Furious Angels

Chapter 15: The Board Is Set

No one knew he was there.

This was, of course, exactly how he wanted it. Several decades prior, during the early days of his tenure as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore had discovered that sometimes it was a very useful thing to be able to observe the students without them ever becoming aware that he was observing them. Today, it was most important that they not be aware he was there. More important than any other thing Dumbledore could think of at the moment, it was imperitive that Harry Potter and his circle of friends, the so-called "Gryffindor Six", plus a handful of other students, did not know their Headmaster was watching.

The naming of Gilderoy Lockhart as the perpetrator of the terrible attacks against the school was an interesting choice of diversion by the true "Heir of Slytherin", but it was in fact nothing but a diversion. The Aurors arrested the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher almost immediately after the Fletchley boy made his accusation. Fortunately for him, though unfortunately for the Aurors and for the school, the subsequent interrogation showed that the man wasn't the Heir of Slytherin. Either that or Lockhart had suddenly acquired an immunity to Veritiserum.

Of course, what the Veritiserum did reveal was interesting enough. It seemed Lockhart hadn't actually done any of the things he wrote about in his books. He was a fraud, and a mind-rapist, stealing the accomplishments of others and Obliviating them to cover his tracks. Lockhart wasn't the Heir, but nevertheless won himself a cell in Azkaban Prison for his efforts.

When Dumbledore examined Justin Finch-Fletchley, it was clear that he'd been under the Imperius curse. Whoever had done that to the boy had covered every contingency... Finch-Fletchley had not only been ordered to accuse Lockhart, but his knowledge of the true attacker had been neatly erased. It could only have been the true Heir who had done this, someone still at the school. Someone who was still a danger to the student body.

And that was something Albus Dumbledore could simply not tolerate. He'd naturally been trying to find out who the Heir of Slytherin was since the attack on Argus Filch, but for the first time Dumbledore was beginning to listen to some of the rumors. Harry Potter and his "bride", Ginevra, were the only students who had displayed the raw power and spell-knowledge necessary to do some of the things the Heir had done. So as much as Dumbledore hated to admit it, he had begun to suspect the Potter boy might be up to something a bit more sinister than he should be.

The current situation, for example, worried him greatly. In studying him, Dumbledore had found Harry Potter to be amazingly charismatic, self-driven, determined, and capable of absolute dedication to whatever cause or action the boy chose to set himself to. Potter was capable of inspiring great loyalty from others, inspiring them to their own greatness through the power of his own leadership.

Dumbledore blinked as the word "power" drifted through his consciousness. Yes, power... that, too, Harry had... in spades. Harry Potter was easily the most powerful wizard of his year. Dumbledore could tell that just by watching the boy. But just how much more powerful, the Headmaster couldn't tell. It could be, Dumbledore thought to himself, that I am looking at the most powerful student in the entire school... Harry's raw power might even eclipse some of the teachers...

This thought gave Dumbledore a case of the shivers. Immense power, determination, and the fact that Harry Potter was gathering followers to himself, reminded Dumbledore of a bit too much of another boy... another driven, charismatic, powerful boy whom Dumbledore had failed to predict would grow to become the darkest wizard Britain had seen in centuries.

"COLUIGULES!" A half-dozen voices called out the incantation, close enough to simultaneously to not really matter.

As a teacher... and he never stopped thinking of himself as a teacher, regardless of how long it had been since he had left the classroom in order to run the school entire... Dumbledore was impressed with the coordination the students displayed. The person who taught this class... his eyes automatically moved to follow Harry Potter as he walked around the other students... knew how to keep the others motivated and enthusiastic. Dumbledore also took note of the choice of spell with some interest. It had been his experience that when children taught themselves spells, it was usually the flashy ones, the ones that held the edge of daring and carried the scent of the explicit. Stupefy, for example, or Reducto. Something much more flashy than just a simple Color-Changing Charm.

The method of learning was obvious to the headmaster. Half the class would cast the Color-Changing Charm at the other half, who would try to protect themselves. And then the turns would reverse and the defenders would attack.

There was a moment of silence before a lone voice called out, "Oh fer fook's sake...." There was a smattering of giggles from the children, shocked and amused by the casual vulgarity coming from a now bright red Seamus Finnigan, in the same way that all twelve year olds are shocked and amused by hearing their fellows curse for the first time. Even Dumbledore had a hard time suppressing a sudden smile at the boy's exasperated outburst.

