A/N: Hey, sorry I took long to update but it's my senior year in High School and I've been really busy. I still don't understand what you mean by writing in prose "The Unknown Weasley" seeing as I've never really took any writing workshops as people call them. But if you have anytime maybe you would like to beta for me? I appreciate your comments.
Chapter Ten: Let it Snow!
"Today you will be working with an Innocence Protection Potion," informed Professor Snape. "This potion is used mainly when babies are born into Wizarding families. It protects the child from evil influences…the instructions are on the blackboard," drawled Snape with a flick of his wand.
The blackboard was filled with words and sentences instructing the students in how to make an Innocence Protection Potion. Harry began gathering the ingredients he needed. Harry took five acacia beans and began to grind them into a fine powder. Catherina who was next to him began to do the same but in a hurried manner.
"What's the rush, Black?" Harry asked her.
"I have things to do," she muttered and continued to grind the acacia beans.
Once Harry had finished grinding the acacia beans he looked up to read the rest of the instructions from the black board.
2 oz of chopped Agrimony stalks
Harry checked to see if he had any Agrimony stalks. He sighed and asked Hermione for some but she had used the last bit of it. Harry cursed.
"Black, do you have any Agrimony left?"
Catherina nodded and placed three stalks on his desk.
"That should do," she answered and began to throw pieces of alder bark into the boiling water inside the cauldron.
Harry stared.
"You're too slow, Potter," said Catherina and reached over to throw Harry's alder bark pieces into his cauldron. "You better finish chopping those."
Catherina returned to her own potion. She picked up a large wooden spoon and stirred the potion. Her potion had turned a maroon color. She nodded knowingly and added three drops of concentrated Bundimun juice and two drops of aloe concentrate. Her potion emitted a purple puff. A light red vapor started rising from her cauldron. Harry quickly did the same as Catherina and was surprised to see it had turned out right. Cat pointed out that they still needed to slice three roots of angelica when someone knocked at the door. Professor Snape gave everyone the glare of death and answered the door. Standing before him was none other than Professor Trelawney, looking all-important and such.
"Excuse me Professor, I hate to interrupt your…"paused Professor Trelawney in her search for the adequate words. "Ever so educational lesson but I must borrow Mister Malfoy and Miss Black.
Harry frowned. He leaned towards Catherina.
"Why would she want you?" He asked her.
Cat had begun packing her bag. She tapped Hermione on the shoulder.
"You'll finish my potion for me, right?" Catherina asked.
Hermione nodded. Cat turned to Harry.
"Christmas activities," she muttered.
"Hurry up, Black!" Malfoy shouted with glee. "Don't wanna miss your singing lesson."
"Singing!" Squealed Lavender Brown and giggled along with Parvati Patil.
Catherina blushed and rushed out of the classroom. Hermione shrugged.
"I heard there is going to be some songs and that Trelawney has a choir of sorts," muttered Hermione adding the sliced angelica roots to her potion.
Harry finished slicing his roots and added them to the potion. He looked up one more time at the blackboard for instruction.
A pinch of crushed Avens
10 lacewings, stewed
5 nettles
Harry added all the ingredients. He smiled. This was the first time his Potion had been accomplished. Must be because Snape hasn't tortured me today. Harry stopped what he was doing. Why hadn't Snape tortured him? He has been quite throughout the whole lesson. As if on cue Snape lifted his gaze from the piece of parchment he was furiously writing on.
"What is Potter? Upset I haven't been watching your every move? Would you like me to point all the places you went wrong? I have no time to play baby-sitter…in fact I am sick of your faces, hand over what you have done and leave. You will be graded on that," said Snape finally.
The class groaned loudly. There were many students who hadn't completed their potion.
"Fine," said Professor Snape without looking up. "Don't hand in a sample of your Potion. I will give you a zero for the day anyways."
The glass took vials and filled them with their potions and handed them in, not before labeling them with their names. Harry handed his but made sure that Snape wouldn't see him. Just in case he felt the sudden urge to sneeze and knock over his vial.
"Okay students," said Hagrid loudly. "Gather 'round."
