Chapter 22
The rest of their classes passed by in a haze and before they knew it, it was the first week of December. Harry had caught up in all of his classes and had succeeded in shocking every professor at one point or another with his skills at wandless magic, performing the most difficult charms and transfigurations with ease, surpassing even Hermione's abilities with no difficulty. He was even slowly regaining the trust of his housemates and could regularly be seen helping the younger and older students alike with their charms and transfiguration homework, but the members of the other houses still treated him as though he were invisible and refused to acknowledge him, but at least he still had Ron, Hermione, and Ginny beside him and he was beginning to act more like his old self.
As the fall slowly turned into winter, the black haired Gryffindor could be seen laughing with his friends and godfather as they sat out on the lawns, doing homework or having a picnic next to the lake, Remus sometimes joining their lighthearted gatherings, but deep down, they all knew that the good times would eventually end.
Quidditch season had been put on hold until after the holidays since the pitch and stands had to be repaired after the battle at the end of last term and Harry was anxious for practices to begin again.
Harry was thrilled to be back in the company of the only family he had ever known, and if it weren't for the nightmares that plagued his dreams every night, he could have put the past behind him, especially since the strange voice had not been heard since his first day back in class. He still had not told Ginny or anybody else about what else happened during the time he was missing, much to the disappointment of his friends and godfather, but they had all agreed not to press the issue, he would tell them when he was ready. Little did they know though, his nightmares always ended in at the same instant, the moment he heard Voldemort's voice.
Sure, he remembered bits and pieces about what had happened, but it was so fragmented and distorted that he couldn't have told anybody even if he had wanted to, though he didn't want to tell them, he was content with life as it was and would not willingly do anything to cloud his own private Eden, even going so far as to block out Snape's warning about dark wizards.
A week before the Christmas break though, his temporary happiness was shattered as Snape's warning came back full force. The Gryffindor seventh years were sitting in the Defense classroom about to begin their lesson when their professor made a startling announcement.
"I know I told you that we would be reviewing some of the curses you have learned in the past years today, but there has been a slight change in plans. The ministry has requested that all the seventh year students put on a demonstration for the younger years this morning" his announcement was met by an excited chatter that only dissipated when he raised his arms for silence.
"After the events of last year, all of you have had practical experience in dueling and are quite good at it, but the younger students, particularly the first and second years have had no such experience and have no true idea about just what magic can be used to accomplish, and it is your job to show them" he said all of this with a tight lipped expression as though he didn't agree with the demonstration at all, and a moment later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione figured out why.
"You will be randomly partnered with another member of your house and duel until one of you is incapacitated by either spell or by being unarmed by your opponent. All students must participate in this as it is a part of your practical exam for your NEWTS, in other words, you have to participate in order to graduate, no exceptions. Another thing these duels will accomplish is that several Aurors are present and will choose your partners and evaluate your performance, looking for some new recruits"
With that said, his eyes turned to look into those of Harry, fearing what he would find there. His face had lost all of its color and his eyes were wide and horrified, knowing what would happen. He was no longer terrified by the sight of a wand, as long as it was not directed at himself, and Remus could only guess what the consequences would be for the poor student who was partnered with Harry.
Ron and Hermione looked at their friend in apprehension as well before turning their gazes back to the professor as if silently begging him not to make Harry do this.
"We will be meeting the other students in the Great Hall, so if you would please proceed there immediately" he told the rest of the class before approaching the front desk.
"Harry, I'm sorry, but we can't do anything about this, but Merlin knows Sirius and I tried our damndest last night when Dumbledore told us" he was rubbing the bridge of his nose as he said these words and the three students knew that they had no choice.
"Is it the new minister commanding this?" asked Hermione with a tone of irritation in her voice
"No, Fletcher is a good man, but he has little say in the matter. It's the Aurors who want this done, it seems that they want to evaluate the graduating classes abilities, to see if anyone would be an asset to the department. Apparently, the entire department was infiltrated with death eaters who were found after those who were left behind were arrested, so they are in desperate need of a few good witches and wizards to replace the traitors" he explained to the three students
"I'm sorry Harry" he said again as he looked back to the black haired boy "We had better get going, Sirius is waiting for us in the Hall"
The four of them stood and walked in silence down the corridors and stairs leading to the Great Hall, passing many Aurors along the way, all of whom gave Harry slightly surprised looks as he walked by and whispering to their colleagues.
