Visions and Prophesies

Visions and Prophesies: Unraveling Threads 11/13/2002

"Ah. Ms. Haley. Please, do come in."

Sarin stepped into the warm office of Professor Dumbledore and looked around in awe. The many portraits on thte wall ceased their movements to observe the newcomer. She looked at the cage in the corner of the room and the pathetic looking bird in it. As she moved to sit, the bird suddenly burst into flames. Sarin shrieked and moved for a closer look. As the bird began to stir among the ashes in the bottom of the cage, Sarin turned back to the Headmaster.

"I've never seen a phoenix up close! That was wicked!"

Dumbledore chuckled then motioned for the girl to sit. For a long time, they just sat in silence. Then a knock sounded on the office door.

"Come in Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley."

Sarin's eyes flew upward at the mention of Weasley. Surely he didn't mean Ron, did he? She soon found out as the door was opened. Slowly turning around, Sarin came face to chest with a very tall, very solid Ron Weasley. Her eyes traveled up his body until she met his gaze. He looked puzzled and... dare she hope... he looked slightly pleased to see her.

"Sarin! Dennis Creevey came running into the common room yelling that you had passed out in the corridor and that you were being taken to the hospital wing! Are you alright?"

The fifth year smiled up at him. So, he was worried?

"I'm fine Ron. Really."

Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat, interrupting the little scene before him. They all turned to look at him and noticed that his expression had gone from a merry twinkle to a very severe and concerned look.

"I've called you both here, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, to discuss the disappearance of a fellow Gryffindor Sixth year, a friend of you both, and for you Mr. Potter, a fellow prefect. Ms. Hermione Granger is missing, kidnapped by Voldemort and his Death Eaters."

"Excuse me Professor," Harry interrupted, looking at Sarin. "Why is she in here?"

Sarin looked at Harry with a twinge of annoyance. Why did people always question her presence? She stood up and began making her way to the door, speaking over her shoulder to Harry.

"Far be it from me to intrude Mr. Potter. Perhaps I had some information as to the whereabouts of Hermione. But since I'm not wanted around"

"Ms. Haley, please be seated."

She turned around and met the Headmaster's gaze.

"No offence Headmaster, but I don't feel like helping now. If I may be excused.."

Without another word, she opened the office door and walked out.

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"Way to go Harry! Why do you have to be so damned difficult?!"

Ron was shouting at his best friend, unaware of the spectacle he was making of himself in the presence of the Headmaster. Harry had become quiet after Sarin left the room.

"Ron, how could she have helped? She's a fifth year! What was she going to do?"

Before Ron could open his mouth, Dumbledore spoke softly.

"Sarin Haley is a Seer, Harry. She does not readily accept it, but is coming to terms with her gift."

Harry's mouth dropped open. A seer. The look on Ron's face was just as shocked. Unfortunately, no one could see the expression on Sarin Haley's face. As she ran back to the Gryffindor common room, tears streamed down her face. She was sick and tired of people questioning her about her presence, about her behavior. Usually it didn't bother her, as she was mostly up to no good. But this time... she had been trying to help. Her vision was blurred and her mind racing, so it came as no surprise that she didn't see the figure in front of her until she ran into it.

"Watch it Haley," a voice drawled. "Twenty points from Gryffindor."

"Go to hell Malfoy!"

And with that, she turned and continued running.

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It was quiet in the common room, most of the students were out enjoying the cool evening. There were two, however, that chose to stay inside. Ginny Weasley sat in an overstuffed armchair next to the fire, while her best friend's brother sat by her feet. For a long time no one spoke, just sat looking into the fire. Ginny sighed and Toby shifted so that he could look at her. Her fire red hair flowed over her shoulders, framing her small round face. Her skin had recently begun to change from pale to a rosy hue, making her eyes seem unnaturally blue. (A/N: In the movie, Ginny was deathly pale with pretty blue eyes... and a little mole on her face... I've used the movie Ginny here, minus the mole..) Ginny turned her head and found herself staring Toby dead in the eyes. He blushed and turned his head back towards the fire quickly.

