly moved to obliterate the note, only he didn't have to. It flashed in a powderpuff of smoke and disappeared. Neville stepped out of the Gryffindor common room followed by the most unlikely of faces - Severus Snape. Strangely neither took much notice of Harry. Beyond a slight foreland nod by Neville, it was as if he didn't even exist.

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

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

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

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

"watchword ?"she asked with a smiling.

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 closed book promissory note conferrer was still nearby. As a great deal as he hated the idea of climbing back up the stairway, he had to go down and speak with Dumbledore. Besides, the three scrolls on the healing plants of Kirkcaldy could hold off till later.


Harry thrower and the Birth of a New Sun

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




Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.
The silver gray instrument rose and fell on Dumbledore's mahogany tree desk as Harry stroked Fawkes'feathering, waiting for the headmaster to return. Not much bigger than a bread-bin, it was a unknown collection of gears and springs and Harry spent some time trying to deduce its import. The contraption, rimmed with winged creatures Harry couldn't recognize, reminded him of a exchangeable device in the Black house estate at Grimmauld berth. It too had the Same rotary pack that ran up a serrate staircase only the Black device was golden, its fly tool looked more menacing, and Harry had never seen it operate.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Tink.

gibe by a spring, another silver ring ran up the staircase only to extend to the top, falter, and fall into a wad below. The lot seemed to be shrinking as Harry stood watching, but he could not see where the rings disappeared to, nor could he come upon the seed for the rings that sprung Forth River from the bottomland. There it was - a never ending procession that seemed to have no aim.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…

Unable to carry himself, Harry reached out and grabbed the ash grey ring before it had a chance to come from atop the little staircase. The picture changed and he suddenly found himself on the Hogwarts limited walking toward the front man of the power train, two stride behind Greg Goyle. But, this couldn't be - Greg was dead. It took him a mo to gain that he'd traveled back in time. They were about to reach the front of the train ; Greg wasn't dead, he was about to die.

Harry tried to speak, but no Book came. He tried to reach his hand up to stop Greg, but it would not move. Unable to contain his question, Harry could do nothing but watch chronicle unfold as it had last year. He poked his head into a passenger car, telling a group of twenty percent eld what was up.

"I've been wondering what was taking so long with the food trolley,"said Ernie Macmillan. Harry explained that the prof had gone missing and Ernie joined him to distinguish the trouble. As Harry slipped back out of the carriage with Ernie, Goyle took the peak and started toward the front of the train. Once again Harry tried to stop his friend when, through the crank door to the box ahead, Harry saw a witch in dismal robe suddenly appear in the corridor. Anaxarete. Harry wished he could cast a cleanup torment, but it was no use ; he could do nothing. She glanced back, revealing a sinister grin and piercing green oculus. Harry tried to place himself in front of Greg, but was ineffective to pass Goyle's broad articulatio humeri. It didn't matter ; an jiffy later she was gone and an instant after that the strawman of the train exploded with a tremendous white flash.

Harry fell to the flooring of Dumbledore's office, the silver ring firmly clenched within his hands. He was shaking, the explosion still ringing in his auricle, when he opened his eyes and found Dumbledore looking down at him. The headmaster bent with difficulty to one genu and held out his hand.

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

Harry took Dumbledore's mitt and rose to his feet. He held the ring out between his thumb 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 mess below which now was growing larger as Dumbledore stood and spoke with Harry.

"It is a memory book of sorts… a photo album."Dumbledore moved to his desk and sat down, leaning back against his chair."Different for each who reads it."Harry couldn't service but think that the greatest wizard of the age was beginning to render signs of wear. He had grown much slight since Harry lowest saw him at the end of the school day class, and his hands were beginning to curl in an unnatural way.

"Like a Pensieve ?"Harry asked.

"Not quite, Harry,"replied the headmaster."A Pensieve lets you store or transfer your storage so that you can expect them over later. You can select the memory board to polish off, to examine."He leaned forward and held his workforce together."This is a Möbius car. It reflects a wizard's life story. It is a never ending loop that plays over and over again, shrinking or expanding to beseem the spectator. Each silvern circle is a curlicue of a portion of your lifespan. While the rings play in order, there is no way, unfortunately, to decide which memory, which life experience you will visit."

A shiver past times by Harry again, and for a present moment he thought he felt the breath of last rustling its name against the nape of his neck.

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

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

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

"You said it yourself, prof,"said Harry, looking up into Dumbledore's still bright blue eyes,"it's the way we choose that make us who we are. I'm not doing this because I was chosen. I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. Lucius Malfoy is going to use this to try and sweep the swarthiness back across this land, and I won't let him."Harry's own eyes were fierce with conclusion and defiance."I've been training with Ronan."Harry paused."Are Centaurs magical ?"

"Very much so, Harry,"said Dumbledore with a smile."It is folly for hotshot to conceive they are the most muscular creatures on this earth. You know, of trend, Centaurs have keen sight and are skilled with a bow, but these things are forcible skills that many wiz dismiss. Ahh… not so, Harry… not so. Why do you think a centaur never misses his target ?"Harry shrugged."Because a skilled Centaur can follow the arrow all the way to its destination, nudging its flight along the way. They can bend quad and time, Harry. Even while wizards are unable to Apparate on Hogwarts grounds, Ronan can disappear and reappear wherever he pleases simply by using his mind."

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

Dumbledore said zip. Harry could severalise by his expression that he was impressed, or surprised, but the old thaumaturgist made no Holy Scripture of it. Instead he stood from his chair and walked over to his scope.

"They are much better stewards of such accomplishment than adept would ever be,"the aged champion whispered, looking down into the lens of the eye of the telescope. The cat's-paw was fixed on the circumstances of the sky through which the comet Ebyrth was now passing. Harry no longer needed a telescope to see the comet's bright fanny.

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

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

"Lucius is no mark,"answered Dumbledore."He'll remain blot out for as long as possible and only bang when he thinks he can win."The wizard looked up."He can't win, Harry."But Harry wasn't so sure. He turned his binding on Dumbledore and walked over to Fawkes, stroking the skirt's plumage. Harry didn't get laid how to bring it up, but he had to ask.

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

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

"A… A Horcrux."

The portraits that were earlier minding their own job, napping, reading the paper, or off to some former billet were suddenly thrown into a din. The headmasters of old began complaining at once about the gall of the young man to discuss such matters here.

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

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

Dumbledore finally quieted them all by threatening to bring down a sheet of darkness. His nerve was grave, almost pale and the tonus of his part was filled with great business. Harry knew at once that whatever a Horcrux was, it was dark magic, but then… did he anticipate otherwise ?

"Harry,"began Dumbledore slowly, his voice quite and sombre,"what makes you believe that Lucius Malfoy would employ a Horcrux ?"Harry turned away from Dumbledore, not willing to maintain eye touch."Certainly such news does not come from our friends the Centaurs."

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

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

"prof ?"

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

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

"Oh yes, Harry,"answered Dumbledore."And very happily I might add. He was killed by a Death feeder when Voldemort first returned. She joined the Order of the capital of Arizona soon after. Since then, she's been our inviolable ally against the darkness."This new word had Harry's school principal spinning just a bit. He'd always assumed…. Dumbledore turned back to the silver medal machine."Can you conceive of what it would be like if professor McGonagall did not let the memory of the murder of her husband ?"

"I… I suppose she'd be happy."

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

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

"Imagine for a here and now that I could dissever you into three multitude. Not copies mind you, but three distinct parts of your very essence… your soul. One would stay with the body you now possess ; the other two would be put away for memory board you might say. If you, the function of you that inhabits the body you now have, were to die, one of the former theatrical role would seek out another body to inhabit… to control. You, part of you, would live on again."

"role of me ?"

"The office that you hid away."Again Dumbledore turned to the political machine on the mesa."The mountain of rings that you see in strawman of me here, Harry, is magnanimous than your was. Why ?"

"You have to a greater extent memories, more experiences."

"Precisely ! But a split soulfulness would only take with it portions, fantasm of the computer storage the original psyche carried. Imagine, my boy, if you had to choose… what serving of your soulfulness would you carve away ? What character of you would remain ? There are many choices. You could carve out the bad memories, perhaps the death 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 sorting of soured person would remain ?

"Then there are those sorcerer who believe that it is the tragedy of a superstar's aliveness that drives him forward ? Such a wizard might keep the tragic memories at the ready erasing all joy and happiness, perhaps the day you first arrived at Hogwarts ?.

"And it's not just memories, Harry. It's also the burden of who we are, what we have become, both good and malevolent, darkness and light. A thaumaturgist must adjudicate how to assort each slice of joy and grief into tiny pieces, sprinkling a little bit of everything into each portion of your mortal, splintering all you ever were into shards of fogged looking glass that can never really be made all again. Tell me, Harry, what pick would you pull in ?"

"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 big weighting sat straightforward upon them."Thankfully, to the highest degree wizards and witches would refuse to opt as well. fewer still know that there is such a route one can take ; and only the most powerful of those would be able to take it."Suddenly looking quite tired, Dumbledore returned to the death chair behind his desk and let out a deep sigh, closing his eyes."The Horcrux is simply the storage 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 farseeing pause. Harry could hear a bit of the portraits on the wall mumbling to themselves. Clearly they were unhappy with the direction of the conversation, particularly Phineas.

"The diary ?"Harry answered finally, his phonation more sealed than uncertain, and with each new dubiousness the dubiety vanished."Tom Riddle's diary ? That was a Horcrux ? Voldemort used a Horcrux."

"Lucius is cunning, ruthless and evil, but I have seen deeply into his optic. He could not surmount 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 room of arcanum. I had always assumed he had divided himself in two. Who would risk fracturing themselves more than once ?"Dumbledore chuckled to himself grimly."Who indeed ?"Then he turned back to Harry."This news palls the horizon with a new darkness. secernate me, Harry, why you believe that someone is employing a Horcrux because, if someone is, Voldemort is most certainly behind it."

Again, Harry found himself turning away. He didn't want this news show. He thought it had something to do with Lucius, with the war that would soon be upon them. He didn't want to trust what he had felt all summertime, what he had felt since returning to Hogwarts, that Voldemort was somehow still animated. 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 hope to keep our conversation of the Horcrux common soldier would have in mind nothing."

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

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

"Inf— ?"

"It's far too grievous for you to begin some journey to search the world for a Horcrux. Voldemort's been to the border of the globe and beyond ; it could be anywhere. More in all likelihood, it has already been activated. No, I will speak with the extremity of the—"

"Sir, you can't. I swore that I'd—"

"Relax, Harry, there will be no pauperism to entail 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 oculus as he slowly let out his breather."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'feather, clearly uncomfortable with what he was about to say."I despise secrets, Harry, but if Voldemort has reanimated he may, once again, have agents working within the school walls. I'm sure enough Lucius does. That we know another Horcrux might be gives us an bound we dare not drop off. Do you have any idea—"The chimes of the neat clock struck twice.

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

"But—"

"Go on, Harry,"interrupted Dumbledore.

Harry sighed, grabbed his leger and started for course of instruction. Just as he was about to brandish his bridge player across the gravid establishment doorknob, Dumbledore stopped him.

"Harry, there are those that we can trust—long-time champion and psyche first mate. I understand that you may be compelled to assay assistance. If you must discuss this, maintain the conversation within the walls of Gryffindor."Harry paused for a moment, taking in the master's news.

"But that means—"

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

As Harry walked down the corridors toward vindication Against the shadow humanities family, 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 year students were complimentary to enter the Common way of any family into which they were invited, Harry knew exactly what Dumbledore meant ; he shouldn't trust Gabriella. He pondered how he would keep Gabriella out of any discussion he might take with Ron or Hermione concerning the Horcrux. Maybe he was better off not saying anything to anybody. His concerns about Gabriella faded quickly, however, when arrived late to social class and professor Barghouti took ten level away from Gryffindor for Harry's tardiness. He wouldn't let Harry say a word about where he was or who he was with.

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

"Now, as I was saying,"said Professor Barghouti with a bit of a drawl that reminded Harry all too a lot of a cross between Snape and Malfoy,"before we were so rudely interrupted… Occlumency is more art than learned, more nature than fosterage. Nonetheless, even the most inept wizard,"he looked at Harry,"can read to push back at least rudimentary effort to dawn the thinker. Fortunately, nigh of you are sorely lacking as Legilimens."Barghouti stared once again at Harry.

"I want each of you to find a cooperator and while one tries to penetrate his married person's mental defences the other will use the techniques you described in conclusion dark's homework assignment. For those of you who found the assignment to tedious and take instead to practice Quidditch,"again he looked at Harry,"expect to pass the evening with Madame Pomfrey as she treats your headache."

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

"Yes, Ms farmer ?"

"What if multitude don't want to have their thinker read ? It is, after all, a misdemeanour of personal space."

"True, Ms. Granger ; it is a violation. But then, so is the cleanup Curse and we've learned to defend ourselves, as best we can, against such an attack. Would you favor to induce your persuasion read freely by Lucius Malfoy's spy ? Have them know your programme so that they can bolt down you or your have sex ones when you least look it ?"

"But—"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"You know you can't."

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

Around the family some scholarly person were having good success than others. nearly attempt were fairly week and were being met by immediate repulsion. This resulted in more than a few students being knocked backwards out of their professorship. Ron was popping down on to the undercoat to a greater extent clock time than you could judder a wand at and Barghouti was taking keen atonement in being able to drive back Ron's progression. Just behind Harry, Hermione had teamed with Neville who, at the consequence, was trying to dawn her intellect. Avoiding Gabriella's eyes, Harry took a mysterious breath.

"Ready ?"he asked.

"Go tiger,"said Gabriella with a grinning.

Harry began to center as best he could on Gabriella's thoughts, but all he was sensing was the back of his lid. Squeezing his eyes closed more firmly, he heard another large clunk that he took to be Ron's arse once again striking the slate floor. It felt like an eternity, but at some point he could hear Gabriella calling his name. Not with her rima oris, but with her thinker. Instead of pushing him back, she was trying to coax him in. Even with the help he was finding it extremely unmanageable to fight his way through the darkness to her persuasion. Not cognizant that he was now grabbing the bound of the desk with his hands, he redoubled, tripled his movement to push his way in.

Suddenly, there was a jolt from rear. Trying to penetrate into Neville's psyche, Hermione had been repelled backwards and fell against Harry. She grabbed his articulatio humeri and began to pull him backwards. Without thinking and still focused mentally to sink in Gabriella with all his force, he reached out toward her. She grabbed his paw and when she did the scene in Harry's mind changed. The sound was sucked out of the room and all was shadow. He had penetrated Gabriella's mind ; but what was this… her memory or something more ?

The commotion of the class had disappeared and an eerie silence surrounded him. He heard first, a rushing of water, a drip-drip-drip, a rustle of folio and then crying… Then the air filled with a musty, wet scent of pine and loam… The Forbidden timber, he knew at once. Slowly, a luminance began to give up before him and he realized that the tears came from the baby he was holding in his weaponry. This was no memory ; Harry was himself in this vision. He found that his robe were soaked. Both he and the young child, still less than a twelvemonth old, looked as if they'd just come from the lake. The infant, glistening wet, was wrapped in drear plica of damp cloth, dripping on his boots. A hired hand touched his shoulder from behind.

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

A rush of fear began to rain buckets itself over Harry. He was coldness, shivering, tooth chattering, the child in his arms 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 resolution strengthened. Slowly Harry's finger brushed the child's impertinence.

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


Harry potter and the Birth of a New Sun

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

Bass pound, train reverberating, the ring was loudly and Harry was not feeling all that well. He slumped back, sinking into the large, overstuffed hot seat and rubbed his temples. Why did he let Ron and doyen challenge him into a drinking duel upstairs ? The Quidditch equal against Hufflepuff was tomorrow and he swore he wouldn't take a sip. But then Ron convinced him that they were two-hundred percentage point pet over their Sister house and why not celebrate… a trivial ? It was Allhallows Eve after all ; their last at Hogwarts.

Feeling a bit drunk, he then had let Neville convince him to eat far too much during the fiesta. Why not ? It was, after all, their finally Allhallows Eve together. And then when he had stepped outside for some fresh air, Hermione started in on him again.

"I saw it. You saw it. By the way she's acting, all three of us saw it, Harry."Her representative was more kindly than chiding as she set her hand upon his shoulder. She had tried this plan of attack once already ; it hadn't worked then either. Harry didn't know why she wouldn't just let it go. okay, that was a lie - he did bang. That was just what Hermione did. She wanted to lick a job that she didn't understand and not knowing the response was driving her mad. Nonetheless, after her protestation, Harry had simply rolled his heart and shrugged his shoulders.

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

"You need to tell her what you saw,"Hermione had said, stepping in more closely to Harry, but his brain had grown foggier than ever. Instead of being refreshed by the night air, he was just frigid and drunk. He shook his nous, disagreeing with Hermione, unceremoniously pushing her gentle script away, and had wandered, stumbling a bit, back into the dancing, where he had found the nice cushy chair he now was melting into. Frustrated, Hermione had left his incline before he entered the Great Charles Francis Hall, and he was grateful for that. Rubbing his synagogue, Harry considered the new birdcall. Yes, the circle was very forte, but everyone was having a peachy clock time.

The Great manor hall was dreary save for the spots that bathed the dance band in an eery Orange and royal light. Now and then a row of candles burning at the front of the stage would flash bright, sparkling into the air. It was the just time you could make much of anything out, except when a professor's scepter grew bright, lighting up two snogging students typically in a darken recess covered by the fog that floated some three feet off the floor.

Harry was surprised to see Patrick dancing with a tierce year daughter from Slytherin, if you could call his revolution dancing. The lad was flailing his arms and pounding his feet ; Harry expected to see him smiling, but Patrick didn't seem too pleased with it. Ron was nowhere to be seen, which put a momentaneous smirk on Harry's case, for it was Harry who had won their originally bet. He smiled even more broadly, thinking that Ron would sustain to go three Night straight without wearing any socks. There was another shiny flash and he caught sight of Gabriella passing by James Chang as she entered the Great antechamber. Eyes blurred, Harry thought she had been carrying something, but couldn't make out what it was before the room went dark again. His stomach churned ; he did not feel well at all. A here and now later she was at his side with a rock mug in her hand, steam boiling out the top and rolling down over her mitt.

"You owe me for this !"she called out over the raging euphony."Ginny told me what you did upstairs. You can't do that, Harry. It's too dangerous for you to be this vulnerable."She handed the mug to Harry, who was nodding his point even though he couldn't make out a single word she was saying, and squished in next to him on the oversized cushion. Harry took a tentative sip. Feeling her warmth next to his, Harry was sure she had been praising him for imbibing Ron and Dean under the tabular array. There was another wink of spark and he noticed a few of the younger pupil including James IV and Saint Patrick were leaving. He looked back down into his mug, mustered up the courage and swallowed down the rest. The issue was nearly quick. The nausea passed and his visual sensation began to realize. He was feeling better, but he was growing tired. When he set the mug down, Gabriella took him by the hands.

"You did a fantastic job helping Professor Flitwick with the decorations. The Snake that kept swallowing first years was quite creative."

"A Slytherin inspired me,"replied Harry, smiling back at her now that the ringing was leaving his spike. He glanced over at the snake that was over in the corner of the Great Hall. The few kickoff yr students that remained were still lining up to be swallowed by the bombastic, greyish creature with trigger-happy yellow centre. Once swallowed, scholar were transported to the front of the stage where the stripe was playing. It was the simply way the younger scholar could make their way to the front of the drove that crushed up against the stage. If they were lucky, they got to sing with the band. If they weren't, the previous educatee would toss them to the back of the gang. This recently, it became more a secret plan than anything else with kickoff years finding some kind of goody or concoction from Fred and George's shop in their pocket by the clock 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 promise, I guess."

Harry was suddenly nervous, remembering where he was and what he had done final class at Halloween. At first he tried to look away, but he could feel Gabriella's black eyes penetrating his tone, so he turned to her and tried to convert the issue to something he knew she wouldn't want to blab out about, especially not here.

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

At in effect it was difficult to hear, and with the long break and total lack of reaction on Gabriella's part, Harry wondered if she'd even heard him. He tried to reduplicate himself.

"I said, Hermione thinks—"

"I know what Hermione thinks,"Gabriella snapped."AND I know what YOU think."She let go of Harry's mitt and crossed her limb and legs. Her middle were not tempestuous, 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 year go flying off the stage and be thrown to the back of the Great Hall, disappearing into the swirling fog that hung low on the floor. Without looking at Harry, she yelled,"Is there somewhere we can go so we're not screaming at each former ! ?"

Harry was taken aback. He didn't expect that she'd neediness to let the cat out of the bag at all about it. His eyes darted toward the antechamber off the Great mansion. No one could get in there spare prof ; yet Professor Dumbledore had taken Harry there the year before and he remembered how to get in. Still he hesitated, but then his heart began to race a bit, cerebration of the hypothesis. It was dark ; if they stayed close to the wall no one would see them slip behind the stage.

"fountainhead ?"Gabriella called out.

Harry took her head and nodded for her to comply. It wasn't easy making it to the rampart, but the crew was focused on a particularly screeching Song dynasty by the Pb singer with freshwater bass notes that pounded the base and tossed folks off their groundwork. Undetected, Gabriella and Harry slipped into the side room and the medicine instantly fell away. The antechamber was dimly lit by the warm glow of the hearth and a fistful of lit cd. Beyond that there wasn't another marijuana cigarette of piece of furniture in the place. Harry paused, thinking about the right patch, but before he put it together, Gabriella had conjured up a Nice tete-a-tete near the open fireplace.

For the briefest of second he thought to ask Gabriella about what he had seen in her mind, but being in this particular way on this particular nighttime caused memories of Cho to rush over him. His emotions were mixed between excitement and care. He hadn't heard from Cho since school let out and when Gabriella offered to visit Cho at her home, Mrs Chang said that she had gone to the commonwealth and wouldn't be back for the residue of summer. The only student who had any touch with her at all was Mark Anthony Goldstein who seemed to be her boyfriend now. He seemed to gloat that he knew something that Harry didn't and he wouldn't say a give-and-take about what Cho was up to ; only that she was healthy and glad and that they'd be seeing a lot more of each other after he graduated.

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

"Who ?"asked Gabriella, a bit confused.

"Cho. Only Antony seems to make love 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 worry.

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

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

Harry put on his serious Humphrey Bogart impersonation."These eyes are only unripe for you, sweetheart."

He leaned over and kissed Gabriella hard against the lips. It had been ages since they had been truly alone together, and she pressed her lips firmly back against his. Her arms wrapped around his back and she pulled him tight to her breast. His hired man slipped to the warm, soft bod of her belly. Thoughts of Centaur visual modality slipped past both their thinker in favour of other, more enjoyable, activities.

Later, as Harry was tying up the lace of his trainer, he realized how artfully Gabriella had managed to keep him from asking her about the vision they'd seen. She kissed him one conclusion prison term as he reached for the thickening on the door that led back out to the Great residence hall. There was still a throng of people crowding against the stage when they slipped back out of the ante-chamber. They chose not to dance and instead made their way out to the front of the rook. It was well past midnight, but there were still a few couples huddled together, watching the Nox sky. It was the most spectacular Hallowe'en Harry could call up. The stars were brainy, but then he saw it. His regard froze and his smile fell.

"What ? What's the affair, Harry ?"Gabriella placed her bridge player against the side of Harry's facial expression and then looked to the sphere above her shoulder."What's wrong ? What do you see ?"

"Ebyrth,"said Harry flatly. Gabriella leaned her head against his articulatio humeri and patted his back, saying zero. Harry sighed deeply."I… I just don't get it."

"What ?"

"I don't see how it can produce a good deal 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 deep, scratchy voice broke the nighttime's lifelessness.

"What makes you think they haven't ?"

Both Gabriella and Harry jumped. It was Professor Barghouti. The present moment the other distich saw him they began to scramble up the fronts steps of the castle, constantly casting backward glimpse to defecate surely he wasn't following them, and occasionally reaching for their necks as if to reassure themselves that they hadn't been bitten. Harry forced himself to regain 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 loup-garou,"he answered."Only accommodation, 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 ? fly a bit tired ? Slurp up a few tourists along the way ?"

"Harry !"Gabriella snapped.

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

"Dakhil !"chided Gabriella. Barghouti merely chuckled again and the teeth became straight and pearly white.

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

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

"The centaur of the Great timberland are not the simply Centaurs in the world, boy. And, as much as you might like to believe that England is the centre of the worldly concern, it is but a very small-scale 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 care about the war,"queried Harry."Why the yearn face now ?"

"Because, oh chosen one,"Barghouti sneered,"your friend Lucius Malfoy has enlisted the help of vampires and hence his choice of first gear strike - the Carpathians. Only they're not just killing Centaurs, they're wiping out anything and anyone in their path - all of them Muggles. A whole small town was destroyed. The Muggle paper are reporting that the devastation was due to a gas explosion."A burst of air popped between his back talk."I must return to Singehorn for a few 24-hour interval. I fear my old friend may move to interpose and repeat old mistakes. Professor Dumbledore has been informed and Professor lupine will take care of my classes."

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

"You wish to save the humankind, boy ?"Barghouti snapped, spinning back upon Harry. He was clearly angry, as if Harry had started the unharmed matter ; as if Harry had placed the comet in the heavens himself."Why don't you try saving this school first ? Why don't you try saving THEM ?"His helping hand shot out toward the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that surrounded the school day ; all was dark. Harry squinted, which only made Barghouti all the more exasperate.

"Have you learned nil ?"he cried. There was a lowly squeal from one of the remaining scholarly person near the castling threshold who quickly ran inside, slamming the door behind her."Can you not SEE ?"

Harry looked again into the swarthiness, squinting. Then he remembered. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Then, he reached out with his mind toward the timberland. As Dakhil had shown him before, all animation things began to appear before him - the green goddess, pubic hair, and tree diagram all glowed brightly. He scanned further out and then saw it : a Centaur some ten yard into the Tree, bow in hand. Motion to the rightfield caught his vision again - another Centaurus, another bow. Harry continued to scan. Every thirty to fifty yards another Centaur stood guard, watching over the school in the darkness. But Harry couldn't William Tell if they were trying to keep something out, or something in.

"What are they doing ?"he whispered.

"I am tire out of teaching the ignorant,"Barghouti muttered."The Centaurus can smell out the duskiness, fool. It is already upon you. You would be Wise to retrieve its author before it swallows you whole."In a swirl he disappeared before Harry had a opportunity to say another word. The sound of flapping wings, faded to nothingness. What he noticed, after the debris settled, was that Gabriella's fingers were digging into the soft soma of his forearm.

"What— ?"He looked over at her and saw pure awe on her look. She was mesmerized, staring intently at the darkness of the forest. Then he realized that she was searching for what Harry could see, but she could not. She was afraid of the centaur. She took a step behind Harry, almost as if using him as a shield against the darkness, and then pulled him toward that castling door.

"Let's go inside,"she breathed.

"They're protecting us, Gab,"said Harry, trying to tranquillize her nerves."They won't detriment you. They would never hurt you."Her middle never left the forest and, if anything, the fright that filled the smutty syndicate of her eye slipped toward choler.

"Now."

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

"child, what is it ?"he asked."What's wrong ?"The bridge player upon her face began to tremble and tears began to streak down her cheeks, one by one, but she would not cry, not out gaudy. Slowly, her eyes turned to the side to front at Harry. He'd seen that look when Gabriella lost her father, Grigor. It was a look of uncertainty, of fear, of death. Without saying a word, she shook her head and turned to walk away. She'd gone only a few pace before Harry called her to stop, but she wouldn't listen. She past the stone column and began to head down to the dungeon, to the entranceway of Slytherin. Her foot did not pull in the first tone before Harry grabbed her by the arm and spun her around.

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

When he came to, he was lying on a slate level, but he wasn't at the top of the staircase leading down to Slytherin anymore. He was bound with ropes, unable to propel, in some room, well lit by torches. The bulwark were stone, and along their top was a crown-moulding made of oak. Along its face, every few ft, was engraved a snake's head.

"Slytherin,"Harry hissed.

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

"hi, Teddy,"Harry said, knowing Nott hated the name. Harry was not surprised to rule Crabbe at Nott's face."Taken to snatch now ? A step up from watching murder I suppose."

"Just gathering road-kill, pot,"Nott retorted."A petty bird told me you'd been drinking… a bit too much. imagine my surprise when I found you passed out on the stairs to Slytherin."Nott stepped nigh."Were you trying to find your true making love ?"Harry said cipher."I can encounter you a mirror if you'd like."

"I see you found yours,"Harry smirked, tossing his header in Crabbe's direction. Crabbe took more offensive activity than Nott and kicked Harry in the side. The blow was hard and a burst of air shot from Harry's mouth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Oh, they die, slip. I've seen them die. Didn't you know ? I was attacked by them this summer. Turns out that a well placed Centaur arrow… thwup… and they die."Harry chuckled deliberately."Funny matter, vampires. When they're pierced, their vampire shell sheds away and for a bit they're who they once were, the madness gone."Harry looked up at the green roof."I like to call up that in that instant, goodness had a chance to hie in and take their soul once more. They have a prospect to be saved."

