Harry Potter and the Eye of Isis

Chapter 15 - Down at the Pitch

"What's that?" The boy pointed at a mound of snow with black speckles sticking through it. "Do you guys think a wolf came onto the pitch?

"Don't know," another answered. "I wouldn't think so."

Without another word spoken amongst the group of first year Ravenclaws, they approached the mound; each realizing it was too big to be a wolf as they got closer. The snow was still falling gently covering more and more of the black. As they stood in front of it each and every one of the boys saw a lone finger sticking from the side of the mound.

"It's a person!" The first boy declared as he dropped to his knees and began digging. The others followed suit digging furiously at the mound until they uncovered the source of the black hair.

"Harry Potter!" He exclaimed as he reached down and felt his neck for a pulse. "He's alive--"

"And he's not alone." Another offered as Professor Snape was uncovered too. "They're going to freeze to death like this."

"Quick, everyone put your robes on them!" They all did as suggested. "And go get Professor Hagrid! His cabin's just over the pitch!"

Without any notion of who should go, one small boy took off. He ran and ran until he found himself banging on Hagrid's hut. "Professor Hagrid! Professor!" He panicked wondering if it was too late to save Harry Potter.

"Yes?" Hagrid pulled the wood door open. "Michael, what is it?"

"Harry Potter, sir," the young Ravenclaw took a deep breath, "and Professor Snape, they're on the Quidditch Pitch!"

Hagrid didn't need to be told anymore than that, he took off so fast Michael was forced to shield his eyes in order to follow in the wake of snow that Hagrid sent cascading towards him.

Hagrid dropped down over the bodies of Harry Potter and Severus Snape. The young Ravenclaws had managed to dig them completely out of the snow but refrained from trying to move them. They had been wise enough to cover them in their robes. Both Harry and Snape were bruised and blood was frozen to various spots on their bodies. Hagrid pulled his large brown coat off of him, pushed the two closer together, which was not much of an issue since they were already lying side by side clutching a branch in their hands, and wrapped them both up. He quickly picked them up and ran back to the castle. The boys followed.

"You lot run ahead," Hagrid instructed, "one to the infirmary, one to the Headmaster and one to Professor McGonagall."

All five of the boys took off in front of him, and when he arrived in the infirmary Madam Pomfrey was waiting for them.

"Poppy, they're freezing." Hagrid started to lay them down on a cot but had to wait until Madam Pomphrey could scoot a second cot to him. Both were laid down still wrapped together.

"Hypothermia." She announced as she ran her wand over the both of them. "Harry has a few broken ribs and a broken leg. Professor Snape also has broken ribs and pneumonia." She slowly unwrapped them from the numerous cloaks and tugged softly on the branch they were clutching between them.

"No use, I'll break their fingers if I try to take it now." She pointed her wand at them and muttered an incantation under her breath. A faint orange glow emitted from the wand, massaging the hands and branch, warming them completely. As their grips loosened Hagrid reached over and held the branch so it would not fall and hit Harry or Snape. He set it to the side when it came free and continued to watch Harry and Snape nervously as the orange glow surrounded their entire bodies.

When she was done Harry did not move an inch but Snape turned his head and coughed. He didn't open his eyes or stir anymore than that but it was an encouraging sign.

"How are they, Poppy?" Professor Dumbledore asked as he approached with Professor McGonagall directly behind him.

"They had hypothermia, and each have broken ribs. Professor Snape seems to be in the worst condition with pneumonia as well, but we've already had movement from him since I treated the hypothermia. Harry hasn't moved."

Dumbledore nodded. "Will they--?"

"They will be fine, Albus, but I must get right to work on healing these bones."

He nodded and stood over Professor Snape bringing his hands up over Snape's body and moved his palms directly over the ribcage. As he did this Madam Pomfrey was also doing this to Harry but with the assistance of her wand. Hagrid stepped back and stood next to Professor McGonagall.

"Thank goodness those boys found them when they did," McGonagall commented to Hagrid. "How long do you suppose they were out there?"

"Don't know, but I'd say bet'er part of last night." Hagrid speculated. "The way they're frozen together like that."

"I'd say they were in the snow for several hours," Poppy confirmed. "They got back on the grounds sometime early this morning." She put her wand down and looked back to Hagrid. "Harry's bones are mended. Could you please carry him to this cot, Hagrid," she pointed at the cot to her right, "I don't think they need to share a cot any longer."

