The Awakening of a Magus

The Awakening of a Magus
Chapter 41 - Sat-Sun, Aug 5-6 - Day 16-17
Revelations

Sitting on the roof, he faced into the wind, his eyes closed and a soft smile on his face. Overhead, the waxing moon shone brightly, but an approaching storm made the breeze sharp and damp. His long black hair whipped back, flying wildly, as he sought to let every sense, ordinary and extra-ordinary, drink in the myriad details around and near him. The distant electricity tingled, the echoing thunder growing steadily louder and following more quickly after the flashing display it reported.

As the elements became more active around him, he stood, still with closed eyes to allow him to focus on his other senses. The clouds finally hid the moon and the storm surrounded him. It was exhilarating, soaking, overwhelming, so much so that he laughed joyously, freely as he never had before. As the energy of the storm enfolded him, he didn't realize that his own power rose to meet and greet it. A sizzling purple aura danced about him, interacting with the lightning that seemed drawn to him. Slowly, without his awareness, he began to float in the midst of this display of nature's beauty and elemental life.

After a time, another figure appeared on the roof. The old wizard kept up a shield to protect himself from the driving rain, but he smiled with his own joy to witness the spectacle above him. Sitting down, he observed, waiting for this child-of-his-heart to notice him, not wishing to interrupt.

Harry finally began to notice another presence nearby, and by noticing another, became a bit more aware of himself. He had been so lost in the experience, he hardly had a sense of self for a few moments. He opened his eyes and looked about, not seeing anyone ... or anything. He glanced down and realized that the roof of Hogwarts was a good 30 feet below him.

For a moment, all he could think of was, But wizards can't fly unassisted ! The moment this thought came to mind, he began to fall. Flustered, he shifted into bird form, but the tempest around him buffeted him wildly through the air. He heard laughter below him and sighted his mentor sitting happy and dry within his shields, just managing to sputter out an 'Accio'. The falcon appeared beside the headmaster, shook off the rain (showering the still laughing Dumbledore), then changed back to human form and plopped down onto the roof.

As Dumbledore's laughter subsided, though not the nearly-ever-present-twinkle, Harry shook his head. "Oh, me of little faith," he punned with the Biblical reference, which started the laughter all over again. This time, after a small grin, he began to join in. At long last, gasping and grinning, both Harry and Dumbledore quieted down and resumed watching the storm crash around them.

After a time, Dumbledore altered his shields to mute the sounds around them and asked, "So, what brings you up here at this time of night?"

"I had a lot of things on my mind," Harry admitted quietly. "Coming out here lets me forget everything for awhile. Now more than ever, I feel like a part of the night and can just drift along. However, this is the first time I actually did start drifting. I didn't know I could. But, just being out in the storm, surrounded by all that energy, it was as though I almost had the answer ... how to gain control over all these powers. But it was just out of reach."

Dumbledore laid his hand on the young man's shoulder. "The answer will come in its own time. It hasn't been that long yet since your Awakening ... don't dwell on it." He looked thoughtfully at Harry. "You said there were a lot of things on your mind. Care to talk about any of them? I ... well, I like to think that you can come to me with anything that bothers you. I don't feel as though I am merely your headmaster or mentor. I hope that I am a friend, perhaps, even a kind of family. You are much more to me than The-Boy-Who-Lived or the Magus. You know that, don't you, Harry ..."

"Albus ... " he whispered shyly, touched, blushing a bit. "Thank you." Taking a deep breath, he continued in a more normal voice. "There are several things on my mind, about how I react and behave, for instance. I feel like several people in one body, and I just don't recognize some of them. It's confusing, and some of it is frightening or even ... embarrassing."

"For instance?" prodded the old wizard.

"Well, sometimes I still don't understand how I can reconcile so easily with people that I've considered enemies for years. I know Hermione and the Weasleys don't understand either, and I've had a terrible time trying to explain. Draco ... Severus ... Yet, I don't have any inclination to make friends with some people ... Fudge, for instance." Harry glanced away into the distance. "What is happening to me?"

