บท 8: Magic Blood
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When the train came to a halt at Hogsmeade station, there was a scramble to get off and up to the Castle. Hermione couldn't imagine how the First Years felt.
They stepped outside and immediately felt like they were freezing, the cold weather and the rain pelting them, it was too cold for this early in September, but Hermione had a feeling it was because of the Dementors, "Firs' Years! Firs' Years over here!" They heard the familiar voice of Hagrid. He spotted them, "All righ', you three?" They waved at him but had no chance to talk to him.
They were ushered onto a mud-tracked pathway that led to about a hundred or so Carriages. Hermione knew something was pulling them. Harry could see them, though, and she wondered why.
Hermione and Ron did keep an eye on Harry after they climbed into a carriage after he fainted.
The carriage came to a halt, and everyone began piling out, "You fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?" Came the ear-scratching tone of Draco Malfoy.
Hermione had stepped off after Harry and Ron and stared at the loathsome cockroach that was Malfoy, "Shove off, Malfoy," Ron said with a clenched jaw.
"Did you faint as well, Weasley?" Draco snickered, "Did the scary old-" he stopped talking immediately.
Hermione only had to look behind her to know why. Harry was standing behind her, giving Malfoy a cold and blank yet murderous glare. He really knew how to make the air thick around him; she was finding it a little hard to breathe as well.
The crowd, rather quickly, hurried into the school to get away from the rain.
"Potter, Granger! I want to see you two," came the voice of Professor McGonagall.
They all turned, and she was looking at them over the crowd. McGonagall always had a way of making you feel like you did something wrong, and the look on their faces must've been just that.
"There is no need to look so worried - I just want a word in my office," she said to them, "Move along there, Weasley."
Ron stared at them as they followed Professor McGonagall. The two of them accompanied her through the Entrance Hall, up the marble staircase, and along a corridor.
They found themselves in her office, a large, welcoming fire in the back of the room. McGonagall motioned for them to sit down, and she herself sat behind her desk, "Professor Lupin owled ahead and told me what happened on the train. He said that you, Potter, were the most affected by the Dementor?" She said, but Harry noticed she didn't say anything about him killing the thing.
Before any of them could answer, Madam Pomfrey, the school's Matron, entered the office, "Oh, it's you two," she said in a tone that indicated she wasn't surprised, "What dangerous thing did you do this time?"
"It was a Dementor, Poppy," McGonagall informed her at once.
Madam Pomfrey's eyes widened, and she shook her head, "Setting Dementors around a school, honestly," she said and began checking over the both of them.
"Well, you aren't the first who collapse due to a Dementor. Are you alright?" She asked; Harry nodded too quickly.
Madam Pomfrey looked at Harry warily, "The Chocolate Professor Lupin gave us really worked; I felt better after biting into it."
"He looked better as well," Hermione said, not immediately realizing what she had said.
"Really? A Defense Professor who actually knows what he's talking about? Mark it on the Calendar, Minerva," Pomfrey asked, looking at McGonagall. Hermione had only just realized her word choice and hid her face behind her hair.
"Are you sure you both feel alright?" McGonagall asked again, just to make sure.
"Yes, Professor," Harry replied. He was clearly agitated about this.
"Very well," she said and turned to Harry, "Potter, I ask that you kindly wait outside while I discuss with Granger her timetables; then, we can all go down to the feast." Harry got up without a word and left, glancing back just before he closed the door.
As soon as he walked outside, he was greeted by beautiful pink hair and a worried face that engulfed him in a big hug that almost crushed his bones, not that Harry didn't appreciate it.
"My god. Are you alright, Harry?"
"Tonks! How did you know I was here?" Harry questioned, thinking that she should be in the hall guarding the place.
Tonks pulled away before a teasing smirk grew on her face. "Ohh, I thought you missed me; it seems you got bored of old me," She said sadly, wiping away fake tears as she spoke. Harry laughed in amusement.
"Never. Your company is always appreciated." Harry replies, his face blushing a little as he tries to look away, but Tonks makes him turn to her.
While any other time, she would have teased him, her face quickly turned serious, putting her hands on his shoulders. "I heard what happened. Are you alright?" She asked, clearly distressed. When she had heard that the damn creatures would watch the school, she had been against it, even Moody commented that it was foolish of Fudge to do so, but he was the damn minister; what he says goes. After hearing about the incident, Tonks regretted not being with Harry on the train; how it happened wasn't exactly known, but apparently, Harry did something to make the dementor go away...
