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SS Chapter 15: Broken Bones
🕑 Added 2024-09-22 00:13:15 +0000 UTCXV. Broken Bones
Weeks passed. Harry wandered along the edge of the Forbidden Forest, his Invisibility Cloak thrown overhead.
This is stupid.
Sighing, he pointed his wand in the direction of the trees.
“Accio Snakes!”
It sounded as though someone had used a thousand whips all at once. Harry watched as more than a hundred serpents piled up before him, hissing and spitting furiously.
“Stupid fucking humans -”
“Yeah, that probably didn’t feel great,” Harry said unapologetically, “Especially with all the trees you probably crashed into.”
The hissing faded. Hundreds of unblinking eyes stared in his direction, surprised.
“Speaker?” several murmured, “But where?”
Harry frowned. He quickly positioned the cloak so that only the snakes would be able to see him.
“Speaker here. Speaker needs your help.”
“Why should we?” a larger serpent asked. It coiled itself up into a large clump, “Flying here hurt.”
Several other snakes nodded in agreement. Harry glared.
“I don’t need your help, Tubby,” he snapped irritably, “Actually, anyone longer than about twenty centimeters can clear off -”
There was a loud, uncomfortable crackling as many of the larger snakes slithered away. Harry stared at the ones that remained.
About eighty, give or take.
“Right,” Harry clapped his hands together, “You’re all moving into Hogwarts.”
The snakes stared silently up at him. Harry sighed.
“I’ll give you food, water, shelter, whatever,” he added quickly, “Is that a deal?”
“Why?” one of the snakes hissed. Harry grinned.
“I’m so glad you asked,” he smiled, “You lot are free to do whatever you want, but I want you to report back to me if you hear anything that sounds important. Oh, and I might need your help with something every now and then.”
The snakes shifted amongst each other. Harry imagined they were thinking about his proposal.
I don’t know why I let Salazar talk me into this.
“Forest has many predators,” one snake muttered, “I want to be safe.”
“You sure do!” Harry nodded eagerly.
“But forest nice and gloomy. I like dark.”
“I can arrange for that,” Harry thought quickly, “Have you guys ever heard of the Chamber of Secrets? It used to be home to Slytherin’s Basilisk!”
The snakes’ heads rose as one.
“Slytherin’s basilisk?”
“Yeah,” Harry nodded, grinning. He paused, “Er - for no reason in particular - do you guys like or dislike the basilisk?”
“Like!” the snakes hissed, “Basilisk is God, Basilisk is God!”
Harry nodded.
Probably shouldn’t tell them about killing their God, then.
“Go to the castle,” he instructed, “Make yourselves at home. In time, I will take you to the birthplace of your God.”
(-{- S S -}-)
“I hate them,” Harry announced, striding into the chamber, “I hate them already.”
They don’t ever shut up.
Behind him, the spirit of Slytherin yawned.
“Those little snakes will be of great use,” he assured him, “You’ll be hearing all sorts of valuable information in no time: where the Professors hide things, all sorts of hidden rooms, who’s kissing who -”
Harry decided to ignore him at that point. He strode into Slytherin’s study, his eyes quickly falling upon the golden box that had once housed the resurrection stone. It now contained the finalized Animagus potion, complete with the Death-thingy chrysalis.
Bark!
Harry turned. Hedwig swooped into the study, landing quickly on his shoulder.
“Hey, Hed,” he lovingly pressed his lips against the bird’s head, “I’ve been meaning to see you -”
Bark!
The owl hopped toward the table, yanking a sheet of parchment with her talons. Slytherin’s spirit roared furiously.
“Off! Off my desk, you despicable avian rat!”
Hedwig, like Harry, ignored him. The bird hurriedly scratched a name into the parchment before holding it up for Harry to read:
‘Susan’
Harry turned to Slytherin.
“That’s one of my classmates’ names.”
“Is she important?” the spirit yawned, “Important to whatever asinine manipulations you have in store . . .”
Harry frowned.
“I . . . I don’t know. I didn’t think so.”
