Chapter 9:
Dueling Club Begins
The next morning Harry sat down to breakfast with his friends. They all looked at him expectantly. Harry sighed, "After class, we will go to the Room of Requirement, and I will explain exactly what is going on."
The rest of them began eating once Harry said this. Ginny asked, "So, what do the Professors have in store for you today?"
Harry chuckled, "We get to go back to Flitwick for Double Charms this morning, and we have Transfiguration this afternoon."
Ron sighed, "Sounds like a fun day. I don't have a class this afternoon."
Neville laughed, "Lucky. I've got Ancient Runes this afternoon."
Ginny said, "Hey, I like Ancient Runes."
Neville said back to her, "So do I. It would still be nice to have a free period every now and then."
Harry nodded, "I agree with that. The two of us may be teaching here next year. We really won't have free periods, then."
Neville sighed, "I know. I think that I will enjoy teaching."
Hermione nodded, "You will."
The troop of students went their separate ways to go to class. Everyone besides Harry was having a great amount of difficulty paying attention in class due to the anticipation of what they would be hearing this afternoon from Harry. Finally the last class of the day was over and the six students made their way to the seventh floor corridor containing the Room of Requirement. Three sweeps back and forth in front of the stretch of wall that hid the entrance and they were inside the room. They all sat down on chairs and couches. Hermione said, "We're waiting."
Harry took a deep breath, "This summer I went up to the portrait room in Potter Manor, and began talking to the portraits."
Ginny smiled, "So you talked to your Mum and Dad."
Harry nodded, "Among others. I can remember the conversation like it was yesterday."
Harry walked into the portrait room and cleared his throat to wake the portraits. James was the first to open his eyes. "Harry. I've been waiting for you to come see us."
By now Lily was awake as well, "You have turned out to be such a handsome young man."
Harry grinned slightly in embarrassment, "I guess, Mum."
James cackled, "I can't say that he acts much like I did at that age. What do you think, Lily?"
Lily shook her head, "Definitely not. If someone had given you a compliment like that you would have mussed your hair and tried to check your profile."
James shrugged, "Hey, I was young."
Lily replied, "So is he."
Harry asked, "Do I need to be here for this conversation, or would the two of you like to be alone?"
James laughed, "Of course not, Harry. We want you to sit and talk with us. We have been waiting to hear all about your life for a very long time."
Harry said, "Okay, here goes."
Harry continued the story, "That was our first conversation. I told them everything that had happened to me through my life. They were impressed to say the least. My Dad kept saying, 'That's my boy.'"
Ginny smiled, "I'm so glad that you talked to them. I hope I have a chance to."
Harry chuckled, "I'm sure you will. We will be living in the house with their portraits."
Ginny nodded, "Good point."
Hermione interrupted, "I'm really glad that you got to talk to your parents, Harry, but that still doesn't explain why you said that Merlin was a brilliant man."
Harry sighed, "To continue the story, the second time that I went to talk with them, they told me about the portrait of Godric Gryffindor that is hidden in a secret chamber in the basement of Potter Manor. From Godric, I learned where Merlin's only existing portrait is. I went there to learn from him."
Ron asked, "How could you have had time, Harry? You were with us practically all summer."
Harry nodded, "I know, but time is no longer an issue for me. I would just pop back in time a few hours. That left me with plenty of time to study, and still made it so that I never really seemed to have been missing for more than a few minutes. Hermione is going to be jealous, but I read practically the entire Hogwart's library this summer."
Hermione pouted, "That's not fair. I've been trying to read that library for years."
Harry laughed, "It's going to take several more years for you to do it. I know it did me, and I read fast."
Neville said, "I don't get something. If you have spent years reading the library and studying with Merlin, how come you don't look any older?"
Harry replied, "The beauty of being out of the normal flow of time is that you don't age. I can spend as much time in the past as I would like, and I don't get any older."
