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| data/chapter/102.html-for a day, then it <em>had</em> to be right to drink a unicorn's | |
| data/chapter/102.html-blood in order to stave off death for weeks. You couldn't have it | |
| data/chapter/102.html-both ways.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>So Harry had gone into the Forbidden Forest wearing his Cloak. | |
| data/chapter/102.html-He had searched the Grove of Unicorns until he saw her, a proud | |
| data/chapter/102.html-creature with a pure white coat and violet hair, with three blue | |
| data/chapter/102.html-blotches on her flank. Harry had gone over, and the sapphire eyes | |
| data/chapter/102.html-had stared at him inquisitively. Harry had tapped out the sequence | |
| data/chapter/102.html-1-2-3 on the ground several times with his shoes. The unicorn had | |
| data/chapter/102.html-shown no sign of responding in kind. Harry had reached over, taken | |
| data/chapter/102.html-her hoof in his hand, and tapped the same sequence with the | |
| data/chapter/102.html-unicorn's hoof. The unicorn had only looked at him curiously.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>And something about feeding the unicorn the | |
| data/chapter/102.html-sleeping-potion-laced sugar cubes had still felt like murder.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p><em>That magic gives their existence a weight of meaning which | |
| data/chapter/102.html-no mere animal could possess... to slay something innocent to save | |
| data/chapter/102.html-oneself, that is a very grave sin.</em> Those two phrases, from | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Professor McGonagall, from the centaur, had both run through | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Harry's mind, over and over as the white unicorn had yawned, laid | |
| data/chapter/102.html-down on the ground, and closed its eyes for what would be the last | |
| data/chapter/102.html:time. The Transfiguration had lasted an hour, and Harry's eyes had | |
| data/chapter/102.html-watered repeatedly as he worked. The unicorn's death might not have | |
| data/chapter/102.html-come then, but it would come soon enough, and it was foreign to | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Harry's nature to try to refuse responsibility of any kind. Harry | |
| data/chapter/102.html-would just have to hope that, if you didn't kill the unicorn to | |
| data/chapter/102.html-save yourself, if you did it to help a friend, it would be | |
| data/chapter/102.html-acceptable in the end.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>Professor Quirrell's eyebrows had climbed toward his hairline. | |
| data/chapter/102.html-His voice was less soft, had something of his normal sharpness, as | |
| data/chapter/102.html-he said, "I forbid you from doing that again."</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>"I wondered if you'd say that," Harry said. He swallowed again. | |
| data/chapter/102.html-"But this unicorn is already, already doomed, so you might as well | |
| data/chapter/102.html-take it, Professor..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>"Why have you done this?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>If the Defense Professor really didn't understand that, he was | |
| data/chapter/102.html-slower on the uptake than anyone Harry had ever met. "I kept | |
| data/chapter/102.html-thinking there was nothing I could do," Harry said. "I got tired of | |
| data/chapter/102.html-thinking it."</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>Professor Quirrell closed his eyes. His head leaned back into | |
| data/chapter/102.html-the pillow. "You were lucky," the Defense Professor said in a soft | |
| data/chapter/102.html-voice, "that a unicorn in Transfigured form... did not set off the | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/102.html-would just have to hope that, if you didn't kill the unicorn to | |
| data/chapter/102.html-save yourself, if you did it to help a friend, it would be | |
| data/chapter/102.html-acceptable in the end.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>Professor Quirrell's eyebrows had climbed toward his hairline. | |
| data/chapter/102.html-His voice was less soft, had something of his normal sharpness, as | |
| data/chapter/102.html-he said, "I forbid you from doing that again."</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>"I wondered if you'd say that," Harry said. He swallowed again. | |
| data/chapter/102.html-"But this unicorn is already, already doomed, so you might as well | |
| data/chapter/102.html-take it, Professor..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>"Why have you done this?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>If the Defense Professor really didn't understand that, he was | |
| data/chapter/102.html-slower on the uptake than anyone Harry had ever met. "I kept | |
| data/chapter/102.html-thinking there was nothing I could do," Harry said. "I got tired of | |
| data/chapter/102.html-thinking it."</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>Professor Quirrell closed his eyes. His head leaned back into | |
| data/chapter/102.html-the pillow. "You were lucky," the Defense Professor said in a soft | |
| data/chapter/102.html-voice, "that a unicorn in Transfigured form... did not set off the | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Hogwarts wards, as a strange creature... I shall have to... take | |
| data/chapter/102.html-this outside the grounds, to make use of it... but that can be | |
| data/chapter/102.html-managed. I shall tell them that I wish to look upon the lake... I | |
| data/chapter/102.html:will ask you to sustain the Transfiguration before you go, and it | |
| data/chapter/102.html-should last long enough, after that... and with my last strength, | |
| data/chapter/102.html-dispel whatever death-alarms were placed to watch over the herd... | |
| data/chapter/102.html-which, the unicorn being not yet dead, but only Transfigured, will | |
| data/chapter/102.html-not yet have triggered... you were very lucky, Mr. Potter."</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>Harry nodded. He started to speak, then stopped again. Words | |
| data/chapter/102.html-seemed to stick in his throat once more.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p><em>You already calculated the expected utilities, if it works, | |
| data/chapter/102.html-if it goes wrong. You assigned probabilities, you multiplied, and | |
| data/chapter/102.html-then you threw out the answer and went with your new gut feeling, | |
| data/chapter/102.html-which was the same. So say it.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>"Do you know," Harry said unsteadily, "of any way at all, by | |
| data/chapter/102.html-which your life might be saved?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>The Defense Professor's eyes opened. "Why... do you ask me that, | |
| data/chapter/102.html-boy?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>"There's... a spell I heard of, a ritual -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>"Be silent," said the Defense Professor.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>An instant later a snake lay in the bed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>Even the snake's eyes were dull.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>It did not rise.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>"<em>Sspeak on,"</em> hissed that snake, its flickering tongue | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/102.html-ussed. Yet Sstone iss powerful healing device in truth. Have you | |
| data/chapter/102.html-heard it sspoken of?"</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p><em>"Jusst in the book.</em>"</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p><em>"One who holdss Sstone iss repossitory of much lore. Taught | |
| data/chapter/102.html-sschoolmasster many ssecretss. Sschoolmasster hass ssaid nothing of | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Sstone'ss holder, nothing of Sstone? No hintss?"</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p><em>"Not that I can eassily recall,</em>" Harry replied | |
| data/chapter/102.html-honestly.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p><em>"Ah,"</em> hissed the snake. <em>"Ah, well."</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p><em>"Could assk sschoolmasster -"</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p><em>"No! Do not assk him, boy. He would not take quesstion | |
| data/chapter/102.html-well."</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p><em>"But if the Sstone only healss -"</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p><em>"Sschoolmasster doess not believe that, would not believe | |
| data/chapter/102.html-that. Too many have ssought Sstone, or ssought holder's lore. Do | |
| data/chapter/102.html-not assk. Musst not assk. Do not try to obtain Sstone yoursself. I | |
| data/chapter/102.html-forbid."</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>A man lay on the bed once more. "I am at... my limit..." said | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Professor Quirrell. "I must regain... my strength... before I go... | |
| data/chapter/102.html-to the forest... with your gift. Leave now... but sustain the | |
| data/chapter/102.html:Transfiguration... before you go."</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>Harry reached out, touched the white pebble lying within the | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>Harry reached out, touched the white pebble lying within the | |
| data/chapter/102.html:kerchief, renewing the Transfiguration on it. "It should last for | |
| data/chapter/102.html-one hour and fifty-three minutes after this," Harry said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>"Your studies... do well."</p> | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/102.html-one hour and fifty-three minutes after this," Harry said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>"Your studies... do well."</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html:<p>It was far longer than Harry's Transfigurations had lasted at | |
| data/chapter/102.html-the start of the school year. Second-year spells came to him easily | |
| data/chapter/102.html-now, without strain; which wasn't surprising, since he would be | |
| data/chapter/102.html-twelve in less than two months. Harry could even have cast a Memory | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Charm, if it had been good for someone to forget every memory | |
| data/chapter/102.html-involving their left arm. He was climbing the power ladder, slowly, | |
| data/chapter/102.html-from very far down.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>The thought came with a potential for sadness, a thought of one | |
| data/chapter/102.html-door opening as another closed; which Harry also rejected.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>The door to the infirmary closed behind Harry, as the | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Boy-Who-Lived walked swiftly and with purpose, shrugging on his | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Invisibility Cloak as he moved. Soon, presumably, Professor | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Quirrell would call for assistance; and an older student trio would | |
| data/chapter/102.html-guide the Defense Professor into some quiet place, maybe the | |
| data/chapter/102.html-forest, with an excuse of viewing the lake or some such. Someplace | |
| data/chapter/102.html-the Defense Professor could eat a unicorn undetected, after Harry's | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/102.html-the start of the school year. Second-year spells came to him easily | |
| data/chapter/102.html-now, without strain; which wasn't surprising, since he would be | |
| data/chapter/102.html-twelve in less than two months. Harry could even have cast a Memory | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Charm, if it had been good for someone to forget every memory | |
| data/chapter/102.html-involving their left arm. He was climbing the power ladder, slowly, | |
| data/chapter/102.html-from very far down.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>The thought came with a potential for sadness, a thought of one | |
| data/chapter/102.html-door opening as another closed; which Harry also rejected.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>The door to the infirmary closed behind Harry, as the | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Boy-Who-Lived walked swiftly and with purpose, shrugging on his | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Invisibility Cloak as he moved. Soon, presumably, Professor | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Quirrell would call for assistance; and an older student trio would | |
| data/chapter/102.html-guide the Defense Professor into some quiet place, maybe the | |
| data/chapter/102.html-forest, with an excuse of viewing the lake or some such. Someplace | |
| data/chapter/102.html-the Defense Professor could eat a unicorn undetected, after Harry's | |
| data/chapter/102.html:Transfiguration wore off.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>And then Professor Quirrell would be healthier, for a time. His | |
| data/chapter/102.html-power would return to him as strong as he'd ever been, for a much | |
| data/chapter/102.html-shorter time.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>It wouldn't last.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>Harry's fists clenched as he strode, the tension radiating up | |
| data/chapter/102.html-his arm muscles. If the Defense Professor's treatment regimen | |
| data/chapter/102.html-hadn't been interrupted, by Harry and the Aurors that <em>he</em> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-had brought to Hogwarts...</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>It was stupid to blame himself, Harry knew it was stupid and | |
| data/chapter/102.html-somehow his brain was doing it anyway. Like his brain was | |
| data/chapter/102.html-searching, carefully finding and selecting some way for this to be | |
| data/chapter/102.html-his fault, no matter how far it had to stretch.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>As if having things be his fault were the only way that his | |
| data/chapter/102.html-brain knew how to grieve.</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>A trio of seventh-year Slytherins passed Harry's invisible form | |
| data/chapter/102.html-in the hallway, heading for the healer's offices where the | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Professor waited, looking deeply serious and concerned. Was that | |
| data/chapter/102.html-how other people grieved?</p> | |
| data/chapter/102.html-<p>Or did they, on some level, not really <em>care,</em> as | |
| data/chapter/102.html-Professor Quirrell thought?</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>Second, after second, after second, the time counter | |
| data/chapter/104.html-incremented.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>As that counter rose higher, there seemed to be an awful lot of | |
| data/chapter/104.html-Hufflepuffs who'd decided that they wanted to sit next to Harry's | |
| data/chapter/104.html-banner.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>As the game dragged on past nine, there also seemed to be a lot | |
| data/chapter/104.html-of Gryffindors.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>As the sun set and Harry started using Lumos to read his books - | |
| data/chapter/104.html-he'd given up on the actual game a long time ago - there were a | |
| data/chapter/104.html-noticeable number of Ravenclaws who'd betrayed patriotism for | |
| data/chapter/104.html-sanity.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>And Professor Sinistra.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>And Professor Vector.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>And as the stars began to come out, Professor Flitwick.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>The climactic final Quidditch game of the year... dragged | |
| data/chapter/104.html-on.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>One of the things Harry hadn't planned on, when he'd decided to | |
| data/chapter/104.html-do this, was that he would still be out here at - Harry glanced at | |
| data/chapter/104.html-his watch - eleven-oh-four at night. Harry was now reading a | |
| data/chapter/104.html:sixth-year Transfiguration textbook; or rather he'd weighted the | |
| data/chapter/104.html-book open, illuminated by a Muggle glowstick, while he did one of | |
| data/chapter/104.html-the exercises. Last week, when the graduating Ravenclaws were | |
| data/chapter/104.html-discussing their N.E.W.T. scores, Harry had overheard that | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/104.html-book open, illuminated by a Muggle glowstick, while he did one of | |
| data/chapter/104.html-the exercises. Last week, when the graduating Ravenclaws were | |
| data/chapter/104.html-discussing their N.E.W.T. scores, Harry had overheard that | |
| data/chapter/104.html:upper-year Transfiguration practice involved several 'shaping | |
| data/chapter/104.html-exercises' that relied more on control and precise thinking than | |
| data/chapter/104.html-raw power; and Harry had promptly set out to learn those, whacking | |
| data/chapter/104.html-himself hard on the forehead for not trying to read <em>all</em> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-the later-year textbooks earlier. Professor McGonagall had approved | |
| data/chapter/104.html-Harry doing a shaping exercise that involved controlling the way in | |
| data/chapter/104.html-which a Transfiguring object approached its final form - for | |
| data/chapter/104.html-example, Transfiguring a quill so that the shaft grew out first, | |
| data/chapter/104.html-then the barbs. Harry was doing an analogous exercise with pencils, | |
| data/chapter/104.html-growing out the lead first, then surrounding it with wood and | |
| data/chapter/104.html-finally having the eraser form on top. As Harry had suspected, | |
| data/chapter/104.html-focusing his attention and magic into a particular part of the | |
| data/chapter/104.html-pencil's ongoing transformation had proven similar to the mental | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/104.html-exercises' that relied more on control and precise thinking than | |
| data/chapter/104.html-raw power; and Harry had promptly set out to learn those, whacking | |
| data/chapter/104.html-himself hard on the forehead for not trying to read <em>all</em> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-the later-year textbooks earlier. Professor McGonagall had approved | |
| data/chapter/104.html-Harry doing a shaping exercise that involved controlling the way in | |
| data/chapter/104.html-which a Transfiguring object approached its final form - for | |
| data/chapter/104.html-example, Transfiguring a quill so that the shaft grew out first, | |
| data/chapter/104.html-then the barbs. Harry was doing an analogous exercise with pencils, | |
| data/chapter/104.html-growing out the lead first, then surrounding it with wood and | |
| data/chapter/104.html-finally having the eraser form on top. As Harry had suspected, | |
| data/chapter/104.html-focusing his attention and magic into a particular part of the | |
| data/chapter/104.html-pencil's ongoing transformation had proven similar to the mental | |
| data/chapter/104.html:discipline used in partial Transfiguration - which could indeed | |
| data/chapter/104.html-have been used to fake the same effect, by partially Transfiguring | |
| data/chapter/104.html-only the outer layers of the object. This way was proving | |
| data/chapter/104.html-relatively easier, though.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>Harry finished his current pencil and looked up at the Quidditch | |
| data/chapter/104.html-game, which was, check, still fantastically boring. Lee Jordan was | |
| data/chapter/104.html-commentating in a tone of dull disgust, "Another ten points - yay - | |
| data/chapter/104.html-whoopee - and now someone takes possession of the Quaffle again - | |
| data/chapter/104.html-ask if I care who."</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>Almost nobody remaining in the stands was paying attention | |
| data/chapter/104.html-either, since everyone who'd remained in the stadium seemed to have | |
| data/chapter/104.html-discovered a new and more interesting sport, the debate about how | |
| data/chapter/104.html-to amend the House Cup rules and/or Quidditch. The argument had | |
| data/chapter/104.html-become heated to the point where all of the nearby Professors were | |
| data/chapter/104.html-barely keeping order at a level short of open combat. This | |
| data/chapter/104.html-argument, unfortunately, had considerably more than two factions. | |
| data/chapter/104.html-Some darned busybodies were proposing sensible-sounding | |
| data/chapter/104.html-alternatives to eliminating the Snitch entirely, and this was | |
| data/chapter/104.html-threatening to split the vote and sap the momentum for reform.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>In retrospect, Harry thought, it would have been nice to have | |
| data/chapter/104.html-Draco unfurl his own banner from the Slytherin side saying | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/104.html-they were only in their first year.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>Harry didn't know himself what sort of traps awaited. Which, on | |
| data/chapter/104.html-reflection, meant that the students who'd gone through had been | |
| data/chapter/104.html-surprisingly scrupulous about not ruining the puzzle for others. | |
| data/chapter/104.html-Maybe there was a sign down there saying <em>Don't give it away, | |
| data/chapter/104.html-just as a favor to me, sincerely Headmaster Dumbledore</em>. All | |
| data/chapter/104.html-Harry knew so far was that the outer door would open to | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<em>Alohomora,</em> and that the final room contained a magic | |
| data/chapter/104.html-mirror that would show your reflection in some situation you found | |
| data/chapter/104.html-highly appealing, which was apparently the big payoff.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>The third-floor corridor was illuminated by dim blue light that | |
| data/chapter/104.html-seemed to come from nowhere, and the arches were covered with | |
| data/chapter/104.html-cobwebs, as though the corridor hadn't been used in centuries | |
| data/chapter/104.html-rather than just the last year.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>Harry's pouch was loaded with useful Muggle things, and useful | |
| data/chapter/104.html-wizarding things, and everything he'd found that could possibly be | |
| data/chapter/104.html-a quest item. (Harry had asked Professor McGonagall to recommend | |
| data/chapter/104.html-someone who could expand the pouch's capacity, and she'd just done | |
| data/chapter/104.html-it herself.) Harry had applied the Charm he'd learned for battles | |
| data/chapter/104.html-that made his eyeglasses stick to his face, regardless of how his | |
| data/chapter/104.html:head moved. Harry had refreshed the Transfigurations he was | |
| data/chapter/104.html-maintaining, both the tiny jewel in the ring on his hand and the | |
| data/chapter/104.html-other one, in case he was knocked unconscious. He wasn't literally | |
| data/chapter/104.html-ready for anything, but Harry was as ready as he thought he could | |
| data/chapter/104.html-be.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>The five-sided floor tiles creaked beneath Harry's shoes and | |
| data/chapter/104.html-vanished behind him like the future becoming the past. It was | |
| data/chapter/104.html-almost 6:49-<em>six, and seven in a square.</em> Obvious if you | |
| data/chapter/104.html-thought in Muggle math, otherwise not so much.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>Just as Harry was about to round another corner, something | |
| data/chapter/104.html-tickled at the back of his mind, and he heard a soft voice | |
| data/chapter/104.html-talking.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>"...sensible person... wait until later... after certain faculty | |
| data/chapter/104.html-had departed..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>Harry stopped, then crept forward as lightly as he could, not | |
| data/chapter/104.html-going around the corner, trying to hear Professor Quirrell's voice | |
| data/chapter/104.html-better.</p> | |
| data/chapter/104.html-<p>There came a louder cough, and then the soft voice spoke again | |
| data/chapter/104.html-from around the corner. "But if they were also... to depart | |
| data/chapter/104.html-themselves... at that time..." murmured the voice, "they might | |
| data/chapter/104.html-think... this final game... makes for the best distraction... left | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/105.html-be truly sslain by any means known to me, and lossing Sstone will | |
| data/chapter/105.html-not sstop me from returning, nor sspare you or yourss my | |
| data/chapter/105.html-wrath.</em> Any impetuous act you are contemplating cannot win the | |
| data/chapter/105.html-game for you, boy. I do credit your ability to annoy me, and | |
| data/chapter/105.html-suggest you avoid doing so."</p> | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>"You said," Harry's voice was strange in his own ears, "that the | |
| data/chapter/105.html-Philosopher's Stone had different powers from what legend said. You | |
| data/chapter/105.html-said that to me in Parseltongue. Tell me what the Stone really | |
| data/chapter/105.html-does, before I agree to help you get it." If it was something along | |
| data/chapter/105.html-the lines of gaining total power over the universe, then | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<em>nothing</em> was worth an incrementally greater chance of Lord | |
| data/chapter/105.html-Voldemort getting the Stone.</p> | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>"Ah," said Professor Quirrell, and smiled. "You are thinking. | |
| data/chapter/105.html-That is better, and as a reward I shall offer you a further | |
| data/chapter/105.html-incentive for cooperation. Eternal life and youth, the creation of | |
| data/chapter/105.html-gold and silver. Suppose these are true benefits of holding the | |
| data/chapter/105.html-Stone. Tell me, boy. What is the Stone's power?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>It might have been the adrenaline still in him, being actually | |
| data/chapter/105.html-useful for his brain for once. It might have been the power of | |
| data/chapter/105.html-being told that an answer existed, and that the evidence wasn't a | |
| data/chapter/105.html:lie. "It can make Transfigurations permanent."</p> | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>Then Harry stopped, as he heard what his own mouth had just | |
| data/chapter/105.html-said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>"Correct," said Professor Quirrell. "Thus, whoever holds the | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>Then Harry stopped, as he heard what his own mouth had just | |
| data/chapter/105.html-said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>"Correct," said Professor Quirrell. "Thus, whoever holds the | |
| data/chapter/105.html:Philosopher's Stone is able to perform human Transfiguration."</p> | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>Harry's torn mind was knocked about yet again, as he realized | |
| data/chapter/105.html-what further incentive would be offered him.</p> | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>"You stole Miss Granger's remains and Transfigured them into | |
| data/chapter/105.html-some innocuous-appearing target," said Professor Quirrell. "A | |
| data/chapter/105.html-Transfigured target that you must keep somewhere about your own | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>Harry's torn mind was knocked about yet again, as he realized | |
| data/chapter/105.html-what further incentive would be offered him.</p> | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>"You stole Miss Granger's remains and Transfigured them into | |
| data/chapter/105.html-some innocuous-appearing target," said Professor Quirrell. "A | |
| data/chapter/105.html-Transfigured target that you must keep somewhere about your own | |
| data/chapter/105.html:person, in order to sustain the Transfiguration. Ah, I see your | |
| data/chapter/105.html-eyes going to that ring upon your hand, but of course Miss Granger | |
| data/chapter/105.html-would not be the little jewel set into the ring, would it? That | |
| data/chapter/105.html-would be too obvious. No, I expect you Transfigured Granger's | |
| data/chapter/105.html-remains into the ring itself, letting the aura of the Transfigured | |
| data/chapter/105.html-jewel mask the magic in the Transfigured ring."</p> | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>"Yes," Harry said, forcing out the word. It was a lie, for once, | |
| data/chapter/105.html-and Harry's glance had been deliberate. Harry had expected someone | |
| data/chapter/105.html-to challenge him on the steel ring, he'd tried to provoke that | |
| data/chapter/105.html-challenge so he could prove to be innocent yet again, though nobody | |
| data/chapter/105.html-had taken him up on it - maybe Dumbledore had just sensed that the | |
| data/chapter/105.html-steel by itself wasn't magical.</p> | |
| data/chapter/105.html-<p>"Fine and good," said Professor Quirrell. "Now come with me, | |
| data/chapter/105.html-help me to obtain the Stone, and I will resurrect Hermione Granger | |
| data/chapter/105.html-on your behalf. Her death has had unfortunate effects on you, and I | |
| data/chapter/105.html-would not mind undoing them. That, as I understand you, is your | |
| data/chapter/105.html-greatest desire. I have done you many kindnesses, and I would not | |
| data/chapter/105.html-mind doing you this one more." A blank-eyed Professor Sprout had | |
| data/chapter/105.html-now risen from the ground and was pointing her own wand at Harry. | |
| data/chapter/105.html-"<em>Help me obtain Sstone of Transsfiguration, and I sshall try my | |
| data/chapter/105.html-hardesst to ressurrect your girl-child friend to true and lassting | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/108.html-impossible problems that Harry had solved already. If communicating | |
| data/chapter/108.html-that difficulty was what Professor Quirrell was trying to do, he | |
| data/chapter/108.html-was <em>succeeding.</em> Harry was starting to seriously consider | |
| data/chapter/108.html-the possibility that it might be better to offer to rule Britain as | |
| data/chapter/108.html-Voldemort's <em>nonhomicidal</em> delegate, if Professor Quirrell | |
| data/chapter/108.html-himself would just agree to <em>stop killing people all the | |
| data/chapter/108.html-time.</em> Even <em>mostly</em>.</p> | |
| data/chapter/108.html-<p>But that wasn't likely to happen.</p> | |
| data/chapter/108.html-<p>Harry stared at his hands, from where he had sat down upon the | |
| data/chapter/108.html-floor, feeling sadness shading over into despair. The Lord | |
| data/chapter/108.html-Voldemort who'd given Harry his dark side had spent <em>that | |
| data/chapter/108.html-long</em> thinking things over and reflecting on his own thought | |
| data/chapter/108.html-processes... and had emerged as the calm, clear-headed, and still | |
| data/chapter/108.html-homicidal Professor Quirrell.</p> | |
| data/chapter/108.html-<p>Professor Quirrell added a pinch of golden hair to the | |
| data/chapter/108.html-<em>potion of effulgence,</em> and that reminded Harry that time | |
| data/chapter/108.html-was continuing to move; the locks of bright hair were rarer than | |
| data/chapter/108.html-the bellflowers.</p> | |
| data/chapter/108.html-<p>"I ask my second question," Harry said. "Tell me about the | |
| data/chapter/108.html-Philosopher's Stone. Does it do anything besides making | |
| data/chapter/108.html:Transfigurations permanent? Is it possible to make more Stones, and | |
| data/chapter/108.html-why is that problem hard?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/108.html-<p>Professor Quirrell was bent over the potion, and Harry could not | |
| data/chapter/108.html-see his face. "Very well, I shall tell you the Stone's story as I | |
| data/chapter/108.html-have inferred it. The one and only power of the Stone is the | |
| data/chapter/108.html-imposition of permanency, to render a temporary form into a true | |
| data/chapter/108.html-and lasting substance - a power absolutely beyond ordinary spells. | |
| data/chapter/108.html-Conjurations such as the castle Hogwarts are maintained by a | |
| data/chapter/108.html-constant well of magic. Even Metamorphmagi cannot manifest golden | |
| data/chapter/108.html-fingernails and then trim them for sale. It is theorized that the | |
| data/chapter/108.html-Metamorphmagus curse merely rearranges the substance of their | |
| data/chapter/108.html-flesh, like a Muggle smith manipulates iron with hammer and tongs; | |
| data/chapter/108.html-and their body contains no gold. If Merlin himself could create | |
| data/chapter/108.html-gold from thin air, history does not record it. So the Stone, we | |
| data/chapter/108.html-can guess even before research, must be a very old thing indeed. In | |
| data/chapter/108.html-contrast, Nicholas Flamel has been known to the world for a mere | |
| data/chapter/108.html-six centuries. Tell me the obvious next question to ask, boy, if | |
| data/chapter/108.html-you wanted to trace the Stone's history."</p> | |
| data/chapter/108.html-<p>"Um," Harry said. He rubbed his forehead, concentrating. If the | |
| data/chapter/108.html-Stone was old, but the world had only known Nicholas Flamel for six | |
| data/chapter/108.html-centuries... "Was there some other very long-lived wizard who | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/111.html-caressing the wand held in the other hand. Leaves stirred up from | |
| data/chapter/111.html-the graveyard, approaching to dance around the too-tall figure, | |
| data/chapter/111.html-surrounding him and clothing him, reforming into a high-necked | |
| data/chapter/111.html-shirt and flowing robes; and Lord Voldemort was laughing. Exactly | |
| data/chapter/111.html-the mirthless laughter that Harry remembered coming from his own | |
| data/chapter/111.html-throat inside the Dementor's nightmare, precise in tone and | |
| data/chapter/111.html-timbre.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>Red eyes gleamed beneath the fading twilight, their pupils | |
| data/chapter/111.html-slitted like a cat's.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>The form that Voldemort had abandoned raised itself, quivering, | |
| data/chapter/111.html-from the ground; and in a voice that Harry could barely hear, | |
| data/chapter/111.html-Quirinus Quirrell gasped, "Free - oh, free -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>"<em>Stupefy,</em>" said the high cold voice of Voldemort, and | |
| data/chapter/111.html-Quirinus Quirrell was blasted down into the ground; then, with a | |
| data/chapter/111.html-wave of Voldemort's other hand, Quirinus Quirrell was picked up and | |
| data/chapter/111.html-flung away from the altar.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>Voldemort walked away from the altar, then turned and looked at | |
| data/chapter/111.html-Harry; and the pain in Harry's scar flared at it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>"Frightened, child?" Voldemort hissed, like there was an | |
| data/chapter/111.html-undercurrent of Parseltongue even to the Dark Lord's human speech. | |
| data/chapter/111.html:"Good. Place the girl on the altar, and break your Transfiguration. | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<em>Iss time for me to revive her.</em>"</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p><em>Is this really going to happen? Are we really going to do | |
| data/chapter/111.html-this?</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>Harry swallowed, mastering his fear through that note of | |
| data/chapter/111.html-impossible hope amid the confusion, and walked over to the altar. | |
| data/chapter/111.html-Then Harry took off his left shoe, and his left sock, and took off | |
| data/chapter/111.html-the toe-ring that was Hermione Granger, the Transfigured shape | |
| data/chapter/111.html-identical to the toe-ring that had been given Harry as an emergency | |
| data/chapter/111.html-portkey. There was a twinge of regret in Harry for not having the | |
| data/chapter/111.html-real portkey now, but only a twinge; an inner-circle Death Eater | |
| data/chapter/111.html-would routinely put up boundaries against portkeys, if Severus had | |
| data/chapter/111.html-been right. Behind Harry, Voldemort laughed again in what sounded | |
| data/chapter/111.html-like surprised appreciation.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>"I need my wand to <em>Finite</em> her," Harry said aloud.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>"You do <em>not</em>." High the voice and cruel. "You learned to | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<em>Iss time for me to revive her.</em>"</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p><em>Is this really going to happen? Are we really going to do | |
| data/chapter/111.html-this?</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>Harry swallowed, mastering his fear through that note of | |
| data/chapter/111.html-impossible hope amid the confusion, and walked over to the altar. | |
| data/chapter/111.html-Then Harry took off his left shoe, and his left sock, and took off | |
| data/chapter/111.html-the toe-ring that was Hermione Granger, the Transfigured shape | |
| data/chapter/111.html-identical to the toe-ring that had been given Harry as an emergency | |
| data/chapter/111.html-portkey. There was a twinge of regret in Harry for not having the | |
| data/chapter/111.html-real portkey now, but only a twinge; an inner-circle Death Eater | |
| data/chapter/111.html-would routinely put up boundaries against portkeys, if Severus had | |
| data/chapter/111.html-been right. Behind Harry, Voldemort laughed again in what sounded | |
| data/chapter/111.html-like surprised appreciation.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>"I need my wand to <em>Finite</em> her," Harry said aloud.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>"You do <em>not</em>." High the voice and cruel. "You learned to | |
| data/chapter/111.html:sustain a Transfiguration by touch alone, without further use of | |
| data/chapter/111.html:the wand. You can likewise break your own Transfiguration | |
| data/chapter/111.html-wandlessly, by commanding your sustaining magic to drain away. Do | |
| data/chapter/111.html-so now."</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>Harry swallowed, and touched the toe-ring. He had to try three | |
| data/chapter/111.html-times, and clear his mind, before he could push his magic out of | |
| data/chapter/111.html-the toe-ring, as before he had learned to make a tiny stream of | |
| data/chapter/111.html-magic flow in.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>The breaking of the spell went much more slowly that way than a | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<em>Finite Incantatem</em>, almost like the sped-up reverse of | |
| data/chapter/111.html-watching something being Transfigured. The toe-ring distorted, | |
| data/chapter/111.html-flowing together, expanding. Colors changed, textures changed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>Two-thirds of a dead girl lay strewn across the altar, on her | |
| data/chapter/111.html-side with one arm falling off the altar's edge, the position in | |
| data/chapter/111.html-which the reversion had chanced to place her. No blood flowed now | |
| data/chapter/111.html-from the chewed stumps of her thighs. The dead girl wore Hermione | |
| data/chapter/111.html-Granger's face, but twisted and pale. It was as Harry had seen | |
| data/chapter/111.html-before in the hospital's back room, the image burned into his brain | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/111.html-wandlessly, by commanding your sustaining magic to drain away. Do | |
| data/chapter/111.html-so now."</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>Harry swallowed, and touched the toe-ring. He had to try three | |
| data/chapter/111.html-times, and clear his mind, before he could push his magic out of | |
| data/chapter/111.html-the toe-ring, as before he had learned to make a tiny stream of | |
| data/chapter/111.html-magic flow in.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>The breaking of the spell went much more slowly that way than a | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<em>Finite Incantatem</em>, almost like the sped-up reverse of | |
| data/chapter/111.html-watching something being Transfigured. The toe-ring distorted, | |
| data/chapter/111.html-flowing together, expanding. Colors changed, textures changed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>Two-thirds of a dead girl lay strewn across the altar, on her | |
| data/chapter/111.html-side with one arm falling off the altar's edge, the position in | |
| data/chapter/111.html-which the reversion had chanced to place her. No blood flowed now | |
| data/chapter/111.html-from the chewed stumps of her thighs. The dead girl wore Hermione | |
| data/chapter/111.html-Granger's face, but twisted and pale. It was as Harry had seen | |
| data/chapter/111.html-before in the hospital's back room, the image burned into his brain | |
| data/chapter/111.html:during thirty long minutes of Transfiguration, the image he had | |
| data/chapter/111.html-reproduced during four even longer hours to Transfigure the decoy. | |
| data/chapter/111.html-The dead girl was naked, for her clothes were not part of her, and | |
| data/chapter/111.html-had not been Transfigured.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>The sight brought back flashbacks, of the hours spent in the | |
| data/chapter/111.html-infirmary room, of the nightmares afterward, all of which Harry | |
| data/chapter/111.html-suppressed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>"Go back," said Voldemort's high voice. "This is my work, | |
| data/chapter/111.html-now."</p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>Harry swallowed, and retreated from the altar, to the mouth of | |
| data/chapter/111.html-the long corridor where he'd stood before. "Her body is, should be, | |
| data/chapter/111.html-around five Celsius, I cooled her so, so there wouldn't be brain | |
| data/chapter/111.html-damage -" Harry's own voice was wavering in pitch. <em>Is he really | |
| data/chapter/111.html-going to do this? Really?</em> There had to be a catch and Harry | |
| data/chapter/111.html-just couldn't see it. Voldemort had said that neither he nor any of | |
| data/chapter/111.html-his would harm Hermione, that her body and mind would be her own - | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<em>why?</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/111.html-<p>Voldemort walked forth to the altar once more, orienting the | |
| data/chapter/111.html-body before him with a wave of his hand to lie straight across the | |
| data/chapter/111.html-altar. The Dark Lord spoke with high monotone precision, "Flesh, | |
| data/chapter/111.html-flesh, flesh so wisely hidden."</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>The excited voice came from a painting on the wall not far away, | |
| data/chapter/13.html-this one a portrait of a middle-aged man in the loudest pink robes | |
| data/chapter/13.html-that Harry had ever seen or even imagined. In the portrait he was | |
| data/chapter/13.html-wearing a droopy old pointed hat with a fish on it (not a drawing | |
| data/chapter/13.html-of a fish, mind, but a fish).</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"Yes!" Harry said. "A hint! A hint, I say! Only not just | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<em>any</em> hint, I'm looking for a <em>specific</em> hint, it's | |
| data/chapter/13.html-for a game I'm playing -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"Yes, yes! A hint for the game! You're Harry Potter, aren't you? | |
| data/chapter/13.html-I'm Cornelion Flubberwalt! I was told by Erin the Consort who was | |
| data/chapter/13.html-told by Lord Weaselnose who was told by, I forget really. But it | |
| data/chapter/13.html-was a message for <em>me</em> to give to you! For <em>me!</em> No | |
| data/chapter/13.html-one's cared about me in, I don't know how long, maybe ever, I've | |
| data/chapter/13.html-been stuck down here in this bloody useless old corridor - a hint! | |
| data/chapter/13.html-I have your hint! It will only cost you three points! Do you want | |
| data/chapter/13.html-it?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"Yes! I want it!" Harry was aware that he probably ought to keep | |
| data/chapter/13.html-his sarcasm under control but he just couldn't seem to help | |
| data/chapter/13.html-himself.</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"The darkness can be found between the green study rooms and | |
| data/chapter/13.html:McGonagall's Transfiguration class! That's the hint! And get a move | |
| data/chapter/13.html-on, you're slower than a sack of snails! Minus ten points for being | |
| data/chapter/13.html-slow! Now you have 61 points! That was the rest of the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-message!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"Thank you," Harry said. He was really getting behind on the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-game here. "Um... I don't suppose you know where the message | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<em>originally</em> came from, do you?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"It was spoken by a hollow voice that belled forth from a gap | |
| data/chapter/13.html-within the air itself, a gap that opened upon a fiery abyss! That's | |
| data/chapter/13.html-what they told me!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>Harry was no longer sure, at this point, whether this was the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-sort of thing he ought to be sceptical about, or the sort of thing | |
| data/chapter/13.html-he should just take in stride. "And how can I find the line between | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/13.html-on, you're slower than a sack of snails! Minus ten points for being | |
| data/chapter/13.html-slow! Now you have 61 points! That was the rest of the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-message!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"Thank you," Harry said. He was really getting behind on the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-game here. "Um... I don't suppose you know where the message | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<em>originally</em> came from, do you?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"It was spoken by a hollow voice that belled forth from a gap | |
| data/chapter/13.html-within the air itself, a gap that opened upon a fiery abyss! That's | |
| data/chapter/13.html-what they told me!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>Harry was no longer sure, at this point, whether this was the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-sort of thing he ought to be sceptical about, or the sort of thing | |
| data/chapter/13.html-he should just take in stride. "And how can I find the line between | |
| data/chapter/13.html:the green study rooms and Transfiguration class?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"Just spin back around and go left, right, down, down, right, | |
| data/chapter/13.html-left, right, up, and left again, you'll be at the green study room | |
| data/chapter/13.html-and if you go in and walk straight out the opposite side you'll be | |
| data/chapter/13.html-on a big curvy corridor that goes to an intersection and on the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-right side of that intersection will be a long straight hallway | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"Just spin back around and go left, right, down, down, right, | |
| data/chapter/13.html-left, right, up, and left again, you'll be at the green study room | |
| data/chapter/13.html-and if you go in and walk straight out the opposite side you'll be | |
| data/chapter/13.html-on a big curvy corridor that goes to an intersection and on the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-right side of that intersection will be a long straight hallway | |
| data/chapter/13.html:that goes to the Transfiguration classroom!" The figure of the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-middle-aged man paused. "At least that's how it was when <em>I</em> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-was in Hogwarts. This <em>is</em> a Monday on an odd-numbered year, | |
| data/chapter/13.html-isn't it?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"Pencil and mechanical paper," Harry said to his pouch. "Er, | |
| data/chapter/13.html-cancel that, paper and mechanical pencil." He looked up. "Could you | |
| data/chapter/13.html-repeat that?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>After getting lost another two times, Harry felt that he was | |
| data/chapter/13.html-beginning to understand the basic rule for navigating the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-ever-changing maze that was Hogwarts, namely, <em>ask a painting | |
| data/chapter/13.html-for directions</em>. If this reflected some sort of incredibly deep | |
| data/chapter/13.html-life lesson he couldn't figure out what it was.</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>The green study room was a surprisingly pleasant space with | |
| data/chapter/13.html-sunlight streaming in from windows of green-stained glass that | |
| data/chapter/13.html-showed dragons in calm, pastoral scenes. It had chairs that looked | |
| data/chapter/13.html-extremely comfortable, and tables that seemed very well-suited to | |
| data/chapter/13.html-studying in the company of one to three friends.</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>Harry couldn't <em>actually</em> walk straight through and out | |
| data/chapter/13.html-the door on the other side. There were <em>bookshelves</em> set | |
| data/chapter/13.html-into the wall, and he had to go over and read some of the titles, | |
| data/chapter/13.html-so as to not lose his claim to the Verres family name. But he did | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>Harry gave up. With one turn remaining all he could do was take | |
| data/chapter/13.html-his best shot, even if it wasn't very good. "My guess is that the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-game represents life."</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>A final sheet of paper flew over his head, reading:</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p style="text-align:center;">ATTEMPT FAILED<br> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-FAILED FAILED FAILED<br> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-AIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE<br> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-CURRENT POINTS: MINUS INFINITY<br> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<span style="text-decoration:underline;">YOU HAVE LOST THE | |
| data/chapter/13.html-GAME</span></p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p style="text-align:center;">FINAL INSTRUCTION:<em><br> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-go to Professor McGonagall's office</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>The last line was in his own handwriting.</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>Harry stared at the last line for a while, then shrugged. Fine. | |
| data/chapter/13.html-Professor McGonagall's office it would be. If <em>she</em> was the | |
| data/chapter/13.html-Game Controller...</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>Okay, honestly, Harry had absolutely no idea how he would feel | |
| data/chapter/13.html-if Professor McGonagall was the Game Controller. His mind was just | |
| data/chapter/13.html-drawing a complete blank. It was, literally, unimaginable.</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>A couple of portraits later - it wasn't a long trip, Professor | |
| data/chapter/13.html:McGonagall's office wasn't far from her Transfiguration classroom, | |
| data/chapter/13.html-at least not on Mondays on odd-numbered years - Harry stood outside | |
| data/chapter/13.html-the door to her office.</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>He knocked.</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>"Come in," said Professor McGonagall's muffled voice.</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-<p>He entered.</p> | |
| data/chapter/13.html-</div> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Harry looked over at Hermione. He swallowed hard. It was the | |
| data/chapter/15.html-obvious role for her in the scheme of things... "Hermione?" Harry | |
| data/chapter/15.html-said tentatively. "Do you have any idea what I might be doing | |
| data/chapter/15.html-wrong?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Hermione's eyes lit up with a terrible light of helpfulness and | |
| data/chapter/15.html-something in the back of Harry's brain screamed in desperate | |
| data/chapter/15.html-humiliation.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Five minutes later, Harry's water did seem noticeably cooler | |
| data/chapter/15.html-than room temperature and Hermione had given him a few verbal pats | |
| data/chapter/15.html-on the head and told him to pronounce it more carefully next time | |
| data/chapter/15.html-and gone off to help someone else.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor Flitwick had given her a House point for helping | |
| data/chapter/15.html-him.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Harry was gritting his teeth so hard his jaw ached and that | |
| data/chapter/15.html-wasn't helping his pronunciation.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p><em>I don't care if it's unfair competition. I know exactly what | |
| data/chapter/15.html-I am doing with two extra hours every day. I am going to sit in my | |
| data/chapter/15.html-trunk and study until I am keeping up with Hermione | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Granger.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/15.html:<p>"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic | |
| data/chapter/15.html-you will learn at Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. There was | |
