51: Like A Patronus
"What's the password?" asked Ron hopefully, peering over to Hermione's copy of The Quibbler.
"Honestly, Ronald!" snapped Hermione, closing her issue, "It's the solution to the last crossword puzzle!"
"I know that," protested Ron indignantly, "I just can't figure it out! C'mon, 'Mione, I know you're the best -"
"Ron, are you fifteen?" said Hermione, half exasperated, half amused.
"Uh, yeah!" yelped Ron, "And I really don't remember the mystic origin of the Killing Curse! Or you can simply read it out for us!"
"Reading it out would be senseless! The answer is Abracadabra," sighed Hermione mildly, "You really should know this."
"I didn't know it," Harry and Ginny piped up at the same time, grinning when they met each other's eyes.
"And I am the one who lacks imagination," said Hermione sarcastically, before turning back to the magazine.
"Abracadabra." The four muttered at the same time, each holding a copy of The Quibbler.
Rubeus Hagrid, Hogwarts' Biggest Impeccant
By DA Appointed Columnist Rita Skeeter
It was our honor to provide our devoted readers an inside view of Hogwarts - about Professor and Inspector Umbridge's methods, and receive demands for more inside informations. The Quibbler appreciates your eagerness and promises to bring us back to the topic in a few weeks. This week, however, we must move forward to one of the most recently employed Professors at Hogwarts: Rebeus Hagrid.
As many would have guessed, Rubeus is a part-giant. However, from the way he interacts with Creatures and students alike, nobody who doesn't know the person behind his rough skin would describe the half-giant as "vile". In fact, after our fascinating interview with Rubeus, the Columnist herself admits that the Professor is both knowledgeable and caring, if only a little insensitive sometimes. Blessed with his parentage, Hagrid has hands-on experiences with many fascinating creatures, such as a three-headed-dog, Acromantula, Hippogriffs, Thestrals, Unicorns, to name a few, and is more than capable handling them. It is more than modest to say that Hagrid, as the Gamekeeper, had bestowed Hogwarts a lively, thriving yet peaceful Forbidden Forest through all his hard work.
A few of Hogwarts students joined us for tea that perfect afternoon, and we had a charming chat over Hagrid's background. Due to personal requests, The Quibbler had refused to divulge the identity of Rubeus' father and mother, while urges the readers to focus on the more interesting part of Hagrid's biography: his years studying with Tom Riddle, later known as Lord Voldemort, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, or You-Know-Who, and the Chamber of Secrets mystery. It is confirmed that Rubeus had gone to school with Tom Riddle. Although two years younger and in different houses, the two students had been dedicated, yet secret rivals. Their mutual hostility ended when, after a full year of mysterious Petrification and one murder, Riddle framed Hagrid as the culprit behind the first Chamber of Secrets incident, claiming Hagrid's newly obtained pet as the Monster of Slytherin. Truthfully, it was Tom Riddle who had opened the Chamber of Secrets and unleashed Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk on the school. A similar incident happened in the 1992-1993 school year, too. After months of Petrifications, Hagrid was taken to Azkaban as Minister Fudge 'need[s] to be seen doing something', whereas Riddle was possessing one of the Hogwarts students to open the Chamber. It wasn't until the end of the year when the possessed student was rescued from the Chamber did his name got cleared.
As the sun was sinking into the horizon, our topic circled back to Hagrid's creatures, more specifically, Blast-Ended Skrewts. The students admitted that the skrewts were particularly challenging to deal with, seeing not even Hagrid had the actual experience to handle one, yet by the end of the year they had managed to find a way to tame them. Beaming with pride, Hagrid and his friends bid goodbye to The Quibbler, and wished us another good selling issue.
Defensive Against Dark Arts: Spells and Skills Week Seven
By D.A.
Beginners Level
The beginners wrapped up Shield Charm this week, and moved on to Jelly-Leg Curse (Locomotor Wibbly) and Leg-Locker Curse (Locomotor Mortis). We decided to combine these two Curses into one lesson, because, in essence, they employ the same theory and require similar amount of energy, with the Leg-Locker Curse slightly more difficult due to its trickier pronunciation. The key to both Curses is to focus on only one of the opponent's legs as the incantation is pronounced. One cannot expect maximum effect if their mind is wandering around their surroundings or attempt to curse both legs at the same time (though the Jelly-Leg Curse does affect both legs in such manner). However, since neither Curse require much focus or power, with adequate amount of practice, it is natural to be able to perform the Curses without even staring at the opponent's legs. Wand movement for both spells is a full-circle, clockwise swish. The size of the circle does not matter in either cases, yet the smaller the circle, the more control one has over their wand. Last but not least, pronunciation is also a key to both Curses. There had been little problem with that of the Jelly-Leg Curse, but it is generally recommended to pronounce the Mortis in a slightly French way. That is to say, emphasising on the second syllabus and omitting the s in the end tend to procure maximum effect.
