And a disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any Harry Potter related material! (Too tired to think of a smart-ass comment…*yawn*)
HARRY
POTTER AND THE STAFF OF VIGOR~ ~ !!! ~ ~
CHAPTER 7: THE RAVENCLAW MATCH AND THE CAVE
Harry, Hermione and Ron spent the month leading up to the Ravenclaw Quidditch match researching in the library. It had proved both pointless, because they had not discovered a thing that linked Harry's attack to Voldemort, and annoying as Hermione would barely let Ron and Harry leave, despite for Quidditch practice, and her adamant demands that they stay and research were usually met with Ron's snide remarks.
"This is bloody hopeless." Ron snapped slamming shut yet another dusty, old book. Hermione sniffed.
"Well with that attitude it will be Ron." She eyed him warily. Ron pulled a face.
"Come on. We are never going to find anything." He looked up at the clock on the wall and sighed, "Hermione please! You've already made us miss an hour of Quidditch practice already."
"It's only a game." Hermione muttered, knowing she was saying the wrong thing. Sometimes Harry really did think they tried to stir up each other on purpose.
"Ah. Well guess what? I'm the Captain of that game and I'm leaving. The team is relying on me!" He growled at her before he stood and strode angrily out of the library. Madam Pince glared at Harry and Hermione because of Ron's outburst and warned them to be quiet. Harry needed to leave too for Quidditch practice and he got up slowly, hoping Hermione might not notice him leaving.
"Not you too! Harry, the match isn't until this afternoon. Must you really go now?" Hermione groaned.
"We need to practice." Harry shrugged apologetically. Hermione sighed and dismissed him with her hand before going back to the research. Harry gave her a small rueful smile and mentally noted to deal with her later so she wouldn't be mad at him. He quickly ran after Ron and caught up with him at the Quidditch pitch where already the other teammates were waiting. They looked rather mad that they had been caused to wait so long.
"I know, I know." Ron put up his hands as they began to yell at him rudely. Harry grinned at some of the comments that Ginny, who was just as mad as the rest of them, let loose.
"We couldn't help it. Being a sixth year takes up a lot of time." Harry helped Ron out lamely. Ron rolled his eyes and muttered something along the lines of; 'with Hermione it does'.
"Don't worry about it. I'm here now aren't I?" Ron glared at them to make them be quiet, "Now we'll practice twice as hard to make up for the time that I made us miss. I want you to get into three's and do the exercises we went through yesterday."
Harry and Ron hastily changed into their Quidditch uniforms and it wasn't long before they were mounted on their brooms and flying around with the other team members, Ron yelling at them to 'fly this way' or 'try this' or 'change the maneuver they were using'. Harry grinned as he watched his friend, Ron was an excellent Captain. After two hours of hard training the team was let go to rest for a while until it was time for the game.
"We're going to win. No doubt about it." Ron said, grinning at Harry. They were both still up in the air even though practice was over. Flying allowed them to unwind.
"I know." Harry flew around in a few circles and caught sight of a figure on the ground. The person waved up at them and Ron waved back.
"Its Ella." He explained flying down. Harry followed him, instantly bothered. Ron always did something with Ellanora these days. He hardly ever used his spare time to hang out with Harry and Hermione and it annoyed them both.
"So what are you doing with her today?" Harry asked. Ron frowned at him a little.
"We're just going to the Great Hall for lunch," He told him as they landed on the ground, "Hey, why don't you bring your Veela Woman and we'll make it like a double date."
"Except it won't be a date Ron." Ellanora said as she approached them. Ron blushed a little.
"I know. It's just a term." He pulled a face at her and she smiled. Harry had seen her do that a lot lately, now she was friends with Ron. She was even civil to him in class.
"Hey." He smiled at her.
"Hello Harry." She nodded her head at him.
"Man, you two do hit it off," Ron joked, swinging his broom over his shoulder, "Now can we please go and have lunch? I'm starving."
"But other than just you and me?" Ellanora looked unsure, she still liked her solitude.
