Labyrinth of Illusion

The next few days brought even more surprises to Hogwarts School. No new guests arrived, but the ones that were there made a distinct impression.

Gwendolyn was developing quite the reputation in Defense Against the Dark Arts. She was quite moody, it seemed. One day she could be as sweet as can be. The next day, she would give Snape a run for his money as meanest teacher at Hogwarts. Harry kept meeting her after classes, asking more and more questions about his parents and their time at Hogwarts.

These visits became a little more sporadic as Harry started to prepare for Quidditch. He was glad to finally have the distraction of Quidditch back, after a year of missing it. It had been canceled the year before, due to the Tri-Wizard Championship. Harry had been made Captain of the team by Professor McGonagall and Madame Hooch.

As Captain, Harry had the responsibility of replacing Oliver Wood, the former Keeper of Gryffindors team. Trials were held the second week of classes, under Madame Hooch's watchful eye. Harry had particular interest in one of the potential keepers.

Ron mounted the broom gingerly. It was a rather beat-up Nimbus 2000 that he was flying on. Harry felt a little wistful as he saw Ron get on the broom. The Nimbus 2000 had been his first broom, before it got up close and personal with the Whomping Willow. Harry still had the splinters of that broom in his trunk. The Weasley twins had joked he show sell them off piece by piece to fans.

Harry watched as Ron steeled himself and took off into the air. He stared down Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell, Gryffindors Chasers. The trio of ladies were all deadly on the Quidditch Pitch. He was going to have to face them all. Ron had made it past the general trial of six Gryffindor wannabe-Keepers, where he only faced two of the Chasers. Now, he was up against Seamus Finnigan, another fifth-year and Rachel Moore, a sixth-year. Seamus and Rachel had already completed their trials. They had done well. After ten passes from each girl, Seamus had only let five goals through. Rachel had let six. To make it on the team, Ron would have to have no more than four to make the team.

Harry didn't want to play favourites, he REALLY didn't-- but he wanted Ron to be the best. He knew how much Ron loved Quidditch and that it would mean the world to him to make it on the team. In the few letters to Harry during the summer, Ron had talked about how much he was practicing. It took a lot to admit, but Fred and George had finally conceded that their younger brother had become quite adept at flying and protecting goals.

The Chasers went at Ron, intent on scoring goals through the three hoops he was guarding. He had already let one go pass, from Katie Bell. It had been near the beginning, when he was nervous. He was quick now, after ten passes. Ron seemed to be able to anticipate their moves. Harry knew Ron was approaching this as if it were a chess game. However, there were still twenty passes left to go.

Angelina passed Ron, getting a goal through one of the posts. Harry could see Ron curse as the second goal went through.

Harry waited with breathless anticipation. He wanted Ron on the team. Ron got passed the twenty mark, with only two goals against him. Just ten more to go, and he still have room for two errors...

Alicia lobbed a Quaffle past Ron on the twenty-second pass. Katie then got one on the twenty-fourth. Harry found HIMSELF cursing.

"Do you think he's going to do it?" George whispered to his brother.

"He better!" Fred whispered back. "We practiced with him until our hands bled!"

Ron was able to block the next four passes. He was now on the final one. Harry felt his heart stop in his chest. Alicia was charging towards Ron. She was getting closer. She threw the Quaffle. It started zooming towards Ron....

"I can't look!" George said, throwing his hands up over his eyes.

It was going to go in. Harry could see it. He ground his teeth, wringing his hands together.

Ron flicked up the back of his broom. The Quaffle smashed against the back of the broom, ricocheting off it. It flew back in the direction of Katie, who had to duck to avoid it.

"HE DID IT!" Fred whooped. He smacked George on the back. "Open you eyes, you tosser! The little git did it!"

Harry yelled, clapping his hands. Ron gave a yell from the sky, zooming back down. Seamus and Rachel smiled, shaking Ron's hand in congratulations. He was a gracious winner, congratulating them on tough competition.

Harry couldn't stop grinning as he walked up to Ron. He stuck out his hand, eyes sparkling. "Congratulations, Mr. Weasley, you just made the Quidditch team."

Ron threw his arms around Harry, hugging his friend. Fred and George ruffled their brothers' hair. "Good going, Ron!" Fred grinned, smacking his brother in the shoulder.

"I was SURE you were going to screw up!" George said. "Thanks for proving me wrong."

"I've gotta tell Hermione!" Ron said, running off. Harry turned to the Weasley twins, who were giving each other high-fives.

"One question," Harry said, "Where did you get a Nimbus 2000?"

George and Fred whistled innocently. Harry shook his head. "So you thought he was going to screw up, huh?"

"There was an auction dad heard about. Some Quidditch fanatic who didn't pay his taxes. And we knew Ron was trying out for the team, okay?" Fred admitted. "And it was cheap. Only thirteen Galleons."

