AN: I do not own any thing related to Harry Potter world. J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter. I'm writing just for the heck of it, and to kill time until the next series comes along.
AN2: Thanks for all your patience.
CHAPTER 12: Torture or Training
" Stupefy…Blasius." sent by a young wizard to another young wizard and a witch.
The wizard who would have been the recipient of a stunning curse rolled to his right and sent a powerful cutting curse, while he was rolling on the floor, and the witch sent a powerful blinding light after successfully dodging her own Cruciatus curse. Both of the wizard and the witch aimed their curse to the same wizard who had sent back much more powerful curse.
The wizard whom about to have both of his legs cut off and blinded disappeared. He reappeared behind the witch and immediately sent a curse to subdue her, "Crucio".
"AAAAAHHHH….. ", the witch screamed in pain and effectively passed out from the intense pain.
The moment he saw his comrade had fallen, he immediately sent a very deadly curse to beat his opponent. "Avada Kedavra.. " The young wizard whose comrade had fallen yelled.
The wizard who had rendered the witch useless calmly sent his own killing curse, "Avada Kedavra" to the other wizard's killing curse. As the two killing curses met, one of the curses immediately overwhelmed the other. Then, it sped toward the wizard whom could only stared at the incoming killing curse his way.
"NO…" The wizard whose killing curse had overwhelmed his opponent's killing curse yelled as his killing curse connected. Something amazing happened as the killing curse connected to the intended recipient. The killing curse passed through the shell-shocked wizard and hit the wall behind him.
"Neville are you okay? " asked the wizard who apparently had performed quite a feat. Neville managed a nod of his head as a reply.
"Are you sure? And why the bloody hell did you just stand there instead of dodging?! " Harry Potter said to his friend furiously as he walked to Neville.
"Har…Harr…Harry…wow! You wouldn't believe the feeling that I've felt few seconds ago " Neville said to Harry.
" It wouldn't be…what the hell is the bloody idiot doing standing around staring at an incoming killing curse…wouldn't it " Harry Potter sneered with relief, which was unheard of.
Neville stared at his friend and then did something unexpected. " HAHAAA. HAHAHA… " He laughed merrily.
Harry glared at his idiot of a friend and said, " Why in the bloody hell are you laughing about… I almost got you killed "
" But you didn't…and I was laughing because you should have seen your own expression " Neville replied. Harry was actually considering killing his friend as Neville kept laughing, but soon Harry joined the laughter.
" Your expression was most definitely an expression of fit being killed " Neville explained to Harry after he had his laughter under control.
" Ahhh….which funny as I was the one casting the killing curse " Harry finally realized.
" Harry, have you realized what just happened? " Neville asked seriously.
" Well, I'm guessing that I did not truly cast the killing curse. But how could that be…I mean, I was sure that anybody would have gotten killed when I cast the curse " Harry answered after few moments gathering his answer.
" No, I have to disagree with you Harry " Luna Lovegood said to Harry with a wince.
" Thank you Winky! " Harry said to his house elf. Winky blushed and bowed before she disappeared back to Hogwarts' kitchen.
" Maybe you should sit down Luna! " Neville said to the girl after conjuring a comfortable sofa. Luna proceeded to rest herself in the comfortable sofa Neville had conjured.
" Okay…I'm pretty clueless what I should have noticed " Harry said to both of his friends.
" Come on Harry… you can't seriously think that you did not cast the killing curse properly…are you? " Neville said patiently.
" I'm being serious here, I know that I cast the killing curse properly. I only notice that you stood there gawking like an idiot instead of dodging " Harry growled.
" Well did you happen to see that your curse put a dent on that wall, - " Luna pointed to the spot where Harry's killing curse had hit.
" Yes…but what's the dent has anything to do with both of you are trying to point out, " Harry said to Neville and Luna.
