Chapter 23
Practice Session Period Begins
On Friday, after lunch was served, Harry and his two friends made their way down to the cool dungeon corridors. Harry had been anticipating for this lesson since Tuesday. Of course, Malfoy was still somewhat decent. He still has the nasty attitude and the way he carried himself. He half wondered if Malfoy would do something to mess up their potion. But pushed that out of his head because he knew that Malfoy would want to have a grade.
At least, for once he would get a decent grade with a partner, Malfoy no less. Since the end of last year and up to now, he worked on potion by himself. He didn't really think how they would get anywhere with the assigned potion they would have to work on. Still, he sometime wondered if Severus Snape knew about the truce between himself and Malfoy. Perhaps he did, other wise he would have been suspicious by his lack of argument or even to try and get out of being partners with Malfoy longer than he did.
When the three arrived into the classroom, they had opted to sit near the front since they all knew they would be partnering with someone for this lesson.
"Potter, what are you doing sitting up here?" drawled Malfoy, sneering but with suspicion.
"Change of seating, got a problem with that?" replied Harry, not getting his stuff out nor were Ron and Hermione.
"Yeah I do, see you're striking in where you don't belong," replied Malfoy.
"Are you saying that this is a Slytherin zone? Wow, I never knew," said Harry with sarcasm. Of course, he knew that this was the Slytherin part of the classroom. Everyone had without speaking and accepted that fact for past six and half years.
"What else?" said Malfoy coolly and everyone heard the slamming of the door, announcing Professor Snape entering the room.
"Don't unpack your things," said Severus Snape, as he scanned the class, stopped at the trio, and seemed to scowled even more darkly and continued his survey of the classroom. "I will be putting everyone into your assigned partners," he said as he cast his spell onto the board and listing everyone's names with their partners. "Go find your seat, and don't dandle!" barked Professor Snape. Harry half wondered why he seems to be a bit tensed today but shrugged as he carried his bag over to a seat next to Malfoy.
"I hope you don't explode our potion," said Malfoy indifferently.
"Same with you Malfoy," said Harry, taking his stuff out as he looked around for his friends. Sure enough, Hermione was partnered up with Millicent and Ron with Blaise Zabini. At least Ron and her will behave somewhat' thought Harry grimly.
"Good, now we will be working on a difficult potion. Which is precisely why I assigned you all a partner, hoping to not cause any explosions," several of the Slytherins including Malfoy snickered as most Gryffindors paled slightly, excluding Hermione and Harry.
"This potion is called Fame Potion'. Of course, Potter doesn't need that potion as he is all ready a celebrity," he drawled, his eyes upon Harry who felt instantly angry and embarrassed. Everyone even a few Gryffindors laughed albeit quietly. Harry, still feeling abashed and angry, saw Malfoy raising his hand.
"Sir, if we can brew this, then how come everyone in the world is not famous?"
"That, is because I have rare ingredients which I feel will be no longer of use to me," he replied. Harry wanted to smash his head against the table because Professor Snape kept his eyes upon him, however cruelly. "This ingredient is precisely one of the major reasons I have partnered you up. Potter, tell me," Harry inwardly groaned. This day could not get any worse and reminded horribly of his first Potion's class. "What is this rare ingredient we will be using?" Harry saw the smirk on Malfoy's face and wanted to wipe that off his face, badly.
He quietly, but quickly stared at Snape, he knew what he had to do, All right, how do I retrieve the information about this rare ingredient? I need to know what this is mmm? Is that Hermione raising her hand again?'
"10 points from Gryffindor Granger for raising your hand out of turn," drawled Professor Snape as he continued to stare at Harry. "Well?"
I want to know what this rare ingredient you are mmm? Moon dust of course, he heard that they were so expensive in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.' "Sir, is it the Moon dust?" asked Harry, hoping that Severus Snape didn't realize what he had just done.
"Yes Potter," he replied stiffly and looked a bit peeved at unable to take off points without telling about what he had done. "It is, indeed the Moon dust, they are highly potent because for many millenniums, the dust itself have not been exposed to oxygen. Therefore, the less it is mixed with air, the more potent it becomes."
