Part 13
The morning after Hermione's birthday party began with a huge headache.
"Weasley! Why are there scratch marks on my trunk lock!" Dean hollered. "You tried to get in, didn't you!"
"I did not!" Ron hollered back. He grabbed his clothes and stomped off to the showers.
"He did," Harry said with a frown. "I mean, I didn't see him at your trunk yesterday, but he was definitely trying to break into Neville's. With his wand and a butter knife."
"And you didn't say anything?" Dean demanded. "Harry!"
"I tried, but you, er, were a little drunk at bed time."
Dean had the grace to blush and groan. "Right. Sorry"
Seamus patted Dean's shoulder. "For the record, Hagrid's moonshine is the devil, and we'll never drink it again. I think even the Weasley twins won't drink it again - they got detention with Sinistra of all people, and she's the coolest teacher at Hogwarts."
"Thank god for hangover cure, and thank Corner for selling me one," Dean sighed. "I'm really pissed about my trunk."
"I already complained to Professor McGonagall," Neville, fresh out of the shower, told them. "You should, too, and ask Colin to give you a picture of your trunk. I, er, had him take one last night of all of our trunks, as proof."
"Oh, I will. Weasley's gone too far now," Dean grunted. "If that's not getting him expelled, we'll have to throw him off the Astronomy Tower ourselves."
"Agreed," Seamus said. "Thanks for looking out for us, Neville."
They got ready and left the dorm room together. Hermione was already sitting on the sofa in front of the fireplace in the common room and clearly waiting for Harry. Crookshanks was draped like a huge, orange fur blanket over her legs, purring lazily and kneading the air with his big paws.
"Morning, Hermione," Dean greeted her. "Great party last night, even with the professors there. Thanks for inviting us."
"You're welcome," she replied, eyebrows arched a little. "Although I thought that the professors gave the whole thing a little bit of class."
"Only a little bit," Seamus said ruefully, rubbing his forehead. "I'm sorry to say we still got drunk like a skunk. Me mum would kill me if she knew."
Smirking, Hermione encouraged Crookshanks to get off her lap. "I'm sure Professor McGonagall decided to let that be a lesson to you. And no, there's no hangover potion left. Corner sold them all last night."
"We already had one, each," Dean laughed and then groaned. "Hagrid's moonshine is just that strong."
The group made their way to breakfast, where Hermione threw a small hissy fit when she heard about Ron's attempt to break into all the boys' trunks. Afterwards, she made them write a complaint each and sent them off with a Hogwarts elf.
"Couldn't we have waited until at least lunch or something?" Seamus moaned. "McGonagall won't be able to read my letter right now, anyway."
"The longer you wait, the more Ronald gets a chance to cry victim first," she retorted, topping up everyone's tea cups. Harry thought that ignoring Ron's hateful glare at the comment had to be yet another of Hermione's many secret super powers. "Drink this, you'll need your wits about you. Hagrid might have something ... energetic for us."
Hagrid did, indeed, have something interesting for the class, but this time the students were actually interested and even curious.
"Come closer, yeh all," the man called and waved them over with his large hands. "See these lizard looking things? They're mokes, native to the British isles. Who of yeh has seen one before?"
Only Malfoy answered, and he sounded gleeful as he said, "I do every day, when I look at my money pouch." He pushed away his cloak and showed everyone the pretty green pouch at his hip.
Hagrid gave a terse nod. "One point fer Slytherin. Moke skin is indeed very useful fer bags, especially money bags, because it can expand to ten times its actual size. I meant live ones, though. Someone? Anyone? No?"
Hermione raised her hand. "I read that they can change their size at will, and show themselves but rarely to humans."
"Right! One point fer Gryffindor!" Hagrid beamed and ushered one of the lizards onto his hand. "This lil' fellow and his friends are from the Forbidden Forest. They agreed ter let yer study them, so be nice. They have mighty sharp teeth and will punish yeh fer being mean." He stared at Malfoy. "Jus' so we're clear, Malfoy. Yer father had ter sign a waiver ter keep yeh in my class. One more stupid stunt and yer failing out."
"What?" Malfoy flushed angrily. "That's prepesterous!"
"And no less than you deserve," Hermione said. She bravely stepped up to Hagrid. "May I please have a moke, Hagrid?"
"Certainly. Here ... he doesn't weigh much. Just keep him calm and warm and he'll be happy. Some even like ter be petted. Just ask before yeh try, alright?"
The moke happily climbed along Hermione's arm and snuggled partway under her hair.
"Aw, he likes you," Harry teased. He nodded at the small lizard. "Nice to meet you, moke."
The lizard opened its mouth and a strange hiss came out.
"Wait, what?" Harry asked, perplexed. "Your name is Carl?"
Seamus, Dean, and Neville all stared at Harry.
"You can understand him?" Neville asked hesitantly.