Harry concentrated some more and he finally noticed something peculiar about the entire event. " Hang on, if I did not cast the killing curse properly. How exactly can that dent be so noticeable? ", He paused, then continued his line of thoughts to himself, " The dent obviously an evidence that my curse was something nasty, yet Neville is not hurt at all "
Neville and Luna looked at each other and smiled at the-boy-who-lived as he was showing his advance ability in defense against the dark arts or rather the dark arts itself. The three of them had been training in the dark arts for about one and a half months in the Chamber of Secrets. For the first two weeks of training, Neville and Luna were astounded at the sizeable knowledge of dark arts Harry Potter seemed to posses. They truly realized that the-boy-who-lived was indeed the one wizard Voldemort would have most definitely feared. At times, Neville and Luna were frightened with some of the knowledge Harry demonstrated.
After extensive training in occlumency and legilimency for Neville and Luna, Harry immediately trained them on how to cast the unforgivable curses. Neville managed to master the cruciatus curse faster than Luna, but Luna mastered the imperious curse faster than Neville. Neville and Luna had a big problem mastering the killing curse. Both of them did not have enough anger and hatred to conjure enough power for the killing curse to be a killing curse. Luckily, Harry had managed to find out how he had affected his aunt and uncle mood earlier in the summer. Harry immediately put his discovery to use, he imbued Neville and Luna the hatred and anger he summoned to power the killing curse. Suffice to say that Neville and Luna were no longer had any troubles performing any of the three unforgivable curses. The downside to the training Neville and Luna had undergone was that none of them could stand nor affect Harry Potter very much.
The main reason Neville and Luna dark curses had no effects on Harry Potter much was because of the difference in power. It turned out that Harry had the ability to neutralize many of the dark curses cast upon him. Harry discovered many abilities as he undergone the dark arts training on his own and with the help of both of his house-elves. Harry used both his house-elves to increase his overall speed, agility, and overall dueling ability by dueling with them. Dobby and Winky originally refused the idea of hurting their master, but Harry told them that their powerful magic would have helped him greatly. Harry thought that Dobby and Winky were afraid of their master hurting them, but as it turned out that they were really afraid of hurting him. Harry realized immediately that house-elf's magic was truly powerful, for both of his house-elves dared to defy him. Since he was their master, Harry firmly ordered them to help him by dueling him. Dobby and Winky finally agreed to help their master with a bargain, which shocked Harry greatly. The bargain was that only one helped him not both. Harry chose Dobby as his dueling partner.
Harry had found out the hard way that dueling with a house-elf was more than he could have handled. Dobby was very quick with everything magic, and every magic Dobby sent was equal in power. Harry lasted two minutes for three weeks straight before he managed to defeat Dobby. The main surprised was the fact that the connection he and Dobby had was useless. Harry tried to use his connection with Dobby to his advantage after one week of constant beatings, and he was going nowhere with the connection. He then tried to use the Hogwarts' ward as a monitor on Dobby's movements; he received another week of beatings. He spent many hours researching ways to defeat his house-elf. Until he came across what he dubbed "aura" magical art, his luck began to change.
He discovered this particular ability while he was researching ways to defeat Dobby at the library. He was reading about advance animation, a particularly hard area in transfiguration. As he was reading, he felt three unwelcome presents, Malfoy, Avery, and Nott twenty feet from where he was sitting. He kept on reading as if nothing were out of the ordinary, until he felt three curses sent his way, bone shattering curse, eye destruction curse, and inflammatory hex. The inflammatory hex sent his way was intended to inflame a vein in his brain, which would have caused a stroke. Although dodging or blocking the three dark curses was next to nothing for him, Harry knew that it would be a mistake if he were to dodge or block them. As the three curses kept getting closer and closer, Harry felt the malice behind the three curses. He knew not what prompted him to do what he did other than instinct. He sent his own malice toward the three dark curses, and it was a good thing his malice was sent toward the three dark curses. If Harry were to send his malice in a curse, Malfoy, Avery, and Nott would have wished dementors sucked their souls. The three curses hit him squared on his back and the only thing had happened was that Harry had gotten slightly energized.
Seeing none of their curses took any effects, Malfoy, Avery, and Nott sent more dark curses five more times. They would have regretted their actions if they were to find out that they were helping Harry Potter discovered a new deadly ability.
