Chapter 6: Harry's contribution
Hermione still ticked, " I can't believe that boy's nerve, - " Hermione had to stop to calm her nerve. Hermione continued again, " How dare him to think I'm the same as those people who like abuse house elves "
Neville tried to calm Hermione. " Hermione, I don't think you're getting what he was trying to say.. Whoa… Whoa.. I'm not trying to say who's right or wrong here "
Hermione hold her temper. " Well, what was he exactly trying to say? " Hermione asked.
" Okay, you know how my grandmother always thinks that I'm a disgrace to the Longbottom's family? " Neville waited.
Hermione nodded as a sign for Neville to continue. " Now, how was I back then before fifth year compares to after fifth year? " Neville asked another question.
Hermione burrowed her eyebrows. " Have you noticed how different my performance in, say, Defense against the Dark Arts class? " Neville gave her some clue.
" I know that I've been a clutch up until somewhere in fifth year… That was because Harry help me realized that I can be a good wizard and that I shouldn't listen to what others say… my grandmother included.. " Neville finally gave Hermione his answer.
" Neville, what does you bad performance have anything to do with how house elves should feel about being free " Hermione gave her response with an angry sigh.
" Never mind " Neville gave up.
Hermione was still cheesed off with her friend the-boy-who-lived for burning the clothes she knitted for the house elves. Harry had to sit alone eating his lunch as he sensed that anything could trigger a big theatrical show featuring Hermione Granger. Harry checked his watch and realized advance Defense Against the Dark Arts was about to start in five minute.
Harry sat down with Neville on his right and Blaise Zabini on his left. Advance Defense against the Dark Arts is the only class that contains every student from all four houses. With Voldemort's second coming, Dumbledore wanted every student from every year to have a standard performance according to his or her year by year-end.
Professor Lupin started the sixth year students by assigning each student to master all materials from first year to fifth year as their homework and started them practicing the patronus charm.
" Good afternoon class, - " Lupin greeted his sixth year students.
" Good afternoon professor Lupin (werewolf) " His students (Malfoy) replied. Harry glared at Malfoy, which Malfoy gladly returned.
Draco Malfoy had made snide remarks about Professor Lupin's method every chance he had. Harry had been holding his temper, well, not this time.
" Okay, I will call each of you to perform the patronus charm in front of the class. I believe it should somewhat make it harder to perform the charm.. "
" Why should standing in front of class makes it harder to perform 'professor' " Malfoy interrupted with a sneer.
" Performing in front of the class has nothing to do whether you can do it or not, it has something to do with whether or not you can perform the charm under pressure… Of course performing in front of a dementor is not that easy… You can ask Mr. Potter to confirm that if you're curious " Lupin gave Harry a wink, which made Malfoy shoot death glare at the boy-who-lived.
Although Harry had performed the patronus charm on several occasions, he never read the charm officially from the book. Harry in frustration due to his failure in making a portkey had read the patronus charm completely.
(blah..blah..)
The patronous charm required the caster to thought up a good memory and say 'expecto patronum'. The caster forces his or her good memory to represent a force that will drive a dementor away by saying 'expecto patronum.
(blah..blah..)
Harry was astounded on how inadequate the information about the patronous charm in his 'supposedly' N.E.W.T level defense book.
Harry in his streak of genius ness, and if only he used it to create a portkey, started to connect his understanding about the 'mechanical' of magic, the patronus charm, and the first time he used it. Harry discovered for himself that several things cause the difficulty of performing the patronus charm without a dementor around: 1. One must know and believe that she or he can do it, 2. It is not the memory that the caster forces out but the feeling itself, 3. One must really concentrate the end result of that charm, which is to drive away the feeling a dementor creates.
Harry thought that the first difficulty arises immediately due to the connection between will and magic. Harry remembered that he succeeded in performing the charm for the first time after he believed in himself, and he never had any more troubles performing consistently ever since. Remembering the summer prior to his fifth year and his defense O.W.L test, however, lead to the second difficulty.