| data/chapter/15.html-no trace of any levity upon the face of the stern old witch. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-"Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-You have been warned."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Her wand came down and tapped her desk, which smoothly reshaped | |
| data/chapter/15.html-itself into a pig. A couple of Muggleborn students gave out small | |
| data/chapter/15.html-yelps. The pig looked around and snorted, seeming confused, and | |
| data/chapter/15.html-then became a desk again.</p> | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-you will learn at Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. There was | |
| data/chapter/15.html-no trace of any levity upon the face of the stern old witch. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-"Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-You have been warned."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Her wand came down and tapped her desk, which smoothly reshaped | |
| data/chapter/15.html-itself into a pig. A couple of Muggleborn students gave out small | |
| data/chapter/15.html-yelps. The pig looked around and snorted, seeming confused, and | |
| data/chapter/15.html-then became a desk again.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html:<p>The Transfiguration Professor looked around the classroom, and | |
| data/chapter/15.html-then her eyes settled on one student.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Mr. Potter," said Professor McGonagall. "You only received your | |
| data/chapter/15.html-schoolbooks a few days ago. Have you started reading your | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-then her eyes settled on one student.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Mr. Potter," said Professor McGonagall. "You only received your | |
| data/chapter/15.html-schoolbooks a few days ago. Have you started reading your | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Transfiguration textbook?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"No, sorry professor," Harry said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"You needn't apologise, Mr. Potter, if you were required to read | |
| data/chapter/15.html-ahead you would have been told to do so." McGonagall's fingers | |
| data/chapter/15.html-rapped the desk in front of her. "Mr. Potter, would you care to | |
| data/chapter/15.html-guess whether this is a desk which I Transfigured into a pig, or if | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"No, sorry professor," Harry said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"You needn't apologise, Mr. Potter, if you were required to read | |
| data/chapter/15.html-ahead you would have been told to do so." McGonagall's fingers | |
| data/chapter/15.html-rapped the desk in front of her. "Mr. Potter, would you care to | |
| data/chapter/15.html-guess whether this is a desk which I Transfigured into a pig, or if | |
| data/chapter/15.html:it began as a pig and I briefly removed the Transfiguration? If you | |
| data/chapter/15.html-had read the first chapter of your textbook, you would know."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Harry's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "I'd guess it'd be easier to | |
| data/chapter/15.html-start with a pig, since if it started as a desk, it might not know | |
| data/chapter/15.html-how to stand up."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall shook her head. "No fault to you, Mr. | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-had read the first chapter of your textbook, you would know."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Harry's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "I'd guess it'd be easier to | |
| data/chapter/15.html-start with a pig, since if it started as a desk, it might not know | |
| data/chapter/15.html-how to stand up."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall shook her head. "No fault to you, Mr. | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Potter, but the correct answer is that in Transfiguration you do | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<em>not</em> care to guess. Wrong answers will be marked with | |
| data/chapter/15.html-extreme severity, questions left blank will be marked with great | |
| data/chapter/15.html-leniency. You must learn to know what you do not know. If I ask you | |
| data/chapter/15.html-any question, no matter how obvious or elementary, and you answer | |
| data/chapter/15.html-'I'm not sure', I will not hold it against you and anyone who | |
| data/chapter/15.html-laughs will lose House points. Can you tell me why this rule | |
| data/chapter/15.html-exists, Mr. Potter?"</p> | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<em>not</em> care to guess. Wrong answers will be marked with | |
| data/chapter/15.html-extreme severity, questions left blank will be marked with great | |
| data/chapter/15.html-leniency. You must learn to know what you do not know. If I ask you | |
| data/chapter/15.html-any question, no matter how obvious or elementary, and you answer | |
| data/chapter/15.html-'I'm not sure', I will not hold it against you and anyone who | |
| data/chapter/15.html-laughs will lose House points. Can you tell me why this rule | |
| data/chapter/15.html-exists, Mr. Potter?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html:<p><em>Because a single error in Transfiguration can be incredibly | |
| data/chapter/15.html-dangerous.</em> "No."</p> | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-dangerous.</em> "No."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html:<p>"Correct. Transfiguration is more dangerous than Apparition, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-which is not taught until your sixth year. Unfortunately, | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-which is not taught until your sixth year. Unfortunately, | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Transfiguration must be learned and practised at a young age to | |
| data/chapter/15.html-maximise your adult ability. So this is a dangerous subject, and | |
| data/chapter/15.html-you should be quite scared of making any mistakes, because none of | |
| data/chapter/15.html-my students have ever been permanently injured and I will be | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<em>extremely put out</em> if you are the first class to <em>spoil | |
| data/chapter/15.html-my record</em>."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Several students gulped.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall stood up and moved over to the wall behind | |
| data/chapter/15.html-her desk, which held a polished wooden board. "There are many | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-maximise your adult ability. So this is a dangerous subject, and | |
| data/chapter/15.html-you should be quite scared of making any mistakes, because none of | |
| data/chapter/15.html-my students have ever been permanently injured and I will be | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<em>extremely put out</em> if you are the first class to <em>spoil | |
| data/chapter/15.html-my record</em>."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Several students gulped.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall stood up and moved over to the wall behind | |
| data/chapter/15.html-her desk, which held a polished wooden board. "There are many | |
| data/chapter/15.html:reasons why Transfiguration is dangerous, but one reason stands | |
| data/chapter/15.html-above all the rest." She produced a short quill with a thick end, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-and used it to sketch letters in red; which she then underlined, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-using the same marker, in blue:</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">TRANSFIGURATION IS NOT | |
| data/chapter/15.html-PERMANENT!</span></p> | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-above all the rest." She produced a short quill with a thick end, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-and used it to sketch letters in red; which she then underlined, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-using the same marker, in blue:</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">TRANSFIGURATION IS NOT | |
| data/chapter/15.html-PERMANENT!</span></p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html:<p>"Transfiguration is not permanent!" said Professor McGonagall. | |
| data/chapter/15.html:"Transfiguration is not permanent! Transfiguration is not | |
| data/chapter/15.html-permanent! Mr. Potter, suppose a student Transfigured a block of | |
| data/chapter/15.html-wood into a cup of water, and you drank it. What do you imagine | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-permanent! Mr. Potter, suppose a student Transfigured a block of | |
| data/chapter/15.html-wood into a cup of water, and you drank it. What do you imagine | |
| data/chapter/15.html:might happen to you when the Transfiguration wore off?" There was a | |
| data/chapter/15.html-pause. "Excuse me, I should not have asked that of you, Mr. Potter, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-I forgot that you are blessed with an unusually pessimistic | |
| data/chapter/15.html-imagination -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I'm fine," Harry said, swallowing hard. "So the first answer is | |
| data/chapter/15.html-that I don't <em>know</em>," the Professor nodded approvingly, "but | |
| data/chapter/15.html-I <em>imagine</em> there might be... wood in my stomach, and in my | |
| data/chapter/15.html-bloodstream, and if any of that water had gotten absorbed into my | |
| data/chapter/15.html-body's tissues - would it be wood pulp or solid wood or..." Harry's | |
| data/chapter/15.html-grasp of magic failed him. He couldn't understand how wood mapped | |
| data/chapter/15.html-into water in the first place, so he couldn't understand what would | |
| data/chapter/15.html-happen after the water molecules were scrambled by ordinary thermal | |
| data/chapter/15.html-motions and the magic wore off and the mapping reversed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>McGonagall's face was stiff. "As Mr. Potter has correctly | |
| data/chapter/15.html-reasoned, he would become extremely sick and require immediate | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Flooing to St. Mungo's Hospital if he was to have any chance of | |
| data/chapter/15.html-survival. Please turn your textbooks to page 5."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Even without any sound in the moving picture, you could tell | |
| data/chapter/15.html-that the woman with horribly discolored skin was screaming.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"The criminal who originally Transfigured gold into wine and | |
| data/chapter/15.html-gave it to this woman to drink, 'in payment of the debt' as he put | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-grasp of magic failed him. He couldn't understand how wood mapped | |
| data/chapter/15.html-into water in the first place, so he couldn't understand what would | |
| data/chapter/15.html-happen after the water molecules were scrambled by ordinary thermal | |
| data/chapter/15.html-motions and the magic wore off and the mapping reversed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>McGonagall's face was stiff. "As Mr. Potter has correctly | |
| data/chapter/15.html-reasoned, he would become extremely sick and require immediate | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Flooing to St. Mungo's Hospital if he was to have any chance of | |
| data/chapter/15.html-survival. Please turn your textbooks to page 5."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Even without any sound in the moving picture, you could tell | |
| data/chapter/15.html-that the woman with horribly discolored skin was screaming.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"The criminal who originally Transfigured gold into wine and | |
| data/chapter/15.html-gave it to this woman to drink, 'in payment of the debt' as he put | |
| data/chapter/15.html-it, received a sentence of ten years in Azkaban. Please turn to | |
| data/chapter/15.html-page 6. That is a Dementor. They are the guardians of Azkaban. They | |
| data/chapter/15.html-suck away at your magic, your life, and any happy thoughts you try | |
| data/chapter/15.html-to have. The picture on page 7 is of the criminal ten years later, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-on his release. You will note that he is dead - yes, Mr. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Potter?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Professor," Harry said, "if the worst happens in a case like | |
| data/chapter/15.html-that, is there any way of <em>maintaining</em> the | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Transfiguration?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"No," Professor McGonagall said flatly. "Sustaining a | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"No," Professor McGonagall said flatly. "Sustaining a | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Transfiguration is a constant drain on your magic which scales with | |
| data/chapter/15.html-the size of the target form. And you would need to recontact the | |
| data/chapter/15.html-target every few hours, which is, in a case like this, impossible. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Disasters like this are <em>unrecoverable!</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall leaned forwards, her face very hard. "You | |
| data/chapter/15.html-will absolutely never under any circumstances Transfigure anything | |
| data/chapter/15.html-into a liquid or a gas. No water, no air. Nothing like water, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-nothing like air. Even if it is not meant to drink. Liquid | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<em>evaporates,</em> little bits and pieces of it get into the air. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-You will not Transfigure anything that is to be burned. It will | |
| data/chapter/15.html-make smoke and someone could breathe that smoke! You will never | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Transfigure anything that could conceivably go inside anyone's body | |
| data/chapter/15.html-by any means. No food. Nothing that <em>looks like</em> food. Not | |
| data/chapter/15.html-even as a funny little prank where you mean to tell them about your | |
| data/chapter/15.html-mud pie before they actually eat it. You will never do it. Period. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Inside this classroom or out of it or <em>anywhere.</em> Is that | |
| data/chapter/15.html-well understood by <em>every single student?</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Yes," said Harry, Hermione, and a few others. The rest seemed | |
| data/chapter/15.html-to be speechless.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"<em>Is that well understood by every single student?</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Yes," they said or muttered or whispered.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-target every few hours, which is, in a case like this, impossible. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Disasters like this are <em>unrecoverable!</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall leaned forwards, her face very hard. "You | |
| data/chapter/15.html-will absolutely never under any circumstances Transfigure anything | |
| data/chapter/15.html-into a liquid or a gas. No water, no air. Nothing like water, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-nothing like air. Even if it is not meant to drink. Liquid | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<em>evaporates,</em> little bits and pieces of it get into the air. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-You will not Transfigure anything that is to be burned. It will | |
| data/chapter/15.html-make smoke and someone could breathe that smoke! You will never | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Transfigure anything that could conceivably go inside anyone's body | |
| data/chapter/15.html-by any means. No food. Nothing that <em>looks like</em> food. Not | |
| data/chapter/15.html-even as a funny little prank where you mean to tell them about your | |
| data/chapter/15.html-mud pie before they actually eat it. You will never do it. Period. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Inside this classroom or out of it or <em>anywhere.</em> Is that | |
| data/chapter/15.html-well understood by <em>every single student?</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Yes," said Harry, Hermione, and a few others. The rest seemed | |
| data/chapter/15.html-to be speechless.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"<em>Is that well understood by every single student?</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Yes," they said or muttered or whispered.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"If you break any of these rules you will not further study | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Transfiguration during your stay at Hogwarts. Repeat along with me. | |
| data/chapter/15.html-I will never Transfigure anything into a liquid or gas."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I will never Transfigure anything into a liquid or gas," said | |
| data/chapter/15.html-the students in ragged chorus.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Again! Louder! I will never Transfigure anything into a liquid | |
| data/chapter/15.html-or gas."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I will never Transfigure anything into a liquid or gas."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I will never Transfigure anything that looks like food or | |
| data/chapter/15.html-anything else that goes inside a human body."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I will never Transfigure anything that is to be burned because | |
| data/chapter/15.html-it could make smoke."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"You will never Transfigure anything that looks like money, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-including Muggle money," said Professor McGonagall. "The goblins | |
| data/chapter/15.html-have ways of finding out who did it. As a matter of recognised law, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-the goblin nation is in a permanent state of <em>war</em> with all | |
| data/chapter/15.html-magical counterfeiters. They will not send Aurors. They will send | |
| data/chapter/15.html-an army."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I will never Transfigure anything that looks like money," | |
| data/chapter/15.html-repeated the students.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"And <em>above all</em>," said Professor McGonagall, "you will | |
| data/chapter/15.html-not Transfigure any living subject, <em>especially yourselves.</em> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I will never Transfigure anything that looks like food or | |
| data/chapter/15.html-anything else that goes inside a human body."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I will never Transfigure anything that is to be burned because | |
| data/chapter/15.html-it could make smoke."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"You will never Transfigure anything that looks like money, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-including Muggle money," said Professor McGonagall. "The goblins | |
| data/chapter/15.html-have ways of finding out who did it. As a matter of recognised law, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-the goblin nation is in a permanent state of <em>war</em> with all | |
| data/chapter/15.html-magical counterfeiters. They will not send Aurors. They will send | |
| data/chapter/15.html-an army."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I will never Transfigure anything that looks like money," | |
| data/chapter/15.html-repeated the students.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"And <em>above all</em>," said Professor McGonagall, "you will | |
| data/chapter/15.html-not Transfigure any living subject, <em>especially yourselves.</em> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-It will make you very sick and possibly dead, depending on how you | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Transfigure yourself and how long you maintain the change." | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Professor McGonagall paused. "Mr. Potter is currently holding up | |
| data/chapter/15.html-his hand because he has seen an Animagus transformation - | |
| data/chapter/15.html-specifically, a human transforming into a cat and back again. But | |
| data/chapter/15.html-an Animagus transformation is not <em>free</em> | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Transfiguration."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall took a small chunk of wood out of her | |
| data/chapter/15.html-pocket. With a tap of her wand it became a glass ball. Then she | |
| data/chapter/15.html-said "<em>Crystferrium!</em> " and the glass ball became a steel | |
| data/chapter/15.html-ball. She tapped it with her wand one last time and the steel ball | |
| data/chapter/15.html-became a piece of wood once more. "<em>Crystferrium</em> transforms | |
| data/chapter/15.html-a subject of solid glass into a similarly shaped target of solid | |
| data/chapter/15.html-steel. It cannot do the reverse, nor can it transform a desk into a | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall took a small chunk of wood out of her | |
| data/chapter/15.html-pocket. With a tap of her wand it became a glass ball. Then she | |
| data/chapter/15.html-said "<em>Crystferrium!</em> " and the glass ball became a steel | |
| data/chapter/15.html-ball. She tapped it with her wand one last time and the steel ball | |
| data/chapter/15.html-became a piece of wood once more. "<em>Crystferrium</em> transforms | |
| data/chapter/15.html-a subject of solid glass into a similarly shaped target of solid | |
| data/chapter/15.html-steel. It cannot do the reverse, nor can it transform a desk into a | |
| data/chapter/15.html:pig. The most general form of Transfiguration - free | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Transfiguration, which you will be learning here - is capable of | |
| data/chapter/15.html-transforming any subject into any target, at least so far as | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-transforming any subject into any target, at least so far as | |
| data/chapter/15.html:physical form is concerned. For this reason, free Transfiguration | |
| data/chapter/15.html-must be done wordlessly. Using Charms would require different words | |
| data/chapter/15.html-for every different transformation between subject and target."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall gave her students a sharp look. | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-must be done wordlessly. Using Charms would require different words | |
| data/chapter/15.html-for every different transformation between subject and target."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall gave her students a sharp look. | |
| data/chapter/15.html:"<em>Some</em> teachers begin with Transfiguration Charms and move | |
| data/chapter/15.html:on to free Transfiguration afterwards. Yes, that would be much | |
| data/chapter/15.html-easier in the beginning. But it can set you in a poor mold which | |
| data/chapter/15.html-impairs your abilities later. Here you will learn free | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-easier in the beginning. But it can set you in a poor mold which | |
| data/chapter/15.html-impairs your abilities later. Here you will learn free | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Transfiguration from the <em>very start</em>, which requires that | |
| data/chapter/15.html-you cast the spell wordlessly, by holding the subject form, the | |
| data/chapter/15.html-target form, and the transformation within your own mind."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"And to answer Mr. Potter's question," Professor McGonagall went | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-you cast the spell wordlessly, by holding the subject form, the | |
| data/chapter/15.html-target form, and the transformation within your own mind."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"And to answer Mr. Potter's question," Professor McGonagall went | |
| data/chapter/15.html:on, "it is <em>free</em> Transfiguration which you must never do to | |
| data/chapter/15.html-any living subject. There are Charms and potions which can safely, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-reversibly transform living subjects in <em>limited</em> ways. An | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Animagus with a missing limb will still be missing that limb after | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-any living subject. There are Charms and potions which can safely, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-reversibly transform living subjects in <em>limited</em> ways. An | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Animagus with a missing limb will still be missing that limb after | |
| data/chapter/15.html:transforming, for example. Free Transfiguration is <em>not</em> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-safe. Your body will change while it is Transfigured - breathing, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-for example, results in a constant loss of the body's stuff to the | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-safe. Your body will change while it is Transfigured - breathing, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-for example, results in a constant loss of the body's stuff to the | |
| data/chapter/15.html:surrounding air. When the Transfiguration wears off and your body | |
| data/chapter/15.html-tries to revert to its <em>original</em> form, it will not quite be | |
| data/chapter/15.html-able to do so. If you press your wand to your body and imagine | |
| data/chapter/15.html-yourself with golden hair, afterwards your hair will fall out. If | |
| data/chapter/15.html-you visualise yourself as someone with clearer skin, you will be | |
| data/chapter/15.html-taking a long stay at St. Mungo's. And if you Transfigure yourself | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-tries to revert to its <em>original</em> form, it will not quite be | |
| data/chapter/15.html-able to do so. If you press your wand to your body and imagine | |
| data/chapter/15.html-yourself with golden hair, afterwards your hair will fall out. If | |
| data/chapter/15.html-you visualise yourself as someone with clearer skin, you will be | |
| data/chapter/15.html-taking a long stay at St. Mungo's. And if you Transfigure yourself | |
| data/chapter/15.html:into an adult bodily form, then, when the Transfiguration wears | |
| data/chapter/15.html-off, you will die."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>That explained why he had seen such things as fat boys, or girls | |
| data/chapter/15.html-less than perfectly pretty. Or old people, for that matter. That | |
| data/chapter/15.html-wouldn't happen if you could just Transfigure yourself every | |
| data/chapter/15.html-morning... Harry raised his hand and tried to signal Professor | |
| data/chapter/15.html-McGonagall with his eyes.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"<em>Yes</em>, Mr. Potter?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Is it possible to Transfigure a living subject into a target | |
| data/chapter/15.html-that is static, such as a coin - no, excuse me, I'm terribly sorry, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-let's just say a steel ball."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall shook her head. "Mr. Potter, even inanimate | |
| data/chapter/15.html-objects undergo small internal changes over time. There would be no | |
| data/chapter/15.html-visible changes to your body afterwards, and for the first minute, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-you would notice nothing wrong. But in an hour you would be sick, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-and in a day you would be dead."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Erm, excuse me, so if I'd read the first chapter I could have | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<em>guessed</em> that the desk was originally a desk and not a | |
| data/chapter/15.html-pig," Harry said, "but only if I made the <em>further</em> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-assumption that you didn't want to kill the pig, that might | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<em>seem</em> highly probable but -"</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-that is static, such as a coin - no, excuse me, I'm terribly sorry, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-let's just say a steel ball."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall shook her head. "Mr. Potter, even inanimate | |
| data/chapter/15.html-objects undergo small internal changes over time. There would be no | |
| data/chapter/15.html-visible changes to your body afterwards, and for the first minute, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-you would notice nothing wrong. But in an hour you would be sick, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-and in a day you would be dead."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Erm, excuse me, so if I'd read the first chapter I could have | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<em>guessed</em> that the desk was originally a desk and not a | |
| data/chapter/15.html-pig," Harry said, "but only if I made the <em>further</em> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-assumption that you didn't want to kill the pig, that might | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<em>seem</em> highly probable but -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I can foresee that marking your tests will be an endless source | |
| data/chapter/15.html-of delight to me, Mr. Potter. But if you have other questions can I | |
| data/chapter/15.html-please ask you to wait until after class?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"No further questions, professor."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Now repeat after me," said Professor McGonagall. "I will never | |
| data/chapter/15.html-try to Transfigure any living subject, especially myself, unless | |
| data/chapter/15.html-specifically instructed to do so using a specialised Charm or | |
| data/chapter/15.html-potion."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html:<p>"If I am not sure whether a Transfiguration is safe, I will not | |
| data/chapter/15.html-try it until I have asked Professor McGonagall or Professor | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Flitwick or Professor Snape or the Headmaster, who are the only | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-try it until I have asked Professor McGonagall or Professor | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Flitwick or Professor Snape or the Headmaster, who are the only | |
| data/chapter/15.html:recognised authorities on Transfiguration at Hogwarts. Asking | |
| data/chapter/15.html-another student is <em>not</em> acceptable, even if they say that | |
| data/chapter/15.html-they remember asking the same question."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Even if the current Defence Professor at Hogwarts tells me that | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-another student is <em>not</em> acceptable, even if they say that | |
| data/chapter/15.html-they remember asking the same question."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Even if the current Defence Professor at Hogwarts tells me that | |
| data/chapter/15.html:a Transfiguration is safe, and even if I see the Defence Professor | |
| data/chapter/15.html-do it and nothing bad seems to happen, I will not try it | |
| data/chapter/15.html-myself."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I have the absolute right to refuse to perform any | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-do it and nothing bad seems to happen, I will not try it | |
| data/chapter/15.html-myself."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I have the absolute right to refuse to perform any | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Transfiguration about which I feel the slightest bit nervous. Since | |
| data/chapter/15.html-not even the Headmaster of Hogwarts can order me to do otherwise, I | |
| data/chapter/15.html-certainly will not accept any such order from the Defence | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Professor, even if the Defence Professor threatens to deduct one | |
| data/chapter/15.html-hundred House points and have me expelled."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"If I break any of these rules I will not further study | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-not even the Headmaster of Hogwarts can order me to do otherwise, I | |
| data/chapter/15.html-certainly will not accept any such order from the Defence | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Professor, even if the Defence Professor threatens to deduct one | |
| data/chapter/15.html-hundred House points and have me expelled."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"If I break any of these rules I will not further study | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Transfiguration during my time at Hogwarts."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"We will repeat these rules at the start of every class for the | |
| data/chapter/15.html-first month," said Professor McGonagall. "And now, we will begin | |
| data/chapter/15.html-with matches as subjects and needles as targets... put away your | |
| data/chapter/15.html-wands, thank you, by 'begin' I meant that you will begin taking | |
| data/chapter/15.html-notes."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Half an hour before the end of class, Professor McGonagall | |
| data/chapter/15.html-handed out the matches.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>At the end of the class Hermione had a silvery-looking match and | |
| data/chapter/15.html-the entire rest of the class, Muggleborn or otherwise, had exactly | |
| data/chapter/15.html-what they'd started with.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall awarded her another point for | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Ravenclaw.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"We will repeat these rules at the start of every class for the | |
| data/chapter/15.html-first month," said Professor McGonagall. "And now, we will begin | |
| data/chapter/15.html-with matches as subjects and needles as targets... put away your | |
| data/chapter/15.html-wands, thank you, by 'begin' I meant that you will begin taking | |
| data/chapter/15.html-notes."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Half an hour before the end of class, Professor McGonagall | |
| data/chapter/15.html-handed out the matches.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>At the end of the class Hermione had a silvery-looking match and | |
| data/chapter/15.html-the entire rest of the class, Muggleborn or otherwise, had exactly | |
| data/chapter/15.html-what they'd started with.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall awarded her another point for | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Ravenclaw.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/15.html:<p>After the Transfiguration class was dismissed, Hermione came | |
| data/chapter/15.html-over to Harry's desk as Harry was putting away his books into his | |
| data/chapter/15.html-pouch.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"You know," Hermione said with an innocent expression on her | |
| data/chapter/15.html-face, "I earned two points for Ravenclaw today."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"So you did," Harry said shortly.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"But that wasn't as good as your <em>seven</em> points," she | |
| data/chapter/15.html-said. "I guess I'm just not as intelligent as you."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Harry finished feeding his homework into the pouch and turned to | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Hermione with his eyes narrowed. He'd actually forgotten about | |
| data/chapter/15.html-that.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>She <em>batted her eyelashes</em> at him. "We have lessons every | |
| data/chapter/15.html-day, though. I wonder how long it will take you to find some more | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Hufflepuffs to rescue? Today is Monday. So that gives you until | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Thursday."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>The two of them stared into each other's eyes, unblinking.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Harry spoke first. "Of course you realise this means war."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I didn't know we'd been at peace."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>All of the other students were now watching with fascinated | |
| data/chapter/15.html-eyes. All of the other students, plus, unfortunately, Professor | |
| data/chapter/15.html-McGonagall.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/15.html-the announcement should be brief. Just the number of points and the | |
| data/chapter/15.html-fact of the record... and if anyone comes to you for help with | |
| data/chapter/15.html-their schoolwork and is disappointed that you haven't even started | |
| data/chapter/15.html-reading your textbooks, you can always refer them to Miss | |
| data/chapter/15.html-Granger."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"<em>Professor!</em> " said Hermione in a rather high-pitched | |
| data/chapter/15.html-voice.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Professor McGonagall ignored her. "My, I wonder how long it will | |
| data/chapter/15.html-take before Miss Granger does something deserving of a dinnertime | |
| data/chapter/15.html-announcement? I look forward to seeing it, whatever it may be."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>Harry and Hermione, by unspoken mutual consent, turned and | |
| data/chapter/15.html-stormed out of the classroom. They were followed by a trail of | |
| data/chapter/15.html-hypnotised Ravenclaws.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Um," Harry said. "Are we still on for after dinner?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Of course," said Hermione. "I wouldn't want you to fall further | |
| data/chapter/15.html-behind on your studying."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Why, thank you. And let me say that as brilliant as you are | |
| data/chapter/15.html-already, I can't help but wonder what you'll be like once you have | |
| data/chapter/15.html-some elementary training in rationality."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Is it really that useful? It didn't seem to help you with | |
| data/chapter/15.html:Charms or Transfiguration."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>There was a slight pause.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Well, I only got my schoolbooks four days ago. That's why I had | |
| data/chapter/15.html-to earn those seventeen House points without using my wand."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"Four days ago? Maybe you can't read eight books in four days | |
| data/chapter/15.html-but you might have at least read <em>one</em>. How many days will | |
| data/chapter/15.html-it take to finish at that rate? You know all that mathematics, so | |
| data/chapter/15.html-can you tell me what's eight, times four, divided by zero?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I've got classes now, which you didn't, but weekends are free, | |
| data/chapter/15.html-so... limit of eight times four divided by epsilon as epsilon | |
| data/chapter/15.html-approaches zero plus... 10:47AM on Sunday."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"I did it in <em>three</em> days actually."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>"2:47PM on Saturday it is, then. I'm sure I'll find the time | |
| data/chapter/15.html-somewhere."</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-<p>And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.</p> | |
| data/chapter/15.html-</div> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/16.html-Hermione.</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"- may have gotten the impression that although this subject is | |
| data/chapter/16.html-called Defence Against the Dark Arts, it is actually about how to | |
| data/chapter/16.html-defend against Nightmare Butterflies, which cause mildly bad | |
| data/chapter/16.html-dreams, or Acid Slugs, which can dissolve all the way through a | |
| data/chapter/16.html-two-inch wooden beam given most of a day."</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>Professor Quirrell stood up, shoving his chair back from the | |
| data/chapter/16.html-desk. The screen on Harry's desk followed his every move. Professor | |
| data/chapter/16.html-Quirrell strode towards the front of the classroom, and | |
| data/chapter/16.html-bellowed:</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"The Hungarian Horntail is taller than a dozen men! It breathes | |
| data/chapter/16.html-fire so quickly and so accurately that it can melt a Snitch in | |
| data/chapter/16.html-midflight! One Killing Curse will bring it down!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>There were gasps from the students.</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"The Mountain Troll is more dangerous than the Hungarian | |
| data/chapter/16.html-Horntail! It is strong enough to bite through steel! Its hide is | |
| data/chapter/16.html-resistant enough to withstand Stunning Hexes and Cutting Charms! | |
| data/chapter/16.html-Its sense of smell is so acute that it can tell from afar whether | |
| data/chapter/16.html-its prey is part of a pack, or alone and vulnerable! Most fearsome | |
| data/chapter/16.html-of all, the troll is unique among magical creatures in continuously | |
| data/chapter/16.html:maintaining a form of Transfiguration on itself - it is always | |
| data/chapter/16.html-transforming into its own body. If you somehow succeed in ripping | |
| data/chapter/16.html-off its arm it will grow another within seconds! Fire and acid will | |
| data/chapter/16.html-produce scar tissue which can temporarily confuse a troll's | |
| data/chapter/16.html-regenerative powers - for an hour or two! They are smart enough to | |
| data/chapter/16.html-use clubs as tools! The mountain troll is the third most perfect | |
| data/chapter/16.html-killing machine in all Nature! One Killing Curse will bring it | |
| data/chapter/16.html-down."</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>The students were looking rather shocked.</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>Professor Quirrell was smiling rather grimly. "Your sad excuse | |
| data/chapter/16.html-for a third-year Defence textbook will suggest to you that you | |
| data/chapter/16.html-expose the mountain troll to sunlight, which will freeze it in | |
| data/chapter/16.html-place. This, my young apprentices, is the sort of useless knowledge | |
| data/chapter/16.html-you will never find in my lessons. You do not encounter mountain | |
| data/chapter/16.html-trolls in open daylight! The idea that you should use sunlight to | |
| data/chapter/16.html-stop them is the result of foolish textbook authors trying to show | |
| data/chapter/16.html-off their mastery of minutia at the expense of practicality. Just | |
| data/chapter/16.html-because there is a ridiculously obscure way of dealing with | |
| data/chapter/16.html-mountain trolls does not mean you should actually try to use it! | |
| data/chapter/16.html-The Killing Curse is unblockable, unstoppable, and works every | |
| data/chapter/16.html-single time on anything with a brain. If, as an adult wizard, you | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>Professor Quirrell looked amused. "You're thinking that I've | |
| data/chapter/16.html-come up with a wrong answer, aren't you, Mr. Potter? You will learn | |
| data/chapter/16.html-to expect better of <em>me</em>." Professor Quirrell straightened | |
| data/chapter/16.html-from where he had leaned on the desk. "Mr. Potter, all things have | |
| data/chapter/16.html-their accustomed uses. Give me ten unaccustomed uses of objects in | |
| data/chapter/16.html-this room for combat!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>For a moment Harry was rendered speechless by the sheer, raw | |
| data/chapter/16.html-shock of having been understood.</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>And then the ideas started to pour out.</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"There are desks which are heavy enough to be fatal if dropped | |
| data/chapter/16.html-from a great height. There are chairs with metal legs that could | |
| data/chapter/16.html-impale someone if driven hard enough. The air in this classroom | |
| data/chapter/16.html-would be deadly by its absence, since people die in vacuum, and it | |
| data/chapter/16.html-can serve as a carrier for poison gases."</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>Harry had to stop briefly for breath, and into that pause | |
| data/chapter/16.html-Professor Quirrell said:</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"That's three. You need ten. The rest of the class thinks that | |
| data/chapter/16.html-you've already used up the whole contents of the classroom."</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"<em>Ha!</em> The floor can be removed to create a spike pit to | |
| data/chapter/16.html-fall into, the ceiling can be collapsed on someone, the walls can | |
| data/chapter/16.html:serve as raw material for Transfiguration into any number of deadly | |
| data/chapter/16.html-things - knives, say."</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"That's six. But surely you're scraping the bottom of the barrel | |
| data/chapter/16.html-now?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"I haven't even started! Just look at all the people! Having a | |
| data/chapter/16.html-Gryffindor attack the enemy is an <em>ordinary</em> use, of course | |
| data/chapter/16.html--"</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"I will not count that one."</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"- but their blood can also be used to drown someone. Ravenclaws | |
| data/chapter/16.html-are known for their brains, but their internal organs could be sold | |
| data/chapter/16.html-on the black market for enough money to hire an assassin. | |
| data/chapter/16.html-Slytherins aren't just useful as assassins, they can also be thrown | |
| data/chapter/16.html-at sufficient velocity to crush an enemy. And Hufflepuffs, in | |
| data/chapter/16.html-addition to being hard workers, also contain bones that can be | |
| data/chapter/16.html-removed, sharpened, and used to stab someone."</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>By now the rest of the class was staring at Harry in some | |
| data/chapter/16.html-horror. Even the Slytherins looked shocked.</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"That's ten, though I'm being generous in counting the Ravenclaw | |
| data/chapter/16.html-one. Now, for extra credit, one Quirrell point for each use of | |
| data/chapter/16.html-objects in this room which you have not yet named." Professor | |
| data/chapter/16.html-Quirrell favored Harry with a companionable smile. "The rest of | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/16.html-Cup, I haven't even started yet on the unaccustomed uses of | |
| data/chapter/16.html-everything I've got in my pockets" or the mokeskin pouch itself and | |
| data/chapter/16.html-he couldn't talk about the Time-Turner or the invisibility cloak | |
| data/chapter/16.html-but there had to be <em>something</em> he could say about those red | |
| data/chapter/16.html-spheres...</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"<em>Enough,</em> Mr. Potter. Well, do you all think you | |
| data/chapter/16.html-understand what makes Mr. Potter the most dangerous student in the | |
| data/chapter/16.html-classroom?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>There was a low murmur of assent.</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"Say it out loud, please. Terry Boot, what makes your dorm-mate | |
| data/chapter/16.html-dangerous?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"Ah... um... he's creative?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"<em>Wrong!</em> " bellowed Professor Quirrell, and his fist | |
| data/chapter/16.html-came down sharply on his desk with an amplified sound that made | |
| data/chapter/16.html-everyone jump. "All of Mr. Potter's ideas were worse than | |
| data/chapter/16.html-useless!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>Harry started in surprise.</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"Remove the floor to create a spike trap? Ridiculous! In combat | |
| data/chapter/16.html-you do not have that sort of preparation time and if you did there | |
| data/chapter/16.html-would be a hundred better uses! Transfigure material from the | |
| data/chapter/16.html:walls? Mr. Potter cannot perform Transfiguration! Mr. Potter had | |
| data/chapter/16.html-exactly one idea which he could use immediately, right now, without | |
| data/chapter/16.html-extensive preparation or a cooperative enemy or magic he does not | |
| data/chapter/16.html-know. That idea was to jam his wand through his enemy's eye socket. | |
| data/chapter/16.html-Which would be more likely to break his wand than kill his | |
| data/chapter/16.html-opponent! In short, Mr. Potter, I'm afraid that your proposals were | |
| data/chapter/16.html-uniformly awful."</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"What?" Harry said indignantly. "You <em>asked</em> for unusual | |
| data/chapter/16.html-ideas, not practical ones! I was thinking outside the box! How | |
| data/chapter/16.html-would <em>you</em> use something in this classroom to kill | |
| data/chapter/16.html-someone?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>Professor Quirrell's expression was disapproving, but there were | |
| data/chapter/16.html-smile crinkles around his eyes. "Mr. Potter, I never said you were | |
| data/chapter/16.html-to <em>kill.</em> There is a time and a place for taking your enemy | |
| data/chapter/16.html-alive, and inside a Hogwarts classroom is usually one of those | |
| data/chapter/16.html-places. But to answer your question, hit them on the neck with the | |
| data/chapter/16.html-edge of a chair."</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>There was some laughter from the Slytherins, but they were | |
| data/chapter/16.html-laughing with Harry, not at him.</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>Everyone else was looking rather horrified.</p> | |
| data/chapter/16.html-<p>"But Mr. Potter has now demonstrated why he is the most | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/17.html-and said it was my father's and I should carry it everywhere!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>There was another terrible pause.</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>"I see," said Professor McGonagall, her voice a little calmer. | |
| data/chapter/17.html-She stood up, brushed herself off, and glared at the scattered | |
| data/chapter/17.html-parchments, which jumped into a neat stack and scurried back | |
| data/chapter/17.html-against the corridor wall as though to hide from her gaze. "My | |
| data/chapter/17.html-sympathies, Mr. Potter, and I apologise for doubting you."</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>"Professor McGonagall," Harry said. His voice was wavering. He | |
| data/chapter/17.html-pushed himself off the floor, stood, and looked up at her | |
| data/chapter/17.html-trustworthy, <em>sane</em> face. "Professor McGonagall..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>"Yes, Mr. Potter?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>"Do you think I should?" Harry said in a small voice. "Carry my | |
| data/chapter/17.html-father's rock everywhere?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>Professor McGonagall sighed. "That is between you and the | |
| data/chapter/17.html-Headmaster, I'm afraid." She hesitated. "I will say that ignoring | |
| data/chapter/17.html-the Headmaster completely is almost never wise. I <em>am</em> sorry | |
| data/chapter/17.html-to hear of your dilemma, Mr. Potter, and if there's any way I | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<em>can</em> help you with whatever you decide to do -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>"Um," Harry said. "Actually I was thinking that once I know how, | |
| data/chapter/17.html-I could Transfigure the rock into a ring and wear it on my finger. | |
| data/chapter/17.html:If you could teach me how to sustain a Transfiguration -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>"It is good that you asked me first," Professor McGonagall said, | |
| data/chapter/17.html-her face growing a bit stern. "If you lost control of the | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>"It is good that you asked me first," Professor McGonagall said, | |
| data/chapter/17.html-her face growing a bit stern. "If you lost control of the | |
| data/chapter/17.html:Transfiguration the reversal would cut off your finger and probably | |
| data/chapter/17.html-rip your hand in half. And at your age, even a ring is too large a | |
| data/chapter/17.html-target for you to sustain indefinitely without it being a serious | |
| data/chapter/17.html-drain on your magic. But I can have a ring forged for you with a | |
| data/chapter/17.html-setting for a jewel, a <em>small</em> jewel, in contact with your | |
| data/chapter/17.html-skin, and you can practice sustaining a safe subject, like a | |
| data/chapter/17.html-marshmallow. When you have kept it up successfully, even in your | |
| data/chapter/17.html-sleep, for a full month, I will allow you to Transfigure, ah, your | |
| data/chapter/17.html-father's rock..." Professor McGonagall's voice trailed off. "Did | |
| data/chapter/17.html-the Headmaster <em>really -</em>"</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>"Yes. Ah... um..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>Professor McGonagall sighed. "That's a bit strange even for | |
| data/chapter/17.html-him." She stooped and picked up the stack of parchments. "I'm sorry | |
| data/chapter/17.html-about this, Mr. Potter. I apologise again for mistrusting you. But | |