" Neville, what were you feeling when my killing curse passed through " Harry finally asked.
Neville stared at the boy-who-lived as he gathered an explanation. "Well, I certainly felt the power of the curse. It was very disturbing, I also felt the curse was alive…and the only purpose for its existence is to destroy " He answered.
" Remember the feeling when a dementor is closed by, the feeling was almost the same. The difference is that I felt like I will never see tomorrow again " Neville continued as he met with blank stares from Harry and Luna.
Harry burrowed his eyebrows in concentration. " Interesting ", he remarked.
" What are you thinking Harry? " Luna asked the boy-who-lived.
" I have a theory, but I'm not sure if tonight is really the night to discuss it. It's getting late and we should go to bed…I mean separate beds respectively Luna " Harry added the last part as Luna took an interesting look. Neville laughed at the disappointed look Luna plastered after hearing Harry's last remark.
" Hey, Harry…how can we stand long enough when we're dueling you if we can't apparate in here? " Luna asked seriously.
" I know that victory against you is a futile idea, but at least I need to know that I can stand a bit longer than 10 minutes, " Luna said with a huff of frustration.
" Don't you mean 'us' not 'I', Luna…it's not like you've been dueling me alone " Harry smirked. Luna gave a mock growl for Harry's smart arse remark.
" I guess she meant more than 2 minutes alone. I mean let's face it… you're way more powerful than both of us combined " Neville said with a chuckle.
Harry looked at both Neville and Luna seriously and said, " If any of you were to actually duel…say Malfoy…how long do you think he will beat you… please answer me truthfully ". Ever since the extensive training he gave Neville and Luna in occlumency and legilimency, reading their thoughts required Harry to bind them in a chair and relentlessly hit them with legilimency spell.
" What the hell do you mean by him beating any of us…I'd rather shag a banshee " Neville said heatedly. Luna only glared at the boy-who-lived.
Harry was not actually being serious with his question. He wanted to know whether Neville and Luna were confidence enough with their ability. " So what you're both saying is that Malfoy would be no challenge for any of you… I hope that you're not underestimating Malfoy " Harry said with a smile.
" Potter…we've been dueling you for one and a half months…either single or double…granted that for the first three weeks both of us lasted about 5 minutes together and 45 seconds alone when you only use half of your power… embarrassment when you use your full power… DO YOU HONESTLY THINK THAT TWIT FERRET COULD STAND EITER ME OR NEVILLE " Luna said the last part with a boom. Harry and Neville were too shocked to say anything.
" Is it that time of the month Luna? " Neville asked "innocently"…imbecile.
" Crucio " Luna snapped.
" I'm sorry…I'm sorry, I'm just playing Luna " Neville said after dodging her curse. Others would have had their jaws dropped for the speed Luna had cast her curse and the curse itself, and Neville's speed dodging the curse, since he was standing no more than three feet away from Luna. Harry wanted to laugh at Neville's expression, but he managed to clamp down his laughter as Luna proceeded to glare at him. The three teens had been developing a dark sense of humor among themselves quite recently. They used the cruciatus curse as if it were the tickling charm.
" Hmmpph… " Luna huffed.
" Well, I guess you should be happy then that I've found a way for the both of you to be able to apparate within Hogwarts " Harry said with eyes twinkling as Neville and Luna proceeded to look like a five year old on Christmas morning.
" Do you…do you…awww please…please can we have whatever it is " Luna begged with puppy eyes. Neville tried to act manly, but his eyes and body language told otherwise.
" Okay…here they are " Harry said as he pulled out two amulet necklaces from his left pocket. Each amulet was as big as a pocket watch and it contained emerald green liquid.
" Each of you must drop three drops of blood for the amulet to work, so that only you can use it " Harry told Neville and Luna as he handed each of them the amulet necklace. Neville and Luna took the amulets and they immediately put three drops of their bloods on their respective amulets.
" All right I'm ready to learn apparition " Neville exclaimed after putting his amulet necklace around his neck. Luna nodded as her sign of agreement.