Hermione protested, "That doesn't make sense. I studied time travel spells while I had the Time Turner, and they don't remove you from the normal flow of time. They just deposit you at some other point. Once you arrive, time flows just as it did."
Harry nodded, "Very astute observation, Hermione. You would be right if I used time travel spells to move through time. However, I don't. I merely have to will myself through time."
Luna asked, "How do you do that?"
Harry returned, "Do you know how you breathe?"
Luna shook her head, "No, I just do it."
"Same concept. I don't know how that I am able to move through time so easily. I just know that I can do it."
Ron threw his hands up into the air, "That's it. I don't want to hear anymore of this weird stuff. If I do, my head is going to explode."
Neville pointed at Ron, "I'm with him. You could spend the next ten years trying to explain all of this to me, and I still wouldn't get it."
Hermione appeared as if she were going to protest, but Harry cut her off, "Drop it for now, Hermione. If you want to ask me some more questions concerning the theory behind time travel, then let it wait until some other time."
Hermione sighed, "Okay." Then, she picked up a book, and was immersed in the text within moments.
Ron chuckled, "I wish that I could get her to pay as much attention to things that are fun as she does to those books."
Harry chuckled with him, "To Hermione, Ron, books are fun."
The group finished their homework and then went down to the Great Hall for dinner. After dinner they all returned to the Room of Requirement to sit around the fire and enjoy some leisure time as couples. Once it was time for bed the prefects made their rounds, and the group trooped off to the dormitories to go to sleep. They paused for a quick kiss goodnight, and then it was off to bed.
The next day seemed to disappear as quickly as it began. Classes were over and it was time for the first dueling club meeting of the term.
Harry climbed up onto the stage, "Welcome to the dueling club. I hope all of you have been practicing your swordplay over the summer. We are going to be beginning tonight's lesson with an exhibition duel between two of our members. Ron, Ginny, get up here."
Ginny leaped onto the stage agilely. Ron followed more slowly. Tonks asked, "Mr. Potter, what exactly are the terms for this duel?"
Harry replied, "We will be handling it much the same way that we did the mock duels last year. You will be the judge of sword wounds. If a mortal wound is called, then the duel is over. If one of them manages to stun or bind the other, then the duel is over. You may begin."
Ginny and Ron both drew their swords and wands. Ginny smiled across at Ron, "I hope you are ready to lose to your baby sister."
Ron assumed a stance, and said, "We'll see, Gin. We'll see."
While they were preparing themselves, Harry heard several people enter the room. He looked over his shoulder to see the Aurors moving in through the door. He asked, "Tonks, why are the Aurors here?"
Tonks grinned, "It seems that you have been making quite a name for this dueling club. They came down to see what all the fuss was about."
While this was occurring the duel on the stage had begun in earnest. Ginny was laying back and forth with her sword, throwing Tickling Charms between each swing."
Ron was totally on the defensive. It was all he could do to avoid being hit. Tonks nodded in approval, "Miss Weasley is impressive. By the way the Aurors are gawking, I would say that they would agree."
Harry chuckled, "What can I say, she is my best pupil."
The fight continued for another few moments before Ginny decide to have mercy on Ron, and end it. She quickly struck his sword from his grasp, and kicked his wand from his hand. He dove to pick it up and she neatly caught him with a Stunning Spell. Harry stepped up onto the stage. He summoned Ron's wand and sword to his hands. "Enervate." With a casual waggle of a finger, Harry restored Ron. He held out the weapons, "I believe that you have been defeated, Mr. Weasley."
Ron huffed, "I know."
Ginny smiled, "I warned you. You should have listened."
Harry turned back to the crowd, "Let's have a round of applause for our combatants." Applause rose from the surrounding dueling club members. "Now, let's see if you have improved with your swordplay over the summer. Anthony Goldstein, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Ernie MacMillan, Terry Boot, Colin Creevey, and Neville Longbottom, get up here." Harry turned to Ron and Ginny, "The two of you can get off the stage, now. They will need it."
