Potions, Serpents and Mob Justice
Emma was not sure what tonight would be like. Harry assured her that meeting teachers or anyone else was rare on night-time excursions.
"They key is not to panic." Said Harry "If you run into a patrolling teacher just stand still up against the wall until they're past or else find another way around them."
It was nearly 11 o'clock and the last of the students were going to bed, anticipating the Monday morning. Only a few stayed up.
"There isn't a quicker way of doing this?" said Emma, the waiting was really getting to her.
"Nope." Said Harry "Not unless you want to get caught breaking the rules."
"How much longer though?" said Emma exasperatedly
"Probably not long, when there are classes the next day even the worst of us go to bed early. It's the weekends that are a real pain. Sometimes people can be up as late as three in the morning." Said Harry
Emma looked at him "What? How can anyone manage that? I can barely stay up this late."
Harry chuckled "I think it's a teenager thing. Ron and I are only just on the 'postponing our self-set bedtime for as long as possible' stage but even we only stay up this late if we have to. People in the Twins Years on the other hand they stay up as late as possible every night."
"You're abnormally well versed in this psychology?" said Emma
"I try." grinned Harry "Heads up." He nodded towards the door where a pair of fifth year girls went to bed, leaving a pair of Potters the only ones in the Common Room.
"Now?" said Emma
"No wait ten minutes." Said Harry "Sometimes people forget things."
Emma pulled a face. Harry merely shifted her Potions book across the table. On the plus side she had done a good lot of reading this evening, including stuff she'd need to know for brewing Polyjuice Potion.
Harry was right. Less than five minutes later one of the girls came down and picked up a hairband. Another ten minutes and a passage on the theory of a swelling solution later, Emma and Harry got up.
It was a peculiar sensation being under the cloak. But Emma couldn't enjoy it too much because she kept accidentally standing on Harry's foot. So she focused less on the fascination and more on where she was going.
The trip there and back was relatively uneventful. They passed a few ghosts and Professor Flitwick who was lingering about on the First Floor landing.
But Emma easily found the ingredients and dropped them in her bag, the cabinet wasn't even locked and the two of them were back in the Common Room within 30 minutes of leaving it.
ORACLE2PHOENIX
"This feels wrong." Said Ron.
"Very wrong." Said Harry.
"Oh would you two stop being babies." Said Hermione irritated by their attitude.
"Come on Hermione you have to admit it's weird, being in a girl's bathroom." Said Ron
"No Ronnie." Said Ginny "Weird is dressing up like a girl and dancing in the great hall."
"Now Ginny." Scolded Luna "There is nothing wrong with boys taking an interest in girls clothes and dancing. It is a great method to lure heliopath's into a trap. According to Daddy the Minister for Magic has been recruiting an army by personally conducting such a ritual in the Department of Mysteries."
Everyone burst out laughing at Luna's observation.
"Sorry Luna." Said Emma.
"That's alright, it is a funny notion after all." Said Luna.
"Yes it is." Said Hermione, part of her wanted to tell Luna that she was wrong to think all these strange things she came up with but Luna seemed happy being who she was and Hermione didn't believe it was within her ability to change her.
"So what now?" asked Demelza
"Well we need to set this up somewhere." Said Hermione, indicating the empty cauldron.
"I would suggest the stall at the far end over there." Said Emma pointing to the very end. "It's near an open window so the ventilation is good; also on the off chance that anyone comes in, it's the furthest from the door so it's the stall they're least likely to use or notice fumes escaping from."
Hermione looked at Emma "Good logic. Let's go with that."
Despite the danger expressed in the book, Emma thought things were progressing really easy. She probably would never have trusted anyone other than Hermione to do this.
"No don't add those yet." Said Emma "Let the other ingredients dissolve first, otherwise we'll spend the next three hours stirring the cauldron."
Hermione looked at Emma "Oh. Alright then."
"What exactly is it that we need to do with this?" said Harry
"Well most of this is just waiting. We should generally come in and check up on the liquid a couple of times a day. In 21 days we add the first Lacewing Flies and the Broomslang Skin and the last of the Powdered Bicorn." Said Emma "You guys probably won't come in here that often, it'll mainly be Hermione and me."
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Satisfied that they were now doing something, helped take Emma's mind off of her friend in the Infirmary but she still found herself missing Colin, his empty seat was, in more than one class, right next to hers. She refused to let anybody else sit there. One of the Gryffindor boys in Transfiguration teased her about it and got punched in the face by Geoffrey, costing him a detention and ten points from Gryffindor.
Afterwards he claimed it was worth it, but Emma decided to give Geoffrey extra help with his Potions Essay for that week.
Geoffrey, Natalie and Vicky were eventually told about the Polyjuice Potion, as was Neville, but all three agreed not to get involved. Between the risks involved and the fact that they really couldn't do anything to help meant that Emma didn't hold it against them. Neville came in once with Hermione and Emma to see the Polyjuice Potion but as soon as he breathed in some of the fumes he went to a nearby sink and threw up. He wasn't going to be much help either.
Despite the fear and the absence of the camera boy of the contingent, the Defence group minus Colin continued learning spells from Harry and staging mock duels. Harry was undeniably the best, but if Emma was an expert judge she would have to say that Ginny was second. Of course Emma wasn't an expert Judge and thought that Ginny was in no way unbeatable as for the third time that day, two weeks after Colin entered the hospital wing, Ginny mercifully cancelled the bat-bogey hex she used on Emma.
"That is not fair." Whined Emma "How come you can use that hex but no one else can."
"Because unlike the rest of you, I know how to perform it." Said Ginny smugly. She seemed to be feeling a lot better since Colin went to Hospital, afterwards she seemed almost as bad as Emma but now the fun of exchanging spell-fire seemed to have her perked her up.
"Why is that?" Ron asked Harry.
"Don't know. Some spells just generally can't be added to your repertoire without you being a natural with them. I think Ginny's hex is one of them, that and the fact that it's not really an easy spell to learn."
"It's not?" said Ginny
"No. It's in my intermediate to advanced manual. According to the description most people find memorising the wand movement to much or can't get the assailants to attack very aggressively but the book did say that a particular kind of person could easily master the spell and use it to great effect.
