Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Chapter 66 - A Tiger's Stripes

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In the darkness, Harry watched and waited while the hours ticked slowly by. Patiently, he remained awake while all his dorm-mates, one-by-one, fell asleep, including Peter Walreux now snoring in the bed across from Harry's. Peter wasn't too bad; he was quiet and spent most of his time with Neville, which was fine with Harry. The last few weeks since he and Gabriella formed today's plan, Harry didn't much want to speak with anyone. He would play his part in this game and see where it led with but one goal in mind -- to bring back Sirius from beyond the Curtain of Phenolem. An hour before the break of day, the very day Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were set to play their Quidditch match, Harry rose and slipped out of bed. Quietly he dressed, took a small pack, his invisibility cloak and broom, and descended the staircases to the front doors of the castle.

With luck, he would gather the water today, and during the match give Tonks everything she needed to bring Sirius back. Hidden beneath the invisibility cloak, he was about to make his way out the front doors when he heard a rustling toward the entrance to the Great Hall. He stopped to listen more carefully, but heard nothing; then, just as he turned to the doors once more, he heard it again. Unable to resist the temptation, he went to have a look. When he came to the doors of the Great Hall, he wasn't sure what he felt. This, he knew, was a problem. There was an overwhelming urge to leave, to sneak through the front doors and be on his way with what needed to be done, but courage and friendship took control and held him fast.

Stuck to the closed doors and hexed with a silencing charm was Ron Weasley, coloured in some sort of Red and Gold paint -- a poor attempt at tiger stripes. Only it wasn't paint; the colour was his skin, and there was a lot of it. Ron was naked. The only thing he wore were blazing eyes, and a note that read, "Gryffindor Spy" placed in a prudent position. Harry watched as he rustled to pull himself free and failed again. Harry imagined what the scene would be at breakfast if he left him there, particularly on a Quidditch day with so many guests arriving. Finally, he took off his invisibility cloak causing Ron to recoil for an instant. An instant after that, Ron was on the floor covered with a cloak conjured up by Harry and ready to release a voice that wanted to scream, though Harry hushed him.

"I'll kill them," he hissed.

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"Nott... and Parkinson." Ron was steaming as he fumbled with pulling the cloak over his bare shoulders. "They said they needed help in History of Magic, and would I go with them to the library. Damn it, I knew better! I never made it up the first flight of stairs. The immobulus hex just wore off. Thank Merlin you found me before..." Ron turned to look at Harry. "What are you doing up this early?"

Harry paused, and considered for a moment that he was talking to the boyfriend of Hermione Granger, but at this point it didn't much matter. Gabriella had that covered if it was necessary.

"Going for a morning fly," Harry said, holding his broom. "Should be nice this time of night over the forest."

"Hermione said you'd do it. She wouldn't say why, just that you'd be sneaking off."

"She was right," said Harry taking to his feet. "Are you off to tell her? If you are, I should be back in about an hour. If the match has started and I haven't returned, I guess you two should tell somebody, but I'll probably be dead by then so I wouldn't bother. It'd just spoil the game."

"You're not going into the forest alone."

"More like over it Ron," whispered Harry, brandishing his broom as he walked back toward the front doors, Ron on his heels.

"I'm coming with you!"

"Quiet," Harry hissed. "I can't conjure a whole new set of clothes, and you don't have your broom, and you should go to the hospital ward to get those stripes removed."

"I'm coming with you."

Harry looked at the eyes staring back at him. He would lose this battle and he didn't have time for it.

"Fine," he said, "hop in." He held up his cloak and Ron climbed under. "But if some Threstral takes you for some sort of flying tiger and wants to be your boyfriend, I'm leaving you behind."

Outside there was only one Ministry guard by the door. When it opened, he moved to see who was inside. Ron and Harry slipped by before the guard shrugged, thinking it the wind, and closed the door again. By that time, Ron and Harry were already in the air on their way to the falls.

Over the darkened treetops, Harry didn't try to explain the water; he figured Ron already knew. Instead, he let Ron do the talking about his time in Slytherin.