| data/chapter/17.html-now it's my own turn to see the Headmaster."</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>"Ah... good luck, I guess. Er..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>"Thank you, Mr. Potter."</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>"Um..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/17.html-<p>Professor McGonagall walked over to the gargoyle, inaudibly | |
| data/chapter/17.html-spoke the password, and stepped through into the revolving spiral | |
| data/chapter/17.html-stairs. She began to rise out of sight, and the gargoyle started | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/2.html-what?</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<p>The witch-lady was smiling benevolently upon them, looking quite | |
| data/chapter/2.html-amused. "Would you like a further demonstration, Mr. Potter?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<p>"You don't have to," Harry said. "We've performed a definitive | |
| data/chapter/2.html-experiment. But..." Harry hesitated. He couldn't help himself. | |
| data/chapter/2.html-Actually, under the circumstances, he <em>shouldn't</em> be helping | |
| data/chapter/2.html-himself. It was right and proper to be curious. "What else | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<em>can</em> you do?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<p>Professor McGonagall turned into a cat.</p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<p>Harry scrambled back unthinkingly, backpedalling so fast that he | |
| data/chapter/2.html-tripped over a stray stack of books and landed hard on his bottom | |
| data/chapter/2.html-with a <em>thwack.</em> His hands came down to catch himself | |
| data/chapter/2.html-without quite reaching properly, and there was a warning twinge in | |
| data/chapter/2.html-his shoulder as the weight came down unbraced.</p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<p>At once the small tabby cat morphed back up into a robed woman. | |
| data/chapter/2.html-"I'm sorry, Mr. Potter," said the witch, sounding sincere, though | |
| data/chapter/2.html-the corners of her lips were twitching upwards. "I should have | |
| data/chapter/2.html-warned you."</p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<p>Harry was breathing in short gasps. His voice came out choked. | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<em>"You can't DO that!"</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html:<p>"It's only a Transfiguration," said Professor McGonagall. "An | |
| data/chapter/2.html-Animagus transformation, to be exact."</p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<p>"You turned into a cat! A <em>SMALL</em> cat! You violated | |
| data/chapter/2.html-Conservation of Energy! That's not just an arbitrary rule, it's | |
| data/chapter/2.html-implied by the form of the quantum Hamiltonian! Rejecting it | |
| data/chapter/2.html-destroys unitarity and then you get FTL signalling! And cats are | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<em>COMPLICATED!</em> A human mind can't just visualise a whole | |
| data/chapter/2.html-cat's anatomy and, and all the cat biochemistry, and what about the | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<em>neurology?</em> How can you go on <em>thinking</em> using a | |
| data/chapter/2.html-cat-sized brain?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<p>Professor McGonagall's lips were twitching harder now. | |
| data/chapter/2.html-"Magic."</p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<p>"Magic <em>isn't enough</em> to do that! You'd have to be a | |
| data/chapter/2.html-god!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<p>Professor McGonagall blinked. "That's the first time I've ever | |
| data/chapter/2.html-been called <em>that.</em>"</p> | |
| data/chapter/2.html-<p>A blur was coming over Harry's vision, as his brain started to | |
| data/chapter/2.html-comprehend what had just broken. The whole idea of a unified | |
| data/chapter/2.html-universe with mathematically regular laws, that was what had been | |
| data/chapter/2.html-flushed down the toilet; the whole notion of <em>physics</em>. | |
| data/chapter/2.html-Three thousand years of resolving big complicated things into | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/22.html-brick the walls, dark stained wood the ceiling, four glowing glass | |
| data/chapter/22.html-globes set into the four walls of the room. A circular table that | |
| data/chapter/22.html-looked like a wide slab of black marble set on thick black marble | |
| data/chapter/22.html-legs for columns, but which had proved to be very light (weight and | |
| data/chapter/22.html-mass both) and wasn't difficult to pick up and move around if | |
| data/chapter/22.html-necessary. Two comfortably cushioned chairs which had seemed at | |
| data/chapter/22.html-first to be locked to the floor in inconvenient places, but which | |
| data/chapter/22.html-would, the two of them had finally discovered, scoot around to | |
| data/chapter/22.html-where you stood as soon as you leaned over in a posture that looked | |
| data/chapter/22.html-like you were about to sit down.</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>There also seemed to be a number of bats flying around the | |
| data/chapter/22.html-room.</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>That was where, future historians would one day record - | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<em>if</em> the whole project ever actually amounted to anything - | |
| data/chapter/22.html-the scientific study of magic had begun, with two young first-year | |
| data/chapter/22.html-Hogwarts students.</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>Harry James Potter-Evans-Verres, theorist.</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>And Hermione Jean Granger, experimenter and test subject.</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>Harry was doing better in classes now, at least the classes he | |
| data/chapter/22.html-considered interesting. He'd read more books, and not books for | |
| data/chapter/22.html:eleven-year-olds either. He'd practiced Transfiguration over and | |
| data/chapter/22.html-over during one of his extra hours every day, taking the other hour | |
| data/chapter/22.html-for beginning Occlumency. He was taking the worthwhile classes | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<em>seriously,</em> not just turning in his homework every day, but | |
| data/chapter/22.html-using his free time to learn more than was required, to read other | |
| data/chapter/22.html-books beyond the given textbooks, looking to master the subject and | |
| data/chapter/22.html-not just memorize a few test answers, to excel. You didn't see that | |
| data/chapter/22.html-much outside Ravenclaw. And now even <em>within</em> Ravenclaw, his | |
| data/chapter/22.html-only remaining competitors were Padma Patil (whose parents came | |
| data/chapter/22.html-from a non-English-speaking culture and thus had raised her with an | |
| data/chapter/22.html-actual work ethic), Anthony Goldstein (out of a certain tiny ethnic | |
| data/chapter/22.html-group that won 25% of the Nobel Prizes), and of course, striding | |
| data/chapter/22.html-far above everyone like a Titan strolling through a pack of | |
| data/chapter/22.html-puppies, Hermione Granger.</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>To run this particular experiment you needed the test subject to | |
| data/chapter/22.html-learn sixteen new spells, on their own, without help or correction. | |
| data/chapter/22.html-That meant the test subject was Hermione. Period.</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>It should be mentioned at this point that the bats flying around | |
| data/chapter/22.html-the room were <em>not</em> glowing.</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>Harry was having trouble accepting the implications of this.</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>"<em>Oogely boogely!</em> " Hermione said again.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/22.html-year at Hogwarts?" said Draco. "If they used to be able to cast | |
| data/chapter/22.html-much more powerful Charms, the blood was stronger -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>Harry Potter shook his head. "Or magic itself was stronger. We | |
| data/chapter/22.html-have to figure out some way of telling the <em>difference.</em>" | |
| data/chapter/22.html-Harry stood up from his chair, began pacing nervously through the | |
| data/chapter/22.html-classroom. "No, wait, that might still work. Suppose different | |
| data/chapter/22.html-spells use up different amounts of magical energy. Then if the | |
| data/chapter/22.html-ambient magic weakened, the powerful spells would die first, but | |
| data/chapter/22.html-the spells everyone learns in their first year would stay the | |
| data/chapter/22.html-same..." Harry's nervous pacing sped up. "It's not a very good | |
| data/chapter/22.html-test, it's more about powerful wizardry being lost versus all | |
| data/chapter/22.html-wizardry being lost, someone's blood could be too weak for powerful | |
| data/chapter/22.html-wizardry but strong enough for easy spells... Draco, do you know if | |
| data/chapter/22.html-more powerful wizards within a <em>single</em> era, like powerful | |
| data/chapter/22.html-wizards from just this century, are more powerful as children? If | |
| data/chapter/22.html-the Dark Lord had cast the Cooling Charm when he was eleven, could | |
| data/chapter/22.html-he have frozen the whole room?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>Draco's face screwed up as he tried to recollect. "I can't | |
| data/chapter/22.html-remember hearing anything about the Dark Lord but I think | |
| data/chapter/22.html-Dumbledore's supposed to have done something amazing on his | |
| data/chapter/22.html:Transfiguration O.W.L.s in fifth year... I think other powerful | |
| data/chapter/22.html-wizards were good in Hogwarts too..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>Harry scowled, still pacing. "They could just be studying hard. | |
| data/chapter/22.html-Still, if first-year students learned the same spells and seemed | |
| data/chapter/22.html-about as powerful then as now, we could call that <em>weak</em> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-evidence favoring 1 over 2... wait, hold on." Harry stopped where | |
| data/chapter/22.html-he stood. "I have another test that might distinguish between 1 and | |
| data/chapter/22.html-2. It would take a while to explain, it uses some things that | |
| data/chapter/22.html-scientists know about blood and inheritance, but it's an easy | |
| data/chapter/22.html-question to ask. And if we <em>combine</em> my test and your test | |
| data/chapter/22.html-and they both come out the same way, that's a strong hint at the | |
| data/chapter/22.html-answer." Harry almost ran back to the desk, took the parchment and | |
| data/chapter/22.html-wrote:</p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p><em>B. Did ancient first-year students cast the same sort of | |
| data/chapter/22.html-spells, with the same power, as now? (Weak evidence for 1 over 2, | |
| data/chapter/22.html-but blood could also be losing powerful wizardry only.)</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p><em>C. Additional test that distinguishes 1 and 2 using | |
| data/chapter/22.html-scientific knowledge of blood, will explain later.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/22.html-<p>"Okay," said Harry, "we can at least try to tell the difference | |
| data/chapter/22.html-between 1 and 2 and 3, so let's go with this right away, we can | |
| data/chapter/22.html-figure out <em>more</em> tests after we do the ones we already | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/23.html-and so Harry had learned it. Was Dumbledore's forbidden corridor | |
| data/chapter/23.html-meant to lure people so stupid that they didn't notice the security | |
| data/chapter/23.html-was worse than what Draco Malfoy could put on it?</p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>Fear was creeping back into Harry's system. The placard in the | |
| data/chapter/23.html-medical kit had said the Numbcloth could only safely be used for up | |
| data/chapter/23.html-to thirty minutes. After that it would come off automatically, and | |
| data/chapter/23.html-not be reusable for 24 hours. Right now it was 6:51pm. He'd put on | |
| data/chapter/23.html-the Numbcloth about five minutes ago.</p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>So Harry took a step back, and considered the door. It was a | |
| data/chapter/23.html-solid panel of dark oaken wood, interrupted only by the brass metal | |
| data/chapter/23.html-doorknob.</p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>Harry didn't know any explosive or cutting or smashing spells, | |
| data/chapter/23.html-and Transfiguring explosive would have violated the rule against | |
| data/chapter/23.html-Transfiguring things to be burned. Acid was a liquid and would have | |
| data/chapter/23.html-made fumes...</p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>But that was no obstacle to a <em>creative thinker.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>Harry laid his wand against one of the door's brass hinges, and | |
| data/chapter/23.html-concentrated on the form of cotton as a pure abstraction apart from | |
| data/chapter/23.html-any material cotton, and also on the pure material apart from the | |
| data/chapter/23.html-pattern that made it a brass hinge, and brought the two concepts | |
| data/chapter/23.html:together, imposing shape on substance. An hour of Transfiguration | |
| data/chapter/23.html-practice every day for a month had gotten Harry to the point where | |
| data/chapter/23.html-he could Transfigure a subject of five cubic centimeters in just | |
| data/chapter/23.html-under a minute.</p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>After two minutes the hinge hadn't changed at all.</p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>Whoever had designed Draco's locking spell, they'd thought of | |
| data/chapter/23.html-that, too. Or the door was part of Hogwarts and the castle was | |
| data/chapter/23.html-immune.</p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>A glance showed the walls to be solid stone. So was the floor. | |
| data/chapter/23.html-So was the ceiling. You couldn't separately Transfigure a part of | |
| data/chapter/23.html-something that was a solid whole; Harry would have needed to try | |
| data/chapter/23.html-Transfiguring the whole wall, which would have taken hours or maybe | |
| data/chapter/23.html-days of continuous effort, if he could have done it at all, and if | |
| data/chapter/23.html-the wall wasn't contiguous with the rest of the whole castle...</p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>Harry's Time-Turner wouldn't open until 9pm. After that he could | |
| data/chapter/23.html-go back to 6pm, before the door was locked.</p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>How long would the torture spell last?</p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>Harry swallowed hard. Tears were coming into his eyes again.</p> | |
| data/chapter/23.html-<p>His brilliantly creative mind had just offered the ingenious | |
| data/chapter/23.html-suggestion that Harry could cut his hand off using the hacksaw in | |
| data/chapter/23.html-the toolset stored in his pouch, which would hurt, obviously, but | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>The chain of logic was inexorable.</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>And it led inevitably toward a single final conclusion.</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>The ancient forebears of the wizards, thousands of years | |
| data/chapter/25.html-earlier, had told the Source of Magic to only levitate things if | |
| data/chapter/25.html-you said...</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>'Wingardium Leviosa.'</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>Harry slumped over at the breakfast table, resting his forehead | |
| data/chapter/25.html-wearily on his right hand.</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>There was a story from the dawn days of Artificial Intelligence | |
| data/chapter/25.html-- back when they were just starting out and no one had yet realized | |
| data/chapter/25.html-the problem would be difficult - about a professor who had | |
| data/chapter/25.html-delegated one of his grad students to solve the problem of computer | |
| data/chapter/25.html-vision.</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>Harry was beginning to understand how that grad student must | |
| data/chapter/25.html-have felt.</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>This could take a while.</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>Why did it take more effort to cast the Alohomora spell, if it | |
| data/chapter/25.html-was just like pressing a button?</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>Who'd been silly enough to build in a spell for <em>Avada | |
| data/chapter/25.html-Kedavra</em> that could only be cast using hatred?</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html:<p>Why did wordless Transfiguration require you to make a complete | |
| data/chapter/25.html-mental separation between the concept of form and concept of | |
| data/chapter/25.html-material?</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>Harry might not be done with this problem by the time he | |
| data/chapter/25.html-graduated Hogwarts. He could still be working on this problem when | |
| data/chapter/25.html-he was <em>thirty years old.</em> Hermione had been right, Harry | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<em>hadn't</em> realized that on a gut level before. He'd just | |
| data/chapter/25.html-given an inspiring speech about determination.</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>Harry's mind briefly considered whether to get on a gut level | |
| data/chapter/25.html-that he might never solve the problem at all, then decided that | |
| data/chapter/25.html-would be taking things much too far.</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>Besides, so long as he could get as far as immortality in the | |
| data/chapter/25.html-first few decades, he'd be fine.</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>What method had the Dark Lord used? Come to think, the fact that | |
| data/chapter/25.html-the Dark Lord had somehow managed to survive the death of his first | |
| data/chapter/25.html-body was almost <em>infinitely</em> more important than the fact | |
| data/chapter/25.html-that he'd tried to take over magical Britain -</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>"Excuse me," said an expected voice from behind him in very | |
| data/chapter/25.html-unexpected tones. "At your convenience, Mr. Malfoy requests the | |
| data/chapter/25.html-favor of a conversation."</p> | |
| data/chapter/25.html-<p>Harry did not choke on his breakfast cereal. Instead he turned | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Okay," Harry said, swallowing. "Okay, Hermione, it's enough, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-you can stop."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The white sugar pill in front of Hermione still hadn't changed | |
| data/chapter/28.html-shape or color at all, even though she was concentrating harder | |
| data/chapter/28.html-than Harry had ever seen, her eyes squeezed shut, beads of sweat on | |
| data/chapter/28.html-her forehead, hand trembling as it gripped the wand -</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Hermione, <em>stop!</em> It's not going to work, Hermione, I | |
| data/chapter/28.html-don't think we can make things that don't exist yet!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Slowly, Hermione's hand relaxed its grasp on the wand.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"I thought I felt it," she said in a bare whisper. "I thought I | |
| data/chapter/28.html-felt it start to Transfigure, just for a second."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>There was a lump in Harry's throat. "You were probably imagining | |
| data/chapter/28.html-it. Hoping too hard."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"I probably was," she said. She looked like she wanted to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-cry.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Slowly, Harry took his mechanical pencil in his hand, and | |
| data/chapter/28.html-reached over to the sheet of paper with all the items crossed out, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-and drew a line through the item that said 'ALZHEIMER'S CURE'.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>They couldn't have fed anyone a Transfigured pill. But | |
| data/chapter/28.html:Transfiguration, at least the kind they could do, didn't enchant | |
| data/chapter/28.html-the targets - it wouldn't Transfigure a regular broomstick into a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-flying one. So if Hermione had been able to make a pill at all, it | |
| data/chapter/28.html-would have been a <em>nonmagical</em> pill, one that worked for | |
| data/chapter/28.html-ordinary material reasons. They could have secretly made pills for | |
| data/chapter/28.html-a Muggle science lab, let them <em>study</em> the pills and try to | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-the targets - it wouldn't Transfigure a regular broomstick into a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-flying one. So if Hermione had been able to make a pill at all, it | |
| data/chapter/28.html-would have been a <em>nonmagical</em> pill, one that worked for | |
| data/chapter/28.html-ordinary material reasons. They could have secretly made pills for | |
| data/chapter/28.html-a Muggle science lab, let them <em>study</em> the pills and try to | |
| data/chapter/28.html:reverse-engineer them before the Transfiguration wore off... no one | |
| data/chapter/28.html-in either world would need to know that magic had been involved, it | |
| data/chapter/28.html-would just be another scientific breakthrough...</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>It hadn't been the sort of thing a wizard would think of, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-either. They didn't respect mere <em>patterns of atoms</em> that | |
| data/chapter/28.html-much, they didn't think of unenchanted <em>material</em> things as | |
| data/chapter/28.html-objects of power. If it wasn't magical, it wasn't interesting.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Earlier, Harry had <em>very</em> secretly - he hadn't even told | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Hermione - tried to Transfigure nanotechnology a la Eric Drexler. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-(He'd tried to produce a desktop nanofactory, of course, not tiny | |
| data/chapter/28.html-self-replicating assemblers, Harry wasn't insane.) It would have | |
| data/chapter/28.html-been godhood in a single shot if it'd worked.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"That was it for today, right?" said Hermione. She was slumped | |
| data/chapter/28.html-back in her chair, leaning her head against the back; and her face | |
| data/chapter/28.html-showed her tiredness, which was very unusual for Hermione. She | |
| data/chapter/28.html-liked to pretend she was limitless, at least when Harry was | |
| data/chapter/28.html-around.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"One more," Harry said cautiously, "but that one's small, plus | |
| data/chapter/28.html-it might actually work. I saved it for last because I was hoping we | |
| data/chapter/28.html-could end on an up note. It's real stuff, not like phasers. They've | |
| data/chapter/28.html-already made it in the laboratory, not like the Alzheimer's cure. | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-bonds, and that was as close to being a "solid object" as you ever | |
| data/chapter/28.html-got in a world ultimately composed of tiny individual atoms. "When | |
| data/chapter/28.html-you're ready," Harry said, "try to Transfigure this into a set of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-aligned buckytube fibers embedded in two solid diamond rings."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"All right..." Hermione said slowly. "Harry, I feel like I just | |
| data/chapter/28.html-missed something."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry shrugged helplessly. <em>Maybe you're just tired.</em> He | |
| data/chapter/28.html-knew better than to say it out loud, though.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Hermione laid her wand against one plastic ring, and stared for | |
| data/chapter/28.html-a while.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Two small circles of glittering diamond lay on the table, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-connected by a long black thread.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"It changed," said Hermione. She sounded like she was trying to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-be enthusiastic but had run out of energy. "Now what?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry felt a bit deflated by his research partner's lack of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-passion, but did his best not to show it; maybe the same process | |
| data/chapter/28.html-would work in reverse to cheer her up. "Now I test it to see if it | |
| data/chapter/28.html-holds weight."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>There was an A-frame Harry had rigged up to do an earlier | |
| data/chapter/28.html-experiment with diamond rods - you could make solid diamond objects | |
| data/chapter/28.html:easily, using Transfiguration, they just wouldn't last. The earlier | |
| data/chapter/28.html-experiment had measured whether Transfiguring a long diamond rod | |
| data/chapter/28.html-into a shorter diamond rod would allow it to lift a suspended heavy | |
| data/chapter/28.html-weight as it contracted, i.e., could you Transfigure against | |
| data/chapter/28.html-tension, which you in fact could.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry carefully looped one circle of glittering diamond over the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-thick metal hook at the top of the rig, then attached a thick metal | |
| data/chapter/28.html-hanger to the bottom ring, and then started attaching weights to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-the hanger.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>(Harry had asked the Weasley twins to Transfigure the apparatus | |
| data/chapter/28.html-for him, and the Weasley twins had given him an incredulous look, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-like they couldn't figure out what sort of prank he could | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>possibly</em> want that for, but they hadn't asked any | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-experiment had measured whether Transfiguring a long diamond rod | |
| data/chapter/28.html-into a shorter diamond rod would allow it to lift a suspended heavy | |
| data/chapter/28.html-weight as it contracted, i.e., could you Transfigure against | |
| data/chapter/28.html-tension, which you in fact could.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry carefully looped one circle of glittering diamond over the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-thick metal hook at the top of the rig, then attached a thick metal | |
| data/chapter/28.html-hanger to the bottom ring, and then started attaching weights to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-the hanger.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>(Harry had asked the Weasley twins to Transfigure the apparatus | |
| data/chapter/28.html-for him, and the Weasley twins had given him an incredulous look, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-like they couldn't figure out what sort of prank he could | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>possibly</em> want that for, but they hadn't asked any | |
| data/chapter/28.html:questions. And their Transfigurations, according to them, lasted | |
| data/chapter/28.html-for around three hours, so Harry and Hermione still had a while | |
| data/chapter/28.html-left.)</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"One hundred kilograms," Harry said about a minute later. "I | |
| data/chapter/28.html-don't think a steel thread this thin would hold that. It should go | |
| data/chapter/28.html-up much higher, but that's all the weight I've got."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>There was a further silence.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry straightened up, and went back to their table, and sat | |
| data/chapter/28.html-down in his chair, and ceremoniously made a check mark next to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-'Buckytubes'. "There," Harry said. "<em>That</em> one worked."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"But it's not really <em>useful</em>, Harry, is it?" Hermione | |
| data/chapter/28.html-said from where she was sitting with her head resting in her hands. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-"I mean, even if we gave it to a scientist they couldn't learn how | |
| data/chapter/28.html-to make lots of buckytubes from studying ours."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"They might be able to learn <em>something,</em>" Harry said. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-"Hermione, <em>look</em> at it, that little tiny thread holding up | |
| data/chapter/28.html-all that weight, we just made something that no Muggle laboratory | |
| data/chapter/28.html-could make -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"But any other witch could make it," Hermione said. Her | |
| data/chapter/28.html-exhaustion was coming into her voice, now. "Harry, I don't think | |
| data/chapter/28.html-this is working out."</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Step Two, mark the constraints that seemed to make the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>least</em> sense from a scientific perspective.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Step Three, prioritize constraints that a wizard would be | |
| data/chapter/28.html-unlikely to question if they <em>didn't</em> know science.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Step Four, come up with avenues for attacking them.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Hermione still felt a little shaky as she sat down next to Mandy | |
| data/chapter/28.html-at the Ravenclaw table. Hermione's lunch had two fruits (tomato | |
| data/chapter/28.html-slices and peeled tangerines), three vegetables (carrots, carrots, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-and more carrots), one meat (fried Diricawl drumsticks whose | |
| data/chapter/28.html-unhealthy coating she would carefully remove), and one little piece | |
| data/chapter/28.html-of chocolate cake that she would earn by eating the other | |
| data/chapter/28.html-parts.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>It hadn't been as bad as Potions class, sometimes she still had | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>nightmares</em> about that. But this time <em>she</em> had made | |
| data/chapter/28.html-it happen and <em>she'd felt like its target.</em> Just for a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-moment, before the terrible cold darkness looked away and said it | |
| data/chapter/28.html-wasn't angry with her, because it hadn't wanted to scare her.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And she still had that feeling like she'd missed something | |
| data/chapter/28.html-earlier, something really important.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html:<p>But they hadn't violated any of the rules of Transfiguration... | |
| data/chapter/28.html-had they? They hadn't made any liquids, any gases, they hadn't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-taken orders from the Defense Professor...</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The <em>pill!</em> That had been something to be eaten!</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>...well, no, nobody would just eat a pill lying around, it | |
| data/chapter/28.html-hadn't <em>worked</em> actually, they could have just <em>Finite | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Incantatemed</em> it if it had, but she would still have to tell | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Harry about that and make sure they didn't mention it in front of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Professor McGonagall, in case they were never allowed to study | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-had they? They hadn't made any liquids, any gases, they hadn't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-taken orders from the Defense Professor...</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The <em>pill!</em> That had been something to be eaten!</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>...well, no, nobody would just eat a pill lying around, it | |
| data/chapter/28.html-hadn't <em>worked</em> actually, they could have just <em>Finite | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Incantatemed</em> it if it had, but she would still have to tell | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Harry about that and make sure they didn't mention it in front of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Professor McGonagall, in case they were never allowed to study | |
| data/chapter/28.html:Transfiguration again...</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Hermione was starting to get a really sick feeling in her | |
| data/chapter/28.html-stomach. She pushed back her plate from the table, she couldn't eat | |
| data/chapter/28.html-lunch like this.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And she closed her eyes and began to mentally recite the rules | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Hermione was starting to get a really sick feeling in her | |
| data/chapter/28.html-stomach. She pushed back her plate from the table, she couldn't eat | |
| data/chapter/28.html-lunch like this.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And she closed her eyes and began to mentally recite the rules | |
| data/chapter/28.html:of Transfiguration.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p><em>"I will never Transfigure anything into liquid or | |
| data/chapter/28.html-gas."</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p><em>"I will never Transfigure anything that looks like food or | |
| data/chapter/28.html-anything else that goes inside a human body."</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>No, they really <em>shouldn't</em> have tried to Transfigure the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-pill, or they should've at least <em>realized...</em> she'd been so | |
| data/chapter/28.html-caught up in Harry's brilliant idea that she hadn't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>thought...</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The sick feeling in Hermione's stomach was getting worse. There | |
| data/chapter/28.html-was a feeling in her mind of something hovering just on the edge of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-recognition, a perception about to invert itself, a young woman | |
| data/chapter/28.html-about to become a crone, a vase about to become two faces...</p> | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p><em>"I will never Transfigure anything into liquid or | |
| data/chapter/28.html-gas."</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p><em>"I will never Transfigure anything that looks like food or | |
| data/chapter/28.html-anything else that goes inside a human body."</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>No, they really <em>shouldn't</em> have tried to Transfigure the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-pill, or they should've at least <em>realized...</em> she'd been so | |
| data/chapter/28.html-caught up in Harry's brilliant idea that she hadn't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>thought...</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The sick feeling in Hermione's stomach was getting worse. There | |
| data/chapter/28.html-was a feeling in her mind of something hovering just on the edge of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-recognition, a perception about to invert itself, a young woman | |
| data/chapter/28.html-about to become a crone, a vase about to become two faces...</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html:<p>And she went on remembering the rules of Transfiguration.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry's knuckles had gone white on his wand by the time he | |
| data/chapter/28.html-stopped trying to Transfigure the air in front of his wand into a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-paperclip. It wouldn't have been safe to Transfigure the paperclip | |
| data/chapter/28.html-into gas, of course, but Harry didn't see any reason why it would | |
| data/chapter/28.html-be unsafe the other way around. It just wasn't supposed to be | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>possible</em>. But why not? Air was as real a substance as | |
| data/chapter/28.html-anything else...</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Well, maybe that limitation <em>did</em> make sense. Air was | |
| data/chapter/28.html-disorganized, all the molecules constantly changing their relation | |
| data/chapter/28.html-to each other. Maybe you couldn't impose a new form on substance | |
| data/chapter/28.html-unless the substance was staying still long enough for you to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-master it, even though the atoms in solids were also constantly | |
| data/chapter/28.html-vibrating all the time...</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The more Harry failed, the colder he felt, the clearer | |
| data/chapter/28.html-everything seemed to become.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>All right. Next on the list.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>You could only Transfigure whole objects as wholes. You couldn't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Transfigure <em>half</em> a match into a needle, you had to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Transfigure the <em>whole thing.</em> Back when Harry had been | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Mandy Brocklehurst paused with her fork on her way to her mouth. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-"Huh," she said to Su Li, sitting across from the now-empty space | |
| data/chapter/28.html-beside her, "what got into Hermione?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry wanted to kill his eraser.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>He'd been trying to change a single spot on the pink rectangle | |
| data/chapter/28.html-into steel, apart from the rest of the rubber, and the eraser | |
| data/chapter/28.html-wasn't cooperating.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>It <em>had</em> to be a conceptual limitation, not a real one. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>Had</em> to be.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p><em>Things were made of atoms,</em> and every atom was a tiny | |
| data/chapter/28.html-separate thing. Atoms were held together by a quantum mist of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-shared electrons, for covalent bonds, or sometimes just magnetism | |
| data/chapter/28.html-at close ranges, for ionic bonds or van der Waals forces.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>If it came down to that, the protons and neutrons inside the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-nuclei were tiny separate things. The quarks inside the protons and | |
| data/chapter/28.html-neutrons were tiny separate things! There simply <em>wasn't</em> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-anything in reality, the world-out-there, that corresponded to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-people's conceit of solid objects. It was all just little dots.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html:<p>And free Transfiguration was all in the mind to begin with, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-wasn't it? No words, no gestures. Only the pure concept of form, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-kept strictly separate from substance, imposed on the substance, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-conceived of apart from its form. That and the wand and whatever | |
| data/chapter/28.html-made you a wizard.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The wizards couldn't transform parts of things, could only | |
| data/chapter/28.html-transform what their minds perceived as wholes, because they didn't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>know in their bones</em> that it was all just atoms deep | |
| data/chapter/28.html-down.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry had focused on that knowledge as hard as he could, the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>true fact</em> that the eraser was just a collection of atoms, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-everything was just collections of atoms, and the atoms of the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-little patch he was trying to Transfigure formed <em>just as | |
| data/chapter/28.html-valid</em> a collection as any other collection he cared to think | |
| data/chapter/28.html-about.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And Harry still hadn't been able to change that single part of | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-wasn't it? No words, no gestures. Only the pure concept of form, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-kept strictly separate from substance, imposed on the substance, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-conceived of apart from its form. That and the wand and whatever | |
| data/chapter/28.html-made you a wizard.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The wizards couldn't transform parts of things, could only | |
| data/chapter/28.html-transform what their minds perceived as wholes, because they didn't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>know in their bones</em> that it was all just atoms deep | |
| data/chapter/28.html-down.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry had focused on that knowledge as hard as he could, the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>true fact</em> that the eraser was just a collection of atoms, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-everything was just collections of atoms, and the atoms of the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-little patch he was trying to Transfigure formed <em>just as | |
| data/chapter/28.html-valid</em> a collection as any other collection he cared to think | |
| data/chapter/28.html-about.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And Harry still hadn't been able to change that single part of | |
| data/chapter/28.html:the eraser, the Transfiguration wasn't going anywhere.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p><em>This. Was. Ridiculous.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry's knuckles were whitening on his wand again. He was | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>sick</em> of getting experimental results that <em>didn't make | |
| data/chapter/28.html-sense.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Maybe the fact that <em>some</em> part of his mind was still | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p><em>This. Was. Ridiculous.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry's knuckles were whitening on his wand again. He was | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>sick</em> of getting experimental results that <em>didn't make | |
| data/chapter/28.html-sense.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Maybe the fact that <em>some</em> part of his mind was still | |
| data/chapter/28.html:thinking in terms of objects was stopping the Transfiguration from | |
| data/chapter/28.html-going through. He had thought of a collection of atoms that was an | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>eraser.</em> He had thought of a collection that was a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>little patch.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Time to kick it up a notch.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry pressed his wand harder against that tiny section of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-eraser, and tried to see through the illusion that nonscientists | |
| data/chapter/28.html-thought was reality, the world of desks and chairs, air and erasers | |
| data/chapter/28.html-and people.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>When you walked through a park, the immersive world that | |
| data/chapter/28.html-surrounded you was something that existed inside your own brain as | |
| data/chapter/28.html-a pattern of neurons firing. The sensation of a bright blue sky | |
| data/chapter/28.html-wasn't something high above you, it was something in your visual | |
| data/chapter/28.html-cortex, and your visual cortex was in the back of your brain. All | |
| data/chapter/28.html-the sensations of that bright world were really happening in that | |
| data/chapter/28.html-quiet cave of bone you called your skull, the place where | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>you</em> lived and never, ever left. If you really wanted to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-say hello to someone, to the <em>actual person,</em> you wouldn't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-shake their hand, you'd knock gently on their skull and say "How | |
| data/chapter/28.html-are you doing in there?" That was what people were, that was where | |
| data/chapter/28.html-they really lived. And the <em>picture</em> of the park that you | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-from the signals sent down by his retina.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The real eraser was somewhere else, somewhere that wasn't the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-picture.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And the real eraser wasn't like the picture Harry's brain had of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-it. The idea of the eraser as a <em>solid object</em> was something | |
| data/chapter/28.html-that existed only inside his own brain, inside the parietal cortex | |
| data/chapter/28.html-that processed his sense of shape and space. The real eraser was a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-collection of atoms held together by electromagnetic forces and | |
| data/chapter/28.html-shared covalent electrons, while nearby, air molecules bounced off | |
| data/chapter/28.html-each other and bounced off the eraser-molecules.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The real eraser was far away, and Harry, inside his skull, could | |
| data/chapter/28.html-never quite touch it, could only imagine ideas about it. But | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>his wand had the power,</em> it could change things out there | |
| data/chapter/28.html-in <em>reality</em>, it was only Harry's own preconceptions that | |
| data/chapter/28.html-were <em>limiting</em> it. Somewhere beyond the veil of Maya, the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>truth</em> behind Harry's concept of "my wand" was touching the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-collection of atoms that Harry's mind thought of as "a patch on the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-eraser", and if that wand could change the collection of atoms that | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Harry considered "the whole eraser", there was absolutely no reason | |
| data/chapter/28.html-why it couldn't change the other collection too...</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html:<p>The Transfiguration still wasn't going through.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry's teeth clenched together, and he kicked it up | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>another</em> notch.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The concept Harry's mind had of the eraser as a single object | |
| data/chapter/28.html-was <em>obvious nonsense.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>It was a map that didn't and <em>couldn't</em> match the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-territory.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Human beings modeled the world using stratified levels of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-organization, they had <em>separate thoughts</em> about how | |
| data/chapter/28.html-countries worked, how people worked, how organs worked, how cells | |
| data/chapter/28.html-worked, how molecules worked, how quarks worked.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>When Harry's brain needed to think about the eraser, it would | |
| data/chapter/28.html-think about the rules that governed erasers, like "erasers can get | |
| data/chapter/28.html-rid of pencil-marks". Only if Harry's brain needed to predict what | |
| data/chapter/28.html-would happen on the lower chemical level, only then would Harry's | |
| data/chapter/28.html-brain start thinking - as though it were a separate fact - about | |
| data/chapter/28.html-rubber molecules.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>But that was all in the <em>mind.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry's mind might have separate <em>beliefs</em> about rules | |
| data/chapter/28.html-that governed erasers, but there was no <em>separate law of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-physics</em> that governed erasers.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-physics</em> that governed erasers.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry's mind modeled reality using multiple levels of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-organization, with different beliefs about each level. But that was | |
| data/chapter/28.html-all in the <em>map,</em> the true territory wasn't like that, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>reality itself</em> had only a <em>single</em> level of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-organization, the quarks, it was a unified low-level process | |
| data/chapter/28.html-obeying mathematically simple rules.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Or at least that was what Harry had believed before he'd found | |
| data/chapter/28.html-out about magic, but the eraser wasn't magical.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And even if the eraser <em>had</em> been magical, the idea that | |
| data/chapter/28.html-there could <em>really exist</em> a single solid eraser was | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>impossible.</em> Things like erasers <em>couldn't</em> be basic | |
| data/chapter/28.html-elements of reality, they were too big and complicated to be atoms, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-they <em>had</em> to be made of parts<em>.</em> You couldn't have | |
| data/chapter/28.html-things that were <em>fundamentally complicated</em>. The implicit | |
| data/chapter/28.html-belief that Harry's brain had in the eraser as a single object | |
| data/chapter/28.html-wasn't just <em>wrong,</em> it was a map-territory confusion, the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-eraser only existed as a separate concept in Harry's multi-level | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>model</em> of the world, not as a separate element of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-single-level reality.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html:<p>...the Transfiguration <em>still wasn't happening.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html:<p>Harry was breathing heavily, failed Transfiguration was almost | |
| data/chapter/28.html:as tiring as successful Transfiguration, but <em>damned</em> if | |
| data/chapter/28.html-he'd give up now.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>All right, screw this nineteenth-century garbage.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Reality wasn't atoms, it wasn't a set of tiny billiard balls | |
| data/chapter/28.html-bopping around. That was just another lie. The notion of atoms as | |
| data/chapter/28.html-little dots was just another convenient hallucination that people | |
| data/chapter/28.html-clung to because they didn't want to confront the inhumanly alien | |
| data/chapter/28.html-shape of the underlying reality. No wonder, then, that his attempts | |
| data/chapter/28.html-to Transfigure based on that hadn't worked. If he wanted power, he | |
| data/chapter/28.html-had to abandon his humanity, and force his thoughts to conform to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-the true math of quantum mechanics.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>There <em>were no particles,</em> there were just <em>clouds of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-amplitude</em> in a <em>multiparticle configuration space</em> and | |
| data/chapter/28.html-what his brain fondly imagined to be an eraser was nothing except a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-gigantic <em>factor</em> in a wavefunction that <em>happened to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-factorize</em>, it didn't have a separate existence any more than | |
| data/chapter/28.html-there was a particular solid factor of 3 hidden inside the number | |
| data/chapter/28.html-6, if his wand was capable of <em>altering factors in an | |
| data/chapter/28.html-approximately factorizable wavefunction</em> then it should damn | |
| data/chapter/28.html-well be able to alter the slightly <em>smaller</em> factor that | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Harry's brain visualized as a patch of material on the eraser -</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Harry had caught her, and was lowering her gently to sit on the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-floor.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"...healthy..." she managed to whisper.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"<em>What?</em> " said Harry, looking paler than she'd ever seen | |
| data/chapter/28.html-him.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"...are you, feeling, healthy..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry started looking even more frightened as the question sank | |
