Chapter 18
Crux Of Trust
The next morning, the kids around Harry grinned in their celebration of winning the match. However Harry thought it might have been a fluke, some illusion or something. Harry ate his muffin and started drinking pumpkin juice when he saw Professor Conan came up to Harry. He leaned down and whispered that Professor McGonagall had wanted to see Harry at once. Harry nodded in reply, swallowed a mouthful of pumpkin juice, and stood up. 'What now?' wondered Harry as he made his way to the High Table and stopped in front of Professor McGonagall.
"Yes?"
"Potter, I think you would be informed that ever since you caught the snitch four days ago, we have been checking to see if it was tampered with," she sighed. Harry knew what else was coming, and waited for her to continue.
"It's been tampered with, I never saw such magic performed on a snitch. Whoever did it, put Mind's snare and took off what makes snitch stays within the pitch. It really is no wonder why you have not come back when you flew so far high," she said.
"Oh, that explains everything, now who I wonder did that?"
"Another thing that needs to be note is that since well, your second year, added security was put on broom shed, specially the balls for Quidditch. The only time that it gets taken out are for practices by Quidditch players."
"I see, thanks Professor McGonagall," he thanked her and turned around. 'That Malfoy!' Then he berated himself, 'You can't get mad right now, save it for later,' thought Harry as he sat back down.
"What was it Harry? What did she say?" Hermione asked anxiously.
"Snitch's been tampered with, you know the charm that prevents Snitch from escaping pitch?" she nodded, "Well, its been taken off, on top of that, added a Mind's snare, so that would be the reason why I came after it. ..." He said. Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Mark's face widened in surprise and in horror.
"Do you think that--?" Hermione began.
"Plus, Professor McGonagall just admitted to me that the broom shed along with the balls have been added security since my second year because of the Bludgers. So, none of the Death Eaters or Voldemort himself should not be able to get it open. Therefore, I would think that it is someone on Quidditch team. My first thought was Malfoy . . .."
"That git!" snarled Ron.
"But I thought he wanted to join the D.A. club? If I were him, I wouldn't do that to mess up the chance," said Ginny.
"Mmm, perhaps, okay I'll talk to Malfoy. Don't worry, I know a method that will prevent him from telling any lies," said Harry, assuring his friends. "Since it's Tuesday, and we have no classes right after breakfast. So I'll corner him after him then and if he says he hasn't tampered with it. Well, do you think we should let him join D.A?"
Ron frowned at this, and sighed. "But mate, didn't you say that it should be left up to the D.A. members from last year?"
"Okay Ron, I'll hold the meeting tonight only if Malfoy says he's innocent. Oh he's leaving here, be right back," said Harry, standing up and running after Malfoy.
"Malfoy!" Harry yelled out after shutting the doors to Great Hall. Draco Malfoy turned around from the stairs, arching an eyebrow.
"If you're here to gloat, I don't need to hear it," said Malfoy.
"Malfoy, I'm only here to talk to you about some truth. If you answer it honestly, well two different things can happen depending on your answer."
"And what's that?"
"Did you tamper with the Snitch?"
"I did nothing of the sort," answered Malfoy.
"Don't lie now Malfoy, I know how to squeeze truth out of you," said Harry, trying to make sure if he is indeed telling the truth before going for drastic measures he did not want to take.
"Potter, why would I tamper with a Snitch, I much rather face you in match than see you in last place this year," said Malfoy. "Is that enough?"
"No," replied Harry, he had expected something like this.
"Alright Potter, what can I do to prove you I'm innocent?" Now this was not something Harry had expected. He went to be more testy.
"How about I give you a drop of Truth serum?" asked Harry.
"I would let you, but where would you get it?"
"I'll just steal from someone, or just brew one myself, you still willing?"
"Yeah, if you so badly want to know that I'm telling the truth. I'm as clueless as you are Potter, now leave or you'll get hexed," threatened Malfoy.
"Cool down Malfoy, I believe you, I'll let you know of the decision tomorrow."
"About what?" asked Malfoy, about to walk away.
"You can figure that one yourself Malfoy, I don't want anything funny from you if you come," said Harry heading toward the library.
"About D.A?" asked Malfoy.
"Bingo," replied Harry quietly and they left to their own ways. Harry took out his certain galleon, the one that Hermione had made specially only for D.A. members from last year. He touched to that they would meet at eight tonight.
After classes ended and finished with dinner, all day long Ron, Hermione and Ginny had been bugging Harry as to why they were calling a private meeting.
"Isn't it about Malfoy is it?" asked Ron at one point.
"Yes Ron, now drop it," replied Harry.
"I know he's lying," said Ron, trying to persuade his friend.
"Ron, I have my ways of finding out the truth. Do you remember my lessons with Legillimency? Didn't think you would forget," said Harry. "Anyways, I respect people's privacy and on top of that. Snape would have my head if he finds out what I did to Malfoy if I used it on him."
"Can't you do it discreetly?"
"I don't know how to do that yet, I'm only doing basic stuff right now. Every time I perform that on Professor Snape, well, he gets really exhausted. That's all you need to know. Who knows what Malfoy could end up as?"
"What do you mean?" asked Ginny.
"Professor Snape has a very strong mind, and I don't think Malfoy even practices his Occulemency. I'm sure you can draw a conclusion from there."
"Oh..." said Ron softly.
"Yes, anyways, stop badgering me," said Harry standing up from the plush chairs. "We have Transfiguration, we need to go or Professor Conan will take off points. Come on," said Harry.
Harry shook his head as he made his way to Room of Requirement, it was nearly eight now and he had been thinking all day of how to approach the people about this matter. He saw no other way except for direct way. 'Get over with the bad stuff first,' thought Harry as he sat down in one of the chairs in the room and waited for other people to arrive. When everyone came into the room and Harry checked to see if everyone was here tonight. After nodding to himself that they were. He cleared his voice quite loudly for everyone to listen to him.
"Hi guys, I know you are all wondering why I called a small meeting today. Something came up during my match and at breakfast today."
"What's wrong Harry?" asked Cho, concerned.
"First, before we assume anything it is not Malfoy's doing."
Murmur went around the room, some were still confused and others were a bit outraged.
"Let me continue, the snitch at match had been tampered with. Professor McGonagall has informed me that the broom shed along with the balls for Quidditch have been added security since my second year. Because, well, of an incident that had happened to me at a match," said Harry a bit lamely. Some of them did not see his match. "If those who saw or what happened, I know who did it so don't worry."
"Who did it Harry?" asked Collin, interested.
"A house elf," replied Harry.
"No way!" exclaimed some of the students.
"Yes well, it's complicated, I'll tell you some other time. Anyways, as we know, snitch has been tampered with. The only time when the balls are let out are for practices and during matches. When I was told of this morning, I later went after Malfoy."
"Did you hex him?" asked Dennis eagerly.
"No, I did nothing of the sort, however it was on my mind . . . But that's not the point. As I said, I know who are telling the truth and who isn't. So I made Malfoy tell the truth, and he did tell the truth."
"Let me tell you something else," said Harry. 'What ever happened to talk to the point about Malfoy?' "At Halloween feast, Malfoy asked if he could join our club. Now before any of you argue. D.A. is a matter of trust isn't? If he break his promise and do anything harmful in our club, I'll make it so that he won't regret it."
"So, did Malfoy tamper with the snitch?" asked Collin.
"No," replied Harry softly.
"I don't believe it!" Said Dean.
"Malfoy didn't tamper with the snitch? Unbelievable," said Terry.
"Well, he did tell the truth. As I have said, it is a great asset if we have Slytherins in our club for future uses. I'll keep my eye on him. So, all I need is your affirmation of him joining the club."
"Can we test him in one meeting and see how he does?" asked Hannah.
"I suppose a test will do," replied Harry. "Is that a yes for the majority? Raise your hand for Malfoy." He saw that at least seventeen hands went up into the air and nodded. "Then Malfoy's in, I'll let him know tomorrow. We will hold another meeting on Thursday for everyone. I'll privately tell him when the meeting starts so he won't know about the secret gold yet."
"Good idea Harry," said Cho, and Harry smiled in response.
"Yeah I suppose, I guess this meeting is adjourned unless someone wants to say something else?" Everyone looked around at each other for five seconds. "No? Okay you guys can leave then. Oh Luna, can you hang back?"
After everyone left and Luna came up to Harry, questioning look evident in her eyes.
"Hey Luna, sorry, I haven't talked to you in a long time. I can't believe after what you have done for me last year. I -"
"It's okay Harry, it happens all the time," said Luna serenely.
"But I didn't want this to happen!"
