Harry Potter and the Maneosioan War

Chapter 13

Soul, Body, and Magic

"Harry?" said Hermione quietly, standing at the door of the Hospital Wing.

"It's all my fault,” he whispered.

    "No - No, Harry, of course it isn - "

    "It is,” Harry said firmly.

    "Harry...how are you supposed to forgive yourself if you won't even give it a chase?"she said pleadingly.

    "I'm done with forgiveness. Done with it! I have no one to forgive! Especially...especially myself,” he breathed, not looking at her.

    Hermione looked at him rather pityingly and nodded bitterly.

    "Harry - ?" came Dumbledore's voice from the Hospital wing.

    "He's coming, sir," said Hermione and then turned to Harry. "You might want to come. They're bringing in an expert, they think...he might be able to help."

    He looked up at her, gulped, and nodded, rising from the wooden bench that stood outside of the dormitory. He followed her inside the room where he found Madam Pomfrey tending to Matt in one of the hospital beds and Dumbledore in deep conversation with Lupin, Percy, Bill, and Mad-Eye Moody, Mrs. Weasley standing to the side, her hands intertwined and crested at her chest.

    Hermione walked forward toward the group and beckoned Harry after her, but he merely slumped slightly and began to pace his steps, gazing at the floor with his hands in his pockets. When he finally reached Dumbledore and the others, he looked up only slightly, but, just then, the doors of the Hospital Wing flung open and an elderly person walked in, very quickly, his hands inside of his robes, and glided toward them in a very brisk manner.

    “Bill! How have you been?” said the old man, whose wrinkles of skin laid atop the other on his bald head. He was a black wizard and very short in size, wearing robes of deep silk purple.

    “Just fine, Sir Safari, and you?” Bill had suddenly straightened up and his voice sounded a bit more mature. He reminded Harry of how Percy would act whenever he was in the company of Mr. Crouch.

    “Fine, as always. Although I must say that I am now grieving over Nicolas’ death more than ever. I could really use some of his help right about now,” sighed the wizard, smiling at Harry and the others, who were all staring at him.

    “I know, sir,” said Bill, nodding his head. “We are all in regret.”

    “This is Safari Makinagi, Harry. He is an expert in the Eternal Spells and was also a very good friend of Nicolas Flamel,” said Dumbledore, gesturing his hand to the man.

    “Ah, expert shmexpert. I just know a thing or two,” said Safari, brushing away the comment.

    “Mr. Makinagi - ?“ Harry began.

    “Oh no, Mr. Makinagi is my father. Call me Safari.” He grinned.

“Er, right - Safari, do you think that he is going to be all right?”

    “Well, let’s take a look see,” said Safari.

    He brushed the company aside and made his way through toward the bed on which Matt rested. He slouched down toward him and squinted his eyes, making his face even more wrinkled than before, and examined his face, also lifting his arm and dropping it again, as well as attempting to shake him awake.

    "Well," he finally said. "He's paralyzed."

"W-We know that," said Harry tentatively.

    "Hmm," said Safari. "Well then you know just about everything!"

    "What?!" said Harry. Dumbledore merely smirked. "What about a cure? Will he ever wake up? Is he going to be all right at all?"

    Safari examined Harry with utmost curiosity and then said, "You're that Potter boy, aren't you? Hmm. Yes, Nicolas often spoke about you."

    "He - he spoke about me? When?"

    He stared at Harry even more intensely now. "He mentioned a thing or two or three...or ninety seven."

    Harry looked at him, confused. On his opposite end, however, he saw Hermione's eyes widen. Had he said something?

    Safari blinked. “Right. Well, as for the cure, may I recommend aerated gelatin potion?”

    “Aerated gelatin? What’s that?” asked Percy.

    “Airborne jellyfish,” said Safari simply.

    Harry’s mouth opened in astonishment. “You’re kidding!” he said.

    Madam Pomfrey laughed and Percy raised his eyebrows. Bill, however, seemed rather amused at his response.

    “There is no such thing as airborne jellyfish,” said the nurse, laughing more heartedly than ever.

    “Oh! Huh. Is that so?” said Safari, as if taken aback by this information. “Well, then, I suppose that my work here is done...”

    “But - “ said Harry anxiously.

    “Come Dumbledore,” said Safari. “I’ve traveled a long way and I am not leaving England until I have had a decent cup of tea!”

    Safari and Dumbledore had turned to leave when Harry shouted, “Wait!” after them.

    They both turned around.

    “Yes, Harry?” said Dumbldore.

    Harry opened his mouth hopelessly, not knowing what to say. He looked at the two of them, whom both had their eyebrows raised and were smiling, and shook his head.

    “Nothing,” said Harry.

    Dumbledore and Safari turned around and continued to walk out of the Hospital Wing, still in deep conversation.

    Harry stood there, dumbstruck. The last hope that he had was gone, like a joke. Safari didn’t even know what he was talking about. What if Matt were to die? Would Harry go to Azkaban? Wait - Azkaban was gone... Would they find some other way to sustain him? But it was only an accident! He hadn’t meant to do it...but he was the leader of the D.A...he was responsible...        

    He imagined meeting Mr. and Mrs. Thompson just like the Diggories, only, this time, it was completely his faut...Matt would be dead...and Harry was the murderer...just like Voldemort.

    “Potter?”

    He suddenly jumped as he felt a rough hand place itself on his shoulder. He turned to see Mad-Eye looking down at him.

    “You all right, son?”

    Harry nodded, half-heartily.

    “Listen - I’ve got to tell you something...” he led his away from the others and into one of the corners of the dormitory. Lowering his voice, Moody spoke, “I know Safari. I was trained by him to become an auror and Bill worked with him in Egypt as well. Taught him a thing or two. Listen, Potter, Safari knows what he’s talking about. He’s a very wise man. He’ll tell you everything you need to know and more; things you never imagined that someone who met you for the first time would ever know about you. You’ve got to go and speak to him. Right now, I’ll take you to Dumbledore’s office, where he’ll talk to you. Don’t lose hope, Potter. It’s not over yet.”    

    Harry looked up at him, questioningly, but Moody began to push him out of the Hospital Wing, watching the rest of them, who seemed to be conversing amongst themselves, and began to walk quickly toward the Headmaster’s office. Harry didn’t know if he should say anything, but followed the clunking of his wooden leg and his ragged grey cloak with a spring in his step. Perhaps Safari had said what he said to draw away attention. Perhaps he knew something more...

Harry’s spirits soared, but he decided not to get his hopes up...

    As they reached the stone gargoyle that guarded the office, Harry looked at Mad-Eye, watching for a sign of reassurance, but he merely said the password and began walking up the stone steps that revealed themselves in a spiral beyond the statue. Harry followed him upstairs until he met him holding the door open and beckoning him inside with one hand. As Harry walked into the office, he saw Dumbledore sitting behind his desk, drinking tea, with Safari to the side, both turning their heads toward Harry. He turned around to see if Moody would stay with him, but the door had already shut itself and he was gone.

