A/n: I kind of screwed up Blaise's name and misspelled it many times so thanks to Liloloa for correcting it.
THE RELUCTANT SLYTHERIN
Chapter 21: To Prepare for War
The cafeteria was in an uproar as the T.V. was turned off and everyone was talking about the events. "Did you hear that?" someone said, "Yeah I bet they are looking for something?" said another, "Nah those guys are as bad as that Bin Laden guy," said a third and so forth. Tory not being able to take it anymore stood up and walked out without anyone noticing well except one.
"Argh!" Tory growled as she lifted another weight and put it down. She had been doing that for the past half an hour and was still going. Her muscles burned with strain as she lifted the last of her weights and put them down and then began to work on her gymnastics.
She had been working for nearly six hours when Kama and Arbok came in. They both watched as Tory took two swords from the wall and began to practice with them. "So this is where I find you," said a rather silky voice and Tory turned to find Professor Snape at the doorway his hair down and staring at her with a look of sadness. "You know why I am in here," Tory growled and the potion's master nodded, "I know you are tired Tory but to take out your frustrations on phantoms is not going to help," Snape said as he grabbed a sword from the wall. Tory only glared at him before bowing and they began to spar. It was an unofficial invitation as they circled each other. Tory transfigured her sword into a boken a wooden version of a Japanese sword that held the same feel and weight as a sword. Snape did the same remembering the spell to do it.
"Hey has anyone seen Tory?" someone asked and the Trio turned to find Cho standing behind them. "No, we haven't seen her yet except for after lunch why?" said Harry, "Well I was going to ask her to help me with my sword technique," Cho said, "What is wrong with it?" Harry asked, "I can't get the movements right and I keep on doing a lousy job," Cho said, "Why didn't you ask the teacher?" Ron said, "I can't find him I think he went home," Cho shrugged and the three looked at each other, "Did you check the Dojo?" Hermione asked, "No not yet I was heading there now," she said and the three nodded.
What they did not expect when they got to the dojo was the sounds of someone fighting. Rushing in to see who could it be they were surprised to see nearly everyone in the room.
There was Tory in full battle garb covered in sweat and bleeding from many parts of her body as well as bruises. Her hair was smoking and she looks like she gained a tail? Next to her was an equally panting and sweating professor Snape also in battle garb with his hair sticking up and looking less greasy. His face held some bruises and cuts along with a missing piece of his robe where his right arm sleeve should be.
The wizard's battle garb is a dress that is similar to regular clothing except that the sleeves are shorter allowing for more movement of the arms and the material is lighter made from Mythril and spider's silk. The spider's silk is indestructible when melded together the right way and Mythril will repel any magical spell thrown at it. Both are what the Hawaiian Academy's uniforms are made of but the battle garbs are specially made to be more maneuverable.
Everyone saw Professor Snape's arms which were bare and covered in cuts and bruises and were surprised to see them well muscled. They also saw that the dark mark was gone from his left arm. All that was left was a bare patch of skin.
They both did not notice anyone watching as both engaged in combat once again eyes locked and not betraying anything. Tory leaped at the same time as Snape and swords sparked for a few seconds as multiple hits were made and both did a front flip and landed on the opposite sides of the dojo. Everyone was shocked as both swords had disappeared. Suddenly two shinning objects landed themselves on different sides of the room. Professor Snape then growled low in his throat and attacked Tory and Tory did the same as they charged each other.
Tory tried to do a high kick but Snape dodged it and did a sweeping kick causing Tory to fall but he was knocked down when Tory locked her legs around his and he fell flat on his face. In the weeks of training since they came back Tory had regained her lost weight and her muscles. She is not back in peak condition and was taking it out on the professor.
Snape not letting Tory get the best of him heaved himself on his hands and balanced on his head causing Tory to fly up and she did a summersault before landing on her hands and did a back spring before landing on her feet again. Tory grabbed her sword the same time as Snape and both started to go at each other throats. This time transfiguring them back into their original forms.
"Bloody hell!" Ron cursed as he watched Tory and Snape manhandle each other. "Bloody hell is right mate," Neville said from beside him. "COME ON TORY YOU CAN DO IT!" shouted Lavender and then somewhere else, "YOU CAN DO IT PROFESSOR!" shouted Blaze and then he shouted for Tory. Soon shouts could be heard from all around the room as people cheered Snape and Tory on. "They are going to kill each other!" said Dean, "I don't think so," said Chrisanna who decided to join them. "What do you mean?" Harry asked the Asian girl, "Tory was trained from small how to fight I don't know about your teacher but Tory can handle herself now that she is fully healthy again." She said smirking and cheered her cousin on.
