Chapter Five
Harry liked the night. He especially liked being active when by all rights he should be fast asleep. He glanced at his watch noting that it was midnight.
The witching hour.
Unlike his cloak he did not have to squat under his coat, the field surrounded his entire body allowing him to walk upright and not under a hot clammy cloak. Of course, he could not share the coat. However, he had kept his dads old cloak just in case.
He was investigating. For some reason the room that really interested him was the one he believed belonged to Slytherin. It was quite a bit off the beaten track below where the Philosopher's stone had been hidden. Luckily, he did not have to fight his way past some traps and tricks this time. At least he hoped not. It WAS in the dungeon area of the school though which came as no big shock to Harry. It was just strange that it was so far from anything to do with the house of snakes.
Therefore, he reached down further into the depths of Hogwarts than he had ever gone before glancing at the mini map he had installed on his cuff ever so often. It followed his path quite well and was only visible to his signature. There was a million to one chance of someone being close enough in magical make up for them to see a glowing map floating along by itself, so he felt comfortable with the risk.
He reached what appeared to be a dead end and paused. Apparently, this was it...
'Now what Harry?' He asked himself. 'If I were Slytherin how would I hide a room?' he pondered.
"Psst anyone there?" he said in Parseltongue.
There was a pause and he was berating himself for being foolish when suddenly someone answered. "Who goes there, that speaks the tongue," a sibilant voice asked.
"Erm... Me. I wish entrance to the chambers beyond." he said deactivating his coat, but still speaking the language of snakes, and apparently dragons, because it was a dragon that formed on the wall and eyed him in a two dimensional fashion.
"You speak the tongue as my master did. You may pass unhindered. Beware though only those that speak the tongue will remember the location of this room"
"So I can bring people here, but they won't remember where it is?" he asked for clarification.
"Such are the enchantments on Salazar's private chambers," the dragon told him.
"What's your name?" Harry asked.
"Name, why would I, a simple lock, have a name?" it asked and promptly faded from view to be replaced by a large ominous looking door. Harry gathered his courage, stepped forward and took a hold of the large brass handle. Then walked into his idea of the perfect pad.
The room he entered was luxurious, and spotless. Decked out in the usual colours for the snakes, Silver and green, a combination he did not mind much actually, elegantly understated he thought. Though he quite liked the brash in your face red and gold of Gryffindor too, he walked in, letting the large door close silently behind him. He span round and just took it in, looking at everything and nothing. He would explore more closely later. For now, he was just soaking it in. This could be perfect for his needs. Somewhere to study privately, relax and ... play with others. The best thing being it was all his, only a Parselmouth would even remember the room was here. As far as he knew he was the only Parselmouth other than snake face himself alive at the current time.
This suited him just bloody fine thanks.
The only blip he had was that it was a long, somewhat dodgy journey for two people to make. He would have to come up with a method for instant transportation. He had no wish for his snogging time to be curtailed by constantly walking the hour-long walk it had taken to get there.
He knew an easy way of doing that though. However, that was for later. First, it was time to explore.
He found the study first which had walls lined with some interesting looking tomes. Duelling, Potions and a host of other subjects were covered. 'Nice' he thought to himself. There was also an index volume on one table that according to the notes on the inside could access any book in the building. 'Double nice' he added mentally.
Next, he found a bathroom that had a bath to rival the prefects' bathroom he had used during his fourth year. Though it had less taps and more actual bath, he was sure he could do laps in the damn thing. If he could swim that was. He just hoped it was not too deep.
A small potions lab was next, but all of the ingredients had perished. He bypassed that for now. He may stock it later if he could get the stuff in easily enough.
Up some steps, he found a couple of bedrooms. The master room was enormous and the guest room was not that much smaller. The beds could do with an airing though.
He walked back into the 'lounge' area and sat down on one of the comfortable looking sofas. It had comfort charms on it that had apparently lasted a thousand years all told. This was impressive all by itself.
There was a generous fireplace, unused in some time obviously. A mirror dominated the wall above. Though something was off about it, he adjusted his glasses until eventually he was able to see straight through the bloody thing. There was a small room behind it. This was passing strange to Harry, it searched around a bit and found a section of the wall, that if not for his glasses, he would surely have missed. He laid a hand on it and pushed to no avail. Feeling he had a handle on the weird Salazar by now he said, "Open" in a hiss. The entire section lifted upwards quickly and silently. He walked in and it closed behind him. He walked to where the mirror was, and looked around. There was a pretty good view of the entire living area. There was also a mirror that showed the master bedroom and one for the Guest.
"Slytherin you dog" Harry breathed with a chuff of amusement. This only increased when he saw a still portrait of what could only be Rowena Ravenclaw herself, naked as a jaybird and ... Relaxing.
He shook his head and moved to the 'doorway' opening it with a soft hiss and walking back into the lounge. He sat down again and pondered the best way to get in and out easily.
