He Has Risen Above
Chapter 32
Supersandman86: That was a wonderful scene in Endgame. Who'll see what I have planned for the family visiting, and I think it'll be obvious who Whitman is after this chapter and most definitely the next.
Spazzman86: Fair enough. The problem with Harry/Ginny is that their development happened off screen, though Harry/Luna is interesting to explore.
FlamingDrongoFan: I probably won't be using your idea since I already have something planned, but I appreciate you leaving a suggestion. And as for the I'm Not a Hero thing, apart from the twin brother being redeemed point, everything else is fairly common in WBWL fics.
RyanMK666: My average chapter length is from 2.5-4k words, and any more than that means it takes me over a week to write the chapter.
It was the day after the task and the school was in quite a buzz. "How come everyone's like this today?" asked Harry.
"Read this," answered Daphne failing to hide her smile. She passed the Daily Prophet to Harry, who noted the article Daphne had opened was written by Rita Skeeter before reading the headline.
ENGLISH MINISTRY OF MAGIC AND ALBUS DUMBLEDORE SUED FOR CHILD ENDANGERMENT!
Harry was unable to stop the grin that spread itself along his face.
Harry and Professor Whitman were dueling as part of a training session. The duel had gone on for 15 minutes and Harry was very tired whilst Whitman hadn't even broken a sweat, and he could tell the Professor was toying.
Harry threw a blasting hex at Whitman's feet which caught him off guard, tripping him up but the man was back onto his feet in a flash. "That's more like it Potter!" he barked flicking his wand to send an array of blasting hexes, stunners, cutting curses and jinxes at Harry.
Harry ducked under the first couple of spells and brought up a very powerful shield to take care off the rest. A dark green spell broke through Harry's shield and headed straight of his head, and Harry instinctively brought his wand up and caught the spell at the tip of his wand, and flicked it back towards a very surprised Whitman. The man didn't react quick enough and the spell struck him on the side of the face throwing blood around the room and sending him toppling to the ground.
"Professor!" exclaimed Harry rushing to him in fear. "Are you okay? I didn't-" That was as far as Harry got before his feet were suddenly yanked forward and he hit his head painfully on the floor. Ropes conjured themselves out of mid-air and tied themselves around Harry like a straightjacket, and Whitman slowly stood up.
He brought his wand to the cut on his face and the gash slowly closed up, Whitman wincing as he did so. "What did I tell you before we started Potter?" he shouted angrily.
"Don't lose focus!" muttered Harry.
"And what did you do?" Whitman barked.
"I lost focus," admitted Harry.
"Yes, and in an actual fight that could have killed you. I don't care who your opponent is, you never stop to help them! A death-eater would have all sorts of tricks up their sleeve, and they'd be waiting for you to lose your concentration!" yelled Whitman releasing Harry.
"Sorry Professor," said Harry rubbing his head.
"Where did you learn how to redirect spells?" asked Whitman changing the subject.
"In defense," lied Harry. It was a half-truth- Remus had taught him in one of their lessons but he didn't want Whitman to know he was also training with Remus.
"It's damn impressive you can do that boy," grunted Whitman. "Most wizards I know wouldn't have the mind ot even think of that under the barrage I sent at you, let alone be able to pull that off. Now, I wanna move onto something more advanced."
"What is it?" asked Harry curiously.
"Death Eaters don't care about which spell they use," began Whitman. "They'll use the darkest spells they know, including the unforgiveable, as long as it does what they want. This is why I want to teach you how to stop the unforgiveables."
"But we've already learnt that in Defense," said Harry. "Either you dodge or get an object between you and the spell- the best thing in a conjured block of stone."
"I'm not talking about that," grinned Whitman. "I'm talking about one unforgiveable specifically- the Imperious. I'm gonna teach you how to throw the Imperious off."
"How?" asked Harry simply.
"Simple- I'm gonna cast one on you and you need to try to throw it off. I don't care how long it takes, you'll throw one off by the end of the day."
