WARNING – OotP spoilers!
The Legacy of the Founders :: By: JoC a.k.a JkReviewer
::
Chapter IV – DA for one!
The morning seemed almost too bright when Harry awoke. He fumbled around for his glasses a couple of seconds and then climbed out of bed. He was surprised to see that everyone else was still sleeping. "Must have finally caught up with that sleeping thing…" he smiled to his reflection in the mirror. "Still wearing that same old hair-do are we?" was the morning comment back. Harry nodded and started putting his clothes on. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't had any nightmares for the last two nights. Maybe he was just too tired to dream, but somehow he blamed these happy dreamless nights on everything that happened on the train.
Having nothing better to do, Harry went downstairs to the common room. The urge to know everything there was to know about the mysterious Chamber Binns had mentioned yesterday, came over him again. After scanning the titles of the books in the common room, Harry decided that only the library would come have the book that would provide answers: Hogwarts a History. On the other hand, didn't Hermione always quote it? Maybe he could just ask her. He considered this for a moment, but then decided to keep this his "investigation" He quickly made his way down to the library, it was open this early. 'Thank god' Harry thought. It isn't exactly hot in the corridors before the sun rises. Madam Pince, the librarian gave him suspicious glares when he kept pulling books out only to them back a moment later. "Looking for anything in particular?" she finally asked. Harry figured he might as well ask her, for once in his life he wasn't looking for a book from the forbidden section. "Ehh… Where is Hogwarts a History? I can't seem to find it!" Harry was sure he saw her mouth curl up into an angry face, but the second later it was gone. "Well, naturally you wouldn't since all our copies have been lent out!"
Harry was just about to ask how she could have rented out all the copies in just one day but Madam Pince was faster. "If those troublesome students would just remember to turn in the books BEFORE summer break I wouldn't have to hunt them down all first month now would I?" Harry wasn't sure he would survive an argument right now. So he slowly backed out of the library. "If you see that Granger girl, would you please inform her that I would like my book back as soon as possible?" It wasn't a question.
Harry made it back to the common room before anyone else had even thought about getting up. He sighed, and sat down in his favourite chair. "Nothing much happening at this crazy hour of the morning." He said to himself. Maybe he could go up to the Girl's dorm and get it. At first he pushed the idea out of his head, but boredom soon got the better of him. He opened the down and started walking up, when suddenly the staircase replaced itself with the slippery slide. "Damn booby trap…" Harry murmured. All of the sudden it seemed more like a challenge then anything else. "Accio Firebolt" Harry yelled as loud as he dared. Five seconds later, his trusty broom was in his hands. He mounted it without a sound and slowly made his way to the 6th year girl dormitory. He carefully opened the door, not wanting to wake everybody up. Harry thought the floor seemed to make a lot of noise when he walked, but he made it to Hermione's trunk without waking anyone. "Alohomora" he whispered and the trunk opened with a clacking sound. He began searching through her stuff, his cheeks blushing slightly as he found some of Hermione's more personal clothes stuff. She sure had a lot of stuff crammed into this small muggle trunk. Finally he found it, almost at the bottom. He sighed – he had gotten away with it. Ha put his hands on the lid, wanting to close it and sneak out – before anyone saw him. Wrong move he realised two seconds later as the trunk let out a piercing scream. What had he expected from Hermiones trunk, this had been too easy. Harry heard people yawning and sitting up all around him. If he was caught in the Girl's Dorm at 6 am in the morning, all the good excuses in the world wouldn't save him. Fast thinking was required. Knowing he wasn't fast enough on feet, Harry threw himself on the broom, speeding as fast as possible across the floor nearing the exit. "Come on, come on…" he whispered, as wondering faces started appeared everywhere. Hopefully it was too early for them to recognize anything. Hermione's scream reached his ears just as he made it out the door, banging his head on the wall and tumbling down the slide, into the common room. He ran as fast as he could to his bed, and pretended to sleep. Maybe it hadn't been such a good idea after all…
Harry felt really guilty about scaring them all like that, and he quickly confessed to Hermione at the breakfast table. He left out the part why he needed the book, and told them that Madam Pince had told him to get it, and he just didn't want to wake her up. Hermione seemed to buy it (after screaming his ears of), but Ron obviously thought Harry had gone into the Girls dormitory for another reason.
