Ch. 31 Dreams

Thursday, October 15, 1992

As Professor Dovahkiin finished announcing the homework assignment, Harry began gathering the notes the Dictato-quill created for him.

Even after the late-night run-in with the massive professor, Harry still enjoyed his class. It would be even better if Professor Dovahkiin shared some of the spells he used!

The deep baritone voice of Professor Dovahkiin interrupted Harry's thoughts. "Miss Granger and Misters Potter and Weasley, stay a moment."

A sense of foreboding overcame Harry. With a glance towards Hermione, it was obvious she was experiencing the same feeling!

Harry attempted to appear casual as he joined Hermione and Ron in front of Professor Dovahkiin.

Standing so close to the man, reminded Harry how huge Professor Dovahkiin is. If Harry hadn't met Hagrid, he could confidently say Professor Dovahkiin was the largest man he's ever seen.

Looking up at Professor Dovahkiin's, Harry wasn't able to find a hint of what the man was thinking.

"You may go, Mister Weasley," Professor Dovahkiin suddenly said.

Ron appeared confused before a look of relief fell over his face. Ron gave a quick glance to Harry and Hermione before he looked back at Professor Dovahkiin. With a hint of determination in his voice, Ron spoke up. "I would like to stay, sir."

Professor Dovahkiin gave a hard look at Ron before he slightly nodded his head. "Commendable." Passing his gaze over the three Gryffindors, "So, which one of you would like to explain why you were snooping around the halls after curfew?"

Harry's eyes grew a bit larger, at being discovered so easily!

Hermione was the first to speak up. "We... We were trying to..."

Before Hermione could finish speaking, Professor Dovahkiin interrupted. "Please, do not say you were trying to save the school, like last year! Someone should have explained that to you," Dovahkiin said in a vexed voice.

"We did save the school!" Ron quickly said with indignation.

Ron's angered look wilted from the piercing eyes of the tall man.

"Did you, though?" Professor Dovahkiin asked.

Before Harry could say a word, a sinking feeling settled into his stomach. Something told him he wasn't going to like what came next.

Seeing no answer coming from the three, Professor Dovahkiin leaned back into his desk and crossed his arms. "Let's analyze your three's actions last year with the Philosopher's Stone.

"On one hand, we have the crowning achievement of alchemy, the Philosopher's Stone. Capable of turning base metals to gold and creating Elixirs of Life.

"On the other hand, we have you three. Eleven and twelve-year-old children, yet to finish their first year of Hogwarts."

Professor Dovahkiin paused for a moment before continuing. "The Headmaster had the Stone brought to Hogwarts and hid it behind a series of traps. Traps that three first-year students were able to bypass rather easily when the Headmaster was suddenly called away."

"It wasn't that easy," mumbled Ron.

Dovahkiin remained quiet as Harry thought about what was just said.

"We were supposed to get past the traps," Hermione said in disbelief.

The professor slightly tilted his head as he looked at Hermione. "Or you three blindly ran into a scheme designed to catch the thief?"

Harry was right. He didn't like what he heard. More specifically, Harry didn't like what it meant. Did he nearly ruin a trap set up by the Headmaster last year? Dumbledore did show up shortly after Harry passed-out...

Harry's shoulders slumped as he continued to think about it.

"I believe your hearts were in the right place. But you have to realize, you three haven't even scratched the surface of what is possible. You need to rely on us more." Professor Dovahkiin gently said. "Now, why were two of you snooping around the other night?"

Before Hermione could answer, Harry spoke up. "I've been hearing a voice around the castle."

"Tell me everything," Professor Dovahkiin all but commanded.

Harry held nothing back. He even confessed some of his worries about being the only one that could hear the voice. When Harry finished speaking, he felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

"What do you think it could be, Professor?" Hermione asked.

"I think you three are foolish for attempting to hunt down something that was seeking blood, and for not telling a professor sooner." Professor Dovahkiin replied.

"I do not think you are mad or imagining the voice, Mr. Potter. There are several possibilities and all of them above your level." The tall educator said. "I will personally look into this. But in the meantime, do not go looking for the voice again. Understood?"

The trio nodded their heads in acknowledgment.

"Good, and remember those that go looking for trouble, often find it." Professor Dovahkiin said in a sober tone. "Now, I'll write you three an excuse for your next class."

********************

Saturday, October 31, 1992, Halloween

The past two weeks have been frustrating.

Dumbledore hasn't left the castle once, so I've been denied the use of the Room of Requirements.

