Harry Potter and the Rise of the Dark Lord
By: Logical Raven
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Remember me??? Sorry it has been an eternity since I've updated, well more like two days. I rewrote this chapter four times. I'm still not satisfied with it, but I guess it will have to do. Happy reading.
Oh, I know that Ran is not a traditional Chinese name. Actually I borrowed if off a Korean guy I once met. I thought it was kind of a cool name. Ting is Chinese, I know a Ting too, but he's odd. So anyways, just wanted to explain that.
Be warned this chapter isn't very well edited, I didn't have time…
Read and Review,
Nothing is My own….
A New Kind Of Quidditch
Even as Harry creaked open the defense class door he wasn't sure he wanted to do what he was about to. Something Ginny had said had made a signal go off in his head. He knew who he needed to talk to, the one person who might know what happened when someone was taken under the Imperuius curse.
"Remus, I mean Professor Lupin?" Harry said quickly pushing open the office door.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Remus Lupin set his reading glasses and book down on his desk.
Harry took a deep breath, "Is Pettigrew still sane?"
Remus narrowed his eyes, "I would think so, after all the Dementors aren't the guards as Azkaban any longer."
Harry nodded, "I need to talk to him."
Professor Lupin shook his head, "I don't know if that can be arranged with Dumbledore missing. The ministry wouldn't be very pleased if a werewolf asked to speak to a prisoner he use to be best mates with."
"It's important, can't somebody arrange it?" Harry said not taking no for an answer.
"Why do you suddenly want to talk to Peter?"
Harry cringed with hate at the mention of Wormtail's real name, "I have a few questions about my parents I want him to answer." Harry turned his eyes down towards his toes hoping Remus wouldn't notice he was lying.
Lupin frowned, "Maybe I could answer them for you…"
"No," Harry said instantly, "I need to talk to Wormtail."
Remus frowned and nodded, "I'll see if December can work something out next time I talk to her."
"When will that be?" Harry demanded nervousness creeping into his voice.
"I'm not sure, she's been busy in light of the latest attack," Remus acknowledged.
Harry narrowed his eyes, "You told me I could come to you if I needed something, now you offer me a promise and a half hearted attempt."
"It isn't that simple anymore. Without the Dementors the prisoners at Azkaban are heavily protected."
"Can't you owl O'Riley and tell her it's urgent she contact you," Harry said sighing in frustration as he spoke.
"Is it urgent?" Remus asked.
Harry thought for a second, "It could be."
"What do you really want to talk to Peter about?" Remus said eyeing Harry suspiciously.
Harry conceded, "I want to know how he turned."
"Why would you want to know something like that?" Remus pushed.
Harry took another deep breath, "I want to know what's happening to Cho. I want to know what happened to Percy and everyone else who had been under the Imperuius curse."
"Harry, Peter Pettigrew turned on his own free will, he wasn't under the Imperuisus curse. I don't think he'll have the answers you're looking for."
Harry snapped, "He does know, he know what Voldemort does to the people who are under his curse. He knows what kind of tortures they're placed under, and where Cho might be taken or made to do."
"No, Peter Pettigrew wouldn't know how to rescue Cho Chang or any others we've lost to Volemorts ranks. If she starts to resist she'd be killed, just like Percy Weasley was."
"Dumbledore told me to talk to him, he said he'd have answers," Harry said feeling his temper rising dangerously close to the surface.
Remus Lupin looked at Harry sympathetically, "I'll talk to December and see if something can be arranged if that is what you want."
"That is what I want," Harry said sharply, trying to control the heat pulsing inside his face.
The next morning came quickly as Harry rolled out of bed feeling sick with anger yet again. He feared if he looking into the mirror he'd once again see his yellow eyes, or worse red. Harry gave a yawn and reached for his Quidditch robe hanging loosely on the chair at the end of his bed. He figured one of the house elves had set it out before quickly running. Most of them had been avoiding Harry since he had freed Kreacher.
Harry narrowed his eyes at the thought of his former house elves name. He momentarily thought about telling Remus or December about freeing Kreacher but quickly decided against it. They wouldn't understand. He carefully stepped over his broken pensive on the floor and walked towards the end of the hall where the boys bathrooms were located.
He pushed open the door trying to swallow the sticky sensation burning in his mouth. Everyone was so excited about today, everybody but him. He cupped his hands and splashed some cold water across his face, intentionally avoiding his reflection. He balanced himself against the sink forcing himself to take a few deep breaths.
"Morning Harry," Neville greeted as he entered the community bathroom with a large smile across his face.
Harry forced a smile then spotted the yellow object tucked neatly under Neville's arm.
