Chapter Eleven: Just Want Normal!
The remainder of breakfast remained largely peaceful, other than the odd note from older Slytherin's with messages such as 'Leave and you'll live longer.' Being the primary example. Harry didn't really care though, being that he was having fun with his new friends and the Menace. They left a little early so Harry could walk Daphne to Charms, he even carried her bag for her.
"Well aren't you the gentlemen." Daphne said with a light voice, hands in her robes pocket.
Harry rolled his eyes "You threw the bag and told me to carry it." He said dryly.
Daphne shrugged "Come on Dipstick, you're strong enough to carry some books." She said with pleading puppy dog eyes.
"Menace." He muttered as they walked "You needed to tell me something?"
Daphne nodded, pulling her wand out for a second "Exhaurire." She whispered softly as she waved it in a circle. The outside sound suddenly vanished, only her breathing and his could be heard now, until she spoke in a soft voice. "Draco talked to me last night…"
"About?"
Daphne tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear "He wants me….He wants you dead, so he can have me…" She whispered with a small sigh.
Harry looked confused "I don't own you."
"In the wizarding world, the Male has all the power in the relationship." She explained, looking down to her hands. "Draco wants the Greengrass powers and wealth for his own."
He nodded in understanding, rubbing his chin with his free hand "And he see's us as a couple?"
"Well…other than the fact we don't hold hands, snog or act all mushy to each other. We practically are." Daphne said with a small shrug "I never met a guy who would take me to get Sushi before, or someone who would sit outside of his house table." She then looked up into his emerald eyes "You're different."
Harry smiled, showing off a bit of teeth "Thanks, I've always been a bit different." He said with pride, looking behind him at Tracy who was talking quickly to Nott both weren't paying attention. "Hey, you worry too much."
Daphne raised a brow as he leaned into her cheek, lightly placing a kiss there for a fraction of a second. The feeling sent electricity through the affected area, it felt warm.
"I won't let Draco harm you." He whispered into her ear, it sent shivers down her spine as he did "Nor your sister, you have my word."
Daphne felt part of her Ice Queen persona melt as he whispered those words, she always had to be distant and cold to everyone but the Dipstick liked her cold persona; likely because he was a Fire being, her polar opposite. It made her feel so safe when she was with him, like he would always be her guardian.
They found themselves in front of the Charms class room, Harry took her hand and placed a ghost of a kiss onto her knuckles "I'll see you for Creatures." At her nod he spun on his heels, a silver cloth seemingly came from nowhere as he vanished on the spot.
He had to show her how he did that!
XX~XX~XX~XX
Harry pulled the Invisibility cloak off his shoulders as he came upon the first floor, he had found a few tricks out living with the remaining Marauders. His Father didn't have the cloak very long apparently, he received it during his fifth year from his Father; so it must be at least a hundred or so years old.
He walked casually down the halls, onto the grounds and after a few minutes into the school greenhouses. He was about five minutes late.
"Mr. Potter." Professor Sprout said glancing up from her roster "Nice of you to join us, finally."
A few of the Gryffindor's smirked and chuckled at that, though the Puff's looked annoyed more than anything. "Sorry, lost track of time." He said walking past her and towards Susan "I'll make it an effort to not repeat such event."
Sprout looked at him with bored eyes "Mr. Potter, don't make promises you don't intend to keep." She said with a sigh "Today class, we will be covering the plants in front of you. Anyone like to guess?"
Harry smiled at Susan who glared at him "Run across a pretty snake?" She asked lightly.
"Maybe."
"You're a bad liar." She said dully.
It turned out the wired plant that looked like slugs sticking out of the soil were called Bubotubers. They were instructed to collect the pus from the sacks, wearing Dragon Hide gloves of course; it would do strange things to the normal skin.
"I hate this stuff." Harry said with a revolted look, though Neville and Hannah seemed to be having the time of their life.
Susan laughed "Come on Harry. A little pus that cures acne can't be all that scary." She cooed at him.
"Last I checked, anything that helps the body doesn't smell like petrol." He commented dully, squeezing one of the tubes lightly, as Susan collected the sap.
Harry glanced across their table to Ron and Hermione, where him and Susan had collected around five or so vials of the pus, they only had three; it was likely because Ron was afraid to touch the plant.
