The Secret Magic Of Potions And Daggers

Chapter Five

On Monday, Harry held back after lunch while Ron went to Divination and Hermione left for the library. Being alone in such a vast room only made it feel even more so. Harry studied the ceiling while he waited, which portrayed the sky outside. Gray clouds drifted by but none of them threatened rain. The door behind the teachers table opened.

“We will be starting in here Harry,” Dumbledore went back into the sitting room. Harry followed and the paintings on the walls pointed at him. Last year they had witnessed Harry’s appointment as fourth Tri-Wizard tournament champion and seemed anxious to know what he was up to now. Dumbledore took a seat by the fireplace opposite four smaller and partially occupied chairs.

“I believe you already know each other,” Dumbledore began while Harry sat down. “Just for sake of formality, each of you please introduce yourselves.” A small figure emerged from the furthest chair from Harry.

“My name is Cho Chang from Ravenclaw house.” Harry’s throat instantly acquired a lump. Cho had been Cedric Digory’s girlfriend but someone Harry had strong feelings for. The next student stood.

“Neville Longbottom here,” he waived at Harry.

“Morgain.” She seemed to almost materialize out of the chair. Once sitting again she looked at Harry as a cue for him to stand.

“Harry Potter of Gryffindor.”

“Now that we are introduced let me explain why each of you is here. You have abilities, perhaps even beyond your knowledge that need to be harnessed. Ordinarily these skills would not even be addressed because there is no need, but a certain artifact has reached this school that makes this class imperative. But let us start with a history lesson Professor Binns would never teach you.” Cho and Morgain pulled out parchment and quills so Harry and Neville did so too. Harry wondered if the artifact Dumbledore referred to was the coin in his pocket. Dumbledore continued his lecture, “Two thousand years ago and before wizardry was not as common as it is today. Nor was it as simple to perform. This was a time before wands were widespread and magic was taught and guarded within each clan. During this period of history magic mostly rested on potion making and harnessing and focusing the energy within themselves, which took severe concentration. Even those born magic often never developed the skills or stamina necessary to use their powers, but those who did became great. Today that power is called Old Magic.” Dumbledore paused and took a drink of water while Harry and the others scribbled their notes.

“We can be sure of very little that occurred during that time period because few records were kept and those that were are written in codes. From what we do know their abilities far exceeded our modern craft, which has made deciphering the codes the dream of many scholars. Another reason I have brought you together is because each of your parents were associated with the quest for Old Magic and on occasion suffered dearly for it.”

Harry put down his quill and stared at Dumbledore. It had never occurred to him to ask what his parents did for a living until this moment. Was it their occupation, this ‘quest’ they died for?

“After the general distribution of wands, standardized magical devices and such, reliance on the Old Magic faded, as did most of those who practiced it. You see, it is far easier to let the wand focus the magic within a person than to do so with pure mind power. These advances are now so heavily relied upon most people believe it is the wand or memorized words that activate magic. In actuality the magic comes from inside and manifests itself best when one has control over their thoughts and emotions. The intent and force from the witch or wizard is what produces magic. Harry, may I see your coin?”

Harry handed Dumbledore the music making coin. Dumbledore flipped it as he had before but stopped it before James introduced Lily.

“This is a remarkable reproduction of one of the most sought after artifacts of Old Magic. Just as these portraits depict the personality of their subjects…,” Dumbledore indicated the many frames on the wall and their occupants appeared pleased to be included in the lesson. “…this disk has captured the original energy behind the music. The ramifications of which are very serious. Should someone record a spell and play this in conjunction to a wand it would create, in essence, a self-spelling wand. Any creature capable of pointing a stick could then be armed with the most dangerous of enchantments. It was for this reason research into the creation of the coins ceased and most of the records and coins destroyed. I only know of one person alive proficient enough at making and concealing these coins who could have sent this to Harry. She goes by the name of Genevieve.”