"I can just about tolerate every one of them in that hellhole," said Ron in disgust. "It's just those two: Nott and Parkinson. They're as thick as Malfoy is with Vol-Voldemort," he spat out, "and twice as nasty."

"What? You can tolerate Malfoy?" asked Harry. "How's that?"

"We stay clear of each other, I guess. I don't know; I don't think we've said ten words to each other since I've been there, which is fine by me." He stopped talking and stewed for a moment. "Maybe he's afraid I'll read his mind and know where You-Know-Who is. But I swore to myself I wouldn't do it; that was a mistake that won't happen again."

Suddenly the forest opened up below the pair and revealed the falls below. Even in the dim light of morning, the sight was spectacular.

"Is that incredible or what?" said Harry with a smile.

"What?" Ron asked.

"Don't you see it? Don't you see the falls?"

"I see trees. Where are the falls?" Ron was looking all around, but clearly seeing nothing. Harry pointed with one finger then reached and touched Ron's shoulder with his hand. Suddenly, the falls were revealed before him.

"Blimey!" Ron exclaimed, unable to say more. Harry dropped the broom low, and settled it down near the largest pool of water. Ron simply gawked in amazement as he looked high above to the source of the roaring water. "It's spectacular."

The air was cool here, and the spray of falls crashing into the small pool filled the air with a thin mist. Harry pulled a potions bottle from his pack, a little smaller than the size of his hand, and looked at Ron. "What do you think," he asked holding up the vial, "about ten gallons?"

"Yeah," Ron nodded, "'bout."

Harry tapped the vial with his wand, and bent low to the water's edge. Ready to dip the vial in, he hesitated; memories of dreams pulling him into the water filled his mind instead. The thought of losing another three days to walk, or swim with the dead, or whatever it was he did the last time when he was tossed bodily into the water was not very appealing.

"It's just water, Harry," said Ron with a grin, not truly appreciating Harry's concern. Harry pulled back from the water, and stood surveying the scene. There was not a living sound except for the two wizards at the water: no birds, no squirrels, no giant spiders.

"Here," said Ron grabbing the small flask from Harry's hand, "I'll do it." Before Harry could stop him, he bent low to the water...

"Ron, stop!"

... and plunged in his hand. Nothing happened.

"Wait for what?" asked Ron, looking back over his shoulder.

Harry felt stupid as he watched Ron, slowly fill the bottle with ten gallons of water. "Nothing," he said sheepishly. But then Ron cocked his head.

"Did you hear that?" he asked.

"All I hear is the water," answered Harry.

"It was a voice," Ron said, "I'm sure." He was looking back at Harry, his hand still in the water when Harry noticed the water begin to swirl. "Something about--"

"Ron," he exclaimed, pointing at the water.

Ron looked down and also saw the water swirling about his hand. Instinctively, he pulled away, but a swirl of water like a branch of Devil's Snare had wrapped around Ron's wrist and held him tight.

"Ron?" Harry yelled excitedly.

"It won't... let... go!" cried Ron. "What are they saying?" he asked, but Harry could hear nothing.

Now the swirl of water began to creep up Ron's arm like a vine curling around a branch. Harry was distinctly reminded of the green ice cream cone that ran up Malcolm Smelt's arm last summer. Harry reached around Ron's waist from behind and pulled, but it was no use; the water held fast. There was a great lurch and Ron, still striped orange and red, was pulled into the water leaving Harry with nothing but the cloak he'd conjured for him earlier.

"Ron!" he screamed, but there was no sign of the redhead. Even the water was still as if not so much as a pebble had broken its surface. A glint flickered into the corner of Harry's eye. He looked down to see the glass potions flask on the ground spilling water in a slow steady stream. Ignoring it, Harry plunged into the water to find his friend.

Once again, a voice filled his head, "Love harbors no enemies; The sword defends, it does not attack; Embrace the world, and you will be welcomed; Champion these precepts, and be cleansed." In that moment he realized the words, the voice, was somehow his own only older... wiser, and as he did so Ron appeared before him in the water, his fiery hair swirling about in the currents. Ron's eyes were closed when Harry grabbed him and began to struggle toward the water's surface, but try as he might he was getting no closer to freedom. If anything he was being pulled deeper into the water.

