Notes: Brainstorming
Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter franchise, or the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise for that matter
Harry Potter and the Duel Academy
Ch. 5: One Week
Later
Osiris Red: Seamus Finnegan, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, Dean Thomas, Ronald Weasley
Ra Yellow: Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Anthony Goldstein, Ernest Macmillan, Zacharias Smith
Obelisk Blue: Hannah Abbot, Susan Bones, Lavender Brown, Millicent Bulstrode, Vincent Crabbe, Hermione Granger, Daphne Greengrass, Gregory Goyle, Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Padma Patil, Parvati Patil, Blaise Zabini
"Osiris Red," Harry said, "Well, you've got to start at the bottom they say."
"Yeah, sure," Ron muttered.
"I'll be sure to visit you two every day, if I can," Hermione said.
"We will now show you to your rooms at your respective dorms before lunch time," McGonagall said, "Ladies, with me if you please."
Hermione waved as she left.
"Obelisk Blue," said a man wearing a turban, "F-f-follow me."
A serious-looking, dark-haired man followed close behind the man in the turban.
"Percy," Harry said, before he joined the group, "Who are those two leading Obelisk Blue?"
"Oh, the stuttering man in the turban is Prof. Quirrell. The quiet one is Prof. Snape, head of Obelisk Blue. I trust you'll be in our dorm in no time, Harry?"
"Ra Yellow," said a short man, "I am head of the house, Filius Flitwick. Let's be off!"
"Osiris Red," Hagrid spoke up, "This way!"
As they started walking to the dorm, Harry pushed ahead to Hagrid.
"Hagrid, you're the head of Osiris Red?"
"Well, even though I was expelled, Principal Dumbledore pulled some strings to get me a job here."
"Why were you expelled?" Ron asked.
"…I shouldn't have told ya that."
After a minute or two, they arrived at the Osiris Red dorm. Harry, Ron, and Neville shared the same room. Dean and Seamus were next door. The room was rather small, much like the average apartment. In order to save room, it seems they went with a triple bunk bed.
"I call the bottom bunk," Ron said, "It's easier to collapse in it that way."
"You can have the top bunk if you want, Harry," Neville said.
Harry didn't really care. He was just happy to be here. The rest of the week seemed to fly by. Not every class was card related of course. There was Math, History, Chemistry, etc. The class headed by Prof. Snape stood out the most.
"While my class can pertain to cards, we will not excessively use them. I don't expect everyone to be able to appreciate alchemy and other similar sciences, even despite the fact that one could easily apply it to Duel Monsters. Just as one must have the proper equipment, one must have the perfect strategy."
He started to walk over to the students.
"One must take care to mix the right ingredients, and one must have the right monsters ready for a Fusion. Of course I realize that some of you…"
He looked over at Harry.
"…won't be as skilled as others."
He turned to walk back to his desk.
"There is always the fool who decides to rely solely on luck rather than a cohesive strategy."
Harry knew better than to backtalk a teacher…at least not this soon.
"Mr. Potter…our new celebrity. Tell me, do you know anything about Egyptian mythology?"
"No, sir."
"Let's try again...do you know anything about the Philosopher's Stone?"
"No, sir."
"Very well...how would you best counter a deck that can lock down Synchro monsters?"
"I don't know, sir."
Hermione had her hand up every time Snape asked a question. He never changed his stoic look, only raised an eyebrow.
"Put your hand down, girl," he said sternly.
Hermione did so, albeit with a disappointed look on her face.
"The history of the card game we call Duel Monsters has its very beginnings in Ancient Egypt. Philosopher's Stone - Sabatiel is a card that benefits Fusion monsters, and is obviously based on the legend of said stone being capable of turning base metals into gold or silver, as well as creating the elixir of life which granted rejuvenation and immortality. The best way to counter a deck that prevents Syncho summoning is obviously to use any other kind of monster."
Snape sat back at his deck and said, "Clearly, fame isn't everything."
The rest of the classes went much more smoothly, but frankly, Harry was glad when they were done for the day. He met up with Ron and Hermione in the schoolyard.
"I might just be imagining things, but I don't think Snape likes me...and I don't think I like him either."
"He must have a reason for how he treats you," Hermione said.
"I dunno," Ron added, "He seems to treat everyone equally poor...unless they're in Obelisk Blue, maybe. By the way, I, uh, like your uniform, Hermione."
She looked a bit surprised by the compliment, "Oh, well, uh, thank you, Ron. Yours is nice as well...oh, and you, Harry."
"I hope I can keep this jacket," Harry said, "I think red is my colour."
"Now that we have free time," Hermione said, "How about a trip to the library?"
"You go there all the time," Ron replied, "We should explore the grounds."
"If we're going to do that," Harry chimed in, "We should pay Hagrid a visit."
It had been such a busy week, that as they walked through the halls, they noticed the award case. Of course the one that really caught Harry's eye was a trophy that had his dad's name on it.
"One of your father's many awards, Harry," Hermione said, "I suppose any that he and your mum received would be displayed here."
"They may not have been as good as anyone in my family," said a familiar voice, "But I have to give them credit. It's more than you'll ever do."
The trio turned to see Draco and his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry demanded.
"I've been thinking we should have a duel. Not right now though, but after hours."
"We're not supposed to be out after hours, Harry," Hermione said in a voice just above a whisper.
"This doesn't concern you, Granger."
"Hey, she's my friend, so this does concern her. That goes for Ron as well."
"Weasley? He couldn't duel his way out of a paper bag."
Ron looked a mix between angry and embarrassed.