"I'm alright, Tonks," Harry quickly replied when he understood that Tonks was genuinely concerned for him, something that made him feel good, knowing she truly cared for him.
Tonks's shoulder slumped down as she released a sigh of relief. "Good to hear that when I heard what happened in the train. I wanted to see you the moment the train arrived, but Moody said I could do that once you arrive in Hogwarts; he doesn't like it when I disobey him." She said but regretted her words immediately.
An evil smirk grew on Harry. "Ohhh, was Tonks worried about me? I'm fortunate that a beautiful woman like you was actually conc- AAHH," pulling his ear a little to shut him up. Tonks rolled her eyes at his words but couldn't help but like his words for her. Especially the part when he called her beautiful. What the hell is wrong with me? My mother will kill me if she finds out that I think of Harry that way!! Tonks thought, already imagining her mother yelling at her for being foolish. Letting go of Harry's ear, who was rubbing it, but the evil smirk was still painted on his face. They talked about what happened on the train. Eventually, their talk was interrupted when the door opened, revealing Professor McGonagall with the bushy-haired girl that Tonks knew was Hermione.
Soon they reached the hall. It was a sea of pointed black hats; each of the long house tables was lined with students, their faces glimmering by the light of thousands of candles, which were floating above the tables in mid-air.
"Oh," Hermione said softly but disappointed, "We've missed the sorting!"
Professor McGonagall strode off towards her seat at the teacher's table, and the two of them went to find Ron at the Gryffindor Table. Several people looked and pointed at Harry. Hermione wondered if the news had spread that fast? It was Hogwarts; news and rumors spread like a nasty flu. Harry and Hermione sat down on either side of Ron.
Ron was about to ask Harry if he was alright when...
"Welcome!" Dumbledore said in a booming voice, the candlelight shimmering on his beard.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things I'd like to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it is best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled with our excellent feast..." he cleared his throat, and he continued. "As you will be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban Prison, who are here on Ministry of Magic business," he paused a moment before continuing, "They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are here with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises - or even invisibility cloaks. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the Prefects, and our new Head Boy and Head Girl, to make sure that no student runs foul of Dementors."
Hermione glanced over at Percy, who looked important with his chest puffed out as he glanced around at everyone.
Dumbledore had paused again, looking around the room seriously, and for a second, nobody made a move or a sound.
"Aurors are stationed in the school; they are here to protect you and to make sure no one leaves their room without permission," Dumbledore added; many young wizards and witches turned to look at the eight Aurors in the hall. Two for each House of Hogwarts and not counting the many others stationed around the school. Tonks made eye contact with Harry before sending him a wink that made Harry smile like an idiot.
After a short pause, Dumbledore continued. "On a happier note, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. Firstly, Professor Lupin, who kindly consented to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts position."
There was lots of unenthusiastic applause, but at least five Gryffindors clapped loudly for him. Hermione heard Ron tell Harry to look at Snape, so she did so herself and noticed he did not look happy. He never looked happy, but particularly so; he was looking down the staff table at Professor Lupin with a snarl.
"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued, "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs," Dumbledore said so casually.
Hermione's eyes widened as he continued, "However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
There was tumultuous applause at the Gryffindor table, and they saw Hagrid wiping his tears that seemed never-ending.
"Well, I think that's all the important stuff," Dumbledore said with a smile, "Let the feast... begin!"
The golden plates and goblets filled before Hermione's eyes like they usually did, but she never got tired of seeing the magic happen.
When the feast was over, the three of them made their way to Hagrid to congratulate him. They arrived up there to see Hagrid, "Congratulations, Hagrid," they each told him.
"All down ter you three," Hagrid said, wiping his shining face with a napkin, and Professor McGonagall shooed the two of them away.
"Is Harry not coming with us?" Hermione asked her, noticing that he had walked up to Dumbledore.
"He has something to discuss with the Headmaster; he will be there to join you all soon; now hurry up!" She shooed them again, and they walked away; Hermione glanced back again to see him and Dumbledore talking for a moment.
They joined the stream of Gryffindors heading up the marble staircase and towards Gryffindor Tower. After finally arriving, a large lady in a pink dress looked at them, "Password?"
"Coming through, coming through," Percy yelled over the crowd, pushing his way through, "The new password is Fortuna Major!"
"Oh no..." she heard Neville from somewhere behind them. He was notoriously bad at remembering things.
Upon entering the Common Room, the boys and girls separated to go to their respective Dorm Rooms, but Hermione stayed up in the Common Room to await Harry's return. She went over to one of the bookshelves in the Common Room and grabbed a random book to pass the time.
