Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 12:11:03 EDT
From: Faradhi269@aol.com
Subject: My Life At Hogwarts 7

*This story is a work of fiction.  The sexuality of the characters is all
in my imagination, and therefore they do as I like.  Hogwarts, Harry
Potter, etc. is copyrighted by Scholastic books and J.K. Rowling.  I get no
money, so they get no money.  The author apologizes for the shortness of
this installation, but it seemed a decent pausing point.  Hopefully the
next section will be a little longer.*

	Dumbledore showed Michael around the school personally, and we
noted in amusement how nearly all the girls and a not-so-insignificant
number of the boys all fell in instant lust.  I smiled behind my hand in
the Herbology course as Professor Sprout was explaining to us the
properties of Nightshade.
	"Arico," she asked a little too gently, "you find something amusing
about the deadliest plant known to exist?"
	"No Professor," I apologized, dropping my smile.  "I'm sorry."
	She nodded and continued to the lesson.  I had to focus to keep
Michael's thoughts and experiences from flooding mine, but eventually, I
got it down to a somewhat muted buzz in the back of my head.
	The day's classes weren't very difficult, but I did have some
homework to do for Ancient Runes before the end of the week.  Hermione and
I compared notes on the Rune translating we had to do, when I suddenly
recognized one of the runes from my dark book!  I opened my textbook to the
same page and quickly examined the language.  Elven!  Old High Elven!  I
made a quick notation for the page in the book and finished my homework
with a sense of relief mingled with anticipation.  Once I'd finished here,
I could get to work on that translation!  Finally something was going
right!
	It was then I noticed Harry come into the common room.  He looked
tired and was talking quietly with Ron.
	"Hey Harry," I said, approaching.  "Got a few minutes?"
	He looked up at me, sighed, and nodded.  "Can you excuse us, Ron,"
I asked, as I pulled over a pair of chairs.  Ron looked surprised and a
little hurt.  Harry nodded to him.  "All right," he agreed sullenly.
	Once again, I waited until Harry and I were by ourselves before
casting the ward of silence around us.
	"So, tell me all about your second year here."
	He told me about the Chamber of Secrets, Tom Riddle, the diary,
Hagrid and his giant spider-monster.  How he felt about being the suspect,
Professor Lockheart and THAT fiasco.
	We finished around eleven and Harry slumped back.  "This isn't
getting any easier," he complained.  "I know," I commiserated.  "But I have
one more favor to ask tonight, if you've got enough energy."
	"What?"
	"Fetch your invisibility cloak and show me this Chamber of
Secrets."
	"WHAT?!"
	"I don't speak Parseltongue."
	He grumbled a little but did what I asked.  We walked to the
dormitory and Harry removed the cloak from the trunk at the foot of his
bed.  "What's going on," Ron asked as we went upstairs.
	"Nothing," I said.  Harry shot me a look but silently fetched his
cloak.
	"If it's nothing, then why do you need the cloak?"
	"I'm just trying to borrow it."
	"And Harry's just going to give it to you?"
	"Why not," I shrugged.  "I'll give it back."
	Ron rolled his eyes in exasperation and flopped back onto his bed.
	Harry grabbed the cloak and we walked out the portrait-hole into
the hallway.  He put the cloak over both of us with a practiced ease, and I
gave him a grin which he returned.  All his weariness seemed forgotten.  He
led me to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom and moved immediately to the faucet
with a small snake carved into the wall next to it.
	"Here," he told me.
	"Show me," I said.
	He frowned.  I heard a hissing, sputtering sound andd the hole
opened very wide. We both slid into the slimy pipe and moved down until we
came to a small, gray granite room with statues of serpents.  Again, Harry
spoke the hissing tongue and a hidden doorway opened up leading to a
gigantic room, with a huge statue of a wizard in the back corner.
	"This is it," Harry muttered.  He sounded tired again.
	"Scary place," I muttered.  He nodded.
	"I've seen enough.  This will do nicely, I think.  Eventually.
Thanks, Harry."
	We returned to the dormitory and Harry promptly changed into his
pajamas and fell asleep.  I pulled out my rune translations and books and
began searching for the runes that matched my books.  I went through,
translating some of the letters to English, but as it turned out, only
about one of every three letters was Elven.  Not always in that order,
though.  Sometimes whole words, or first-and-last letters, etc.
	I finally closed the books and fell asleep around four in the
morning.