Finally, with his thoughts, Harry asked to the water, "Please... set us free."

"The bonds that tie you are your own."

There was a snap and he found himself standing at the water's edge with Ron prone on the ground. Neither of them were wet, and neither of them were wearing clothes. Ron gasped for air and filled his lungs as he pushed himself up on his elbows.

"Who was...? What was...?" he breathed.

At about the same time Harry realized he was naked, Ron noticed that the stripes of orange and red that earlier had covered his body were now gone. Ron spun to see Harry looking down on him.

"Did you...?" he asked, but Harry shook his head no.

Harry looked down on Ron's back and noticed the freckles, freckles he hadn't seen all year because of all the red scaring that was now gone. The weaving branches that had stretched down from the nape of Ron's neck like a thicket of thorns had disappeared. All that remained was the small circular swirl on Ron's neck; its shape reminded Harry of a Yin-Yáng symbol.

"Ron," Harry began with a slightly unsteady voice, "your back... the scars, they're gone."

"What?" Ron asked in disbelief. He stood up and turned his head to try and see over his shoulder, spinning naked on the muddy bank like a dog trying to chase its tail. Finally, he stopped and reached with his hand, and his eyes opened with a look of surprise and unimaginable joy. Then he asked Harry, noticing for the first time, "Where are your clothes?"

"I don't know," answered Harry. "I jumped in after you and, like your scars, they've washed away." He walked over and retrieved the lone cloak that lay against a rock that was just now catching the rising sun.

"Here," he said, handing Ron the cloak to cover himself. Ron held out his hand.

"You keep it," he said with a smile. "Somehow, I feel like I don't need it, not here anyway." Harry shrugged and slipped it on as Ron looked up at the great falls and then down into the pool.

"What is this place, Harry?" he asked in awe.

"I think it's the heart of Hogwarts, Ron," he answered. "Flitwick mentioned the source of energy was in the heart of the forest, and I think this is it." Again a glint of sunlight caught his eye and he looked down to see the potions bottle at the side of the bank. He reached down and picked it up. Tentatively, he reached down.

"Don't!" shouted Ron. Harry looked back at him and smiled.

"Peace," he whispered to the water, and began to fill the small vial. Watching the waves lap against the bank, he turned to look up at the top of the falls. "I think... I think the Centaurs heard I was ill from the guardian hex and brought me here to be healed... maybe more. They kept talking as if--"

"Centaurs?"

"I think," Harry said with a shrug. "That's when I lost this." He tapped his forehead where the scar once was. "It's like everything that was dark about Voldemort, everything evil he marked me with, has vanished. I've been cleansed."

"Cleansed!" Ron shouted. "That's what I heard them say! In... in the water..." Ron's voice trailed off hearing how fantastic it all sounded.

"I heard them too," said Harry softly. "Did you answer them back? Did you agree?" Harry stood and carefully placed a stopper on the potions bottle, and then slipped it into his pack. The two looked at each other for a moment, and a peaceful smile filled Ron's face. His eyes were bright with a joy Harry had long missed.

"Yeah," Ron said. "Yeah, I suppose I did." He reached up with his right hand to the back of his neck to feel the small swirl that now remained.

"Harry," he asked, "do you think I can still... you know." Ron tapped his head with his finger. "Mind if I try?"

Harry shook his head, and stood to face Ron as they had done so many times earlier in the year. Ron watched as Harry closed his eyes, and then he closed his own. The air was silent save for the roar of the falls, when Harry began to hear a whisper. He could sense Ron, but not well enough to focus on finding a way to push him back. Perhaps Ron's powers had failed. The whispers stopped, and both opened their eyes. A small grin creased Ron's lips.

"It didn't hurt," he said as he held his fingertips to his temples. "Why didn't you push back? You've never let me go that far before."

"I didn't... I couldn't." Harry's poise changed a bit realizing Ron had just had a free crawl around in Harry's brain. "Why? What did you see?"

"Nothin'," said Ron innocently. "Just school stuff."

"Ron?"