"Come on," Ron lowered his voice but Harry could still here him, "I know you don't really like them but Harry's a great guy if you get to know him."
"Fine. But I'm warning you, I might be rude." Ellanora cautioned him. Ron suppressed a smile.
"I know." He patted her hand before turning to Harry.
"Well?" He asked. Harry sighed.
"I'll go and get Geri then." He mumbled. He ran and put his broom away and changed out of his Quidditch clothes before going off in search of his girlfriend. He went straight to her common room because that's usually where she was, giggling with her friends. He was lucky to find a third-year Ravenclaw outside the entrance; otherwise he would have been forced to wait for some Ravenclaw to come along as he couldn't enter the common room without the password.
"Hey," He greeted the boy, "Would you mind getting Geraldine Maple if she's in there?"
The kid's eyes traveled up to his scar and he jumped up and down excitedly.
"Sure Harry Potter! Sure." He muttered a password and disappeared into his common room. It was about fifteen minutes before Geraldine appeared looking flustered.
"Hey sweetie." She kissed him on the lips momentarily but something was bothering her.
"Hey, do you want to go to lunch?" He asked.
"Oh. Well I just ate actually." She smiled at him apologetically.
"Well. You could just come and hang out." He grabbed her hand affectionately.
"Yeah, I'd love to. But...I...I have so much homework to do." She took a few steps backwards.
"I see." He didn't really though. She was ditching him when usually she wanted to do something all the time.
"Maybe another time." She offered.
"Ok. It must be some really important homework." Harry tried to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
"It is. It's for...um...Herbology." Geraldine smiled at him weakly.
"What about my Quidditch game?" He wondered.
"Oh don't worry! I'll be watching the game." Geraldine kissed him on the lips again, "But right now, I have that homework to attend to. Important stuff. So, I'll see you later."
She walked back into her common room while Harry frowned after her. He decided to get Hermione for lunch and found her still in the library. She agreed to come, even though she was hesitant at the mention of Ellanora, and they were soon in the Great Hall. Ron was sitting at the Gryffindor table wolfing down food while Ellanora was moving around the food on her plate with a fork distractedly.
"Hey." Harry greeted them sitting down. Ellanora didn't look up but Ron did and frowned.
"Where's Veela Wo-" He began.
"Oh, she's busy." Harry explained, still wondering why she had ditched him. Hermione sat down next to Harry and forced herself to smile at Ellanora.
"Hello." She managed to mutter. Ellanora smiled at her briefly. The four sat in an awkward silence for a moment.
"How's you brother?" Harry asked lamely.
"Fine. He'll stop the pranks for a little while," Ellanora sighed, "I had a talk to him but I doubt he'll keep up his humanitarian ways."
"He's still on detention then?" Hermione wondered.
"Very much so." Ellanora took a small bite out of her baked potato.
"Complete opposites, those two." Ron smiled fondly at Ellanora. Hermione looked hurt.
"So, you ready to try The Deliberative Potion?" Harry asked Ellanora. They were to try the Potion in two weeks and all they knew was that if did something to ones mind. Ellanora shrugged and glanced between Hermione and Ron. The majority of lunch was spent with great effort trying to come up with things to say. The only person who didn't notice the uncomfortable atmosphere was Ron who continued to display open affection towards Ellanora while Hermione looked on sadly. This caused Ellanora to continuously glance between the two of them. It wasn't long before she left. Harry didn't blame her, he wanted to leave himself. The tension at the table increased every time Ron talked to Ella or touched her.
"I haven't seen her that quiet in ages. I hope she's alright." Ron commented after Ellanora. Hermione snorted.
"Why don't you just start a fan club for her Ron." She exclaimed glaring at him. Ron was taken back.
"Wh-" He began but Hermione was already leaving the Great Hall quickly. He looked at Harry.
"What?" He looked baffled.
"Women." Harry shrugged. How could Ron not realise the basis of Hermione's outburst? When they finished eating it was time for the Quidditch match. Harry had butterflies in his stomach as he made his way to the pitch. The team was getting changed and they were talking animatedly, all in an upbeat mood. For some reason Harry didn't share the mood with them, he felt like something bad was going to happen.
