Categories > Books > Harry Potter > Love Has No Age
Chapter 42:- A Matter of TrustA/N: The normal, Malehorntaildragon, thanks.
Also I’m still looking for help on this fic. A final beta would be really great to catch the many Spelling and Grammar errors that are still present. Please contact me easysurfing@hotmail.com if you wish to help as any help is greatly appreciated no matter how small or of what skill level.
**
Harry felt himself returning to his body. As he slowly eased himself back into the chair that was behind him his muscles protested at being used after standing for so long. He had found time hard to judge as he had experienced the memories but his body was telling him that it had been a long time. His mind continued to work through everything he had seen and what it all meant to him. Numerous questions flashed up one after the other yet none seemed important to him concerning what he had to do, but eventually he opened his eyes and looked directly at Dumbledore.
“Merope...did she, was she...”
Dumbledore smiled at the first question from Harry. It showed him that he had more compassion within him than anything else. There could have been a great many questions that Harry could have asked, but to ask after the girl pleased him, no matter what others thought of his actions this proved to him that he had been right.
“There is a lot of unknowns with her I’m afraid, but much can be deduced. You see she left the house soon after that memory. There was a giant scandal in the area the squire’s son running off with some peasant girl he had only just met and such like. That man then returning almost a year later telling of unbelievable stories of how he had been tricked...”
“She used magic on him.”
“I think something a little more subtle in the beginning was more likely.”
“A love potion?”
“Exactly something that he could not defend against even if he wanted too. What exactly happened as I said is guesswork. There is no record of a Merapay Riddle but someone matching her description did turn up at an orphanage a year after that memory. She was near death and heavily pregnant, that we do know and unfortunately, we know what happened afterwards, no sooner had she given birth than she died.”
Harry kept quiet as he thought through this additional information; his mind whirled at some of the similarities that it brought forth within his own life.
“How does this help sir?” he eventually asked as the time stretched.
“The secret to defeating an enemy often times lies in their past. We will have to learn everything about him if we are to find out how to defeat him.”
“So you don't know?”
“I...have a few ideas but they are not yet complete. These sessions I hope will fill in the blanks so to speak.”
“Can I tell anybody about these memories?”
Dumbledore thought for a moment.
“Yes it might be a good idea. Miss Granger and Mr Weasley have more than earned our trust, so please feel free to talk to them about it.”
“Is that all?”
“I think it would be for the best. Those two have shared much with you over the years and we know we can trust them, others may not be quiet so simple. The more who know this the greater the chance that what we find will become useless before we can act.”
Harry thought he understood what Dumbledore was saying but why did the Headmaster want to exclude the girls, weren’t they supposed to help him as well?
Dumbledore looked out of the window as he read Harry’s face and saw that it was already very dark out. A glance at the clock told him that they had been in those memories far longer than he had anticipated as curfew had come a long time ago.
“My, my time as indeed gone I hadn’t realised. Well before you depart I have a few things left to discuss. First off the DA, is that the right name for it?”
“Um...yes sir.”
“I hear that you are thinking about continuing this year with it.”
“I was hoping to sir, with your permission of course.”
“Of course Harry, I don’t mind but there will have to be a few changes.”
“Changes?”
“Yes this is an extra curricular activity and so it must follow a few rules. You should have a Professor who is in charge of it. With the nature of what you are doing I would have suggested Professor Snape.”
“But sir...”
“I know Harry so I’ve decided to take the role myself.”
“Does that mean you will be attending?”
“Oh no Harry I will leave it up to you. I may however drop by on occasion.”
“Of course sir.”
“The other thing is a bit trickier, you see without a teacher present I cannot allow you to teach offensive spells or anything that could cause harm. I would be very remiss if I let a student teach these spells, in case they went wrong, so unfortunately you will have to limit your work to shields and other such things.”
“But...”
“Come now Harry you must see it logically if there was an accident who would get the blame?”
“You sir.”
“Very good, I’m letting you continue but you will have to work within my boundaries for all of our sake. How many people do you think will join you?”
“All of the old members sir but I don't know about any new ones.”
“I would like to suggest that you limit it to third year and above. I feel that the spell work would simply be to advance for anybody below that year.”
Harry’s mind suddenly brought forward Gabrielle, with this limitation she would be banned and he had hoped to show her how she could at least defend herself now that she was getting closer to him. But why was Dumbledore putting such restrictions on, yes the spells were advanced but Dennis was only a second year last year and he had done alright hadn’t he?
“Is that all?”
“For the DA it is. Shall we call it a night and arrange to meet say Saturday night next week?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good then, until Saturday Harry and here’s a pass in case any of the teachers find you on the way back. Mind you, you will go straight there Harry as it is really not safe to linger in the hallways after curfew and so no-one should see you.”
“Thank you sir.” Replied Harry before departing and leaving Dumbledore alone with Fawkes.
‘You don't like her.’
“No that’s not it; she’s just not the best for him.” Dumbledore replied slowly getting to his feet to return the pensive.
‘According to you’
“What else do I have to go on?”
‘Look at him, them together all of them and then decide... you may be wrong.’
“Yes, maybe, but if he was with another now he would be much further along.”
‘You know it doesn’t work like that. Is time so precious to you?’
Dumbledore spun round and looked directly at the bird.
“You know that it is that was very heartless of you. It is because....”
But a loud screech stopped him.
‘Only after you begged me, I told you the price and you accepted it now don't complain about the cost. Don't try and ruin another just to satisfy yourself before the end.’
“That’s not it, he needs to learn so much and there is so little time. I want, I need...”
‘But what does he need?’
“I am not being cruel to him; I did everything for the best.”
‘For you maybe, even for the wizarding world but not in the eyes of one girl.’
“But one cannot be greater than the many, you know that. I have to protect the rest.”
‘The rest? You are seeing demons where there are none.’
“Oh but they are there and you know it; I still feel the pull, when he walked in this evening I still felt it. Fifteen years have gone by since that day but I can still feel it, you must know of this and I’m not the only one. I can show you others, I have to protect them, us.”
‘By choosing for him.’
“This is exactly how Tom started, at school.”
‘But Tom was....’
“A boy only trying to influence other boys was that what you were going to say. It doesn’t matter, Harry can change people, influence them. Look at me, Hagrid, should such a man be so upset because of one missing student, no. And then there is Dobby, a house elf so controlled it is almost painful to see. That small creature would do anything Harry asked, he would give his life for him, willingly. That’s the control he has. I have to protect everyone, that’s why I did it, and that’s why she is wrong for him, they all are.”
Fawkes didn’t reply for a long moment she just sat there and looked at Albus with her piercing eyes. She could literally read his thoughts everything he had said was true to him yet he couldn’t see the rest. Time had truly been cruel to the old wizard, but what more could she do without changing the balance.
‘She will find a way and the rest will join her.’
“But he needs someone better.” Pleaded Dumbledore.
‘No you just don’t want to see it, Albus.’
“Neither do you.” He replied as he returned to his desk and waited.
