Harry Potter and the Orb of Power

Chapter 27: A Quiet Christmas

    "Drink this up, you'll feel better," Madame Pomfrey said sharply as she stood over Harry. She was waving a nasty smelling potion in his face, but he didn't feel like drinking. In fact, if he did, he was going to throw up. He felt a burning in his stomach, he was completely nauseous, and his head was pounding.

    "I don't want it," Harry spat back, much to the surprise of Madame Pomfrey. She looked as if she was about to respond harshly, but she held back her tongue, probably because of what Harry had seen that night. Harry found he didn't care. His head was only filled with the falling bodies of Neville's parents, people killed over a mere trinket. They were good people, Harry knew this; they fought for good, they protected an object that would have restored Lord Voldemort. And they did it at the loss of their lives, the loss of their son. They were tortured, kept insane, all because of Voldemort. Harry felt hate surge through him; it coursed through his veins, it filled his mind and made his eyes burn with such intensity. He heard Voldemort's laugh in his head, echoing in his conscious mind, it seemed to fill the room. There was suddenly a crashing sound, and the goblet that Madame Pomfrey was waving cracked, and the potion showered out. Her eyes flew open in surprise, and looked at Harry with a mixture of anger and shock.

    "I would attempt to control yourself a bit harder than that, Harry," a familiar voice floated in from the door. Harry turned and saw the familiar, weary face of Albus Dumbledore. Harry looked at him, and found, once again, that he was not comforted by his presence. Dumbledore looked even more tired than before, as if he was falling apart at the seams. There was no twinkle in his blue eyes, only a small flicker of life that seemed to be hanging on by one spark. Harry looked away; he couldn't bear to look at Dumbledore in such a moment of weakness. He saw Ginny, who was sleeping peacefully; he saw Neville, who had to be forced to drink potion to get him to rest. And he saw Madame Pomfrey whispering to Professor Dumbledore, trying to get him to leave. He looked like he was apologizing to her, and eventually Madame Pomfrey gave up her protests and walked away, filling up a new goblet with potion. Harry was determined not to drink any, while Professor Dumbledore sat down in a chair next to Harry's bed.

    "Harry," Professor Dumbledore began, gazing at Harry over his half-moon spectacles and giving Harry a piercing look. Harry tried to avoid Dumbledore's gaze, but it was hard to avoid. "I have but one question for you." Harry gave Dumbledore a questioning look, but dared not speak out.

"Is it safe?"

    Harry was thrown by the question, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer. He wasn't sure how Dumbledore knew about the Orb, and as he looked as weary as ever; Harry wasn't quite sure he wanted Dumbledore to know about it.

    "Come now, Harry, it's quite alright," Dumbledore said with a smile. "I merely asked, because it's hanging from the chain around your neck." Harry felt the golden chain. He was about to take it off and hand it to Dumbledore, but Dumbledore shook his head. " I should not take it."

    "Why?" Harry asked, before he could even stop himself. Dumbledore smiled, but he held up his hands.

    "Everything will be explained in time, but you must content yourself with the knowledge that you cannot let anyone else touch the Orb. Now is not the time for explanation, but for telling me what happened tonight." And so, as Harry had done after Voldemort's return, and after the attack on Diagon Alley, he had told Dumbledore everything that happened, from the Longbottoms to Malagar to the frightening appearance of the mysterious witch. When he had finished, the lonely spark that existed in Dumbledore's eyes twinkled once more, and life seemed to be breathed back into him once again. He was deep in thought, and while Harry wanted to know more, he could only let Dumbledore think. After a few minutes of silence, Harry looked at him questioningly.

    "Who is she, Professor?" Harry asked, breaking Dumbledore's concentration.

    "As to that, Harry, I can only guess. She seems to be a power quite separate from the two sides in the conflict," Dumbledore said slowly, as if he was working out something in his head as he spoke.

    "Separate?" Harry asked, confused.

    "Independent, rather, from the main forces," Dumbledore said, with an extremely thoughtful look on his face.

    "I don't understand," Harry said, confused. How could someone be independent from the struggle? Wasn't there only two sides of the conflict?

    "Unfortunately, Harry, there aren't always just two sides to a struggle," Dumbledore said with a sigh. "It is never clear cut, nor is it black and white. There is always a grey area, the lines between two forces are blurred. Many, like Fudge, are in the grey area. They have not chosen a side, and their actions while remaining undecided contribute to both good and evil. There are those that are evil, but do not become Death Eaters, and there are those that are good, that will not join the forces of good."