"What kind of Person?" asked Demelza
"Well I would have to say Ginny." Harry Joked "The book didn't actually say."
"So Emma, want to try again?" asked Ginny
"Fine." said Emma
After being defeated a few more times by her best friend Emma finally managed to disarm Ginny after which she was jumping up and down in excitement
"And it only took you about a dozen tries." Said Geoffrey.
Emma stopped dancing and glared while everyone laughed "Alright Hooper let's see how good you are."
Geoffrey smirked and raised his wand.
"Flipendo!" incanted Emma rapidly.
"Ow!" yelled Geoffrey "Hey give me a chance."
"Flipendo! Flipendo! Flipendo!" incanted Emma.
After a little fun Harry stepped in "Ok Em' that's enough. Go partner with Ron, Geoffrey take a break and then swap with Hermione and face Vicky. Ginny I think you and I should have a shot."
Ginny for some reason was nowhere near as effective against Harry as she was the others.
"Come on Ginny you can do better than that." Said Harry, he noticed her blushing and in ignorance said the worst possible thing "This is a duel not a date you know."
Ginny's face got redder as all the girls in the room except Luna smacked their hands against their heads. The Boys of course all used this opportunity to gain the upper hand. Neville put Demelza in a Body-Bind, Ron shot Emma's shoulder with a well-placed Flipendo and Geoffrey disarmed Vicky.
While the other duels were going on; Ginny tried to get her act together.
"Come on Ginny." Said Ron "You're pretty good at this sort of thing, for a girl but…"
Whatever Ron had to say was lost on Ginny as suddenly her fiery temper acted up and she began firing spells rapidly at Harry.
Anyone else would probably be terrified, but Harry was just please that Ginny had come out of whatever it was that was holding her back.
"Flipendo! Pertrificus Totalus! Expelliamus!"
Harry for his part dodged or blocked all her spells and sent back "Rictumsempra!" the tickling hex.
Ginny blocked that with her own shield "Protego! Expelliamus!"
Harry sidestepped avoiding her spell and as it hit the wall he incanted "Flipendo Maxima!"
Harry's enhanced red sparks exploded all around Ginny, she could not get a shield to protect her entire person so she found the back half of her body pelted with red sparks.
She was caught off guard for a few seconds and Harry managed to get a Body-Bind in and Ginny found herself falling onto her back.
Harry cancelled the remaining red sparks, released Ginny from her Body-Bind and like a gentlemen offered her and hand up. The latter action forced Ginny's blush to return.
"Hey how come you guys aren't duelling?" Harry asked, realising that his and Ginny's duel had an audience. "And Neville take your Body-Bind off Demelza."
"Oh sorry Demelza." Said Neville
After the end of a three hour session, Harry, Emma and friends made their way back to their dormitories to shower before tea.
At Dinner the originally large group of First Years divided into two smaller groups. Geoffrey, Natalie and Vicky had formed their own small trio over time and were generally closer to each other than the other four girls and Colin. Not that their friendships had died, as Luna put it, they'd become more refined. The other three still spent time on with them in Defence and still talked it was just their group had divided into two.
Emma's friends sat with Harry's "By the way." She said "I think the Potion might be ready soon."
"What?" said Harry
"Yeah, it'll probably be ready by the end of next week." Said Emma
"Your sister is brilliant." Said Hermione "She stopped me making mistakes several times."
"In your defence none of those would have stopped the Potion." Said Emma "Maybe delayed it till Christmas but…"
"Look, let's meet up after dinner." Said Ron "No one else needs to know about this."
Half an Hour later they were all in Myrtles toilet. The ghost hadn't been around the first time they all entered and Harry and Ron had refused to enter again.
"What are they doing here?" demanded the form.
Everyone jumped. Hermione and Emma looked at each other as if demanding the other to say something. Hermione lost.
"Umm?" said the Bushy haired girl "We just wanted to show them how nice it was in here."
Harry and Ron nodded in agreement, Demelza and Ginny tried to keep out of the Ghost's line of sight and Luna looked peculiarly at the Ghost.
"Don't think I don't know why you're here. You've come to make those nasty boys laugh at me."
"Why would we do that?" said Ron "Granted it's a bit weird spending your life after death haunting the girl's lav but…"
Myrtle wailed in anguish at whatever Ron had said to upset her and dived into a toilet, splashing water about the cubicle.
"She's a bit sensitive, you must have hurt her feelings Ron." Said Hermione.
"What did I say?" said Ron.
"Well either something about her no longer being alive or something about her being abnormal." Said Emma "It's a bit difficult to tell, don't let it worry you."
"Uh… Potion?" said Harry.
"Oh right, come and see." Said Emma.
They all took turns in looking into the cubicle. The Potion currently looked like a pot full of green slime. It was bubbling in the centre.
"See those bubbles, that's the bicorn dissolving into the mixture. It should be done by the end of tomorrow. After that all we need to do is add the last of the lacewing flies. Depending on how stiff the mixture is that should be done by between next Thursday and the following Sunday. Assuming we can start adding them tomorrow night that is."
Everyone was staring at Emma in awe, which cause her to blush.
"How soon does this need to be used?" said Harry.
"Polyjuice Potion can last for years." Said Emma "Decades even. All you need to do is keep in a sealed container. I already owl ordered a set of flasks. A few of them can easily hold this stuff."
"Why a set." Said Harry.
"Madam Pomfrey thinks I'm doing pretty well in making Murtlap Essence Salve. She's offered me the chance to brew a few more not quite so simple remedies."
"What exactly is Murtlap Essence before it becomes salve?" asked Ron
"It's a sort of yellow liquid." Said Emma "It doesn't last long in its liquid form so we convert it salve. The other benefit is that in its liquid form you have to dip the wound in a basin full of the stuff and that only works if the wound in question is a hand or a foot or if you have lots of the stuff, even then it's only a good idea if you have a really serious wound. Not that it's in short supply; according to Madam Pomfrey, Hagrid has access to a cave near the lake where some Murtlaps live. He picks them and gives them to Madam Pomfrey for use."
"Oh right." Said Ron
"We just need to decide when to use the potion." Said Harry "We should probably do it pretty soon, Christmas is coming and Malfoy will probably be going home with Crabbe and Goyle."
