A/N: Haha, so many questions about ships. I won't say much but nothing is set in stone until they get to the yule ball or around that time. They are only twelve/thirteen so it's still like kiddy crushes. But to ease your minds, no Harry/Hermione and no Harry/Ginny and no slash. As much as I love reading I am not up to writing it so yes. That's all I'll say.
Okay, yes there are other people joining but i'm not going to say who and when you will just have to read to find out! evil smile And yes Harry has the map and he's powerful and all that but as to where he gets his abilities from...you'll just have to wait for the next chapter to find out. I think I've answered all your questions...love all the reviews as always and the advice! Keep it coming!
--
Chapter 17: The Marauders Map
"You've got the map!"
The twins looked up at Harry in shock, "How did you know about the map?" Fred asked.
"We've had it since first year…" George continued.
"And we haven't told anyone…"
"Not even our own siblings!"
The others looked from one twin to the next with open mouths obviously confused about what was happening and also unused to the twin's speaking methods whilst Harry was simply amused.
"Of course I know about it! I'm the marauder's heir…so to speak. Prongs w as my father, Padfoot my god-father and Moony is my guardian."
Now it was the twin's jaws that dropped whilst those who know have talked to Remus before smiled with the same amusement as Harry.
"But…we…"
"That is…"
Looking at each other the twins had a silent conversation in the way that only twins could before handing Harry the map.
"We are honored to follow you oh Marauder's heir…"
"We give you the map which is rightfully yours."
"You shall forever have our loyalty great one!"
The twins swept identical bows that were so elaborate that everyone present either snickered or giggled. Harry decided to play along nodding regally.
"Very good."
Checking the map they found Filch prowling the dungeons and that all the prefects and professors have retired. As it was still risky for the Slytherins Harry sent the Ravenclaws and the twins off first. Then the Slytherins split into two groups and made their way back to their own common room under the invisibility cloaks.
The following day the group met up again straight after breakfast as it was a Saturday. They spent the morning exploring the room and the passageways. Harry had taken Draco and Arianna with him to explore the passageway behind the Slytherin banner whilst Anthony, Terry and Theo headed for the Ravenclaw one. Fred, George and Blaise checked out the Gryffindor passageway and Daphne, Ginny and Neville were given the Hufflepuff one.
Approximately half an hour later the entire group was gathered in the main common room to compare notes. Harry gestured for Draco and Arianna to start first.
"The Slytherin passageway split into two separate passageways not far down." Arianna consulted her notes. "One led to the best potions lab I have ever seen and that's saying something."
"The other led to our common room and is also password protected." Draco added his piece.
"The Ravenclaw passageway was much the same." Anthony spoke next.
"Only instead of a potions lab there was the hugest, most wondrous library ever!" Terry was awe-struck.
"The Hufflepuff's second passageway led to a set of greenhouses that are outside somewhere. It is amazing! Fully stocked and caught in a nice stasis bubble." Neville appeared to be in heaven.
"Ours also have the split…" George started.
"..But our second passageway leads to a dueling chamber."
"It's filled with weapons, everything!"
"From swords and staffs to nunchucks."
Harry nodded considering what it would mean. "Okay, at least we now have a way of getting back to our common rooms without risking being caught by Filch."
They all made their way into the library which was as amazing as Terry had made it out to be. The room was large, larger than the main library and the bookshelves that lined the wall easily reached the ceiling filled with old books as well as some newer ones. The middle had various little desks set up for them to study which is where they all settled to tackle their weekly homework.
It grew closer to lunchtime and Harry decided that they should eat in the kitchens as eating together in the Great Hall would be asking for trouble. They were about to leave when the door opened to admit none other than Professor Snape who found himself facing eleven wands. Even Harry who had been the one to tell Professor the location and password of their common room that morning before breakfast had his wand out.
"Nice to see you're still cautious, password protected or not." Snape smirked his trademark smirk that no one could recreate.
The group returned their wands to their pockets or in Draco and Theo's case, their holsters. The Weasleys were somewhat more reluctant then the rest even though they've been told that Professor Snape was one of them.
"Hello Professor, what brings you to our common room today?" Harry smiled.
"Not much. I just needed to escape the staff room and thought I could see this new place of yours at the same time."
"That would be great! Only we were about to head to lunch. Want to join us?"
"Well I guess I can sacrifice some time."
"Great!"
