Sidhe Rising ch 17 NaNo 2007

I as thinking of naming this chapter something like Hermione's Downfall ro Hermione the sneak or something really crass.

But alas Dumbledore broke into the scene as I was typing this up wanting another go at it


warnings for this chapter include = NONE




It was only the third day back and Harry had been avoiding her, successfully she might add for the whole time, not only that but he had become buddy, buddy with Malfoy of all people. Diving back into her research she kept glancing around the room waiting for Ron or Neville to come down, she would find out where they spent every free minute of their time if it was the last thing she did, but first she would find out the spell Malfoy was using to control Harry.


Choosing to sit in the back corner, slumped down and hidden by the couches she glanced up to see the boys she was waiting for walk down together talking softly, Hermione frowned in the memory of the lecture Professor McGonagall gave to the female members of Gryffindor when one of the seventh year girls complained about the sign at the bottom of the boys steps, the resulting fallout from that still stung as she was once more an outcast in her own house. The girls went out of their way to hex her and Ginny every time they saw her and could get away with it, and the boys refused to even look at them or talk to her.


Putting the bookmark marking her page she quickly stuffed it in her backpack and looking around carefully she crept over to the portrait and slowly opened it and peaking out of the corner noticed the boys twenty meters or so away turn down a corridor to the right. Slipping through the portrait and closing it softly behind her she took off running down the corridor, stopping at the corner she was in time to see the two boys turn to the left and disappear from sight once more.


She never remembered there being another corridor down this passage, she thought it just dead ended into a row of windows, creeping down the hall looking around to make sure she was not being followed she eventually made it to where she saw Ron and Neville disappear…only to find it was a blank wall. Stamping her foot in frustration she started to exam the area for any clues that would lead to a secret passage, luckily she was near the end when she heard the sounds of footsteps and had time to jump onto the deep window ledge as the boys, which now included the twins Harry and Draco walked out of a solid wall.


Waiting until the group had left she jumped down and made her way to the wall and frowned in concentration as she looked for the secret to gaining access, this had to lead to where Harry was staying now. Giving up for now she decided to confront Harry at breakfast and started down the hall, eager to get the answers she wanted.


Thinking about a trip to the library later to research different detection charms that would let her through that wall she almost didn’t stop in time as Professor McGonagall had pulled the group aside, keeping to the shadows she listened in.


After stopping the group outside the great hall Minerva held out Harry’s vault key, “Mr. Potter Filius and I were able to make the headmaster see reason and I have confiscated the key back and am now returning it to your possession,” changing her demeanor she shook her head sadly, “I honestly do not know what has gotten into Albus lately.”


Grasping the key Harry tilted his head sideways as he felt the strange energy trying to bond to him, Glaring angrily at the key he poured his own power into it identifying each charm as he destroyed it, voice echoing in the corridor as he did so, “compulsion charm…” a flare erupted from his palm and the key as he destroyed each charm, “obedience charm…truthfulness charm…power limiting charm,” with the last one his hand flashed brightly as he destroyed that one, looking up with hatred in his eyes Harry glanced towards the professor ready to kill, before looking away and directing it towards the head table after seeing the pale shaken face of his head of house.


Draco lifted a hand to reach for Harry, but let it fall back journey unfinished they had all been warned enough times that only his true mate could calm him with a touch, and even though he carried Harry’s son he did not want to take the chance that the baby would be injured as he feared what would happen to everyone if something did.


Harry was practically vibrating with anger and turning to face the front door threw his hand out causing them to explode outwards in a huge explosion, walking through the debris like a vengeful god he did not have to extend his step as the largest piece left was only the size of a Bludger, the nigh unto impenetrable great doors lay scattered and destroyed in the wake of an angry Sidhe.


Neville was watching the staring crowd in the great Hall that had run to the doors to see what the commotion was all about, while trying to glare at the shocked headmaster sitting at the head table not even registering when Ron asked, “Do you think we should go after him?”


