*I disliked where the story was heading, so I changed it a little and now
the plot line is different.*
Harry stared thoughtfully out the window of the Hogwarts Express. He was on his way back to Hogwarts for his 5th year, and he felt a little nervous every time he thought about it, due to events that had happened the previous year. Ron was muttering something under his breath - probably about Hermione, who was reading a huge book and shooting dark glances at Ron. They had been arguing over when they should start studying for the OWLS.
"Well, well, what do we have hear?" sneered a voice they knew only too well. Harry didn't even bother looking around. "Shut up, Malfoy" he said with a sigh. "I see you're still hanging around with a mudblood and a muggle lover?" said Malfoy. Ron clenched his fists, and Hermione clutched the back of his robes. "You'll just get yourself in trouble, Ron!" she cried shrilly. Malfoy laughed and imitated her, saying in a high squeaky voice "Careful Weasly!! You might get yourself hurt. Seeing as you are a mudblood lover, you don't know how to do a simple summoning charm, and can't even defend yourself."
Harry spun around, furious. Malfoy smirked. "Oh, I forgot, your dear mother was a mudblood wasn't she?" Harry eyed Malfoy, then decided to tell Malfoy a few things. "At least my mother showed some magical talent, unlike a certain Tom Marvolo Riddles father," he snapped back.
Hermione's left Ron's robes, she watched Malfoy intently. Ron was, muttering darkly under his breath. "Let Harry handle this one," said Hermione, she looked rather smug. Malfoy's eyes narrowed. "Who the heck is Tom Marvolo Riddle?" he asked. Harry grinned. "Oh, don't you know" he said. "He's changed his name. To Voldemort. Anyway, his mother, the heir of Slytherin, no less, married a muggle. How do you feel about that?" Malfoy sputtered.
"And that he was defeated by a muggle 14 years ago?" Harry continued mercilessly. "What is that meant to mean?" asked Malfoy, narrowing his eyes. "That you are a muggle, Potter?" He laughed. "No, just that it was my mother who technically got rid of him." "Potter, he killed your mother," Malfoy sneered. He was about to say more, but Harry interrupted. "Maybe so, but the countercurse she left behind was powerful enough to throw his curse back at him."
Malfoy laughed. "Potter, there is no countercurse to Avada Kedavra. I knew you were dumb, but not that dumb!" Harry smiled politely. "In actual fact, there is. It's the most powerful countercurse in the world. And if you don't know what it is, I'm not going to tell you."
And with that, Harry stood up and slammed the sliding door shut in Malfoys face. Hermione let out a long breath. "Harry, how do you know all that stuff?" Harry shrugged. "Dumbledore and the memory of Tom Riddle told me," he said. Ron grinned. "Did you see Malfoys face when you told him that the heir of Slytherin married a muggle? It was..amazing!! He would have never dreamed that a descendant of Slytherin himself would marry a muggle, when all Slytherins hate them so much!"
"Yes, well," said Hermione. "At least Harry's way of warring with words is better than punching Malfoy, like you would've, Ron, and getting yourself expelled!" Ron glared. "I would not have gotten expelled!! And anyway," Hermione cut him off. "You would so have gotten expelled. Either that or Malfoy would have killed you!" Ron was boiling. "There's no way that git could do Avada Kedavra!!" he yelled, adding "Sorry, Harry," as an afterthought. Harry smiled thinly. He was doing his best to put what had happened last year behind him, but it was difficult. "It's ok. And Ron's right, Hermione, even though Malfoy is evil and everything, he can't even transfigure a match into a pin!! He couldn't kill us, though he could probably do some damage." Hermione scowled. "I don't care. Just be quiet, I'm trying to read our new spell books."
Ron began to say something, but Harry cut him off pointedly with "Ron, just be quiet, would you? I'm positive Hermione is perfectly capable of performing Avada Kedavra if she tries." Ron's ears went red and he turned his attention to a half-empty packet of Bertie Botts every Flavour Beans. Just as he finished the last one, they pulled into Hogsmeade station.
