Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Caduceus

Story Summary:
Sirius has died, and as Harry struggles with his guilt, new neighbors move in across the street on Privet Drive. But this foreign family from the Middle East has a very beautiful daughter, and she's taken a liking to Harry. But just as Harry must hide his own true identity, so too are the secrets that run deep within the Darbinyan family - secrets of death, secrets of life, secrets that will unwittingly guide Harry to rebirth, and the ultimate discovery of how Voldemort must be defeated.

Chapter 72 - The Razor's Edge

Chapter Summary:
What does it take for the must upright citizen to fall into darkness? What's the fine line that separates good from evil? For all of us, it is the razor's edge.
Posted:
06/21/2006
Hits:
2,275
Author's Note:
Thanks Em for a great beta job. No. This is NOT the last chapter.


Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Chapter 72 - The Razor's Edge

~~~***~~~

For a moment, it felt as if all the sound had been sucked out of the common room. The Gryffindor revelers faded to a distant murmur, no more noticeable than the rustling of leaves from a gentle breeze. It was replaced, however, by the steady and ever growing pounding of Harry's heart: thump-thump, thump-thump. The drum beat was slow at first, but filled his ears, and then the pace quickened, its hammering strike pulsating behind Harry's eyes. He watched the genuine concern fill Gabriella's face as she continued to explain something that he couldn't hear. What she had said was already sufficient: Ron had discovered that it was Pansy behind his and Hermione's attack in Germany, and now he would extract his revenge. He saw Hermione listening intently to Gabriella's words, and noted the reddening of her neck as the anger swelled within her. If Ron hadn't been able to stop the attackers, there was no telling how far Pansy would have let the attackers go. Murder? Rape? Perhaps it was his walk among the dead, but Harry suddenly felt the approach of someone's death rushing toward him and wondered if Ron would really--

"NO!" cried Hermione, holding her hand over her mouth as her eyes grew wide. The outburst turned quite a few heads in the Gryffindor common room, but did not have much impact on the end of term celebration. The crowd was already loud and didn't pay Hermione too much attention, but the yell did bring Harry back among the living. Her hand began to tremble as it covered her lips, her emotions swinging somewhere between fear and anger.

"Are... are you sure?" Harry asked Gabriella, but then like Dumbledore had told Firenze the week before he added, "Of course you are. Come on then; let's find him." Harry, Hermione and Gabriella started out the portrait of the Fat Lady when Ginny asked what was wrong. When they told her she insisted on coming along.

By the time the four made it to the staircases, Hermione's emotions were past the initial shock and her thoughts continued to split between concern over what Ron might do to Pansy Parkinson and her now growing hatred of the Slytherin.

"I'll bet Nott had something to do with it too," she whispered as they waited for the staircase to slide into position. Her teeth began to grind together and her fists clenched.

"I doubt it," said Ginny. "They didn't get together until Christmas." But Hermione ignored her.

"I'd like to know where he spent his summer vacation," steamed Hermione. Harry watched as the anger began to grow in his friend. He had never seen her so angry, nearly out of control. Her concern for Ron diminished, while her anger of Nott and Parkinson grew by the minute. They continued to march down the virtually deserted staircases toward the dungeons.

What is it, he wondered, that lies in the hearts of wizards and witches that distinguishes good from bad, the redeemable from the condemned? Gabriella had always told Harry he had a sensitive heart. Was he born with it? Everyone who knew of Harry's life with the Dursleys was amazed that he didn't turn out bitter and spiteful.

"He must have been there with her," Hermione muttered as they turned down another flight of stairs. "Two green peas in a pod."

Draco, born of wealth and privilege, played by a different set of rules, rules that Harry could never come to terms with. And yet, in the end, Draco risked his own life to save those of Harry and his friends. Harry contemplated which Draco Malfoy would appear if the two should chance to meet again. His heart hoped that the meeting would take place, but his mind was unsure if that reunion would be wise.

"They're both venomous is what they are," said Hermione more firmly, fiddling with her wand as the stairs locked into place with a loud crunch and the four hopped off. "Pure evil."

