I Open at the Close

7

"So that's all he told you?" Ron whispered

"Ron!" Hermione tsked, "He told Harry a lot!"

  Harry had just finished telling Ron and Hermione all Older Harry had shared with him. They'd agreed to meet in the library to avoid the crowded common room. Only problem was they still had to keep their voices in hushed tones.

"I can't believe we do it though." Ron said, "We defeat You-Know-Who."

Harry nodded, "Me either."

"Do you think it's changed?" Hermione asked, leaning over her homework, "I mean, they're here. Telling us things."

Ron huffed, "I hope not."

Harry thought to the people Older Harry had told to him would die. People Harry didn't even know yet.

"I hope it does." Harry said definitively, "For the better."

Ron and Hermione looked at Harry for a moment before they nodded together.

"Did he tell you how they got here?" Hermione asked

Harry shook his head, "He told me they don't know." He answered, he peaked over his shoulder, "But I think he was holding something back."

Ron cocked an eyebrow, "Really? How?"

"It's me." Harry shrugged, "I know what I sound like when I'm lying."

There wasn't more to it than that. Harry had a feeling there was something Older Harry wasn't telling him. And if he'd already told him about so much death, then what was so horrible that Harry couldn't know about?
Harry had a sinking suspicion he'd find out someday. And he wasn't sure he wanted to.

"It's almost curfew." Hermione glanced at the doors of the library, "We should head back to the common room before Madam Pince gets mad at us.

The witch in question was already eyeing the three Gryffindor's suspiciously while they sat at their table.
They quietly scooped up their belongings and slipped out of the library.

"Do you think we'll get called to Dumbledore's office again?" Ron asked in the hall

Harry shook his head, "No idea." He said, "Who do you think will replace Professor Quirrel?"

Their Defense Against the Dark Arts class had already been canceled the day before. They'd been told Professor Quirrel had to leave due to his health. Now the trio knew the truth.

"No idea." Ron said

"I hope they replace him soon." Hermione huffed, "I can't imagine what missing too many classes will do to our exam scores."

"Of course that's what you're worried about." Ron rolled his eyes

They arrived at the Fat Lady Portrait, "Balderdash." Harry said, and the door opened.

They climbed into the common room, a good few of the older Gryffindor's lounging in the seats next to the fire place.

"Hey Harry!" Fred called over from next to a window

"We've got a question for you." George eyes him curiously once the three reached their table

"Ron wouldn't tell us." Fred huffed

George nodded, "Why'd you get called to Dumbledore's this morning?"

"Er." Harry frowned, "Nothing important."

"Really?" Fred rolled his eyes

"Three first year Gryffindor's?" George narrowed his eyes

"Getting called to the headmasters office?" Fred leaned forward

"Has to be something." George finished

"It was nothing!" Harry insisted

"Percy's already written mum." George looked at Ron

"He what?" Ron's ears turned pink

Fred smiled, "Might as well fess up now."

George nodded, "Or tell mum's howler tomorrow."

Harry didn't know what a Howler was, but decided it wasn't the time to ask.

Hermione grabbed Ron's and Harry's arms, "Common." She said, pulling them away.

Fred and George cheekily waved them away

"Why'd he have to write mum?" Rom groaned

The next morning was howler free, at least Harry guessed it was, as Ron received nothing from home.

"This is worse somehow." Ron said as he stuffed eggs in his mouth.

"Maybe they were bluffing?" Harry offered

"Yea." Hermione nodded, "Maybe Percy didn't really write your mum."

As if they'd summoned him, Percy sat down next to Ron, "No I did." He was holding a letter in his hand, "Mum wrote me back that Dumbledore already explained it to her."

"He did?" Ron's eyes doubled in size

Harry leaned across the table, "What did she say?"

Percy furrowed his brow, "That's it." He looked down at Ron, "What's going on?" He asked

Ron huffed, "None of your business."

Percy pursed his lips, "Fine." He stood up and walked to the other end of the table where the other Prefects were eating.

"Dumbledore told your mum?" Hermione whispered

"I guess." Rom rubbed his face

Harry looked down at his toast, unsure how he felt about this. Someone else knew. Granted Mrs. Weasley was a perfectly pleasant woman who had been nothing but kind to Harry. If someone else had to know she wasn't a bad pick.