Chapter 5  Things to Fear and Who to Trust

 

“Alright class! Today, you’re going to get your topics for the research projects.”

 

Harry tries to stay awake in Mister Arrowny’s class... but it’s not easy. It’s been a full week since he sent the letter to Sirius, and there hasn’t been any response. What made the situation worse, he didn’t tell Hermione or Ron about his run in with the Protector, and keeping this kind of secret was tiring.

 

Mister Arrowny had lived up to his word... he didn’t make them work on the first day, but after that, all bets were off! History of Magic quickly became one of their busiest classes, with homework and library research... and the fact that their project was about to be assigned didn’t make the future look work free.

 

“So, I’ve got about forty students in all... and since I had the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs this morning, they’ve already got their topics. All I did was take forty things, either a person, place, or event that had some significance to the time that we’re talking about, and write them all on itty bitty slips of paper. I put those pieces of paper in a hat,” Ryan grabs an old wizard hat from his desk, “And you’ll each take turns picking one of the papers from the hat... and that’ll be your topic. The other class went first, so there’s only twenty left. So... I’ll just pass the hat around... and you guys can take your topics.”

 

He passes the hat off to one of the students in the first row, and goes back to the front of the class.

 

“Alright then, here’s a question... what, exactly, is an Esper? We started to talk about them last class, but we never really got far. So... who did the reading? What is an Esper?”

 

Hermione and Draco were the only ones to raise a hand. This was a common thing during the classes that were shared by Gryffindor and Slytherin. But the funny thing was, it wasn’t a competition to either of them, it was just something that they could share. It didn’t bother Harry much... he was just glad to see Hermione get involved in classes again... but Ron was another matter all together. Every time that those two would raise their hands, Ron’s would clench into fists. Harry was worried that one of these times, his friend would just snap and give Draco a black eye... or curse him... or something of the likes.

 

Mister Arrowny nods at Hermione to answer.

 

“An Esper is a powerful magical creature. At one time they existed in this reality alongside humans, but after the War of the Magi, they decided to create an alternate dimension in which to live.”

 

“Okay... but, how were they created? Any ideas, Draco?”

 

“Well... no, actually... I’m not sure.”

 

“That’s nothing to worry about. It’s actually not common knowledge... but none the less, we do know how it was that the Espers came to exist. A group of... treasure hunters... found three statues in a cave that was supposedly holy ground to the Espers. The statues tell the story of the creation of the Espers by the three Goddesses of Magic.

 

I’ve got an idea! How about, I make this a contest of sorts. I’ll award twenty five points to the house of the first person who can tell me what the statues say about the creation of the Espers... it doesn’t have to be word for word, just the basic idea. Also, I’ll give the person a special prize.”

 

He opens one of the drawers in his desk, and pulls out what Harry guesses is the prize for this contest.

 

“This... is a replica of a magicite shard.”

 

It was a transparent crystal, with a bright red core. It looked to be about the size of two fists placed side by side, but it had an odd shape to it... almost like a hexagonal prism, but the ends tapered off to a point.

 

“Of course, there is no real magicite left in the world... and for next class, I want each of you to write a paragraph telling why there’s none left.”

 

He hands the replica to the nearest student.

 

“Pass this around, take a look at it. As magicite is quite important to the events that we’re covering, it’d be nice if you all had some idea of what the stuff looks like, right?”

 

Harry is listening to Mister Arrowny talk about the powerful Empire that once had control of the entire planet, when Ron sets the project topic hat on his desk. He takes a slip of paper, but is too interested in the lecture to look at it. He passes the paper off to Hermione and turns his attention back to Ryan.

 

“So, the Emperor wanted to revive magic, and use it to gain even more power. It wasn’t enough for him to have a massive army full of MagiTek soldiers... he wanted to gain enough power to reach some kind of god like state. Militarily speaking, he used his three most trusted generals, Celes Chere, Leo... and Kefka... to take over town after town... country after country. But he and Kefka were ambitious... they wanted power beyond anything every conceived before.

 

But... things didn’t go the way the Emperor had planned...”