He took a large vial out, and showed to the class, it was pure white dust. "This," he said slowly, "has not been exposed to oxygen. What this works with the Fame Potion, is because of the surrealism, and potency surrounding this ingredient is very strong. Who can tell me what ingredient is far more potent than simple moon dust?" Harry knew that Hermione raised her hand, but Snape had ignored her as he scanned the classroom. To most people's surprise, Malfoy rose his hand as well.
"Sir, isn't it the mercury ingredient?" Malfoy said to the Potions Master who sighed and shook his head. Harry was surprised that Malfoy was actually wrong for once and smirked silently.
"Potter, do you know?" growled Malfoy as Severus Snape stared at Harry's smirk, which faltered quickly.
"N-no I don't," replied Harry.
"Make a guess," hissed Professor Snape. Harry sighed, thinking of what could be more potent than moon dust. It couldn't be anything vapor or how would you put the vast' space into a potion?' He frowned and looked back up at his professor, Bloody hell, how do I figure this one out, what could be more potent than of course' he realized for himself, and perhaps from Snape's mind.
"A human's blood?" Harry asked quietly and Severus took a small step back seemingly in surprise but scowled quickly.
"Yes Potter, I will ask you to remain after class to discuss whereabouts of information you have received," growled Professor Snape as he cast the directions on the board. "You may begin now!" yelled Professor Snape. "And please don't mishandle moon dust. Less than a pinch of dust will do. Better yet if you have large hands, I recommend you to have your partner with smaller hands and collect some dust. We do not need an explosion with sleep inducing and boils all of your body," he said over the clattering and moving things as Malfoy collected the moon dust. He stared at his own hands and Malfoy's and realized that Malfoy got the smaller ones and nearly growled in annoyance.
But he didn't, and now he took out some of the ingredients found on the board and began to work. Malfoy came back with the dust and set it on small piece of parchment. The two worked in silence but with few pointers such as We need to add one teaspoon of horse oil next.'
Their last ingredient before stirring the potion is the moon dust. Malfoy carefully tilted the parchment into the cauldron as the stream of blue vapor turned violently white when the moon dust hit the surface of its contents. The two boys had to shield their faces from sparkling liquids shooting out but slowed down as it boiled more rapidly.
"Careful Potter, don't get any on you. We don't people to start bowing to you," Malfoy sneered as Harry glared daggers at Malfoy as he began stirring the contents clockwise for two minutes as Malfoy started cleaning up the mess. Harry couldn't believe how well they had worked together.
Around them were causing a few chaos as one partner, Crabbe and Lavender's potion were over spilling its contents. Professor Snape had come and made their contents disappear with Evansaco.'
Malfoy poured some of the contents into a given vial, labeled their names and the potion and then handed it in. When Malfoy came back as Harry cleared up the contents inside of cauldron.
"As you are cleaning up, please don't get the potion on you. We don't need another Harry Potter to worship upon," said Professor Snape walking around the room. Several kids laughed as Harry growled under his breath. Truly not his day, he couldn't wait for the day to be over with. Malfoy then calmed down his snickers and turned to Harry.
"What do you know, we actually brewed something without fighting," drawled Malfoy. It was true, they hadn't fought once and Snape didn't exactly breathe down their necks, especially Harry's. He supposed that Snape wanted to find fault out of Harry so he could take off some points. He couldn't believe the two sides to Snape sometimes.
"Yeah, you're right," agreed Harry, putting his own things back into the bag.
"Well, I'd say you do potions decently with a competent partner," he said, sitting down. Harry felt something small snapped inside of him, he knew he was insulting Hermione, and himself included. But he quickly told himself to regain control.
"I would say the same to you Malfoy," said Harry coolly. He couldn't really believe that only last year, they were fighting outright at the end but now, well, it's just surprising. Malfoy smirked and the bell rang. Everyone but Harry filed out of the dungeon and Harry walked up to Professor Snape.
"Potter," he said stiffly, casting impenetrable charm on the door so no one could hear their conversation. "This is exactly what I want you to do," he said, but Harry was confused. He thought he was in for some trouble, but he was actually encouraging the discreet Legillimency? "However, only during my lessons, if you do in other ones, I will find out."
