Invenio Veritas

Chapter 2: Nightmares and Miniskirts

"Harry! Ron! Wait up for me!" Hermione yelled as she tried to catch up with the two tall teens in front of her.

The boys stopped on their way to the Great Hall and turned to wait for their friend.

"Harry, you are a lot taller. I didn't really notice as much on the train but you're actually taller than Ron!" she said, looking between the two boys.

"Hey, you're right. Sorry Ron. But look at it this way. You won't have to look down to talk to me anymore!" said Harry as he turned to walk into the hall.

"Yeah, and now I won't stick out of the group. I have always been taller than you two," said Ron as he sat down at the Gryffindor House table.

"I don't know, Ron," said Harry, turning to him. "With hair like that, you can't help but to stand out!"

"Gee, Harry, you're such a pal," Ron sarcastically said as he slapped Harry roughly on the back.

"Would you two grow up?" said Hermione, taking a seat across from the two boys on the other side of the house table.

"I did Hermione, or haven't you noticed?" said Harry, raising an eyebrow at Hermione. His voice was a little cold.

Hermione shifted her gaze from Harry to Ron. Ron nodded at Hermione who looked back at Harry.

"Harry, um, we were wondering what got into you on the train. I mean, with Malfoy. Don't get us wrong, Harry. We love telling Malfoy off but the way you did it. . . You sounded like a totally different person. Did anything happen this summer? Are you sure you're okay?" Hermione continued to look at Harry with concerned eyes.

"I. . ." Harry's voice failed as he looked down at his hands. "I don't know what's gotten into me. I have just been. . . on edge lately. I. . . I don't really want to talk about it now. . . can we talk after we get back to the common room?"

"Of course Harry!" said Hermione, her face brightening a little. "We told you we would always listen."

"Yeah," Ron said, "we are your best friends. That's what we're here for!"

"Hey," said Harry, suddenly changing the subject. "Have you heard anything about the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"

"No," said Ron, looking at Hermione. "Have you Herm?"

"Ron! Stop calling me that! And no, I haven't heard anything," said Hermione looking back at Ron.

The three didn't have to wait long before their question was answered. As the rest of the students filed into the hall, the teachers began taking their seats at the head table.

"Let's see," said Hermione, turning to look at the teachers taking their seats. "There's Flitwick, Hootch, Sinstra. . . Professor Sprout and ugh. . . Snape."

"That's one teacher we could have done without this year," whispered Ron to Harry.

"Hey look, Professor Trelawney actually showed up to dinner. . . there's Professor Vector, and. . .oh my. . ." Hermione said. "That's who our new DADA teacher is!"

Harry and Ron looked up to the head table and were met with a welcomed sight.

"Professor Lupin!" said Harry smiling at Ron. "But how. . . I thought parents didn't want him here?"

"Come on Harry. He's the best defense teacher we have ever had. If Dumbledore trusts him, we should," said Ron.

At that moment, Professor McGonagall led the first years in the hall. They stopped in front of the head table. Dumbledore rose from his usual seat in the center of the staff table and began to address the school.

"So we start another year," began Dumbledore in his usual calm but authoritative voice. "I trust you all are ready to learn as much as you can this term. I have a few start of the term notices. Firstly, as always, the Forbidden Forest is well. . . forbidden. Secondly, Quidditch trails will begin in two weeks so inform Madam Hootch if you plan to try-out. And lastly, because of Voldemort's return, all Hogsmeade trips are cancelled until further notice."

This announcement would have usually earned an uproar from the students, but no one said a word. Even though the Ministry of Magic was doing all it could to cover up any activities by the deatheaters and Voldemort, no one could deny that they were on the move again. Too many people were missing and the fact that most of them were muggleborns did not help.

"Oh, pardon me, I almost forgot. Please help me welcoming our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher: Professor Remus Lupin!"

Applause broke out across the room.

"Professor McGonagall, you may proceed," said Dumbledore as he returned to his seat.

The Sorting Ceremony took place and each house got its fair share of new students. After the last first year took his seat, the golden platters and bowls became filled with food and the feast began.

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The Gryffindor Common room was as noisy as usual. Fred and George Weasley were selling their newest inventions, confirming to Harry that they spent their money well.

Ron, Hermione, and Harry took three armchairs in the corner of the common room. Hermione had convinced Harry to talk to them that night. Ron and Hermione sat in silence as they waited for Harry to speak first.

"So, what do you guys want to know?" asked Harry as he looked at his hands.

"Harry," began Hermione. "You said that you were on edge lately. Why?"

"Why do you think, Hermione?" said Harry, suddenly looking up from his hands and glaring at Hermione's shocked face.

"Harry. . . I. . . I. . . j-just. . ." began Hermione, but she was cut off by Ron.