Hagrid was standing in front of a large wooden stage. Harry, Hermione and Ron walked forward cautiously. They immediately were hit by a smell…
"What died?" Exclaimed Seamus Finnegan.
"So you actually finished something?" Ron asked impressed but wrinkling his nose from the stench
Harry nodded and smiled proudly. He had just told Ron about his Advanced Potions class. Hagrid called their attention by raising his massive hands. He smiled sheepishly.
"Watch closely," he said and reached down towards a wooden plank.
Hagrid pulled at it and ripped it off revealing a sort of greenish fungus with eyes. The smell of decay grew stronger with each second. The sunlight hit the green patch with eyes. It scuttled away on numerous spindly legs and hid underneath another plank of wood. Hagrid chuckled as some of the girls squealed.
"Who can tell me what this is?" He asked.
This time there was only Hermione to raise her hand. Harry smiled. Just like old times. Hagrid pointed at Hermione.
"They're called Bundimun," replied Hermione with a smile. "The Bundimun oozes a secretion which rots away the very foundations of the dwelling on which it is found."
"Good!" Exclaimed Hagrid. "Very good! Ten points for Gryffindor."
Hagrid instructed then on how to get rid of a Bundimun infestation. You needed to use a Scouring Charm. Hagrid divided them into groups of three. Harry, Hermione and Ron worked together until it was time for lunch. The trio headed towards the Great Hall but on the hallway they encountered someone they had rather not.
"Well if it isn't the murderer," drawled a voice from behind them.
Harry, Hermione and Ron turned.
"What are you talking about Malfoy?" Harry spat.
"Don't think you'll get away with it, Potter," snarled Draco.
"Get away with what?" Harry asked.
"You killed my father!"
Harry scoffed.
"I didn't but you know what?" Harry began his face getting red. "I am glad he's dead!"
"You'll regret those words Potter!" Malfoy shouted and pulled out his wand.
"Expelliarmus!" Shouted a voice and Malfoy's wand flew out his hand and onto the ground.
Catherina wedged herself between Harry and Draco.
"That's enough, Draco," said Catherina softly.
"NO! He killed my father!"
"I did not!" Harry retorted.
Catherina scoffed.
"He already told you he didn't do it. Get over it Malfoy," advised Catherina. "Your father dug his own grave. He's where he belongs."
Draco snorted and walked away. Catherina watched Malfoy walk away before turning to Harry with a sympathetic look.
"Draco is all foam and no butterbeer…most of the time, all the same you would do well to be cautious," she said and began to walk away.
Harry chased after her and spun her around.
"Where are you going?" Harry asked her.
"Upstairs," she said writhing from his grasp. "Go have some lunch. You just hope McGonagall doesn't find out about your little incident with Malfoy."
Harry nodded and joined Ron and Hermione for lunch.
"Now," said Professor Weasley loudly over the students chattering. "Come on class!"
The chatter became louder. During lunch Professor Trelawney had announced that a school play was going to be performed for the Christmas Feast. It was a musical actually. The try-outs were to begin at six in the evening. Ron and Hermione seemed interested.
"Please, please, please," begged Hermione and Ron. "Please Harry!"
"No!" Harry shouted. "There is now way I'm singing and dancing in front of the whole school."
"Oh, come on Harry! You'll be great for the part!" Hermione informed. "The Nightmare Before Christmas is a wonderful movie."
"I thought it was a musical," said Ron bewildered.
"Well, it is," said Hermione to Ron and turned to Harry. "Harry, please?"
Harry grunted.
"Fine!" He yelled and Ron and Hermione cheered.
"Now, class, I need your attention!" Professor Weasley yelled.
The class finally decided that it was time for a lesson.
"Today you will be using everything you learned during last lesson," he informed. "But you will also need to use everything that you have learned over the past years."
Professor Weasley cleared his throat and waved his wand. The wall behind opened with a loud rumble and revealed a cave. The students gasped.
"Wh-wha-what are we supposed to do?" Neville stammered.
"You will divide into groups of three," he said winking at Hermione, Ron and Harry. "Your job is to be the first team to make it to the end, retrieve the ancient artifact and return here…with the artifact of course."