At the mention of that name Morgain suddenly stopped writing and sharply turned her face toward Dumbledore. Apparently only Harry had noticed the reaction because Dumbledore calmly continued.

* * * * *

Harry didn’t have a chance to talk with Hermione and Ron until after Quidditch practice that evening, although by that time not only was he mentally exhausted from the day, but physically fatigued from practice. When he collapsed into a chair Hermione left her piles of homework to sit by him.

“What did Dumbledore say?” Hermione asked curiously.

“He gave us a lecture on something he called Old Magic.”

“Us, who else was there?” Hermione was visibly upset about being left out of such a great learning opportunity.

“Cho Chang, Morgain and Neville.” Harry answered.

“Neville got to be in a private lesson with Dumbledore and …..” Her jealousy was so apparent even Ron spotted it from across the room.

“Calm down Hermione. He said we were there because of stuff our parents did with the Old Magic and the only reason he is even addressing these issues is because Genevieve sent that coin.”

“Oh.” Her exclusion somewhat excused she cooled off a bit. “Does he really think that it was Genevieve who sent it too you?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, you had better go to the fireplace. An owl has been waiting for you and it has a package like before.” Harry took the small package from a hawk owl sitting on the mantle. When Harry opened the window to let it out he was met with shouts from his house mates to close the window. The air certainly was getting cooler these days.

Harry returned to his friends and unwrapped the package. This time he found the note first. It read simply ‘take care’ but even that was difficult to read the penmanship appeared so rushed. Harry walked to the furthest corner and got down on his hands and knees. Hermione and Ron looked curiously at him but also crouched low. Harry flipped it only inches from the floor and this time it was his mother who spoke first.

“This is trial number 3 for the disks. Today we are testing length capabilities, but we may as well make it fun to listen to the second time around so James is going to play for us some of his favorite pieces on the hammer dulcimer.” After that a jovial tune picked through the air. Harry let it play for a few minutes before he noticed that he was being watched.

Morgain sat surveying them bent with their ears toward the floating spinning coin. Harry noticed that she had open before her the scroll Dumbledore had given her.

Between classes and Quidditch practice Harry lacked time for anything else, for which he was grateful because it meant he did not lie to Sirius. He had somehow managed to keep his grades up and when it was time their first match against Hufflepuff he felt ready. While in the locker room before the game Angelina, who had taken the roll of captain addressed them all.

“We have been flying great this year, but I don’t want the trophy we won last time to weigh you down. This is a new beginning for us and as a team we contain every quality needed for victory. Let’s show them how the game is played.”

“Hurrah,” the team shouted and walked out onto the field, their scarlet robes flicking in the wind.

Harry looked into the stands and saw Ron and Hermione cheering him on, standing besides Viktor Krum. Krum looked small next to Hagrid, who waived at Harry. After the balls were released and the teams shot into flight mayhem ensued and no one was quite sure what happened. Not even Lee Jordan who was announcing the game. Before Harry could even get above the game to look for the snitch the game was over. From what they sorted out later the snitch had flown away from the rising players straight past the Hufflepuff seeker, who in a moment of quick reflexes snatched it out of the air. Admittedly , most players and spectators were disappointed by the briefness of the game. But the Hufflepuffs could not have been more pleased.

“We Won”, they shouted with joy while flying around the field. Harry was still flabbergasted.

* * * * *

During Herbology a weak later Harry was surprised to see Cho walking purposely toward him. Harry stopped what he was doing to admire her, but caught himself before he crossed the line to staring.

“We have to meet tonight Harry.” Harry felt a jolt of exhilaration. Was she asking him out? “I’ve cleared everything with Neville and Morgain; we can meet in the library, and bring the scroll Dumbledore gave you.” Harry’s first thought was of a double date, but the serious look on Cho’s face quickly dissolved that idea.

“Did you find something in the scroll?” Asked Harry.

