Chapter Nine:
Mutterings and Surprises
It was now dinner and Harry and Ron sat at the table in the great hall having congratulated themselves on surviving the first day. They were avidly discussing Quidditch try-outs while Hermione worked on her homework between bites.
"Anyway, I'm starting Chaser Try-Outs tonight," stated Ron.
"Really? I thought you were starting them tomorrow," replied Harry.
"No, I changed my mind, and guess what? You know those two trouble-makers, the Abersums? They got full-marks on their flying exams, so they went to McGonagall and she gave official permission they're allowed to try-out" added Ron taking a swig of pumpkin juice.
Just then Ginny returned from talking with Luna at the Ravenclaw table and took a leaf out of Hermione's book by doing her homework and every so often taking a bite. She looked down at her book and piece of parchment frowning, clearly stumped.
"What do you have to do?" asked Harry seeing her frustration, "Maybe I can help."
Ginny looked up at Harry and replied, "I just have to write this essay on Ancient Defensive Magic for Agapanthus. It's really interesting but it's very difficult."
"Agapanthus, huh. Is she a good teacher? I haven't had her yet," said Harry.
"She's wonderful. She really knows her stuff. You'd think she was really around all those ancient wizards thousands of years ago when you hear some of the things she knows," replied Ginny, "Plus, I'm learning spells and charms I never knew existed before. Like I said before, very interesting but very difficult.
Then taking another bite she added, "Maybe you can come to Common Room and help me there?"
"I wish I could but I have detention with Snape tonight," answered Harry mournfully.
"Oh, well you can help me next time," said Ginny and with that she collected her things and set off for the common room.
"Hey mate, you didn't tell me you had detention with Snape tonight, I suppose that means putting those new blokes through their paces without you," stated Ron with mock-anger in his voice.
"It's typical isn't it? First class with Snape of the year and I lose my temper," replied Harry.
Harry groaned and Ron smiled weakly. Hermione seemed not to have noticed. Then putting away her work she said,
"Well, I can finish this in the Common Room. Don't worry I'll handle Patrol for the DA tonight."
After dinner and what seemed like a farewell at Harry's deathbed Harry made his way down to the Dungeons. The long dark corridor was shadowy and damp. Reluctantly, dreading every step Harry continued down the passage. The new office for the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher was located at one end of the corridor, and Snape's office was at the other. When he passed Professor Agapanthus' office, he stopped. A low indistinct voice was emitting what sounded like incantations. Curious, Harry was just about to take a peek when,
"Lost, Potter? I believe you know where the Dungeons are?"
Harry looked up to find Snape sneering down upon him with even more dislike in his face and voice then usual.
"No, Professor. I was just on my way," replied Harry with a defiant glare.
Snape stared at Harry and Agapanthus' door a little bit longer then led the way to the Dungeons with Harry at his heels.
This was the last place Harry wanted to be in the twilight. The light gave the rooms am eerie sort-of glow and it was even colder then it was in the afternoon. Vapor issued from his mouth when Harry sighed and sat at a desk.
"Now Mr. Potter," smirked Snape, "I have pre-selected a text appropriate for tonight's essay."
Snape picked up an immense leather-bound book and dropped it on Harry's desk with a loud thud. Then sneering and his lip curling more than ever Snape half-hissed,
"I would like you to write an O.W.L. acceptable essay on the history of the Malevolent Mixture. All you need to know should be in here. You do not leave until you finish it."
Harry glared loathingly at the book for a moment and deciding that he'd better get started if there was any hope of making it to the end of the Quidditch Chaser try-outs. He unfurled a piece of parchment, a quill and opened the book.
It was long, grueling work. The words inside the book didn't seem to want to go inside Harry's head. He desperately tried several times to reread a particularly difficult paragraph pushing himself to focus when he realized what was hindering him. The noises coming from Agapanthus' Office. Why would she do something like that, or was it even her. Snape seemed very keen on knowing what was going on in the room.
