Harry Potter and the Wizards of Narhassa

Chapter 9: Mages and Mayhem

Sean's head was still spinning long after Hermione had said good-bye to him with an awkward wave and half-walked, half-ran to the class she was late for. Having no better ideas, Sean made his way slowly to the Great Hall, finishing his climb down the Gryffindor tower.

Students enjoying a late breakfast sparsely populated the long tables within the great hall. Much of the table that sat House Narhassa was filled with students that Sean recognized from the boat trip across the lake outside of Hogwarts last night. Among these students were Alex, Jessica, as well as the third year boy named Bradley Trahvis, talking to a group of younger children.

Sean noticed that the Gryffindor table was all but empty, with the exception of two nervous first years eating a breakfast alone and sharing a private conversation. Deciding to forgo a lonely breakfast, Sean joined Alex and Jessica at the Narhassa table.

"Sean," said Alex, with a nod in his direction. "Jessica was telling us about Hufflepuff," he said with a humored tone. "If the house is as gay as the name sounds, I'm glad I got sorted into House Narhassa."

Sean did not show much of a reaction as he sat down next to Jessica and across from Alex.

"Hey Jessica," said Sean with a nod. Sean looked down to the table in front of him and thought for a moment.

"Hot Chocolate and Bacon and Eggs," said Sean.

At once, a plate with the desired breakfast appeared in front of him, complete with a mug of steaming, frothy hot chocolate.

Sean smiled brightly as he picked up a slice of bacon between two fingertips.

"Can't beat the speed of service, huh?" he asked jovially.

Jessica smiled weakly to Sean, her expression rather pale. "Looks pretty ravishing. Alex and I already ate."

Sean's gaze hung on Jessica for a moment. She was noticeably a wreck, with her hair tangled wildly and heavy, black bags beneath her eyes. "Are you okay?"

Jessica blinked twice, as if trying to clear away some fatigue. With a composing shift upon her seat, she looked back to Sean. "Yeah, I think so. I did not get much sleep last night."

"Neither did I," said Sean, in between two mouthfuls of eggs. "Strange dreams."

Alex nodded. "I had a rather interesting one myself."

"As did I," agreed Jessica.

The three teenagers all looked at each other with curious expressions. It was Jessica that broke the three way staring contest.

"It was strange," said Jessica. "A large classroom..."

"... a huge one..." trailed off Alex.

"... next to me?" put in Sean.

"Being taught by the best looking guy I've ever seen?" finished Jessica with a dreamy expression. "Looked so much like Harry, only perfect in every meaning of the word."

Alex smirked slightly. "While I wouldn't use such words to describe him, he did seem to be the cool shit."

Sean blinked twice, remembering the horrid visage he had seen in his own dream... the deep red eyes, the gray, sallow face, and the thin, bony limbs without a shred of muscle.

"Huh?" blurted out Sean. "He was the most revolting thing I've ever seen."

"That's so weird," said Alex coolly. "You reacted the same way in my dream. You had stood up to leave the room, and he called you a traitor or something..."

Jessica's mouth dropped. "Same with mine!"

Sean's glittering eyes widened. "It... it was real, then!"

Alex shrugged. "It was just a dream, dumbass. It wasn't real."

"Alex," said Sean quickly, leaning across the sturdy wood table. "Tell me what

happened after he tormented me. I woke up.

Alex hummed in consideration. "Well, you vanished... and then, he just continued with the lecture, something about knowing the value of sacrifice for a greater power. I wasn't really listening though. I was busy staring at the sexy fourth year in front of me... what an ass she had on herself."

"I cannot believe we all had the same dream!" said Jessica. "Isn't that amazing?"

Sean scratched his chin. "That's one way of putting it. Another would be creepy."

There was a heavy pause in the air as Alex and Jessica exchanged confused looks. Sean was not even sure what he should say to all this. The fact that Alex and Jessica were sharing the same dreams as him made him more nervous than intrigued. That meant his dream must have come from somewhere that wasn't Sean's brain.

The fact that someone could place something within his head and make it so real made him very uneasy.

"Have you two ever heard of Voldemort?" asked Sean at last.

Alex shook his head while Jessica bit her lip tightly. "Why does that name sound familiar?"

"It is the name of the Dark Lord; Harry told me," explained Sean.

Jessica pointed to Sean, extending her index finger. "Harry was telling me about these dreams he used to have about someone named Lord Voldemort. He mentioned them when I told him about some of my earlier dreams a few months ago."

Both Alex and Sean cocked their heads. "What dreams?"

"Well," said Jessica, twiddling her thumbs over the table. "Was it only me, or did you two know about the word Narhassa before coming to Hogwarts."

Sean and Alex both nodded.

"I don't know how, but I did know about it," said Alex with a nod.

Sean took a bite of his bacon. "Ron Weasley said that the Order of Narhassa was some kind of group of wizards that died out nearly eight hundred years ago."

Jessica furrowed her brow. "Yeah, I found that out too. What do you suppose it means?"

Sean finished up his breakfast. "I don't know... but I betcha Hermione Granger can find out."

Alex smirked mischievously. "So, you make your move on her yet?"

