Author: Azeroth
Author E-mail: mrlindberg3h@yahoo.com
Category: Mystery, Drama, Action/Adventure, Romance
Keywords: Harry, Ginny, Voldemort, Chalice
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: For all four books
Summary: Harry begins his fifth year at Hogwarts with a female Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, feelings of guilt for Cedric Diggory's death, and looking for someone to share his emotions with. Voldemort has steadily begun to build his reign of terror as a sense of urgency and vigilance goes through Hogwarts and the rest of the wizarding world.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
The Sides of Fear
Chapter 6
The Four Elements
As the morning light shone upon Hogwarts one of the Slytherin beds was empty. The owner could be found in the common room. The fire flickered for a moment from a gentle breeze. Draco Malfoy was sitting in a chair watching the flames dance in the fireplace. He was gazing at the fire and the reflection of the flames could be seen burning with hatred in his eyes. He winced as his left arm brushed against the arms of the chair. Two unmistakeable figures came into the common room to join Draco.
"Crabbe, Goyle, this is the year when we prove ourselves," said Draco. "Has He talked to both of you?"
"Yes," said the two boys nodding.
"Then you know what to do. We must wait until we have received word. My father will see to that," added Draco.
Draco sat up and walked down to the Great Hall accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle.
"This will be my year," thought Draco, "and nobody will stop me."
***
"Harry, wake up!"
"Go away," mumbled Harry trying to hide underneath the covers.
"We're already late as it is," sighed Ron, "and it's only the first day of school."
"Oh, fine," Harry grumbled staggering out of bed putting on his robe.
"Hurry up! I'll be in the Great Hall waiting for you," said Ron as he went downstairs into the common room.
A few minutes, and two stubbed toes, later, Harry emerged from the fifth year boys' dormatory only to run straight into someone else who was as late as he was. Both of them tumbled down the stairs and ended up in one big pile with limbs in a tangle. Harry got his bearings straightened out and looked to see who he had shared this death-defying stunt with.
"Nggh," groaned Ginny with one hand on her head.
"Are you alright?" asked Harry with a worried look.
"I think so," replied Ginny as she tried to stand up only to fall back down tripping on Harry's right leg. "Oww!"
A few more words that were fairly unsuitable followed as Ginny tried to get up once again. Harry, who was already on his feet, stretched out his hand to help her up.
"I can get up on my own, thank you very much," Ginny said irritated.
"I'm sorry Gin, I didn't see you,"
"Well, what's new?" said Ginny sharply leaving Harry behind as she hurried down to the Great Hall.
"This is definately not a good morning," thought Harry. "At least it can't get any worse than this."
***
Harry had been wrong. Things could get worse. A lot worse. He sat down at the Gryffindor table to find Hermione sitting by Viktor, and Ron squeezed in by Fleur who was surrounded by most of the Gryffindor boys. Ginny was sitting at the other end of the table concentrating on her food. Harry decided to sit down across from Hermione.
"So what classes do we have this morning?" asked Harry making sure he wasn't interrupting anything.
"You'll be happy to know that we have double Potions with the Slytherins, followed by Arithmancy for me, and I take it Divination for you," Hermione said with a slightly disgusted look.
"Just great!" moaned Harry. "I'll start out the day in hell, only to be followed by my yearly prediction of Death breathing down my neck."
"Well, Professor McGonagall and I told you that Divination is the least accurate form of magic. You should've taken Arithmancy instead."
"Hermione, please don't start. I've had a bad enough morning as it is," said Harry scooping in a mouthful of scrambled eggs.
"What happened? Did you have another dream?"
"No, nothing like that. I accident...ummph"
"Oh, I'm sorry Potter. Did my elbow accidentally knock over your big head?" said Draco with a smirk.
"Malfoy, get away from me before I do something we'll both regret," growled Harry.
"My, my. No need to get so violent Potter," Draco turned his attention to Hermione. "Besides, I see you have your Mudblood friend here. You wouldn't want anything to happen to her, would you?"
Harry stood up ready to turn Malfoy into a ferret, but before he knew it Viktor had swooped down on Malfoy, pushing him down on the floor.
"Vatch vat you say," said Viktor looming over Draco.
Malfoy was trying to get up from the floor as the Great Hall had fell silent holding their breath.
