Harry Potter and the Orb of Power

Chapter 25: Voices of Madness

    It was impossible for the students at Hogwarts to not feel the Christmas spirit; the entire castle was decorated for the holidays. Boughs of holly were decked along the halls, mistletoe was hung randomly from the ceiling, and Christmas trees were so common it was as if Hogwarts was built around an evergreen forest. Harry secretly wished he was staying at Hogwarts for Christmas. The castle was so cheery, it seemed as if everyone was infected with the holiday spirit except the teachers of Hogwarts. Facing the threat of Lucius Malfoy, the teachers were feeling particularly harassed and upset. Mrs. Figg and Snape had sunk to new lows of maliciousness. The pair of them had assigned a large amount of homework over the Christmas holidays. Harry was wondering how he was going to finish it when he saw Neville packing some clothes in his trunk. Harry shook his head, and began to pack.

    Harry, Ginny, and Neville were spending Christmas at St. Mungo's Hospital, and it wasn't likely to be a cheerful visit. Neville's parents were in danger of losing their hospital room and being locked up. That was the last thing that they needed, and the last thing that Neville needed. Yet as Harry packed his things, he couldn't help but feel unprepared, and a bit in over his head. What good could Ginny and he do to help Neville? Harry finished packing, but Neville was fussing over his trunk.

    "I don't know if I brought everything that I need to, I probably forgot something," Neville rambled, rifling through everything and looking panicked. "What if I forget something and I don't remember until later? That will make me look foolish in front of the review board!"

    "Neville, just relax. Take your time and go through everything," Harry said soothingly, but his words had absolutely no effect.

    "I can't calm down, you know what's going to happen, my parents will be locked up and they won't ever get better and I'll never see them again!" Neville shouted, his voice becoming higher with panic. Harry started to get nervous, if Neville acted like this in front of the disciplinary committee, then they had no chance of securing visitations for Neville.

    "I know you're panicked, but you need to relax in order to get everything done right!" Harry said. "Listen, leave your things alone, and come back to it later. That way, you'll be calmer and you'll have a fresh look at things."

    "That's...that's a good idea," Neville whispered. "I was in such a hurry this morning I forgot to eat breakfast!" And with that, Neville hurried out of the dormitories, almost knocking over Ron as he entered.

    "There's a calm one," Ron said sarcastically. Harry shook his head, and Ron's smile evaporated. "You sure you should be going with him? It sounds like it's a personal thing for him."

    "I'm sure. He needs the support," Harry said, closing his trunk.    

    "What happened to his parents, anyways?" Ron asked, with a curious look on his face.

    "Neville didn't tell me," Harry responded, which was the truth. Neville didn't tell him, and that was the only way Harry could respond without lying to Ron about Neville's parents.

    "Oh. Well, Hermione's waiting for us to go visit Hagrid before the holidays," Ron said, mercifully dropping the subject.

    "Wait, isn't Hagrid going to be here?" Harry asked, walking with Ron down the dormitory steps.

    "Nah. He's going away again. On his secret mission, most likely," Ron added meaningfully.

    "I completely forgot about that!" Harry said, surprised. He had forgotten all about Hagrid's summer mission, and hadn't thought to ask him about it.

    "Me too, but lucky for us, Hermione remembered. You know how she is, doesn't miss a trick," Ron said.

    "Speaking of which," Harry said, stopping Ron before the entered the Common Room. "Why the sudden change of attitude towards Hermione?" Ron's face blushed scarlet.

    "What...what do you mean?"

    "Ron. One minute you two won't exchange a glance, and the next you're best friends again. So what caused the sudden change?"

    "I felt that all me and Hermione needed was a good talk," Ron said, not catching Harry's eye. "So I talked to her." Harry could tell Ron was leaving something out, but he didn't feel like pressing the matter. The two of them entered the Common Room, and saw Hermione, waiting impatiently at the portrait hole.

