Disclaimer: who would really think I own Harry Potter? No, really who? *3 people in back row stand up* *author pulls out shotgun and shoots them* ok anyone else? *Crickets* ok good.
Harry Potter and the Elements of Magic
Summery: OotP SPOILERS!!! A 6th year fic. Voldemort's quest for the weapon, which is being protected by the order, continues. Strange events start happening at Hogwarts and the students all suspect the new exchange students are to blame, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione know better... (H/Hr, R/OC)
Rating: PG-13 (just in case)
A/N: wow well over a week and I'm just starting… heh heh… sorry about that. Last weekend I kinda went on a drawing spree and redid two websites and yeah… I'll just shut up and write now…
Chapter Five
Ron's… RIGHT?!?
Death Eaters were wreaking havoc in London. Harry was single handedly trying to fend them off and wondering where the heck the ministry was when all of the sudden they turned into… men in pink suits! With gas masks and nets; pushing everyone aside, including Harry who stood there bewildered, just to get to a poor innocent little brown haired girl who was screaming bloody murder. Harry then tried to help but was cornered by the Grinch as the men in pink suits changed once again into midgets.
Not any old midgets but midgets with… COTTON CANDY STANDS! And they were multiplying at great speed. They surrounded Harry and asked in a demonic voice, "why make trillions when you could make… BILLIONS?" and in unison put their pinkies on the corners of their mouths and went shifty-eyed.
Before Harry could answer the Grinch turned into a giant red Kool-Aid bottle and chased him around in circles until…
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WAS THAT?" yelled Harry bolting up in his four-poster from the strangest nightmare he ever had.
"What?" asked Ron worriedly, "did you have another vision?"
"No, well, I certainly don't think so… if it was Voldemort's losing his mind…"
"If you're sure then…" said Ron looking at his clock, "it's seven o'clock… we should probably go down to breakfast."
The two boys got dressed and went down to the Great Hall. Upon entering, they found that the Hermione and Kelly were already seated at the Gryffindor table.
"'Morning," greeted Hermione, "we got our timetables."
The boys sat down across from them and glanced over their schedules.
"Ugh, NEWT History of Magic first? What a nightmare," Ron groaned.
"That's not so bad, I've got NEWT Potions," replied Harry.
"He's right," added Hermione, "History of Magic will look like a walk in the park compared to Snape first thing in the morning. The only downside for you is I won't be there to take all your notes."
"Why not? You got an E in your OWLs," asked Ron.
"Not enough time. I really didn't want to repeat the time turner experience," she explained.
"Hey, I've got NEWT Potions too, at least I'm with people I know," said Kelly entering the conversation.
"That's good. I'm kinda glad we have Potions first. I want to get it over with," said Harry.
"Get what over with? We have Potions all year," queried Hermione.
"What do I want to get over with? That's simple it's the—"
"Potter? How in Merlin's name did Potter get into my NEWT Potions class? Are you lost?" Snape burst out in the middle of roll call.
"No I'm quite sure I'm not lost. I got Os on the Potions OWLs," said Harry.
"And I thought you had a worse chance of getting in here than Longbottom. Well, it's your year you're wasting. I don't plan on making it any easier than it has been in the past. Let that be a warning to the rest of you as well. This class is not for the weak hearted or those who crack under pressure. We work long and hard all year so I suggest that those of you who are not willing to rise to the challenge to please leave now. You will just slow the rest of us down," Snape greeted the rest of the class. When no one exited the dungeon, he continued, "Since you all seem to think that you are NEWT potions material, lets get started. Groups of two; I'm afraid I'm going to have to split up the new Gryffindor trio here. Caraway was it? Yes, Caraway and Malfoy, you can work over here," the Potions Master indicated to an empty table in front of the classroom.
Kelly got up and took a seat at the worn wooden table in dismay while Malfoy strode to it with a look of mischief on his face. As soon as they were settled, Snape continued.
"Today we will be working on a scar reducing serum. I doubt that you will want to try any of this, Potter, but I'm afraid that you will have to make it anyway. Ingredients are on the board. There are a few ingredients that you don't have in your kits that you may take from the class stores. You have the rest of the period to complete it. Begin."
