Ch: 36-41
Chapter Thirty Six
After a pillow fight, seven destroyed pillows and numerous feathers later the three Slytherins plus one Ravenclaw just lazed about. Harry was silent as Bellatrix described her manor to Lily, who was interested about the charms surrounding the manor. Dark Arts or not, Lily wanted knowledge.
"Well, there are the standards. An Unplottable charm, several powerful Notice-me-nots and Muggle repellents, Anti- Apparition wards for someone not invited, same with Portkeys. The Apparition wards and the Portkey wards have a curse on them so if you actually break through you get hit by a burning curse and transported to the Dungeons." Bellatrix said.
"Sounds nasty." Lily commented, wrinkling her nose.
"Of course it's nasty!" Bellatrix hyped. "It's a Black curse, it's meant to be nasty. If there's one things we blacks are good at, it's Dark Magic!"
"Except me." Narcissa said. "I am good at it, but as my test showed, I prefer rune magic. Bellatrix on the other hand, received a 94 for Dark Arts. Plus her high elemental Shadow abilities…"
"Shadow? What's shadow?" Lily asked. Harry also looked up. Voldemort was a fire, water and shadow elemental so it would be useful it Harry could see what it could do to him.
"The Shadow element is the opposite of the Holy element." Narcissa said. "Which I believe that you have."
"And…?" Lily trailed off.
"Watch." Bellatrix said and held out her hand. It shimmered, before fading into darkness as molten shadows dripped onto it. Bellatrix grinned and her body faded into the Shadows, before reappearing once again.
"Cool." Lily breathed. "What else can you do?" she pressed on, her eyes alight with curiosity.
"Well, Shadow Elementals can fade into shadows, letting curses pass through them or objects. Not the killing curse though. It'll still kill you as it passes." Narcissa explained.
"Unless you're Voldemort." Harry murmured. At the other flinches he rolled his eyes.
"Come on! It's a name." He protested.
"A name we hate." Narcissa said softly.
"It won't hurt you." Harry said sharply.
"Sure it will!" Bellatrix said simply. "Because if we say it, we bring attention to ourselves as people who aren't scared of him. And he'll kill us to make others fear him."
Harry stared. "I never thought of it like that." He murmured.
"Of course you didn't." Narcissa said gently. "You have no reason to fear him because he fears you."
"He does not fear me." Harry scoffed.
"Oh, I bet he does." Lily said. "Twice you have dueled him and twice you have succeeded in forcing him to run. Both times he got injured as bad as you did."
Harry mulled this over while Bellatrix started talking.
"You're a mystery man Harry!" she said cheerfully. "No one knows where you came from, what's your last name and why you're here. They just know that you are powerful and can duel like there's no tomorrow." She slung an arm over his shoulders. "So cheer up and get used to it."
Narcissa smirked. "Anyway, why won't the killing curse effect the Dark Lord while he's in shadow form?"
"I have no idea." Harry said. "I hit him with Avada Kedavra and it just went straight through him. When he re-appeared, he wasn't dead that's for sure."
Bellatrix frowned. "He shouldn't be able to do that."
Narcissa laughed hollowly. "This is the Dark Lord we're talking about. He does anything He wants to do."
"Let's talk about something else." Lily said and shivered.
The gong indicating the next period was starting interrupted them all.
"SHIT!" Bellatrix cried. She grabbed her books and dashed at the room, shouting farewells as she tried to get to her Potions class.
"Damn!" Lily said. She looked at her timetable. "We have Charms! I'm missing my favorite class!"
"We better hurry." Narcissa said smoothly and picked up her bag. Harry followed suit, closing the door.
They made it to Charms class five minutes late and lost 5 points each. They sat down and pulled out their books.
"Now, Today we're going to do something a little different." Professor Flitwick squeaked. "We will be learning about the Fidelius Charm."
Next to him Lily sat up straighter. Harry rolled his eyes at her eagerness.
"Does anyone know what the Fidelius Charm is?" Professor Flitwick asked. Lily raised her hand as did Harry. Everyone else just looked confused.
"Ms Evans?" Professor Flitwick called upon Lily.
"The Fidelius Charm is a hiding charm. There is a secret keeper that knows where something is. If you are not told where it is by the secret keeper alone, then you could walk right in front of them and not see them." Lily explained.
"Very Good! 10 points to Ravenclaw!" Professor Flitwick cried out in joy. "Anything to add Mr. Riddle…I mean Harry? A little odd to think about what to call you."
"The Fidelius Charm can only hide a small area. It can't hide Hogwarts, but it would be able to hide the Shrieking shack. You can't be a Secret keeper to yourself or you'll be trapped forever because no one can see you for you to tell them the secret." Harry recited from memory.
"Another 10 points to Harry!" Professor Flitwick cried out. He hopped on the small pile of books he was standing on. "The charm is a hard one to perform and only a select few can create it. Many have come from Hogwarts and less than 70 in the entire world would be able to use this charm successfully. The Charm originated in 1678 when…"
"Interesting lesson." Narcissa said calmly. She was currently eating a piece of steak at the Slytherin table, amongst the others.
"Yeah! I remember that lesson. Nothing but a sleep rejuvenator for me." Bellatrix said happily as she drunk from her goblet.
"Hey! Charms aren't boring!" Lily said in a huff. Harry just rolled his eyes at the antics of the three girls. They were becoming fast friends and Harry was happy to see that most of the Pureblood nonsense their families were renowned for was lacking in Narcissa and Bellatrix. Of course, Regulus made up for their lack of stuck-attitudes by leaps and bounds.
"Yes they are!" Bellatrix argued back and grinned. "Of course, only to the exciting people are they boring. To you…well maybe they are interesting."
"I'm exciting!" Lily said and narrowed her eyes.
"Sure you are." Narcissa placated.
"Shut up Cissa!" Lily growled and turned back to Bellatrix. "I can do exciting things!"
"Prove it!" Bellatrix dared.
"How?" Lily said stubbornly.
"Prank…The Marauders!" Bellatrix said and grinned wickedly.
"And get a detention? No thanks!" Lily complained.
"You won't get a detention if they don't catch you." Narcissa said wisely.
From across the table Harry smirked. "Come on Lily. I'll even help."
"Well…" Lily hesitated.
"Pay them back for all the pranks they played on you!" Bellatrix urged.
"But Potter lost his parents! I'm not that cruel." Lily said reluctantly.
"What about Sirius then?" Narcissa said. "I wouldn't mind seeing my cousin taken down a notch or two. He has a worse attitude than I do."
"Okay." Lily said firmly. "After I do it you'll take what you said back."
"I promise." Bellatrix said.
Lily fingered her wand and discreetly jabbed it at the Gryffindor Table. A muttered incantation later she sheathed her wand.
"It's done." She said simply.
"What? I don't see anything." Bellatrix said and peered at Sirius. He was the same as always with his smug grin.
"Wait and see." Lily said.
Sirius chuckled at the corny joke the girl attached to his arm made. The girl sighed and batted her eyelashes.
"Hey Padfoot! Having fun?" Peter teased. Sirius glared at him and turned his attentions back to the girl in front of him.
He failed to see all the saltshakers and peppershakers suddenly grow legs and started marching from one end of the table to the other. The other Gryffindors did however.
"What the fu…ARGHH!" Peter screamed as a peppershaker jumped on him, hitting him in the cheek. Peter batted it away easily.
"We need more re-enforcements Sergeant!" The Peppershaker said. Peter blinked, as did the rest of the table save Sirius, who was exploring the mouth of the girl with great curiosity.
"Do you Duty Private!" Another Peppershaker shouted. The peppershaker grew tiny arms and saluted.
"YES SERGE!"
Sirius looked up and gasped. Over 20 Peppershakers and Saltshakers were standing in formation right in front of him. All had tiny legs and tiny arms.
"Shit!" He yelled.
The Peppershaker in command raised his arm. He bought it down quickly and yelled. "CHARGE TROOPERS!"
