A/N: Hey, thanks for all the reviews. As always they make me feel so loved. Thanks everyone for pointing out all of my mistakes, I've gone back and edited them. I do my best at proofing my work but it's not something I'm usually good with so BETA NEEDED!
So anyways, new characters to join the group that will be needing a name (any ideas?). Some of them will be of my own creating and others will be canon characters with a slightly different personality. Love you all!
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Chapter 14: Gilderoy Lockhart
The next day did not start out so well for Harry. He was woken before five by a troubling dream he couldn't remember and was unable to return to sleep. Finally giving up Harry rose, showered and dressed before leaving the dormitory. Randomly wandering Harry was surprised to come across Arianna and Ginny arguing in the hallway. Fortunately it was still too early for other students to be about. Harry walked over quickly before things got worse.
"Hey ladies, what's the matter?"
The two Ravenclaws jumped at the sound of Harry's voice and blushed. It at least proved that they didn't expect to see anyone at this hour. Arianna hesitated and watched Ginny out of the corner of her eye sighing, "Just a difference of opinion. Girl stuff."
Harry nodded knowing that girl stuff was the signal for something he didn't want to know. He made the mistake of asking Arianna and Daphne what it was last year and was told about things a guy should never know about, especially not an eleven year old who didn't have much contact with females.
"She's going to need guidance, can I count on you? Teach her Occulmency while you're at it." Harry whispered into Arianna's ear. Arianna was somewhat like the female leader in the group although there was only her and Daphne. Receiving a nod from the beautiful Ravenclaw Harry smiled and stood up straight addressing both Ravenclaws. "Alright, let's go to breakfast."
Both Ravenclaws nodded thankfully and followed Harry down to the Great Hall. As they were still early Harry joined the girls at their table. Soon enough the others started trickling in and Harry returned to his own table. Harry had to admit Ginny had potential, she'd be a wonderful addition to their group but not yet. Harry wanted Arianna to watch and guide her for a little while.
Classes started and all was right at Hogwarts. Harry looked at his timetable as Professor Snape came around. They had Transfiguration first with the Gryffindors no less. They were supposed to be turning beetles into buttons. Harry almost forgot to mutter the incantation as his beetle was the first to become a perfect button earning him twenty points. His friends followed not long after also earning points.
Harry spent the rest of the lesson starting on his homework when an explosion on the other side of the room caught his attention. Seamus sat there covered in thick grey smoke coughing; it seems the Gryffindor hasn't lost his fascination with explosions. Once Professor McGonagall had cleared the smoke Harry noticed the boy's wand had been snapped in half and re-bounded together with spellotype.
Grinning, all the Slytherins gave Neville a pat on the back. During the fight at Diagon Alley Neville had managed to snap the Gryffindor's wand. News of what happened made its way around the school very quickly and Neville had become famous. At least within Slytherin anyway. That day at lunch the entire Slytherin table came around at some point to congratulate him.
Straight after lunch it was time for DADA with the Ravenclaws. As they stepped into the classroom Arianna, Terry and Anthony called out for them to join their table. Whilst they were waiting for Lockhart to show Arianna filled him in on Ginny's progress. It was as Harry had suspected, she was obviously very knowledgeable about the wizarding world and its ways but she had been held back slightly by her parent's narrow-mindedness.
Harry told Arianna to bring Ginny to their next study session. Before they could continue however Professor Lockhart had arrived and introduced himself. Harry actually felt like vomiting right then and there. Looking towards Draco they both smirked at the same time. They were going to have fun this year especially as they had both done researched at their respective manors when they discovered who would be teaching this year.
When he received his 'quiz' Harry just rolled his eyes and took out a book to read. Half an hour later Lockhart collected their papers and Harry handed his over with a grin. He hadn't written a single word other than his name. They only one to have 'passed' the quiz was an awe-struck Padma Patil who received ten points for answering every question right. Harry fought to contain his laughter as their task for that lesson was revealed. Looking around he saw he wasn't the only one.