    "What took you two so long!" Hermione hissed. Ron merely rolled his eyes, and Harry shrugged. "We don't have ages, we need to ask Hagrid about his mission before he goes!" The three of them swept out of the Gryffindor Common Room and practically ran to Hagrid's hut. They crossed the snow covered grounds rather slowly, even with Hermione using her portable flames that she usually carried with her. They finally reached Hagrid's hut, and the three of them knocked on the door as loud as possible. "Hagrid, we know you're in there!" Hermione shouted, banging on the door. The three of them knew Hagrid was still trying to ignore them, but he couldn't possibly ignore them now.

    "All righ', all righ', hold yer horses," Hagrid grumbled from within the house, and let the three of them in.

    "It's bloody freezing out and you expect us to wait outside?" Ron demanded, rushing right next to the fire to warm up.

    "I jus' don' want yer ter ask any questions. Ruddy nosy, yeh are," Hagrid said, but his eyes twinkled happily.

    "We were just coming down to wish you a Happy Christmas before you go away," Harry said, feigning offense.

    "Righ'" Hagrid said, his eyebrows raised in suspicion. "Well, I'll be leavin' in a momen', so Happy Christmas ter you lot," Hagrid said quickly. He picked up a traveling case.

    "So, where are you going for the holidays?" Ron asked innocently, giving Hagrid a beaming smile.

    "Ter the palace of Beauxbatons," Hagrid said jerkily, his eyes rolling from each of the three of them.

    "To see Madame Maxime?" Hermione asked encouragingly. "How has she been?"

    "Oh, she's been fine," Hagrid said conversationally, warming up to the topic. "She was mighty excited ter join the Order of the Phoenix of course," Hagrid said, and then stopped suddenly. Harry cast an excited look at Hermione, while Ron started sniggering.

    "So what's the Order of the Phoenix?" Harry asked, while Ron gave Hermione the thumbs up behind Hagrid's back.

    "Ruddy knew I shouldn' have said anythin'. I can't tell you lot anythin', Dumbledore's orders. Doesn' want yer ter be meddlin'. ‘Specially you, Harry," Hagrid added meaningfully.

    "Why me?" Harry asked innocently, but his mind started rolling very quickly. Of course, Voldemort was trying to hunt him down, he had been since he lost his powers the night he tried to kill Harry. But Harry had escaped him just this year, surely Voldemort had abandoned that plan and was focusing more on the Orb of Power. Why shouldn't Harry know about the Orb? Hagrid opened the door and let the three of them out.

    "Now listen ter me, and listen well," Hagrid said, his eyebrows raised. "I know you lot fancy yerselves detectives, but this is not the time ter be snoopin' around. Yeh've been through a lot for yer age, but this time, we're all in over our heads."

    "Right, Hagrid," Harry said, his spirits dropping. He didn't want to upset Hagrid, but he felt useless just standing around. "Any news about Sirius?" Harry asked, knowing Hagrid would never tell him. Hagrid's eyes flashed for a moment, and a face of sympathy emerged from the stern face that Hagrid was just making.

    "I'm sorry Harry..." Hagrid started to say. Harry felt his skin grow cold. "But we haven' had contact with him since Diagon Alley." Hagrid clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder, pulled up his jacket against the cold, and then trudged away towards Hogsmeade. Harry turned to Hermione and Ron, who both had ghastly looks on their faces. Neither one of them knew what to say.

    "I, um, better get ready to go, Neville and Ginny will be expecting me," Harry said awkwardly. Ron nodded too enthusiastically, and smiled awkwardly.

    "Take care, mate, see you after Christmas to give you your presents," he said. Hermione walked up to Harry, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Harry's face turned red, and he looked down to hide it.

    "Be safe, Harry. Take care," Hermione said, trying to make eye contact. Harry looked up, and his eyes met hers, and he felt his stomach lurch as if he was falling.

    "Bye guys, don't have too much fun without me," Harry said quickly, not taking his eyes off of Hermione, and then walked away quickly. As he approached the castle, he saw Ginny and Neville waiting at the castle gates. They waved, and Harry, after a quick glance back at Hermione, waved back.

*****

    Harry, after retrieving his trunk from the dormitory, met up with Ginny and Neville at the castle gates. He was surprised to see the Ravenclaw girl, Luna Lovegood, talking to the both of them.

