Chapter Three- Swords & Spells (ooh..)
(Disclaimer- I am extremely tired of writing these. I am not the owner of these characters..blah…blah…pleased don't sue me…blah.. Satisfied?)
Harry grinned as he, Ron and the terrible duo eyed up the tricks in Zonko's outlet store in Diagon Alley. Fred and George of course, turned their noses up at the most blatant tricks ("No one would want to turn to turn their friends into stick insects. I mean, STICK INSECTS? They are not even remotely creepy or funny!") Hermione, Ginny and Mrs Weasley had disappeared off to examine the "girly stores" as the Weasley men called them contemptuously. "Right Harry, time to get measured," said Fred with an evil grin, as Ron shivered. "Yep, Madam Malkin gets very emotional when her boys grow. When we had our growth spurt last year she practically cried. She couldn't stop mentioning something to do with us turning in men" said George nodding. "So you best not keep the poor woman waiting" said Mr Weasley smiling.
(In the little shop of horrors)
Madam Malkin dabbed her eyes "Oh Mr Potter, it seems only yesterday you were buying your first extra small robes, you were so cute and tinsy winsy."
Harry was suffering, but bearing it well. Ron and a row of other Gryffindor students were waiting, afraid of their turn. "I remember it like yesterday, you were so shy, and little…." she droned on in this manner for a while, Harry nodding dumbly, avoiding Draco Malfoy's scorning looks. He escaped with all limbs intact, sending dark looks at Fred and George who were weeping on each other's shoulders openly.
. Ron stepped up next. "Oh little Mr Weasley I remember you as well. You fell off my stool twice, poor little thing. You couldn't remember my name either, bless you, I wanted to just wrap you up and take you home. And now you are so tall, all grown up….." she launched into memories past again.
They left as quickly as they could, joined by Fred and George who had been openly laughing for the past half an hour. Draco Malfoy sauntered past with his gorilla friends at his side. "Fell off the stool TWICE, you were a freak even before you met Harry then. Probably an inherited trait. No doubt comes from a spat of inbreeding" he remarked with an indulgent laugh. Ron looked angry, but said nothing, settling for a scowl instead. Fred and George however launched themselves enthusiastically at Malfoy yelling "Go for the kneecaps!". Harry himself gave a well placed boot in Malfoy's groin. A patrolling troll started to come over as Draco started yelling "Rape!!". They all scarpered in separate directions, careful not to head for the dress shop.
(A shop…Just A old shop…. what do you want from ME!!)
Hermione's Point Of View
Hermione was engrossed in "Diagon Alley, What You Never Wanted To Know". It described the "Daily menial life of the bustling street". Ginny was lingering by the jewellery, trying it on when her mother was not looking. She was really pretty thought Hermione jealously. Her eyes scanned the shelves, landing on a new glossy copy of "The Last Resort For Lovelorn Witches". She picked it up guiltily, flicking the pages. There were pitches of girls undergoing makeovers, and tips on "How To Get Your Man". It was unbelievably corny…. yes.. totally useless. A book could not solve your problems, not really…. well sometimes perhaps it could…not that she would buy it. She didn't have a man she wanted to get. A sudden image of Ron flashed through her mind, she winced. An image of Harry soon followed, although of course she wasn't after him. Not really anyway. She crept towards the cash register. She would buy both, but tell NO ONE. She passed them to the man, who quirked an eyebrow. He then deliberately pulled the mike towards him. "Jim, I want a price check on "The Last Resort for LOVE LORN witches. I have a girl here who really wants this book. Could you run a check". Ginny and Mrs Weasley were staring now with pleased smiles muttering something that sounded suspiciously like "Ron". NO WAY. Not that she would never consider dating a friend, but Ron definitely was not her type. She preferred tall dark men, with green eyes. Not that she knew anyone like that.
(The next day at breakfast, when the post usually arrives)
Harry's Point of View- thank God!
All Ron's family sat around the table. All looked tense and worried.The letters from Hogwarts announcing who would be Prefects would arrive, if there were any. Fred and George had little or no chance of becoming head boy; (although head girl was still up for grabs apparently Fred kept reminding George). Hermione had woken early, drunk way too much coffee, and was now still on a caffeine bender. "Not that it matters guys, I mean it is only a silly badge, that gives its wearer power and respect…" she trailed off pitifully, waving her cup around wildly. Harry looked calm and collected, but still gave off an air of tightly controlled excitement.
