Chapter Sixteen: The One and Only Parsel Teacher
Harry awoke the next morning well before anyone else. He'd had trouble sleeping and in dire need of direction from Albus Dumbledore. Harry quickly dressed and began to wander the halls with an item that he could never replace, the Marauder's Map. When he checked it every five minutes, he looked for two things: first, if Dumbledore was moving, showing he was awake. Second, if anyone was coming towards him. After what as surely the hundredth time, Dumbledore began to move about his study. Harry made a beeline towards the gargoyle in front of the study and made to say the password. Before he could finish the words, Harry heard Dumbledore's voice from within.
"Come in Harry," called Dumbledore politely.
"Good morning, Professor," said Harry.
"What can I do for you this morning, Harry?" asked Dumbledore.
"Well Professor, last night I came across some very interesting information," said Harry, "Information concerning Katie Smith."
"Would this information also concern a certain prophecy." Not a question, a statement.
"It would, last night I had a match of powers with her. She met me power for power, even in parseltongue, which needless to say, surprised Merlin out of me," said Harry.
"Ahh, yes. I had wondered when she would reveal her powers to you. Now, I am one hundred percent certain that Katie is the daughter of Voldemort. How? That answer eludes me but I know it in my heart and your bout last night proved it. I also know that she is of no threat to you but, rather, a powerful ally. I believe that was your primary concern," said Dumbledore.
"Yes, thank you sir," said Harry, "On another matter, I now know of the relationship between myself and Professor Strindell. I know that he is my uncle."
"Excellent, I had no doubt that you would figure it out eventually. Now, when it comes to your link, it was made through a large sacrifice. It can only be undone through another sacrifice but not necessarily one of death. Unfortunately, only time can tell what the sacrifice will be. Also know this, any sacrifice made by William will be made by his own choice, thus you should feel no guilt over it. Do you understand?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes, sir," said Harry as he stood, "Sir, may I have may Firebolt back soon?"
"Why, you can have it back right now under one condition," said Dumbledore as he waved his hand causing the broom to appear before Harry, "train Katie. She needs to be nearly as powerful as you in order to defeat Voldemort's Death Eaters and other minions. Some of your flash couldn't hurt but mostly your distinguished Parsel Magic, it will come in handy. Now, go back to your friends, Harry."
Harry made his way back to the Gryffindor tower and found Katie talking to Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville.
"So Katie, have you told them the recent news?" asked Harry.
"Which set?" retorted Katie.
"Well my esteemed friends and colleagues, Katie is the newest member of the Guard," said Harry, "Oh, and I got my Firebolt back!"
"Brilliant mate!" said Ron, "Now we can reassemble the Quidditch team!"
"Yeah, are you ready to go Katie?" asked Harry.
"Where are you two going?" asked Katie suspiciously.
"Well, I'm going to teach Katie what you guys couldn't learn. Is it okay if they go?" asked Harry with a sideways glance.
"What if I make a fool of myself? I've never even heard of this stuff before, how can I possibly be any good at it?" asked Katie.
"Well, I'd never heard of it before I tried it either. Don't worry Katie, I'm sure you'll learn as quick as I did," encourage Harry, "And besides, I know a few good spells to hex them with. I think I'll teach you some to protect yourself. Let's go."
Harry, Katie, Ron, and Hermione made their way to the sixth floor corridor. Harry signaled the others to stop as he began to pace in front of them. 'I need a place to teach Parsel Magic,' thought Harry three times. All of a sudden, a door appeared, causing Katie to gasp in shock. Harry turned and noticed a large black metal door with a large basilisk head jutting out of the middle of it. There was no handle.
"Now Katie, can you speak Parseltongue freely?" asked Harry.
"Er- no. I've only been able to use it on live snakes and you, no offense," said Katie.
"None taken. Okay, first lesson. In order for you to unlock your Parselmouth abilities, you must proceed to your mind's door… When there, use your mind to feel the presence of your Parselmouth abilities. You'll see some kind of symbol that will represent it. When you've activated them, say something to Ron in Parseltongue," instructed Harry.
You're a great git, hissed Katie to Ron.
"Excellent!" laughed Harry.
"What did she say?" asked a bewildered Ron.
"She says you have a lovely singing voice," lied Harry, still laughing, "Now Katie; just tell the door to open."
Open,
Katie then looked at Harry, clearly disappointed.
"No, you didn't do anything wrong. We must have to do it at the same time," said Harry as he turned to Ron and Hermione, "You two may not be able to follow us but don't worry, we'll be fine. Ready?"
"Let's do it," responded Katie.
Open hissed the duo.
As the door opened, Harry and Katie quickly entered it. Just as they passed through, the door closed. Inside was a dueling mat, practice dummies and a couple of books.
