Chapter 90: Inside the Fire
Hermione stoked the fire as she fought back the January chill. For the past half hour, she sat at the bank of the Black Lake as Harry explored its depths. Neville had come through with the gillyweed to help Harry breathe underwater. As a bonus: the plant gave him flippers on his feet and hands to give him more maneuverability in the water.
"It was in the book Dumbledore gave me," Neville told them when he presented the plant to them. "Ironically, the book was one I already had; you gave it to me back in first year. It'll give you gills to allow you to breathe underwater."
Since then, Harry had spent an hour every Saturday exploring the lake. During the week, he had been doubling down on mastering silent casting and adding to his arsenal of spells. Hermione scribbled a note and returned to the book. She knew she was close to a breakthrough but she had yet to find the equation to keep her spell from dying out.
"Do you need more kindling?" Hagrid asked Hermione as he wandered by with some logs from the forest.
"No," Hermione replied simply. "I got plenty with this morning's post."
"Good call," Hagrid chuckled. "Best thing ter do with that rag, you ask me."
With the return to classes came a new article from Rita Skeeter. At breakfast, Hermione unfolded the paper to see a picture of Harry and Daphne together at Hogsmeade.
Is Potter Looking for Greener Grass?
Harry Potter, Boy-Who-Lived and youngest Triwizard Champion, appears to have moved on to greener pastures.
Hermine Granger, the brilliantly plain muggle girl, must be distraught to discover the eye of the Boy Who Lived has started to wander. During the most recent visit to Hogsmeade, Harry Potter was spotted getting cozy with Daphne Greengrass, heiress to House Greengrass and one of the most sought-after women in Hogwarts. Her beauty and grace are undeniable and, if Potter is anything to go on, irresistible.
Greengrass and Potter were already close with the two houses forming an alliance not too long ago and now it seems like that alliance is taking the next step. Now it seems that they are advancing their relationship as Greengrass was seen pulling Harry into a shop. What they did in there remains a mystery.
However, the young Miss Granger doesn't even seem bothered. She in fact knew they were together and that Miss Greengrass was "getting him ready for the ball."
Whether that is a euphemism for something else is completely up to debate.
"Heiress Greengrass is an ideal choice for a mate," Theodore Carrick Nott II, fourth-year Slytherin said when asked. "That Potter would find his eyes attracted there is no shock. It is a shock that Greengrass would engage in such behavior. Potter wouldn't know the procedures dictate asking the father to begin wooing the girl but she certainly would."
"Potter has no knowledge or care for the traditions of our world," Pansy Parkinson, fourth-year Slytherin and heiress to House Parkinson said. "He does what he wants and what he thinks will bring him attention. Moving rapidly from one girl to the next only speaks to his upbringing and his true heritage. The Potter family is old but as far as I'm considered, that once great house has lost its way entirely and should be dissolved at once."
Hermione threw another copy of the Prophet on the fire and poked it fiercely. She knew it was false but the comments from Nott and Parkinson rankled her, as did the quote from herself in that article. She never saw Rita anywhere near the Three Broomsticks that day so her being quoted was concerning. She had Daphne scan for listening or scrying charms to which there were none. That meant she would have to have been there herself and Hermione couldn't figure out how. As the top article burned, the one underneath rankled her even more.
The article was all about Madam Maxime and Hagrid and their overheard conversation during the Yule Ball in which Hagrid revealed he was a half-giant. Looking at the man, it was obvious but the stigma attached to that fact would stick to the man like tar on the street. It didn't matter that Hagrid was the kindest, most gentle man anyone could ever meet, all everyone would see now was a half-giant. After the article ran, Harry, Hermione, Luna and Tracey all made a trip down to his hut to talk to the man.
"Don't pay it any mind," Harry said. "Rita also said I'm moving on from Hermione and we all know how true that is for you."
"You're a good man, Hagrid," Hermione added but the man still sulked.
