Harry Potter and the Curse of the Gypsy
Author's Note: How is everybody? Just a quick little plea to please come and read some of my other stories, they are coming along well and I would appreciate any opinions you might have to offer! They are all on fanfiction.net and fictionpress.net and under the pen name Megx, or e-mail me at megx87@yahoo.com, with questions or suggestions.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry......
Chapter Nine
Harry awoke the morning after his meeting with Sirius to an all too familiar occurrence.
"Aahhh!" he screamed, shoving himself up on his elbows. He panted as he stared into a pair of bright, wide eyes.
"I is sorry, sorry sir!" squeaked the high pitched voice. "I is not meaning to wake you, good sir, but I is not seeing you in a long time, and is missing you. Dobby is not meaning to be naughty, sir..."
"No, no...don't worry...but please, when will you stop waking me up like that?"
Dobby slid down to the foot of the bed and bowed low. His odd assortment of clothing had grown even stranger. On one foot he wore one of the socks that Harry had given him for Christmas the year before, and on the other he wore a high, striped sock with a few well worn holes. He had replaced the vest he used to wear with a sweater obviously of his own knitting. It had the Hogwarts seal on the front, on a background of yellow and violet polka dots.
"Sir, I is sorry for waking you like this, but Dobby comes to offer congratulations of sir's big achievement. I is wanting to say Dobby is sure sir will do a good job at his new position..."
"What are you talking about?" Harry muttered, rubbing his eyes as he slid his glasses onto his nose.
"What, sir does not know? Does you now know what you is now?"
"Dobby, what are you trying to tell me? Spit it out, will you?"
"No. It is not Dobby's job to tell you...you will wait...Dobby is bad for telling, bad..." he reached up to pinch his ears, stopped when Harry reached down to grab him by the collar.
"Stop it! I don't mind...you haven't told me anything...let's just go ahead and rest up, all right, Dobby?"
"Yes...yes sir." Dobby bowed low again. "I...I is wanting to leave you this anyway, you may need to use it later. I must go back to kitchens now, breakfast needs preparing. Farewell, sir." Dobby nodded at Harry before he disappeared. Harry stared after him for a moment, shaking his head. A small brown package had been left at Harry's bed.
He picked it up and shook it. It rattled somewhat. He shrugged and began tearing open the packaging. After a moment, seven moving plastic figures on broomsticks fell into his hand. Two were identical---the twins, the three girl chasers, and to Harry's shock a miniature seeker with rumpled black hair and round glasses. A tiny scar was just visible on his forehead. The remaining figure was blank---it was the keeper.
"What's this for?" he said to himself as he turned them over. A small note fell out of the paper.
SEGUIN AND TOPPS QUIDDITCH STRATEGY WORKSHOP, FOR ALL YOUR STRATEGY NEEDS. WITH THIS HANDY SET PLAN ALL YOUR MOVES IN ADVANCE---NOW ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS WIN.
Harry stared blankly at them. 'Why is Dobby giving me these?' he thought to himself as he slid out of bed. Quidditch was just around the corner---he realized that. But the team hadn't even elected a new captain yet...had they?
He dressed slowly, looking out the window. It wasn't even light yet...Dobby had the bad habit of waking Harry when everybody else was still asleep, and leaving him unable to return back to sleep. After a long moment, he headed down to the common room and sank into a couch. After a long moment, he had sunk back into silent sleep.
"Did you see...?"
"Yeah...this is great..."
"We're gonna get the cup for sure...best player Hogwart's has seen in years..."
Harry shot up off the couch to look at the crowd gathered around him. Many of the first and second years, and even a few third and fourth years, were staring at him in reverence. He sat silent before yawning widely. "What is it?" he said thickly, blinking his eyes open.
"You don't know yet?" Ron said, pushing forwards through the crowd to stand in front of Harry.
"Know what?" he muttered, raking a hand through his hair. "You know, if you don't tell me, I'm likely to kill you. Even Dobby seems keen on getting on my nerves this morning...mind you, he always gets on my nerves..."
"Harry, haven't you seen the board?" Hermione said quietly, looking at him pointedly.
"What board?"
"Oh, I don't know...the one that's been up there on the wall, with all the latest news, since first year?"
"Oh...that one? What about it?"
"You sure about him?" Angelina snorted, glancing merrily at Fred and George, who grinned back at her. "I don't know if he can handle things..."