"What is that Neville?"
Neville lowered his head in embarrassment, "My grams got me a ducky for Christmas, she said I use to have one when I was a baby."
"So why are you bringing it into the shower with you?" Harry asked.
Neville examined the smiling yellow duck and shrugged, "It reminds me of my mum. I don't remember much about before it happened. You know the battle they had that….The one thing I do remember was the baths my mum use to give me. She loved to splash a little duck around in the tub with me. Odd how you remember little things like that."
Harry suddenly frowned, "I don't remember anything about my mum. I never knew her."
Neville smile didn't fade, "Well, it isn't like you'll never see her again. My grams says that all witches and wizards find each other in the next phase."
Harry swallowed, "I hope so, for both our sakes."
Suddenly Neville examined Harry and frowned slightly, "You alright?"
"Never better," Harry said forcing a smile as he lied.
"If you need to talk, you know I'm here alright? Good luck today," Neville finished before disappearing into the shower area.
Harry sighed loudly. He wasn't sure why he felt so bitter towards Neville at the moment. What he wouldn't give to have one memory of his mother. He cursed at himself under his breath. If he hadn't been such an idiot he might have a few, but he had to loose his head and smash the only thing that connected him to his parents.
By the time Harry finished getting ready and made his way into the common room the whole house was up and excited about the upcoming day. The house team was dressed in the Quidditch best chatting amongst each other about the particular event they were entering into. Harry of course was doing the seeker's challenge. The way he understood it was he'd have to compete against the three other seekers to see who catch the snitch the quickest.
He grinned thinking about how ridiculous flying around the Great Hall was going to be. Harry continued his tradition of ignoring people to the best of his ability as he walked by Ron and Hermione on his way out the common room. He and Padma were responsible for the event so he had an excuse to leave quickly.
Padma Patil met up with him in the Great Hall. She was already becoming absorbed in her Head Girl responsibilities. She smiled at Harry as she saw him enter.
"Here," she said as she handed him a clip board.
"All the players need to sign in before the competition starts. I've already got all of the Hufflepuffs, they've been here for at least thirty minuets already."
"I'm competing today," Harry said with a sigh, did she honestly think he'd have time to hunt down other Quidditch players?
Padma frowned, "I know you're playing, but the seeker competition isn't until noon. I need to make sure the house elves have all the refreshments in order. I had to argue with them nearly four hours about allowing butterbeer. Apparently its never been allowed at a school event before. Unless you want to go deal with the house elves?"
"I would but I don't seem to be up on their list of favorite people at the moment," Harry said flatly as he reluctantly took the list out of Padma's hands.
Padma gave a victorious smile, "If I don't make it back before the start of the events make sure to announce to everyone that nobody is allowed near the playing area during competitions, and all house must stay in their assigned areas. Oh, and Mr. Filch wants us to remind everyone that there will be no magic preformed during the events."
Harry shook his head, "I've got it under control, just go so you can get back."
Padma rolled her eyes but quickly walked in the direction of the kitchen. Harry looked down at his clip board. The first page was a neatly written list of things that needed to be done before the competition. Padma had completed all the tasks but one, getting the competitors to sign-in.
Harry approached the Gryffindor team who were gathering around Ginny Weasley for guidance and leadership. He felt another surge of anger, after all he was captain.
"Is everyone ready?" Harry asked trying pitifully to reclaim his rightful position.
Parvati grinned, "Why if it isn't the missing Gryffindor captain."
Harry fought to kept a light face on his face, "Listen, I'm sorry I can't be with you guys right now, but I have Head duties I need to finish. So go ahead and sign in."
He handed the clip board to Parvati who quickly scratched her name on the paper. The beater competition was the first event.
"So, Parvati, are you and Jack ready?" Harry said ignoring the annoyed grin coming from Ginny's direction.
Parvati nodded and Jake followed suite.
"Remember if we do well in these events we stand an excellent chance at winning the House Cup again," Harry said trying to sound like it still mattered to him.
Ron handed the clip board as he finished signing the last Gryffindor name onto the list. Harry eyes turned away so he wouldn't have to look his best mate in the eyes, he knew he'd see right through him if he did.
Harry found himself in front of the Ravenclaw team next, he smiled forcefully as he handed the list to Paul Keebler who did his best to avoid Harry's eyes. Both were probably thinking about how Cho would have loved this.
When he reached the Slytherins he felt down right sick. He narrowed his eyes in hatred at he passed the clip board to Crabb who sneered as he collected the Slytherin signatures and pushed the list back into Harry's hands.