"This is exactly what we need to start practicing. Now, I believe you know the shield charm, yes?" asked Harry.
"Of course I can cast the shield charm," said Katie incredulously.
"Good, now there is a theory behind every form of magic. I find that if the mind knows the theory, completing the action becomes infinitely easier. Now the theory behind Parsel Magic is a simple one: that a simple spell, such as the shield charm, can have its properties changed by using your Parselmouth abilities. Now, the change may be as simple as the spell's color changes. This can be advantageous because your opponent won't be able to guess what the spell is, seeing as how most know spells only one way. This can also strike fear into the heart of your opponent because many Parsel spells appear green, much like that of the Killing Curse. Now, let's use the theory on defensive magic. The shield charm would normally repel weak attacks and break easily. The Parsel shield charm last much longer and instead of repelling the attack, it absorbs it, increasing your power. However, while this is one of the most powerful shields, it doesn't have the same effect on all spells. The Unforgivables are absorbed but don't increase your power and they also decrease the spell's strength. An example of offensive magic would be the stunning spell. Normally, it can only be shot in one direction and is red. The Parsel stunner can be shot in multiple directions and is green. Understand?" asked Harry.
"So far, yes," said Katie, "So, how do I cast the spells?"
"Well, that is the ingenious part of the magic. You see, the incantation doesn't change," said Harry.
"How does it become Parsel Magic then? It can't be because of the person, I've only been able to perform a regular shield charm," said Katie.
"Well, what can you do that almost all others can't?" asked Harry.
"Duh! I can speak Parseltongue. So, all I have to do is say the incantation in Parseltongue?" inquired Katie.
"Exactly, now show me a Parsel shield," instructed Harry.
Protego as the air surrounding Katie took a slight green tint, "Did I do it?"
"Let's find out, Stupefy," said Harry quietly as the spell erupted from his wand.
When the spell hit the shield, the attack was absorbed as the shield darkened and grew bigger.
"Excellent! Now, I want you to aim a stunner at those three dummies and hit them at the same time," commanded Harry, "All you have to do is visualize the stunner splitting into three separate stunners and going in the direction of their targets. Each individual stunner has the same potency so you don't have to worry about any division of power."
"All right, Stupefy!" cried Katie as the three separate stunners shot out of her wand at the dummies.
"Good, now I believe that it is pertinent to tell you that the only way to return a person from unconsciousness after being hit with a Parsel stunner is to say 'Enervate' in Parseltongue," said Harry, "So, how about a friendly little duel to get you used to using Parsel Magic?"
"Sure," responded Katie.
Harry and Katie walked to opposite sides of the mat, bowed to each other, and took their respective stances.
"Ready? Begin!" yelled Harry.
Katie shot a Parsel Jelly-Legs hex at Harry while he erected a Parsel shield. When the spell closed in, he dodged it and bellowed "Accio!" causing Katie to go flying at Harry, leaving her wide open for Harry to perform a Parsel disarming spell.
"I absolutely love that trick. It's excellent for throwing an opponent off guard," said Harry.
"Yep, didn't see that one coming," said Katie, "Why didn't you absorb the attack and send a curse back at me?"
"Well, I find that shields can be useful if you know your opponent's style. I try and rely on my reflexes rather than shields because my reflexes have yet to fail me and the breaking of a shield may leave you a little dazed," said Harry as he looked at his watch, "We had better go and get our stuff for Potions. Trust me; we don't want to be late."
Harry and Katie left the Room of Requirement and headed to the Gryffindor common room. When they climbed through the portrait hole, Harry caught sight of Ron and Hermione holding hands. As soon as they realized that Harry and Katie were back, they immediately let go of each others hand.
"You guys- I know about you two, I've known since July. You don't have to deny your feelings in front of me. If it makes you feel better, I think that it is about time you two finally opened up, it makes things a little less… hostile. Now I don't have to worry about you two arguing so much. I do believe that this makes me about ten galleons richer," chuckled Harry with a smirk.
"What do you mean?" asked Hermione.
"Well, at the end of the Yule Ball, Dean, Seamus, and I made a bet about which year you two would start dating. Dean lost at the end of last year, I had sixth year, and Seamus was counting on seventh," said Harry with a grin.
"Harry Potter! How dare you make fun of our love lives! We've never said a word about your!" shouted Hermione.
"All right, point take, I'm sorry, please forgive me," said Harry.
"I'll forgive you if you split it with me," chuckled Ron as Hermione's fist connected with his arm, "OW! Now I know how Malfoy felt third year."
"Let's go do Potions," laughed Harry as he grabbed his bag.
Harry felt for the first time in a long time that he was truly happy. This would be a good memory to choose when conjuring a Patronus.