Chapter 8
The next week, Harry had hardly any time to devote to his extracurricular studies. The first Quidditch match of the season was that weekend, and it was Gryffindor versus Slytherin.
While it was true that the game might be a little more civilized without Malfoy and the upper years who had made up the majority of the team the year before, the rivalry between those two Houses was ingrained, and wouldn't change any time soon. At least now it was more likely to stay friendly and on the Pitch, rather than in the corridors between classes.
Harry knew that Theo had had his hands full picking an entirely new team. He was relieved, but not entirely surprised, that the new Captain had failed to pick Crabbe and Goyle to return to their spots as beaters. The two troll-like boys, however, were less than thrilled. Harry had observed them muttering with Pansy Parkinson and a few seventh years in deserted hallways, which did nothing to set his mind at ease. He warned Blaise and Daphne to keep an eye on them, but beyond that, there wasn't much he could do.
He mentioned his worries to Snape, managing to get the professor alone by staying after class, but Snape just nodded, sighing. "I've noticed it as well," he admitted, rubbing a hand tiredly across his face as he surreptitiously put up a few privacy wards to keep any unwanted ears from hearing them. "I'm keeping an eye on them," he gave a pointed look at Harry, and the teenager knew that meant Snape was using passive Legilimancy to monitor their thoughts, "But they have to have had at least some minor training in keeping that information from getting into the wrong hands. Without a more concentrated attack, I won't be able to find out what they're whispering about. Just observe, Potter. If you notice anything, don't keep it to yourself."
Harry nodded, and rushed off to catch up to his friends.
XXX
Gryffindor dominated the field that Saturday. After forty-five minutes of play, the lions were up 100-20, and the snitch had yet to appear. After a brief time out, Harry decided to switch up his team, to give the reserve members a chance to see some action. He put in Seamus for Dean at beater, and switched Natalie for Demelza. He wanted everyone to be comfortable playing in a real game, and it was better for them to get that experience when they were up by ninety, rather then needing to go in because they were down a player and losing by fifty.
The next hour increased the margin by another seventy points, as Harry switched out his reserves and starters several more times. Finally, Harry decided to put the Slytherins out of their misery, and dropped into a steep dive, catching the snitch and cementing the final score at 350-40.
The red and gold section burst into cheers as the team lowered to the ground. They were soon surrounded by students clapping them on the back, shaking their hands, and congratulating them.
After a few minutes, Harry managed to make himself heard above the crowd. "Party in the common room!" he shouted, to an approving roar.
The team headed to the locker room, while everyone else made their way back up to the castle.
It was an interesting experience, Harry reflected as he changed out of his Quidditch gear, to play a game with Slytherin and not have to worry about foul play. For the first time, the Slytherin team was entirely friendly. Without Malfoy and his ilk, they were able to play the game the way it should be played. While Theo Nott wasn't what one would call 'friendly', he wasn't on board with the pureblood supremacist act, and he was able to get along with most people, and the new Slytherin team was built of more open-minded members of the House.
XXX
The party that followed lasted well into the evening and early morning, with the entire House celebrating their victory. Harry had cajoled the house elves into supplying enough food to feed the entire school, and he and Ginny took one of the secret passages into Hogsmeade to provide the butterbeer.
Everyone congratulated the new players, pleased with the team they had this year.
Harry watched the gathering with a smile, off to the side with his friends.
"It was a good move, putting in the reserves," Hermione commented, taking a sip of her drink.
Harry nodded. "I thought it would be good to give them a chance to play. Experience and all that. Better when we're ahead, right?"
"Exactly," Ron agreed. "Give them the opportunity to see what a real game's like, so that when we need them for some reason, they won't be completely green. It's good strategy."
Harry grinned. "Coming from the master of strategy himself, I'll take that as a great compliment."
Ron turned beet red, and took a large swallow of his drink.
Minerva finally had to come up and tell them all to go to bed around three o'clock in the morning, but there was a slight smile on her face as she did so, so they knew she wasn't really mad.
