Soul Searching

Soul Searching

I went to the Garden of Love,

And saw what I never had seen:

A Chapel was built in the midst,

Where I used to play on the green.

And I saw it was filled with graves,

And tombstones where flowers should be:

And Priests in black gowns, were walking their rounds,

And binding with briars, my joys & desires. -

William Blake, The Garden of Love

His eyes opened. The objects that Harry knew so well when cast in daylight had become disfigured and unfamiliar, daunting objects when cast in silhouette, as he looked around the Gryffindor Dormitory. It was extremely quiet - tranquil, rather, except for the sudden rolls and shifts from the others in deep sleep; but in their movements he found comfort. Somewhere far away outside, bells began to ring, faintly, but still distinct enough for Harry to distinguish 3 subdued vibrations of the bells. Harry brushed aside the long scarlet drapes at the window, and gazed out onto undulating sweeps of hills and woods that grew to the dip where they met the horizon. The moon was fully mature and the dew sparkled on the blowing Quidditch Ground grass, and the early morning mist made his vision opaque and his senses distorted: a disorientation that came from the argument that a moon should dictate night, and light should the same of morning. It was that awkward time, twilight, which so many characters in stories before this one, and doubtless after it, are plunged into a state that consumes Thought, imbues Common Sense and plays Emotions on a rusted harp. Perhaps these feelings are always there; humans are well known for going to restaurants in the hope of evoking romance, jumping from great heights just to indulge in adrenaline, to touch, and to kiss, all in the hope that they can feel. But the mornings like this one have no such accessories; they have a certain clarity that comes with human and nature interaction, and the affinity in which they profess, where the chinks of champagne glasses and the grip of the rope have no place. Not where there is raw, unbridled passion, to which two youths like so many others are destined to fall victim...

Knowing that trying to go to sleep only made it harder to sleep, Harry put on his dressing gown and glasses and groped around on the table for his wand.

He took off down the corridors, ensuring Mrs Norris or Nearly Headless Nick did not spot him lest he be severely punished.

Outside, the air was fresh and cool on his face, and the wind blew the grass around his ankles, leaving muddy watermarks on his skin. He began to advance further out, although where he was going only his shoes decided, for he had no pre-planned destination. A hand firmly gripped his shoulder, and Harry was momentarily forced back; he reached for his wand as he turned to attack with a new protection spell he learned.

"Whoa, Harry it's me!" Hermione raised her hands in surrender. She was dressed in a long sleeveless white silk nightdress, which billowed around her legs and her long curly brown hair flapped around her shoulders. Harry stared into her huge dark eyes that twinkled brightly, and reflected all the tones and the shades of the night.

"Hermione! You were almost a slug!"

"Excuse me!!??"

"I mean a new spell, "answered Harry. "I learned it a few days ago, I can only work it when I'm outside under the moon - it turns the opponent into a slug. Why didn't you say anything! And what are you doing here!? Did anybody see you!?"

"'Hello' to you too," complained Hermione. "I didn't want to risk shouting out your name, in case somebody heard us from inside the school - we aren't that far away yet. And secondly I came to follow you, and thirdly I hardly think you can ask if anybody saw me, seen as anybody could have heard you from the racket you made coming out the common-room - that's why I followed you. Anyway, why are you out here at this time?"

"I just fancied a stroll I suppose. I've been feeling that way lately you know, just enjoying myself and doing my own thing." Harry looked at Hermione; he realised how the moon made her skin achieve a radiant translucent quality, and her eyes were deep and soulful. "I've been feeling lots of things lately" said Harry, averting his eyes away from Hermione.

"Well let's be off then, I rather fancy a stroll myself. It's a bit scary out here tonight...I hope you don't mind if...well I was wondering if I could...um..." Hermione grabbed Harry's hand, and clenched it tight. "I feel safer like this." Harry smiled.

They walked out through the field of grass, hand in hand, making sure they dodged the path of mud and wet sand; this way, they would not leave impressions of their shoes in the mud, which would reveal in the morning. They walked out through fields and wasteland, and wandered through a huge wood, full of apple and plum trees and other weird foliage and flowers. Harry brushed away parts of branches and broke off pieces of twigs and leaves that blocked their view and obstructed their path. Normally, Hermione would be opposed to them wondering into unknown territory, although the excitement, in their own pace and verve as they began to walk quicker and quicker, overcame her, and she said nothing. Harry began to run faster and faster, and Hermione had to struggle to keep hold of his hand. Just as Hermione was about to ask where they were going, Harry swept aside a huge sheet of foliage, revealing the most beautiful, picturesque scene either had ever seen.