    “Harry,” said Dumbledore, acknowledging his presence, “would you like a seat?” He waved his wand and a chair appeared out of thin air, toward which Harry walked hesitantly, sitting down.

    “Well then,” said Safari. “I suppose you’d be wanting to know about your friend.”

    Harry’s mouth opened slightly and he nodded.

    Safari sighed. “Let’s see. I don’t know how to explain this too well, but I will try my best,” he said, taking a sip of his tea.

    “I just want to know if he’s going to live or not - “ he suddenly blurted out.

    “I’m getting to that,” said Safari.

    “Couldn’t you just - “

    ”No, I cannot just tell you because it takes more than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to understand this situation.”

    Harry sighed impatiently, but decided to not interrupt.

    “You’ve got to imagine this...We both have a soul and a body, just like Muggorthians - er - Muggles, if you prefer. It’s hard to imagine, but, for wizards and witches, there is a layer of magic between the soul and body. When the soul is separated from the body, the magic vanishes. It’s gone forever. You have to really understand death to see this. This magic is what is often used to sustain a ghost spirit or enter the world of Hades, or the next Realm. You might not understand this right now, Harry, but I must explain before I can tell you about Matt.”

    Harry nodded, his eyebrows furrowed.

    “Now, when Muggles die, they do not have a layer of magic to lose. So it is much easier for them to enter the Realm of Death. In other words, it is harder for a magical being to die because they simply have to lose their magic first in order to become vulnerable to death. Now, the Veil of Hades that was destroyed by Ms. Lovegood is a gateway that holds many secrets for us. You have to understand, Harry, that this is something that Voldemort knows not. He has attempted to find a way to avoid death and yet he knows not how it works, either. Now, as a body passes through the veil, it will lose it’s magic. The body enters the next Realm as well, but it is no longer able to be part of the soul. It is useless. The spirit abandons the body and joins the other spirits in the Realm beyond. There are just so many things to understand about death that I cannot even begin. But this I must explain. As you read in the book about the Secret of Secrets, Harry, your guess was that it is the secret that you posses, is it not?”

    Harry couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but nodded his head once more.     

    “And you were right. However, because you know about the steps to the prophesy, it has also ignited emotions in you that will often be uncontrollable. Although you felt no anger towards Matt, you have to see that your anger was directed to Peter Pettigrew, although he was not even in the same room. This anger can even arise for Lord Voldemort, but he does not have to be near you. That is why it is so dangerous for your emotions to run high. That is why Albus did not favor that Severus was to tell you about his death. I am afraid that it is, if fact, better that you know about this, but the difficulty of it is that you need to learn how to control those emotions.

    “Now, when Matt was hit with that curse, his soul wavered on his body. You have to imagine it now only being slightly attached to him. Now, Matt is still alive, you don’t have to worry about that, and he shall not die, simply because the Spell that you performed was directed onto an animal. It was the fact that Matt had the magic to link his soul to his body even stronger than those who do not that saved him. You do know that animals do not have souls, unless they are Animalgi, do you not? Also, had you directed the spell to a Muggle, it would not have had that much of an effect either. Had you directed your spell to a witch or wizard, it might have caused more damage to the body. Now, Harry, I have to warn you about the Eternal Spells - do not fool around with them. You, especially, cannot toy with such serious powers. Do you hear me? Avoid the Eternal Spells for now. You, for one, are one of the few who would be very skilled at mastering them, even at their highest peaks, but I must ask you to not do such a thing for now. Avoid them. For now, I want you to concentrate on the emotion that you felt when you fired the Avada Kedavra at the rat, which hit Mr. Thomspon. Go on.”

    “Now?” said Harry, bemused.

    “Yes,” said Safari simply, watching him.

    Harry closed his eyes and tried to bring back the memory, no matter how much he did not want to. He remembered the frustration that he felt toward the shouted Killing Curses. He thought of Pettigrew and Dumbledore...he wanted nothing more than to see Wormtail die...it would be over...he didn’t want to deal with it any longer....Sirius had died because of this....Peter has to die...Voldmort would be murdered....this was it...his hate was so strong that he could not remember ever feeling so vengeful..

    There was a bright flash of light and Harry opened his eyes, breathing deeply. He could feel sweat accumulating on his forehead. Both Dumbledore and Safari were watching his with frowns on their elderly faces.

    “How was that?” asked Safari said, gloomily.

    “Horrible,” said Harry, since that was the only word he could think of.

    “To Voldemort, Harry,” said Dumbledore, speaking for the first time since Harry’s visit, “it is one of the most pleasurable things simply because he does not know how to experience better emotions.”

    Safari seemed to be in deep thought for a moment and then finally asked, “Do you perhaps now see how Voldemort managed to achieve a phase so close to immortality?”

    Harry looked at him and shook his head.

    “He developed a link of magic so strong, binding his soul to his body - “

    ”Voldemort has no soul,” said Harry, bitterly.

    “You will be surprised, Harry,” said Dumbldore, “how much of Tom Riddle there is left in Voldemort.”

    Harry raised an eyebrow. “What do you - ?”

    “As I was saying,” Safari continued, “he developed a link so strong that it was practically unrepeatable...until you came in...”

    “What?”

    “Yes,” said Safari. “When Voldemort attempted to kill you, the curse rebounded because of your mother’s sacrifice and separated his body from his soul. His body was gone and his soul had nearly passed onto the next Realm. All that remained of Voldemort was the magic...”

    “That’s a lie!” said Harry, standing up furiously. “How could his soul have passed onto the next Realm when - “

    ”One cannot live as the other survives,” said Dumbledore simply.

    Harry was breathing deeply. “But - but how can - ?”

    “Because the magic was so strong that he had developed,” said Safari, “it was a part of him. It was Voldemort. Tom Riddle died and he was unable to return to full life without him. He was an inch from absolute death. When he used his father’s bone and servants flesh, as well as your blood, he was born again. Harry, when Voldemort passed some of his powers to you on the night that he was almost destroyed, a part of Tom Riddle was left in you. That part of him returned on the night that he gained your blood. If Tom Riddle had returned from his diary, he would have brought Voldemort to his highest peak because he would be not only reunited with his ultimate soul, but he would also increase the power that bound his body with his spirit. However, now, he also has your mother’s blood, which means that - “ Safari stopped, looking at Harry, meaningfully, “- it means that he may now be killed if the Mortality Spell is performed.”

    “Mortality Spell? What - but how? How would that make him - ?”

    “Because the protection of your mother that she gave you, Harry, is a part of the magic that she was. It is, in its entirety, a part of her. Now that she is a part of Voldemort, her link to you enables a bond between you and Voldemort. And not the kind of bond that you had before through your scar. This bond enables you to see inside of him. And that is how you knew about his emotions, Harry. Right now, it has been temporarily dimmed because you have not mastered reaching that part of Voldemort. Like I said, once the Mortality Spell is performed, it will be much easier for you to overcome Voldemort’s power and his soul. At that point, you will be in absolute awareness of his weaknesses and the strengths that you need to overcome him. You need....time...”