He conjured a stone and some scoring implements and began to work runes into the top of the stone. Adding co-ordinate information to land him in the centre of the room away from any furniture that was there, though it was a work of guessing on the exact 3d co-ordinates, he just hoped he was not too jarred if he ended up dropping a foot upon arrival. Then he used his personal power to charge the runes, and enchant a teleportation spell into the solid stone. It was probably a misuse of his given powers, but he had to have fun sometimes didn't he? He then keyed it to him alone and added a few security measures.
Then he tested it by pressing the second rune, the return spell. It bleated at him and he frowned. That was the warning that someone was in the common room. He reactivated his coat and hit the override.
There was a blur of motion and he arrived in the common room to find Tonks, as Sarah, reporting in to Dumbledore via the Floo. She was speaking in a low whisper but Harry just about made out what she was saying.
"I don't think he's made me yet," she said.
"Good, good. I was surprised at you telling him before hand though. That's bound to make him nervous."
Tonks grinned.
"I see, you're still angry over what ever it was that made you and Harry both arrive at HQ in such a snit?"
"I'd rather not talk about that Sir."
"Understandable I suppose. Do be careful though Nymphadora. Harry is a very dangerous young man; he is not someone you want to get on the wrong side of."
"I meant to tell you before though. That coat of his is a lot more than it seems to be. You know the one he's pretty much always wearing."
"How so my dear?"
"For one thing he can turn invisible with it."
"Interesting, what else"
"Well I've seen him sat in the sunlight mid day and not break out into a sweat. I can tell you from experience that with the amount of leather he wears generally he'd get bloody hot."
"Also interesting, has he said where he got it from. However, I suspect he will just tell us 'a friend'. He still doesn't really trust us."
"Understandable I'd say, all things considered."
"Perhaps, I am trying to earn his trust though. Together we can stand against Voldemort, divided we will fall."
Tonks shrugged, "Maybe. He's pretty scary when he wants to be though."
"Indeed. As are you Nymphadora"
"If that were true I might be able to get you to stop bloody calling me that," she said with a huff of annoyance.
"But it's such a lovely name." he shot back, "Now off to bed with you. You have class in the morning. Double Potions I believe."
"Oh and thank you so much for letting me re-live school again," she told him.
Dumbledore signed off and she let out another huff of annoyance.
"Oh Harry what am I going to do with you?" she asked the air. Which to her shock answered?
"Bent over in THAT nightie... anything you like" Harry said fading into view.
"Bloody hell Harry! You gave me a fucking Heart attack!"
Harry smirked at her. "How much did you hear?" she added
"Nothing I didn't already know Tonks." Harry replied evenly.
"When'd you make me?"
"Breakfast this morning."
"How?" she asked, "For professional curiosity you understand."
"Trade secret." he shot back.
"I'm busted then?"
Harry shook his head, "I'd suggest we keep this to ourselves. No one need know. I quite like the idea of you having my back."
Tonks smiled at him. She stood and spread her arms, "So what do you think."
"I prefer the real you," he said.
"Who says the one you think is me, is me?" she asked with a lifted brow.
"Oh I didn't mean that, I meant in here," he said touching her just above her left breast.
Her breath caught in her throat for a second.
"Night... Sarah" Harry said, leaving her a confused mess.
-oOo-
Midnight the next day Lavender found herself standing in the common room looking around warily. She dare not call out in case someone came down to investigate the noise she would make. Nevertheless, where the hell was he? Was this turning out to be some sort of cruel prank? She did not think so he was not like that. So where was he?
"Sorry I'm late" a voice reverberated beside her.
She turned and saw nothing. "Harry?" she asked uncertainly.
"Oh bugger, sorry." he said and suddenly faded into view.
She smirked, her earlier worries forgotten now he was there in front of her. "You're just full of tricks aren't you?" she asked with a smirk.
"I'd like to think so." he purred back at her.
She forced down a slight blush. She was dressed in her school clothes still. Most did not bother getting changed unless for the weekend, she had managed to slip into bed without arousing suspicion, Harry's note had been quite terse, but then it needed to be.
'Found somewhere, meet me tonight 12am Common Room'
Which had been the entire message, not that she really minded, this secret liaison of theirs was quite exciting to her. Elicit touches, kisses and perhaps more spoke to her quite a bit. It was not romantic, true, but it was hot in the extreme. Who would have been able to tell that scrawny Harry Potter had turned into such a hottie with the moves to match, all his shyness seemed to have evaporated this year and she was glad for it. Though she truly could not see this 'relationship' of theirs lasting for very long. For one thing she REALLY could not be his girlfriend, another was he was not looking for one. His life was just too complex for her relatively simple ambitions.
It was true that she could probably hitch her wagon to his for a burst of stardom. He was after all the closest they had to a super star in the Wizarding world. Especially with Lockhart out of the picture, though no one really knew what the hell had happened to him yet, the fact was she would bet Harry had something to do with it though. He just had that knack for turning up in the wrong place at the right time. Just when he was really needed.