"Well, I suppose you want to reform this friendship?" asked Luna.
"Yes, I would like that, we'll keep in touch. So, how iseverything with you?" asked Harry.
"Oh, everything has been going wonderfully. Our vacation was fantastic last summer. The interview with you has really changed everything. I would like to thank you."
"No, I should be the one thanking, because the truth was out there then. But now everyone knows the truth thanks to Voldemort at the Ministry."
"Yeah, you're right," said Luna. "I should be going now Harry."
"Okay Luna, good night," said Harry. Then she left the room quietly.
After Harry had sat down and sometime later Mark came to the Room of Requirement and found Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Harry sitting on the couch. Mark walked over to Harry and put his hands in his own pockets, waiting for something.
"Hello Harry," greeted Mark.
"Hi Mark, what's up?"
"Oh nothing, I just ran into that Zabini," said Mark.
"Having girl problems?" said Harry grinning.
"No, nothing of that sort!" replied Mark, flustering. "She gives me a hard time!"
"Tell you what, I'll have you two paired up for the next meeting if this don't get resolved now," said Harry, having a plan forming in his mind.
"Harry, you can't do that!"
"Yes I can, in fact, I'll assign everyone in the room a partner," said Harry.
"But Harry-" started Hermione.
"I know there's a lot of people, but I have a solution," said Harry, standing up. 'I need a way to have all the names from my club grouped into houses somehow...' thought Harry. Then nearby, he saw a huge board of listed names from D.A. club grouped in their own houses. He grinned, marveling at what this room can do.
'Okay, I need a place where I can tell or point my wand to names to pair people up for their partners on a new board...' A new board appeared next to the current one.
"Our problems are solved," said Harry and turning around again and faced the board with student names. He found that only twenty-five people were in Slytherin. Other houses were in some fifty something students. He frowned at this and wondered how to work around this. 'I need a way to know which student is what year...' and numbers from 1 to 7 appeared in front of their names. Harry discovered that most of the Slytherins were from first year to third years. He sighed again, and knew that most Slytherins above fourth were not exactly good.
He began to work, and start matching names, such as a second year Gryffindor with a second year Slytherin. He soon got all the names together for partners and thought that it was well balanced. Some Gryffindors had Slytherins for partners; Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws had some Slytherins for partners as well. He would need a lot of help to watch those certain pairs as they could stir up trouble. After having six official meetings, he thought that they had to start meeting other people from other houses.
After all, if they were to be confined to one group of people, they would not get very far and have less motivation. He had to spark things up to get people moving around. He turned to Mark and smiled.
"What do you think?"
"I think you are asking for trouble Harry, I mean some of those you put together. Well, some of them have feuds with each other. You do know that not only Slytherins cause troubles? Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs I know hate each other."
"I know, that's why I paired Marta and Megan together. I saw some of their shouting matches this year so far," said Harry.
"You really do mean to ask for trouble?" asked Mark incredulously.
"Why? Maybe this way so that they can resolve a few things. Some relationships that started out as hating each other eventually become best of friends. I saw a few of those over the past six years at Hogwarts. Not to mention my primary school years."
"Oh yeah, I guess you are right Harry. I hope some of them won't end up hexing each other so much...."
"Plus Mark, if anyone do hex each other, of the ones that I did not teach. Well, they're in for some trouble," said Harry grinning.
"Oh, you're right, you wouldn't let fights aside," said Mark. "Well, I hope it'll work out, bloody hell! It is eleven now! We should get back to Gryffindor tower. I hope no one catches us...."
"Hang on," said Harry. 'I need something that's hard copy of the names I have matched up. Paper, anything,' thought Harry and saw a small book appearing at a table and smiled. "Now that's handy," said Harry, picking the book up and flipped the pages. "Excellent. Let's go," and the group of friends headed back to Gryffindor tower. Luckily, on the way there, they hadn't been caught by anyone at the dead of night.
Next morning, Malfoy and his cronies approached Harry. Harry took one look at them and sighed, putting his knife and fork down and drank a gulp of pumpkin juice and stood up.
"Out in Entrance Hall," said Harry, leading the three people out of Great Hall. He was sure that people were staring at them, wondering if a fight would break out. After they reached the doors, he turned around to face Malfoy, Goyle and Crabbe.
"Malfoy, you're in, but I'm afraid that your cronies are not. I did not know the would like to join," said Harry, almost too coolly.
"I'm not joining if they aren't coming," said Malfoy.
"Sorry, your loss," said Harry, shrugging. Malfoy softly growled. Malfoy turned to his 'body guards' to talk about something. Harry leaned against the wall next to the large doors. He waited for their decision, apparently Malfoy seem to be getting a bit of help from the others or something. When Malfoy finally turned to Harry.
"What's the answer?" asked Harry.
"This isn't a trap is it?" asked Malfoy.
"Oh, so you're saying you don't feel protected if you are not surrounded by your body guards?" asked Harry.
"Don't start Potter," snarled Malfoy.
"What's going to be Malfoy? In or not? Perhaps later I'll have your cronies in," said Harry.
"Why not now?"
"Because the reason I didn't give you the answer last night is because I had to talk to third parties about letting you join. I don't know if they would be any more keen on letting the other two in. Maybe in your second meeting they'd be in."
Malfoy turned around again and faced Crabbe and Goyle privately. Harry stared at his fingernails and slowly cleaned them of dirt, waiting for their discussion to finish. When Malfoy cleared his throat, Harry looked up.
"Fine, when's the next meeting?"
"Tomorrow, meet here before breakfast so I can give you the time," said Harry. "Then when I give you the time, you will meet here again so I can lead you to the room that we are in."
"Isn't it the same room that we found you in last year?" asked Malfoy smoothly. Harry stayed quiet, staring at him and nodded. "Then you don't have to lead me there."
"Fine, just meet here before breakfast tomorrow," said Harry, going back to Great Hall. He sat back down with his friends, stabbing the hash browns in front of him. Ron became alarmed at his behavior and swallowed his food.
"Mate, what's up?"
"Just a nice chat with Malfoy. His cronies want to join. Told them that I had to let them know if the are in or not later."
"Oh no, we don't need those buffoons in D.A.," said Hermione, frowning.
"Yeah well, I think Malfoy feel safer that way with his cronies around."
"Next thing we know, Pansy would want to be in!" said Ron.
"I won't let that happen, I'll just say that we have enough people," said Harry, already coming up with a back up plan for further people who want to join.
"Okay," said Ron, going back to his breakfast.
Before breakfast the next day, Harry went down to wait for Malfoy to show up. But he found that he didn't have to wait, he was there already. He walked down the stairs and toward Malfoy.
"What time?" asked Malfoy.
"Six tonight," replied Harry, and went back up the stairs; he needed to do something. As he turned in a corridor, he ran into someone. "Ow!"
"Ow, what have you been talking to Malfoy lately? What about?" asked Blaise.
"About the meeting, that's all, tonight's his test to see if he would be able to stay for the rest of the year," said Harry.
"But Potter, he means to harm you," said Blaise Zabini.
"Really, I haven't noticed," said Harry sarcastically.
"So why are you letting him join?"
"Let's just say, it's a crux of trust," said Harry, continuing his way. But her words didn't leave Harry's mind, Malfoy means to harm him. 'Well, once I get better at Legillimency and do it discreetly, I'll find out,' thought Harry. He dove behind a tapestry and into an alcove. He took the gold coin out, the one for everyone in the club and set it to six P.M. tonight. He leaned against the wall, wondering what to do next. He suddenly not feeling very hungry anymore. Classes weren't to start for another three hours. He wanted a break from reading of any sort of things such as researching his cougar, investigating the murder.
Hermione had found out that this [newly discovered] serial killer are documented in other countries such as China, Russia, France, Turkey, Italy, Sweden and most of the murders were in Japan. Harry later found that Tengu steals the victim's wands as its trophies. So far, he found no line whatsoever between Voldemort and Tengu. He felt relieve about that at least. He certainly did not want a serial killer on his tail among other Death Eaters and Voldemort himself.
He needed something to do, something different. Then he had an idea and grinned to himself. He walked to the corridor with the one-eyed witch and looked around to check for people coming by and said, "Dissendium," the witch moved and Harry climbed through and walked down a few stairs. To the point where he would not show up on the map. Sure he would cause few problems but he needed time to himself, and this tunnel was the perfect solitary place to be in. His mind went back to cougars and remembered that the animals were solitary creatures and sighed. He could feel some of the majestic creature running through him. It was just a matter of time before he could become one.
