Harry Potter and the Altered Destinies

Chapter 22: The Writing in Blood

"You can check with the ghosts and Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick as we needed their permission to go," Neville said making sure the Professor's knew they had permission and a reason for being in the halls.

Dumbledore nodded, seeming to believe the second years before

"We will be able to cure her, Argus," said Dumbledore patiently. "Professor Sprout recently managed to procure some Mandrakes. As soon as they have reached their full size, I will have a potion made that will revive Mrs. Norris."

"I'll make it," Lockhart butted in. "I must have done it a hundred times. I could whip up a Mandrake Restorative Draught in my sleep —"

"Excuse me," said Snape icily. "But I believe I am the Potions master at this school."

There was a very awkward pause.

"You may go," Dumbledore said to Harry, Neville, and Luna. They went, as quickly as they could without actually running.

"I'll explain more soon, right now I think we just need to cool down a bit and then get some sleep. The House Elves can make up some hot chocolate, calms our magic and makes it easier to think," Harry said softly as he took his two best friends towards the kitchens.

They were quite for a while as they entered the kitchens to see the House Elves working all around them. But because Harry was generally a regular two of the House Elves instantly came over and lead Harry and his friends toward a crook of a window that had the perfect view of the Black Lake.

The Elves seemed to know what they needed even without words, or maybe it was Hogwarts helping them by guiding them, but Harry noticed that the trio were quickly handed Hot Chocolate and some toast that would be easy on their upset stomachs.

The trio settled on the blankets and pillows that were in the crook as they let their minds settle and hearts beat less rapidly. Harry was surprised to note another face enter the kitchens.

Somehow he wasn't surprised Draco had found them and was joining them in the crook, Draco and Neville on one side, Harry and Luna on the other. All three just basking in the other's presence.

"You guys scared me when the rumor went around that you have found Mrs.Norris," Draco said as he let his shoulders finally relax.

"Sorry for worrying you," Harry muttered as he curled himself and allowed his magic to run over his friends, reminding him and his magic that they were safe and away from danger.

He felt Luna's magic join his and Harry calmed even more as the two magics' just basked in the the others.

"I suppose I should explain what happened?" Harry asked and saw his three friends nod even as Luna took his hand.

"Only if you want to," she said softly as she gave his hand a soft clench. She moved to pull her hand away but quickly stopped when Harry clenched her own hand in a silent question.

He wanted the support, especially because he didn't know quite how his friends would react.

"It starts a lot earlier then today. When my dad adopted me, he wanted me to experience life that wasn't abuse. Once he took me to a Zoo, and when we were in the reptilian habitat, I saw this snake there. I don't really remember what really happened afterward, but my magic seemed to connect in a way. I felt what it wanted and, I don't know, made connection. I could feel how depressed it was, always caged, never seeing the outside world but only the inside of his habitat. My magic acted up,-

"Accidental Magic," Neville said softly.

Harry nodded and continued," I didn't really have Accidental Magic, I could always control it to a degree. Most of the time it was about will power and your imagination, but this time I didn't mean to do anything. The glass wall that kept the snake in it's container disappeared and he slithered out. On his way, I heard the words "Thanks mate, adios." Harry took a deep breath feeling anxiety settle in his stomach and while it told him to stop talking, Harry knew he had to finish the story," at first I thought I had imagined it. But then my father and I started getting Grass Snakes and everytime I found one, I could always hear a voice. It wasn't until my father found me once that he told me that I was speaking to it in another tongue. After research, he found it was called-"

"Parseltongue," Draco's voice had surprise and awe in it as he looked at Harry.

Harry nodded and felt Luna rub his hand softly and he noted that his grip might've been hurting her as he tense and clenched her hand softer. Taking a deep breath, he loosened his grip on her and felt her continue to rub her thumb over his own.

"After finding out I could speak to snakes, nothing changed really, we had less of a snake problem at my house but I didn't have one as a familiar or pet. I wasn't expecting to hear one at Hogwarts. When I started hearing the one in the wall about killing and being hungry-"

"You wanted to help," Neville said with understanding in his eyes, Harry noted there was no fear, no hatred, just understanding.

"Yeah. From the few times I heard it, I think it was asleep for a while, only now waking and being hungry. Because he never feed on anyone here, I think we're going to have to be careful. It's still hungry which means-"

"It'll attack again. Right, we can make a plan with this information though," Draco's voice portrayed how serious he was.

"Alright, for now we don't go anywhere alone. We mostly have classes between the three of us, and because Harry and Neville are roommates, they will have an easier time, just stay together with someone here or someone from your house," Draco said as he looked between his friends. "I'll research with the help of Daphne and Blaise. I trust them to keep quite that is, if you're alright with me telling them?"

Harry paused and thought the request over before nodding softly. "I think we can trust them. But the less said about it the better, I know how the wizardry world of Britain thinks of Parseltongue. Which I find interesting because Australia praise and respects those with the gift. Probably because of how many snakes are there.

With the plan set and their minds more settled, the four left the kitchens and went back toward the rooms, Neville and Harry leading Draco and Luna to their rooms before going to their own. They didn't want to wait even a day before starting the pairing system they talked about.

Word Count: 1753