"That's illegal!" protested Harry. "You can't-"
"You think death eaters care about illegal!" barked Whitman.
"Well no."
"Then why are you complaining? And if you don't like my methods, you can leave right now," snarled Whitman.
"I'll do it," said Harry adamantly. "Do it. Cast the imperious."
"Well if you're so eager," smiled Whitman. "Imperio!"
It was the most wonderful feeling. Harry felt a floating sensation as every thought and worry in his head was wiped gently away, leaving nothing but a vague, untraceable happiness. He stood there feeling immensely relaxed, only dimly aware of Whitman watching him, very intrigued.
"Do a handstand." Harry heard Whitman's voice in some dark corner of his brain, and he was about to bend down when another voice woke up.
"Why though?" asked that voice. "Why?" Harry stood straight, feeling the effects of the Imperious lesson when he heard Whitman's voice again.
"DO A HANDSTAND!" It was much more forceful this time, but Harry's own voice countered this and the effects began to lessen, and despite Whitman giving more and more forceful instructions, Harry was able to resist, eventually fully throwing off the curse.
"Well done Potter," smiled Whitman. "On your first try as well. Now again!" Whitman threw another Imperious onto Harry without warning, and this continued until Harry was no longer affected by the unforgiveable curse at all.
"I think that's enough for today," said Whitman after the 5th unforgiveable cast upon Harry. "I'm thinking I start teaching you some fun stuff next time."
Harry and Daniel had been called into the chamber behind the Great Hall to greet their families who had been invited to watch the 3rd task despite the fact that the task was tonight. There were 4 families gathered in the chamber- the Delacours, the Krums, the Weasleys (even though no Weasley was a champion) and the 4 Potters, along with Remus and Sirius.
"What are you two doing here?" Harry asked Remus and Sirius after he had hugged them and his grandparents and had pretended his parents weren't even there.
"You're family as well, so we though we'd come done here," said Sirius ruffling Harry's already messy hair.
"And what about them?" Harry asked looking towards the Weasleys.
"Lily and James thought it right to invite them- something about them being like family to Daniel over the years," said Charlus disapprovingly.
Before he could say anything, Daniel came up to them having greeted the Weasleys and his parents. "Um, hi," he said nervously.
"No need to be shy," said Dorea happily, pulling him into a hug. "You're family as well! Now, do you boys fancy giving us both a tour of the place?"
"Yeah sure," agreed Daniel.
"You guys go on without us," interjected Sirius. "We've seen enough Hogwarts for a lifetime, and Remus works here," he said. "Just one thing- Harry what's the password to the Slytherin Common Room?"
"Really?" asked Harry disbelievingly. "You really think I want a bright pink and yellow Common Room when I get back. Ask Remus."
"But he won't tell me," complained Sirius.
"Well tough," chimed in Daniel. "Do you guys wanna come as well?" Daniel asked his parents and the Weasleys, not realising the tension.
"We'd love to," said Molly happily, whilst her oldest child Bill looked distracted from behind her, too busy flirting with Fleur.
"Damn it," muttered Harry under his breath getting a slap on the head from Daniel.
"This place has changed quite a bit since we were last here hasn't it?" Dorea asked her husband as they wandered around the halls of Hogwarts with their children, grandchildren and the generally unwanted Molly Weasley (her eldest had chosen to go off with Fleur).
"I remember there used to be a painting of Sir Jaquin the Jolly on this wall," said Charlus fondly. "He was-"
"That painting got removed in my time-" interrupted Molly before she was interrupted by Harry.
"Hush harpy," said Harry. "My grandad was speaking. Grandad?" Harry asked Charlus, who gave him a sly wink.
"That is no way to talk to your elders!" said Molly stopping Charlus from continuing. "I have half a mind to-"
"To what?" asked Harry. "Ground me? Send me a howler? Cut off my pocket money? Face it- you're not family so you can't do anything."