"Well we will probably have to go to the Slytherin Common Room." Said Hermione "Malfoy in arrogant and conceited but even he won't risk bragging about something like this outside his safe haven."
"So we need to find the Slytherin Common Room." Said Emma "Where is it?"
"Don't know." Said Harry "But they all come up from the Dungeons, so down there somewhere."
"But those corridors are a maze." Said Demelza "Every time I go down there I'm worried I won't be able to find my way back."
"I'll find the common room." Said Harry "I'll use the Invisibility Cloak and follow some Slytherins."
"Alright but be careful." Said Hermione "The people who reside down there are the last ones we want to know about your cloak."
ORACLE2PHOENIX
November had given way to December as soon as the new week started and Ginny, Ron and the other Weasley's got news that they would be staying at Hogwarts this Christmas while Mr and Mrs Weasley went to visit their eldest son Bill in Egypt. Luna was leaving to spend a quick holiday with her Dad in the Canary Islands before coming home for Christmas. Demelza too was going home but she looked really rather troubled by the idea.
Emma was well aware that Demelza was not getting on well with her parents right now, but she knew that her other muggleborn friend had to deal with her demons and keeping her at school for Christmas would only delay things.
Emma suspected that Colin would have probably been going home too if not for his petrification. She arranged for the film that he used up at the Quidditch Match to be developed, then added those photographs to the ones he and she had prepared and sent them a letter:
Dear Mr and Mrs Creevey
My name is Emma Potter, I am a friend of your son Colin. Before he was attacked, he and I were preparing the next batch of photos for him to send home to you, but we decided to wait until the next batch of film was developed. I'm sure he won't mind the choices I've made, but the last dozen or so photos were chosen by me without his input.
I am really sorry about what happened.
Merry Christmas.
Emma Potter
She borrowed Hedwig and sent her off.
When she got back to the common room she was immediately accosted by her dorm mates.
"Where is Harry?" demanded Vicky.
"Uh? Did something happen?" said Emma.
"Look at this." Said Demelza showing her a sheet on the notice board.
"A duelling club?" said Emma.
"It's on this Friday, at the same time as Harry's but this could be more professional." Said Natalie "Should we go for it?"
"Go for what?" asked Harry appearing behind Emma with Ron, Hermione and Neville.
"A duelling club is starting on Friday." Said Emma "Think we should give it a shot?"
Harry looked at the notice "Sure, we should probably get professional help. Everything I know I learnt from books, it'd be better to have an actual duelling instructor. Let's all sign up. Em' can you let Luna know?"
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Friday started well enough for Emma and friends. The Polyjuice Potion was declared ready so, with Hermione and Demelza's help she poured the contents into a flask, sealed it and stored it in Emma's trunk wrapped around some of the left over charity shop clothes she still owned.
Things changed after the Duelling Club, but things started out on the same mood.
The eleven of them made their way down to the Great Hall where all this was scheduled to take place. The House tables had been removed and a large platform had been placed in the centre of the hall. Students of all ages and Houses were gathered around and waiting in anticipation.
"Harry a horrid thought just occurred?" said Ron "Who do you think is the instructor, because the obvious choice of Professor would be…"
Everyone in Harry's Defence group cringed. A minute later Ron's implied fear was revealed to be valid as Lockhart climbed onto the platform.
"Gather round, Gather round." Said Lockhart "Can you all see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!" He walked up and down the platform smiling to the crowd.
Harry noted with intense irritancy that all of the girls outside his Defence group were looking adoringly at the idiot. "Has no one realised how useless the idiot is?" thought Harry
Since term started Harry and his associates had done the first two Lockhart homework assignments but no others since then, which worked out fine because Lockhart never chased them down. Strangely enough it was Hermione that proposed the idea of ignoring the work he set, she was taking his apparent farce really personally, Harry was sure she was at most a month away from plotting his 'accidental' death by paper cut to the throat, with the paper cut being a signed confession admitting he made up everything he wrote in his books.
"Now, in light of recent dark events, the Headmaster has granted me permission to start up this little duelling club in order to train you to defend yourselves like I have done on so many occasions. For full details see my published works."
"FICTION!" coughed a voice Lockhart couldn't find.
Harry however noticed that it was Geoffrey that made the noise. A number of girls, some of them twice his size, were glaring at him. Vicky and Natalie were firmly keeping him shielded and looking at glares with expressions that appeared to say 'try something, we dare you'. Proud of how far his sister's year mates Harry put his wand in his hand, just in case they needed backup.
Lockhart looked very red at the declaration and stuttered through his next announcement. "N… Next a… allow." To Harry's, and many others' disappointment, he managed to gather himself together. "Allow me to introduce my assistant Professor Snape."
Harry witnessed every Gryffindor's least favourite teacher (except Hermione whose resentment for Lockhart may yet have been strong enough to override her contempt for the Potions Master) step onto the platform.
"Professor Snape tells me he knows a thing or two about duelling and has sportingly agreed to give me a hand with today's session." Said Lockhart "This is merely going to be a demonstration today so don't worry, you'll all have your Potions Master back in one piece when I'm through with him."
"Wouldn't it be good if they finished each other off?" Said Ron.
"Oh honestly Ronald. I know you don't like Snape but you can't deny that he is going to wipe the floor with that… waste of…"
"Parchment?" said Harry said Harry his face screwed up in amusement.
"Yeah that's the stuff." Said Hermione not looking his face.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, Hermione when they first met her was a rule obsessed smarty-pants, with a bossy attitude. In many ways she still was, in fact in most ways she still was but there were times… Hermione acted more like Weasley's than the 11-year-old that helped Neville search for his toad on the Express.
"Now." Said Lockhart, drawing his wand "First in a duel we take a bow to our opponent."
Lockhart and Snape inclined forward.
"Then we take up our positions, and on the count of three the duel begins. For the purposes of this session we are aiming only to disarm. So we take up our positions."
Harry was already well aware of what Lockhart's chances were, but this was ridiculous. While Snape's duelling posture gave him the maximum amount of freedom to aim his wand and compensate for any unexpected occurrences like spell-fire or loss of balance, Lockhart's on the other hand screamed 'this wand is not worthy of a specimen like me, take a photo while I turn my head about looking smug, and make sure the camera gets the right angle.' Harry also noted his posture was all wrong, he was clearly not prepared to react to any incoming spell-fire.