The shakers jumped on Sirius all at once. The girl on his arm screamed and fell to the ground as he jumped up, drawing attention from the entire hall. He batted one away and knocked off another on.
"ALL OF YOUS ATTACK!" The Shaker yelled. Teaspoons suddenly began standing, growing arms and legs. The leaped on Sirius, who yelled in pain as several metal objects hit him.
Sirius managed to get his wand and flicked it. All of the cutlery fell off him and remained limp. He smirked before he noticed people were giggling at him. He looked down at himself and screamed. His body was transforming into a giant Saltshaker.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!" Sirius yelled in panic as he staggered.
"You can't escape us!" A shaker said in a squeaky voice.
"You are one of us now." Another shaker commented.
Peter was laughing as well as Remus and even James, who had sullen tonight, cracked a grin.
"10 points off Gryffindor for language Mr. Black!" Professor McGonagall shouted. She flicked her wand and Sirius reverted back to normal.
Lily was cracking up, clutching Harry for support. Nearby Bellatrix was laughing at the misfortune of her cousin and the normally stoic Narcissa was smiling in amusement.
"That was cruel Lily." She said, the amusement in her blue eyes apparent.
"Thank you." Lily curtsied. "But I don't get who did the teaspoon attack or the Shaker transfigurations."
Bellatrix looked a bit sheepish and Lily soon caught on.
"You did that?" Lily asked in surprise.
"Only the teaspoon bit." Bellatrix admitted.
"I did the transfiguration." Harry admitted.
Lily grinned. "He deserved that, the rotten little prat."
"We know." Narcissa said blandly and rolled her eyes.
"Hey! It's a Hogsmeade weekend tomorrow!" Bellatrix cried out after reading her timetable.
"Only just figure that out now did you?" Came an oily voice from behind them. Severus and Louise Bell Gideon sat down.
"Shut it Sevy!" Bellatrix growled. Severus smirked and raised an eyebrow at her. He opened his mouth to retort when somebody jabbed him in the ribs.
"Severus and I will stay behind to make sure that the Hierarchy doesn't get any funny ideas," Louise cut in.
"Thanks." Harry said. Louise flashed a smile at him and dragged Severus way from his glaring contest with Bellatrix.
"So, what are you doing at Hogsmeade?" Narcissa asked Bellatrix.
"Nothing much." She shrugged. "I was going to ask a 7th year out but he's one of Rodolphus' goons."
"Come with us." Lily offered. "Narcissa, you're invited as well. We got nothing better to do so we could use the company."
"We have mouth and We would like to use Our mouth." Harry said and Lily flushed.
"Is it okay with you?" she asked.
"Of course." Harry said. "Spending a Saturday with three beautiful girls, what more could I ask for."
3 pillows hit him in the head as he took a sip from his goblet and he spluttered.
"Wait a minute! Where the hell did you get pillows from?" Harry cried out.
3 pillows hit him again.
"Okay, Okay!" Harry muttered.
3 pillows hit him in the ribs.
"Stop it already!" Harry protested.
3 pillows hit on the head.
"I'm shutting up right about now." Harry mumbled.
3 pillows hit him again…repeatedly.
"..."
3 pillows hit him right in the face.
"Hey, I didn't say anything!"
Chapter Thirty Seven
Author's Notes: I'll be leaving either tomorrow so this will be the last chapter for at least one week. Sorry everyone. Where I'm going has no Internet access. I am still undecided about the pairings so opinions matter. To those who had an e-mail saying I had a chapter 36 and 37, that was my bad. I was replacing chapters and I used the wrong bloody uploader. My bad.
The next day Harry woke up energized and ready for fun. He was looking forward to this weekend and hadn't been on one for a while. He showered in the Prefects shower in his room and got dressed in a pair of jeans with a faded black t-shirt. The scar from Wormtail's knife from his fourth year was still slashed on his elbow. There was also a jagged scar on his arm near his hand, courtesy of the Basilisk. There was a nasty looking patch of scarred skin from where Quirrell had attacked him. Life hadn't been nice to Harry.
He wasn't looking for a fight so he didn't wear his dragon hide robes and he only strapped on his normal wand with Fawkes' feather. He walked down to the common room and met Narcissa and Bellatrix.
Narcissa was wearing an expensive pure white robe with a hood and black shoes. Harry had a little trouble finding where the robe stopped and her hair started. Her hair was played out over her shoulders with her light blue eyes that seemed to analyze everything she saw. Bellatrix on the other hand, was wearing a black shiny robe with a trailing green cloak and silver boots. Her hair was down to her waist with bangs framing her face, her violet eyes peeping out under strands of hair.
"Looking nice Harry!" Bellatrix said and winked. Narcissa just looked on him disdainfully.
"Muggle clothing?" Narcissa sniffed. Harry smirked in the direction of the common room.
"This should piss off Rodolphus and his lot, eh?" he said and let his eyes travel across the room. Indeed Rodolphus was casting horrified glances at his Muggle clothing. Bellatrix smirked and grabbed Harry's arm.
"Let's go!" she said and dragged him out with Narcissa trailing after them. Harry shook off her arm but she took it back, with Narcissa taking his other arm.
Harry entered the Great Hall and immediately searched for Lily. When he found her sitting at the Ravenclaw table, he dragged the two wenches…girls and sat down next to her. She was wearing jeans like his and a green tank top. She had her hair in a ponytail and she had put on eyeliner so her eyes seemed to be bright and sparkle. She seemed mildly amused and a little bit annoyed that the Black sisters were holding on to him. Harry gave her a look that sent her into fits of laughter.
"Come on Harry, it's not that bad." She said between laughs.
"Yes it is." Harry muttered.
"Many men would kill for your position." Narcissa said softly, glancing uneasily around. She wasn't used to sitting away from the table and had no doubt that the Ravenclaw table weren't too pleased with her sitting with Lily.
"I'm not like most men." Harry said and scoffed. "Besides I'm 16."
"I thought most boys liked to be referred to as Men." Bellatrix said, her eyes flashing and glaring at anybody who looked their way.
"Shut up." Harry said simply. Lily laughed and opened her mouth when a nasal voice interrupted them.
"Um…Nerd-Girl? What are Slytherins doing at our table?" The girl said. She had a cruel face, with blonde hair and cold watery eyes. Harry thought she could pass as a Pettigrew. Lily frowned and opened her mouth again when Harry spoke up.
"We're just checking out our targets." He said smoothly. Lily looked confused while Bellatrix and Narcissa composed themselves and started scanning the people surrounding them.
"T-Targets?" The girl stammered. She took a step backwards when Harry gave a feral grin.
"Yeah. It's a bit hard to mass-murder people if we don't know what they look like." He explained as if talking to a small child.
"Harry? What about that 2nd year sitting down there? Do we kill her?" Narcissa questioned coldly.
"Why not?" Harry shrugged and turned back to the girl, who had paled and shifted away.
"Anything else?" he inquired politely. The girl shook her head rapidly and scooted away.
"That wasn't very nice." Lily said. She grinned. "Good work!"
"Ooh! It appears that we Slytherins are having a bad example on sweat, innocent little Lily." Bellatrix spoke up.
"I was not sweet!" Lily said and glared at Bellatrix. Bellatrix glared back while Narcissa rolled her eyes. Harry just chuckled as he delved deep into his breakfast. Those two seemed to be getting in a lot of arguments and strangely they reminded Harry of Ron and Hermione, always bickering over every little thing.
The trip to Hogsmeade was uneventful. Filch had reluctantly let Harry pass as Harry had shown him the scroll where the permission slip was signed by Dumbledore, who had been kind enough to drop it off with Fawkes in the morning…at 4:00am…when it was dark…and Harry was sleeping… Where they saying 'Don't kill the messenger' came from was a mystery for Harry as he had sent curse after curse at the flaming fuzzball until Fawkes had disappeared in a burst of flames and an indigent squawk.
As they neared the village, the four had turned to the Shrieking shack where Bellatrix started telling scary stories about what was in it.
"It's a Wraith." Bellatrix said softly. "It feeds on people who come to close." Lily scoffed at the idea but looked uneasy when invited for a closer look.
