31 Friends and enemies

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It was such a peaceful morning that I was a bit shocked. No one woke me up, no one stormed in with accusations, no one poked me with a stick, everything was surprisingly calm. As I ate my breakfast in a measured manner, I remembered the worries of yesterday and realised that I hadn't replied to Fleur's letter. Armed with pen and paper, I sketched out a short message, assuring the Frenchwoman that I was all right and in a safe place, which I could not say. I also endeavoured to assure her that I would appear as soon as I could and tell her all about it. I didn't think she'd be very reassured, but I wasn't capable of much more than that right now.

I wrote a note to Sebastian on another piece of paper, also trying to reassure him that I was fine. I used the only magic I had available to me to send Dobby to deliver both messages, telling him to return as soon as possible. Albeit it was an extremely convenient way of delivering the letters, but given that, as I had already ascertained, Dobby doesn't watch where he apparates to, it was far from as safe. However, Hedwig was in France, enjoying hospitality at Delacourt Manor, so I had no other choice.

As I pondered my next course of action, I returned again and again to the conversation I had overheard yesterday. I wondered if Riddle had realised I'd heard what I'd heard, would he change his plans, or would he once again ignore me? I knew that there was another meeting of the Eaters scheduled for today, but I had no idea how I was supposed to find out what was going to be discussed. If I knew who the Lord's followers were going to attack, I might be able to stop them.

No, I was still soberly assessing my chances in an open confrontation, but surprise, right? I don't think Riddle would tell everyone that I'd been to Malfoy Manor, because that would show his subordinates that he wasn't as omniscient as he wanted to appear. But then there's the risk that the Lord will decide to be directly involved in the attack. His presence guarantees that there will be no survivors, which means that no one will be able to confirm his revival.

In fact, the stupidity of the British mages amazed me more and more every day. I showed them the memories, where everything is perfectly visible. Moreover, I showed them not only to a journalist with a dubious reputation, but also directly to the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Shouldn't they have checked the authenticity of these memories and made sure that they were real? But still everyone doubts, and it is the fault of the stupid minister, holding on to his chair with both hands.

Is this cowardly man, who is not very clever, really capable of leading the whole country round by the nose? Although, if the country is made up of people like Crabbe, Goyle, Weasley and Lupin who can't see beyond their own noses, it's no surprise.

I could have continued to marvel at the stupidity of the people living here, but I was distracted by a sharp knock on the window. Reflexively, I grabbed my wand and rolled off the couch and hid behind the kitchen cabinet, peering out cautiously, but it was only a grey, unremarkable owl, looking at me with obvious surprise. Remembering that I shouldn't make owls sit out in the cold, I went to the window, and after looking around, opened the sash to let the bird in. After circling the living room, the owl dropped a small envelope on the table and flew back out without stopping anywhere.

How do those damn owls keep finding me? Is there no way to protect myself from it? Dumbledore found me with the help of owls even in another country. And now, when no one is supposed to know where I am, all it takes is a short note written to me to pinpoint the correct address.

Shaking my head, I hesitated to touch the envelope, especially when I saw the Gringotts stamp on it. I'd already been trapped in a similar way last time. I don't think Dumbledore will use the same methods, especially if he thinks I'm dead, but it's still a concern. On the other hand, it could have been word from Veselur, who I haven't heard from in a while.

Remembering that Gryffindor was a vocation, not a diagnosis, I armed myself with Petunia's kitchen utensils and carefully opened the envelope without touching it. When nothing spurted out of it, no smoke or anything equally unpleasant happened, I decided to pick it up and look inside. The envelope contained a small note and one Knut, which I shook out onto the table. Unfolding the note, I decided to wonder what exactly the bank needed from me:

Lord Potter

You are invited to visit our bank tomorrow at 12:00 noon for some urgent matters. The portal will automatically go off at that time, all you have to do is touch it.

Manager.

