Knowledge is Useful, But Power is Power - DisobedienceWriter

KnowledgeisUseful,ButPowerisPower

byDisobedienceWriter

HarryandHermionearegiftedahandwrittenbookatthebeginningofFourthYear.Abookthatrevealshorribletruthsabouttheworldtheylivein.PrepareforatougherHarryandabattlefocusedontheMinistry.Rated:FictionT-English-Adventure-Chapters:8-Words:93,462-Reviews:1,273-Favs:3,121-Follows:2,511-Updated:7/28/2013-Published:6/13/2012-Status:Complete-id:8215565URL:https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8215565

TableofContents

TableofContents

1.Prologue

2.StumblingAround

3.MagicisWonder

4.ImaginationisMagic

5.MagicIsPossibility

6.MagicisTemperamental

7.MagicisBoundary

8.MagicisPower

Prologue

KnowledgeisUseful,butPowerisPower

A/N:ThisstoryhadsuchagoodreceptionwhenIposteditinCommonSense(myoddideasfile)thatIdecidedtocontinueitasitsownstory.Chaptertwoshouldbeupinafewdays.

Thefourthbookismyfavorite,butIhaveanabidingproblemwiththeGobletofFire.Whymakeitinthefirstplace?Whycontinuetouseit?Here'sapossibleanswer.BecomingStrong!Harry,SecretlyHelpfulbutEvil!Dumbledore

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

AnowlflewintoDumbledore'sofficeonabeautifulJuneafternoon.SiriusBlackwasalive,nothankstotheMinistry.Thestudentshadanotherdaybeforetheydeparted.

Albustooktheparchmentfromtheowlandbadethebirddrinkoreat.Instead,theowlleft.Itseemedtoknowitcarriedoffensivenews.

DumbledorereadtheparchmentfromtheMinistryandfrowned.HisoppositiontorestartingtheTriwizardTournamentwasended.TheMinisterconvenedasmallpaneloftheWizengamot,hiscroniesandfriends,andpushedtheideathrough.Thecontractswereagreed,justwaitingthelastsignatures.DumbledoreasChiefWarlockwouldhavetobeinLondonthefollowingdaytoaddhissignaturetothedebacle.

Hehatednothavingachoice.Butthatwasthedangerhehadn'tknownexistedwhenheallowedhisnametobeputforwardintheWizengamotasChiefWarlock.Hewasnowbound,byoath,bymagic,todothewilloftheWizengamot.Hadbeenfordecades.Notaleadersomuchasitsboundservant,aglorioussoundingprisonhehadwalkedhimselfinto.

Hewouldendangerschoolchildrenforacompetitionwhenhiswholebodycriedoutthathemustn't.(SimilarrestrictionsonhisfreedomhadledhimtobringthePhilosopher'sStoneintoHogwartsafewyearsearlier.)

TheChiefWarlockwasaprisonbutitwasn'tunique.AnyjobintheMinistrycouldbeaprison,notthatmanyeverknewit.TheMinisterwastoldbyhispredecessor,ifthepredecessorsurvivedhistermofoffice.Corneliusdidn'tknowhowtodresshimselfinthemorning,butLuciusMalfoyknewhowtocraftlawsthatbentDumbledoreinto(atleast)mentallypainfulconfigurations.MalfoyyankedFudgearoundandFudge

didwhatMalfoywanted.Uptoapoint.

Dumbledorepulledasheafofparchmentsfromhisdeskdrawer,hisfileonMalfoy.Heleafedthroughthem,remembering

Malfoyhadtobedevious.Hadtoproposebenignsoundinglaws.IfhedidsomethingasobviousastossingDumbledoreoutofHogwartswithafewstrokesofaquillonparchment...well,evenhispuppetsontheWizengamotmightnotice.Sotheyplayedthisgame.Dumbledore,hamstrung,Malfoyamuchweakerpersonbutgivenwiderlatitudeandfullmobility.

Malfoyhadn'tyetmanagedtoevictDumbledorefromHogwarts...buthe'dcomecloseafewtimes.ManagedtogetFudgetothrowtheMalfoysaseatontheBoardofGovernors.ManagedtohidehiscomplicityinreopeningtheChamberofSecretsthatcouldhavekilledsomany.Managedtoresurrectthisridiculoustournament.TryingtopushDumbledoreforward,intothepubliceye,tryingtomakehimfailsothathecouldbedebonedandservedtothepublic.

Malfoy...Hehaddonemorethanboughthimselfanacquittalfor'beingundertheImperiusCurse.'HehadboughthimselfawholelotoflawtoprotecthimselffrompeopleintheMinistry,peopleboundbyoathstotheMinistry.Goodpeoplehamstrungbyoncedecentlaws,nowabusedbytheevilwhoslunkaroundinthecornersoftheirsociety.

ThatwastheonlyreasonMalfoywasstillaboveground.Theoldways,thewaysofjusticeforthosewhoescapedofficialnotice,weredeniedtoDumbledorebecauseofwordsMalfoyorsomeonelikehimpouredinBagnold'sear...andFudge'sear.TherewerelawsthatpreventedMinistryoathholdersfromkillingexceptindirestself-defense.Dumbledoredidn'tbelieveatallinMalfoy'sredemption.Butthelawsmadehimpreachit...anddeniedhimthepowerthatlivedinsidehisbody,hismagicinitsfulldamage-dealingsplendor.Otherwise,DumbledorehimselfwouldhavecleavedMalfoy'sheadfromhisbodyinadueltothedeathmomentsafterMalfoywalkedfreefromthecourtroom.

Itwasallamess,allthesepurchasedlaws,alltheseprivatesanctuariesforevil.

HeknewTomRiddle'sidentityandcouldn'tsayit.AlawAbraxushadmanagedtogetthroughtheWizengamotinthe1960s,wellcloaked,butobviousenoughwhenDumbledorewantedtounderstandwhyhecouldn'tdothethingsheneededtodo.

DumbledoreknewofTom'shorcruxesandcouldn'thuntforthemwithoutaspecialpermit.ApermitapplicationLuciuswouldseebeforealmostanyoneelse.

DumbledoreshovedhisMalfoyfilebackintohisdesk.HeturnedhisattentionbacktothisnewestoutragefromtheMinistry,theproclamationabouttheresurrectionoftheTriwizardTournament.He'devenhavetotakesomecreditforthisdebacle."Forencouraginginternationalcooperation,"wouldhavetobehisstatedmotivation.

Itwasdisgusting.Ithadbeenexpensivetomakeallthishappen.WhyhadMalfoyspentgoldtomakeallthishappen?Whatdidhegetoutofit?

NotknowingworriedDumbledore.

IfDumbledoreknewwhatMalfoywanted,hecouldworkthroughaproxy.Givenenoughtime,enoughnotice.Ifheknewthetarget,hecoulderectsomethingtointerferewithMalfoy'splan.

Thislastyear...hell,thelastthreeyears,DumbledorehadworkedhiswillthroughHarryPotter.Thepoorchild.Whatthecomingyearwouldmean...howbaditwouldget...

Ah...

Ah!ThatwasLuciusMalfoy'starget.ThePotterheir,onceagain.TheboywhohadalegendappendedtohimofbeingstrongeratagefifteenmonthsthanVoldemorthadbeenintheprimeofhislife.Fairorunfair,HarryPotterwouldalwaysbeatarget.

SoLuciusMalfoyhadresurrectedtheTriwizardtoaddanoldweaponintohisquiver,onedesignedtohandleverystrongwizards.WiththeTriwizardTournamentcamethestrongestoftheinvoluntarybindingobjectscreatedandstillpossessedbytheMinistryofMagic.TheGobletofFire,adisgustingartifact.Abindingtool.

Binding.Itwasahorrible,searingwordinDumbledore'smind.

Bindingwasthegreatestofthesecretartsofthewizardingworld.Theteachingofnecromancywasillegal,unlessdonewithapermit.Theteachingofbloodandsoulmagicwereillegal.Period.Nopermitsforthcoming.(NotthatithadstoppedAlbusfromexploringpiecesofbloodmagic,includingbloodwards,overtheyears.)Buttheteachingofbindingmagicwithoutapermitwastheonlykindpunishablebydeath.

ThestudyofbindingmagicwasreservedtotheMinistryalone.Reservedtotheoathcrafterswhodoubledaslawyersinvariousdepartments.TotheenchanterswhomaintaineditemsliketheGobletofFire.

LuciusMalfoyhadanewplotinmind.Hismaster'shorcruxandbasiliskshowwasn'tenough.NowhewasgoingafterHarry,theboywhohadtorndownhisplot.

ThiswasaMinistryaffairsoDumbledorewasboundtosilence.UnlikeMalfoywhohadneverswornaMinistryoathandwasnotsubjecttothoserestraints.Hebribedforvotesratherthantakingaseat...andthetiesandthebindingsofanoath.Themanshouldbehunteddowninthenightandslaughteredforwhathe'ddoneinthewar,notstruttinglikeapalepeacockgrownfatfromtoomuchhandfeeding.

Dumbledorehadthewill,butnotthefreewilltodoit.Hecouldn'tfighthisoathsandsurvivetotakeMalfoytohisgrave.

So,therehadtobeawaytowarnHarry,preparehim.Aidhimwithoutaidinghim.

TheMinistryoathswerewideanddeep,butsomeofthecomponentswereold,someincludedbytradition.He'dbeenabletofindwiggleroom.AtimeturnerforMs.Granger,forexample,onceherealizedthattheDementorswerecoming.Evenifanaccidenthappened,withatimeturner,thingscouldbeunwovenifdonecarefully.

Wiggleroom.Hecouldhavethewholeworldifhewerefreeofhisoaths.So,whynotresignfromtheWizengamot?

Hewouldifhecould.Thatwasthelastaspectoftheoaths.AlbusDumbledoreserveduntilhewasdeadordismissedfromoffice...ah!Thatwassomethingelsehecouldworkon.Gettinghimselfdismissed.MalfoyknewwhathewasaboutwellenoughtoattackDumbledore'spositionatHogwarts,nothispositionwiththeWizengamot.Malfoywantedhisopponenttetheredandeasytowound...ifMalfoyeverengineeredDumbledore'sremovalfromtheWizengamot,thewholegamemightjustchange.

PlottingabouttheWizengamotcouldwait.

Fornow,DumbledorehadtothinkofHarry,hisonce-againproxyinthisunendedwar.

Dumbledorestoodfromhisdeskandbegantoperusehiscollectionofrarevolumes.Hewaslookingforanidea,aspark.HishandlingeroverUncommonMagicsforUncommonWizards.He'dalwaysintendedHarrytohaveacopyeventually,but...itwastoodiluted,coveredtoomanysubjects,tohelpHarryagainstthecomingoftheGobletofFire.

Heworkedhiswaythroughtherestofhisbooks.He'dsettledonallowingtheGrangergirltofindsomethingandpasstheinformationtoHarry.Itwastheeasiestway,ithadworkedseveraltimesbefore.ForhertouncoverFlamel,forhertouncoverthebasilisk.

ThebookAlbusneeded,theprecisebook,didn'texist.

Ofcourse,allthetrueunderstandingoftheirculturepassedfromfathertoson.Allattemptstowriteitdownwerebanned...Hedidn'thavethebookheneededontheshelfbecausenoonecouldeverputitonparchment.Itwasinhismind.Waitingtobeputonpaper.Waitingtocrossfromtheoldtotheyoung.

Hepulledatranscriptionquillofftheshelfandsatathisdesk.Hepulledarollofparchmentfromadrawerandsettocuttingtherollintosheets.

Ifthebookdidn'texist,hewouldwritethedamnedthing.Nooathhewasawareofpreventedhimfromit,preventedhimfromleavingapersonaljournalinaplacewhereastudentmightcomeacrossit.HewouldsaveHarryevenifhecouldn'ttellHarrythathislifewouldsoonbeendangeredagain.ByLuciusMalfoy,bythegreedoftheMinisterofMagic,bysomanypeoplewhocouldn'tdomorewiththeirwandsthancleanafewdishesindirtywater.

HewouldhelpHarrytosurvive.Helphimtoremainfreeofentanglementsandbeckoning,innocent-lookingprisons.Hewouldneverbeabletoadmitwhathe'ddonefortheirsavior,butDumbledorewoulddoit.

Itwasn'ttoolatefortheboy.Hewouldlivetobecomeaman.


HarryPotterfelthisbodyshakingapart.Heopenedhiseyes,blinked,andtheshakingstopped.Hecouldn'tseeanythingwithouthisglassessohishandfumbledamoment.

"Hermione?"

ShelookedlikesomebeastofHagrid'swasabouttodevourher.

"Hermione?"

"Harry,someonegavemeabook."

Normallythatwouldmakeherhappy.Delirious.Butnotnow.

"Idon't..."

"SomeonegaveGinnyabook,too."

TheChamberofSecrets.Harrywouldneverforgetthatbook.Hermionewasrightto

bewary.Shesoughtoutbooks,booksdidn'tseekherout.

Hermionewasnothingifnotcautious.Still,itwas1Septemberor,ifaftermidnight,2September.Earlyfortheyearlyterrortosetin.

"Youwantmetogetateacher?"Hismouthandthroatdidn'tworkallthatwellsogroggy.Itwasthefirstgoodnightofsleephe'd(almost)gotteninmonths.

"Iwantyoutolookatit,"shesaid.

"Whereisit?"

"Ididn'tmoveit."

"Ican'tgotoyourroom."

"Oh."Sheblushed.Strangetherewasenoughlightintheroomtoseeit,butitmusthavebeenawholebodyblush."Ican...levitateittothecommonroom."

"I'llgetdressed."

HenoticedthatHermionedidn'twearmuchtobedintheautumn.Heguessedhewasstartingtothinkaboutgirls...andHermionewasnolongerjustapersongarbedinsackcloth,genderindeterminate.

"Givemeafewminutes.Thankyou,Harry."

"Ionlyoweyouahundredmorefavors.Trytospaceoutthecollectingofthem.Maybesomeoftheminthedaytime..."

