DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to Harry Potter. It is owned by J.R. Rowling.
Chapter 13: Test of friendship
" Good luck then, " Harry said to the six Slytherins as he made his move to the door.
" Hey, wait! " Tracy Davis stopped Harry.
Harry turned and said, " Yes " knowing what they wanted to ask.
" Where did you learn your dueling technique? " Davis asked the question everyone was wondering.
Harry raised his right eyebrow. " What made you think that I learn it from somewhere? I am, after all, the boy-who-lived " Harry said with amusement.
Sebastian Pucey sneered and said, " You may be blessed with power, Potter, but that doesn't mean you're blessed with such dueling ability "
" Yes, we've seen such dueling ability when we witnessed Dumbledore's duel with professor Lupin, professor Diggle, and professor Flitwick " Zabini jumped before Harry decided to show more of his abilities.
" Oh " Harry replied nonchalantly. Harry had heard Dumbledore's recent duel with the three professors, since it was one of the most talk about for the past few days. Harry had asked all of his friends about the duel. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were so awed that Harry had gained no information from their explanation. Harry had gotten most of the information from Neville and Luna during one of their night trainings. He was surprised that Neville and Luna had managed to explain Dumbledore's dueling technique in details. He had thought that they were also too awed to give any meaningful explanations. Both Neville and Luna had told him that, after many nights of dangerous dueling with Harry, they were better prepared to watch Dumbledore's dueling ability. They both had agreed that Harry had taken their shocks much too early.
" So, why are you still asking me where I've learned to duel? " Harry replied.
" Potter, the Headmaster will never teach you how to cast the imperius curse, even if your life is depended on it " Daphne Greengrass said with confidence.
" What makes you think I can not learn the imperius curse myself? I was the only student managed to block professor Moody's imperius curse back in fourth year. On top of that, I was able to block Voldemort's, " Harry had to pause as all six Slytherin students hissed after they heard the Dark Lord's name. " imperius curse " Harry continued.
" Why are you all looked so surprised? " Harry asked.
" Why are we all looked so surprised…Potter, the imperius curse is very hard to block when cast by an average wizard or witch. The dark lord is not exactly an average wizard " Zabini said in disbelief.
" What am I? An average wizard! " Harry said "heatedly". All six immediately shook their heads. " Why then, it is so surprising that I'm able to block Voldemort's imperius curse? " Harry asked ignoring the gasps.
" Be that as it may…it doesn't explain where you have learned to cast the imperius curse so easily and that dueling ability of yours… " Zabini replied to Harry's unanswered question.
" What makes you all think I will tell my secrets? " Harry asked. All six Slytherins were in a dilemma. On the one hand, they wanted to know where Harry had learned to duel like he did. On the other hand, they were so afraid to cheese off the wizard who had the ability to duel like the Headmaster.
Harry decided to be generous. " Why are you all so curious where I have learned such dueling ability? Shouldn't my highest score in Defense O.W.L indicate my potential in dueling? " Harry baited.
All six Slytherins seemed to have something in common in their minds, as they had silently picked Blaise Zabini to be the messenger. " We…we... just wondering if it were possible to join your club " Zabini said with his all effort.
" Hpmmh…what club are you referring? " Harry asked.
" The D.A that's what he is referring to, Potter! " Daphne Greengrass snapped. The other five Slytherins backed away immediately.
Harry was rather amused at Daphne's temper. " And what makes you think that club is still in existence? " Harry asked Daphne.
" Don't toy with us, Potter! I've been spying on your friends " Daphne answered angrily.
Harry knew that the D.A. was still in existence, but he was no longer the leader for the club. Every D.A members had begged him to continue, but he had flatly refused to their pleas. Hermione had been very furious with him for refusing their pleas to continue the D.A. She had argued that it would be very beneficial not only to unite Hogwarts' students, but also helped the less able students mastered a very important skill for the wizarding world future condition. Harry had known already that Hermione had wanted him to be the person to unite Hogwarts' students. Due to time constraint, Harry had told Hermione to continue the D.A herself with no room for her arguments.