 

And that’s where a loud smash, the sound of shattering glass, cut Mister Arrowny’s talk short. Everyone in the room turned their heads to see the source of the sound. Neville had dropped the magicite replica, which was now in a few thousand pieces scattered across the floor. Most of the Slytherins laugh, and Neville’s face turns a few shades of red. He gives an apologetic look at Mister Arrowny, who just smiles.

 

“Not to worry, Neville... I’ve got quite a few of those things. Why don’t you magic away the glass shards, and... Ron, how about you get another replica from the cupboard at the back of the room, the one right behind you, okay?”

 

The fact that Arrowny wasn’t mad with him made Neville a little more relaxed about the situation, and even with the other students still snickering at him, he was able to clean the mess without any problem.

 

And then the screaming started.

 

And then the screaming continued.

 

Harry couldn’t help but think that screaming girls should be outlawed right alongside giggling ones... but when he turned to find out what everybody was screaming at, he decided that he really couldn’t blame them.

 

Ron had opened the cupboard door... and had jumped back as two long, hairy, giant spider legs reached out at him. And the funny thing about spider legs... they’re always attached to a spider... and giant spider legs meant giant spider.

 

There was a great rush to get to the front of the room... only Harry, Hermione, and surprisingly, Draco stayed behind to help out a terrified, pale, and motionless Ron. But, before they even have a chance to decide what spells to cast, their wands were batted out of their hands by the spider. The creature advances on Ron, who still can’t move.

 

Luckily for Ron, Mister Arrowny can move! The teacher rushes forward, Sky Render in hand, and pulls the red head student out of the way, and at the same time kicks out, catching the giant arachnid on the side of its head with his foot. The impact of the kick knocks the spider sideways, so that it is now looking directly at Harry.

 

There is a loud pop... and the room grows cold.

 

Standing in front of Harry, reaching out with on dry, rotted, pale hand... is a Dementor. Its hollow rattling breath filled the now quite room... and in his mind, Harry could faintly hear the high pitched laughter of Lord Voldemort... he could see the bright flash of green light that claimed the lives of his parents. Even though Harry knew that the thing in front of him was not a true Dementor, the fear was no less real... and even worse, he couldn’t cast the Riddikulus charm without his wand... and he couldn’t quite find the strength to go searching for it right now.

 

“It’s just a Boggart... it’s just a Boggart...” Harry kept telling himself, but wasn’t helping him that much... he still couldn’t fight the thing... and the fact that the Boggart Dementor had pulled its hood down, exposing it’s eyeless, soul sucking face wasn’t doing anything to help calm his nerves. As it reaches out for Harry, the thought crosses his mind... if a Boggart that turns into a Dementor has the power to suck all the happiness and comfort out of a room... does it also have the power to administer the Kiss? Was this thing actually trying to steal his soul... or was it just a scare tactic? Oh, how he hopes it’s a scare tactic!

 

“Hey, Ugly! I’m trying to teach a class here!”

 

Arrowny’s remark was enough to cause the Dementor to hesitate, and Harry, always one to take advantage of an opportunity, quickly backs away from the creature. The moment’s distraction allows Arrowny to grab it by the shoulder, and spin it around. Just as he’s about to thrust Sky Render through its chest, there is another loud pop.

 

The Dementor is gone, and Ryan stops in mid swing.

 

The Boggart had caught Ryan’s eye, and had again transformed... but it wasn’t a monster, or a demon that took its place... it was a small crystal vile, similar to the ones that the students used in potions class, that had what appeared to be reflective, silvery liquid within it.

 

Harry was a little confused... this was what Mister Arrowny feared most? He looks to the teacher, and is shocked... the look on his face is not one of fear, per say... but rather of anger... hatred even. The teacher looked absolutely disgusted with the object in front of him.

 

“Well... isn’t this just wonderful...” Ryan thrusts Sky Render forward. The sword’s tip pierces the vile, and the Boggart screams. Harry looks on in awe as the vile expands in a cloud of black smoke, which slowly flows to take an almost human shape... and then fades away into nothingness.

 

“There... it’s dead.” Arrowny lowers his sword, and heads back to the front of the room. Draco follows him...

 

“How did you do that?”

