Chapter 17
The sound of wood clanking against itself filled the training room as Harry watched his friends, scanning the small group as they waited for a response that even he doubted would ever come. It had been two weeks since Alyssa had sent word to Ace, and no word had come back. No way to slip to wonderland to meet the teen. No letter from Constantine.
The letter had failed, and they needed to act fast. While no trouble had come from Quirrel/ Riddle, Harry couldn’t shake a sense of dread that kept washing over him. They were half way through January, and even the distraction of Quidditch practice wasn’t helping that much anymore.
“What is this place?”
Turning quickly Harry launched one of the bow sticks, only for it to be effortlessly knocked out of the air by a beater club, Oliver Wood smirking slightly as he headed up.
“I’ve been Captain of the team for two years not Queen, and you’ve been on the team for long enough not to know that wasn’t going to work.” Oliver mused, crossing his arms. “Not bad form though, I can see where you get some of that strength in you.”
Oliver was a tall boy, with a sleek sort of strength to him that Harry had to admire. He was in his fifth year, dressed in the Quiditch uniform, his deep brown hair cut very short.
“Oliver. What are you doing here?” Harry said, glancing over at Alyssa who; thankfully, seemed wrapped up in scolding Draco for something or another. As he went to push Wood into the main area he silently cursed the general open plan of the rooms, knowing that a sudden wall would be suspicious. “How did you even find us?”
“I was looking for you and the twins suggested that I tried here. To just pace and think of the ‘Secret place’, then told me what to write on the door to get in.” He nodded, passing harry to watch the training as well. “We had Quiditch practice you-“
“Quirrel has a second being attached to him and is going after the Philosopher’s Stone which is being kept under a series of trial rooms that lead from the forbidden wing on the third floor.” Alyssa said as they headed up; binder in hand, voice completely level. “This isn’t me bringing you in; not entirely, but know if I think that you are going to spill anything you learn here today for any reason, I will wipe your memory of this meeting ever happening. Am I clear?”
Oliver faltered slightly before he nodded. “Yes sir.”
“Good. Sit over there and read this Draco’s getting sloppy with his foot work-“
As the boy went to protest, Alyssa launched a stick at his knee full force. The blunt hit the side and he buckled, collapsing with a slight shout.
“And we need to work on it.” Alyssa quickly headed off and Oliver blinked a few times.
“Yeah, that’s Alyssa. Basically, my sibling. Um, she’s kind of in charge of this little adventuring party.” Harry responded, following Oliver to the table. “I am sorry about practice, Alyssa sent a friend back home and Owl, and I don’t actually think the magic works quite like that.”
“Don’t you guys live in America?”
“Yeah.” Harry nodded.
“And even without going through this, what they said sounds important.”
“Your taking this well.”
“We are talking about Alyssa and this-“ He nodded to the binder as he sat, putting it on the table and starting to skim. “-Is something, I’ll say that much. This isn’t just a bunch of kids being stupid, you’re on to something. I would prefer if you didn’t miss any more practice, so I’ll give you this. Where are you trying to contact?”
“Arkham.”
“The… Asylum?”
“Yes. Ace is there most likely and they are the Mad Hatter. Or well… One of two, but they are the actual Wonderland Mad Hatter. It’s… They are better with the alchemy stuff than we are. Or John Constantine.”
“I can probably work with that.”
“We don’t know how to contact him…”
“We can call him through the flames.”
“Location wise I mean. It’s the House of Mystery.”
“That’s definitely workable.” Oliver smirked, finishing his bit of skimming before pulling a small pouch out of his pocket. Heading up to the fireplace he whispered something before tossing in a pinch of emerald and ruby ash. “House of Mystery.”
The flames whirled, shifting to form the frame of a; very momentarily, confused Constantine.
“Queen, this better be important.”
“I’m going to quickly hope that you at least got Alyssa’s owl.”
“I caught wind that Arkham had patted down an Owl, and that it was being sent back on its way.” He nodded.
“yeah, Alyssa needed Ace’s advice. One of out professors seems to have another person attacked to his back, and it’s not othering. It’s maybe just a face, but the two names are constantly together and-“
“Alright, that’s probably not good.”
“We also know he’s after the Philosopher’s Stone that’s being kept in what Alyssa considers a series of rooms too much like a video game level.”
“The Philosopher’s stone. Capable of granting eternal life.”
“I will say, more respect to Ra’s that Voldemort fully had that option, and just decided he didn’t want to fuck with the league of Assassins.” Alyssa nodded, heading up. “We need to know how to destroy a… I have an idea; I might be able to figure something out. But we do need to destroy the stone.”
“If you can get yer hands on it, try to bring it to me. Destroying it’s not going to be easy, but I can definitely keep it safe at least.”
