Magical Origins
Author Notes:
Year 6: Terror at Hogsmeade
"Draco is spying on your behalf?" said Lily.
Harry finished telling Lily about recruiting Draco.
"You're against it," said Harry.
"Harry, his family, has been affiliated with the Dark Arts for generations," said Artemis.
"That's not why I recruited him," said Harry.
"Then why?" asked Artemis.
"It's easy to believe in a cause when things are peaceful. They are nothing but words. It's when they are put into action that is concerning. Draco is starting to see the Voldemort is not the savior he was led to believe. I'm sure his mother and father are seeking a way out but are afraid of Voldemort," said Harry.
"You do know, the Malfoy's can't be trusted," said Lily.
"What choice do they have? If Draco fails, Voldemort will kill his entire family. It's that fear that keeps them in line," said Harry.
"So you're going to help Draco kill Professor Dumbledore?" said Lily.
"I think Professor Dumbledore is already dying," said Harry.
Lily looks at Harry in surprise.
"His right hand has darkened since he picked me up over the summer. I think his hand has been cursed, and it's killing him," said Harry.
"Who could curse Professor Dumbledore?" said Lily.
"We don't know. I do agree with Harry on this matter. Professor Dumbledore isn't young anymore. He's over a hundred years old. We have to assume his time is coming to an end," said Artemis.
"We also have to assume whoever this 'First' is knows more than he's letting on," said Harry.
"The real question is how were they able to smuggle these dark artifacts within the castle. I thought security had been beefed up," said Lily.
"It shouldn't be possible. Whoever is smuggling these artifacts within the school knows a secret passage within the school the teachers don't know about," said Artemis.
"It won't do us much good if we can't figure out who they are," said Harry.
"I may have something to deal with that," said Lily.
She reveals a potion inside her drawer.
"This is Oculus Veritatis, True Sight. It will show us the true identity of anyone, no matter how good their disguise," said Lily.
"I've never heard of this potion," said Artemis as she grabs the veil, looking at the green liquid.
"I created it," said Lily.
Artemis looks at Lily in surprise.
"I worked on it last year and finished it early at the start of term."
"How long will it last?" asked Harry.
"This potion burns out quicker than most, but it should last three hours at most," said Lily.
"You should show this to Professor Slughorn during our next class," said Harry.
"Why?" said Lily.
Artemis looks at Harry as well, wondering what he had in mind.
"Well, can you imagine the look on Granger's face when she realized you create a potion in your sixth year? She's going to flip out," said Harry grinning.
"You want to antagonize Granger?" said Lily.
"Partly. But Dumbledore wants us to butter up to Slughorn," said Harry.
Lily paused, knowing what Harry said was true. The creation of a new potion would make Lily Slughorn's favorite.
"You sure you're not doing this to make Slughorn dottle me and not you?" said Lily.
"Maybe," said Harry.
Lily turns and smiles as she lies on the bed.
They had to wait another two days before having their potion class.
Slughorn walks in happy. Clearly enjoying himself.
"Today, we're going to be doing something different! I want to see your abilities in countering poisons. Here I have five different kinds of poisons. Your task is to develop an antidote to counter these poisons. You are free to use any method you think is effective. You have one hour. You may begin," said Slughorn.
Harry reaches into his pocket, feeling the bezoar he has had since the second year. Harry remembers the words of Professor Snape in their first year.
"A Bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat that will save you from most poisons."
Harry said nothing as he kicks back and opens his book, and calmly read his book.
Lily raises her hand as Professor Slughorn looks at her in surprise.
"Yes, Ms. Morris?" said Professor Slughorn.
"Professor, I recently created a potion and want your opinion," said Lily.
Hermione Granger turns and looks at Lily in disbelief and disdain as Lily claimed to have created a new potion.
"Remarkable! I've never had a student make a new potion before! What is it, my dear?!" said Slughorn exactly.
"Most likely a new strengthen potion," mutters Ron Weasley loudly.
"I call it Oculus Veritatis, Professor," said Lily.