Susan smiled up at him "So you and Greengrass eh?" She asked batting her eyes a little.
"You knew about us before most did." He grumbled a little, rubbing the joints of his hands "At least you should have known."
Susan smirked "Oh I knew, you two ditched the Malfoy party and did nothing but explore the woods outside my house." She explained with a bubbly voice "I'm surprised really, I figured you for a Snake hater."
"More like Snake survivor." He muttered, looking back to the front as Sprout tried to get their attention.
"Alright class, I think that would be enough Pus for now." She said happily "Madam Pomfrey will be happy with this lot."
Harry sighed as they stuffed a cork inside the vials, to prevent it from spilling. "Now we're going to begin our discussion about the uses and applications of this Pus." Sprout said brightly as the class got settled onto the stools.
XX~XX~XX~XX
"See ya Susan!" Harry called as the red head chased after Hannah.
"Later!" She called back.
Hermione smiled as the four of them walked down to Hagrids "You seem to be making new friends Harry." She said brightly.
Harry rubbed the back of his neck "I guess. Susan shares a common thing with me though." He said casually, holding his bag on his right shoulder.
"What would that be?" Ron asked as they walked.
Harry said only one word, it summed everything up perfectly "Sirius."
Both Hermione and Ron shuddered, they knew that Sirius and Amelia had been trying to ignite an old flame they had for the other. Harry was glad that the old dog was at least attempting some normal behavior for a change.
They made their way down to Hagrids hut, where the big man himself was standing over some crates. Harry did not much care for the sounds those crates were making, they were the first group to arrive and he wasn't going to miss the chance.
"Hagrid!" He said quickly, making the large man smile.
"Arry! Ya look good, most didn't recognize yea." The large man said brightly using one of his trashcan lid sized hands to motion to Harry's entire body.
"Thank you, how have things been?" He asked with a raised brow, crossing his arms.
Hagrid rubbed his nose "Well, yea heard the news. I've been told to prepare for the tournament." He said proudly, puffing out his chest.
"Right….so what are these?" He asked jerking his thumb to a crate, as Hermione jumped out of the way of a burst of what looked like steam or pus.
"Blast-Ended Skrewts." He said happily.
"Which are?"
"New breed, don't even know what they eat." Hagrid said rubbing his beard a little "That's what you lot are doing today."
"Finding out what these things eat?" Harry said with a small sigh, though he liked the large man he really wanted to learn about creatures that might come up on a test.
"Ya got it." He boomed with a laugh "We got cat liver, some veggies and other lovely items to choose from."
If it wasn't for the fact that Daphne was in this class with him, he might have stunned himself or attempted to find out if they were dangerous. Turns out they were meat eaters, a cross between a crab, spider and some form of death with stingers, suckers and a blast end….why anyone would want to create such a freaking mess, he didn't even want to comprehend.
Harry pulled his hand away just in time from the blast end of the Skrewt, glaring at the slimy piece of flesh in front of him.
Daphne glared as well, he had enough scars to last most life times…no need to add anymore.
"UGH! The little bastard stung me!" Draco howled in pain.
"10 points from Slytherin for language!" Hagrid boomed, walking over and taking his arm examining it. "You'll live, ye two." He motioned for Crabbe and Goyle "Get 'em to the medical wing."
The trolls nodded and the three of them headed for Poppy, Draco muttering curses under his breath as they walked away.
Harry glared as they walked away "Spoiled brat….I think he needs to lose something." He whispered with a small grin.
Daphne smiled rather cruelly at the idea "What would you take?" She whispered back, leaning on his shoulder.
"Everything." He growled with as his eyes glowing.
XX~XX~XX~XX
With Harry now free for the afternoon with the shift trade, Hermione and Ron had classes in Arithmancy and Divination respectfully, he went down to the library to learn his runes Daphne opted to help him in this regard.
They were most of the way through Chapter: Ten, when some warmth flew through his back pocket. With a glance around he pulled out a small mirror, glancing down at it before muttering "Answer."
It showed Sirius' face inside the frame work, he was smiling brightly "Hey, how's the first day back?" He asked with a raised brow.
"Going well, at least it was." He responded with a shrug.
"What do you mean?" Sirius asked carefully.
"Draco Malfoy." Daphne said with a small glare, pursing her painted lips lightly.
Sirius grunted with a sigh, looking up to Harry "You read the Prophet today?"