Fred looking around and not caring about the professor standing right there looking at them for an explanation grabbed onto Draco’s arm and started back the way they had come while his brother said one word loudly, to break them out of shock, “EVACUATE.”


Not comprehending what was going on, as her students who a moment ago were sharing in her shock of the events, suddenly pulled out their wands and surrounded Draco and rapidly removed him from the area and to who knows where.


As Harry was stalking in anger towards the forest looking for something to kill, the twins had taken charge and following orders directed them into Harry’s rooms before activating the mirror. Ron did not even stop running as he noticed Fred’s hand on the mirror and dragging Draco behind him ran through the mirror quickly followed by Neville, George and then finally Fred.


XXX



Downstairs McGonagall staring at the ruined front doors had the urge to cry in relief when she realized that the castle was still standing, registering that her once prized student retreating back she nevertheless gave it no further thought as her head snapped up and she glared at the great hall and with a wave of her hand parted the gawking students as she stalked towards the headmaster.


Deloris who as her habit to arrive late for breakfast arrived as Harry was walking out of Hogwarts over the ruined doors and smiling in glee quickly turned about, she had a letter to write, Cornelius will be so pleased she thought.


XXX


Hearing the noise of several people outside near the entry, Deven who had been waiting daily at this time in the hopes of catching Harry to inform him of the Kings plans and to ask if he could join him, quickly jumped up from the table and rushed outside in time to see Fred exit the mirror and it still. All of them were panting heavily, Draco was clutching his stomach and was pale and shaky, coming to a conclusion he did not like he bellowed out, “take Draco gently to the nearest couch and help him lay down I will return with a healer.” Rushing over to the mirror that connected the two courts worlds apart he barely waited for the ripple to start moving before he was through the glass.


Neville shook his head and grinned, “I think I shall go after him before he brings an army back ready to invade eth British Aisles,” Shaking his head as he steppe dup to the mirror and waited for the ripples he muttered, “overprotective much.”


Stepping out of the mirror into controlled chaos Neville shook his head, if those two did not get together soon he would have to stun them both, tie them up so they would wake with their lips touching each other...damn stubborn Sidhe, instead he bellowed, “STAND DOWN.” Walking up to where he noticed Deven talking to Katre he shook his finger at Deven, “Next time you might want to wait around a few extra moments to find out what is going on before rushing off half cocked.”


Smirking and rolling around in glee on the inside Katre greeted the young wizard, “Greeting Neville, I take it the army is not needed then,” adding some rolling eyes and a head tilt towards the sheepish Deven standing next to him.


Laughing more in relief than anything, “No your Majesty they are not, what happened was that Dumbledore pulled a few tricks this morning and tried to return Harry’s vault key with a large number of illegal enchantments on it,” holding up his hand after Deven stood up straight anger on his face to stop him from interrupting, “Harry promptly destroyed said enchantments along with the doors to the castle and stalked off towards the forest looking for something or someone to kill to vent his anger.”


“We decided that it would be best if we moved Draco to safe location juts in case until Harry calmed down, just to make sure none of the professor’s tried anything,” Neville explained thinking about the potions professor who was acting strangely the past few days.


Katre looking at the fidgeting weapons master standing near him decided that he would have to make sure that Harry and he got together today before the one went and destroyed his world and Deven combusted from he extremes he was bouncing around, “so besides me coming back to check on Draco and the baby is there anything else or one I should bring with us?”


Stomach growling with impeccable timing Neville sheepishly grinned, “Well we were on our way to breakfast when this all happened…so if you could spare some food.”


Throwing his head back in Laughter Katre ordered, “Deven bring enough to feed five hungry teens and follow us back to the Unseelie court when you have finished,” gathering Neville up with an arm across his shoulder he started to ask what had the first days been like as they walked back through the mirror.


Finding nothing wrong with Draco that a good meal would not cure Katre helped the blond out of his clothes and with an admonishment to stay put walked out to the kitchen, “Deven if you would take a plate out to Draco ad sit with him as he eats…” he trailed off as he gazed a the other as he quickly moved to do as commanded. Sighing he leaned back in the chair as the others ate silently.