"Oh really?" Harry nodded, chuckling softly.

"It's not like we didn't treat ourselves," George added, "We both got Nimbus 2001."

"It was worth it." Fred grinned. "Mum nearly had a coronary when she found out we had spent forty-three Galleons on brooms."

**

"You were awesome out there, Ron!" Harry said, gesturing frantically to Ron. "Blocking this way and that way... You were a man possessed! You would have made Oliver Wood jealous with the way you were keeping."

Ron blushed. "I really wasn't that good."

"I'm sure it was great. I'm very proud of you, Ron." Hermione gave Ron a kiss on the cheek, which made him go even redder.

"Don't be modest," George said, "You were great, Ron. Mum'll have a fit with her leg up."

Both George and Fred stopped dead in their tracks as Miss Tsukino approached them. She had her hands on her temples as she walked, shaking her head. She was murmuring in Japanese. It sounded like she was arguing with herself. She looked up when she felt the presence of others in the corridor. She smiled. "Congratulations, Ron. I heard of your victory at the Quidditch trials."

Ron looked down. "Ah, well... It really wasn't much."

"Are you a big Quidditch fan, Miss Tsukino?" Harry asked.

"I've always had a fondness for the game." Miss Tsukino smiled. "I should be going. I have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore."

She walked away from the foursome. Harry looked at his friends, then to Miss Tsukino. "I think I'm going to walk Miss Tsukino to her room."

"I didn't know you liked older woman," Fred joked. "Go for it, Harry!"

Rolling his eyes, Harry ran to catch up with Miss Tsukino. He looked up at her. "Errr.... Miss Tsukino..."

She smiled warmly. "Please. Call me Sakura. I am not big on formality."

"Sakura. You knew my parents."

She seemed a bit surprised by this statement. "How did you know that?"

Harry looked down. "Well, I saw my parents marriage certificate. At the Hall of Records. Your name is on there as a witness."

Sakura nodded. "Yes, Harry. I knew your parents. I served as your mother's witness."

"So you and my mum were best friends in school." Harry felt his heart thump in his chest. Here was another person he might be able to glean some insight from.

"Pretty good. Your mother didn't have very many friends. She was a little shy. Besides, we were in different houses. Your mum and I became close after leaving school. I worked with your father. During school, I was friends with your cousin."

"Gwendolyn." Harry bit his lower lip, looking at the floor as he walked. "You were friends with Gwendolyn.... Is that the reason why you were brought here?"

"To be honest, that is part of the reason. Professor Dumbledore thought I might be able to discern Gwendolyn's intentions."

"What do you think so far?"

Sakura scratched her head, shrugging slightly. "I think Gwendolyn has gone through quite a lot in her travels. It is unclear to me whether or not these changes are for the worse. I doubt it. Gwendolyn is not the type to fall to darkness."

"And you know her really well. You wouldn't be making a mistake."

"I hope in all my heart," Sakura said, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Gwendolyn has good intention. I do know her well. I think I know what she's capable of."

"Sirius and Remus think there's something up with her."

Sakura removed her hand from Harry's shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Do they now? They just want to protect you, Harry. They don't think you can cope."

"They don't think I can--" Anger welled inside of Harry. "I've faced Voldemort four times! They think I can't take care of myself? I was the Tri-Wizard Champion...."

"You don't need to convince me, Harry." Sakura smiled. "I believe you are able to handle a lot."

"Do you think Voldemort will attack me? In your professional opinion."

Sakura stopped walking, a strange look crossing her features. She looked conflicted. "I believe-- Voldemort has many plans." She looked back down the hall to Harry's friend, gaze narrowing on Ron. "It is always difficult to see into the mind of Evil."

**

The wail traveled through the courtyard, echoing through the halls of Hogwarts. It was the sound of pure despair, utter sadness. It sent a chill up Harry's spine as he sat in Potion's Class.

Sakura had been watching over the class. Or more to the point, she was watching over Harry in the class. She became alert at the noise, pulling the metal fan from her belt.

Professor Snape gave a snort of contempt, rolling his eyes at the young woman. "Relax yourself, Sakura. It is only Hagrid blubbering. Nothing to worry your fluffy tail off over."

Harry glanced back at Miss Tsukino. She put her fan away, snarling at Snape. "Baka Yaro!" She hissed in a low voice. She shifted her gaze to Harry momentarily, giving him a sympathetic look. She turned, leaving the Potion's Dungeon.

"Now that we have rid ourselves of the pesky hanyou...." Snape launched into his long explanation of potions to cure insomnia.

"Hey Hermione," Harry leaned over. "Do you speak any Japanese?"

Hermione shook her head. "English and French are the only languages I know."

"Maybe we can ask Cho," Ron suggested.