"You've got to be faster on the draw than that, mate," Finnigan's dorm-mate, Dean Thomas, chided the other boy gently.

The Irish boy's expression never changed. He was obviously seriously irritated. "Why are we playin' round w' the Color-Changing Charm, anyway? Its not like it will come in handy... when are we going to learn how to really fight?" From his position in the corner, Dumbledore leaned forward, interested in how the Potter boy would answer.

"Seamus... I think you're missing the point a bit." Harry stared at his dorm-mate for a moment before taking a deep breath. "We're not playing around with the Color-Changing Charm... we're practicing the Shield Charm. The Color-Changing Charm is just so no one is hurt while we're doing it. I want everybody able to do the Shield Charm before we learn to fight, because protecting yourself is more important. I mean... right now it's more important to learn how to stay alive... Staying alive is the key. Living, you know? Making it through... that's the key. There's no point in fighting if you're not going to live through it." Harry might have been speaking to Finnigan, but his eyes never left Ginny's. "You'd be better off running than dying in a fight you had no hope of winning."

"Right... we're learning to live.... Got it... but when are we going to learn how to fight?"

Harry's eyes shifted to Finnigan's, finally, and he laughed. "You'll learn to fight when you learn to stay your natural color!" The children all shared a laugh at Seamus's expense, and the Irish boy was good enough about it to join in. "So... if there are no more questions, let's all try it again..."

Dumbledore relaxed at the humor in the answer. He approved of the philosophy behind Harry's answer, even if he didn't completely approve of Harry teaching his fellow students combat. They did have Defense classes for a reason, after all. Not that the latest ones were any good, but at least the new teacher, called in at the last moment, would be an improvement. Quietly, using the magic of the room to hide the opening and closing of the door, Albus Dumbledore left.

XxxxxxX

"COLUIGULES!"

"PROTEGO!"

"Harry..." Susan Bones spoke up. The girl had just been rendered a bright crimson by Luna Lovegood, and was visibly flustered. "I don't think I have the wand movement down for the Shield Charm... could you show it to me again?"

Harry nodded and walked over. "Sure, Sue... hold a minute, Luna... the rest of you try again." There was another round of spells called as Harry took Susan in hand. "Here, you do like this... you sort of circle quickly, then flick." Harry stood behind the girl, guiding her arm and hand with her own. He couldn't see her face, and thus missed her sudden blush. "Circle, then flick. You do that while you say the incantation."

"Oh, all right. Thank you, Harry." Susan turned toward Harry with a smile. "I have to..."

"BITCH!" Everything was interrupted as a red-topped blur suddenly launched itself at Susan Bones, knocking her away from him and to the ground. It took Harry a moment to realize that it had been Ginny. He scrambled to his feet and watched, open-mouthed, as his wife rolled across the floor, grappling all the while with Susan. "Get your foul little hands off of him! I'll hex your hair off, you fucking whore!"

The other children all stood, dumb-founded, as the two girls rolled over each other. Susan Bones finally pressed the advantage given her by her greater height and weight. She rolled Ginny under her and pinned her to the floor. "What is the matter with you, Ginny?"

"You know what you were doing, you bitch! I saw you! Get off me!" Ginny heaved against the weight of the older girl, but it was no use, she was stuck. "Get off me, Bones!"

"Ginny! Calm down!" Harry leaned down and pulled at Susan's arm, bringing her to her feet. He was just able to catch Ginny as she lunged upward at the girl again. "Ginny, stop it! What are you doing? Sue wasn't doing anything..."

"I saw how she looked at you! I saw it, Harry!" Ginny was breathing hard.

"She didn't look at me like anything, Ginny... she was just thanking me for helping her. Calm down!" Harry held Ginny close and stroked her back. "What was that all about?"

"She was... I just... but she was..." Ginny was still breathing heavy, and tears were leaking from the corner of her eyes. "I saw..." She burrowed her face into Harry's chest, sobbing.

Harry looked at the shocked faces gathered around them. Susan Bones looked mad enough to spit nails; everyone else was staring at Ginny in amazement. "Um... okay... everybody let's just... we'll do this... get together again day after tomorrow, after classes... Susan... um..." He shrugged as best he could without letting go of Ginny. Susan took a deep breath and her eyes narrowed at Ginny. Harry felt a strange hostility well up in his chest in response to the girl's reaction, but clenched his teeth before it escaped. "Everyone just... leave us alone for a bit, please."