    "Remember, Ginny, my father says the Knight Bus is infected with Blurgoths and Red-Rounded Ruffleys, so be extra careful," Luna was saying with her wide eyes turning to look at Harry.

    "Thanks, Luna, I'll remember that," Ginny said, catching Harry's eye. Harry tried very hard to stifle a laugh.

    "How are you doing, Harry?" Luna asked, her pale saucers focused on his eyes.

    "Fine, just fine, Luna," Harry responded with a grin.

    "And where is Ronald? I wanted to ask him about his freckles, he might have been bitten by a Freckled Flounder," Luna said, her eyes, although seemingly impossible, growing even wider than before.

    "Erm, he's with Hermione, outside," Harry stammered, wondering if there was even such a thing as a Freckled Flounder.

    "Oh...he's with Hermione," Luna started to say. "That's good, maybe she can help. I'd better get to him fast, because after awhile, the freckles turn into warts!" And with that, Luna hurried off into the bitter cold, leaving Neville, Harry, and Ginny staring wordlessly at her.

    "Is she...right? In the head I mean," Harry asked Ginny.

    "She's just a bit eccentric," Ginny said dismissively. "Ok, Professor McGonagall told us that we have to meet the Knight Bus at Hogsmeade. She also said that we have to await a teacher here, to escort us to the town," Ginny said. I hope it's not...Harry thought, but much to his horror, Professor Figg appeared and was clutching a carrying bag of her own.

    "Good, you're all on time," Mrs. Figg said huffily, casting a rather critical eye on Harry. Harry gave a miserable look towards Ginny, who only shrugged. "I'll be escorting you to St. Mungo's, as I have need of the Knight Bus as well," Mrs. Figg explained, her voice containing an obvious hint of impatience. "Very well, now, let's not flounder. Locomotor Trunks!" The trunks levitated, and followed them easily into the snow.

    The wind bit hard at their faces, leaving them stinging and red. Mrs. Figg seemed not to worry about the weather, and when they finally arrived at Hogsmeade, Mrs. Figg would not let them stop to get something to eat or drink. She held out her wand hand, and with a loud bang, the violently purple Knight Bus appeared. Unlike during the summer, the hag was not driving, but Ernie Prang, the man Harry met in his third year. Harry then saw the familiar face of Stan Shunpike opening the door of the Knight Bus.

    "Welcome to the Knight Bus," Stan began importantly. "Emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard, hey, it's Neville!" Stan shouted to Ernie, pointing straight at Harry. "Hullo, Neville!" Neville turned to look at Harry, a horribly confused look was plastered on his face. Harry wasn't sure whether to laugh or be nervous. Back in his third year, he had pretended to be Neville Longbottom. "‘Choo doin' here, Neville?" Before Harry could answer, Mrs. Figg swept by him and stared at Stan Shunpike. She seemed to tower over him, and Harry saw fright in Stan's eyes.

    "We'll be going to St. Mungo's," Mrs. Figg said quickly. "And no stops in between." Mrs. Figg dropped an enormous amount of gold into Stan's hands. Harry looked at Ginny and Neville, who didn't notice anything odd, as they were in deep conversation. Yet Harry saw. Why no stops? Was Mrs. Figg afraid of anyone hijacking the Knight Bus? Or did she have some other purpose? Harry watched Mrs. Figg limp onto the bus, and followed, giving an apologetic look at Stan, who seemed to have withered under Mrs. Figg's murderous glare. Ginny and Neville followed suit. As they sat down on the nearest bed, a loud bang echoed in their ears, and the Knight Bus shot off, rocketing towards London.

*****

    "Are you sure this is it?" Harry asked, looking at a decrepit looking building in the middle of London. There were no windows, only square holes in the brick building. The front door was hanging off of its hinges, and the front of the building had vines crawling all over it. Harry cast a dubious look at Ginny, who merely shrugged. Neville, however, was very familiar with the surroundings, and was already heading for the main door. Harry gave a nervous glance back at Mrs. Figg who was walking towards Harry.

    "You aren't staying, are you, Professor?" Harry asked nervously, but Mrs. Figg merely rolled her eyes.