"On the count of three." Said Lockhart "One, two, three…"
"Expelliamus!" cried out Snape.
Harry hated to give his Potions Master praise, but Snape was good. The spell as it turned out not only knocked the wand out of Lockhart's hand, but flung him onto his backside, bouncing three times before he skidded to a stop.
"Oh my." Said Lockhart "Uh? Where's my wand, ah thank you Miss Brown."
Harry and Ron noticed Lavender holding up the wand in a trembling hand whilst handing it to Lockhart with a red face. The second he turned from her she and Parvati were in a fit of giggles.
"Very impressive showing them that Professor Snape." Said Lockhart
"My god does he have to prance up and down bragging to everyone?" thought Emma
"It was pretty obvious what you were trying to do there and if I wanted to stop you, it would only have been two easy."
While Geoffrey was planning to cough again, Snape started speaking "Perhaps we should divide the students into pairs so they can practice the disarming charm themselves?"
"Excellent suggestion." Piped up Lockhart smiling most idiotically "Everyone into pairs."
Harry was just registering the fact that Colin's absence meant his Defence group was made up of an odd number, therefore someone would have to be paired with an outsider, when Snape made his way directly over to them like a Ron to breakfast.
"Time to split up Potter's little gathering." Said Snape "Weasley. I think you should go with Nott."
Ron moved towards Theodore Nott.
"I think Potter…" Harry edged towards Ginny "No I don't think so. Malfoy." Snape beckoned Malfoy over. "Let's see what you can make of the famous Harry Potter. Parkinson You can take his sister. As for Weasley's sister?"
Suddenly Kieran Harper made his presence known.
"Since Mr Harper seems so keen." Said Snape smiling.
While irritated with Snape, Harry had to admit that it would probably be better for his friends to fight against people outside the Defence Group, even just for the sake of variety. Not everyone was paired with a Slytherin, but most of them were. Hermione was paired with Bulstrode, a really big Second year girl who, to Harry, seemed to resemble something out of Holidays with Hags, or perhaps Aunt Marge on a diet; Demelza was faced off against another of the Slytherin girls in Harry's year, Daphne Greengrass; Luna was paired off against Rachel Avery and Neville was put with Blaise Zabini.
Harry took position.
"Scared Potter?" sneered Malfoy
"Nope. You?"
Malfoy looked taken aback by Harry's answer
"I'll take that as a yes then." Said Harry chuckling.
Malfoy looked shocked at being outsmarted, but resumed his sneer, Harry wondered if maybe he should get a patent for it.
"On the count of three, I want you to disarm your opponent, only to disarm." Called out Lockhart. "On three. One, Two, Three."
All around the hall there were shouts of spells, not all of them disarming charms.
Harry found himself shouting "Protego!" because Malfoy had chosen to live up to his cowardly reputation and fired his own spell on 'two'.
The shield charm deflected Malfoy's spell so it hit the floor and, while Malfoy stood stunned by Harry's shield, Harry hit back with his own disarming charm. Malfoy's wand flew out of his hand and Harry caught it.
Elsewhere the other Duels were chaotic, but Harry's Defence Group all demonstrated their prowess and skill. Nott had sent a couple of spells at Ron, none of them Expelliamus, and Ron, having survived unscathed, responded with the slug vomiting curse he'd used on Malfoy at the beginning of term.
Harper had been so busy mouthing stuff about how inferior Weasley's were to other purebloods, that he missed Lockhart's countdown. When Ginny disarmed him he performed a sore loser act, claiming she cheated which irritated her to no end so she sent her bat-bogey and was enjoying the show of jumping about screaming while his own mutated snot attacked him.
Hermione has easily disarmed Bulstrode, which caused the oversized girl to angrily lunge at her. Hermione just performed a body bind in time to stop the big girl from falling on top of her.
Emma was really proud of herself. The Parkinson girl had fired her disarming charm and didn't register it had bounced off Emma's shield, or that Emma even summoned a shield. She was laughing at a most disturbing volume and, for some inexplicable reason, was mouthing on about 'Blood Traitors' and 'Mudbloods', the randomness of it confused Emma to no end but the piercing shrill of the laughter bothered her more than anything else so she used Pansy's exposed tongue for target practise and successfully hit it with a stinging hex.
Neville and Demelza were both quicker than their opponents and Harry could see them complaining about how they got lucky. Greengrass seemed particularly sore about getting outmatched by a First Year Muggleborn.
Rachel Avery was rolling about on the floor, she had apparently tried her stinging hex on Luna and met with a shield charm that deflected and hit her in the gut.
Lockhart tried and failed to restore order to the as people fell about with all kinds of afflictions. "I said Disarm only." He yelled over the crowds
A series of bangs from Snape's wand brought everyone's attention to him. He then went through the students removing afflictions, which unfortunately included Pansy's tongue. Ron was happy to note that his spell on Nott could not be reversed by Snape's talents and he had to go to the Hospital Wing with a conjured bucket.
"Detention with me tomorrow Weasley." Said Snape.
Ron scowled but when he was sure Snape couldn't hear him he went up to Harry and Hermione muttered "Worth it." So only they could hear him.
Lockhart had really caused chaos by having everyone just try and assault each other all at the same time.
"Perhaps we should teach the students how to block unfriendly spells?" said Snape
"Excellent suggestion, Professor Snape." Said Lockhart "Let's have a volunteer pair. Let's see…"
"I propose Potter and Malfoy, Potter seems pretty confident that he can block a spell." Said Snape
"E… excellent idea." Said Lockhart, trembling at the concept of Harry being close to him.
"Is he scared of me?" thought Harry. "Then again I have been challenging him about everything he can do, maybe it's upset his understanding of the world. Good!"
Harry followed his nemesis onto the platform and took up a position. Draco didn't look as confident as he did when they were first paired together, but Snape whispered something in his ear and the trademark facial expression was reborn again.
"Right Harry." Said Lockhart "When young Mr Malfoy fires his spell at you, this is how you block it." Lockhart spun twirled his wand about and it accidentally slipped out of his hands. "Whoops my wand arm is a little excited."
Harry rolled his eyes. It didn't matter, he knew the Shield Charm and could deal with anything Malfoy dealt.