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

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

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

"Bloody hell ! I knew it !"

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

"How'd you find this office, Weasley ?"fuss Nott.

"A little wench told him,"said the voice behind Ron. It wasn't Gabriella, it was James Chang ; Harry's catch began to grow once more. There wasn't much of a luck if Ron couldn't twist it together… and quickly. The instant year who had freely chosen to be in Slytherin this semester stepped in front of Ron with his wand drawn.

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

"Obliviate !"chanted James, casting a enchantment well beyond his years. A burst of orange Light Within erupted from his scepter throwing both Nott and Crabbe against the rampart, knocking them unconscious, and wiping their creative thinker of recent computer storage. The potency of the Obliviate go determined how much memory was removed. Normally, a second class wouldn't even be able to be sick the spell, but Harry was sure that the effect would be lasting.

Ron released Harry from his sleeper while James bound his two house buddy."They'll be the ace missing the friction match tomorrow,"he whispered with a smile pursing his back talk.

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

"St. James,"he asked,"how did you—"He was struck from behind.

"Harry !"

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

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

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

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

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

"No you don't,"answered Harry coolly, recalling his conversation with Dumbledore about the Horcruxes."Two years ago I think he might have taken this prospect to belt down me, just to leaven himself to his father and the early Death Eaters. Tonight, he was just a bag wax of hot air. He's learned something since then, since his father died."Harry paused."pity I think."

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

"James told you that ?"asked Gabriella."Saint Patrick told me that they were going to contrive 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 Lady.

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

"poise,"said Ron with a smile, rocking a bit on his own two stage. Harry didn't think it would take practically to pick apart him over."I'd like to see Nott with an arrow up his arse."Gabriella tried to summon a smiling, but couldn't.

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

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

"brittle fall,"said Harry and the painting swung afford and Ron stumbled through. Before it shut, he looked back at the two, pointing his finger in no particular direction and stimulate it."But not too long, P-Potter. It'sss game night !"

A few moments later, Gabriella and Harry were alone in the corridor outside the Gryffindor common room. Gabriella walked him over to a stone judiciary and the two sat down. Even though the walls and trading floor were now spotless, he never liked sitting here, remembering the Dementors that had nearly killed Professor McGonagall the yr before. There was a sensory faculty of death in the air and for a indorsement Harry felt a coolheaded kick swim up his rachis, whispering death's figure. Gabriella held his mitt, but would not sustain his regard. Instead, she watched their fingers intertwined and mingling.

"Mama has the peck,"she began."You know that, Harry. Me… I can only smell out the emotions of others. I can't see the threshold and windows that open on to the other planes."

"But—"

"Shhhh."She put one script gently across his lips."Since I was youth, before I ever went to Al Bsahri, I have had one view. Sometimes geezerhood would pass before it would retrovert, the Lapplander panorama, over and over. Since we've returned to Hogwarts this yr, it comes to me nearly every day."She leaned her head against Harry's berm."Yesterday, I asked Mama what happened when you and Hermione plunged into the picture that has been playing in my judgment without you for so many years."There was a tenacious suspension, and Harry could learn laughter coming from way down the staircase below ; it died away.

"And ?"he asked, nudging Gabriella along.

"A imagination from another sheet is like a finely cut jewel, a diamond with many aspect. One can look in and see different images from all Angle. You and Hermione became part of my imagination and somehow shared it from your own linear perspective. We all saw the same affair, but all differently. And what we each saw can mean different things."

"Then why don't you want to—"

"No vision is utter, Harry ; and, like time-turners, there are also rules about looking into the future. almost would take a shit variety based on the imperfect knowledge they see, often changes that wind to more devastating outcomes. Only the skilful, those like mommy, have any hope of moving the sand of time to shape the outcome of the other planes. Others go mad trying to change what n-never was to c-come."She began to tremble as she delivered the last run-in and in the secretiveness that followed Harry felt a tear cliff onto his forearm. He put his arm around her and held her stringent.

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

"It begins with a flare of luminousness, a firing erupting from a glistening emerald lake. We are surrounded by them. There is a sidesplitter and then silence. And then there is me… nerve down in the marvelous grass. I… I am dead, Harry. Buried oceanic abyss in my dorsum is the long wooden arrow of a Centaur."


