Harry Potter and the Slytherin Connection

Chapter 8

Hiding Out

Harry stared at the door to the potions dungeon. He had to get his stuff but he couldn´t stay. Not with his stomach retching the way it was. He had left Voldemort soundlessly after that last disclosure and now needed, had to, as if his life depended on it, talk to Dumbledore.

Harry knew the truth now. All of it.

Everything seems to happen to you, doesn´t it.

Hagrid´s words. Harry couldn´t agree more at this moment and seriously hated his own name.

He pushed open the door and walked like a zombie to Snape´s desk.

"I´m sorry, sir," said Harry. "May I be excused from class. I need to see the headmaster."

Harry felt more than saw Snape study him. "How much did he tell you?" said Snape very softly.

"I hope there isn´t anymore," said Harry in a voice he didn´t recognize as his own.

"Very well," said Snape.

Harry turned and went to his station to get his backpack, which Draco had left for him. He caught Ron´s gaze. Ron looked startled.

"Harry, you ok?" he said.

"No," Harry admitted and left.

Harry moved through the castle. Echoes of the past seemed to reverberate around him. Voices from past decades, centuries, called to him. He couldn´t understand so he kept walking. Peeve´s whizzed by him and blocked his path. Harry walked right through him.

It wasn´t until he was standing in front of the Gargoyle again that Harry´s mind focused on where he was. The Gargoyle didn´t cooperate though, so Harry cheated.

"Oh dear," said Dumbledore. "Seems I´ll have to put a buzzer at my door to keep the heirs from apparating into my office whenever they see fit."

Harry didn´t smile. He sat down in the chair in front of Dumbledore´s desk and looked at him. Dumbledore´s gaze traveled over Harry in that way that made Harry think nothing inside him was secret. The expression that came over the old wizard´s face was a combination of outrage and worry.

"So, he´s told you everything, has he?" said Dumbledore.

Harry looked into those blue eyes. "Tell me none of it´s true," he begged.

"Harry," said Dumbledore with a patient sigh. "All Voldemort can tell you is predictions of what might happen. Remember what I told you about choices. All our choices effects so many other things it makes predictions (as well as Divination) imprecise. Things will happen... you will make the choices your destiny has set for you. But you can always chose another destiny."

That had Harry´s head spinning. How many destinies could someone have? "But what about the prophesies?"

"Ah, you´ve heard about them. Have you read them?"

"No," said Harry.

"Prophesies are no more than ancient predictions which usually come true because people find a way to see events as it was told in these prophesies. Nothing more that that. Of course there are some very accurate ones but those are very old and don´t concern you."

"Professor," said Harry.

"Yes, Harry?"

"He wants me to kill you."

Dumbledore appeared furious for a moment. "So he told you that too?" he said softly. "Well don´t worry about it. If it is your destiny, then you will."

"But-"

"Harry, remember what I told you about death when we had to destroy the sorcerer´s stone?"

"Yes," said Harry.

"Then do not worry about me," said Dumbledore.

Harry stood up, staring at the greatest man he´d ever met in his life. The greatest wizard in the wizarding world had just told Harry that he might have to kill him. Harry opened his mouth, could think of anything to say so he turned and moved to the door.

"Where are you going, Harry?"

Harry opened the door and turned. He hated being Harry Potter. He said the first thing that popped into his mind.

"I´m changing my name and moving to Bulgaria to play Quidditch with Viktor Krum," said Harry.

He rushed up to the tower and collected his stuff. He needed time. Time to think, time to sort out what he was going to do. He had to leave the castle.

Harry was rushing through the common room with his pack when he almost knocked down Ginny Weasley.

"What are you doing here?" they both said at once.

Ginny began an explanation but stopped when Harry picked up his Firebolt, which he had dropped when they almost collided.

"Harry, are you running away?"

"I just need some time to think, Ginny," admitted Harry.

"But they´ll find you," she said. "As soon as you leave, they´ll be out looking for you."

Harry looked at her. She was right. With the way they were fighting over him, the entire wizarding world would be after him.

"I´ll need a disguise," he said distractedly.

"Don´t use magic," said Ginny. "The aurors will see through it. And I´m sure Professor Moody will be sent out."