"What is everybody talking about?" Harry said in annoyance. The twins glanced at each other, sharing menacing looks.
"Should we show 'em, Fred?"
"How 'bout it, George?" The twins then proceeded to the couch and picked up Harry by the arms and legs, swinging him as they plopped him down in front of the board.
"Ow..." he muttered, getting to his feet weakly and rubbing his head. "That really wasn't necessary..."
"Just look at the board, will you?" Hermione said quietly. Harry glanced at her for a moment before turning.
~To Gryffindor House~
A notice to inform you that this year's captain of the Quidditch team has been chosen by unaminous vote of the current team. Fifth year Seeker Harry J. Potter will be taking the place of Oliver Wood, who did a fine job during his years as Keeper and Captain and who himself personally recommended Potter. We can all be assured that this young man will lead us to a resounding victory, for now and all the years he remains with us.
Professor M. McGonagall
"What?" Harry said stupidly, eyes wide. "We never voted..."
"Correction." Fred grinned merrily. "You never voted. We got tired of waiting and we all just went to McGonagall and informed her of our decision. She couldn't have been happier."
"But...but..."
"Heh...that's now way for our new captain to talk, is it?" George cheered. "Come on, your our leader now. Please tell us what to do...we want to practice Harry."
"You? Practice? More like you're just waiting for another chance to express your manly charms to the new Head Girl." Ron snorted. Fred blushed.
"And so what if I am? Angelina loves me, don't you, dearest?"
"I'm thinking about it." she retorted, sending the entire room into fits of laughter.
"All right...nothing but critics in here this morning." Fred shook his head. "Amatuers."
"Well...I guess we need a new keeper, so..." Harry interjected as he glanced around the room. "What do you say this coming Saturday we have auditions for the position. Also...maybe we'd better have reserve players. In case anybody gets...injured." Harry reddened slightly---it was his own problem with injuries that had cost them the cup in his first year, and almost done the same third year.
"All right with us." Fred said lightly. "But you'd better get on, cappie. I hear Hagrid has some interesting pets for you to love."
"Oh, no." Hermione whispered. "I'd almost forgotten."
"Forgotten what?" Cory mumbled as she made her way down the stairs. She glanced at the bulletin everybody was crowded around. "Oh good for you. Now, what did you forget?"
"Hargrid has a new type of creature." Hermione said warily. "And I have good reason to believe it breaths fire."
"Oh, is that all?" Cory shrugged. "Sounds like fun."
"It's your funeral." Ron muttered.
************************************************************************
Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way down to Hagrid's hut with the rest of the group. Cory was seperated from them, and appeared to be deep in conversation with none other than Neville Longbottom.
"Do you reckon I have a good chance to be Keeper?" Ron asked Harry excitedly. "I mean, I managed to keep all the goals clear of the Quaffle at the competition..."
"Well...I guess I'll have to see. I really don't know a whole lot about being a captain, you know...I wouldn't be surprised if we do horrible."
"Are you kidding?" Ron said, rolling his eyes. "Come on. What is it with you? You're always saying you're so bad at everything, and you always do a much better job on things than a lot of us could ever do."
"Yeah." Harry scoffed. "Right. That's what you think."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"Nothing..." they walked up to the cabin. Hagrid was nowhere to be seen, but odd roars could be heard in the background. A spire of fire shot out from behind the cabin, making them all jump.
"This isn't good." Hermione said nervously, backing away.
"What do you think it is?" Cory asked eagerly, scooting closer. After a moment, her questions were answered. Hagrid emerged from the side of the cabin with possibly the oddest creature Harry had ever seen. It had the head of a lion, but the body of a goat, and it's tale was long and scaly like a lizard or a dragon.
"Chimera..." Hermione whispered, shuddering.
"Chimera?" Harry and Ron repeated, looking at the creature.
"Yeah...that's righ'. Good fer yeh, 'Mione. That's wha' this is." Hagrid smiled happily. "Got him on that certain trip I wen' on o'er the summer. She's a beauty, idn't she?"
'That depends on your idea of beauty.' Harry thought ruefully. 'If by beautiful you mean extremely deadly...then you've hit the nail on the head...' "Erm, that's quite the interesting creature you have." He said aloud, feining a smile.
"Sure is. She's actually quite gentle...when she ain't 'ungry, at is." He glanced around the entire group, his beetle black eyes landing on the Slytherins. "Got that, all of ye'? Mina here gets mighty 'ungry...I'd hate for 'er to make a meal outta one of ye'."