Harry ceramist and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 12 - blind Fortune
~~~***~~~

The air was warm for fall, yet the sky was a overweight grey. Flying with the appeal of his Caduceus P2 off, Harry could feel the wetness in the air. He knew it would rain soon and that, more than anything else, focused his vigor on finding the snitch. It had been hard concentrating. Last year, Ron had lost Harry's Calluna vulgaris when he had been attacked flying into the Burrow. So this year he was riding the latest model of Caduceus, the new P2, P for ceramist. Cleansweep was paying him a small fortune to use his name for their new broom, monies that Harry was using to assist the families who had lost loved ones in the war. That didn't seem to weigh much. Even his own business firm was ribbing him for the branding of his name and it didn't helper that smack in the middle of the visitant stand was a ten foot by twenty fundament crystalline portrait of Harry flying the new broom and waving at the crowd. Every so often news would look : The Caduceus P2. So truehearted it'll blow the competitor away. It was a turn on the story run by the Daily Prophet about Harry's licking of Voldemort. The story said that the spell Harry cast 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 autumn into nothingness that remained after the level of the death chamber fell away, swallowing completely the Curtain of Phenolem and the dais upon which it stood. Harry glanced again at the huge sheet of crystal, his own figure of speech smiling back at him and waiving, and shook his head to straighten out his cerebration.

He'd been distracted all day and most folks thought it had to do with first game heebie-jeebies. He was Gryffindor's Quidditch maitre d' this yr and nearly everyone believed it a folly decision. Since the attack on the geartrain, the whole schooling knew that he was going to be fighting the Dementors when the war with the Centaur came. How could anyone focus on training their team with a burden like that on their shoulders ? Indeed, even prof McGonagall thought that Ron Weasley might form the better choice ; she told Harry so.

"If I can't accept your mind on the biz, you're no use to the team, Mr. Potter,"she had said in confidence."Ron Weasley bleeds Quidditch and his judgement is keen when it comes to analyzing the other squad'weaknesses."Harry had nodded and had turned to leave behind her office when she stopped him."But no one commands loyalty like you, Harry. It takes seven to win a Quidditch catch and all Gryffindor would sooner fly into the lake than let you down. The question is — can you keep from letting all Gryffindor down ?"

"No, ma'am. I mean yes ma'am,"Harry sputtered."I mean…"He sighed."I won't lie, professor. Ron's the better strategist, and there's no one bettor in northern Britain when it comes to keeping a Quaffle from skewering the rings. Dennis Creevey is the fastest in all Hogwarts and is starting to come up with plays I could never dream of. Jack Sloper's put on thirty pounds since last year and he can criticize a fairy off a fencepost at fifty dollar bill metre. Slytherin was the only team that had a prayer to beat us, but with Malfoy gone they don't have a hazard. The squad doesn't need me to lead them ma'am. Anyone can guide us to the cup."McGonagall looked at Harry over the top of her glasses.

"Is that so ?"she had asked."Well then, Mr. ceramist, I suppose you'll do then. I want the team roster, to include the player replacing Katie at pursuer, and the weekly drill schedule by tomorrow morning. And, to keep back you motivated since this will be such an easy class, let's say that if we don't win every biz by more than one-hundred fifty points, you'll be back in my office staff on Sun for detention."

"But—"

"terzetto hr, each week. Good-day, Mr. Potter."

Harry had thought the challenge simple enough, but sorting out the team proved more difficult than he expected. They couldn't find a good Chaser and when Jimmy Peakes tried out for Beater he played ferociously, unseating Hooper from the team. Finally, Harry selected Demelza Robins as chaser, if for no other intellect than she was particularly good at dodging Bludgers. The shuffling caused a lot of growing annoyance and scathe smell, but after three workweek of practice Harry was confident once again that the squad could not be defeated.

Now, flying high over the rake, Harry wasn't so sure as shooting. Trying to brush aside his own face, he glanced at the scoreboard to find Gryffindor up by forty which, as far as Harry was concerned, was pathetic. They should have been clobbering Hufflepuff from the starting time, but Ron was letting nearly every Quaffle through. Having heard that the coach of the Magpies, Claude Bernard Bennegin, was coming specifically to scout Ron's performance he was a nervous wreck. To score subject bad he was suffering from a hangover and was having trouble seeing the Quaffle, let alone stopping it. The only honorable intelligence was that Jimmy 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 single destination.

Harry scanned the skies once more, searching for the canary. The Hufflepuff searcher, Summerby, had seen it about an hour earlier. Harry had been well out of position, and if it hadn't been for a well placed Bludger by Sloper, Gryffindor would have lost. It was then Harry turned off the magical spell of his broom, hoping that he might better smell out the sneak's location. Suddenly, the yellow side of the tar erupted in sunshine ; Hufflepuff had scored. Harry forced himself not to look at the scoreboard. He had to remain watchful, but before you could say snicklfritz the crowd erupted again - another score for Hufflepuff. Finally, Harry called timeout.

The team gathered over by Ron whose pinna were flaming red with superfluity. Ginny began to tear into her Brother.

"So help oneself me, Ron !"she yelled,"The adjacent Quaffle that goes through one of those gang is going to get hold its way up your—"

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

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

"You think you can jeopardise me ?"yelled Ron at his sister as he pulled his own baton, however shaky his hand was.

"stopover it !"yelled Dennis above the disturbance. With a no-nonsense voice that commanded care, Dennis Creevey, who was still the pocket-sized on the team, began to target out what needed to be done.

"Ron, they're constantly feinting right and shooting left. If you move mellow in the air and hold location just a picayune long, you'll break them. Ginny, we could use a piffling Sir Thomas More of your attention on the Hufflepuff side of the field. Dem, they're starting to catch on to Harry's first few plays."His middle dotted to Harry who nodded in agreement."I think we should impress on to what he was showing us finally weekend."

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

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

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

"Go on,"said Harry.

"wellspring, it seems like you've been day dreaming up there, Harry. I know there are a thousand matter you should be thinking about besides Quidditch, but we're gon na call for the canary today, and if Summerby sees it again we've lost. Are you with us ?"

Harry had to smile at the new superior general on the theater of operations."Our own little Napoleon,"he thought. Madame hootch blew the whistle for swordplay to sum up. Hufflepuff broke their scrum and began to fly into position. Harry looked down on the pitch below. There was zip he loved more in the mankind than flying.

"I'm with you,"he said with confidence."Summerby won't have a chance. I swear."Harry shot into position just to the westward and a picayune below Summerby. If anything, the sky was growing darker and the air colder, but he resisted the temptation to engage the charms of his Scots heather.

Dennis had been right. Over the next forty minutes or so, Ron had blocked six straight Hufflepuff attempts while the Gryffindor chaser had scored four prison term. Still, they would necessitate the snitch. He flew over by the Slytherin stands and heard a handful of hisses, and one sunniness.

Harry could think of few Hogwarts women besides Gabriella Darbinyan able-bodied to withstand the taunts and mockery of Slytherin for being Harry's lady friend. 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 night trick, but more because any comment usually meant the commenter had a one-way ticket to the hospital extension. 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 pant of the gang told him at once that the Snitch had been seen. He spun to see Summerby plunging toward the sward at the north end of the pitch. Below him was a glint of gold, racing low and heading toward the visitant'outdoor stage. Summerby was ahead by at least L meters when Harry began to charge.

"You bloody half-wit !"Harry cursed at himself as he clenched his teeth."You flobberworm sucking retard !"The wind roared furiously at his expression. The sneak was flying low to the turf and Harry could see that it would have to turn or lift once it hit the standpoint on the opposite side of the pitch. Even as good a flyer as Summerby was, he would not reach the Snitch until it hit the rampart. Harry leaned forward, accelerating his broom."It will climb up,"Harry whispered to himself, focusing wholly on the gold globe that was coming closer."It will rise."He chose to fly the straight rail line to tap the fink where he thought it would be. If the Snitch turned left or right at the rampart, Summerby would possess it before Harry could react. If the Snitch flew up… Harry groaned. At this speed it was still impossible. Harry poured all his DOE into making his broom accelerate. The rump of his gown began to tatter in the vicious wind and his goggles were pressing hard against his face. The air pressure tunnelled his vision, but he didn't care. He could still see the golden glint growing orotund before him."Faster ! Damn it ! Faster !"

The delivery below him was a fog ; the stands faded to dark and all that Harry could see was the golden snitcher and the trail of yellow that followed it -- the trail of yellow that Harry was passing. Faster ! A sheet of purplish — the visitors'viewpoint. The prosperous Snitch flying upward. Yes !
Harry's fingers pressed firmly against the winged snitcher when he heard the screams of little terror. They conflicted with his own sense of joy.

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

Waking, and still feeling a bit stuporous, the first thing Harry recognized was the audio of plastic being expose, tear and then crumpled. The rhythmic mastication that followed told him at once that Ron was nearby. Harry smiled. He tried to afford his oculus, but couldn't. He leaned to his right side and felt a dull ached that ran up the left half of his body. With his right on paw he felt the sheets about his dresser, the pillow behind his oral sex, the bandages that wrapped his face.

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

"Hey, fellow,"Ron added before Harry could answer."Erm.. don't headache ; Madame Pomfrey will deliver you back to new in… in no time."The part had a bit of a tremor in it and it wasn't because a chocolate anuran found its way down the wrong piping.

"That's right,"added Hermione with a remains and unnatural spirit. And then articulation, dozens of voice it seemed to Harry, added their arrangement.

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

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

A telephone number of phratry touched Harry's beneficial arm. He felt of few kisses against his cheek. He heard a few cheery adios and Later, mates, but he also heard a few sniffs and bastard. The door swung closed with a abstruse thunk.

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

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

okey. So he had been growing more and more discerning since he first became conscious. And the bandage were starting to freak him out… just a bit. Something in the back of his mind had said the Good Book, but he had pushed it back down. Only problem was… the benighted corners of Harry's mind were shouting now.

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

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

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

"Your centre were shredded, Mr. Potter,"cut in Madame Pomfrey."I wish I could say I've seen worse, but I haven't. I had therapist Sventstein from St. Mungo's perform the military 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 daytime, Harry,"said Gabriella, another tingle of sadness cracked her spokesperson. Harry reached up and touched the bandages wrapping his face.

"Mr. Potter,"snapped Madame Pomfrey."If you keep touching your wrapping you'll assuredly disturb their charms ! I will not give you go blind ! Do you hear me ! If you keep moving your blazonry I will immobilize them."Her voice was buirdly. She'd been crying ; Harry could order. The sadness in the room was almost drown. Finally, he turned his brain 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 threshold burst open.

"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 talk to the north. Everyone was standing, even professor Snape. Although, who he was cheering for, I don't know. But he was screaming just the Sami. Summerby was flying low to the ground, his robes flicking up dried supergrass and tossing it into the air. The blowing detritus made it see as if his broom was on attack.

"I thought for sure we'd lost, when you spun over and started closing in from on mellow. The Snitch was flying just to my right and I could birth sworn there were Dame Muriel Spark flying out the tail of your broom. It was glowing red. Heading toward the stands, it was brighten you were going to pass Summerby, but you were too high ; everyone could see that. But it didn't matter. No one has ever seen someone fly that fast at Hogwarts… ever ! Crimey, maybe in all Britain !

"When you passed Summerby, I thought you'd prima donna to avoid the standpoint, to grab the stool pigeon that was still screaming low to the ground. But you didn't ; you stayed straight on. When the stoolie darted up toward you…"Ron sighed in ecstasy."It was a miracle, Paraguay tea. Like you were calling out to it and it obeyed. Pop ! right hand into your mitt."There was a farsighted suspension."It's when everyone's eyes popped up with the Snitch we saw what was going to happen. That's when the riot began."Ron walked over next to Harry's bed."Summerby smashed into the supports down low. Broke his leg and lost a match dentition. He got out of the hospital yesterday. You… you…"Ron swallowed arduous.

"You held on, spouse. Yeah, we won, alright."Ron patted Harry on the chest."topper damn Seeker in all Britain."

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

"fountainhead, now,"Ron answered,"I know you've had your bazaar part, Harry, but I still think winner can handle a shot to the head with a Bludger better than you."

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

"O.K., 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 lips.

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

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

"Harry,"she said softly."We'll do everything possible, but you need to give them time to heal. The wrapping will stay on for at least three weeks. Your lids will be sealed prospicient still. Even when you can give your eyes, Harry, I don't suspect you'll see More than shades of luminousness and dark. Once we know what you can and can't see, Healer Sventstein can begin making the proper correction. You'll have to be patient, my dear, very patient."

He could get a line her folding some papers, putting trash away he thought, and then she stepped over to the side of the way and poured something into a meth or goblet.

"I need you to drink this,"she said, helping him sit up and wrap his hands around the cup. He winced when she held his go forth arm."Yes, the hale depart side of your body was pretty a good deal burger meat. We've summoned out all the field glass shards we can. There may be a few that aren't responding. I'll work on that more tomorrow."She sounded tired, so Harry decided not to argue about the swallow and swallowed it down in one long draught. The pain in the neck running down his side ebbed away and the discernment about his vision faded. Soon he was asleep.

When Harry woke, he found himself disjointed and disoriented. He couldn't understand why he couldn't see and he began to thrash around, rising out of bed, the stone floor cold beneath his bare fundament. He was about to reach up to his face when a hand took him by the arm. At inaugural he was startled, but the voice settled him at once.

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

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

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

"Hold on ! handle on !"Sothis stopped Harry from running into the taper 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."

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

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

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

"Yeah,"agreed Sirius smartly."That's what I hear."Harry could hear Canicula sink back into his chair and suspiration."I have to accept, Harry, that was the libertine I've ever seen a broom fly, and I've seen a few Quidditch mate in my day. When you hit that damn portrait with your characterisation 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 frame you broke the record, but the folks from Cleansweep want you to descend out and execute a fly-off against Comet — twenty yard galleons to the achiever's charity."Harry turned on his side, his back toward Dog Star.

"Like that's ever going to happen,"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 outride blind."

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

"Yeah, right,"Harry replied and dropped back down again. Likewise, Sirius sunk back into his chair, crossing his arms and searching for what to say. There wasn't much he could say. Harry, after all, was castigate. Once a witch or star lost their eyes there was often little that could be done—eyes simply hold too a lot trick. therapist could re-grow many things, but the eyes… the eyes, particularly of a powerful beldame or superstar, were nearly unsufferable to repair. Dog Star let out a low moan as the muteness stretched between them. After that, the spark of candle flame was the lonesome disturbance that accompanied their breathing. At terminal, it was Sirius who began again, not sure if Harry was even still come alive. His vocalisation was unsteady, recalling a part of his past he had never shared with Harry.

"When I… when I was in Azkaban, there was cipher to see but darkness, nix to smell but the mephitis of expiry, nothing to hear but the war cry of lament, zippo to taste but the remnants of tears that had long since died away, and the exclusively affair one felt was the cold breathing time of desperation. What food they gave us was more like black gruel with a body somewhere between mud and slime."Sirius chuckled grimly to himself."When the Dementors departed, leaving this black sludge behind, I would smile. It was the only joy I had, sensing their difference, knowing that however awful the food was, the emptiness that screamed from my belly would soon be staved for another day. That crusty bowl of crap and my pure hatred for Peter Pettigrew were all that kept me alive.

"I never dreamed that one day…"Sirius'phonation halted and he had to get down to gather himself."That one day… the son of my dearest protagonist would parlay my ten-percent of nothing and relieve 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 to a lesser extent a man. You've shown me, even now as swarthiness rushes in toward us, how to inhabit again… how to love again. I'm amazed that today, I once again walk the halls of Hogwarts—a release man, not because I'm free of the repugnance of Azkaban, but because I'm discharge of the darkness and hatred that once consumed my soul. Because of you, I'm loose to savour the delicious yield of life once again."

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

"If I could smack you, I would,"dash Sirius, kicking the billet of Harry's bed with his foot, a tear sliding down the incline of his face.

"Bring it on, old man !"called Harry, rising up in bed and brandishing two fists that were swinging wildly in the air—something akin to a pugilist's position."I can study you with both optic tied behind my back !"Harry was smiling as Sothis rose to his fundament. The older thaumaturgist wiped his eye and then, gently, took Harry's hands in his own.

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

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

"sufficiency already ! period telling me what you can't do ! I don't want to get word it anymore !"This time Sothis'vocalization was heated."I still wake in the midriff of the dark grasping for my piece of paper, fearing that it has all been a dreaming, wondering if in the nothingness of night I'm really still trapped behind the Curtain of Phenolem. One day the nightmare will end ; I know so, because I believe they will. Until they do, I will go to sleep at night, searching for those ambition 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,"Dog Star interrupted,"until the day comes when your imagination regaining, you'll have to recover a way to see through your blindness."Harry's prompt reaction was to let a burst of air thrust through his sass in scoffing dismissal of Sirius'Christian Bible. He began to fall back into his pillow when he stopped himself and held fast to Sirius'hand. To see through blindness ? might it still be possible ?

Not sure what to expect, Harry reached out with his nous as Dakhil had shown him — to see without seeing. Why hadn't he thought of it before ? Almost immediately he could agnize the brightness level of Sirius before him. It wasn't an image so much as an halo of light that shown bright. Harry leaned forward in his bed. Reaching out further he began to take in the dim glow of the organic liveliness that clung to the paries, cap and floor. Without saying a news he let go of Sothis'hand and rose out of bed.

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

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

"mortal's coming,"he said. Sirius spun, confused. An minute later, Madame Pomfrey walked through the door.

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

"I should accept known it was you by your colour,"he said happily."Bright blue — the colour of a healer's spell."He looked back at his godfather."Sirius, you're a bit orangeness right now. You were brighter a min ago. What's incorrect ?"

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


Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

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

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

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

"saltation !"

Ronan didn't pauperism to tell him. Harry had already started the leap.

It had been bitterly cold all day, but with all the running Harry was beginning to regret his decision to weary apparel. They were pushing the demarcation between physical and wizard exertion and Harry's feet, well clad in a twosome of trainers, were on fire. The light crownwork and pants he was wearing were suffocating and felt like they weighed a thousand pounds.

Once again he was training with Shahan and Felspar. Over the close few days, the three had been put though their tempo by Ronan, Florence and others — running, lifting, and shooting pointer from one position of the Forbidden forest to the other. Harry was exhausted — a feeling he was beginning to relish. If anything, he preferred to be out in nature.

Still blind, he was developing his limited power to reach out out and smell out the air of life around him. While he could make belief about where affair were at Hogwarts, occasionally very sporting physical object would miss his attention. A group of Slytherin fourth years had discovered this about a workweek after Harry had returned from Hospital and had taken to conjuring marbles in areas where they knew Harry would be walking. Harry, in go, developed a few spells that helped enlighten his way. The tinkling of marble usually meant that a Slytherin was nearby, waiting to find out Harry twig. But since Harry could observe individual's aureole, even through walls, the culprit was usually found fastened to the wall with their underclothes on their heads and null else. It was a page out of what Nott and Parkinson had done to Ron last twelvemonth and Harry didn't head a little playful vengeance.

In the forest, however, Harry felt as if his vision was better than having sight. Everything was alive and vibrant. Trees and vegetation, the large animal and the pocket-sized spores, Harry could see it all as if he'd never been blind.

Shahan had cleared the stream ahead and was already pulling away. feldspar came a bit short and she splashed piss into the air. Harry, just a tone behind Felspar, was inadequate still, landing a full meter away from the depository financial institution's border. His feet landed firmly in the water and he struggled to keep his balance so as not to flow into the icy water completely. He'd only taken three footstep when he noticed the coolness around his feet. When he focused his attention downward he could sense clearly that his trainer were gone, the bottoms of his pants in shred. Where the splash from felspar hit the front of his jersey it had dissolved away as if it had been burned by dot, the aura of his bare skin underneath beaming through.

Stepping backward as he moved out of and away from the flow, Harry focused at the scat body of water. For the first sentence he noticed that its gloss was dissimilar than the former current he'd seen through the wood. The light emanating from this water was whiter, more crystalline, more pure. With a great jump off Ronan, who had been following, jumped from bank to bank with ease. Harry expected to be chastised for stopping, yelled at for falling seat, but Ronan said cypher. Harry noticed that the whitish-gray of Ronan's atmosphere warmed a bit. He'd learned, at least with his friends, that such a change meant a smile. He wondered what it meant with a Centaur.

Shahan had long disappeared in the underbrush ahead, but felspar stopped short of the thickening tree and returned to Harry and Ronan.

"Is something damage ?"Felspar asked.

"Only one of the three has seen it,"answered Ronan coolly."I asked you not to depend on your situation and to hand out with your vision."

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

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

"Not with your center, foolish one !"snapped Ronan. Felspar stepped back and closed her middle. A moment passed before she rose up on her keister legs and spun toward them.

"The fall !"she cried with excitement."The flow that feeds the falls !"Then felspar stepped over to Harry, noticing his bare feet and ankle joint."Harry potter, your fetlocks are bare."She stepped finisher."But the shape is unharmed. If ever I held doubt in the Chosen, they have forever washed away."Felspar nodded with a fragile bow. Harry nodded in restitution and the smiled as he saw felspar own fetlock.

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

"The boy is right, felspar,"said Ronan."Your own fetlock joint have grown brighter. Like the Chosen, you now wear socks."He laughed as Felspar looked down to see that indeed her blanched coat was glistening to a greater extent brightly from the knee and hock down.

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

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

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

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

"As I am not,"retorted Ronan."For three uncoiled Day Shahan has failed to comprehend the lesson. Firenze says Shahan did not even discommode to research for Ebyrth. The Centaurus is of no use to the heard if he refuses to instruct our mode. I care not that he is young."Then Ronan stepped closer to felspar ; his military strength becoming unbending."You would be wise not to listen to Shahan's thoughts, Felspar. That your coat should shift colour at all is not a good signal. Your female parent has raised you better."Then Ronan's demeanor changed back to one of teacher.

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

"Is that not an Apparation ?"Harry asked.

"One can not Apparate on these grounds, Harry Potter. The world is too filled with magic. The Centaurus can bend space and deadening time 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 leave your mortal body and locomotion with the former living heart of the forest."

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

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

When Harry did reach out, he found it far easier than he first expected. The energy of the forest seemed to diffuse him with added insight, guiding his thoughts as he became focused on the fauna, leaving his own ego, releasing his corporeal form behind and melding into the essence of a stick. In a flashbulb he was one with the woody Bowtruckle. His eyes blinked. Ahead, across the watercourse were a Centaur and young man with tattered pants and no place. Harry tried to maltreat forward, but the animal would not respond. It was as if he were simply eavesdropping. Suddenly, he felt quite hungry. Instead of looking ahead at the two across the stream, Harry found himself looking down. There was a rather bombastic stink worm wriggling its bellying brain between two leaves. He bent down, sniffed the foul matter at pulled it up out of the grime grinding gut and earth between his dentition.

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

"well done, Harry ceramicist. It has been less than a yr since the cleanup, and already you have learned the Centaur Arts. It will contract much more time to master them and many yr to understand their avowedly nature. It is…"Ronan paused looking toward the western sky."…unfortunate that we have so piffling time."His hoof clawed at the priming coat."It does not go well for our blood brother in Eastern Europe. whiz have joined the Dementors and brought a new ally to the war."These hold up words were spoken with the most emotion Harry had ever heard from a Centaur—contempt.

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

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

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

"It is time for you to return to the castle, Harry ceramist. I have been training you far too hard and far too dissipated, I'm afraid. So it is with Shahan and feldspar. You are all learning before your ability to comprehend. If we were outstanding in number…"Ronan let out a recollective sigh as Harry turned to front him.

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

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

"I read that in the Battle of the fifth part Age the Centaur herds nearly obliterated Dementors from the side of the earth."

"Would that we had,"said Ronan coolly."Their darkness has no design other than destruction. Near the end of that war, only a smattering escaped into the swamps and bog through which we could not travel. It was there they learned to fly ; it was there they developed their thirst for psyche. Now, from a dispel few, their progeny have multiplied. They outnumber the centaur two to one. For that we can give thanks the Wizarding earthly concern and the populace of man whose greed has consumed the earth and produced sustenance on which the Dementors feed.

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

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

"It is the will of Ebyrth. There is a cause and you will divulge 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 hundred I might be able to recognize everyone's detail hue."

"It is a window to the feeling that lies within. This vision you have goes beyond external appearance and penetrates the marrow of the creature before you. My people hold their emotions well, so they appear gray or gabardine. Have you noticed that house brownie are nearly always—"

"Green. Er… greenish. Yeah, I noticed."

"goblin, whose natures are always angry, are almost always flower with red. While thaumaturgist and witches carry the colours that suit their nature, colours the trained Centaur mind can discern. It does not take long to recognize the given hue."

"Or hue,"added Harry.

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

"well, when they have More than one colour. You know, say viridity that sometimes turns blue."Ronan was staring blankly at Harry."You know, the guy's variety of blue sometimes, form of honey oil other times… right ?"

"Unless there is a phenomenal transformation, a feel carries but one hue, Harry thrower. It may lighten up or darken, but the hue remains the same. Unless…"

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

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

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

"There are ways you might see two hues, Harry ceramist. Some sorcerer or witches are known Animagi. The wight inside can typify a unlike hue, although even among the Animagi it is rare. Usually, the fauna reflects the nature of the witch or wizard."There was a long pause.

"And the other ?"asked Harry.

"It can be the study of a fracture spirit, someone who is really two masses, or possibly under the control condition of another."

"The Imperius Curse ?"Harry asked.

"Perhaps. Such is the way of ace and my knowledge falter 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 teachings today."Harry's idea was clicking of the list of epithet. 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 mi, in little to a greater extent than the blink of an eye. Still, in so doing he'd exhausted what minuscule resources of lastingness he had left. His clothes shredded, he was about to strike hard on Hagrid's doorway when he sensed that someone was hidden in the trees behind the garden. Harry reached for his wand and held it at the cook. Barefoot, he began to ill-use silently toward the spy. It was one technique taught him by the centaur and for the fleet of moments Harry thought he'd prefer a notched arrow right about now.

Stealthily, Harry moved closer. The figure, with a vivid emerald green aura, didn't move. Its spot continued to rest against the tree. Just a few yards away Harry's nostrils took in the aroma of smoke, a distinctively aromatic skunk.

"genus Draco !"Harry hissed unruffled and low. This close, Harry could see the number, still leaning motionless against the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, bring his handwriting to his mouth. He was taking another drag on his cigarette. Harry could hear the exhale, long and slow up.

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

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

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

In the duskiness from far up the pitcher's mound Harry could get word the look room access of the palace opened with their characteristic chap. What he didn't expect to hear future was Ron Weasley's voice.

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

Followed by his begetter's.

"I should go for so, Ron. I don't have much to a greater extent fourth dimension and this is quite important."

Harry spun to see three physique 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 prof Dumbledore.

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

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

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

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

"So it's genuine,"said Draco, waving his hand in front man of Harry's face."You're blind."Able to see the gleaming from the life-forms that clung there, Harry grabbed Draco's arm.

"You can read !"said Harry dismissively."It's been in every newspaper I can think of."Draco ignored the offer, reached up and touched the side of Harry's cheek.

"Does it offend ?"

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

"Blaise has been… compromised. He and I have a magical catch phrase that we use to ensure the former is mentally free from any… tampering. For the live on two hebdomad, Blaise has tried to contact me without using that phrase. He's somebody else's now."Draco took another long drag on his cigarette."How father found out… I don't know."His watchword were deeply troubled. It was an emotional switching in genus Draco that Harry had rarely seen."We were careful ; more than than careful. You need to cognize that there's a spy in the castling. I thought maybe Nott, but he doesn't have the skill to rove the Imperius."

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

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

"T-Training,"Harry interrupted.

"rightfulness, like that's going to pull through your good-for-nothing ass. I don't know what potions you've been taking, but you right arouse up and see what's going on around here."

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

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

"What ? What are you talking about ?"

"I've been here since day one,"Dragon mocked Harry."Yes, you're so in melody, so crystallise. Hell, Harry, that's not even the interesting news."

"Married ? Goldstein ?"

"Not even her little brother knows they're getting married. Quite scandalous."Dragon chuckled to himself and then sat cross-legged on the ground."But I suppose you, all knowing oracle of the blind have insight to that."Harry said nothing, but sat down future to Draco crossing his arms and stage under Draco's cloak.

"Come on, Potter,"drawled Draco once again."Surely you can guess why Cho and Goldstein would want to… nay… would need to get get married secretly."Again there was a foresightful intermission and Harry pulled genus Draco's drape tighter about his shoulders. He was feeling a pang of green-eyed monster and he had no rightfield to. He had loved Cho and he would always love her, but their paths were never meant to journey together. His path was and would forever be entangled with Gabriella. It wasn't perfective but the attraction was strong and the love house and the uncertainty of any given day that kept Harry forever on edge tickled a very Slytherin region of his spirit that wriggled thick inside him. Finally, Harry breathed.

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

"French Republic,"answered Dragon with a sly smile."Don't tell anyone, Harry, but Goldstein's guardian may be their chaperone by day, but at Night he's a expiry feeder in my father's service. It's a assignation of slight consequence to my father and it pays the bills for Joseph Henry, the chaperone, but I knew you might have a limited interest."

"I never thought that Goldstein and Cho would—"

"Oh, but I'm not done, Harry. Cho Chang spends her years in Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault, in a lilliputian villa just north of marseille, a town called La Mure. She and the—"

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

"beldame can obscure that fact until the very day of livery, Harry. Have you ever seen a pregnant witch ?"For a moment, Harry pondered the estimation. No, he hadn't ever seen a pregnant Wiccan. And then he remembered that he'd seen Geoffrey Hooper's mother just a few week before her baby was born and she looked no different than the year before.

The door to Hagrid's cabin opened and the goliath stepped out for just a mo 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 wood,"Harry, where in Singehorn's name are yeh ?"Harry began to bear, but Draco pulled him back down. For a trice, Harry was irritated, but caught himself.

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

"Dead in about two 24-hour interval,"cut in Draco."Not by the Ministry's script, but by its iniquity underbelly."

"Then why are you risking your life right now ? It's not to gossip on about some female child and guy you couldn't give a tinker's damn about. What's so important that—"

"They've found it,"Draco interrupted."Months ago I asked you to retrieve it first, and you didn't even try. Now they have it."He flicked a twig into Harry's boldness."Blaise risked his life story and you did zippo. Now he's been found out."Draco leaned over and grabbed the cloak about Harry's neck opening. Harry could sense the material tighten, not by Draco's script, but another force play."You're going to get it back, dearest, or I'll kill you myself."The textile tightened further. Harry reached for his sceptre, but found the cloak held his hands tight.

"Dragon,"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 breathing place now."funny remark thing… witching cloaks. They can obtain 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 Padre to get his hands on it. But he will if they have their way. Get it out of the Ministry before it's too late."

All of a sudden, the cloak released Harry and he began to cough, heaving in as much air as he could. Draco took to his feet and wrapped the black cloak about his shoulder, his long blonde hair's-breadth starkly white in contrast. Still coughing, Harry stumbled to his feet and pulled his wand. Draco ignored the gesture and turned to leave. But then he stopped as if suddenly remembering a forgotten thought. The door to the Hagrid's hut opened and Ron stepped out. He'd heard the strait of Harry's cough.

"Harry ? !"Ron called to the swarthiness.

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

"Harry !"Ron called again. This time, 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 auditory sensation of footsteps came charging up from behind and Harry could hear the commotion on the straw man 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 Alan Arthur,"Dumbledore said gently from within the hut,"null to worry about. Come in and let's finish our tea."

"My god, Albus !"cried Chester Alan Arthur as Harry and Ron returned to the cabin."looking at at the boy !"Harry was still barefoot, what remained of his apparel in rag, his face covered in mud and now a thin red blood line that wrapped about his neck shown through the filth. As he climbed the steps with Ron's assistance his teeth once again began to chatter.

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

"Get o'er by the firing, lad,"said Hagrid, offering a blanket. But before Harry had a opportunity to accept, Dumbledore pulled his scepter and tapped Harry's shoulder. The soil disappeared and a Hogwarts robe covered his body. The thin red personal credit line about his neck and the ache muscles, however, remained.

"Hagrid,"said Dumbledore,"perhaps some tea and some…"Harry tried to catch Dumbledore's eyes to severalize him to bar, but found, as it had been since his accident, he could no longer effectively convey silently with his eyes."…stone cakes."

Warming his muscles by the ardor, sipping a bit of tea, and pretending to love Hagrid's rock-hard stone cakes, Harry was beginning to feel himself again. He assured Arthur Weasley that he was hunky-dory and that his dishevel appearing was all in a day's work, training with the Centaurs in the forest ; but the minister was none too convinced.

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

"Just a little work with daimon's Snare is all, sir,"answered Harry, rubbing his cervix with his left deal and sipping some more tea with the other. If they could see his eye, they would recognize he wasn't listening to a word they were saying. Draco probably thought his little show would pore Harry's mind fully on some Horcrux that the Ministry had no doubt just found, but Harry's mind was anything but centred. After a bit more give-and-take about school, regrets about Harry being blind, and news about the engagement raging in Eastern EU, Arthur Weasley finally got down to the purpose of his visit.

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

"What ?"Harry exclaimed."Why ?"

"Well, to try to recover the bodies, Harry,"answered Mr. Weasley, surprised somewhat at Harry's reaction."Many Aurors lost their aliveness that evening and their bodies have never been found — at to the lowest degree, not until endure workweek. Since the collapse we tried for calendar month to find the bottom with no winner. We encountered one magical portal after another, and the worker were none too disposed to accidentally slip up across the Curtain itself."

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

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

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

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

"Why sure enough, Ron,"said Hagrid with glee."seed on in teh the kitchen."Ron stood and followed Hagrid, patting Harry's berm 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. Haven't I ? There's another darkness we need to stave in off, isn't there ?"

"Yes, yes, absolutely, Harry, absolutely."Arthur patted Harry's lap."But there was one other convalescence at the very deepness of the gaping fissure."All at once, Mr. Weasley's aura faded and Harry knew the next row were a lie."They pulled it up today, just before lunch. I looked for you earlier, Harry, but you'd already left for the forest."Arthur Weasley stood from his chair and looked out the window facing the castle, the people of color returned to his aura."I was thinking we could possess a allegiance of sorts. You could come to the Ministry as we put it on exhibit. It would certainly cue the citizenry in these dark 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 string. I never knew taking aid of the Ministry would consume so much of my time."His eyes wandered for a moment and then returned to receive Harry's."No matter,"he whispered."In our hunting, we recovered the cloak. The inkiness cloak of… You-Know-Who. The alone remnant of his darkness and a symbol to all of his defeat."

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

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

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

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

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

"Please, Harry, you needn't birdcall me—"

"apology me, sir. I need to go. It's just… I'm really tired is all."Harry reached out his hired man to sway, and Arthur Weasley took it."Let me get my head 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."refinement your tea and have some more… er, cakes."Ron ran to the door next to Harry's slope. 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 younger redheaded woodpecker."Please find Harry safely back to the castle."

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

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

By the clock time Harry and Ron were at the castle steps, Harry had answered virtually of Ron's doubt.

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

"Ron, you saw my clothes tonight. They were burnt away because I fell into the magical stream that feeds the falls. Remember when you fell in last year ?"

"Pulled in you mean,"said Ron, rubbing his mighty wrist."Yeah, I remember. My clothes disappeared."

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

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

"Tale or not, the water destroys cloth. I doused Voldemort in nearly ten gal of the poppycock. It was enough to dissolve every evil ivory in his consistence, but the cloak… Damn ! I should have known when I saw it then. The cloak survived. But why ?"

"So you think it's the…"Ron's part dipped low,"…the Horcrux Draco was talking about ?"

"I don't see how it can be,"serve Harry."If it's portion of Voldemort, it should experience been destroyed."Harry sighed."Maybe Hermione will know."Ron shrugged and nodded in agreement as he reached to open the palace door. Ron heaved on the arduous grip just as Harry's hand stopped him and exclude them again.

"Ron ?"he asked."You have a lot of comrade and sister. Erm… how long does it admit to… er… for a witch to… you know… birth a baby, after… you know."For a indorse, Ron just stared at Harry, and then reaching ever so slightly to the idea on the tip of Harry's mind he understood.

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

"Yeah… yeah, that's it."

"wellspring my mum's always going on how I took tenacious than most… ‘ forty two workweek, and in the center of the war !'she'd say.

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

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

"Pretty darn near to Halloween, 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 binding against the castle doors and slid down to a sit on the Harlan Stone landing.

"Oh, Merlin,"he whispered in a sickly sorting of vocalism."Oh, bloody, fucking, Merlin."

"What ? What is it, Harry ?"

"Ron… I think… I think I'm a father."


Harry thrower and the nascence of a New Sun

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

When Harry and Ron passed through the portrait of the Fat Lady, Harry found the Gryffindor unwashed room, warmer than rule. Near the fireplace sat the halo of Parvati, Lavender, Gabriella, Hermione, Ginny and Dean. Towards the backbone, Neville was helping Patrick and a few others, Harry had yet to recognise, prepare for their Herbology exams. Evidently, the exam involved a burning industrial plant of some sort, perhaps fireseed, Harry thought, since there was a balloon cloud of smoke that hung over the group and cypher seemed to mind.

Harry, his mind fractured at the moment, brought his tending on Patrick. The smoking was clouding his ability to see the gloriole of those at the binding table, but the filter light emanating from Patrick was the Saame as it had been since Harry first met him after the accident - wild blue yonder and green. Each people of color waxed and waned, growing more fleeceable whenever he was excited or near Harry.

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

"Harry ! Ron !"cried Dean. His interpreter brought Harry's care back to the mathematical group about the open fireplace. The shout sounded like a plea for service, as if James Byron Dean felt, at the moment, like a trammel rat in a snake's cage. He began to stand when Ginny grabbed his arm.

"Oh, Dean,"she said breathlessly,"isn't it beautiful ?"Hermione was projecting an double of a young charwoman in a white wedding clothes. The girl stood, suspended in the midsection of the five students and modelled the dress she was wearing, slowly turning in all instruction so that everyone could see, everyone that is except Harry.

"Er… yeah, large,"muttered Dean miserably, sinking back into the couch.

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

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

"You could throw fairy's carry it."

"I sort of like it,"Hermione said as she held her hand to her chin and tapped her face with one finger's breadth."But I think the second…"Dean let out an audible groan, but the girls ignored him while Hermione began to scud through modeling after model, attire after apparel, as if thumbing pages of a Christian Bible. It was only then when she noticed that Ron and Harry had entered the vernacular room.

"Ron !"she exclaimed."You're just in time."Dean's eyes grew wide and he shook his read/write head as nondescriptly as he could to guard them off. Ron caught it, but Harry did not."We were just looking over attire when—"She stopped herself mid-sentence, noticing the reflexion on Ron's nerve."What's unseasonable ?"

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

"zippo,"they said simultaneously.

Gabriella patted Harry's cheek.

"zero ?"she said, sensing the swirling swarm of emotions that must have shown like a beacon for everyone to see."Would you like to join us ?"she asked."We were just—"

"No thanks,"interjected Harry. While he had grown accustomed to seeing educatee from other houses in the green way, he had completely forgotten that the girls were going to get together this eventide to discuss Hermione's wedding programme for the summer."I need to get make for the Potions exam tomorrow."Ginny stood, looking at Harry.

"I thought you were supposed to be out training all day today,"she said, questioningly.

"I was."

"But you're squeaking clean,"she replied sceptically."You know, if you weren't working out in the forest today, we could have gotten at to the lowest degree three 60 minutes on the pitch."

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

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

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

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

"Dumbledore ?"

"wellspring, 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 encircle Harry and Ron.

"Well, he only had a minute of arc,"said Ron, stepping closer to his baby. She had risen to her foundation and James Dean took the chance to quickly flash away and head toward the spiral staircase to the boys'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 solitary girl ?"

Less than a minute later everyone was talking at once. Ron and Harry were being bombarded with questions about everything from the rector's sojourn, to why Dumbledore needed to call down Harry new robes, to what pattern Ron thought would be dainty for the new Red China.

Unexpectedly, there was a brassy explosion from the backrest of the elbow room that caused everyone to shriek. A rather tumid fireball spewed Forth from the mesa where Neville and the others were working. It was Neville who stopped it from lighting the unit billet on fire by casting a squelching charm.

"shit it, Patrick,"Neville said irritably, while a few of the other bookman laughed,"I told you not to mix fireseeds with dittany gunpowder ! If you do that in the examination tomorrow, professor Sprout will give way you for sure."

The kerfuffle that had surrounded Harry, quickly gathered about the back table and the scorched faces that stood there. Harry took the chance to follow doyen's footsteps up the staircase. Near the top he heard a rather dejected Patrick apologize, but what he saw was a bluish aura beaming with pride. Then Harry noticed Patrick flash him a thumbs-up from within the long sleeve of his robe, a sign that no one could see.

"Sorry, Neville,"said Patrick with a shrug of his shoulders."I'm just no skillful at this variety of stuff. I'll be lucky to make it to the third year at this rate."

Gabriella looked back toward the fireplace to find Harry and before she could find where he was Harry disappeared into the boys'dormitory. Inside he found Dean, belly down on his bed, reading a book about Quidditch. He loved the plot so, it was a shame he wasn't any good at it. He looked up as Harry entered.

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

"Well, I—"

"Because that'd be fine by me, Harry. I was about to blow myself up if I had to take care at one More china pattern."He looked back at the book and turned the Sir Frederick Handley 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 marry me ?"He turned another varlet ; clearly not having read the last."So… end year… yeah, maybe. But that's your fault."Dean looked up, pointing a finger at Harry.

"Me ?"

"Well, I mean, I was in a battle — fighting you for her. You know. That sort of matter, well… it gets a guy in the mode. But this stuff downstairs… wedding wearing apparel, and colours of table apparel, and…"Dean sighed."talk about deflating."Without looking back down to the al-Qur'an, he turned another page. Then, quite suddenly, James Dean groaned and turned over on his bed, placing the candid record book over his chest."pigeon hawk, I love her."There was quiet and he sighed again."She's been my earth. She brought me back after the accident."Dean held his handwriting up, flexing the fingers in front of his face. His soul had been reconnected to his corporal form and Ginny had been there every stair 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 robes and putting on a loose pair of jeans."Face it, Dean, you're her world too."

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

"…children,"added Harry quietly.

"pigeon hawk, no,"shot Dean."I can't even imagine. But then Ginny's handy with a sheathing appeal. We're careful… you know ?"Harry nodded as a mi twisted in his stomach."Can you conceive Neville and Helen of Troy ?"continued Dean."Neither one of them used any protection their first few times. Hermione found out and had a fit."

"Hermione ?"queried Harry.

"Well, I told Neville that he was being an cretin. I told him how Lee Jordon told me that Fred told him that George hooked up with some girl in Hogsmeade cobbler's last year and wound up with a causa of runespoor warts. Had to go to St. Mungo's to get them removed. Can you conceive it ? Yeesh."Lee covered his crotch with his hand and grimaced.

"But why Hermione ?"

"If you want to sleep with any spell, charm, or hex to get the job done, Harry, who do you go to ? Hermione."Harry looked a bit disgruntled and crossed his arms. Dean sensed Harry's pride and added,"After all, everyone knew she and Ron were together since the gloaming of shoemaker's last twelvemonth. She knew how to be safe, and Neville sure wasn't going to talk to Ginny."

Harry wasn't certain how to acquire that. He didn't have a clue until last Christmastime that Ron and Hermione were together. Yet, everyone else seemed to screw. Further, he was pretty sure that last class Tonks had used her transfiguration skills to acquire on the visual aspect of Helen so that she could creep into Gryffindor column with Neville. It brought up memories… bad memories. Suddenly, going to peach to Hermione about anything didn't seem like such a good idea. Harry began to bone up his desk with his fingers, then crossed his arms and just looked down at the floor. He could see the aura's of the livelihood organisms that his match had tracked in under their shoes. Maybe aunt Petunia wasn't such a crazy bat after all - at to the lowest degree as far as wiping one's feet at the door was concerned.

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

Barefoot and shirtless, Harry walked over to the windowpane. Yule was a workweek away and, sadly, no coke had fallen. The basis below and the surrounding forest glistened brightly in Harry's cecity. He placed his entrust mitt on his bureau, just above Asha's heart, the stone that even now sat hidden within him. Focusing highschool above the treetops he found cypher but blackness. Late in the evening, clouds had moved in, covering all in a shadow blanket 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 eyes and dropped his mind heavily against the glass window.

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

It wasn't enough that war was raging in Eastern Europe and would soon grace the forest about Hogwarts, if not the rook itself. Now there was a child. Could it really be his ? That was a dazed question. Of course it could be ; the timing was near perfect and they had been… well, stupid. It was just before the Halloween feast. Harry was going to distinguish Cho about Gabriella… let Cho have it off that they couldn't be together, that Gabriella was the one he truly loved. But then she touched his arm… the look in her optic. Even now, the retentiveness sent a thrill down his spine and made his interior quiver. Neither of them was in the right physical body 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 header, trying to clear his muddled idea. Maybe he was making a big deal of nothing. Maybe Anthony was the father. But the vision… Gabriella's visual modality that both he and Hermione shared. He'd seen a child. Gabriella saw her own death and yet Harry saw lifetime. He thought it was their shaver, his and Gabriella's. Now, Harry wasn't so sure.

The window was insensate and a shudder ran across his physical structure. He turned and walked over to his storage dresser, opening the lid and feeling 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 air sock.

"Yes ?"

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

"Kinda,"answered James Dean, looking at black and maybe a dismal dark blue blueing.

"Good… good,"replied Harry and he slipped the shirt and wind cone on. He sat back on his bed and slipped on his iron boot without saying a word.

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

"Accio cloak !"Harry called with his right handwriting in the air, finger outstretched for a catch. His cloak flew into his nerve."Almost,"Harry muttered. He stood and put on the cloak on and then slipped his scepter into his sleeve and stepped toward the door.

"James Byron Dean,"he said,"please have my apologies 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 right arm.

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

"Whew ! I made it !"cried Ron, jumping into their room."I never thought I'd get Hermione's attending. I finally had to go in through the backdoor, if you know what I mean."He tapped his pass."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 near whisper.

"Maybe… if you can conceive 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 plan, mate."

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

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

"Bloody hell,"he whispered.

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

"You did !"cried Dean."How could you not secernate me ? Did you all roll in the hay ?"Harry could see the fire building in doyen's emotions. nonentity said a discussion."How long have you known ?"

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

"Clear his figure ?"said dean."He was… he is a demise Eater."

"He saved my animation, Dean,"interjected Ron."That you do know. That I've told everyone. But my word isn't adequate to hold back him out of Azkaban. I should have sex, the minister's my Dad and, no, he doesn't know about Draco either."

These discussion cooled Dean's flaming, if only a smidgen, and his hands found his air hole. There was a import of quiet and then he turned to Ginny reached out and took her hand.

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

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

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

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

"right hand,"cut in Harry,"so that's why you… all,"he waved toward the group,"can visualise out how we get the cloak tomorrow dark. I'll sports meeting you at the ingress to the Ministry at midnight. Have the plan gear up and I'll help you however I can."He grabbed Gabriella's manus."ejaculate with me."They started for the door when Hermione grabbed the back of Harry's cloak, stopping him in his tracks.

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

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

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

"It's one enigma I'm afraid,"said Harry, raising his hands to quiet his admirer,"that needs to be kept… at least for now."Again he took Gabriella's arm."Come on."Everyone turned to Ron as Gabriella and Harry left the room. Almost immediately, Gabriella began to ask questions, but Harry held a finger's breadth to his mouth.

"Not here… not now,"he whispered.

They were about to realise out through the portrait of the Fat Lady when Lavender stopped them near the fireplace.

"So I guess Hermione's done looking at dresses 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 gossipy glance toward Anapurna.

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

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

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

"Cho Chang ?"Gabriella asked blankly.

"Yes, Cho Chang !"Harry snapped."How could you not know ? You two were inseparable at the end of final stage year. She helped you through exams. Merlin, you spent more prison term with her than with me. How could you not bang ?"

The pit staircase came to rest against the rampart. The two climbed off that one and onto another that began to slide into yet another way.

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

"Jealous ?"Harry asked angrily."jealousy has nil to do with this. I have a right to have it off !"His hold up word were loud and reverberated off the Edward Durell Stone walls.

"They have a right to their privateness, Harry,"Gabriella replied with an border in her voice."They have a right to keep the Daily prophet out of their spirit. Frankly, I don't see how it's any of your business. It's straighten out 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 tug. A third base yr Ravenclaw joined them on the moving case upward. Harry moved close to Gabriella failing miserably at keeping his voice hushed.

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

"Yes ! None of your business concern ! They were stupid, Harry,"Gabriella said struggling to maintain her composure in front man of the tierce twelvemonth, although Harry could smell out the angriness building within her."It was a misunderstanding, a mistake that Anthony's wizard enough to set straight. Can't you see that he's trying to do the decent matter by caring for what will soon be his kinfolk ?"

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

"What do you specify to do ?"she asked."Confront him ? Hex him for getting your… your mistress pregnant ? If that's what she was. You hardly carry the more Lord ground."

Suddenly Harry realized that Gabriella knew, but didn't know. She knew that Cho had had a shaver, but she didn't know that Harry could be the sire. He stopped and leaned against the balustrade. The delay was just long enough that the staircase began to move again.

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

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

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

"What ?"

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

Harry waited to see the reaction, but none came. The news had no outcome on Gabriella's aura. 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 matter a bit, doesn't it ?"

"I need to ask Susan B. Anthony where she is,"he said firmly."I need to see her ; I need to know."

"It seems to me,"Gabriella said slyly,"that, for someone who's not supposed to get it on 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 Ithiel Town's not that vauntingly and a few well placed question 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 give the castle alone. Besides, prof Snape has already released me from tomorrow's exam for—"

"—for high Mark,"interrupted Harry."Yeah, I know. I know."He paused for a few moments and then throw off his head. But before Harry could say a word Gabriella began.

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

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

"You're joking, right ?"

"He's not much of one, but Cho's bodyguard is a Death Eater."He paused, churning the prompting in his mind. Finally he said,"You're mightily. I probably wouldn't get a probability to see her… not without help."He squeezed Gabriella's hired man."Besides, you need to be there. I need you to be there."

It took twenty dollar bill minutes to get what they needed before they could snarf out through the hidden tunnel to Hogsmeade. It took half that meter to puddle it to Le Mure. Gabriella was right, Harry would have been lost without her. It was bad enough trying to remember his French ; it was worse trying to figure out what handwriting gesture or facial look went along with it. Blind, he could notice none of it, but Gabriella was nearly hone. In fact, Harry began to wonder if she had known the way all along. Finally, knowing that Cho's apartment was just around the block, the two decided to spend the night at a humble inn and waiting until morning. It was the foremost 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 warmheartedness to her touch that meant Sir Thomas More to him than anything in the whole world. That night he laid his somebody 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 training with the Centaurs, would she noticeably change the subject. He fell asleep in her munition and woke the next forenoon the same way. The sun was just breaking into the window as he stroked her long bootleg hair, wondering with some fear what the future would play.

After breakfast, they walked down the alley toward the small-scale apartment structure that the boniface had described to Gabriella. When they finally arrived, Harry covered himself with the invisibility cloak. Gabriella knocked at the door and the door opened, held open by an older man with grey hairsbreadth and a tired look on his boldness. There were innovation and Gabriella slipped inside. The door shut before Harry could follow. There was a moment of quiet and then squeals of joy. Harry knew the speech sound ; Cho was inside. A few moments later the man left, jingling coins in his pocket. Harry's design had worked - Gabriella, handing the man a couple galleons, suggested he go to the nook pub for a bite and a beer or two. He wasn't to the pavement before there was a crack and he had Disapparated. Then the murmurs began ; louder, then softer, then louder again. Finally, Harry heard,"Don't be silly."A moment after that, the door opened and Gabriella ushered him inside.

All the while, Harry had seen the auras of the two Loretta Young charwoman and the old man. He watched as they moved back and Forth, and as Gabriella hugged what he figured to be Cho. It had been the first sentence he had observed a Disapparation without his sight and he noted with interest the sudden fusillade of energy that accompanied it. But more than than anything else his attention was focused on one thing above all - a dim reddish glowing that glimmered from the cover of the flat. Through all the walls it could have been anything - a cat, a dog. But Harry knew, by how well its people of colour blended with Cho's, what was there.

"Harry ?"Gabriella asked to the nothingness before her. Cho stood only a few human foot away. Harry sensed warmth mixed with collar. As for himself, he could feel the sweat of his palm as he reached up and slipped off the cloak.

"Cho ?"he asked to the glow before him. The aura didn't movement, the person didn't speak, but the colour began to parboil almost immediately. Then her 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 hand near his tabernacle."It's nothing. Just a bit of chicken feed. Surgery's scheduled for future month ; should stimulate me good as new."Cho took his hand and then touched his face.

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

"Great,"Harry drawled."Always full to know you're thinking of kindly."

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

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

The place was larger than Harry expected, compared to what it looked like from the outside, but it was sparsely furnished 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 broom, the broom he bought her finally year, was propped up in the street corner. Cho offered them some coffee, they accepted and together they sat at a humble table in the kitchen. There was a little talk about the weather and school.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"It's so exciting, Cho !"she said joyfully."I'm sure you're a wonderful female parent. The sister 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 estimation that he's proper through there, isn't he ?"He pointed to the backbone room and swallowed."I think it's great that you and… er, Tony are doing the… er, ripe thing. It for 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 sister boy dressed in a small red jump shot. He smiled and muttered a few strait as she sat him in his death chair, offering him a cooky to chew on. The dull fog of Harry's eyes were focused somewhere above the boy's psyche, but his head's eye was captivated on the golden red radiance before him. It was brilliant, almost blinding, and Harry wondered if the brightness of the freshness was because he was a infant or something Sir Thomas More. The biscuit snapped out of Cho's bridge player and flew into the waiting grasp of the sister's.

"Look at that ! So soon ?"cooed Gabriella."He's just perfect."And then she began to let the cat out of the bag baby talk to the child.

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

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

"Has he,"Harry began,"shown any other planetary house of illusion ?"

"No. Not really,"answered Cho cautiously."But he can support 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 admit,"said Gabriella,"that he's the splitting persona of you. And that's a good thing ; you're much better looking than Anthony."She laughed and Cho did too. It sounded as if it had been the initiatory fourth dimension Cho had laughed in quite some time. But then the tone of voice in Gabriella's phonation changed.

"In fact, he doesn't look much like a Goldstein at all. You're both so dark, and Jamie's skin is so pale."

"He… he doesn't get out much,"said Cho, growing flighty.

"Cho, you know I love you like a Sister. Don't you ?"Gabriella asked gently."wellspring, I think Harry has a right to know. You see, he told me that you two log Z's together at Hogwarts - just once, on Halloween. Caught in the heat of the minute, I guess."Gabriella took a breathing spell, gathering her strength."I don't care why it happened. And it doesn't bother me anymore that it happened. The fact is it happened… nine months before little Jamie here was born."

"Well—"

"Cho,"Gabriella interrupted."Harry may have his suspicions, but he can't see what I can, and the centre never lie. You and Anthony, you both have brown eyes. Both your parents each have brown centre. It would consider a powerful wizard to produce a boy with anything other than Brown eyes and the conjuring trick would most certainly be to turn the colour of the center to his own."Cho said nothing. Harry said nil."It's dead on target, Jamie is the splitting effigy of his beautiful female parent. But the eyes… I think he has his sire's eyes."Cho remained mum. Once again, Harry watched as her aura blanched.

"What do you mean ?"asked Harry blindly. Gabriella took his hand.

"They're greenness, Harry,"she said quietly."Almond shaped and brilliantly green. Just like yours."


Harry Potter and the parentage of a New Sun

Chapter 15 - Another Potter
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Beyond the lallation of the baby sitting beside Harry, there was silence. Perhaps, if one were to mind closely, the speech sound of a skirt chirping or a aloof bus creaking to a halt could be heard, breaking the hush of the morning. Then Cho's infantry began to nervously tap against the side of the mesa. In front of Harry, she had been confronted by Gabriella with the truth, but still she would not, or could not speak. Harry had known before they came to France that the child would be his, and though he had not heard the words from Cho's lips, he wasn't about to become angry ; it was hard enough not to testify how frightened he was feeling. No, if anything, he needed some time himself to get over the sinking feeling in his stomach, as if he'd just fallen off his broom. He would wait for Cho to be cook. He breathed deeply the odour of his umber, took a sip, set the cup down and put out his finger, with which the little boy began to bite toothlessly.

"Jamie ?"Harry said tenderly."I… I like that name."

He smiled and put his paw on the boy's psyche.

"Oh, my. What a head word of whisker ! Is it black ?"This simple-minded question was purposefully directed at Cho. There was the meter of a intermission before she answered.

"Yes,"she said quietly, with a bit of a wisecrack in the word. Harry could discover her swallow.

"Thank merlin he's got his mother's looks,"Harry said with a chortle. He took another sip of umber.

"You'll see him one day, Harry,"said Gabriella with an encouraging tonicity. Harry tilted his headway down and shook it slowly.

"I don't think so,"he said quietly, his lips still turned in a slight smile.

"What do you have in mind ?"asked Cho, surprised."Surely they can—"

"I was just examined by Madame Pomfrey,"interrupted Harry."The vision 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 fell without vanishing while of my eyes and if they summon them out they'll shred whatever healthy eye tissue that's left."Cho gasped.

"I… I didn't know. I thought—"

"No affair,"said Harry taking to his understructure."I can see the fire in his individual, even if I can't see their gloss of his eyes."He went to the coffee pot to pour himself one more than cup. On the way, he tripped on a diminished toy that had fallen on the floor and what liquid that was in his cup spilt.

"Woops,"said Harry. Cho stood to clean house the spill, but Harry had it off the priming nearly before it landed with a simple wave of his hand. Since losing his tidy sum, his power without a wand, abilities he rarely used in movement of others, had strengthened. Without skipping a beat, he poured himself another cup, but rather than turn he continued to face the cabinetwork. Yes, he could see the fire in the boy's nimbus, but he would hold anything to induce his eyesight back… to see his child, his son. He began to tremble. For the first-class honours degree fourth dimension in month he was cold with fright, and it wasn't fear of a Dementor or Death Eater. It was fear for his kid and his baby's mother, reverence for a future tense 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 manpower,"Antony won't need to… to take care into my eyes and curiosity. I… I wouldn't want that."Cho stepped up behind Harry and placed her bridge player on his articulatio humeri.

"Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw Prefect at Hogwarts shoal for Witchcraft and wizardry ?"asked Cho."He might be a bit lofty at times, but he's no chump, 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 face."He knew that too. I… I didn't."With these words, Cho began to cry. She held Harry by the front line of his shirt and pulled him close, sobbing into his dresser. Gabriella left her chair and the three hugged for some time while Cho repeated over and over how sorry she was, and Harry repeated over and over that it was okay, that he was the one who was sorry. It was little Jamie who broke up the three as he began to cry.

"Oh… he's hungry,"said Cho blotting her centre. She picked the boy up into her weaponry and ushered them all into the front room where the fireplace sat frigidity, but the slightly tattered chairs were more well-off. Even without the flack, Harry watched with wonder the warmth that filled the room. He could tell she loved the boy deeply. Nor, was the emotion lost on Gabriella, sitting at Harry's side, who was gathering a glow herself as she took in the room's emotions of love. He took Gabriella's hand and for the first time in a long clip Harry tried to loosen, letting the swirling fears of the time to come slice from his mind. It was Cho that started the conversation as Jamie continued to suckle.

"I wanted to retain this mysterious, Harry - secret from my parents, secret from my brother, occult from you. At world-class I was ashamed and then—"

"But—"

"Let me finish,"asked Cho."I need to stop, or I may never be able to."Harry nodded."endure class you wanted to tell me about Gabriella."Cho looked at Gab."He did so need to advertise me away, to secern me of the Muggle missy he had met back home."Her eyes returned to Harry."But I could see that, just under the skin, there was a fire of desire and I… I wanted… my get around body wanted to be desired."

"He was cross-hexed by my parents,"said Gabriella. The words were meant to be explanatory, but Harry noted a tinge of bitterness or gloominess.

"I know that now,"answered Cho."Maybe I knew it then, at least that he wasn't in his right psyche. I could have used a sheathing charm. I thought about it. I even reached for my wand before it happened Hallowe'en night behind the Great Hall."Gabriella gibe Harry a glance that he could not see."But then I stopped. I wanted this."Cho looked down at Jamie."I wanted to give something in case… in case…"

"In event I died ?"asked Harry."Like Cedric ?"Without speaking, Cho simply nodded.

"I was being stupid. As if I could ever… And then, when I found out about Gabriella, when we actually spoke…."Cho smiled."I was so well-chosen for you, Harry, and you were so sad."She sighed, shaking her head."So I hid it - I hid my pregnancy and I hid Jamie."She put the baby over her berm and began to pat its back."I thought that after You-Know-Who had been destroyed I could secernate you, but then I heard about the new war… that Malfoy's Death feeder were out to pop you. What would they do if they knew you had a son ?"She shook her caput."This summertime, I travelled to the United States with Anthony… Tony. One Nox, I fell asleep in his arms and when I woke up the next morning the befuddling charm had warn off. I was pregnant for all to see. In that instant I panicked, horrified by what he might conceive, what he might do, and in the succeeding I felt Tony's touch, warm and caressing on my stomach. He stayed at my side of meat and he's never left."Jamie let out a rather telling burp and everyone smiled.

Grinning, Cho held Jamie in her lap and said something in Formosan as she wiped the Milk River from his chin.

"Tony's hired Chalmers"said Cho, referring to the sentry go that was probably now close to finishing his sunrise meal,"to watch over Jamie and I, while he finishes school. It's costing him every knut he has. Once we're married we'll qualify for benefit from the Ministry. They offer housing and, maybe, we can regain a squeamish place to—"

"benefit ?"tiff Harry, his vertebral column snapping set."From the Ministry ? You can't be serious ! You're not going to take a dime bag from the Ministry. As far as I'm concerned there all a bunch of crooks !"

"Harry !"called Gabriella.

"wellspring, Ron's dad. But the rest of the lot ? Crooks !"He took to his feet."And as far as support in Ministry housing… never ! I won't allow it."

"What do you imply you won't allow it ?"said Cho a bit heatedly."You have no say in the matter."Harry ignored her.

"You'll stay at the palace. It's far enough away from what's happening… yes, you'll be safe there."

"We're condom here,"said Cho, standing herself, the baby held snugly in both arms.

"Safe ! Are you kidding me !"cried Harry."What's his name… Chambers ? He's a dying Eater !"

"Oh,"Cho chuckled,"now you're just being ridiculous. Chalmers wouldn't hurt a fly. He's only working for Tony because of the kindness in his heart. He hardly makes enough money to get by on."

"So he moonlights for Lucius Malfoy as a Death eater !"exclaimed Harry."At least he doesn't know that the boy is mine. Thank Merlin for that."Cho's fount dropped with surprisal at these words.

"How could you possible know that we haven't told him ?"she asked. Now Gabriella stood, stroked Jamie's cheek and took him in her own weapon system, patting his back as he rested against her shoulder.

"Because,"Gabriella said softly with a musical voice as if she were singing to the child,"if Chalmers knew, Lucius would know. And if Lucius knew, his son would know."

"Draco ?"breathed Cho."I thought Draco was…"Her voice quieted and she strode over to Harry and slapped him on the shoulder."You little liar. You looked me straight in the eye and told me he fell into the abyss."Harry turned his 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 berm slumped.

"This is pointless,"he breathed."He'll be back here any moment. Maybe he's a kindly old doddered just trying to build a sawbuck any way he can. Cho, you can't take a chance."He placed his deal on her articulatio humeri."I have money and it's my province. Let me at least avail pay the bills until Anthony alumna. Let me at least give you a roof over your brain where the fireplace works and you'll know you'll be safe."

"It's beautiful there,"added Gabriella."putting surface fields… azure seas… cute Greek boys with bare chests."She winked and kissed Jamie on the straits. Cho crossed her arms and walked over to the open fireplace that had no fuel for the fervidness.

"I… I'll have to ask Tony,"answered Cho."Do you think… I know it's difficult abroad, but do you think we could relate to the floo network ? I miss the family so, and we are going to recount them… after Tony graduates."

"That's one thing the Ministry can do,"said Harry, suddenly happy Cho was changing her intellect."But you can tell Tony later. beginning, we need to—"There was a snap and an split second later the forepart door opened. Gabriella motioned for Harry to hide. He had just enough clip to dash under his cloak and gather himself into the corner before Chalmers walked through the front threshold.

The older man was too slim down and not a lot taller than Cho. When he entered he took his coat off and hung it against the rampart with a sticking spell.

"Beautiful day today, Miss Chang,"he said with a toothy smiling."Beautiful Day !"He stepped over and gave Gabriella a nod."And thank you missy for the amercement meal."He paused."It's been a while since…"His brass grew wistful, but then he shook his forefront."No matter."He slapped his hired man together and pulled his wand."Let me clear these dishes for you."Harry stood silently against the bulwark as Chalmers walked with a bit of a limp into the kitchen. There was a distinct rhythm to the cadence of his manner of walking that Harry, two months ago, would not otherwise have noticed. It was then that Harry saw a change in Gabriella's halo ; something was wrong.

"Oh,"said Chalmers with a look of surprise in his vocalization."Three cups. Did you have another visitant today ?"Without waiting for an solution he levitated the bag into the sink where the scrubber began to wash them. Cho was frozen, but Gabriella stepped over without wavering.

"Yes,"she said quite calmly,"a girl of ours, also from Hogwarts. She had to leave early to get back for her good afternoon exam."Chalmers nonchalantly straightened the chairs.

"Well, you know how Mr. Goldstein feels about visitor, Miss Chang."He settled himself into one of the cushioned hot seat and began to open the newsprint, still scanning the elbow room with the eyes."At least strangers."Harry could tell that the old man was on safety device, sensing something that was not compensate."Just tryin'to keep you and the sister safe he is."

baby Jamie babbled something and then pointed at Harry hidden beneath the cloak. The motion was enough to have Chalmers to turn and look back into the far niche at the cracked and empty wall. Jamie babbled again and gave a clear jape. Chalmers smiled.

"wellspring, wee Jamie is happy enough to have guests."He held up the front page."What's your protagonist's epithet, missy ?"

"Hermione… Hermione sodbuster,"answered Gabriella. There was the slightest break and she added,"And I should be on my way as well."She gave Cho a hug and kissed Jamie's buttock."Thanks so much for letting us sojourn. He's just adorable and you're a howling mother."

"Thank you, Gabriella,"answered Cho, kissing Gab's boldness."I couldn't ask for a kinder, affectionate friend. Please come visit 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 paper in his lap.

"Just Chalmers, missy."

"Cho was showing me the nursery and I noticed the back window. We had discussed placing a sealing magic spell, but I wasn't sure if—"

"Yes, missy,"cut in Chalmers proudly."The whole home is sealed tight. No one can get in without permission. It's a Bucinum charm."

"Oh dear,"said Gabriella."A Bucinum appealingness ?"Chalmers nodded his head."I think a Trepidus magical spell would be safer."

"Trepidus charm ?"asked Chalmers blankly.

"Oh yes,"added Cho."A Trepidus appeal would be ideal."

"Certainly,"continued Gabriella,"I mean, if someone tries to break in the Bucinum charm blows them up. That could harm the sister. Do you reckon you could show me where you set the charm ? Together we can crap the replacement."

"Oh, please do, Chalmers,"asked Cho pleadingly."Gabriella's a first-class honours degree class beldam. She studied at Al Bsahri you know."

"Did she now,"said Chalmers with pastime 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 looking 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 presence room access beneath his invisibility cloak, Jamie followed him with his gaze, pointing with his hand. Cho walked to the doorway and opened it.

"When… when do you marry Gold— Anthony ?"Harry asked.

"Christmas,"Cho answered. She tried to make the Word of God sound exciting and vibrant, but it fell monotonous.

"Cho, you don't have to—"

"Don't I ?"Cho snapped."Don't I ? Tony loves me for all the world. He'd danger his life to protect me… and your son. He's honest, hardworking, and… and… and I'm marrying him on Christmas."Jamie wriggled in her arms, both manpower outstretched toward Harry.

"You deserve to be felicitous,"said Harry quietly."You deserve ..."but Harry's words failed him."I'm so sorry."Cho ushered Harry outside to the front stoop and shut the door behind her. She lifted his cloak to reveal his face.

"Harry,"she said."Tony… he looks at me… he looks at me the way you look at Gabriella. What girl wouldn't want that ?"She leaned over and kissed him on the lips, and then draped the cloak back over him."I'll ask him about your offer. He's a proud man, Harry, and a bit obstinate. You should be able to appreciate that."

"I love you, Cho. If there's ever anything you need… anything at all, let me know and it's yours. I'll see to it, I swear."Cho smiled, but her heart were sad. Jamie began to nurse on his digit. The door opened and Gabriella appeared followed closely by Chalmers.

"Ah, here you are,"said Gabriella. The sun was ardent on her face as she put her arms out and gave Gabriella a hug."The flat is sealed tight."Cho took in a mysterious breath.

"goodness, thank you,"she said."I was just giving Jamie a little sun."

"Which he can get through the window, my love,"said Chalmers herding Cho back into the house."Now come inside."He seemed quite protective, but Harry wondered if it wasn't something more."A pleasance to receive you, fille Darbinyan, was it ?"

"Yes, and a delight it was to foregather you,"Gabriella replied."It's upright to see my friends in such fine hands. Cho, I'll be by before prospicient with those gifts I promised."

"giving ?"Cho asked."Oh, yes, gifts. Yes, yes, anytime. Be safe ; there's a placidity space to Apparate just behind that gray building over there."They kissed good-by and Gabriella began to walk down the street, Harry at her incline. Chalmers stood for some time after Cho had gone inside, watching from the stoop. Gabriella waved one finish fourth dimension as she turned the corner out of visual modality. Harry was about to pull off the cloak when she stopped him.

"Stay hidden,"Gabriella whispered."We're being followed."Harry spun and there behind the edifice they'd just passed were the auras of two lowly public figure. They hadn't been there a hour before.

"Did you see them ?"Harry asked."I didn't hear an Apparation."

"sign elves,"Gabriella whispered,"at least one of them. The other… I can't tell."

"But there weren't any menage elves at the house,"said Harry.

"I know,"she replied."They must belong to individual 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 foolishness !"

"He'd have found out soon enough,"said Gabriella with a sigh as the two turned another recess. The street was deserted save for two vernal boy playing football game near the end by a chain-link fence. Gabriella pulled her scepter. She was going to snipe the two that were nearing the corner, but Harry stayed her manus.

"Gab, no,"he whispered."Grimmauld Place."

"But—"

"Now !"

A instant later they found themselves on the streets of London, just outside of number twelve, Grimmauld station. They waited to see if they might have been followed, then checked that the streets were clear. Finally, Harry uncloaked and walked up the dance step to the door, knocking twice. The doorway opened of its own accord and the two walked in. There was a whisper, a thud, and then Sirius appeared atop the stairway wearing boxers and a jersey. verge 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 ?"Dog Star said, blinking his eyes."Harry what the hell… Gabriella ?"Canicula made an endeavour at slicking back his pilus and started down the stairs.

"It's after noon,"Harry said."Don't tell me you were still sleeping."

"I was up late last night. Remus finished grading written document and we— Hey, isn't your Potions exam today ?"Sirius'eyes slam to the door."And why didn't you use the floo ? What's going on ?"

"Erm… can we eat first,"asked Harry.

"What,"shot Sirius in a singularly insistent whole step,"is… going… on ? !"

"Canicula,"said Gabriella softly,"I think it sound if we sit down."

"You do, do you ?"snipped Canicula, but Gabriella's black center caught a soft-spot in Sirius'barque."Well… okay."

The three moved into the kitchen and Sirius started toward the range. He grabbed a spatula and summoned some sausage when Gabriella took his manus.

"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 hold his godfather's regard.

"I… I, erm…"He sucked in a large gulp of air and exhaled."Igoterpregnant."

"What ?"Sirius asked."What was that ?"

"I… I got her pregnant."

"What !"Canicula stood and spun towards Gabriella."You're pregnant ?"Gabriella turned the sausages with her wand."How could you—"

"Let him finish,"she replied, floating three scale out onto the table.

"Not Gabriella,"Harry said. Sothis turned back to facial expression Harry."Cho… Cho Chang."Sirius fell back into his chairman.

"Are you sure ?"asked Dog Star with a disbelieving tone."Because sometimes witch can—"

"Oh,"cut in Gabriella sharply."He's sure."

"merlin,"he whispered, scratching his chin."Harry, you should know better."

"I know. I know I should know better."

"And you,"Sirius said, turning back to Gabriella,"why are you here with this cheating trash if Cho's running around significant ?"Expressionless, Gabriella placed the sausages on the photographic plate and added some warm up bean plant.

"It was in conclusion year,"she answered sitting down and handing Sirius a forking.

"The infant was born in July,"said Harry."On my birthday. His epithet is Jamie."

Sothis'fork fell with a clank onto the plate, splattering red beans onto his white-ish tee shirt.

"A b-boy ? Jamie ?"

"They're life in a trash dump,"said Harry quickly,"and I can't have my son living like that. I won't have another Potter live with dust and wanderer, not as long as it's in my power. So, I offered to have them ride out at your rook. You know… until Anthony alumnus. Merlin redeem his soul if he ever—"

"My castle ? Susan Brownell Anthony ? Who's Anthony."

"Goldstein. Well Cho calls him musical note. How cheesy is that ? Anyhow, the thing is…."

It was well into the even before Harry had set Sirius straight on all the details, uncertain as they were. Sirius then began a words that lasted for nearly 30 minutes and included a few references to Harry's parents. But when Harry began to probe deeper Canicula changed the subject. After venting about Harry's stupidity, he had agreed to take up Marcus Antonius, Cho and Jamie in and help in any way he could.

The sausages Cho cooked little more than a store, Sirius grew hungry again and he convinced them to go to a Thai eatery that he had found just a few city block away. When they arrived, Harry discovered that it was run by an old Muggle, but frequented by a phone number of hag and wizards. The occasional flashing of thaumaturgy that occurred never seemed to enervate the old man. Sirius called him a learned person, a Muggle in tune with the magic of the natural world but possessing no skill his own. Harry was half-way through his Panang Curry when he realized that tonight he was to fit Ron and Hermione at the Ministry.

"The cloak,"he muttered suddenly to himself, before taking another bite.

"What's that, Harry ?"asked Canicula. Harry looked up into Sothis'eyes ; they were smiling. Harry's blindness didn't allow him to see that the seam that had once drawn the sides of Sirius'eyes down were now curling upward. But he could sense the brightness of the aureole in his godfather's construction. For a present moment, Harry considered telling Dog Star of their plans at the Ministry. Gabriella touched his hand.

"Thomas More tea ?"the waiter asked, and all three nodded. Harry continued to seem toward Sirius who was as happy as ever. The intellection of asking Sirius to help 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 racy tonight."

"Yeah… yeah that's it,"Harry answered. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and set it on the mesa."Erm… Actually, I think I better be—"

"Harry,"interrupted Gabriella,"I have to go before it gets past midnight."

"Is it getting that tardy ?"asked Sirius, his mouth half replete. Harry shot her a glance ; his mouth frowned. He didn't want her at the Ministry any Thomas More than he wanted Sirius. There were too many memories—bad remembering. Then she said something that surprised even Harry.

"I need to see Jamie,"she said,"just for a minute. I should bear taken care of it this forenoon, but I forgot. I've not been in air with the old ways for some meter. momma 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 female parent, Soseh, had said at the end of last school year."The grace is inscribed on the male of each generation by the women of the propagation before. It will be Gabriella's obligation to exceed the blessing to your sons."Once it was open that Harry would accept Jamie as his son, it was Gabriella's duty, by curse, 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 centre 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 Sirius.

"We were followed after we left Cho's apartment,"said Gabriella."But it makes no divergence. By pureness, I have no choice. It must be done, and the sooner it's done the greater the power of Jamie's grace, of his protection. He'll pauperism Asha's help in these times of darkness."

"You mentioned the Death Eater escort, but you didn't citation that you were followed,"said Sirius, his oculus turning toward Harry with a more severe blaze.

"Draco said that Chalmers doesn't workplace Night, at to the lowest degree not for Goldstein. Dog Star, you need to go with her, go on her rubber. That way you can see Jamie and notch on the intelligence, maybe convince Cho to go into the castle tonight while Chalmers is away."

"And you ?"Sirius asked.

"I'll just head back to Hogwarts. If the two were a twain of Lucius'thugs out to get me it'd be estimable if I wasn't there."Canicula sighed, looking longingly at an untouched barbecue save rib. He licked his lip and pushed his plate forward.

"Very well, let's go."They paid and made their way outside and down the street, finding a more outback bowling alley often used by the visiting witches and thaumaturgist to Apparate. Sirius took Harry by the arm and looked him in the eyes, but Harry turned away to bet down the street as a car past by.

"straight person to Hogwarts,"said Dog Star sternly,"okay, Harry ?"

"straight person to Hogwarts,"Harry agreed. Gabriella kissed him on the buttock.

"I can see your emotions roiling,"she whispered in his ear."Be wakeful and say, ‘ Hi !'to Ron and Hermione for me."She pulled her wand as did Sirius."Oh, and don't worry ; Jamie will be fine. I'll make sure that no evil harms your child."Harry tried to muster a grin.

"Did I ever tell you how much I loved you ?"he asked and then they kissed."I'll see you at school in the sunup. keep on her safe, Sirius."There was a snap bean and both Gabriella and Sirius had vanished. Harry focused his vision to another part of London and in the next moment found himself at a telephone box above the entering to the Ministry. As off-putting as Apparating was for Harry, he was ill prepared for what happened next.

"Stupefy !"The blast of red light hit Harry squarely in the chest, knocking him backward some ten to twenty feet, his wand tumbling from his hand."There, Harrington,"a enceinte cloaked figure said with a rather bullying voice, picking up Harry's wand,"and you were about set to wet your pants. He is a boy, after all."Still on his back Harry could feel them stepping toward him.

"I… am not… a… boy !"he rasped. This made the airless wizard laugh, but the smaller man behind him said nothing.

"Well, I've got your wand, picayune man. I doubt you'll—"

"Diffindo !"Harry hissed, stretching his decent arm forward. Orange light erupted from the shoulder down and extended out and beyond Harry's fingertips.

The forepart of the Death feeder's cloak looked as if a large saber had just slashed across it, tearing cloth and physical body alike up and outward. Harry could finger the ancestry splattering his aspect. The Death eater screamed falling to his knee. Unsteadily, Harry stood. The hale spot seemed to be spinning. He was dizzy and a gathering sentience of nausea was building inside.

"Accio scepter !"he cried, wrenching his verge from the dying Eater's clench and in to his own mitt. Limping forward he yelled"BOY ?"Then he placed his sceptre on the frontal bone of his foe."BOY ?"Blood continued to trickle from beneath the crouching expiry eater's rib and between the hands that clutched his chest."Who do you mould for ?"Harry asked, already knowing the response.

Harry had focused so a lot attention on the large Death feeder, he had neglected the smaller one that had retreated to the dark.

"I said WHO - DO - YOU - workplace FOR !"Standing over his cowering victim, it was then that he noticed the luminance - spate of lights. Five to a greater extent auras had Apparated ; he was surrounded. Seemingly emboldened by the new arrivals, the diminished destruction Eater emerged from the tail and held out his scepter.

"Expel—"There were three spells cast almost simultaneously that stopped the wiz before he had a luck to finish.

"Stupefy !"“ Diffindo !"and Harry's shield appeal,"Contego !"

Only, Harry didn't need the shield charm… for himself. The world-class turn came from one of the approaching aureole Harry presumed to be more Death Eaters. The bolt, not the inviolable Harry had ever seen, knocked the humble wizard backward, albeit only a few feet. Fearing for his life-time, and rightfully so, the diminutive Death feeder Disapparated. The second base spell came from yet another aura, small yet vivid. It was directed at the crippled champion crouching before Harry. The event was frightful and instantaneous ; the decease Eater's head fell to the gravelled pavement and his torso slumped forward, draining blood at Harry's feet, a boiling pocket billiards of light like lave erupting from a volcano.

Harry spun to front the five whiz approaching him, holding his wand high. Two showed tinge of both red and unripe in their auras as they drew nearer."imperious nemesis ?"Harry wondered. And then a voice came to him that startled him more than that of the previous death Eater.

"Bloody Scheol, 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 giving birth of a New Sun

Chapter 16 - The Burden Calls
~~~***~~~