Like now, she had been thinking about him all day. Being interrupted had done nothing for her sanity; she needed to find some way of releasing her pent up and rampant lust for the green-eyed person.
"Ready to go?" he virtually whispered to her.
She nodded, looking him over unabashedly. He took her into his arms and pulled out a smooth looking stone with some runes etched into the surface. She was about to ask what the hell it was when suddenly her view shifted. She found herself standing in a very comfortable looking living room tastefully decorated in the Slytherin colours, which made her shiver slightly. The Slytherin's were not widely thought of, for obvious reasons. Her house and theirs were particularly opposed to each other.
"It's okay, this isn't the Slytherin common room, which is what I wondered about when I first saw it." Harry said in a normal voice. Letting her go, much to her disappointment, "Take a seat, I just have to do a few things I forgot to do the other night," he said, taking out his wand.
She sat down, crossing one leg over the other and watched him move around the room. His wand swishing and flicking around as he did so, she admired the way he moved now, training had paid off and he moved like a predator on the prowl. Each movement precise and controlled, exact placement of his feet to make sure he was perfectly balanced from just about any angle. Though she did not realize that, she just admired the way he moved.
"There" he said after a few minutes. "We're a long way off the beaten track, but so we can talk without fear I've silenced the entire area."
"Talk?" she asked with a teasing smile.
"Or whatever you desire" Harry said with a charming smile.
She patted the seat beside her. "Come and take a seat Harry."
He did so, quite close to her, which just screwed up her thought processes even further. She twisted round to face him, a slight smile on her face. She gave herself a wave, "Not exactly sexy gear is it?" she said.
"On you it is."
"There you go flattering me again. Why Mr. Potter anyone would think you wanted something."
"Anything you want to give Me." he replied.
"Let's start with a kiss and go from there," she said with a smile, "You are sure that we're not going to be interrupted again?"
"Only a Parselmouth can get into this room without my transport stone. We all know I'm the only one of those around," he said.
"What if someone get's the stone?" she wondered aloud.
"It'll make them a nice paper weight I suppose. It's keyed to my magical signature."
"Clever" she said, moving closer to him, her hand resting on his thigh. Something he felt very clearly, her hand was very hot there. She licked her lips, her eyes lidded and she pouted slightly.
Harry moved closer himself, cupped her cheek, and pulled her in for a scorching kiss.
Lavender groaned as she felt his tongue duelling with hers, and moved around for a better angle, ending up half on his lap. Her leg found its way over his thighs and by time the kiss had been going on a few seconds, she was wriggling around a fair bit.
They broke off for a second, their gazes locked. She shrugged off her outer robe, leaving her in her school shirt and tie. The tie was gone next and her hands went into his hair. Moving to straddle his lap, she kissed him hungrily. Wants and needs rampaging through her body like pure molten lust.
She had kissed her fair share of guys, perhaps even more than her fair share. This was something else though, it was like pure need all wrapped up in a single guy.
When his hands finally made contact with the skin of her thigh she felt a rush go through her and the next thing she knew she was without her top or bra and Harry's mouth was on her nipple. Which just blew her mind, his wonderful hands were gently teasing the other breast and she was in pure heaven.
She moaned, sighed, and generally made quite a lot of noise, encouraging him to keep on going and make her night one to remember. Then her hands were roving everywhere she could reach and he was making it plain he was enjoying himself.
Soon his coat was flung off to one side, and his shirt was unbuttoned totally. Her hands ran along his pectorals and the six-pack she was sure it was illegal to have as a wizard. Her hand then ran down a little further and he jerked.
They broke their kiss, panting. "Am I making it hard for you again?" she purred in a sexy drawl.
"Oh god yes" he breathed.
She studied him for a long moment, making him slightly uncomfortable.
"What?" he asked with a slight smile.
"Can I see it?" she asked, biting her lip afterwards. Slightly shocked at her own words, but she really wanted this.
Harry blushed, "What..." he said and nodded sharply down, his meaning clear.
She nodded her eyes wide with lust. He looked down at her half naked form; her breasts tipped with hard pale brown nipples and felt himself get even harder. She was quite erotic to him right then, but then that was of no real surprise. This was a step, quite a big step. He was quite a private person by nature, and as young men often were, was afraid of ridicule. Then again, he had a half-naked gorgeous girl with curves to die for asking to see him. It was only fair he showed her something after all.
She misread his hesitation, and decided he could do with a bit of a push. Smirking girlishly she said, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
Harry's eyes bugged slightly. 'Holy shit!' This was every young guys dream, seeing a naked girl. Alternatively, parts of naked girls were pretty much a full time goal for guys his age. Just legal and wanting to practice the age old craft. He found his head nodding almost totally of its own volition. Lavender was giving him so many good memories she was going to get her own damn room in his mental construct. If things went, as he was sure they were about to he would have to put up a memory of the event on the door. Labelling it 'YES!' Of course, there was always the risk he could do the ultimate in uncool and loose control of himself totally.