He concentrated on his Occulemency skills, feeling more calm since meditation and Occulemency were almost the same thing but different. His mind was more warded than simple meditation, which would enable Voldemort to see his mind. He had to find a way to keep most of himself himself. Or he would not be recognizable to even his friends. He did not really need to scare his friends and realized the mistake he had made. He had deliberately hid himself to even the Marauder's map. He looked at his watch and saw that it had been over two hours already.
'Okay, I think they must be fretting by now, but I hope they haven't noticed me yet...' thought Harry, making his way back to the entrance. He pushed the door open and closed the statue and went to his first class, knowing that his friends would either be there by now or catching up to him. Before he entered the classroom to Charms, he heard his name-calling.
"HARRY! THERE YOU ARE!" screamed Hermione, and Harry flinched. "You weren't on the map! How did you do that? Are you okay? What's wrong? Where did you go? I have been looking for you for past ten minutes," she said in one breath. Then she frowned, "I informed of Professor McGonagall...."
"Mr. Potter!" Harry winced at his name in the tone that was being used. "Ms. Granger says you have disappeared from this particular map which I have never heard about. Where have you disappeared to?"
Harry sighed, knowing that he was in for a lecture. "I went down into a tunnel and walked halfway so I wouldn't show up on the map."
"What tunnel?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"T-the one to Honeydukes," said Harry, knowing that his once secret were ruined.
"There is a tunnel to Honeydukes?" repeated Professor McGonagall.
"Yes Professor," replied Hermione, taking the map out. "See, here's the tunnel."
"Well, no wonder you haven't been caught after night since, well, I think your third year," said Professor McGonagall. Harry nodded quietly, "I see, well now you're sixth years and I'm sure you won't abuse your map right?"
"Yes Professor," said Harry. "I think we need to get to Charms now...."
"Of course, I have some errands to run now, good day Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger. Oh and bye Mr. Weasley," she said as she strolled down the stairs. Harry saw Ron running up the stairs to Harry.
"Mate! You're okay!"
"Yes Ron, let's go in," said Harry tiredly.
"Where did you go?" asked Ron.
"Halfway in the tunnel to Honeydukes," replied Harry dully as they sat down for their class.
"Oh mate, you didn't..." groaned Ron.
"I did, why?"
"I looked in there like two minutes ago!"
"I left four minutes ago."
"...Bloody hell," said Ron.
"At least you looked in the place where I was, that proves you know where to look," said Harry. Now Harry knew his secret was out. His hiding places were running out and felt that Hogwarts were too small for him now. 'Well, now that's saying something,' thought Harry sarcastically as Professor Flitwick began the class.
That night, at five to six Harry leaned against the doorpost, waiting for everyone to file into the room. People had started coming in twenty minutes ago. Among them, included Malfoy. In Harry's hand held the book for the pairing up the partners for this particular meeting. Harry had paired himself with Malfoy because he knew that no one else would be close enough to Malfoy right now. After the last five people entered the room. He made way to the podium, waited for everyone to be quiet, and did not wait long.
"Evening everyone, tonight is something different because I have been watching that a lot of you still have the same partner or two for last six meetings." 'I need a large board with everyone's names in this room.' The board appeared behind Harry. "As you can see, you names are grouped within the house. Few days ago, I decided to do something different. Before I start pairing you off. If I see any fighting. I will deal with you in the ways you thought that would not be possible. So, don't try me."
"First, in order to see if you are with the right person..." said Harry quietly, but everyone in the room heard him. 'I need a way to know everyone's names visibly on top of their heads...' thought Harry. Then white letters appeared above each student's head and several exclaimed at their fiends and their own. Harry noticed that he had his own name above his head. "Okay, that will do."
He flicked his wand to the book and pointed at the new board next to the current one. "No complaining now, start finding your partners," said Harry as he saw several, scratch that. Majority of their faces was appalled by their pairings. Apparently Harry had paired with their enemy and grinned to himself. "Don't worry, I paired myself with Malfoy, now get moving!" He saw Malfoy walking towards Harry, smirking.
'Oh, I need a way to know if a fight breaks out...' thought Harry and saw a table and bracelet appeared next to him and put it on his left wrist.
"Interesting Potter, very interesting," said Malfoy.
"Thanks Malfoy, I try to keep it interesting," said Harry and he turned to the crowd and saw that everyone was with their partners. "Okay everyone, I know all of you are not exactly pleased right now but work with me for tonight. Anyways, we will be working on several defensive charms tonight. Malfoy, you don't mind being the assistant for now?"
"... Of course I won't mind," replied Malfoy coolly.
"Okay, this one is called 'Knocking Enemy hex'. Now before any of you get any ideas, if you abuse this or use other harmful hexes, as I have said earlier. I will deal with you." He turned to Malfoy, needing a cushion behind him and everyone in the room. "Everyone spread apart so that you have some space. Now watch carefully and hear when I say it. Oh and please observe from this start and to when I say end. Start, Malfoy, are you ready?"
".... Yes Potter, let's get this over with already," said Malfoy. Harry sighed and rose his wand.
"Pulsus Abenstis!" his wand sent purple streams with blue sparks and sent Malfoy back fifteen feet and Harry thought that he need the cushion right under where Malfoy is. Harry ran over and stuck his hand out for him to get up. "You alright Malfoy?"
"Urgh, yeah I'll live," he accepted the hand and the two stared at each other for two seconds and Harry pulled him up.
"End, that is what I would like to see. Plus, about the cushion, this room is called Room of Requirement. If you think about what you need, such as 'I need the cushion back ten feet or right under your partner's name.' If you fail to do that, again, I will deal with you. Thanks Malfoy for the demonstration."
"Pleasure's all mine Potter," said Malfoy.
"Okay, you can all begin. Malfoy, your turn since I did you first," said Harry. Malfoy nodded, and rose his wand.
"Are you ready Potter?"
"Yes Malfoy," replied Harry.
"Pulsus Abenstis!" yelled Malfoy, sending Harry some twenty feet and crashed into the cushion. Harry realized that it was so poofy that he could not get to his feet alone and growled in frustration. Malfoy came and stood in front of Harry, sticking his hand out.
"Need some help Potter?" asked Malfoy sarcastically.
"Yes Malfoy," replied Harry coolly, accepting his hand and got to his feet. "...Thanks."
For the next ten minutes, Malfoy and Harry had decided to help the others and for next twenty minutes, he took the whistle out and blew it.
"Okay guys, that went very well, I'm glad that no fights had broken out yet." Harry knew better, the fights would happen eventually, sooner or later and he had to be on the watch for it. "Our next charm is the blocking charm. After that, there is a complicated spell that I think only a few of you will achieve, depending on whom you are partnered up with. Now that is where all of this partnering comes in."
"Anyways, this blocking charm only blocks standard to intermediate spells such as Bat-bogey hex, Knocking Enemy hex and so on. Of course, these cannot be protected against spells such as the Unforgivables, Black-Essence Curse, Freezing curse and other Dark arts spells. When you study more in magic, you will know what are advanced spells and which are standard. Some of you may already know," he said, looking at Cho, Hermione, Ron, Dean and Malfoy.
"Malfoy, throw a standard spell at me," said Harry.
"Okay Potter, you ready?"
"Yes, let's go."
"Petrificus Totalis!"
"Fortifyia Aegis!" Yelled Harry at the same time as Malfoy and Harry conjured a blue shield in front of him as Malfoy's hex collided with the shield and both exploded into smithereens but left nothing behind.
"Whoa..." said Harry and Malfoy at the same time.
"Wait, are you saying this is your first time?" asked Malfoy. Harry grinned sheepishly.
"What else was I suppose to practice?" Harry turned to 'audience and found that everyone was stunned and Harry sighed.
"Okay, you all know what to do, but if you get hexed, just do an counter on them. If you cast anything that needs to be sent to Hospital Wing, once again," everyone groaned at this. "You will deal with me," he said with a smile. "Okay, you can begin. Malfoy, ready?"
"Whenever you are Potter," drawled Malfoy.
"Okay, STRINGO!"
"Fortifyia Aegis!" Malfoy yelled three seconds after Harry yelled his charm. However, this three seconds proved to be too slow as Harry found Malfoy on the ground, bound up in strings. "HEY!" Harry snickered quietly as he flicked his wand to let him go.
"Sorry, but you shouldn't have waited," said Harry, "You were-"
"I know Potter," said Malfoy, not at all pleased. "Hey Potter, I have this theory I want to try," said Malfoy suddenly.
"What's that?" asked Harry curiously.
"Well, you did say that this blocking charm can't protect against Unforgivables...."
"What are you saying?" asked Harry.