"You know, I don't understand my sister. We used to be so much alike. Then she developed her gift... Mum said it was something passed down to each female in the family. Sar hated it though and as the years wore on, she became depressed with the visions she was having. Mum began to think it was more of a curse than a gift for her..."

Ginny sat up and leaned over, resting her elbows on her knees.

"Well, I think it's a mix. To be able to see things like death and suffering... it must outweigh the positive aspects of being a Seer right?"

Toby nodded, still looking at the fire.

"So, think about it from her viewpoint. If all you saw was death and misery, wouldn't you become depressed? And wouldn't you want to withdraw from people, especially your family?"

"But Gin, it's a different sort of withdrawl... more like denying her gift. Resenting Mum for passing it on to her, resenting Dad for not stopping it... and I know she loves me dearly, but I think she resents me for not being able to share the gift, and for not truly understanding her."

It was Ginny's turn to silently nod as she stared back into the fire, pondering Toby's words.

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And The Walls Came Tumbling Down

Harry stormed from Dumbledore's office, fuming. Until they knew exactly what they were up against, Hermione would remain trapped. It had already been two weeks. Ron came up behind him.

"Harry, calm down. I know you're worried about Mione. I am too. She's one of my best friends as well."

"No, Ron. You don't understand..."

"Like bloody hell I don't. You're worried about one of our best friends, so you lash out at people."

"That's not it Ron. I know you worry about Mione, but you just don't understand."

"Tell me why I don't understand Harry. Turn around, look me in the eyes and tell me why I don't seem to understand," Ron said angrily.

"Never mind."

"No. You said I don't understand. I want you to turn around and tell me, to my face, like a man Harry... what I don't understand."

Harry started to walk away and Ron grabbed him by the back of his robes and yanked him back.

"Come back here Potter!" he growled. "You want to be the big bad hero all the time, pretending that you don't like the fame, pretending to be so nobel and so humble. You want to appear to be fucking suffering... 'oh, no one understands me... it's so hard being Harry fucking Potter!' "

Harry turned to face his best friend and stared. His green eyes glittered dangerously as a fire was ignited in them, burning a hundred time hotter than he had ever known. He stepped towards Ron now, his gaze coming through slitted lids.

"You know why you don't understand Ron?" he began quietly. "Because you don't know how to get over yourself. You want people to pity you." His face took on a mock sadness, sarcasm blazing loud and clear.

" 'Oh poor Ron. His family is poor, he gets hand me downs, he lives in the shadow of his friends.' Poor Ron, who wants all the fame and glory."

Ron spluttered, his face going red. Before he could respond, Harry continued, his voice rising in volume and intensity.

"Well you know what? You can have it all. I didn't ask for this shit! You can have it... the people following you everywhere, wanting to shake your hand. People stopping and pointing, 'That's Harry Potter!'. People asking if your fucking scar is real, asking if they can see it! People not wanting to get too close to you because they don't know if you're going to blast them to kingdom come! YOU-CAN-HAVE-IT! And you know why Ronald Weasley?! Because finding Hermione has nothing, NOTHING to do with it! I love her!"

His voice echoed down the hallway as Ron stood staring at him.

"I don't want it Harry." Ron said quietly.

"You're not the only one that loves Mione though..."

"I'm the only one that loves her like this."

Realization dawned on Ron and he looked at Harry in a new light. He was staring at the ceiling, breathing hard. When he looked back at Ron, there were tears shining brightly in his eyes.

"Man, I really, truly love her. And right now, I don't want to hear that I have to wait to find her. I want to go out and find her and bring her back here and never let her out of my sight again."

The other boy nodded and walked over to his friend. Slinging an arm over Harry's shoulders he spoke again.

"We'll find her Harry. I know we will."