After breakfast it was time for their first DADA class with Tonks. From what Harry had heard they were usually quite entertaining, partly because of her being a bit clumsy. Ron and Hermione seemed to look forward to actually learning something from a teacher in that class, but Harry had his own gloomier reasons for wanting to learn a lot this year. The Prophecy Dumbledore had told him at the end last year, more than suggested that he would have to battle Voldemort himself in the end – he would need all the skills he could get.
Tonks had changed her hair to a red Mohawk with yellow spots. She smiled at Harry as he entered the class. Everyone quickly took a seat, and Tonks stood up "Welcome to 6th year Defence against the Dark arts – this year is very special, because this year you won't be learning attacking spells or counter courses." Everybody seemed to have heard this before when Lockhart had been their teacher in second year, and as far as Harry could remember that hadn't been a good year. "But don't worry though, you will learn something - just as usual." She smiled, "My specialty actually!" More wondering mumbling was heard. "Disguise and stealth!" she suddenly yelled, laughing at the scared expression that met her. "This year will be focused on disguising yourself, and your surroundings. About making illusions and play tricks on the mind of your enemy!" Tonks obviously had the same gift that Snape and McGonagall possessed – the ability to make everyone sit on the edge of their seat waiting for more.
"Well, today we're gonna practice Shadow blend spell" she said. "This spell uses nearby shadows to blend you in with, making you very hard to spot. For it too work though we're gonna need some real gloomy shadows." Tonks frowned, and Harry wondered where she would find those at 9 am in the morning. "Centro Nox" Tonks suddenly yelled pointing to the back of the room. A few surprised gasps were heard, as Harry realised Tonks had just split the room in day and night.
"So…" she said, as if that happened all the time. "Who wants to be first?" She looked around, most people were to amazed by how the room looked to notice. "Harry? What about you?" she smiled encouraging. "Ehh… ok!" Harry stood up and walked to a point in the dark area where Tonks was pointing. "Ok, to make this spell work, you have so visualize the melting, and then point your wand to the shadow spot and say: "Umbramix" She nodded to Harry, signalling that he should try it. Harry cleared his throat, thinking hard about being one with the shadow, then shouted "Umbramix".
Harry felt a pull towards the wall he had pointed the wand at. Everyone gasped, and Harry clearly heard Dean Thomas "Awesome". Harry looked down himself. His skin, his clothes – everything had turned at dark shade of blue. Tonks looked more than happy. "Brilliant work Harry, I heard you were a natural!" Harry blushed, but saw a few people from the DA nod in agreement. "The spell works until you leave the shadow," Tonks informed, just as Harry was starting to wonder how to get his normal colour back.
After Harry it was Lavender Browns turn. She almost managed to do it, everything but her face was the same blue colour Harry had just worn. Somehow not doing the spell hundred percent correctly, seemed to destroy the effect more than help it in anyway, as her face looked whiter that usual do to the contrast of the colours. Everyone else tried it as well with varying results. It seemed that all those that had been in DA did it better than most others, even Neville almost did it – he was just unlucky falling over and therefore loosing the effect.
"For next time you will write a foot long essay on the advantages and disadvantages of the Shadow Blend spell." Tonks said while almost falling over her chair. "Class dismissed!" She straightened up and smiled at everyone as they left the class. Harry gave her a smile back to show her he had liked the class. "She's good, but she's harsh" Ron sighed as soon as they had left the room. "A foot long essay the first day…"
Hermione gave him her trademark look, probably thinking along the lines of "What's wrong with that?" Harry just smiled. He had a feeling this would come in handy, someday. After having discussed long over the lunch table later that day, they (or rather Hermione) had decided to hold a DA discussion meeting tonight at 8 pm. Harry changed his fake Galleon so that everyone in the DA would know the time. Ron had detention that evening at wouldn't be coming. Harry wondered whether anyone would show at all, they might have thrown their "contact galleons" out as far as he knew.