“Oh?” Slytherin spun around, “Go on.”
“She helped me save my godfather Sirius. Helped me try to kill Pettigrew, too, but the rat got away -”
“Pettigrew?”
“Guy who sold out my parents to Tom,” Harry explained, “He got away with it, pinned it all on Sirius.”
“Ah. Continue.”
Harry shrugged.
“There’s not really much else to it,” he sighed, “She’s just . . . there. I don’t even know why she helped me in the first place.”
Harry paused.
“She likes me, by the way. Maybe that’s why.”
“Maybe . . .” Slytherin mumbled, frowning, “You have not spent time with her alone?”
Harry shook his head.
“Only when she was helping me with Sirius and Pettigrew. Recently, too, when she was warning me about her aunt.”
Slytherin gave him an expectant look. Harry sighed.
“Amelia Bones. Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Doesn’t like me much, though I’m not entirely sure why.”
Probably because I nearly got Susan killed last June.
“You know, this probably has something to do with Susan’s warning,” Harry frowned, “I can’t imagine why else Hedwig would scratch her name out.”
“Is that all the value the girl provides?” Salazar frowned, “Intel on her aunt?”
Harry shrugged.
“I’m sure she’ll nepo her way into power once she’s out of Hogwarts. She’ll be useful then, too.”
“And if she isn’t?”
Harry frowned.
“Then I’ll deal with whoever else is in power instead.”
“No, no, no . . .”
Harry frowned, turning around. The pale spirit of Salazar Slytherin was inspecting him carefully.
“There’s something off about you, you know,” Salazar muttered, “You’re like Tom. Far too similar . . .”
Pale, fluid palms pressed against either side of Harry’s face. He could almost feel it as the spirit grabbed him, ghostly eyes flicking up to Harry’s scar. Slytherin shivered, bathing the room in a sickly green glow.
“Of course,” he mumbled, “I told him not to. Perhaps that’s why he cast the ring aside . . .”
“What,” Harry snapped, stepping forward, “What did you tell Tom?”
But the spirit turned away, rambling.
“To think, you could have been something,” Slytherin whispered, “You’ve ample talent . . . though I suppose that’s all Tom’s influence, isn’t it?”
Harry stirred, staring at the spirit’s back.
“You know about my dreams?”
“Dreams?” Slytherin spun around. He stared at Harry with morbid curiosity, “You see Tom, don’t you? In your dreams?”
Harry nodded slowly. The spirit smiled.
“Tom did well,” he nodded, “Tom did very, very well. You can’t beat him. You don’t stand a chance . . .”
“I don’t want to,” Harry frowned, “I want to meet him. If he’s like me, I want to know what I have to fix to succeed -”
“You’re like him, not the other way around,” Slytherin corrected, “Or rather, you were like him - I doubt he’s still himself after his little separation stunt. Not that it matters. You still don’t stand a chance . . .”
The spirit paused.
“Or perhaps you do,” he murmured, “You’re still sane. You haven’t shattered yourself. And you see him, in your dreams . . .”
“You’re not making any sense,” Harry snapped, glaring at the spirit, “Explain yourself.”
The spirit glowed a sickly green. Harry watched as Salazar Slytherin loomed closer.
“But I don’t want to,” the man smiled, “The shattered charmer versus the sane martyr. That’ll be one for the ages.”
“That’s assuming we’ll fight,” Harry glared, “If I really am a cheap knock-off of Riddle, we’ll want the same thing.”
Slytherin laughed, shaking his head.
“You don’t listen, do you?” he grinned, “You were a knock-off. He’s different now. He has to be.”
The spirit leaned in again.
“He’ll kill you the first chance he gets.”
Harry’s jaw clenched.
“You knew him for a year. I’ve known him my entire life.”
I’m not wrong.
“Then stay deluded,” Salazar laughed, “That makes it all the more fun for me.”
Harry’s palms rolled into tight fists. He stared at the man for a long, hard second before sighing, turning away.
“Whatever. I don’t care,” he decided, “You have any advice for Susan?”