Harry dismissed these thoughts from his mind, remembering all the other times he had stuck his nose in other people's business. It only got him into trouble and this was something he really didn't want this year. Harry tried to read the paragraph again:
One of the Wizarding World's oldest and most powerful concoctions, the Malevolent Mixture has been a highly revered toxin for countless centuries. In fact it was misused so often that those in power had to put a stop to its use. All ingredient lists and instruction for the Malevolent Mixture were hidden inside common books. A well-placed Concealment Charm made these pages seem like ordinary explanatory text in the actual book. Only those skilled individuals with special items that aided in manuscript translation could see the actual information on those pages.
Harry finally finished his essay. He handed it to Snape who snatched it from him and muttered that he could leave. Harry strode out on his way to the Quidditch Pitch.
It was getting dark and Harry was certain that the try-outs must be nearly over. Harry trusted Ron's decision-making skills with Quidditch, but still Harry wanted to see the abilities of the people that were going to be on his team.
Harry made it to the field in time to hear a roar of praise from the several students who were trying out. Harry could see either Jack or Will Abersum flying with incredible speed and control towards the goal posts. Ron was keeping guard. The Chaser threw the Quaffle and Ron caught it but just barely.
Harry clapped along with others who were roaring their approval again. Ron touched down with his broom, and when he saw Harry he dragged three people over. Ron brought the Abersum twins and Ginny.
"Meet your new Chasers, Harry," began Ron excitedly, panting slightly and then catching his breath and rushing on again, "I didn't think they were related…but their Uncle Swooping Stan Abersum of the Chudley Cannons I mean who would have believed ."
"What?" Harry half-moaned.
Harry desperately hoped that Ron didn't pick the twins because of their Uncle, but he decided to dismiss that disloyal thought. He trusted Ron after all. Harry congratulated the new chasers and said,
"All right, all of you must come tomorrow night to watch the Beater try-outs."
All three nodded, the twins grinning impishly, and together they walked back up towards the castle with Ginny chattering excitedly.
Harry helped Ron pack the Quaffle and Ron asked tentatively,
"How was Detention?"
Harry sighed and said, "It was horrible. I had to write an essay on the history of the Malevolent Mixture." When Harry saw Ron's puzzled look he explained, "It's a really irritatingly difficult potion that we're learning in Potions right now."
Ron nodded and when they finished putting everything away, they set off the castle as well. When Harry got to the Dormitory he spotted Sirius in his frame snoozing under the trunk of the famous willow tree where he and his friends always used to hang out. Harry smiled and he himself drifted off to sleep.
Harry awoke before anyone else the next morning, including Sirius. He got out of his bed, changed and decided to catch up on his homework a little in the common room before going down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Harry had just finished his essay for Hagrid when he began to hear signs of life coming from upstairs. Harry quickly looked at his schedule to find that he had Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts and… Double Potions. Harry groaned as he got up to greet Ron.
A few minutes later Harry, Ron and Hermione were all eating at the Gryffindor table as usual when Harry noticed that Hermione looked a little tired.
"You look tired," said Ron looking over at her as if reading Harry's thoughts.
As if on cue Hermione appeared to snap out of what looked like a particularly pleasant reverie and said, "I'm okay. It's just two nights in a row on patrol duty for Gryffindor is really exhausting."
Harry cast a glance over at Ron then replied guiltily, "Ron and I will handle Patrol tonight."
Ron looked at Harry, his eyes saying We will? and Hermione now smiling said, "Thank you, I know this might cut your try-outs a little short but it is for the welfare of all the students."
After finishing their breakfast, the three of them set off for Charms. Professor Flitwick was standing amid his immense tower of books as usual. He smiled at the class and he said,
"Today you will learn how to access the Outernet from your Note-Keepers."
Hermione looked excitedly at Harry and Ron. Ron returned the look with a face full of mock-excitement. When Hermione turned away he ceased immediately pulling a face, and causing Harry to chuckle softly as he reached in his bag for his Note-Keeper.
Harry glanced around the room for a moment noting that everyone was busy admiring their new note-keepers. Some people had the most peculiar colors. Seamus' was a sort of sea-sick green while Parvati had bright teal one that clashed with her eyes.
