Disclaimer: All the characters that you recognise from Harry Potter belong
to J.K. Rowling. Hogwarts and all other stuff like it are hers too. I
thought up some spells and the originals.
Chapter 9
Harry rolled over in bed gently and sighed as Hermione shook him firmly by the shoulders. Her normally vaguely pretty face was concorted in a frustrated frown. "If you don't get up soon I'll pull you by the ears of to the duel!" she yelled violently running her fingers through her hair, a tell tale warning sign. The duel! Today? Harry sat bolt upright knocking into Hermione's head. Grabbing his robes he shoved the bruised Hermione out of his way quickly and eyes still tight shut, trying to ignore the glaring sun, he got dressed into his smartest robes, brand new for the occasion. How could he have forgotten? Damm it! Why had he stayed up so late practising? At the back of his mind he was wondering if Hermione thought he looked stupid asleep.
After descending the stairs by way of the rails he met up with Gemma and Seamus, who had been up with the moring sun. They then raced onto the crowded quidditch pitch that had been set up with duelling lines. Harry squitned at the bright sunlight, shocked that he was still barely awake. Spectators in house colours waved flags, reminding Harry of the day he fought the Hungarian Horntail. He shook himself, 'Bad Memories, keep out of my head!' he mumbled. Right now what he needed was a clear mind to concentrate on the task ahead. Sophia was dressed in her own style again; dyed hair, red with blond streaks to show her support. Personally she thought that it had turned out disastrous, but tomorrow she was going to a proper hairdressers to have it all redone. Besides it looked different and at least everyone knew what house she was in. Sophia also had a series of black bangles up her arm and red fish net tights on under the school robes which Snape was glaring at every now and again. (jealous probably) The competitors had a special woodeden viewing box provided for them where the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were smugly seated already. The Slytherins were just having a last minute prep talk with Snape. Heads together the green and silver emblem flashed on their backs for all to see like a turtle just out of the water. Hermione leaned over as she pushed Harry firmly into his wooden seat in the box, "Now don't fret, everything is under control," she stated as calmly as she could when her own heart was racing. "I wasn't going to worry, but now you mention it are you sure this will work? Malfoy looks very confident," fretted Harry partly because Ginny's fears were beginning to obsess him. What if Malfoy had found out what they were planning? They really should not have let so many people into the know. He really would be expelled, was a personal triumph worth it? Hermione flicked her fingers dismissively. "He's always like that. Cocksure little fool. We're fine. You know I have everything sorted out. With our joint power he can't win," she added scathingly. It was impossible in her mind that Malfoy could beat the boy who had duelled with Voldemort. Harry had never yet been beaten and it wasn't going to happen today. "We will be okay when we fight the others won't we?" "Of course, do stop worrying," Hermione was defintly being her first year bossy self,. "As I said because of the way the spell works, it is impossible for anyone who is part of the collective to use it to fight each other. You will cancel it out like positive and negative. It will still remain inside until and somebody comes who will charge it up again." Ruth tugged on Herm's arm gesturing for them to join the other Gryfindors in their seats and glancing around as though Snape or another undesirable person was about to materialise out of thin air. "Ruth! It's okay, no one can hear us from here, -yet," she added darkly. "What do you mean,-'yet'?" "When the competition starts a spell listener is to be cast by Dumbledore so that all the teachers can see what we use. It helps with the point system. If you remember that was Vixie's original idea. However because our magic has already begun long ago it will not know what is happening. The spell can only sense what happens as it happens.Doesn't anyone listen?" She gave Harry the sign of good luck, waving her crossed fingers she followed Vixie Pixie and Ruth obediently to her seat kept warm by Sophia.