"No, I hate the bloody rag."
"If you would have, then you'd have known they have a report out."
"For who?"
"You."
Daphne rose a brow "What do you mean?"
"Well, that disguise you used to kill those guys." Sirius confirmed.
Harry frowned "Do they have a picture?"
"A sketch." He rummaged around for a minute before holding up a drawn picture. It showed a teen male with black bandages around his face, goggles covering his eyes and a hood covering his head; what gave it away were the brass fittings on the shoulder. "Looks a lot like you."
Daphne nodded "You're lucky, most of your face is covered." She said with a small sigh.
Harry read down to what they were calling him "Steam?"
Daphne let out a small chuckle "If anyone saw you fight like I did. You produced a fair bit of steam from that gauntlet." She leaned in close, teasing him a little "A lot one could do with that type of steam."
Harry grinned "A lot indeed."
"AHEM." This time it was Remus' face in the framework "Can we get back to the matter at hand?"
The two teen's both went red and turned away "Sorry." Daphne mumbled and Harry nodded.
Sirius just gave a small laugh at their faces "Anyway, you two get back to snogging or whatever you were doing."
"We Weren't Snogging!" They said at that same time, glaring at the mirror before Sirius was pushed out by Remus.
"Nymphadora also wanted me to remind you that your training is important and to not skip it." Remus said casually sipping on his tea "We're done for now, get to class."
Harry rolled his eyes, making them change tint a little "I hate her the most." He growled.
"She hates you too, now get moving." Remus grunted.
Daphne watched as his eyes changed from a forest green to a sea-foam green "You're a Meta?" She asked in awe.
"I'm a lot of things…" He said softly, looking down.
Daphne leaned in cupping his cheek, which he leaned into. "Harry, you're just Harry." She said with a smile.
XX~XX~XX~XX
The pair left the library right around time for dinner, they walked rather close the other but kept chatting in low whispers "No, it isn't connected to my emotions." Harry said again for about the fifth time.
"But I thought at Meta's were Emotional?" Daphne questioned softly.
"They normally are, but I'm not a full Meta." He spoke pointing to his green/aqua eyes "I can only control shades of green in my eyes right now, even that is a pain."
"I still don't know how you got it." She said with a huff.
"The Black blood likely, they can trace their line pretty far back." Harry said rubbing his neck "Cissy is more than likely a part Meta too, her hair is blonde but the rest of the family is black haired."
"Try not to spread this one around like your Snake tongue, they don't trust people without a face." Daphne said in a low whisper.
"Noted." He said as they walked to a landing.
"OI! Weasley!" Draco's voice rang out into the crowded hall "You read the prophet today?" Harry looked around and he spotted the red-head with Dean and Seamus who were both in Divination with him, Ron shook his head. "Well you should have, your father was in it!"
Harry froze, if Draco was bringing Ron's dad into this then he was aiming low for no reason.
"Further mistakes at the Ministry of Magic" Draco called out with a proud sneer, he noticed the blonde looked up right at him. "It seems as though the Ministry of Magic's troubles are not yet at an end, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent." Daphne let out a low growl at the name, he knew it well Skeeter was a vial piece of trash.
"Recently under fire for its poor crowd control at the Quidditch World Cup, and still unable to account for the disappearance of one of its witches, the Ministry was plunged into fresh embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arnold Weasley, of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office." Harry spotted that Ron's ears went red as Draco started to laugh, they didn't even get the old man's name right.
"Arnold Weasley, who was charged with possession of a flying car two years ago, was yesterday involved in a tussle with several Muggle law-keepers ("policemen") over a number of highly aggressive dustbins. Mr. Weasley appears to have rushed to the aid of "Mad-Eye" Moody, the aged ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when no longer able to tell the difference between a handshake and attempted murder. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr. Moody's heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had once again raised a false alarm. Mr. Weasley was forced to modify several memories before he could escape from the policemen, but refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene." Draco finished with a small cough.
The paper was flipped over and it showed the Weasley home. "You call that a home? Looks like a shack to me, dear mum needs to lose some weight too." Draco taunted.
Harry's eyes flashed in anger making them glow, Ron at this point was being held back by the other two Gryffindor boys; no one holding him back though.
