Chapter 24: Photograph
Life around the castle fell into routine, or at least as much of a routine as Hogwarts would allow, that is. Classes were chugging along, Flitwick had Harry and Hermione start on the third year curriculum, telling them they'd be on fourth year before Christmas, and Geneva was a hit with the students, offering them a place to relax and talk with the other houses. Thanks to the D.A., Harry and Hermione were making connections through every house, though Ravenclaw was the toughest to crack.
They had thus far reached out to Padma Patil, Mandy Brocklehurst, Michael Corner and Terry Boot but Ravenclaw was so very insular. Even in the D.A., they only practiced among themselves. Outside of Ravenclaw, Harry still had a couple of issues, namely with two first year Gryffindors.
Try as he might, Colin still got nervous a little obsessive whenever Harry was near which made Harry uncomfortable. Not as uncomfortable as Ginny who seemed to stare at him non-stop. And then there was Herbology which, of the classes with a proper teacher, was his least favorite.
Gathered in one of the greenhouses, Harry and Hermione was grouped up with Susan and another dark haired boy.
"Justin Finch-Fletchley," the boy introduced himself, a tad arrogantly. "Susan has told me about you Harry Potter, Hermione Granger."
"Good to meet you," I guess, Harry finished inside his head.
"Don't worry about Justin," Susan said. "He acts like a Pompadour but he's a really nice guy."
Susan elbowed Justin as she spoke.
"Sorry," Justin relaxed a little. "I was down for Eton before I got my Hogwarts letter. You're supposed to act a certain way there. It is good to meet you both, though."
"Good to meet you as well, Justin," Hermione said as Professor Sprout called the class to order.
For the next hour, they worked to repot Mandrakes. Used in restorative potions, Mandrakes were incredibly useful plants. However, they also looked like human babies and their cries had enough power to incapacitate or even kill when mature.
After class, Harry scrubbed up and joined up with Hermione to walk back toward the castle only to be stopped by Colin.
"H-h-hey H-harry," Colin stammered. "Do you m-mind if I take that p-p-picture now?"
"Sure," Harry said and then he got an idea. "Can you actually take one of Hermione and me? Then maybe she can take one of me and you together?"
"Really?" Colin's excitement overrode his stammer. He raised the camera and took the photo of the two second years. "Hold on, there's a better photo."
He took a step back and to the right, turning the camera horizontal. There it was: a picture of Harry and Hermione with the castle in the background to their left and the mountains just over their right shoulders.
"Alright now me and you," Harry said. Colin moved next to Harry and Harry laid a hand on his shoulder. Colin looked up at Harry and Harry smiled down. That's when Hermione took the picture.
"Sorry," she said. "That was too good not to take. I'll take another with you looking at the camera."
"Thanks!" Colin said as he ran off. "This'll be great to send to my family."
Colin turned out to be a hit with the Gryffindors, taking photos of the Quidditch team, the entire class of second years and much, much more. It seemed like once they heard what he was doing, everyone was requesting a picture from young Mr. Creevey, including Lockhart, though his request was phrased the oddest.
"My photographer Anthony wouldn't like it if anyone else were to take photos of me," Lockhart tried to give Colin a roguish smile but it just ended up looking like he was selling toothpaste. "You should take a photo of me while you can, before he shuts you down."
Colin, like all males, was repulsed by Lockhart and he ensconced himself in a room near the Gryffindor common room to develop his photos.
"Hey Colin!" Harry called out as he knocked on the door. "Can I sit?"
"S-s-sure…" Colin was busy putting the photos through each liquid to properly develop them.
"How do you develop the photos?" Harry was curious about the process.
"For normal photos, there's a developer, a fixer and then a stop," Colin explained. "For these, since they're magical and will move there are two potions. First is the developer which brings back the motion of the image at the time of capturing, a repeater to allow that motion to repeat itself. The longer you develop it, the more motion will be captured. Then you put it into a stasis bath to keep the photo from aging. Look."
Colin was developing the photo he took of Hermione and him. It was beautiful with the background. From the photo, you could see the trees wafting in the wind and a few owls flying overhead.
"Wow Colin," Harry was amazed. "This is amazing. Really good photo!"
"Th-th-thank you!" Colins stammer reappeared.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, Harry."
"Sometimes you are just fine around me but sometimes I still catch you staring at me and when I talk to you, you stammer. Why is that?"
"I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable," Colin stared at his shoes for a moment. "The book that you pulled for me in Flourish and Blotts told me all about your defeat of You-Know-Who on Halloween 1981. The book also talked about the war and how it was going. Did you know they were rounding up muggleborns?"
Harry nodded
"They wanted to find out how they 'stole' magic and they also killed the muggleborn's parents to keep them from stealing more magic," Colin gazed into the potion with tears in his eyes. "I was born in June of 1981. I also have a brother who is two years younger than me. I love him so much. He's actually my best friend."
Tearfully Colin looked up at Harry.
"If you had not stopped You-Know-Who," Colin was openly weeping now. "I am sure I would have been captured and 'studied.' My parents would have been killed and Dennis… Dennis would not have been born.
"I know you hate your fame," Colin said. "But to me, you are the reason my brother is alive, that my parents still live and I thank you. You lost your parents and in doing so, you saved so many of us from similar, or worse, fates."
"Thank you for telling me this, Colin," Harry tried to comfort the small boy. "But I didn't stop Voldemort-that's his name by the way- my mother did. She deserves the praise. I am glad he was stopped and I hope to meet your brother some day. He sounds like a very special individual. In the future, just relax around me. I am just Harry. Come to Geneva, get to know me and the other kids. I'm sure it'll help. In the meantime, can I help you develop any of the photos?"
"No," Colin said, finally relaxing. "I am just about done here. Thank you, Harry."
Harry turned to exit the room when Colin called to him.
"Harry?" He said. "You're not 'just Harry,' you are more than that, to a lot of people. Remember that."
"Thankfully, I have a best friend who reminds me of it quite often," Harry smiled at Colin. "Maybe one of these days it'll stick.
Pondering what Colin had told him, Harry moved toward Gryffindor tower. When another group of voices drew his attention. In the middle of the hallway stood Luna with four Ravenclaw girls around her.
"Give that back!" Luna appeared to be trying to grab a picture frame that the girls were tossing between them. Luna was in tears as the other girls laughed.
"What? This?" The leader, a brunette girl Harry had never seen before, taunted. "Does Loony want her PICTURE back?"
The serene mask Luna had was gone as the girl collapsed down to her knees and openly sobbed.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Harry shouted and levitated the picture into his hand. He looked at it. It was a picture of Luna in a blonde woman's arms. The woman was rocking Luna softly as Luna slept. "What is the meaning of this?"
"None of your business, Potter," the leader said again. "You might try to be everyone's friend but we know that isn't true. You're just a fake."
"What I am to you miss…"
"Edgecombe. Marietta Edgecombe," the girl finally introduced herself.
"Miss Edgecombe is irrelevant," Harry glared at her. "What I am to Luna very much is. I won't have my friends bullied; you hear?"
"Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it?"
"You'll see," Harry left it at that as he grabbed Luna and led her toward Gryffindor tower. "Just remember, all it will take for it to stop is an apology to Luna here."
Walking on, Luna wrapped an arm around Harry and pressed herself into him. Realizing where they were, Harry pulled the girl into the room where he had read the letters from his parents.
"Are you okay?" Harry said as he gave her the photo back.
"I am now," she said as she hugged the photo to her. "Marietta's mother works for the Ministry. Because of her mum, she doesn't like me, my father or The Quibbler. She took this from my bag before I could stop her."
