Chapter Two: A Fight With a Green Man
The days leading up to when Harry would meet the Weasleys again passed quickly. Harry spent most of these days cramming language upon language into his mind magically, making more potions, planning DA lessons, and working out. By the time the day arrived Harry had planned DA lessons for half, if not more, of the year and learned Spanish, French, Chinese, Gnomish, Portugese, German, basic Dwarvish, Japanese, Russian, and Elvish. He had just finished an anti-burn potion when the doorbell rang. Uncle Vernon was roaring about crazy people with their head on fire when Harry realized he was talking about the Weasleys.
"Oh shit. Probably should've told him I was leaving today. Oh well! He'll get over it!"
Harry grabbed all of his things and threw them in his trunk, glad for the unbreakable charm he had used on the potion bottles. As each object hit the trunk, it shrunk and became lighter than a feather. Finally the trunk itself shrunk and floated over to Harry who wiped the sweat from his forehead. So much wandless magic at once was tiring, even if it wasn't difficult. He tucked his trunk into his pocket and strolled downstairs to where Vernon was shouting at the Weasleys.
"Uncle, I forgot to tell you I'm leaving today. You don't have to take me to the train station any more so enjoy your golfing. Hi Ron. Let's go." Harry said calmly.
As soon as they were in the car Ron said, "Good to see you again. Hermione is going to come tomorrow, so we have a whole day to, ah," then noticing his dad was listening finished with, "get all the books we'll need without getting an earful on why the author wrote the book and their whole history."
Harry grinned, "Sounds good to me. I wouldn't mind getting some candy and broom supplies. The notices for Hogsmeade always take forever to be put up."
"We're here." Mr. Weasley announced, walking into Diagon Alley. "You boys get what you need, I'll be waiting here."
Harry and Ron walked into Zonko's Joke Shop and bought as much as they could, pausing only to comment on how many things there were that were made by Fred and George. Harry shrunk and lightened all of his things and put them in his pockets. By the time they walked out they each had enough to last for a few months.
"Oh no, now we're all going to look like Hermione. Twenty-one books! What are the bloody teachers thinking?! Three for Transfiguration, three for Herbology, four for Potions, FIVE for Charms (What're we gonna do!? A book a day?!), two for DADA two for Care of Magical Creatures, one for History of Magic, and one for the. DA?!?! HARRY! We're never gonna have free time!"
After they had bought everything they needed, they headed back to Mr. Weasley. He was talking to a short man with light brown hair who hurried off when he saw them.
"Mundungus Fletcher." Harry growled at Ron, who nodded.
"Filthy, rotten, stealing, oh! Hi boys! Get everything done? Good. Let's go then."
They arrived at Grimmauld Place to find it nearly spotless and having a large picture of Sirius in place of his mother's. Though he was currently sleeping, Harry could tell that the artist had caught his personality perfectly.
"Exploding Snap?" Ron asked Harry.
"Ok, winner gets 10 of the loser's dung bombs!"
Hours later Harry had at least 30 more dung bombs, 20 Puking Pastilles, 17 Nosebleed Nougats, and 37 Fainting Fancies. Ron had only gotten 20 dung bombs from Harry.
"I give up!" Ron said, throwing down his cards. "I'm never going to win! I'm going to bed. See you in the morning."
Harry acted tired and walked upstairs behind Ron. When he heard snores he got up and ran downstairs. As he walked out the door he noticed someone start following him. Trying not to grin, Harry ran into a forest a few blocks away. About halfway through it he ducked behind a tree then leaped silently into a nearby one. His follower stopped for a moment then ran to the right and forward, weaving through the trees. After a minute Harry climbed down and raced towards a nearby lake. At the edge he jumped up and did a swan dive. Not even a ripple showed upon the water at his entry. Harry continued to the bottom of the lake and transfigured his lungs so he could breathe underwater.
-Now, where is that fish? He said tonight would be good for a 'fight', so where is he?! Stupid lizard.-
Just then a tall shadow fell into the underwater clearing.
"Give me a break, wizard, I had to get dinner. Last time I checked I was allowed to eat."