Hermione had ignored Harry for two weeks, which of course led Ron and Ginny to ignore him. Hermione had restarted the D.A with the help of Ron and Ginny after the Headmaster had given his permission to her for the defense club to restart. Malfoy and his crews had shown up to the first meeting and chaos had ensued. Malfoy, Nott, and Goyle had landed themselves in the hospital for three days. Half the D.A members had spent a week in detentions. The D.A was immediately cancelled as a formal school club. Now, the D.A existed as an informal club among the original members. The old members except Hermione had all agreed to keep the D.A among them, since there was no rule banning students to have a secret club. Hermione had caved to the majority decision after she had given her best arguments about school unity.
Ron had taken the leadership of the D.A reluctantly, but he had risen to the challenge magnificently. Harry had never been so proud with his best mate. Neville and Luna had originally decided not to participate the D.A, but Harry had ordered them both to join the club as his spies. He wanted to be updated on the members' progress as a whole.
" If you have been spying on my friends, then you should know I'm no longer in it, Daphne " Harry said condescendingly. Harry was immediately Daphne's glare recipient.
" You're no longer in it! " Davidson said incredulously.
" It seems that Ms. Greengrass hasn't done her job right " Harry pointed. Daphne was itching to curse the boy-who-lived into oblivion.
" I didn't know you can be pretty when you're this angry, Greengrass " Harry smirked. A red light shot out from Daphne Greengrass' wand toward Harry in haste. Everyone else had held his or her breath the moment Daphne raised her wand arm.
" I thought Slytherins' creed is to always maintain your calm in verbal fights, unless this is how a girl from Slytherin flirts " Harry asked after he brushed off Daphne's spell. Daphne regretted cursing the boy-who-lived as her five housemates were smirking at her.
" I'll see you all later, and please don't forget our agreement " Harry said the last part seriously.
…………………………………………………….
Somewhere in Hogwarts' library sat five students pouring over magical textbooks. Two of them were studying for O.W.L tests that they were about to have in June, while the rests were just studying for the exams the Professors would have subjected before the Christmas break.
" This is a crime of a century I tell you, Saturday night in the bloody library. AARRGGHH… " Ron huffed.
" We have two more weeks before midterm exams, Ronald! " Hermione snapped to her friend. Neville, Luna, and Ginny rolled their eyes for the fight Ron and Hermione seemed to love.
" I know that we will have exams in two weeks, Hermione! I just cannot see what's the harm of trying to enjoy Saturday night by being lazy " Ron retorted.
" Heck…even madam Pince has not come over and yell at us! " Ron continued his rant. Although they agreed on Ron's point, Neville, Luna, and Ginny were not about to make Hermione changed her wrath from Ron by voicing their agreements.
" If you've been studying, Ronald - " Hermione said barely containing her anger. " You should have known that I've put a privacy charm around us "
" When did you do that, Hermione? " Ginny asked in confusion. " I did not see you cast a privacy charm, " Ginny answered to Hermione's raised eyebrows.
" When Ron started to open his mouth, I cast the charm immediately " Hermione answered proudly.
" Hermione, you're a brilliant witch, but I doubt you can just do what you did " Ron stated with all the confidence in the world.
" Maybe because you never study, Ron " Hermione sneered. Ron's facial color immediately had taken Gryffindor's red color.
" I guess you're the second student to pull it off " Neville interjected before unnecessary verbal fight ensued.
Hermione nodded and said, " Goodness, I finally able to do it. I mean it was such disconcerting that casting a charm silently is not as easy as I thought "
" Not to mention you've managed to cast it as powerful as you enunciate it. Good job, Hermione " Neville praised.
" Is it really that hard, Hermione? I mean what is so hard about saying something in you mind? I've done it many times " Ginny asked in amazement at the event the three sixth year seemed to think as quite significant.
" Your reaction was the same as mine when professor Lupin introduced the topic of casting spells silently. I did not expect to be harder than increasing the power behind your spell " Hermione answered in her lecture mode.