"You first" she breathed.
"Urm... How do you... want it?"
Now that was a leading question Lavender realized. "For now, let's just... hook it out shall we?" she said slowly.
Harry shifted position slightly and undid his belt and fly, pushing down his trousers slightly.
"Boxers again Harry" she teased, and then let out a tiny growl as he hooked out his man hood. "Oh god" she breathed. "I did that?" she asked.
Harry nodded, blushing like a bride.
"Baby, you've got nothing to be embarrassed about, god..." she finished off with a low whistle. "Can I?" she asked nodding at his erect manhood.
"Urm- yeah sure" he said slowly and started chanting Arithmancy formula through his head.
Lavender slowly reached out, and ran a finger down its length. Eye's widening as it jerked to her touch. She licked her lips, and curled her hand around it.
"Oh god" Harry ground out because her touch was like fire.
"So hard and soft like a steel bar in velvet" she whispered. Okay so this was the first time seeing an actual cock first hand but she was sure they were not usually that large. Her hand moved up and down for a few long soft strokes causing Harry to whimper in a way she thought quite cute.
"Lav..." he warned.
"What's wrong Harry?" she wanted to know, her hand still moving and her eyes entranced.
"We're going to have an accident if you keep doing- that!"
"Really... You like me that much?" she asked breathlessly.
"Just looking at you makes it hard to think, and when you're like... that. I have to try to distract myself sometimes. I'm no expert at this stuff and sometimes it ... gets to me more than perhaps it should." he admitted, finding that talking was actually helping, though the sensations from her hand on him were still amazing he wasn't quite to afraid of loosing it.
"I never really imagined it would be so hard" she said, and then blushed, "I mean difficult to maintain control. I mean girls get turned on, but we don't- loose control that often. To be honest it usually takes me a while to bring myself off.," she said causing Harry to groan. As pleasant as that image was, he did not need it in his head while he was struggling to control himself.
"I suppose it's my turn," she said stopping.
"You ... don't have to. I'm not about to make you do anything you don't want to." he told her.
She smiled, leaned forward and kissed his shaft. It jerked against her face and Harry held on by sheer will power. "If one kiss does that..." she said with a saucy smile, "We'll have to find out what other things we can do to make you loose control," she added with a husky purr.
Then she stood up and looked down at him, unbuttoning her waistband, she let her skirt slide down her toned legs leaving her only in a pair of panties, and a smile. "Ready?" she asked.
Harry nodded, his eyes glued to her. She hooked her thumbs in her waistband and bent over, taking her knickers down as she did. Then she stood up.
Harry sucked in a hard breath. "Oh... fucking hell," he breathed.
"You like?" she asked.
Harry nodded mutely, his cock now harder than ever.
"Wow, I think you just managed to get bigger," she breathed.
"You are so beautiful," he told her reverently.
She smiled at him and took a step closer. Then led back down beside him, the couch was just big enough for them to lie side by side. "Would you like to touch me Harry?" she asked.
Harry gulped and nodded.
"You appear to have lost the use of your voice," she said with a sexy chuckle, "I'm taking that as a good sign."
Harry's hand lay on her flat stomach.
"Go on Harry, I want this too. Don't be afraid I'm going to up and slap you or something."
His hand slowly slid further down, her eyes fluttered closed. "Oh god those hands." she said in a low voice. Her legs parted in preparation, one going down to prop herself on the floor, leaving Harry plenty of room to explore.
His hand ran down her soft public hair that proved she was a natural blond. His fingers then just fluttering at her pussy, she took in a sharp breath as sparks of pleasure just flew through her in a rush. Harry moved his hand around so he was approaching from below and rubbed his palm flat against her.
"Oh fuck yes," she breathed. "So, very much better than touching myself." she purred.
Harry was half expecting to wake up any minute, but carried on regardless. He felt her moistness for the first time, the heat she generated as she positively purred. "Oh Merlin yes Harry more." she pleaded.
Harry was not too sure, what he was supposed to do. His middle finger slid between her lips and she gasped. He jerked back.
"No... No... Don't stop, please," she begged.
Happy that he had not done wrong after all, he put his hand back where it had been, finger-curling round to her moist inner lips. She groaned out a sigh that went straight to his libido. He rubbed his finger up and down a few times, his other fingers splaying her outer lips slightly. He jerked when he suddenly felt her grab his cock in a firm grip.
"Oh god" he breathed as she moved her hand up and down with a lot less care than before.
Harry then slowly, and watching her carefully, pushed his finger in to her. She let out a little yelp, "Yes, oh Morgana yes." she said. Therefore, Harry moved his finger in and out a few times, and she reciprocated matching movement for movement. His thumb brushed against a small nub of flesh just above her entrance and she jerked and let out a cry.