"That looks like a special photo."
"It's the last one I ever got with my mom. I carry it with me always," Luna started to weep again. "Daddy took it. She died the next day. She was testing a spell she was creating and it backfired. I can still see the spell going toward her. I try to reach her to help but…"
Luna couldn't speak anymore as she was overwrought with sobs. Harry wondered what Hermione would do and came to the quick conclusion. Quickly, Harry brought her in for a hug, holding her tight like Hermione would. Luna molded into Harry as she soon collected herself.
"Thank you, Harry," Luna finally spoke. "You are a good hugger, you know that?"
"That's nice to hear," Harry laughed with the blonde. "Now, let's go to the tower. I have a meeting with a pair of twins that I am suddenly in need of."
"Why am I scared?" Luna wondered aloud.
"You? You have nothing to be scared of. Those other girls? They should be quaking in fear."
Once in the tower, Harry spotted Hermione sitting by the fire, finishing her homework. Harry guided Luna over toward the Terror Twins.
"Greg, Forge," Harry called out. "I have a need of you."
The twins looked up from their new brooms and smiled.
"Hello revered investor," George started.
"How may we help," Fred finished.
The next morning at breakfast, Harry watched as the four Ravenclaws sat down and began their breakfast. Harry looked at the twins who nodded at him. He made sure Luna as sat next to him with Hermione on his other side.
Eagerly, the girls drank their morning pumpkin juice and the next thing Harry knew, everyone in the hall was watching them as sonorous kicked in.
"I would rather talk about…" Marietta said before stopping. Suddenly, her body jerked and she shouted. "Day-O!"
In front of everyone, the four girls did an intricate music and dance number while singing Harry Belafonte's "Banana Boat" song. After a few minutes, the song died down and the girls retook their seats.
Laughter rang through the hall. Two of the girls, recognizing what this was, immediately hopped up and ran to apologize to Luna. Meanwhile, Hermione was torn between amusement and horror.
"I didn't think you liked Beetlejuice," Hermione said through her laughter.
"I didn't," Harry replied. "But that scene was unquestionably great. Let's just hope they apologize to Luna. There's more in store for them, thanks to the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes."
"Do I want to know?" Hermione gave him the side-eye.
"Probably not…" Harry gave her a grin that was positively feral. "But I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, anyway."
Every morning the rest of that week, Marietta and the other girl, who Harry learned was called Cho Chang, gave an impromptu music and dance number, starting with a rumble from West Side Story, to Step in Time from Mary Poppins. It wasn't until they got done with Singing in the Rain, complete with personal rain shower, that they apologized.
Hermione was so caught up between the prank, classes, their sessions with Flitwick, the Potions club and the D.A. that she didn't even notice her birthday arrive. That is, until Hedwig flew into her dorm window with a white rose and a card.
Happy Birthday, Hermione.
Thank you for being the best friend anyone could ever ask for. Hope your day is as wonderful as possible.
Your friend,
Harry
Smiling warmly, Hermione thanked Hedwig and then set about her morning routine. Arriving in the common room, she noticed she was not alone, as was usual. There in the love seat next to the dying fire sat Harry.
"Happy Birthday, Hermione," Harry beamed at her, stood and went to give her a hug. Luna's right, Hermione thought, he is a good hugger.
Ever since the night where Harry stood up for Luna, she had become as much a part of their group as anyone and Hermione had developed a sisterly relationship with the little waif. Often Luna would study with them and showed them why the hat wanted her in Ravenclaw. Even though she was doing the first year curriculum, she absorbed the second year right along with it, her unique mind allowing her to process both things at once.
"Thank you Harry," Hermione smiled after Harry released her. "And thank you for the rose. It is lovely."
"It's actually got a preservation charm on it so it'll stay that way as long as you renew it every month," Harry explained. "I wanted a flower that would last as long as our friendship."
Hermione beamed at him, a warm feeling coursing through her as his she pondered his thoughtfulness. Together they set off down toward breakfast. Once they sat down, Thibault flew in with a gift and card from her parents.
"Thank you, Thibault," Hermione fed him a piece of bacon in thanks. "Are mum and dad taking good care of you?"
Thibault clicked his beak as if to say 'obviously.' Just as he was about to take off, Hedwig flew down as well. Thibault looked at her and clicked his beak. Hedwig screeched in response and together they flew out of the hall.
"Well it's good to know they're getting along," Hermione giggled. "I think Hedwig is sweet on Thibault."
"That or she's become attached to you and wants to make sure you're taken care of," Harry postulated.
Laughing, Hermione looked down to see the same setup as last year: a plate with a silver cover. Joy sparkling in her eyes, Hermione opened the lid to find an omelet with peppers, onions and spinach.
"Just like the one you made at Christmas," Hermione looked up in glee. "Thank you, Harry."
"Happy Birthday, Hermione," Harry said.
"It's your birthday!?" Unbeknownst to either of them, Luna had sat down next to Hermione.
"Yes it is but keep it quiet will you?" Hermione asked. "I don't like bringing special attention to myself on my birthday."
"But it's your birthday," Luna said simply. "It's the day that we celebrate you. If you weren't around, how different would things be?"
Harry shuddered and Hermione's minded skidded to a stop. Only Luna could have this affect on her. To keep perfectly neutral and yet advocate the logical reasons for an emotional act. It was quite indescribable.
"Thank you, Luna," Hermione smiled at the little blonde.
"Happy birthday, Hermione," Luna looked at her breakfast. "I must admit to being jealous. That looks delicious."
No sooner had Luna said that had an omelet appeared in front of her.
"Oh the wonderwhulfs listen here at Hogwarts!" She clapped and dug in.
After breakfast, Harry took Hermione on a walk around the castle grounds. Since it was Saturday, most students were still sleeping in. Harry saw the Slytherin team practicing on the pitch but otherwise the grounds were quiet. In silence, they walked toward the forest, Harry looking to the spot where they helped the unicorn last year. He wondered how the creature was doing, hoping that with Voldemort gone, it was happy and healthy.
They stopped by Hagrid's for a little before heading to the library to study ahead for the coming week's material and finally ending the day back in Gryffindor tower. Hermione opened the gift from her parents, the book on European Magical History she wanted in the bookstore. That was when Harry extricated two gifts from his bag, wrapped in periwinkle blue paper.
"Harry…." Hermione groaned. "What have you done?"
"Just what I always do," Harry wasn't abashed in the slightest.
Trembling slightly, Hermione opened the biggest one to find the Potions book she wanted this summer. Most Potente Potions the cover read.
"You're the best brewer in our year," Harry said. "I thought you'd be able to handle most of these."
"Oh Harry," Hermione wrapped him in a rib-cracking hug. "thankyouthankyouthankyou!"
"But wait, there's more!" Harry smiled at her as he pointed toward the other parcel.
In her excitement, Hermione ripped the paper off and a picture frame fell into her hands. Turning it over, she saw it was the photo of the two of them that Colin took with Hogwarts in the background.
"Wow!" Hermione was amazed. "This really is a great photo!"
"That's what I said," Harry said. "When he developed it, I couldn't believe how good it was and asked him to do a few extras. I sent your parents one and we each have one as well. I'll say, Colin has quite the talent for photography."
"Indeed. It's sweet you're being so nice to him, I know he makes you feel uncomfortable."
"He did… but then I talked to him about why. He's working to get over his overexuberance, which is more than I can say for others."
"Ginny still won't talk?"
"She had no issue talking ABOUT me or standing up to Malfoy but she won't talk TO me."