/‘Do what you feel you have to. But you have to look beyond the one, and see the many, and understand. Understanding is everything.’ /With that Fawkes spread her wings and dipped her head at Dumbledore before disappearing in a flash.
***
Harry’s trip through the castle was very eerie. It had been a very long time since he had been out this late and as he moved he could almost feel the castle moving with him. The silence cut through him as he walked up the stairs, but he sensed that something else or more was about. He didn’t know how but he could almost feel the presence around as he reached the portrait.
“Password?” asked a very sleepy Fat Lady.
“Constant Vigilance.”
“Pass” Atoned the Portrait as it swung open. Harry entered the hole but was sure he was being watched; he straightened up and peered out as the frame closed silently but he couldn’t see anything.
Turning back he looked into the common room. It wasn’t a surprise that it was empty, well almost. All of the lights were off but the soft glow of the fire was still present. Harry looked at the glow and saw the outline of a shadow that wasn’t the furniture. He was in two minds at what to do, he suspected he knew what the shadow was and so wanted to prank them, but them something inside of him said no.
He was an adult now, and so were they, whether they were of age or not, it was time he started to be an adult with them. Pranks were fun and he enjoyed them but not now, not tonight and not to them. Quietly he walked up to the sofa almost dreading what he would find. He didn't want to look in on that but as no sound came from the pair so he assumed it would be safe.
Stopping by the chair he looked at his two best friends and felt his heart miss a beat. He didn’t think he was sentimental but something about what he saw touched him. Ron was sitting at the end of the sofa. His long legs stretched out in front of him reading a Quidditch magazine. Hermione was tucked in next to him, leaning fully into him; her legs were folded up next to her. He saw her shoes were neatly placed on the floor so not to damage the sofa it was just how he would have suspected her to be at home. She was reading a large text book but both of them had a look of bliss about them.
“Good Evening.” Greeted Harry in a normal voice.
“Harry!” squeaked Hermione as she looked up, trying to separate from Ron. She spun round and Harry saw her trying to find her shoes and fumbling her book at the same time.
“We...um...ah.” stammered Ron who was trying to sit up a little straighter.
Hermione started to tie her shoes before Harry held up a hand.
“Wait.”
“What?” She replied stopping in mid action
“I know.”
“Know?” she asked a small patch of red entering her cheeks.
Harry sank into the chair before replying.
“Look I know everything. It’s alright honestly.”
“But....”
“Wait Hermione, I said that I know I really do. You don't have to put this act on with me, ok?”
“Act?”
“Yes the pair of you. I saw you two just now you were happy I could see it. Don't ruin that because of me. You don't have to move apart, I can handle it, just don’t be all over each other ok.”
Hermione blushed colouring her cheeks a deep red, but did start to move back towards Ron, Harry saw the wide smile on Ron as she approached. He had to suppress a chuckle at this and decided that he had to tell them the rest that he knew about them just to see Ron’s reaction.
He waited until Hermione was back to her position, and Ron had dropped his arm around her. Again the scene pulled at his heart for some reason the two just looked so happy why couldn’t he find that?
“I also know about Grimmauld Place and I think Ginny suspects.”
“Grimmuald place?” asked Ron swallowing hard.
“Don't ask me how I just do. I can’t explain it I just know that the two of you have been sleeping together.”
Harry saw the look of shock on their faces and he just wished he had a camera with him because this picture was worth more galleons than he had in his vault.
“I said its fine and I mean it. I don't mind, it’s up to you what you do.”
“Harry...” started to say Ron as he found his voice.
“No I mean it I’m fine with it all, we shouldn’t keep things from each other.”
“I... Thank you Harry.” Replied Hermione still shocked at Harry’s words.
“Just be careful.”
In the silence the three just looked at each other as each of them came to terms with Harry’s words.
“Dumbledore told me that I could tell you about this evening.”
“Great what do you learn?”
“History mainly but he said he was going to teach me magic later on.”
“Cool, what magic.”
“Shut up Ron, what History?”
“Um...about a family called the Gaunt’s.”
“Gaunt’s what’s special about them.”
“It’s Voldemort’s mother’s family.”
“Really?” Inquired Hermione suddenly sitting up and groping around for her notebook and quill. Harry saw the slight look of disappointment on Ron’s face at this but continued on.
“Dumbledore had a couple of memories for me to look at. This is what was in them....”
Harry relayed what he could remember for over an hour. Hermione and even Ron asked him a few questions as he went. He saw her writing furiously in her book as he did so, every answer, and every question like she was trying to memorise everything.
“So that was all?” she asked as he finished.
“Yes.”
“Hmmm....Interesting but how does this help?”
“I don't know Dumbledore told me it was a start, and that to defeat an enemy you first must know them. We had to start somewhere and he chooses this.”
“Anything else happen?”
“He spoke about the DA and whether I wanted to continue.”
“Um...are you?” asked Ron.
“Yes, he said that I could. There are a few limitations but I can.”
“Great when do we start, tomorrow? We can tell the others....”
“No I have something else to do.”
“What?” asked Hermione fearing the answer.
“Gabrielle wants to start the lessons again.”
“Can we come?” She asked.
“Of course, but you won’t see anything.”
“I bet we won’t!” she grumbled under her breath before saying. “But it might be informative.” Her mind alive at what she might discover about that little girl.
Harry found himself yawning hard and stood up. “Well I’m off to bed, see you tomorrow.” He didn't wait for a reply he just crossed to the stairs and walked up them his mind still full of the house of Gaunt.
**
Opening the door into the Room of requirements was almost like a home coming. The images of the previous year flooded back to him as he walked in. He had met Susan outside with the others and had done his pacing. He wasn’t sure what he would get but the room looked so comfy and inviting it just felt right.
The room was nowhere near as large as it had been last year but it looked far more comfy. A small fire was blazing along one wall and the floor was covered in a deep pile carpet. There were chairs tables and large cushions thrown around in a haphazard manner but it didn’t matter. He walked to the centre and turned to watch the rest. His eyes fell almost at once upon Gabrielle and he could see the look of wonder on her face, her eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked round at the room.
“Perfect.” She breathed.
“Told you I knew of a place.” he boasted “so what are we going to do today?”
“Well I thought you could develop your casting and sight while I started on Susan, with Ginny’s help.”
Susan smiled but still looked very nervous and was trying to shuffle away from and very cross looking Hermione who seemed to be glaring at Gabrielle and her a lot.
“Ok then, Hermione, Ron could you help me?” asked Harry.
“Of course mate what do you want?”
“Just the pair of you to cast a few simple spells so that I can watch.”
“Watch what?” asked Hermione.
“Your magic.”
“Magic?”
“Um yes I can see magic.”
“That’s imposable.”
“That’s what I said.” Chimed in Susan.
“But I can, I think I can show you...um Gabrielle?”
Gabrielle shook her head. “It doesn’t work like that Harry; they won’t be able to see a thing.”
“Surprise, surprise, very well Harry we’ll do it and then you will see the truth.”
