Chapter Thirty-Seven: Euryx

The next five days went quickly for Harry. He and his friends finished their homework easily. They spent their lasts days of vacation slowly getting ready for their return to school. On the day they were to return, they apparated in groups to the Kings Cross Station and boarded the train. Harry and Katie were the last to enter the cabin. As they sat across from Ginny and Neville, Neville posed a question.

"Do you think it's safe?" he asked, "Leaving Draco and Blaise in the same house as would-be murderers. Would-be murderers who know their true allegiances?"

Harry could almost feel his jaw hit the ground, "Oh, no, I forgot about that."

"I'm sure they'll be fine," said Ginny.

Just then, Ron and Hermione entered.

"Harry, let me ask you a question," said Ron, "How do you know you can trust that son of a bludger, Malfoy?"

"RONALD!" shrieked Hermione.

"It's okay, Hermione," said Harry, "Days may change but the opinions of people might not. I know I can trust him because, as he told his story, I could feel his honesty. It's kind of hard to explain. Besides, the only way he could know the details of my childhood would be if he used Legilimency, which I would have felt him trying."

"All right," said Ron, defeated, "I still don't trust him but if you do, I suppose that I could try to be nice."

"Let's just stick with civil," said Harry, "You'll have to get used to that because I'm almost certain that he'll be in our Auror class."

The train ride was thoroughly after that. When they arrived, the sixth year student's were given their new schedules.

"Dueling sounds like it'll be a good class," said Harry.

"What? I don't have dueling," said Ron, disappointed.

"I do," said Katie.

"Same here," said Neville.

"Dueling sounds better than… hang on," said Ron as he scanned his schedule, "I don't have the Auror class either. I have history of healing and healing; both with Madam Pomfrey."

"I thought you told them that you wanted to be an Auror," said Harry suspiciously.

"Well…" said Ron, "First, I said that I would like to be a Healer but I told them that I would never be able to get that many O.W.L.'s I completely forgot."

"That's all right, although I never would have pegged you to be a Healer," said Harry.

"It's kind of my now not so secret passion," said Ron, "Being friends with me gave me a fair few chances to see Madam Pomfrey at work."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione began to laugh.

"I think I'm going to bed," said Harry, "Night all."

Harry went to his dormitory and pulled the curtains closed on his four-poster bed.

'Professor?'

'Yes, Harry?'

'Can I ask you a question?'

'I believe you just did but you may ask another.'

'Will Draco and Blaise be safe in Slytherin?'

'Hmm…'

Silence.

'Professor?'

'To answer your question, I believe that they will be fine. Anything else?'

'No, good night, sir.'

'Good night, Harry.'

Harry slept soundly that night. The next morning, Harry and his friends prepared themselves for the changes in the schedules. Harry, Katie, and Neville had Dueling on Monday afternoons and Auror class on Friday mornings. After Herbology, Harry, Katie, and Neville began to climb the Great Staircase. Harry suddenly turned to the others.

"Er- do either of you know where Dueling is supposed to be held?" asked Harry.

"What do you mean?" asked Neville.

"I thought you knew," said Katie.

"Let's check the map," said Harry as he summoned the map to him, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

As the trio looked over the map, they found no trace of the retired Auror.

"Aw, crap," said Katie, "Now what?"

'Professor, where is Dueling being held?'

'Harry, you should be quite familiar with it by now… the Room of Requirement.'

'Thank you, Professor.'

"Let's hurry," said Harry as he sprinted for the sixth floor corridor.

As they entered the Room, they heard a familiar growl.

"Potter, Smith, Longbottom, how good of you to join us," growled Moody, "Now that we're all here, we can begin. The people you see around you are the same people who are in my Auror class. I can say that one day, you will all be Aurors. If I think that you're not up to snuff, you're gone. If you cause trouble or attack others without provocation, you're out. For the first few weeks, I'll be teaching you the different stances, along with their strengths and weaknesses. Let's have a demonstration duel. Potter… Malfoy, up here."

For the first time, Harry registered the fact that there were multiple dueling mats spread throughout the room.

"Face each other and bow."

Harry faced Draco.

"Just because I'm in your debt doesn't mean that I still don't hate you," said Draco as the duo bowed to each other.

"That's good," shrugged Harry as they marched into their respective positions.

"Ready? Begin!"

Harry stood facing Draco and stared at him, hoping to unnerve him. Draco wiped his wand and yelled a spell Harry wasn't familiar with.

"Micrurunsortia!" yelled Draco as a small snake shot out of his wand.

Harry sat quietly and erected the strongest shield he could. He looked the snake in the eyes.

Hello, my friend.

Enemy can speak to me?

"I am not you enemy. I would like to be your friend.

Why should I trust you?

If you don't car to stay with me, I shall gladly release you any time you deem fit.

The snake swayed for a few seconds and then slithered to Harry. Harry could hear Katie utter a gasp of surprise as the snake slithered up Harry's sleeve and wrapped itself around him.

"My thanks, Draco," said Harry as he brought Malfoy back to the duel.

"What- How- Stupefy!" shouted Draco as he began to send spell after spell at Harry.