"Sir, why?" asked Harry.
"So you can have something to practice on," he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Besides your friends of course, now how did you receive the information from the second question?"
"Well, I thought it sounded, well, reasonable."
"Reasonable," he repeated as if it was a stupid thing to say. "Potter, just how did you come up with the human's blood?"
"Well, to tell the truth, I'm not sure," frowned Harry.
"Who were you thinking just before you question' what the answer was?"
"Erm Hermione" He didn't think that would help at all, for one, she was several seats behind her, and two, he had to be focusing on someone.
"We will continue our remedial potions on Tuesday next week for further practice and test something out."
Harry groaned inwardly, he had too many theories to try out and he was getting no where with any of them. For one, training tomorrow, and two, Tengu's murders, three, making a counter charm for Black Area charm, and now this. He wasn't sure how much more he could take before his mind spun.
"Yes Professor," said Harry, making his way out of the dungeons. "Good bye sir," he left and made up half way the stairs and found Malfoy standing there. "What?" snapped Harry.
"I just wanted to know what he wanted to talk to you about," drawled Malfoy.
"Just where I got the information from," replied Harry.
"Oh, and where did you find them? In a book?"
"Yeah, some book that I had forgotten about," mumbled Harry, making his way past Malfoy.
"Don't forget our training tomorrow morning," said Malfoy, making his way down the stairs.
"Why would I forget?" mumbled Harry as he made to the next class, Herbology.
At twenty to five in the morning next day, his watch beeped, alarm going off. Harry groggily woke up and turned his watch off and stretched a bit in his bed, yawning. He would be dueling training with Malfoy in twenty minute's time. He hoped that other professors wouldn't catch him, especially during his training. Harry sleepily got out of the bed only to be face to face with Dobby who squeaked and leaped back.
"Harry Potter, Dobby is sorry to wake you!" said Dobby, wringing his hands in guilty way.
"Don't worry Dobby, I just woke myself up, so good morning," greeted Harry.
"Oh, Good morning sir Harry Potter!" squealed Dobby but Harry made shushing noises. "Sorry Mister Harry Potter," he said in more quiet voice, wringing his hands again.
"Just be quiet and you'll be fine. Say, do you think you can get me something small to eat? Or even something to drink" He didn't think he could practice or train in his sense without something in his stomach.
"I am most happy to give you Mister Harry Potter!" with that, he snapped his fingers and disappeared. Harry wondered how house elves could disappear and not people. He reasoned that their magic must either be much more powerful than wizards or that they're magical creatures. On the other hand, even a complete different kind of magic they have. Soon, Dobby returned with toast, pumpkin juice, and some bacon. "Will this do? I'm very sorry, but we are sort of short on stocks of food."
"Really, short on food? Why?" frowned Harry.
"Oh don't worry Mister Harry Potter, deliveries are slower than usual Harry Potter."
"Oh," is all Harry said as he ate this pre-breakfast before training. "Thank you Dobby," he said giving back the cup. "I'll go now so I'll leave for now okay?"
"Yes Mister Harry Potter, Dobby is what he can do, I will keep working. Bye Mister Harry Potter!" Harry left the room and changed his cloths into some wizarding sweats that resembled something like Quidditch counterparts but more loosely and without the guards. Harry left the Gryffindor tower and no one had stopped him. Confident and made his way to Room of Requirement. He found Malfoy standing in front of the door, apparently confused and angry.
"There's no door here!" said Malfoy. "Does this room alternate?"
"No, you have to think what you need while walking back and forth like this," said Harry calmly. I need a place where Malfoy and I can train where a room can withstand powerful magic without well, blowing Hogwarts up I need a place to duel Malfoy safely' The door appeared in front of Malfoy.
"Oh" said Malfoy, comprehension dawning on him. "Well, prepared to go down Potter," smirked Malfoy. Harry only grinned back as they entered the room. This room was something similar to that of when Harry and Malfoy tested the theory back in D.A, however this time it was much bigger and he could feel magic pulsing within the walls. So that it can withstand a lot of magical power and explosions. Nodding to himself and turned to Malfoy.
