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Author: MudbloodMatt Story: Harry Potter and the Caliban Poltergeist Rating: Teens Setting: AU Status: Completed Reviews: 1 Words: 21,804
The dream always begins with little variation, as though the dreamer has left his body. He leaves Morbino Island, gliding over Secuutus Lake as he reaches the land. Sometimes people cross his path. Soaring through the rolling hills and valleys until he reaches the rooftops of Hogsmeade Village. Sometimes he remains there, yet sometimes he continues up to the Hogwarts castle. The dream ends with the dreamer waking, with no memory of the dream… Harry's mind had gone briefly blank at the question while Professor Dumbledore looked at him intently. "No, Professor," Harry replied slowly, "I don't know any more about this." Harry knew perfectly well that Dumbledore probably knew he wasn't being truthful. "If a situation should arise where you need assistance, you shall always receive it," Dumbledore said calmly. Harry nodded, although it seemed odd since Professor Dumbledore had been so distant recently. "Ah, this reminds me," Dumbledore replied with a wink, "Mr. Morbino sent a glowing letter of your performance. There will be no additional detention since you left such a positive impression." Why Harry thought of Draco just then was beyond him. "Professor, is Malfoy all right?" "Mr. Malfoy has recovered from the incident today," Dumbledore said, "Nothing more than a bruised backside. You saw no one, I take it?" Harry shook his head 'no'. "Mr. Potter, I must insist that you do not go to Hogsmeade village any further this week." Harry knew perfectly well that Dumbledore had knowledge of Harry's Invisibility Cloak as well as the Marauder's Map. He knew risking Dumbledore's disappointment was something he'd rather not face, as well; the stakes were high and anything could damage the intentions of the Order, until the wizard community accepted the return of Voldemort. "You can go, Harry." Dumbledore said simply. As Harry left the room, he could imagine what Hermione would say. *** "I can't believe you didn't say anything." Hermione said dramatically. "What was Harry going to say?" Ron replied as he lay on the couch in the common room, still feeling feeble. "'Excuse me, Professor, I think it's something to do with that family, but I don't know.' Honestly." "Ron," Hermione said sternly, "This is too much for Harry to handle." "One thing is certain," Harry replied, "I need to find out more." Suddenly Hermione drifted away, remembering what had intended to tell Harry before other distractions, the diary. She told them about the diary she found in the Morbino library, the scrawled words in English, and the fragments of words she understood. "Well then, her father discovered something that he unintentionally or intentionally unleashed." Harry replied thoughtfully. Wednesday's classes went as usual. During their Potions class with Professor Snape, they had to prepare a potion with a rare root. Draco kept glaring at Harry and Ron, with something as near to blind frustration or rage as they had ever seen in him. Draco's detention had been to clean the hospital bedpans without magic and this amused Ron to no end. Draco didn't seem to be paying very good attention to the roots he was cutting. They were supposed to cut the roots into even sections, yet Draco was so busy glaring at his rivals that his roots were cut unevenly. This even caught Professor Snape's attention. "Mr. Malfoy, this is not acceptable. Recut a new supply of root." Snape said just loud enough for the entire class to hear. Draco gave a slight sigh and took another root. Ron had to cover his mouth, pretending to cough to hide his chuckles. After class, Harry and Ron could not help themselves watching Draco sulk. "What's wrong Malfoy?" Harry said with a laugh. "Cat got your tongue?" Just as Malfoy passed them, Draco stopped and glared at Harry. "Funny, Potter, I had you all wrong," Draco snickered. "Never thought St. Potter would hang out in a house full of dark magic. Father told me all about that Morbino summer house." As Draco walked away, Harry and Ron gave each other a puzzled glance. That Wednesday, early evening, Harry paid a visit to Professor Flitwick, who was still in the hospital wing. While still feeling guilty Harry felt he had to go. "Hello Mr. Potter," Professor Flitwick said. "Are you all right?" Harry asked guilty. "Quite," Professor Flitwick replied kindly. As Harry sat, Flitwick looked awkward and tense. "I must say, it's quite odd I can't remember what happened, but the rumors of that lake must be true," Flitwick said. "Why is everybody so afraid, yet don't bother to find out why?" Harry snarled defensively. The moment became very awkward indeed, Harry never had lost his temper in that way with Professor Flitwick before and the Professor didn't seem to know what to say except that he looked uncomfortable. "I'm sorry Professor; I didn't mean to do that." "I understand," Flitwick said quietly. "But something about that girl," Harry said, not able to look at Flitwick in the eye, "I have to know what's wrong, I can't explain." "I can understand the desire to help a lovely young girl such as her. As a lad, I would have done the same," Flitwick replied. It surprised Harry to consider the professor ever having a youth, much less any romantic interests. Harry sat quietly and watched Flitwick fall back to sleep. Very little was said after that for a quarter of an hour until Harry had to leave. Harry wasn't very talkative during the banquet that evening, and Ron and Hermione didn't press him. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "NO! Not the boy!" Prospo shouted in his sleep. Torchlight was the only thing illuminating the summerhouse at this late hour. Miranda was startled awake by her grandfather, threw her robe on, and rushed out of her room, running down the hall to her grandfather's door and to his bedside. Her grandfather looked very confused as he sat up on his large bed. "Grandfather, you had a dream again," Miranda said with worry. "Don't you remember?" "No, spiacente caro, I don't recall anything." Prospo replied glumly. "You said something about 'not the boy.'" Miranda said. She was never really sure when her grandfather had these episodes, if he was really lying to her or completely unaware. "Caro, you are so precious to me," Prospo said drowsily. "I don't know what I do without you. I'd defend you from the whole world." Miranda understood as she sat quietly until Prospo fell back to sleep. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * It was midnight at the Hogwarts castle when Professor Snape noticed the time. He had sat for hours in his office grading essays, a very dreary thing to do considering Snape's mindset at the moment. Most of the essays were either poorly written, incorrect, or in the case of the better essays, so dryly written that it left him nearly in tears of boredom. He rubbed his eyes as he put the stack of parchments in a drawer that he locked. He exited, locking the door of his office and putting an Unbreakable charm on the door handle. He was determined that no students would get away with breaking in to lift potion ingredients again this year. As Severus Snape began to walk the quiet corridor of the dungeon hall, up to the main floors of the castle, the air seemed to grow cold and damp. Something felt off to Professor Snape. It was at that point that he heard the low humming from further ahead. Snape drew his wand instinctively as he continued to walk. Whatever had taken to attacking the students lately, he wasn't about to be an easy prey. It's coming from the main towers, Snape thought as he tensed up. Snape opted to quicken his pace as he rounded a corner to walk right into none other than Albus Dumbledore. "Good evening, Headmaster," Snape replied slowly. "I take it, Severus, that you heard the same sound?" "I had just left my office when I heard," Snape replied. He had to wonder why Professor Dumbledore was roaming in this part of the castle. "Indeed, it is a very unusual matter. We must be cautious," Dumbledore replied as they began to walk together. By now, the humming had disappeared. "It is unfortunate that Mr. Potter has been allowed to roam so freely this past week." Snape stated carefully. "With so much at stake generally, might I suggest that Mr. Potter be given a tighter rein?" "So you suspect, Severus, that Mr. Potter has brought about some unexplained danger?" Dumbledore replied wryly. "Merely that Potter did go to the lake, a lake that others avoid," Snape replied. "While Mr. Potter's intentions were good, perhaps it was unwise to allow him to serve his detention in that manner." "A little premature, Severus," Professor Dumbledore said as he stopped and faced Snape. "While I agree that certain events have developed, I find it difficult to place blame on Mr. Potter exclusively." How many conversations had they had privately concerning Harry, Dumbledore thought. Snape was, as always, ever so transparent when it came to Harry. "I am merely thinking of the boy's well being," Snape replied carefully. "Perhaps a more experienced wizard should look into the matter, the connection between the lake and that house." "Death before dishonor, Severus?" Dumbledore replied smiling as they continued to walk to the upper levels. Professor Snape never replied. George was the first to awake to the sound of the distant hum as it grew louder; He glanced over at Fred's four-poster bed, still draped. "Fred, are you awake? Do you hear that?" "Yeah," replied his voice from his bed as Fred pulled the curtain back. The sound grew louder as George and Fred were already up and pulling on their robes. In the near pitch dark, they made their way out of the common room, something they had done more times