"It's not a wraith." Narcissa said. Lily breathed out a sigh of relief. She quickly gasped as Narcissa finished her sentence. "It's an Daemon Spawn."
Harry sat in the Three Broomsticks. He hadn't been disturbed so far but most adult patrons were glancing his way every so often. As he went up to get the drinks, an attractive 30 something year old witch slid up next to him.
"Can I help you?" Harry asked politely. The witch flashed a smile and whipped out a quill with a piece of parchment.
"Yes you can." She purred seductively, "I'm Mary-Sue, writer for the Daily Prophet. Can I ask a few questions?"
"No." Harry refused flatly and walked away. He sat down the Butterbeers at the table and sat down with the Reporter still hovering, clearly not expecting a flat out refusal. Obviously she wasn't used to them and she tapped her quill thoughtfully. Mary-Sue glanced over at the table and smirked. She started writing furiously.
Bellatrix squealed and ran into the candy story leaving the others trailing behind.
"Shall we?" Harry asked Narcissa, who raised a pale eyebrow.
"We better make sure she doesn't go blow up anything." Narcissa said and walked gracefully into the store, leaving behind Harry and Lily. Lily frowned and turned to Harry.
"Why do I get the feeling she was serious?" she asked. Harry just shook his head and followed walked in. Inside Bellatrix was looking at tray eagerly.
"What's that?" he asked. Bellatrix looked up.
"Atomic Apple cakes." She said. "Explodes in a shower of apple flavor in your stomach."
"Eww!" Lily stated and turned to look at some of the most interesting items including Zombie Zips (Made with 10 grams of brain!), Banshee cough drops and Necromancer Knee's.
"That's just sick!" She muttered after she had looked at Carnivorous Chews (Made with 30 grams more horse intestines!)
"What did you expect?" Narcissa said as she eyed a Blood Pop with interest. "You know, I've always wondered what blood tasted like…"
They strolled through Hogsmeade and past the village near the mountains with Bellatrix eating sweats of everything, Narcissa sucking on a Blood Pop, Lily chewing a Sugar Quill and Harry licking a Lollypop that turned the user's eyes purple.
"There's a cave up here." Harry said as he led the group up the mountain. The heat was pouring down and Harry could feel sweat running down his eyes.
"As long as there's shade I'll go." Lily panted. Harry grinned at her and flicked his wand. A rush of air surrounded the four figures before it died down, leaving them cool and refreshed.
"Thanks!" Bellatrix chirped and skipped up the mountain. "We'll be coming round the mountain when we come! We'll be coming around the mountain when we come." She sang. Narcissa sighed and put her head in her hands.
"She's had way too much sugar today." She grumbled. Harry laughed and grabbing Lily's and Narcissa's hand, he sprinted after Bellatrix, content in acting like a normal teenager for once.
They passed a ravine and Bellatrix looked down. It was a deep gully, with jagged rocks at the bottom.
"It would suck to fall down there." Harry commented as he leaned forward for a better look.
"Thanks for the warning." Narcissa said sarcastically. Harry grinned then faltered as he lost his step and plunged headfirst in the gully.
"HARRY!" Lily shrieked as the black haired boy tripped and fell. She whipped out her wand and shouted a floating charm. It missed and smacked uselessly on the wall of rocks. Narcissa was looking gob smacked and Bellatrix was peering down anxiously when a POP echoed through the area and Harry fell on all three girls, bodies crumpling to the ground.
"Fuck!" he swore violently and panted.
"Are you all right?" Narcissa asked with concern. She hauled herself up and helped the others up.
"Yeah." Harry said, still breathing deeply. He glanced over at the edge and shifted away from it. "I'm leaving. Don't want to do that again."
"Good idea." Bellatrix said anxiously. "Thank Merlin you know how to apparate."
"I'm just lucky to be alive." Harry said as they started walking up the mountain trail.
There was silence then Narcissa asked.
"…Was it fun?"
"Shit yeah."
In the cave it was dark and cool. Bellatrix conjured blue flames that hung in mid air, fed by nothing but magic. Then they curled up and just relaxed around.
"You know," Lily said thoughtfully. "This has got to be the best Hogsmeade weekend ever."
"I second that." Bellatrix said tiredly. She closed her eyes and soon was dozing lightly.
"Bellatrix?" Harry asked. The 7th year mumbled in her sleep and rolled over.
Narcissa smiled softly, her usually sharp features draining away.
"Narcissa?" Harry asked again. The pale haired girl was sleeping, drained from the day. He sighed and turned to look at Lily, feeling fatigue throughout his body. Lily was asleep as well, along with Narcissa, leaving Harry the only person awake. He looked down at the three tired witches in front of him and smiled to himself. Propping himself up against a wall, he let the flames die out and let sleep take him in. The four slept throughout the blistering heat as the sun slowly faded over the horizon as night approached.
"SHIT!" Someone shrieked through Harry's dream. "SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!"
He groaned and rolled over. His head hit something hard and he opened his eyes blearily. It was close to dark and Bellatrix was jumping around like a maniac.
"NARCISSA! LILY! HARRY! WAKE UP!" Bellatrix shrieked. Harry yawned tiredly and muttered an incantation. A grey mist seeped from his wand and formed the time.
6:13pm
"Shit!" he hissed. He jumped up, prodding Narcissa with his elbow. She murmured but continued sleeping.
"What's with all the shits?" Lily asked as she yawned. Narcissa finally opened her eyes and rose.
"It's ¼ past six." Harry said as he stood up.
"Damn! We're going to be in so much trouble." Lily mumbled.
"Not if we're not caught." Narcissa butted in smoothly. Harry grinned and picked up his wand.
"Portus!" He muttered and a small rock on the ground glowed blue and trembled noisily, rattling in the dirt. It stopped and Harry picked it up.
"Come here." He said and the girls all laid a hand on the rock. Harry was counting silently under his breath. "5…4…3…2…1..." The Portkey activated, sending the sleepy teens back to Hogwarts.
Chapter Thirty Eight
Author's Notes: I'm writing this on my brother's computer. I haven't read my review page because his modem is in South Australia and to connect would cost the same as an STD call, $3:95 plus I think its 10 cents a minute. So, here it is. I know that the last few chapters were just plain but I can't have fight scenes every chapter. I should be able to update soon, maybe the day I write this.
A jerk on the navel indicated to Harry that the Portkey was made correctly before he and the others were lifted off their feat in a whirl of colors. He was dropped rather ungracefully at the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts and sprawled to the ground.
"Ow." He muttered under his breath and hopped up, ignoring the wave of dizziness that centered on him as he did. He preferred Apparating any day than this. He looked for the others to find that Narcissa and Lily were standing and Bellatrix was on the ground looking sheepish.
"I hate Portkeys!" Bellatrix snapped at the laughing Narcissa. Lily, who was trying to hold her laughter in, lent a hand and pulled Bellatrix up. As they dusted themselves off they glanced around. Nobody had seen them.
"Where is everyone?" Lily asked. Harry shrugged.
"Who knows?" he said. As he was about to walk down the Hallway a loud voice stopped him.
"MS EVANS! MS BLACK! MS BLACK AND MR...HARRY!" A loud disapproving voice shouted. It was Professor McGonagall.
"Where have you been?" she demanded furiously, hey eyes flashing in fury. "The Headmaster has been extremely worried when several students did not come back from Hogsmeade! HE was just about to call in the Auror's!"
Lily opened her mouth to explain when Narcissa intervened. "We came back early Professor and spent the rest of the day in the castle."
"And where about in the castle were you?" came an old wise voice. Harry turned to see the Headmaster standing there in bright blue pants, a Polka dotted shirt and a condom on his long crooked nose.
Lily snorted with laughter as she saw the most respected wizard in the world having a Muggle contraceptive device strapped on his nose. Bellatrix and Narcissa however, did not know what was wrong with that appearance.
"The Room of Requirement." She answered in trepidation. The Headmaster glanced at her with his twinkling blue eyes and when he looked away Narcissa had felt as if he had just read her mind.