Molly flinched back, alarmed. "I don't know who you think you are young man, but you should not be talking back to adults like that!"
"And you should take your wand and shove it-"
"That's a tad too far Harry," said James stopping him from saying something very crude. "And Molly," he said angrily. "I very much hope you'll watch your tone around my son."
"James!" complained Molly. "Surely you can't-Lily! Help me out here!"
"We've known each other for many years, but you were wrong here," she said crossing her arms whilst Harry looked up to his parents with grudging respect. "Now would you like to apologise to my son for speaking to him like that?"
Molly looked like she was about to burst a blood vessel but she managed to grit an apology out of herself. "Sorry Hadrian."
"And Harry," said Lily. "Do you have something to say as well?"
"Sorry Mrs Wallaby," smirked Harry.
"It's Weasley," reminded Molly, annoyed.
"Whatever," shrugged Harry. "Thanks Mu- Lily," he said stopping himself from saying the 'm word.' Lily noticed this as well, but she accepted it. She and James had made progress, and that was enough for them.
It was the night of the 3rd and final task. The morning had been a very long and awkward affair ever since Daniel had invited Lily, James and the Weasleys to walk around with them.
Currently the champions stood outside of the entrance of the Quidditch pitch which had been transformed into a huge maze. The judges were sat at the high table whilst the champions' families were sat in the special VIP area, and the rest of the spectators were sat in the normal spectating area.
Floating above the maze were 4 giant mirrors that were arranged 2 by 2, each one currently showing tha face of a particular champion. The mirrors had been designed by a brand new company and would show each champion's progress. Hovering behind each champion was a smaller version of the giant mirrors that would follow them around, charmed invisible of course so the champions wouldn't be distracted by them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! In first place, with eighty-nine points — Mr. Daniel Potter of Hogwarts School!" The cheers and applause sent birds from the Forbidden Forest fluttering into the darkening sky. "In second place, with eighty-seven points- Mr. Harry Potter of Hogwarts School as well!" There was similar applause to this as well, though slightly less due to the fact the Gryffindors hadn't joined in.
"In third place with eighty points — Mr. Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute!" More applause.
"And in fourth place — Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!" There was a smattering of polite applause from the Beauxbaxtons students.
"So . . . on my whistle, Daniel!" said Bagman. "Three — two — one —"
Bagman gave a short blast from his wand and the task had begun! Daniel went into the maze first and then Harry followed him a minute or two afterwards. The maze was horribly lit but a jar of levitating bluebell flames quickly fixed, even if they only allowed Harry to see for a couple of metres ahead of him.
Suddenly, Harry felt something akin to a snake wrap itself around his leg. He looked to see a large bush of vines that had come out of the maze wall ferociously attacking his right leg, slowly pulling him down to the ground. He swished his wand and sent a cutting curse and some of the vines snapped, and a few more cutting curses later his legs were free and he could continue on.
A scream to Harry's left penetrated the cold air and Harry identified it as Daniel. He rushed forward into the maze furiously slashing everything that came into his path with a wide variety of hexes, and took the very first left he could. He emerged into a clearing where Daniel was faced off against Lord Voldemort, seemingly back from the dead.
"Riddikulus!" cried Harry and the boggart turned into Voldemort dressed in the clothes of a 3 year old girl, and the crowd roared with laughter at that. "It was just a boggart," Harry consoled Daniel.
Daniel nodded shakily, still surprised at how easily he'd been rooted to the spot. "So now what?" he asked.
"We'll have to go forward and take the first right," replied Harry. "Then it's a matter of finding pur way the best we can. It's not an amazing strategy, but it'll do."
"Why can't we just climb the walls?" asked Daniel as they began running into the maze.
Harry stopped suddenly and Daniel almost ran into him. "Daniel," he said amazed. "You're a fucking genius."
"No need to thank me," retorted Daniel good-naturedly before taking on a more serious expression. "How are we gonna get up there though?" he asked.