"Oculus Veritatis?" repeated Slughorn.
"True Sight. It will reveal any person's disguise upon seeing them," said Lily holding her potion in the air.
Everyone in the room looks at Lily in disbelief upon hearing the creation of her potion. No one was more upset than Hermione Granger, who looks on angrily at Lily's great achievement.
Hermione looks like she was going to rip out her hair in frustration.
"Merlin's Beard! If this is successful, it will be groundbreaking!" said Slughorn gleefully.
"Well, I want you to test it out and see how well it works," said Lily.
Professor Slughorn walks over, practically skipping over as he takes the vial from Lily and looks at it carefully.
"I'll let you know by next class," said Slughorn looking at the vial.
Granger's face was fuming as she snaps her quill in half.
For her entire academic career, she has received praises from all her teachers, except Snape, on her genius and intellect.
Lily, who has always done remarkably well, has now outshined Hermione.
"Everyone return to the lesson," said Professor Slughorn as everyone was busy staring at Lily in disbelief.
Professor Slughorn looks at the potion happily as if it were his newborn child or an adorable puppy.
Harry slides his book next to Lily and points to the single word that would save them from poisons.
Lily said nothing as she simply walks up to the cupboard and grabs a Bezoar.
Professor Slughorn puts Lily's potion in his office before coming out looking at the class to see everyone's progress.
He looked a bit surprised and disappointed at Harry and Lily's laidback attitude, his two brightest stars.
Hermione Granger was going through her textbook and trying to make a new antidote. She even threw chunks of her hair inside the potion as if that would help the potion.
"Time's up! Let's see what you manage to do," said Slughorn.
Everyone stopped as Slughorn begins to inspect everyone's potions.
When he reached Harry and Lily's table, he stops to see two Bezoars on their table.
Slughorn stops and lets out a bark of laughter.
"Bezoars! You two truly are incredible! Did you think of this yourself?!" said Professor Slughorn.
"Snape told us a Bezoar in our first potions class," said Harry.
"And you remember! Well done, ten points each to both of you," said Slughorn happily as he turns to walk away.
Hermione glares at Lily once again in frustration.
She had thrown countless ingredients to make her potion, and she couldn't pass. Now that it came to a test of skills, Hermione was starting to show she wasn't any way near Lily's skills.
Hermione was so frustrated; she snaps her quill without realizing what she had done.
Class ended with Slughorn singing Lily's praises, remarking on how he never taught anyone so gifted and talented.
As Lily began to pull ahead, the class didn't like that it made them like her less. They all wanted to be Slughorn's favorites. The parties he threw, the people who showed up, they all wanted that but couldn't if Lily was in the classroom.
Slughorn took notice of talented and gifted youngsters and invited them to his parties and dinners, offering them a promising future.
Being the most famous wizard of the modern age next to Dumbledore, Harry was the easiest attraction.
Lily was also showing signs of being a great witch herself. Her spellcasting and potion abilities made her an instant favorite of Slughorn.
Hermione may have been one of Slughorn's collective students, but her skills didn't match her intellect.
Hermione walks off in a foul mood, who once again couldn't defeat Lily and earn the praise she was so used to hearing throughout her academic career.
Professor Slughorn was so impressed with Lily he publicly announces Lily's new potion to the other staff. Other students soon learn of Lily's new potion. It caused some people from Potions Today to come to Hogwarts to interview Lily to create her potion.
Even Witch Weekly arrived to interview Lily on her outstanding success.
Dumbledore and the staff clearly wanted to remind the students of what Hogwarts was supposed to be even during these dark times. So it came as a surprise when a Hogsmeade weekend visit was announced.
Harry was currently talking to Draco on the fifth floor, abandoned and no signs of anyone nearby.
"How are you here? When you're with Morris at the moment?" asked Draco.
"Don't worry about that. The person you're seeing is an illusion spell that allows me to speak freely from afar. As far as anyone is concerned, I'm nowhere near you," said Harry.
"That's actually ingenious," mutters Draco.
Draco paused as he looks at Harry.
"What news do you have?" said Harry.