Harry could feel that there was something going on with Hermione and it seemed to be directed at Gabrielle, a small ripple of something went thought his magic at this thought. It almost like he wanted to lash out to protect Gabrielle, but this was Hermione she wouldn’t hurt Gabrielle, would she?
Harry walked over to one of the tables and sat opposite his friends, on the table was a couple of feathers and other objects. Harry relaxed his mind to bring forward his sight and watched as he asked one then the other to levitate the objects and he tried to make out what he saw.
Susan, Ginny and Gabrielle watched for a moment before they walked over to a collection of the cushions, each of them sunk to the ground facing each other.
“Ginny I want you to try and help as well. I thought we could try and use the ribbons to connect, to try and feel each other’s magic.” Said Gabrielle quietly after Harry had turned back to the others.
Ginny nodded and closed her eyes, she found it easy to slip into her magic and started to flow with it and idly she heard Gabrielle giving Susan some instructions as she just flowed with her magic. It wasn’t long before she could feel Gabrielle’s magic and then it wasn’t much longer before she felt a thirds presence, it was more tenuous than Gabrielle’s but there was something.
“I can feel...” she whispered into the air.
“Yes she’s with me but she’s slipping, just try and relax and flow Susan.” Replied Gabrielle softly.
This was how the morning when for them all, working together yet separately in the same room.
**
Draco watched as the Veela hovered around Potter as he left the table and exited the Great Hall. He laughed to himself ‘If she thinks he’s going to protect her she’s has something else coming. It’ll be all too easy to separate them, and then I’ll take her.’ He waited a moment as he pictured the scene of himself dominating her before he stood and sauntered out of the hall still absently chewing on a piece of bacon thinking. He saw that Crabbe was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. He had told both Crabbe and Goyle to be ready this morning and it looked like they had found his prey. Crabbe and Goyle had been with him since before Hogwarts. He felt that he could trust them with everything, sure they weren’t the brightest or the most talented, but they were loyal, and loyal to him.
“Where is he?”
“He’s just gone back to the Gryffindor common room, Goyle’s waiting up there.”
“Good we will wait for him at the end of the seventh floor.” Draco turned and used on of the shortcut to take him to the top. As he emerged behind a suit of armour he saw Goyle waiting in the corridor, with a flick of his head the boy came over.
“Ok you take the end by that portrait. Crabbe stay on the stairs and discourage anybody who isn’t Gryffindor.”
The two large boys grunted in acknowledgement a left for their posts. Draco leaned against the wall hidden in the shadows and waited. It took over an hour for the boy to appear, but once he did Draco smoothly left he place and followed in behind. As soon as he was on the stairs Crabbe and Goyle joined him and they followed the smallest Creavey as he descended the stairs. As he turned on the second floor Draco motioned to the two with him and the closed the distance, in one move the grabbed the boy and flung him into a classroom that Draco had opened.
Once they were all inside Draco turned a locked the door but also cast a locking charm upon it, that should stop any nosey people.
“Wh...what do you....” stammered Dennis as he got to his feet and looked at Draco.
“Shut it runt I’m talking.”
“Now you...”
Draco nodded to Goyle and he crossed to Dennis in an instant and had pinned him against the wall.
“Right get this through to your thick brain. I’m talking you listen, you do what I want you to do or there will be trouble.”
“T...t....trouble.” stammered Dennis.
Goyle grabbed the boy by the throat but stopped at Draco’s words.
“Now, now we don’t want to leave any visible marks.”
“Um...what should I...”
“Just hold him.” Goyle did so as Draco closed the gap.
“Now I want you to do something for me, if not...” Draco raised his wand and everyone could see the end pulsing with unreleased magic.
“Let’s just say you will welcome the holidays. I will make you life hell, everywhere you go I’ll be there transfiguring this or that. Just imagine your camera changing into a snake just when you bring it to your eye, or your bag suddenly catching fire burning your homework. And then a nasty flying accident as Crabbe lands on you from his broom that was out of control I think you get the...picture.”
Draco could see the fear in the boy’s eyes and he brought the tip of his wand closer, he had the urge to inflict pain and not just in petty ways he wanted to crush this boy into submission.
“I need some information and you can get it for me. I want to know how to get into that room on the seventh floor.”
“W...what room.”
Draco shook his head and gestured to Goyle. The large boy rearranged his position and was now leaning very hard on Dennis’s arm. Draco could see the colour drained from the arm as the blood was stopped.
“Don't play with me, I have little patients. I know about the room you used last year for that ‘club’ I want to know how to open the door that’s all, really simple.”
“But I don't know.”
“Don't you think I know that! But Potter does, ask him, he a trusting fool and he’ll tell you and then you will tell me. If not..” Draco nodded once more and Goyle leaned even harder this time. Dennis screamed in pain as he felt his arm being pushed into the wall by the giant student.
Draco smiled in victory as he heard the noise and motioned for Goyle to release the boy. Dennis sunk to the floor holding his arm protective to his chest with tears running down his face.
“Oh and you had better not tell anyone. If you do you will be sorry.”
Dennis shook his head as he still held his arm which was refusing to work at the moment.
“Good, see you next week.” Replied Draco as she walked to the door and cast the charms needed to open it. As they left he closed the door behind him and looked around, at the deserted floor.
“Um I think I might have....” started to say Goyle
“It’s alright Goyle, I think he got the message and he can always go to Madam Pomfrey to fix it. She doesn’t ask questions. Well run along now you two and do whatever you two deprived people do, I think I’m going to find Pansy.
***
By the end of the morning Harry was certain he knew everything about the levitation charm having watched Ron and Hermione cast it time and time again. He still had trouble doing it himself but felt he had done much better than when he was at Grimmauld place. He noticed that Gabrielle hardly touched his magic through the whole morning and that it had been all his own, so he thought at least that was progress he could see himself, if only just, cast that basic spell. The focus wasn’t great but he could definitely see the patterns and flow of magic he just need better control. He wasn’t completely sure where this was going to take him but he smiled anyway.
Their time was almost up; Harry closed his eyes and let his magic flow around him. He could still see four ribbons three were taught and went straight into the girls sitting on the other side of the room. It was the fourth however that drew his attention, it shot off in a completely different direction. He absently followed it to whomever it was he was connected to. He was curious as to whom it was, and why they were connected. He tried to connect to their magic, to get a feel for who they were. He could definitely tell that the person was different, it was odd though that the only other thing he could make out was a feeling of tranquillity. He withdrew and refocused on the three he did know, and before he realized it time was up.
***
Bernadette let the late afternoon sum warm her as she sat in the wicker chair. Sebastian had been called into the Ministry yet again and this time even she didn't know why. It had been a hectic time for her these past few weeks and it was almost all because of her daughters.
She closed her eyes and remembered the meeting with Madam Maxine. She had been appalled to hear that Gabrielle would not be joining her academy this year and that she had enrolled at Hogwarts. Bernadette and tried to explain in the best way she knew the lie that her and Sebastian had come up with but she could see that Giant Headmistress was not convinced, and who would be?
