Redemption

Chapter Thirty-Three:

That night, as they all sat around in the common room, Harry couldn't help but think it had been a surprisingly good day. The prospect of going to Diagon Alley had added to the brilliant mood he'd woken up with, and as the day progressed, Hermione had seemed much better. Harry was even enjoying writing an essay for Professor McGonagall on the transfiguration of live creatures and whether they should be considered 'alive'.

In the background, Parvati had charmed a jewellery box to play music. She'd heard about Muggle music boxes and thought it would be a lovely present for her sister on their birthday. Harry was convinced that nothing could ruin his mood.

Just as he finished the essay, a medium sized barn owl flew in through the tower window. It dropped a letter right in front of his nose. Perplexed, Harry wondered who it was from. The owl was one of the school's.

Opening it, he read: Your punishment has been revised. I expect to see you arrive promptly for your next Potions lesson and stay behind after class to arrange a month's worth of detention. Professor S. Snape.

Letting out a happy 'whoop', Harry grinned at Hermione who'd read it over his shoulder.

"I wonder what made him change his mind." Hermione frowned.

"I forgot! Lupin told me that he isn't allowed to kick me out! I'm not exactly looking forward to a month's worth of detentions, but at least I'll still be eligible to become an Auror, assuming I manage to pass, that is." Harry grinned, despite the punishment that he would undoubtedly regret when the time came.

"Brilliant, Harry!" Hermione beamed at him and took his essay to read over. She made a few minor corrections and handed it back to him. "That's a good job, you know."

"I guess homework is easier when you're in a good mood."

A moment after he'd said this, a creak sounded from the entrance to the Tower, and Wufei came through the portrait hole. He was carrying several books which suggested that he'd been in the Library. He shuffled them around and waved to Harry, coming over to sit on the ground by the fire.

"Oh, what's that you've got?" Hermione asked, taking one of the books from his hands. "Hogwarts a History! It's a wonderful book; I've read it several times!"

"Yes, and you never shut up about it," Harry moaned, winking at Wufei who chuckled.

"I thought I'd do a little reading. I've learnt a fair bit from Molly and Arthur, but well, with... one thing and another, there's not such a thing as too much knowledge." Wufei opened one of the other books entitled 'The Darkest of the Dark'.

"What's that?" Harry asked, leaning down to have a look.

Wufei grinned at him. "It's all about Lord Voldemort." Instantly, the surrounding chatter dulled. Wondering what he'd said, Wufei looked around.

Hermione grit her teeth, ignored the soft mutterings and focused on the book. "Oh, I've read that one. At least half of its focused on you, Harry. Mostly speculation on how you 'defeated' V-Voldemort." Soft mutterings flared up around them.

"Oh, don't go reading that rubbish!" Harry had turned slightly pink. "They probably say I bashed Voldemort over the head with a stick or some other rot."

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" Hermione snapped at a third year that'd gone pale. "You, know, I think it's about time to address this." Standing, she looked around pointedly until all the segregated groups in the common room stopped to look at her one by one. "Listen up. I have something important to say!" Parvati's music box stopped playing.

"Hermione, what are you doing?" Harry whispered frantically, but Wufei covered his hand and shook his head, watching her.

"This has been left far too late. I've been waiting for the Daily Prophet to report something, or for the Ministry of Magic to make a statement, but so far it hasn't happened, and winter is fast approaching. So, here goes. How many of you believe that Lord Voldemort-" she emphasized this loudly "-is back?"

Everyone instantly began to chatter and whisper, looking at Hermione as if she was mad.

"I- I do." A weak voice was heard above the small din. "I believe it." It was Dennis Creevey.

Across the room, his brother nodded. "Me too."

"And me," Neville Longbottom added.

There were a few more chorused agreements, and a couple of hands rose.

"And the rest of you?" Hermione continued. "You still think that Harry was lying? You still think that - that he killed Cedric?"

"I never said that!" Seamus interjected, along with a couple of other objections.