XXX
Early in the next week, Harry and Ginny were walking a patrol after curfew, talking through their bond as they walked the corridors.
I've been thinking about something, Harry said, his mental voice hesitant, something that caught Ginny's interest immediately.
What is it, Harry? she asked curiously.
Harry bit his lip. The diary.
Ginny froze, remembering her hellish first year. What about it? she asked uncertainly.
Harry sighed. I just… I was thinking about what it did. He saw Ginny flinch, and squeezed her hand reassuringly. What if it was more than just a memory preserved in a book?
Ginny frowned, her heart racing slightly. You think Voldemort did something?
Harry nodded. The more I think about it, the more I think there was more to that diary than just an old memory. If it were really a memory, it wouldn't have been able to affect you the way it did.
Ginny pursed her lips, thinking about it. It does make sense, she replied slowly. Should we talk to Snape?
Harry nodded. I think that would be best. He might have an idea of what kind of magic could have created the diary.
They agreed to speak with the professor soon, and continued on their route.
XXX
Keeping their promise to themselves, that weekend, Ginny and Harry once more found themselves in Snape's private quarters, speaking with the professor about things they really wished they didn't have to worry about.
Snape listened to their theories – or lack thereof, since they really had no idea what it could be beyond just an errant thought – with interest. When Harry finished speaking, he frowned thoughtfully. "Your speculation does make a sick sort of sense," he commented. "I know that diary set Albus jumping, but I didn't know why. It looks like you may be following his train of thought."
Harry bit his lip. "Do you have any ideas?" he asked curiously.
Snape nodded slightly. "A few thoughts. Nothing concrete. I'll do some research and let you know."
The teenagers had to be content with that, and they knew they would be looking into it as well, so they said their goodbyes and headed up to meet their friends.
They all spent the day in the Room of Requirement, practicing Occlumency and animagus training, or working on various assignments.
Harry practiced his Legilimancy, and wasn't able to get into any of their minds without their consent, which made him happy. Ginny let him in willingly, and he spent most of the morning exploring her mind.
That afternoon, he sent off a letter to Jason Holding, asking him for theories on how someone might go about rebuilding a mind. He thought he was improving with Legilimancy, and he wanted to start thinking about the next step of his plan. Legilimancy was just one part of it; it would take a lot more than a basic grasp of the art to cure someone who had lost their minds to the Cruciatus Curse.
XXX
A few days later, he received a response, which though helpful, didn't necessarily aide in his research.
Instead, Jason gave him the name of a healer at St. Mungos who specialized in the Cruciatus Curse, and who might have a better idea of how to go about rebuilding the mind, since she knew more about how the curse destroyed it than just about anyone.
The answer he received from the Healer was both thought provoking and hopeful.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I have been studying the Cruciatus Curse for over twenty years now, and you somehow managed to summarize everything I've been attempting to accomplish in just a few sentences. Most of the wizarding world is under the impression that this curse is irreversible, but I believe there may yet be a cure.
The key lies in the damaged mind itself, I believe. It is not simply a matter of learning Legilimancy. The art alone won't be enough to rebuild the mind. That kind of process would take more than the type of knowledge we have today. However, I do believe you are correct in your train of thought. The solution may very well lie in the art of Legilimancy. But there is more to it than simply being able to see into the damaged mind. We have attempted this before, and there simply seems to be no way to rebuild what has been destroyed.
I would very much be interested in speaking with you more about your ideas. If you have thoughts on how to further our progress, I would love to hear them.
Healer Jessica Winsby
St. Mungos
Harry knew the healer was correct – Legilimancy alone wouldn't solve anything. What he needed to do was evolve the art into something more. He briefly considered the idea of writing to Augusta Longbottom to let her know what he was planning, but he tossed the idea aside just as quickly as it occurred to him. For the same reason he wasn't telling Neville, he didn't want to tell Augusta. He would hate it if she built up false hope and he just let her down.