Draco sneered when Hagrid turned away and opened his mouth to say something undoubtedly rotten. Cory smiled brightly and reached out absently, shoving him hard into Crabbe and Goyle. The three of them fell over onto the ground in a huddled mass, shouting angrily.
"Oh no..." Cory said softly. "You really should watch out you know. I hope you didn't break something."
'Like your ego.' Harry thought ruefully.
"All righ', enough outta all of ye'. Mina here don' really like loud noises, so be careful'." He caressed the Chimera on her head, and she purred strangely as she arched against him. "Now, firs' things firs', this here is a Chimera, as Hermione rightly pointed out ter' ye' all." Hermione smiled brightly, even though her eyes betrayed her apprehension. "And the firs' thing yeh got ter know about this crittur is, she ain't one to be taken lightly. She's got a temper, she does." He laughed loudly. Nobody joined in.
"Ahem...well," he said, quieting after a minute. "I'd firs' like to point out ter yeh that the mos' important thing 'bout taken care of the Chimera is makin' sure she don't lose any energy, or she'll be without her flame."
"Oh...what a disappointment that would be." Draco sneered. Hagrid frowned.
"Now listen, you migh' not think much of this creature yet, but she's one of the most valuable magical creatures known. Her fire is ten times stronger than what yeh could ever get in yer ordin'ry fireplace. And also, 'er blood is potent, and can be used in one of the most powerful truth potions known, even stronger than Veritaserum. Yed 'ave to ask Snape 'bout that un, I can't r'member what it's called."
"Surprise, surprise..." Draco muttered, eliciting laughs from his companions.
"Does anybody else know what a Chimera's blood can be used fer?" Hagrid said loudly, glaring at the Slytherins.
Cory and Hermione raised their hands at the same time. Hagrid jumped slightly when he looked at Cory. "All righ', you, the singer girl..."
"Yes sir." She said cheerfully, gesturing obscenely at the Slytherins behind her back. "Chimera blood is often used in a potion which is used to heal headaches and minor injuries, but in too great of a quantity it will cause the person using the potion to live their greatest fantasy."
"Yeah...that's right. Good job miss...what's your name again?"
"Cory...Cory Johnson."
"All righ'. Now let me give you a few facts about this animal. The chimera will eat any meat, though she prefers that of a young lamb or pig. And she likes it raw, yeh know, so she can cook it 'erself."
"Yech..." Ron grimaced, quietly so that Hagrid could not hear. "Sounds terrific."
"I don't know why we are taking care of these." Hermione said nervously. "Why can't we have normal animals for a change? Those nifflers last year were nice...and the unicorns, too. Why are we stuck with Flobberworms and Blast-Ended-Screwts and...now these things?"
"Listen...Hagrid tries really hard, and...well, he doesn't think it'll kill us, so at least we can try and be supportive." Harry sighed. "As hard as that might be." The three friends gave the creature a rueful look as it shot another column of fire spiraling into the air.
************************************************************************
"Harry, oh Harry..." Harry glanced up from his bookbag, where he had been shoving his Tarot cards after yet another of Trelawney's mystical predictions. Professor Figg called at him from across the hall.
"Yes, professor?" he murmured, walking back towards her office. She opened the door wide and invited him to step in. Harry had seen this same office now under the care of three different DADA teachers. With Lockheart it had been adorned with pictures of Lockheart, wearing various robes and sporting the same toothy grin. His next, and favorite DADA teacher had been Remus Lupin, his father's next best friend and, coincidentally, a werewolf. In his time, there had usually been some new creature in the corner ready for the next week's lessons.
Mad Eye Moody, who had later been revealed as Barty Crouch under the guise of Polyjuice Potion, had been the last one to teach. The office had then been filled with all manners of magical detectors of ones enemies, and defenses against them.
Now it was filled with shelves and shelves of old leathery books, a few of which Harry noted with surprise he had seen when she used to babysit him. He squinted at a title he had always taken to be some sort of novel--- Whatsit's Guide to Wand Repair, and snorted.
"What do you think?" Professor Figg chortled as she made her way through the room. "I now, it's a bit cluttered, but really quite cozy once you get used to it. Of course, you must know I can't ever keep organized. In that old muggle house of mine..."
"Professor?" Harry interrupted, turning a large golden weight over in the palm of his hand. "Did you call me in here for something?"