“Aright. That’s something at least. Do you have any plans on sorting this out? Because that sounds like something you might want to figure out fast.”
“We don’t know how to get past the obstacles, but Quirrel-riddle doesn’t either. Harry said he was going to see if he can’t convince Hagrid to say anything with Nevil and Hermione, and I’m going to go and maybe see if Hogwarts has any form of a yearbook. I mean I know there is a ghost in the girl’s toilet on the second floor, young. I think there is a chance that they might be able to tell us a bit more about Riddle.”
“Not a bad lead then. I’ll talk to Ace about the stone and about face parasite things and you lot should get to work.”
Quickly the fire returned to normal, and Wood gave a nod. “No more skipping practice now. We have a big game against Hufflepuff coming up and we cannot afford to lose it.”
“Of course, Wood. I am sorry.”
“Why not make it up to me a bit, snow me what you can do.”
Harry nodded, grabbing his bow and arrows. Before Oliver could respond, he pivoted; Alyssa tossing two hand fulls of ping-pong balls onto the ground. Drawing the string back he quickly shot each and ever one out of the air, pinning them to the wall with ease.
“One minuet, not bad Queen.” Draco nodded, glancing up from a small stop watch.
“There had to be like fifteen of those.”
“You should see my dad shooting. He can do twenty-nine in a minuet.” Harry smiled, putting his things down. “But we should get going, apparently Hagrid had something important for us to see.”
“And I should head to talk to Methyl. See if I can’t learn anything from her.” Alyssa nodded, following the group toward the entrance. “I think you can come and train here, we managed to expand the warding charms so the other students and like faculty don’t know were coming and going from here.”
“Impressive.” Oliver gave a small nod. “I’ll consider it Wayne. Good luck with your questioning.”
Following Oliver out, Harry lead Nevil, and Hermione down and out of the castle towards the edge of the forest where Hagrid lived. It was a cozy wooden hut with a small chimney that was puffing out a bit of smoke. Basing a hand Harry knocked, Fang barking a bit before Hagrid pulled the door open.
“Harry, Nevil, Hermione. Come, come.” Hagrid said, ushering them into his hut. It was blisteringly hot in the hut, Harry feeling sweat building up quickly on his skin despite the chilled air outside, the difference causing it to tingle a bit. “Can I offer ya some tea, buisquets?”
“That’s quite alright Hagrid. Um… We were wondering. Do you know what else is guarding the Stone, aside from fluffy that is?”
“I-“
“Hagrid, we already figured several things out. We know about Fluffy,”
“The Devil’s Snare.” Nevil nodded, having gained a fair amount of confidence during his time with the ‘gang’. “The Potions Riddle.”
“And the Mirror of Erised.” Hermione finished. “We kneed to know that the other professors provided so that we can make sure-“
“Yer not on about Quirrel or Snape still are ya? The two both provides to protect the stone, why would either of them want to steal it?”
“It’s not Quirrel were worried about. It’s Tom Riddle.”
“Riddle? Where did ye’ hear that name?” Hagrid frowned slightly. “The boy’s been missing for years, presumed long dead. While he was a Slytherin, you didn’t really have to worry about him. A manipulative fellow, but that was about it.”
Harry exchanged a look with Hermione and Nevil who both shook their heads.
“But we do think Quirrel might be after the stone, we have good reason to suspect it.”
“No need digging trouble where there isn’t any.” Hagrid shook his head, pouring three glasses of tea. “And I couldn’t tell you what the other Professors provided if I wanted to. I’m pretty sure only Person who would know what everyone provided would be Professor Dumbledor himself.”
“Why is it so hot in here? I get it’s winder but my skin feels like its going to break out in blisters again.”
Hermione shot harry a small glare as he bit back a snicker, face softening as Nevil smiled.
“But really it bust be about a hundred degrees in this hut Hagrid, what’s-“ Harry fell silent as his eyes landed on the fire. In it’s heart; under Hagrid’s massive tea pot, was a large, opaline black egg. “That’s a Drake egg.”
“A Dragon egg yes.”
“Misconception, not all drakes are technically Dragons. But-“
“What is one doing here? They are incredibly illegal, I read about it. Dragon breeding was outlawed by the-“
“Yeah, not the most shocking thing for Hagrid to have, but where did you get it?” Harry interrupted.
“Won it actually, last week. I was down in the village havn’ a few drinks an’ got into a game of cards with a stranger. Think he was quite glad to get rid of it to be honest.”
“Hagrid, what are you going to do with it when it hatches? I know you’ve probably done your research, but that’s a dragon.” Harry let out an exasperated sigh. “You live in a wooden hut, near a forest, there is no way that you’ll be able to keep it. Fuck-“ Harry let out an exasperated sigh, trying to think of anyone that could take it. He knew John would figure something out, but he also knew that would only complicate things further, and he couldn’t get one of the teachers or Prefects, or Hagrid would undoutably lose his job. “What are we going to do?”
