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mhalachaiAfter almost three months...
Inevitable Seventy: The Other Boy
by Mhalachai
Disclaimer: Laurell K. Hamilton owns all things Anita Blake. J.K. Rowling owns all things Harry Potter. Only the story is my own.
Note: Recall Harry is a 17-year-old boy. Who has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Also, as a fun fact, this chapter encompasses almost a week of screen time, starting on Oct. 17 and going to Oct. 23 (which, incidentally, is the night of the full moon in IN land). If I say I wrote this in three days, please don't kill me.
Words: 10,329
Previous parts here.
~~~~~~~
Nothing.
Harry crumpled the shirt in his hands and threw it on the bed. Weeks of exhausting, futile research on Horcruxes, and what had they learned? Nothing.
Mind fixed firmly on Horcruxes, just as it had been for the last two weeks, Harry pulled his last shirt over his head and looked in the mirror.
"Little tight, isn't it, dear?" the mirror said, bored.
"Yes, it's a little tight," Harry said through clenched teeth. He stripped off the shirt and flung it onto the pile on the mattress. Why the hell did everything have to fall apart at once? No news on the Horcruxes, his class standings were tanking, Dumbledore was nowhere to be found, and to top it all off, he was supposed to be going to Hogsmeade with Ginny and Luna in less than an hour and he had nothing to wear.
Suddenly depressed, Harry slumped on his bed. If he put aside the mess with the Horcruxes, which was consuming his every thought, Harry would have given anything for Jason or Nathaniel to be there at that very moment. They'd know what to do for a date with two girls. They'd be able to help Harry find something to wear.
Or maybe they'd tell me to stop distracting myself with stupid stuff and get back to work on the Horcruxes. Harry pulled off his glasses and buried his face in his pillow. I've spent enough time over the last few weeks running and helping Hagrid and on Quidditch just to distract myself from how much I don't know about these stupid things. Why can't Dumbledore be around so I can talk to him?
At the heart of it, Harry knew that was the real problem. Everyone he had enlisted on the Horcruxes, Hermione and Ron and Luna and Ginny, all looked to him as if he knew what was going on, as if he had some kind of plan to destroy the Horcruxes once they were found. Harry felt like he was lying to them, when he said things would be okay.
How can anything be okay when it's going to be impossible to defeat Voldemort? Harry wondered for the millionth time. How can I destroy someone who has broken his soul up into seven pieces? How can I fight someone who's that crazy?
An old saying flitted across his mind, about fighting fire with fire, and Harry snorted into his pillow. The idea of bringing in someone as crazy as Voldemort to beat Voldemort was quite possibly the worst idea ever.
After a few minutes, the cold air on his skin was enough to goad Harry into movement. With a sigh, he hoisted himself up off the bed. and went back to his trunk. But as he dug around in the depth of his possessions, the idea wouldn't leave him.
What kind of fire could they use to fight Voldemort? They'd been focusing on the Horcruxes for so long, that maybe they were losing sight of the real goal. Harry had thought they needed to destroy the Horcruxes before they could kill Voldemort, but what if that wasn't the only option?
A spark of an idea was glowing small and tiny in the back of Harry's mind. He tried to chase it down, but every time he came close, it eluded him. Finally, he gave up in disgust. I'll figure it out after Hogsmeade, Harry promised himself.
In the end, his vanity won out over comfort. Harry pulled on a skin-tight brown t-shirt and tucked it into the waistband of his khaki pants. At least he wasn't wearing a shirt where he would burst the buttons, and anything was better than Dudley's second-hand clothes. Giving himself the once-over in the mirror, Harry had to admit that he didn't look bad. He wished he'd been able to keep the tan he'd acquired in St. Louis, and that he had clothes that didn't show so much of him, but it wasn't bad. With his cloak on over his clothes, no one would be able to tell how tight his shirt was.
The reflection in the mirror gave him an unhappy smile. His whole life felt like a lie these days. He couldn't talk about his vampire grandfather, or being an Animagus and the werewolf thing, or about how he didn't know how to stop Voldemort.
He wished he could talk to someone who would understand.
He wished he could call Anita, just for a few minutes.
Harry froze, his fingers deep in the fabric of his grey cloak.
Anita.
The tiny idea in his head crystallized, cold and painful. In all their searches for information in the library, they hadn't found any information on Horcruxes or on necromancy of any kind. Why hadn't Harry thought to ask Anita, the only necromancer he knew?
Stupid! Harry berated himself as he tossed his cloak over his shoulders. I can't believe I missed something that was right in front of my face the whole time!
In the common room, Gryffindors milled about, in the time before going down to Hogsmeade. The first and second years were caught up in the excitement, and the noise in the room was incredible.
Harry pushed his way through the crowd over to Hermione's side. "Is there a telephone in Hogsmeade?" he asked without preamble.
She looked up at him, startled. "What are you talking about?"
"Telephone?" he said. "Lets you ring up other people and carry on a conversation?"
"I know well what a telephone is, Harry," Hermione snapped back. She crossed her arms over her chest. "What put you in such a foul mood?"
"Never mind that," Harry said. "What about the telephone?"
Hermione stared at him as if he had lost his mind. "It's a Wizarding community, Harry, of course they don't have any telephones. They wouldn't need them."
"Fuck," Harry swore under his breath, burying his face in his hands. Frustration bubbled up in his chest. It was like he was trying to shovel sand with his hands, and every dead end was another tonne of sand blocking his way.
Hermione caught his elbow and dragged him over to the side of the room. "Harry, what is the matter with you?" she demanded. "Why do you all of a sudden need a telephone?"
Harry shook his head. "It was just an idea I had," he said. "Hey, do you think anyone will notice if I cut out on Hogsmeade and go to Edinburgh?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "Only Ginny and Luna, which if I recall correctly, you were supposed to take to Hogsmeade," she reminded him archly. "And the Weasley twins, whom you arranged to meet today to ask them about the you-know-what."
Harry's stomach lurched. He'd forgotten all about meeting the twins. He hadn't heard from them since he asked them to try to find Rowena Ravenclaw's wand. What was he going to do?
A tap him on the arm pulled Harry back. "What's going on?" Hermione asked again.
"I had an idea, that's all," Harry muttered.
Hermione stared at him for a long minute. Harry was not reassured by the expression on her face. "Were you going to call St. Louis?"
"How-- What are you talking about?" Harry stuttered.
With an annoyed huff, Hermione pulled Harry to the portrait hole and out into the corridor. She marched him along the hall until they came to a deserted section, where she let him go and put her hands on her hips. "All right, why are you suddenly so determined on calling St. Louis?"
"Why are you so convinced that I want to call St. Louis?" Harry demanded.
"Who else would you call?" Hermione pushed her hair back over her shoulder. "You don't have anyone else."
Even though her voice was soft, her deduction bit at Harry. "Why is this so important to you?" he asked. "Maybe I wanted to talk to someone, to get a second opinion, what's wrong with that?"
Hermione's face grew dark. "You've never wanted a second opinion before."
"Before what?" Harry exploded. "What is wrong with you today?"
"Nothing's wrong with me, you're the one who's changed!" Hermione snapped.
Harry gaped at her. Where had this come from?
"You're always out running around, sneaking into the Restricted Section, barely getting yourself out of trouble!" Hermione shook her head and stepped back from Harry. "And now you're about to go off and talk to her!"
Comprehension finally hit Harry. "What does this have to do with Anita?" he asked. "So what if I'm going to talk to her? It makes sense! The--" Harry quickly looked around, to make sure no one could hear. "The Horcruxes are linked with necromancy, and she's the only necromancer I know. Not asking her would be stupid!"
Hermione paled at his words. "Have you not listened to a single thing I have said in the last seven years? Necromancy is forbidden!"
Harry gave her a look. "Like we never bend the rules on--"
"I'm not talking about sneaking around, or using a Time Turner!" Hermione exclaimed. "This isn't a rule you can bend! It's evil magic, all of it, and--"
"Stop it!" Harry said, stepping back. His heart was pounding so hard suddenly that it hurt. "Necromancy isn't evil magic, we've had this discussion before and I'm not going to have it again! It's not magic that's evil, Hermione, it's what people do with that power. It's the reason Dumbledore isn't evil, but Voldemort is. The choices they made, the way they use their magic. Same as with necromancy."
"But you can't deny that users of certain types of magic have demonstrable tendencies--"
"Stop quoting from textbooks!" Harry put his hands on his hips, mostly so he had something to do with his hands besides making fists in frustration. "This isn't about books, it's about what happens in real life!"
Hermione glared at him. "That is exactly my point! What do you think will happen to you if the Ministry finds out you're talking to a necromancer? That you're asking her for information on necromancy?"
"Nothing, Hermione, that's what I think will happen," Harry said without thinking. "If they banish me, or send me to Azkaban, then who's going to stop Voldemort?"
Hermione blinked. "You can't be serious," she said after a few seconds of breathless silence. "You can't possibly be telling me that you've bought into this mess that you have to be the one to stop Voldemort, and damn the costs!"
"Who else is going to do it?" Harry asked. "When was the last time you saw Dumbledore? The Ministry isn't doing a damned thing--"
"Dumbledore hasn't abandoned us," Hermione said desperately. "And in spite of their politics, the Ministry is stacked to the brim with highly trained witches and wizards, some of whom were in the fight against Grindelwald. And then there are the rest of us!"
"What, a school full of frightened children?" Harry asked sarcastically. "Killer idea."
"I'm talking about us, about me and Ron and Luna and Ginny," Hermione told him. Harry knew her well enough to know she was furious: she had clenched her hands and she was almost vibrating with contained emotion. "Who decided that you had to do this yourself? Who made you Executioner?"
Harry couldn't help it. He laughed out loud at hearing Anita's nickname coming from Hermione's lips. "So that's what this is about?" he asked, stepping closer to Hermione and backing her against the wall, too close. He lifted his hand to her throat, using one finger to trace the edge of the chain on her necklace, the necklace he had given her. "You can't stand the thought that you're friends with a killer?"
Hermione's eyes were as wide as saucers. "You're not a killer," she said in a shaking voice. "You're not."
"Yes, I am," Harry said just as softly. He picked up the silver pendant, fingertips brushing the warm skin on her chest. "I killed Bellatrix Lestrange." He lifted his eyes from the pendant to Hermione's face. "I killed Quirrell when I was eleven, and no one said a word."
"That was different."
Harry let the pendant slide out of his hand. "No," he said. "It really wasn't." He backed away. "You may not like it, but you can't blame this on anyone else." He spread his arms wide. "This is the way I've always been."
Hermione was shaking her head. "It's not..." Her voice broke. "This isn't who you are."
Harry let his gaze drift up the wall, up the faded tapestry that hung on the stone. "In the end, does it really matter?"
He kept staring at the wall, even as Hermione brushed past him and hurried away. Above him, the dragon on the tapestry flamed the wizards over and over again, the threads glittering with dragon flame. The wizards' death throes were a little too realistic.
In the end, does it matter? Harry wondered. Every time things got bad between him and Hermione these days, they ended up fighting. He wasn't having real conversations with Ron any more, not the way they used to.
I haven't changed, not really, Harry told himself. The whole world's changed. We have to stop Voldemort before he hurts more people, and it's not pretty or nice, but it has to be done. Someone has to stop him.
He couldn't tell his friend that. He couldn't tell them that he didn't expect to walk away from this fight with Voldemort.
More than that, he couldn't tell them that the thought of dying didn't frighten him anymore.
~~~~
"So, are you going to tell us what's wrong?" Luna asked as they walked down the street in Hogsmeade, passed on all sides by excited children.
"Nothing's wrong," Harry said automatically.
On his other side, Ginny snorted. "Yeah, and we believe that as much as all those other times you say it."
Harry shook his head. "I just had a difference of opinion with Hermione, nothing big."
Ginny leaned forward to look at Luna. "They had a fight," she clarified.
"We didn't have a fight," Harry protested feebly.
"Hermione never has a difference of opinion with anyone," Ginny retorted. "Go on, now, tell us what it was about and you'll feel better."
You're on a date with a killer who's not thrown into spasms of terror at the mention of necromancy, how's that? Harry glanced around them, unconsciously taking in the worried way the adults moved in the streets, how the Aurors were stationed at the corners of buildings. "Just an old argument, that's all."
Luna slipped her hand into his. "Do you want to go find her now?"
"No, that's... that's not a good idea," Harry said. He was faintly proud of how he managed to keep his voice level. Hermione had made it clear she didn't want to talk to him, when he'd approached her in the Hall before the Hogsmeade trip, and he was out of energy to deal with it. "I'll see her later."
Luna tightened her grip, making Harry feel just the tiniest bit better.
"Do you want to go look for your Halloween costume?" Ginny asked, changing the subject. She bumped her shoulder against Harry's arm. "We have less than two weeks to figure it out."
"Huh?" For Harry, two weeks to decide on a costume seemed like a terribly long time. "Not really..." From the look on Ginny's face, it was clear he had missed something. He quickly thought that through. "But if you want to go look at stuff, that would be fun."
Ginny beamed at him, and he let out a quick breath in relief. Why were girls so complicated? "Come on, Luna, this'll be fun," Ginny said, catching Luna's hand and pulling her along, away from Harry.
Harry had to hurry across the wet street. He finally caught up with the girls inside of the dress shop. They wedged their way along the racks, squeezing in with a large number of Hogwarts students. Glancing around, Harry realized he was the only boy in the shop. "Hey, Ginny?"
"Yes?" she asked, wistfully fingering a length of sparkling blue cloth.
Harry felt something twist uncomfortably in his chest, as he watched Ginny stroke the beautiful costume he knew she couldn't afford. The part of his brain still capable of rational thought knew she would be angry if he offered to buy her a costume for the party, but he wanted to do anything to take that look of longing off her face.
"Harry, what are you going to wear?" Luna asked, saving him from making a fool of himself. "If we're going together, we should match."
"Match?" Harry echoed.
Ginny pulled herself together and gave Harry the once-over. "We can all go as Quidditch players," she suggested.
Luna shook her head as she leaned toward Ginny. Harry watched Luna whisper in Ginny's ear, her lips moving a hairsbreadth from the pink shell of the other girl's skin, and he felt a wave of warmth wash over him, that had nothing to do with the close-packed shop.
Ginny's face brightened, and she laughed as Luna pulled back. "That's brilliant!" Ginny exclaimed.
"What's brilliant?" Harry asked, wanting to be in on the joke.
Luna turned to him. "Can you dress as a Viking?" she asked. "Like Damian?"
Harry hesitated for a moment. "Are you sure?" he asked, not sure how to respond.