"Wands at the ready." Said Lockhart "Three, two, one."
"Serpensortia!" incanted Malfoy
"Well that's unexpected." Thought Harry as a Snake appear. Then he began to realise the predicament he was in. Harry could kill the Snake with a single Reductor Curse, but hee knew that if he said anything in the presence of the snake it could come out as Parseltongue. Harry wasn't sure that incantations would come out as such, but if others recognised the language then everyone would think he was the Heir of Slytherin.
Harry didn't register Snape telling him something, Harry knew there was only one chance as he aimed his wand and tried and failed to silently incant a Rector Curse.
Lockhart performed some obscure spell which caused the snake to flying the air and land smack in front of a Hufflepuff in Harry's year "Julian is it?" Harry stopped himself from wondering that. He had to stop the snake before it hurt anyone. So he fell back on his favourite spell.
Non-verbally in his head, with as much emotion as he could focus, Harry incanted "Flipendo!" in his mind. The spell shot out of his wand and impacted the Snake before it could lunge at the Hufflepuff, knocking it several feet away.
Harry realised he had a weapon he could use, and followed up. It felt horrible in a way, killing a snake so brutally (even a conjured one), but Harry using his new found skill non-verbally fired Flipendo after Flipendo until the Snake drew its last breath.
Everyone stared at Harry in shock. After what happened with the pixies in Lockhart's classroom and his demonstration of a shield charm, despite only being a Second Year, had gained him a reputation as an expert in Defence Against the Dark Arts. But performing non-verbal magic? That was something most in the room had never even attempted, let alone managed.
Harry for his part sighed in relief, he sought out his sister's face and saw that she was completely white.
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Emma had completely paled when the Malfoy boy had summoned the snake. She bit down on her tongue, just in case she accidentally said something whilst looking at it. She could tell Harry was looking at the Snake with a troubled expression as well. She also noticed him waving his wand. To the untrained eye it looked like nothing but to Emma and the others had all spent ages practising under Harry's tutelage it was obviously the wand movements for the Reductor Curse.
Emma for a split second thought Lockhart might not be so useless after all but that thought quickly passed when it became apparent that all he did was little more effective than playing bouncy-bouncy with a one-year-old.
Then, as the Snake looked ready to attack a student Emma couldn't see properly, Harry performed his non-verbal spell. Then he performed it a few more times. Emma still didn't feel so good but she was relieved that it could no longer reveal her shameful secret.
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Harry turned from looking at his sister, he knew she and he needed some time alone together within the next few minutes, so he sought to finish this up as soon as possible.
"Have anything else you want to try Drakey?" he called over to Malfoy.
Malfoy looked really irritated and pointed his wand at Harry "Tarantallega!"
"Protego!" to some the amusement of some of those gathered, the dancing feet jinx got deflected to Lockhart who suddenly began moving all over the place.
"Pertrificus Totalus!" shouted Malfoy
Harry incanted "Protego!" again and the spell impacted the Hufflepuff the Snake tried to kill.
"Expelliamus!" shouted Malfoy, losing his temper.
Harry blocked that as well, but this time he sent the charm straight back at Malfoy, causing his wand to fly out of his hand and Harry to catch it.
"How do you do that?" blurted out Malfoy angrily before he could stop himself.
"What catch things?" said Harry "It's a seeker thing you wouldn't understand."
Many students burst out laughing at that declaration and Malfoy looked ready to murder his opponent.
Harry walked part way up the platform, tossed the wand to Malfoy and incanted "Finite Incantatum!" on the Hufflepuff boy who got hit by the stray Body-Bind. Harry noted the countercharm had taken effected when out of the corner of his eyes he noticed Malfoy making movement. He turned just in time.
"Furnuculus!" incanted Draco
"Protego!" by sheer luck Harry deflected the Pimple Jinx so that it impacted Malfoy straight in the face. He then followed up by incanting a Jinx he'd been itching to try for months. Parvati and Lavendar learnt that Harry indeed was not bluffing.
"Algacapilos!"
A yellow coloured spell left Harry's wand and upon striking Malfoy turned his hair into slimy dark green seaweed. That combined with the new pimples made Malfoy look really laughable.
"Potter!" shout Snape "That's detention for you. You and Mr Weasley shall report to my office tomorrow at 2 o'clock."
"Yes Professor." Said Harry
While Ron also gave Professor a nod to acknowledge he understood, Harry jumped down and helped up the Hufflepuff who thanked him for the Snake and the countercharm (despite Harry having relayed the Body-Bind to him).
"My Name is Justin."
"Mine is Harry."
"Uh yes, I know…" the Hufflepuff blushed.
"Come on Justin let's get back to the Common Room I think this is over." Said a Blond haired girl, Harry recognised as Susan Bones.
Harry in the meantime re-joined his own group of friends, one in particular. Then they all left, followed by the rest of the students. It wasn't until over half of them had gone Snape released Lockhart from the Jinx Harry had accidentally deflected on him.
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Harry hurriedly marched his sister out of the Great Hall and back to his practice room. He then sat her down.
"Ok Em', breathe deeply." Said Harry in encouragement.
Emma took several deep breaths and then just fell into Harry, she wasn't crying but tears and formed in her eyes and she was sniffing a bit. Everyone else in the Defence group came in.
"Well." Said Ron "While some of that was alright, I vote we continue relying on Professor Harry here to coach us.
Everyone agreed with Ron.
"That was fun though." Said Demelza "But some people can be real sore losers."
"The way Harper was bragging about absolutely nothing, he deserved to lose." Said Ginny "Pity Snape took my hex off him, he was just starting to get entertaining."
"You notice that Snape paired most of us against Slytherins?" said Demelza "Why?"
"He was trying to prove a point." Said Hermione "He obviously thought that he could have his House show up Gryffindor. His Pro-Slytherin sentiment is far stronger this year than it was last."
"Do you think it's my fault?" said Emma
"It's not your fault even if you are the cause." Said Hermione "Which I think you are, you're way better than I am at Potions and you're in the year below me. That and also he hated your Dad."
"Not that I'm sympathetic, but I suppose it must be hard on him having us in his class." Said Emma "I wonder if the Twins would mind pulling another prank on him, I've been working on their Homework with them and helping them brew one or two things."