She stopped her speech and glanced over at him. "Excuse me?"
"What did you call me for? Was it homework or something?"
After a moment she chuckled softly. "Oh, sorry...yes, I did call you. It's because I think there is something that you must now, Harry. Let me say this. There is something odd going on at this time...you of all people know how dangerous it is."
"Of course." He muttered, shivering slightly as his thoughts went back to what had happened during the last task.
"Well...here at Hogwarts we've always assumed you would be safest. But after the last task that may no longer be the case." She sighed. "There is a spy here at Hogwarts, or so Dumbledore and I both believe."
"Yes...I know." Harry blushed. "Ron heard his dad say something about that, and then he told me."
"Well, of course." She said, shrugging. "But the thing is...it is most likely the person you least suspect."
"What?" he said, eyes widening.
"Harry, I'm warning you now. Steer clear of that gypsy girl. She can cause you nothing but harm. I don't know if she is on his side...none of us can tell that, without forcing her to reveal herself. And that isn't the way it works. Just promise you will be safe."
Harry felt numbness working its way through his insides. Cory? The spy? But it didn't make sense...did it? And hadn't Sirius shown his own distaste for gypsies?
But then again...something tugged at the back of his mind. A dream he only faintly remembered...and a warning, given to somebody about keeping the girl away from him.
He turned silently to walk away, freezing when he felt Professor Figg's hand on his arm. "What...what is it, Professor?"
"I just wanted to congratulate you on another success Harry." She smiled warmly. "You'll make a fine captain." He nodded his thanks as he left.
Surely the spy wasn't Professor Figg herself?
************************************************************************
Oh, hello, all! I have been away awhile, I know, but I finally got back and here I am! What do you think of this newest chapter! I hope you enjoy it. Not really much of a cliffhanger, most of my cliffies are being saved for The Pranking War. If you have not read that story, please do! And also be sure to check out my stories on Fictionpress.net, under that same name, or check out my stories, and the stories of other great writers, on the website listed on my bio.
It is not my site, it belongs to my good friend Jasmine Black. You should all really like it! Thanks for reading, please READ AND REVIEW, and feel free to e-mail me anytime! Thanks a lot! LOL! ~MEGX~
Author's Note: How is everybody? Just a quick little plea to please come and read some of my other stories, they are coming along well and I would appreciate any opinions you might have to offer! They are all on fanfiction.net and fictionpress.net and under the pen name Megx, or e-mail me at megx87@yahoo.com, with questions or suggestions.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Harry......
Chapter Nine
Harry awoke the morning after his meeting with Sirius to an all too familiar occurrence.
"Aahhh!" he screamed, shoving himself up on his elbows. He panted as he stared into a pair of bright, wide eyes.
"I is sorry, sorry sir!" squeaked the high pitched voice. "I is not meaning to wake you, good sir, but I is not seeing you in a long time, and is missing you. Dobby is not meaning to be naughty, sir..."
"No, no...don't worry...but please, when will you stop waking me up like that?"
Dobby slid down to the foot of the bed and bowed low. His odd assortment of clothing had grown even stranger. On one foot he wore one of the socks that Harry had given him for Christmas the year before, and on the other he wore a high, striped sock with a few well worn holes. He had replaced the vest he used to wear with a sweater obviously of his own knitting. It had the Hogwarts seal on the front, on a background of yellow and violet polka dots.
"Sir, I is sorry for waking you like this, but Dobby comes to offer congratulations of sir's big achievement. I is wanting to say Dobby is sure sir will do a good job at his new position..."
"What are you talking about?" Harry muttered, rubbing his eyes as he slid his glasses onto his nose.
"What, sir does not know? Does you now know what you is now?"
"Dobby, what are you trying to tell me? Spit it out, will you?"
"No. It is not Dobby's job to tell you...you will wait...Dobby is bad for telling, bad..." he reached up to pinch his ears, stopped when Harry reached down to grab him by the collar.
"Stop it! I don't mind...you haven't told me anything...let's just go ahead and rest up, all right, Dobby?"
"Yes...yes sir." Dobby bowed low again. "I...I is wanting to leave you this anyway, you may need to use it later. I must go back to kitchens now, breakfast needs preparing. Farewell, sir." Dobby nodded at Harry before he disappeared. Harry stared after him for a moment, shaking his head. A small brown package had been left at Harry's bed.
