This Chapter was Revised 9/6/09
Harry Potter, the Guardian, and the Chamber of Secrets
Chapter Eleven: Lockhart's Club
Harry woke up on Sunday morning to find the dormitory blazing with winter sunlight and his arm reboned, but very stiff.
He sat up quickly and found that he was alone.
Draco and Fallen were no where to be seen.
Forcibly ignoring the stab of distress, he sat up further and Pomfrey, seeing that he was awake came bustling over with a breakfast tray and then began bending and stretching his arms and fingers.
"All in order," she said, as he clumsily fed himself porridge left handed, until thin fingers took it from him and the bed dipped.
Glancing up, Harry grinned at Draco, who was twirling the spoon idly, glancing at Pomfrey.
"When he's finished eating, he may leave Mr. Malfoy, but not a second sooner."
Draco gave her a grateful smile and she walked off.
Draco rolled his eyes and turned back to Harry, digging through his pocket, he handed him a potion vial. "Sev asked me to give it to you. Supposed to help loosen your muscles so you can use your arm sooner." He said, smirking slightly.
Harry downed the potion, and mock glared at his friend. "Can I have my spoon back now?"
Draco stuck the spoon in his mouth and shook his head.
"You'll have to take it from me, Harry." He grinned.
Harry rolled his eyes and leaned back.
Draco pouted.
With reflexes of two years of playing and practicing with the snitch, Harry tore the spoon from Draco's mouth, smirking wickedly at the stunned look on his face.
"Okay."
As he went back to eating, Draco leaned back on his hands, crossing one leg over the other and tapping his fingers on the bedspread.
"Hermione and the others began the potion this morning." He murmured, watching as Harry ate, and Madam Pomfrey worked on the other side of the Infirmary, too far away to hear them speak.
"Oh? How did they take that?"
"Unhappily." Draco answered, amused. "They don't trust Sev not to tell his Snakes about the potion, and the plan to infiltrate them."
Harry shook his head. "Trust issues, the lot of 'em." He murmured around his spoon.
---
Harry finished eating, and the three headed towards the dungeons, and Snape's personal potions lab, where Hermione, Blaise, Yoko, Ron, and Snape were moving around the lab, Hermione and Ron for the Polyjuice Potion, and Snape was teaching Blaise some of the more advanced healing potions.
Draco sat on one of the stools and gestured for Harry to enter.
Harry half-smiled at Snape and thanked him for the potion, to which Snape only shrugged.
"He's getting better." Harry murmured, leaning on the table beside Draco.
"At what?" Draco asked.
Harry smirked up at him. "Either hiding his surprise or accepting my thanks."
Draco snorted. "Probably both." He stated.
"You have fifteen minutes to let it sit, Blaise."
Blaise rolled his eyes and walked over to Harry and Draco, dropping into the seat on the other side of the table.
"So, how was your stay, Harry?" he asked, smirking slightly.
Draco rolled his eyes.
Harry shook his head.
He was aware of Blaise's sudden change in humor. He wasn't aware of where his teasing was trying to go, and there were times, where he wasn't sure that he wanted to know.
Throwing those thoughts off elsewhere in his mind, Harry explained about Dobby's visit. Harry looked over at Snape. "Professor, has the Chamber of Secrets ever been opened before?" he asked.
Snape was leaning against his desk calmly watching the Gryffindors in his private lab.
"It was rumored to have been opened before yes." He answered.
Draco raised a brow. "How long ago?"
Snape shook his head. "Before I was here. So more than twenty years ago."
Harry turned so that he had his back against the table and crossed his arms over his chest. "Dumbledore looked like he'd been around when it was last opened. How old is he?"
Snape rolled his eyes. "No one knows how old Dumbledore is, Potter."
Draco sighed before turning his head to look over at Ron.
"Hey Ron. Harry and I found out who stopped us from getting through the barrier at King's Cross in September."
Snape raised a brow.
Ron looked up from where he was sprinkling dead lacewings under Snape's careful eye over the leeches Hermione put into it. "Really, who?"
"My house elf. Apparently he wants to 'save Harry Potter's life'."
Snape snorted. "As if Potter needs more saving."
Harry smirked. "Love you, too, Professor."
Snape sneered at him.
"Wait, that house elf, Dobby, that visited you this summer, Harry?" Ron interrupted.
Harry nodded. "And sent that bludger that Draco blew up after me."
Draco shrugged when everyone turned to him. "What?"
"So," Ron stated. "Dobby stopped us from getting on the train and broke your arm…." He shook his head. "You know what, Harry? If he doesn't stop trying to save your life, he's going to kill you."
Harry grinned and elbowed Draco. "Why would he do that? He's far too afraid of 'Master Draco' to do anything else to me."