"Ok, ok, I get it." Harry said, half exasperated, half amused. The creature before him was about 7'9" with green skin, dark green eyes, and darker green hair that went an inch past his shoulders and was tied in the back. His skin, on closer inspection, wasn't weak human skin but astoundingly tough green scales. His eyes, so simple before, were strangely intense and intelligent, the eyes of a Kiiran.
"Sure you do. If we're going to have a bit of fun, at least call me by my name. I wouldn't mind a bit if my rank slipped in."
"Anything you say, High Prince Sedin of the Kiiran devils. As long as you call me Harry and leave titles and rank out of it."
Sedin looked injured and asked "Kiiran devils? Since when were Kiirans devils?"
"Since I met you. Before they were the Kiiran angels. You proved that theory wrong." Harry quickly dodged the playful punch that was sent his way, but soon the fight had begun. Sedin punched at Harry's stomach and when Harry went to duck, came up with his knee. Harry was thrown back, but rushed forward again and leaped behind Sedin. Sedin paused only for a moment, but that moment was long enough for Harry to land a few heavy blows on his head, sending the Kiiran forward and into the ground. Harry pulled out a dagger and lunged toward the rising figure of Sedin. He, too, had drawn a dagger as they circled each other warily. Without warning Sedin flicked his knife so he was holding the blade and threw it at Harry. At the last second Harry did a flip backwards and caught the knife.
"Impressive." Sedin commented. "I believe that will be enough for tonight. You need your sleep."
"Thanks for helping me practice a bit. I was afraid I wouldn't have a chance to practice with anyone before school started." Harry replied.
"That reminds me! I'll be moving to the Lake to keep up your training. If I can find the other people you've been training with I might be able to convince them to come with me. That should be fun."
"You're really going to Hogwarts just to train me?" Harry asked, awed.
"Yup. You need someone to swim with, don't you? Besides, I need to be with someone that doesn't start bowing the second I walk in the room. Not to mention is my age and has the same level of skill with a knife."
"Should've known there was something in it for you." Harry grinned, "Thanks, Sedin. Later!"
With that Harry swam to the surface of the lake and climbed out, transfiguring his lungs back to a humans' as he went. When he was about a mile from the house he heard someone behind him and quickly turned his carefree jog into and exhausted one. By the time the person got close enough to see Harry they were at Grimmauld Place. Harry continued to act exhausted as he entered the house and purposely stumbled on the stairs and into Ron's and his own room.
The following days that led up to when school would start passed quickly. Every night Harry would go out and practice with Sedin, while during the day he, Ron, and Hermione practiced quidditch, played Exploding Snap, and much to Hermione's joy- went over what they would be doing that year in class. By Monday, the only subject they hadn't gone over was Care of Magical Creatures, which was always a surprise anyways.
When the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione got to the train station there were at least 30 aurors outside the barrier and 40 inside it.
"This isn't very comforting." Ron said quietly.
"Probably just because Voldie's back." Harry concluded with a frown. "Let's just get on the train. It's probably safer there."
It turned out Harry was right when every compartment had two aurors in it. After ten minutes of useless searching they found an empty compartment.
"TONKS! MOONY! er. Professor Lupin." Harry exclaimed, "What're you doing here? What's with all the aurors? What's going on with the Order? Why didn't we get our O.W.L results by owl like we were supposed to? Who's teaching D--."
"Harry!" Lupin cut in with a laugh, "One question at a time please but. We're here for your safety, the aurors are here for the same reason, I can't tell you about the Order -but nice try-, you'll get your O.W.L results today after the ceremony - you didn't get them because the owl interceptions have been getting worse-, and Professor Dumbledore will be teaching DADA. I think I answered all your questions?"
"Most of them." Harry grinned.
"Uh oh, do we have a new Hermione?" Lupin asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Yes, one who asks questions instead of answering them, now can I ask them?" Harry answered eagerly.
"Oh, alright. It's not like I could keep you from asking, hmm?" Lupin laughed.
"Thanks." Harry said, "Are we gonna be allowed to go to Hogsmeade?"
"Depends how close the attacks are to it. Next."
"Can I help enlarge Hogwarts?"
