Harry Potter and the Mirror of Lehcar

"So, Ron I saw you looking at Hannah Abbott... Are you going to ask her to the ball? I think you should--you would be cute together!" Hermione said in a singsong voice as she nudged Ron in the ribs.

"Well--she is really nice, but..." Ron paused as his eyes grew, and his jaw dropped.

"Ron, what is it?" said Hermoine as she turned around and saw just what "it" was. They saw Draco completely knocked out with a tear in his shirt and a strange mark on his chest, being dragged into the compartment next to theirs. There was dust all around the door to their compartment and in the corridor by it.

"Oh my... What happened?" Hermione gaped in astonishment.

Crabbe and Goyle just grunted. They seemed completely befuddled by what had happened. Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini rushed in to see what was wrong with Draco. When they saw Hermione and Ron staring at him, they gave them mean looks and told Crabbe to shut the door. As Crabbe did what he was told, the girls both noticed little green circles all over his face, which effectively made him look even more like an ogre.

Hermione and Ron gave each other a quick glance and ran towards their compartment. Ron slipped at the door and slid a few feet, but Hermione stopped at the door to see Harry lying with his head propped up on the wall of the train. Hermione rushed to his side to see if she could help him up.

"Enervate," Hermione whispered.

"What happened?" Ron asked as he slid through the door. "Is Harry all right?" At that moment, Harry woke up, and it sounded as though Draco had as well. There was a shriek and a lot of rustling around in the next compartment.

"What the hell happened to you?" said Ron, finally managing to make it to Harry's side.

"I'm not exactly sure. Um... Hermione, maybe you should look into it," Harry said dazedly as he massaged his chest in the same place that they had seen the rip in Draco's shirt. Harry explained exactly what had happened up until the point where the two sparks parted, which was all he could remember.

"Hmm..." Hermione said thoughtfully. "Harry, I have no idea what it means; I really can't tell you. How do you feel, are you all right?"

"Um, yeah, I guess I'm okay. My head hurts and I do feel a little different, but that's probably just from hitting it when I fell. Do you think I should go see how Malfoy is?" Harry said, looking at Hermione. Ron choked.

"What the hell?!?!" Ron sputtered. "That fall must have really knocked you out of whack. Why would you ever check on that stupid git?"

"That would be a nice gesture. I think you should," Hermione agreed with Harry as she glared at Ron.

"What?! You want him to what?! What's going on here? Are we having a let's-forget-how-Malfoy's-a-stupid-git-and-start-prancing-around-like-chickens-together party?" Ron yelled furiously. "I mean, honestly, Hermione, did you see if he was all right after you slapped him?"

"Ron! That what was completely different, and anyway, I am really wondering if he has a similar mark... Ya know that could really help us find out what happened."

"Well, I guess I'll go see how he is doing," Harry said shakily as he got up--and promptly fell down again.

******

"Draco! Draco, are you okay?" It was Blaise Zabini. She was holding Pansy Parkinson in her arms.

"Yeah, yeah... I'm fine. I think Potter fucked with me," came Draco's drawling voice from Harry himself. "What happened to Pansy?"

"She fainted. She was really worried about you," said Blaise as she gently slapped Pansy's cheeks.

"Oh, just leave her. She'll come around eventually, and we're better off without her constantly talking," Draco's voice again came from Harry.

Harry didn't understand what was happening. What he did know for sure was that he was in Draco's body. He knew he wasn't the only person present in this body either. Harry had felt cold feelings that he had never felt before just in these few minutes. Harry also knew that what was coming out of his mouth- Draco's mouth- was not what he was thinking. Harry was scared and confused. He didn't understand what was happening to him or where Draco was.

Pansy awoke and came to hug Harry/Draco. She was crying, and Harry hugged her and patted her head but he felt angry towards her. Now Harry was really confused, not only was he in Draco's body feeling things he had never felt before, but he was also hugging Draco's girlfriend. He didn't understand the hate he felt towards her.

Pansy leaned away from Harry and started to give him a strange look.

"What is wrong with you? You're acting different. I've been sitting with you for two minutes and you haven't touched me. That blow must have been pretty harsh."

"Oh, I just..." Harry leaned forward to face Pansy and fainted.

***

Something cold and wet was patting Harry's forehead, and it hurt. He opened his eyes everything was blurry.

"Oh good, you're awake!" It was Hermione's voice. Harry was so happy and relieved to hear her voice that he pulled her down to him and gave her a big hug.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Hermione said in surprise. "Are you all right?"

"I'm just so glad to see you," Harry said in a muffled voice, against her shoulder.

"Wow, Harry, are you okay?" Ron said sounding worried as he walked into the compartment.