Hermione raised her hand. Professor Weasley smiled.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"What exactly does this ancient artifact look like?"
"You'll know when you see it," he answered with a knowing smile.
The class was divided into these groups: Neville, Dean and Seamus. Harry, Hermione and Ron. Lavender, Parvati and a short girl from Ravenclaw. Cho, Marietta and a girl with a large nose and small eyes and the rest of the students were to watch from a magical mirror that Professor Weasley had provided.
"Okay," said Professor Weasley setting the timer. "Begin!"
The teams rushed into dark cave. They stumbled through the darkness for what seemed an eternity and they finally reached a bright chamber. There were floating embers everywhere. Four different paths occupied the premises. Neville and his team took the third one from the left. Parvati and her team took the first one from the left. Cho Chang and her friends took the second one from the left. Harry, Hermione and Ron were left with the last one from the left.
It was dark and hot so Harry pulled out his wand and muttered: "Lumos."
Hermione and Ron did the same. They looked at their faces illuminated by the dim light, as they appeared to be floating in midair.
"Now, where to?" Ron asked.
"Forward I guess," muttered Harry and began to walk cautiously.
"So, Hermione," began Ron. "Want to start running by us what we learned during last lesson."
Hermione scoffed.
"Fine," she replied. "But only because I want to beat Cho."
Harry and Ron chuckled.
"Well, we learned about the ancient Egyptian wizards," she began in a very know-it-all tone. "Mostly about their curse and spells…and I think he said something about amulets and how they set curses on the temples…" Hermione stopped abruptly and started breathing heavy.
"Hermione," said Harry. "Keep going."
Hermione shushed him and whispered: "Nox"
"Hermione, what is it?" Ron whispered.
"There's something out there," whispered Hermione also.
Harry and Ron turned off the light on their wands. Along the dark passageway something moved slowly and clumsily. They could hear the faint sound of footsteps. The sound drew closer and closer and closer and…
"What do we do?" Ron asked panicked.
"First of all," said Harry swallowing. "We don't panic…it can't be that dangerous or Professor Weasley wouldn't have put it here…and," began Harry.
"You're forgetting that he's my brother! AND FRED AND GEORGE'S! HE'S CAPABLE OF ANYTH…" Ron shouted but Hermione put a hand over his mouth rather forcibly.
The figure was close enough to observe. It was tall and skinny and was covered in bandages. Harry scoffed as the figure continued moving towards them.
"A mummy," said Harry and pulled out his wand.
"A what?" Ron asked.
"A fictitious character from muggle horror movies," said Hermione frowning.
"Can't be that hard to beat," said Harry aiming and thinking of a spell.
"Yeah," said Hermione pulling out her own wand and noticing something further on in the dark. "But how do you kill something that is already dead? And…"
"And?" Harry asked looking at her sideways.
"We have company," said Ron pulling out his wand too.
Behind the mummy the trio had first spotted were at least ten more. Suddenly they stopped. Harry, Hermione and Ron's breathing became faster with every second. The mummies raised their clammy hands and cupped them over their heads. Inside their cupped hands began to glow a blue light that crackled with lightning.
"This isn't good," said Harry backing away.
"What? They don't do this in your muggle movies?" Ron inquired.
Three balls of blue electricity were thrown at them. Hermione ducked, Harry threw himself flat on the ground and Ron looked up, just in time to see the ball of lightning coming straight at him. Ron tried to mutter a spell but the ball had already hit him on the mouth of his stomach. He flew backwards.
"Ron!" Hermione shouted.
"Diffindo!" Harry yelled and pointed at the first mummy to the right.
Harry's spell struck at his arm. The mummy's arm fell to the ground. It made a ball of lightning and threw it at Harry. His aim was bad and fell two feet short. Harry smiled. Hermione ran towards Ron. Harry pointed at the mummy's remaining arm and shouted: "Diffindo!"
"Ron!" Hermione shouted as she knelt beside him. "Ron, are you okay?"
Ron moaned and struggled to sit up with his hand on his stomach.