"Very well." Was all he said.
"Headmaster! These children have caused us a lot of unnecessary worry!" Professor McGonagall said firmly. "Furthermore, I have never heard of this so called room."
"The Room is a very close secret of Hogwarts." Professor Dumbledore said. He glanced at Harry and winked. "They have broken no rules so therefore they do not need to be punished."
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips but nodded reluctantly.
"Headmaster?" Lily said cautiously. "What are you wearing?"
"I was in the mood to wander the streets of London so I decided to go in disguise." Albus said. He pulled at his shirt as he inspected one of the polka dots with fascination. "Although a lot of people were staring at me. I fear that I may have chosen the wrong glasses for the occasion."
"Albus." Harry started, ignoring the looks of surprise that went his way as he addressed the Headmaster by his first name. "Are you aware that you have a Muggle contraceptive device attached to your nose?"
"Really?" Albus said in mild suspires. "I thought it was a nose umbrella to protect noses from harmful gases and liquids."
"No, you use that during sex. Males place it on there di...MMPH!" Harry started then was muffled as Lily placed a hand over his mouth.
"Sorry Headmaster." She said apologetically.
"No need to fret my child." Albus beamed and pulled the rubber off. "Even to this day I am amazed to what Muggles come up with. Placing bits of rubber on there peni...MMPH!" He was cut off as Professor McGonagall placed a hand over his mouth.
Harry stared into the blue twinkling eyes and used Legilimency to say. 'I know your pain.'
Albus mentally 'I find it fascinating that we may be powerful and yet women still control us.'
Harry laughed through Lily's hand. He winked at the Headmaster and pried the hand off.
"Well Albus, we better be off. I would recommend that you change your outfit. It is...not good fashion sense."
"Really? I had thought that Fawkes was laughing at me this morning. I will do so at once. Thank you for the advice Harry." Albus said cheerfully when Professor McGonagall moved her hand. He strolled away whistling a familiar tune from the Brady Bunch with Professor McGonagall in tow, shaking her head in despair. When they were out of hearing range, Bellatrix broke up into laughter and Narcissa shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"That man is meant to be our Headmaster." She muttered, flipping her platinum hair over one shoulder. "Yet he wears the most ridiculous things."
"That was the funniest thing I've ever seen!" Bellatrix laughed out loud.
"Though when Dumbledore looked at me it was like reading my mind." Narcissa said and shuddered.
"He probably was." Harry said bluntly.
"He can do that?" Lily asked in astonishment.
"Of course!" Bellatrix said as it dawned on her. "He's a Legilimens."
"A very good Legilimens as well. He knew we were lying the moment he looked at us." Harry said.
"Then why didn't we get into trouble" Lily questioned to the Slytherin boy.
"He was probably relieved to see us or something." Narcissa guessed.
"Nah! He saw what we did at Hogsmeade and knew that we didn't mean it." Harry answered. "That's the thing about Albus. He sees the best in people and is willing to give people 2nd chances...even if he does where funny clothes.
"Professor McGonagall didn't find it funny though. Did you see her face?" Bellatrix snorted. Harry laughed.
"Well, he may be nice but he has a few screws loose in his head. Wearing something that's meant to go on your di...MMPH!" Harry was cut off again.
"Harry! Don't swear! Do you know that you almost swore in front the Headmaster AND Professor McGonagall! Have you gone insane" Lily glared at the mentioned green-eyed boy. Harry smirked.
"Albus is so whipped by McGonagall." He said.
"Why do you call him Albus?" Narcissa asked curiously. Bellatrix nodded in agreement of the question.
"There are some things people do together that makes you friends. Whether it's facing a mountain troll or dueling a Dark Lord." Harry said seriously.
"A Mountain troll? What's that got to do with anything?" Narcissa asked in curiosity.
"Nothing. Just an old thought." Harry said. He waved his wand and the misty time floated out.
6:32pm
"I think we better get to Dinner." he said and walked away. Bellatrix sighed and shook her head.
"Did anyone notice how he avoided our question?" she asked Narcissa and Lily.
"Yeah. He has a lot of secrets." Lily agreed. "You can trust him though."
"I hope we can." Narcissa said to Lily. "We have a lot riding on him. If he fails then we're as good as dead."
"So, you just see him as a tool then." Lily said coldly. Bellatrix shook her head violently, her ebony hair spraying everywhere.
"He's more than that. He's our friend...our only friend that we can trust." She said sadly.
"Apart from you." Narcissa added. Lily said nothing but glared suspiciously at them before relaxing when seeing the sincerity on their faces and in their voices.
"Sorry." She muttered.
"We better got catch up to him." Narcissa said. They started down the hall with Bellatrix skipping every two steps.
"The sugar rush has arrived, I'd say." Narcissa said as she ducked to avoid being plowed into by Bellatrix as she did a twirl in mid-air.
Harry walked down the hall and was stopped at the entrance hall by Rodolphus Lestrange.
"So Riddle." Rodolphus began.
"It's just Harry." Harry said. "Riddle was a fake name, or did you forget?"
"Shut up!" Rodolphus hissed. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Harry just glanced bewildered at Rodolphus. He saw movement out in the corner of his eyes and mentally stored it.
"What did I do?" Harry inquired. Rodolphus snarled out loud and withdrew his wand.
"Wearing Muggle filth. You're a Slytherin, ACT LIKE IT!" Rodolphus growled.
"You're a Slytherin as well and I suggest that you start using a little bit more tact." Harry said flatly and flicked his wrist. His wand flew from his holster and into his hand.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" Someone shouted and Harry hooked his wand behind his thumb and thrust his wrist out. The disarming hex hit a reflective bubble and bounced back, catching the attacker by surprise when his wand was ripped from his grasp.
"Move where I can see you." Harry ordered to the shadow in the corner. The figure moved out with hatred on his face. It was Rabastan.
"So Dumb and Dumber." Harry began. "I guess it's true when they say Misery prefers company." He saw more movement in his peripheral vision and flicked his wand. As two more curses were shouted and launched, a bronze dome full of pulsating magic formed around Harry. The curses were absorbed into the shield with a loud scraping sound.
"INCENDIO!" Someone shouted while another sent forth a yellow orb. Harry flicked his wand and the orb exploded in mid air. He twisted and aimed his wand at the fireball.
"Aquarius!" Harry muttered and a jet of water spayed from his wand and extinguished the fireball. With a careful flick, Harry sent a jet of air at the steam from the fireball and water meeting towards Rodolphus who had just drawn his wand. The steam blew on Rodolphus' hand and Rodolphus cried out in pain and dropped his wand. The wand fell with a clutter and Harry summoned it.
"STUPEFY!" A jet of red light spiraled past Harry and hit Rabastan. He turned to see Narcissa with her wand outstretched and Lily and Bellatrix behind her.
"TORMENTA!" Bellatrix cried out. A black light swished into one of the shadows in the corner. The shadow screamed in pain and fell to the ground, revealing Nott.
"FLAMMERE IOBLOUS!" Lily cried and a large fireball pelted from her wand. A figure ducked the fireball and the flames illuminated the corner, revealing Regulus. He leveled his wand at Lily and sent a blue lance of magic at her. Lily muttered a charm and the magic was sucked into a golden mist that seeped out of her wand. As Regulus went to attack again Narcissa aimed her wand.
"Don't even think about it cousin." She sneered. Regulus glared at her.
"Fuck you Narcissa you stupid whore." He said and spat on her face. Narcissa flinched and wiped it off. Lily growled and advanced while swishing her wand. Regulus had time for one last smirk before he was propelled head first into a wall.
"Arsehole." Lily growled out with fury shining in her emerald orbs. "You okay Cissa?"
Narcissa nodded once stiffly and walked into the Great Hall with Bellatrix, leaving Harry and Lily with Rodolphus who was clutching his hand, an unconscious Rabastan, a sniveling Nott and a knocked out Regulus with blood pouring from his nose.