"Then what? He accidentally cast the Avada Kedavra curse on himself? Wake up, people. After last year, you all seem to have forgotten about your fear of Harry, about Cedric's death, and about all the accusations and rumors. It's about time you faced the truth. Voldemort is back, so get used to it, and the name. Being afraid is all well and good. I'm afraid that he's going to make a move soon, and no one will be prepared, I'm afraid that we'll be caught off guard, I'm afraid that people I love and care about are going to go missing or - or be killed, but to be afraid of his name is only going to make matters worse when the time comes. Lord VOLDEMORT IS back!"

Suddenly, everyone was very quiet. The whole room was focused on Hermione, who - after her bold statement - had gone very pink. Then, slowly, many of those who hadn't believed began to shuffle off, up to their dormitories. Hermione backed into her seat, collapsing into it. She looked at Harry, a little paler than usual. "I didn't mean to do that. I was just going to tell them to get over it, to get used to hearing his name."

Harry looked at her grimly. "It's no use, Hermione. They're in denial. No one wants to believe that he's back. So, they pretend that he's not. I don't think we can change anybody's minds."

However, one of the skeptical seventh years approached them slowly. "I-" she began, licking her lips and staring at her feet. "Maybe, maybe you're right. I- I mean, it doesn't make sense that he, that Cedric's... I don't believe Harry did it, and... And you seem so sure, and I know you're not mad..." At this, Wufei cast a flicker of a smile at Harry, who couldn't help smirking back. "What can we do?" the girl whispered finally.

"There isn't much that we can do," Harry answered for Hermione who, for once, was dumbstruck. "But, if we know, if we're aware, then at least we can't be caught by surprise."

She nodded, still a little nervously. "I'm Layla French, by the way." Then, she walked away as quick as possible, blushing.

"Hermione," Ron cried as he reached them. "Nice speech!"

"Uh, thanks..."

"That girl, what did she want? Was she, you know, angry? Or-"

"Actually, I think Hermione got through to her," Wufei told him.

"Really?" Ron seemed flabbergasted. "That's wonderful; maybe there is hope after all." He turned to watch the girl for a moment, who was whispering animatedly with a friend. "You know, Hermione, you're right. It's a bit odd that the Daily Prophet hasn't reported anything about what happened last year. You'd think they'd at least mention Sirius... Clear his name."

Harry's stomach did a flip flop.

"I think... I think they're trying not to alarm people, but that's wrong. If the wizarding community doesn't believe that he's back, they'll be easy targets. I - I was dead serious. I'm afraid of what will happen. I think Voldemort is trying to lure us all into a false sense of security. That way, when he does strike, it will cause much more damage." Hermione stared into the fire.

"So, that's what's been bothering you?" Ginny asked in a quiet voice, startling them all except for Wufei who had heard her approach.

Although her answer was sure, there was just a beat too long before Hermione spoke. "Yes."

"You should have said something," Ron told her, frowning. "It's not good to keep things bottled up like that."

"I - I know. But I felt sure that something would be reported soon, that the Ministry would have to do something. I hope they come to their senses," she whispered. "It's only a matter of time before everything starts all over again."

.................................................................................................................................

Eventually, the common room cleared out. Hermione had gone up to bed rather early, Ginny leaving soon after. Once Ron had left, Dennis Creevey and a couple of his friends went over to Harry to say good night and re-affirm their support. Soon, he and Wufei were left alone.

Having procured the other comfortable arm chair some time ago, Wufei had been reading. Harry had finished a small worksheet for charms and was onto reading a chapter for Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Finally, he let out a long yawn. "I think I'll finish this tomorrow, he said. "I've gotten a fair bit done."

"You have," Wufei agreed. "More than you need to, if you ask me."

