In the next morning, Hydra was in the hall, talking to Fred and George about the possibility of a new invention of them when she saw a group of girls talking nervously, many others stopped around them.
- What is going on? - Hydra asked the twins.
- Let's check... - George said and the three of them followed the group, they stood where a ginger Hufflepuff girl was speaking in panic with the others.
- We had a new attack, a first-year Gryffindor boy, the one who is always with a camera in his hand, he was attacked! - Some people shrieked in terror, Hydra put her hand to her mouth and let out a sigh of astonishment.
- He was Muggle-born, do you remember the legend? Do you remember? - Said a girl from Hufflepuff to another one, Hydra still didn't know what to think about this, she just stood still listening with the twins until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
- You're not still thinking about that stupid heir thing, are you? - Asked Oliver, who was standing behind Hydra, with a group of sixth-year students next to him.
- No, I'm just really worried. - Hydra put her hand in Olivier's hand and smiled reassuringly, but it was not true, she actually wondered if this would not be Draco's work, if he was not really lying to her, she was too afraid to discover that this was true.
- Okay, then forget about it, okay? - Oliver said looking at her with kind eyes.
Hydra said goodbye to Oliver and followed Fred and George to the Potions class, things in the school could not be worst, everyone was scared and walking in groups, when they arrived in the room, Professor Snape received them with his bad mood as always.
- I do not want to hear a shout about what happened last night, Professor Dumbledore and all the other teachers are already aware and we are working to capture the author or authors! - He said, extending the letter S. - of these attacks, now open your books on page two hundred and fifty-seven.
The Potions class managed to cheer Hydra up a little, her relationship with Professor Snape was more "friendly", if you could say that, than his with any other Gryffindor student, at least most of the time, though she never received points for her always well-made potions.
In the following days, the amulets trade in the school became very prosperous, butHydra finding them a great nonsense.
- Of course, you're pureblood, you don't have the risk of being attacked by the heir of Slytherin. - Angelina said as the two of them passed some students wearing huge amulets on their way to class.
- And neither do you, I feel sorry for those who are at risk, it's a sad thing, but honestly, I do not think those amulets help them at all.
At the end of the day, Hydra decided to open a letter she received in that morning, but because of the millions of things she had to do and the thing about the heir's crimes that were going on at Hogwarts, she did not read it before. She was sad because of its content.
- What happend my love? - Hydra looked up, sitting in an armchair in the common room and saw Oliver looking very worried, George and Fred sat next to her too.
- It's a letter from my friend, Gabrielle. - Hydra's voice was worried and serious.
- Is she from Beauxbatons? Is there a problem? - George asked, looking genuinely worried, beside the girl.
- Yes, she's one of my best friends, she's fine, just, she wrote saying that she's disappointed with me, that I do not write to the girls so often and I forgot about them and just want to know about Hogwarts now.
The boy did not seem to know much what to say.
- That's not true, you always talk about them!- Fred said and with that Angelina, Katie and Alicia also approached her.
- No, it's not a lie, I used to write them every week, now I write every other week, I never talk about Beauxbaton, it's like I've been denying my home, you do not know Gabrielle, she's always so calm and quiet, if she's saying something, it's because she really does feel it's true. - Hydra tired to smile and keep calm while she talked.
- Your home is here Hydra, as it was there one day, you do not have to feel bad, your time there has passed, but it does not mean that it wasn't important ... - Katie spoke so tenderly that it made Hydra smile for real this time.
- You almost did not want to join the team because of it! - Remembered Oliver.
- If you think that you don't talk enough about it, tell us more, I'm curious to know about other magical schools. - George said, while everyone sat around Hydra, getting closer to hear what she had to say. - They had houses, right? What was your house there? What was the palace like? -Hydra felt an excited strangeness as she remembered these answers and opened a smile, scaring the tears away.
- Yes we have houses, my house was Lucttore, the house of the braves and bolds, unless they say so, our color is red. - Her friend looked interested in Hydra as she spoke. - The palace was beautiful, the gardens were so green and luxurious, created by magic, rthere were people from several countries, Belgium, Portugal, many accents, it was very interesting, it was not very cold, so in the summer my friends and I liked to stay outside the palace, sometimes swimming on the lake ... - Hydra He smiled and remembered everything as if she was there one more time.
