I have finished writing my year 6 story now and have started year 7. Therefore one chapter a week will be uploaded as this will give me time to get year 7 well under way before i start putting those chapter up. I have a habit of finishing say chapter 30 and then realising i need to add something in chapter 25. Thats why these chapter have been so long in coming.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 28 – Proposal
The Minister of Magic was sitting in a high backed leather winged chair in her large office. Her shoes were tucked under her desk as she had her feet tucked beneath her. In front of her sits a large oak desk stained in dark brown with piles of parchment around the edges. A gold quill and ink holder sits above a green leather inlay in the desk with a piece of parchment half full and a quill lay across it diagonally sitting on the leather. The Minister is sitting with her leather chair turned around to face the window, which at present shows a scene of a green meadow with spring flowers all over it giving a patchwork of colour.
The view clashed with the Ministers mood. Delores Umbridge was annoyed. Her plans of gaining more control over Harry Potter were failing as nobody wanted to cross Albus Dumbledore the boys' magical guardian. Plans after plans had been made to try and discredit the Headmaster or Harry Potter and plan after plan failed as the public was far more scared over the Dark Lord then how much power those two wielded together.
The power she had felt when she had had Harry Potter in detention writing lines with a blood quill had been intoxicating and she wished she could sit him down in a locked up room and make him write line after line of 'I am a freak and spend my summers locked up due to my abnormality.' Umbridge smiles, sometimes having access to the aunt and uncle who raised him was rewarding despite them being muggles.
A knock on the door makes her jump and she quickly turns back to her desk and slips on her shoes. She runs her hand through her hair and adjusts the pink bow and rearranges her matching pink cardigan before waving her wand at the door and opening it. The door opens to reveal five men ranging in size from short to tall all wearing black silk robes with the Ministry seal on their right breast. Behind them is undersecretary Percy Weasley wearing brown robes.
The six men enter and each conjures up a chair with each chair being an image of their personality. The tallest man conjured up a hard backed wooden chair whilst a bent old man with oily white hair and long fingers conjures up a black mahogany chair with a dirty silk seat.
Umbridge looked over her five close advisors who had been hand picked for her cabinet from old pureblood families with the criteria that they hated Harry Potter, were power hungry and wished for Headmaster Dumbledore to lose his standing in society.
'Updates?' Umbridge asks her previous annoyance showing through the tone of her voice.
'Minister, the public is calling for stricter methods for anybody found out to be a Death Eater, with restricting their accounts at Gringotts and sentences in Azkaban without trial being their favourites. This could work in our favour.'
'How did you gain this knowledge Greggs?' Greggs, the tall man on the hard backed wooden chair hands over a copy of the Daily Prophet out of his pile of notes. Umbridge opens the paper out and reads the front page. The more she reads the more Umbridge smiles.
'Who wrote this wonderful piece of art?'
'I believe Rita Skeeter wrote the article Minister.' Greggs replies.
'I can see why you allowed the Daily Prophet to run this article Greggs. It is going to make the public fight our corner for a while. I hope for your sake it works.' Umbridge leans back in her and smiles sweetly. 'I think I need to have a little chat with Ms Skeeter.' Umbridge turns to smile upon Percy who is sitting beside her. 'Make a note Weasley.' Percy nods and quickly makes a note on his pile of parchment in front of him. Umbridge turns her gaze onto her other advisors.
'Any other news?'
'Death Eater attacks have been stepped up. The muggle Minister is demanding a meeting to discuss what can be done to stop the muggles finding out.'
'Arrange it then, for next week.' Umbridge says dismissively. A smartly dressed wizard with long black hair tied back in a black ribbon sits forward.
'The Aurors have confiscated a few questionable items off some of the pureblood families and the Unmentionables are attempting to destroy then now.'
'Why were they raided?' Umbridge glares.
'Information, tip off. Our Degree Number Two declares that the Aurors have to react to all information passed on. I believe Ms Nymphodora Tonks is in charge of a department that does an initial assessment, then if the information turns out to be true the department passes it on to the other Aurors. The Aurors were very quick to come up with a plan to combat any false leads.'
'Have one of our people mess up some paperwork and see if we can make up any more false leads. Let's see if we can make the Aurors work a little harder to keep them off our backs.' The man sits back in his chair crossing one ankle over the other. Umbridge sits back and thinks.
'If there is no other information for this morning I will see you this evening for our day debriefing.' The cabinet advisors stand up to leave as does Percy.
'Weasley, make my meeting with Ms Skeeter today at Lunch. I'm sure she hasn't been to The Hags Head any time lately. Book me a table for two to be private.' Percy nods and shuts the door behind him. Umbridge looks again at the front page of the Daily Prophet.
Rita Skeeter rushed from her office to make it on time for her appointment with the Minister. She had been waiting for this opportunity for a while and was hoping she could get a story out of it. Potter and Dumbledore had been very secretive lately and she was getting cornered by the editor for a decent scandal soon else her job would be on the line.
Pausing outside an oak door with a small pattern of a broomstick in the glass in a window next to the door she quickly brushes down her clothes, makes sure her handbag is on her shoulder and her hat is straight before opening the door and gliding to the head waiter.
'I am here for lunch with the Minister of Magic.' Skeeter simpers.
The tall man with a stern face nods solemnly and leads her through the lavish restaurant to a private room on the far side. The head waiter opens the door for her and holds it as Skeeter walks through shutting it silently behind her. Minister Umbridge was sitting at a round table sipping a small glass of wine whilst reading a copy of the Daily Prophet. Skeeter stands by the door waiting for the Minister to take notice of her. Finally the Minister looks up and smiles, Rita shivers inwardly but manages to plaster a smile on her face and go forward dropping a curtsey.
'Minister, I am delighted to be asked to this lunch.'
'I have wanted to meet the famous Rita Skeeter for a while. Your articles are always fascinating with little regard for the truth.' Umbridge indicates for Rita to take a seat opposite her. Immediately Rita sits down her quick notes quill and a piece of parchment appearing out of her purse and onto the table. Umbridge simpers.
'My dear Ms Skeeter, I thought we could talk in private. I am sure once this meeting is over you will understand that this article, whilst it cannot be published immediately, will be worth your secrecy.' Skeeter's interest is heightened by this small speech so she puts away her parchment and quill looking interested in what the Minister has to say.
