The Secret Magic Of Potions And Daggers

Chapter Three

“Dumbledore told me there would be a dog on this train and that he was yours Harry. I didn’t know the Dursleys gave you a dog.” Mr. Weasley said as Harry had knelt down to scratch the massive dog’s ears and receive the affectionate licking it gave him.

“The Dursleys didn’t give him to me. We look out for each other some times, that’s all.” Harry did not know if Dumbledore had explained that this particular dog was the animagi form of his convict godfather, and decided the train was not the proper time to explain it. Especially since they had been over heard once already.

“It looks like you two get along pretty well. I have got to get up front. It has been too quiet out in the bush and some of the adults think that….never mind. I don’t want to worry you unnecessarily” and with that Mr. Weasley left quickly.

“Hermione, Ron, will you two keep a look out at the door. I want to talk to Sirius alone.” Harry asked.

“Sure, Harry,” Ron replied as he and Hermione left the compartment to stand guard. “We’ll tap on the door if anyone is coming.” The already massive dog grew into a large man. The last time Harry had seen Sirius Black he had a sallow, sunken, pale look about him, but he was now robust, with a lot of color and a great smile.

“Sirius, you look wonderful,” Harry exclaimed as they embraced.

“It is amazing what a few good meals and some sunshine can do for a person, Harry. You have grown yourself.” Harry felt wonderful in this fatherly hug and only reluctantly let go to try and tell him everything that has gone on.

“There is no time for details Harry,” Sirius interrupted. “I’m afraid your story will have to wait. It is not safe for me to be like this for long.” Harry nodded and listened.

“Once we get to Hogwarts, Dumbledore has asked that I be a guard dog on the grounds. That way we can speak more often and I’ll be there to protect you, if that is ok with you?”

“OK…..it’s wonderful.”

“You will find a few things different once you get to Hogwarts, especially in the Hogsmeade area, but Dumbledore will explain everything when he is ready so I will leave the details for him. I had better change back into Snuffles, we can not risk getting caught.”

“Alright.” And with that word the man before Harry transformed back into a dog. “It’s alright you two, you can come back in now.” Harry called to his friends, who entered swiftly.

“Good timing, the food cart is almost here.” Ron was quite fond of this part of the trip. “Mom gave me the sandwiches, but also some money for the year. I’m looking forward to this.” He said rubbing his hands together. When the cart, pushed by a kindly old witch arrived he bought chocolate frogs, and Bertie Botts every flavor beans and all sorts of other wizard candies. Harry and Hermione followed suit and the three of them, and ‘Snuffles’ ate the treats with great satisfaction.

“What was that!” Hermione screamed as the train lurched uncontrollably.

“Hermione, are you ok,” chorused Ron and the returning Viktor, who had rushed to her side.

“Yes, but what happened.” Snuffles had his nose to the window peering out into the twilight. Harry mimicked him and saw the wild growth around the train shivering with movement.

“There is something out there,” he said to the others.

“That’s an understatement,” Ron blurted as the train again lurched and everyone reached for something to steady them. Luggage fell and the lights flickered.

“Everyone, remain calm,” a magically magnified voice echoed through the cars from one of the adults in front.

“Oh my” whispered Harry under his breath, looking wide eyed out of the window.

Just ahead the track bent and through the trees and undergrowth he could see the front of the train, and what had caused it to lurch and slow to a crawl. Two giants were standing on either side of the track, each over 40 feet tall. Several of the adults on board where standing on top of the engine with wands out. The adult closest to the giants attempted to use a magnified voice to talk their way through but it was evident the negotiation had turned sour. Now everyone had their eyes glued to the glass watching the action. With a combined burst of light from the wands the first giant stumbled backwards while the second leaned forward to brush the wizards away. Those who remained on the engine then shot a burst of red light toward the second giant while the others climbed back on. The second giant stumbled backward and forward and fell face first across the tracks.

As the wizards on the train united their magic to levitate and move the giant in their path, Harry saw the Dark Mark, the skull and snake symbol used by Voldemort, rise into the sky. Screams and panic filled the train as students saw and recognized the culprit behind this attack. Death Eaters emerged from the forest and slowly approached the train as it began to roll forward again. When the train gained speed so did the Death Eaters and several of them reached for the trains handles. Lee Jordan and the Weasley Twins raced past the door of Harry’s compartment and when Ron saw them he followed. At the back of the train the four of them shot hexes toward any Death Eater who tried to grab hold. Moments later they were joined by twelve other seventh year students and the various spells thrown off the train made the Death Eaters back off.