They had stumbled onto a forgotten clearing, thriving in wild flowers such as daises and cornflowers and dandelions and other flowers such as roses and lilies and tulips which flanked the banks of a huge lake, cast in moonlight to show streaks of pure white light, swiftly moving over the ripples and waves. Pure white shafts of moonlight shone down, showing all the radiant dust in the air that seemed to dance in the light, and came down onto a huge rock, shaped like a sofa, with a flat plane for a seat, and ornate legs. They could smell a potent scent from the herbs of mint and lavender in the air, and fireflies buzzed in and out of the scene, leaving wisps of aluminous glowing light in the air behind them. Hermione clasped her hand over her mouth in shock. Harry gave a gentle tug to her, and they came into the focus of the moonlight in the clearing. They sat down on the rock, concealed from the arching roof of leaves from the trees, but able to see each other clearly from the light.

"Well...this is lovely - such a lovely place here. I doubt that we would be able to come back here though, they wouldn't allow it." Hermione said, looking around the wood in awe.

"Oh damn them back there. I mean, I love most of them, but they can be such prudes sometimes. I'll be 16 next week, they can't keep us under lock and key forever. We're growing up." Harry edged a little closer to Hermione, and stared at her a while. She looked back. "We've been friends a good while now haven't we Herm'... (Harry often called her "herm'". At first she denied any response to it, designating it as "male dominance through language", but she grew to it, finding it quite endearing and knew it was said with the utmost respect from Harry.) I mean, really good friends. And sometimes...sometimes -" Harry broke off what he said, and plucked a tulip from the grass beside him, and placed it in the cup of her palms. She blushed and looked up at him, smiling.

"Sometimes, " he continued "I just wish I could touch you and hold you...I hope I'm not wigging you out, because if I am just tell me I have this tendency to do that, ever since I was a child, it must be something in me I don't know -" Hermione put a finger over his lips, and got up and sat over his legs, and began to stroke the shoulders of his strong, bare arms and massaged his neck. "I know what you mean, " she replied. She slowly moved forward towards his face, to claim that curve on his lips that she knew was hers and only hers. Although it was not to be; not yet. A sudden ripple of water from the lake caused them to jump, as a few fish had been startled by something. They began to hear faint voices from people, drawing closer and louder.

"What was that?! Who is it?" Hermione whispered to Harry, as she stood up and searched around.

"Well we don't have time to run - we'll just have to hide behind those bushes over there and hope that who, or whatever it is doesn't come this way, " Harry decided. They waited behind the bushes, just before three cloaked figures appeared in the clearing, their cowls concealing their faces. All that could be seen was that there were two fairly big ones, an extremely tall and stout one, and one smaller one. Into the light came two other figures, which Hermione and Harry both recognised clearly: the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, and Gryffindor Head, Minerva McGonagall. Harry could tell that each of the figures standing in the clearing were uneasy; the whole thing was obviously meant to be secret, and kept clandestine, far away from those walls with ears at Hogwarts.

"...So I hope that your wise judgement and knowledge will ensure my daughter is kept extremely safe, especially at this time in the proceedings. The time draws closer. If your reputation is true, Sir, I can safely say I have my full trust in you." The taller of the cloaked figures spoke with an eloquent, booming voice.

"Thank you. You needn't worry, she'll be perfectly comfortable at Hogwarts, and she'll be under full supervision at all times, " replied Dumbledore.

"I hope you can respect our desire for it all to be kept secret - if she is taken away now and the ritual is performed, all Hell will break loose. But I also understand that my daughter is anxious about the new school. I ask that you make any excuses pertaining to the whole affair; I put my daughter's safety, albeit the safety of the world, in yours and Hogwarts' hands, Albus, trusted friend." Dumbledore bowed to the cloaked figures, and McGonagall copied his actions.

"Goodbye Albus and Minerva, "said the figures, as they kissed the smallest of the cloaked group. The two cloaked figures formed into a solid structure that emitted a pure green light, which transformed into two dazzling wisps like Catherine Wheels and then burst into thousands of particles. Then, Dumbledore and Minerva took hold of the remaining cloaked figure, and guided her towards the school, the taller of the cloaked figure's head cocking uneasily from side to side as he followed behind.

A while after they had left, Harry and Hermione came out from the bushes.