" Guys…it's a bit late, -" Harry started to say, but was cut off by Luna who was determined to learn apparition immediately. She pointed her wand at the boy-who-lived and said, " Like hell Potter…we want to learn, NOW!!.. sleep can wait " Neville who had the same idea also pointed his wand at Harry.
Harry looked at both of them and he realized they were determined to learn apparition immediately. " You guys seriously think apparating is that easy… I learned apparition in a whole month " He lied smoothly. Harry did not mind teaching them apparition immediately as he himself had gotten tired of being Neville and Luna's method of transportation to the Chamber of Secrets.
" Yeah right…you learned apparition in a month…apparition inside Hogwarts, I could see…but outside of Hogwarts, I DON'T THINK SO " Neville said with all the confidence in the world.
Harry chuckled before he agreed to teach them apparition. " Well then, let's get started on apparition shall we " He said to both very eager to learn students.
Harry made a good point earlier as apparition was not something easy to master especially if one were to incorporate apparition in dueling. He, however, had forgotten that both Neville and Luna had mastered the patronus charm for quite some time on their own. Harry trained them the patronus charm using his black patronus as a substitute for a dementor. Their will to learn what Harry was trying to teach them was not a laughing matter. Neville and Luna could have easily defeated any current students Hogwarts had to offer.
Harry had never realized that the extensive training for the past one and a half months he had given Neville and Luna was equaled to that one and a half year of auror training in curses and dueling. The training Harry himself had undergone was equaled to three years of training to become a professional dueler.
They went on training in apparition for the next three hours, which was the total amount of time Neville and Luna mastered apparition sufficient for dueling.
………………………………………………………
" OY…Harry mate wake up…Dumbledore wants to talk to you " Ron abruptly tried to wake his best mate.
" Hmm….leev…me….lone…sleepy " Harry mumbled sleepily and proceeded to cover his head with a pillow.
Ron sighed at his sleeping friend. " Harry, come on mate…its 1:30 in the afternoon already…and Dumbledore is really wanting to talk to you " Ron shook Harry a bit harder.
" Let the man sleep Weasley!! " Neville shouted angrily as Ron was successfully waking him instead.
Ron looked at Neville sheepishly. " Sorry I woke you up, Neville " Ron apologized. Neville simply waved it off and proceeded back to his slumber state.
Ron was getting frustrated. " Honestly…both of you have been sleeping way late into the afternoon for the past several weeks " Ron huffed.
" It's Saturday for Merlin's sake, Ronald " Harry had finally awakened from his deep slumber.
" I know that…if it were up to me I would still be sleeping…but Hermione sees to that already, with tests or what not " Ron grumbled the last part softly.
" Hermione got you whipped, huh?! " Harry chuckled.
" I love you Hermione…but I wish your obsession with books is directed to me instead " Neville said mimicking Ron's voice. Harry laughed heartily as he watched Ron's face became a ripe tomato.
" I thought you were going back to sleep, Longbottom! " Ron said with a growl.
" Not anymore you red-headed whippy, " Neville said jokingly as he stepped out from his bed. Harry doubled his laughter.
" Come on mate, I was joking " Neville said after quickly dodging a curse sent his way by Ron.
" Childish " Ron huffed as he quickly stepped out from the sixth year dormitory. Laughter was the only sound came out from Harry and Neville.
" Boy…Hermione sure has Ron on her finger " Harry said with teary eyes. Neville nodded his head in agreement as he too wiped tears from his eyes.
Harry walked toward the Headmaster's office wondering what today's discussion might be. He knew that whatever today's discussion was had nothing to do with the pranks he had pulled on Snape and McGonagall. McGonagall and Snape had paid very close watch on him ever since the first prank he pulled. McGonagall had asked professor Flitwick to put monitoring charm on his bed. Harry Potter prior to sixth year might have thrown a fit or clueless to notice such thing, but this year Harry Potter managed to tweak the charm.
