Chapter 8
'Never have I dealt with anything more difficult than my own soul' - Unknown
Chapter 8:
The Slytherin Common room was a dark and moody place, the high ceilings held dark iron chandeliers and the walls were layered with dark stone. The floor was of obsidian tilling and had no carpeting. The room was cold. Frightfully cold. So much that all of the 2nd years and above were all positioned to be within the vicinity of the fireplace. Some of the older Slytherins braving to lean against the stone walls to save space and propriety. There was a very large fireplace that took up the whole side of the left wall, crackling furiously, hissing and spitting against the burning of the wood. Three large dark leather sofas were all placed around the fire, a low wooden coffee table between them. Tables and chairs of different styles were all positioned around the room. Some chairs looked like thrones and Harry fancied that they were used quite frequently in the house of superiority.
Focusing back in, Harry watched as the Slytherin Head of House swooped in on the huddled group of first years. There was a slight twitch of the lip at the eyes of wonder that crossed over the room. Harry watched curiously as Professor Snape's eyes lingered on Draco Malfoy, who gave a timid smile. Must be some sort of family relation he thought to himself.
"Welcome to Slytherin. Here you act as one, you stick together and you push yourselves to reach your goals. This is the house of ambition. You do not let anyone stop you from achieving your goals. Being in this house, you will experience a bias, you will experience fear and hate. Derogatory comments and a distaste from the other houses, but do not be ashamed, it is simply the bias built by the dark lord long ago. Now I expect any house fights or conflicts to be settled within the walls of the common room, any lack of unity will be preyed upon by the others. So think carefully."
And with his final words, he cast his gaze around the room, sending silent messages, before he landed upon Harry, who watched as his eyes narrowed in thought and possibly further emotions. Two prefects showed the first years to their dorms, the female prefect taking the girls and the male prefect who went by the name of Adrian Pucey led the boys to theirs.
The dorm room was quite large and held six beds all with canopies with heavy hanging curtains of dark emerald. Their trunks had already been placed in front of the beds and Harry found his right at the back, his headboard up against the far wall gave his whole left side a view of the very large porthole that went from the floor to the ceiling in width. The depths of the Great Lake glittering in the large rays of moonlight, and Harry found himself being taken away by the feeling of listlessness.
After taking a shower and changing into his black silk pyjamas he closed the curtains around the bottom and right side of his bed, leaving his left open to stare at the depths of the lake. He remained awake the whole night, conversing with Bhatilda, Figg was most quiet now a days, simply content in bathing in the warmth Harry's own soul offered.
Cromm was sleeping on his iron perch Harry had pulled out of his trunk whilst fishing for his pyjamas, occasionally ruffling his feathers in his sleep. Harry remained blissfully aware of the lack of company. Specifically Death's company. The coldness and the presence of the dead was a balm to his own soul and he found himself yearning for that feeling again. He smiled however, when he distinctly remembered feeling the presence of ghosts in the castle, he wasn't sure why he hadn't seen any of them yet, but he was determined to find them and become acquaintances with them. And soon he found himself closing his eyes in the early hours of the morning...only to awaken by the persistent pecking of Cromm who was now sat on his chest.
Shoving Cromm off of his chest, ignoring the flapping of wings and indignant croaking he called out to Bhatilda.
*Morning Harry, I suggest leaving for breakfast at around 6:30 for earliness and a good display of time management.* Bhatilda's quiet murmur, rose Harry from his groggy consciousness and then he was quietly removing his clothes from his trunk. Brushing his teeth and tying his elbow length hair back into a low ponytail with a green ribbon, he brushed his shorter strands of hair around his face, nodding at his clean complexion he stepped out of the bathroom in a black turtleneck, slacks and shiny leather shoes all of the same colour. His mother's pendant shining beautifully against his chest.