"Yes, I'm sure," Luna said, linking her arm with Ginny. "You dress as a Viking, and we'll go as witches from that era."
"Except we'll have better teeth and hair," Ginny said with a sly grin.
"And a better sense of hygiene," Luna added. "Wait here, Harry, we'll be back in a few minutes."
The girls vanished into the crowd, and Harry was left staring at the spot where they had been. He wasn't quite sure what had just happened. "Apparently I'm going to the dance as a Viking," he muttered.
He wondered what Damian would say when he found out that Harry was going to a costume party as a Viking. Would he mind? He'd probably have a few choice words on the logic of that, emphasis on few. Anita would probably have a lot more to say.
With that thought, Harry's good mood was punctured. He hadn't figured a way to get to a phone to call Anita, to ask her for her help with the Horcruxes, and he had a desperate sense that he was running out of time.
He needed to get word to her somehow. An owl was out of the question; anyone could intercept it. If Harry could have found Dumbledore, he might have asked the man to get a message out of the school, but even though the Headmaster was healed and around, Harry hadn't been able to talk to him in weeks.
Harry wedged himself in against the wall and watched the bustle of girls move around the shop. If Hermione's reaction that morning was any indication, there wasn't anyone at Hogwarts who Harry could ask for help.
No one I can ask to do this for me, he thought, pushing down the increasingly familiar panic. I wish... I don't even know what I want anymore, other than to stop this.
"Hi, Harry," came a giggling voice from his left.
Automatically, Harry straightened up as he turned. "Hello," he replied as his eyes found the speaker. It was Romilda Vane, a sixth-year Gryffindor, with several of her friends.
"What are you doing here?" Romilda asked.
Harry pasted a smile on his face. "Waiting for someone," he said.
The determined look on Romilda's face never faltered. "Are you going to the Halloween party?" she asked.
"Yes, I am."
"In fact," Ginny said, coming around the group of girls, Luna in tow, "We're all going." She gave Romilda an unfriendly glare.
Romilda pressed her lips together. Before she could say anything, Luna put herself between Ginny and Romilda, seemingly by coincidence. "We have to go," Luna said in a dreamy voice. "We have twins to meet."
"Yeah, we're going to be late," Harry said, placing his hand on Ginny's lower back, a gentle touch. She shook herself slightly, but part of the tension in her bled away. After a moment, Ginny let Luna guide her out of the shop, Harry just behind them. As much as he wanted to, Harry resisted looking back at Romilda.
Once outside the shop, Ginny pulled ahead. "I'm going to The Three Broomsticks," she said over her shoulder. "I'll see you there."
Harry's protest died on his lips when Luna dug her elbow into his side. Once Ginny was out of earshot, he turned to Luna. "What was that about?"
"Romilda has a crush on you," Luna said calmly. She pulled out her wand and shrunk her shopping bag, before slipping the bag into her pocket. "And she knows you like Ginny, and she's not being very nice about it."
Harry stopped in his tracks. "How can she do that?" he sputtered. "That's--"
"That's the way it is," Luna continued. She hooked her hand through Harry's arm and moved them along the street. "Ginny's able to deal with it. She's never liked Romilda, and Romilda has never liked her."
"But they live in the same dorm," Harry said, trying to understand. "How do they live together if they hate each other?"
Luna shrugged. "What would you do if you had to live with someone you didn't like?"
Harry remembered back to fourth year, and those horrible weeks when he and Ron were fighting. It had been terribly uncomfortable in the dorm. "I dunno, fight?"
Luna sighed. "I don't understand boys."
"The feeling's mutual," Harry grumbled.
Giving his arm a squeeze, Luna said, "It'll be okay. Ginny can take care of herself."
Harry glanced down at Luna, her blue eyes wide. He thought he detected a faint hint of worry in her gaze, but he didn't know if he should say anything. "Yeah, I guess she can."
Luna smiled. "She's smart like that." Then she looked back at the street. "What are the twins like?"
"They're okay," Harry said. "They like to tease, but normally only with the family. You should be safe. Just don't eat anything they offer you unless Ginny says it's okay."
With that, Harry opened the door to the pub. He let Luna go ahead of him and took a moment to close the door behind him.
When he turned around, he saw Fred and George at the bar, talking with Elsa.
What the fuck is going on? Harry thought furiously, his mind already racing. It took him a moment to realize that something was wrong with the situation, besides Elsa chatting with the Weasley twins.
Why the hell does she look the same age as the twins? Harry wondered if he was mistaken, if the young woman he was looking at was a case of mistaken identity, when she glanced up at the door. It was certainly Elsa. She saw him and gave him a tiny smirk, before turning her attention back to the twins.
"Harry?"
"Yeah?" With enormous effort, Harry tore his gaze off the blonde witch, and focused on Luna. "What?"
"I see Ginny and Ron," Luna said, pointing across the room. "Do you want to do join them?"
"Sure," Harry lied. He glanced at Elsa once more. "Let's go."
Pushing their way through the crowd of people was a good excise to avoid talking, which was just as well, because Harry was at a total loss for words. Elsa in Hogsmeade was not a good thing. Elsa in disguise and talking to the Weasley twins in Hogsmeade was, in Harry's mind, several times worse.
Has something happened in St. Louis? he wondered, panic growing in his gut. I haven't had any dreams with Anita recently, maybe something happened and no one told me. Maybe--
His increasingly frantic train of thought came to a screeching halt when he and Luna arrived at the table. Tucked in the corner, out of sight from the door, was Hermione.
"Hi," Harry said stupidly as Luna sat beside Ginny. "Uh, what have you been up to?"
"Just walking around," Ron said, nudging Hermione. She looked up, and nodded awkwardly.
Okay. "So, who wants drinks? My treat."
"How about a butterbeer?" Ron said. He nudged Hermione again. "What do you say?"
Hermione took a deep breath. "Yes, that sounds nice," she said. It sounded forced, but at least it wasn't the start of an argument.
"Right," Harry said, relived. "Ginny? Luna?"
The girls exchanged a look. "I'll have a hot chocolate," Ginny said.
"Tea," Luna said, and smiled nervously.
That sounded easy enough. "I'll be right back," Harry said. Without taking off his cloak, he wound his way between the occupied seats to the bar in the direction of the twins and Elsa.
"Hey, Harry!" Fred called as Harry came close. "Almost didn't recognize you! How's it going?"
"It's good," Harry said, stopping beside George. "How about you?"
"Can't complain," George said with a grin at Madame Rosmerta as the woman placed two glasses on the counter, and took Harry's order with practiced ease. "We were just explaining the intricacies of the English joke shop hierarchy to this young lady."
Elsa, leaning against the bar in a well-cut robe, smiled lazily at Harry. "I never knew that jokes could be such serious business," she said in a thick German accent. She held out her right hand.
Is she left handed? Harry wondered frantically. He didn't want to let Elsa shake his wand hand, just in case... No, she wasn't going to hurt him in a crowded pub. Probably.
He shook her hand, feeling the slight bones in her hand steady under his fingers. If she was wearing a glamour, it sure felt real. "Harry Potter."
Elsa's smile grew slightly feral. "Mr. Potter, I have read so much about you," she breathed. "Elsa Christensen."
Harry took his hand back, resisting the urge to wipe his palm on his cloak. "A pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
Fred picked up the drink mugs. "We'd best be getting back to our table," he said. "Remember, Elsa, if you're ever in Diagon Alley, come by the shop."
"We always have discounts for pretty visitors," George added.
Elsa smiled at the twins as they left, then turned to Harry. The smile never left her face, but now it seemed fake. "Buying drinks for the pretty girls?" she mocked in an undertone, accent gone.
"For my friends," Harry corrected, leaning on the counter and waiting for Madame Rosmerta to come back. "Why are you here?"
Elsa let out a low chuckle that was far too grown up for the child's body Harry knew was in there somewhere, a sound that made Harry think things that were completely inappropriate and just plain wrong. "Going on a lion hunt," she whispered, inching closer to him. "Maybe I was wanting to ensure my investment was safe."
"That doesn't explain why you were talking to my friends," Harry ground out.
"Perhaps I wanted some companionship," Elsa said. "You too have figured out the adage that two heads are better than one."
Harry clenched his jaw for a moment. "Leave them alone," he said. "Just leave the twins alone."
"Why?"
"Because it's like a lie," Harry told her, not sure why he was so upset. "It's a lie to them, and it's not fair to anyone."
Elsa gave him a strange look, but miraculously, she didn't say anything.
"Look," Harry said, making himself push his discomfort away. "Can you get a message to Anita?"
Elsa arched an eyebrow. "Do I look like an owl?"
"Just talk to her about the Horcruxes," Harry said as quietly as he could. "It's her kind of magic, right?"
Elsa's feral smile was back. "Dear me," she mocked. "The dear little paladin, seeking redemption in forbidden magic's arms."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Harry demanded.
With a snort, Elsa pushed herself away from the bar. "It means, Harry, that you are not going to get out of this in one piece," she whispered in his ear, her breath moving his hair. A shudder ran down his spine as he managed to stop himself from shoving her away. "And I will not be there to pick up the pieces."
With that cryptic pronouncement, Elsa left. Harry stared at a gouge in the wood of the bar. "Never asked you to," he muttered.
"Pardon me, dear?" Madame Rosmerta asked as she placed the tray with his drink order on the bar.
"Nothing," Harry said. "But thanks."
She smiled at him. "Go on, then, join your friends."
What if I'm not sure my friends want me to join them? Harry wondered, but he obligingly picked up the tray and carried it across the room. When he reached the table, Fred was tormenting Ginny with something small with purple feathers. George and Ron were snickering, Hermione rolled her eyes with long-suffering resignation, and Luna was watching the whole affair with wide eyes. Harry caught Luna's eye, and winked.
"So, Harry," George said, as if continuing a recent conversation, "What do you think of the Appleby Arrows' chances in the standings this year?"
Harry shrugged as he passed Ginny her hot chocolate. "I haven't been paying much attention to Quidditch this year," he confessed.
"What?" Fred said, pressing his hand over his heart. "Is the world ending, with Harry Potter not paying attention to Quidditch?"
Harry knew it was a joke, but he still felt the pressing panic flutter in his chest, panic that he wouldn't be good enough, fast enough, and Voldemort would win. He faked a smile. "World's not ending yet."
"There are other things in life than Quidditch," Hermione added.
"Oh really?" George asked. "Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know," Hermione snapped, lowering her voice under the din of the crowd. "How about Voldemort trying to take over the Wizarding World? Or wanting to kill off all muggle-born, how's that for a distraction from Quidditch?"
Ron put his arm around her shoulders. "Hey, Hermione, it's okay," he said.
"It's not okay, Ron," she told him, still glaring at George. "It's never going to be okay until this is over."
Harry poured himself some tea and took a bracing sip before setting his mug on the table. "Were you two able to find out that information we asked about?" he asked the twins.
George looked between Hermione and Harry, a frown playing on his face. "Yeah, we did, but first we want to know why you want to know it."
Harry shook his head. "No, first we talk about Olivander, then we can go somewhere else and talk about this."
"Why--" Fred began, but Ginny cut him off.
"Just tell us, will you?" she demanded. "We'll tell you afterward."
"The twins exchanged a glance. "All right," Fred said, leaning in. "So you wanted to know about a wand of cherry and unicorn hair in Olivander's possession that might have belonged to the illustrious Rowena Ravenclaw?"
"A task not made easy by the old man's disappearance from London," George added.
"But we persevered..."
"Working long hours into the night..."
"Sometimes without food or rest."
Ginny snorted. "You had me until the food part."
George raised his eyebrows. "You're one to talk about food, darling sister."
"The wand?" Ron said, tapping his bottle against the table. "Before we die of old age?"
"Right." Fred shifted his chair closer to the table and leaned in conspiratorially. "You have to understand, this took a great deal of research and fancy footwork."
"But, in the end, we learned a great deal." George pulled a small book from his pocket. The object appeared very old, and when George opened the cover, Harry could see that the contents were handwritten. "This here is a journal from an innkeeper in Wales, about a hundred years after Hogwarts was built."
"Tells the story of an up-and-coming wandmaker named Olivander," Fred continued. "Seems he had a great treasure of a wand, built by a real master of the craft. The journal says the wand was once owned by a witch of incredible power."
"Ravenclaw?" Hermione asked, pulling the journal out of George's grasp.
"Very likely," George said. "But here's the best part. That Olivander was so proud of this wand, that whenever he set up shop, he placed it on a purple cushion and set it at the front of his workspace."
"A tradition that seems to have been kept up in the family, even when the current Olivander's son was killed in their shop in the years before You-Know-Who came to power last time," Fred finished. "So? How did we do?"
Hermione said something, but Harry wasn't listening. His mind was racing, trying to remember why this story sound so very familiar.
Who was it, talking to me about wands from Olivander's shop? Harry wondered. He glared at his cup of tea, as if the amber liquid would give him the answers. It was recent... something to do with Snape...
Realization washed over Harry like an icy wave. Neville!
What was it Neville had said, that day back in September? It had been after the Defence Against the Dark Arts class when Snape attacked Harry, and Harry had used Neville's wand. Neville said he got the wand from Olivander, the wand from the cushion at the front of the shop! He said it was very powerful and it didn't feel like any other wand he'd ever used! Neville has to have Rowena Ravenclaw's wand!
The momentary elation of solving the puzzle fell away, as Harry's mind completed the last part of the puzzle. The fourth Horcrux is in Neville's wand. No, the fourth Horcrux is Neville's wand!
How the hell can I tell him that?
"Harry?" Luna laid her fingers on his wrist. "Are you okay?"
Harry blinked and looked up. Everyone was staring at him. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said. "Just trying to remember some stuff."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, but didn't say anything. On her other side, Fred rapped on the table. "All right, our side of the bargain is done. Spill."
All eyes fell on Harry. "What?"
"It's your story," Ron said.
"Only because you can't think of a way to say it without sounding like an idiot."
Ron grinned. "Neither can you, but that never stops you."
Ginny shook her head. "Why are boys like this?" she asked Luna.
The corner of the blonde's mouth quirked up in a half-smile. "They can't help it."
Harry set down his teacup, somewhat pleased that his hand didn't shake. "We somehow muddle along," he said, wishing he could smile the panic away. Neville's wand might have a piece of Voldemort's soul in it, and I'm supposed to be calm? "But yeah." He tried to think of how to explain the Horcruxes to Fred and George. "So."
"And?" Fred asked.
"Yes," George retorted.