Harry remembered when he met two dementors sent by Umbridge at Little Whinging. The memory he had used was not a happy memory. The dementor was already too close for him to feel any happiness. When he thought about Ron and Hermione, Harry felt a very strong desire to meet them again. During his O.W.L defense test, Harry thought about Umbridge being sacked, which was not a memory, resulted him being happy for the prospect. Any feeling that is the opposite of what a dementor creates would work.
The last difficulty is one's mind. Lupin pointed out during his third year that every person's patronus form is different. Harry pictured that Hagrid's giant body will protect him from dementors when he was practicing the charm. For that reason, Harry was surprised that his form was a stag. Therefore, it led Harry to believe that one must concentrate the end result of the charm itself not the form one tried to create. Harry believed that his mind contributed to his difficulty in performing the patronus charm in his third year. Harry believed the annunciation of the patronus charm itself is only to help a wizard to concentrate on performing the patronus charm. 'Expecto Patronum' incantation will help a wizard to concentrate on the end result, which is to release his very strong non-dark feeling from a particular thought into a corporeal patronus to drive away a dementor.
When he read his dark arts book, Harry came across a section that talked about 'Dark Conjuration'. It is a technique from the dark arts that utilizes transfiguration. One main points of the section is that a wizard conjures something that will or can most definitely hurt another person. 'Serpensortia' is a spell that conjures a snake toward another person and the snake more than likely to attack the first person it sees. The book pointed out, however, to never use 'Serpensortia' spell against a parselmouth, as it will more than likely to backfire.
" Mr. Potter.. Harry! " Professor Lupin called Harry.
Harry jumped in surprise. " Oh sorry, Rem.. professor Lupin " Harry apologized.
" That's okay.. I know you must be bored, but would you please come to the front and demonstrate " Remus Lupin gave Harry a smile.
Harry walked to the front of the class. " Whenever you're ready Harry! " Lupin instructed.
Harry looked at Malfoy and smiled a very evil smile.
………………………………
" I demand a severe punishment, Headmaster, - " Professor Severus Snape yelled to his boss.
" I demand Potter be expelled for his action "
" For what Severus? " Headmaster Albus Dumbledore asked.
" For what, Headmaster…FOR WHAT… WHAT ABOUT FOR POTTER HURTING ANOTHER STUDENT… AND LET ME REMIND YOU HEADMASTER THAT DRACO MALFOY IS HAVING A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN " Severus Snape yelled beyond furious.
" How exactly did Mr. Potter hurt Mr. Malfoy, Severus? " The Headmaster asked.
" ASK HIM! " Snape yelled and pointed his finger to Harry who seated himself in the corner of Dumbledore's office.
Dumbledore turned to Harry. " Harry, what happened? "
" Well, I was simply demonstrating whether or not I could perform the patronus charm in front of the class… like what Professor Lupin asked us to do " Harry answered with all the innocence in the world.
Snape jumped ready to choke Harry. " HOW DID.. "
" Severus! " Dumbledore warned his potion master.
" Let professor Snape finishes his question, Headmaster! " Harry told Dumbledore.
" How did you put Mr. Malfoy in nervous breakdown, Potter? " Snape asked coldly.
" Maybe he was afraid of my patronus, Professor " Harry sneered.
" YOU KNOW WHAT I MEANT POTTER " Snape roared.
Harry stood up. " Please enlighten me professor " Harry said with a piercing stare.
" You know that your patronus form is a silver stag, Potter. How come it was black stag today when you performed? " Snape asked in forced calm.
Harry tapped his chin. " Maybe it likes to change colors, " Harry said disinterestedly.
Snape growled. " Don't you get cheeky with me, Potter. You know very well patronus do not put people in a nervous breakdown "
" Thank you for the compliment, professor " Harry said with a 'happy' smile.
" Harry, please be serious! While Draco Malfoy will be okay in 34 hours, your action merits punishment " Dumbledore scolded Harry with eyes half twinkling eyes and twitchy beard.