- What about your quidditch team? - Asked Oliver, sitting next to her.
- They were wonderful, we won the cup four times in a row, of course I've only played there for two years, but the tradition was passed... - Hydra's eyes glittered, she spent a few more minutes talking about her days at her old school and then brought the album from her room, George and Lee repeatedly asked if they could send owls to her female friends and Katie, Angelina and Alicia to her male friends.
- Everyone looks beautiful, how strange! - Angelina commented, seeing a photo where Hydra appeared with some friends in their third year.
- It's just an impression, they were normal people, some ugly, some beautiful, like everywhere... - Hydra said, watching the photo where everyone made faces and then laughed.
- Who is this? - Asked Oliver, pointing to a tall, handsome, brown-haired boy behind Hydra.
- Oh, that is Pierre ... - Hydra said, immediately blushing.
- Is he your ex boyfriend?- He asked with a serious look.
- Yeah, no, well yeah, it's complicated, he's my ex boyfriend, or my ex something that looks like a boyfriend ..
George and Fred laughed at Hydra's confusion while Oliver looked serious at the photo.
- He's not so handsome - He said.
- Oh, yes he is - Alice said, laughing after.
- I don't think so! - He said again, looking serious at his friend.
Hydra talked a lot with her friends, her life in France, etc. After that, they started talking about the events of the last days and how Neville Longbottom, a lanky second year boy, looked funny using many amulets.
- But I thought he as a pureblood, isn't he? Longbottom is a name I've heard - said Hydra.
- Yes, but he's afraid, I do not know the reason, it's a little stupid. - Katie said.
December arrived, bringing snow and a intense cold to Hogwarts, on the second week of the month, Professor McGonagall was noting the name of who would stay at Hogwarts for Christmas, Hydra had received an owl from her mother telling her that Lucius and her would be traveling on Christmas and that she should stay in school with Draco. Fred and George would also stay in the school, which made Hydra happy, and Oliver announced that his parents accepted that he also stayed, which made Hydra very happy. Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest of the Weasley would also stay in the school.
- I'm not going to be alone! - Hydra said to the boys one morning during breakfast.
- I know, we can have lots of fun- Said Fred.
- Are you guys going to stay here for Christmas? - Jeniffer asked, sitting at the table with Rita.
- Yes and you? - Hydra asked, taking some toast and jelly from the table.
- No, Mom and Dad are planning a party with the rest of the family, it's really boring actually ...
- What about you, Rita? - Hydra asked.
- No, my mom and dad decided to go to New York this year, but maybe I'll spend the day before the trip on Jeniffer's house. - She said with a giggle.
Hydra learned that Rita was going out with Jeniffer's brother, Peter, though Jeniffer claimed it was rather casual, since Peter was not interested in a serious relationship and Rita apparently was not interested neither, they just wanted to hang out. Jeniffer always said that her brother's head was in something else, but she never said in what and Rita just wanted to have fun without attachments, unless that's what she said.
- Well, what a shame, it would be nice if all of you stayed, but I understand. - Hydra smiled at her colegues.
- Why will you stay? - Jeniffer asked.
- My parents are going on a trip, they asked Draco and I to stay in school this year, which for me, honestly, is much better! - Hydra said.
- I bet the parties in your house are great! - Rita said.
- They're ok for those who like it, I think ... but to me they always suck. - Hydra said.
A few days later, Hydra and Angelina saw a crowd of students and read a notice that was fixed in the entrance hall, saying that the duel club would be reopened, the two decided to participate, as well as George, Fred, Alicia, Lee and Oliver.
- Oh, it sound so good! - Fred said as he signed his name.
- Totally! - Agreed George.
That night they went into the main hall, very excited about the possibility of real dueling. The long dining tables had disappeared, and a golden stage had appeared against a wall, the illumination of which was produced by thousands of candles floating above. The ceiling had gone from back to black velvet.