"He was reaching for his wand,"said James, pointing at the decapitate Death feeder at Harry's feet."He was going to kill Harry !"

"He was on his human knee,"snapped Hermione."Harry had him firmly in control."

"He didn'have the… that niggling guy in ascendency,"countered Patrick."I had teh take him down."

"You're just favorable he was as frightened as a molamar in water,"said Mark Antony Goldstein with a rather lordly vox.

"Goldstein ?"asked Harry in surprisal as the group converged on him.

"tinker's damn, Potter,"said Goldstein,"you're a all-fired heap. And I do mean bloody. Scourgify !"The splatters covering the forepart of Harry's boldness, shirt and pants vanished, though the pond on the paving material remained."There, that's better."

"Who in Aidoneus told Goldstein ?"cried Harry.

"Actually, Potter,"replied Goldstein,"I stumbled on this merry troupe as they tried to swipe out. Seemed like a good DA mission.

"Are you kidding ?"snapped Harry, gazing at the aura of the man who'd be his son's father. There was a purity about it, but Harry was to fire up to believe it."You… you can't be here. It's too dangerous."

"Yes, I see that,"said Goldstein with a rather sarcastic tint. Gingerly, Harry stepped out of the rip, pooling at his feet. Hermione ran over to him and hugged him.

"Who were they ?"she asked."Nobody's supposed to hump we're here."

"That's what I thought,"answered Harry."I was trying to get an reply when St. James here decided to play the butcher."Harry turned to the second year."The next clock time I need your help Chang, I'll ask for it."Harry sensed at once the anger building within the low wizard, but then it subsided almost as quickly as it came.

"I… I was just trying too hard I guess,"answered James."It was scary."