"No one is going ter see me as anything but an oaf now," Hagrid said. "They'll be afraid ter send their students to learn under someone like me."
"People will make their own opinions without the facts," Luna said. "However, those that know you will know how good of a teacher you have been and what a gentle soul you are.
"Don't let them put a label on you," Luna continued. "People are trying to label me as a witch's witch and that's not true. I'm not into witches, I'm into Tracey. I don't care about someone's gender, who their parents are, or where they might have come from; I care about them. I've been attracted to many people of both genders but that's just because I connect with them personally, mentally, and physically. That's how I view you, Hagrid. I don't like you because you're a half-giant; I like you because you're a kind soul who cares more for animals than anyone on this planet."
"What she said," Tracey added her piece. "I'll admit you are intimidating when people first meet you but I can't help but be put at peace by your kind eyes and gentle nature. Don't let anyone define you but you. It's a lesson I've recently learned and I wish I learned it earlier."
Tracey ended the conversation with a significant look at Luna. That last word from Tracey did it for Hagrid. He held his head high and let the world see who he actually was.
For Hermione, it was a stark reminder of the prejudice still rampant in Magical Britain, something that she vowed to change. Turning away from the fire, she glanced at the water where Harry explored.
Beneath the surface of the water, Harry turned to his left and dove deeper. Thus far, he had explored the shallows near the Durmstrang ship and worked his way deeper. He knew to avoid the shallows near the banks of the lake since the Grindylows called the seaweed their home. One he knew he could handle but he did not like the idea of being swarmed by them. As he dove, he held his wand aloft trying to cast as much light as he possibly could. When he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, he pulled the wand back, ready to defend.
Slowly he continued to advance until bubbles swarmed across his vision. When the bubbles cleared, Harry relaxed as it was simply the Giant Squid. Harry reached out his hand and did the complex handshake the squid had taught him many months ago. Once the squid knew him, it fell into stride with him, swimming along the bottom of the lake with him for a stretch, breaking off only when a school of fish caught the squid's attention.
Looking at his watch, Harry saw he was running out of time and broke off for the surface. As his head broke the surface, he swam toward the bank where he spotted Hermione talking to a pair of blondes.
"How are you feeling, Luna?" Hermione asked the girl who was positively glowing since the ball.
"Fantastic," Luna said with a smile. "Completely Nargle free! Tracey and I are going to Hogsmeade together next week. She actually asked me the night of the ball. I can't wait!"
"I'm so 'appy for you," Fleur looked down upon the blonde Gryffindor with a satisfied smile.
"And how are you coming along, Fleur?" Hermione asked. "Do you have a strategy for the second task?"
"Oui… sort of," Fleur looked constipated. "I 'ave ze Bubblehead Charm but ze cold iz still a problem."
"Why not use your flame?" Luna asked, her tone airy.
"It won't work," Fleur said. "It iz only my 'ands and douses itself once I hit the water."
"Why don't you channel it inward instead of outward," Luna said. "Stop fighting your heritage and embrace it."
"I do embrace eet," Fleur replied hotly.
"You are at peace with it," an undeterred Luna said. "That does not mean you have embraced it. You live with your abilities but you do not accept them for the gift they are."
Fleur's nostrils flared, her eyes turned red and she looked like she would incinerate Luna on the spot.
"Close your eyes," Luna squared her shoulders, standing resolute against the rage coming her way. "Find your inner Veela. Find its flame; its passion."
"Give it a shot," Hermione said. "What can it hurt?"
"Fine," Fleur rolled her eyes as she closed them. She found her magical core and felt it like her teachers had taught her first year. There within her core was the fire that represented her Veela nature. As she focused on it, she felt it grow in size and intensity.
"That's it!" Luna said. "Now focus it to wrap around your body, a barrier between you and the world."
Fleur kept her eyes closed and pushed her core. As she did, she felt her body grow warmer. Her fingernails lengthened and her facial features sharpened. Once she felt it stabilize, she opened her eyes.
