Harry Potter and the Secret Horcrux

Chapter 12: The Dream

The sounds from the Wizarding Wireless hummed in the air as Harry flipped through the worn pages of his copy of Flying With The Cannons. He stretched out on the sofa with his head propped up on the armrest. Sometimes he just needed to get away from his destiny and the carefree images of broomsticks and Snitches gave him a chance to just be a seventeen, nearly eighteen-year-old, boy.

As the ring of a high note buzzed into Harry's ear a Snitch whizzed by the glove of the Cannon Seeker, Galvin Gudgeon. He flipped another page and began scanning over the words he had practically memorised when he heard the sound of footsteps coming across the room.

"That book again?"

Harry glanced up with a grin. "It's very important reading."

Ginny shook her head as she gave his legs a shove and took a seat next to him on the sofa. She had just come from chatting with Bill and Harry knew that she was about to give him the progress update.

"He doesn't know what they are," Ginny said heavily. "Honestly, I think he assumes I'm insane but he bought the cover story fair enough."

"What was the cover story?" Harry asked.

Ginny grinned. "I told him a former boyfriend gave them to me and I was worried they were cursed since, well, the 'former' part and all. When he asked why I just didn't chuck them, I told him 'sentimental value'."

"And he believed that?" Harry grimaced.

Ginny shrugged casually. "I'm his little sister; He's never been able to tell me 'no'. He's going to take them to a friend who is much more experienced in Ancient Charmed Artefacts. He'll be back this weekend for the Order meeting and hopefully he'll know what they are by then."

"Thanks, Gin," Harry said.

Ginny, with a light laugh, snatched the book out of his hands. "Was that a sincere 'thanks' I heard, Potter?"

"I can take it back," Harry teased as he tried to wrestle his book away from her.

Ginny balled up in defence as she held Harry's book tight to her chest. It was apparent she wasn't giving it back without a fight. Finally, Harry resorted to tickling her sides as she let out a shriek of laughter.

"Stop!" Ginny cried. "That's not fair."

"Surely with six brothers you've learned never to take a bloke's book," Harry taunted as he continued to tickle her sides.

Ginny continued to roll in laughter before finally tossing the book into the chair in hopes of distracting Harry long enough to make an escape. Her decoy worked and as Harry retrieved his copy of Flying with the Cannons out of the nearby chair, Ginny pulled herself into an upright position.

She stared at him as he opened his book and pretended to engage in serious reading.

"Is Ron still being a git?" Ginny asked brazenly.

Harry didn't answer.

It was true Ron was being a git, but Harry didn't feel very comfortable admitting it to Ginny. She was one of the reasons they weren't talking at the moment. Harry couldn't blame Ron for feeling betrayed. If the roles had been reversed he probably would have felt the same way. However, finding out what the medallions were and how they were connected was more important than Ron's self-esteem.

Ginny, on the other hand, had been quite friendly with him the past week. The transition from just friends, to boyfriend/girlfriend, then back to just friends had been difficult. Harry relished in this rediscovery that friendship exists after romance. True, he had felt the occasional urge to kiss Ginny or that pesky growling from the monster in his chest, but for the most part he was pleased with the relationship's progress. There were definitely times that Harry enjoyed Ginny's company more than he did Ron's.

"It's your room, too, in fact it's your house," Ginny started. "I'd just hex him if I were you."

Harry grinned. "I'm getting rather used to the Weasley men being angry with me."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Only the immature Weasley men."

She stood and stretched her back, causing a lump to form in Harry's throat. He quickly swallowed as the beast in his chest threatened to surface and take control of him.
Ginny stifled a yawn then let her eyes catch Harry's.

"I'm turning in for the night," she announced.

Harry nodded as he tried to focus on his book again. She had almost made it to the bottom of the stairs before she turned towards him.

"Are you coming?" Ginny asked.

Harry blinked, "What?"