XXX
As the rest of the school attended the Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff Quidditch game on the last Saturday of November, Harry and Ginny quietly separated themselves from the crowd and made their way down to the dungeons.
Snape let them in and set up several privacy wards before gesturing for them to take a seat. "I've been doing a lot of quiet research, since you came to me with your theories. When you told me about the diary, some possibilities presented themselves. I wanted to ask a few more questions, but I think I might know what the Dark Lord did." He paused, and looked almost sorry at what he had to do next. "Miss Weasley, can you tell me about what happened when you wrote in the diary?"
Ginny took a deep breath. "It felt almost like he was pulling my soul out of me, using me to come back to life. Every time I wrote in it, I felt a little less human."
Harry took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
Snape nodded like that was the answer he expected to hear. "Have either of you ever heard of a horcrux?" The teenagers shook their heads, and Snape sighed. "I didn't think so. In plain terms, creating a horcrux is one of the most heinous crimes a person can commit. Basically, it is a vessel in which someone hides a portion of their soul. It is an insurance policy, I believe the muggles would say. If the person were to be killed, the horcrux would stop their soul from passing on."
"And they would be able to come back," Harry whispered.
Snape nodded again, this time more soberly. "I believe the diary may have been one such vessel."
"But then, if it was destroyed, wouldn't that solve the problem?" Ginny asked, feeling a little calmer with Harry rubbing small circles on the palm of her hand.
Harry shook his head, knowing what Snape was thinking. "Not if the bastard made more than one."
Snape sighed. "The Dark Lord is a megalomaniac. He's a narcissist. He wouldn't have stopped at just one."
"How does one go about making a horcrux?" Ginny asked curiously. She wondered why more people didn't try to use this as a way to stop from dying, though based on what she was hearing, there was probably a good reason for that.
Snape's eyes darkened, and Harry sucked in a breath. "Murder," he breathed. "That's how, isn't it?"
Snape nodded, agreeing. "One creates a horcrux by taking a life. There is a ritual involved, but the process includes sending an innocent soul along in place of your own. It is horrendous, and it does not surprise me that the Dark Lord would choose to employ this safeguard."
A heavy silence permeated the air as they processed the information that had been uncovered in that conversation.
Both Snape and Ginny looked strangely at Harry as he let out a snort. "I wonder who cursed you, Professor," he commented.
Snape raised an eyebrow, confused. As far as he knew, he hadn't been cursed recently.
Harry chuckled, knowing that the professor was thinking literally. "There's this saying in the muggle world, known as a Chinese curse. It goes 'may you live in interesting times," he explained.
Snape nodded, understanding. "Whoever it was, they had better hope I never catch up to them."
Harry and Ginny laughed. "I hope you'll let me get a few shots in as well," Harry said, calming down. "I'm all for a little excitement and adventure, but I could do without the megalomaniac trying to kill me."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I think we all could."
After another minute of silence, Harry sighed. "So we have to find out how many of these horcruxes Voldemort created, where they are, what they are, and that's not even getting into finding them and destroying them." He shook his head. "It sounds like an impossible task, and yet, I can't help but feel hopeful."
Snape looked at him like he was crazy, but Ginny nodded thoughtfully. "For the first time, I feel like this war can be won. You're right, Harry. It sounds incredibly impossible, but we now have an idea of what to do to stop him."
Harry grinned at his girlfriend. "Did you hear what you just said, Gin? We can win." He looked at Snape. "We can win," he repeated, his voice steely and determined, his eyes overly bright.
And for the first time in almost two decades, Snape actually felt hopeful. This war under Harry's lead gave him so much more surety than Albus' twinkling eyes and false assurances. In just a few weeks, Harry had come up with a way to beat the Dark Lord, once and for all. No prophecy, no second chances. Just certainty.
The Defense professor actually felt himself smiling, as he nodded, his obsidian eyes meeting and holding Harry's bright green gaze. "We have a chance," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
All three of them felt the immensity of those words settle around them. The responsibility of what they had to do, the knowledge that they held… realistically speaking, they could make or break this war. With what they knew, they could actually end this.