Sebastian had tried so hard to get Gabrielle accepted that her not turning up would cause questions. The school wasn’t against Veela, they still had a fair number of part Veela but Gabrielle was different and they both knew it, she was more Veela than anything the school had previously accepted. They had convinced Madam Maxine that she would be fine and there would be no problems with the other students. Also in final years she would be a great asset to the school, but now all that had been thrown away.
It wasn’t long after that that Sebastian had been ‘Promoted’ in the Ministry. He had tried to hide it from her but she had managed one night to get him to tell her. His promotion was sideways, very sideways. He was never going to be Minister of Magic in France but he was destined to run one of the great departments but not now, now he was an Assistant in the Overseas Relation’s department. Normally this would have been perfect for him but he suspected it was just the step to him being given some post in some distance land well away from the public and private gatherings in France.
Then she noticed even more, the odd report she managed to see or the letters she read in the paper said that she was being investigated again. Nothing formal, nothing damaging but it looked like she was being looked at once more and in certain circles it was being muttered at how such a low born person could have married such a wealthy and influential man, and what was happening with their Daughters; a top student from Beaubatton, competitor in the Tri-Wizard tournament and now not working in the Ministry and even not in the country. Then their youngest, the most perfect ‘little girl’ any parent would want but is now not studying in a French school, did the Delacour’s no longer love France?
This and much more floated around her mind; she just prayed that Sebastian would be fine; he had given up so much for her it hurt. She didn't want him to give up more just because of her or their daughters and this ‘magic’.
A small dot in the sky caught her eye as it approached. She felt her breath catch slightly as the white dot transformed into a gliding owl. The time passed too slowly for her but eventually she could make out the owl. The relief within her could be felt by anyone who was standing close, she had received too few letters from either of her daughters but it looked like one more was on its way. The owl gracefully landed on the table and wearily raised its leg.
With gentle hands she untied the ribbon, unfurled the letter and started to read.
Mama, and Papa,
The classes here are harder than I thought they would be. The first few days everything seemed to go wrong, but Harry and Ginny said that I should give it a few more days. They’ve really helped me, especially Ginny; she’s been there when I really needed a friend. There is of course Charlene, the rabbit that Harry bought me. She’s been great too. Do you like that name, I think it fits she’s just so small that there isn’t any other way to describe her. She peed on Ron (Ginny’s older brother) yesterday when he picked her up it was quite odd actually I had just gotten her out of her cage and sat her down like I normally do to read. I asked Ron to hold her while I had my hands full, he couldn’t have held her for more than a second. She just went right there in the middle of the common room. She’s never done that before then, and hasn’t done it since. So I think that she just doesn’t like Ron, ironically since then he hasn’t gone near her either.
How are you doing? I hope everything is well. I’ll try and write more now that my schedule is a bit more fixed and not so spontaneous. Please allow Hedwig to rest there, she just finished delivering a letter I wrote to Fleur, and travelled straight from her to you.
Miss you,
Gabrielle
Bernadette sighed as she rolled the parchment back up. She pulled out her wand and tried to summon paper, ink, and quill to write a reply. It was a lot harder than her husband made it seem. She examined her nine inch willow and unicorn hair wand as she sat down. It was more or less a token that she purchased a few years before Fleur went to school. It was a poor attempt to hide her meagre past. She’d never be good at anything that didn’t come close to her Veela side and even that wasn’t very powerful, but she vowed to learn enough to at least appear to be proficient at using magic.
She turned her attention back to the letter; Gabrielle having trouble in school didn’t surprise her a bit. She had inquired about her daughter’s wand shortly after she had heard of it. The wand maker had told her that such a small wand wouldn’t be very powerful. Whoever it had chosen also wouldn’t be very powerful, they would most likely have trouble at first simply using it. Later on the person would most likely only be average if they really worked at it. She thought of what to write before she began. She’d have to leave space for Sebastian to write some as well but she was going to try and cheer up Gabrielle the best she could.
***
Harry spent the rest of the afternoon with everyone in the library studying. Susan had sat with them but she seemed to withdraw into herself as soon as Hermione started. He was sure that she knew as many of the answers as Hermione but she never said anything. Harry tried not to ask anything because of this but Hermione kept insisting on telling him what to write anyway. This was very unusual because she was never so open in helping them, she might help here or there, do the odd correction but that was all. Harry thought that Hermione was trying to keep the conversation so advanced that it excluded Gabrielle but Harry saw that the young girl didn't seem to care as she just got on with her own homework in a neat and precise manner. Ginny occasionally lent over to her and looked at what she was doing but never did she have to give any help.
They ended up spending the entire afternoon studying eventually separating when they reached the Great Hall for Dinner. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing with Ginny and Gabrielle in the common room. It was early that evening that Harry decided to go to bed, in an effort to catch up on the sleep he missed out on the nights before.
Harry climbed into bed and closed the curtain’s, no sooner had he lain down than there was a flash of fire signally Fawkes’s arrival. The bird landed elegantly on the headboard of Harry’s bed and acknowledged him. Harry wasn’t sure but by the sudden silence around him he suspected that Fawkes had cast some other magic when she arrived as well, to give them some privacy.
“Good evening Fawkes how are you?”
‘I’m fine young one, yourself?’
“Pretty good, just going to try and catch up on some sleep, and to mull over the information from last night.” Harry said remembering the night before and all the information that he was inundated with.
The bird nodded sagely ‘That is very wise. May I inquire as to whom you have saw fit to share this information with?’
Harry shrugged “Just Ron and Hermione, Dumbledore said that I could trust them.” Harry felt that the headmaster didn’t want anybody else to know besides them and he really didn’t want to tell that many people about it anyway.
‘Yes they have indeed earned the right to know.’ Fawkes paused and looked at Harry closely. Her eye’s examining, judging him, seemingly to verify if he was worthy, and to think about how much or little it would cost to continue this line of conversation.
‘Tell me young one, is there anybody else you feel should know?’
Harry thought for a minute before replying tentatively. “I, well I don’t know.” Harry thought for a minute before he continued. “I thought of Ginny and Gabrielle but-“
‘But you are unsure if they, especially Gabrielle, can be trusted with this?’
“Yeah”
‘I would tell you, that there are those in the school who you can trust implicitly, without any reservation. Accordingly there are those in this school who you can not trust implicitly, despite their status, or deeds, or relationship to you. You and you alone must decipher who you can and cannot trust, when I tell you this I speak of everyone, my young companion, everyone, within these walls.’
Harry’s mind whirled with questions. Did he do something wrong? Was Dumbledore wrong? Did someone over hear him tell Ron and Hermione? Did someone follow him last night? He was brought short with a trill.
’Fret not tonight young one, for I will soothe your worries. As I told you earlier trust in your magic, and heart, for they will very rarely guide you wrong. Sleep well my companion.’
With that Fawkes opened her beak and phoenix song flowed forth softly. Within in moments Harry felt his heart lighten and his eyes grow heavy, he was asleep soon after.