Harry increased his prank level to the point of many Slytherin and Ravenclaw students refused to step out from their dormitory for one week. He pranked the Ravenclaw because of Flitwick's help for McGonagall's request. Suffice to say that professor Flitwick had taken the charm off immediately, even though Harry had never indicated that he had known it was Flitwick's monitoring charm. Snape and McGonagall were furious with his second massive prank, but had no evidence to say that it was he who did it. McGonagall then proceeded to recruit Ron and Hermione to monitor him. Harry was very ticked off that McGonagall recruited his friends to spy on him.
Harry started to prank Snape and McGonagall after he discovered his ability in the library. He found out that he could send his pantra using Hogwarts' ward. He originally tried to send some curses through the ward, but for some reason the ward refused to let itself be a conductor for his curses. He was fairly disappointed that the ward refused to be a conductor, but he reasoned his pantra was better than curses to prank the two professors.
……………………………………………
Two days ago
" Headmaster, you need to do something about this " Minerva said angrily as she pointed to herself.
Headmaster Dumbledore never in his life failed so miserably trying to hide his amusement at the fate of his potion master and transfiguration professor had suffered. " What is this are you talking about, Minerva " Dumbledore said with the very slightest chuckles he managed to suppress.
Minerva McGonagall had never been so embarrassed in her entire life, well, until she ticked off Harry Potter. " I'm referring to the state that I'm currently under and Severus as well, " Minerva said with her coldest glare to her boss.
Dumbledore looked at his potion master and said, " Well, I may able to help you Minerva. However, I will not be able to help you Severus…as you should have remembered what you have asked of me " with his ever twinkling eyes.
Snape stood up abruptly from his chair prepared to blow a rod, but the moment he stood up from his chair there was a series of flatulence. Harry had put Snape under a pantra that should have helped him controlled his anger better. If Snape were to get angry, the anger was released through flatulent. The flatulent was not actually the worst part, but the smell was what had gotten potion class cancelled until further notice. On top of the anger management pantra, Harry's pantra also put Snape in a pink tutu ballerina costume. Of course, Harry had to put the floo powder method of transportation between the professors' offices on hold. One wondered why it would be hard for Snape to contain his anger.
" Have a nice day Headmaster, Minerva " Severus dismissed himself. Dumbledore and McGonagall nodded their heads for their reply. They were rather not opened their mouth.
Dumbledore pulled out his wand and muttered a charm that rid the mixed smell of rotten eggs and a dead body. McGonagall looked meaningfully at the Headmaster.
" It is between Severus and young Mr. Potter " Dumbledore said with a firm tone.
McGonagall had no choice but to let it go. " What about me Headmaster, my students are seriously behind in transfiguration " McGonagall decided to pursue her own welfare.
Dumbledore clutched his heart and said, " My dear Minerva, I did after all teach you transfiguration…surely you don't think I have forgotten how to teach transfiguration " in his most 'pathetic' voice. Too bad that Dumbledore's eyes did not stop the twinkle from showing.
" I'm being serious, Albus! " McGonagall huffed. Albus Dumbledore had given his transfiguration teacher a serious warning not to tango with Harry Potter, as the consequence would only be a disaster for her. Remus Lupin had also warned his old head house not to mess around with his surrogate nephew. She, however, was very adamant on disciplining Harry Potter. She argued that after the Marauders and the Weasley twin, Harry Potter was next to nothing. Lupin and Dumbledore had hoped that Harry was not too cruel on McGonagall. Considered the prank itself, one would have said that Harry was being nice if not perverted.
Harry had put McGonagall under a vanity pantra. On the day of the pantra showed its effects, McGonagall's look turned back to when she was in her early twenty. Looking young was more of a gift not a curse, but Harry had her body tweak (breast, hips, and arse mainly) and had made a skimpy two piece bathing suit to be the only clothing she could wear. She had never received so many attentions prior to this debacle, but with the age under the beauty Hogwarts had never been so clean in the previous years.
" Yes, I know you are Minerva, but you have to admit that if Mr. Potter were the one responsible, " Dumbledore paused as McGonagall stood up and said her piece of mind, " YOU SERIOUSLY CAN NOT THINK THAT IT WAS NOT MR. POTTER " rather loudly.
" Minerva…you're rather look nice when you're angry especially with this look you're under " Phineas remarked, as he looked Minerva McGonagall up and down.