An owl flew in dropping a letter on the table. Harry leaned in, forgetting to breathe, as did the rest of the gathered audience. It was addressed to Harry. Harry looked at the letter, afraid to open it in case it contained an overdue library book or fan letter (which appeared more regularly than ever now). He opened it gingerly. "Dear Mr Potter…. blah. blah blah..new school term.. bull bull bull…inform you that you will be a prefect for the following year".
"I made it" said Harry weakly, as a badge materialised in his hand. The whole family cheered after glancing at Hermione and Ron. She went absolutely spare, first shrieking, then slumped down on the table moaning about post and owls, "useless feathery gits". Ron simply went paler, mumbled something and kept his eye on the window. Another owl flew in at the window languidly, settling down on the table. Ron picked it up excitedly, brightening, then suddenly drooped, handing it to Hermione. She grabbed it viciously, ripped it open, then started to dance around the kitchen. Rather madly, scaring Pig who disappeared into the coffeepot.
"OH YES! I WIN!! I am the queen of the world" she shrieked blissfully kissing everyone in sight (on the cheek!). Harry came in for several kisses in fact. A fact that did not seem to escape Ron, who always seemed to be just out of range.
Harry jerked his head towards Ron, shooting her several warning glances. She ignored them, pinning her badge on with great flair. Ginny looked torn between pleasure for Harry, and disappointment for her brother, who just kept staring out of the window sadly. Unfortunately no more owls came, to the disappointment of Ron.
(On The train to Hogwarts)
All were subdued. Hermione was still wearing her badge, she had even worn it on her pyjamas, but Harry had only put his on that morning. Ron's eyes were slightly red rimmed, but he had covered it with bravado, claiming he was following Fred and George, the best self proclaimed role models anyone could have. Malfoy strutted into their compartment sporting a large shiny badge. Ron braced himself for the attack. "I came to see the pretentious duo that is the prefect pair Granger and Potter, oh...and their trusty pet Weasley. I heard you didn't quite make the grade. Just fell a little too short did we? Not quite good enough?" said Draco. "Shut up Draco, at least my father didn't have to bribe the school" said Ron fiercely. "My father didn't have to bribe anyone weasel, no need to get touchy because you can't measure up to YOUR family's expectations" retorted Draco. Ron flushed and said nothing. Harry narrowed his eyes, unconsciously clenching his fists. "At least his family care about him, your father didn't even drive you to the station, glad to get rid of you I suppose" Harry shot back furiously. Draco pulled out his wand angrily, but dropped it suddenly, as Harry pulled his arm back. "What the.." said Draco confused, as his wand arched over his head landing neatly in Harry's outstretched hand. Crabbe and Goyle shuffled back slightly, moving towards the door. "Get lost" said Harry coldly, as Hermione touched his arm worriedly. Draco made a sudden grab for his wand, and then turned and stalked off.
"Harry, how on earth did you do that, you didn't have a wand!" said Ron with a strange expression on his face. "I don't know" replied Harry confused. "Try it again" urged Hermione opening her trunk and holding out her wand. Feeling incredibly silly Harry looked at the wand willing it to rise. Nothing happened. "I dunno, guess it must be kind of a one off, you know, like when Neville bounced out of his window. I mean, I can't lift it" said Harry lamely. Ron shrugged, and said nothing for a while; Hermione looked at Harry intently, flushed slightly, and looked down at her feet.
"Did you know that Gringotts has only been successfully robbed 4 times" she remarked later, reading her "Diagon Alley" book. "What did they take?" said Harry eager to end the slight silence. "Oh, the Mirror of Anchises, the Black Sword, Alberic Grunnon's book of dark spells, and the treasure belonging to Hengist of Woodcroft, but there was an attempted theft of the Philosophers Stone" said Hermione. "A Black Sword, I wonder why anyone would go to so much trouble for a sword? I mean, what kind of special powers would it have?" said Ron puzzled to Harry. "But Ron, it was black" said Harry, (as if this solved the mystery thought Hermione.)
"Ah, I suppose, if it was black" agreed Ron. Hermione scowled, "I am sure it was valuable for other reasons than it being black". Ron and Harry exchanged humour-her-I-suppose glances. Hermione scowled even more. Harry and Ron launched into a deep and philosophical conversation about swords, and their prospective use in all aspects of life, and why everyone at Hogwarts should be issued with one. Hermione stalked off down the corridor, coming into the compartment of her roommates Lavender, Sarah, and Parvati. There she stayed for the remainder of the journey, hoping that in her absence they would realise that they were extremely silly people, and apologise to her. Not that this was likely to happen.