Snape was sore and tired and he was feeling good for once his frustrations were gone and he had something to properly get rid of all his anger. He saw that young Kahalewai is also enjoying it as well even though both are covered in cuts and bruises. Both clashed their swords in a rapid rate. Snape had learned how to fight before but nothing like this style of fighting. He had learned how to fence from his step father who used him as a slicing dummy. That is until Snape learned how to fight back.
When he came to this place all his teachings were put to the test and they all failed. He had to let go of all the hatred he felt towards the Marauders as he dodged another blow from Tory and spun before connecting his sword to Tory's sparks flew everywhere. Both he could tell were exhausted and sore but both of them especially himself could use the release from all the anger he held when he looked at Harry.
Harry
Now that he thought about it as he avoided another sword parry the boy had done nothing wrong to him. Snape remembered the night that he admitted that he was sorry for what his father did to him. He had a lot to think about since being here and Snape knew that he had to make it up some how. He jumped over a slash that Tory administered to him and memories flashed back through his mind as he parried and blocked his hair flying behind him. He also had to make it up to Tory for not being the head of house as he should have been.
Looking at the bleeding, sweating, panting young woman in front of him with a sword out reading for a final attack Tory reminded him of himself at times except for her eyes. Her eyes shown with a fire that could not be put out and Snape had to smile to himself for that. She was clever enough to use the Chamber of Secrets for a practice room and extra living quarters. She even was clever enough to hide her true power using his help of course. She was indeed a Slytherin a worthy one. He had not seen her truly devious acts yet but he will eventually. After all she was the one who planned the escape from Hogwarts to Hawaii and he would not doubt bet that she knew how to get them back.
It was then that he was snapped out of his thoughts as he made a stab at the same time as Tory and found both their swords at each other's throats. Panting heavily they called it a night and backed away bowing.
The crowds cheered as Tory looked up in surprise. All around her were people fellow students of her school, as well as the Hogwarts students clapping and cheering. Both Professor Snape and Tory looked on bewildered at this as they both brandished their swords on the racks and the people were about to rush when a sword rose and was held in two hands over a person's head. All the Hawaiian students stopped and stared at their headmaster.
Keali'i Hamakua Headmaster of the Hawaiian Academy of Magic walked into the dojo his Arabian-like robes blowing with the gentle breeze that seems to shift in the stillness of the place. "As you all know," he began breaking the silence, "The news broadcast that you have witnessed is true. Everyday people are dying from wizarding terrorists." He said and everyone started to shout at once but the headmaster held up his sword again and everyone fell silent.
"As you know this so called Voldemort has caused terror in the Wizarding Community years ago but have been defeated by a mere child. But….." and everyone listened in, "You all know my students that the one who used it put a great deal of power into protecting the child. A mother's love is the strongest things in the universe." With that everyone looked down, "But the one who killed all those people I hate to say is one of our own," he said and as a response there was a gasp and then after a few seconds an uproar from all the Hawaiian students.
The headmaster looked at Tory and found her face pale and her eye wide. Everyone shouted questions at him but he held up his sword again and there was silence. "Tomorrow night there will be a meeting for all students in the main hall be there all of you for it is mandatory." He said and walked out.
Snape and Tory as well as the Hogwarts students looked at each other. "What was that all about Tory?" asked Dean, "What was what about?" Tory asked, "You know the whole sword thing," Seamus asked, "Oh that in this school it is a sign of silence meaning that when a person with authority puts the sword over his or her head then that is a command for silence." Tory said, "It is better then shouting," she added and everyone nodded. "So where is this great meeting hall at?" said Luna and everyone turned to Tory, "I will show you tomorrow night so meet me here," she said and they nodded.
The next day was the same with training in the morning and afternoon till about 6:00 then they all went their separate ways to get ready for the meeting. Dressing again in their uniforms the Hogwarts group walked down to the dojo where Tory was waiting for them with Chris and together they showed them where the meeting hall was.
The meeting hall itself was in a mountain or more precisely a battle arena. Tonight however the arena was turned into a meeting hall. They could see all the students from elementary with their parents to the university students. The headmaster himself was waiting till all arrive. When the last of the students filtered through the halls then the headmaster then lifted his sword and put his other hand on the blade commanding silence.
The room fell silent as Harry and Tory watched as the headmaster waited till all heads where turned to him. "Now everyone hear me!" he said and the students kept their silence. "As you all know why I called this meeting here tonight," he said and the students murmured to themselves till the headmaster used his sword again. "As you all know the world is in dire danger. The one who calls himself Voldemort is behind the attacks of the Deatheaters," the said word sent the arena into an uproar until the headmaster once again commanded silence.
"As you shall all know this Voldemort is using spells that the rest of the wizarding world has forgotten," he said, "Spells that has come from our school," and the students started batting for questions such as 'who would dare use our schools good name against the rest of the world?' or 'Who would be so foolish!' they said, 'Who dares to wreak the path of the Hawaiian's wrath?' and so forth.