	Classes passed by in a blur, and I DID learn a lot of new things
about normal wizard magic.  Unfortunately, I was still unable to perform
most of those spells, but my own power was usually enough to let me fake my
way through it.  For example, we were in Transfiguration class and our job
was to turn a pebble into a bird.  But more importantly, "to test your
abilities," Professor MacGonagall told us, we had to transform it into a
bird in flight.
	So, as one, everyone in the class waved their wands with a cry of
"wingardium leviosa!"  Every pebble rose gently off the table.  Except
mine, of course.
	"Arico, what's the matter?"
	"Sorry, Professor.  I never managed this spell very well."
	"What?"
	"Hold on a tic, please."  I focused on levitation and let my
irritation allowed the pebble to rise.  "All set now, Professor."
	"Well it's about time," she snapped.
	THAT did it.  I spoke a single word.  One that I probably shouldn't
have, admittedly, because a shocked MacGonagall screamed at me as the tiny
pebble transformed instantly into a beautiful blue-banded hawk.
	He flew around the room and landed on my shoulder.  I winced as he
did so: his talons cut through my robes and shirt rather easily.  The
Professor was so impressed, she forgot to be angry about my swearing.
	At the same time, Michael was speaking to a VERY frightened fifth
year Defense class.  "Now, last year, I believe you were put under the
Imperius curse so you could learn how to fight it?"
	The class-Hufflepuffs-nodded.  "Excellent beginning.  Now we will
continue that.  As I'm sure you are aware, the Dark Lord Voldemort is back.
So, I will teach you many countercurses, shields and other defenses.  But
first, I will teach you something of what you are dealing with.  It will be
painful.  If you do not wish to undergo this test, I will understand.  But
it will hurt."
	No one rose.  I-Michael-smiled.  "Good.  Now," he checked the roll
and called off names alphabetically.  The first student rose and Michael
raised his wand and said, "I need someone to time five seconds, please."
	A girl in the back said, "I've got it, sir."
	"Good.  Call out immediately when five seconds have passed."
	"Yes, sir."
	He turned back to the first student.  "Be brave."  The boy nodded.
"CRUCIO!!!"
	Instantly, a high, piercing scream left his mouth and reverberated
throughout the classroom.  Everyone watched in horror as his body shook
violently and his eyes rolled back in his head.
	"Sir," the girl squeaked.  The spell stopped instantly and the boy
slumped to the floor.  Michael bowed down and helped the boy to a chair,
where he gently placed him.  "That was only five seconds, ladies and
gentlemen.  The Cruciatus Curse is absolute pain.  Pain can be defeated.
It takes control, and, to be perfectly honest, it takes constant feelings
of pain.  If we were to do this curse every day," the class paled, "then
gradually, I could increase the amount of time you could withstand, or at
least bear, the curse.  Who knows, some of you might actually learn how to
withstand this curse completely."
	"Now, give your classmate a round of applause.  His bravery just
earned Hufflepuff fifty points."  He turned back to the semi-comatose boy
as the class applauded.  "Would you like to see Madame Pomfrey in the
infirmary?
	He weakly shook his head.
	"Now, did any of you face the Imperius Curse last semester?"
	Most of them nodded.  "Good.  Now," he turned to the blackboard and
wrote a complex spell with words and symbols.  "This is a shield.  Unlike
the weaker Shield Charm, this is a true mantle, and it is an advanced
magic.  Far above the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. levels.  Yet we will begin to
attempt this spell, and hopefully some progress will be made.  I hope
you're all taking notes."
	The class went on in such a manner, with Michael explaining the
very shield I'd used against Voldemort and his companions below Stonehenge.
As such, I allowed my mind to wander and as I had completed my assignment
for Transfiguration, I let my eyes see through Michael's.  Hmmm...that boy
there, and that girl there, and boy over there, as well.  They would all be
suitable.  They had a good deal more bravery than the standard Hufflepuffs,
and perhaps they could deal with what was coming...only time could tell.

	That night, Harry and I continued our speaking about his time here.
He constantly mentioned Ron and Hermione, but I left them out of the
equation for the moment.  The Dark Lord would concentrate on Harry.  He
filled me in on his godfather, Sirius Black and his friend Professor Lupin.
He told me about the Dementors, and I growled.  I never liked those things.
"Do you know how to create a Patronus?"
	"Yes," he answered.  I found out about Buckbeak and Wormtail.
Afterwards, I shook my head.  "You've been through a lot, Harry."
	"I know," he answered sadly.
	"I hate to tell you, but it won't get any easier."
	"I know."
	I stayed in the common room to continue my translations and work.
I also wrote down the names of those three students Michael had recognized
with potential.  They were right under Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley.
I looked up and nearly jumped out of my seat.  An upset Ron was standing in
front of my chair in his pajama bottoms and nothing else.
	I calmed myself and looked up at him as I closed my leather tome.
"Something I can do you for, Ron?"
	He seemed unable to speak.  His face told me he was nervous, but
his eyes flashed with anger.
	I called over another chair.  "Have a seat."  He sat, reluctantly,
and stared at me.  I sighed.  "So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
	"What are you always doing with Harry?"
	"What do you mean?"
	"He always comes up and goes straight to bed.  For the past three
nights, except when you and he went...wherever in his Invisibility Cloak.
He doesn't even say good-night any more."
	"I didn't know he was getting so tired out," I said.  "I though he
had more stamina than that, especially from everything I've heard," I tried
to soothe him.  His mouth tightened and his eyes flashed with each word I
said.  He stood up.  "Leave him alone!"
	"I thought we were friends, Ron?"
	"Leave him alone!"  He surged out of his chair, flushed from the
top of his head to his waistband-and below, I assume-and returned upstairs.
I tsked and looked at the page with Ron's name and the three Hufflepuffs.
I thought for a moment, then dipped the quill again and put a question mark
behind it.