Once the train regained full speed the tension eased, but only slightly. Several of the adults checked compartment to compartment to make sure no Death Eaters were on board and that no students were hurt. Mr. Weasley came to their cabin to make sure all his children were all right.

“Fred, George and Ron,” he counted off as he saw each of their faces and his own features relaxed. “Ginny was up front. She is pretty shook up so she’s coming back here to be with you.”

* * * * *

Once inside the castle there was a general sigh of relief from students and adults alike. Harry and his fellow Gryffindors sat at their table, as the students from the other sat at their designated house tables. The adults sat at an extra table set on the far right of the room. Each of them looked exhausted from the battle with the giants. The first years, as was the custom, were brought in separately and congregated at the front of the room to be sorted. The tattered Sorting hat was brought forward. Each first year was asked to wear it for a moment until the hat called out which house they belonged to, though Harry and Ron were not paying attention to the ceremony. They were watching the Slytherin students, most specifically those near Draco Malfoy. Harry strained to hear what Draco was whispering that made his friends laugh.

“No doubt he is wishing the Death Eaters had gotten on the train,” Ron said under his breath to Harry, who nodded in reply.

Harry was so absorbed watching Draco that he was quite surprised when a new Gryffindor girl sat next to him. She sat quietly, her hands in her lap caressed a long wispy wand, her head bowed. Thick, long dark hair hid most of her face from view.

“Hello, I’m Harry and this in Ron,” he introduced. Without changing her posture she bobbed her head in reply, but would not speak a word.

“Are you alright?” Harry was concerned she may have been hurt on the train. Again, only a nod responded.

“Maybe she’s already heard who you are and is embarrassed,” Ron chided.

With that she looked up through her hair and Harry could see her face. She was not eleven as were all the other first years, but appeared to be slightly older than Harry. Her eyes were strikingly green and her pale skin shone beside her hair.

At the end of the sorting Dumbledore stood to address everyone. “I am sure you all are wondering who will be filling the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. It has been most difficult to find volunteers but we have found two very talented people to do the job. They have not yet arrived yet so I will let them introduce themselves in their classes.”

Dumbledore seemed to be getting through the formalities as quickly as possible. “As you are all too aware our forest has become a haven for the Death Eaters.” Dumbledore was not one to pull any punches. “I applaud your parents and guardians for sending you here and allowing you to continue your education despite those who would thwart our cause. I also want everyone here to show support for those who have chosen to ride with you and so bravely defended you.” Dumbledore indicated the adults table and everyone gave them a round of applause. Harry saw Mr. Weasley’s face turn red.

“I told you at the end of last year Voldemort has managed to regain some power. He now plans to overrun our school. I, on the other hand, will not let that happen, but need your cooperation to keep you safe. The dark forest is not to be entered under any circumstances. No one is to walk the grounds unaccompanied, and everyone must return to their dormitories by nine o’clock each evening.” His words echoed in the immense room. The mood in the room remained somber even after the feast magically appeared on the plates in front of them.

When everyone had eaten their fill each table filed out of the Great Hall and followed their Prefects to the dormitories. This years Prefect was a tall blonde boy Harry had only seen in passing. He had introduced himself as Steve Carrington as he led the Gryffindor house up the many flights of stairs that led to their dormitory. At the end of a comfortably furnished hallway the Fat Lady hung in her portrait. The students approached and she asked,

“Password?”

* * * * *

Breakfast on the first day of class was harried. First years were running about trying to find out where they were going. Older students were getting reacquainted with the schools layout, which could never be completely memorized because stairways, rooms and hallways had a tendency to move. While Harry, Ron, and Hermione ate breakfast looking over their schedules, “Darn, double Potions with the Slytherins again,” mail arrived. Harry didn’t even look up because he rarely received mail unexpectedly, so that when the package hit his cereal milk splattered over the table. He looked up in time to see the hawk owl that had dropped it fly away.

“What is it Harry?” Hermione asked as he tore away the plain brown paper.

“A coin,” Harry answered, “But I’ve never seen the like. Ron, is this a different kind of wizard money. Ron took the coin from Harry and examined it. It was bronze and a little smaller than a Galleon. On side held the image of a Griffin, the other a Phoenix.