Harry looked down at Ginny. "Why aren´t you trying to stop me?"

Her face turned red in a sort of becoming way. "Because you saved my life once. Because I know you are the bravest person I´ve ever met and if you said you need time to think then I think you need time to think."

"Then you won´t tell anyone you´ve seen me?" said Harry.

"No, Harry, I promise I won´t," said Ginny.

"Thanks, Ginny." He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Oh, Harry," she called behind him. He stopped at the portrait. "Lose the glasses and the scar," she advised him.

"Thanks, Ginny."

By the time Harry reached Diagon Alley, Harry knew what Ginny meant. He had to erase everything that was Harry Potter about him. The wizarding world didn´t know he was a.w.o.l. yet so he was able to go into Gringotts and get some money, then he took a large portion of what he had withdrawn and exchanged it for Muggle money.

He bought a wizard tent (no need to abandon creature comforts), bought some potion supplies then headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. He almost got through it.

"Hey Harry," said Tom, the owner. "What´cha doing here?"

Harry´s mind raced. "I´ve got one more Christmas present to get. It´s for Hermione. There is this little book shop-"

"Ah, I see. Go on then."

Worked every time. Drop some sentiment, and people always fell for it.

Once on the streets of London, Harry made several stops. A drug store, an optometrist, and a camping supply store. Then Harry ducked into an alley, covered himself with the cloak and flew out over the city.

He found a nice little wooded area to pitch his tent and did so quickly, stopping only when he heard the rustle of leaves.

Turning, he saw the snow white owl perch on a tree branch nearby.

Harry took a deep breath, not even wondering how she had found him. "Hedwig, you startled me."

She hooted and looked down at him with what Harry could only call disapproval.

Harry sighed and turned back to his tent. Covering it with his cloak, he hurried inside, holding the flap open while Hedwig swooped in behind him. It was comfortable enough. He had everything he needed.

He started on his potion first because that needed time to simmer before he used it. Once that was done, he emptied his bags onto his cot. Doing what the lady at the cosmetics counter had told him, Harry applied the make up to his forehead and his scar was covered.

Somewhat surprised and pleased that the mark that made him Harry Potter was covered, Harry went over to the cauldron as soon as it bubbled and dipped a cup into it. He took a sip. After a minute, his hair grew 2 inches. He took another sip. His hair grew another 2 inches.

Satisfied, he grabbed the bottle of bleach and took off his shirt. After dousing his hair and rubbing his eyebrows with the bleach, he grabbed the box of hair dye. It was a medium shade of blond.

An hour later, Harry finished toweling his hair and brushed it back. He looked into the mirror. The only thing familiar about the reflection was the eyes. Harry wished he had had enough cash for the color tinted contact lenses but he had ordered a month´s worth of the disposable ones and just didn´t have enough to cover everything. Harry had to pick up the rest of his supply of lenses tomorrow.

Harry ran his hand through his long blond hair. His bangs were now long enough to tuck behind his ears exposing his scarless forehead.

"Well, Jack Taylor," Harry told his reflection, using the name he had used at the eye glass place. "Welcome to obscurity."

"If you say so, dear," said the mirror.

Harry didn´t sleep that night. After all his worry about disguising himself, as soon as he laid down, everything else came back to him. He found he couldn´t eat either as he tried to choke down some breakfast the next morning. As soon as he smelled the food, his stomach started retching.

"Great," said Harry.

Pain exploded in Harry´s head and he turned a quick circle. The pain went away, then returned a few minutes later. Voldemort was signaling him.

Harry dug out his parchment.

Stop calling me Voldemort. I won´t come. I need some time to think. And don´t try to apparate to me because my disguise is quite good and you won´t find me. Nor will Dumbledore.

I´m only asking for a few days to think. I don´t think it´s too much to ask.

Harry sent Hedwig with the note and it didn´t take her long to return.

All right, Harry. You take your couple of days to think. I will not bother you. I am impressed though, because I did try to apparate to you and I couldn´t find you. You must have disguised yourself well.

You might want to write to Sirius and Dumbledore and tell them that you are safe. I believe Sirius is quite beside himself.

I also believe that they have actually sent people to Bulgaria to look for you.