Harry took a deep breath and plunged in, keep his voice quiet. "So Voldemort decided it would be a good idea to cheat death by breaking his soul into pieces and stick those pieces into a number of... I don't know, things, so if his body was destroyed he wouldn't die."
Fred and George blinked in unison.
"And Voldemort stuck his soul into things that had some kind of meaning, because he's, you know, insane. Dumbledore has the first three Horcruxes, but he thinks there are a total of seven pieces and we need to find the remaining four."
"And you think the wand is one of them?" George asked slowly.
"Yup." Harry poured himself more tea. "And we can't figure out how to destroy them, or even think of where the rest might be, or how we're going to stop Voldemort. And how was your summer?"
"Harry," Hermione chastised. "There's no need to be flippant."
"I don't know, I like it," Harry told her, an edge of his inner turmoil slipping out into his voice. "Sure I can be dour and 'end of the world' like some people, but that gets old after a while, what do you think?"
Ginny pushed her chair back from the table in a clatter. "Hermione, Luna, let's go shopping," she said brightly.
Luna slowly stood. "I do need to go to the... um..."
"Bookstore!" Ginny finished for her. "Come on, Hermione."
Hermione pulled her cloak around her shoulders and stood up, glaring at Harry. Without a word, she stalked off. Luna gave Harry a look he couldn't decipher, and followed her.
Ginny took a moment to hug the twins, and swat Ron on the shoulder. "Have fun talking," she said to them. Then she turned to Harry. "Do you want us to talk to her?"
And say what? Tell her that I'm not turning into Voldemort? "No. But thanks."
She smiled at him, so breathtakingly beautiful in that instant, and then she was gone.
Fred let out a low whistle. "You sure do have a way with the ladies, Harry," he said.
"Emphasis on the plural," George said. He narrowed his eyes at Harry. "What's up with our sister, mate?"
"Lay off, guys," Ron said before Harry could reply. "It's okay."
George turned on him. "Oh, really?"
"Really." Ron leaned back in his chair and rubbed at his eyes. "Harry, what is with you and Hermione?"
"Ask her," Harry said shortly. "She's the one with the problem."
Ron gave him an unfriendly look. "No, I'm the one with the problem, and that's you being a pain in the--"
"As much fun as it is to watch you two bicker," George interrupted, "Can we get back to the part about these Horcruxes?"
"No, I want to talk about Harry's girl problems instead," Fred said. He set his elbows on the table. "Let's talk about this thing you have with older women."
Harry was starting to wish he had gone with the girls, even if it meant another fight with Hermione. "If you're talking about Elsa, I was just there and she was..." She's a four-hundred-year-old witch and a vampire's human servant and most of the time she looks twelve. "I don't know, girls do that stuff sometimes."
"What about that woman at the train station, back last month?" George asked.
"Huh?"
"Short, muggle?" George fixed Harry with a glare. "Seem to recall you kissed her before you bolted for the train?"
"What are you-- Oh, Anita. What about her?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Don't ask Harry about this kind of stuff, he gets stupid," he told the twins. "Anita's the friend he spent the summer with in St. Louis."
"Good friend," George said. "Didn't know muggles were allowed onto the platform at King's Cross."
"She's not really a muggle," Harry began, but then he caught movement across the room. Neville Longbottom was standing at the bar, paying Madame Rosmerta as he pulled on his cloak. All rational thought fled, and Harry found himself getting to his feet. "I'll see you guys later."
"No, I think you should stay," Fred said, all joking gone from his voice.
Harry glanced down. The twins had similarly serious expressions on their faces. They probably want to talk about the Horcruxes, Harry thought. "Look, talk to Ron, I have to go." To Ron, he said, "I'll meet you guys back at school, there's something I need to do."
Without waiting for Ron to answer, Harry pushed his way through the crowd and followed Neville out onto the street. He hung back while Neville said goodbye to the people he was with, and headed down the street.
"Neville!" Harry shouted, running after the other boy. "Hey, got a minute?"
Neville nodded. "I saw you talking to the Weasley twins, how are they?"
"Oh, they're fine." Now that Harry had Neville, he had no idea what to say. Your wand has a piece of Voldemort's soul in it seemed out. "Are you going anywhere?"
"I was thinking of heading back to school. I have a herbology project to work on."
"Can I go with you?"
Neville frowned, then shrugged. "If you want."
"Yeah, I do." The boys turned in the direction of Hogwarts, silent as Harry tried to figure out what to say.
He had to tell Neville about the Horcruxes, he knew that. Sure, Dumbledore had been hesitant to talk about them, but Harry had told Ron and Hermione and Ginny and Luna and the twins, and the world hadn't ended.
Does it really matter if everyone in the whole world knows? Harry wondered. It won't change the fact that we can't find them.
Although it might tip Voldemort off that we know about them. That would be bad.
Harry sighed. He really had no choice, and Neville would keep his mouth shut. Neville was good with secrets. "Hey, Neville, I've got something to tell you."
Neville took the story, which lasted the entire walk back to Hogwarts, surprisingly well. Or at least that was what Harry thought as he followed Neville into one of the greenhouses.
Once the door was closed, Neville tore off his cloak and threw it at the table. Harry stayed by the door, shocked into stillness. Neville paced down the length of the row. After a minute, he turned back and pulled out his wand. With a shaking hand, he set the wand on the table, staring at it as if it was a poisonous snake.
"You think that You-Know-Who put a piece of his soul into my wand," Neville said.
"Well, before it was your wa--" Harry shut his mouth when he saw the look on Neville's face. "Yes."
Neville was breathing hard. "Take it," he said abruptly. "Take it, burn it, I don't care!"
"Neville--"
"How did you expect me to react?" Neville shouted. "I thought the wand was powerful because of me, because I was getting stronger! Now you tell me that it's because the man who destroyed my parents left a bit of his soul in the wand?"
"It's Rowena Ravenclaw's wand!" Harry exclaimed. "That might be why it's so powerful! The other Horcruxes just feel like normal objects, not weird at all!" He kicked the table leg. "Besides, I don't think burning the wand would help."
Neville crossed his arms over his chest, staring down at his wand. "You said that You-Know-Who had to kill someone to make one of these Horcruxes?"
"Yeah." Harry slumped against the table.
"So he killed someone near this wand." Neville backed away from the table, and went over to a tray of tiny sprouts. The green leaves let out a crooning when Neville brushed his fingers over them. "He actually killed someone."
"He killed a lot of people."
"But he killed someone just because of this wand," Neville stressed. "Not because he was angry, or scared, just because he could gain something?"
Harry looked at his shoes. "Yeah."
"Why does this stuff have to be happening to us?" Neville wondered. "Hasn't it been enough?"
Harry shrugged. "There's no point in thinking like that."
"Why not?"
"Doesn't change anything." He pushed himself up off the table. "Look, you should keep the wand."
Neville shook his head. "I don't want it."
"Neville..." How could Harry explain? "Until we can figure out a way to destroy these things, we need to keep them safe."
"Can't you put it with the others? The ones Dumbledore has?"
Harry could have said yes. He could have taken the wand and gone down into the Horcrux cavern, but some strange feeling made him hold his tongue. "You can't just not have a wand, people will notice."
"I'll get another..."
"And if Voldemort finds out that suddenly a wand's missing, and that wand might be here at Hogwarts? Come on, Neville, right now he probably thinks that Olivander has the wand! If he thinks that, he won't look here, and we have a chance at keeping this one from him!"
"All right!" Neville shouted. "I'll keep it!" He didn't move toward the wand.
"Fine," Harry said, feeling deflated. "Look, I have to go."
"Right." Neville waited until Harry was at the door before saying, "You told me that one of the Horcruxes was in a diary?"
"That's right," Harry said, pausing at the door. "Why?"
Neville looked up finally, his eyes burning. "And the diary made Ginny go crazy?"
Harry's mouth went dry. "Not exactly..."
"Right." Neville set his jaw. "I'll keep that in mind."
Without a word, Harry turned the door handle, and left the greenhouse, walking back into the cutting cold air.
~~~
"It's been a week."
"I know."
"You should talk to her." Luna paced along beside Harry. "She's your friend."
Harry shrugged. He was jittery and restless and he couldn't stay still, which was why Luna had agreed to go for a walk after breakfast with him. The pouring rain outside had kept them in the castle. "If Hermione wants to be mad at me, it's her problem."
"No, it's not," Luna said. "It's our problem."
"Why is it your problem?" Harry asked, perplexed. He was finding it hard to think. It can't be the full moon tonight, he told himself as he looked down at Luna. I'm not going to be a werewolf, even if Reece clawed me up last month. Richard did it too, and I was fine.
"Because it makes you sad, and you're my friend," Luna said practically. She stopped at the end of the corridor and leaned against the wall, looking up at Harry. "We have enough going on without seeking discord among our companions."
Her choice of words was so perfect, so Luna, that Harry smiled. He stepped closer to her, but she didn't move away or tell him to stop. So near to her, Harry could smell the soft floral scent of her hair, could feel the warmth from her body through her robes.
Luna's eyes grew wide as Harry stared at her. "What?"
Harry shook his head, leaning closer. "Just thinking."
"About what?" she whispered.
Harry wasn't thinking, he was reacting, feeling, and what he wanted to feel right then was Luna. "This," he breathed, then kissed her.
He concentrated on keeping the kiss light, his lips brushing over hers. She responded, tentatively kissing him back.
Encouraged, Harry put one hand on her waist, feeling the curve of her hip under her robes. A million thoughts crowded into his head, making him want to do things that he suspected Luna wouldn't allow, not standing in a public corridor in the school on a Friday morning--
"Potter! Lovegood!"
Harry broke the kiss and whirled around, putting himself between Luna and the interloper. Professor Snape was barreling down on them, glaring and furious. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Having a private conversation!" Harry shot back.
Snape sneered. "If this is how you define talking, Potter, it's amazing no one's killed you yet!" The teacher switched his sallow glare to Luna. "Lovegood, get to class!"
Luna jumped at the sound of her name, and hurried away. She threw Harry an apologetic glance as she vanished around the corner.
Snape drew himself up. "Twenty points from Gryffindor, Potter," he said, sounding disgusted. "Now get to class."
Harry didn't move.
Snape took a step towards Harry, his eyes narrowing. "You'll soon be singing a different tune, boy," he sneered. "Thirty points."
Not trusting himself to speak, Harry stepped around Snape, his eyes never leaving the man's face. He couldn't explain why, but he knew that if he stopped watching Snape, the man could attack, and that was something Harry could not allow.
It wasn't until Harry was far away from Snape that he allowed himself to relax a fraction. He didn't want to think about how easy it was from him to switch from the lust of kissing Luna, to wanting a fight and bloodshed.
His mood was not improved as he neared the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Immediately outside the closed door stood Draco Malfoy and his Slytherin cronies. Malfoy looked paler and even more ferrety than normal, and Harry didn't think twice as he veered toward the other boy. He hadn't forgiven Malfoy for his crack about Reece the previous month.
Before Harry could get close enough, Hermione suddenly appeared in his path, and he had to pull up short to avoid running her down. "Harry," she said, "Hi."
Harry looked at her, then at Malfoy, then back at Hermione. "I thought you weren't talking to me. Remember?"
She flushed a bright red. "Can you come with me?" she pressed, stuttering slightly.
Harry let out a breath. He somehow managed to dampen his desire for a fight, and trailed along after Hermione, past the gaggle of Ravenclaws, to where Ron was leaning against the wall beside Neville. "Hi," Ron said.
"Hey." Harry gave Neville a nod. "So, what's up?"
Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. "How do you feel?" Ron asked.
"Why does every conversation we've had in the past three days always start with that?" Harry snapped. "I'm fine. In fact, I'm better than fine. Am I going to have to tattoo that on my forehead?"
Ron didn't look convinced. "Are you sure? You were all jumpy this morning."
Harry was tempted to bang his head into the wall, but managed to restrain himself. "I'm always jumpy like this before Defence."
Another shared glance. "Maybe it's the.... um, you know?" Hermione said weakly.
"The what?"
"You know," Ron supplied. "The..." He glanced over at Neville, who was watching the bizarre exchange with bemusement. "The 'grr'."
Harry sighed. "It's not that."
"Are you sure?"
"Remember how we had this conversation a month ago?"
"Remember what happened the night after we had that conversation?" Ron retorted.
Harry had to think hard about that one. The day of the last full moon, he had stood in the moonlight and didn't change into a werewolf. What happened after that?
Oh, right! That thing with Reece biting me!
"It's not that," Harry said earnestly. "Promise."
"How can you know that?" Ron asked.
Harry looked around, trying to think of a way to prove to Ron and Hermione that he wasn't going to turn into a slavering beast. His eyes fell on Hermione. "Give me your necklace," he said. "The one I brought you from St. Louis."
Hermione didn't move.
The pit of Harry's stomach dropped. Hermione had worn that silver locket since Harry had given it to her, but they had been avoiding each other all week. Had she taken the necklace off?
While Harry was worrying, Hermione slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out the tangled chain. She held it out to him without a word.
Carefully, Harry took the necklace from her palm, fingers brushing her skin. Without looking at her, he untangled the chain, then ran his thumb over the silver pendant. It felt cool in his palm, the metal inert.
"See?" he said after a minute. "Right as rain." He handed Hermione back her necklace just as Snape stormed down the corridor.
"Everybody, inside!" Snape snapped, flinging the door open.
Harry saw Ron roll his eyes at the teacher's dramatics, and a tiny bit of tension in Harry's chest eased. Things still weren't right with Hermione, but at least she was talking to him again. He'd just ignore the fact that she only done it because she was worried he might become a werewolf.
As he pushed into the classroom, Harry walked past Malfoy. Something about the way the other boy was standing triggered a tiny spark of remembrance in Harry's mind. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out where it was from.
Something about... I don't know, something! Harry thought, confused at why he couldn't remember what he wanted. What could it be?
"Quills and ink only to the desks!" Snape was saying. "No books, no bags, no parchment!"
"What's happening?" Harry asked Ron as they dug in their bags for quills.
"I dunno, maybe notes or something?" Ron suggested.
"Then won't we need parchment?" Harry said, distracted as Hermione put her necklace back around her throat.
Snape solved the mystery by rearranging the desks with a wave of his wand. "Sit!" Once the class was seated, he handed out parchment to the students, then whipped his wand in the direction of the chalkboard. A piece of chalk began writing out sentences. "You have until class is over to finish this test. Begin!"
Harry gaped at Snape. There had not been a single class since school started where Snape didn't have them running around, learning new curses and defences. They'd never had a written test. Why now?