 

“Do what?”

 

Draco points back toward the group of Gryffindor students, who are finally getting back to their feet.

 

“That... with the Boggart... killing it with a sword. How did you do that? I thought that they could only be killed with laughter.”

 

Ryan just shrugs his shoulders...

 

“You’d be surprised how many things that’ll kill.”

 

He sets his sword on the desk, and sits down.

 

“Class dismissed.”

 

He really didn’t need to say it, seeing as how most of the class had made their way into the hall during the fight... but none the less, now class was officially over.

 

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco left the History of Magic room. Harry was still surprised by the fact that Malfoy had stood beside them against the Boggart... even Ron seemed to have noticed this fact, and was trying his best not to look too angry at having to walk with a Malfoy to the Great Hall for supper. They pause before entering the Hall... only slightly... only long enough for Draco to give a small nod in their direction before turning off toward the Slytherin table. As soon as the three Gryffindors take their seats, Ron starts talking.

 

“That was bloody amazing! I didn’t even think that you could kill a Boggart like that!”

 

Hermione shakes her head.

 

“You can’t... it’s just not possible. Laughter is the only way to kill a Boggart... people have tried using physical means before... they just don’t work.”

 

“It worked just fine from where I was standing, ‘Mione.”

 

“No, Ron,” Harry doesn’t want to make Ron angry, but Hermione could usually be trusted to have the facts straight on stuff like this... “I’m inclined to believe Hermione... but none the less, we saw Arrowny kill a Boggart with a sword... how did he do it? His sword must be charmed... or something.”

 

“Well... whatever it is... we’ll have plenty of time to figure it out. There are far more important things to talk about right now... for example, our project topics.” Leave it to Hermione to bring up school work when they had a mystery to solve. “I drew Cyan Garamonde... I assume that’s somebody’s name. What did you two get?”

 

Ron speaks through a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

 

“Vector, that’s a city, right? You, Harry?”

 

Harry hadn’t checked the small slip of paper yet... the excitement of the Boggart had made him forget about even getting the topic. He looks through his school books for a few moments before finally finding it.

 

“It says... wait... this can’t be right...”

 

He passes the paper to Hermione... she too is puzzled...

 

“That is odd... I’ve never seen that name anywhere else... they would almost have to be related... wouldn’t they?”

 

Ron looks up from his dinner.

 

“Well... come on then... who is it?”

 

Hermione just sighs...

 

“Relm Arrowny... Harry’s project topic is Relm Arrowny. But... it can’t be the same Arrowny family. That was nine thousand years ago... it’s just not possible...”

 

“Like it isn’t possible to kill a Boggart with a sword... right?”

 

She shrugs her shoulders. It seems as though there’s more to this mystery than they first thought. But, before they have a chance to discuss it further, they are interrupted by a large brown barn owl landing on the table between the three of them. The animal turns to face Harry, and drops the small brown envelope that was in its beak. Harry hands it a bit of food, and with a small hoot, it flies off again.

 

“A little late for the post... isn’t it? Who’s it from, Harry?” Hermione right... it’s supper time. Harry opens the envelope, and reads the letter.

 

‘Harry,

 

Don’t tell anybody else about the Protector! Not Ron, not Hermione... not even Dumbledore. I’m sorry that I was a long time responding, but I ran into some pretty nasty looking black robed creatures, and I had to run. I’m in the caves outside Hogsmeade right now, I think it’s best if I stay close.

 

We need to talk. Meet me at the top of the North Tower at midnight tonight. Bring your map and cloak, just in case.

 

See you then... and remember, don’t tell anybody!

 

Sirius’

 

“Harry... who’s it from?” Hermione’s questions snaps Harry back to reality... both of his friends are looking at him questionably. He shakes his head to try and clear his mind.

 

“It’s... um...” Harry figures that the best way to lie is with half truths. “It’s from Siri... I mean... Snuffles. He’s just checking up on me.”

 

That seemed to satisfy her curiosity. Harry hated that he had to lie... but it’s for the best... right? At least until he figures out what’s going on....

