Harry Potter and the Shadow War

Chapter 6 - Revelations

Security Chief Michael Garibaldi was walking down a corridor after his confusing conversation with Dr. Stephen Franklin when he heard an all-too-familiar voice behind him.

"Ah, Mr. Garibaldi," said G'Kar, formerly the ambassador from Narn, catching up with Michael. The security chief found himself struck yet again that the Narn's well-modulated voice didn't seem to match his fierce appearance. Of course, Narns all had a tendency to look fierce, with their bald, mottled heads; sharp features; and all the leather and metal they habitually wore, not to mention the red eyes. G'Kar was larger than most of them, though, making him even more impressive.

"I have been looking for you," G'Kar continued. Michael groaned inwardly. This couldn't be good.

"What is it, G'Kar?" he asked resignedly, knowing that he wouldn't get a moment's peace until he'd found out.

"I understand that the captain has four young humans in custody with...unusual abilities. I was wondering if I might speak with them," replied G'Kar, unmoved by his cool reception.

"How do you find out these things?" exclaimed Michael in exasperation.

"I have my sources."

"OK, first of all, technically, Ambassador Delenn has them in custody. Secondly, these 'abilities' of theirs have yet to be confirmed. Finally, I don't think the captain wants anyone to talk to them until he's completed his interview. Have I made myself clear?"

"Absolutely. You will tell me, then, when this interview is completed?"

Michael stared at him for a moment. He wanted to refuse, but he did owe G'Kar for providing Narn security personnel when his staff had run short. And if it delayed a renewal of G'Kar's request to be on the War Council, what could it hurt?

"Yeah, sure," he conceded. "I'll let you know."

"That's all I ask," said G'Kar, sounding almost giddy. Michael watched him leave and shook his head. He decided he should tell the captain about this little conversation at his next opportunity.

***

The next morning, Harry woke surprisingly refreshed. He stepped off of the bed carefully and stretched. The main downside to sleeping in such a bed was that there was no place to put his glasses in easy reach. He fumbled over to the small table where he had left them and put them on. Unfortunately, he tripped over Ron, who was still sleeping on the floor. Ron groaned, rolled over, and sat up.

"Wha's the matter?" he said, rubbing his eyes groggily.

"Nothing," Harry answered quickly. "I just tripped trying to get my glasses. I'm glad you're up, though. I would prefer not to go out there by myself. Silly, I know, but..."

Ron just grunted and began to get up. Unlike Harry, Ron had slept in his shirt, with the result that it was horribly wrinkled. He simply pulled his sweater on over it. Harry, meanwhile, found his own shirt, buttoned it on, and slipped his shoes on his feet. He didn't bother with the outer clothing; there was really no point to being in uniform right now.

Finally, Harry ran a hand through his unruly hair. He was sure they both looked a sight, but it couldn't be helped.

They exited the room to find Ginny talking with Delenn in the eating area. The two boys joined them. There was some kind of tea and some food on the low table. Minbari apparently usually ate seated on the floor, and the others had followed suit. Harry hadn't recognized much of what they'd eaten so far, but it had all been good, so he had no objection.

"Where's Hermione?" asked Ron.

"Shower," replied Ginny. "I've already been." It was only then that Harry noticed that her hair did appear to still be damp. For some reason, he wanted to reach out and touch it, but he resisted the impulse. What was this that had come over him lately? He'd never looked at her like that before.

"You might want to consider following our example, Ron," Ginny continued, grinning impishly. "You're smelling a bit...masculine this morning."

Ron made a face at her, but he just kept eating.

Harry found himself a little shocked at her saying such a thing, but then, he supposed that was another of those sibling things he would never really understand. Some of what he was thinking must have shown in his face because Ginny giggled and answered his unspoken comment.

"Harry, I have six older brothers. There aren't many subjects I feel uncomfortable with."

"I guess that's something I'll just never understand," he replied, shrugging. "I wonder what I would be like if I had six sisters?"

"A basket case, most likely," said Ron. "All those women in the house, ordering you about, taking up too much time in the bathroom, not to mention having to worry about all the guys they might be dating." Here he shot a look at his sister, who rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Well, at least I'd have older women I could ask about girls," answered Harry. "I mean, I don't have a mother, I don't have sisters, who am I supposed to ask about these things?"

"Hermione seems to be pretty good at answering questions," Ron said, blushing a little as he said this.

"Well, she's good at interpreting feelings and stuff, but really, does she have any more relationship experience than we have?"

Harry knew almost immediately that this had been the wrong thing to say. Ron turned very red and began buttering a piece of bread with a vengeance.

"There's Viktor Krum, isn't there?" he said through clenched teeth. Harry opened his mouth to say something, but Ginny was faster.

"Honestly, Ron, if your skull were any thicker, we could use it for a bludger," she said. Then she seemed to catch herself, as though she had been about to say something, but had decided against it at the last moment. She swallowed and continued, "One ball and a few letters does not constitute a relationship."