"Everyone deals with a crush differently," Hermione blushed as she spoke.
"Crush!?" Harry asked incredulously.
"You didn't know?" Hermione shook her head. "Merlin, Harry. She's not exactly subtle."
"And how do you deal with a crush?" Harry wanted to change the subject away from Doe-eyed Ginny Weasley.
"Well.. I…" Hermione sputtered. "It's complicated. Usually, I just ramble on or sometimes I freeze up and can't focus on anything."
"Like with Lockhart?" Harry teased.
"I'll admit to finding him attractive at first," Hermione said. "Then he opened his mouth and all that attraction went out the window. He's pretty but I need more than a pretty face to truly be attracted to someone."
"Oh?" Harry was intrigued. "What else do you need?"
"I need someone who can talk with me," Hermione said. "Someone to challenge me, push me, someone who can take my manic moments and tame them."
"Wow," Harry said. "That'll be a wonderful guy who can do all that."
"Oh he is," Hermione said before squeaking and blushing.
"Just let him know that if he hurts you, he'll have to answer to me," Harry tried to sound stern.
Oh if you only knew, Hermione laughed before saying aloud "Oh I'm sure he knows that."
Boys, Hermione thought as she went up to bed. So oblivious.
Turning over, she looked at the photo that was set on her bedside table, next to the rose. She smiled at the thought her best friend put into making her birthday special and fell into a peaceful slumber.
(A/N: Good lord you guys came through on the prank ideas. I might spend a little extra time revising the next chapters, accordingly. Thank you to everyone who has read, followed, favorited at commented. Your contributions are very much appreciated.)
Chapter 25: Writing's on the Wall
(Note: S/T denotes a stick tap for suggestion. It's a hockey term for recognizing something another does well.)
The next weeks flew by and soon, it was the end of October. Quidditch was ramping up toward the first game between Gryffindor and Slytherin. After watching a Slytherin practice session, Fred and George confirmed their fears.
"Malfoy wasn't lying," George said. "They're FAST."
Wood responded by working the team harder until Harry could barely stand. One afternoon after a brutal training session, Harry was trudging along the corridor when he heard his name shouted. Harry turned so abruptly, he didn't recognize the presence of Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris. She yowled in pain and scrambled away. That was when Harry noticed Cedric Diggory coming up to him.
"Potter!" He smiled jovially. Harry, tired as he was, tried to respond in kind. "Good training session?"
"Oh the best," Harry rolled his eyes. "What can I do for you, Diggory?"
"You're playing Slytherin, right?" Cedric asked to which Harry nodded. "I was watching them the other day and I noticed something: their brooms are fast… but they're not."
"Yes their brooms are fast but they don't know to deal with the speed. They can fly fast but they can't handle the Quaffle at those speeds. They also don't yet know how to work together," Cedric smiled devilishly. "If you are smart you can disrupt their offensive plays with well-placed Bludgers and perfect timing from your Chasers. You can't outfly them but you could outplay them if you're sharper in your passing and defense."
"Why are you saying this?" Harry gave Cedric a leery look. "Wouldn't you rather hold on to this until you play them?"
"Oh no," Cedric smiled bigger. "We have a rematch coming up and I'd rather not have Slytherin get in the middle of the race for the cup. Ravenclaw is too young and inexperienced to challenge us. If you guys can knock Slytherin down a peg, it'll be down to Gryff and Puff. You know: the teams with actual talent and not simply money."
Harry cottoned on and nodded to Diggory.
"Just don't expect me to take it easy on you, Diggory," Harry gave Diggory what Hermione was starting to call his Tom Cruise smile. "I'm still not over that loss last year."
"Watch your back, Potter. Oh and remember what I did to you last time we met. Slytherin's seeker is playing his first match, yes?"
Harry's smile went positively feral. Malfoy has no idea what's coming his way, he thought. He said goodbye to Cedric and moved to tell Wood what Diggory had said but was interrupted.
"Oi you!" Filch, the grumpy caretaker. Actually, grumpy was probably an understatement. It was like someone killed his sons, baked them into a pie and made him eat it. "Thought you'd kick my cat, would you? That'll be detention."
Next thing Harry knew he was dragged toward the caretakers office. Filch was muttering to himself about corporal punishment and the 'good old days' when a loud CRASH sounded the floor above.
"Punk kids!" Filch barked as he hobbled out to catch the culprits. While Harry sat in his office, he noticed Filch's Kwikspell flier, a program for Squibs to learn magic. Upon his return, Filch saw the flier had been moved. He threatened Harry within an inch of his life should he tell anyone, shuffling him from his office.
A hallway and a set of stairs later, Fred and George descended on Harry with raucous laughter.
"Well did it work?" they asked.
"Did what work?"
"We dropped one of the suits of armor, hoping to get Filch off your case," Fred said.
"Did it work, oh illustrious investor?" George added.
"Yes it worked," Harry couldn't help but smile. "Listen… do you know where Wood is?"
"Probably by the Pitch, formulating a strategy for the Slytherin team, I'd imagine," George answered. "Why?"
"Diggory just gave me a strategy for how we can beat them," Harry said, making their faces brighten.
"Oh good…" Fred said.
"Let's go find him," George finished as he seemed to be putting an old piece of parchment away.
A few days later, Gryffindor had solidified their strategy and Harry felt ready for their first match. In Hermione and his weekly sessions with Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall made an appearance.
McGonagall had them focusing on conjuration, something they had just touched upon in regular classes. She had them work on conjuring a table while the class was working on quills.
"This is no different that the quill, Mr. Potter," McGonagall watched as Harry struggled while Hermione was levitating her table across the room. "Picture the table, the weight, the wood, the thickness.
Harry closed his eyes and pictured the table he and Hermione would use in the library, remembering its feel, the way the wood smelled. He waved his wand, muttered the incantation and the table appeared.
"Excellent Mr, Potter," McGonagall complimented, feeling the wood of the table. "This is perfect work."
"Now," Flitwick stepped up. "We will be focusing more on dueling. Specifically, you will be dueling me."
Harry traded worried glances with Hermione.
"You're getting too good at dueling one another," Flitwick explained. "You're too used to what the other will do. It is time to change that and get used to working as a team. Remember that Voldemort prefers single combat to teamwork. I vividly remember James and Lily giving him problems because of this."
Since Harry had told Flitwick the prophecy, he had become slightly merciless in their sessions.
"If you can get me to move," Flitwick smiled. "I will consider this a success. Remember to use your environment, whether offense or defense, that is up to you."
Harry didn't get a chance to breathe as Flitwick unleashed a flurry of spells. 30 seconds later, he was holding both their wands.
"Not bad for a first try," he handed them their wands back. "Again."
Back and forth they went, their wands always landing within his hand.
"Again," he would always order and they would duel again.**
Finally, Harry had enough. He stepped closer to Hermione and gave her a look. A simple nod and she understood. Flitwick unleashed another torrent of spells. Hermione cast a shield to protect them, the spells impacting the shield, creating cracks within. A few spells started to slip through which Harry deflected into the table he conjured.
Getting an idea, he turned his wand toward the table.
"Accio!" Harry shouted as the desk flew into the path of one of Flitwick's spells, shattering it into splinters. Hermione levitated the splinters in front of them and dropped her shield.
"Depulso," Harry shouted again, sending the debris speeding toward the diminutive professor who yelped and jumped out the way.
"Expelliarmus," Hermione cast and caught Flitwick's wand in her hand. Harry smiled at Hermione and raised his hand. With satisfying smack, they high-fived. Applause from behind them caught them off guard. Standing at the back of the room, stood McGonagall, whom they had forgotten was observing, to their surprise, so was Dumbledore.