Ron and Ginny paid their fullest attention to Hermione, as they both were still trying to achieve what Hermione had accomplished. Ginny, Hermione, and Ron as part of their training with the order had been ordered to cast charms, spells, curses, and hexes silently whenever possible. They were ordered to cast silently long before Lupin introduced the topic of casting spells and the likes silently in defense against the dark arts class. Thus far, Hermione was the only one out of the three able to do it perfectly. She had managed to cast her spells silently and increased the power behind her spells. Ron and Ginny only managed to cast their spell silently or increase the power behind their spells independently of one another.
Neville, Luna, and Harry knew that the three had been keeping their training in secret. They were rather confused as to their reason in keeping their training a secret. Luna had found out that through snooping Ginny's mind their reasoning behind the secrecy. The Order of Phoenix believed that since Harry, Luna, and Neville had refused to take part in the training, they did not need to know anything related to the Order's special training. Luna was not the only one who had tried to snoop into their friends' minds. Neville was too impatient to find the right moment to snoop and Harry was too lazy to even try. Harry were in actuality had another agenda in regard to Hermione, Ron, and Ginny's secrecy. However, one thing was certain that whatever training Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were receiving from the Order, Neville and Luna received a training that could be said to fit professional assassins' training. The only downfall so far for Neville and Luna was that they only took pleasure in dueling with Harry Potter or with Dobby.
Neville had been having trouble keeping his skills a secret as he wanted to unleash them whenever possible. His increased in power along with his overall abilities had gotten him "power high" like Voldemort's. If it were not because of his mental discipline, Harry's plans for him would have been flushed down the toilet. If it were not for Harry's interference a week ago, Malfoy and Snape would have had stayed in the hospital nursing major injuries. Neville was in a terrible mood when Snape and Malfoy decided to have their fun in bullying the ex-stuttering, scared so easily, and clumsy Gryffindor for their afternoon fun. Harry cursed both Snape and Malfoy in Neville's stead instead. Harry, then, challenged Neville to an all out duel, which lasted about ten minutes until Harry had stepped up his spells' power into a scary level. Since then, Neville always seek Harry to vent his frustration.
Luna somehow had been managing her temptation much better than Neville. She used the boy-who-lived as her frustration reliever whenever possible. She managed to catch Harry at the right time to unleash her urge. Because of her private duels with Harry, Luna was able to be Loony Lovegood as always.
The duels that Neville and Luna each had with Harry caused their abilities to advance much faster than Harry had originally thought. Harry had thought that there dedication to his training at night what had caused Neville and Luna to be formidable opponents for any adult wizard or witch. It was rather Neville and Luna's temptation to show off what had pushed them to their limits. With each duel, Neville and Luna pushed themselves to best Harry Potter. Harry had finally realized that he would not have done them any favor if he were to hold back his power. Hence, every time Harry had a duel with Neville, Luna, or both he always used his full power. Of course, Neville and Luna would have a better chance dueling Harry Potter's full power prior to Harry's victory over Dobby.
Harry's power had evolved to an unexplainable phenomenon ever since his first victory over Dobby. Harry had recently dueled with both of his house-elves and they always ended with all parties too tired to cast anything. Dobby and Winky had their magic replenish after two hours of rest, but had taken Harry a full ten hours to have his magic back. With this little discovery, Neville and Luna had asked Harry's permission to duel with one of his house-elves. Harry of course had given his permission if and only if Dobby agreed to it. Dobby was crying his eyes out of happiness when he found out two of his beloved master's friends wanted to duel him. Dobby saw Neville and Luna's duel invitation and Harry's permission as a gesture of deep respect and friendship.
" Regardless of your original view, you obviously has done it " Neville commented.
" Thank you, Neville " Hermione said with a little blush on her cheeks. Ron immediately sent his glare to Neville for making Hermione blushed.
" Is something wrong, Ron? " Neville asked with the quickest smirk.
" Uh..hmm…Nothing " Ron stuttered his answer as he was caught off guard.
" Tck..Tck..Neville that was not nice of you " Luna reprimanded Neville with her quickest smirk.
