Chapter Forty-Three: Smelling a Rat

After her memories were released, Hermione found herself thinking about her and Harry's relationship more and more. How could she not, Harry speaking the way he did?

"I want you."

"I don't want to lose you again."

"You are incredibly kind! And I love that about you!"

And his eyes were like an open book. Hermione had never felt so desired and needed in her life. For much of her life, she had trouble making friends. She always tried to do the right thing, but it turned out that doing the right thing didn't necessarily win her friends. Without friends, she was quite lonely, more than a few times questioning her self-worth, and by extension her value in relationships once she had friends.

Now that she had access to her memories, she wondered if that lack of self-esteem deep down had its roots in her guilt for being why Harry had been punished so harshly that day.

But Harry reframed the situation. Harry's punishment should not be seen as a cause for guilt, but as evidence of how much value he placed on her and their relationship. I already knew this would happen. But I'm going to defend you anyway because I want you and our friendship more than I fear being punished by my uncle.

What was she supposed to do with such information?

As she boarded the Hogwarts Express, her friends by her side, she wondered if they felt the same. She had a feeling that at least Draco did, and perhaps it was why Draco was so dedicated to Harry. At the beginning at least, Gryffindor House in general saw little value in the arrogant Malfoy. But Harry did.

And Draco reciprocated.

And so they both valued each other and their friendship, thereby fulfilling each other's vision. While his character and mannerisms were his own, Draco's heart reflected Harry's. His gratitude and appreciation moved him to change, aligning himself on Harry's compass. And Harry saw in Draco his vision for his potential realized.

Hermione was starting to think that the last two years had also changed her. She no longer measured her worth in how fast she learned spells or how many spells she knew. Rather her worth was measured in her courage, her compassion, and her dedication to those she loved.

Her heart, too, was reflecting Harry's.

"Almost all the seats are taken. Looks like these are the only ones left," Ron said, opening the door to a compartment.

"Someone's already in it though," Draco pointed out. He glanced up at the suitcase on the rack above the sleeping man's head. "Professor R. J. Lupin. Do teachers normally take the train?"

"Well, I guess he didn't get the memo?" Ron said in a low voice. "I mean, he's new, right? Probably the new Defense teacher."

"Come on. Let's get in before we have to stand the entire trip," Harry said.

So they did.

"Are you planning any projects this school year, Harry?" Hermione asked.

Harry hummed thoughtfully. "I haven't really thought about it," he said.

"I was wondering... Would you be willing to help me write a book on Parseltongue?"

Harry blinked. "A book on Parseltongue?"

Hermione nodded enthusiastically. "I know it's not really a written language, but we can work around it! Tomes have been enchanted to speak before."

"You're joking!" Ron said, horrified. "Are you like... trying to start a Dark wizard cult or something?"

"It's just a language, Weasley. What are people gonna do? Talk others to death?" Draco said, looking interested.

Hermione folded her arms. "To be honest, this was an idea I had after what happened last year. Parseltongue is iconic to Slytherin - he even created a giant snake to get rid of muggleborns." She looked away. "You-Know-Who used it as a status symbol years ago - as proof of his lineage and connection to Slytherin. It's a rare ability that means something to people... people who hate people like me." She looked up at Harry, who found himself turning hot under her gaze. "I don't know how you're able to speak Parseltongue, Harry. But if this project goes well..."

"...it would take an iconic ability for hate and superiority and turn it into a possibly useful ability that anyone can use," Harry finished in understanding.

Hermione nodded.

"I'm not sure I can teach you," Harry said. "I don't even... I can't even tell I'm speaking a different language."

"Say something, Harry," Ron said, apparently satisfied with their explanation.

Harry looked up at Sasha hanging on his trunk. "My friends want to learn to speak to you."

Sasha tilted her head. "Very well."

"Something shorter, Harry," Ron said. "We can't remember monologues yet."

Harry shrugged. "Hello."

Ron's face screwed up before he let out a horribly strangled hissing noise. "How's that?"

Hermione nodded. "It did sound very similar."

Draco shrugged.

Harry stared at Ron. "Uh..." He looked up to Sasha, who looked anything but impressed. "Sasha didn't get it, and I didn't really either. Do I really sound like that?"

His friends looked at each other before nodding.

Ron threw his hands up in the air. "I give up. That was a perfect copy!"

Hermione smiled brightly. "I never thought this was going to be easy! We have a lot of work ahead of us!"

They spent the next few hours trying to figure out the issue. It was getting dark before Hermione had an "aha!" moment.

"Parseltongue must have a magical element to it!" she said. "Not like Mermish or Gobbledegook, which is purely mechanical in nature." Her eyes widened. "And that must be why the ability to speak Parseltongue is handed down generation after generation - magical signatures are genetic!"