"Isn't that Potter?"
"Yeah, wonder what he's doing?"
"I don't know, but I'm surprised he's here. From what I've heard, he is on the verge of going completely insane. It's crazy that he's allowed to attend classes at all, he should probably be locked up in St. Mungos psychiatric ward"
They all blocked the comments and questions out, and followed the rest of the students into the Hall.
The tables and chairs from breakfast had disappeared and there was a large stage set up in the middle, around which the younger students were gathering eagerly. The seventh years were all congregating around their respective heads of house along the far wall of the room, and as the trio approached McGonagall, she looked up in surprise and just starred at them in annoyance before resuming her speech, apparently not to happy with their tardiness.
"As I was saying, the visiting Aurors will partner you up with one of your housemates and you will duel until one of you is unarmed or otherwise prevented from continuing. The only rules are of course, no unforgivable curses may be used and no physical contact, we shall begin in a few minutes, Hufflepuff will be first, then Ravenclaw, followed by Slytherin and we will be last. Remember, the important thing about this is to demonstrate higher levels of magic for the younger students, so have fun" she gave her house a smile before making her way over to Professor Lupin and dragging him away from the listening students, once she was out of earshot, she began speaking in curt whispers.
"Why is Harry here Remus?"
"The Aurors demanded all students participate, and they refuse to let him off, saying he won't graduate if he doesn't"
"Do they realize how hard this will be for him?" she sounded almost worried
"Again, if he doesn't participate, he won't graduate"
"Will he be alright?"
"I don't know, I hope so"
"What about the student he is forced to duel with, will they be alright?"
"Harry would never hurt anybody intentionally Minerva, you know that" he gently reprimanded her
"I agree with you, but do you really think Harry will be able to survive another person pointing a wand at him and casting spells directly at him?"
"I hope so" said the werewolf wearily
Just then, the doors behind the stage opened and the headmaster walked out followed closely by about twenty men and women in the traditional Aurors robes of dark blue.
All the students and professors turned their attention to the old wizard as Lupin and McGonagall made their way back to the Gryffindor students.
"Thank you for all coming to watch and participate this morning, and lets not put the competition off any longer. It's my pleasure to introduce the Ministry of Magic's head Auror, Mr. Edward Shaw."
There was a scattered applause at the introduction as the man to Dumbledore's right stepped forward and began to partner up the Hufflepuff students.
He was a tall athletic looking man with close cropped brown hair and dark eyes and as he paired people up, it was shown that he had a strange ability to match people with similar skill levels together to make it as fair of a fight as possible. But something about the man made Harry think there was more to him than met the eye, as though he were trying to hide something from everyone else present.
Harry was in a state of utter dread as Shaw walked among the seventh year Hufflepuffs and matched them up with their partners. Once he was finished, he made his way back to the side of the headmaster and they along with the other Aurors took their places in a long row of chairs lining one side of the stage.
He was completely oblivious to the battles taking place before him and the scattered oh's and ah's from the younger students. He didn't notice who won each match, nor the fact that the Slytherin students were already being paired up and dueling against each other, or that their duels were much more violent than the duels of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. In fact, he wasn't pulled from his thoughts until he saw a man with short brown hair and a roll of parchment approach the Gryffindor students.
He was walking among them slowly and starring at them each in turn as though evaluating them before he began to speak crisply.
"You, and you will be first" he said as he pointed to Neville and Seamus who moved to stand next to each other. "What are your names?" he asked and when answered, he scribbled them on the parchment he was holding.
He then moved to partner Hermione with Dean and Parvati with Lavender and as he wrote down their names, he approached Ron and Harry.
"You two will be last, what are your names?"
