Harry Potter and the Secrets from the Past

Chapter 23. Valentine's Day

...

It's an odd sensation

Of slight folly

Which is colouring my soul

Imagining, I prepare the pillow

Somebody

Somebody is already in the air

Innocent smile and parfume.

....

"Innocent evasions" by Lucio Battisti

Throughout the week preceding Valentine's Day, Harry was really surprised to see how excited all the students were, but Ron was the most impatient of them all. He was planning to spend the whole day at Hogsmeade with Luna and he wanted everything to be perfect. He was now talking about this all the time: at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and even during classes.

Harry could hardly manage not to shout at his best friend, telling himself that as long as Ron was happy, then he should be glad for him.

On the morning of Valentine's Day, Ron woke up really early, in order to get ready on time. Harry laughed, amused, while his friend chose his clothes with extreme care, all the while staring at his reflection in the mirror.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing, nothing, it's just that... I've never seen you so nervous in all my life, not even when we entered Aragog's den!"

"Ha, ha, really funny! I remind you that exactly one year ago, you were here in my place, getting ready to go out with Cho Chang!"

At those words, Harry's smile disappeared and he became serious: he remembered very well the previous Valentine's Day and how he had waited for it with trepidation, just to be hopelessly disappointed. Actually, at that time Cho Chang was deeply jealous against Hermione; now that Harry was thinking about it, she wasn't wrong after all.

"Are you going to meet Mark Evans, then?"

Harry's thoughts were cut off by Ron's question and he turned to look out of the window. The sky was grey and without sun, but luckily it wasn't raining.

"Yes, I'm going to the meeting with Hermione, and then, I don't know, maybe we'll come back to the castle."

"Hurry up then, or you're going to be late! Look, you're still wearing your pajamas! I'll wait for you downstairs," Ron told him impatiently, while rushing outside of the room.

Harry sighed deeply, and got up. He had a quick shower and put on some of Dudley's old clothes: a pair of jeans, a white shirt and a large sweater made of blue wool. While rummaging in his trunk to look for his scarf and gloves, he found the two way mirror which Lupin had given to him as Christmas present.

He stared at it for a moment before rummaging again in the bottom of the trunk and taking out the other mirror, the one which Sirius had given to him the previous year. Suddenly, he had the idea to give one of the two mirrors to Mark.

"In this way it'll be easier for us to communicate," he thought, putting one of them in his coat pocket.

When he was finally ready, he exited the dormitory and headed to the the common room, where Ron and Hermione were already waiting for him.

***O***

That day, the streets of Hogsmeade were extra crowded; Harry thought that probably, nobody'd ever missed celebrating Valentine's Day, not even in war time.

Harry and Hermione were walking along the main street, looking at the shops, which were overflowing with wizards and witches, all wearing long black robes and pointed hats. There were also several students, busy enjoying the special day.

Ron and Luna had followed them for a short while, but as soon as they had reached the village, they left the other two to go by themselves.

Shortly, Harry and Hermione were walking on a side-street and soon they arrived at the Hog's Head Inn; it was a really odd place, with a huge wooden sign hanging on the entrance, representing a wild boar's severed head.

They waited in front of the main door, wrapping themselves in their coats because of the intense cold.

"Maybe he has changed his mind," Hermione commented, with a note of hope in her voice.

"No, he's coming, look there!" Harry replied, pointing his finger at a figure which was getting closer quickly, completely wrapped in his black cloak.

"Good morning, guys! I'm happy to see you again." Harry noticed that Mark was keeping his cloak collar lifted, as if he wanted to hide his face.

"I'd suggest moving on to a quieter place; the village is a bit too crowded today."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other, puzzled, and then nodded and followed Mark along a side-street.

Shortly, they found themselves at the edge of the Forbidden Forest in a very withdrawn corner. Mark looked around himself warily and when he was certaing that they were completely alone, he lowered the collar.

"Oh, Harry, you don't even know how many things I have to tell you! You can't imagine how long I've been waiting for this moment to come." Mark Evans spoke with warmth and Harry's heart was deeply touched by this.

"You've surely asked yourself why nobody has never told you about the possibility of you being a Seer... well, maybe it's better if I start from the beginning."

Harry and Hermione were listening to him carefully.

"Your mother had an extremely rare gift; she wasn't a common Seer, no... She was able to do really incredible things. Not only she could foresee the future, but she had also a telepathic talent. She could easily communicate with people who were situated at several kilometres from her and she was able to read minds and hearts. But above all, she had the power to master the universal elements, like fire, water, earth and air. I've reasons to believe that you've inherited her same powers."

Harry was feeling really confused.

"But, what does it mean? Why everybody has always kept this truth hidden from me? I-I don't understand."

"Unfortunately, these powers are a double edged sword and if they're not used correctly, they could destroy the user."

"What do you mean? Why?" Harry asked impatiently.

"I mean that in order to use those powers, you'll need a really extreme energy and ability; if you're not skilled enough, all your strength could be drawn out from you completely and even causing death!" Mark warned.