*        *        *        *        *        *

 

Harry waited until eleven thirty that night. He had hidden the Marauders Map and his invisibility cloak under his pillow earlier in the evening. He couldn’t tell if his roommates were sleeping... but he really didn’t have time to waste wondering.

 

He pulls the cloak over himself before silently sneaking out of his dorm room. He mutters the words, ‘I solemnly swear that I am up to no good’, and watches as lines of ink appear across the usually blank map parchment. After checking that the small dots labelled Argus Filch and Mrs. Norris are well out of his way, he heads out.

 

His journey to the North Tower is uneventful... exactly how he wanted it to be. It’s a clear night; he can see the stars over head. He looks at the stars... remembering back to his first year... his encounter with the Centaurs in the forest... what was it that they had said?... ‘Centaurs are concerned with what has been foretold!’. Harry couldn’t help but wonder what exactly the stars were telling the Centaurs tonight.

 

“Harry!”

 

The voice of his godfather brought his attention back to the matters at hand. He was happy to see that Sirius looked healthy... he wasn’t as pale as he was last year. His hair was trimmed short too. All together, he looked almost like a new person... but his face bore a troubled expression. Looking behind him, Harry sees Buckbeak the Hippogriff standing silently. Sirius must have been there waiting for him, or else he would have heard the creature land.

 

“Sirius... it’s good to see you... but I have to ask... why can’t I tell anybody else about the protector? What do you know?”

 

“Harry... it’s a dark time in the world. Voldemort’s forces have been moving across not only Europe, but Asia and Africa... there are even reports of Death Eater activity in the Americas. He’s been demolishing entire villages... and there’s no end in sight. He’s been searching for something... but nobody can figure out what. I followed a group of Death Eaters when they were on a mission in Siberia... I had a group of Russian Warlocks with me... they wanted to stop what ever he’s planning. We were just about to confront the Death Eaters when we were attacked.

 

They were... vicious... more than any Death Eater could ever be. They had black robes... and some kind of bladed weapon on their hands. The Warlocks told me to run... to get back and tell Dumbledore what was happening. The warlocks were... slaughtered... butchered.

 

Things are bad, Harry... so much worse than they were even when Voldemort was in power in the years before you were born. Harry... he’s planning something big... and it looks like he’s going to win.”

 

“Sirius... there has to be some way to fight him.”

 

“There might be. It seems as though he still has his eyes set on Hogwarts. He still wants to take over the school... and he still wants to kill Dumbledore. Hogwarts may still be the key to beating him back.”

 

“How... Sirius... if he’s so powerful... how can Hogwarts be the key to victory?”

 

“The Protector...”

 

“The Protector... is the key to beating Voldemort?”

 

“Maybe... maybe.

 

Harry... you asked me what I know about the Protectors... well... here it is.

 

The Protectors are a society of powerful people, who work for the forces of good. They do exactly what it sounds like... they protect things that need protecting. If one is here at Hogwarts, it’s for good reason. There must be something at the school... and if we’re lucky, it just might be something that we can use against Voldemort.”

 

“So... Sirius... what should I do? The Protector asked me to help it... what should I do?”

 

Sirius places his hand on Harry’s shoulder.

 

“I can’t make that decision for you, Harry. If a Protector really did come to you for help, you have to decide for your self whether or not to aid them. I can’t tell you anymore than I already have. But, Harry... it is important that you don’t involve anybody else from within the school. The Protector trusted you... be worthy of that trust.”

 

Harry wishes that they had more time to talk, but Sirius insists he must leave. He can’t risk getting caught... not now... he needs to be free to help in the fight. They say their goodbyes, and with a flap of Buckbeak’s wings, Sirius is off.

 

Harry dons the invisibility cloak, and checks the map, before heading back into the school. Just as he’s about to turn the last corner toward the Fat Lady’s portrait, he hears something, and stops. He checks the map carefully... but there are no little dots in his immediate vicinity... even Peeves is on the other side of the school. Figuring that it must just have been the wind, he takes the corner...

 

... and crashes head long into somebody. Harry falls back... the cloak falls away. He finds himself on the ground, looking up at the person he ran into.

 

“It seems as though you and I just keep bumping into each other, eh, Harry?”