This is the most succinct email I've received in a while. No specifics, no rants, as brief as possible. And the signature is weird. Is the manager the director of Gringotts, or the trolley manager? It doesn't make sense, but it doesn't look like a trap. It's doubly strange that I'm being invited to solve some issues, but it's not Veselur who's doing it, it's someone else. I have time to think about whether I should go to the bank or ignore the message. First I need to wait for Dobby and load him up with new errands.

While waiting for the housekeeper, I took a bath, picked out some new clothes from Dudley's wardrobe that were at least a little bit my size, and visited my room. Despite the fact that I hadn't turned up over the summer, the Dursleys hadn't touched the room, leaving it just as I'd left it a year and a half ago, travelling to the Quidditch World Cup finals.

The furnishings gave little indication that anyone lived here. I carried all my belongings in my suitcase, and I didn't have much, so the only things lying around the room as a reminder to the Dursleys of my nephew were a couple of clean parchments on the table and a handful of owl biscuits on the windowsill. The layer of dust covering the meagre furniture suggested that no one ever came in here, even to clean, as if this room were cursed and forgotten. Though perhaps they really do feel that way.

I went to the window and looked outside, feeling a little nostalgic. I remembered the Weasleys dragging me out of this room, ripping out the bars on the windows. I wondered if it had been their own idea that time, or Dumbledore's request. Although, it was mostly the twins doing everything back then, so maybe it was their own idea. I'd like to believe that something in this world was being done for me, not because it was part of a plan, but just because it was the right thing to do.

Dobby appearing next to me pulled me away from my memories and back to the real world. No matter what had happened before, I needed to finish this page of my life, and end the chapter by starting something completely new. Contrary to my expectations, the houseboy had no letter.

- What kept you, Dobby? I thought you were waiting for Fleur to write back.

- Sorry, Master Harry Potter sir, Dobby was waiting for a reply, but when Mistress Fleur finished reading the letter, she started asking Dobby lots of questions and Dobby couldn't answer because Master Harry Potter sir forbade telling where he was. And Mistress Fleur insisted and Dobby didn't know what to do, so Dobby came here.

- In short, you ran away. You did the right thing," I added hastily, when I saw that the houseboy was starting to try on the walls, as was his custom. - And by the way, Dobby, let's get rid of that long address you keep using. It's flattering, but it's not necessary. Why don't you just pick one word and that'll do it. Not master. You can call me Harry, or Potter, or sir, whatever you prefer.

At the suggestion of calling me Potter, Dobby made a face like he was going to die on the spot. I can't say he liked the idea, but there was nothing he could do about it, so he just nodded uncertainly.

- Okay, ho... sir.

- There, that's much better. Say, are Fleur and Sebastian all right?

- Yes, ho... Ga... sir. - Nothing, he'll get used to it. - Mistress Fleur's in training, her father's at work at the Ministry. Mistress Fleur said she's learnt a couple of new spells, and when Harry Potter sir comes back, she's going to stick her wand straight into his....

- All right, all right, Dobby, I get it, don't go on. - I think I've gone pale. - Let's assume she meant the pocket.

Dobby shook his head negatively, but I pretended not to notice. I'd married Veela and left her alone in the dark. My own fault.

- Dobby, I have a few more errands for you, if you don't mind. - When he nodded, I continued: - "First, go to Malfoy Manor, and make sure the elves are all right. If any of them need help, try to give it, or call me. See if you can talk to Mitty or Dinky so they can listen to what the Eaters will be talking about today, but in a way that they won't be noticed. - I'd love to do it myself, but I'm sure if I show up on the estate grounds now, Riddle will know about it immediately.

- After you're done there, go to our flat and get my things from there. Only the ones in the bedroom! - I was quick to clarify. I didn't want Dobby to move the whole flat here, along with all the furniture. - I need the clothes that were left there and the stuff in the drawer. Just be careful and make sure no-one's in there first. There's a chance the flat is being watched. - The elf nodded and apparated away. He did it almost silently. He's growing up.

Well, I don't think I've forgotten anything. This shouldn't take Dobby long. I wonder if I should talk to him about a pay rise. I don't know what I'd do without his help. Probably rotting in a landfill.