They made their way downstairs to the kitchens with the twins leading the way as the rest of them have not been there before. Once there Fred reached out a finger and tickled the pear causing the whole portrait to swing forward. Harry was shocked as Jade was there to greet him, he had no idea that his house elf was there at Hogwarts.
"Hello Jade. I didn't realize that you were here or else I would've visited you sooner."
"Not your fault Master Harry. I forgot to tell you."
"Why are you here? I thought student's house elves weren't allowed at Hogwarts."
"That may be the case with normal students but you, Master Harry, is the heir to two of Hogwart's founders. You pretty much own the castle. The two other heirs both have elves here as well. See Gildy there is Hufflepuff's elf and Ravenclaw's elf is Smokey over there."Jade pointed out one female house elf, who was washing dishes and another male house elf, who was folding clothes.
"So that means that they are both here as well…" Harry trailed off as he noticed how hungry his friends were. "…oh well, can we get some lunch?"
They sat down at the closest table and the house elves served them lunch. Everyone was laughing as they were able to enjoy their meal in peace and sit together. Jade was in her element making sure they got the best the Hogwarts kitchen had to offer and that was saying something. By meal's end even Draco, Arianna and Professor Snape who have had their fair share of high class banquets agreed that was the best they have ever had.
Back in the common room after lunch Harry and Draco retired to the potions lab to continue on their individual potions. Harry had started the blood line potion with the help of one of Slytherin's journals and Draco was working on getting the animagus potion right. They wanted to find out their forms as soon as possible even if they couldn't transform just yet. The others also went about their own work.
Neville took the greenhouses out of its stable bubble and was pleasantly surprised at the sheer variety of the plants inside. He recruited Terry and Ginny to help him manage the plants and to gathered the plants that were ready to be used in Draco's potions. There weren't many ingredients that they couldn't get out of the greenhouse that Neville was going to work on expanding.
The others were holed up in the library trying to find a way to communicate more efficiently. At the moment they were working on leaving notes in a hidden passageway. But it won't be long before someone discovers it. They were preparing for the war they knew was inevitable although they were trying to hide that from the headmaster.
With the Nott's ability to see the future, Daphne sensing that something's coming and Mr Malfoy and Professor Snape in the 'inner-circle' of the death eaters everyone could tell something was happening, although what it was they couldn't say. Harry could also sense something off in his scar and was sure that meant Voldermort was moving. Given the incident at the end of last year with the Philosopher's Stone it was almost a certainty.
Mr Malfoy had been given instructions in his dreams to pass on a certain diary to a student at Hogwarts. That old diary that had them all very intrigued, there was a pull to it that most of them couldn't fight. The only two with strong enough mental shields were Mr Malfoy and Professor Snape. The library group was also helping with to research what the diary was and have yet to come up with an answer.
Luckily with Harry as one of the three heirs Hogwarts has agreed to help keep their secrets. Since they took possession of their common room the night before Harry could feel a certain presence with him throughout the day. It didn't take him long to realize that it was the castle talking to him. He was resting whilst his potion was simmering for another ten minutes. And that's when he let his shields dropped slightly to see what it was that was annoying him and was pleasantly surprised to hear a female voice speaking in his mind.
"Well, well. Godric and Salazar's heir you may be but Rowena's blood you have also. I'm Irene, what's your name?"
"I'm Harry Potter…I'm lost how…?"
"Ah, I see they don't teach history anymore."
"Well, Professor Binns has been teaching us about the Medieval Assembly of European Wizards. But what's history got to do with…this?"
"A lot actually. See, in centuries past it was common to integrate elves into the structure of some buildings. Most of those buildings have all been pulled down and re-built since. Hogwarts is the only one in Europe still standing…"
"And you're the elf integrated into Hogwarts?"
"Oh well done! You are a descendent of Rowena after all."
"Are you sure? How did you know?"
"I'm tied to this castle that was created with the magic and blood of your ancestors and Helga. When their blood is within my walls I can tell. As I know you are descendent from three of my friends I also know the two other heirs are studying with you. And one of your friends is also a descendent of Helga."
"You know who they are? Can you give me a clue?" Harry checked his potion and added the next ingredient stirring it even as he spoke to Irene.
"Well, I'll tell you this much. Both are in their rightful house, Helga's heir is in his fifth year whilst Rowena's heir is in her first year along with your Weasley friend."