"This will do," said Harry lightly.
"Yeah, I can almost feel the magic within the walls," said Malfoy, still looking around the room amazed.
"Yeah, I think it is so that we don't blow Hogwarts up or anything. Anyways, ready?"
"Whenever you are Potter, you block first."
"First Malfoy, I think we should start with something light and then build up to the harder spells."
"Precisely what I was thinking Potter," said Malfoy nearly dripped in sarcasm but admitting.
"Well, do your stuff," said Harry, their wands both at ready.
"Petrificus Totalis!"
"F-Fortifyia-" He had been too slow and got binded, and fell to the floor with a thud. Harry mentally winced in pain as he struggled against the petrifying spell. Well damn,' thought Harry.
"What was that Potter!?" yelled Malfoy, but unable to cover his snickers and his sly grin.
"Nggh," Harry tried to say something.
"Finite Incantetum," he took the petrifying spell off Harry and he stood up. "Well?"
"I-I was just not ready, but now I'm wide awake," said Harry. "Try again."
"Inflingo!" yelled Malfoy, sending the Punching hex.
"Fortifyia aegis!" He finally succeeded in blocking the spell and exploded into small burst of sparks.
"At least you did it right," drawled Malfoy.
"Yeah, I suppose, well, want a turn?" asked Harry, Malfoy shrugged. "Okay, Limutrudo!" he threw the mud hex at Malfoy, exactly the same one as they had thrown upon the girls and in charms lessons few days ago.
"Fortifyia Aegis!" shouted Malfoy, encountering the same time as Harry yelled the hex. Harry's hex collided with Malfoys blocking charm and instead of sparks, exploded with solid circle things and faded into nothing as it fell to the ground. "Mm, that was interesting," said Malfoy.
"Yeah, looks like every spell reacts differently to the blocking charm" Without warning, Malfoy struck a hex at Harry who yelled the blocking charm exactly the same time. Harry realized he had thrown the Expillarimus charm at Harry. Again, the spell collided but got a bigger explosion than the previous.
"Do you intend to throw me off Malfoy?!" Yelled Harry, however he had liked that. Because in battles, you could never know when they would attack
"Just testing your reflexes," smirked Malfoy. "Obviously they're good."
Shit, did he just complimented me?' thought Harry but he nodded in a sort of thanks way. Oh he was going to throw him off as well.
"Aveo Crinis!" yelled Harry just when Malfoy tried to say something but only been able to utter the first part of the word and got hit full on. His hair grew long, and longer without any signs of slowing down. Malfoy's hair became straw-y and bristle, not at all pretty.
"Ahh, Potter!" yelped Malfoy, feeling his hair, and it hadn't stopped growing. "POTTER STOP THIS!" Harry snickered and uttered the Finite incantatem spell on Malfoy. Soon, Malfoy's hair returned back to normal. "You will pay for that," snarled Malfoy, not at all amused.
"I thought we would throw each other off gu- Fortifyia aegis!"
"Lacrimosus!" yelled Malfoy and their spells collided again but with less power as it did with Expillarimus. "Damn you Potter."
"Well, if you went through what I have gone, you would be more vigilant."
"Shut up, you don't know what you're saying! Stringo!"
"Fortifyia aegis," said Harry automatically, and the strings that were meant to bind Harry dissipated into nothing with the blocking charm. "Really Malfoy, I didn't think you would have problems with your temper. I thought I was having that problem," said Harry lightly. Malfoy growled and sagged his shoulders downwards.
"Just, lets move on something more complicated," said Malfoy.
"Fine," agreed Harry, his wand still at ready. As soon Harry said fine', Malfoy threw another hex at him.
"Detergeo visus!"
"Foritiyaaaaa-" Harry couldn't complete his spell because Malfoy had become quicker in speed. His vision instantly became clouded in what looked like, sand and dirt in front of him. He could barely make out Malfoy's form but when he blinked, his eyes began to burn by the dust. "Auhhgggh!" groaned Harry, falling to his knees, holding his eyes.