"This one, I think I can answer," Dumbledore smiled. "I believe, Harry, that you are a Soul Reader. A Soul Reader can sense a person on a very deep, personal level. It isn't reading thoughts or emotions, but the very core of their being. Even if a person doesn't acknowledge to themselves what they really are, you can sense their personality, values, dreams, the very core of their make-up. Their integrity, if you will, or lack of it. You won't sense this with everyone, and you may never be able to Read a person in this way at will, but when it happens, you will know without a doubt if you can trust someone, or not; if you want them to be a part of your life, or not; if a person is 'worth the effort' ... or not."

Harry's face displayed a soft smile, remembering how he had answered Draco's 'why' with 'Maybe I think you could be worth it.' "Soul Reader ... I'll have to research that and ... listen to me. I'm sounding like 'Mione." Harry grinned, then, became a bit serious again. "There are other things, though. This way I have of affecting other people's magic. If someone has a weak or unreliable talent, I just have to be around them and it gets stronger and more consistent. And after enough 'exposure' to me, the effects last longer and longer. And for some people, I find gifts and powers they never knew they had. I worry that I'm ... tampering with people. Maybe even causing something that wasn't meant to happen or ... " Harry's voice became softer and more agitated as he continued, staring down now at his fidgeting hands.

"Harry," Dumbledore sharply interrupted the upset young wizard sitting beside him. "I know where this is going, and you're wrong. You are not playing God here. You are powerful, more powerful than any human, but you are still human. You cannot grant a person power that the Creator hasn't already planted a seed for. Think of it as being a combination of healer and teacher. You are helping people reach a potential they haven't been able to reach on their own. But it is their potential you are working with. You can restore a person's magical strength, but not beyond their own limitations. At most, you are a catalyst, triggering an effect." The headmaster sighed, then smiled. "I suggest, however, that we need to discover how you can control this enhancing effect. It wouldn't do to have an attacking Death Eater benefit from this."

"No joking!" Harry responded. "But, how can you be so sure? How ..." He trailed off again.

Dumbledore thought a moment, his eyes becoming distant, then focused again. "It seems to be part of the Mentor Bond, Harry. There are some things I just seem to know about you, though I can't explain how. Like your Soul Reading, I know, but can't explain how I know. This is one of those unexplainable certainties."

Harry was silent for a few moments, and nodded in relieved acceptance. Then, he began to blush a bit. "There is one other thing that has been bothering me. Since shortly after my transformation, I sometimes feel ... different. How do I say this ... it's about ..." he whispered, haltingly, "uh, girls ... hormones."

Knowing it would upset the young man, Dumbledore struggled not to chuckle in affectionate amusement. "Ah," the headmaster said simply, then thought quietly on the best way to approach this. "Are you sure this subject wouldn't be easier to discuss with someone a bit younger, perhaps Sirius ..."

"No!" Harry interrupted in horror. "I'd never live it down if I talked to Sirius about this. Besides, he'd just encourage me to 'make the most of it', not considering any consequences. You know he would! And not Remus. And definitely not Severus."

"I see your point, child," the headmaster said absently. "Let's begin with the transformation. Three weeks ago you were just short of your 15th birthday. Because you weren't an adult yet, the transformation wasn't merely growth and enhancement. I believe you have actually aged, matured." He pulled out his wand, pointed it at Harry, and muttered a short spell.

A sparkling red mist surrounded Harry for a moment, swirling, then coalescing above his head. "What does it say?" Harry asked, glancing up, even though he knew the subject is unable to read it. "I'm 15 years and 6 days old, right?"

"Partly correct, Harry," answered the old wizard with a twinkle. "The 'and 6 days old' is still applicable, but the spell reports you are 18 years old." Watching Harry stare at him, dumbfounded, he continued. "It's no wonder you're confused, Harry. In most ways, you have gone through three years of adolescence in three weeks. But that, in some ways, is the least of it."