    “So let me get this straight,” said Harry, exasperated, “When Voldemort tried to kill me, his body was gone and his soul practically went into the next Realm. However, a part of Riddle went into me?”

    “That’s right,” said Safari.

    “And - and as my mother saved me, a part of her went into me as well?”

    “Yes.”

    “Then - then the part of Voldemort that was still alive was only the magic that had bound his soul to his body?”

    “Right. But you notice that he began to regain a body as Peter helped him make special potions, although they did not succeed in bringing him back to power. They simply gave him a cover that he could use temporarily as a sanctuary.”

    “And - and when he returned, he got his body from - from Wormtail, his father, and me. And - and as he did so, a part of Tom and my mother went back into him?”

    “Yes. But you still have your mother with you, Harry. Her protection still lingers with you. As does a part of Tom.”

    “So I can defeat Voldemort if he is mortal enough to die?”

    Safari raised his eyebrows. When he didn’t respond, Harry continued.

    “I mean, that way, I will be able to understand how to defeat him because of that protection.... Because of the love that my mother left in me.... He would be mortal.... He has - he has an ounce of love. But - but he still needs humanity.... That’s how he needs to become mortal. That’s - that’s the only way I can kill him....” said Harry, grasping at words.

    “I’m glad you understand, Harry,” said Safari. “Not many people would understand something so difficult.”

    Harry looked up at him, his heart racing.

    “Now, I’m afraid that I must leave you. My deed has been accomplished. Thank you for the tea, Dumbledore,” said Safari, not nearly as merrily as when he had first arrived. He stood up, his silvery purple cloak behind him, and strolled over to the entrance.

    Just as he was about to leave, Harry said, “Sir?”

    Safari turned and said, “Yes?”

    “Are you an Afrenthologist?”

    He smiled meekly and said, “Yes,” slowly.

    “Could I ask you one more question, then?”

    “You may,” said Safari.

    “If - if I die, will I be able to see Sirius and my parents again?”

    Safari’s smile faded and he came up to him. “You will not die, my dear boy, until your time comes. But...yes, they will wait for you,” he said and, turning for the last time, left through the office door.

    Harry looked at Dumbledore at the verge of tears and shook his head, walking toward the door and exiting after Safari.

*****

    Days past after Harry had last spoken to Dumbledore and Safari and he avoided speaking to anyone after that point. Matt had still spent his time in the Hospital Wing, but recent reports from Madam Pomfrey ensured him that he was now responding to her every now and then.

    Harry had spent his time in complete isolation, away from Ron, Hermione, and the others, until he witnessed something one day that drew his attention.

    He watches as Hermione was drawn to the side in the hallway by Madam Hooch. She looked around, seemingly checking for signs of anyone who could overhear, and said something to her. Hermione nodded and, also, looking around, left the scene.

    Harry, bewildered, caught up with Hermione and asked, “What was that all about?”

    Startled, Hermione gasped and said, “Harry! You scared me! Don’t do that again! Oh - that - that was nothing. She just...wanted me to - to - um - nothing. Never mind.”

    Harry raised his eyebrows, but noticed that Hermione avoided meeting his eyes.

    “So how have you been getting along?” she finally asked, looking up at him. “You haven’t spoken to any of us. Most importantly, to me.” Hermione stopped walking.

    Harry stopped as well and turned to face her.

    “It’s not something I can explain,” he said.

    “I know,” she said in a small voice. Harry watched as tears formed in her eyes. His heart pounded when she finally took his hand and said, “Come with me.”

    “Hermione - “ he began.            

    “Just - please, Harry,” she whispered.

    Frowning, he looked around, and then nodded.

    She smiled slightly and led him toward the lake.

    “I want you to talk to me, Harry. Recently I’ve just been feeling like we’re so far apart! It’s like we’re not even friends. Ron keeps saying that he doesn’t even know you any more. He’s - he’s afraid. And - and, frankly, so am I.”

    Harry looked at her and saw that tears had already began to stream down her cheeks.

    He took a breath said, “Look, this isn’t my fault.”

    “I know it’s not, Harry, but how are we supposed to understand you if you won’t let us? If you just - just keep pushing us away - it’s just not going to work! Can’t you understand that? We love you!”

    “I - I love you too, but I - I can’t do this. I - I have to be alone. I have to understand this myself first. It’s - It’s just too much to handle sometimes.”

    “I know, Harry,” she said quietly, walking up to him and pressing her fingers to his face, “but if you could just understand that we want to be a part of it - a part of you! It would make things so much easier this way! If only you had someone you could depend on - you don’t understand how much that counts for!”

    She searched his eyes for an answer, but then bit her lip, turning her head away.

    She looked back at him and said, “Could you just tell me that you need me? I just need to know that I have a purpose! I want to mean something!”

    “Hermione, you mean everything to me, but I have to figure this out on my own - “

    ”There you go again! It’s always on your own! How can you take it like that! When I cannot even imagine being without you! Harry, would you just please - “

    She stopped as Harry caught her chin with his hand and leaned toward her.

    “I love you,” he whispered.

    Hermione nodded, her eyes still swimming in tears.

    Her eyes closed as Harry pulled her toward him until their lips touched.

    Harry and Hermione stayed out on the lake until the sun set and began to walk back to the Gryffindor common room just as night was about to fall.

    Harry said “Goodnight” to Hermione, grinning, and decided to turn in early, walking over to his four-poster and flipping through his trunk, where he found the two-way mirror.

    Sighing, he called into it, “Cilia Potter.”

    The woman momentarily appeared in the mirror, smiling at him.

    “Hello, Harry,” she said.                

    “Hi, Grandma,” said Harry.

    “How’ve you been?”

    “Fine,” Harry lied, but quickly changed the subject. “ Listen, I - I just wanted to ask you about something. Have you ever felt like - like you’re going through the worst time but all you want to do is go through it alone?”

    “Oh no, Harry,” she replied, looking saddened. “I could never go alone through my hard times. It’s too difficult to do it alone. No matter how much you might think that you have a handle on things, you never understand how much easier it would be if you had someone there going through it with you.”

    “But what if this is something that I can’t figure out myself first? How can I explain it to someone who wants to help if I don’t know what it is myself?”

    “Harry, that is a difficult question, but the only answer to it lies within your heart. You must decide the answer to that yourself. For example, you know Fleur?”

    “Fleur Delacour? Yeah.”

    “Well, when I was still staying in the lighthouse, before the attack, she came to consult me about something.”

    “What?” said Harry, curiously.

    “Yes. As much as Fleur seems to be the most controlled person, she is quite insecure. As the war started, she told me that a lot of her friends had began to abandon her. She told me that her mother was having a hard time with her job; not many people would trust part-veelas either. Knowing me for what I was, Fleur came to me for guidance. She told me that people had begun to doubt her word. They had become more and more aware of her in a negative way. She asked me how I got thought it. She needed advice...badly. She said that if she couldn’t do something about it soon, she would go mad! She was not used to not being socially accepted!”

    “So what did you tell her?” Harry asked.