"Speak English!" Ron snapped, irritated after hours of hissing himself hoarse.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Listen." She pulled out an orb out of her bag. "Speak to it, Harry."

"Listen."

"This is designed to record sounds and replay them back," she explained. "Listen, Harry."

Harry's eyes widened. "I don't understand it at all. Just sounds like hissing."

"Exactly! Because this device was designed to record sounds and sounds only! Mechanical sounds!" She put her orb away in triumph. "We just need to figure out a way to record your magical signature when you speak, Harry, and we'll be set!"

"How's that supposed to help if no one can produce that same magical signature?" Draco asked. Then he realized. "Oh I see. You don't need to. You can create a spell to translate your words into Parseltongue using a record of his magical signature."

Hermione nodded. "Of course, every snake will only ever hear his voice when we speak, but communication is the key - "

Suddenly the lights flickered before the train came to a halt. A moment later, the lights went out completely. The air around them began to feel cold and desolate.

"What happened?" Ron opened the compartment door to look down the corridor. What he saw made him shut the door once again, his eyes wide with fear. "Something's on the train," he whimpered. "Something... really bad."

"I-is it Sirius Black?" Hermione whispered fearfully.

They saw a shadowy figure approach them before the door to their compartment was opened. A long, slow, rattling sound could be heard from the creature as though it were trying to suck in more than just air.

Instinctively, Harry jumped out of his seat in front of his friends, wand out. What was this thing?

Vernon's hand grabbed the back of Harry's head with dominating force, holding it down to the table as Harry struggled helplessly like a writhing worm...

Harry collapsed and released the contents of his stomach onto the compartment floor.

"Harry!" Hermione's panicked voice barely registered in Harry's mind.

The feeling of his clothes coming off... The sound of a zipper...

Harry could hear Draco cursing before trying to wake up their sleeping professor. "Professor, wake up! Help!"

"What - " The man was awake now, but very sleepy and disoriented. "Oh..."

Harry felt the air warm up before the darkness cleared within him.

"Evanesco."

The smell of sick and puke disappeared, allowing Harry to breathe better.

"Sirius Black is not here!" Professor Lupin, even as drowsy as he was, appeared to have control of the situation. "Out with you!"

Harry blinked blearily, trying to focus. When he was finally able to, Lupin's face appeared. "Good... good thing we decided to ride with you, Sir."

Lupin peered into Harry's eyes, and for a second, a strange emotion came over his face before it promptly disappeared. Satisfied that Harry was alright, he handed him some chocolate. "Once your stomach settles, eat some. It'll help."

"Thank you, Sir. What was that?"

"A dementor."

"Dementor?" Wariness took over Harry. "I thought they're confined to Azkaban."

"Usually. This one was searching for Sirius Black." Lupin sighed. "I need to go talk to the conductor. If you'll excuse me..."

As the man left, Harry looked down at the chocolate in his hand before wolfing it down. Immediately, he felt better.

"Harry... are you okay?"

Harry looked up. Ron and Draco were watching him with concern while Hermione's eyes were somber. He nodded. "I'm alright." Nicolas's training had brought him far. While the memories still made his stomach twist, he was no longer subject to them.

"Great start to a school year," Ron mumbled.

"At least we have a decent Defense teacher," Draco said.

...

As Remus went down the length of the train, his heart was thumping wildly in his chest. Seeing Harry brought all sorts of emotions to the surface - emotions that Remus hadn't allowed himself the luxury of for years since James died. The strongest one being hope.

Remus's first sight of Harry was him bent over his own puke. Yet it didn't matter.

Remus could see it the moment he looked into Harry's eyes. Yes, they were the color of Lily's eyes. Yes, they reflected her kindness. But there was more. Harry had awakened his heritage - Remus was absolutely certain of it. Which meant... Remus dared to hope.

...

After the feast, Harry was ready to sleep as they approached Gryffindor Tower. However, what he saw in front of the portrait hole made him froze in shock, along with the other Gryffindors.

His dog had somehow managed to sneak into Hogwarts. And not just into Hogwarts but up Gryffindor Tower. He was lying there patiently, looking up at Harry with tail wagging.

Draco peered over Harry's shoulder. "Harry, that's no ordinary dog."

Harry frowned. "Think it's magically trained?"

"Probably. Wizarding dogs can be trained to locate their owners no matter where they are." Draco hesitated. "Although magically trained dogs are valuable - you wouldn't normally find one on the streets like you did. We had to get Krane and Siren from a specialty breeder and trainer, and they cost a small fortune."

