HPNSA - BOOK TWO

CHAPTER EIGHT
AN UNAVOIDABLE EVIL



(Jan. 29)

“Do you have all your things?” Severus said. Draco nodded. “Let us go.”

He gave his room a last look and smiled; his stay in the Southern Tower will always be remembered with so much gladness. Here he learned many things about himself, about Harry and others that he hated for many years who have become his friends. He also learned that he was indeed capable of love and that even for someone like him forgiveness was a gift that can be bestowed graciously. He followed Severus downstairs and outside to the awaiting car that would take him to the train station at Hogsmeade. Hagrid was going with him. He took one last longing look at the castle – this was his last time to see it he thought. He was not coming back here - Dumbledore told him to leave England for the meantime. He planned to tell Candice that they were going to leave Europe and start a new life somewhere else.

The long trip back to London was uneventful and Draco found the hours catered to reminiscing. He closed his eyes and recounted the day he had spent with Harry Potter.

***
(Jan. 28)

It was very early in the morning and Draco had awakened from a long sleep filled with evil dreams. His nostrils were filled with a familiar smell – a stale morning mist that filled his entire room in the Southern Tower. He was back and soon he realized he was under his bed, his eyes burned and when he felt his face it was wet - he had been crying it seems and he wondered why. Then he heard a voice, it was Harry, calling out to him asking him to come out from under the bed. He could not believe it because the voices in his dreams told him Harry is dead, and they blamed him for it too, saying it was he that caused it. The part he had played during the ritual flashed back in his head in rapid succession: How he was fooled by his own fantasies into partaking in the ceremony, how he fought hard not to finish it but something inside him awakened by the spell the Dark Lord cast pushed him to continue, to enjoy the moment only to see Harry’s eyes filled with so much horror and pain afterwards. The last image he was able to retain before losing his mind was Lucius hitting Harry’s thighs and legs and gagging him with a dirty rag. The muffled screams filled his ears and he covered them again. Now he knows why he was crying, he was haunted by memories.

“Draco…Please come out…” Harry called again. Draco was sure he heard it this time. The fear and guilt that were gnawing him were suddenly taking a back seat because he was now excited, ‘Harry might not be dead after all’, he thought. He might have made it out alive and he was safely back at Hogwarts perhaps. Curious to see whether his mind was playing tricks on him he slowly crawled out under the bed and there kneeling before him was Harry – wearing an immaculately white robe that he has never seen before. Draco didn’t know how to feel that moment; he was filled up with so many emotions at the same time his mind could not choose which one to use first – excitement, fear, joy, remorse, anger…love.

He slowly crawled towards Harry and decided to feel if this was real or not. He lifted a trembling hand to touch his face and when Harry closed his eyes as his fingers touched his cheeks Draco knew it was real. His eyes burned again, large chunks of pent up sobs came rushing back up blocking his airway making him gasp for air and whimper at the same time.

“You’re alive…” Draco said; both his hands were now upon Harry’s face, caressing it gently. Harry placed his hand upon Draco’s and the sleeves of the long robe went down revealing the chain marks on his wrists. Draco then took hold of Harry’s hands and carefully traced the chain marks, the dismay returned and thinking this was just another vision, another part of that dream pounding him with guilt, he lowered his gaze and placed his hand on his head. “I’m still dreaming aren’t I?”

“No,” Harry said softly. “Draco…it is over,”

“They said you were dead…the voices in my dream…that I had killed you…”

“Draco...”

But the voices had returned and they were reminding Draco of what he did. It made him cry even louder, the sobs making his body tremble with such ferocity that he had to bend lower and cover his face with his hands. Harry forced him to sit up and look at him. But Draco could not bring himself to look at those eyes that were boring into him.