" Headmaster, this boy has broken too many rules from his first year. He needs to be disciplined. "
" Are you that jealous of James Potter, Snape? That you feel the need to take his place " Harry asked in 'disbelieved' tone.
Snape lost his temper. " WHY YOU..STUPEFY! "
" SEVERUS, NEVER HARMED MY STUDENTS " Dumbedore said in fury.
Snape was pretty much had forgotten his anger as he felt the wave of magic from Dumbledore.
Dumbledore pointed his wand at Harry, " Ennervate".
" What happened? " Asked the 'confused' student.
" Severus, your action could result in an investigation by the board of governor especially with the student who you just cursed. However, it is best if we all just forgive and forget the entire thing from ever happening. BOTH of you must agree? " Dumbledore took charge.
" Whatever best, Headmaster " Harry agreed holding down a triumph over Snape. Snape looked away furiously.
" Now, I need to speak alone with Mr. Potter if you don't mind, Severus " Dumbledore dismissed his potion master. Snape walked out from Dumbledore's office after giving Harry a ' YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS' look.
" Mr. Potter, please dropped the act and tell me what happened " Albus asked in pleading tone.
Harry decided to humor the Headmaster. " Have you ever wondered about the difficulty of conjuring a Patronus, Headmaster? "
" Of course.. I couldn't very well be a Headmaster if I don't " Dumbledore answered with a twinkle.
Harry decided to play around and said, " Ever try reversing the feeling AND its purpose ".
" I'm not sure exactly what you're talking about Mr. Potter " Dumbledore said with a bright twinkle.
Harry wanted to go. " May I go, professor? I'm quite hungry " Harry used it as an excuse.
With a nod, Harry walked to the Headmaster's office's door with a triumph smile. Before Harry walked out from his office, Dumbledore asked a question, " The day before the match Harry? "
Harry winked at the Headmaster.
………………….
Majority of students gave Harry, as he walked past them in the hallway, their thanks for making whatever Harry did to Malfoy. For long many students wanted to pay Malfoy back for his bullying, snide remarks, and accidental cursing, but they didn't have the courage to do so. They feared the wrath of the potion master for hurting his supposed protégé.
Harry knew rumors would be flying around Hogwarts by the time he got out from Dumbledore's office. Harry had to chuckle for the one that said 'Harry conjured up a dementor especially for Malfoy'. Harry was very glad that none of the rumors said that he is a dark lord in the making. Students from the Slytherin house either gave him a death glare, which was about 80%, or an indifferent look.
Harry knew with full confidence that he could produce his patronus anytime ever since he discovered several things about the patronus charm. He did not know that patronus charm could also be used to scare people by reversing the feeling and purpose of the charm.
As he reached the front of the class, Harry decided to test his theory right in front of everybody Harry believed dementors are nothing more than a true representation of a nightmare. Harry theorized that the patronus charm design specifically for shielding the caster from the feelings that a nightmare creates.
Harry asked himself whether a nightmare must always be a dementor when he looked at Draco Malfoy.
Harry on instinct bought up all the strongest anguish, fear, and helplessness feeling he had felt from his past and concentrated hard on the end result. The end result was to make Draco Malfoy scared shitless. With his increased confidence in his ability to discover things by himself, Harry believed that he would succeed in making Malfoy scared shitless. Harry did not know, however, whether other students would also be affected and how much fear his 'nightmare' patronus would produce for Malfoy.
……
(Defense Class)
After giving Malfoy a demented smile, Harry thought about the first four weeks of his summer holiday and nights, prior knowing he was a wizard, when he wished for his parents to show up. Harry scrunched his eyes and concentrated, " Expecto Patronum ". Harry gasped when he opened his eyes. Instead of his regular silver stag, it was a black as night stag charging at Draco Malfoy.
" No.NO… I'm sorry father… nooooooooo! " Malfoy yelled and, then, collapsed onto the floor twitching. Harry dark patronus then disappeared after Malfoy was incapacitated very badly.
There were screamed everywhere, from Pansy, and murmurs of confusion filled the class.
" Silence! " Professor Lupin ordered his students.