Harry added the final signature, which was himself. Harry stared to glancing around as he realized that the events were about to start, it was just waiting on him to make the Head's announcement. He scanned the room one last time and finally decided that Padma wasn't going to make it back in time. He pulled his wand from his pocket and muttered the same charm Ludo Bagman had once done to turn his wand into a magical wand.
"Your attention please. I have a few announcements before we begin with todays events."
Harry cringed as he came to the realization he hated public speaking, "Firstly I need to remind everyone to remain in their designated house areas during all events, nobody is allowed in the play area."
Harry stopped feeling like he was forgetting something, "Oh, and Mr. Flich wanted to remind everyone that no magic is allowed today. The first events is the Beater's Challenge so if team beaters can make their way to the floor at this time."
Harry moved his wand away from his face as he shook the charm off his wand. He glanced over at a grinning Padma Patil
"Good speech Head Boy," she teased.
"You could have bailed me out you know," Harry said annoyed.
The beaters gathered in their respected pairs and nodded respectfully towards all their opponents. Bludgers were too dangerous to release in the Great Hall, there would be broken windows everywhere. Instead Madam Hooch would bat dead Bludgers towards the beaters who would try to bat them at designated targets.
Jake Sloper stepped up as the first competitors. He gripped his bat tightly in his hand as Madam Hooch batted the first ball towards him. Ginny placed her hands up to her mouth as her eyes grew wide with nervousness. As Jake swung his bat she threw her face into Ron's shoulder, she couldn't bare to watch it.
The bat made contact and the red ball when wailing through the air causing a cracking followed by a whizzing. The whole hall seemed to be holding their breath as the ball hit four foot left of the first target.
A meager applause sounded through the hall and Ginny cracked a eye off of Ron's shoulder.
"Did he make it?" she said in a apprehensive voice.
Harry shook his head, "A bit left, he's never been very good at hitting stationary targets."
Parvati gave Jake a encouraging pat on the back whispering something into his ear as she approached to take the next shot.
"Ah don't worry Ginny, Parvati had a deadly aim. Remember when she almost took off Harry's head during tryouts?" Ron encouraged.
Harry shook his head remembering Parvati's try out very well in fact. She had intentionally tried to bludger Harry because he had lied to her about going to Hogmeade with Cho Chang.
Parvati nodded at Madam Hooch that she was ready as the instructor tossed up the dead Bludger and batted towards the beater. Parvati widened her eyes as she swung full force making contact with the ball. The hall erupted in cheers as the ball smashed into the center of the first target.
"WAY TO GO!" Andrew bellowed followed by a catcall whistle.
"Lets just hope nobody else hit's the target," Harry said looking at Ginny who was now biting on her nails.
The Ravenclaws were up next. Paul Keebler stepped with a confident expression on his face. He hit the target on the right side, but no where near as close as Parvati's center contact mark. The other Ravenclaw beater Hilary Vincent aimed for the wrong target out of nervousness, hitting the beaters second marks.
Harry couldn't hide the grin on his face as he saw Goyle set up for the Slytherins. Crabb as hit the reining Professor Snape straight in the back, too bad it wasn't actually their potions master that had been pelted. Goyle glanced nervously at Malfoy, who apparently was the one to be named Quidditch captain if the season hadn't been cancelled. Madam Hooch threw the bludger into the air and smashed it with her bat. Harry suddenly laughed as he noticed Goyle close his eyes and swing madly in the air. The bludger whizzed past him and smashed into the castle wall.
Ginny jumped with a slight bit of excitement, "We're in the lead!"
"Hufflepuff is still up," Ron reminded her.
The Hufflepuff beaters didn't prove to be much better. It was probably a good thing Quidditch had been canclled for the year, the way the beaters were beating somebody could have been seriously injured.
The Chaser's event was next. The Chasers had to toss a Quaffle through a set of hoops at four different distances, whoever hit the most targets received the highest amount of points.
Ginny nodded nervously as she had her fellow chasers took the play field in their group. She tossed the Quaffle to Jonathan Puller who tossed it to Andrew Kirke. Andrew caught it and flared it towards the center goal, barely making it.
"Harry!" Padma said quickly running up with a panicked expression. "They got it all wrong, I told them butterbeer and they got BEER!"
"Padma calm down," Harry said placing his hands on her shoulders.
"They got beer, muggle beer! This is a disaster," she cried.
"It isn't that big of a deal, how bad could muggle beer be?" Parvati asked eyeing her sister with a slightly annoyed expression.
"We can't serve beer to the students. Oh Professor McGonagall is going to be so angry," Padma continued.