Intermediate Level
We started the Reductor Curse (Reducto) this week. The aim of this spell is to reduce a solid object into smaller pieces, or even dust, depending on the strength, yet it is not as sensible as Diffindo in terms of distinguishing Severing points. It is one of the curses that requires both power and determination. One vertical swish is sufficient in terms of wand movement, though firmness is the key. That is to say that certain amount of force is required in the swish, yet the caster should maintain a firm and even fierce grip of their wand. A perfect wand movement should end with the wand parallel with the caster's arm and without any wavering. The fierceness especially helps conveys determination to reduce something in pieces, which is one of the two most important part in succeeding the Curse. On average, this Curse does not require extensive power, but it is necessary to channel a relatively large amount of power through one's wand in sync with their wand movement. When the caster masters the Curse, they will be able to control the amount of energy channeled to achieve desired end results. This spell, due to its destructive nature, is strongly advised against using on living subjects.
Advanced Level
We have maintained the nonverbal rule with the Advanced Level and practised on a pair of spells: Levicorpus and Liberacorpus. Both spells are nonverbal spells and cannot be cast successfully with their incantations pronounced. A successful Levicorpus will dangle the opponent in midair at their ankles, while Liberacorpus frees the opponent (and is the only known counter-spell for the former spell). Both spells require specific wand movements despite their nonverbal-only nature. For Levicorpus, the wand movement is an upward flick, whereas one jerks ones wand upwards for Liberacorpus. The steadiness of one's wand is an important determining factor in casting. This pair of spells can be beneficial because one can cast them on themselves. There are, however, two major disadvantages for them. For one, unlike Levitation Charm or Hovering Charm, the subject can neither move around in midair nor be directed to do so. Another feature that can hinder the effect is that they are all-or-none spells, which means one either performs it perfectly, or not at all. There is no middle ground, and no measurement of strength. However, all those in the Advanced Level had mastered the spells by the end of the practising session.
Summary
All spells, though being very different in their nature, are excellent distraction. Adept employment of the above spells will guarantee an improved outcome in dueling. However, other skills, such as surrounding awareness, reflexes, and attitude also play a major part in the end result of a duel, as proven in the Simulation Session. We have noticed that, despite the members' drastic improvement in their skills, a majority of them still lack the confidence and determination to disable one of the threats, which can be fatal in a real life battle. We therefore urge everyone to pay attention to their attitude should they find themselves in a fighting situation.
"Well, Harry," said Hermione, being the first to finish reading, "That was as instructive as ever."
"I am an Auror and I did study that training package a dozen times," said Harry teasingly, before looking more serious, "I just hope they'll eventually realize why we're training them as soldiers."
Ron snorted, "They do know we're Dumbledore's Army, right? What else are you supposed to do with an army?"
"Come off it," Ginny scowled at Ron, "at the rate Smith is complaining, you'd think we're just the Gobstone club in disguise."
"But that's what Smith does," Ron protested, "And you don't see anyone else complain anymore, because we are actually teaching them things."
"Still," said Hermione sadly, "We are pushing them really hard, especially for Combat."
"I really just hope this will help them survive," said Harry, looking contemplative, "Even though they don't understand it yet."
Their section of the table suddenly became even more subdued as his three friends gaped at him strangely. Harry fidgeted, feeling like a zoo animal again. "What?" he asked irritatedly.
Ron and Hermione exchanged a look that looked suspiciously like 'really?' before shaking their heads together. Then, after a few seconds, Ginny spoke, her voice soft and passionate, "You've got no idea how... parental that sounds."
"What? It was true though!" feeling overrated, Harry was having trouble not to snap, "I just want -"
"Exactly," interrupted Ginny, "Technically you are at least eight years older than everyone in the DA, save us. And you've tried your best to train them, you've almost been living in the Room and you've given up Quidditch for it, just so that they can survive. To top it all, you insist on sticking with your regime regardless of the misunderstanding and complaints you've had, and that's what a good parent would do!"
"You - you mean -" spluttered Harry, completely baffled.
"You do sound like Dad trying to get us behave from time to time," Ron pointed out helpfully, "And your face when someone finally achieves something… You'd think it's the most wonderful thing in the world."
"It's a good thing, Harry!" noticing Harry's bewilderment, Hermione waved a hand in front of him, "It means you care, and you know how to show that you care."