The headmaster listened to all this and then when the silence returned they waited for him to continue. "As you all see the devastation that these Deatheaters have done to the world. The capital cities of the world have been attacked as their governments had and the world is going into chaos. We are needed my students the reason why we trained for a thousand years for this day. The day we are needed is that day that these strangers from Hogwarts School have stepped onto our doorstep. It was these brave souls who have crossed the world to seek out aid. The aid that they seek is a dire one. For the poison used to attack their school can only come from ours. There was a traitor amongst us and his name is Tom Riddle!" With that everyone began to scream and shout in anger. Enraged by what a fellow student has done they all wanted his blood.
Once again the headmaster called for silence, "We will deal with him in time but for now we will help those in need where ever they are. Teams of students ranging from middle to high levels will aid with medical treatments for the wizarding communities and the university students will help in turning the tide and helping to defend other communities from deatheater attacks. One, of us is needed at a time. Parents of elementary students are to remain here for the children are not well enough trained to help," he said as for time I fear that time is running out," he said and then did a gesture that dismisses students.
The very next morning early in fact the students that were going to help already left after making preparations to help in the war. The Hogwarts students are starting with their morning training even more vigorous then before which included combat training and learning other spells. The way they progressed was very rapidly.
By the morning of the third day as the sun rose in the air the Hogwarts students found themselves on the beach training on their own as their teacher already left to help those in need in his home country. Tory was leading the training as the headmaster asked for it. She started with the usual but moved to more advance moves including hip hop and gymnastics. She then moved on to sword techniques and had them practice combat both mundane and magical.
The training was intense and it lasted for another month with nonstop combat training as other students joined the foray. They even helped spar with the Hogwarts students till they were too sore to move. The students did not waste any time they moved with an efficient speed and over the course of time had learned as much spells as they could. They have been drilled time and time again till it was encoded to them every spell, combat technique, charm, curse, potion they could think of. The school was as vigorous as it was angry. Angry that one of their own had betrayed them, angry that one of their very own would turn his back on them. The school was angry and Harry could feel it. He could feel it in his gut that night and the angry air was choking him.
He looked around his dorm to find his friends asleep. The open air dormitory gave the room a more airy feel and probably to keep the place cool on hot days. He slowly turned into an owl and flew out the open window. He flew around till he saw a familiar form on the sands near the beach. Landing Harry turned back and saw that it was Tory. "Hey what are you doing up?" Tory asked, "I can't sleep the tense air was getting to me," Harry replied and Tory nodded, "Wanna go sky surfing?" she asked. "Um I don't know how," Harry said, "What is it anyways?" "This is what we do instead of Quidditch due to the high winds." Tory said and hopped on her broom. She waved her hand and Harry's broom came into view, "How did you do that?" Harry asked, "A modified version of the Accio spell. It is used to summon objects from greater distances." With that she began to hover as Harry got on. "It is all about balance," Tory said and demonstrated.
She flew up into the air at a high speed which Harry had a hard time catching up. The wind was batting him left and right and his broom rocked unsteadily, "Don't fight the winds go with them," Tory said and flowed west. She then leaped off her broom to do a bit of a spin before opening her arms wide and the broom came sailing back at her and she grabbed it.
Tory had Harry practice a few moves and after about the fifth try Harry finally got a grasp of how to do some of the tricks, "They can come in handy you know," Tory said. She then stood up on her broom without any problems surfed the clouds and the wind like they are waves. She then dove towards the ocean and began to surf the actual surf. Harry was stunned by tried to follow only to fall into the water. Luckily for him he learned how to swim during his stay at the academy. Getting back onto his broom Tory helped him learn how to surf. She even had his clothes transfigured along with the broom. She even placed wards on them to keep sharks back.
Harry was having fun as the water zoomed past his goggles. He was shown how to pivot while one the wave and it was difficult at first but he got the hand of it after a while. "Alright lets go," Tory said and Harry nodded noticing the moon rising. Transfiguring his board back into his broom Harry took off after Tory.
Both flew for a while till they were too tired to even stay in the air. They both landed at the outskirts of the school, "Thanks Tory that was awesome," Harry said, "No problem good night Harry," Tory said and kissed him on the cheek before disappearing into the darkness. Harry stood there stunned as he put his hand on his cheek to the spot where Tory's lips kissed him. Shocked and dazed he walked back to his room and fell asleep.
The next morning Harry was awakened by Ron who had to literally dump ice cold water on Harry's head to make him leap from the bed. "Ron you bloody git!" Harry screamed as he shivered from the cold water. "Get up mate it is nearly eight," he said and Harry looked at the clock and sure enough it was seven forty nine, "Shit!" he said and leaped from bed and ran into the shower.
When he came out Harry was dressed in his training clothes and ran down the stairs towards the beach where his sensei was waiting.