It was obvious from her face though he had not hurt her or something. He continued to move his finger, and then almost experimentally added another.
"FUCK YES" she shouted, her hips moving in time to his movements, her grip now hard on his shaft, but the angle was such that he enjoyed the sensation without fear of loosing it. It felt bloody good though. Her head was thrashing from side to side and he pumped his hand back and forth. "More" she asked, "Faster" she begged. "Harder" she pleaded.
So Harry did as he was asked, her nipples he noted were standing proud on her chest and darker than ever, sweat glistening between her breasts. Her breathing was ragged as hell and her eyelids were fluttering wildly. He flicked his thumb over that fleshy stub again and she suddenly screamed. He looked at her somewhat alarmed as her entire body tensed, her back arching and pushing her breasts upwards invitingly. "Fuck, fuck, and fuck" she panted in a sort of mantra. "FUUUUUCCCCKKKK" she finally sighed going limp.
"Urh... You okay Lav?" he asked in worry.
She chuckled throatily, "Oh baby I've never been better. I've never come so hard."
"Urh..."
"You brought me off Harry, HARD. I didn't realize it could happen so fast, what ever you did down there REALLY worked for me. Thank you, Thank you, Thank You!"
"Urm... You're welcome," he said lamely.
She chuckled again, "Ohh boy." she breathed in a long sigh. "I owe you for that Harry, big time!"
"Honestly I'm not even sure what I did." Harry admitted slightly embarrassed.
Lavender laughed gaily. "Think you can do it again sometime?" she asked curiously.
"I think so.," he said slowly.
"Thank god for that," she said happily. "Wow, I feel mellow," she admitted. "Phew" she added, pushing herself up on her elbows and giving him a satisfied and sexy smile. "But poor Harry, all hard and no release." she pouted.
"I guess I can deal with that myself later," he said slowly.
She smiled at him again; "Why when you've got me to do it for you," she said rolling off the couch and kneeling beside it. "Lay down Harry" she ordered him.
He did as asked, and she pulled his trousers and Boxers all the way down to his feet.
"I do so love the way you're standing to attention for me Harry," she purred. Reaching out and taking him in a firm grip. "Now I've never done this before so you need to tell me if I'm doing it right okay?"
Harry nodded, his heart going a mile a dozen.
He thought she was going to give him a hand job, but was surprised when she lent right forward and licked his cock. "I read about this in one of my mums' lady magazines. A Muggle thing she likes. It was called how to please your man with Oral." she told him and licked him again.
Harry's eyes rolled up into the back of his head as she sucked him into her mouth noisily. His head dropping back as she did so. 'This is the best day ever' he decided. 'God that feels amazing' he added and that was about all he could think. Other than, he was not going to last long. Especially since she had just started using her hand too and that was getting a bit much.
"Any good?" she asked.
Harry made a grunting noise that she took to mean, 'Great thanks Lavender'. Her hand was now moving a bit faster, her mouth working around his shaft.
"Oh god Lav..." he managed to grind out. She backed away but kept up the movement of her hand.
Harry growled and the world went white for a minute.
He was not conscious of anything until he heard "Scourgify" from Lavender and a wash of magic.
He looked up at her, "Wow" he said with a smile.
"Apparently there are loads more you can do with that, we'll have to give them a go at some point," she said with a big grin. "For now, we should get dressed again and you can take me back to the tower. It's got to be getting late."
Harry just nodded, trying to get his brain restarted.
-oOo-
"Welcome to Defence against the Dark Arts." Severus Snape said for the first time, looking out onto his 6th year class and conversely the first class using his new assistant.
It somewhat galled him that he was the only teacher with an assistant but Dumbledore was right as always. If he wanted legitimacy as a DADA teacher, he needed Potter. It really galled him to admit that, but thanks to the prats organizational efforts last year they had a usual amount of O's for defence but only for those that were part of his little club. The lad had, as much as admitted that he was not the only one involved. Granger had done the research and Weasley had done the organizing. However, it had been Potter that did the actual teaching and the students had lapped it up. Learning more from their peer than they had in all the years before combined
Severus was sure he could put pay to that bad run of DADA instruction. He was proud of his knowledge of his chosen classes. He was a Potions Master and they did not exactly just give those out with Chocolate Frogs. He had first hand knowledge of the dark, and was still seeped in it to a large degree. He had fought on both sides of the line and knew his subject inside and out.
The prats Dumbledore had hired before him had been unmitigated disasters every one, except possibly Lupin. Though he was off so often it was hard to tell.
Then there was Potter himself of course. Had fought Voldemort in various guises more than anyone alive, and he was still around to annoy Snape. He had a good knowledge of spells both defensive and offensive, though Snape was curious to know really how good he was.
This led him to his current idea.
"Potter!" he snapped in his usual fashion.
"Hmmm, Yes Sir" Harry said snapping back to there here and now quickly. He been reliving the night before on an almost constant loop since the event happened and it had put him in a rare mood.
