Celenae: Man, it's been so long since we've put a story out
Menyl: It's your lazy butt fault, I have nothing to do with it.
Celenae: Oh do shut up.
Warning: mild swearing, nothing too bad, but still, you need a warning.
THE TOWER
BY CELENAE THE GODDESS OF REVENGE AND MENYL THE GODDESS OF MANIPULATION
Chapter 5: Memories
The next week passed by quickly for Harry. Ron seemed to have gotten better after that night, but he continued to act just a bit odd now and then. He didn't mind for soon it was time to go to school, that meant magic, being friends and seeing Cho. His crush on her had grown larger over the summer weeks, as did the guilt of knowing she was Cedric's girl. One side of his mind told him it was wrong because Cedric was his friend, the other side told him who cares, Cedric wouldn't mind. Soon he would be on that train, on his way to the best thing that ever happened to him. Little did Harry know that this year would be quite as eventful as the last.
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Have fun boys, try to stay out of trouble this year, called Mrs. Weasley from the platform. She waved madly as the train began to speed up.
Don't worry mum!! BYE, exclaimed her four younger children as they rode off into the horizon. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down in their compartment. Harry stared out the window, Ron was trying to get Pig back into his cage, while Hermione cleaned her new prefect badge. She held it up and smiled with pride. She looked around the compartment and gasped.
Ron, don't turn around, there's a .... Hermione began.
SPIDER!!!! Wow, that's so cool,Ron exclaimed. Harry and Hermione stared at him, mouths wide open. How could this be, their best friend, who was mortally afraid of spiders, was picking one up with a smile on his face. The spider gently crawled up Ron's hand.
Are you okay Ron? Harry questioned his apparently completely unafraid friend. He just stared in amazement.
Yeah, I'm fine, why? Ron answered. He was now playing with the spider as it crawled up his fore arm. Hermione was desperately trying to figure out exactly what was happening.
Ron, you hate spiders, you're afraid of them. What happened to you? Harry managed to get out . Ron just stared at them. Damn, what am I supposed to do now? the man asked himself. There's only one way to go about this, he told himself. Just like that, Ron collapsed onto the floor. They rushed towards him and picked him up off the floor. Slowly he came to and looked at them.
Ron, are you okay? What happened? Hermione asked him. They helped him sit up, as he face began to go red.
I-I'm not quite sure. I'm okay, don't worry, guess I just need some sleep or food or something, he reassured them. They smiled at him, telling him that they agreed. Hmmmmmm, they bought it huh? This might be easier than I thought, don't you love manipulation? He let out a sigh of relief, smooth sailing from here. They spent the rest of the train ride talking about how their summer went.
After a couple of hours, they glanced out the window and saw the most magnificent view. There, painted against the dark blue sky, was the castle standing upright and proud. The last rays from the sun before it set lit up the background, giving it a picture perfect look. The train began to slow down. This year might not be that bad, thought Harry as they stepped out of the train into the light.
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They sat down at the Gryffindor table, and glanced up at the head table. Sitting beside Snape was , they supposed, the new defense against the dark arts teacher. She was the most beautiful woman any of the boys had ever seen. They couldn't help staring at her.
Oh honestly, you boys, scoffed Hermione. She glanced around and prodded the boys.
I forgot to tell you, my cousin Carver is coming to this school. I hope he gets into Gryffindor, she said as she looked around for him. Just then the doors opened up and the first years came through followed by McGonagall. She put down the stool and the sorting hat. It began to sing, which made all the first years jump back in fright.
So, which one's your cousin Hermione? asked Harry. He thought he'd find am intelligent looking young boy, with glasses and many books. He looked all around, but couldn't find one to fit his description.
That one there, pointed out Hermione. Ron and Harry looked, and standing there was a young boy with messy brown hair, mischievous eyes, and a curious look on his face. He looked nothing like Hermione, but then, they were only cousins.
Yes, I know what you're thinking. He doesn't look a thing like you. Where are all his books, blah blah blah'. Well Carver has a knack for causing and finding trouble, kind of like Fred and George, she informed them. Carver saw her and grinned from ear to ear, he then went up to the stool. He sat for a while until finally the hat called out and everyone cheered. He walked over to their table and sat beside Hermione.