    “Well...I told her that it is not possible to control the opinion of people. You may try to change, but the problem is that people have such a high fear of everything, especially during these times, that it is very insecure to try to prove yourself otherwise simply because they will think that you are defending yourself. You have to be who you are. You have to put your trust in the people around you and, hopefully, they will trust you in return.”    

    “So what you’re saying is that I have to figure this out with them? Even if I don’t understand it myself?”

    “Exactly, Harry. This way, even if you’re not sure of the answer, they will help you find it and the experience will link you together. It is not an easy thing to accept, but the truth is, that if you keep telling people that you cannot do something with them because you have to do it firstly for yourself, they will begin to think that a majority of what you must do or even of what you are is isolated. It is a negative thing to coup yourself up from those that you love. As long as they can be a part of the pain that you’re going through, they will be much closer to you, no matter the good or bad times.”

    “Thanks, Grandma,” said Harry, unsure if her answer would help him. “So did Fleur listen to you?”

    “Well, I wouldn’t know, but I sure hope so. It really is a shame that such an intelligent and beautiful girl such as her would land herself in such a terrible situation. I hate what people do at times like these. Instead of uniting they try to separate into four different corners of the world! It is always this that leads to the loss in battle. If only they could understand...things would be so different.”

    “That’s kind of like what the Sorting Hat told us.”

    “The what - oh, yes. I loved that hat. It actually wrote a song about me once.”

    “Really?” said Harry, amused.

    “Well, I guess you could say that he wrote it more because of me than for me. See, when I came to Hogwarts, people didn’t really react too well as soon as they found out what I was. The next year, the hat warned the school that it would not be a wise deal to try to make enemies with people who could easily become your friends and he mentioned some things about accepting vampires, werewolves, and...banshees. It was actually quite funny. Well, for me in the least. I also remember that Remus boy. He was a very good friend of James but he had such a hard time finding a job. Poor boy. We did everything we could to help his parents. As a matter of fact, your grandfather and I helped breed the Whopping Willow.”

    “What?”

    “Yeah,” she laughed. “It was quite fun, but it put up a nasty fight.”

    Harry nodded. After a moment of silence, he finally asked, “Can you tell me about the Primorisian War?”

    “Of course, dear. What do you want to know?”

    “Well, how long did it last?”

    She sighed. “Quite some time. Have you ever heard of World War I and World War II?”

    “Yeah,” said Harry.

    “Well, the Primorisian War began even before the first World War and continued still after the second.”

    “But that’s quite a period of time!” said Harry.

    “That’s what scared me. It was. But all the same, that is how long it lasted.”

    Harry looked confused. “But then when did you leave? I though that you told me that my parents had decided to stay because they knew about the prophecy when you left? It couldn’t have been told that long before my birth, could it?”

    “Oh, I didn’t leave until the later part of the war. You see, Harry, the war lasted for nearly a life time, but everyone thought that they could handle it. Eventually, things got out of hand. Yes, they were still capturing Death Eaters, but that wasn’t enough. No one knew how to stop it. It was as if for every Death Eater that they would catch, it would result in a entire new league of them. It was unstoppable. People from all over the world had flooded into Europe under secrecy and spy organizations to aid Voldemort in the conquering of Europe. It was perhaps the most powerful war amongst magicians since the Trojan War. Of course, I wasn’t alive at the time, so I really couldn’t tell you. Anyway, people decided to grab at whatever they could. Any bit of anything at all that they could grasp at, they would, and that’s where Emily Finnigan came back in. Being a part of the Ministry, as she was, she decided to take advantage of the hectic period and brought up the brilliant idea of getting rid of me. So, there you have it, the war had been going on for years, and suddenly they suspect an innocent old woman because she’s part-banshee. Of course, it all makes sense,” said Cilia sarcastically. “But I don’t blame them. It was as if looking for hope. They thought they would find it when they tracked me down. They were quite wrong, of course, but it somehow made them feel better that they could still have control over some things in the least.

    “It was a miracle that Minie and I managed to stay alive. So many of those that I had known from my time had - just - gone! Emily had done quite a job. She managed to have me banished from my country, separated from my family, and return to only find most of them dead.”

    Tears were forming in her eyes and Harry could tell that she didn’t want to continue on the subject.

    “Do you - how long do you think this war is going to last, Grandma?”

    “To tell the truth, it won’t be long. I have hunch that it won’t be long at all,” she mumbled.

    “Why?”

    She looked up at him, the tears swelling in her eyes. “I have a feeling...I always do...the end of the Maneosioan War will come sooner than we expect.”     

    Harry nodded and, before long, wished Cilia “Goodnight,” and fell asleep. Once again, his nightmares about Voldemort continued, but, this time, they were aided by his mother who roamed his head along with Tom. He kept receiving flashes of the Chamber of Secrets and watching Ginny die as the rest of her powers would be transferred into Riddle. Sirius kept falling beyond the veil and a bright flash of green light came before Harry’s eyes just as he woke up, realizing that it was time for him to speak with Ron and Hermione because the scar on his forehead had already began to prickle and it would not be long until he would have to speak with Matt’s parents about what was going to happen to their son.

Chapter 14

Riddle Me This

    “‘Morning, Harry,” said Ron, who had also just woken up. It was a Saturday, which meant no lessons, but a load of homework that had to be dealt with.

    Harry looked over to his four-poster, which was messy with dirty socks and shirts that were thrown about the bed and said, “I need to talk to you and Hermione about something.”

    Ron stopped pulling his pants on and looked at him. “Sure,” he said, though he had a doubtful look on his face. “About what?”

    “It’s kind of hard to explain,” said Harry, turning over on his bed even more so that he could now fully face Ron. “But I think that it’s best that I talk to you about it because I just think that it might explain a lot of things. Even though I don’t clearly understand it myself,” said Harry.

    “Er, right,” said Ron, raising an eyebrow.

    “Are you afraid of me, Ron?” he asked fiercely.

    “No,” Ron said immediately, but he didn’t meet Harry’s eyes.

    Harry scowled, but didn’t blame him. Ron was his best friend, but after watching him get someone landed in the Hospital Wing with an questionable check out, Harry could tell that he didn’t really want to be near him. Just like last time, thought Harry. And this wasn’t even his father....        

    Hermione had been brave to come so close to Harry after what had happened. He felt that he should have told her sooner about what Safari had said, but he wasn’t sure how much encouragement that would give in her attempt to help him. Cilia had said that it was important to open up to the people around him, but how could Harry do that if what he had to say scared even himself?

    Ron finished getting dressed and asked him if he was coming down to breakfast, to which Harry’s answer was that he would meet him there. He got up and, pulling on whatever clothes he could find, he traipsed down to the Gryffindor common room, where he saw Ginny sleeping on the couch, but something wasn’t right. As he watched her, she seemed to be jerking in her sleep, and not the usual kind of jerk that someone would have as if they were having a nightmare; it was as if she was attempting to do something like wake up, and wasn’t able to. Harry panicked, checking around to see if any prefects were there to help her, but, when no one was in sight, he carefully came up to her and poked her on her shoulder.

