Chapter 10
Friday came with Harry and Severus once again back in Defense Against the Dark Arts seated next to Lily. The next two matches were once again Slytherin versus Gryffindor.
Harry wasn't paying any attention to the duels because his dream and vision still lay heavy on his mind along with his plans to take over the school. Severus nudged him, and quietly whispered, "you're up mate."
Harry nodded his thanks and headed towards the platform. He glanced over to see whom he was dueling against because he hadn't looked at the board. The sight of an obviously nervous Peter Pettigrew standing in front of him was beyond ironic and right. Somehow, Harry had the feeling the castle had created the standoff for its true heir.
They both turned around, their backs to one another. Peter stuttered out in a whisper he didn't act as if he believed, "Gr-gr-yffindors r-r-rule."
"Actually, the word is drool, Wormtail the rat. Ready to lose yet again you power humping eternal lackey?"
When Pettigrew started, Harry felt a perverse sense of justice coming his way. Justice for all he suffered and lossed. Hogwarts would not let Lily die anymore than Harry.
Professor Headway counted off, both Peter and Harry taking each specific step. Once the count off was done, Harry immediately turned around and fired off a silent stunner. The stunner hit its target right on, knocking the plump boy off his feet.
"Oh … well, that was anticlimactic." Professor Headway replied sarcastically.
For the first time since their first meeting, Harry and the teacher agreed on the same issue. Miracles indeed happened it seemed.
Jumping off the platform and returning to his seat, Harry watched Headway flicked his wand at the board, moving Harry's name up the patted Harry on the back, and then continued to pay attention to who was competing next.
Harry on the other hand, decided that the birds outside the window were much more exciting than the duels taking place inside the Defense classroom.
The bell rang just after they second to last match finished. "We shall finish the last match next week along with starting the quarterfinal matches. Ms. Evans, you are exempt from this round, for there will be an odd number come time to start the quarterfinals.
"I want everyone to write an essay on two strategies that appeared in two different matches. You cannot use your own match as an example. It should be at least a foot long." Professor Headway announced as the class was packing up and heading out the door towards lunch.
Instead of heading to lunch, Harry headed to the library. Though the idea of food was appealing, he really needed to finalize the classes that Hogwarts would offer when he became Headmaster. So far, Harry had his list narrowed down to ten new classes, eleven new professors (he had heard from Severus that History of Magic was taught by a ghost who's only concern was the goblin wars, so any recent history was not covered, so doing well on any standardized examination was almost a laugh). All Harry had left to do was write up the basic outline of what each class could offer. He would leave the syllabi's up to the individual professor, but he needed a general overview of each class to give to the board of governors and to appeal to the new students.
Most of the new classes that he had come up with had an OWL and NEWT examination, the only one that he knew didn't offer the OWL and NEWT examination was the Self Study, because that class had too broad of a spectrum. Offered though was an equivalent to the examination. A student would declare what sector the study fell under (potions, transfiguration, etc) and then he/she would present his/her findings to a review board and they would give he/she a grading equivalent.
"Harry? Why are you not going to lunch?" Lily asked, stopping Harry in midstride.
The ten new classes Harry had come up with were:
Rituals, which he decided to only offer to 6th and 7th years who have taken Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Astronomy.
Self Study Harry had limited enrollment for only fifth years and above.
Next were classes Harry had anjoyed while he was in Muggle school. Music he offered to every grade year and hoped would move on into musical performance in time. Like wise every grade year was offered Art, and Harry could hardly wait to see where this class would stretch to in time. These classes Muggle studies had proven to help students in other classes as well. Home Economics he decided to make required a minimum of three years in order to graduate. This way kids leaving the school for the real world could take care of themselves.
Wizarding Culture offered to every grade year and Harry had plans to set up and examination in this field as they did for Muggle studies.
In honor of both Sev and Lily, Harry created Spell and Potion Experimentation. This class he only offered to those who had received the grade of O in OWL's Arithmancy, Charms, and Potions.
Healing Basics Harry decided to only offered 6th and 7th years who were academically strong and interested in becoming healers. This class came about due to talks with Madame Pomfrey about he staffing troubles. Many students could not afford to apprentice as Healers. Even worse, few Healers were willing to teach because students would leave after learning the difficulties in becoming a healer. This way, Harry was determined students would have a solid grasp of what they could expect in this field as they learned the core subjects that would make them interesting to higher Healers.