Hey wench, how are you doing? he asked her turning his head towards them. She gasped at the name and gave him THE LOOK (we all know that females have a certain look that scares everyone away, well this is it). His expression didn't change, it appeared as though he welcomed it with a chuckle and a grin.
Carver, I thought I told you to give me more respect. I am older than you AND I'm a prefect. So you should stop calling me names, git, she scolded him. Ron and Harry tried to hide their laughs behind their hands (just in case you're confused, a part of Ron is still in control, the man is controlling what he says and does. Ron still has some control, not a lot, but some). Hermione turned towards them and just plain stared.
Oh lay off them wench, they didn't do anything wrong. Besides, you wouldn't want to make the guy you liked think you hated him. What was his name, oh yeah it was... and with that, Hermione put her hand over his mouth. He started laughing behind her hand and tried to bite it.
OUCH! Stop that, go blow something up or anything, just leave! She became very angry as the boys giggled madly at her expression. Hermione was half embarrassed and half angry, quite a combination. Carver began to walk away, but he turned around for one last second and called her a wench. He then ran off to the other end of the table before she could realize what he said.
Well, Fred and George will have a ball teaching him everything they know, commented Ron. Harry began to laugh and looked around the room. He then realized something.
Hey Ron, where's Ginny? he asked. Usually she hung around with them, not all the time though. Ron looked up from stuffing his mouth and looked around. He swallowed and then spoke.
She's over there, with her friend, he said before he started stuffing his face again. Harry looked around and say Ginny talking with a petite blonde girl. It never occurred to him that she would have friends, but then, he never really paid much attention to her.
Who's she? he asked. Ron looked irritated from being interrupted in the middle of dinner.
Her name's Maria or something, they're really good friends. I met her once or twice, never really noticed her before though, who cares? and with that he recommenced eating. Harry tried to get a closer look at her and recognized her from somewhere. He found her most intriguing, he never paid much attention to anyone else in Gryffindor except for those close to him. He felt like such a git for being so oblivious to the rest of the house (when I mean the rest of the house, I mean people that aren't mentioned in the book. There can't be a total of like 12 people in that house, there has to be more).
Let's talk to her, I always like to meet new people, Harry told them. Hermione nodded her head in agreement, and Ron looked even more irritated, but nodded as well. They walked over to her and Ginny and took a seat. Ginny smiled, and the girl looked shocked.
Is there something wrong? Harry asked her, concerned. She shook her head and she quickly changed her expression.
No, I was just surprised to see you, of all people, here sitting beside me, she suddenly seemed overjoyed. She broke out into a big beautiful smile. Harry examined her looks. She had dirty blonde hair a bit past her shoulders and blue eyes. She had fair skin and was quite thin. Not very tall, but tall enough. She's kind of cute, thought Harry. WAIT!! What am I saying, I hardly know her and she's younger......but still, he debated in his mind.
What's your name? Hermione asked kindly. The girl smiled at her and replied, thought very quietly. No one could hear her response.
Excuse me, could you speak up please, Hermione said. The girl blushed and spoke again.
Maria Kathryn Solveig. Maria was my mother's name, my adopted mother that is, she told them. Hermione smiled, as did Harry. Ron wasn't paying attention to Maria. He was off staring at the new teacher. Harry turned to talk to Ron, but also got caught in the gaze at the teacher. Then, Dumbledore rose up from his seat. He cleared his throat and then he spoke.
Thank you everyone for taking part in our feast and returning to school. I have a few announcements before you all go off to bed. The first is this, due to the events that took place last year, no student is allowed out after hours, you must also be in pairs whenever you go out. Next, I would like to introduce our new defense against the dark arts teacher, Merle Dervillia. I hope you will have fun and learn a lot with her. Lastly, care for magical creatures has been canceled for a short amount of time. This is due to the vacant position of the teacher but.... Just then the Slytherin table let out a loud and extremely rude whoop.
As I was going to say, but we hope to have our teacher back soon. That is all, have an excellent night's sleep, finished Dumbledore. After a disappointed groan from the Slytherins, the tables were emptied and the hallways full of bustling children. Harry climbed up the stairs and to his dorm. He was exhausted, so he just collapsed into bed and fell asleep. Everything turned black and he fell into yet another dream.