    “Ginny?”

    She woke up with such a start that Harry backed away from her and thought that she was going to scream. She looked very pale and sweaty and seemed to be only half-aware of her surroundings.

    “Er - Ginny, are you all right?” he asked.

    She looked at him, still drowsy, and shook her head.

    Harry’s mouth slowly opened and he didn’t know what to say. What could have caused a little girl to jerk like that in her sleep?

    “What is it, Ginny?” he asked her. “What did you see? Was it a dream?”

    She shook her head again.

    Harry sat down on the couch next to her, but she moved away.

    She’s scared of me as well, though Harry.

    “Sorry,” he mumbled and got up, ready to leave, when she said, “No, don’t go!”

    Harry turned around and saw that she had a hand stretched out to his direction, but was staring into space. He stared at her, as though she were mad. She suddenly looked at him and her eyes widened. She clapped the hand over her mouth and shook her head a third time.

    “Ginny - what - ?”

    “Get out! GET OUT! What do you want with me?! Just leave me ALONE!” she screamed, tears in her eyes as she ran to the girls dormitory and locked herself inside.

    Harry had watched in shock and was not sure what had just happened. Had he said something? He was only trying to make sure that she was all right...Was Ron’s sister going insane? Then again, thought Harry, there are many definitions of what is insane and what is quite normal in the wizarding world. Finally, he decided, however, that this one of them. Ginny had gone mental.

    He quickly escaped the common room and descended down to the Great Hall where a numerous amount of whispers burst into the air as soon as he walked inside. He frowned, but proceeded to the Gryffindor table where Ron, Hermione and Neville were seated, already eating breakfast.

    As he sat down, he wasn’t sure how they would react to him, what with all the stares that he was getting from the people around him, but they all smiled at him, nevertheless, and continued eating.

    “How did you sleep, Harry?” asked Hermione.

    Harry thought about it and finally said, “Not too good, but that’s not the point - listen, Ron, there’s something wrong with Ginny - “

    ”What?!” said Ron, going pale. Hermione looked perplexed and Neville’s eyes had turned to Harry, looking very stern.

    Harry looked at them, meaningfully, and told them what he had witnessed that morning.

    As he finished, Ron seemed furious. He got up and threw down his napkin, saying loudly, “You keep away from my sister! And that goes for me as well!”

    Harry was taken aback by these words, but felt a horrible pain in his chest as he watched Ron exit through the Great Hall and get away from the scene.

    Harry stared into his plate; he didn’t want to see Neville and Hermione’s reactions to what had just occurred and, least of all, the people that were looking over to their table, since he could tell that that had to be practically the entire Hall.

    He fooled around with the food on his plate for a couple of more minutes when he finally got up, saying, “I’m not hungry,” and left after Ron.

    “Harry, wait - “ said Hermione, but it was too late because he was already half-way to the entrance and he was not planning on turning back.

    He walked out onto the grounds, where he felt people had still been watching the back of his head, but he kept on going toward the lake nevertheless, turning toward Hagrid’s cabin, having not been to see the gamekeeper for quite a while.

    He knocked on his giant wooden door and said, “Hagrid? It’s Harry. Open up, will you?”

    “Comin’, comin’,” came Hagrid’s booming voice as the door finally swung open and Harry saw the tall man, looking very weary and beckoning him inside of his hut.

    “How’ve yeh been, Harry?” he asked.

    “Okay, I guess,” said Harry. “You?”

    “Oh, I don’t know, ter tell yeh the truth, Harry,” he spoke, sitting in one of his rather large chairs.

    “How come?”

    “Well, I’m sure yeh know, Harry, buh what happened ter Dumbledore a couple o’ weeks ago - I mean, with you and your grandmother and all - well, I jus’ can’t imagine that - that he might - that Dumbledore, I mean, he’s been like a father ter me - “

    Harry should have seen this coming and had now only remembered why he hadn’t been to see Hagrid for such a while. “I know, Hagrid,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

    After all, no one was to know about what Snape had told Harry about the death triangle of the prophecy and he didn’t feel as if it were appropriate to tell Hagrid about it at the time or ever at all.

    “I should go,” said Harry.

    “No, Harry, stay...stay...I haven’ had the chance ter talk ter anyone for a while - “

    ”I know, Hagrid. It’s just - I think that it would be best if I left,” said Harry and, tears shining in his eyes, he exited the cabin, leaving Hagrid looking puzzled behind him. Walking along the lake, Harry remembered how he had battled with the merpeople, attempting to get Gabriele and Ron - Ron? What was he going to say to him? What was happening to Ginny?

    Harry felt as if there was an open whole in his heart that could never be filled. The Weasleys had always been like a family to Harry. He had now wished that he hadn’t even bothered making sure that Ginny was all right, but would that have made things different? Harry had the impression that what Ron had said was not out of the anguish or protection of his sister but more of the bubbling urge to speak those words. Ron didn’t want to do anything with Harry. He was dangerous and whatever he had to deal with would affect Ron and his family too greatly to risk it.

    Harry sat himself on the bank of the lake, but was disturbed by a voice that called to him. “Harry?”

    He turned to see Hermione strolling over to him.

    He turned back to the lake, staring out into the sky, hoping that the sun would dry the tears in his eyes.    

    “Harry?” she repeated.

    Harry knew that he couldn’t ignore Hermione any longer and so he said, “What?” quietly.

    “What happened?” she asked.

    “What d’you mean?” he said, not looking at her.

    “Something’s been going on. What are you not telling us, Harry? There’s something that’s torturing you, I can tell...” said Hermione, who had now reached him and sat down next to him.

    “What - what would you know about keeping something? When you won’t even tell me what it is that you’re doing behind my back - “

    ”Harry - “ she began.

    “I know. You can’t tell me, right?” he said, now looking at her for the first time.

    She shook her head, biting her lip.

    “I thought - I thought so,” he said.

    Hermione sighed, “This isn’t about me, Harry. It’s about you. This is much more important than whatever I could ever being going through...”

    Harry nodded.

    She placed a comforting hand on his arm and asked firmly, “What happened to Ginny?”

    “Look, I don’t know,” said Harry. “I didn’t even do anything. I was just trying to help - “

    ”Harry, you know something!” she interrupted. “What do you know, Harry? Tell me. What did Safari tell you about the prophecy?”

    Harry looked at her, shocked. “How did you know about that?”

    She sighed impatiently, “It’s not that hard to figure out. He mentioned it when we first saw him. Don’t you remember. Ninety seven?”

    “What about it?”

    “That’s where the prophecy lay in the Department of Mysteries, Harry,” she said. “Don’t you remember? ‘He mentioned a thing or two or three or...ninety seven...’”

    “Oh yeah...” said Harry, looking dumbstruck. “But how did you - ?”

    “What did he say, Harry?”

    Harry took a deep breath and looked out into the water, which was glistening from the sun.