Mind Arts Severus again inspired. Including the studies of Legilimency and Occlumency along with mind healing that linked with the prior classes, Harry decided to save this area only for 7th years unless there were extraordinary circumstances such as those he lived through before.,
,
Finally, Harry honored the few Wealeys he still missed desperately. Warding/Cursebreaking he decided would require OWL grade of O in Defense, Charms, Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes. Harry could hardly wait to see how Bill liked these classes once he came to the school.
Harry knew that he still had a lot of work cut out for him, but he was willing to put in the time if it created a better educational system.
"So I guess Black and Avery still need to go along with Longbottom against Lestrange." Harry nodded absentmindedly at the board as their trio sat in their usual seats. "Can you tell which Lestrange is up there?"
"It is Rabastan," Severus answered.
Lily smirked, "Alice Adelais, Frank's longtime girlfriend, wiped the floor with Rodolphus while you were zoned out last time, Harry."
The idea made Harry chuckle. Yes, this was proof enough for him that Hogwarts was giving chances for preemptory justice. "My money is on Longbottom."
"As if I would bet against you, mate." Severus muttered.
Lily shook her head before rolling her eyes as she complained, "boys!"
Harry could help snorting out a laugh. At least this gal he knew was not in Dumbledore's pocket and actually cared about him. "At least were not Blast-Ended Skrewts."
He felt reasonably sure that he could likely predict the outcome of each remaining paired brackets, and he knew that his name was the one that would end up on top. The three sixth years arrived at the Defense classroom five minutes early that Monday. Lily discovered that he Ravenclaw and Huffelpuff classes aimed on assisting students outside of class on perfecting their silent castings, in hopes that their students would do better in the dueling tournament.
Lily also learned that the Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff tournament was moving a lot faster than theirs. Mainly because there were many students in those two houses who still couldn't cast a silent stunner, because of that duels were lost much faster. The other two houses were already in their semi-finals, and probably by Thursday they would know who the winner for that class was.
"You should be an Auror with the way you locate information, Lily." Harry joked.
She smiled and shook her head. "Honestly, I just want to be a mum."
The comment choked Harry, who had to fight back tears. He was what his mum wanted in life for a career. Well, he was going to make sure the woman would get all her dreams and more.
As the bell rang, second years left the classroom. Severus, Lily, and Harry entered once all of the second years had left, and were surprised to see Professor Headway swallow a calming draught.
"What are you lot looking at?" He growled as he finished the last of the potion and the trio took their usual seats.
"You know Mr. Evans," Professor Headway drawled, "it is rather interesting how you and Mr. Potter look so much alike. Because you have declared yourself a first generation Pureblood rather than take your father's name, and because the Potter's all share strikingly similar attributes, I wonder, could you be the lovechild of a Potter?"
He smirked at the shock on his students faces, "That would cause a stir wouldn't it?"
"I know the surname of my father, and he was not a Potter."
Headway glared, "As if I were to believe that!"
"Fine my father was one Jacob Hamish Gimson on paperwork but I have yet to find his family in America. That is a pet project I'll be doing over the summer."
Headway nodded, "Very well then."
The rest of the 6th years trickled into their seats while Harry considered how stupid their teacher was. After all, in truth Harry had said his father's name three times if one knew how to see through the ploy. Once Black and Avery strolled in, Professor Headway called them up to the platform so they could get started on the first match.
Just like many of the other matches this one was short. All Sirius Black had to do was cast an Immobilus charm and Avery went stone still. Black was awarded the win.
Now Frank's match had style and creativity. Noting that in the last few matches everyone was aiming for legs and feet to help secure a win, Frank cast a spell on his shoes so when he turned on the command to start jumped up sent him high in the air while Lestrange went for the area of the legs as Frank was expecting. In midair, the Gryffindor casted a stunner and Lestrange never saw the blow coming. The Slytherin was out in the shortest match on record.
The class now had their thirteen quarter-finalists.
"Because we still have most of the class period left, we will continue the matches." Professor Headway flicked his wand again and the brackets converged to place Severus Snape against Remus Lupin. "Snape, Lupin, please take your places upon the platform."
Severus barely won the match with a tickling charm and a stunner back-to-back. So Remus had skills with a wand. Harry knew that already.
Before Professor Headway could start the next one, the bell rang. "Before you leave, turn in your essays. Ellisa Werlington, and Jenifer Hudnall, you two will be our starting match on Friday. Now get out of my sight."