" Did I miss something? " Ginny asked in bewilderment.
" They're just being idiots, Ginny " Ron huffed.
" Why then your face is all red? Them being idiots should have nothing to do with that red face of yours " Ginny pointed out innocently. The fact that Ginny was truly innocent of any wrong doings only made Ron's face redder.
" Anyway…I'm just glad that I've finally able to cast a charm silently and a complex one if I say so myself " Hermione jumped in to save Ron from further embarrassment.
" What was Malfoy's reaction when Harry had done it in class before anybody else? " Ginny finally asked to quench her curiosity.
" What makes you think Harry was the first on to do it, Ginny? " Luna asked. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny looked at Luna as if she had three heads.
" Luna, are you supposed to be in Ravenclaw? I mean honestly who else could pull something like that if it is not our Harry " Ron said.
" Well, all of us agree that Malfoy is quite powerful. So it could be him that pulled something like that " Luna stated. Neville nodded his head in agreement with Luna's statement.
" Yes, but remember, all of us have agreed that Harry is probably the most powerful student in Hogwarts currently " Ginny replied.
" I could see your argument, Luna – " Hermione glanced at Ginny and Ron. " powerful does not mean quick at doing something, it simply means once he able to do it he can do it with more power than the rest of us " She explained.
" Let's just say all the girls had a fit of giggles when Malfoy went from being clothe to stark naked…oh what was it…AWWW it's so cute " Ron laughed heartily. The rests followed instantaneously.
" Ahem…yes well Harry was the only one able to do it, but it is not casting several spells silently that was out of the ordinary. It was the fact that he seemed so relaxed when he did it. He looked like a veteran " Hermione said after she had her laughter under control.
" What is so out of the ordinary about his ease in casting several spells silently? I mean it maybe one of his talents that he recently discovered " Luna asked Hermione.
" Or it could be that Harry has finally come to magical maturity " Neville said nonchalantly.
" I think magical maturity has a part in it, but what I'm more interested in is the other part responsible for Harry's power demonstration in defense against the dark arts class " Hermione answered Luna's question.
" I believe he's hiding something for us and he's been hiding it quite well, too well as a matter of fact. " Hermione said to no one in particular. Neville and Luna both stared at Hermione in "confusion". Ron and Ginny discreetly tried to observe any change in Neville and Luna's expression and they found nothing out of the ordinary.
" Exactly what is he trying to hide, Hermione? " Neville puzzled. Luna smirked in her mind to salute Neville's ability to play a moron.
" Sorry, I was rambling " Hermione said with a smile. " His ease in silent casting is not something out of the ordinary in and of itself, but it is how one would achieve that particular ease. " The four students had their undivided attention fixed on Hermione.
Hermione took a moment to gather her thought. " A wizard once able to cast a spell silently. He then needs to practice casting it silently until it becomes his second nature. After he has full mastery on that particular spell, he can either try to cast other spells or charms silently or he can try to increase the power behind his first silent spell " Hermione paused to have some deep breaths.
" Now, the funny this is that the wizard's first silent spell in part contributes how quick the wizard will master silent casting. The more complex the wizard's first silent spell, the quicker he will master silent casting. " Hermione glanced at her four friends to make sure they were following.
" However, the more complicated the wizard's first silent spell, the longer he will have his first success in silent casting. " Hermione continued with her explanation.
" I see…no wonder I've been having problem in silent casting " Neville said. Hermione raised her eyebrows questioningly.
" I've picked the patronus charm as my first " Neville replied and suddenly plastered an angry look. " Professor Lupin should have told us this in lecture. He just told us how to do it after we pick a spell "
Hemione gave an impatient sigh and said, " Neville, it is in the textbook. Maybe you should have read it before you came to class. "
" Hehh…maybe I should have…heh.. " Neville said sheepishly.
" What's your conclusion, Hermione? " Luna asked curiously.
Hermione turned her stare to Luna and answered, " I think Harry has secretly been training himself, but only in defense against the dark arts." with her disappointed voice.