Lockhart released the pixies and Harry shook his head cramming his book back into his bag before it could be destroyed. Drawing his wand Harry pointed it at a pixie who was tugging on Arianna's hair. With a muttered incantation Harry froze the creature with a freezing charm Remus had taught him. Another flick of the wand sent the pixie hurtling back into the cage.
His friends followed his example combining the two spells until all the pixies were secured. Daphne locked the cage tight and they started packing up. Suddenly Lockhart appeared from under looking rather disheveled. The group somehow managed to turn the snickers into coughs.
"Well done. Twenty points to Slytherin and Ravenclaw. I could have done it much quicker myself, of course, but I wanted you all to have a chance."
No one believed a word of it. Shaking their heads Harry and his friends turned to leave still hiding smiles and smirks when Lockhart stopped them again. "Harry, a word please."
Harry sighed and leaned against the nearest desk as the others left.
"Harry, Harry! What happened in the bookstore! I've seen it many times before, it's ok to be jealous! After all, I have won Witch Weekly's most charming smile…"
Harry sneered and picking up his bag left without saying a word. After that Harry spent most of his time avoiding the man. Finally the weekend arrived; Harry was planning on playing a five-on-five quidditch game with his friends until Flint approached him Friday night and told him to be on the pitch at eight in the morning.
After breakfast Harry and Draco head out to find the Gryffindors already there. They looked to Flint who was smirking and they smirked too. This shall be good, the thought crossed Harry's mind.
"Flint!" The Gryffindor captain bellowed at Flint. "This is our practice time! We got up specially! You can clear off now!"
Flint barely reacted as he responded calmly, "Plenty of room for all of us, Wood!" Harry recognized the look on Flint's face, it was the one he had when he knew he had already won the argument before it had even started. By now the rest of the Gryffindor team had landed and they faced off.
"But I booked the pitch!" said Wood, positively spitting with rage. "I booked it!"
"Ah," said Flint as he played his trump card, "but I've got a specially signed note here from Professor Snape." He then proceeded to read it out loud. "I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the quidditch pitch, owing to the need to train their new keeper."
"You've got a new keeper?" asked wood who was obviously distracted. "Who?"
Harry stepped aside to let Draco stand between him and Marcus.
"Malfoy?" Seamus stuttered from his position between the Weasley twins.
"Finnigan! What's the matter? Seeing things?" Draco smirked as the rest of the Gryffindor trio came over.
"What's the matter, why aren't you playing?" Ron asked as he reached them. "What are they doing here?"
Harry smirked as he stepped forward and shifted his broomstick catching the attention of the Gryffindors who gasped in shock. "A gift from our keeper's father." At this point they noticed that Harry wasn't the only one with a new broom and that the entire Slytherin team had one.
"Good aren't they?" Draco asked smoothly as he too stepped forward. "Too bad it would take a miracle for your parents to even afford one."
Ron snarled but his brothers held him back. No one watched Seamus though who had drawn his broken wand, "eat slugs!" A loud bang went off and a jet of green light shot out of the wrong end of Seamus' wand hitting him in the stomach. He flew back several feet and landed on his back.
Hermione shrieked and ran over just as Seamus leaned over and coughed up a nice big juicy slug. With the rest of their team hovering anxiously the trio made their way of the pitch. The Slytherins were doubled over roaring with laughter as they held onto their new brooms for support. Soon enough they regained their composure and practice began.
Chapter 15: Changes and Revelations
October arrived, spreading a damp chill over the grounds and into the castle. Madam Promphrey, the matron, was kept busy by a sudden wave of colds amongst the staff and students. Luckily Harry and his friends have remained healthy thus far. Flint's onslaught of quidditch matches continued despite the weather. Thus it was one stormy Saturday afternoon that Harry and Draco found themselves drudging into the castle drenched to the skin and covered in mud.
They paused in the entrance hall and had just cleaned themselves and dried their robes when they heard whispering behind them. Fearing that it was filch they both spun around quickly to find the Weasley twins standing there trying unsuccessfully to hide a smoldering salamander behind their backs. They eyed each other warily, the Gryffindors tense, the Slytherins amused. Then Harry decided to put them out of their misery and see if they were made of better stuff then their younger brother.