Hagrid did as requested. When Harry was tucked into his own cot Hagrid moved the other cot out of the way so that Madam Pomphrey could work between the cots on each of them. When Snape was healed Professor Dumbledore laid his palm down on his forehead. After a few seconds Snape took a deep breath and his eyes fluttered several times straining to focus on the face above him.

"Harry!" His voice was hoarse and his lips cracked even more than they already were as his mouth opened. "Harry?"

"He's here, Severus, he's alive." Dumbledore assured him.

"He was...he cursed him so many times--"

"He's going to be fine, Severus. Just rest."

Snape did as he was told and his eyes closed again. Dumbledore turned his attention to Harry. Madam Pomfrey was cleaning his wounds, wiping the blood away from his face when she decided to roll him over. At her first glance of his back she jumped back and gasped, dropping her wand in the process.

"What is it, Poppy?" Dumbledore joined her and looked at Harry's back. "Merlin, what happened to him?"

Madam Pomfrey placed a hand on the flesh that was rigid and bumpy. The scaring texture covered almost every inch of Harry's back. "What did that monster do to him?"

Dumbledore slowly shook his head. "Can you do anything about this?"

"I'm afraid not, the scar tissue is already set in. This will remain." She stepped closer, finally over the shock of Harry's back, inspecting the slice marks. "It looks as though it was healed properly, Professor Snape must have been allowed to care for Harry."

"Voldemort did instruct him to ensure that Harry was safe at Hogwarts, so I believe that is a safe assumption. He wanted Harry alive and well for whatever task he was to perform."

Knowing there wasn't anything else she could do for Harry's back, Madam Pomfrey resumed cleaning his other wounds. When she came to his left hand, she had to uncurl the tight grip Harry had around a small green stone with a symbol inscribed on it. She set the stone to the side and began cleaning the wounds that Harry had inflicted upon himself by digging his fingernails into his palm in order to keep a hold of the stone at all costs.

Professor Dumbledore was immediately intrigued by the small green stone. He picked it up and studied it for a moment, trying to figure out what it could be and why it was so important that Harry had a death grip on it.

"What is it Professor?" Professor McGonagall finally asked.

"I'm not sure, Minerva," he said as he placed the stone back on the table beside Harry's bed, "but Harry obviously wanted to keep it safe."

She glanced at Harry's palm. "I would say so."

Dumbledore faced Professor McGonagall. "Perhaps we should inform the Weasleys of his safe return. I'm sure Molly will want to see him."

"Yes," she agreed and turned to leave but stopped before she exited. "Should I send up Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley?" He nodded slightly and she continued on her way. She first went to her office and called Mrs. Weasley. Molly of course was relieved, and said she would be at Hogwarts in a flash.

Professor McGonagall then went to the Gryffindor common room. It was littered with students as she expected on a Sunday morning, but she did not see Ron or Hermoine. "As anyone seen Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger?"

"Hermoine is still in upstairs, Professor," Ginny answered. "And I haven't seen Ron yet this morning."

She nodded. "Would you please fetch her, Miss Weasley? And you," she pointed at a third year boy, "please go get Mr. Weasley."

They both did as they were told but it was Ginny who produced Hermione first. Ron finally joined them several minutes later looking quite sleepy. Professor McGonagall just asked them to follow her and as she led them to infirmary she spoke softly to them.

"Mr. Potter and Professor Snape were found this morning on the Quidditch Pitch." They both gasped and tears immediately filled Hermione's eyes. "He has been badly injured and suffered from hypothermia, but Madam Pomfrey feels confident that he will make a full recovery."

When they enter the wing Ron saw his mother sitting at Harry's side carefully holding one of his hands. "Mum," he ran up to her. "When did you get here?"

"Only just." She gave Ron a big hug. "He's going to be fine."

Hermoine stood on the opposite side of the bed noticing Dobby crouched at the foot of the bed, tears leaking from his eyes. She set her hand on his head and gently rubbed. "You hear that, Dobby? He's going to be fine."

"Master needed Dobby." He squeaked.

"Now, Dobby," Mrs. Weasley addressed him, "you did exactly what Harry told you to do if something happened to him."

"That's right, Dobby," Ron reassured him. "He asked you to go to mum and you did. He's going to be very happy with you."