- That's so cool, who's going to duel? - Angelina asked excitedly to Hydra and Alicia.
- I do not know, but I would not mind dueling with your brother, Hydra... and maybe break some of his bones... - Fred commented behind them, standing next to Lee and George.
- Sometimes I would''t mind that either, minus the breaking his bones part, I like my brother... -Said Hydra with a smile.
- What are you guys talking about? Asked Oliver, who was now approaching the group with Katie.
- About who will duel. - Hydra replied.
- I think some Professor, probably, I just hope that it's not Lockhart... - Oliver said, looking at the stage that was set up.
- So do we! - Said George and Fred together.
Soon after, Professor Lockhart approached and walked across the stage in dark plumed clothing, although he always admired himself with the teacher, Hydra felt a little disappointed by the choice, and George, Fred, Lee and Oliver uttered sighs of disapproval.
- Me and my big mouth... - Asked Olívio, rolling his eyes.
Lockhart waved an arm for silence and called, "Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!
- Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little dueling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions — for full details, see my published works. "Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," said Lockhart, flashing a wide smile. "He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry — you'll still have your Potions master when I'm through with him, never fear!"
Lockhart and Snape turned to each other and bowed. At least Lockhart greeted with many nods, while Snape bowed his head. Then the two raised their wands as if wielding swords.
"As you can see, we are holding our wands in the normally adopted combat position," Lockhart said to the students in silence. "When we count three, we'll cast the first spells." None of us are planning to kill, of course. When Snape looked at Snape's angry eyes, he wondered if that was true.
- One two Three...
The two raised their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent; Snape
Exclaimed:
- Expelliarmus! There was a blinding flash of red, and Lockhart was thrown into the air: he flew to the back of the stage, collided with the wall, slid and fell to the ground.
Draco and the other Slytherin students cheered, some of the girls in the room seemed extremely concerned about Lockhart.
Lockhart was getting up dizzy. His hat had fallen and his curly hair was up.
"Well, there you have it!" he said, tottering back onto the platform. "That was a Disarming Charm — as you see, I've lost my wand — ah, thank you, Miss Brown — yes, an excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind my saying so, it was very obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you it would have been only too easy — however, I felt it would be instructive to let them see . . ."
Lockhart finally changed his mind, Hydra thought he actually seemed to be afraid of Snape.
No more demonstrations! I will join you now and separate you in pairs. Prof. Snape, if you want to help me ...
The two walked among the students, forming the pair, Hydra was placed with George, Angelina with Fred and Oliver with a big seventh year from Hufflepuff.
She noticed that Harry was placed with Draco and thought that nothing good could come of it.
- Facing your partners! - Commanded Lockhart, back to the stage. - And bow down!"
George bowed exaggeratedly and almost touched his head on the floor, making Hydra laugh.
- Prepare the wands! Cried Lockhart. - When I count three, cast your spells to disarm opponents, only to disarm them, we do not want accidents, one ... two ... three ...
Hydra and George took turns disarming each other.
- You are not half bad at this, Malfoy. - George said, she had successfully disarmed him for the third time.
- You're not half bad either, Weasley. - Hydra said, smiling, now being disarmed by her friend.
They stopped as they noticed a commotion coming from one side of the room.
- Stop! Come on! - Hydra heard Lockhart scream into confusion and rushed to see what was happening.
A haze of green smoke hovered over the place, several students were drowned and bruised, Hermione was fiercely hurting with a Slytherin girl much larger than her.
- Dear, dear," said Lockhart, skittering through the crowd, looking at the aftermath of the duels. Up you go, Macmillan. . . .Careful there, Miss Fawcett. . . . Pinch it hard, it'll stop bleeding in a second, Boot — I think I'd better teach you how to block unfriendly spells," said Lockhart, standing flustered in the midst of the hall. He glanced at Snape, whose black eyes glinted, and looked quickly away. "Let's have a volunteer pair — Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley, how about you
- A bad idea, Professor Lockhart," said Snape, gliding over like a large and malevolent bat. "Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending what's left of Finch-Fletchley up to the hospital wing in a matchbox." Neville's round, pink face went pinker. "How about Malfoy and Potter?" said Snape with a twisted smile.