"It'll go away in five minutes," sneered Malfoy. "I don't think they will let you have this so get back on your feet. Harry willed himself to stand up. As much as he hated to admit, Malfoy was right. Death Eaters and Voldemort wouldn't give him a second to recuperate. "Pulsus abentis!"
"Fortifyia aegis!" yelled Harry in the same direction that Malfoy threw and heard that the spells collided.
"You amaze me Potter," drawled Malfoy. "Do you think we can properly duel sometime?"
"Ha, are you signing a death warrant?" joked Harry.
"Perhaps I am," answered Malfoy. "Cifros Glimmeros!"
What!? Shi- Harry was taken aback by Malfoy's curse he had thrown and got hit full on. It hurt like hell, knives were stabbing him from all over his body. He was going to die, no wait, he wasn't.
"MALFOY! THIS IS ADVANCED curse, what are you thinking!?" Shit, I should have known this! What are Malfoy's intentions are anyways!? Oh I see, Malfoy's muttering the counter charm. Hey, is that one no' Harry frowned. He couldn't figure out what Malfoy's intentions were yet.
"Cifros repllious!" yelled Malfoy, seemingly in panic. The curse melted away and dispersed into the floor below.
"Malfoy, what the bloody hell were you thinking!? Those ones are advanced, we haven't agreed to that yet! They're practically Unforgivable!"
"Shut up Potter, of course I know that! I thought you would block that one," muttered Malfoy.
"You just caught me off guard."
"Weren't you saying that it is good to be caught off guard?"
"Yes, with certain kinds of spells! Not in our first training Malfoy, perhaps next time. God Malfoy, use your sense sometimes!"
"I do use my sense Potter, thank you very much," snarled Malfoy.
"That's it, stupefy!" growled Harry, yelling. But Malfoy effectively blocked that one with the blocking charm.
"Potter, you better not do that, rash Gryffindors usually meet their sticky ends," he said coolly. Harry felt like he had been slapped in the face and snarled.
"You shut up! Silencio!"
"Fortifyia aegis! Now really Potter, stop acting so rash!" said Malfoy, matching the same glare as Harry.
"I think it is time to take it to the next level," said Harry coolly. "Use all spells you want, and yes, the Unforgivables. However, I won't use that on you since well of course you would know."
"Ledo penitus!" yelled Malfoy, sending the curse to Harry. He recognized that one as mild version of Cruciatus curse.
"Fortifyia Aegis!" The explosion of the two spells had been somewhat considerably bigger than the Disarming charm.Without a moment hesitation, he added to the blocking charm. "Aegresere!"
"Fortifyia Aeeeeeaaahhh," yelled Malfoy but he uttered the blocking charm two seconds too slow. He fell to the floor and began throwing up the contents from last night, Harry could see that his fever looked more flush than usual and coughing. The Ill curse, sickened at what he thrown, and began the counter charm for the curse.
"Sanesco!" Harry saw Malfoy panting, catching his breath. "S-sorry, I didn't know."
"You didn't know that would happen?" drawled Malfoy, staring at him perplexed. Harry shook his head in answer.
"Scourgfiy, sorry Malfoy," said Harry.
"Hah, and you didn't know this would happen. Where did you get this from?"
"A book from Knockturn Alley," replied Harry.
"What, you went there?" asked Malfoy in interest. "Why would you go there?"
"Oh I felt like getting away from some people," muttered Harry. "It's only for knowledge, but I had randomly yelled that one. I didn't even know I had pronounced it right."
Malfoy shrugged and the two continued their training with each other, throwing every spell imaginable except for the Unforgivables. For some reason, Malfoy hadn't thrown them yet. Sometimes one of the two would get hit as they either said the charm wrong, spoke too slow or caught off guard. To anyone else, they would think they were dueling. But they weren't, only taking turns.
Some seventy minutes later, Harry took a step back, panting. Draco leaned down and balanced against his knees with his hands, the two were taking a short break, going over what they had done so far.
"Heh, tired?" rasped Harry.
"You are too, you know," smirked Malfoy.
"Well, I think we should try the Cruciatus curse next, see how much I can take it in this state."