Butshe'dgone.Harrygotupandchangedintowhathe'dwornthedaybefore,butleftofftherobehe'dworntothewelcomingfeastthenightbefore.

HewalkeddownstairsandHermioneclattereddownherstairsafewminuteslater,asortofbooklevitatedinfrontofher.

Itwasn'taboundvolume...orevenverythick.Harrycouldtellfromaglancethatitwashandwritten,neatwriting,butquillonparchment.Amagicalbook,perhaps.Createdbyawitchorwizard,definitely.

"Doesitwritetoyou?"

"Idon'tknow."Hermionesoundedembarrassed.She'dfreakedoutwithoutstudyingsomethingfirst.ButwhathadhappenedtoGinnyWeasleyscaredher.Abook,a

friend,herfavoritekindofteachingaidalmostkillingayounggirl.Shetrustedbuttherewerelimitstohertrust.

"Itdidn'tshowyouamemory,didit?"

"No."

HarrylookedatthebookthatHermionehadletsettleontothefloor.

"Well,thatdiarycouldn'tbeharmedbyanythingotherthanabasiliskfang.IguessifIcouldsetitonfire..."

"Youdon'tburnbooks..."

ThatwastheoldHermione.

Harrysmiled.

"IguessIcouldtearabitofblankpaper."

"Oh."Shedidn'tobject.

Harrycrouchedinfrontofthebook.Hetoreacorneroffthefront'cover.'Itcamefreewiththenormaltensioninvolvedincuttingparchment.

"Thatprovesit,"hesaid.Itwasnormalparchment,notenchanted.Notdemonic.

"Thankyou,Harry."

Findaproblem,bringittoHarrybeforeittriedtoeatHarry...thatwashowtheyworkedthingsthesedays.Afterthreeyearsofsolvingproblems,shedidn'tevenhavetoask.

Harrylookedatthebook."Power"wastheonlywordonthecoverpage.Noauthorcredited.

Harrychangedfromacrouchtoaseatedposition.Heopenedthecoverandbegantoread.Itwasclearthewordshadbeenlaidonpaperbyadictationquill,notthatHarryownedone,butthewritingwastooeven,toouniform,tohavebeendonebyahumanhand.

"'Thecommonwitchandwizardfearpower"andadoreit.Thisoneparadoxhasguidedandwarpedourworldforatleastfourcenturies,ifnotlonger.

"'ComparethepresentwiththetalesofMerlin.Considerhowpowerfultheoneswhomadeitintolegendseem.Howactive.Howsupportingofthenon-magicalKingsthey'vealliedthemselveswith.Warmagesandthinkers.Bloodywarafterwar.Merlin.Morgana.Mordred.Ywain.

"'HowactiveSlytherinandRavenclaw,GryffindorandHufflepuffinthedaysbeforetheycreatedHogwarts,inthedaystheygrewitandtaughtinit.Thesewerepowerfulmenandwomen.Theyalwayshadfollowersandstudents,someenamored,somehopingtostealtheirsecrets,somespyingonthemforothersofpower,someplottinghowtobringthepowerfultoheel.

"'Thecommonmanhatedandenviedpower.

"'Letmetellyouwhatthismeansforthemostpowerfulsorcerersofthisage...'"

HermionereadoverHarry'sshoulderbutwaitedforhimtofinishthefirstpagebeforeherhandreachedtoturnthepage.

"Youreaditfirst.You'llbedonebydawn,"Harrysaid.

"That'snotfair."

"YoutookhalfthetimetoreadwhatIjustdid."

"Fine."Shewasn'tgoingtofighttheofferofabook.

Shecurledupinachairandmergedwiththethinbook.Harrytookadifferentchairandletsleepclaimhimforawhile.

WhenHermioneshookhimawakeagain,shecouldn'thaveseemedamoredifferentperson.Insteadofscared,shewasexhilarated.

"Youhavetoreadthis."

"Justtellmewhatit'sabout."

"Ithinkitwasmeantforyou.You'rethemostpowerfulwizardIknow."

"Me?"Everyounceofdoubthecouldsqueezewentintothatsyllable.

"AhundredDementorslastJune?"

HarryshruggedbutacceptedthebookfromHermione."WhatshouldIconcentrateon?"

Hewantedacheatsheetsohedidn'thavetoreadthewholething.

"Fromwordonetothelastword.Youneedtoknowallofthis."

"Well,what'sitabout?"

"Howtokeepfrommakingterriblemistakes..."

HislifeatHogwartsseemedtotumblefromonemistaketothenext."IguessIshouldreadit,"hesaid.

"Twoorthreetimes."ShesmiledatHarry.

"I'mnotthatbad."

"You'reworse."

Heopenedthebookandreadthefirstpageagain.Itwasoldfashionedwriting...itdidhurthisheadabit,butthenthebookbegantoscarehim.Scarehiminagoodway.Awaythatmadehimlearn.


HarrycameuptoHermioneafterDefenseAgainsttheDarkArts."Ineedthebook."

Shedidn'thavetoaskwhichone.Therewasonlyonesecretbooktheyhadbetweenthemnow.

"Why?"

Hepulledherintoanemptycorridor."Youkeepasecret?"

"Yes."

"Moody'sinthebook."

"Iremember.OnthatlistofstrongpeoplewhosworeMinistryoaths,samewithDumbledore."

"He'sonthelistbecausehe'sthoughttobestrong,"Harrysaid.

"Yes."

"HeusedtheImperiuscurseonme.Justnow."

"Andonme,too."

"AndImadeitnotwork.Slowly,butImadehiscursefail."

"Oh."

Beforereadingthebook,theywouldhaveassumedHarrywasimmuneorsomehogwash.Theirreadingofthebookmadethemquestionwhatthey'djustseenhappen.Thecursehadtakenhold...HarryhadbeenwillingtodoasMoodyhadcommanded...untilhewrestledcontrolofthespellawayfromMoody.

Thatwasn'timmunityfromacurse.

Thatwascomingtotermswithmagicalcontrol.Learningtoexercisevastlygreateramountsofmagicthanthecasterofthehostilespellpossessed.

ItwasdisturbingtoHarry.Thissuggestion...thisproof...ofjusthowstronghemightbe.AbletoendanUnforgivablecastbyanoldwizard,aretiredAuror.Itmeant...

Disturbingthings.

Therewasnodirectwaytomeasurethestrengthofawitchorwizard.Therewereonlycomparativetests.Forexample,thehandwrittenbooksuggestedthatHogwarts,longinthepast,hadpairsoffinalyearstudentscaststunnersateachother.Assumingthespellstriedtopasseachotherinaroughlycontainedarea,thestrongercasterwouldoverwhelmtheweakercaster'sspell.Soonestudentwouldbestunnedandtheothernot.Unlesstheywereroughlyatthesamelevel,inwhichcasethespellswouldbothsputterout.

Putenoughstudentsinpairsandtestthem...anditwouldallowateachertocreatealadderofstrength.Whowasthematurewitchorwizardwiththemoststrength.Who,withproperaimandcasting,couldcancelthespellsthrownbyothers.Couldthrowspellsthatcouldn'tbecanceledbyothers.

Magicwasallaboutstrength.Strengthandwill.

Harryrealizedhehadstrength,buthiswillneededreinforcing.StandinguptoMoody,defeatinghisspell,definitelyhelpedinthatregard.

"Thebook'sinmytrunk,"Hermionesaid.

"IwanttoreadabouttheWaroftheSevenKingsagain."

"Alright."

TheymadeituptotheCommonRoomandHarryfoundanoutofthewaycouchnearawindow.HesatdownandwaitedforHermione.Whensheturnedupwiththebookforhimandotherbooksforherself,heknewshewasinterested.Shewouldwaitforhimtore-readthestoryandthenreaditherself...untilthen,homeworktostarton.

"'TherelativepeacethatlastedfordecadesaftertheestablishmentofHogwartsendedwhentheMuggleWilliamtheConquerorarrived.HiswarfarefortheMugglethronepromptedwarfareonthemagicalside.Itwasthefirstlarge-scalewarringbetweenmagicalsincenturies.Ofcourse,therewerefamousduelsbetweenMerlinandMorgana,amongothers,butthisnewkindofwarwasgroupsofwizardsgoingupagainstgroupsofwizards.

"'ItcametobecalledtheWaroftheSevenKings,althoughthetwowizard'Kings'werejustearls.Theother'Kings'weren'tnobilityatall,justcourtwizardstoMugglesfightingfororagainstWilliamofNormandy.

"'Theeffectsthatwouldripapartthepeaceforgoodweresimple.Somewizardsonthefieldsurvivedlonger,untouched,thananyothers.Theycouldcastandcastandinjureandkill.Theywouldtakelittletonodamageinreturn.Infact,morethanoneofthese'special'wizardswerehitwiththeancientBabylonianandRomanwarspells,suchasAvadaKedavraortheImperius,withouteffect.

"'Ittookthewisestofwizardsdecadesafterthewarsendedtoproposeasolution.Theoldcursesweredominancecurses.Theydidn'tjustrequirecorrectcasting,suchasthepropermentalalignment,tohaveanaffect.Theyrequiredconsiderablemagicalstrength...specificallymoremagicalstrengththanthetargetpossessed.Notjustalittlebit.Aconsiderableamount.TwopeopleofequalornearequalmagicalstrengthcannotordinarilyharmeachotherbycastingtheKillingCurseateachother.NortheCruciatusCurse.

"'Whencombinedwithbindingritualsandenchantments,thetheoristslabeledallofthismagicdominancemagic.Someofitwaswarmagic,somewaswhatlordsusedtotakeonvassalsorservants.Butitwasallbasedonahierarchyofpower.

"'Intime,thisknowledgewasputasideandforgotten.DominancemagicwasturnedintoDarkArtswasturnedintoUnforgivableCurses.Theyareconsideredunblockable.Booksofmagictheorypropagatetheidea.But,ofcourse,it'snottrue.AstrongerwizardwillalwayskillamuchweakerwizardbyusingtheKillingCurse...unlessthereisaphysicalbarriertointerceptthemagic.Twoequalscannotharmeachotherwiththisclassofmagic.

"'ButthechangeinhowthismagicwasregardedcamefrompeoplewhofeareduncheckedLordsofconsiderablepower,suchavastamounttherewasnoonetostandupagainstthem.Wizards,exceptintimesofwar,rarelylefttheirtraditionallands.EvengettingEnglishorWelshwizardstocometoHogwartswasdifficultforcenturies.

"'SoalocalLordwasapowerfulfigure.ItwasrareforacommonwizardtokillaLordwithaKillingCurse.ItwashardtomountotherattacksonaLordbecausethestrongerwizardcoulddissolveotheroffensivespellsjustbycastingaspellinitsdirection.TheLordswhofellinthisperiodoftimediedduetotreacheryofthoseallowedcloseorthroughduelsconductedwithtraditionalweapons,suchasswords.

"'ThelegacyoftheWaroftheSevenKingswasthattheweakerwizardsbegantobandtogether,bandsthatwouldgrowandgrowuntilaWizengamotformedandaMinistryofMagic,acontrollerofthepowerfulmagic,magicthatwouldeventuallyallowgroupsofweakerwizardstocontrolthevastlymorepowerful..."

Harryfinishedit,madetoclosethebook,beforeHermionetookthepagesfromhishands.

Therewastoomuchtounpackthere.Howcouldhe"HarryPotter,FourthYearStudent"bemorepowerfulthanAlastorMoody,amanwho'dstoodagainstVoldemort?

Moodywasonthedamnedlistinthebookofverystrongwizardswho'dbeenclippedbytakingaMinistryoath.

HarryhadheardrumblesaboutthesmallsizeoftheMinistrypeace-keepingforce.EverythingwasgristforgossipataschoollikeHogwarts.Butnowhewonderediftherewasaparadoxatplay.Thejobrequiredstrength,buttheoathsinvolvedmightmakethestrongdeclinetotakethejobs.

So,perhapsitwasn'tjustbadteacherslikeSnapekeepingthenumbersofAurorslow.PerhapstherewasadvicepasseddownfamilesthatthestrongshouldstayoutoftheMinistryaltogether,nomatterwhatpositionwasinvolved.

HarryknewsolittlewhenhecametoHogwarts.ThisstruckhimasmoresecretsthatHarryhadn'tbeentold.Moresecretsthatanorphanwasexpectedtolearnforhimself,thehardway.TherewashistorynottaughtatHogwartsthatothersknew...thatguidedwhattheydidandwhy.Harrydidn'tbelievethatwhiningremediedmuchatall,sohesethismindtofiguringoutwhattodo.

"Idon'tunderstand,"Hermionesaid.Rarewordsfromhermouth.

"I'dreaditbeforebutthispartdidn'tmakesense...untilIbeathiscurse."

"Iknewyouwerestrong,but..."

Harrykeptquietbutnodded.Itwastroubling.Hisstrength,thehintsaboutwhattheMinistryreallydid.Hiscompletelackofpreparationforanyofthis.AsmuchasHarryhatedVoldemort,hecouldunderstandwhytheevilwizardhadneverjoinedtheMinistryinhisquestforpower,neverbeenentrappedandentangled.NotthatHarrycondonedmurder.NotthatHarrycondonedterrorisminanyform.Butsomeonewhowantedpowershouldn'tgolookingforitintheMinistryofMagic,notatall.

"Harry,wanttoplaysomechess?"Ronasked."IsHermionetryingtomakeyoureadthatbook?"

"We'rejusttalkingaboutit,"Harrysaid.Hehadn'tseenRonlookingforthemintheCommonRoom,buthe'dbeeninsidehisownheadtryingtopuzzlethingsout.

Hermioneopenedandclosedhermouth.ShelookedatHarrywithsomeconfusion.Whyhadn'thetoldRon?

Harryknewwhyhewasn'tsaying.RoncamefromaMinistryfamily.RonhadtoknowsomeofthisandRonhadn'tsaidaword.

"Homework,isit?"Ronasked.

"No,"Hermionesaid."Lightreading.It'sfascinating."