"Yeah," he grunted. "It stings though."
Hermione stared at him without saying anything then suddenly threw her arms around him and began to sob loudly. Ron stared at Harry wide-eyed. Harry shrugged at him and returned his gaze towards the advancing mummies. Harry aimed at the one already conjuring a blue lightning ball. The mummies leg broke off and the mummy fell to the ground. Ron recovered and hugged Hermione back.
"It's okay, Hermione," whispered Ron.
Hermione stopped sobbing and released Ron. She wiped her tears away and hiccupped.
"Don't you do that ever again!" Shouted Hermione whacking Ron three times on the arm.
"Ok, guys, a little help here," said Harry taking aim at another mummy and sending his spell at it.
Hermione and Ron got up and stood next to Harry.
"Diffindo!" The trio shouted, each one at a different mummy.
There were four left. Hermione took two down in less than three seconds leaving Ron and Harry to deal with the other two. Harry, Hermione and Ron took a minute to recover.
"Now," panted Hermione. "That wasn't so bad."
"Not at all," said Ron feigning cheeriness.
Hermione glared at him.
"Forward my crew!" Harry exclaimed pointed forward.
Hermione, Ron and Harry made their way down the dark passageway and came to a brightly lit opening. They appeared to be in a museum of sorts… Ron walked up to a wax replica of a lion.
"Interesting," said Ron patting it.
Hermione frowned. She swallowed and pulled out her wand.
"Ron," began Hermione. "Get away from there."
"Huh?" Ron managed to say before being interrupted by a large roar.
He slowly turned around to face the large face of the wax lion. Ron stuttered and ran to hide behind Hermione and Harry.
"Lector priests were credited with bringing wax animals to life," said Hermione as a matter-of-factly.
Harry sighed.
"Hermione," spat Harry. "Give us something useful, like how do we beat it."
"You melt it," said Ron suddenly and taking aim.
"What?" Harry and Hermione asked in unison.
"It's wax, isn't it?" Ron pointed out and backing away from the advancing lion.
The lion roared one more time and leapt towards Hermione. Hermione screamed and rolled away. Harry ran towards Hermione. The lion turned and began to stride towards Ron and growling. Ron swallowed and began to pace backwards, never taking his eyes off the lion. The lion jumped on him and knocked him to the ground.
"Ron!" Hermione yelled.
"It's definitely not his day," muttered Harry and pointed his wand at the wax lion. "Diffindo!"
The wax lion's tail fell off. The lion growled and turned its head towards Harry before returning his attention to Ron.
"Ok," said Harry with a nod. "That didn't have the effect I was expecting."
The lion had its paws on Ron's chest. Ron coughed, pointed his was at the lion's right eye and shouted: "Oculus Infractus!"
The lion roared and stumbled backwards. Ron got up quickly and pointed his wand at the writhing lion.
"Ok, Hermione, Harry on the count of three!" He ordered. "We'll do the fire charm."
Hermione and Harry nodded getting closer to the suffering lion. The lion lashed out and hit Harry on the arm. Harry stumbled but managed to maintain his balance.
"One…" Ron began. "Two…Three!"
"Incendio!" The trio shouted.
Three medium sized balls of orange flames flew at the wax lion. The lion roared and the cave began to shake. The wax lion began to melt away slowly but never quieting. The lion continued to roar until it became nothing but a puddle of wax. Ron walked up to it and poked it with his foot. It had already dried. He noticed something on the ground and picked up. He threw it at Harry. Harry caught it. It was the wax lion's tail.
"Your trophy," said Ron with a smirk.
"I already have one," replied Harry and pointing at the arm the lion had hit him. He had four gashes.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed and demanded to have a look.
"I'm fine," said Harry and threw the wax tail at Ron. "I think the one who deserves a trophy is you."
Ron smiled.
"Nice conjunctivitis curse by the way," said Hermione stopping at the middle of the cave. "Onto the next adventure!"
"You figure we'll get that bloody ancient artifact now?" Ron said standing beside her.
"I doubt it," said Harry laughing and bandaging his arm as much as his medical know-how would allow him.