All of the boys were still sleeping and so he withdrew his Hogwarts robe from his wardrobe and headed down into the common room, Cromm riding his shoulder. There were a few boys in the common room, all fifth years, sat around a round table in the top corner of the room on a raised area. Ignoring their stares he glided up the few steps and out of the entrance portrait. Immediately the crisp morning draft hit his face and Harry revelled in the shiver he made at the approaching Autumn. His favourite time of the year, where the cold is inescapable and not to mention the amount of snow they would receive in Scotland. Heading to the main entrance of the castle to where the Great Hall was, Harry chuckled when Cromm grew impatient at his pausing to admire the stonework, and hopped off his shoulder to run along the ground. Feet pattering loudly on the stone, he croaked intermittently.
Flapping up the stairs he waited for Harry to open one side of the Great Doors and proceeded to run down the main strip of the Hall between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables. Chuckling Harry smoothly caught up with the excitable raven and scooped him up into his arms. After admonishing the bird Harry realised he was stood in front of the Staff Table, where Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Quirrell and lastly Professor Snape were all ready sitting.
Turning to them he was greeted with a raised eyebrow from the latter and a jovial smile from the Headmaster.
Giving them a bow, he straightened up and smiled, tapping Cromm on the beak when his wing hit his ear.
"Good morning Headmaster and fellow Professors, forgive my familiar for his rudeness, he is excited for the grapes."
Headmaster Dumbledore grinned. "Excited for the grapes is he? And what is his name?"
Pausing at how they would react he moved Cromm onto his shoulder. "His name is Cromm, Headmaster"
All eyebrows rose in the vicinity. Professor Dumbledore coughed gently.
"Cromm you say? The Celtic name for Death?"
Smiling brightly at his observation Harry nodded. "That is correct, Cromm seemed to take a liking to it too"
As if seemingly coordinated Cromm flew to the Staff table and stole a grape from Professor Dumbledore's bowl, and flapped his wings before croaking: "C-romm! Cro-mm! Cromm!"
Professor McGonagall gaped and Headmaster Dumbledore laughed at the raven's antics.
"Cromm come here, there will be grapes for you at the table." The raven cried and returned to Harry's shoulder.
But Harry soon found his hands to be occupied with a bowl of grapes, specifically Professor Dumbledore's bowl. Looking up blankly he met the Headmaster's merry eyes and was immediately hit with Death's very first meeting with him. How he looked. And how he said he resembled someone who would be very trustworthy him in the future. Harry's eyes widened minutely and he found himself stepping up the dais to where he was sitting. Facing the Headmaster, he curiously observed how his eyes seemed to twinkle like the milky way, his long silvery beard disappearing beneath the table, a moustache neatly trimmed, long hair topped with a hat in the resemblance of a medieval nightcap. Yes this is the man Death was referring to.
The staff table was puzzled by the young boy's actions, silently walking up to the staff table and simply staring at the Headmaster. Although by the looks of his, Albus Dumbledore seemed to have no problem with it whatsoever for he was still smiling, and he looked completely relaxed with the boy's weird behaviour. The occupants of the table jolted however when the boy opened his mouth to finally speak.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, brother to Ariana Kendra Dumbledore and Aberforth Percival Dumbledore, that is correct no?"
Headmaster Dumbledore's eyes brightened. "You have done some research Harry, you are indeed correct". But Harry merely smiled.
"Not research Albus Dumbledore, I find that the souls of the dead and dying hold many secrets and knowledge they so dearly wish to tell to anyone who would simply only listen, Aberforth Dumbledore is a very defensive man, but with a heart of gold no different from yours."
Albus Dumbledore paused in his thoughts at the boy's words... he had met Aberforth? How? When? Curious eyes turned back to the boy who simply smiled mysteriously.
"Thank you for your kind comment my boy" He smiled genially.