"Well done you two!" Flitwick dusted himself off. "I did not know you knew fourth year spells. How long have you known how to summon?"
"Figured it out last week," Hermione said proudly. "We wanted to surprise you, though not necessarily this way."
"Excellent work, you two," Dumbledore walked up. "I was initially worried when I walked by. I haven't heard Filius cast this fiercely in decades. Minerva was correct, you two are a force when you team up."
"Yes you are," Flitwick said. Ever the demanding teacher, he continued on to what they can improve upon. "Yet you need to learn not to rely upon each other all the time. If I can separate the two of you, it is much easier to duel you. Mr. Potter, you need to keep working on your defensive spells. Your deflecting is well-timed but you still drop your shield when you cast offensive spells, which you don't need to do.
"Miss Granger, your defense is incredible. Specifically your shield is immensely strong," Flitwick looked as the young girl. "Yet you forget the best strategy: movement. You allow your shield to do too much of the work. Always remember there are spells that can bypass shields and an overpowered spell can shatter them.
"This will do for the evening," Flitwick said. "Have a good night and keep working. Excellent work on learning more and more spells, you two. I am very, very impressed."
"Indeed," McGonagall entered the conversation. "Remember that you can transfigure objects on the battlefield."
She waived her wand and Hermione's table turned to splinters. Another wave and splinters became spikes. Harry gulped at the idea of those spikes being shot toward him.
"That is Battlefield Transfiguration," she explained. "It can be used offensively, as you can see, or defensively to conjure something to block spells. Professor Flitwick informed me of your progress and I thought it was time I started to help on occasion. Yes, Mr. Potter? You can just ask your question, you don't need your hand up."
"I picked up a book on Transfiguration and it mentioned that you can combine transfigurations," Harry asked her. "Would it be possible to conjure a hammer that is stone or steel at the head and wood for the handle?"
"Yes it is possible," McGonagall answered. "Though you need to be very deliberative in HOW your item is constructed. It takes a lot of focus because you need to picture how they come together. I would advise practicing on each item individually before getting them to conjure together."
"But if you can do that," Harry was more talking aloud than asking at this point. "You could conjure yourself a weapon."
"A weapon yes but the best weapon would still be your mind," McGonagall said. "Your only limit is your imagination."
"Oh that's interesting," Harry said as possibilities flashed within his mind.
"Just remember to keep in mind the core concepts of Transfiguration and that all magic comes at a cost. Don't overexert yourself trying to conjure an object."
Dumbledore glanced from one to the other, fascinated by the conversation.
"Excellent question, Harry," he smiled at the young boy. "I haven't been this engaged with a student's Transfiguration question in years."
Deep in thought, Harry and Hermione stumbled back to the common room, both a little exhausted. It was a good thing Hermione continued to hammer home the idea of doing their homework early and studying ahead, unlike other of their fellow yearmates.
"Hey Hermione," Ron's voice rang across the common room as they entered. Hermione looked over as Ron ran up to them. "Have you done that essay for McGonagall, yet? The one that's due tomorrow?"
"We finished it the day she assigned it," Hermione answered groggily.
"Oh good! You can help me with it!" Ron pulled her over to where Dean and Seamus were studying. Neville, Parvati and Lavender leaned their heads together, interested to see how this would play out.
"What do you need help with?" Hermione asked, tiredly.
"Well, writing it of course!" Ron said, not noticing the facepalm from Neville, who passed a galleon to Lavender ("Told you" she whispered with a smile.) Hermione looked down to see empty parchment from Seamus and Ron. Dean at least had most of his essay written, though she could tell he needed some help flushing out his ideas.
"Exactly what do you mean writing it?" Hermione's voice took on a dangerous tone.
"You're the smartest one in the year Miss Know-It-All," the oblivious Weasley said. "I've seen the marks Potter gets. I figured you must be the source, smart as you are."
"For your information," Hermione said. "Harry writes his own essays. Yes we work on them together and exchange ideas but the only thing I do is look over his essay for spelling which is honestly terrible- sorry Harry, you know it's true."
Harry smiled and nodded.
"But Harry actually helps ME! His ideas are actually quite brilliant and it improves the quality of my work. Don't believe me? Ask Neville," Hermione lectured the redhead while Neville nodded to Ron's unasked question.
"So to answer your question: no I will not be writing your essay for you," Hermione crossed her arms as she spoke. "If you want me to read over what you have done, I will help with that but I am not help you by doing it for you."
"Why not!?" Ron was incredulous. "You're the smartest student in the school; it'd be no big deal for you."
"If I did that," Hermione's patience was officially being tested. "You would not learn and then what would you do when O.W.L.s roll around?"
"That's three years away!" Ron was fuming, oblivious to the fact the common room was silent and focused on him.
"O.W.L.s test all your knowledge," Harry said, finally entering the conversation. "Everything from first year on. You can't expect to cram five years of studying into the last month of fifth year and expect to do well, can you?"
Ron sputtered, unintentionally confirming that was exactly what he was planning to do.
"If you need help," Harry continued. "Your other housemates are glad to offer it but you have to put in the effort first."
Harry gestured toward the blank parchment.
"But asking for help with nothing but a blank parchment the day before the essay is done will not cut it," Harry confirmed this with Hermione with a glance. "Are we understood?"
"But that essay will take all night!?" Panic set into Ron's voice.
"Then you best get started," Hermione said with finality. Leaving a pouting Ron behind, they turned, startled to see the common room all looking at them. Blushing a little at the attention, Hermione and Harry sat down with Neville, Parvati and Lavender as they started to revise for tomorrow's classes.
"What was the galleon for?" Harry asked.
"Neville bet that Ron would only ask for a help to start," Lavender smile victoriously. "I thought he'd ask her to do it for him."
"That's a sucker bet," Harry looked at his friend. "Why did you make it?"
"Call me an optimist," Neville gave a sheepish smile.
"Oh Neville," Parvati leaned in to tease him. "Never change."
"Really?"
"Really," Lavender added flipping the coin through her fingers. "It's quite profitable."
Neville couldn't hold a straight face at that and the five of them laughed as one.
The next day was the weekly meeting of the D.A. wherein Hermione was watching Harry teach the collected first years, helping them to learn how to move. He had them form up and play a form of dodgeball where they had to avoid stinging hexes for as long as they could.
Due to her size and unpredictable nature, Luna won every time except one when Colin Creevey used her as a human shield to avoid being hit.
"Excellent move, Colin," she said serenely. "I'll have to remember that for next round."
Though there was no malice in her voice, Colin gulped audibly. Hermione giggled as the next round started with Luna casting moblicorpus and guiding Colin into the path of a stinger to be the first eliminated. Hermione just laughed and admired how Harry worked within the group. Not only is he a natural leader, she mused he's also quite the teacher.
Harry took the opportunity break off from the first years to watch the second year students work. With glee, he watched Vinny and Greg duel one another. Out of the shadow of Malfoy, they had come into their own. Goyle was a powerful caster, second only to Harry while Crabbe was surprisingly nimble and crafty.
Smiling, Harry watched the other gathered students, fascinated to see how they brought their house traits to Geneva. Slytherins like to build alliances and relationships. Often, he heard different snippets of business deals being discussed. Hufflepuffs loved the idea of making more friends and friends across house boundaries and Gryffindors loved showing their courage in forging new relationships. Ravenclaws were the last ones to come around but at the promise of more knowledge, specifically the second years learning from Harry and Hermione, was all it took to lure them.