"Don't think you scare me you overgrown Bulgarian bird brain," sneered Malfoy. "I wouldn't turn my back on your own people. Just remember that."
"I don't know vat you are talking about," Viktor said hesitantly.
"We'll see about that," Draco turned around walking out of the Great Hall.
"Herm-own-ninny, I'm so sorry you had to hear that," said Viktor sitting down by Hermione.
"Viktor, it doesn't bother me anymore. I'm serious," added Hermione smiling.
"Vell, he shouldn't say things like that about you."
Harry didn't know what to think, but a quick glance over at Ron told him what was going through his best friend's mind, and it wasn't any happy thoughts by the looks of it.
"Well, we'd better get to class before Snape deducts points from us before we're even there," said Harry trying to get Hermione's and Ron's attention.
Hermione looked up at Harry and quickly grabbed her bookbag.
"C'mon Viktor. I'll show you the way to your first class," said Hermione grabbing hold of Viktor's hand.
Ron jumped out of his seat proclaiming loudly that he would see to it that Fleur got to her class on time offering her his hand. Harry looked at both of his friends walking out of the Great Hall shooting glares at each other.
"At least things can't ge..."
He stopped himself in the middle of his thought remembering what had happened the last time.
"Off to a double dose of Snape," sighed Harry tossing his bookbag over his shoulder.
***
Snape had been in fine form as he had been able to take away 50 points from Gryffindor within the first five minutes. Harry had walked in a fraction late and Snape had given him the usual sneer followed by a lecture about how "the Great Harry Potter doesn't think he has to follow rules." He had lost 25 points for being late, and an additional 25 for not knowing twenty uses for finely minced salamander tails.
The first class with Snape had turned into a 3-hour lecture with almost every student walking out of the Potions dungeon with hands cramping. Ron and Hermione hadn't so much as looked at each other for 3 hours and Hermione was off to her Arithmancy class before Harry could talk to her. Ron and Harry walked up to the North Tower and settled down in Professor Trelawney's mist-filled classroom. Right before class was to begin Professor Trelawney floated in humming.
"I can see we will have long year," she said in her "trance."
Harry and Ron just looked at each other knowing all too well what was coming next as Trelawney turned her attention to Harry.
"My dear boy, your future does not look bright," sighed Trelawney.
"Yes, yes," muttered Ron. "You'll be dead again Harry."
Harry could barely keep himself from laughing while Trelawney gave both of them a look letting them know how serious things were.
After an hour of death predictions for Harry they headed down for lunch. Harry ended up eating alone since Hermione sat with Viktor and Ron drooled over Fleur. Right when he was sitting there playing with his food someone sat down beside him. He looked up to see Ginny.
"Harry, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about what happened this morning,"
"Sorry? You shouldn't be sorry. I'm the one who ran into you, and landed on top of you."
"Well, I shouldn't have said what I said," answered Ginny twirling a strand of her red hair with her fingers.
"Just forget about it Gin," said Harry smiling.
"So how's your day going so far?" she asked wanting to change the subject.
"Well, I lost 50 points for Gryffindor, I'm going to die a horrible death, and my two friends aren't talking to each other anymore," Harry glanced over at Hermione and Ron.
"Sounds like an exciting day," laughed Ginny.
"Yeah, well I could do without all this excitement," grumbled Harry.
There was an awkward silence after that and Ginny left to get ready for her next class. Harry had already had enough as Hermione wasn't talking to Ron, and vice versa. Transfiguration turned out to be just as bad as the morning classes as McGonagall was kind enough to assign an essay on the uses of transfiguring animate objects into purple teapots. When Harry had complained about the length of the essay Hermione had simply said that McGonagall was just trying to prepare them for their O.W.L.s. At this Ron rolled his eyes earning him a glare and leading to another fight between the two. "Well, at least they're talking to each other," thought Harry as he went up to his room while the odd couple fought in the common room.
***
After Draco had become part of Voldemort's circle Lucius had slowly begun to think about what the implications would be. He had made sure Draco would be ready for anything, but the question was whether Lucius himself was ready for what was going to happen. There was no doubt his son had showed great determination and strength of will during the long years of "practice." Lucius also knew his son would never forget what had been done to him. "After all he is a Malfoy," thought Lucius as he swiped a glass of wine.