| data/chapter/28.html-in. "I, I don't think I have any symptoms -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Hermione closed her eyes for a moment. "Good," she whispered. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-"Catch, breath."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>That took a while. Harry was still looking scared. That was good | |
| data/chapter/28.html-too, maybe it would teach him a lesson.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Hermione reached into the pouch Harry had bought her, whispered | |
| data/chapter/28.html-"water" through her parched throat, took out the bottle and drank | |
| data/chapter/28.html-in great huge gulps.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And then it was still a while before she could talk again.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"We broke the rules, Harry," she said in a hoarse voice. "We | |
| data/chapter/28.html-broke the rules."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"I..." Harry swallowed. "I still don't see how, I've been | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>thinking</em> but -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html:<p>"I asked if the Transfiguration was safe and <em>you answered | |
| data/chapter/28.html-me!</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>There was a pause.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"That's it?" Harry said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>She could have screamed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Harry, don't you get it?" she said. "It's made out of tiny | |
| data/chapter/28.html-fibers, what if it <em>unraveled,</em> who <em>knows</em> what | |
| data/chapter/28.html-could go wrong, <em>we didn't ask Professor McGonagall!</em> Don't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-you see what we were doing? We were experimenting with | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-me!</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>There was a pause.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"That's it?" Harry said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>She could have screamed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Harry, don't you get it?" she said. "It's made out of tiny | |
| data/chapter/28.html-fibers, what if it <em>unraveled,</em> who <em>knows</em> what | |
| data/chapter/28.html-could go wrong, <em>we didn't ask Professor McGonagall!</em> Don't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-you see what we were doing? We were experimenting with | |
| data/chapter/28.html:Transfiguration. We were <em>experimenting</em> with | |
| data/chapter/28.html:<em>Transfiguration!</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>There was another pause.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Right..." Harry said slowly. "That's probably one of those | |
| data/chapter/28.html-things they don't even bother telling you <em>not</em> to do | |
| data/chapter/28.html-because it's too obvious. Don't test brilliant new ideas for | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>There was another pause.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Right..." Harry said slowly. "That's probably one of those | |
| data/chapter/28.html-things they don't even bother telling you <em>not</em> to do | |
| data/chapter/28.html-because it's too obvious. Don't test brilliant new ideas for | |
| data/chapter/28.html:Transfiguration by yourselves in an unused classroom without | |
| data/chapter/28.html-consulting any professors."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"You could have gotten us killed, Harry!" Hermione knew it | |
| data/chapter/28.html-wasn't fair, she'd made the mistake too, but she still felt angry | |
| data/chapter/28.html-at him, he always sounded so confident and that had dragged her | |
| data/chapter/28.html-unthinkingly along in his wake. "We could have <em>spoiled | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Professor McGonagall's perfect record!</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Yes," said Harry, "let's not tell her about this, shall | |
| data/chapter/28.html-we?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"We have to stop," Hermione said. "We have to stop this or we're | |
| data/chapter/28.html-going to get hurt. We're too young, Harry, we can't do this, not | |
| data/chapter/28.html-yet."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>A weak grin crossed Harry's face. "Um, you're sort of wrong | |
| data/chapter/28.html-about that."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And he held out a small pink rectangle, a rubber eraser with a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-bright metal patch on it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Hermione stared at it, puzzled.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Quantum mechanics wasn't enough," Harry said. "I had to go all | |
| data/chapter/28.html-the way down to timeless physics before it took. Had to see the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-wand as enforcing a <em>relation</em> between separate past and | |
| data/chapter/28.html-future realities, instead of <em>changing</em> anything over time - | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-to still be angry.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And she started walking back toward the Great Hall, feeling | |
| data/chapter/28.html-remarkably and wonderfully light on her feet, as Harry carefully | |
| data/chapter/28.html-kept his wand trained on her.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>He only managed to keep it up for five minutes, but it was the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-thought that counted.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Minerva looked at Dumbledore.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Dumbledore gazed back inquiringly at her. "Did you understand | |
| data/chapter/28.html-any of that?" the Headmaster said, sounding bemused.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>It had been the most complete and utter gibberish that Minerva | |
| data/chapter/28.html-could ever remember hearing. She was feeling a bit embarrassed | |
| data/chapter/28.html-about having summoned the Headmaster to hear it, but she'd been | |
| data/chapter/28.html-given explicit instructions.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"I'm afraid not," Professor McGonagall said primly.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"So," Dumbledore said. The silver beard swung away from her, the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-old wizard's twinkling gaze looked elsewhere once more. "You | |
| data/chapter/28.html-suspect you might be able to do something that other wizards can't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-do, something we think is impossible."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The three of them stood within the Headmaster's private | |
| data/chapter/28.html:Transfiguration workroom, where the shining phoenix of Dumbledore's | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Patronus had told her to bring Harry, moments after her own | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Patronus had reached him. Light shone down through the skylights | |
| data/chapter/28.html-and illuminated the great seven-pointed alchemical diagram drawn in | |
| data/chapter/28.html-the center of the circular room, showing it to be a little dusty, | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Patronus had told her to bring Harry, moments after her own | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Patronus had reached him. Light shone down through the skylights | |
| data/chapter/28.html-and illuminated the great seven-pointed alchemical diagram drawn in | |
| data/chapter/28.html-the center of the circular room, showing it to be a little dusty, | |
| data/chapter/28.html:which saddened Minerva. Transfiguration research was one of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Dumbledore's great enjoyments, and she'd known how pressed for time | |
| data/chapter/28.html-he'd been lately, but not that he was <em>this</em> pressed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And now Harry Potter was going to waste even more of the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Headmaster's time. But she certainly couldn't blame <em>Harry</em> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-for that. He'd done the proper thing in coming to her to say that | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Dumbledore's great enjoyments, and she'd known how pressed for time | |
| data/chapter/28.html-he'd been lately, but not that he was <em>this</em> pressed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And now Harry Potter was going to waste even more of the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Headmaster's time. But she certainly couldn't blame <em>Harry</em> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-for that. He'd done the proper thing in coming to her to say that | |
| data/chapter/28.html:he'd had an idea for doing something in Transfiguration that was | |
| data/chapter/28.html-currently believed to be impossible, and she herself had done | |
| data/chapter/28.html-exactly what she'd been told to do: she'd ordered Harry to be quiet | |
| data/chapter/28.html-and not discuss anything with her until she had consulted the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Headmaster and they'd finished moving to a secure location.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>If Harry had started out by saying what <em>specifically</em> he | |
| data/chapter/28.html-thought he could do, she wouldn't have bothered.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Look, I know it's hard to explain," Harry said, sounding a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-little embarrassed. "What it adds up to is that what you believe | |
| data/chapter/28.html-conflicts with what scientists believe, in a case where I'd | |
| data/chapter/28.html-genuinely expect scientists to know more than wizards."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Minerva would have sighed out loud, if Dumbledore hadn't seemed | |
| data/chapter/28.html-to be taking the whole thing very seriously.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry's idea stemmed from simple ignorance, nothing more. If you | |
| data/chapter/28.html-changed half of a metal ball into glass, the <em>whole ball</em> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-had a different Form. To change the part <em>was</em> to change the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-whole, and that meant removing the whole Form and replacing it with | |
| data/chapter/28.html-a different one. What would it even <em>mean</em> to Transfigure | |
| data/chapter/28.html-only half of a metal ball? That the metal ball <em>as a whole</em> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-had the same Form as before, but <em>half</em> that ball now had a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-different Form?</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-genuinely expect scientists to know more than wizards."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Minerva would have sighed out loud, if Dumbledore hadn't seemed | |
| data/chapter/28.html-to be taking the whole thing very seriously.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry's idea stemmed from simple ignorance, nothing more. If you | |
| data/chapter/28.html-changed half of a metal ball into glass, the <em>whole ball</em> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-had a different Form. To change the part <em>was</em> to change the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-whole, and that meant removing the whole Form and replacing it with | |
| data/chapter/28.html-a different one. What would it even <em>mean</em> to Transfigure | |
| data/chapter/28.html-only half of a metal ball? That the metal ball <em>as a whole</em> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-had the same Form as before, but <em>half</em> that ball now had a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-different Form?</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Mr. Potter," said Professor McGonagall, "what you want to do | |
| data/chapter/28.html-isn't just impossible, it's <em>illogical.</em> If you change half | |
| data/chapter/28.html-of something, you <em>did</em> change the whole."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Indeed," said Dumbledore. "But Harry is the hero, so he may be | |
| data/chapter/28.html-able to do things that are logically impossible."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Minerva would have rolled her eyes, if she hadn't gone numb a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-long time ago.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Supposing it <em>was</em> possible," said Dumbledore, "can you | |
| data/chapter/28.html-think of any reason why the results would differ in any way from | |
| data/chapter/28.html:ordinary Transfiguration?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Minerva frowned. The fact that the concept was literally | |
| data/chapter/28.html-unimaginable was presenting her with some difficulty, but she tried | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Minerva frowned. The fact that the concept was literally | |
| data/chapter/28.html-unimaginable was presenting her with some difficulty, but she tried | |
| data/chapter/28.html:to take it at face value. A Transfiguration imposed on only half of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-a metal ball...</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Strange things happening at the interface?" said Minerva. "But | |
| data/chapter/28.html-that should be no different than Transfiguring the object as a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-whole, into a Form with two different parts..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Dumbledore nodded. "That is my own thought as well. And Harry, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-if your theory is correct, it implies that what you want to do is | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-a metal ball...</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Strange things happening at the interface?" said Minerva. "But | |
| data/chapter/28.html-that should be no different than Transfiguring the object as a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-whole, into a Form with two different parts..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Dumbledore nodded. "That is my own thought as well. And Harry, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-if your theory is correct, it implies that what you want to do is | |
| data/chapter/28.html:<em>exactly</em> like any other Transfiguration, only applied to a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-part of the subject rather than the whole? No changes <em>at | |
| data/chapter/28.html-all?</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Yes," Harry said firmly. "That's the whole point."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Dumbledore looked at her again. "Minerva, can you think of any | |
| data/chapter/28.html-reason whatsoever why that would be dangerous?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"No," said Minerva, after she had finished searching through her | |
| data/chapter/28.html-memory.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Likewise myself," said the Headmaster. "All right, then, since | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-part of the subject rather than the whole? No changes <em>at | |
| data/chapter/28.html-all?</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Yes," Harry said firmly. "That's the whole point."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Dumbledore looked at her again. "Minerva, can you think of any | |
| data/chapter/28.html-reason whatsoever why that would be dangerous?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"No," said Minerva, after she had finished searching through her | |
| data/chapter/28.html-memory.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Likewise myself," said the Headmaster. "All right, then, since | |
| data/chapter/28.html:this ought to be exactly analogous to ordinary Transfiguration in | |
| data/chapter/28.html-all respects, and since we cannot think of any reason whatsoever | |
| data/chapter/28.html-why it would be dangerous, I think that the second degree of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-caution will suffice."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Minerva was surprised, but she didn't object. Dumbledore was by | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-all respects, and since we cannot think of any reason whatsoever | |
| data/chapter/28.html-why it would be dangerous, I think that the second degree of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-caution will suffice."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Minerva was surprised, but she didn't object. Dumbledore was by | |
| data/chapter/28.html:far her senior in Transfiguration, and he had tried literally | |
| data/chapter/28.html:thousands of new Transfigurations without ever choosing a degree of | |
| data/chapter/28.html:caution that was too low. He had used Transfiguration <em>in | |
| data/chapter/28.html-combat</em> and he was <em>still alive.</em> If the Headmaster | |
| data/chapter/28.html-thought the second degree was enough, it was enough.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>That Harry was certainly going to fail was, of course, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-completely irrelevant.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The two of them started setting up the wards and detection webs. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-The most important web was the one that checked to make sure no | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Transfigured material had entered the air. Harry would be enclosed | |
| data/chapter/28.html-in a separate shell of force with its own air supply just to be | |
| data/chapter/28.html-certain, only his wand allowed to leave the shield, and the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-interface tight. They were inside Hogwarts so they couldn't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-automatically Apparate out any material that showed signs of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-spontaneous combustion, but they could launch it out a skylight | |
| data/chapter/28.html-almost as fast, the windows all folded outward for exactly that | |
| data/chapter/28.html-reason. Harry himself would go out a different skylight at the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-first sign of trouble.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry watched them working, his face looking a little | |
| data/chapter/28.html-frightened.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Don't worry," said Professor McGonagall in the middle of her | |
| data/chapter/28.html-running description, "this almost certainly won't be necessary, Mr. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Potter. If we <em>expected</em> anything to go wrong you would not | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-thought the second degree was enough, it was enough.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>That Harry was certainly going to fail was, of course, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-completely irrelevant.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The two of them started setting up the wards and detection webs. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-The most important web was the one that checked to make sure no | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Transfigured material had entered the air. Harry would be enclosed | |
| data/chapter/28.html-in a separate shell of force with its own air supply just to be | |
| data/chapter/28.html-certain, only his wand allowed to leave the shield, and the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-interface tight. They were inside Hogwarts so they couldn't | |
| data/chapter/28.html-automatically Apparate out any material that showed signs of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-spontaneous combustion, but they could launch it out a skylight | |
| data/chapter/28.html-almost as fast, the windows all folded outward for exactly that | |
| data/chapter/28.html-reason. Harry himself would go out a different skylight at the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-first sign of trouble.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry watched them working, his face looking a little | |
| data/chapter/28.html-frightened.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Don't worry," said Professor McGonagall in the middle of her | |
| data/chapter/28.html-running description, "this almost certainly won't be necessary, Mr. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Potter. If we <em>expected</em> anything to go wrong you would not | |
| data/chapter/28.html-be allowed to try. It's just ordinary precautions for any | |
| data/chapter/28.html:Transfiguration no one has ever tried before."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry swallowed and nodded.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And a few minutes later, Harry was strapped into the safety | |
| data/chapter/28.html-chair and resting his wand against a metal ball - one that, based | |
| data/chapter/28.html-on his current test scores, should have been too large for him to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Transfigure in less than thirty minutes.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And a few minutes after <em>that,</em> Minerva was leaning | |
| data/chapter/28.html-against the wall, feeling faint.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>There was a small patch of glass on the ball where Harry's wand | |
| data/chapter/28.html-had rested.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry didn't say <em>I told you so,</em> but the smug look on | |
| data/chapter/28.html-his sweating face said it for him.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Dumbledore was casting analytic Charms on the ball, looking more | |
| data/chapter/28.html-and more intrigued by the moment. Thirty years had melted off his | |
| data/chapter/28.html-face.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Fascinating," said Dumbledore. "It's exactly as he claimed. He | |
| data/chapter/28.html-simply Transfigured a part of the subject without Transfiguring the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-whole. You say it's really just a conceptual limitation, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Harry?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Yes," Harry said, "but a deep one, just knowing it had to be a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-conceptual limitation wasn't enough. I had to suppress the part of | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-and more intrigued by the moment. Thirty years had melted off his | |
| data/chapter/28.html-face.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Fascinating," said Dumbledore. "It's exactly as he claimed. He | |
| data/chapter/28.html-simply Transfigured a part of the subject without Transfiguring the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-whole. You say it's really just a conceptual limitation, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Harry?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Yes," Harry said, "but a deep one, just knowing it had to be a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-conceptual limitation wasn't enough. I had to suppress the part of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-my mind that was making the error and think instead about the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-underlying reality that scientists figured out."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Truly fascinating," Dumbledore said. "I take it that for any | |
| data/chapter/28.html-other wizard to do the same would require months of study if they | |
| data/chapter/28.html-could do it at all? And may I ask you to partially Transfigure some | |
| data/chapter/28.html-other subjects?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Probably yes and of course," Harry said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Half an hour later, Minerva was feeling equally bewildered, but | |
| data/chapter/28.html-considerably reassured about the safety issues.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>It <em>was</em> the same, aside from being logically | |
| data/chapter/28.html-impossible.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"I believe that's enough, Headmaster," Minerva said finally. "I | |
| data/chapter/28.html:suspect partial Transfiguration is more tiring than the ordinary | |
| data/chapter/28.html-sort."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Getting less so with practice," said the exhausted and pale | |
| data/chapter/28.html-boy, voice unsteady, "but yeah, you've got that right."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The process of extracting Harry from the wards took another | |
| data/chapter/28.html-minute, and then Minerva escorted him to a much more comfortable | |
| data/chapter/28.html-chair, and Dumbledore produced an ice-cream soda.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"<em>Congratulations</em>, Mr. Potter!" said Professor | |
| data/chapter/28.html-McGonagall, and meant it. She would have bet almost anything | |
| data/chapter/28.html-against that working.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Congratulations indeed," said Dumbledore. "Even I did not make | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-sort."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Getting less so with practice," said the exhausted and pale | |
| data/chapter/28.html-boy, voice unsteady, "but yeah, you've got that right."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The process of extracting Harry from the wards took another | |
| data/chapter/28.html-minute, and then Minerva escorted him to a much more comfortable | |
| data/chapter/28.html-chair, and Dumbledore produced an ice-cream soda.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"<em>Congratulations</em>, Mr. Potter!" said Professor | |
| data/chapter/28.html-McGonagall, and meant it. She would have bet almost anything | |
| data/chapter/28.html-against that working.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Congratulations indeed," said Dumbledore. "Even I did not make | |
| data/chapter/28.html:any original discoveries in Transfiguration before the age of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-fourteen. Not since the day of Dorotea Senjak has any genius | |
| data/chapter/28.html-flowered so early."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Thanks," Harry said, sounding a little surprised.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Nonetheless," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, "I think it would | |
| data/chapter/28.html-be most wise to keep this happy event a secret, at least for now. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Harry, did you discuss your idea with any other person before you | |
| data/chapter/28.html-spoke to Professor McGonagall?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>There was silence.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Um..." Harry said. "I don't want to turn anyone over to the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Inquisition, but I did tell one other student -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The word almost exploded from Professor McGonagall's lips. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-"<em>What?</em> You discussed a completely novel form of | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-fourteen. Not since the day of Dorotea Senjak has any genius | |
| data/chapter/28.html-flowered so early."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Thanks," Harry said, sounding a little surprised.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Nonetheless," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, "I think it would | |
| data/chapter/28.html-be most wise to keep this happy event a secret, at least for now. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Harry, did you discuss your idea with any other person before you | |
| data/chapter/28.html-spoke to Professor McGonagall?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>There was silence.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Um..." Harry said. "I don't want to turn anyone over to the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Inquisition, but I did tell one other student -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The word almost exploded from Professor McGonagall's lips. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-"<em>What?</em> You discussed a completely novel form of | |
| data/chapter/28.html:Transfiguration with a <em>student</em> before consulting a | |
| data/chapter/28.html-recognized authority? Do you have any idea how | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>irresponsible</em> that was?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"I'm sorry," said Harry. "I didn't realize."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The boy looked appropriately frightened, and Minerva felt | |
| data/chapter/28.html-something inside her relax. At least Harry understood how foolish | |
| data/chapter/28.html-he'd been.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"You must swear Miss Granger to secrecy," Dumbledore said | |
| data/chapter/28.html-gravely. "And do not tell anyone else unless there is an extremely | |
| data/chapter/28.html-good reason for it, and they too have sworn."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Ah... why?" Harry said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Minerva was wondering the same thing. Once again the Headmaster | |
| data/chapter/28.html-was thinking too far ahead for her to keep up.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Because you can do something that no one else will believe you | |
| data/chapter/28.html-can do," Dumbledore said. "Something completely unexpected. It may | |
| data/chapter/28.html-prove to be your critical advantage, Harry, and we must preserve | |
| data/chapter/28.html-it. Please, trust me in this."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Professor McGonagall nodded, her firm face showing nothing of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-her inner confusion. "Please do, Mr. Potter," she said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"All right..." Harry said slowly.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Once we have finished examining your materials," Dumbledore | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-recognized authority? Do you have any idea how | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<em>irresponsible</em> that was?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"I'm sorry," said Harry. "I didn't realize."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The boy looked appropriately frightened, and Minerva felt | |
| data/chapter/28.html-something inside her relax. At least Harry understood how foolish | |
| data/chapter/28.html-he'd been.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"You must swear Miss Granger to secrecy," Dumbledore said | |
| data/chapter/28.html-gravely. "And do not tell anyone else unless there is an extremely | |
| data/chapter/28.html-good reason for it, and they too have sworn."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Ah... why?" Harry said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Minerva was wondering the same thing. Once again the Headmaster | |
| data/chapter/28.html-was thinking too far ahead for her to keep up.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Because you can do something that no one else will believe you | |
| data/chapter/28.html-can do," Dumbledore said. "Something completely unexpected. It may | |
| data/chapter/28.html-prove to be your critical advantage, Harry, and we must preserve | |
| data/chapter/28.html-it. Please, trust me in this."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Professor McGonagall nodded, her firm face showing nothing of | |
| data/chapter/28.html-her inner confusion. "Please do, Mr. Potter," she said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"All right..." Harry said slowly.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Once we have finished examining your materials," Dumbledore | |
| data/chapter/28.html:added, "you may practice partial Transfiguration, on glass to steel | |
| data/chapter/28.html-and steel to glass <em>only</em>, with Miss Granger to act as your | |
| data/chapter/28.html-spotter. Naturally, if either of you suspect any symptom of any | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-and steel to glass <em>only</em>, with Miss Granger to act as your | |
| data/chapter/28.html-spotter. Naturally, if either of you suspect any symptom of any | |
| data/chapter/28.html:form of Transfiguration sickness, inform a professor at once."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Just before Harry left the workroom, with his hand on the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-doorhandle, the boy turned back and said, "As long as we're here, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-have either of you noticed anything different about Professor | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Snape?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Different?" said the Headmaster.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Minerva didn't let her wry smile show on her face. Of course the | |
| data/chapter/28.html-boy was apprehensive about the 'evil Potions Master', since he had | |
| data/chapter/28.html-no way of knowing why Severus was to be trusted. It would have been | |
| data/chapter/28.html-odd to say the least, explaining to Harry that Severus was still in | |
| data/chapter/28.html-love with his mother.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"I mean, has his behavior changed recently in any way?" said | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Harry.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Not that I have seen..." the Headmaster said slowly. "Why do | |
| data/chapter/28.html-you ask?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry shook his head. "I don't want to prejudice your own | |
| data/chapter/28.html-observations by saying. Just keep an eye out, maybe?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>That sent a quiver of unease through Minerva in a way that no | |
| data/chapter/28.html-outright accusation of Severus could have.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Harry bowed to both of them respectfully, and took his | |
| data/chapter/28.html-leave.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/28.html-idea merely impossible!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The old wizard's face turned grave. "The same reason it must be | |
| data/chapter/28.html-kept secret, Minerva. The same reason I told you to come to me, if | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Harry made any such claim. Because it is a power that Voldemort | |
| data/chapter/28.html-knows not."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>The words took a few seconds to sink in.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>And then the cold shiver went down her spine, as it always did | |
| data/chapter/28.html-when she remembered.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>It had started out as an ordinary job interview, Sybill | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Trelawney applying for the position of Professor of Divination.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p><em>THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD | |
| data/chapter/28.html-APPROACHES,<br> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-BORN TO THOSE WHO HAVE THRICE DEFIED HIM,<br> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIES,<br> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-AND THE DARK LORD WILL MARK HIM AS HIS EQUAL,<br> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-BUT HE WILL HAVE POWER THE DARK LORD KNOWS NOT,<br> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-AND EITHER MUST DESTROY ALL BUT A REMNANT OF THE OTHER,<br> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-FOR THOSE TWO DIFFERENT SPIRITS CANNOT EXIST IN THE SAME | |
| data/chapter/28.html-WORLD.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>Those dreadful words, spoken in that terrible booming voice, | |
| data/chapter/28.html:didn't seem to fit something like partial Transfiguration.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Perhaps not, then," Dumbledore said after Minerva tried to | |
| data/chapter/28.html-explain. "I confess I had been hoping for something that would help | |
| data/chapter/28.html-in finding Voldemort's horcrux, wherever he may have hidden it. | |
| data/chapter/28.html-But..." The old wizard shrugged. "Prophecies are tricky things, | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Minerva, and it is best to take no chances. The smallest thing may | |
| data/chapter/28.html-prove decisive if it remains unexpected."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"And what do you suppose he meant about <em>Severus?</em> " said | |
| data/chapter/28.html-Minerva.</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"There I have no idea," sighed Dumbledore. "Unless Harry is | |
| data/chapter/28.html-making a move against Severus, and thought that an open question | |
| data/chapter/28.html-might be taken seriously where a direct allegation would be | |
| data/chapter/28.html-dismissed. And if that was indeed what happened, Harry correctly | |
| data/chapter/28.html-reasoned that I would not trust that it was so. Let us simply keep | |
| data/chapter/28.html-watch, without prejudice, as he asks."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p><em>Aftermath, 1:</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p>"Um, Hermione?" Harry said in a very small voice. "I think I owe | |
| data/chapter/28.html-you a really, really, really big apology."</p> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/28.html-<p><em>Aftermath, 2:</em></p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/30.html-his wand like a fallen hero.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>Slowly, Harry sat up. His <em>magic</em> was aching, a strange | |
| data/chapter/30.html-sensation but not an entirely unpleasant one, much like the burn | |
| data/chapter/30.html-and lethargy that followed hard physical exercise.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>"The general's awake!" cried a voice, and Harry blinked and | |
| data/chapter/30.html-focused in that direction.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>Four of his soldiers held their wands on a shimmering prismatic | |
| data/chapter/30.html-hemisphere, and Harry realized that the battle wasn't over. | |
| data/chapter/30.html-Right... he hadn't been hit by a Sleep Hex, just exhausted himself, | |
| data/chapter/30.html-so when he woke up, he was still in the game.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>Harry suspected he was going to get a lecture from | |
| data/chapter/30.html-someone-or-other about not exhausting his magic to the point of | |
| data/chapter/30.html-unconsciousness over a children's game. But he hadn't hurt Mr. | |
| data/chapter/30.html-Goyle when he'd lost his temper, and that was the important | |
| data/chapter/30.html-thing.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>Then Harry's mind clicked on another implication, and he looked | |
| data/chapter/30.html-down at the steel ring on his left hand's pinky finger, and almost | |
| data/chapter/30.html-swore out loud when he saw that the tiny diamond was missing and | |
| data/chapter/30.html-there was a marshmallow lying on the ground near where he'd | |
| data/chapter/30.html-fallen.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html:<p>He'd sustained that Transfiguration for seventeen days, and | |
| data/chapter/30.html-would now need to start over.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>Could've been worse. He could've done this fourteen days later, | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<em>after</em> Professor McGonagall had approved him to Transfigure | |
| data/chapter/30.html-his father's rock. That was one very good lesson to learn the easy | |
| data/chapter/30.html-way.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p><em>Note to self: Always remove ring from finger before | |
| data/chapter/30.html-completely exhausting magic.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>Harry pushed himself up, making rather hard going of it. Using | |
| data/chapter/30.html-up your magic didn't exhaust your muscles, but dodging around trees | |
| data/chapter/30.html-certainly did.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>He staggered over to the iridescent hemisphere that contained | |
| data/chapter/30.html-Draco Malfoy, who was holding his wand aloft to sustain the shield, | |
| data/chapter/30.html-and smiling coldly at Harry.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>"Where's the fifth soldier?" said Harry.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>"Um..." said a boy whose name Harry couldn't remember at the | |
| data/chapter/30.html-moment. "I fired a Sleep Hex at the shield and it bounced off and | |
| data/chapter/30.html-hit Lavender, I mean the angle shouldn't have been right but it | |
| data/chapter/30.html-did..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>Draco was smirking inside the shield.</p> | |
| data/chapter/30.html-<p>"So let me guess," Harry said, looking Draco directly in the | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/32.html-<div id="chapter-title">Chapter 32: Interlude: Personal Financial | |
| data/chapter/32.html-Management<br></div><div class="storycontent nocopy" id="storycontent"> | |
| data/chapter/32.html-<p>"But Headmaster," Harry argued, some of his desperation leaking | |
| data/chapter/32.html-into his voice, "leaving all of my assets in one undiversified | |
| data/chapter/32.html-vault full of gold coins - it's crazy, Headmaster! It's like, I | |
| data/chapter/32.html:don't know, doing Transfiguration experiments without consulting a | |
| data/chapter/32.html-recognized authority! You just don't do that with money!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/32.html-<p>From the lined face of the old wizard - underneath a festive | |
| data/chapter/32.html-holiday hat like a catastrophic automobile collision between cars | |
| data/chapter/32.html-of green and red cloth - a grave, sad look peered out at Harry.</p> | |
| data/chapter/32.html-<p>"I'm sorry, Harry," said Dumbledore, "and I do apologize, but | |
| data/chapter/32.html-allowing you control over your own finances would give you far too | |
| data/chapter/32.html-much independence of action."</p> | |
| data/chapter/32.html-<p>Harry's mouth opened and no sound came out. He was, literally, | |
| data/chapter/32.html-speechless.</p> | |
| data/chapter/32.html-<p>"I will permit you to withdraw five Galleons for Christmas | |
| data/chapter/32.html-presents," said Dumbledore, "which is more than any boy your age | |
| data/chapter/32.html-should spend, but poses no threat, I think -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/32.html-<p>"<em>I can't believe you just said that!</em> " the words burst | |
| data/chapter/32.html-out of Harry's mouth. "You <em>admit</em> to being that | |
| data/chapter/32.html-manipulative?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/32.html-<p>"Manipulative?" said the old wizard, smiling slightly. "No, | |
| data/chapter/32.html-manipulative would be if I did <em>not</em> admit it, or if I had | |
| data/chapter/32.html-some deeper motive behind the obvious. This is quite | |
| data/chapter/32.html-straightforward, Harry. You are not yet ready to play the game, and | |
| data/chapter/32.html-it would be foolish to allow you thousands of Galleons with which | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/34.html-<div id="chapter-title">Chapter 34: Coordination Problems, Pt | |
| data/chapter/34.html-2<br></div><div class="storycontent nocopy" id="storycontent"> | |
| data/chapter/34.html-<p>Minerva and Dumbledore together had applied their combined | |
| data/chapter/34.html-talent to conjure the grand stage toward which Quirrell now slowly | |
| data/chapter/34.html-trudged; it was, at its core, sturdy wood, but the outer surfaces | |
| data/chapter/34.html-shone with glitter of marble inlaid with platinum and studded with | |
| data/chapter/34.html-gems of every House color. Neither she nor the Headmaster was any | |
| data/chapter/34.html-Founder of Hogwarts, but the conjuration only needed to last a few | |
| data/chapter/34.html-hours. Minerva ordinarily enjoyed the few occasions when she had | |
| data/chapter/34.html:the occasion to tire herself out on large Transfigurations; she | |
| data/chapter/34.html-should have enjoyed the many small chances for artistry, and the | |
| data/chapter/34.html-illusion of opulence; but this time she had done the work with the | |
| data/chapter/34.html-dreadful feeling of digging her own grave.</p> | |
| data/chapter/34.html-<p>But Minerva was feeling a little better now. There'd been one | |
| data/chapter/34.html-brief moment when the explosion might've come; but Dumbledore had | |
| data/chapter/34.html-already been standing up and applauding warmly, and no one had | |
| data/chapter/34.html-proven foolish enough to riot in front of the Headmaster.</p> | |
| data/chapter/34.html-<p>And the explosive mood had rapidly faded into a collective | |
| data/chapter/34.html-sentiment which might perhaps have been described by the phrase: | |
| data/chapter/34.html-<em>Give us a break!</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/34.html-<p>Blaise Zabini had shot himself in the name of Sunshine, and the | |
| data/chapter/34.html-final score had been 254 to 254 to 254.<em><br></em></p> | |
| data/chapter/34.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/34.html-<p>Behind the stage, waiting to ascend, three children were glaring | |
| data/chapter/34.html-at each other in mingled fury and frustration. It didn't help that | |
| data/chapter/34.html-they were still damp from being fished out of the lake, and that | |
| data/chapter/34.html-the Warming Charms didn't seem quite enough to make up for the | |
| data/chapter/34.html-crisp December air, or maybe it was just their mood.</p> | |
| data/chapter/34.html-<p>"That's <em>it</em>," said Granger. "I've <em>had</em> it! No | |
| data/chapter/34.html-more traitors!"</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>The messenger didn't approach her until she was alone.</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>Hermione was just leaving the girl's bathroom where she | |
| data/chapter/35.html-sometimes hid to think, and a bright shining cat leaped out of | |
| data/chapter/35.html-nowhere and said, "Miss Granger?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>She let out a little shriek before she realized the cat had | |
| data/chapter/35.html-spoken in Professor McGonagall's voice.</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>Even so she hadn't been frightened, only startled; the cat was | |
| data/chapter/35.html-bright and brilliant and beautiful, glowing with a white silver | |
| data/chapter/35.html-radiance like moon-colored sunlight, and she couldn't imagine being | |
| data/chapter/35.html-scared.</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>"What are you?" said Hermione.</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>"This is a message from Professor McGonagall," said the cat, | |
| data/chapter/35.html-still in the Professor's voice. "Can you come to my office, and not | |
| data/chapter/35.html-speak of this to anyone?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>"I'll be there right away," said Hermione, still surprised, and | |
| data/chapter/35.html-the cat leaped and vanished; only it didn't vanish, it traveled | |
| data/chapter/35.html-away somehow; or that was what her mind said, even though her eyes | |
| data/chapter/35.html-just saw it disappear.</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>By the time Hermione had got to the office of her favorite | |
| data/chapter/35.html-professor, her mind was all a-whirl with speculations. Was there | |
| data/chapter/35.html:something wrong with her Transfiguration scores? But then why would | |
| data/chapter/35.html-Professor McGonagall say not to tell anyone? It was probably about | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/35.html-Professor McGonagall say not to tell anyone? It was probably about | |
| data/chapter/35.html:Harry practicing his partial Transfiguration...</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>Professor McGonagall's face looked worried, not stern, as | |
| data/chapter/35.html-Hermione seated herself in front of the desk - trying to keep her | |
| data/chapter/35.html-eyes from going to the nest of cubbyholes containing Professor | |
| data/chapter/35.html-McGonagall's homework, she'd always wondered what sort of work | |
| data/chapter/35.html-grownups had to do to keep the school running and whether they | |
| data/chapter/35.html-could use any help from her...</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>"Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall, "let me start by | |
| data/chapter/35.html-saying that I already know about the Headmaster asking you to make | |
| data/chapter/35.html-that wish -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>"He <em>told</em> you?" blurted Hermione in startlement. The | |
| data/chapter/35.html-Headmaster had said no one else was supposed to know!</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>Professor McGonagall paused, looked at Hermione, and gave a sad | |
| data/chapter/35.html-little chuckle. "It's good to see Mr. Potter hasn't corrupted you | |
| data/chapter/35.html-too much. Miss Granger, you aren't supposed to <em>admit</em> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-anything just because I say I know. As it happens, the Headmaster | |
| data/chapter/35.html-did <em>not</em> tell me, I simply know him too well."</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>Hermione was blushing furiously now.</p> | |
| data/chapter/35.html-<p>"It's fine, Miss Granger!" said Professor McGonagall hastily. | |
| data/chapter/35.html-"You're a Ravenclaw in your first year, nobody expects you to be a | |
| data/chapter/35.html-Slytherin."</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>She got to the front door just as her daughter came clattering | |
| data/chapter/36.html-frantically down the stairs at a speed that didn't look safe at | |
| data/chapter/36.html-all, Hermione had claimed that witches were more resistant to falls | |
| data/chapter/36.html-but Roberta wasn't quite sure she believed that -</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>Roberta took in her first sight of Professor and Mrs. Verres, | |
| data/chapter/36.html-who were both looking rather nervous, just as the boy with the | |
| data/chapter/36.html-legendary scar on his forehead turned to her daughter and said, now | |
| data/chapter/36.html-in a lower voice, "Well met on this fairest of evenings, Miss | |
| data/chapter/36.html-Granger." His hand stretched back, as though offering his parents | |
| data/chapter/36.html-on a silver platter. "I present to you my father, Professor Michael | |
| data/chapter/36.html-Verres-Evans, and my mother, Mrs. Petunia Evans-Verres."</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>And as Roberta's mouth was gaping open, the boy turned back to | |
| data/chapter/36.html-his parents and said, now in that bright voice again, "Mum, Dad, | |
| data/chapter/36.html-this is Hermione! She's really smart!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>"<em>Harry!</em> " hissed her daughter. "Stop that!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>The boy swiveled again to regard Hermione. "I'm afraid, Miss | |
| data/chapter/36.html-Granger," the boy said gravely, "that you and I have been exiled to | |
| data/chapter/36.html-the labyrinthine recesses of the basement. Let us leave them to | |
| data/chapter/36.html-their adult conversations, which would no doubt soar far above our | |
| data/chapter/36.html-own childish intellects, and resume our ongoing discussion of the | |
| data/chapter/36.html:implications of Humean projectivism for Transfiguration."</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>"Excuse us, please," said her daughter in a very firm tone, and | |
| data/chapter/36.html-grabbed the boy by his left sleeve, and dragged him into the | |
| data/chapter/36.html-hallway - Roberta swiveled helplessly to track them as they went | |
| data/chapter/36.html-past her, the boy gave her a cheery wave - and then Hermione pulled | |
| data/chapter/36.html-the boy into the basement access and slammed the door behind | |
| data/chapter/36.html-her.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>"I, ah, I apologize for..." said Mrs. Verres in a faltering | |
| data/chapter/36.html-voice.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>"I'm sorry," said the Professor, smiling fondly, "Harry can be a | |
| data/chapter/36.html-bit touchy about that sort of thing. But I expect he's right about | |
| data/chapter/36.html-us not being interested in their conversation."</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p><em>Is he dangerous?</em> Roberta wanted to ask, but she kept | |
| data/chapter/36.html-her silence and tried to think of subtler questions. Her husband | |
| data/chapter/36.html-beside her was chuckling, as if he'd found what they'd just seen | |
| data/chapter/36.html-funny, rather than frightening.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>The most terrible Dark Lord in history had tried to kill that | |
| data/chapter/36.html-boy, and the burnt husk of his body had been found next to the | |
| data/chapter/36.html-crib.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>Her possible future son-in-law.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>Roberta had been increasingly apprehensive about giving her | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>At another point, Leo Granger had offered the table his opinion | |
| data/chapter/36.html-that Hermione was very smart and could have gone to medical school | |