********************************************************************* The three of them sat down in the Great Hall. Dumbledore was sitting in his usual spot, looking more thoughtful and serious than normal. Harry began to wonder what news Dumbledore had on Voldemort, but his thoughts were interrupted by Hermione. "Who's our new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher this year?" she asked. Harry scanned the top table thoughtfully, taking no notice of the fact that the Sorting ceremony had begun. "Dunno," he said. "There's no teacher up there, just an empty chair." Hermione absentmindedly said exactly the same words she had said one year ago. "I hope that we are getting one, it's one of the most important subjects!" Ron groaned. "I don't really care, Hermione, at the moment I just wish they would hurry up with the sorting so I can eat!!" Hermione frowned at him. "Ron, there are a lot of things more important than eating."she began, but was cut off as Dumbledore began his beginning of year speech.
"Welcome back everyone!! I hope that you are all nice and ready for another year of learning useful and not so useful things. Now, owing to the circumstances security has been tightened, and there will be less Hogsmeade outings. Also Filch has been checking the castle for more secret tunnels and the like in and out of the castle so that they can be blocked." For some reason, Fred and George were not looking very happy. Harry snorted with laughter, remembering that the twins often used the tunnels and would not be very happy if their main way of getting around the place was blocked.
Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling now; he was looking at the twins. "I would also like to tell you that the list of forbidden object has been extended to include Canary Creams and Fake Wands, the creation of two very, err, promising Hogwarts students." This was too much for Harry and he burst out laughing, along with a few other people that knew who Dumbledore was talking about. Dumbledore continued with his speech, it seemed to be longer than normal. "And finally, just a reminder that the Forbidden Forest is what its name suggests and under no circumstances are any of you allowed to go in there. And that reminds me, our Defence against the Dark Arts teacher will be arriving tomorrow morning early ready to prepare for their classes. Now, I think you'd all better be off to bed, you have a long day ahead of you yet!"
The three of them hurried up to the portrait of the fat lady. "Canary Creams," said Hermione importantly. "I've been made a prefect," she explained. Ron rolled his eyes. "Now why doesn't that come as a surprise? He asked. Hermione looked as though she was about to start arguing when Harry grabbed hold of the back of Ron's robes and began dragging him towards the boy's dormitory. "Goodnight, Hermione," he said pointedly.
They got their timetables the next morning at breakfast. Ron took one look at his and groaned. "Double Potions with the Slytherins, then Divination!! What a," here he caught Hermione's eye and didn't finish the sentence. "How many times do I have to tell you that you should drop Divination - that old bat hasn't a clue what she is talking about - and take something worthwhile like Arithmancy?" Ron scowled. "Because Divination is easier!!" And with that, he stood up, muttered "Come on, Harry!! We don't want to be late to Potions with that evil git!" Harry and Hermione stood up and followed Ron down to the dungeons, Harry with a feeling of dread growing deep
The Slytherins smirked in Harry's direction as they walked in. Professor Snape was already there. His eyes glinted dangerously in their direction. "Now, let's see. 5 points off Gryfindor for being late!" "We weren't late!" Ron exclaimed angrily. Hermione muttered something to him which sounded extraordinarily like 'Shut up, Ron!" and pulled him down into his seat. Snape glared, and removed another 10 points of Gryffindor. "This year we are going to be learning about various Dark Potions and their antidotes," Snape began. "And I mean Dark Potions, ones that do not wear off, not things like Polyjuice Potion and silly things like that. So, does anyone one here know about any dark potions?"
Harry automatically looked at the Slytherin side of the room, but they all looked like they were racking their brains to think of anything. Even Hermione looked a little flustered, frowning and muttering to herself. "Anyone?" asked Snape, smiling twistedly. "Not even the know-it-all of the class?" At this both Harry and Hermione's hands shot into the air, although Harry wasn't too enthusiastic about this. Just thinking of it brought back some memories he'd rather not remember.