Ron'seyesglazedover.

Hermionehad,apparently,decidedtogowithHarry'slead.KeepRonoutofitfornow.Harrysmiled.Harrydidn'twantRontoknowhe'dwisedup.NotwhenRon'sfatherworkedintheMinistryandhadswornanoath.NotwhenRon'sfamily,saveforPercy,seemedhell-bentonsteeringclearoftheMinistry.ArthurWeasleyhadbeentrappedandhadexplainedwhatthetrapmeanttohismagicallytalentedchildren,soBillandCharlieknewandavoidedtheMinistry...informationHarrymighthavelikedtopossessforhimself.

HewonderedifBillhadswornoathstothegoblins.AnyGringottsoathshadtobelessinvasive,lessrestrictivethanwhatMinistryemployeesswore.Onlytheweak,onlythealmostpowerlesswouldtakethewordsatfacevalue.

Dumbledorewasstrong,butperhapshehadn'tknownwhattheoathswoulddo.Harrydidn'tknowiftheHeadmastercamefromanoldwizardingfamily.He'dnever

thoughtaboutthequestion.

InMoody'scase,HarryassumedtheoldAurorhadjoinedduringawarwhensurvivalwasmoreimportantthanwhattheoathswoulddoduringpeacetime.Moodymighthaveknownornot,buthehadn'tnecessarilyexpectedtosurvive.

But,forHarry,allthishistoryhewasn'ttaughtwasenoughtomakehimdoubteverything.

"Chess?"Ronasked.

HarrylookedatHermione.Sheshooedhimoff.Theirconversationcouldwaituntillater.

HarrywentoffwithRonforanotherdrubbing.Nothingatallseemedtohavechanged,buteverythinghad.Everylastthing.


"Whyaren'tthereanyspellsinhere?"HarryaskedagainstatthebeginningofOctober.He'dreadthebookthroughadozentimesnow.He'dbeensofocusedonwhatthebookwasthathewasslowtorecognizewhatitwasn't:abookofmagic.Littletheoryinitspages,mostlyhistory,lotsofanalysisandthetwistingofthelines.

Itwasawarning.Butitdidn'texplainhowtosurvive.Justgaveabigdoseofcaution.

"Idon'tthinkweneedthespells.Or,youdon't."Hermionesoundeddamnedunhappytohavethosewordscrossherlips.

"Howyousay?"

"Well,ifwefoundaroomtopracticein..."

"Yes,let'sdothat,"Harrysaid.

Hermionesmiled.Forthefirsttime,herfriendseemedhappytostudy.Ittookahellofahammertothehead,buthewaswillingtostudy.

"Ifwedidapracticeduel,ifwebothcaststunnersateachother,youwouldknockmeoutandmyspellwouldn'tdoanything..."

"Istillcan'tbelieveI'mthatmuchstronger..."

"Strongerthanme.StrongerthanMoody,forsure.Whoknowswhoelse?"She

wonderedifhewasstrongerthanVoldemort.Afterall,asaninfant,Voldemort'sKillingCursefizzled.SomepeoplechalkedituptoHarry.OtherstosomethingJamesPotterhaddone.AfewthoughtthecreditlaywiththebrilliantLilyPotter.

HermionewasnowbacktothinkingitwasallHarry.

"Let'sfindaroom,"Harrysaid.

Hermionesmirked.Wordslikethat,withaboyalittleolder,couldmeanaverydifferentthing.

"There'sacoupleintheCharmscorridor,"shesaid.

Hermionekeptouttwobooksandreturnedtherestofwhatshe'dbeenworkingonintohertrunkbeforetheylefttostartpracticingmagic,realmagic.Harrylookedatthetwoshekeptout,booksHarryhadn'tseenherwithbefore,notthathememorizedwhatitwasshelikedtoread.

TheyarrivedinthedustyroomnotfarawayfromwheretheytookclasseswithProfessorFlitwick.

"So,Ithinkthereareacoupleofspellswecanworkon,"shesaid.

"Howaboutthestunnerthebookstalksabout."

"YoualreadyknowPetrificusTotalus."

"So?"Hewantedthestunner.

Hermionenoddedandbeganflippingpages."Alright.Hereitis."

Harrycameoverandlookedoverhershoulder.Heproducedhiswandandbegantoplaywiththeprescribedwandmotion.Itwasjustabituncomfortable.Hewondered...ifitwasstrengthandwillthatmadeforpowerinmagic,couldhejustpointandspeakthespell?

Heaimedatadustcoveredtable.Hecast.

"You'redoingit..."

Afaintredlightimpactedthetable.

"Wrong."

Hermionepulledherwantandtriedtocastthespelltherightway,theprescribedway.Shegotafaintredbeam.

Theybothknewtheyhadn'tgottenthespell,probablycouldn'tdomorethaninconvenienceasquirrel.

Butsuccessfedbelief.Whichfedthewilltomakeitwork.

KnowinghewasstrongwasworthyearsofschoolingatHogwarts.Confidenceinmagic...worthhisverylife.

"Tryitagain,"Hermionesaid.

Hedid.Shedid.AlittlesuccessturnedintomoderatesuccessturnedintosomethingtobeproudofbythetimeHarry'sstomachrumbled.

"Weshoulddothisagain,"hesaid.

"Yeah."ShewasdisturbedandastoundedhowfastshelearnedthepracticalsideofthingswhenHarrygoadedhertodobetterwithhisownsuccess.

Shewonderedhowstrongshewas.Butshealsowonderedwhetheritwasstrengthorwillthatwasmoreimportantintheprimeequationofmagic.

ShewasmostofallgladthatHarryhadstartedtobelieveinhimself.


TherewasexcitementinmostcornersoftheGryffindorcommonroom,butnotwhereHarryandHermionesatafterthefeast.

"DidyouhearDumbledorementiontheGobletofFirebefore?

"No,"Hermionesaid.

"IthinkIwouldhaveremembered..."

"Anartifactofbinding."

Hermionehadtakenadeepplungebackthroughmanyofthebookssheowned,lookingtoverifyelementsofthehand-craftedbookshe'dbeengifted.Notmuchlinedupbetweentheparallelaccounts.

Butshebelievedthenewinformation.Shebelievedinthetheoryofbinding.

"Thebook?"

"Please,"Harrysaid.Therewasapassagetheybothneededtoreadagain.

Hermionereturnedtotheirquietcornerafewminuteslater.SheletHarrygofirst.

"'Therearemanygreaterspellsthatonlythoseofgreatmagicalpowercanuse.Inparticular,enchantingofobjectsthatwillretainspecificmagicalpropertiesfordecadesorcenturiesisoneofthemostimportanttothemagicalworld.Lordsofthetenth,eleventh,andtwelfthcenturiesoftensecuredvassalstotheircausesbyenchantingheirloomsforthebenefitofthevassalorhisfamily.Theonlyotherway,atthattime,tohaveenchantingdonewastocontractwiththegoblins.However,theyhaddifferentrulesofpropertyownershipandthings'purchased'duringalifetimewerenotabletopasstodescendantslegally.Theyshouldhavepassedbacktothegoblins.

"'Variousgroupsoflesserpoweredwizardsattemptedtobreakintoenchantingforaslongastheywerelockedoutofit.Thefirstbreakthroughcameinthelate14thcenturywhenateamheadedbyLonginusDiggorymanagedthefirstcooperativeenchantment,usingthemagicalstrengthofsevenwizardstoperformataskthatonehigherpoweredwizardcouldeasilyperform.

"'Thenext'breakthrough'cameinreplacingmarksofvassalshipthatLordsoftheageused.Thesubjectofvassalmagic,orbindingmagicasitcametobeknown,willbetreatedlaterinmoredetail.Butonthesubjectofenchanting,thefirstbindingenchantmentconstructedbycooperativemagicwasanobjectcalledtheGobletofFire.

"'Icallparticularattentiontothisartifactbecauseitwasthefirsttimeweakerwizards"agroupofelevenwizardsinthiscase"managedtocreateanenchantmenttoidentifythemostpowerfulwizardsorwitcheswithinagroupandbindthemtoamagicaloath,onpainoflossofmagicfornon-compliance.Priortothisdevil-cup,onlythestrongcouldperformsuchabinding.TheonlylimitationknownfortheGobletofFireisthatitsbindingistemporary,itmustbeusedwithafiniteendingdate,perhapstheonlysafeguardinstalledintheoriginalmagic.

"'Atleastthirty-onepotentiallypowerfulwizardshavebeenmurderedbymeansoftheGobletofFiresinceitscreation.TenbyuseoftheGobletofFireincompetitionssuchastheTriwizardTournament,longsinceabandoned.TheremainderbyactsoftrickeryperpetratedontheGobletofFire,usuallysomecontractawizardwasboundtowithoutknowingit,acontractthatwouldbeunknowinglyviolatedcostingthetarget-wizardhismagic,arippingthatwasinvariablyfatal...'"

TherewasanotherpageontheGobletofFire,butneitherHarrynorHermionecouldbringthemselvestoreadit.

Someonehaddustedthismonstrousthingoff...andbroughtittoHogwarts.Tobindthreepowerfulyoungpeople,possiblytokillthem.

Theweakstillruledtheworld.

"Youcan'tenter,"Hermionesaid.

"Noplansto."

"Butwhatif..."

"SomeonelikeMalfoy,"Harrysaid.TheblondSlytherinhadhaditinforHarryforyears,sincealmostthefirstdaytheystartedatHogwarts.

"Yeah."

"Isthereanydefense?"

"Tobeingmadesubjecttoabinding?"Hermioneclarified.

"Yes."

Hermionereadthenextpageinthebookandthepageafterthat."Doesn'tsay."

"Damn."

"AccordingtowhatDumbledoresaid,someoneyouragecan'tenter."

"But,canhisnameorhersbeenteredforhim?"

Hermioneshookherhead."Didn'tsay.Iwishwizardshadalickofsense.Theyseemtothinkit'ssomethingwonderful.Itsoundslikeacircusofdeath."

"Hermionedoesn'tlikecircuses?"Harryasked,smilingforthefirsttimesincehelaideyesontheGobletofFire.

"Idon'tlikeanythingenslaved...bypeopleorbyfancygoblets."

"Iagree."

Theydecidedtospendtherestoftheeveningworkingontheirmagic,nolonger

draggingbooksouttolearnnewspells.No,theyweretryingtoreallyputtheeffortintomasteringwhattheyalreadyhad.

Touseahandfulofspells,beabletomodifythem,beabletodoasmuchaspossiblewithalevitationandastunnerandacolorchangingspell.HarrywantedtogetbetterwithhisanimationspellsandHermionehadpickedforbothofthemtoseehowfarHarrycouldtakethePatronusCharm(gettinghimtoteachittoherwasabonus).

Bythetimecurfewsnuckuponthem,HermionehadmadegoodprogresspullingtogetheraPatronusCharm,butHarry'smindwaselsewhere.Aftergettinghisasshandedtohimtimeandagainwhentheypracticedthestunningspell,Harryrealizedthatforceofwillandqualityofconcentrationwerecloselyaligned.HefollowedupwithanimprovisationforHermione,ananimationtotheclothessheworesothatshehadtofightHarryandherownblouseandslacks.

AfterHarrylaughedatherloss,hefocusedbetterandbegantoprogressmuchfaster.Hewonderedhowtomakeacoloringcharmanoffensiveweapon.Hedidn'tknowyet,butitwouldsitinthebackofhismindforatime...untilhehadsomethingtopracticewith.


Halloween.Afewminutesbeforemidnight.Harrysataloneinthecommonroomtryingtoshufflewhatheknewintosomesortofshape.

HarryhadbeenboundbytheGobletofFire.TheweakwizardsoftheMinistryofMagicadmittedtherewasnothingtheycoulddo,hewasboundtothetermsofthecompetition.Afourthcompetitorinatournamentthatshouldhavehadonlythree.

Hermionehadwantedtostayupwithhim,butheneededsometimealone.Itwasenoughthatshebelievedinhim.Ronhadalreadyturnedonhim.

Theotherswhocheeredforhimbelievedhediditonpurpose.

Ofcourse,theyhadnowaytounderstandhowmuchhereviledtheideaofbeingboundtoacontractthatwantedtoriphismagicfromhim.

Hehadalreadybeenthroughthebookagain.Thiswasthefirsttimeithadfailedtobehelpful.Itsaidnothingabouthowtobreakabinding.It'sadvicewasaboutforeknowledgeandavoidance,nottoeverjointheMinistryinanyrole.Nothowtowigglefreeofoaths.

He'dreadthosepagescloselythiseveningandnotedthat,accordingtotheauthor,nooneknewthefullextentoftheoathstheywouldtakewhenjoiningtheMinistry.Theydidn'thandoverastackofparchmentsonaperson'sfirstday.Therewasanoathuponapplying.Anoathataninterview.Afewoathsuponstartingasapaper-pushingjuniorAuror.AfewmoreattheAcademyifyousurvivedtheexposuretoallthepaperandrules.BythetimewasonewasacapableemployeeoftheDepartmentofMagicLawEnforcement,onewasboundwithoathsthickerthancable.

Butthebookofferednothingaboutunwillingcommitmenttoanoathoracontract.Hewonderedwhohadwrittenthebook,givenittoHermione.ItwasafrequenttopicbetweenhimandHermione.Hewasgratefultoknowhowmuchtroublehewasin.Butwhyhadshebeengiventhebook?Howdidsomeoneknowtheadvicewouldbenecessaryatall?

WasitsomeonewithmorereliableSightthanTrelawney?Someonewhohadforeseenallthathadcometopass?Theknowledgeinthebookhadn'tstoppedanything,justmadeHarryaware.

Perhapsthatwasthepoint.Bindhim,makesureheknowshe'sintrouble,lethimcraftasolutionwithasmanyfactsaspossible.

Hadtobebetterthanhisnormalway.Fallintosomethinghorribleandtrynottodie.

HehadthreeweekstofigureouthowtosurvivetheFirstTask.HehaduntilJunetofigureouthowtodestroytheGobletofFire,butthesoonerthebetter.