(Back at Hogwarts)
Harry felt slightly worried, as he picked his way through his second helping of Shepherds pie. He was still feeling slightly strange after the incident with Draco's wand. He could not imagine how he had done it. He looked around the room, Dumbledore wasn't eating much either. He tried to lift his spoon, imagining a hand reaching out and grabbing it, nothing happened. He leaned in even closer, staring at it intently. He looked up and caught Dumbledore's eye, and went slightly pink as his gaze travelled to the spoon covered in mince. Dumbledore looked at him thoughtfully, smiled and went back to his soup. "Whay arm't yous eatim 'Arry" munched Ron through a mouthful of mashed potato. "Are you alright Harry" said Hermione concerned. "No, I'm dying" said Harry solemnly. Ron dropped his fork and jaw, displaying what he was eating to the whole table. "I ate a poisoned sausage only moments ago, damn that tricksy Voldemort, who would have suspected the food" Harry said brokenly. Dean Thomas snorted into his dish, and Ron stared hard, then laughed out loud. Hermione narrowed her eyes, "That was not funny". "Na, that was great" said Ron. Harry smiled.
He went back to looking at the spoon. He blocked out the noise around him. The spoon was now everything. Harry concentrated, willing it to move. Lift. The spoon started to lift at one end slightly. Harry's heart started beating faster, excitement building. The other half rose to meet it. The whole spoon was now floating an inch off the table, although no one around him had seen it. Harry held it there, sneaking a look around him checking no one had seen. He encountered the gaze of a very shocked Professor McGonagall watching from the high table in disbelief. He immediately dropped the spoon, and ducked his head. He didn't want to share this yet, not until he understood how he could do it.
(In Dumbledore's office- extremely late at night, long after the feast had finished)
"Why have you summoned me here Albus?" said Snape testily as he walked into the Headmasters study. "Harry" said Dumbledore simply.
"It's begun Severus" said Professor McGonagall, "I don't know why now, but I caught him moving the cutlery about at dinner, and I heard about something similar on the school train with Draco Malfoy."
"I thought you said it wouldn't be him, the prophecy stated another 2 generations must be passed yet" spat Professor Snape. "We were wrong" said McGonagall.
"We are certain now, I have suspected for some time there was something… but there will be more to follow" said Dumbledore seriously.
"So he is dangerous then, it may seem harmless right now, but I have researched this, we do not know how powerful he could be" snapped Snape.
"What is your point Severus?" said Dumbledore dangerously.
"That he should leave Hogwarts, as soon as possible. Headmaster, we did not foresee this, but we cannot ignore it either. He has not had the proper training…he could hurt the other students" said Snape, but softening added "Whether he would mean to or not."
"But that's ridiculous Severus, Harry would never… and where would he go, he is just a boy! No matter how we treat him or what he could be capable of, he is still just… a boy."
"Still, I must insist that we do not encourage him to persist with the advancement of his…gift" said Snape boldly. Dumbledore's face darkened, but he simply turned away to the window, watching the violent storm raging outside.
"We cannot possibly ignore this Severus, you must see that. It is important; more now than ever, we did not plan it for him, but I am sure he would be willing to make certain sacrifices for the privilege-" started McGonagall defensively, before she was interrupted rudely by Snape, who had begun to pace up and down the room.
"-PRIVILEGE! Privilege of what? Do you really think Harry would want this if he knew what it would entail?" said Snape angrily.
"We do not even know if it would come to that, it depends how powerful he is, and his predecessors barely compared to… well I think we are expecting an awful lot" said McGonagall soothingly.
"Harry would be great, I know it" said Dumbledore with conviction.
"You are not doing it for him, it is for your own benefit" shot back Snape recklessly "Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, Dumbledore's protégé, his favourite, his successor, I know what people are saying, and now you seek to sweeten it further. This is not best for Harry. We should not train him"
Dumbledore shot him a dark glance, loaded with warning, "You go to far Severus, I will train him myself. He deserves to know the truth".
Snape nodded curtly, and turned to leave but paused at the door, "But you won't tell him the whole truth will you?" Silence reigned in the dark room. "That's what I thought" said Snape, and left.
Dumbledore sighed, and sat down heavily on his chair. "Do you think I should do this Minerva?" She smiled timidly "I believe so, yes".
"Then I will" said Dumbledore firmly and turned away.
Quick Sneaky Peek: Ron WILL make his move, and Harry will meet with Dumbledore, and some love action will start to happen to even the most unexpected characters. Keeper trials, and a new teacher
(I know this is a bit of a cliff-hanger, sorry about that. But I have it all worked out, so chapter 4 should be here soon. But I couldn't fit it all in anyway, so you must come back to see Ron strut his stuff. PLEASE read and review, so I know you like what you see. Or e-mail me at