'I am eager to hear what you have to propose Minister.'
Umbridge doesn't have time to answer as the door opens and the head waiter returns for their orders. They both quickly give their order and wait patiently whilst the head waiter opens a new bottle of wine, pouring some into their glasses before he disappears with their orders. When he has left again Skeeter turns back to Umbridge eagerly. Umbridge takes a sip of her wine and leans forward ever so slightly.
'Lately the Daily Prophet has been allowed to write articles about how the Ministry is protecting the Wizarding World, the laws we are passing to help catch Death Eaters and articles relating to Harry Potter. All of these articles portray Harry Potter in the light of a saviour, but you and I both know that Harry Potter is little more then a little boy with severe mental problems. He still believes he has visions from the Dark Lord and the Wizarding World is happy to let his mental state slide under the carpet, I believe that Harry Potter should be put under strict observation in St Mungo's. I believe that is what you were stating two years ago. Although last year you were remiss in your articles until you printed in the Quibbler.'
'Mr Potter gave me an exclusive interview; I am the only reporter he will talk to.' Skeeter says proudly. Their head waiter enters the room two silver servers in his hands which are placed in front of them. They both eat exchanging polite conversation as etiquette permits and only return to their previous topic when they are both finished.
'Why is it you wished to see me? Why not talk to another reporter?'
'There was an article on the first page of yesterday's newspaper, you were questioning if there really was a prophecy and if there was should the Wizarding World know of its contents. Although you appeared to be reluctant to give your personal opinion on the subject.' Umbridge smiles.
'The Ministry has admitted that there is a prophecy I am only questioning why the Ministry is keeping the contents from the Wizarding World.' Skeeter says.
'Unless you are Albus Dumbledore or Harry Potter you would not know what the contents of the prophecy are.'
'Has the seer come forward?'
'No. This makes me believe she is close to Dumbledore.' Skeeter nods. If a prophecy had been told to you, you were likely to keep the source close by. 'I think you can now see my problem. We are forced to believe that Mr Potter is going to rid us of the Dark Lord but we have no proof. For all we know the contents of the prophecy relate to somebody else defeating the Dark Lord, but Dumbledore may be relating it to Harry Potter to cover up his mental stability.'
Skeeter nods.
'What is it you wish me to discover?'
'I wish for you to discover the contents of the prophecy, if Harry Potter is mentally unstable and if he is receiving any extra training and if so what it is. You will find you are rewarded handsomely.' Umbridge says.
Meanwhile at Hogwarts, Harry Potter was sitting in Greenhouse 5 trying to avoid the long feelers of the deadly Pulvoritas Plant behind him. So far he had tried burning, drowning and stabbing the feelers that kept circling his waist but they kept on coming back for more. Finally tiring of the plant he raises his hand stopping Madam Sprout in the middle of her lecture on cultivating Teething Moss. Moss with attitude, that grew very quickly over magical houses and leeched magic from the foundations of the house to survive.
'Yes Mr Potter?' Madam Sprout says tersely.
'The plant behind me keeps on trying to kill me. How do I get it to stop?' The class laughs as Harry sighs. Hermione next to him glares at a few of the students who laugh again as a feeler comes around Harry's waist and he is forced to burn it again. The plant behind him drags the feeler back quickly but doesn't withdraw the other feeler halfway across the floor towards him. Madam Sprout rushes over towards him.
'Mr Potter it is not that difficult to stop it from attacking. You simply have to jab your wand at it and say 'Uredo'.' The plant rapidly drags all its feelers back and shrinks back down so it looks like an ordinary fern again.
'Thank you.' Harry says gratefully as Madam Sprout goes back to the front of the class and picks up her lecture. The students turn their attention back to the front leaving Harry to continue his notes with Hermione tutting next to him.
It isn't long before a green feeler once again slinks into his lap. Harry looks down at the feeler and raises his hand again.
'Yes Mr Potter!'
'It's trying to kill me again.' The feeler by this point has encircled his waist three times and is resting on his shoulder. Madam Sprout comes back and scolds.
'Mr Potter. How could you let it wrap around you so tightly!'
'I didn't do anything! It just circled around me.'
'Those feelers hold onto prey and squeeze it to death before dragging it back to the base and consuming it. You should be dead from the poison it secretes by now.'
'Well I'm not so can we please stop telling the plant how to kill me and get me out of here.' Harry shouts as another feeler comes and rubs against his hand in a way a cat does looking for affection. 'Oh for goodness sake!' Harry rubs the feeler. 'There, there.' The feeler pushing against the hand again and Harry strokes it some more much to the amazement of the class and Madam Sprout. 'How do I get out of this?' Madam Sprout shakes off her daze.
'You're going to have to leave the class Mr Potter. I'm afraid that you will be unable to return until we discover why the plants have reacted to you this way.' Madam Sprout points her wand at the base of the plant and shouts 'Uredo.' Both the feelers leave Harry. Before the feelers can come back Harry, with the help of Hermione and Madam Sprout he shoves everything into his bag and escapes the classroom just as the feelers come out from the base of the plant again.
Harry heads to the library and slides between bookcases until he reaches a small table in front of a small window overlooking the greenhouses. Seating himself so he can see the greenhouse door clearly he pulls out his Herbology textbook and finds the plant they were studying in class in the book. A small noise behind him makes him turn. Severus Snape enters the small area via another small entrance.
'I thought I saw you duck behind the bookcases.' Severus starts. 'Why are you in here, you have Herbology at this time.'
'Had to leave. Madam Sprout has banned me until she can figure out why the plants are asking me to stroke them.' Harry sighs and kicks the chair opposite him out. Severus takes the unsubtle hint and sits down.
'Mr Weasley is in the Great Hall with Mr Finnegan and Mr Thomas. You could have joined them.'
'Ron still isn't talking to me.' Harry admits. 'I humiliated him during the attack on Azkaban.'
'Harry you stuck up for the Slytherin seventh years that had come back late and were locked in a room with the Muggle Studies Professor along with seventh years from other houses. Where, as Weasley implied that the Slytherin seventh years were Death Eaters and fighting with the Dark Lord at Azkaban. Weasley was in the wrong.'