Snape coughed. "You should get back to mingle with crowds returning from the match. I believe it goes without saying that what we've discussed here should not leave this room."
Harry bit his lip. "I won't keep secrets from my friends. I was always planning on telling them, I just wanted to run the theory by you first. I think you could be a great asset, with your role in the last war and this one. But the three of us can't do this alone." He smiled slightly and looked down a few inches into Ginny's comforting gaze. "It took me a long time to realize that I don't have to do everything by myself." He looked back at Snape, his gaze fiery. "Together, we're stronger."
Snape sighed and nodded. "I do understand that, Harry. I just don't want to risk any word of this getting out. Can you imagine what could happen if the Dark Lord were to discover what we know?"
Harry winced, but acquiesced. "If and when we discuss this, I promise we'll employ every privacy ward and charm we can. We've got a room we can use that we can set to not let anyone in without our consent. Most of us have rock hard Occlumency shields, and the rest are getting there. I think within the next couple of months, they'll be there, and then I'll share everything."
"I think we should think about how to utilize everyone best, before we act," Ginny commented idly. When Harry and Snape looked at her, she elaborated, "It will do no good to give them all this information if we don't know how we're going to go about using it. Each of our friends has their own strengths and weaknesses. We need to be smart about this. Professor Snape is right, if word of this were to leak out, it could be catastrophic."
Harry nodded grimly. "Understood. We'll form a plan first. Maybe by the Christmas holidays we'll have a better idea." He stood up, pulling Ginny with him. "Thank you for hearing us out, Professor. If we come up with any ideas, we'll let you know. But we should get back to the crowds. I think we've outlasted the game at this point."
Indeed, they could all hear the muted sounds of voices coming from above them, indicating that the Quidditch match was over and students were returning to the castle.
Snape took down the wards and watched as the two teenagers left. He felt much wearier than he had before their visit, but despite that, he couldn't help but feel like a weight had been lifted.
For the first time in over twenty years, they had a chance.
XXX
Ravenclaw had won the Quidditch match, in what sounded like a very close race, according to Ron, who gave Harry a play-by-play account of everything he had missed. As Captain, Harry was grateful, since he got the opportunity to hear a little about the two teams they still had yet to play.
As the castle died down in the aftermath of the Quidditch hype, Hogwarts entered into December, and the last few weeks of the term.
Harry and his friends were as busy studying as ever, though Harry and Ginny also spent some time – what little time they could – discussing their newfound knowledge and their talk with Snape. Blaise, Luna, and Daphne were getting pretty good with Occlumency, and Harry thought they would probably be as good as they could get by Christmas. He told them all to contact Jason and set up a time where he could test their shields over the holiday break, just to be certain. His own Legilimancy was getting pretty good as well, and he was becoming very savvy at navigating the mind. Ginny was the only one who really felt comfortable letting him in, but he had learned a bit in his testing of the others.
Two weeks before the break, Harry and the others received an invitation to yet another Slughorn party, this one a Christmas get together. The word was, Slughorn was inviting a few graduated students that he had taught, 'back in the day'. Ginny had had a bit of a 'fan girl' moment, when she had heard the rumor that Gwenog Jones, Captain of the Holyhead Harpies, was going to be there.
Harry still wasn't sure, but he agreed to attend, in the spirit of the holiday. He didn't really have an excuse, after all, since the school would be going into break just a few days later, so there was no pressing need to schedule a Quidditch practice. The same sort of reasoning went for having to study. When Harry told the others that he and Ginny were going, they were quick to accept their invites as well.
The big talk of the days leading up to the party was Neville asking Hannah Abbott to go, as his girlfriend. He and Susan had been one of the well-known couples of the last couple years – right up there with Harry and Ginny, and Ron and Hermione. The gossip mill had run rampant after their break up, and the fact that Neville was now dating Susan's roommate was a great source of interest. It annoyed all the affected parties, but they tried to ignore it.
