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Chapter 36:- Asking the questionA/N:- Malehorntaildragon cheers for you work!

**

Harry walked into the Common and stopped to watch the happenings. Everywhere he looked reminded him that this was the one place that he had felt like home. The normal beginning of term revelry was in full swing. He let his eyes wander across the whole of the room picking out scenes that he knew would be there. He could see Lavender and Parvati both showing off their new school uniforms. They had a number of girls around them and each of them was being admired at how they looked. Harry could also see a small number of boys were trying to look at the two girls as well. Both Seamus and Dean were with them and it looked like they were each playing up to each other. His mind reminded him of the show that Ginny and Gabrielle had given him. He still wondered at why the school had allowed the change.

He let his eyes continue on and saw Katie standing with a group of students as she was showing off her new badger. The joyous expressing on her face seemed to light her up and Harry was once more please that he hadn’t gotten the captaincy. His eyes continued to wander and record what they saw. He noticed that as normal the first years and some of the second were not present. These normally went to bed as soon as the feast finished it was only the later years that stayed up and with it being a Friday this year there was even more reason to do so.

Eventually he found the small knot of people that were his friends. Ron and Hermione were sitting in a chair by the fireplace. They were close but not too close. It seemed that there relationship was as low key as his own with Ginny. Thinking of the girl he saw that she was with them. This was unusual as she always tried to spend her time with her own year but not tonight it seemed as he looked on from afar he saw someone else next to her. The flash of blond hair instantly told him that it was Gabrielle, and this surprised him even more. Knowing that they were waiting for him he started to cross towards them from the doorway.

Every step he took it seemed that someone wanted to talk to him, it was only brief words yet it felt like running a gauntlet to Harry. Eventually he reached the group but did not have to say anything as they all looked round at him. He could see the smiles on Ginny’s and Gabrielle’s faces as he arrived. Gabrielle he noticed was holding Ginny’s arm very similar to how she had held his, it was then he looked closer at the girl. It was hard to see but he was sure he could see her shake very slightly as he stood there.

“Harry! You finally got here, take a seat.” Called Hermione indicating the spare chair. Harry was surprised that the chair was still empty because they filled very quickly in the evenings. He crossed and sank low feeling the bumps and lumps in the cushions, at once both Ginny and Gabrielle moved their chair next to his, but Ginny did not sit upon it, she chose too squeeze in next to him. As Harry adjusted himself so that they were comfortable he felt Gabrielle’s hand now released from Ginny’s arm touch his. It was only a small touch but he could feel it strongly through his magic.

“Um…Sorry about the captaincy.” Ventured Ron.

“It’s alright I think Katie’s happy. It doesn’t matter as long as I can play.”

“But I was so sure.”

“Ron it’s fine…really.”

Hermione squeezed Ron’s arm before he could say anymore.

“So what else did McGonagall want?” asked Hermione.

“Oh, just a few things. She told me Dobby was here and....”

“Dobby?”

“Um...well...yes he’s here to look after me.” Replied Harry feeling his cheeks redden.

“But Harry you said...you promised...”

“Hermione please listen, he wanted too, can you imagine being in that house alone.”

Hermione opened her mouth but it was her turn to receive the pinch. She glanced sharply at Ron’s face and then realised what she was about to say. Sirius had been in that house all alone and her comments would have been very careless.

“Sorry ... anything else?”

“Oh also did I want to exercises any of my other rights.”

“What rights?” asked Ron.

“A private room.”

“Cool...did you?”

“I was tempted because that would mean I won’t have to listen to your snores...”

“He doesn’t snore.” Replied Hermione at once and then instantly turned red. Ron’s eyes flew wide open and Ginny looked closely at the pair knowing when a secret was let out.

“I...um....” stammered Hermione trying to find the words.

“It’s alright Hermione.” Said Harry already knowing the truth, he didn’t know why but it was something he knew.

“Was that all?” She finally asked as the silence stretched.

“Yes that and about my birthday.”