Harry thought back to what Ginny had said earlier, about being older. He had taken it as feeling older ... having to 'grow up' faster, but it never occurred to him that he was, in all respects but the calendar, truly older. "I'm afraid to ask. How is that 'the least of it'? What else is wrong?"

"My dear boy, don't think of it as 'wrong' ... it is simply that you are an amazing, unique young man." Dumbledore reached out to Harry, who had lowered his head. The old, yet strong fingers gently lifted the young man's chin so that Harry had to look into that wise gaze, full of affection and respect and understanding. "Though I didn't have to deal with as much as you have, I also had to deal with being 'different' as I grew up. I was annoyingly precocious, as my family and friends would have told you, especially Amalthea."

Having prompted a weak smile from the Magus, Dumbledore lowered his hand and continued. "Harry, you have always been a remarkable person, even as a first year. You are a natural leader, which I think is the reason Draco originally felt threatened and Severus originally saw arrogance. To put it bluntly, you have developed into a very dominant male of the species, of whatever species you take the form of. As a human, a dragon, a wolf, you are a powerful Alpha male. If you choose, you can make others fear you, follow you ... desire you. I know that you don't believe in controlling others without extremely good reason. You need to gain conscious control of this ... extreme charisma. On a ... sensual level, you are possibly as gifted as a full-blooded veela. I believe your friends, once the situation is explained, will be willing to help you practice this control." Seeing Harry blush fiercely, he chuckled, "Hmm. That isn't quite what I meant, but perhaps, finding a ... willing partner? ... with some experience ... might not be a bad idea. You are of age now." Even Dumbledore was blushing a bit, but his eyes were twinkling madly.

With an embarrassed grin, Harry finally stood up, followed by Dumbledore. They both apparated down to the headmaster's office. Just before turning to go to his room, Harry smiled at his mentor and friend, reaching out to squeeze a hand for a moment. "Well, you've helped a lot, Albus, and given me a lot more to think about. Somehow, it almost makes 'dealing with Voldemort' seem like the easy part."

"Take it from someone who has spent a century-and-a-half growing up ... it doesn't get easier, but it can be quite fascinating."

Kneeling before his Dark Lord, he fought to hide his fear. "My Lord, my daughter has spoken to me this night. We have a pair of enchanted mirrors, but since she is within the Hogwarts wards, we had to wait for her to initiate the contact. I have instructed her to watch the Malfoy child for any unusual manuscripts, particularly a Barabbas. She will also observe Potter, Dumbledore, and the Magus, and determine which of the other students will be of assistance to us. She reports that the two younger girls, Goyle and Moriarty, and one of the Nott boys sided with The Malfoy during an altercation." Andre Devereaux managed to keep his voice steady, but the hands hidden in the folds of his robe were shaking.

"Ssso," hissed the master. "You and your daughter have unexpectedly pleased me. I certainly hope that the results of her reports are equally pleasing. Rise, rise Andre. When have you arranged for her to report?"

"I or my wife will stand by with the mirror between midnight and ten minutes after whenever possible. She will not necessarily report each night, but will not go more than two nights without at least checking in. She understands that if we are out on your orders, my Lord, that we may not be available. In such a case, she will call the following night." At Voldemort's tentative approval, Devereaux had steadied considerably.

"Good, good. Now, where is your lovely wife? She should have returned from her errand by now." Voldemort was getting impatient again, and began to reach out along the linkage formed by the Dark Marks.

"I have it here, my Lord." Desiree Devereaux hurried in, slipping to her knees and holding up an old, tattered volume. "Now that I bear your Mark, old Great-Aunt Mignon admitted to having the Grindelwald journal in the family library." Looking up and seeing approval in her master's eyes as he took the volume, she rose and continued, triumphantly. "I have also confirmed something that Mignon had once told me ... the Serpent's Blood flows through my line. I was able to read the beginning of the hidden chapters."

