A/N: I'm going to make this clear. I don't own the Harry Potter series or it's characters. That right goes to JK Rowling
If you haven't yet, read before this story:
The Son and Nephew of the Maurders: The Sorcerer's Stone
A Bludger Gone Rogue
Despite his protest, Harry was forced to go with his friends plans.
Ever since the first day disaster in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Lockhart had not brought live creatures to class. Instead, he read passages from his books to them, and sometimes reenacted some of the more dramatic bits. He usually tried to pick Harry to help him with these reconstructions, but Hermione normally save him saying that since she memorized the books she know what exactly to do—which normally win Lockhart over.
But now that Harry Hermione Ron and Neville need to convince Lockhart, Harry reluctantly on the next Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson to be the werewolf from Wandering with Werewolves—which was actually the one book he had hoped that Lockhart didn't reenact that day.
Harry never wanted to read books like Wandering with Werewolves that are biased on all werewolves, nor did he like anyone acting like all werewolves are the same—no matter if they're in human form or werewolf form, they're all evil as Lockhart would say. So when Lockhart made the announcement of what book they were reenacting, Harry glared at Hermione as if to say: You owe me big time for this.
Harry had to strain himself from hexing Lockhart every time he said that all werewolves were one of the foulest, most-evil creatures on the planet.
"Nice loud howl, Harry," said Lockhart during their reenactment.
Harry gave out his best werewolf howl.
"Exactly—and then, if you'll believe it, I pounced—like this—slammed him to the floor—thus—with one hand, I manage to hold him down—with my other, I put my wand to his throat—I then screwed up my remaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm—he let out a piteous moan—go on, Harry—"
Harry did, but Lockhart wasn't satiflied.
"Higher than that—"
Harry did a higher moan.
"Good—the fur vanished—the fangs shrank—and he turned back into a man. Simple, yet effective—and another village will remember me forever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terror of werewolf attacks."
Harry wasn't very impressed by it at least, and questions why are they reenacting the scene of the book when Lockhart should be teaching the spells he used. Harry knew the Homorphus was a real charm. Some of his early memories were of his Uncle Moony telling James that he should have Harry learn the charm when he's old enough and trained enough as a wizard in case something went wrong during a night of a full moon.
Still, this did give Harry idea of how to convince Lockhart. The memory also gave Harry an idea where his friends can brew the Polyjuice Potion.
The bell rang and Lockhart got to his feet.
"Homework—compose a poem about my defeat of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf! Signed copies of Magical Me to the author of the best one!"
The class began to leave, but Harry stayed back. Thanks to the reenactment, Harry got an idea of how to convince Lockhart to sign the form
Once everyone left, Harry walked up to Lockhart's desk.
"Professor Lockhart," Harry said.
"Harry, my boy. How may I help you?" Lockhart asked.
"Well, I was curious about that Homorphus charm. Does it really work on werewolves?" Harry asked. "Does it really temporarily turn them back?"
"Looking into stopping werewolves in the future?" Lockhart asked.
No, Harry thought but he answered, "You could say that."
"Well, Harry it's a difficult spell," Lockhart said, "Not many wizards and witches could do it, but if you want, I can teach you it…"
"Well actually, I think it's best for my dad's sake, I look it up myself," Harry said. "But before I do, I thought I study up more on how the transformation works so it be easier to use the spell, but the book I need is in the restricted section. And I need a teacher to sign it."
"Ah," said Lockhart, taking the note from Harry and smiling wildely at him. "Very wise approach. I don't think anyone would have thought of studying the transformation before learning the spell. Very well, for a future werewolf hunter."
Lochart took out an enormous peacock quill and signed it. "Here you go. A signature I normally save for book signings."
Harry took the form, trying hard to hide his look of disbelief.