“Birthday?” asked Ginny

“Yes I have a lot of unopened cards. She told me that I should open them this weekend, do you want to help?” he asked of the group.

“They’re your cards.” Answered Ginny.

“I know but from what she said there’s a lot.”

“I don't mind...Gabrielle?”

“I’ll help.”

Harry looked at his best friends but didn’t need an answer from them, they would always help. He leaned back into the chair and looked into the fire he felt so safe and happy he just wanted the evening to last forever.

**

A little while later a sound of a small explosion caused Hermione to jump from the chair and pull Ron with her.

“I think they’ve gone a bit far now.” Commented Harry as he looked across the common room and saw the rising cloud of purple smoke and Hermione striding into it pulling Ron along with her.

“I bet that was Seamus.” Said Ginny looking at the smoke as well.

“No contest.”

“Harry?” said Gabrielle in a quiet voice.

He turned away and looked at the girl. She had sat with them for the whole evening but as normal had said little. A few of the Gryffindor had come up to them but all seemed to melt away after a few words from Harry or Ginny.

“Yes.”

“We need to talk.”

“Talk?”

“Yes...I said at the beginning you could ask me about....your magic but you didn’t. I think you need to ask them now.”

“Why now?”

“You should know all that you can.”

“Alright do you want to do it this evening?”

“Yes please...” she turned towards Ginny “...you should be there as well.”

“I....I...though that you had already told me...”

“Some, but not all.”

Harry looked over his shoulder and saw that Hermione was in full flow laying into Seamus.

“Alright how about I get my map and we find an empty classroom. We shouldn’t get into any trouble as there’s time before curfew.”

“Excellent.” Replied Ginny knowing of a few things she could do in an empty classroom with Harry.

**

Harry opened the door into the classroom and looked round. The map had told him that it was empty but he wanted to check to make sure it was still safe. Seeing nothing dangerous he led Ginny and Gabrielle in. He walked to one of the desk and sat down. Ginny quickly joined him and sat on the desk next to him but they both watched Gabrielle as she stared around the classroom in wonder. Neither said anything knowing that the first time in a classroom was always special.

Gabrielle walked across to the pair and selected a chair opposite them. She lowered herself on to it tucking one ankle behind the other as she had been taught. To both Harry and Ginny she looked the proper lady.

“So Gabrielle you said we had to talk.”

“Yes Harry. Now we are here I think you, both of you, need to know more about this magic.”

“Why, isn’t it all going fine?”

“Yes it is but you should have asked the questions. I’ll tell you what I can and answer any questions that you have.”

Harry paused a moment, the way Gabrielle was sitting and talking reminded him of a teacher It had been a long time since he had thought of her so but this atmosphere just brought it back.

“Ok tell me everything.”

Gabrielle looked down to compose herself, this was not going to be easy for her but she had to do it.

“Very well, Ginny this is for you as well. Both of you stop me and ask questions if you don't understand.”

The two looked at each other before nodding.

“Harry you have a power that no one for a long time has had.”

“Yes the power of love.” Replied Harry blushing slightly.

“No quiet, that magic is within us all. Every one of us has some part of it you just have more control over it. It’s is like most people, they find themselves able to perform certain spells, certain areas of spellwork much easier. Some find charms easy others find defence easy. We are all made up of differing parts of magic you have a greater ability with this one.”

“So?”

“You in some people’s eyes are very much like me a Veela...but unlike me your power does not come from evolution it comes from magic and magic you can control.”

“Evolution?” asked Ginny

“Yes Veela’s are just one species in a group of animals. They use the power of Love or Emotion as a form of defence...or attack.”

Ginny looked at Harry clearly bemused at what was Gabrielle saying.

“Veela’s and their close relatives’ wood nymphs use Love as a form of defence. It is used to enthral the predator into not attacking and eventually defending that which it once wanted to kill. Mermaids use it as a form of attack luring the unsuspected into a trap.”

“And I’m like these.”

