Harry Potter and the Year of Revelations

Chapter 2: Friends

"Gryffindor!"

There was suddenly an astonished silence in the hall. You could literally hear a pin drop. Isabelle didn't move, she just sat there, with the hat still on her head. Professor McGonagall reached out and took it off.

"Miss Malfoy?"

"Y-Yes?" her voice shook. Harry realised that she had a look of absolute terror on her face. Did the thought of being in Gryffindor affect her like that?

"Miss Malfoy, you have been sorted. Go to your house table."

"Professor McGonagall, there must be a mistake. I can't be in Gryffindor. Please, let me convince the hat that I belong in Slytherin."

"The hat put you into Gryffindor and there's no room for argument. The Sorting Hat never makes a mistake. Now, go to the table." She pointed with her finger towards the astonished group of Gryffindors, irritation in her voice. Harry was certain that she would start shouting any minute now. Isabelle seemed to realise this as well and ever so slowly she approached the table. She looked around. At the very end there was a free seat, so she walked to that and sat down, pulling herself together as much as possible. Harry noticed tears in her eyes.

"Well, now that we're finally done with the sorting," Dumbledore said, standing up, "let's get on with the feast!" He clapped and the plates filled with food.

For a few minutes everyone just ate. Then they started talking about the two strange females that had arrived at school.

"Well, this year is off to a strange start. A Malfoy in our house! She probably put a spell on the hat. I'd be careful if I were you, Harry," Ron told him.

"She was the girl with the strange eyes."

"Really? Then that's why you've been watching her."

"Yes."

"Then I really have to do some research on spells that need eye contact," Hermione put in after swallowing some potatoes. "The odd thing about her is that she doesn't look like a Malfoy. She could be a distant relative of Draco's."

"Probably." Harry chose that moment to look over to the Slytherin table. Draco Malfoy was visibly watching Isabelle with a dark look. In the mean time, she was turned away from Draco, not touching the food in front of her, shaking like a leaf.

"Harry!" Ron called.

"Hmm yes, what is it?"

"Who do you think that Oya Potter could be?"

"No idea. I didn't know that there are other living Potters."

"If she is a relative of yours. Look how well she's getting on with Snape. He's even smiling at her."

Harry turned to the teacher's table. There he was, Snape, smiling. It was scarier than Freddy Krueger in " Nightmare On Elm Street". He knew because he had seen the movie during the holidays.

"She does look a lot like dad."

"Yes, she does remind me of you," Hermione said.

"She's blonde," Ron argued.

"That's a spell. No natural blonde has that shade of blonde hair."

"Well, you're the girl," Ron gave up.

They concentrated on finishing their food. When they were done the plates cleared and Dumbledore stood up.

"As usual, I have to make the necessary announcements. The older students must be very bored by this, so those of you who already know all this can take a short mental holiday. The forest near the castle is forbidden to students. It is very dangerous and I would like all of you to remember that. Especially in these times. Also, no magic in the corridors!" His eyes strayed to Harry and Ron. They did seem to forget this rule quite often. "Also, some new security arrangements have been made. The patrols on the corridors after ten have been made more frequent and even fifth year prefects will have to join it. The schedule will be a subject of discussion during the first prefects' meeting. So those who are planning on sneaking out at night should be more careful," he smiled. "At last, but not least, let's sing the school song! Let's make it a happy tune."

The ribbon came out of Dumbledore's wand once again and formed into words. As they appeared everyone started to sing with bright smiles on their faces.

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

As they started singing, a strange and magical thing happened. For the first time in the history of Hogwarts the whole school, even the Slytherins, even Fred and George Weasley sang the same tune. It wasn't the tune of any song that Harry recognised. However, when he opened his mouth his voice had a life of his own. When it ended, they all looked at each other. A new and stronger sense of togetherness came over them, filling their souls. They were all dazed and speechless. No one knew what had really happened, but they all felt that it was a too intimate experience to talk about it, even though they have all shared it. Harry looked around and stopped at Oya Potter. She had tears in her eyes that glistened in the chocolate orbs.