"That's why Dumbledore didn't tell him anything, right? Because he feared that Harry could use his powers too early." Hermione seemed really worried and couldn't manage to keep silent.

"Exactly! But it's my opinion that now the right time has arrived for you to learn how to use your powers, Harry. Both because it's something that belongs to you from generations, but also because the whole world needs your help."

Harry felt shocked by those revelations; since he had started to train himself in the Room of Requirements with Hermione, he had soon realized that those odd powers were extremely dangerous.

"Please, swear to me that you're going to train yourself, swear to me that you're going to do your best! Unfortunately, we don't have much time left. I feel that soon something terrible is going to happen and you're our only hope of salvation against the dark side."

"Yes, I know... as the Prophecy says..." commented Harry bitterly.

"That's right! The Prophecy says that you've got a power, which the Dark Lord doesn't know, and only that power'll be able to defeat him forever. It's of vital importance for you to be able to master it as soon as possible."

"I'll do my best, Mark." Harry spoke, staring at him directly in the eyes and Mark smiled warmly.

"Now that you're aware of being a Seer, wouldn't you like to talk to Sirius Black at least one more time?" Harry saw an odd twinkling in Mark's eyes, and at hearing those words, he felt a new hope rising inside himself, something that he had lost long time ago.

"It would be wonderful!"

"Then train yourself as much as you can and next time we meet, we'll go together to the Veil of Death and you'll be able to talk to Sirius."

"But, this is impossible!" Hermione cut him off, astonished. "You can't make such a foolish promise! It's extremely dangerous to enter the Ministry in secret and it's even most dangerous to accomplish such a difficult ceremony! Harry, you certainly wouldn't..."

"Harry's going to have lots of time to take his own decision. In a few months, when you'll start mastering your powers, then you can give me your answer."

Harry nodded. Then he remembered something important and searched in his pocket.

"I brought something for you. I thought that we could communicate with the two way mirrors, it'll be safer for both of us."

Mark took the small packet and hid it immediately under his cloak, staring at Harry thankfully.

"Yes, it's a very good idea, thank you. This mirror is going to be my dearest treasure."

Suddenly, a group of students passed nearby and Mark jumped in surprise, raising his cloak collar again.

"Now I must leave you. Unfortunately, I can't stay longer. I'm going to reach you as soon as I can... goodbye Harry, Hermione."

Mark Evans addressed them hurriedly and walked fast down a narrow street, semi-hidden by trees.

***O***

For the whole trip back to the castle, Harry remained silent, thinking over the revelations just heard from Mark's voice.

He couldn't believe that he owned all those powers and he asked himself how he would be able to use them. He was feeling that there was not much time left, because something terrible was surely going to happen soon.

They had just passed the huge gate with the gargoyles and were heading to the lake.

"Don't worry, Harry, together we'll succeed!" Hermione told him, trying her best to raise his mood.

"Why don't we have a nice walk? Is there a particular place where you'd like to go?" added the girl, smiling, and he felt extremely thankful.

Harry thought about it for a moment then suddenly grabbed her hand.

"I've just got an idea, let's go!"

They both ran to the Quidditch pitch and Harry entered in the changing room; after a few minutes, he came back, squeezing his Firebolt in his hand.

"Can you tell me what are we going to do?"

"You'll see soon! I'm going to show you my secret place."

Harry mounted the broomstick and signalled to her to come and sit in front of him; Hermione was a bit reluctant but she obeyed anyway. They took off lightly from the ground and shortly were flying in the sky, right above the castle.

They were sweetly darting in the fresh air, sitting really close to each other: Hermione kept her hands near to his and Harry's nose was able to smell her delicate perfume.

His heart was beating faster because of the emotion caused by being so close to her.

"What do you think about this? Isn't it brilliant?"

The boy's excitement was rising, just like it happened all the time when he was flying, free as ever, with the wind in his hair.

"We're too high, Harry! Why don't we get down now?"

Harry nodded, but instead of descending, he pointed his broom up, heading to the mountains. Shortly, they reached the top of a hill, where it was possible to enjoy a breathtaking view over the Hogwarts grounds, the castle and the lake.

They landed softly in front of a little wood and sat on a small square of grass lawn, right on the edge above the ravine below.

Harry lay down on the grass, putting his arms behind his head and Hermione did the same, settling herself on his side. Both started to stare at the cloudy sky.

"This place is magnificent and the view is wonderful! How did you find it?"

"Sometimes, I come here to be alone."

Hermione turned to him and remained in silence, listening.

"When I feel sad, I fly up here and after a while I'm able to overcome all my problems. When I look at all those majestic mountains, I realize how small my troubles are if compared to them. This thought makes me able to go on."

"You're an incredible boy, you know? I've always asked myself how you could manage your life after all the terrible things that have happened to you. But then I realized that you weren't like all the other boys. Anyone in your place would have got mad, but you didn't."

Harry laughed nervously.

"Is this what you really think of me?"

"Oh, yes, and I also think many other things about you, but I don't want to you to get bored."