"Miss Granger?" Asked Snape. "Well, sir, I remember you telling us about the Potion of Living Death in our first year, and I think that it would be a dark potion." Snape glared. "Yes, it is. Potter?" Harry gulped. He was remembering what happened that night, the night of the third task of the Triwizard Tournament... "Errr, I'm not sure what it is called, sir, but it might be Bone Flesh Blood?" The whole room turned to stare at him. "What on earth is that, Potter?" asked Snape. "Dumbledore knows..." Harry trailed off, not caring to explain. "Potter, if you want to answer the question, you will answer it properly," Snape hissed.
Harry glared back at him. "I never thought I'd find a potion you didn't know of, Professor!" Snape's eyes narrowed menacingly. "Potter, just tell me what the damn potion is!" The whole room was staring at the two of them. Harry shrugged. "Like I said, it is a dark potion. I don't know much about it myself." "What do you know about this potion, Potter?" Snape said. Harry looked around the room wildly. Malfoy was whispering something to Crabbe, looking very pleased with himself. That did it. Harry took a deep breath, and began to talk. "Well, professor, it is a potion that uses bone, flesh and blood to restore one's body. Errr, it has a kind of incantation or something that goes with it" Snape cut him off. "That will do. Now, to continue with the lesson. This year you take your owls, and I expect more of you than that to know of Dark Potions and their remedies, or all of you will fail. Miserably. So if you want to prove that you aren't all a bunch of dunderheads, like 99 percent of the population, get to work."
Ron eyed Harry as they went into Divination. "So, Harry, what was that potion you were going on about in Potions?" "It's the one that Voldemort used last year.when, you know.." "Don't say the name! "Alright. Alright!!" Professor Trelawney glared at them "I think that you might pay a little more attention!! Now, if I can see your hands." Harry stared blankly at her. "You hands, boy!! We are doing palmistry!" Harry rolled his eyes and held out his hands. Professor Trelawney looked at them, then let out a scream. "What is it, Professor?" asked Lavender. She and Parvati were crowding around them eagerly. Harry pulled a face at Dean and Seamus, who chuckled.
"Harry..lifeline.so short!" Professor Trelawney gasped. Harry stared stonily at the roof. "Harry, my poor boy, you will die so very soon." Her voice trailed off, and Harry said, just loud enough for her to hear, "Well, so long as whatever kills me hurries up, I hate it when they drag it out." That was too much for Ron, who started laughing hysterically, rolling on the floor. Professor Trelawney didn't look happy. "I think this is enough for today," she murmured. "Go, all of you.."
Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down in the Defence Classroom. They still didn't know who their teacher was, and worse, they had this class with Slytherins as well this year. It seemed a lot of their classes were with Slytherin, Harry wondered if Dumbledore had done that on purpose. As they sat on the edge of their chairs, waiting, in swept a tall, thin lady with long green robes. She glanced around the class, then sat down. "Good afternoon everyone. My name is Professor Figg, and I am your Defence teacher this year. This year, we are going to be learning how to protect yourselves from various dark curses. I know Professor Moody went through the unforgivables with you last year, but I am going to teach you more ways to defend yourself against them. Now, you all know what the Unforgivables are. Who can tell me how you can defend yourself against the Imperious Curse?" Nearly everyone's hands shot up. "Yes?" she said, pointing at Hermione. "You can learn how to throw the curse off," Hermione suggested tentatively.
"Very good, Miss Granger, but is anyone here actually capable of throwing off the curse completely?" Harry raised his hand; he was the only one to do so. "Very good Mr Potter. Now, does anyone know how to defend themselves against Cruciatus?" A few people raised their hands this time, she pointed at Harry. "The best thing is to jump out of the way," Harry said, "and if that isn't possible, just try to bear it. Its hard but..." he trailed off, thinking of what had happened the year before, in the graveyard with Cedric.. "You have been under that curse, Mr Potter?" Professor Figg asked. "Yes ma'am, twice. I managed to avoid it the third time." Figg started piercingly at him, along with most of the class, then looked away.