“Sure. Go fix your retarded mistake. You won’t be able to capitalize on her love if too much time passes . . ,”
Harry grit his teeth, his palm outstretched. The Marauder’s Map zoomed into his waiting palm. Harry opened it with a hurried whisper, searching for Susan Bones.
“Great Hall,” he spotted eventually, tucking the map into his pocket, “I’ll return soon.”
“Feel free not to,” Slytherin called as he passed. Harry watched, frowning, as the spirit glided away.
“Can anyone else see you?”
“No,” Slytherin yawned, “You summoned me, not them -”
“And you’re not just saying that to make sure I don’t banish you, right?”
Slytherin turned, looking rather indignant.
“Just because you and Riddle are manipulative doesn’t mean I am!”
“Cunning is your house trait.”
Slytherin frowned. Harry couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
Leave.
The spirit faded away. Harry turned around, heading through the archway and back up to Myrtle’s bathroom. The familiar sliding of stone and concrete pressed against Harry’s ears as the entrance opened.
“Who is - oh, hello Harry,” Myrtle blushed. Harry waved kindly.
“Hello Myrtle,” he smiled, “You wouldn’t happen to know someone named Susan Bones, would you?”
The ghost blinked.
“She was looking for you,” Myrtle whispered, “At first, when she came into my bathroom, I thought she knew. No one comes here, you know. But she’s been looking all day.”
That can’t be good.
“Thanks for letting me know,” Harry said slowly, hurrying for the door, “I should probably go find her.”
Absondere.
He stepped out into the corridor, his features hidden. Harry dropped the Disillusionment Charm upon seeing that no one was around. He set off for the Great Hall with haste.
I wonder what she wants.
Large oak doors loomed before him. Harry stepped through, his emerald eyes scanning the hall. A gaggle of fourth and fifth year students were huddled in the center, causing a commotion. Onlookers watched from all sides.
“Susan, he’s here. Look, look -”
The crowd parted. A distraught looking Susan Bones broke through the gap, running toward him. She grabbed him by the wrists.
“Harry!”
“Hey, what’s wrong?” his voice lowered an octave, confusion overtaking him, “Are you alright?”
Susan nodded hurriedly.
“Please don’t be mad, please -”
“Susan?” Harry frowned, “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“It’s about you,” she hissed, “Can you throw up wards?”
Harry nodded slowly. Wards sprung around them with a flick of his wrist, preventing potential eavesdroppers from overhearing their conversation. Susan stared up at him.
“My aunt is on her way,” she whispered, “Remember what I told you - what she’s planning to do, how she’s planning to use you? It’s happening now.”
Harry stared at her.
“What?” he said loudly. It took everything he had not to lose control, “Susan she - she’s coming to Hogwarts?”
The girl nodded.
“I don’t know what she’s trying to do, I swear it,” the girl whispered, almost pleading him to believe her, “I’ve been trying to tell you for hours, I’ve been looking everywhere -”
Harry ignored her. He closed his eyes, his mind going a mile a minute.
Think. No one is better at this than you. Think.
Harry opened his eyes. A teary-eyed Susan Bones stood before him, her hands wrapped around his. A lightbulb flickered in Harry’s mind, and a smile stretched across his face.
Bingo.
“How are you smiling?” the girl whispered, “Harry, she’ll be here any moment -”
Harry pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. He placed his head atop hers.
“I’m not worried. Thanks to you, I’ll be fine.”
Susan sniffled. The clattering of many footsteps rang from outside the Great Hall, and Harry grinned.
Show time.
(-{- S S -}-)
Red robes covered his vision. Harry followed the four Aurors that stood before him up the North Tower. One of them, a woman with bright pink hair, seemed abnormally stiff.
“Wotcher, Nymphodora,” Harry grinned, “They tell you you’re not allowed to talk to me?”
Tonks looked as though she were going to have a seizure. Behind him, an Auror placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
“Quiet, Potter,” a deep voice said, “This entire detail is classified. None of us, including you, are allowed to speak of it to anyone.”