| data/chapter/36.html-and become a dentist, if not for the whole witch business.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>Hermione had smiled again, and a quick glance had prevented | |
| data/chapter/36.html-Harry from suggesting Hermione might also have been an | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<em>internationally famous scientist</em>, and asking whether that | |
| data/chapter/36.html-thought would've occurred to the Grangers if they'd had a | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<em>son</em> instead of a <em>daughter</em>, or if it was | |
| data/chapter/36.html-unacceptable either way for their offspring to do better than | |
| data/chapter/36.html-them.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>But Harry was rapidly reaching his boiling point.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>And becoming a <em>lot</em> more appreciative of the fact that | |
| data/chapter/36.html-his own father had <em>always</em> done everything he could to | |
| data/chapter/36.html-support Harry's development as a prodigy and <em>always</em> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-encouraged him to reach higher and <em>never</em> belittled a | |
| data/chapter/36.html-single one of his accomplishments, even if a child prodigy was | |
| data/chapter/36.html-still just a child. Was this the sort of household he could have | |
| data/chapter/36.html-ended up in, if Mum had married Vernon Dursley?</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>Harry was doing what he could, though.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>"And she's really beating you in <em>all</em> your classes | |
| data/chapter/36.html:except broomstick riding and Transfiguration?" said Professor | |
| data/chapter/36.html-Michael Verres-Evans.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>"Yes," Harry said with forced calm, as he cut himself another | |
| data/chapter/36.html-bite of Christmas Eve turkey. "By solid margins, in most of them." | |
| data/chapter/36.html-There were other circumstances under which Harry would have been | |
| data/chapter/36.html-more reluctant to admit that, which was why he hadn't gotten around | |
| data/chapter/36.html-to telling his father until now.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>"Hermione has always been quite good in school," said Dr. Leo | |
| data/chapter/36.html-Granger in a satisfied tone.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>"Harry competes at the national level!" said Professor Michael | |
| data/chapter/36.html-Verres-Evans.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>"Dear!" said Petunia.</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>Hermione was giggling, and that wasn't making Harry feel any | |
| data/chapter/36.html-better about her situation. It didn't seem to bother Hermione and | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<em>that bothered Harry.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>"I'm not embarrassed to lose to her, Dad," Harry said. Right at | |
| data/chapter/36.html-this moment he wasn't. "Did I mention that she memorized all her | |
| data/chapter/36.html-schoolbooks before the first day of class? And yes, I tested | |
| data/chapter/36.html-it."</p> | |
| data/chapter/36.html-<p>"Is that, ah, <em>usual</em> for her?" Professor Verres-Evans | |
| data/chapter/36.html-said to the Grangers.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<div id="chapter-title">Chapter 39: Pretending to be Wise, Pt | |
| data/chapter/39.html-1<br></div><div class="storycontent nocopy" id="storycontent"> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>Whistle. Tick. Bzzzt. Ding. Glorp. Pop. Splat. Chime. Toot. | |
| data/chapter/39.html-Puff. Tinkle. Bubble. Beep. Thud. Crackle. Whoosh. Hiss. Pffft. | |
| data/chapter/39.html-Whirr.</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>Professor Flitwick had silently passed Harry a folded parchment | |
| data/chapter/39.html-during Charms class that Monday, and the note had said that Harry | |
| data/chapter/39.html-was to visit the Headmaster at his convenience and in such fashion | |
| data/chapter/39.html-that no one else would notice, especially not Draco Malfoy or | |
| data/chapter/39.html-Professor Quirrell. His one-time password for the gargoyle would be | |
| data/chapter/39.html-"squeamish ossifrage". This had been accompanied by a remarkably | |
| data/chapter/39.html-artistic ink drawing of Professor Flitwick staring at him sternly, | |
| data/chapter/39.html-the eyes of which occasionally blinked; and at the bottom of the | |
| data/chapter/39.html-note, underlined three times, was the phrase DON'T GET INTO | |
| data/chapter/39.html-TROUBLE.</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html:<p>And so Harry had finished up Transfiguration class, and studied | |
| data/chapter/39.html-with Hermione, and eaten dinner, and spoken with his lieutenants, | |
| data/chapter/39.html-and finally, when the clock struck nine, turned himself invisible | |
| data/chapter/39.html-and dropped back to 6PM and wearily trudged off toward the | |
| data/chapter/39.html-gargoyle, the turning spiral stairs, the wooden door, the room full | |
| data/chapter/39.html-of little fiddly things, and the silver-bearded figure of the | |
| data/chapter/39.html-Headmaster.</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>This time, Dumbledore looked quite serious, the customary smile | |
| data/chapter/39.html-absent; and he was dressed in pajamas of a darker and more sober | |
| data/chapter/39.html-purple than usual.</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>"Thank you for coming, Harry," said the Headmaster. The old | |
| data/chapter/39.html-wizard rose from his throne, began to slowly pace through the room | |
| data/chapter/39.html-and the strange devices. "First, do you have with you the notes of | |
| data/chapter/39.html-yesterday's encounter with Lucius Malfoy?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>"Notes?" blurted Harry.</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>"<em>Surely</em> you wrote it down..." said the old wizard, and | |
| data/chapter/39.html-his voice trailed off.</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>Harry felt rather embarrassed. Yes, if you'd just fumbled | |
| data/chapter/39.html-through a mysterious conversation full of significant hints you | |
| data/chapter/39.html-didn't understand, the <em>bloody obvious</em> thing to do would be | |
| data/chapter/39.html-to write it all down immediately afterward, before the memory | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/39.html-your point of view," said Harry, "and you go on intercepting my | |
| data/chapter/39.html-owls, but you tell me who from?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>"I have intercepted a great many owls to you, I am afraid," | |
| data/chapter/39.html-Dumbledore said soberly. "You are a celebrity, Harry, and you would | |
| data/chapter/39.html-receive dozens of letters a day, some from far outside this | |
| data/chapter/39.html-country, did I not turn them back."</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>"<em>That</em>," Harry said, now starting to feel a bit of | |
| data/chapter/39.html-indignation, "seems like going a little too far -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>"Many of those letters," the old wizard said quietly, "will be | |
| data/chapter/39.html-asking you for things you cannot give. I have not read them, of | |
| data/chapter/39.html-course, only turned them back to their senders undelivered. But I | |
| data/chapter/39.html-know, for I receive them too. And you are too young, Harry, to have | |
| data/chapter/39.html-your heart broken six times before breakfast each morning."</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>Harry looked down at his shoes. He <em>should</em> insist on | |
| data/chapter/39.html-reading the letters and judging for himself, but... there was a | |
| data/chapter/39.html-small voice of common sense inside him, and it was screaming very | |
| data/chapter/39.html-loudly right now.</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>"Thank you," Harry muttered.</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>"The other reason I asked you here," said the old wizard, "was | |
| data/chapter/39.html-that I wished to consult your unique genius."</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html:<p>"Transfiguration?" said Harry, surprised and flattered.</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>"No, not <em>that</em> unique genius," said Dumbledore. "Tell | |
| data/chapter/39.html-me, Harry, what evil could you accomplish if a Dementor were | |
| data/chapter/39.html-allowed onto the grounds of Hogwarts?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>It developed that Professor Quirrell had asked, or rather | |
| data/chapter/39.html-demanded, that his students test their skills against an actual | |
| data/chapter/39.html-Dementor after they learned the words and gestures to the Patronus | |
| data/chapter/39.html-Charm.</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>"Professor Quirrell is unable to cast the Patronus Charm | |
| data/chapter/39.html-himself," said Dumbledore, as he paced slowly through the devices. | |
| data/chapter/39.html-"Which is never a good sign. But then, he <em>volunteered</em> that | |
| data/chapter/39.html-fact to me in the course of demanding that outside instructors be | |
| data/chapter/39.html-brought in to teach the Patronus Charm to every student who wished | |
| data/chapter/39.html-to learn; he offered to pay the expense himself, if I would not. | |
| data/chapter/39.html-This impressed me greatly. But now he insists on bringing in a | |
| data/chapter/39.html-Dementor -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<p>"Headmaster," Harry said quietly, "Professor Quirrell believes | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<em>very</em> strongly in live-fire tests under realistic combat | |
| data/chapter/39.html-conditions. Wanting to bring in an actual Dementor is | |
| data/chapter/39.html-<em>completely</em> in character for him."</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/46.html-was still stunned. "<em>I</em> was supposed to be his true love. | |
| data/chapter/46.html-Harry Potter was <em>my</em> general. I should've, I should've | |
| data/chapter/46.html-fought Granger for him -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>Daphne spun on Tracey, incensed. "<em>You?</em> Take Harry away | |
| data/chapter/46.html-from Hermione?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>"Yeah!" said Tracey. "Me!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>"You're nuts," Daphne stated with conviction. "Even if you | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<em>had</em> kissed him first, you know what that would make you? | |
| data/chapter/46.html-The sad little lovestruck girl who dies at the end of Act Two."</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>"<em>You take that back!</em> " shouted Tracey.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>Meanwhile, Gregory had crossed the room to where Vincent was | |
| data/chapter/46.html-doing his homework. "Mr. Crabbe," Gregory said in a low voice, "I | |
| data/chapter/46.html-think Mr. Malfoy needs to know about this."</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p><em>Aftermath, Hermione Granger:</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>Hermione stared at the wax-sealed paper, on the surface of which | |
| data/chapter/46.html-was inscribed simply the number <em>42.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p><em>I figured out why we couldn't cast the Patronus Charm, | |
| data/chapter/46.html-Hermione, it doesn't have anything to do with us not being happy | |
| data/chapter/46.html-enough. But I can't tell you. I couldn't even tell the Headmaster. | |
| data/chapter/46.html:It needs to be even more secret than partial Transfiguration, for | |
| data/chapter/46.html-now, anyway. But if you ever need to fight Dementors, the secret is | |
| data/chapter/46.html-written here, cryptically, so that if someone doesn't know it's | |
| data/chapter/46.html-about Dementors and the Patronus Charm, they won't know what it | |
| data/chapter/46.html-means...</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>She'd told Harry about seeing him dying, her parents dying, all | |
| data/chapter/46.html-her friends dying, everyone dying. She hadn't told him about her | |
| data/chapter/46.html-terror of dying alone, somehow that was still too painful.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>Harry had told her about remembering his parents dying, and that | |
| data/chapter/46.html-he'd thought it was funny.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p><em>There's no light in the place the Dementor takes you, | |
| data/chapter/46.html-Hermione. No warmth. No caring. It's somewhere that you can't even | |
| data/chapter/46.html-understand happiness. There's pain, and fear, and those can still | |
| data/chapter/46.html-drive you. You can hate, and take pleasure in destroying what you | |
| data/chapter/46.html-hate. You can laugh, when you see other people hurting. But you | |
| data/chapter/46.html-can't ever be happy, you can't even remember what it is that isn't | |
| data/chapter/46.html-there anymore... I don't think there's any way I can ever explain | |
| data/chapter/46.html-just what you saved me from. I'm usually ashamed to put people to | |
| data/chapter/46.html-trouble, I usually can't stand it when people make sacrifices for | |
| data/chapter/46.html-me, but this one time I'll say that no matter what it ends up | |
| data/chapter/46.html-costing you to have kissed me, don't ever doubt for a second that | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/46.html-Lord to spare Lily's life. Lily's, but not James's.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>This person had known that Lord Voldemort would attack the house | |
| data/chapter/46.html-of the Potters. Had known both the prophecy, and the fact that the | |
| data/chapter/46.html-Dark Lord knew it. Otherwise he would not have begged Lily's | |
| data/chapter/46.html-life.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>According to Professor McGonagall, besides herself, the other | |
| data/chapter/46.html-two who knew of the prophecy were Albus Dumbledore and Severus | |
| data/chapter/46.html-Snape.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>Severus Snape, who had loved Lily before she was Lily Potter, | |
| data/chapter/46.html-and hated James.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>Severus, then, had learned of the prophecy, and told it to the | |
| data/chapter/46.html-Dark Lord. Which he had done because the prophecy had not described | |
| data/chapter/46.html-the Potters by name. It had been a riddle, and Severus had solved | |
| data/chapter/46.html-that riddle only too late.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>But if Severus had been the <em>first</em> to hear the prophecy, | |
| data/chapter/46.html-and disposed to tell it to the Dark Lord, then why would he also | |
| data/chapter/46.html-have told Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall?</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>Therefore Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall had heard it | |
| data/chapter/46.html-first.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>The Headmaster of Hogwarts had no obvious reason to tell the | |
| data/chapter/46.html:Transfiguration Professor about an extremely sensitive and crucial | |
| data/chapter/46.html:prophecy. But the Transfiguration Professor had every reason to | |
| data/chapter/46.html-tell the Headmaster.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>It seemed likely, then, that Professor McGonagall had been the | |
| data/chapter/46.html-first to hear it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>The prior probabilities said that it had been Professor | |
| data/chapter/46.html-Trelawney, Hogwarts's resident seer. Seers were rare, so if you | |
| data/chapter/46.html-counted up most of the seconds Professor McGonagall had spent in | |
| data/chapter/46.html-the presence of a seer over the course of her lifetime, most of | |
| data/chapter/46.html-those seer-seconds would be Trelawney-seconds.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>Professor McGonagall had told Dumbledore, and would have told no | |
| data/chapter/46.html-one else about the prophecy without permission.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>Therefore, it was Albus Dumbledore who had arranged for Severus | |
| data/chapter/46.html-Snape to somehow learn of the prophecy. And Dumbledore himself had | |
| data/chapter/46.html-solved the riddle successfully, or he would not have selected | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<em>Severus</em>, who had once loved Lily, as the intermediary.</p> | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<p>Dumbledore had deliberately arranged for Lord Voldemort to hear | |
| data/chapter/46.html-about the prophecy, in hopes of luring him to his death. Perhaps | |
| data/chapter/46.html-Dumbledore had arranged for Severus to learn only <em>some</em> of | |
| data/chapter/46.html-the prophecy, or there were other prophecies of which Severus had | |
| data/chapter/46.html-remained innocent... somehow Dumbledore had known that an | |
| data/chapter/46.html-<em>immediate</em> attack on the Potters would still lead to Lord | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>He saw a straight corridor that terminated in solid stone. There | |
| data/chapter/52.html-was no light there but what crept in from Harry's Patronus. That | |
| data/chapter/52.html-was bright enough for him to see the outer bars of the eight cells | |
| data/chapter/52.html-set into the corridor, but he couldn't see the insides; more | |
| data/chapter/52.html-importantly, though, he didn't see anyone in the corridor | |
| data/chapter/52.html-itself.</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>"<em>I ssee nothing,</em>" hissed Harry.</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>The snake darted on ahead, swiftly twisting across the | |
| data/chapter/52.html-floor.</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>A moment later -</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>"<em>Sshe iss alone,</em>" hissed the snake.</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p><em>Stay,</em> Harry thought to his Patronus, which took up a | |
| data/chapter/52.html-position just to one side of the door, as though guarding it; and | |
| data/chapter/52.html-then Harry pushed the door open further, and followed within.</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>The first cell Harry looked at contained a dessicated corpse, | |
| data/chapter/52.html-skin gone grey and mottled, flesh worn through in places to expose | |
| data/chapter/52.html-the bone beneath, no eyes -</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>Harry shut his eyes. He could still do that, he was still | |
| data/chapter/52.html-invisible, he wasn't betraying anything by shutting his eyes.</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>He'd known it already, he'd read it on page six of his | |
| data/chapter/52.html:Transfiguration book, that you stayed in Azkaban until your prison | |
| data/chapter/52.html-term was done. If you died before it was up they kept you there | |
| data/chapter/52.html-until they released your corpse. If your term was for life, they | |
| data/chapter/52.html-just left the body in the cell until the cell was needed, at which | |
| data/chapter/52.html-point they threw your body into the Dementors' pit. But it was | |
| data/chapter/52.html-still a shock to see, that corpse had been a <em>person</em> who'd | |
| data/chapter/52.html-just been <em>left</em> there -</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>The light in the room wavered.</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p><em>Steady,</em> thought Harry in his core. It wouldn't be good | |
| data/chapter/52.html-for Professor Quirrell if that Patronus went out from his thinking | |
| data/chapter/52.html-sad thoughts. This near to the Dementors the Defense Professor | |
| data/chapter/52.html-might just fall dead where he stood. <em>Steady, Harry James | |
| data/chapter/52.html-Potter-Evans-Verres, steady!</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>With that thought, Harry opened his eyes again, there wasn't | |
| data/chapter/52.html-time to waste.</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>The second cell he looked at contained only a skeleton.</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>And behind the bars of the third cell he saw Bellatrix | |
| data/chapter/52.html-Black.</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>Something precious and irreplaceable inside Harry withered like | |
| data/chapter/52.html-dry grass.</p> | |
| data/chapter/52.html-<p>You could tell the woman wasn't a skeleton, that her head wasn't | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/54.html-flew back the way they'd come.</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>Harry reached the flight of stairs, and frantically laid himself | |
| data/chapter/54.html-down on the third step from the top, the cold metal feeling hard | |
| data/chapter/54.html-even through his cloak and robes. Trying to move his head up, to | |
| data/chapter/54.html-peer over the lip of the stairs, showed that he couldn't see | |
| data/chapter/54.html-Professor Quirrell; and that meant that Harry was out of the line | |
| data/chapter/54.html-of any stray fire.</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>His shining Patronus followed after him, and lay down beside him | |
| data/chapter/54.html-on the step just beneath him; for it too must not be seen.</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>There was a faint sound as of wind or whooshing, and then the | |
| data/chapter/54.html-sound of Bellatrix's invisible body coming to rest on a stair | |
| data/chapter/54.html-further below, she had no place in this except -</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>"Stay still," said the cold high whisper, "stay silent."</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>There was stillness, and silence.</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>Harry pressed his wand against the side of the metal step just | |
| data/chapter/54.html-above him. If he was anyone else he would have needed to take a | |
| data/chapter/54.html-Knut out of his pocket... or rip off a bit of cloth from his | |
| data/chapter/54.html-robe... or bite off one of his nails... or find a speck of rock | |
| data/chapter/54.html-large enough that he could see it and solid enough to stay in one | |
| data/chapter/54.html-place and orientation while it touched his wand. But with Harry's | |
| data/chapter/54.html:almighty power of partial Transfiguration, this was not necessary; | |
| data/chapter/54.html-he could skip that particular step of the operation and use any | |
| data/chapter/54.html-material near to hand.</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>Thirty seconds later Harry was the proud new owner of a curved | |
| data/chapter/54.html-mirror, and...</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>"<em>Wingardium Leviosa,</em>" Harry whispered as quietly as he | |
| data/chapter/54.html-could.</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>...was levitating it just above the steps, and watching, in that | |
| data/chapter/54.html-curved surface, almost the whole corridor where Professor Quirrell | |
| data/chapter/54.html-invisibly waited.</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>Harry heard it in the distance, then, the sound of | |
| data/chapter/54.html-footsteps.</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>And saw the form (a little hard to see in the mirror) of a | |
| data/chapter/54.html-person in red robes, coming down the stairs, entering the seemingly | |
| data/chapter/54.html-empty corridor; accompanied by a small Patronus animal that Harry | |
| data/chapter/54.html-couldn't quite make out.</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p>The Auror was protected by a blue shimmer, it was hard to see | |
| data/chapter/54.html-the details but Harry could see that much, the Auror had shields | |
| data/chapter/54.html-already raised and strengthened.</p> | |
| data/chapter/54.html-<p><em>Crap,</em> thought Harry. According to the Defense | |
| data/chapter/54.html-Professor, the essential art of dueling consisted of trying to put | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>("He can get away with it," Isabel whispered back to her, "he's | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<em>Dumbledore,</em> not even Fate takes him seriously | |
| data/chapter/57.html-anymore.")</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"And that," Amelia said heavily, for the benefit of the younger | |
| data/chapter/57.html-Aurors, "is why we never call him in on anything unless we | |
| data/chapter/57.html-absolutely must."</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Harry lay very still on the hard bench that served as the bed of | |
| data/chapter/57.html-this cell, a blanket pulled over him, staying as absolutely | |
| data/chapter/57.html-motionless as he could while he waited for the fear to return. | |
| data/chapter/57.html-There was a Patronus approaching, and a powerful one. Bellatrix was | |
| data/chapter/57.html-hidden by a Deathly Hallow, no easy Charm would penetrate that; but | |
| data/chapter/57.html-Harry did not know what other arts the Aurors might employ to | |
| data/chapter/57.html-detect his own self, and dared not reveal his ignorance by asking | |
| data/chapter/57.html-her. So Harry lay on a hard bed, in a cell with a locked door, and | |
| data/chapter/57.html-the mighty metal door locked behind him, in absolute darkness, with | |
| data/chapter/57.html-a thin blanket pulled over him, hoping that whoever it was wouldn't | |
| data/chapter/57.html-look in, or wouldn't look too closely if they did -</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>That wasn't a point Harry could affect, really, that part of his | |
| data/chapter/57.html-fate lay entirely in the hands of the Hidden Variables. Most of his | |
| data/chapter/57.html:mind was concentrating on the ongoing Transfiguration he was | |
| data/chapter/57.html-performing.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Listening in the silence, Harry heard the quick footsteps | |
| data/chapter/57.html-approach; they paused outside his door, and then -</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>- continued onward.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Soon the fear returned.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Harry didn't allow himself to notice his own relief, any more | |
| data/chapter/57.html-than he allowed himself to notice the fear. He was holding in his | |
| data/chapter/57.html-mind the form of a Muggle device rather larger than a car battery, | |
| data/chapter/57.html-and slowly applying that Form to the substance of an ice cube | |
| data/chapter/57.html-(which Harry had frozen using <em>Frigideiro</em> on water from a | |
| data/chapter/57.html-bottle in his pouch). You weren't supposed to Transfigure things to | |
| data/chapter/57.html-be burned, but between the original substance being water, and the | |
| data/chapter/57.html-Bubble-Head Charm to protect their air supply, Harry hoped that | |
| data/chapter/57.html-this wouldn't make him or anyone else sick.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Now it was just a question of whether there would be enough time | |
| data/chapter/57.html-before the Aurors did a detailed check on this cell block, for | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/57.html-performing.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Listening in the silence, Harry heard the quick footsteps | |
| data/chapter/57.html-approach; they paused outside his door, and then -</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>- continued onward.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Soon the fear returned.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Harry didn't allow himself to notice his own relief, any more | |
| data/chapter/57.html-than he allowed himself to notice the fear. He was holding in his | |
| data/chapter/57.html-mind the form of a Muggle device rather larger than a car battery, | |
| data/chapter/57.html-and slowly applying that Form to the substance of an ice cube | |
| data/chapter/57.html-(which Harry had frozen using <em>Frigideiro</em> on water from a | |
| data/chapter/57.html-bottle in his pouch). You weren't supposed to Transfigure things to | |
| data/chapter/57.html-be burned, but between the original substance being water, and the | |
| data/chapter/57.html-Bubble-Head Charm to protect their air supply, Harry hoped that | |
| data/chapter/57.html-this wouldn't make him or anyone else sick.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Now it was just a question of whether there would be enough time | |
| data/chapter/57.html-before the Aurors did a detailed check on this cell block, for | |
| data/chapter/57.html:Harry to finish this Transfiguration, and the partial | |
| data/chapter/57.html:Transfiguration he would do after that -</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>When the old wizard strode back empty-handed, even Amelia began | |
| data/chapter/57.html-to feel a twinge of worry. She and the other two Auror teams had | |
| data/chapter/57.html-worked a third of the way down the three spirals, in synchrony so | |
| data/chapter/57.html-as not to allow any gap in their coverage that could be jumped by | |
| data/chapter/57.html-cutting through a ceiling, and they'd yet to find any sign.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"Might I ask you to report?" Amelia said, keeping the edge out | |
| data/chapter/57.html-of her voice.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"First a simple walk from top to bottom," said the old wizard. | |
| data/chapter/57.html-He was frowning, wrinkling his face even more than usual. "I | |
| data/chapter/57.html-examined Bellatrix's cell, and found a death doll left in her | |
| data/chapter/57.html-place. This escape was meant to go unremarked, I think. There is | |
| data/chapter/57.html-something hidden in the corner beneath a scrap of cloth; I left | |
| data/chapter/57.html-that undisturbed for your Aurors to examine. On the return trip, I | |
| data/chapter/57.html-opened each door and looked within the cells. I saw nothing | |
| data/chapter/57.html-Disillusioned, only the prisoners -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>They were interrupted by a scream from the red-golden phoenix, | |
| data/chapter/57.html-and all her Aurors flinched from it. Condemnation was in it, and an | |
| data/chapter/57.html-urgent demand that almost started Amelia running from the corridor | |
| data/chapter/57.html-on the spot.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/57.html-that undisturbed for your Aurors to examine. On the return trip, I | |
| data/chapter/57.html-opened each door and looked within the cells. I saw nothing | |
| data/chapter/57.html-Disillusioned, only the prisoners -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>They were interrupted by a scream from the red-golden phoenix, | |
| data/chapter/57.html-and all her Aurors flinched from it. Condemnation was in it, and an | |
| data/chapter/57.html-urgent demand that almost started Amelia running from the corridor | |
| data/chapter/57.html-on the spot.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"- in rather distressing condition," Dumbledore said quietly. | |
| data/chapter/57.html-For a moment the blue eyes were very cold beneath the half-moon | |
| data/chapter/57.html-glasses. "Will any of you speak to me of the consequences of their | |
| data/chapter/57.html-actions?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"<em>I</em> did not -" Amelia began.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"I know," said the old wizard. "My apologies, Amelia." He | |
| data/chapter/57.html-sighed. "Some of the more recent prisoners had scraps of their | |
| data/chapter/57.html-magic left, when I looked upon them, but I sensed no uneaten power; | |
| data/chapter/57.html-the strongest had only as much magic left as a first-year child. I | |
| data/chapter/57.html-heard Fawkes scream in distress many times, but never challenge. It | |
| data/chapter/57.html-seems you shall have to continue your search; they can hide well | |
| data/chapter/57.html-enough to escape my mere glance."</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/57.html:<p>When Harry finished his first Transfiguration, he sat up, pulled | |
| data/chapter/57.html-back the blanket that had covered him, cast a quick <em>Lumos,</em> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-glanced at his watch, and was shocked to see that nearly an hour | |
| data/chapter/57.html-and thirty minutes had passed. How much of that time had gone by | |
| data/chapter/57.html-since someone had opened the door and then closed it again - Harry | |
| data/chapter/57.html-hadn't been looking in that direction, of course - that, Harry | |
| data/chapter/57.html-couldn't guess.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"My Lord...?" whispered Bellatrix's voice, soft and very | |
| data/chapter/57.html-tentative.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"You may speak now," Harry said. He'd told her to remain silent | |
| data/chapter/57.html-while he worked.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"That was Dumbledore who looked upon us."</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Pause.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"Interesting," Harry said neutrally. He was glad he had not | |
| data/chapter/57.html-noticed this at the time. That sounded like a <em>rather close | |
| data/chapter/57.html-shave</em>.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Harry said a word to his pouch, and began drawing forth the | |
| data/chapter/57.html-magical device that he would mate to the product of his hour's | |
| data/chapter/57.html-labor. Then, when that was drawn forth, another word brought forth | |
| data/chapter/57.html-a tube of industrial-strength glue; before using it, Harry cast the | |
| data/chapter/57.html-Bubble-Head Charm on himself and Bellatrix, and had Bellatrix cast | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/57.html-couldn't guess.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"My Lord...?" whispered Bellatrix's voice, soft and very | |
| data/chapter/57.html-tentative.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"You may speak now," Harry said. He'd told her to remain silent | |
| data/chapter/57.html-while he worked.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"That was Dumbledore who looked upon us."</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Pause.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"Interesting," Harry said neutrally. He was glad he had not | |
| data/chapter/57.html-noticed this at the time. That sounded like a <em>rather close | |
| data/chapter/57.html-shave</em>.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Harry said a word to his pouch, and began drawing forth the | |
| data/chapter/57.html-magical device that he would mate to the product of his hour's | |
| data/chapter/57.html-labor. Then, when that was drawn forth, another word brought forth | |
| data/chapter/57.html-a tube of industrial-strength glue; before using it, Harry cast the | |
| data/chapter/57.html-Bubble-Head Charm on himself and Bellatrix, and had Bellatrix cast | |
| data/chapter/57.html-the same Charm on the snake, so that the glue fumes in the enclosed | |
| data/chapter/57.html-cell would not harm them.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>When the glue had begun to set, binding technology to magic, | |
| data/chapter/57.html-Harry laid it down upon the bed, and sat down on the floor, resting | |
| data/chapter/57.html-his magic and will for a moment before essaying the next | |
| data/chapter/57.html:Transfiguration.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"My Lord..." Bellatrix said hesitantly.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"Yes?" said the dry voice.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"What is that device you made?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Harry thought rapidly. It seemed like a good chance to check his | |
| data/chapter/57.html-plans with her, under the guise of leading questions.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"Consider, my dear Bella," said Harry smoothly. "How difficult | |
| data/chapter/57.html-is it for a powerful wizard to cut the walls of Azkaban?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>There was a pause, and then Bellatrix's voice came, slow and | |
| data/chapter/57.html-puzzled, "Not difficult at all, my Lord...?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"Indeed," said the dry, high voice of Bella's master. "Suppose | |
| data/chapter/57.html-one were to do this, and fly through the hole on a broomstick, and | |
| data/chapter/57.html-soar up and away. Rescuing a prisoner from Azkaban would seem easy | |
| data/chapter/57.html-then, would it not?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"But my Lord..." said Bella. "The Aurors would - they have their | |
| data/chapter/57.html-own broomsticks, my Lord, fast ones -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Harry listened, it was as he had thought. The Dark Lord replied, | |
| data/chapter/57.html-again in tones of smoothly Socratic inquiry, and Bellatrix asked a | |
| data/chapter/57.html-further question, which Harry had not expected, but Harry's own | |
| data/chapter/57.html-counterquestion showed that it should not matter in the end. And in | |
| data/chapter/57.html-response to Bellatrix's last question, the Dark Lord only smiled, | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"Consider, my dear Bella," said Harry smoothly. "How difficult | |
| data/chapter/57.html-is it for a powerful wizard to cut the walls of Azkaban?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>There was a pause, and then Bellatrix's voice came, slow and | |
| data/chapter/57.html-puzzled, "Not difficult at all, my Lord...?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"Indeed," said the dry, high voice of Bella's master. "Suppose | |
| data/chapter/57.html-one were to do this, and fly through the hole on a broomstick, and | |
| data/chapter/57.html-soar up and away. Rescuing a prisoner from Azkaban would seem easy | |
| data/chapter/57.html-then, would it not?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>"But my Lord..." said Bella. "The Aurors would - they have their | |
| data/chapter/57.html-own broomsticks, my Lord, fast ones -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>Harry listened, it was as he had thought. The Dark Lord replied, | |
| data/chapter/57.html-again in tones of smoothly Socratic inquiry, and Bellatrix asked a | |
| data/chapter/57.html-further question, which Harry had not expected, but Harry's own | |
| data/chapter/57.html-counterquestion showed that it should not matter in the end. And in | |
| data/chapter/57.html-response to Bellatrix's last question, the Dark Lord only smiled, | |
| data/chapter/57.html-and said that it was time for him to resume his work.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>And then Harry got up from the floor of the cell, went to the | |
| data/chapter/57.html-far end of the cells, and touched his wand to the hard surface of | |
| data/chapter/57.html-the wall - the wall of Azkaban, the solid metal that separated them | |
| data/chapter/57.html-from direct exposure to the Dementors' pit.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html:<p>And Harry began a partial Transfiguration.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>This spell would go faster, Harry hoped. He'd spent hours and | |
| data/chapter/57.html-hours practicing the unique magic, which had made it routine, not | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>This spell would go faster, Harry hoped. He'd spent hours and | |
| data/chapter/57.html-hours practicing the unique magic, which had made it routine, not | |
| data/chapter/57.html:much more difficult for him than ordinary Transfiguration. The | |
| data/chapter/57.html-shape he was changing had not all that much total volume, the | |
| data/chapter/57.html-Transfigured shape might be tall and wide and long, but it was very | |
| data/chapter/57.html-thin. Half a millimeter, Harry had thought, would be enough, | |
| data/chapter/57.html-considering the perfect smoothness...</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>On the long bench that served as a prison bed, where Harry had | |
| data/chapter/57.html-set down the Transfigured technological device and the mated magic | |
| data/chapter/57.html-item for the glue to dry, tiny letters in golden script gleamed on | |
| data/chapter/57.html-the Muggle artifact. Harry hadn't really <em>planned</em> for them | |
| data/chapter/57.html-to be there, but they'd kept running through the back of his mind, | |
| data/chapter/57.html-and so seemed to have become part of the Transfigured form.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>There were many different things Harry could have said before | |
| data/chapter/57.html-using this particular triumph of technological ingenuity. Any | |
| data/chapter/57.html-number of things that would be, in one sense or another, | |
| data/chapter/57.html-appropriate. Or at least things that Harry <em>could</em> have | |
| data/chapter/57.html-said, <em>would</em> have said, if Bellatrix had not been | |
| data/chapter/57.html-there.</p> | |
| data/chapter/57.html-<p>But there was only one thing to say, that Harry would only get | |
| data/chapter/57.html-the chance to say just this once, and probably never get a better | |
| data/chapter/57.html-chance to say ever again. (Or <em>think,</em> anyway, if he | |
| data/chapter/57.html-couldn't say it.) He hadn't seen the actual movie, but he'd seen a | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/58.html-8<br></div><div class="storycontent nocopy" id="storycontent"> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>A/N: A movie trailer for <em>Army of Darkness,</em> resembling | |
| data/chapter/58.html-the one Harry saw, is THV1KkPXIxQ on YouTube.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>The key quote is as follows, spoken by a man of modern times to | |
| data/chapter/58.html-listeners from the Middle Ages:</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>"All right you primitive screwheads! Listen up! You see this? | |
| data/chapter/58.html-This... is my <em>boomstick!</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>In darkness absolute, a boy stood holding his wand to the solid | |
| data/chapter/58.html-metal wall of Azkaban, essaying a magic that only three other | |
| data/chapter/58.html-people in the world would have believed possible, and that none | |
| data/chapter/58.html-save he alone could wield.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Of course a powerful wizard could've cut through the wall in | |
| data/chapter/58.html-seconds, with a gesture and a word.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>For an average adult it might have been a matter of a few | |
| data/chapter/58.html-minutes' work, and afterward they would have been winded.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>But to accomplish the same end as a first-year Hogwarts student, | |
| data/chapter/58.html-you had to be <em>efficient.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Luckily - well, not <em>luckily</em>, luck had nothing to do | |
| data/chapter/58.html-with it - <em>conscientiously</em>, Harry had practiced | |
| data/chapter/58.html:Transfiguration for an extra hour every day, to the point where he | |
| data/chapter/58.html-was ahead of even Hermione in that one class; he'd practiced | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/58.html-was ahead of even Hermione in that one class; he'd practiced | |
| data/chapter/58.html:partial Transfiguration to the point where his thoughts had begun | |
| data/chapter/58.html-taking the true universe for granted, so that it required only | |
| data/chapter/58.html-slightly more effort to keep its timeless quantum nature in mind, | |
| data/chapter/58.html-even as he kept a firm mental separation between the concept of | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Form and the concept of substance.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>And the <em>problem</em> with that art having become so | |
| data/chapter/58.html-routine...</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>...was that Harry could think about other things while he was | |
| data/chapter/58.html-doing it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Somehow his thoughts had managed to not go there, to not | |
| data/chapter/58.html-confront the obvious, until he was faced with the prospect of | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<em>really actually doing it in just a few minutes</em>.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>What Harry was about to do...</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>...was dangerous.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Really dangerous.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Someone-might-actually-genuinely-get-killed dangerous.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Facing down twelve Dementors without a Patronus Charm had been | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<em>scary,</em> but merely scary. Harry could have cast the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Patronus Charm, <em>would</em> have cast it as soon as he thought | |
| data/chapter/58.html-he was in danger of not being able to do so, as soon as he felt his | |
| data/chapter/58.html-resistance beginning to fail. And even if that hadn't worked... | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Harry had caught his mind trying to argue itself into believing | |
| data/chapter/58.html-that it was safe.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>And sure, the whole thing <em>could</em> work, but...</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>But even leaving out that rationalists weren't ever allowed to | |
| data/chapter/58.html-argue themselves into things, Harry knew he couldn't possibly have | |
| data/chapter/58.html-argued himself into estimating less than a 20% probability of | |
| data/chapter/58.html-dying.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>Lose,</em> said Hufflepuff.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>Lose</em>, said the voice of Professor Quirrell in his | |
| data/chapter/58.html-mind.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>Lose,</em> said his mental model of Hermione and Professor | |
| data/chapter/58.html-McGonagall and Professor Flitwick and Neville Longbottom and, well, | |
| data/chapter/58.html-basically everyone Harry knew except for Fred and George, who would | |
| data/chapter/58.html-have gone for it in a hot second.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>He should just go find Dumbledore and turn himself in. He | |
| data/chapter/58.html-should, he really really should, it was the only <em>sane</em> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-thing to do at this point.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>And if it'd been only Harry on the mission, only his own life | |
| data/chapter/58.html-that'd been at stake, he would have; he surely would have.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>The part that was almost causing him to lose his concentration | |
| data/chapter/58.html:on the partial Transfiguration he was performing, the part that was | |
| data/chapter/58.html-threatening to open him to the Dementors...</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>...was Professor Quirrell, still unconscious, still a snake.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>If Professor Quirrell went to Azkaban for his part in the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-escape, he would die. He probably wouldn't last even a week. He was | |
| data/chapter/58.html-that sensitive.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>It was that simple.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>If Harry <em>lost</em> here...</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>He lost Professor Quirrell.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>Even though he's probably evil,</em> said the Hufflepuff | |
| data/chapter/58.html-part of him quietly. <em>Even so?</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>It wasn't a decision that Harry had made in any conscious way. | |
| data/chapter/58.html-He just couldn't do it. Losing was for House points, not | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<em>people.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>If you think your own life is valuable enough that you're | |
| data/chapter/58.html-not willing to take on an eighty percent probability of dying in | |
| data/chapter/58.html-order to protect all the prisoners in Azkaban,</em> his Slytherin | |
| data/chapter/58.html-side observed, <em>there's no way you can justify taking a twenty | |
| data/chapter/58.html-percent risk to your life to save Bellatrix and Professor Quirrell. | |
| data/chapter/58.html-The math doesn't add up, you can't be assigning consistent | |
| data/chapter/58.html-utilities over outcomes here.</em></p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/58.html-that sensitive.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>It was that simple.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>If Harry <em>lost</em> here...</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>He lost Professor Quirrell.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>Even though he's probably evil,</em> said the Hufflepuff | |
| data/chapter/58.html-part of him quietly. <em>Even so?</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>It wasn't a decision that Harry had made in any conscious way. | |
| data/chapter/58.html-He just couldn't do it. Losing was for House points, not | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<em>people.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>If you think your own life is valuable enough that you're | |
| data/chapter/58.html-not willing to take on an eighty percent probability of dying in | |
| data/chapter/58.html-order to protect all the prisoners in Azkaban,</em> his Slytherin | |
| data/chapter/58.html-side observed, <em>there's no way you can justify taking a twenty | |
| data/chapter/58.html-percent risk to your life to save Bellatrix and Professor Quirrell. | |
| data/chapter/58.html-The math doesn't add up, you can't be assigning consistent | |
| data/chapter/58.html-utilities over outcomes here.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>The logical side of him noted that Slytherin had just won the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-argument.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Harry kept the Form in his mind, kept on casting the spell. He | |
| data/chapter/58.html-could always just abort the mission when he was <em>done</em> with | |
| data/chapter/58.html:the Transfiguration, he didn't want to lose the effort he'd already | |
| data/chapter/58.html-invested.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>And then Harry thought of something else that suddenly made it | |
| data/chapter/58.html-very hard to keep the magic going, very hard to keep up his | |
| data/chapter/58.html-resistance to the Dementors.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>What if the portkey doesn't take us where Professor Quirrell | |
| data/chapter/58.html-said it did?</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>It was obvious in retrospect the moment he thought about it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Even if the planned escape went completely right, even if the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Muggle device worked and <em>didn't</em> explode and | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<em>didn't</em> interact badly with the mated magic item, even if | |
| data/chapter/58.html-the Aurors didn't get in a lucky shot, even if Harry made it far | |
| data/chapter/58.html-enough away from Azkaban to use the portkey...</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>...there might not be a psychiatric healer at the end of it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>That was something Harry had believed when he'd trusted | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Professor Quirrell, and he'd forgotten to re-evaluate it after | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Professor Quirrell was no longer to be trusted.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>You can't do this,</em> said Hufflepuff. <em>At this point | |
| data/chapter/58.html-we're talking mere stupidity.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Cold seemed to spread through the room, but Harry kept the | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/58.html-invested.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>And then Harry thought of something else that suddenly made it | |
| data/chapter/58.html-very hard to keep the magic going, very hard to keep up his | |
| data/chapter/58.html-resistance to the Dementors.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>What if the portkey doesn't take us where Professor Quirrell | |
| data/chapter/58.html-said it did?</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>It was obvious in retrospect the moment he thought about it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Even if the planned escape went completely right, even if the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Muggle device worked and <em>didn't</em> explode and | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<em>didn't</em> interact badly with the mated magic item, even if | |
| data/chapter/58.html-the Aurors didn't get in a lucky shot, even if Harry made it far | |
| data/chapter/58.html-enough away from Azkaban to use the portkey...</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>...there might not be a psychiatric healer at the end of it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>That was something Harry had believed when he'd trusted | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Professor Quirrell, and he'd forgotten to re-evaluate it after | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Professor Quirrell was no longer to be trusted.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>You can't do this,</em> said Hufflepuff. <em>At this point | |