"Are you coming to bed? You know, to sleep? It's past midnight and I'm sure Ron is asleep so you won't have to try to avoid him," Ginny pointed out.

Harry contemplated making an excuse, but he was rather tired. A small part of him also sincerely wished the enchantment of the night would possess him and he'd be able to steal a kiss from Ginny before turning in, even though the practical side of his brain told him he wasn't allowed such thoughts.

"Harry?" Ginny asked impatiently.

Harry snapped his book shut before rising to his feet. The lump in his throat tensed as he noticed she was actually going to wait for him before continuing up the stairs. He followed behind her, watching her red hair swoop with every stair she climbed. The room Ron and he were sharing was at the end of the hall, and he knew he'd have to pass Ginny and Hermione's room before reaching it.

Ginny paused at her door before going in and turned to Harry just as he was trying to pass. Harry froze and his heart raced as he became aware of the close proximity of their faces.

"Harry," she started as she looked at him with a determined look.

Harry felt his palms become sweaty as her brown eyes bored into his as if searching for an answer to a question, an answer he didn't want to give.

"I'm really glad we're still friends. I really was worried that it would be awkward between us, but now I see you're right."

"I'm right?" Harry said in a tense voice.

Ginny nodded. "About our relationship, it wouldn't have worked. There are too many things going on right now and neither of us needs any distractions."

"Exactly," Harry said feeling the beast in his chest roar in protest to his words.

Ginny's face broke into a genuine smile. "And besides, if we had continued dating it may have ended horribly. Then where would we be? No, we're better as friends."

She leaned over and placed a very chaste kiss on Harry's cheek, about an inch away from the corner of his mouth.

"Night," she said softly.

"Good...goodnight," Harry stumbled.

He felt a bit like Tonks as he clumsily followed his feet back to his room, his heart gradually calming. He didn't even notice Ron as he collapsed into bed and sleep took him as soon as his head hit the pillow. There were just too many confusing questions whizzing around his mind for him to stay awake any longer.

As his mind wandered into the land of dreams, the image of Ginny coiled around him. She was smiling and offering him warm kisses on his cheek. He kept trying to tell her that he wanted to be more than friends, but she kept insisting that they were better off that way. Finally she told him that if he really wanted to be more than friends then he had to kiss Ron. Harry was just about to tell her that the suggestion was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard when the image of Ginny faded.

"Harry?"

Harry blinked as he tried to stare through the thick fog that had mysteriously engulfed him. The voice sounded like a distant echo.

"Harry?"

He squinted his eyes as he tried to focus on the figure slowly coming into focus.

"Hello Harry, finally we have a chance to chat again."

Harry rubbed his eyes. "Professor?"

"I'm afraid not. I'm merely a dream, a production of your subconscious. Think of me as nothing more than a simple recollection. Everything I am about to tell you is what you have already discovered. You just haven't been able to put it together."

"Professor, Snape... you were wrong about him," Harry said in an urgent tone. It seemed odd that the rage he felt for Severus Snape surfaced at precisely the moment Dumbledore's face became completely visible.

"I have told you. Professor Snape has my complete faith and trust," Dumbledore interrupted.

"But, he..." Harry argued.

Dumbledore frowned. "This subject is not up for discussion. Nothing Professor Snape has done or will do will every change my opinion. Is that clear, Harry?"

Harry stared blankly at Dumbledore as he appeared to take a seat in a chair that did not exist. He crossed his arms in front of him and motioned Harry to take a seat as well.

"Now, on to more important things. I see you are still continuing on our quest for Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes. Excellent...regretfully the locket we retrieved from the cave was not Slytherin's. The true Horcrux must have been removed long before the first fall of Lord Voldemort."

Harry shook slightly before noticing the chair that had appeared behind him. His mind raced with questions, but he suddenly found himself incapable of speech.

Dumbledore nodded as Harry took a seat. "The path to Slytherin's Locket is closer than I could have ever imagined. You also have questions about the medallions I left for you to find?"