The trio walked out of the cave where the remains of the once wax lion remained and walked into another big opening. There were many floating balls of green flames. Harry twitched.
"I don't like this," he whispered to Hermione.
Hermione nodded.
"It's quiet," muttered Ron.
"Too quiet," affirmed Hermione.
The trio walked cautiously towards the center of the green cave. The looked around them nervously. Ron kept sucking his teeth and Hermione gasped every time he did it.
"Cut it out!" Hermione shouted.
"Sorry," muttered Ron.
Harry's breathing became heavier with every second. His throat was so dry he could barely swallow. He wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand.
Harry could hear his heart beating in his ears. Then a green mist started surrounding them. Harry, Hermione and Ron clustered together and pulled out their wands. Out of the mists walked a hippopotamus. Upon its head was a large oval stone. It was a gray color.
Hermione nodded. She pointed at the stone upon the hippo.
"The hippopotamus goddess: Taweret," said Hermione.
"Once again, Hermione," said Harry through clenched teeth. "Don't tell me what it is. Tell me how to beat it."
"Aim at the stone," said Hermione exasperated.
"Easy," said Ron and pointed at the oval stone over the goddess' head.
Ron opened his mouth to utter a charm but Taweret's eyes glowed and from them sent a red beam of light towards Ron. Ron threw himself on the ground, evading the beam.
"Ok," said Ron pushing himself up off the floor and wiping the dust off his shirt. "Maybe, not so easy."
"A Distraction," said Hermione running towards the other side of the room.
"What in the Bloody Hell are you doing?" Ron shouted.
"Accio Stone!" Hermione shouted.
The goddess turned to her and began launching red beams at her. Hermione dodged, jumped and rolled. She was avoiding them like a complete athlete.
"She's gone mad," muttered Ron.
"Accio Stone!" Harry shouted from behind the hippo.
The Stone flew towards him and Harry caught it with one hand. The hippopotamus remained still and turned into stone. Hermione got up from the ground walked towards Harry and Ron. The trio looked at the stone without saying a word. A rumbling shook the cave sending Harry, Hermione and Ron to the ground. The friends struggled to stand up but the shaking didn't allow it. Towards the east of the cave a slab of stone rolled away revealing a small opening. From it came a bright orange light. The shaking stopped. Harry got up slowly and helped Hermione up. Ron got up also. Slowly, the trio got up and started walking towards the small opening in the wall. Ron volunteered to crawl in first.
"I'll call once I am on the other side," said Ron crawling through.
"Be careful!" Hermione called after him.
Harry and Hermione waited nervously until Ron called. They let out a sigh of relief and crawled through also. On the other side, Ron was curiously observing a square pillar. In one of the pillar's side was a hole about the same size as the stone that Harry was carrying. The same stone that had belong to Taweret, the hippopotamus goddess.
"My guess," said Ron and pointing. "Is that the stone goes there."
"I'll agree with that," said Hermione and taking a hold of Ron's hand.
Ron looked down at Hermione's hand embracing his, then at Harry. Harry smiled and shrugged.
"I guess it's my turn to do something," said Harry walking towards the pillar and sizing up the stone to the hole. "Ready?"
"Ready," said Hermione and Ron.
Ron gave Hermione a gentle squeeze. Harry placed the stone into the belonging space. The pillar began to spin quickly. Harry backed off a little. As the pillar spun quickly it emanated bright lights: orange, green, yellow, blue… then it all stopped. In the middle of the pillar a square piece slid to the right to reveal a small chamber. Inside the chamber was a book. Harry stretched his hand inside and pulled it out. It was large, old and made of leather.
"Egypt's Lost Grimoire," said Hermione in awe and took the book from Harry. "It holds the complete history of ancient Egypt, not the revised and edited version the Muggles have but the one with all the ancient wizards…after the invasion of the Romans it was lost…"
Hermione opened it. Ron and Harry clustered around her. Hermione pulled out a feather that was between the pages.
"Well, this is odd," she said then twitched. "Hold on to me boys."
"Why?" Ron and Harry asked.
"Portkey," she replied quickly.