"Stupid Mudblood." Rodolphus sneered, though he was pale and continually glancing at the wands Harry and Lily were holding. Harry glared and flicked his wand and Rodolphus yelped as his tongue started swelling painfully.
"If you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all." Harry said with venom laced into his voice.
Rodolphus said nothing though even if he wanted to he couldn't. His tongue was welling out of his mouth and was growing at an alarming rate, already touching the ground.
"Remember Rodolphus. You started this fight. If you tell the Professor's what happened here then you will get in a lot of trouble." Lily warned.
"And they will know if you're lying." Harry added. "And so will I." He gave Rodolphus a penetrative glare and stalked into the hall with Lily, leaving behind Rodolphus, who glared one last time at their retreating backs before yelping as his tongue grew to the length of three meters.
Chapter Thirty Nine
Author's Notes: I'm still on holidays so I don't know when this will be up. To the reviewer who said my battles were like in slow motion, those things happen straight away, I just describe them in detail. There is no pause so one paragraph of a spell working could just be less than a second away from another curse. The duel with Voldemort in Hogwarts took 3 minutes to happen.
OCTOBER 30th
The weekend finished and soon the students were back in classes learning the wonderful and exciting world of transfiguration theory. Harry had to stifle a yawn more than once as Professor McGonagall's voice washed over him a she lectured the class on the importance of following Newton's laws of Transfiguration. It turns out that the famous physic professor was actually a wizard looking to cash in on Muggle's ignorance. Harry also thought that learning how to change a lion into a sub-species was never going to be useful for him at least.
"Mr. Riddle!" said Professor McGonagall impatiently. Harry looked up start.
"Care to share something?" She said in a crisp tone. Harry blinked and shook his head.
"Then kindly stop making unnecessary comments in the classroom. 5 points from Slytherin." Professor McGonagall snapped before turning back to the class and lecturing once again then giving them their work to complete before the end of the lesson.
"What was that about?" Harry mouthed to Narcissa.
She rolled her eyes and said softly. "You interrupted her lecture and said something about how animal sub-species would never be useful to you."
"Shit! I said that out loud." Harry said in astonishment. From the other side of him Lily snickered.
"Shut up Lily." Harry said absently.
"Make me." Lily retorted. Harry looked her way and stuck out his tongue.
"You are very confusing." Narcissa remarked after seeing the display. "You act like someone who has seen too much yet you still act like a child sometimes."
"Well, everyone has their quirks." Harry said, twiddling his thumbs. He looked at his task for today and waved his wand. The cat morphed into a lion, which roared and jumped towards Lily with a hungry look on its face.
"Stupefy!" Lily murmured and the lion was hit by the red beam and collapsed. It shimmered and then slowly morphed back to its original self as a tabby cat.
"Very Good Mr. Riddle." Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "10 points to Slytherin for your wonderful display. And 10 points to Ravenclaw for a spectacular stunning hex Ms Evans."
Harry inclined his head in thanks while Lily blushed.
The next class for that morning was DADA. Unfortunately it was theory only and they were going to be learning about the Elemental Magic's, some who in the class had power in. James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Narcissa Black, Lily Evans and Harry himself had potential to use elemental powers. Professor Green was standing up the front back to normal thanks to a Cross-Gender potion that converted him back to his normal self. He was wearing a big smile as he greeted students who filed into the classroom. As the class settled down Professor Green started speaking.
"Alright everybody, today we're going to start learning about the Elemental Magic's. A few people in this classroom have potential for this class of magic. I myself can use elemental magic from the water. To use Elemental magic you need to unlock it. There is a simple spell that can help you with that. It will last for 30 minutes before it fades. I suggest you use this spell until you are able to use your abilities without the support of a spell. Alohomora elementila duex smitiopo!"
Harry felt a warm sensation spread across his body before it faded as a golden light spread throughout the classroom.
Professor Green peered across the classroom. Everyone, including Harry was riveted.
"Elemental magic is not a magic that you can gain easily. You are either born with it or you have to acquire it. Professor Dumbledore was only able to use the Elemental magic of Holy until he and his phoenix bonded as familiar. Then he was able to use Fire as well due to the elemental properties of the Phoenix. If you want to learn more about a phoenix then ask Professor Kettleburn or Hagrid, I'm sure they will be delighted to tell you about this wonderful creature." Professor Green paused and took a brief glance at his notes.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, please come up." He asked James. James complied and stood. He had lost a lot of weight and was looking tired with bags under his bloodshot eyes and a gaunt pale face. His parent's death had left a void in his life that would be hard for him to fill.
"So, you have potential in Elemental Air, correct?" Professor Green said. He waved his wand and a gust of wind started blowing at James. James blinked and staggered back as the wind got stronger. James pulled out his wand but was stopped by the Professor.
"Stop the wind." Professor Green said simply. "Without your wand."
James looked incredulous but listened and put away his wand. The wind got stronger and stronger and James was just standing there with his eyes closed and fists clenched. Just as Professor Green had taken out his wand and was going to dispel the wind, it started dieing down and soon it was gone, leaving a sweating James.
"Very Good!" Professor Green cried out in delight. "20 points to Gryffindor."
James sat down amidst the applause looking pleased with himself.
"That is an example of Air abilities. They are able to control the air, float and move items by manipulating the air currents. Air elementals are usually good fliers with messy features. Professor Green said. "Air elementals are one of the four most common forms of Elemental abilities."
Harry sat interested as the Professor went on.
"Now most elemental powers are instinctual. They are sometime mistaken for Accidental magic. They are released just the same as Accidental magic when you are in trouble or wanting to protect yourself."
Harry faintly recalled the start of his 5th year when Uncle Vernon had hauled him from the window sill then had let go after receiving a shock. That must have been his lightning elemental. He also remembered a time when he was hiding in his cupboard from Dudley's gang and they had opened it. Harry recalled crouching in the corner and wishing that he wouldn't be seen. Dudley had looked confused then had shrugged and shut the cupboard, leaving a thankful Harry behind. They must have been his shadow elemental powers.
"Ah, I see that I have struck a cord of familiarity with Harry." Professor Green said. "Up here please."
Harry nodded and stood. He was walking up when Professor Green smiled eerily, sending a note of warning throughout Harry's body. He had learned to trust his instincts and with good reason. He saw movement out of the corner of his eye and quickly turned. A knife was coming straight for him and. He had no chance to move and just as it was about to embed itself into him, Harry wished that he was not there. He felt a cold and damp sensation and the knife went straight through him and into the wall. The cold sensations vanished and left Harry standing there shocked.
"That is an example of Shadow abilities. He can transform into a shadow and physical objects and spells can pass through him. He can move himself between the shadows and learn another form of Apparition that was widely used by Assassins centuries ago. Shadow magic is a defense skill only. Some Shadow elementals were able to channel their ability into their body, creating great strength and speed but that is the only form of offense that Shadow Elementals can create." Professor Green lectures to an astonished class as if he hadn't just thrown a sharp and deadly knife at a student.
Harry raised an eyebrow. Those skills would be incredibly useful for the war.
"Shadow Elementals are one of the two rarest kinds of elementals. They are hard to find, though I believe one or two of them are still around today." Professor Green continued. He waved his wand and a ball of electricity zapped into existence, hovering in the air.
"Try to move this." Professor Green asked Harry. Harry nodded and held his hand up, concentrating. He put a finger in the ball then yelped as he was shocked and jumped back. Frowning amidst the snickering of the class he closed his eyes and imagined the ball of lightning. Harry envisioned himself moving it with his hand and then throwing it at Sirius Black who was laughing his head off. Harry heard a cry of pain and heard Professor Green roar something and he opened his eyes. Sirius Black had smoking hair and the ball of lightning was nowhere to be seen.
"As you can see, Lightning is a very powerful element." Professor Green lectured the class. "A Lightning elemental is able to wield lightning as a weapon. He can transform his body into lightning or parts of his body into lightning and attack with it. He is able to create lightning out of nothingness and throw it at his enemies…as you just saw. Lightning users are immune to any form of lightning shocks, including electricity. In fact, what would kill another human being would just heal and restore the magic of a lightning user. You may sit down Harry. Ms Evans, could you please stand up here."