"You got it!" Luna shouted. "Look at your body!"
Looking down, Fleur noticed flames licking her entire body.
"Impressive," Harry's deeper voice sounded from behind Fleur.
"How did you know?" Fleur asked Luna.
"Dumbledore," Luna said. "He told you about the way Fawkes survives in this environment. Seemed like an idea to try but to do that, you needed to embrace who you truly are."
"I must look 'orrible," Fleur examined her fingernails that closely resembled talons.
"You look fierce," Hermione said. "You've lost some of your classic beauty but replaced it with intense power. How do you feel?"
"Warmer," Fleur admitted. "Excuse me."
Fleur turned and walked by Harry who was drying himself off. As she stepped into the lake, the water moved around her. She was wet but not soaked. When she looked down, she could still see the flames wrapped around her feet. Sucking in a huge breath, Fleur dove beneath the surface of the water. As with her feet, she could feel the water but it wasn't suffocating. Fleur twisted and flipped her way through the water until she needed to breathe again. When her head broke the surface, she heard clapping from the bank.
"Well done!" Harry shouted.
"That was amazing!" Hermione added.
"It was a fire show underneath the water!" Luna said. "Wow…"
As Fleur pulled herself out of the lake, the flame went out and she collapsed down to one knee as her eyelids grew heavy.
"One downside," Fleur said. "Eet takes a lot of effort to keep zat up. Since I still need to breathe, I'll need to cast ze bubblehead charm, not to mention any other spells I'll need to use during ze task."
"Well I'm sure like anything," Harry reasoned. "You'll need to build up stamina. Like exercising, it takes time to build up your endurance. With a month and change, I'm sure you can build up to last at least an hour but you'll be ready I'm sure."
Fleur nodded in agreement before pulling Luna into a hug.
"Zhank you for your suggestion," Fleur hugged Luna tightly.
"You're welcome," Luna's voice was muffled by Fleur's chest. Once Fleur pulled back, Luna sneezed. "You're all wet."
As Luna dried herself, the other three laughed at the younger woman's reaction.
A few days later, Flitwick worked with Harry on his silent casting. Since he would be underwater, his movements would be more languid which would make certain spells harder to do. Flitwick mimicked the effects of water by casting an Impedimenta Jinx on him.
As Harry continued to struggle, feeling more like he was doing Tai Chi than magic, he went through the spell katas Flitwick taught him from levitation to stupefy through engorgio and gemino and finished with the Patronus Charm. A series of spells with different movements, designed to build up speed and dexterity in the arm and wrist.
"Good," Flitwick walked around him as Harry went through his kata once more. "You've built up your speed while slowed down. Now do the same with your left."
Harry spared his teacher a glare. He hated using his left hand to cast. It felt so foreign. However, he knew Flitwick would one day challenge him to a duel where Harry couldn't use his dominant hand. Focusing in, Harry began the kata on his left hand, slow enough to master the movements. As he worked, Flitwick walked over to Hermione as she hurriedly crossed out a line and scribbled underneath it.
"Are you close?" Flitwick asked.
"I'm still working on the big project," Hermione admitted. "However, I think I've got this one figured out. I've got the maximus version, I think but the minimus I'm worried about."
"You've definitely got the maximus ready," Flitwick said. "For the minimus, just shorten the movements and I think you've got it.
"That does it for today," Flitwick said. "You've got all the basics down but keep working them faster and faster Apprentice Potter."
"Thank you, Master Flitwick," Harry bowed to the small man, trying to keep his frustration from showing.
"One last thing," Flitwick said. "Did you know you can propel yourself through the water with a spell? If you put enough power into the water spell, it will act as a propeller of sorts. Just a thought. Have a good evening."
Harry nodded as he sat heavily next to Hermione and helped himself to a glass of water. When Flitwick walked out, Hermione piped up.
"You look frustrated," Hermione stated the obvious. "How'd you like to relax?"