"By the way the Polyjuice is ready right?" said Ron "When are we going to try it?"
"Not tomorrow, we've got detention." Said Harry "Though I think Malfoy is looking more likely after today."
"You mean summoning the Snake?" said Hermione "Why would he do that?"
"Don't know." Said Harry but he looked troubled.
"Spit it out Harry." Said Emma
"What?"
"I know you my dear older Brother. You have something you're not sure you should add."
"Well." Said Harry hesitantly "I did notice Malfoy looking troubled before we got on the platform, then Snape whispered something in his ear and…"
"Trademark Sneer?" said Natalie.
"1Trademark Sneer." Agreed Harry.
"Why are you hesitant to bring that up?" said Hermione.
"We thought Snape was after the Philosophers Stone last year. Look what happened there." Said Harry.
"I suppose you're right." Said Hermione "Dumbledore trusts Snape, maybe he's even doing this on Dumbledore's behalf."
"What do you mean?" said Vicky.
"Well we assume that Malfoy is the Heir of Slytherin. What if Dumbledore does as well? What if Snape had Malfoy conjure a Snake…"
"…and see if he shows any Salazar like abilities." Said Emma.
"I really think it is Malfoy." Said Ron "He seemed a lot happier with that thing on the platform and a lot more shocked when Harry pummelled it with sparks. By the way mate that was neat. Congrats!"
"Congrats Harry."
"Congratulations."
Everyone congratulated Harry, Emma did so twice.
"I know Colin would say it if he could." Justified Emma "He'll probably say it again when he wakes up."
"I'm not sure whether or not you're right Ron." Said Hermione "Malfoy could just have an appreciation of Snakes. A number of hot-headed Gryffindors have an appreciation for Lions. I also notice more of us own cats than the other houses."
"Here-here to that." Said Emma, causing the others to chuckle.
"I'll tell you all what I think." Said Harry "I think regardless of whether or not Malfoy is the Heir, he's in a great deal of danger."
The group bar Luna gave him quizzical looks.
"Why?" said Ron
"Because of what happened tonight." Said Harry
Luna then explained further "Draco is already outspoken in anti-muggle sentiment and proliferates Pureblooded elitism. The fact that he conjured a snake in front of everyone's eyes it going to start people thinking along the lines we have."
"Malfoy essentially made a statement today saying Slytherin and proud of it. Many in the school will think that translates to: "I am the Heir of Slytherin' and Malfoy will probably get beaten up inside the next week."
ORACLE2PHOENIX
At 2 o'clock the following day, Harry and Ron entered Snape's classroom.
"Follow me." Instructed the Potions Master.
Harry and Ron followed him to a large store room where there had to be hundreds of cauldrons.
Ron gasped in shock, Snape seriously wasn't suggesting…
"You shall both clean out every Cauldron in this room…"
He was.
"…you may use magic to do so."
Or not.
Harry and Ron stared in shock.
"You are both aware of how to use Scourgify?"
Both boys nodded, Flitwick had taught them the Scouring Charm a couple of months ago.
"There is another charm called Tergo!" instructed Snape "It is used to clean more difficult things such as ovens. You normally don't learn this in school but I shall teach you it for this task."
Snape taught both boys the Oven Cleaning Charm.
"With each cauldron: cast Tergo, then Scourgify, then cast Aqaumenti to rinse them out over one of the sinks. You can then leave them upside-down on that rack over there to drip."
Harry and Ron, realising the instructions were over set about their task.
Harry approached the first Cauldron and was acutely aware of Snape gazing at him, with interest. That interest seemed to die when Harry incanted Tergo.
After a while of Harry and Ron going through the process, Snape said "Potter, you can clearly cast non-verbally so please do so."
"So that was it." Thought Harry "Professor I can't incant all spells non-verbally I can only do a Flipendo Jinx and a Severing Charm."
Snape looked taken aback "I see, I thought you finally had some proficiency. I should never have assumed something so ridiculous. Carry on Potter."
If it was any other teacher Harry would have protested that he still managed two silent spells, but with Snape that would only lead to more detentions and/or fewer points. Harry did try incanting silently, but couldn't get any of the spells to work. The previous night he did try and managed to easily throw Flipendo spells at the wall in his Practice Room but he still couldn't incant anything else other than the severing charm.
In the end it took nearly 3 hours for Harry and Ron to finish. Snape cast a warming charm of the rack and dismissed them. Despite the lack of physical labour Ron and Harry were both mentally exhausted and their wrists ached a little from casting so much. Still it was better than doing things manually.
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Harry and Ron had been seated in the Common Room with Hermione for less than five minutes when McGonagall stormed in through the portrait hole.
"POTTER, WEASLEY, GRANGER! Come with me. Now!" she said, her voice raised rather loud. She seemed absolutely furious.
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other in complete loss at what they possibly could have done to get her in this state of anger. They all stood up and followed Professor McGonagall to her office, she sat down with the three of them facing her.
"WELL?" she demanded
The three of them looked at each other. Harry as the bravest spoke up.
"Professor, can we have a little clarification to that question, I'm sorry for whatever we've done to make you angry but…"
"You know full well what you've done Mr Potter. Unless you all own up to this now, the three of you will be on the First Train home tomorrow."
Hermione now looked really scared.
Harry wasn't having any of it "Professor I honestly can't think of anything we've done so can you please give us clarification."
McGonagall looked angrily at Harry, she assumed he was being arrogant. "I am talking about your blatant attack on Mr Malfoy. I understand you had some disagreements last night but that is no excuse to attack him in such a manner. Madam Pomfrey says that some of the wounds could have killed him.
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other in shock.
"We had nothing to do with that." Said Ron "Why do you think we did that?"
"Mr Malfoy just regained consciousness and said it was you three." Said McGonagall "He said that the three of you ambushed him, punched him, kicked him and fired curses at him then left him for dead."
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked shocked.
"He's lying." Said Ron "We never did that, when did this happen?"
"MR WEASLEY…" said McGonagall getting more and more furious, but she was interrupted by Harry.
"ANSWER HIS QUESTION PROFESSOR!" Harry shouted "You're accusing us of something very serious here. Something I know that you know is out of character for us. When did this happen? Because Ron and I have just spent nearly three hours with Professor Snape in detention and judging by the length of Hermione's History essay she spent at least that long in the Common Room."