Blaise snorted.
---
The news that Colin Creevey had been attacked and was now lying as though dead in the hospital wing had spread through the school by Monday morning.
The air was suddenly thick with rumor and suspicion.
The first years were now moving around the castle in tight-knit groups, as though scared they would be attacked if they ventured forth alone.
Hidden from the teachers, a roaring trade in talismans, amulets, and other protective devices was sweeping the school.
Neville bought a large, evil-smelling green onion, a pointed purple crystal, and a rotting newt tail before Draco and Seamus stated that he was in no danger, as he was a pure-blood, and therefore unlikely to be attacked.
"They went for Filch first," Neville said fearfully. "And everyone knows I'm almost a Squib."
Blaise's face contorted into an annoyed one. "You're not a Squib, nor are you close to being one, Neville. You just lack confidence."
Neville shivered and Blaise grinned at him. "Besides, if you think you're going to be attacked, I'll protect you." He said.
Neville gave him a relieved and slightly embarrassed smile.
Draco exchanged amused looks with Seamus and Dean.
---
In the second week of December, McGonagall came around as usual to collect names of those who would be staying at school for school for Christmas.
Draco, Harry, and Blaise signed up, promising that that they'd keep an eye on the Potion for Ron and Hermione while they were away.
They rolled their eyes every time Hermione brought it up.
It was obvious that Ron could care less what happened to the potion, but they doubted that he took Draco's denial that any Malfoy, especially Katelyn, was related to Salazar Slytherin.
---
A week later, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco were walking across the entrance hall to meet Blaise for dinner.
They noticed a small knot of people gathered around the notice board, reading a piece of parchment that had just been pinned up.
Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas beckoned them over, looking excited. "They're starting a Dueling Club!" Seamus said excitedly. "First meeting tonight! I wouldn't mind dueling lessons; they might come in right handy one of these days…."
"What you reckon Slytherin's monster can duel?" Draco drawled sarcastically.
"Could be useful." Ron said to them. "Shall we go?"
Draco groaned quietly when Hermione agreed and knew that he, Harry, and Blaise would be dragged through the entire thing.
---
At eight o' clock that evening the Gryffindors half-hurried back to the Great Hall.
The long dining tables had vanished and a golden stage had appeared along one wall, lit by thousands of candles floating overhead.
The ceiling was velvety black, all signs of the three day storm having faded away, and most of the school seemed to be packed beneath it, all carrying their wands and looking excited.
Draco rolled his eyes and made a whine-like noise.
"I wonder who'll be teaching us." Ron said as they edged into the chattering crowd.
"Someone told me that Flitwick was a dueling champion when he was young-maybe it'll be him." Hermione said.
"As long as it's not-" Harry groaned and buried his head into Draco's shoulder.
Gilderoy Lockhart was walking on stage, resplendent in robes of deep plum and accompanied by none other than Snape, wearing his usual black.
'The school'd probably have a heart attack if he was in anything but black.' Blaise murmured to Yoko, who was perched on his shoulder.
The fox chuckled. 'Most likely, Blaise. You would.'
Blaise didn't deny it. 'Damn right I would. It'd be damn creepy to see Severus in colors.'
Lockhart waved an arm for silence. "Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent! Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little duel club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions-for full details see my public works. Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," Lockhart said.
Blaise rolled his eyes.
'As if the entire school doesn't already know Snape.' Fallen snorted.
'How long do you think Lockhart can pretend that Snape's not wishing death on his back?' Blaise asked Yoko.
Yoko rolled his eyes. "Knowing that git, eternity."
Hermione elbowed Blaise, Lockhart was talking again.
Blaise exchanged annoyed looks with Draco, Harry, and Ron.
"He tells me he knows a tiny bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin."
Harry leaned over Draco's shoulder to whisper in his ear. "A galleon says that Snape just wants to hex him."
Draco snorted and stated, "I won't take that bet, it's probably true."
"Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry-you'll still have your potions master when I'm through with him, never fear!"
Draco snorted quietly. "The man knows more Dark Arts than Lockhart can stuff into his ego. If anyone, Lockhart'll end up looking like the giant squid."
Harry and Blaise snickered quietly.
Snape's upper lip was curling, and Blaise grinned.
'Lockhart's an idiot. If Snape looked at me like that, I'd be running as fast as I could in the opposite direction.'
'Well, we're both aware that Lockhart lacks the brains it takes to function in society.' Yoko stated, 'My main question is whether or not he knows that Snape holds his life in his hands or not.'
'Probably not.' Blaise murmured back.
Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed; at least, Lockhart did, with much twirling of his hands, whereas Snape jerked his head irritably.
Then they raised their wands like swords in front of them.
"As you see, we are holding our wands in the acceptable combative position," Lockhart told the silent crowd. "On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."
