The Questing

The Quest

Chapter 1

Harry gaped at the man. Tall and dark with grey hair cut close, the man was dressed in a tweed suit and had a pronounced Oxford twang. Nevertheless, he was obviously from the Indian subcontinent, and at the moment it seemed just as obvious to Harry that the man was mad.

It had started off a perfectly normal day, classes were over and he had been studying in the Gryffindor common room with Hermione and Ron. Then a first year student burst in out of breath.

"McGonagall says you three are wanted in Dumbledore's office immediately!" he had gasped.

"Sit down and catch your breath. We're on our way," Hermione had said, and they had gone up to the Headmaster's office to find a strange man sitting between Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore.

Dumbledore stood and gestured towards the tall dark man. "Masters Potter and Weasley and Miss Granger, allow me to introduce an old school friend of mine named Maharashtra Vaideeki. He and I started school at Hogwarts the same year. He went back to India after he completed his seventh year, but we still keep in contact. All too infrequent contact, as it turns out. He has come to us with another prophecy regarding Harry, and this one includes the two of you as well. I'd like him to explain further, but first let us all sit down."

As they sat around a table in a corner of the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore poured hot chocolate for all, and indicated with a wave of his hand for Maharashtra Vaideeki to start.

"I have had a prophecy in my keeping for several decades, and after recent correspondence with my old chum, Albus, I am convinced that it applies to the three of you. So I made the trip up here and after showing it to your Headmaster and your Head of House, they both agreed, so we had you three brought up to us to listen to it," Maharashtra Vaideeki said in his rolling baritone voice.

"I still regret keeping the other prophecy from you, Harry, so I wanted you all to hear this one as soon as possible. You have a decision to make, each of you."

Professor McGonagall looked each of them in the eyes, nodded once, and said, "I am sure that you are mature enough to make the best decision, each according to your consciences and beliefs."

Maharashtra Vaideeki pulled a scroll of parchment from his robe, and, unrolling it, began to read from it in his distinctive voice. "Though faraway from England you be, you must heed these words from me. When trouble at Hogwarts is battled by children three, a crisis is near to all, including thee." He looked and at each of them in turn. "When Albus told me of your first year exploits recently, I was struck by a Satori, the sudden understanding that comes upon one unawares and changes the way you see things. I knew then that you were the ones spoken and that it was urgent that I bring the prophecy here. It might perhaps have been better if this had happened at the end of your first year rather than the middle of your sixth, but in some ways it is better this way."

Harry looked at him sharply. There seemed to be a lot hidden behind that comment, but the old wizard ignored Harry's pointed look and returned his eyes to the parchment.

"Two of the children who fight the troubles must journey to this land and the temple of Kama, there to retrieve a holy book. The third, marked by evil, shall wait until he is old enough to understand the book. Once he does he shall choose a snake to go through a spiritual journey outlined in the book. If both do this willingly and without either remorse or rancor, then they shall both find their power permanently multiplied threefold. If this is done the one marked by evil shall defeat it and the Snake shall achieve power and fame." He looked up at Harry, focusing on his forehead. "Obviously you are the one who was marked by evil."

"Yeah, you could say that." Harry gave him a grim smile and fingered his scar. "I guess my 'fame' hasn't reached India yet." He looked to Dumbledore. "What do you think it means, Professor? It sounds like I have to pick someone to be empowered with me."

"That is certainly the way it sounds Harry, and I'd like to have a private chat with you before you make any choices, assuming you are all willing to try to grasp this chance for victory." Dumbledore gave each of them a serious glance. "There is no shame in it if you are not up to the challenge. Prophecies are somewhat notorious for leaving out important portions of things and that may include the price to be paid for such enhancement. It may turn out that once you have the book and know the ritual you will be utterly horrified and refuse to use it. Bearing that in mind however, I will say that if such a book exists I don't think it should be left lying about. It might only work for Harry but we shouldn't take that chance. Imagine if Voldemort got his hands on it? If you decide you do not want to tackle this I myself will go and try to find it. I don't know that I will be able to since I am not mentioned in the prophecy but I will certainly try. Now I would like you to tell me if you are willing to try this. For you two..." he pointed at Ron and Hermione. "...it will mean weeks out of school and extensive travel in a foreign country. Of course, we will do our best to see that you remain safe and sound and return home, but there is some inherent danger to this quest, as there is to all such endeavors. Will you go to India and retrieve this book from the temple of Kama?"

"Of course we will, Professor! How could we pass up the chance to help ensure Harry's victory?" Hermione loudly affirmed, and Ron nodded vigorously.

Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry. "And you, Harry?"

"What exactly will we be required to do?"

"We won't know until we get the book, Harry. I confess to having an idea, but I can't be certain until then, so I don't wish to speculate."

Harry shrugged and replied, "Well I guess it doesn't matter much. If doing this will help me defeat Voldemort, I'll do it."

Maharashtra Vaideeki nodded. "Good. I was hoping you would respond that way. I'll be accompanying you two youngsters to the temple to help protect you. You'll have to find and retrieve the book yourselves, but I can keep you safe while you do it."

"Thank you, Sir," Hermione said. "I'm sure any friend of Professor Dumbledore will be able to keep us quite safe."

"Indeed, Miss Granger, he is a renowned fighter against the Dark Arts in his homeland." Dumbledore nodded and stroked his beard. "I will have very little to fear with you in his hands."

"Oi, what about my safety then?" Ron asked anxiously.

"I used the word 'you' in its plural sense, Master Weasley. I'm certain you'll both be very safe."