Interesting.
They came to stop before what appeared to be an empty landing. Harry stared at the trapdoor that hung above them almost disbelievingly.
“You can’t be serious,” he muttered, watching as the ladder to Professor Trelawney’s classroom slowly lowered. One look from the Auror behind him - Kingsley, Harry recognized - told him that they were, in fact, very serious.
“Up you go, Mr. Potter.”
Harry frowned. Straightening up, he quickly climbed up a ladder and into the Divination Classroom. The trapdoor closed behind him as he stood up.
Harry looked around. He’d never actually been in the Divination classroom, having elected to take more real classes like Ancient Runes and Arithmancy.
Although, considering the visions I’ve got, perhaps Divination would’ve been the move.
“You look quite well for someone who just faced an army of dementors.”
Harry turned. Sitting behind the lectern at the center of the semi-circle-shaped classroom, Madam Bones cut quite the figure. Her greying brown hair was thrown up in a neat bun, her eagle eyes staring directly into his soul.
Harry allowed an easy smile to overtake him.
“Sirius Black’s escape was months ago,” he said smoothly, “I’ve had ample time to recover.”
Madam Bones smiled. Harry decided he didn’t like the look very much.
“Come closer, boy,” the woman said, her quiet voice clear to hear in the empty room, “We have much to discuss.”
Harry did as he was told, pulling a few cushions from their place along the amphitheater as he walked. He placed them neatly on the floor before taking a seat.
“Forgive me, but this all feels a bit odd,” he admitted, gazing up at Madam Bones as the woman replaced her monocle, “I didn’t think Dumbledore would allow something like this.”
“He did not,” Madam Bones admitted, “Unfortunately for him, the Ministry’s power over its citizens far exceeds a headmaster’s power over his students.”
Harry frowned.
“I didn’t know it exceeded the power of the Supreme Mugwump.”
“There is much you do not know.” Madam Bones said curtly, “Your shortcomings, however, are no concern of mine.”
Harry stared at her. What remained of his carefree smile left his face.
“Then why are you here?”
Madam Bones stared at him for a long moment. Eventually, she turned to her handbag, withdrawing a large basin that could not possibly have fit.
“Do you know what this is, Mr. Potter?” Madam Bones asked, placing the basin before him. Harry stared at it.
“A Pensieve.”
“A Pensieve,” Madam Bones agreed, “A magical instrument used to view memories -”
She reached into her handbag once again, reaching into her handbag once. This time she brought out a vial containing a strange, silvery wisp of energy.
“And do you know what this is, dear?”
Harry stared at. A hollow feeling grew in his stomach.
“A memory.”
“Correct again,” Madam Bones leaned forward, uncorking the vial. She poured the silvery substance into the basin, “Would you care to take a look?”
“I think I’ll pass,” Harry said coolly. Madam Bones’ eyebrow rose.
“It’s your choice,” she shrugged, sliding the basin aside, “But, for your sake, I’ll enlighten you on just what memory this is. I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now.”
Harry’s palms balled. He stared at the shimmering surface of the Pensieve, not saying a word. Sighing, Madam Bones stood up.
“The citizens, dear, they admire you greatly,” she said, “You symbolize hope. Minister Fudge appreciates that most of all - your infrequent public appearances have been directly correlated to a slight jump in work efficiency and domestic revenue - 13.2% and 7.84%, respectively, unless I’m mistaken.”
She paused.
“Using two of the three Unforgivable Curses in a span of two twenty seconds would dash that hope faster than you could possibly comprehend.”
She waved her wand. The pensieve and vial flew back into her handbag, which closed itself neatly.
“As for the breaking into Azkaban bit,” Madam Bones paused, “It’d cause people to re-examine the events that occurred back in June. I imagine people will no longer chalk up Black’s escape to an ‘unfortunate accident’ for much longer.”
So that’s her plan.
“How’d you get the memory?”: Harry asked curiously, “I doubt Bellatrix would have given it to you.”
Madam Bones’ eyes narrowed.