Confused, Harry picked up his quill and uncapped his inkwell before looking at the test questions on the board. The quills of other students were already scratching on paper when Harry finally focused on the words.
1. Explain Inferii.
2. Explain the identifying characteristics of Inferii.
3. Explain how to stop Inferii.
Harry frowned. Had they ever gone over this in class? He was drawing a blank.
Well, Inferi are sort of like the zombies Anita raises, right? he reasoned. At least I know how to deal with them. Harry let his gaze linger on the back of Malfoy's pointy head, then settled down to writing.
~~~
Harry lay still on the sofa in the Gryffindor common room, eyes tracking Ginny as she walked across the room. He kept watching her as she bounced over to the sofa and landed beside him. "What are you doing?" she asked brightly.
"Nothing," he said, shifting his weight to let her cuddle up to him. "What are you doing?"
She shrugged. "Not homework, that's for sure. It's Friday night."
"No potions?" he teased.
She made a face. "I don't need to. Slughorn is a way better teacher than Snape."
"Looks better in a dress, too," Harry said.
Ginny twisted around to give him a look. "What are you on about?"
"Beats me."
She frowned at him, then cuddled back down. Her hair smelled like smoky rosemary, and Harry breathed in deeply. It was like home, and he couldn't figure out when rosemary had ever smelled so good.
"Luna told me what happened this morning," Ginny said.
"Mmmh?"
She edged away so she could look at Harry. "That you, you know. Kissed her."
"Oh." Harry blinked at her. "Is that... you know?"
"It's fine," Ginny said quickly. "I'm just feeling a little left out, that's all."
Harry bit his lower lip. "You're a very strange girlfriend, do you know that?"
Ginny arched an eyebrow. "Your point?"
Harry thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. "I guess that was my point."
"Good, then."
In spite of all that, Harry wasn't expecting Ginny to kiss him in full view of the entire Gryffindor common room, but he wasn't in any mood to argue with her.
A gagging sound pulled Harry back to reality. Ron was standing by the end of the sofa, making faces. "McGonagall wants to see you, Harry," he said when he could get the words out.
Harry contemplated letting her wait, but even his logic-impaired brain knew that was a bad idea. Giving Ginny an apologetic grin, he hoisted himself off the sofa and headed after Ron.
McGonagall and Tonks were waiting in the hall outside Gryffindor tower. Tonks gave him a small wave of welcome. "Thank you, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said. "Mr. Potter, with us."
"Sure," Harry said. "Later, Ron." Following the Professor and the Auror down the hall in silence was tolerable for only a few minutes. Then Harry said, "How's it going, Tonks?"
"Going good," she said in response. Her lavender hair bounced down her back as she walked, and Harry was having a very hard time remembering that she was Remus's girlfriend and he had two girlfriends and he wasn't really allowed to look as she walked, but-- "... and you'll be seeing less of me after Halloween."
"Why?" he blurted out, taking quick steps to walk beside her.
"Changing of the guard," Tonks said with a laugh. "The new Aurors are going to be here next Thursday, and we'll be heading out the following Sunday."
Harry did some quick math in his head. "So you're going to have a double shift here during the Halloween party?"
"Yes."
"Why? Are you expecting trouble? Is something going to happen?" He almost tripped over his own feet. "Where are we going?"
Something flickered in Tonks's eyes, but she didn't respond. McGonagall cleared her throat. "We are going to the infirmary," the Professor said.
"Again, why? Ma'am," he amended quickly.
"Mr. Potter..."
"Is it the full moon thing?" Harry pressed. "Is something wrong with Reece?"
The look McGonagall gave him could almost be described as pity. "No, Mr. Potter. It's not Reece."
Harry couldn't think of a way to explain he wasn't a werewolf, not without sounding like he was in denial, so he stayed silent for the rest of the walk to the infirmary. It was easier that way.
Harry was expecting Reece and Madame Pomfrey. He wasn't expecting to see Dumbledore, and it made him pull up short.
"Ah, Harry," Dumbledore said. Reece's head shot up, and even at this distance Harry could see that the boy's eyes were a bright grey, instead of the normal brown. "Thank you for coming."
Harry didn't say anything as he strode across the infirmary to Reece's side. The young boy was still dressed, but he was hunched over himself. The change wasn't far off.
"You will need to take this," Dumbledore continued, handing Harry a wooden spoon.
"For?"
"It's a portkey, Harry," Dumbledore said as Reece pressed himself against Harry's side. "It will take you and young Reece here to a cavern underneath Hogwarts for you to spend the evening."
Harry looked at the spoon. How many caverns were there under Hogwarts, anyway? "I need to talk to you about something, sir," Harry tried.
Dumbledore nodded. "Perhaps in the morning?"
"Sure, I guess." Harry wanted to insist on talking to Dumbledore at that very moment, but Reece shuddered against Harry. They were out of time.
"Albus, I must insist on this being a bad idea," McGonagall interjected. "What if something goes wrong--"
"Reece isn't going to eat me, are you?" Harry asked the boy.
Reece pulled enough of himself together to shake his head. "No, won't eat... Harry..." He shuddered again.
"Sir?" Harry said, alarmed.
"The phrase to activate the portkey is 'Earl Grey'," Dumbledore said.
"Of course it is," Harry said, taking a hold of Reece's arm. "Earl Grey."
The portkey hooked into Harry and yanked him bodily out of the infirmary, dumping him onto the ground in a dim cavern.
"Great." Harry got to his feet as Reece pushed away from him and shifted, his clothes ripping as his body changed into the form of a werewolf.
Harry tossed the spoon onto a ledge, then shrugged out of his robe and his shoes. He quickly changed into his Animagus form, felling relief wash over him as the world became sharper, greyer, and alive with smells.
A few feet away, Reece stepped out of the pool of shifter fluid and shook himself. He was in full wolf form, and was only slightly smaller than Harry. Oh yeah, in a few years he's going to be a monster, Harry thought as he bounded over to Reece's side.
The young werewolf opened his mouth and rolled his head, but Harry was having none of it. He opened his own mouth and managed to get a loose grasp on Reece's nose with his jaws.
Reece shook his head, but he let Harry hold him, the mark of a dominant wolf, for a heartbeat. Then Harry pulled back and Reece tossed his head again and raced off, following a scent.
Why couldn't Dumbledore let us outside? Harry wondered, chasing after Reece. Reece could hunt and it'd be better than being stuck in a grey waterlogged cavern.
The next moment, Harry caught the scent that had captivated Reece. It was unmistakable in the damp and gloom in the cavern: Fresh, rain-bitten air.
Reece was already scrabbling at the hole in the rocks. Harry pushed him aside, then changed back into his human form. "Wait a second," he said, pulling his wand. He used a charm to enlarge the hole in the rocks, then peeked outside.
The hole opened onto the rocky slope beside the lake, and there was enough dirt on the ground to let Harry know they could get down to the Forbidden Forest safely.
He pulled his head back inside and tucked his wand away. "Follow me, okay?"
Reece gave a panting yip. Harry shifted back into wolf form and crawled out of the hole, then Reece hurried out of the cavern and took off down the slope.
So much for waiting for me, Harry grumbled, tearing after Reece. Running in wolf form, silent and easily, cleared his head like nothing else had for weeks. He managed to pull along side Reece, then barked and veered toward the Forest.
Harry ran into the trees, kept running past the darkened corners and enticing smells, until he reached a moon-lit clearing in the trees. There, he pulled to a stop and pointed his head to the sky.
Reece's howl joined Harry's own as they claimed the Forest as their own.
...to be continued
Inevitable Seventy: The Other Boy
by Mhalachai
Disclaimer: Laurell K. Hamilton owns all things Anita Blake. J.K. Rowling owns all things Harry Potter. Only the story is my own.
Note: Recall Harry is a 17-year-old boy. Who has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Also, as a fun fact, this chapter encompasses almost a week of screen time, starting on Oct. 17 and going to Oct. 23 (which, incidentally, is the night of the full moon in IN land). If I say I wrote this in three days, please don't kill me.
Words: 10,329
Previous parts here.
Nothing.
Harry crumpled the shirt in his hands and threw it on the bed. Weeks of exhausting, futile research on Horcruxes, and what had they learned? Nothing.
Mind fixed firmly on Horcruxes, just as it had been for the last two weeks, Harry pulled his last shirt over his head and looked in the mirror.
"Little tight, isn't it, dear?" the mirror said, bored.
"Yes, it's a little tight," Harry said through clenched teeth. He stripped off the shirt and flung it onto the pile on the mattress. Why the hell did everything have to fall apart at once? No news on the Horcruxes, his class standings were tanking, Dumbledore was nowhere to be found, and to top it all off, he was supposed to be going to Hogsmeade with Ginny and Luna in less than an hour and he had nothing to wear.
Suddenly depressed, Harry slumped on his bed. If he put aside the mess with the Horcruxes, which was consuming his every thought, Harry would have given anything for Jason or Nathaniel to be there at that very moment. They'd know what to do for a date with two girls. They'd be able to help Harry find something to wear.
Or maybe they'd tell me to stop distracting myself with stupid stuff and get back to work on the Horcruxes. Harry pulled off his glasses and buried his face in his pillow. I've spent enough time over the last few weeks running and helping Hagrid and on Quidditch just to distract myself from how much I don't know about these stupid things. Why can't Dumbledore be around so I can talk to him?
At the heart of it, Harry knew that was the real problem. Everyone he had enlisted on the Horcruxes, Hermione and Ron and Luna and Ginny, all looked to him as if he knew what was going on, as if he had some kind of plan to destroy the Horcruxes once they were found. Harry felt like he was lying to them, when he said things would be okay.
How can anything be okay when it's going to be impossible to defeat Voldemort? Harry wondered for the millionth time. How can I destroy someone who has broken his soul up into seven pieces? How can I fight someone who's that crazy?
An old saying flitted across his mind, about fighting fire with fire, and Harry snorted into his pillow. The idea of bringing in someone as crazy as Voldemort to beat Voldemort was quite possibly the worst idea ever.
After a few minutes, the cold air on his skin was enough to goad Harry into movement. With a sigh, he hoisted himself up off the bed. and went back to his trunk. But as he dug around in the depth of his possessions, the idea wouldn't leave him.
What kind of fire could they use to fight Voldemort? They'd been focusing on the Horcruxes for so long, that maybe they were losing sight of the real goal. Harry had thought they needed to destroy the Horcruxes before they could kill Voldemort, but what if that wasn't the only option?
A spark of an idea was glowing small and tiny in the back of Harry's mind. He tried to chase it down, but every time he came close, it eluded him. Finally, he gave up in disgust. I'll figure it out after Hogsmeade, Harry promised himself.
In the end, his vanity won out over comfort. Harry pulled on a skin-tight brown t-shirt and tucked it into the waistband of his khaki pants. At least he wasn't wearing a shirt where he would burst the buttons, and anything was better than Dudley's second-hand clothes. Giving himself the once-over in the mirror, Harry had to admit that he didn't look bad. He wished he'd been able to keep the tan he'd acquired in St. Louis, and that he had clothes that didn't show so much of him, but it wasn't bad. With his cloak on over his clothes, no one would be able to tell how tight his shirt was.
The reflection in the mirror gave him an unhappy smile. His whole life felt like a lie these days. He couldn't talk about his vampire grandfather, or being an Animagus and the werewolf thing, or about how he didn't know how to stop Voldemort.
He wished he could talk to someone who would understand.
He wished he could call Anita, just for a few minutes.
Harry froze, his fingers deep in the fabric of his grey cloak.
Anita.
The tiny idea in his head crystallized, cold and painful. In all their searches for information in the library, they hadn't found any information on Horcruxes or on necromancy of any kind. Why hadn't Harry thought to ask Anita, the only necromancer he knew?
Stupid! Harry berated himself as he tossed his cloak over his shoulders. I can't believe I missed something that was right in front of my face the whole time!
In the common room, Gryffindors milled about, in the time before going down to Hogsmeade. The first and second years were caught up in the excitement, and the noise in the room was incredible.
Harry pushed his way through the crowd over to Hermione's side. "Is there a telephone in Hogsmeade?" he asked without preamble.
She looked up at him, startled. "What are you talking about?"
"Telephone?" he said. "Lets you ring up other people and carry on a conversation?"
"I know well what a telephone is, Harry," Hermione snapped back. She crossed her arms over her chest. "What put you in such a foul mood?"
"Never mind that," Harry said. "What about the telephone?"
Hermione stared at him as if he had lost his mind. "It's a Wizarding community, Harry, of course they don't have any telephones. They wouldn't need them."
"Fuck," Harry swore under his breath, burying his face in his hands. Frustration bubbled up in his chest. It was like he was trying to shovel sand with his hands, and every dead end was another tonne of sand blocking his way.
Hermione caught his elbow and dragged him over to the side of the room. "Harry, what is the matter with you?" she demanded. "Why do you all of a sudden need a telephone?"
Harry shook his head. "It was just an idea I had," he said. "Hey, do you think anyone will notice if I cut out on Hogsmeade and go to Edinburgh?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "Only Ginny and Luna, which if I recall correctly, you were supposed to take to Hogsmeade," she reminded him archly. "And the Weasley twins, whom you arranged to meet today to ask them about the you-know-what."
Harry's stomach lurched. He'd forgotten all about meeting the twins. He hadn't heard from them since he asked them to try to find Rowena Ravenclaw's wand. What was he going to do?
A tap him on the arm pulled Harry back. "What's going on?" Hermione asked again.
"I had an idea, that's all," Harry muttered.
Hermione stared at him for a long minute. Harry was not reassured by the expression on her face. "Were you going to call St. Louis?"
"How-- What are you talking about?" Harry stuttered.
With an annoyed huff, Hermione pulled Harry to the portrait hole and out into the corridor. She marched him along the hall until they came to a deserted section, where she let him go and put her hands on her hips. "All right, why are you suddenly so determined on calling St. Louis?"
"Why are you so convinced that I want to call St. Louis?" Harry demanded.
"Who else would you call?" Hermione pushed her hair back over her shoulder. "You don't have anyone else."
Even though her voice was soft, her deduction bit at Harry. "Why is this so important to you?" he asked. "Maybe I wanted to talk to someone, to get a second opinion, what's wrong with that?"
Hermione's face grew dark. "You've never wanted a second opinion before."
"Before what?" Harry exploded. "What is wrong with you today?"
"Nothing's wrong with me, you're the one who's changed!" Hermione snapped.
Harry gaped at her. Where had this come from?
"You're always out running around, sneaking into the Restricted Section, barely getting yourself out of trouble!" Hermione shook her head and stepped back from Harry. "And now you're about to go off and talk to her!"