| data/chapter/58.html-we're talking mere stupidity.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Cold seemed to spread through the room, but Harry kept the | |
| data/chapter/58.html:Transfiguration going, even as his resistance against the Dementors | |
| data/chapter/58.html-faltered.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>I can't lose Professor Quirrell.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>He tried to kill a police officer,</em> said Hufflepuff. | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<em>You already lost him, in that moment. Bellatrix is probably | |
| data/chapter/58.html-just what everyone thinks she is. Just take your Cloak back, go | |
| data/chapter/58.html-find Dumbledore and tell him you were tricked.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>No,</em> thought Harry desperately, <em>not without talking | |
| data/chapter/58.html-to Professor Quirrell, there might be an explanation, I don't know, | |
| data/chapter/58.html-maybe he was standing far enough away from my Patronus that the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Dementors got to him... I don't understand, it doesn't make sense | |
| data/chapter/58.html-on any hypothesis, why he would do that... I can't | |
| data/chapter/58.html-just...<br></em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Harry turned his mind away from that chain of thought before it | |
| data/chapter/58.html-completely broke his resistance to the fear, because he couldn't | |
| data/chapter/58.html-think of feeding Professor Quirrell to Dementors while staying | |
| data/chapter/58.html-resolved against Death, it was a cognitive impossibility.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>Your reasoning is artificially impaired,</em> observed the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-logical part of him calmly, <em>find a way to unimpair it.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>All right, let's just generate alternatives,</em> Harry | |
| data/chapter/58.html-thought. <em>Not choose, not weigh, certainly not commit... just | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<em>You already lost him, in that moment. Bellatrix is probably | |
| data/chapter/58.html-just what everyone thinks she is. Just take your Cloak back, go | |
| data/chapter/58.html-find Dumbledore and tell him you were tricked.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>No,</em> thought Harry desperately, <em>not without talking | |
| data/chapter/58.html-to Professor Quirrell, there might be an explanation, I don't know, | |
| data/chapter/58.html-maybe he was standing far enough away from my Patronus that the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Dementors got to him... I don't understand, it doesn't make sense | |
| data/chapter/58.html-on any hypothesis, why he would do that... I can't | |
| data/chapter/58.html-just...<br></em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Harry turned his mind away from that chain of thought before it | |
| data/chapter/58.html-completely broke his resistance to the fear, because he couldn't | |
| data/chapter/58.html-think of feeding Professor Quirrell to Dementors while staying | |
| data/chapter/58.html-resolved against Death, it was a cognitive impossibility.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>Your reasoning is artificially impaired,</em> observed the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-logical part of him calmly, <em>find a way to unimpair it.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>All right, let's just generate alternatives,</em> Harry | |
| data/chapter/58.html-thought. <em>Not choose, not weigh, certainly not commit... just | |
| data/chapter/58.html-think about what else I might be able to do besides the original | |
| data/chapter/58.html-plan.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>And Harry went on cutting the hole in the wall. He was using | |
| data/chapter/58.html:partial Transfiguration on a thin cylindrical shell of metal, two | |
| data/chapter/58.html-meters in diameter and half a millimeter thick, running all the way | |
| data/chapter/58.html-through the wall. He was Transfiguring that half-millimeter | |
| data/chapter/58.html-thickness of metal into motor oil. Motor oil was a liquid and you | |
| data/chapter/58.html-weren't to Transfigure liquids because they might evaporate, but he | |
| data/chapter/58.html-and Bellatrix and the snake all had Bubble-Head Charms. And Harry | |
| data/chapter/58.html-would cast Finite on the oil immediately after, dispelling his own | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/58.html-meters in diameter and half a millimeter thick, running all the way | |
| data/chapter/58.html-through the wall. He was Transfiguring that half-millimeter | |
| data/chapter/58.html-thickness of metal into motor oil. Motor oil was a liquid and you | |
| data/chapter/58.html-weren't to Transfigure liquids because they might evaporate, but he | |
| data/chapter/58.html-and Bellatrix and the snake all had Bubble-Head Charms. And Harry | |
| data/chapter/58.html-would cast Finite on the oil immediately after, dispelling his own | |
| data/chapter/58.html:Transfiguration...</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>...as soon as the separated and lubricated hunk of metal slid | |
| data/chapter/58.html-out of the wall and onto the floor of their cell, he'd slanted it | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>...as soon as the separated and lubricated hunk of metal slid | |
| data/chapter/58.html-out of the wall and onto the floor of their cell, he'd slanted it | |
| data/chapter/58.html:so gravity would pull it in, once the Transfiguration was done.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>If Harry and Bellatrix <em>didn't</em> exit on his broomstick | |
| data/chapter/58.html-through the resulting hole in the wall...</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Harry's brain suggested that he could try to Transfigure a | |
| data/chapter/58.html-surface cover over the hole in the wall, leaving a space for | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Bellatrix and Professor Quirrell to hide in, wearing the Cloak, | |
| data/chapter/58.html-while Harry turned himself in. And Professor Quirrell would | |
| data/chapter/58.html-eventually wake up, and he and Bellatrix could try to figure out | |
| data/chapter/58.html-how to exit Azkaban on their own.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>It was, first of all, a dumb idea, and second, there would still | |
| data/chapter/58.html-be a huge hunk of metal on the floor of the cell, which would give | |
| data/chapter/58.html-it away.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>And then Harry's brain saw the obvious.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p><em>Let Bellatrix and Professor Quirrell use the escape route | |
| data/chapter/58.html-you invented. You stay behind, and turn yourself in.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Bellatrix and Professor Quirrell were the ones whose lives were | |
| data/chapter/58.html-at stake.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>They were gaining, not losing, from taking the risk.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>And there was no reason, no sane reason at all, for Harry to go | |
| data/chapter/58.html-with them.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>A calm came over Harry as he thought it, the cold and darkness | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/58.html-coming from far away. Like a very loud sound coming from the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-second-to-lowest floor, say.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Amelia looked at Dumbledore before she realized, before she | |
| data/chapter/58.html-managed to stop herself.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>The old wizard shrugged, gave her a small smile, said, "Since | |
| data/chapter/58.html-you asked it, Amelia," and went off yet again.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>"<em>Finite Incantatem,"</em> Harry said to the oil coating the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-giant chunk of metal on the floor. He hardly heard himself speak, | |
| data/chapter/58.html-his ears were still ringing from the gigantic thud of the solid | |
| data/chapter/58.html-metal sliding out of the wall and falling. (He should have put up a | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Quieting Charm, in retrospect, though that wouldn't have stopped | |
| data/chapter/58.html-the noise from spreading through the solid metal floor.) And then | |
| data/chapter/58.html-Harry said it again, "<em>Finite Incantatem</em>" to the oil | |
| data/chapter/58.html-coating the two-meter hole in the wall, spreading the effect wide; | |
| data/chapter/58.html-it was his own magic Harry was canceling, which made the spell | |
| data/chapter/58.html-almost effortless. Harry was feeling a bit tired now, but that was | |
| data/chapter/58.html-the last use of magic he would need. He hadn't even <em>needed</em> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-to do it, really, but Harry didn't want to leave Transfigured | |
| data/chapter/58.html-liquid lying around, and he didn't want to betray the secret of | |
| data/chapter/58.html:partial Transfiguration either.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>It seemed very... <em>inviting,</em> that two-meter hole leading | |
| data/chapter/58.html-to freedom.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>The light from outside coming in... wasn't exactly the Sun | |
| data/chapter/58.html-shining on his face, but it was brighter than anything of Azkaban's | |
| data/chapter/58.html-interior.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Harry <em>was</em> tempted to just go with, just hop on the | |
| data/chapter/58.html-broomstick with Bellatrix and the snake. Chances were that they | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<em>would</em> get out safely. And if they <em>did</em> get out | |
| data/chapter/58.html-safely, and Harry came with, then he and Professor Quirrell could | |
| data/chapter/58.html-go back in time and look perfectly innocent, everything could go | |
| data/chapter/58.html-back to normal.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>If Harry stayed behind and turned himself in... then even if | |
| data/chapter/58.html-everyone assumed Harry had been a hostage, assumed Harry had lied | |
| data/chapter/58.html-to Professor McGonagall's Patronus at wandpoint... even if Harry | |
| data/chapter/58.html-himself got off lightly, well...</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>It wasn't likely that the Defense Professor would go on teaching | |
| data/chapter/58.html-at Hogwarts.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>Professor Quirrell would have reached the predestined end of his | |
| data/chapter/58.html-career, in February of the school year.</p> | |
| data/chapter/58.html-<p>And yes, Professor McGonagall would kill Harry, and yes, it | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/61.html-Dark Lord to do what we cannot imagine requires only that he has a | |
| data/chapter/61.html-better imagination."</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>Albus nodded grimly. "Unfortunately there is now another wizard | |
| data/chapter/61.html-who laughs at impossibilities. A wizard who, not long ago, | |
| data/chapter/61.html-developed a new and powerful Charm which could have blinded the | |
| data/chapter/61.html-Dementors to Bellatrix Black's escape. And he is implicated for | |
| data/chapter/61.html-other reasons, as well."</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>Minerva's heart was skipping beats, she didn't know | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<em>how,</em> or <em>why,</em> but a terrible apprehension was | |
| data/chapter/61.html-dawning on her as to <em>who -</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>"Who would <em>that</em> be?" said Severus, sounding | |
| data/chapter/61.html-puzzled.</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>Albus leaned back and said the fatal words, even as she had | |
| data/chapter/61.html-feared them: "Harry James Potter-Evans-Verres."</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>"<em>Potter?</em> " demanded the Potions Master, as much shock | |
| data/chapter/61.html-in that usually-silken voice as she had ever heard from him. | |
| data/chapter/61.html-"Headmaster, is this one of your jokes? He is in his first year at | |
| data/chapter/61.html-Hogwarts! A temper tantrum and a few childish pranks with an | |
| data/chapter/61.html-invisibility cloak does not make him -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>"It is no joke," said Minerva, her voice barely above a whisper. | |
| data/chapter/61.html:"Harry is already making original discoveries in Transfiguration, | |
| data/chapter/61.html-Severus. Though I did not know he was researching Charms as | |
| data/chapter/61.html-well."</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>"Harry is no ordinary first-year," the Headmaster said solemnly. | |
| data/chapter/61.html-"He is marked as the Dark Lord's equal, and he has power the Dark | |
| data/chapter/61.html-Lord knows not."</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>Severus was looking at her, and you would have needed to know | |
| data/chapter/61.html-him well to recognize that his glance was pleading. "Am I to take | |
| data/chapter/61.html-this seriously?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>Minerva simply nodded.</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>"Does anyone <em>else</em> know of this... new and powerful | |
| data/chapter/61.html-Charm?" Severus demanded.</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>The Headmaster glanced at her apologetically -</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>Somehow she knew, she knew before he even said it, and she | |
| data/chapter/61.html-wanted to scream at the top of her lungs.</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>- and said, "Quirinus Quirrell."</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>"<em>Why,</em>" she said, in a voice that should have melted | |
| data/chapter/61.html-half the devices in the office, "<em>did Mr. Potter even TELL our | |
| data/chapter/61.html-Defense Professor about his brilliant new Charm for breaking out of | |
| data/chapter/61.html-prisons -</em>"</p> | |
| data/chapter/61.html-<p>The Headmaster passed a weary wrinkled hand across his equally | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/63.html-parchment envelope and then quickly strode away.</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>Harry stared at the envelope for a moment, then started walking | |
| data/chapter/63.html-toward the nearest wall. That wasn't very private, but it should be | |
| data/chapter/63.html-private enough, and Harry didn't want to give the impression of | |
| data/chapter/63.html-having much to hide.</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>That had been a Slytherin System delivery, what you used if you | |
| data/chapter/63.html-wanted to communicate with someone without anyone else knowing that | |
| data/chapter/63.html-the two of you had talked. The sender gave an envelope to someone | |
| data/chapter/63.html-who had a reputation for being a reliable messenger, along with ten | |
| data/chapter/63.html-Knuts; that first person would take five Knuts and pass the | |
| data/chapter/63.html-envelope to another messenger along with the other five Knuts, and | |
| data/chapter/63.html-the second messenger would open up that envelope and find another | |
| data/chapter/63.html-envelope with a name written on it and deliver that envelope to | |
| data/chapter/63.html-that person. That way neither of the two people passing the message | |
| data/chapter/63.html-knew both the sender <em>and</em> the recipient, so no one else | |
| data/chapter/63.html-knew that those two parties had been in contact...</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>When Harry reached the wall, he put the envelope inside his | |
| data/chapter/63.html-robes, opened it beneath the folds of cloth, and carefully snuck a | |
| data/chapter/63.html-peek at the parchment he drew forth.</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>It said,</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html:<p><em>Classroom to the left of Transfiguration, 8 in the | |
| data/chapter/63.html-morning.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p><em>- LL.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>Harry stared at it, trying to remember if he knew anyone with | |
| data/chapter/63.html-the initials LL.</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>His mind searched...</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>Searched...</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>Retrieved -</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>"The <em>Quibbler</em> girl?" Harry whispered incredulously, and | |
| data/chapter/63.html-then shut his mouth. She was only ten years old, she shouldn't be | |
| data/chapter/63.html-in Hogwarts at all!</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p><em>Aftermath: Lesath Lestrange.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>Harry was standing in the unused classroom next to | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/63.html-morning.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p><em>- LL.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>Harry stared at it, trying to remember if he knew anyone with | |
| data/chapter/63.html-the initials LL.</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>His mind searched...</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>Searched...</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>Retrieved -</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>"The <em>Quibbler</em> girl?" Harry whispered incredulously, and | |
| data/chapter/63.html-then shut his mouth. She was only ten years old, she shouldn't be | |
| data/chapter/63.html-in Hogwarts at all!</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p><em>Aftermath: Lesath Lestrange.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>Harry was standing in the unused classroom next to | |
| data/chapter/63.html:Transfiguration at 8AM, waiting, he'd at least managed to get some | |
| data/chapter/63.html-food into himself before facing the next disaster, Luna | |
| data/chapter/63.html-Lovegood...</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>The door to the classroom opened, and Harry saw, and gave | |
| data/chapter/63.html-himself a really <em>hard</em> mental kick.</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>One more thing he hadn't thought of, one more thing he | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<em>really should have.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>The older boy's green-trimmed formal robes were askew, there | |
| data/chapter/63.html-were red spots on them looking very much like small dots of fresh | |
| data/chapter/63.html-blood, and one corner of his mouth had the look of a place that had | |
| data/chapter/63.html-been cut and healed, by <em>Episkey</em> or some other minor | |
| data/chapter/63.html-medical Charm that didn't quite erase all the damage.</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>Lesath Lestrange's face was streaked with tears, fresh tears and | |
| data/chapter/63.html-half-dried tears, and there was water in his eyes, a promise of | |
| data/chapter/63.html-still more on the way. "<em>Quietus,</em>" said the older boy, and | |
| data/chapter/63.html-then "<em>Homenum Revelio</em>" and some other things, while Harry | |
| data/chapter/63.html-thought frantically and without much luck.</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>And then Lesath lowered his wand and sheathed it in his robes, | |
| data/chapter/63.html-and slowly this time, formally, the older boy dropped to his knees | |
| data/chapter/63.html-on the dusty classroom floor.</p> | |
| data/chapter/63.html-<p>Bowed his head all the way down, until his forehead also touched | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/65.html-then left the table, Hermione looked at Anthony and Padma, who had | |
| data/chapter/65.html-been coincidentally eating nearby but certainly not eavesdropping | |
| data/chapter/65.html-or anything.</p> | |
| data/chapter/65.html-<p>Anthony and Padma looked back at her.</p> | |
| data/chapter/65.html-<p>Padma said hesitantly, "Is it just me, or has Harry Potter | |
| data/chapter/65.html-started talking like a more <em>complicated</em> sort of book in | |
| data/chapter/65.html-the last few days? I mean, I haven't been listening to him very | |
| data/chapter/65.html-long -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/65.html-<p>"It's not just you," said Anthony.</p> | |
| data/chapter/65.html-<p>Hermione didn't say anything, but she was becoming increasingly | |
| data/chapter/65.html-worried. Whatever had happened to Harry Potter on the day of the | |
| data/chapter/65.html-phoenix, it had changed him; there was something new in him now. | |
| data/chapter/65.html-Not cold, but <em>hard.</em> Sometimes she caught him staring out a | |
| data/chapter/65.html-window at nothing visible, a look of grim determination on his | |
| data/chapter/65.html-face. In Herbology class on Monday, a Venus Fire Trap had gone out | |
| data/chapter/65.html-of control; and Harry had tackled Terry out of the way of a | |
| data/chapter/65.html-fireball even as Professor Sprout had shouted a Flame-Freezing | |
| data/chapter/65.html-Charm; and when Harry had risen from the floor he'd just gone back | |
| data/chapter/65.html-to his place like nothing interesting had happened. And when for | |
| data/chapter/65.html-once she'd gotten a better test score than Harry in their | |
| data/chapter/65.html:Transfiguration exam, later that same Monday, Harry had smiled at | |
| data/chapter/65.html-her as though to congratulate her, instead of gritting his teeth; | |
| data/chapter/65.html-and... that had bothered her <em>a lot</em>.</p> | |
| data/chapter/65.html-<p>She was getting the sense that Harry...</p> | |
| data/chapter/65.html-<p>...was pulling away from her...</p> | |
| data/chapter/65.html-<p>"He seems a lot <em>older</em> all of a sudden," said Anthony. | |
| data/chapter/65.html-"Not like a real grownup, I can't imagine <em>Harry</em> as a | |
| data/chapter/65.html-grownup, but it's like he suddenly turned into a <em>fourth-year | |
| data/chapter/65.html-version</em> of... of <em>whatever</em> he is."</p> | |
| data/chapter/65.html-<p>"Well," Padma said. She daintily dabbed a chocolate-flavored | |
| data/chapter/65.html-scone with some scone-flavored frosting. "I think Dragon and | |
| data/chapter/65.html-Sunshine had better ally during the next battle or Mr. Harry Potter | |
| data/chapter/65.html-is going to <em>smash</em> us. We were allied last time, and even | |
| data/chapter/65.html-then Chaos almost won -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/65.html-<p>"Yeah," said Anthony. "You're right, Miss Patil. Tell the Dragon | |
| data/chapter/65.html-General that we want to meet with you -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/65.html-<p>"No!" said Hermione. "We shouldn't <em>have</em> to gang up on | |
| data/chapter/65.html-General Potter just to stand a chance. That doesn't make sense, | |
| data/chapter/65.html-especially now that nobody can use Muggle things anymore. It's | |
| data/chapter/65.html-still twenty-four soldiers in every army."</p> | |
| data/chapter/65.html-<p>Neither Padma or Anthony said anything to that.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/66.html-Neville's studying to beat us, but we can study too -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<p>"Don't you <em>see?</em> " Hannah shrieked, raising her voice a | |
| data/chapter/66.html-lot louder than it should've been, if they were trying to keep the | |
| data/chapter/66.html-conversation private from all the Ravenclaws looking at them. | |
| data/chapter/66.html-"Neville isn't studying to beat <em>us!</em> He's practicing so he | |
| data/chapter/66.html-can fight <em>Bellatrix Black!</em> They're going to go through us | |
| data/chapter/66.html-like a Bludger through a stack of pancakes!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<p>The Sunshine General gave her soldier a look. "Listen," said | |
| data/chapter/66.html-Hermione, "I don't think a few weeks of practice is going to make | |
| data/chapter/66.html-anyone an invincible fighter. Plus we already <em>know</em> how to | |
| data/chapter/66.html-handle invincible fighters. We'll concentrate fire on them and | |
| data/chapter/66.html-they'll go down just like Draco."</p> | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<p>The Hufflepuff girl was looking at her with mixed admiration and | |
| data/chapter/66.html-skepticism. "Aren't you even, you know, <em>worried?</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<p>"Oh, <em>honestly!</em> " said Hermione. Sometimes it was hard | |
| data/chapter/66.html-being the only sensible person in your whole school year. "Haven't | |
| data/chapter/66.html-you ever heard the saying, the only thing we have to fear is fear | |
| data/chapter/66.html-itself?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<p>"<em>What?</em> " said Hannah. "That's crazy, what about | |
| data/chapter/66.html-Lethifolds lurking in the darkness, and being put under the | |
| data/chapter/66.html:Imperius Curse, and horrible Transfiguration accidents and -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<p>"I <em>mean,</em>" said Hermione, exasperation leaking out into | |
| data/chapter/66.html-her now-raised voice, she'd been hearing this sort of thing <em>all | |
| data/chapter/66.html-week</em> now, "how about if we wait until <em>after</em> the Chaos | |
| data/chapter/66.html-Legion <em>actually</em> crushes us to get so scared of them and | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<em>did you just mutter 'Gryffindors' under your voice?</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<p>A few moments later, Hermione was walking back to her place at | |
| data/chapter/66.html-the table with a sweet smile plastered onto her young face, it | |
| data/chapter/66.html-wasn't the terrible cold glare of Harry's dark side but it was the | |
| data/chapter/66.html-scariest face <em>she</em> knew how to make.</p> | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<p>Harry Potter was going <em>down.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<p>"This is loony," gasped Neville, with what tiny amount of breath | |
| data/chapter/66.html-he could spare from being completely out of breath.</p> | |
| data/chapter/66.html-<p>"This is <em>brilliant!</em> " said Cedric Diggory. The eyes of | |
| data/chapter/66.html-the Super Hufflepuff gleamed with manic enthusiasm, shining like | |
| data/chapter/66.html-the sweat on his forehead as he stamped his feet through the dance | |
| data/chapter/66.html-of one of his dueling postures. His usually-light steps had changed | |
| data/chapter/66.html-to heavier stomps, which might have had something to do with the | |
| data/chapter/66.html-Transfigured metal weights they'd all attached to their arms and | |
| data/chapter/66.html-legs and strapped over their chests. "Where do you <em>get</em> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<em>had</em> to!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"So today you beat my <em>whole army</em> being just Harry?" She | |
| data/chapter/68.html-still wasn't crying yet, and she wondered what her face looked like | |
| data/chapter/68.html-right now, if she looked like an angry Hermione or a sad one.</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"I -" Harry said. His voice got a little lower, "I wasn't... | |
| data/chapter/68.html-really <em>expecting</em> to win, that time, I know I said I was | |
| data/chapter/68.html-invincible but that was just to try to scare you, I really just | |
| data/chapter/68.html-thought we'd slow you down for a bit -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>She started walking again, walked right past him, and as she | |
| data/chapter/68.html-passed Harry's face tightened up like <em>he</em> was going to | |
| data/chapter/68.html-cry.</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"Is Professor Quirrell right?" came a high desperate whisper | |
| data/chapter/68.html-from behind her. "If I have you for a friend, will I always be | |
| data/chapter/68.html-afraid to do better because I know it will hurt your feelings? | |
| data/chapter/68.html-That's not fair, Hermione!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>She took a breath and held it and ran, her feet pattering across | |
| data/chapter/68.html-the stone as fast as they could, running as fast as she dared with | |
| data/chapter/68.html-her vision all blurry, ran so that no one would hear her, and this | |
| data/chapter/68.html-time Harry didn't follow.</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/68.html:<p>Minerva was going over the Transfiguration parchment due Monday, | |
| data/chapter/68.html-and had just marked down to negative two hundred points a | |
| data/chapter/68.html-fifth-year parchment with an error that could have potentially | |
| data/chapter/68.html-killed someone. During her first year as a professor she'd been | |
| data/chapter/68.html-indignant at the folly of older students, now she was just | |
| data/chapter/68.html-resigned. Some people not only never learned, they never noticed | |
| data/chapter/68.html-that they were hopeless, they stayed bright and eager and kept on | |
| data/chapter/68.html-trying. Sometimes they believed you when you told them, before they | |
| data/chapter/68.html-left Hogwarts, that they must <em>never</em> try anything unusual, | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/68.html-and had just marked down to negative two hundred points a | |
| data/chapter/68.html-fifth-year parchment with an error that could have potentially | |
| data/chapter/68.html-killed someone. During her first year as a professor she'd been | |
| data/chapter/68.html-indignant at the folly of older students, now she was just | |
| data/chapter/68.html-resigned. Some people not only never learned, they never noticed | |
| data/chapter/68.html-that they were hopeless, they stayed bright and eager and kept on | |
| data/chapter/68.html-trying. Sometimes they believed you when you told them, before they | |
| data/chapter/68.html-left Hogwarts, that they must <em>never</em> try anything unusual, | |
| data/chapter/68.html:give up free Transfiguration and use the art only through | |
| data/chapter/68.html-established Charms; and sometimes... they didn't.</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>She was in the middle of trying to unravel a particularly | |
| data/chapter/68.html-convoluted answer when a knock at the door disrupted her thoughts; | |
| data/chapter/68.html-and it wasn't her office hours, but it had only taken a very short | |
| data/chapter/68.html-time as Head of Gryffindor House for her to learn to suspend | |
| data/chapter/68.html-judgment. You could always deduct House points | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<em>afterward.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"Come in," she said in a crisp voice.</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>The young girl who entered her office had clearly been crying, | |
| data/chapter/68.html-and then afterward had washed her face in hopes it wouldn't show | |
| data/chapter/68.html--</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"Miss Granger!" said Professor McGonagall. It had taken her a | |
| data/chapter/68.html-moment to recognize that face with its eyes reddened and cheeks | |
| data/chapter/68.html-puffed. "What happened?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"Professor," said the young girl in a wavering voice, "you said | |
| data/chapter/68.html-that if I was ever worried or uncomfortable about anything, I | |
| data/chapter/68.html-should come to you at once -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"Yes," said Professor McGonagall, "now what | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<em>happened?</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>The girl started to explain -</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/68.html-time and <em>still</em> not getting the same answer, even though | |
| data/chapter/68.html-her memory insisted that nothing had been added or removed - the | |
| data/chapter/68.html-Headmaster cleared his throat and said, "Miss Granger?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>Hermione's head snapped around, and she felt a little heat in | |
| data/chapter/68.html-her cheeks; but Dumbledore didn't appear annoyed with her at all, | |
| data/chapter/68.html-only serene, and with an inquiring look in those mild, half-glassed | |
| data/chapter/68.html-eyes.</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"Hermione," said Professor McGonagall, the older witch's voice | |
| data/chapter/68.html-was gentle and her hand rested reassuringly on Hermione's shoulder, | |
| data/chapter/68.html-"please tell the Headmaster what you said to me about Harry."</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>Hermione began speaking, despite her newfound resolution her | |
| data/chapter/68.html-voice still stumbled a little with nervousness, as she described | |
| data/chapter/68.html-how Harry had changed in the last few weeks since Fawkes had been | |
| data/chapter/68.html-on his shoulder.</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>When she was done there was a pause, and then the Headmaster | |
| data/chapter/68.html-sighed. "I am sorry, Hermione Granger," said Dumbledore. Those blue | |
| data/chapter/68.html-eyes had grown sadder as she spoke. "That is... unfortunate, but I | |
| data/chapter/68.html-cannot say it is unexpected. That is a hero's burden, which you | |
| data/chapter/68.html-see."</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"A <em>hero?</em> " said Hermione. She looked up nervously at | |
| data/chapter/68.html:Professor McGonagall and saw that the Transfiguration Professor's | |
| data/chapter/68.html-face had grown tight, though her hand still squeezed Hermione's | |
| data/chapter/68.html-shoulder reassuringly.</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"Yes," said Dumbledore. "I was a hero myself once, before I was | |
| data/chapter/68.html-a mysterious old wizard, in the days when I opposed Grindelwald. | |
| data/chapter/68.html-You have read history books, Miss Granger?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>Hermione nodded.</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"Well," said Dumbledore, "that is what heroes have to do, Miss | |
| data/chapter/68.html-Granger, they have their tasks and they must grow strong to | |
| data/chapter/68.html-accomplish them, and that is what you see happening to Harry. If | |
| data/chapter/68.html-there is anything that can be done to gentle his pathway, then | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<em>you</em> will be the one to do it, and not I. For I am not | |
| data/chapter/68.html-Harry's friend, alas, but only his mysterious old wizard."</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"I -" said Hermione. "I'm not sure - I still want to be -" Her | |
| data/chapter/68.html-voice stopped, it seemed too awful to say aloud.</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>Dumbledore closed his eyes, and when he opened them, he looked a | |
| data/chapter/68.html-little older than before. "No one can stop you, Miss Granger, if | |
| data/chapter/68.html-you choose to stop being Harry's friend. As for what it would do to | |
| data/chapter/68.html-him, you may know that better than I."</p> | |
| data/chapter/68.html-<p>"That - doesn't seem <em>fair,</em>" Hermione said, her voice | |
| data/chapter/68.html-trembling. "That I've <em>got</em> to be Harry's friend because | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/70.html-<div id="chapter-title">Chapter 70: Self Actualization, Pt | |
| data/chapter/70.html-5<br></div><div class="storycontent nocopy" id="storycontent"> | |
| data/chapter/70.html-<p>Even if you had been the Deputy Headmistress for three decades, | |
| data/chapter/70.html:and a Transfiguration Professor before that, it was rare that you | |
| data/chapter/70.html-saw Albus Dumbledore caught completely flatfooted.</p> | |
| data/chapter/70.html-<p>"...Susan Bones, Lavender Brown, and Daphne Greengrass," Minerva | |
| data/chapter/70.html-finished. "I should also note, Albus, that Miss Granger's account | |
| data/chapter/70.html-of your seemingly unsupportive attitude - I believe her phrase was | |
| data/chapter/70.html-'he said I should be happy to be just a sidekick' - has generated a | |
| data/chapter/70.html-good deal of <em>interest</em> among the older girls. Several of | |
| data/chapter/70.html-whom came to me to ask if Miss Granger's accusations were true, | |
| data/chapter/70.html-since Miss Granger had said that I was there."</p> | |
| data/chapter/70.html-<p>The old wizard leaned back in his huge chair, still gazing at | |
| data/chapter/70.html-her, his eyes looking rather abstracted beneath the half-moon | |
| data/chapter/70.html-glasses.</p> | |
| data/chapter/70.html-<p>"It placed me in something of a dilemma, Albus," said Professor | |
| data/chapter/70.html-McGonagall. Her face stayed quite neutral, she made sure of that. | |
| data/chapter/70.html-"I now know that you did not truly mean to discourage the girl. | |
| data/chapter/70.html-Quite the opposite, in fact. But you and Severus have often told me | |
| data/chapter/70.html-that to keep a secret I must give no sign that differs from the | |
| data/chapter/70.html-reaction of someone truly ignorant. Thus I had no choice but to | |
| data/chapter/70.html-confirm that Miss Granger's account was accurate, and feign the | |
| data/chapter/70.html-appropriate degree of worry, with a slight overtone of offense. | |
| data/chapter/70.html-After all, had I <em>not</em> known you were deliberately | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/71.html-not that easy to become friends with a Malfoy, Miss Davis."</p> | |
| data/chapter/71.html-<p>Tracey smiled, and meant it. "Well, I'll just go on being | |
| data/chapter/71.html-friendly, then," she said, and left the room with a skip in her | |
| data/chapter/71.html-step, feeling like a real Slytherin for maybe the first time in her | |
| data/chapter/71.html-life, and having just decided that Draco Malfoy would be one of her | |
| data/chapter/71.html-husbands too.</p> | |
| data/chapter/71.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/71.html-<p>After the girl was gone, Gregory came in, shut the door again | |
| data/chapter/71.html-and said, "Are you alright, Mr. Malfoy?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/71.html-<p>Draco said nothing to his servant and friend. His eyes gazed off | |
| data/chapter/71.html-into nowhere, like he was trying to stare through the wall of his | |
| data/chapter/71.html-bedroom, through the Hogwarts lake that surrounded the Slytherin | |
| data/chapter/71.html-dungeons, through Earth's crust and atmosphere and the interstellar | |
| data/chapter/71.html-dust of the Milky Way, into the utterly empty and lightless void | |
| data/chapter/71.html-between galaxies which no wizard and no scientist had ever | |
| data/chapter/71.html-seen.</p> | |
| data/chapter/71.html-<p>"Mr. Malfoy?" Gregory said, starting to sound a little | |
| data/chapter/71.html-worried.</p> | |
| data/chapter/71.html-<p>"I can't believe I believed every word of that," said Draco.</p> | |
| data/chapter/71.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/71.html:<p>Daphne finished her final inch of Transfiguration and looked up | |
| data/chapter/71.html-across the Slytherin common room, at where Millicent Bulstrode was | |
| data/chapter/71.html-still working on her own homework. It was time to come to a | |
| data/chapter/71.html-Decision.</p> | |
| data/chapter/71.html-<p>If S.P.H.E.W. did go around trying to stun bullies, the bullies | |
| data/chapter/71.html-wouldn't like it, that was certain. And they'd try to do something | |
| data/chapter/71.html-unpleasant about it, which was also certain. On the other hand, if | |
| data/chapter/71.html-the bullies got really nasty then Hermione could ask Harry Potter | |
| data/chapter/71.html-for help, or they could pool their combined Quirrell points and ask | |
| data/chapter/71.html-the Defense Professor for a favor... No, the thing that Daphne was | |
| data/chapter/71.html-<em>really</em> worried about was if this business got them in bad | |
| data/chapter/71.html-with Professor Snape. You didn't want to <em>ever</em> end up on | |
| data/chapter/71.html-the wrong side of Professor Snape.</p> | |
| data/chapter/71.html-<p>But since the day she'd challenged Neville to a Most Ancient | |
| data/chapter/71.html-Duel, she'd noticed people looking at her differently. Even the | |
| data/chapter/71.html-Slytherins who'd made fun of her were looking at her differently. | |
| data/chapter/71.html-It was dawning on Daphne that being the daughter of the Noble and | |
| data/chapter/71.html-Most Ancient House of Greengrass brought in a <em>lot</em> more | |
| data/chapter/71.html-respect if you were a beautiful <em>heroine</em> born to a Most | |
| data/chapter/71.html-Ancient House, and not just a pretty noble girl. It was the | |
| data/chapter/71.html-difference between having your role played by the lead actress and | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/77.html-Death Eaters had fallen apart the moment the Dark Lord had | |
| data/chapter/77.html-departed. They hadn't been warm enough to <em>each other</em>.</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>You could recruit a group that included Bellatrix Black and | |
| data/chapter/77.html-Amycus Carrow alongside Lord Malfoy and Mr. MacNair, and keep them | |
| data/chapter/77.html-in line with the Cruciatus Curse. But the instant the master of the | |
| data/chapter/77.html-Dark Mark was gone, you didn't have an army anymore, you had a | |
| data/chapter/77.html-circle of acquaintances. That was why Father had failed. It hadn't | |
| data/chapter/77.html-even really been his fault. There'd been nothing Father | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<em>could</em> have done, after inheriting Death Eaters who weren't | |
| data/chapter/77.html-really <em>friends</em> with each other.</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>And even though it was Slytherin House he was supposed to defend | |
| data/chapter/77.html-- Slytherin House which he and Harry had formed a pact to | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<em>save</em> - sometimes Draco couldn't help but think that it was | |
| data/chapter/77.html-just less <em>wearisome</em> when he was leading army practices. | |
| data/chapter/77.html-When he was working with students from the other three Houses that | |
| data/chapter/77.html-weren't Slytherin. Once you saw and named the problems, you | |
| data/chapter/77.html-couldn't <em>stop</em> seeing them, it just got more | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<em>annoying</em> every day.</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>"Mr. Malfoy?" said the voice of Gregory Goyle, from where he was | |
| data/chapter/77.html-lying on the floor beside Draco's desk, in the small but private | |
| data/chapter/77.html:bedroom; Gregory was doing his Transfiguration homework, on which | |
| data/chapter/77.html-he often needed help.</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>Any distraction was welcome at this point. "Yes?" said | |
| data/chapter/77.html-Draco.</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>"You weren't really plotting against Granger at all," said | |
| data/chapter/77.html-Gregory. "Were you?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>The sensation spreading through Draco's stomach felt just like | |
| data/chapter/77.html-Gregory's voice sounded, sickened and afraid.</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>"You actually were helping Granger, that day you picked her up | |
| data/chapter/77.html-off the floor," said Gregory. "And before, that time you kept her | |
| data/chapter/77.html-from falling off the roof. You <em>helped</em> a <em>mudblood</em> | |
| data/chapter/77.html--"</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>"Yeah, right," said Draco sarcastically, without the slightest | |
| data/chapter/77.html-hesitation or delay, looking back down at his Astronomy homework | |
| data/chapter/77.html-like he wasn't the least bit nervous. It was all happening the way | |
| data/chapter/77.html-Draco had feared it would, but at least that meant he'd played this | |
| data/chapter/77.html-conversation in his head over and over, coming up with the right | |
| data/chapter/77.html-opening gambit. "Come on, Gregory, you've dueled General Granger, | |
| data/chapter/77.html-you <em>know</em> how strong her spells are. Like a real | |
| data/chapter/77.html-Muggle-spawn is going to be more powerful than you, more powerful | |
| data/chapter/77.html-than Theodore, more powerful than every single pureblood in our | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/77.html-to blame you for following my orders, not my father, not yours." | |
| data/chapter/77.html-Putting all the warmth he could into his voice, like trying to cast | |
| data/chapter/77.html-a Patronus Charm. "And anyway, the next war isn't going to be the | |
| data/chapter/77.html-same as the last one. House Malfoy was around long before the Dark | |
| data/chapter/77.html-Lord, and not every Lord Malfoy does the same thing. Father knows | |
| data/chapter/77.html-that."</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>"Does he?" said Gregory in trembling voice. "Does he | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<em>really?</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>Draco nodded. "Professor Quirrell knows it too," said Draco. | |
| data/chapter/77.html-"That's what the armies are about. The Defense Professor's right, | |
| data/chapter/77.html-when the next war comes, Father won't be able to unite the whole | |
| data/chapter/77.html-country, they'll remember the <em>last</em> war. But anyone who's | |
| data/chapter/77.html-fought in Professor Quirrell's armies will remember who the | |
| data/chapter/77.html-strongest generals were, they'll know who's worthy to lead them. | |
| data/chapter/77.html-They'll proclaim Harry Potter their Lord, and I'll be his right | |
| data/chapter/77.html-hand, and House Malfoy will come out on top, like always. People | |
| data/chapter/77.html-might even turn to <em>me,</em> if Potter isn't there, so long as | |
| data/chapter/77.html-they think I'm trustworthy. That's what I'm setting up now. Father | |
| data/chapter/77.html-will understand."</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>Gregory reached up and wiped his eyes, looking down again at his | |
| data/chapter/77.html:Transfiguration homework. "Okay," Gregory said in a shaky voice. | |
| data/chapter/77.html-"If you say so, Mr. Malfoy."</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>Draco nodded again, ignoring the hollow feeling inside himself | |
| data/chapter/77.html-at the lies he'd just told his friend, and turned back to the | |
| data/chapter/77.html-stars.</p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p><em>Aftermath: Hermione Granger and -</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<p>Being invisible should've been more <em>interesting</em> than | |
| data/chapter/77.html-this, the corridors of Hogwarts should have been outlined in | |
| data/chapter/77.html-strange colors or something. But actually, Hermione thought, being | |
| data/chapter/77.html-under Harry's invisibility cloak was exactly like <em>not</em> | |
| data/chapter/77.html-being under an invisibility cloak, except for the cloak part. When | |
| data/chapter/77.html-you pulled the veil of soft black cloth down from the hood and over | |
| data/chapter/77.html-your face, you couldn't even see it stretching in front of you, and | |
| data/chapter/77.html-afterward it didn't seem to impede your breathing. And the world | |
| data/chapter/77.html-looked just the same, except that when you walked past things of | |
| data/chapter/77.html-metal, you didn't see any small reflections of yourself. Portraits | |
| data/chapter/77.html-never looked at you, only did whatever strange things they did when | |
| data/chapter/77.html-they were alone. Hermione hadn't tried walking past a mirror yet, | |
| data/chapter/77.html-she wasn't sure she <em>wanted</em> to. Most of all, there was no | |
| data/chapter/77.html-<em>you</em> anymore as you walked around, no hands, no feet, just | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/78.html-"<em>Up!</em> " and leapt onto their broomsticks, heading into the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-gray sky.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Mr. and Mrs. Davis had now slumped slightly against each other, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-more from sheer muscle exhaustion than from any decrease of | |
| data/chapter/78.html-tension. Before them, the vast blank white parchment flickered with | |
| data/chapter/78.html-three great windows, as though holes had been cut through into the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-forest, showing three armies on the march. Lesser windows showed | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the six riders upon their broomsticks, and the corner of the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-parchment showed a view of the entire forest, with glowing dots to | |
| data/chapter/78.html-indicate armies and scouts.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>The window into Sunshine showed General Granger and her Captains | |
| data/chapter/78.html-marching in the center of the Sunshine Regiment, protected by | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<em>Contego</em> screens along with a number of other young | |
| data/chapter/78.html-witches. The Sunshine Regiment, the Defense Professor had remarked, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-knew well that it had now acquired a strong advantage in | |
| data/chapter/78.html-experienced soldiers, and it meant to protect those soldiers from a | |
| data/chapter/78.html-surprise attack. Aside from that, the Sunshine Soldiers were moving | |
| data/chapter/78.html-forward at a steady march, conserving their strength.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>The soldiers in General Malfoy's army, at least those with | |
| data/chapter/78.html:higher Transfiguration scores, were picking up leaves and | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Transfiguring them into... well, if you looked at Padma Patil, who | |
| data/chapter/78.html-was almost done with hers, it looked like her leaf was becoming a | |
| data/chapter/78.html-left-handed glove bearing a dangling strap. (The window had zoomed | |
| data/chapter/78.html-in to show this.)</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Lord Jugson was watching the screen with a flat expression; his | |
| data/chapter/78.html-voice, when he spoke, seemed to ooze and drip with disdain. "What | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<em>is</em> your son doing, Lucius?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>The foreign-born witch who stood at Draco Malfoy's right side | |
| data/chapter/78.html-had finished Transfiguring her glove, and was now bringing it | |
| data/chapter/78.html-before the Dragon General like a sacrifice.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"I do not know," said Lucius Malfoy, his tone calm though no | |
| data/chapter/78.html-less aristocratic, "but I must trust that he has good reason for | |
| data/chapter/78.html-doing it."</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>All Dragon Army stopped for a moment as Padma slid the glove | |
| data/chapter/78.html-over her left hand, strapped it in place, and presented it before | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Draco Malfoy; who also stopped in place, took several deep breaths, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-raised his wand, executed a precise set of eight movements and | |
| data/chapter/78.html-bellowed "<em>Colloportus!</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>The Dragon Warrior raised her gloved hand, flexed it, and gave a | |
| data/chapter/78.html-small bow to Draco Malfoy, who returned it more shallowly, though | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Quirrell points.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>From above, from where two broomsticks watched their march, the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-high young voice of Tess Walsh cried "Friend!" and after another | |
| data/chapter/78.html-moment, "Gingersnap!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>A handful of seconds later, the soldier who'd code-named herself | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Gingersnap returned bearing a double handful of acorns, sweating | |
| data/chapter/78.html-slightly in the cool but humid air from the jog that had taken her | |
| data/chapter/78.html-to the oak tree Neville had spotted. Gingersnap approached to where | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Shannon was holding a uniform-shirt with the neck tied off, in lieu | |
| data/chapter/78.html-of anyone having to Transfigure a bag. When Gingersnap brought her | |
| data/chapter/78.html-hands forward to try and dump her acorns into the holding-shirt, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Chaotic Shannon, giggling, jerked the shirt to the right, then to | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the left again as Gingersnap made another effort to dump the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-acorns, until a sharp "Miss Friedman!" from Lieutenant Nott caused | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Shannon to sigh and hold the shirt still. Gingersnap dumped her | |
| data/chapter/78.html-acorns into those accumulated, and then headed out for more.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Somewhere in the background, Ellie Knight was singing her very | |
| data/chapter/78.html-own version of the Chaos Legion's marching song, and around half | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the other soldiers were trying to step along with it despite not | |
| data/chapter/78.html-knowing the tune in advance. Nearby, Nita Berdine, who had a high | |
| data/chapter/78.html:Transfiguration score, finished creating yet another pair of green | |