Ron did not say anything, but the color began to recede from his face, so it seemed that he was regaining control of himself. Harry, in the meantime, was looking at Ginny speculatively. He had just remembered some comments from both her and Hermione that did give the impression that they confided in one another. Harry suspected that Ginny knew more of what Hermione felt towards Ron than she was letting on. Ron's feelings, of course, were obvious. Harry believed that they were returned, but Hermione, as good as she seemed to be at illuminating other people's emotions, played her own fairly close to the vest.

At this point, Hermione came out of the bathroom wearing a towel on her head. She had also put her school blouse and skirt back on, and even Harry had to admit that they clung to her in interesting places just now on her still-damp body. Ron stared openly for a moment before flushing and lowering his gaze.

"Do you boys mind if I use your room for a minute?" she asked. "I want to try to do something with this hair. I think I remember seeing a mirror?"

Both boys agreed to allow her to use 'their' room. Ron then took his turn in the bathroom. Once both of them were safely behind closed doors, Delenn, who had merely been watching them all, turned to Harry and Ginny.

"If I am not mistaken," she said, "there seems to be something between your two friends."

"Yes, and it's been going on for ages," Ginny said immediately. "They just refuse to admit it, and it's been driving me mad!"

"It seems to be obvious to everyone except them," Harry agreed. "As their best friend, I find myself caught in the middle a lot. I can't take sides, so what's to be done?"

"Of course, what she sees in him, I can't imagine," said Ginny.

"Wait a bit," responded Harry, feeling the need to stand up for his friend. "Ron is loyal, and brave, and a great chess player--" Ginny held up her hands to stem the flow of words.

"Hang on, Harry," she said, laughing. "On Ron's behalf, I appreciate your leaping to his defense, but you don't have to convince me. He's my brother, and I love him dearly. But you must own that he is lazy, stubborn, quick-tempered, and not much to look at."

"On that, I have no opinion," said Harry emphatically, referring to the last bit.

"Fair enough," Ginny giggled. "Anyway, if being together will make them happy, so be it. The problem is getting it to happen."

"Well," said Delenn, leaning towards them conspiratorially, "perhaps that is something we can resolve while you are here."

"We might be here for the rest of our lives," sighed Harry. At least, if that did prove to be the case, he had his friends with him.

"You are True Seekers," replied Delenn confidently. "You will find your way."

They were all clean and dressed some time later when Captain Sheridan returned to Delenn's quarters. This time, however, he was not alone. A tall woman with chin-length red hair and large, dark eyes entered with him. Her nose, chin, and cheekbones were sharp and prominent, but she was still quite pretty. She wore a businesslike outfit in earth tones and stood very straight.

Introductions went around once more, and the captain introduced the red-haired woman as Lyta Alexander, the telepath he had mentioned previously.

"Do you understand what I am going to do?" Lyta asked the four young wizards. When they all shook their heads, she explained, "The captain will ask you various questions. I will be reading surface thoughts to determine whether the answers are truthful. It will be easier if one of you acts as the spokesperson so that I can maintain eye contact. You shouldn't feel anything."

The teens looked at each other uneasily. They had agreed to this yesterday, but it was different to have the experience suddenly staring them in the face. At last, Harry spoke.

"Ordinarily, I would offer to do it," he said calmly. "However, I have an enemy who can sometimes get into my mind. I don't know if he can reach me here, but if he can, he may be able to harm you through me. I would prefer that someone else speak for us."

"I'll do it," said Ron, stepping forward. He looked pale and nervous, but his mouth was set in a determined line. "You won't see anything...personal, will you?"

"I will be able to detect any surface thoughts you may have," Lyta answered. "This means that I can't guarantee I won't find anything personal, but I do promise that I won't reveal anything that is not directly related to Captain Sheridan's questions. Okay?"

Ron nodded, somewhat reluctantly.

"All right, now just relax," Lyta told him. "Go ahead, Captain."

"Where are you from?" asked Sheridan.

"Well, Ginny and I were born and raised outside a village called Ottery St. Catchpole. It's in England. Hermione lives on the outskirts of London, and Harry's from Little Whinging, in Surrey."

"I was born in Wales," Harry interrupted.

"Oh, right," corrected Ron. "Harry was born in Wales and lived in a place called Godric's Hollow until - until his parents died." Apparently noting the hesitation and sensing something Ron didn't want to talk about, the captain pounced.

"How did they die?"

"They were murdered."

"By whom?"

"By an evil wizard," Ron answered, swallowing. Harry guessed that he was hoping he wouldn't have to give the name.

"Why?"

"That gets complicated. Apparently, he was trying to kill Harry because there was a prophecy that said Harry would defeat him someday. Instead, his parents died to protect him."

This was true, as far as it went, but Harry knew that Ron was intentionally leaving things out. Harry also belatedly realized that he had not yet told his friends what the prophecy said. Maybe that was for the best, though. Ron couldn't reveal what he didn't know.