Sean flushed slightly. "Sorta."

Jessica smiled slightly, his eyes twinkling. "Are you two formal now?"

"I don't know," said Sean with a nervous shrug. "We'll see."

Alex leaned forward. "You get any?"

"Oh gee," said Sean defensively, rising from the table. "It's time for class!"

"Oh yeah, you got some..." said Alex with an evil grin.

Sean face blazed over scarlet. "Don't want to be late for class!"

For some reason, Sean did not want to say that all Hermione did was walk away from him in a very confused manner. Alex always boasted about whom he was with and exactly 'how much' he got. Yet, Sean knew half of his stories were just lies. He did not want to say any lies, but nor did he feel inclined to be totally truthful with Alex.

Jessica picked up the slack and covered Sean's back. "Yeah, I suppose it is that time. You coming, Alex?"

Alex nodded slowly, letting his prying questions die. "Yeah, let's go."

With that, the three Muggles left the Great Hall, trying to find their next class in the veritable maze that was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"... so let me get this straight," began Ron, his head cocked as if he had just heard that an ogre had slipped into Dumbledore's office and mugged him for a chocolate bar. "Seth Redetyor, Lord Voldemort in disguise, is really Dumbledore's adopted great grandson?"

Hermione shrugged and looked to Harry.

The Great Hall was slightly crowded as young wizards began to file in for lunch about two hours after Sean, Jessica and Alex had left for their class.

"It appears so," said Harry. "About one hundred and twenty years ago, Dumbledore had two sons... it is strange that he never mentioned them, ever. Anyway, they apparently had families of their own, and their children had families of THEIR own, and one of these families adopted Seth from an orphanage when he was an infant"

"Craziness," said Ron.

"See it reasonably," said Hermione professionally. "There was no way this could have been Voldemort. Dumbledore would never have allowed someone evil to stay in the school!"

Ron eyed Hermione callously. "Right, just in the same way he caught Barty Crouch, oh no, I forget... Crouch infiltrated our school for an entire year. Or, lets not forget Professor Quirrell, who had You-Who-Know in the back of his mind... quite literally... for an entire year. Oh, and how can we forget Dumbledore's master control over the Basilisk that nearly killed ALL OF US!"

Hermione's face drained with color. "No one is perfect, Ron!"

Ron's eyes looked as if they could stone a medusa to death. "Right, no one except Sean, huh?"

"Ok, ok," said Harry "Hermione, Ron... you both are getting a bit out of..."

"Sure, take his side!" fired Hermione

"Sure, take her side!" shot off Ron at the same time.

Harry threw his hands up into the air, as Ron and Hermione began to go at each other like two Hungarian Horntails.

"Sean is twice the man you are!" shouted Hermione, drawing some very strange looks from the other Gryffindors at the table.

"What are you talking about?" roared Ron. "He practically clears my waist!"

"Size doesn't matter!" flamed Hermione.

"Are we still talking about Sean's height?" snapped Ron.

"Oh, sod off!" said Hermione, banging her fists on the table.

Harry looked up to the ceiling of the great hall. As always, an illusion of a clear day greeted his face, with billowing clouds and a bright sun. Harry wanted to be anywhere else right now.

"I didn't realize you got THAT formal with him..." continued Ron, lost in his diatribe. "Just tell me that you didn't ride the wild donkey while in the trick step too!"

"Guys," said Harry. "I'm going to..."

"Stay out of this!" roared both of them at the same time.

"Right," said Harry, giving weak thumbs up. "I'm going to stay out of this."

With that, Harry stood up and left Ron and Hermione one step away from throwing food at each other. Despite the situation, Harry could not stop laughing as the red carpet rolled itself out for his exit.

What I wouldn't give for a tape recorder that works in Hogwarts, thought Harry. I could laugh myself to sleep listening to those two.

Harry knew Ron and Hermione too well. He knew Ron was in love with Hermione and perhaps Hermione was in love with Ron. That is why they could get into such heated arguments and always preserve their friendship. Often, Harry would muse that they were like a brushfire; all it takes is a spark to get them going, but once the fuel was reduced to ashes, everything would be fine again.

"They are like a brushfire, aren't they?" asked a drawling voice from behind, drawing a great sigh from Harry. "All it takes is a spark..."

"I had the same hypothesis," said Harry, cutting off his arch nemesis and not even bothering to turn around. "What do you want, Malfoy? You are about the last person I want to talk to right now."

Harry heard the steps behind him drawing closer. "Heard what you did to the new guy earlier," the voice of Draco Malfoy said aloofly. Strangely, and perhaps for one of the first times ever, he did not hear the shuffling of Crabbe and Goyle as well.

Nor did Draco sound outright savage.

Harry turned around slowly, looking into Malfoy's gray eyes. Indeed, he was alone.

"The question still stands," said Harry darkly.

Draco's pale face stretched slightly as he crossed his arms. "I want to know what you found out about Redetyor from the Headmaster," said Malfoy in a plain voice.

"Why don't you go ask him," said Harry, starting up the Gryffindor tower stairs. "I got Defense Against the Dark Arts now... bugger off."