Luna raised her left eyebrow in question and asked, " Why the disappointment? I thought you want him to achieve his potential "
" I think her disappointment comes from the fact that Harry only trains himself in defense against the dark arts " Ginny answered in Hermione's stead.
" How exactly is that a problem? " Neville asked Ginny and Luna.
" Skillful in defense against the dark arts does not mean you'll be skillful in everything else Neville " Hermione answered with an impatient sigh.
" You should know since you're in dueling class, Neville " Ron interjected.
" Yes, I am well aware of that little fact. But can you honestly say that any of us able to duel with Harry and win? " Neville asked Hermione.
Hermione gave a calculating look at Neville. " That remains to be seen, Neville. Yes, I know Harry is more powerful than any of us, but with all the training Ron, Ginny, and I have received….I believe any three of us can defeat Harry " Hermione gave her cunning answer. Neville and Luna were amused at the confidence Hermione, Ginny, and Ron seemed to radiate.
" What kind of training the Order is giving the three of you anyway? " Neville asked "curiously". The trio looked at each other with meaningful looks.
" We can't answer your question " Ron said. Tension rose immediately.
" Because both of you and Harry have refused to take part in the training. The Order ordered us not to say anything " Ginny answered Neville questioning look.
" No need to be sorry, if you can't tell us…then you can't tell us, " Luna said with a smile. Neville gave his smile to indicate that there were no hard feelings.
" What the bloody hell all of you are doing in the library on Saturday evening? " A new voice cut through the silence.
" Harry! " The five students surprised that they were caught off guard.
" In the flesh! " Harry bowed.
" My savior has come " Ron exclaimed happily.
Harry had guessed that the five were studying at Hermione's order.
" Studying on Saturday night is a crime of a century, Hermione. You could get a life sentence in Azkaban for this " Harry said with a playful tone.
" Oh…shush you, " Hermione said in mock anger.
" Where were you mate? I've looking for you all over Hogwarts " Ron asked his best mate while pulling a chair for him to sit.
" Well, I was in the kitchen, then I visited Remus in his office. " Harry answered.
" What were you doing in the kitchen? " Ginny asked.
Harry had a serious face and leaned over. Hermione, Ginny, and Ron had their faces written with worries. Harry opened his mouth slowly to answer and uttered, " Food, I was hungry. " Neville and Luna laughed heartily at the indignation Ginny and Hermione had. Ron was too preoccupied with the word food to have any reaction.
" You prat! " Hermione and Ginny huffed together.
Harry raised both his arms and said, " Well, what did you think I was going to say? I was shagging someone in the kitchen. " Hermione hissed at Harry's last statement, while the others were laughing at her affronted look.
" Sorry Hermione, I couldn't resist " Harry said with his puppy eyes. Hermione settled by giving Ron her glare.
" Hey! What did I do? " Ron exclaimed. The rests shook their heads at the two. Ron turned his attention to his best mate and said, " By the way, Harry, my mom has invited you over to the Burrow to celebrate Christmas. What do you say? "
Harry mentally groaned, as he had not expected the issue of refusing to spend some time in the Burrow so soon. He decided to stall by asking,
" Isn't Hermione invited? "
Hermione answered Harry's question, " My parents want me to spend Christmas with them, then I will be over at the burrow three days after Christmas day "
Harry mentally prepared himself for the onslaught he was about to suffer. " I can't come over to your house over Christmas holiday, Ron, I'm sorry " Harry said with a hint of remorse.
Ron had a disappointed look on his face and asked, " What! Why! Don't you want to spend some time with us on Christmas? " By now, Hermione and Ginny were staring at Harry with various expression on their faces. Hermione was sad and disappointed at her best friend. Ginny was angry and looked like someone who was about to yell very loud.
" I think it would be better if I stay at Hogwarts. It will be safer for everyone, " Harry started to say his answer to Ron's question, but Ginny cut him off. " What is the matter with you Harry! Are we repeating last year again, huh! You with your idea of isolation so that everyone will be save. GET OVER YOURSELF " Ginny yelled the last part while standing and her arms on her hip. Hermione and Ron had been holding the moment Ginny finished her second sentence. Luna and Neville were rather curious how Harry would have handled this rather complex situation.