Harry was walking with Dumbledore to his office. The corridors were dark and ominous with how dimly lit the candles were. They came to a gargoyle, and Dumbledore spoke a password, "Licorice Wand." The gargoyle moved aside, and Dumbledore led the young boy to a spiraling staircase that began to move when they were on it. They rode the steps all the way up to his Office Door. He opened the door and let Harry walk inside before he closed it. He briskly walked over to his massive desk and sat down behind it, motioning to the chair across from him.
Harry sat down and looked at the Headmaster with a neutral but somewhat menacing look. Dumbledore felt the slightest bit of unease, "So..." he started slowly, "You managed to make a Dementor disappear!" Dumbledore began to, barely showing that he was surprised.
"Disappear! I thought I killed it?" Harry asked right away. He remembered the creature crumbling to dust before he passed out.
He was stroking his beard. "A dementor can't be killed, Harry," Dumbledore said calmly before his eyes settled on Harry's green ones. Harry narrowed his eyes, he felt as if the Professor wasn't telling him what exactly to the Dementor.
The boy suddenly felt a sharp pain on his forehead, almost making him wince where his mark used to be before it disappeared. Harry wondered why his forehead was suddenly hurting again.
"How did you do that? Professor Lupin explained that your eyes were glittering like stars?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
Harry was genuinely surprised to hear that. My eyes were glittering?! He thought, surprised. Despite using this type of magic so many times, he had not noticed that his eyes would glitter or change color.
"Do you know what you did, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, his voice showing interest. Harry opened and closed his mouth; he was half-convinced to tell him, but Holy Magic was kept secret in his family for hundreds of years, and he wouldn't betray his father's trust even for Dumbledore. Holy Magic only belonged to his family and would continue to do so as long as he lived. "I don't know, only that my eyes burned before I passed out," Harry said convincingly with a little shrug.
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes slightly; he could tell Harry wasn't being honest. He knew Harry wouldn't tell him the whole truth. "Have you told your friends about any of this?" Dumbledore prompted.
"Only what I know, which isn't much," Harry replied right away, his voice sounding convincing.
"Well, I don't know what you did, and I still haven't found anything about glittering eyes, but I will tell you once I find information," Dumbledore said calmly, stroking his long beard.
"I will go back to my friends now," Harry said, standing up from the chair.
"I understand, have a good night, Harry; you and Miss Granger have a busy year ahead of you," Dumbledore said.
Harry stood up from the chair and left Dumbledore's office, trudging through the darkened corridor.
He got to the Fat Lady, "Password?"
His heart sank into his stomach; he didn't know the Password.
By the absolute grace of some Bushy-Haired Divine Being, the portrait swung open, "Harry!" Hermione said breathlessly.
"Hermione? What are you still doing awake?" He asked, stepping into the Common Room.
"I waited for you, obviously," she said like it was supposed to be obvious.
They sat down on one of the couches, "You didn't have to, but I'm glad you did."
"Yeah, you never were told the Password, were you?" Hermione asked him. He shook his head, "It's Fortuna Major."
"Thanks... thank you again... for letting me in the Tower," he smiled at her.
She felt her cheeks burn, "Anytime..." They sat quietly for a moment.
"We should go to bed... Dumbledore said we have a busy year ahead of us," he said to her.
"You're right," she stood up quickly. He stood up as well, but not as fast, and she hugged him, "Good night, Harry."
"Good night, Hermione," they pulled back from each other, and he watched her go up the girl's staircase.
He turned to go up the boy's staircase when he heard someone call his name, "Harry, over here," he looked around for the voice but didn't see it. "On the wall across from the fireplace."
Harry walked over to the wall opposite the fireplace, and he saw a blank portrait. Harry could have sworn he had never noticed that portrait before.
He looked around but couldn't see anyone other than the portrait. He turned around, deciding to go back to his room and sleep; perhaps his mind was playing tricks with him.
"Harry," a voice was heard in the wind. Harry looked around but couldn't see anyone; his eyes found the empty portrait again.
Focusing on it, he whispered a Holy Spell, his green eyes turning gold right away. This time staying that way, the blank portrait slowly was filled with an image of a woman he had never seen before, with auburn hair and green eyes like grass.
Harry Potter
Hearing his name, this time much closer, he walked closer as he felt lighter the closer he got; everything slowly turned dizzy as he felt his conciseness slip away as he fell into the void...
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