After maintaining order, Lupin gave out his orders, " Mr. Zabini, please get Professor Snape, - " Lupin looked over to Blaise Zabini.
" As for the rest of you, dismissed! " Lupin finished his orders.
After Lupin walked out from the classroom, Pansy turned to Harry. Pansy said, " You will be expelled, Potter. Mark my word ".
Referring back to his second year, Harry waved his wand around. Pansy's words from her mouth popped from thin air. Harry with a challenging smile marked Pansy's words. Gasps, laughter, growls, and chuckles filled the classroom for the action Harry Potter had taken.
Harry looked over to Pansy. " Look you hag! I don't think you know to whom you're talking to " Harry said with a raised eyebrow.
Laughter became the dominant reactions.
Pansy fixed Harry with her deadliest glare and said, " You will get yours, Potter! Mark.. " Pansy stopped herself from finishing her sentence.
" Any of you Slytherin students who wants to defend Malfoy's honor. I challenge you to an all out duel one by one, - " Harry waited.
As some Slytherin students about to step up, Harry finished his sentence, " Unforgivable curses allowed " with another demented smile.
Gasps were dominant reactions from students.
Harry looked to now backing away students and said, " What's a matter…. Afraid… Ooohh.. I forgot… I'm the boy-who-lived ".
" Unless you want to know a taste of Slytherin heir's wrath, scram! " Harry ordered the Slytherin students. They ran like a bat out hell as the look on Potter showed someone with no hesitation of using the unforgivable curses.
Harry believed immediately that his actions would put a damper on his image. He believed wrong because as the last student from Slytherin house out from the classroom, majority students cheered. Harry smiled to the rest of the students and bowed.
" That was awesome, Harry, "
" Wow! Harry "
" Way to go champ "
" Serve those purebloods right ", were some of the statements Harry caught as he walked out from the classroom with Neville by his side.
" Harry! " Hermione called.
Harry and Neville turned around to see Hermione and Ron hurried toward them.
Ron immediately said what was on his mind as he reached his best friend, " Harry THAT was brilliant.. I mean.. " He was stopped, however.
" No it was not brilliant, Ronald. What were you thinking Harry? I mean that was not like you " Hermione scolded her two best friends.
" What do you mean by that was not like me… How is me, anyway? Please tell me " Harry said to Hermione in a condescending tone.
Hermione huffed. " You know what I meant Harry " Hermione said in aggravation.
"No I don't know…. I'm not as smart as you " Harry said being an annoying git.
" Why have you acted like a prat… It is not like you to bully others " Hermione decided to be the bigger person.
" So.. How come I got a lot of cheers from our fellow students… I mean… not that I'm implying you're stupid, but it just something that tells me…. My actions were what many would have loved to be able to do it themselves " Harry in a superior tone.
Hermione ignored Harry's tone and went on to say, " Well it's still wrong to do so, you were bullied once Harry and you know it did not feel good. So, why would you bully others? "
Harry decided to be serious. " When you said bullying… What exactly does that word say? " He asked Hermione.
Harry continued before Hermione opened her mouth, " It says that I've been tormenting people weaker than me. It says that I need to feel superior from others just because, - "
Harry paused. " When have I tormented someone weaker than me? " Harry finished with a question.
" That's not the point, " Hermione said vehemently.
Harry raised his eyebrow. " The point is that you could have been the bigger person " Hermione finished heatedly.
" Well, what if… I do not want to be the bigger person " Harry challenged Hermione.
" Then you're being a hypocrite.. You are no different than Voldemort " Hermione delivered a blow.
Harry smirked. " What if I do not want to be different than Voldemort? " Harry returned the blow.
" Then you're contributing the evilness that Voldemort is trying to spread " Hermione reasoned.
" You're complementing Voldemort if you think he's the only one that can spread evilness onto this world. " Harry told Hermione.
Hermione fixed a deathly glare on Harry. Hermione said, " You know what I meant, " in cold tone.
" Don't say that you don't know " Hermione said immediately.