The next couple weeks passed in the same matter in Defense. The class slowly narrowed down to seven, Harry receiving the by. It wasn't until the beginning of December when the class eventually narrowed down to the final four: Severus Snape, Lily Evans, Harry Evans, and Jenifer Hudnall. In one week, they had to fit four matches, three matches to decide a dueling champion of their class, and one match to decide the dueling champion of the year. Once the competition found that champion, they still had to duel the seventh year winner to decide who would duel the Headmaster. It was Monday, and thankfully was a double block. Severus Snape was against Lily Evans, and neither of them felt particularly happy about it.
The two approached the platform, and luckily, instead of having to count off as they did in the first couple of matches, Professor Headway had marked each side with an X. They each stood on their designated places and once the too slow countdown reached one the match began.
Severus began tossing harmless pranking spells at Lily, trying to make it look like he was trying, but in actuality, he really did not want to face Lily or Harry. Not out of cowardice, Severus simply never wanted to beat those he loved. Lily on the other hand, was sending out jinx after jinx, trying to win this match early. One of Lily's tripping jinxes eventually landed, and Severus went face down on the platform as his wand went rolling off the edge. By leaving Sev wandless, Headway eagerly declared Lily the winner of the match. Severus summoned his wand, and cast the counter charm to her tripping jinx.
Once done, he left the stage while the Gryffindors cheered and taunted him for losing to a girl. James and his friends tried to convince Lily to come over and sit with them as a victorious Gryffindor. Harry was not surprised when even Headway tried to force Lily to sit with her 'own kind'. However, Lily would have none of their bullying and forcibly returned to sit beside Sev on purpose.
Annoyed, Headway snapped for the next match. Harry and Jenifer approached the platform heading to each side. Harry wanted to end this match fast. The current match didn't have him concerned. Rather Harry found his mind focusing on the match he knew that he would have to compete in after this one. To get at Dumbledore, Harry had not foreseen himself forced to defeat the woman who in the back of his mind was still his mother.
Drawing his mind back into the moment, he and Jennifer each took a dueling stance as they waited for the start. Professor Headway gave the order and the match began.
Harry had noticed the Gryffindors and Jennifer plotting over the week. Obviously, they wanted their House to be the glorious winners. Deciding to try a different tactic then one he had already done in his past matches, Harry dodged Jennifer's quick series of intial attacks while he cast a quick disillusionment charm on himself–yet, this one was not the one taught by Professor Flitwick. Usually in an average disillusionment charm, movement of the charmed object or person would give off a moving shimmer along all edges. The type of adaptation that Harry had created and now used did not create the same effect. With the addition of a silencing charm on his feet made the young man near impossible to detect. Harry walked forward until he was a step from the center's dividing line.
This turned into even more of an advantage as Jennifer took a few steps closer to him. She stopped only about five feet in front of Harry. Obviously, Jennifer was looking for any shimmers because she believed her opponent was hiding by standing completely still. With his switch in the charm, her only hope to find him was using a stealth sensoring spell like the one Harry still remembered Umbridge used in her office. Either that or maybe some supersensory charm. Harry immediately stunned her and thus ended the match. Harry flicked his wand and ended all of his charms.
Both matches took just over half an hour, despite that from their perceptions the length of time Harry faced Jennifer felt eternal to them both. With enough time left in the period, Professor Headway decided to finish the class dueling tournament by having both Evans duel. "Evans, the both of you get up here and finish this mess! You lot had better write a fifteen inch essay on how Evans just cheated!"
"Harry did not cheat, he won honorably. If you attempt to say otherwise, I will go to the Heads of this school and report you for blatant favoritism, lying about a student who is obviously more talented than you, and encouraging violence against students." Lily shouted.
With he as Head Girl, Headway knew that he could not get around her easily. When Head Boy, James Potter, stood the teacher hoped for support. James surprised though, "and I will stand with her on that."
Damn boy was still trying to get in the girl's skirt. "FINE! Get you sorry hides up here to end this farce!"
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered as the two walked up to the platform. He kept the volume low so that Lily was the only one that could hear it.
She nodded, knowing that she would lose the match. "No matter what, don't you dare shame your mother by doing any less than what is your true best. I will spank you sore for her if you try that."
Harry swallowed against the swelling in his throat. If only Lily knew his secret truth. With her words ringing in his ears, Harry was determined to give his mum the match of a lifetime.
"Begin." Professor Headway growled as he started the match.