"There, there Dobby," Dumbledore also assured him. "I'm sure Harry will be thrilled to see you the moment he wakes up. Why don't you see if Madam Pomfrey requires any medicinal plants in order to speed his recovery? Perhaps you could gather them for her."

Dobby wanted to help in any way; he looked at Mrs. Weasley for permission first. Once she nodded, Dobby went and offered his services to Madam Pomfrey, and he was given a list of items to collect from the Forbidden Forest for Professor Lupin to brew a certain potion when he returned from his confinement.

The dark morning finally broke into a formidable sunrise at nearly noon and that was when Remus Lupin could finally be free to return to the castle. When the dungeon door was opened he wasn't surprised to see his brother there but his face did look different.

"Good afternoon," he said politely.

"Remus, Harry's back--"

It was all he had time to say, all he could do after that was try and keep up with the man who had the power to run like a wolf. He chased Lupin all the way to the infirmary and cringed as his brother pushed the doors open, extending them fully on their hinges.

Tears swelled in his eyes as he had a seat next to Mrs. Weasley. She gave him a feeble smile and nod in hopes of telling him that she thought Harry strong enough to survive this ordeal. Lupin could only stare down at Harry, surveying the bruises, cuts and swelling and feel he had failed him. He was supposed to protect him and look out for him, but instead the man in the bed next to Harry had somehow become his saviour. Lupin couldn't help but stare coldly at Severus Snape.

"It isn't as if I took him," Snape said reacting to Lupin's cool stare. "I brought him back, Lupin, it wouldn't hurt you to say thank you."

Remus's eyes narrowed even further. "I'll thank you for nothing that you've done. You don't deserve it."

"Arrogant until the end." Snape closed his eyes not wanting to be bothered any longer. He could not expect Remus Lupin to change. He was as stubborn as James Potter and Sirius Black, and those two went to their graves stubbornly, and for Harry.

"Professor Snape?" Hermione asked quietly. "I know that you're exhausted, but I was wondering if you could tell us what happened?"

"Miss Granger, I'm not sure it is a story to be told to a student." Snape answered without opening his eyes again. "We certainly wouldn't want it floating around the school."

"I won't tell anyone, you have my word," Hermione promised.

"Neither of us will say a word," Ron agreed. "We're Harry's friends, we want to know what happened to him."

Snape finally opened his eyes to look over at the Headmaster. Dumbledore nodded at him, so Snape pushed himself up in the cot. Hermione, wanting to be as pleasant as possible, rushed to his side and propped pillows up behind his back to ease his comfort. He gave her a slight nod of gratefulness.

"I can't tell you what happened to Harry for the first eight hours of his abduction, but I can tell you that it was in deed Lucius Malfoy who took him Harry. When I arrived in Egypt, the Dark Lord presented Harry to all of the Death Eaters. He was bound and gagged and unconscious. After the Dark Lord announced that he was not going to kill Harry, he told us that Harry was going to be sent to retrieve the Eye of Isis." Snape pointed at the green stone that was lying next to Harry's cot.

"The inner circle was asked to remain. I woke Harry, and he immediately exploded at me. Going on about how he'd always known I was truly loyal to...You-Know-Who, anger coursing through him. It seemed apparent to everyone that Harry now had the capacity to commit an Unforgivable." He purposely left out the fact that Harry had eventually, and successfully, executed an Unforgivable. "When the Dark Lord pointed this out, Harry spat at him and used profane language. That did not go over well.

"Every Death Eater that remained fired off curses at Harry, and in the mist of that I hit him with a deep sleeping charm. I know he would endure it better if he was asleep and not hollowed out in pain. In the madness, no one seemed to notice that Harry had gone to sleep, they thought he was just unconscious again.

"It was then that Avery was ordered to flog Harry. I thought that maybe he had woken because he rolled over defensively, but Harry later told me he didn't remember being whipped." Snape turned his head so that he wouldn't have to make eye contact with anyone. "His back was nearly destroyed."

"Who healed him?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"He healed himself when he woke, and then later I was asked to make him healthy again. After that we went to the Temple of Isis. It was gruelling, but Harry was given the item we sought."

"When did Harry figure out that you were on his side?" Romulus Lupin asked with great interest and intrigue.

"In the temple."

"When did Voldemort?" Dumbledore wanted to know.