    “Tom Riddle - Tom Riddle - he’s a part of me and so is my mother. But they’re also a part of Voldemort. My mother - my mother is a part of what will help me defeat him. When - when - on that night when he tried to kill me, the only part of him that had remained alive was his magic that bound his body to his soul, which is what all witches and wizards have, but he had developed his magic to be especially strong,” said Harry, his voice shaking.

    “Matt’s still alive,” said Harry, looking at Hermione, whose mouth was slightly hanging open and her eyes looked full of concern, and he put both of his hands on her arms, “but the reason that he got so affected by the curse was because of my emotions towards Voldemort. If I don’t kill him soon...I might be putting a lot of people into danger,” said Harry.

    “Then - then we have to do something, Harry,” said Hermione, looking grimly into his eyes. “We have to fight...We have to win the Maneosiaon War....”

    “How, Hermione?” he asked her.

    However, just as she opened her mouth to speak, Mark had come running up to him, out of breath, but speaking nevertheless. “Harry - th-there’s someone who wants to talk to you - “ he gasped. “Mr. Thompson - he - he wants to speak with you.”

    Harry’s face went pale and he looked at Hermione, who squeezed his hand tightly and nodded. Getting up, Harry brushed the grass off his clothes and followed Matt back to the castle, who seemed very enthusiastic about having delivered the news, and looked back at Hermione, who continued sitting on the shore, watching him ascend up to the castle.

    Mark kept turning around and beckoning Harry with his hand until they finally reached the entrance to the Hospital Wing and he whispered, “See you, then. Good luck.”

    Harry looked at him questioningly, but Mark had already began to walk away after waving him good-bye and Harry took a deep breath, bracing himself to meet Matt’s father.

    At least it wasn’t Mrs. Thomspson...Harry thought. Mothers would usually get all hysterical...

    “Mr. Potter,” said Mr. Thompson as Harry approached a very tall man with dimly brown hair and a rich grey cloak. He seemed to remind him of someone that he had seen on the Dursleys’ television, but he couldn’t think of whom...

    The man stretched out his hand toward Harry, which he shook, and gave him a slight smile. Harry didn’t exactly feel like looking him straight in the eye. They were standing in front of Matt’s bed, where the boy was still lying, unconscious.

    “Listen, Mr. Thomspon,” Harry began, “I never meant for this to happen. I mean, Matt’s a great kid and all and an excellent Keeper - I mean, you should have seen him play - “

    ”I know,” said Mr. Thomspon, folding his hands behind his back.

    “You - you do?” said Harry.

    “Do you know who Edward Thomspon, is, Harry?” spoke a tiered voice behind them. Mr. Thomspon’s eyes traveled to where the voice had come from and Harry wheeled around.

    “Not exactly, sir,” said Harry to Dumbledore.

    “Mr. Thomspon is a very dignified member of the Order. He has been helping us get inside information from any dealings with the Quidditch Games, including the World Cups. A lot of the players that would enter England were often spies and he would get us some extra clues in on them. As a matter of fact, he reported Mr. Bagman to Alastor Moody. Mr. Thompson, Harry, is the owner of only the fines broom company in business. As a matter of fact, I believe he is also the inventor of the Firebolt, is he not?” said Dumbledore, who had now fully walked up to the two of them and looked at Mr. Thompson.

    He nodded, saying, “Model 3940, only the finest. You have no idea how long it took me to program all of the features into that broom. Matt came up with the name, actually.”

    “Matt?” said Harry, looking over to the boy, who was as still as log.

    “Yes,” he spoke. “As a matter of fact, Matt told me that you are the lucky owner of one of those babies. You are his Captain, are you not?”

    Harry nodded. “How come Matt doesn’t have one?” he asked.

    “Matt favors the Nimbus series,” said the father.

    “Yeah, that’s a good broom.”

    “Isn’t it? I’ve always favored those. Of course, the balance is always very important and the Nimbuses tend to do well on those. Very proportional. Not that the Firebolt doesn’t have the same techniques, but it is built for speed, so it is much more focused on it’s light weight and agility in bending itself according to the rider’s will. Wouldn’t you say?”

    “Yeah,” said Harry, amazed at the fact that he had actually met the maker of his favorite broom. If only he hadn’t done anything harmful to his son....

    Harry looked from Matt’s father to Dumbledore, unsure of what to say next.

    “Well,” said Dumledore, “I think that the most important thing to assure you of, Mr. Thompson, is that Matt is going to be just fine. There’s been a bit of - er - accident, I believe, with Harry. He is the leader of a Defense league amongst the student population here at Hogwarts and I believe that things just got a bit - er - out of control. But, rest assured, Matt is being attended to and he is going to be just fine, you need to worry. However, if you need to have a lone word with Harry, I will leave you at that and see you later in my office. Good day,” said Dumbledore and, lifting his hands so that they were buried in his long sleeves, he glided out of the dormitory.

    Harry looked at Mr. Thompson and shrugged. “I really hadn’t mean to do it,” he mumbled. “We were practicing - this Spell and, well, when I fired it, it sort of got reflected on a Dark detector and it hit Matt. I’m sorry. I promise that it won’t happen again. I shouldn’t have done it in the first place; anyone could have gotten hurt...”

    “That’s all right, son. I’m sure Matt will forgive you. After all, you hadn’t meant to do it. Tell me, what is this Defense league all about?”

    “What - the D. A.?” said Harry. Mr. Thompson nodded. “Well, it’s just an organization training us to, you know, defend ourselves against Vol - You-Know-Who and we practice different kinds of jinxes and things like that.”

    “Do you have any particular ideas?” asked Mr. Thompson, his eyebrows raised.

    “Well - well we were considering some things but - “

    ”Would you like to take a walk with me, Mr. Potter, I would like to discuss some things with you,” he said.

    Harry gulped, wondering where this was going, but nodded, and they exited out onto the ground.

    Finally, Mr. Thompson said, “I remember when I attended Hogwarts. It was back in the day when the Primorisian War was only just beginning. It was a difficult time and we had to arm ourselves at all costs. Of course, children were not to meddle in such things as the war, but you are an exception, Potter. Tell me, what are you planning to do if You-Know-Who were to plan to, say, strike Hogwarts. Surely, you have a plan. The Headmaster was just going to discuss his ideas with me, but he also advised that I speak to you about a thing or two. Do you have any plans whatsoever?”

    “Well - ” said Harry, clearing his throat. “Your son did bring up the idea that we get Portkeys.”

    “Portkeys, eh?” he said, rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “I suppose - but is that all? I mean, are you not to defend yourself in any manner?”

    “Mr. Thomspon, I don’t want to be rude or anything,” said Harry, “but I just want to ask you this: why do you want to know all this? I mean, what is your position to ask me these questions? No offense.”

    “I was the General for the Ministry of Magic Defense Force back in the day,” said Mr. Thomspon, “and I want to help you, Harry, I really do, because I know that you will want to fight in this war, from what Dumbledore and the others have told me, simply because I remember that I was a lot like you. I was a leader at Hogwarts and I always knew that it was worth the defense to stand up to the difficult times that we were having back then. And I know that they will be just as hard - if not worse this time. I also know - as do many - that You-Know-Who will be bound to come after the school because of you, and I want to see these children protected. From what I’ve heard, you’ve battled yourself enough surprises. I want you to be prepared for this, this time. I want you to be the surprise,” he said, stopping and looking at Harry, his face shadowed by the sun.

