A Change of Feeling

Umbridge's Demise - Part One

The days had passed pleasantly. Harry couldn't help whistling a cheerful tune as he walked out of the dungeons to go to breakfast. Since his rendezvous with Rabastan, Harry felt more balanced and lighter, as if a heavy cloud had been lifted from his head. Everything was brighter and full of colors. In short, life was good.

His face darkened as he thought of the news he'd received the day before yesterday; Seamus had fallen ill. The boy had all kinds of unexplained bruises and bleeding all over his body. They had started on his stomach and arms, but now his whole body seemed to be covered in discoloration. Seamus had just gone to his classes at first but had to stop after a few hours because he started bleeding from his ear. The Gryffindors had become hysterical and even after a day they were whispering among themselves and looking paranoid at every student and professor.

Harry had expected a confrontation with Ron and possibly other Gryffindors, but this one didn't happen. No one seemed to make the connection between Harry and Seamus. Harry knew better, he'd seen the wound in the palm of his hand heal in twelve hours. He knew he healed this wound with the powers he got from the tattoo, so it was too coincidental that Seamus got sick at the same time that Harry's wound was healing.

He wasn't too concerned. Not really. Seamus had hurt him, but he'd only done it a few times, so he couldn't imagine that Ekrizdis' curse would kill the boy. No, Harry could imagine that the boy would feel bad for a few weeks and that the score would be settled.

Harry felt his good mood return as he walked into the Great Hall. He could already see his friends sitting at Slytherin's table and saw Draco grinning broadly when he caught sight of him.

"Hey, guys! You were out of bed early," Harry said as he plopped down next to Draco.

Pansy looked up from her Transfiguration textbook and looked at Harry calmly. "You've only got fifteen minutes left to eat your breakfast if you want to be on time for McGonagall's class."

Harry sighed, quickly grabbed a sandwich, and took a big bite. He saw Pansy wrinkle her nose in disgust. He grinned widely, revealing the piece of bread.

"Disgusting, Potter!" said Pansy. She quickly hid behind her book again so that she didn't see Harry chew like a savage again.

Harry just laughed and spread a little jam on his sandwich. Quietly he poured a little Pumpkin Juice into his cup and took a sip. He finished his breakfast in record time and looked at his friends with satisfaction.

"I slept really well. It was so good laying in my bed, that I snoozed for a while. I tell you, there is really nothing that can disturb my good mood."

He literally saw Theo become relaxed, his shoulders drooping a little lower and even his facial expression was less tense.

Harry frowned, and looked at his friends. "Are you still afraid I'll explode? I thought it got better lately."

Theo smiled at him hesitantly, but his eyes looked thoughtful. "I don't know if I speak for everyone, but we're happy for you. We only had to take one look at your mangled neck to see that you had a positive reunion with your loved one." He paused and looked at Blaise for confirmation, when he got a small nod he looked back at Harry.

"We're still worried about you, Harry," Theo almost whispered. "The bottom line is that we don't know what exactly is wrong with you. We just know you can't control it yet. Instead, you are controlled, and I don't mean as if you are possessed by an entity. No, it's like you have an immense power that slowly consumes you, and that's why I look at you so often; I hope every day to see the normal Harry and not the shadow of him."

Harry felt tears in his eyes and he swallowed hard. He felt Jormy hit Harry's chin with his head and heard the snake hiss tenderly.

"Merlin, Theo! When you do open your mouth, you make sure that your words have meaning."