"You alright?" Ron inquired after his sullen friend. Harry smiled weakly.
"Fine." He mumbled pulling his robes over his head. Ron nodded at him but it didn't look like he quite believed him.
"You guys," He turned to address the team, "Are terrific players. You work well together and I don't doubt we're going to win this game."
The team erupted into cheers but stopped when Ron spoke again.
"Nevertheless, I want you to be ruthless and intelligent and fly like your life depended on it! Don't forget to strategize like we did at practice! Now let's get out there!" He shouted. The team got into two lines as Gryffindor was introduced into the stadium. They all walked to the center of the pitch where they met with the Ravenclaw team. Cho Chang, who was the Ravenclaw seeker, glared at Harry rudely as Madam Hooch explained to them how she wanted them to play. Before long, the Bludger's and Snitch were let loose and everyone was up in the air. Madam Hooch tossed the Quaffle between the Ravenclaw captain and Ginny and then the game was off as Ginny grabbed the Quaffle. Harry flew around steadily, seeking out the Snitch. He spotted it several times but it disappeared before he could even grasp its existence. Cho was on the opposite side of the pitch trying to find it too.
Half an hour into the game Gryffindor was leading, 120 to 70, but Harry still hadn't found the Snitch. Suddenly he saw it, buzzing down near the ground. He made a dive for it and Cho, seeing him, did the same. He was practically on it when he was hit from behind in the back, hard. He moaned and turned around to glare at the Bludger that would have caused him the pain, but nothing was there. He spun around to fly down again but this time he was hit in his chest. His broom began doing flips as he felt himself be hit again and again and again. He couldn't work out what was hitting him but whatever it was, it was causing him serious pain. Harry still tried to reach the Snitch but he was flying so slowly he doubted he would ever catch it. He grimaced as Cho was upon it and, despite how much his body was aching, made a dive for it again. He was speeding towards it with one hand on his broom handle while the other hung limp, most likely broken. I have to get the Snitch, Harry thought, I have to get the Snitch. Don't tell him where it is. He'll kill everyone. Don't tell him.
His hand clasped around the Snitch as he was hit again, this time in the face. His abuse continued and he felt his spine snap causing him to grope drastically at his broom handle to stop himself from falling. But it was all in vain as he couldn't move his arms or legs. His broom started tottering around the field and began flying higher while Harry found himself sliding off the end of it. With one last feeble attempt to stay on the broom, Harry fell off it. He was tumbling to the ground headfirst and the Stadium was quiet. Don't tell him. He'll kill everyone. Don't tell him! He'll kill everyone. Harry didn't mind if he died, as long as he didn't tell the dark man where it was. He was about to hit the ground when he stopped barely centimeters above it. He could smell the dirt and the grass tickled his nose.
"Harry!" Dumbledore appeared at his side, his wand pointed at Harry. He had saved Harry just in time.
"Professor..." Harry murmured faintly before he was hit piercingly over the head and blackened out.
* * * *
Harry moaned in his sleep. He didn't like these dreams. They were dark and the blackness in them engulfed him whole. Lumos, Harry's wand lit up. He was in some sort of underground cave. The walls were painted with white pictures. He put his wand to the walls and had a closer look. They were awful. There was a man holding a large stick and he was pointing it at the other pictures that were that of women, children and men; some were dead, seemingly because the man with the stick had killed them. There were unicorns and fairies amoung the people below the man with the stick. The unicorns were rearing at the man and the fairies were dancing around the people. The stick the man was holding began to glow and lightening appeared above the mans head.
Harry jumped at the sound of thunder. He turned from the walls and found himself walking into the depths of the cave. He walked for what felt like days until he came to a dead end. He was angry now, all of that walking for nothing. He pounded on the end of the cave and cut his fist on the jagged wall. Looking down at his hand made Harry realise something. It wasn't fair. Why did he have to bleed? Why did he have to be so weak that he bled? He was furious. He was goddamned Harry Potter. He shouldn't be able to get hurt! Harry was fuming now. A scream escaped from his mouth. Ron appeared at his side.