Sheridan had been looking at Lyta after each answer to ascertain her reaction. After this last answer, she spoke at last.

"He's telling the truth, Captain, but not all of it."

"What are you leaving out?" Sheridan asked, turning back to Ron.

"I don't know everything that happened. I do know that his mother died because she was trying to protect him. See, the dark wizard came for Harry after killing his father, and Harry's mum wouldn't let him; she got in the way of the curse. So she died, but because she died for love of Harry, he was protected. Apparently, love is a really powerful charm. Then, when the dark wizard tried to do the Killing Curse on Harry, it bounced back on him. The dark wizard should have died, but he'd done things to himself so that he was practically immortal, so he just had to live in kind of a ghost state for 13 years or so. Then he got his body back." Ron fell silent. Captain Sheridan was staring alternatively at him and at Lyta in apparent disbelief. Lyta shrugged.

"As far as he knows, he's telling the complete truth," she said, almost apologetically.

"That has to be the craziest story I've ever heard!" Sheridan exclaimed, losing his composure at last. "And you're telling me that it's the truth?"

"Truth is subjective, Captain" Lyta responded. "All I can tell you is that he believes he is telling the truth."

"Is he sane?"

"I sense no sign of insanity. His thought patterns are a little erratic, but nothing out of the ordinary for a boy his age."

Sheridan paused. He seemed to want to say something else, but he changed his mind.

"Fine," he said. Then he turned back to Ron. "When did all this happen?"

"The murders were on Halloween night, 1981. The dark wizard got his body back in June 1995. Harry was there when it happened, but a lot of people didn't believe him for about a year."

"All right, let's go to a new topic," said Sheridan. "How did you all get here?"

"Well, we were all studying together at the Hogwarts library - that's the school we go to, you know. Anyway, Hermione and Ginny touched a book at the same time and disappeared. That's when Harry and I figured the book must have been a Portkey, so we found another one. It brought us here. That's all I know."

"What is a Portkey?"

"It's an object that has been enchanted to go somewhere at a specific time. It will also take along anyone who's touching it."

"So, you don't know who sent you or why?"

"No. I mean, we assumed that dark wizards must have sent us, but now that we're here, we can't imagine why. And we don't know how to get back."

The captain paced back and forth across the room for a little while. He seemed to be pondering everything he'd heard. At last, he stopped and faced them once again.

"Can you demonstrate some of this magic for me?" he asked.

"Of course!" said Ron brightly. "Hermione, you'd better do it."

"What should I do?" Hermione asked. "Oh, I know what would be just the thing! Transfiguration."

With that, she drew out her wand and pointed to a chair in the sitting area. She concentrated on it, and it began to change. Within 30 seconds, a giant tortoise stood there in its place. It began to crawl ponderously.

"Excellent," Ron said. "You've always been good with Transfiguration. Mine always look half like one thing, half another."

The other two praised Hermione's skill as well. Captain Sheridan, however, looked as though his eyes were going to pop out of his head. Lyta looked startled, too, but Delenn seemed to be accepting everything with a certain level of composure. After all, someone who had transformed herself couldn't be all that surprised by people who could transform inanimate objects.

"Okay, I've seen enough," said Sheridan, finding his voice at last. "Can you change it back now?"

"Of course," answered Hermione, and she did so. Sheridan looked curiously at her wand.

"Garibaldi told me that you all possessed these...what do you call them?" he commented.

"Wands," supplied Hermione helpfully. "They don't actually perform the magic; they just help us to focus and control it. The power comes from within us."

"So you can perform - magic - without them?"

"Oh, yes," said Harry, "but it's usually accidental and not very controlled. Let's see, I once made my hair grow overnight, and I loosed a python on my cousin."

"Don't forget the time you inflated your aunt," added Ron. Harry glared at him.

"I've been trying to forget that for three years!" he retorted. "Besides, she's not really my aunt."

"Ordinarily, weapons aren't allowed to be brought onto Babylon 5," the captain interrupted, cutting off what might have developed into an argument. "But, since these seem to be more tools than weapons, I'll allow you to keep them. Don't make me regret my decision."

He looked at them all meaningfully, and they nodded. Then, the captain turned to the telepath.

"Thank you for your services, Lyta," he said to her. "I think I've kept you from your duties long enough. I will contact you regarding the other issue we discussed."

As this was clearly a dismissal, Lyta inclined her head towards him and left. On her way out the door, she passed Lennier coming in.

"Delenn, I'd like to have another little meeting. Will you join me?" asked Sheridan.

"Naturally," she replied. "What about my guests?"

"Maybe Lennier can show them around the station," he said, looking questioningly at the ambassador's aide.

"I would be glad to," Lennier responded.

"Great. If they are going to be with us for some time, they'll need to know their way around. Show them the Zokolow, the merchant areas, anything you think is appropriate."

Lennier bowed, and Delenn and Sheridan left.