"I just want to try to see if it works with I you," /I replied Malfoy, rubbing his wand with his forefinger.
'He has a point...' thought Harry.
"Which one would you use to test your theory?" asked Harry.
"I don't know, Imperius, Cruciatus Curse. But of course, I wouldn't use the Killing curse. Suppose if it didn't work?"
"Yeah, I guess you are right Malfoy," said Harry quietly. "But all of these people...."
"Didn't you say this room requires anything you need?" drawled Malfoy.
"You're right," he remembered the day when he spoke to Mark in a small room away from his friends in this room. "Okay, hang on..." 'I need a room where it's big enough for magic and that no one can hear or see us,' thought Harry and soon walls appeared from all sides around them. "How's that?"
"Good Potter, so which one do you want me to use?"
"Well, I can throw off Imperius curse, so use Cruciatus," replied Harry. He started having funny feeling in his stomach as he prepared to block this curse.
"Oh yeah, my father told me that you can throw Imperius curse off back in our fourth year..."
"Yes Malfoy, okay, I-I'm ready," said Harry.
"Okay, here it goes, CRUCIO!"
"Fortifyia Aegis!" screamed Harry, putting all his efforts into this blocking charm. The moment that Malfoy's curse collided with the blocking charm, it shook so much that it started to crumble the walls around them. The collided spells grew big in space and exploded into many stars and Harry fell to his knees, feeling put out but stunned. He saw Malfoy staring at Harry with a look that he never saw in him before. Admiration. He supposed it was because of the power he had in him.
"Harry! What happened!?" Yelled Hermione, worried.
"Mate, mate, are you okay!?" said Ron, fretting over his friend.
"Yeah Ron, just... uh, I need to recuperate a bit," said Harry as Ron helped him up from his knees. "T-th-your theory's right Malfoy, it worked...."
"What worked?" asked Hermione, frowning.
"I'll tell you later Hermione. Not here, oh no, not here," said Harry, a bit dazed.
"Harry, you don't look good at all, you sure you're okay?"
"I think I just put a lot of my magic into my blocking charm that's all. Okay, I need to help the others..." said Harry, walking down the small stairs but keeled over.
"Harry!" yelled Hermione, helping him up.
'Okay, so what's the use of using that against Voldemort if I can't move at all?' thought Harry.
"I think you should just sit, I'll tell the older members to start helping others," said Hermione, leaving Malfoy and Harry where they are as Ron followed Hermione. Harry sighed, staring at the bracelet. He was surprised; no fights have broke out yet. Did he really have that much of an influence over the others?
"What's that bracelet anyways?" asked Malfoy.
"A way of letting me know when a fight breaks out in here. I'm sure you know that most people are paired with their enemy."
"Yes, I did notice," said Malfoy smoothly. "So, what do you want to do about that now?"
"Well, I don't think that will be much help in any heavy fighting if I'm really weak afterwards. I had thought that maybe if someone and I could train or something. You know, I have a new theory, what if it works against the Killing curse?"
"Yeah, I've thought about that too, after that worked...."
"I think I'll just practice with safer ones and only use against that in well, real fighting," Malfoy nodded. Harry wondered what side Malfoy was on for this war. He wondered if he could work his way to that question eventually.
"Well, I'll just find a partner for that then," said Harry, wondering if Malfoy would offer.
"I'm sure no one else except most Slytherins would be enthusiastic to use an Unforgivable on you Potter," said Malfoy.
"I can teach Mark," said Harry.
"Mark?"
"Er-yeah, Mark, he is a first year. Said that he almost ended up in Slytherin," he could not let Malfoy know that he's related to Mark. At least until he could do Legillimency discreetly and find out which side he is on in this war.
"Oh, yeah, I have seen him hanging with you and your friends most of the time. Isn't he the shortest one with straight hair?"
"Yeah, that's him," replied Harry.
"I see," said Malfoy. "Well, he's a first year, I don't think you would want teach that to him. He is young after all. I only learned the Unforgivables in my third year."
"Really? I thought...."
"Potter, don't assume anything you don't know, my father only teaches me what I needed to know," drawled Malfoy.
"Sorry," said Harry curtly. "So, I guess for now, would you be able to train with me? Maybe you could practice some too," said Harry.
"Yeah, I suppose that would do..." said Malfoy.
"Okay, how about this, since we don't have Quidditch practices on Saturdays, we'll meet here at three?"
"In the afternoon?"
"Well of course, what, are we going to sneak around in the dead of night?" said Harry sarcastically. Malfoy sniggered and Harry looked around in the large room and nodded to himself. "Okay, next for next assignment."
"The difficult one?"
"Yes, I haven't practiced this one either or tried it, it's Power-joint charm."
"I heard about that, I guess you are right, it is difficult."
"You tried it?"
"No, but I heard it is," replied Malfoy sarcastically. "So, that was your plan?"
"Yeah, I had to have people learn about each other a bit and then eventually have some teamwork with each other. Well, as you know, there's no telling who you would be partnered with after Hogwarts or even here."
"I presumed that," said Malfoy.
"Okay, let's see if I can stand up now..." Harry said, standing himself up from the stairs and found that he has his energy back. "Oh goodie," said Harry. He took out the whistle and blew it.
"Okay guys!" he called for quiet in the room. "This one, requires teamwork, and I ask each of your two people with another two people. Because this one is called Power-joint charm. Few of you know about this one, and it is indeed difficult and I do not expect everyone to get it right away. It will be our focus for next two or three meetings okay?"
"Hey, Hermione and Luna! Come here please," said Harry, summoning them. When the two girls came on stage and stood in front of the two boys. "Okay you guys, you have to watch carefully. First, you have to have some sort of plan before you do it. Most of the time you discuss with your partner before performing it. So I'll say what spell we're going to do to Malfoy. Privately of course," said Harry grinning at the girls. Luna looked calm but Hermione had the look of terror on her face, wondering what they would plan.
"Hey Malfoy, what do you think we should do?" he whispered.
"Well, we could levitate them, that would freak Granger," he snickered.
"Nah, how about Mud Hurling hex? I wonder what that would do...."
"Mud?" he whispered, "Ha, ha, Potter, you amuse me!" laughed Malfoy, causing everyone to be wary of the two boys now, especially the two girls on stage. Even Luna was affected, she had the look of suspicion on her face.
"So, Mud Hurling hex?" asked Harry, still whispering.
"Yes, let's do that, and the incantation is Limustrudos unita?"
"Yes, okay on the count of three.... " Malfoy nodded. "Ready girls?"
"Harry, what are you going to do?" asked Hermione; her voice set in high pitch.
"Nothing damaging," drawled Malfoy.
"Don't worry Hermione, we're going to count of three okay?"
"Okay Harry...."
"One, two, THREE!"
"Limustrudos unita!" yelled the two boys. What would have been only about two cups of mud with one person, but with power joint charm. Pool-sized mud came shooting out of their wands, surrounding by pink light and hit the girls full on and hit some of the kids in the background who got splattered. Some of them whooped, and laughed as Hermione stood there wide-eyed and Luna looked at her cloths interested. Hermione then started giggling.
"And I thought you were going to do something more horrible than this!" said Hermione, giggling as she took her wand out and used Scourgfiy spells on herself and Luna. "That was great Harry, that was so much more than it was with one person! If I am not wrong, two cups for one person, 2 people would be twenty gallons of mud. I don't want to imagine how much more that would be for three people, or even four!"
Harry looked at Malfoy, arching an eyebrow. She was right, there was no telling how strong Power joints could be.
"But what's even more amazing, you two did it!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry flustered a little, scratching his back, and Malfoy only smirked.
"Well, I would suggest not getting your hopes up you guys," said Harry to everyone. "I think only a handful will be able to get this. Well, Hermione, Luna, your turn? Oh everyone can begin, same rules apply as I have mentioned today."
"Why thank you Mr. Potter, I think I will get you back for that stunt you pulled," said Hermione in her formal voice. Harry just laughed as Malfoy stared at her as if to dare her to do just that. The two girls whispered to each other and grinned evilly but playfully.
"Okay, you two ready?"
"Yes," replied Harry as Malfoy nodded.
"On the count of three... one, two, three!"
"Lacrimosus Unita!" yelled Hermione and Luna, shooting a mixed of blue and green streams surrounding by thin sheet of pink similar to the one Harry and Malfoy used earlier.