Harry was in the common room this time. He was standing there, unsure of what was going to happen when all of a sudden, someone was after him. He began to run, but never saw the face of his pursuer. This is stupid, he though, I should just turn around and face him. At that, Harry turned around, but no one was there. This confused him. Suddenly, his insides began to burn and he screamed and writhed in utter pain. A laugh began to ring against the walls. The laugh wasn't that of Voldemort, high and cold sounding, but that of someone he knew. He tried to keep his sanity as the pain grew more intense. Harry thought and thought, until it came to him. He knew who that laugh belonged to, it was the laugh of.....
Harry yelled as he awoke from a cold sweat.
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Is it just me, or does Harry always seem to wake up in a cold sweat? It's probably true, but oh well. So do you like it so far? Yeah well to bad. I decided to add a couple of my own characters in there, maybe I'll add more. With a school that size you think they'd have a lot more people. Oh well, maybe I'll write more later, maybe. Nah, you know what I think? I think I'll add another chapter on this, maybe even another one after that. Here goes.....
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Chapter 6: Classes
The next day, classes started and everyone was bustling around. The dream from the previous night had been a total mystery to Harry. He could never believe that his best friend would do anything to him. He pondered this as he gathered his books for class. Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking down one of the many halls to transfiguration when they saw a quite amusing sight. Filch seemed to be yelling at a student. They tried to strain their ears to hear what it was all about, but the hallway was too noisy. As they passed by, they noticed that the convicted student was Carver. He had the most mischievous grin on his face, like he was planning what to do next, not caring about Filch. The boys chuckled as they passed as Hermione shook her head in disappointment.
Fred and George will be angry that someone beat them to the first prank, Ron said as they entered the classroom. They sat at the front and eagerly awaited to begin their first class. Professor McGonagall didn't show up for class. For a long time they just sat there. Murmurs moved around the classroom about the whereabouts of their teacher. Each murmur, more extravagant then the first. Hermione looked worried.
Maybe we should go find another teacher and ask where she is. Maybe something bad happened, oh I hope not, she said, her head bobbing above the crowd of students to see if their teacher had arrived yet. Then five minutes before the class ended, Professor McGonagall came in the room. Her hair was a mess, her clothes a bit tattered and her expression was one to kill. The students just stared, with their mouths hanging open. No one had ever seen McGonagall in this kind of state, she looked so....unperfect.
Sorry, but we had a little.........trouble in the corridors, McGonagall said as she straightened herself out with a spell. They still stared until someone had the courage to speak.
What happened, was it you know who? Dean asked, a frightened tone in his voice. McGonagall gave a slight twitch at the mention of the name, but then answered.
No, it wasn't him, though someone who could be labeled as almost as bad, McGonagall with a hint of fury in her voice. Just then Dumbledore entered the room.
Minerva, just the person I wanted to see. Are you alright? I do say, that was a most unfortunate incident, but we could all use a little laugh now and then hmm? he told her kindly. Then he looked at the class with a special twinkle in his eye. Hermione raised her hand and spoke.
What happened Professor? she asked him. He smiled at her.
It seems Miss Granger, that you have a very, uh, high spirited young man in your family, he answered as he let out a little chuckle. Hermione gasped.
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Harry and Ron couldn't stop laughing at the horrified look on Hermione's face.
Oh lighten up Hermione, he's just a kid, Harry told her. She just looked at him, still horrified.
It's the first day of classes and he's already getting in trouble, why can't he be like any other first year, terrified of everything, she started to shake her head again as they continued walking to potions class. Ron spoke up.
Oh give him a break, he's just having some fun. Fred and George were the same when they were younger. Now look at them, Ron said. At that exact same moment, an explosion could be heard. Running through the smoke laughing madly, was George and Fred. Hermione looked at Ron.
It's not the same with your family, my family has a higher standard to live up to, she said. Ron's face went red.
OH NO, did I say that? I meant.....what I was supposed to say was...