    "So this witch is on our side but not joining us?" Harry asked slowly, trying to work it out in his head.

    "Perhaps, Harry, but again, we can't be sure. But for now, it appears as if you have a friendly ally, no matter how unclear her motives are." Dumbledore fell into silence again, allowing Harry's head to fill with questions.

    "Who is Malagar, sir?" Harry asked. Dumbledore looked up, and his eyes narrowed.

    "I cannot tell you her full story, for it is both tragic and evil. But content yourself in knowing that she is both free of and enslaved by the Slytherin line. For you see, she, like Voldemort, has lost her powers, and she is ever striving to get her powers back." Harry was about to ask another question, but Dumbledore held up his hand. "She lost her power long ago, in a time that much was forgotten."

    "Then why does Voldemort need her, if she's so weak?" Harry asked.

    "Because even at low strength, she is a powerful ally. She commands a great knowledge of the future, and she, when she returns to full power, will command a power that Voldemort could never hope to have." Harry felt a shudder creep up his spine. He didn't like the idea that this Malagar had powers that even Voldemort could not.

    "I read in a book that Malagar helped Grindelwald," Harry said, trying to trick Dumbledore into giving more information.

    "That she did. She was the main cause of my troubles during that time, not Grindelwald himself. Our side knew Grindelwald was not the true heir of Slytherin. The true target of our missions was Malagar, for if she fell, Grindelwald would fall after. Grindelwald learned of Malagar's foresight and used it to great advantage. He himself was no great wizard; in fact, he was subpar on every level, and was only good at merciless brutality. He let his servants do most of the work, in an effort to keep his own hands clean, and to keep hidden his many faults and weaknesses. Malagar, on the other hand, we knew was after the Orb of Power. Since she believed Grindelwald's mission, as the heir of Slytherin, was the Orb, she allied herself with him in the hopes that he would find it."

    "Why was the Heir of Slytherin looking for the Orb?"

    "Because of the properties of the Orb. Slytherin himself searched long and hard for the Orb, once he realized what it could do. Malagar only seeks it to restore herself to power. Once she is, I believe she will desert Lord Voldemort and declare herself independent of him. She is using him, as much as Lord Voldemort believes he is using her."

    "How did she lose her powers?" Harry plunged on.

    "That, I do not know," Dumbledore said gravely. "But she lost her powers, and we managed to take Grindelwald down very easily. Of course, I got the credit for it, as can be attested to by the Chocolate Frogs, but the real reward should be to whoever stripped Malagar of her powers."

    "We, sir?" Harry asked.

    "The Order," Dumbledore said vaguely. Harry was about to ask more questions; they rocketed around his brain, screaming to be asked, but Madame Pince finally had worked up the nerve to scoot Dumbledore out of the hospital wing. Harry, after many protests, finally drank the nasty smelling potion and fell instantly into a dreamless sleep.

******

    When Harry awoke the next day, he had to face a bombardment of questions from Ministry officials and hospital inspectors. Ginny too had to face a multitude of questions, but she held her own extremely well, as if determined not to be bullied by the reporters. Harry even spotted Rita Skeeter asking questions from the Ministry questions, but she refrained from interviewing Harry, although Harry caught her giving him a longing look before tearing herself away. Harry had not seen Ron and Hermione, and wished to tell them everything Dumbledore had said. However, no one was permitted in the hospital wing, and he was certainly not allowed to leave until he was done being questioned. Minister Fudge, however, failed to show up, which greatly surprised Harry. He had been sure an attack on the hospital would warrant a private interview with the minister, but Fudge had not come to Hogwarts. Harry remembered hearing that Fudge was in hiding, but as for the why of it, Harry had no clue. Before he knew it, it was late Christmas Eve, and Madame Pomfrey would still not relent and let Harry out of the room. She once again forced him into a dreamless sleep. Before Harry took the potion, he saw Neville staring out the window, an empty expression on his face. Sadness filled Harry, but as soon as he drank the potion, he fell asleep.

*****

    Harry awoke early in the morning on Christmas, but he felt very little cause to celebrate. Waking up in the hospital wing did very little to raise his spirits. When he put on his glasses, Harry saw that both Ginny and Neville had been released from the wing. After getting dressed, Madame Pomfrey allowed him to leave. Harry walked through the halls of Hogwarts and noticed how extremely empty they were. While many Hogwarts students opted to spend the holidays with their families, there were always the few that stayed in the castle and enjoyed Christmas at Hogwarts. Before he knew it, Harry reached the Fat Lady, and gave the password. When he entered the portrait hole, he saw Ron jump out of the seat, looking as if he hadn't slept in days. Before he could say hello, he felt someone knock him from the side, and judging from the bushy hair, it was Hermione. She was in hysterics, sobbing and shrieking out her words.