Harry easily dodged the spells and advanced on his opponent. Within a few seconds, Harry was face to face with Malfoy. He lazily placed a hand on Malfoy's chest and pushed him to the ground. He snatched up Malfoy's wand and declared himself the winner.

"You see, class? Duels can be won without firing a single spell," said Moody, "Well done, Potter. Twenty points to Gryffindor. You used a fair bit of cunning to get that close without activating a single spell."

"Beg your pardon, sir, but that's incorrect," said Harry, "I activated a shield charm strong enough to block all spells but the worst."

"Eh? I would have seen one that strong," said Moody.

"I used a special shield, I believe that there would have been a green tint surrounding me as I conversed with my new friend," said Harry as the snake poked its head out of his sleeve.

Instantly, the room changed. It became a normal classroom. The students took notes for the rest of the class. Whenever Harry had the chance, he would speak to the snake.

May I asked your name?

I am known as Euryx, Master (A/N: His name is pronounced 'Yer-ix')

Please call me Harry. What species of snake are you?

I am a Micrurus Hajo, an Egyptian Coral Snake.

I see. How old are you?

As I was created magically, I'm not sure to an exact year but I know that I am relatively young. I hope that you will allow me out soon to find a mate. If not, there is a large possibility of me dieing.

What do you mean?

A normal coral snake is capable of living its whole life without a mate. As a magical coral snake, I cannot live more than a few months as an adult without a mate. Also, I have two types of venom. As you may be aware of, normal coral snakes are among the highest poisonous snakes alive. I share their venom but I can secrete a second form, a magical venom. It can block the passageways that wizard kind alone posses, the ones that allow magic to flow. My venom can block these passageways causing them to never be able to use magic again.

You mean you can turn them into squibs?

What is a squib?

A person who has those certain passageways but cannot make use of them.

Then, yes. As a snake, I am able to heighten the potency of magic that many deem Dark. Why they deem it Dark is lost on me.

Well, my friend, I don't foresee me casting Dark magic any time soon.

I will keep the offer open to heighten your power.

Thank you. I will permit you at night to hunt and search. Rest for now, I will let you know when it is time.

Thank you, Harry.

It felt weird to Harry that he had a snake crawling around in his robes, trying to make itself comfortable, but it was oddly comforting.

'Must be the Slytherin in me.'

After class, Katie ran up to him and swatted the back of Harry's head.

"Don't you know that it's rude not to introduce people?" asked Katie playfully.

"Sorry, Katie meet Euryx," said Harry as the snake slithered out into Katie's hand and up her arm.

I think that she's trustful, Harry. Do you think so?

I should hope so, Euryx, I am Harry's girlfriend, after all.

You can speak to me also?

Yes, I can.

Are there others like you? Can everyone talk to us?

Not quite. There are three in England: Harry, myself, and … my father.

I feel like you are not on friendly terms.

No, we aren't. He's trying to kill me and Katie is helping me to stop him.

If he tries to hurt you, I will bite him.

Thanks, I'll let you out. Please try and not attack anyone.

Yes, Harry.

After Harry left the castle, he released Euryx at the edge of the Forbidden Forest to hunt. He went and visited Hagrid at his hut.

"Harry, blimey, it's been a while. I thought yeh'd gone and forgot about me," chuckled the gentle half giant as he opened the door for Harry.

Fang the boarhound saw Harry and leaped onto the teenager, knocking him over.

"Fang, stop licking me," attempted Harry.

Hagrid was forced to pull the dog off of Harry by the collar.

"I'm sorry about not visiting you, Hagrid. I've got a lot of things going on at once," said Harry, knowing that it was no excuse.

"S'okay, I heard about all of yer groups and the like," said Hagrid, "What can I do fer yeh?"

"Well, I've recently come into possession of a Micrurus Hajo," said Harry as Hagrid took a sip of tea and spit it out.

"Yeh got a what! Blimey, Harry, they're rare 'n dangerous, not teh mention Dark creatures," said Hagrid.

"Euryx is okay. I was just wondering how I'm supposed to take care of him," said Harry.

"Snakes, yeh see, will be fine teh take care of themselves. So long as they can hunt, they'll be fine," said Hagrid.

"What do you mean 'they'?" asked Harry as he tried to look confused, he didn't want to let on that he knew quite a bit about them.

"Magical coral snakes, I'm assuming that this Euryx is a magical one, need ter find a mate within a few months after puberty or they'll die. The mate sort of helps teh keep their life force strong. If something was teh happen to a mate, the other will try teh find another," said Hagrid, "I hope yer snake won't have much of a problem. I don't know of any colonies round here."

"I hope so, too," said Harry.

"Here, I think this'll be helpful teh yeh," said Hagrid as he stood and rummaged through his lone cupboard.

Hagrid pulled out a tattered old black book and handed to Harry.

"'A Guide to Raising Your Very Own Dark Creature.'," read Harry as he looked at the cover, "What in the world did you need this for?"

"Well, uh, I might've used it the raise Aragog," mumbled Hagrid sheepishly.

"Thanks, Hagrid, I'll take good care of it," said Harry.