“Not that I know of Harry. Is there a note?”

“Let’s see,” Harry began looking through all the wrapping. “Yes, it reads ‘keep this safe until I come for it’ but no one signed it.” Harry said while turning the paper over.

“Maybe they did,” Hermione was looking over Harry’s shoulder. “See there, in the corner. That symbol.”

“It looks strangely familiar” said Harry. “Oh, we’d better get to class. We have Defense Against the Dark Arts first and I want to know who they got to teach it.” Harry tucked the coin into his money bag and hurried with his friends off to class.

When they finally reached the door they found it locked with the rest of the class gathered about it.

“Do you suppose they still haven’t found a teacher,” Seamus Finnigan, one of Harry’s dorm mates asked. As the class broke into gossip a faint sound could be heard behind the door.

“Shhh, everyone,” Ron ordered. He and Harry pressed their ears to the door. “It sounds like heavy footsteps, and someone smaller in there. Let’s go in.”

“We should wait for the teacher,” Seamus offered nervously.

“Not if someone could be in trouble,” Harry said while extracting his wand.

“Alohamora” he called and the latch unlocked. He and Ron swung in the heavy door only to see a little, robe clad witch sitting on the teacher’s desk.

“I wondered who would be first to come in.” She laughed looking at Harry and Ron.

“I should have known it would be you Harry.” Word of the test shot through the incoming class and the tension dissolved while everyone looked for seats. Harry on the other hand stood there looking at the teacher.

“You,” was all he could manage to sayin disbelief.

“What is it Harry?” Ron asked.

“That’s Mrs. Figg. She was my babysitter when I was growing up at the Dursley’s.”

“You do remember then Harry,” she laughed as she walked toward him. She seemed much lighter on her feet than he remembered.

“Why didn’t you tell me you are a witch, or for that matter that I was a wizard all those times I was at your house.” Harry asked a bit more forcefully than he meant.

“We can talk about that after class Harry.” She indicated the rest of the Gryffindor fifth years watching them. “It is so good to see you again,” she said to him as he, Hermione and Ron took their seats.

“Welcome class to your first class on your first day back to school. I am Professor Figg and will be your teacher for the more part of this year. Given current climates we have a lot to cover and we will be going over extremely advanced material very quickly. If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to ask or comment at any time….”

As she retrieved papers from her desk Harry looked around the room. Mrs. Figg had practically wallpapered the entire classroom with pictures of her cats. But these were not the stationary pictures he had looked through while at her home three streets away from the Dursley’s, but cats doing what cats do. Some were sleeping, others playing with toys in the bounds of their frames. Still others watched the students with deep interest. Several, real live cats were scattered about the room.

Professor Figg continued, “10 points will be added to Gryffindor for Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter’s awareness and courage. Often it is the unknown and unexpected that become our downfall, yet these two brave souls dove in to that precise situation.”

“Of course they would. Harry has had more experience than most anybody,” Dean Thomas said.

“That may be true, but I hear from Professor McGonagall he and Mr. Weasley spent a lot of time preparing as well. Now, you may not have a tournament to practice for, but you do have the train ride home in December and June.” The class began to shift in their seats. “My goal is to have you so well equipped by then that the Death Eaters will rue the day they attacked that train.” The class began to cheer. “But,” she shouted over the commotion “it will take a lot of hard work and cooperation as well as trust on each of your parts. Are you ready to get to work?” The class was unanimously excited by the prospect of being able to defend themselves pulled out their books and began reading along and discussing topics with Professor Figg.

“That was one of the best classes ever,” Dean said as they all walked to Herbology.

Harry stayed behind to have a word with Professor Figg. “Why didn’t you tell me who you were and what I was.” He pleaded to the face he thought he was familiar with.

“Harry, I thought you knew, at least what you are. I didn’t want to interfere too much with your upbringing. How would you have reacted when you were five, dropped off at my house if I magically whipped up lunch and ran around wearing robes? I could not risk you telling the Dursleys. If they knew I was a witch they would never have let me watch you. Despite anything they may have done, you have grown into a wonderful young man. I am very proud of you.”

* * * * *

Distracted as Harry was, thinking about what Professor Figg had said, he stormed off toward the greenhouses for Herbology and walked straight through a ghost. Harry felt as though he were freezing and was blowing into his cupped hand as he turned to see through whom he had passed. A woman stood stoically watching the greenhouses, long silvery hair half held up in a twist matched the renaissance royalty style dress she wore. She barely acknowledged him, as he observed her watching his class. He ran down the sloping lawns the rest of the way. Professor Sprout however did notice him, as he was 10 minutes late.