"Not much. Only that I think something is going to happen at Hogsmeade," said Draco.
"Any idea what is going to happen or who is responsible," said Harry.
Draco shook his head.
"Group meetings are more on what our progress is going. It never directly mentioned what the end goal is within the new Death Eaters. Only when we have one on one meetings with First do we report our progress directly," said Draco.
Harry didn't like that. First was not only too cautious but also cunning.
Harry suspected some of the students were spying on their fellow students to make sure they followed through.
The fear of the unknown kept them in line and made sure they did their assignments.
"I want you to tag anyone you can so you can learn who they are," said Harry.
"What will you do?" asked Draco.
"It's better you don't know. Have you found a place to fix the cabinet?" asked Harry.
Draco shook his head.
"There is a dungeon full of broken cabinets and dressers. You wondering the dungeons will not draw any suspicion," said Harry.
"Why are you helping me?" asked Draco.
"You should know by now why I am helping you. The whole concept of light and dark are merely reflections of one another. Sirius told me there is light and dark in all of us. What matters is the path we choose to embrace," said Harry.
Draco looks at him, uncertain of what to make of Harry's statement.
"You're not a bad person Draco. You've just made bad decisions. I suggest you relook at your life and what is the true purpose behind preserving magic," said Harry as he disappears.
Draco said nothing as he stood in the room all alone.
Draco has never been friends with Potter and has rarely spoken to him throughout their time in Slytherin.
Even if he never told anyone, Draco knew Potter was more dangerous than Morris.
While Morris was upfront about her destruction and anger, Potter was far more cunning and manipulative. Potte was patiently to get his vengeance.
In their Third Year, Potter led a small group of Slytherins to attack Granger after getting his Firebolt confiscated under the belief that Sirius Black sent the broomstick. Even Draco couldn't understand how Sirius Black, the most wanted person in the country at the time, could have sent a broomstick to Potter.
Draco loved Quidditch and didn't approve of how Granger held her nose high in the air over her peers. He knew Granger believed she had no equals and was better than everyone else. It was that attitude from Granger that supported Draco's belief in his father regarding Muggleborns.
On the other hand, Potter began to have a strong relationship with Morris. They were able to get along, dismissing his father's theories regarding Muggleborns.
Draco said nothing as he heads to the common room to make sure he was at least seen there.
"Lupin, I need you here at Hogsmeade," said Harry.
Lupin was looking at the mirage image of Harry in the Cabin that was hidden within the woods.
"Why?" asked Olivia.
"There may be an attack on Hogsmeade this weekend," said Harry.
"Are you sure?" said Sirius.
It was strange to hear Sirius sound serious.
"I'm sure. Whoever is in charge of this attack wants to install fear within the public and put the idea that Dumbledore is unable to protect the children of Hogwarts," said Harry.
"The Dark Lord has never done this in the past," said Lupin.
"These are different times. Perhaps desperation has made him desperate," said Samuel.
"Or he's losing his humanity," said Harry.
"What you mean?" asked Remus.
"Whatever Voldemort has done to acquire his new powers, he had a price to pay for this power. What if that price was his humanity," said Harry.
"You mean he's sacrificing his sanity for power?" said Samuel.
"It wouldn't be unusual for the Dark Lord. His sanity in the past has always been called into question," said Olivia.
"Why Mooney? Why not inform the Aurors or the Order?" asked Sirius.
"I'm sure the person who is leading the raid will be Fenrir Greyback," said Harry.
Everyone looks at Harry carefully.
"That makes sense," said Isabelle.
Remus sits down and looks down.
"I know this isn't ideal, Mooney. But it's time for you to face your demon. Lead the pack and the Lycans against Greyback and his Death Eaters. Make sure Voldemort knows that this war isn't one-sided as he wants the public to believe," said Harry.
Lupin said nothing as he swallows his throat.
Harry and Lily walk towards Hogsmeade, ignoring Filch, who glares at them. He gives them a long sniff as if trying to detect any foreign objects on them.