Harry threw in the next ingredient as he thought about it. If they could find the other two then they would have no problems keeping the headmaster out. There were only three female Ravenclaws in first year, one was Ginny, another was a muggle-born and the last was a girl named Luna Lovegood. That therefore meant that the heir had to be this Luna girl. That would be Ginny and Arianna's task to watch her and see whether she was worth recruiting. As for the Hufflepuff heir there were five boys, all of them either pure or half-bloods and Harry didn't really know them so he couldn't say.
Soon it was dinnertime and it was time for them to put in an appearance in the Great Hall. Harry and Draco left their potions to simmer and they cleaned up before meeting the others in the common room. Together they headed to dinner where they split up outside of the Great Hall to sit at their separate tables. They were keeping up appearances of not being friends with the Weasley twins. The rest of the school of already knew that the Ravenclaws and Harry were close but if the twins were to be discovered as friends of theirs. Well, it could turn out bad. Even Ginny pretended not to like Harry and Draco to keep her brother of her back.
Chapter 18: Dueling Club
Unfortunately several weeks later Weasley found out and an intense fight took place down in the dungeons. It was not long before Potions started when Ron walked over to where Harry and his friends were chatting and yelled at them.
"Hey Potter! You turned my sister against me you…"
The angry red-head aimed a punch at Harry only to be stopped by Crabbe and Goyle who shoved the taller but weaker boy backwards causing him to fall over. Typical Weasley to forget that he was a wizard and had a wand Harry thought.
Harry, Draco and Neville snickered and nodded their approval to Crabbe and Goyle. Ever since it was discovered that Harry was a parseltoungue the Slytherins were treating him with even more respect that was almost akin to reverence. He now had the entire house to do his bidding not just the first three year levels. And Harry being the Slytherin he was took advantage of it. He had sixth years carrying his books to class, had the third years running around the castle passing messages or doing his errands and he had the fourth years fetching food for him whenever he or one of his friends were hungry.
Promotion in Slytherin was now done at Harry's pleasure. It used to be prefects then seventh year, sixth year and so on to the little first years. And then within those year levels the hierarchy was passed on social standing. Harry being the heir of Slytherin had changed all that. He was of course at the top and he put Draco and then Neville before Flint. There was now a system of five ranks. Harry's other friends were in the top rank as was their prefect Flint.
The majority of the others were either in the third rank or the fourth rank and only those who had pissed Harry off were in the fifth. Crabbe and Goyle were now in second and the other girls in their year level were in fourth about to be pushed to fifth. Even the sixth year prefect had been pushed down to fourth rank because he had unwisely insulted Harry's 'mudblood' mother.
"What do you want now Weasley?" Harry asked in a bored tone. Draco and Neville had immediately taken up flanking positions behind him as Daphne drew the newly discovered map from Harry's book bag and activated it to keep an eye out for professors or prefects.
"You and your little friends have brainwashed my sister and you're going to pay!"
The other Gryffindors supported Weasley as they tried to stare down the Slytherins. Of course they forgot that Harry and his friends were just that, Slytherins, and they weren't easily intimidated by glares or staring competitions. Their return glares however had two of the Gryffindor girls squirming.
Wands were drawn and the Gryffindors fired off some pretty weak spells that the Slytherins easily blocked. "Is there a point to this?" Harry was generally a fairly open-minded and accepting person but the Gryffindor Duo was really starting to get on his nerves. Ron in particular had some sort of grudge against Harry. Even as Harry spoke he noticed Granger standing to one side watching curiously.
"I've put up with your crap long enough Weasley and it's time you were taught some manners." Harry nodded at his friends and they fired off various low-level spells that top of the class second years could easily cast. The other four knew better than to interfere. When they were done Harry and Draco were both chuckling at the state the Gryffindors were in. They had all lost their wand and the majority was in a full body bind. Others were rolling on the floor laughing and Weasley and Finnegan were dancing like there was no tomorrow.
"Harry! Filch!" Daphne whispered urgently.
Quickly cancelling the spells on the Gryffindors Harry led the other Slytherins into the classroom where they took their regular seats. Granger followed not long after taking her seat but looking at their side of the room nervously, obviously not happy to be alone with so many Slytherins. Deciding to ignore her Harry pulled his textbook out and prepared for their lesson.
"Hey mudblood, what's the matter? Got into an argument with your muggle-loving boyfriend?" Pansy sneered across the room at Hermione causing the lone Gryffindor to flush darkly and curse under her breath. Draco's eyes widened as he recognized the words in French and was amused.
Harry on the other hand was not and he turned to Pansy, his emerald eyes glowing. Everyone but Pansy and Millicent wisely backed out of the way. It was funny how even though Crabbe and Goyle were considered the dumbest students of their year, even of the school, they still knew what was expected of them. The two girls on the other hand had a lesson coming to them right now.