| data/chapter/78.html-sunglasses, and handed them to Adam Beringer, who folded up the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-sunglasses before tucking them into his uniform pocket. Other | |
| data/chapter/78.html-soldiers were already wearing their own green sunglasses, despite | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the cloudy day.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>You might guess that there was some sort of incredibly | |
| data/chapter/78.html-complicated and fascinating explanation behind this, and you would | |
| data/chapter/78.html-be right.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Two days earlier Harry had been sitting amid his bookcases in | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the comfy rocking-chair he'd obtained for his trunk's cavern level, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-pondering silently in the quiet span between classes and | |
| data/chapter/78.html-dinnertime, thinking about power.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>For sixteen Chaotics to defeat twenty-eight Sunnies and | |
| data/chapter/78.html-twenty-eight Dragons they would need a force amplifier. There were | |
| data/chapter/78.html-limits to what you could do with maneuver. There <em>had</em> to be | |
| data/chapter/78.html-a secret weapon and it had to be invincible, or at least moderately | |
| data/chapter/78.html-unstoppable.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Muggle artifacts were now illegal in Hogwarts's mock battles, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-banned by Ministry edict. And the trouble with finding some other | |
| data/chapter/78.html-clever and unusual spell was that an army twice your own size could | |
| data/chapter/78.html-brute-force <em>Finite</em> almost anything you tried. The Sunshine | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Quirrell had pointed it out. And <em>Finite Incantatem</em> was a | |
| data/chapter/78.html-brute-force counterspell which required at least as much magic as | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the spell being canceled... which, if you were severely | |
| data/chapter/78.html-outnumbered, made it a whole new order of military challenge. The | |
| data/chapter/78.html-enemy could <em>Finite</em> anything you tried, and still have | |
| data/chapter/78.html-enough magic left over for shields and volleys of Sleep Hexes.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Unless, somehow, you could invoke potencies beyond the ordinary | |
| data/chapter/78.html-strength of first-year Hogwarts students, something too powerful | |
| data/chapter/78.html-for the enemy to <em>Finite</em>.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>So Harry had asked Neville if he'd ever heard of any <em>small, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-safe</em> sacrificial rituals -</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>And then, after the screaming and the shouting had subsided, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-after Harry had stopped trying to argue about Unbreakable Vows and | |
| data/chapter/78.html-just given up the whole thing as impossible from a public relations | |
| data/chapter/78.html-standpoint, Harry had realized that he hadn't even needed to go | |
| data/chapter/78.html-there. They taught you how to invoke potencies far beyond your own | |
| data/chapter/78.html-strength in ordinary Hogwarts classes.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Sometimes, even though you were looking straight at something, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-you didn't realize <em>what</em> you were looking at until you | |
| data/chapter/78.html-happened to ask exactly the right question.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html:<p><em>Defense. Charms. Transfiguration. Potions. History of Magic. | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Astronomy. Broomstick Flying. Herbology...</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"<em>Foe!</em> " screamed the voice from above.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>It was a good thing that Neville Longbottom hadn't the tiniest | |
| data/chapter/78.html-idea that his grandmother was watching; or he would've been more | |
| data/chapter/78.html-self-conscious about screaming scary battlecries at the top of his | |
| data/chapter/78.html-lungs while casting <em>Luminos</em> every three seconds as he | |
| data/chapter/78.html-rocketed through a dense forest of trees, hot on the tail of | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Gregory Goyle.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>("But -" Augusta Longbottom said, her expression showing almost | |
| data/chapter/78.html-as much astonishment as worry. "But Neville is afraid of | |
| data/chapter/78.html-heights!")</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>("Not all fears last," said Amelia Bones. The old witch was | |
| data/chapter/78.html-favoring the great screen before them with a measuring gaze. "Or | |
| data/chapter/78.html-perhaps he has found courage. It is much the same, in the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-end.")</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>A glimmer of red -</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Neville dodged, very nearly into a tree but he did dodge; and | |
| data/chapter/78.html-then Neville somehow also managed to dodge <em>almost</em> all of | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the branches before they smacked him in the face.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/78.html-perhaps he has found courage. It is much the same, in the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-end.")</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>A glimmer of red -</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Neville dodged, very nearly into a tree but he did dodge; and | |
| data/chapter/78.html-then Neville somehow also managed to dodge <em>almost</em> all of | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the branches before they smacked him in the face.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Now Mr. Goyle's broomstick was pulling further and further away | |
| data/chapter/78.html-- even though the two of them were riding exactly the same | |
| data/chapter/78.html-broomstick and Mr. Goyle weighed more, somehow Neville was still | |
| data/chapter/78.html-falling behind. So Neville slowed down, pulled back, angled up out | |
| data/chapter/78.html-of the forest and began to accelerate back toward where the Chaos | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Legion still marched.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Twenty seconds later - it hadn't been a long chase, just an | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<em>exciting</em> one - Neville was back among his fellow Chaotics, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-and dismounted his broom to walk on the ground for a little | |
| data/chapter/78.html-bit.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Neville -" said General Potter. Harry's voice was a little | |
| data/chapter/78.html-distant, as he walked carefully and steadily through the forest, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-his wand still applied to the almost-finished Form of the object he | |
| data/chapter/78.html-was slowly Transfiguring. Beside him, Blaise Zabini, working a | |
| data/chapter/78.html:smaller version of the same Transfiguration, looked like a | |
| data/chapter/78.html-shambling Inferi as he stumbled forward. "I told you - Neville - | |
| data/chapter/78.html-you don't have to -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Yes, I do," said Neville. He looked down at where his fingers | |
| data/chapter/78.html-grasped the broomstick, and saw that not just his hands, but his | |
| data/chapter/78.html-whole arms were shaking. But unless anyone else in Chaos had been | |
| data/chapter/78.html-practicing dueling for an hour a day with Mr. Diggory, and then | |
| data/chapter/78.html-practicing their aim in private for another hour afterward, Neville | |
| data/chapter/78.html-was probably the best shot from a broomstick even after taking into | |
| data/chapter/78.html-account that he wasn't a very good flyer.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Good show, Neville," Theodore said from where he was walking | |
| data/chapter/78.html-ahead of them all, leading the Chaos Legion forward through the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-forest while wearing only his undershirt.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>(Augusta Longbottom and Charles Nott exchanged brief astonished | |
| data/chapter/78.html-glances and then wrenched their gazes away from one another as | |
| data/chapter/78.html-though stung.)</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Neville took a few deep breaths, trying to steady his hands, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-trying to think; Harry might not be good for deep strategic | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/78.html-shambling Inferi as he stumbled forward. "I told you - Neville - | |
| data/chapter/78.html-you don't have to -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Yes, I do," said Neville. He looked down at where his fingers | |
| data/chapter/78.html-grasped the broomstick, and saw that not just his hands, but his | |
| data/chapter/78.html-whole arms were shaking. But unless anyone else in Chaos had been | |
| data/chapter/78.html-practicing dueling for an hour a day with Mr. Diggory, and then | |
| data/chapter/78.html-practicing their aim in private for another hour afterward, Neville | |
| data/chapter/78.html-was probably the best shot from a broomstick even after taking into | |
| data/chapter/78.html-account that he wasn't a very good flyer.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Good show, Neville," Theodore said from where he was walking | |
| data/chapter/78.html-ahead of them all, leading the Chaos Legion forward through the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-forest while wearing only his undershirt.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>(Augusta Longbottom and Charles Nott exchanged brief astonished | |
| data/chapter/78.html-glances and then wrenched their gazes away from one another as | |
| data/chapter/78.html-though stung.)</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Neville took a few deep breaths, trying to steady his hands, | |
| data/chapter/78.html-trying to think; Harry might not be good for deep strategic | |
| data/chapter/78.html:thinking while he was in the middle of an extended Transfiguration. | |
| data/chapter/78.html-"Lieutenant Nott, do you have any idea why Dragon Army just did | |
| data/chapter/78.html-that? They lost a broom -" The Dragons had started the combat with | |
| data/chapter/78.html-a feint to provide a distraction for Mr. Goyle's approach through | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the forest; Neville hadn't realized there were <em>two</em> brooms | |
| data/chapter/78.html-attacking until almost too late. But the Chaos Legion had | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<em>gotten</em> the other pilot. That was why broomsticks usually | |
| data/chapter/78.html-didn't attack before armies met, it meant a whole army would | |
| data/chapter/78.html-concentrate fire on the broomstick. "And the Dragons didn't even | |
| data/chapter/78.html-get anyone, did they?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Nope!" Tracey Davis said proudly. She too was now marching by | |
| data/chapter/78.html-General Potter's side, her wand gripped low and watchful as her | |
| data/chapter/78.html-eyes scanned the surrounding forest. "I threw up a Prismatic Sphere | |
| data/chapter/78.html-like a split second before Mr. Goyle's hex got Zabini, and the way | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Mr. Goyle had his other arm stretched out I think he planned to | |
| data/chapter/78.html-knock down the General, too." The Slytherin witch smiled with | |
| data/chapter/78.html-vicious confidence. "Mr. Goyle tried a Breaking Drill Hex, but | |
| data/chapter/78.html-learned to his dismay that his weak magic was no match for my | |
| data/chapter/78.html-newfound dark powers, hahahaha!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Some Chaotics laughed with her, but a queasy sensation was | |
| data/chapter/78.html-starting in Neville's stomach as he realized how close the Chaos | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/78.html-that? They lost a broom -" The Dragons had started the combat with | |
| data/chapter/78.html-a feint to provide a distraction for Mr. Goyle's approach through | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the forest; Neville hadn't realized there were <em>two</em> brooms | |
| data/chapter/78.html-attacking until almost too late. But the Chaos Legion had | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<em>gotten</em> the other pilot. That was why broomsticks usually | |
| data/chapter/78.html-didn't attack before armies met, it meant a whole army would | |
| data/chapter/78.html-concentrate fire on the broomstick. "And the Dragons didn't even | |
| data/chapter/78.html-get anyone, did they?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Nope!" Tracey Davis said proudly. She too was now marching by | |
| data/chapter/78.html-General Potter's side, her wand gripped low and watchful as her | |
| data/chapter/78.html-eyes scanned the surrounding forest. "I threw up a Prismatic Sphere | |
| data/chapter/78.html-like a split second before Mr. Goyle's hex got Zabini, and the way | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Mr. Goyle had his other arm stretched out I think he planned to | |
| data/chapter/78.html-knock down the General, too." The Slytherin witch smiled with | |
| data/chapter/78.html-vicious confidence. "Mr. Goyle tried a Breaking Drill Hex, but | |
| data/chapter/78.html-learned to his dismay that his weak magic was no match for my | |
| data/chapter/78.html-newfound dark powers, hahahaha!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Some Chaotics laughed with her, but a queasy sensation was | |
| data/chapter/78.html-starting in Neville's stomach as he realized how close the Chaos | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Legion had come to complete disaster. If Mr. Goyle had managed to | |
| data/chapter/78.html:disrupt both Transfigurations -</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Report!" snapped the Dragon General, doing his best to conceal | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the fatigue he felt after casting seventeen Locking Charms, with | |
| data/chapter/78.html-more yet to come.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Beads of sweat now dotted Gregory's forehead. "The enemy got | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Dylan Vaughan," Gregory said formally. "Harry Potter and Blaise | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Zabini were each Transfiguring something dark-grey and roundish, I | |
| data/chapter/78.html-don't think it was finished but it looked like it would be big and | |
| data/chapter/78.html-hollow, sort of cauldron-shaped. Zabini's was smaller than | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Potter's. I couldn't get either of them or disrupt their | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Report!" snapped the Dragon General, doing his best to conceal | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the fatigue he felt after casting seventeen Locking Charms, with | |
| data/chapter/78.html-more yet to come.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Beads of sweat now dotted Gregory's forehead. "The enemy got | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Dylan Vaughan," Gregory said formally. "Harry Potter and Blaise | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Zabini were each Transfiguring something dark-grey and roundish, I | |
| data/chapter/78.html-don't think it was finished but it looked like it would be big and | |
| data/chapter/78.html-hollow, sort of cauldron-shaped. Zabini's was smaller than | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Potter's. I couldn't get either of them or disrupt their | |
| data/chapter/78.html:Transfigurations, Tracey Davis blocked me. Neville Longbottom is on | |
| data/chapter/78.html-a broomstick and he's still a terrible flyer but his aim is really | |
| data/chapter/78.html-good."</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Draco listened, frowning, and then he glanced at Padma and Dean | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Thomas, who both shook their own heads, indicating that they also | |
| data/chapter/78.html-couldn't think of what might be big and grey and shaped like a | |
| data/chapter/78.html-cauldron.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Anything else?" said Draco. If that was it, they'd lost a broom | |
| data/chapter/78.html-for nothing -</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"The only other weird thing I saw," Gregory said, sounding | |
| data/chapter/78.html-puzzled, "was that some Chaotics were wearing... sort of like | |
| data/chapter/78.html-goggles?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Draco thought about this, not noticing that he'd stopped | |
| data/chapter/78.html-marching or that all of Dragon Army had automatically stopped with | |
| data/chapter/78.html-him.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Was there anything special about the goggles?" Draco said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Um..." Gregory said. "They were... greenish, maybe?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Okay," said Draco. Again without thinking, he began walking | |
| data/chapter/78.html-once more and his Dragons followed. "Here's our new strategy. We're | |
| data/chapter/78.html-only going to send eleven Dragons against the Chaos Legion, not | |
| data/chapter/78.html-fourteen. That should be enough to beat them, now that we can | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"Excellent blood," Charles Nott said approvingly, causing | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Augusta to snort.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"My good Lady," said Professor Quirrell, sounding grave. "Do not | |
| data/chapter/78.html-wrong your daughter so. That is not mere talent which you see." His | |
| data/chapter/78.html-voice grew a little dryer. "Rather, it is what happens when | |
| data/chapter/78.html-children put their competitive efforts into a game which involves | |
| data/chapter/78.html-actual spellcasting."</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>"<em>Expelliarmus!</em> " shouted Draco, trying not to let his | |
| data/chapter/78.html-voice crack as he simultaneously dodged the blazing red stunbolt | |
| data/chapter/78.html-that Hermione Granger had fired at him, his muscles twisting with | |
| data/chapter/78.html-the need to dodge in the wrong direction - she'd pointed to his | |
| data/chapter/78.html-left, and then with a mysterious twitch fired right -</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Hermione dodged the fast-moving dueling hex, and cried with | |
| data/chapter/78.html-hardly another moment's pause, "<em>Steleus!</em> ", a wide-angle | |
| data/chapter/78.html-Hex that Draco couldn't avoid, but he managed to point his wand at | |
| data/chapter/78.html-his own face and cry "<em>Quiescus!</em> " before the sudden urge | |
| data/chapter/78.html-to inhale could devolve into a sneezing fit that would've ended the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-battle.</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>Draco Malfoy was already half-exhausted from all the Locking | |
| data/chapter/78.html:Charms and Transfigurations earlier, but his confusion was | |
| data/chapter/78.html-beginning to give way to a sense of his own blood boiling, he | |
| data/chapter/78.html-didn't know why Granger was attacking him so angrily all of a | |
| data/chapter/78.html-sudden, but <em>if she wanted a fight he'd give her one -</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>(The Dragons and Sunnies weren't stopping to watch the duel of | |
| data/chapter/78.html-their Generals, the Dragons were too disciplined to stop and watch | |
| data/chapter/78.html-and that meant the Sunnies had to go on fighting too; but the | |
| data/chapter/78.html-gaping audience in the Hogwarts Quidditch stands were being | |
| data/chapter/78.html-distracted even from Neville and Daphne's spectacle, shifting their | |
| data/chapter/78.html-eyes to the duel of two Generals as Malfoy and Granger fired hex | |
| data/chapter/78.html-after hex and jinx after jinx at each other, casting more rapidly | |
| data/chapter/78.html-than any other student in their year could have managed, the Dragon | |
| data/chapter/78.html-General's trained dueling dance matched by the Sunshine General's | |
| data/chapter/78.html-frantic energy, the combat between them beginning to resemble an | |
| data/chapter/78.html-adult duel as the two most magically powerful first-years resorted | |
| data/chapter/78.html-to spells more exotic than the usual Sleep Hex.)</p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<p>- although, Draco was beginning to realize, when he and Harry | |
| data/chapter/78.html-and Professor Quirrell had dismissed Miss Granger as having as much | |
| data/chapter/78.html-intent to kill as a bowl of wet grapes, they'd never seen her | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<em>angry.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/78.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/79.html-like alabaster, except, somehow, his eyes, which stayed in | |
| data/chapter/79.html-darkness.</p> | |
| data/chapter/79.html-<p>The Auror on duty outside had surreptitiously tried to dispel | |
| data/chapter/79.html-this effect four times without the slightest success, despite the | |
| data/chapter/79.html-fact that Mr. Quirrell had politely surrendered his wand upon being | |
| data/chapter/79.html-detained for interrogation, and had shown no sign of speaking any | |
| data/chapter/79.html-incantations nor exerting any other power.</p> | |
| data/chapter/79.html-<p>"Quirinus... Quirrell," drawled the man now sitting across from | |
| data/chapter/79.html-where the Defense Professor had waited courteously. The | |
| data/chapter/79.html-interrogator had tawny hair that swept back like a lion's mane, | |
| data/chapter/79.html-with yellowish eyes set into the sternly lined face of a man late | |
| data/chapter/79.html-in his tenth decade. The man was, at this moment, leafing through a | |
| data/chapter/79.html-large folder of parchments that he had taken from a black and very | |
| data/chapter/79.html-solid-looking briefcase after he had limped into the room and sat | |
| data/chapter/79.html-down, seeming not to look at the face of the man he was | |
| data/chapter/79.html-interrogating. He had not introduced himself.</p> | |
| data/chapter/79.html-<p>After some further leafing through parchments, carried out in | |
| data/chapter/79.html-silence, the Auror spoke again. "Born the 26th of September, 1955, | |
| data/chapter/79.html-to Quondia Quirrell, of an acknowledged tryst with Lirinus | |
| data/chapter/79.html-Lumblung..." intoned the Auror. "Sorted into Ravenclaw... O.W.L.S. | |
| data/chapter/79.html:quite good... N.E.W.T.S. in Charms, Transfiguration... an | |
| data/chapter/79.html-Outstanding in Muggle Studies, impressive... Ancient Runes, and ah | |
| data/chapter/79.html-yes, Defense. An Outstanding in that as well. Went on to become | |
| data/chapter/79.html-quite the tourist, visiting all sorts of places. Portkey visas for | |
| data/chapter/79.html-Transylvania, the Forbidden Empire, the City of Endless Night... my | |
| data/chapter/79.html-my, <em>Texas</em>." The man looked up from the portfolio, eyes | |
| data/chapter/79.html-narrowed. "What were you doing <em>there</em>, Mr. Quirrell?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/79.html-<p>"Sightseeing, mostly in the Muggle areas," the Defense Professor | |
| data/chapter/79.html-said easily. "As you say, I am quite the tourist."</p> | |
| data/chapter/79.html-<p>The man listened to this with a frown, then looked back down, | |
| data/chapter/79.html-then up again. "I also see that you visited Fuyuki City in | |
| data/chapter/79.html-1983."</p> | |
| data/chapter/79.html-<p>The Defense Professor lifted an eyebrow in mild puzzlement. | |
| data/chapter/79.html-"What of it?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/79.html-<p>"What did you do in Fuyuki City?" The question snapped out | |
| data/chapter/79.html-razor-sharp.</p> | |
| data/chapter/79.html-<p>The Defense Professor frowned slightly. "Nothing of any account. | |
| data/chapter/79.html-I visited some better-known sights, some less-known sights, and | |
| data/chapter/79.html-aside from that, kept to myself."</p> | |
| data/chapter/79.html-<p>"Really?" the Auror said softly. "I find that reply rather | |
| data/chapter/79.html-interesting."</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>And with the growing anger came something else, a rising sense | |
| data/chapter/80.html-of disquiet, of something horribly skewed, like reality itself was | |
| data/chapter/80.html-being disrupted. Harry knew that, somehow, but he couldn't figure | |
| data/chapter/80.html-out what was awry, or why his mind thought it was getting | |
| data/chapter/80.html-worse...</p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>"<em>Order!</em> " Dumbledore bellowed. He rapped the stone rod | |
| data/chapter/80.html-twice against the podium, producing two more small clicks that | |
| data/chapter/80.html-overrode all noise. "I will have order here!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>The door through which the witness was brought forth was set | |
| data/chapter/80.html-directly beneath Harry's own seat, so it wasn't until the entire | |
| data/chapter/80.html-group had emerged fully into the stone hall that Harry saw -</p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>- an Auror trio -</p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>- Hermione's back was to Harry as she was brought out, he | |
| data/chapter/80.html-couldn't see her face -</p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>- followed by a shining silver sparrow and a running moonlit | |
| data/chapter/80.html-squirrel -</p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>- and the source of the horrible wrongness, half-hidden beneath | |
| data/chapter/80.html-a tattered cloak.</p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>Harry shot to his feet before he could even think, it was only | |
| data/chapter/80.html-Professor McGonagall's sudden frantic grab on his wrist that | |
| data/chapter/80.html:stopped his hand going for his wand; and the Transfiguration | |
| data/chapter/80.html-Professor whispered desperately, "<em>Harry it's all right there's | |
| data/chapter/80.html-a Patronus -</em>"</p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>It took a few seconds for Harry to remember himself. For the | |
| data/chapter/80.html-part of himself that understood that Hermione hadn't been directly | |
| data/chapter/80.html-exposed to a Dementor, to argue his other parts into something like | |
| data/chapter/80.html-sanity -</p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p><em>But animal Patronuses aren't perfect,</em> said another | |
| data/chapter/80.html-voice inside his mind. <em>Or Dumbledore wouldn't see the form of a | |
| data/chapter/80.html-naked man painful to look upon. You felt it approaching, animal | |
| data/chapter/80.html-Patronus or no...</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>Slowly, Harry Potter sat back down again as Professor McGonagall | |
| data/chapter/80.html-pulled down with her grip on his wrist.</p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>But by then he'd already declared war on the country of magical | |
| data/chapter/80.html-Britain, and the idea of other people calling him a Dark Lord no | |
| data/chapter/80.html-longer seemed important one way or another.</p> | |
| data/chapter/80.html-<p>Hermione's face became visible to him, as she sat down in the | |
| data/chapter/80.html-chair. She wasn't upright and defiant like she'd been in front of | |
| data/chapter/80.html-Snape, she wasn't crying like she'd been when the Aurors arrested | |
| data/chapter/80.html-her. She just sat there with a look of vacant horror as dark metal | |
| data/chapter/80.html-chains snaked out from the chair and bound her arms and legs.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/81.html-said, the words spilling out of her in a rush, "I swear service to | |
| data/chapter/81.html-the House of Potter, to obey its Master or Mistress, and stand at | |
| data/chapter/81.html-their right hand, and fight at their command, and follow where they | |
| data/chapter/81.html-go, until the day I die."</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>All those words had been blurted out in a desperate gasp before | |
| data/chapter/81.html-Harry could have thought or said anything, if he'd been mad enough | |
| data/chapter/81.html-to interrupt.</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>"Mr. Potter, repeat these words," said Professor McGonagall. "I, | |
| data/chapter/81.html-Harry, heir and last scion of the Potters, accept your service, | |
| data/chapter/81.html-until the end of the world and its magic."</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>Harry took a breath and said, "I, Harry, heir and last scion of | |
| data/chapter/81.html-the Potters, accept your service, until the end of the world and | |
| data/chapter/81.html-its magic."</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>"That's it," said Professor McGonagall. "Well done."</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>Harry looked up, and saw that the entire Wizengamot, whose | |
| data/chapter/81.html-existence he'd forgotten, was staring at them.</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>And then Minerva McGonagall, who <em>was</em> Head of House | |
| data/chapter/81.html-Gryffindor even if she didn't always act like it, looked up high | |
| data/chapter/81.html-above at where Lucius Malfoy stood; and she said to him before the | |
| data/chapter/81.html-entire Wizengamot, "I regret every point I ever gave you in | |
| data/chapter/81.html:Transfiguration, you vile little worm."</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>Whatever Lucius was about to say in reply was silenced by a tap | |
| data/chapter/81.html-of the short rod in Dumbledore's hand. "Ahem!" said the old wizard | |
| data/chapter/81.html-from his podium of dark stone. "This session has carried on quite | |
| data/chapter/81.html-considerably, and if it is not dismissed soon, some of us may miss | |
| data/chapter/81.html-their entire luncheon. The law of this matter is clear. You have | |
| data/chapter/81.html-already voted on the terms of the bargain, and Lord Malfoy cannot | |
| data/chapter/81.html-legally decline it. As we have far exceeded our allotted time, I | |
| data/chapter/81.html-now, in accordance with the last decision of the survivors of the | |
| data/chapter/81.html-eighty-eighth Wizengamot, adjourn this session."</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>The old wizard tapped the rod of dark stone three times.</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>"You fools!" shouted Lucius Malfoy. The white hair was shaking | |
| data/chapter/81.html-as though in a wind, the face beneath was pale with fury. "Do you | |
| data/chapter/81.html-think you'll get away with what you've done today? Do you think | |
| data/chapter/81.html-that girl can try to murder my son and escape unscathed?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>The toad-like pink-makeup woman, whose name Harry could no | |
| data/chapter/81.html-longer remember, was standing up from her seat. "Why, of course | |
| data/chapter/81.html-not," she said with a sickening smile. "After all, the girl | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<em>is</em> still a murderess, and I think the Ministry shall be | |
| data/chapter/81.html-watching her affairs quite closely - it hardly seems wise that she | |
| data/chapter/81.html-should be allowed to wander the streets, after all -"</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>Harry turned his back on the empty void, and looked up at where | |
| data/chapter/81.html-the toad-woman stood. She was pale beneath the pink makeup, her | |
| data/chapter/81.html-mouth opening and closing like a fish.</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>"I make you this one offer," said the Boy-Who-Lived. "I never | |
| data/chapter/81.html-learn that you've been interfering with me or any of mine. And you | |
| data/chapter/81.html-never find out why the unkillable soul-eating monster is scared of | |
| data/chapter/81.html-me. Now sit down and shut up."</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>The toad-woman fell back down to her bench without a word.</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>Harry looked further up.</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>"A riddle, Lord Malfoy!" the Boy-Who-Lived shouted across the | |
| data/chapter/81.html-Most Ancient Hall. "I know you weren't in Ravenclaw, but try to | |
| data/chapter/81.html-answer this one anyway! What destroys Dark Lords, frightens | |
| data/chapter/81.html-Dementors, and owes you sixty thousand Galleons?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>For an instant Lord Malfoy stood there with eyes slightly | |
| data/chapter/81.html-widened; then his face fell back into calm scorn, and his voice | |
| data/chapter/81.html-spoke coolly in reply. "Are you openly threatening me, Mr. | |
| data/chapter/81.html-Potter?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>"I'm not threatening you," said the Boy-Who-Lived. "I'm | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<em>scaring</em> you. There's a difference."</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>"Enough, Mr. Potter," said Professor McGonagall. "We shall be | |
| data/chapter/81.html:late for afternoon Transfiguration as it is. And do come back here, | |
| data/chapter/81.html-you're still terrifying that poor Dementor." She turned to the | |
| data/chapter/81.html-Aurors. "Mr. Kleiner, if you would!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>Harry strode back to them, as the Auror addressed moved forward | |
| data/chapter/81.html-and pressed a short rod of dark metal to the dark metal chair, | |
| data/chapter/81.html-muttering an inaudible word of dismissal.</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>The chains slithered back as smoothly as they had come forth; | |
| data/chapter/81.html-and Hermione pushed herself out of the chair as fast as she could, | |
| data/chapter/81.html-and half-ran and half-staggered forward a few steps.</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>Harry held out his arms -</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>- and Hermione half-jumped half-fell into Professor McGonagall's | |
| data/chapter/81.html-arms, beginning to sob hysterically.</p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p><em>Hmpfh,</em> said a voice inside Harry. <em>I kind of thought | |
| data/chapter/81.html-we'd earned that one ourselves.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p><em>Oh, shut up.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/81.html-<p>Professor McGonagall was holding Hermione so firmly that you | |
| data/chapter/81.html-might have thought it was a mother holding her daughter, or maybe | |
| data/chapter/81.html-granddaughter. After a few moments Hermione's sobs slowed, and then | |
| data/chapter/81.html-stopped. Professor McGonagall suddenly shifted her stance and | |
| data/chapter/81.html-grabbed onto her more tightly; the girl's hands were dangling | |
| data/chapter/81.html-limply, now, and her eyes were closed -</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/82.html-she would be my mother!" Tears were blurring Harry's eyes. "Only | |
| data/chapter/82.html-now I understand, I know what Mother must have felt. She | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<em>couldn't</em> step aside from the crib. She couldn't! Love | |
| data/chapter/82.html-doesn't walk away!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>It was like the old wizard had been struck, struck by a chisel | |
| data/chapter/82.html-that shattered him straight down the middle.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>"What have I said?" the old wizard whispered. "What have I said | |
| data/chapter/82.html-to you?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>"I don't know!" shouted Harry. "I wasn't listening either!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>"I - I'm sorry, Harry - I -" The old wizard pressed his hands to | |
| data/chapter/82.html-his face, and Harry saw that Albus Dumbledore was weeping. "I | |
| data/chapter/82.html-should not have said, such things to you - I should not, have | |
| data/chapter/82.html-resented, your innocence -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>Harry stared at the wizard for another second, and then Harry | |
| data/chapter/82.html-turned and marched out of the black room, down the stairs, through | |
| data/chapter/82.html-the office -</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>"I really don't know why you're still on his shoulder," Harry | |
| data/chapter/82.html-said to Fawkes.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>- out the oaken door and into the endlessly turning spiral.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/82.html:<p>Harry had arrived in the Transfiguration classroom before anyone | |
| data/chapter/82.html-else, before even Professor McGonagall. There was Charms class | |
| data/chapter/82.html-earlier, for his year, but that he hadn't even bothered trying to | |
| data/chapter/82.html-attend. Whether Professor McGonagall would make today's class he | |
| data/chapter/82.html-didn't know. There was something ominous about all the empty desks | |
| data/chapter/82.html-beside him, the absence at the board. As if he stood alone in | |
| data/chapter/82.html-Hogwarts, with all his friends departed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>According to the class schedule, today's lesson was on sustained | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/82.html-else, before even Professor McGonagall. There was Charms class | |
| data/chapter/82.html-earlier, for his year, but that he hadn't even bothered trying to | |
| data/chapter/82.html-attend. Whether Professor McGonagall would make today's class he | |
| data/chapter/82.html-didn't know. There was something ominous about all the empty desks | |
| data/chapter/82.html-beside him, the absence at the board. As if he stood alone in | |
| data/chapter/82.html-Hogwarts, with all his friends departed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>According to the class schedule, today's lesson was on sustained | |
| data/chapter/82.html:Transfigurations, all the rules of which Harry had learned by heart | |
| data/chapter/82.html-back when he was Transfiguring a huge rock into the small diamond | |
| data/chapter/82.html-that shone on his pinky finger. It would be a theoretical subject, | |
| data/chapter/82.html-rather than practical, for the rest of the class; which was a pity, | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/82.html-back when he was Transfiguring a huge rock into the small diamond | |
| data/chapter/82.html-that shone on his pinky finger. It would be a theoretical subject, | |
| data/chapter/82.html-rather than practical, for the rest of the class; which was a pity, | |
| data/chapter/82.html:because he could have used a dose of Transfiguration's trance.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>Harry noted distantly that his hand was trembling, to the point | |
| data/chapter/82.html-where he had trouble undoing the pouch's drawstring as he drew | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>Harry noted distantly that his hand was trembling, to the point | |
| data/chapter/82.html-where he had trouble undoing the pouch's drawstring as he drew | |
| data/chapter/82.html:forth the Transfiguration textbook.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p><em>You were monstrously unfair to Dumbledore,</em> said the | |
| data/chapter/82.html-voice Harry had been calling Slytherin, only now it also seemed to | |
| data/chapter/82.html-be the Voice of Economic Sensibility and maybe also Conscience.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>Harry's eyes dropped down to his textbook, but the section was | |
| data/chapter/82.html-so familiar it might as well have been a blank parchment.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p><em>Dumbledore fought a war against a Dark Lord who deliberately | |
| data/chapter/82.html-set out to break him in the cruelest possible way. He had to choose | |
| data/chapter/82.html-between losing his war and his brother. Albus Dumbledore knows, he | |
| data/chapter/82.html-learned in the worst possible way, that there are limits to the | |
| data/chapter/82.html-value of one life; and it almost broke his sanity to admit it. But | |
| data/chapter/82.html-you, Harry Potter -</em> you <em>already knew better.</em></p> | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p><em>You were monstrously unfair to Dumbledore,</em> said the | |
| data/chapter/82.html-voice Harry had been calling Slytherin, only now it also seemed to | |
| data/chapter/82.html-be the Voice of Economic Sensibility and maybe also Conscience.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>Harry's eyes dropped down to his textbook, but the section was | |
| data/chapter/82.html-so familiar it might as well have been a blank parchment.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p><em>Dumbledore fought a war against a Dark Lord who deliberately | |
| data/chapter/82.html-set out to break him in the cruelest possible way. He had to choose | |
| data/chapter/82.html-between losing his war and his brother. Albus Dumbledore knows, he | |
| data/chapter/82.html-learned in the worst possible way, that there are limits to the | |
| data/chapter/82.html-value of one life; and it almost broke his sanity to admit it. But | |
| data/chapter/82.html-you, Harry Potter -</em> you <em>already knew better.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html:<p>"Shut up," the boy whispered to the empty Transfiguration | |
| data/chapter/82.html-classroom, though there was nobody there to hear it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p><em>You'd already read about Philip Tetlock's experiments on | |
| data/chapter/82.html-people asked to trade off a sacred value against a secular one, | |
| data/chapter/82.html-like a hospital administrator who has to choose between spending a | |
| data/chapter/82.html-million dollars on a liver to save a five-year-old, and spending | |
| data/chapter/82.html-the million dollars to buy other hospital equipment or pay | |
| data/chapter/82.html-physician salaries. And the subjects in the experiment became | |
| data/chapter/82.html-indignant and wanted to punish the hospital administrator for even | |
| data/chapter/82.html-thinking about the choice. Do you remember reading about that, | |
| data/chapter/82.html-Harry Potter? Do you remember thinking how very stupid that was, | |
| data/chapter/82.html-since if hospital equipment and doctor salaries didn't also save | |
| data/chapter/82.html-lives, there would be no point in having hospitals or doctors? | |
| data/chapter/82.html-Should the hospital administrator have paid a billion pounds for | |
| data/chapter/82.html-that liver, even if it meant the hospital going bankrupt the next | |
| data/chapter/82.html-day?</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p>"Shut up!" the boy whispered.</p> | |
| data/chapter/82.html-<p><em>Every time you spend money in order to save a life with some | |
| data/chapter/82.html-probability, you establish a lower bound on the monetary value of a | |
| data/chapter/82.html-life. Every time you refuse to spend money to save a life with some | |
| data/chapter/82.html-probability, you establish an upper bound on the monetary value of | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<div id="chapter-title">Chapter 83: Taboo Tradeoffs, Aftermath | |
| data/chapter/83.html-1<br></div><div class="storycontent nocopy" id="storycontent"> | |
| data/chapter/83.html:<p>When Padma entered the Transfiguration classroom, she saw that | |
| data/chapter/83.html-half the class had beaten her there, a strange, deathly silence | |
| data/chapter/83.html-pervading the room. Harry Potter sat alone in one corner, staring | |
| data/chapter/83.html-off into some unknown distance, his eyes half-lidded, nearly | |
| data/chapter/83.html-closed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Rumor said that the Aurors had discovered that the Defense | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Professor had Polyjuiced as Granger to fool Malfoy.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Rumor said that Hermione had been bound by the Unbreakable Vow | |
| data/chapter/83.html-to be Draco Malfoy's slave.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Rumor said that Hermione had gotten the Dementor's Kiss.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>But if <em>that</em> were true, Harry Potter wouldn't be sitting | |
| data/chapter/83.html-there, he would be -</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Padma didn't know what General Potter would do. Her mind went | |
| data/chapter/83.html-blank, trying to think about it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Even when Professor McGonagall got there, the silence hadn't | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/83.html-half the class had beaten her there, a strange, deathly silence | |
| data/chapter/83.html-pervading the room. Harry Potter sat alone in one corner, staring | |
| data/chapter/83.html-off into some unknown distance, his eyes half-lidded, nearly | |
| data/chapter/83.html-closed.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Rumor said that the Aurors had discovered that the Defense | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Professor had Polyjuiced as Granger to fool Malfoy.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Rumor said that Hermione had been bound by the Unbreakable Vow | |
| data/chapter/83.html-to be Draco Malfoy's slave.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Rumor said that Hermione had gotten the Dementor's Kiss.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>But if <em>that</em> were true, Harry Potter wouldn't be sitting | |
| data/chapter/83.html-there, he would be -</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Padma didn't know what General Potter would do. Her mind went | |
| data/chapter/83.html-blank, trying to think about it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Even when Professor McGonagall got there, the silence hadn't | |
| data/chapter/83.html:broken. The Transfiguration Professor walked up to the board | |
| data/chapter/83.html-without a pause, erased it with a sweep of her hand, and then began | |
| data/chapter/83.html-to write.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>"Today, children," began the calm professional voice of the | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/83.html-without a pause, erased it with a sweep of her hand, and then began | |
| data/chapter/83.html-to write.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>"Today, children," began the calm professional voice of the | |
| data/chapter/83.html:Transfiguration Professor, just as though nothing out of the | |
| data/chapter/83.html-ordinary had happened that week, "we shall learn how much effort it | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/83.html-ordinary had happened that week, "we shall learn how much effort it | |
| data/chapter/83.html:takes to sustain a Transfiguration, and why, at your age, you | |
| data/chapter/83.html-should not even try. The original Form is not gone, only | |
| data/chapter/83.html-suppressed; and to maintain that suppression -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>"Excuse me," said Padma Patil. She knew her voice was shaking, | |
| data/chapter/83.html-she knew that she was trembling visibly, but she had to ask. | |
| data/chapter/83.html-"Excuse me, Professor, what happened with Miss Granger?"</p> | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/83.html-should not even try. The original Form is not gone, only | |
| data/chapter/83.html-suppressed; and to maintain that suppression -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>"Excuse me," said Padma Patil. She knew her voice was shaking, | |
| data/chapter/83.html-she knew that she was trembling visibly, but she had to ask. | |
| data/chapter/83.html-"Excuse me, Professor, what happened with Miss Granger?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html:<p>The Transfiguration Professor paused at the board, and turned to | |
| data/chapter/83.html-look at Padma. The Professor should have looked stern, having been | |
| data/chapter/83.html-interrupted without a hand being raised, but instead her face was | |
| data/chapter/83.html-kindly. "You don't already know, Miss Patil? I expected that rumor | |
| data/chapter/83.html-would have spread."</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>"There's too many rumors," said Padma. "I don't know what's | |
| data/chapter/83.html-true."</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Morag MacDougal raised her hand, then said without waiting to be | |
| data/chapter/83.html-called, "I told you, Padma, what's <em>true</em> is that the | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Wizengamot found Granger guilty and ordered her to get the | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Dementor's Kiss and they brought in the Dementor and Harry Potter | |
| data/chapter/83.html-glued it to the ceiling and wouldn't let it down until -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>"Oh, dear Merlin," said Professor McGonagall, her expression | |
| data/chapter/83.html-growing sharp, but then she visibly calmed herself. "The affair was | |
| data/chapter/83.html-utterly ridiculous and I shan't go into detail. Let it stand that | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Miss Granger is resting with Madam Pomfrey for now, and coming back | |
| data/chapter/83.html-to classes tomorrow. And if I catch anyone bothering her, I shall | |
| data/chapter/83.html-turn them into glass vases and drop them."</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>The entire class gasped at this; it wasn't so much that the | |
| data/chapter/83.html-threat was fatal, as that it broke the safety rules for | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/83.html-look at Padma. The Professor should have looked stern, having been | |
| data/chapter/83.html-interrupted without a hand being raised, but instead her face was | |
| data/chapter/83.html-kindly. "You don't already know, Miss Patil? I expected that rumor | |
| data/chapter/83.html-would have spread."</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>"There's too many rumors," said Padma. "I don't know what's | |
| data/chapter/83.html-true."</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Morag MacDougal raised her hand, then said without waiting to be | |
| data/chapter/83.html-called, "I told you, Padma, what's <em>true</em> is that the | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Wizengamot found Granger guilty and ordered her to get the | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Dementor's Kiss and they brought in the Dementor and Harry Potter | |
| data/chapter/83.html-glued it to the ceiling and wouldn't let it down until -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>"Oh, dear Merlin," said Professor McGonagall, her expression | |
| data/chapter/83.html-growing sharp, but then she visibly calmed herself. "The affair was | |
| data/chapter/83.html-utterly ridiculous and I shan't go into detail. Let it stand that | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Miss Granger is resting with Madam Pomfrey for now, and coming back | |
| data/chapter/83.html-to classes tomorrow. And if I catch anyone bothering her, I shall | |
| data/chapter/83.html-turn them into glass vases and drop them."</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>The entire class gasped at this; it wasn't so much that the | |
| data/chapter/83.html-threat was fatal, as that it broke the safety rules for | |
| data/chapter/83.html:Transfiguration.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Professor McGonagall turned back to her board -</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>From a corner of the classroom, another voice rose up. "What | |
| data/chapter/83.html-about Professor Quirrell?" said Terry Boot. "Has he been | |
| data/chapter/83.html-arrested?"</p> | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Professor McGonagall turned back to her board -</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>From a corner of the classroom, another voice rose up. "What | |
| data/chapter/83.html-about Professor Quirrell?" said Terry Boot. "Has he been | |
| data/chapter/83.html-arrested?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html:<p>"The Aurors are only detaining him," said the Transfiguration | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Professor without turning around. "If they have not given back our | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Defense Professor by tomorrow, I shall ask the Headmaster to go | |
| data/chapter/83.html-fetch him. Though I may as well tell you now that the Board of | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Governors has scheduled a vote on whether Professor Quirrell's | |
| data/chapter/83.html-battles shall be allowed to continue."</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Kevin Entwhistle spoke. "And General Malfoy? When's he getting | |
| data/chapter/83.html-back from St. Mungo's?"</p> | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Professor without turning around. "If they have not given back our | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Defense Professor by tomorrow, I shall ask the Headmaster to go | |
| data/chapter/83.html-fetch him. Though I may as well tell you now that the Board of | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Governors has scheduled a vote on whether Professor Quirrell's | |
| data/chapter/83.html-battles shall be allowed to continue."</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>Kevin Entwhistle spoke. "And General Malfoy? When's he getting | |