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Too Harry's big surprise everyone turned up, even Marietta – who for the first time in her life looked like she hadn't been dragged there. "Well…" Harry started, looking around at everybody. "I take it that you have all met the new DADA teacher, Professor Tonks." He cleared his throat. "She's a really good teacher and I know we can learn a lot from her, so I really don't see any reason too continue DA…" he said very quickly. Some looked surprised, some looked agreeing, some looked like they thought Harry insane, and one looked like she was going to cry. Harry felt all the stares and wanted to make his decision final, but instead he said. "…until after Christmas!" A lot of sigh's and muttering followed this. "I will contact you all the usual way, after Christmas break. Please keep this decision within the DA…" They seemed to understand Harry's decision not to bring more people in on the DA thing, even though it was perfectly legal now!
People started to make their way back to their houses, some gave Harry comments on the way out: "Good decision Harry…" , "Looking forward to it Potter" , "Hope you can still teach us something then…". As everyone else had left the room of requirement, Hermione came up to Harry. "I thought you had decided to stop it!?" she frowned a bit, tapping her foot impatiently waiting for an answer. "It's just…" Harry didn't even know himself, why he did it. "I guess I still have some tricks left to show…" he said while smiling rather stupidly.
Ron joined them on the way back to the Griffindor tower. "How was detention?" Hermione said while flashing a smile. Ron who seemed taken by surprise merely muttered: "It wasn't too bad, I guess." Harry shook his head something was up with those two. Just as he was about to confront them with their weird actions, the same big owl that had "attacked" him yesterday came swooping down the hall. "ARRHH…" Ron yelled when he saw the huge bird swooping at them. It flew over to Harry landing on his head, almost making his legs bend under the extra weight. The owl bend forward as Harry looked up. It gave him an angry look. "What?" Harry said again, feeling that it still owed him an answer. It hooted, scratched his head a little with its claws, dropped a small note (A/N: No not that kid of note – a letter… you know paper? Never mind!) on his head, and took of.
Harry quickly pulled the note out of his hair (taken a bit of it with him) knowing it was from Cho he didn't want Ron or Hermione to know what it said. He read:
I still need to meet you…
Cho
Harry wondered why she still needed to meet him, put since the alternative to that would be a Charms essay – Harry decided he could as well. 10:30 he began making his way too the Astronomy tower. For some reason Harry hadn't thought of bringing the invisibility cloak, and he really regretted it five minutes later. "I'm sure I heard one of those damn children skulking around after hours." Harry heard Filch, the caretaker laugh to himself. "They're not going to get away today!" he was close, and Harry had nothing to hide behind.
For the second time in one day, Harry found himself in a situation where good excuses wouldn't get him anywhere. The sound of Filch walking was just around the corner. Harry was about to panic, when he sudden realised how dark the corridor was. "Umbramix" he said hoping Filch couldn't hear him. The pull towards the wall, felt like the hand of luck swept him away. He held his breath hoping that his heart didn't pound to loudly. Filch turned the corner, looking around everywhere – even strait at Harry without noticing him. "Hmm… think they're faster than me do they?" he mumbled to himself as he progressed up the stairs. Harry led out a huge sigh, glad that Madam Norris for once hadn't been with him.
After using various secret supposed shortcuts (even though today, because he had to be sure he avoided Filch it wasn't really shortcuts) Harry arrived at the astronomy tower at 11:10. Harry looked around, no sign of Cho. Damn… he was too late! His thoughts interrupted by a tap on his shoulders. "I almost thought you wouldn't come…" she smiled. Harry wondered where she had come from all of the sudden, but she interrupted his thoughts. "I have something to ask you Harry…" her smile seemed to fade. "I perfectly understand if you won't do it…" she moved closer, confusing Harry's already troubled mind even more.
"I was so sad to hear that there will be no DA meetings until after Christmas." It felt like she had wanted to tell someone about this for a long time. "I swore to myself when Cedric died, that I would do everything I could to learn as much of Defence against the Darks arts as I could." The puzzled face Harry had worn until now suddenly became grim. Cho didn't notice as she was studying his shoes instead of his face. "So when you started the DA last year, I wanted to join right away." So that's why she joined Harry thought. Because of Cedric… "But the fact that you were the teacher was what really made me do it!" Harry's heart returned to his throat.