"By the way, Harry," said Lockhart. "Tomorrow's the first Quidditch match of the season, I believe? Gryffindor against Slytherin, is it not? I hear you're a useful player. I was a Seeker, too. I was asked to try for the National Squad, but preferred to dedicate my life to the eradication of the Dark Forces. Still, if ever you feel the need for a private training, don't hesitate to ask. Always happy to pass on my expertise to less able players…"
Harry clutched his fist, which Lockhart didn't noticed. He was the best Seeker in over a century. Even his dad had admitted that Harry was better than him at his age. And yet Lockhart was acting like he was better than him.
"I'll think about it—" Harry muttered as he left.
…
"Did you get it?" Hermione asked.
Harry held out the note. Hermione tried to take it, but Harry held it away from her.
"Nice try, Hermione, but I'm making sure this makes it to the library," Harry said.
"Oh come on, Harry," Hermione said. "I'm not going to steal it."
"How did you manage get it anyway?" Neville asked.
Harry explained how he fooled Lockhart into signing.
"How stupid can he get?" Ron asked.
"He's not stupid," Hermione snapped.
"Hermione, even you have to admit it's weird that Lockhart fell for that," Ron said. "Especially since Harry won't actually learn that charm."
"Who said I won't," Harry said. "It's not a spell that kills werewolves."
"But it does force them back to human form," Hermione said. "Which is just as painful as the transformation into a werewolf."
"Look, I don't plan to use it on any werewolf I know, but it wouldn't hurt to have one for those that really does pose a threat," Harry said.
They dropped their voices as they entered the library, but before they could someone said: "Oh, hello Harry."
Harry turned to see Luna at a table. "Hey Luna."
"Are you still looking for information on the Chamber of Secrets?"
"No! No," Harry said. "We actually found out a lot thanks to the info you gave me about the Quibber. In fact—"
Harry handed the note to Ron who got the message.
"Come on guys, we got a book to get," Ron said as he Hermione and Neville headed up to Madam Prince.
"My friends and I were wondering if your dad published any other theories on the Chamber of Secrets?" Harry asked.
"Not really," Luna said. "After it was published, Professor Dumbledore asked my dad not to publish anymore articles."
"Can your dad at least send four copies of that article for my friends and me," Harry admitted.
"I can see what I can do," Lnna said.
"Thanks anyways, Luna."
Harry walked up to his friends who just left Madam Prince. "Did you get it?"
"Yep," Neville said.
"Although Hermione tried to keep the note," Ron said.
"I did not!" Hermione responded. "Any luck on the Quibber?"
"There was no more on the Chamber of Secrets after the first one," Harry said. "But Luna agreed to see if she can ask her dad to send us copies of the article."
"That's great and all, but where do we go to study it?" Ron asked. "Because I'm not going to Myrtle's bathroom."
"We can't do make it in Professor Potter's living quarters either," Neville said.
"I think I got an idea of a place," Harry said. "Come on."
Harry lead them out of the castle to a giant tree. At first it seems to move with the wind, but when a bird landed on the branch the tree literally whacked it away.
"Harry, do you know what that is?" Hermione asked, "That's the Whomping Willow."
"Relax, ok?" Harry responded. He walked as close as he can to one of the roots. Harry took out his wand and send a spark into the root. When he did the tree became perfectly still.
"How?" Hermione asked.
"A trick my dad taught me," Harry said. "Come on."
Harry led them through the roots until he found what he was looking for—a secret hatch. Harry opened it into a tunnel.
Harry led them through the tunnel into some stairs. They climbed up until they reached a small room.
"Harry is this—is it the Shrieking Shack?" Hermione asked.
"Yep." Harry said. "I figured this was the most secretive place we can find at Hogwarts—at least until one more secret of Hogwarts I have yet to discover pops up. Dad also showed me a tunnel outside near the Whomping Willow to Hogwarts faster than it would take to cross the grounds. And since even the ghost and a certain poltergeist are too scared of this place, we won't have to worry about someone spying on us."
"Harry! You're a genius," Hermione responded. "Wait, what about the stories of this place?"
"I wouldn't worry about it," Harry said. "The stories of the Shrieking shack were created to scare people away. There's nothing down here that would hurt us."