"Hmm. How'd you figure it--, oh, right." Lupin started, then when Tonks gave him a look stopped, smacking his head at his stupidity. "If you have any good ideas, sure. I'll get a list of all the schools that might have transfers. Of course you already figured that out, didn't you?"
Harry nodded and laughed at Lupin who had been joking.
"Harry, there are more than 100 schools including private and home schooling students!"
"I know. I made designs for all of them and mixes, just in case any schools wanted to mix or not be sorted into Hogwarts houses. I got bored after I finished my homework."
"There's got to be 10,000 different combinations!"
"Umm, no. About 10,000,000. If some schools wanted to stay together and others wanted to be far away. oh well. We'll find out today! I s'pose I can at least help enlarge and decorate the Great Hall before anyone goes in it?"
"Uh, yeah, oh course." said a still bewildered Lupin.
"Hey guys?" Tonks said, amused, "If Harry's going to do the Great Hall he has to be there."
Lupin and Harry exchanged looks and laughed.
"That would help, wouldn't it?" Lupin commented.
"I suppose it would. So how exactly am I going to get there?" Harry asked.
"You could fly there." Hermione remarked sensibly. "Or get Fawkes to take you. I saw him at the front of the train."
"I think we could both fit on my firebolt, but is it faster than the train?" Harry asked.
"It should be. We better get going."
"Ok, bye guys!" Harry said as he jogged after Lupin.
Harry and Lupin arrived at Hogwarts 30 minutes later, surprising everyone who was trying without luck to redesign Hogwarts.
"Having trouble?" Harry asked as he walked in. "I might be able to help. I just need a list of any schools that said they'd come and ten minutes to put it all in place."
McGonagall handed a long list of schools to Harry and everyone in the room jumped for the second time since he arrived when he got out his wand and called, "Accio trazar 3,293,740!" Harry's trunk rattled and shot out a paper the size of a penny. Harry murmured something under his breath and the paper grew into a 3-D version of Hogwarts decorated elaborately for each school coming.
"This is how Hogwarts will look if we decorate it as it is now. You wouldn't happen to have a list of which schools want to be sorted into Hogwarts would you?"
"No. They aren't sure who's coming, only we know." McGonagall said sadly.
"That's fine. If you can get a list to me during the feast I can make the adjustments. Just make sure no one is hanging around the halls, even the ghosts. The magic will trap them to wherever they are forever. Now, if you'll all kindly leave the room? Come back in 15 minutes, no sooner. Thank you." With those words Harry cast a shielding spell around the Great Hall and put his wand away. Several minutes later, after numerous enlarging, summoning, conjuring, language, and sound charms the Great Hall was ten times its previous size and had a banner for each school (in their native language) with their school colors, mascot, and houses on it. The tables had extended to five times their original size and were decorated similarly to the banners but were made out of amethyst, bronze, silver, diamond, ruby, sapphire, gold, and emerald. The candles were no longer floating peacefully in the air, but were racing about the room in a complicated pattern and somehow managing to never leave a spot without light. The benches and chairs at the head table were covered in silk and velvet and twice as comfortable. Harry made a few small changes then walked out to where the teachers were waiting.
"Is there any way I could convince all of you to wait next to the Great Lake?" Harry asked, "I need to do the halls."
The professors looks unsure for a moment then Dumbledore answered, "Of course, Harry. While you're at it, can you re-do my office?"
Harry nodded and the professors walked out, throwing cautious looks behind them. Harry immediately put up layer upon layer of shield spells, then set to work. By the time he was finished there was a carpet that was such a dark purple it looked black with designs made of gold on it, banners for every school, and his personal favorite- the new pictures. There were about 9,000 new picture frames spaced evenly that would randomly show the favorite memories of any person within seeing distance. This would remind students of things they had forgotten while putting them in a good mood for class.
-Wonder what would happen if Snape walked in. They'd probably all show him yelling at me or taking points from Griffindor.- Harry laughed at the thought then went outside to join the professors.
Shyraz- Thanks for reviewing! HongMing-Thanks for the help, I was wondering about that too.
Done! Uh oh, I need to write a few more chapters before I post again. I'll try and get the next one up ASAP.