Comprehension finally hit Harry. "What does this have to do with Anita?" he asked. "So what if I'm going to talk to her? It makes sense! The--" Harry quickly looked around, to make sure no one could hear. "The Horcruxes are linked with necromancy, and she's the only necromancer I know. Not asking her would be stupid!"
Hermione paled at his words. "Have you not listened to a single thing I have said in the last seven years? Necromancy is forbidden!"
Harry gave her a look. "Like we never bend the rules on--"
"I'm not talking about sneaking around, or using a Time Turner!" Hermione exclaimed. "This isn't a rule you can bend! It's evil magic, all of it, and--"
"Stop it!" Harry said, stepping back. His heart was pounding so hard suddenly that it hurt. "Necromancy isn't evil magic, we've had this discussion before and I'm not going to have it again! It's not magic that's evil, Hermione, it's what people do with that power. It's the reason Dumbledore isn't evil, but Voldemort is. The choices they made, the way they use their magic. Same as with necromancy."
"But you can't deny that users of certain types of magic have demonstrable tendencies--"
"Stop quoting from textbooks!" Harry put his hands on his hips, mostly so he had something to do with his hands besides making fists in frustration. "This isn't about books, it's about what happens in real life!"
Hermione glared at him. "That is exactly my point! What do you think will happen to you if the Ministry finds out you're talking to a necromancer? That you're asking her for information on necromancy?"
"Nothing, Hermione, that's what I think will happen," Harry said without thinking. "If they banish me, or send me to Azkaban, then who's going to stop Voldemort?"
Hermione blinked. "You can't be serious," she said after a few seconds of breathless silence. "You can't possibly be telling me that you've bought into this mess that you have to be the one to stop Voldemort, and damn the costs!"
"Who else is going to do it?" Harry asked. "When was the last time you saw Dumbledore? The Ministry isn't doing a damned thing--"
"Dumbledore hasn't abandoned us," Hermione said desperately. "And in spite of their politics, the Ministry is stacked to the brim with highly trained witches and wizards, some of whom were in the fight against Grindelwald. And then there are the rest of us!"
"What, a school full of frightened children?" Harry asked sarcastically. "Killer idea."
"I'm talking about us, about me and Ron and Luna and Ginny," Hermione told him. Harry knew her well enough to know she was furious: she had clenched her hands and she was almost vibrating with contained emotion. "Who decided that you had to do this yourself? Who made you Executioner?"
Harry couldn't help it. He laughed out loud at hearing Anita's nickname coming from Hermione's lips. "So that's what this is about?" he asked, stepping closer to Hermione and backing her against the wall, too close. He lifted his hand to her throat, using one finger to trace the edge of the chain on her necklace, the necklace he had given her. "You can't stand the thought that you're friends with a killer?"
Hermione's eyes were as wide as saucers. "You're not a killer," she said in a shaking voice. "You're not."
"Yes, I am," Harry said just as softly. He picked up the silver pendant, fingertips brushing the warm skin on her chest. "I killed Bellatrix Lestrange." He lifted his eyes from the pendant to Hermione's face. "I killed Quirrell when I was eleven, and no one said a word."
"That was different."
Harry let the pendant slide out of his hand. "No," he said. "It really wasn't." He backed away. "You may not like it, but you can't blame this on anyone else." He spread his arms wide. "This is the way I've always been."
Hermione was shaking her head. "It's not..." Her voice broke. "This isn't who you are."
Harry let his gaze drift up the wall, up the faded tapestry that hung on the stone. "In the end, does it really matter?"
He kept staring at the wall, even as Hermione brushed past him and hurried away. Above him, the dragon on the tapestry flamed the wizards over and over again, the threads glittering with dragon flame. The wizards' death throes were a little too realistic.
In the end, does it matter? Harry wondered. Every time things got bad between him and Hermione these days, they ended up fighting. He wasn't having real conversations with Ron any more, not the way they used to.
I haven't changed, not really, Harry told himself. The whole world's changed. We have to stop Voldemort before he hurts more people, and it's not pretty or nice, but it has to be done. Someone has to stop him.
He couldn't tell his friend that. He couldn't tell them that he didn't expect to walk away from this fight with Voldemort.
More than that, he couldn't tell them that the thought of dying didn't frighten him anymore.
"So, are you going to tell us what's wrong?" Luna asked as they walked down the street in Hogsmeade, passed on all sides by excited children.
"Nothing's wrong," Harry said automatically.
On his other side, Ginny snorted. "Yeah, and we believe that as much as all those other times you say it."
Harry shook his head. "I just had a difference of opinion with Hermione, nothing big."
Ginny leaned forward to look at Luna. "They had a fight," she clarified.
"We didn't have a fight," Harry protested feebly.
"Hermione never has a difference of opinion with anyone," Ginny retorted. "Go on, now, tell us what it was about and you'll feel better."
You're on a date with a killer who's not thrown into spasms of terror at the mention of necromancy, how's that? Harry glanced around them, unconsciously taking in the worried way the adults moved in the streets, how the Aurors were stationed at the corners of buildings. "Just an old argument, that's all."
Luna slipped her hand into his. "Do you want to go find her now?"
"No, that's... that's not a good idea," Harry said. He was faintly proud of how he managed to keep his voice level. Hermione had made it clear she didn't want to talk to him, when he'd approached her in the Hall before the Hogsmeade trip, and he was out of energy to deal with it. "I'll see her later."
Luna tightened her grip, making Harry feel just the tiniest bit better.
"Do you want to go look for your Halloween costume?" Ginny asked, changing the subject. She bumped her shoulder against Harry's arm. "We have less than two weeks to figure it out."
"Huh?" For Harry, two weeks to decide on a costume seemed like a terribly long time. "Not really..." From the look on Ginny's face, it was clear he had missed something. He quickly thought that through. "But if you want to go look at stuff, that would be fun."
Ginny beamed at him, and he let out a quick breath in relief. Why were girls so complicated? "Come on, Luna, this'll be fun," Ginny said, catching Luna's hand and pulling her along, away from Harry.
Harry had to hurry across the wet street. He finally caught up with the girls inside of the dress shop. They wedged their way along the racks, squeezing in with a large number of Hogwarts students. Glancing around, Harry realized he was the only boy in the shop. "Hey, Ginny?"
"Yes?" she asked, wistfully fingering a length of sparkling blue cloth.
Harry felt something twist uncomfortably in his chest, as he watched Ginny stroke the beautiful costume he knew she couldn't afford. The part of his brain still capable of rational thought knew she would be angry if he offered to buy her a costume for the party, but he wanted to do anything to take that look of longing off her face.
"Harry, what are you going to wear?" Luna asked, saving him from making a fool of himself. "If we're going together, we should match."
"Match?" Harry echoed.
Ginny pulled herself together and gave Harry the once-over. "We can all go as Quidditch players," she suggested.
Luna shook her head as she leaned toward Ginny. Harry watched Luna whisper in Ginny's ear, her lips moving a hairsbreadth from the pink shell of the other girl's skin, and he felt a wave of warmth wash over him, that had nothing to do with the close-packed shop.
Ginny's face brightened, and she laughed as Luna pulled back. "That's brilliant!" Ginny exclaimed.
"What's brilliant?" Harry asked, wanting to be in on the joke.
Luna turned to him. "Can you dress as a Viking?" she asked. "Like Damian?"
Harry hesitated for a moment. "Are you sure?" he asked, not sure how to respond.
"Yes, I'm sure," Luna said, linking her arm with Ginny. "You dress as a Viking, and we'll go as witches from that era."
"Except we'll have better teeth and hair," Ginny said with a sly grin.
"And a better sense of hygiene," Luna added. "Wait here, Harry, we'll be back in a few minutes."
The girls vanished into the crowd, and Harry was left staring at the spot where they had been. He wasn't quite sure what had just happened. "Apparently I'm going to the dance as a Viking," he muttered.
He wondered what Damian would say when he found out that Harry was going to a costume party as a Viking. Would he mind? He'd probably have a few choice words on the logic of that, emphasis on few. Anita would probably have a lot more to say.
With that thought, Harry's good mood was punctured. He hadn't figured a way to get to a phone to call Anita, to ask her for her help with the Horcruxes, and he had a desperate sense that he was running out of time.
He needed to get word to her somehow. An owl was out of the question; anyone could intercept it. If Harry could have found Dumbledore, he might have asked the man to get a message out of the school, but even though the Headmaster was healed and around, Harry hadn't been able to talk to him in weeks.
Harry wedged himself in against the wall and watched the bustle of girls move around the shop. If Hermione's reaction that morning was any indication, there wasn't anyone at Hogwarts who Harry could ask for help.
No one I can ask to do this for me, he thought, pushing down the increasingly familiar panic. I wish... I don't even know what I want anymore, other than to stop this.
"Hi, Harry," came a giggling voice from his left.
Automatically, Harry straightened up as he turned. "Hello," he replied as his eyes found the speaker. It was Romilda Vane, a sixth-year Gryffindor, with several of her friends.
"What are you doing here?" Romilda asked.
Harry pasted a smile on his face. "Waiting for someone," he said.
The determined look on Romilda's face never faltered. "Are you going to the Halloween party?" she asked.
"Yes, I am."
"In fact," Ginny said, coming around the group of girls, Luna in tow, "We're all going." She gave Romilda an unfriendly glare.
Romilda pressed her lips together. Before she could say anything, Luna put herself between Ginny and Romilda, seemingly by coincidence. "We have to go," Luna said in a dreamy voice. "We have twins to meet."
"Yeah, we're going to be late," Harry said, placing his hand on Ginny's lower back, a gentle touch. She shook herself slightly, but part of the tension in her bled away. After a moment, Ginny let Luna guide her out of the shop, Harry just behind them. As much as he wanted to, Harry resisted looking back at Romilda.
Once outside the shop, Ginny pulled ahead. "I'm going to The Three Broomsticks," she said over her shoulder. "I'll see you there."
Harry's protest died on his lips when Luna dug her elbow into his side. Once Ginny was out of earshot, he turned to Luna. "What was that about?"
"Romilda has a crush on you," Luna said calmly. She pulled out her wand and shrunk her shopping bag, before slipping the bag into her pocket. "And she knows you like Ginny, and she's not being very nice about it."
Harry stopped in his tracks. "How can she do that?" he sputtered. "That's--"
"That's the way it is," Luna continued. She hooked her hand through Harry's arm and moved them along the street. "Ginny's able to deal with it. She's never liked Romilda, and Romilda has never liked her."
"But they live in the same dorm," Harry said, trying to understand. "How do they live together if they hate each other?"
Luna shrugged. "What would you do if you had to live with someone you didn't like?"
Harry remembered back to fourth year, and those horrible weeks when he and Ron were fighting. It had been terribly uncomfortable in the dorm. "I dunno, fight?"
Luna sighed. "I don't understand boys."
"The feeling's mutual," Harry grumbled.
Giving his arm a squeeze, Luna said, "It'll be okay. Ginny can take care of herself."
Harry glanced down at Luna, her blue eyes wide. He thought he detected a faint hint of worry in her gaze, but he didn't know if he should say anything. "Yeah, I guess she can."
Luna smiled. "She's smart like that." Then she looked back at the street. "What are the twins like?"
"They're okay," Harry said. "They like to tease, but normally only with the family. You should be safe. Just don't eat anything they offer you unless Ginny says it's okay."
With that, Harry opened the door to the pub. He let Luna go ahead of him and took a moment to close the door behind him.
When he turned around, he saw Fred and George at the bar, talking with Elsa.
What the fuck is going on? Harry thought furiously, his mind already racing. It took him a moment to realize that something was wrong with the situation, besides Elsa chatting with the Weasley twins.
Why the hell does she look the same age as the twins? Harry wondered if he was mistaken, if the young woman he was looking at was a case of mistaken identity, when she glanced up at the door. It was certainly Elsa. She saw him and gave him a tiny smirk, before turning her attention back to the twins.
"Harry?"
"Yeah?" With enormous effort, Harry tore his gaze off the blonde witch, and focused on Luna. "What?"
"I see Ginny and Ron," Luna said, pointing across the room. "Do you want to do join them?"
"Sure," Harry lied. He glanced at Elsa once more. "Let's go."
Pushing their way through the crowd of people was a good excise to avoid talking, which was just as well, because Harry was at a total loss for words. Elsa in Hogsmeade was not a good thing. Elsa in disguise and talking to the Weasley twins in Hogsmeade was, in Harry's mind, several times worse.
Has something happened in St. Louis? he wondered, panic growing in his gut. I haven't had any dreams with Anita recently, maybe something happened and no one told me. Maybe--
His increasingly frantic train of thought came to a screeching halt when he and Luna arrived at the table. Tucked in the corner, out of sight from the door, was Hermione.
"Hi," Harry said stupidly as Luna sat beside Ginny. "Uh, what have you been up to?"
"Just walking around," Ron said, nudging Hermione. She looked up, and nodded awkwardly.
Okay. "So, who wants drinks? My treat."
"How about a butterbeer?" Ron said. He nudged Hermione again. "What do you say?"
Hermione took a deep breath. "Yes, that sounds nice," she said. It sounded forced, but at least it wasn't the start of an argument.
"Right," Harry said, relived. "Ginny? Luna?"
The girls exchanged a look. "I'll have a hot chocolate," Ginny said.
"Tea," Luna said, and smiled nervously.
That sounded easy enough. "I'll be right back," Harry said. Without taking off his cloak, he wound his way between the occupied seats to the bar in the direction of the twins and Elsa.
"Hey, Harry!" Fred called as Harry came close. "Almost didn't recognize you! How's it going?"
"It's good," Harry said, stopping beside George. "How about you?"
"Can't complain," George said with a grin at Madame Rosmerta as the woman placed two glasses on the counter, and took Harry's order with practiced ease. "We were just explaining the intricacies of the English joke shop hierarchy to this young lady."
Elsa, leaning against the bar in a well-cut robe, smiled lazily at Harry. "I never knew that jokes could be such serious business," she said in a thick German accent. She held out her right hand.
Is she left handed? Harry wondered frantically. He didn't want to let Elsa shake his wand hand, just in case... No, she wasn't going to hurt him in a crowded pub. Probably.
He shook her hand, feeling the slight bones in her hand steady under his fingers. If she was wearing a glamour, it sure felt real. "Harry Potter."
Elsa's smile grew slightly feral. "Mr. Potter, I have read so much about you," she breathed. "Elsa Christensen."