The Hall let out another cheer and Ginny tossed the Quaffle through the right hoop from twenty meters away.
"Harry, you've got to come talk to the elves with me, you have to help me fix this. They listen to you," Padma begged.
"Padma, I need to stay with my team," Harry said trying to sound sincere.
Padma frowned giving him her best pitiful look, "It won't take long, please."
"Go on Harry, your event is the last event anyways," Ron said nudging him off.
Harry sighed in defeat, "I'll be back in a bit."
The two Heads walked quickly towards the kitchen. As they pushed open the door a stale fragrance filtered up his head. The house elves were rolling metal kegs of muggle beer across the floor. Apparently it's affect on house elves was much more dramatic. The happy creatures were dancing and laughing in a drunken stupor.
"This cannot be happening!" Padma wailed throwing her hands to her face.
"Winky, what happened?" Harry asked in slight shock.
"Oh, hello sir," Winky hiccup, "We house elves have never seen this drink before, we decided to …" hiccup "give it a taste."
"This cannot be happening," Padma repeated.
Harry glanced around, "Okay, don't panic. We just won't serve butterbeer, we'll do pumpkin juice, it's no big deal."
"No big deal? The house elves are bloody drunk, who in the world is going to serve all this food?" Padma said starting to panic.
Harry thought quickly, "The prefects, only two of us are seekers. During the seekers competition the prefects can bring out the food and set it on the back buffet table."
"Oh this is a disaster," Padma said nervously as she followed Harry out of the kitchen and back to the Great Hall, "We're going to go down as the worst Heads in history."
Harry ignored her comment.
The two quickly made their way through the crowds trying to locate all the prefects. After they had rounded up everyone who wasn't on a Quidditch team and told them to head to the kitchen the two split up to round up the team members.
"What's going on, you look exhausted," Ginny said with fear as Harry approached.
"Just a little situation in the kitchen. I need you, Ron and Andrew to head to the kitchen immediately, the house elves are predisposed, you'll see when you get there."
"Ron's a bit busy at the moment," Jack nodded as Ron blocked another shot Madam Hooch had charmed to hurl at him.
"Well, you two go. I'll send Ron when he's finished."
Before Harry realized it he was standing in the middle of the Great Hall with the three other seekers. He felt his grip tighten around his Fire Bolt. He hadn't been on a broom since the previous year, much less practiced catching the snitch.
"This will be the last event of the day. The seekers will be given twenty minutes to catch the snitch. The seeker who catches the snitch first wins 100 point for their teams. The snitch will then be released. The next seeker to catch the snitch will receive 50 points. The final two seekers will face off against one another to battle for the last 25 points. Seekers mount your brooms."
Harry threw his leg over his broom and pushed slightly off the ground. He saw Malfoy giving him a cold glare and he returned it. He would not let Malfoy beat him. Madame Hooch blew her whistle and released the snitch.
The seekers immediately started scanning the room for any signs of the little golden ball. Harry desperately scanned the room quickly looking for any signs of movement. It was unlike any Quidditch game he ever remembered. He'd never been competing against three other seekers without any other players on the field. He saw Kathy Jackson from Hufflepuff make a dive towards the ground as Malfoy followed her. Harry turned away. He could tell she was bluffing.
Just as he turned his head away he caught something gold a few feet away from him. Without thinking he dashed towards its direction. He could see it, zipping away. As he glanced over his shoulder he saw the other three competitors right on his tail, but they couldn't keep up with him on a Fire Bolt.
He inched closer and closer, feeling more freedom than he'd ever remember washing over him. Finally his fingers clasped on the little golden ball and he tumbled off his broom onto the cold stone floor. Those who were left of his Quidditch teams ran and engulfed him into a hug.
"WE WON!! WE WON THE QUIDDITCH CUP!" Parvati shrilled pulling Harry into a tight hug.
Jack Sloper did a random dance around them as Jonathan Puller just collapsed backwards a let a shrill of excitement escape him. Harry struggled to catch his breath as he heard Ginny give a loud shrill at the news. He pried his way out of Parvati's grip and saw Ginny jumping up and down in excitement with a spilled patter of potato wedges at her feet.
"NO, YOU CAN'T!" Padma was chasing two house elves as they rolled one of the kegs of muggle beer into the Great Hall. Harry saw Professor McGonagall rise from her seat with a huge grin on her face, she still had Gryffindor pride.
Harry felt a bigger smile spread across her face. It was a comical situation after all. Harry glanced over at Remus Lupin who was also smiling proudly. He gave Harry and wink and Harry nodded, he realized Lupin had talked to December O'Riley. He was going to face Wormtail.