"What do I do? Dogs aren't allowed at Hogwarts."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Neither are snakes, but that hasn't stopped you before."

Harry looked at the dog before sighing. "Oh, alright, you can stay. Just don't let McGonagall find you." As the dog followed him through the portrait hole, Harry couldn't help but grin, betraying his true feelings on the matter. He scratched him behind the ears affectionately.

The dog spun around excitedly as they went up to their dormitories.

Ron went over to Scabbers, who had been brought up with the rest of their luggage. "I almost forgot to give Scabbers his tonic - ARGHHH!"

Everyone spun around.

Scabbers was thrashing wildly in Ron's hands, biting and scratching him enough to draw blood.

"What is wrong with him?" Ron cried.

Harry heard growling next to him before a streak of black launched itself at Ron.

Snarling with saliva flying, Harry's dog was on top of Ron, who was barely holding him off. Scabbers was shrieking.

It was total chaos.

Harry whipped out his wand. "Depulso!"

The dog was sent flying off of Ron, who scrambled over towards Harry. It got up quickly, still growling and snarling at Ron.

At the same time, Scabbers bit Ron hard enough that the boy released him.

"Scabbers!"

With Seeker reflexes, Harry snatched Scabbers right around his middle under his front legs, leaving no room for biting or scratching. He turned to see that his dog had stopped snarling at Ron. Instead, he was growling at him. Harry looked down at Scabbers. Or more precisely...

"Magically trained dogs can usually sniff out strange magic," Draco said, staring at Scabbers.

Ron got up from the floor. "Scabbers has been in my family for years though. You'd think any magic would surface by now."

Harry's eyes narrowed.

Draco shrugged. "The dog could also be not fully trained. Or is untrainable - which would explain why it was on the streets." He shifted uncomfortably. "It sometimes happens."

Frowning, Harry returned Scabbers to Ron before saying, "Maybe you should put him in his cage so neither Crookshanks nor my dog can get to him." If the dog had been thrown on the streets simply because he couldn't do what his wizard trainers wanted him to do, Harry was never going to get rid of him.

Ron looked down at Scabbers in his hands. "Like I said, this year's starting out rather rotten."

...

The next morning, Ron was greatly relieved to see Scabbers still safe in his cage.

"You're taking your rat with you?" Draco asked incredulously. "Harry's dog's not going to be able to get to him in the cage, you know. Wizarding dogs aren't that smart."

"Still, I feel better taking him with me," Ron insisted.

As they reached the Defense classroom, Scabbers became more and more agitated.

"Harry, what do I do?" Ron asked desperately. "He's going totally nuts!"

Harry stared at Scabbers for a while before saying, "It could be that he's stressed in this environment. You've never really taken him to class before, have you?"

Ron shook his head.

"Maybe you should leave him in our dorm. I'll keep my dog in the common area."

Ron nodded dejectedly.

"Maybe after class - I'm sure he can handle one class."

Soon after, Professor Lupin arrived, a few books in hand. "Morning, everyone. Today, we are learning about boggarts..."

As the man taught, Harry was floored. He knew his material, and he taught it well. And as he got them all up to face a live boggart in a practical, Harry couldn't help but be impressed. Facing their greatest fears head on with humor in a controlled environment... A brilliant idea for a first class.

Harry stepped up to face the boggart.

Whispers could be heard all around - what could Harry possibly be afraid of? It would seem he wasn't afraid of anything the way he carried himself. Slaying trolls, riding dragons, leading his friends down into the Chamber of Secrets... Would the boggart simply explode from the sheer size of the boy's guts?

The boggart turned to him and began to morph. Suddenly, a spitting image of Draco stood in front of him.

The silence was deafening.

Then whispers erupted. Harry could hear people muttering to themselves, "Malfoy? Harry's afraid of his best friend?"

The boggart strutted towards Harry. Although others didn't understand, Harry did. Though others could not see the coldness in those grey eyes, Harry could. The boggart stopped in front of Harry, who had lowered his wand. The boggart raised its own wand, sneering, "Farewell, Potter."

Harry raised his wand and said softly, "Depulso."

The boggart was thrown back into the cabinet.

"Colloportus."

The cabinet locked itself.

The classroom was quiet except for the noises that could be heard from the boggart thrashing away inside the cabinet. It was rare for Harry to have so much trouble with a practical lesson.

Professor Lupin cleared his throat. "Ah, well, um, while one wouldn't be able to defeat a boggart that way, that would certainly give you some time to recollect yourself. Let's end class here."

Harry grabbed his materials and left quickly.

...

Draco stared at his friend's back, shaking.

Hermione shoved him. "Go after him! We'll take care of your stuff."

