Harry Potter and the Chest of Death

Chapter 5: Anticipation of the Step, Step...

The week of the Ball had arrived. There were only 3 days until the event itself, and the tension in Hogwarts had reached an all time high. Every copy of "5 Minutes to Dancing Success" had been checked out of the library. Hermione had a copy, and they all poured over it, trying desperately to memorize all they could.

"So it's step, step, back step..." Michelle said running her finger over the text. "That's simple enough."

"What about this one," Ron directed to them. "It's right step, back step, left step, twirl, dip, left step, spin... I don't believe how complicated this is!" he called out to them all.

"Kevin says he knows all this," Hermione said, "and the boy is supposed to lead, so I'll be okay."

"That's right," Michelle said with a tone of surprise, "I completely forgot that you were going with him."

"Yes," Hermione replied. "I am. He says that he bought me a blue corsage. I can't wait to see it!"

"We have to buy corsages?" Harry asked.

"Yep," Hermione answered. "I suppose this Ball is supposed to be a little more towards that whole fancy prom-ish thing."

"All I know is I can't wait to go," Michelle said.

They continued their attempts to memorize the book for a few more hours before their yawns overpowered their need not to be made a fool of. Harry was about to go to sleep when he thought of the Chest. He had not thought about it lately, but it was already December, and Harry couldn't understand why Voldemort hadn't tried anything yet. Waiting around didn't seem like something Voldemort would do. Harry decided that since he had just one class tomorrow, he would go to Dumbledore and see if he could get any information.

*

Harry couldn't sit still. He should've been eating lunch by now, but Professor Trelawney was keeping the class for extra time. Lavender Brown had insisted that she give them palm readings for the ball. She was just sitting herself in front of Ron who looked not too happy at this.

"I see dancing of course," she said to him, "but I also see a girl..." She looked up at Ron, "You will meet someone at this ball that you might already know, but there is a possibility that it's a stranger; this person will change your life." Ron made a noise that resembled "Pfft".

Now it was Harry's turn. The Professor took his hand, "O Mister Potter! I don't believe it!" She had a smile on her face. "I haven't seen this in someone so young for quite some time... I'm surprised that I never noticed it before. It must have just come."

"What?" Harry asked looking at his hand.

"Well, you have the Mark of Eros. It's very rarely seen in someone of your age. Class dismissed." Harry's mouth was hanging open. She had seen something strange, and instead of telling Harry what it meant, she just dismissed the class! Harry was going to wait until everyone left so he could ask her what it is.

Finally everyone had exited the classroom when Harry made his way over to her desk. He was about to ask her when a searing pain pounded at his scar. At this moment he heard Professor Trelawney say (in a very unusual, but unfortunately familiar voice):

The Great One will rise again. There is no stopping this.

Prepare for a battle in which only one may survive. The

time of the Chosen One has come. Let the prophecies be

fulfilled.

Harry didn't know what to do. He ran out of the room and hurried down the ladder. He kept running through the school. Harry didn't know where he was going and it didn't matter to him. He would've run forever except he bumped into someone. A silver beard covered Harry's face. When he finally found his way out of it, he looked up to see Dumbledore smiling above him.

"Harry, so nice to see you. You know, we have rules about running through the corridors."

"Headmaster," Harry said breathlessly, "I need to talk to you now."

"Okay Harry," Dumbledore said putting a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Come to my office."

Dumbledore's office was as dusty and interesting as ever. Fawkes was emerging form a pile of ashes, and the Sorting Hat lay still on a stool. Dumbledore motioned for Harry to sit down. Harry had regained his composer, and he cleared his throat.

"Professor Trelawney told me I had the Mark of Eros in class today, so I waited until everyone left to ask her what it is." Dumbledore was smiling. "When I was walking over to her, my scar hurt. Then, she said that the Great One is going to rise, and there'll be a battle where only one person can live. She also said that the prophecies of the Chosen One were going to be fulfilled. It was the same voice she had used when she said that Wormtail was going to return to Voldemort"

"Don't worry Harry," Dumbledore said. "I think I know what prophecies she was talking about. It's nothing to worry about now. What I am interested in is that Mark of Eros. Let me see your hand." Harry turned his palm up and Dumbledore took a close inspection of it. "Well Harry, you're a very lucky person. This Mark doesn't come to everyone."

"What does it mean?" Harry asked.

"I believe there is a book in the library that can explain it better than I can. Now, if that's all, I think you should head down to lunch."

"It's not all, Sir. I wanted to talk to you about the Chest of Death."

"What?" Dumbledore said with a look of surprise and a twinkle in his eyes.

"Someone saw you receive something that matched the description of the Chest of Death," Harry said with growing confidence. "Are you going to use it to fight Voldemort?"

"No," Dumbledore said frankly. "What your sources saw was indeed the Chest of Death, but some things are not always exactly what we're told they are. Its use for the destruction of Voldemort would be substantial, but not just anyone can use it. Again Harry, I refer you to the library."