"Assist me."
Harry nodded, got up from his place near the back of the class and walked to the front. This was after all what he had been hired to do. Assist the DADA teacher, though he rather wished it was not Snape. However, they seemed to have reached a sort of an accord for the moment
"Right, to begin the year six class I have placed a test on each of your desks. I want this filled in within the next 10 minutes or I will take points," the Professor said.
"Sir?" Harry said quietly to his professor.
"Just how good are you Potter?"
"Please, call me Harry sir. After all we are supposed to be working together now."
Snape's dark eyes glittered at him for a long moment before he nodded, "Please answer the question."
"I'm passing fair." Harry said with a shrug.
"Can you hold against an adult wizard?" Snape wanted to know.
"Depends on the wizard, most for sure, perhaps not against someone like Professor Flitwick though."
Snape had to agree, the little bugger was a demon on the duelling circuits in his day. However, in a proper fight Snape thought he could possibly take him. "What about me, can you last against me, at least for a while."
"I've never seen you fight, other than that debacle with Lockhart." Harry said with a smile.
Snapes lips twitched, it had been fun putting the peacock on his arse. "Your modesty is annoying" he commented.
"Can I ask why you are asking?"
"I want us to have a mock battle, not duel. Let the bra... students see what it is really like. You are the only student that has seen enough real combat to be of any use."
Harry opened his mouth, but Snape waived him off, "I know some of your DA have seen combat but for Christ's sake Potter you've duelled the Dark Lord Himself."
"In that case I suggest we create a suitable location using the Room Of Requirement, sir."
Having never seen the place himself he was not sure of it's abilities but it was worth a shot. "Good idea. Take me there and we'll see what we can do."
-oOo-
Ten minutes later Professor Snape walked back into the Classroom with Harry in tow. "Quills down" he snapped, "That means you Parkinson!" he added sharply as he walked to the end of the room.
Once everyone had put down their writing implements, he fixed them each with a steady gaze. "We've got a treat for you today. A mock battle between myself and my assistant professor"
Everyone looked around curiously totally bypassing Harry who stood at the back of the class. He was leaning casually against the wall and smirking like crazy.
"Dolts" Snape said under breath. "Harry, please lead your clueless class mates to our venue."
"Right you are Professor" Harry said, "Just follow me. Some of you already know where we're going," he said cheerfully.
Hermione caught up with him on one side as Ron did the other. "You're the New Assistant Professor?" she asked.
"He is?" Ron said surprised.
"That's what I'm trying to find out Ron!" she shot back.
"I am" Harry said, "Would've told you sooner but I've been kind of busy lately."
At the back of the procession Malfoy was smirking to his fellow Slytherin's, "I'm looking forward to this. I've been dying to see Potter put in his place."
"Are you so sure he will be?" Tracey Davis asked, looking at the man in question with a slight smile on her face.
"Of course he will. I nearly took him in the duelling club, when Professor Snape is finished with him there won't be much left I'd imagine."
"Oh Draco, you're so brave going against him" Pansy said.
Tracey rolled her eyes and smirked to her cohort Daphne Greengrass. "I'm still surprised he asked you out," she said to her friend.
She growled softly, "When I find out who did that prank I'll rip it off them."
"Oh come on Daph, you're not that stupid, you know who did the prank." Tracey replied softly.
"I do?" she replied.
"Who else has the power and sheer brass balls to carry it out? Who else do you know that can get around the school without getting caught?" she asked.
Daphne's ice blue eyes flashed in ire. "I'll kill him... only he got caught up in it too. In fact only Draco wasn't."
"Only Pansy is interested in seeing that." Tracey pointed out, "Besides what better cover for him, he certainly hasn't got anything to be embarrassed about. Not many Wizards are built like that," she said with a smirk.
"I'll kill him." she said, "I've not been able to walk 10 feet without someone asking me out, or worse. Everyone from year 5 up has been doing it. Shit even some of the fourth years have been getting in on the act. Just because I wear- interesting underwear, I mean I find it comfortable, and I can't wear it anymore because people keep trying to see up my bloody skirt!"
Tracey laughed, and tuned back into Draco's rumblings.
"He's useless really, only a good seeker because of that Firebolt."
"Didn't he beat you on a broom a year older than yours at some point?" Pansy asked carelessly.
"Shut up Pansy." Draco snarled.
"Here we are." Harry said approaching a large doorway, he opened it up, "Just head left when you get inside," he said stepping back to let everyone in. He nodded to Professor Snape who was following up the rear.
"Draco seems to think you're going to be mincemeat afterwards," he said with a thin smile. "Do try to prove him wrong."
"Yes sir" Harry said with a smirk.
Once inside the students veered off to one side of the huge area and were automatically taking seats in the bleachers provided.
"There's a shield in front of the viewing area" Harry informed them, "So no stray spells hit you." he finished.