Ron and Ginny stepped off the stage into the crowd. The other boys got up onto the stage holding their wands and swords at the ready. They immediately surrounded Harry. Harry chuckled, "Don't worry, gentlemen. You won't be dueling me. I wouldn't put you through that kind of torture." The group of guys sighed in relief. Harry grinned, "You will be dueling each other. It will be teams of three on three. Terry, Colin, and Neville, I want you to team up against Justin, Ernie, and Anthony. Swords only. I think that this should be interesting. You may begin when I leave the stage." Harry gave the two groups of boys a moment to huddle together and plan strategy. Then, he lightly dropped off the stage onto the floor.
The six boys on the stage immediately went into action. Terry and Colin split to each side from Neville, who charged straight at the other group with his sword whirling in front of him. Ernie and Anthony dropped back from the onslaught to flank Neville, while Justin met the charge head on and locked swords with Neville. Within moments, Justin's sword was flying through the air towards Ernie, who sidestepped it quickly. Neville swiped at Justin undefended, and then kicked his legs out from under him. Anthony jumped forward to allow Justin to scramble after his sword, but in so doing, he exposed his back to Colin, who quickly took advantage of the mistake, and struck him a blow to the back of the neck. Tonks called out, "Mortal wound, Mr. Goldstein." Anthony jumped from the stage. Ernie had attempted to attack Neville's exposed flank, but had been stopped by Terry. Terry and Ernie continued to battle back and forth as Colin and Neville advanced on Justin, who had by now retrieved his sword.
During all this action, one of the Aurors had walked forward to stand by Harry, "You have done an excellent job of training these young men, Mr. Potter."
Harry replied without ever taking his eyes off the duel as it progressed, "They have learned well."
The duel continued as Justin was doing his best to stave off Neville and Colin, until hopefully Ernie could defeat Terry. It appeared that this might actually happen as Ernie managed to knock Terry's sword from his hands. At the moment this happened, Colin did a back flip away from Justin, while Neville dove sideways and slammed bodily into Ernie, driving him to the ground. Terry grabbed his sword and scored a blow to Ernie's chest as he attempted to regain his feet while Neville rolled off of him. Tonks called out again, "Mortal Blow, Mr. MacMillan."
Colin continued to fight defensively until Terry and Neville came to his aid. Justin paused and threw down his sword. He said, "I give up. There is no way that I can take all three of them."
Harry began clapping, "Excellent swordsmanship, gentlemen. I have rarely seen such a fine display, and judging by the silence that seems to be pervading the room, neither has anyone else." Harry leaped onto the stage, "Neville, those were some extremely reckless maneuvers that you were trying."
Neville shrugged, "I just did what I had to. I figured that being direct and aggressive was the best course of action. It seemed to do the trick."
Harry nodded, "I'm a fan of direct action myself, Neville. The key to true strategy is knowing when direct action will work, and when its time to be devious. Both types of attack are necessary at some time or another. I want to congratulate all of you on an excellent display once more. Now, onto actual business.."
The Auror that had spoken to Harry earlier interrupted, "My apologies for interrupting, Mr. Potter. My name is Kevin Whitby. I'm one of the senior Aurors, and all of us have heard of your skill in dueling. I would like to see a taste of it."
Harry chuckled, "I would certainly like to oblige you, Mr. Whitby, but I don't really think anyone wants to duel with me. It isn't exactly fair."
Kevin opened his eyes wide at the boast, "That seems to be a little bit arrogant, Mr. Potter."
Harry shook his head, "It isn't arrogance. I'm immune to most hexes and jinxes. It isn't fair when I can stand and take anything that you can throw at me. All I have to do is catch my opponent with a single stunner."
Another of the Aurors asked, "What do you mean you are immune to hexes?"
Harry answered, "Try hitting me with one, and find out first hand."