"Well, I had to. Ever since Ron became Quiditch Captain he's been calling practice sessions religiously. We have one tomorrow night, so I need to get Thursday's work done," Harry told him, packing away his ink, quill, and books. "I can't blame him, though. With so many new team members to train up, we need the extra practice. He's done a good job. I've known him for over five years and I was still surprised by his knowledge of Quiditch. I knew he liked it, but..."

They were making their way up the stair case, Harry yawning again. He paused outside his dorm room door. "Would you mind if I slept up with you, tonight?" he asked.

"Not at all." Wufei took his hand, smiling, and led him up another flight of stairs.

Harry placed his things in a corner and pulled off his robes, shirt and pants. Clad only in boxers, he joined Wufei on the bed. A long and languid kiss later, and he was curled up in his boyfriend's arms.

An owl hooted, the wind rustled through trees, Wufei's chest rose and fell beneath him. He was happy. Very happy. In fact, he was ecstatic. Lucius knelt before him, bent on one knee, his scarred face showing beneath his hood. Voldemort laughed, a hiss of mirth escaping his lips.

"Muggles? Dumbledore's Muggles have arrived to protect Harry Potter? And that fool Kushrenada actually believes they will be a threat! How amusing this is. Am I so underestimated? Ah, but all the better for my plans, isn't it?" The Dark Lord's Voice suddenly turned hard. "Your son, Lucius, have him report all he can of these... Muggles." This time the word was spat with disdain. "It should prove to be... entertaining."

Scowling, Lucius Malfoy nodded his head sharply. "I will, inform him, my lord."

"Don't seem too pleased, Lucius," Voldemort hissed in what would have been a sarcastic tone but for the chill of his demeanor. "Perhaps you need your spirits dampened... Crucio!"

As Malfoy writhed on the floor, Voldemort laughed, but at the same time, he stared in horror. No... Voldemort was still laughing... It was Harry who remembered the blinding pain surging through his body... Harry who jerked awake.

He was covered in a cold sweat, and tried to jerk forward, but Wufei's arms tightened around him. Not realizing where he was, Harry struggled.

"Hey, hey, it's me," his lover crooned. "Calm down."

Going suddenly limp, Harry drew in a deep, shaky breath. "He knows! Voldemort knows! He knows that there are Muggles here, he wants Draco to spy for him!"

"What? Harry, what are you talking about?" Wufei slid out from under him so that they could face each other. "What do you mean?"

"I - I have a connection with Voldemort, through my scar. Sometimes it stings painfully and I can feel what he's feeling... but other times, I have dreams. I see him, or, I see through him. I haven't dreamt like that for ages. Not since... Last year, he used it. Its how... I saw Sirius, but... But he wasn't... I-" Harry had become choked, tears of regret, anger, fear and loss had welled to the surface, rendering him silent as he tried to fight them down.

Wufei pulled Harry against his chest, and after several, dry, muffled sobs, Harry began to breathe normally again.

"Do you think he was controlling this one?" Wufei asked in a soft, soothing voice, disregarding Harry's brief relapse.

"No," Harry answered quietly after a long, thoughtful pause. "No, I don't think he was. He'd have nothing to gain by letting me know he knows about you five."

"Good. Does he know you were there?"

"I don't know." Harry leant heavily against Wufei's chest. "I don't know... I have to see Dumbledore. I need to start occlumency again. I should have started it right away; I don't know why I didn't! Why hasn't he mentioned it? I-"

"Hey, calm down!"

"No, you don't understand! He'll use you against me! Make me think that you're-"

"He can't make you think anything, because I'm not going anywhere! Trust me, Harry. I'm going to stay by your side every second I can."

Harry stopped in his tracks, finally nodding slowly. "I'm sorry. I panicked. I just-"

"It's okay, I understand. You don't want to make the same mistake." Twining his fingers with Harry's, Wufei lay down again, pulling Harry with him. "Sleep now and we'll talk about this in the morning when you're thinking clearly."

"Right," Harry whispered. But as he laid his head next to Wufei's, Lucius Malfoy's raspy cries rang in his ears.