Hydra opened her mouth to protest, but decided to remain silent, could not complain about the teacher's decision in front of everyone.
"Excellent idea!" said Lockhart, gesturing Harry and Draco into the middle of the hall as the crowd backed away to give them room.
- Now, Harry. -said Lockhart. When Draco points his wand at you, you do this.
He raised his own wand, attempted a complicated sort of wiggling action, and dropped it. Snape smirked as Lockhart quickly picked it up, saying, "Whoops — my wand is a little overexcited —"
Snape approached Draco, bent down and whispered something in his ear. The boy laughed too. Harry looked up nervously at Lockhart and said,
- Professor, could you show me that blocking thing again?"
Draco said something to Potter, but Hydra could not hear, she was standing next to the crowd, afraid of what would come from this duel.
- They can kill themselves!- She said, looking startled at the stage.
- Not if Lockhart kill them with some bad spell first. - said Fred, who seemed to find it all very amusing.
Lockhart patted Harry on the shoulder with humor.
- Do exactly as I did, Harry!
- What, drop my wand?"
Hydra laughed at Harry's statement, but not as much as Fred, George, and Lee. The professor seems to have heard nothing, because he just continued:
- Three ... two ... one ... now!- He shouted.
Draco raised his wand quickly and shouted,
- Serpensortia!
The tip of his wand exploded. Hydra let out a cry of surprise as she saw a long black snake materialize, falling heavily on the ground between Harry and Draco and rise, ready to strike. The other students screamed back quickly, making room.
- Do not move, Potter - Snape said quietly, seeming to enjoy the situation. I'll put an end to it ...
- Allow me!" shouted Lockhart. He brandished his wand at the snake and there was a loud bang; the snake, instead of vanishing, flew ten feet into the air and fell back to the floor with a loud smack. Enraged, hissing furiously, it slithered straight toward Justin Finch-Fletchley and raised itself again, fangs exposed, poised to strike.
Hydra and the other students were panicking not knowing how to act, she looked and saw that Harry screamed something in an odd language she could not understand it, the strangest thing was that Harry seemed to be talking to the snake.
- What the hell is this? - Asked Oliver.
- Harry knows how to speak the snakes' tongue? - Alicia asked her colleagues, but they all shrugged in an expression of "we do not know".
- Isn't itsupposed to be bad? -Angelina asked.
Hydra did not answer, saw the frightened snake seemingly about to attack a Hufflepuff student who screamed.
- What do you think you're playing at? - He shouted, then stormed out of the hall.
Snape stepped forward, waved his wand, and the snake disappeared with a small puff of black smoke.
Harry went out with Ron, Hydra stood still trying to assimilate what had happened.
- He's the heir! He's Slytherin's heir, he talks to snakes! - Said one girl from Ravenclaw scared to the other.
- It can only be him, did you see what he did? - She heard a Hufflepuff boy talking and getting scared.
- Let's go Hydra, we'd better get out of here. - Oliver held Hydra's hand and led her out of the room.
When they reached the Gryffindor tower, Hydra still disbelieving at what had happened, she sat in an armchair, not taking her eyes off the floor, did not even notice when Fred, George, and Angelina approached.
- You guys don't think that...? - Angelina was asking, but was interrupted by Fred.
- No, Harry is our friend, remember? He would not be ... - Fred seemed scared, but sure, Hydra refuse to believe that Harry would do something bad to anyone, but she could not understand how he could talk to snakes.
- Parselmouth! - Said Hydra, finally looking up and staring at his friends - anyone here knEw that Harry was a Parselmouth? - They all shook their heads. - Slytherin was ...- She decided not to complete the thought.
"- Okay, but that doesn't mean anything. - Said Fred.
- I know, I know! - Hydra said.
After a while, the girl decided to go to sleep, she was with her mind full, lying in bed, would Harry really be the heir to Slytherin? No, it could not be ...