"Ronald Weasley" said Ron nervously as he looked at the still pale best friend at his side.
"Harry Potter" he whispered, and upon his words, the cool and composed Auror did a double take as he directed his eyes to Harry's forehead as though not believing he was who he claimed to be and when he saw the scar, a twisted smirk crossed his face as he wrote down their names.
"Very well" was all he managed to mumble before turning and walking hastily back to his seat.
Harry didn't pay attention to his housemates duels until he saw Hermione nervously take the stage with Dean at her side.
The pair bowed to one another before assuming the proper stance facing one another with their faces focused.
"Expelliramus!" shouted Dean at the same moment Hermione shouted "Stupify!"
Both jumped out of the way of the others curse easily before beginning to yell their second curses, each one dodging the other as well.
Their fight lasted the longest of any before it, nearly five minutes before Hermione cast the full body bind on her opponent, declaring her the winner.
Smiling, she cast the counter curse and helped the sheepish looking Dean to his feet and the pair descended the stairs as Lavender and Parvati took the stage.
All too soon, it was time for Harry and Ron to ascend the thin staircase and take their places on the stage, the entire hall falling silent around them. Ron drew his wand and they were about to bow to one another when Shaw cleared his throat loudly and addressed Harry from his place beside the stage.
"Mr. Potter, are you not aware that participation is a requirement for you to graduate?" Harry nodded his head mutely
"You can't just stand there and not fight and expect to be given credit, you must duel and defend yourself" Harry silently nodded his head again, angering the Auror
"Then I would recommend that you draw your wand Mr. Potter" he said thickly
To this sentence, Harry replied with a simple four words "I don't need it" his expression never changing from the cool indifference that covered it
The Auror was furious "And why not Potter? Are you too high and mighty to duel with your peers?"
The congregated teachers and students didn't know what to do but sit and watch in fascination.
"I am planning on dueling with Ron" Harry said simply as though it were the most obvious sight in the world "If you would please allow us to get started" he added as an after thought
"Without a wand? Do you honestly think it will be a fair fight?"
"Yes"
At this, the Auror stood and joined the two Gryffindors on the stage, facing Harry and turning his back on Ron.
"How, he has a wand and you don't and everybody knows that magic can't be controlled without a wand and only one wandless spell exhausts the caster. There is no way one with a wand can be defeated by one without a wand!" he yelled in frustration, completely oblivious to the looks he was receiving from the students and professors, all who had seen Harry perform wandless magic on more than one occasion and knew just what he was capable of.
Harry's next words shocked all present and caused many jaws to drop, no one believing that he would dare talk to the most powerful Auror in the ministry in such a manner.
"How can you be so certain?"
Shaw became livid "BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!" he roared, his scream echoing around the great hall like the roar of a dragon
Harry just smiled slightly at the angry man before continuing, his soft words having more of an impact than the yells before "Why don't you prove your point sir?"
"What are you on about Potter?"
"You heard me. Prove it, right here in front of everybody. Prove that a wizard without a wand can't defeat a wizard with a wand" he stated with his face still not showing any emotion whatsoever, much to the amusement of the students and the irritation of Shaw.
"Very well Potter" he growled "but when you are beaten by your housemate, we shall see who is right" he turned to go back to his seat, but Harry's words stopped him abruptly
"No, I didn't say to have Ron prove your point for you, prove it for yourself if you are certain your abilities can beat my own"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: so, what do you think? I know I rushed through the first half of the year, but the interesting stuff is just now starting so be prepared! I have the next chapter written already, so I'll try to post it tomorrow morning (I still have to proofread it). Someone asked if I have a mailing list for when I update, but sorry to say, I don't since my e-mail only works half the time (blame it on the university, they like to make us mad on a regular basis) but I try to update every day or every other day when I can. This past week though was midterms so that's why I didn't get much posted. Well, thanks again for all of your nice reviews for the last couple chapters! And please review this one if you would be so kind, let me know what you think about it! The next chapter I think you guys will like, Harry shows off all of his powers, and the voice comes back, but who is it? Only I know! Enjoy!