Harry walked back to his seat and gave Lily an assuring smile as she went up.
"Nox!" Professor Green muttered and the classroom was plunged into darkness, Harry opened his senses and gave a small start as his senses were suddenly plunged into overdrive. He could see everything as it was bathed in light. His shadow abilities must be coming into play.
"Ms Evans, create some light." Professor Green said calmly. Harry saw lily frown in concentration and a small burst of light appeared in her hand. He reverted back to his normal vision and saw a small ball of light hovering in a dark room. The light expanded and flared and Harry shielded his eyes. When he opened them again, the room was brightly lit again with Lily standing there looking sheepish.
"Very Good!" Professor Green said. "Holy Elemental magic is just another form of light magic and is the opposite of Shadow Elemental magic. Professor Dumbledore is well versed in this type of magic and used it to defeat the Dark Lord Grindelwald. Holy magic can create light as you just saw. But it's main and most useful power is to dispel the undead such as Zombies. Vampires are not affected even though they are classed as Undead because they still are a form of living beings but Daemons, Demons, Dementors, Zombies, Ghosts, Ghouls and the like try to avoid a hostile Holy Elemental user. A key reason why Lord Voldemort fears Professor Dumbledore is that some of the rituals he has undertaking has made him less human and weak to such branches of magic."
Harry recalled Professor Dumbledore using unknown magic on Tom, but it hadn't had an effect on him. Or had it? Tom had seemed a little weaker afterwards but he had quickly recovered which lead Harry to believe that he had a counter for his weakness.
Lily was looking a little stunned at what she had heard as she sat down. Professor Green was about to call on another 6th year when the period ended with a gong.
"Next Lesson we will go over Ice, Fire, Earth and Water abilities. Class dismissed." Professor Green said and the class filed out of the exit.
"I wonder what ice abilities you have?" Lily said curiously to Narcissa. She shrugged and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
"I'll find out tomorrow." She said before looking at Harry. "I have a question. If Holy is the opposite of Shadow and it can dispel the undead and Daemons, does that mean that Shadow can create them?"
Chapter Forty
Author's Notes: Thanks for the reviews. Once again I remind everybody that Harry is not returning to his time. He is their forever. I will explain it soon enough though maybe not in this story. It is getting very large at 87,000 words. It might be in the sequel so stop saying 'He won't exist' because with the amount of bullshit that comes out of my mouth on a regular basis I am positive that I can make something up. Does anyone know if I gave Harry glasses? It's really late and I can't be stuffed looking back.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE VOTING! IT WILL BE… HARRY/LILY/NARCISSA/BELLATRIX DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSES I GOT. HOWEVER THE REVIEW THAT CLINCHED IT WAS JOSH WHO EXPLAINED THE WHEEL OF TIME TO ME. I MAY USE THAT IDEA SO I THANK YOU JOSH FOR THAT REVIEW AND I THANK EVERYBODY FOR YOUR REVIEWS!
There was a thoughtful silence as Harry asked the question. He would have known a month ago but the knowledge he had not used that he had…borrowed from Voldemort's mind had begun fading. First went the memories and Harry did not miss them. Then went some of the more obscure spells and information. Harry was now only left with the Dark Arts and half the battle magic Voldemort knew. He remembered some Parseltongue spells but he had a feeling that he would have to find some information on the subject to refresh his memory. This was also why Harry knew nothing on how Elementals work.
"I don't know." Lily remarked after awhile, looking pensive.
"You might, but I thought only Necromancer's could only create them." Narcissa said.
"Is Voldemort a Necromancer?" Harry asked suddenly. Narcissa and Lily flinched, though Lily's flinch was slighter than Narcissa's.
"Yes, though he wasn't born one." A voice came from behind him. Harry turned quickly, having not heard and seen anyone come up on him and whipped out his wand. Albus Dumbledore just regarded him with amusement as Harry rolled his eyes and holstered it.
"Lord Voldemort has achieved the abilities of a Necromancer due to several dark rituals he has taken part in. He has done many things to himself that no other has dared to do. He was able to create those skeletons because of these rituals. With your Shadow Elemental abilities you would be able to control the Undead to a certain extent." Albus said, his eyes twinkling as usual.
"So…that's a yes?" Lily asked in confusion. "Why can't you just give a simple answer?"
"Where would the fun be in that?" Albus asked. His eyes twinkled as he regarded the three in front of him before smiling gently. "I do believe that it is time for Lunch." He walked away, humming softly that echoed throughout the halls of Hogwarts.
"What a weirdo." Lily said as she watched the aged man walk away.
"Lily!" Narcissa gasped. "Defying the Authority figures of your life? We have been a bad influence on you."
Lily smirked and poked her tongue out at Narcissa, who sighed and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
"Very mature Lily. I can see where Harry gets it from." Narcissa muttered. Harry grinned and put his arm around Narcissa.
"Join us Narcissa." He said and beckoned Lily close. "Deep down you know you want to become stupid and dumb."
"Are you calling me dumb?" Lily said and narrowed her eyes at Harry.
"Me?" Harry said in an outraged tone. "Of course not."
"Right." Lily said slowly, her eyes flickering over the arm around Narcissa, who was looking at the arm with trepidation. Harry noticed the gazes and lowered his arm. "Sorry Narcissa." He said awkwardly.
"There's no problem." Narcissa said and smirked. "Next time I might even return the favor"
Harry stared, perplexed as Narcissa walked off swinging her hips seductively.
"Was it just me or was she hitting on me?" Harry asked Lily, who was frowning.
"She was." Lily muttered, a little unhappy for reasons unknown even to herself. She had suspected that Narcissa might like Harry more than a friend. So why was she so disturbed when Narcissa made her move? The answer came to her in a sudden rush and she almost staggered at what she feared subconsciously. She was afraid that Harry would leave her alone as she had been all her years at Hogwarts. Some of her thoughts must have played on her face because Harry was watching in concern. She could almost see it now as Harry watched her with a cruel smirk and turned his back. At his touch she jumped in fear as she was drawn out her thoughts.
Harry stared bemused at Narcissa's retreating form before turning back to Lily All the color had left her face and she was deathly pale as she stared off in the distance
"Lily?" He asked. "Are you okay?" He tapped her on the shoulder and watched her try to jump out of her own skin.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, concern peeping through his usually distant eyes. Lily took a deep breath and faked a smile that Harry was not fooled by.
"Nothing!" she said with force cheer. "We better get to lunch though." She started walking off when Harry grabbed her by the shoulder.
"What's wrong?" he repeated and looked around. "What happened and who did it?"
"Nothings wrong!" Lily said and tried to yank her arm out of his grip. He should just get it over with; everyone else abandoned her so why should he be the exception.
"Lily, don't lie to me!" Harry snapped. "Something is wrong. Please, tell me!" Lily looked into his eyes and saw nothing but concern, affection and an emotion she couldn't identify. She said nothing but allowed a tear to roll down her cheeks.
Harry sighed as Lily started crying and stared into her eyes. He didn't want to do this but… "Legilimens!"
He came up to a Blank wall and quickly forced his way silkily inside and was drawn into the oblivion.
Lily's Subconscious
A wall of emotion was in turmoil, the very air thick with repressed emotions and fear. Lily was alone, in a dark room looking so young and fragile. She was wearing a simple dress and looked to be eleven.
"Help me." She whispered. There was silence in the room and her voice echoed throughout. A tear slid down her cheeks and she sank to her knee's. Suddenly, the room shifted into the Great Hall. It appeared to be dinnertime and everyone was chatting and laughing. Lily was still eleven and in the centre of the hall.
"Please help me!" Lily whispered again, but it was lost over the roar of chatter and laughter. Lily spotted Harry on the Slytherin table with Narcissa and Bellatrix hanging onto his arm. She crawled over and tugged in his robes like a small child. Harry ignored her and went back to eating. And Lily cried in the hall as everyone stood and left, leaving her alone.