"If you say so..." muttered Harry, still dazed with the information, "I still don't feel good forcing them through all those drills..."
"Actually, a lot of them have fun," Ginny's face lit up as she started listing evidences, "The Advanced group, especially, after you switched all six and seven years to that group. All Angelina could talk about after practices were how she finally learned how to fight. And, well, let's face it, the first and second years are just excited to do real spells, fifth years and up worry about exams, and the fourth years either worship you, or are determined to get a head start in Defence. Even Smith, you don't see him walking out. They only complain because, frankly, you make them work."
Harry grinned, feeling a weight he wasn't even aware of lightening up, "Really?"
"Really," Ron nodded eagerly, "You're just too dense to see it."
"Ronald!" scolded Hermione.
"Ouch!" yelped Ron as he received a slap on the arm, "I was just trying to cheer him up!"
"It's not Harry we should cheer up," Hermione doubled her scrowl, "It's Hagrid we need to pay more attention to from now on."
"We did have his consent, Hermione," said Harry in his peacemaking voice, "And we have explained why we're doing this. We just need to be there when he needs us. No need nudging him before anything happens."
"And it's not like Umbridge hadn't put him on probation," Ginny scoffed angrily, "I really don't think the school will overreact like last time. If he has a breakdown, we'll be there. If not, we just keep what we have for now."
Hermione looked like she wanted to retort, but resigned at her three sober friends. The bell rang, and the four time travellers stood up together before heading to class, the password-activated section of The Quibbler disappeared as the magazines were closed and put away.
Two weeks later, Harry stood in the Room of Requirement, pride had filled every inch of him as he watched the DA practice. He and Hermione were helping the lower levels with Impediment Jinx, while Ginny and Ron started an airborne battle with the Advanced level, using the brooms provided by the Room. He wandered around the room, stopping at each pair, recalling everyone's progress as he observed.
The Patil sisters were right by the door. Harry remembered the first day, when neither had a single clue on Stunning or Shielding; now, not only had they both mastered these two essential spells, Parvati had again demonstrated her talent in destruction when learning the Reductor Curse, while Padma complemented her sister's skill by performing the most impressive Incendio on a dummy that very day. Beside them were the Creevey brothers, excited to join each other again. The first time they had met in this Room, Dennis' wand flew halfway across the room and hit Daphne right on her head as he attempted to Disarm his brother the first time, and Colin almost knocked himself out trying to send a Stunner. Now, with grand satisfaction, Harry watched Dennis block Colin's Impediment Jinx with a fully functional Shield Charm. A few feet behind them, Daphne Greengrass had just immobilized Terry Boot for the first time, and did so without any of Harry's or Hermione's help. Then, beside the bookshelves were most of the lower years. Jo, the curious, quiet first year Snake, decided to Disarm Diane Langley before attempting the jinx. The idea was clever, though, Harry noted to himself, he was still not putting enough power. That was not the concern, however: it wasn't the skills he had problem with. He'd talk to the child later and figure out why.
Harry turned around, and watched Neville pointing his wand at Dean, but immobilized Tracey Davis beside them instead. Harry quickly cast the counter spell for the other pair to continue, before approaching Neville.
"Sorry, Harry," Neville wiped off the sweat on his face, "I just don't seem to get it fast enough."
"You were doing it right, though, I was watching… " mused Harry. Then his gaze landed on Neville's wand, "Unless, Neville, are you using your own wand?"
"No," answered Neville truthfully, "It's my Dad's, why?"
"I think that's why you seem to need more effort, Nev," Harry smiled reassuringly, "The wand you are using is not completely yours."
"Uh - Harry?" asked Neville hesitantly, Dean was listening with curiosity, "You are talking nonsense again."
"Sorry," said Harry apologetically, "It's just your wand may not recognize you as its master, therefore it can't work completely at your will. Once you've got your own wand, Neville, you'll probably even surpass some Ravenclaws as you've been working so hard."
He clapped a hand on Neville's shoulder before leaving the pair for more practice. From the corner of his eyes, he saw his friend standing a little straighter, a confident look on his face, and curled up his own lips.
Combat that night was both chaotic and straining. As soon as the whistle was blown, the Room of Requirement became a madhouse. With the Advanced Level on their side, the lower levels reverted to hiding again, and only a handful of fourth and fifth years, Neville, Susan, Dean and Luna included, were brave enough to use their wands. Even then, due to the chaos created by different spells flying around, none were very well aimed, nor were they particularly effective. As a result, Harry spent the next twenty minutes dodging and deflecting spells, treating injuries, reversing undesired effects, all while shooting empty Killing Curses, all of which were consuming on their own. Near the end of the session, he stole a peek at Ron, who looked as exhausted as he felt, and blew the whistle.