"I'll go get the ingredients," said Harry resignedly.
When he went up he found that Kelly had opted the same.
"Well isn't he a lovely ray of sunshine," she said sarcastically, "what's his problem?"
"Well, he's head of Slytherin house so he naturally despises all Gryffindors. He hates me even more of course because my dad and him loathed each other in school," Harry explained while carefully measuring six ounces of bubotuber pus.
"Yuck. At least you get to work with Hermione, I stuck with that Malfoy jerk," Kelly replied capping her pus and taking a piece of chameleon skin.
"You have a point there. Well, I have all of my stuff, I guess I'll see you at the end of class," Harry concluded.
"Yeah, me too. See you later."
Harry walked back to the wooden table to find Hermione had already finished measuring the other ingredients and lit the fire beneath their cauldron.
"Wow, that was fast," said Harry in astonishment.
"Yes well, we should finish as soon as possible shouldn't we?" said Hermione matter-of-factly.
"Er… yeah I guess so," replied Harry, "Ok then, let's get started."
The period passed relatively quickly and Harry was extremely thankful that he had Hermione's help. They had just added the last ingredient, bubotuber pus, and were ladling the potion into the collection flask when they heard a loud shriek coming from the front of the classroom.
"What the hell is your problem?" yelled a voice Harry instantly recognized as Kelly's.
"What in Merlin's name is going on here?" snapped Snape, "twenty points from Gryffindor for such an uncalled for outburst in my class, Miss Caraway."
She gaped wordlessly at Snape for a moment before she regained her voice. "That worthless scum," she pointed to Malfoy who was holding an empty bottle, "dumped all the bubotuber pus on me!"
Hermione groaned audibly. She knew how badly being burnt by the pus hurt after receiving some in a hate letter in their fourth year. Harry also noticed for the first time that her hands, though also clenched in fists, were covered in green ooze and boils were beginning to form.
"I guess my hand just slipped," Malfoy smirked before saying in a lower voice, "besides, she said she wanted it. It's jut too bad it wasn't boiling."
"That is IT Miss Caraway! Ten more points from Gryffindor for challenging my authority and five more for so blatantly insulting another student! Oh yes, I'm sorry Draco but I'm afraid I'll have to take five points from Slytherin as well for this abuse of school materials," the Potions Master said before including an after thought. "And I think a detention is appropriate for you too, Miss Caraway, tonight at eight in my office but until then, get out of my sight."
Kelly stared at her professor with a look of disbelief before she could no longer ignore the throbbing in her hands. Her face was contorted in pain as she grabbed her bag and flew out the door, undoubtedly to the hospital wing.
"I hope she knows the way," said Hermione worriedly as the door shut.
"I'm sure she will, she's that type of person. Besides, she can always ask one of the ghosts if she does get lost," Harry replied confidently.
"You're probably right," agreed Hermione capping their serum.
The pair found that they had a lot of time left over and spent the rest of class chatting until the bell rang.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts next," observed Harry looking at his schedule, "I wonder what this Acerose will be like."
"She has to be better than Umbridge," predicted Hermione and Harry nodded his head fervently.
Harry and Hermione took seats at the front of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and waited for Ron who showed up just before the bell rang looking deeply disgruntled.
"Why did I sign up for NEWT History of Magic?" he groaned.
"Beats me. Did Binns mention anything about it being more in depth and boring since it was NEWT level?" asked Harry.
Ron scratched his head, "you know, I don't think he even realized that it was the NEWT class at all…"
Harry snorted while Hermione sighed and shook her head as though the dead professor disappointed her. Harry was about to tell the story of Potions class but at that moment Professor Acerose walked in.
"Good morning, class," the rather petite black haired teacher said. Harry was glad that she didn't wait for a response as Umbridge had. "As I'm sure you all know, I'm Professor Acerose. I think I'll start by taking role before going over the curriculum for the NEWT class this year."
Her dark eyes darted between her paper and each respective student as she called their name. She seemed quite young, probably around the same age as Tonks, though her eyes looked much older.