He picked it up and shook it. It rattled somewhat. He shrugged and began tearing open the packaging. After a moment, seven moving plastic figures on broomsticks fell into his hand. Two were identical---the twins, the three girl chasers, and to Harry's shock a miniature seeker with rumpled black hair and round glasses. A tiny scar was just visible on his forehead. The remaining figure was blank---it was the keeper.
"What's this for?" he said to himself as he turned them over. A small note fell out of the paper.
SEGUIN AND TOPPS QUIDDITCH STRATEGY WORKSHOP, FOR ALL YOUR STRATEGY NEEDS. WITH THIS HANDY SET PLAN ALL YOUR MOVES IN ADVANCE---NOW ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS WIN.
Harry stared blankly at them. 'Why is Dobby giving me these?' he thought to himself as he slid out of bed. Quidditch was just around the corner---he realized that. But the team hadn't even elected a new captain yet...had they?
He dressed slowly, looking out the window. It wasn't even light yet...Dobby had the bad habit of waking Harry when everybody else was still asleep, and leaving him unable to return back to sleep. After a long moment, he headed down to the common room and sank into a couch. After a long moment, he had sunk back into silent sleep.
"Did you see...?"
"Yeah...this is great..."
"We're gonna get the cup for sure...best player Hogwart's has seen in years..."
Harry shot up off the couch to look at the crowd gathered around him. Many of the first and second years, and even a few third and fourth years, were staring at him in reverence. He sat silent before yawning widely. "What is it?" he said thickly, blinking his eyes open.
"You don't know yet?" Ron said, pushing forwards through the crowd to stand in front of Harry.
"Know what?" he muttered, raking a hand through his hair. "You know, if you don't tell me, I'm likely to kill you. Even Dobby seems keen on getting on my nerves this morning...mind you, he always gets on my nerves..."
"Harry, haven't you seen the board?" Hermione said quietly, looking at him pointedly.
"What board?"
"Oh, I don't know...the one that's been up there on the wall, with all the latest news, since first year?"
"Oh...that one? What about it?"
"You sure about him?" Angelina snorted, glancing merrily at Fred and George, who grinned back at her. "I don't know if he can handle things..."
"What is everybody talking about?" Harry said in annoyance. The twins glanced at each other, sharing menacing looks.
"Should we show 'em, Fred?"
"How 'bout it, George?" The twins then proceeded to the couch and picked up Harry by the arms and legs, swinging him as they plopped him down in front of the board.
"Ow..." he muttered, getting to his feet weakly and rubbing his head. "That really wasn't necessary..."
"Just look at the board, will you?" Hermione said quietly. Harry glanced at her for a moment before turning.
~To Gryffindor House~
A notice to inform you that this year's captain of the Quidditch team has been chosen by unaminous vote of the current team. Fifth year Seeker Harry J. Potter will be taking the place of Oliver Wood, who did a fine job during his years as Keeper and Captain and who himself personally recommended Potter. We can all be assured that this young man will lead us to a resounding victory, for now and all the years he remains with us.
Professor M. McGonagall
"What?" Harry said stupidly, eyes wide. "We never voted..."
"Correction." Fred grinned merrily. "You never voted. We got tired of waiting and we all just went to McGonagall and informed her of our decision. She couldn't have been happier."
"But...but..."
"Heh...that's now way for our new captain to talk, is it?" George cheered. "Come on, your our leader now. Please tell us what to do...we want to practice Harry."
"You? Practice? More like you're just waiting for another chance to express your manly charms to the new Head Girl." Ron snorted. Fred blushed.
"And so what if I am? Angelina loves me, don't you, dearest?"
"I'm thinking about it." she retorted, sending the entire room into fits of laughter.
"All right...nothing but critics in here this morning." Fred shook his head. "Amatuers."
"Well...I guess we need a new keeper, so..." Harry interjected as he glanced around the room. "What do you say this coming Saturday we have auditions for the position. Also...maybe we'd better have reserve players. In case anybody gets...injured." Harry reddened slightly---it was his own problem with injuries that had cost them the cup in his first year, and almost done the same third year.
"All right with us." Fred said lightly. "But you'd better get on, cappie. I hear Hagrid has some interesting pets for you to love."
"Oh, no." Hermione whispered. "I'd almost forgotten."
"Forgotten what?" Cory mumbled as she made her way down the stairs. She glanced at the bulletin everybody was crowded around. "Oh good for you. Now, what did you forget?"