Ron had grown up poor but had a loving and supportive family. Unfortunately, this year Harry had seen shades to his personality he never knew existed. Yes, it was Pansy that held three men under her Imperius Curse. They attacked Hermione, and two of them were black. But it was Ron who allowed his thoughts and judgments to become clouded by that one event, however traumatic, and he used it to apply indictments against all people of colour, even his own friend Dean Thomas. If Ron had been black would he have used the same logic to conclude that since one of the attackers was white the whole race should be condemned?

"They were going to have them rape me," said Hermione through gritted teeth as they reached the bottom floor, passed the celebration in the Great Hall, and headed toward the dungeons. They briskly walked by the grand castle entrance as Hermione squeezed Harry's arm hard and said, "They would have stood in the shadows and watched us die!"

Six years had past since Harry, Hermione and Ron had walked through those same front doors of Hogwarts. Back then he had no good reason to despise all of Slytherin, but in all their years at Hogwarts the three of them had been spiteful against everyone that wore green robes. Greg Goyle had changed all that, and Ron, having spent the last term in Slytherin, was now the first to admit that they weren't all the same, and in fact the ones he'd grown to know were down right decent. He'd gone so far as to invite Blaise to the Burrow over the summer. Now, all that was about to unravel. Ron was about to cross the precipice into darkness. Harry could feel the cold breath of death whispering its name.

"Maybe Ron's right," said Hermione with narrowed eyes. They turned to enter the staircase down to the dungeons. "Maybe they both should--" she slipped and had to grab Harry's arm to keep from falling. The light was dim, but when they looked down, clearly visible was a pool of what looked like blood. "He did it," whispered Hermione just as Ginny gasped; there was an odor of decay. Hermione pulled her wand for more light just as a voice startled everyone from behind.

"What did you do to her?!" Nott screamed, running fast and furious from the direction of the Great Hall. "Where's Weasels!"

"Nott, wait!" called Harry, but Nott would not wait. His eyes were on fire, his mind furious, and he reached for his wand. He never had a chance.

"Écraser!" cried Hermione, a ring of fury in her own voice reverberated off the small stone stairway. A tremendous blast of fiery orange light erupted from her wand and the spell literally lifted Nott up off the floor, flung him against the wall, and began to crush him into the stone. Now Harry knew where Ginny had learned to bang Goyle around in the Gryffindor common room.

"You'll never..." Hermione began, pulling him slightly away from the wall and slamming him back into the stone. There was a series of sickening snaps as more than one bone broke. Harry was reminded of the effect his Patronus had on the Dementors outside the Gryffindor common room. He touched Hermione's arm, but he ignored him.

"...hurt anyone..." Hermione pulled back and slammed him once again as another bone cracked and then another. Blood began to seep from his lips.

"...again!" Once more, she pulled Nott back to slam him against the wall, but Harry forcibly grabbed her arm.

"Stop Hermione!" cried out Ginny just as Gabriella grabbed Hermione's wand. Together, the three broke Hermione's spell. Unconscious, Nott collapsed to the floor, and it took Hermione a moment to realize what she had done. Nott's arms and legs turned in a variety of unnatural ways.

"Oh no," she whispered running to Nott's side.

"Harry," said Gabriella urgently, "find Ron; find out what he's done to her; maybe there's still time. I'll take care of Ted." She ran over to join Hermione at the side of Nott's lifeless body, returned Hermione's wand, and the two began to heal the broken bones in Nott's twisted limp form, at least enough to get him upstairs to the hospital wing without further injury.

For a moment Harry hesitated, but when Ginny lit her wand and he saw the bloody footsteps leading down and around the corner, his decision was made. The two ran headlong into the dungeons. They were nearly to the Slytherin common room when they saw Ron; the scene was gruesome. His hair and robes were drenched, dripping to the floor. His hands were down at his sides, held slightly away from his body, and he was walking as if he couldn't bear to have his soaked robes touch his skin. Worse, he was angrily talking to himself.