Dumbledore arose and waved his hands for silence like a conductor of the sorcerer's symphony orchestra. The hum of students stopped to look excitedly at their queen bee. "The first contestants have been chosen," he bellowed in a voice that had been magically amplified, "They will be," he cleared his throat for dramatic effect, then paused agin: "Terry Boot and Hannah Abbot," All the others sighed with relief that they were not first and waved at Terry and Hannah. Madame Sprout stood up and cheered and everyone else began to scream for their favourite. A chant was building up on the left side of the stadium, drowning out the Hufflepuff screams. The quidditch pitch had a raised platform in the centre that was 18 metres long about and around 1.5 to 2 metres wide. Two red lines were drawn across about 2 metres from the centre where Terry and Hannah positioned themselves. They pulled out their wands and saluted first Dumbledore being the referee, then the now hushed audience and finally bowed briefly to their partner. Pulling up their wands in an en guarde position. Dumbledore looked all round, until he was sure every eye was on him (without the aid of a magical eye this took a while) and shouted "Ready? Begin!" On edged seats everyone watched as Terry fired the first spell, "Flamborous!" At the same time Hannah flicked back her wand and shouted, "Predictorous!" The two spells were the complete opposite of each other. Hannah was hit seconds before Terry who was turning a pale grey colour all over and looked very sick. Meanwhile Hannah found her self dressed in a flamenco dancers garments. She stared down at herself frowning whilst Terry blushed. Although Hannah's lasted for longer Terry was shaken enough by the effects of the spell to give Hannah time to leap up and fire a second spell in his direction. This time he was thrown high into the air and stayed there for considerable time, giving Hannah the chance to fire a third spell. To his dismay, he now looked like an octopus. Terry recovered and continued, on to death and glory, but his skills did not match Hannah's in any way and she came out victorious and triumphant to the roars of the happy Huffles. The next names read out were, "Pansy Parkinson and Seamus Finniagan!"
Everyone drew in their breath, Sophia nudged Vixie and flashed a nervous smile across. "Now we'll see if it works," said Vixie clapping her hands together like a little babe. "I hope so."
Pansy glowered across at her Gryfindor opponent making her bow as short as can be, before jerking upwards and pulling her cherry wood wand back,
Wham!
The impact was incredible. Pansy was blown back of the platform. The Slytherins were all craning their necks desperate to see what had happened. She pulled herself up dusted her hair preening like a peacock and fired her own spell,
"Accio, wand!"
Terry grabbed hold of his wand as he felt it jerk and loosen itself from his grip he was sure this was banned, it was such a simple spell. He had expected something more complicated! Quickly he twisted his arm round it and fired a spell none of the students had even heard before.
Then he let go. The wand flew at Miss Parkinson just as she had planned. However that satisfied smirk was wiped clean of her face because, instead of gently falling into her palm as she expected, the wand began beating her like a Victorian school teacher with a malevolent pupil at the end of the cane. Snape was livid, his voluminous nose twitching more than ever and his usual vampire complexion beginning to resemble a tomato plant. He was cursing with a torrent of indistinguishable words that should have made even Malfoy feel proud.
The duel continued, but even though Pansy was an excellent dueller she was no match to Terry whose spells were somehow faster, quicker and more powerful than any she cast - even when they were the same spell. As Terry bowed to the audience afterwards even above the wild roars of the Ravenclaws Snape could be heard yelling to Dumbledore, "That was cheating! He shouldn't be able to do spells like that at his age!" Whereas Dumbledore calmly replied, "He obviously put a lot of research into this project. Calm yourself Severus." Breathing deeply Professor Snape watched as Gemma got up to pit herself against Orla Quirke. Gripping the wand tightly between her large fingers as though about to snap it Gemma saluted and began. The fight did not last long. It was a mixture of high speed spells like trains in the underground flying everywhere. A lot of groans from McGonagal as once Gemma's spell missed by miles and flew into the stadium causing a misfortunate first year to sprout toadstools on his nose. Orla was efficient because she didn't waste time gasping in horror at her flippered feet or retreating if she was flown into the air. Orla fought bravely no matter how hideous she looked and Gemma seemed to be awesomely powerful in mutilation spells.