"We've seen some improvement at avoiding the Killing Curse," said Harry after everyone had counted, and repaired the holes on their robes, "Which is loads better than our first time," some people chortled, "But again, we'd like to see more offensives. Hiding and dodging can't always increase your odds, but fighting gives you a chance, even something as simple as Expelliarmus can save lives. Though I've got to say well done on a more general note: even I can't believe you've all managed this many spells in just a few weeks."
There was a round of applause before the group got ready to leave. Harry handed his Map to Hermione, and called Jo aside.
"You looked distracted earlier," stated Harry as they sat down behind a row of bookshelves, "Did you not want to hex Diane?"
"Not really, no," answered the child, not meeting his eyes.
"You know, you really do remind me of myself a lot," said Harry, reminiscing.
"The orphan part?" asked Jo in a higher-than-normal pitch.
"That, too," said Harry, "But there's more. They way you work around the system, I do that too. Then there's the fact that we're both surviving. And you shun people away the same way that I do."
"I'm not shunning people away," said the boy coldly.
"Yeah, right," snorted Harry, "You might as well tell your fifteen-year-old self that, though I doubt he'll admit it."
There was no immediate answer, or retort. Harry gave the child a minute to ponder. Just before Harry decided to move on, though, Jo spoke.
"Why do you care?"
Harry felt like he'd just been stabbed in the heart, while guilt resurfaced as he had asked the same question countless times before, hurting those who care about him the same way Jo did to him. It was really selfish of him to say something as rude as this. But it wasn't time for him, so he pretended to be unaffected, and asked, "Why should I not care?"
"Because you have no obligation to do so," said Jo bluntly. It felt like another stab, yet Harry couldn't help but be thankful that the eleven-year-old was at least acknowledged as someone worthy.
"I'm teaching you loads of cool stuff, so I sort of have some obligation to care," said Harry briskly, "But, well, let's just say I care because I want to, and it's not going to change because you keep running away from me."
"What if..." whispered Jo. For a second, Harry thought he might get his answer, but the child quickly looked dismissive, "Nevermind."
Harry raised an eyebrow, "That bad?"
"I've just figured something out," said Jo stiffly, "And it's none of your business."
"Let's see… I thought I was the heir of Slytherin in second year, and I overheard people talking about my Godfather being the one who betrayed my parents in third year," said Harry, "And both times I wish I had gone to Dumbledore, or McGonagall."
"I know what you're doing," bluffed Jo, "You can't help."
"Try me," said Harry easily. With 23 years of life experience, it was really hard to get angry with a vulnerable eleven-year-old.
Jo closed his eyes, looking as if he was fighting some sort of internal battle. Harry moved his eyes away from the child as he tried to breath shakily, signaling him he was not being pressured, while putting a hand on his shoulder for encouragement.
"Mnotsupposedtobehere," mumbled the child, before breathing out.
"Sorry, Jo," said Harry, putting a hand around his ear playfully, "I think we need to try that again."
"Mum never knew Dad," explained Jo, looking marginally more relaxed, "And, well, I was sort of a complication."
Picking up the implication, Harry narrowed his eyes, "How did you even find out about that now?"
"Mum never talked about Dad, and she got terrifying when I asked," said Jo, "Bob and Michelle wouldn't give me Mum's old diary, and, well, people are sort of curious about my parentage… I just did some research and put it together."
"That's some skill you've got there," said Harry weakly, remembering all the connecting-the-dots he did back in first and second year, "But still..."
"I told you," said Jo, sounding more distant than he had all night, "You can't help."
"Are you feeling dirty?" asked Harry, trying to sound as calm as possible, "Or like a burden to others?"
The younger boy nodded silently.
"I do, too," said Harry quietly, not bothering to mention that it was his original fifth year had he started feeling that way the most.
Jo gaped at him.
"For different reasons," continued Harry at the boy's searching look, "Reasons I don't even understand. But I do feel unclean, and tend to believe that people are better off without me."
"But - but you're so nice, and kind, and good at almost everything -" protested the boy.
Harry chuckled, "I think the feeling is mutual, Jo."
"What?" Jo now looked bemused.
"You, my boy," said Harry, relaxed that they'd gone through the hardest part, "Are nice, and kind, and good at almost everything as long as you put your heart in it. You most definitely have a pure soul, and you are an amazing company. I'm honoured to have you as my friend."
"Your - friend?" spluttered the boy, looking as if it was too good to be true, "But - but -"
"But nothing," said Harry seriously, "I care about you, and I'll look out for you. That's what friends do."