"We'd better get back; didn't you say Hermione would be looking for you?"

Harry looked up to see the sun cracking through branches in the trees. He did need to get back, and then he realized... "No, no I didn't say that."

"Really, Harry, that's all I saw, or heard. I promise I won't look again."

Harry could tell by the mirth in Ron's voice that there was more. But if he really knew what Harry was up to, would he be so jovial? Harry didn't want to argue about it. In fact, he wanted Ron to know everything. As he went over to pick up his broom, he decided to clear the air.

"I'm going to bring back, Sirius," he said flatly. "Try, at least."

"You're what?" Ron exclaimed. Clearly this was one thought in Harry's mind that hadn't been read. There was something comforting in knowing that his friend showed discretion. Still, Harry went forward and began to explain his plan. Ron listened intently as if hearing a great new fiction for the first time, and then he whispered, "So that's what she's been doing."

"You didn't know?" asked Harry. "I thought you and... I thought the both of you were..." Ron shook his head and sighed.

"The girl's ten moves ahead of me every minute of the day," he said. "I can't keep up, and I've stopped trying. I don't even know why she wants to be with me. I'm such a git. She really should have been in Ravenclaw, then she could be with a guy who's... who's..."

"BORRRRING," said Harry with both hands cupped about his mouth. "You've found a way into her heart, Ron. I should have seen it years ago; I think you're soul mates."

Ron smiled at this looking out across the water. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He reached down and picked up a flat stone to skip it across the lake. He gave it a mighty toss; the stone skipped once then shot across the small pond of water and careened into a modest tree that cracked in two, and fell silently to the ground. Both he and Harry were surprised. "Strange magic, that," said Ron. Harry nodded in agreement.

"It's pure magic, powerful magic, the lifeblood of Hogwarts," said Harry. "With it Tonks and I are going to bring back Sirius."

Harry began to explain the riddle in more detail, and told Ron the full plan he had... Tonks had to set Sirius free. It was easy really; he didn't care anymore what Ron or Hermione thought. Tonks would mix Lucius Malfoy's blood with the magical, purifying water of Hogwarts and they would have a chance to bring back Sirius from behind the curtain. Of course, they might set every other criminal imaginable free too, but Harry would be ready for that. He half expected, half hoped the wizards stepping out would return in the reverse order they entered, much like Voldemort's wand showed the last incantations he cast. If it was the other way around, things might become difficult, but he'd worry about that then.

As for explaining the falls themselves and how he knew about them, that was more a mystery. Not even Harry truly understood what had happened to him the night he lost the scar on his forehead. He understood even less how Ron had been cured of the scars on his back, or why Harry had just emerged without a stitch of clothing.

"At least I'm not a raving lunatic because of the guardian hex that Grigor placed upon me," said Harry. "Or worse; I think he might have killed me to protect his daughter."

"But your arm," asked Ron. "The scar is still there."

"I don't think Grigor did this," answered Harry as they drew close, "I think this appeared because of something Soseh did to protect me the day we first met... something good. And look..." Harry held his arm up and in the growing light of dawn Ron could see that wings had appeared to form the guard of the sword flaring outward between the hilt and the blade from behind the snake's mouth.

"I don't get it," said Ron. "What's happening?"

"Don't you see, Ron?" answered Harry. "The sword and the snake, a vine and wings. They represent the most loved possessions of the founders: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. It's telling me something, Ron; it's telling me that we're close... that Hogwarts is becoming one. That's my true destiny."

"And Draco's scar?" Ron asked. "That's the same as ever."

"No it's not," Harry answered. "It's fading. You may not notice, Ron, but I've been watching. It's getting lighter. If he wants to, he can make it disappear. I've always said it was out of my hands, and in his."

"You know what he'll do with it if it's left to his hands, don't you?" said Ron with a bit of a sneer. "He loves no one but himself, Harry. It's there to stay."

"I thought... maybe after the water, you could learn to forgive."

"It's not a question of forgiveness, Harry. A tiger can't change its..." Ron stopped, looking down at his bare body again, and then back at the water.

"Come on," said Harry, "we'd better go. Gab will kill me if we're much longer."