"What's that you have there?" Harry asked with a friendly smile.
Two things happened at once. One, Draco looked at him as though he was mad for being friendly with Gryffindors or maybe it was because they were Weasleys. Two, the twins looked shocked to see a Slytherin smiling, not smirking and appearing friendly. Slowly the salamander made its appearance.
"We rescued him from Care of Magical Creatures." The twin holding the salamander explained.
Harry raised an eyebrow but decided he was better off not knowing. The entire school knew that if a prank was played it was almost an absolute certainty that the Weasley twins were involved. Thus Harry refrained from asking what they were doing with a salamander that may or may not play a part in their next prank. Dragging a speechless Draco Harry headed for the dungeons leaving behind a shocked pair of twins.
"Hey Potter!" a voice called.
Harry turned and looked at them questioningly.
"You're not going to tell anyone are you?"
Harry considered them for a moment then shook his head and continued walking pulling Draco along behind him who still hadn't said a word. Once they reached the dungeons however, Draco collected himself and started walking of his own accord.
"What did you do that for?" Apparently Draco wasn't happy.
"Think about it, I doubt we could have taken them. They aren't known as the best pranksters since the marauders for nothing. Also now they sort of owe us and you never know when that might be useful."
Truth was that Harry was hoping to recruit the two red-heads to his group, pranksters they may be and low in the ladder of marks but they were smart. They reached the common room and joined Neville in front of the fire. Harry sighed as he closed his eyes and relaxed. Between his homework, extra classes with Professor Snape and Quidditch Harry was exhausted. He was just about to fall asleep when a high-pitched scream came from across the room.
Looking up Harry spotted the source of the noise. A first-year stood with his wand out in front of him pointing at a black cobra that was hissing sharply at him. Before Harry could move Flint came forward and cast a strong shield between the boy and the snake. Then he proceeded to yell at the boy. Everyone watched the pair with interest and Harry was the only one to notice when the snake tired of the magical barrier and decided to attack Daphne instead.
"No! Stop!"
And miraculously the snake did stop; it slumped to the floor looking at Harry as though he was fascinating.
"You speak?"
Harry nodded at the snake before looking up to make sure Daphne was ok. The whole common room was looking at him with awe, no one made a sound as Flint silently vanquished the snake. Harry was speechless as he looked at his friends. Daphne was caught between shock and relief. Draco, Neville and Blaise were staring at him with a mixture of awe, reverence and disappointment. Theo on the other hand simply looked amused.
Uncertain Harry fidgeted slightly before he shrugged and headed upstairs gesturing weakly for his friends to follow. Shrugging of his Quidditch robes Harry had just managed to change into his normal clothes before his friends joined him collapsing onto his bed. Draco went to change as they waited for him to return.
Now that Draco was clean and dry and everyone but Daphne was there Harry decided to start without her. Suddenly the door opened to admit Daphne, Arianna and Ginny. Daphne ran over and gave Harry a hug so hard he fought to remain breathing.
"Oh Harry! Thank you! Thank you!"
"Daphne…can't breathe…"
"Oh sorry!"
Sheepishly Daphne gathered herself and perched on the edge of Neville's bed as the Ravenclaws took their seats. Harry set up some basic privacy wards before they started.
"Ok, where to start?"
"Why didn't you tell us?"
Harry looked at Draco who was in shock and shrugged. What was he supposed to say? Sorry, it slipped my mind? Or I forgot about it?
"To be honest it never came up and I sort of forgot about it after a while."
Harry winced prepared to face whatever his friends threw at him except for this. Draco started laughing so hard he fell off his bed. Not long after Blaise joined him, then Neville. Theo sat there with the same amused expression whilst the girls were giggling madly.
"What?" Harry asked annoyed
Draco recovered first and took a deep breath before replying. "Sorry Harry, but only you could forget something this important." Shaking his head Harry joined in as they let out their laughter.
When they were all done Harry decided to address how they were to deal with this revelation. Most of them agreed that they should address the rest of the house first before deciding. It also led to the possibility of Harry being a descendent of Slytherin which they were to discuss with Professor Snape.
"Ok, next order of business. The Weasley twins."
