Harry Potter and the Heir of Gryffindor

Chapter Fifteen: The Auror

"Is everyone all right?"

It was Professor Warwick's voice Harry heard through the pitch-blackness. In the next instant she murmured 'Lumos Totalus' and they were at once bathed in light. Harry found himself standing in a sort of cave dwelling, so small that Snape's head nearly grazed the ceiling. It looked as though at one time someone had lived there: a small cobwebbed cot was in the corner of the room, and on the other end laid a table and two chairs.

Harry's breathing was still a bit heavy, but he was calmed enough now to at least talk. "Where are we?"

"This," said Professor Warwick, "is my old hovel."

Ron raised his brow. "Your old hovel?"

"Weasley, Professor Warwick is an Auror."

Harry's mouth fell at Snape's words, and he stared at Professor Warwick in complete awe.

Ron was similarly surprised. "You're an Auror?"

"Was an Auror Severus, was an Auror," she said with a small hint of sadness in her voice, "But that was a long time ago."

"It doesn't matter," Ron was gushing, stepping closer to her, "that is the without a doubt the most bloody fantastic thing I've ever heard! An auror. . ."

"If ever my work called for me to stay here in the Caledonian Forest," she said, talking over Ron, "this would be my home for the duration."

"Y-you were here often, then?" Harry asked.

She nodded, "You could say that, yes. But look at me-- I'm being a terrible hostess. Please, have a seat everyone." She waved her wand and four chairs apparated. They sat down, Harry's legs feeling like they were ready to fall off, and then in their hands appeared a goblet of cool, crisp water. Harry gulped his down in one breath and sighed heavily.

"What were those things," asked Draco finally.

"Those," said Ariah, "were 'Syads.' They were the first of Voldemort's creatures to be banished after his demise, along with the Giants. Now that they have returned, what Morad said is confirmed. . ."

"The Liberation of Azkaban," Snape breathed. He looked tired--his black eyes staring straight ahead into nothingness and suddenly Harry wished he knew what was going through his mind.

"We're safe here for now," said Ariah, "but we can't stay here forever. We have to get you three back to Hogwarts. Now that . . . now that the worst has happened, it's the only place you'll be safe."

"You were an Auror," Ron breathed, obviously still not over it.

Ariah smiled. "Yes. I was. Let's see, we'll all need some place to sleep."

She waved her want and five sleeping bags appeared, but sleep was the last thing that Harry felt like doing. He was still shaken from what had just happened. . . his mind fixed upon those horrible, frightening images. That look on Sirius' face-- that agonizing scream that had splintered the night air. Harry had no idea what had happened to him. No way to know if . . . he'd survived.

Ron seemed to have guessed this is what Harry was thinking, because he picked that exact moment to place a much needed supportive hand on his shoulder. Thank Heaven Ron is here with me, Harry thought. And, he had to admit, there was an odd feeling of empowerment to know that they had an Auror with them. It was the sort of protection he always felt with Sirius around . . .

"My goodness," Ariah sighed. "I haven't been here for so many years-- it brings back memories, to be sure. I spent quite a lot of time here in this forest in particular. . ." there was a definite twinkle in her eye. "You remember, Severus?"

Snape cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably.

Ariah laughed, throwing her hair back. "I chased Severus throughout this entire forest for a week. I'd been given orders to track him down by Alastor Moody. Alastor apparently, er, forgot to tell me that Snape was no longer a Death Eater."

Snape growled. "Oh he thought that it was damn hilarious."

Ron and Harry tried desperately not to laugh, but when Draco let out a snigger, it was all over. They fell into stitches.

Ariah wiped a tear from her eye. "And--when I finally caught him, he had one hell of a time convincing me that I was mistaken!"

And then. . .

Snape.

Laughed.

Snape.

Smiled.

Not that twisted, sour, 'I'm-gonna-stab-you-in-your-back-once-you-turn-around' smile, but a real one. And his laugh was . . . soft! It was almost . . . gentle!

Ron and Harry threw a look at each other as if to say 'No Way.'

Snape became aware of the stunned look on their faces because he quickly calmed himself back down again and resumed his usual deadpan.

"So," said Ron, "then the two of you must know your way around this place all right."