    "No, Mr. Potter, I'm being denied that pleasure," Mrs. Figg spat, and she gave Harry a rather serious look. "I needn't remind you that you will be watched, as you are very important to some people that I know." Mrs. Figg was trying to indicate that she was not one of them, and Harry got the hint.

    "You mean the Order of the Phoenix?" Harry said gingerly, trying to hold back a victorious smile. Much to his surprise, Mrs. Figg merely rolled her eyes.

    "So you're not as dumb as I thought. Hagrid is, of course, but that's hardly a surprise that he told you. Just remember to keep your head, and do not use the Shadow Jinx, not in any circumstance. I showed it to you so you know how, but this is not the time to use it," Mrs. Figg's eyes bored into Harry's, and Harry had to refrain from taking a step back. Her blue eyes were cold and yet very fierce. "Take care." And with that, she Disapparated. Harry looked back at Ginny, who was waiting impatiently at the steps with Neville.

    "Let's go, Harry! Wait...I thought she said she needed to use the Knight Bus" Ginny said, eyeing the place Mrs. Figg last stood

    "Probably just her flimsy excuse to follow us here," Harry sighed, and took another nervous glance at the decayed building in front of them. "Not a good spot for a hospital." Harry cringed at the dust swirling in the air, and he stepped through the front door. Suddenly, he was hit with the fact that he was not very familiar with the magical world.

    The halls that appeared before him were not decayed and ruinous, but purely white and as clean as a whistle. The floors were checkered white and black, and the halls were decked with portraits of former heads of the hospital. Harry saw Neville walk straight up to the reception desk and started to talk to the nurse who was stationed there. As they talked, Harry and Ginny looked around, wondering at the different things posted on the walls. They saw patients with very odd abnormalities; one man had a hand coming out of his stomach that was attempting to strangle him. A witch was floating upside down, her face purple from the blood rush. Harry had to refrain from laughing when a man seemed to have switched his feet and his hands. He tried to catch Ginny's eye, but she was staring at something posted on the wall. Harry walked up beside her and saw what she was staring at. There was a portrait of Lucius Malfoy on the wall, and under it read a sign: Lucius Malfoy, benefactor of St. Mungo's.

    "Looks like someone wants to keep tabs on the hospital," Ginny said in an undertone. Harry nodded, knowing that Ginny probably kept up with the current events with Voldemort through her parents or Ron, and possibly Hermione.

    "Be careful, we don't know who is in Malfoy's pocket," Harry muttered. Neville came ambling back towards them, his face as white as a ghost.

    "The meeting's tonight at six thirty. We can't visit my parents until six, so we have to wait in the reception area. Harry looked at his new watch that Sirius gave him and saw that it was only one.

     "All right, I'm sure we can get some of that homework done during the time." Harry kept a cheerful look, and followed Neville towards the waiting room.

    Over the next few hours, Harry finished the essays that Mrs. Figg assigned, as well as the work that Hagrid assigned for Care of Magical Creatures. He still had some practical work to do, but for the most part, he was quite ahead in his homework. He wondered idly if Hermione had done any of her work yet, and almost laughed out loud thinking of Hermione furiously bent over her essay on the effects of the Nightshade Potion that Snape had assigned. Harry shook his head and rubbed his eyes. He saw Ginny almost nodding off into sleep, while Neville was looking over the letter he got from the St. Mungo's review board. Harry wondered how he could help Neville, but decided that it was best to leave him alone for a little bit. Harry stood up, grabbed a pamphlet on the history of St. Mungo's, and began to idly read.

        St. Mungo's was formed one thousand years ago by

        the world's leading expert on healing and medicinal

        magic. Once used as a fortress during the Dark

        Ages, the fortress was adapted to the healing and

        recovery of wounded soldiers. Since then, St. Mungo's

        has led the world in magical discoveries, and has

        developed some of the most intricate and successful

        healing operations to date.