Draco didn't move.

"Malfoy, what's wrong with you?" Ron asked, both their bookbags on his shoulder. "Come on!"

Draco reluctantly followed them as they went after their friend. They found Harry sitting on a bench in the Transfiguration Courtyard.

"Harry! Why did you run off like that?" Ron asked, putting down their stuff.

"I wanted to be by myself for a bit," Harry said, without bite.

Anger exploded in Draco's chest. He marched up to Harry and grabbed him by his front. The last time they were like this, Draco had been blackmailed. This time, he was truly angry. "What the fuck, Harry?" he hissed.

"Malfoy, calm down -"

"Shut up, Weasley!" Draco snapped. Ron didn't understand. "Why?" he demanded, returning his attention to Harry. "Why me?"

Harry looked tired. "It's not you - "

"Like hell it wasn't!" Draco spat. "After everything I've done! I put my life on the line for you! I chose you over my own father, Harry! My own father! What more can I do?" He was breathing heavily by this point. "But all this time, your greatest fear was I would become my father?" His hands began to shake. "I thought... out of everyone, you would trust me and see me as more than just my father."

"It's not you I'm scared of!" Harry said gruffly.

"Then why did the boggart turn into me?" he demanded. "I heard the words - they were my father's though the voice is mine!"

There was a silence before Harry whispered, "I'm not scared of you. I'm scared of betrayal. The same betrayal my parents were victims of. Sirius Black was their friend."

Several emotions flashed across Draco's face - confusion, surprise, sympathy, and then the dominant one - hurt. "You're afraid of me betraying you?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Harry, I told you - I'm choosing you over my own father. I don't know what else to do to - "

"I'm not afraid of you betraying me," Harry interrupted him gently. "I'm afraid of betrayal."

"Then why did the boggart turn into me?" Draco asked, confused.

"Because you were just a placeholder. Any friend would do."

"Oh." Draco frowned. "Wouldn't that make it easier for you to cast Riddikulus then?"

To his surprise, Harry laughed. "Oh that... That was for your sake."

"My sake?"

Harry smirked. "I didn't know what my greatest fear was going in. But I assumed that whatever it was, if I put it in those hideous outfits Lockhart's Valentine Day dwarves wore, it'll be funny."

Draco paled.

Harry's grin grew. "Imagine the talk at Hogwarts - Malfoy wearing nothing but a loincloth and Cupid wings, playing a harp, and singing off-key - "

"Oh for fuck's sake, Harry..." Draco was silent for a while before saying, "Well, that would have definitely ended the boggart for sure. As well as my dignity."

Harry snickered. "Exactly why I didn't do it."

A comfortable silence ensued.

Ron finally spoke up, "So Sirius Black betrayed your parents?"

Harry frowned and turned away. "Yeah. In cold blood."

"Do... do you think one of us will betray you?" Hermione asked, fearing the answer.

Harry's head snapped up. "No!" He breathed deeply to calm himself. "Look. I don't think any such thing about you guys. But... betrayal is a real thing." He looked down. "Sirius Black is proof of that. So I am afraid of betrayal, though nothing specific."

His friends didn't look convinced. And if Harry was honest with himself, he wasn't either.

...

"You're saying I can control people?" James asked, gaping at his father.

Fleamont Potter chuckled. "That was not what I said. We cannot control people. We can, however, influence them with our words and actions."

James's eyes were already clouding over, thinking about how he could use his heritage to gain Lily's favor.

"James."

James blinked. "Sorry, Dad. What were you saying?"

His father hummed thoughtfully. "The ancient magic that runs through our veins cannot bend wills. And it can only be activated with good will. With good will, the magic allows you to project your good will outward, either through words or actions. And thus, those around you will be able to feel it." He paused. "The magic heightens your instincts such that you will understand their heart and their potential. And you will know how to bring it out. However, that doesn't mean they have to do what you want them to. Which ultimately ends badly for them if they choose not to because well... you gave them their best course of action."

His father gave him a meaningful look. "Which means that this power cannot be used when you are intending harm - it will not work. In addition, it cannot force people to do what you want. However, with good will on your part and a willing heart on the part of the other, you will take people to the height of their potential. A special note on creatures - since animals and creatures are more instinctive, they will feel, more purely, the weight of your good will and therefore obey you more readily."

James frowned. "This sounds complicated."

His father smiled. "That is because you are not ready. Your inheritance is the union of power and responsibility. You do not have the understanding of what this means yet. And so you cannot give what you do not have. To unlock others' potential, you must unlock your own first."

"How do I do that?"

"By allowing me to help you unlock it. In order to take your place as a commander, you must first know what it means to be a soldier."

...

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