"That was wonderful," Dumbledore said. "Now you can all go to bed. The prefects will lead the first years to their dormitories. Good night!"

Harry looked at Hermione who was just pinning her prefect badge on her chest. She looked back at him and took out another badge. He gave her a grateful look and put it in its place. The first years chose that moment to start gathering around them. Harry couldn't see Isabelle Malfoy. She must have gone on her own.

By the time they took care of the new Gryffindors, they were both exhausted.

"Harry, your birthday presents are on your bed," Hermione told him before saying goodnight.

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry I couldn't send it to you, but Dumbledore called me to tell me that he had put an owl repelling charm on your house. I hope your holiday wasn't awfully lonely."

"It was a bit, but I kept myself occupied."

"I didn't want to ask in front of the others, but are you really all right? I mean after all the things that happened..."

"I'm all right."

"You seem so tired."

"I am, but I'll ask Madam Pomfrey tomorrow for a good sleeping potion."

"Well, I hope it works. Harry, you know that you can talk to me about anything."

"I know Hermione. Good night."

"Good night, Harry," she hugged him and he hurried away.

In the fifth year Gryffindor boys' dormitory everyone was quiet. Harry looked at his bed and saw that it had five packages on it. Looking around he decided that he couldn't risk waking the others with the noise he would make. So he gathered the packages up and quietly went out the door. He walked straight to the Common Room and there put everything on the sofa by the fire. He looked around. There wasn't anyone there, the room was deserted. He looked at the presents in front of him. There was a big one, two smaller ones and two medium sized ones. Harry decided to try the big one first. He opened it and found a huge book. On the cover was a big woman walking up and down, the title read "The Giant Book of the Real History of Giants". He found a note next to it.

Harry, this book is good. The truth. Happy birtday,

Hagrid

Harry understood why Hagrid would want him to read a book about what giants are really like. Upon inspecting the two medium sized presents he realised that they were both books, but one also contained something else. He opened the one with a book only. It was "The Handbook for Quidditch Captains". Another note.

Harry, I think you will need this this year. Happy birthday,

Ron

The other book made him blush. "What Teenage Wizards Need to Know About Themselves and Witches". There was also a necklace next to it with a round white stone hanging from it.

Harry, I think you'll need this book. I looked through it and it's good. However, I did make some side notes for your benefit. I'm giving it to you because I can't talk to you about these things personally. Use your knowledge wisely, don't let your hormones control you, like I did. The necklace is magical. It glows red if you're near danger. Happy birthday,

Snuffles

He blushed several times as he read the letter. He flipped through the slightly worn book. Sirius had probably carried it around a bit. Inside there was a note almost on every page. 'Some' notes he had said. More like he rewrote the whole book. Some of the pictures made him redden and he decided to take a look at the remaining two packages.

The next one was round and soft. He carefully unwrapped it. Inside was the Marauder's Map with a note.

Harry, I think you're going to need this. Happy birthday,

Dumbledore

He was very happy to have it back. He smoothed it a bit, thinking about how it had been his father's, Sirius' and Remus'. However, he shuddered when he imagined the three of them looking at it with Wormtail. The same man who would ruin their lives.

There was one more package left. It was obvious that it was from Hermione. He wondered what she would give him. He quickly got it out of the wrappings and found an eyeglasses case. Opening the case he found inside a new pair of glasses. They were much nicer than the ones on him. They looked to be designer glasses. He took off his old pair and put them on. To his surprise he could see much better with them than the others. Of course, he had been thinking of going to the doctor's, because he noticed that his eyes had become worse. He saw a note and read it.

Dear Harry,

When I was in Bulgaria I saw a Quidditch player wearing glasses. I remembered how much trouble you had with yours and always wanting to learn something new, asked him what he did to eliminate the problems that can arise from wearing glasses. Then he told me about special magical glasses. I just had to get you a pair! They always adjust to your eyesight. They don't fog, repel water, turn to sunglasses when it's sunny. They're unbreakable and reflect curses. Also, once you put them on, you can only take them off if you do it by hand. They never fall off. I thought that with all the dangers we face every year, you'd certainly need a pair. I hope you like them! Happy birthday!