Rolling her eyes, Hermione gave Ron a disgusted look. "Cho Chang is *Chinese*. She's also from England. Honestly!" She turned back to Harry. "Why do you want to know, Harry? I think Miss Tsukino was just insulting him. Sure sounded like it."

"I want to know what hanyou is," Harry commented, looking at Snape. The Potion's Master was scowling more than usual.

Ron sighed. "After class, let's visit Hagrid. See what's wrong."

"I can't," Harry said quietly, "I'm going to see Gwendolyn."

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "If Hagrid's crying that loud, something's wrong."

"One of his animals is probably sick," Harry snarled, "It's nothing. I'm going to see Gwendolyn."

Hermione recoiled. "Harry--"

"Fill me in, okay? I've got important things to do."

**

Harry beamed as he traced the image of his father at the age of ten. The wizarding picture moved, showing Gwendolyn and James. James Potter was the spitting image of Harry. Gwendolyn was tousled and muddy, as if she had just been rolling on the ground. She was smiling in this picture. Her smile was different from the one she gave him now. Harry guessed years of wandering had hardened her. The girl in the picture was carefree and innocent. Is that what years in the wizarding world wrought?

"Hagrid mentioned you and my dad fighting," Harry murmured, looking up at Gwendolyn. "Hagrid told me you fought with my dad."

"Everyone fights," Gwendolyn replied.

"He said you had a falling out. You weren't talking to each other." Harry shifted in his seat. "If you don't mind me asking... Why?"

Gwendolyn took a deep breath, leaning back in your chair. "Before I explain, I was to tell you-- Your father was right. If he were still here-- I would apologize in a heartbeat."

"What happened?"

Leaning back further, Gwendolyn rested her head against the back of her chair. She stared up at the ceiling. "Well, back in school, your dad and I were sorted into different houses. He was in Gryffindor and I was in Ravenclaw. Your father was always good at making friends... I wasn't. He started to hang around with Sirius, Remus, Peter and your mother and... Well, I didn't have anyone."

"Miss Tsukino said you two were friends."

"Sakura... Had issues. She was never good at being close with anyone. And... I was jealous of Jamie, it made me start to resent him. Then, I made a friend. It was a guy who Jamie thought was bad news. Eventually, I fell in love. Jamie warned me against him time and again. But when you're young and in love, nothing else matters." She looked down at Harry now. "This guy was your typical 'tall, dark and handsome'. He was different than I was, from a poor family. He was a Gypsy, you've heard of them, haven't you? Not really well liked among our wizarding culture. Often assumed to be dark wizards. He knew more curses in his first year than most people learn in their whole life. I don't know how it happened, but I fell madly in love.... I made a mistake."

Harry wrung his hands together. Something Gwendolyn had just said had struck a nerve in him. He wasn't sure quite what it was. Something sounded familar. "What was it?"

"He wasn't the man I thought he was. He was allied with Voldemort. I didn't discover this until we were out of school. My lover admitted to me what he was. James warned me against it but-- But I stayed with him. My lover swore he would denounce the Dark Lord. But... Your father was right. My lover was not to be trusted."

A tear ran down her cheek. She wiped it away. Harry rose to his feet, wrapping his arms around Gwendolyn. She accepted his embrace warmly. When he pulled away, Gwendolyn stared into his eyes. "Look at your eyes.... They're really are so much like Lily's." She cupped his face. "Let me just look into them."

Gwendolyn stared into Harry's eyes. He felt lethargy set in. His head began to swim. Even with all of the warring emotions inside him; with all the fear, anger and confusion that was in him, he felt peace.

He knew everything was going to be okay.

**

Hagrid blew his nose on a dirty handkerchief. He wiped the tears from his beetle black eyes as the door open and Hermione and Ron came in.

"Wha' ye two doin' 'ere?" Hagrid asked, his voice heavy with sobs.

"We heard you from the dungeon," Hermione said, gently taking Hagrid's hand. She gave him a weak smile. "What's wrong."

"NORBERT!" Hagrid wailed, blowing his large nose again. "Just got an owl from Charlie! Norbert was KIDNAPPED!"

"Kidnapped? Someone took Norbert?" Ron sat down next to Hagrid.

Hagrid nodded lamely. ."'e thinks it's you-know-oo. Bunch 'o creatures bin taken lately."

"I'm sure they'll find Norbert," Hermione calmly said. "Ministries all over the world are looking the creatures."

"I just 'ate the idea of Norbert bein' turned evil." Hagrid blubbered. "'e's a good little boy!"

"Just calm down, Hagrid. Maybe he just went out for a fly. He could have wanted to get out on his own." Ron assured him. "He could be off having an adventure of his own."

Hermione sighed deeply, looking from Hagrid to Ron. She needed to talk to Harry.

**

Listlessly, Harry moved towards Gryffindor common room. He felt as if the energy had been drained out of him.

"Harry!" Hermione jumped up. "I have to talk to you!"