Knowing that predicting her friend's actions was impossible, Lily just began firing as many silent curses at Harry as she could remember. Not eager to defeat a friend, she was still hoping that maybe one of them would hit the target so harry knew she was not going easy on him. Harry cast a simple yet multilayered shield charm at first, which he charmed to have the layers moving constantly. This gave his wall of shields protections as they absorbed all of Lily's noble attempts. While she attempted to take down his shields, Harry silently transfigured a poster on the wall just to the side of Lily into a mirror he mounted in an angle that was measured against one that already hung behind her. When he then fired a stunner at the first mirror. Lily had thought that her friend had just aimed wrong as Harry inteneded his blow to appear. Instead, the spell reflected off the glass to bend its path so the spell hit the mirror Lily had not noticed. From this mirror, the spell hit her in the back. Lily fell forward, crashing to the ground unconscious.
Harry, Severus and James all rushed over to Lily to make sure that she was ok from her hit on the platform. Harry quickly Enervrated her, bringing Lily back to consciousness.
"I had better be correct in assuming Harry won." Lily glared questionly at all three boys that surrounded her.
Harry nodded slowly, before standing up. "Nothing less than my best as promised, Lils."
"The seventh years already have their dueling champion, one Amelia Bones. I will have the young lady here, as Ms. Bones has a free period then and we should see who the sixth year dueling champion is then. Depending on who wins on Friday will determine if we have the student body champion on Monday or Tuesday. Get out now!"
The 6th year Gryffindors and Slytherins all scrambled out of the room, glad to be out of class fifteen minutes early.
Friday eventually arrived. Every sixth year were antsy for the DADA class and its matches that the entire sixth year had been waiting for since the announcement early that week. Professor Headway had magically expanded the room, allowing more than its normal capacity, so that the entire sixth year could fit in there. The man wanted more of an audience for what he was sure would be Harry Evans' downfall. Several teachers who did not have classes also came to watch, as did the Headmaster and a few members of the Board of Governors.
Harry noted that Lucius Malfoy was not sitting in that area. Then again, Harry knew that Draco had yet to come into conception yet. Rather than wondering about what the Death Eater did with his days, Harry's focus turned onto the current Headmaster. Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling. Never had such boded well for Harry in his life. The presence of that twinkle made Harry wonder if the old man was out to interfere with the matches or was taking notes of Harry's style.
Professor Headway brought Harry and Amelia Bones up to stand on the platform in their dueling stances, ready for Professor Headway to begin the match. He had already told the two that they could verbally cast, but it was probably in their best interests cast to their spells silently, to make counteracting spells harder for their opponent.
When the room went completely silent, Professor Headway spoke one word, "Begin."
Harry knew not to underestimate his opponent in this match. Hearing all sorts of stories from the woman's coming neice, Susan, Harry understood that Amelia Bones the adult Auror was a formidable opponent. He also learned from his once friend and fellow DA member that even as a young adult Amelia Bones was not a woman for one to trifle with. The entire family was tough, brave, but more than any other characteristic the lot were loyal.
Knowing that neither showing off nor subterfuge were wise avenues, Harry decided to take a more direct route with the future Madame Bones. Taking his limited serious training, Harry threw up the same series of shields he had used on Lily, but this time doubled the layers and had them weave about as well and moving without giving openings for attack. Tonks was a saint for teaching this spell to him. Opening his shield her and there, Harry began firing off spell after spell to keep Amelia moving while she attempted to dissolve his shields like Lily had done. She had fallen into Harry's trap!
"Accio Amelia's wand," he whispered, not sure if his ploy would work and his assumption was correct.
Earlier, the teen had noted that Amelia had nearly lost her hold on her wand and had managed to recover before she would have lost the duel. Such Harry would not expect of the woman he heard about. Then again, now Madame Bones was only a kid and student. He wanted to give her the edge of not learning lessons on her way to becoming an Auror the hard way.
Fortunately for Harry but unfortunately for Amelia Bones, the ploy did work and Harry was right. The girl's wand flew through the air and Harry grabbed the wand holding it up for Professor Headway and everyone watching to see.
"Harry Evans is the 6th year dueling champion." Professor Headway's voice was less than pleased.
Amelia hung her head in shame. That simply was not right. Harry went over to her and discretely handed her wand back to her. She did far better than anyone else Harry had stood against so far.
He whispered quietly, "I would recommend putting an anti-summoning charm on your wand. Especially so should you have any plans on becoming an Auror after your graduation next year."
She jerked her head up and gave a look of surprise at Harry. "How did you know?"
"Both your dad and your eldest brother are Aurors. I just deduced that you would probably end up there as well. Of course, your classes too help to give that away."
Amelia smirked as she nodded, not sure what to make of her opponent. "I would never have penned a Slytherin to have any level of knowledge about Sherlock Holmes."
"The Master was a favorite of mine when I was young. I still haven't quite brushed him off me yet." Harry admitted.