"What was all that about?" whispered Hermione.

"I've no idea. All I could make from it was that some girl has transferred to Hogwarts, for some serious reason. I think that Dumbledore has to protect her or something. Anyways, it must be big, I happen to think we've found some official secret meeting ground here, Herm'. "

"In which case we'd better get back quick - if it is as big a deal as you say, surely they'll be checking the school grounds for any spies or suspicious goings on or whatever. You know how careful Dumbledore likes to be " said Hermione rapidly.

"Come on, we'd better run!" Harry grabbed Hermione's arm, and started towards the flatted reeds and broken twigs which gave them a clear path. They ran faster and faster, through puddles of mud and slime; the hem on Hermione's nightdress was cased in thick drying mud, weighing her down. They made sure they stayed well clear from the direction of the Forbidden Forest, as the dangers that may unfold there could be dire. As they drew closer to the apple orchard, Hermione slipped on the remains of a mashed apple core, and fell over. The result of her ankle scraping over a boulder caused it to sprain badly, and she was rendered unable to walk, let alone run. Harry was in despair, knowing that Dumbledore would surely be looking out for any spies. He put his arms level underneath her back, and scooped her up in his arms. Her head hung limply over one of his arms, while her legs rested over the other. Harry began to run, faster and faster. Although he was much slower this way, the many Quidditch matches over the years had exercised his arm and leg muscles, and he found it fairly easy to lift her and run with her than he expected. Relief came to his heart when he could see the entrance to the school, the shady winged boars staring down at him from the distance. He ran up to the entrance, and went inside. He took one look outside for the teachers and the mysterious girl. Nothing. He ran up the huge marble stairs, the hard surface made his tired feet sore from the pressure but he made sure he was light on his toes, in case anyone was on patrol.

When Harry arrived back in the Gryffindor Boy's Dormitory, he placed Hermione on his bedspread. She was fairly ill; her head was partly bruised, and her ankle was sore from the fall. He wrapped her up in the velvety counterpane, and placed a few pillows and bolsters around her head for support. Then he undressed himself, leaving his vest and pants, and got into the bed also. He tried to keep his eyes locked to the ceiling, but the compulsion of her potent fragrance and the soft murmur of her breath were too much for him to ignore. He studied her loose curls that flared out across the pillows, the sheen on each strand and each unique pigment of blonde and brown, the memory of twists and locks that were earlier set in such a formal style; the gentle flicker of her eyelids, and their shaded creases; the smile that earlier he had almost, almost captured in the chains of his own lips, and he knew that once he had it, it would be his for eternity. He kissed her forehead, ensuring that he avoided the bruised side of her pate. "Sweet dreams. Illumious termious!" whispered Harry, as the light in the room went out, and the morning dawn was beginning to shine through the window.

The sun was warm on Harry's tired eyes, and made streaks of heavy, blurred hot red images underneath his eyelids. Harry could feel a slight shove on his shoulder and he looked up in annoyance: it was Ron.

"What's up with you, you look like road-kill. You should've been up hours ago - rough night?" asked Ron, fully clothed in his school attire. Before Harry could reply, there was a slight movement in the bed next to Harry, and Hermione swayed and unconsciously clasped Harry's waist. Ron looked at Hermione for a second, then back to Harry.

"Well I guess that answers my question..." said Ron, with slight shock mixed with a mischievous grin.

"It's not what you think - I'll explain everything later, really, it isn't what you think," replied Harry, slightly red in the face.

"Sure you will Harry, sure you will," joked Ron. " You know, people are starting to call you the Hogwart Stallion."

"Oh Ron be serious, I hardly think I'm anything of that sort; Hermione was a bit ill from last night, and I couldn't take her to her own dorm'."

"Well, I am being serious about it. All that sport has made you fitter than ever and you're the most renowned Seeker in history. And who could resist that sleek black hair, and dark soulful eyes. Apparently you're the best competitor to rival that 'himbo' Draco. You have all the girls in the school at your feet, don't be so modest." Ron gave a gentle rap on Harry's shoulder.

"Oh Ron, not everything is about looks - besides we have much more important things to discuss about last night."

"So what really happened then - last night I mean, that is so important?" said Ron. Harry looked around, and saw Neville yawning in his bed. Harry quickly brushed the bed cover over Hermione's head, at which she gave a slightly muffled squeal. Harry, with one hand firmly on the bed, gave an over-emphasised feigned smile at Neville, who seemed a little suspicious at first, but smiled back.