"What about your dad?" Neville asked. "If he knew of this place, he could find us here."
"Dad hasn't been down here since he showed me the place. And even then it was the first time he been down here since he graduated from Hogwarts," Harry explained. "So let's get a look at that book."
They sat down on the floor and Hermione took out a large moldy-looking book. She opened Moste Potente Potions carefully. The four of them bent over the damp-spotted pages. It was clear from a glance why it belonged in the Restricted Section. Some of the potions had effects almost too gruesome to think about, and there were some very unpleasant illustrations, which included a man who seemed to have been turned inside out and a witch sprouting several extra pair of arms out of her head.
"Here it is," said Hermione excitedly as she found the page headed The Polyjuice Potion. It was decorated with drawings of people halfway through transforming into other people. Harry sincerely hoped the artist had imagined the looks of intense pain on their faces.
"This is the most complicated potion I've ever seen," said Hermione as they scanned the recipe. "Lacewing flies, leeches, fluxweed, and knotgrass—that we can get in the student store-cupboard, we can help ourselves. But some of this stuff: powdered horn of a bicorn—don't know where we're going to get that—shredded skin of a boomslang—that'll be tricky too—and of course a bit of whoever we want to change into?"
"A bit of whoever we're changing into?" Neville asked.
"I hope they don't mean toenails," Ron said. "There's no way I'm drinking anything with Crabbe's toenail."
Hermione continued as though she hadn't heard him.
"We don't have to worry about that yet, though, because we add those bits last…"
"Hermione, there must be another way," Harry said. "Shredded skin of a boomslang—that's probably in Snape's private stores. We would have to steal from Snape."
"You don't think I know this," Hermione said. "But this is the only way."
"How long will it take to make this potion?" Neville asked.
"Well, since the fluxweed has got to be picked at the full moon and the lacewings have got to be stewed for twenty-one days… I'd say it'd be ready in about a month, if we can get all the ingredients."
"A month?" said Ron. "Half of the Muggle-borns could be attacked by then!"
"It doesn't matter," Harry said. "This is our best plan."
…
James was grading his student's works, which never was easy. But that wasn't what was bothering James. During staff meeting, Lockhart bragged about some reenactment he showed with Harry being the werewolf. Then when no one else was listening, Lockhart told him about Harry's interest in the Homorphus Charm.
James wasn't surprise Harry was interested in the charm that reverse werewolf transformation. After Voldemort was gone and Remus was allowed more visiting time with Harry, Remus been egging James to learn the charm in case something happens where Remus tries to attack Harry in werewolf form—some of which Harry had eavesdropped in listening. Back then, Harry was too young to learn the spell, so of course it was easy to push aside the idea. But now, James find it weird that Harry turned to Lockhart about it.
James knew Harry well enough to know Harry wouldn't go to someone like Lockhart about a complicated charm.
No, James thought, Harry must have had a different reason to go to Gilderoy, and was using the Homorphus Charm as a cover up. But a cover-up for what?
…
Harry woke early on Saturday morning, but stayed in bed thinking about the upcoming Quidditch Match. It wasn't just your average match of Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. This was a match that can show the whole school that it's not the broom that makes the Quidditch Player, it's the skills.
Harry may have a talent in flying since he was a year old, but he was able to harness that talent with his dad's and uncle Padfoot's training, playing Quidditch with the Weasleys in their backyard, and of course the training he went through here at Hogwarts.
Something money and a few months of training can't get you, Harry thought.
After a half-an-hour Harry got up, got dressed—grabbing his Quidditch Goggles while at it, and left the dormitory and common room for an early breakfast.
When he got to the Great Hall, he found he wasn't the only one who decided to have an early breakfast, as the whole Gryffindor team was huddled at the long, empty table, all looking uptight and not speaking much
As eleven o'clock approached, the whole school started to make its way down to the Quidditch stadium. It was a muggy sort of day with a hint of thunder in the air. Ron Hermione and Neville came hurrying over to wish Harry good luck as he entered the locker rooms. The team pulled on their scarlet Gryffindor robes, then sat down to listen to Wood's usual pre-match pep talk.