than they could remember, and exited. Fred and George continued to follow the sound. Both twins drew out their wands. "That's the sound I heard when Harry was attacked on his broom," George replied and Fred nodded. As they continued to walk from one hall to another, trailing the sound in pursuit, the air grew cold and damp. Both twins noticed that the regular ghosts of Hogwarts could not be found, as if they were avoiding being seen. It was quite dark when they entered a large, empty classroom. Unexpectedly, the sound seemed to be everywhere. Fred seemed certain that the sound emanated from a door at the other end of this large classroom. In confusion they stopped, then Fred stepped ahead to the door, quite certain that George was following him. He was several steps into this other room when he realized George was not behind him. It was then that Fred heard a faint choking sound from the other room; he turned and sprinted back into the previous room to see an astonishing site. George was suspended high and pressed against the stonewall, held by some unseen force. It appeared that George was being smothered or choked as he gasped for air, red faced, eyes bulging. "George!" Fred exclaimed as he pointed his wand in the direction of his brother. Suddenly whatever held George, let go. As George's body fell like a rag doll to the ground, the humming sound that had grown louder by every minute had abruptly vanished. Fred ran to his fallen brother, who was still gasping for breath. George's eyes seemed distant as he looked at his brother. George managed to choke out two words before he passed out. "It's here!" Harry was violently shaken awake by Ron at seven in the morning that Thursday. "George has been attacked!" Ron said urgently as Harry put his glasses on, "I don't know how serious it is, Fred isn't talking much and Madam Pomfrey won't tell me anything." Harry was up and dressed in no time. Hermione was already in the common room as they left for the hospital wing. George was already sitting up in the hospital bed and he appeared to be okay. Fred appeared to be quietly shaken by the incident, which seemed to be unnerving Ron. "Do you know what happened, remember anything?" Harry asked earnestly "Dunno, I remember being lifted up, feeling like I was being smothered, but that's it," George said. "Fred," Hermione said, "you said George said something before he went out, do you remember?" "Yes," Fred said as he repeated the comment. Hermione gave Harry and Ron a knowing glance as she set them aside. "That's what I saw written in that diary." "Did I say that?" George replied curiously. "That's odd." Soon Madam Pomfrey sent everyone out of the hospital wing so that she could check on George once again. Ron spent as much time as he could, between classes, staying with Fred, who seemed uncharacteristically distracted. By that evening, there was a somber mood in the common room, everyone was there. Hermione noticed that the tension in the room was getting to Harry. Ron didn't show it, but Harry suspected that he was angry about the situation. "Come on Harry," Ron said, "let's go upstairs." Harry followed Ron. Ron sat on his bed and gave Harry a careful look. "So that's it, right?" Ron said warily. "You're not going to speak to that girl again." Harry didn't answer, but he understood. "Well, I thought I should write to her at least, tell her what's happened." Harry replied. "Really?" Ron replied, the anger welling up in him. "How much more do you need? How thick can you be? George was just attacked today and you don't care?" Harry didn't say a word, caught off guard by Ron's anger. "I've never seen Fred in such bad shape before, Mum was beside herself, and you think it's a good idea to skulk around with her? Harry, that's bollocks." Ron stood up and stood right in front of Harry. "Harry, I thought your friends were more important than some stranger," Ron spat as he passed him. Hermione stood at the door as Ron walked down the stairs. She almost seemed overcome. "Harry," she said quietly, "he doesn't mean it, he's just upset. He's never seen Fred so upset before. I think this was the first time that Fred realized that anything could ever happen to George." "So how's Fred?" Harry replied awkwardly. "You should ask him yourself," Hermione replied. "But I don't think he blames you, people are just scared. Harry, are you sure you're seeing things objectively?" Harry nodded, and he silently walked away. Harry's mind was numb as he went back down to the common room. Ron was nowhere to be seen, but Fred was in a corner staring out the window. "Hi, Harry," Fred said distractedly. "Fred, I'm sorry about this. Will George be in class tomorrow?" "He should be," Fred said quietly. "I don't blame you Harry for this; something dodgy is just going on. Ron will get over it." Fred was trying to be reassuring, but it was little comfort to Harry at the moment. Harry stepped