"I should hope so," said Ariah. And then she stood up. "Right then. I want everyone to get as much sleep as possible. In the morning we set out on foot. The Caledonian used to be a Dark Forest, and I expect now that Azkaban has been liberated, they will return here. Many good creatures, like Morad, live here now. And I expect some will try to fight for it when Voldemort comes back. But I believe most will simply abandon it."

"But why will Voldemort and his supporters come here," pressed Harry.

"Because this happens to be the closest Forest to Azkaban."

Somehow, that didn't exactly give Harry much peace of mind.

He awoke when it was still dark, a terrible pain in his neck from his awkward sleeping position. Ariah was already awake, dressed and ready to go, as was Snape. They both looked as though they'd had very little sleep the night before. Ron and Draco were still sleeping soundly, curled up close to one another for warmth--oh, if only Harry had a camera . . .

Ariah and Snape were talking in hushed tones and then stopped abruptly when they saw Harry stand up.

"Please, don't mind me--carry on."

Of course they didn't.

Harry stared at Snape thoughtfully. "Why were you gone so long, Professor Snape?" He tried to sound as genuine as he could, but expected Snape to just cut him down as he always did. Snape, however, seemed to be different with Ariah around.

"I happen to know all the old paces where Death Eaters get together to chat and discuss their plans. I know people in places with inside information. . . anyway, Dumbledore thought it was a good idea for me to. . . research." He paused. "I knew they were planning this, but I didn't realize it was going to be so soon. I thought we'd have time to prepare."

"What else are they planning, Professor?"

Snape stared at Harry for the first time without that usual touch of malevolence.

"You know Voldemort doesn't forget. He wants to get rid of everyone who stands in his way. . . he's the same as before, only more. . ."

"More what?" Ariah prodded.

"More . . . powerful. The speed in which he liberated Azkaban? Unheard of! Even for him!"

Harry looked alarmed.

"Don't be afraid, Harry," said Ariah, "we're going to all be fine."

*

The unlikely quintet emerged back into the Forest and Harry was relieved to see it looked much less ominous in the light of day. In fact--the ancient trees besieged with moss and enormous ferns made it look quite beautiful!

"We have to get back to Hogwarts as quickly as possible," Ariah was saying as they walked beneath the hazy sunshine that peeked through the canopy of leaves overtop them. "Times like these I wish we could just apparate on school grounds."

"We should have caught the Night Bus last night," said Harry.

"The Night Bus? Out Here? A bit beyond their territory!" She shook her head. "No, we're going to have to get you to Orod. . ."

"Orod," Snape repeated. "Are you certain that's wise?"

"Of course."

"With the children?"

"You aren't scared are you, Severus?" She was smiling.

"Of course not."

"W-what's an Orod," Draco piped up.'

"Orod is a he, Draco. He's a Gryphon."

"A Gryphon?!?"

"Yes."

"B-but," said Draco, I thought that Gryphons--"

"all lies," she dismissed. But he can sense fear. I suspect he'll take kindly to Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley--you are Gryffindors after all. But Mr. Malfoy, well . . best just keep smiling."

Draco went white.

*

It truly felt as though they'd been walking all day and hadn't made any sort of progress. Everything around them looked the same, and if Harry wasn't so certain that Ariah and Snape knew where they were going, he would have said they'd been making circles all day. Harry, Ron and Draco had fallen behind in their pace, feet aching and patience waning.

"I think they're lost," said Draco angrily.

Ron was probably thinking the same thing, but he snapped at Malfoy, "You heard what they said, didn't you? They've spent a week here before-- they know where they're going."

"Yeah," said Harry, "and you'd better not start complaining, because it's your fault that we're even here to begin with."

"My fault? It was my fault that the faculty decided to let their students stay in a place they knew was covered with those things?"

"That isn't true! You heard what Morad said--Voldemort released them from banishment because Azkaban has been liberated!"

"I'm tellin' you, they should have known better than to send a class of students to a place like that. Need I remind you that I almost lost my life!"

Harry was visited with a flush of vivid images-- Sirius' face wrenched in pain as he wrestled with Draco's aggressor.

"Yes it is your fault," snapped Harry, "it was your idea to try and scare Neville with your stupid little prank and Ariah told me earlier today that Syads are blind to everything except sound and movement. She says we would have probably been fine if you hadn't turned the campsite into a riot!" Harry was getting emotional. "And now I've probably lost Sirius--"

Harry bit his tongue, but it was too late. Draco may have been dumb, but he wasn't exactly stupid. His eyes grew at the mention of that name, but Harry didn't care-- it was the truth! Ron didn't seem to care either.