    "Harry! Ron, it's Harry! Thank goodness you are all right! We heard all about it from Mrs. Weasley, we thought we'd never see you again! I don't know what we'd do without you!' Hermione was squeezing Harry so hard that he could barely breathe. Ron gave a weak grin, and rubbed his eyes, which looked as if he had bags under them.

    "We haven't slept since we heard. We've been trying to get some news from Ginny and Neville, but neither wanted to talk. The just headed to some room to talk and we haven't seen them since," Ron said, his voice hoarse from staying up three nights in a row. After Harry managed to escape from Hermione's vice-like grip, he sat down in one of the chairs and told them the whole story, including his talk with Dumbledore.

    "Neville's parents..." Hermione whispered. "I never knew about them, Neville never said anything."

    "Let's have a look at the Orb," Ron said, trying to avoid talking about Neville's parents. Harry held the gold chain and cleared his throat.

    "I am the Keeper, reveal thyself!" Harry said. The Orb materialized at the end of the chain, and twinkled innocently. Hermione was about to touch it, but Harry jerked it away.

    "We don't know how to work it, I don't want you guys hurting yourselves on it." Harry said, giving Hermione a serious look. Hermione nodded, and gazed intently at the Orb.

    "The Orb looks rather plain," Hermione said. "There are some markings here."

    "Hieroglyphics," Ron said. Harry and Hermione looked at him questioningly. "Honestly, you guys think too little of me. I went to Egypt, remember? Those are Hieroglyphics, which means the Orb of Power is Egyptian in nature." Hermione gave Ron an impressed look.

    "Which means we'll be reading a lot of ancient Egyptian texts," Harry sighed. "And I thought we'd be shut of the library."

    "Let's not think of it now, we have to get presents," Ron said. Harry agreed, and the three of them dragged their presents from upstairs and into the Common Room, so they could share Christmas together.

    "Where is everyone?" Harry asked, looking around at the empty Common Room.

    "Pretty much everyone left for Christmas, and when everyone else heard about St. Mungo's, they pretty much fled. Thought it would be safer at home," Ron said, picking up a present from Harry, Fred, and George. He unwrapped it quickly, and then his jaw dropped.

    "What is it?" Harry asked grinning, looking at Ron's shock. Hermione leaned over, and gasped.

    "Harry...a Nimbus Two Thousand!" Hermione shouted, while Ron could only mouth like a fish out of water. Ron tipped the broom box so that Harry could see the broom, as if asking if it was real.

    "It's yours," Harry said, with a great big grin on his face. "It's not the best broom, but it certainly is one of my personal favorites."

    "How..." Ron sputtered, but Harry shook his head.

    "Don't ask how, just appreciate it." Ron nodded, and was staring so intently at the broomstick it seemed as if he didn't even want to open the other presents. Hermione, on the other hand, took up one of her presents, which Harry noticed was the present he had left for her. His face turned red as she looked at him with a smile on her face. Please like it, please like it, Harry thought desperately. Hermione then had a look of similar shock when she saw her present, and looked at Harry.

    "Harry..." she breathed, and pulled out a beautiful golden chain with a sparkling diamond at the end. The diamond was set in the middle of a golden circle, with Hermione's named inscribed in it.

    "I wasn't sure if you would like it," Harry began, but Hermione stopped him and gave him another great big hug.

    "I love it, honestly," Hermione gushed, and quickly put the chain around her neck, and was staring at it intently. Harry chuckled as Ron neatly set his new broom aside and began to open his other presents. Harry opened his gift from Ron, which was a huge amount of assorted favorite candies of Harry: Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's Every-Flavor Beans, Fizzing Whizbees, Acid Pops, and some of the new Rocking Rocket Razzleberries, which, when you pulled the string attached, flew around like a rocket and landed in your mouth. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had lots of fun running around and making the candies do maneuvers in the air. He got a book on being a Quidditch captain from Hagrid, the usual sweater and mince pies from Mrs. Weasley, and even a nice present from the Dursleys. They had sent him a supply of a wizarding energy drink that Aunt Petunia had bought from a door to door salesman called Polinger's Power Potion. It was an odd yellow color, and when they tasted the drink, which wasn't too bad, but very strong. Harry noticed that Hermione had not given him a present, and his spirits began to sag. Hermione took notice of this, however, and gave him a reassuring smile.