NooneseemedtohaveacopyoftheagreementthattheGobletwassettoenforce.'Oldmagicthat,'wastheclearestofmanyfoggyanswers.Harryknew,roughly,howtheGoblethadbeenmadeandtowhatpurpose.Butwhatdiditsspecificrulessayanddo?WhatwouldgethimintroublewiththeGoblet?

Wouldthemostpowerful...shatteringspell"he'dhavetolearnsomethingthatexplodedthings,wouldn'the?"workontheGoblet,orwouldittriggertheoath?

TheonlygoodthingHarrylearnedwasthattheGobletwouldremainatHogwarts,intheGreatHall,untiltheconclusionoftheTournament.Thathadtobeimportantsomehow.Heneededtofigureoutwhyitwasimportantandhowtouseit.

Hereclinedonthesofaandsettledinforanap.Hedidn'tthinkhe'dbeabletosleepallthatwell.BetterinthequietofthisroomthanneartoRon.Hetookoffhisglassesandsetthemonthefloor,tuckingthemunderthesofa.

Therewastoomuchtoconsider.Toomuchrunningaroundinhishead.Itjustwouldn'tsettle.


IntheweekleadinguptotheFirstTask,Harryknewhewouldfaceadragon,thankstoHagridsneakinghimneartheenclosures.ProfessorMoodyalsoknewitwasdragons.HehadjustwitnessedHarrytellingCedricDiggoryitwasdragons.Morelikely,MoodyhadknownlongbeforeHarryhad.

Nowtheunspeakablyuglyprofessorwantedachat.

Hisofficewasfilledwithfiddlyenchantmentsthatkeptpingingandbangingandsmoking.Harry,whohadbeentryingtoreverseengineersomeoftheenchantingprocessbythecommentsincludedinthebook,recognizedtheitemsascheap,paleimitationsofwhatenchanteditemsshouldbe.

"Notimpressed?"Moodyasked.

"Howdoyougetanyworkdoneinhere?"

"IfIweresomewhereunsafe,I'dhavemyeyepointedoutthebackofmyskullallthetime."

Harrynodded.

"You'vebeenquiet."

"Sir?"

"Sinceyougotpulledintothis."

Whatcouldhedo,complain?HehadatasktosurviveandaGoblettodestroy."Working.Studying,sir."

"Well,youknowit'sdragons.Whatareyougoingtodo?"

Harryhadthreeorfourideas.Hermionehadn'tlikedthematall,soshe'dbeeninthelibraryforaweekwhenevershehadafreemoment.Notthathecaredtosharehowhewaspreparingwiththisprofessor,amandrivencrazybytheoathshe'dswornandbumpedupagainsttimeandagainwhileaMinistryemployee.Semi-retirementhadn'teasedmuch,ifany,oftheman'sburden.

No,hedidn'tcaretotellthewholetruthtoanyonecontrolledbytheMinistry.

"Idon'tknow,sir."

"Blastyoudon't."ThemanproceededtosketchoutaplanforHarrytofollow,hintingandwinkinganddraggingthedim-actingboyalong.

Thegistwas:Harrywassupposedtosummonhisbroomandoutflyoneofthefourdragons.EachofthedragonsselectedfortheTournamentwasafull-grownadult.Eachofthemhadwingsandcouldprobablyfly...plustherewereclawsandflamesandteethandwhoknewwhatelsetoworryabout.

Gettingswallowedbyadragonwhilehewasonthebackofabroomwasprobablyagoodshowforthejudges,butHarryjustsmiledandthankedtheprofessor.Heleftthemanbehindasfastashecouldmanage.

AdvicethatwouldgethimkilledwassomethingHarrycoulddowithout.

Hehadforeknowledgehewouldfaceadragon.Hehadalibrarythathadashockingarrayofbooksondragons.HehadHermione.Hehadmoremagicalpowerthanheknewwhattodowith,whichHarrybelievedwasthereasontheGoblethaddrawnhimin.HermioneandHarrywouldpulltogetherabetterplan.

No,hewouldn'ttrustwordonefromsomeonewho'dmadeMinistryoaths.

Harryguessed,nowthathethoughtaboutit,thatincludedDumbledore,didn'tit?Fudge,Bagman,Crouch,Moody,Mr.Weasley,Cedric'sfather.EveryonewithaconnectiontotheMinistry.

HewentofftotheLibrarytohaveaconversationwithHermione.

Hedefinitelywouldn'tbeflyinginthenextfewdays.Notwithadragonsnappingathim,tryingtoroasthim.


AcameraflashblindedHarryinmidhugwithHermione.Withoutthinking,hesentoneofhisnewestspells"Reducto"atthecamera.Itwasthespellheplanned,eventually,touseontheGobletofFire.

"Youcouldhavekilledme,"aroughlookingmanhollered,holdingfragmentsofwhatcouldhavebeenanexpensiveinstrument.

"Harry,that'snotsportingatall,"RitaSkeetersaid.

HarrystaredatSkeeter,onepersonwhowasn'tsupposedtobeinthechampion's

tent.Withorwithoutherphotographerintow.

Whataweakwitchcausingsomanytocower.

"Drawyourwand,"Harrysaid.

Hervenom-greenquillwavedinfrontofhim.

"You'rechallengingmetoaduel?"

"I'mgivingyouachancetodefendyourselffromwhatyou'vedonetomeandmyfriends."ThefirstarticleonHarryaftertheWeighingoftheWandshadbeenapackoflies.WhichsentHermionetothelibrarywhereshehaddiscoveredtherewerenoslanderandlibellawsintheWizardingWorld,savethattheduelingcodewasstillintacttoresolvedisputesoverhonor.

"Harry,you'reayoung..."

Harrycastaspell,justone,withoutnamingit.AmomentlaterRitaSkeeterbegantoscream,shesteppedbackandtothesideandbumpedintoherphotographerputtingthembothontheground.

BagmanandCrouchranintothetenttoseetheagingwitchrollingaroundontheground,asifshewereonfire,asifherbrainwerecompletelyaddled.

PoppyPomfreywasbroughtintothetent.Sheimmobilizedandsilencedthereporterwhilethephotographerlookedon,angrybutnotsoangryastosaysomethingtoHarry.Themanpossessedsomedrivetoself-preservation.

"There'snothingwrongwithher,"Pomfreysaid."Mr.Potter,theotherssayyoucastaspellather."

"Ifyoulookatherlips,"whichweresilenced,"thiswitchseemstothinkshe'sblind,"Harrysaid.

PomfreyundidthesilencingandSkeeterconfirmedshecouldn'tsee.Pomfreydidmoretesting,butSkeeterwasunaffectedbyanycursethemediwitchknew.

Crouchinterrupted."Pleasetakehertothemedicaltent."

"Mr.Potter..."

"Nurse,pleasegetthisintruderoutofhere.Wehavethetasktostart."

HarrywatchedSkeeterlevitatedoutoftheroom.Heguessedhewouldexplainwhathe'ddonetoPomfrey...orjustundoithimself...afterthetask.LetSkeeterhaveatasteofunpleasantnessforawhile.Shedidn'treportthethingsshesaw,thingsthatweretrue.Letherbeblindforawhile.Seeifthatwouldchangeherattitude.Awomandidn'tneedeyesifallshewantedtodowaslie.

CedricDiggorylookedatHarryanew.Krumpretendednothinghadhappened.Delacourhadasourlook,likeshe'dbeeneatingcrabapples.Sourandconstipated.

ThefourTriwizardChampionsdrewfordragons.Harryhadtheworstandthelast.

Theotherthreeeventuallyleftanddidtheirbattles.Harrycalmedhimselfandgotready.Itwasn'tlikehewasgoingtodoGreaterMagicinordertosurvive,buthetookitseriously.Hepracticedthewandmovementsseveraltimeswithoutcasting.Hewouldneedtousethisspelleighttimes,tentimes,maybemore.Itwouldbedraining.

Butitwassafe.

Harrydidn'tneedtodefeatthedragon.It'sownbiologygaveoneapainlesswaytodefeatit.NoharmforHarry,noharmforthedragon.Noharmfortheeggs,hehoped.Theyhadn'tresearchedthatpart.

Hestillusedtheproperwandmovementsforspellswhenhewasdoingclasswork...oranythingseenbypeopleotherthanhimorHermione.Hedidn'twantpeopletobeginguessingabouthisresearchesintomagic.

Harryheardhisnamecalledandexitedthetent.Hedrewinadeepbreath.HeheardthebellowofthefemaleHorntail,muchlargerthanheexpectedwhenhewasascloseashewas.Hiswandwasalreadyout,alreadycasting.

Thecrowdmadenoisesofconfusion.Theycouldn'tseewhatwashappening.Butthedragonsloweddown.Stoppedbreathingflames.Stoppedthrashingandtuggingonherchain.Eventually,asHarryreachedhisfourteenthspell,thedragonlaydownonthestonenearwhereitwastethered.

Finally,thecrowdrealizedsomethingwashappening.Notthattheycouldseewhatitwas.Notbig,notflashy.Butsomethingthatworked.

Harrycastonemoretimeandthedragonwenttosleep.

Noneofhisspellslandedanywherenearthedragon,notone.Heaimedforandhitrocksunderneaththedragonortoitssideorbehindit.

Harryfeltdrained.Hewalkeduptothedragonandovertoitsnestofeggs.Theystillradiatedheat.Hepickedupthegoldeneggandalmostdroppedit.

Thedamnedthingwascold.Socoldhisfingersalmoststucktothemetal.Hewrappeditintherobesheworeandtrottedbackasafedistance.Hebegancastingagain.Hedidn'tverbalizethespellheused,butitseffectbecameclearverysoon.Thedragon'seyesopened.Itstood.Itroared.Itbreathedflamesonitsowneggs.

HarrysmiledandwalkedintothemedicaltentwithhisGoldenEgg.HethoughtaboutignoringSkeeter,buthewavedhiswandherway.Shedidn'tmakeasoundbuthereyesbegantoblink.Shecouldn'tmove,couldn'tspeak,soitwouldbesometimebeforePomfreydiscoveredherchargewasallbetter,atleastinbody.Inmind...well,Harryhadgivenherheronlychance.Letherliftherpenagainandthewitchwouldn'tsurvive.

Harryhadnointerestintheweakbindingandhumiliatingthestrong.

HarrymadeitoutofthetentwithoutincurringaninspectionfromPomfrey.Ronwasthefirstofhisage-matestospothim.

"Harry,thatwasbloodyawesome.How'dyoudoit?"

"HiRon."

Harrybeganwalkingbacktothecastle,wipingcondensationofftheegg.Hermioneranupbehindthem.

"Itworked,"shesaid.

"What?"Ronasked."Whatdidyoudo?"

"Whatdiditlooklike?"Harryasked.

"Youputhertosleep."

"Yes."

"Buthow?"Ronpushed.

"Hermione?"

"There'sasimplespellin...abookofhouseholdmagic."She'dfounditinGilderoyLockhart'sbookforhousewives,notthatshewouldadmitthatnow."It'sthespellformakingacoldbox,themagicalequivalentofarefrigerator."

"Re-fry-what?"

"Imadethedragoncold,socoldithadtosleep,"Harrysaid."Ihittherocksbelow,behind,andtothesideswithaspellthatmadethembeginchillingtheaircloseby."

"That'sbrilliant."

Itwasbetterthanbrilliant.Itwassimple.Anditworked.

Harrywasabletoputmorepowerbehindthespellthanshouldhavebeenpossible.Enoughtomakearefrigeratorlargeenoughforadragon,evenwithoutatoporafrontdoor.Itwasasimplespell,powerfullyapplied.

Enoughforoneyoungwizardtowalkpastadragonunaffected.

Harrymadeitbacktothecastlebeforeanyoneelsecamelookingforhim.HermioneandRonsatwithhimintheCommonRoom,Rontryingtomakeamends,theoverallconversationstrained.Therewastoomuchdifferentbetweenthetwopartsofthisformertrio.Itwasapoliteconversationfornow.Politeandfriendlybutperhapsneveragainmorethanthat.

HarrycouldtellHermionewantedtoaskaboutSkeeter.Howheblindedher,hewouldsaveforanotherday.AtleastuntilRongotboredandleftthemalone.

HesunkdeeperintohisseatandbegantofallasleepwhileHermioneandRonargued.Hisbodywasexhausted,buthismindhadneverbeensounfettered.Thepartythatstarteduparoundhim,inhishonor,lessthananhourlaterwasloudenoughtowakethedead,butitdidn'twakeHarry.


ThedayaftertheFirstTask,HermionewasreadytotalkabouttheGobletofFire,aboutallherresearch.She'dheldbackonfillingHarry'sheadwithwhatsheknewwhileHarryhadworkedonhismasteryofthecoolingcharm.

SinceHarryhaddonemorethansurvivetheFirstTask"he'ddestroyedit",itwastimetoworkongettinghimunboundfromtheGoblet.Shehadgonethrougheverybookinthelibrarythatevenmentionedenchantingorartifacts.She'dputtogetherasdetaileda'biography'oftheobjectasshecouldmanagewithpresentresources.Now,shehadtoseeifHarrycouldmakeuseofanyoftheinformation.

Therewasalsothegoldeneggtheyneededtolookat...butiftheycoulddestroytheGobletbeforetheSecondTask,therewasnoreasontoworryabouttheegg,right?

Moreimportantissuesfirst.

ShedraggedHarryoffthecouchwherehe'dsleptovernight,forcedmorebreakfastthanhenormallyatedownhisthroat,anddraggedhimtotheroomwheretheymetintheCharmscorridor.Bythetimetheyarrived,Harrywasalmostawakeandfunctional.

"Hitme,"hesaid.

Sherolledopenascrollandshowedhimwhatshe'dfound.Hiseyesglazedover.Therewasalottogetthrough.Shehadneathandwriting,butitstillmadehiseyesprefertocross.

Hourslater,withHarryreadingsomeofitoutloud,andHermionetherest,theymadeitthroughallhernotes.