As she finished with role, she animatedly addressed the class again and the overly mature look to her eyes was lost.
"NEWT Defense Against the Dark Arts, possible one of the most important classes you will take. It is my job to prepare you for what lies ahead of you in the world. Unlike last year, you will be given a very hands-on opportunity to learn skills, spells, and theories that will help you protect yourself in times of danger. This class is by no means going to be easy but it is most certainly worthwhile.
"I see that you have already covered dark creatures, unforgivable curses, extensive work in theory, and counter jinxes. This year I will teach you good defense, as well as some offensive spells, improve your reflexes, and teach proper dueling technique and effective strategies.
"I am afraid, however, that I must have you copy some notes from the board about different spells and their uses before we can start learning them."
She flicked her wand and the board filled with silver scripted spells.
Though Harry could tell the rather boring first class disappointed the class, no one complained. It seemed that the promise of practice was enough for now. Besides, Harry thought, a lot of these spells seem pretty interesting. His favorite was the Dormons jinx that put the enemy to sleep for twenty minutes. It was similar to stunners except it was only temporary thus easier to learn but it was also harder to block.
As soon as the bell rang, the class filed out the door.
"I guess I'll be seeing you at lunch then," said Ron as Harry and Hermione headed to NEWT Transfiguration.
"Yep, see you then," replied Harry and the two prefects headed to their next class.
When they took their seats, they noticed that Kelly was already there, with heavily bandaged hands.
"Hey guys," she greeted and they took seats next to her.
"Hello," greeted Hermione.
"Where were you last period?" asked Harry.
"Well, as soon as that jackass kicked me out, not that it mattered since I was going to leave anyway, I went to the hospital wing. I got kinda lost but this ghost Peeves gave me directions… then I got even more lost and wandered around until classes broke and that prefect Justin Finch-Fletchley walked me to it and to NEWT Muggle Studies after. He's a pretty nice guy."
"You don't take Defense Against the Dark Arts?" asked Harry incredulously.
"Nah, its not really my thing. Besides, I want to be an obliverator or in the Accidental Magic Reversal Committee so I don't need it. Most of the memories we clear are muggle's anyway so I figured I might as well get a NEWT in Muggle Studies too."
"Makes sense to me," said Hermione as Professor McGonagall walked in and almost immediately instructed them to turn a stick into a rabbit.
At the end of class, Hermione was the only one who was a complete success but Harry and Kelly were pretty close.
"I'm not really sure which mine looks more like," commented Harry about his very woody creature, "is that a rabbit or a stick?"
"I think it looks more like a squirrel," replied Kelly who was poking her very stiff, but distinguishable, rabbit trying to get it to move.
"Oh. I guess you're right…"
Ron arrived to lunch late from Intermediate Potions and looked thoroughly exhausted.
"That stupid prat Peeves. You would think he'd let me off easy because of Fred and George. But no. He has to go and throw—what did you do to your hands?"
Kelly looked at Harry and Hermione, "you didn't tell him?"
"There wasn't any time, sorry," replied Hermione.
Kelly just sighed and told the story of the potions fiasco. By the time she had finished Ron had once again managed to match his face with the shade of his hair.
"I swear, if Malfoy pulls one more thing like this, I'm going to have to kill him."
"Don't be stupid, Ron, you're not killing anyone," replied Hermione exasperatedly.
"Ok, fine. Maybe I won't kill him but I'll… I dunno… hurt him," he finished lamely. The other three rolled their eyes. "You know, I think someone's setting all this up."
"What are you talking about, Ron," asked Kelly looking at the red head as though he was crazy.
"I think someone is sitting out there somewhere thinking of all the ways they could screw stuff up yet make everything end up working alright for their master scheme."
"That's just crazy. You're saying that someone out there is just sitting there saying, 'now Dumbledore will say, it is my pleasure to inform you that this year Hogwarts will have it's first annual Christmas ball. Why am I telling you this now as opposed to last night you ask? Well, some strange urge came over me to do so a few moments ago as though a mysterious being was telling me what to think, do, and say.'" Replied Harry.