SO, YOU THINK YOU'RE SMARTER HUH? YOU'RE FAMILY IS BETTER THAN MINE, IS THAT IT? FINE, YOU GO BE WITH YOUR PERFECT FAMILY AND LEAVE ME ALONE!!! With that, Ron stormed off. Hermione looked hurt. Harry was caught in between. He didn't know if he should comfort Hermione, or go after Ron. Either decision would land him an angry look from the other. He decided to talk to neither of them and go to potions. As he entered the room, the Slytherins hissed. He sat down beside Dean and Seamus. They smiled, but they eventually faded as Snape entered the dungeon. Harry looked around and saw neither of his two best friends. Uh-oh he thought as Snape glanced around the room. A smile spread across his face.
It seems Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley have decided that they weren't good enough for potions class. We can finally be at peace without her whiny know it all opinion all the time, Snape said with much pleasure. The Slytherins all laughed as the Gryffindors scowled. Harry wanted to speak up, but he knew he would land a detention.
Mr. Potter, would you be so kind as to tell your two pathetic friends that they have detention, and 20 points from Gryffindor, he said with a hint of amusement in his voice. Is it possible to have negative points? Harry asked himself. Between this and whatever catastrophe Carver caused, he was sure that's where Gryffindor would be, in the red with negative points.
What's the world coming to these days? You can't even trust a prefect to obey the rules. Well, we'll just have to talk to Professor Dumbledore about this. Maybe she'll have her badge revoked, he said in a hopeful and wanna-be angelic voice. The Slytherins all agreed with him, trying to look angelic as well. The best the could do was a sort of crunched up face that reminded Harry of a potato. His insides began to burn up with the mention of Hermione's badge. She worked so hard for that and I will be damned if he tries to take it away from her, Harry told himself as he rose from his seat.
Mr. Potter, sit down, or would you like to join your friends in detention, he asked Harry. Harry didn't sit down, he just stared Snape in the eyes. If looks could kill, not even a basilisk would survive. The challenge of his authority, made Snape feel uneasy, no on had ever done it before. His lower lip began to tremble a bit.
Mr. Potter, SIT DOWN NOW!!! he screamed. Harry still stood there. It didn't matter what happened, he wouldn't let anyone talk about his friends that way. It wasn't even about those recent remarks anymore. Now, Harry was standing up to Snape for everything he had ever done to anyone. Every time he yelled at Neville, every time he condemned a student from another house, every time he was a complete git to anyone at all, especially himself.
What did you say?
You heard me.
Detention Potter.
Go ahead.
I said go ahead, give me detention, see if I care.
You will give me respect Potter, I am your professor.
I will not. Every time we're in this class, anyone at all, you treat us like crap. This is the last time, the last straw. You can give me all the detentions in the world, but you won't harass anyone anymore, not if I have anything to do with it.
That's it Potter, go to the headmasters office. You have caused trouble in my classroom for the last time. Snape pointed to the door. His face was beet red, half from anger, the other half from embarrassment. Harry stormed out of the dungeon and up the stairs. He continued to run through the halls, not caring where he was going. Oddly, he found himself in front of Dumbledore's office. He had no idea what the password was, but to his surprise, the gargoyle jumped out of place and let him up. He knocked on the door, which creaked open, welcoming him. Sitting behind the desk was none other than Professor Dumbledore. He looked up and smiled at Harry.
I was expecting you Mr. Potter. Please seat down, we have some business to discuss. I believe that you have caused a little bit of problem in the potions dungeon, he told Harry. There was a hint of disappointment in his voice. Harry looked down, he had never heard Dumbledore talk like that.
I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. I'm so sorry professor, please don't expel me or anything, Harry was shaking now. He didn't realize before that he could be expelled. One half of his brain was justifying what he did, and the other half was scared stiff. Dumbledore smiled, bringing that oh so familiar twinkle to his eye.
Well, I have no doubt that you are truly sorry, but he is a teacher and he does need a certain amount of respect. It is sad to say that you are going to have to serve detention tonight and tomorrow night with Filch, it seems a bit harsh, but you must pay the price for your actions. I'm very sorry Harry, he said in a sort of sad tone. The twinkle in his eye seemed to have been extinguished. Harry left the room, and proceeded to the Great Hall for lunch. There was no sense in going back to potions, it was almost over. Suddenly, many students were rushing about trying to get there before each other. Once he entered, he saw his friends. He sat in between them, and noticed they were looking in the opposite directions.