At lunch time the competition ceased and both spectators and competitors searched for a well earned break. The last anyone saw of Severus was him marching off in his sturdy boots for a lonely walk around the lake. There were only a few fights left to go. Dumbledore had saved Harry and Malfoy for last. Gemma was still to fight Crabbe and Goyle, but also Ernie and Pansy were still to duel before Penelope and Hannah. Everything had gone seemingly perfect for the conspirators who now lounged in a private tent. Curiously Draco and Pansy had vanished, but left Crabbe and Goyle unaware and uninterested in anything except for the 'snacks' table. House Elves took the word 'snack' very, very seriously indeed. Gemma strode across to Harry, "How're you feeling" she questioned, sincerely curious even though the sour expression on his face may have been a huge clue. "Everything's going fine." He muttered "So?" "That means it will be a disaster this afternoon. I've had enough experience in my life to know that if things are okay it won't stay that way for long. Oh and don't tell me that I'm talking 'pessimistically' because I'm worried." Gemma frowned with him. "You're right." She said. "I am?" he asked hopefully. "Oh yes. This afternoon is definitely going to be a terrible afternoon. Draco has a trick up his sleeve, but even if they win we sure 'annoyed' Snape enough and really frightened Draco earlier when Hannah fought him. If you loose there's always the rest of your life to get revenge." Harry beamed happily and thanked her profusely. Gemma was off the philosophical mood now tough and just turned away to be heard humming faintly under her breath., "He shall be my squishy and I shall call him squishy..."
A series of short trumpet blasts emitted from the stadium suddenly and sharply to signal the beginning of the end. Harry rolled up the sleeves on the now dusty and ripped robes, expensive, but not durable. Harry sighed. Draco looked dignified, gorgeous and annoying all at once. Were Malfoys trained to look immaculate what ever the circumstances? As always Harry suppressed the urge to go up and smack him in the nose. Forcefully he bowed and saluted as before. Memories of his previous duel were conjured up, somehow he did not think a snake would be on the agenda this time. The cry was given and Draco whipped back his wand like an arrow and let loose an astonishing word, "Expelliarmous!" Then out came the wand, slipping through Harry's fingers like water. I'm going to lose! He panicked. It was what he had feared all along. Draco was too clever for him, too quick and damm it too cocky! Was this the only trick the Slytherins had? The only trick that seemed to work every time! For just as he thought those last two words the Malfoy trademark smirk spread across Draco's face and Harry let go of his wand. He remembered Terry's trick....he couldn't do that... The wand fired and with astonishing aim landed somewhere most unpleasant. Malfoy howled hideously. Harry Potter laughed out loud with fiendish glee. Several boys shuddered in the crowd. Dumbledore merely raised an eyebrow causing Harry to blush faintly. Not exactly the act of hero he mused, nor did it even involve Herm's plan, but I guess I win.
[On the other hand for a long time after that Harry was extremely ashamed of his actions and couldn't even look Draco in the eye. In fact he spent weeks secretly trying to make up the act by leaving little presents by the Slytherin dorm in the dead of night. The worst part of it was, he had never even meant to defeat Malfoy in such a humiliating way. If it had been his idea in the first place that would have been different.]
When Malfoy had recovered enough dignity to stand up and threw a million poison daggers in his glare. He stormed back to the stand and refused to look at anyone. Penelope clearly beat Hannah coolly and calmly with a perfected flick of the wrist that had Fltiwick beaming with pride. When the announcement came that Gemma was to be fighting Crabbe and Goyle once again there were the angry murmurs of unrest among the audience. Gemma cracked her knuckles in a perfect villain imitation. It had little effect on Vincent and Greg as they were in the habit of performing that really irritating act regularly.
Ungracefully they attempted the en guarde position and grimaced like a pair of apes. Truthfully there wasn't really room for them both at the end and seeing how clumsy they appeared several people glanced at Snape. They were not the best duellers in the house. Even with two of them they should not win. What else had Severus up that big black sleeve of his?