"Four hours actually I came straight from Lunch. I was there up until a few minutes ago." Said Hermione. Her voice was shaking and she was trying very hard not to cry.
McGonagall looked stunned "All three of you wait here."
McGonagall was gone for about twenty minutes before she came back.
"It seems I owe you three an apology." She said looking really troubled "Professor Snape just confirmed your alibi. I also spoke to three prefects, including Percy Weasley, your alibi checks as well Miss Granger."
"You said Malfoy told you it was us?" said Harry "Did he say he actually saw us? Because he really doesn't like us and might have just assumed it was us."
"Your assumptions are correct Mr Potter." Came a voice from the door. It was Snape. "I have just had words with Mr Malfoy. He didn't see any of the attackers but he believes with all his conviction that it was you three."
McGonagall looked like her age had doubled "I am sorry you three. You may go."
ORACLE2PHOENIX
"I can't believe she believed that git over you." Said Emma indignantly. It was dinner time and Emma was glaring over at Professor McGonagall. News about what happened to Malfoy had spread across the castle.
"It looks like your prediction came true Harry." Said Luna "Perhaps you should consider Divination next year."
"Maybe." Said Harry "But I'll think about that next term when we get our choice sheets."
"It is terrible." Said Hermione "Malfoy didn't deserve that."
"We don't know that Hermione." Said Ron "I still think he's the Heir."
Hermione looked horrified at Ron "I don't care if he is or not. This is mob justice and it's totally barbaric."
"I have to agree with Hermione on this one." Said Harry, cutting across whatever Ron was about to say "I don't like Malfoy, and I've want to hurt him more than once since I first got here, but ambushing him like that? That's cruelty I would expect from people like Voldemort and those that followed him, it's also cowardly."
Ron seemed to be irritated. "I still think he's the heir."
Hermione realised this and took his hand "Ron we're not saying you're wrong. But what happened to Malfoy is contemptible, regardless of what we think of him."
Ron seemed to be placated by that. Hermione's hand dwelled where it was for a few more second then withdrew.
"Um Emma?" said Demelza "Could you stop glaring at Professor McGonagall. She looks like she's about to cry and I'm finding it very disturbing."
Emma looked at Demelza with an eyebrow raised.
"I know but, please for me?" Demelza pleaded, yielding some results.
Dinner progressed and just as everyone was about to leave Professor Flitwick came to the table "Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, Miss Granger. Your presence is requested in the Headmasters office. Immediately."
"Uh ok." Said Harry "Where is it?"
"I shall take you there." said the small Professor.
ORACLE2PHOENIX
"Good evening Mr Potter." Said Dumbledore. Flitwick had led the three of them inside and they all sat down on a large couch. Professor Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk and standing beside the desk was a red-faced and furious looking Lucius Malfoy. Interestingly in the background a flaming red was sitting on its perch.
Professor Flitwick remained standing opposite the three of them and facing Lucius.
"We have asked the three of you here because of the attack on young Mr Malfoy." Said Professor Dumbledore "Despite having your alibis established, he still insists that it was the three of you."
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked outraged.
"I do not believe any of you are capable of this kind of attack. However Mr Malfoy here believes that you may have something further to add in regards to what happened to his son."
"We don't." said Harry. The other two nodded.
"My son was attacked and he thinks it was you." Said Malfoy senior "Why would he say such a thing."
"He doesn't like us." Said Harry "I thought after last summer you'd understand that. We don't subscribe to his pathetic Pureblood bigotry and he hates us for it."
"How dare you…"
"Lucius." Said Dumbledore warningly "Mr Potter ,while I appreciate your standpoint Mr Malfoy's son is the victim of a very serious attack and I ask that you please tell us anything you might know."
Harry sighed, he had some sympathies for Draco but on the whole he was not sorry for him. Malfoy, even if he wasn't the Heir, had brought it on himself. "I have something, but Mr Malfoy is not going to like it."
"My son was attacked, if you have anything to add…"
"Then could you please put your wand on the desk, because I don't want to have to attack you in self-defence." Said Harry
Malfoy glared. But put his wand on Dumbledore's desk.
"Mr Potter." Said Dumbledore "Please continue."
"Alright." Said Harry taking a deep breath "Hermione please don't interrupt either."
Harry looked over at his friend to see her nodding.
"Your son was attacked Mr Malfoy probably because he is a completely unpleasant person. He struts about expecting everyone to look at him in awe and wonder purely because of his family name and he makes enemies with anyone who disagrees with him, the three of us being an example. In the last three months he has repeatedly used a foul word that demeans muggleborns, a word I'm guessing you taught him, with the current anxiety around the Chamber of Secrets legend such attitudes can be interpreted as a confession. It doesn't help that when the writing on the wall was found he arrogantly threatened that muggleborns were going to be attacked like the cat was."
Malfoy now understood why Harry asked him to place his wand on the table. After that little declaration, he really wanted to hold a sustained Cruciatus Curse Potter and hear him scream.
"Are… you… suggesting… my… son… is… responsible… for… these… attacks?" said Malfoy furiously.
"No I am not." Said Harry "But I will say this: if it does turn out your son is responsible, I wouldn't be surprised."
Harry wondered if it was wrong he was taking so much pleasure in riling the elder Malfoy. The both of them were glaring at each other, but Malfoy was the first to break. It seemed when it came to glaring contests, Potters win every time. But Malfoy still had to have his say.
"You are an arrogant fool just like your parents…"
"I think that is quite enough." Said Flitwick "Mr Potter did warn you, you wouldn't like what he had to say. Headmaster, I don't see any further reason these three should be here, I suggest you let them go."
Dumbledore sighed "Do any of you have anything further to add?"
"No sir." Said Harry
"No sir." Said Ron and Hermione copying their friend.
"Very well. Professor Flitwick, please escort them to Gryffindor Tower." Said Dumbledore
The three of them left with the small Professor.
"Professor?" asked Hermione "Not that I don't appreciate your services there but shouldn't Professor McGonagall have done this?"
Flitwick smiled "You are correct Miss Granger. However my Colleague is still a little upset about earlier. She thought it would be better if you had a different Head of House represent you. I volunteered."