"Very badly," Harry admitted. "I didn't know I even could, to be honest." He concentrated and then hissed, "Is your name really Carl? I'm Harry."
"Har-ree?"
Harry laughed. "Harry."
The moke stared at Harry and hissed again, clearly more slowly now. "Mien naam is Ka-re-li."
"Okay, I think his name is actually Kareli," Harry told the others. "It's like another language, but one that's sort of close. Like maybe Low German?"
"You know Low German?" Seamus asked. He eyed the moke as it gamely climbed from Hermione to Harry. "Why?"
"I know of it," Harry admitted. "I saw a TV show once, where someone spoke it. Some things were really similar, just enough to sort of get the gist." He turned back to the lizard. "How about a back rub? Like so?" He mimicked stroking the creature's back.
"Ja, Har-ri." The moke pressed its head against Harry's palm and hissed some nonsense when the stroking began. "Leep good."
Of course, Malfoy couldn't give anything a rest. "Professor! Potter can speak with his lizard! That's an unfair advantage!"
Hagrid turned from Lavender, both eyebrows raised. "That true, Harry? Yeh understand the lil' fellow?"
"Er, mostly," Harry admitted. "Why?"
"Oh, nuthin'. Just interested how he finds the forest, an' whether he and his clan need something before the winter comes."
Harry tried to convey the question and listened intently to the answer. "Well, I think he says that they're fine, but that they'd like a few, er, mahltieds to help them over the coldest snaps. Something about fewer insects and mice this year."
"Ah, yes. Tell him I'll remember ter bring them something around in November."
"He'll bring some food in two months."
"Twee maanten?" the moke countered, cocking its head.
"Er, ja? Twee." Harry helplessly pointed to the sky where a waxing moon was faintly visible. "Maant."
"Twee maand." The moke actually nodded, very obviously imitating Harry's mannerisms. "Good. Ik dank di."
"He says that's fine," Harry said. "And thanks, I guess."
Hagrid was nearly glowing. "Well done. Thank yeh, Harry. Er, I probably can't give yeh points fer knowing the language, because that's a magical gift, but have five points fer being willing ter translate."
Malfoy huffed, but the rest of the class was fascinated with Harry's suddenly not so scary parselmouth abilities and presented their mokes to him to learn their names.
In the end, every moke had been talked to and petted and even fed, and an energetic group of students trooped back to the castle for their next class.
"You don't always have to stick out, you know," Ron told Harry. "So what if you can understand lizards?"
"Oh, for heaven's sake," Hermione muttered.
"You put him up to this, didn't you?" Ron continued, rounding on her. "He's not good enough for you when he's just being Harry, is he? He has to be special."
"He does not, but he is," Hermione said, exasperated. "And I'm not talking about Voldemort, either. Harry's smart, and he wants to make something of himself, Ronald. I don't see what's wrong with encouraging that in him. Not everybody can be as lazy as you!"
"Well, maybe they can," Dean supplied, "but they don't want to."
Neville glowered at Ron. "We've had enough of you. If you can't be civil, maybe you shouldn't talk to us at all."
"I wasn't talking to you, Longbottom," Ron said haughtily. "I'm talking to Harry. Mate, you know that girls have funny ideas about things. I even get how you could listen to that, what with having been raised by muggles and stuff. It's just not how things are done in our world, see."
"I don't even want to know what you mean by that," Hermione said crossly. "I'm going to talk to Professor McGonagall. I've had enough of this utter nonsense."
"I'll come with you," Neville said, and together they slogged up the hill and vanished in the castle, leaving the others to fend for themselves.
"Now you've done it, Weasley," Dean said. "I have no idea what McGonagall will come up with, but you deserve every little bit of it. And now excuse me, because unlike you, we'd actually like to attend classes."
All Harry could do was shake his head at his former best friend and follow the other boys, because words failed him. There was something wrong with the way Ron was acting, and it ate at him that he couldn't just believe that this was Ron's natural behaviour.
I'll end the spells on him today, and when the snakelings are back, I'll ask them for help, he decided. Maybe Blue can see more than he told me so far. And I'll talk to Professor McGonagall about it ... again.
With that, he had to be satisfied, and he did his best to go through his classes with the attention they deserved.
oOo
"Okay, there he is ... with cake in both hands," Hermione whispered, a disgusted frown on her face. "If you want to cast the Finite at him, do it now."
"I know, but first ..." Harry muttered the revealing charm, relieved when the spells around Ron lighted up at once. "Oh man, the magic looks ragged. He's working through the spells fast. Not that we didn't know that already, the way he behaved yesterday and today."
"You mean he's really throwing the spells off?" Hermione was visibly upset. "But, how? He's just a boy, and Dumbledore is a very strong wizard."
"I know, it doesn't make sense." Harry girded his loins, raised his wand and hissed, "Finite Incantatem!" at Ron's back.