No sooner had I stepped away from the window than another owl crashed in. Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't paid attention as it flew up, so the sharp tap on the window made me jump with surprise. Those nerves will finish me off before anyone else does.

- You've got to be kidding me! - I exclaimed into the void, looking reproachfully at the beautiful light grey owl, which in response only pecked at the window, demanding to be let in.

Realising that I couldn't hide from these owls, I opened the window. Once inside, the bird immediately smelled the treat and began to chew it vigorously. I hope the biscuits didn't spoil after lying there for so long, I didn't want to have to fight with the owl again.

I gently removed a rather weighty bundle from her paw, and tossed it back on the bed. I wondered what was in it. The attached envelope had only my name in neat handwriting and no other information. I wanted to ask the owl whose it was, of course, but I'd never been good with owl language. It didn't wait for an answer and, as soon as it had eaten everything, flew outside without even bothering to say goodbye.

When I closed the window, I went to the package, and I realised that I wouldn't be able to open it without touching it. I still didn't risk using magic, trusting my own intuition, so once again I hoped it was all right.

When I carefully unsealed the parcel and put the envelope aside, I stared at the book, which had the laconic title Occlumency. Whoever had sent me this book was, unfortunately, a little late. It's never too late to learn, though. The black cover, as if made of leather, and the silver letters on it said that the book was not cheap, but when I opened it, I stared in surprise at the emblem of the Hogwarts library. Had someone stolen this book from the school to send it to me?

Intrigued enough to forget about the possible dangers, I boldly opened the envelope and started reading the next letter, smiling and relaxing almost immediately:

Hello, mysterious stranger from Slanted Alley. Or should I call you Harry? I don't know which you prefer, so we'll leave the choice up to you. Writing to you is an equally mysterious blonde girl you may know by the alias Luna Lovegood. At this point, my entire conspiracy is revealed, and the brainiacs tell me to get to the point sooner rather than later.

I don't know if my owl will be able to deliver this letter, for I hear you've been executed... Terrible. I know you're alive, but as soon as I start writing these lines, I feel sick to my stomach. I know what you're thinking, but I don't think it's the Nargles. Although... Maybe you're right. Anyway, if Alpina (that's my owl, if she refused to introduce herself) managed to find you, I'd like to thank you for the Christmas present. I'm sorry, but you caught me off guard, like the time my dad tried to show me a walleye and I didn't have time to come up with a decent response.

I'm at Hogwarts now. The place is crawling with brainiacs who stop people from making good decisions. For example, Professor Umbridge makes us keep our distance from other students and not get together. She suspects Professor Dumbledore of wanting to take over the Ministry. I hear Minister Fudge has a whole army of heliopaths on standby to prevent this. So if you're thinking of taking over the Ministry, keep that in mind! I've also heard that all our mail is being read. You have no idea what I had to do to keep that letter a secret.

Luckily, I remembered in time that I could use the restricted section of the school library to copy a book and give it to you. I didn't steal it! At first I thought about free access books, and even asked Madam Pince for advice, but as soon as I mentioned that I should be wary of dickheads, she was gone. So here you go, you're welcome to use it. I hope you find this knowledge useful, because everyone needs to protect themselves from brainiacs sometimes.

If you'd like to hear more school news from a freelance correspondent for The Prick, I spend every Sunday in Hogsmeade. Let me know if you wouldn't mind seeing me. Your letter will probably be intercepted, though, so it's best not to answer anything. Just know that every Sunday from twelve to six.

Thanks again for the gift.

Your friend, Luna.

Luna is an absolutely amazing girl. Firstly, she's very perceptive, even if nobody notices it, and secondly, with one letter, which doesn't really say anything important, she was able to dispel my sadness and put me in a good mood. It's great to have a friend who doesn't ask anything in return.

Deciding that I wouldn't mind seeing her and getting to know more about Hogwarts affairs, I found out that Sunday was tomorrow. Well, if I decided to take a chance and show up in Hogsmeade, I should accept the invitation from Gringotts. After all, my financial well-being directly depends on goblins, and if my paranoia ruins good relations with magical financiers, I'll regret it many times in the future. What I would also regret if it was a trap, I decided not to think about.