"Hargrid has a new type of creature." Hermione said warily. "And I have good reason to believe it breaths fire."
"Oh, is that all?" Cory shrugged. "Sounds like fun."
"It's your funeral." Ron muttered.
************************************************************************
Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way down to Hagrid's hut with the rest of the group. Cory was seperated from them, and appeared to be deep in conversation with none other than Neville Longbottom.
"Do you reckon I have a good chance to be Keeper?" Ron asked Harry excitedly. "I mean, I managed to keep all the goals clear of the Quaffle at the competition..."
"Well...I guess I'll have to see. I really don't know a whole lot about being a captain, you know...I wouldn't be surprised if we do horrible."
"Are you kidding?" Ron said, rolling his eyes. "Come on. What is it with you? You're always saying you're so bad at everything, and you always do a much better job on things than a lot of us could ever do."
"Yeah." Harry scoffed. "Right. That's what you think."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"Nothing..." they walked up to the cabin. Hagrid was nowhere to be seen, but odd roars could be heard in the background. A spire of fire shot out from behind the cabin, making them all jump.
"This isn't good." Hermione said nervously, backing away.
"What do you think it is?" Cory asked eagerly, scooting closer. After a moment, her questions were answered. Hagrid emerged from the side of the cabin with possibly the oddest creature Harry had ever seen. It had the head of a lion, but the body of a goat, and it's tale was long and scaly like a lizard or a dragon.
"Chimera..." Hermione whispered, shuddering.
"Chimera?" Harry and Ron repeated, looking at the creature.
"Yeah...that's righ'. Good fer yeh, 'Mione. That's wha' this is." Hagrid smiled happily. "Got him on that certain trip I wen' on o'er the summer. She's a beauty, idn't she?"
'That depends on your idea of beauty.' Harry thought ruefully. 'If by beautiful you mean extremely deadly...then you've hit the nail on the head...' "Erm, that's quite the interesting creature you have." He said aloud, feining a smile.
"Sure is. She's actually quite gentle...when she ain't 'ungry, at is." He glanced around the entire group, his beetle black eyes landing on the Slytherins. "Got that, all of ye'? Mina here gets mighty 'ungry...I'd hate for 'er to make a meal outta one of ye'."
Draco sneered when Hagrid turned away and opened his mouth to say something undoubtedly rotten. Cory smiled brightly and reached out absently, shoving him hard into Crabbe and Goyle. The three of them fell over onto the ground in a huddled mass, shouting angrily.
"Oh no..." Cory said softly. "You really should watch out you know. I hope you didn't break something."
'Like your ego.' Harry thought ruefully.
"All righ', enough outta all of ye'. Mina here don' really like loud noises, so be careful'." He caressed the Chimera on her head, and she purred strangely as she arched against him. "Now, firs' things firs', this here is a Chimera, as Hermione rightly pointed out ter' ye' all." Hermione smiled brightly, even though her eyes betrayed her apprehension. "And the firs' thing yeh got ter know about this crittur is, she ain't one to be taken lightly. She's got a temper, she does." He laughed loudly. Nobody joined in.
"Ahem...well," he said, quieting after a minute. "I'd firs' like to point out ter yeh that the mos' important thing 'bout taken care of the Chimera is makin' sure she don't lose any energy, or she'll be without her flame."
"Oh...what a disappointment that would be." Draco sneered. Hagrid frowned.
"Now listen, you migh' not think much of this creature yet, but she's one of the most valuable magical creatures known. Her fire is ten times stronger than what yeh could ever get in yer ordin'ry fireplace. And also, 'er blood is potent, and can be used in one of the most powerful truth potions known, even stronger than Veritaserum. Yed 'ave to ask Snape 'bout that un, I can't r'member what it's called."
"Surprise, surprise..." Draco muttered, eliciting laughs from his companions.
"Does anybody else know what a Chimera's blood can be used fer?" Hagrid said loudly, glaring at the Slytherins.
Cory and Hermione raised their hands at the same time. Hagrid jumped slightly when he looked at Cory. "All righ', you, the singer girl..."
"Yes sir." She said cheerfully, gesturing obscenely at the Slytherins behind her back. "Chimera blood is often used in a potion which is used to heal headaches and minor injuries, but in too great of a quantity it will cause the person using the potion to live their greatest fantasy."
"Yeah...that's right. Good job miss...what's your name again?"