“A prisoner,” she said simply, “We offered her six months off her sentence.”
Harry rolled his eyes.
That was a maximum security wing. The idiots in there were serving sentences of at least a decade.
“Then you also saw what the Warden did to that woman,” Harry noted, “I imagine it wouldn’t take much to bring people onto my side.”
Madam Bones nodded thoughtfully.
“I’m sure you’re right,” she agreed, “I’ve no doubt you’d grow a moderate following. But they’ll know, dear. They’ll see who you really are.”
Harry grit his teeth.
That’s something I can’t allow.
Judging from the knowing expression Bones wore, the woman was well aware of that. Harry sighed, sinking further into his cushions.
“What do you want from me?” he asked, “If you were interested in persecuting me, we’d be in a courtroom, not Trelawney’s classroom.”
Madam Bones laughed faintly.
“I require your assistance,” she informed him.
“Why me?”
“Because you are perfectly positioned to act.”
Harry frowned.
“Because I’m a Triwizard Champion?” he guessed.
“Partially,” Madam Bones admitted, “But also because you’re Harry Potter.”
She stepped forward, eyeing him carefully.
“The Ministry is interested in heightening its intelligence, particularly regarding foreign nations,” she said curtly, “With Voldemort lying in wait, we refuse to allow his loyal Death Eaters to bring other nations into an inevitable war.”
Harry stared at her, surprised.
“Dumbledore told you?”
“He mentioned his suspicions,” Madam Bones nodded, “Of course, there is no concrete proof at the moment, though Dumbledore assures us that will change in the coming year. For now, however, we must act.”
“And you want me to do all the work for you,” Harry surmised. He couldn’t help but grin, “Are you sure you trust me?”
Madam Bones paused.
“Trust you?” she scoffed, “Of course not. But you can be controlled.”
Harry smiled.
Everyone can. You can, too.
“What am I supposed to do?”
“For now? Nothing,” Bones strode across the room, “We will assign you tasks as the year progresses. I expect you to use this time to learn more about your fellow champions.”
Harry paused.
“So what, I’m a spy?”
Madam Bones smiled.
“You children are adorable,” she said, straightening up, “You will report your findings back to me via a one-way notebook. Whatever you write will appear upon an identical notebook within my possession. You will receive instructions regarding your task in the first few pages of the book. They will disappear after you have read them.”
She pulled the notebook she spoke of from her bag, handing it to Harry. He stared at her.
“Who else knows?”
“Myself and a select few of my subordinates -”
“I wasn’t talking about your stupid spy mission,” Harry muttered, “I mean Azkaban. Who knows?”
Madam Bones frowned.
“For now, only me.”
Harry closed his eyes, allowing her words to wash over him.
She’s telling the truth.
He reopened his eyes, toying with the book in his hands.
“Will you ask me to do anything that might compromise my reputation?”
Madam Bones stared at him.
“You act as though it matters,” she noted curiously, “As though being outed as a murderer and torturer wouldn’t have your reputation in ruins.”
Harry grit his teeth.
“You want to use me as a weapon.”
“Perhaps,” she shrugged, “In truth, that’s all you are, though I’m aware you see yourself as so much more . . .”
She paused for a moment before turning back to him.
“Be grateful,” she told him, “At the very least, you will be a well-informed weapon. Albus Dumbledore would much rather keep you in the dark.”
She’s not wrong.
“You know, I can’t help but feel you’re awfully pleased about how this is playing out.”
Madam Bones laughed.
“I am not fourteen, dear,” she reminded him, “I have little interest in child-like squabbles -”
“Not even in squabbles that nearly killed your daughter?”
Madam Bones paused. Technically, she didn’t have a daughter, something Harry was more than aware of -
But she has Susan. And that’s as close to a daughter as one could be.
“I have spoken to Susan at great lengths regarding her foolishness,” the woman said slowly, “She is clever enough to not follow your little crusade.”
Harry smiled.
But you don’t believe that. Not really.
Madam Bones stared at him. Harry’s grin deepened.