"Lucius?"
"Yes my dear?"
"Are you worried about Draco?" asked Narcissa sitting down next to to Lucius.
Lucius let the glass touch his lips before he answered.
"No," said Lucius, "I'm worried about us. Voldemort said there was more than anyone could expect in Draco."
They both looked at each other and exchanging a glance they knew what the other person was thinking. Lucius walked over to the window and looked out over Malfoy Mansion wondering when the time for reckoning would come.
***
Dumbledore was sitting in his office taking care of business when a there was a loud "poof" from the fire.
"Albus?"
"Hello Ashmir," said Dumbledore turning around to face the image in the fire. "I have a few questions, and I was hoping you could help me answer them."
"This wouldn't have anything to do with the chalice?"
"Of course it has. I have reason to believe Voldemort has been able to acquire it and is now planning on using it."
"What do you need to know, Albus?" said Ashmir realizing the danger.
Dumbledore sat back gently rubbing his forehead as he began to explain the situation.
"As you know Ashmir, Peter Pettigrew was able to resurrect Voldemort last year. However, he is still lacking more than his fair share of power," said Dumbledore gravely. "But with the use of the Chalice he could potentially become more powerful than ever."
"I know the immense power that is within the Chalice," said Ashmir, "but I thought he needed the three more elements to complete the spell."
"That is the problem, my dear friend," sighed Dumbledore. "Voldemort already has the Chalice, and the rest of the elements, I fear, are right here at Hogwarts."
"I know about the second element, which would be Harry Potter, but the other two?"
"They are here Ashmir, trust me."
"Are they safe?"
"They are as safe as can be," Dumbledore said. "I have a feeling we have already lost one of the elements which leaves us with the final piece of the puzzle."
"It must be protected at any cost Albus," replied Ashmir. "I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Don't worry Ashmir, the Dagger is safe for now," said Dumbledore before the Ashmir disappeared from the fire.
"As long as the bearer is left alone the Dagger will be safe," thought Dumbledore as he opened up a secret passageway by a bookshelf and disappeared.
***
"My dear son," sobbed Narcissa cleaning out the cuts.
"Mother, I hate him," said Draco with gritted teeth.
"He's just doing what he thinks is right," she said unconvincingly, "He wants you to be ready when the time comes. We don't want to lose another..."
Draco's head jerked up as his mother had stopped talking abruptly.
"What do you mean, lose another?" said Draco forgetting about the immense pain.
"Nothing my dear. You need your rest for tomorrow."
"Yes, another day of pain, right mother?" he snapped turning away.
"Draco...I..."
"Why don't you stop him?" yelled Draco tears beginning to trickle down his cheeks.
"I can't," she cried, "it's for your own good!"
"Tell me what that means!" yelled Draco as sadness had been replaced with anger. "Why do I need to suffer like this?"
"I...I can't tell you," said his mother turning away.
"I thought I only hated him, but I hate both of you."
"Draco..."
"NO!" screamed Draco. "Get away from me!"
Narcissa stood up not knowing what to do. Finally she turned around and walked out of the room. Draco turned around and curled himself into a ball, crying himself to sleep.
Draco woke up in the Slytherin common room having fallen asleep with a book on his lap. He kept remembering scenes from his childhood, and coupled with recent events he was sure it wouldn't stop until he had finished his task. He was just about to get up and go to bed when he saw a copy of Witch Weekly laying on the floor. The front cover had Harry Potter on it. He picked it up and threw it into the fire.
"Burn Potter...burn in hell," hissed Draco.
***
It was time for the first class of Defense Against the Dark Arts and Harry and the rest of the fifth year Gryffindors had only heard good things about Professor Miala.
"She's incredible," said George flailing wildly with his arms.
"And good-looking," added Fred.
Hermione just rolled her eyes and Viktor gave her a pat on her shoulder, which earned a glare from Ron.
"We promised not to tell anyone about what you'll be doing tomorrow, but I can tell you that it'll be loads of fun," said Fred excitedly.
Harry purposely sat down in between Hermione and Ron in order to stop any arguments from starting.