'This is the second time he has stopped talking to me.' Harry says taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. 'I really try you know, after the Goblet of Fire incident. I try not to use too much money so he doesn't get jealous, I try to keep him up to date with everything that is happening so he doesn't feel left out and I try to spend as much time with him outside of school work as I do with Hermione so he doesn't feel resentful of our relationship. I even try and keep exactly what I am learning secret and make sure my work stays below Outstanding level so he really can't complain.'
Severus rubs his fingers on his nose and breathes in and out slowly.
'Weasley has been jealous of his brothers before he came to Hogwarts and now he is jealous of you.'
'Ron is always left out. He feels second best and I can understand why. His brothers have all accomplished great things and now, me, his best friend is supposed to save the Wizarding World from Voldemort.' Harry says reasonably.
'Harry. Mr Weasley's jealously isn't anything to do with you. He has known from the minute he heard your name that he was going to be overshadowed and after your fourth year he should have learnt that lesson.' Severus takes Harry by the shoulders and turns him so they are face to face. 'I want you to act yourself. No more slacking off in lessons or your homework. Your grades have improved but I want you to show me and your other Professors that you're Harry Potter, Chosen One and there's a damn good reason for that title.' Harry smiles weakly and nods. 'Chin up.' Harry lifts his head up and smiles directly at Severus. 'Now, the bell for the next lesson is about to go so just remember what I have just said.' Harry nods again just as the bell rings. Severus stands up as Harry shoves his Herbology textbook back in his bag. 'I think it's about time that the Wizarding World stopped dictating what you should be like and you started dictating what you should be like instead.' Harry stands up and after another smile he disappears back into the rows of bookshelves.
Dinner showed that Harry had taken Severus' words to heart and was determined to be himself. When he entered the Great Hall the Slytherins who had been in the class had now spread the word throughout their house and Harry had to watch Nott and Millicent conjuring green streamers and wrapping them around the waists of passing students. Ron was laughing over the image of the plant clinging onto Harry and joking around with Dean and Seamus.
'I bet he loved the attention.' Harry heard Ron say as he passed them to sit next to Hermione. Dean nudges Ron to shut up as he sees Harry but Harry ignores all three of them and sits down to eat his dinner. It doesn't take him long to demolish an entire steak pie and half a plate of vegetables before finishing it off with a huge bowl of fruit salad. Full, Harry kissed Hermione on the cheek, refilled her fork with food and put it back in her hand which she slowly moved to her mouth still concentrating intently on the book in front of her, before Harry got up from the table taking his book bag with him.
'Where are you off to Potter?' Ron jeers. 'Snape given you another detention for something the Slytherins did.' Dean and Seamus exchange looks and move further away from Ron. Students around them at the Gryffindor table refuse to look up from their plates.
'No Ron, I have a problem with my advanced potions assignment and I have booked an appointment to see Professor Snape to sort it out.' Harry replies calmly shocking the students around them who had been expecting Harry to loose his temper or to just walk by.
'Too thick that you cannot do your own work now?' Ron questions back.
'Of course I am Ron, I am doing another O.W.L, I am taking 6 N.E.W.T.S and two advanced classes all of which I am passing with a minimum of Exceed Expectations.' Harry smirks down at a sitting Ron. 'How many N.E.W.T.S are you taking and passing? Two isn't it?' Harry asks before gliding out of the Great Hall leaving a hushed silence behind and a red Ron.
Harry made it to his lesson with Snape quickly and was surprised that Snape had beaten him from the Great Hall to his classroom.
I must be more distracted then I believed, Harry thought.
'Come on Potter. Stop moping. Weasley will talk to you eventually and a plant became attached to you. Plants become attached to Madam Sprout all the time.' Snape sneers annoyed that Harry is still moping.
'They do?' Harry asks hopefully.
'Yes. She looks after them and helps them grow and stay healthy. The plant must have sensed this in you. Now we're going to test your Occlumency barriers before we start on a more advanced form of Occlumency.'
'What will that do?'
'It will allow you to hide your real thoughts behind what the person using Legilimency wants to see.'
'Is that what you do with the Dark Lord?'
'Yes.'
'Okay what do I have to do?'
The lesson goes on longer then usual and Harry slowly makes his way up to Gryffindor Tower at midnight being careful to dodge Filch who was patrolling around the Fat Ladies portrait. After entering through the portrait hole he finds Hermione curled up asleep on a chair in front of the fire which was reduced to glowing embers. A few seventh years were finishing off projects in a corner, so Harry goes over and gently removes the book from Hermione's hand. Startled, Hermione jerks awake and then frowns when she sees Harry holding her textbook.
'Harry?' Hermione asks sleepily.
'I think you need some sleep.'
'No. I have to finish my Herbology Essay.'
'It doesn't have to be in till next Monday. I think you have time to finish it before then.'
'But we have so much other work. I still have research to do for advanced lessons and a million other essays to do for our normal NEWT lessons.'
Harry pulls her up out of the chair then takes her place pulling her onto his lap. The textbook is dropped to the floor and Hermione lies curled up against his chest as he strokes her hair.
'Mione, do not panic. The research for Defence is easy, I have borrowed a book from the library I can show you which has the notes we need in it. And I seriously doubt you have a million pieces of homework left to do. Now if you had been Ron saying it I could have believed you.' Hermione smiles sleepily and closes her eyes.
'I am behind. I had those few days off the week before my Apparition Exam.'
'Which you passed.'
'Yeah.' They sit in companionable silence. Harry takes out his wand and stirs the embers back into a fire before placing his wand on the table beside the chair that has a pile of his textbooks on it. 'Are you going to apologise to Ron?'
'I shouldn't have to. I have done nothing wrong.'
'You insulted him at dinner. I heard you.'
'Ron insulted me. I merely stated a fact. He is failing half of his classes.'
'You didn't have to say it in front of the whole school.'
'Ron didn't have to call me stupid in front of the whole school. I am doing 9 classes on top of which I have to take an etiquette lesson, I am doing four lessons a week extra with Snape and Dumbledore, I have a morning lesson with Snape every day, I have to keep on top of my homework, I have to go to all Quidditch practises and I have to plan and evaluate DA every week. Then I have to make sure I spend an adequate amount of time with my friends away from school work.'