XXX


Hermione who had gone unnoticed by the others was able to follow along close enough she made it past the barrio and crouched down at the bottom of the stairs hidden in shadow, not hearing anything as it had suddenly gone to silent upstairs, almost as if they had gone out another door…stealthily she started up the stairs, staying to the wall and what little of the shadows clung there until she was near enough to the top to peak over the edge. Listening carefully and not hearing anything she slowly peaked her head over the step and glanced around, not seeing anyone she pushed off the steps with her hand and standing once more walked the last few steps into the room.


Looking around she was amazed at the large common room with what looked like a dueling area off to one side and very comfortable couches near a fireplace, looking past the fireplace she practically drooled at eh bookcases that lined the walls interspaced with windows. Now letting her curiosity get the better of her judgment she started to explore, shocked at finding the ultra modern potions lab off through the one arch and a spacious loo through the other she flopped down in the deep comfortable chair and thought, She had not seen one exit except the one she had just came up through, so that means there must be another one that led to who knows where. As she sat there eyes gazing on the books she wondered if McGonagall knew about these rooms and if there was a hidden entry like the portrait guarding the Gryffindor common room that led to where was now staying.


Knowing if she waited the boys would eventually return and she would be able to see where they entered the room at, but on the other a little voice in the back of her head was warning her that if she stayed she could get into trouble, after all the professors had to know about where Harry was staying at most likely set these rooms up for him. Standing up she decided the best way thing she could do was to corner Harry at lunch and get him to invite her back to these rooms so they could talk.


XXX


Dumbledore stood in his office looking gout of the window, once gain rubbing the side of his face where Minerva had slapped him he sighed, it was frustrating that he could not make her see reason. The proof that Harry needed guidance was all over the front courtyard why could she not see what was before her eyes.


Glancing down as Filius as he brought another piece of the ruined door together and fitted it in place. He briefly toyed with the idea that she could be right, that everything he was doing was driving Harry further away from him and the path of light, but then after a millisecond of thought decided it was ludicrous and went back to worrying over how to make Harry see how dangerous the path he was walking was.


Glaring once more at the rising black smoke deep in the forest he would have under other circumstances run through the woods after young Harry, but with the Ministry trying to take control of his school he dared not, the best he could do was to send Hagrid to investigate. All in all it was shaping up to be a very sour day, even his favorite candies were not lightening his mood.


XXX


Katre found Harry in a clearing surrounded by carnage, hundreds of body parts that could only belong to giant spiders littered what was left of the forest floor, standing there silent and observing the scene Katre could only come to one conclusion, Harry had found his second hand of power. Approaching slowly he watched hundreds of fairies flittering about the blood covered Harry along with dozens of foot high nymphs as he held out his hands offering them the blood he was covered in, A truly spectacular sight, even in death Harry found a way to bind Fairy more firmly to his court.


Smiling Katre bent down, “Greeting King of the Unseelie, King of Flesh and Blood.”


Looking up Harry smiled, relieved to find his cousin staring back at him, his thoughts were in turmoil trying to come up with a reason his temper was getting the better of him, “Greeting cousin, I would be more formal but…”


Sitting Down Katre nodded, “Understandable,” waving his hand around at all the carnage, “you seem to have inherited my temper, I am slow to anger, but given time and insult after insult I will blow up spectacularly.”


“How do you control it then?” Harry held his blood caked hand to one of the smallest nymphs who had not gotten to feed yet.


“I don’t,” Katre told him keeping his eyes glued to Harry’s, “It is not something you can control without a true mate, I have yet to find mine, but your I think…yours I do think you know who it is.”


Letting that tidbit sink in Katre decided to take Harry’s mind off the searching for the answer, “I am not saying you won’t get as violent after bonding with your mate, more like he will give you the extra control to think things through, so that when you do act it is against the right people, the ones who did you harm in the first place.”