"Do not thank me Albus Dumbledore for words that are true, I am merely the messenger for those who cannot speak, and I have more words for you and a few others, but this setting does not provide safety for your own souls at the deliverance of my words. So please wait patiently for them Albus Dumbledore. But know this..." At his final words the boy leaned forward across the table. Hogwarts robe fanning out to reveal pure black clothing beneath, green pendant dropping out and catching the eyes of the Dark Professor off to the left, whose eyes widened in shock.
Looking directly into the Headmaster's eyes he grasped his face with both hands, feeling the thin but tough skin beneath his palms he smiled. A smile he saved purely for the fearful departed souls. Green eyes glowed and a cold wind blew through the hall, giving credence to the boy's words....
"Know that your sister is happy and content with waiting for you to return to the land of the dead, but only in your own time. Do not wish to depart early for there are still many who need you here. Do not linger in the lands of regret for too long Albus Dumbledore. You mustn't swallow yourself in the ideals of the Greater Good. Stay strong and bright, for I will be here to promise deliverance and safety for your soul. Believe in my words Albus Dumbledore. And have faith in those of your own blood for they are more reliable than they seem."
Planting a cold kiss on the Headmaster's forehead, he pulled back slightly and stared deep into his eyes, ignoring the gaping faces of shock and surprise. In a low voice he continued.
"....Know that I will be waiting for your departing, but not for many many years Albus Dumbledore, by the wishes of a soul I hold dearly to me, I have sworn to make sure that you live the very most of your years remaining in joy and happiness. Know that...."
And at the last of his words, the boy's eyes stopped glowing and the cold wind settled to a gentle caressing breeze, the boy returned to his sense and straightened, chest heaving with exertion, he rested a white hand on the table, trembling, Cromm croaking in his ear.
*Thank you Harry....thank you* Bhatilda's voice whispered in the wind along with Ariana's.
Albus Dumbledore was pale and wide eyes were moist with his tears. His mouth opened to ask so many questions yet settled on the few most important.
"I-Is she safe? Is she happy? Does she forgive me?" Still shaking slightly Harry gave a calm smile and nodded.
"She does not want you to feel regret Albus Dumbledore, for you were never responsible for her Death, but do not worry, do not fear, for all answers will be waiting for you at the end of your crossroads."
A wrinkled hand grasped Harry's holding the table and squeezed lightly. "How about you go and have some breakfast, I feel the students will be coming in soon..."
Harry nodded. "Thank you Headmaster Dumbledore"
He turned and walked to sit down at the Slytherin table, missing the Headmaster's final words...." No thank you Harry Potter, for I haven't felt this clear and free since I defeated Grindlewald."
Shakily retrieving another bowl of grapes since Cromm took his, Albus Dumbledore allowed himself to be fussed over by his deputy. Professor Flitwick sat in deep thought for the remainder of the breakfast and so did Professor Snape, whose brain was fried over the sight of Lily's necklace again. And as breakfast was finished and timetables were handed out Harry found himself sat for two hours in his very first lesson of Transfiguration. Sat towards the back he found himself beside Theodore Knott, who was sat as quietly as him. Both listening to Professor McGonagall's speech of rules and safety, before moving on to attempt a transfiguration of a match. It had been five minutes of watching Knott attempts before the boy stopped and turned to watch Harry who was simply staring at his match.
"Aren't you going to transfigure it?" The boy asked quietly under the bustle of the classroom.
Harry turned his eyes to the boy. "I already have" And at his words the boy looked down and saw a needle sat in the place of the match. Narrowing his eyes in thought, they soon widened.
"You didn't draw your wand" Harry smiled
"That is correct"
"Wandless casting"
"Correct"
"Silent casting too"
"Also correct"
"...How?"
"I'm glad you asked... now let me show you" Harry turned to fully face Knott, missing the movement of Professor McGonagall behind him, also watching curiously.