"I know yeh will. Well, off yeh go, it's gettin' late," said Hagrid as he ushered Harry to the door.

"'Bye, Hagrid," said Harry as he left.

Harry quickly went to the Gryffindor common room and sat near his friends. He opened the book and began to flip through it.

"What's that for, Harry?" asked Ron.

"A book that might help me to raise my new snake," said Harry quietly and calmly.

"What!" asked Hermione loudly, "A snake? What kind of snake? Where did you get it?"

"A snake, yes, a snake, it's a magical coral snake, and I got it from Malfoy," said Harry as he answered all of her questions in order.

"What's a magical coral snake?" asked Hermione.

"From Malfoy? How can you know that it's not some kind of trap?" asked Ron.

"It was a trap, Ron," said Harry as Ron looked incredulously at him, "We had a practice duel and during ours, he sent my new friend at me. I was able to convince him to stay with me. Why did I need to? I don't know; I just felt like he could come in handy. To answer Hermione's question: Euryx is about a foot and a half long, black with silver bands down the length of his back and his under belly is green. A normal coral snake is one of the most poisonous snakes-" said Harry until Hermione interrupted him.

"Poisonous? That's dangerous!" interrupted Hermione, "He could attack one of the students!"

"Hermione, he's much more dangerous than that, believe me. Like I said, Euryx is a magical snake. He not only has the poisonous venom but he also has another form of venom; a kind that can transform wizards and witches into squibs. I hope that the day will never come when Euryx is forced to use either to protect me but he's told me that should that day come, he will risk himself for me," said Harry.

Hermione just stared at Harry in disbelief that he would keep a snake that dangerous.

"I think you should make sure that it's destroyed," said Hermione, "It's almost as dangerous as a basilisk."

This angered Harry to a level that he had never been to.

"How can you say that! How would you like it if we talked about you that way!" shouted Harry as he jumped to his feet.

"I'm not capable of killing people, that's how I can say that," defended Hermione.

"So, you're saying that if you levitated someone to defend yourself and accidentally dropped them down a flight of stairs or out a window, that's not murder!" shouted Harry.

"That's entirely different, Harry," said Hermione, "That would be an accident."

"Then, if we were to destroy Euryx, as you so kindly put it, it would be murder, there would be no accident about it," said Harry as he tried to calm himself.

"Oh," mumbled Hermione, "I guess I see your point."

"You guess?" asked Harry, "You guess? There's no guessing about it! You know what? I'm not talking about this anymore."

Harry sat down and began to rifle through the pages.

"Hermione, I trust Harry's judgment," said Katie, "I've met Euryx, and he's a good snake albeit he's the most suspicious snake I've ever met. It took Harry telling him about Voldemort's plans to kill Harry to get him to trust me. I think that Harry is fully capable of controlling him."

Harry delved himself so far into the pages of the book that he didn't hear Hermione's apology. He suddenly felt an elbow to his ribs.

"What?" asked Harry as he looked up.

"I said I was sorry," said Hermione with tears in her eyes, "I never meant to offend you like that."

"Well, you did," said Harry as he returned to his book.

"Harry!" yelled Katie as she hit him in the head.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you, Hermione," said Harry earnestly, "Death is a touchy subject for me, especially murder."

"I know and I shouldn't have said what I did," said Hermione, "Friends?"

"Friends," said Harry as he smiled and returned to his book.

As Harry looked at some of the creatures in the book, Harry realized that they were quite dangerous.

"Now I know where Hagrid got his fixation for dangerous creatures. This book makes Blast-Ended Skrewts look like fluffy little bunny rabbits," said Harry as he turned the page, "Wait- there are bunny rabbits in here… fire-breathing ones."

Harry was finally able to find a short paragraph on snakes like Euryx.

The magical coral snake is the second most dangerous snake, known to wizard kind. They have two kinds of venoms: one that injects a highly dangerous poison and another that turns the victim into a squib. Like all magical snakes, they can increase the potency of Dark Magic. Magical coral snakes prefer to eat live creatures, such as mice, insects and spiders, but are know to eat the occasional treat. If a magical coral snake is not mated within a few months of the end of puberty, it will die. Also, if separated from its mate for an extended period of time, they will die if they are unable to find another mate.

"It's good to know that my snake is smart, this book didn't help at all," said Harry.

"So, how was dueling?" asked Ron as he tried to change the explosive subject while flipping through his new Healer's manual.

"Not much, just the practice duel and then we took notes on different stances and their advantages," said Harry, "How about History of Healing?"

"Not too bad, Madam Pomfrey taught us about the earliest Healers. It's definitely better than History of Magic; she doesn't force us to take notes. I never knew how interesting Healing was," said Ron.

"You really should take notes," said Hermione firmly.

"Don't worry, I do," said Ron, "I can't wait for Friday, we're doing some minor healing spells."

"That's great," said Harry, "I'm going to bed. Good night everyone."

Harry walked to his dormitory and slowly climbed into bed, mentally reprimanding himself for losing his temper. As he drifted to sleep, he considered changing his hair.

'I'm sick of short, black hair…'