"All along. He wanted me to go with Harry into the temple. He was counting on Harry being pigheaded and me refusing to leave Harry's side. He wasn't counting on us being able to escape once we emerged though. There was an ambush waiting for us."

"How did you get by?" Hermione asked.

"Honestly, I don't know. We duelled Death Eaters all around us. Some were physically attacking us. Finally, Harry was able to get enough clearance around him to Apparate, so we went back to Cairo. Harry was in bad shape. His leg was broken and I knew I could not ask him to make another attempt at Apparation, so I made a portkey of the nearest object. That's the last thing I remember."

"How--?"

"I think that's enough for today," Madam Pomfrey interrupted Romulus Lupin. "Professor Snape must get some rest or he won't get better. Albus," she addressed the headmaster, "as soon as the word gets around school that Mr. Potter is back, there will be a sudden rash of illness. Can we set up some safety parameters to ensure that no students are allowed in here?"

"A wise idea; Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley, round up all of the prefects, including the Slytherins who had been previously suspended, and bring them all to my office. Professors, please round up all of the staff and I will meet you all in the staff lounge in thirty minutes."

Everyone nodded and left on their separate assignments. That left only Mrs. Weasley with Harry. "Will you be all right, Molly?"

"Yes, don't fret about me," she insisted. "I'm going to stay with Harry."

"I will be back down to talk with you after I've met with the prefects and the staff." Dumbledore smiled gently at her and left. When he arrived in his office all twenty-four prefects were waiting in his office.

"Thank you all for coming." He sat behind his desk. "First off, I'd like to start by reinstating all of our Slytherin prefects to their posts. While I know that the punishment was severe, I feel confident that you have all learned a lesson." He peered at the four Slytherins, who were trying their best not to look too smug as they nodded.

"The reason I have called you all here is to inform you of an event that occurred just before the Christmas holiday. As you all know, Professor Snape has been on sabbatical, and Harry Potter missing. I want to dispel the rumour that Mr. Potter is dead. He was not murdered by Voldemort, but abducted. Professor Snape went to find Mr. Potter. They have returned to Hogwarts." The room broke out in wild whispers. Dumbledore waved his hands to quiet them all. "I know that we are all delighted to hear that the two are back and recovering in the infirmary, but we must do our best to let them recover without interruption.

"Starting immediately, I'm going to have two prefects stationed outside of the infirmary at all times. This will be in addition to your patrols. I would like to ask that each house nominate two additional persons, fifth year or higher, to be something of a security prefect, in order to assist you with these duties that I have assigned to you. Please discuss it quickly."

The four houses quickly pooled together and discussed the situation. In the end the additional security perfects were Lisa Turpin and Jonathan Moon, of Ravenclaw; Millicent Bulstrode and Vincent Crabbe, of Slytherin; Seamus Finnigan and Parvati Patil of Gryffindor; Susan Bones and ----Justin Finch-Fletchley of Hufflepuff.

Dumbledore hadn't been a moment too soon. Once word got out that Harry Potter and Professor Snape were found on the Quidditch Pitch, nearly dead, and in the hospital wing practically comatose, great scores of students suddenly were feeling ill. Professors Lupin set up a triage unit near the hospital wing in order to decide who was truly in need of Madam Pomfrey's services. Incredibly, a great number of students were suddenly sick or injured, and that resulted in the two professors issuing a great deal of Pep-Up Potion, and there were many smoking heads throughout the student body for the next few days.

*

January 22, 1997

The swelling was going down, and Harry's eyes were recognizable again. Of course there were still bruises surrounding them and bruises in the vicinity thus making the chore of opening them again for the first time as painful as anything else he'd experienced in the past month. His eyes tried to focus but he realized quickly that his glasses were not on his face and so focusing was pointless. His concern lay with the object that should be clutched in his hand.

"Where is it?" He felt as though he'd yelled it but his voice was barely audible and so no one responded. Without an answer Harry assumed he was alone so he tried again. "Where is it?" This time he did manage a shout.

Hermione startled and nearly fell out of her chair. She had been keeping a vigil over him since early in the morning and had dozed off at some point. She hadn't expected Harry to say anything let alone shout.

"You're home, Harry." She found a hand quickly and squeezed him reassuringly. "You've been back for five days."

Harry finally focused as Hermione slipped a pair of glasses on his face. She was a refreshing sight. "Hermione, I had something with me, its very important..."