"Potter," sneered Malfoy, starting up the stairs. "Don't make me ask again."

"Now, why is it..." said Harry, turning around again. "... that I'm completely unafraid of you."

Malfoy's remained grave and stony. Harry instinctively put an uneasy hand to the fold of his robe, preparing to draw his wand should his nemesis make a move. Yet, Malfoy made no sign of moving for his wand.

"Seth Redetyor is Dumbledore's Great Grandson by adoption," said Harry, deciding that Malfoy would just leave quicker if he told him what little he knew, and both of them would avoid a trip to Madam Pomfrey's for de-hexing. "Happy?"

With that, Harry began to walk up the stairs.

"Would it be of any interest to you, Potter... if I told you I knew a thing or two about Order Narhassa," said Malfoy slyly.

This was INDEED of interest to Harry. He turned around slowly, after having ascended only five steps.

"I hate you as much as you hate me," continued Malfoy. "So we will keep this Quid Pro Quo."

Harry glared at Malfoy. "No, I don't think anyone can hate another person in the way you can, Malfoy." Malfoy's evil smirk was all the response Harry needed for that. "Fine, speak and make it quick."

Malfoy locked his arms behind his back. "My father read me some interesting bedtime stories... one that really stuck with me was a group of wizards who gave up their souls for Narhassa."

Harry blinked, his dislike for Malfoy being temporarily alleviated.

"Go on," said Harry firmly.

"What made you attack Seth Redetyor," said Malfoy coolly. "Quid Pro Quo."

Harry sighed away his disdain. "He made my scar hurt in only the way Lord Voldemort can. Tell me more about Narhassa."

Malfoy's voice became pensive. "There is not much more to say... all those who gave up their souls to Narhassa vanished from the Earth about eight-hundred years ago."

"I already know this Malfoy," snapped Harry. "Do you have anything remotely interesting to tell me?"

Malfoy smacked his lips. "Maybe. Tell me more about Seth Redetyor."

Harry glowered at Malfoy. "Why are you so interested in him?"

"That's not your concern, Potter," retorted Malfoy. "Now, I may have an answer that you are looking for and you might have an answer I'm looking for. Do you Gryffindors have any idea when a good deal rolls by, or do you need a price-tag before you get it through your thick skulls?"

Harry crossed his arms. "A price-tag never lies. A Slytherin lowlife like yourself does."

"What's the matter, Potter?" hissed Malfoy with a devilish leer. "Don't you trust me?"

"As far as I can throw you, and twenty feet is hardly enough to trust anyone by," snorted Harry. "Fine, Redetyor also resembles Tom Marvolo Riddle... to the genetic level, I'd gather. I trust your father has given you enough bed time stories about him, seeing as how he still serves him."

Draco tapped a pain finger upon his chin.

"The Order of Narhassa met on the peek of Ben Nevis, where they all gave their souls to Narhassa," said Draco.

Harry looked quite puzzled. "What is Narhassa?"

"Good question," said Draco. "No one knows... since all those who gave them their souls didn't stick around for a CNN interview. Anyway Potter, you've been most helpful... if you find anything else out about Seth Redetyor, let me know. I have more information for you about Narhassa."

"Tell me," demanded Harry.

Draco smirked arrogantly. "You have nothing else to tell me. What would I gain from disclosing the rest of my information to you?"

Harry narrowed his eyes. "You continue to live up to your reputation, you slime."

Draco smirked. "Look whose talking. Go love some Muggles for me."

With that, Malfoy skulked away down the hallway and turned out of sight. Yet, while Harry wanted to feel mad, he could not help but think that Malfoy had just helped him, in exchange for information he would have told anyone for free. Malfoy had given him a solid lead... those of House Narhassa had given up their souls on top of the highest mountain in Scotland, Ben Nevis. But what could they have possibly given up their souls for? What was Narhassa?

Harry mulled this over as he lazily hopped over the trick step and continued up to the Fat Lady.

"Wizard's chess," said Harry as the portrait swung open. He sped his way up to his dormitory and opened the wooden door without any delay.

I need to tell this all to the one person I know who will take me seriously...

Harry sat down at his desk and quickly drew out some parchment and a quill. Without hesitation, he began to write.

Dear Sirius,

I haven't heard from you for a long time. I suspect it is because you are so busy with whatever Dumbledore told you that you had to do... rally the old Order of the Phoenix or what have you. I'm sorry to bother you, but something strange is going on at Hogwarts right now. No doubt you've heard of the random mutations in Muggles by now. Hogwarts has opened their doors to these Muggles, adding a new house called House Narhassa. Tom Marvolo Riddle, or a boy who looks amazingly similar to him, has infiltrated the school and was sorted as a 6^th year Slytherin. Dumbledore says that Seth Redetyor, this Riddle look-alike, is his Great Grandchild by adoption, but I'm still concerned. He made my scar hurt during the Sorting Ceremony. Also, I had a horrible nightmare depicting Volde-...

Harry reached for his white out. If there was one person he wanted to hand the whole truth too... it was Sirius Black.

Harry lowered his quill, rolled up the parchment. Despite the recent events that were transpiring, he did not want to be late for the first Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, with Professor Lupin.