"Sure, don't take me seriously. But don't come crying to me when you feel like you're being… written…" said Ron defensively.
Hermione looked as though she was doing all she could to keep from laughing, "the next time I feel lie I'm being written? When on earth would I feel like I was being written?"
"Beats me, the idea is ludicrous." Said Ron mockingly.
"I'm surprised that you didn't keep up with Divination, Ron, you and Trelawney could get along. Both insane," said Harry.
Ron shook his head with an all-knowing and Trelawney-like look on his face as he dug into his shepherd's pie.
The rest of the afternoon passed without much event, or at least none that Harry could remember. It was a good thing he took notes because Kelly would certainly be a good obliverator. A little too good actually. She had been his partner in Charms class and had effectively wiped his memory of the entire afternoon.
Since there was no homework on the first day back, the group lounged around all afternoon until dinner where Dumbledore actually did make an announcement.
"Ladies and gentleman, it is my pleasure to inform you that this year Hogwarts will have it's first annual Christmas ball. Why am I telling you this now as opposed to last night you ask? Well, I'm afraid it totally slipped my mind. It wasn't until I was going over my notes for the prefect meeting that I realized what I had forgotten. I am terribly sorry about the short notice of this all, but I think you will manage," he ended with his eyes twinkling.
Ron, Hermione, and Kelly all immediately looked at Harry and burst into laughter.
"Honestly, Harry, I think you're the on who should have kept Divination," said Ron, "and I also believe this means I'm right."
"You wish, author boy," replied Kelly as they left the great hall and up to Gryffindor Tower.
~*~
A/N: *deep breath* IMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSO RRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYI MSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRY!!!!! I didn't mean for it to take this long! I just had some serious writer's block issues! I'm not even sure if the chapter was any good… *sigh*
hehe! The one part I did like was snapped Snape… I've always wanted to say that. Yes I am indeed easily amused!
Heh sorry about that whole dream sequence thing in the beginning. I was bored and sick of starting all the chapters with 'Harry woke up.' So I made him have a very odd nightmare instead :-) I would explain it but it would just make you more confused and since I will assure you that it has NOTHING to do with the plot, don't worry about it. And I also know what you're thinking and to answer your questions, no, Harry is not on drugs.
Hmmm… the next time you feel like you're being… written… good ol' Ron. He's right for once!
Review responses!
Maz ~ no offense but I suggest you drop the fic. Kelly's not going anywhere anytime soon so she might be kinda hard to ignore.
H 'DB' G ~ nah, I didn't use the *real* house names cuz I've had this school floating around in my head before I even knew there was an RPG out there for it. I was actually gonna make Kelly from Katia but I figured no one would know what I was talking about and there's obviously a school in Salem so I *transferred* her there.
Windwaker59 ~ lol I'm glad you like Kelly… sorry bout the whole Potions fiasco… you didn't expect Malfoy to just let her get away with dissing him, did you?
Becca ~ you think I'm a good author? Really? Thanks sooo much, that really means alot! I'm so happy! It's the least I could do to reply!
Shdurrani ~ I'm glad you like the story! Not to much fluff this ch… I hope you still liked it though.
Julie jewelrannah ~ I'm glad you liked the song… that was hard to write.
Sulwen of Great Smials ~ a tad bit behind the times, are we? I hope you get around to reviewing ch. 4… that way you won't have to hunt me down…
Hi ~ such shameful self-promotion, christina! I expected better of you! Oh wait a minute…
Future World Dictator ~ well, I didn't have Malfoy sobbing hysterically in the bathroom but you can pretend he did… if you really want to…
The next chapter won't take this long, I promise. I have to get it done before next weekend because I'm going on vacation for 2 weeks (please don't kill me!). there's gonna be lots of good stuff! Quidditch tryouts *murmurs of 'finally' among the audience*, Halloween, er… what I like to call "weird event number one"…, and maybe more… I have an idea but it might not make any sense so I probably won't put it in.
Talk to you all reeeeeally soon,
Emerald Earth
P.S. review, review, REVIEW!!!