Also I’m still looking for help on this fic. A final beta would be really great to catch the many Spelling and Grammar errors that are still present. Please contact me easysurfing@hotmail.com if you wish to help as any help is greatly appreciated no matter how small or of what skill level.
**
Harry felt himself returning to his body. As he slowly eased himself back into the chair that was behind him his muscles protested at being used after standing for so long. He had found time hard to judge as he had experienced the memories but his body was telling him that it had been a long time. His mind continued to work through everything he had seen and what it all meant to him. Numerous questions flashed up one after the other yet none seemed important to him concerning what he had to do, but eventually he opened his eyes and looked directly at Dumbledore.
“Merope...did she, was she...”
Dumbledore smiled at the first question from Harry. It showed him that he had more compassion within him than anything else. There could have been a great many questions that Harry could have asked, but to ask after the girl pleased him, no matter what others thought of his actions this proved to him that he had been right.
“There is a lot of unknowns with her I’m afraid, but much can be deduced. You see she left the house soon after that memory. There was a giant scandal in the area the squire’s son running off with some peasant girl he had only just met and such like. That man then returning almost a year later telling of unbelievable stories of how he had been tricked...”
“She used magic on him.”
“I think something a little more subtle in the beginning was more likely.”
“A love potion?”
“Exactly something that he could not defend against even if he wanted too. What exactly happened as I said is guesswork. There is no record of a Merapay Riddle but someone matching her description did turn up at an orphanage a year after that memory. She was near death and heavily pregnant, that we do know and unfortunately, we know what happened afterwards, no sooner had she given birth than she died.”
Harry kept quiet as he thought through this additional information; his mind whirled at some of the similarities that it brought forth within his own life.
“How does this help sir?” he eventually asked as the time stretched.
“The secret to defeating an enemy often times lies in their past. We will have to learn everything about him if we are to find out how to defeat him.”
“So you don't know?”
“I...have a few ideas but they are not yet complete. These sessions I hope will fill in the blanks so to speak.”
“Can I tell anybody about these memories?”
Dumbledore thought for a moment.
“Yes it might be a good idea. Miss Granger and Mr Weasley have more than earned our trust, so please feel free to talk to them about it.”
“Is that all?”
“I think it would be for the best. Those two have shared much with you over the years and we know we can trust them, others may not be quiet so simple. The more who know this the greater the chance that what we find will become useless before we can act.”
Harry thought he understood what Dumbledore was saying but why did the Headmaster want to exclude the girls, weren’t they supposed to help him as well?
Dumbledore looked out of the window as he read Harry’s face and saw that it was already very dark out. A glance at the clock told him that they had been in those memories far longer than he had anticipated as curfew had come a long time ago.
“My, my time as indeed gone I hadn’t realised. Well before you depart I have a few things left to discuss. First off the DA, is that the right name for it?”
“Um...yes sir.”
“I hear that you are thinking about continuing this year with it.”
“I was hoping to sir, with your permission of course.”
“Of course Harry, I don’t mind but there will have to be a few changes.”
“Changes?”
“Yes this is an extra curricular activity and so it must follow a few rules. You should have a Professor who is in charge of it. With the nature of what you are doing I would have suggested Professor Snape.”
“But sir...”
“I know Harry so I’ve decided to take the role myself.”
“Does that mean you will be attending?”
“Oh no Harry I will leave it up to you. I may however drop by on occasion.”
“Of course sir.”
“The other thing is a bit trickier, you see without a teacher present I cannot allow you to teach offensive spells or anything that could cause harm. I would be very remiss if I let a student teach these spells, in case they went wrong, so unfortunately you will have to limit your work to shields and other such things.”
“But...”
“Come now Harry you must see it logically if there was an accident who would get the blame?”
“You sir.”
“Very good, I’m letting you continue but you will have to work within my boundaries for all of our sake. How many people do you think will join you?”
“All of the old members sir but I don't know about any new ones.”
“I would like to suggest that you limit it to third year and above. I feel that the spell work would simply be to advance for anybody below that year.”
Harry’s mind suddenly brought forward Gabrielle, with this limitation she would be banned and he had hoped to show her how she could at least defend herself now that she was getting closer to him. But why was Dumbledore putting such restrictions on, yes the spells were advanced but Dennis was only a second year last year and he had done alright hadn’t he?
“Is that all?”
“For the DA it is. Shall we call it a night and arrange to meet say Saturday night next week?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good then, until Saturday Harry and here’s a pass in case any of the teachers find you on the way back. Mind you, you will go straight there Harry as it is really not safe to linger in the hallways after curfew and so no-one should see you.”
“Thank you sir.” Replied Harry before departing and leaving Dumbledore alone with Fawkes.
‘You don't like her.’
“No that’s not it; she’s just not the best for him.” Dumbledore replied slowly getting to his feet to return the pensive.
‘According to you’
“What else do I have to go on?”
‘Look at him, them together all of them and then decide... you may be wrong.’
“Yes, maybe, but if he was with another now he would be much further along.”
‘You know it doesn’t work like that. Is time so precious to you?’
Dumbledore spun round and looked directly at the bird.
“You know that it is that was very heartless of you. It is because....”
But a loud screech stopped him.
‘Only after you begged me, I told you the price and you accepted it now don't complain about the cost. Don't try and ruin another just to satisfy yourself before the end.’
“That’s not it, he needs to learn so much and there is so little time. I want, I need...”
‘But what does he need?’
“I am not being cruel to him; I did everything for the best.”
‘For you maybe, even for the wizarding world but not in the eyes of one girl.’
“But one cannot be greater than the many, you know that. I have to protect the rest.”
‘The rest? You are seeing demons where there are none.’
“Oh but they are there and you know it; I still feel the pull, when he walked in this evening I still felt it. Fifteen years have gone by since that day but I can still feel it, you must know of this and I’m not the only one. I can show you others, I have to protect them, us.”
‘By choosing for him.’
“This is exactly how Tom started, at school.”
‘But Tom was....’
“A boy only trying to influence other boys was that what you were going to say. It doesn’t matter, Harry can change people, influence them. Look at me, Hagrid, should such a man be so upset because of one missing student, no. And then there is Dobby, a house elf so controlled it is almost painful to see. That small creature would do anything Harry asked, he would give his life for him, willingly. That’s the control he has. I have to protect everyone, that’s why I did it, and that’s why she is wrong for him, they all are.”
Fawkes didn’t reply for a long moment she just sat there and looked at Albus with her piercing eyes. She could literally read his thoughts everything he had said was true to him yet he couldn’t see the rest. Time had truly been cruel to the old wizard, but what more could she do without changing the balance.
‘She will find a way and the rest will join her.’
“But he needs someone better.” Pleaded Dumbledore.
‘No you just don’t want to see it, Albus.’
“Neither do you.” He replied as he returned to his desk and waited.