Having made an important decision, I calmed down a bit. I would worry about it tomorrow, and today could be devoted to rest and preliminary preparations. Dobby would bring my cloak of invisibility and the flywheel I'd pocketed at the Ministry. I might be able to use it, but I don't know exactly how to use it or what it can do. I remember that you can only be transported for a few hours, and that you can't cross with yourself, but it didn't come with any more detailed instructions.

Since I'm going to Gringotts tomorrow, I'll also need to visit a number of shops, and pick up some useful items, including a broom and a couple of potions. Yes, tomorrow would be a busy day, and I wanted everything to go as planned, without any unpleasant surprises.

I was about to go downstairs to make dinner, something to keep me busy while I waited for news from the housekeeper, but I was distracted by the sound of the front door opening. As I froze on the stairs, I thought at first it was the Dursleys, but the man who came inside was clearly alone. I was clutching my wand in my hands, wondering who it could be, when I was hit by a wave of compressed air that travelled through me and out the back of my head. I had encountered this spell only yesterday and had not forgotten that someone had used Gomenum Revelio in this way. I mean, there's a wizard down there who didn't come here to play console games with Dudley. As I contemplated whether I should confront him or retreat quietly, a voice from the hallway gave me no choice:

- It took me fifteen minutes to find you, Potter. This is the second place I've checked. And here I was hoping you'd wised up a little. Enough hiding, come downstairs.

Unable to believe my ears, I nevertheless took my time coming out of my improvised hiding place.

- Snape?! What do you want? Aren't you supposed to be training the little snakes at school right now? - I thought I heard a gloating chuckle.

- The boy. Still as cheeky and stupid as ever. I don't know who to share my find with. You ran away from Dumbledore and you ran away from the Dark Lord. Again. Amazing luck for someone as mediocre as you.

- Get out, Snape," I said through gritted teeth. - Your ugly face is the last thing I want to see.

- Accio, Potter. - Snape hissed, who clearly didn't like what I said. Before I could react, I felt my body being literally yanked into the air, and then swiftly carried down the stairs and into the hallway. As I fell in front of my former professor, I pointed my wand at him, but he knocked it out of my hands with a kick, then swaddled me in ropes and levitated me to the living room couch.

- Still as pathetic as ever, Potter," he said, sitting down across from me. I waited for his next move, knowing that I was in no position to win, but at the same time trying to loosen the restraints imperceptibly. - What do they see in you? One tries to kill you, the other kidnaps you and keeps you somewhere without telling anyone what it was for. They can't help but see that it's foolish to waste time on a narcissistic young man.

Snape was dragging out his words in his usual manner, scrutinising my face. He felt his complete superiority and was probably mentally calculating which of his masters could best reward him.

- Aren't you supposed to protect me? - I asked, trying to remember what I knew about the hereditary debts of life.

- Do you know? - He was surprised, but quickly pulled himself together. - I've noticed, though, that you know a lot of things you shouldn't know. In any case, my duty was done. You may not remember this, but when you were lying on the ground after the third trial in an inadequate state, mumbling something about resurrecting the Dark Lord, Barty Crouch Junior, who was hiding under the guise of Moody, pulled you aside and decided to finish what Master had started by using Avada on you. I saved you, ungrateful boy, by blocking your body with a stone at the last moment and saving myself from that noose around your neck. Barty wasn't so lucky, though.

- Saved himself from the noose? - I had absolutely no recollection of what had happened in the first few minutes after I'd tumbled out with Cedric's body onto the platform in front of the maze. Though some questions from Moody and a flash of green and flicker at the edge of my consciousness. It seems the potionist did save me then, but he was only doing it for himself, so my attitude towards him hasn't improved one bit. - You've got so many of those loops, you won't get rid of them for the rest of your life. A very short one, I must admit, given the impulsiveness of one of your masters.

- Maybe you're right," Snape shrugged lightly, then smiled unpleasantly. - Was right before, Potter. But now that I have you, I'll be able to improve my position considerably.