"Yeah, can I have my glasses?" Harry said, rubbing his eyes. "That was really weird. I don't know what just happened but it was messed up."

"Um, Harry you fainted, it's not that weird," Ron said in bewilderment.

"Harry what happened when you fainted?" Hermione pushed Ron out of the way and came over to Harry's side. "That is what you're talking about, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but it was pretty messed up," Harry trailed off looking at something behind Hermoine.

Hermione decided to ignore Harry's drifted attention. "What exactly happened, Harry?"

"Hullo," Harry said to whoever was now standing behind Hermione.

"Harry, what happened? Are you all right?" Cho Chang's voice filtered through the compartment to Harry's ears.

"Yes I'm fine... a curse just did something funny and I fainted," Harry said, sitting up to see Cho. She ran to him and gave him a hug. As Harry struggled to get Cho off of him, he realized her brown eyes were starting to tear up. Harry really didn't care very much about why Cho would be crying. He didn't want to talk to Cho right now. It took too much effort.

"Listen Cho, I'm fine, but I need to rest. Could you give me some space?" Harry smiled up at Cho.

"What?" Cho was surprised. "Yes, sure... anything to help you get better, Harry. I'll write to Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall or Madam Pomfrey or...or..." Cho was frantically trying to think of something to help Harry.

"It's okay! I'm okay. You don't have to write anyone; I'll be fine. I just need to rest, that's all. But thank you," Harry said as he got up. He really was grateful but he really didn't want to deal with her right now so he showed her out of their compartment.

"Harry, are you sure you are all right?" Hermione asked.

"I only fainted. It's okay! I'm going to be all right," Harry sighed in exasperation as he looked down at his chest. There was a glowing bruise on the upper right side of his chest. When he touched it its color flared up. "Well, at least I don't have tentacles on my face."

"Harry, something happened when you fainted," Hermione said matter-of-factly. "You have to tell me what it is. I might be able to help you."

"Nothing, nothing... I'm fine. Just let me sit down!" Harry said, finally losing it. He wasn't feeling too great. He didn't know what was wrong but he didn't feel good. He figured the curse had just wiped out his energy. He staggered up and tried to get over to a seat, but collapsed, fainting yet again.

***

"Ron, what do we do, what do we do?" Hermione cried frantically.

"Um..." was Ron's articulate reply. "Wait until he comes around again?" He knelt by Harry's side.

"Let's write to Dumbledore, something is obviously wrong with him. He's fainted twice in half an hour!" Hermione said, wringing her hands.

"Well, I guess... but what good can he do? Really Hermione... I know you see him as a superhero, but we are on the train and I personally don't think Harry is dying. Dumbledore has the feast and everything else to prepare. I just don't know how much help it will be to write him," Ron said, rolling his eyes.

"But we have to write someone! As much as I hate to say it, I agree with Cho," Hermione said, not meeting Ron's eyes.

"You don't like Cho?" Ron's eyes lit up.

"No. I don't. You don't either, I take it...?"

"Mmm... no, not so much. I got in a fight with Harry about her, you know, how he is so different when he talks to her and all..." Ron trailed off.

"When--I mean, how do they talk to each other? I know it's not owl post," Hermione mused.

"At the Burrow and they use these mirror things. I don't know what it is actually. Whenever I talked to Harry about her I never thought about the mirrors but I do wonder about them," Ron said, standing up as he finished speaking and kneeling again by Harry.

"Mirrors, how weird..." Hermione said thoughtfully. "Ron, we need to write someone, sorry I got so carried away."

"Well it's easy when you're passionate about the way you feel," Ron said, winking and making Hermione blush. "I think we should write McGonagall and if she thinks he needs to go to the hospital wing she'll send him. It's not like he'd listen to us," Ron continued.

"Okay... just let me get some parchment and a quill," Hermione said, suddenly cheerful.

Hermione rustled around and finally pulled out a parchment and quill. She didn't know how exactly to word her letter, and she didn't want to embarrass Harry. She also didn't want a sarcastic comment from Ron, so Hermione sat in silence, trying to think of what to write. Just as she had an idea and started to write "Dear Professor," Harry woke up.

"That stupid git!" Harry suddenly yelled. "What the hell is going on?"

"What's going on? You suddenly get turrets or something?" Ron chuckled.

"Yeah, Harry, what's wrong? And don't say nothing because we know something is up. We aren't stupid," Hermione said, looking up from her parchment.

"Well, I knew you weren't stupid, but Ron? That's news to me. What are you writing?" Harry said, noticing Hermione's quill.

"Hey!" Ron exclaimed, but before he could say anything else, Hermione interrupted.