Draco scowled, Ginny sat up straighter and the rest just looked interested.
"I want them watched, they would be a good addition to our group. Blaise, Daphne I want you guys to organize that…" Receiving nods form the group Harry continued. "…Okay, we need a better meeting place. The others will get suspicious if we keep bringing the Ravenclaws up."
"Well dad has mentioned a place that only the heir of Slytherin can get into." Draco offered.
"It's known as the Chamber of Secrets. The only problem is you need to be a Parseltongue to open it." Arianna added.
"There is sure to be more than one entrance though and maybe one of those is password protected..." Theo was being logical as always until he trailed off and his eyes went unfocused for a short time. "I know where to find it but I don't think I could open it."
"Okay, Ari can you and your boys look into it. Ginny you will be helping Blaise and Daphne with your brothers. Everyone else continue your studies."
Harry took down the wards and the others left.
Chapter 16: The Hideout
The year was off to a great start, not only was Harry the first to perform any spell correctly, he was also answered every question he was asked correctly. Slytherin was already the point leader this early on. Harry looked at Draco over the top of his goblet and sighed. His best friend was practically bouncing in his seat with excitement. Setting down his pumpkin juice Harry reflected on the past few weeks.
The Friday night study sessions have moved to Saturday afternoon as the second years no longer had a break on Friday afternoons. It was in the library one Saturday afternoon that Harry discovered something amazing.
/Flashback/
They were doing their charms homework on the fire starting charm in the library. Harry having already managed the spell itself both with the incantation and without focused on his essay. Once all the essays had been done the majority of the group worked on lighting their wands silently. Professor Snape had made it a requirement that those attempting to practice their spells silently could at least master Harry's list of fourth year spells first.
This far Anthony, Terry, Daphne and Ginny (of course) were the only ones who had yet to reach that level and so were practicing the summoning charm whilst Harry contemplated trying the spell wandlessly and seeing what happens. Unfortunately both Remus and Professor Snape were being overprotective and have forbid him from practicing anything above fourth year standard, most of which he could already cast silently. And so Harry summoned one of Arianna's candles ignoring her protests.
Putting away his wand Harry focused on the candle trying to picture it light as he muttered the incantation, "Incendio!" When not so much as a spark appeared Harry scowled and tried to relax falling into his meditative state that he had learned whilst studying occulmency. He tried again this time without even thinking of the incantation and jumped with surprise as his whole candle caught fire and melted into a hot pile of wax onto the table.
Flushed with success Harry drew his wand and used a number of spells to get rid of the mess before Madam Pince came along and yelled at him. This success led Harry to research wandless magic and to try some of his other spells to less success. The only other two spells that he managed wandlessly was the levitation charm and the water producing charm.
/End Flashback/
Smiling Harry turned his thoughts to recent quidditch practices, today was their first match of the season and their lineup had changed considerably. Whilst their old beaters were out with an injury Flint brought Crabbe and Goyle onto the team as substitutes. Surprisingly they were quite good, better than the old beaters so Flint decided to keep them. Everyone was surprised at how well Draco played, their last keeper had been fairly lousy but Draco was much better. During practice he never let in more than one or two goals.
Flint was absolutely determined to win this year as they had a really good team and he also didn't want to lose their streak. With Crabbe and Goyle's deadly aim and brutal strength Harry personally thought that Flint had nothing to worry about. The chasers were working well together as they have been for the past three years and Harry was catching the snitch in record time.
Finally Flint called them up and Harry and Draco bid their friends farewell before following Flint to their changing rooms. Listening to Flint's prep talk Harry relaxed and got himself into game mode as he calls it. It was his first match against Finnegan and Harry wasn't all that worried. He had snuck down to watch the Gryffindors play under his invisibility cloak and knew the boy was going to be a pretty easy opponent.
Before he knew it they were in the air and Harry was having fun tricking his opponent into thinking he had seen the snitch when he really hadn't. Although he had already seen the snitch once or twice he was unfortunately blocked by some perfect hits by the Weasley twins. There was a point when the scores were tied, both keepers having pulled some amazing saves, when Harry spotted the snitch. He feinted right and heard Finnegan follow him, as the Gryffindor got closer Harry pulled sharply to the left and managed to come up with the little golden ball whilst Seamus had continued on searching for the snitch. The celebration that night got them told off by a very tired Professor Snape.
