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Ron looked over at Harry as they sat down, Dumbledore calling forth extra chairs for Neville and Hermione.
"Well, I must say finding the four of you victorious over a fully grown Mountain Troll was a nice surprise. I'm curious, how did all of this happen?" he asked, his eyes twinkling as he looked at them all.
"Well, sir, we had heard rumors that Malfoy was having trouble within his house, and that he was in the boys' bathroom, avoiding certain Slytherins," Ron began.
"Yeah, and then when we were all heading to the dormitories after Professor Quirrell warned about the troll, Harry said—" Neville continued, being cutoff by Hermione.
"That Draco must still be in the restroom, and that we needed to warn him because he didn't know about the troll—"
"And then we saw the troll leaving the girls' bathroom and go into the boys'," Ron continued. "And then Harry said to get our wands out, and we ran in."
They continued to tell what happened, but when it came to the part where Harry blasted the troll, they all fell silent, suddenly realizing Harry had yet to say anything.
"Harry?" Ron asked, finding Harry resting his elbow on the arm rest, and pressing two fingers on his scar, looking very focused.
Harry's scar was tingling with the same pins-and-needles one feels after a limb falls asleep, his mind showing glimpses of something odd.
A forest, dark and lush, was before him, shadows and figures moving before him. Finally, after searching for what felt far too long, his eyes rested upon something beyond the brush.
A Unicorn…
Harry was suddenly knocked out of it by a firm hand on his shoulder, Ron's hand."Hey, Harry, you still with us?" he asked, playfully.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm here," he said, trying to sound convincing, more for himself than for the others.
Dumbledore's eyes rested on him for a moment, Harry couldn't place the emotion that passed through them.
"Harry, what spell did you use?" Dumbledore asked.
"Ardesco," he answered shyly, catching Hermione's eyes widen in astonishment, bewilderment, and surprise, all at the same time.
Dumbledore's eyebrows, however, only went up ever so slightly.
"That's a very advanced spell, Harry; where did you learn it?"
"I don't know, in a book somewhere I guess. All I did was yell out the first offensive spell that came into my head, and put everything I could behind it. I was defending my friends, so at the time it was an easy thing to do, it was that or get clobbered by a smelly monster," Harry said simply, his head clearing.
"I see, and I'm glad you did, as I am sure your friends and Mr. Malfoy are as well," Dumbledore said.
"Can we visit Draco?" Harry asked suddenly.
That, for some reason seemed to surprise Dumbledore more than the use of that spell, but he nodded.
"I'm sure Madam Pomfrey would allow people to visit him tomorrow," he said, before looking to the others. "Because of the four of your actions, I award fifty points to Gryffindor for coming to the aid of another student."
This resulted all four Gryffindors to breakout into full grins.
"Thanks, sir," Ron said.
Dumbledore gave a half smile before speaking again. "The three of you may go to your dorms, I have some things I must discuss with Harry."
Hermione, Neville, and Ron stood up.
"You can wait for Harry in the Gryffindor Common Room if you wish," he added, seeing Harry's friends hesitate.
"Alright. Goodnight, Professor," they said, leaving, the door shutting behind them.
Dumbledore reclined back in his chair, his eyes resting on the door for a moment before looking to Harry.
Harry fidgeted.
And then, Harry suddenly felt it, again, the same feeling he had gotten from Quirrell, only this time it was a little different.
It wasn't exactly intrusive, but it wasn't invited either. Harry reacted the same way he had all the times before. He centered, inwardly calming himself.
It stopped.
"Harry, do you know what Occlumency is?" Dumbledore asked after a moment.
"Occ-lumency, sir?" Harry asked, slowly meeting his eyes behind those half-mooned spectacles.
"It's a defense of the mind," Dumbledore answered.
"Sir, why are you telling me this?" Harry asked, not exactly following, but not being completely lost either.
"Harry, you know Occlumency, naturally is seems," he said, his voice revealing some of his curiosity and amazement.
"You mean, that's what I've been doing when I calm myself down?" Harry asked.
"It would seem so. Harry, when did you start doing this?" he asked.
"Well, I suppose I started doing it after I realized it calmed me down after…"
"Your dreams," Dumbledore provided.
"Yeah."
There was a short silence, before Harry spoke again.
"How do you know I can do, uh, Occlumency?" Harry asked.
"Because of my position, it is my responsibility to know the magic levels of my students. I don't go digging around or anything, that wouldn't be appropriate, obviously. I just graze over students occasionally."
"Oh."
"And I apologize, Harry. Just before I started this conversation with you, I did a little more than just 'graze' with you. I did so to confirm my suspicions, and they were confirmed when I didn't get past your defenses."
"Oh, well at least I'll know what's happening when I get that feeling again," Harry said, seeing the sincerity in Dumbledore's eyes.
"Have you felt that feeling before?" he asked.
"Yeah, a few times, but they were a little more…aggressive, I suppose; why?"
"Harry, I don't want to alarm you, but I think if I didn't warn you, it would be a serious risk. There is a threat a little too close for comfort at the moment, and I want you to come to me if you feel threatened, ever."
"Alright, sir. I will," Harry said, trying not to let the warning unnerve him.
"Harry, pardon my curiosity, but like a cat, it seems I cannot help it," he said as he pushed a little bowl of candy towards him and grabbed one for himself. "Lemon drop?"
"Thanks." Harry took one.
"But it seems your dreams are at least mildly serious."
"I'm sorry sir, I thought I had them under cont—"
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Unlock a treasure trove of stories and join a community where your imagination can soar
become a Patron and dive into the adventure today!
you'll get exclusive early access to over 30+ chapters ahead of what's posted here!
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http//patreon.com/NAnami725
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