"Professor Dumbledore assumed it was by the death grip you had on it." She smiled at him. "He has it."

"Where's Snape? How is he?"

"He's probably in his quarters. He woke the first day. He had some broken bones like you, but they were healed. He's been sick, he caught pneumonia, probably because you guys were in the snow for so long."

"Snow?"

"A group of Ravenclaws found you two out on the Quidditch Pitch last Sunday. You'd been there a while because they had to dig you out. Hagrid carried you both up here." She explained. "What's the last thing you remember?"

"Apparating..." he thought carefully. "To Cairo. Then Professor Snape made a portkey because I couldn't have Apparated over the ocean."

"You two were clutching a stick when you were found. You must have landed right on the pitch and collapsed together."

"I need the Eye of Isis." He struggled to sit up and accomplished it with Hermione's help. "It has to be with me at all times." Harry finally glanced down at the palm it had been clutched in. He surveyed the scabs and discolorations.

"I'm sure it's safe with Dumbledore, Harry--"

"No, it's not." Harry objected sternly. "There are some things that you can't trust Hermione." His eyes stared directly into hers. "Some things that we have taken for granted."

She only nodded at him as she left his side. She would go inform both Professor Dumbledore and Snape that Harry was awake and needed them. They were both pleased at this news and Snape even looked relieved. When they returned to the infirmary Harry was out of bed, sitting in a chair near the window.

Harry looked at Professor Dumbledore straight away. "I need the Eye of Isis back." Dumbledore didn't question this request at all, he simply handed it over. As soon as it was in his hands the stone began to emit a soft light. Harry clutched it again suppressing the light. Snape watched but was not as amazed as Hermione and Dumbledore, he'd seen the green light travel up Harry's arms, glowing through his clothes until it reached his face. There it seemed to climb into his eyes piercing them. Harry gasped as the light touched his eyes, the sensation was both welcome and warm as well as disturbing and painful.

Harry looked again to Professor Dumbledore. The green in his eyes was so rich and so vibrant, Dumbledore couldn't help but lean closer to stare. When Harry spoke his voice suddenly had a slight vibration to it. "I would like to speak with Professor Snape."

"Certainly Harry, I'm sure that you two have much to discuss. I'm glad that you are awake, and we can talk later. I will inform the Weasleys that you are awake." Dumbledore led Hermione away.

Before leaving the room Hermione took one last look at Harry. He and Snape were already quietly talking but it looked a bit odd to Hermione because it was Harry who was doing the talking. Snape looked as though he were concentrating intensely on Harry and would nod in understanding every few seconds. It looked as though Harry were giving Snape directions.

"Professor?" Hermione questioned immediately when they exited the infirmary. "What's going on? What did that stone do to Harry?"

"I believe it augmented his power, Hermione."

"Harry doesn't really need anymore help in that department does he?"

"If he's to defeat Voldemort, I believe he'll need all the power he can find."

"What is the Eye of Isis?"

"Perhaps you would be so kind as to find that out for me?" he suggested. "I believe there is much we can and should learn about that trinket."

Hermione was surprised to see Harry enter the Gryffindor Tower later that evening. She was even more surprised when he approached her because all of his lingering wounds were healed and the bruises on his face had lightened dramatically. He smiled at her and she again noticed his eyes, that green light was still present in them; he obviously had the power of Isis within him.

Her few hours of research had provided her with information on the Egyptian Goddess Isis. The wife of Osiris, who raised him from the dead to conceive a child with him. It was written that Isis was the goddess of fertility, but more specifically, mortality. In Muggle books she was referred to in many images, but in magical texts she was referred to often for her gift of mortality and healing. She revived her brother from death, saved Ra from poison (of course she was the one who poisoned him) and she healed her son Horus many times.

Hermione wasn't totally shocked that Harry was healed now, not when she considered what she had learned this afternoon about Isis.

Harry had a seat next to her glancing at the books laid out in front of her. "So, do you know what it is yet?"

"I know it helped heal you but I don't know what it is yet."

"Damn," he smiled. "I was hoping you'd already cracked it, now I suppose I will have to help you research it." Harry placed his hand on the table and slowly opened it revealing the stone strapped to his palm. "I don't think that Voldemort knows exactly what it does but I think he's hoping to return souls of those who have been kissed to their bodies--"

"Crouch?"