"Now take out your wands," instructed Professor Flitwick once he saw that everyone had taken out their note-keepers.
"Connect your wand with the mirror and mutter the incantation for the Access Charm," Flitwick raised his wand and muttered, "Vulgo!"
Harry did so and he saw his Note-Keeper come to life. There was a swirl of color and Harry saw a red phoenix that looked remarkably like Fawkes, appear in the mirror momentarily. Then little words that Harry was astonished to decipher as his own handwriting appear:
Declare item to search
"Now, we will be using the class time to search for a reflection that illustrates the proper use of the Screaming Hex. In order to find it you must connect your wand with the mirror again and declare the name of the thing you are willing to search. Once you find it we will be using the remainder of the class time to practice the Screaming Hex on some pixies I have in my desk," instructed Professor Flitwick.
Harry connected his wand with the mirror and said, "Search: Screaming Hex." Words instantly sprung onto the mirror that said things like:
Cases of the Screaming Hex
And,
How to Put the Screaming Hex to Practical Use
Harry tapped the latter with his wand and it showed himself point at what looked like a rabbit, and crying, "Quiritatio!" The rabbit began squealing, not in pain, but in confusion. Harry saw all this as if he watching himself do it in an ordinary mirror.
The rest of the class went fairly well. Hermione got her pixie to shrill the loudest. Harry's gave a hoarse short cry whenever he commanded it. The class was dismissed with no homework, to everyone's immense pleasure.
"What next?" asked Hermione rummaging through her bag for her class schedule.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts," replied Harry.
The three of them made their way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. They then entered one of the most peculiar classrooms Harry had ever been in. It seemed like someone had layered a thin sheet of real gold on the walls. There was a very strange perfumed smell around the room that reminded Harry of Professor Trelawney's classroom, though not as strong.
Then there was, what appeared to be, a solid gold desk, where Professor Agapanthus sat patiently. She was wearing robes of deep fuchsia and her hair cascaded halfway down her back.
When everyone entered the classroom she spoke. She had a rich exotic voice that reminded you of far away places and hot desert nights,
"Hello. My name is Professor Isis Agapanthus. I am your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year. The spells I teach are not in ordinary spell books. As far as I know the special reprint edition books you hold in your hand are the only surviving books which include the spells I will teach you this year."
Hermione promptly raised her hand and Professor Agapanthus acknowledged her, "Professor, I was wondering. I mean we know Voldemort wanted something found in the original editions of these books. Is there anything in there that you know he would want?"
Professor Agapanthus did not appear to display even make the slightest sign of alarm. She studied Hermione for a second and replied, "That question is irrelevant to our class and our purpose. Only those wizards with first printings of the book need concern themselves."
"But, we-" began Ron but Hermione silenced him with a look.
"Now, today we will learn the Full-Body Protection Spell. I believe it is on page four in your books… and if anyone, by some odd coincidence, has first printings, please go to page six," instructed Professor Agapanthus looking directly at Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Harry went to page six and found an odd picture of a small boy inside a bubble. He looked up from the book at Professor Agapanthus as she said,
"These spells, and most of the spells I will teach you, do not depend on skill level to perform," Hermione blanched at this," but they require someone who is highly resistant to the Dark Arts to use the spell properly. I've had one person make an acceptable spell the first time thus far. Practice increases resistance."
The whole class stared at Agapanthus apprehensively and she looked at them back as though she already knew they were about to fail. Then she looked at Harry and her face changed,
"Mr. Potter, I would like you to help me with a demonstration."
Feeling as though he always got picked to do demonstrations nowadays, Harry walked the aisle between desks to Agapanthus with his wand. She looked at Harry one last time and nodded. She then said,
"Now watch me."
Agapanthus raised her wand, which was oddly long and made of gold, straight into the air. She held it steady, closed her eyes and muttered,
"Ara Dichasia!"
A transparent blue bubble surrounded Professor Agapanthus. She then muttered,
"Now Mr. Potter please perform any spell you choose to use on me."