"Gutted like a fish! I'll gut him next!" they heard him mutter as he approached the common room door. He was still trembling with rage, and they called his name from down the hall.

"Ron!"

He stopped, and slowly turned his whole body around to see who it was. Dark streaks ran down his hair and into his face. He couldn't see well and, still trembling, blindly held up his wand.

"Who's there?" he called. "Ginny?"

Ginny ran to him first, but stopped short only a few feet away.

"That smell," she gasped, "it's you! You smell of death! Oh Ron, why?"

Harry caught up, and gasped as well. The stench was awful, but he did not feel death's presence here. That was left in a heap a few flights above. Still, he had to ask.

"You didn't gut--"

"I will! I swear I will!" snapped Ron. "When I can get my hands around him!"

"Poor Pansy! The smell of death!" Ginny began to cry.

"Him? Him who?" asked Harry.

"Peeves!" yelled Ron exasperated. "He dumped last week's fish guts on me the bloody prat." Still shaking from the cold, Ron slipped his wand away and tried to wipe the muck from his face. "Tell me how you stuck him in that mirror again Harry; I want to have a go! And flood him to the brim with this crap!"

"What?" asked Ginny, surprised. "But... where's Pansy?"

"Ah... so, Gabriella told you?"

"What did you do to her?!" yelled Ginny.

Ron's eyes narrowed into gleeful evil slits as the gook dribbled down his face. A cruel smile creased his lips.

"I dealt with her like no one else would, like no one else could. Brilliant, really. I told her that her precious Teddy was in the anti-chamber off the Great Hall. I had to get her alone, see." His eyes grew distant for a minute. "She's probably still in there if nobody's found her."

"Ron," said Harry slowly. "Is she okay?"

"Let me get these guts off me and--"

Both Harry and Ginny raised their wands and in a flash of light they Scourgified Ron and his robes so that they sparkled.

"Oh, yeah," Ron said sheepishly for forgetting the spell.

"Come on," said Harry. "Show us."

"Maybe it's not too late," added Ginny.

"Oh, if someone's found her... it's too late." Ron smiled. "We can only hope."

"Nott found her," said Harry as they rounded back up the stairs. "He came to attack you, but Hermione--" They stopped at the wall where the Slytherin had been crushed. Nott, Hermione and Gabriella were gone, but there on the floor was a real pool of human blood.

"A girl from Beauxbatons taught her that spell," said Ginny. "I saw them practicing together, crushing apples to make homemade applesauce."

"She made applesauce out of Nott?" said Ron excitedly. "Bloody, brilliant!" Ginny shot him a scathing glare, just as Harry shivered, feeling the cold whisper Nott's name.

Together, they ran passed the castle entrance and were about halfway to the Great Hall when they heard an uproar of laughter followed by a deep scolding voice. When they came to the entrance they found Pansy in the middle of the hall looking quite well.

"Praise Merlin!" whispered Ginny, leaning her head against Harry's shoulder.

Pansy was seated with a group of Slytherins and next to her, in black robes, stood Professor Snape. He was one of three professors overseeing the celebrations of the mostly younger students in the Great Hall. The first and second years has something of a dance going. In one corner, part of the floor had been cleared so that a group of about five students could play music and sing for the others. The singing stopped when Professor Snape raised his voice again.

"Ms. Parkinson," said Snape sharply. "You will watch your mouth!"

"Yes, sir," Pansy replied. Her face flushed red and her expression was a mixture of fury, fear and frustration.

"Very good," said Snape, seemingly relieved. "You said you were hexed, or cursed, or something. Who did it?"

"I think you're an arse! I know I am," Pansy blurted. She tried to cover her mouth, but the words flowed out clearly. "I used the Imperius Curse this summer."

Snickers, gasps, and laughter fluttered through the Great Hall. Agitated, Professor Flitwick walked over.

"Severus," squeaked the professor, "I would think your students would have better control of their mouths." He stood next to Pansy and patted her hand. "There, there, girl," he said kindly. "Everything is going to be just fine."