I am sorry; I really need to end here! It is 32 pages long! 7,000 words in this chapter. I usually do 5,200 words and this is so long and I have to stop here or it would be twice as much! Heh-hehe ;; I'll try to post another one up soon. I already have parts of it written and sorry for cliffhanger there -Rini
Crux Of Trust
The next morning, the kids around Harry grinned in their celebration of winning the match. However Harry thought it might have been a fluke, some illusion or something. Harry ate his muffin and started drinking pumpkin juice when he saw Professor Conan came up to Harry. He leaned down and whispered that Professor McGonagall had wanted to see Harry at once. Harry nodded in reply, swallowed a mouthful of pumpkin juice, and stood up. 'What now?' wondered Harry as he made his way to the High Table and stopped in front of Professor McGonagall.
"Yes?"
"Potter, I think you would be informed that ever since you caught the snitch four days ago, we have been checking to see if it was tampered with," she sighed. Harry knew what else was coming, and waited for her to continue.
"It's been tampered with, I never saw such magic performed on a snitch. Whoever did it, put Mind's snare and took off what makes snitch stays within the pitch. It really is no wonder why you have not come back when you flew so far high," she said.
"Oh, that explains everything, now who I wonder did that?"
"Another thing that needs to be note is that since well, your second year, added security was put on broom shed, specially the balls for Quidditch. The only time that it gets taken out are for practices by Quidditch players."
"I see, thanks Professor McGonagall," he thanked her and turned around. 'That Malfoy!' Then he berated himself, 'You can't get mad right now, save it for later,' thought Harry as he sat back down.
"What was it Harry? What did she say?" Hermione asked anxiously.
"Snitch's been tampered with, you know the charm that prevents Snitch from escaping pitch?" she nodded, "Well, its been taken off, on top of that, added a Mind's snare, so that would be the reason why I came after it. ..." He said. Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Mark's face widened in surprise and in horror.
"Do you think that--?" Hermione began.
"Plus, Professor McGonagall just admitted to me that the broom shed along with the balls have been added security since my second year because of the Bludgers. So, none of the Death Eaters or Voldemort himself should not be able to get it open. Therefore, I would think that it is someone on Quidditch team. My first thought was Malfoy . . .."
"That git!" snarled Ron.
"But I thought he wanted to join the D.A. club? If I were him, I wouldn't do that to mess up the chance," said Ginny.
"Mmm, perhaps, okay I'll talk to Malfoy. Don't worry, I know a method that will prevent him from telling any lies," said Harry, assuring his friends. "Since it's Tuesday, and we have no classes right after breakfast. So I'll corner him after him then and if he says he hasn't tampered with it. Well, do you think we should let him join D.A?"
Ron frowned at this, and sighed. "But mate, didn't you say that it should be left up to the D.A. members from last year?"
"Okay Ron, I'll hold the meeting tonight only if Malfoy says he's innocent. Oh he's leaving here, be right back," said Harry, standing up and running after Malfoy.
"Malfoy!" Harry yelled out after shutting the doors to Great Hall. Draco Malfoy turned around from the stairs, arching an eyebrow.
"If you're here to gloat, I don't need to hear it," said Malfoy.
"Malfoy, I'm only here to talk to you about some truth. If you answer it honestly, well two different things can happen depending on your answer."
"And what's that?"
"Did you tamper with the Snitch?"
"I did nothing of the sort," answered Malfoy.
"Don't lie now Malfoy, I know how to squeeze truth out of you," said Harry, trying to make sure if he is indeed telling the truth before going for drastic measures he did not want to take.
"Potter, why would I tamper with a Snitch, I much rather face you in match than see you in last place this year," said Malfoy. "Is that enough?"
"No," replied Harry, he had expected something like this.
"Alright Potter, what can I do to prove you I'm innocent?" Now this was not something Harry had expected. He went to be more testy.
"How about I give you a drop of Truth serum?" asked Harry.
"I would let you, but where would you get it?"
"I'll just steal from someone, or just brew one myself, you still willing?"
"Yeah, if you so badly want to know that I'm telling the truth. I'm as clueless as you are Potter, now leave or you'll get hexed," threatened Malfoy.
"Cool down Malfoy, I believe you, I'll let you know of the decision tomorrow."
"About what?" asked Malfoy, about to walk away.
"You can figure that one yourself Malfoy, I don't want anything funny from you if you come," said Harry heading toward the library.
"About D.A?" asked Malfoy.
"Bingo," replied Harry quietly and they left to their own ways. Harry took out his certain galleon, the one that Hermione had made specially only for D.A. members from last year. He touched to that they would meet at eight tonight.
After classes ended and finished with dinner, all day long Ron, Hermione and Ginny had been bugging Harry as to why they were calling a private meeting.
"Isn't it about Malfoy is it?" asked Ron at one point.
"Yes Ron, now drop it," replied Harry.
"I know he's lying," said Ron, trying to persuade his friend.
"Ron, I have my ways of finding out the truth. Do you remember my lessons with Legillimency? Didn't think you would forget," said Harry. "Anyways, I respect people's privacy and on top of that. Snape would have my head if he finds out what I did to Malfoy if I used it on him."
"Can't you do it discreetly?"
"I don't know how to do that yet, I'm only doing basic stuff right now. Every time I perform that on Professor Snape, well, he gets really exhausted. That's all you need to know. Who knows what Malfoy could end up as?"
"What do you mean?" asked Ginny.
"Professor Snape has a very strong mind, and I don't think Malfoy even practices his Occulemency. I'm sure you can draw a conclusion from there."
"Oh..." said Ron softly.
"Yes, anyways, stop badgering me," said Harry standing up from the plush chairs. "We have Transfiguration, we need to go or Professor Conan will take off points. Come on," said Harry.
Harry shook his head as he made his way to Room of Requirement, it was nearly eight now and he had been thinking all day of how to approach the people about this matter. He saw no other way except for direct way. 'Get over with the bad stuff first,' thought Harry as he sat down in one of the chairs in the room and waited for other people to arrive. When everyone came into the room and Harry checked to see if everyone was here tonight. After nodding to himself that they were. He cleared his voice quite loudly for everyone to listen to him.
"Hi guys, I know you are all wondering why I called a small meeting today. Something came up during my match and at breakfast today."
"What's wrong Harry?" asked Cho, concerned.
"First, before we assume anything it is not Malfoy's doing."
Murmur went around the room, some were still confused and others were a bit outraged.
"Let me continue, the snitch at match had been tampered with. Professor McGonagall has informed me that the broom shed along with the balls for Quidditch have been added security since my second year. Because, well, of an incident that had happened to me at a match," said Harry a bit lamely. Some of them did not see his match. "If those who saw or what happened, I know who did it so don't worry."
"Who did it Harry?" asked Collin, interested.
"A house elf," replied Harry.
"No way!" exclaimed some of the students.
"Yes well, it's complicated, I'll tell you some other time. Anyways, as we know, snitch has been tampered with. The only time when the balls are let out are for practices and during matches. When I was told of this morning, I later went after Malfoy."
"Did you hex him?" asked Dennis eagerly.
"No, I did nothing of the sort, however it was on my mind . . . But that's not the point. As I said, I know who are telling the truth and who isn't. So I made Malfoy tell the truth, and he did tell the truth."
"Let me tell you something else," said Harry. 'What ever happened to talk to the point about Malfoy?' "At Halloween feast, Malfoy asked if he could join our club. Now before any of you argue. D.A. is a matter of trust isn't? If he break his promise and do anything harmful in our club, I'll make it so that he won't regret it."
"So, did Malfoy tamper with the snitch?" asked Collin.
"No," replied Harry softly.
"I don't believe it!" Said Dean.
"Malfoy didn't tamper with the snitch? Unbelievable," said Terry.
"Well, he did tell the truth. As I have said, it is a great asset if we have Slytherins in our club for future uses. I'll keep my eye on him. So, all I need is your affirmation of him joining the club."
"Can we test him in one meeting and see how he does?" asked Hannah.
"I suppose a test will do," replied Harry. "Is that a yes for the majority? Raise your hand for Malfoy." He saw that at least seventeen hands went up into the air and nodded. "Then Malfoy's in, I'll let him know tomorrow. We will hold another meeting on Thursday for everyone. I'll privately tell him when the meeting starts so he won't know about the secret gold yet."
"Good idea Harry," said Cho, and Harry smiled in response.
"Yeah I suppose, I guess this meeting is adjourned unless someone wants to say something else?" Everyone looked around at each other for five seconds. "No? Okay you guys can leave then. Oh Luna, can you hang back?"
After everyone left and Luna came up to Harry, questioning look evident in her eyes.
"Hey Luna, sorry, I haven't talked to you in a long time. I can't believe after what you have done for me last year. I -"
"It's okay Harry, it happens all the time," said Luna serenely.
"But I didn't want this to happen!"