Harry nodded. "Voldemort has his body." It was something Harry assumed he hadn't seen the last of. The body of Barty Crouch Jr. had been disturbing to say the very least. "We need to find out as much as we can about the Eye of Isis."

"Harry, what does it do to you?"

"It's hard to explain." He clutched the stone again. "It feels like pressure and heat behind my eyes and I seem to be able to channel that."

"Did it heal you?"

He shook his head slowly. "I did. When Madam Pomfrey explained everything that was wrong with me in great detail I was able to visualize what she was telling me and I made corrections as I went along. She figured out pretty quickly what I was doing and would tell me what the injured organ looked like and what it should look like."

"Really?" Harry didn't have to answer that question. "Harry, you realise what that means? You're a mediwizard."

"Madam Pomfrey said the same thing after she called Snape in and I healed his lingering wounds too. She wants to train me."

"That's exciting, Harry. I think you'd make an excellent mediwizard."

"Where's Ron anyway?" Harry looked around the common room, not seeing the red head anywhere. "You two haven't had another row have you?" How could the budding romance be so cluttered with bickering? Harry didn't know how Ron and Hermione were going to make a relationship work, or if they were even trying.

"We haven't had any time to argue about anything today," Hermione said as she cast her eyes back down in the book she was reading. "But there's still plenty of day light left, maybe we can find something to.... Harry, I don't want to talk about Ron. Let's concentrate on you."

Harry nodded his head slightly. "I'm actually going to turn in if you don't mind, Hermione." He stood, stretching his arms well above his head. "I know I've been asleep for a while, but I'm still exhausted."

"I understand, Harry."

Harry leaned over her and kissed her on the forehead. "Don't worry, everything will turn out...all right?"

Hermione just looked up at him with a grateful smile. "Good night, Harry."

Harry left her in the common room and went into his dorm room. The room seemed distant to Harry. He had only been gone a month but somehow it felt like a year. So much had happened to him since he left Hogwarts, he couldn't imagine life being quite the same.

Harry sank down onto his bed, staring at his left hand. The green light behind his eyes was also softly pulsing under his skin. He realised that the stone had become addictive and a little voice in his head reminded him of what Mr. Weasley had told Ginny about objects that think but the brain not being seen.

He uncurled his fist and looked at the stone. It was sunken into his hand, and while his skin wasn't open, the stone was buried so deep within his hand that it appeared to be half way under the skin. He traced the surface of the stone lightly with his right hand before removing it. He closed his eyes tightly as he set it on the bed next him, trying to ignore the pain that accompanied removing the stone.

He took several deep breaths before opening his eyes again and finding the room distorted. "That's what I thought," Harry whispered to himself as he took his glasses from his pocket and placed them back on his face. His suspicion that the Eye of Isis only corrected his vision temporarily was true. He had to be tapping into the power in the stone before it healed his ailments. It seemed to Harry that wounds could be healed more effectively, but anything permanent, such as his eyesight, would not be affected permanently.

After sitting on his bed for ten minutes Harry moved to the desk in the corner of the room and pulled out a quill and parchment. He quickly scribbled a note to Bill Weasley.

Dear Bill,

I'm sure you've heard all about my adventure in Egypt, and I wanted to ask you if you would come to Hogwarts for a day so that I can talk to you about everything, I'd really appreciate it. I'd offer to meet you somewhere, but I don't think that your mum or Dumbledore are going to let me leave school grounds again...if they can prevent it!

I look forward to seeing you.

Harry

Not wanting to talk to anyone, Harry got his invisibility cloak (after having to look around the room for it and finding it in Ron's trunk) and headed to the owlery to find Hedwig. He spent some time talking to her and stroking her feathers affectionately before tying the letter to her leg and sending her off to find Bill Weasley.

Harry woke the next morning with someone sitting on the edge of his bed. He rubbed his eyes as he tried to focus on the individual causing the dent in his mattress. Red hair stood out immediately. "Get your fat arse off," Harry said jokingly to who he thought was Ron. "Where were you last night?"

"I was at the Burrow," Bill laughed as he handed Harry his glasses. "I thought Mum said you weren't wearing glasses now."

"Sorry Bill," Harry smiled sleepily at Bill. "I thought you were Ron."

"Obviously." Bill stood up.

Harry flung the covers off and practically fell out of the bed. He reached into the breast pocket of his pyjamas and handed Bill the green stone. "It corrected my vision, but when I'm not using it, I still need the glasses."