"Thank you, professor," Pansy answered weakly. "I'm really not myself. I think I should go to bed."

"Yes, my dear," said Professor Flitwick, "what seems to be the matter?"

"I think you're an arse! I know I am," Pansy blurted again. This time she tried to squeeze her head but still her words reverberated about the hall. "I used the Imperius Curse this summer."

"Oh my goodness," shot Professor Flitwick. "Severus, do you know anything about this? Could it be true?"

"I'm not sure," replied Snape. "Something's at work here, but I can't tell what it is. I'll take her to the hospital wing and we can learn more. Ms. Parkinson, will you join me?"

"I think you're an arse! I know I am." She buried her head in her robes and let out a muffled, "I used the Imperius Curse this summer." The whole room was astonished, snickering at the brazen words.

Snape escorted Pansy out past Harry, Hermione and Ron who were still standing at the entrance to the Great Hall. When Pansy saw Ron her eyes flamed in fury and she raised her hand pointing her finger at him.

"Professor Snape!" Pansy cried, but Ron cut in. "It's--"

"What's the matter Pansy?" Ron asked with a false look of concern.

"I think you're an arse!" she blurted immediately. "I know I am."

Exasperated, Professor Snape pulled his wand and used a silencing charm. Pansy silently mouthed, "I used the Imperius Curse this summer!" She kept pointing at Ron, trying to say something but, silenced, simply clenched her hands in tight balls at her side and continued up the stairs to the hospital ward.

"What's wrong with her?" asked Ginny.

"You should ask her!" Ron said with a laugh. "I planted a suggestion in her mind. Every time she hears a question, she responds with the same phrase. I was hoping she'd stay asleep until breakfast tomorrow, but I guess Nott found her." Ginny looked confused; she was expecting death, not a prank. Ron just smiled.

"Gin, I'm not sure how, but this year I learned that sometimes there are other ways than vengeance to show someone the error of their ways. Sometimes it's forgiveness. Sometimes a little cunning is all it takes."

"Salazar would have been proud," said Harry. "Pretty soon, Ron, you'll be speaking in parseltongue." Ron hissed and smiled just as Harry heard Nott's name whispered in his ear.

"Look," Harry continued, "we'd better follow them to the hospital wing. Nott looked pretty bad, and I don't know what Hermione would do if... well, let's go."

The three made sure that Parkinson and Snape had a good head start before they too made their way up to the hospital wing.

"So," asked Ron, "what did she really do? He's really not applesauce, is he?" His voice was eager with anticipation, but when they finished telling him the story he was a bit shaken. "I remember when she punched Malfoy. I never figured she'd crush the life out of someone."

"Well, that's what Gabriella thought you were going to do to Pansy," said Ginny. "She said you were going to kill her." It took Ron a few minutes to answer this, and Harry wasn't sure what he'd say. His mind had flashed back to the time Harry and Dean had carried Draco up these same stairs after the Dementors attacked Hogsmeade; it seemed like a lifetime ago.

"Well," said Ron, "I couldn't could I? I mean, I wanted to hurt her the same way she hurt Hermione, but..." he stopped near the top of the stairs and took a long breath, looking at Harry. "It's not about the oath, it's... well that would make me like her, wouldn't it?" He turned and started up the stairs in his green robes. "Not all Slytherins are evil gits."

They came up to the entrance to the hospital wing just as Hermione and Gabriella exited. Hermione was pale and was leaning on Gabriella for support; it was clear she had been crying. When she saw Ron, she ran into his arms, held him tight, and broke down into tears again.

"It's okay," he offered, but the words only made Hermione cry harder as she shook her head into his robes. Gabriella walked over to Harry and slid her arm around him. There was a sadness about her and he kissed her cheek.

"Pansy looked fine," Gabriella said. "What was the blood?"

"Peeves dumped last week's fish guts on Ron," answered Harry quietly. "He was headed to the dungeons to clean up. All Ron did to Pansy was plant some sort of mental suggestion."

"Is Nott going to be alright?" Ginny whispered as she stepped over to Harry and Gabriella, but Gabriella's face was grim.