Chapter 9
Harry rolled over in bed gently and sighed as Hermione shook him firmly by the shoulders. Her normally vaguely pretty face was concorted in a frustrated frown. "If you don't get up soon I'll pull you by the ears of to the duel!" she yelled violently running her fingers through her hair, a tell tale warning sign. The duel! Today? Harry sat bolt upright knocking into Hermione's head. Grabbing his robes he shoved the bruised Hermione out of his way quickly and eyes still tight shut, trying to ignore the glaring sun, he got dressed into his smartest robes, brand new for the occasion. How could he have forgotten? Damm it! Why had he stayed up so late practising? At the back of his mind he was wondering if Hermione thought he looked stupid asleep.
After descending the stairs by way of the rails he met up with Gemma and Seamus, who had been up with the moring sun. They then raced onto the crowded quidditch pitch that had been set up with duelling lines. Harry squitned at the bright sunlight, shocked that he was still barely awake. Spectators in house colours waved flags, reminding Harry of the day he fought the Hungarian Horntail. He shook himself, 'Bad Memories, keep out of my head!' he mumbled. Right now what he needed was a clear mind to concentrate on the task ahead. Sophia was dressed in her own style again; dyed hair, red with blond streaks to show her support. Personally she thought that it had turned out disastrous, but tomorrow she was going to a proper hairdressers to have it all redone. Besides it looked different and at least everyone knew what house she was in. Sophia also had a series of black bangles up her arm and red fish net tights on under the school robes which Snape was glaring at every now and again. (jealous probably) The competitors had a special woodeden viewing box provided for them where the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were smugly seated already. The Slytherins were just having a last minute prep talk with Snape. Heads together the green and silver emblem flashed on their backs for all to see like a turtle just out of the water. Hermione leaned over as she pushed Harry firmly into his wooden seat in the box, "Now don't fret, everything is under control," she stated as calmly as she could when her own heart was racing. "I wasn't going to worry, but now you mention it are you sure this will work? Malfoy looks very confident," fretted Harry partly because Ginny's fears were beginning to obsess him. What if Malfoy had found out what they were planning? They really should not have let so many people into the know. He really would be expelled, was a personal triumph worth it? Hermione flicked her fingers dismissively. "He's always like that. Cocksure little fool. We're fine. You know I have everything sorted out. With our joint power he can't win," she added scathingly. It was impossible in her mind that Malfoy could beat the boy who had duelled with Voldemort. Harry had never yet been beaten and it wasn't going to happen today. "We will be okay when we fight the others won't we?" "Of course, do stop worrying," Hermione was defintly being her first year bossy self,. "As I said because of the way the spell works, it is impossible for anyone who is part of the collective to use it to fight each other. You will cancel it out like positive and negative. It will still remain inside until and somebody comes who will charge it up again." Ruth tugged on Herm's arm gesturing for them to join the other Gryfindors in their seats and glancing around as though Snape or another undesirable person was about to materialise out of thin air. "Ruth! It's okay, no one can hear us from here, -yet," she added darkly. "What do you mean,-'yet'?" "When the competition starts a spell listener is to be cast by Dumbledore so that all the teachers can see what we use. It helps with the point system. If you remember that was Vixie's original idea. However because our magic has already begun long ago it will not know what is happening. The spell can only sense what happens as it happens.Doesn't anyone listen?" She gave Harry the sign of good luck, waving her crossed fingers she followed Vixie Pixie and Ruth obediently to her seat kept warm by Sophia.