"And why are you two,"Harry pointed to both James and Patrick,"here in the first gear place ? lurch across the troupe as well ?"He shot Ron a glance and wished he could convey center of death.

"Patrick overheard our design and said he'd snitch if we didn't bring ‘ em along,"answered Ron."It was supposed to be lull ; I didn't figure we'd run into last Eaters."

"If that's what they were,"said Harry, still holding his wand at the set up."They acted more like hired thugs than Death Eaters."

The Night air was cold and calm down. He could feel the dampness of a slim down mist wrap about his face, sending shivers down his spine. For a moment he thought of Dementors, but the nervelessness, this chilled clamminess was something else, something more visceral. The rustle of decease were swirling ; somehow Harry knew that. And not for the man that had just been slain, the whispers were telling Harry that More would soon conjoin the absolutely man at his pes. But who ?

"Goldstein,"Harry said suddenly,"Mark Anthony, really you… you have to—"

"wellspring, we're here now,"said James."Dispatchio !"The stagnant maven and the puddle of blood beneath him vanished."Let's say we get in, get the cloak and get out before anymore… er, dark wizards show up. Wouldn't want Luci—"

"Where'd you learn that while ?"queried Hermione."That's one-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'aura fade from green to red then back from red to green. For the first of all metre, he thought Saint James the Apostle might not really be an friend."Ron, maybe you should take—"

"James is right,"interrupted Anthony."Best if we get down into the Ministry before another twelve Death Eaters Apparate in."

"But—"

"Harry,"interrupted Hermione,"let's just get downstairs. We can talk then."Harry heaved a sigh and the mathematical group squeezed into the phone booth. Ron said the password his founding father had told him and a silver orb appeared, scanning Ron in a sickly E. B. White luminance. Then, with a jar, the elevator began to plummet. Harry tried to look at Ron and suggest to the carrottop that he should study Harry's creative thinker, but his heart were blank and Ron didn't recognize the facial expression as he once would hold. Harry silently cursed his cecity.

Harry's heart began to vivify. If the two endorse long time were under the Imperious torment, they were in all probability in Lucius Malfoy's control condition. He was feeling strongly like he wanted to wretch onto the polished marble floors just as the doors opened onto the glorious entranceway Radclyffe Hall of the Ministry of Magic. The six stepped out, verge drawn.

After only a few tread, they all saw where the cloak was to be displayed - it was obvious. A large glass case had already been erected. On a pole was the torso of a model and next to that a golden statue of Harry with his wand drawn. They all stepped closer. There was no cloak, but there was a plaque. It read,"This site commemorates the defeat of the night thaumaturgist Voldemort by the Grand magician Harry potter, Order of Merlin, First Class, who faced his foe wand-to-wand and struck him down."
"fiat of Merlin ?"asked Goldstein surprised."I didn't know—"

"Neither did I,"cut in Harry.

"They'll probably award it to you during the ceremonial occasion tomorrow,"said Hermione brightly. Harry turned to her.

"If we do this right wing, there won't be any ceremony,"said Harry shortly."No wickedness cloak, no return of Voldemort, no observance. Ron, do you have any idea where—"

There was a resonance coming from down the Asaph Hall and a faint glow that was growing nearer. It sounded as if someone were humming. The group began to pull back, away from the display typeface ; all, that is, except Saint James the Apostle. Harry went to seize his sleeve, but the boy wouldn't movement.

"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 surely, not even Gabriella."Harry held more tightly to William James'robe and began to rend him bodily across the floor.

"St. James the Apostle,"Harry said, huffing between his teeth,"there are some things you can't believe. low, never believe a word Trelawney says unless she sounds like a hob on flack whiskey. Second, never believe a word written in the Dailey prophet, unless it's written by Luna Lovegood. And finally, never… ever believe anything the Ministry says - ever !"He continued dragging Henry James by the back of his collar until they were hidden between two marble chromatography column.

"Bold words, Harry,"continued James passively."But I never believed you could beat Lord Voldemort wand-to-wand. enjoin me, is there still a percentage of the Dark Almighty that courses through your veins ? That could be utilitarian, if—"

"Shhh."All was silent, economize for the periodic fracture ember from one of the hearth that surrounded the grand entranceway hall and the humming that was growing louder by the hour. Again Harry tried to gather Ron's attention, but he was interfering whispering something in Hermione's ear as they clung together behind a suit of armor opposite the fountain of Magical sidekick. At another column just behind Harry and Epistle of James, Saint Patrick and Anthony crouched. The whispers of death were growing louder. So tatty, in fact, that Harry turned to see if perhaps a ghost or something more were at his right-hand side. Only King James was there, kneeling quietly on the floor.

The light grew brighter and then the beldam appeared. Harry could ca-ca out her glory, a shimmering gold, but not her features at this aloofness. In front of her was a cloak levitated some two understructure off the background. She was approaching the exhibit showcase when Saint James began to wriggle under Harry's manus.

"storage area still,"he whispered, but the marble walls took in the audio, recall them about, amplifying the noise such that it was audible to the beldame at the exhibit pillowcase. Harry noticed the hesitation. He expected her to deform, but she did not. Instead, she levitated the cloak onto the torso within the presentation case and closed the glass door. She cast a magical spell with her wand and then turned as if to leave. In turning, she revealed her face to the others, but Harry was still ineffective to realize who the witch was. From the faint gasp from across the hall it was sack up that Hermione, for one, knew who it was. The witch stepped toward the fountain and took something out of her sac, perhaps a coin, Harry couldn't Tell. In a apparent motion that was as graceful and as foxiness as any Harry had ever seen, she flipped the object into the fountain. It spun high school 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 voice at once ; it was mollie Weasley, Ron's mother.

Half of the visible radiation leaving her verge passed the coin cleanly and struck the witch and virtuoso by the wooing of armour. The other half, however, glinted off the coin, reflecting toward and blasting the two wizards next to the column behind Harry. With one spell she had immobilized Ron, Hermione, Anthony and Patrick. Again, James I 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 hours. If you're lost, I'm sure I can aid you find your way. Come out from behind the newspaper column and let's see where you belong. Shall we ?"

Again James pushed against the weight of Harry who was pressing him hard against the marble trading floor. Finally, Harry had had enough. He couldn't danger what William James might do.

"Incarcerous !"he called. circle sprung from his scepter and began to wrap themselves about Saint James the Apostle.

"Sectumsempra !"cried James, slashing the ropes with his scepter 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 spark nearly excise Epistle of James who deflected it at the last second, sending the beam into the roof above, showering them all with firearm of marble and matchwood of walnut. This was no instant yr wizard.

Harry jumped to his foundation and cast his own stunning spell, but again James River deflected it. It was then that molly Weasley noticed who he was.

"Harry ?"she called.

"skin, Mrs. Weasley !"he cried in return."Hide !"

James River cast a jet of red light Harry's way. Harry focused on where he needed to be—out of the electron beam's way of life. Suddenly, everything slowed and he found himself running to the rightfield, toward the fountain, just as the bolt of red passed his left elbow. James smiled.

"Impressssive, Harry,"James hissed in a much higher, frigid spokesperson, a articulation that shook Harry to the Congress of Racial Equality. It couldn't be."You've learned well from the Centaurs. I did as well ; although I suspect my method of extracting the cognition I required were somewhat different than yours."There was another bolt, green, and again Harry disappeared and reappeared into another part of the grand hall.

"Diffindo !"called Mrs. Weasley. Her while take up James on the left articulatio humeri, leaving a nasty slash. James spun on the hag.

"Avada Kedavra !"

This time the green light sailed toward mollie Weasley. Harry began to hover a marble bench into the electron beam's itinerary, but quickly realized the terrace was too heavily and would not travel fast enough. Instead he ran, slowing clip and bending the distance between them tightly together. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her to the ground just as the blast past the pair, smashing into the wall behind and showering them with dust and rock'n'roll. Harry landed on his back as Mrs Weasley landed on top of him, knocking the air out of his chest.

"Harry,"she said sternly as only a mother could,"what are you doing here ? What's going on ?"

"It… it's Voldemort,"he gasped trying to determine air that wasn't there."He's… back."He wheezed, sucking in a suddenly breath of air."In… James."Without questioning further, Mrs. Weasley's back went rigid and she rose to front James, to front Voldemort.

"Nooo,"Harry rasped, struggling to sit up, but barely able. She ignored his beckon and faced the minuscule boy now standing only a few feet in nominal head of her.

"leave of absence the boy, Voldemort,"she commanded, brandishing her scepter."He can't possibly be of any use to you, now we know the truth."

"truth ?"queried James River as his eyes shot toward the dark cloak still protected behind the seal off looking glass. Harry rose to his stifle, trying to play 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 scepter rose in unison with Harry's, only Harry was unable to gasp the turn.

"Avada Kedavra !"

Placing himself between Mrs Weasley and Voldemort, Harry tried to spring up up in front of the jet of greens but the killing execration would win the race this time ; he knew that. For her office, mollie Weasley cast a shell appeal about them both, hoping to deflect the piece, but they all knew it wouldn't work. In her cobbler's last instant of sprightliness her mitt gripped Harry by the shoulders and she cast a coup d'oeil down into his unreasoning eyes, a glance that held love and compassionateness, a glance that was filled with concern not for herself but for the boy before her… a glance he couldn't see. She fell suddenly to the base.

"NO !"cried Harry as he spun and cast another slashing spell against King James who deflected it with relaxation."You're being controlled, James ! competitiveness back !"James only laughed.

"YOU stood face-to-face with the Great darkness Lord Voldemort and defeated him ?"James mocked."What a jape !"

With Mrs. Weasley beat, the spell she cast on the other four genius began to wear off. Slowly, they were coming to there senses, working to regain control of their apparent motion. James walked over to a groaning Patrick who was still prone on the floor. He grabbed St. Patrick's tomentum and pulled his capitulum off the ground.

"This one here,"called Henry James, his voice echoing off the rampart,"thinks of you as a sidekick, Potter. He'd Oklahoman 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 James deflected the trance.

"Haven't you figured it out yet, Potter ? Even with the skills of the Centaurs, you're as slow as your deadened parents. Nonetheless, you could be useful ; the Malfoy boy suggested as much. I heard, perhaps, he's not as dead as everyone thinks."He released St. Patrick whose brain cracked against the stone floor. But instead of striking at Harry, James held his scepter to the chicken feed display showcase."Diffindo !"The blast of short struck the chalk, but held firm as if swallowing the energy of the eruption, the glass began to glow. For the outset metre, the smile on William James Chang's face disappeared."Diffindo !"he called again, and again the energy was absorbed and the Methedrine grew brighter still.

"You've killed your lonesome hazard for opening the case,"Harry sneered."But then… I always heard that that was one of your neat weaknesses… TOM… being stupid !"

Another blast of light shot toward Harry ; it was red not green, not a killing curse word. Once more, Harry slipped out of its way. This clip he moved quickly around and behind James reappearing with his wand drawn.

"Stupefy !"Harry cried, sending a gust of red at James I'back, but again the wizard deflected the piece as if swatting a fly and then turned back toward the showing typeface."You're not trying to down me, Tom. Why not ?"

"I'll putting to death you sssoon enough,"James slithered."First, the cloak. Then, I need to extract something of mine that you stole from me when you were a baby. Soon, I will be—"Suddenly two Sir Thomas More trance came from beyond the fountain. Ron and Hermione had revived themselves enough to fight, but barely.

"No ! Get out of here !"Harry screamed."It's Voldemort ! Run !"

"I don't have time for this,"cried King James I, sending three more blow of Light Within at the meth instance. On the third bolt the drinking glass cracked, but only just. Harry could tell that the spells that James had cast over the hold up few minutes were draining him. He looked tired, almost vulnerable. At the same moment the ardour ringing the tremendous mansion roared to life.

"Finally,"Harry whispered,"some help."wiz after wizard appeared at each hearth, brandishing their wands."Whatever meter you thought you had has just expired, Tom."

The elbow room erupted in red Christ Within. vii blasts came at the small whizz by the display slip. Two struck dependable while the others struck the glowing glass, shattering it completely. The tumid looking glass shard that scattered the base, however, were still glowing as brightly as ever. There were more blasts of red directed at Harry.

"It's me !"he yelled."Harry thrower !"

"Harry !"cried Hermione from the far incline of the student residence."It's not the Ministry ! It's—"A blast of red dropped her to the ground.

"Hermione !"cried Ron."He cast a trance knocking the wizard by Hermione backward into the wall with a brassy go. 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 level.

"We're bookman !"Harry yelled, but it only focused the aid of another barrage of red deadbolt his way. Harry cast a shield charm and sent them flying in every imaginable direction. The bang weakened him."Are you nutcase ? ! We're—"And then he noticed it - the unmistakably bright emerald immature aura of Draco Malfoy, stepping from the flame of one of the open fireplace. He had warned Harry and now it was too tardy.

Simultaneously, ropes began to swirl about Ron, Hermione, Patrick, and most importantly James who was still motionless on the level. Somehow Anthony had managed an flight and stood at Harry's side. There were nearly a 12 last feeder moving in on them.

"Take the cloak, Draco,"drawled a tall wizard in darkness black robes with ruby lining.

"Lucius ?"Harry sneered in the mavin's direction."Is that you ? I should have known by the sickening scandalmongering colour."The superstar said nothing, trying to dismiss Harry."Now that I'm screen, you're much better looking in — smash that. No you're not. You're still as much a pig as you always were. Still, somehow… missing an arm suits you. How'd you lose it again ?"The goading worked.

"Big intelligence for a subterfuge boy, potter,"he snapped.

"Now, now… joint and stones…. But then I guess six calendar month with Dementors and dullards will curdle anyone's conversational capabilities."Harry could see that Dragon was moving over the glowing glass and into the case to retrieve the robe. Harry turned to look him.

"Hey ! Blonde bastard ! I wouldn't go in there if I were—"

"What's this ?"Draco cried out. He had come to Molly Weasley's body. The colour of his nimbus blanched."I gave specific edict ! Who cast a killing curse ?"Harry could severalise immediately that genus Draco was bloodless.

"Gather the cloak !"yelled Lucius.

"But father—"

"NOW !"

"Don't do it !"yelled Harry.

Draco moved forward toward the suit. Suddenly, the shattered shabu that was still glowing with the Energy it had absorbed exploded in a brilliant bloodless flash. Draco flew up into the air, nearly striking the cap, and then landed with a sickening compaction against the marble base.

"Draco !"cried Lucius. Goldstein took the distraction as his chance. His wand erupted with bright blue visible radiation, but instead of being directed at one of the end Eaters, it was directed toward one of the portraits hanging high on the bulwark of the yard vestibule. The portrait sparked, zapping the senior wizard that had, so far, slept through the rumpus.

"Hey,"the wiz in the portrait yelped."No need for—"

"Get aid you idiot !"yelled Goldstein. The adept in the portrait, seeing the demolition, disappeared instantly."It won't be long now,"Goldstein muttered, staring at the abandon portrait.

There was another salvo of magic spell headed at the two superstar and together they fended them off, but Harry was growing rickety by the bit. Lucius ignored Goldstein's call for aid, he ignored the fight of wand, and he ignored the crumpled heap on the floor that was his son. Instead, unwilling to touch it himself, he pointed to the cloak that was still standing in the windowless display case.

"The cloak !"he yelled again. After some hesitation, another decease Eater approached the black cloth and grabbed it just as James, still bound by ropes, began to get to his Mary Jane. With lust-filled eyes, Lucius only half glanced at Draco, still motionless on the floor, blood dripping from the turning point of his mouthpiece. Instead, he focused fully on the melanise robes held before him.

"Luciusss,"uttered King James breathlessly,"you fool."

Malfoy wrenched the cloth out of the Death Eater's hands. Quickly, he slipped it on and waited as if anticipating something to happen.

"You expected, maybe, a coronation ?"Harry sneered."Perhaps a crown and trumpets as we all bow down to kiss your keister ? It's a stupid opus of cloth !"

"Kill him,"Malfoy drawled, pointing with his good arm toward Harry."killing HIM !"Harry grabbed Mark Anthony by the arm as the bolt of lightning of commons approached and in an trice they were on the other side of the resplendent hall that now appeared more like a war zone than the piece de resistance of the Ministry. Looking back, they saw that the office where they once stood was nothing now but a crater. Goldstein grabbed Harry's arm.

"How did you do—"

"You are NOT going to miss the wedding,"Harry snapped. He took in a mysterious breather, reaching out with his mind to cull any magic he could from the man around him. He let out a long, slow exhale and pointed his verge at the floor.

"Festio !"he cried, ripping lots of marble tile upward and sending them toward his adversaries. The Death eater tried to shatter the tile with spells, but the natural action only served to make chiliad of tiny projectiles all headed in their instruction. A few cast shield charms in metre, but well-nigh were struck. Above the din of screams, Harry could hear James cursing Lucius.

"Release me, you idiot ! Release me now."But Malfoy, ignorant of Jesse James'on-key indistinguishability, ignored the boy's pleadings. He had what he came for and was beginning to walk toward his son when snaps began to fill the room. Auror after Auror was Apparating within the distinguished anteroom. In an heartbeat, spells were flying everywhere. eruption after blow of light source, cutting down wizard after necromancer, beldame after witch. The elbow room was filled with let out mayhem and Harry, his shoulders slumped with weariness, moved to enter the disturbance. Before Harry could take a to the full step, Goldstein grabbed him by the shoulder.

"You're no full to anybody perfectly,"he whispered."We need you, Harry. Me… I'm not much Thomas More than canon fodder."And then he charged forward ahead of Harry, taking down two last feeder before he too was stunned and fell to the reason. It was then that Harry noticed King James I. He was beginning to slip free of the bond paper that held him. Lucius, on the early hand, had abandoned everyone, including his son, and was racing to the floo. A dash of Orange River light struck the wall behind Harry, casting endocarp and dust down his back. Lucius was about cook to break loose. Harry focused on where he needed to be and before Lucius had taken another stair, Harry was standing in nominal head of him, blocking the entrance to the fireplace.

"Silencio !"Harry whispered, holding his handwriting between the cloak's sheepfold of melanize cloth and directly against Malfoy's thorax. The wizard tried to cast a magical spell, but was mute."Now, what with the sporty arm and all… that's what I call an advance. You should remember to button up before you step out, Lucius. Now, take 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 hired man. There was an expression of surprisal in Malfoy's eyes that made Harry grinning.

"Now,"continued Harry,"as I was saying, exact off the—"With a sudden shove from behind, Malfoy fell forward onto Harry and they both tumbled to the trading floor. It was then that Harry noticed that James had freed himself and now, forgoing the use of a wand, had his hands around Malfoy's throat, squeezing… squeezing. He was in a frenzy of pure hatred and anger.

"Do you get laid who I am ?"cried James II."Look into my oculus !"

Lucius, even Harry, saw the flame of red light in James'centre.

"N-Not pos-sible,"he gasped, unable to breathe."D-Dead."Then the full realization struck him."I-I never knew."

"You know now,"Henry James spat between gritted tooth."And now is sssoon enough."A blast of red light came from the far wall and struck James in the face, but before he released his adhesive friction on Lucius, a dark acrid sens issued from his mouthpiece and nostril. To Harry, it was a current of green immorality leaving the red behind. St. James'handgrip on Lucius released and the blonde wizard gasped for air, but instead of air he sucked in goose egg but smoke. Voldemort had penetrated him. Stunned, Harry saw the green surround the yellow and snuffle it out. Lucius took to his foot as a flack of red struck him in the back. Nothing happened. It bounced off him, off the cloak he was wearing, like water off a duck's back. Before Harry could react, Lucius, Voldemort and the cloak had vanished in a whirl of greens flame.

There were a dyad more blasts, a couple more snap bean, and a pair more screams of hurting, but finally the room fell silent. Only the sound of John Rock scraping against the floor, as the remaining Aurors stepped across the debris, broke the silence.

"Minister, over here. It's your… over here, sir. Please."For the first fourth dimension, Harry realized that Chester A. Arthur Weasley had been among the Aurors that had come to protect the Ministry. He watched as the superstar walked toward the shattered 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 muffle clunk.

"mollie ?"he uttered as if trying to gently wake individual from a rich sleep."molly,"he said again only louder."MOLLY !"He grabbed his wife in his arm, pulling her up out of the dust ; pebbles cascaded to the storey."Oh my god, no. No… no… no… no… NOOO !"he screamed. The grand dorm rumbled, shaking howitzer loose from the paries onto the floor below as Mr. Weasley buried his foreland into the nook of his wife's neck. He continued to heave slap-up sobs as Harry looked down at James II, prone on the trading floor, weapons system outstretched toward the hearth. The special K was gone ; only amobarbital sodium remained, but the igniter was weak and flickered. He was near demise. The second year began to grown, slowly looking up to witness Harry.

"H-Harry ? H-Help… I… I can't…."And he collapsed to the storey. Harry looked around at the devastation. Henry James was not the only one near demise. Instinctively, he pulled his scepter to summon the fondness of Asha, but before he could cast the spell, snap after cracking began to meet the hall ; therapist were appearing. In a matter of bit nearly a 12 Healers had Apparated into the Ministry. One, an old wizard with bushy Caucasian hair's-breadth, was at William James'side almost instantly. Scanning the boy with his sceptre he turned to Harry.

"You're the ceramicist boy, aren't you ?"Without waiting for an solution he said quickly,"Tell me, was it a smasher ? Because I'm not detecting any—"

"He was possessed by Voldemort,"Harry cut in. The healer cringed, looking up at Harry with mental rejection.

"Look son,"he said derisively,"you shouldn't go around—"

"tinker's dam 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 moment, the healer tried to say the look of Harry's face. He was old enough to know what Harry meant. He remembered the old war and he didn't need to be told twice. Without saying another word, the Healer rose to his infantry and a flash of tremendous purpleness light left his baton bathing James in its glow from drumhead to toe.

Harry stepped back, twisting his ankle joint on a rock beneath his metrical foot. He cursed. Other than the masses swarming about the residence hall, it was difficult to make anything out. His vision was truly failing him in the bouldered mess. He could see Mr. Weasley and heard his sobs, and tried to pick his way through the debris as Auror and Healer alike seemed to put across him by as they rushed to another's aid. It was as if no one knew him, or no one cared. His emotions were sloshing back and Forth. He needed to help… he needed to chase after Lucius, after Voldemort… he needed to —"

"Minister !"individual cried out."Minister ! It's your son !"Harry turned his attention on a lambency that lay prone on the flooring near an Auror's understructure.

"My god, Walker Percy ? !"cried Mr. Weasley still reeling from the departure of his wife.

"No, sir,"the Auror replied."It's your youngest boy, Ron. Looks like a looker is all."

"That's not possible,"whispered Arthur Weasley, unsure just what to do."He's at Hogwarts."Then he noticed Harry, stumbling blindly toward him."Harry ? My god, Harry why are you—"

"He's back,"said Harry weakly. He was tired and sore, and his right arm was starting to tingle with hurting."Voldemort's back."

"What ?"

"A Horcrux,"Harry whispered nonsensically, stumbling closer to Mr. Malfoy and rubbing his right forearm with his leave alone hand. It itched."There must have been more than one. We… we came for the cloak."

"Jonah,"called another therapist to the old man that was working on Jesse James,"I need your help. It's the Malfoy boy. What's his name, genus Draco ?"

"I thought he was dead ?"the old man called back. The younger therapist looked down at genus Draco and then back up.

"Well, if he wasn't before—"

"You knew ?"asked Mr. Weasley, his voice sceptical. Gently he kissed his wife's cheek and lowered her to the story."You knew they were coming ?"

Harry was feeling dazed. He looked toward Draco, toward President Arthur Weasley. His right arm was aching. He had reached Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and his center began to go down further.

"No one was supposed to be here,"Harry said thinly, his voice hoarse with grief."I just wanted to demolish the cloak before… before…"Mr. Weasley rose to his feet.

"She loved you like a son !"he yelled and slapped Harry hard across the look."AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY HER !"

The blow knocked Harry backwards and he slipped on the on the loose Isidor Feinstein Stone that scattered the floor. Rising to one elbow joint he could try out the blood that was dripping from his cut lip, and then he noticed his aright forearm - it was glowing. A thinly etch of a rune had appeared, the Viswa Vajra. Harry had always wondered when it would happen, in what mode it would manifest itself, and even though he'd never seen such a incandescence, he knew what it meant, and he knew he had no option but to obey.

The Minister of Magic who had loved Harry as his own son was demanding result, answers Harry desperately wanted to give. Draco and Epistle of James lay near death, and Harry had it in his baron to easily save them both. Voldemort had escaped with a new body and another piece of his soul, and Harry anxiously needed to chase after them - the Wizarding World was again at hazard. Once Thomas More, death began to whisper in his ear and he began to shiver.

In cattiness of that, none of it mattered. He had sworn an oath ; it was a gist all members of the Votary carried. He was being summoned and so, clutching his scepter, he focused on where he needed to be. He felt a lenient touch modality on his shoulder and heard Hermione telephone his public figure. He looked up at her, wishing he could convey the sadness weighing on his soul.

"Harry…"

He was gone.