    “So what do I do? I mean, what can we do if he does come after Hogwarts, which he will? I mean, there isn’t much we can do - “

    ”Think, Mr. Potter. You must gather your strengths and attempt to force them upon your enemies. You need to unify the school as a single force. As much as I would never want to see children in battle, this time, I’m afraid there will be no choice. This is as much as a draft as anything, Mr. Potter, and you will be the drafter.”

    “But - but how - ?”

    “Think about what must be accomplished, Mr. Potter. Use what you have and what you don’t.”

    “What - ?”

    “And turn to Matt if anything. He knows what he’s talking about. I taught him a thing or two.”

    “Mr. Thomspon,” said Harry, “people won’t - people won’t die, will they?”

    He turned to him, his mouth twitching, and said, “I don’t want to lie to you, Harry, simply because I know that there is no doubt that there will be deaths, but I do want to tell you that you must do anything possible to evacuate the school and get everyone to safety when the time comes, Mr. Potter. That’s...an order.”

    Harry gulped.

    “Will you help me, then?”

    He turned to Harry, smiling. “Of course. It will be my pleasure to do so, Mr. Potter. As a matter of fact, I will meet up with you and the Order next week, and we will see what we can accomplish. Actually, they have already informed me of what you have been capable of and what you are familiar with, so I think that it will definitely be a good idea to work from there. In the mean time, work with what I told you and I want to hear some of your ideas the next time that we see each other. You are a brave soul, Mr. Potter, and I intend to see you win this battle,” said Mr. Thompson. Before he turned to leave, however, putting on his hat, which Harry had just noticed he had been carrying under his arm, he clapped Harry on the shoulder and said, “I do not believe that anyone should have this weight on their shoulders, but it is up to you to look after the organization that you have put together in this school. Everyone in the student body knows you, Potter, and they look up to you as their hero - “

    ”I’m no - “

    ”You may not think you are, but that is how they see you in their eyes. It is to you that they look to for salvation and it is to you that they look to for aid. You were the one that delivered the news to them and you are the one that must help them get to safety. They might be children, but they look up to you and they count on you. Dumbldore and the Order will be with you all the way, but you need to be prepared...for the worst. Have a good day,” he said and, with that, he left him standing out in the grounds, staring into the distance.    

    Great...thought Harry....now they’re all counting on me to save the school. And I’m supposed to do it and not hurt anyone at the same time. That’s impossible! Harry snorted and walked back up to the castle, where he climbed the staircases to the Gryffindor common room. Nearly abandoned on a sunny Saturday evening, Harry found an empty couch into which he slumped himself onto. It had been enough that he had to deal with facing Matt’s father, now he was counting on him to save the school and battle in a war...What else did they want from him?

    Harry wanted to die. This was too much. He was no knight in shining armor! Who were they kidding him? First Dumbeldore told him about the Prophecy - Harry clenched his fists - then Snape told him about the three deaths - His nails were now cutting into his skin - and then Safari had revealed what had been going on all along - he had a strong feeling that his palms were about to bleed at any moment...

    “Why....why do you keep following me?” he heard a small voice behind him.

    Turning around, Harry swore under his breath. Ginny Weasley was standing behind the couch, only a few feet away, her eyes watery, and staring at Harry.

    “What are you talking about, Ginny?” Harry said, fiercely. “It’s me, Harry! What’s wrong with you - I’m not following you! I’ve always - “

    ”Liar! You’re - you’re not Harry - you - you’ve come back after me! Why won’t you just leave us alone! I though - I- I thought that he had destroyed you already! How have you come back! It’s not - not possible! Why won’t - w-won’t you just let me be! What have I ever done to deserve you? Stop haunting me!” she sobbed.

    The other Gryffindors occupying the common room were staring wildy at Harry and he took a cautious step toward Ginny. “Listen, Ginny, I don’t know what’s going on, but I think that you should go and see Dumbledore or Madam Pomfrey. You’re not doing well, you hear me! You’re having hallucinations!”

    “NO!” she screamed, backing away from him. “You won’t take me this time! I trusted you before and y-you took advantage of that! I though you were my f-friend. H-How was I suppose to know who you were? When you were - you were - “

    ”Who am I, Ginny?” asked Harry, staring at her. “Who do you see when you look at me?”

    He took another step toward Ginny, but she screamed. “Like you don’t know who you are! Get away from me, T-Tom! Get - get away!” she sobbed, and feel to the floor, crying into her hands.

    “Tom?” whispered Harry, his mind raising. Oh no...it couldn’t be...but it was...that’s why Ginny had reacted to him like that. She wasn’t going mad...she was seeing Tom Riddle...in Harry. But why would she start seeing him now? After all this time...

    “Ginny, I don’t want to hurt you,” he spoke softly. “Ginny, it’s me, Harry...I’m your friend, remember that? I’m your...I’m your friend...I don’t want to hurt you...”

    Ginny looked up at him, still sobbing and said, “H-Harry? Is th-that you?”

    He nodded and pulled her into a hug. “Come on, let’s take you to see Dumbledore,” he said, letting go of her, and attempting to put her back on her feet.

    “N-no,” she sobbed. “D-don’t. H-he won’t u-understand. Th-they’ll think I-I’m being possessed again. Th-they won’t believe m-me.”

    “Don’t be ridiculous, of course he’ll believe you, Ginny,” said Harry kindly. “I mean, he believed me, didn’t he? Come on,” he said and, pulling her up, he led her by the shoulders out of the common room and to the Portrait hole.

    “Watch your step,” he said as they exited through the Portrait and ran into Hermione. “Harry! Ginny! What happened? Ginny, are you all right?” she gasped.

    “Y-yeah,” said Ginny, weakly, still sobbing.

    “I know why she was scared of me,” said Harry quietly to Hermione. “She was seeing Tom Riddle whenever she looked at me...”

    “But why?” said Hermione, who looked startled.

    “I don’t know,” said Harry.

    “Let me help you - “

    ”No, look,” said Harry, gesturing to her, “you go and find Ron. I don’t want to have another row with him. Stay with him until we get back. Hopefully, Dumbledore has some answers. As you wait, I need you to take this,” - Harry pulled out his fake galleon - “and figure out when the next D. A. meeting will be. Inscribe that on the galleon so that everyone will know. We need to meet as soon as possible. I’ll meet you back here.”

    Hermione nodded, taking the galleon, and proceeded to the common room.

    Harry and Ginny went up to the Headmaster’s office, where they were lucky to meet Mr. Thompson, who was just exiting.

    “Is everything all right, Harry?” he asked.

    “Yeah - fine,” Harry said rapidly. “We just need to see Dumbledore.”

    “All right,” said Mr. Thompson, eying Ginny. “He’s up there.” And, with that, he left them to climb the staircase to his office and knock on the giant griffin-shaped knocker.