The days leading up to when Harry would meet the Weasleys again passed quickly. Harry spent most of these days cramming language upon language into his mind magically, making more potions, planning DA lessons, and working out. By the time the day arrived Harry had planned DA lessons for half, if not more, of the year and learned Spanish, French, Chinese, Gnomish, Portugese, German, basic Dwarvish, Japanese, Russian, and Elvish. He had just finished an anti-burn potion when the doorbell rang. Uncle Vernon was roaring about crazy people with their head on fire when Harry realized he was talking about the Weasleys.
"Oh shit. Probably should've told him I was leaving today. Oh well! He'll get over it!"
Harry grabbed all of his things and threw them in his trunk, glad for the unbreakable charm he had used on the potion bottles. As each object hit the trunk, it shrunk and became lighter than a feather. Finally the trunk itself shrunk and floated over to Harry who wiped the sweat from his forehead. So much wandless magic at once was tiring, even if it wasn't difficult. He tucked his trunk into his pocket and strolled downstairs to where Vernon was shouting at the Weasleys.
"Uncle, I forgot to tell you I'm leaving today. You don't have to take me to the train station any more so enjoy your golfing. Hi Ron. Let's go." Harry said calmly.
As soon as they were in the car Ron said, "Good to see you again. Hermione is going to come tomorrow, so we have a whole day to, ah," then noticing his dad was listening finished with, "get all the books we'll need without getting an earful on why the author wrote the book and their whole history."
Harry grinned, "Sounds good to me. I wouldn't mind getting some candy and broom supplies. The notices for Hogsmeade always take forever to be put up."
"We're here." Mr. Weasley announced, walking into Diagon Alley. "You boys get what you need, I'll be waiting here."
Harry and Ron walked into Zonko's Joke Shop and bought as much as they could, pausing only to comment on how many things there were that were made by Fred and George. Harry shrunk and lightened all of his things and put them in his pockets. By the time they walked out they each had enough to last for a few months.
"Oh no, now we're all going to look like Hermione. Twenty-one books! What are the bloody teachers thinking?! Three for Transfiguration, three for Herbology, four for Potions, FIVE for Charms (What're we gonna do!? A book a day?!), two for DADA two for Care of Magical Creatures, one for History of Magic, and one for the. DA?!?! HARRY! We're never gonna have free time!"
After they had bought everything they needed, they headed back to Mr. Weasley. He was talking to a short man with light brown hair who hurried off when he saw them.
"Mundungus Fletcher." Harry growled at Ron, who nodded.
"Filthy, rotten, stealing, oh! Hi boys! Get everything done? Good. Let's go then."
They arrived at Grimmauld Place to find it nearly spotless and having a large picture of Sirius in place of his mother's. Though he was currently sleeping, Harry could tell that the artist had caught his personality perfectly.
"Exploding Snap?" Ron asked Harry.
"Ok, winner gets 10 of the loser's dung bombs!"
Hours later Harry had at least 30 more dung bombs, 20 Puking Pastilles, 17 Nosebleed Nougats, and 37 Fainting Fancies. Ron had only gotten 20 dung bombs from Harry.
"I give up!" Ron said, throwing down his cards. "I'm never going to win! I'm going to bed. See you in the morning."
Harry acted tired and walked upstairs behind Ron. When he heard snores he got up and ran downstairs. As he walked out the door he noticed someone start following him. Trying not to grin, Harry ran into a forest a few blocks away. About halfway through it he ducked behind a tree then leaped silently into a nearby one. His follower stopped for a moment then ran to the right and forward, weaving through the trees. After a minute Harry climbed down and raced towards a nearby lake. At the edge he jumped up and did a swan dive. Not even a ripple showed upon the water at his entry. Harry continued to the bottom of the lake and transfigured his lungs so he could breathe underwater.
-Now, where is that fish? He said tonight would be good for a 'fight', so where is he?! Stupid lizard.-
Just then a tall shadow fell into the underwater clearing.
"Give me a break, wizard, I had to get dinner. Last time I checked I was allowed to eat."
