Ahsoka quickly stepped to keep up with him.
Shaak Ti debated following him but returned to the comm station to continue the discussion with Salporin. She had no idea what Harry was doing but she had bigger concerns right now. If Kashyyyk fell it would be a significant victory for the Separatist forces.
"Harry, what are you going to do?" Ahsoka asked.
Harry glanced back at her as he walked down the long aisles of books. A wry smile that lacked the humor of any smile she had seen from him before crossed his face, "What else? I'm going to be a Gryffindor and leaping in with both feet."
A puzzled expression crossed Ahsoka's face at that, though the barest hint of amusement flickered back to her from him at her confusion, which he obviously felt. Whatever internal dispute he may have been feeling earlier, was clearly gone.
Harry didn't stop to explain as he walked down one of the aisles of books, and they emerged into the study.
He didn't break stride until he walked up to the mantle right in front of the two paintings that came alive once more. The flame in the fireplace burst to life. Unlike the blue flames burning around the warehouse-like dwelling or the surrounding area, the flame was a far more common red.
Ahsoka slowed and behind her Aayla also slowed to a stop. Aayla had caught Harry's expression and having seen his actions in the slaver raid, curiosity had won out. Also, Shaak Ti would better hold the conversation with Salporin without having to constantly translate for her.
Harry seemed to ignore both of their presence as he placed his hand on the mantle below the two paintings and bowed his head taking a deep breath. The red flames flickered light on Harry's face, giving a dramatic cast to his features.
The two paintings uncharacteristically didn't say anything, they simply looked down at him, waiting expectantly. Harry finally lifted his head to look up, but didn't say anything.
"It's happening again," Daphne spoke quietly. There was no question in the painting's voice, it was merely a statement.
Harry simply nodded looking first at her and then Tonks. "You know what you're going to do?" Daphne asked calmly.
"You know me," Harry replied mirthlessly.
"You never change," Tonks responded, there was fondness in her voice but a look of resignation on the painting's face.
Both paintings audibly sighed at the same time and looked down at him, their expressions conveying a myriad of emotions.
Ahsoka saw sadness, and affection in the paintings. But apparently Harry saw more.
Harry bowed his head once more and whispered, "I'm sorry." And she could feel that he was being honest. He did feel sorry, though underneath his sorrow was a strengthening resolve.
Harry's voice was apologetic, but there was a soft click and the fire immediately extinguished without a sound, as if it had never been there in the first place. Then the fireplace swung inward as if Harry had spoken a password. This caused Aayla to jump slightly in surprise. But Ahsoka was focused entirely on Harry.
Though he made no move to step into the dark space beyond.
"You know the tale of the scorpion and the frog, Harry," Daphne stated, her voice lacking accusation. Instead it came out as gentle and comforting. "How could I forget?" Harry nodded slightly, a brief smile on his face. "You're the one that taught it to me."
"Like the scorpion. This is in your nature." Daphne said. "Granted, less hurtful to others, but in the end, just as dangerous to yourself." Despite the warning in the words, there was no sound that she was trying to coax of convince him in her tone.
"You wouldn't be Harry Potter if your nature didn't win out," Tonks added quietly, a tone as gentle as the one Daphne used.
Harry didn't say anything, just looked up at the two paintings. Ahsoka and Aayla both got the impression they were seeing a conversation that had been had before, possibly many times and the moment was incredibly private.
Harry looked like he was going to say more, but he finally stepped inside the newly revealed passage. Ahsoka tilted her head to the side to see Harry walk into the short corridor and a glimpse of shelves and what looked like a closed wardrobe.
Ahsoka looked up at the two paintings who had sad smiles on their face though they didn't say anything further. However she was almost immediately distracted by another voice. This one decidedly not feminine and from inside the passage Harry had stepped into.
"It's about time, how bloody long did you plan to leave me in here?" A gravelly male voice demanded, drawing Ahsoka's attention once more inside the hidden room.
Harry's voice actually sounded caught off guard for a moment, "Huh, I completely forgot where I put you. Honest mistake I'm sure." His tone was also somewhat dismissive.
Ahsoka peered around the mantle that was still pushed inward, trying to see what he was talking to. She assumed it was another portrait but a part of her couldn't completely put it past him to have a prisoner of some sort in there.
"'Honest mistake', my arse," replied the voice.
"You don't have an arse," Harry replied distractedly. Ahsoka moved closer to the entrance of the hidden room and peered in, in the process she caught a glimpse of Harry, bare from the waist up. She immediately received even more of an eye-full as Harry quickly tugged off his pants and undergarments before spinning multiple times in circles as he looked for something. She immediately pulled back, before he could see her, blushing hotly at the fact she now had Harry's entire naked body ingrained in her memory.
She could see Aayla looking at her expectantly, but all she could do was shake her head and instead call out, "Harry, do you have another painting in there with you?"
"Huh?" Harry called back though his tone was distracted, not understanding the question. "What's that voice?" Ahsoka asked again.
"Someone's out there?" The gravelly voice started sounding interested.
"Help me! This fiend has kidnapped me and keeps me imprisoned here!" The voice cried out plaintively.
"Oh stuff it." Harry's voice shot back.
"Oh, you wouldn't believe the horrible tortures he subjects me to!" The voice continued mournfully.
Ahsoka was torn between investigating and realizing that Harry was probably still changing in the room. Aayla however hadn't seen Harry changing, so she pushed past Ahsoka to peer inside the passage, only for a piece of fabric to hit her square in the chest, that she reflexively caught in her hands.
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