Destination Unknown

Chapter 5

March 15^th, 2012

"Caught it!" yelled Heron Malfoy, known as Harry to his family and friends, as he caught the snitch. All the five Malfoys were up in the air, playing Quidditch.

"Wonderful, Harry," said Hermione, congratulating her son, "you're one of the best seekers I've ever seen."

"Am I as good as Harry Potter?" Harry asked.

"You'll soon be, my boy," said Draco, "all you need is practice."

"It'll be a shame if you're not chosen for your House team as Seeker," said Cory.

"Hey, you're an excellent Keeper, Cory," said Draco, "it'll be a shame if both of you are not there on your House teams."

"And me?" asked Ace.

"You'll be a good Chaser, my dear. Quidditch is in your blood, my children. I long to see all of you on your House teams!" sighed Draco.

"I feel rather inadequate when you all speak like that, you know," said Hermione, "I've never been good at flying. I remember a time when I was scared to mount a broom because it couldn't be learnt from a book!"

They all laughed as they landed.

"I remember that," said Draco, "it was our first flying lesson. When Madam Hooch told us to hold out our right hands and say 'Up!', yours just rolled over."

"Don't embarrass me in front of my children, Draco," said Hermione, a warning note in her voice.

"Ok, ok," he said.

As they walked back to the Manor, Harry suddenly jumped.

"Did you hear that?" he asked.

Cory nodded and muttered, "I thought I heard something, but I'm not sure."

The other three shook their heads.

"Ah...this pain is killing me...what horrible creatures wizards are...somebody HELP!" came a voice.

"Did you hear it? Someone's injured!" cried Harry and ran towards the source of the sound. Cory nodded vigorously and took off after his brother. The other three looked at each other, confused.

"I didn't hear anything," said Draco, "did you?"

Ace and Hermione shook their heads. Suddenly Hermione's eyes flashed.

"Draco! It's a snake! They're Parselmouths!" she cried and ran after her sons. Draco and Ace followed. Sure enough, they found Harry and Cory bending over a badly injured snake. It was a Boa constrictor.

"Don't worry, we'll help you," hissed Harry.

"We'll take you with us to our house. You'll be safe there," hissed Cory.

The Boa looked straight into Harry's eyes.

"I know you," it hissed, "you were the one that freed me from the zoo twenty one years ago."

Harry laughed and replied, "I wasn't even born then. You're mistaken."

"Stop it!" screamed Ace, "I am getting scared. Stop hissing!"

"Hissing?" Harry and Cory looked confused, "We're talking in English!"

"No. You two are talking Parseltongue," said Hermione.

"We need to help the snake," said Harry.

Hermione nodded. She flicked her wand and the Boa's injuries healed immediately.

"Tell him to come in," she said, and headed towards the house, the rest of them following.

That night, Harry went to his parents' bedroom after dinner.

"Yes, Harry?" Hermione asked, "Is anything wrong, dear?"

Harry sat down on the bed.

"Mum, Dad...the snake told me something very strange today..." he began and repeated the snake's words. Hermione and Draco looked at each other.

"He must have been mistaken, dear. I think he meant Harry Potter...he told me of such an incident once..." said Hermione.

"He was a Parselmouth, too?"

"Yes, dear."

"He was your best friend, wasn't he, Mum?"

"Yes, dear. He was my best friend and a great man. He was a true hero," she said sadly.

"What happened to him?"

"He died, sweetheart."

"Was he very brave?"

Hermione nodded.

"I want to be like him, Mum."

Hermione smiled at her son.

"You already are, dear."

Harry left the room, satisfied. He went to Cory's room to tell his brother. He found Cory looking rather worried.

"What's wrong, Cory?" asked Harry.

Cory took out a book and held it out. As Harry read the page, his eyes widened in horror.

"Do you - do you think it's true?" he asked, shivering.

"I don't know...I don't want to be evil, Harry...I want to be like Harry Potter."

"Me, too, Cory."

Tears poured down their cheeks. Hermione entered the room that very minute.

"Harry? Cory? What on earth is the matter, dears?" she asked, worried. She knelt next to them and put an arm around each of them.

"Mum, this book says Parselmouths are evil wizards!" cried Harry.

"And also the left handed ones!" cried Cory, for he was left handed, too.

Hermione felt very angry.

"It's all nonsense, dears," she said gently, trying to control her anger, "whoever wrote this was an utter idiot! My best friend Harry Potter, hero of the Wizarding world, the best, the kindest, the bravest man you can ever find, was a Parselmouth. There was not even a single bit of darkness in him! So, you see, whoever wrote this was very, very foolish. And Cory, you father is left handed! Surely he is not an evil wizard! He's one of the best men I've ever known! Don't you two believe all that crap. You two are my sons, and you are not evil. You are very good little boys and you will grow up to be very good wizards. You will be heroes, too. Don't let anyone else influence your judgement. You are what your choices are. If you choose to be good, no one can make you bad, however much they try."

"Do you really believe that we will turn out to be ok?" asked Harry quietly.

"Yes, dear. You are my little angels."

"Are you sure, Mum?" asked Cory.

"Positive, dear. Now go to sleep, you two. And stop worrying. I believe in you. Your father believes in you. And we are very rarely wrong. Good night, dears. Sleep well. You two can sleep with me and Dad tonight if you want," she offered.

The boys cheered up and followed her into the master bedroom. She briefly told Draco what had happened.

"Parseltongue is a very rare gift, my boys," he said firmly, "you should be proud of it. And don't ever let anyone make you think otherwise."

The two boys nodded and jumped on the bed between their parents.