Without a second thought he jumped from the banister of the stair case onto the floor below him "Like taunting people you chicken?" He said walking forward with a growl.
"Me chicken Potter?" Draco said with a laugh, pointing behind Harry "Hey look a Dementor!"
"Oh yeah, rich one that." Harry said dully "See someone like you wouldn't truly understand a Dementor."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You had a silver spoon in the mouth the moment you were born, your worst memories are that Daddy told you to be quiet or you scraped your knee playing in the yard." Harry said with a voice void of emotion "Boo Hoo."
Everyone was looking at Harry with interest now, everything was dead silent.
"The minute you're forced to watch your parents tortured in front of you." He glanced to Neville "Your family is nearly in ruins! Because someone killed them all!" Then to Susan, and a few others "Or when you're forced to watch your own mother plead for the life of her son and fall to the ground, then have a wand turned on you." His voice started to carry weight, the runes along his body glowed a sickly red "THEN YOU CAN TAUNT ME ABOUT THE BLOODY DEMENTORS!"
Everyone took a step back, his voice made a small crack in the ground and dust flew around the air. Everyone was still once more, looking at Harry with mixed awe and fear.
"Just because your family is rich and inbred…that makes you better?" Harry whispered lowly, reaching up and flicking his charm "I know for a fact, you're replaceable….a dime a dozen….but" He looked out into the Hall "Most everyone here is unique in their own way, special!" He looked back to Draco "When I look at you, I see a failed copy at what your father was and even that is a Failure."
Draco went red with anger, his jaw was set and he was lightly shaking.
"You're a disgrace to the Black blood, and to your Magic." Harry said before turning on his heels aiming for the staircase that Daphne was on. He noticed she went wide eyed and went to scream something, before a crack went off in the hall.
With his magic down for a seconds due to the charm, he spun left making the shot go wide and then another crack rang out this time to the side of him. Glancing over his shoulder showed it to be Professor Moody, holding his wand out in front of him "I don't think so Laddie!"
He traced where the wand was aiming and it went back to a white ferret, where Draco had been standing. Moody limped over to him quickly "Did he hit you?" He whispered in a gruff voice.
"No, I should have been more cautious." Harry said calmly, without batting an eye lash; what was that smell though?
"Constant Vigilance Potter." Moody grunted nodding his head turning to the ferret "Where do ya think you're going!" He waved his wand in a complex manner and it started to bob the ferret around and around, smacking it on the floor and walls. "I don't like it, when people, attack their opponents in the back! Stinking Cowardly thing!"
Harry was crossed between disgust and satisfaction watching the ferret, he felt Daphne wrap her arms around his waist "You alright?" He whispered.
"My line." She chilled softly, leaning into her hug tightening it.
"Professor Moody!" McGonagall's voice rang out.
"Hello Minerva." Moody grunted bobbing the ferret even faster.
"What are you doing?!"
"Er, Teaching."
"IS THAT A STUDENT!"
"Yep." He pronounced the p with a popping sound, like it was clearly obvious.
"No!" McGonagall quickly stepped into action, waving her wand and making Draco reappear from the ferret. He was completely disheveled and looked a right mess. "We do not use Transfigurations on students! We give them Detentions! Did Albus not tell you this!?"
Moody looked down a little, rubbing his chin "Er…well…He might of mentioned it."
Draco was standing slowly, Daphne could see very clearly, relaying to Harry without him asking "Mad old batter, wait till my father hears about this." He muttered wincing in pain.
"Is that so!?" Moody said ignoring McGonagall.
Harry took this chance "Professor."
"Yes Potter?" She asked trying to collect her books she dropped.
Harry rubbed the back of his neck "I caused it…well sort of."
McGonagall pinched her nose bridge "I'm thinking about a time your father used a similar line." She said with a sigh "Mr. Malfoy was poking fun at Mr. Weasley? I assume you didn't much care for that so you picked on Malfoy which ended up in him throwing curses." She translated clearly "Sound about right?"
Harry nodded slowly "Yes Ma'am."
"Five points from Potter and Ten from Malfoy, I'll make sure he serves a detention." She said turning on her heels and into the Great Hall.
Harry watched his Head of House walk off. "Hey Ron. How you feel mate?"
"Don't talk Harry"
"What Why?"
Ron's face went into a full blown smile "Trying to remember this as best I can, Draco the amazing Ferret!"