“Not yet, but it’s about time we did so Morgain suggested we work together on it. We’re going to be in the library at 6:00 and Madame Pince said we can use one of the workrooms off the library until 8:30. That should give us a good start.”

“I’ll be there.” Harry tried to hide the nervous enthusiasm in his voice. Ron, who had over heard the conversation, gave him the thumbs up. He knew this was just the chance Harry had been waiting for to talk to Cho.

That night Harry left dinner early and spent 20 minutes trying to comb his hair though didn’t make much difference in his thick mop anyway. He walked to the library at 5:30 thinking he would be first there and may have a chance to talk to Cho. As it turned out, Neville, Morgain and Cho had just arrived together so they started early. Cho spread out her scroll on the desk in the quiet workroom. Harry helped her keep it open by placing his books on the corners. Cho took charge right from the start.

“Alright, have any of you deciphered anything so far?”

“My scroll is difference than this,” Neville announced. He unrolled his next to Cho’s and they could see the variations quite clearly. Morgain and Harry also rolled theirs out, so the entire table was now covered in papers and books holding them open.

“I thought Dumbledore gave us each the same one,” Cho stared at them in amazement. “So, what have you noticed about yours Neville.”

“I thought some of these looked like plants, rough drawings of a type of fern.” He pointed to an outline in the corner, except for the fact that their were curly vines and fruits coming out of one side and geometric shapes inside the sketch it did oddly enough look like a fern.

“And you Morgain?” Cho asked. Harry noticed that as Cho spoke the spark and spontaneity he had once admired in her had diminished.

“I saw a pattern of spheres in mine, just here. But I don’t know what they mean.” Harry spoke up before Cho could call on him.

“I don’t know what mine means either but there are more spheres here, except the way they are drawn…” Harry looked more closely at them, “they look more like the spinning coins I have.”

“Really,” everyone looked closely to where Harry pointed.

“I see it,” Morgain was intensely fascinated. “There’s the disk, and the rest of the sphere is blurry to indicate motion. Harry, do you have any of those coins here.”

“Yes.” Harry took one of the coins out of his change purse and flipped it over the drawings. Each person let out a disappointed sigh as nothing happened besides the room being filled with the now familiar gentle music Harry’s parents played. Harry caught the coin in mid-air and noticed it had grown warm again, just as it had when he tried to summon it. After bandying ideas back and forth for another hour, they were not any closer to deciphering the scrolls than when they started.

Cho seemed the most disappointed and stayed behind after the other left. He hunched over her scroll gently pulling on the hair by her temples. Harry went back to talk to her.

“Cheer up Cho. Our parents studied these things for years and probably couldn’t figure them out either.”

“You are right Harry,” she heaved a sigh, but it did not brighten her countenance at all. “Why would Dumbledore give these to us? It’s almost as though he expects us to pick up where our parents left off, but I have no clue where to begin.” She began to cry. Now Harry really didn’t know what to do.

“Everything will be alright Cho. Dumbledore only wanted us to familiarize ourselves with these, maybe he’ll show us how to read them next time, but he wanted us to try first.” He was now grasping at straws as Cho’s tears escalated. Between the squeaks and sobbing Harry could barely understand her.

“But what if …. getting past the Death Eaters ….next time is dependant on us….what would Cedric do?” ……. She had said the one name that explained these emotions.

“This isn’t really about the scrolls is it Cho,” Harry asked gently. “It’s about Cedric and me and what happened last year.” Cho’s tear stained face held a look of recognition as Harry had reached the true heart of the matter.

“I miss him so much,” she sobbed. “I can’t find joy in the things we used to do together, study, play games. Not even Quidditch so I dropped myself from the team. I feel like there is a Dementor following me everywhere,” she divulged openly. Harry searched for words.

“If there was a Dementor here I’d know about it,” was all Harry could think to say. Cho just continued crying while Harry tried to be encouraging. “Cho, you’re one of the best seekers around, you can’t quit the game.” Nothing he said could cheer her up and eventually she asked him to leave her alone. He left the library reluctantly and made his way back slowly to the common room.