Harry calmly looked at the youngest Weasley and said, " What do I need to get over, Ginny? "
" You are not the only one who is saddened by Sirius passing. There are others who have known him longer than you have. " Ginny said "calmly". Ron was rather angry with his sister for being so forward, while Hermione was very proud on Ginny's bluntness to Harry.
" Are you implying that I do not know that there are others who are saddened by Sirius' passing? I'm mourning not stupid Ginny! " Harry said with calm voice.
" Why the self imposed then? Don't you dare give me that everyone will be safer nonsense reason! " Ginny exclaimed.
" What is so wrong with that particular reason of mine! I think I'm being noble for considering others' safety " Harry pointed.
" Harry, the Weasley family is against Voldemort by supporting Dumbledore openly. I think just because you're not there does not mean it will increase their safety " Hermione said to her friend gently.
Harry raised his right eyebrow and asked, " Please tell me how you come to such conclusion, Hermione? "
" Well think about it…I mean…well you know Voldemort… " Hermione stuttered her unfinished answer. If it were not for the current topic of the conversation, both Neville and Luna thought it was rather funny Harry had managed to stump Hermione.
Ginny came to Hermione's rescue and said, " Fine let us say that with you there my family is in more danger than necessary, but are you going to let Voldemort run your life. "
" How exactly am I letting Voldemort running my life, Ginny? " Harry asked with his " I'm quite stupid" voice.
Ginny started to get really annoyed with Harry Potter's behavior. " You are letting him dictate how you run your life. I thought you hate it when others run your life " She sneered.
" Do you think I want him to run my life? He already has! " Harry said with raised voice.
" Why don't you stop him then! Why don't you just live your live as if he did not exist! " Ginny said with forced calm.
" Do you honestly think it is that easy! " Harry said coldly. By now, everyone hoped that their argument would not end in trading curses.
" What is so hard about living your life without having to think about what Voldemort may do to you! Have you forgotten that you're not the only one who has been affected by him directly? " Ginny said equally cold.
" Yes it is hard and for future reference, I know that I'm not the only one who has been affected by him directly " Harry sneered.
" You're a coward! Not to mention you're disgracing those who had died for you. I have never thought that you could be so self-centered. Voldemort has affected many others and many of them live their life to the fullest. Just in case you're wondering, it is not that hard to live your life without having to fear Voldemort every step of the way. I SHOULD KNOW " Ginny finally snapped.
" As far as I'm disgracing those who had died for me, well…did I ask them to die for me…I think not…and just in case they feel that they are being disgraced by me, then too bad! " Harry took a deep breath.
" Listen to you, you only had one direct encounter with Voldemort and you already believe that you're an expert where Voldemort is concerned. Yes, you probably knew a little bit about Voldemort or you may know a lot. However, trust me when I say that I'm much closer to Voldemort than any of you can handle. Please don't tell me otherwise! YOU SHOULD KNOW " Harry raised his right eyebrow to challenge Ginny to say otherwise.
Harry looked around the table and then replied to Ginny's first claim, " And Ginny, as far as I'm being a coward… I don't think having some fear of Voldemort qualifies as being a coward…those who are ignorant deserve the prize for being ignorant… I assure you being ignorant is the last thing I will do where Voldemort is concerned. "
" Harry, pushing those who care for you is not the solution to be aware of Voldemort " Hermione finally said her input.
Harry locked Hermione's eyes with his strong stare and asked, " Hermione, since when you know more than me about how to be aware of Voldemort! You only know about Voldemort if someone else inform you or read about it in the newspaper… I don't think those will qualify you as an expert in Voldemort…I myself am not an expert "
" Don't you care about your friends anymore? We have gone through so much…are you willing to just let something like that go? " Hermione said with teary eyes. Harry stood from his chair and all the while kept his stare at Hermione.
" No, but if it comes to that…then be prepared! " Harry said firmly, he then walked away from his "five" bewildered friends.