Harry Potter and the Ring of Doom
Chapter 4: The Book
Instantly, a warm cloak was thrown over him, as Mrs. Weasley fussed and while the others in the room muttered with fright upon hearing the name of the Dark Lord. Harry slipped into unconsciousness.
When he woke, it was to find himself in the infirmary at Hogwarts. For a moment he was disoriented, until he remembered the screams and the Death Eaters. He must have passed out from the pain of the scar. Mrs. Weasley who was sitting at his side suddenly leaned over him and smiled. "Hello dear, how are you feeling. You had us so worried back there."
Harry smiled. "I'm feeling fine, and I didn't mean to cause any trouble. Wh...why are we at Hogwarts?"
"Because Hogwarts is the safest place for you all," Professor Dumbledore said, appearing it seemed from out of nowhere, "Now, if you are feeling up to it Harry my boy, I have a few questions to ask you. Would you excuse us Molly?"
Mrs. Weasley looked reluctant, but nodded and left anyway. Dumbledore regarded Harry with a solemn expression. "Molly has informed me that you were rather incoherent before you passed out, but that you said something about 'it' not letting you die. What was this thing?"
Harry frowned and shook his head. "I...I don't know, sir," he whispered, "I can't remember. All I remember are the Death Eaters and my scar hurting."
Dumbledore peered at him with his sharp eyes, and Harry felt he was once again being probed. Whatever the Headmaster saw seemed to be satisfactory, for he smiled briefly before his face again grew solemn. "Only one more question Harry, have you had any more of those odd dreams, the ones with the voice?"
Harry hesitated before answering. "Yes. I had one the night before...the attack. Only..." Harry trailed off, not sure how to explain. "Only it wasn't the same. It was but it wasn't. The voice was still there, and darkness and that strange heaviness, but there was something else. Only, I can't remember it." He frowned, sounding bitter.
"Don't worry about it Harry. Just remember to tell me if any more occur, or if your scar starts hurting. Oh dear me, I almost forgot. Do you know anything about that gift you received? Those runes on the box are giving the Runes Professor a difficult time, and he's the best there is."
"No sir."
"Ah, well. Your gem will be returned to you once we do the standard tests. You understand why this has to be done Harry?"
At Harry's nod, the old wizard patted his hand.
"Go on with you now Headmaster," Madame Pomfrey exclaimed, walking over to them, "Mr. Potter needs his rest. He's been out for a week and doesn't need excitement when he first wakes up." She scowled as Dumbledore chuckled.
"All right, all right Poppy, I'm leaving." Harry watched as his Professor stood up and walked out the door, amazement and disgust on his face.
"A week? I've been unconscious for a week?" He abruptly jumped out of the bed, startling Madame Pomfrey. "Thank you, but I'm fine now." No amount of arguing on the nurse's part could get Harry back in bed, so she gave up, muttering something about stubbornness being inherited and him getting a double-dose.
Harry quickly changed into his clothes and made his way to the Great Hall after asking where he might find Ron and Hermione. To his disappointment there was no one there except the ghosts. He greeted Nearly Headless Nick and the Friar and sat down at one of the tables, trying to think of where his friends might have gone to. In his mind, he ran over all the places they normally hung out at: Hagrid's cabin, the library, and the Gryffindor common room were the only ones he could think of at the moment, and since he didn't know the password to the common room he decided to check the library first and then Hagrid's.
When he got to the library, a quick glance around told him his friends weren't there either, but before he could leave, a book caught his eye. It had a gold cover and silver lettering, eye catching enough in their own way, but what had grabbed Harry's attention were the actual letters themselves. They were almost an exact duplicate of the runes on the box he had received. After looking around to see whether not anyone was near, he reached up to take the book off the shelf.
So, you've found the book have you. Good. I was wondering when you'd be able to see.
Harry dropped the tome at the sound of that voice. It wasn't harsh like in the dream, but it was the same one. "Who...who are you?"
There was no other sound, and Harry shook his head. He must have been imagining things. He bent over and picked the book up, brushing off the dust that had settled on it from the floor. He ran his fingers over the silver lettering and sighed. He supposed he would have to show it to Professor Dumbledore. Before he could decide the matter, Hermione and Ron walked into the library.
"Harry! Should you be up?" Hermione cried running over to him.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm fine Hermione. I was just here looking for you." He tried to hide the book behind his back, somehow reluctant to let either of them see it. Of course, it was already to late.
"What's that, Harry?" Ron asked.
Hermione reached over and grabbed it from his hands. To his great surprise, it changed as soon as it left his fingers to become an old worn copy of Hogwarts, A History. He stared at it in wonder and confusion. Hermione was pleased, while Ron rolled his eyes.
"Well! I'm glad somebody is finally taking my advice and reading this."
Harry smiled and laughed nervously. "Er...yeah. I just wanted to see if there was anything on someone named Halfling here."
"There isn't," Hermione informed him, "I should know. Is this about that thing you received?" She asked as she handed the book back to him. As he took it, it became gold again, however neither Ron nor Hermione seemed to notice.
Harry nodded in response to Hermione's question, but didn't elaborate. "Well, I think I'll keep this for a while anyway. I...er...want to read it, like Hermione recommended."
This explanation seemed to satisfy the other two, though Ron complained that Harry was being a turn-coat. To which Harry responded, "Well, I'm not the one who has been sending Hermione love letters over the summer, am I?"
Ron and Hermione both turned beet red, but smiled anyway. Harry was embarrassed by the look they shared and cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"Come on then, let's go visit Hagrid." His two friends nodded in agreement and they made their way out to the grounds-keeper's cabin.
A/N:Sorry this chapter was so short...
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