Dumbledore arose and waved his hands for silence like a conductor of the sorcerer's symphony orchestra. The hum of students stopped to look excitedly at their queen bee. "The first contestants have been chosen," he bellowed in a voice that had been magically amplified, "They will be," he cleared his throat for dramatic effect, then paused agin: "Terry Boot and Hannah Abbot," All the others sighed with relief that they were not first and waved at Terry and Hannah. Madame Sprout stood up and cheered and everyone else began to scream for their favourite. A chant was building up on the left side of the stadium, drowning out the Hufflepuff screams. The quidditch pitch had a raised platform in the centre that was 18 metres long about and around 1.5 to 2 metres wide. Two red lines were drawn across about 2 metres from the centre where Terry and Hannah positioned themselves. They pulled out their wands and saluted first Dumbledore being the referee, then the now hushed audience and finally bowed briefly to their partner. Pulling up their wands in an en guarde position. Dumbledore looked all round, until he was sure every eye was on him (without the aid of a magical eye this took a while) and shouted "Ready? Begin!" On edged seats everyone watched as Terry fired the first spell, "Flamborous!" At the same time Hannah flicked back her wand and shouted, "Predictorous!" The two spells were the complete opposite of each other. Hannah was hit seconds before Terry who was turning a pale grey colour all over and looked very sick. Meanwhile Hannah found her self dressed in a flamenco dancers garments. She stared down at herself frowning whilst Terry blushed. Although Hannah's lasted for longer Terry was shaken enough by the effects of the spell to give Hannah time to leap up and fire a second spell in his direction. This time he was thrown high into the air and stayed there for considerable time, giving Hannah the chance to fire a third spell. To his dismay, he now looked like an octopus. Terry recovered and continued, on to death and glory, but his skills did not match Hannah's in any way and she came out victorious and triumphant to the roars of the happy Huffles. The next names read out were, "Pansy Parkinson and Seamus Finniagan!"
Everyone drew in their breath, Sophia nudged Vixie and flashed a nervous smile across. "Now we'll see if it works," said Vixie clapping her hands together like a little babe. "I hope so."
Pansy glowered across at her Gryfindor opponent making her bow as short as can be, before jerking upwards and pulling her cherry wood wand back,
Wham!
The impact was incredible. Pansy was blown back of the platform. The Slytherins were all craning their necks desperate to see what had happened. She pulled herself up dusted her hair preening like a peacock and fired her own spell,
"Accio, wand!"
Terry grabbed hold of his wand as he felt it jerk and loosen itself from his grip he was sure this was banned, it was such a simple spell. He had expected something more complicated! Quickly he twisted his arm round it and fired a spell none of the students had even heard before.
Then he let go. The wand flew at Miss Parkinson just as she had planned. However that satisfied smirk was wiped clean of her face because, instead of gently falling into her palm as she expected, the wand began beating her like a Victorian school teacher with a malevolent pupil at the end of the cane. Snape was livid, his voluminous nose twitching more than ever and his usual vampire complexion beginning to resemble a tomato plant. He was cursing with a torrent of indistinguishable words that should have made even Malfoy feel proud.
The duel continued, but even though Pansy was an excellent dueller she was no match to Terry whose spells were somehow faster, quicker and more powerful than any she cast - even when they were the same spell. As Terry bowed to the audience afterwards even above the wild roars of the Ravenclaws Snape could be heard yelling to Dumbledore, "That was cheating! He shouldn't be able to do spells like that at his age!" Whereas Dumbledore calmly replied, "He obviously put a lot of research into this project. Calm yourself Severus." Breathing deeply Professor Snape watched as Gemma got up to pit herself against Orla Quirke. Gripping the wand tightly between her large fingers as though about to snap it Gemma saluted and began. The fight did not last long. It was a mixture of high speed spells like trains in the underground flying everywhere. A lot of groans from McGonagal as once Gemma's spell missed by miles and flew into the stadium causing a misfortunate first year to sprout toadstools on his nose. Orla was efficient because she didn't waste time gasping in horror at her flippered feet or retreating if she was flown into the air. Orla fought bravely no matter how hideous she looked and Gemma seemed to be awesomely powerful in mutilation spells.