Like before, all of the lights went out at once, leaving Ron clear of outside influences.
"Okay, let's skedaddle," Hermione said. "I'd rather not be in his way when he's like this."
They went the rest of the way to the library and set up their things at a quiet table in the back. Both Professor Babbling and Vector had given them new homework, an essay and a project to work on during the next four weeks, and Harry was eager to sink his teeth into the challenge.
"I found the mention of ritual magic terribly exciting," Hermione said as she opened her book. "Too bad that Hogwarts won't teach us very much about that."
"But she said that the fifth years and up can earn extra credit," Harry reminded her. "Which we'll both probably do."
"Only probably? You started sketching a ritual circle the minute she mentioned it." Hermione grinned. "Admit it, you've read about it during the summer. We can try some easy things out in the Come and Go Room."
"I wanted to tell you," Harry admitted. "There just wasn't any time."
"Don't I know it." Hermione looked around and then scooted right next to Harry. In a whisper, she said, "You remember that I initially wanted to take every class here?"
"Yeah, that was a bit barmy."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "Well, I was ... motivated. Professor McGonagall lobbied with the appropriate department in the Ministry to make it happen ... they'd have given me a device that allows people to travel back in time. Only for a few hours at a time, but, well."
Harry stared at her. "They what?"
"I know!" Hermione grabbed Harry's arm. "It's utterly irresponsible to let a thirteen year old child have a time-turner, but nevermind. Concentrate on the fact that such a thing even exists!"
"If we could turn back time ..." Harry was still goggling at her. "We could study longer."
Hermione nodded. "In theory. However, I've thought about it and noticed that this way of thinking is kind of fatal. Doing so much more would really, really stress the body out."
"Then we could also use it to sleep more." Harry shrugged. "Seems logical."
"The human body doesn't work that way," Hermione said. "Especially for children. Look, if we could get our hands on a time-turner, the most responsible way to use it would be to create more free time. For sleep, for rest, for play, whatever helps to decompress from work. My parents were really serious about kids needing time to just absorb things and allow the body to do its growing."
"So ..."
"So we'd study during the day, use the hours we naturally have for work, and then add a few more hours for more sleep and resting periods." Hermione took out a roll of blank parchment and began to write on it. "A day has twenty-four hours. Ideally, we spend nine to ten of them sleeping - which seems absurd with the amount of classes and homework we have - and are awake for fourteen hours. On a normal day, we get up at eight, eat breakfast and then go to class until half five. Bedtime is around ten, at the latest. For a normal student that might be enough, but we have the Patronus Club and dinner, which takes away two hours of the five we have after classes end. And then there's all of the extra work we want to do, like in the Come and Go Room and the Chamber of Secrets. Most evenings, I wish I could stay up longer to earn the extra credits the professors offer, and I also want to spend time with you, which honestly is the most relaxing thing I can imagine doing."
"Don't forget the new spells we need to learn on the fly to keep an eye on Professor McGonagall and ourselves, and Ron, and definitely occlumency to protect our minds from Dumbledore and Snape," Harry said. "Plus, I've got private business now with Gringotts, and non-human friends I want to spend time with."
"Exactly." Hermione tapped the tip of her quill onto her timeline. "Playing around with time willy-nilly would only cause problems, and probably alert people to our doings. Keeping it easy is key, and since we'd need more time for rest anyway, we should carefully choose days to make our sleeping time longer, and nothing else. You see, our bodies would age with the time that passes for it, and people who overdo it would visibly age to the casual bystander."
"You seem very sure that we'd get our hands on one," Harry said, a little suspiciously.
Hermione lifted one shoulder in an elegant shrug. "Maybe. As I said, now that I know that these things exist, how hard can it be to get our hands on one?"
"Aren't they regulated or something?" Harry asked. "I mean, if Professor McGonagall had to lobby the Ministry for one ..."
"Sure, but I thought I'd just ask Gringotts about it. Since I'd use it for more studying, essentially, I have a valid reason to request one and pay for it with the money from Hector's trust."
"What if someone notices and gives you trouble?"
Hermione snorted. "So what? The Ministry nearly issued me a time-turner, anyway, and if someone outside of Gringotts even heard about it, they'd probably just assume that I'm trying to get one for my studies. I know about them already, after all, and I'm a known nerd by now."
Harry brightened. "I like it - making the system work for you."
"I can't guarantee that it'll work, of course, but it's worth a try." Hermione briefly touched her cheek to Harry's shoulder. "Now, what do you think about Professor Babbling's challenge? I recognize the pattern of the runes, but I'm a bit confused what they're meant to do."