The Auror drew his wand and said, "Locomotor Mortis." Harry stood calmly and waited for the curse to hit him. It did and nothing happened. The Auror tried again, "Petrificus Totalus." Again Harry stood still and waited for the curse. Yet, again it did nothing when it hit.
Harry shrugged, "Do you see what I mean? Normal curses don't have any effect on me."
Whitby asked, "How did you accomplish this?"
Harry shrugged again, "I have not the slightest idea. I just merely know that curses do not affect me."
Whitby seemed as if he was about to speak again, but he was interrupted by Dawlish, who had just walked into the room, "That's enough, Whitby. I believe that you have asked Mr. Potter enough questions." Whitby nodded in response.
Harry chuckled at the eager expressions that were plastered on every face in the room. Everyone seemed like they wanted answers to Harry's mysterious powers. "I believe that is time to end the Dueling Club meeting for the evening. You are all dismissed."
Everyone grumbled good naturedly as they filed out of the room. Harry dropped from the stage to stand beside Ginny, who was waiting for him. Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna weren't far away. "Let's head to dinner. I'm hungry."
Ron laughed, "I thought that was supposed to be my line."
Neville slapped Ron on the back, "It usually is. That doesn't mean that everyone else can't steal it once and awhile." The group of students continued to banter as they walked down to the Great Hall.
The rest of the evening, and Friday passed by quickly. On Friday afternoon after class, Harry met Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. "Are the two of you ready for Animagus practice?" asked Harry.
Ron and Hermione nodded enthusiastically. Harry turned to Ginny, "Are you going to help?"
Ginny smiled, "Of course. You can use me as a test subject."
Harry laughed, "I suppose. It will be helpful to let you transform in front of them, so that I can still talk and explain."
The four Gryffindors went to the Room of Requirement to practice. After they had been practicing for a little while, Ron actually managed to transform his hand into a bear paw. Harry said excitedly, "That's great, Ron. I take it that you plan on becoming a bear."
Ron nodded, "I like the idea of the raw power that a bear can wield."
Harry turned to Hermione, "Have you decided what animal you are aiming for?"
Hermione answered, "Yes. I want to be a lynx."
Harry smiled, "McGonagall will be pleased. She will like the idea of you being a fellow feline, considering you are her favorite student."
Hermione protested, "I'm not her favorite student." The other three Gryffindors snorted in derision. Hermione relented, "Okay, maybe I am her favorite student."
The rest of the weekend was spent working on the Animagus training and the student's homework. Monday's dueling meeting went over without a hitch, and finally it was time for Gryffindor's Quidditch tryouts. Ron took a deep breath and looked at Harry, "Are you sure that you want to give up the captain's seat?"
Harry chuckled, "I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't sure. Get out there and run a tryout."
Ron grinned, "Alright. Ron stepped out onto the pitch and looked at the sea of students that were there to either tryout or watch the tryout." Ron tapped his wand to his throat and said, "Sonorus. Welcome, everyone. I would like all of you to divide up depending on which position you are trying out for." He pointed to the opposite end of the pitch. "Chaser tryouts down there. Beater tryouts stay at this end." He tapped his wand to his throat again, "Quietus."
Harry walked up beside him, "Not bad, mate."
Ron returned graciously, "I had a good example to watch last year."
Harry chuckled, "I suppose. Now, let's see what these new kids can do."
Ron nodded, "You bet."
The practice went on for about an hour, before Ron called a halt. He amplified his voice again, and said, "Thank you, everyone. I will be posting the results of the tryout by tomorrow morning." He returned to his normal speaking voice, and landed to talk to the others. "Let's discuss the prospects over dinner. I'm starved." The rest of the team followed Ron into the changing rooms and then onward to the Great Hall for dinner.
The Gryffindor Quidditch team sat down around the house table, and began serving themselves. Ron was the first to speak, "Okay, guys, any suggestions?"
Harry nodded immediately, "I don't know about the Chasers, but I think we need to go with Evan Dobbs as one of the reserve beaters." Harry turned to Natalie, "He's your cousin isn't he?"