"Don't do it. The Master makes you a better man than I think you might have been without Watson's pen."
Harry nodded back, and left the platform. Pushing his way through his many new admirers in both houses ironically, a less than interested in fame Harry grabbed his bag and he headed out the door.
The weekend flew by too fast, Harry almost never left the library the rest of Friday or nearly all of Saturday. Finally deeply worried for their friend, on Sunday evening both Severus and, surprisingly, Lily had to pull Harry out of the depths of the books their third had doven into days before.
Though Harry attempted to argue, Lily waved her wand and both men knew that she shielded the area with a number of charms and spells to save Harry needing to search out his materials and finding his place again. As a fresh argument came to Harry's lips this died on his lips under the heat of Lily's glare. "You are coming with us and you will eat young man. I mean it. March!"
Giving Severus a glare, Harry had to point out the obvious. "This is why you gave her full reign?"
"It works and I was not about to get between you and Lily in this mood. Sorry, mate. I am not that suicidal at this time." Severus joked as he helped Lily's poking wand to force Harry to accompany them
As they were walking down the kitchens, Lily explained to Harry how in their third year James had shown Lily where they were hoping that she would be impressed with him that he knew more Hogwarts secrets than she did, "As if!"
Severus spoke up because he did not want to talk about Potter the Golden Boy, "what has you so enticed with the library, that you forget to eat nearly an entire weekend?"
"I'm working on a project." Harry replied, purposely being vague.
"What kind of project?"
"A world domination project," Harry said it with a straight face, making both Severus and Lily unsure wether or not he was being completely serious.
Lily gave her opinion, "if that is a joke, such is not funny. And if you are serious, why?"
"Um, I'm Harry, Lils." Dry humor, but Harry wanted to lighten the mood. Given the expression on her face, the attempt failed. "I'll tell you two about it later, when we can talk without fear of eavesdropping."
They arrived at the painting of a big bowl of fruit silently. Here Lily tickled the pear to receive the door handle. The painting opened out, allowing the three teens to enter. Already sitting at the table was a visibly broken and very alone Sirius Black, nursing a cup of hot cocoa.
One of the house elves noticed the three teens and went over to them. "Threes new wizzy's to feed! Gabby wills bes servings young wizzys." She guided the three over to the table where Sirius Black was already seated.
"What cans Gabby's get for young wizzys?"
"Harry missed lunch, do you mind fixing him something to eat while getting me a cup of hot cocoa?" Lily smiled at the little elf.
"And you's?"Gabby looked at Severus with her big brown eyes.
"Some pumpkin juice would be fine, thank you." Gabby nodded and with a snap of her fingers, the food appeared on the table along with the drinks.
Not until the smell of the food poured into his nose did Harry realize that he felt as hungry as he was. May Merlin bless friends like Sev and Lils. Harry began shoveling food into his mouth faster than Ron Weasley did in a very different future.
Sirius for a time just looked at the trio with sadness and just a touch of envy. His lack of common sense had not just cost him privilages it would seem. After looking back at his mug only to look up at the trio a few times, the mutt sighed heavy enough to seize the still hungry Harry's attention. Sirius finished off his drink and got up from the table. Then the broken teen stood looking at what he tried to destroy only to timidly come over to the three friends.
"Look Snape, I'm really sorry…" Sirius attempted to apologize.
"Don't you have somewhere to be Black?" Severus growled at Sirius, who just hung his head in defeat.
"I tried," Sirius mumbled to himself as he left the kitchen.
Harry finished his plate of food, and washed down his meal with a cup of pumpkin juice. Lily avoided Severus' gaze as they continued to sit in silence.
"Thanks for dragging me to eat." Harry started as he got up for the table. "But I think you two need to clear up what happened between you. I'm tired of being the wall. Gabby?" Harry called as he headed towards the painting that Sirius just left out of, "can you make sure that these two," he pointed at the other two people in the room, "don't leave until they have made up please? Thank you." Gabby nodded furiously. She was glad to help an heir of Hogwarts. Gabby crossed her arms in front of her, pouting while she stood in front of the two humans.
"The foundy's heir said that you two can't leave. It is my job to make sure that you don't!" She declared, which instead of sounding strict, it sounded rather adorable. Lily attempted not to laugh out right, while Severus attempted not to smile.
Severus and Lily sat down at the table again. Silence fell between the two, for neither one was sure how to proceed.
Severus broke the ice. "Look Lily, I'm sorry…"
Lily held up her hand. "I should have realized that Potter and Black were the ones antagonizing you and that you are not to blame. Yes, you should not have uttered that word, but I should not have taken it as personally as I did. For that, I am sorry."