"Alright, then, who can tell me how to defend yourself against Avada Kedavra?" she asked. Hermione's hand shot up first. "There is no way, except not to get into a situation where that curse might be used. There is no countercurse." She said, sounding more and more like a text book. Harry's hand shot into the air. "Yes, Mr Potter?" Harry took a deep breath. "Professor, there is a way to repel or get rid of Avada Kedavra." "Mr Potter, there is not. Dumbledore himself has never been able to find a way," she said firmly. Malfoy snickered. "Professor, how else do you think I survived that damn curse?" Harry was getting a little angry. If he was the only one to survive that curse, he should know how he got away from it! "There is a way," he repeated stubbornly. "Two ways, actually."
The class was silent. Figg looked rather amazed. "Well, Mr Potter, if you know, why you don't tell the rest of us." "Well, I survived as a baby because of my mother. She used the most powerful, ancient magic to save me, so powerful it could deflect the curse and make it so that Vol - sorry, You-Know-Who copped most of it, and the other way is, well, a bit hard to explain. I guess you would call it Priori Incantatem." The class was silent, and then Malfoy started to laugh. "Potter, Priori Incantatem is a weak spell. It shows what spells the wand last performed in reverse order. There is no way it could stop the killing curse." Everyone looked at Harry again, to see how he would react.
"Malfoy, it works. Although you don't have to use that particular spell, I got away using Expelliarmus. That particular way won't work very often, and it won't work with Voldemort for anyone but me for, err, certain reasons." Malfoy looked as though he was going to interrupt again, but Figg cut him off. "That is enough, Mr Malfoy. Mr Potter, what is this ancient form of magic that your mother used?" Harry bit his lip. "Err, well, its kinda complicated, Professor, and also personal, the same with the whole Priori Incantatem thing. Only Dumbledore and, errr, a close friend know about how it exactly works."
Figg looked as though she was going to keep questioning him, but, luckily, it was the end of class, so they could leave. Ron looked rather amazed. "Harry, how could Priori Incantatem absorb the killing curse? I mean, not even Hermione has read about that!" Hermione glared at him, and Harry laughed. "That's because it doesn't happen very often. Come on, guys, I'm starving, I hope there's something good for dinner." Hermione frowned at him. "Harry, after dinner you are coming straight to the common room to explain a few things to us."
************************************************************ Please review!! I need ideas for the next chapter. Do you want me to concentrate on new powers or something to do with quidditch?
Harry stared thoughtfully out the window of the Hogwarts Express. He was on his way back to Hogwarts for his 5th year, and he felt a little nervous every time he thought about it, due to events that had happened the previous year. Ron was muttering something under his breath - probably about Hermione, who was reading a huge book and shooting dark glances at Ron. They had been arguing over when they should start studying for the OWLS.
"Well, well, what do we have hear?" sneered a voice they knew only too well. Harry didn't even bother looking around. "Shut up, Malfoy" he said with a sigh. "I see you're still hanging around with a mudblood and a muggle lover?" said Malfoy. Ron clenched his fists, and Hermione clutched the back of his robes. "You'll just get yourself in trouble, Ron!" she cried shrilly. Malfoy laughed and imitated her, saying in a high squeaky voice "Careful Weasly!! You might get yourself hurt. Seeing as you are a mudblood lover, you don't know how to do a simple summoning charm, and can't even defend yourself."
Harry spun around, furious. Malfoy smirked. "Oh, I forgot, your dear mother was a mudblood wasn't she?" Harry eyed Malfoy, then decided to tell Malfoy a few things. "At least my mother showed some magical talent, unlike a certain Tom Marvolo Riddles father," he snapped back.
Hermione's left Ron's robes, she watched Malfoy intently. Ron was, muttering darkly under his breath. "Let Harry handle this one," said Hermione, she looked rather smug. Malfoy's eyes narrowed. "Who the heck is Tom Marvolo Riddle?" he asked. Harry grinned. "Oh, don't you know" he said. "He's changed his name. To Voldemort. Anyway, his mother, the heir of Slytherin, no less, married a muggle. How do you feel about that?" Malfoy sputtered.
"And that he was defeated by a muggle 14 years ago?" Harry continued mercilessly. "What is that meant to mean?" asked Malfoy, narrowing his eyes. "That you are a muggle, Potter?" He laughed. "No, just that it was my mother who technically got rid of him." "Potter, he killed your mother," Malfoy sneered. He was about to say more, but Harry interrupted. "Maybe so, but the countercurse she left behind was powerful enough to throw his curse back at him."