" Well, I don't really know what you meant… I mean just because you don't do something evil does that necessarily imply you're not contributing for evil to spread " Harry fixed Hermione a piercing stare.
" Of course not! By letting evil to spread or someone does evil things would also contribute evil to spread, but by not doing something evil is a start everybody must take " Hermione delivered a supposedly finishing statement.
" Ah! What if I do not want to start? " Harry questioned Hermione.
" Well, you're disgracing your mom sacrifice by acting the same as Voldemort " Hermione hit below the belt.
Harry the Gryffindor golden boy would have thrown a fit, well, more like would have never had done what he did starting from Malfoy.
Harry the recent Slytherin heir by transference replied with, " I did not force her to sacrifice herself for me, now did I.. And if for some reason my 'mom' is throwing a hissy fit up there somewhere, then she was not really truly sacrificed herself for me then ". Harry clicked his tongue and walked away.
……..
Harry underestimated the reactions of his schoolmates. He thought they would be all scared after some of his less than expected behavior. Hermione and Ron, however, had acted accordingly. Harry felt a bit of guilt for making Hermione even more angry and confused with his behavior. Harry felt that Hermione relied too much on her logic at times. Harry tried to help Hermione understood that at times feeling defied logic and vice versa.
Harry knew that he had no right to do what he did. Harry who had lost his 'innocence thinking method' also knew that the world could not be looked as either black or white. Yes, putting Draco Malfoy into a nervous breakdown was uncalled for and he should have not contributed for evil to reign. Harry, however, now believed that while one should not contribute for evil to spread does not mean the world would be a better place without evil. Without evil, how could anyone truly feel all the good in this world? Beside Harry now want to do some of his share in evil, no need to be a goody goody all the times.
Harry snapped himself out from his musing when he heard Lindsey Nott and two of her friends.
Lindsey Nott pretended not to notice Harry.
Harry was not deterred. " Hello, Lindsey! " Harry greeted and blocked her way.
All three girls whipped out their wands the moment Harry blocked their way.
Harry looked over the girls' shoulder. " Hello, Professor Flitwick " All the three girls hurried to put back their wands and turned their body around. Sucker.
Unfortunately for them, Harry whipped out his wand when the three girls were in a state of panic. Lindsey's two friends paled as they had heard what Potter did to Draco Malfoy, one of Slytherin's alpha males.
" So, have you thought about my offer? " Harry wasted no time.
" Why would I want to go out with a halfblood scum like you, Potter? " Lindsey gave Harry her answer.
The two girls wished that their friend used some tact in rejecting a wizard who had almost put Draco Malfoy in a mental ward.
"Oh well, I guess you're still thinking about it " Harry stepped aside.
" Whatever, halfblood " Lindsey snarled.
Harry pointed his wand at the three girls after they had walked a bit farther down.
" Expecto Patronum " Harry launched. As he was walking away, Harry was sure he heard the three girls screamed not of pain. Harry wondered what for.
……..
Albus Dumbledore finally let go his other emotion he had suppressed. Dumbledore had never looked so old and frail. Albus suspected that Harry had been studying the dark arts and, with the recent debacle, it confirmed his suspicion. Albus refused to learn the dark arts when he was young because he was afraid it would have corrupted him. However, Albus also knew that if one could master the dark arts he or she could be very powerful. Many wizards and witches deemed the dark arts as evil, thus passing a law banning the practice of dark arts. Albus never deemed anybody wanting to learn, to practice, or to master dark arts as an evil wizards or witches. The Dark arts are simply another way of using magic.
The main trouble of learning the dark arts is the weakness in human being to resist a temptation of power. Contrary to popular belief, the Dark arts are truly a way of obtaining 'true power'. The main concern for now is whether or not Harry will succeed in his quest.
" Lily, James, and Sirius. Please guide Harry " Albus prayed.
………………
Five students walked toward Hogwarts' library to discuss a recent event. They picked a table in secluded area of the library.
" Guys, what do you think is wrong with Harry? " Hermione asked after she cast a privacy charm.