“As I said no but in people’s eyes yes. You have the power to effect emotions, not directly but you can affect certain people.” Replied Gabrielle feeling the blush rise in her cheeks. “Like the Veela to its predator you can create a link with a person.”

“The ribbons.”

“Yes they are your links, you can create them. That what Dumbledore fears, that what everybody will fear if they know. People think that these links will allow you to control people.”

“Dumbledore fears?” suddenly questioned Harry.

“Yes…he…he’s worried about this magic. I think he had some knowledge but that’s all this is something that even he doesn’t know fully about. I think he fears what you can do or might become, that’s…that’s why he put you at the Dursley’s.”

“The Dursleys…no it was because of the old magic.”

“No Harry I don’t think it is. Fleur… she told me of the meeting she had at the beginning of the summer. She thinks Dumbledore put you there out of fear, fear of what you could do.”

“But I was only a….”

“That didn’t matter you could control people and he wanted to protect everyone”

“But…but…he…”

“You will have to talk to him about it. I really don’t know, I suspect but you must ask him.”

Harry paused for a moment before replying.

“So it’s all about control. I can control people?”

“No you can’t, but the people who are linked with you will help. They will want to... need to.”

“Need to...that sounds like control.”

“Normal magic is restored through eating and resting, this...this form of magic needs love. It is that which recharges it, powers it. Once linked those people need love and the love of the one that is connected to them.”

Harry immediately looked at Ginny, but Gabrielle could feel the distress of Harry as his mind mulled over what had already been said.

“It isn’t like that Harry that is where people are so wrong. It isn’t like a spell or a drug, the link the ribbon needs love to survive if the love is not present then it just dies and disappears. There are no lasting effects to the wizard or witch.”

“The love keeps the ribbon alive?”

“Yes that’s right, haven’t you noticed something?”

“Um...ah...” stammered Harry feeling embarrassed.

“I have...I like to be near you Harry, touched by you.” Replied Ginny quietly looking down at her hands.

“See that’s the ribbons need. If you or she stopped loving each other it would just fade and disappear, its not all controlling you can’t influence Ginny to do anything. She just wants to be with you on her own accord.”

“Then why are people so afraid.”

“Let me show you. My link to you is strong; it’s partly due to my nature.”

Harry looked at the two girls; this talk was slowly becoming uncomfortable. Was he now affecting them with this new magic? He could remember the effect Fleur had on Ron was he now doing the same to them?

Gabrielle rose to her feet and walked back to the door.

“Ok, Harry look at Ginny.”

Harry turned and did so, he let his eyes roam around her face picking out the freckles that were fading as she was growing older but he could still make them out. He kept looking across her face and marvelled at how the light was playing on her lips.

“Tell us what she is feeling?” called Gabrielle.

Harry looked at Ginny and thought, he had gotten to know her slightly better but understand her feeling he could not do. Yet her face probably looked very similar to his so he guessed her feelings were the same as his.

“Um...confused...bewildered.”

“Is that all?”

“Um...yes...”

“Ok, Ginny don't say anything.” Called Gabrielle as she approached them, this time she didn't take her seat she stood next to Harry and reached out her hand.

“Hold it gently, be careful.”

Harry lightly grasped Gabrielle’s hand; he could feel the smooth softness under his fingers but reinforced his mental barriers. The rush of feeling that he received from her was stopped instantly.

“OK now relax and try again, don’t think about it just look at Ginny and ....feel.”

Harry turned again and looked at Ginny he felt a little silly but tried.

“Um...” he muttered as he looked into the face.

“Relax...” breathed Gabrielle next to him.

This was hard to do as the warm breath played across his ear causing new sensations to run through his body. As he tried to force them away he continued to look at Ginny and knew the answer.

“She’s...confused...happy...worried, yet pleased.”

Harry let go of Gabrielle’s hand in shock as soon as he had said the words, something had told him the answer.

“That was the link. I can feel emotions and you used that ability.”

“But...but...”

“See people will fear that, they also will fear that when you are close you will link with them and so control them.