Bill ran his hand over the stone and opened his mouth to speak but closed it again upon looking at Ron and Neville still sleeping in their cots. "Get dressed...we can go for a walk and talk."

Harry got dressed quickly and followed Bill out of the Gryffindor Tower. They walked through the castle and out to Hagrid's hut. Hagrid was nowhere to be seen though.

"Harry, what did Voldemort tell you this was?" Bill asked.

"He called it the Eye of Isis."

"That's a myth," Bill said quietly his eyes staring at Harry for a long moment before he shook his head and focused on the purpose of the visit. "The myth is that the Eye of Isis was used during the ritual that she and Thoth performed on Osiris to return his soul to his body. The rite is called the ritual of life.

"According to the legend, common men cannot wield the power within the stone. Only a select few would exist throughout the span of human kind, and all of them would have to be of pure lineage."

"What does that mean?" Harry asked.

"To be honest, I don't really know." Bill admitted. "It was a legend that I really didn't research because I took it for that...just a legend."

"Try wielding its power," Harry suggested as he handed the stone over to Bill. "I place it in my left hand and squeeze, and it works."

Bill did but nothing happened. "Let me see what it does." He told Harry as he returned the stone to Harry's hand.

Harry took the stone into his left hand and squeezed. He kept his eyes open this time and watched along with Bill as the green light crawled up his arm and neck and rested behind his eyes. Harry once again removed his glasses.

"You can...it works for you." Bill almost stuttered.

"Yes, it does."

Bill's eyes widened in shock at the sound of Harry's voice. He sounded just like the sphinxes. "Tell me how you got it."

Harry went on to explain the journey though the Temple of Isis. Describing to Bill his first encounter with the twin statues (whom Bill informed Harry were a single goddess by the name of Ma'at) and ending with being presented the Eye of Isis in the last room. Bill told Harry that the final statues that he described were of Isis and her husband Osiris.

After telling his tale, Harry remained silent, just staring at Bill waiting for a response. Bill, however, was running his hands across his face and pulling on his bottom lip. To Harry, it seemed that Bill was debating something and Harry could tell that it wasn't really about Egypt.

"Legimency won't work on me, Harry," Bill said with a smile. "I'm an Occlumens too."

"Then save me the trouble of trying to read your mind and just tell me what you're thinking about."

"Harry...it's complicated, and I really ought to speak with Professor Dumbledore before I tell you anything--"

"About my parents?" Harry had sensed that much suddenly. "I, more than anyone, deserve to know about my parents! I'm so tired of everyone trying to protect me! Everyone's done a pretty bang up job of it so far!" Harry took a deep breath, shaking the anger from his system. "I'm sorry, Bill, I shouldn't have yelled at you."

Bill nodded slowly. "It's all right, I understand and I'm sorry, Harry, I never thought about it from your perspective...and you're absolutely right, you deserve to know about your parents." He sat down in one of Hagrid's chairs. "You'd better sit down."

Harry took a seat, anxious to hear what Bill would have to say about his parents, and how he even knew them. James and Lily Potter were older than Bill Weasley, but Harry imagined they must have been at school together even if only for a short time.

"How did you know my parents?"

"I wasn't friends with either of them, in fact I'd only met them a couple of times when I was a child. My dad use to take me to Quidditch games, and me knew your father. Your mother came to the Quidditch games, but she was as interested in flying as I hear that Hermione is." Bill laughed slightly as he realised he was digressing. "But like I said, we weren't friends, and my knowledge of them is not first hand. Your mother was a curse breaker, not for Gringotts, for the Ministry. She worked a great deal in Egypt before getting pregnant."

Harry's eyes widened as his mind filled in the blanks. "This stone is why she is dead?"

"I don't know about that, but looking back on what I know, I should have known that You-Know-Who would eventually take you to Egypt."

"Call him Voldemort." Harry requested. He didn't like people being so secretive about the dark wizard. He was a monster, but he deserved no special treatments.

Bill nodded slightly. "I often forget that you're not afraid of him."

"I wouldn't say that I'm not afraid of him, I've just faced him more times than most, and I'm still alive." His eyes stared at the fireplace and a fire suddenly lit within it. Harry startled himself more than he startled Bill by being able to start the fire by just thinking that he was cold. He was going to comment that was the first time he'd conjured fire but he didn't want to be pulled off of the subject of his mother any longer.

