Chapter Two
Charm thy weight...
Harry walked towards charms, no sign of Voldemort in both the magical and muggle world had really put a spring in his step.
"Where are Hermione and Ron?" He thought to himself, "They seemed to be acting more and more weirdly lately..."
He acme to the classroom and entered, he was a little early, so only Professor Flitwick was there. "Ah, Harry! How are you today then?" he squeaked, "Fine, Professor, you?" Harry replied. "Oh, good, good..."
The door opened and students began to stream in as the bell went to signal the start of the class, Hermione and Ron were among them, "Where were you two?" Harry asked. But before Ron could say anything, Professor Flitwick began to teach.
"Now today, class, we are going to learn a new charm, one which will most likely come up in your NEWT'S, the Weight Charm. This charm, although it sounds easy, can be a tricky little thing to master.
"It is tricky because the wand must be able to measure how much weight an object can take, because sometimes a person will not want to crush something, but they will only want to weigh it down."
Harry remembered when Voldemort had done that charm on his back in the graveyard nearly one and half years ago, he had felt that weight. It hit him then how much power Voldemort had had over him then, how he could of easily snapped his back by letting the charm intensify, leaving Harry paralysed or even dead.
"...so therefore the weight will press down. Yes, Miss Granger?" Flitwick enquired.
"Sir, am I right in saying," Hermione piped up, "that this charm could actually be used as a curse?"
Flitwick smiled. "Yes, some people do call it a curse, as it can be used to crush a person, and that it can be very hard to repel, because not only does it physically weigh down something, it can also weigh down magic, depending on the power of the charm and the concentration of the person casting it.
"Now, in front of you all is a feather, this time with a powerful levitation on it that cannot be taken off with a simple finishing spell, but must be weighed down. The incantation is 'onusipa', remember, you must twirl the wand in your hand, through your fingers, as we have been practising. Oh, and it's better to stand while doing this charm, therefore there will be more room for flourishing."
There was a lot of scraping as everyone stood up and looked tentatively at the feathers floating above them.
Hermione started straight away, she twirled her wand, saying the charm clearly then pointing her wand at the feather, which was about a foot and a half above her. Nothing happened.
"Ah, Miss Granger," said Ron in mock squeaky voice, "maybe a bit more flourish..." Hermione glared at him playfully, and then turned back to her feather to try again.
Harry turned to focus on his feather, twirling his wand fast and low he raised it in a flourish then flicked it towards the feather, while saying loudly "Onusipa!" The feather dipped a bit, but he pushed with his mind, feeling the charm still in place. He held his wand poised up at the feather as it began to lower slowly towards him.
Harry walked out of charms feeling more better about himself now that Flitwick had awarded Gryffindor twenty five house points on Harry's behalf.
He spotted Professor Dumbledore walking purposefully down the corridor towards him. Harry stopped as the headmaster canme in front of him, "Harry, I need a quick word..." before Harry could reply, Dumbledore steered him into the nearest empty classroom.
"Now, Harry how are youfeeling?" Dumbledore asked him, looking him in the eye.
"I'm fine, Profes – AH!" Harry's scar seared in pain, when he looked up at Dumbledore he swore he was sneering but it was gone before he could confirm anything.
"Harry, I meant to ask you, er, I need to have a chat to you about some important things, about Voldemort and the like..." Dumbledore continued as though nothing had happened.
And with that Dumbledore opened the door and swept off before Harry could reply...