Harry actually wanted to laugh at that but his stomach wretched again, so he couldn´t. Instead, he jotted down a note to Sirius. He was still notably irritated with Sirius, but he was the closest thing to a father that Harry had.

Sirius,

I´m fine. Please don´t look for me because I´m in disguise.

Tell Ron that Bulgaria is a beautiful country, the Krum´s are wonderful hosts and the Quidditch is great.

Harry

Harry sent off Hedwig with that note and returned to his next order of business, getting permission to stay. He had seen a house on the other side of the woods and didn´t want to take the chance that he´d get into trouble. He walked up to the house and knocked.

A man, who looked in his mid sixties, flung the door open. "What do you want?"

"I´m sorry to bother you sir," said Harry, feeling that this was not going to go well, "But does your property include that small forest over there?"

"What if it does?" said the man.

"Who is it, dear?" a kindly woman´s voice came from somewhere in the house.

"I don´t rightly know," the man called back. "Who are you, boy?"

"Sorry, sir," said Harry. "My name is Jack Taylor. I´m doing some traveling before I start University and I was wondering if I could have permission to camp in your forest there. I can pay and I promise not to do any damage."

"Who is it, dear?" said the lady again although this time she stepped up beside him. She had a round face and a round body but her expression was kind and reminded Harry of Mrs. Weasley.

The grumpy man explained who Harry was and what he wanted and the woman looked thrilled.

"Oh, of course, of course, you may. What a nice young man," she was saying. "And so polite to come for permission. You must come in and have tea."

Harry thanked the Dursleys for his years with them because he managed to get through an hour of polite conversation dodging their questions and being a well mannered guest. To their credit, the Porter´s were very nice (even Mr. Porter lost his grumbling while Mrs. Porter was around). They told Harry he could use a spot in the woods to camp as long as he didn´t make a campfire, which Harry assured them he wouldn´t - he told them he had a propane stove - and they refused to let him pay.

Harry left the house feeling as if at least something had worked out for him this week.

When he got back to his tent however, Hedwig was back.

Dear Harry,

Everyone is very worried. I don´t know who took it worse, Sirius or Hermione. Everyone is looking for you so you can´t hide forever. Between the aurors, Sirius and Moody, they´ll find you. Please just come back.

Remus

Sirius was out looking for him too? The tea and snack the Porter´s had given him wretched out of Harry´s stomach. He didn´t sleep again that night either. It seemed as if, the more he wanted time to think, the more he couldn´t think. The more he tried to think, the more he got sick.

Harry dug out some parchment and a quill and quickly wrote to Ron.

Ron,

Meet me in the Shrieking Shack at midnight. I have to talk to you.

Harry

He sent Hedwig off with the note and looked down at his hands.

He heard voices in his head:

You´re a great wizard, Harry.

Do you know how much strength you´ve just shown?

Can you see how powerful he will be?

Harry didn´t feel like any of it applied to him. He was alone again, hiding again and his only friends were miles away. He didn´t even know if Ron would get his note.

Harry apparated into the Shack and saw Ron.

"Ron," said Harry.

"Harry." Ron spun around. "Where are you?"

"I´m using the cloak. Just listen-"

Footsteps pounding up the stairs stopped Harry. He sighed. "Ron, you were followed."

"No, Harry. I swear, I wasn´t."

The door burst open. "Ron, is he here?"

"He was," Ron told Sirius. "I thought you were out looking for him."

"I came back to tell Albus that he was right," said Sirius, scanning the room. "That Harry did go to the bank."

"How did you find me?" said Ron.

"Dumbledore said you got a note from Harry. He was watching the Marauder´s Map," said Sirius. "Harry?" Sirius circled the room.

Harry kept himself behind Ron. Whether or not Ron knew he was still there, Harry didn´t know. Harry dropped a hand onto Ron´s shoulder.

"Sorry, Harry," said Ron.

Sirius looked up then around the room. "Harry, talk to me." His voice sounded pained.

"First Quidditch, then my best friend," said Harry. "Thanks Sirius."

What a nightmare. Harry apparated back to his tent again. He was looking forward to another sleepless night with an empty stomach.