“Isn’t that the case?”

“No there has to be two sides you can create a link but the other must accept it; once fully accepted the bond will fully form.”

“You said because of your nature your link is strong.”

“Yes it’s my Veela, it wants to link, needs to link. Most wild Veela will find a mate and use this link to protect them. It is what powers their magic; you created that link when we first met. My Veela side needs that link.”

“What if it dies?” asked Harry suddenly feeling scared for the girl.

“My magic will lesson, well the Veela side would.”

“And you?”

Gabrielle paused momentarily before commenting. “Don’t worry about me Harry, I…I’ll be alright.”

Harry knew she was lying, but continued. “I’m linked to others you said. I can see the ribbons, Susan is one. She wants to help me.”

“Yes her helping, that’s the magic and her sub-conscious. Please remember the magic can’t act without the persons own desire.”

“What about the last.”

“You need to decide, if you do nothing everything will be alright, it will fade and go.”

“What if I find the person?”

“That’s up to the pair of you.”

Harry thought for a moment. “But, I don’t understand, I mean I do some of it, but I-“

“Harry bonds are created subconsciously. Each person is different, for me I think it was understanding and acceptance combined with my Veela magic. That is what I think bonds us, your magic and you understood what I wanted if only on a subconscious level, you knew and helped. Remember the Garden you accepted me instantly without question. The bond you have with the others is different. I can’t tell you how or why you bonded with Ginny, or Susan. That’s something that you and they will have to figure out, but that is what I think created the bond.”

Ginny tried to force away the nightmare imagines of The Chamber but could see a little of what Gabrielle was saying. “Love,” Ginny said thinking. “I wanted to love you, to be loved by you and...I wanted to feel safe. When you saved me, I wanted to do anything for you, I would have done anything if you asked.” She continued blushing madly at the end

The silence stretched as Harry sat thinking, there were so many thoughts and questions running through his head he couldn’t hold on to one for any length of time. All this talk of connections was hurting yet all that his mind came back to was that one word. ‘/Control. Was he really controlling these people, Gabrielle said he wasn’t but could he be sure? The way these girls acted it seemed like control, the shopping trip had been like that. He remembered think that the new uniform looked nice and then the next moment they were dressed in it and then they....they...’/

Gabrielle held her breathe, she could feel the changing emotions of Ginny but understood that she was not going to ask her logical question in front of Harry. But it was him she was more concerned with, he was still guarding his emotions well but she could read his face. Waiting was so hard, and everything seemingly was working up until this one point. She knew how crushed everybody would be should he turn away. She wished more than anything that he would just accepted it, and them. She also knew that he had morals. She learned vast amounts from the talks with Ginny in the long summer evenings. This moment was if anything the weakest link in her plans, convincing Harry to let them share him was also probably the biggest obstacle they faced. If they could get him to agree to it everything would be a lot smoother, for her, for Ginny, for everyone, even if he rejected the others as long as he stayed with her and Ginny it would be alright, the dream she had back in Grimauld place could still come true.

“I...need some time I think. Sorry it’s just a lot to come to terms with. Ginny can you make sure that Gabrielle get’s back in time?”

“What...why?”

“I...I need to be alone.”

“I can help Harry...please.” Said Ginny and little fearful.

“No I need to be alone...please tell Ron and Hermione that I’ll be along soon.”

Harry slowly got to his feet and walked out of the classroom. Ginny watched the door swing close before she said anything.

“Do you think?”

“I don't know.”

Ginny got to her feet but looked at Gabrielle once more; she had to know the answer.

“Gabrielle...would....would I have to share him with these other as well.” Asked Ginny still not looking up from her hands.

“In some form yes. It really depends on the bonds he has with them Ginny, and what they want or choose to do.”

“Oh...but...I....”

“Not necessarily in the same way as us but they will have needs as well.” Replied Gabrielle.

“I love him you know, it isn’t this magic it’s ...me.”

“I know...I feel the same.”