Harry left Dumbledore's office and decided to enlist the help of his friends in finding out about the Mark of Eros and the true identity and use of the Chest of Death. Something told Harry that Dumbledore wanted more than to just help Harry's quest for knowledge.

After promising to treat them all to a butterbeer on the next Hogsmeade trip, everyone had gone into the library. They all tried to find much different books than last time, and they had succeeded. Harry was leafing through "Marks, Sharks, and Other Wondrous Occurrences (1543)." Ron had "Chest Legends: The Untold Truth", Michelle had "The Chest of Death and You", and Hermione was holding "What Lies Under the Lid A Complete and True Guide to Magical Containers." As Harry was reading, he came upon a passage that interested him and he unknowingly read it out loud:

"Chapter 45: The Mark of Eros

When the Greek gods did truly exist, Eros

was responsible for helping people find their

destined loves. He did so by shooting his arrows

(See Diagram 4B). When it came to his know-

ledge that all the gods were to be destroyed, he

cast a spell out to all of mankind. The spell

however, only worked on those with magic in

them already.

His spell could only be performed once, and he sent

it out over the world. Translated it is "Life is Love,

and Love is Life. Let every woman find a man,

And every man find his wife. When this has come

to pass, My mark will be on the gentleman, not

the lass." It doesn't actually rhyme in Greek,

and it is coincidental that it does when translated.

When anyone male sees this mark on

his hand it means..."

Harry couldn't finish reading.

"What does it say?" Michelle asked as she strained to look.

Harry shut the book, "It's not important. It just means that I am going to be happy and some junk like that." He picked up a book with a chest drawn on the cover and opened it. He could feel Michelle still looking at him. No matter how long she stared he wouldn't say anything. But, the words he had read were repeating in his mind: "...he has found his soul mate, and she has found him." It had shaken him. Harry glanced up from the text and looked at Michelle. His stomach did a loop and Harry couldn't look away.

Her hair had fallen over her shoulders as she had leaned forward to read. She brushed some of it back with her hand, and it shimmered in the candlelight. Her lips moved silently as she read, and Harry watched her with a deep emotion and fascination. Suddenly and without warning, she said, "I FOUND SOMETHING!" and Harry fell off his chair.

"Are you okay?" Ron asked, giggling.

"Yeah," Harry said as he got back up. "What did you find?"

"Listen to this," Michelle said as she pointed to the book. " 'Some have fabled that a powerful dark magic lives inside the Chest of Death, but this may not be true. Indeed, the magic within is powerful, but the dark sorceress Maudette had told a soldier which she had intended to kill, but who had escaped, that Merlin's spirit was inside the Chest of Death. After Arthur had died, Merlin was weak, and unable to kill him, Maudette trapped him inside a Chest. She said she had made it so that only one of Merlin's power and personality could reopen it.

If Merlin is indeed in the Chest, whoever posses it holds great magic that can only be unleashed by the fabled Chosen One who is prophesized to regain the balance between good and evil, and rid the earth of the worst performer dark magic. Although there is no evidence to deny this to be true, it is not a widely held belief.'

That could be something," she added. "Maybe Voldemort wanted to open the Chest himself, but I doubt he's in Merlin's league of power or valor, and he couldn't. Then, either Dumbledore wanted to try, or he's holding it for the Chosen One."

"So Merlin's spirit is just stuck inside this tiny chest?" Ron questioned them.

"That's what it looks like," Harry responded. He looked at the clock above the librarian's desk, which read 8 o'clock. "We've got to get going," Harry said as he got up.

Even as Harry lay down to sleep, thoughts of the Chest's true contents fluttered in his mind. They were like a caged bird, wanting always to fly out, and Harry didn't know what to make of it all: Merlin or dark magic? Anyone or Chosen One? How could he be sure what was truth and what was fabrication? He did eventually fall asleep, and his worries melted away. He was getting quite good at pushing things out of his mind.

*

It was finally the day of the ball, and classes had been canceled because of it. Harry was sitting up in bed and staring at his palm when Ron woke up.

"I don't see anything unusual," Harry said as he put his hand close to his face.

"What did that book say?" Ron asked as he stretched his arms. "I know it was something Harry, or you would have read it anyway." Ron's eyes were fixed on Harry and there was no escape.

"If I tell you," Harry said cautiously, "then you have to swear that you won't tell anyone! Not Hermione and not Michelle. Not anyone."

"I promise," Ron said as he jumped off the four-poster. He was still listening, but now he was also going through his trunk. Ron pulled out a pair of underwear and said, "A HAH! I knew I still had at least one clean pair."

Harry cringed, but decided he would still tell Ron. After all, they were best friends! "The book said that if a guy has the Mark of Eros that means he has found his soul mate, and she has found him too." He looked at Ron who had turned around with an unmistakable look of surprise.

"Found his soul mate?" Harry nodded in response. "Are you going to tell Michelle?" Ron was still holding the underwear and Harry had to squelch a laugh.

"No. Why should I? It'll only freak her out."