'Harry…' Hermione starts trying to stop Harry's rant. Harry pushes Hermione off him and stands up turning to glare at her.
'I do not sleep and do you know what I have to do, I have to do my homework so I do not fail my classes. I haven't stopped working since school started in September. I spent most of the holiday doing homework!'
'Harry…'
'No. Ron was in the wrong. I have worked so hard and for my best friend to throw everything back in my face is beyond the pale.'
'Harry…'
'No, I am not apologising to Ron. I have done nothing wrong, I bent over backwards to play Quidditch and spend hours everyday with him putting my homework aside to do it so he doesn't get angry and guess what, he does anyway!'
'Harry!' Hermione shouts getting Harry's attention. 'Okay, I understand. You are infuriated that Ron does not understand the pressure you are under and with one mistake he turns on you.'
'Mistake! You mean sticking up for the Slytherins who haven't done anything other then allow an old hat to put them in that house, was a mistake! I should just have let Ron insult other students.' Harry yells.
'Harry, I am not arguing with you.'
'You're the one that took Rons side and insinuated that everything I did was wrong.'
'I am not taking sides.' Hermione yells back at Harry. The seventh years that were doing work disappear up their correct staircases to leave them in peace. 'I do not want my two best friends to be falling out again. I want you to be talking. I admit Ron was in the wrong you are under a lot of pressure and he isn't exactly working hard at his school work and to take his failures out of you was wrong. But can you not forgive him and talk to him again.'
'If he apologises then I will talk to him. But I do not see why I should have to apologise when he was clearly in the wrong.' Hermione goes to say something. 'That's the end of it.' Harry states flatly before sitting down in his chair and pulling out a textbook. Hermione sighs and kisses Harry's forehead.
'Goodnight Harry.' Hermione disappeared up the girls' staircase and Harry was left alone.
Ron didn't apologise to Harry so the relationship between the Golden Trio was strained. Ron refused to sit next any where near Harry at the Gryffindor table so he spent much of his time sitting with the younger years. Word had gotten back to Mrs Weasley about her sons behaviour obviously via Ginny and he was sent a Howler the day after he insulted Harry. The Great Hall was treated to Mrs Weasleys voice echoing through the rafters about how her son had better start growing up and that she hoped it wasn't true he was failing two out of four N.E.W.T level classes or she would personally be visiting soon.
The Howler did nothing to make Ron apologise to Harry, it even made him angrier which made him erupt in DA on the Thursday. It started off like normal; Harry had decided that everybody had learnt enough spells to do some duelling so they could learn how the spells would work when fighting. Each year was separated and Harry decided that he would spend time with the first two years to help them understand the rules to duelling and delegated the other years to Hermione and Neville.
About an hour into the allotted time for DA Neville called Harry over.
'Harry. We need help.' Neville shouted across the hall. His confidence had been rising steadily over the year but being included in Christmas at Grimmauld Place over the holidays had shot his self-belief through the roof now he was secure with his friends. 'Cho is having difficulty with this block. She had it working and now it's not working.' Harry quickly arranges his first and second years into pairs and makes them work on a simple block, cast, block, cast setup.
Harry made his way over to the seventh and sixth years after he was sure the first two years could continue without him.
'Okay Cho, I need to see what you are doing.' Michael, who is partnering Cho, throws a spell at Cho. Cho brings the block up but the spell goes straight through and petrifies her. Harry waves his wand at Cho and nods.
'I know what the problem is. Okay I want every sixth and seventh year paying attention to this.' Harry says. 'Gather around.' A snort from behind Harry makes most of them turn to look but Harry doesn't bother and focuses on everybody else. 'Did you all see what happened?' A few people shake their heads. 'Michael, please hex Cho again.' Michael and Cho cast and block and once again the spell goes through the block.
'That's impossible. The wand movement and incantation were correct.' Ernie McMillan states.
'It's possible. It happens when you have been practising to long and the intent behind the block has gone.' Harry replies.
'What intent?' Hannah Abbott questions.
'Cho knows that Michael would never send a truly harmful spell so she doesn't mind if the curse hits her or not as it's not going to cause any damage. Every time you cast a block you have to really want the curse to be stopped. Cho I'll send a curse at you. I want you to stop it.' Cho nods and both of them get into a duelling stance facing each other.
'Attonitus.' Harry says whilst waving his wand. A loud boom fills the hall and a blue spark shoots at Cho. She raises the block and this time it works. A gong like sound resounds around them. Harry stand up straight. 'Now you really wanted the spell to be stopped.'
'Of course I did. What on earth does that spell do?' Cho asks.
'Nothing. It's just a fancy gong that used to be used in old manor houses used to call guests to dinner. It was generally shot at the ceiling and that blue spark was the residue of the sound.' Harry smirks. 'Made you jump though. Your block works.' Cho rolls her eyes at Harry and smiles.
'Thanks Harry.'
'Thanks Harry.' A voice mimics from behind them. Harry ignores it but Cho shoots a glare over Harry's shoulder.
'Harry!' A voice calls from the other end of the hall. Harry turns around and sees a second year sprouting antlers. Harry stalks back down to the other end of the hall.
'What did I say about pronunciation?' Harry says coming over and reversing the spell before turning to the partner. The first year looks at the floor and rubs their shoe on the flagstones. The first year mumbles something. 'You'll need to speak up.'
'We had to make sure that the 't' in the middle was pronounced heavily.'
'Yes.' Harry rubs his temple indicating a headache. He then raises his wand and performs the gong spell he showed Cho earlier getting everybody's attention. 'Okay I think everybody needs to stop. It is obvious that we are all bored of duelling as our concentration seems to be slipping.' Everybody lowers their wands and converges around Harry.
'Okay. We'll learn a new spell.' The first few years cheer. 'This is a spell that Seamus showed us in the boys' dorm last year, but we only figured out how to get it to work lately.'
'Harry got it to work.' Dean shouts out.
'We all did.' Harry states. 'I'll demonstrate.' Harry grins and waves his wand in a circular motion before jabbing it towards Cho. Green swirls come out of his wand and head directly for her. Cho manages to block most of them but a small swirl is left once the block disappears and attaches itself to Cho's wrist. Cho carefully lifts her wrist up to look closely at it.
'Harry! What have you done to me?' Harry grins and watches as Cho touches the swirl with her wand activating it.