The two mounted the broom and began to ascend over the trees, the morning sun bright in their faces. As they rose to a height level with the top of the falls, Harry thought he noticed two Centaurs at the water's edge, one with red hair. He turned his broom for a closer look, but there was a snap, and he found himself with Ron in another part of the forest.

"What the..." began Ron.

"We just crossed some sort of protection zone about the falls. You can't get to them during the day without it sending you somewhere you don't want to be. I guess it works both ways." Harry leaned the nose of the Caduceus upward and again they climbed. It was going to be a brilliant day to play Quidditch. With such weather the crowds would be huge, and that meant a better chance for Tonks to slip away. About half-way to the castle, Ron leaned forward to Harry.

"So you and Gabriella were together the other night?" Ron asked innocently.

"Yeah, you wouldn't believe--" Harry stopped himself. "How did you know that we..." his ears reddened.

"Yeah," said Ron, smiling as the castle rose over the treetops in the distance. "I am definitely going to have to try that with Hermione."

Harry gave Ron's gut a firm jab with his elbow, but Ron only laughed.

"I ought to drop you in the middle of the pitch without the cloak and without your wand," said Harry, not meaning a word and with half a snigger. As they drew near the castle, Harry pulled low toward the back of Hagrid's hut and lit to the ground.

"Well, it's breakfast now," said Harry as they watched a few students stepping out to enjoy the morning sun. "I guess Nott and Parkinson will be disappointed."

"Two minds that won't fool me again," said Ron with contempt.

Already down by the lake, Cho Chang and Anthony Goldstein were playing a game Dennis Creevey had invented called Zipper-Pitch. It came to him during the DA meetings and had now become a fairly popular game. Harry even noticed some older wizards playing it in Hogsmeade. Two or more players stand out on the field and cast one or more spells at each other, only the spells don't travel at their normal speed through the air. Instead, they begin traveling slowly, not much faster than a Quaffle falling through the air, toward their intended victim who then deflects it toward his opponent. As time passes, the spell, which resembles a very bright glowing fairy, gathers speed. Eventually, the scene is akin to a Muggle tennis match in hyper-drive. Deflection after deflection, from one wizard to another, the spell gathering speed until finally--

There was a loud "Pop!" down by the lake as Cho missed the deflection. She glowed bright red and suddenly sprouted feathers. Watching with Harry, Ron laughed as did the two Ravenclaws by the lake. Anthony cast the dispelling charm on Cho, and they began to play again.

"She caught that one under the arm," said Ron. "Still, it's good to see she's finally putting on some weight."

"Yeah," said Harry, a bit sullen. "She's gotten loads better since the accident, but I don't think she'll ever be perfect."

"Are any of us, mate?" asked Ron as they hunched under the invisibility cloak, both in bare feet, and made their way up to the front steps.

Inside the castle, they decided to descend to the Slytherin common room. With most students either asleep or at breakfast, the staircases and corridors were essentially empty. Outside the entrance to Slytherin they pulled off the cloak and Harry slipped it into his pack. Ron hesitated, not sure if he was more uncomfortable because he was naked, or because he was entering without his wand. Before he could ask Harry to conjure him up a robe of his own, two familiar voices filled the air. Immediately, Harry slipped out of sight around the corner and hid behind a suit of armor.

"Thank you so much for helping me with that, Hermione," said Gabriella's voice brightly as they walked down the corridor. "I know it was such an imposition, but with the Quidditch match today I didn't think I'd have a chance later to get your help. Everyone knows you're the best in Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class, and with a quiz Monday... well I just wanted to be sure.

"No problem, Gabriella," said Hermione warmly. "Your transformation was wonderful. Just remember to flick you wrist a bit more as you cast the spell; it helps focus the energy."

"Yes, of course," answered Gabriella, the steps of the witches coming closer. "It's a shame we must sit apart at breakfast; I do have so many other questions."

"I heard Dumbledore's considering some sort of change, at lunch at least. Well, I really should be getting back to Gryffindor," said Hermione with a slight change in tone. "There's some, er... things I need to check on. Maybe after we can... Ron?"