At this point Harry could tell that Hagrid wasn’t listening and turned to his friends. Sighing softly they said their goodbyes and headed out to re-convene in the RoR.
Even with all of his language study, Harry had long since lost whatever ancient language Alyssa had fallen to speaking in their enrages state. Blood was flowing down their face, covering a fair amount of it, dripping off their shadow’s wings and hissing menacingly on the floor as they paced.
“Alyssa!” Harry finally snapped, the enby’s head snapping to face him, the walkie on their waist hissing menacingly. “Calm down, you’re getting scary.”
Taking a few breaths Alyssa reined their powers in.
“We might have something that could help.” Fred called, heading upstairs, his twin right behind him.
“More we know someone who might be able to help.” George added, taking quick note of the scorched trail that Alyssa had made. “Our brother, Charlie.”
“He works at a Dragon Sanctuary in Romania. He could take the dragon back to the wild, make sure it tended to alright.”
“Keep it safe and Hagrid.” He finished and Alyssa gave a small nod.
“Alright, that might work out.” They let out a heavy sigh and harry headed up to them, gently taking their shoulder. “I need an emotional support Familiar.”
“You have your Eagle Owl.”
“Oh yeah. I need Klareon to teach me how to summon him at will.”
“You’ll figure things out. Now let’s get a letter to Charlie a letter informing him about the situation. Someone’s going to have to keep an eye on the situation at hand, and we have to work through this.” Harry soothed, gently petting his ‘siblings’ cheek, wiping away now normal tears. “Did you figure anything out?”
“Her name is Myrle Elizabeth Warren, and she was murdered. It’s cruel to mock her for being in despair. She was bullied in life; she need not be bullied in death.”
“Understandable.”
“I was very honest with her about my intentions of course, and I couldn’t get much. She didn’t know that much about Riddle. He was Slytherin, that he was a bad kid. All she knows is that it was a boy speaking an odd language that caused her death. A piercing eye and then nothing.”
“Great, that’s another mystery that we just don’t have the time to think about.” Hermione let out a soft sigh. “Let’s focus on the tack at hand, save that investigation for another time. Another year.”
“Agreed. I don’t want to think about an evil eye.” Nevil shuddered and Alyssa shook their head.
“It hasn’t been seen in years, there is no need to worry about it least it actually comes up.” Alyssa smiled softly. “Until then we keep on Hagrid, on Quirrel. As much as I want to destroy Riddle’s plan, I fear what would happen if we don’t keep on top of Hagrid. He’s a good person but he is an absolute oaf when it comes to these things.”
“Unfortunately you’re right. I don’t see why we don’t just tun him over. He needs to learn that-“
“Albus does not need to know that there is a Dragon at this school! The room Fluffy is in is far to small for a beast of its size I dread what he would think was appropriate for a dragon!”
Draco took a small, timid, step away from Alyssa. They forced themselves to take a few deep breaths, before stepping forward, slowly reaching forward as they watched Draco’s shifting eyes. The wolf rousing inside of him.
“I’m sorry Draco. I didn’t mean to frighten you. But you know what he did, he upsets me greatly. I know you mean well, but really. Hagrid is not a bad person, he’s just a bit foolish. A kindhearted fool, and he doesn’t deserve to lose his job for this one.”
“Okay.” Draco nodded, relaxing slightly as they took his shoulders. “I’m sorry for upsetting.”
“Oh, don’t you dare apologize. Don’t fall too far now.” They smirked, kissing his forehead with a small smile. “You’re a Slytherin, you’re meant to be ambitious. I understand that you’re stressed, and you’re figuring your new place out. You’re allowed to be emotional, and I’m sorry if I even slightly implied otherwise.”
“I know. Were both in a weird space, I know what you meant.”
“I just worry that were fucking up your status as a Slytherin.”
“I’ve got my people.” Draco gave a small nod, smirking slightly. “Pansy’s taken control of Crabe and Goyle, but I’ve got Throdore, Daphne, Sophie, and Blaze. They aren’t my followers, but we are still close. We hang out.”
“Really for the one who said they were going to stand against, I have most of my friends in Gryffindor. My sibling, Nevil, Hermione, Sally-Anne.” Alyssa headily sighed, shaking their head. “The only ones outside are Lily, Daphne, and Draco.”
“We all mostly have friends mostly from our own houses. People that we can turn to outside of this.” Draco gave a nod. “And now we have our adventuring party. You’re teaching Sally-Anne, Daphne, Lily, Pravati, and Padma to team up. Some of the older students. And it’s not even just in out little hide away, it’s the training field and through the halls. And yet no one found here. That’s… Admittedly impressive. You’ve been delegating, that’s smart, teaching more and more people to learn things. Let’s worry about that, let those five worry themselves with Hagrid and the Dragon.”
