Dragon Heartstring

Dragon Heartstring, Chapter Five

Harry stood facing Ginny on the matted area in the centre of the room, each with a blade in their right hand.

"Ready?" Charlie said to the pair.

Harry didn't think he'd ever be ready for this, and he also thought that if he were facing anyone but Ginny he would feel a lot more confident about what they were about to do. Nevertheless, he nodded at Charlie's words as did Ginny, a look of pure determination on her face.

"Okay then," Charlie said, "Now just remember, the protection charms will prevent any major wounding, but if you hit each other it is going to sting, so concentrate."

Harry took heed at Charlie's words and focussed on the task in hand. He remembered what Kari had said to them before Ron and Hermione had sparred, in nowhere near as an exciting fashion as Kari and Charlie had, but eventful all the same. As a result of the fight, Ron was now ignoring Hermione and Hermione was desperately trying to apologise to Ron.

Go with the flow. That's what Kari had said.

"Take position," Charlie commanded, ordering the formality which himself and Kari had bypassed.

Harry raided his sword so it was positioned in a diagonal slant in front of his face. The pose was natural and Harry recalled using it in his second year when fighting the Basilisk down in the Chamber of Secrets. The memory brought his thoughts back to Ginny, who was standing in front of Harry now, ready to strike.

Harry sensed that she was just as nervous as he was, but wanted to prove that she wasn't a feeble little girl anymore. Harry realised that she had already proved this to him over the summer. He smiled at her and she returned the gesture. Confidence settled in both parties and all thoughts dissolved as Ginny's silver blade swung towards Harry's side.

In an instant Harry's own rapier blocked her advance.

"Excellent reflexes Harry," Charlie said from the side of the combat arena.

The comment didn't register though and Harry was soon engulfed in the battle, blocking Ginny's attacks and making a few of his own.

Harry was amazed at how easily his movement flowed. He soon realised that it was more effective to trust his instinct than his eyes, and the fight moved up a pace.

Ginny moved gracefully around Harry, adjusting her footing to match his stance. The blade looked like an extension of her arm as she swung it elegantly towards Harry, the weapon in her complete control. Where had she learnt to handle a sword like that?

The swords clashed and the movements become more advanced. When Harry and Ginny's swords smashed together in a cross between them, creating a pause in the exchange, they heard Charlie shout the command to cease. The blades were lowered and Harry and Ginny stared at each other happily, sweat trickling off their foreheads, and grins on their faces.

"Wow," Kari said, expressing the feelings of all.

"We've got competition sweetheart," Charlie said.

"I'd say so," Kari agreed, exchanging a knowing glance at her boyfriend.

Once again Harry felt a sting of curiosity as to how much the couple acted as one, but it wasn't an important issue right now.

"We're going to have to do a bit of a partner switch though if we want this to work right," Kari said.

Charlie nodded, being the only person in the room who understood what she was talking about.

"Its late now though, so why don't you four go back to your common room and get some rest," Kari said, "I believe I've got you tomorrow morning for a class anyway Ginny, so I'll see you soon enough."

The Gryffindor students proceeded out of the gymnasium, Charlie following behind them. Harry felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned around to face the older Weasley.

"I think Kari wants a word with you Harry," Charlie said, handing Harry the leather gloves, which he had just removed from his hands, before moving past him into the Arabian office after the others.

Kari was putting the equipment back in the cupboard at the far end of the room.

Harry walked over to the young woman and handed her the gloves, which she placed in the draw from which they came.

"I just wanted to see if you had anything you wanted to ask me Harry, any questions about what we were talking about before?" Kari said.

"There was something," Harry said cautiously, "but I'm not sure how to say it," he admitted.

Kari smiled and closed the cupboard door.

"Just ask. Say it in the most blunt way you can, I promise to not get offended."

Harry took a deep breath.

"Okay," he said, "Why are you doing this?"

"'This' being the extra training I assume?" Kari replied.

Harry nodded.

"I told you before Harry, you are a high profile target, you need to be able to protect yourself, and I'm sure it hasn't escaped your notice that your friends are in as much danger as you are, purely because they are a way for Voldemort to get to you," Kari explained.