“What can we do now?”

“Nothing Harry has to choose as I said it needs both sides his and ours.”

***

Gabrielle opened her eyes and sat up as the sunlight streamed in through the window. She glanced at her watch and saw with amazement that for once she had sleeped in. It was still early but nowhere near as early as she normally awoke. She looked across the room to the two other sleeping occupants. She hadn’t seen much of them last night when she eventually crawled into bed because they had retired much earlier and were already asleep.

As she climbed out of the bed she grabbed her wash bag from her rucksack and headed for the bathroom. Sleeping last night had been a bit chilling for her, after being in the same room with Ginny for so long it felt very strange to now be sleeping in completely different places. After Harry had walked out she had felt all of the castles feelings return to her, being close to Ginny had helped but when they separated for the night it all came flooding back. She understood that soon she would be able to focus it out but for the moment she wanted help. As she quickly washed and returned to the room she listened to the quiet noise of the castle, for a building so large she was surprised at how quiet it could be yet so noisy to her.

Selecting a modest outfit for the day she grabbed a book and headed for the common room. She suspected that Harry wouldn’t be up yet and so she intended to wait. He had wanted to be alone last night but she wished that it wouldn’t continue into today. She wanted to give him the time that he wanted but was mindful of her own needs. She snuggled into the chair that he had used last night and opened her book. It wasn’t long before she was absorbed into it but not so much that she could see what was happening on the boy’s staircase.

After several pages she Saw Ginny join her, it was unusual for her to be up this early but Gabrielle suspected that she was waiting for Harry as well.

“Sleep well?” Ginny asked sitting in a free chair.

“Ok...you?”

“Not bad...was awake for most of it thinking.”

“I know what you mean.”

“Have...have you seen Harry yet this morning.”

“No he hasn’t come down yet.”

Ginny smiled slightly at the comment as she picked at a lose thread on her sweatshirt all her mind did was churn through all of the happenings of last night.

The two sat in virtual silence as more and more people started to arrive into the Common Room. Most seem to leave straight for breakfast but some like the Ginny and Gabrielle seemed to hang about for someone. By coincidence or was it something else both Hermione and Ron appeared at the bottom of their respective stairs at exactly the same time. Ginny and Gabrielle saw that in contrast to the bright eyed and awake Hermione, Ron looked tired and almost half asleep.

“Morning all...” he yawned as he walked over.

“Where’s Harry?” asked Ginny immediately.

“He left for breakfast a little while ago; he woke me to tell me and then just walked out.”

“What!” Exclaimed Ginny jumping to her feet and heading for the portrait hole.

She didn’t exactly run down the stairs but Gabrielle and the rest found it hard to keep up without running. Eventually they all came to halt in front of the large doors into the great hall, as they walked in Ginny and Gabrielle’s eyes immediately search for Harry. He wasn’t hard to find because there still wasn’t many students present and so they found him sitting by himself near the end of the Gryffindor table. Without waiting for the others Ginny and Gabrielle headed in his direction. As they approached they saw Harry look up at them.

“We waited for you!” accused Ginny as she sat down next to him.

“Um...sorry. Like I said last night I need some time alone.” Replied Harry rising to his feet.

“Harry...I’m sorry I didn’t mean...” responded Ginny seeing Harry getting ready to leave and thinking that it was because of her harsh words.

“Its fine I just need...” tried to reply Harry but he couldn’t finish it. He really didn’t know anymore and so turned and started to walk out. Ginny rose from her seat but stopped as she saw the look on Gabrielle. The young girl looked so lost in such a big room and now that Harry was walking out she looked even whiter.

“Where’s Harry going?” asked Ron as he joined them.

“I...I don't know he just said he wanted time alone.”

“What did you say to him last night?” demanded Hermione.

“Nothing Hermione we just talked about his....”

“His what!”

“I won’t say it’s up to Harry.”

“So tell me why is he acting like this?”

“I don't know.” Replied Ginny sitting down and looking very glum.

