Integra found her target in the library. Harry Potter sat at one table, surrounded by books. Professor Snape's punishment assignment for Harry's inability to answer a question about the proper pickling of toad livers was to find ten sleeping droughts no longer used and report why they fell out of use. As the librarian appeared to be tasked less with aiding research and more with ensuring the books remained in the condition the students initially found them, the assignment was fare more difficult than the equivalent would be in a more mundane school. Integra sat in the chair next to Harry. He looked up, then quickly buried himself in the book he was reading while sidling his chair away from him.
"Is it that I'm just that repulsive," she asked, "or do you fear I'll suddenly leap at you and snap your neck?" Harry's actions were expected; his avoidance of her was what prompted this conversation.
"Look," Harry responded, "I've got to figure out this report. I'm just a commoner and have to do well in school if I want to succeed, okay?"
"What does- oh!" Realization bloomed in Integra's mind. "Have you been thinking of my encounter with that blighter Malfoy in the tailor's shop for all this time?"
Harry hesitantly nodded.
"Honestly," Integra sighed. "Harry, I promise not to lord my birth rank over you if you don't lord yours over me." Integra could see the momentary confusion on Harry's face as his first thought was to protest that he didn't have any birth rank, as well as the sudden realization what her promise meant if he couldn't lord it over her.
"Okay," Harry agreed, "but Draco didn't-"
"He was being an ass," Integra interrupted. "More than an ass, as he was a commoner claiming the superiority of his blood. Besides, you're a better person than many peers of the realm."
"Me?" Harry asked dubiously.
"You," Integra replied. "It is why I wanted to know why you avoided me. Good men should seek each other out and work together; the godly have an edge over evil because they need not fear betrayal from a true heart."
"I'm not really religious," Harry said.
"Given what Ronald has said of your aunt and uncle, I find it no surprise they possess little piety and failed to see to your spiritual education. I would not be surprised to learn they were Roman Catholics, even. But your inner spiritual compass has shone through despite your lack of instruction. Some would say your virtue is more impressive due to your lack of role models and encouragement."
"I never did anything special," Harry protested.
"It is exactly that denial I speak of," Integra responded. "You could have become proud or revealed in your celebrity once you learned of it. It would have been understandable for you to bask in the attention after the treatment you received. Instead you eschew any credit for the defeat of Voldemort."
"But I didn't do anything," Harry said.
"See?" Integra replied. "You feel that are not responsible for Voldemort's downfall, and I believe you. I believe that Voldemort was struck low by the hand of God, possibly with you acting as His earthly agent.
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(Posted Thu, 02 Dec 2004 02:47)
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