The rest of their classes passed by in a haze and before they knew it, it was the first week of December. Harry had caught up in all of his classes and had succeeded in shocking every professor at one point or another with his skills at wandless magic, performing the most difficult charms and transfigurations with ease, surpassing even Hermione's abilities with no difficulty. He was even slowly regaining the trust of his housemates and could regularly be seen helping the younger and older students alike with their charms and transfiguration homework, but the members of the other houses still treated him as though he were invisible and refused to acknowledge him, but at least he still had Ron, Hermione, and Ginny beside him and he was beginning to act more like his old self.
As the fall slowly turned into winter, the black haired Gryffindor could be seen laughing with his friends and godfather as they sat out on the lawns, doing homework or having a picnic next to the lake, Remus sometimes joining their lighthearted gatherings, but deep down, they all knew that the good times would eventually end.
Quidditch season had been put on hold until after the holidays since the pitch and stands had to be repaired after the battle at the end of last term and Harry was anxious for practices to begin again.
Harry was thrilled to be back in the company of the only family he had ever known, and if it weren't for the nightmares that plagued his dreams every night, he could have put the past behind him, especially since the strange voice had not been heard since his first day back in class. He still had not told Ginny or anybody else about what else happened during the time he was missing, much to the disappointment of his friends and godfather, but they had all agreed not to press the issue, he would tell them when he was ready. Little did they know though, his nightmares always ended in at the same instant, the moment he heard Voldemort's voice.
Sure, he remembered bits and pieces about what had happened, but it was so fragmented and distorted that he couldn't have told anybody even if he had wanted to, though he didn't want to tell them, he was content with life as it was and would not willingly do anything to cloud his own private Eden, even going so far as to block out Snape's warning about dark wizards.
A week before the Christmas break though, his temporary happiness was shattered as Snape's warning came back full force. The Gryffindor seventh years were sitting in the Defense classroom about to begin their lesson when their professor made a startling announcement.
"I know I told you that we would be reviewing some of the curses you have learned in the past years today, but there has been a slight change in plans. The ministry has requested that all the seventh year students put on a demonstration for the younger years this morning" his announcement was met by an excited chatter that only dissipated when he raised his arms for silence.
"After the events of last year, all of you have had practical experience in dueling and are quite good at it, but the younger students, particularly the first and second years have had no such experience and have no true idea about just what magic can be used to accomplish, and it is your job to show them" he said all of this with a tight lipped expression as though he didn't agree with the demonstration at all, and a moment later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione figured out why.
"You will be randomly partnered with another member of your house and duel until one of you is incapacitated by either spell or by being unarmed by your opponent. All students must participate in this as it is a part of your practical exam for your NEWTS, in other words, you have to participate in order to graduate, no exceptions. Another thing these duels will accomplish is that several Aurors are present and will choose your partners and evaluate your performance, looking for some new recruits"
With that said, his eyes turned to look into those of Harry, fearing what he would find there. His face had lost all of its color and his eyes were wide and horrified, knowing what would happen. He was no longer terrified by the sight of a wand, as long as it was not directed at himself, and Remus could only guess what the consequences would be for the poor student who was partnered with Harry.
Ron and Hermione looked at their friend in apprehension as well before turning their gazes back to the professor as if silently begging him not to make Harry do this.
"We will be meeting the other students in the Great Hall, so if you would please proceed there immediately" he told the rest of the class before approaching the front desk.
"Harry, I'm sorry, but we can't do anything about this, but Merlin knows Sirius and I tried our damndest last night when Dumbledore told us" he was rubbing the bridge of his nose as he said these words and the three students knew that they had no choice.
"Is it the new minister commanding this?" asked Hermione with a tone of irritation in her voice
"No, Fletcher is a good man, but he has little say in the matter. It's the Aurors who want this done, it seems that they want to evaluate the graduating classes abilities, to see if anyone would be an asset to the department. Apparently, the entire department was infiltrated with death eaters who were found after those who were left behind were arrested, so they are in desperate need of a few good witches and wizards to replace the traitors" he explained to the three students
"I'm sorry Harry" he said again as he looked back to the black haired boy "We had better get going, Sirius is waiting for us in the Hall"
The four of them stood and walked in silence down the corridors and stairs leading to the Great Hall, passing many Aurors along the way, all of whom gave Harry slightly surprised looks as he walked by and whispering to their colleagues.