"I wouldn't bet on that." Harry murmured in amusement, watching Snape bare his teeth.
"One-two-three-"
Both of them swung their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent; Snape cried: "Expelliarmus!"
There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet. He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall, and slid down it to sprawl on the floor.
Most of the students, minus a few boys and the majority of the girls, cheered.
"Do you think he's alright?" Hermione asked, dancing on tiptoes, biting her fingers.
"Who cares?" the boys said together, clapping, it was likely the only time the school was partially united on Snape's side.
Lockhart was getting unsteadily to his feet. His hat had fallen off and his wavy hair was standing on end.
"Well, there you have it!" he said, tottering back onto the platform. "That was a Disarming Charm-as you see, I've lost my wand-ah, thank you, Miss. Brown-yes, an excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind me saying so, it was very obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you, it would have been only too easy-however, I felt it would be instructive to let them see…"
Snape looked murderous.
Blaise smirked darkly.
"I think he noticed." Neville murmured beside him.
Sure enough, Lockhart said, "Enough demonstrating! I'm going to come amongst you now and put you all into pairs. Professor Snape, if you'd like to help me-"
Lockhart moved through the crowd, while Snape watched with a sneer from the stage.
Draco gave his godfather a fleeting, pleading look and received a short, almost imperceptive nod in return.
He narrowed his eyes on the Gryffindor group. "Weasley, you can partner Finnigan, Zabini you may partner Longbottom, Granger-" Hermione stepped closer to Harry and Draco.
Draco smirked derisively behind her. "I don't think so. Granger, you can partner with Miss. Bulstrode. Miss. Malfoy, let's see what you make of your cousin. Mr. Finch-Fletchley, let's see what you make of the famous Potter."
Harry's eyes flashed in understanding and gave Draco a faint nod.
"Face your partners!" called Lockhart, back on the platform. "And bow."
Draco and Katelyn barely inclined their heads, not taking their eyes off each other. Similar gray eyes met with an almost icy flare of hatred.
"Wands at the ready!" shouted Lockhart. "When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponents-only to disarm them-we don't want any accidents-one…two…three-"
Draco and Katelyn's first spells clashed in midair. Draco a second faster than his cousin, was already on his second spell.
"Rictusempra!" A silver jet of light hit Katelyn in the stomach and she doubled up, wheezing.
"I said disarm only!" Lockhart shouted in alarm over the heads of students that began to crowd around the two Malfoys.
Katelyn didn't waste a breath. "Tarantallegra." She hissed through her teeth.
Draco batted it aside with a simple protego.
Following Lockhart to prevent unneeded damage.
Snape snapped out a spell. "Finite Incantatem!"
Katelyn stopped laughing as the Tickling Charm was taken off of her.
Draco looked up at his godfather and the Potions professor nodded again.
"Perhaps, it would be wise to teach them how to block, unfriendly spells, Lockhart." Snape murmured darkly.
Lockhart looked at Snape, who's black eyes glinted, and looked away just as quickly.
He missed Snape's malicious smirk. "Yes…well, perhaps Potter and Finch-Fletchley-"
Harry raised his eyes defiantly. "If it's all the same, Professor, I'd rather not."
Fallen, who had curled up on the stage during the 'duel' between the two Malfoy cousins, beside Snape's feet, laying in the most laid back and lazy position imaginable for a wolf.
"Perhaps…the cousins Malfoy, Gilderoy…" He suggested through half opened eyes, giving off the impression of laziness.
"Excellent idea!" Lockhart said, gesturing to the two into the middle of the hall, where the crowd once again gave the two room to duel.
"Scared Draco?" Katelyn asked. Draco radiated cool indifference.
"You wish." He murmured boredly.
Something flickered in his cousin's eyes as Lockhart began to count down.
As soon as Lockhart said 'go', Katelyn raised her wand and Draco's eyes widened.
"Serpentsortia!" she hissed.
The long black snake that shot out of the end of her wand, was clearly poisonous, fangs dripping with poison and saliva, it rose slowly.
Draco didn't move.
He was eye level with a deadly snake.
Snape's eyes flickered with worry.
Harry closed his eyes. He knew what was going to occur even before it happened, almost seeing it in his mind's eye.
Lockhart pissed off the snake, and it rose up further, now closer to Draco than before, hissing and spitting.
Opening his eyes, Harry found Snape just behind Draco.
The snake lunged.
"Leave them alone!" he shouted, more aware than ever, that the sound that came out of his mouth was most definitely not English.
Snape and Draco both glared at him.
He stared back defiantly.
He had just given the rumors and prejudicial students of Hogwarts, the ammunition needed to crucify him.