Harry looked uncertainly at the bubble that surrounded her. He lifted his wand and cried,
"Impediamenta!"
A jet of green light shot forth from Harry's wand and stuck Professor Agapanthus' bubble. There was loud pinging sound and Harry watched the bubble in amazement. It looked like he had thrown a rock into the water. There were ripples going in every direction but Agapanthus remained still and her wand remained steady. The class applauded.
Professor Agapanthus opened her eyes and the bubble vanished, "The more resistant one gets to the Dark Arts the more powerful this protective spell becomes, but be cautious, the stronger the attacking spell the more difficult it is to defend yourself from it. Mr. Potter would you please give me a chance to test your defensive spell?"
Harry looked at Agapanthus in surprise but nodded. He strode over to where she had been and she gave him one last instruction,
"Do exactly as I did only you must think hard of developing a mental wall. Know with confidence that you are safe behind it. Do you understand me?"
Harry nodded again. This was going to be just like Occlumency. He closed his eyes and built up his mental barrier. Then raising his wand and keeping it as straight as possible he cried,
"Ara Dichasia!"
It was like Harry had just been electrocuted. He couldn't have moved his arm if he wanted to. Harry then heard a voice from far away mutter,
"Incommendatus!"
WHAM
It was as though Harry had been struck by a freight train. He hadn't moved at all and he still couldn't move his arm so he guessed that his bubble had withstood the spell. Harry opened his eyes and saw his bubble vanish. He walked unevenly forward for a moment and sat quickly back down at his desk.
"Very good, Mr. Potter. That is the best Full-Body Protection Spell I have ever seen. It reminded me of my Grandfather's. You know he withstood a Cruciatus Curse with his," stated Professor Agapanthus.
For the rest of the lesson Harry watched others try to perform the Full-Body Protection Spell. Hermione had gotten close. A well-placed Stunning Spell from Ron had burst her bubble. When they had finished Hermione whispered to Harry,
"Professor Agapanthus used a Demolition Hex on you. That was a very powerful spell to use on your first try. She could've really hurt you!"
"She probably knew that Harry's bubble could withstand that lot though," replied Ron, who despite Hermione's efforts had heard exactly what they had said.
Harry and Hermione both said farewell to Ron as they headed down to the Dungeons. They both entered and made their way over to Neville who was already at a table quivering. Thanks to Hermione's help Harry had gotten much better at Potions. She had said that this time he could try it on his own but Neville on the other hand couldn't do anything. When he shook he couldn't chop things straight.
Today they continued their work on the Malevolent Mixture. Harry was almost finished and pleased to see it was the same color as Hermione's when he heard Malfoy from a nearby table announce,
"Father says they'll have it any day now."
Harry discreetly turned around to listen and he found out that Malfoy was having a conversation with Pansy,
"Oh, really? It would be great for Him to have it. That way no one could get in the way like that Lupin did last time."
Harry almost ruined his potion upon hearing Lupin's name but continued listening,
"Yeah, nearly got killed I heard. To think that an ex-teacher of ours would go against Him," added Pansy.
"Is it really that surprising? I mean he always favored St. Potter," replied Malfoy with intense dislike.
"Who doesn't these days? Do they all really think that this heads up about the Dark Lord is really going to change things much?" inquired Pansy.
Malfoy replied with, "I know this much with a glare in Harry's direction. What Potter's had to deal with before is going to be nothing like what's about to happen. My dad tells me all sorts of things straight from the top."
Harry couldn't bear to listen anymore. Voldemort wasn't planning on attacking him in Hogwarts was he? Was the thing he wanted here? Harry just caught himself in time from adding too much snake venom into his cauldron.
When Harry had packed his bag and left the Dungeons he told Hermione everything he had heard except for the things pertaining to suggestions that Voldemort was going to murder him in a school.
"Do you think Lupin is all right?" asked Hermione.
"She said that he was nearly killed so he's probably not walking or anything is he," answered Harry.