    Harry set the pamphlet down, and saw that someone had left the Daily Prophet on the seat next to him. Harry glanced at it and saw a peculiar headline: New Headmistress Appointed to Durmstrang Institution of Magic. Harry looked up and saw Ginny talking to Neville about getting something to drink. Neville shook his head, and Ginny looked at Harry.

    "Some water?" Harry asked. Ginny nodded, and walked down the hall. Harry picked up the newspaper, and began to read.

             New Headmistress Appointed to Durmstrang

                    Institution of Magic

    In a surprise announcement from Percy Weasley, the new head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, a new headmistress has been chosen for the Durmstrang Institution of Magic. Darla Alygma has been appointed the new headmistress of Durmstrang. The decision came after several conferences with the head of the ministry in the Durmstrang location as well as Minister of Magic here in Britain, Cornelius Fudge, and the aforementioned Percy Weasley.

    Durmstrang was left without a headmaster when former head Igor Karkaroff disappeared mysteriously after the events of the Triwizard Tournament. Since then, the school has gone through several temporary heads, only to be without a permanent leader in the position. "We had nearly given up all hope," Percy Weasley said in his comment issued from his office in the Ministry of Magic. "You can imagine the relief we here at the Ministry and the officials at Durmstrang are feeling."

    The Ministry has long held an interest in the fate of the Durmstrang institution since the ill-fated Triwizard Tournament, which resulted in the death of seventh year Hogwarts student Cedric Diggory and the unmasking of the freed prisoner Bartemius Crouch Jr., who had been presumed dead. Since the tragic events, the Ministry has been keen to avoid any more hoodwinks and mishaps when it comes to the appointment of new officials. "You can imagine the severity of a situation where someone is posing as another at the level of headmaster at a school," Percy continued. "Especially in present conditions."

    Indeed, the present standoff between Professor Albus Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic over the fate of You-Know-Who has been the focus of attention around Europe. With the situation continuing to separate wizarding families, a line has been drawn, and the Ministry is very keen on keeping as many people together as possible. "Despite Professor Dumbledore's insistence on spreading discord among the wizarding world, the Ministry has been working tirelessly to ensure that the unity that has been established since the downfall of You-Know-Who be preserved," Percy Weasley commented. Minister Fudge could not be reached for comment.

    Harry finished reading, and crumpled up the newspaper. While the story should have been about this new headmistress, they had turned it into a pro-Ministry propaganda piece. Harry scowled and looked at his watch. It was six o'clock, and it was time to visit Neville's parents. Neville stood up too, and when Ginny had returned from getting something to drink, the three of them entered into the Longbottom's ward. Harry put his trunk aside and watched Neville walk over to his parents. Harry and Ginny hung back, and waited for Neville to greet his parents. Neville retrieved them from behind a curtain, and Ginny let out a soft scream, and clapped her hand to her mouth. Harry put a hand on her shoulder, and his jaw was firmly set.

    Mrs. Longbottom was the first to come around the curtain. She looked very much like Neville; she had the same plump face and the same color skin. She was smiling oddly, as if she couldn't stop smiling. She looked at Neville, who was guiding her by the hand.

    "You know, you remind me of someone," she said, her voice sweet and kind. Tears welled up in Ginny's eyes. Neville looked at the ground and mumbled an introduction.

    "Mum, this is Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley." Mrs. Longbottom looked at the two of them and smiled politely.

    "Hullo. The cake should be ready soon, it's taking dreadfully long to rise," she said sweetly, attempting to shuffle around the curtain again. Neville grabbed her hand, and coaxed her into sitting down.

    "Well, I guess a little rest should do. I don't feel like I need a rest, and really, the cake needs a bit of attention." Neville rubbed his eyes, and his father came from around the curtain. Neville's father didn't look as much like Neville, but he had the same eyes.

    "I can't remember where I put my badge, I need it go get ready for work," Mr. Longbottom said warmly. He had a look of forgetfulness that Harry saw quite often in Neville. His hair was patched and grey, and was falling out in odd places. The both of Neville's parents looked prematurely old, and had tragic smiles plastered on their faces. Harry felt a sadness well up inside of him that he hadn't felt since Cedric. Neville's parents sat down on their beds, and were talking to each other as if they were strangers.