Her husband was stunned. "You are Klaatu-mehr? And you never told me?" Klaatu-mehr - the Serpent's Blood were bloodlines that descended from the legendary Serpent Lord, Klaatu, who pre-dated even the ancient Sumerians. And not all those who carried the blood carried the gifts of the Klaatu-mehr ... the ability to read certain bespelled texts, or to be recognized by or perform certain wards and spells unique to them. The only ones more honored than the Klaatu-mehr were the Klaatu-shah - Serpent's Children. It was said that Voldemort himself was Klaatu-shah as heir of the most powerful Serpent's Child of the last millennium - Salazar Slytherin. The Serpent's Children were rare, and remarkably powerful.

Desiree enjoyed revealing such an honor to her often-domineering husband. "Of course, my Lord, it is from one of the lesser lines, not your line which includes the great Slytherin. Since I couldn't prove this before, I hesitated to claim the title. However, the hidden chapters do indeed include the information you seek ... the location and keys to the Dark Fortress. Though Grindelwald was only Klaatu-mehr, he recorded the information, hoping a successor would achieve the power of the Klaatu-shah and be able to claim it."

"At last!" Voldemort's blood-red eyes glowed with triumph. "I can finally claim the Fortress of the Klaatu-shah. With the secrets and artifacts held there, there will be no stopping us. This is second only to the acquisition of the Barabbas manuscript and the secrets it holds. I am mightily pleased, my dear." Looking at Desiree shrewdly, he continued. "As your ambition and intellect are on a par with your loveliness, my dear, I assume you read all the entries you had access to."

Looking at the Dark Lord, and seeing that he still appeared pleased, she admitted, "Of course, my Lord. Knowledge is power, and the more I know, the better I can serve you." She smiled, and bowed gracefully.

"I have a job for you, then. Create for me a short manuscript to test my Death Eaters. Use the masking spell within this text, so that I can determine who among my servants is of the Blood. Those will have special duties regarding the Dark Fortress that those not of the Blood will be unable to accomplish. Also, record for me as much information as possible about all my servants and their actions, particularly when on my missions. I name you my Administrator."

Smiling his serpentine grin, he turned to a nervous Andre Devereaux. "Fear not, Andre. Your Desiree's accomplishments will not lessen your worth to me ... only failures will do that. You will assist Desiree in these tasks, researching and documenting everything you can concerning my Death Eaters. In addition, you will compile similar information on as many Ministry officials and employees as possible, and anyone that your daughter reports as visiting Hogwarts before the beginning of term. These will obviously be possible members of the Order that our Muggle-loving headmaster is likely reviving. They were a nuisance before. With a fledgling Magus present, it will be even more important to have knowledge of our enemies."

The Devereauxs bowed to their master, both thrilled that they had not only pleased him, but avoided the casual Crucio that he often cast for no other reason than to show his power over them.

Once he was alone with his faithful serpent, Lord Voldemort stood and gazed out over the encampment. "Soon, Nagini. Soon we will be able to abandon these hideous hideouts and I will be enthroned in the legendary Dark Fortress, wherever it hides at the moment. With the Fortress, the accumulated knowledge of the Klaatu-shah, and my ever-growing powers, it will not be long until I will be unstoppable."

"It will not be long until I rule!"

(-Sun, Aug 6 - Day 17-)

Savannah Goyle was something of a misfit. She was a clever, intelligent, independent young witch in a family consisting of moronic, brutal males (her father and brother Gregory) and an obsessive, preoccupied mother who spent more time manipulating people and playing pureblood politics than being a maternal figure to her family. The girl just didn't understand her family's blind, rabid devotion to the Dark Lord, and was guiltily grateful that they had been found out.