/‘Do what you feel you have to. But you have to look beyond the one, and see the many, and understand. Understanding is everything.’ /With that Fawkes spread her wings and dipped her head at Dumbledore before disappearing in a flash.
***
Harry’s trip through the castle was very eerie. It had been a very long time since he had been out this late and as he moved he could almost feel the castle moving with him. The silence cut through him as he walked up the stairs, but he sensed that something else or more was about. He didn’t know how but he could almost feel the presence around as he reached the portrait.
“Password?” asked a very sleepy Fat Lady.
“Constant Vigilance.”
“Pass” Atoned the Portrait as it swung open. Harry entered the hole but was sure he was being watched; he straightened up and peered out as the frame closed silently but he couldn’t see anything.
Turning back he looked into the common room. It wasn’t a surprise that it was empty, well almost. All of the lights were off but the soft glow of the fire was still present. Harry looked at the glow and saw the outline of a shadow that wasn’t the furniture. He was in two minds at what to do, he suspected he knew what the shadow was and so wanted to prank them, but them something inside of him said no.
He was an adult now, and so were they, whether they were of age or not, it was time he started to be an adult with them. Pranks were fun and he enjoyed them but not now, not tonight and not to them. Quietly he walked up to the sofa almost dreading what he would find. He didn't want to look in on that but as no sound came from the pair so he assumed it would be safe.
Stopping by the chair he looked at his two best friends and felt his heart miss a beat. He didn’t think he was sentimental but something about what he saw touched him. Ron was sitting at the end of the sofa. His long legs stretched out in front of him reading a Quidditch magazine. Hermione was tucked in next to him, leaning fully into him; her legs were folded up next to her. He saw her shoes were neatly placed on the floor so not to damage the sofa it was just how he would have suspected her to be at home. She was reading a large text book but both of them had a look of bliss about them.
“Good Evening.” Greeted Harry in a normal voice.
“Harry!” squeaked Hermione as she looked up, trying to separate from Ron. She spun round and Harry saw her trying to find her shoes and fumbling her book at the same time.
“We...um...ah.” stammered Ron who was trying to sit up a little straighter.
Hermione started to tie her shoes before Harry held up a hand.
“Wait.”
“What?” She replied stopping in mid action
“I know.”
“Know?” she asked a small patch of red entering her cheeks.
Harry sank into the chair before replying.
“Look I know everything. It’s alright honestly.”
“But....”
“Wait Hermione, I said that I know I really do. You don't have to put this act on with me, ok?”
“Act?”
“Yes the pair of you. I saw you two just now you were happy I could see it. Don't ruin that because of me. You don't have to move apart, I can handle it, just don’t be all over each other ok.”
Hermione blushed colouring her cheeks a deep red, but did start to move back towards Ron, Harry saw the wide smile on Ron as she approached. He had to suppress a chuckle at this and decided that he had to tell them the rest that he knew about them just to see Ron’s reaction.
He waited until Hermione was back to her position, and Ron had dropped his arm around her. Again the scene pulled at his heart for some reason the two just looked so happy why couldn’t he find that?
“I also know about Grimmauld Place and I think Ginny suspects.”
“Grimmuald place?” asked Ron swallowing hard.
“Don't ask me how I just do. I can’t explain it I just know that the two of you have been sleeping together.”
Harry saw the look of shock on their faces and he just wished he had a camera with him because this picture was worth more galleons than he had in his vault.
“I said its fine and I mean it. I don't mind, it’s up to you what you do.”
“Harry...” started to say Ron as he found his voice.
“No I mean it I’m fine with it all, we shouldn’t keep things from each other.”
“I... Thank you Harry.” Replied Hermione still shocked at Harry’s words.
“Just be careful.”
In the silence the three just looked at each other as each of them came to terms with Harry’s words.
“Dumbledore told me that I could tell you about this evening.”
“Great what do you learn?”
“History mainly but he said he was going to teach me magic later on.”
“Cool, what magic.”
“Shut up Ron, what History?”
“Um...about a family called the Gaunt’s.”
“Gaunt’s what’s special about them.”
“It’s Voldemort’s mother’s family.”
“Really?” Inquired Hermione suddenly sitting up and groping around for her notebook and quill. Harry saw the slight look of disappointment on Ron’s face at this but continued on.
“Dumbledore had a couple of memories for me to look at. This is what was in them....”
Harry relayed what he could remember for over an hour. Hermione and even Ron asked him a few questions as he went. He saw her writing furiously in her book as he did so, every answer, and every question like she was trying to memorise everything.
“So that was all?” she asked as he finished.
“Yes.”
“Hmmm....Interesting but how does this help?”
“I don't know Dumbledore told me it was a start, and that to defeat an enemy you first must know them. We had to start somewhere and he chooses this.”
“Anything else happen?”
“He spoke about the DA and whether I wanted to continue.”
“Um...are you?” asked Ron.
“Yes, he said that I could. There are a few limitations but I can.”
“Great when do we start, tomorrow? We can tell the others....”
“No I have something else to do.”
“What?” asked Hermione fearing the answer.
“Gabrielle wants to start the lessons again.”
“Can we come?” She asked.
“Of course, but you won’t see anything.”
“I bet we won’t!” she grumbled under her breath before saying. “But it might be informative.” Her mind alive at what she might discover about that little girl.
Harry found himself yawning hard and stood up. “Well I’m off to bed, see you tomorrow.” He didn't wait for a reply he just crossed to the stairs and walked up them his mind still full of the house of Gaunt.
**
Opening the door into the Room of requirements was almost like a home coming. The images of the previous year flooded back to him as he walked in. He had met Susan outside with the others and had done his pacing. He wasn’t sure what he would get but the room looked so comfy and inviting it just felt right.
The room was nowhere near as large as it had been last year but it looked far more comfy. A small fire was blazing along one wall and the floor was covered in a deep pile carpet. There were chairs tables and large cushions thrown around in a haphazard manner but it didn’t matter. He walked to the centre and turned to watch the rest. His eyes fell almost at once upon Gabrielle and he could see the look of wonder on her face, her eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked round at the room.
“Perfect.” She breathed.
“Told you I knew of a place.” he boasted “so what are we going to do today?”
“Well I thought you could develop your casting and sight while I started on Susan, with Ginny’s help.”
Susan smiled but still looked very nervous and was trying to shuffle away from and very cross looking Hermione who seemed to be glaring at Gabrielle and her a lot.
“Ok then, Hermione, Ron could you help me?” asked Harry.
“Of course mate what do you want?”
“Just the pair of you to cast a few simple spells so that I can watch.”
“Watch what?” asked Hermione.
“Your magic.”
“Magic?”
“Um yes I can see magic.”
“That’s imposable.”
“That’s what I said.” Chimed in Susan.
“But I can, I think I can show you...um Gabrielle?”
Gabrielle shook her head. “It doesn’t work like that Harry; they won’t be able to see a thing.”
“Surprise, surprise, very well Harry we’ll do it and then you will see the truth.”