“We’re getting off topic,” he said quickly, straightening up. He tossed the notebook back and forth between his palm, “Is there anything else you wanted to say?”
“Your mask is loosening,” the woman murmured, “To not tighten it is to risk someone pulling it off.”
Harry frowned.
“You and me both,” he said, standing up. “May I go? I have to prepare for the first task.”
Madam Bones said nothing. Harry made his way toward the trapdoor.
“Potter?”
Harry turned. Madam Bones stared blankly into his soul.
“If you use my child against me, I will kill you.”
You’ll try.
Harry left through the trapdoor without uttering another word.
(-{- S S -}-)
Harry surveyed the Hogwarts Grounds from his spot along the railing of the Owlrey. His fingers combed gently through Hedwig’s feathers.
“Your friends did scare their owls, right?”
The sound of slithering scales reached his ears. A small brown head poked out from his left side as the Adder nodded.
“The big woman had them all move their Owls up here,” the serpent hissed. It pointed up with its tail, “I can see some of them over there.”
“Good,” Harry nodded, “Now leave, fast.”
The brown serpent slithered out of sight. Harry leaned back, staring up at the stars. He pressed a finger against his ring.
“What do you -” Slytherin trailed off. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry watched as Slytherin stared up at the sky.
“Beautiful,” the old spirit murmured. Harry nodded.
“Were you telling the truth about only me being able to see you?”
Slytherin nodded. The two of them glanced upward.
“There used to be so much more,” Slytherin whispered. He sounded almost heartbroken, “Mother used to say every star was a person who loved you in another life . . .”
“It’s light pollution, I think,” Harry said, “Muggles using light. It makes it harder for us to see.”
Slytherin sniffled.
“I hate them.”
“Why?” Harry asked curiously, “Beside the stars, I mean?”
“Witch trials,” Slytherin whispered, “Burnings, too. They never worked on a grown witch or wizard, of course. But the children . . .”
Harry shivered.
“That’s horrible.”
“You don’t say,” Slytherin muttered, “I wanted them gone. And if their children were magical, I’d have obliviated them, taken the kid, and been on my way. But the others saw things differently.”
“And you left,” Harry finished.
“No,” the old man shook his head, “I created a Basilisk, slaughtered the surrounding muggles, and then left. Why do you think there are no muggle settlements near Hogwarts?”
Harry fought the urge to grimace.
“Has the basilisk been killing muggles that tried to form civilization nearby?”
“She should have been,” Slytherin murmured, “But you killed her. Foolish half-blood.”
Harry frowned.
“I understand why you hate muggles,” he admitted slowly, “But it doesn’t explain your blood purity beliefs. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Doesn’t make sense?” Slytherin frowned, “Pure blood means no muggles. What’s not to understand?”
“What’s your problem with my blood?” Harry frowned, “Or Tom’s, for that matter.”
“You harbor their beliefs,” Slytherin hissed, “You link them to our world. You have opened a tunnel for them to traverse.”
“Alright,” Harry paused, “And what about a muggleborn raised by wizards with no link to the muggle world?”
“An Irishman born in Africa will always yearn to explore Ireland.”
Harry considered his words. He blinked after a moment.
“How the fuck do you know about Ireland?”
“It was founded a few years before Tom found me,” Slytherin shrugged, “It was a big deal, apparently.”
Harry nodded slowly. He played with the ring on his middle finger, combing Hedwig’s feathers with the other.
“Madam Bones talked to me earlier,” he said after some time, “She wants to use me as a spy.”
“Susan’s Aunt? The Head of - of -”
“Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement,” Harry nodded, “She’s the second most powerful person in the Ministry after Prime Minister Fudge, and Fudge doesn’t do shit.”
Salazar nodded.
“Will you play along?”
“Maybe,” Harry admitted, “It could be useful to me.”
He turned to the spirit.
“I threatened to use her daughter against her,” he added thoughtfully, “I don’t think she liked that much.”
Slytherin thought for a moment.
“Was it a true threat, or a bluff?”