"They've called for his aunt," Gabriella whispered back.

"I know his dad died at the Burrow," said Ginny, "but surely his mother--"

"She killed herself last night," cut in Gabriella. Ginny sucked in a short burst of air in a high pitch.

"He never said," she whispered. "No wonder he was so... so..."

"How is he?" asked Harry again. Gabriella's face darkened and she hung her head, shaking it.

"Ron, they've taken my wand," Hermione said loudly still weeping. "He's going to die."

Suddenly, Gabriella's whole posture changed. She went rigid and gripped Harry's arm tightly. She raised her face and when her black eyes met his, there was a distinct twinkle.

"Don't be silly," she said brightly. Everyone turned thinking her words cold and heartless. Everyone that is, but Harry. Harry didn't need to be asked; he didn't need to be told. There wasn't much time, so he kissed Gabriella briskly on the lips and ran as fast as he could.

"You're brilliant!" he yelled over his shoulder, running toward the stairs. "Have I ever told you?"

He passed student after student, each asking if he knew what had happened to Parkinson and Nott, but he ignored them all. Climbing the staircases two at a time, he passed Dean who was frantically looking for Ginny. Harry barely got off "hospital" in one gasp as he jumped to the next staircase. Dean tore off like a rocket.

When Harry burst into the Gryffindor common room, it was still in full celebration. Everyone was oblivious to the drama unfolding, and when he exploded into the boys' dormitory he completely ignored the fact the there were Hufflepuff robes lying on the floor outside Neville's curtain covered bed.

He ran to his trunk and pulled out the Heart of Asha, levitated it into the air, and blasted it with fire. Ignoring the shriek behind him, he cut his hand and let the blood fall freely onto the glowing cinnabar... and then he took hold.

x-*o*o*-x

The full moon was barely visible, sandwiched between the horizon and the dull gray layer of clouds that reached out in every direction. Finally, as everyone packed their bags for the return home, it dipped from view. Rain had threatened nearly everyday over the last week, but not a drop had fallen. The grass surrounding the castle, which was usually so lush, had a slight golden tint to it. Harry closed the window in the boys' dormitory and finished tying the laces on his trainers. Peter Walreux was exchanging addresses with Neville, Dean was helping Seamus take his things down the stairs to the waiting carriages, and Theodore Nott sat on his own bed glaring at Harry to hurry up.

Harry, thoroughly accustomed to the fuming glare by now, climbed up on his bed and carefully removed the portrait of him and Gabriella. The painting's sunset was as brilliant as ever, and the two smiled brightly into each other's eyes. For a moment he considered how the portrait might look in Grimmauld Place after his seventeenth birthday. Smiling warmly, he carefully set it in his trunk, shut the lid and sealed the lock with his wand. With some effort he started maneuvering it toward the stairs.

"If you think I'm going to help you with that, Potter," said Nott with a sneer, "you're dead wrong."

"Really, Ted," said Harry lightly, "you're going to have to stop saying the "D" word. It's become a bit tiring."

"Yeah?" said Nott. "Well... well you'll be tired too... when you're dead!"

Harry just rolled his eyes to the ceiling, levitated his trunk with his wand, and made his way down the staircase. To the vexation of both students, Professor Dumbledore decided that Theodore Nott move in to Gryffindor with Harry and his mates... something about powerful magic that neither of them understood when the Headmaster explained it to them in his office a week ago, and something they didn't care to try to understand after Harry and Seamus first shoved another bed into the corner of their dormitory.

"Bloody insane," muttered Seamus, as Nott stood with arms crossed and scowled, refusing to lift a finger.

AT least, Harry figured, it was safer for Ron, since Nott might have rallied support for some sort of revenge. If he tried anything in Gryffindor, he would be pounced on instantly. As it was, aside from the Slytherin's constant complaints and incessant threats, nothing had happened. The final uneventful week at Hogwarts had been spent planning career decisions and next year's courses.