At lunch time the competition ceased and both spectators and competitors searched for a well earned break. The last anyone saw of Severus was him marching off in his sturdy boots for a lonely walk around the lake. There were only a few fights left to go. Dumbledore had saved Harry and Malfoy for last. Gemma was still to fight Crabbe and Goyle, but also Ernie and Pansy were still to duel before Penelope and Hannah. Everything had gone seemingly perfect for the conspirators who now lounged in a private tent. Curiously Draco and Pansy had vanished, but left Crabbe and Goyle unaware and uninterested in anything except for the 'snacks' table. House Elves took the word 'snack' very, very seriously indeed. Gemma strode across to Harry, "How're you feeling" she questioned, sincerely curious even though the sour expression on his face may have been a huge clue. "Everything's going fine." He muttered "So?" "That means it will be a disaster this afternoon. I've had enough experience in my life to know that if things are okay it won't stay that way for long. Oh and don't tell me that I'm talking 'pessimistically' because I'm worried." Gemma frowned with him. "You're right." She said. "I am?" he asked hopefully. "Oh yes. This afternoon is definitely going to be a terrible afternoon. Draco has a trick up his sleeve, but even if they win we sure 'annoyed' Snape enough and really frightened Draco earlier when Hannah fought him. If you loose there's always the rest of your life to get revenge." Harry beamed happily and thanked her profusely. Gemma was off the philosophical mood now tough and just turned away to be heard humming faintly under her breath., "He shall be my squishy and I shall call him squishy..."
A series of short trumpet blasts emitted from the stadium suddenly and sharply to signal the beginning of the end. Harry rolled up the sleeves on the now dusty and ripped robes, expensive, but not durable. Harry sighed. Draco looked dignified, gorgeous and annoying all at once. Were Malfoys trained to look immaculate what ever the circumstances? As always Harry suppressed the urge to go up and smack him in the nose. Forcefully he bowed and saluted as before. Memories of his previous duel were conjured up, somehow he did not think a snake would be on the agenda this time. The cry was given and Draco whipped back his wand like an arrow and let loose an astonishing word, "Expelliarmous!" Then out came the wand, slipping through Harry's fingers like water. I'm going to lose! He panicked. It was what he had feared all along. Draco was too clever for him, too quick and damm it too cocky! Was this the only trick the Slytherins had? The only trick that seemed to work every time! For just as he thought those last two words the Malfoy trademark smirk spread across Draco's face and Harry let go of his wand. He remembered Terry's trick....he couldn't do that... The wand fired and with astonishing aim landed somewhere most unpleasant. Malfoy howled hideously. Harry Potter laughed out loud with fiendish glee. Several boys shuddered in the crowd. Dumbledore merely raised an eyebrow causing Harry to blush faintly. Not exactly the act of hero he mused, nor did it even involve Herm's plan, but I guess I win.
[On the other hand for a long time after that Harry was extremely ashamed of his actions and couldn't even look Draco in the eye. In fact he spent weeks secretly trying to make up the act by leaving little presents by the Slytherin dorm in the dead of night. The worst part of it was, he had never even meant to defeat Malfoy in such a humiliating way. If it had been his idea in the first place that would have been different.]
When Malfoy had recovered enough dignity to stand up and threw a million poison daggers in his glare. He stormed back to the stand and refused to look at anyone. Penelope clearly beat Hannah coolly and calmly with a perfected flick of the wrist that had Fltiwick beaming with pride. When the announcement came that Gemma was to be fighting Crabbe and Goyle once again there were the angry murmurs of unrest among the audience. Gemma cracked her knuckles in a perfect villain imitation. It had little effect on Vincent and Greg as they were in the habit of performing that really irritating act regularly.
Ungracefully they attempted the en guarde position and grimaced like a pair of apes. Truthfully there wasn't really room for them both at the end and seeing how clumsy they appeared several people glanced at Snape. They were not the best duellers in the house. Even with two of them they should not win. What else had Severus up that big black sleeve of his?