"Ok, ok, I get it." Harry said, half exasperated, half amused. The creature before him was about 7'9" with green skin, dark green eyes, and darker green hair that went an inch past his shoulders and was tied in the back. His skin, on closer inspection, wasn't weak human skin but astoundingly tough green scales. His eyes, so simple before, were strangely intense and intelligent, the eyes of a Kiiran.
"Sure you do. If we're going to have a bit of fun, at least call me by my name. I wouldn't mind a bit if my rank slipped in."
"Anything you say, High Prince Sedin of the Kiiran devils. As long as you call me Harry and leave titles and rank out of it."
Sedin looked injured and asked "Kiiran devils? Since when were Kiirans devils?"
"Since I met you. Before they were the Kiiran angels. You proved that theory wrong." Harry quickly dodged the playful punch that was sent his way, but soon the fight had begun. Sedin punched at Harry's stomach and when Harry went to duck, came up with his knee. Harry was thrown back, but rushed forward again and leaped behind Sedin. Sedin paused only for a moment, but that moment was long enough for Harry to land a few heavy blows on his head, sending the Kiiran forward and into the ground. Harry pulled out a dagger and lunged toward the rising figure of Sedin. He, too, had drawn a dagger as they circled each other warily. Without warning Sedin flicked his knife so he was holding the blade and threw it at Harry. At the last second Harry did a flip backwards and caught the knife.
"Impressive." Sedin commented. "I believe that will be enough for tonight. You need your sleep."
"Thanks for helping me practice a bit. I was afraid I wouldn't have a chance to practice with anyone before school started." Harry replied.
"That reminds me! I'll be moving to the Lake to keep up your training. If I can find the other people you've been training with I might be able to convince them to come with me. That should be fun."
"You're really going to Hogwarts just to train me?" Harry asked, awed.
"Yup. You need someone to swim with, don't you? Besides, I need to be with someone that doesn't start bowing the second I walk in the room. Not to mention is my age and has the same level of skill with a knife."
"Should've known there was something in it for you." Harry grinned, "Thanks, Sedin. Later!"
With that Harry swam to the surface of the lake and climbed out, transfiguring his lungs back to a humans' as he went. When he was about a mile from the house he heard someone behind him and quickly turned his carefree jog into and exhausted one. By the time the person got close enough to see Harry they were at Grimmauld Place. Harry continued to act exhausted as he entered the house and purposely stumbled on the stairs and into Ron's and his own room.
The following days that led up to when school would start passed quickly. Every night Harry would go out and practice with Sedin, while during the day he, Ron, and Hermione practiced quidditch, played Exploding Snap, and much to Hermione's joy- went over what they would be doing that year in class. By Monday, the only subject they hadn't gone over was Care of Magical Creatures, which was always a surprise anyways.
When the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione got to the train station there were at least 30 aurors outside the barrier and 40 inside it.
"This isn't very comforting." Ron said quietly.
"Probably just because Voldie's back." Harry concluded with a frown. "Let's just get on the train. It's probably safer there."
It turned out Harry was right when every compartment had two aurors in it. After ten minutes of useless searching they found an empty compartment.
"TONKS! MOONY! er. Professor Lupin." Harry exclaimed, "What're you doing here? What's with all the aurors? What's going on with the Order? Why didn't we get our O.W.L results by owl like we were supposed to? Who's teaching D--."
"Harry!" Lupin cut in with a laugh, "One question at a time please but. We're here for your safety, the aurors are here for the same reason, I can't tell you about the Order -but nice try-, you'll get your O.W.L results today after the ceremony - you didn't get them because the owl interceptions have been getting worse-, and Professor Dumbledore will be teaching DADA. I think I answered all your questions?"
"Most of them." Harry grinned.
"Uh oh, do we have a new Hermione?" Lupin asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Yes, one who asks questions instead of answering them, now can I ask them?" Harry answered eagerly.
"Oh, alright. It's not like I could keep you from asking, hmm?" Lupin laughed.
"Thanks." Harry said, "Are we gonna be allowed to go to Hogsmeade?"
"Depends how close the attacks are to it. Next."
"Can I help enlarge Hogwarts?"