Ron nodded and began shuffling everyone to the door. "Come on, then... let's give them a chance." He tugged at Susan Bone's arm and gave her a week smile. "Come on, Susan... I'm sure Harry'll talk to you later. Let's just..." She pulled her arm free, but nodded and followed him out of the room.

In moments, Ginny and Harry were alone. He held her until she had stopped crying, then held her some more. The room reconfigured itself around them automatically, replacing the wide open training space with a cozy sitting room, complete with a lit fireplace and a comfortable-looking love seat. With gentle care, Harry led Ginny to it and they sat.

"Okay, Gin?" He smiled as he dabbed at her face with the handkerchief he conveniently found on the love seat's side table. She paused for a moment, then nodded, smiling grimly back at him. "So... want to tell me what that was about?"

"I... um... I don't really know." Ginny hiccuped once. "She was standing so close to you, and she was blushing, and then she turned and smiled at you and all I wanted to do was yank out her spine up through her throat. I was just... filled up... with jealousy, and I couldn't think of anything else! I've never ever been that jealous before, Harry." She stared into his eyes, as if trying to will him to understand.

He smiled at her and stroked her cheek. "It's okay, Ginny... I love you... there's nothing to be jealous about. I was just helping her with the spell."

"I know, Harry. I know... I couldn't help it, though." She shuddered and leaned into him. "Why did I just... jump on her like that, Harry? Susan's never been anything but nice to me..." She hugged him close, breathing in his scent and taking strength from it. "I'm sorry, Harry... I'm so sorry..."

"It's okay, baby... It's all okay." They sat together for a while, just holding each other.

XxxxxxX

Not two days after that night, the school was afloat in rumors. Everyone seemed to have a different story. The two most popular among the various members of the student body were Ginny tripped and knocked Susan over, it wasn't really a fight and Susan and Ginny argued because Susan was giving Harry the eye. For a short while, Ginny caught Harry feeling Susan's bubbies in a broom closet was popularly spread around the various boys' bathrooms. Susan, who unfortunately was developed enough that such rumors were exciting to overly excited teenaged boys, was mortified. Ginny, for her part, apologized quickly and repeated her apology every time a rumor floated past. Eventually, it was enough for Susan to forgive her.

Soon, though, the second years were given something other than the fight and what might have sparked it to think about. The time had come to choose the elective subjects they'd be taking during their third year. Harry, Neville, Hermione, and Ron sat around a table in the Gryffindor common room, poring over the lists of new classes they could take. Ginny and Luna sat with them, offering moral support and the occasional opinion.

The stress of it all seemed to be driving Hermione spare. "We can't just choose willy-nilly... this will affect what O.W.L.s we take. Our choices now have an affect on our entire lives from now on!" Almost simultaneously, Luna and Neville leaned forward from their positions on either side of the nerve-struck girl and patted her on the hand.

Hermione looked sheepish. "Sorry... I suppose I was getting a bit excited."

"You know, as long as I get to drop potions," Harry began, "I really don't care what electives I take."

"It doesn't work that way," Ron said with a bit of a sarcastic edge. "You have to keep all your old subjects. All this means is you can choose a few more."

"So what do you guys think," Neville asked. All week, he'd received letters from every adult in his family advising him as to what electives to be sure to choose. Unfortunately, no two agreed precisely. "Do you think Arithmancy is more difficult than Ancient Runes? You know my Great Uncle Algie suggested I go for Divination, but I don't know... it sounds like stuff and nonsense to me. What do you think?"

Unconsciously, Harry snorted. He replied without looking up at from his sign-up sheet. "I think Professor Trelawney is a joke. That's what I think." His face relaxed as he muttered, "Ahah! There it is..."

"Who's Professor Trelawney?" Neville asked.

"Hmm?" Harry asked in return, finally looking up to see the entire table staring at him. "What?"

"Who is Professor Trelawney, Harry? I don't think I've ever heard of a teacher by that name..." Ginny looked around at the others and all of them nodded at her comment.

"Oh... she teaches Divination, or at least that's the theory. Stays in a room over her classroom, at the top of the North Tower. She's a big fraud, if you ask me; I don't care how many prophecies she's made, she's a joke. And you can't teach someone to be a seer... you just can't. Either you are one or you're not. She barely qualifies. Don't waste your time with her, Neville."

"So she's made prophecies?" Ron asked.

Harry stopped for a moment and seemed to stare into space. "She's given two actual prophecies," he said in a rather dead-toned voice. "One before I was born. The other she'll give... she'll give..." Harry rubbed his forehead for a moment and winced. "I don't know... she gives it when... I can't..."