Harry took his hand back, resisting the urge to wipe his palm on his cloak. "A pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
Fred picked up the drink mugs. "We'd best be getting back to our table," he said. "Remember, Elsa, if you're ever in Diagon Alley, come by the shop."
"We always have discounts for pretty visitors," George added.
Elsa smiled at the twins as they left, then turned to Harry. The smile never left her face, but now it seemed fake. "Buying drinks for the pretty girls?" she mocked in an undertone, accent gone.
"For my friends," Harry corrected, leaning on the counter and waiting for Madame Rosmerta to come back. "Why are you here?"
Elsa let out a low chuckle that was far too grown up for the child's body Harry knew was in there somewhere, a sound that made Harry think things that were completely inappropriate and just plain wrong. "Going on a lion hunt," she whispered, inching closer to him. "Maybe I was wanting to ensure my investment was safe."
"That doesn't explain why you were talking to my friends," Harry ground out.
"Perhaps I wanted some companionship," Elsa said. "You too have figured out the adage that two heads are better than one."
Harry clenched his jaw for a moment. "Leave them alone," he said. "Just leave the twins alone."
"Why?"
"Because it's like a lie," Harry told her, not sure why he was so upset. "It's a lie to them, and it's not fair to anyone."
Elsa gave him a strange look, but miraculously, she didn't say anything.
"Look," Harry said, making himself push his discomfort away. "Can you get a message to Anita?"
Elsa arched an eyebrow. "Do I look like an owl?"
"Just talk to her about the Horcruxes," Harry said as quietly as he could. "It's her kind of magic, right?"
Elsa's feral smile was back. "Dear me," she mocked. "The dear little paladin, seeking redemption in forbidden magic's arms."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Harry demanded.
With a snort, Elsa pushed herself away from the bar. "It means, Harry, that you are not going to get out of this in one piece," she whispered in his ear, her breath moving his hair. A shudder ran down his spine as he managed to stop himself from shoving her away. "And I will not be there to pick up the pieces."
With that cryptic pronouncement, Elsa left. Harry stared at a gouge in the wood of the bar. "Never asked you to," he muttered.
"Pardon me, dear?" Madame Rosmerta asked as she placed the tray with his drink order on the bar.
"Nothing," Harry said. "But thanks."
She smiled at him. "Go on, then, join your friends."
What if I'm not sure my friends want me to join them? Harry wondered, but he obligingly picked up the tray and carried it across the room. When he reached the table, Fred was tormenting Ginny with something small with purple feathers. George and Ron were snickering, Hermione rolled her eyes with long-suffering resignation, and Luna was watching the whole affair with wide eyes. Harry caught Luna's eye, and winked.
"So, Harry," George said, as if continuing a recent conversation, "What do you think of the Appleby Arrows' chances in the standings this year?"
Harry shrugged as he passed Ginny her hot chocolate. "I haven't been paying much attention to Quidditch this year," he confessed.
"What?" Fred said, pressing his hand over his heart. "Is the world ending, with Harry Potter not paying attention to Quidditch?"
Harry knew it was a joke, but he still felt the pressing panic flutter in his chest, panic that he wouldn't be good enough, fast enough, and Voldemort would win. He faked a smile. "World's not ending yet."
"There are other things in life than Quidditch," Hermione added.
"Oh really?" George asked. "Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know," Hermione snapped, lowering her voice under the din of the crowd. "How about Voldemort trying to take over the Wizarding World? Or wanting to kill off all muggle-born, how's that for a distraction from Quidditch?"
Ron put his arm around her shoulders. "Hey, Hermione, it's okay," he said.
"It's not okay, Ron," she told him, still glaring at George. "It's never going to be okay until this is over."
Harry poured himself some tea and took a bracing sip before setting his mug on the table. "Were you two able to find out that information we asked about?" he asked the twins.
George looked between Hermione and Harry, a frown playing on his face. "Yeah, we did, but first we want to know why you want to know it."
Harry shook his head. "No, first we talk about Olivander, then we can go somewhere else and talk about this."
"Why--" Fred began, but Ginny cut him off.
"Just tell us, will you?" she demanded. "We'll tell you afterward."
"The twins exchanged a glance. "All right," Fred said, leaning in. "So you wanted to know about a wand of cherry and unicorn hair in Olivander's possession that might have belonged to the illustrious Rowena Ravenclaw?"
"A task not made easy by the old man's disappearance from London," George added.
"But we persevered..."
"Working long hours into the night..."
"Sometimes without food or rest."
Ginny snorted. "You had me until the food part."
George raised his eyebrows. "You're one to talk about food, darling sister."
"The wand?" Ron said, tapping his bottle against the table. "Before we die of old age?"
"Right." Fred shifted his chair closer to the table and leaned in conspiratorially. "You have to understand, this took a great deal of research and fancy footwork."
"But, in the end, we learned a great deal." George pulled a small book from his pocket. The object appeared very old, and when George opened the cover, Harry could see that the contents were handwritten. "This here is a journal from an innkeeper in Wales, about a hundred years after Hogwarts was built."
"Tells the story of an up-and-coming wandmaker named Olivander," Fred continued. "Seems he had a great treasure of a wand, built by a real master of the craft. The journal says the wand was once owned by a witch of incredible power."
"Ravenclaw?" Hermione asked, pulling the journal out of George's grasp.
"Very likely," George said. "But here's the best part. That Olivander was so proud of this wand, that whenever he set up shop, he placed it on a purple cushion and set it at the front of his workspace."
"A tradition that seems to have been kept up in the family, even when the current Olivander's son was killed in their shop in the years before You-Know-Who came to power last time," Fred finished. "So? How did we do?"
Hermione said something, but Harry wasn't listening. His mind was racing, trying to remember why this story sound so very familiar.
Who was it, talking to me about wands from Olivander's shop? Harry wondered. He glared at his cup of tea, as if the amber liquid would give him the answers. It was recent... something to do with Snape...
Realization washed over Harry like an icy wave. Neville!
What was it Neville had said, that day back in September? It had been after the Defence Against the Dark Arts class when Snape attacked Harry, and Harry had used Neville's wand. Neville said he got the wand from Olivander, the wand from the cushion at the front of the shop! He said it was very powerful and it didn't feel like any other wand he'd ever used! Neville has to have Rowena Ravenclaw's wand!
The momentary elation of solving the puzzle fell away, as Harry's mind completed the last part of the puzzle. The fourth Horcrux is in Neville's wand. No, the fourth Horcrux is Neville's wand!
How the hell can I tell him that?
"Harry?" Luna laid her fingers on his wrist. "Are you okay?"
Harry blinked and looked up. Everyone was staring at him. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said. "Just trying to remember some stuff."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, but didn't say anything. On her other side, Fred rapped on the table. "All right, our side of the bargain is done. Spill."
All eyes fell on Harry. "What?"
"It's your story," Ron said.
"Only because you can't think of a way to say it without sounding like an idiot."
Ron grinned. "Neither can you, but that never stops you."
Ginny shook her head. "Why are boys like this?" she asked Luna.
The corner of the blonde's mouth quirked up in a half-smile. "They can't help it."
Harry set down his teacup, somewhat pleased that his hand didn't shake. "We somehow muddle along," he said, wishing he could smile the panic away. Neville's wand might have a piece of Voldemort's soul in it, and I'm supposed to be calm? "But yeah." He tried to think of how to explain the Horcruxes to Fred and George. "So."
"And?" Fred asked.
"Yes," George retorted.
Harry took a deep breath and plunged in, keep his voice quiet. "So Voldemort decided it would be a good idea to cheat death by breaking his soul into pieces and stick those pieces into a number of... I don't know, things, so if his body was destroyed he wouldn't die."
Fred and George blinked in unison.
"And Voldemort stuck his soul into things that had some kind of meaning, because he's, you know, insane. Dumbledore has the first three Horcruxes, but he thinks there are a total of seven pieces and we need to find the remaining four."
"And you think the wand is one of them?" George asked slowly.
"Yup." Harry poured himself more tea. "And we can't figure out how to destroy them, or even think of where the rest might be, or how we're going to stop Voldemort. And how was your summer?"
"Harry," Hermione chastised. "There's no need to be flippant."
"I don't know, I like it," Harry told her, an edge of his inner turmoil slipping out into his voice. "Sure I can be dour and 'end of the world' like some people, but that gets old after a while, what do you think?"
Ginny pushed her chair back from the table in a clatter. "Hermione, Luna, let's go shopping," she said brightly.
Luna slowly stood. "I do need to go to the... um..."
"Bookstore!" Ginny finished for her. "Come on, Hermione."
Hermione pulled her cloak around her shoulders and stood up, glaring at Harry. Without a word, she stalked off. Luna gave Harry a look he couldn't decipher, and followed her.
Ginny took a moment to hug the twins, and swat Ron on the shoulder. "Have fun talking," she said to them. Then she turned to Harry. "Do you want us to talk to her?"
And say what? Tell her that I'm not turning into Voldemort? "No. But thanks."
She smiled at him, so breathtakingly beautiful in that instant, and then she was gone.
Fred let out a low whistle. "You sure do have a way with the ladies, Harry," he said.
"Emphasis on the plural," George said. He narrowed his eyes at Harry. "What's up with our sister, mate?"
"Lay off, guys," Ron said before Harry could reply. "It's okay."
George turned on him. "Oh, really?"
"Really." Ron leaned back in his chair and rubbed at his eyes. "Harry, what is with you and Hermione?"
"Ask her," Harry said shortly. "She's the one with the problem."
Ron gave him an unfriendly look. "No, I'm the one with the problem, and that's you being a pain in the--"
"As much fun as it is to watch you two bicker," George interrupted, "Can we get back to the part about these Horcruxes?"
"No, I want to talk about Harry's girl problems instead," Fred said. He set his elbows on the table. "Let's talk about this thing you have with older women."
Harry was starting to wish he had gone with the girls, even if it meant another fight with Hermione. "If you're talking about Elsa, I was just there and she was..." She's a four-hundred-year-old witch and a vampire's human servant and most of the time she looks twelve. "I don't know, girls do that stuff sometimes."
"What about that woman at the train station, back last month?" George asked.
"Huh?"
"Short, muggle?" George fixed Harry with a glare. "Seem to recall you kissed her before you bolted for the train?"
"What are you-- Oh, Anita. What about her?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Don't ask Harry about this kind of stuff, he gets stupid," he told the twins. "Anita's the friend he spent the summer with in St. Louis."
"Good friend," George said. "Didn't know muggles were allowed onto the platform at King's Cross."
"She's not really a muggle," Harry began, but then he caught movement across the room. Neville Longbottom was standing at the bar, paying Madame Rosmerta as he pulled on his cloak. All rational thought fled, and Harry found himself getting to his feet. "I'll see you guys later."
"No, I think you should stay," Fred said, all joking gone from his voice.
Harry glanced down. The twins had similarly serious expressions on their faces. They probably want to talk about the Horcruxes, Harry thought. "Look, talk to Ron, I have to go." To Ron, he said, "I'll meet you guys back at school, there's something I need to do."
Without waiting for Ron to answer, Harry pushed his way through the crowd and followed Neville out onto the street. He hung back while Neville said goodbye to the people he was with, and headed down the street.
"Neville!" Harry shouted, running after the other boy. "Hey, got a minute?"
Neville nodded. "I saw you talking to the Weasley twins, how are they?"
"Oh, they're fine." Now that Harry had Neville, he had no idea what to say. Your wand has a piece of Voldemort's soul in it seemed out. "Are you going anywhere?"
"I was thinking of heading back to school. I have a herbology project to work on."
"Can I go with you?"
Neville frowned, then shrugged. "If you want."
"Yeah, I do." The boys turned in the direction of Hogwarts, silent as Harry tried to figure out what to say.
He had to tell Neville about the Horcruxes, he knew that. Sure, Dumbledore had been hesitant to talk about them, but Harry had told Ron and Hermione and Ginny and Luna and the twins, and the world hadn't ended.
Does it really matter if everyone in the whole world knows? Harry wondered. It won't change the fact that we can't find them.
Although it might tip Voldemort off that we know about them. That would be bad.
Harry sighed. He really had no choice, and Neville would keep his mouth shut. Neville was good with secrets. "Hey, Neville, I've got something to tell you."
Neville took the story, which lasted the entire walk back to Hogwarts, surprisingly well. Or at least that was what Harry thought as he followed Neville into one of the greenhouses.
Once the door was closed, Neville tore off his cloak and threw it at the table. Harry stayed by the door, shocked into stillness. Neville paced down the length of the row. After a minute, he turned back and pulled out his wand. With a shaking hand, he set the wand on the table, staring at it as if it was a poisonous snake.
"You think that You-Know-Who put a piece of his soul into my wand," Neville said.
"Well, before it was your wa--" Harry shut his mouth when he saw the look on Neville's face. "Yes."
Neville was breathing hard. "Take it," he said abruptly. "Take it, burn it, I don't care!"
"Neville--"
"How did you expect me to react?" Neville shouted. "I thought the wand was powerful because of me, because I was getting stronger! Now you tell me that it's because the man who destroyed my parents left a bit of his soul in the wand?"
"It's Rowena Ravenclaw's wand!" Harry exclaimed. "That might be why it's so powerful! The other Horcruxes just feel like normal objects, not weird at all!" He kicked the table leg. "Besides, I don't think burning the wand would help."
Neville crossed his arms over his chest, staring down at his wand. "You said that You-Know-Who had to kill someone to make one of these Horcruxes?"
"Yeah." Harry slumped against the table.
"So he killed someone near this wand." Neville backed away from the table, and went over to a tray of tiny sprouts. The green leaves let out a crooning when Neville brushed his fingers over them. "He actually killed someone."
"He killed a lot of people."
"But he killed someone just because of this wand," Neville stressed. "Not because he was angry, or scared, just because he could gain something?"
Harry looked at his shoes. "Yeah."
"Why does this stuff have to be happening to us?" Neville wondered. "Hasn't it been enough?"
Harry shrugged. "There's no point in thinking like that."
"Why not?"
"Doesn't change anything." He pushed himself up off the table. "Look, you should keep the wand."
Neville shook his head. "I don't want it."
"Neville..." How could Harry explain? "Until we can figure out a way to destroy these things, we need to keep them safe."
"Can't you put it with the others? The ones Dumbledore has?"
Harry could have said yes. He could have taken the wand and gone down into the Horcrux cavern, but some strange feeling made him hold his tongue. "You can't just not have a wand, people will notice."
"I'll get another..."