There was, perhaps, a second reason behind Dumbledore's madness to place Nott in Gryffindor for the final week of the year. It forced Hermione to see the person she nearly killed at every meal for seven days straight. Harry, however, was tired of her constantly asking how Nott was, and this final morning of the school year was no different as the two descended the staircase. They were again running late; nearly everyone had left, and she sat alone by the fire, Crookshanks circling her legs. In her hands, she was playing with some sort of small floating black object and, when she saw them descend, she quickly slipped it back into her robes.

"Good morning, Ted," she called with a smile. "How are you feel--"

"I'm fine, Granger," he snapped back. "The sooner I'm done with this stink-pit the better!"

"I don't know, Ted," said Harry dryly. "I heard Dumbledore tell Snape that he thought you should spend all next year here."

"He wouldn't!" cried Nott in a panic.

"No... no he wouldn't," said a stiff, proper voice from around the corner; it was Professor McGonagall. "Although, if I hear my house referred to in that manner again, I might consider recommending it. Come with me, Mr. Nott; I'll escort you down to see the Headmaster. We need to discuss your request to meet with Ms. Parkinson while she is being held at the Ministry for questioning; Professor Dumbledore has a few final questions of his own for you." They started out the portrait of the Fat Lady. "I'm afraid your visit won't be possible."

"Why not?" barked Nott. "She hasn't done..." and the portrait shut closed leaving Harry and Hermione alone in the common room.

Harry stood near the portrait, his trunk still floating in the air. There were no other living souls in Gryffindor House, but Hermione still stared blankly at the flickering flames. Crookshanks looked up at her and gave a soft meow.

"I guess we're last," said Harry quietly, but Hermione continued to hold her eyes fixed, her bushy hair hiding her face from Harry's view. He knew she was upset; she'd been holding it in all week and he decided to search for something positive to say.

"I bet when we walk through these doors next year, you'll be Head Girl."

It was the straw that broke the camel's back. Hermione dropped her face into her hands and a torrent of emotion poured forth. Harry set his trunk down and was at her side in an instant. Crying deep heaving sobs, Hermione cringed away when he offered comfort.

"Don't!" she whimpered. "I don't deserve it."

"What do you mean?" he asked, but she continued to cry. Finally, she stopped but still wouldn't look into his eyes.

"I ruined everything," said Hermione. "I was a beast to you. I was a beast to Tonks. I don't know how Ron can stand the sight of me!" She was trying hard not to sob any more, and even though she pushed him once again, Harry put his arm about her shoulder. She looked at him and said, "I'm going home to mum and dad, and they're going to ask how the year was... and they're going to... going to... ask..." Again Hermione broke down crying.

"Haven't you told them about Nott?"

"N-N-Noooo," cried Hermione. "How... how can I t-tell them I k-kill-... ohhh...."

"You didn't kill anybody," Harry said emphatically.

"D-don't you remember what Tonks said?" Hermione said, more strongly this time. She was beginning to get mad at herself. "When we find we must turn to evil to fight evil, we will have lost the war." She turned and held Harry's hand, tears still dripping off her cheeks.

"Harry, you defeated Voldemort and... and all I've done is resurrected his spirit, his hate." Harry sighed, shaking his head, lifted her up off the couch and gave her a hug. Then he looked deeply into her eyes.

"Hermione, there is so much love inside of you, all the hate got smashed out years ago. There's none left! Merlin, you care so much about... well everyone and everything. You just lost your temper, that's all. It's the razor's edge we each walk every day. If it happens again... next time... you'll know which way to fall."

Hermione looked up at him wishing it was true, hoping it was true, and then believing it was true. She gave a small smile and hugged Harry again.

"Come on," he said. "They'll leave without us if we don't hurry, and if that happens I know someone else who will lose her temper and it won't be pretty."

Together they walked hurriedly down the staircases, levitating their trunks in front of them; Crookshanks padded behind. The castle was deserted. Harry figured everyone was outside, loaded into the carriages and ready to go; he and Hermione only had a few more minutes, if that. They were nearly to the front doors when a familiar voice sneered from behind. It was Theodore Nott. Evidently, he'd finished his interview with Professor Dumbledore and had been waiting patiently for them to come down, hiding behind a large plant.