“You did not kill me, Draco…” Harry said slowly. Draco shook his head and though no words would come out the message in his head was conveyed eloquently by the tears that fell upon his face. “Whatever it is that you did…it is forgiven…I forgive you…”

Those words…Draco has heard them before and they have never sounded so magical as they do right now. It felt like a breeze that blew wisps of soothing wind through him, healing him within until at last every trace of the nightmare has melted away and was gone…beyond recollection. All that was left inside of him was gratitude for this person he once considered his most loathed enemy…all that he could feel for him now was love. Draco slowly bent down and laid his head on Harry’s lap, though the sobbing subsided his tears would not stop, but this time it was out of joy rather than sorrow. Harry placed his hand over Draco’s head and brushed his hand through his golden hair.

As the day wore on Draco was not given another reason to cry. In fact Harry did not ask him nor reminded him about the ritual anymore. Instead they talked about the past and how ironically they are similar now. For one thing they are both orphans now, and somehow connected by this mutual respect and love for each other that will never again be put to the test. Quidditch was one of their longest topics and certainly one which both of them enjoyed a lot. Draco also shared his experience in Muggle London when he was about five – how he got lost near Ealing and was found by Minerva McGonagall and returned home. They also talked about Candice, how they met, how he wanted to live with her instead and Harry told Draco that he can now go and live with her.

But the room was now filled with a warm red light. The sun was beginning to set on this day that Draco considered his most blessed. Everything that needed to be said has been told and now Harry looked at him with a sad smile on his face. Neither wanted to let the day end, not now that they have learned they were not so different after all. Now that they have both learned how they could have been friends if only they had given each other a chance.

“I hope we get to see each other again,” Harry said.

“Yes…” Draco said softly. “I would give anything to see you back for good.”

“I know.” Harry smiled at him and moved closer holding his hand. “I am sorry also that I did not accept your friendship when you offered it to me many years ago. Things might have been different between us if I only accepted your hand.”

Draco’s eyes misted and he swallowed hard. “I was the fool not to have tried harder,”

“We were all foolish I guess…we are victims of a war we never started,” Harry said.

“Nor wanted.” Draco said.

“I’m just glad we have everything cleared between us, and that you are now free…” Harry said wiping the teardrops that escaped Draco’s eyes.

Draco shook his head. “I will never be free, Harry, you and your kindness to me will forever imprison me with that dream that you…you could love me this much. I don’t deserve this…not after everything I have…”

“Stop…” Harry said holding Draco’s lips with his hand. “No more…place that aside…forget the past, for I have.” Draco nodded. Harry looked behind him and now the skies were filling with that velvety blue hue that was slowly eating away the sun. He then smiled back at Draco and said, “I only have two more chances left…I want to see my son and Ron.”

“I will make sure they come here before your time is up. I promise.” Draco said.

Harry nodded then he placed his hands on Draco’s face and gave him a gift Draco never expected he’d receive. Harry slowly placed his lips upon Draco’s and as he slowly disappeared into the impotent spirit entity to which he was condemned the sensation of the kiss lingered on and Draco felt his healing complete by that parting gift that would forever cage his soul in bliss. “Thank you, Harry”

***
(Jan. 29)

The train had stopped and Draco opened his eyes to see that they were now in Platform 9 ¾. He opened the car door and went out with his trunk. Soon he was at Kingscross waiting for Hagrid and soon the gentle giant appeared and beckoned him to follow. He was given another train ticket – this time he was taking a muggle train bound for Glasgow.

“Remember when you get there, take a cab to this address,” Hagrid gave him a small piece of paper with Candice’s address on it, and a leather pouch.

“What’s this?” Draco said.

“Muggle money. It’s called pounds,” Hagrid said snickering a bit. “Pounds…”

Draco looked inside and realized his conversion into a muggle is now complete. He nodded then he looked at Hagrid. “I’m sorry for giving you such a hard time before.”

“Well, ‘tis water under ‘em bridge now…” Hagrid said winking at him.

Draco heard the whistle and the porter calling out for passengers bound for Glasgow. He looked at Hagrid one last time and then headed for the train.