Harry pulled the work sheet close. "I know what you mean, but look here, Algiz is most used for protection, and she placed it at all the corners of the schematic. Same with several others. We should figure out their meanings and go from there ..."
oOo
At night, Ron was a right horror to everyone, including his own sister, who had taken a seat close to Harry and Hermione and was working on her essay for Professor Flitwick. Apparently Professor McGonagall had given Ron detention until Christmas, and his Hogsmeade privilege had been revoked for his attempted theft. It was a relief to climb into bed, draw the bed hangings shut, and silence the room with a spell.
Once he was safe from prying eyes and ears, Harry took the green journal and his biro and began to write.
September 20, 1993
Hello Brady,
How are you doing? Sirius told me that the gold snakeling asked you to feed her, so I guess she likes you a lot. Will she stay with you? I'm asking because I could maybe use Blue's help for the thing that's going on with Ron. I mean, I've cancelled the spells on him now (again), but how he acts makes my stomach hurt. I think I need to dig deeper. If Blue wants to return, I'd be glad, but I'll understand if he wants to stay with you and his siblings.
Sirius is leaving tomorrow and I feel weird about it. I want him to go and get his life back, but I also want him close. I have this warm feeling in my chest when I think of him ... could that be our bond? I read in Neville's book about family bonds a little about it.
Anyway, there's not much else to tell right now, other than that Hermione's party and my gift to her was a success. She loves her potions kit, and that she has a key to the Chamber of Secrets.
Sleep well, and tell the snakelings I miss them.
-Harry
To his surprise, there was an immediate answer.
Harry,
The snakelings miss you, too, and "Blue" told me to tell you that he'll come back, together with "Sweetie". The other brother will keep our golden girl company and accompany me when I vacate your cottage after Lord Black is gone.
What you're feeling for your godfather might indeed be your parent-child bond; you know that he blood-adopted you into his house. He feels it definitely and keeps the crystal you infused with your magic on his person at all times. Both the bond and the crystal will steady him during his time in Italy, of that I'm sure, and in case you were wondering, his return to Britain for Yule has already been set up by both Gringotts and your lawyers. The ICW is not in session from the middle of December to the middle of January, and additionally the preliminary work for your godfather's case will all take place in offices that Gringotts Rome supplies, so there's no chance of anyone apprehending him. Sirius may go wherever he likes, as long as its under Gringotts' protection.
Congratulations to successfully navigating your first gift-giving as a boyfriend! Knowing what you gave her, I'm a little worried that you have set the bar so very high for yourself, but Hermione also seems like a very sensible girl. Still, should you have any questions about it, please don't hesitate to ask. It's what I'm here for, and I know for a fact that both your godfather and Sharptooth are also very willing to help.
Sleep well, Harry, and remember to pace yourself. I have asked Blue and Sweetie to keep an eye on you, just in case your family magic keeps pushing you.
-Brady
Harry frowned a little indignantly about Healer Williams' offer of relationship advice, because Hermione was a sensible girl. Still, he appreciated the offer, especially since Ron's attitude towards the Potter family fortune was so crass, and certainly wasn't getting better.
Huffing a little, Harry closed the journal and stuffed it under his pillow.
Growing up is hard, he decided, eyelids already drooping. But being small wasn't all that great, either. I guess I'll just have to see it through.
In the next moment, he was already asleep.
oOo
On Tuesday, Harry and Hermione met in the morning for their training, but otherwise didn't linger. As the date for the Hogwarts Herald's first publication drew nearer, Hermione had to proof-read articles and coordinate with Lavender and Parvati, who were already busy type-setting the pages and double-checking everything. With a heavy heart, Harry decided to leave the Patronus Club for a bit of a breather, and thankfully Professor Lupin was very understanding and encouraged him to use the time for something fun.
"You're welcome to return whenever you think you need a refresher," Lupin said kindly. "The only thing I'd like to ask is that you find some time to talk to your year mates, should they have reasonable questions."
"I can do that, sir," Harry promised. He shot Ron a look. "As long as they don't want my memory."
"Oh, I'll certainly remind them not to ask," the professor assured him. "Now run along and make the best of your free time, Harry."
"Thank you, sir."
Harry trotted off to Gryffindor Tower and threw himself in his bed with a deep sigh. Toeing off his shoes, he curled up and nodded off in a matter of minutes. He would have slept through dinner, if two tiny, licking tongues hadn't woken him.
"Hey," Harry murmured, sleepily petting Blue's dark grey scales and Sweetie's leathery egg shell. "You're already back?"
"We were gone too long," Sweetie told him. "Harry is tired. Soul friend too busy for father."
"What?" Harry stilled and focused on her. "Are you talking about Sirius?"
"Father needs much love," she explained. "Makes Harry tired."
"Oh." Slowly, Harry sat up. "I can't just take my Patronus away, if Sirius needs him."
"Harry is doing too much," Blue hissed. "Soul friend not needs to be so brilliant. Harry call him back and send again."