Harry could feel that there was something going on with Hermione and it seemed to be directed at Gabrielle, a small ripple of something went thought his magic at this thought. It almost like he wanted to lash out to protect Gabrielle, but this was Hermione she wouldn’t hurt Gabrielle, would she?
Harry walked over to one of the tables and sat opposite his friends, on the table was a couple of feathers and other objects. Harry relaxed his mind to bring forward his sight and watched as he asked one then the other to levitate the objects and he tried to make out what he saw.
Susan, Ginny and Gabrielle watched for a moment before they walked over to a collection of the cushions, each of them sunk to the ground facing each other.
“Ginny I want you to try and help as well. I thought we could try and use the ribbons to connect, to try and feel each other’s magic.” Said Gabrielle quietly after Harry had turned back to the others.
Ginny nodded and closed her eyes, she found it easy to slip into her magic and started to flow with it and idly she heard Gabrielle giving Susan some instructions as she just flowed with her magic. It wasn’t long before she could feel Gabrielle’s magic and then it wasn’t much longer before she felt a thirds presence, it was more tenuous than Gabrielle’s but there was something.
“I can feel...” she whispered into the air.
“Yes she’s with me but she’s slipping, just try and relax and flow Susan.” Replied Gabrielle softly.
This was how the morning when for them all, working together yet separately in the same room.
**
Draco watched as the Veela hovered around Potter as he left the table and exited the Great Hall. He laughed to himself ‘If she thinks he’s going to protect her she’s has something else coming. It’ll be all too easy to separate them, and then I’ll take her.’ He waited a moment as he pictured the scene of himself dominating her before he stood and sauntered out of the hall still absently chewing on a piece of bacon thinking. He saw that Crabbe was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. He had told both Crabbe and Goyle to be ready this morning and it looked like they had found his prey. Crabbe and Goyle had been with him since before Hogwarts. He felt that he could trust them with everything, sure they weren’t the brightest or the most talented, but they were loyal, and loyal to him.
“Where is he?”
“He’s just gone back to the Gryffindor common room, Goyle’s waiting up there.”
“Good we will wait for him at the end of the seventh floor.” Draco turned and used on of the shortcut to take him to the top. As he emerged behind a suit of armour he saw Goyle waiting in the corridor, with a flick of his head the boy came over.
“Ok you take the end by that portrait. Crabbe stay on the stairs and discourage anybody who isn’t Gryffindor.”
The two large boys grunted in acknowledgement a left for their posts. Draco leaned against the wall hidden in the shadows and waited. It took over an hour for the boy to appear, but once he did Draco smoothly left he place and followed in behind. As soon as he was on the stairs Crabbe and Goyle joined him and they followed the smallest Creavey as he descended the stairs. As he turned on the second floor Draco motioned to the two with him and the closed the distance, in one move the grabbed the boy and flung him into a classroom that Draco had opened.
Once they were all inside Draco turned a locked the door but also cast a locking charm upon it, that should stop any nosey people.
“Wh...what do you....” stammered Dennis as he got to his feet and looked at Draco.
“Shut it runt I’m talking.”
“Now you...”
Draco nodded to Goyle and he crossed to Dennis in an instant and had pinned him against the wall.
“Right get this through to your thick brain. I’m talking you listen, you do what I want you to do or there will be trouble.”
“T...t....trouble.” stammered Dennis.
Goyle grabbed the boy by the throat but stopped at Draco’s words.
“Now, now we don’t want to leave any visible marks.”
“Um...what should I...”
“Just hold him.” Goyle did so as Draco closed the gap.
“Now I want you to do something for me, if not...” Draco raised his wand and everyone could see the end pulsing with unreleased magic.
“Let’s just say you will welcome the holidays. I will make you life hell, everywhere you go I’ll be there transfiguring this or that. Just imagine your camera changing into a snake just when you bring it to your eye, or your bag suddenly catching fire burning your homework. And then a nasty flying accident as Crabbe lands on you from his broom that was out of control I think you get the...picture.”
Draco could see the fear in the boy’s eyes and he brought the tip of his wand closer, he had the urge to inflict pain and not just in petty ways he wanted to crush this boy into submission.
“I need some information and you can get it for me. I want to know how to get into that room on the seventh floor.”
“W...what room.”
Draco shook his head and gestured to Goyle. The large boy rearranged his position and was now leaning very hard on Dennis’s arm. Draco could see the colour drained from the arm as the blood was stopped.
“Don't play with me, I have little patients. I know about the room you used last year for that ‘club’ I want to know how to open the door that’s all, really simple.”
“But I don't know.”
“Don't you think I know that! But Potter does, ask him, he a trusting fool and he’ll tell you and then you will tell me. If not..” Draco nodded once more and Goyle leaned even harder this time. Dennis screamed in pain as he felt his arm being pushed into the wall by the giant student.
Draco smiled in victory as he heard the noise and motioned for Goyle to release the boy. Dennis sunk to the floor holding his arm protective to his chest with tears running down his face.
“Oh and you had better not tell anyone. If you do you will be sorry.”
Dennis shook his head as he still held his arm which was refusing to work at the moment.
“Good, see you next week.” Replied Draco as she walked to the door and cast the charms needed to open it. As they left he closed the door behind him and looked around, at the deserted floor.
“Um I think I might have....” started to say Goyle
“It’s alright Goyle, I think he got the message and he can always go to Madam Pomfrey to fix it. She doesn’t ask questions. Well run along now you two and do whatever you two deprived people do, I think I’m going to find Pansy.
***
By the end of the morning Harry was certain he knew everything about the levitation charm having watched Ron and Hermione cast it time and time again. He still had trouble doing it himself but felt he had done much better than when he was at Grimmauld place. He noticed that Gabrielle hardly touched his magic through the whole morning and that it had been all his own, so he thought at least that was progress he could see himself, if only just, cast that basic spell. The focus wasn’t great but he could definitely see the patterns and flow of magic he just need better control. He wasn’t completely sure where this was going to take him but he smiled anyway.
Their time was almost up; Harry closed his eyes and let his magic flow around him. He could still see four ribbons three were taught and went straight into the girls sitting on the other side of the room. It was the fourth however that drew his attention, it shot off in a completely different direction. He absently followed it to whomever it was he was connected to. He was curious as to whom it was, and why they were connected. He tried to connect to their magic, to get a feel for who they were. He could definitely tell that the person was different, it was odd though that the only other thing he could make out was a feeling of tranquillity. He withdrew and refocused on the three he did know, and before he realized it time was up.
***
Bernadette let the late afternoon sum warm her as she sat in the wicker chair. Sebastian had been called into the Ministry yet again and this time even she didn't know why. It had been a hectic time for her these past few weeks and it was almost all because of her daughters.
She closed her eyes and remembered the meeting with Madam Maxine. She had been appalled to hear that Gabrielle would not be joining her academy this year and that she had enrolled at Hogwarts. Bernadette and tried to explain in the best way she knew the lie that her and Sebastian had come up with but she could see that Giant Headmistress was not convinced, and who would be?