The search for a new meeting place continued, Theo had visited the place that where he knew there some sort of a common room. But as many times as he has tried, he wasn't able to get in. This portrait was located on the ground floor amongst many unused classrooms and pictured the four founders seated together. This portrait wasn't like the others around it. What was most strange about it was the fact that the founders weren't moving.
It wasn't until the day of Halloween Arianna found the answer. As the story goes, before Slytherin left the founders created the room that was sealed off until an heir came along. So it was that night after the feast that Harry and his friends were gathered in front of the portrait. Daphne and Blaise were keeping watch as the twins joined them.
With Ginny's help Harry had easily got them to join his side, they had always liked their father's love of muggles. So convincing them that there was something wrong with the wizarding world as it was wasn't difficult and neither was asking them to join. Now, Harry laid a hand on the portrait and they watched as the founders slowly came to life.
"Ah, young heir! What year is it?"
Harry looked at the man who had spoken, his several times great-grandfather, Godric Gryffindor. "It is 1992 sir."
"Already? Time flies when you're frozen. Oh well moving on, behind this portrait is a room that resembles a common room."
"We created it to promote house unity." One of the witches spoke this time. She reminded Harry very much of McGonagall and he guessed her to be Ravenclaw. "As one of the heirs you will pick the password for your friends."
"However, at least three houses must be represented for the continual use of our room." This time it was Slytherin who spoke.
Harry nodded glad now more than ever that they had recruited the Weasley twins, "I myself am from Slytherin as are many of my friends. Arianna, Ginny, Terry and Anthony are all from Ravenclaw. And the twins are Gryffindors."
"Very good! Now choose password my heir and enter!"
"How about pronglet for now?"
"Pronglet it is! Welcome to your new common room!"
The portrait swung forward as everyone made their way in. Harry gestured for Daphne and Blaise to go in ahead of him. He was about to enter himself when Ravenclaw stopped him.
"There are many hidden secrets in this room of ours. There are four passageways leading off this room from each side wall to many other rooms. We shall not tell you what they are but they will slowly be revealed in time and will help you with your task in the years to come."
Nodding Harry filed the information away as he joined his friends in their new common room. It was larger than the normal common room and was decorated simply. Against the far wall there was a roaring fire surrounded by twelve black armchairs that all appeared to be marked. The rest of that wall was lined with almost empty bookshelves. The other two walls had two banners aside with each house's crest upon it. And there was still a lot of open space left for spell casting.
"It's perfect!"
Harry dropped into a chair that had both the Slytherin and Gryffindor crests marked on it, which caused him to grin so it was true. Harry had had his suspicions about being the heir of both Slytherin and Gryffindor as he was both a parseltounge and a Potter. Remus had mentioned that the Potter line and the Gryffindor was one and the same. The others too took their seats that had both their crest and their initials on it. Neville took out his quill and parchment as soon as he was seated ready to take notes.
"Okay, where to begin? As you all would have noticed the twins have joined us. Remember that house prejudices are irrelevant here."
Everyone introduced himself or herself before they continued. "Next…can someone tell me more about wandless magic?" Harry had read almost every book on the subject that he could fine in the library and he wasn't any closer to working out his problem.
"Well, only the most powerful of wizards and witches can perform it." Neville started by pointing out the obvious.
"The only person known to have preformed wandless magic this century is Dumbledore. Nicholas Flammel is another although he is probably dead by now…" Arianna continued.
"Wait, I've seen Professor Snape preform wandless magic before as well. He summoned a book to him once because he couldn't be bothered walking and he couldn't be bothered drawing his wand either." Draco interrupted.
"There is also a family who can use wandless magic as they use a wand. It's the magical trait of the Lupin line; I'm surprised you didn't know." Anthony added.
"Magical trait?" Harry paused confused, he was unfamiliar with the term. It was times like these that he was annoyed at his muggle upbringing. Remus had tried to teach him everything but there were many things he left out as they seemed so common to him.