***

(Jan. 30)

There was nothing that would compare to the happiness that Harry felt that moment. This was his own flesh and blood, a living testimony to the love that he and Ron shared; a treasure he holds very dear to his heart. Harry cradled him now, smelling the sweetness of his breath as he yawned, it seemed that all the days of agony melted into nothingness.

“You were worth it…” Harry whispered his tears dripped down to the deep red sheets that covered his bed. He looked at him closely, the baby yawned again and stretched and Harry found himself laughing heartily. He couldn’t help noticing how he looked so much like Ron.

He laid him on the bed and unwrapped the blanket that covered his little body; Harry looked at every little finger, every little toe, his bright orange hair that stood on end, his emerald green eyes – Lily’s eyes. Archer yawned again and Harry decided to get the gift that Hermione gave and went to his trunk and took it out and fitted them on the little feet that were bright pink. Then he noticed that a baby bottle was slowly making its way from the bag on the floor to the bed. Harry laughed even harder and took the bottle.

“We do not conjure magic to get milk, James.” He said laughing. He took the bottle and gave it to the baby who sucked at it greedily. “Slow down! You are so like your father.” Having said that, Harry realized how much he misses Ron. Looking at their son right now he remembered the night they spent together inside the Cottage and ached. Harry closed his eyes nuzzling the baby’s left ear with his nose – how he loves that smell. Harry thought he could stay here forever – like this. This was what he always wanted, what he wants more than a life of magic – a family of his own to love and to love him back.

Soon the bottle was empty and Harry placed it aside and carried the baby gently to burp him. He was tapping his back when he noticed something through the opening of his shirt. “What’s this?” But he could not make out the red mark that looked like a nasty rash. He got a bit annoyed thinking his son was not cared for, “When your father comes over he will hear from me. Not taking good care for you…” then the child burped – a rather loud burp – and Harry laughed again. “You are definitely like him…”

After he had burped, Harry placed his son tenderly back on the bed. The rash had bothered him greatly that he decided to take a closer look at it. He gingerly took off the shirt and pushed him to his side. “Let’s have a look at…that…” What initially looked like a rash Harry realized was a symbol – it was the size of a galleon, round with a five-point star inside and there were markings around the outer band. It seemed to have been tattooed with red ink at the very center of his back just below his nape. Harry bent closer to see the markings that surprisingly he could read though it was an ancient script that he only saw in one place – the world of the Keepers. The words were beginning to form inside his head slowly terrifying him until his heart beat so fast he found it difficult to breath. The words revealed to him the portion of the Prophecy that he could not understand – the one thing Nin must never find out. And when he had finished, Harry was in tears.

“No…”


***

(Jan. 30)

“Good morning, Candice!” Draco said.

“Draco! You’re up early,” Candice said. “And cooking breakfast! My, I didn’t know you could cook?”

“I can’t. But frying eggs and ham isn’t necessarily cooking.” Draco said.

Martha was last to wake up and she yawned unglamorously and scratched her tummy. “Good morning, Draco!” She said then slumped down on the table. Draco went to her and gave her a mug full of coffee.

“Good morning, Miss Martha.” Draco said. “You are looking mighty…” Draco could not bring himself to say something nice when Martha looked so horrible. He has found her rather attractive yesterday when he first met her, but now, this early morning she was just not the same person. “Ermm…swell today…”

Martha lifted her head and seeing the coffee before her she smiled and reached out for the sugar bowl and the cream and stirred. Then she left the teaspoon alone and it went on stirring – what any normal witch would have done. Draco noticed this and found it a bit unnerving. “I see you have begun to embrace magic.”

“What?” Martha said then she saw the teaspoon and stopped it and stirred the coffee clumsily. She took a sip and nodded her head. “Good coffee.”

“You know with Draco here, he could teach you a thing or two about magic, Martha.” Candice said placing the plate with eggs and ham on the table.

“Yeah, I bet you could.” Martha said enthusiastically.