Sebastian had tried so hard to get Gabrielle accepted that her not turning up would cause questions. The school wasn’t against Veela, they still had a fair number of part Veela but Gabrielle was different and they both knew it, she was more Veela than anything the school had previously accepted. They had convinced Madam Maxine that she would be fine and there would be no problems with the other students. Also in final years she would be a great asset to the school, but now all that had been thrown away.
It wasn’t long after that that Sebastian had been ‘Promoted’ in the Ministry. He had tried to hide it from her but she had managed one night to get him to tell her. His promotion was sideways, very sideways. He was never going to be Minister of Magic in France but he was destined to run one of the great departments but not now, now he was an Assistant in the Overseas Relation’s department. Normally this would have been perfect for him but he suspected it was just the step to him being given some post in some distance land well away from the public and private gatherings in France.
Then she noticed even more, the odd report she managed to see or the letters she read in the paper said that she was being investigated again. Nothing formal, nothing damaging but it looked like she was being looked at once more and in certain circles it was being muttered at how such a low born person could have married such a wealthy and influential man, and what was happening with their Daughters; a top student from Beaubatton, competitor in the Tri-Wizard tournament and now not working in the Ministry and even not in the country. Then their youngest, the most perfect ‘little girl’ any parent would want but is now not studying in a French school, did the Delacour’s no longer love France?
This and much more floated around her mind; she just prayed that Sebastian would be fine; he had given up so much for her it hurt. She didn't want him to give up more just because of her or their daughters and this ‘magic’.
A small dot in the sky caught her eye as it approached. She felt her breath catch slightly as the white dot transformed into a gliding owl. The time passed too slowly for her but eventually she could make out the owl. The relief within her could be felt by anyone who was standing close, she had received too few letters from either of her daughters but it looked like one more was on its way. The owl gracefully landed on the table and wearily raised its leg.
With gentle hands she untied the ribbon, unfurled the letter and started to read.
Mama, and Papa,
The classes here are harder than I thought they would be. The first few days everything seemed to go wrong, but Harry and Ginny said that I should give it a few more days. They’ve really helped me, especially Ginny; she’s been there when I really needed a friend. There is of course Charlene, the rabbit that Harry bought me. She’s been great too. Do you like that name, I think it fits she’s just so small that there isn’t any other way to describe her. She peed on Ron (Ginny’s older brother) yesterday when he picked her up it was quite odd actually I had just gotten her out of her cage and sat her down like I normally do to read. I asked Ron to hold her while I had my hands full, he couldn’t have held her for more than a second. She just went right there in the middle of the common room. She’s never done that before then, and hasn’t done it since. So I think that she just doesn’t like Ron, ironically since then he hasn’t gone near her either.
How are you doing? I hope everything is well. I’ll try and write more now that my schedule is a bit more fixed and not so spontaneous. Please allow Hedwig to rest there, she just finished delivering a letter I wrote to Fleur, and travelled straight from her to you.
Miss you,
Gabrielle
Bernadette sighed as she rolled the parchment back up. She pulled out her wand and tried to summon paper, ink, and quill to write a reply. It was a lot harder than her husband made it seem. She examined her nine inch willow and unicorn hair wand as she sat down. It was more or less a token that she purchased a few years before Fleur went to school. It was a poor attempt to hide her meagre past. She’d never be good at anything that didn’t come close to her Veela side and even that wasn’t very powerful, but she vowed to learn enough to at least appear to be proficient at using magic.
She turned her attention back to the letter; Gabrielle having trouble in school didn’t surprise her a bit. She had inquired about her daughter’s wand shortly after she had heard of it. The wand maker had told her that such a small wand wouldn’t be very powerful. Whoever it had chosen also wouldn’t be very powerful, they would most likely have trouble at first simply using it. Later on the person would most likely only be average if they really worked at it. She thought of what to write before she began. She’d have to leave space for Sebastian to write some as well but she was going to try and cheer up Gabrielle the best she could.
***
Harry spent the rest of the afternoon with everyone in the library studying. Susan had sat with them but she seemed to withdraw into herself as soon as Hermione started. He was sure that she knew as many of the answers as Hermione but she never said anything. Harry tried not to ask anything because of this but Hermione kept insisting on telling him what to write anyway. This was very unusual because she was never so open in helping them, she might help here or there, do the odd correction but that was all. Harry thought that Hermione was trying to keep the conversation so advanced that it excluded Gabrielle but Harry saw that the young girl didn't seem to care as she just got on with her own homework in a neat and precise manner. Ginny occasionally lent over to her and looked at what she was doing but never did she have to give any help.
They ended up spending the entire afternoon studying eventually separating when they reached the Great Hall for Dinner. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing with Ginny and Gabrielle in the common room. It was early that evening that Harry decided to go to bed, in an effort to catch up on the sleep he missed out on the nights before.
Harry climbed into bed and closed the curtain’s, no sooner had he lain down than there was a flash of fire signally Fawkes’s arrival. The bird landed elegantly on the headboard of Harry’s bed and acknowledged him. Harry wasn’t sure but by the sudden silence around him he suspected that Fawkes had cast some other magic when she arrived as well, to give them some privacy.
“Good evening Fawkes how are you?”
‘I’m fine young one, yourself?’
“Pretty good, just going to try and catch up on some sleep, and to mull over the information from last night.” Harry said remembering the night before and all the information that he was inundated with.
The bird nodded sagely ‘That is very wise. May I inquire as to whom you have saw fit to share this information with?’
Harry shrugged “Just Ron and Hermione, Dumbledore said that I could trust them.” Harry felt that the headmaster didn’t want anybody else to know besides them and he really didn’t want to tell that many people about it anyway.
‘Yes they have indeed earned the right to know.’ Fawkes paused and looked at Harry closely. Her eye’s examining, judging him, seemingly to verify if he was worthy, and to think about how much or little it would cost to continue this line of conversation.
‘Tell me young one, is there anybody else you feel should know?’
Harry thought for a minute before replying tentatively. “I, well I don’t know.” Harry thought for a minute before he continued. “I thought of Ginny and Gabrielle but-“
‘But you are unsure if they, especially Gabrielle, can be trusted with this?’
“Yeah”
‘I would tell you, that there are those in the school who you can trust implicitly, without any reservation. Accordingly there are those in this school who you can not trust implicitly, despite their status, or deeds, or relationship to you. You and you alone must decipher who you can and cannot trust, when I tell you this I speak of everyone, my young companion, everyone, within these walls.’
Harry’s mind whirled with questions. Did he do something wrong? Was Dumbledore wrong? Did someone over hear him tell Ron and Hermione? Did someone follow him last night? He was brought short with a trill.
’Fret not tonight young one, for I will soothe your worries. As I told you earlier trust in your magic, and heart, for they will very rarely guide you wrong. Sleep well my companion.’
With that Fawkes opened her beak and phoenix song flowed forth softly. Within in moments Harry felt his heart lighten and his eyes grow heavy, he was asleep soon after.
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