"I hope she's not too troubled." Said Harry "I don't like Malfoys, any of them but what happened was…"
"As a Professor I should discourage that attitude Mr Potter. But if you could forgive Professor McGonagall she might be…"
"Oh I'm over it." Said Harry "Emma I think took it a bit more personally. But I'll talk to her."
"We're over it to." Said Ron, Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Thank you." Said Flitwick, he was fond of his counterpart.
ORACLE2PHOENIX
"I'll think about it." Said Emma "But I'm still mad that she would do that."
"Haven't you got over it by now?" Said Harry "You're not going to glare at her some more."
Emma mumbled "Just a little more."
"I swear you didn't hold a grudge like that against Snape." Said Harry
Emma looked irritated "Don't you have Herbology to go to?"
"It's been cancelled." Said Harry pointing at the snow storm through the window. Either Hogwarts was going to have a white Christmas or she was going to be buried underground at this stage.
"Well I'd better go." Said Emma "I hope Ginny isn't walking outside in this? She's feeling ill again."
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Emma simply stopped looking at the Transfiguration teacher after the first ten minutes. She was still really angry that McGonagall threatened to expel Harry and the others, but the Professor was having trouble conducting the lesson so Emma stopped for the sake of her's and the other's education.
McGonagall did recover enough of her composure that things were going normally until "Now the trick with Switching Spells is to not overcompensate otherwise you might…"
"ATTACK, ATTACK ANOTHER ATTACK! NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! ATTAAAAACK!" Came Peeves from the corridors. Everyone scrambled to get out and see what was going on.
When they go there they were shocked to find Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Ghost of Gryffindor Tower, Nearly-Headless Nick, Petrified. Justin was lying on the floor with a look of horrified surprise and Nick was floating upright, his head hanging from his neck and his face looking inquisitively in one direction.
"Who did this?" said Demelza shaking, another muggleborn had been attacked.
Emma pulled Demelza close to her and held her tightly, silently vowing not to let Demelza wander about alone.
In response to Peeves' panic alarm people were pouring in from all over the school, including a group of Hufflepuff students in Justin's year. Eventually McGonagall dismissed everyone back to their Common Rooms, except for one of the older students who ferried Nick's form along with a fan McGonagall conjured. Classes for the morning were cancelled and Harry and the rest of Gryffindors were informed of what happened.
"Damn." Said Ron "Does anyone know where Malfoy was?"
"The Ravenclaws and Slytherins don't have classes at this time." Said Hermione "Unless it turns out he has an undeniable alibi he could have had the opportunity."
"Well we're down a Gryffindor and Hufflepuff." Said Harry "Plus a cat and a ghost. I think we need to find an opportunity to use the Polyjuice Potion. We need to figure out a scenario we can use it for, and soon."
"Not here." Said Hermione looking round "We can discuss this later in the Practice Room, we don't want to be overheard."
ORACLE2PHOENIX
Later that evening; Harry, Ron, Hermione, Demelza, Luna and Emma were in the Practice Room.
"We just need to wait for Ginny." Said Emma "She's been in the hospital wing most of the day again. But Madam Pomfrey said she's getting better, though I doubt these attacks are helping."
"Yeah she didn't join us in class this morning." Said Demelza
Ginny came in "Sorry guys, I was with Madam Pomfrey. Malfoy got attacked again!"
"What?" said Harry
"Apparently he was seen on the Second Floor by some of Justin's housemates. He's not as bad as last time, since his first assault his friends have been guarding him more closely. But Professor Flitwick had to break up the fight. Just some bruises, black eyes and bloody noses."
"The Second Floor is not far from where Justin and Nick were found." Said Ron
"You're right it's not but the Library is on the Second Floor Ron." Said Hermione "He could have needed study material."
"Well I overheard Dumbledore asking Malfoy for an alibi." Said Ginny "He and his friends say they spent all morning in the library. Madam Pince said she didn't see them though but she did say that she wasn't looking out for them in particular."
"The library is large enough and with outdoor classes cancelled a lot of students are using the time to study." Said Hermione "She certainly could have missed him, but she also could have missed him because he wasn't there."
"So any idea how we're going to use the Polyjuice Potion." Said Harry.
"We have to get into the Slytherin Common Room." Said Emma "I also think that only two of us should go, and we should go as Crabbe and Goyle."
"Only two?" said Hermione "I don't know if that's a good Idea. If something goes wrong, only two of us on our own could be in trouble."
"And if more than two of us go then Malfoy might get suspicious. He might be bragging to the entire Slytherin Common Room but he might only be talking to Crabbe and Goyle. If anyone else is there then he might keep tight lipped." Said Harry
"I think Ron and Harry." Said Demelza "It's going to be weird enough as it is changing ones appearance, never mind Gender."
Suddenly many of the girls in the room shuddered.
"I wish Colin was here, he could go instead of me." Said Ron
"No he couldn't." said Harry "I work better with you than I do anyone else Ron."
"AWE!" said all the girls.
"Anyway." Said Harry, overlooking the fact he'd embarrassed his friend "I agree. Ron and I should go under Polyjuice Potion. I think it might not be a bad idea to have two of you under my invisibility cloak as well, following us."
"Oh why didn't we think of that before." Said Ron "We could just tail Malfoy under the cloak and wait for him to say something useful."
"No we couldn't." said Harry "We need to be able to get certain things out of him. The only way we can do that is if we engage with him as someone he trusts."
Ron looked down "I really hate this."
"Yes and we appreciate your sacrifice." Said Emma "So who goes under the cloak?"
"I'm thinking Hermione and Luna." Said Harry "The two of you are the most observant, and you two would benefit the group more by hearing what is said First Hand."
"Sounds like there is not a lot for the rest of us to do?" said Ginny
"There may yet be." Said Harry "Crabbe and Goyle will need to be incapacitated while we do this. We might need you to guard them. Speaking of, we need to come up with methods to incapacitate them while we get a confession out of Malfoy."
"I was thinking of drugging some of their food with a simple but powerful sleeping potion." Said Hermione "But with you being so advanced in Defence Spells we could try stunning them?"
"That could work." Said Harry "I haven't tried that spell yet but it seems relatively simple."