"He's okay, Harry. Sirius is gonna be fine. He'll be waiting for you when we get back home."

Harry felt his throat tighten and he willed back the tears. Losing Sirius seemed unfathomable-- he'd just assumed that Sirius, so strong and protective, would just always be there.

"S-Sirius," Draco finally was able to choke out. "Y-you mean to say that Professor Gray is really Sirius B-Black?"

Ron scowled at Draco. "Yes, Malfoy. He also happens to be Harry's Godfather and I for one can't understand why he even bothered to save your life! He should have left you to the Syads! Better you than him!"

"Ron," said Harry sternly, "shut-up, mate."

Draco was speechless. Ron was visibly angry, but he respected Harry enough to bite his tongue. He frowned at Draco and brushed past him, walking ahead.

Silence.

Finally Draco was able to formulate his words. "But. . . h-how can Sirius Black be your godfather when he's the one who had your parents killed?"

"Your father knows the story," said Harry bitterly. "All the death-eaters do. Why not ask him?"

Draco stared at Harry with an expression that was unable to decipher-- was it anger? Was it shock? What was it?

From up ahead, Ariah turned abruptly, grinning. "Children! Come, see! Isn't it beautiful?"

The three trotted to join her and Snape who were standing at what turned out to be the edge of a cliff. The ravine below them was deep and one couldn't see where the ground began due to the infinite mass of trees that canopied it. But what you could see were fantastic shots of light: bright blues, purples, brilliant lavenders, pinks-- the entire spectrum-- glowing from underneath the branches and leaves.

It was the most astounding sign any of them had ever beheld.

"Where are we," Ron whispered.

Ariah's voice was ecstatic. "It's The Cove."

"The cove?" Draco repeated.

"The Forest Fairies," said Snape calmly. "They live there."

"A-are were going down there?" Harry asked.

"Of course. We have to-- it's the only way to get to the other side of the forest."

And of course, there was the inevitable question:

"How?"

"Oh, let's see. . . Severus, do you remember where-" Ariah was inspecting a nearby tree with utmost intensity. "I can't remember which one it is . . ."

Snape seemed to understand exactly what she was doing. "No, I do believe it's this one here," he said, pointing to a white birch tree next to him.

"Ah! You're right of course, Severus, as usual."

She pressed her palm against one of the knots in the trunk, the same way she had the previous night with the rock. Only the tree didn't split open. Before Harry's eyes, something was appearing along the edge of the cliff! It took a moment for his eyes to focus on what he was seeing: stone steps had appeared out of nowhere, the steps levitating in mid air, leading down to the ravine floor.

Harry didn't exactly like the look of it.

Apparently neither did Ron. "We're not walking down on those, are we?"

"Come on," said Ariah happily, putting her foot onto the first step.

"B-but," he protested as Snape ushered them along. "Is it just me, or does that look completely unsafe?"

"I was thinking it looked more like suicide," said Draco.

"For the first time in our lives, I think we're all in agreement," said Harry gravely.

To Harry's relief, the steps felt completely solid and sturdy-but the endless depths below them kept him in a panic nonetheless.

The further they descended into the ravine, the more the temperature rose and the air seemed to sweeten. Their skin was bathed in lights of all colors emanating for something that looked like a cross between a bee hive and Muggle Chinese lanterns: they were large and round and hung in the air beneath and around the branches in the trees. They were all shades of any color imaginable and they were positively everywhere!

"It's a city," said Ariah as they reached the last of the steps. "The forest fairies all live here in The Cove--it's an incredible society they've created, actually. Such organization you've never seen the like of."

Harry saw wisps of bright gold and silver streaming to and fro quite frequently.

"Are those---"

"Yes, those are the fairies. When they're flying at full speed, that's all that the human eye can see of them-the bright gold ones are from the wings of the males, the silver from the females."

They reached the bottom step, and nearly immediately the steps disappeared once again.

"State your names and business, please."

Harry looked up to see a fairy hovering before Ariah and Snape.

It was a male, probably between six and eight inches in length, his wings fluttering furiously behind him, glowing bright gold. Harry had never seen a fairy in person and the drawings of them he had seen really didn't do them justice. Their miniature form was entirely human: the male fairy's body perfectly proportioned-with subtle differences. His nose was long and nearly pointed, ears pointed, eyes considerably larger than any human's eyes could be. He was actually dressed in what appeared to be a uniform of sorts, giving Harry the impression he was a city official.