"I'd like you to close your eyes. Do not worry I won't do anything silly." Harry chuckled at the boy's hesitance "Now, picture a needle, its smooth and sleekness, the hole at the end for the thread, the sharp point that would hurt if you pressed it." After a few minutes of the visualising it Harry smiled
"Now I want you to raise your wand in the air, eyes still closed, keep visualising the needle, down to the very details, and I want you to wish strongly in your head for the match to change, and visualise the match changing into your pictured needle. You have to want it to. You need it to. Your will is a very strong piece of magic in itself, and transfiguration relies strongly on visualisation and will."
And at his final words Harry sat and watched Knott. The boy's eyebrows were knitted together but not a moment later did they smoothen out and Harry smiled.
"You are feeling the will now aren't you".
"...Yes I am."
"Good now cast your spell, say the incantation first, and then we can work on silent casting later"
Knott murmured the spell and Harry and Professor McGonagall behind him watched as the match morphed into a perfect needle. Harry made a singular clap, and Knott opened his eyes, staring at Harry who simply gestured to look down. Only then did Knott see the match, and he gaped in shock. Before promptly snapping his mouth shut.
"5 points to Slytherin for a perfect transfiguration Mr Knott". Harry stilled and turned to face the Professor behind him, whose eyes turned to him.
"And 30 points to Slytherin Mr Potter for an excellent explanation of Transfiguration, and helping a fellow classmate. For your own Transfiguration another 10 Points for doing it Wandless and Wordless."
The whole class gaped at the amount of points given and Harry smiled at his Professor who nodded and returned to helping other students around the class.
Harry turned to see Knott staring at him.
"...You are different....mature....and you are eerily calm, but I feel like we could get along, that's if you'll be ok with me" Knott looked down at the last words.
"I'd like to be your friend Theodore Knott, it would be a crime not to be friends with someone as quiet as myself."
They shook hands.
"Call me Theo, please"
"Alright Theo."
And that was that.
The rest of the classes spun by, Charms being purely theoretical and Defence too. It wasn't until Friday that they were finally able to do another practical.
Potions.
Harry and Theo were stood by the wall outside the classroom waiting for Professor Snape to arrive when they were rude fully interrupted in their conversation by a redhead called Ron Weasley.
"Hi Harry! I'm Ron Weasley, I wanted to ask if you'd want to move away from the slimy snakes and join us Gryffindors for Potions." His bright smile was blinding and Harry found himself forcing a blank face to hide it. Though Theo did snort beside him, seemingly catching his grimace.
Ron Weasley caught Theo's snort and turned on him red faced.
"What are you snorting at snake?" Theo straightened and turned a blank face to the boy.
"Nothing Weasley, now leave us"
The other students were watching curiously, especially the Slytherins, after all Harry Potter was meant to be a figure of the light. Maybe he would leave the Slytherins and join the Gryffindors in his rightful place.
"Think you're funny eh?" And Ron raised his wand, eyes gleaming with glee
"I'll show a spell my family taught me? Where's your family Knott? Did Death eater Daddy throw you away yet?"
Knott's hands tightened and Harry felt waves of unease and upset emanate from his friend beside him. Placing a pale hand on his friends shoulder, he stepped in front of his friend. Smiling briefly when he felt Theo grasp his robe tightly with a single hand.
"What gives you the right to threaten my friend Mr Weasley?" His cold voice was heard clearly through the hall
"Friend? You friends with a Death Eater's son?!" Ron cried
"Death Eater's son? I'm sorry I only know Theo, but if you keep getting more angry your face is going to go bright purple, and that's not very good for your soul you know".
Ron's mouth opened in shock.
"My soul? What are you talking about."
Stepping closer Harry zoned in on Ron.
"Your soul, it is exactly what I mean Mr Weasley. It'll be in danger and if your soul is gone I wonder what will happen to your body..." Giving a macabre grin, eyes glowing brightly.
Harry briefly saw the boy backing away before darkness took his vision and he felt himself falling to the floor....
Oh dear.... he thought.
And then there was nothing.