Love,

Hermione

He was very happy with this present. They would be very useful, or as he heard on TV, dead useful. Hermione always knew how to give very practical presents. Now that he could see more clearly, he looked around the room. By the staircase he noticed a figure, but couldn't make out who it was, because he or she was in the shadows.

"Who's there?" he called out.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to disturb you," he heard a small voice, a girl's.

"You didn't, I just wanted to have a look at these. If you can't sleep, come and sit down."

"No, I don't think I should." She stepped into the light and that was when Harry saw who it was. Isabelle Malfoy. She was wearing an emerald green robe with gold lining. It brought out the darkness of her hair and eyes, but also the whiteness of her skin. The garment clung to her body, emphasising her curves. She was unlike anything or anyone he had ever seen and yet, she was strangely familiar. Her eyes had red circles around them, she had obviously been crying.

Harry quickly shoved Sirius' book under a pillow.

"You can," Harry replied.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I don't think I can sleep for now. We could chat."

"You and me?" she seemed baffled by this. "I'm a Malfoy."

Harry would have expected her to say that with pride, like Malfoy, that is, Draco Malfoy always did. However, she said it like it was a crime.

"I don't care. You're also a Gryffindor."

She seemed to be encouraged by this and sat in an armchair by the sofa that Harry was occupying.

"What are these wrappings?" she asked, looking down at the pile by the sofa.

"Birthday presents."

"You have a birthday today?"

"No, but I couldn't get them while I was with my Aunt."

"I see. So you live with your aunt? Is she nice?"

"No, she's horrid. She and her husband always make me do chores around the house and don't care much for me otherwise. Before I found out that I had money, I had to wear my cousin's old clothes, but he was always twice as big as I was, so the clothes always hung on me. I still wear them when I'm at their place, so that they don't know about my money."

"I'm sorry."

"I hope you don't mind the question, but are you Draco Malfoy's relative?"

She seemed to be startled by this.

"Then you never heard about me? I thought everyone knew. Well, of course father does hide me a bit. I'm Draco's twin sister."

Harry looked stunned at this. A dark haired beauty to be Draco Malfoy's twin?

"Well, you don't look like your parents at all."

"I know... Have you met Mother?"

"Yes, at the Quidditch World Cup last year. Why weren't you there?"

"They never take me out in public. I didn't mind though. Father was very mad about the whole dress-up-like-Muggles thing and I was afraid that something terrible would happen. I was right. On the other hand, it did make Father happy. Even the appearance of the Dark Mark. However, he did say that it was too soon."

"Do you know what happened in June?" she seemed to know a lot and Harry thought that maybe she would share valuable information. However, he wanted to be very careful about how he asked her.

"Voldemort returned. I've never seen Father so delighted. Things are looking up for him. You probably want me to tell you about Voldemort."

"I ..."

"Don't worry, I would like to tell you something to help you, but Father doesn't like to talk about important things when I'm around."

"You would like to help me?" Harry was amazed. "Are you sure you're a Malfoy?"

"I'm sure. Harry, Father is a horrible and dangerous man and Voldemort is worse. I do want to help."

"How can you talk about your father like that?" It was so strange, Harry suspected a trap.

"It's the truth. I hate deception. I also have my own reasons for speaking about him like that."

"You acted strangely when the hat told you that you belonged to Gryffindor. Did you argue with it?"

"Yes. I told it that I belonged to Slytherin, but it said there wasn't anything in me to put me into Slytherin. I don't know what to do."

"Would you rather be with your brother?"

"I do like Draco, though he and I used to be a lot closer when we were little. I used to play with him and we were friends. Then Father took him away from me."

"How?"

"Well, .... in many ways. I miss my brother. However, that wasn't why I wanted to be in Slytherin. You see, I'm a Malfoy and all Malfoys belong there. I can't even imagine what my father will do to me once he finds out."

There was suddenly such pain in her eyes, that it made Harry shudder.

"Will he hurt you?"