"Harry! She only wants to know what's wrong! She's worried about you! We both are."

The darkness left Harry's face and it was replaced by pain.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I don't know way I have been acting like this," said Harry looking back down at his hands. "I haven't gotten much sleep lately. All summer, in fact. I've been having dreams, well, nightmares really."

"About what?" said Ron cautiously, not wanting to upset Harry again. To his relief, Harry looked up and gave him a slight smile.

"That's the problem," said Harry, the smile fading from his face. "I don't remember them when I wake up. All I know is that Voldemort's involved. When I wake up, my scar burns. It even bleeds when its really bad, and I feel as if I've been under the Cructius all night. The pain goes away after a while but I can never fall asleep afterwards."

"Did you talk to anyone about it?" asked Hermione.

"No. The Dursley's almost kicked me out because apparently, I scream in my sleep," said Harry. "I wish they had. I could have lived somewhere else."

"Do you dream about anything else?" asked Hermione. She searched Harry's face as it became covered in pain and guilt.

"Yeah," said Harry, his voice failing slightly. "I dream about the third task. I wish I could forget those dreams."

"What about Sirius?" asked Hermione, trying to get Harry's mind away from last year's events. "Did you write to him?"

"No. I mean, I have written to him but not about my dreams. You know Sirius. If I even have a toothache, he would rescue me in a second. Could you imagine what he'd do if I told him all this?" Harry snorted at the thought of his Godfather running into number four, blasting down the door and rushing Harry out of the house, screaming Dursleys in their wake. "No, I have to keep Sirius safe."

"Well, have you talked to Dumbledore?" asked Ron. "Maybe he knows what to do."

"No, not yet, but I will," said Harry as he got up from his seat. "I am really tired. Maybe I can get some sleep now that I'm here."

"Wait, Harry," said Hermione, reaching up to stop him from leaving. "I have one more question."

Harry eyed her suspiciously and said, "Okay, what?"

Hermione smiled as she stood up and took a lock of Harry's black hair.

"What's with your hair?" She said as she yanked on the tiny tress. "It's long, but it's a good look for you."

Harry smiled as he took the hair out of Hermione's hand.

"Well, I was hoping that if I grew it out long enough and started wearing miniskirts and high heels, I could pass myself off as 'the-girl-who-lived.'"

Hermione and Ron both looked at each other quickly and back at Harry.

"Oh, come one you two! You know I'm kidding!" said Harry.

"Sure you are, mate," said Ron, patting Harry on the shoulder as he started up to the boy's dorm.

"No, seriously Ron. I haven't had a haircut in a while. Honestly!" said Harry, running after Ron.

"Hermione, you had better show little Harriett where the girls dorm is," said Ron as he started up the stairs.

"Ron!" yelled Harry, bounding up the stairs after him.

Hermione laughed to herself when she caught the twins looking at her from the corner of her eye.

"Oi, Hermione!" yelled George.

She turned and saw both Weasleys looking rather confused.

"Who's Harriett?" continued Fred.

"Can we meet her?" they both said in unison.

Hermione put a hand over the mouth to stifle a laugh as she ran to the girl's dormitory.

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The clouds shifted revealing a crescent moon. He continued walking through a dense forest until a house came into view. The dilapidated building was almost completely covered in vines and a single light radiated from an upstairs window. Harry continued walking, not knowing why. In his mind, he knew what he would find in this house but his feet continued to take him up the front porch and in the front door. Whispers and screams embedded in the walls cried out to Harry as he climbed the stairs and walked to the end of the dark and dank hallway. Light leaked from a single door at the end of the hallway, illuminating the frame and beckoning Harry towards it. In his mind, Harry tried to stop himself, but he was drawn towards the lighted room like an insect. Not being able to stop himself, he turned the knob on the door and entered. His ears were met by a single word.

"Crucio"

And all was black.

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Harry woke up to the sound of screaming. He sprang up from his bed, his heart beating and his breath coming short. He realized he was not the only person awake in his dorm room.

"Harry!" said a voice. "Are you okay? You were screaming!"

Harry look around to see where the voice has come from. It was Ron.

"I'm alright, Ron," said Harry, putting his glasses on out of habit.

"Do you remember what it was about?" asked Ron.

"No," answered Harry. "I just remember hearing screams."

"Do you feel alright?"

"I feel like I've been sleeping on flaming knives. Blimey! These glasses are useless," said Harry, taking them off and throwing them across the dorm in anger.

"Do you need to go to the hospital wing?" asked Ron.

"Nah, I'll go in the morning," said Harry. "I'm actually feeling a bit better. Go back to sleep, Ron."

"Just make sure you talk to Dumbledore tomorrow," said Ron as he laid back down on his bed.

"Yes Mum," said Harry, who also laid back down, with no intention of going back to sleep.

It was going to be a long night.

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