"As I told you last year…" she paused, probably wondering whether to continue or not. Surprisingly, Harry thought, she hadn't shed a single tear, although she had mentioned Cedric. "As I told you last year, I really like you Harry!" He couldn't move, he didn't know how to respond so Cho beat him to it. "I know that you're probably still at little mad at me for last year, so I'm glad we're still friends." She lifted her head staring into his eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Harry forced a smile to his lips. "Me too…" he squeaked. She smiled. "I was hoping that you could teach me Dark Arts defence… You know, just us – until the DA starts up again." Harry finally awoke a bit from his trance, but Cho beat him too it again. It seemed like she had prepared the speech. "Although you might not know it, 7th years and 6th years don't learn the same in DADA." This seemed logical enough, Harry had just never really thought about it. "And the Stealth and Disguise thing you and all the other 6th years learn this year – well, I never learned that since Umbridge was around last year." She continued. "I was just wondering if you could pass on the things you learn this year to me…" she smiled hopefully. Harry didn't care to wonder why she didn't just ask a 6th year Ravenclaw to teach her.
She is so beautiful… was all Harry could think. Where did that come from? I better get myself together. Cho was now eyeing him suspiciously. Harry realised he had been staring at her for a full minute. "Ehh… ok!" he blushed slightly with embarrassment. She beamed at him. "Great, thanks a lot Harry…" Before he knew what was happening, she was hugging him again. Without knowing why Harry hugged her back. They stood like this for maybe only five seconds, but too Harry it seemed a lot longer – and he enjoyed every second. Cho let go, and smiled at him again. "How about Friday at 10 pm?" Harry gave it two seconds of thought before: "Sure!" If possible her smile seemed to widen. "But we can't use the Room of Requirement, too many people knows about it and… ehh, I want to keep this secret." She nodded in agreement. "But I can't figure out any other places just now!"
"Just let me know when you have found a place ok?" She said as she made her way to the opposite wall. "Marietta and the others will get suspicious if I'm not back by eleven so I've got hurry!" She pressed a bright stone in the otherwise dark shaded wall. "You're not the only one who knows secrets around here!" she said with a smirk, waving goodbye while the secret entrance closed again.
Fifteen minutes later Harry was back in the common room. So many thoughts was going through his head that he didn't even see the book coming. It hit him square in the face. "Oh… I'm really sorry Harry." Hermione looked so too. "Why are you throwing books around anyway?" The answer appeared to have caught her of guard. "I – I'm just mad at someone that's all…" She scowled. "Ron?" Harry seemed to guess her thoughts. "DON'T SPEAK OF HIM…" she roared leaving Harry stunned. "I'm going to bed, good night Harry!" she said flatly.
"Something is definitely up with those two…" He shook his head, smiling at the thought of his two best friends.
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Disclaimer: Actually I do own Harry Potter – but only between 23:59 and 0:01 every other Friday. ;)
Anyway, as always: I don't own any thing related to the Potter-universe that you can recognize! It all belongs to J.K.Rowling & Co.
Any criticism or comment you might have, about the story, the grammar, my weird sense of humour – I would be happy to hear it!
Respond to reviewers:
Alex() – I'm glad you like it, it will get better soon but I need to get over all this intro stuff. Hope you stay with it…
Mella Deranged – Good point about the prophecy, you'll find the answer in this chapter, but I have included it in my thoughts on upcoming chapters as well. About how the story will turn out, who knows… ;) Anyways, it's over a year since Cedric died, she doesn't cry that much anymore. I'm trying to make her more, not depressing so don't worry, and besides I would there to much more to the story than just plain relationship talk!
Hippyman69 – Ok Ok Ok. Here it is… Happy? :) (You almost busted my mail program with that one! =)
Special thanks to Indigal – you second review makes me write this chapter at 2 am in the morning. And thanks BTW for knowing that Denmark is a country – that just makes me happy! :)
Please review – cuz it makes me all warm and fuzzy… ohh and it makes me write faster!
(Useless trivia: This story is: 12740 words long, that's: 73717 characters including spaces… Neat eh? Ok maybe not =)