Thethingsthatstuckout:theGobletwasalwaysusedattheMinistryorHogwarts.Therewerenorecordsofitbeingusedelsewhere.

Theydidn'tknowwhatthatmeant,butthoughtitimportant.

TherewasbutasingleaccountoftheGobletrippingthemagicfromacheaterinvolvedintheTriwizardTournament,oneoftheill-fatedoneswherenoneofthechampionssurvived.Itwashorribleineveryway.

TherewerenostoriesinthebooksofpeopleattackingorattemptingtodestroytheGobletitself.Harrywishedtherewere.

Harry'sstomachtoldbothofthemwhenitwastimetotakeapause.TheyheadedfortheGreatHallforlunch,butfoundtheroominaroil.

Thatmorning'scopyoftheDailyProphetexplainedeverything.RitaSkeeterhadusedeightypercentofthefrontpagetoattackHarry."HogwartsStudent,Boy-Who-Lived,MountsViciousAttackonReporter."

Onewouldn'tknowfromthearticlethattheFirstTaskhadbeenheld.ThatthereweredragonsonHogwartsgrounds.ItwasallaboutRita,allthetime.Herhissyfitssoldpapersandthatwasallthatmattered...atleastuntilHarrywasfinishedwithher.

Harrywasn'tsurprisedwhenAurorsarrivedbeforelunchwasover.

TheMinistryalwaysdidcaremoreforappearancesthananythingelse,justaskHagridabouthislovelystayinAzkaban.

DumbledoreinterceptedthefiveAurors.Heseemedtoknowtheoldestone,amanwhowalkedwithsomethingofalimp,hisfacefullofpale,not-quite-tancoloredhair.Helookedlikeadamagedlion.

"Mr.Potter,ifyouwould?"DumbledorecalledoutfromnearthedooroftheGreatHall.Harrytookanotherbiteofhissandwichandstood.

DumbledoremadetheAurorswaitwhileheescortedHarryfromthehallandtohisoffice.Harrywalkedintotheofficeandstoodwhiletheothersgathered.

"Now,AurorScrimgeour?"Dumbledoresaid.

"IjusttookhiswandsowewillsoonunderstandhowheblindedtheSkeeterwitch."

Harrysearchedhisbodyforhisownwand...itwasgone.TheAurorhadpickpocketedhim.Thatwasthesecondtimethisyear,onceattheQuidditchWorldCupandnowwhenitreallymattered.

Harrywentfromunconcernedtofuriousinmoments.TwooftheAurorshadtheirwandsonHarry.Theyknewwhattheleaderoftheteamwasgoingtotrytodo.Stealingaperson'swandwasn'tacrimewhenanAurordidit.Right?

Therewasnoconversation,nointerview.Justapresumptionofguilt.

Dumbledoredidnothing,astonestatuewouldhavebeenmoreuseful.Ministryoathsandallthatrot.

"WhatlawdidIbreak?"Harryasked.

"Idon'tknow,"theleadAurorsaid."ButwhentheMinistergivesanorder,Idon'tthumbthroughanoldbook."

"WhatRitaandIhadwasalawfulduel."

"Notwhatshe'sclaimed,"theAurorsaid.

Appearancewasmoreimportantthanfact.

"Itakeyouasinterferingafteralawfulduel.Youknowwhattheduelingcodesaysaboutthat?"

"Asamatteroffact,Idon't."

Harrynodded.Dumbledoretuckedhimselfawayinanookofhisoffice.Heexpected

somethingtohappenandhewouldnotbepartytoit,thecravenoldman.

TheAurorsholdingwandscast.TheAurorDumbledorecalledScrimgeoursnappedHarry'swand.HarryputtousesomeofhispracticewithHermione.Hecastwithoutawand.Hecasthard.

Harryremainedstanding.Theotherswereallontheground.Harrylookedaroundtheoffice.SomeofwhattheAurorscastmadeitthrough,notthatithitHarry.ThereweredeepgougesinthewallsbehindHarry.Atleastoneofthemenhadcastcuttingcurses.HarrythankedMerlinhecaststrongerthantheAurors.Hisstunningspelloverwhelmedtheiroffensivespells.

Buthewouldn'ttakethis'legal'attemptonhislifewithashrug.

TheMinistryhadtogo.Theseweakpeople,littlebetterthanagangofchild-bullies,wereabouttofindtheirworldended.Harrypromisedthat.

Hecollectedthepiecesofhiswand.HecollectedthewandspossessedbytheAurors,mostofthemwithmorethanone.Hehadafistfulofwoodandanimalparts.Hetriedeachofthemandgottepidreactions.

Hewouldn'tbeabletoreplacehisdestroyedwandwithsomeoneelse's.HeputthemdowninDumbledore'sfireplaceandsetthemalight.Theyweren'thappytoburn,buthismagicoverwhelmedthem.Theyburned.

"Theduelingcode?"

HarryturnedandsawDumbledoremovingaround."Yes."

"Anafter-the-factviolationoftheduelingcode?"

"Yes,Professor."

"ThenmyoathsasChiefWarlockdon'tcompelmetostopwhateveritisyoufeelyouneedtodo."

"Thankyou,sir."

Harrycouldhateandremainpolite.Livingwithhisauntandunclehadtaughthimthatkindofmentalduplicity.

"It'sapowerfulstunningspellyou'veworkedup.Wandless,too."

"Ifyousayso."

"Ibelieveinthatlowestdrawerrightthere...yes,thatcabinetrightthere,Harry,youmightfindacollectionofwandswilledtoHogwartsovertheyears.Icouldn'tdoanythinglikesuggestyoutrythemuntilyoufindonethatsuitsyou.No,Idefinitelycan'tsuggestthat."

"Iunderstand,"Harrysaid,baffledashecouldbe.

"I'lljuststepoutofmyofficesoyoucanhandleyourbusiness,Harry."

"Alright,sir."

HarryhadthesensetheHeadmasterhatedtheAurorsonthefloorasmuchasHarrydid.Whyhethoughtthat,Harrydidn'tknow.Itwasimportantsomehow,hesuspected.He'dshareallofthiswithHermioneandseewhatshemadeofit.

Thebook'spagesonbindingshadpromptedHermionetospendseveraldaysresearchingthegivingandtakingofoaths.ThatwaswhatHarrywouldhavetousenow.AnoathforeachoftheAurors.Anoathtostopthe'investigation,'anoathtopunishSkeetersomehow,anoathtoseparateeachofthesepeoplefromtheMinistry.

IfhehadtotaketheMinistryapartpersonbyperson,he'ddoit.Ifhecouldmakeitallimplodeonitself,hewould.

Harrytappedhisfingersneartheeyesoftheyoungest-lookingAurorbeforebreakingthestunningcurse.

"Hello?"thecalledout.Asifhewereasmallpersoninavast,vastroom.Completelydarktohisperception.

"Thiswasn'tyouridea?"Harryasked.

"No."TheAurorwasalmostreadytocry.

"Doyouknowtheduelingcode?"

"No."

"Youinterferedafteraduelwasover.Itbroketheduel.You'reonthehooksameaseveryoneelse.SameasRitaSkeeter.There'snotmuchIcan'tdotoyou,"Harrysaid.

"Whatdoyouwant?"Thequestionaskedthroughtears.TheyoungAurordidn'teventrytobluster.Theweakwhowerealsosmartknewwhenthey'dgambledandlost.

"Information,first.Thenwe'llgettothenegotiation."

TheAurorwassuccumbingtotheeffectsofthedarkness.Hetriedtokeepsilent,saveforhistears,beforeheseemedtolosehispoise.Hewentthroughapanicattack,thehorroroftheexperiencewrittenonhisface.Thepain,thefrustration,theconfusion.

Harryfounditmadehimsick.Hewasgladtoknowhewasstillapersonandstilldeploredinflictingpain.Itmeanthewasn'taVoldemort-type.Thatwasgood.Buthecaredmoreabouthisfuturesafetythanabouthismoralcomfort.Hewouldpushhardevenpushpasthisownlimits.

"Information,"Harrysaidagain.

"Alright."

"Whosentyouhere?"

"TheMinister."

"Yourorders?"

"Humiliation."

"Notarrest?"

"No."

Harryshookhishead,notthattheAurorcouldsee."Howisacuttingcursehumiliating?"

"Ididn'tcastone."

Diddifferentpeoplegetdifferentorders?OrwasthisAurornotcluedinontherealpurpose?HarryunderstoodwhytheMinistryhadandusedabindingartifactliketheGoblet.Tocontroltheoutliersintheircivilization,theverypowerful.ThisAurormaynotyetbetrustedwiththedeepestsecretsoftheMinistry,itsrealreasonforexistence.

Thedeeperthequestioningwent,theharshertheoathHarrywantedtoadminister.Bythetimehequestionedallfive,includingtheleaderScrimgeour,Harryhadtocreatesomethingthatwouldalmostdestroyalltheirlivesbeforehefeltsafe.Hesatdownonthefloorandscratchedoutanoathonparchmenthe'dliberatedfrom

Dumbledore'sdesk.Itwashorrible.Theoathclauseswerebeyondhorrible.

Hethoughthewouldneedawandtodowhatneededdone.HeduginthedrawerthatDumbledorepointedout,thewandslefttoHogwarts.Hisfifthattemptfoundagoodmatch.Helookedatthetagthathungfromastringfromthewand."GeorgeannaEvans,1714-1832."

Harrysnappedthetagfromthewandandthankedthiswomanforhergiftthroughthecenturies.

HarrywokeeachoftheAurorsagain,madethemswearitthroughthetearsandthepleas,andthenremovedtheblindingeffecthe'dplacedoneachone.Whenallfiveswore,hereleasedthem.

Harrynoticedthattheportraitsintheofficehadwatchedeverything.HeguessedtheHeadmasterwouldgetafullaccountingofwhatHarryhaddone,thewandhe'dselectedforthetimebeing.

AllfiveAurorsranoutoftheroom,allofthemrecognizingtheywereinbreachofcontractandhadonlyafewminutestogetoutsideofthecastle.

NoneofthemcouldspendmorethanfiveminutesinsideHogwartswithoutlosingtheirmagic.Likewise,nomorethanfiveminutesinsidetheMinistryofMagic.TherestoftheoathsHarryhadinflictedontheselackieswouldmakeithardforthemtoeverfindpeace.

Itwashorriblewhathe'ddonetothem,buttheywerestillalive.

Soon,RitaSkeeterwouldceasetobeaproblem.PerhapsHarrywouldn'ttellHermionethefulloathhe'dwritten.Hewouldsleepbetterkeepingpartofthesecrettohimself.


TheretractionofRita'sfrontpageallegationsthedayaftertheFirstTaskcameaweeklater,ontheinsidebackpage,belowafewnoticesplacedbywitcheswhohadmisplacedtheircats.ThebriefapologybythepublisherforcommentsaboveandbeyondthenecessarywasjustabovenoticethatRitahadattackedAurorsinvestigatingherandwascommittedpermanentlytoSt.Mungo's.Hermionedidn'tevennoticethestory,soHarrydidn'tbringitup.

InfacttheywerewellatworkontheinformationthatScrimgeourhadgivenupontheGobletofFire.Harryhadaskedallfivemen,butonlytheleaderhadevenasingle

pieceofadvice.

'TheGoblethadtobenear,verynear,toalargeconcentrationofwitchesandwizardsatalltimesitwasholdingacontractopen.'

TheyhadhadtowaitforaHogsmeadeweekend.Onceeveryone,saveforthefirstandsecondyears,wasoutofthecastle,HarryandHermionewenttotheGreatHall.Therewerethreestudentssittingatatable.Noteachers.Hell,theteacherswereinHogsmeade,too,weren'tthey?

HarryhaddecidedtherewasnodelicatewaytohandletheGoblet.Hehadn'tstudiedRunesatall.Hermionewasinhersecondyearoflearningwhatitwasallabout.

Theywouldhavetogowiththebruteforcemethod.

Theschoolwascleared.ItwastimetoseewhathappenedifHarrythrewaReductoattheGoblet.HehadtheEvanswandwhichworkedwellinapinch,butHarryhadalsodecidedtocontinuepracticinghiswandlessskills.He'dseenDumbledoreperformmagicclosetowandlesssoHarryknewitcouldbedone.Harryhidwhathewasdoingwitha'wand'thatwaslittlemorethanatwighe'dfoundonthegroundandpolishedtoadecentsheen.Itlookedcloseenoughtohisprevious,butnowsnappedwand,thatnoonehadmentionedadifference.HewouldvisitOllivander'sinthesummertogetanewone,arealone.

Hewouldn'tdependonjustonetoolanymore.TheEvanswand,thefake'wand.'Eventuallyanewrealwand.Eachofthemwasdifferent,eachofthemdiddifferentthingstohismagic.Helearnedthisway.Hewantedtokeeplearningthisway.

ForthisattemptontheGoblethewouldusethe'stick'he'dfashionedintoawand.He'dgottenveryskilledwithaReductocastwandlessly,justthroughapropstick.Infact,thisspellhadmoreimpactdonethiswaythanthroughheEvans.Harryguessedthatantiquewandhadn'tbeenmeantforoffensivemagics.Itdidmuchbetterwithtransfiguration.

HermioneremainedbythedoorsoftheGreatHall.HarrywalkedovertothesidewheretheGobletremained,waitingtostealthemagicofsomeonepowerful.Harrypushedmagicthroughhisstickandsentthedensest,angriestReductohecouldmanage.Thecursestruckthecup...andwasabsorbed.

Harrycouldfeelfingersinsidehischest,fingerstryingtoclawoutthestrengthinsidehim,greedyfingers.Heflexedhismagicandthefingersinsidehimwithered,snapped,broke.

Theparasitedied...andtheGobletofFireexploded,athousandchipsofwoodshreddings.

Harryfoundhimselfonthestoneflooroftheroom,panting.He'dsurvivedbuthefeltstompedon,almosttorntothepointwherehewasbroken.

Hekneltandwaitedandhisbodybegantoconquerthelingeringpain.Itdisappeared.