"Y-yeah, sure," agreed Malfoy. The two boys straightened up and faced each other. It was almost seven all ready, Harry hadn't planned on staying this late. He was getting a bit concerned that a professor could walk by but shrugged it off. How likely would one, or even two come by this corridor? Not likely.
"All right," said Harry, readying himself. Malfoy nodded and rose his wand.
"CRUCIO!"
"Fortifyia," the door slammed open, "Aegis!" The two spells collided with each other, and Harry thought he had been a bit too slow but Malfoy's curse exploded into large fireworks and loud explosions.
"MR. MALFOY! MR. POTTER! I have never-!" screeched a woman's voice.
"MALFOY! POTTER! EXPLAIN THIS!" yelled a man's voice, oh, Harry was in deep trouble along with Malfoy.
Shit, shit, shit, shit, bloody hell, damnit! Shit, shit, shit!' thought Harry as he collapsed to the floor, sapped of all energy.
"Mr. Potter! Are you all right?" asked Professor McGonagall concernedly.
"Yeah we-we're just."
"Mr. Malfoy, explain this!" yelled Professor McGonagall. Professor Snape was holding Malfoy at the crook of his collar holding him close. It seems that he was talking to him in an unpleasant way.
"Pr-professor we-" Malfoy started, eyes widened still in shock from their appearance.
"Well?" demanded Professor McGonagall.
"Pro-professor, let me speak" said Harry quietly. How on earth were they getting out of this one untouched? The three stared at him, waiting for him to continue. "W-we were just training" said Harry meekly.
"Training? You call this training!?" asked Professor McGonagall, perplexed.
"I don't believe either of you two," said Professor Snape, glaring at the two teens. "Why would you train with Unforgivables!? Of all things!"
"Professor, didn't you hear what I said? I mean, I wasn't hit by the curse" Snape only stared at him with calculating stare as McGonagall pursed her lips together and nodded jerkily.
"Don't you know that blocking charm can't be defended more than intermediate spells?"
"What," whispered McGonagall, Snape looked speechless. The two professors stared at each other and back at Harry. "You're right Potter, how?"
"Well, you two do know how much power I erm, wield Malfoy just had a theory in D.A. club. We tested the theory and it worked. So, now we've decided that we would train each other. S-so that we don't have to be so exhausted. Look at me!" exclaimed Harry. Harry indeed was lying completely on the floor, unable to move a finger. "If I have to have any chance against-against," said Harry. Wait, this is the time to see his loyalties!' He looked over to Malfoy. "Against Voldemort and his Death Eaters." What are your reactions, do you even want to follow your father's steps? What are your intentions!?' Harry thought furiously but he knew he failed. He wasn't that skilled yet. The three of them shivered when Harry said Voldemort, which was all the reaction he had. Nothing more or less.
"Well, if that is true what you're saying Potter," said Professor Snape. "If you two really are training to better each other I prefer that you don't use the Unforgivables. Minerva?" He saw that her lip lining grew even thinner. He didn't think that it was possible in all of his years at Hogwarts.
"I agree, it is best if we keep this a secret. Who else knows?"
"Well" said Harry slowly. "Hermione, Ron, Mark and Ginny."
"What, why Mark?" asked Malfoy suspiciously.
"He's like a brother to me Malfoy," he said coolly. Why get suspicious about Mark? Oh I see, you don't trust him? Mmm'
"How often are you two going to meet?" she asked, looking at the two over her glasses.
"We were thinking about this time of the day, every Saturday mornings, from five to six, well. That was the original plan, but we stayed longer. So, I think we'll stay until seven or until we're tired."
"Well, I will be sure to have me or Severus oversee you two. I do not want to risk anything," she said, shifting her eyes at Malfoy.
She doesn't trust him' thought Harry, but then blinked. "What!? Oversee our training?"
"Yes Mr. Potter," replied Professor McGonagall. "If you attempt to change to a different times, then you two will receive detention until the end of the year. School year mind you," she added. Malfoy and Harry stared at each other, not liking this one bit. Not at all.
"Potter, Mr. Malfoy, I suggest you two get to breakfast," drawled Professor Snape, leaving the room. Harry sighed, lying there and feeling a bit useless.