Malfoy laughed. "Potter, there is no countercurse to Avada Kedavra. I knew you were dumb, but not that dumb!" Harry smiled politely. "In actual fact, there is. It's the most powerful countercurse in the world. And if you don't know what it is, I'm not going to tell you."
And with that, Harry stood up and slammed the sliding door shut in Malfoys face. Hermione let out a long breath. "Harry, how do you know all that stuff?" Harry shrugged. "Dumbledore and the memory of Tom Riddle told me," he said. Ron grinned. "Did you see Malfoys face when you told him that the heir of Slytherin married a muggle? It was..amazing!! He would have never dreamed that a descendant of Slytherin himself would marry a muggle, when all Slytherins hate them so much!"
"Yes, well," said Hermione. "At least Harry's way of warring with words is better than punching Malfoy, like you would've, Ron, and getting yourself expelled!" Ron glared. "I would not have gotten expelled!! And anyway," Hermione cut him off. "You would so have gotten expelled. Either that or Malfoy would have killed you!" Ron was boiling. "There's no way that git could do Avada Kedavra!!" he yelled, adding "Sorry, Harry," as an afterthought. Harry smiled thinly. He was doing his best to put what had happened last year behind him, but it was difficult. "It's ok. And Ron's right, Hermione, even though Malfoy is evil and everything, he can't even transfigure a match into a pin!! He couldn't kill us, though he could probably do some damage." Hermione scowled. "I don't care. Just be quiet, I'm trying to read our new spell books."
Ron began to say something, but Harry cut him off pointedly with "Ron, just be quiet, would you? I'm positive Hermione is perfectly capable of performing Avada Kedavra if she tries." Ron's ears went red and he turned his attention to a half-empty packet of Bertie Botts every Flavour Beans. Just as he finished the last one, they pulled into Hogsmeade station.
********************************************************************* The three of them sat down in the Great Hall. Dumbledore was sitting in his usual spot, looking more thoughtful and serious than normal. Harry began to wonder what news Dumbledore had on Voldemort, but his thoughts were interrupted by Hermione. "Who's our new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher this year?" she asked. Harry scanned the top table thoughtfully, taking no notice of the fact that the Sorting ceremony had begun. "Dunno," he said. "There's no teacher up there, just an empty chair." Hermione absentmindedly said exactly the same words she had said one year ago. "I hope that we are getting one, it's one of the most important subjects!" Ron groaned. "I don't really care, Hermione, at the moment I just wish they would hurry up with the sorting so I can eat!!" Hermione frowned at him. "Ron, there are a lot of things more important than eating."she began, but was cut off as Dumbledore began his beginning of year speech.
"Welcome back everyone!! I hope that you are all nice and ready for another year of learning useful and not so useful things. Now, owing to the circumstances security has been tightened, and there will be less Hogsmeade outings. Also Filch has been checking the castle for more secret tunnels and the like in and out of the castle so that they can be blocked." For some reason, Fred and George were not looking very happy. Harry snorted with laughter, remembering that the twins often used the tunnels and would not be very happy if their main way of getting around the place was blocked.
Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling now; he was looking at the twins. "I would also like to tell you that the list of forbidden object has been extended to include Canary Creams and Fake Wands, the creation of two very, err, promising Hogwarts students." This was too much for Harry and he burst out laughing, along with a few other people that knew who Dumbledore was talking about. Dumbledore continued with his speech, it seemed to be longer than normal. "And finally, just a reminder that the Forbidden Forest is what its name suggests and under no circumstances are any of you allowed to go in there. And that reminds me, our Defence against the Dark Arts teacher will be arriving tomorrow morning early ready to prepare for their classes. Now, I think you'd all better be off to bed, you have a long day ahead of you yet!"
The three of them hurried up to the portrait of the fat lady. "Canary Creams," said Hermione importantly. "I've been made a prefect," she explained. Ron rolled his eyes. "Now why doesn't that come as a surprise? He asked. Hermione looked as though she was about to start arguing when Harry grabbed hold of the back of Ron's robes and began dragging him towards the boy's dormitory. "Goodnight, Hermione," he said pointedly.