"Slytherin has better brooms than us," he began. "No point denying it. But we have better players. Harry proved during our first practice that it's not the broom that makes the player, but the skills. And now we have the chance to show it to the rest of the school." Wood said. "We're going to make Slytherin House rue the day the let that little slime, Malfoy, buy his way onto their team."
As they walked out onto the pitch, a roar of noise greeted them; mainly cheers, because Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were anxious to see Slytherin beaten, but the Slytherins in the crowd made their boos and hissed heard, too. Madam Hooch, the Quidditch teacher, asked Flint and Wood to shake hands, which they did, giving each other threatening stares and gripping rather harder than was necessary.
"On my whistle," said Madam Hooch. "Three… two… one…"
Fifteen brooms soared upward in the air as Madam Hooch three the Quaffle in the air, starting the game.
Naturally, Harry stayed above the game, watching the area like a hawk, looking for the snitch.
"All right there, Scarhead?" yelled Malfoy zooming past Harry as if showing off.
Harry shook his head. It was one thing for Malfoy to annoy him inside Hogwarts and on Hogwarts grounds, but on the Quidditch field, Harry just thought of Malfoy as just another dark-hearted Slytherin out to make him loose his cool.
At that moment, Harry saw something in the corner of his eye pelting right at him.
Harry took a deep dive and narrowly dodge a black heavy bludger.
"Nice dive, Harry," said George, streaking past him with his club in his hand, ready to knock the Bludger back toward a Slytherin. Harr saw George give the Bludger a powerful whack in the direction of Adrian Pucey, but the Bludger changed direction in midair and shot straight at Harry again.
Harry pulled off another dive and dodge the bludger. George managed to hit it hard toward Malfoy, only for it to swerve like a boomerang and shot at Harry's head—which again Harry dodge with a dive.
"Need help!" Fred yelled as he came to help George to whack the Bludger away from Harry.
"Thanks Fred," Harry said. "But you better go help the team. George, you can stay to guard me."
"Are you sure?" George asked.
"Yeah. With only one Bludger after me, it wouldn't be right to keep both of you away from helping the others win this game," Harry said.
Fred and George nodded as Fred zoomed away.
At that moment, it started to rain—which made Harry glad that his goggles was magically enchanted to repel water as he dodge the Bludger as George hit it away.
Oliver must have saw something was wrong because he called a time out, which Madam Hooch gave with a blow of her whistle. Harry and George dived for the ground, avoiding the Bludger.
"What's going on?" said Wood as the Gryffindor team huddled under an Umbrella. "Why are we suddenly playing with one Beater?"
"Sorry, Oliver. It's partly my fault," Harry admitted. "Someone tampered a bludger to go after me."
"Fred and I tried to help, but Harry would only let me to assist," George explained.
"But who could have done it?" Wood asked. "The Bludgers have been locked in Madam Hooch's office since our last practice, and nothing was wrong with them then."
"Well, someone did," Harry said. "I got an idea on how we can use the Bludger to make sure Slytherin House doesn't get the snitch, but I only need one beater."
Harry discuss the plan to them.
"That could work," Oliver said. "But it's risky."
"It's that or forfeit," Harry responded.
"Fine! We'll go with your plan, Harry," Oliver said.
And with that the time out ended and they took to the air—only with George guarding Harry.
"Are you sure about this?" George asked.
"Just try to keep the Bludger away until I see the Snitch," Harry said.
The rain was falling heavily now, but Harry's goggles repelled it, which allowed him to see the Bludger coming at him every time George whacked it away while at the same time letting him scan the field between each dodge for the Snitch.
"What's wrong Potter? Can't handle a Bludger?" Malfoy taunt as Harry spiral dodge a Bludger.
That's when Harry saw it—the Golden Snitch, hovering inches above Malfoy's left ear. And with Malfoy too busy laughing at Harry to notice it, Harry saw his opportunity.