Harryhadwon.

"Hermione?"

Shedidn'tanswerback.Hepushedhimselftohisfeet."Hermione?"

Heturnedandsawhercollapsedonthestonefloor.Thechildrenwho'dbeensittingattheRavenclawtablewereontheflooraswell.

"Hermione."

Helevitatedher.Thenaddedthethreeyoungonestohiscollection.HesetoffalmostatarunthroughthehallsofHogwartsfortheinfirmary.

MadamPomfreylookedupfromherreadingwhenheenteredanddirectedHarrytoputthemdownontheirbeds.Hecouldn'texplainwhathadhappened.Heknewhehadcausedit,notthatheexplainedhimselfthatway.ButwhyhadtheGoblet'sexploding...donethis?

Hewasfree.

ButHermione...andthefirstyears.

Whathadhedone?


Threedayslater,HermionerecoveredenoughofherenergyforPomfreytowakeher.HarryandHermionecomparedstories.

Theyhadbothhadhandsintheirchests.TheGoblethadaffectedbothofthemafterHarryattackedit.

Probablythefirstyearsaswell.

Hermionehadstruggledagainstit,buttheGoblettookallthemagicitwantedfromher...untilitjuststopped.

Harryhadn'tfoughttheGobletsomuchasallthepeoplewithinproximityoftheGoblet,Hermioneandthreefirstyeargirls.TheGoblethadbeenwillingtokillalloftheminordertodestroyHarry.Stealingtheirmagic,combiningit,lobbingitasaweapon.

Itwasgoodthey'dwaitedsolongbeforeattemptingthis.HadtherebeenadozenpeopleintheGreatHall...Harrymightnowbedead.

Onthegoodside,theMinistryrecognizedthatthedestructionoftheGobletmeantthattheTournamentwasstrictlyvoluntary.FleurhadalreadyleftwiththerestofBeauxbatons.KrumwasrumoredtobeunhappyinScotland,Harrydidn'texpectDurmstrangtoremain.Thenitwouldbetwo:CedricandHarry.HehopedDumbledorewouldendthismess.

FromaTriwizardTournamenttoaQuadwizardTournamenttoaDiwizardTournament.

Whatamess.

Harrydidn'ttheleavetheinfirmaryuntilPomfreykickedhimout...orHermioneleftunderherownsteam.IthappenedintimetorejoinMondayclasses.

TheyounggirlsfromRavenclawwereawakeagain...andunharmed.Justexhaustedandthenrefilledbytimespenthealing.

Hehopedheneveraccidentallyinflictedsuchharm,suchpainonsomanypeopleeveragain.


"Potter,withme."

"Sir?"

Moodydidn'tbothertoexplainhimself,justwalkedawayfromwhereHarry'sclasswasbreakingup.Hagrid'sskrewtshadleftHarrymorethanalittlefrazzled.

"IknowthattheMinistryhasn'tcometoaskabouttheGoblet."

"Sir."

"Thedamnedthingwashundredsofyearsold.Itdidn'tjustexplodeandinjurefourgirls."

"Sir."

Vernongotthiswaysometimes.Harryknewroughlywhattodo,hethought.

"I'mnotoneforpuzzles,boy.You'retoobigapuzzleformetoletalone."

Harrynodded.

"So,whatdidyoudo?"

"HermioneandIstoppedinbeforeheadingtoHogsmeade.Thefoodwasallgonebythen.BeforeweleftshecollapsedandtheGobletexploded..."

"Ifyou'rethinkingofacareerinpolitics,youneedtoliebetter."

"I'dbeaterriblepolitician,"Harrysaid.

"Rightyouare."

"Ifthat'sall,sir."Harryturnedtotakethepathbacktothecastle.TheywerealmostatthegatethatledtoHogsmeade.

Moody'shandgrabbedHarry,spunhimaround,whileanotherhandshovedsomethingtowardHarry.

Hefeltatwistinginhisguts."No,"heshouted.

Thetwistingfailed.Ithadbeenaportkey."No."

Harry'shandflungoutandlandedonMoody,astunningspellzippingfromhishandintothemanwhohadjusttriedtosendhimsomewhereawayfromHogwarts.

Moodycrumpledtothedirt.

Harrystaredattheman...theMinistryman...theoathsthemanhadsworn.WherewouldthatportkeyhavetakenHarry?TheMinistry?Azkaban?Theboydidn'twanttoknow.

Buthewouldneedtofindout.NeedtofindoutwhattheMinistryhadjusttriedtodo.

Thetrickwas,howtobreaksomeonelikeMoody?

He'dheardoftruthserums,butgettinghishandsononewassomethingelse.HeneededtomakeithardforMoodytolietohim.

HarrysettosearchingMoody'sstillbody.Hisclothinghadpocketswithinpockets.Heeventuallygotholdoftheman'sflashandopenedit.Hebeganpouring.Itwasn'taclearliquidatallanddidn'tsmellofhardbooze.Itwasapotionthatwasdark,angry.HarryhadtheideaitwasPolyjuice,arathernastypotionhe'dusedafewyearsearlier.Disgusting.

MoodywithPolyjuice?MoodyonPolyjuice?Whowouldchoosetolookthatbeatenandmauled?

Perhapsthemanwasn'tMoodyatall.MoodyhadretiredfromtheMinistry.PerhapsthiswasaspyfromtheMinistrywhoworeMoody'sface.

Harrycontinuedhissearch.HeeventookMoody'slegfromhim,butlefttherovingeyeinplace.Hecouldn'tfigureouthowtogetitloose.

Hedidn'tthinkhisusualblindingtrickwouldworkthistime.Hehadn'texplainedittoanyonesohecoulddoitagain,butMoody'scrazyeyemightjustworkaroundtheproblem.Harrydidn'tcastablindingcurse.Hermionehadfoundoneforhimtolookat,butitwasmorecomplexthanhefeltcomfortabletryingtomasteratthetime.Power,afterall,didn'trequireexperience...buttheblindingcursedid.

WhatHarryhaddonewasanoddapplicationofacolorchangingcharm.Thingsthatwereclearbecameblack,likethelensofaneyeorglass.Thus,apparentblindnesswithoutanyonebeingabletodetectablindnesscurse.Theywouldhavefoundtheproblemhadtheygonelookingforacolorchangingcharm.

Itwasgoodtobeoverestimatedsometimes.Harrypreferredthesimpletothecomplex.

Nowpeoplethoughthehadsomeundetectableblindingcurse.Undetectablebypeoplelookingforablindingcurse,itwastrue.Butfirstyearmagiclearnedwell,improvedtothepointwherehecoulddovariationsonit.

HarryrippedastripfromMoodyshirtandtieditovertheman'sface.Hedidn'tknowhowtheeyeworked...MoodyorwhicheverspyhadtakenMoody'splacewouldseethroughit,butitwouldbedisorienting.

Heusedhiscolorchangingspellaswell.Perhapsbeingblindinoneeye,withclothcoveringit,andunblindwithhisenchantedeyewouldirritatethemanandkeephimoff-centeredlongenoughforHarrytomakesenseofhim.

Withouthisleg,astheveryleast,themanwasn'tgoingtogetupandattackHarry.

Hewishedhehadatruthserum.

HewishedhehadHermionetohelphim.Buthewasn'tgoingtoleavethismanherelongenoughtotrackdownHermione.

Hewouldhavetodoithimself.

TheAurorsinDumbledore'sofficehadknowntheywerebeaten...butwhoknewifHarrywouldhavesuchluckthistime.Heneededacarrotandastick.

HewouldofferMoodythefreedomtoleave...andwouldpunishhimwith...

Harrydidn'tknow.Ashethoughtaboutit,herealizedheknewverylittlemagic.BecauseofthehandwrittenbookandtheworkHermioneputhimthrough,Harryhadmaybefifteenspellswellmastered.Fifteenspellsafterfouryearsofmagicalschooling.

Hewasworsethanignorant...andhewouldhavetosettofixingthatsoon.

Hehadlearnedacuttingcurseafterhisrun-inwiththeAurors.HarrycouldthreatentoaddamissinghandtoMoody'salreadymissingleg.Hewouldn'twanttodoit,butkidnappingwasunforgivable.

Harrywoketheincapacitatedmanandtheinterrogationofalifetimestarted.


Anowlflewintotheoffice.AlbustookthemissiveandtheowlwenttoFawkes'perchforrestandrefreshment.Therewasafiregoinganditwasagloriousplacetobeatthemoment.

Dumbledorecaressedthescroll.Heknewwhatitsaid.Itwashispardonandhisfreedomandhishuntinglicenseallrolledintoone.Strictlyspeaking,itwashisofficialretirementasChiefWarlock.

Dumbledorewishedhewasinbetterhealthtoenjoyhisretirement.Hefeltatouchofsomethingbeastlysettlingin,somebugpassedfromstudenttostudentthathe'dnowcaught.

Evensick,hewashappy.FreedomsuitedAlbusDumbledore.IntheconfusionafterCorneliusFudge'smurderbyamanlongthoughtdead,BartyCrouchJunior,Albuspushedthroughtheideathattheyneededayoungermanattheheadofthe

Wizengamottohelpwiththecoming,massivechangesconfrontingtheMinistryofMagic.Hence,someothersuckerwouldtaketheoathsasChiefWarlock.Malfoyhadn'tevenbeenatthemeetingwherehispreliminaryrequestwasentertained.

NowAlbushadthesealedscrollinhishand.Hewasfree.

Itwouldbeaperfectday,butthisdamnfluhadsettledinandnotevenaPepper-Upcouldmakehimfeelright.HellofawaytospendtheweekbeforeChristmas.

Albuscouldn'tgetPomfreytotellhimjustwhatwaswrongwithhim.Therehadn'tbeenmanydaysinhislifewhenhe'dbeenundertheweather,asideeffectofbeinganenormouslystrongwizard.

Nowthathewasfree,Albuscouldfinishoffthetaskshe'dbeguninthe1970s.Hecouldhandlethehuntingofthehorcruxesonhisown.HecouldtapMinervaandlethertakeoverHogwarts.AlbuscouldpayamidnightvisitatMalfoyMansionandendthosesmooth-tonguedmonsters.Thatwouldbetheperfectstarttoapleasantretirement.

Hewascontent.Hewasfreeandhehadhisunknowingdisciple.Therealmessagehewantedtotransmit"Albus'life'swork"hadtakenholdinHarryPotter,notthattheyoungmanknewit.Strengthwasall.Theboywouldstumbleintoeverythingheneededtoknow.Albusdidn'tneedtopentheboyanotherbooknow.Whatacreativemindtheyoungmanhad,simplespellsandsomuchcamefromthem.

Thecolorchangingspellhe'dheardaboutinhisoffice,whenusedonAurors,hadstunningeffect.

Theboywouldbefine.

Albusnolongerhadtobesureofanythingonthatscore.Theboy'sgrowingstrengthwouldinevitablydrawVoldemorttohim.Theclashwouldhappenandtheworldwouldgoon.AlbuswouldbeelsewhereinEuropeandnotevenhearthenewsforaweek.He'dfoughthiswar.Hewouldhandlehislooseendsthathisoathshadkepthimfromhandling.Thenhewasdone.Hisreputationwasfixed.Toomanyyearsasaschoolteacher,toomanyyearsasanamateurpolitician.Ifherewrotethelawsoftransfiguration,hemightwalkhimselfuptheladder.Otherwise,no.HimkillingVoldemortwouldn'tbeasurprise,amiracle,itwouldjustbewhatpeopleexpected...whattheywouldgrousehadtakenhimtoolong.

DumbledorekillingVoldemortsolateinallthismightdamagehisreputation,cometothinkofit.

Dumbledorehadbecomequitecarefulabouthisreputation.Nowthathedidn'treallycareanymore.Hedidn'twanttobesaddledbyundueexpectations.Hewasdone.Hehadafewmoredecadesoflife,buthewantedmoreorlessanonymousyears.Funyears.

Hehadthem...

Albusfelthischesttightening,sweatbeadingonhisforehead.Hisofficewaswarm,butnotthatwarm.

Hisfirstthoughtturnedtopoison.

Hehadbeenpoisonedbefore.Hereachedintohisdeskandpulledoutabottle.Abezoarwentdownhisthroat.

Nothing.Nothingloosenedorrelaxedinhisbody.

Who'dgottencloseenough...thelastpersonwhohadspenttimealoneinthisofficewas...HarryPotter.Theboydidn'tknowPotionsatall,notenoughtoknowPoisons.ButtheboyhadmorethanahealthydistrustofallthingsMinistry.

Itwaspossible.DumbledorehadoncebeentheultimatesymboloftheMinistry.

"Fawkes."

ThephoenixflamedjustaboutwhereDumbledoresatanditwasn'tlongbeforedripsofliquidbegantoraindownonDumbledore.Theoldwizardraisedhisheadandopenedhismouth.Hefeltthephoenixtearslandonhistongue.

Nothingelsechanged.

Abezoarandphoenixtearsshouldremedyanything,poisonwasn'ttheissue.

HiseyesfellonthescrollfromtheMinistry,theonereleasinghimfromhispositionasChiefWarlock.Hecrackedthesealandactuallyreadthedamnedthing.

Itdidn'ttakelongtofigureoutwhyhefeltundertheweather.Theidiotswhohadwrittenandsignedtheorderhadn'treleasedhimfromhisoaths,justfromtheposition.Hewasinconflictnow.Hewasinviolation.

Todiebecauseofthis...Becauseofcraftinessoridiocy.

Iftheyhadjustfiredhimwithoutsomecraftybastardwordsmithingtheletter.Iftheyhadjustdonewhattheyweretold...

Albusputhisheadonhisdeskanditneverroseupagain.FawkesthePhoenixsangforhisfriendforseveralminutesbeforetheofficewentsilent.AnewportraithungbehindDumbledore'sdesk.Thepersonintheportraitsleeping,nottowakeforsometime.