"And if Voldemort finds out that suddenly a wand's missing, and that wand might be here at Hogwarts? Come on, Neville, right now he probably thinks that Olivander has the wand! If he thinks that, he won't look here, and we have a chance at keeping this one from him!"
"All right!" Neville shouted. "I'll keep it!" He didn't move toward the wand.
"Fine," Harry said, feeling deflated. "Look, I have to go."
"Right." Neville waited until Harry was at the door before saying, "You told me that one of the Horcruxes was in a diary?"
"That's right," Harry said, pausing at the door. "Why?"
Neville looked up finally, his eyes burning. "And the diary made Ginny go crazy?"
Harry's mouth went dry. "Not exactly..."
"Right." Neville set his jaw. "I'll keep that in mind."
Without a word, Harry turned the door handle, and left the greenhouse, walking back into the cutting cold air.
"It's been a week."
"I know."
"You should talk to her." Luna paced along beside Harry. "She's your friend."
Harry shrugged. He was jittery and restless and he couldn't stay still, which was why Luna had agreed to go for a walk after breakfast with him. The pouring rain outside had kept them in the castle. "If Hermione wants to be mad at me, it's her problem."
"No, it's not," Luna said. "It's our problem."
"Why is it your problem?" Harry asked, perplexed. He was finding it hard to think. It can't be the full moon tonight, he told himself as he looked down at Luna. I'm not going to be a werewolf, even if Reece clawed me up last month. Richard did it too, and I was fine.
"Because it makes you sad, and you're my friend," Luna said practically. She stopped at the end of the corridor and leaned against the wall, looking up at Harry. "We have enough going on without seeking discord among our companions."
Her choice of words was so perfect, so Luna, that Harry smiled. He stepped closer to her, but she didn't move away or tell him to stop. So near to her, Harry could smell the soft floral scent of her hair, could feel the warmth from her body through her robes.
Luna's eyes grew wide as Harry stared at her. "What?"
Harry shook his head, leaning closer. "Just thinking."
"About what?" she whispered.
Harry wasn't thinking, he was reacting, feeling, and what he wanted to feel right then was Luna. "This," he breathed, then kissed her.
He concentrated on keeping the kiss light, his lips brushing over hers. She responded, tentatively kissing him back.
Encouraged, Harry put one hand on her waist, feeling the curve of her hip under her robes. A million thoughts crowded into his head, making him want to do things that he suspected Luna wouldn't allow, not standing in a public corridor in the school on a Friday morning--
"Potter! Lovegood!"
Harry broke the kiss and whirled around, putting himself between Luna and the interloper. Professor Snape was barreling down on them, glaring and furious. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Having a private conversation!" Harry shot back.
Snape sneered. "If this is how you define talking, Potter, it's amazing no one's killed you yet!" The teacher switched his sallow glare to Luna. "Lovegood, get to class!"
Luna jumped at the sound of her name, and hurried away. She threw Harry an apologetic glance as she vanished around the corner.
Snape drew himself up. "Twenty points from Gryffindor, Potter," he said, sounding disgusted. "Now get to class."
Harry didn't move.
Snape took a step towards Harry, his eyes narrowing. "You'll soon be singing a different tune, boy," he sneered. "Thirty points."
Not trusting himself to speak, Harry stepped around Snape, his eyes never leaving the man's face. He couldn't explain why, but he knew that if he stopped watching Snape, the man could attack, and that was something Harry could not allow.
It wasn't until Harry was far away from Snape that he allowed himself to relax a fraction. He didn't want to think about how easy it was from him to switch from the lust of kissing Luna, to wanting a fight and bloodshed.
His mood was not improved as he neared the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Immediately outside the closed door stood Draco Malfoy and his Slytherin cronies. Malfoy looked paler and even more ferrety than normal, and Harry didn't think twice as he veered toward the other boy. He hadn't forgiven Malfoy for his crack about Reece the previous month.
Before Harry could get close enough, Hermione suddenly appeared in his path, and he had to pull up short to avoid running her down. "Harry," she said, "Hi."
Harry looked at her, then at Malfoy, then back at Hermione. "I thought you weren't talking to me. Remember?"
She flushed a bright red. "Can you come with me?" she pressed, stuttering slightly.
Harry let out a breath. He somehow managed to dampen his desire for a fight, and trailed along after Hermione, past the gaggle of Ravenclaws, to where Ron was leaning against the wall beside Neville. "Hi," Ron said.
"Hey." Harry gave Neville a nod. "So, what's up?"
Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. "How do you feel?" Ron asked.
"Why does every conversation we've had in the past three days always start with that?" Harry snapped. "I'm fine. In fact, I'm better than fine. Am I going to have to tattoo that on my forehead?"
Ron didn't look convinced. "Are you sure? You were all jumpy this morning."
Harry was tempted to bang his head into the wall, but managed to restrain himself. "I'm always jumpy like this before Defence."
Another shared glance. "Maybe it's the.... um, you know?" Hermione said weakly.
"The what?"
"You know," Ron supplied. "The..." He glanced over at Neville, who was watching the bizarre exchange with bemusement. "The 'grr'."
Harry sighed. "It's not that."
"Are you sure?"
"Remember how we had this conversation a month ago?"
"Remember what happened the night after we had that conversation?" Ron retorted.
Harry had to think hard about that one. The day of the last full moon, he had stood in the moonlight and didn't change into a werewolf. What happened after that?
Oh, right! That thing with Reece biting me!
"It's not that," Harry said earnestly. "Promise."
"How can you know that?" Ron asked.
Harry looked around, trying to think of a way to prove to Ron and Hermione that he wasn't going to turn into a slavering beast. His eyes fell on Hermione. "Give me your necklace," he said. "The one I brought you from St. Louis."
Hermione didn't move.
The pit of Harry's stomach dropped. Hermione had worn that silver locket since Harry had given it to her, but they had been avoiding each other all week. Had she taken the necklace off?
While Harry was worrying, Hermione slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out the tangled chain. She held it out to him without a word.
Carefully, Harry took the necklace from her palm, fingers brushing her skin. Without looking at her, he untangled the chain, then ran his thumb over the silver pendant. It felt cool in his palm, the metal inert.
"See?" he said after a minute. "Right as rain." He handed Hermione back her necklace just as Snape stormed down the corridor.
"Everybody, inside!" Snape snapped, flinging the door open.
Harry saw Ron roll his eyes at the teacher's dramatics, and a tiny bit of tension in Harry's chest eased. Things still weren't right with Hermione, but at least she was talking to him again. He'd just ignore the fact that she only done it because she was worried he might become a werewolf.
As he pushed into the classroom, Harry walked past Malfoy. Something about the way the other boy was standing triggered a tiny spark of remembrance in Harry's mind. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out where it was from.
Something about... I don't know, something! Harry thought, confused at why he couldn't remember what he wanted. What could it be?
"Quills and ink only to the desks!" Snape was saying. "No books, no bags, no parchment!"
"What's happening?" Harry asked Ron as they dug in their bags for quills.
"I dunno, maybe notes or something?" Ron suggested.
"Then won't we need parchment?" Harry said, distracted as Hermione put her necklace back around her throat.
Snape solved the mystery by rearranging the desks with a wave of his wand. "Sit!" Once the class was seated, he handed out parchment to the students, then whipped his wand in the direction of the chalkboard. A piece of chalk began writing out sentences. "You have until class is over to finish this test. Begin!"
Harry gaped at Snape. There had not been a single class since school started where Snape didn't have them running around, learning new curses and defences. They'd never had a written test. Why now?
Confused, Harry picked up his quill and uncapped his inkwell before looking at the test questions on the board. The quills of other students were already scratching on paper when Harry finally focused on the words.
1. Explain Inferii.
2. Explain the identifying characteristics of Inferii.
3. Explain how to stop Inferii.
Harry frowned. Had they ever gone over this in class? He was drawing a blank.
Well, Inferi are sort of like the zombies Anita raises, right? he reasoned. At least I know how to deal with them. Harry let his gaze linger on the back of Malfoy's pointy head, then settled down to writing.
Harry lay still on the sofa in the Gryffindor common room, eyes tracking Ginny as she walked across the room. He kept watching her as she bounced over to the sofa and landed beside him. "What are you doing?" she asked brightly.
"Nothing," he said, shifting his weight to let her cuddle up to him. "What are you doing?"
She shrugged. "Not homework, that's for sure. It's Friday night."
"No potions?" he teased.
She made a face. "I don't need to. Slughorn is a way better teacher than Snape."
"Looks better in a dress, too," Harry said.
Ginny twisted around to give him a look. "What are you on about?"
"Beats me."
She frowned at him, then cuddled back down. Her hair smelled like smoky rosemary, and Harry breathed in deeply. It was like home, and he couldn't figure out when rosemary had ever smelled so good.
"Luna told me what happened this morning," Ginny said.
"Mmmh?"
She edged away so she could look at Harry. "That you, you know. Kissed her."
"Oh." Harry blinked at her. "Is that... you know?"
"It's fine," Ginny said quickly. "I'm just feeling a little left out, that's all."
Harry bit his lower lip. "You're a very strange girlfriend, do you know that?"
Ginny arched an eyebrow. "Your point?"
Harry thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. "I guess that was my point."
"Good, then."
In spite of all that, Harry wasn't expecting Ginny to kiss him in full view of the entire Gryffindor common room, but he wasn't in any mood to argue with her.
A gagging sound pulled Harry back to reality. Ron was standing by the end of the sofa, making faces. "McGonagall wants to see you, Harry," he said when he could get the words out.
Harry contemplated letting her wait, but even his logic-impaired brain knew that was a bad idea. Giving Ginny an apologetic grin, he hoisted himself off the sofa and headed after Ron.
McGonagall and Tonks were waiting in the hall outside Gryffindor tower. Tonks gave him a small wave of welcome. "Thank you, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said. "Mr. Potter, with us."
"Sure," Harry said. "Later, Ron." Following the Professor and the Auror down the hall in silence was tolerable for only a few minutes. Then Harry said, "How's it going, Tonks?"
"Going good," she said in response. Her lavender hair bounced down her back as she walked, and Harry was having a very hard time remembering that she was Remus's girlfriend and he had two girlfriends and he wasn't really allowed to look as she walked, but-- "... and you'll be seeing less of me after Halloween."
"Why?" he blurted out, taking quick steps to walk beside her.
"Changing of the guard," Tonks said with a laugh. "The new Aurors are going to be here next Thursday, and we'll be heading out the following Sunday."
Harry did some quick math in his head. "So you're going to have a double shift here during the Halloween party?"
"Yes."
"Why? Are you expecting trouble? Is something going to happen?" He almost tripped over his own feet. "Where are we going?"
Something flickered in Tonks's eyes, but she didn't respond. McGonagall cleared her throat. "We are going to the infirmary," the Professor said.
"Again, why? Ma'am," he amended quickly.
"Mr. Potter..."
"Is it the full moon thing?" Harry pressed. "Is something wrong with Reece?"
The look McGonagall gave him could almost be described as pity. "No, Mr. Potter. It's not Reece."
Harry couldn't think of a way to explain he wasn't a werewolf, not without sounding like he was in denial, so he stayed silent for the rest of the walk to the infirmary. It was easier that way.
Harry was expecting Reece and Madame Pomfrey. He wasn't expecting to see Dumbledore, and it made him pull up short.
"Ah, Harry," Dumbledore said. Reece's head shot up, and even at this distance Harry could see that the boy's eyes were a bright grey, instead of the normal brown. "Thank you for coming."
Harry didn't say anything as he strode across the infirmary to Reece's side. The young boy was still dressed, but he was hunched over himself. The change wasn't far off.
"You will need to take this," Dumbledore continued, handing Harry a wooden spoon.
"For?"
"It's a portkey, Harry," Dumbledore said as Reece pressed himself against Harry's side. "It will take you and young Reece here to a cavern underneath Hogwarts for you to spend the evening."
Harry looked at the spoon. How many caverns were there under Hogwarts, anyway? "I need to talk to you about something, sir," Harry tried.
Dumbledore nodded. "Perhaps in the morning?"
"Sure, I guess." Harry wanted to insist on talking to Dumbledore at that very moment, but Reece shuddered against Harry. They were out of time.
"Albus, I must insist on this being a bad idea," McGonagall interjected. "What if something goes wrong--"
"Reece isn't going to eat me, are you?" Harry asked the boy.
Reece pulled enough of himself together to shake his head. "No, won't eat... Harry..." He shuddered again.
"Sir?" Harry said, alarmed.
"The phrase to activate the portkey is 'Earl Grey'," Dumbledore said.
"Of course it is," Harry said, taking a hold of Reece's arm. "Earl Grey."
The portkey hooked into Harry and yanked him bodily out of the infirmary, dumping him onto the ground in a dim cavern.
"Great." Harry got to his feet as Reece pushed away from him and shifted, his clothes ripping as his body changed into the form of a werewolf.
Harry tossed the spoon onto a ledge, then shrugged out of his robe and his shoes. He quickly changed into his Animagus form, felling relief wash over him as the world became sharper, greyer, and alive with smells.
A few feet away, Reece stepped out of the pool of shifter fluid and shook himself. He was in full wolf form, and was only slightly smaller than Harry. Oh yeah, in a few years he's going to be a monster, Harry thought as he bounded over to Reece's side.
The young werewolf opened his mouth and rolled his head, but Harry was having none of it. He opened his own mouth and managed to get a loose grasp on Reece's nose with his jaws.
Reece shook his head, but he let Harry hold him, the mark of a dominant wolf, for a heartbeat. Then Harry pulled back and Reece tossed his head again and raced off, following a scent.
Why couldn't Dumbledore let us outside? Harry wondered, chasing after Reece. Reece could hunt and it'd be better than being stuck in a grey waterlogged cavern.
The next moment, Harry caught the scent that had captivated Reece. It was unmistakable in the damp and gloom in the cavern: Fresh, rain-bitten air.
Reece was already scrabbling at the hole in the rocks. Harry pushed him aside, then changed back into his human form. "Wait a second," he said, pulling his wand. He used a charm to enlarge the hole in the rocks, then peeked outside.
The hole opened onto the rocky slope beside the lake, and there was enough dirt on the ground to let Harry know they could get down to the Forbidden Forest safely.
He pulled his head back inside and tucked his wand away. "Follow me, okay?"
Reece gave a panting yip. Harry shifted back into wolf form and crawled out of the hole, then Reece hurried out of the cavern and took off down the slope.
So much for waiting for me, Harry grumbled, tearing after Reece. Running in wolf form, silent and easily, cleared his head like nothing else had for weeks. He managed to pull along side Reece, then barked and veered toward the Forest.