"I am to blame too Lily." Severus paused, not sure on how to express his feelings. "I broke a promise that we made back in our first year. Slytherin house hasn't been all that kind to me, not only am I looked down upon for my blood status, but also my friendship with you. The pressure from both sides just eventually over took me, and for that … I-I am sorry. I would rather be mocked and have you in my life than exist all alone as I am now."
"Lily, I have another confession to make." Lily looked up at Severus. "I love you Lily. Since we first met, I have always liked you, and when I said that awful word, I thought that I had lost you for good. So … I want you to know—" Severus was cut off by Lily kissing him on the lips. Severus was surprised for a moment, but immediately deepened the kiss. When the both felt like they were running out of oxygen, they ended the kiss, their cheeks were red, and their lips were plump from the abuse.
"Now the twos wizzy's will bes getting married!" Gabby sang as she continued making the evening dinner. Both Severus and Lily blushed.
Monday morning came, and with that heavy clouds and drafty halls. It felt like a storm was brewing, for the first snow had not come yet which was unusual for Britain. Professor Headway decided to make a larger spectacle of the match between the sixth and seventh year champions. They would have the duel at dinner in front of the entire school and staff. So during the sixth year's defense class, they were given a free period. Severus and Lily sat together at a desk, drawing pictures and passing notes. Harry sat in the back, trying to continue his 'project' while James was looking on longingly at the two lovebirds in between his internal bouts of anger at Lily's devoted eyes aimed on Snape of all scum!
"Remus, do something!" James growled at one of his few best friends.
"I am not getting in the middle of that, James. Unfortunately, Lily doesn't want you. She wants Snape, and there is nothing you can do about her heart's choice!"
James bowed his head, giving off the kicked puppy look. Remus ignored James attempts at pleading, and continued reading from his Arithmancy book.
About a half hour later, James was getting bored. He transfigured one a quill into a piece of chalk and began a class game of the magical version of Hangman, where each time you guessed a letter wrong, you created a person, and then on the last wrong letter, the person was hanged from the tree. It was rather graphic, and barbaric, but that's the Wizarding World for you. Before he managed to make the figure to look like Snape, the teacher canceled out the game.
Professor Headway grew more annoyed with the constant chattering. Eventually, he roared at the class to leave early once again, allowing him to finish up grading second year essays in peace. He hated teaching.
That night, hungry teens entered the Great Hall and hour earlier than the normal dinnertime. The dueling platform was already in place in the middle of the room, and protective shields were visible around the student tables and the staff table. Upon arrival, Harry and the seventh year champion, Bellatrix Black also from Slytherin climbed up on to the platform. With Harry on one side and Bella on the other, all they were waiting for was for the go ahead from the Defense teacher.
"We are continuing a level 5 restriction on all spells. Do I make myself clear?" Professor Headway growled at the two Slytherins. One could see how angered he was no Gryffindor stood against Slytherin.
The two both nodded affirmatively. Each looked relaxed, yet Harry knew the crazy Bellatrix who served decades buried within Azkaban feeding the Dementors. The Battle within the Department of Mysteries still haunted Harry's mind. He could see the tension in her torso and arms. Clearly, even marginally sane, Bellatrix was smart enough to wonder about the mystery that was Harry Evans. Good.
"Ready, begin!"
Both Bella and Harry shot a curse, target aimed true. Harry decided to dodge the curse veering towards him while Bella decided to throw up a shield. The exchanging of spells continued for the next ten minutes, neither one of them gaining nor losing any ground.
That was true, until Bella miscalculated the strength of the cutting curse Harry sent her way. The curse sliced through her shield, and she ended up with a nice gash to the forearm. This caused her to wince in pain and twist to the side to look at the welling of blood. Harry took advantage of her split second lack of focus. With a simple stunner to the midsection, Bellatrix Black fell backwards, immobilizing her.
Harry Evans had won the match and was the Student Body dueling Champion.
The entire hall clapped for their new champion. Louder than most in the crowd were Lily Evans and Severus Snape. In a daze, Harry stepped down from the platform. Many people patted him on the back, as he made his way through the crowd. Most people assumed that he would take a seat at the Slytherin table, but instead, he pushed the Great Hall doors open and left.
Dumbledore was rather confused. He was excited about the duel on Friday, but like the rest of the school, he thought that the champion would stay. He must not like all the attention that he would most definitely have received if the boy had stayed.