"Ron?" asked Gabriella as well.

"Er... hi!" said Ron with a nervous brightness in his voice.

"What in Merlin's name--" started Hermione, but Ron cut her off and answered her question before she could ask. He told her about being striped like a tiger and stuck to the wall, but that the sticking charms didn't hold and he was able to escape.

"And you're just now getting back?" asked Gabriella.

"Well... I've been ducking in and out of alcoves trying not to be seen. That... that takes time."

"Well, I'd tell Snape if I were you," said Hermione angrily, "and I'm definitely telling Professor McGonagall. That's just inexcusable! You're a Prefect!"

"Yeah, I er... need to get some clothes. Can we meet after breakfast?" There was a loud rusing noise and a flash of light.

"Here," said Hermione, "put these on. I'll see you after breakfast." Harry, still hidden from view, heard a kiss. "I just hope I don't see either of those two, or I'll... Argh!" There was the sound of steps trailing away, coupled with the hurried rustling of clothes. After a moment's pause, Gabriella broke the silence.

"And where did the stripes go?" she asked.

"Erm... I vanished them," answered Ron.

"Without a wand?" asked Gabriella. "You sound like... Harry! Harry where are you?"

Harry stepped out from behind the corner, and he watched as a great smile spread across Gabriella's face. They hugged and kissed.

"Did you get it?" she asked. Harry nodded. "And Ron was with you?" Again he nodded. "And the story of the stripes?"

"That was true!" Ron blurted out. "Nott and Parkinson... backstabbin'..." his voice trailed not wanting to cuss in front of Gabriella whose lips tightened.

"She's evil is what she is," said Gabriella. "I can see it in her heart. We'll have to think of something... special for her and her boyfriend; don't you think, Ron?" There was a look in Gabriella's eyes that disquieted Harry, and to his surprise even Ron was a bit taken back. "Come," she said sharply to Ron, "let's get you changed." She gave Harry another kiss. "And that cloak looks hideous on you, Harry." She started toward the Slytherin entrance whispering its password.

"See ya, mate," said Ron as he followed Gabriella into Slytherin house and the door closed behind them.

There was an uneasy feeling in Harry's stomach as he headed back to the Gryffindor common room. He was headed up the first stone staircase when he met Tonks coming down.

"Wotcher, Harry!" she said smiling. "What's with the--"

"Don't ask."

"Well, are you ready to watch the big match today? It should be... and what's with the broom?" Harry looked at the Caduceus in his hand and back at Tonks.

"I got it," was all he said, as he tapped the pack on his shoulder. It was all he needed to say. The smile vanished from Tonks' face as she looked at the pack with grave concern. She knew he told the truth. Immediately, her eyes flashed up and down the staircase, and the concern slipped away as an expression of eager anticipation began to build.

"The best chance we have," she whispered, "will be the night of the full moon."

"Full moon!" exclaimed Harry. "That's nearly three weeks!" Tonks' eyes remained steady and stern. Harry knew that many types of magic were strongest beneath the rays of the full moon. If they wanted to maximize their chances, it only made sense to wait.

"That's just before our match against, Slytherin," he said. "Katie will want us out on the pitch practicing that night, and I want to be with you."

"No," Tonks shook her head, "it's best if you don't--"

"I'm going to be there," Harry interrupted. If it was a ruse to release Voldemort's new army, he wanted to be there to stop it. If it wasn't, he wanted to be there to hold Sirius in his arms.

There was a look of pain on Tonks' face; the expression distorted in waves as if she were unable to center her emotions. Clearly, she didn't want Harry to go, but why? Was Hermione right? Was she under Voldemort's control and now standing in front of him fighting the Imperius Curse as Barty Crouch had done before? Her eyes darted back and forth looking for an answer and when they stopped, Harry knew she'd made up her mind, or perhaps it had been made up for her.

As her eyes had been searching, Harry had held up his broom and the sleeve of his robe had fallen down to reveal the mark beneath. It was there Tonks fixed her eyes, and it was there where her decision was made.

"Of course, Harry," she whispered. "You're right. You should be there; you need to be there... I'm sure Gabriella would want it that way."