"I'm tired," Harry murmured, brushing her hand off his shoulder. "I think I want to head to bed."

"But Harry.... It's only six! We haven't even eaten yet! You have homework!" Hermione's face fell as she watched Harry walk stiffly to the boy's dorm. She looked over at Ron. He shrugged slightly, continuing his game of chess with Seamus.

Hermione sunk down into the easy chair, looking up at the dormitory door. "He didn't even want to hear what was wrong with Hagrid."

"He was tired, Hermione. Just leave him alone. Checkmate."

**

The chickens were in a panic.

Hagrid could hear them outside of his hut. They were making all sorts of noises, wings flapping.

What had them in an uproar? Had one of the Hippogryffs gotten loose? Hagrid had three Hippogryffs for his seventh-year students. After the incident with Malfoy and Buckbeak, he knew the only students he could teach Hippogryffs to would be in their final year.

Grabbing his crossbow and a lantern, Hagrid headed out to the chicken coops. He hoped he didn't have to use the weapon. But he was not fool, he knew he might have to. The nasty things in the Forbidden Forest were nothing to face unarmed. He would try to shoot to wound alone.

About a meter from the chicken coop, Hagrid saw the first droplets of blood. He knelt down, picking up some of the red liquid on his fingers. He sniffed it carefully. It was definitely chicken blood. It had only been spilled for a few minutes. Whatever had been here, it was still around.

There was rustling, and the strangled cry of a chicken as its life was snatched away. Hagrid saw the shadowed figure, holding the lifeless bird. It was smallÑdecidingly human.

Hagrid held up the latern, casting light over the darkened area. The light caught the figure illuminating Sakura Tsukino. Her eyes glowed in the light.

"Sakura!" Hagrid snarled, holding up his crossbow. "I warned ye once about the chickens! Thought that injury t' yer foot would have been enough!"

Sakura lips curled in a grin, her teeth reddened by blood. "I do not fear you, half-breed. Do you think your little weapon will harm me? You don't have traps set this time."

"I think it might do."

"I was just a little hungry," She giggled, dropping the chicken from her stained hands. "Your chickens just looks so delicious. MmmmÉ If only I had some rice. That would make this the perfect meal."

"Ye need to see Professor Dumbledore!" Hagrid stepped forward, the crossbow still held up. "Yer not yerself right now."

"How do you know this isn't my real self?" She asked, slinking across the grass, her movements slow and sleek. "Maybe I've been lying the whole time."

"Because none of us believe that." It was not Hagrid's response, but the man behind him. Remus held something tightly in his fist, holding it up. "Yasha, Yamatte."

Sakura let out a long sigh, crossing her arms. "I will never understand why she gave you that bauble. Puppy dog eyes and sad smile, and she's willing to sign our life over. Believe me, Riimasu," Her voice was filled with a mocking tone as she addressed Remus, "I will not listÑ"

The glow dissipated from her eyes as she gasped. Sakura's body went limp. As she began to slip down, Remus rushed forward. He caught her before she hit the ground. He shook his head. "What am I going to do with you, Sakura?" He looked up at Hagrid. "I'm sorry about thisÉ She's not herself right now."

Hagrid lowered his crossbow. He nodded. "I know. We're all goin' bit mad right now."

Remus looked at Sakura, then up at the nearly full moon. "And for some of us, madness is as natural as breathing."

**

Harry's mind whirled with images. He saw the hooded man, gliding calmly through the winding tunnel. Strange characters covered the walls. A blessing-- no, a curse-- written on the wall.

His stomach was tied in knots. He knew this man all to well. Harry had stood him down at the tender age of one. He had watched him murder Cedric Diggory only last year.

Lord Voldemort drifted to an altar. Wormtail was hunched over, a rope clutched tightly in his silvery hand.

There was a woman. She was scantily clad, her voluptuous body bared to the world. She seemed to be an animal-human hybrid, with white dog-like ears and a tail. "You already possess my ball," the woman said softly, "Why must we do this?"

"My dear," Voldemort's voice dripped with faux-charm, "Your ball only keeps you by my side. I want more than that. I want you as my companion, forever. Joined body and soul."

The creature smiled. "I have no soul. You know that, my Lord."

Voldemort touched the woman's shoulder. "Let me join with you. Let me share in your powers. I will give you everything you desire..." His forked tongue slipped out, caressing her neck. "I will give you the ruins of cities and the bodies of mortals."

The woman laughed. "My Lord... I love you."

"I know you do," Voldemort chuckled, his voice devoid of feeling. "Now bind with me."

The woman nodded slowly. "When we are successful... Once the boy is by our side. I will join with you. You will become a God."

Harry woke up with a start. Instinctively, his hand went to his scar.

It was cold.

** Japanese-English

Baka Yaro-- Stupid asshole
Yamatte-- Stop