"I'm writing Professor McGonagall and telling her that you're sick," she said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"What? No, don't do that. I'll miss another Sorting for another stupid illness when I'm not even sick. I only fainted Hermione! It's not that big of a deal," Harry said, losing his patience.

"Yes it is, Harry! You fainted twice in the last hour and you wake up like something happened. I don't even know if you actually are fainting," Hermione said in her maddeningly superior tone.

"It's been more than an hour, and the first time the hex knocked me out," Harry said. "Look, I'll tell you what. You don't write her and if I faint again I'll go straight to the hospital wing. I won't even complain, I promise," Harry pleaded.

The look on Hermione's face softened and she gave in. The rest of the train trip occurred without any incident. Hermione and Ron gave Harry some quizzical looks but they relaxed and talked about who the next DaDA teacher was going to be.

***

When they departed from the train, they found Hagrid and said 'hi' before he took the first years off on to the lake. They stood around with all the other students and waited for a carriage. It was dark but the lights from the castle illuminated the platform; it smelled of rain and was a nice temperature outside. They had fun just sitting in the pretty area anxiously awaiting the school year ahead of them.

Hermoine, Harry, Ron, and Neville all got in the same carriage. The bumpy ride was apparently too much for Harry and he fainted again. This was different than those on the train, however, because it wasn't nearly as long.

Harry woke up almost normal and just said, "Whew there's a dozy. And yes Hermoine I'll go to the hospital wing, but it'll be stupid again and I'll just miss another sorting ceremony. Anyways, I'm really hungry maybe that's why I'm fainting. Who knows."

"Okay, well even so I would really rather you go and see Madam Pomfrey. I think it would be best for you."

"Fine, I'll go see her but it'll be pointless and I'll just get hungry. But yes I'll go see her just for you." As Harry said this, his eyes lit up and he innocently smiled into Hermoine's eyes.

***

Harry was on his way to the Great Hall. He had been up to the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey had been out seeing to another student. He figured it was no big deal so he left in a hurry to get to dinner; he was ravenous. Harry was eager to see the sorting; Ron had said something about his cousin, Sarah coming. Harry wanted to see it and join in on the festivities while awaiting the delicious feast.

Harry entered as the last first year was being sorted. It was Sophia Zabini, and she was sorted into Slytherin, like her sister. Harry slipped into the seat that Ron and Hermione had saved for him, as he smiled and waved at Cho. Harry looked around at the new first years, remembering when he was a nervous first year. It brought back some good memories.

"So what did she say?" Hermione asked the second that he was in his seat.

"Um, well she wasn't there, and I was really hungry so I figured I'd come and eat then maybe I'll go see her later if food doesn't make me stop."

"Sweet!" exclaimed Ron as the many choices of beef and lamb magically appeared on the table and their cups filled with pumpkin juice.

"Oh, this is exactly what I've been waiting for!" exclaimed Harry as he grabbed for some beef.

Hermione just shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't believe that food meant so much to them, although she was quite hungry herself. They ate their dinner and talked about the coming term. The new DaDA professor wasn't there yet and wouldn't be arriving until the next morning. Dumbledore wouldn't tell the students who it was, even though after dinner Fred did ask in front of the whole school. When they were all satiated from their dinner, Dumbledore stood up spoke.

"Now that we are all together, I think it is important that I bring up the issue of Voldemort with everyone."

Harry suddenly shivered with the proclamation. It didn't bother him that Dumbledore was bringing up the subject; he actually had no idea why he had shivered. He did know that his bones ached with extra knowledge. Harry was very confused, as he didn't know anything yet, but he was sure he felt anxiety at Dumbledore's last statement.

"He has indeed returned, and we believe that he is gaining power. I know that many of you and your parents disagree with me, but I am telling and warning you to be extra careful. Bad things may happen but as long as you maintain your trust in me, I am sure this school shall remain safe within its barriers." For some reason, all of Harry's fear left him and he felt nothing at all. It was an odd moment, but now he wasn't scared, happy, sad, mad, or even tired. He was indifferent. Dumbledore continued to talk about the school year but Harry wasn't listening.

"Harry, you all right?" Hermione asked, bringing him out of his daze.

"Yeah, I'm just thinking about stuff," Harry said vaguely, not bothering to pull his attention back to the conversation.

"Yo, dung brains, it's time to go up to the dormitory and get some sleep, which seems like a good idea in your case." Ron was flicking Harry's cheek with each word he said. Harry snapped out of his daze, and his eyes came into focus. He looked around to see Ron half worried and half amused, Hermione staring at him looking genuinely worried, and the rest of the Gryffindors leaving.

"Let's go to bed. I'm tired," Harry smiled.

***