“I’m not sure. It depends on which one I want it to be, I suppose.”
“True, then,” Slytherin paused, “She will not take this lying down.”
“I know. She threatened to kill me.”
Slytherin blinked.
“You don’t seem concerned.”
Harry sighed.
“What’s there to be concerned about? She’s blackmailing me into being her spy by threatening to leak information about me -”
“Like what?”
“The usual,” Harry murmured, “I broke into Azkaban and tortured and killed the warden.”
Slytheirn stared at him, his jaw wide open.
“You’re worse than Tom,” the spirit muttered. Harry glared at him.
“We still need to talk about earlier,” Harry muttered, “You’re not telling me something. Something to do with my dreams and my scar,”
“Your scar?” Slytherin mused, “Why would it have anything to do with your scar?”
Harry’s glare deepened.
“You stared at it right before you started acting up.”
The spirit sighed, his hands held up in defeat.
“My mistake,” he muttered, “I suppose you need all the help you can get.”
“So you’ll tell me, then?”
Slytherin shook his head.
“No,” he said firmly, “You don’t deserve it. It’ll be so much more rewarding if you figure it out yourself.”
“I could die, you know,” Harry bristled. Slytherin nodded.
“I’m very well aware. That’s half the fun.”
The spirit smiled, staring back up at the stars. Resigned, Harry let the topic drop.
“We’re at a stalemate, Madam Bones and I,” he said eventually, “I’ll involve Susan if she pushes me too far -”
“She will cripple you further before that can be allowed to happen.”
“I won’t let her,” Harry sighed, “But, for the time being, I’m supposed to be learning more about the other champions.”
“And how fares that endeavor?”
“I’m setting up a Quidditch get-together with Krum,” Harry yawned, “But that’ll probably be after the first task -”
“Which is in two days, yes?”
Harry nodded.
“As for Delacour,” Harry frowned, “The girl heard me talking to Malfoy about Tom. I get the feeling she doesn’t like me.”
“You’ll have to introduce me to this Malfoy character some time,” Slytherin told him, “Or him to me, I suppose.”
He shook his head.
“Any back up plan for the Delacour girl, then?”
Harry smiled.
“It’s funny you mention that,” he laughed, “She’s on her way here as we speak.”
As if on cue, a faint clattering echoed at the Owlery’s entrance. Harry lay still, gazing up at the stars as the figure approached.
“Harry?”
Harry sat up. He turned, almost jumping upon seeing Salazar Slytherin flipping off a nervous black-haired girl. He ignored the spirit, smiling kindly.
“Alice,” he grinned, “It’s good to see you.”
“I hope I was not - not disturbing you,” she said slowly, her voice, “I thought you were talking to someone.”
Harry nodded to the sleeping owl in his lap.
“This is Hedwig,” he said softly, “I spend a lot of time with her. I suppose I talk to her a bit, too.”
He allowed a nervous smile to overtake him.
“I hope that isn’t odd -”
“Oh, no, not at all!” Alice smiled kindly, “I think it’s sweet.”
She stepped forward.
“I was going to visit my Owl, actually,” she held up a letter, “Madame Maxine moved them up here since there are so many snakes around the Hogwarts grounds.”
“There are?” Harry frowned, “I rarely see any.”
“It feels recent to me, too,” Alice admitted, “Not that I would know . . .”
Harry smiled. It was hard to stay focused with Slytherin blowing raspberries every time the girl spoke. He subtly tapped his finger against the ring’s surface.
“A real man would never back out of a challenge!” Slytherin hissed as he was banished, “Boooooooo!”
Harry refocused on the girl. She brushed her silky black hair over her ear.
She’s pretty.
He hadn’t noticed before - he imagined most wouldn’t, with the Veela girl standing beside her. But with her bright eyes, smooth skin, and silky hair, Alice made for a very beautiful young woman.
“The first task is in a few days,” Alice said softly, “Are you not nervous?”
Harry laughed.
“I’m excited, really. It’s been a while since I’ve had a real challenge.”
Alice stared.