	Hagrid was once again teaching Care of Magical Creatures, and he
had apparently learned from experience.  He actually called some of his
centaur friends out of the Forest to come and speak to the class.  I
noticed that some of the Slytherins were chortling, others staring.
Admittedly, these centaurs were smaller than Chiron, but they were
well-built and quite handsome.  They began speaking of the signs in the
heavens and telling us a little about their family life when a larger,
black-haired centaur approached.  "It's time to leave," he told us.
	"But Bane," Harry protested.  He was enjoying spending time with
some old friends.
	"But nothing."  He sighed and looked upwards a little.  "Mars grows
brighter daily."
	Harry sat back with a chill and I watched intently.  Mars??  What
was THAT about?  The guests waved goodbye and Hagrid told the class that we
had to find at least ten other creatures that would be considered
half-breeds.  Malfoy snickered.
	"Excluding Malfoy," I added with a grin.
	He stopped laughing and swore at me.  "Now now, Malfoy.  Temper
temper," I chided, wagging a finger at him.  He, Crabbe and Goyle all
flinched.  The Gryffindors laughed as the class was dismissed.
	I meandered to the library for an hour to translate my book before
my Arithmancy class.  Professor Vector was in a good mood, and we discussed
theories of Arithmancy in open debate.  Hermione was in her prime element,
and I had fun playing both sides of the debate against each other.  We
walked to the library together after class and I decided to talk with her.
After all, she was on my list of possible allies, and her friendship with
Harry gave me the feeling she knew how to keep secrets.
	She told me about her family, happy to see that I was taking an
interest in her.  Ron had come to her to complain about me monopolizing
Harry's time and hesitating to talk about other things.  Hermione proved to
be as intelligent as she seemed, and an excellent spellcaster.  Though her
power was nothing special in and of itself, her dedication to improving
herself and helping her friends proved more than suitable to fly her
through her studies.
	I told her a little about my life, and we got along splendidly:
both being from Muggle families, both being intelligent, and both of us
enjoying a good challenge.
	"Hermione, I don't know how to say this," I began awkwardly.
	Her face grew suspicious, and I had to laugh.  "Not that.  No
offence," I said hastily, "but you're not my type."
	She thought that over and nodded amicably.  "No offense taken. So,
what are you having trouble saying, then?"
	"Actually, I've come across a book that I've been trying to
translate, and I'm having an awful lot of difficulty."  I could see her
interest was peaked.  "I think most of it can be found throughout the books
of Ancient Runes, but that only translates the letters, not the languages.
It's too much to do alone, and I was wondering if you'd...you know...be
interested in helping."  I had to choke out that last bit.  I HATE asking
for help.
	Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.  "It sounds FASCINATING!  What
is it?"
	"An ancient book about Defense Against the Dark Arts."
	"Oooh!  Let me see it!"
	I pulled out one of the books.  I'd already been able to gather
which of the two was which, but hadn't fully translated even the covers
yet.
	We got to work immediately, raiding the library for every book on
ancient languages and alphabets.  I winked at Hermione as I quickly pulled
out a scrap of paper and signed it with Michael's signature (as he and I
are the same, no problem at all) and handed it to Madame Ponce, so that we
could get any of them from the restricted section, as well.  She examined
the note carefully, but was forced to admit it was genuine.  Hermione hid a
smile behind a huge stack of books, and we found three more.
	Three hours later, we'd found that aside from Elven, Old English
and Gaelic alphabets had been used to write the book.  When translated into
English letters, the words were still gibberish, but I recognized the title
on the book.  It was in the ancient language of magic.  "Arie shinoma
necronos dei to."  I grinned at Hermione.  "For the Protectsion 'Gainst the
Powyrs of Darknesse."  She smiled at me, but we had to call it a night.
Besides, I had a whole other book to translate into English lettering.

	I met Harry in the common room again.  "Go ahead and tell me,
Harry.  I can see it's haunting you."
	He filled me in on all of his fourth year.  He did get excited when
telling me of the challenges for the Triwizard Tournament, but when he came
to his fight with Voldemort in the graveyard, I saw unshed tears glisten in
his eyes.  The whole tale took hours to tell and I sat back.  "Wow, Harry.
That is amazing.  You've done more than I'd thought anyone could do."  He
nodded.  "I have only one question before you go to bed, Harry.  You don't
have to answer, but it will be helpful if you do."  He looked at me
curiously.
	"Ron was the thing you'd miss most, right?"
	"Right."  He looked confused.
	"Why?"
	THAT caught him off guard.  "W-well, erm, he's my best friend.  Why
wouldn't I miss him?"
	"Is he more than that," I asked directly.
	Harry slumped his shoulders slightly and looked down.  "No."
	I nodded.  "I know how you feel, Harry."
	"You can't."  The tears were running down his cheeks.  "No one
does," he choked out.
	"Can't I?"  I told him about Wills and Harry who were still in
Avalon and how I actually felt about both of them.  There had been the
physical attraction, but something even more, something I couldn't place,
and with both of them.  He looked up at me, and I pulled him into a hug.

	Ron, unseen in Harry's cloak, stormed up the stairs.