" Now, now, please calm yourselves Minerva. No need to be so hasty " Dumbledore stopped McGonagall from cursing Phineas' painting.
" Phineas please stop acting if you were a teenager " Dumbledore admonished Phineas as he continued to make catcalls.
Minerva would have thanked Dumbledore, but his twinkling eyes only served to infuriate her further. " Albus, can you also please stop acting like a teenager! " She snapped.
" Ahem " Dumbledore coughed to stop himself from laughing and continued, " I apologize Minerva, but what do you want me to do "
" Hmphh,- what else Albus, I want you to talk to Mr. Potter and tell him to undo this…this condition I'm under " Minerva told the Headmaster.
" Minerva, what makes you think that Mr. Potter is responsible, " Dumbledore paused as he stopped McGonagall from interrupting what he was about to say. " Do you have any evidence to put the blame on Mr. Potter? Other than what you're gut instinct tells you " Dumbledore finished seriously.
McGonagall stared at the Headmaster incredulously and said, " Albus no other students in Hogwarts have the ability to pull this kind of prank, and not even the marauders nor the Weaslesy twin could have done this…I should know "
" Ahh…if you remember Remus and I warned you on getting yourselves tangle up with young Mr. Potter. Please don't forget that Remus was one of the marauders " Dumbledore said with a pleasant smile. One would have thought that Albus was playing with fire.
" I would think that whatever condition you're under should not take more than one week, as it usually the case thus far " Dumbledore finished with the tone that discussion was over.
" Good day, Albus " McGonagall bid the Headmaster good-bye coldly.
" Mr. Potter you really are a piece of work " Dumbledore sighed with amusement after McGonagall had stepped out from his office.
……………………………………………….
" Enter… Ahh I've been expecting you Mr. Potter " Dumbledore greeted his student. Ever since their conversation on the first day of school, Harry and Dumbledore had come to a silent agreement of "we mind each other's business". Consequently, the relationship that was almost broken was slowly mended. The added bonus was that The Headmaster and the student had so much fun whenever they had a discussion.
" I'm sorry I've taken so long, Headmaster " Harry apologized as he walked over to a comfortable chair.
" Please, don't fret yourselves " The Headmaster said with a smile.
Harry looked at the age Headmaster and asked the question that had been on his mind, " Am I in trouble? " rather innocently. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
" Why would think that Mr. Potter? Unless you have something important to tell me " Dumbledore said.
Harry "blew" the breath he had been holding. " No, I thought that professor McGonagall and professor Snape want you to punish me for something I have no knowledge about " Harry said with a slightly "angry" tone.
Dumbledore coughed and said, " Yes, it is rather disconcerting two of my professors would blame an innocent student for all the massive pranks that have been going on…I mean they should be happy that someone has finally break the record set by the marauders " in a "serious" tone.
" Alas, it is not why I want your present for today's discussion… " Dumbledore said seriously this time.
" I wanted to talk about is your plan during Christmas break " Dumbledore answered Harry's curious look.
Harry leaned back to his chair with a thoughtful look before he answered the Headmaster's question. " Well, I'm thinking of staying at Hogwarts. Why do you ask Headmaster? " He finally answered.
" Mrs. Weasley would love if you would come to the burrow to celebrate Christmas with her family " Dumbledore told his student. Dumbledore immediately looked for any signs of emotion from Harry. It was a very good thing that Harry had extensively trained himself not to easily show emotions.
" I would love to, but I don't want Voldemort to get any ideas " Harry said indifferently.
" I don't think Voldemort would cause any trouble, Mr. Potter. Do you think he will cause any troubles? " Dumbledore asked.
" I certainly hope not! " Harry answered.
Dumbledore's curiosity was peaked. " What is the problem then? " He asked.
" I just don't want to put them in danger is all " Harry answered.
Dumbledore knew that Harry was planning something and it had been a challenge on knowing what Harry planned to do. Dumbledore was very proud and a bit worried to the fact that Harry had covered his tracks very carefully.
" Surely with you there…none would dare to do anything " Dumbledore baited.