"Isn't that Potter?"
"Yeah, wonder what he's doing?"
"I don't know, but I'm surprised he's here. From what I've heard, he is on the verge of going completely insane. It's crazy that he's allowed to attend classes at all, he should probably be locked up in St. Mungos psychiatric ward"
They all blocked the comments and questions out, and followed the rest of the students into the Hall.
The tables and chairs from breakfast had disappeared and there was a large stage set up in the middle, around which the younger students were gathering eagerly. The seventh years were all congregating around their respective heads of house along the far wall of the room, and as the trio approached McGonagall, she looked up in surprise and just starred at them in annoyance before resuming her speech, apparently not to happy with their tardiness.
"As I was saying, the visiting Aurors will partner you up with one of your housemates and you will duel until one of you is unarmed or otherwise prevented from continuing. The only rules are of course, no unforgivable curses may be used and no physical contact, we shall begin in a few minutes, Hufflepuff will be first, then Ravenclaw, followed by Slytherin and we will be last. Remember, the important thing about this is to demonstrate higher levels of magic for the younger students, so have fun" she gave her house a smile before making her way over to Professor Lupin and dragging him away from the listening students, once she was out of earshot, she began speaking in curt whispers.
"Why is Harry here Remus?"
"The Aurors demanded all students participate, and they refuse to let him off, saying he won't graduate if he doesn't"
"Do they realize how hard this will be for him?" she sounded almost worried
"Again, if he doesn't participate, he won't graduate"
"Will he be alright?"
"I don't know, I hope so"
"What about the student he is forced to duel with, will they be alright?"
"Harry would never hurt anybody intentionally Minerva, you know that" he gently reprimanded her
"I agree with you, but do you really think Harry will be able to survive another person pointing a wand at him and casting spells directly at him?"
"I hope so" said the werewolf wearily
Just then, the doors behind the stage opened and the headmaster walked out followed closely by about twenty men and women in the traditional Aurors robes of dark blue.
All the students and professors turned their attention to the old wizard as Lupin and McGonagall made their way back to the Gryffindor students.
"Thank you for all coming to watch and participate this morning, and lets not put the competition off any longer. It's my pleasure to introduce the Ministry of Magic's head Auror, Mr. Edward Shaw."
There was a scattered applause at the introduction as the man to Dumbledore's right stepped forward and began to partner up the Hufflepuff students.
He was a tall athletic looking man with close cropped brown hair and dark eyes and as he paired people up, it was shown that he had a strange ability to match people with similar skill levels together to make it as fair of a fight as possible. But something about the man made Harry think there was more to him than met the eye, as though he were trying to hide something from everyone else present.
Harry was in a state of utter dread as Shaw walked among the seventh year Hufflepuffs and matched them up with their partners. Once he was finished, he made his way back to the side of the headmaster and they along with the other Aurors took their places in a long row of chairs lining one side of the stage.
He was completely oblivious to the battles taking place before him and the scattered oh's and ah's from the younger students. He didn't notice who won each match, nor the fact that the Slytherin students were already being paired up and dueling against each other, or that their duels were much more violent than the duels of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. In fact, he wasn't pulled from his thoughts until he saw a man with short brown hair and a roll of parchment approach the Gryffindor students.
He was walking among them slowly and starring at them each in turn as though evaluating them before he began to speak crisply.
"You, and you will be first" he said as he pointed to Neville and Seamus who moved to stand next to each other. "What are your names?" he asked and when answered, he scribbled them on the parchment he was holding.
He then moved to partner Hermione with Dean and Parvati with Lavender and as he wrote down their names, he approached Ron and Harry.
"You two will be last, what are your names?"