| data/chapter/83.html-back from St. Mungo's?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html:<p>The Transfiguration Professor paused in her drawing.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>She turned around again, more slowly, this time.</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-<p>"I <em>am</em> sorry, Mr. Entwhistle," said Professor | |
| data/chapter/83.html-McGonagall. Her face looked a little more lined than when she had | |
| data/chapter/83.html-entered the room. "Mr. Malfoy's health is in no danger, I am given | |
| data/chapter/83.html-to understand. Unfortunately, I have received an owl from Mr. | |
| data/chapter/83.html-Malfoy's father withdrawing him from Hogwarts. I am afraid he is | |
| data/chapter/83.html-not coming back."</p> | |
| data/chapter/83.html-</div> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>The gentle look on Professor McGonagall's face Transfigured into | |
| data/chapter/84.html-something sadder. "I'm sorry, Miss Granger. Though it was not | |
| data/chapter/84.html-always so, we have found in recent years that it is wiser not to | |
| data/chapter/84.html-tell the parents of Muggleborns about any danger their child has | |
| data/chapter/84.html-faced. I should advise you also to remain silent, if you wish to | |
| data/chapter/84.html-stay at Hogwarts without trouble from them."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"I'm not being expelled?" the girl whispered. "For what I | |
| data/chapter/84.html-did?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"No," said Professor McGonagall. "Miss Granger... surely you | |
| data/chapter/84.html-heard... I hope you heard Mr. Potter, when he said that you were | |
| data/chapter/84.html-innocent?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"He was just saying that," she said dully. "To get me free, I | |
| data/chapter/84.html-mean."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>The older witch shook her head firmly. "No, Miss Granger. Mr. | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Potter believes you were Memory-Charmed, that the whole duel never | |
| data/chapter/84.html-happened. The Headmaster suspects even Darker magics may have been | |
| data/chapter/84.html-involved - that your own hand might have cast the spell, but not | |
| data/chapter/84.html-your own will. Even Professor Snape finds the affair completely | |
| data/chapter/84.html-unbelievable, though he may not be able to say so publicly. He was | |
| data/chapter/84.html-wondering if Muggle drugs might have been used on you."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html:<p>Hermione's eyes went on staring distantly at the Transfiguration | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Professor; she knew that she'd just been told something | |
| data/chapter/84.html-significant, but she couldn't find the energy to propagate any | |
| data/chapter/84.html-changes through her mind.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"Surely <em>you</em> don't believe it?" said Professor | |
| data/chapter/84.html-McGonagall. "Miss Granger, you cannot believe of yourself that you | |
| data/chapter/84.html-would turn to murder!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"But I -" Her excellent memory helpfully replayed it for the | |
| data/chapter/84.html-thousandth time, Draco Malfoy telling her with a sneer that she'd | |
| data/chapter/84.html-never beat him when he wasn't tired, and then proceeding to prove | |
| data/chapter/84.html-just that, dancing like a duelist between the warded trophies while | |
| data/chapter/84.html-she frantically scrambled, and dealing the ending blow with a hex | |
| data/chapter/84.html-that sent her crashing against the wall and drew blood from her | |
| data/chapter/84.html-cheek - and then - then she'd -</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"But you remember doing it," said the older witch, who was | |
| data/chapter/84.html-watching over her with kindly understanding. "Miss Granger, there | |
| data/chapter/84.html-is no need for a twelve-year-old girl to bear such dreadful | |
| data/chapter/84.html-memories. Say the word and I shall be happy to lock them away for | |
| data/chapter/84.html-you."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>It was like a glass of warm water thrown into her face. | |
| data/chapter/84.html-"What?"</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"Surely <em>you</em> don't believe it?" said Professor | |
| data/chapter/84.html-McGonagall. "Miss Granger, you cannot believe of yourself that you | |
| data/chapter/84.html-would turn to murder!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"But I -" Her excellent memory helpfully replayed it for the | |
| data/chapter/84.html-thousandth time, Draco Malfoy telling her with a sneer that she'd | |
| data/chapter/84.html-never beat him when he wasn't tired, and then proceeding to prove | |
| data/chapter/84.html-just that, dancing like a duelist between the warded trophies while | |
| data/chapter/84.html-she frantically scrambled, and dealing the ending blow with a hex | |
| data/chapter/84.html-that sent her crashing against the wall and drew blood from her | |
| data/chapter/84.html-cheek - and then - then she'd -</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"But you remember doing it," said the older witch, who was | |
| data/chapter/84.html-watching over her with kindly understanding. "Miss Granger, there | |
| data/chapter/84.html-is no need for a twelve-year-old girl to bear such dreadful | |
| data/chapter/84.html-memories. Say the word and I shall be happy to lock them away for | |
| data/chapter/84.html-you."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>It was like a glass of warm water thrown into her face. | |
| data/chapter/84.html-"What?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Professor McGonagall took out her wand, a gesture so practiced | |
| data/chapter/84.html-and quick that it seemed like pointing a finger. "I can't offer to | |
| data/chapter/84.html-rid you of the memories entirely, Miss Granger," the | |
| data/chapter/84.html:Transfiguration Professor said with her customary precision. "There | |
| data/chapter/84.html-may be important facts buried there. But there is a form of the | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Memory Charm which is reversible, and I shall be happy to cast that | |
| data/chapter/84.html-on you."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Hermione stared at the wand, feeling the stirrings of hope for | |
| data/chapter/84.html-the first time in almost two days.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p><em>Make it didn't happen...</em> she'd wished that over and | |
| data/chapter/84.html-over again, for the hands of time to turn back and erase the | |
| data/chapter/84.html-horrible choice that could never, ever be undone. And if erasing | |
| data/chapter/84.html-the memory wasn't that, it was still a kind of release...</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>She looked back at Professor McGonagall's kindly face.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"You <em>really</em> don't think I did it?" Hermione said, her | |
| data/chapter/84.html-voice trembling.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"I am <em>quite</em> certain you would never do such a thing of | |
| data/chapter/84.html-your own will."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Beneath her blankets, Hermione's hands clutched at the sheets. | |
| data/chapter/84.html-"<em>Harry</em> doesn't think I did it?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"Mr. Potter is of the opinion that your memories are entire | |
| data/chapter/84.html-fabrications. I can rather see his point."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Then Hermione's clutching fingers let go of the sheet, and she | |
| data/chapter/84.html-slumped back into the bed, from which she'd partially risen.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>She hadn't said anything.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>She'd woken up and remembered what had happened last night, and | |
| data/chapter/84.html-it had been like - like - she couldn't find words even in her own | |
| data/chapter/84.html-thoughts for what it had been like. But she'd known that Draco | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Malfoy was already dead, and she hadn't said anything, hadn't gone | |
| data/chapter/84.html-to Professor Flitwick and confessed. She'd just dressed herself and | |
| data/chapter/84.html-gone down to breakfast and <em>tried to act normal</em> so that | |
| data/chapter/84.html-nobody would ever know, and she'd known it was wrong and Wrong and | |
| data/chapter/84.html-horribly horribly WRONG but she'd been so, so scared -</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Even if Harry Potter was right, even if the duel with Draco | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Malfoy was a lie, she'd made <em>that</em> choice all by herself. | |
| data/chapter/84.html-She didn't deserve to forget that, or be forgiven for it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>And if she <em>had</em> done the right thing, gone straight to | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Professor Flitwick, maybe that would've - helped, somehow, maybe | |
| data/chapter/84.html-everyone would've seen then that she regretted it, and Harry | |
| data/chapter/84.html-wouldn't have had to give away all his money to save her -</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Hermione shut her eyes, squeezed them shut really tight, she | |
| data/chapter/84.html-couldn't bear to start crying again. "I'm a horrible person," she | |
| data/chapter/84.html-said in a wavering voice. "I'm awful, I'm not heroic at all -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Professor McGonagall's voice was very sharp, like Hermione had | |
| data/chapter/84.html:just made some dreadful mistake on her Transfiguration homework. | |
| data/chapter/84.html-"Stop being foolish, Miss Granger! <em>Horrible</em> is whoever did | |
| data/chapter/84.html-this to you. And as for being heroic - well, Miss Granger, you have | |
| data/chapter/84.html-already heard my opinion about young girls trying to involve | |
| data/chapter/84.html-themselves in such things before they are even fourteen, so I shall | |
| data/chapter/84.html-not lecture you on it again. I shall say only that you have just | |
| data/chapter/84.html-had an absolutely dreadful experience, which you survived as well | |
| data/chapter/84.html-as any witch in your year possibly could. Today you are allowed to | |
| data/chapter/84.html-cry as much as you like. Tomorrow you are going back to class."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>That was when Hermione knew that Professor McGonagall couldn't | |
| data/chapter/84.html-help her. She needed someone to scold her, she couldn't be absolved | |
| data/chapter/84.html-if she couldn't be blamed, and Professor McGonagall would never do | |
| data/chapter/84.html-that for her, would never ask so much of a little Ravenclaw | |
| data/chapter/84.html-girl.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>It was something Harry Potter wouldn't help her with either.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Hermione turned over in the infirmary bed, huddling into | |
| data/chapter/84.html-herself, away from Professor McGonagall. "Please," she whispered. | |
| data/chapter/84.html-"I want to talk - to the Headmaster -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"Hermione."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>When Hermione Granger opened her eyes a second time, she saw the | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>She felt nothing.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Hermione let her head fall back to the bed, as Madam Pomfrey | |
| data/chapter/84.html-came and made her drink something that seared her lips like the | |
| data/chapter/84.html-afterburn of spicy food, and smelled even hotter, and didn't taste | |
| data/chapter/84.html-like anything at all. It meant nothing to her. She went on staring | |
| data/chapter/84.html-up at the distant stone tiles of the ceiling.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Minerva was waiting, doing her best not to hover, beside the | |
| data/chapter/84.html-double doors to the Hogwarts infirmary, she'd always thought of | |
| data/chapter/84.html-those doors as "the ominous gates" as a child in Hogwarts, and | |
| data/chapter/84.html-couldn't help but remember that now. Too much bad news had been | |
| data/chapter/84.html-spoken here -</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Albus stepped out. The old wizard did not pause on the way out | |
| data/chapter/84.html-of the infirmary, only kept walking toward Professor Flitwick's | |
| data/chapter/84.html-office; and Minerva followed him.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. "Is it done, | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Albus?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>The old wizard nodded in affirmation. "If any hostile magic is | |
| data/chapter/84.html-cast on her, or any spirit touches her, I shall know, and | |
| data/chapter/84.html-come."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html:<p>"I spoke to Mr. Potter after Transfiguration class," said | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Professor McGonagall. "He was of the opinion that Miss Granger | |
| data/chapter/84.html-should go to Beauxbatons, rather than Hogwarts, from now on."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>The old wizard shook his head. "No. If Voldemort truly desires | |
| data/chapter/84.html-to strike at Miss Granger - he is tenacious beyond measure. His | |
| data/chapter/84.html-servants are returning to him, he could not have retrieved | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Bellatrix alone. Azkaban itself is not safe from his malice, and as | |
| data/chapter/84.html-for Beauxbatons - no, Minerva. I do not think Voldemort can essay | |
| data/chapter/84.html-such possessions often, or against stronger targets, or this year | |
| data/chapter/84.html-would have gone quite differently. And Harry Potter is here, whom | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Voldemort must fear whether he admits it or no. Now that I have | |
| data/chapter/84.html-warded her, Miss Granger will be safer within Hogwarts than | |
| data/chapter/84.html-without."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"Mr. Potter seemed to doubt that," Minerva said. She couldn't | |
| data/chapter/84.html-quite keep the edge from her voice; there was a part of her that | |
| data/chapter/84.html-agreed rather strongly. "He seemed to feel that common sense said | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Miss Granger should continue her education anywhere but | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Hogwarts."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>The old wizard sighed. "I fear the boy has spent too much time | |
| data/chapter/84.html-among the Muggles. Always they reach for safety; always they | |
| data/chapter/84.html-imagine that safety can be reached. If Miss Granger is not safe | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/84.html-in greenish-silver wax, pressed into the image of a snake that rose | |
| data/chapter/84.html-and hissed at her. "I have received Lord Malfoy's owl withdrawing | |
| data/chapter/84.html-his son from Hogwarts."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>The old wizard nodded, but did not break stride. "Does Harry | |
| data/chapter/84.html-know?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"Yes." Her voice faltered, for a moment, remembering Harry's | |
| data/chapter/84.html-expression. "After class, Mr. Potter complimented Lord Malfoy's | |
| data/chapter/84.html-excellent good sense, and said that he would be writing Madam | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Longbottom advising her to do the same with her grandson, in case | |
| data/chapter/84.html-he was the next target. In the event that Mr. Longbottom's guardian | |
| data/chapter/84.html-was so negligent as to keep him in Hogwarts, Mr. Potter wanted him | |
| data/chapter/84.html-to have a Time-Turner, an invisibility cloak, a broomstick, and a | |
| data/chapter/84.html-pouch in which to carry them; also a toe-ring with an emergency | |
| data/chapter/84.html-portkey to a safe location, in case someone kidnaps Mr. Longbottom | |
| data/chapter/84.html-and takes him outside Hogwarts's wards. I told Mr. Potter that I | |
| data/chapter/84.html-did not think the Ministry would consent to such use of our | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Time-Turners, and he said that we should not ask. I expect he will | |
| data/chapter/84.html-want Miss Granger to receive the same, if she stays. And for | |
| data/chapter/84.html-himself Mr. Potter wants a three-person broomstick to carry in his | |
| data/chapter/84.html-pouch." She wasn't awed by the list of precautions. Impressed with | |
| data/chapter/84.html:the cleverness, but not awed; she was a Transfiguration Mistress, | |
| data/chapter/84.html-after all. But it still sent shivers of disquiet through her, that | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Harry Potter now thought Hogwarts as dangerous as spell | |
| data/chapter/84.html-research.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"The Department of Mysteries is not lightly defied," said Albus. | |
| data/chapter/84.html-"But for the rest -" The old wizard seemed to slump in on himself | |
| data/chapter/84.html-slightly. "We may as well give the boy what he wishes. And I will | |
| data/chapter/84.html-ward Neville also, and write Augusta to say that he should stay | |
| data/chapter/84.html-here over holiday."</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"And finally," she said, "Mr. Potter says - this is a direct | |
| data/chapter/84.html-quote, Albus - whatever kind of Dark Wizard attractant the | |
| data/chapter/84.html-Headmaster is keeping here, he needs to get it out of this school, | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<em>now</em>." She couldn't stop the edge in her own voice, that | |
| data/chapter/84.html-time.</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"I asked as much of Flamel," Albus said, the pain clear in his | |
| data/chapter/84.html-voice. "But Master Flamel has said - that even <em>he</em> can no | |
| data/chapter/84.html-longer keep safe the Stone - that he believes Voldemort has means | |
| data/chapter/84.html-of finding it wherever it is hidden - and that he does not consent | |
| data/chapter/84.html-for it to be guarded anywhere but Hogwarts. Minerva, I am sorry, | |
| data/chapter/84.html-but it must be done - <em>must!</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/84.html-<p>"Very well," said Professor McGonagall. "But for myself, I think | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/86.html-that</em>, you'd be <em>dead.</em> <em>All</em> of you. You'd have | |
| data/chapter/86.html-died <em>instantly -</em>"</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Harry," Professor McGonagall said. Her voice was faltering. | |
| data/chapter/86.html-"Harry, we almost <em>did</em> all die. More than half the Order of | |
| data/chapter/86.html-the Phoenix died. If not for Albus - Albus Dumbledore, the greatest | |
| data/chapter/86.html-wizard in two centuries, Harry - we surely would have | |
| data/chapter/86.html-perished."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Harry passed a hand across his forehead. "I'm sorry," Harry | |
| data/chapter/86.html-said. "I'm not trying to minimize what you went through. I know | |
| data/chapter/86.html-that You-Know-Who was a completely evil, incredibly powerful Dark | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Wizard with dozens of powerful followers, and that's... bad, yes, | |
| data/chapter/86.html-definitely bad. It's just..." <em>All that isn't on remotely the | |
| data/chapter/86.html-same threat scale as the enemy being smart, in which case they | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Transfigure botulinum toxin and sneak a millionth of a gram into | |
| data/chapter/86.html-your teacup.</em> Was there any safe way to convey that concept | |
| data/chapter/86.html-without citing specifics? Harry couldn't think of one.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Please, Harry," said Professor McGonagall. "Please, Harry, I | |
| data/chapter/86.html-beg you - <em>take the Dark Lord seriously!</em> He is more | |
| data/chapter/86.html-dangerous than -" The senior witch seemed to be having trouble | |
| data/chapter/86.html-finding words. "He is <em>far</em> more dangerous than | |
| data/chapter/86.html:Transfiguration."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Harry's eyebrows went up before he could stop himself. A dark | |
| data/chapter/86.html-chuckle came from Severus Snape's direction.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p><em>Um,</em> said the voice of Ravenclaw within him. <em>Um, | |
| data/chapter/86.html-honestly Professor McGonagall is right, we're not taking this as | |
| data/chapter/86.html-seriously as we'd take a scientific problem. The difficult thing is | |
| data/chapter/86.html-to react</em> at all <em>to new information, instead of just | |
| data/chapter/86.html-flushing it out the window. Right now it looks like we didn't shift | |
| data/chapter/86.html-belief</em> at all <em>after encountering an unexpected, important | |
| data/chapter/86.html-argument. Our dismissal of Lord Voldemort as a serious threat</em> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-was <em>originally based on the Dark Mark being blatantly stupid. | |
| data/chapter/86.html-It would require a focused effort to de-update and suspect the | |
| data/chapter/86.html-whole garden-path of reasoning we went down based on that false | |
| data/chapter/86.html-assumption, and we're</em> not <em>putting in that effort right | |
| data/chapter/86.html-now.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"All right," Harry said, just as Professor McGonagall seemed to | |
| data/chapter/86.html-be about to speak again. "All right, to take this seriously, I need | |
| data/chapter/86.html-to stop and think for five minutes."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Please do," said Albus Dumbledore.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Harry closed his eyes.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>His Ravenclaw side divided into three.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"I didn't even see him <em>move,</em>" Harry marvelled, muscles | |
| data/chapter/86.html-creaking as he sat up.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"You were standing two paces away from Alastor Moody," said | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Dumbledore, "and you took your eye off his wand."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Harry nodded, as he took the Cloak of Invisibility out of his | |
| data/chapter/86.html-pouch. "I mean - I was taking the dueling stance so that he'd think | |
| data/chapter/86.html-I was a standard idiot and underestimate me - but I have to admit, | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<em>that</em> was impressive."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"So you planned it all along, Harry?" Dumbledore said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Of course," Harry said. "Note how I'm doing this as soon as I | |
| data/chapter/86.html-wake up, rather than pausing to think of it."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Harry drew the hood of the Cloak over his head, and glanced back | |
| data/chapter/86.html-up at the wall clock he'd surreptitiously glanced at earlier.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>It had then shown around twenty-three minutes after eight, and | |
| data/chapter/86.html-now it was five minutes after nine.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Minerva stared as the boy put himself into the dueling stance, | |
| data/chapter/86.html-his wand held low. For a second Minerva wondered if Harry might | |
| data/chapter/86.html-possibly - no, that was completely ridiculous, it was <em>Mad-Eye | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Moody</em> and that was beyond impossible. Of course that was what | |
| data/chapter/86.html:she'd thought about his partial Transfiguration, too...</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Let's go, then," Harry said and fell over.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Severus gave a single chuckle. "Mr. Potter has his points, I | |
| data/chapter/86.html-must confess," the Potions Master said. "Though I would never say | |
| data/chapter/86.html-it while he was awake, and if you repeat the words I shall deny | |
| data/chapter/86.html-them, for the boy's ego is quite large enough already. Mr. Potter | |
| data/chapter/86.html-does have his points, Mad-Eye, but duelling is not among them."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Mad-Eye's own chuckle was lower and grimmer. "Oh, yes," said | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Mad-Eye. "Only fools duel. Standing like that and waiting for me to | |
| data/chapter/86.html-attack, what <em>was</em> the boy thinking? Why, I ought to give | |
| data/chapter/86.html-him a scar, to remember this occasion -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Alastor!" barked Albus, just as she cried "Stop!", Severus | |
| data/chapter/86.html-dashed forward, and Mad-Eye Moody deliberately leveled his wand on | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Harry Potter's body.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"<em>Stupefy!</em> "</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Mad-Eye's body seemed to almost flicker as he spun on his wooden | |
| data/chapter/86.html-foot like lightning, faster than she'd ever seen anyone move | |
| data/chapter/86.html-without magic, the red Stunning Hex passing through the suddenly | |
| data/chapter/86.html-empty air and barely missing Severus to crash into the opposite | |
| data/chapter/86.html-wall, and by the time her eyes jerked back to Moody there were | |
| data/chapter/86.html-seventeen radiant orbs in the pattern of a <em>Sagitta Magica,</em> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/86.html-no servant with that mission. But suppose some Hogwarts Professor, | |
| data/chapter/86.html-intelligent enough to cast a well-formed Memory Charm but of no | |
| data/chapter/86.html-great fighting ability, is visiting Hogsmeade. From a dark alley | |
| data/chapter/86.html-the black-clad form of Malfoy steps forth - he would go in person, | |
| data/chapter/86.html-for this - and speaks to her a single word."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"<em>Imperio</em>."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"<em>Legilimens,</em> rather," said Professor Quirrell. "I do | |
| data/chapter/86.html-not know if the Hogwarts wards would trigger for a returning | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Professor under the Imperius Curse. And if I do not know, Malfoy | |
| data/chapter/86.html-probably does not know either. But Malfoy is a perfect Occlumens at | |
| data/chapter/86.html-least; he might be able to use Legilimency. And for the | |
| data/chapter/86.html-target...perhaps Aurora Sinistra; none would question the Astronomy | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Professor moving about at night."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Or even more obviously, Professor Sprout," said Harry. "Since | |
| data/chapter/86.html-she's the last person anyone would suspect."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>The Defense Professor hesitated minutely. "Perhaps."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Actually," Harry said then, putting a thoughtful frown on his | |
| data/chapter/86.html-face, "I don't suppose you know offhand if any of the current | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Professors at Hogwarts were around back when Mr. Hagrid got framed | |
| data/chapter/86.html-in 1943?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html:<p>"Dumbledore taught Transfiguration, Kettleburn taught Magical | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Creatures, and Vector taught Arithmancy," Professor Quirrell said | |
| data/chapter/86.html-at once. "And I believe that Bathsheda Babbling, now of Ancient | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Runes, was then a Ravenclaw prefect. But Mr. Potter, there is no | |
| data/chapter/86.html-reason to suppose that anyone besides You-Know-Who was involved in | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<em>that</em> affair."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Harry shrugged artfully. "Seemed worth asking the question, just | |
| data/chapter/86.html-to check. Anyway, Professor, I agree it's possible that some | |
| data/chapter/86.html-outsider Legilimized a member of Hogwarts staff - and then | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Obliviated them afterward, there's no way anyone would forget that | |
| data/chapter/86.html-part. But I <em>don't</em> think Lucius Malfoy is a probable | |
| data/chapter/86.html-candidate for the mastermind. It's possible but not probable that | |
| data/chapter/86.html-all of Lucius's apparent love for Draco was just a sense of duty, | |
| data/chapter/86.html-and that it all went up in a puff of smoke. It's possible though | |
| data/chapter/86.html-not probable that everything Lucius did in front of the Wizengamot | |
| data/chapter/86.html-was just an act. People's outsides do not always resemble their | |
| data/chapter/86.html-insides, like you said. But there's one piece of evidence that | |
| data/chapter/86.html-doesn't fit at all."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"And that would be?" said the Defense Professor, his eyes | |
| data/chapter/86.html-half-lidded.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Lucius tried to reject a hundred thousand Galleons for | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/86.html-with a cast-iron frying-pan, a few minutes earlier, and now she'd | |
| data/chapter/86.html-been told that somebody was about to do it again, and not to | |
| data/chapter/86.html-flinch.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Harry flinched a little himself. Somewhere along the line he | |
| data/chapter/86.html-needed to pick up the knack of <em>not</em> phrasing things to hit | |
| data/chapter/86.html-as hard as he possibly could.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>The walls rotated around them, behind them, and somehow, they | |
| data/chapter/86.html-descended.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Oh, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall said with a low | |
| data/chapter/86.html-exhalation. "I... <em>wish</em> you wouldn't ask me such | |
| data/chapter/86.html-questions... oh, Harry, I wasn't thinking then, not at all. I only | |
| data/chapter/86.html-saw a chance to help Miss Granger and... I <em>was</em> Sorted into | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Gryffindor, after all."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"You've got a chance to think now," Harry said. It was all | |
| data/chapter/86.html-coming out wrong, but he had to say it <em>anyway,</em> because - | |
| data/chapter/86.html-"I'm not asking you to be loyal to <em>me.</em> But if you do know | |
| data/chapter/86.html-- if you <em>are</em> sure - what you'll do if it comes down to an | |
| data/chapter/86.html-innocent Hogwarts student versus the Order of the Phoenix a second | |
| data/chapter/86.html-time..."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>But Professor McGonagall shook her head. "I'm <em>not</em> | |
| data/chapter/86.html:sure," the Transfiguration Professor whispered. "I don't know if it | |
| data/chapter/86.html-was the right choice even then. I'm sorry. I can't decide such | |
| data/chapter/86.html-awful things!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"But you'll do <em>something</em> if it happens again," Harry | |
| data/chapter/86.html-said. "Indecision is also a choice. You can't just <em>imagine</em> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-having to make an immediate decision?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"No," Professor McGonagall said, sounding a little stronger; and | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Harry realized that he'd accidentally offered a way out. The | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Professor's next words confirmed Harry's fears. "Such a dreadful | |
| data/chapter/86.html-choice as that, Mr. Potter - I think I should not make it until I | |
| data/chapter/86.html-must."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Harry gave an internal sigh. He supposed he had no right to | |
| data/chapter/86.html-expect Professor McGonagall to say anything else. In a moral | |
| data/chapter/86.html-dilemma where you lost something either way, making the choice | |
| data/chapter/86.html-would <em>feel</em> bad either way, so you could temporarily save | |
| data/chapter/86.html-yourself a little mental pain by refusing to decide. At the cost of | |
| data/chapter/86.html-not being able to plan anything in advance, and at the cost of | |
| data/chapter/86.html-incurring a huge bias toward inaction or waiting until too late... | |
| data/chapter/86.html-but you couldn't expect a witch to know all that. "All right," | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Harry said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Though it wasn't right at all, not really. Dumbledore might want | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/86.html-that, Mr. Potter?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>It took a moment, at this point, for Harry to think back and | |
| data/chapter/86.html-remember why he <em>had</em> said that. Harry and Neville had | |
| data/chapter/86.html-rescued Lesath Lestrange from bullies, and then Harry had | |
| data/chapter/86.html-confronted Severus in the hallway and, at least according to the | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Potions Master's own words, 'almost died' -</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"I learned something that made me worry," Harry said after a | |
| data/chapter/86.html-moment. "From someone who made me promise not to tell anyone else." | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Severus had made Harry swear that their conversations wouldn't be | |
| data/chapter/86.html-shared with anyone, and Harry was still bound by it.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"<em>Mr.</em> Potter -" began Professor McGonagall, and then | |
| data/chapter/86.html-exhaled, the flash of sharpness disappearing as quickly as it had | |
| data/chapter/86.html-come. "Never mind. If you cannot say, you cannot say."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Why do <em>you</em> ask?" Harry said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Professor McGonagall seemed to hesitate -</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"All right, let me be more specific," Harry said. After | |
| data/chapter/86.html-Professor Quirrell had done it to <em>him</em> several times, Harry | |
| data/chapter/86.html-was starting to get the hang of it. "What change have you | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<em>already</em> observed in Professor Snape that you're trying to | |
| data/chapter/86.html-decide whether to tell me about?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html:<p>"Harry -" the Transfiguration Professor said, and then closed | |
| data/chapter/86.html-her mouth.</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"I obviously know <em>something</em> you don't," Harry said | |
| data/chapter/86.html-helpfully. "See, this is why we can't always put off trying to | |
| data/chapter/86.html-decide our awful moral dilemmas."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Professor McGonagall closed her eyes, drew in a deep breath, | |
| data/chapter/86.html-pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed it several times. "All | |
| data/chapter/86.html-right," she said. "It's a subtle thing... but worrying. How can I | |
| data/chapter/86.html-put this... Mr. Potter, have you read many books that young | |
| data/chapter/86.html-children are not meant to read?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"I've read <em>all</em> of them."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"Of course you have. Well... I don't quite understand it myself, | |
| data/chapter/86.html-but for so long as Severus has been employed in this school, | |
| data/chapter/86.html-stalking about in that awful stained cloak, there has been a | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<em>certain sort of girl</em> that stares at him with longing eyes | |
| data/chapter/86.html--"</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>"You say that like it's a bad thing?" Harry said. "I mean, if | |
| data/chapter/86.html-there's one thing I <em>did</em> understand from those books, it's | |
| data/chapter/86.html-that you're not supposed to question people's preferences."</p> | |
| data/chapter/86.html-<p>Professor McGonagall gave Harry a <em>very</em> strange | |
| data/chapter/86.html-look.</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>"Seal up the room," Harry said quietly, "and let's go, Professor | |
| data/chapter/91.html-McGonagall."</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>She walked over to the storeroom door. She wasn't quite able to | |
| data/chapter/91.html-stop herself from looking in, and saw the dried blood, the sheet | |
| data/chapter/91.html-covering the lower half, the upper body waxy and doll-like, and a | |
| data/chapter/91.html-glimpse of Hermione Granger's closed eyes. Something inside her | |
| data/chapter/91.html-began its weeping all over again.</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>She closed the door.</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>Her fingers moved upon her wand, her mouth spoke words without | |
| data/chapter/91.html-thought, Charms and wards to seal the room against entry.</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>"Professor McGonagall," Harry said in a strange voice, as if by | |
| data/chapter/91.html-rote, "do you have the rock? The rock that the Headmaster gave me? | |
| data/chapter/91.html-I should Transfigure it into a jewel again, since it did prove | |
| data/chapter/91.html-useful."</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>Automatically her eyes went to the ring on Harry's left pinky | |
| data/chapter/91.html-finger, noting the emptiness of the setting where the jewel should | |
| data/chapter/91.html-have been. "I shall mention it to the Headmaster," her tongue | |
| data/chapter/91.html-replied.</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>"Is that a usual tactic, by the way?" Harry said, voice still | |
| data/chapter/91.html-odd. "Carrying something large Transfigured into something small to | |
| data/chapter/91.html:use as a weapon? Or is that a usual exercise for Transfiguration | |
| data/chapter/91.html-practice?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>Distantly, she shook her head.</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>"Well, let's go, then."</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>"I have -" her voice stopped. "I'm afraid I have something else | |
| data/chapter/91.html-which I must do, now. Will you be all right on your own, and will | |
| data/chapter/91.html-you promise to go to the Great Hall directly and eat something, Mr. | |
| data/chapter/91.html-Potter?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>The boy promised (barring exceptional and unforeseen | |
| data/chapter/91.html-circumstances, a clause with which she did not argue) and then | |
| data/chapter/91.html-walked out of the room.</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>What lay ahead of her... would be no easier, certainly, and | |
| data/chapter/91.html-might well be harder.</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>Minerva walked to her office at a swift pace; not slowly, for | |
| data/chapter/91.html-that would have been a discourtesy.</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>Professor McGonagall opened the door to her office.</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-<p>"Madam Granger," her voice said, "Mr. Granger, I am so terribly | |
| data/chapter/91.html-sorry for -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/91.html-</div> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>"That's my father's rock," Harry said. "Transfigured the same as | |
| data/chapter/94.html-before. I just did it to remember Hermione -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>"I must be sure. Take off that ring, Harry, and place it upon my | |
| data/chapter/94.html-desk."</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>Slowly, Harry did so, removing the gem and setting the ring off | |
| data/chapter/94.html-to the other side of the desk.</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>Dumbledore pointed his wand at the gem and -</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>A large, undistinguished grey rock jumped into the air from the | |
| data/chapter/94.html-force of its sudden expansion, hit some invisible barrier in the | |
| data/chapter/94.html-air above, and then fell with a loud crack upon the Headmaster's | |
| data/chapter/94.html-desk,</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>"There's another half-hour of work for me, Transfiguring it | |
| data/chapter/94.html-again," Harry said evenly.</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>Dumbledore resumed his examination. Harry had to remove his left | |
| data/chapter/94.html-shoe, and take off the toe-ring that was his emergency portkey if | |
| data/chapter/94.html-someone kidnapped him and took him outside the wards of Hogwarts | |
| data/chapter/94.html-(and didn't put up anti-Apparition, anti-portkey, anti-phoenix, and | |
| data/chapter/94.html-anti-time-looping wards, which Severus had warned Harry that any | |
| data/chapter/94.html-inner-circle Death Eater would certainly do). It was verified that | |
| data/chapter/94.html-the magic radiating from the toe-ring was indeed the magic of a | |
| data/chapter/94.html:portkey, and not the magic of a Transfiguration. The rest of Harry | |
| data/chapter/94.html-was deemed clear.</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>Not long after, the Potions Master returned, bearing Harry's | |
| data/chapter/94.html-pouch, and several other magical things which had been in Harry's | |
| data/chapter/94.html-trunk, which the Headmaster also examined, one by one, even to all | |
| data/chapter/94.html-the items remaining within the healer's kit.</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>"Can I go now?" Harry said when it was all done, putting as much | |
| data/chapter/94.html-cold as he could into his voice. He took up his pouch, and began | |
| data/chapter/94.html-the process of feeding the grey rock into it. The empty ring went | |
| data/chapter/94.html-back on his finger.</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>The old wizard breathed out, slipping his wand back into his | |
| data/chapter/94.html-sleeve. "I <em>am</em> sorry," he said. "I had to know. Harry... | |
| data/chapter/94.html-the Dark Lord has taken Hermione Granger's remains, it seems. I | |
| data/chapter/94.html-cannot think of anything he would gain thereby, except to send her | |
| data/chapter/94.html-corpse against you as an Inferius. Severus shall give you certain | |
| data/chapter/94.html-potions to keep about your person. Be warned now, and be prepared | |
| data/chapter/94.html-for when you must do what must be done."</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>"Will the Inferius have Hermione's mind?"</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>"No -"</p> | |
| data/chapter/94.html-<p>"Then it's not her. Can I go? At least to change out of my | |
| data/chapter/94.html-pyjamas."</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/95.html-stories have in common, Mr. Potter, is that they are all | |
| data/chapter/95.html-<em>fiction.</em> Real-life wizards do not attempt the same, even | |
| data/chapter/95.html-though the notion is clearly <em>not</em> beyond their | |
| data/chapter/95.html-imagination."</p> | |
| data/chapter/95.html-<p>"Because they don't think they <em>can!</em> " Harry's voice | |
| data/chapter/95.html-rose.</p> | |
| data/chapter/95.html-<p>"Shall we go and tell the good Professor McGonagall about your | |
| data/chapter/95.html-intention to find a way to resurrect Miss Granger, and see what she | |
| data/chapter/95.html-thinks of it? Perhaps it has simply never occurred to her to | |
| data/chapter/95.html-consider that option... Ah, but you hesitate. You already know her | |
| data/chapter/95.html-answer, Mr. Potter. Do you know why you know it?" You could hear | |
| data/chapter/95.html-the cold smile in the voice. "A lovely technique, that. Thank you | |
| data/chapter/95.html-for teaching it to me."</p> | |
| data/chapter/95.html-<p>Harry was aware of the tension that had developed in his face, | |
| data/chapter/95.html-his words came out as though bitten off. "Professor McGonagall has | |
| data/chapter/95.html-not grown up with the Muggle concept of the increasing power of | |
| data/chapter/95.html-science, and nobody's ever told her that when a friend's life is at | |
| data/chapter/95.html-stake is a time when you need to <em>think very rationally</em> | |
| data/chapter/95.html--"</p> | |
| data/chapter/95.html-<p>The Defense Professor's voice was also rising. "The | |
| data/chapter/95.html:Transfiguration Professor is <em>reading from a script,</em> Mr. | |
| data/chapter/95.html-Potter! That script calls for her to mourn and grieve, that all may | |
| data/chapter/95.html-know how much she cared. Ordinary people react poorly if you | |
| data/chapter/95.html-suggest that they go off-script. As you already knew!"</p> | |
| data/chapter/95.html-<p>"That's funny, I could have sworn I saw Professor McGonagall | |
| data/chapter/95.html-going off-script at dinner yesterday. If I saw her go off-script | |
| data/chapter/95.html-another ten times I might actually try to talk to her about | |
| data/chapter/95.html-resurrecting Hermione, but right now she's new to that and needs | |
| data/chapter/95.html-practice. In the end, Professor, what you're trying to explain away | |
| data/chapter/95.html-by calling love and friendship and everything else a lie is just | |
| data/chapter/95.html-<em>human beings not knowing any better.</em>"</p> | |
| data/chapter/95.html-<p>The Defense Professor's voice rose in pitch. "If it were you who | |
| data/chapter/95.html-had been killed by that troll, it would not even <em>occur</em> to | |
| data/chapter/95.html-Hermione Granger to do as you are doing for her! It would not occur | |
| data/chapter/95.html-to Draco Malfoy, nor to Neville Longbottom, nor to McGonagall or | |
| data/chapter/95.html-any of your precious friends! There is not one person in this world | |
| data/chapter/95.html-who would return to you the care that you are showing her! So | |
| data/chapter/95.html-<em>why?</em> Why do it, Mr. Potter?" There was a strange, wild | |
| data/chapter/95.html-desperation in that voice. "Why be the only one in the world who | |
| data/chapter/95.html-goes to such lengths to keep up the pretense, when none of them | |
| data/chapter/95.html-will ever do the same for you?"</p> | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/97.html-<p>Harry shrugged. "Depends what sort of coalition government gets | |
| data/chapter/97.html-put together without the Malfoys. If the government can be reformed | |
| data/chapter/97.html-peacefully and it would disturb the peace to do otherwise, I'll pay | |
| data/chapter/97.html-you the money out of petty cash. Or maybe the Death Eaters will be | |
| data/chapter/97.html-retried for past crimes and executed as a matter of justice, as a | |
| data/chapter/97.html-result of due legal process, of course."</p> | |
| data/chapter/97.html-<p>"You truly are mad," Lucius Malfoy said quietly. "You have no | |
| data/chapter/97.html-power, no wealth, and yet you say such things to me."</p> | |
| data/chapter/97.html-<p>"Yes, it's silly to think I could scare you. After all, you're | |
| data/chapter/97.html-not a Dementor."</p> | |
| data/chapter/97.html-<p>And Harry went on smiling. He'd looked it up, and apparently a | |
| data/chapter/97.html-bezoar <em>would</em> heal almost any poison if you shoved it into | |
| data/chapter/97.html-someone's mouth fast enough. Maybe that wouldn't repair radiation | |
| data/chapter/97.html-damage from Transfigured polonium, but then again, maybe it would. | |
| data/chapter/97.html-So Harry had looked up the freezing points of various acids, and it | |
| data/chapter/97.html-turned out that sulfuric acid would freeze at just ten degrees | |
| data/chapter/97.html-Celsius, which meant Harry could buy a liter of acid on the Muggle | |
| data/chapter/97.html-market, freeze it solid, and Transfigure it down to a tiny little | |
| data/chapter/97.html-unnoticable water-ice chip to be flipped into someone's mouth and | |
| data/chapter/97.html-ingested. No bezoar would compensate for that, once the | |
| data/chapter/97.html:Transfiguration wore off. Harry had no intention of saying it out | |
| data/chapter/97.html-loud, of course, but now that he'd failed decisively to prevent any | |
| data/chapter/97.html-deaths during his quest, he had no further intention of being | |
| data/chapter/97.html-restrained by the law or even the code of Batman.</p> | |
| data/chapter/97.html-<p><em>Last chance to live, Lucius. Ethically speaking, your life | |
| data/chapter/97.html-was bought and paid for the day you committed your first atrocity | |
| data/chapter/97.html-for the Death Eaters. You're still human and your life still has | |
| data/chapter/97.html-intrinsic value, but you no longer have the deontological | |
| data/chapter/97.html-protection of an innocent. Any good person is licensed to kill you | |
| data/chapter/97.html-now, if they think it'll save net lives in the long run; and I will | |
| data/chapter/97.html-conclude as much of you, if you begin to get in my way. Whoever | |
| data/chapter/97.html-sent the troll after Granger must have targeted you too and hit you | |
| data/chapter/97.html-with some curse that makes former Death Eaters melt into a pile of | |
| data/chapter/97.html-goo. Very sad.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/97.html-<p>"Father," Draco said in a small voice. "I think you should | |
| data/chapter/97.html-consider it, father."</p> | |
| data/chapter/97.html-<p>Lucius Malfoy looked at his son. "You jest."</p> | |
| data/chapter/97.html-<p>"It's true. I don't think Potter just made up his books, nobody | |
| data/chapter/97.html-could have written all that and there were things in them that I | |
| data/chapter/97.html-could check for myself. And if even half of all that is true, he's | |
| data/chapter/97.html-right, a hundred thousand Galleons won't mean much. If we give it | |
| -- | |
| -- | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<div id="chapter-title">Chapter 98: Roles, Final<br></div><div class="storycontent nocopy" id="storycontent"> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p><em>Sunday, April 19th, 6:34pm.</em></p> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p>Daphne Greengrass walked quietly toward the Greengrass room | |
| data/chapter/98.html-below the Slytherin dungeons, the privilege of an Ancient House; on | |
| data/chapter/98.html-her way to drop off her trunk from the Hogwarts Express, before she | |
| data/chapter/98.html-joined the other students for dinner. The whole private area had | |
| data/chapter/98.html-been hers alone ever since Malfoy had gone. Her hand, held behind | |
| data/chapter/98.html-her, made repeated come-along gestures at her huge emerald-studded | |
| data/chapter/98.html-trunk, which seemed hesitant to follow. Maybe the enchantments on | |
| data/chapter/98.html-the sturdy old family device needed to be reapplied; or maybe her | |
| data/chapter/98.html-trunk was reluctant to follow her into Hogwarts, which was no | |
| data/chapter/98.html-longer safe.</p> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p>There'd been a long talk between Mother and Father, after they'd | |
| data/chapter/98.html-been told about Hermione; with Daphne hiding around a doorway to | |
| data/chapter/98.html-listen, choking back her tears and trying not to make sounds.</p> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p>Mother had said that the sad fact was that if only one student | |
| data/chapter/98.html-died every year, well, that still made Hogwarts safer than | |
| data/chapter/98.html-Beauxbatons, let alone Durmstrang. There were more ways for a young | |
| data/chapter/98.html:witch to die than being murdered. Beauxbatons's Transfiguration | |
| data/chapter/98.html-Master just wasn't on the same level as McGonagall, Mother had | |
| data/chapter/98.html-said.</p> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p>Father had soberly remarked how important it was for the | |
| data/chapter/98.html-Greengrass heir to stay at Hogwarts where all the other Noble | |
| data/chapter/98.html-families sent their children to school (it was the reason for the | |
| data/chapter/98.html-old tradition of the Noble families synchronizing the birth of | |
| data/chapter/98.html-their heirs, to put them in the same year of Hogwarts, if they | |
| data/chapter/98.html-could). And Father had said that being heiress to a Most Ancient | |
| data/chapter/98.html-House meant you couldn't always stay away from trouble.</p> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p>She could have done without hearing that last part.</p> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p>Daphne gulped hard, as she turned the doorknob, and opened the | |
| data/chapter/98.html-door.</p> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p>"Miss Greengrass -" whispered a shadowy, silvery-robed | |
| data/chapter/98.html-figure.</p> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p>Daphne screamed and slammed the door and drew her wand and | |
| data/chapter/98.html-turned to run.</p> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p>"Wait!" cried the voice, now higher and louder.</p> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p>Daphne paused. That couldn't <em>possibly</em> be who it had | |
| data/chapter/98.html-sounded like.</p> | |
| data/chapter/98.html-<p>Slowly, Daphne turned, and opened the door again.</p> |
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