A/N:
I keep forgetting to add this author's note for like the last 20 chapters. I'll upload and then remember. DOH! So I'm writing it before I start 31. Someone asked where I come up with the magic words I use.
Well, some are canon, of course. But all the ones you don't recognize are The root words to what ever I want the spell to do. For example the spell Harry uses at the beginning of this chapter is "Obicere Animare." I go to Dictionary.com and look up 'Object' and 'Animate'
and then their roots, Latin preferably, but sometimes Old English or Indo-European if there isn't a Latin translation.
JKR does something similar to this. She says she makes the words up, but they all seem to be derivatives of their root meanings. Go to the HP Lexicon and see what I mean. So I'm not making up words at random . More tidbits later.
Review comments:
PadfootNoxed, and weatherbee, and starbeam13, and ears91, and Spana, and MovieStarMissy, and Oriana8, and Zoken, and KarenJB, and Orion the Hunter, and - Thanks!
Burgundy - Ah ... find out more on that subject later.
Isabella Grace - Not a dumb question. Sirius is a stat in the Canus Major star system, often called the "Dog Star." The star is most visible during the hottest part of the Summer thus the old phrase "the dog days of Summer"
Raj- Go back and reread the chapters from "We're off to see the Wizard."
MirikuLova - I went through a number of different names before I decided on Dog Star. Almost everything and everybody has a duel meaning to their name. Sirius' was Dog Star ... his animagus for is a dog, when he laughs it's always a 'barking laugh' see how smart JKR is?
QOShea - Lots of Mountain Dew.
American Mione - I'm a dog person too. I'm very sorry to hear about yours. It really hurts to lose a member of the family like that.
Linda Ishtar - Don't die!
~*~* - Okay, from now on I'll go slower ... kidding.
Eliza Evenstar - Wow!
Shdurrani - Thanks, and yes ... I think. ff.net author alert system is so screwed I get like 90% of reviews and I have to search for the others. So if I miss mentioning you, don't fret.
Noodle Jelly - I'll do that.
Chapter 31
"Obicere Animare!"
Professor Flitwick stopped him, "No, no , no , Mr. Potter. Try it this way. Wand movement is very important for this charm. One complete clockwise loop and then a backward M. Pronounce 'Obicere' with the loop and 'Animare' with the M. Very important. Go on."
Harry imitated the movement, mouthed the words silently and then tried it again. "Obicere Animare!"
The chair he was pointing at moved slightly.
Professor Flitwick clapped his hands. "Quickly now. Picture in your minds eye what you want the object to do."
Harry concentrated and then released his mental command. They watched as the chair's legs folded in and then apart taking a sidestep, then another and a third, where it came to a stop.
"Very well done, Potter!" he clapped again. "Are you sure you haven't practiced this on your own?"
"No sir," he said honestly.
Flitwick smiled, "Well then, if you keep up this kind dedication to your work I can almost assure you an Outstanding on your N.E.W.T.'s next year."
Harry wasn't satisfied as of yet. "Please, sir. Can this be performed on ... a group of statues, say five or six."
Flitwick shrugged thoughtfully. "Well, yes I suppose if you had the concentration to pull off such a feat."
"That's how he did it!"
"Pardon, What's that?"
"Dumbl ... Professor Dumbledore he enchanted the statues at the Ministry of Magic ... the fountain."
"Oh yes! I know them quite well. All of them, you say?"
Harry nodded. "One of them protected me, one pinned Bellatrix Lestrange, two went to get help and the last kept getting in the way of Voldemort."
Flitwick nodded. "Well, Albus has always been talented at charms. Taught Transfiguration class for some time here at Hogwarts ... should have been Charms though."
He seemed to be lost in thought or a fond memory for a moment and then came out of it suddenly. "All right, Mr. Potter. I want you to practice this and the 'Elastic Skeleton' charm for today's homework. I want to see improved control by next lesson."
He put his charm textbook back in his school bag and made his way out of the class. "Good evening, Professor."
"Good evening, Mr. Potter, good evening."
The hallways were virtually empty with the start of dinner in the Great Hall, and his feet were rather light this evening from having such a satisfying lesson. So, it didn't come as a surprise for him to hear something outside one of the windows as he passed.
The sound, or rather voice, was very familiar and warranted him stopping to retrace his steps to investigate. What he saw from the second story window was something he'd though never to witness. Crabbe, and Goyle had Draco Malfoy pinned to a tree.
He saw Malfoy's wand on the grass out of reach and Crabbe rearing back for a shot at Malfoy's stomach. Harry saw the windows were fixed, dropped his school bag, and dashed down the hall to the stairs.
When he threw open the main doors he had his wand at the ready and hopped over a row of shrubbery to make it around the turret of the castle as quick as he could, just in time to see Crabbe striking Malfoy across the face with his fist.
"Stupefy!"
A red flash of light jetted forth knocking Crabbe to the ground. Goyle got the hint and ran for it leaving his partner to whatever fate awaited him.
Harry trotted up to the scene and watched as the body of Draco Malfoy slid down the tree.
"Potter," Malfoy spoke through an already swollen lip. "Thought I told you to leave me alone."
"Don't be a prat. I wasn't going to sit by and watch them pummel you."
Harry pushed Crabbe over on his back with the toe of his shoe.
"Why were they ..." he had turned back to Malfoy and noticed that he had slipped into unconsciousness.
"Locomotor Mortis!"
