PART 3 - New Magic

Again the warning - this is a long story! (Six pages!)1

“What do you mean they've disappeared?!”2

“We have been wondering for a while if they have been up to something. For a start, he wouldn’t explain to us where he went with Dumbledore despite admitting that it was important. Then, Hermione seemed to know a lot about what was happening - even though she has been cut off from us for two days. Finally, you must have known that they have all been acting strangely lately.”3

“Yes, but you could have told us!”4

Lupin sank into a chair. It was two hours before dawn and the whole house was up fighting. Most of the Order was here. They were arguing over what to do next. Without Dumbledore around to lead them they were just a bunch of arguing fools. There was probably a reason why they had gone off. Some reason to do with pride - and trust. With a sigh, he went upstairs. If they had left anything he might be able to find it. There was probably some clue somewhere that would help them.5

Tonks saw Lupin sneak upstairs. Quietly she stood up to follow him - no one noticed them leaving. They were to busy fighting. As Tonks left, she heard Mrs Weasly sobbing in the corner.6

Lupin sat on Harry’s bed gazing at the wall. He had given up trying to fit into the werewolf society, now Snape was gone he wasn’t going to persist in going on his own into a band of unsavoury people. Now, he was trying to think where Harry might have gone. He looked up as Tonks came in.7

“There is some sort of magic at work here Tonks.” He sighed, “There was no-way that Harry could have got passed the three of us and he wouldn’t have been able to apperate out of this building. Dumbledore made sure of that - so how could he have got out? There were charms on the doors - he didn’t leave this room. Yet somehow he managed to give all of us a sleeping potion. He can’t have been doing this on his own yet Ron and Hermione didn’t either and everyone else has been questioned under the influence of versium. There’s no way he could have done it.”8

“If Harry had wanted help wouldn’t he have said? Besides after Snape - who would he have trusted?”9

“I know but still…”10

“We will find Harry don’t worry. In the mean time he can take care of himself.”11

Balls of light drifted among the trees. The soft green light of the distant sun through the leafy branches cast a mystical haze over everything. The lights were never the same colour for more than half a second and as a result they drew the watcher in promises of knowledge, secrets, an answer to life and death awaited all he had to do was follow one. Harry took a step forwards - one more and he would leave the trail…12

“Harry!”13

Harry looked around dazed. Ron was beside him - his eyes dreamy. He too was about to step off the trail. Hermione and Feu were looking at them horrified.14

“Quick - grab Ron!” snapped Feu to Hermione. “i’ll get Harry - don’t let him leave the path!”15

Feu grabbed Harry. He struggled. The lights were back - they would give him power. A feeling of urgency swept over him. He had to get to those lights before they went out; before they were gone! Fighting with all his might he managed to throw Feu off. He took a step to the edge - only one centimetre separated him from the lights - he reached out…16

Ron woke up. He was lying on the softest bed he had ever felt. It was like lying on the softest moss that had been piled on top of each other until it was so deep you couldn’t feel any floor what so ever. With a sigh of content he began to drift off to dream world - and then his mind caught up with the present.17

He remembered it all. He remembered the floating lights; the fighting; Hermione trying t hold him back; and then that unearthly call that rang through his ears. It had brought them running it had; and those little folk were strong. They had held him, two to an arm, but he hadn’t stopped fighting. In the end he had felt a sharp pain on his temples and everything had gone black.18

Uncertainly, he sat up. A window in the corner opened onto a view of waving pines and a clear blue sky. Sunlight warmed his face and a small blue bird flitted by the window. Turning, he surveyed the rest of the room. In one corner was a sparkling white surface with a metal sink in. Above it was a cupboard that seemed to be made of white marble. Next to that was a door. He supposed it lead to some form of bathroom or something. On the other side of that, sat a strange contraption. It was a screen of glass on the front of a box. Ron was intrigued.19

Yet there was still the rest of the room to look through. So Ron tore his gaze away from the box and past it to the next corner of the room. This part also had a door, although this door was not the same as the other one. For a start, it was open and through it you could see a long corridor of wooden panelling and a plush carpet.20

Tuning his attention back to his room he noticed that his things had been placed in a neat pile in another corner of his room. He would have to sort it later. Although it would mean work - maybe he should leave it were it was for now. Now back to that box - what on earth could it be?21

Curious Ron got up and went over to it. He paused to grab his wand from his pile of things and then went to the box. A group of four chairs sat around it. Sitting on one (a red colour like autumn leaves) he leaned forward and tapped it gingerly. It didn’t move. Feeling a bit disappointed, Ron went to explore the rest of the room.22

Harry had woken up in a room just like Ron’s. Unlike Ron he had not become fascinated by a television and had instead decided to explore the corridor. While he was wondering around, he had met Feu and Hermione on there way to see if he was awake yet. They had invited him down for breakfast, where he was amazed at the range of choices.23

“You mean I could have anything I like?” He exclaimed, “anything that I care to say?”24

“Yes, the cooks are really good and even if you wanted chocolate bread, dripping with chocolate sauce, we could get it.”25

