Harry Potter and the Secrets from the Past

Chapter 17. THE WARNING

...

In my heart,

In my soul,

Between blades of grass

You'll see

Far shadows

Of lonely people

Who have been here

Just a minute ago.

Now I love them because

They are gone

To leave a place for you...

...

"In my heart, in my soul" by Lucio Battisti

The fire was crackling in the huge fireplace, and the Gryffindor common room was completely deserted, given the late hour. Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting in three comfortable armchairs in absolute silence.

They were still deeply shocked by Mark Evans revelations and needed some time for the news to sink in, expecially Harry; like a robot, he had followed Ron and Hermione inside the castle.

Hermione let him sit in front of the fireplace, then realized that his forehead was burning. With motherly care, she sent Ron to Madame Pomfrey to ask for a soothing potion and forced Harry to drink it all, despite his resistance.

Now Harry was feeling slightly better, but he still wasn't able to think clearly; in front of him, a large number of blurred images were crowding together: the line of ancient graves with all those inscriptions, and Mark Evans talking to Hagrid, saying "Harry surely is a SEER, just like his mother Lily was... You must tell him where Lily and James are buried... it is the only way that Harry will be able to go on and face the future... he's a smart boy... he's a Seer... he's a Seer...."

But which was the meaning of all this? And why had Dumbledore never told him about the graves? Why were they still treating him like a stupid little boy? Harry felt his anger rising, and thought that Dumbledore had always lied to him in all the past years. But why? Maybe because the Headmaster didn't trust him?

Ron shyly broke the silence, cutting off Harry's thoughts.

"Did anybody understand Mark Evans' words?"

Harry stayed silent and Hermione replied in his place.

"Surely Hagrid knew Professor Evans in the past; they had a certain confidence with one another, even if I don't think they were good friends!"

"Oh no! Hagrid was really angry with him! Maybe Mark Evans did something terrible in the past. Did you hear how Hagrid told him to stay away from Harry? Do you think that we should still trust him?"

This time Harry replied.

"He wasn't lying about the graveyard, while everyone else had always lied to me, ALWAYS!" Harry spoke with deep resentment.

"It's wrong to have such an attitude, Harry! I'm sure that Dumbledore has had good reasons for not talking about it before... I mean, about the graveyard and all the rest. He surely did it in order to protect you."

At those words, Harry felt his anger bursting out, and turned to Hermione in a fury, beating his fists on the armchair.

"OF COURSE! Dumbledore's always thinking about protecting me, but he doesn't care to know what I'm thinking! What I really want! For once in my life, I'd like to know all the truth about my past and my family... for once in my life I'd like to ..."

But he didn't end the sentence, because he suddenly realized, that he didn't even know what he really wanted. Hermione and Ron were horrified at Harry's words, and lowered their gazes to the floor.

Another endless half an hour passed by in silence before Hermione spoke in a low voice.

"Harry? I think it's better if you go to bed now."

"No... I prefer to stay longer," he replied quietly, without even looking at her.

"But in your condition, maybe."

"LISTEN! You go to bed, I'll stay here!"

Hermione was deeply offended by Harry's attitude, but thought that it was better to leave him alone and let him think it over.

"We're going to bed, then..." said Ron standing up, as he and Hermione climbed the stairs in silence.

Harry remained there, stairing at the fire without even turning to say good night; he was completely entranced by the dancing flames and their comfortable warmth was slowly wrapping around him; his eyelids became more and more heavy.

He felt an odd sensation of release; his entire body was becoming heavy, and he decided to let himself go completely on the armchair.

Suddenly, a river of jumbled images rushed in front of him, even if he wasn't able to recognize all the faces and all the places he was seeing. When the images became still, he found himself again out in the grounds of Hogwarts: by instinct, he started to run toward the graveyard, looking for someone; it was night, but there wasn't any trace of snow, and a light wind was blowing.

Then, he saw a woman figure at a distance; he squinted his eyes and the figure appeared more clearly to him.

Harry realized that the woman was walking toward him, and as soon as she came closer, he slowly saw her thin and slender features, her long red hair, her light smile and shining green eyes, which were sweetly staring at him. For just a second, he asked himself who that beautiful woman was, but then his heart answered for him: "It's your mother!"

Several different emotions burst into his heart: surprise, incredulity, joy, but also fear; fear that it was just a dream, and that in the morning she would be gone. Without thinking about it, he ran toward her, and hugged her tightly: he was able to feel the softness of her robe, and smell her light scent. Harry closed his eyes, and tasted that wonderful moment with all his senses, and with his great happiness, he realized that she was hugging him tightly in return. Then Lily spoke to him kindly.

"Do you recognize me, Harry?"

The boy raised his head, and got lost in her wonderful green eyes.

"Yes, mum... finally you've come to me. I missed you so much..."

Lily smiled sweetly, and spoke again.

"My dear son, listen to me carefully, so that this moment will remain impressed in your memories forever..."

The boy nodded, without loosening the embrace.

"Very difficult times are waiting for you - times in which you will find yourself between life and death, times in which more than once, you will be put in front of a crossroad and you will have to make a choice. You could choose the path which leads to power, which is the same leading to darkness. or you could choose the more difficult path of sacrifice, which will lead you to light and true happiness. Remember that even in darkness, it's still possible to find light. Only love and compassion sweep away fear and evil. My son, at the proper time, you'll make your choice, and your father and I will be with you..."

Harry wasn't able to fully understand the meaning of those words, but he was ecstatic at that moment.

Mother and son remained like that for a long time, staring at each other without speaking, even though Harry felt in his heart all the love and strength that Lily was sending him.

Then, she spoke again:

"For me it's time to go."

"NO! Not yet! Please don't leave me again."

Harry felt panic growning in his heart, and he absolutely didn't want her mother to leave; he had so many things to tell her.

"What does it mean that I'm a SEER? Please tell me!"

"You'll understand it at the right time, Harry." Lily replied, slowly moving away from him, but Harry was still hugging her tight in his arms.

"Mum, take me with you! There is nothing to keep me here, I just want to come with you."

"I can't take you with me, Harry. You still have so many things to do and so many friends, who love you, but always remember, that your father and I are going to watch over you, and even if you won't be able to see us with your eyes, you'll be able to feel us with your heart."

Harry sensed his mother's body becoming lighter and more inconsistent. He tried frantically to catch her with his hands, but it was like trying to catch a cloud of smoke.

Lily had completely disappeared, but Harry still was able to hear her last words.

"Take care, my son and let your heart always be pure."

Harry woke up abruptly; he looked around and realized that it was dawn: the common room was half lit by the first morning sun, and the fire was completely gone. His dream had lasted the whole night. Automatically, he brought a hand to his forehead, and felt that it was burning.

He remained seated: he was feeling really weak, and his head was bursting. He was so confused, and unable to recall all his vision, but in his heart, there still was a wonderful sense of sweetness and lightness. Harry understood that it was his mother gift, a way to let him know that she loved him unconditionally.

After a few minutes, Harry gathered all his strength and stood up: his head was spinning, but he was determined to reach his dormitory. He moved a few steps and felt his legs trembling; then staggering, he reached the cold stony walls in front of him and leaning into them, he climbed the stairs. When he entered the bedroom, he saw that Ron and his other roommates were still sleeping.

He reached his bed and collapsed heavily on it, without even taking his clothes off; closing his eyes, he immediately fell asleep.

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