Susan had squashed down the jealousy she felt when Hannah came into their room squealing about how Neville had asked her to be his girlfriend, and the next day, accepted a date with Theo Nott when he asked her to the party.
XXX
When Harry and Ginny arrived in the room Slughorn had set up for the party, the Potter heir took a moment to look around, impressed despite himself. The room had been dressed with gold hangings on the windows, gold streamers cascading down from the ceiling, interspersed with shimmering stars. One long table was set up along the far wall, almost groaning at the amount of food on it.
He escorted Ginny back in that direction, nodding at a few friends he saw in the crowd. There were a surprising number of people who were older – guests that Slughorn had invited, probably students he had taught once upon a time.
"Harry! Ginny!" the two looked over at the sound of their names, and smiled at Blaise and Luna, who were getting something to drink. Luna was dressed in a set of dress robes that was very… her. They were navy blue and sparkly, with sleeves that draped down and widened at the end, almost hiding her hands from view. It was an empire waist style, and even though Harry probably wouldn't have chosen it for himself, he thought it looked nice on her. At least she had left her radish earrings in her room.
"Hey," Harry greeted as they joined the pair.
Blaise nodded. "You look nice, Ginny. Did you guys coordinate or something?"
They looked at each other, and chuckled ruefully as they realized that they did indeed match. Ginny was wearing an emerald green dress with just a hint of sparkle on the top when the light hit it. It cut off abruptly at the knee, and showed off her slim and athletic figure quite well.
Harry was wearing black pants with an emerald green button up shirt.
Ron and Hermione joined them at that moment, Ron immediately gravitating towards the food, as Harry and Ginny complimented Hermione's dress. It was a lavender color, with ruffles on one side of the skirt that tied up in a little knot at the waist.
As the evening continued to pass, Harry had to admit that he was actually having a good time. Throughout the term, he had kept his word to observe their Potions professor without making any snap judgments. He could see that Slughorn knew what he was talking about in the classroom; he had no issues with the man as a professor. It was the rest of it that he wasn't all that fond of. Slughorn had his favorites, just like Sirius had said. And it clearly showed, in the way he would pay attention to certain members of different classes more than others. He didn't think the man was bad, or evil. He just wished he wouldn't act so… oh, who was Harry kidding, Slughorn was acting like a Slytherin. There wasn't really anything wrong with that; Harry just wasn't overly fond of the Potions Master's way of going about it.
But he was learning to live with it, and while he wouldn't be calling on Slughorn to watch his back in a fight any time soon, he did think the man was worthy of some level of trust; or at least, he didn't think he had to keep an extra eye out for the man.
Speaking of… Slughorn chose that moment to pop up beside Harry, smiling jovially at the group of students standing there. "Harry! So glad you could come!" He reached out and pulled a young woman forward. "I'd like to introduce you to a former student of mine. Gwenog, this is Harry Potter."
Gwenog Jones, the Captain of the Holyhead Harpies, smiled tightly, nodding at Harry and looking around at the others.
Slughorn coughed lightly. "Well, I'm sure you two would have a lot in common. You're both such fantastic Quidditch players after all! If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to the other guests. Cheerio!" He disappeared back into the crowd, and Gwenog rolled her eyes.
"Sorry about that," she said to Harry. "He means well, he's just a little…" words seemed to fail her, but Harry nodded his understanding.
"Yeah, he is," he agreed.
Gwenog smiled, this time a little more genuinely. "He was right, though, we do have a little in common. I've heard a bit about your Quidditch exploits. You've got some great moves under your belt."
Harry blushed slightly, but smiled his thanks. Next to him, Ginny seemed to be in a state of shock. Her dream was to play for the Holyhead Harpies, and here was the team's Captain, standing right there, talking like one person to another.
Harry looked over at his girlfriend, amused by her silence. She wasn't normally so star struck, but he knew that she really wanted to play Quidditch professionally, so he understood her sudden silence.