“Yeah, perhaps I could. You have the books?” Draco said.

“Yes, they’re over there. I’ve been reading through them and I managed to do some of the spells but the others are just too damn difficult.” Martha said.

“Don’t worry, it gets easier with time.” Draco said. “We can start with a few basic spells after breakfast.”

“Yes, and we should really plan where we’ll transfer to next.” Martha said getting up to get a plate and some utensils. “Oh don’t look such a sorry ass, Candice!” Candice was pouting at her eggs and looking absolutely flummoxed by the whole matter of displacement again. “Imagine what my resume will look like.”

“Resume?” Draco said.

“Yes, Draco, it’s a piece of paper containing your previous jobs and what you did, and if you’re lucky it’ll be impressive enough to land you another job when you submit it.” Martha said. Candice continued pouting. “Oh stop it already, you’re going to give him…what?” Martha turned around to see what Candice was gapping at.

“Martha…”

“GET DOWN!”


***

“I wonder why Hestia and Shacklebolt have not reported back?” Minerva said.

“They were not here last night?” Molly said.

“No, they did not come.” Dumbledore said.

“I am worried Headmaster.” Severus said. “It’s not like them not to send any word to us. Something’s wrong.”

Dumbledore looked out of the window deep in thought. Something was out of place that he could not see; a foreboding was steadily growing in his mind. He then turned and took a parchment and wrote a note. Then a large brown owl came in the room and he gave the letter to the owl that flew immediately out. He wrote another note and sent it out using a white-breasted owl.

“Hermione,” Dumbledore said.

Hermione turned around, “Yes, Professor Dumbledore?”

“Summon the DA, we will need to bring every one back here.” Dumbledore said. Hermione nodded and ran to the Gryffindor dorm where she kept the galleon of the DA.

“What is going on, Albus? Why ask the students to return?” Minerva said.

“It will easier to protect them if they are in one place. I have sent out letters to the European and Asian council. I’m afraid we’ve waiting far too long.” Dumbledore said. “I am going to the Ministry of Magic, Severus will you accompany me please?”

“Yes, Headmaster.”

“Molly, you and Hermione can go to the Southern Tower after sunset. Also, if you get a chance please tell Charlie to wait for my signal…” Dumbledore said. And soon he and Severus left and headed for London.


***

Harry went out of the room breathing hard. His heart was about to burst out of his chest in anger and finding objects were all around him, things he was able to touch, he decided to use them to unleash his fury; books went flying across the room and he took a large crystal ball used in divination and threw it against the windows that had just been repaired. He took every piece of artifact and destroyed it either by hurling it with great force against the floor or against walls or by pounding them with the broken chair legs that now scattered around the room. The paintings all ran out of the room lest they be the recipients of Harry’s anger.

The pressure was mounting higher inside him and he could not control it anymore he crouched on the floor and screamed. He wanted to jump out of the window and just die – but he was already dead. How he wanted to find Nin and tear her apart if he could. He no longer feared her – in fact he no longer feels the reverence he felt for any of the keepers. Not even Ji would escape the burning anger that was boiling inside of him right now. Fuming tears fell down his face and though he knew he shouldn’t because it was never intentionally done, he blamed Ron for this horrifying fate…a fate that no one will be able to turn around.

“Not my son…” He whispered. “NOT MY SON! DAMN YOU! DAMN ALL OF YOU!”

The day that was meant to be the happiest in his life has become the darkest. Not even in Aum’s presence will he find peace. He went back into the room and carried the baby in his arms rocking him; he will never let go and he prayed that the power of the stone would not die.

“Not you…not you…”



***

Night fell and Molly and Hermione were now walking towards the Southern Tower. When they got inside the sight that welcomed them frightened them greatly – the entire room was in such disarray it looked as though a tempest just went through it. Afraid that something had happened to the child Molly nervously walked towards the room.

“Archer?” Molly said.

“No…” Hermione whispered her heart racing in fearsome anticipation.