With that he threw off his robe and passed it to Hermione, "Hold that for me please 'Mione" he said with a charming smile and promptly rolled up his sleeves, showing that he was wearing an Auror standard wand holder. As he did that Snape was removing his outer robe too and tossed it at Parkinson without even checking to see if she caught it.
"This is a simulated battle ground; it isn't a clean duelling platform or pit. It is full of clutter and weapons that can and will be used against you by an enemy. There are no rules, other than no unforgivable's" Severus said his voice low but heard by all.
"Shame" Draco muttered.
"Imagine if you will that the two of us have been separated from the main battle. Tired alone and desperate we run across each other. We know then that we have to fight, one must be standing at the end of the battle alone and triumphant." Harry said, taking up his place on one side of the battlefield. Snape moving the other side.
There was no warning. Snape just hurled a curse silently at Harry. Harry dived out of the way and when he rolled onto his feet, his wand was in his hand. He held it upwards and any movement ended with it pointing at Snape.
He fired off a return curse. A bright bolt of red light that seared across the eye
Snape blinked and dived out of his way. That was one hell of a stunner and silently cast too. They had only started to teach that to this year and they were only a few days in. He moved low to the ground and found cover.
Harry watched him, standing proud.
Snape shook his head; he still had a lot to learn apparently. Snape dived out of his cover sending a volley of Curses, Hexes and Jinxes at Harry.
He watched dumbly as Harry turned to present a low profile and flicked the spells away with small movements of his wand. Finally a small personal shield appearing to block the last spell and fading quickly afterwards
Then Snape was thrown sideways as something big and hard smacked into him with the force of a truck. Though he was quickly aware that Harry was holding back, the large bolder he had just tossed at him kept on moving past Snapes position and had not been moving very fast. Then the ground at the professors' feet turned to sludge and fire leapt up all around him.
He somersaulted backwards, just missing the ring of fire that appeared. He landed the other side and used Harry's own attack as cover for a volley of spells aimed behind his foe. 'Damn,' he thought, 'I'm actually enjoying myself.'
Harry dropped flat as the spells went over his head and quickly scrabbled off to the side. Coming up behind another large stone, he darted a look around the side but could not see his professor because of his own fire. He tapped his head with his wand and faded from sight with the familiar feeling of an egg being cracked over his head.
"See the coward is hiding." Draco said to Pansy who apparently had been forgiven her slight.
"I thought he was going to squash Professor Snape with that rock." Pansy said.
"He's holding back" Blaise put in with a lazy drawl, "If this fight were real he'd have put the rock down on our good Professor's head."
"He moves fast I'll give him that." Daphne said breathlessly. Her earlier anger forgotten for the moment, she was just admiring the fight.
Snape looked around warily, no sign of Harry that was not a good thing. He shot off a few curses in the general direction that Harry had been, hoping for a lucky hit. Was this what it was like to face the famous Harry Potter? His heart was hammering in his chest and his hair was in disarray. The little bugger sure seemed to have some tricks up his sleeve. Literally, in one case, where the hell had he gotten that Wand Holster? They were for Aurors only. Then he realized it was probably from Tonks, the Metamorph had a serious soft spot for Harry
Now if he could only find the little sod. Next to him, a small rock suddenly exploded, sending shards of rock everywhere and forcing Snape into the open. Several cuts on his face were bleeding freely as he looked around.
Harry appeared the other side of the Battlefield from him, saluting him with his wand lazily. His profile small as he was sideways on to him
Okay, Snape knew when he was hopelessly outclassed. He raised his wand and just went for it sending a series of curses at Harry. Who just batted most of them away. Then ... 'What the hell?' Harry was flying backwards to hit a rock hard. 'The Little BASTARD' Snape thought somewhat ticked. He had damn well let that last curse through.
Snape stalked forward and loomed over Harry, lowering his voice so it would not be heard he said, "What was that?"
"Do you really want the entire class and your house to see me beat you sir?" Harry asked in an equally low tone.
Snape was actually quite stunned. Before he would have called him arrogant, but there was no doubt in Snapes mind, he was being played with before. That first rock alone would have killed him if Harry had wanted it to. He had also had plenty of other opportunities as well. The little shit was not even sweating where as he was soaked and breathing hard. Yet, at the same time, he was right. He could not face his Slytherin's if Harry beat him. He would loose credibility as a teacher too if he lost in front of the entire class.
Where as Harry also stood to loose out by being beaten by him of all people, yet he was willing to take the hit, Snape had to admit to being impressed, very impressed.
"Enervate" Snape said making like Harry had been out cold; his wand did not as much as move though.
He turned to face his class, the Slytherin's were cheering for the most part. However, there were notable dissenters. Apparently, Harry was getting himself a support base in the one house that one would not think for a moment he would. Davis and Greengrass being the main surprises, though Blaise was looking intrigued. This was a surprising expression for the boy. The Griffs were not looking pleased though. But Surprise, Surprise! Hermione Granger was just looking thoughtful and suspicious. Weasley looked like someone had just killed his pet Kneazle. This almost made Severus smile.