The room shifted again and suddenly Albus Dumbledore was in front of her.
"Ms Evans, I hereby expel you from Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Albus said with no twinkle in his eyes. He snapped her wand and threw them from him in disgust. More figures appeared.
"Hey Flower! Looking ugly…as usual!" James said and cackled in laughter.
"Really Evans! You are so pathetic!" Sirius sneered.
"Mudblood!" Someone hissed.
"Loser!"
"Nerd!"
"You'll never have any friends!"
And so went on the insults until Harry stood there with Narcissa and Bellatrix. When he spoke, it was with a voice he had never used on Lily before.
"You actually think I liked you? I was bored! You were nothing but an amusing project to me. I have Bellatrix and Narcissa now, I don't need you…for anything! Get out of my sight!" Harry said cruelly.
Bellatrix smirked. "Stupid fool! Thinking we actually liked you."
Narcissa flipped her hair over her shoulder and slapped Lily in the face. "That's for even thinking about me as your…friend! What a joke"
Lily curled into a ball and cried as the figures disappeared, leaving her alone and vulnerable.
Harry withdrew his mental probe and looked at Lily with horror. She actually thought…He would never! Lily sank to the ground and shivered as she felt Harry's gaze on her. She knew he was disgusted by her and braced herself for the curses she thought that would follow. What she did hear was a loud and familiar voice bellow in anger.
James Potter had backtracked to ask Professor Green a question when he saw Harry and Evans. Evans looked upset and tried to walk away when Riddle…Harry grabbed her shoulder. He bristled with anger at the move and saw Harry discreetly raise his wand and mutter something. James fumbled his wand out as Lily apparently was hit by the curse and sank to her knees with tears on her face.
"HEY!" James bellowed and ran towards them. Raising his wand, he slashed it through the air and Harry looked up with surprise on his face just as he was hit by the brunt of the curse.
Harry whipped his head up in surprise and saw a flash of silver before red as the curse hit him, causing his face to cut and bleed.
"Accio!" Harry muttered in reply and the figure gave a yell of astonishment as he was yanked off his feet and summoned. Harry sidestepped and the figure hit the wall headfirst with a sickening crunch. Harry winced and tried to find Lily. The blood on his face was making it harder for him to see.
"Lily, could you please help me?" He asked at the blob his thought was Lily. He waited and heard nothing before a whispered incantation was spoken and the blood disappeared.
"Thanks." Harry said to Lily she was still on the floor with her head down. He sat down and leaned back on the wall next to Lily and hugged her.
"So, you're afraid of Narcissa and Bellatrix nabbing me as a boyfriend?" Harry asked Lily. Lily was silent and Harry was going to say something else when she spoke up from her spot.
"I'm afraid that you will abandon me like everyone else once you find someone else to keep you company." She said in a soft voice.
"Who has abandoned you?" Harry asked curiously.
Lily chuckled bitterly." Everyone. My friends from Primary school, everyone at Hogwarts, my parents, my sister…and soon so will you."
"Bullshit I will!" Harry declared. "Stuff your friends from Primary school. They probably didn't deserve you anyway. Narcissa and Bellatrix are Black's, they don't go back on their words and they have declared to be your friends. Your parents died, they did not want to leave you but you need to realize something that Voldemort can't accept. No one escapes Death, no one. No matter how much they wanted to see you grow up, they couldn't avoid the unavoidable."
Lily said nothing but Harry noticed that she was listening so he continued.
"Lily…I'll be honest. Your sister was a bitch. She's dead and I for one am thankful that she abandoned you. I mean, who would want to be near the likes of her anyway?"
Lily giggled softly and Harry smiled while stroking her hair.
"And for me. I never abandon anybody I consider a friend…or more. I would die for the ones I love." Harry stated seriously. "I have only three friends here. You, my best and closest friends. Narcissa and Bellatrix, two friends also. Everyone else is either too wary of me or hates me. Only Snape treats me normally apart from you three but he is just an acquaintance really. He has his own friends to turn to. So if you think for a minute that I would ever abandon you then don't think at all."
Lily looked up and stared before smiling through her tear-stained cheeks. Harry smiled back and jumped up, pulling Lily up with him. He turned to the intruder to find the crumpled body of James Potter, who was stirring and moaning in pain from the great lump on his head.
"Shit!" Harry cursed. "We better get out of here."
Lily giggled softly as they left James by himself. As they walked away Harry placed his hand in Lily's.
"So what bought this on? I get the feeling that you've had this fear for a while." He asked in concern.
"Ever since first year I would get a friend only for them to leave me. Sometimes it was the pranks that followed me, sometimes it was the Slytherins, Sometimes it was the Marauders and sometimes it was simply the fact that they had gotten better friends." Lily said sadly.
"I somehow doubt anybody could be a better friend than you." Harry said softly.
"So when Narcissa starts flirting with you, I thought you would find a better friend in her." Lily finished. "I know she likes you and I know that you like her so."
"WHAT!" Harry said in disbelief. "I don't like her!"
"Yes you do." Lily said calmly. "I've seen you look at her from time to time. I've also seen you look at Bellatrix from time to time. You like them, even if you don't realize it. That's why…" Lily took a deep breath and looked at Harry in sorrow. "That's why I am breaking up with you." She said, leaving Harry stunned.
Chapter Forty One
Author's Notes: People are getting a little confused. It will be Harry with Lily and also Narcissa and Bellatrix at the same time. Does anyone think that my story is getting too long? I can stop things and start another piece if some can't be stuffed reading the 90,000 words.
Harry stared in disbelief as Lily finished her sentence. Still not looking at him, she continued talking.
"I know we weren't actually doing much of the boyfriend-girlfriend thing but in the hospital you said we were dating." Lily said in a rush. "It's just that…I know what you want and it's the Black sisters. So I'm going to let them have you."
"Huh?" was all Harry could say. He was still trying to get his brain around what Lily was saying. It made no sense whatsoever.
"I don't want to be hurt again." Lily stated calmly. She looked into Harry's eyes. "So I'm letting you do what you want."
Harry stared into the teary emerald orbs and sighed. "I can't let you do that." He said.
Lily looked faintly shocked before narrowing her eyes in anger. "And why not? I just want what's best for me and for you. SO GET OVER IT!" she yelled out. Harry looked around.
"I refuse to let you go with such a stupid reason." Harry said, annoyed.
"I'll do whatever I like!" Lily hissed out. "I don't like you Riddle. So Fuck Off!"
"Don't think that I'm going to believe that for a second." Harry said calmly, as if he was talking about weather. Lily growled in anger and tried to shake off his hand but Harry kept it on her shoulder firmly.
"You're just a sore loser who can't admit it when a girl doesn't like him anymore." Lily sneered, her heart breaking every second. It was better this way. She wouldn't be hurt when he left her, as everybody else did.
"Who said I was going to abandon you?" Harry questioned and Lily looked at him in shock.
"Stop reading my mind!" she said outraged.
"I'm not. Your eyes tell me everything I need to know." Harry stated and turned a corner while leading Lily into an empty classroom.
"But lunch…" Lily trailed off.
"Lunch can wait." Harry said firmly.
Lily huffed and sat, staring into a corner.
"What I want to know is how a very smart girl like yourself got it into her head that I was a sleaze." Harry said, twirling his wand between his fingers.
"You're not a sleaze!" Lily burst out before snapping her head back as she realized she had been played.
"So your excuses for breaking up with me are not valid." Harry retorted.
"…"
"As I thought." Harry said and sighed wearily. "I just don't get it. You're afraid that I'll abandon you yet you want to break up with me. It doesn't make sense."
Lily stayed silent.
"Perhaps you were trying to ease the pain by breaking it off yourself then instead of when you think I'll break up with you?" Harry guessed. More silence filled the air until Lily shook her head and gazed up at him.
"For someone who said that you knew nothing about girls, you know me pretty well." She said softly.
"I spent two weeks ransacking your mind to train you in Occlumency. I can safety assume that I am familiar with how your mind works. Damn, you're almost as bad as I was at these guilt trips." Harry said bitterly.