"Cory...Cory Johnson."
"All righ'. Now let me give you a few facts about this animal. The chimera will eat any meat, though she prefers that of a young lamb or pig. And she likes it raw, yeh know, so she can cook it 'erself."
"Yech..." Ron grimaced, quietly so that Hagrid could not hear. "Sounds terrific."
"I don't know why we are taking care of these." Hermione said nervously. "Why can't we have normal animals for a change? Those nifflers last year were nice...and the unicorns, too. Why are we stuck with Flobberworms and Blast-Ended-Screwts and...now these things?"
"Listen...Hagrid tries really hard, and...well, he doesn't think it'll kill us, so at least we can try and be supportive." Harry sighed. "As hard as that might be." The three friends gave the creature a rueful look as it shot another column of fire spiraling into the air.
************************************************************************
"Harry, oh Harry..." Harry glanced up from his bookbag, where he had been shoving his Tarot cards after yet another of Trelawney's mystical predictions. Professor Figg called at him from across the hall.
"Yes, professor?" he murmured, walking back towards her office. She opened the door wide and invited him to step in. Harry had seen this same office now under the care of three different DADA teachers. With Lockheart it had been adorned with pictures of Lockheart, wearing various robes and sporting the same toothy grin. His next, and favorite DADA teacher had been Remus Lupin, his father's next best friend and, coincidentally, a werewolf. In his time, there had usually been some new creature in the corner ready for the next week's lessons.
Mad Eye Moody, who had later been revealed as Barty Crouch under the guise of Polyjuice Potion, had been the last one to teach. The office had then been filled with all manners of magical detectors of ones enemies, and defenses against them.
Now it was filled with shelves and shelves of old leathery books, a few of which Harry noted with surprise he had seen when she used to babysit him. He squinted at a title he had always taken to be some sort of novel--- Whatsit's Guide to Wand Repair, and snorted.
"What do you think?" Professor Figg chortled as she made her way through the room. "I now, it's a bit cluttered, but really quite cozy once you get used to it. Of course, you must know I can't ever keep organized. In that old muggle house of mine..."
"Professor?" Harry interrupted, turning a large golden weight over in the palm of his hand. "Did you call me in here for something?"
She stopped her speech and glanced over at him. "Excuse me?"
"What did you call me for? Was it homework or something?"
After a moment she chuckled softly. "Oh, sorry...yes, I did call you. It's because I think there is something that you must now, Harry. Let me say this. There is something odd going on at this time...you of all people know how dangerous it is."
"Of course." He muttered, shivering slightly as his thoughts went back to what had happened during the last task.
"Well...here at Hogwarts we've always assumed you would be safest. But after the last task that may no longer be the case." She sighed. "There is a spy here at Hogwarts, or so Dumbledore and I both believe."
"Yes...I know." Harry blushed. "Ron heard his dad say something about that, and then he told me."
"Well, of course." She said, shrugging. "But the thing is...it is most likely the person you least suspect."
"What?" he said, eyes widening.
"Harry, I'm warning you now. Steer clear of that gypsy girl. She can cause you nothing but harm. I don't know if she is on his side...none of us can tell that, without forcing her to reveal herself. And that isn't the way it works. Just promise you will be safe."
Harry felt numbness working its way through his insides. Cory? The spy? But it didn't make sense...did it? And hadn't Sirius shown his own distaste for gypsies?
But then again...something tugged at the back of his mind. A dream he only faintly remembered...and a warning, given to somebody about keeping the girl away from him.
He turned silently to walk away, freezing when he felt Professor Figg's hand on his arm. "What...what is it, Professor?"
"I just wanted to congratulate you on another success Harry." She smiled warmly. "You'll make a fine captain." He nodded his thanks as he left.
Surely the spy wasn't Professor Figg herself?
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Oh, hello, all! I have been away awhile, I know, but I finally got back and here I am! What do you think of this newest chapter! I hope you enjoy it. Not really much of a cliffhanger, most of my cliffies are being saved for The Pranking War. If you have not read that story, please do! And also be sure to check out my stories on Fictionpress.net, under that same name, or check out my stories, and the stories of other great writers, on the website listed on my bio.
It is not my site, it belongs to my good friend Jasmine Black. You should all really like it! Thanks for reading, please READ AND REVIEW, and feel free to e-mail me anytime! Thanks a lot! LOL! ~MEGX~