"Oh, that's good to hear," Ron replied with seeming relief. "I was worried for a minute."

The Indian wizard chuckled. "Very believable, this act of yours. If I hadn't known of your brave exploits I might not have thought humor. You have an excellent wit, Mr. Weasley." He stood and bowed. "I'll leave you to discuss tactics with your friends while I arrange things for our trip. Good day." He left the room, waving goodbye to all as he went.

"Be packed and ready to leave one week from today. You will need at least two weeks worth of clothing and you might want to research climate and culture information before you go. I've arranged for Miss Granger to have access to the restricted section of the Library for the next week. Since I'm quite sure she'd get in there anyway, and she at least shows due care for the books," Dumbledore said, and smiled at them all.

Professor McGonagall clapped her hands together and said briskly, "Alright children, you have a lot of planning to do and there is also the Halloween dance tonight. So get along back to your rooms and I'll see you in class tomorrow."

"Yes, Professor," they chorused, and left the room.

On the way to the Gryffindor common room they ran into Ginny, who was grinning from ear to ear. "Hey guys, guess what? I got asked to the masked ball tonight!"

"That's great, Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed. "Who was it?" she asked as she hugged her friend.

"Luna!" Ginny cried out excitedly as she hugged her friend. "I'm so happy! I've wanted her ever since I got over that crush on Harry." She looked over at Harry. "No offense meant, Harry."

"None taken, Ginny," Harry replied. "I'm glad you found someone and I'm happy you have a date. Now we just have to get your brother to ask Hermione." Harry grinned and dodged a halfhearted swing from Ron.

"I was going to ask when we got to the common room," Ron replied red-faced. He had suspected this since last summer and kept his mouth shut. His sister was entitled to whoever made her happy. Even if it that meant dreamy eyed blondes with crazy ideas.

"Sure you were." Harry laughed. "Apparently, asking Hermione on a date scares you more dragons, giant spiders and old Moldy shorts combined." Harry added their private nickname for Lord Voldemort hoping to break the mood a little. He did not succeed.

Ron turned to Hermione. "Hermione?" He was looking pale but determined.

"Yes, Ron?"

Ron gulped. "Would you…er. Would you be my date to the masked ball?"

"I would love to, Ron." She kissed him and started chattering excitedly. "I already have the perfect matching costumes picked out for us."

"You do?" Ron stammered.

"Yes, I knew that your sister and Harry would be working on you and decided to be optimistic so I planned ahead."

"Oh." Ron looked a little worried. "So, what costume did you get me?"

They had reached the portrait of the Fat Lady and Harry recited the password, Paratus.

As they entered the Gryffindor common room, Hermione took a hold of Ron’s arm. “I got you a pirate costume, and I’m going as a pirate wench.” She winked naughtily in his direction. “You might even get some booty if you play your cards right.” Then blushed and headed upstairs to get the costume she had gotten him.

Ron blushed but grinned. "I'm mad at you two for telling her I like her but I'm also glad you did."

Harry snorted. "The least we could do mate. You were driving us both batty with your waffling."

Ginny added, "Of course, now we need to Harry paired off."

"What?!" Harry cried out. "I don't think I need your help."

"Ha! Sauce for the goose Harry!" Ron said and cackled. "If you need any help conspiring, Gin, just let me know."

"You can all keep your noses out of my love life." Harry replied but he wondered if maybe she had a point. That awful mess with Cho was two years ago. It was probably time to meet someone new. Still, who could he meet that would be interested in him and not in dating The Boy Who Lived? Harry thought about it as he wandered up to his room to change into his costume.

Hermione brought Ron his costume, still blushing faintly and then they each went to their own rooms to change. Some minutes later, all four met up again in the common room, which was filling with costumed Gryffindors. Ron wasn't the only pirate. Parvati Patil dressed as Ann Bonny the Pirate Queen. Hermione was showing some midriff as a pirate wench, and had magically straightened her hair for the night. Ginny was in a fantasy princess gown with an illusionary tiara of precious gems on her head and glass slippers on her feet.

"Don't those slippers hurt your feet, Ginny?" Harry asked. He was without his glasses having used a spell to fix his eyesight for the night, and was dressed as a desert sheik.

"No, Harry. They only look like glass; they are actually pretty comfortable. Thanks for asking, though. Are you dressed as Lawrence of Arabia?"

"No, I'm just some random sheik. That's a good idea, though. Maybe I'll stick with it. Either way I'll be on the lookout for a harem girl, so if you see any let me know, O.K.?" Harry winked at her.

"Of course!" Ginny laughed delighted he was going along with her matchmaking plans. "What are friends for?"

They left and picked up Luna and Padma at the Ravenclaw common room. Luna was dressed in a muggle suit of men's clothes, including fedora. She looked cute if unusual. Padma was dressed as a ballerina. The twins were also dateless for the night. Harry had dated one of the twins and had the occasional fantasy about the twins but he didn't think either of them was right for him. They were friends but no more and he refused to settle for less than love.

Harry swore Ginny, Luna, and the twins to secrecy as members of the D.A. and then then told them of the new prophecy in whispers. Hermione asked the twins to fill her in on what they knew of India over the next week.

"We could but we are not sure it will help much." Parvati said.

"We can at least tell you some great places to visit and which native foods you should try and which you should avoid." Padma added.

They traded a look and wondered if they should mention what they knew about the Hindu temple in which this book was supposed to be hidden. It might not be what they thought but if it was Hermione should be warned as they were certain she wouldn't be able to resist peeking inside the book and Ron might very well be peering over her shoulder as she did so. They would discuss it together and decide what to say.