"Maybe you're right," Ron said suddenly making a sour face, "O man Harry! I don't think this pair of skivvies is clean!" They both burst into a long fit of laughing. The other boys in the room were howling with joy as well, and when it had subsided they all left (probably to get their robes pressed) and only Ron and Harry were remained.

"Have you talked to Melinda since you asked her?" Harry said as he rummaged around for his other sock.

"Yeah," Ron said. "We're meeting in the Common Room at 5:30, since the Ball starts at six. I sure hope I know the dance steps," he thought out loud. "Hey Harry, could you do me a favor?"

"Sure. What do you need?" Harry said as he saw a smile creep over Ron's face.

"Well, I was hoping you'd help me practice dancing. I'll lead, and you can be the girl."

"What?" Harry said as he pictured himself in a ballerina's tutu.

"Come on!" Ron whined. "If you don't help me, I'll tell Michelle what's on your hand."

"Blackmail," Harry said with a puckered brow, "Okay, okay...But don't try to dip me."

"That's half the fun," Ron said as they assumed their positions. They had just begun to step, step, and back-step when the door burst open.

"It's the day of the Ball!" Michelle screamed to them with Hermione behind her. Noticing Ron and Harry she asked, "Are you two dancing together?" The girls began to giggle as Ron's ears turned red and he released Harry.

"We were just practicing," Ron said to them.

"Well, I don't think that's the right way," Michelle said as she walked into the room. She stopped when she was facing Harry and they were only inches apart. Harry was having trouble breathing regularly. He could smell her soap, which she had used most likely in her morning bath. "Come on Harry," she said with a sly smile, "let's show 'em how it's done."

Harry's right hand intertwined with her left, and she put her other hand on the back of his shoulders. He put his on the back of her waist. They drew closer and she smiled. They began moving effortlessly. No one's feet were stepped on, and no one tripped. But, as they continued in moving, Michelle wrapped her arms around Harry's neck, and he put his around her waist completely. He was looking into her eyes, and she into his, when the world drifted away. Harry forgot that Ron and Hermione were watching them, and he leaned in and kissed Michelle. Her lips had no gloss this time, but they were still as soft, and she parted them slightly. He saw her close her eyes, and he closed his, and the departure was complete. The kiss was brief and tender. As they parted from each other, Harry remembered that his two friends were in the room, and had seen the whole thing. When he looked at Michelle she was blushing, and the warmth on his cheeks told him he was too.

Ron's mouth was hanging open. Hermione's eyes were huge and she said, "Wow. That was almost poetry."

Michelle was still facing Harry, so she had her back to the others. "How do they look?" she whispered to her dancing partner.

"Like they don't know what to say," Harry said as he smiled at her. She could do that to him- no matter the situation, she could always make him smile.

Michelle turned slowly around and then said, "Well, Hermione, I think we better get a move on!" She grabbed an almost frozen Hermione and pulled her out of the dormitory. Then, she popped her head through the doorway and blew Harry a kiss. "See you later," she said coyly. Harry caught the kiss in his hand and pressed it onto his cheek. She smiled and left. Harry could hear her footsteps going into the Common Room. Then he realized this had all happened while he was wearing pajamas that had pictures of snitches all over them.

"You okay Ron?" he asked to his silent friend.

"Yeah," Ron said with an air of surprise. "I think that Mark's dead on, Harry. You should have seen it. The dancing was like you both on a cloud, and the kiss was...I don't even know how to describe it."

Harry smiled, "Come on, we've got to get to the laundry room before the Ball starts."

Ron held up a huge ball of socks and underwear, "Way ahead of you."

*

As the clock on the wall of the dormitory crept towards 5:30, Harry, Ron, and the rest of the 5^th year boys were putting the final touches on their dress robes or tuxes.

"O," Ron said as he let out a sigh, "I don't think I can do this Harry."

"You'll be fine," Harry replied as he did up the last of his buttons. "Your dining card says table four, right?"

"Yeah," Ron said holding it up. "It's the same as your table. Hermione's going to sit with the Sixth Years...O-la-de-da."

Harry laughed as finished doing his best to pat down his hair. Ron was ready too, and they walked down the steps into the Common Room together.

When the had entered Ron said, "I see Melinda. I'll meet you at the table, Harry." Harry nodded and began his search for Michelle. He found her sitting on the out of sight couch.

"I knew you'd be waiting here," Harry said as he held out his hand.

She took it and replied, "I didn't think everyone would be coming down at 5:30. I thought this was the best place for me to stay." She gave him a thoughtful kiss on the cheek.

"This is for you," he said as he held out a corsage made of daffodils. It went perfect with her ball gown. It was a pastel yellow that had thin straps over her shoulders and a body-hugging top that flowed into an almost bell shaped bottom that was layers of silk and other soft fabrics. He slipped the corsage over her wrist.

"O Harry," she said as she looked at it, "it's so beautiful. Thank you." Her hug was sweet.

"Let's go," Harry said motioning towards the door. "We've got dancing to do." She laughed, and they headed out of the Common Room.