    “Come in,” said Dumbledore.

    As Harry opened the door and pushed Ginny slightly inside, Dumbledore immediately stood up, looking very stern.

    “What happened, Harry?” he said immediately.

    “It’s Ginny, sir,” said Harry, walking her to a nearby chair as she was gazing at the ground and her face still looked drenched in tears. “She’s been seeing...some...things...”

    Dumbledore’s head turned to Ginny and he walked over from the back of his desk to where she was sitting and kneeled down to face her.

    “What have you been seeing?”

    Ginny looked at him, gasping for air, and then finally said, “H-him, sir.”

    Dumbledore nodded and got up, looking at the floor with his hand at his beard.

    “That is...strange,” he mumbled. He looked at Harry. “Harry, when did this first begin to happen?”

    “Er - just - just this morning,” said Harry, blinking.

    Dumbledore walked over to his desk and, still not turning around, said, “I must contact Safari. This should not be happening...Something is wrong.”

    “Harry,” he said, turning around, “what was your reaction to what Safari had told you?”

    Harry stared at him. “Well - well I - er - nothing really, particular, sir. I mean, I had a hard time taking in the information, but, I mean - “

    ”Did you have any dreams about it, Harry?” he asked seriously.

    Harry looked confused but said, “Well, yeah, I mean, it’s hard not to think about something like that - “

    ”I see,” said Dumbledore. “Yes, I might just see the problem, here, Harry. Did you have a dream about Tom Riddle by any chance?”

    “Well...yeah. I mean, he was just sort of popping in and out of my head all night and so was my mother and some other things...but, I mean, that’s normal...it’s just like a nightmare...not so much as a vision...”

    “Yes, but, Harry, because your mind is so relaxed while sleeping and because Voldemort is weak at the moment - “ he looked over at Ginny, who was still gazing at the floor and sobbing slightly - “I believe that he might have connected with the part of Tom that is in you. I believe, Harry,” he spoke, walking around his desk, his finger intertwined, “that he was able to realize that he was a part of you. If I am not mistaken, Harry, after he saw a part of himself in you, that strengthened a part of Riddle. Harry, I believe that might also connect with the vision that you had only several days ago about the attack on Hogwarts. It seems that because of Voldemort’s weakness, he is stirring in you because of that connection, which might be affecting you, Harry. It is not a good thing and young Ginny, here, was actually able to see that part of you because she knew Riddle so well...”

    Harry began to feel dizzy. “So you’re saying that Tom is taking over me?”

    “No, I’m not saying anything at all, Harry, but I believe that you must do everything possible to get away from the very thought of Riddle. I believe that is would be a very dangerous thing right now...to provoke that side of him. And it seems....” he looked at Ginny,” ...to be affecting the people around you.”

    “I should be practicing Occlumency, then, sir?” said Harry, feeling a surge of guilt at the absence of this practice for several nights.

    “Yes, but not only that, Harry,” said Dumbledore, “I need you to try to...forget Riddle.”

    “Forget him?” said Harry, taken aback. “How in the world do I forget - “

    ”I did not say that is was going to be an easy thing to do, Harry,” said Dubmeldore in a low voice, “but it is necessary. He will be fighting it.”

    Harry nodded and helped Ginny out of the chair.

    “You okay?” he asked her. She nodded her head slightly and seemed to be getting back to herself.

    As he began walking her to the door, Dumbledore followed him, holding it open and said, “And - er...Harry, try to keep away from snakes,” he advised, looking at him. “They might...provoke your Parseltongue....”

    Harry nodded and led Ginny down the flight of stairs and back up to the Gryffindor common room. There, he met Hermione sitting by the fire on the couch with Ron, and she seemed to be trying to talk him into something because he had his face buried in his hair and would groan every now and then when she would not a point with her finger.

    When she saw Harry and Ginny walk in, she immediately stood up and helped him get Ginny to the couch. Ron looked up at his sister and then at Harry, scowling.

    “So what is it? What’s wrong with her?” he asked.

    “Well it’s just - “ said Harry, exchanging a nervous look with Hermione, “Dumbledore says that Riddle is...sort of coming alive in me - “

    ”What?” exclaimed Ron, standing up. Harry sat next to him with Hermione and explained everything that Dumbeldore and Safari had told him. Ron had the expression on his face as thought he had not wanted to hear a word of it and would flinch every time Harry mentioned Voldemort’s name, but he heard him out and took a deep breath when he finished.

    “But, I mean, you’ll be able to, you know, block him out, won’t you? It’s not like you’re - I mean, you’re not about to turn into Riddle or your mother - “

    ”No, of course not!” said Harry, “But he just reckons that it’s the only explanation for why Ginny was seeing Riddle when she looked at me.”

    “Gin, do you still see him?” Ron asked his sister, looking at her glumly.

    She turned to look at Harry and then at Ron, shaking her head.

    He looked uncertain. “How come?”

    “I think,” said Harry, “that she can only see him whenever I’m stressed or focused on something that has to do with him. The first time, he had been haunting me all night and it seemed as if she was dreaming about him too and then the second time I was thinking about the war and death and things like that so I guess that now I’ve sort of let go on that because I was more focused on getting her to Dumbeldore. I dunno.” He shrugged.

    Ron still looked questioning, but then said, “So you’ve just got to, you know, not think about it, then, right?”

    “Yeah,” said Harry, with sarcasm, “it’s that simple.”

    Ron sighed and said, “Look, I’m sorry about before, mate. I shouldn’t have said what I said. I didn’t mean it. I was just...scared, I guess.”

    Harry nodded his head. “Yeah...I know.”

    “Oh Harry,” Hermione said suddenly, “the next meeting is this Monday,” she said.

    “All right. Thanks,” he said taking her hand and an idea suddenly popped into his mind so he looked at the three of them and said, “I think it’s time that we talk to everyone and I think that I know just what to do.”

     “What are you talking about, Harry?” asked Hermione, looking puzzled.

    Harry looked, from her to Ron, to Ginny, and said, “I think I know....what we need to do...to win...”

    Ron and the girls looked up at him with questionable looks on their faces, but Harry said, “Don’t worry, you’ll see...”

    On the start of that week, the members of the D. A. had once again assembled themselves to meet in the Room of Requirements and Harry was pacing up and down the front of the room while everyone else settled down, the crowd noisily conversing amongst themselves about one thing or the other.

    Finally, Harry called the meeting into order and, pacing at the front with one hand behind his back and staring into the floor, he spoke, “I haven’t really discussed this with anyone, but I think that I have finally decided on what we are going to do in order to assure the safe evacuation of everyone in the castle. I think that this is the only way that we will be able to win and the only way that we will be able to take the element of surprise. I’ve considered this and thought about it, and I’ve finally settled on our position.” Harry stopped pacing and looked around the room. “After training and preparation, soon enough,...we are going to play.”

    “Play?” said Smith. “Play what?”

    Harry looked around the room once and, after seeing the concerned expressions that occupied the crowd, which included that of Ron and Hermione, he answered, “Quidditch.”