"Well, I suppose you want to reform this friendship?" asked Luna.
"Yes, I would like that, we'll keep in touch. So, how iseverything with you?" asked Harry.
"Oh, everything has been going wonderfully. Our vacation was fantastic last summer. The interview with you has really changed everything. I would like to thank you."
"No, I should be the one thanking, because the truth was out there then. But now everyone knows the truth thanks to Voldemort at the Ministry."
"Yeah, you're right," said Luna. "I should be going now Harry."
"Okay Luna, good night," said Harry. Then she left the room quietly.
After Harry had sat down and sometime later Mark came to the Room of Requirement and found Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Harry sitting on the couch. Mark walked over to Harry and put his hands in his own pockets, waiting for something.
"Hello Harry," greeted Mark.
"Hi Mark, what's up?"
"Oh nothing, I just ran into that Zabini," said Mark.
"Having girl problems?" said Harry grinning.
"No, nothing of that sort!" replied Mark, flustering. "She gives me a hard time!"
"Tell you what, I'll have you two paired up for the next meeting if this don't get resolved now," said Harry, having a plan forming in his mind.
"Harry, you can't do that!"
"Yes I can, in fact, I'll assign everyone in the room a partner," said Harry.
"But Harry-" started Hermione.
"I know there's a lot of people, but I have a solution," said Harry, standing up. 'I need a way to have all the names from my club grouped into houses somehow...' thought Harry. Then nearby, he saw a huge board of listed names from D.A. club grouped in their own houses. He grinned, marveling at what this room can do.
'Okay, I need a place where I can tell or point my wand to names to pair people up for their partners on a new board...' A new board appeared next to the current one.
"Our problems are solved," said Harry and turning around again and faced the board with student names. He found that only twenty-five people were in Slytherin. Other houses were in some fifty something students. He frowned at this and wondered how to work around this. 'I need a way to know which student is what year...' and numbers from 1 to 7 appeared in front of their names. Harry discovered that most of the Slytherins were from first year to third years. He sighed again, and knew that most Slytherins above fourth were not exactly good.
He began to work, and start matching names, such as a second year Gryffindor with a second year Slytherin. He soon got all the names together for partners and thought that it was well balanced. Some Gryffindors had Slytherins for partners; Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws had some Slytherins for partners as well. He would need a lot of help to watch those certain pairs as they could stir up trouble. After having six official meetings, he thought that they had to start meeting other people from other houses.
After all, if they were to be confined to one group of people, they would not get very far and have less motivation. He had to spark things up to get people moving around. He turned to Mark and smiled.
"What do you think?"
"I think you are asking for trouble Harry, I mean some of those you put together. Well, some of them have feuds with each other. You do know that not only Slytherins cause troubles? Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs I know hate each other."
"I know, that's why I paired Marta and Megan together. I saw some of their shouting matches this year so far," said Harry.
"You really do mean to ask for trouble?" asked Mark incredulously.
"Why? Maybe this way so that they can resolve a few things. Some relationships that started out as hating each other eventually become best of friends. I saw a few of those over the past six years at Hogwarts. Not to mention my primary school years."
"Oh yeah, I guess you are right Harry. I hope some of them won't end up hexing each other so much...."
"Plus Mark, if anyone do hex each other, of the ones that I did not teach. Well, they're in for some trouble," said Harry grinning.
"Oh, you're right, you wouldn't let fights aside," said Mark. "Well, I hope it'll work out, bloody hell! It is eleven now! We should get back to Gryffindor tower. I hope no one catches us...."
"Hang on," said Harry. 'I need something that's hard copy of the names I have matched up. Paper, anything,' thought Harry and saw a small book appearing at a table and smiled. "Now that's handy," said Harry, picking the book up and flipped the pages. "Excellent. Let's go," and the group of friends headed back to Gryffindor tower. Luckily, on the way there, they hadn't been caught by anyone at the dead of night.
Next morning, Malfoy and his cronies approached Harry. Harry took one look at them and sighed, putting his knife and fork down and drank a gulp of pumpkin juice and stood up.
"Out in Entrance Hall," said Harry, leading the three people out of Great Hall. He was sure that people were staring at them, wondering if a fight would break out. After they reached the doors, he turned around to face Malfoy, Goyle and Crabbe.
"Malfoy, you're in, but I'm afraid that your cronies are not. I did not know the would like to join," said Harry, almost too coolly.
"I'm not joining if they aren't coming," said Malfoy.
"Sorry, your loss," said Harry, shrugging. Malfoy softly growled. Malfoy turned to his 'body guards' to talk about something. Harry leaned against the wall next to the large doors. He waited for their decision, apparently Malfoy seem to be getting a bit of help from the others or something. When Malfoy finally turned to Harry.
"What's the answer?" asked Harry.
"This isn't a trap is it?" asked Malfoy.
"Oh, so you're saying you don't feel protected if you are not surrounded by your body guards?" asked Harry.
"Don't start Potter," snarled Malfoy.
"What's going to be Malfoy? In or not? Perhaps later I'll have your cronies in," said Harry.
"Why not now?"
"Because the reason I didn't give you the answer last night is because I had to talk to third parties about letting you join. I don't know if they would be any more keen on letting the other two in. Maybe in your second meeting they'd be in."
Malfoy turned around again and faced Crabbe and Goyle privately. Harry stared at his fingernails and slowly cleaned them of dirt, waiting for their discussion to finish. When Malfoy cleared his throat, Harry looked up.
"Fine, when's the next meeting?"
"Tomorrow, meet here before breakfast so I can give you the time," said Harry. "Then when I give you the time, you will meet here again so I can lead you to the room that we are in."
"Isn't it the same room that we found you in last year?" asked Malfoy smoothly. Harry stayed quiet, staring at him and nodded. "Then you don't have to lead me there."
"Fine, just meet here before breakfast tomorrow," said Harry, going back to Great Hall. He sat back down with his friends, stabbing the hash browns in front of him. Ron became alarmed at his behavior and swallowed his food.
"Mate, what's up?"
"Just a nice chat with Malfoy. His cronies want to join. Told them that I had to let them know if the are in or not later."
"Oh no, we don't need those buffoons in D.A.," said Hermione, frowning.
"Yeah well, I think Malfoy feel safer that way with his cronies around."
"Next thing we know, Pansy would want to be in!" said Ron.
"I won't let that happen, I'll just say that we have enough people," said Harry, already coming up with a back up plan for further people who want to join.
"Okay," said Ron, going back to his breakfast.
Before breakfast the next day, Harry went down to wait for Malfoy to show up. But he found that he didn't have to wait, he was there already. He walked down the stairs and toward Malfoy.
"What time?" asked Malfoy.
"Six tonight," replied Harry, and went back up the stairs; he needed to do something. As he turned in a corridor, he ran into someone. "Ow!"
"Ow, what have you been talking to Malfoy lately? What about?" asked Blaise.
"About the meeting, that's all, tonight's his test to see if he would be able to stay for the rest of the year," said Harry.
"But Potter, he means to harm you," said Blaise Zabini.
"Really, I haven't noticed," said Harry sarcastically.
"So why are you letting him join?"
"Let's just say, it's a crux of trust," said Harry, continuing his way. But her words didn't leave Harry's mind, Malfoy means to harm him. 'Well, once I get better at Legillimency and do it discreetly, I'll find out,' thought Harry. He dove behind a tapestry and into an alcove. He took the gold coin out, the one for everyone in the club and set it to six P.M. tonight. He leaned against the wall, wondering what to do next. He suddenly not feeling very hungry anymore. Classes weren't to start for another three hours. He wanted a break from reading of any sort of things such as researching his cougar, investigating the murder.
Hermione had found out that this [newly discovered] serial killer are documented in other countries such as China, Russia, France, Turkey, Italy, Sweden and most of the murders were in Japan. Harry later found that Tengu steals the victim's wands as its trophies. So far, he found no line whatsoever between Voldemort and Tengu. He felt relieve about that at least. He certainly did not want a serial killer on his tail among other Death Eaters and Voldemort himself.
He needed something to do, something different. Then he had an idea and grinned to himself. He walked to the corridor with the one-eyed witch and looked around to check for people coming by and said, "Dissendium," the witch moved and Harry climbed through and walked down a few stairs. To the point where he would not show up on the map. Sure he would cause few problems but he needed time to himself, and this tunnel was the perfect solitary place to be in. His mind went back to cougars and remembered that the animals were solitary creatures and sighed. He could feel some of the majestic creature running through him. It was just a matter of time before he could become one.