She was even a bit older than her peers. Though only starting Hogwarts this year, she was nearly 12. Her birthday, September 2, just missed the deadline for starting last year, and though she was bright enough to have started then, they only made exceptions if the child was in danger of too much uncontrolled magic. She was quite competent, thank you very much, so she waited until this year, studying from her brother's old textbooks.

This morning, she sat in the Slytherin common room, reading, listening to her favorite WARD (Wizarding Audio Recording Device), the music of the wizarding Goth group Gilgamesh Glitter. Though she could as easily have been reading 'Hogwarts: A History', today she was reading Witch Weekly's romantic serial, 'To Tame a Wild Wizard'. She had very eclectic tastes, and was grateful that Draco Malfoy, also reading in the common area, didn't mind her choice of music; her brother hated it.

When they had been much younger, she adored Draco and constantly wished he was her real brother. He in turn doted on the bright little girl. However, when he was about 8 and she almost 5, he began to draw away, become more aloof, remote, more Malfoy. She dearly missed the friend he had been, and was cautiously overjoyed that he seemed to be more like 'her' Draco again, her heart-brother. She would have wagered it had something to do with either Darius or Harry Potter and felt indebted to them both.

She was glancing up at Draco, when he suddenly appeared to be listening to something, smiled, then glanced at her before looking back down at his book. "Savannah, be a dear and let Harry in, won't you?" he drawled, but with a twinkle in his gray eyes almost like the headmaster.

Never one to obey blindly, and never one to miss a poke at Draco, she answered, "Why don't you do it yourself, lazy? I'm busy." She marked her place and closed the magazine, though.

Looking up at her with a wicked grin, he replied "Because I'll ask Dobby to make us some razzleberry tarts, and because I've seen you eyeing Harry, don't deny it. Go on, go on, he'll be coming around the corner any time now."

She didn't respond to the crack about her appreciating that Harry, and Darius for that matter, were both very nicely put together, tall, dark, and handsome wizards. What's wrong with a healthy infatuation, I ask you? she thought. However, she perked up just as Draco knew she would at the mention of her all-time favorite treat. "Razzleberry tarts? Dobby's razzleberry tarts? Do that and I'm your gofer for the day, Drake!" With a grin, she jumped up and headed for the Slytherin entrance.

She was surprised to hear Draco behind her saying, "Dobby. When you're free, please come to the Slytherin common room." Polite to a house elf? Draco? This was even more than her old Draco coming back to her ... this was the beginnings of the fine young man she had known her heart-brother could be. Stepping out into the hall, she looked around for Harry Potter, and, as Draco had predicted, he was just coming around the corner. With a silly grin, she curtsied gracefully and swept an arm towards the open entrance.

"Enter and be welcome, brave sir!" she said in a slightly exaggerated voice, batting her eyes merrily.

Harry, carrying several books in one arm, stepped up to Savannah, bowed to her with a broad grin, and answered, "Merry meet, kind lady! Thank you for your gracious hospitality. Shall we?" He held out his arm to her and she reached up to take it with a nod and laughing eyes. Together, they solemnly stepped into the Slytherin commons.

Draco had overheard their lighthearted conversation, put down his book, and prepared to join the game. "Unhand my lady, sirrah, and prepare to defend yourself!" He raised his wand with a flourish that was hysterically reminiscent of Gilderoy Lockhart at the Dueling Club.

"Alas, sir, my defense is that the lady welcomed me quite prettily. Only a troll could reject such loveliness." Harry stepped back from Savannah in pretended horror that she had gotten him into trouble with another wizard. She, in turn, smiled at both Harry and Draco, batting her eyes.

Draco then began to stalk forward. "So, it is the fault of this faithless wench, is it? There is only one way to handle this." Draco reached out to Savannah with a wicked grin. She tried to dodge, but bounced off of Harry and down onto the couch. The next thing anyone knew, there was a shriek of giggles as Draco began to tickle Savannah, cackling wildly and saying, "Take that ... and that ... and that ... Ah ha!"