    "I've been appointed to be the guardian of knowledge," Mr. Longbottom was saying. "Of course, the job doesn't pay well, but I get these lovely living quarters." Neville sighed and tried to talk to both of them, but he couldn't get them to recognize him.

    Harry felt a surge of anger well up inside of him that he hadn't felt in a long time. It spread through him, his blood boiling. Whoever did this was sick, and twisted. Neville was left without parents, and to have them in front of him and yet not have them was probably tearing his mind apart. Who had done this to them? Harry thought back to the Pensieve, and one name rang through his head. Lestrange. The Lestranges did this to Neville's parents. And yet, this all could be traced back to Voldemort. Voldemort did this to Neville's parents. Harry shook his head, and saw Neville opening his trunk.

    "Mom? Dad? It's almost Christmas. I won't be here on Christmas, so I want to give you your Christmas presents," Neville said. Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom stared at him curiously. He first took out a small yellow wrapped box and handed it to his mother. She unwrapped it quickly, and pulled out a small ballerina figurine. Neville winded it up and it played a soothing, twinkling music as the figurine danced in a circle. "It was your favorite song," Neville said, his eyes filling with tears. Ginny wiped her eyes, tears flowing freely now. Neville's mother looked curiously at the ballerina as it danced to the music, the twinkling eerily floating throughout the room.

    "It's beautiful! It reminds me of when I was a little girl," Neville's mother whispered, entranced by the dancing ballerina. The figure in a pink robe gave a small leap, and shimmers of yellow sparkles shot out of the ballerina's hands, and the dance was over. Neville's mother was already winding it up again to play.

     Neville then gave a red wrapped gift to his father, who unwrapped it, and pulled out what seemed like a clear glass ball. "That's a Thought Bubble. You always said you wanted one, at least that's what Gram said. It's for showing someone what you're thinking if you don't have the right words." Harry looked as Mr. Longbottom stared at it, and the clear ball filled with a grey smoke, and then turned into a portrait of the Longbottoms all together, a happy family. Neville had tears flowing freely as he looked at the Thought Bubble, and listened to the twinkling music coming from the ballerina. Harry leaned over so that he could whisper to Ginny.

    "Splendid!" Neville's father shouted. "It'll help me greatly with my quest for knowledge!" The Bubble swirled with grey smoke again, and it turned the picture of the family twisted and turned into a golden chain, with a small crystal bubble at the end of it. "Ah, that's my charge. That's the knowledge that I guard," Neville's father explained to Neville. "Of course, when I have a son, he'll guard it too when I'm gone." Neville wiped his eyes, seemingly embarrassed that he had cried in the first place. Harry saw his eyes flicker towards Harry and Ginny, and he nodded.

    "We should probably leave them to it," his hushed voice whispered. Ginny nodded, wiped some more tears from her eyes, and walked with him towards the door. Harry looked back, and heard Mrs. Longbottom speaking.

    "Thank you for this, but I wish I knew why we deserved such gifts from a stranger." Harry shook his head, and opened the door. A wizard in a white robe stood before him, looking surprised that someone opened the door.

    "Oh, hullo. Are you Neville Longbottom?" the wizard said in a pleasant, reassuring voice.

    "Um...no, I'm just a friend, visiting with him," Harry said slowly, turning to look at Neville, who was now staring at them.

    "Oh. Well, I'm Dr. Henry Hageshough, and I've come to talk to Neville about his parents. It's almost six thirty, and the meeting should be beginning soon." Harry looked at Neville, who had gone pale in the face.

    "But it's not six thirty yet," he said in a high pitched voice. He looked, panicked, at Harry and Ginny.

    "Yes, but as it's almost Christmas, the review board, would like to go home early," Dr. Hageshough said, with a frown on his face. "Most regrettable, but we can't delay it."

    "But I haven't even gotten to talk to my parents!" Neville shouted, his voice becoming more and more panicked. Harry and Ginny looked angrily at Dr. Hageshough.

     "I'm sorry, Mr. Longbottom, but it's time for the meeting." And with that, Dr. Hageshough left the ward, indicating that Neville should follow.