Come on guys, you do this all the time, just make up and get over it already, Harry lectured them as he served himself. They looked at him but not each other. Harry began to feel annoyed. He was about to tell them a thing or two when who should walk up to them but........Draco Malfoy.
Well, if it isn't Potty, Weasel and that awful mud blood Grangey. Potter, I loved your little performance this morning. I haven't had entertainment like that since you last fell off your broom when flying, he said with over confidence. Harry tried not to get angry, instead he looked at Draco straight in the eyes.
I don't know Draco, I thought the time when that truly pathetic excuse for a student was turned into a ferret and bounced up and down like a rag doll. OH.......wait, that was you wasn't it? he said with a hint of amusement in his voice. Harry smiled at the look on Draco's face, one of anger and humiliation.
You just wait Potter, you'll get what's coming to you. HE'S watching you!! HE's here, and there's nothing you can do about it, he said before leaving them to eat. Harry looked confused, for he didn't know what Draco was talking about.
What is he on about? asked Ron.
I truly have no idea Ron, no idea, he remarked as he went back to eating his lunch. He looked around the great hall, he saw Carver grin and wave at him, Snape scowled at him, Dumbledore gained back the twinkle in his eye, Maria smiled at him, and that new teacher was watching him with great intent. Damn that kid, he's ruined my cover. Now Harry will be on the lookout. He's Malfoy's son huh? Well, I'll have to arrange something to be done, thought the man. After eating their lunch, Harry turned to his friends.
How about it huh? Make up now and you can set a record for your shortest fight ever, sounds good doesn't it? Harry tried to bait them in with everything he had. Ron and Hermione looked at each other and scowled. As they continued to stare, their scowls faded into laughter. They were laughing madly after a couple of minutes. Harry smiled, it was good to see his friends back together again. Just then, McGonagall came up to them.
Miss Granger, you will be serving detention with Madame Pomfrey, Mr. Weasley, Professor Dervillia has specifically asked for your help. That will be all, off to your next class, she said as she shooed them off. They all walked together to Defense against the dark arts.
This is more like it, we are all together, Harry commented as they entered the classroom. Sitting at the desk, was their teacher. She was the most beautiful woman any of the boys had ever seen. Her looks were almost veela like. As they sat down she stood up.
Welcome students, I am Merle Dervillia, you may call me Professor Dervillia, and nothing else, she said sharply. This worried the students, she seemed to be very strict, kind of similar to McGonagall. They groaned and took out their books.
STOP!! You will not need those today, we're going to have a practical lesson. I want to see if you are as good as I've heard, follow me, she ordered. They all looked confused, but followed her orders, because contrary to her beautiful looks, she didn't seem to be one to trifle with. She led them through many corridors, and the whispering grew among the students.
Where are we going?
Is it going to be like Professor Lupin?
I wonder what curses I'll need to use, I've learned so many new ones over the summer. This was obviously Hermione speaking. Now they were going down many winding stairs, until they reached the bottom. She turned to them and began to speak.
Now, when attacking your enemy, it is good to know how to hide. This provides an advantage for you. The spell I'm about to teach you will provide an invisible sphere around you, concealing you from mortal eyes. The enchantment is Meslius Concealius. Now repeat it for me, she demanded. The whole class repeated it over and over until she was satisfied. The only person to have trouble was Neville. The teacher taught him an easier way to do it.
Now Neville, point your wand at yourself and chant it, she told him. He hesitated at first, but did it. Suddenly, Neville was nowhere to be seen.
Did it work? they heard him ask. They nodded, unsure of which direction he was in. The teacher smiled at the thin air.
Good! Now I want all of you to do it as well. Once this was done, the teacher cloaked herself as well.
Professor, what are we fighting exactly? asked Hermione, from thin air. Suddenly, Harry recognized the door they were right in front of.
I believe it's correct mammal name would be, Severius Snapeous, she said as she opened the door.
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So, any good so far? Yup, mm-hmmmm, okay. I'll try to get the next ones out soon, so, yeah.
Disclaimer: We do not own the characters, except for Merle, Carver, and Maria. We do not own the castle, or anything else except the plot as well.