"Do you know what it was she was working on?"

"I know she was working closely with an Unspeakable," answered Bill. "Unfortunately, that person wouldn't be able to help us."

"Why? Did he become a Death Eater?"

"No," Bill slowly shook his head, "she was cursed into insanity--"

"Neville's mum?" Harry sounded shocked but somehow he knew that he shouldn't be. He and Neville were intertwined quite drastically. The extent of their families involvement with each other had yet to be fully exposed to Neville, and Harry was certain that Dumbledore was still hiding a great deal from him. Knowing the prophecy certainly didn't tell Harry all he realised that he needed to know about the Longbottoms.

"I have no proof of this," Bill's voice trailed off, apparently questioning how much he should be telling Harry while realising that Harry deserved the truth, continued, "but I think it is possible that Voldemort was working on another of his immortality attempts with Crouch, and when you destroyed him, Crouch continued this work in hopes that he could restore Voldemort to his body."

"So Crouch is the driving force behind the trip to Egypt...." Harry thought of his time in Egypt, trying to recall anything that would help him unravel this mystery. "The coffin!"

"What coffin, Harry?"

"Voldemort toted this coffin around with us while we were in Egypt," he explained, "I thought it was his way of tormenting me; like he was trying to tell me I was going to buried in it, but I don't think so now. Crouch must have been inside."

"He's trying to bring Crouch back?" asked Bill and Harry nodded. "Why? Is he trying to repay a favour?"

"Maybe Crouch has information that Voldemort needs in order to complete his immortality."

"This all makes sense." Bill's brow furrowed in thought. "The Egyptians believed that when the body died the soul would leave it, but still be in need of it to continue onto the afterlife. Ritual of Life is supposed to lead the soul back to the body in order to move onto the afterlife. Maybe Voldemort's hoping that it will work on a body that is alive as well."

"But how would Voldemort know about the ritual if he was destroyed before Crouch uncovered it and Crouch was kissed by the Dementors before he could help Voldemort perform it?" Harry asked.

Bill shook his head slowly. "It seems to me that they must have talked about it during your fourth year, or Voldemort and Crouch had contact before you destroyed Voldemort the first time. There is one thing I'm certain of, someone with a great knowledge of Egypt is definitely responsible for informing Voldemort of all of this."

"I'm sure there are a number of people with a great deal of knowledge about Egypt." Harry looked suspiciously at Bill, realising that he probably shouldn't have been sharing so much with him because he didn't know who it was that had provided Voldemort with his ancient Egyptian information.

"Do the Longbottoms have any chance of recovering?" Harry quickly asked, trying to cover up the reason for his change of demeanour.

"I doubt it. It's been fourteen years."

Harry mulled over this thought for a few minutes, wondering if he should ask Hermione to do a little research on the subject, and how to approach Neville about all of this. As he thought of helping the Neville's parents, he thought of his own. He now knew his mother's profession, she was a curse-breaker. But he still wasn't sure what his father did.

"Bill, do you know what my father did for a living?" Harry suddenly felt the need to know, and wondered where all of that money in his vault came from. Being a curse-breaker didn't seem like it would pay that well.

"Quidditch was his life, Harry."

"Are you telling me he was a professional Quidditch player?"

"I'm surprised that no one else has ever told you before, or you didn't just read it somewhere," said Bill with a bit of amazement. "He played for the Welsh team. He was a brilliant Chaser... like I said before. I don't think I've seen a better one since him."

Not wanting to reveal anymore to Bill, though he had already revealed a great deal, Harry returned the conversation to a fact-finding expedition. Now that he had a good idea what the Eye of Isis did, he needed to find out how it worked. Knowing that destroying the stone would cost Mrs. Weasley her life, Harry was resigned to learn as much as possible about the item he possessed, and to make sure it wasn't possessing him.

"How can I find out what Mrs. Longbottom was researching and how it related to my mum?" Harry asked.

"I would imagine that a record of Mrs. Longbottom's work would be in the Department of Mysteries where she worked. They keep files on all Unspeakables."

Harry nodded his head slowly. "I presume that I could also find out more about ancient Egyptian magic there too?" Bill just gave Harry a nod of affirmation. "Then that's where I have to go."

"Harry, you can't just walk into the Ministry and go to the Department of Mysteries--"

"Why not? I've done it before."