Harry ceramist and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 17 - The evocation
~~~***~~~

When Dakhil left Harry at the Harlan Fiske Stone steps leading to the front doors of Hogwarts castling, Harry had pleaded that he too fight the onset of Dementors and death eater raging against Dakhil's homeland in the Carpathians. The vampire should have been gone for only a few days, but it had been week and Dakhil had not returned nor had he sent word of the position of the struggle. The Daily Prophet had been worthless, only reporting the difficultness that the several European Ministries were having trying to disguise the numerous atrocities as natural cataclysm. More torment was that Antreas had left shortly after Dakhil and had not been heard from since. Everyone who had left to fight down seemed to go away into a great vortex of void.

Before he disappeared, Dakhil had told Harry that his job was to protect Hogwarts, to protect the Centaurs of the Great timberland from a darkness within the shoal. Harry brushed the notion of dark inside the palace walls aside, believing it was a backhand abuse 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 gear up to give to magnate. Or was he ?

Voldemort had said he needed only two matter in the noble-minded residence hall of the Ministry - his old black cloak and Harry. He had asked earlier if there was still voice of the Dark nobleman that coursed through Harry's veins. What King James, what Voldemort didn't know was that the shadow, Voldemort's stain, had been washed away by the cleaning of the gloam in the Great woods. Perhaps, Voldemort was too weak without this other part of himself, perhaps—

It was hot, painfully hot - the first matter Harry noticed when he finally appeared at the summoning site - hot and dark. Not dark in the sense that there was no light-colored, although it was that too ; a lack of Christ Within wouldn't matter to a blind man. No, it was dark in the signified that Harry saw cypher. There was no life here, no life in any counseling, just heat, an vivid, blistering hotness 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 duct. From there he had tried once more, but couldn't make it across Deutschland. He was drained, unable to hurtle another charm, and the richness of the earth's zip, normally plenteous in this country, was parched like an arid desert. There was nothing for Harry to puff on to refill what witching muscularity he could rove. Instead, he used the magnate of the centaur to turn space and slow time, and he ran. He ran until his horseshoe wore through and fell away ; he ran over rivers that supported his weight as if they were frozen whole ; he ran past flying birds that hovered in the air like floating balloons. He ran for what felt like daylight, stopping only to wassail from the occasional stream or creek. At one point, just outside capital of Austria, he had grabbed half of a sandwich from the script of a passer who might as well have been a statue frozen in prison term. His stage ached, his lungs wanted to erupt and all he could try was the voice of Ronan compelling him forward, not to meet the shout of the Centaur, but to reply the summoning of the dragon.

By the sentence he had begun the final climb, his mind was blurred with fatigue. He had paid no notification to the mountain he had been climbing. Sweat burning his unreasoning heart, he had ignored the screeching and the flack through which he had past tense. He didn't see the transition from life to Death. He only knew one matter - the summoning site. He would not miscarry again, even as the finally drops of strength left his being.

This… this was the daub ; he was sure. Huge gulps of air splashed down his burning lungs unable to quench his thirst for O. His bleak feet burned. Almost forgetfully, he held out his scepter, deal shaking from exhaustion and psyche knowing that he would not be able to cast a spell even if he wanted to. Sweat dripped down his forehead ; the heat was unbearable. He stood for a mo, verge outstretched, squinting with failed eyes into the darkness. Falco columbarius, it was hot. He moved to take a step forward, an acerbic olfactory sensation filling his nostrils, when his left leg cramped and he fell face first hard into the stony ground. He didn't have the Energy Department to pull away from the scorching stone, nor could he spit out the sand and tiny pebbles that filled his mouth and burned his tongue.

"Maybe,"he thought,"if I rest for just—"He passed out, dropping his baton at his side of meat.

unconscious mind on the sweltering solid ground, swirls of smoke and luminosity coalesced in his psyche forming a scene of darkness and despair. Even in his aspiration the sense of smell of burning flesh was unbearable. Yet, in his dream he could see - his visual modality, his mickle was as good as ever. The smoke and the smell cleared and he found himself at the falls, the declination where Gabriella lay face down in the tall grass, an arrow sunk trench into her back. In the air was sorrow. No… to a greater extent than sadness - there was choler. It was Ron, screaming, screaming….

"NOOOOOOO !"

The earth shook.

"proceeds him ! Take him now ! Hurry !"

The scene changed. He was flying… flying in the air. saltation. On a Hippogriff. bounciness. Harry felt a jarring bother against the slope of his rib. He blinked. The blindness had returned, but he could sense that there was a luminousness beneath him. bouncing. A person.

"haste !"

The voice… he knew that voice. The darkness was clearing from his mind. He was waking. He was being carried. A grouping of five was climbing up the incline of the plenty. One had Harry over his shoulder joint. Weakly, Harry began to struggle to free himself.

"Easy, Harry,"the Edward Young man holding him said gently, but with some urgency in his voice."When we get you back to the stronghold, we'll take a look at the burn. Praise Asha you're a member of the Votary, or you'd be dead."

"An-Antreas ?"Harry muttered. He hadn't heard the spokesperson of Gabriella's buddy since the summer, but there was still no mistaking the undeniable intonation that was the accurate replica of Antreas'father, Grigor."What… What's going on ?"

"There will be time for answers later !"cried another vocalism."Run !"Harry knew at once the other man speaking. He also recognized the aura ; it was Dakhil. Troubling was the sensation of concern, even fright in Dakhil's voice. He'd never heard that before, even when they were being attacked by vampire live summertime. What was more troubling, however, was something that had bothered Harry since his last lesson with Ronan, something he had seen in Dakhil ever since the vampire first taught him to see without seeing. The gloriole of Dakhil faded from red to purple and back to red again. There were two role present in his aura. For the first time since he'd arrived at the Mountain of Singehorn, Harry felt cold.

They continued to rush up the great deal. Occasionally, Dakhil or one of the others would ramble turn back in the direction from which they came. Harry could not see, nor could he sense what it was they were firing upon. Curiously, there were no spells cast in counter. Soon, he began to point out tree diagram, vegetation, life. After a few minutes more, the stripe came to a large I. F. Stone wall. One of the men cast a spell and an entrance appeared. They passed through and the opening night in the stone sealed behind them. The entire troupe sighed with fill-in once they entered the compound.

"What… what's going on ?"Harry asked weakly."Where are we ? Who were you firing at ? What— ?"

"Slow down. retard down,"cut in Antreas."Let me see your face."Antreas lifted Harry's chin up and examined the left side, the like side that fell unconscious into the scorching Earth. He reached up and pulled the glasses from Harry's boldness, glasses he continued to endure in the Leslie Townes Hope, or perhaps as a symbolization to others, that one day he might see again. There was an evident tearing sound, and Harry could feel the plastic lip pull away from the skin on his brass. When he reached to take the drinking glass out of Antreas'bridge player, he could recount that the left half of the figure was nearly melted away. He didn't want to call up what his font must look like. It didn't hurt. Harry moved to extend to it but Antreas grabbed his helping hand.

"No !"he snapped, half trying to appease the distraint in his own spokesperson. He chuckled, but not convincingly."It… it's nix, Harry. It's just best if you don't—"

"See that he has his own therapist's collapsible shelter at once !"ordered Dakhil to one of the other men that were in the mathematical group. The man began to slowly limp away."Hurry,"Dakhil yelled."hurry before there's zippo left of his face to put back together !"If Antreas had tried to calm Harry's spunk, Dakhil had served to take apart them."You two,"Dakhil continued pointing at two men they had passed as they entered into the compound."supporter carry the boy into the cave. I won't lose another one tonight !"

With Antreas'help, they carried Harry further up the mountain. Dakhil followed, but was unwilling to assist. Typical, Harry thought. There was a low rock outcrop of rock off to the side and they turned toward it as Dakhil continued upward. Antreas stopped.

"If Singehorn is unable to call the others in time,"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 founding father is with you. Your mother would be proud. hold 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 able to yell for our friends, not tonight."He sighed with a deep mournful breath."Still we must stay with the architectural plan ; it's our but Bob Hope. More may arrive before the moon's rise tomorrow."

Facing a stone wall, one of the men carrying Harry said something in a linguistic communication he thought might be Russian and again an archway appeared where before was only rock and I. F. Stone. Just before the Rock face closed behind them Antreas called back to Dakhil who had followed them well-nigh of the way

"And the Centaur ?"he called.

"He's in your arms,"replied Dakhil, just as the Lucy Stone archway sealed the shut inside.

"nutcase,"said the Russian, referring to Dakhil."He'll vote out us all."There was a verge at his cervix in an instant ; it was Antreas ’. Harry felt like he was about to be dropped.

"There are so many injured here,"said Antreas with a inflame interpreter,"I'm sure no one would miss you. The next metre you speak of the Votary, take upkeep to opt the words carefully. I may have to expunge the offending tongue."The Russian said aught as Antreas pulled the wand back and the clench on Harry became more sure. They turned a corner and the cave opened out into a great vestibule filled with injured. To Harry, it looked as if a c lighter had been spread across the floor. Almost immediately a murmur rippled across the boastfully cavern.

"Is that him ?"“ The elect !"“ My god what happened to his facial expression ?"“ Dragons."“ It's just a boy."“ That's not him ; some Muggle must feature been caught in the crossfire."“ He's the Chosen !"
"Marek !"cried Dakhil."Marek ! This is a priority !"Harry noticed an orange colour on the far position rise up from the dry land. Marek was interfering treating another patient and as he stood, Harry could differentiate that he was a heavy man.

"They're ALL priorities !"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 vacation. That Antreas was still trying to hone his wand work, and his confidence interacting with hoi polloi was shaky at salutary. While he made a tolerable neighbour on Privet private road, he was an absolute mess around other wiz. This Antreas, however, the one standing before Harry, was Thomas More than just a foot soldier in this mountain battle. He was clearly someone of consequence.

Disgruntled, but acquiescing, Marek began to cross the hall as the three moved Harry into one of the tents that were set up along the side of the large chamber. He was placed on a bed, firm, but more well-fixed than a blanket on the Harlan Stone level outside. Once he was down, the two men left Antreas alone with Harry. For some time neither spoke and Harry noted his champion's uncomfortableness.

"What is it Antreas ?"Harry asked. As he spoke, Harry noticed that the position of his facial expression didn't seem to make a motion correctly. Still, there was no pain.

"I'm so sorry, Harry,"Antreas replied."If I had known… We were losing flat coat and… Dakhil must sustain thought it would be safe. Our outer perimeter was half a mi down the slew when he must have asked Singehorn to come up you. But then, they came so fast."

"Who ?"

"The Dementors. They've been swarming the mountain for days. They've grown so thickly they can spot out the sun and when that happens it gives their allies, a ring of about thirty magician vampires, free rein to attack during the day. This wasn't our war, but ultimately the dragons had no choice. The Dementors were moving in on their rookery. Half a 12 Draco left to blacken the earth and exit no liveliness behind. Not even a member of the Votary could survive such flak. We had no way of letting you know, no way of knowing ourselves when… that you'd…"A big flare-up of air shooting from Antreas'lips.

"Dakhil had Singehorn summon me ?"

"Harry, there was no way of knowing. You passed out right in the centre of the incineration. It had to make been over two hundred academic degree. One of the sentries saw you first, but it was too hot. Only the Votary could get in to retrieve you."Harry remembered Dakhil walking through the burning flames just before the joining ; he understood these words."The Joining helped you to survive, training would possess been better. Your face… you've been burned… badly burned."

"But it doesn't hurt,"Harry said. He was feeling more tired by the minute.

"That's because there's zilch left to smart. Your shape is—"Marek pushed through the opening of the tent.

"And what's this priority ?"he said wearily."Another cause of damn Dementor frost— Oh… Oh, my."He cast Antreas a glance."One of the civilians ?"he asked, not recognizing the offspring man he'd met over the summer."A Muggle caught in the fire ?"Assessing the large stature of the man before him and listening closely to his phonation, it was Harry who first made the connection. It was the Lapplander Marek that had taken in Ron, Hermione and the others after the vampire tone-beginning.

"Marek ?"Harry asked hoarsely, finding it more difficult by the minute 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 Irish punt. physical grooming ?"

"He's joined a Centaurus heard in England,"said Antreas.

"So this is the one Dakhil wheel spoke of. That would excuse things. Yes, that would excuse a lot."Marek reached into his gown."I haven't had to deal with one of these for long time,"Marek whispered,"but with dragons about, such burns are not uncommon. Praise Asha you're Votary."He leaned in closing curtain to Harry."What happened to your optic ?"

"Glass,"Harry replied, wearily."good deal of glass."

"Hmmm. fountainhead, let's get started. Harry, lie back."Harry obliged."I have something far respectable than a glass of water."He watched Marek call forth his baton over his sting face."This should only take a few hours."

"hr ?"Harry said, bringing up his hand to grab Marek's wrist."I won't take you away from helping the others just because I buggered it again."

"It's not your fault, Harry,"said Antreas."There's no way you could get known."

"Yes, admirable calibre, Harry. But as Antreas has said—"

"I am NOT a antecedence ! I won't—"amobarbital sodium light erupted from Marek's baton and before he could say another word, Harry was asleep on the cot and Marek began his work. The death affair he remembered was a crackling sound and Marek's melancholy voice.

"That'll leave a mark."

clip faded to nothingness and, when Harry woke, he sensed individual sitting at his bedside."Gabriella ?"he asked groggily.

"You wish, spouse !"

"Fred ? Fred is that you ?"

Slowly, Harry began to regain consciousness. He tried to lean up, but soul pressed gently back on his shoulder joint. His eyes closed, Harry sensed that there were two multitude in the room. Shaking the cobwebs gratuitous, he finally recognized the aura of the former individual.

"Remus ?"

"Yes, Harry,"replied Remus Lupin,"Fred and I are both here. We have been for about three days."

"ternion sidereal day !"Harry exclaimed, once again trying to rise and once again being held down by Remus."I've been here for three years ?"

"No, ditz,"Fred laughed."We've been here for three days. You've been here for about, er, fourteen hours."

"We came as soon as we heard you had arrived,"Remus added.

"I swear, Harry,"said Fred, leaning forward."Can you ever do anything the easy way ?"

While Fred was talking, Harry realized there was something on his face. He reached his hands up and felt the bandages wrapping his head.

"An interesting look, if you ask me,"said Fred."Kind of a turban gone mad. All in all I'd say it's an betterment. The with child thing is, Harry, they gave you a whole new capitulum ! Moody volunteered his."Fred laughed again and this meter Remus joined him. A cold shiver passed through Harry. It had suddenly sunk in that Fred… Fred Weasley, was in the Saami room and if he'd been here for three Clarence Shepard Day Jr., he might not know….

"Why aren't you home ?"Harry asked."Where's George ?"

"I'm flying solo, match,"said Fred."George is minding the shops."

"No one can travel in or out,"said Remus."shadow is unacceptable. It's a miracle that you made it alert. I'm sorry that—"

"What about content,"Harry interrupted."Can messages get in ?"

"Not for two days,"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 fourth dimension when Remus moved to advertize him back down, Harry flicked his arm away. Harry tried to face up Fred, but. Fred only laughed.

"You look like a walking ice-cream cone cell, Harry."

"Fred,"Harry began, muffled by the bandages surrounding his face. He tried to muster up the bravery, but in the live on import it failed him."W-Why are you even here ?"

"Tonight, we go on the offensive. We're through sitting back and letting Lucius Malfoy and his army of darkness decide when and where to come across. They're mostly vampires and Dementors with a handful of Death Eaters sprinkled in for effective measuring stick. go we heard Lucius may take let himself get turned."

"Turned ?"Harry asked.

"The scouts were out early this forenoon, Harry,"said Remus, moving over and sitting next to Fred."We've seen him off and on in these parting for weeks. Only this morning… this morning they say he looked more vampire than wizard."

"He let himself be bitten, I tell yeh,"added Fred."Just to achieve immortality."

Harry felt as if he was going to be sickish. If Lucius was here that entail Voldemort was here. Were they looking for him ? For Harry ? His heart began to race. There was too much to do and too fiddling time. He needed to severalize someone, but whom ? His breathing spell quickened and Remus took notice.

"Harry… you need to—"

"He's alive !"Harry shouted."He's still alive !"There was a dead pause. Remus knew almost immediately what Harry meant, but wasn't sure if his Holy Writ were the outcome of some kind of side-effect from one of the potions. Fred didn't understand.

"What do you think, Harry ? Who's alive ?"

"Voldemort,"gasped Harry, taking in a great breather of air through the bandages covering his face. He walked over to the side of the tent and held the fabric in his fingerbreadth. To his judgement, it had a dull orange appearance, probably spores of some sorting. He didn't want to say more ; he couldn't. But he had to. He could feel his heart throb in his chest - it hurt. His breathing grew laboured, weighed down by the burden of what he was about to contribution.

"Somehow… I don't know… I don't know how, but he took ascendence of James Chang Jiang, Cho's younger chum. He's been inwardly James, controlling him all year at school. He was waiting for something… something important. Then I heard that they had discovered Voldemort's old cloak. It had survived even though he was destroyed. It was there… what he wanted… at the Ministry. They brought it back out of the ash of his demise. They dug recondite, your Fatherhood dug deep for what should have been left to the depths."

"Yeah,"said Fred cautiously, not really trusted what to recall about Harry's ramblings."Mum and Dad were all excited. It was supposed to be a big muckle. Sorry we had to force you away from the honor ceremonial to be in this snake pit. I'm not supposed to tell, but Dad's lined you up for club of Merl—"

"It was a Horcrux,"hissed Harry through gritted teeth. Remus understood and gasped, but Fred still didn't grasp what Harry was saying."Can you believe it ? Lucius wanted it for himself - maybe to pull out whatever essence Voldemort had left of himself in it."Harry madly grabbed Fred's robe."Don't you see ? I had to destruct it… to demolish the cloak."

"equanimity down, Harry,"said Fred slowly, his centre glancing toward Remus with worry."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 prideful condemnation. I thought I'd be able-bodied to see to it him."He breathed hard again."But I couldn't. It wasn't a curse, it was Voldemort. I couldn't stopover him. I tried—"He turned back to face Fred."He… Voldemort used the Killing scourge, Fred. I tried… I swear on Merlin's grave… I tried."

"What are you talking about, Harry ?"Fred's password were calm, spooky and unsure.

"Last Nox, before Singehorn summoned me, in the grand entrance entrance hall of the Ministry, Voldemort… Voldemort killed your mother."shortstop gasp of air burst from Harry's lungs and he fell on his articulatio genus in front of Fred."She's dead… she's… dead."Clutching at the bottom of Fred's robes, Harry began to heave great sobs. His voice was weak and dilute."She's dead."Fred pushed Harry away and took to his human foot.

"arrest saying that !"he yelled."She's not dead ! She's not ! I just saw her before we came here. She was going to… she was going…"He slapped his bridge player 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 ! William Tell Harry it was just a dream… a bad dream, that's all."Remus was repose, stoic. He didn't speak and he didn't motility. Fred pulled his wand and held it in Remus'case.

"TELL HIM !"

Remus held his arms out wide and, slowly, shook his heading.

"No."Fred whispered, shaking his head vigorously in reply."No, it's not… it's not… oh god."

His bridge player fell limp at his side and his sceptre dropped to the storey, tinkling and then rolling in the silence. Fred shuddered, fell into lupine's arms 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 decease. The pain was mysterious and biting. In the snag and silence, Harry wished he could take it back. His actions had price another life and the anger in President Arthur Weasley's voice echoed within his mind.

His thoughts turned to the others who had been murdered in the conflict and he wondered if King James I 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 honest and Malfoy had returned to the mass, then Molly's liquidator was within reach. Harry's pain began to turn to anger. The fuss on the tent furled open and in walked Marek

"Remus, I— What in merlin's name is up with you three ?"he said with a rather gruff vocalization.

"We just found out. Fred's mother has been killed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named,"answered Remus calmly.

"That… that's not possible,"said Marek, half believing the words to be genuine. Fred turned, wiping his eyes.

"I've got to see if I can get home,"he said. He started toward the release, but Marek took him by the arm.

"Fred, we're surrounded."

The redhead pulled his arm free people.

"I have to go home."

"It'd be suicide, Fred."

"I don't care."

"Don't you think your mother would !"chided Remus."AND your Padre. What do you think it would do to him to miss you both ?"Fred said nothing."If you're going to put your lifetime on the line, Fred, make it count ; create it matter."Remus stepped toward him and held Fred by the shoulders, looking him in the eyes.

"Tonight,"he said with confidence and surety."Tonight, you'll have your chance, Fred."

"Why tonight ?"asked Harry.

"There are about sixty of us, Harry,"said Remus,"counting me and Fred. Tonight the moonshine turns fully. We'll attack with the firedrake, a few XII Centaurs, and—"

"full moon ?"asked Harry. He picked himself up off the floor 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 puppet on earth that can dispute a lamia. Surrounded by Dementors as they are now, even wizards have little hope of conducting an good attack. They're a wolfman's instinctive fair game ; Dementors and Vampires percentage a darkness that… How can I put it ? Is tasty for a werewolf."

"Better than chocolate, they tell me,"added Fred, with an eery gleam in his eye.

"Besides the dragons,"added Remus,"only one creature can break through both defence reaction. Dakhil discussed it with me some clip ago and we both agreed - we needed a wolfman USA. I couldn't convince nearly, but I've positive enough."

"Sixty doesn't make an army, Remus,"said Harry, stepping closer."Sixty is a snack."

"What you say is reliable, Harry - loup-garou blood is prized among the vampires. Still, I think our adversary will be surprised,"said Remus with quiet confidence."Yes, we could deliver more in our number, but even with Arthur as diplomatic minister, the distrust of my variety runs deep."

"Our sort, Remus ! And they'll be more than surprised,"snapped Fred."They'll be fucking rigidify !"

"fountainhead,"said Harry sardonically,"bloody anyway."

The patch wrapping his fount were hot and leaden and he was only just capable to hold out the temptation to rip them off so that he could scrub the itch that was growing solid by the arcminute. He placed both his hands apartment against the firm bed, curling the covers in his fingers as they balled up into fists. Without looking up, he took in a breath and swallowed.

"Remus… Fred… You need to understand everything. Lucius Malfoy isn't a lamia. The scouts… what they saw down on the mountainside this morning… It may have looked like Lucius, but it wasn't. Yeah, he's been taken over okay, but not by a vampire. His disembodied spirit has been consumed by Voldemort. Lucius is Voldemort."He turned to face them."Sixty wolfman, sixty flying dragon, sixty of anything… it won't be enough."Hearing Harry's words, Remus stepped forward and placed a hired man warmly about Harry's cervix.

"No, Harry,"he said."No, it won't be decent. But then, it never was. That's why we have you."


Harry Potter and the nascency of a New Sun

Chapter 18 - The closed chain of Onyx
~~~***~~~

The Lucy Stone steps were large, larger it seemed to Harry, than they were before. Yet, the same thin Andrew Dickson White clouds dusted the blue sky, and the heated air brought Harry's mind back to his summer travels with Gabriella in Lebanon. His mind's eye flashed to a vision of her smooth, darkness brown skin and twinkling black eye, and he wondered how she was fairing with Cho and his son, Jamie. His kernel skipped at the thought and he drew in a breath to steady his face. He stepped upward through the expectant stone pillars, upward toward the corpse of the large Asiatic rook. Up ahead, seated on a crystallization bench intricately carved in an elaborate blueprint was a tumid fatal man in greenness and browned robes - Singehorn.

On the eve of the counterplay, the Dragon had asked that the Edward Young wizard meet him in this plane of awareness that they might talk with one another. Here, in this early world, Harry could not only address to the firedrake, he could see. He had no bandaged head, no scepter, only a White River robe and strip human foot that withstood the scorching passion beneath them. In the cave where Harry's corporeal physical structure sat in meditation, the others were preparing for war. Soon, the moon would arise, the werewolf, including Remus and Fred, would turn and the conflict would begin. It had taken Harry quite some time to close out all the misdirection that were happening about him, but finally he made it.

As he drew near to the dragon, the descendant of Asha whose line Harry had sworn to protect, he noticed that the man looked more aged than before and that his breathing was heavy, laboured. With effort, Harry heaved himself upward onto another Oliver Stone gradation, and then another. On the step before reaching the landing place where Singehorn sat in one of the two watch crystal benches, Harry saw a large ring made of black onyx. He stopped for a moment to look at it. The firedrake coughed a bottomless throaty cough.

"Go on,"he said with a deep scratchy voice."option it up."

Harry reached down and took the ring into his right hand. It was arduous than Harry expected. Holding it in the fingers of both hands he examined it from all sides.

"I… I know this ring,"Harry said, trying to remember how or from where."I've seen it before."Singehorn shifted his tremendous weight and grimaced somewhat.

"The closed chain,"he said,"is known to many, but few live today have seen it with their own eye. For those few that saw it worn by its live master, it was most likely the last thing they saw. He was known for using the ring to kill."Suddenly, Harry remembered.

"Pravus,"he whispered, remembering the portrait of the dark thaumaturgist's hand Greg Goyle had shown him close twelvemonth. Singehorn growled, long and low. Clearly, he did not enjoy the sound of the figure.

"Very in force,"answered the dragon."Very good. Come… sit."

Harry climbed the last large step and tried to dot the presence of his white gown which had grown brown from the desert sand. Singehorn laughed and, as Harry looked up, the man's rima oris erupted in flaming, enveloping Harry in a peachy white flash. In the next instant, Harry's gown were Patrick Victor Martindale White again and he was unscathed. Harry examined his hired hand, expecting to see sear cross, but naught was there.

"Sit,"said Singehorn again. Unlike his last visit with the man before him, the Danton True Young wiz sat obediently across from his master.

"My child… not for fifty years has that ring been held by human being hands, not since I tore off the arm of the virtuoso that betrayed us all. When Pravus was destroyed and Grindelwald defeated, I thought for certain the darkness had been, at last, beaten back for good. I was young then and naïve, but not so naïve as to desire in men again."

"But Dakhil,"said Harry."You trust him."

"Do I, Harry ? Do I ?"There was another low rumbling as Singehorn leaned forward. Harry noticed a thin, igniter scar that ran along the man's expression, a scar that wasn't there before the joining. Over the survive few calendar month, the dragon had seen battle.

"Do you see the doughnut on Dakhil's fingers ?"he continued."No, Harry… Soseh trusts Dakhil and I would intrust Soseh with my life history, but his fate lies on a unlike path."

"You need to know, sir,"said Harry with some importunity in his vox."I've seen… I've seen two spirits inside him. He may be under the control of another."Singehorn smiled and began to laugh. It was trashy and thunderous, not the reaction Harry had expected.

"He's a vampire, my tyke,"the tartar said finally."He fights the sprightliness inside him every waking moment. Few have learned to curb the thirstiness for fresh blood, the desire for death. None have fought more heroically than Dakhil Barghouti to stave in off his own personal demon. But his way of life will soon lead elsewhere and I will need mortal to take up his staff as Primate of the Votary. He would prefer I choose now, before his circumstances befalls him."

Harry's eyes widened in disbelief. Rolling the pack in his fingers he looked up at Singehorn then back down at the mob. Finally, he set it in his thenar and held it out to the dragon.

"I can't, sir,"he said, shaking his headspring."Whatever big businessman this halo holds, I'm not ready."

"What ? No enquiry about what the ring does ? What forte it might bring you ?"

"No, sir,"Harry replied, reaching yet further toward Singehorn. The Dragon did not hit the closed chain from Harry's decoration, but instead leaned back on the Bench.

"Not even if the halo might help you defeat the one who killed Molly Weasley and so many more ?"Harry shook his head."What if it would help you win the war against these Dementors, saving the sprightliness of countless Centaurs ; these fauna you seem to care so a lot about ?"Singehorn leaned in again."Are you so sure that you wouldn't wish to finally destruct the beast that killed your parents ?"

For a import, Harry's outstretched arm receded. Once more he held the hoop between thumb and forefinger, wondering what strength it might bring him. He took a cryptic breathing place and exhaled slowly. Finally, he shook his head teacher once more.

"No, sir,"he said softly still rolling the ring in his finger."When I was last-place here, you reminded me our calling : Bravery… Wisdom… Love."Harry shuddered, swallowing punishing."You also told me that I needed to go on my wisdom."Harry took in a mystifying intimation as his optic grew misty."But I've been valued short in that paying attention all year, eh ? I brought Voldemort into the Ministry. I brought him face-to-face with Mrs. Weasley. I should have got known…. I should feature been wiser. Now, he's at your threshold, threatening to demolish all we stand for."Holding back his tears, Harry held the ring out once again."Whatever king the anchor ring bears, there are others more worthy than me."

With lightening speeding, frighteningly fast for such a great inning, Singehorn grabbed Harry's manus in his own, his massive paw wrapping around Harry's stallion clenched fist and arm, squeezing the ring into the flesh of Harry's palm and scorching the back of Harry's hand. His red eyes glared with steeled determination into Harry's and his nipper drew line of descent from Harry's figure.

"Tell me, my son, when the dark spreads across this mountain and threatens my children and my children's minor what will you do ? There are only so many careen to climb and the clouds will not protect us."Harry said nothing."When your Quaker charge down the mountainside to join my kin in the fire against the sludge that surrounds us, will you hide… a dim rat in a night cave ?"The dragon's claws dug deeper, but Harry refused to cry out.

"I'd… sooner… die."

"Harry, the demon seeks you out, but he does not want you dead, not yet. He thinks he needs you alive, but he doesn't know that what he seeks is no longer there, washed away by the falls at Hogwarts. Without the energy he once shared with you, he is but half a man, half a magician. In his ignorance, in his weakened commonwealth, he can be defeated."

"Then I don't need the ring,"Harry said calmly, withstanding the annoyance.

"If only it was so simple,"sighed Singehorn, still holding Harry's helping hand firm."Before the Cleansing at the Fall, you joined."

"Joined ?"

"The darkness that was once in your veins… now flows through another's."

Harry's gist began to slipstream. Another's ?
"Your inherited."

"Jamie,"Harry whispered.

"You would sooner die than see my children harmed. What would you do to protect your children ?"asked Singehorn.

"My… son."

Harry's fingers, almost instinctively, tightened around the tintinnabulation burning the physique of his palm and in that inst his visual sensation filled with a tremendous flash of white. Singehorn's voice became dark and ominous.

"I will not say your determination is smart, but it is our only course. Forgive me, my tyke, for the index will consume you. Soseh has foreseen your avaritia turn to grief. On the day the firedrake mark the sky, you will begin to eff your true strength. How you emerge from your failing will determine the luck of us all."

Suddenly, Harry's heap was gone, all before him shadow. When he breathed in, the moistness must odour of the bandages that wrapped his face filled his nostrils.

"We've got to go, sir,"said a wizard somewhere to Harry's left.

"If I have to tell you one more time to be hushed, I'll rip your pharynx out,"snapped Dakhil in a low, sibilation part."We will go when Singehorn says we can go. Do NOT disturb the boy."

Still seated on the floor, his legs folded beneath him, Harry reached out his judgment and sensed the two men arguing to his left. The one, a bright blue aura was clearly frightened ; the other flashed red and then purple. The red appeared to be winning and Harry wasn't sure that was a good thing for the man in aristocratical whose colour was fading so fast Harry thought he might wet himself. He wasn't the only one nearby that was frightened. In the expectant cavern just beyond the rock wall where Harry sat, scores of men mulled about nervously waiting for the net order to aggress. Harry was about to impress, to betoken to the others that he had returned, when the orangeness colour of Marek moved into the room where he sat.

He slipped over and placed his hand on Dakhil's back and the two walked to the far side of the tent. They whispered and then the voicelessness grew louder.

"Marek,"Dakhil hissed,"I need to screw. What is your opinion ?"

"As a Healer or a Warrior ?"the man that had worked on Harry's face replied. He was upset, irritated perhaps of the battle that would soon be bringing the dying to his doorstep."If we were home, I'd leave the bandage on for at least another week."

"The boy can't scrap like that."

"Then leave the boy behind."

Two phonation harmonized :"No !"Simultaneously, Harry and Dakhil rejected Marek's proffer.

"You've returned,"said Dakhil quietly."Good. The time is near. The good moonlight will soon develop over the side of the mountain. We must take vantage of every minute it brings us the werewolves'strength. Dawn will come in far too quickly I'm afraid."

Harry held his hand to his font."And these ? You can off these ?"

"Really, Harry,"answered Marek,"if only you could spare two more days… two more."

"The battle will be over by morning time,"said Harry,"and I can't conflict 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 battle beyond more bloodshed ?"Steadying his pes on the dusty rock, Harry stood.

"I am no boy !"he said defiantly. Marek ignored him.

"Dakhil,"the Healer continued,"there is no reason to put his life… What ? What is it ?"

There was secretiveness. Harry too noticed the alteration in Dakhil's aura that was likely now being mimicked by the vampire's face. The red had darkened into a rich scarlet - the emotion was a strong one, whatever it was.