As Savannah began gasping for breath, Draco took pity on her and stopped for a moment. Before she could get calmed down, though, he looked at Harry and said, "She led you on, sir. Wish you to take your own revenge?"

Harry grinned, said, "Thank you, milord!", and began tickling Savannah in every spot that he himself had been most ticklish when Dudley and his gang were younger and tickled instead of beat. Savannah was outrageously ticklish, but not in the way where being tickled was torture. She enjoyed the game a great deal. However, at that moment, as usual, someone came along to ruin the fun.

"Get your filthy Gryffindor paws off my sister, Potter!" Gregory Goyle came thundering down the hall from the boys' dormitory, followed closely by Vincent Crabbe. The others in the dorms came out a few moments later to see what the fuss was about.

Harry disgustedly sat back, muttering, "What is it with me and angry brothers these days?"

Draco looked at Harry and sent, /* You will explain that remark later, Casanova. */ to which Harry returned a dirty look.

Savannah was furious, and standing, rounded on her brother, "Stay out of my business, Gregory!" In response, her brother roughly pushed her back down to the couch and glared at her.

Harry stepped forward protectively between them, trying to keep his temper, and said quietly, "There's nothing to be upset about, Goyle. We weren't doing anything ..."

Goyle growled at Harry and stepped forward, grabbing Harry's upper arm. He tried to shove Harry around but was vaguely surprised he couldn't. Harry narrowed his eyes dangerously and said softly, "Let go of me."

Being the idiot he was, Goyle just growled again, "Stay away from my sister!" Crabbe stood beside him, cracking his knuckles, looking forward to a fight. Both Draco and Savannah were trying to warn off the two huge students, but they didn't take the warnings seriously. The others just watched with interest.

"I'm warning you, Goyle. Let go of me." Harry's voice was ice, his eyes sharp and deadly. When Goyle only tried to push Harry again, Harry glared and flexed his arm quickly. The sudden swell of muscle broke Goyle's grip ... painfully. He looked at his own hand in shock, then at Harry's arm, which was straining the sleeve of his tunic now, then at Harry's eyes, which glittered with power and anger.

Savannah gave her brother and Crabbe a sharp look, then said coldly, "Gregory Goyle, are you as blind as you are stupid? All you'd have to do is really look at him ever since we got here. The way he moves, like a jungle cat, everything about him screams 'Don't mess with me', but what do you do? Wake up, brother mine! Bullying doesn't work on everyone. And we were only having a perfectly innocent tickle-fight, you moron. Just ... go! Get away and leave me alone! Leave us alone!" She said this glancing at Draco and Harry and stalking off.

Goyle and Crabbe drifted over to where Malvina and the others were watching, hoping someone would explain what just happened. Michaela and Trevor, however, moved over to the study area of the commons, distancing themselves from Malvina's group. As Harry, Draco and Savannah joined them, a high-pitched voice piped up, "What can Dobby do for Draco Malfoy, sir? Oh, hello, Harry Potter, sir!"

As Draco asked Dobby to prepare some refreshments, particularly Dobby's specialty, the razzleberry tarts as promised, Michaela sat next to Savannah, looking at her in awe. "That was just brilliant, 'Vanna! You told them off the way I've wanted to all my life." Turning, she looked over at Harry, who was torn between anger and embarrassment. "And Harry, it was so wonderful to see someone stand up to those goons like that. You must be awfully strong to break loose like that!" She looked at him with starry eyes, and he groaned mentally, blushing slightly, while Draco smirked at him.

"Yes, Harry, you were so ..." Draco's teasing was cut off by the sudden appearance of Harry's wand pointing at him, aimed right between the eyes, and Harry's look, that said eloquently 'Drop it or pay'. Draco leaned back in his chair, raising his hands in surrender, and chuckled as the wand was slowly lowered. "Now that the excitement is over, and the treats are on the way, you did bring that manuscript from Darius, didn't you?" Draco had asked Harry about borrowing back his birthday gift in order to research a few things.