"Potter!" Cedric ran up. "You've ducked me long enough. It's time to see what you can do!"
Despite being two years his senior, Diggory loved to challenge Harry whenever possible, further stoking the fires of their friendly rivalry.
"Ah good!" Everyone present groaned audibly as Lockhart made his presence known. Mostly, the teachers steered clear of Geneva, preferring to let the prefects keep the peace. Harry heard McGonagall groan from the corner. "I see you're trying to channel your fellow dueling champion."
Lockhart rushed toward where Harry and Cedric stood, tripping over a bench to land on his face. His wand flew out of his hand and fell hard, hitting a bench before bouncing on the ground, leading to general laughter from the assembled students.
"En garde, Potter!" Lockhart picked himself up and snatched his wand flourish like a fencing foil. "Let's see how the Boy-Who-Lived does against an Order of Merlin, First Class."
Harry rolled his eyes before looking at McGonagall. She just shrugged, allowing Harry to step up and bow to his opponent.
"Oh you've been trained to duel!" Lockhart sounded too happy. "Well I'll go first!"
Once again, he flourished his wand and a bunch of colorful spells shot out, none of them toward Harry. In a wave of panic, the spells started to head toward the audience, causing Harry, Hermione, Cedric and the other upper years to shield the others.
Harry's annoyance turned serious. He didn't recognize every spell but to have that level of inaccuracy was dangerous. He stepped up and disarmed Lockhart fiercely enough to send him arse-over-teakettle. Harry looked around to ensure nobody was hurt.
"Jolly good!" Lockhart was completely unperturbed. "I see you have skills. Though it was obvious what you were doing, I thought it would be a good thing to show the other students. Well you have this in hand, I'll leave you all while you can still stand."
Incredulously, every student watched the incompetent fool strut away. With his appearance, Lockhart had ruined all the work that was being done, to the general dismay of everyone assembled. As they watched him go, a decision was made: Hogwarts officially declared war on Lockhart.
From there on out, it was a race to see who could do what to Lockhart. The twins' friend Lee Jordan was the first to strike, conjuring a whoopee cushion under his chair at breakfast. After that, Fred charmed his shoes to squeak with every step. That was until George one-upped him by making the shoes swear. (S/T LadyPhoenix68)
The shoes screamed obscenities as Lockhart ran from the Great Hall. Thus far, that was the only prank McGonagall admonished, just because of the language in front of the younger years.
Greg and Vinny, much to the surprise of Harry, got in on that act by sticking Lockhart's desk to ceiling.
"Family spell," Crabbe said. "It'll stay that way for 12 hours."
"I hope he's not under it when it falls," Hermione said. "He could get seriously hurt."
"Oh don't worry," Goyle smiled widely. "When it does, it'll break open like a piñata."
"How do you know what a piñata is?" Harry asked.
"My mum actually made one for me for one of my birthdays," Greg said. "Apparently, there was an issue a while back with some wizards selling muggles piñatas that would explode. It made quite the impression on her."
"It was a lot of fun, that is for sure," Vinny reflected fondly on the memory. "She didn't get an exploding one, by the way."
Peeves even got in on the act, following Lockhart around to mimic the idiot every time he spoke. To this day, Lockhart never knew why the students were laughing at his stories; he just assumed they found them incredibly amusing.
Then some of the upper years got in on the color changing. First, Lockhart found his robes had been turned Neon Pink with Lime Green accents. Then, three students tried to get Lockhart's hair to change colors. Neither knew what the other had done so Lockhart spent the rest of the day with hair that was blue, red and green all at once, clashing hilariously with the pink robes.
"Oh if only I could set it right," Professor Flitwick joked. "There must be a color changing charm somewhere, I'm sure. Would you know a potion to help, Severus?"
"No idea," Snape said. It seemed that even he was mildly amused at Lockhart's plight.
"Oh I'm sure it'll wear off," Flitwick said. It would wear off… but since it was put into Lockhart's shampoo, conditioner and styling gel, Lockhart was re-coloring his hair daily.
The only time Lockhart didn't have crazy-colored hair was when he had none at all. Luna slipped him a potion, one of the twins' inventions, to make him go so bald, Harry was surprised he wasn't ordering "tea, Earl Grey, hot" at every chance. (S/T Rick1952)
A group of girls charmed him with a revulsion hex to make his visage entirely undesirable to look at. Adding to that someone, nobody claimed credit, had charmed the mirrors in his classroom and office into funhouse mirrors, shifting to a different mirror formation every day. Even Ravenclaws, known to be the most reserved when it came to pranks, got in on it. A few of the upper years got together and created a ward scheme which would prevent him from entering Geneva again. If he tried, which he often did, he was thrown bodily from the room.
The campaign of anarchy against Professor Gilderoy Lockhart was documented thoroughly by one Hermione Granger and sent to the writers of Hogwarts: A History for inclusion in their next edition.
All in all, the school was alight with humor and laugher, all thanks to the incompetence of one Gilderoy Lockhart. That was, however, until Halloween.
Walking toward the Great Hall from their last session with Professor Flitwick, Harry heard a voice.
"Hungry for so long… Need to hunt… Need to KILL!"
Harry froze on the spot, causing Hermione to stop beside him.
"What is it?" She asked, spotting the abject fear on his face.
"Did you hear that?"
"Hear what"
"That voice… it said they're hunting! They're going to kill someone! Come on!"
Harry was off like a shot, casting the shield onto his arm, charging forward with his wand drawn.
"Harry wait! We don't even…" she stopped short as Harry came to an abrupt stop. On the floor was a puddle of water. Above, hanging from one of the lanterns in the hallway was the still form of Mrs. Norris, her neck cut open. On the wall, written in Mrs. Norris' blood was a message
The Chamber of Secrets has been opened
Enemies of the Heir Beware!
The Opening of my Secret Lair!
"Harry," Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hall. "We don't want to be caught here."
Exerting as much force as she could, she yanked him down the hall and pushed him into an empty classroom as they heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
"Mudbloods and blood traitors beware!" Harry groaned when he heard Draco's voice. "She won't be the last!"
"Shove off Malfoy!" Susan's voice cut in.
Now that the students appeared, Harry and Hermione stepped out of the classroom and joined the growing throng.
"Shut your fat mouth, Bones!" Malfoy spat. "Your aunt might be DMLE but that won't protect you from the Heir of Slytherin."
Next thing Harry knew, Colin was there, snapping some photos of the scene while the Professors Snape, Dumledore and McGonagall approached. Dumbledore stepped forward.
"Somebody fetch Mr. Filch, would you?" Dumbledore asked and moments later Filch appeared.
"My cat!" The man looked distraught and looked around at the gathered crowd. Spotting Harry, he pointed. "You! You killed my cat!"
Harry's eyes widened as the group turned to look at him. He looked around at the teachers, from McGonagall to Dumbledore to Snape. When his eyes landed on Snape, he felt some pressure on his forehead. Harry gathered a little magic and pushed the feeling out, not noticing Snape stumble back as he did. McGonagall glared at the Potions Master as Dumbledore stepped forward.
"Do you know anything about this, Harry?" Dumbledore asked and Harry felt the pressure return, though not as suffocating. Still he marshalled enough energy to push that one back.
"No sir," Harry lied. "We just discovered her, like everyone else."
"Clearly he's lying," Filch gesticulated wildly. "Always around this castle, isn't he?"
"Well he's a student, Argus," McGonagall rolled her eyes. "They do tend to do that."
"Few weeks ago, he kicked my cat!"