'Slytherin are the best
Better then all the rest.
I want to be in Slytherin House
Slytherin are the best.' The swirl shouts. Silence falls on the hall before the laughter starts.
'Wicked.' A first year says in awe.
'Can you get it to do that for other houses too?' Michael Corner asks touching his wand to the band activating it again
'Yes. You just need to specify. The incantation is fascia… then the house you wish for… and end with vociferatio.'
'Seamus, where did you find this spell?' Michael asks.
'My mum taught it me. It was what a Slytherin used on her when she was here and it took her over a week to figure out how to get rid of it. It only activates when you either touch it with your wand or use a spell with your wand. Quite cool actually.'
'You do know the counter-curse don't you?' Cho asks worriedly. Seamus smiles before waving his wand, saying 'eradicate' and the swirl disappears.
'Now, only the third years and above will be able to perform this spell as it requires the intent for the insult behind it, so the first and second years can do this spell instead.' Harry raises his wand above his head and swirls it around and around in small circles. 'Ebulio.' Harry says whilst continuing to spin his wand. Out of his wand come green bubbles and they float up towards the ceiling.
'Cool.' A second year by Harry's elbow says.
'Its green.' Ron snorts. 'Slytherin colours.'
Hermione jumps in quickly before Harry can reply.
'Where did you find the spell Harry?'
'It's in our sixth year charms book near the back. There is a 10 page explanation on variations on a water charm. It was in there.'
'You actually read that!' Gasps Terry Boot. 'I'm a Ravenclaw and not even I read past page 2. I was so bored with it.'
'Yeah. It was really quite interesting. There were about 3 new spells in that section. Of course the incantations aren't there but once I knew what I was looking for Professor Flitwick was happy to tell me where to find them.' Harry conjures a few more green bubbles. 'The colour of the bubbles will be whatever ever colour best represent you will come out of your wand be it blue, yellow, neon pink or polka dots.
'So you're a Slytherin then.' Ron states. 'Shouldn't you be with your own house? We don't want you here with us.' Ron says looking directly at Harry. 'I don't think we should be learning spells off a slimy Slytherin it could be classed as the Dark Arts.' Ron turns to Dean and Seamus. 'We don't want him here do we guys.' Dean and Seamus step back from him.
'Don't get us involved. This is between you and Harry.' Dean says holding up his hands. 'We are not getting involved this time.'
'Traitors. You're all sticking up for him.' Ron yells. Harry catches Professor Pentagon stand up from her usual seat in a corner of the Great Hall, leaving her work behind. Harry puts his wand in his pocket and raises his hands to show he is not hiding anything. The students around Harry and Ron step back.
'Ron…'
'Don't call me Ron.'
'Mr Weasley. I know you are upset that I stuck up for the Slytherins and I am sorry for insulting you in front of the whole student body. But I was correct when I said that the seventh years missing were elsewhere in the school.'
'They're still Slytherins.'
'The sorting hat wanted to put me in Slytherin, does that make me as bad as them?' The Hall looks at Harry in stunned silence. Ron opens and closes his mouth a few times before keeping it shut. 'The only reason I turned it down and asked to be placed in Gryffindor was because my new best friend had said he was going into Gryffindor and I wanted to be with him.'
Not entirely true, Harry thought. But it's not an outright lie.
Professor Pentagon reaches them.
'I think we should finish early this evening. Everybody needs to go back to their house common rooms and finish homework or have an early night.' The students file out of the Great Hall looking over at Harry before whispering to their friends. Ron leaves quickly, finally leaving Neville, Hermione, Harry and Professor Pentagon left.
'I'm sure Mr Weasley will be talking to you soon Mr Potter. Why don't you take an early night?' Professor Pentagon smiles and waves her wand, her scrolls, parchment and quill zoom over to her and then follow her as she leaves the hall.
'Were you really nearly sorted into Slytherin?' Neville asks. Harry nods. 'That would explain a few things.' Hermione nods at Neville. 'Like the hexes you have on your bed hangings. If they are closed and you try to open them when you are inside it shoots hex at the person and makes them hiss like a snake.'
'You also have excessive security on your trunk and storage spaces.' Hermione continues on from Neville.
'It's only password locked.'
'With a Parseltongue password. Only two people in the world can speak that language.' Hermione stresses.
'I'm paranoid.'
'What about the sneers and the cutting remarks?' Neville asks.
'It's called wit.'
'The new posh clothes and tailored robes.' Hermione jumps in.
'I am sick and tired of Dudley's cast offs.'
'The manipulation of others.' Hermione says.
'I do not manipulate people. I merely convince them to do what I wish them to do.' Harry smirks. Neville points at Harry's face.
'There's also the smirking.' Harry's smirk widens.
'I admit to a few Slytherin personality quirks. But to survive I'm going to need them.' Harry waves his wand at his notes causing them to jump together and float into his outstretched hand. 'Come on let's get out of here.' Harry leads them out of the Great Hall and up the Grand Staircase.
Harry parts from Neville and Hermione at the top of the main staircase saying goodnight. Neville goes to protest but Hermione whispers to him and he lets himself be dragged away. Halfway to Dumbledore's office he sees Dumbledore coming from down a hidden staircase behind a tapestry carrying a tray with two mugs and a pile of chocolate biscuits.
'Professor.' Harry says. Dumbledore looks at Harry and smiles.
'Harry. DA has finished early I see.'
'Yes sir. There was a bit of an argument.'
'Let's go back to my office and talk.' Harry smiles and walks beside Dumbledore, pinching a chocolate biscuit of the tray. 'Left here.' Dumbledore says. Harry frowns.
'But it's straight on to your office sir.'
'Yes but Mr Patterson and Ms Bones are up ahead. Can't be catching them. I would have to remove house points.' Dumbledore twinkles at Harry and rolling his eyes Harry follows Dumbledore on a detour.
'How are you sleeping Harry? I was informed that you didn't seem to sleep over Christmas.'
'I haven't for a while. I only need a few nights sleep every now and then. Generally just a few hours of rest.' Harry shrugs clearly not worried. 'It gives me time to keep up with all my schoolwork though.'