When they opened the door they found the baby alone, and sleeping soundly. Molly looked around and then went to the baby and examined him; she looked at every single part of his body and found nothing - not even a scratch.

“I wonder what happened to the other room?” Hermione said.

“As long as my grandchild is alright I don’t care,” Molly said. “Get his things, and let us go. I don’t like the feel of this place.” The baby woke up like something had startled him and he started crying. “Hush!” But the baby won’t stop he kept crying and squirming in Molly’s arms. “What’s wrong?”

“Maybe he’s feeling something in the room…” Hermione said. “Harry are you still here?”

Molly looked around and waited, hoping another miracle was about to happen, but when after a few minutes nothing but Archer’s crying getting louder and louder was heard she decided it was useless.

“Come on sweetheart, we have to go back to your Daddy…” Molly said softly. “We are going now, Harry. Ron will be by on the First day of February with you.”

“Maybe he should stay?” Hermione said.

“Why? Ron would be furious if we left him here.” Molly said.

“Something’s telling me we shouldn’t take him out just yet.” Hermione said.

Molly looked around and when she caught sight of the other room – how it was mangled – she shook her head and said, “Hermione something happened here. Dumbledore is not here and…we have to go.” Then she slowly made her way out and down the winding staircase with Hermione following closely behind her.

As they walked, Hermione could not help but feel like something was following them, like an energy that emitted so much heat. She knew Harry must not want the baby out of his sight, and decided it was he that followed them. Soon they were both inside the awaiting Thunderbird on their way back to the Burrow.



Harry had been screaming at them not to take the baby away but of course he wasn’t heard by either of them.

“Don’t take him! Hermione! Mum! Don’t please! Someone help me! James! JAMES!” He tried to keep him close but his hands went through Molly. The baby woke up when he screamed his name and began crying. “James! James! Stay here!”

“What’s wrong?” Molly said.

“He must not go back!” Harry cried. The child cried louder.

“Maybe he’s feeling something in the room…” Hermione said. “Harry are you still here?”

“Yes! Yes! I’m still here, Hermione! Don’t take my son away from Hogwarts! Please! Please!” Harry cried. “Don’t take him!” The baby’s crying became louder. “James…my son!”

“Come on sweetheart, we have to go back to your Daddy…” Molly said softly. “We are going now, Harry. Ron will be by on the First day of February with you.”

“February first? Why that long?” Harry said, “No! James…James…mum don’t take him!”

“Maybe he should stay?” Hermione said.

“That’s right, Hermione! Don’t go!” Harry cried.

“Why? Ron would be furious if we left him here.” Molly said.

“WHY CAN’T HE JUST COME HERE THEN?” Harry screamed.

“Something’s telling me we shouldn’t take him out just yet.” Hermione said.

“Good girl! Mum don’t…please…”

“Hermione something happened here. Dumbledore is not here and…we have to go.” Molly said.

“Dumbledore’s not here? Wait! Wait!” Frustrated at being so impotent, Harry kept crying out to them following them as far as the castle entrance – he would not dare step out of the castle afraid that Nin was somewhere out there waiting for him to come out. From the door Harry called out to them, screaming at the top of his lungs, hoping that someone would be merciful enough to give him this chance to at least be heard. He tried to give them the last stone, but for some reason the stone would not work. Molly and Hermione were already inside the Thunderbird with his son and soon the car disappeared into the night sky.

Terrified with the knowledge he now holds Harry decided he needed to let someone know – someone that would be able to help him. But was there anyone he could trust with this secret that could mean the life of his only son? He thought. He had only one chance - the stone that he has been saving for Ron was the only way for him to be heard and seen by anyone. If he uses the stone now, he loses the chance to see Ron before he is taken back to the world of the Keepers.

Harry went back to the Southern Tower and hoped that Ron would be by on the first of February…He has to come, Harry thought. He looked at the stone again and paced around the room. The fear was steadily growing inside him until at last he couldn’t stand it anymore. He fell to his knees and cried all throughout the night.