out of the common room for an hour and walked the grounds, before he knew it, he found himself up in the owlery. Finding Hedwig, he jotted down a brief note for Miranda and sent Hedwig on his way. Within an hour, Hedwig flew into Harry's dormitory and dropped a letter on his bed. He quietly read it while Ron was nowhere to be seen. Harry, I'd love to meet with you tonight. I don't know what you wanted to tell me, but come to the lake, and we'll work it out from there. With Love, Miranda After the banquet and night had fallen, Harry knew straightaway what he was going to do as he gathered his Invisible Cloak and the Marauder's Map. Covered in the Cloak, Harry walked to the one-eyed witch, opening the statue's hump. As he walked through the dark passage with his wand illuminating him, it gave him time to think about what he'd say to Miranda. Harry knew he had little else to go on, without a solution soon, he wondered if these attacks would continue. Perhaps it would all end once Miranda was away, yet something told Harry that whatever was behind this, somehow it wanted him to stay away. There were two things he knew he needed to do: get an answer from Ariel about what was behind these attacks, and confront Miranda somehow. As Harry walked, he pondered the effect that Miranda was having on him. He knew Miranda was not a Veela, of course, yet he had to wonder if what he was feeling towards her was normal. He found himself asking if she had put some kind of enchantment spell on him; even his feelings for Cho Chang had not been as intense. Perhaps Hermione had been right. He didn't seem to be very objective about the situation, and this worried him. Rarely had Ron been in the right, but Harry knew that he was being unfair to Ron. Perhaps this time Ron was right and Harry was overlooking simple facts. What did he hope to accomplish? How far was he willing to take this? Soon Harry reached the stone steps that eventually lead to the trapdoor; he threw the Invisibility Cloak on. Reaching the trapdoor, he entered the cellar. Honeyduke's was closed, of course, but Harry couldn't take any risks as he crept past the counter, shutting off the light of his wand. "Alohomora," Harry muttered to the door while he was still covered with the Cloak. As Harry stepped outside, he looked in every direction as to make sure that no villagers had seen that the door to Honeydukes had been opened. He crept away quietly from Hogsmeade, once he felt certain that he was clear enough, he threw off the cloak and muttered "Lumos." In under an hour he reached Secuutus Lake. Near pitch black and with a slight fog, the cool lake felt eerie. He reached the torch and lit it. Within minutes, Gonzalo appeared out on nowhere as the boat reached the shore. They crossed the lake in what felt like no time. "Harry," Miranda replied. "I didn't expect to see you!" "Miranda," Harry replied tense, "Maybe we could go to Hogsmeade for a drink. We need to talk in private." "Sure," Miranda replied puzzled. "Let me tell Grandfather. I'll get a cloak." Gonzalo followed her, knowing that he only had minutes. Harry moved from room to room calling for Ariel. "Ariel," Harry hissed, "I know you can hear me. We need to talk." Ariel appeared beside Harry as he turned around, nearly jumping out of his skin. "Ariel, no more riddles, what are you so afraid of?" Harry intensely stated. "You asked me to help, Miranda. It's attacking our school. I need to know." "Harry, I cannot speak of it by name," Ariel replied nervously. "I cannot risk its rage and the harm it can do to us ghosts. I have left you a clue at your school, in your Library, in what you refer to as the 'restricted section'. There is a small black book with a red spine. In that book, I have left you a white feather between the pages that will give you your answer. This is all I can do." With that, Ariel flew off and disappeared into the stone walls. Harry walked out of the library just as Miranda appeared in the hall. "I'm all ready," she said pleasantly. As they crossed the lake in the misty night, Miranda pursued small talk, although she sensed that Harry was troubled, distant about something. "Gonzalo, please wait here." She said as they reached the shore, "I'll be back in an hour, I trust Harry." Harry was relieved about the decision, as it would make confronting her a little easier. "Lumos." The light from Harry's wand helped them until they could see the village lights of Hogsmeade. As they entered Hogsmeade at night, Harry had to hope that they wouldn't draw too much attention. The sooner they could find a low-key spot, and the better he felt. While walking on High Street, Harry had barely noticed the new Town Hall building settled near the Post Office. There seemed to be few villagers out on the street, much to Harry's relief. They soon reached the Three Broomsticks; Harry edged his head into the door entrance. Madam Rosmerta was nowhere to be