"I'm SO glad you've chosen to come alone," he taunted. His wand was drawn, while both Harry and Hermione's were occupied with their trunks. "Just a little payback," he growled. "You owe me... you both owe me!" But before another word left his mouth, the corridor flashed white and Nott yelped.

The sound was somewhere between pain and the bark of a dog, and the tone of his voice surprised even Nott. He went to say something and another yelp sputtered forth, this time distinctly doglike. Before you could say, "Here Skippy!" a tale pushed itself out of his robes and long whiskers began to sprout from his nose. Nott flicked his wand to cast a spell, and this time his voice erupted in a bark -- nothing happened. Clearly, he was turning into a poorly pedigreed canine of some sort.

"Er, Ted," said Harry calmly, "you'd better see Madame Pomfrey before you get fleas and she won't let you in." A look of horror spread across Nott's furry face. Crookshanks hissed at him and he ran upstairs as fast as he could, wagging his tail behind him. Harry and Hermione simply laughed. Harry looked around to see who cast the spell.

"Gab? Ron?" he called. To his surprise a small blonde haired first year in Gryffindor robes stepped out from behind a suit of armor. It was Patrick O'Riley.

"Patrick!" said Harry in astonishment. "You did that?" Patrick looked very distraught.

"I saw him lurkin' 'bout after he left the Headmaster's office," said Patrick, sliding his wand away. "I knew what he was after, so I figured I'd wait an' see." Discouraged, Patrick looked down at the floor. "He was supposed teh turn inteh a dog straight away."

"Are you kidding?" said Hermione with a smile. "That was tremendous magic! Truly spectacular!" Hearing those words from his fellow Gryffindor, none other than Hermione Granger, Patrick's eyes lit up and a white smile spread across his young face.

"Well," said Pat, "Harry and I, we made a pact, see. Teh look out fer each other's back an' all. Harry wipes out You-Know-Who an' well... the least I could do was teh return the favor. Right, Harry?" The Boy-Who-Lived was just beaming.

"That's right, Patrick!" Together the three started out the castle doors. Harry put his arm about Patrick. "We orphans have to stick together, eh mate? A special, secret bond."

"We all need to stick together," whispered Hermione. She pulled a small black ball from her pocket and considered it for a moment. Then she turned to the first year. "Here, Patrick," she said. "Do you think you can keep this safe until next year?"

Harry recognized it at once; it was the black Snitch that Terrence Tellman had given Cho when she joined Harry and Ron to watch them practice with the Magpies. He wasn't sure how it made its way into Hermione's hands, but figured it had been passed around a bit. Harry knew someone who would be very keen about the Magpies and he smiled seeing his friend in red hair wave madly at him to hurry up. Seated next to him was a beautiful black haired girl with similar irritation in her eyes.

"You better keep that safe, Patrick," encouraged Harry. "It's a Hogwarts treasure. The Magpies lost a couple players to Azkaban this year; there'll never be another ball like that one you're holding in your hand."

"Brilliant!" Patrick grinned.

"In fact," continued Harry, "the team will be hurting for new players. I bet this time next year I can get you at least one new signature on that Snitch."

"You think?" said Patrick eagerly. "That'd be great!" He took the black orb and gently placed the precious object in his pocket. "Thanks, Hermione." It was the happiest Hermione had felt all week.

As they walked along the row of waiting carriages, Patrick climbed into the one with James Chang and immediately showed him his newly acquired treasure. Harry smiled, hearing the two first years of off about Quidditch. He and Hermione joined Ron and Gabriella, and a moment later the Threstral driven carriages were on their way to the train in Hogsmeade.

"Like I said," Harry whispered in Hermione's ear. "You've got nothing but love." Hermione smiled and leaned over to Harry.

"So," she whispered quietly into Harry's ear, "will you watch my back when I tell Ron I just handed the Magpie's Snitch to Patrick?" Ron stiffened.

"YOU WHAT!?"


Two more to go!