+parseltongue
Time of Change
Chapter 5: Room of Requirement, part 1
-Hard Lessons
It'd been almost a full year by their count although it was difficult to tell sometimes especially with the schedule they were on. For the first few weeks they'd all had trouble sleeping and when they did sleep they didn't stay asleep for long. A lot of the times many could be found sparring until they were exhausted. It wasn't until Dean's discovery of the Ravenclaw Journal did they begin to fully understand. Rowena pointed it out to them that the room had been enchanted with sleep suppressors so that she could do three times the work with only a couple hours of sleep. This allowed her extra time to work on scholarly pursuits without worrying about being groggy for her classes the next day.
Hermione thought that it was a brilliant idea. Ron agreed but wished he could take it back after Hermione and Cho put them on a new training schedule. He complained about it the first day until the realization that it was all practical work hit him. This was stuff that he, Harry, and Hermione usually excelled at during their adventures (as Gred and Forge called them).
'We've been over everything. What do we do now?' Hannah asked in an exasperated voice one day after the start of the second year. Hermione with help from the journal was pushing the DA; Harry included, through their paces. They'd been going over and over the material covered in O.W.L. and the N.E.W.T. level Charms, DADA, Transfiguration and as much as they Potions.
'That's not everything.' Ron spoke up. 'Hannah, if we get out today would you be able to fight off a group of Death Eaters? Do you think you're ready?'
'Sure, you guys managed to handle the ones at the Ministry.'
'But are you prepared to fight to the death? Are any of you?' Ron asked his voice echoing throughout the room.
'Yes I do.'
'Those who think they're ready step forward.' Hannah, Zacharias, and the Creevey brothers stepped forward. 'Alright then.' Ron said. Harry nodded to him. Hermione caught the exchange and moved the others back. 'Serpensortia engorgio dispellere. Caelestis leonis.' A black viper shot out of his wand began to grow until it was the size of horse. A lion with a shimmering mane of mist appeared.
'Vallum inclus.' Harry said calling forth a wall of blue light. 'The animals before you are real. They are alive. They will harm or kill you but unlike the Death Eaters they will not enjoy it.'
+Attack+
The viper slithered forward and struck at Hannah. She jumped aside her wand hand flipped back behind her 'Stupefy!' It hit and dissipated. The spell only served to enrage the beast. 'Shit!' She screamed as she once again dodged the snakes attack. A jet of light slammed into the snake from the other side leaving a small cut across its hide. Hannah turned to Zacharias only to see him come flying towards her. The serpent's tail cracking the ground where he once had been.
A blast of pale blue fire caught the tail end of Colin's robes freezing it solid. Another blast soared towards Denis cascading against a greater protection shield. The edges of the shield began to flicker as ice accumulated on its surface. He jumped to the side as the shield shattered barely escaping the lion's icy breath. Denis noticed a shard of ice imbedded in his leg as he tried to stand. The lion pounced. 'Protego.' Colin smiled with relief as the beast rebounded off his shield charm.
The remaining members of the DA stood back and watched. They didn't say a word as the others fought for their lives. The free spar rule was still in effect. He and Ron stood side by side as the animals pinned Hannah and the others down behind shields that were slowly losing power. If the assaults continued they'd eventually break through.
Denis shot a fireball at the lion causing it to back off. Several cutting hexes flashed from Hannah's wand. Both groups alternating who would hold the shield in place. Harry frowned at the display that the four combatants were giving. They had learned a large range of spells some ordinary, some advanced, and some that are borderline dark. Yet for some reason none of them had used anything more powerful than a cutting hex.
'Maybe this exercise is pointless. If they won't make a move when their lives are clearly in danger then they aren't ready. As he was about to turn and tell Ron that the exercise was over it happened.'
'Immolare maximus' shouted Colin. A blood red light hit the lion surrounding it in an orb of boiling light which collapsed sinking into the beast. Moments later is skin began to blister turning black and hissing before it erupted into a geyser of flames and gore. 'Sanguis d' acidus.' A sickly green dart of light hit the viper in the eye. Its eye burst with a loud pop followed by the bubbling remains of the snakes innards.
The four were tired but on guard in case they had to fight him and Ron. Ron smiled before whipping his wand in an arc. 'Evanesco.' The floor was cleared of the carnage that had taken place.
'Are you guys still ready?' Ron asked. They shot him a glare that could melt steel but it withered away before they all hung their heads and admitted that they were still not ready. Zach, where did you learn that last spell?
'Accio.' A book soared into his hand. Zach looked a bit nervous as he handed over the book. It was bound in black leather. Harry flipped through it only to find that each page was a piece of black parchment with no writing. Harry looked at him curiously. 'Um…it's a book on blood magic. You won't be able to read it until you add your blood to a page. Although it may not show all that much, I was only able to get a few spells out of the book. I think it can tell how powerful you are by your blood.'
'Zach do me a favor and don't mention this to anyone okay.' Harry vanished the book to his sleeping area.
'Alright Harry.'
Later on that evening after the others had fallen asleep he got up and cast a quick sleep enchantment over them to make sure no one woke up. With another quick flick of his wand two books sped towards him. After a circuit round the room he unlocked Ravenclaw's lab. With a conjured knife he cut across his palm letting the blood flow heavily upon the black tome. The book glowed red and began to write itself in blood. The writing continued until every page was filled. 'Accio parchment.' Rolls of parchment landed softly onto the table. He made swirling motions above the book before moving over to touch his wand to the rolls of parchment. 'Transcrebere Libre d' Sanguis.' Words began to burn themselves into the parchment. While the spell continued to form letters he turned to the Ravenclaw journal.
'Lady Ravenclaw.'
'Yes Harry?'
'I need your advice. I believe Hermione told you what's going on beyond this room.'
'Yes she has. What would you have me do Harry?'
'There are some things I need to know. First what do you know of blood magic, mind magic, and magical warfare? I also need to know if it is possible for you to help me figure out if any of the spells, rituals, and potions would be useful during battle.'
'Well I have some experience with both mind magic and blood magic. I am well versed in the mental arts. I can only assume that you wish to continue your studies in occlumency and legilemensy. From what I hear your Professor Snape is not a very good teacher.'
'You and Hermione have been talking a lot.' Harry said with a grin.
'With my instruction you'll be a master mentalist in no time. I'll leave it up to you to instruct the others. Also, Harry, when you are ready for me to help you with blood magic just slip a copy of the text into the journal face down and I will be able to examine its usefulness.'
'If you will Lady Ravenclaw please do not mention this to anyone else.'
'I have faith in you Harry and will do as you ask for now but speak with someone soon. The powers we posses can corrupt us quickly. Do not give me cause to regret my part in whatever plans you have.' Harry thought on these words as he closed the book and went to bed.
A/N I hope that everyone finds this chapter to their liking. Please review though I could use ideas and constructive criticism. New chapters will be forthcoming.