Harry's friends were surprised and nervous, they assumed he knew as he seemed to be well versed in the wizarding world and they sometimes forgot that he hadn't had a pureblood upbringing as they did. No one knew where to start or how to explain it.
"Yeah, every magical family line has a particular trait that they specialize in." Fred started first, his Gryffindor courage coming through.
" I'm not sure what the Potter trait is.." George continued as the twins fell into their usual way of speaking.
"Although the Potter line is descended from the Gryffindor line…"
"…and most of them have pyrokenisis abilities."
Harry's eyes widened as he linked it all together, "Gryffindor, pyrokenisis. Slytherin, hydrokinesis…but that doesn't explain the wingardiam leviosa."
"What are you talking about?" Blaise wasn't quite following his train of thought.
"Okay, I tried to do some wandless magic the other day. You remember, I burned down a whole candle." When he received eleven nods Harry continued, "Well after that I tried to see what other spells wandlessly. So far I have only been successful with the levitation charm and the water producing charm."
"That would mean…" Arianna's eyes widened at the implication. "The descendent of three Hogwart founders?"
The others gasped as they finally caught on, if Harry was unable to perform wandless magic in general and was only able to do elemental magic like those relating to three separate founders then…
"So…What are all your traits?" Harry disliked the awkward silence and decided to try and distract them.
"Well we Weasley…Hey! No trying to distract us!" George started.
"Yeah, besides we just discovered that you could possibly be related to three founders. Aren't you the least bit curious?" Fred asked.
"Well yes, but…there isn't much we can do at the moment so I'd like to know what your traits are if you don't mind."
"Now that's not entirely true. We can get Professor Snape to brew you a bloodline potion or we can do it if there is a potions lab down here somewhere. It shouldn't be too hard." Draco smirked. He has been brewing potions since forever and was now brewing potions way beyond O.W.L. level.
"Okay, okay! We shall work on the potion when we find a potions lab. There should be a descent one around here somewhere. Now will you tell me your traits?" Harry smirked , to him it wasn't a big deal. He had always known he was a descendent of Gryffindor and guessed the same about Slytherin. The only surprise was his Ravenclaw tendencies.
"Us Malfoys are able to tell when someone is lying automatically and can force someone to tell the truth. It is kind of acts like veritaseum but without the dazed effect. My mother was a Black and she has an affinity for languages." Draco smirked at Harry's impatience
"He's right, Longbottoms have a long history of empathy. We can sense and control emotions. My grandmother was a Nott I think and has...Oh I forgot!"
"The Rosier Line is known for their retention abilities. It means we can absorb information a lot easier and probably more importantly we have good memories."
"My dad's always been good at seeing forward, divination stuff." Theo added.
"I'm not sure what my dad's trait was...Hell, I'm not even sure who my dad is." Blaise smirked.
"Greengrass...From what I can tell, we have magical instinct. It's sort of like a sixth sense." Daphne shrugged.
"We Goldsteins have the ability to control light." Anthony smiled.
"The Weasley line is known for their strong magical tempers." Ginny smiled sheepishly.
Everyone turned to Terry who shrugged, "I'm not sure what trait my mother has, my dad is a muggle-born wizard so no help there."
Nodding the group talked for a little longer about their magical traits and how they could use it. Harry figured he could inherit a possible ten traits. He should have the Potter's ability whatever it is and the elemental traits of three different founders as well as his ability to speak Parseltounge. He knew his grandmother was once a Black so he probably had skills with languages as well. Harry decided he should brew the bloodline potion as soon as possible to determine what other lines he was descended from. Given his strong magical core Harry guessed he was likely to inherit them all.
The rest of the night was spent getting to know each other. It was Halloween after all so Harry decided that they could use the break. Everyone got along with the infamous twins amazingly well. Finally it started to get late and they decided to call it a night. As it was after curfew Harry pulled out his invisibility cloak and so did Theo. They were about to do their usual moving around the castle in groups routine when the twins stopped them.
Pulling out a piece of parchment they drew their wands and muttered, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