Ron and Harry, each placed one hand on one of her shoulders before being transported back into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Professor Weasley was there by himself and applauded. Hermione closed the book and handed it to the professor. Harry smiled.
"Very good! Excellent job! Fifty points for Gryffindor!" Professor Weasley exclaimed. "It took you a little while but you got there. I'm afraid the other teams have since long given up and are already in their common rooms. Some are at the Hospital Wing getting bandaged up by Madam Pomfrey," added Professor Weasley glancing at Harry's hurt arm, Ron's burnt shirt and Hermione's scratches and bruises.
"Good," said Ron sternly. "I say we deserve something. We get attacked by Mumblelees," began Ron agitated.
"Mummies, Ron," said Harry.
"Yeah, whatever," shot Ron. "Then a lion tries to eat us, and to top it all off, there's some crazy hippoplatumus thingie trying to fry us! And what do we get as a reward? A book! Merlin's Beard, Bill!" Ron exclaimed.
"Ronald!" Hermione reprimanded. "First of all it's not just a book and it's Professor Weasley."
Harry shook his head. Professor Weasley handed the book to Hermione.
"Since you have done such a marvelous job. I will lend you the book but," he said raising a finger. "You are to return it immediately after you finish reading it. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," said Hermione smiling broadly.
"Good," he said and sitting down at his desk. "Class dismissed. You should all head towards the Hospital Wing."
The trio left the room each with their own trophy. Harry had his three gashes in his arm. Ron had the wax tail from the lion that had tried to eat him and Hermione had her book. Later that night, Harry, Hermione and Ron were in the common room. Hermione was reading the Grimoire as fast as she could and Ron and Harry argued over a very interesting subject.
"Harry," insisted Ron. "I really think you should start it again."
"I don't know Ron," said Harry scratching his head.
"You want to know what I think?" said Hermione with a determined look in her eyes. "I think you should start immediately. Tomorrow night is perfect. There is no Quidditch practice, I checked," said Hermione handing Harry the notebook where she kept the teams stats and schedule.
"Since when are you so determined, don't you have homework to do?" Ron asked.
"I have my reasons and you want to know what's interesting?" Hermione asked turning the large leather book around so that Harry and Ron could have a look at it.
"The book is unfinished…it's like the author just disappeared…"
"What are you talking about, Hermione?" Harry asked.
Hermione sighed and read: "…the sudden appearance of three beautiful ladies by the names of Dordie, Athanasia and Alysia. The girls were from Greece. They were welcomed into the land of Egypt. The Polyxena sisters, as they were called, were mysterious and powerful. Rumors started that these girls came to Egypt with evil intentions. One night a council was made. They had decided that the girls were to be chased away. When the men went to get them a battle aroused. The girls called forces only known to be done by Gods! The men fled frightened. The sisters were not pleased and plotted revenge against the people of Egypt. They brought plagues and sickness. Then on one stormy night the Polyxena sisters had broken into the temple of Isis. There the sisters…. And that's where it ends," said Hermione slamming the book shut.
"Either the book wasn't finished, or someone made sure that the remaining pages were not read," whispered Hermione.
"You're reaching," said Catherina Black.
The trio jumped.
"Cat!" Hermione exclaimed and stood up. "What are you doing here?"
"Auditions started five minutes ago," she informed. "And I have all of your names right here. So, are you going or not?"
"Oh, right!" Hermione said. "The Nightmare Before Christmas! I'll be right down," she said and went up the stairs leading to her dormitory.
Catherina smiled at Harry and winked.
"I signed you up for Jack the Pumpkin King," said Catherina and the smiled at Ron and ran a finger across her bottom lip. "And I signed you up for the Mayor."
Catherina laughed softly.
"I'll see you boys later. The auditions are being held in the Great Hall."
Catherina glanced at Harry again and bit her lower lip. Harry swallowed and blushed. Cat smiled and walked out of the common room.
"Ok," said Ron hiding a smile. "That was uncomfortable."
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked abruptly and fixing his maroon sweater.
Ron laughed.
"Nothing," said Ron with a sigh. "Nothing at all."