"Ronald Weasley" said Ron nervously as he looked at the still pale best friend at his side.
"Harry Potter" he whispered, and upon his words, the cool and composed Auror did a double take as he directed his eyes to Harry's forehead as though not believing he was who he claimed to be and when he saw the scar, a twisted smirk crossed his face as he wrote down their names.
"Very well" was all he managed to mumble before turning and walking hastily back to his seat.
Harry didn't pay attention to his housemates duels until he saw Hermione nervously take the stage with Dean at her side.
The pair bowed to one another before assuming the proper stance facing one another with their faces focused.
"Expelliramus!" shouted Dean at the same moment Hermione shouted "Stupify!"
Both jumped out of the way of the others curse easily before beginning to yell their second curses, each one dodging the other as well.
Their fight lasted the longest of any before it, nearly five minutes before Hermione cast the full body bind on her opponent, declaring her the winner.
Smiling, she cast the counter curse and helped the sheepish looking Dean to his feet and the pair descended the stairs as Lavender and Parvati took the stage.
All too soon, it was time for Harry and Ron to ascend the thin staircase and take their places on the stage, the entire hall falling silent around them. Ron drew his wand and they were about to bow to one another when Shaw cleared his throat loudly and addressed Harry from his place beside the stage.
"Mr. Potter, are you not aware that participation is a requirement for you to graduate?" Harry nodded his head mutely
"You can't just stand there and not fight and expect to be given credit, you must duel and defend yourself" Harry silently nodded his head again, angering the Auror
"Then I would recommend that you draw your wand Mr. Potter" he said thickly
To this sentence, Harry replied with a simple four words "I don't need it" his expression never changing from the cool indifference that covered it
The Auror was furious "And why not Potter? Are you too high and mighty to duel with your peers?"
The congregated teachers and students didn't know what to do but sit and watch in fascination.
"I am planning on dueling with Ron" Harry said simply as though it were the most obvious sight in the world "If you would please allow us to get started" he added as an after thought
"Without a wand? Do you honestly think it will be a fair fight?"
"Yes"
At this, the Auror stood and joined the two Gryffindors on the stage, facing Harry and turning his back on Ron.
"How, he has a wand and you don't and everybody knows that magic can't be controlled without a wand and only one wandless spell exhausts the caster. There is no way one with a wand can be defeated by one without a wand!" he yelled in frustration, completely oblivious to the looks he was receiving from the students and professors, all who had seen Harry perform wandless magic on more than one occasion and knew just what he was capable of.
Harry's next words shocked all present and caused many jaws to drop, no one believing that he would dare talk to the most powerful Auror in the ministry in such a manner.
"How can you be so certain?"
Shaw became livid "BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!" he roared, his scream echoing around the great hall like the roar of a dragon
Harry just smiled slightly at the angry man before continuing, his soft words having more of an impact than the yells before "Why don't you prove your point sir?"
"What are you on about Potter?"
"You heard me. Prove it, right here in front of everybody. Prove that a wizard without a wand can't defeat a wizard with a wand" he stated with his face still not showing any emotion whatsoever, much to the amusement of the students and the irritation of Shaw.
"Very well Potter" he growled "but when you are beaten by your housemate, we shall see who is right" he turned to go back to his seat, but Harry's words stopped him abruptly
"No, I didn't say to have Ron prove your point for you, prove it for yourself if you are certain your abilities can beat my own"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: so, what do you think? I know I rushed through the first half of the year, but the interesting stuff is just now starting so be prepared! I have the next chapter written already, so I'll try to post it tomorrow morning (I still have to proofread it). Someone asked if I have a mailing list for when I update, but sorry to say, I don't since my e-mail only works half the time (blame it on the university, they like to make us mad on a regular basis) but I try to update every day or every other day when I can. This past week though was midterms so that's why I didn't get much posted. Well, thanks again for all of your nice reviews for the last couple chapters! And please review this one if you would be so kind, let me know what you think about it! The next chapter I think you guys will like, Harry shows off all of his powers, and the voice comes back, but who is it? Only I know! Enjoy!