"Harry, it's okay..." Ginny reached out and threaded her fingers through Harry's, and his obvious anxiety left.

Everyone was quiet for a moment before then Ron spoke again. "So... do you know what they were about? What did they say?"

"What?" Harry glanced at Ron. "Oh, the prophecies... right... well, um... according to Dumbledore, the first one said..." Harry trailed off suddenly and his eyes grew big as saucers. He stared at Neville for a moment too long, then turned toward Ginny. "Gin, I don't think it's... I mean... I need to talk to Dumbledore."

Neville wasn't stupid. He'd caught Harry's glance and now was worried about the possibilities. None of the other friends had missed it either. "Harry, if it's something I ought to know, don't you think you should tell me?" Neville asked in a voice that was lower and more commanding than the friends had ever heard him use. Harry blanched.

"Tell them, Harry..." Ginny's voice was quiet and supportive. "Don't keep it a secret like last time..."

Before any of the friends who ask what Ginny meant by that, Harry began speaking. "Okay... you're right... you're all my friends so you deserve to know. Several months before I was born, Sybill Trelawney, the future professor of Divination at Hogwarts, gave a True Prophecy to Professor Dumbledore. It went like this: The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies." Harry heard Neville's muttered, "Oh shit", but didn't stop to acknowledge it. "And the Dark Lord will mark him as an equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives."

"Born as the seventh month dies... thrice defied... oh, holy shit..." Neville looked to be on the verge of hyperventilation. "My folks... Gran was always telling me stories... my folks... they fought death eaters... they actually caught death eaters in three big battles... and I was born on June 30^th... Holy shit, that's..." Luna stood and moved to Neville's side, embracing him gently from behind. Hermione took Neville's hand and let the boy hold on.

"It's not you, Neville... calm down." Ginny leaned over to casually brush Harry's fringe away from his scar. "And the Dark Lord will mark him as an equal, remember? Harry was born the day after you were. It's about Harry."

"I don't know if that makes it any better, Ginny." Neville said, still feeling faint. He looked to Luna, then glanced at Hermione, and smiled at both girls. "Thanks... I appreciate it."

"It's okay, Neville. You just haven't figured out how strong a person you can be yet. But I'm sure you will figure it out sooner or later." Luna smiled down at him. "Besides, it gives me an excuse to kiss you." And with that, she leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

Not to be out-done, Hermione leaned over and kissed him on the other side. "We're here for you." She turned to Harry and said, "You too, by the way." The table fell into silence for a long while. Finally, when almost no one could take it anymore, Hermione spoke. "So... Harry... does this prophecy mean what I think it means?"

"It's him or you, isn't it?" Luna asked. She hugged Neville again, then returned to her seat. "I mean, that's what it's about, right?"

"Yeah... that's what it's all about," Harry said darkly.

"Well... that's... very interesting," Ron said finally. "Very interesting indeed." The redheaded boy tapped his fingers on the table for a moment, then stood. "Well... I'm going to find something to eat. Anyone care to join me? No? Okay then..."

As Ron left through the portrait hole, Neville just stared. "I can't believe him... this incredible piece of bad news, and all he can think about is food."

Ginny just shrugged. That's just Ron, the gesture said.

"So what about the other one?" Four sets of eyes turned to meet Luna's. All were set in various expressions of confusion.

"I'm sorry?" Harry responded.

"What about the other prophecy, Harry?" Luna asked. "You said there were two given by the Divination professor. Right?"

"Oh well, yeah... the second one..." Harry thought about it for a moment. "I can't remember the exact wording of that one. It went something like The Dark Lord's servant shall break free and rejoin his master, and the Dark Lord will rise with his servant's aid or something like that. I have to admit I've been more concerned with the first one than the second.

Everyone thought about it for a moment. "So someone who served You-Know-Who will break free of something, and go to him, and then help him rise again. One of the Death Eaters in Azkaban?" Hermione asked.

Neville jumped on the subject with gusto. "Yeah, sure... someone like Sirius Black... or Bellatrix Lestrange! They'll break out of Azkaban somehow... it makes sense! But when? When was she talking about?"

"Bella who?" Harry shook his head. "No... Sirius Black is innocent! He didn't even have a trial! The second prophecy is about... Peter... Petti... grew..." Harry trailed off into silence for a moment, the blank look reappearing on his face. He turned to look at Ginny, who stared in return. Then, almost in synch with each other, the pair turned toward the boy's dorm stairway.