Harry chewed on his bottom lip and finally took his family wand. As he was already thinking of Sirius, and by extension family, it was easy to call up the necessary emotion. "Expecto Patronum!"
In an elegant twirl, the stag appeared and looked expectantly at Harry.
"Hey you," Harry said. "My friends here tell me that you're helping Sirius a lot. But I'm getting tired, so can you maybe tone it down? Just a little so I won't be so tired."
The Patronus dipped his head until his nose touched the tip of Harry's wand and gradually lost some of its shine. Half translucent, it took its nose away and tilted its head questioningly.
Harry took a deep breath. "Yes, that's fine. Thank you, I appreciate it."
With a little bow, the Patronus vanished again, taking the warm light with it.
"Better now, Harry," Blue informed him. "Pull on magic much easier."
"I feel a bit guilty for doing it when Sirius isn't feeling well," Harry admitted. He allowed Blue to wind himself around his arm and then picked up Sweetie. "Do you think he'll manage?"
"He will," Sweetie replied, her little head and a bit of her slender body extending from the hole in the shell. In the golden lamp light, her pink markings were almost glowing, and her orange eyes shimmered brightly. "Harry's father not need magic. He need love."
"And there is enough love in the soul friend," Blue added. He rubbed his little head against Harry's wrist. "It's cold, Harry. Make it warm again."
Harry quickly cast the charms for the snakelings and then got up for dinner. "Remember to stay quiet, okay? My friend Ron is without spells right now, I don't want him to hurt you."
"The favourite told us that something is wrong with rude boy," Blue said. "I will try to get good look at rude boy for you."
"I'll help," Sweetie declared. "I want in your bag."
"You're the best." Harry carefully placed the egg in his robe pocket and tried to let the folds of the fabric fall in such such a way that the bulge wouldn't be very obvious. Blue was already comfortable under his shirt sleeve and wound around his arm. "Alright, let's go."
Since all the other third years had been in the Great Hall for the Patronus Club, Harry only met older and younger students on his way, and all of them looked at him curiously. The last stretch of the way, Colin Creevey joined him and handed over a stack of pictures.
"Here, those are the photos of the locks Ron tried to pick on Sunday. Could you give them out to the others? Professor McGonagall already got her own set."
"Of course. Thanks, Colin," Harry said. "Er, do you get paid for those?"
"Nah, I'm happy to help." Colin grinned. "Plus, I shot a really great picture of Hagrid and Buckbeak and it'll appear in the Herald. My name on that might get me a few jobs during the holidays. My neighbours always want good pictures of their kids, and I'm a lot cheaper than a professional photographer."
"Can you show them a magical newspaper?" Harry asked, a little worried. "I thought your parents were mundanes."
Colin's grin got even wider. "Turns out I can, since all of them have someone magical in their family. How weird is that, right? A lot of their kids will come to Hogwarts in the next years, it'll be like an invasion."
"Seems like you're all set, then," Harry offered.
They separated at the table. Colin went to sit with his friends, while Harry slid into the place Hermione had saved for him.
"Hey," he greeted her and the others across and around him. "How was the Patronus Club?"
"Not as exciting as the first meeting," Lavender said with a smirk. "But Parvati and Blaise both managed to get some silvery mist. Professor Lupin gave them ten points, each."
"Great!" Harry beamed at the blushing Parvati. "You'll be able to do it in no time."
"Hermione won't," Ron called smugly. "She hardly even tried - because she finally noticed that she can't be the best at everything."
"You hardly tried, too," Dean snapped. "In fact, you were more interested in whining about being hungry."
"So what? The dementors haven't bothered us yet, they'll stay away from the castle," Ron said dismissively. "Maybe I'll drop out, it's not like we'll be graded, anyway."
"Do what you want," Seamus said shortly, turning to his food.
As the others followed suit, Harry quietly asked Hermione, "Are you alright?"
She snorted. "Of course I am. Ron's exaggerating, as usual. I didn't try as often as the others because I was thinking about a good memory."
"And? Did you find one?"
"Not tonight," Hermione admitted softly, "but I think it's maybe because I have so many, and my mind won't stop long enough to let the impressions work. It's flitting right to the next one, comparing them with each other. As of now, I have 158 memories who might all work, if only I could manage to choose one long enough to immerse myself into it."
"I knew that there had to be a downside to this gift," Harry teased. "You'll figure it out."
"Yes, I will," she agreed without false shame. A shy look came over her face. "Maybe if I could have some private instruction, I could manage it sooner?"
"Whenever you like," Harry promised, pleased. He sobered a little when he noticed Lavender's keen eye on him. "So, only one more week until the Herald comes out. I'm getting nervous just thinking about it."
"Right?" Lavender squealed, making a couple of the boys wince. "There's still so much to do, because of course a couple of our writers missed the deadline. Parv and I will have to hound them, and everything that's not done on Friday will have to be chucked. Thankfully we have a few back-up articles about the same topics, although it feels icky to just replace them."