Then Harry went into a dive behind Malfoy more to the right. Malfoy saw this and mistaken it for Harry going after the Snitch as he chased after him.
George stopped and as the Bludger turned to streak after Harry, George whacked it with all his might.
Harry saw it and slowed a bit which allowed Malfoy to gain a slight lead. Then Harry twist is body causing his broom to do a three-sixty turn as the Bludger missed his feet and hit Malfoy in the back of the head—sending him to the ground.
At the same time, Harry shot back up at top speed to a golden flash that was right under George's feet and caught it before doing another twist to dodge George.
"I got it!" Harry yelled, waving his hand showing the golden snitch. "Madam Hooch I got the Snitch!"
Madam Hooch blew the whistle, ending the game. However the rogue Bludger wasn't done with Harry as it pelted at him.
Madam Hooch noticed it as she took out her wand and waved it. The Bludger instantly exploded over Harry's head—nearly knocking him out of his broom.
Lee Fletcher ended the game one-hundred and fifty to ninety with Gryffindor victors as Harry landed on the ground safely.
Oliver landed and patted harry on the shoulder. "Your plan worked."
"Only because Malfoy was too busy laughing to noticed the Snitch," Harry said. "If he had just looked up to his left we would have lost the game."
"Luckily he didn't," Oliver said.
…
There was a huge celebration at the Gryffindor Common Room as George regale Harry's plan to the room.
Harry stayed back. Partly because Colin Creevy been begging for a new photo, but mostly because he was still shaken up of the fact that a Bludger was set on him. Now that the game was over, Harry couldn't help but think why the Bludger was after him. Harry often touched his forehead where his scar was, wondering if it was another one of Voldemort's doings.
Last year anytime Harry was near Voldemort his scar hurt. However, there were times during the year where Harry's scar didn't hurt. Such as during his first game ever, Quirrell, who was acting as Voldemort's vessel—manage to curse his broom to try and knock him off it during a game. His scar didn't bother him then.
Harry tried to go to sleep early, but he only woke hours later to a dream where the Bludger that was pelting after him had the face of Voldemort.
Unable to go back to sleep, Harry headed down to the common room and flop down on a chair. Before Harry could relax though a sudden CRACK sound similar to a car backfiring caused Harry to jump.
He looked to his right and saw a goggling tennis ball eyes peering in the darkness.
"Whose there?" Harry demanded as he pulled out his wand.
"Harry Potter came back to school," said the voice miserably. "Dobby warned and warned Harry Potter."
"Dobby?" Harry asked lowering his wand. "What are you doing here? How on earth did you get here?"
Dobby came out of the darkness—wearing the same clothes he did the day Harry saw him at the Potter cottage.
"Dobby appariated, sir. Dobby had to since Harry Potter didn't head Dobby's warning."
"Appariated—oh right—" Harry remembered Tonks mentioning about how House Elves were allowed to appariated in Hogwarts. But Harry thought that only the Hogwarts House-Elves could do it. He never imagines other House Elves being able too.
"Why didn't you heed Dobby's warning?" Dobby asked. "Why didn't Harry Potter go back home when he missed the train?"
"How did you know I miss the train?" Harry asked.
Dobby's lip trembled and Harry was seized by a sudden suspicion.
"It was you!" he said slowly. "You stopped the barrier from letting us through!"
"Indeed yes, sir," said Dobby, nodding his head vigorously, ears flapping. "Dobby hid and watched for Harry Potter and sealed the gateway and Dobby had to iron his hands afterward"—he showed Harry ten long fingers—"but Dobby didn't are, sir, for he thought Harry Potter was safe, and never did Dobby dream that Harry Potter would all in favors from the Ministry to get a ride to Hogwarts. Dobby was shock when he heard Harry Potter was back at Hogwarts. He burned master's dinner in the shock. Such a flogging Dobby never had, sir…"
Dobby slumped into a chair.