"Not here, Ron. We'll all just have to wait until Neville leaves, and hope that the girls in Hermione's room aren't up yet." Eventually Neville left the room, and Hermione lifted the cover off her head and took a few deep breaths. She massaged her ankle, which had appeared to heal fairly well.

"I think my foot is OK to walk on. Hopefully some of the Juniper Balm potion I have should help it to heal. I'd better go now, before the others start to wake up. I'll be about an hour to get ready for class, so I'll see you all in Potions." Hermione got out of the bed and began to go through the aperture.

"Oh no, you see I've already been out today - morning lessons have been called off. There should be prefects coming to each Dorm to tell everyone that: ' lessons will commence at 1:00pm, due to matters that should not alarm students. The time alteration is merely due to a staff meeting to discuss a change in lesson plans'."

"You'd have to be a special kind of stupid to believe that rot, " said Harry. Hermione and Ron both nodded in agreement.

"In that case, I'll see you guys in about an hour in the library. In the meantime fill Ron in on what happened last night...and make sure you tell him the real reason why I was in your bed last night. I wouldn't want Blabbermouth (here she looked at Ron) telling everyone how Hermione Granger is another cast-off on the list of Harry Potter's conquests. I have a reputation to uphold you know." Hermione shot Ron a stern look and then turned on her heel and left the room.

"Excuse me, but why exactly is everyone book marking me as some sort of girl magnet? I've had one serious girlfriend since I was here, that's all. Finito."

"Oh don't worry about it Harry, it's just Hermione being Hermione. She wouldn't want to have her oh-so perfect reputation being soiled by anyone. You know what she's like. That being said, we'd better make sure we're at the library, I want to hear about all that went on last night in detail." Harry put on a pair of jeans, and on top of that he covered himself with his robes and then he and Ron went down the stairs to the library.

"...And you have no idea who the mystery girl was in the cloak?" asked Ron, after hearing the full account of last night's events from Harry.

"None whatsoever. I expect we'll find out soon enough." At that moment Draco Malfoy and his lackeys, Grabbe and Goyle, sauntered over towards their general direction.

"Well if it isn't two of the three Stooges (Draco had apparently been learning all about the Muggle world so that he could tease Harry and Hermione) - hey Weasley, can't you read? You're not allowed in here, school policy says so, " said Draco with a malicious grin and a shove at Grabbe and Goyle, pointing to the sign. The sign read: 'no animals.' "It means that your sort belong in the stables outside, I'm sure you won't mind, it can only be better accommodation than that rat's nest you call 'home' and they actually have a working water system, so for you it'll be like staying at a 4 star hotel." Grabbe and Goyle were in hysterics at the remarks Draco was making against Ron, who seemed to be hurt by his comments. Harry got up to punch Draco, although Grabbe pushed him away. As it was, he was almost as tall as either one of Draco's pawns, and somewhat taller than Draco. Harry could have taken Grabbe or Doyle, although as a pair, he stood no chance; Ron himself would have found it a challenge to fight Draco. Harry sat back down in his chair, and the three strolled off laughing loudly, with a few Slytherin girls laughing at every word in case Draco might actually notice them.

"One day I am just going to pound that guy, " said Ron. "If it wasn't for those 'shadows' of his, I might be able to stand up for myself."

"Don't worry about it Ron, I'll get him back on the Quidditch pitch when the season comes." Abruptly, Hermione appeared at their table, clad in her school clothes with her hair tied back.

"You guys just won't believe this! It turns out that a new girl will be joining Gryffindor. Everyone was talking about it in the dorm, so I reckon that it must be the same girl from last night. And what's more, it turns out that she is some foreign princess, or something! But I reckon that that's just some excuse for the teachers to keep an eye on her without the students suspecting too much. Either way, due to my 'academic skills and responsible nature' yours truly has been asked to show the new girl the ropes. We'll be able to talk about potions and charms and we can study together and everything!"

"Sounds riveting, " groaned Ron. " It is good about you being her guide though - we'll be able to find out everything we want to that way."

"Well, I doubt it is anything too important - I mean for once I just wish that I could have a normal year like everyone else, instead of battling demons and finding long lost relatives and having your memories sucked from you, and all the rest of it."

"I doubt your doubt, " said Ron.

"Why'd you say that Ron?" enquired Harry.

"Because you're Harry Potter and you're at Hogwarts. You may as well have a big sign on your back saying 'Target me, Evil'."