"I'd never get bored; I'd stay here and listen to you for hours." Harry propped himself up on his elbows on the grass and got seated, staring at Hermione directly in the eyes.

That day she was gorgeous: she was wearing a pink salmon jacket, long to her knees and a pair of woolen black trousers; her long brown hair was falling on her shoulders in a large number of curls and she had a sweet light in her large chocolate eyes.

"This is the right time to talk to her. I must do it now or I'm going to regret it as long as I live!" Harry thought, gathering all his courage before to speak.

"Hermione, is there maybe someone... with whom you'd like to go out? I mean, a guy?"

Harry felt the panic rising inside and his cheeks burst into flames.

"A guy? Why are you asking such a thing?" Hermione replied, really amused, but Harry wanted to go further.

"I'm serious! Is there anyone you like more than the others?"

"Well, no! Nobody at all! What about you? Is there any girl who you like in particular?"

Harry was astonished by her question, but decided to answer anyway. He cleared his voice, then he tried do speak, but for a second he thought to have lost this ability.

"Actually, there is a girl I really like."

Hermione sat up abruptly and stared at him, deeply surprised.

"Oh, this is a revelation! Let's see then, I'll try to guess who this girl is... is she a student?"

"Yes, she is."

"A Gryffindor?"

"Exactly!"

"Maybe I know her?"

"I believe so, yes!"

Hermione seemed even more curious to discover this mysterious girl's identity and Harry was feeling more and more amused by this game.

"How long have you known her?"

"Since my first year at Hogwarts."

Then Hermione started to shake her head, worriedly.

"I'm wondering how Ron would react, if he'll ever see you two going out together," she said hopelessly.

"Wait a minute! Who are you talking about?"

"I mean Ginny, of course!"

For a moment, Harry stared at her in astonishment, asking himself the reason why Hermione could have ever imagined that he meant Ginny.

"I wasn't talking about her!"

"Who else, then?"

Harry hesitated for an instant, then sighed deeply and finally spoke, looking at her directly in the eyes.

"I was talking about you, Hermione!"

That was it! He had just told her the truth about his feelings for her. Harry was ready to see her getting furious or laughing at him deeply amused.

But Hermione remained completely shocked, staring at him with mouth open.

Harry didn't know what to do; he was in a total panic. He decided to grab her hand. He had just stretched out his arm toward her when the girl stood up abruptly and ran away in silence, heading to the wood behind them.

Immediately, Harry stood up and ran after her.

"HERMIONE, WAIT! What the hell is happening to you?"

The girl stopped, turning her back to him, while he stood a few steps behind, uncertain about what to do. An awkward silence fell between them.

After a few minutes, Harry spoke again.

"I know, I can understand. You didn't expect such a thing from me, but the truth is that... it's been a long time since I liked you, even if I've never had the courage to tell you until today."

Harry's heart was beating so fast and his hands were sweaty. Nevertheless, he was trying hard to keep calm, while he really wanted to run away instead because of the deep shame he was feeling. Hermione's silence was squeezing him like a huge boulder.

"Hermione, why aren't you talking to me? Maybe you haven't got the courage to tell me that I have no hope with you?" In that moment, Harry realized that his happiness or his desperation would depend on her answer.

"Oh, Harry, don't be silly!" Hermione turned to him abruptly and stared at him with wet eyes.

The boy moved a step farther toward her, without swaying his gaze.

"My goodness! Why have you chosen to talk to me just now!" she said with anger.

"What the hell does it mean, JUST NOW!"

"YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND!" Hermione shouted desperately.

Harry felt so disappointed and deeply offended by that answer; maybe Hermione was right, maybe he wasn't able to understand her and this was making him mad.

"Why don't you tell me the truth, then? Why don't you tell me that you don't like me! That you'd never want to be my girlfriend, that you'd never even bear the idea of hugging me or kissing me..."

"Do you want to know what the truth is?" Hermione's face was now crossed by tears.

"YES, I do!"

"Are you sure?" she asked again.

"It's my right to know!"

"Here is the truth then!"

Suddenly, Hermione did the most unexpected thing; she moved a few quick steps forward and stood right in front of him, taking his head in her hands and kissing him passionately.

As soon as their lips touched, Harry felt like a strong electric current going through his body, from the tips of his hair to the end of his feet. He had never felt a strong emotion like that in all his life and he was fascinated and scared about it at the same time.

He was completely shocked and confused; in that moment, he had lost notion of time and space. There were just him and Hermione; nobody and nothing could have ever hurt them.

By instinct, he stretched out his arms and grabbed the girl by her waist, pulling her closer to him. He wished this wonderful moment would last forever.

Then, that incredible sensation stopped abruptly; Hermione had moved and now was running away from him. When Harry opened his eyes, he needed a few seconds to collect himself; afterwards, he ran after her, heading to the small square of lawn where they have been sitting before.

Harry didn't know what to think about that. Hermione was standing there, looking at him, right on the edge of the ravine; she was crying and trembling like a little girl, with her arms crossed. He started to get closer, when suddenly, a deafening burst resounded in the entire valley and the earth shook.