Itwasn'tuntilafterdinnerthattheDeputyHeadmistressfoundtheHeadmaster.Itwasasolemnnightinthecastle.AsolemnnightfortheMagicalWorld.

Agreatmanwasdead.


A/N:I'veposteddetailsaboutmyoriginalwritingprojectsonmyprofilepage.Checkthemoutifyou'reinterested.

StumblingAround

KnowledgeisUseful,butPowerisPower

Chapter2

A/N:Thisstorywasonceaone-shotinmyCommonSensecollection.NowthisistheonlyplacewhereI'mcontinuingit.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

ThecastlewasdecoratedforChristmas,butitfeltalienandcoldwithDumbledoregone.ThedayafterDumbledorewaslaidtorest,thedaybeforetheHogwartsExpressranbacktoLondon,HermionedrugHarrytotheemptyclassroomintheCharmscorridor.

"Slowdown."

"I'vegottopacklater."

Asifshehadn'tbeenpackedforaweekalready.ShewasreturningtoherfamilyovertheholdaysnowthattheYuleBallhadbeenscuttled.

"Ididn'tknowweweretraining,"Harrysaid."IthoughtwiththeTriwizard..."

"We'renottraining,"Hermionesaid."We'rechatting."

"About?"

Hermionesmiled,aratherunnervinglookonherface.Sheknewsomethingandwantedmore.Hersmilebespokepainforanyonewhogotinbetweenherandagoodstory.

"About?"Harryaskedagain.

"Whatyou'vebeenupto."

"Youknow.Youwerethere."Ofcourse,shehadn'tbeenpresentforthemostimportantparts.Thatwasalwayshowitworked"Harryhadonefinaltesteveryyearandhehadtocarryitoff,orfail,onhisown.

"Ididn'tseeadamneddryeyeatthefuneral,saveforyours.So,spill."

"Youknow,thebook."

"Yes?"

"Heworkedforthem.Ifeelbad...butIcouldn'tcryforhim."

Hermioneshookherhead.ShehadnolovefortheMinistryatthispoint,butshealsoknewbetterthantoletHarryslidebywithsayingsolittle.Therewasasecrethehadn'tpushedherwayyet.Shecouldsmellit."Harry."

Theboyinquestionscowled.

"Iwanttoknow,"shesaid.

"Youdon't."

"Tellme."

"It'snotgood."

He'dcracked.Halfthebattlewasover.Himandhissecrets."Iwon'tthinkanydifferentlyofyou,"shesaid.

"Ithinkdifferentlyofme,"Harrysaid.Hedidn'taskhertopromisethatnothingwouldchange.Heknewitwould.Heknewhe'dsteppedovertheline,welloverit.He'ddonesomethinggreat,somethinghorrible,hehadn'tevenpiecedittogetherhimself.

"Tobehonest,Iwasn'tsadattheHeadmaster'sfuneralbecausemymindwaselsewhere."

"Where?"sheasked.

"Letmetellyouthestory,"Harrysaid."Youwon'tbelievemeotherwise."

"I'dalwaysbelieveyou."

Heshookhishead."YourememberthedaythattheMinisterofMagicwasassassinated?"

"IreadaboutitintheProphetthenextday.Likeeverybodyelse,"shesaid.

"Well,thedayithappened,IwaswalkingbackfromCareofMagicalCreatureswhen'Professor'Moodystoppedme."

"Iremember."

Harryproceededtotellherabouttheattemptedabduction.

"Harry...howdidyou..."

"AllthistimeIthoughtIwasstrongerthanAurorMoody.Nottrue,"Harrysaid."IwasstrongerthanamancalledBartyCrouchJunior."

"Polyjuice?"

Harrysmiled.Hermionehadamindfasterthananyone's.

"WasthisBartyCrouchasbadastheotherone?"Hermionestillhadachipforamanwhofreedahouseelfwhodidn'twanttobefreed,needlesscruelty.

"HewasaDeathEater.InAzkaban."

"Ifhewasin..."

"Hisfather,intheMinistry,snuckhimout.Bartydidn'tknowthedetails,butheknewthatmuch.ToomanyyearsundertheImperiusCursebrokehimatleastalittlebit."

"Thefather...theonewhofreedtheHouseElf...usedanUnforgivableonhisownson?"

"Foryears."

Sheshookherhead.Wizardswereadaftbunch.Criminalanddaftandinsanebeyondtherangeofaloon.Theyallpreachedtheruleoflaw,theperfectordertorules,andnotoneofthemwantedtofollowthem.

"Whatdidyoudo?"Hermioneasked.Sheknewhe'ddonesomething.Heactedtooguiltytohavedoneotherwise.

Harrysighed.He'dgottenawaywithexplainingalmostnothingabouttheAurorswho'dcometoinvestigateRitaSkeeter'scomplaints.NowhehadtotellHermionesomeorallofthetruthaboutthissecond,andworse,episode.

"Wehadachat."

"Backupandstartfromtheportkeyyoumentioned."

"Really?"

"Thismantriedtoabductyou.You'vesatonthisstoryformorethanaweek,Harry.Youshouldhavetoldsomeone.Ifnotme,someoneelse."

"Hetriedtoputaportkeyinmyhand.Ioverwhelmedhismagic."

"Oh."Hermionesmiled,ahappyone.Somethingnewtohelpherunderstandhowmagicreallyworked,onceshehadafewmomentorweekstoworkonthisproblem."Then?"

"Istunnedhim."

"Okay,buthowdidyougethimtotalk?"

Theybothfeltthisconversationwaslikepullingteeth.GivenwhatHermione'sparentsdidforaprofession,shehadsomeexperiencewiththerealthing.ShemighthavetothreatenHarrywithatriptoadentist'schairinordertoloosenhisstubborntongue.

"I'vebecomeverygoodwiththecuttingcharm,"Harryallowed,hopingherimaginationwouldfillintherestofthestory.

Ofcourse,thehintjustmadehungryforthemeatofthestory.

"Youthreatenedhim."

"Yes."

"Withwhat?"

"Thecuttingcharm."

Hermionebegantolaugh.Shedidn'tknowherHarrycouldbesogoodwithcircularstorytelling."Appliedwhere?"

"Icutoffamoleonhisneckonceherevertedtohisrealappearance."

"Didthatwork?Gethimtalking?"

"No."

Hermionewaited.Shecouldoutwaitanyone,includingRonwhenhewasbeingobstinate,whichseemedmoreandmorecommonasheaged.Weren'tboyssupposedtogetmorematuresometimebeforetheyturnedforty?ShecouldseethatHarrymightgothatway,butdoubteditwaspossiblewithRonhavingthetwinsfor

hisolderbrothers.Hemightjustbeapermanentinfant.Butshewouldstilloutwaithim.

Harrysquirmedunderhergaze."Ialsocutoffapinky,"Harryconceded.

Hermionestaredatherfriend.Notsureifshewasimpressedorqueasy.Shehadtorememberwhothemanunder'interrogation'hadbeen:aDeathEater.

"Thatworked?"

"No."

"Whatelsedidyoucutoff?Afoot?"

"Nothingelse."

"Sohowdidyougethimtalking?"

"IsuggestedImightcutsomethingelseoff?"Aquestion,atentativeadmission.Hehopedshewouldn'tpush.Avainhope.

"What?"

Harrycrossedhislegsandlookedsheepish.Sympathyforthedevil.Sympathyforwhathe'dthreatened.Hermionegotthemessage.Harryhadthreatenedcastrationoremasculation.

Hermioneswallowedandtheroomwentquietaminute.Whywasthreateningtocutsomething"butnotdoingit"thatparticularsomething"worsethancuttingoffafinger?Shedidn'tevenhavethatkindof...weddingtackle.Whatdidshehaveinvestedinit?Still,itmadeherqueasy.Herfriendhadbecomesoresoluteinthelastfewmonths.

"Youwouldhave?"

"Hetriedtokidnapme,"Harrysaid."Iwouldhavecuttheguy,goneandtossedupmylunch,andgonebacktoaskhimsomequestions."

Hermionenodded."Good,"shesaid,unsureifshebelievedthewordshe'dused."Good."

"Ishouldn'thavetoldyou."

"Itmay...leaveanimpression,Harry,butI'mstillyourfriend.Always."

Harrylookedmiserablebutshookoffhismoroseness."Hetalked."

"Anyonewouldhave.Wheredidthishappen?"

"HetriedtoleadmeonthepathtothegatesleadingtoHogsmeade.Iworkedonhimjustoffthepathwheremystunnerputhimontheground."

"Idon'tthinkI'lleverfeelsafehereagain."

"Idon't,"Harrysaid."Whathetoldme.Howeasyitwasforhimtogetin.There'snosecurityhereatall.Anyonecanjustwalkrightinanddoanythingvile."

"So,whatdidhesay?"

HereHarryhadtobecareful.He'dsaidenoughofthebadstuffthathecouldgetawayvolunteeringlessofthereallybadstuff.

"HeputmynameintheGobletofFire."

"Why?"

"ItwassomeschemeofVoldemort's.Flashy,supposedtohappenattheFinalTask.Overcomplicated.Itfellapart.That'swhyhetriedtokidnapmethatday."

"TotakeyoutoVoldemort?"

"Yes."

"SoheknewwhereVoldemortis?"

"Hedid."

"Doyouknow?"

"Verywell."AtthisHarrysmiled.HethoughthedangledsomethingshinyatHermioneandnowshebattedatitlikeacatonamission.

"Whatdidyoudo?"

"Thekidnapper...paidVoldemortavisitforme."

"How,"Hermionedemanded.

"AnoathImadehimswear."

"Oh,Harry."Sheknewhowmuchhehatedthem.

Harrygaveheranappropriatesheepishsmile.Hehadnevertoldherwhathe'ddonetothoseAurors,neverwouldifhecouldhelpit.Hedidhateoaths,buthehatedabandoningausefultoolforthesakeofprincipleevenmore.IftherewasonethingHarrybelievedin,itwassurvival,nomatterwhatthetoolorthesituation.

"Youhavetokeepthisquiet,butImadehimbringmethe...DarkLord."

"Harry!"

"Andhisattendant.Andhissnake."Thesnakewasdead,Harrymadesureofit.Theothertwowereguests...ofthePotterFamilyfornow.Notwelltreated,butalive.

"Attendant?"

"Wormtail."

"Youcan...freeSirius."

"IfwetrustedtheMinistrytobelievethetruth.Ifwetrustedthemtodotherightthings..."

"Fudgeisgone,nowtheymight...FudgewaskilledbyCrouch.Harry?"

Hermionedidn'tmissmuch,didshe?"Yes."

"Waspartofyouroath...abouttheMinister?"

"Mighthavebeen."

"Harry!"

"Sorry,"hesaid.Hehadgottenawaywithverylittleonceheopenedhismouthtostarttalking.HeshouldhaveguessedthatHermionewouldn'tlethimwiggleallthatwell.

"Iknowwetalkedabout...well,theproblemsthere.ButInever...Ineverwantedyoutohavetodoallthisbyyourself...oratall."

Hermioneseemedtobeforgettingagreatmanyoftheirconversations.Idealismcouldvanishinthefaceofopposition...inthefaceofdeadeyes,bloodsmearedfaces,staringback.Tearsfelldownhercheeks.

Harryhadbeguntorealizethattomakeagreatchangerequiredagreatdealofpain.Sofarhehadn'tbeenaskedtopaymorethanhewaswillingtogive.ButhehadfoundHermione'slimit.

"It'sokay,Hermione.It'sokay."

"No,it'snot."Shewascryingandtryingtogetherselftostop."Youshouldn'thaveto..."Herwordsandhertoneandheractionswereallinconflict.Therewasfearthere,fearofHarry,morethantherewasstraightconcernforafriend.

Itwasonethingtoknowafriendwaspowerful.

Itwasonethingtoknowthatapowerfulpersonattractedenemies.

Itwassomethingelsetohearhowapowerfulfriendmightbeforcedtodealwithhisenemies.

"Iknow."

Therestofthestory"andtherewasquiteabitofstory"wentuntold.Shedidn'tknowwhyHarryhadforcedCrouchtomurdertheMinister.

Infact,HermionewouldneverdemandedthiskindofinformationfromHarryeveragain.Sheknewthathewouldtellherifshewanted.Shedidn't.Shecouldn't.

Sohehadn'thadtoexplainhisrationale.Hehadn'thadtoconfessaboutwhathadhappenedtotheAurors,aboutthesecretordersoneofthemhadreceivedthatcouldhaveresultedinHarry'slosinghisheadthatday.TheMinistryexistedfortheweak,ofcourse.TherewasnooneweakerthanthelateMinister.

Harryrosetohughisfriend,toeaseherpain.Shewavedhimoff.Shewouldn'tletHarrycomforther.Thefearagain.

Therevulsion.

TheirstudysessionsintheCharmscorridorcametoanendthatday,nottoresumeaftertheholidays.

Theirfriendshipwouldchange,becomesuperficial.

Theirstartlingdevelopmentsinmagic,inrawstrengthofmagic,wereover.Fromnowon,ifHarrywantedtogrow,hewouldneedtofindthepathhimself.Itwashard,impossible,whentheentireworldchanged.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

ThedayafterChristmasHarrywasn'tallthathappy.Theboylookedsomethingthepictureofmisery,sittingonthecoldstonefloorofacavetalkingtoamucholderman,hisgodfather.

"Smile,kiddo,"SiriusBlacktoldhisgodson.

"Idon'twanttogoback,"Harrysaid.

"Well,Iguesswecanbothhideoutinthiscave."

Harryrolledhiseyes."Iknowyouhavesomeplacebetter."

"Ido.Butit'seasierforyoutomakeaharddecisionwhenthechoicesareafreezingcaveoracastlewithallthefoodyoucaneat."

"Givemeathirdoption,"Harrysaid.

"Nope,freezingcaveorcastlewithfood.Ithinkwecanfindsomebatstoeatifwegodeepenoughinhere.IwonderiftheytastelikeSnape?"

Harrysmiled."Fine,I'llgoback."

"Yourfriendwillcomearound,"Siriussaid.