"It's a good thing both Viktor and Fleur are seventh year students," thought Harry as the rest of the students piled into the classroom. The door to the office opened and in stepped Professor Miala.
"Well, I don't want to waste anybody's time so we'll start out with defending yourself against Dementors," she said loudly. "Who knows what to do?"
Her eyes gazed over the class and Harry slowly raised his hand.
"Go on, Potter. Show us what you're made of then."
Miala took out her wand, muttered a few words, and conjured up a Dementor who slowly turned around to face Harry. As soon as it had taken it's first few steps Harry stepped up with his wand.
"Expecto Patronum," yelled Harry as silvery mist came out of his wand forming into a silver stag.
The Dementor was charged down by the stag and immediately disappeared.
"Thank you," said Professor Miala as she gestured for Harry to go sit down.
"Can you tell the rest of the class how to perform the Patronus Charm?" she asked turning to Harry.
"There are two steps I suppose," said Harry blushing a bit. "First you have to think of a really happy memory, and then say the words Expecto Patronum."
"Very good, five points to Gryffindor. Now today you will be practising your Patronus so let's get to it."
Eagerly, the students all got out of their seats and began to yell out their charms. Most of them ended up with a light silver mist coming out of their wands. Unexpectedly, Neville was the only one who managed to get his Patronus to form into something more like a lion. On their way out Harry tried to convince Hermione that it would take a lot of practice before she would be able to conjure up her own Patronus. Her answer was of course to go to the library.
After lunch it was time for their first class with Hagrid.
"I just hope it's something interesting this year," sighed Ron pulling out a muffin from his pocket. "This is Fleur's favorite," he said dreamily.
"For your information I think Hagrid is wonderful," scowled Hermione obviously not liking the Fleur comment.
Before they could get any further Hagrid had walked out of his cabin and was dragging a large wooden box.
"Hi Hagrid, what are we doing today?" asked Harry sitting down by the box.
"Well, ye'll be surprised ter know that I did some research," said Hagrid in between grunts as he pulled out the next box. "It's amazing what ye can find in Knockturn Alley."
"Well, what is it?" said Ron clearly interested for once.
"I'll tell ye when everyone else gets here," said Hagrid putting down the last of the boxes.
There was just no avoiding the Slytherins, thought Harry as he saw Draco and his entourage coming from the Great Hall. Draco was wearing his usual disgusted look as he sat down making a remark about how Hagrid's position as a "lowly" Gamekeeper. Harry was about to tell Draco to shove it when he was interrupted by a loud squeek from the boxes. Everybody's attention turned to the now shaking and squeeking boxes.
"Welcome back," began Hagrid, "this year we will be taking on another Magical Creature as a project. First off I want to warn you that you need to be very careful and follow my instructions."
Everyone looked over at Draco who had almost got Hagrid fired when a Hippogriff had attacked him during his third year.
"Without any more talk," boomed Hagrid as he lifted the lid of a box, "I would like to introduce your newest pets."
A pair of eyes popped out of the box followed by several others. Hagrid picked one up and it looked like a cross between a wolf and a bat. It had four legs and yellow eyes, but the skin looked like that of a bat. Its 3-inch fangs were perfectly made to suck the living out of anything, and the group slowly moved away from the boxes.
"Now who can tell me what these beautiful creatures are?"
Hermione's hand shot up quickly.
"It's a Lupertilio," said Hermione still backing away.
"Very good Hermione, 10 points to Gryffindor."
Hagrid set down the Lupertilio in the box and closed the lid to everyone's relief.
"These are very gentle and kind creatures. You can find all the information you need on page 251 in your book," said Hagrid holding up his copy of Ferocious Animals Who Are Nice. "They react much like Hippogriffs," added Hagrid snapping Draco out of his rude comments. "If you treat them nicely, they will be yer best friend. If you don't...well they won't be nice anymore."
Half of the students were reminded of the latter part of the book title, and grimacing they let one of their hands feel their neck as to make sure their head was still there. Hagrid decided to let one student come up at a time and finally everyone had picked out their own Lupertilio. Harry had limited success with his, but he was just happy to see Draco almost getting his finger bit off. After a long hour of trying to get to know their "pets", they set off for the Great Hall.
"At least they're not Skrewts," said Ron hearing his stomach growl.
End of Chapter 6