***

Harry paused in the main entrance before heading for the main doors. He had suspected that Ginny and Gabrielle would wait for him in the morning and that was why he had gotten up early. It wasn’t that he didn’t want their company it was just everything was running around in his mind and those two seemed to affect him when they were close, he had felt it at Grimmauld place but after last night he was sure there was more than that to it. He really needed a clear mind and body to think through everything.

He walked slowly out of the main doors and into the morning sunlight. He felt a small chill ripple across him and understood that the seasons were indeed changing. This far north was already beginning to feel the first fingers of a cold autumn. He looked across the grounds and saw that he wasn’t the first to leave the castle there was already a few students out running around or sitting in the morning sun. Wanting to be alone with his thoughts he set off at a slow pace. He let his feet just walk as he thought about his new magic.

On and on he walked as his mind wrestled with the problem, could he rightfully involve, Ginny, Gabrielle, Susan and one other to the dangers of him. The prophecy had made it clear he would have to face Voldemort and nowhere could Harry see himself winning. The fight at the Ministry kept replaying over and over in his mind. The power and the spells that both Dumbledore and Voldemort had used whirled in his mind. Never had he seen or even heard of them and he was supposed to defeat them. If it hadn’t been for Dumbledore’s arrival he was sure that he would be dead already.

That plus Voldemort’s message to him on his birthday caused a shiver to ripple down his back. Voldemort had shown him what he would do to those who stood with him. He remembered wrestling with the problems of Ron and Hermione. He felt himself redden slightly at the though of what he had done he had run, run away from them. But eventually he had talked and they would stay by him, they knew him and him them. They were friends with a friendship that had grown over years he would die for them he knew. But now he was thinking about the others. His magic would force them to the front line they hadn’t built their friendship over years it was his magic doing it, but Voldemort wouldn’t care he would target them. Could he face the death of one of them knowing if it wasn’t for his magic they would be alive?

Every joyous feeling he could remember of the summer vanished as the images of what Voldemort could do to Ginny and Gabrielle and now Susan played in his mind. He knew that Voldemort wouldn’t be easy on them Ginny and Gabrielle said that they understood, but how could they truly? He was being asked to sacrifice them in the name of his new magic.

As his feet kept walking he could see no solution, when or if he faced Voldemort he was going to die and those near him could as well. If he spent years practicing or studying he might be able to win but could he inflict that upon the world, Years of rule by Voldemort. Had he already made his first mistake, should he have agreed to the Ministers offer and joined the Aurors. At least with them he might stand a chance. Instead of that he was here where he would be learning charms, law and the rest he could have been learning more and advanced Defence. On and on his mind continued never once coming to a conclusion.

He paused beside the great lake and looked around. The sun had moved in the sky and Harry glanced at his watch, it told him that his wandering had taken hours, yet it seemed like only minuets. As he looked around he saw that he was now far from alone outside. Gone were the occasional students it looked like the whole school was out enjoying this rare day of freedom before the start of school.

As he turned his eye caught the sudden movement behind him, as he looked he saw a number of girls suddenly turn away from him and start to giggle amongst themselves. He could almost feel their eyes glance at him every few seconds. His mind absently flicked over the group looking for the two pairs of eyes he was hoping to see yet he never found them. Surprised and a little upset he turned back and continued walking thinking that those two were no longer looking for him.

**

But Harry was once more wrong, he was being watched by more than the group of girls, the two eyes that he had sought were watching him as they had been all morning. Far above Harry from one of the small windows in the Gryffindor common room Gabrielle and Ginny watched him walk. It was almost impossible to tell it was Harry form the distance but each of them knew it was him. They had watched him walk slowly around the grounds as more and more girls congregating behind him or falling off after getting board. Both ached to go down there but each held themselves in check, this was getting harder and harder for Gabrielle but she fought against everything inside of her.