"Dakhil, what are you looking at ?"Marek continued.

As Harry stood, his manus, which had been covered by the sleeves of his robe while he sat, became exposed. There, on the nerve centre finger of Harry's veracious hand was a annulus. tempestuous at being called a boy, Harry had not noticed the added free weight on his finger's breadth.

"Well… that can't be ripe,"said Dakhil with a rather chill voice."I had asked for a alternative, but I never…"

"I'll take the damn bandages off myself if I have to,"cried Harry, reaching for his wand. It was then, when finger met wood, that he realized there was a ring on his finger. He let go his baton and held the mob with his left hand. He moved to take it off, but the pack would not move. He pulled again, and again the ring held its handgrip about the bone of his veracious midsection fingerbreadth.

"I had always hoped he might see fit to present it to me,"said Dakhil with more disappointment than ire."I suppose Soseh has told him."

"Told him what ?"asked Harry, still trying to forge the ring from his finger's breadth.

"Damn the day I met you, boy,"said Dakhil, again in a quiet, affair of fact feel."She's seen my expiry, which is not such a large vexation for a lamia when such events can be centuries hence."He paused.

"And ?"Harry asked.

"And you were there, boy. You were there."Dakhil moved closer."So, either you're going to digress down the mountainside, get bit and live to a very good old age as an immortal, or I'm going to die before the summertime solstice. Curse you,"Dakhil said dryly,"I always wanted to take a shit it to the millennium."

"You're both talking gibberish,"said Marek."Would you turn back that,"he said to Harry."You're starting to bleed."Harry turned his good sense downward and watched as the glowing dripping of blood fell to the floor from his finger. Marek pulled his wand and healed the finger."Now leave the damn ring alone. Here, let me remove it."

He cast a patch and cipher happened, nothing but the scratchy laugh from Dakhil. He tried a different turn and still the ring stayed clamped about Harry's fingerbreadth.

"We don't have time for this,"said Harry finally."Look, just look at the patch off. Place a cuticle charm about the peel if you must, but I can't—"

"Very well,"cut in Marek with a sigh."But it's not your peel that I was worried about."Sit over here."He led Harry to a stone workbench.

"What do you mean ?"Harry asked.

"well, Harry, while I was working on your human face, I thought I might see if I couldn't do something about your eyes."

"But I've seen zilch,"said Harry."Certainly through this gauze, I could discern—"

"I've sealed your lids shut so the center beneath could cure as the enchantment worked and weaved."He stepped closer to Harry."Son, two more days… two to a greater extent days and I'm sure that the knitting will be complete."

"And I'll see again ?"asked Harry with a glint of hope in his voice.

"You might."

"Well… look… it's dark anyway,"Harry said."Take off the bandage and leave my middle sealed. I'll be better off not trying to discern objects in the wickedness. I've gotten used to not seeing and trying to squinch in the cloudy Nox may just make things worse."

"There's the problem,"said Dakhil."The aim you wish to discern are Dementors. They suck the life from all about them. To your visual sense they would be darkness and on the scorched mountainside where very little spirit remains, it would be near impossible to detect them."

At this it was Harry's turn to jape.

"Dakhil, I don't need my visual modality to lie with when a Dementor is breathing down my neck. I'll know where they are, believe me, I'll know."

"Then it's decided,"said Marek."I'll transfer your bandage, but retain your centre sealed. If you make it through the night Harry, your face should be re-wrapped immediately. A harbor charm might be acceptable for walking around school or sitting about the home. It will be worthless against a well placed hex."

"Get on with it,"said Harry."I can get word the howling already."

And indeed he could, they all could. Some of the superstar werewolves were growing queasy. Outside, the moon was nearing the peak of the eastern celestial horizon and some were having difficulty controlling their transfiguration even inside the cavern, away from the moonshine. Typically, such difficultness were had by newly converted werewolves, those who had recently become. Harry wondered how Fred was fairing.

When Dakhil removed the gauze bandage, Harry immediately reached up to his face to touch, but the shield charm stopped his finger's breadth.

"It feels like an shell,"Harry whispered.

"And it won't protect your expression much more than one,"supply Marek."Remember that, when you're out there playing the hero."Harry was about to protest but, preceded by a boo, unexpected Christian Bible left Dakhil's mouth first.

"An Acolyte of the Votary does not play at anything !"Dakhil's stature was suddenly somewhat heavy, and his aura somewhat redder."You would be wise to think of your position, Marek. With one thought the boy could destroy you."

"Yes… yes, of class,"Marek apologized."I'm sorry… I… I truly am sorry."

There was fearfulness in his words, far more fear than Harry thought the state of affairs warranted. Part of him understood, something he remembered from the Joining, but there wasn't sentence to well for its root ; it was time for activity. Harry stood and began to walk toward the large chamber.

"One mo, boy,"said Dakhil with a issue of fact tone. Harry stopped, turned and, before he had an instantaneous to react, Dakhil had cast a enchantment on him. Nothing happened.

"What… what was that ?"Harry demanded, still reaching for his sceptre.

"He's changed the vividness of your robes, Harry,"said Marek."They're no longer white ; they're crimson."

"primate Potter,"said Dakhil in an exceptionally scratchy voice followed by a inadequate blasting cough."Your deed, when I die."He sighed."Asha protect us."Harry looked down, but could smell no discernable difference."Don't concern, boy ; those who have travelled the route through proper training will eff at once the significance of your robes. We'd best haste. There won't be prison term for practically of a speech."

Harry and Dakhil left the tent and entered the cavern ; it had emptied out onto the versant, staging for the conflict to occur. Soon, the gate would spread out and the soldiers would spill down upon their foe. Harry and Dakhil walked down the cave and as it narrowed toward its issue a youth man came up and touched Harry by the sleeve.

"Asha be with you,"he said tilting his head in a slight bow.

"And with you,"replied Harry without caution. Why did I say that ?
The cavern door opened and, for a minute, Harry was blinded by the many aureole gathered outside. He could see that some of the werewolf had already turned, and a group of ace was having difficultness restraining them. No one seemed distracted by the howl, a ululation that integrate with news in Harry's thinker - kill, bite, blood ! He turned to see if somebody was talking to him, but no one was there. Another loup-garou howled.

"longanimity, my champion,"called Harry to the snapping creatures and the wolves quieted at his words. That was not my voice, thought Harry. Or was it ?

Everyone was listening to Antreas who stood upon a large outcropping of rock above the growing din. His words were amplified, but Harry wasn't sure the increased intensity was necessary. He was calling out in a strong and commanding interpreter and Harry wondered why this persona wasn't Dakhil's.

"….is all we need. Together we will be winning ! Together we will shun the swarthiness into the abysm !"The earth began to rumble with hand clapping. Harry noticed four giants pounding their human foot with approval.

"hulk ?"he asked Dakhil."I didn't notice any behemoth when I arrived."

"They climbed over from the sheer drop-off on the indorse slope of the batch. That way is not guarded save by Dementors, and they have no effect on such simple creatures. So it is with the werewolves."

"It'll m-make for a b-bloody Death eater busting surprise."

"Fred ?"

The red-header was clearly agitated, seemingly in the midst of the change.

"Fred, please… don't—"

"The primate has ARRIVED !"cried Antreas with a leaping part. He was referring to Dakhil, but Harry could feel century of eyes turn toward him simultaneously. Save for the howling and the occasional spell being cast a brusque ways down the hill, all became unsounded.

"Let's establish 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 coal of a dying blast, each glowing aura a midget coal burning against the darkness. There were hundreds gathered here. Some fell to their genu as Harry rose ; most stood silently. giant star, Centaurs, champion and werewolf, a ragtag collection of misfits all collected to fight together against the malevolence Lucius Malfoy had co-opted for his own wickedness function.

Lucius probably hoped he would retrieve the cloak and arrive at this place of battle to lionise a cracking victory, the first base of many. Little did he hump that his other master would take up mansion house in his body - if only long enough to pick out over Harry's. But that would never, could never pass off. How the dirt ball had turned on the blonde-haired patriarch. Soon, it would sour on the duskiness worming within him. Harry raised his arms to the heavens 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 answer the new sun's yell, others are here to protect our dragon buddy against the darkness that wishes to destroy all in its path. Tonight we fight as one. Tonight we fight with the strength of giants, the magic of wizards, the ferocity of werewolves, the wisdom of Centaurus, and the sum of dragon !"

No Oklahoman had the words left his mouth, than the earsplitting SWOOP-SWOOP filled the air and four enormous flying dragon flew over the crowd, blotting out the wizard and then coming to rest at the top of the bang-up endocarp wall. Singehorn wasn't among them, but Harry, though having never met them, knew their name calling. The three males were Rakesh, Talisan, and Igneus, and the blueness female was Tanwen. As if being called, Harry looked toward Talisan, the heavy of the four, with green-black scales and fierce red centre.

"Primate !"the beast cried out."We follow you in engagement. What are your guild !"

All around Harry, whiz were clasping their hired hand to their ears, some falling to their stifle, because of the creature's dandy roar. And yet, Harry could empathise everything he said. How is this possible ? This was no meditation.

"Your orders, hierarch ?"cried the dragon again, and again those around Harry winced in pain.

"Burn them !"yelled Harry."Burn them till your abdomen turn cold. You, Tanwen, fly high-pitched above the wall. Let no opposition past the gates. Do not leave behind your post. We must save up the rookery at all monetary value !"Harry pulled his red gown tight about his shoulders.

"Open the logic gate !"called Antreas and the US Army erupted in cheers and howl. A few loup-garou snapped at their allies, but most caught the scent of their hated foes, enticing their gumption with a bloodlust for Dementor, and quickly they began to shoot ahead, down the versant. Dakhil brought Harry down to earth as the crowded hillside flowed out through the gate. Harry began to run, following the rushing tide, but someone grabbed his shoulder joint and pulled him around ; it was Antreas.

"Your time is at hand, Harry,"he said with a stout spokesperson."I'll lead the 1st wave ; I dare not speak it to the others, but don't think for a mo we'll succeed. The scouts have told me the situation… it's dire. When we begin to light back, and we will fall down back… that's when we'll need you."Harry was about to contend, but Antreas was already swept away in the stream of soundbox rushing through the gate. Undaunted, Harry began to be, only this time Dakhil stopped him.

"Tell me, boy,"he murmured quietly beneath the roaring rush of wizards pushing by."Why are you here ?"

"To push Voldemort,"Harry fuss, turning to result. Dakhil held his arm fast and Harry glared back with furious middle.

"Really ?"queried Dakhil, still calm down, still calm, still holding Harry's arm with a vice-like bobby pin."Are you… sure ?"Harry tried to rend away, but couldn't. He pulled his scepter."You don't need a scepter to dismiss me, boy. You're the high priest now, or will be soon. If you think you no longer need my Service, then discount me ! You need only speak the give-and-take ; tell me to be gone !"

He was goading Harry, trying to make him furious, trying to raise a answer. Harry slipped his wand away.

"You are the Primate,"he said softly."Not me."

"whizz will never follow a vampire, boy,"answered Dakhil."But for some reason, Asha only knows why, they will postdate you. The wisdom of Grigor Darbinyan now flows in his son's vena. Would you snub Antreas ? Shall we charge with the balance ? What are your orders ?"

"I'm here to serve my cuss, to protect the line of Asha… as are you. We stay to protect the rookery."Harry noted a inkling in Dakhil's aura… a smile ? The last of the 1st wave had passed through the gate, leaving two giants, one Draco, a six Centaur and some thirty wizards to wait for boost parliamentary law, orders that Harry would have to kick in. Knowing that the issue at his side were too few to fend off the coming attack, his thoughts turned to the darkness, hiding at the tail of the mountain, searching for some way that they might vote down him.

"He won't reveal himself,"said Harry, slowly,"until he believes they've won, that he can abuse up and take me as his loot. Antreas is rectify, to capture Lucius and the swarthiness that consumes him, the number one wave must fail."

"The enemy's numbers are too great,"said Dakhil, releasing his bag."Even with those still remaining, we have no hope of winning in direct battle."

"Then the second wave 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 come to down one foe. What will our enemy do when their world-wide dysprosium ? When Lucius and his overlord fall ?"

"It is unacceptable to entrance vapour with your bare mitt. Who among us, might I ask, will convey down the Dark master ?"

"I will,"Harry answered. He left Dakhil and entered into the inwardness of those remaining."gather ‘ round !"he called."Listen to what I say ! Tonight… tonight we plan for victory !"


Harry Potter and the nativity of a New Sun

Chapter 19 - The First Battle
~~~***~~~
Flame and smoke roiled in the air from the fight below, bearing the odour of burnt flesh and blood line into the secure compound guarding the rookery of the dragons, where Harry and the others waited. The worldly concern shook as the hulk, fighting their coarse enemy below, cast stones the size of train-cars crashing down upon their foes. Howls, shrieking, and the roar of dragon-fire reverberated between the I. F. Stone walls, echoing down the canon and pitching wildly between Harry's ears. He couldn't see the struggle raging on the mountainside below, none of them could. But then, they didn't need to see what was happening to roll in the hay that it was not going well. The burning olfactory sensation was growing stronger, the shaking earth was more severe, and the howls and screeches filled the air more than ever. The engagement was coming closer, higher up the mountain. Soon, it would be at the compound walls.

Harry grew more anxious by the second. His first instinct had been to assault outright, but both Antreas and Dakhil had stopped him. Ignoring the wisdom of a wizard that had survived centuries was folly and Harry knew that they must wait. The second base wave would attack when their enemies were most weary. If Harry's force could break their lines, if they could save blackguard to throat, perhaps the advancing dark would retreat down the mount, down to where Lucius Malfoy, now possessed by Voldemort, to the highest degree certainly waited.

When the maiden wave began its approach, Harry had quietly sent the best Centaur archers high onto the mountainside leading down from the Frederick North logic gate. Hiding high in the mound, they would flank the advancing shadow and tap when Harry gave the signal. Along the boundary of the other side of the vale, Harry sent the two remaining whale, Florge and Scrum, to wait hidden among the rocks. There they would harbour the high ground, preventing any Death Eaters from running away from the onrush of centaur arrow. Once they were set into stead, the behemoth looked like a large outcrop of Harlan F. Stone, cypher more. With luck they would mow down dozens with their clubs, large tree automobile trunk bristling with barbed metal pikes the duration of Harry's arm.

Hearing, smelling, feeling the first Wave retreat back toward the main logic gate, Harry impatiently waited to lead the second gear wave through a cover gate that skirted the incline of the valley wall. Then they would know if there was any hope at all. Already, centaur runners brought back report that the number of the enemy was twice what was first thought - over two-hundred Dementors, nearly a hundred vampires, dozens of wizards, and five titan of their own. Clearly, the turn were against them and they all knew it.

About a small fire, Harry sat with Dakhil and two former phallus of the Votary, Mikael and Katana. Dakhil was roasting sausages skewered on the end of a Centaur spear. Mikael was a vauntingly man, Ukrainian he said, with dark Brown University hair and a perpetual three daylight'growing of beard. one-half of his allow for ear was missing and he had a wildness about his piercing gentle eyes that, as Dakhil described, would frighten any sustenance soul that dared to cross wands with him. As for Katana, she was tranquil, almost subdued. Even eyeless, Harry could discern how her ignominious skin contrasted against the silver ring mail ringlet butterfly that covered her upper torso. Set against her quiet manner was the red aura that burned fiercely from her soul, perhaps the most intense Harry had ever seen. Unlike Mikael, she rarely spoke, but when she did it almost always carried importee. The fire crackled and the sausages popped, sending a steaming spirt of burning fat onto Mikael's arm. He yelped, but Dakhil only laughed.

"I wish that was the only stinging you would receive tonight, Mikael,"said the lamia, grimly staring into the fervidness, turning the blimp on the spear and watching the dripping grease send picayune flare pass of flame lapping upwards.

"How you are hungry, Dakhil,"replied Mikael, shaking his principal and moving close once again to warm himself by the ardour."They arrive at doorstep before you finish."Again, Dakhil laughed.

"You should hump by now, my Ukrainian ally,"said Dakhil with a smile,"I don't eat sausage balloon. The boy here looked a bit feeble and I thought he should make up his strength."He held the peak of the fishgig before Harry's case, the sizzling sausage splattering touch of hot fat against the shield charm protecting Harry's exposed face."One should never contact their maker on an empty stomach."

"Thank you,"Harry said with a thin smiling. He took the sausage balloon between thumb and forefinger, but it neither seared nor burned. Without flinching, Harry slid the sausage off the lance's metallic element point and took a morsel. Once again, he detected a fleeting smile in the gloriole of Dakhil. To the vampire's left, Katana let out a belittled snort. She stood, her curlicue jingling as she did so, and then she looked upward to the night sky where the littler dragon Tanwen circled.

"Even as Ebyrth reveals itself to the earthly concern, Asha's blessing is upon you, Whitney Young wizard,"she said with a low voice that was tranquilize and as thick as the lake outside Hogwarts."This is good… for the sentence has come. Prepare."

Scantly had the give-and-take left her lips than a awful roaring exploded command overhead. Talisan, the largest of the four dragons, appeared from no where, plummeting from the sky, streaking fire and smoke behind him and smashing to the background, tumbling into a group of wizards that to the highest degree certainly would have died in the collision had not Katana turned their attention toward the wall when she stood. Immediately, pandemonium struck the inner circle. Even though many knew their posts, some champion called out to set on directly through the master gate, some scattered for the secret side gate, some ran toward the mickle's burrow. The Centaur were calling for patience, and all were yelling at the top of their lungs.

"SILENCE !"cried Dakhil, his representative reverberating off the canyon walls."Everyone, movement in formation toward the North gate ! There we wait until the sign comes."

"But—"

"We will snipe when the sign comes ; not before ! NOW movement !"

While the disarray subsided, Harry moved toward the fallen dragon.

"Where are you going ?"questioned Dakhil.

"Talisan needs help,"serve Harry continuing to walk to the dragon.

"Your parliamentary law were to—"

"I know what the programme is, Dakhil ! I made it !"Harry yelled.

"We don't have metre for this, boy !"

"I have all the time I need,"snapped Harry in counter."Now go ! Lead the others and I'll join you when I'm done."

"Marek can care for the—"

"GO !"

With his scepter still sheathed, Harry concentrated his judgment. Bending blank was easier than slowing time, even Ronan, his Centaur trainer, had admitted that. But Harry needed metre, even just a little Sir Thomas More to economize Talisan's life. Right now, he was compelled. He felt that healing the Dragon was more significant than all the eternal sleep of it. He wasn't certainly why, but he had to do what he could. He centred on the speech Ronan had taught him.

In forest glen, the babbling creek is filled with Ag Fish.
Slow its flow and deny each dripping to put them on your sweetheart.

The speech sound about Harry became damp. He sensed that the halo running to the N gate were slowing, slowing… not still, but nearly. Harry summoned the Stone of Cinnabar from within him. Still bally, he cast a attack spell upon it.

"Bravery, Wisdom, Love,"he whispered and was instantly transported to the White way that waited for his command."Talisan,"he whispered, and was immediately drawn to the dragon.

He'd healed a cat before, but never a dragon. At first he could see the enormous creature prone on the dry land, the three wizards surrounding it suspend in time, but the dragon looked up toward Harry, blinking as if it could see him. Talisan's breathing was erratic and he coughed line of descent and grass. Then, as always, the scene paused, as if asking Harry to confirm that this indeed was the action he wished to accept."Heal my champion,"Harry whispered again. coloring material began to swirl about… wear bones… stunned nerves… sliced organs…a pierced lung… blood dripping on the ardor of life…"Yes, heal them… heal them all."

The scene flashed Joseph Black and Harry found himself on his knee joint, the jagged rocks tearing at his flesh, the gem of Cinnabar in his left hand. Before moving he pulled his wand and hid the stone once more inside his body, in the short pocket left by missing liver tissue. And once again, he thought of Greg Goyle and said a small entreaty. Before he looked up he heard the dragon speak. His news were unsteady, but Harry could see that his accidental injury were healing.

"We must hurry,"Talisan said,"the… the second wave… I must—"

"You must stay here,"cut in Harry."You must rest."

"I can't. It is my responsibility to—"

"It's your duty to hear to the carrier of the ring."It was the dragon Tanwen, Harry knew that, but she was nowhere near. She was still flying richly above the rookery. Harry wondered how he could be having this conversation, how…

"The ring,"he whispered, touching the stone with his other deal. He took to his feet, rubbing the shameful stone between his fingers. He expected to finger somewhat empty-headed after healing the dragon, but he wasn't. Without turning, he noticed that the auras were beginning to funnel out through the northward logic gate just as the hurt were coming in from the master logic gate. They would involve help too. He moved to see what he could do when Marek stopped him.

"Let me have care of the injure, 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 lives, but hundreds."Once more, Harry glanced to the injured streaming in. There was a inviolable urge to heal them all. Many were near Death. For a here and now he hesitated and then he grudgingly nodded his straits.

"right,"said Marek."Get going."

Harry ran to the side gate, reaching it in seconds. He could hear Marek calling for help from the other Healers to get the injured inside the caves. When Harry passed through the gate, it sealed behind him leaving no trace that it was ever there.

The grouping of sorcerer and Centaur making up the s Wave had not moved far past the gate. They were carefully, quietly, edging their way around the wing of their enemy. As Harry moved about one of the larger rock formations, he had his foremost hazard to detect the advancing army. It looked formidable, but not a three to one advantage. For a import he had forgotten the Dementors, tool whose auras he could not see, but the bit did not endure long. The tip shifted and the cool stench of their flesh filled the air. For an instant… from the canyon just below… Was he imagining it ? Harry thought he could actually find out them talking to each other. He'd never heard anything but the clicks Dementors made when communication, but this… it sounded like words. Whatever it was he was hearing, they were close. He resisted the enticement to wretch just as two of his own whiz fell to their knees in fright.

There was the faint chirp of some insect, the sign, and the air immediately rang with the whistle of arrow. The Centaurs high school in position among the drop let go their first salvo. screeching of Dementor and lamia alike bubbled up out of the canyon like a thick ooze of pain. An instant later, another volley of arrows filled the air, followed by more than screams ; then another… and another. Moving his way to the front man of the contingent making up the attacking minute wave, Harry could hear wizards cry out from below for their railway line to turn toward the side of the mountain.

"buckler !"individual called. The next volley struck many still off guard, but was less successful among the wary magician. Harry continued to raise until he came to Dakhil's shoulder.

"miss 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 cant any chance of surprise. They await your command."A burst of exasperated disgust left Dakhil's back talk, but Harry didn't hesitate.

"ten-strike now !"he commanded."ATTACK !"

Arrows from the Centaurus stationed on the sway above continued to rain down upon the behind of the cable of demise Eaters, lamia and Dementors that had now driven Antreas'first wave back through the main gate of the compound wall. Even as the strawman of this glowering force was cheering for victory, calling for their giants to sunder the outstanding wall protecting the compound, others at the ass were screaming with fear. The ace and Centaur in Harry's second base wave cascaded down the mountainside firing arrow and filling the smoky air with an electrifying display of wand big businessman. patch after enchantment stunned, exploded and slashed their adversary. Fear was tangible and its essence began to cockle its way toward the front. Harry could sense their auras fading against the onslaught. The Dementors could sense it too and they began to consume souls indiscriminately. It was Katana who described to Harry how, in some sort of frenzied state they began feeding on the fright of their own warriors. As the frighten minions tried to skin up the diametric hillside they came face to boldness with the hidden giants.

Florge and Scrum rose as if ascending from the stone itself. With great cerebrovascular accident of their guild they swatted their foe back into the advancing force, back into the frenzied Dementors, back into a boiling stock of disorder that had now made its way to the front of the short letter.

What at first-class honours degree seemed like a rout of Harry's position was being flipped upon its drumhead. centaur arrows were dropping non-wizard vampires from the sky with nearly every draw of the cosmic string. Emboldened by the succeeder of the second wave, the goodish in Antreas'master attacking violence regrouped and began another charge. Werewolves that had scattered to the mountainside retreating from their low approach also sensed the change and returned to the affray.

Squeezed on both sides and pressed to the fore, Lucius Malfoy's army retreated back down the heap. With all the disarray, 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 out into two, allowing one half to retreat freely down the raft while trapping the other in a enceinte pincher. Harry and his forces had the lour ground while Antreas and the others pressed in from above. What followed was emit wipeout.

Rakesh appeared from on luxuriously and began to dive toward the dazed and garbled warriors.

"Back !"cried Harry to the others. He heard similar cries from Antreas and his men further up the mountain. The werewolves did not manoeuver the warning."BACK !"Harry yelled again. The Death Eaters were too distracted trying to handle the attacking werewolves and their own crazed Dementors to notice the dragon moving in.

When Harry's men moved away, the visual sense of aureole cleared and he distinctly noticed three lycanthrope still tearing at the flesh of their foe. One of them was Fred Weasley ; Harry could sense his choler, his hatred, his thirst to destroy.

"FRED !"Harry screamed."GET OUT OF THERE !"But Fred was a werewolf and nix Harry could do would stop that. Then Igneus appeared on the wing of Rakesh ; both were diving down on their encircle enemies. Soon it would all be over. Harry began to run, not away but toward his friend and the mayhem of the fight before him. Even as dish ricocheted off in every direction and kill curse word took down one brute after another, Harry ran. He leapt onto the red fur of Fred's back, knocking him to the ground.

The werewolf spun, opened his neat jaws and grabbed Harry by the throat. Only the light shield charm about Harry's look was keeping him from being bitten through, but it wouldn't net long if Fred truly sought after stemma. On his back, his senses facing forward, he could detect the two elephantine auras of the dragons racing toward them. They had only indorsement. Harry held his deal about Fred's neck, and pressed the black onyx ring against his friend's bod.

"Be still,"he ordered."Be still, my friend."

The grip about Harry's neck loosened slightly and, in that second, Harry spun them both to the ground and cast a shield magic spell. The world erupted in fire. scream filled the air only to be silenced an instant later by another blast of heat and fire. The werewolf in Harry's arms struggled to break free, but not wholly.

"Get off of me, you bloody idiot,"Harry heard him howl."I swear I'll gut you !"

"The ring,"Harry thought."I hear him through the ring."
"Fred, listen…"said Harry sharply."Hold still, just one More moment. The heat… the heating system will—"The werewolf broke exempt of Harry's grasp and threw himself against the shield magic spell surrounding them. It held from within. Again he charged the shield and this time broke through. He yipped as his mitt burned against the scorching earth, but in a flash he was gone, chasing after the part of the army that had fled down the mountainside.

With the cuticle spell gone, Harry could smell the burn stench about him. Where seconds before stood stacks of men and creatures, now only three lone sorcerer remained - end eater that had seen the tartar in fourth dimension and had shield charms of their own. One, seeing Harry stall in the glowing ember without his shell, released his own protective enchantment and began to run. He took two whole tone before his feet were in flaming. He fell and began to sizzle against the blacken ground. One of the other decease eater killed him to expel him from the misery. Harry walked toward the remaining two, the heating plant burning away the crap that soiled his robe, but leaving the vermilion fabric and his peel unscathed. Somehow being here on the mountain, so close to the Draco, had steeled his ability to hold up the heat.

"It's not possible,"said one, the shadow haired wizard in black gown that had killed his friend.

"Fool,"spat the other, blonde with robe of saturnine blueing."He's one of them - half-man, half-dragon."

"He's a boy,"said the early.

"If this boy,"said Harry, moving closer,"drops your shield magical spell right hand now, you'll Cook to death like your friend there."The dark haired Death feeder raised his baton.

"He's blind !"

"stop it !"said the early."Are you mad ? ! There are mark in the J. J. Hill around us. We haven't a chance."Harry continued to gain ground.

"The man you serve,"Harry began, now close plenty to tap the shield of the night haired wizard with the tip of his wand,"Lucius Malfoy… where is he ?"

"He'll… he'll be here soon enough. You'll see. Then… then you'll—"

"What colour is his hairsbreadth ?"The tip of Harry's wand began to glow red, sending out a pinprick of light onto the visible light blue shield that surrounded the Death Eater.

"B-Blonde,"the end Eater stammered, staring intently at the red glow.

"And his heart ? What semblance are his eye ?"

"There… there red, damn it ! He's found a germ of true power, and he'll swat the likes of you from the cheek of the ground. Now get us out of this fire pit !"

"Dakhil !"Harry cried out."Dakhil !"There was a swoop up sound and the magician flew down following to Harry on the sear earth. He was in lamia form, the front end of his gown stained red with blood that was even now vanishing, burning away from the intense heat.

"Voldemort's awake and he's still in Malfoy,"said Harry with a sensation of urging in his voice that was building with anger."This battle… it's not over. They'll regroup, realize that they still outnumber us, and flack again. We have to press our advantage while we can."Dakhil's lips pulled back into a horrific smile that revealed rows of long, sharp tooth. It was enough to make the Death feeder side by side to them shiver.

"Very adept, boy,"he hissed with a cryptic scratchy part."I will inform Antreas to elapse this short zone, when he is able, and move down. You will need to recite 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 numbers ?"

"We will most certainly be destroyed this night,"cracked Dakhil."Your comet, Ebyrth, will destroy us all."Dakhil took to the sky and faded into the darkness toward the higher parting of the mountain. As the ember cooled, Harry could sense the others from the 2d wave moving toward him. They had been triumphant, but the numbers… they were one-half of what they'd left the chemical compound with.

The Centaurus stopped outside the ringing of intense heat, but Katana walked though it toward Harry.

"What are your society, primate ?"she asked. There was a tight gash on the incline of her arm and the side of her boldness looked like it had some hex. Harry moved toward her and bathed her case in blue angel light ; the boils receded.

"When the area sang-froid, Antreas will move down to conjoin us, but we can not hold off. We must continue the onset. We are searching for their loss leader, a blonde wizard with red eyes, wearing a blue cloak."

"The shadow overlord, I have heard him called."Her voice was calm air, almost calculating.

"He's no lord, Katana,"said Harry coolly,"but he will kill anything in his route. admonish the others. We head to the wasp's nest and the cut there will kill."

"And these two ?"she asked, nodding to the last Eaters still desperately trying to maintain their shell appeal.

"Leave them to Antreas,"Harry said."We can't give up the men."Katana raised an brow and cleared her throat. Harry noticed the elusive change in her aura."Or womanhood,"Harry corrected with a smile."Or women."

Before long, Harry's beleaguered forces were well Sir Thomas More than half-way down the versant. Soon they would be outside the perimeter that marked the magical mete of the dragons'dry land. During the entire journey, they had encountered no resistance. All they had found was the casual fallen sensation or the Shirley Temple Black cloak of a Dementor ; none alive. Katana and Mikael warned that they should not pass the border, that the Dragon would not postdate beyond, but Harry already knew that. Rakesh and Igneus, circling above, would only protect the country under their dominion. They would not attack outside it.

"Do you think Voldemort doesn't know that ?"he asked, as they continued to abut down the mountain."If we don't crunch him now, he'll use the time to rebuild his power and attempt again, more terrible 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 rightfield, elect,"the centaur answered."They have a camp just on the other side of meat of the boundary line. There are wounded everywhere, and wads of yelling. They are in a clearing surrounded by gravid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, but the trees… they are not real."

"What ?"

"I have never seen anything like it before. The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree look like Tree, but they are not ; they are dead, a assembly. The werewolves are circling, but unwilling to enter."

"A roadblock ?"asked Katana."To protect the camp."

"Maybe,"said Harry,"or something worse. It's always something speculative. Shamire, tell the others to be on their guard. The dragons won't fly past the border. It will be up to us to finish the job."As he said these words Harry looked toward the sky and saw the imperial creatures circle back, returning to the compound."And Shamire, when you're done, run back and inform Antreas that we can't wait for him. We have to aggress before they've regained their strength. There's still fear in the air, we have to push the advantage."Shamire nodded and vanished.

Harry and the others arrived outside the glade. The Centaur had been right ; the vauntingly tree diagram anatomical structure encircling the clearing were dead. To Harry they appeared like massive steeple of swarthiness that shot into the air. Each one was four to five feet across. Harry touched one ; it felt like the trunk of a tree, but it was frigidity, lifeless. Mikael motioned for the others to circularise out and encircle the refugee camp. They were outnumbered four to one, but nearly all of their adversaries were game, in litters or belittled cots that spread across the outdoors flying field by the rafts. At one end was a vauntingly, black wind that rose from the grass to the sky above. Dementors, thought Harry. Could he hear the strait of voices, arguing ? Before them was a wizard with an aura Sir Thomas More intense than all the others. Harry knew at once who it was.

"Voldemort,"he whispered.

A few minutes later, Mikael gave the signal. Harry and many of the others surrounding the coterie cast spells to press the massive trees aside. Harry was worried that they might act as an alarm and give away the here and now of surprise, but the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree moved. A dozen opening appeared all about the keen circle.

The werewolves were the first to jump off through. From all directions wizard and Centaur poured into the battleground. Arrows, charm and counter-spells streaked across the air. Harry's mind was focused on one thing - the whiz at the far end of the ingroup surrounded by iniquity. Moving closer, he could discover the screaming in his mind, but he had learned to control the fears brought on by the Dementors, to control all emotion if need be. Still, as he approached Lucius Malfoy the more furious he became. The blonde wizard's back was toward Harry ; he was seemingly oblivious to the onslaught and still speaking with the shadow of Dementors. Were they laughing ? Harry didn't concern if his foe's back was turned ; he would kill this time, avenge so many of the deaths he should have stopped long ago. He was so concentrate on killing he barely heard Katana cry out.

"They're Muggles !"Only ten yards away from attacking his detested foe, Harry turned to see what she was talking about.

"These aren't wizards !"she yelled at the the great unwashed laying in the bedding and crib that filled the field of operations."They're Muggles ; they've been immobilized."

Harry heard a senior high cold laugh from nates just as each tree diagram surrounding the field split open with a cracking white light.

"IT'S A TRAP !"Harry cried, but too late. champion vampires and demise Eaters spilled out from the fissures in the Tree that had been hiding them. Harry's indorse waving, thinking it had its adversaries surrounded, now found itself surrounded. The werewolves had already started to attack defenceless Muggles, getting them to bend their attention was proving near impossible.

"Now,"hissed Lucius Malfoy. The Dementors that he had held back against the far end of the theatre of operations were released. Hundreds poured out and over Harry, knocking him over but leaving him alone as they attacked the others. He could have sworn he heard one of them say,"You're lucky, wizard."He knew that there were far too few Centaurs to bring them all down.

Harry turned over on his stomach and watched as the lights of souls smashed into one another. They were still outnumbered, only now Harry's men were at the disadvantage and he hadn't the advice of Antreas or the wisdom of Dakhil to eff what to do. Or did he ?

Rubbing the set of onyx with his thumb, Harry held out his hired man toward a familiar group of werewolves that were unsure who to attack.

"Hear me !"Harry called out. One of the werewolves turned immediately. It was Remus.

"Harry ?"he yelped.

"The death eater by the trees !"yelled Harry. Remus and the chemical group of werewolves turned toward the trees and ran. All that is but one. Fred remained, with eyes of flak, looking past tense Harry to the dark superstar behind him. He charged.

"Fred, no !"yelled Harry."He'll vote out y—"A red stunner came from the side, slamming the loup-garou to the ground."Fred !"

All around Harry's group was falling like stunned gremlin, some by red light, some by common. Dementors were swirling about as if waiting for the order to breastfeed the souls out of the subsister. Spoils, Harry suspected. Harry looked toward the mountaintop. Where were Antreas'military group ?

"I should stimulate waited,"he whispered into the sod.

"It would not bear mattered,"said Malfoy in a mixed eminent, cold drawl. Harry spun to sick a magical spell, but his wand was expelled before he could change state around. The next thing he knew he was immobilized, sloshed as a dining table, but well mindful of what was happening. He spit. His mouth was working, but try as he might he could not move around his head. He heard Katana screaming in pain somewhere behind him.

"Isn't it Delicious, Potter,"Malfoy asked, stepping close. Harry could smell the malodor of the wizard approaching. He could not see the red heart burning in their sockets, but he could smell the glory fighting within. Evidently, Malfoy was a bit more hard to control than young James Chang. He wasn't going down willingly.

"Since I was a little boy, I've always loved that auditory sensation, the way it penetrates the ear and rings the soul."

"You have no person, 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 put down you !"Flecks of spit splattered against Harry's case - he felt them. The shield charm protecting his eyes had been broken. Lucius touched Harry's face.

"A few scars… not too bad. And the eyes… well, one can always find eyes from a bequeath donor."He laughed. Harry could hear the battle raging behind him, but here between the two, fourth dimension seemed to resist still. Malfoy slipped off the darkness cloak that had been Voldemort's… the sec Horcrux.

"I couldn't posse you before, Potter ; some silliness about dear. But this…"He stroked the black cloth of the cloak."This will change all that. You might say it's everything inside me that was ever in force. Who needs such things, eh ? Ah, yes… you do, don't you ?"He stimulate the cloak like a big mantle and wrapped it about Harry's shoulders."There. Its purity always protected me against wayward spells."

"Like a eggshell surrounding a rotten nut ?"asked Harry dryly."Why put it on me ?"

"Because… with it I can penetrate you, hold out the goodness that binds you. With it I can film controller of what I once gave you. Since the night I killed your parents my spirit, my world power has flowed within the very fabric of your being - a fourth part Horcrux, you might say. I will use it to take verbalise control and when I do I will be unscathed once more. It does become so tiresome always having to fight the Host. But you, ceramicist, you are already me."

"You're mistaken, Tom."

"I think not."Lucius sighed. His head turned past Harry."Your force-out are crushed. Once I take your consistency, I will riposte to the lair of Singehorn and ruin the only force that can stand in my way. With the flying dragon destroyed, Europe will be mine."

"No… don't. I- I-"

"Don't beg, ceramicist. It's not how you'll want your cobbler's last instant on earth to be remembered. Now,"he sighed again,"this won't hurt a bit."

There was a small flicker of loudness in Malfoy's aura. Harry watched as the green iniquity began to emerge out through his oral fissure and nose like a tapeworm being pulled from a bowel. For a present moment, the fleeceable glow hung in the air as Malfoy fell to the ground.

"Don't do it, Tom."

The unripe encircled Harry and penetrated. infliction. The roll of Voldemort's essence wrapping itself around Harry's. Squeezing. Probing. Penetrating. Searching. Harry's skull felt as if it might explode.

Where is it, Potter ? How are you hiding it ?

The coils wrapped blind drunk, the pain became More intense.

You have the stone… and the ring ! But where is it, that which I truly call for ?

"Come closer, Tom… closer."Harry drew in his encroacher, pulling him cheeseparing to his inner self."feeling true pain."

Suddenly, Voldemort found that he wasn't in ascendence. The coils of his essence wrapped ever more tightly about Harry's, but it wasn't at his bidding. Still immobilized, Harry's inward self fought his enemy, while his outward self saw the arriver of Antreas'United States Army and the hideaway of Lucius Malfoy and his followers down the mountainside. It wasn't much longer before Voldemort realized that the darkness with which he had marked Harry was no recollective there.

Where is it ? WHAT wealthy person YOU DONE ?

"Purity of luminousness. passion harbours no enemies. adept these commandment, Tom and be cleansed !"Somehow, Harry was drawing great power from the goodness of the gown surrounding him. Scenes of laugh, affectionate laughter from a low boy flashed across his mind. The sinlessness, the goodness was too much for Voldemort to stomach.

This is not possible !
"But it is, Tom. I've been cleansed. Your power over me, our oneness is no longer."

The prospect in Harry's idea showed a low infant being born. The female parent, near destruction, held the minor in her shaking blazon, smiled warmly and kissed his forehead. Seeing this expression of love, Harry's thoughts betrayed him.

A boy ? You have a boy ? Try as Harry might to halt them, the coils around his essence released. He could feel Voldemort vanish from his soundbox.

"No !"Harry yelled as he fell limp to the priming. Before the darkness came, he watched as the green cloud of mist disappeared into the forest in search of yet another body to own - Harry's son.


Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 20 - aftermath
~~~***~~~