"Can't be helped," Harry said with a shrug. "Who wrote them?"
"Oh, the editorial staff, mostly," she replied. "Parvati, Hermione, Roger Davies from Ravenclaw, and two have been done by professors. They're very good, of course, but we, and they, don't want them to actually get published. The Herald is a student newspaper, after all."
"Yes, it's good that they try to let us manage on our own," Parvati added. "Although Professor McGonagall has been a huge help otherwise, especially in spell-checking and directing research."
"Will everyone in the school get a paper?" Harry asked. "I forgot, I'm sorry."
"Yes, everyone in Hogwarts will automatically get a free copy, unless they opt out." Lavender flipped her hair back. "You won't believe the ruckus the Herald has caused. A lot of the parents have signed up for their own copies because they don't want to wait for the students to send them theirs. And Gringotts reports that quite a few people who work for the Ministry want to get it as well. Our current print run is 3000, can you believe it?"
"I'm fully convinced that the Ministry will bray for us to stop," Hermione said. "We'll give them a lot of reasons, after all."
Lavender snorted. "They can try. The goblins checked all the laws for us, everything is airtight. But it'll be fun to see them frothe at the mouth. I've already blocked space in the next edition for that."
"You're positively bloodthirsty, Lavender," Dean said admiringly. "How about a drink in Hogsmeade?"
"I don't have time for dates, but I'll take the drink," Lavender replied, grinning when everyone around them laughed.
Later, when Harry was lying in bed and missing Sirius, the two snakelings snuggled close.
"Your father is safe now," Sweetie hissed. "Goblins very good protectors."
"I know," Harry sighed. He rubbed his chest. "It still feels odd, now that he's so far away. Not so good, if I'm honest."
"It will get better," Blue said. "Writing to your father helps."
Harry patted the journal and sighed. "It does, but I kind of want to hug him right now."
"He'll have much work, just like you. Brother try to scent rude boy tomorrow. Harry need to get close." Sweetie nudged Harry's chest with her nose. "And now sleep. I'm tired."
Smiling weakly, Harry cast the necessary protection spells onto the snakes so he wouldn't squish them during the night and then turned off the light with a whispered, "Nox."
oOo
To Harry's vexation, Ron proved to be a wiley git when he put his mind to it. He was always there, at the periphery of Harry's vision, but when Harry actively tried to seek the boy out, he made himself scarce. It baffled his friends and even his sister, who muttered darkly that Ron behaved like a little girl with a silly crush. Ginny herself seemed a lot less nervous in Harry's presence lately, which was its own kind of mystery, though not exactly unwelcome.
"I don't think Ronald has a crush on you," Hermione muttered on Friday as they walked to lunch. "But he is acting rather suspiciously. Any ideas?"
"Not yet," Harry said quietly. Under his sleeve, Blue was moving and trying to taste the air. "I'll have to corner him somehow."
"At least he's not been spelled again, yet." Hermione huffed. "What a mess."
"I'll keep trying, and Professor McGonagall said she'll help where she can. My best chance might be shortly before detention tonight. She's thinking about allowing me to come with the invisibility cloak."
Harry helped Hermione climb onto the bench and pushed the plate with the sautéed spinach towards her. Since his house elf friends had been accepted in the castle, the food had definitely improved in variety. As far as Harry knew, no one had complained about it yet.
"Has everyone turned in their articles?" he asked as they wolfed down chicken breast, spinach and buttery mashed potatoes.
"All but one, yes," Hermione said, "and Roger has until tonight to do it. We've been hounding him all week and he promised to bring it over after class is out."
"Well, I won't hold my breath," Parvati said. "He said he'd do it twice already, and then he gets distracted by some new, shiny book or something and forgets again." She rolled her eyes. "Ravenclaws, honestly."
"We're prepared and that's all that counts," Lavender said. "I refuse to stress myself out more than I absolutely have to."
"Hear, hear!" Seamus called and raised his water glass for a toast.
After lunch, Harry let Jules pop him into the Come and Go Room to handle his correspondence. There wasn't much to tell on his end, unfortunately, but Sirius had written another long letter, and Sharptooth had used their shared journal for the first time. It was that one Harry decided to answer first.
September 24, 1993
Heir Potter,
While Lord Black will undoubtedly have told you all about his crossing to Italy, I find myself compelled to relay Gringotts' impression of the event, for posterity's sake, if nothing else. It is not every day - and indeed, not even every century - that a wizard is allowed to traverse our realm, and it pleases us goblins greatly how appreciative Lord Black was of the great honour my Chief Ragnok decided to bestow on him.