"You saw how well he did in his entry duel," Hermione shot back, and she put a hand on Ron's shoulder.
"Fine, I'll duel all of you. In fact, why not make it three on three?"
"Can your hired muscle even read the card text?" Ron quipped.
"We'll see how sarcastic you are after tonight," Draco snarled, "We'll meet in the main duel arena."
They stormed off, and as soon as they were out of earshot, Hermione spun towards Harry.
"What are you thinking? Do you wants us to get expelled?!"
"I doubt they'd go that far," Ron said.
"Well it's still not worth the risk. Draco won't show up. It's just a trap."
Harry didn't say anything for a few seconds, but finally, "Let's just go see Hagrid."
...
"Malfoy's already tryin' to cause trouble?"
"Yes, Hagrid, and I said it was a bad idea to fall for his taunts."
"No one was disagreeing with you, Hermione," Ron said.
"Maybe not outwardly, but I know that Harry wants to duel Draco."
"He is asking for it," Harry said.
"I agree, but you shouldn't have to break the rules. You'll have to face him in an official duel eventually anyway."
"Wait, really?"
"Yes, Ron. At the end of the year, we all have to take an exam."
"I know that part, but you have to duel another student? I mean an actual student, not a graduate, like for admission."
"That's correct...usually an upper classman."
"Okay, I get it," Harry said, "I won't fall for it. We'll just go back to our room."
"Good on ya, Harry. Anyway, it was nice of you lot to visit. Been real busy setting up security."
"Security for what?" Harry asked.
"...I shouldn't have said that."
It was getting late as they made their way back to the dorms.
"I have an idea," Harry said, "Let's just pass by the arena and see if Malfoy's there."
"That's risky, Harry," Hermione warned.
"We'll just have to do our best not to be seen. Besides, we won't stay long."
All the lights were off, so it was fairly easy to stay hidden. They waited for a few minutes, but no one came by.
"I told you this was a waste of time," Hermione said.
"Actually," Ron piped up, "I hear someone coming."
They all kept silent as a figure walked up.
"He's not here. I guess Potter's not as dumb as he looks."
It was obviously Draco, and he was of course flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.
"I thought you was gonna duel him," Goyle said.
"What, right now, and risk getting caught? I have a reputation to maintain. There'll be plenty of time for me to wipe the floor with Potter and his pathetic deck. Let's get out of here."
Hermione nudged Harry, as if you say "I told you so". Harry simply nodded, while Ron muffled a snicker. That's when another person walked past.
"Anyone here, my sweet?"
It was Argus Filch, the caretaker of the grounds. He was always looking for excuses to punish the students. He was also never seen without Mrs. Norris, his testy cat. She seemed very adept at finding perceived troublemakers. In fact, as Filch walked past their hiding spot, Mrs. Norris followed quickly behind. He kept walking on, but she suddenly stopped, and then seemed to be looking at their spot. Ron pointed in the opposite direction. He didn't need to say anything. That cat wasn't to be trusted. She would somehow find them. So they quickly left the area. The ran into another dark corridor.
"That was too close. I hate that stupid cat," Ron said.
"Can we please go back now?" Hermione asked.
"Hold on," Harry replied, "Someone else is coming. We've got to hide."
The dove into a nearby empty room. Then they heard two familiar voices.
"What are you up to Quirrell?"
That was definitely Snape.
"I d-d-don't know what you mean."
"You asked Dumbledore for an assistant. Why would you need one?"
"F-f-For practice duels, of course. Why does how I conduct my lessons concern you?"
"We're both in charge of the Obelisk Blue dormitory. You can't just hire someone else without my consultation."
"If you're s-s-so suspicious, why are we talking here and not in front of the principal?"
"I know you're up to something else."
"D-d-don't be paranoid simply because that lunatic Sirius Black has escaped prison. I already told you and Dumbledore, I never even knew him or met him."
"Black has nothing to do with this. Potter is bound to find out about him tomorrow when it's on the news. All I'm saying to you, is that you don't want me as your enemy. It'll be easier to let me in on your scheme than to try and keep me in the dark. Believe me, I will find out where you've been disappearing off to every night."
"It's not against the rules for a teacher to leave the grounds for the evening, is it?"
Snape narrowed his eyes, "...no."
"Exactly...incidentally, I heard Dumbledore hired on an old *snicker* friend of yours today. R-r-right after they told us about Black in fact."
"Don't remind me. Now enough of changing the subject. You can't distract me by reminding me of old schoolmates."
Snape slammed Quirrell against the wall.
"We'll have another little chat about this. Perhaps discuss where your loyalties lie."
Snape seemed to meld with the darkness as he skulked off. Quirrell stood alone for a minute or two, as if collecting his thoughts. He kept nodding to himself. Finally he too walked off towards the nearest door, likely heading back to the Blue dorm.
"What was that all about?" Ron asked, not really expecting an answer.
"I don't know who this Sirius Black person is," Hermione began, "But if he's so dangerous, and somehow connected to you, Harry, you would think they'd have mentioned him by now. Unless they're keeping quiet about it for a reason."
"Well now they don't have much choice. Apparently he's broken out of prison, and I guess he's headed here. That's one way to start off your school year."
They carefully headed to the Blue dorm to see off Hermione. After that, Harry and Ron made their way back to the Red dorm. As they walked into the room, Neville woke up. He had been reading a strategy book.
"Harry, Ron, where have you guys been?"
"Nowhere important, Neville," Ron replied, "Visited Hagrid, proved Malfoy wrong, avoided Filch, learned that Snape and Quirrell are up to something...so, you know, pretty dull. It's only the first week of school, after all."