Harry strode down the main street of Hogsmeade the next day. No one glanced his way. He looked like any of the other poorer adolescents of the area who resided in Hogsmeade. He had bought a second hand robe, which was even worse than Remus Lupin´s used to be.

He went into The Three Broomsticks, ordered a Butterbeer and sat down at a table. Sooner or later, someone would come in that Harry could ask when the next Hogwarts weekend was.

Harry´s blood ran cold. Hagrid entered with Mad-Eye Moody. Harry stared into his mug. This was it? The big test. Either Moody would see through his disguise (although Harry couldn´t see how as there was nothing magical about it) or Hagrid would recognize him.

Harry stood up and walked over to them.

"Doesn´a surprise me," Hagrid was saying. "´Arry´s a smart boy."

"Can´t hide from me," said Moody.

"Excuse me," said Harry, relieved for once. All the retching he had been doing had made his voice deeper than it usually was. Hagrid turned to him.

"Can I `elp you there?"

"I was just wondering," said Harry. "When is Hogwarts next visit here?" He stole a glance at Moody but Moody continued to look around. Apparently Moody had seen nothing amiss with Harry. Test one, passed.

"Not this weekend but the next," said Hagrid.

Harry forced a small smile. "Thanks. I met someone last time and I´d like to see her again."

That sentimentality worked again. Hagrid smiled.

"Ah young love." But then Hagrid looked at his eyes. "Do I know you?"

"I live here sir," lied Harry. "You may have seen me around. You´re a teacher at Hogwarts aren´t you?"

Harry knew the compliment would distract him. He was right.

"Yes, thanks to Dumbledore. Great man."

"Yes. Thank you sir," Harry said and promptly left. He stopped short half way down the block. A large black dog was sniffing a trail towards him. Sirius. Foreboding crept over him. He could hide from the aurors and Moody. But Sirius could smell him. He quickly ducked down an alley and apparated back to his tent.

Harry didn´t think he could wait 10 days to talk to Ron. And even then didn´t know how much time he´d have at Hogsmeade, so he decided on desperate measures.

He pulled out his quill again.

Voldemort,

I would like to talk to Ron. Sirius and Dumbledore won´t let me. Will you arrange it for me? I´m not asking this as any infringement on our contract or for any illicit purposes. I´m asking you to do it as a favor to me.

You can say no, I will understand. Hedwig will wait for a reply.

Harry

Well it was simple and to the point. No begging. Harry sent Hedwig with the note. She came back the next day.

Harry, haven´t I told you that you only had to ask me and if it was in my power, I would do it? I even left a note telling Sirius how terrible it was that he wouldn´t let you talk your best friend.

Needless to say, Ron is here now, waiting for you. Come whenever you are ready and I will let you talk to your friend.

Harry could just assume what kind of note Voldemort had left when he stole Ron out of the castle. He just hoped that Ron went along willingly.

Harry materialized next to the cage and studied Ron. He looked totally relaxed. He wasn´t tied up. He had a plate full of food next to him.

"Ron," whispered Harry."

Ron jolted to alertness. "Harry? Is that you?" he whispered back.

"Yes. I´m under the cloak."

"You sound weird," said Ron.

"I have a sore throat," Harry said the first thing that came into his mind.

"What´s going on, Harry?" said Ron.

"He´s coming, Ron. Be quiet," said Harry.

Ron started shoving food in his mouth to keep himself quiet and Harry had to admire him. Harry couldn´t ask for a better best friend.

"Harry," said Voldemort. "I know you´re here. I saw your friend´s reactions. Show yourself."

Voldemort was on the other side of the cage, scanning the perimeter around the cage.

"Tell him I don´t want anyone knowing my disguise," whispered Harry to Ron.

Ron told Voldemort.

"But I´d like to see this disguise that has the wizarding world baffled," said Voldemort. "Come on, Harry, show me." Voldemort started around the cage and Harry backed away from him. "I can make you, Harry. You know I can."

"How?" said Harry.

Voldemort touched the tip of his wand to his forehead and pain exploded in Harry´s head. Harry´s cry drew Voldemort´s attention to his precise spot. Harry knew that Voldemort couldn´t see him, but he knew where he was.