Harry made his way up to the Astronomy tower once his final test was complete. He needed some time to himself before he had to face the rest of Slytherin house. He knew that he would have some opposition when it came to Bellatrix's friends in his house, but for the most part the rest of the school would be on his side.
On his mind as well was facing down Dumbledore for the first time. No, this would not be his only time. Harry knew that this battle he would not win. Dueling students was nothing for him. Dumbledore was a true challenge. Yet, there was a silver thread of a lining within Harry's troubles. In the coming duel, Harry could judge the old man's reflexes and use his certain defeat to come for planning the eventual takeover of Hogwarts.
In minutes shorter than one would expect, the troubled young wizard made his way to the tower's top. The strong wind blew around the building, a low whistle permutated the air nearly every night. This white noise had soothed Harry since his first year just after Christmas, when the boy had discover the sound while exploring the castle.
Tonight, Harry wasn't alone.
"Just go away." The voice rang.
A boy with dark curly hair sat with his feet dangling off the side of the tower, his torso hugging the side railing. Harry slowly approached the boy, not sure on how to deal with the situation. Yet, obviously here he was needed. Harry wondered idilly if the castle warned his subconscious to skip dinner to come help.
"All it would take is a couple of inches further, and my problems would just disappear." The boy said.
Harry took a couple of steps closer to Sirius and heard the broken kid cough hard. "I don't have anything to live for anymore. My friends hate me, my family hates me, and worst of all, I hate myself."
Remaining silent, Harry wished he knew what to do. Never had he faced someone so grief filled outside of himself after losing the man this boy was to grow up to become. Harry had no one to help him in that agony.
Sirius sighed. "I shouldn't have done it. So stupid. Dumbledore should have expelled me for it. The pain of the possibility of losing my friends hurts more than I think living expelled and having my wand snapped. I think the Black insanity over took me. I can't deal with this anymore." The boy wiped the tears from his face.
Harry reached the boy and gently rubbed his shoulder. The vulnerable boy immediately turned making eye contact with Harry.
Sirius immediately got to his feet while brushing the hand off his shoulder. "What does a slimy snake like you want!?"
Harry continued to stand slowly. He had no idea what he wanted or what to say.
"I'm sure you are going to leave here and then go laugh at me in the nasty cold dungeons. That's where scum like you belong!" Sirius wiped the stray tears and snot with his hand attempting to make himself more presentable.
"Go ahead, laugh!" Sirius roared.
Harry shook his head but Sirius was certain. "Go on!"
"Sirius," Harry said calmly, avoiding the entire rivalry that was present in the rest of their confrontations, "like the muggle saying goes, shit happens."
Taking a step closer to the boy, Harry was doing his best to come off as less threatening. Sirius hugged himself, trying to comfort the hurt soul that rested within. Harry spoke softly, trying to comfort the boy. "What you did was stupid, every party involved can admit that, and because James intervened, your best friend, no one was severely injured. Yes, nothing will be the same exactly, but that doesn't mean you cannot stay friends. Shit happens, and a true friend will realize it and eventually except that."
Sirius rushed over to Harry, burying his head into the Slytherin's shoulder. The waterworks continued to fall longer than Harry thought appropriate, all the while teas and snot were soaking into Harry's robes. Unsure on how he got into this situation, Harry hesitantly patted Sirius on the back. "There, there."
A couple of minutes passed, and Sirius wasn't letting up. "Um Black, I think it's time to stop."
Sirius didn't move, which confused Harry. "Black?"
Movint the filthy head back, Harry more than half smirked to find that the great Sirius Black had fallen asleep on the guy's once godson's shoulder. Harry sighed at the problem that left him in now. With a wave of his hand, Harry transfigured a stone into a bed. Once created, he levitated Black onto the bed.
Harry transfigured another small pebble into a chair and settled in for however long this would take. This allowed him time to think at least, just as he was planning on doing when he came up to the tower.
This may come out in my favor. If I can get a Gryffindor to accept that not all Slytherins are bad, I may be able to pull off being Headmaster. Gryffindor House and its alumni comprise the majority of Dumbledore's supporters and they are also most avid of the whole. I must redirect that trust to me. I have about five months to win most of Gryffindor house over. Ravenclaw will see that I am the obvious choice in May when I win, most of the Slytherins are already behind me, Hufflepuffs will be loyal to anyone who is in charge, and once again, that just leaves the brave and noble Gryffindor.
Hum… in my time line, Lily and James became Head Girl and Boy respectively in their seventh year. I win over James, then I will pretty much have won over Hogwarts. Interesting.