"Here," said Harry, passing it over. "Uh, Darius said that, if you need it back, he has finished reading it. Not that he doesn't appreciate the gift, mind you, but ..."

"I understand," Draco said after a moment. "Suppose we make points with Madame Pince and donate it to the library when I'm done with it. Think Darius would go for that?"

Harry smiled, relieved. "Sounds like something he'd go for. Is there anything particular you need from the Barabbas manuscript?" Harry and Draco continued discussing various things about the text, Draco explaining that he wanted to review some things from a Scanner's point of view, while Harry explained he'd be doing some research in healing references he had also brought along.

Neither noticed Malvina's sudden interest in their conversation. She moved to sit near enough to hear the conversation, and carefully glanced over to get a good look at the text Draco was reading, though she pretended to read Savannah's abandoned copy of Witch Weekly. When Dobby brought the refreshments, Malvina had an excuse to head over to the study area and get a better look ... it was the manuscript her father had told her to watch for. But how could she get hold of it, hide it, and arrange some way to pass it on?

Not realizing that Malvina had taken over his Hogwarts spying assignment, Draco spent the next hour or so paging through chapters he remembered. Then, he came across something he didn't recognize. "I would have sworn this had a chapter on Lost Magical Abilities, but I don't see it here." He was muttering, but both Harry (openly) and Malvina (carefully) paid attention. "Just some odd genealogy of the ... Merlin's Blood ... it's about the bloodlines of Klaatu! I know this wasn't here before. Look!"

Harry looked over at the page that Draco had turned in his direction. Then looked back at Draco in surprise. "Uh, Draco, the heading says 'Lost Magical Abilities - Ancient Secrets of the Ages'." Mentally, Harry continued. /* Let me see it through your eyes. Something very odd is going on. */ As Draco nodded, and Harry shifted his perceptions to see as the other wizard saw, the lines shifted, changed, the ink, even the handwriting changed. As Draco had said, the heading now said 'Concerning the Serpent's Blood and the Children of the Serpent Lord, Klaatu'. Harry mind-sent the changes he saw.

Draco nervously addressed the others. "When I look at it, it's about the Serpent's Children. What does it say to you, Savannah, Malvina?" Savannah read the same thing Harry had read aloud.

Malvina, just stared, then answered, "Me, too," and went back to the couches. But she had lied. She had seen what Draco had seen, but some instinct told her to keep that secret. Unsettled, she decided that she had learned enough for now, and went for a walk around the grounds to clear her head. It would be a very long day as she waited until she could use her mirror at midnight.

Meanwhile, both Harry and Draco instinctively realized this could be extremely important. Draco finally spoke aloud, since the others were curious as well, and he needed to make some excuses. "Strange. Well, it's probably something that's keyed to Malfoys." He made up the excuse on the spur of the moment. Most of the others would accept that, but he saw that Savannah's face was puzzled, probably realizing that such a charm wouldn't explain why Draco hadn't seen the hidden text before. "Let's go ask Snape about this," he continued. "He knew Father most of their lives. I bet he even knows how to let other people see it."

"Right, let's go," Harry agreed, but mentally sent, /* Savannah isn't buying it. I've seen that expression on Hermione's face. She'll let it go for now, but eventually, she's going to insist on a full explanation. */

/* *I* want an explanation ... now. Would you ask the headmaster to join us? I'm going to warn Severus that we're coming. */ Draco had become more pale than usual. Sensing that Harry didn't understand the importance of what had happened, he quickly sent all the memories he could collect concerning hidden texts, Klaatu and his bloodlines, including the belief among the Death Eaters that Voldemort was Klaatu-shah and what that implied. Then Harry paled.

As they hurried along the corridors to Snape's office, both so unsettled they forgot they could apparate there, Draco muttered, "Klaatu-mehr ... it can only mean that I'm Klaatu-mehr."

(to be continued)