"If you ever say that word ever again Pansy Parkinson, you will be begging for death when I am through with you."
Harry hurled the frightened girl off of her chair and gently into the wall, a pain she may be but Professor Snape wouldn't thank him for hurting one of his fellow Slytherins. Whilst Harry was at it he flung some air at Millicent but not enough to throw her off her chair. Sighing Harry sat down again as the rest of their class came walking in sending glares their way. In the five minutes before Professor Snape arrived Harry took out his book and downgraded Pansy to the fifth rank.
News of what happened in that potions class spread around the house and soon the Slytherins were no longer calling the others mudblood or muggle-lover. Still they found ways of taunting the other houses, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff in particular. Several weeks later Harry, Draco and Neville were passing through the Entrance Hall on their way to Transfiguration when a small crowd caught their attention. Curious Harry walked over and leaned over the shoulder of a short third year to read the note posted on the notice board.
"Alright! Dueling Club! Well, I'm all for it." Neville looked excited as he looked past another second year student to read the note. Smirking Harry agreed, after class they found themselves talking excitedly with the others. It seems as though word has already spread and they all agreed to go together.
Ginny and her brothers will be attending as well but will be going alone and not with them especially after the fight. Things have been quite between the two houses in their year level and Harry preferred it that way, he didn't want to waste his energy and magic on Weasley and Finnegan when he had so much to learn.
At eight o'clock the entire group walked into the Great Hal together to find the house tables have disappeared along with the head table and a large golden stage had been set up in the middle of the room lit by a thousand floating candles. It seems as though the entire school the entire school was gathered under the velvety ceiling waiting to see who would be instructing them.
Harry already knew, having been informed by Professor Snape, but he didn't tell the others as he didn't want to ruin the surprise. He smirked as he listened to his friends debate the topic. The majority believed Flitwick was sure to lead as he had been a dueling champion in his day. The rest insisted that Professor Snape would be teaching them as Flitwick was starting to get old.
And then Professor Lockhart stepped onto the platform to the group's combined exasperation all save Harry who was still smirking in amusement. This promises to be an interesting evening Harry thought. Lockhart couldn't even teach Defense Against the Dark Arts properly let alone run a dueling club. And he knew that Professor Snape was an amazing dueler and could easily bring down the popular Lockhart.
"Gather around everyone!" Lockhart reached the middle of the platform and was waving his arm around for silence. "Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me? Good."
Whilst everyone was focused on Lockhart and his long speech Professor Snape had stepped up to the platform with his usual sneer "…Professor Snape has agreed to help me with a little demonstration this evening. Now I don't want you to worry, you will still have your Potions Professor when I am through with him."
Harry, Draco and Blaise all snickered, judging by the grim set of Snape's jaw Harry thought Lockhart would be lucky to make it through the night. After all Professor Snape was a pretty skilled wizard to have made it through the last war and could take down most wizards and witches without even breaking a sweat. Their two professors took up their positions opposite each other and bowed. Raising their wands into dueling positions Lockhart started the countdown.
"3…2…1…"
Both of them swung their wands over their shoulders but before Lockhart could say a word Snape yelled, "Expelliarmus!" There was a blinding flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted backwards off his feet, off the stage and into the wall. This caused their corner of the room to cheer whilst various fan girls around the room were gasping with worry.
Picking himself to his feet Lockhart made his way slowly and unsteadily back to the platform. His clothes were awry and his wavy hair looking much like Harry's did in the morning, which is to say very messy. Once he had retrieved his wand from one of the giggly Gryffindors from their year Lockhart tried to play off the whole thing. Harry sneered, doesn't the man have any honor at all? A duel is a duel and one must lose, but to do so in such a manner is worse than the actual lost.
Professor Snape was looking murderous which Lockhart must have finally noticed for he moved on. The two professors went through the room pairing up students with others in the same year level. Professor reached the Gryffindor Trio first and judging by the cold smile he wore he had plans for them. Harry wondered which one he would be dueling.
"Time to break up the Gryffindor Trio I think. Potter! Let's see what you make of Mr Weasley here and Mr Finnegan…"
Finnegan moved closer to Granger causing Professor Snape to sneer, "I don't think so. Mr Malfoy come here, let's see you pair Finnegan here and Miss Rosier if you could take Granger."