The group outside the Great Hall started to laugh, Crabbe and Goyle cracked their knuckles at Ron growling menacingly. Harry turned to them, his powers back and eyes aglow "Go find your little pet, someone should brush his hair."
The two Trolls growled and went to find Draco, though Parkinson refused to go anywhere "Please Potter, just because you have the little Slytherin reject on your arm." She said in a taunting voice "Don't think you can tell us what to do."
Harry smirked, Daphne sighed slowly "Please don't." She pleaded to him.
"Nah, I think I can tell you what to do based on the fact I speak Parseltongue." He said clearly in a calm voice "You'd to best to remember that, Parkinson!" He hissed in the language of the snake, making everyone but Hermione, Daphne, Nott and Neville jump in fear.
Parkinson quickly took off in a run, tripping over her robes but not looking back.
"Wow, I just told her to remember it." Harry said half-heartedly "I'm hungry, let's get food." With that he turned on his heels and walked confidently into the Great Hall, Daphne followed him to the Gryffindor table for dinner and it wasn't long before the Twins showed up.
"Hello Beautiful." They said at the same time.
"What is a lovely minx like you." Fred started.
"Doing with a tosser like this?" George finished, they pointed from point A to B.
Daphne smiled, letting out a small sigh "Don't know, maybe it's the hair." She said reaching up and running her fingers through one of the locks.
Harry smirked "What's up guys?" He asked taking a sip from his goblet.
"Nothing much Harry old boy." George said brightly "We just got out of Moody's class."
"It was brilliant." Fred interrupted.
"Lupin was a great Professor for Dark Creatures yeah, but Moody really knows his stuff."
"Speaking of Lupin." Harry said with a calm smirk "Messer's Moony and Padfoot would like to send their condolences to the Weasel Twins for finding their map."
Fred and George looked at him, then to themselves and then back to him "Lupin is Moony?" Fred asked in a small voice.
Harry nodded, drinking from his goblet without a care in the world.
"Which would make…." George whispered
"Padfoot….Sirius Black…"
Harry nodded again.
"Wormtail?" Fred asked.
"Pettigrew." Harry said looking up at them with a raised brow.
"Then that would mean….James Potter was…" They said at the same time, before cracking into full blown grins "Does this mean?"
Daphne leaned onto Harry's shoulder "Why the Hell not? Let's bring the Marauders back."
"We're not worthy to be your partners! Let us teach you lot a thing or two though!" They said one after the other. "Truce ahead of time though!" Fred said crossing his hands, George nodding his head very quickly.
"Sounds fair to me." Ron said brightly. "Can we target Malfoy first?"
Hermione grimaced "You two really don't like rules do you? You're not satisfied until you've broken them all!" She said looking back to her book with a huff.
Daphne shrugged "I'm game, so long as we do the extra project."
That made the small groups eyes burn with wonder and excitement.
Though Harry was lost in a small little world, he knew he had a form and he knew that he could meditate to find that form normally or use a potion to force it. He already had the recipe, from his Dad's journal; though it was risky, by forcing it you could completely lose your mind to the beast…he did wonder what he was, a Dog? Stag? Maybe a Wolf?
He smiled as he thought "Thank you." He whispered into Daphne's ear.
"I don't know what you're thanking me for, Dipstick."
"Everything and nothing." He said casually "Menace. Hogsmeade? I'm buying."
"You're always buying but if that's a date, I think I'll take you up on that one." She said with a smile, looking into the pools of green he had for eyes.
"Brilliant then." He said rubbing the back of his head with a chuckle.
A small note flew in his direction, landing in front of him and he opened it up slowly 'Mr. Potter, I would like to discuss your recent transfer to Runes in my office. You'll find that I quite enjoy Mars Bars recently. ~ Albus Dumbledore.'
"So…he's finally contacted me." Harry whispered softly, casting a glance to the old man.
Daphne pressed her lips to his hand "Be safe, please." She muttered into his closed hand, he nodded and stood quickly leaving the table; Dumbledore did the same.
XX~XX~XX~XX
"Thank you for seeing me Harry." Dumbledore said with a smile twitching his beard.
Harry crossed his arms, ignoring the tea that was set in front of him or the small drops of candy that the old man offered; he wasn't even sitting. "Is there an issue with my transfer?" He said in a void voice.