Filch has never forgiven Harry for killing Dolores Umbridge last year in front of the school. He still held the belief that Dolores Umbridge was the greatest witch Hogwart's ever had.
Though Harry and Lily believed it was because she was a talentless child hater like Filch.
Harry and Lily walk to Hogsmeade and immediately enter the Three Broomsticks.
They got butterbeer and along with a full plate while keeping a close eye out on any sign of trouble.
Harry couldn't deny the fact that it felt good to be out of the castle. Even with the presence of Aurors in the village, it felt good to be away from the castle.
"Harry M'boy!" said Professor Slughorn walking inside.
"Hello, Professor," Harry said cheerfully.
"Miss Morris, glad to see you here as well," said Professor Slughorn.
Nearby, Ron was seated with Lavender Brown, looking somewhat hopeful that Professor Slughorn would greet him the same as he greeted Harry and Lily.
"What brings you here Professor," asks Harry.
"Oh, the Three Broomsticks and I go way back! I remember when it used to be called the One Broom!" Slughorn said, chuckling at his little joke.
"How was my potion Professor?" asks Lily.
"Remarkable! No one has ever created such a potion of that caliber in years! I trust you'll attend my Halloween party! So many people want to talk to you and see your next potion!" said Professor Slughorn.
"One step at a time Professor. I can't be making new potions left and right all the time," said Lily.
"Too true. Perhaps you'll make something even better than Felix Felicis!" Slughorn said in a booming voice.
"I got several ideas," Lily said slyly.
"Oh… do tell!" said Slughorn.
"That would be telling Professor. Don't want to get your hopes up if it fails," said Lily.
"If you brew something greater than Felix Felicis, you could be the greatest potioneer in history!" said Slughorn.
"Perhaps, I like potions," said Lily.
Slughorn beams upon Lily and bids both Harry and Lily goodbye as he walks out of the Three Broomsticks.
They spent much of their time wondering Main Street looking and visiting many of the busy shops with Hogwart's students.
There was no attack, so Harry and Lily decided to return to Hogwarts.
Across the grounds, Harry could spot Katie Bell, a Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, and in her seventh and final year at Hogwarts.
She appeared to be arguing with her friend over something.
Harry takes a sip of his butterbeer when Katie suddenly was raised into the air with her arms outstretched.
Her friend was shocked as she could only watch Katie appear to be in excruciating pain.
Katie suddenly drops as Harry quickly conjures a mattress to soften Katie's landing.
Katie lies still, unmoving, and without a sound.
Harry and Lily rush forward to check on Katie.
Katie Bell was unconscious but alive.
"Don't touch that!" Harry said to a third-year Hufflepuff girl. She attempted to reach the parcel.
Harry walks forward and lifts the parcel with his wand, looking at it carefully.
"I know this necklace. It's a cursed necklace," said Harry.
Lily raised her wand and sent out red sparks, knowing the Aurors had to be informed so they could get Katie to a healer.
The first person to respond was Hagrid, who saw the red sparks.
"Outta the way, what is happening?" said Hagrid.
"Are there any Aurors or Healers nearby?" said Harry.
"Move aside," shouted Artemis as she attempts to rush forward as a crowd began to gather.
"Artemis! Katie's been curse!" Harry said at once.
"Move!" shouted Artemis moving quickly to check in on Katie.
Several Aurors quickly responded and quickly appeared as well. Some try to keep the students from getting too close.
"Harry, what happens?" asks Tonks.
"Katie Bell has been cursed," said Harry presenting the Necklace to Tonks.
Another Auror, Tonks superior by the looks of things, takes a close look at the necklace.
"The Cursed Opal Necklace. We've been searching for this object for years," said the Aurors.
"It's been in Borgin and Burkes for a few years now," said Harry.
The Auror said nothing in this regard.
"Seems our office is going be visiting Borgin and Burkes," said the Auror.
"I can't mend her here. We need to return to Hogwarts," said Artemis.
All around, students began talking regarding Harry, Lily, and the fifth year Leanne went back to the castle, knowing the Professors had many questions for them.