"Mr. Potter, if this keeps up, you won't be walking for a week!" reprimanded McGonagall, levitating him. "Let's take you to Poppy, I'm sure she can give you something so you will have energy," she explained when she saw the horror on Harry's face but sighed in relieve. "Mr. Malfoy, please go down to Great Hall," he nodded and the three came out of Room of Requirement.
"How did you know where to find us?" asked Harry, curious.
"Professor Snape and I met in this corridor, and we heard shoutings. Then when we saw the door leading to that room. Well, you can imagine my surprise when we have never seen such a door before. When we heard Mr. Malfoy shouting that curse, we rushed in."
"Oh" said Harry, falling silent. At the doors to Hospital Wing stood Madam Pomfrey, talking to Professor Conan. The two looked over to who was coming.
"Oh no, Mr. Potter! Again?" cried Madam Pomfrey, "What's wrong?"
"I.. was sapped of energy. I can't move a finger" said Harry timidly. He didn't really like being levitated and now in front of Hogwarts medi-witch. She tutted as she walked away briskly for a potion.
"What happened?" inquired Professor Conan.
"Oh, it was a prank Ron set on me, real funny actually," said Harry laughing, making up as he went. He would have to tell Ron about this later.
"Oh no," groaned Professor Conan. Harry assumed that he would see more students sapped of energy.
"Don't worry, his brothers who invented this one, there's only one made and I fell for it. There won't be others and since this is well, defective. We won't use it," said Harry.
"I see, well I must get to Great Hall, good morning and good bye," said Professor Conan going down the stairs. Professor McGonagall looked to Harry, looking stern.
"Erm, sorry"
"If I didn't know any better, I would have said you were in Slytherin!" she exclaimed, shaking her head. Pomfrey returned with a vial of potion in hand.
"Here, can you set him down in the chair?"
"Of course," replied Minerva McGonagall. She set Harry down in the indicated comfortable chair. Madam Pomfrey helped him drink down the contents, which were surprisingly really tasteful. Soon, Harry began to move his fingers, then his arms, legs and toes.
"Thanks," said Harry, standing up but losing balance, fell back down again, and growled to himself. He tried standing up again, and succeeded. "Well, I'll go down to breakfast," said Harry.
"That's good to hear, get some food in your stomach," approved Madam Pomfrey, walking away with the now empty vial.
"Well, I suppose we can get to breakfast now," said Minerva stiffly. Harry nodded in agreement. The two made their way to Great Hall. He found Ron, Hermione and the others there. "See you later Professor," said Harry, making his way towards his friends.
"Hey mate, erm" began Ron, looking over to Hermione.
"How was the training?" she asked, whispering. Harry waved her question away, indicating they would talk later. He then dug into food, and by the time he finished eating, he surprised himself. He had ate five helpings of food which even shocked Ron.
"Mate, you're eating a lot today!"
"Yeah, I need more energy. So, more food for me I guess," said Harry, grinning as he helped himself to sixth helping. After breakfast, the group of Gryffindors made their way to Room of Requirement. After entering the room, this consisted of many sofas and a large grate of fire. Harry sat down as the others followed example.
"Well, what is it like?" asked Hermione anxiously.
"It worked, until they came. I mean, the training went fine, just a few fights here and there. But mostly great. But when we tried the Unforgivable again, with me blocking Cruciatus. Guess who came?"
"Who?" asked everyone.
"Snape and McGonagall," replied Harry flatly. "Just when he cast the Cruciatus curse on me, they came! JUST MY LUCK!" fumed Harry, he didn't want anyone except his friends to know what is going on.
"What, is Malfoy being expelled?" asked Ron eagerly.
"No, we said that we were training," said Harry flatly, Ron looked disappointed and sagged back into his seat. "But they are willing to keep the secret. Only catch is that they have to oversee our training," said Harry glumly.
"Well, that's great!" exclaimed Hermione.
"No it isn't," said Harry, glaring.
"But Harry, how do we know if his intentions are true or not?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out, not much success though," said Harry sullenly.
"Well, we'll find out soon, hopefully," said Hermione, frowning for her friend.
"Yeah, soon."