Remus already trusts me, Lily isn't a problem, after this little scene, I think I have or could gain Black's support. That just leaves James Potter of those who matter in my eyes. The current seventh years won't care who is Headmaster next year, and the upcoming first years won't have any choice. The younger years will listen to the seventh years. How to make my once dad see reality without his lions rule perspective getting in the way.
It wasn't until a couple hours later when Sirius woke up from his emotion and insomnia induced nap.
"Welcome back to the living Sleeping Beauty. Sadly, I did not need to kiss you awake. I wasn't not sure if you swing that way," Harry said casually.
"I'm no fairy," Sirius replied defensively, his nose scrunched up at the thought.
Sirius got off the bed and stood up. "What time is it?"
"Quarter till midnight." Harry took out his wand and flicked it at the bed and chair.
Sirius blushed. "That was nice of you to wait." Sirius paused, "For a Slytherin, you aren't so bad. Is no one waiting for you in the depths of the evilness?"
Harry raised his eyebrow at the jab. "The only one who would have noticed that I was missing would be Severus, and even then I'm usually pretty predictable about returning late. Besides if all Slytherins were evil, I would have left you here to do whatever the second I saw you."
"Professor Dumbledore doesn't think much about any of you because all of you go to You-Know-Who at first chance." Sirius defended his opinion.
Shaking his head, Harry looked at the Gryffindor and wondered if making friends of him and James would be so easy after all. "A guy who ignores child abuse, uses kids for his own means, and blames an entire house for turning after years of rebukes, insults, and humiliation he encourages."
"What are you talking about?" Sirius growled.
In for a penny after all, Harry turned and revealed a secret. "He seduced Tom Riddle when the guy was just a student. From what I understand, back before Dumbledore was Headmaster and Riddle was maybe a second or third year. A child he knew lived with abuse and neglect but decided that Tom was lying about the severity."
"You're lying! That is too sick for even a slimy snake to spit!"
"Who do you think You-Know-Who is? His real name is Tom Riddle. He is out to remove the Muggle World from ours because of how he grew up in a Muggle orphanage. He told as one would expect and ignored. That is one of the reasons I requested to be set in Slytherin House. I refused to be a lion where he would have open access to me."
"Do you mean to tell me that you might have been in my House?"
Giving a nod, Harry smirked. "My godfather and parents were and believed in him too. Now they are all dead. Believe me when I say that arrogant and self-righteous bastard had a heavy hand in their deaths. Great Good! Who decides what is the greater good?"
Sirius looked at Harry's left arm, but Harry beat the teen to the punch. "I am no ones servant but my own. Tom knows I will not bend to either of them."
"What do you want then?"
"To make the world a better place by teaching the young the mistakes of the past should not be continued. The so-called feud between our Houses to start with."
Harry and Sirius both started to head out the door when they heard a set of paws climbing up the stairs. Harry cracked the door, looking to see if the sound was caused by the current Mrs. Norris, the mother of the cat from Harry's original time, or if they were hearing just some random cat.
Bad luck held true when they saw the distinguishable fluff ball that everyone in the school hated. Harry silently closed the door.
"Sirius, weren't you supposed to report to detention tonight?" Sirius' eyes got even wider.
"Damn it!"
A set of feet ascended the stairs and silenced both teens. "Are there any students out of bed my pretty?"
Of course, Mr. Filch, the caretaker, would have patrol in this area so late this night. Harry flicked his wand at Sirius and then at himself, disillusioning the both of them. Then Harry silenced their shoes in the hopes to trick the old jerk. Filch opened the door and peered inside.
"It must have been a mouse," Filch sadly complained to himself as he closed the door.
The breath that both of the teens were holding was let out in unison without any previous practice. Harry flicked his wand again, returning them both to their normal looks.
Sirius breathed a second sigh of relief. "That was close."
Harry nodded. "Good night Sirius. Please really look at how that old man acts. You never know what blind loyalty and unconsidered actions can cost you. Also, when you duel, learn Lily's mistake about not knowing what is behind you."
"Good night. I'll think on all of that."
Both the Gryffindor and the Slytherin departed ways. Sirius returned to his unwanted dormitory, and Harry made silently made his way down to the dungeons. Both were wonder how the one talk could change their world.
Once Harry entered the common room, he noticed that Severus had fallen asleep on the couch. The fact that the guy willing sat up waiting for Harry to get back made the latte smile softly. Harry levitated Severus behind him and took them both to their room for the remains of the night. Harry first placed Severus down on his bed before changing clothes and crawling into his own bed, immediately falling asleep.