"Come now, Harry," said Voldemort. "I want to see this brilliant disguise of yours and you want to speak to your friend - and I´m guessing you want to speak to him alone." Voldemort continued to walk around the cell. "I have done this `favor´ for you. Show me your cleverness."

Harry knew he´d never get to talk to Ron alone now unless he complied. He pulled off the cloak. His blond hair tosseled in the process as it fell around his gaunt face.

"Blimey, Harry," said Ron. "Is that you?"

"Yeah, it´s me," said Harry, but he was watching Voldemort as he rounded the last corner of the cell to stand before Harry.

"Bloody brilliant," Ron added.

"Indeed," said Voldemort as his red eyes scoured Harry´s face. From his overly long blond hair to his glassesless eyes, to his scarless forehead.

Harry flinched as Voldemort got close. "It´s still there, Voldemort."

Voldemort reached out a hand and held it under Harry´s chin, not touching him, just close enough to keep Harry´s face up to his view. "Your friend is correct, Harry. It is brilliant. Only wizards raised as we were would know how to hide from the wizarding world."

"I walked down the main street of Hogsmeade, talked to Hagrid in front of Moody and walked down Diagon Alley without anyone giving me a second glance."

Harry wasn´t boasting, it was the truth. His voice was the clincher because it was so messed up. He didn´t know if he could get passed Remus or Sirius with his eyes, but he hadn´t met them yet.

"I don´t see it?" said Ron.

Voldemort cast him a look. "Look closely, boy. Harry has used Muggle tricks to hide from the wizarding world. So even the best aurors and Mad-Eye Moody wouldn´t know him."

Voldemort lifted a free hand toward his face (the other was still beneath his chin holding his face up). "He used Muggle make-up to hide the scar, discarded his glasses for Muggle contact lenses - I would have used colored ones myself-"

"I didn´t have enough currency on me or I would have," said Harry.

Voldemort chuckled. "And he used Muggle hair dye." Voldemort grabbed a strand of his hair. "How did you grow it?"

"That was the only magic I used. I used a potion," said Harry. "I keep telling Snape I pay attention in his class, but he doesn´t believe me."

Voldemort smiled. "That potion didn´t put that sunken look in your face," Voldemort said more seriously.

"No, you did that," said Harry.

Voldemort lowered his hands from Harry´s face. "All right, Harry." The cage door swung open. "Go and talk to Ron."

Voldemort left and Harry turned as Ron jumped out of the cage.

They walked towards the woods and by the time Harry had unloaded everything on his chest, Ron looked as sick as Harry felt.

"Harry," said Ron, not without meaning. "I´d go with plan B at this point."

"I´m considering it," said Harry, seeing passed Ron´s joke to the grimness of the situation. "I need your help."

"I´m here."

"Hermione´s too," said Harry. "Don´t tell her everything I´ve told you."

"Are you mental?" said Ron. "She´ll throw a gasket."

"I know but she´s the brain. I need her to look up stuff."

"Ok," said Ron. "What do you need us to do?"

"Look up everything on this rivalry between Salazar and Godrick," said Harry. "Also everything on the Wizard´s code of Honor, especially the life saving thing."

Ron had a look on his face as if he was committing this to memory and Harry felt a rush of gratitude.

"Lastly," said Harry. Ron looked at him. "Help me find another way."

"We will, Harry," said Ron. "We will."

"Good," said Harry, clearing his voice, which had broken up. "I´ll contact you during the next Hogsmeade weekend. Don´t stay in one place too long so I can find you, ok."

"Will do."

"Thanks, Ron. I don´t know what I would do without you."

Ron grabbed Harry by the shoulders and stared into his eyes. There was a wealth of meaning in that stare. "Well, it isn´t easy being Harry Potter´s best friend, but someone has to do it."

Harry read through that flippant statement. Ron had so much as committed himself to Harry just as Sirius and Remus were committed to Harry´s father.

"Thanks, Ron," Harry managed. "And the name is Taylor. Jack Taylor."

"Ah, plan B," said Ron. "Ok Jack. See in Hogsmeade."

Harry´s friends... the only thing that wasn´t a nightmare.

Harry was staring into his mirror in his tent. His roots were starting to grow out. Now at least he had something to do tonight. He had to touch up his hair.