"On accident!" Harry's panicked voice tried to come to his defense.
"A likely story. Then he discovered my Kwikspell pamphlet. He… he knows I'm a squib!"
"Mr. Filch," Hermione spoke up. "I was with Harry all day today, we just came from Professor Flitwick's in fact. If Harry was behind this, he would have attacked me too!"
"That is enough, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said. "If anyone (he looked specifically at Harry) hears or sees anything unusual, please alert a professor immediately. In the meantime, I suggest we make our way down to the feast at last."
What followed was a subdued feast, one where Harry hardly ate. Only when Hermione basically force-fed him did he actually partake in the feast. What was with the voice? Did Hermione hear it at all? Could he have stopped it? What could do this? Harry's mind whirred and spun with the questions for which he had no answer.
Later that night, in the common room, Hermione sat next to him on their usual love seat.
"Are you doing okay?" She asked, concern in her eyes.
"Yeah…" Harry tried to relax. "Yeah I am doing fine."
"Good," Hermione said before she started to smack him with the book she was holding. Harry threw his hands up to protect himself as she punctuated every smack with a word.
"Why. Did. You. Run. Blindly. Into. Danger!?" She tried to yell at him while keeping the noise to a minimum. "You could have been killed as well! We didn't know what we were facing!"
"I heard a voice saying they were going to kill," Harry said. "I couldn't stand by and watch someone get killed."
"But you charged ahead without a plan or any investigation!" Hermione wasn't letting Harry off easy. "Flitwick has told us time and again to assess a situation instead of running in blindly!"
"I'm sorry," Harry hung his head. "I just wish there was something I could do."
"You will figure it out, I'm sure," Hermione said. "You always do."
"We'll figure it out," Harry said. "I'm nothing without you."
"Don't put yourself down like that, Harry," Hermione admonished his deprecation. "You're plenty smart, talented and insightful on your own. Just stop recklessly running into dangerous situations without thinking, okay?"
"Do you think I should tell anyone about the voice I heard?" Harry asked.
"I was wondering that myself," Hermione looked deep in thought. "I think we should go see Professor McGonagall tomorrow. She is your magical guardian now; it would make the most sense to tell her."
"She was the first person I thought of," Harry said. "I also thought we should talk to Susan and see if we could send a note to Amelia Bones. Colin took a photo of the scene. We could have him develop it and send it to her. Someone killed a cat and left that message.
"Does Hogwarts: A History have anything to say about the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Not that I remember," Hermione was deep in thought. "That's another thing we should ask Professor McGonagall."
"Agree," Harry yawned. "Thank you for knocking some sense into me. Last year the Stone, this year the Chamber. What's coming next year? An escaped convict out for blood?"
"One thing at a time. Let's get through this year first."
Hermione gave Harry an extra long hug and bade him good night. That night, as he lay in bed, Harry thought of the Chamber and the threat it posed to Hermione. I won't let you get hurt, he thought. I promise.
At that, he rolled over and went to sleep.
(A/N: Thank you again for all the suggestions for pranks. There's a few that didn't make it in but might appear in future chapters.
*Yes that is a Game of Thrones reference since the same guy who played Filch also played Walder Frey
**Again. That's inspired by Miracle when Kurt Russell makes the team do the drill again and again.
Chapter 26: Danger Zone
The next morning, all anyone could talk about was the Chamber of Secrets and who was behind it. Throughout the castle, students were looking around, trying to figure out who would kill Mrs. Norris and why. The chief suspect among them was Harry.
"Filch says Potter found he was a squib, that he hated his cat."
"But he seems so nice."
"Yeah but who knows what he's hiding."
"His best friend is MUGGLEBORN!"
"Excellent cover for doing what he did."
"You remember what he did to those Ravenclaws. What if he decided that wasn't enough? What if the Heir of Slytherin decided he wanted blood?"
On and on the theories ran rampant throughout the school. Harry tried to ignore them but the students weren't being as quiet as they thought they were. What they thought was a whisper ended up more like a stage whisper. Hermione rolled her eyes at them as they walked along.
After the loss of his cat, Filch had resigned his post and an older man named Alfred took over as caretaker. He wasn't as gruff as Filch and could do magic. As such the castle was never cleaner.
One they arrived at Professor McGonagall's office, they knocked and she called for them to enter. The opened the door and were shocked at the sight: no extra tables, not a single scrap of miscellaneous parchment. Everything was neat and tidy.
"Wow…" Harry was amazed. "I take it the extra help has paid off, then?"
"Yes," McGonagall smiled at him. "I am actually able to keep up with everything and I've gotten to know my lions even better. How can I help you?"
"It's about last night," Harry started hesitantly, causing McGonagall to lean forward a little. "I didn't want to say it in front of the crowd but last night, I heard a voice. It said it was hungry and that it wanted to kill. When I followed it, we discovered Mrs. Norris."
"Did you hear the voice, Miss Granger?" McGonagall turned to the bushy-haired girl.
"No ma'am," she said. "We were walking and Harry suddenly went rigid. All I heard was a faint hissing. I just assumed it was from one of the pipes."
McGonagall steepled her hands in front of her face as she pondered.
"I don't think there is anything to worry about," she said "I wouldn't imagine you are going crazy but please let me know if you hear it again. If you do, tell me immediately and Miss Granger? If he hears it, can you pay special attention to what you hear at the same time?"
"While we're here, I have another question," Harry began slowly. "The letter from my mum mentioned someone named Sirius, hoping that he was taking care of me. Who is he?"
McGonagall took off her spectacles and rubbed the bridge of her nose. I'm getting too old for this, she thought.
"Sirius in that letter is Sirius Black," McGonagall said. "He is the man who gave up your parents to Voldemort. There is a spell, an extremely complex one: the Fidelius Charm. It hides something, even something as big as a house. Using this charm, one person is the keeper of the secret. Sirius Black, who we all thought was as much a brother to James as anyone, betrayed them. As Secret Keeper, he gave away your parent's location, allowing Voldemort to find him."
Harry's eye widened and he collapsed into a seat.
"I am sorry to be the bearer of poor news, Harry," McGonagall walked up and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you for telling us, Professor," Harry said heavily.
"Take care of one another," she replied. "And do keep aware if you hear anything out of the norm."
The duo nodded and started to leave before McGonagall stopped them.
"One more thing, Mr. Potter," Harry turned back to his guardian. "I noticed Professor Snape look at you and then stumble backward. Can you tell me what happened?"
"He looked at me and I felt a small pressure in my forehead," Harry explained, disturbed by the look of rage that overtook McGonagall's face. "Ever since that night where we stopped Voldemort from killing a unicorn, I have felt a little more aware of my own mind and I used some of my magic to make the pressure go away. Did I do something wrong?"
"You? No." McGonagall was a little impressed at her ward and furious at Snape. "What Snape did was called Legilimency. It is a way to read someone's mind. Doing it without permission, especially on a minor is illegal. I will be having words with Severus."
"If it matters," Harry said. "I felt the same thing when Dumbledore looked at me. He was more gentle but I felt it."
"Then I will have words with Albus as well," McGonagall was fuming now. "It's almost time for the D.A. meeting. I'm sure attendance today will be high."
Harry filed everything he had just learned into a corner of his mind and headed down the hall. Sure enough, when Harry and Hermione entered Geneva it was full of students wanting to learn how best to defend themselves. McGonagall split them up by year groups and let them work as usual. Harry started to work with Susan hoping to talk to her about sending a letter to Amelia.