"What about you?" asked Jo, after sparing a few seconds to digest his words, "You said you feel the same way as I do, but I can't help you."
"In a way, you are helping," said Harry softly, "You showed me that I'm trustworthy, for one. And, well, you make me feel needed."
"Is it normal if I've got no idea what you mean by that?"
Harry smiled nostalgically at Jo's expression, "I don't think you'll know until you've got a younger brother, or a child, maybe."
"And you do?" Jo opened his eyes wide teasingly.
"Didn't I include a friend who's four years younger than you?" Harry retorted, reminding the boy of the fact.
Jo rolled his eyes dramatically, before pointing at the door. Hermione was still waiting for them.
"Not to be rude or anything… But can I leave?"
Harry nodded, and the child bounced off the chair, looking more cheerful than he had in weeks. He heard the door close behind him, before steps approaching him.
"You were acting really responsible there," said Hermione, sitting down on the chair beside him, "And gaining his trust like that."
"It's nothing," said Harry, though he was smiling, "And it feels good, guiding a child."
"You two are really alike," said Hermione plainly. Harry nodded curtly, but did not reply. He didn't want to talk about this yet, not until he had time to think it through. If he was honest, he would think Jo was this time's version of Teddy: a symbol of a thriving generation, one that would grow up without all the horrors they had faced, as well as a responsibility for him to remember how to live. He remembered, those first few months after the War, he never needed his Patronus when Teddy was around, and what he wanted the most now was to muse with the guidance of his father's Stag.
"How do you feel if I invite Mum and Dad over for the holidays?"
Harry turned his head abruptly at the sudden change of topic. Hermione was biting her lip, looking both hesitant and expectant.
"That's a brilliant idea," said Harry sincerely, "But how can you get them into, you-know-where?"
"I've been thinking about it, too," admitted Hermione, "It's hard to convince Dumbledore, but I do want my parents understand our world more - I don't want to Obliviate them again."
"They still won't let you leave for a Horcrux Hunt," said Harry, amused, "Not that you'll need one, but don't you think they'll worry more?"
"They will," nodded Hermione, "But they'll understand the necessity this time, like Ron's Mum."
Harry chuckled at the reminder of Mrs Weasley's hysterics the days before they left for the Horcruxes, "Yeah, definitely."
"Anyways, I just wanted to let you know," said Hermione, "I think Mrs Weasley needs to send them an official invitation so that I can convince Dumbledore, but I don't see why he won't allow it."
"Knowing you," snorted Harry, "You won't go down until you've torn him apart."
"Really?" asked Hermione incredulously, "That's what you think about me?"
Laughing, the two friends stood up and headed to the Gryffindor Tower.
A/N: First we have a correction: in the second DA session in Chapter 50, the Intermediate Level should start with Stinging Hex, not Impediment Curse. I've already replaced the chapter to fix the mistake, this is just for clarification!
Second, I've got to clarify the pronunciation of "Mortis" earlier. I know the word is pronounced differently in English, but I just really like the French way of saying this word so I made it the preferred pronunciation of the spell, and the spell only.
There have been some urges for change... Yes, I see where you're coming from, and there are things that I would like to see happening in the story, too. There is, however, one challenge, which is to guide the timeline carefully to the wanted direction. Also, by this point, lots have been happening in the background, yet they haven't been mentioned because they don't fit in just yet. They'll be mentioned/portrayed later in sixth year, when I expand the perspectives even further. So don't worry, things will change, just not the way people are used to see.
And finally, a note on posting time. I'm in Saanich, BC right now, which is 3 hours behind EDT. I don't have my schedules for the next two weeks yet, but I'll either be free before 6pm EDT or after 10pm EDT (before 3pm PDT or after 7pm PDT, respectively). So I'll do a poll. If people want me to post earlier, I will, and if they enjoy late night/early morning reads, I can arrange that, too. But please tell me your preference so that I can work my days around posting!
TheNarglesDidItAll: They taught Kreacher Occlumency because of this mission, if that's what you're asking. The next few chapters (including this) will have heavy DA elements in it, and I hope you enjoy them!
Roserayrose: Hope I answered your questions in my general A/N today... I'll consider some of the things you've said but since fifth year's already done, it'll probably happen in sixth year. Look out for it!
SharpRaptor: I KNOW... I hate the Killing Curse idea but it's a team decision... In my own HPverse there's no spell that can even closely imitate the signature green flash of the Killing Curse, which is why they're using this method. They will find a way to get around it eventually, but I won't tell you when and how. PM would be good, I should be getting back to you within a day or two.
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