Harry, Hermione and Ron left the Great Hall after they had finished their breakfast, and headed up to the Gryffindor Tower to get ready for Astral Projection Class, which was a new subject all three had decided to take in the new school term. As they headed to lesson, Dumbledore, dressed in long blue robes accompanied with a cheerful but somehow serious smile, accosted them.

"If I could just have a moment of time with you all before you attend your lessons, I would be grateful." They all stopped. Dumbledore indicated for a young girl to advance into their perspective. "This is Marianna Rosetti, a new student at Hogwarts. Her family come from Spain, and she is a descendant of the first Incan Latin Princess. She is the newest addiction to the Gryffindor team and therefore I was rather hoping you would make her feel welcome by introducing her to other students and how things are run, such and such."

"No problem, Sir, she'll be fine with us, " replied Ron.

"Most appreciated. I look forward to seeing you all soon. Take care Marianna, everything will become second nature once you've been here a while." Dumbledore left the corridor and headed off into the staff room.

"Oh, finally I can breathe, " relieved Marianna. "So you must be the famous Harry Potter then? If I'd known you were that cute and gorgeous I'd have come to Hogwarts in a heartbeat. Those glasses make you look so 'Clark Kent'." Harry laughed, slightly embarrassed by her brashness and lack of tact; and slightly flattered. She had mocha coloured locks, which hung in slight ringlets down to her back; streaks of her hair were dyed black or blonde; her lips were full and deep; her chin was pointy and pronounced; her eyes were alert and wide, windows to a soul that could only be ever honest and kind. Her clothes flowed over her willowy figure - a long silver dress with a plunging neckline trailed down to her ankles, above red kitten-heels. There was a certain wildness to her (like a rose that only ever wanted to thrive in the sun all day, but instead was weighed down by thorns) albeit she was stunningly beautiful. (Later on, Ron said that she was: 'exactly what you could hope for in a modern-day princess. None of that dillydallying with cheek kissing and fake voices and such.') On her fingers and thumbs were 10 rings, one for each member, inlaid with gold filigree and rubies, diamonds and sapphires; slightly bordering the rings were red burn marks, caused by the friction between the rings and skin. Hermione, slightly annoyed, pushed aside and Marianna noticed her for the first time.

"So Marianna, I'm Hermione and this is Ron," Hermione said, pointing. "You're from Malta in Spain then? That must be a really nice place to live, and I'm sure you absolutely hated leaving. I suppose you've seen Calypso's cave then, and been to the festival of the Knights of Saint John... And danced to the Lady of St Lippin?"

"Yea I just loved that cave; it backs on to this glorious peninsula. The festival is great, there's lots of eating and drinking and confetti, and ...yes...I'm pretty good at dancing to the Lady of St Lippin as well. But anyways, enough of my hometown, because I'll get homesick - shouldn't we be in lesson by now? Oh and call me Maya, I really hate Marianna it sounds so formal - thanks loads, Hem'." The others began to walk off to class, while Hermione was left pondering the situation and her new nickname, (an attribute that she only saw enticing when used by Harry) to which she was already adverse.

As Maya entered the room, Hermione beckoned Ron and Harry behind the wall, indicating with her finger.

"What is it Hermione, it's not like you to wait outside the lesson?" Ron said, smirking.

"It's that Maya girl - she's good but she is just no match for me, I can see right through her flimsy façade and pretence - "

"Hermione what are you talking about?" interrupted Harry, trying to make sense of what she was saying.

"I'm saying that I've already found out something suspicious about her. There is no Lady of St Lippin - I made it up!" Ron and Harry both stared at her, bewildered.

"But that doesn't tell us anything!" Ron said.

"Of course it does Ron! Already it seems that whatever this girl is involved in, it's more serious than we first thought. Or at least, serious enough for her to be briefed about the events and locations in Spain... especially when she's probably never even been to Spain. 'Princess' indeed - that's rot! I asked her all about the festivals and such, and it seems that whatever is going on, this Maya (if that is her real name) has been fed a whole load of information about Spain and such so that students don't get suspicious. She knew all about the real events and locations, but when I made one up, she failed to tell me she hadn't heard of it. Instead, she pretended that she knew about it, and then tried to change the subject. It all means that Dumbledore and those people we saw in the forest are part of something extremely serious," Hermione said, flicking her hair as she started off towards the room. "And I intend to find out exactly what..."