I've lost count how many times I debated on just going to the Room, consequences be damned! With my Sling Ring, it should be a simple matter of stepping out of my apartment and into the seventh-floor hall.

The only thing stopping me is the 'feeling' of being watched. I'm confident it's the Hogwarts' house-elves spying on me.

Regardless of how badly I want to hex Dumbledore, the house-elves are just following orders. Of course, my interaction with Trixie and Cody could be making me biased toward the little servants.

I kept my promise to the Golden Trio, despite how they may have taken our little talk.

I'm not sure why I had a talk with them two weeks ago. I don't think it can fully be called concern for their safety. It could be called a bit selfish since I won't have to worry about saving them.

Either way, I spend a couple hours before curfew stalking the halls of the second floor. I finally managed to locate the bathroom Moaning Myrtle haunts, but there hasn't been a trace of Ginny or the basilisk.

My anger just seems to be building with each passing day.

Another occurrence I'm having to deal with, are dreams. Since I've arrived in this universe, I've not been able to recall a single dream. But lately, I wake up from dreams of flying through the sky or hunting dangerous creatures.

I'm not really sure what they mean, but I get the sense they are about freedom and dominating an opponent.

Dreams aside, I've been spending my free time reading the books from Kamar-Taj.

This is a slow process since I have to use the Kimoyo Beads to translate most of the books.

I have been able to expand my knowledge of Latin and Sanskrit. The beads even helped me pronounce the languages with the appropriate accent!

As for my class... It is going rather well. The debates are becoming more advanced with each lesson. The students are learning the basics of how to vocalize their opinions and evaluate the opinions' of others.

The bi-monthly Dueling Club meet, went rather well. Possible because Lockhart hasn't returned since our little duel. I finally allowed small matches for the fourth-year and higher students.

I restricted their spell selection to avoid any serious injuries. Most of the duels were lack-luster with both students fumbling through the duel, but some were rather impressive. I could easily spot the students that dedicated additional time to practice on their own.

No one house stood out above the others. There are students in each House that have the potential to be a competent duelist.

This seems like such a small thing, but I can already see the potential changes to canon with a school full of witches and wizards that know how to fight.

Looking myself over in the mirror, I can't help blowing out a deep breath of frustration. Something better happen tonight, or I'm going to snap!

Stepping out of my apartment, I am fully prepared for the Halloween Feast.

As I enter the first intersection, a troubled looking Cedric Diggory moves up to walk beside me. "Good evening, Professor."

"Good evening, Mr. Diggory. If I may say, you seem distracted on a night of celebration."

Forcing a smile on his face, Cedric shakes his head. "It's nothing, sir."

"It doesn't seem like nothing," I said after glancing over the young man.

Cedric took a deep breath after letting the smile drop. "Just a letter from my father, Professor. It wasn't bad news... Just..." Cedric's shoulders slump a bit as we continue our walk towards the Great Hall.

From my interactions with Cedric, I get the impression his father is putting a great deal of pressure on him. If I'm not mistaken, Cedric is the only male Diggory from his generation. For a pure-blood family, the patriarch must be worried about the future of his family name.

That is a heavy burden for anyone, let alone a fourteen-year-old. I feel bad for the kid. It has to be tough.

Finally, acquiring enough courage, Cedric speaks up. "Professor, I was wondering if it is possible if you could... tutor me?"

I can't help but release a sympathetic sigh. Already understanding the impending rejection, Cedric's shoulders slump even more.

Perhaps...

"I am sorry, Mr. Diggory, but such a blatant show of favoritism would bring a great deal of scrutiny. It's not like I can justify giving you additional instruction as a means of punishment." I continue to walk down the hall, waiting for his response.

Cedric stops walking for a moment before he runs to catch up with me. With his shoulders held high and a real smile on his face, he looks much better.

"Professor, I couldn't help but notice that Lockhart is the height of incompetent arrogance."

Coming to a stop in the hallway, I turn to fully face Cedric. "Mr. Diggory," I said with a stern expression. "Intentional disrespect to a professor is a major violation of Hogwarts Code of Conduct. I am forced to give you a week of detentions, to begin Monday evening."

Cedric's happy expression morphed into a look of apology. "I apologize, Professor. I don't know what came over me."

"You would do well to remember your manners in the future. Now, run along and enjoy the celebration." I send Cedric off with a wink and a light tone.

"Of course, Professor." As Cedric was walking away, he stopped and looked back. "Thank you, Professor." With my nod, he turns and hurries to the Great Hall.

The boy is far more clever than most give him credit for.

Clearing my head, I resume my march towards the Great Hall. Something tells me it's going to be a long night.