"My dad was worried sick! Ron broke his wand when we landed!" Harry said through grinding teeth. "Not to mention you caused the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts a lot of trouble with getting the parents of Muggle Born students home because they couldn't appariated!"
"Dobby only did what Dobby had too to keep Harry Potter safe. Otherwise Harry Potter could of found another way home. Not did Dobby think that Harry Potter could get a ride from the Ministry through Portkey."
Harry decide not to bring up his uncle/godfather Padfoot incase Dobby decide something that involving him in the future.
"Harry Potter must go home! Dobby thought his Bludger would be enough to make—"
"Your Bludger?" said Harry as he shot up and grabbed Dobby by his pillowcase clothes and raised the House elf to eye level. "That was your Bludger? You realized you could have killed me?"
"Not to kill you, sir, never kill you!" said Dobby, shocked. "Dobby wants to save Harry Potter's life! Better sent home, grievously injured, than remain here, sir!"
"Dobby. You do realize if you have succeed, they would take me to the hospital wing, which is where Malfoy is instead because of your bludger," Harry stated. "And even if Madam Pomfrey failed to help me, I would go to a wizarding hospital for treatment and will be back in at least a week. The most you would have done is having Aurors tracking you down for endangering a student's life!"
Dobby's lip quivered, which Harry guessed was because he didn't think that far.
"I was only trying to scare Harry Potter home!" Dobby said. "If he knew what he means to us, to the lowly, enslaved, we dregs of the magical world! Dobby remembers how it was when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was at the height of his powers, sir! We house-elves from families like mine were treated like vermin, sir! Of course, Dobby is still treated like that sir. But mostly, sir, life has improved for my kind since you triumphed over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Harry Potter survived, and the Dark Lord's power was broken, and it was a new dawn, sir, and Harry Potter shone like a beacon of hope for those of us who thought the dark days would never end, sir. And now, at Hogwarts, terrible things are to happen, are perhaps happening already, and Dobby cannot let Harry Potter stay here now that history is to repeat itself, now that the Chamber of Secrets is open once more—"
That's when Dobby froze with horror struck. Dobby started slapping himself. "Bad Dobby, very bad Dobby…"
"So it's true!" Harry said. "The incident fifty years ago—it had to do with the legend of the Chamber of Secrets. And now it is happening again! But I'm not a Muggle born or Squib! So unless Half-Bloods are included in the enemy of Slytherin, you better tell me how I'm in any danger!"
"I can't! It's too dangerous!"
"What about my friends?" Harry asked. "One of my friends is a Muggle-Born Witch! If what you say is true, her life would be in just amount of danger as you keep claiming mine is!"
"No! I can't! Please, ask no more of poor Dobby! Dark deeds are planned in this place, but Harry Potter must not be here when they happen—go home, Harry Potter, go home. Harry Potter must not meddle in this, sir, 'tis too dangerous—"
"I'm not going anywhere!" said Harry. "I'm not going to risk the lives of the Muggle Born Wizards and Witches in this school for my own safety."
"Harry risks his own life for his friends!" moaned Dobby in a kind of miserable ecstasy. "So noble! So valiant! But he must save himself, he must, Harry must not—"
Dobby froze as his ears quivered. He must have heard something because he snapped his fingers and disappeared in a CRACK!
Suddenly the portrait out of the common room opened and Percy Weasley came in.
"Harry—what are you doing up?" Percy asked.
"I had a nightmare," Harry said. "I couldn't fall back to sleep, so I thought I try to relax in front of the fire and try to clear my head."
"Oh—alright," Percy said. "After tonight, I don't think I can sleep either."
"What happened?" Harry asked.
Percy studied Harry and sighed. "I guess I can tell you since you'll find out anyways," he said. "There was another attack."
"Another—someone else was petrified?" Harry asked. "Who? Anyone we know?"
"A first year Gryffindor," Percy said. "Collin Creevey."
A/N: Just a fair notice, after tonight I'll be working on the winning poll story of what to update next. The next time this story will be updated (and there will be a next time) will be when it wins a 'which story to be updated next' poll.