“Um, O.K then - I’ll have some pancakes with lemon on please.”26

It was only five minutes later, when the pancakes arrived. They were delicious and Harry was impressed.27

The order was doing their best to continue as if nothing had happened - but every one was always keeping an ear out for any news about the three. It hung over them like winter storm clouds.28

Mad-eye in particular was extremely upset. He had done his best to protect the three and he was certain that nothing could have got passed the protections he had put on them. Time and again he would go over the rooms from which they had disappeared from in the hope of spotting some vital clue.29

It was on the third day since they had left that he found something. He had been using the powers of his eye to check for any marks that had been left. He was using a particular setting he had only planned to use as a last resort when he found it. A silver outline of a circle on one of the walls was clearly visible. With a small smile, he went to find the others. It looked like they were on the right track at last.30

The Professor Flitwick was just administering another charm to the circle. Nothing had worked so far and the others were getting restless. They had all tried their best spells but nothing seemed to work. Mad eye had called them up as soon as he had found the portal and everyone agreed that if there was any chance of finding Harry and his friends, they would have to see where the portal went first.31

It was then that Fred and George arrived. They had only just heard that there was a lead and had closed up the shop early to come and look. They had brought with them a supply of their products – just in case.32

“Sorry we’re late! What’ve you found?” whispered George, very loudly.33

“Is it an entrance of some sort?” continued Fred, “If it is we could try our opening powder. It works on lots of stuff – maybe it will work here.”34

Shouldering Flitwick out of the way and making the little professor squeak with indignation, the Weasly twins scattered their powder around the place where the portal was now shining. The circle seemed to rotate for a bit as if deciding what to do. Then with a little flicker it expanded forming a window shaped hole on the wall. Through it the members of the order could see a forest, and it was filled with strange trees.35

“The ceremony is at Midday so we have an hour left. There are some things we need to go over first. For a start, if you want to go through with it you have to go all the way – you can’t stop half way through. The magic won’t let you. Also, there are some side effects.”36

“What side effects,” questioned Hermione “you haven’t mentioned any before now.”37

“They aren’t all that big. You get extended lifespan, keener senses and greater strength, also, you’ll look like us.” answered Feu.38

“You mean, all perfect and everything?” asked Ron, with a grin. “I could get to like that.”39

Feu laughed, “I suppose though. You would definitely keep the hair, but you might lose a few freckles. And you Hermione, your hair would be a little less bushy, but that doesn’t matter because you will be able to change your appearance at will.”40

“Now that would be cool – I could be the minister of magic! Special cars whenever I wanted and I would get a decent salary!”41

“Stop messing around Ron – you know you can’t do that!”42

“Why not?”43

“We would change you back in front of everyone - wouldn’t we Harry?”44

The clearing was packed. A huge donut shape had been marked out with floating string. The spectators were moving around the outside and those doing the spell were in the ring bit. Those who wanted to have the spell renewed were in the center. The whole area was flickering with white shapes and silver flashes. Even the air was heavy as if filled with magic.45

Harry rubbed his glasses. He trusted Feu, but with the spell going to start in just one minute, Harry was having doubts. He remembered what Feu had said about being ‘perfect’. Maybe this would be the last time he had to smudge them clean. He would miss that, they were a part of him.46

Next to him, Ron was also thinking about the celebration, it would be nice, he thought to be like them. He wouldn’t have to spend any time making sure his hair was brushed it would always be that way, unless, of course, he wanted it ruffled, then it would be like that. Plus he would be able to make as many faces as Tonks.47

Hermione was thinking about it too. She wanted to see what magic she would be able to do. All those spells that were too difficult for her she would be able to master in just a day or two. It would be cool and then she could have free time to read all those books she wanted to get on to – muggles and wizards – hilarious stories of past times – would be a favourite.48

Feu dragged the trio into the center of the ring and stood with them there. The spell began and swirling lights filled the clearing, gathering together to make a whirlwind of colour centred in the inner circle. Feu lifted her arms and laughed, the power twirling through her arms like an affectionate cat. Harry felt the pull first. It was as if warmth and colour were swirling around him. It felt so nice, so pure he didn’t try to stop it. Hermione felt it next, only she felt that her mind was expanding and that everything nearby was becoming part of her and she part of it. Every bit of knowledge that was shared she knew and understood. Ron felt it last. To him it was just plain exhilarating.49

The feeling seemed to go on forever – and then it stopped. Everyone in the circle were on there knees gasping as if the spell was air that had been taken away and they were drowning. Slowly, they all stopped and the feelings left by the spell began to fade but it left a feeling of strength and wholeness that hadn’t been there before. Harry looked up at the skies through new eyes and saw them for what they were. Losing himself among their fiery dance, he understood what the spell was about, because it wasn’t about strength or power it was about life and the secret that they all hide…50

The order stood among the trees. With there wands out ready, in case there was trouble, they proceeded into the trees. None of them noticed the shimmering forms that watched them or the mute flashes as spells left their makers. All they knew was darkness, as they were carried deep into the forest.51