"This is my girlfriend Ginny," he introduced, nudging the redhead girl slightly. "She's a chaser, and a damn good one at that."
Gwenog raised an eyebrow. "It's nice to meet you, Ginny. You like to play?"
Ginny cleared her throat and nodded, trying to snap out of it. "Oh yes," she grinned. "I'd love to play professionally."
Gwenog tilted her head slightly. "Perhaps I'll have to make a trip out here for a game sometime. If you're any good, I'm sure we'd love to have you."
Ginny felt her heart soar. "I'd appreciate that," she replied. "I know how hard it is to actually get into the game as a pro."
Gwenog nodded, agreeing. "It is difficult, but if you've got the talent and the drive, I'm sure you'll make it."
Ginny smiled. "Thanks," she blushed.
Gwenog glanced around the room. "It was nice to meet you, Harry, Ginny, but I think I've done enough socializing for the night. I'm sure I'll see you again sometime."
She shook both their hands before disappearing into the crowd.
Ginny felt hot all of a sudden, and Harry smirked. "Star struck?" he asked impishly.
Ginny growled lightly and shoved him playfully. "Shut up," she muttered. "Gwenog Jones is like my idol. You know how much I'd love to play with the Harpies."
Harry nodded, putting an arm across her shoulders. "I know, Gin," he soothed. "I was just teasing. She seemed like a nice person."
Ginny smiled. "Yeah. I hope she does come to see a game sometime. I do have a couple of years though."
Harry nodded, and they headed off to get another drink.
A while later found Harry and Ginny alone near the refreshment table. Their friends had dispersed to talk with various visiting contacts of Slughorn's. Hermione had introduced herself to a renowned author of Transfiguration textbooks, including the one they were using for the current school year, while Ron dutifully stood by her side, trying to be interested in the conversation as he ate his way through a plate of snacks.
Blaise and Daphne had met a renowned Potions Mistress, and were thoroughly engaged in fascinated conversation, while Luna was talking animatedly about mystical creatures with an older gentleman, and Neville was speaking with a woman about something that appeared quite interesting, if his eager expression was anything to go by, while Hannah listened, seeming to feign interest if Harry judged her polite smile correctly. Susan had apparently left Theo talking to some of his friends, and decided to join Hermione and Ron, Harry noticed as his observant gaze swept the room once more.
Harry and Ginny were content to talk with each other for a while, both feeling tired from all the socializing. Harry looked up at something Ginny said, and then furrowed his brow as he noted an older man helping himself to some food from the table they were standing beside. He recognized the man from a picture on the back of a book he had read when studying the Wolfsbane potion.
He moved forward quickly. "Mr. Belby?" he asked hesitantly.
The man looked up, startled, and then his eyes widened almost comically. "Mr. Potter!"
Harry nodded sheepishly. "Yeah. Um, I just wanted to introduce myself. I've done a lot of research on the Wolfsbane potion, and I think you did a great thing inventing it. Thank you."
Damocles Belby, the inventor of the Wolfsbane potion, nodded courteously. "It is I who should be thanking you, Mr. Potter. Professor Snape has told me of your improvements, and their success. Congratulations, it really was quite a feat."
Harry blushed, and Ginny smiled, leaning into his side.
Belby nodded again. "Have you considered a career in potions development, Mr. Potter?"
Harry shrugged. "Not really," he admitted. "I've got a lot of interests."
Belby smiled slightly. "Well, if you ever want to talk ideas and potions, please contact me. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter."
Harry grinned and took the hand that Belby offered. "You as well, Mr. Belby."
Ginny reached out and drew Harry closer to her, her hand tightening across his waist. Harry looked down into her warm gaze and smiled.
Ginny nodded decisively. "What more confirmation do you need, Harry? A renowned Potions Master just told you how talented you are. You did good, Potter, so embrace it."
Harry shook his head slightly, but kept smiling. "Yes, dear."