Harry nodded his head to affirm Dumbledore's suspicions.

"I knew that they had to be placed in a secure location and I was positive Lord Voldemort would never return to Godric's Hollow. I was also correct in my assumption that you would visit the place your parents were murdered. The second one I placed at your aunt's home. You probably noticed that a strong Blood Charm protected it. Only a Potter by blood could reveal its location. My apologies, the medallions have nothing to do with Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes. I'm sure that answer will also be provided in due time."

"Professor... I don't understand," Harry said slowly hearing his own voice take on an echo- like quality.

Dumbledore suddenly rose from his seat. "Alas, our time is over."

"Sorry?" Harry asked, rising dramatically in response to Dumbledore's action.

Dumbledore smiled, "Wake up, Harry."

"No," Harry said loudly. "I need more answers, you have to help me."

Dumbledore simply shook his head.

"But you have to. You can't just leave me like this. I don't understand, how can I find the Horcruxes if I don't even know where to look? What do you mean Slytherin's Locket is close? Is it in London? I don't understand, sir."

Harry felt frantic and just when he felt as if the emotions were going to cause him to explode, Dumbledore turned and started walking away.

"PROFESSOR!" Harry screamed. "PROFESSOR DUMBLEDORE! COME BACK!"

"Harry."

His head popped up as a new voice sounded through his misty realms.


Harry's eyes popped open and he sprang into an upright position. His brow dripped with sweat and the room was blurry because his glasses were missing.

"Another nightmare?" Hermione said as she handed him his glasses.

Harry stared at her, feeling a sense of anger leaving him completely at a loss for words.

"Ron woke me up. He said you were in here screaming for Dumbledore," Hermione explained.

"Why didn't he just wake me up?" Harry asked in a bitter voice.

Hermione gave Harry a look that told him she didn't want to answer that question.

"These aren't like the dreams before, are they?" Hermione continued.

"No, they aren't like before," Harry confessed feeling a bit robbed by Hermione's ability to see through him.

Hermione didn't push the subject and Harry was thankful.

"Want to go get a bite to eat?" Hermione asked.

Harry considered her suggestion for a moment before deciding a bite to eat might be just what he needed to shake his most recent dream. He could still hear Dumbledore's words, though they were quickly fading.

As they reached the parlour Harry noticed a small gathering of Order members and the murmur of the word 'Hogwarts.'

Mad-Eye Moody was the first to spot Harry and he cleared his throat as a signal that conversation should cease. Kingsley shot Harry an unnaturally pleasant smile and Charlie Weasley gave a quick nod.

"It's fine," Lupin said promptly. "I think Harry should be privy to this conversation."

Moody gave a grumble of disapproval as Lupin motioned Harry over.

"He isn't official part of the Order, Remus," Moody warned.

Lupin retorted, "Dumbledore trusted Harry."

"Dumbledore trusted Snape too, and we all see what kind of spineless jellyfish he turned out to be," Moody snapped.

"I trust Harry," Lupin affirmed.

"As do I," Kingsley added.

Hermione started to back away when Harry grabbed her hand. When nobody objected Harry felt an odd sense of not knowing something that everybody else did, but he choose not to dwell on it.

Lupin placed a concerned hand on Harry's shoulder. "We're discussing Hogwarts. Apparently the governors have come to a final decision."

Harry glanced at Hermione and saw her eyes suddenly light up.

"What's the decision?" Harry asked.

Moody growled, "Three-week session, under the strictest of security. I've recommended the Ministry place a minimum of twelve Aurors in each hallway."

"We don't have that many Aurors to spare," Kingsley interjected. "We're still guarding the Muggle Prime Minister for Merlin's sake. We can't be stretched any thinner or we'll be completely ineffective."

"Then more Aurors need to be trained," Moody spat. "If I were still part of the department there would be no question."

"We can't train Aurors overnight."