“But - you could get hurt!”
I know. That’s half the fun.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” he assured her, “How is your friend Fleur doing? I know she must be a bit uncomfortable, having to perform in front of hundreds of onlookers.”
Alice frowned.
“Fleur is now so easily stressed -”
“It wasn’t an insult,” Harry smiled gently, “I meant her allure. It must be awful, the staring.”
Alice’s eyes widened. She nodded quickly.
“Fleur hates it. She hates the way they look at her -”
“It’s like they’re looking through her,” Harry whispered knowingly, “Like all they see is her face, and not who she really is.”
Alice nodded slowly.
“You understand.”
“How could I not?” Harry said. His finger tapped against the scar that marred his forehead, hidden beneath his hair, “No matter where I go, they see the Boy-Who-Lived. Not many people know Harry Potter.”
“I’d like to,” Alice whispered. Her cheeks were tinged pink. Behind her, rain began to fall, “I see you for who you really are.”
Sure you do.
Harry laughed, holding his hand out.
“Friends?”
Alice smiled. He placed her hand within his.
“Friends,” she agreed. Lightning cracked overhead as if to seal the deal -
Wait.
Harry turned, looking out over the Hogwarts Grounds. Rain poured overhead, thunder cackling from the clouds above.
Thunder storm. Holy fuck.
“I should probably go,” Harry smiled, tucking Hedwig carefully into his arms. He jumped down from the railing, “We should meet some time.”
“I would like that,” Alice agreed, “Perhaps, after Fleur beats you in the first task, you can show up to her party?”
Harry laughed.
“Tell you what,” he said, stepping toward the door, “I think I’ll invite you all to my party.”
“You would be wasting parchment -”
“And you’re wasting words,” Harry smiled, “Goodbye, Alice - ?”
“Beaumont,” Alice smiled, “Alice Beaumont.”
“Goodbye, Alice Beaumont.”
The girl smiled, looking conflicted. She stopped him just before he could leave.
“Harry,” she said quickly, grabbing him by the wrist, “There is something you should know.”
Harry paused.
If I fuck up the Animagus transformation because of this, I’ll kill her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing,” the girl blushed, “Just -”
She thought carefully.
“There’s something in the Forbidden Forest. Something you should probably see.”
Harry stared at her.
“I don’t understand . . .”
Realization overtook him. Harry’s eyes widened.
Something to do with the first task.
“Why are you telling me?” he frowned, leaning forward, “I’m grateful, of course, but I don’t understand.”
“Fleur knows,” said the girl quickly, “She thinks Krum knows, too.”
Alice paused.
“Now it’s fair, isn’t it?”
Harry nodded slowly.
Either she’s got strong morals or Draco’s right about her little crush.
Judging from the shimmer in her eye, Harry imagined it was a mix of both.
“Thank you,” he said earnestly, “Really, it means the world.”
Alice smiled.
“Goodbye, Harry Potter.”
“Goodbye, Alice Beaumont.”
Harry stepped out of the Owlery, his mind whirling. He sprinted the moment he was too far for the girl to see or hear him.
Holy fuck. Holy fucking fuck.
Harry jumped off the railing of a moving staircase, falling some two hundred feet. He slowed his fall with a wave of his wand, hovering above the second floor landing. Falling, Harry raced down the hall and into Myrtle’s bathroom.
“Open!” he practically shouted.
The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets revealed itself at once. Harry threw himself down the slide, ran though the main chamber, and finally found himself in Slytherin’s study. He removed the Animagus potion from the golden box he had stashed it within. It was now a brilliant red.
Perfect.
Harry uncorked it, pressing the edge to his lips. He held his wand over his heart.
“Amato Animo Animato Animagus,” he whispered. Closing his eyes, he drank the potion in a single gulp.
Harry stirred. The world contorted oddly around him as his limbs began to feel unnaturally hot. He placed his hand on Slytherin’s desk, struggling to stand up -
Beat.
Beat.
Beat.
A second heartbeat echoed behind his own, and Harry collapsed.