Indeed, Lord Black was full of wonder as he passed the barrier in the deepest bowels of Gringotts' London branch, far past the oldest of vaults and the dragons who guard them. I'm sure his human eye will have let him see only a small part of magic's glimmer and shine as it danced around him, and yet he was fully capable of experiencing its intensity as it tangled with his own magic to allow him to pass through our inner sanctum.
For us goblins, his entrance into our world marked a change, some even say it heralded the beginnings of a new age. Whether that is true remains to be seen, but fact is that Lord Black's magic meshed quite beautifully with ours, and his spirit was open and receptive to what Magic willed him to know - and us as well. I can best decribe this profound experience as an exchange of faith, of a vision of the future in which both our races benefit from each other. Our seers are quite beside themselves, but it need not concern you in the foreseeable future. These dealings are between the Lord Black and Gringotts for now.
Negotiations are underway to allow you to watch the memories of Lord Black's travel. My Chief Ragnok is willing, but concerned about the security around your mind, youngling. If permission is denied, know that it is being denied for this reason, and this reason alone. The memory will be waiting for you until you're ready, that I can promise.
Everything else is progressing nicely. The deal for the second house in France has been finalized, and your elves are still hard at work to get your guest house ready. The human employees will start work on October 1st, and your Dobby estimates that the first guests may arrive in November, once the employees are trained to his satisfaction. Gringotts will put an advertisement into all relevant newspapers, of course, as soon as Dobby gives the go ahead.
Your question regarding a time-turner will require much thought and discussion, not only with the experts at Gringotts, but also Lord Black. Please have patience, we will get to it as soon as may be.
Last but not least, I'd like to remind you of Salazar Slytherin's library, and your plans for it. Lord Black, your law firm, and I all worked on a contract for the necessary parselmouth translators, and while you're not a lawyer, we'd like your input on the contract before we put out feelers for interested parties. I'll enclose it in my next official letter. Take your time reviewing it, and if you have concerns, I'll be more than happy to answer your questions.
May your profits ever fill your coffers, and your enemies whimper in fear.
Sharptooth
Steward to the Potter Family
Senior Account Manager
Harry blew out a breath. Yet more things he had to think about! But Sharptooth was right, he had wanted to do this, so he couldn't be annoyed that the adults in his life actually made things happen and expected him to fulfill his part. Besides, it wasn't like he wasn't curious, and Hermione would probably murder him if he tried to let it fall by the wayside.
I've already learned a copying spell. Next time in the Chamber, I'll try it out, see if it even works. If it doesn't, the whole thing might not work out, after all. In fact, why don't I go down there right now? The snakes will love it, I'm sure.
After a call, Jules appeared before him and assured him that yes, it was no problem to pop Harry Potter sir and the snakes to the Chamber of Secrets.
"It might be a problem to take Miss Hermione, too," Jules admitted sadly, "but one wizard is no problem."
"Thank you, Jules," Harry said, patting the elf's narrow shoulder. "It's just me today, anyway, so no worries. How's the library coming along?"
"The books are all sorted, and I stacked the defence texts prominently." Jules hopped excitedly. "I have been teaching Ninja how to read. He's slow, but he enjoys learning things to defend his master."
"Is he happy?" Harry asked.
"Oh, very much!" Jules squeaked. "Ninja does not like reading for himself, but he likes being able to fight a lot." He frowned a little. "Betty thinks he's mysterious."
That was one way to put it, Harry supposed. He fought to keep his grin to himself. "Alright, shall we?"
Travelling with Jules was effizient and worked just fine, but there was a marked lack of whirling around, like there was with Dobby and Betty. Harry figured that the damaged magic in Jules was to blame. It was a very calm ride, compared, but not a bad one at all. He thought that eldery people or people who abhorred portkeys and other fast methods of transportation would appreciate, if not love, it.
"Does Harry Potter sir need Jules for anything else?" the elf asked.
"No, thank you, I'll be fine." Harry waved as Jules popped away and then turned to the locked door to the Chamber. "I want to work in peace and quiet."
As the large metal snakes slowly slithered along, Blue and Sweetie stuck their heads out of Harry's sleeve and bag, respectively, scenting the air eagerly.
"Birth place is warded now," Blue said, orange eyes unblinking in the dim torch light. "Very good protection. It's clean now."
"Fresh," Sweetie agreed.
"I hope you can keep the password to yourselves," Harry said. The door swung open, revealing the large chamber behind. "If not, tell me now and I'll change it."
"We keep Harry's secrets," Sweetie said and nipped his hand reproachfully. "We know that here be things the Dark One can never see. The Favourite talked about it with your father."
"About that ... I wonder if Riddle hasn't seen them already," Harry said worriedly. "He knew that the Chamber existed for at least two years, since he killed a girl with the basilisk in his sixth year. He might have read all the books in there."
"Take me to the secret book room," Blue demanded. "The guardian will tell us."