'Is there any other differences in your daily life you haven't mentioned?' Enquires Dumbledore, as he pops a biscuit in his mouth as they reach the gargoyle guarding his office. Without a password it opens and lets them both onto the moving stairs.
'You mean apart from the plants in the greenhouses suddenly wanting me to stroke them or snuggle up close?' Harry smiles and Dumbledore chuckles. They enter the office and both sir in chairs either side of the fireplace which is casting an orange glow over the room. Dumbledore puts down the tray he was carrying and they each take a large mug of hot chocolate off it complete with cream, marshmallows and flaked chocolate.
'I'll let you in on a little secret Harry. The same thing happens to me. I never go near the Greenhouses unless I have too.'
'Why does it happen though?' Harry leans closer expecting Dumbledore to know the answer as usual.
'This is just a theory Harry, but I believe it is because like humans, they can sense that you can protect them. That you are capable of loving them and caring for them no matter whether they are poisonous or just for show. You have noticed that people around you seem to act differently?' Harry shakes his head. 'Do people come to you for help more then they used too?'
'Yeah, but that's because I teach DA now and they expect me to know everything. I generally refer them back to the teacher of the topic they are struggling with.' Dumbledore smiles.
'That is a very wise thing to do Harry. You are still learning yourself. I'm glad you realise you cannot know everything.'
'They all look at me and expect me to know everything. Even the Slytherins.' Harry says quietly whilst looking down into his chocolate. Harry wipes a finger through the cream and then licks it off his finger.
'The Daily Prophet isn't helping Harry. People are scared and want to believe you can save them.'
'How can they believe a 16 year old boy could save them when greater wizards have failed?'
'Harry look at me.' Harry looks up from his chocolate and straight into Dumbledore's eyes which are not twinkling but have softened. 'Everybody is scared right now Harry. The Death Eaters are starting to take out whole families, not just the parents as they did in the last war. When their lives seem so bad and they are petrified to leave their children at home they draw strength knowing, however wrongly, that someday this war will end when you defeat Voldemort again.' Dumbledore takes a sip of his chocolate getting cream in his beard causing Harry to grin. A quick wave of his hand and the cream is gone. 'When you are scared, Harry, what do you draw strength from?' Dumbledore questions.
'I don't think when I am scared, I just act. But I know you are there to save me if anything goes wrong.'
'See Harry. You automatically believe I can save you as I have done so before. That is what all the other witches and wizards see. You defeated Voldemort when you were 1 year old and now that you are 16 and very powerful for your age they expect you to do it again, just like you expect me to help you if you are stuck.' Harry sighs and takes a sip of his chocolate.
'I just get frustrated that they expect me to put aside my fears when they are incapable of doing it and go into battle knowing that I could die. I'm scared too just like they are but they wont act on there own behalf. There's so few of us trying to defeat Voldemort when there are thousands of witches and wizards capable of fighting.'
'Harry, you are a remarkable Wizard. You are willing to protect and die for your friends. You do not fear death, but most people do. They fear the unknown and what might be there once they die.'
'After all Death is the next great adventure.' Harry says smiling slightly. 'You told me that in my first year when explaining that Nicholas Flamel and his wife were putting their affairs in order.' Dumbledore sits back in silence as both he and Harry turn and watch the flames dancing in the fireplace drinking the last of their hot chocolate and eating their way through a plate full of biscuits. Harry breaks the silence first. 'Don't you ever feel weighed down with responsibility? I mean you have the Order to run, the Ministry to control, Hogwarts to protect and Students to educate.'
'Harry, if I did not feel the responsibility I would be the wrong person for the job.' Dumbledore and Harry sit in companionable silence with Fawkes gently singing in the background for the next few hours.
Next morning at breakfast Severus Snape swept into the Great Hall startling many students as his appearances at breakfast were exceedingly rare. Slytherin House cheered when their Head of House came in but quickly settled down when he glared at them clearly not amused with something.
What he was not amused about was soon discovered as Dumbledore stood up and called for attention.
'Good Morning students. I will not keep you long as I am all sure you are anxious for your lessons for the day to begin.' A few snorts of disbelief follow this statement but Dumbledore continues. 'I am announcing that next Tuesday on Valentines Day there will be a special treat for all of you.' Snape's disgusted sneer does not go unnoticed by the Gryffindor table.
'Look at Snape. He looks like he's about to be sick.' Chuckles Dean.
'Probably can't get a date again.' Laughs Ron, causing the rest of the sixth years around him to dissolve into fits of giggles, omitting Harry and Hermione. Harry because he has an idea of who Snape is seeing at the moment and Hermione as she sees the others behaviour as childish. Dumbledore continues talking over them.
'On Tuesday evening we will be turning the Great Hall into a restaurant for couples to have a romantic meal together or for friends to just enjoy themselves. Lists will be displayed in the Entrance Hall and on those you should write down your name and the amount of people you wish to be at your table. The list will be removed tomorrow evening. We are hoping that this evening can shed some light in an otherwise dark time.' Dumbledore sits back down.
Harry looks at Hermione and smiles and she rolls her eyes. Ron starts discussing with Seamus if they are going to go as a double date as their girlfriends Lavender and Parvati are best friends. Harry spies Malfoy across the room being harassed by Pansy Parkinson who is clearly expecting a table for two. Amused Harry turns back to Dumbledore who had stood back up again after a nudge from McGonagall.
'Dinner will start at 7pm and I will expect you all to be wearing Dress Robes and acting in accordance with the rules of Etiquette if you are in the sixth and seventh years. For years first through fifth I do expect Dress Robes as well but you are free to act how you wish as long as it is in accordance with school rules.' Dumbledore looks down at Professor McGonagall who is sitting beside him on his right. 'I believe that is everything.' McGonagall nods so Dumbledore turns back to the students and smiles before sitting back down again. Chatter starts up immediately and is only broken up when the bell rings for first classes.
Saturday was the next Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The usual hype that is associated with this combination meant that at breakfast the Gryffindor team were being patted on the back, given flying tips, and told to kick Slytherin butt by three houses. Harry was frowned upon as he had Saturday morning lessons that were not being postponed, just because of a small Quidditch Match, so he couldn't go to that mornings practice.