" I don't think there is anything wrong with Harry if you're referring to today's event " Ron gave his thought.
" I meant about Harry since the train ride, Ronald " Hermione glared.
" Guys stop it! " Ginny snapped.
" Why do you think there is anything wrong with Harry? " Luna asked Hermione.
" Well, it's the way Harry been behaving. He's been acting too.. " Hermione faltered.
Neville continued Hermione's statement, " Slytherin ".
" Yes " Hermione agreed.
Ron raised his eyebrow and smirked. " Are you trying to say that all Slytherins are gits? " Ron said calling on Hermione.
" Wait! I remembered that you said Harry has been acting like a prat. With you agreeing with Neville, sooo… " Ron pointed Hermione to her earlier statement.
" Well, that's not what I meant " Hermione said indignantly.
Ginny borrowed her eyebrows. " I think there is something that Harry is not telling us and he's doing what he did last year again, remember guys? " Ginny asked Ron and Hermione.
" What happened last year with Harry? " Neville asked Ginny.
" Well," Ginny stopped as Harry suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
" You guys need to find a better place if you want to talk something secretive " Harry said with a somewhat amused tone.
" Harry!.. Hey how did you know how to break my privacy charm? " Hermione asked in suspicion.
" Hermione, honestly are you the only one around here that reads books. I do read too, you know " Harry said in mock anger.
Hermione ignored Harry's attempt of diversion. " Well, professor Flitwick just starts discussing on how to break it, - " Hermione paused.
" And you happened to refuse taking that class " Hermione finished.
" Fine, it's a secret. And no I will not tell you anything. " Harry said seriously reading her mind.
Harry asked the question he had in mind earlier, " Anyway, what were you guys going to talk about? "
" Oh.. We're just talking about your behavior lately, Harold " Luna said nonchalantly.
" Luna, you know making the-boy-who-lived angry is not healthy, " Harry said with a threatening tone.
Luna suddenly looked excited. " Are you going to punish me Harold? " She asked.
Harry for the first time this year lost. He chose to growl instead.
" That's exactly what I want " Luna nodded in excitement.
" What the bloody hell both you are talking about? " Hemione lost her patience.
Harry clicked his tongue. Harry said, " Is that a way to show a good example Ms. Granger? " with amusement evident in his voice.
Everybody laughed at Hermione's expense. Hermione whose anger had been on a high note smiled seeing everyone behaves like a normal teenager.
" Hey, let's go to Hagrid's place, we haven't been there for a while " Harry proposed an idea.
" Sure, that seems like a good idea " Neville agreed. Luna nodded as her approval.
Hermione snapped out from the change of subject. " You guys go ahead, we need to research something, " Hermione waved her hand to Ron and Ginny.
" We are? " Ron asked in confusion
Hermione glared. " Fine, don't come crying to me if… " Hermione started to rant
"Okay..Okay… Bloody hell! " Ron cut Hermione off.
" Language, Ronald Weasley "
Harry was amused by their behavior. " Alright don't try to read every book the library, not healthy " Harry gave them advice.
Making sure they were alone, Hermione started talking again,
" Ginny is right, Harry is not telling us something, - " Hermione squinted her eyes in concentration.
" And I want to find out what he has been keeping from us " Hermione said in determination.
" Hermione, I know that you worry about him. But couldn't you just let him be, I mean I'm sure he would ask us for help if he needs it " Ron annoyed.
Hermione glared at Ron. Ginny seeing a fight coming jumped in, " I'll help you, but tell me your reason? "
" Well, today in Defense class that's my reason. I don't know what Harry exactly did, but that was not something that I've ever read about " Hermione said to Ginny.
" Hermione, not to disappoint you or anything, but how often have you tried to look for him and he seemed to… oh I don't know.. Disappear " Ron told Hermione.
Hermione's expression dropped. " I know, - " She sighed in defeat.
" I even tried to steal his map, but he always took it along "
" Beside, how would you like it if someone is snooping on you? " Ron asked.
Hermione tried to answer but held her tongue. " Oh alright "