Hermione nodded and they both set out for the Beater Try-Outs. Ron was already there and so was the largest assortment of Gryffindors Harry had ever seen, except at meal times. It appeared all those who were above first year and hadn't already tried out were there. Harry could see the new Chasers in one of the stands.
"Okay you're all here to try out for Beater, right?" began Harry.
All of them nodded and some cheered so Harry continued, "The bad news is as all of you know there are only two Beaters. So only two of you will get the position."
Harry took two at a time and gave them each a Beater's bat. They mounted their brooms and then Harry would release the Bludgers. Harry would mark how many times someone got hit and when he had gone though everyone's name he would call the people that tied for lowest hits to try again.
It wasn't until there were four people left that Harry noticed something extraordinary. The four were Seamus, Dean and the Creevey bothers, Colin and Dennis. They were doing spectacularly. They didn't get hit at all while Dean and Seamus both got hit once.
Harry exclaimed in surprise, "Our two new Beaters are Colin and Dennis Creevey!"
Colin and Dennis looked at each other with triumphant looks on their faces. Jack, Will and Ginny ran to congratulate him. Harry looked at the new Gryffindor team for a moment: Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Jack Abersum, Will Abersum, Colin Creevey, Dennis Creevey and himself.
"All right, our first practice will be on Thursday alright?" asked Harry.
Harry then just noticed that Luna was there standing in a stand all by herself. Everyone nodded and all except Ginny made their way to the castle. Ginny walked up to Hermione instead and whispered,
"Hermione will you do me a favor?"
"Of course," answered Hermione.
"Will you join Luna's pep squad please? No one has signed up from Gryffindor yet and if you join everyone else will want to. I would, but I'm on the Quidditch team," explained Ginny.
Hermione looked like she had been force-fed poison. She gave Ginny an acid-smile as though this plan wouldn't work anyway and replied with, what appeared to be, tremendous effort, "I'll speak to her right now."
Hermione walked over to Luna and Ginny jogged back to the castle. Hermione waved for Harry and Ron to go on. Harry then took the chance to tell Ron about what he had heard in Agapanthus' Office and Potions.
"Blimey, Harry. I don't know but maybe you should send Sirius over to check on Lupin," offered Ron as they neared Gryffindor Tower.
"That's a good idea. I think I'll do it but I have another idea," Harry paused to catch Ron's reaction and Harry was relieved to see that Ron was patiently waiting to hear what he was going to say, "We need to use the Invisibility Cloak and sneak into Agapanthus' Office."
Ron looked at Harry in disbelief and replied,
"Harry, do you know how insane that is? You've never seen Egyptian Curses. If she caught us…" Ron shuddered at the thought.
"We've got to!" roared Harry, "She knows something about what's in that book Voldemort stole and I think we can find a clue if we look in her Office when we're on patrol tonight."
Ron nodded and swallowed hard. They approached the Fat Lady and Harry muttered the password,
"Esu eht eltteb."
"What does that mean anyway?" asked Ron as they clambered their way into the Common Room once the portrait sprung open.
"No idea, but we better hurry if we want to get in the Office before she does," replied Harry as he climbed up the steps to the Dormitory.
Harry reached Sirius and wakened him. Sirius eyes snapped open, alert immediately as if he could do anything if there was a problem.
"Sirius can you go to Grimmauld Place and check on Lupin for me?" asked Harry.
"With pleasure," answered Sirius and in a moment Sirius vanished from his portrait.
Harry decided he could ask about Lupin when he returned and grabbed the Invisibility Cloak. Harry ran down the stairs and Harry and Ron hid themselves under the cloak. They walked slowly and carefully towards Agapanthus' Office.
Harry and Ron stopped abruptly when they both heard strange words being muttered. Harry and Ron crept towards the door which stood slightly ajar. They peeked inside to find Professor Agapanthus peering over a golden cauldron. She filled a goblet with a shiny-blue liquid and drank it. Then looking exactly in Harry and Ron's direction, she said as though she were talking to herself,
"Leave and I will not report this to the Headmaster."
Harry and Ron nearly dropped the cloak. How had she seen them? They didn't care; they just cautiously continued to move on patrolling the hallways.