    "You have to get yours tonight. I won't say anymore," Hermione said, with a slight blush. Harry gave her a shrewd look, and was about to ask more questions, when Dobby the house-elf burst through the portrait hole.

    "Harry Potter, sir! Dobby is wanting to wish Harry Potter a most merriest of Christmases!" Dobby squeaked, bowing low. Harry couldn't help but feel more cheerful as he looked at the oddly dressed house-elf. Dobby was carrying an oddly wrapped package, and handed it to Harry. Harry opened it and found the box full of packaging material. Harry felt around the material but could not find the gift.

    "Did you get me packing stuff, Dobby?" Harry asked with a smile. Dobby gave a little giggle, and shook his head.

    "A funny one, sir! But seriously, sir, Dobby is getting you a most wonderful present, but it is very tiny, sir." Dobby tipped the package upside down, and a small card could be seen among the packing material. Harry picked it up, and to his surprise, it was his own face. It was a Chocolate Frog card, but it was specially made so that it was he, Harry, on the card.

    "How did you do this, Dobby?" Hermione asked, looking at the cheerful smile of Harry on the wizarding card. Harry started to read the card out loud:

        Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, is the greatest

        wizard of our time. Known best for his defeat

        of the Dark Lord, Voldemort, Harry is also famous

        for being a great and loyal friend, as well as                 courteous to all creatures of different shapes and             sizes. Harry likes playing Quidditch and being             school Prefect.

    "I hopes that Harry Potter likes it. Master Dumbledore is helping Dobby make it!" Dobby rocked back and forth, anticipating Harry's reaction to the present. Harry gave Dobby a big grin.

    "It's great, Dobby!" Harry said, watching his own picture vanish from the card, leaving a lightning bolt mark to occupy the space while he was gone. Tears of joy began to stream from Dobby's eyes, and before Harry could stop him, Dobby fled the Common Room in hysterics. Harry gave Hermione and Ron a puzzled look, but they were too wrapped up in the Chocolate Frog card that they hardly noticed.

*****

    The three of them spent the time playing wizard's chess, and even though Harry and Hermione constantly lost to Ron, it was no less fun. Harry had come close to checkmating Ron, until Ron noticed Hermione looking eagerly at Ron's king and made a desperate move that saved him.

    "I'd hate to see the way you play poker," Harry said grinning, even though Ron was now winning.

    "What's poker?" Ron asked with a grin as he leaned back, surveying his victorious chess pieces and feeling very satisfied.

    "A card game," Harry started to say, but he was interrupted by the opening of the portrait hole. Professor McGonagall had walked in, and looked at the three of them.

    "Merry Christmas," McGonagall said hastily and continued. "While there are very few students left in Hogwarts, we still need the prefects to patrol the hallways." Ron looked downcast, but Professor McGonagall continued again. "Mr. Weasley, don't feel useless yet, I have need of you in the staff room." Ron gave Harry and Hermione a confused look and then followed McGonagall out of the Common Room. Harry watched Ron leave the room, and then was confronted with the fact that he was now alone with Hermione. He felt the familiar swoop in his stomach, and he felt almost guilty for it. How could he be thinking of Hermione while so much death had happened in such a small period of time? Hermione smiled at him.

    "Let's go patrol, I can give you your present along the way." Harry saw Hermione give him a mischievous look but decided not to press the matter. The halls were extremely empty, but Harry and Hermione found that it was an enjoyable walk through the halls. Each one was decorated in different Christmas ornaments; golden garland covered the walls, bells were playing different melodies all by themselves, and Harry even noticed gingerbread men running around the halls. They were so wrapped up in admiring the Christmas decorations that they didn't notice the grey specter of a sentinel gliding by them. Harry was in the middle of telling a joke when he felt the familiar tingling sensation rushing through his skin, and he realized that as they were walking, Hermione had taken Harry's hand in hers. Thoughts were instantly banished from Harry's mind; all he could hear was the emptiness screaming out to him. He looked at Hermione, and gave her a questioning look. She didn't look back, and they kept walking in silence. After a few moments of silence, Hermione stopped suddenly, and looked at Harry.

    "Merry Christmas, Harry," she whispered softly, and before Harry knew what was happening, Hermione leaned in, closed her eyes, and gave him a kiss. Harry, whose eyes were wide open in shock, closed them slowly, and fell into the kiss he had been longing for the whole year. The two of them stood there, under a bough of mistletoe, not even realizing that a pair of malevolent green eyes were once again watching them from the darkness.