Hermione had spent the morning with a clearly frustrated Ron, he wanted to do anything other than sit inside the common room. She knew this but she wanted to study both Ginny and Gabrielle, her mind was telling her that something was happening. She had studied them as they sat next to the window one or the other was always looking out of it and most of the time it was both of them. She tried to fathom out their reason and knew it was to do with Harry yet she couldn’t see it, but she could see something in Gabrielle. The way she sat by the window told her that something was wrong, she had watched the young girl all of the summer and knew exactly how she acted but today she was different, it was thought she was fighting something and was losing.

***

Harry missed lunch as he continued to walk. He didn’t mind as it gave him a chance to be left alone, as he neared the edge of the great forest he felt himself shiver once more but this time not from the cold. He wanted to close his eyes and reach out into the forest and feel it sense it but he stopped himself. This was the decision, did he continue with this magic or would he give it up. If he continued with it then no matter how he felt he would have to involve Gabrielle she was teaching him and he had much to learn but without her tutelage he could never master it, and if he was so close to her then she would become involved.

A small splash of water from the lake caused Harry to turn and look at it. The water rippled away across the vast lake. He watched each circle until it faded into nothingness. Then he saw another movement a fish or something leapt from the lake and crashed back down. The ripple started once more and he followed it with his eyes. The lake was almost calling to him it was like a song to his ears. A song, the lake, it played in his mind.

“Gabrielle…” he breathed as his mind connected some of the dots it had produced.

At almost a run he started for the castle he had purpose and drive now he had to get the library that would answer his questions. Each step he took he berated himself for not doing it sooner. As he closed in on the castle he swore at himself for not looking at home. When he had found out the truth he should have looked he should have found the answers himself, Hermione would have done it why didn’t he! At the mention of that girl’s name he spotted dead, she had been suspicious, Ron was ….just Ron but Hermione was worried. When had she ever been wrong?

He started off once more even more determined to find out the real truth. As he entered the castle he dodged the other students and headed for the once place he really wanted. He paused outside the doors and realised that he would never have believed he would be here before school started. Pushing open the large doors he slowly walked into the quiet library.

**

Ginny had sat with her own friends at lunch, she and Gabrielle had waited but it was evident that Harry was not coming back for lunch. She had wanted to stay by this window but when one of her friends had asked she relented, sitting and watching for Harry was not going to help. Through the meal she had said little as her friends had talked around her but Ginny kept looking at Gabrielle who had joined her but sat a little ways away.

She was certain she could feel the restlessness of her friend or was that herself? This was the longest she had spent away from Harry and was what Gabriele said true was she feeling it? Did she need to be near him? She continued to pick at her dinner but felt no better. Eventually she looked around, her eyes easy found the lone person sitting at the Hufflepuff table. Susan was sitting on her own and like her seemingly picking at her food. Now Ginny thought about it most of the time she saw Susan sitting by herself. As she watched the older girl she started to understand more of what Gabrielle had tried to explain, there was something connecting them and Harry had to make the choice.

Her eyes continued to look round the hall to see if she could see the last person, yet no one stood out. Getting to her feet she closed the distance to Gabrielle.

“He won’t put us in danger.” She said letting he inner most feelings come out.

“But we wouldn’t.”

Ginny held Gabrielle’s hands and looked straight into her blue eyes.

“That’s just it we will. If Vol...Vol...Voldemort knows then we are in danger, he’ll come for us to get to Harry.”

“But…but….”

“Harry would, he did it for me remember when I was just Ron’s sister. He went to Sirius at the Ministry.”

“What does this mean?” asked Gabrielle with a shaking voice.

“He will say no.”

Gabrielle felt the emotions burst within her; Ginny was telling her what she knew but hadn’t wanted to face. She would not let the tears flow but she flung her arms around Ginny and drew what comfort she could. Ginny was right she could feel it He was going to make the choice and the one that she didn’t want.

As the two girls cling together a pair of black eyes watched them and another decision was made. She had vowed and promised that she wouldn’t interfere with men anymore but as she looked down and, seeing far more than any normal eyes could, understood what she had to do.