Ariah nodded her head respectfully, as did Snape. "Ariah Warwick, Severus Snape. Professors. These with us are our students. We are simply passing through on foot."

The official stared at her, unconvinced. "Then you are not here to see anyone?"

"No, Sir."

"You have not obtained a Visitors' Pass?"

"No, Sir."

"You are aware that a law was passed at the Fairie-Sorceric Summit last year forbidding entrance to all humans who do not possess a pass?"

"Yes, we are certainly aware of that. However we did not realize this trip would be necessary until last night."

"You understand I am simply following my orders Madame Ariah, but I cannot admit you into The Cove until you obtain a pass."

"Is Fehr Gossamer in? I should like to have a word with her, please."

The official stiffened. "Gossamer? You have an acquaintance with Amalda Gossamer?"

"I knew her many years ago."

The official grimaced, and then bowed. "Ananti," he said and then sped away.

"Ananti?" Harry whispered after he'd left.

"Yes--fairietalk. It means 'one moment.'"

"Who is Fehr?" he asked.

"Fehr is a fairietalk title for a mayor. Amalda Gossamer was the Mayor last time I was here and she and I developed a bond."

"Most unusual," said Severus, "for most fairies are taught from infancy to not trust or befriend humans. They find us dangerous."

Ariah made a low sigh. "And they are correct, unfortunately."

A silver streak shot at them and then, before them, hovered a very old looking faerie, her shining silver wings making her skin itself to appear silver. She held up a wrinkled hand to her face.

"But it can't be Ariah Warwick!"

Ariah bowed. "Fehr Gossamer! It's been much too long!"

"Indeed! As I am no longer the Fehr! Ah, but it is good to hear it once again!" She turned to the official. "These shall be my guests."

"Of course, Amalda," he said bowing.

The wide-eyed group followed Amalda as she led them down what they supposed was a main thoroughfare of sorts. The beehive-like constructions multiplied the further they walked.

"Hey," said Ron, nudging Harry's arm. "They're stores! Look, the fairies are shopping!"

He was right: many of the 'buildings' had store signs written in a language Harry had never seen, and fairies fluttered in and out carrying large netted bags slung over their shoulders. There were clusters of fairies strolling along, appearing to be chatting happily, others zoomed by in an obvious rush-all of them taking a double-take at the human forms that were walking by.

Harry most definitely felt out of place.

Amalda stopped them at the entrance to her home-it was decidedly larger than the rest-and glowed a pale, periwinkle blue.

"You have been walking all day? You must be tired."

"You can say that again," Draco murmured.

"Won't you come in?"

Ariah and Snape seemed to find this invitation completely normal and agreed.

Harry, Ron and Draco stared at each other: how could they step inside a fairie's house?

Ariah turned to the children, smiling. "I take it none of you have ever done this before? It's quite painless, don't worry." She raised her wand and pointed it at them.

"Wait," said Ron, "What are you going to-"

"Abeo!" Harry's stomach plunged, almost like he'd jumped off a very high cliff. Everything around him blurred and he was sure that he was falling! And just when he thought he was going to be sick from the velocity of it all, it stopped. He was kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily, as was Ron and Draco.

"Ron!" Harry cried, "You okay? What was that?"

"I don't know," said Ron, getting to his feet. "But I think I'm gonna bloody be sick."

"Looks like Draco already is," said Ron, pointing to Draco, who was turned away, throwing-up.

"Ah, yes, well that can happen sometimes," said Ariah, smiling. "He'll be fine in a minute."

"Ready?" Asked Amalda--

But Amalda was the same height as Ariah! Her face was life-sized, as were her hands now reaching out for Ariah's. Snape turned to the boys and said with a stern face, "Come now, let's go."

"P-Professor Snape! How did Amalda get to be-"

"It's not her, Potter, it's us. Now, give me your hand and let's go."

Harry was utterly confused.

Until he looked up.

Amalda's home loomed some twenty feet above them, a grand, magnificent, enormous home. In fact. . . the entire world seemed to stretch up for an eternity.

"Bloody hell," said Ron beside them. "We've. . . we've been. . ."

"Shrunk," Draco finished, weakly.