"Anything is a weapon! Any advantage can become a disadvantage. Cover should be used. Do not just stand in one place and throw spells at each other. Do anything you can to keep the other moving and not thinking. Never, Ever, Let your guard down," he said, turning to give Harry a sardonic smile. "Hiding..." he went on to say, "...Is not cowardly, it is a survival trait in some circumstances," he said looking at Draco. Who blanched, sometimes his godson really disappointed him he really did.
"Two feet on possible combat tactics and scenarios in which they can be applicable. Harry if you would? Dismissed"
Harry nodded and waited as the rest of the class left. Then once they were out of sight he got easily to his feet and pulled out his wand, "Come here sir," he said firmly.
Snape frowned but did as he was asked.
A wave later and his face did not feel tight anymore. Harry suddenly winced, "Sorry about the arm, I think it's sprained."
"That was a masterful move. I have to ask though Harry. What the hell do you think you are trying to achieve?"
"You're the Professor, Professor. Not me. The students need to be able to believe in you and trust that you know what you are talking about. If I was another actual teacher then I would've thrashed you." He said with a smirk, "But I'm 16 and a student. True I know how to fight better than anyone in the school does, possibly. I know it and you know it. It doesn't matter to me what people think of me anymore. Your reputation is important and part of your standing as a teacher. I'm just a kid with a mean wand hand," he added laughing at the end.
"More than mean, you could've taken me at any moment." Snape grudgingly admitted.
Harry shrugged, "I've recently got very serious about my training."
"I can tell. That wasn't all from the DA was it?"
Harry shook his head.
"One thing I will say to you though Potter, move around more. Don't just stand there like a first year and throw spells like you're in a formal duel!"
"I wouldn't normally sir." Harry said. "If it was required"
Snape grimaced, "Was I really not any challenge at all?" he asked wryly. Re-evaluating Harry sharply upwards
Harry just smiled.
"Be gone, I'll mark the tests this time, but I will expect some help next."
"Yes sir." Harry said and started to leave.
"Oh... Harry? When is the first DA session?"
"This weekend, want to check it out?"
Snape nodded.
"You'd be most welcome sir. We'll be in here."
Snape nodded again.
-oOo-
"Silent casting, totally automatic and some of the fastest wand work I've ever seen." Snape said pacing back and forth in front of the headmaster. "When the hell did you teach him silent casting? You could've told me, it was a bit of a bloody shock!"
"Severus... Severus. I have never taught Harry how to cast silently." Dumbledore said thinking hard.
"What?"
"I was in fact totally unaware that he was able to cast thus. Though he has shown a remarkable aptitude of late to the inner workings of spellmenship, I can only assume that he has taught himself."
"That's possible I suppose. Though at one point he used a dueller's shield I've not seen in years." Snape went on to say. "It was the perfect amplitude to take out the spell too. Not deflect mind, but nullify."
"Intriguing"
"It's a bit more than that Albus. Then finally, I realize I have had it and start to shoot some of my best spells at him. Which he just bats to the side with tiny flicks of his wand, then would you believe it? He LETS, LETS mind, a fairly harmless bludgeoning spell through and let's it send him flying to end the fight in my favour so I don't loose face."
"Absolutely marvellous" Dumbledore beamed.
"I'm starting to see why you think he's so bloody special now." Snape grumped. "His father would never have done that. Especially for me"
"Harry is not his father and never has been."
"Oh did I tell you he nearly squashed me with a bolder! Just how strong is he magically anyway?"
"Measure him Severus. I have no idea. Moderately powerful at the very least I would say."
"Moderately my arse" Snape complained. "For the first part of my mock battle I was being played with like a child with a bug. He wasn't even trying and didn't break a damn sweat."
Albus smirked under the cover of his beard.
"I know you're smirking" Snape pointed out.
"Perhaps now you can see why I put him down as your assistant?" Dumbledore asked, "Though Filius has been asking for his help too due to his remarkable charms work of late. He's sure he could actually surpass his mother."
"That would take some doing." Snape said almost fondly.
"Have you seen his CD charm in action?" Albus said fishing around in his robes for the pin and disk.
"My... is that the time... I've got the forth years in a minute, must be going!" Snape suddenly said.
Dumbledore watched him go, smirked. Placed the pin hovering over his desk, silenced the room and sat back to listen to some Stones. For some reason the staff were of the opinion his musical tastes were stunted... just because he enjoyed the school song so much. What he really enjoyed about that was seeing what people would come up with as a tune. Sometimes he missed the Weasley twins. They were always so inventive in their choices. As well as their pranks, though it looked like someone had stepped into their shoes of late.
Pictures of hundreds of headmasters cringed in their frames as Mick Jagger started to wail.