"Good work Susan!" He said as she successfully disarmed him. "Your movement has become much better and your accuracy is great. You just need to work on a making your shields a little stronger but you have really improved."
"Thank you, Harry," she said as she went to sit down by one of the fountains to take a breather. "Auntie really wants me to be able to defend myself. Thank you for starting this group; I don't know where we would be without it."
"It was your idea," Harry said, taking a seat next to her. "I just took it to Professor McGonagall and now look at it."
Students from every house and every year group were present. Some dueling, others reading from a book and a few, like Cedric, were walking around correcting some of the others. Susan laid a hand on his and looked him in the eye.
"All of this is possible through you," she said, earnestly. "I heard many people in Hufflepuff talk about needing something better for defense. You're just the first person to follow through. Thank you."
"Yeah well Hufflepuff does like to talk," Harry spat bitterly.
"The Heir business?" Susan looked at Harry who nodded. "Don't worry about that. Anyone who knows you knows you're not the Heir and anyone who insinuates it, I'll set right."
"Thank you, Susan. I actually was hoping to talk to you. I was hoping to send a photo of the scene from Halloween to Auntie Amelia. I would like to know if she has any ideas."
"Sure! Once you have the picture and the letter ready, we can send Icarus to her."
"Excellent! Shall we go again?" Harry offered his hand as he stood up.
"Give me a moment," Susan said, breathlessly. "You're a hard teacher."
"Oi! Potter!" Harry looked up to see Vinny, Greg, Daphne and Tracey standing in front of him.
"Again guys?" Every session of the D.A. came with the Slytherin Four challenging him.
"Until we can beat you? Yes," Daphne said with a smirk.
"Okay…" Harry stood and bowed to them. Instantly, they moved to flank him and started casting. Crabbe started with a tripping jinx, Goyle disarming, Tracey tried a knockback jinx while Daphne went for a bludgeoning hex. Harry deflected Tracey's jinx into Crabbe, shielded from Goyle's spell and dodged the other two.
Harry rolled and snapped off two expelliarmus spells on Tracey and Crabbe, which Crabbe deflected both away. Daphne stepped forward and sent three more bludgeoners his way, causing Harry to pivot away.
They're getting better, Harry thought as he conjured a piece of wood to block some of the spells headed his way, sent a knockback jinx toward Daphne with an incarcerous right behind it. She a blocked the flipendo but didn't notice the cords coming her way. She was bound and dropped onto the floor.
Losing Daphne, the other three closed ranks.
"Ventus!" Harry let smoke out of his wand, spinning around to obscure his location. Moving three steps to the left, Harry took advantage of their confusion and tighter formation. In moments, all three were bound and the audience was applauding.
"I'm going to start needing help," Harry told the four as he released them from their binds. "You're starting to work as a team."
"Again?" Daphne asked as Harry helped her up, a fierce glint in her eyes.
"No," Harry said to their surprise. "I am worn out from the previous match. Why don't you work on your own, okay?"
"You're just afraid we'll beat you," Vinny said.
"Damn right I'm afraid," Harry smiled at the bigger boy. "I need my energy for this weekend. Can't let Slytherin win the Quidditch Cup, can we?"
"Not in the slightest," Harry's eyes widened as Daphne agreed. "Draco's getting a big head after his daddy bought his way on to the team. It's making him… cocky."
Daphne shuddered at the memory of the previous night.
"Hey Greengrass!" Draco sauntered up to her in the common room.
"What do you want, Draco?" she rolled her eyes at Tracey as he approached.
"How's it feel to be betrothed to me?"
"Excuse me?"
"Father just told me the news," Malfoy smirked. "He and your father have entered into negotiations. In a few years time, you'll be Lady Malfoy."
"The wizarding world doesn't do betrothals anymore," Daphne said. "My father would never sign off on it."
"It's time we returned to our roots; don't you think? No more mudbloods, blood traitors punished accordingly. It's a brave new world and I can't wait to have you be my wife in it."
"What about Parkinson?" Daphne tried to keep her façade in place to not show how scared she was.
"Oh she'll be included too," Draco's smile became fiendish. "As the heir to the Black family, I can take two wives."
"I'll never do it," Daphne pushed back. "I won't marry you."
"If you don't," Draco leaned in and whispered. "I'll have my father create the contract for your little sister. Astoria, was it?"
"If you go near her…" Daphne's eyes hardened.
"Just to keep in mind. It can be you or it can be her. Which would you prefer? The decision is yours. I'd prefer it were you but your sister will be just as good."
"Are you okay, Daphne?" Harry asked, snapping her out of her memory.
"We really need you to knock Draco down a peg," she said quietly.
"Has he…" Harry couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
"Nothing yet but the more power he grabs, the cockier he gets and the more he is wanting to push things," Tracey wrapped her arm around Daphne, supporting her friend. "If he wins this weekend, against you no less, he'll be even harder to stop."
"Keep an eye on one another," Harry said. "Don't let him get away with anything. Look out for one another."
"We will," Greg said. "Draco won't be able to try anything, we promise."
Daphne nodded at Greg and Vinny stepping up to defend her, a little taken aback at the change in Malfoy's former bodyguards.
At long last, the weekend arrived and the match with Slytherin was upon them. Harry woke early the day of the match with a heavy knot in his stomach. So much was at stake today: the Quidditch cup, Malfoy's standing within his house. More than likely, it was going to come down to Harry beating Draco. He looked around the common room where Angelina, Alicia and Katie were sitting together in a corner, quiet and tense.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked as he stepped off the staircase, into the common room. "You look tense."
"I've got to win today," Harry said. He had told her everything Daphne and Tracey had said. "If I don't, things will get worse for Daphne and them in Slytherin."
"You can't focus on that," Hermione admonished. "If you focus on everything, you won't play to your ability. You've worked hard, harder than any team in Hogwarts. You have a great strategy. I don't care how great their brooms are: you'll win."
Hermione gave Harry one of her signature bone-breaking hugs, squeezing and not letting go until she felt Harry relax. Slowly she released the hug but kept hold of Harry's shoulders. She leaned in and gave him a small kiss on the cheek.
"Now go out there and win," she didn't ask, she commanded.
"Yes ma'am," Harry saluted which caused Hermione to hit him. Finally relaxed, Harry laughed and felt light and ready for the match. "Now let's get some breakfast, I'm positively famished."
"Of course, Star Seeker," she smirked at him. "We can't have you falling off your broom. You need your energy."
A while later, Harry was in the locker room. He felt the steady thump of footsteps above him as the crowd gathered. He heard the buzz in the air: they were all excited and ready for this one. Inside the locker room, everyone was silent. They knew what this game meant and Harry could see they all felt the weight of it. Even Wood couldn't be bothered to do a speech to fire up the team.
"Can I speak?" Harry said as he looked at Wood.
"Oh great seeker," Fred smiled mirthfully.
"Tell us what is on your mind," George finished.
Wood couldn't find his voice so he just nodded. Katie, Angelina and Alicia all perked up.
"I know you're nervous; I am too," Harry stood and looked across the locker room. "There's a lot riding on this game. We all know it. There's no doubt: they have the best brooms. But we have the best team. We have worked for a month solid, worked ourselves to the bone. Now I don't know about you but I sure as hell did not work that hard just to lose to a bought-for Slytherin team."
The team murmured their assent.
"Katie, Angelina, Alica? Show them what teamwork looks like. They have the faster brooms, let them use to keep chasing you. Keep the Quaffle moving between you; confound the Slytherin Keeper."
As Harry turned toward Fred and George, the chasers stood from their benches to stand around Harry, confidence blazing in their eyes.