- What's become of you, Snape? Where had that impenetrable bastard gone, the one with the most intense emotions expressed only by a raised eyebrow? - I really couldn't understand what was wrong with the man I'd genuinely hated since I'd first arrived at Hogwarts. - You're acting like a cheap villain, and you're not thinking straight at all. You call me stupid, but you honestly believe that Riddle will pat your head and let you go?

- Maybe he will, Potter, maybe he will. - He let all my jokes pass, not intending to answer any questions. - I feel like the end is near, Potter, and whoever wins, I'll be in good standing. That's all that matters. And I don't care what some brat with nothing in his life but an inflated ego thinks about me. - He answered me kindly, believing that he had explained his position sufficiently.

- What if I win, Snape? Do you think you'd be in good standing then, too? - He only twisted his face into a semblance of a smile in response.

- Forget what I said about your inflated ego. Your ego would have to be the size of Hogwarts to make a statement like that. Are you going to win? Nobody's at war with you, Potter, you're just a snotty little brat who thinks he's the centre of the universe. How can you win? In a few minutes you'll be finished, and this time for good. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to show you killing Dumbledore like you asked. - It seems he's made up his mind exactly who to give me to. Only one of his masters wouldn't be so petty. - But before that, I want to know where you got all that extra knowledge from.

I tensed inwardly, realising that someone was going to poke around in my head again. I remembered perfectly well how such an attempt had ended recently. But Snape, sitting with his back to the living room exit, didn't see what I saw. What I saw was Dobby, who had returned in time and was now hiding in the hallway with my wand in his hands, not knowing what to do next. I tried to point as inconspicuously as I could at the ropes entangling my body, and I think he understood me.

Snape pointed his wand at me, and I recognised again the familiar movements followed by the rough penetration of my mind.

- Legi...

- Dobby, come on! - I shouted, trying to get ahead of the Potions Master.

- No, no, no, no more houseboys! - Snape interrupted the spell and turned around sharply, throwing a powerful shield in front of him. - Do you think I've forgotten you have a stupid elf? He's the reason I figured it all out last night.

But the potionist, who thought he'd calculated everything, hadn't taken into account one thing - Dobby wasn't aiming at him. As a result, the pale yellow beam that flew out of the houseboy's hands flew past Snape's shield and hit me, removing the ropes and giving me mobility. Abruptly rolling off the couch, I ducked under the table, dodging Snape's paralyser at the last moment. "How fast he is," I thought. My former potions professor was practically standing still, managing to block Dobby's spells while still attacking me. The powerful tabletop under which I was crawling towards the houseboy was saving my back for now, but that could only last until Snape started using something more serious. Realising that we wouldn't last a minute at this rate, I shouted loudly:

- Dobby, do the knife trick! - The houseboy made a sharp pass with his hands and almost a dozen knives lying in the Dursleys' kitchen flew into the air, circling around the Potions Master.

Snape, however, was not considered one of the most dangerous fighters in all of Britain for nothing. With precise, broad sweeps of his wand, he managed to deflect all the knives aimed in his direction. The Slytherin Dean's swift movements and focussed gaze showed that he was not about to give up the luck that was already in his hands. Dodging another cleaver that flew past, he threw his left arm out towards Dobby and performed a repelling spell without using his wand. The houseboy was thrown back into the wall, along which he rolled slowly to the floor, unconscious. Without pausing for a moment, Snape turned towards the table I was under and threw a powerful bombardment from his wand, shattering the wood into splinters and finally turning the exemplary-looking kitchen into a war zone.

Fortunately, when he was distracted by the knives, I kept creeping forward, and even though the table wasn't large, I was about a metre and a half away from where the explosive curse had hit. When I saw that Dobby wasn't showing any signs of life, I jumped forwards towards the kitchen exit, finding myself next to the body of the houseboy and grabbing my wand, which was lying next to him.

- No, Snape! - I shouted loudly, hiding behind the wall. - You're not taking any more of my loved ones! - Leaning out from around the corner, I pointed my wand at him, -Expelliarmus!