Dumbledore shook his head a little "I was just following through, you wanted to be placed in the Fourth Year level runes. Correct?" He asked looking up from a piece of parchment.
"Correct."
"And you're willing to take the Third Year exam?"
"Correct."
Dumbledore nodded, brandishing his signature onto the parchment "There you are Mr. Potter." He said brightly "Would you mind if I asked you a quick question though?"
Harry avoided the man's eyes and shortly nodded.
"Do you think it Wise to get involved with Miss. Greengrass?" He asked in a sage like voice "After all, you have yet to have a peaceful year…she could be in…great peril."
Harry twitched a little "Did you just threaten me?" He whispered.
Dumbledore sighed, standing slowly "Harry, I want you to know that everything I have done was for the greater good." He said looking out to the balcony.
Harry snarled "Making me a sacrificial lamb, isn't my definition of Greater Good!" He took a step forward, his magic burning through his veins.
"You've discovered the blocks then?" Dumbledore said in a surprised voice "This will be an issue Harry, I'll have to put them back on."
"Try it and you'll lose more than your wand." Harry growled, the magic crackled around his clenched fist.
Dumbledore tisked lightly "You see, Harry…with your powers it will become harder for you to do the proper thing." He said softly "You could so easily become like Tom."
"What would that be? My Death!? Do you hear yourself?" He hissed.
Dumbledore nodded slowly "Yes."
"WHY!"
Dumbledore sighed "You see Harry, you have a connection to Voldemort one th-" He was cut off by the fourth year.
Harry smirked as he made the older man pause "I already removed that part, easy really, painful, but easy." He explained calmly "As for Daphne and I, fuck off."
"Harry, she'll be in constant danger."
"Don't like it talk to my Guardians old man, I'm done." Harry snapped, turning to leave but a magical force spun him around.
Dumbledore was holding onto his pale wand "Who told you to go to Gringotts? Sirius?" He asked in a curious voice.
Harry grinned "Not your business." He snarled, his patience had run thin a long time ago. The runes were clear as day upon his skin, making the glow like a death sentence.
"Harry I must insist." The old man said locking eyes with the teen.
Harry felt his head explode in pain, where before it was like cold water pouring down his neck this was like someone had dunked him face first into the tundra and left him to freeze. He twitched for a moment, a memory with Daphne flashed into his eyes, then one with Sirius showing him a trick on a broomstick and then it was stopped by sheer will.
The ground around Harry's feet cracked "GET OUT!" He shouted in a rage roar, the magic went wild shattering the cabinets around the office and sending the large oak desk flying out the balcony "GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!" He kept shouting, holding the sides of his head as he fell to his knees, the magic only grew in power cracking the floor "NOW!"
Dumbledore was suddenly thrown off his feet, landing into the wall nearby and slid down into a heap. The force of which left a marking onto the stone wall, the portraits started to fall and even Fawaks took flight.
"Shit, Shit…shit….shit." Harry started to mumble, Voldemorts memories were at the edge of his mind, he could feel it. They were stronger than before, more hungry for blood and death."Need to leave, need to leave, Daphne!" He quickly, shakily stood and left the office nearly tripping down the steps, she could help him.
He knew what that water feeling was now, they were trying to enter his mind…the question was how long had they been doing this? He felt like vomiting and he did, right in the Hallway before falling face first onto the stone floor. He heard a whisper of his name, a cold feeling enter through his mind.
'How can I be of service, Lord Potter?'
XX~XX~XX~XX
Hello, Hello. Happy New Years! Thanks for following the story guys and all the wonderful reviews. I made this chapter to show that even though Harry has power, it was thrusted upon him and he has not been trained in the art of his talents to he is very weak at the moment. Harry is still Harry though, even if he really is in pain he'll smile and say it's nothing.
Dumbledore is a rouge character in this story, he believes in only his ideals and any ideals that line up with his own. Harry is now becoming a broken clog, one that needs to be bent and fixed until good as new. At least to Dumbledore.
Harry's mental shield might seem rough and even a bit out there but here was my thinking behind it. He has Voldemorts memories, who was an exceptional Mental Combatant so it stands to reason that on a basic level Harry was learning something subconsciously. Like listening to something as you sleep, you're learning it but you're not aware of it.
Have a lovely day guys! ~ The Demon.