"What are you doing Harry?" Ron's voice was barely a whisper. Harry turned to him glaring.
"Mind you're own business!" He snapped. Ron glared back.
"Think you're good enough to do this on you own do you?" Hermione walked out of the darkness and stood beside Ron.
"I don't need either of you," Harry snarled, "I'm powerful enough all on my own."
"I don't need you either." Ron and Hermione said in unison. Ron took out his wand.
"I don't even think this world needs you!" He exclaimed. Hermione grabbed his wrist, stopping him.
"Why bother? You shouldn't waste your time on the likes of him." She snapped. Ron pulled away from her.
"Don't touch me you disgusting Mudblood." He growled. Hermione narrowed her eyes at him and raised her wand.
"What's the matter Ron? To poor to afford some manners?" She taunted. Harry grinned. He was enjoying this. Ron's face darkened evilly.
"Not for long," His voice echoed in the cave, dripping with malice, "Soon I'll be so powerful I won't need to worry about money or the likes of either of you!"
"I hate you." Hermione snarled. Raising her wand at Ron she shouted, "Avada Kedavra!"
Harry eyed Ron's dead figure. It was pleasing.
"Nice." He mused. Hermione turned to him.
"You'd like the same?" She raised her wand again but Harry was too quick for her. He hit her across the side of her face so hard that she fell to the ground unconscious. He listened to the silence blissfully. He didn't need anyone. Gradually the sound of someone sobbing could be heard, interrupting his depraved gaiety. He turned around angrily to find a girl curled up into a ball in the corner of the cave.
"Shut up!" He demanded. The girl lifted her face and looked at him. It was Ellanora. She reached out her hand to him.
"Mum!" She sobbed, "Dad! Don't go! Please! Come back!"
"You're pathetic." Harry went to kick her but he couldn't. He raised his wand and uttered numerous curses at her but to no effect. Ellanora opened her hand and a small blue fairy flew out from it and began circling around her.
"Mum...dad..." Ellanora continued to cry, "Don't...don't go. I can't...live. I need...I need you."
"You are so weak." Harry bent down to face her. Ellanora continued to sob. He raised his hand to try and slap some sense into her but Ginny's voice rang out and distracted him.
"You scum!" She bellowed. Harry turned to find her and Malfoy, wands raised in a duel stance.
"What's the matter Weasel? Upset?" Malfoy sneered.
"You mean nothing to me! I'll kill you!" She screamed. Malfoy rolled his eyes.
"Avada Kedavra!" He muttered. Ginny fell to the ground rigidly. Malfoy stared at her motionless body for a moment before turning to face Harry.
"Well Potter," He looked down at Ron's dead form, "I think the world has been done a favor. Being rid of the likes of Weasley's."
"Too right." Harry agreed. They turned to face the end of the cave.
"Regret." Harry said, wiping his bloody hand over the wall.
"Loathing." Malfoy cut his hand with a knife and did the same. They stood back and waited but nothing happened.
"You're missing Death." Sirius appeared from behind them. He cut his hand and wiped it on the cave too.
"So you're alive now?" Harry was disappointed.
"Not really." Sirius frowned at him.
"Good, I prefer you dead." Harry pushed him away and was glad when his Godfather instantly disappeared.
He turned his attention back to the dead end as it began to move. The center of it faded immediately and gave way to some sort of passage. Harry walked through it while Malfoy followed close behind. Harry knew he couldn't trust him but he needed him to get as far as he was required to go. They had nearly reached it. Harry could sense it, the power. Its power. It made him smile. He wanted it now. Harry reached out to grab it when he had to stop because a bright light was blinding him.
"Harry!" Someone shook him roughly. It was Hermione.
"Gentle Miss Granger," Dumbledore's voice warned, "It is not a good idea to wake the sleeping. Especially I feel, in Harry's case."
"What do you mean?" Ron's sharp voice demanded.
"We shall see," Dumbledore muttered, "Just wait and we shall see."