“Right. It’s still kind of disappointing that there is a lack of rogues other than Harry and the twins. Rare class here, and that is incredibly unfortunate.” They said, following Draco to the Library. Harry watched them head off and Harry gave a small nod.
“I think they are good for each other.” Nevil said and Harry shook his head.
“Alyssa’s not into that kind of thing.” He chuckled.
“There are other types of relationships that could lean towards ‘soulmates’ in their own way.” Hermione said.
“Me and Fred are both dating Lee.” Fred added.
“Not each other of course, but we are twins. The closest of siblings, made more so by similarity.” George nodded. “Even our own mum can’t tell us apart.”
“So, we embraced our oneness. Just happened that we fell for the same person, that he completes both of us the way we need.” Fred finished.
“You’re right, you’re all right. That’s on me honestly. I know that Alyssa and you are close.” He nodded to Hermione, smiling softly. “And my dad is an absolute disaster bi. He’s learned relationships quite a bit, but I get it. I do.”
“Now lets get that letter sent.”
The weeks drew onward, and Harry felt his heart racing as he waited for a response from Charlie. He understood that the man was probably extremely busy, but this was growing more and more urgent.
The dragon: a Norwegian Ridgeback that Hagrid had named Norbert, was growing rapidly. He had already outgrown Fang and wasn’t stopping. Hagrid was too focused on tending to the beast to tend to the grounds, and it was starting to become somewhat frustrating.
As a large shadow hit the sky one day, Harry let out a sigh holding out an arm for Hedwig to land on. Gently he scratched her chin, pulling a treat out of his pocket for her before accepting the scroll from her ankle.
“Thank you dear.” He whispered. “Keep an eye on the area alright?”
Hedwig gave a nod and took to the sky, Nevil pouting slightly as Hermione handed him Trevor again.
“I wish our thing could be like that.”
“Alright, where did you get Trevor?” Harry sighed, turning to him, and smiling softly smiled. “Because you can’t make the same bond with someone else’s familiar.”
“Oh. Trevor was my mums. Nan thought that it would be best.”
“Nevil.”
“She meant well.”
“Of course, but that was part of what was holding you back.” Harry sighed. “You have an amazing amount of power, and you need to be allowed to lean into things.”
“I know.”
“Here isn’t the place to talk about things. I got a response from Charlie.”
“Let me see.” Hermione said, taking the scroll. Quickly they headed off to the side before leaning in to read it.
Dear Fred, George, Harry, and friends,
It’s great to hear from the two of you, not that you spare the letters. While I’m not surprised to hear that Hagrid managed to get a dragon; even one as rare as a Norwegian Ridgeback, I would be more than happy to take him in. But it won’t be easy to get him here. I think it would be best to send him with a group of my friends who are coming to visit next week.
The trouble is that they mustn’t be seen carrying an illegal dragon. It must be getting big already. Can you get it to the top of the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take it away while it’s still dark?
Send a response as soon as you can, I’ll be looking for that beautiful snowy owl familiar of yours Harry.
Best of luck,
Charlie
Nodding Harry pulled out his little notebook quickly penning the response.
Dear Charlie,
That’s great. It’s not going to be easy, but we can do our best. You’re right in saying that Norbert- as Hagrid has dubbed him- had grown big. I fear that even with us being able to go from the outside it won’t be too easy.
But that seems like the only option.
Thank you for the help,
Harry
Whistling softly, he easily caught Hedwig, petting her head. Quickly he rolled it and tied it allowing her to fly off to return the message before pausing.
“How did it take less time to get from Romania, than America?”
“That was probably due to who you were sending the letter to.” Hermione noted, smiling softly as they sat again. It was starting to get warm, February’s weather taking hold. “Were lucky that Quirrel hasn’t tried anything.”
“Alyssa’s got more people actually looking into things, and it’s the start of that new idea. And even if things can happen at night, I doubt that Quirrel has enough strength.”
“He has been getting week recently, I doubt that he can sustain them both safely.”
“So… If he needs the elixir of life, how has he been surviving up to this point?” Harry pondered, leaning back against the tree. “There has to be something.”
“It’s best we don’t worry too much. You have the big game Friday.”
“Snape’s reffing. As much as he has been not as much of a prick, it would be the best that we won as quickly as we could.” Harry responded. “I should get going, I have practice in an hour and I can’t be late. Wood’s been pushing the team extra hard. If we wing this game then we pass Slytherin.”
Waving Harry made his way across the massive courtyard towards the Quidditch field.