The potionist dismissively brushed off my disarming and immediately attacked back, causing me to have to hide behind the wall again. He didn't even break a sweat, and looked at me with the same disdain.

- Look, Potter, now even the houseboys are suffering because of you. I wish you'd stayed dead, it would have been much better for everyone. What are you talking about? I'm not going to kill that houseboy, I don't need him. So who did I take from you, Potter? Come out and tell me. You think you can hide in there much longer?

- You can keep pretending you don't know what this is about, but we both know who caused the deaths of my father and my mother! Sectumsempra! - I used that spell again, wanting to cause the person in front of me real pain.

I don't know what shocked him more: that I knew his own spell or that I knew about how he had betrayed his love, but hesitating, Snape raised his shield a moment later than necessary. Most other wizards in his position at such close range wouldn't have had a chance to defend themselves, but he almost made it in time. The shield didn't stop only the top two blades from digging into the potionist somewhere near his collarbone. The power of the spell was so great that even that was enough to leave deep wounds on Snape's body and throw him to the rubble left by the table.

I waited in my improvised hiding place for a few moments, waiting for a response, but when nothing happened, I carefully peeked into the room, seeing that he was still lying on his back.

As I got close to him, I could see the fear and confusion in his eyes. Apparently the wounds were more serious than I first thought. Part of me gloated that the unloved professor had suffered from his own invention. His trembling hands tried to point the wand at himself and heal his wounds, but his fingers wouldn't listen, and no spell would work. He looked at me in surprise and tried to say something, but I didn't listen, pointing my wand at his chest.

- You've said enough here, Snape. I'm not going to listen to any more of your revelations. - I was furious. All those years of him subjecting me to endless humiliation was literally pushing me over the edge, compelling me to finish this man off once and for all. I really wanted to do it, something dark and grim rising in my chest. But as soon as I hesitated for a second, searching for the most appropriate spell, it was gone. I realised clearly that I wasn't a killer. I will not decide if a man is worthy of life. I would kill Riddle or Dumbledore without regret if given the opportunity, but I will not kill Snape.

- I won't kill you," I said, staring at the body lying in front of me. For the first time in my memory, Snape looked truly pitiful. Live. Live and remember how you lost everything that was good in your life. Remember that Lily died because of you, and all you could do as revenge was kiss the mantle of her murderer. - I raised my wand again and threw the paralyser at him before conjuring the simplest of healing charms, closing his wounds and preventing him from dying from blood loss. I realised that it had been about twenty minutes since Snape had appeared in this house and cast his first spell, but the aurors still hadn't shown up. Had all my assumptions about witchcraft in non-wizarding territories been wrong? Or had Snape taken care of it in advance, casting some sort of concealment spell? It didn't matter now; I had to get out of here.

I looked around me and was surprised to see that, apart from a couple of scratches from the table that had been smashed to pieces, I wasn't injured at all. I felt pretty good, and I wasn't even tired. With Dobby's invaluable help, I had managed to defeat one of the strongest mages in the world, not only to escape another captivity, but also to protect my mind from new interference.

Going upstairs, I found all the items Dobby had brought, reduced them and put them in my pocket, then used Enervite on the housekeeper himself, making sure he was alright. The elf took turns apologising and thanking me, but I only thanked him in return, patting him on the shoulder.

Looking around, we went out the back door, and I threw on my invisibility cloak, asking Dobby to become invisible, which he promptly did. The noise made by our confrontation with Snape drew the attention of all the neighbours, who looked out of their windows and worriedly into the street. And if ordinary neighbours would call the police, then Old Lady Figg must have guessed what kind of flashes she was seeing in the window. Which means, either way, the wizards will be here soon. I don't know who will be able to get there first, but Snape will be patched up for sure.

I realised that my words were meaningless to him. He'd be even angrier now, and the next time we met he'd try to kill me even more actively, but the main thing was that I'd managed to keep my anger in check and not get on a road that would be almost impossible to turn back from.

Adjusting my robe more comfortably, I made my way out of the grounds and slowly made my way towards the park, walking away from the next house that couldn't be my refuge for more than a day.