Tension between Malfoy and Harry in Advanced Potions was felt by Hermione, Justin and Snape, so Snape just ordered them to work in silence reading the next few chapters in their books knowing that Harry and Malfoy were not going to be concentrating on their work anyway. He'd rather have them reading the same page over five times than exploding a cauldron due to inattention.
Too soon for the nerves in Harry's stomach he was walking down to the pitch to get changed in the Gryffindor changing rooms. Cheers greeted him as he entered.
'Come on Potter, get changed. We changed a few plays and I need to show you what they are.' Ron shouts pointing at the charmed whiteboard Harry got him for Christmas that has moving arrows covering it.
'Tell me whilst I'm putting my robes on then.' Harry says as he pulls off his school robes to reveal his Quidditch suit underneath.
'Didn't you get in trouble with Snape for wearing that instead of correct school wear?' Ginny asks.
'Nah. Malfoy was wearing his too.' Harry pulls on his red robes and tucks his wand safely in a harness on his right wrist before sitting down to put on his chin guards, wrist guards and boots. Ron taps the board with his wand and the arrows start to move in a different pattern.
'This is the new Chaser play….' He trails off as loud voices are heard passing the changing room.
'How about you just tell Harry about the play you have thought up for him and he can learn the others during next practise. They're not important for him anyway.' Katie explains. Ron glares at Katie for interrupting him.
'Potter needs to know these plays.'
'All of your new strategies are geared towards the Chasers. Harry does not need to learn them now when we have to be on that pitch in a few minutes.'
'Fine.' Ron growls at Katie before glaring at Harry. 'Potter as you're the Chosen One and do not need to know what us mere mortals are doing on the Quidditch Pitch, I will tell you not to catch the snitch until we are 150points up as it will give us a larger lead, therefore no matter who wins the other matches, Gryffindor will still win the Quidditch Cup.' A whistle goes out on the field causing the Gryffindor team to grab their brooms and head for the pitch.
The two teams line up on either side of Madam Hooch.
'Now I want a nice clean game.' Madam Hooch glares at both teams before raising her whistle to her mouth and blowing. The two teams shoot up into the air. The game begins.
'Weasley has the ball, passes to Robins, who passes back to Weasley who scores.' The Gryffindor stands erupt.
Time passes quickly and Harry is careful to listen to the score and make sure Malfoy is too busy watching him then looking for the snitch. Harry veers to the Gryffindor hoops as he notices the Gryffindor chasers zooming towards the Slytherin hoops, Malfoy chases after him.
'Gryffindor score bringing the score to 130 – 20, with Gryffindor in the lead.' As soon as Harry hears the score he stops and turns around on his broom so he is facing Malfoy. Harry grins at Malfoy and races off in another direction hearing Malfoy curse behind him.
Minutes later Gryffindor scores again but Harry ignores the commentator as he has spotted the snitch at the same time as Malfoy. They both race after it. They are neck and neck following it around the stadium as everybody cheers them on. The snitch dives and Harry and Malfoy aim their brooms down and then pull up sharply when the snitch changes direction and pulls up. Rising higher and higher they are soon way above the Quidditch Pitch battling it out to catch the Golden Snitch. Just as Malfoy is about to close his hand around the snitch it darts down again causing Malfoy to swear and Harry to laugh. Their descent is fast and the whole school stands up and watches them drumming their hands and feet on the wooden stands urging them on. They plateau out as they are halfway down and hit each others arms away to stop the other from winning.
A Bludger comes out of nowhere. They both roll out of the way but Malfoy's robes get caught around the Bludger pulling him off his broom. Gasps pull Harry's attention from the snitch inches from his hand and he sees Draco spiralling towards the ground. Knowing Dumbledore isn't at the match as he had an appointment at the Ministry he ignores winning and dives quickly after Malfoy.
'Potter has left the snitch. He is racing after Malfoy. Wow. Great catch.' Harry lets himself drop below Malfoy and catches him as he falls past. Malfoy yells in pain as does Harry as their arm muscles strain under the sudden impact and then they are both still. Harry leaning over his broom hanging on with his legs as Malfoy hangs beneath with Harry's hand wrapped around his wrist.
'Malfoy, you could do with losing some weight.' Harry hisses. Malfoy realising the sound of rushing wind has stopped looks up.
'I don't weigh that much actually!' Malfoy's wrist begins to slip and fear passes through Malfoy's face. Harry reaches down with his other arm and grabs Malfoy's other flailing arm. 'Don't drop me Potter.' Malfoy hisses as he peers down at the ground a long way beneath them. Harry sees the Slytherins circling just beneath them and Ginny come into his peripheral vision to the left.
'Ginny fetch Malfoy's broom. Now!' Ginny nods and shoots away. Malfoy slips some more. Ginny quickly arrives back with Malfoy's broom and holds it out in front of Malfoy. It hovers in the air.
'Think you could reach out and grab it Malfoy. My arms are killing me.'
'I never asked you to catch me!'
'Right, like I was about to let you hit the ground. It's no fun believe me!'
'I can't let go and reach for it.' Malfoy says a hint of fear in his voice.
'Kick out a leg and hook it over.' Malfoy held out a leg trying to get his foot over the broom with no luck. Harry grunts.
'Malfoy, I'm going to swing you. Please try and catch it.' Harry pulls his arms away from the broom, Malfoy flailing below and swings him towards his broom. After a few more swings there is enough momentum for Malfoy to reach out a leg to hook over his broom, pulling it closer. A few seconds later Malfoy is sitting back on his broom as Harry rights himself. The snitch appears in front of Malfoy and they both race off after it ignoring Madam Hooch's shouts to stop playing. Seconds later Harry knocks Malfoy's arm out of the way and catches the Golden Snitch. The tiny wings of the snitch fluttering in his hand before they stop. Malfoy pulls up short on his broom sneering.
'A hero as well as a champion.' Says Malfoy.
'Shut up Malfoy. I'll let you drop next time then.' Malfoy doesn't get time to respond as the Gryffindor team race over and group hug with Harry at the centre. They chaotically make their way to the ground where Dean announces a House party. The Gryffindors trudge off to their tower leaving a fuming Slytherin behind.
The party raged until the early hours of the morning until Professor McGonagall came in and sent them to bed. Harry sat down after everybody had left and read over his notes for a Potions Quiz on Monday. The alarm he set goes off at 7, so he makes his way towards the library.