"Fred? George? Make life hell for the Slytherins in the way only you can do. The Bludgers are your weapons: use them well. Keep them off balance; don't let them get comfortable. Sure, they have speed but let's see how they do when you slow them down.
Fred and George joined the Chasers in standing.
"Ollie… you're the captain but you're also the best keeper in this damn school, right?" Wood nodded and now the whole team was standing. "Those hoops are yours and they think they can just shoot at them? What do you say to that?"
"Hell no!" Wood said.
"As for Malfoy: he's mine. That blonde-haired prick has another thing coming if he thinks he can just buy a victory."
Wood regained his voice and his confidence. He stepped forward to continue the speech.
"This. This right here is our moment. The moment where we prove to everyone that money can only buy you a broom. Today we show them what true talent is! Today we fight. For all of Gryffindor. For Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw too. We show them what we can do."
"Go, go Gryffindor!" the team shouted.
"Outside there is a host of students. You can hear it right? You can hear how excited they are. They aren't excited for Slytherin! They're excited for us!
"GO GO GRYFFINDOR" the team shouted louder.
"That's more like it! we are the team to beat and we will show them what we're made of. Now let them all hear us. Let our voices ring from this locker room onto the pitch. Let them hear our mighty roar.
"GO! GO! GRYFFINDOR" The chant filled the room.
"Hand in, everyone!" Wood put his hand in and was joined by six more. "Gryffindor on three! One, two, three…
"GRYFFINDOR!" They shouted, mounting their brooms and flying out of the locker room as one. Lee Jordan hadn't even had time to introduce them as seven crimson blurs flew onto the pitch to raucous cheers. Harry looked and saw three quarters of the stands bedecked in Gryffindor colors. He spotted Hermione standing and cheering with Luna next to her, a big lion head fixed atop her own. She tapped it with her wand and a roar filled the stadium, making those around her flinch.
On the other side of Hermione, Harry was astonished to see Susan and Cedric standing there. Feeling daring, Harry sped toward them. Some of the members around them moved away but Cedric just smiled and raised his hand. Harry rolled and high-fived the older boy as he flew by.
A sound of boos filled the stadium as Harry turned around and saw the Slytherin team enter, their emerald robes shining in the sunlight.
Well they do look fast, Harry said, inwardly. Harry took his spot in the opening formation. Madam Hooch stepped onto the field, carrying the box of balls. She had Wood and Flint shake hands and tapped the box to open it. The Snitch flew off first. Harry watched it fly away as long as he could. Next, the Bludgers were released, one flying uncomfortably close to Harry as it zoomed off. Hooch released the Quaffle and soon the game was off.
Slytherin, with their faster brooms, rushed out to a five goal lead. Their speedy brooms allowed them grab the Quaffle before Gryffindor could. Shocked by their speed, the Gryffindor chasers forgot their strategy and let Slytherin take the early advantage. Fred and George were doing their best to slow them down but there was one issue: one of the Bludgers was attracted to Harry. Every time they would send it away, it would head right back toward Harry. In the stands, Hermione and Luna were holding on to one another for dear life, afraid of what would happen if the Bludger caught up to him.
Wood called an early timeout and lit into the twins.
"What the blazes are you two doing?" He rounded on them. "Katie just nearly got unseated by a Bludger."
"We're more worried about the one that's tailing Harry." Fred said. "Somebody has cursed it to follow him."
"We have to stop the game, "a worried Katie Bell said.
"Then we would forfeit!" Harry was vehement. There was so much at stake, he couldn't give up. "No I'll take care of the Bludger. You guys just have to deal with the other one, okay?"
Harry then got an evil look which scared his teammates.
"In fact, I think I can help the three of you out," He gestured at Angelina, Alicia and Katie.
"If you're sure, Harry," Wood looked at his seeker who nodded aggressively. As one they rose and the match resumed.
I know you said not to do this but it can't be helped, Hermione, Harry found her in the stands as he readied himself for the Bludger to continue its pursuit of him. Time to take the highway to the Danger Zone.
Slytherin was once again quickest to the Quaffle but what they didn't count one was one Harry Potter flying toward them at top speed. Hearing the Bludger hot on his tail, Harry corkscrewed and pushed up hard.
"Shit!" He heard Flint scream. First he thought Harry was going to ram him. Instead he pulled up and a Bludger collided with his chest. Grabbing his chest in pain, he dropped the Quaffle which Katie picked up, heading toward the goal with the other Slytherin chasers in front. Harry cut in front of her, making the Slytherins swerve out of the way of Harry and the tailing Bludger. Left alone, Katie feigned a shot at the right hoop before passing to Alicia who shot it through the left hoop.
On it went and, thanks to Harry using the Rogue Bludger to terrorize the other team, Gryffindor had jumped to a seven goal lead. The chasers started to play smarter, using their passing to make Slytherin's defensive structure disappear completely and Gryffindor pushed the lead to ten.
Now here's where the fun begins, Harry smirked. Thus far, Draco had been spared any attention from the black-haired maniac. That was until Harry moved toward him.
"What are you playing at, Potter?" Draco laughed as he sat on his broom above the pitch. "Showing off, are you? I wonder what your mudblood thinks about you, looking as ridiculous as you do."
Harry froze in midair. Draco was laughing so hard that he never saw the Snitch floating next to his left ear. Harry paid for it when the Bludger slammed into his right shoulder. Wincing in pain, Harry swung around to let the Bludger pick up speed again before pulling a U-Turn, heading straight toward Malfoy. Malfoy panicked and slid backward on his broom. At the last minute, Harry rolled and, while inverted above Draco, caught the Snitch. He wanted to complete the paradigm by flipping off Malfoy as he was inverted but thought Hermione wouldn't appreciate him doing it so he left that part out.
Draco's eyes widened as the Rogue Bludger came and caught him clean in the stomach, launching him off his broom. Luckily the Slytherin Beater Montague was in the area and caught Draco before he fell. Draco fumed as he looked up to see Harry fly over the pitch with the Snitch in his hand.
Harry was elated. Gryffindor was up 12 goals when he caught the Snitch, giving Gryffindor a lopsided 350 to 80 point win. Draco was getting lit up by Flint for not noticing the Snitch next to his face and the stands were vibrating with the cheers of Gryffindor supporters.
That was when Harry realized the Bludger hadn't stopped coming after him. Usually at the conclusion of the game, the Bludgers fall harmlessly to the pitch. Not this one. With his hand held high, the Bludger caught him at the wrist. The Snitch fell from his hand as his hand now lay limply. Cheers became gasps as Harry grabbed his broom with his one good hand, speeding toward the grass below. He could hear the Bludger following.
"Reducto!" Harry heard the shout and looked over his shoulder. Hermione had drawn her wand and, thanks to her typical accuracy, turned the Bludger to dust. Harry exhaled as he pulled up at the ground, rolling off his broom. His wrist was throbbing in pain as he heard footsteps rapidly approaching.
"Not to worry," Harry groaned as he heard that voice. "I'll have you right in a jiffy."
Before Harry could say he preferred Madam Pomfrey, the pain disappeared in his arm, as did every other sensation. Looking down, he saw that his bones were no longer broken which would have been nice if not for the fact that the bones were now missing.
"What did you do!" Harry screamed.
"Ah well… that can happen sometimes," Lockhart said, unfazed. "I'm sure Madam Pomfrey will set you right now. You're welcome."
Harry glared at the man and then saw how he bent his hand completely backward, causing Harry to faint.
The last thought Harry had as he passed out was I'm going to strangle him.