Hermione was hidden in the corner of the common room behind a stack of books as usual when Harry approached her.

“Hermione, I need a girl’s opinion.”

“Nice to know you finally think of me as a girl,” Hermione responded dripping with sarcasm. “What do you want to know?”

“Cho is really depressed. I think it’s because of what happened to Cedric last year. I want to help her because she’s so miserable. She’s stopped doing things she likes and even given up Quidditch.”

“Quidditch is not the end all and be all of everything you know Harry.” Some of the sarcasm lingered, but it faded as she continued. “All you can do Harry is be her friend. She has a reason to be sad and you can’t fix it for her.”

* * * * *

During the next week Harry studied mostly in his dorm rather than in the common room. He enjoyed the privacy given so much of his days were crowed with people. He also liked to play music softly in these solitary moments, and he found the gentle melodies prepared his mind for the task of studying. He missed Sirius and wondered if he was staying warm as the nights grew so cold. Pulling out blank parchment Harry decided to write him a letter but wasn’t sure how to address it. He was also unsure about including too many details in his letter for fear it may be intercepted revealing their secret. After several drafts he finally decided to whom he could address it and that he would be as ambiguous as possible.

Dear Professor Lupin, Would you please read this letter to Snuffles.

I’m staying out of trouble like I promised. Everything around here is becoming uneventful, so I’m just going to classes all day and studying at night. I may be a bit of a recluse but it’s nice to not deal with a lot of people right now. I’d love to tell you a few stories face to face if ever we get the chance. Until then, don’t worry about me.

Harry Potter

Harry was on his way through the common room to the owlry when he spotted a sign posted on the bulletin board.

Hogsmeade Visit this Saturday. Those eligible to attend please contact Professor McGonagall.

Harry borrowed a quill from Parvati Patil to add a postscript to his letter.

P.S. I’ll be in Hogsmeade this Saturday. Please meet me by the Shrieking Shack at noon.

* * * * *

“I am so glad Saturday is finally here,” Ron told Hermione while they lined up in the Front Hall awaiting their ride into town. “I’ve completely run out of sweets and could do with a trip to Honeydukes.” He jingled the coins in his pocket excitedly. “Where do you want to go Hermione?”

“I’ve made a map of the Historical sites we’ve been studying in History of Magic and a few places my Arithmancy teacher mentioned were worth a look.

See, I’ll start out here,” she pointed on her map to a small museum on the edge of town. “Then I’d like to make my way to the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer. I could use it by then.”

“You’ll be on your own for that, I want to get inside the Quidditch supply shop. I hear they’ve added a whole new section of broomsticks.”

“Why don’t you go there first and then you can ask Viktor to come join us at the three broomsticks at 12:00. How about that Harry?” Ron groaned at the mention of Viktor Krum. Harry hadn’t been paying much attention to their conversation. Rather he was quite anxious for the carriages to get there and was watching for them.

“What was that? Not noon, I’ve got somewhere to be, how about 11:00?”

“That won’t give us much time. What are you doing at 12:00?”

“I have to meet our old friend,” and the others understood. Harry looked at Hermione and then over her shoulder. Approaching him was Cho Chang and just when she began to speak the carriages arrived and they were pushed forward by the line of eager of students behind them. Cho, Harry, Ron and Hermione all sat in the same bumpy coach down to the village. Cho, sitting next to Harry leaned to his ear and whispered quietly.

“Thank you for attempting to cheer me up earlier. It was nice of you to try.” Harry smiled at her. She smiled back; it had been the one thing he had been waiting for and wanting from her ever since he first saw her. Harry noticed it was not all he had imagined that moment would be. While gracious and heartfelt their shared smile was that of a friend, and Harry now realized that was how it would stay.

When the coach stopped on the edge of town Hermione left to explore historical sites while Ron, Harry and Cho headed straight for the Quidditch supply. As they were among the first to arrive the shop was not yet packed with students. An old man was sweeping the floor in preparation for the students and tipped his hat at them when they entered.