Secluding himself in a corner he reads a random book from the shelf nearby on Charms, 'Handy Charms for the Party Lover.' Just as he is getting into the chapter on charming balloons five Slytherin students appear and sit down at the table he is occupying. Harry looks at them confused before turning to Selina.
'Why are you all here?' Selina blushes.
'Well, I told them I was getting help from you and they wanted to come along. That is okay isn't it?'
'Sure.' Harry recovers himself and pushes the Charm book to one side. 'Firstly, I'd better have your names and what year you're in. I already know Selina, first year.'
'Dan, second year.' A thin male with mousy brown hair and a squint volunteers first.
'Trinity, second year.' She has blonde short hair, wears silver rimmed glasses and is dressed in a green robe.
'Seraphina. Everybody calls me Seph. I'm in first year.' Says the black haired female in front of Harry. Harry notices an interesting mole above her right eye.
'I'm Zara. First year.' A timid looking female with long brown hair and brown eyes says sitting to Harry's right. Harry nods and stores their names in his memory.
'Okay, so what do you want me to cover this week?'
'I need help on my Defence Essay.' Says Trinity.
'Yeah, the title is 'What are Doxy's and what are the differences between them and Fairies. Stating any spells that can be used against them.' We have no idea about the spells part.' Dan butts in. Harry nods.
'Well if you look in your Defence text books for first and second years at both Doxy and Fairy chapters it will give you a few spells or mention some. You will have to look for a book in the library to get all the information. Madam Pince if asked will find you the perfect book.'
'Can't you tell us any spells?' Trinity asks politely. 'Everybody knows you're the best at Defence in the school.' She blushes after this last part and looks down at the table.
'Not all spells used against Doxy's and Fairies are Defensive spells. But as you have asked I can tell you the names of some spells but you will have to look up the incantation and information yourself. I'm not doing the essay for you.' Trinity and Dan nod. 'Get out a quill and parchment then and I'll give you a few to start you off.' Harry turns and looks at the first years, 'You might as well make a note of these and file them in your Defence notes. They give that essay out every year.' They quickly rustle in their bags for parchment and quills as Harrys leans back thinking. 'Right, first there is a basic charm to disorientate both species, it's called Embobeliner, invented by a Spanish Wizard, 1908. For a Doxy you can use a basic Stunning Charm and for Fairies the Aviation Pegar Hex, Canadian Wizard, 1876. It sticks their wings together so they cannot fly away. You'll have to find the others. Okay what's next?'
Selina raises an arm.
'Yup?'
'How can you remember what nationality the Wizard was who invented them?'
'My girlfriend always did lots of research into every essay and we got dragged along.' Harry looks at Selina directly. 'By the way, how did your Charms Exam go last Monday.' Selina blushes, amazed Harry remembered.
'Professor Flitwick said he was glad I had mastered the charm and that now he could help me with others so I could catch up with the rest of my year.' Harry smiles.
'Are you taking my advice on keeping your wand with you at all times?' Selina nods and Zara pipes up.
'Yeah, she tied her wand to her wrist with a strip of cloth before bed last Sunday night, telling us she had had some good advice. We finally got it out of her on Wednesday.' Harry nods understanding a Slytherins determination. 'How come you suggested keeping your wand against your skin? Selina tried to explain but it didn't make much sense.' Zara asks.
'Your wand is an extension of the magic inside of you. So by keeping your wand close this will help your body adjust to channelling it into your wand just like it channels it all around your body. Make sense?' They all nod including Serena who blushes before saying.
'You could demonstrate.'
'What you mean show us that tingling feeling he showed you?' Dan asks curiously.
'Don't any of you feel the warmth your wand gave off when you first held it in Ollivanders?' They all shake their head except Serena who nods cautiously. 'Okay, all stand up. I'm going to do a basic Levitation Charm using your wands and show you. Then maybe you'll stop teasing Serena because she is bonding with her wand.' They all stand up looking nervous and take their wands out of their bags or from cloak pockets. Harry goes to Selina first and from behind touches her wand hand saying.
'Wingardium Leviosa.' Selina gasps a little and then smiles feeling the tingle of magic she has just started to feel when she does spells. Harry lets go and the Charms book he had directed the spell at descends back to the table. Harry goes behind Zara and does the same. Zara gasps when he says the spell and jerks her wand arm away causing the book to land with a loud thud on the desk.
'Feel that?' Asks Harry and Zara nods. Harry quickly does it with the remaining three and then sits back down looking at their bemused faces. Slowly they remember where they are and sit back down again looking carefully at their wands.
'You could practise a few basic spells and purposefully try and get that tingling feeling. It will help. So will sleeping with it and never letting it out of your vicinity.' They all nod even Serena who has already heard this. Harry gives them a few more minutes before clearing his throat loudly getting their attention back.
'It's nearly time for you to be heading back to your common room so you don't get caught. Anything else you wish me to teach you before you leave?'
'How about that bubble charm?' Dan says eagerly. 'It looks like fun.' Harry laughs.
'Sure.' Harry stands up and shows them the wand movement saying the incantation. Green bubbles float up from the floor and surround them. The others try and soon red, yellow, clear, blue and silver bubbles have joined them. Harry spots the time and banishes the bubbles.
'You need to remember to banish them or when they pop they will leave coloured marks on the walls and furniture that only a really good Cleaning Charm can remove. So I guess I'll be seeing you all next Sunday. I'll try to pick up a few objects that the first and second years are working on in DA and bring them along.' Harry smiles at them all and they pack up their things tucking wands away in belts. 'Oh before you go, I have a question. Who is it in your house that has started asking question about me? They're some pretty weird rumours circulating with me as the subject.' The five Slytherins look at each other nervously. 'Look I know you are reluctant to tell but there is a reason behind this and I need to know.' Another set of glances before Dan nods at Trinity who gives a small cough.
'Draco Malfoy has. He was asking if anybody had information on you and your girlfriend.'
'Is that it?' Selina nods. 'Thanks. You can head back to your house now, but remember don't show that Bubble Charm to the rest of your classmates.' They all nod and go away happy.
So, Harry thought, Malfoy is at the centre of all of this. I should have known.
He picks up the Charms book he was reading and after leaving a note for Madam Pince saying he had borrowed it leaves the library.