He concentrated on his Occulemency skills, feeling more calm since meditation and Occulemency were almost the same thing but different. His mind was more warded than simple meditation, which would enable Voldemort to see his mind. He had to find a way to keep most of himself himself. Or he would not be recognizable to even his friends. He did not really need to scare his friends and realized the mistake he had made. He had deliberately hid himself to even the Marauder's map. He looked at his watch and saw that it had been over two hours already.
'Okay, I think they must be fretting by now, but I hope they haven't noticed me yet...' thought Harry, making his way back to the entrance. He pushed the door open and closed the statue and went to his first class, knowing that his friends would either be there by now or catching up to him. Before he entered the classroom to Charms, he heard his name-calling.
"HARRY! THERE YOU ARE!" screamed Hermione, and Harry flinched. "You weren't on the map! How did you do that? Are you okay? What's wrong? Where did you go? I have been looking for you for past ten minutes," she said in one breath. Then she frowned, "I informed of Professor McGonagall...."
"Mr. Potter!" Harry winced at his name in the tone that was being used. "Ms. Granger says you have disappeared from this particular map which I have never heard about. Where have you disappeared to?"
Harry sighed, knowing that he was in for a lecture. "I went down into a tunnel and walked halfway so I wouldn't show up on the map."
"What tunnel?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"T-the one to Honeydukes," said Harry, knowing that his once secret were ruined.
"There is a tunnel to Honeydukes?" repeated Professor McGonagall.
"Yes Professor," replied Hermione, taking the map out. "See, here's the tunnel."
"Well, no wonder you haven't been caught after night since, well, I think your third year," said Professor McGonagall. Harry nodded quietly, "I see, well now you're sixth years and I'm sure you won't abuse your map right?"
"Yes Professor," said Harry. "I think we need to get to Charms now...."
"Of course, I have some errands to run now, good day Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger. Oh and bye Mr. Weasley," she said as she strolled down the stairs. Harry saw Ron running up the stairs to Harry.
"Mate! You're okay!"
"Yes Ron, let's go in," said Harry tiredly.
"Where did you go?" asked Ron.
"Halfway in the tunnel to Honeydukes," replied Harry dully as they sat down for their class.
"Oh mate, you didn't..." groaned Ron.
"I did, why?"
"I looked in there like two minutes ago!"
"I left four minutes ago."
"...Bloody hell," said Ron.
"At least you looked in the place where I was, that proves you know where to look," said Harry. Now Harry knew his secret was out. His hiding places were running out and felt that Hogwarts were too small for him now. 'Well, now that's saying something,' thought Harry sarcastically as Professor Flitwick began the class.
That night, at five to six Harry leaned against the doorpost, waiting for everyone to file into the room. People had started coming in twenty minutes ago. Among them, included Malfoy. In Harry's hand held the book for the pairing up the partners for this particular meeting. Harry had paired himself with Malfoy because he knew that no one else would be close enough to Malfoy right now. After the last five people entered the room. He made way to the podium, waited for everyone to be quiet, and did not wait long.
"Evening everyone, tonight is something different because I have been watching that a lot of you still have the same partner or two for last six meetings." 'I need a large board with everyone's names in this room.' The board appeared behind Harry. "As you can see, you names are grouped within the house. Few days ago, I decided to do something different. Before I start pairing you off. If I see any fighting. I will deal with you in the ways you thought that would not be possible. So, don't try me."
"First, in order to see if you are with the right person..." said Harry quietly, but everyone in the room heard him. 'I need a way to know everyone's names visibly on top of their heads...' thought Harry. Then white letters appeared above each student's head and several exclaimed at their fiends and their own. Harry noticed that he had his own name above his head. "Okay, that will do."
He flicked his wand to the book and pointed at the new board next to the current one. "No complaining now, start finding your partners," said Harry as he saw several, scratch that. Majority of their faces was appalled by their pairings. Apparently Harry had paired with their enemy and grinned to himself. "Don't worry, I paired myself with Malfoy, now get moving!" He saw Malfoy walking towards Harry, smirking.
'Oh, I need a way to know if a fight breaks out...' thought Harry and saw a table and bracelet appeared next to him and put it on his left wrist.
"Interesting Potter, very interesting," said Malfoy.
"Thanks Malfoy, I try to keep it interesting," said Harry and he turned to the crowd and saw that everyone was with their partners. "Okay everyone, I know all of you are not exactly pleased right now but work with me for tonight. Anyways, we will be working on several defensive charms tonight. Malfoy, you don't mind being the assistant for now?"
"... Of course I won't mind," replied Malfoy coolly.
"Okay, this one is called 'Knocking Enemy hex'. Now before any of you get any ideas, if you abuse this or use other harmful hexes, as I have said earlier. I will deal with you." He turned to Malfoy, needing a cushion behind him and everyone in the room. "Everyone spread apart so that you have some space. Now watch carefully and hear when I say it. Oh and please observe from this start and to when I say end. Start, Malfoy, are you ready?"
".... Yes Potter, let's get this over with already," said Malfoy. Harry sighed and rose his wand.
"Pulsus Abenstis!" his wand sent purple streams with blue sparks and sent Malfoy back fifteen feet and Harry thought that he need the cushion right under where Malfoy is. Harry ran over and stuck his hand out for him to get up. "You alright Malfoy?"
"Urgh, yeah I'll live," he accepted the hand and the two stared at each other for two seconds and Harry pulled him up.
"End, that is what I would like to see. Plus, about the cushion, this room is called Room of Requirement. If you think about what you need, such as 'I need the cushion back ten feet or right under your partner's name.' If you fail to do that, again, I will deal with you. Thanks Malfoy for the demonstration."
"Pleasure's all mine Potter," said Malfoy.
"Okay, you can all begin. Malfoy, your turn since I did you first," said Harry. Malfoy nodded, and rose his wand.
"Are you ready Potter?"
"Yes Malfoy," replied Harry.
"Pulsus Abenstis!" yelled Malfoy, sending Harry some twenty feet and crashed into the cushion. Harry realized that it was so poofy that he could not get to his feet alone and growled in frustration. Malfoy came and stood in front of Harry, sticking his hand out.
"Need some help Potter?" asked Malfoy sarcastically.
"Yes Malfoy," replied Harry coolly, accepting his hand and got to his feet. "...Thanks."
For the next ten minutes, Malfoy and Harry had decided to help the others and for next twenty minutes, he took the whistle out and blew it.
"Okay guys, that went very well, I'm glad that no fights had broken out yet." Harry knew better, the fights would happen eventually, sooner or later and he had to be on the watch for it. "Our next charm is the blocking charm. After that, there is a complicated spell that I think only a few of you will achieve, depending on whom you are partnered up with. Now that is where all of this partnering comes in."
"Anyways, this blocking charm only blocks standard to intermediate spells such as Bat-bogey hex, Knocking Enemy hex and so on. Of course, these cannot be protected against spells such as the Unforgivables, Black-Essence Curse, Freezing curse and other Dark arts spells. When you study more in magic, you will know what are advanced spells and which are standard. Some of you may already know," he said, looking at Cho, Hermione, Ron, Dean and Malfoy.
"Malfoy, throw a standard spell at me," said Harry.
"Okay Potter, you ready?"
"Yes, let's go."
"Petrificus Totalis!"
"Fortifyia Aegis!" Yelled Harry at the same time as Malfoy and Harry conjured a blue shield in front of him as Malfoy's hex collided with the shield and both exploded into smithereens but left nothing behind.
"Whoa..." said Harry and Malfoy at the same time.
"Wait, are you saying this is your first time?" asked Malfoy. Harry grinned sheepishly.
"What else was I suppose to practice?" Harry turned to 'audience and found that everyone was stunned and Harry sighed.
"Okay, you all know what to do, but if you get hexed, just do an counter on them. If you cast anything that needs to be sent to Hospital Wing, once again," everyone groaned at this. "You will deal with me," he said with a smile. "Okay, you can begin. Malfoy, ready?"
"Whenever you are Potter," drawled Malfoy.
"Okay, STRINGO!"
"Fortifyia Aegis!" Malfoy yelled three seconds after Harry yelled his charm. However, this three seconds proved to be too slow as Harry found Malfoy on the ground, bound up in strings. "HEY!" Harry snickered quietly as he flicked his wand to let him go.
"Sorry, but you shouldn't have waited," said Harry, "You were-"
"I know Potter," said Malfoy, not at all pleased. "Hey Potter, I have this theory I want to try," said Malfoy suddenly.
"What's that?" asked Harry curiously.
"Well, you did say that this blocking charm can't protect against Unforgivables...."
"What are you saying?" asked Harry.