All morning she had watched these two and Harry. She had tried everything she could a little nudge here or a prod there hoping that it would go unnoticed but it seemed not to work. In fact she was certain that the opposite was now taking place in the library but as she watched the two girls cling to each other she nodded to herself, she had to make right what was destined. The way that their magic swirled and intertwined and their feelings and emotions were exchanged and that strong connection that bound them to Him must be allowed to continue

**

The silence of the library soothed Harry’s mind, he wasn’t alone in the room yet everyone was silent. He hadn’t realised the noise that the trailing girls had made until he walked into this room. He didn’t stop the smile spreading as the image of Krum sprang to mind. He had sought refuse within these walls from his fans and Harry was now doing something similar. Yes he had a reason to be here but the quiet was everything that he needed.

He found the section with easy and started to search, he knew that Hogwarts must have some books on the subject he just had to find them. Up and down he went row after row trying to find books upon Veela. He didn’t want vague references he needed more, if his suspicious were right then that little girl, that sweet innocent girl was actually more dangerous than he would have ever believe.

As he finished looking through the whole section he was disappointed to find only one book on what he was after. He was certain that there would be more. Gabrielle had mentioned various books and had given him a few to read but he wanted his own ones to prove or disprove his feelings. As he searched once more a shadow darkened the shelves.

“Can I help Mr Potter?”

Harry swallowed once before turning and looking into the spectacled face of Madam Pince.

“Um…I…um…” whispered Harry feeling like he had been caught doing wrong.

“What are you after?”

“Um…books about Veela.”

“Oh…a rare subject there hasn’t been vast amounts written but we have a few, some quiet good ones I think.”

“I’ve only found this one.” Replied Harry.

“There are three more in the Restricted Section.”

“Oh…um…could?”

“Of course Mr Potter you’re an adult. You can use that section without a teacher’s permission all that I ask is that you are an Adult about what you read and who you let see those texts.”

“Of course.” Answered Harry understanding his good fortune.

Madam Pince led Harry to the Restricted Section. It was much darker than the rest of the library and Harry could hear the faint moaning coming form some of the books. The librarian led Harry straight the right section and pointed out the collection of books. Harry looked along the small collection and found his heart leaping. These must contain his answers. Pulling two books off the shelf he found a dark corner and started to read to see if he could find his own truth about Veela’s

**

Harry closed the last book he had read and glanced over at the open pages of one of the others. Everything that Gabrielle had said about Veela’s had been right yet that one passage that he was now looking at still worried him.

‘Veela magic, in the eyes is some, is of if not the most potent of all mind control magic that has ever been discovered. It is supposed to protect the Veela from harm but studies have shown that this is just a cover. Most Veela are beautiful yet it hides their true form, when angry it comes forth in the screaming winged beasts that are contained with in, and the same could be said of their magic.

For most their magic is just that a defence mechanism yet there is more underlining it. Strong Veela have turned this defence into attack or more precisely total control. Many a dark wizard has sought ways of controlling and more importantly total control of another, Veela’s have managed it! This is the secret that they keep buried, strong Veela’s can control but not only that they do control. It has been reported many times that France is in fact controlled by Veela’s yet not one word of these many reports has ever seen light of day.

Magically strong Veela have the power to subjugate any mind, the mind is literally assaulted and shown any manner of images or truths and the recipient will no longer understand what he or she is about. I also believe that it is not just confined to males, Veela can also affect females. Unfortunately this writer can not give you any more proof than these words yet he firmly believes in them. So if you ever meet a Veela run and run fast for you may never know what you may be believing in.’

In no other book had mentioned anything like this but somewhere inside he wanted to believe the writer, was Gabrielle actually controlling his mind. It would explain far better how he was suddenly able to keep Voldemort out of his mind.

Or was everything she said true he really did have a mystical new power? And that love/magic connected him to girls like no one else could be.

Closing his eyes he found that the books hadn’t given him the answer he thought it would, it just gave him more questions; questions that he had to answer and soon.