---
The stares that followed Harry the next day nearly drove him up the wall.
Draco and Snape had let him have it the second they were out of the Hall.
Hermione and Ron hadn't talked to him since they found out that they had once more, been left from the loop.
The group was sitting in the library, Harry sitting closer to Draco than necessary in an effort to stem off the glares and fearful looks that he received, as the two worked on their essay.
They'd been there half an hour before there was a quiet commotion in the corner, and Harry, catching his name being mentioned, tuned in more carefully to listen.
"So anyway," a stout boy was saying, "I told Justin to hide up in our dormitory. I mean to say, if Potter marks him down as his next victim, it's best he keeps a low profile for a while. Of course, Justin's been waiting for something like this to happen ever since he let slip to Potter he was Muggle-born. Justin's actually told him he'd been down for Eton. That's not the kind of thing you bandy about with Slytherin's heir on the loose, is it?"
"You definitely think it is Potter, then, Ernie?" a girl with blonde pigtails whispered anxiously.
"Hannah," the stout boy, Ernie, said solemnly, "he's a parselmouth. Everyone knows that's the mark of a Dark wizard. Have you ever heard of a decent one who could talk to snakes? They called Slytherin himself Serpent-tongue."
There was a heavy murmur at this, and Ernie went on.
A hand on his thigh told Harry that Draco had heard, and was listening as well.
"Remember what was written on the wall? Enemies of the Heir, Beware. Potter had some sort of run in with Filch. Next thing we know, Filch's cat's attacked. That first year, Creevey, was annoying Potter at the Quidditch match, taking pictures of him while he was lying in the mud. Next thing we know-Creevey's been attacked."
"He always seems so nice, though," Hannah said uncertainly, "and, well, he's the one who made You-Know-Who disappear. He can't be all bad, can he?"
A snort below him when Hannah titled Voldemort, made Harry turn and glare at Fallen.
The wolf had probably been listening to the entire conversation and had no intention of letting him know that they were talking about him attacking Justin.
The action made Harry almost miss the Hufflepuff's next words.
"No one knows how he survived that attack by You-Know-Who. I mean to say, he was only a baby when it happened. He should have been blasted into smithereens. Only a really powerful Dark wizard could have survived a curse like that." He dropped his voice until it was barely more than a whisper, and said, "That's probably why You-Know-Who (another snort, this time from Yoko) wanted to kill him in the first place. Didn't want Dark Lord competing with him. I wonder what other powers Potter's been hiding?"
Harry couldn't take it anymore.
He stood up and stormed from the room, ignoring Pince's scowl.
Draco stood and walked calmly over to Ernie, receiving a glare which he ignored. He bent close to the table, so that the Hufflepuffs could all hear him, without having to raise his voice.
"Spread that rumor farther than this table, Macmillan, and I will make sure that my father's lessons in the Dark Arts don't go to waste rotting in my head." He hissed dangerously, straightening and sweeping from the room, leaving the pale Hufflepuffs behind as he went off to find his friend.
---
He was three corridors from the library when Peeves' voice came to him. "ATTACK! ATTACK! ANOTHER ATTACK! NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! ATTAAAACK!"
He was sprinting by the third 'attack', had left Peeves' lips.
Draco pushed through the crowd that gathered from the area of Peeves' shout and with a snarl, resorted to spell work to get to his friend.
"Conicio."
Students and teachers alike were thrown aside by the spell, and he swept through them all like a storm cloud, ignoring them all as he knelt beside his shaken friend, pulling him to his body tightly and trying to stop his shaking.
Fallen sneered at one of the students, and then turned his gaze to the boy-who-lived.
Harry's eyes were dilated in fear, his lips and skin as pale as Draco's own. He was curled by the wall, most likely in an attempt to not get squashed by the students' stampede when Peeves had shouted.
The boy shook in the other Chosen's embrace.
McGonagall looked down at the two of them as the hall cleared.
"Professor, there's no way-" Draco murmured, tightening his hold on Harry.
McGonagall shook her head. "This is out of my hands, Mr. Malfoy." She said, and gestured for him to help Harry to his feet.
---
The three and Fallen walked in silence around a corner and she stopped before a large and extremely ugly stone gargoyle.
"Lemon drop." She said.
Draco's eyes became icy and his arm tightened around his friend's shoulders as the gargoyle sprang to life and hopped aside as the wall behind him split in two, revealing a spiral staircase that was moving smoothly upward, like an escalator.
As he, Harry, Fallen, and McGonagall stepped onto it, Draco heard the wall thud closed behind them.
They rose upward in circles, higher and higher, until at last, slightly dizzy, Harry saw a gleaming oak door ahead, with a brass knocking in the shape of a griffin.
He swallowed heavily.
This was Dumbledore's office.