"I'll levitate us both," answered Harry swishing his wand. Harry and Daniel felt a light tingling sensation around their body and they slowly travelled up through the air, and Harry flicked his wand to send them forward and they stepped on top of the walls of the maze.
"The 2 Potter brothers have climbed onto the maze!" shouted Ludo Bagman back outside the maze, doing his ever-running commentary. "Now will any other champions think of that?"
"Be careful," said Harry meanwhile. "Some parts of the walls are alive."
"Like that?" asked Daniel pointing to the vine that had curled up around Harry's unsuspecting leg.
"Exactly like that," nodded Harry pulling his foot away and snapping the vine in the process. "So stay focused."
"What?" asked Daniel smiling. "Like you did?"
"That was a test," said Harry waving his hand flippantly. "Now let's go on."
After about 10 minutes of travelling across the wall, they reached a point where they couldn't go any further. The Cup was protected by an extremely large acromantula, and it currently housed the cup between its legs. "Great," grumbled Daniel. "What are we gonna do here?"
"Looks like we're gonna have to face the spider head on," said Harry jumping from the wall, rolling onto the ground to break his fall and getting up right in front of the spider. Daniel joined him a few seconds later and the 2 brothers faces the spider head on, wands out. "Ready?" Harry asked and Daniel nodded.
"Bombarda!" they shouted together and the two identical spells flew towards the snarling spider, but bounced off its skin into the nearby wall.
"Shit," gasped Daniel as the spider charged them.
"Go left when I tell you to," said Harry as the spider approached, and just as it was about to hit them, Harry shouted, "LEFT!" and Daniel rolled to his left, and Harry to his right and the spider crashed into the wall of vines in front of it. Harry rolled to his feet as the spider recovered and sent a string of cutting curses and stunners at the spider, with varied results.
The spider staggered slightly and the skin parted in a couple of places to allow blood to drip out but it was largely unfazed. It charged them again and Harry wandlessly pushed Daniel out of the way but was unable to the same to himself; one of the spider's legs caught Harry and he was sent flying into a bush. The spider turned onto Daniel and licked its teeth in anticipation, but before it could do anything it had curled up onto the floor and was writhing in pain.
Harry was behind the spider, a bright yellow beam connecting his wand to the spider's body. There was a cut down the side of his face and his ankle was bent at an unnatural angle but most horrifying were his eyes. The usually innocent and slightly mischievous eyes were narrowed now and Daniel could see a raging fire contained in them, and he realised with a shock that Harry was enjoying this.
"Harry!" he shouted. "It's enough! Stop! Just stop!" His shouts eventually caught Harry's attention and the Slytherin's eyes widened in fear at what he was doing and he lowered his wand. "Are you okay?" asked Daniel rushing to his side and giving him his body to lean on, choosing not to mention what he had just seen.
"Yeah," muttered Harry breathlessly. "I'll be fine- ankle's a little busted but other than that I'm good."
"Good," agreed Daniel. "What do you want to do about the spider?"
"Kill it," said Harry simply. "It nearly killed me so there's no way I'm leaving it alive to try to finish the job."
"My thoughts exactly," nodded Daniel muttering one of the spells Harry had taught him and swishing his wand. A dark red beam hit the spider and removed the head from the body quite cleanly, and the brothers turned towards the cup.
"So what now?" asked Harry.
"You take the cup," smiled Daniel. "You're the one that saved my ass like 5 times today."
"You're my brother Daniel- I'm taking the cup with you."
"What? Can we-"
"It's not against the rules or anything, and it'll still count as a Hogwarts victory," shrugged Harry.
"Really?" asked Daniel and Harry nodded once before Daniel pulled him into a hug.
"Ow! Ow!" complained Harry, gently moving his ankle.
"Sorry," said Daniel apologetically. "You're the best brother I could have asked for, you know that?"
"I know," smiled Harry. "So, on three?"
"One-" began Daniel.
"Two-" said Harry.
"Three!" they said together grasping one handle of the trophy each.