Lupin held up his hands. "There is no purpose for this debate because we're going to end up in the same place. The bottom line is we have no control over what the Ministry does with respect to the security at Hogwarts."

"Three-week sessions?" Hermione asked warily.

Lupin nodded. "Since there is a concern of 'You Know Who' attacking the school it has been decided the school will be reopened, but all the students will not be present at once. If there is an attack it will be less catastrophic if only a portion of the student body is in attendance."

"The new First-Years and the returning Second-Years will return on 1st of September to be Sorted and settled. They'll attend classes for three weeks and then be sent home. As they're leaving on the Hogwarts Express the Third-Years and Fourth Years will be arriving for their three week stay. Then the Fifth-Year Students will arrive; more focus is placed on them due to OWLs. The Sixth- and Seventh-Year's first day this year will be 24th of November," Kingsley explained.

Hermione looked repulsed. "November? How are we going to be ready for our NEWTs?"

"You've been through your OWLs; you should be able to handle your NEWTs," Moody barked.

Lupin smiled. "You'll be receiving daily assignments by Owl post. They'll start arriving on the 1st of September. It's just going to take a bit more self-discipline."

"The Ministry isn't at all pleased Potter's returning," Moody growled.

Charlie grinned. "Big surprise there."

"What about OWLs? The Fifth Years never got a chance..." Hermione asked, ignoring Moody's comment.

"They'll be given a date to report to the Ministry of Magic, same as the previous Seventh-Year students. I imagine those letters have already been posted," Moody explained.

Harry was the first to catch a glimpse of the approaching Patronus. He didn't recognize it, but the rest of the group seemed to know exactly what it meant. Lupin and Charlie ran off quickly without any parting words.

"Granger, don't forget about the meeting tonight," Moody snapped as the group dispersed.

Harry turned to look at Hermione who shifted uncomfortably. "Please don't tell Ron."

"He doesn't know?" Harry asked looking slightly shocked.

Hermione shook her head, "Moody asked me if I'd be interested in joining last night. They're making some exceptions you know. He says they have a special assignment for me."

"I think it's brilliant," Harry smiled. "We're already fighting in this war. It only makes sense to join the Order."

"Yes, well it's a huge responsibility, and I'm not allowed to go on any raids until I finish my NEWTs," Hermione said blushing slightly. "You'll see soon enough. You said Lupin said you'd be allowed to join at the end of July."

"So was Ron not asked to join?" Harry questioned.

Hermione paused, "I honestly don't know. He hasn't mentioned it to me. Oh Harry, you saw how badly he took the Slug Club."

"Yeah, I don't think you have to worry about it, Hermione," Harry grumbled. "Ron's ignoring me, remember?"

Hermione's eyes suddenly filled with a few tears as she threw her arms around his neck.

"Ron," Harry said quickly as he noticed a tall redhead emerging out of the shadows.

Ron nodded curtly.

Hermione straightened up. "What is it?"

Ron took in a deep breath. "You might want to look outside."

"Is London being attacked?" Hermione asked, "Again?"

"I can see the smoke in the distance," Ron said gloomily. "We should be out there... did, did Charlie go?"

"I think so," Harry said quickly.

Ron cut his eyes towards Hermione and Harry knew the secret was out. "Why are you still here then?"

Hermione blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Fleur told me, Hermione. You can drop the act," Ron spat. "You, too, Harry?"

"Don't be stupid," Harry retorted.

"That's right, I'm just a stupid tagalong. I don't really have any talent or anything to offer to the Order. I don't know why you two waste your time," Ron said dully, Harry had seen all the fight drain out of Ron before, but this time it was different.

Hermione looked speechless as her mouth moved frantically. She passed Harry a desperate look and he conceded.

"I don't know what's going on, but I'm sure there is a reason for it, Ron. The most important thing is to find out what's going on with the Horcruxes. The Order can't help us with that. Now, if you're done with your self-pity, we need to discuss the dream I just had."