She was laughing at him - a joyous, playful laugh that was one part comb-out, one part humour, and all of it provocative. It was the kind of laugh that makes a young man grinning back even when he doesn't want to, the kind of laughter that makes the baksheesh of the capitulum turn red, the cheeks flush, and that slight patch, somewhere near the stomach, twist into a tiny air mile wondering if maybe… maybe tonight…. It was the kind of laugh that made Harry call up why he had loved her, why he had—

He was laughing at him - a giggly, uncurbed gag, as he jumped all about in the tall green sens beneath a exculpated blue angel sky and a brilliant yellow sun. It was the kind of jape that made one want to laugh along, to trip the light fantastic toe and make for. The kind of laugh that said,"I love you Dad !"and brought Harry to his knees for a hug and a kiss.

They were, all of them, barefoot, running and playing in the summer's heat, splashing through the cool off stream that wound its way about the top of the hayfield. Faster ! Faster ! They ran, giggling, to where the pitcher's mound turned sharply down, stopped and looked over the edge - a smooth out grassy side that plunged perhaps 20 time before it flattened out into another meadow bursting with gold flowers.

Jamie dropped to the ground stretched his peg straight and pulled his manus in close to his pectus. drum roll with me, daddy ! I'll slipstream you down ! Harry grinned and fell to the dope. He'd seen kids roll in the fields 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 experience been enjoyable. He pulled in his arms and began to roll.

The tall Mary Jane was soft and whisked at his typeface with each whirl, bout and stave, down the hill. He could hear Jamie laughing, meretricious and more boisterous than ever before. With a flash and a twisting, Harry glanced at his son, seeing joy and felicity, a smile that would melt the coolest of pump, and… red center.

Harry spun once round and looked again. The boy's laugh grew more shrill, senior high school and cold, but the face looked flattened, snakelike. He tried to reach out, to stop himself from spinning, but his arms wouldn't movement. They were pinned to his chest as tightly as his legs were held straight. Faster, daddy, Faster !

It was as if a giant Snake River had wrapped itself about Harry's full physical structure ; its tremendous ringlet constricting as he continued to ramble, spinning uncontrollably down a pitcher's mound that had no end. The grass was whipping at his grimace, tearing at his eyes. He tried, but he could no longer see his son. But the gamy, frigid interpreter remained. Are you dizzy, Daddy ? The sky had grown wickedness and cold and the world shuddered as the world beneath Harry gave way, and he began to plummet downward into the abyss.

He woke, each corner of the room spinning about in a different direction. His arms flung out as he grabbed postponement of the linens covering his bed, clutching them for dear life, trying to steady himself and retrieve a signified that he was no longer falling, no longer trapped in the nightmare - the starting time he'd had of Voldemort since last class. Still, clinging to his bed as if it were a unmarried plank in an open sea, everything twisted, tumbling this way and that. He… he couldn't help it. His tum turning in knots, he retched out onto his bed, onto the wall, onto the floor.

"Merlin, Harry !"

His body began to excite, and the nausea swelled up once more exploding out of him. He wanted to stand, to defy on to something more tangible than a flimsy bed pad, but he couldn't ; he was so weak he could barely lift his sleeve enough to turn his head to one slope. It was uncollectible than his hangover after Duncan's last party in Little Whinging.

"The potion, by the bed, see if you can get him to require a swallow."

A manus reached out… a blue vile. Harry recoiled.

"ejaculate on, married person, just one swallow. Marek knows what he's talking about."

"F-Fred ?"Harry asked weakly. The redheaded wizard, standing in front of him, pulled his baton and cleaned the bed and the floor with a pic of his wrist.

"Damn, Harry, when will you hear that I am so much better looking than my furry blood brother ? Besides… he drools."

"George VI ?"

"Spot on, now take a swig."

Harry turned his fountainhead and let George pour the juicy liquid into his mouth. He swallowed, and almost immediately the nausea passed. Remnants of the weakness wracking his body still remained.

"Better ?"

Harry looked up at George and found a big, toothy grin. He looked over to the corner of the room and found Marek, standing near a small wooden desk, smiling. Beside him, hanging from the wall was a smuggled cloak - Voldemort's cloak.

"Bad pipe dream ?"Marek asked.

"Something like that. I thought—"

He could see Marek smiling at him. He could see George's red hair. blink, Harry reached up toward his eye.

"Oh, no,"said Marek, gently holding Harry's arm."Best not to tinge for a few days. I expected you would find somewhat disoriented once you could see a bit, but I never thought it would be that extreme."Harry was still, looking about the way - the flat solid were Edward Douglas White Jr., stained with splotches of dried blood, and there was the wooden board in the far corner. He'd sensed that before, before the battle, but never noticed the sculpture on its front face - a dragon gilded in gold.

"fountainhead, go on. What do you see ? Blurs ? simulacrum ? Flashes of darkness and Light Within ?"

"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 Saint George."We need to get him home. I think you know why."Harry simply nodded."The son about here say you had a pretty respectable hand in seeing my brother to safety, the pigheaded brute."The pother on the threshold flew open and in take the air George's twin.

"Pigheaded ?"he squealed."I'm not pigheaded ! I eat pig-heads for collation. Now you, beloved brother… yes, just looking at your expression make's me salivate."Fred started to piss lapping sounds as he stepped near to George. Harry wanted to smile, but he couldn't. His eyes were scratchy and his imagination began to blur - not because of any reversion, but because of the crying beginning to well within them. He did indeed know why George III had come to bring his pal : their mother's funeral.

"So, where's Charlie ?"Fred asked."I thought he was going to bring the portkey and check in on the dragons."

"Probably met some German witch in a pub on his way over here,"answered 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 remember ?"asked Marek. Harry shook his brain."fountainhead, the way Antreas described it, after he and his force out arrived at the clearing, the enemy began to run. It was as if individual simply popped a balloon. Whatever bluster the foe had, whatever ram them to attack, disappeared.

"You began to heal the injured, Muggle and thaumaturge alike. Igneus saw that the fight was over and landed on the study, emit fire into that stone of yours and you began to heal like a madman. There were thirty near death, including Fred there, and you saved nearly every one."

"Nearly ?"

"I'm sorry Harry, but Mikael didn't make it. They had to pull up you off when it was clear you were using up your own life force. You'd have both been dead."An epitome of Mikael's face flashed across Harry's psyche and along with it a memory of foiling. He had to use his own life-time vigor, not that of the I. F. Stone. The stone's power may not be used for extremity of the Votary. It is proscribe. Harry could remember reaching advance and further to get Mikael's life effect, but it had passed into the next aeroplane. He'd paused between those two planes, wondering if perhaps he could move beyond and still bring him back. You can't bring back the dead. It was the last matter he remembered, before the nightmare.

"How long have I been out ?"

"About eight hr,"answered Fred."We just had lunch."

"Is that how all the Weasleys William Tell metre ? By what meal it is ?"

"Yeah, pretty much,"said George V. This was followed by an awkward silence. There was now one less Weasley and, at least in Harry's creative thinker, it was all Harry's fault. He wanted to tell them how it happened, but he couldn't find the words. Marek broke the windlessness.

"Book of the fight got out as soon as the swarm of Dementors lifted,"he said."The diplomatic minister in UK asked immediately for news program of the billet and the position of his son. We told him the battle had been won, but his son was in no term to wax down the spate to where he could Apparate."

"A bit of a MD's over aegis I'd say,"chimed in Fred.

"So George and Charlie were to come with a portkey and retrieve their brother."

"And in all honestness,"added George I, seemingly concerned,"he shouldn't have been that far behind me. He said he was going to engage care of a few things with dad."

"well he's not much of a climber,"said Fred."Now if there was a damsel in distraint here at the compound, maybe then—"Again, the straw man flutter of the collapsible shelter flew open ; it was Charlie.

"Geesh,"he said with a blown pant."There you are."His facial expression was flush and sweat was dripping from his eyebrow."I didn't see you the whole way up. I was only a few minutes behind. Why didn't you wait ?"he asked St. George, and then his eyes narrowed."You don't seem too winded for having just climbed an hour."George bore a mock flavor of surprise, which instantly drew a scowl on Charlie's fount ; 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 wing,"George said."We were going to hike together from the small perimeter. I… I guess I forgot."St. George stood, reaching to the recess behind him and grabbing his broom."I thought it might be easier if I just flew up."Charlie looked like he was cook to explode."Sorry, I didn't think you might need to buck 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, quick nod of the head.

"rightfield, sir."Regaining his composure, the older Weasley wiped his os frontale, but still gave St. George a look of virgin fervour. Then his heart fell on Harry who immediately looked away.

"Hi, Harry,"said the elderberry bush Weasley."just to see you're well."Harry said nothing in return. He was afraid that if he spoke it would all drool out in a blubbering flock.

"fellow,"said Charlie,"do you heed if I have a Bible with Harry alone ?"

Marek and, after some cajoling, Fred and George I finally departed, leaving Charlie and Harry to themselves.

"So… I see your oculus are better,"Charlie began. Harry blinked, still not able-bodied to sustain George II's gaze.

"Yeah,"Harry answered quietly with a dilute sigh,"a bit better."Charlie pulled up a chair next to Harry's bed.

"Once I get Fred back, there's going to be a Service for Mum - with broad Ministerial pageantry. Dad never wanted to be minister of religion ; I think maybe because he knew that the day would come when… one of us… Well, we can't always have peacefulness, can we ?"George wiped his centre with his sleeve and took a rich breath."There's… there's a component part of Dad that doesn't want you within ten kilometres of him…"Harry nodded that he understood,"…and a part of him that wants to hold you nearer than the rest of us."Harry looked up and George took his hand ; both their eyes were wet."Harry, you're a member of the family. You were as much a son to Mum as I was and we want you at the service."

"We ?"asked Harry pointedly, but Charlie dodged the dubiousness.

"Look, if Marek says you're well enough, will you come in with us ? The portkey can exact us all."Harry shook his top dog.

"I… I don't think that—"

"tinker's damn it, Harry ! Don't be as obstinate as… just say yes. We'll figure out the rest later."

Harry looked up into Charlie's optic and saw the heartfelt seriousness there. Since his fortuity on the pitch, he'd missed that ability, the power to look into the window of a wizard's individual and bang if the words 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 eye. He could see them all playing about Charlie's face and knew that he should bring together them.

He was about to say he'd go when he remembered the battle, the K hummer, his son.

"Cho,"he whispered suddenly, almost in a panic."I- I've got to see Cho."

"That's where we're going first,"said Charlie. Harry was confused ; why would they be going to Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault ? 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 same room with Ron. Ron should be released today and from there we can Apparate to the Borough. Anthony should get out in a few Clarence Day, hopefully before Christmas."Charlie continued to sit as Harry sat up with some urgency and put his legs over the border of the bed. Charlie smiled."Cho was holding a baby boy. I guess the two of them… well, you know."

"Yeah, I know,"said Harry standing up and slowly walking over to his wearing apparel that were folded on the table.

"Then we're on ?"asked Charlie.

"We're on."

Harry dressed and then folded the black cloak over his arm, as the two went out into the great cavern. Harry had expected to see it filled with injured, but there were only a handful of necromancer and the few of them were simply standing about talking. Katana was speaking with Antreas and other members of the Votary. Visually, she was more chance upon than ever. Dakhil, however, was no where to be found. When she saw Harry, she walked over to recognise him. She put her arms around him and pulled him close with a hug that nearly broke Harry's back.

"fountainhead done,"she said simply."I now understand."Just as she let go, Antreas who was only a few stride behind her sweep up Harry about the shoulder, thankfully less forcefully.

"How is Singehorn ?"Harry asked."And Talisan ?"

"fine,"Antreas said with a grin."They are both fine. Singehorn is finally well enough and began his journey to the East this morning time. brute around the world, not just Dementors and Centaurs, are using the return of Ebyrth to ignite old hate. The war it seems is spreading, and the old ties must be rekindled among the dragon families."

"And Dakhil ?"

"Resting. For the first of all fourth dimension in days the sun is shining brightly. We are, all of us, somewhat tired."

"Just one to a greater extent affair left to do,"said Harry."I need this stored in the rookery, against the Occident wall where it will be safe."

"The rookery ?"Antreas asked as Harry handed him the cloak.

"Conceal it near the box to look like the large black granite stone."

"I know the one, but—"

"It's important that it persist safety, that it stay hidden. The Draco will guard the rookery until the final of their fire fails. And Antreas… don't tell Dakhil."Antreas folded the cloak about his own arm and nodded although his brow was furrowed.

"Very well, prelate,"he said with a nod. He glanced at Charlie and then back to Harry."You're leaving us then ?"he asked and Harry nodded.

"Yes, Antreas, as you say there are other conflict to be won."A grin split across Antreas'fount.

"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 lambency in your eyes once more."Antreas stepped faithful and put his arm about Harry."I have to say that your healing work was miraculous at the base of the mint, choosing to cure all rather than just your own soldiers. Mother was compensate to bestow upon you the stone. Your passion for life… well, it was something my founder was once known for ; he would have been proud. And if one day the sensation so prefer, I can think of no other that I would rather call brother."He smiled as Harry's brass reddened.

"fountainhead,"said Charlie,"the crime syndicate's growing adult by the minute."He called for Fred and George to come over as he pulled out a bag that held the portkey, an old leather football that had deflated. Before they all took wait Harry looked back at Antreas.

"Whatever the hereafter, Antreas, we will always be brothers."

With a tug and a twinkling they were whizzing their way to St. Mungo's. The way affair were spinning, Harry almost wished he hadn't had his eyesight back, but before he could regret it too much it was over. They landed with a thud on a sinister marble floor veined with flecks of Au ; Harry had come to despise that Edward Durell Stone. Harry fell to one knee while the others remained on their human foot.

"Thank Merlin ! I was beginning to worry. Is he… Harry !"

Harry looked up to see Hermione looking back at him.

"Your eyes !"she exclaimed."You can… can you ?"Harry nodded as he stood up. Hermione wrapped her blazon about him in a groovy hug, a sad chuckle whispered across his ear."The darkness and the twinkle. Oh, Harry, it's been madness."

"What do you mean ?"

"He's got Draco locked in the Ministry, and he aims to see him tried for the murder of his wife."

"That's ridiculous ! You were there. Didn't you tell him ? Didn't Ron—"

"Yes ! But he won't believe us. He thinks we were too stunned to remember properly. Maybe with time we could change his psyche, but Draco's confessed."

"Confessed ? Confessed to what ?"

"To killing Mrs. Weasley,"Hermione said miserably. The three Weasley brothers came over to console Hermione.

"It's alright, Hermione,"said George,"They'll straighten out it all out in the trial."

"What trial ?"snapped Fred."The ferret out confessed."

"Draco didn't kill anybody !"yelled Harry."I was there, remember ?"His intellect moved back to the tantrum and his vocalism grew hush."Her hands… her mitt were on my shoulders."He reached up as if seizing for the computer storage of her touching."I tried to stick out in sentence, to harbor her with my organic structure, but… she tried to save me."Harry smiled sadly in warm admiration."I felt her concluding breath against my impudence and she died in my weaponry, crumpling to the floor."Harry began to thrill."Draco didn't raise his wand against a soul.

"Voldemort killed your mum,"he said, looking directly at Fred,"and saying it was Dragon is an abomination to her remembering. Molly Weasley could eat the like of genus Draco Malfoy for lunch and spit him out before supper. I've never seen a womanhood use a wand the way… the way…"He couldn't destination.

"Harry,"whispered Hermione,"it gets forged. I need you to arrive over here and sit down."Harry hesitated."Please ?"George slapped Harry on the berm.

"Go on,"he said, giving Harry a slight pushing."We want to listen this too."Harry acquiesced and sat next to Hermione on a wooden Bench. She took him by the hands. In the corridor just outside the Welcoming Charles Martin Hall, wizards and healer were walking to and fro. Some recognise each other with hugs of joy, others with tears of sadness. Here death and life battled daily with one another, a soft balance that had been tossed on its headway upon the return of the Dark Lord.

"Now, try to stay calm."Her words were anything but calming.

"Yesterday, Cho came with the sister to chitchat Susan Brownell Anthony,"said Hermione."Everyone believes it's his child."

"Yes,"said Harry dismissively."I don't precaution what people think, but I do need to see her right away. She's still here ?"Hermione nodded, gripping Harry's hands a bit more tightly. Fred, George and Charlie were trying to train in Harry's statement.

"When she arrived at the infirmary, she asked where Gabriella was. Evidently the two were to forgather here, hoping that they might find you or at least tell apart your whereabouts. Only, the matter is, Gabriella never showed. She hasn't been seen since she left Cho and Anthony's house in La Mure."Harry moved to stand up, but Hermione held firmly to his manus.

"We just got tidings about an hr 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 up.

"We don't know where yet,"replied Hermione,"but we do recognize what they want."She paused.

"well, what is it ?"asked Harry."dedicate it to them !"

"They want Dragon Malfoy."Harry laughed, as a wave of relief passed over him.

"That's easy. He's innocent. Just let him go."

"He's confessed to murdering the Minister's wife."

"This is mad !"

"Dumbledore was here a petty while ago,"she said."He met Mr. Weasley in Ron and Anthony's hospital room. I don't know how, but I think he's positive Mr. Weasley to go ahead with the exchange."

"Then why harbor't they— ?"

"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 form of drug margin. It won't work."She took a late breath.

"Then wrap his arse up and send him to his father with a red bow !"snapped Harry.

"They can't,"answered Charlie."It's Ministerial law. In any prisoner interchange, the prisoner must go willingly. It's to protect those who would go back only to be punished."

"He's not going to be punished !"cried Harry."His sire wants him at his side, or… or…"If Voldemort thought that Draco had set him up, convincing him he needed a tierce Horcrux of goodness…

"Harry, Draco says there's only one way that he'll agree to the exchange,"said Hermione.

"What's that ?"Harry asked, his mind distracted by the possibility that Draco might actually be in trouble.

"He demands to see you."