Amidst the blood the scent of leather briefly overpowered the scent of roses and Katre smiled when Harry looked shocked then thoughtful, “It’s Deven isn’t it? I‘ve felt a draw all summer towards him.” Smiling Harry carefully stood up and dislodged his visitors and shimmered letting magic clean him with a thought.


Reaching down to help his cousin to his feet, “I have not a good job on racking down the remnants of the Sidhe in this world,” shaking his head, “No its more like I have not been able to find much trace of the Sidhe, though those of Fairy that still remain are flocking to my side.”


“I am not to surprised, when last in your world I felt maybe at best twenty that could join you after restoring their heritage back to them. I talked to Deven the other morning about this very thing when he came to plead with me to allow him to join your court,” Katre was watching Harry carefully as they walked through the woods, he continued when he smiled a dreamy smile he had not seen on his face before, ‘I agreed to his request, and I also agree that you need more Sidhe here in this world to help balance out the faltering magic of this world.”


Steering his cousin onto another path, one that would lead them towards the shrieking shack Harry thought about what was being offered, “They would gladly give up your court to join mine?” stopping he turned so he could see his cousins face, “you would allow this, without a fight. I have been remembering things, ever since the Sithen was created, things from long past have been shown to me in snatches of dreams. The Sidhe on this world had two courts that fought over each Sidhe trying to have the greater numbers as they diminished.”


Gently cupping Harry’s face as he kissed him and then pulled back he wanted him to be sure that he was sincere, “I have no problem with this, last time I was outside the Sithen and sensed for those waiting to have their heritage awakened I felt the press of the tens of thousands on me, but except for those few of Fairy that journey with you from your world not a single heartbeat form those of Fairy did I feel.”


Placing his arm around Harry’s shoulder he started them walking again, “I offer a free immigration policy between our courts, the spark of fairy had not died out in your world like mine, so in return to you bringing fairy back to my court I will bring Sidhe back to yours.”


Reaching the village Harry gave his cousin his thanks, “Thank you, how many wish to move?”


Laughing at how easy it was to convince Harry of this Katre responded, “I have fifty that are if I don’t know any better already packed and waiting for your approval, and I can have another fifty every other week after they settle in from their awakening.”


Harry had a sudden thought and stopped smelling roses strongly with the hint of leather as he always did when the Ancient powers were working around him, “I think that we should awaken those who wish to join us here in this world, in my Sithen, it will bond them deeper to this world.”


Smelling the same roses that Harry did but instead of leather he smelled a touch of fresh tilled soil Katre nodded his head, this was the sign the Ancient Powers were guiding them, “Agreed, it will make things a little easier and you can move back into the Sithen and travel back to school each morning, leaving again in the evening after classes are through for the day.”


Arm over his shoulder Katre looked up at the castle in the distance, and Deven and a squad of six waiting by the gates for them, “Are you sure you wish to test your temper like this, after all you and your friends are already more accomplished in magic that n those teaching here from what you all have told me?””


Nodding his head as they reached the gate Harry quickly pulled Deven into a hug and kissed him feeling a tingle and a click deep inside to tell him he was right, quickly releasing the other who was swaying slightly with unfocused eyes he looked up to see the damage to the doors of the castle , “until the old man tells me what I need to know I must stay, though it seems I am gaining allies all the time,” he pointed to professor McGonagall and the Charms professor who had noticed them and were walking his way.


Minerva relieved that her student had returned unscathed and from the village instead of the forest where all the unrest had come from eyed the strangers that surrounded Harry, her eyes opened in shock as she realized that the taller one that had his arm over Harry’s shoulder could pass as a black haired twin to Lily.


Nodding his head in greeting Katre stared at the damage down to the entry door, “My, my you certainly did a number on that door,” as he took in the attempt to put the puzzle back together, though it looked to missing half the pieces.


Eyeing the empty doorframe once more Katre let go Harry and smirking his way stepped forward and being quite theatrical moved his arms around as if dancing with his upper body and creating a replacement door which hovered in the air for a moment before sliding backwards into the brackets of the doorframe with a clang. Finishing his twirl Katre smiled at Harry’s laughing face as he called, “There all better now.”