"Idon'tthinkso."

"It'shardtorealizethatallthebooksintheworldwon'treflectreality.IwenttoHogwartsbasedonwhatmymothertoldme.Ofcoursemyfathercouldbarelyspeak,orbarelybothered,soitwasallhervoiceinmyhead.JamesandRemusmadeitvastlydifferent,farbetter."

HarrynotedSiriusnolongerincludedPettigrew.HeremindedhimselfthathecouldnevertellSiriuswherehewaskeepingPettigrew...andhisswornlord.

"Ididn'thavethebooks...orthegoodexperience.Ihadafightformylife,"Harrysaid.

"Yeah.Ifthereweresomewhereelsewecouldputyou..."

"TheMinistrywouldcomelooking.Can'tletapowerfulwizardgetoutofcontrol."

"Idon'tknowthatit'sjusttheMinistry,Harry."

"Butitis..."

"It'sdeeperthantheMinistry."

"But..."

"Hearmeout.TheMinistryispeople,right?"

"Yes."

"It'sfilledwithpeoplefromoldfamilies."

"Yes."

"Inbreedingcreates...problemswithmagic.Weakness."

"Iagree."Harryhadseenhowfartheweakwouldgotobringdownandharmthestrong.

"Theproblemisrootedintheoldmagicalfamilies,"Siriussaid."TheMinistrydoingwhatitdoesisasymptom."

Harryagreed,butitdidn'thelphimwiththatportionofhisproblems."I'mnotgoingtobeabletomaketwopurebloodsmarryotherpeoplesotheycanhavestrongerchildrentogether."

"No,youwon'tbeabletochangeanything.Butnowyouknowwheretheproblemcomesfrom.Jealousy."

"WhatshouldIdowiththat?"

"Understandit."

"Iwanttochangeit."

"Theyoungandthechangetheywant,"Siriussaid."Iwantedchange.Peace.Igotadecade-plusinprison."

"Soyouwantmetokeepmyheaddown?"

"Youareaprominentyoungwizard.Youweren'traisedtoplaythesepoliticalgamesthattheoldfamiliesliketoplay..."

"Can'tduelbuttheycanargue?"

"Smartmouth,butnotwrong,Harry.Yes,Isupposeallthepolitickingsubstitutesforthefactthatthereislittlestrengthinthelines."Siriusshookhishead."Listentome,likemymothertalkingabouthowtobreedmoresubservienthouseelves.It'sdisgusting."

"Ican'tlivewithit,Sirius."

"Youcouldleave."

"Itwouldgetworse."

"Butnotforyou."

"Forpeoplewhocouldn'thelpthemselves.Forpeoplewhoweren'tforewarned."

"YouhavethatsamequalityJamesshowedwhenhegotabitolder,thiscompassion.Itshowsyou'rearealPotter,Harry,justlikeyourfather."

"SomeoneintheMinistryalreadyfearsme."

"I'dsaymorethanone.I'dsayyou'vebeenonsomelistorothersinceyouwerefifteenmonthsold."

"WhatdoIdo?"

"Areyoureadytotakealife?"

Harryhadn'ttoldhisgodfatherasmuchashe'stoldHermione.Hehadtoldsome,butkeptevenmoreback.Siriusdidn'tknowHarryaswellasHermionedid.Hedidn'tknowwhattolookfor,wheretopush.

"IfIhadto."

"Areyoureadytokillahundred,Harry."Fromhistone,Siriusseemedtohopethattheanswerwasno.'Hellno.'

"Idon'twanttokillanyone."

"But."

"Ifitweretheonlyway."

"Well,Ihappentosubscribetotheoppositeofwhatevermymotherbelieved.Shewantedtheweakdrowned...whileshecouldbarelyuseawand.So,it'scomplicated.

Ihappentothinktherehastobeabetterway.Idon'twantyoutoriskyourself,doyouunderstand?"

"Idon'tthinkIwillgetachoice.Notreally."Hehadn'thisfirstfouryearsofHogwarts.WhyshouldtherestofhislifeintheWizardingWorldbeanydifferent.

"Thenthatiswhereyouhavetoconcentrate.Howdoyougiveyourselfachoice?"

Itdidn'tmakeHarryfeelbetter,butitdidmakesense.Evenifitsoundedimpossible.

"CanIjoinyouthissummer?"Harryasked,veryobviouslychangingtheuncomfortablesubject.

"I'llfigureoutaway...somewaytomakeitlegal."

"Idon'twanttheMinistrytohaveanysay..."

Siriusbegantoshakehishead."Let'snotargueaboutthis.ThegoalwillbetomakeyoustandoutaslittleaspossibleHarry.Beasunthreateningaspossible."

"Okay,tothatIcanagree."

"Howareyourclassesgoing?"

"I'mbored."

"Well,pickupsomethingoutsideofclass."

"HermioneandIwere...well,wewerestudyingthatoddbook...andtakingsomeoftheideasandtestingthem."

"DoesHermioneneedtobethere?"

"It'snotthesame."

Siriuswonderedifhisgodsonhadfoundhisfirstcrush,followedbyhisfirstheartbreak.Itwasn'tjustafriendshipending,Siriusthought,itsoundedlikeitwassomethingmore,somethingfragilecrushed.Heknewnottoaskwhilethepainwasstilllancing.PerhapsthenextmeetingorduringthesummerSiriuscouldprobe,unlessHarrybroughtitupearlier.Thiswasnotatopicforteasing.

Siriushadn'thadaneasytimeofbeinginprison.Infact,hewouldprefertoforgettheentireexperience,pretendhewasstilltwentyagainandhislivertheconditionofayoungman's.Thatwasnormallyhowheconductedhispost-Azkabanlife.But,at

thismoment,hisgodsonneededmorethanjustafriendwhohappenedtohavebloodtiesandaconnectiontomissingparents.Harryneededanadvisor.

"No,itwouldn'tbe,"Siriussaid."Thingschangingcanbegood..."

"Idon't..."

"Iknowthisisn'tgoodforyou...orher,Harry.Butsometimeschangeisgoodorpainfulchangecanbecomegood.Iknowthishurtsnow,soyouneedto...tofindsomewaytogetsomegoodoutofit.Idefinitelydon'tlikethesoundofyoubored."

Harrynodded.Hecouldseesomemeritintheadvice."IcouldalwayssopupthetimewithQuidditchbefore.Butthat's..."

"Notanoptioninthewinter.Perhapsyoucangetsomepeopletogethertojusthaveamatchinthespring."

"Yeah."Harryhadahalfsmilecreepacrosshisface.

"Otherwise,youshould...findsomethingelseofanacademicnaturetokeepyourinterest."

HarryboggledathisgodfathersuggestHarrydosomethingstudious.Hepokedthesuggestionanddugdeeperintoit."AreyousuggestingIlearntobeananimagus?"ThatwasthemoststudiousthinghehadeverheardofSiriusdoing.

Siriussmiled."Well,thatwasn'ttheonlythingyourfatherandRemusandIgotupto.IthinkIlearnedmorecharmsforourpranksthanIdidformyclasses."

"Idon'tthinkI'maprankster."

"Didn'tsayyouhadtobeone.Ijustsuggestedyoufindsomething,Harry.Somethingtokeepyouinterested."

"WarfareagainsttheMinistrydoesn'tcount?"

"Let'saimatsomethingpleasant,somethingfun.Youneedsomelightnessrightnow,notabattleplantowrite."

"Youwantmetolearntosingorsomething?Ihaveahorriblevoice."

"Itcanbemagicofsomesort.RemusandIputtogethertheMarauder'sMaptofacilitateother...efforts.Thatwasafinepieceofmagic,wealsohadtosneakintoeverypartofthecastle.Youevertriedsneakingintoprofessor'soffices?Andtheir

apartments?Nervewrackingandahellofalotoffun."

Siriussmiled,remembering.

Harrythoughtheandhisgodfatherhaddistinctlydifferenttastesinfun.Buthebegantowonder.Hehadenoughoffensivemagicavailablefornow.Hewouldliketoknowhowtomakepeopletellthetruth,hehadsomeverytough'guests'whostillliedmorethantheytoldthetruth,butHarrydidn'tthinkdiggingdeeperintopotionswouldbeanyflavoroffun.

Perhapsitwastimetoplaywiththethingsthatawedhim.Hecouldstillrememberhowimpressedhe'dbeenseeingthispartorthatpartofthegroundsandthestadiumsetupfortheQuidditchWorldCup.Agiantmess,asperusualwithwizardsabout,butawe-inspiring.

Whatwastherelikethatforhim?Hedidn'tknow,buthefoundhewantedtotrytofindananswer.

Itwasagoodproject."Thanks,Sirius."

"Iliketoseeyousmile,Harry.Asatinymite,youhadthewidestgrin."

"Idon'tneedtohearwhatIwaslikewhenIwasatot."

"Tough,godfather'sprerogative."

Harryshookhishead.

Siriuswatchedhisgodsonawhile,notsayinganything."Youshouldgetback."

"Haveadatelinedup?"

"Youknow,nowthatyoumentionit,"Siriusstarted,smiling."Ishouldlookintothat.NotsomanysanewomeninAzkaban.However,Iwasreferringtotheearlyafternoonsunset.Walkingbackinthedarkwon'tbethesafestthingyou'vedoneinadozenweeks."

"Alright,alright,I'mleaving,"Harrysaid.

Hedidn'tbotherreturningtoHogsmeade,althoughheconsideredlookinginonhisimprisonedDarkLordandattendant.Instead,HarryskirtedthroughtheedgeoftheForbiddenForestandmadeitacrossthegroundbeforetheday'slightwasdepleted.Harryexpectedtoreturntoaquietcastle.Hewassecretlygladtherewasnoformaldance.He'dhavebeenpantsatdancing.HarrythoughttoheaduptoGryffindor

Towerandchangeoutofhiswarmclothesbeforedinner.Unfortunately,henevermadeittothestairs.

"Mr.Potter,I'vebeenlookingforyouforthelasthour,"ProfessorMcGonagallsaid.

"Sorry,Professor."ThatwaslessononewithaDursleyoranannoyedHogwartsprofessor.Apologize.Evenifonehadn'tdoneanythingwrong:apologize.Arguingwonzilch.

"Comewithmenow.TwomembersoftheMinistryofMagicareontherewayheretoseeyou."

"Me,"Harrysaid,displeased.

"IbelieveProfessorDumbledoreleftyousomethinginhiswill."

Thiswassuspicious.Harryfellinstepwithhisprofessor.Heguessedtheywereheadingforheroffice.HerememberedthelasttimehewassettomeetrepresentativesoftheMinistry.HetouchedhisEvanswanduphissleeve.Hehadhis'blindness'trickreadyifheshouldneedit.Hedidn'twanttohavetoexplainhimselftoMcGonagall,buthewasn'tgivingtheMinistryafreeshot.

"Wherewereyou?"McGonagallasked,lookingbehindhertowardstudent.

"Enjoyinganiceday."

"There'ssnoweverywhere,Potter."

"Itwasstillaniceday."

Herlipspursedinresponseinplaceofanyfurtherinquiry.TheyarrivedatherofficewheresheopenedthedoorandbadeHarrytotakeaseat.Shedidnotofferrefreshments.Shesatbehindherdeskandalmostglaredatherstudent.

"DidtheysaywhatProfessorDumbledoreleftme?"

"No,theydidn't."

"Ididn'texpectanything."

"Well,knowingtheMinistrythey'llgetitwrong."ShelookedatHarryagainandrealizedshehadsaidsomethingsheshouldn'tinfrontofastudent."Forgetthat,Potter."

"Yes,ma'am."

Thefireinherofficeglowedgreenandawitchandawizardingarishrobessteppedout.Harrysupposeditcouldbeofficialuniforms...orhorriblefashionsense.

"Minerva,"thewomansaid."AndMr.Potter.Good.Minerva,mightwehavetheoffice?"

"IamPotter'sheadofhouse.Iwillremain."

Thewitchseemeddispleased.Harrydid,too,foramoment.IftheseMinistryworkedwereanythingliketheAurorshe'dmetwithbefore...Harrydidn'twantawitnessaroundtoseewhathappened.

Thewitchnoddedatherwizardcompanion."IamwiththeOfficeofLegalAffairs,Mr.Potter.Ispecializeinhandlingtheprocessesrelatingtowills."

"TheProfessorsaidthatProfessorDumbledoreleftsomethingforme?"

"Yes,quiteright."Thewizardbegandigginginhispockets,ofwhichhepossessedmany,toomany."Hmm,hereiswhatthelanguageofhistestament,datedMay1991,said.'ToHarryPotter,asoon-to-bestudentatHogwartswhohasdoneimportantthingsforourworld,notleastprovideastiffmeasureofhopeduringthedarkesttimesinourhistory,Ileaveastartercollectionofbooksalongwithafirstbookshelf.He'stohavethethreeshelfunitpaintedinblackthatIkeepneartheentrancetomyprivatequartersatHogwartsinadditiontomyhand-annotatededitionsofInsightsintoTransfiguration,TheFieldGuidetoAlchemicalResearch,andUncommonMagicsforUncommonWizards.'"

Abookshelfandthreebooks.Harrywasbeyondconfused.ThissoundedlikesomethingDumbledoreshouldhaveleftforHermione.Buthim...hewasn'tknowntobemuchofareader,althoughthathadchangedinhisprivatehourssincethebeginningoftheyear.

"Alright,"Harrysaid."IftheProfessorwantedmetohaveasmalllibrary,Iwillaccept."

"Onemoment,"thewitchsaid.

Harrylookedather.Hadshenotbeenwearingrobes,Harrywouldn'thavebeenabletoguessthatshewasawitch.Shelookedlikeanyoneatall.Nocrazyhair,nopinchedface.IfHarrydidn'tknowbetter,he'dguesssheusedsomesortofMugglecosmeticsonherface.

"Thereisanotheroption,"thewitchsaid.

"Oh?"

"Youcancertainlykeept

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Knowledge is Useful, But Power is Power - DisobedienceWriter

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