***

“Ron!” Hermione called out. “Ron!”

Ron came running downstairs. “You’re back!”

Hermione ran towards him and embraced him tightly. “You will never believe what just happened!” Fred coughed loudly and Hermione went to him and hugged him warmly and gave him a little peck on the cheeks.

“Where’s my son?” Ron said.

“He’s with your mum,” Hermione said, “We have to go upstairs! I have something to tell you!”

Molly and Tonks were making their way towards the house and finding everyone inside except her husband she beckoned for Arthur.

“What are you talking about?” Ron said.

“Harry was there!” Hermione said.

“Harry was there?” Fred said.

“Harry?” George said. “Harry’s back?”

Ron felt his heart skip a beat. “What do you mean, Harry was there?”

“Harry was given three days by the Keepers!” Hermione said.

“Brilliant!” Fred cried.

“Three days?” Ron said he could no longer control the excitement he felt and he held Hermione by the arms. “Hermione finish it!”

“Alright!” Hermione said. Ron eased his grip and Fred motioned for him to let Hermione’s arms go. “Harry was given a gift by the Keepers – three magical stones that made him real to the one he gives the stones to. He used the stone today to be with Archer! He was there they were together the whole day! The stones made Harry real – he could be felt, heard, and seen!”

“Are you sure?” Fred said.

“That’s what Dumbledore said, and when we went back to get Archer, he was wearing a different shirt, and four baby bottles were beside him and he was wearing the booties I knitted for him last Christmas!” Hermione said. “Ron, you’ll be able to be with Harry again…”

Ron felt his eyes sting again. Large chunks making their way up blocked his airway again and he wanted to scream out loud – a day with Harry, a day that he’ll be able to hold and see and feel Harry again. He was overwhelmed by the news that he hardly understood what Hermione told him next.

“Dumbledore said he was given this chance because he was going to be taken,” Hermione said.

“Taken? By who?” Fred said.

“Taken where?” George said.

“Ron. After the exchange…Ron?” Hermione said, but Ron was still engulfed by the good news that seemed to have been pouring down for many days. Fred had to tap Ron hard to get his attention. “I’m sorry! I’m just…just…I can’t believe it!”

“It’s brilliant!” George said.

“Unbelievable luck!” Fred cried. “Ron, this is what you’ve been waiting for!”

Ron wiped his eyes. “He can spend the two stones with me.”

“He only has one stone left.” Hermione said.

“Why? Who did he spend the other with?” Ron said.

“Draco...” Hermione said.

“Draco?” Ron felt his ears burn. Learning Harry spent a precious gift to be with Draco was not something he expected nor wanted to hear. “Why Draco?”

“I don’t know, perhaps to cure him of his insanity.” Hermione said.

“But he’s insane because of what he DID to Harry,” Ron said annoyed at this irritating addition to the news.

“Do you know what he did to him?” Fred said.

“Well, the fact that he DID something to Harry is enough.” Ron said. “Why would he choose to be with that git?”

“Look, you can ask him that on the first of February after the hearing. You will be taken to be with him,” Hermione said, smiling at Ron and urging him to smile as well.

“One more day…after that we go back to just talking to each other.” Ron said.

“Didn’t you hear what I said?” Hermione said.

“What?”

“Harry is going to be taken,”

“Taken? Where?” Ron said.

“To the world of the Keepers.” Hermione said.

“When?” Ron said getting angry again. “Better yet, why?”

“Dumbledore didn’t say why, Ron. I don’t think even he knows. That’s the reason why Harry was given the gift in the first place, because he will leave us…and wait there until you fulfill your task and resurrect him.” Hermione said.

Ron stood and nervously paced around the room. “When does he return to the world of the Keepers?”

“He only has seven days since the gift was given. That was on the 28th. He’ll be gone by Sunday.” Hermione said.