She was right. Harry knew what a risk his friends had taken, the danger they were in because of him. He hated this fact, but he had long ago accepted that they would never leave him if he asked them too. They knew the risk they took, and they still remained close to him. They were stronger together than they were apart, a fact that they all knew from first hand experience. This wasn't the answer Harry wanted though.

"I get that, I do, but it still doesn't make any sense to me," Harry elucidated, "Dumbledore has generally had trouble finding someone to take up the Defence Against the Dark Arts job, so what made you come? Why are you so contented with protecting me? You don't even know me."

You're right," Kari sighed, "I don't know you Harry, but I do know about you. I know what you mean to the Wizarding world and I know that Charlie speaks very highly of you. I know that if it wasn't for you the world would have gone to hell several times over, and even though you don't revel in being the hero, you still do it, and I admire you for it."

Kari motioned for Harry to walk with her across the room and back into her office, occupied only by Pahana, asleep by the fire once again.

"I remember what it was like before you vanquished Lord Voldemort, and even though no one knows how you did it, everyone knows that they felt safe for the first time in years the moment they heard he had gone.

I'm sure you've noticed that the Wizarding community is in denial of Voldemort's return, but its understandable. They don't want things to go back to the way they were, but soon enough Harry, it will happen, and they're going to look to you for salvation. It's not fair and in my opinion it's selfish and wrong, but it's also understandable. I've only known you for a day Harry, but I'm fairly certain that even though you don't want to save the world, you are going to feel obliged to do it. You're not even bitter about it, you've accepted your fate, and that's a unique quality to have.

What you need to understand is that you are not the world's only hope. Voldemort sees you as his only obstacle, but that is not true. There are hundreds of Wizards who will stand up and fight along side you, some who remember the past and some who only remember you. You will have support, but Voldemort is not stupid and will take you away from your friends, away from protection. The day will come Harry when it will be you and Voldemort, you will be alone and you will have to fight. All we can do is prepare you and help you while we can."

There was a long silence between the pair as Harry took in all that Kari had said. Finally he spoke.

"What was it like? Before I mean, when Voldemort was strong. You said you remembered."

Kari sat down on her desk, occupying the only spot not covered in parchment.

"I can," she said, "Why do you want to know?"

"Everyone tries to shield me from the past, they treat me like a little kid, but what they don't understand is that I've never been a kid. I didn't have a normal childhood and I'm never going to have a normal life. People try to protect me from what it was like so that I can enjoy the time I have, but what they fail to notice is that every year I end up in some deadly situation anyway. It's just the way my life is. I need to know what I'm up against if I'm to have any chance of defeating it."

Harry surprised himself by this speech. It had come so easily, all the thoughts that he had kept inside for years came pouring out to an almost stranger in an actual linear way.

"You're a very mature young man Harry Potter. There's no one else on earth whose hands I'd rather put the fate of the future in to," Kari said, a soft smile on her lips.

She slid of the desk and gathered up the pile of parchments near Harry, revealing a chair.

"Have a seat," she said as she sat down on the other side of the desk.

Kari stared at the pattern on the desk for a while, gathering her thought. She sighed aloud and leaned back in the chair, her eyes closed.

"It shouldn't have been this way..." she spoke, half to herself.

She reopened her eyes and put her arms on top of what looked like an astrology chart.

"I was just a child during the Dark War," she began, "But I can remember it well enough. People make it sound like Voldemort was a constant threat, but the truth was, if you didn't actively oppose him, he wouldn't have any reason to attack you. I'm a pureblood wizard Harry; if my parents had wanted to they could have avoided conflict altogether, just like your father.

As it was, they stood up to be counted with Dumbledore and the Order, because it was the right thing to do. My father died in the attacks, my mother was disowned from her family. We lived in constant fear that Voldemort would find us.

Then, it stopped. You stopped it. The Wizarding world rejoiced with happiness that sprung from you misery. It wasn't fair. The world owes you Harry Potter, and this is what I can do to help pay that debt."

"You're a pureblood, both your parents were purebloods? I thought that pureblood families were rare, really rare," Harry said.

"Five," Kari said, "There are five totally pureblood Wizarding families in the country, and three of them are only pure by chance, it has nothing to do with honour."

"Five!" Harry exclaimed in disbelief, "I mean, I knew there weren't many, but five!"