seen. A stranger was tending the bar. "Two Butterbeers," Harry replied. He was handed two mugs as he paid. They found a quiet corner. The bar was just busy enough that, to Harry's amazement, no one made comment over the fact that two underage Wizards were in here on a school night. Harry rarely spoke for about twenty minutes. Harry overheard two people a few tables over talking about the new town hall; his mind was drifting, but suddenly came into sharp focus. "Miranda, several people have been attacked," Harry said carefully. Miranda looked shocked. "How many?" "Professor Flitwick, Ron's brother George, and the two times with Malfoy," Harry replied. "There seems to be a connection with where you're staying, that lake." "People have said that the lake has been haunted as long as I remember," Miranda said. "I don't know why, Harry. Bad things always seem to happen with me." "I don't care about that Draco boy, but will Ron's brother and the Professor be all right?" "Yes," Harry said simply. "Miranda, what do you remember about your father? What kind of work did he do?" "Well," Miranda replied, "he was a researcher of Wizard legends, very respected from where we are from. But I only have a few memories of him." Harry wasn't sure how this would go. "Miranda, do you remember what he was working on when he died?" "No, I don't," Miranda replied curtly. "Harry, please let's talk about something else. How could my Dad have anything to do with those attacks at your school, honestly?" Harry nodded. He could see she was getting defensive and he could not bring himself to press the matter. Miranda decided to shift the subject. "I'd like to invite you to dinner on Saturday night," Miranda said. "You can bring any of your friends if you'd like." "Sure," Harry said carefully, "I'd really like that." Harry tried to muster as much enthusiasm as he could. They finished their drinks and headed to the door, his cloak was stuffed under his clothes and it was getting awkward. Harry was prepared to throw on the Cloak at any moment if he was going to have to do so. The village was still quiet as they started to walk, both decided to take a closer look at the Town Hall. A small wind began to develop as they stared at the new structure. "Miranda--" Harry knew he had to press this. "Do you reckon it's possible for someone to be doing terrible things and not know that they are?" "Well, I suppose so, yes," Miranda replied suspiciously, "but what are you driving at, Harry?" Harry never had a chance to reply as the wind took a violent turn, as the humming sound that Harry had heard already several times that week reappeared. It was as though the wind was pushing Harry towards the great door to the new Town hall building. Harry and Miranda had to fight to keep upright. The humming coupled with the wind grew more intense. "In here," Harry shouted as he pointed his wand at the door. "Alohomora!" Harry shouted as the door flew open. The wind seemed to quiet down for an instant as they looked at the unfurnished interior, still mostly a barren room. It was as though something started to shake the foundation of the building. Harry knew that earthquakes were not common in England, yet of what Harry knew of earthquakes, it felt like one. He stood frozen, glancing at Miranda who seemed equally as terrified. The new windows rattled as the shaking became more severe. A large crack forced Harry and Miranda to jump as they faced the direction of one corner. One corner of the building began to buckle as though something was pulling it apart. "Run!" Harry shouted as they sprinted out into the night. It seemed as though every villager was running towards the town hall now, many with wands drawn. As Harry and Miranda ran, pockets of earth suddenly seemed to explode near them, as though something was tearing at the ground. Hogsmeade villagers seemed to be running in every direction, chaos. Wizards started to shoot spells in every direction as if pointing at something they could not see. Harry and Miranda continued sprinting, getting closer to the outskirts of High Street, Harry knew that several villagers were following them. Suddenly, something appeared that stopped the both of them in their steps. The ghost that Neville spoke of appeared in front of them, a massive shapeless form with glowing eyes and with something that looked like a mouth or a snout. The ghost illuminated everything near it, causing Harry and Miranda's figures to be quite visible in the dark. It fixed its stare at Harry, the hum was very audible now and then as the ghost opened its mouth, a huge bellow hit Harry, and the noise was almost deafening. Harry's legs felt like they were going to give way. Miranda stood frozen, almost white as sleet. The ghost seemed to be drawing near to Harry, who could hear that the villagers were drawing near as well…. Coming soon, Part IV
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