"Guilt trips?" Lily asked curiously, yet still reluctantly.
"Oh yeah, I used to blame myself for everything that went wrong in someone's life until one day I woke up and it suddenly struck me. It wasn't my fault. People make their own decisions so how was I to blame?"
Lily was silent as she turned this over.
"I guess in a way that it is my own fault. I should never have placed you in a category other than friend. Then I let my hormones get the better of me and I fall for you. You were strictly off-limits." Harry said and sighed wearily. He turned his head sharply and saw that they had neared the Great Hall.
"Why?" Lily questioned. Harry stared at her unblinkingly.
"Do you really want to know?" he asked.
"Yes!" Lily exclaimed.
Harry smiled softly. "We've known each other for about two months now, haven't we? I have been honest to you to some extent but it think it's time I told you my real identity. Room of Requirement, 11:00. Be there." He walked into the hall, leaving a very confused and angry Lily, who had just realized that she had been manipulated.
Lunch passed very quickly and so did Potions. Severus was as chatty as usual…which meant that the moment that Harry made a sound Severus would go psycho and snappy on him. He was almost as bad as his old self sometimes and that's saying something. After the Potions class it was time for Dinner. Harry was almost silent all throughout. What he was planning to say was very important and furthermore could stuff up any chance of friendship he had left with Lily…or something more.
"You okay? You don't look so well." Bellatrix asked in concern. Harry was being a lot more silent that he usually was and it was starting to bother her. He looked a lot older than he should.
"She's right." Narcissa said softly. "You look tense."
"I am tense." Harry stated calmly. Both girls raised their eyebrows at him.
"Why would you be tense?" Bellatrix asked.
"Why do you have to ask questions all the time?" Harry snapped mockingly. Bellatrix almost cringed at the venom in his voice and for a moment she could have almost sworn that his eyes had flashed eerily silver.
"Why do you have to snap whenever she does?" Narcissa asked with her eyes narrowed.
"Because I'm in a bad mood. Get over it." Harry said flatly.
"Problems with Lily?" Bellatrix asked innocently. Harry narrowed his eyes and this time Bellatrix was certain they turned glowing silver before the goblet in front of him exploded in a shower of shrapnel. Narcissa and Bellatrix stared wide-eyed at the remains of the goblet while Harry turned to the others at the table who were looking over with curiosity and fear.
"Piss off." He snarled quietly and they quickly averted their eyes. Harry snapped his fingers and the goblet repaired itself. He stood and strode angrily out of the hall while leaving a gob smacked Bellatrix (Which is hard to do) and a startled Narcissa (Which ranks below curing cancer and above getting Snape to wash his hair)
Lily watched Harry all throughout Dinner. He kept to himself and Bellatrix's and Narcissa's attempts at conversation fell on empty ears. He was very agitated at something and Lily prided herself on knowing what moods the usually stoic Slytherin was. Not that she liked him anymore. Because she was going to put that all behind her. As much as she hated to admit it, Lily was falling in lo…NO! I will not let him be dragged down with me. In order for him to be happy Lily was going to let him go. She would ignore her Poldumency skills and stop trusting him. He liked the Slytherin girls, not her so why make him unhappy. And the one thing Lily really hated was Harry being unhappy. Even though she didn't like him anymore. Not one bit. At all. Never again. Never Ever. Never. Ever.
It was dark and at 10:45pm and most people in Slytherin had gone to bed. Except for one Harry James Potter everyone else was sound asleep. Harry was under his invisibility cloak. He had hit a growth spurt over the holidays and yet the cloak still fit him leaving Harry to believe that it was charmed to fit its owner no matter what the size. That charm was classified as Illegal Dark Arts due to the money that would be lost from businesses if everybody knew it. He shook his head out of these thoughts and glanced at the clock in the Common Room. Like most Wizarding clocks, it was revolved around the Solar System and the position of the planets. It told him that the time was 10:45 so Harry quietly slipped out of the common room under the cloak.
He walked through the silent halls of Hogwarts with his ears switched on high. He really needed to learn how to use his shadow abilities better so he wouldn't need the cloak. As he neared a staircase he heard footsteps and he pressed himself against a wall and waited for the other person to leave. A figure emerged from the shadows revealing the wrinkled face of Albus Dumbledore.
"Nice night for a walk Harry." Albus said as he passed by. Harry shrugged and took off the cloak, making sure not to come out of the shadows.
"It's a very nice night." He said and tucked the cloak into his pockets without letting Albus see. Let him think that Harry was using a Disillusionment charm or an Invisibility Potion instead. He walked forward and Albus looked towards him.
"You may have been invisible but I warn you Harry, there are some who can see through such disguises." He said wisely.
"I'll keep that in mind." Harry said smoothly. "What's brings you out here anyway?"
"I felt like a walk to calm my nerves." Albus said as he gazed down the darkened halls. "I see that you feel the same way…or perhaps you are meeting Ms Evans in the Room of Requirement?"
Harry nodded slowly and gazed suspiciously at Albus. "How did you know?" he asked softly.
"I met Ms Evans a few minutes ago. She said she was just walking but I could tell she was lying." Albus said and his eyes twinkled. "It has been a while since my teenage years yet I still remember the feel of young love."
"Actually I'm going there to make sure she doesn't go do something stupid." Harry muttered.
"Ah, I see." Albus said and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Ms Evans is a bright and intelligent young woman. Around her friends she is quirk, funny and Good Company. However, it has been a while since she has had a true friend such as you. Just remember that I feel that she is trying to do the best for you. I do believe that it is time for you to go and meet or you will be late."
Harry nodded in thanks and walked quickly up the staircase. He reached the Room of Requirement six minutes later and walked in. It was dark and barely lit. There were two chairs in the middle with Lily sitting in one, dozing off. Harry smiled gently at the sight before he shook his head and went back to business. He sat down in the other chair and waited for Lily to wake up. It didn't take more than a few minutes for Lily to realize in her light sleep that she wasn't alone. She opened her green eyes and saw Harry and shrieked.
"Damn it! Don't do that!" she said, her hand on her heart. Harry just smirked.
"So, what did you want to tell me about? Why couldn't you fall for me? Who are you really? What's the whole truth? When did…" Lily started ranting before Harry raised a hand to silence her.
"I've come to tell you two things. Number one, you are not breaking up with me." Harry commanded.
"I'm not?" Lily asked faintly.
"No." Harry stated.
"No?" Lily asked again.
"No, Never and absolutely not. If you want to break up with me after I tell you the second thing. But you won't break up with me because of a stupid excuse." Harry said and leaned back.
"Oh…" Lily trailed off.
"That excuse was bullshit and you know it." Harry said and snickered at Lily's outraged expression.
"My excuse was not Bullshit!" she exclaimed.
"So you claim it was an excuse?" Harry inquired.
Lily opened her mouth then promptly shut it again. She worked her jaw before sighing in mock despair. "Damn you and your Slytherin manipulations."
"I learnt from the best." Harry said cryptically.
"What's the second secret?" Lily asked eagerly.
"Be prepared for a big, big, big, tremendous shock. Just remember that I did not want to get a crush on you or have feelings for you but I couldn't help it." Harry warned. He waved his wand several times; flicking and swishing while muttering and the room glowed before fading. "That was a very powerful Silencing charm. It would take Albus AND Tom at least ½ hour to break through it. Are you ready for the truth?
At Lily's hesitant nod he closed his eyes and put his hand in his pocket. When he withdrew it, it was carrying a crumpled piece of paper. He stood up and passed it over before sitting and looking far older and wearier than she had ever seen him. She un-crumpled it and saw it was a photo of something. A messy black haired man was smiling next to a red haired woman with green eyes who was holding a small bundle with a mop of black hair and vibrant green eyes. All were smiling though something seemed off. She gazed at Harry in puzzlement before a look of dawning horror appeared on her face. She flipped it over and read out loud. "James Potter and his wife Lily Evans Potter celebrate their son's birth, Harry James Potter."