They got their timetables the next morning at breakfast. Ron took one look at his and groaned. "Double Potions with the Slytherins, then Divination!! What a," here he caught Hermione's eye and didn't finish the sentence. "How many times do I have to tell you that you should drop Divination - that old bat hasn't a clue what she is talking about - and take something worthwhile like Arithmancy?" Ron scowled. "Because Divination is easier!!" And with that, he stood up, muttered "Come on, Harry!! We don't want to be late to Potions with that evil git!" Harry and Hermione stood up and followed Ron down to the dungeons, Harry with a feeling of dread growing deep
The Slytherins smirked in Harry's direction as they walked in. Professor Snape was already there. His eyes glinted dangerously in their direction. "Now, let's see. 5 points off Gryfindor for being late!" "We weren't late!" Ron exclaimed angrily. Hermione muttered something to him which sounded extraordinarily like 'Shut up, Ron!" and pulled him down into his seat. Snape glared, and removed another 10 points of Gryffindor. "This year we are going to be learning about various Dark Potions and their antidotes," Snape began. "And I mean Dark Potions, ones that do not wear off, not things like Polyjuice Potion and silly things like that. So, does anyone one here know about any dark potions?"
Harry automatically looked at the Slytherin side of the room, but they all looked like they were racking their brains to think of anything. Even Hermione looked a little flustered, frowning and muttering to herself. "Anyone?" asked Snape, smiling twistedly. "Not even the know-it-all of the class?" At this both Harry and Hermione's hands shot into the air, although Harry wasn't too enthusiastic about this. Just thinking of it brought back some memories he'd rather not remember.
"Miss Granger?" Asked Snape. "Well, sir, I remember you telling us about the Potion of Living Death in our first year, and I think that it would be a dark potion." Snape glared. "Yes, it is. Potter?" Harry gulped. He was remembering what happened that night, the night of the third task of the Triwizard Tournament... "Errr, I'm not sure what it is called, sir, but it might be Bone Flesh Blood?" The whole room turned to stare at him. "What on earth is that, Potter?" asked Snape. "Dumbledore knows..." Harry trailed off, not caring to explain. "Potter, if you want to answer the question, you will answer it properly," Snape hissed.
Harry glared back at him. "I never thought I'd find a potion you didn't know of, Professor!" Snape's eyes narrowed menacingly. "Potter, just tell me what the damn potion is!" The whole room was staring at the two of them. Harry shrugged. "Like I said, it is a dark potion. I don't know much about it myself." "What do you know about this potion, Potter?" Snape said. Harry looked around the room wildly. Malfoy was whispering something to Crabbe, looking very pleased with himself. That did it. Harry took a deep breath, and began to talk. "Well, professor, it is a potion that uses bone, flesh and blood to restore one's body. Errr, it has a kind of incantation or something that goes with it" Snape cut him off. "That will do. Now, to continue with the lesson. This year you take your owls, and I expect more of you than that to know of Dark Potions and their remedies, or all of you will fail. Miserably. So if you want to prove that you aren't all a bunch of dunderheads, like 99 percent of the population, get to work."
Ron eyed Harry as they went into Divination. "So, Harry, what was that potion you were going on about in Potions?" "It's the one that Voldemort used last year.when, you know.." "Don't say the name! "Alright. Alright!!" Professor Trelawney glared at them "I think that you might pay a little more attention!! Now, if I can see your hands." Harry stared blankly at her. "You hands, boy!! We are doing palmistry!" Harry rolled his eyes and held out his hands. Professor Trelawney looked at them, then let out a scream. "What is it, Professor?" asked Lavender. She and Parvati were crowding around them eagerly. Harry pulled a face at Dean and Seamus, who chuckled.
"Harry..lifeline.so short!" Professor Trelawney gasped. Harry stared stonily at the roof. "Harry, my poor boy, you will die so very soon." Her voice trailed off, and Harry said, just loud enough for her to hear, "Well, so long as whatever kills me hurries up, I hate it when they drag it out." That was too much for Ron, who started laughing hysterically, rolling on the floor. Professor Trelawney didn't look happy. "I think this is enough for today," she murmured. "Go, all of you.."
Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down in the Defence Classroom. They still didn't know who their teacher was, and worse, they had this class with Slytherins as well this year. It seemed a lot of their classes were with Slytherin, Harry wondered if Dumbledore had done that on purpose. As they sat on the edge of their chairs, waiting, in swept a tall, thin lady with long green robes. She glanced around the class, then sat down. "Good afternoon everyone. My name is Professor Figg, and I am your Defence teacher this year. This year, we are going to be learning how to protect yourselves from various dark curses. I know Professor Moody went through the unforgivables with you last year, but I am going to teach you more ways to defend yourself against them. Now, you all know what the Unforgivables are. Who can tell me how you can defend yourself against the Imperious Curse?" Nearly everyone's hands shot up. "Yes?" she said, pointing at Hermione. "You can learn how to throw the curse off," Hermione suggested tentatively.
"Very good, Miss Granger, but is anyone here actually capable of throwing off the curse completely?" Harry raised his hand; he was the only one to do so. "Very good Mr Potter. Now, does anyone know how to defend themselves against Cruciatus?" A few people raised their hands this time, she pointed at Harry. "The best thing is to jump out of the way," Harry said, "and if that isn't possible, just try to bear it. Its hard but..." he trailed off, thinking of what had happened the year before, in the graveyard with Cedric.. "You have been under that curse, Mr Potter?" Professor Figg asked. "Yes ma'am, twice. I managed to avoid it the third time." Figg started piercingly at him, along with most of the class, then looked away.
"Alright, then, who can tell me how to defend yourself against Avada Kedavra?" she asked. Hermione's hand shot up first. "There is no way, except not to get into a situation where that curse might be used. There is no countercurse." She said, sounding more and more like a text book. Harry's hand shot into the air. "Yes, Mr Potter?" Harry took a deep breath. "Professor, there is a way to repel or get rid of Avada Kedavra." "Mr Potter, there is not. Dumbledore himself has never been able to find a way," she said firmly. Malfoy snickered. "Professor, how else do you think I survived that damn curse?" Harry was getting a little angry. If he was the only one to survive that curse, he should know how he got away from it! "There is a way," he repeated stubbornly. "Two ways, actually."
The class was silent. Figg looked rather amazed. "Well, Mr Potter, if you know, why you don't tell the rest of us." "Well, I survived as a baby because of my mother. She used the most powerful, ancient magic to save me, so powerful it could deflect the curse and make it so that Vol - sorry, You-Know-Who copped most of it, and the other way is, well, a bit hard to explain. I guess you would call it Priori Incantatem." The class was silent, and then Malfoy started to laugh. "Potter, Priori Incantatem is a weak spell. It shows what spells the wand last performed in reverse order. There is no way it could stop the killing curse." Everyone looked at Harry again, to see how he would react.
"Malfoy, it works. Although you don't have to use that particular spell, I got away using Expelliarmus. That particular way won't work very often, and it won't work with Voldemort for anyone but me for, err, certain reasons." Malfoy looked as though he was going to interrupt again, but Figg cut him off. "That is enough, Mr Malfoy. Mr Potter, what is this ancient form of magic that your mother used?" Harry bit his lip. "Err, well, its kinda complicated, Professor, and also personal, the same with the whole Priori Incantatem thing. Only Dumbledore and, errr, a close friend know about how it exactly works."
Figg looked as though she was going to keep questioning him, but, luckily, it was the end of class, so they could leave. Ron looked rather amazed. "Harry, how could Priori Incantatem absorb the killing curse? I mean, not even Hermione has read about that!" Hermione glared at him, and Harry laughed. "That's because it doesn't happen very often. Come on, guys, I'm starving, I hope there's something good for dinner." Hermione frowned at him. "Harry, after dinner you are coming straight to the common room to explain a few things to us."
************************************************************ Please review!! I need ideas for the next chapter. Do you want me to concentrate on new powers or something to do with quidditch?