“I’m sorry Professor, I was detained by Mrs. Figg.”

“That is Professor Figg, Mr. Potter. And I will still deduct 5 points from Gryffindor for your tardiness. Now, hurry up and join the others.” Harry stood next to Ron and Hermione, apart from the Ravenclaws and other Gryffindors in the class.

“So, did Prof. Figg explain why she never told you?” Hermione asked as she wrote down the identities of each plant in front of her.

“Yes, but that does not make it any less frustrating.”

“Don’t worry so much about it Harry. You know what you are now so what does it matter?” Ron asked. He was flipping through his book, obviously having a harder time recognizing the plants than Hermione. Harry took out a quill and parchment and began the assignment.

“You wouldn’t understand.” Harry looked past a large leafed orchid bedecked with pearl like seeds. “What is she doing here? I thought she was a first year?” Just across from Harry was the mysterious brunette who had been sorted yesterday.

“I’m not sure, but she is rather good. She answered every question Professor Sprout threw at her before you got here,” Ron answered. “She even knew a few Hermione didn’t.”

“She introduced herself as Morgain, but no last name. The first years have all sorts of theories but no one has confirmed anything.” Hermione whispered. Harry looked at her again. She wore her hair up, out of her face, today in an ornate series of braids. Only one thin braid hung straight down, which she was twirling while gazing out the doors, in the direction of the castle.

“Alright class, please hand in your parchment as you leave,” Professor Sprout announced when class had ended. Harry noticed Morgain was the first to turn her completed assignment in and hurry back to the castle for lunch. Harry had barely started, but lead Hermione and Ron to turn them in and head up the grounds.

“Where did she go” Harry asked.

“Who?” asked Ron.

“Morgain.”

“What is she a dark haired Veela.” Hermione scoffed.

“No, I’m just curious.” Harry tried to hide his interest. “She’s in our house and no one knows anything about her, not to mention being a first year in a fifth year Herbology class.” As the trio hiked up the slope Harry noticed that the ghost he had encountered on the way down was gone.

“We’ll catch up with her at lunch and ask her,” Ron suggested. “I’m starving.”

When they got to the Great Hall they grabbed some meatloaf, potatoes and rolls and then walked over to the Gryffindor table. Morgain was just finishing her lunch. Harry walked up to her, “Do you mind if we join you?”

“No,” her voice was soft and clear. “I do not mind.”

“My name is”

“Harry Potter, I know who you are” she interrupted.

“Oh, what is your name?” Harry asked. Ron was covering his meatloaf in ketchup and Hermione was reading in preparation for her next class, neither one of them were as interested as Harry to find out about this stranger.

“Morgain.”

“What is your last name?”

“I have never had need for one.”

“What?” Ron was shocked. He found someone lacking a last name even more interesting than the potato he had half stuck in his mouth.

“Pardon me, I must go to my next class,” and she stood quickly and walked toward the door. Harry followed.

“I didn’t mean to be rude by asking. I just want to know who you are.” Harry called after her as she glided up the main stair case. When she got to the landing she met Peeves the Poltergeist floating just above her. He was a knavish fellow who delighted in misleading the students and causing as much chaos as he could. He took a deep breath to blow raspberries as her, as was his customary greeting to most students, but seemed unable to spit at her. His eyes grew wide and he settled to the ground, where to everyone’s astonishment he bowed to her. Her only response was to walk away quickly toward the charms corridor.

“What was that,” Harry asked in disbelief. Hermione and Ron just met up with him in the hall.

“What happened” Ron asked, stuffing another roll into his mouth.

“Peeves just bowed to Morgain.”

“You're kidding,” said Hermione, “I wonder if she will tell us how?”

“No time to ask now. We had better be off to Divination, Ron,” Harry said. “I can’t wait to see what horrific death Professor Trelawney will predict for me today.” Harry motioned Ron to follow him, as they had to go to the furthest tower.

Hermione grabbed Harry before he left and whispered, “Now I’m curious. I have free study time for two hours. I’m going to see what I can find out about her. Meet me at the back of the library after Divination.” Harry nodded and as he and Ron started the journey up to the tower, Hermione turned to follow Morgain down the charms corridor.