" Thank you for the compliment, Headmaster " Harry blushed.
" I don't think without your present would put the Weasley family out of danger. After all, many are in the Order of Phoenix " Dumbledore baited some more.
Harry looked straight at Dumbledore's twinkling eyes and said, " True, but if I were to be there…it may increase the danger they are under " as he accepted the Headmaster's challenge.
" I'm sure they could handle themselves…even Ron, Hermione, and Ginny I believe should be quite a challenge to take. Of course with you there, Voldemort must be present for any duels to be equal " The Headmaster said.
" You're giving me too much credit, Headmaster " Harry said with a smile.
Dumbledore decided to punch through as he said, " Well, what if they were attacked and all of them died…wouldn't you be sorry that you did not spend enough time with them while you still can " in his grandfatherly voice.
Harry had to hand it to the old man. Dumbledore knew where to hit. Then again, Harry knew how to dodge.
" I guess no wizards or witches are able to be outside of fate " Harry replied.
Dumbledore knew the meaning behind Harry's statement quite well. He knew that Harry had accepted the fact that fate had its own way. Harry had stated this statement a little bit too young in Dumbledore's opinion, but He knew that Harry did not have such luxury.
" Very well…I will tell Mrs. Weasley your decision " The Headmaster admitted defeat.
" That's okay, Headmaster…I will tell her myself " Harry told the surprised Headmaster. Harry had to hold down a glee as he managed to surprise the old mage.
" Good day, Headmaster " Harry dismissed himself pleasantly.
" Why did you volunteer yourselves, Harry? " Dumbledore asked before Harry had stepped out from his office.
" Surely, you don't think with the recent added job of teaching transfiguration and smelling Hogwarts' recent horrible smell, I would let you get chewed by Mrs. Weasley… " Harry answered with a wink.
Dumbledore laughed heartily.
……………………………………….
Harry regretted for volunteering to tell Mrs. Weasley that he would be staying at Hogwarts over Christmas holiday. He wanted to stay over with the Weasleys, but he had promised Luna and Neville to use Christmas break for a much more intense training. He had made his promise because he had promised himself to be firm with his vow. He was rather ticked that Dumbledore used "the regret of not spending when there was time" speech. Although he hated to admit it, he was rather proud that he maintained his cool after Dumbledore threw the speech.
Harry was so immersed in his own thought that he did not notice three wizards were behind him. " Constant Vigilance, Potter " He mentally sneered at himself as he realized one of the three wizards had put his wand behind his back.
" Follow us, Potter! You better not make a sound if you know what's good for you " The wizard said to him.
" Zabini, what the bloody hell are you doing? " Harry calmly said.
" Shut up and just follow! Don't even think using that wand of yours, it is of no use " Another wizard told the boy-who-lived.
" You may be powerful, but not powerful enough to take on three wizards by yourselves " The third wizard warned him.
Harry was rather amused by this entire event, as he could have had them defeated the moment he was alerted. He decided to let them run their show.
" Ok…Oka…Okay! " Harry "whimpered".
" Not so tough without your friend are you, Potter? " Zabini said.
As Harry followed the three captors, he wondered how the three were so confident handling him. He of course immediately read all thoughts that the three were broadcasting.
" Hmm…so they wanted me to stop punishing the rests of the Slytherins for Malfoy and his crews' actions. Why do they think I'm brave so long my friends are around? Let us see about that won't we " Harry said mentally to himself.
The three wizards took them to the same room where Harry recruited Luna. Harry had to clamp down his chuckles as he realized that this was the opportunity for him to divide the Slytherin house.
" Hmm…Tracy Davis, Daphne Greengrass, Samuel Rutherford, Blaise Zabini, Jake Davidson, and Sebastian Pucey…. strong privacy charm. They're all thinking that I'm brave so long my friends are around " Harry recognized all the Slytherins who were about to say something to him. Luna had told him that they were some of the good duelers from the Slytherin house. Harry was surrounded immediately.
" What do you guys want? " Harry "whimpered".
" I would have thought that Gryffindors are known for their bravery " Sebastian sneered.