Professor Snape then proceeded to pair Neville with another Gryffindor, Dean Thomas. And then the rest of the group was paired amongst themselves, Daphne and Ginny, Theo and Anthony, Terry and Blaise, Fred and George. Finally the professors finished pairing the last few students and made their way back onto the platform.
"Get ready! Facing your partner and bow!" Lockhart called.
Harry bowed slightly smirking all the while whilst Ron simply nodded his head as they raised their wands. "Remember to cast your charms to disarm only! We don't want any accidents here." Lockhart yelled at them. Harry smirked, like that was going to happen.
Readying his wand as Professor Lockhart counted to three; Harry tried to remember that he was only allowed to perform second year spells at the most. On the count of three he pointed his wand at Weasley and yelled softly, "Tarantallegra!" Harry laughed as he watched Weasley dance an uncontrolled quickstep. Weasley then tried to point his wand at Harry to cast some sort of spell that Harry dodged without even moving.
Ever since Halloween Harry had been practicing his new found skills and found that controlling the three elements was as easy as breathing. During a practice duel with Draco Harry found that he was able to effortlessly 'blow' away his opponent's spells without having to actively block them.
Quickly disarming his opponent Harry took a moment to see how his friends were fairing. Draco was having a hard time avoiding all the stray spells that were coming out of Finnegan's broken wand. Harry discreetly set up a weak shield knowing that Draco was able to manage himself. Neville had cast a full body bind on Thomas and was now inspecting his fingernails bored. Arianna had Granger rolling on the floor in laughter and the others had managed to start small duels.
"Finite Incantatem!" Professor Snape shouted; Weasley's feet stopped dancing, Finnegan lay on the floor having been the victim of his own spells and Granger stopped laughing.
Their group seemed to be among the few who weren't injured, a Hufflepuff was out with what seemed to have been a punching hex of sorts. A couple of older students had anything from bleeding noises to cuts and bruises and one sixth year Ravenclaw seemed to be sporting a broken arm. Really, you would think that if they were able to pass their OWLs that they would be able to block a couple of spells. Harry sighed and shook his head glad that that was one of the first things Professor Snape had taught them.
Finally deciding that it might be a good idea to teach them to block spells Lockhart called out for Finnegan and Draco to demonstrate but Professor sneered at the idea. "Mr Finnegan's wand causes devastation with the simplest we will be forced to send Mr Malfoy to the hospital wing in a match box." The Slytherins laughed at this. "How about Potter and Weasley instead?"
"Excellent idea!"
Harry and Weasley climbed the platform taking opposite sides. Harry stood beside Professor Snape deciding what spell he should cast, he couldn't wait until he was able to use his full repertoire. Weasley seemed nervous as he received some last minute instructions from Professor Lockhart. Professor Snape also had some last minute instructions for Harry, "Show them why you belong in Slytherin."
With a nod and a smirk Harry stepped forward raising his wand, "Scared Weasley?" Harry muttered softly.
"Yeah right." Weasley spoke out of the corner of his mouth.
Lockhart began his countdown again and on the word "go" Weasley raised his wand and fired off a leg-locker curse that Harry didn't even bother blocking letting it sail over his head as he moved slightly out of its way. It was a good thing he was so agile thanks to his position as seeker. Almost immediately afterwards Harry raised his wand again and yelled, "Serpensortia!"
The end of his wand exploded, Harry smirked as a long black snake shot out of it and landed heavily on the floor in the middle of the platform. The crowd backed away screaming and Harry could almost hear Draco laughing behind him. Professor Lockhart tried to prove his bravery by attempting to rid them of the snake but the spell he shot at the wand didn't do much other than aggravating the snake.
Once the smoke cleared from whatever spell it was that Professor Lockhart had cast the snake rose up and moved to attack the closest person, Arianna. Frightened Harry moved forward and shouted, "Not her! Go for the red-head instead but don't bite him." As he spoke all those that weren't previously aware of his heritage looked at him in shock, the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs in particular were backing away in fear. The Slytherins on the other hand were smirking and some were fighting laughter.
The time has come for their heir and leader to be revealed and they were ready. Harry's smirk deepened as he watched the snake make his way over to Weasley's side of the platform fangs bared as though ready to attack. Professor Snape quickly banished the snake much to the Slytherins disappointment they had been hoping that the snake would bite Weasley first. Harry shrugged and hopped of the platform. Their first dueling club session ended five minutes later with the understanding that there won't be another one. At least not whilst Professor Lockhart is around, Harry smirked as he fell asleep.