"We could try out my new spell," Hermione suggested. "Fulgur Gladius."
In one motion, Hermione extended her arm out from her hip, pointing it at a 45-degree angle toward the ground. As her wand moved, a light blue light spilled from the tip.
"You didn't," Harry's eyes widened. "You did!"
Hermione nodded as her nose crinkled in joy.
"I made a lightsaber," she beamed as she moved the light sword around her body. The sounds were even the same as in the movie. "I got the idea from your lighting whip so this is actually a bit of a lightning sword if we're being technical."
"Does it work like a lightsaber?" Harry asked excitedly. Once the words were out of his mouth, Hermione moved the saber to the empty desk cleaving it in half. Harry moved to repair the desk only to find the damage was permanent. "That's incredible!"
"Go on and try it!" Hermione instructed him. "Move the wand smoothly like you would a sword. Be sure to point it away from you when it starts."
"Fulgur Gladius," Harry repeated Hermione's actions. After a few tries, a green beam of light extended from his wand. "Excellent."
"Huh," Hermione scribbled a note. "Did not expect different colors. I'll be eager to have others try it to see the color they get. There's another benefit to the spell. Stupefy!"
Hermione turned her wand on Harry, launching a stunner at him. On instinct, he swatted the spell away.
"It works!" Hermione was over the moon with happiness. "I thought it could deflect spells and it does! Though it's only directed spells as area spells can't be deflected."
"This is fantastic!" Harry moved the saber around in awe.
"There's even a different version," Hermione's eyes glinted evilly. "Fulgur Gladius Minimus."
Again her blue saber extended. She quickly swung at Harry. When the blade made contact, it shocked Harry but otherwise, he was unharmed.
"So we can get used to working with them and won't do anything dumb like cut off our own hand."
"Good call," Harry ended his spell and cast the harmless one.
"En Garde!" Hermione challenged Harry with her saber in a defensive position. "First to three, loser has to do whatever the winner wants."
"Oh, you're on!" Harry advanced with an overhead slash.
Hermione caught his slash and parried it to the side. Moving her blade over the top of his, she swung and tapped her blade on his right elbow.
"1-0," Hermione giggled. This is fun, she said inwardly.
Harry's smile grew and he stabbed the blade toward her chest. Hermione knocked it away but Harry moved with it to catch her left hip.
"1-1," Harry said as Hermione moved in closer, spinning her blade from side to side. Harry caught the blade and their two blades locked as they pushed against one another. Harry suddenly wished for a longer wand to use both hands. Instead, he pivoted away and let Hermione stumble forward. As she stumbled, Harry caught her on the back.
"2-1," Harry cackled hard enough that he lost focus and Hermione clipped him around the waist.
"2-2," Hermione's devilish smirk looked scary in the light of her saber. "Next one wins."
Harry advanced again with an overhead slash, trapping the blade over Hermione's head. He pushed forward and pressed his body against hers, kissing her heatedly before pulling away. Hermione advanced with a slash at his hip, which Harry blocked. Hermione turned the block into a spin aimed at his shoulder which Harry stepped back to avoid. He took the opportunity to jump, spin and slash at Hermione's exposed shoulder just as Hermione advanced to stab him in the chest.
"So who won?" Harry asked as he massaged his chest.
"I'd say it's a tie but you probably hit first," Hermione admitted. "So winner, what do you want to do with the loser?"
Hermione gave him her doe eyes, the only weapon Harry still had no defense for. Harry looked down at her and smiled.
"I want to go again!" Harry lit his saber again and took a fighting stance.
The room soon filled with clashing sabers and laughter as Harry's troubles and frustration melted away.
(A/N: A note of sorrow for the passing of Robbie Coltrane. He brought Hagrid to life for so many people and he seemed as kind and genial as the character he portrayed. You will be missed sir.
The lightsaber spell was A) really fun to add to this and B) will come in handy next chapter for the second task. We're heading toward the home stretch for the fourth year.)