“Wow Harry, check this out,” Ron found himself elbow deep in piles of used brooms.

“It’s a Nimbus 2000.” Harry didn’t have to read the tag hanging from the end to know Ron was right. It was an exact copy of his first broom that had served him so well. “That’s great Ron.” Cho looked around the room sadly remembering all the times she and Cedric had been here.

“Harry, I’m just going to go. I’ll see you around.” Cho started for the door. Harry watched her leaving internally kicking himself for being so insensitive.

“Cho Chang” a deep voice called from the other side of the store. Viktor Krum emerged wearing an apron covered in wood shavings and broom polish.

“Viktor Krum,” she answered in recognition. Harry wondered to himself where these two had met before. Viktor walked to Cho and whispered something in here ear which, to Harry’s surprise, made her giggle.

“I didn’t think you would remember that,” she said swatting him with her hand.

“How could one forget such a thing? Would you like to see our new shipment of broom polishes? They are in the back, I haven’t had a chance to set them out yet.”

“I’ll help you.” Cho offered. Harry stared unbelievingly at Cho, who moments earlier was about to burst into tears. He turned to Ron.

“I don’t think I will ever understand women.”

“Here here,” Ron replied and both of them returned their attention to the Nimbus 2000.

Ron’s new broomstick in hand the two of them set out for a quick look about before meeting Hermione in the Three Broomsticks.

“It was so informative, you should have been there,” she greeted them at a booth by the window, clinging to a Butterbeer. “I understand now how the Goblin Rebellion of 1102 could not have been quelled as easily as that of 1012 because their forts were better equipped. I see you went to Quidditch Supplies, where’s Viktor?”

Harry and Ron stared at one another, each wanting the other to explain. Harry finally bit the bullet and explained everything very cautiously.

“Why shouldn’t he be talking to Cho, with as depressed as you told me she was I’m sure it’s good for her.” She responded serenely to the story.

“So, you’re not upset?”

“Why should I be upset?” Hermione asked.

“I….we….weren’t sure how serious you two were.”

“Serious, as in dating? Oh no. Nothing like that.” Harry and Ron were still suspicious of the extraordinarily calm way Hermione was handling this and decided to change the subject.

“What is going on out there?” Harry asked looking out the window. A group of Hogwarts Hufflepuffs were running into town from the direction of the Shrieking shack.

“Let’s go check it out.” They left their partially drunk Butter beers on the table and fought against wind and students to go towards the Shack which loomed into view.

“Is that what I think it is?” Ron stopped to stare. Hermione also stopped and only Harry pressed forward. The fields a mile beyond the shrieking shack had been uprooted and on them built several huts, though each of them scraped the clouds at over 100 feet high. The land around them had been planted with grain, now cut and bundled in triangle shaped packages, anyone of which rivaled the Hogsmeade stores in height. Inside these partially cleared fields played three children, though none of them were from the village. They were giants, playing tag under the watchful eyes of their parents.

“Harry, come back here,” called Hermione while he approached them.

“It’s ok. These are good giants.” Harry called back. Ron and Hermione ran up behind Harry to pull him back but he just shrugged them off. Ron pleaded with him,

“How many times do I have to tell you Harry, all giants are…” but Harry spun around and interrupted him.

“Ron, are all wizards good?”

“No.”

“Are all werewolves bad, including Professor Lupin?”

“I guess not, no.” Ron looked at the ground. Harry continued.

“Think of Dobby, does every house elf want to have a master, and now Hagrid, can every giant be bad?”

“No, but…”

“Not every member of a group is evil or good, giants are just like us…just bigger. Can I borrow your broomstick?” Harry pointed to Ron’s new Nimbus 2000.

“What for?” Ron asked in defense of it.