Harry trotted all the way to Salazar's statue and climbed up and into his mouth, careful of the snakes on him. Audovera, the brass-coloured snake guardian, reared up from the stone door as he approached and opened her golden hood.
"You're back, Master. Welcome," she hissed.
"Hey, Audovera. How are you?"
"Bored, now that you have woken me," the snake admitted.
Figuring that he wouldn't get a better or more natural opportunity at asking his questions than this, Harry said, "Who was the last before me, and when?"
"Why, it was my Master Slytherin," Audovera said. She undulated a little, edging closer to Harry and flicking her metal tongue. Blue slipped from Harry's sleeve and met her halfway, tiny hood displayed. "Oh, a young one!"
"Harry calls me Blue. My sister is with us also," Blue informed her. "No one has seen the inside of the book room since your first master?"
"None," Audovera said. Her large head came closer and closer and her tongue carefully touched the baby before moving on to Sweetie's head that was poking out of Harry's bag. "You're offspring of Master Slytherin's poor familiar. The Dark One twisted her around and I could do nothing to prevent it. His parselgift was strong and ensnared her lonely mind."
"I'm sorry I had to kill her," Harry murmured. "I'm not proud of it."
Audovera slowly slithered back. "She was a proud and fierce guardian and protector for centuries. She didn't deserve to meet her end like this. If Master Slytherin knew what the Dark One has done, he'd weep his eyes out."
Harry didn't know what to say to that, so he muttered the password and carefully stepped inside as the door swung open.
Like the first time, the magic in the room took care of the darkness and dust, even though barely any new dust had accumulated in the past week or so.
"Very old magic," Blue said, turning his little head every which way. "Anchored to magic lines beneath the castle, stays fresh always."
"Really?" Harry gaped at the room. "I can't imagine that the spells are actually over one thousand years old."
"Magic knows no age if it is connected to the flow," Sweetie told him. "Harry has many books now."
"I do." Still a little dazed, Harry stepped up to the closest shelf and picked up one of the large journals. "I'll try to copy this one, it's about potions. I think." He drew his family wand and cleared his throat. "Er, exscribio haec."
Harry honestly hadn't expected this simple spell to work on a Hogwarts founder's books, especially since he'd been too lazy to look up the Latin word for 'journal' and just gone for Professor Flitwick's go to solution and just used 'this'. But it did work, and in a golden flush of magic, a perfect, if a little cheap looking copy, appeared out of thin air and fell into his hands.
"Wow!" he exclaimed. Hastily, he put the original back onto the shelf and opened the copy. "It's all there ... to the last page. But I only understand parts of it. Yep, it's potions."
"Good work," Blue praised, crawling over the open pages and flicking them with his tongue. "You will send it to the ground dwellers?"
"Just this for now, and just to Brady," Harry said. "Maybe he can read it better than me."
"The favourite is smart," Sweetie said, "but he is no lover of old languages. Is it safe to give it to him? Will he keep the secret?"
"I hope so. I mean, he's my doctor, he's already sworn a ton of oaths." Harry shivered against the unease that crawled up his spine. "I dunno, maybe I should tell him that this stuff is affecting my health ... he can't talk about any of it without my permission, then. At least I think so."
"Good idea," Sweetie said, satisfied.
Harry stuffed the journal into his bag, said goodbye to Audovera, and returned to the Come and Go Room with Dobby's help.
"Here," Harry said to his friend and handed the journal over. "Let me just write a quick letter and then take this to Brady, he'll know what to do with it."
In just a few minutes, Harry penned his note, actually putting in the part about the books affecting his 'emotional wellbeing', just so Brady could be safe from dangerous people. Afterwards, he read the letter out lout to Dobby.
"Do you think that's enough to protect him?" he asked the house elf afterwards.
Dobby cocked his head. "Dobby be thinking so. Without Harry Potter sir's permission, Healer Brady not be able to talk about book, and instruction for using blood protection on it be clever. No goblin or wizard be able to break it." A speculative look came over Dobby's little face. "It also be meaningful present to Harry Potter sir's Brady. He not be able to give it away."
"Do you think that's strange?" Harry asked anxiously. "I don't want him to feel weird about it."
"It not be weird," Dobby said with conviction. "It be proof of Harry Potter sir's trust. Dobby be knowing Harry Potter sir's Brady now - it be alright."
Harry still felt a little off-balance. "If you're sure ... please be careful, okay?"
"Dobby will," the elf squeaked and popped away.
For a few minutes, Harry distractedly played with a piece of parchment and his quill, doodling random runes in geometrical patterns, uneven waves, and in made-up little circles. Both snakelings, who insisted on crawling all over the huge desk, were always in the middle and visibly enjoying the exercise. A little bit of magic zinged from Harry's fingertips into the runes, only to wink out again when none of it found any sort of purpose.
Then, Healer Williams' journal lighted up, causing Harry to tip over his ink bottle.