"I just want to try to see if it works with I you," /I replied Malfoy, rubbing his wand with his forefinger.
'He has a point...' thought Harry.
"Which one would you use to test your theory?" asked Harry.
"I don't know, Imperius, Cruciatus Curse. But of course, I wouldn't use the Killing curse. Suppose if it didn't work?"
"Yeah, I guess you are right Malfoy," said Harry quietly. "But all of these people...."
"Didn't you say this room requires anything you need?" drawled Malfoy.
"You're right," he remembered the day when he spoke to Mark in a small room away from his friends in this room. "Okay, hang on..." 'I need a room where it's big enough for magic and that no one can hear or see us,' thought Harry and soon walls appeared from all sides around them. "How's that?"
"Good Potter, so which one do you want me to use?"
"Well, I can throw off Imperius curse, so use Cruciatus," replied Harry. He started having funny feeling in his stomach as he prepared to block this curse.
"Oh yeah, my father told me that you can throw Imperius curse off back in our fourth year..."
"Yes Malfoy, okay, I-I'm ready," said Harry.
"Okay, here it goes, CRUCIO!"
"Fortifyia Aegis!" screamed Harry, putting all his efforts into this blocking charm. The moment that Malfoy's curse collided with the blocking charm, it shook so much that it started to crumble the walls around them. The collided spells grew big in space and exploded into many stars and Harry fell to his knees, feeling put out but stunned. He saw Malfoy staring at Harry with a look that he never saw in him before. Admiration. He supposed it was because of the power he had in him.
"Harry! What happened!?" Yelled Hermione, worried.
"Mate, mate, are you okay!?" said Ron, fretting over his friend.
"Yeah Ron, just... uh, I need to recuperate a bit," said Harry as Ron helped him up from his knees. "T-th-your theory's right Malfoy, it worked...."
"What worked?" asked Hermione, frowning.
"I'll tell you later Hermione. Not here, oh no, not here," said Harry, a bit dazed.
"Harry, you don't look good at all, you sure you're okay?"
"I think I just put a lot of my magic into my blocking charm that's all. Okay, I need to help the others..." said Harry, walking down the small stairs but keeled over.
"Harry!" yelled Hermione, helping him up.
'Okay, so what's the use of using that against Voldemort if I can't move at all?' thought Harry.
"I think you should just sit, I'll tell the older members to start helping others," said Hermione, leaving Malfoy and Harry where they are as Ron followed Hermione. Harry sighed, staring at the bracelet. He was surprised; no fights have broke out yet. Did he really have that much of an influence over the others?
"What's that bracelet anyways?" asked Malfoy.
"A way of letting me know when a fight breaks out in here. I'm sure you know that most people are paired with their enemy."
"Yes, I did notice," said Malfoy smoothly. "So, what do you want to do about that now?"
"Well, I don't think that will be much help in any heavy fighting if I'm really weak afterwards. I had thought that maybe if someone and I could train or something. You know, I have a new theory, what if it works against the Killing curse?"
"Yeah, I've thought about that too, after that worked...."
"I think I'll just practice with safer ones and only use against that in well, real fighting," Malfoy nodded. Harry wondered what side Malfoy was on for this war. He wondered if he could work his way to that question eventually.
"Well, I'll just find a partner for that then," said Harry, wondering if Malfoy would offer.
"I'm sure no one else except most Slytherins would be enthusiastic to use an Unforgivable on you Potter," said Malfoy.
"I can teach Mark," said Harry.
"Mark?"
"Er-yeah, Mark, he is a first year. Said that he almost ended up in Slytherin," he could not let Malfoy know that he's related to Mark. At least until he could do Legillimency discreetly and find out which side he is on in this war.
"Oh, yeah, I have seen him hanging with you and your friends most of the time. Isn't he the shortest one with straight hair?"
"Yeah, that's him," replied Harry.
"I see," said Malfoy. "Well, he's a first year, I don't think you would want teach that to him. He is young after all. I only learned the Unforgivables in my third year."
"Really? I thought...."
"Potter, don't assume anything you don't know, my father only teaches me what I needed to know," drawled Malfoy.
"Sorry," said Harry curtly. "So, I guess for now, would you be able to train with me? Maybe you could practice some too," said Harry.
"Yeah, I suppose that would do..." said Malfoy.
"Okay, how about this, since we don't have Quidditch practices on Saturdays, we'll meet here at three?"
"In the afternoon?"
"Well of course, what, are we going to sneak around in the dead of night?" said Harry sarcastically. Malfoy sniggered and Harry looked around in the large room and nodded to himself. "Okay, next for next assignment."
"The difficult one?"
"Yes, I haven't practiced this one either or tried it, it's Power-joint charm."
"I heard about that, I guess you are right, it is difficult."
"You tried it?"
"No, but I heard it is," replied Malfoy sarcastically. "So, that was your plan?"
"Yeah, I had to have people learn about each other a bit and then eventually have some teamwork with each other. Well, as you know, there's no telling who you would be partnered with after Hogwarts or even here."
"I presumed that," said Malfoy.
"Okay, let's see if I can stand up now..." Harry said, standing himself up from the stairs and found that he has his energy back. "Oh goodie," said Harry. He took out the whistle and blew it.
"Okay guys!" he called for quiet in the room. "This one, requires teamwork, and I ask each of your two people with another two people. Because this one is called Power-joint charm. Few of you know about this one, and it is indeed difficult and I do not expect everyone to get it right away. It will be our focus for next two or three meetings okay?"
"Hey, Hermione and Luna! Come here please," said Harry, summoning them. When the two girls came on stage and stood in front of the two boys. "Okay you guys, you have to watch carefully. First, you have to have some sort of plan before you do it. Most of the time you discuss with your partner before performing it. So I'll say what spell we're going to do to Malfoy. Privately of course," said Harry grinning at the girls. Luna looked calm but Hermione had the look of terror on her face, wondering what they would plan.
"Hey Malfoy, what do you think we should do?" he whispered.
"Well, we could levitate them, that would freak Granger," he snickered.
"Nah, how about Mud Hurling hex? I wonder what that would do...."
"Mud?" he whispered, "Ha, ha, Potter, you amuse me!" laughed Malfoy, causing everyone to be wary of the two boys now, especially the two girls on stage. Even Luna was affected, she had the look of suspicion on her face.
"So, Mud Hurling hex?" asked Harry, still whispering.
"Yes, let's do that, and the incantation is Limustrudos unita?"
"Yes, okay on the count of three.... " Malfoy nodded. "Ready girls?"
"Harry, what are you going to do?" asked Hermione; her voice set in high pitch.
"Nothing damaging," drawled Malfoy.
"Don't worry Hermione, we're going to count of three okay?"
"Okay Harry...."
"One, two, THREE!"
"Limustrudos unita!" yelled the two boys. What would have been only about two cups of mud with one person, but with power joint charm. Pool-sized mud came shooting out of their wands, surrounding by pink light and hit the girls full on and hit some of the kids in the background who got splattered. Some of them whooped, and laughed as Hermione stood there wide-eyed and Luna looked at her cloths interested. Hermione then started giggling.
"And I thought you were going to do something more horrible than this!" said Hermione, giggling as she took her wand out and used Scourgfiy spells on herself and Luna. "That was great Harry, that was so much more than it was with one person! If I am not wrong, two cups for one person, 2 people would be twenty gallons of mud. I don't want to imagine how much more that would be for three people, or even four!"
Harry looked at Malfoy, arching an eyebrow. She was right, there was no telling how strong Power joints could be.
"But what's even more amazing, you two did it!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry flustered a little, scratching his back, and Malfoy only smirked.
"Well, I would suggest not getting your hopes up you guys," said Harry to everyone. "I think only a handful will be able to get this. Well, Hermione, Luna, your turn? Oh everyone can begin, same rules apply as I have mentioned today."
"Why thank you Mr. Potter, I think I will get you back for that stunt you pulled," said Hermione in her formal voice. Harry just laughed as Malfoy stared at her as if to dare her to do just that. The two girls whispered to each other and grinned evilly but playfully.
"Okay, you two ready?"
"Yes," replied Harry as Malfoy nodded.
"On the count of three... one, two, three!"
"Lacrimosus Unita!" yelled Hermione and Luna, shooting a mixed of blue and green streams surrounding by thin sheet of pink similar to the one Harry and Malfoy used earlier.
I am sorry; I really need to end here! It is 32 pages long! 7,000 words in this chapter. I usually do 5,200 words and this is so long and I have to stop here or it would be twice as much! Heh-hehe ;; I'll try to post another one up soon. I already have parts of it written and sorry for cliffhanger there -Rini