"Hmm. How'd you figure it--, oh, right." Lupin started, then when Tonks gave him a look stopped, smacking his head at his stupidity. "If you have any good ideas, sure. I'll get a list of all the schools that might have transfers. Of course you already figured that out, didn't you?"
Harry nodded and laughed at Lupin who had been joking.
"Harry, there are more than 100 schools including private and home schooling students!"
"I know. I made designs for all of them and mixes, just in case any schools wanted to mix or not be sorted into Hogwarts houses. I got bored after I finished my homework."
"There's got to be 10,000 different combinations!"
"Umm, no. About 10,000,000. If some schools wanted to stay together and others wanted to be far away. oh well. We'll find out today! I s'pose I can at least help enlarge and decorate the Great Hall before anyone goes in it?"
"Uh, yeah, oh course." said a still bewildered Lupin.
"Hey guys?" Tonks said, amused, "If Harry's going to do the Great Hall he has to be there."
Lupin and Harry exchanged looks and laughed.
"That would help, wouldn't it?" Lupin commented.
"I suppose it would. So how exactly am I going to get there?" Harry asked.
"You could fly there." Hermione remarked sensibly. "Or get Fawkes to take you. I saw him at the front of the train."
"I think we could both fit on my firebolt, but is it faster than the train?" Harry asked.
"It should be. We better get going."
"Ok, bye guys!" Harry said as he jogged after Lupin.
Harry and Lupin arrived at Hogwarts 30 minutes later, surprising everyone who was trying without luck to redesign Hogwarts.
"Having trouble?" Harry asked as he walked in. "I might be able to help. I just need a list of any schools that said they'd come and ten minutes to put it all in place."
McGonagall handed a long list of schools to Harry and everyone in the room jumped for the second time since he arrived when he got out his wand and called, "Accio trazar 3,293,740!" Harry's trunk rattled and shot out a paper the size of a penny. Harry murmured something under his breath and the paper grew into a 3-D version of Hogwarts decorated elaborately for each school coming.
"This is how Hogwarts will look if we decorate it as it is now. You wouldn't happen to have a list of which schools want to be sorted into Hogwarts would you?"
"No. They aren't sure who's coming, only we know." McGonagall said sadly.
"That's fine. If you can get a list to me during the feast I can make the adjustments. Just make sure no one is hanging around the halls, even the ghosts. The magic will trap them to wherever they are forever. Now, if you'll all kindly leave the room? Come back in 15 minutes, no sooner. Thank you." With those words Harry cast a shielding spell around the Great Hall and put his wand away. Several minutes later, after numerous enlarging, summoning, conjuring, language, and sound charms the Great Hall was ten times its previous size and had a banner for each school (in their native language) with their school colors, mascot, and houses on it. The tables had extended to five times their original size and were decorated similarly to the banners but were made out of amethyst, bronze, silver, diamond, ruby, sapphire, gold, and emerald. The candles were no longer floating peacefully in the air, but were racing about the room in a complicated pattern and somehow managing to never leave a spot without light. The benches and chairs at the head table were covered in silk and velvet and twice as comfortable. Harry made a few small changes then walked out to where the teachers were waiting.
"Is there any way I could convince all of you to wait next to the Great Lake?" Harry asked, "I need to do the halls."
The professors looks unsure for a moment then Dumbledore answered, "Of course, Harry. While you're at it, can you re-do my office?"
Harry nodded and the professors walked out, throwing cautious looks behind them. Harry immediately put up layer upon layer of shield spells, then set to work. By the time he was finished there was a carpet that was such a dark purple it looked black with designs made of gold on it, banners for every school, and his personal favorite- the new pictures. There were about 9,000 new picture frames spaced evenly that would randomly show the favorite memories of any person within seeing distance. This would remind students of things they had forgotten while putting them in a good mood for class.
-Wonder what would happen if Snape walked in. They'd probably all show him yelling at me or taking points from Griffindor.- Harry laughed at the thought then went outside to join the professors.
Shyraz- Thanks for reviewing! HongMing-Thanks for the help, I was wondering about that too.
Done! Uh oh, I need to write a few more chapters before I post again. I'll try and get the next one up ASAP.