Natalie nodded, "Yes, he's been practicing since the tryouts last year. He watched everyone play, and decided that he wanted to be on the team."
Ron agreed readily, "Yeah, I was watching him as well. He has got some skills. He will be a good starter next year. How about the other reserve beater?"
Dean spoke up, "I don't know how the rest of you feel, but we have to go with Steven Tierman. He was brilliant."
Seamus nodded, "I agree. He will really help out the team. I think that he is probably better than Dean and I."
Ginny laughed, "I don't know about that. The two of you have got more game experience. We will just have to see how he does in practice. I think that it is obvious that Colin is moving up to the starting team. The question is who is going to replace him on the reserve team?"
Natalie spoke up, "I vote for Lacy Speret. She's only a second year, but she has got some real moves. She's fast."
Ron asked, "How is everyone on that?" The rest of them team nodded an affirmative. Ron slapped the table, "That settles it then. We have our new roster." He turned to his girlfriend, "Hermione, will you write up the roster for me. You know my handwriting is terrible."
Hermione giggled, "Of course. I'll do it as soon as we get back to the common room. Then, you can post it after the rest of them go to bed."
Ron smiled, "Thanks. Now, let's eat." They all tucked into their dinner.
Later that night, once everyone else had gone to bed, Ron posted the team roster, and the rest of the tower awoke the next morning to find the roster on the bulletin board.
The Gryffindor Quidditch Team
Starters
Position Player
Seeker Harry Potter
Keeper Ron Weasley
Beater Dean Thomas
Beater Seamus Finnigan
Chaser Ginny Weasley
Chaser Natalie McDonald
Chaser Colin Creevey
Reserves
Position Player
Seeker Ginny Weasley
Keeper Euan Abercrombie
Beater Evan Dobbs
Beater Steven Tierman
Chaser Emma Dobbs
Chaser Dennis Creevey
Chaser Lacy Speret
Harry and Ron stood off from the group of students that were crowded around the bulletin board. Harry smiled, "I think that you have made a few people very happy, and a whole lot of people extremely unhappy."
Ron shrugged, "That's always the problem with having to choose people for something. Someone is always left out."
Harry nodded, "Sage words. Let's go get breakfast before we get mobbed by the hopefuls."
Ron laughed, "Good idea." The two boys beat a hasty retreat from the common room before anyone noticed their presence.
A/N: We're getting really close to some serious action. Expect some more Death Eater activity. Thank you to everyone who is reading.
Cupcake: I hope you have enjoyed the story as you caught up. Thanks for the review.
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Captuniv: Most of the Ministry have realized that Fudge is an idiot. There are still a few loyal to his ideas. Those were the ones with him. Thanks for the review.
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Dragonclawz: Harry was more concerned with ensuring no one got hurt than catching all of them. Not to mention, if he had caught them all, who would have went back to Voldemort and reported what had happened. Thanks for the review.
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Doc: My apologies if you don't like the Romance, but this is a Harry/Ginny romance genre fic. You have to expect a good portion of the storyline to revolve around them. Thanks for the review.
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RyokoTenchi: Ginny gets the better end of most of their banter, so I let Harry win that round. Thanks for the review.
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Ted M. Hammett: Look at it from the standpoint that his friends and family know what he is really like, and are just waiting for a time when he can be himself again. Thanks for the review.
Cutiegirl2288: That was with a time turner, and the rules would be a little different, but the premise is similar. So, you should already know what the outcome is. Thanks for the review.
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The One: The final chapter will be several years later. Thanks for the review.
Silver warrior: Snape isn't that bad. He grows on you after awhile. He explained why to Hermione and Luna before the attack. As you can see, he wasn't going all the way back to see the real Merlin. Thanks for the review.
Gryphonmistress: I wouldn't want to keep him entirely in character, that is Rowling's job. I'm just having fun. Thanks for the review.
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