“I want to go talk to the giants and see if I can find Professor Lupin and Snuffles.” As Harry mounted Ron’s broom Hermione stood in front of him in protest.

“It’s almost 12:00, can’t you just wait for him here?” Just then a mob of villagers and students advanced on the giant’s dwellings, carrying torches and waving wands. Harry flew past Hermione’s objections and hovered in front of the crowd, swerving back and forth slowing their progress. Confusion filled the rabble as they shouted at him.

“Get out of the way,” “What are you doing,” “Who is that.”

Once they had come to a complete stop the yelling only got louder until a man’s voice silenced them all.”

“Good citizen’s of Hogsmeade.” It said. Though the voice was soft and gentle it pierced each person who heard it to the heart. “You ought to be ashamed of your behavior.” A small old man pushed his way through the crowd to the front. His short silver hair reflected a hint of gold from the sun and each person he looked in the eye lowered their gaze. “Didn’t we resolve this in the town meetings? The giants are here to help us. What started all this?”

No one wanted to answer at first, then a tall wizard in his late twenties crept forward,

“One of the Hogwarts students was stepped on by the giants.” He tried to speak defiantly but could not meet the old man’s gaze.

“This mob is more likely to trample a student than the giants. Let us investigate this matter calmly.” He looked up at Harry still hovering over the multitude. “You up there, come down here.” Harry drifted down and stood face to face with the old man. “I saw what you did to slow down them down, it was dangerous and irresponsible.” Hermione heard that and smugly looked at Harry. “But since you weren’t killed, would you be willing to fly over that field and see if there is any evidence to support this man’s claims.”

Harry took off, flying over the fields. After looking everywhere he was grateful for not finding any such evidence. Landing beside the old man again he just shook his head, causing his bangs to part over his scar. Those in the front of the crowd stood back when they recognized him.

“It’s Harry Potter,” “If Harry Potter says there is nothing there I believe him.” The din of the crowd died down as they slowly dispersed. The old man turned toward him admiringly.

“It is quite an honor to meet a young man whose very name inspires people to believe you. What did you do to earn such respect?” Harry looked at him in disbelief, having never met a wizard who didn’t know what happened to him fifteen years ago.

“He’s Harry Potter sir,” Ron stepped in.

“It sounds familiar, but I just can’t place my finger on it.” The old man smiled at Harry who explained simply.

“It’s just for something that happened to me I had no control over, it’s not a big deal.” Harry smiled back, grateful to have met someone who didn’t know about or judge him by his past.

“That is a nasty scratch you have on your forehead, did you get that from the mob?”

“No, but it’s why they knew me. You aren’t from around here are you?”

“I’m from America, Denver Colorado to be precise. My name is Elden Eldritch. I was asked by a dear friend of mine to act as a mediator between the village and a few of its visitors, including the giants. It’s a hot tempered bunch you’ve got here.”

“Who, the giants?” Harry asked.

“No, the wizards. If you and your friends haven’t eaten lunch, you may join me.”

“Thank you, but no. I’m meeting a friend here soon,” Harry pointed toward the Shrieking Shack and realized that Professor Lupin was standing there, the beginning of soft snowflakes falling around him. “It was nice meeting you Mr. Eldritch,” Harry shook the old man’s hand and then followed Hermione and Ron.

“Hello Professor” Harry greeted pulling his cloak closer around him. “Where is Snuffles?” Harry had grown accustomed to calling his godfather by his canine name.

“He can’t meet with you today I’m afraid. Neither can I really. After the giants saw the mob coming after them they are asking to leave. It is up to us to convince them to stay; we really will need them if it comes down to a battle between us and the Death Eaters. I am sorry Harry. Thank you for what you did today, you may have saved these negotiations.” Professor Lupin gave him a firm handshake and then walked into the fields, while Ron took back his broomstick.

“Thank goodness it’s in one piece.”

“With no Whomping Willows around, I can keep any broom in one piece,” Harry joked and they laughed all the way back to the Three Broomsticks.