"Harry? Ginny? What's going on?"

Hermione's voice seemed to shake Harry and Ginny out of it. Harry turned toward her quickly, his eyes dancing. "Hermione... go get Professor Dumbledore! And Professor McGonagall! And hurry!" He turned back to Ginny, excited. "Professor Snape won't be around to mess this up this time!"

"Mess what up? What do you mean, this time?" Hermione hadn't moved. She just sat in her chair, looking confused.

"Hermione! Go!" Harry almost screamed at her. "It's important, and we don't have any time to lose! Just go! Bring Dumbledore and McGonagall! Tell them there's an intruder in Gryffindor Tower, and hurry!" Hermione started to say something, but obviously thought better of it. She stood, and as she did, Neville and Luna rose too.

"I'll go get McGonagall," Neville said. "You girls go get Dumbledore. We'll be right back, Harry!" Hermione gave Harry once last look, then followed Neville and Luna out the door.

"They'll have to let Sirius go now," Ginny said. "If they don't pardon him outright, he'll at least get the trial they should have given him all those years ago!"

"I hope he demands a trial. That way they have to admit they made a mistake. And he won't have to live like a fugitive this time!"

"You can live with him at Grimmauld Place! We... can live with him at Grimmauld Place!" Ginny was almost jumping up and down as she hugged Harry. "The Dursleys can go rot! You won't have to put up with them anymore."

"Shh... shh... we can't say anything more... what if..." Harry mouthed the rat. "We don't want him hearing us..."

Ginny just nodded. But visions of life together with Harry in a house not filled with brothers kept flickering past her conscious mind. It was enough to keep her excited, regardless.

XxxxxxX

"He could have taken the time to let us know why we are to get Professor Dumbledore. It can't have been that urgent." Hermione was still a bit upset. She hated not knowing what was going on... her natural curiosity, combined with an almost obsessive need to be in control over whatever situation she found herself in, made not knowing things the worst possible circumstance for her to find herself in. And what was worse, she knew it.

"I suppose we'll just have to trust in Harry," Luna said. She smiled at Hermione and asked, "You're very cute when you are frustrated. Did you know that?"

"Oh... um... well..." Hermione blushed. "No, I didn't know that, Luna. Am I really?" It almost came out as a giggle.

"Oh yes... and the boys think so too. All of them. Even Harry, though he won't say anything about it." Luna skipped three paces ahead, then turned to look back at Hermione. "Isn't Neville just dreamy? And he is just so cute when he blushes. I think you're so lucky he's crushing on you." The blonde girl smiled as Hermione blushed again. A movement behind Hermione caused Luna to glance in that direction. Ron was moving very quickly toward them, and he had an odd look on his face. "Oh, it's Ronald!"

Ron was grinning, but it wasn't his usual happy-go-lucky smile. This was a crueler smile, the smile of someone that had just hurt another person and enjoyed it. Greatly enjoyed it.

Hermione turned, curious. "Ron? I thought you were..."

Without warning, Ron lifted his wand to Hermione. He all but rammed it into her solar plexus, calling out, SAPORNO!" as he did! There was a flash of light as the Banishing spell struck Hermione at point blank range. The girl flew as if fired from a cannon and slammed bodily into the wall. There was a loud, sickening crack... the unmistakable sound of breaking bones... as Hermione struck, then slid down the wall to the corridor's floor.

Stunned, Luna reacted too late. By the time she had her wand out, Ron had her in wrapped up in ropes and Silenced. Luna teetered for a moment, then fell face-first to the ground. Her nose broke painfully and she tasted blood. For a moment Luna was afraid she'd choke to death on it, but Ron turned her sideways, allowing her to breathe. She could only blink in fright as Ron leaned over her, leering.

"No, don't worry, Lovegood... I'm not going to hurt you. At least not much. You're going to be a messenger for me. Tell your friend Potter that the Heir of Slytherin has taken his Mudblood bitch to the Chamber of Secrets. Tell him I want him to come alone... or else I'll kill both his Mudblood and this blood-traitor's body..."

Tears began to form in Luna's eyes,

"You will give him the message, won't you?" Ronald... or rather the hideous thing riding Ronald asked her.

Luna nodded, still crying.

"Good. And just so you don't forget... a little motivation to remember. CRUCIO!"

Luna screamed and screamed, but no one could hear her...