" Pathetic…is this what Malfoy, Nott, and Avery think of a worthy of their time and effort " Tracy Davis saidto all the Slytherins. Everyone except Harry laughed heartily.
Harry decided to be the non-typical Gryffindor everyone seemed to think. He plastered his evil look with the appropriate feeling. " I'm going to ask again. What the bloody hell all of you want from me " He said in a very cold voice.
Harry felt few of them faltered from trying to accomplish their earlier goal. He decided to pull out his wand. " I repeat! What the bloody hell all of you want from me? " He said forcefully.
" Drop the act, Potter!! We know you're not as brave as everyone thinks " Zabini seethed.
Harry looked around at all the Slytherins and said, " Oh really " with all the amusement in the world.
" Stupefy! " Daphne and Sebastian shouted together. Their curse hit Harry dead on his chest.
" That tickles " Harry said to himself as he massaged his chest. By now, everyone was rather worried that the boy-who-lived was not exactly as easy as they had thought.
Harry looked around at all the Slytherins again. " Let see how good all of you are… " He said softly. Six different lights flew to Harry immediately. Harry returned four of the curses using Blasius spell, which only one managed to dodge their own returned curses, blocked the rests, and used the three unconscious Slytherins as his physical shields in one wand motion.
" So…what exactly all three of you want? Well six of you, but then they're not exactly at the position of making bargains are they " Harry said pleasantly.
The three still conscious Slytherins were too shocked to say anything coherent. " My patience is running out people!! " Harry snapped them out of their shocks.
" How the bloody hell did you do that? " Blaise Zabini asked in awe.
" Answer my question!! " Harry said with his coldest glare to Blaise Zabini. The other two recoiled after they had seen Harry's coldest glare. Zabini was ready to wet himself.
Harry waved his wand one more time. Two things happened immediately, the three unconscious Slytherins returned to being conscious and the other three dropped their wands and raised their hands. Harry wanted to laugh badly, but other pressing matter helped him contained his laughter.
" Well, I'm waiting! " Harry commanded with authority, quite scary for those who were present.
" Ahem…Pot…Harry we want you to stop harassing other Slytherin students. I do not care what you do to Malfoy and his gang, but don't take it out to others also " Blaise Zabini said determinedly.
Harry raised his right eyebrow and asked with a sneer, " What exactly can any of you do to me anyway if I choose to continue to do so? " After what Harry had done, none were able to utter any meaningful threats, as they were sure the boy-who-lived would be able to return the favor easily.
" Not all of us are the death eaters in training, Potter! " Daphne snapped. Her fellow housemates while agreed but wished she showed a little bit more respect.
Harry chuckled and said, " You know that I could dispose all of you and not get suspected, right " All the Slytherin students backed few steps after Harry's not so subtle threat.
" No you wouldn't " Jake Davidson challenged.
Harry waved his wand one more time and three students were immediately under the imperius curse and had their wands pointed to their fellow housemates. Zabini and Davis wanted to hurt Davidson pretty badly for his challenge. Davidson regretted that he called Harry's bluff.
" You were saying, Davidson! " Harry sneered.
" Please, Harry…we are not trying to fight you " Zabini said as he glared at Davidson.
" We just want you to stop torturing those who are innocents " Tracy Davis said her part. Harry released the other three from his imperius curse.
Harry gave each Slytherin students a very cold look. " Why should I grant this for you? Do you honestly think a powerful wizard such myself would succumb to any of your demands? " Harry said with force.
" I'll tell you what…if within two months after Christmas holiday the none of you manage to break Malfoy's nor any who sides with Voldemort control over the Slytherin house…you will wish that Voldemort kills all of you instead…do we have a deal " Harry gave his own demand to the six Slytherins.
The Slytherin students looked at each other and they had a silent agreement amongst themselves to meet Harry's demand. " Are you going to leave us to take care our own problem? " Zabini asked the scary looking Harry Potter.
" I Harry potter will not personally interfere with Slytherin's affair until the time we have agreed upon " Harry took an oath.
" We accept " All six Slytherins chanted.