Malfoy's bodies floated feet above the ground and Harry started walking back into the entrance of the castle with the intent of heading to the hospital wing.
"Potter, what do you think you are doing?" snapped an irritating voice from behind.
He didn't bother to turn around. "Taking Malfoy to the Hospital wing, sir."
"Stop!"
Harry halted and spun around with a annoyed look to his face. He watched as Snape hurried to Malfoy's side and checked him over.
"Take him to the dungeon, my office, immediately."
"Sir?"
"Where are they?"
Harry's eyes narrowed with suspicion of what was going on. "Crabbe is outside under a tree to the left of the turret. I stunned him."
Snape actually looked somewhat concerned. "Did Goyle get away?"
Harry nodded. "What's going on."
Snape stood erect. "These matters do not concern you, Potter. I would suggest you keep your annoyingly curious nose out of them." He pointed to Malfoy. "To my office, now."
Grudgingly, Harry did as he was told while Snape went off to tend to Crabbe. When he got Malfoy into the office he noticed a cot just to the inside of the door and motioned the body to rest upon the thin mattress.
Snape wasn't too long in coming. When he arrived he went speedily to a locked cabinet and withdrew a container of purplish fluid to pour into a glass.
"You will go from here and mention this to no one."
"What?" said Harry, obviously outraged.
"I will deal with Mr. Malfoy's injuries." he snapped.
"What about Crabbe and Goyle?"
Snape knelt down by the cot and turned his head. "I will deal with this, Potter. Obviously you weren't listening before when I said this matter is none of your concern."
Harry's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm an Assistant Professor at this school and I am making it my business. If you won't see that Crabbe and Goyle are punished, I will."
Snape looked down and saw Harry was still holding his wand, and his face screwed up into contained fury. "Wait in the classroom. I will be out shortly."
"But ..."
"Must I explain every detail of my existence to you, Potter? What I had for breakfast this morning, perhaps?"
He didn't wait for Harry to answer. "I would like very much to tend to Mr. Malfoy's wounds before your little question and answer session. Is this permissible, or does the great Harry Potter want to watch as well."
Harry backed out and shut the door with great effort.
It was at least thirty minutes before Snape opened the door to his office and brought it to as he stepped away.
"Keep your voice low. He needs rest."
Harry nodded.
Snape stood while Harry leaned against his desk. His hands were inside his robes clutching his wand just in case the potions professor decided to get cute.
With a low voice he leaned forward. "I will say this once and I will not answer any questions regarding Mr. Malfoy's person life. Do I make myself clear"
Harry nodded again.
"He has confided in me about your conversation regarding the disposition of his mother. This matter relates to that issue and his former cohorts' parents. It seems they don't want Draco to leave their little Death Eater in training program."
"But ..."
"I said no questions, Potter."
"Fine," Harry rose. "I will leave them in your hands, but if I see this again, I will become involved, whether you or he want me to or not."
**********************
"Knocked him out, you say?" Said Ron with a bit too much enthusiasm in his voice.
Hermione was looking intently at a hole in the area rug. Harry knew she was concentrating, having seen this same expression on more than a hundred occasions.
"I didn't think anything of it at the time, but Malfoy was standing outside of the Potions classroom when I was leaving one night. He was wearing a hooded cloak and holding his side."
Ron looked back down at the chessboard and prodded a pawn forward. "That chinches it. Malfoy never wears a hood; he likes to looks at himself in the every passing mirror. Never passes up an opportunity."
Harry shrugged and sent a knight to take Ron's pawn.
"Do you think we should do anything?"
His friend almost laughed, "Just my opinion, mind you, but Malfoy is finally getting some of what he's dished out for the last six years."
Harry nodded.
"He's been keeping his side of the bargain, hasn't he?" Hermione spoke up. "Perhaps he's changed after all."
"Not a chance, a tiger doesn't change his tail."
"What is that supposed to mean, Ron? You're messing up your metaphors. The proper usage is 'a leopard doesn't change its spots."
He dismissed her correction. "All's I'm saying is evil doesn't pack up his bag and become good overnight. Malfoy's evil."
Hermione sighed, "Major portions of life are not clearly defined. Everything is not always black and white; there are shades of gray, you know."
Ron wasn't understanding and threw up his hands, "What are you talking about colors for? I'm talking about Malfoy and she's bringing in colors?"
Harry smirked, "I think she's saying people can change, Ron."
"Go get him, Checkmate." Ron leaned back. "The only people around here that have changed is you two."
Harry sat up rather surprised. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Hermione's eyes tracked back and forth between them.
"You guys gettin' married and all. Harry, you becoming a professor and being all responsible like. Studying all the time, and when you aren't studying you're snogging with Hermione behind that portrait over there. It's like you're a couple of old-fogies with your 'yes dears' and your 'I love you's'."
Hermione seemed to be somewhat offended. "We do not snog, Ron. Harry is my fiancé. We ..."
Ron leaned forward, "Exactly! Do you know how weird that is? You're only sixteen years old!"
"Ron, we've explained about the ring," said Harry.
Ron stood up and started to the staircase. "It's all about the bleedin' ring, Harry. You two have changed since you gave her that ring."
"Ron, don't go away mad," pleaded Harry.
He stopped and turned around. "I'm not mad. We don't do anything anymore. This is the first time we've spend time together, just the three of us, for I don't know how long." He shrugged, walking backward to the stairway. "I just miss my friends, is all."