Harry ran into the trees, kept running past the darkened corners and enticing smells, until he reached a moon-lit clearing in the trees. There, he pulled to a stop and pointed his head to the sky.
Reece's howl joined Harry's own as they claimed the Forest as their own.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 12:48 am (UTC)Hermione...frustrates me, in canon and here, which is great. It's very obvious with Hermione that she has her own point of view that follows mostly logic and books and what they tell her and of course it has to be right. Plus she's got this, I suppose moral thing that's really frustrating. I don't know what I'm trying to say, but the thing is your hermione invokes all those same emotions and that's great.
Aww, poor Neville with the evil wand. Please don't kill him.
I love Harry with his girls. I never thought I'd say that, but somehow when it's Ginny and Luna everything's good.
Enjoyed it as always, and wow, only 10 more chapters. How long have you been posting this for? I'm pretty sure I started following close to the beginning but I'm not sure how long ago that was.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-12 04:13 pm (UTC)Hermione is an interesting character -- she's not the Mary Sue of the books, that's for sure. She's moral and logical and all that stuff, but Harry's not that kind of guy (esp. now with the "feelings" of the wolf.
Neville? Why on earth would you suggest that I would hurt Neville? (Yeah, I'm mean)
the H/G/L thing is odd, in its sweetness. I think it's working so well because it's in early days. We'll see how things progress.
I've been writing this since Aug. 2004, but I started posting it in Feb. 2005. So, like, forEVER.
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 01:24 am (UTC)Ooh... Harry's starting to come up with a plan. And yeah, more Reece.
Gotta go back and read it again. :)
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 02:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-12 06:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 02:23 am (UTC)Brilliant! And HURRAH! *blink* when was Slughorn in a dress? Um... you know what? Never mind, I don't want to know. :D
Lordy, Snape you devious bastard. Inferii huh? Interesting.... and what the heck was the Malfoy moment about? *scritches head* all puzzled now, but happy! Very happy! Wow has Hermione got a wand up her butt the last little while, but the thing is? She tends towards the right - as in logically that's the correct thing (within her way of thinking). Except for the necromancy is evil business. She needs to get the heck over that! Perhaps a meeting between Anita and Hermione would... *gazes off into the distance* Ok, likely end in bloodshed. :)
There was an extra " in there somewhere at the start of a sentence but I can't find it now. Hm... anyhoo, beyond that. All good. :D
:)
Jaydeyn
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 01:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-05 02:31 am (UTC)Absolutely! :D Nice catch. The Doctor has always been fabulous. :)
:)
Jaydeyn
no subject
Date: 2006-09-13 05:45 am (UTC)when was Slughorn in a dress?
Never. I'm a troublemaker. Either that, or Harry has "issues".
You people are seeing things about the Inferii that are not to be. In fact, I can't give too much away here but I will say that Snape brought up the Inferii for a reason to be address in a few chapters. Plus, he didn't want Harry (potential little werewolf) to get all Grr and attack the other students.
Yes, Hermione's right, except Harry's also right. It's a mess between them, and given enough time, they'll work through their issues. *checks watch* Hrm. Only 10 more chapters to go...
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 02:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 03:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-13 04:25 pm (UTC)The Malfoy moment will be explained later in the story (I hope I'm not being too subtle with it)
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 03:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-13 04:40 pm (UTC)Neville is love.
And so is Reece. I love that little OC.
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Date: 2006-09-04 04:32 am (UTC)-- Guile
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Date: 2006-09-04 04:33 am (UTC)and the harry/luna and harry/ginny thing is working out perfectly.
am so so loving this!
no subject
Date: 2006-09-13 04:47 pm (UTC)OMG!
Date: 2006-09-04 07:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 08:02 am (UTC)Ron was so...Ronnish in this one, good job! Hermione is such a shit. I hate prejudice and this blind faith she has in the written word. Luna and Ginny and their relationship with Harry gives me joygasms. ^__^
no subject
Date: 2006-09-13 05:48 pm (UTC)PS H/G/L is so cute, I agree :)
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 11:19 am (UTC)Hmm, also wondering about the Malfoy moment. I'm not sure if it was a mention of something in the books, or in the story, seeing as I haven't read either of them in quite some time.
When is Remus going to come? I mean, it is the full moon, I thought we'd see him in this chapter.
Snape is being his typical meany self, I hope Harry or Anita put him in his place sometime soon.
Thanks for writing and can't wait for more!
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 11:21 am (UTC)Also much Reece-love :D
Em
no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 01:49 pm (UTC)Neville, as usual, I want to hug.
Luna/Ginny/Harry is believable, the way you write it.
Hmm... wonder what Elsa is up to?
Also, looking forward to finding out what happens next. Good luck on the next chapter...
Ramblings on chapter 70
Date: 2006-09-04 02:01 pm (UTC)Harry's just such a doofus sometimes... he can transfigure Tonk's robes in a heartbeat, but not his own shirts. Sigh.
People seem angry about Hermione's attitude toward necromancy. On the one hand, it makes sense to bring Anita in - fire with fire, and all that. But you know, Hermione has a point. It is seriously creepy and downright revolting to reanimate the dead, which one forgets sometimes with Anita's pragmatic and workaday attitude toward it. What would be more vile than a poorly resurrected zombie of a loved one? Still, Hermione is acting oddly, not to be able to see her way past her revulsion (and it seems to be just that - her argument with Harry that it's EEEEEvil has no force, she's just flailing around) to see the value in having a powerful necromancer with a good character reference on their side, and I wonder why.
"Killer" - Harry and Quirrell. It has always bugged me in the books that nobody ever mentions or cares that Harry killed Quirrell. Of course it was self-defense and he doesn't deserve punishment, but that's not the point. The point is that he killed a man, and IIRC he has nightmares all the time. But then, they're not big on mental health in the Potter-verse.
Harry is being surprisingly forthright with Neville. I'm glad he's grown past his first-year attitude. I don't buy his argument for why Neville shouldn't get a new wand, though.
Inferii: oh, my. Things are going to get interesting! It's no coincidence when Snape disrupts a lesson plan to quiz people on unfamiliar Dark creatures. He'll love Harry's anwser, I'm sure. "Dead people puppets" indeed. Oh, wait. Oh, no. Please don't tell me Hermione went to Snape with her concern. Just no.
More than that, he couldn't tell them that the thought of dying didn't frighten him anymore. Huh, why not? He's got more to live for than ever. Is this a "weight of the world" "death is my gift" thing?
Goodness, there are a lot of questions in this chapter, and I could go on. Maybe later. Thank you for the update!
Re: Ramblings on chapter 70
Date: 2006-09-05 06:37 pm (UTC)Re: Ramblings on chapter 70
Date: 2006-09-05 07:02 pm (UTC)I will read and comment on the triumphant finale of _About a Boy_ soon, I hope.
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Date: 2006-09-04 03:00 pm (UTC)I have to ask what is up with Hermione? She is not being fair to Harry at all, like he needed that on his conscience too.
Yeah Harry's hormones are all over the place is a puberty thing or something else? (I guess something else like the full moon:) But the boy got kissed by both girls. I must say the pairing is working out well, with Luna being able to calm Ginny down and Harry being protective and getting cheered up by the girls. Jason must be having a field day with this it's just up his ally.
Hope we get to see more of Anita and company soon, I can't wait for Damien's reaction on Harry's halloween costume. Update soon please I was starting to get withdrawal symptoms:)
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Date: 2006-09-04 03:33 pm (UTC)I think what was possibly my favorite scene ever this chapter was the Neville scene. I just loved how he was composed as they walked to the greenhouse (bet his grandmother trained that into him) and then as soon as it was safe to, dropped his guard. And the whole wand reaction, totally Neville. I loved his last comments to Harry, too... I can understand Neville's revulsion at using a wand with a bit of Voldemort within it.
The twins were love, even for those few moments they appeared, as well as Elsa. <3 And Reece. Is it possible to adore an original character so much? He's SO adorable. I wonder if we're ever going to get to meet Reece's pack... I imagine the little guy has already told his 'uncle' all about Harry. Altogether, brilliant chapter. <3
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Date: 2006-09-04 03:39 pm (UTC)Anyway, it would be a sneaky way for Snape to have proof that Harry is consorting with Dark, Forbidden magic, if Harry answered with his knowledge of zombies. A load of trouble with the Ministry too, if they find out. Harry should leave the Wizardry world to their own prejudices, and let them face Voldemort alone. St. Louis is a hell of a place to be, with the MoAD and the Council, and all the trouble that comes to Anita's way, but at least he can choose and be his own man.
Neville and the wand... Neville was the "other candidate" that fit the prophesy, right? I'm not big in HP books as (that's my daughter department...)but I think I'm right. What this could mean? Could the wand not be a real Horcrux, but the weapon that will defeat Voldemort, at the hands of the real Chosen Boy? Mmmm... Good thing they haven't decided to destroy it yet then...
There are way to many things to comment, but these two were the ones that hit me more. The rest of the chapter was excellent, really.
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Date: 2006-09-04 03:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-04 06:24 pm (UTC)Hermione should be locked into a room with Anita and taught that she's not always right about everything. That said, I think you have her character down pat, very canon.
I figured Elsa would be the one to show up, but as a "grown up" and talking to the Weasley twins? Interesting...very interesting.
I love that Neville ended up with the wand, I can't wait to see where that leads! Also, Harry and his girls? Very nice. It makes me want to squee =P
Another wonderful chapter, well worth the wait. Especially nice seeing another full moon ♥
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Date: 2006-09-04 07:19 pm (UTC)im on the last chapter of danse macabre, and i cant believe that the whole book only takes place over the course of two days [i think] and shes has sex how many times? o_0
i counted and on 3 pages she had 14 orgasms all in the course of an hour or so i believe. insane. i want to count to see how many she has in the whole book. hah. :)
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Date: 2006-09-04 09:25 pm (UTC)I like this looser because he is so uptight Harry!
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Date: 2006-09-05 12:13 am (UTC)Harry's panicking and scared and even though Dumbledore is still alive, Harry can't turn to him. It's good that he's starting to form a plan in his head and that he remembered about the wand. I feel bad for Neville, but he can handle it (I hope). Is there something wrong with Harry, like someone/thing is clouding his mind? Or is it just cuz he's super distracted that he's having such a hard time remembering stuff? What's he trying to figure out about Malfoy? He needs to do it quickly. I'm such a Draco fangirl (only in fanon), but I can't wait to see what you do with him here.
Snape is as tooly as ever, but what's he playing at with this inferii business?
Hermione, I just can't hate her even though she isn't seeing Harry's point of view. She only knows what the books have taught her (we all love our books, though) and is probably a little jealous of Anita, who Harry's crazy about and seems to be her exact opposite in every way. Not jealous in any romantic, way but of the way Harry looks to her for help and advice that Hermione can't give him and maybe she blames Anita for how changed Harry is now?
Elsa. That girl is so creepy, but I kinda like her. Though, she better leave Gred 'n Forge alone.
Harry, Ginny, and Luna are just perfect together. They keep him sane. Romilda needs to watch her step.
I absolutely adore Reece. Too cute for words. The end of this chapter was like a huge, much needed exhalation of breath. Harry needs a chill pill stat.
I can't wait for more! :P
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Date: 2006-09-05 12:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-05 01:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-14 12:06 am (UTC)I must say that hermione and her non-understanding of harry's POV is really starting to irritate me.
You and Harry both. She's a special girl, our Hermione. *ahem*
Awesome chappie
Date: 2006-09-05 03:42 am (UTC)Hermione is irritating but I think the whole reason is that she's jealous that she isn't his only answer-girl. He goes to Anita so I think her abilty to think for herself is being cutoff letting her trust in books take over. That he now has another support group with which he has had 'adventures' shakes her confidence in her position in Harry's life. I really hope she isn't why Snape covered inferi in class 'cause it'll really shake Harry's trust in her. This isn't the same as an annoymous broom.
Hehe, I get the Draco thing (I think) but I don't think it's his posture that's getting to Harry. I'm worried that casting spells with a horcrux wand is the same as writing in a horcrux diary. I hope not.
I get the feeling that Anita's response to Harry's passed on message will be interesting. I bet Anita recently learned some stuff that could help. I really loved the twins and wished that we could've seen a real conversation with them about Anita and St. Louis. As long as they don't meet Jason 'cause that'd just be... bad.
Shopping with the triangle was fun. I love how they play off each other. Harry navigated the date quite well for him. He was probably better off without any lycanthropic advice from overseas. This threeway relationship is still a bit too PG for their 'wisdom.'
I think Hermione's line about how Harry would be calling St. Louis 'cause he didn't 'have anyone else' was pure jealousy 'cause otherwise she being a total bitch without cause. I hope she realizes how much she's pushing him away.
Any finally, Harry's beginning thoughts set this chapter up showing how wound up Harry is; how frustrated and yes scared, even if he's denying it. This was loads of fun to read that I can't wait for more goodness.
Re: Awesome chappie
Date: 2006-09-14 12:04 am (UTC)Harry --- he keeps forgetting about his wolf, and part of that is being so far removed from the pack and the reality of what he is... well, no one at Hogwarts understands the animal within (except Reece) and Harry is still trying to prove he's the same old Harry. Only he's so not.
Hermione is feeling jealous at being replaced, yes, but she's also really and justifiably worried that her best friend is being sucked in by dark magic. All she has ever read about necromancy is that it's evil, and frankly Harry's been a little less than helpful about explaining Anita's good side. And Harry, being the delightful young man that he is, isn't at all good with understanding this, and just get annoyed. Ah, teenagers :D
PG... no kidding. You know that if Jason hears about Harry's two girlfriend, his mind's going XXX, and Harry would have to kill him. Harry has the relationship expertise of a walnut, but at heart he's just a good guy and wouldn't be able to mess things up. Or, you know, get to second base.
Glad you liked it!
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Date: 2006-09-05 06:41 pm (UTC)Re: Yip!
Date: 2006-09-13 11:51 pm (UTC)Yeah, things are about to get insane in the next chapter of IN. I decided Harry's life is too easy, and he needed some more complications :D
Yip!
Date: 2006-09-06 10:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-07 05:46 am (UTC)♥
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Date: 2006-09-13 11:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-09 10:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-09-13 11:46 pm (UTC)I wonder what the twins wanted to talk to Harry about.
Forge: "So, Harry, you're dating our sister and this other chick and you're kissing older women. You do realize that if you mess up, you're dragon bait?"
Harry: *...*
Yup, the plot begins its freefall next chapter! Yay! If I ever get a chance to write it. Oh, I'm so damned busy.