"The Weasley's, The Malfoy's, The Finnegan's, The Zabini's and The Ashling's. I'm the only Ashling left, so pretty soon, they'll only be four."

"You and Charlie are a forever sort of deal then?" Harry said grinning.

Kari realised what her last comment had implied and blushed pink across her cheekbones.

"Well, you never know," she said.

"I think you make a great couple," Harry said honestly, "You both seem to know what each other are thinking all the time. It's like you understand each other better than anyone else."

Kari's blush deepened, but she also got a sparkle in her eye.

"You and Ginny seem to get on pretty well too you know," she said smiling knowingly and raising her eyebrows once.

It was Harry's turn to blush.

"She's just a friend," he said unconvincingly.

"Don't worry, I won't tell," Kari said, "Now, I think it's time you went to bed, unless there's anything else you have to ask me?"

Harry shook his head and got up from the couch.

"Thank you Kari," he said, "I'm glad you're the new teacher. You're way better than Snape."

Kari laughed.

"I should hope so, although, you shouldn't underestimate your potions master. He may need a personality transplant, but he's still the most skilled potions artist in the world. He deserves a little bit of respect," Kari said, "Just a little," she added with a wink.

Harry smiled and headed for the door.

"One more thing Harry," Kari called after him, getting up from he seat and grabbing an envelope from her desk, "You and the other's might like this," she said handing the sealed package to him.

Harry eyed the gift and the professor quizzically, but could tell from her expression that he would have to open it to find out what was inside, and that he should wait until he was with the others. He slid the envelope into his pocket for later.

"Goodnight Harry."

"Night," Harry replied, and with that he walked down the stairway and out the classroom.

The corridor's were deserted and lit only by the light of the moon outside and the odd torch. The lack of people and of light didn't bother Harry though. He had wandered these hallways after curfew many times before.

He rounded the corner into the corridor that lead to the entrance hall of the castle, and the staircase to Gryffindor Tower. As Harry neared the end of the all he heard voices coming from one of the adjacent corridors. Out of curiosity, Harry took a few steps down the linked hallway to glance at who the owners of the voices were.

He stood behind one of the suits of armour, one that Harry desperately hoped did not move, and peered around it to see two students from his own year conversing a little further down the stone passage. Two students who Harry recognised, and would not have expected to see together.

The girl was a Ravenclaw brunette, Lisa Turpin. She was average height and had straight brown hair that matched perfectly her chocolate brown eyes. Harry didn't know her very well, but he knew she was clever and had a bubbly personality. She was one of the few students who had stayed and helped Hagrid in Care of Magical Creatures that morning.

The boy with whom she was conversing Harry knew much better. It was Draco Malfoy.

"Why did you do it?" Lisa said, obviously tired, as if she'd asked this question a thousand times already.

"Nice to be appreciated," Draco said in his typical sarcastic tone.

"Urgh!" Lisa let out a cry of frustration, "Why are you so difficult to talk to?" she demanded.

"Hey, you're the one who wanted to meet me remember. I don't have to be here."

"Malfoy, I just don't get it. I mean, why? It's so un-Slytherin, so un-...you! I can't figure it out, I really can't. I'm just saying, don't think I'm not grateful, I am, it's just..." Lisa trailed off.

"Forget about it," Draco said.

"I can't."

"Then just don't tell anyone and we'll call it even. I've got a reputation to think about."

Lisa sighed in defeat.

"Alright," she said, "I promise, as soon as I walk away I'll never mention it again."

"Good," Draco replied.

"Thank you Draco," Lisa said, and she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Lisa," Draco said and with that she turned and walked down the corridor out of sight.

Harry watched the exchange in utter bewilderment. He saw Lisa leave and make her way back to Ravenclaw Tower (the south facing tower in the castle, opposite to Gryffindor) and saw Draco lean back against the wall for support.

The blonde covered his face in his hands and slid down to the ground, burying his expression in his knees. He sat there, curled up, silent and unmoving except for the occasional judder of his shoulders, and that's where Harry left him after watching the other boy for a good few minutes.

Harry crept back along the corridor and proceeded to the tower where Ron, Hermione and Ginny were waiting.