"That's the least he'll do. Harry, I don't want to talk about it. Hmmm ... What did you get for your birthday?" she looked at the items in front of him.

Harry understood her wish to not talk about the subject more.

"I got these glasses. They're magical."

"You had Muggle glasses?"

"Yes. I also got this book from Hagrid."

"The half-giant?" she looked at the giant book.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry. I hope I didn't offend you. I know that he's a half-giant. I hope I didn't say anything wrong with that."

"No, it's all right. I also got this book." He showed her Ron's present.

"That's nice. I thought you're the Seeker like Draco."

"I am, but we have no captain now, he graduated a year ago. Ron Weasley, my best friend, expects me to be the new captain."

"The red Weasel? Sorry, Draco calls him that. If you do become captain, Draco will be furious, though Father will probably buy him that position too. I wonder when he'll learn that if he gets a position by money and not by earning it, he won't be any good at it."

"It's strange to hear you talk like that."

"I usually keep my opinion to myself. I hope you won't tell anyone what I said. Or rather, don't tell anyone that we talked."

"Why? You're nice. We could be friends."

"Friends?" she laughed a little. "Harry, Father would kill me for sure. If he doesn't kill me for being a Gryffindor."

"Do you have other friends?"

"No. I don't have any."

"Not even from Durmstrang?"

"No. Those who wanted to be my friends looked at me as a Malfoy. Father has connections as far as Asia. He's very influential. That's why you should always watch your back. You never know how he and Voldemort would try to hurt you or even kill you."

"Do you know anything about Viktor Krum? I met him last year. He made good friends with Hermione."

"With your Muggle-born friend?"

"Yes."

"He was a few years ahead of me and I didn't know him very well. However, the people he was usually with ... I would be careful about him."

"Hermione and her parents visited him in Bulgaria during the summer."

"Bulgarians allowing Muggles among them?" she was flabbergasted.

"Yes. Why are you so surprised?"

"Well, maybe your friend doesn't know this, but in Bulgaria there's a law against it. They don't even tell Muggle-borns that they're magical."

"Then what do they do with them?"

"They just make sure that they don't do too much harm with their accidental magic. They want to keep their blood pure. Tell me, did Viktor Krum want to be her friend or more?"

"More."

"Then there must be more behind it. They think that such mingling with Muggle-borns is disgusting."

"How do you know so much about Bulgarians?"

"I had a few classmates. I have a habit of listening in on other people's conversations."

There was a bit of silence and Harry decided to ask what he's been wondering about.

"Isabelle, were you looking at me on the platform in London and in Hogsmeade?"

"Yes, I was."

"Why?"

"I've heard so much about you, Harry. I wanted to see the person who defied Father and Voldemort. On first look you don't seem so powerful."

"When I looked into your eyes I felt strange."

"That's because when I look into someone's eyes for some time I can make a sort of connection with them. This way I can get a grasp of the person's true self. Like when I look into father's eyes I can feel the coldness of his soul."

"What did you see in my eyes?" he looked into her dark orbs and could feel himself lock with her. For a minute they just sat there like that in silence.

"I see that you're a very good person Harry. A bit unsure of yourself, but a very powerful wizard. You're clever and intelligent. You care for everyone around you, no matter how well you know them. You are also a lot older than your body. You have been through a lot and it left a mark on you. By this I'm not only referring to the scar on your forehead."

"Thank you," Harry smiled. "All that just from my eyes?"

"Yes. A person's whole being is inside his or her eyes. Harry, it's getting very late. We should both go to sleep," with these words she stood up, ready to leave. "Do you want me to help you with throwing out the wrapping papers or you want to keep them?"

"I always keep them. You're right, we should sleep. Do you want to meet again?"

"It would be nice, but don't tell anyone about it."

"All right. Tomorrow night, same time?"

"Ok. Good night, Harry."

"Good night, Isabelle."

She turned back a little as she reached the stairs and smiled at him. He watched as she gracefully glided up the stairs. He gathered his things and went up himself. Strangely enough, he had a good night's sleep.

To be continued...