"Your late Potter," the teacher growled and Harry looked down, "Sorry sir," he said, "Sorry my ass give me ten laps up and down the beach," the teacher then blew his whistle and Harry was forced to endure five extra laps more then his comrades. When Harry returned everyone already stared doing pushups in the sand and he grudgingly did them forgetting the events of the night before.
It was his hundredth sit up and his abs were burning and Harry could feel how tight they were. He wanted nothing more then to go back to bed but that was not enough. The teacher had them practicing combat as well with one another and he was stuck with Snape. The Professor showed him no mercy and Harry was feeling the burn of his muscles return ten fold.
He was totally exhausted by the time Snape was done sparing him but had to endure another three hours of weight lifting, aerobics, spell casting, elemental magic, potions and so forth like any other day. Today it was as if someone sucked the life from him but he didn't care.
By dinner he noticed many changes with him. One of them happened to be the girls staring at him as he looked dazed and in dreamland one too many times that day.
"Harry are you ok?" asked Hermione as she and Ginny had returned from healing class. "Yeah it was nothing," Harry said rubbing his cheek and thinking about the night before. "Are you alright you seemed to be rubbing yourself raw," Ginny said, "It is nothing I swear," Harry said blushing, "Harry something is up and I want answers," Hermione said, "It is nothing," Harry said trying not to be embarrassed. "It's a girl isn't it?" Ginny said smiling, "Um…" "I knew it!" Ginny said, "I bet it is Tory," said Ron joining them. "Tory? You like Tory?" Hermione said smiling, "Well now that is something I am sure you know she is not that pretty," Hermione said, "I don't care for her looks," Harry said, "Ah it is her personality that you like then," Ginny said, "Just leave me alone!" Harry said and ran from the tables fully flushed.
Harry found himself in the gardens practicing his elemental magic, "So this is where you ran off to Potter," said a voice and Snape walked up from behind him. "Are you here to tease me to?" Harry said not wanting to hear this, "No I heard the conversation though," Snape replied. "Well I have nothing to say," Harry said trying to make a plant grow. "No you don't you can't truly express how you feel," Snape replied, "And you know this because…" Harry said, "Let's just say that I know the feeling," Snape replied.
Harry stared at him in silence for about ten minutes until a rustling of bushes alerted them and on instinct Harry drew out his knife but looking at the glittering of scales and the pattern he relaxed as Arbok came out of the bushes. He shown brightly but healthily in the sun as he burped and swallowed. 'Um Arbok that was gross,' Harry said, 'I am sorry Harry-papa,' Arbok said flicking his tongue out and slithered away.
"Well that was something," Harry said watching Arbok's tail disappear into the bushes of the gardens. "As I remember Tory mentioned a special salve she made for the basilisk that seems to do wonders on his skin," he said. "Yeah fish fat and shark's liver," Harry replied with a shudder. "Oh don't worry yourself over it Potter," Snape said as he turned and headed back towards the main buildings.
Tory sent a blast through the ocean when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning her head she made out the form of Blaise as he walked up to her. "What do you want Blaise?" Tory asked, "Um I wanted to ask you a question?" he said, "You already did," Tory said, "Well I just wanted to say…..i am sorry," he said, "For what?" Tory asked, "I will represent Slytherin house when I say this but I and the rest of the house is sorry for every treating you like crap," he said his head bowed, "I know I am one of the people who had hurt you in the past as well as some of the others, but we are sincere when we wish our apologies," he said and looked at the sand finding it more comfortable then Tory's eyes.
What Blaise did not expect was Tory's hand on his shoulder as she looked up at him. "Blaise Zabini I am not angry with you," Tory said, "Your not?" Blaise said, "You have earned my respect in many ways Blaise even when evacuating Hogwarts you have shown that you can be a good example to the younger students. In fact if this is over with you are probably going to be the next Draco Malfoy," Tory teased and saw that Blaise was ready to unload his dinner, "Oh please! Why would I want to be the next snob of Hogwarts," Blaise said, "I did not say you are going to be exactly like Malfoy only follow in being a leader. Blaise the other Slytherins look up to you so don't blow it," Tory said with a smirk.
Blaise was staring at her like she was nuts, "You have got to be crazy?" he said, "Blaise you are the only Slytherin that is in sixth year besides myself all the others above us are not here they are serving in the dungeons or are Deatheaters. So you being the only Native Hogwarts student in sixth year because they don't know me that well are the leader," she said smirking.
Blaise looked troubled at all this he stared at the ground. "You know your right," he said with a sigh, "But do you still accept my apology on behalf of Slytherin House," he said holding out his hand, "Blaise Zabini Sixth Year of Slytherin House I accept your apology," Tory said sticking her hand out and Blaise shook it.
TBC