When he arrived he was deep in thought. What had Lisa been talking about? What did Malfoy do that was so important? Harry couldn't help but notice that the Slytherin was acting rather oddly.

"Harry?" Hermione said waving a hand in front of his face, "Helloooo, Harry, are you alright?"

"Huh? Oh, 'Mione, sorry, what did you say?"

The other three gazed at Harry for a moment and Hermione repeated her original question.

"I said, what did Kari want to talk to you about? It must have been pretty fascinating to keep you in such deep thought."

Harry shook off all the questions regarding his school nemesis and reflected briefly with amusement that it was only the first day back at school and a mystery had presented itself.

"Nothing really," Harry replied, "She was just explaining about the defence classes and," Harry remembered the parchment in his pocket, which he took out as he spoke, "she gave me this."

"What is it?" Ron said.

"I don't know Ron, my X-Ray vision isn't up to full power today," Harry replied.

Ron rolled his eyes.

"I just thought she might have told you is all," he said, his light mood reflected in Hermione's smile. It looked as though they had settled their differences, Harry thought thankfully. It was no fun when the three of them fought.

"Why don't we open the thing then instead of standing around guessing," Ginny suggested.

Harry smiled and handed her the envelope.

"Seems like a good idea to me," he said.

Ginny broke open the seal and pulled out four sheets of parchment. She smiled as she read the top sheet and glanced the other three.

"Its what out names mean," she explained, "Remember how Kari said she'd tell us."

"Oooh!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly, "Let's see then."

"I didn't think you'd be into this sort of stuff 'Mione," Ron said, "Isn't it a bit too much like Divination for you?" he teased.

"I don't have a problem with Divination," Hermione said indignantly, "I have a problem with Professor Trelawney," she said smiling in good humour.

They each took the sheet of parchment that held their name and exchanged the meanings.

"Virginia," Ginny read aloud to the others, "English origin and it means Virginal or Pure. Hmm, I guess that's quite nice. What's yours say Ron?" she asked.

"Ronald, English as well. Means, Advisor to the King. Ok...that's a little odd, but it can't be bad can it! Hermione, what about you?"

Hermione was staring at her sheet of parchment looking fairly confused.

"'Mione? What is it, what does it say?" Ginny asked.

"Hermione," she read aloud, "Greek and it means Earthy. Earthy? What the hell is that about?"

"Earthy?" Ron repeated, "Ah, so many thoughts..." he said in a wistful tone.

Hermione punched him on the arm in annoyance, but the aggression wasn't present in the gesture, and Harry felt pretty sure that he saw Hermione blush a little.

"What does your say Harry?" Ginny asked.

Harry smiled and handed her the parchment.

"I'm off to bed," he said, "See you all in the morning," and he waved back to them as he climbed the left staircase to the dormitory, leaving Ginny to read his definition aloud to the others.

Harry changed and climbed into bed quietly so as not to wake Dean, Seamus and Neville, who like the rest of the house, were fast asleep. As Harry lay there, content to be back at Hogwarts at last, he thought about what Kari's parchment had said.

Harry, English name derived from Henry

Meaning: From the Germanic name Heimerich, which meant "home ruler", composed of the elements heim "home" and ric "power, ruler". The Normans introduced this name into Britain. It was borne by eight kings of England including the infamous Henry VIII, as well as six kings of France and seven kings of Germany. Other famous bearers include arctic naval explorer Henry Hudson, novelist Henry James, and automobile manufacturer Henry Ford.

Can also be connected to the name Harold meaning 'Leader of the Army'.

Harry heard Ron creep into the room a few minutes later. The acknowledgement of Ron brought Harry's thoughts around to Hermione. He was certain that the pair fancied each other, although when Harry had broached the subject with Ron over the summer, all possibilities of his best friends becoming a couple were hastily dismissed, only causing Harry to feel even more sure that his suspicions were correct.

He wished they would just talk and sort it out. The closest they seemed to have come was after the Yule Ball, and that was more a row, and Harry had only overheard the end. Still, it was fairly obvious, even Ginny had noticed.

Ginny. For the thousandth time that day Harry found himself thinking about the young redhead. She really was amazing. How could he have failed to notice it before? Harry allowed his mind to dwell on the girl as he drifted into a happy, peaceful sleep.