"What
a celebration!" commented Hermione, as the four left using a
portkey to get them back to Hogwarts.
The four found themselves
back at the great castle, in front of the Fat Lady's Portrait.
"Mandrake root," spoke Hermione, and at once, the door
sprang open.
Each of the four headed straight to their
dormitories. They had the perfect time of their life! Ron was first
to reach his dormitory; he was so tired he could've slept for two
days, which left Harry and Hermione.
"See you tomorrow,"
added Harry, as he climbed up the stairs. "By the way Hermione,
you looked very pretty tonight."
Hermione smiled at
him.
"Thank you Harry," she replied slowly, "you
looked handsome too."
For moments, Harry's eyes didn't move,
and kept focusing on Hermione's friendly face.
"Goodnight,"
Hermione waved goodbye, and closed her dormitory's door behind her,
which made a tiny crack. Harry slowly entered to see Neville, Seamus,
and Dean fast asleep in their beds, while Ron was adjusting to his
bed. Harry changed into his pyjamas, and crept into his bed, soundly.
Harry glanced at the shiny star in the dark cloudy sky, and
wished luck for Percy and Penelope. And for another thing, he
couldn't help think about Hermione, who looked extremely beautiful in
that muggle suit. Harry like her very much, because they were best
friends since first year. However, now, he kept thinking about her
constantly; he couldn't get her out of his mind. He wondered, could
this be... love? Silently, he sank into the darkness, and fell fast
asleep, his mind crammed with thoughts and wonders.
Next morning, Harry was perfectly prepared for his first lesson of the day, Defence Against the Dark Arts. Today, he was scheduled to teach his fellow Gryffindor Sixth years, and to his annoyance, the Slytherin sixth years, about deceiving and tricky creatures, called Forbets. These were tricky magical creatures, shaped like a wisp of smoke, that would vanish and disappear, and then, they reappear again behind a person, slowly though, scaring him to death, by taking the form of a mummy. Yes, these creatures were founded first in ancient cemeteries and pyramids in Egypt. Although Harry never experienced these creatures before, or had the slightest idea about them in the last five years, it was in the book, "Force Your Way Through Dark Paths", that was to be taught to the sixth years. So, it was his duty to read the chapter about Forbets, and understand it. Secretly, he has practised finishing off Forbets near the dungeons of the castle. Most likely, they prefer low places, that are near the ground. Harry learned that to finish off the Forbets, he had to take good care in following some important steps. First, at the sight of him, the Forbet will definitely vanish. Second, seconds before it reappears behind a person, some yellow shadow emerges from the ground the person is standing on, sort of flickering, and then stops when the Forbet transforms into a mummy. Therefore, the only way to drive a Forbet away, was to quickly light a fire on the flickering yellow shadow moving on the ground. That way, the Forbet will go through deep pain, and then leaves.
"Good morning," said
Hermione, as she carried four heavy textbooks, placing them in her
bag.
"Hello," replied Harry at once, as the two walked
through the corridors. He still was shocked by how pretty Hermione
looked yesterday, as though they were still at Percy's Wedding. He
couldn't get her out of his mind anymore.
"So," began
Hermione, smiling, "what are we doing today?"
Harry
walked slower, and turned to her.
"Um..." he started,
he thought of telling her about the Forbets, but he decided to keep
it as a surprise, "it's a surprise."
She raised her
eyebrows at him.
"Why?"
"You'll see when we get
there," said Harry, looking straightforward.
"What are
you going to teach us Harry? Speak!" Hermione insisted that he
tells her.
"I'm not going to tell you!" Harry grinned at
her, as he found it amusing to do such thing and keep her waiting.
"Harry! Don't make me lose my temper!"
The Defence
Against the Dark Arts' class appeared to Harry and Hermione's
sight.
"Fine," Harry gave up now," you'll play with
Forbets today!"
"For...sorry, what was that?" asked
Hermione.
"Forbets," explained Harry, his smile curving
and widening at her "deceiving bits of wisps of smoke that can
be invisible and turn into mummies suddenly! Happy now?"
"Oh!
I like dealing with those! I've read about them in chapter nineteen!
I find them highly tricky! It'll be great to deal with them in
reality rather than in books!"
"Big deal," said
Harry, moving his glasses up his nose.
Hermione had a feeling that
something...or someone...was missing...Ron.
"Harry?" she
began calmly. "Where's Ron?"
"Funny you should
mention him," he went on, "he talked to me this morning
when I woke up, he's got a fever, and thought it might be for the
best to rest in the Hospital Wing. Can't be blame him though...the
change in weather from here to Grimmauld Place must've raised his
fever seven degrees higher, and he was already sick."
Hermione
nodded. Harry was right; sometimes, Ron was so stubborn and ignorant,
and wouldn't listen even to his best friends' advice.
The
class was half full when Harry and Hermione entered; some students
were out in the grounds throwing snowballs at each other for fun.
They only had ten minutes till the school day begins.
Harry went
over to his desk, and sat down, getting out the last rolls of
parchment, on which the Gryffindor and Slytherin sixth years had to
do their last homework, that was due three days ago. Harry managed to
correct most of the papers, but a few were left without a grade. So,
he used this chance to correct the last rolls of parchment, before
class was ready.
Ten minutes later, the remainder of the class
showed up at last, to begin the lesson.
"Shut the door behind
you please, Malfoy," said Harry, over the heads of
students.
Quickly, Malfoy slammed the door shut, gave Harry an
evil cruel look, and sat down between Crabbe and Goyle. Of course,
Harry knew Malfoy's reaction whenever he saw him. Harry was like dirt
and dung to him, which he loathed more than anything else in the
whole wide world.
"Good morning class,"
"Good
morning," replied the tired sleepy class.
"Now, I'll
pass out your homework that was due three days ago," began
Harry, a handful of golden soft parchment in his hands, "I must
say that you did fairly well. Oh, and I gave a couple of bonus marks
to all who wrote extra facts, that were meaningful of course, and
that we didn't mention in class."
Harry was moving around the
class quickly, his eye jumping from one student to the other.
Everyone was impressed with their marks; Harry was such a good
teacher, and offered the chances to help students if they needed it.
The class was deep in discussion about their grades, and how they
didn't expect to get those marvelous marks on the homework. However,
as usual, Malfoy was having his own private chat with Crabbe and
Goyle; apparently, he didn't pay attention to the piece of returned
parchment, lying soundly on his desk, beside the thick
textbook.
"Allright," yelled Harry over the heads of the
many students," please put your homework away, and let us begin
the lesson."
Several students put their excellent rated
homework in their bags, books, or own notebooks, and then sat
straight up, paying attention to Harry.
"Today, we'll be
dealing with tricky and cunning creatures, in fact, wisps of
translucent smoke, called Forbets," started Harry
enthusiastically.
"Of course, I don't expect many of you to
know about these deceiving creatures. Therefore, here's a little
explanation," continued Harry, smiling at the class.
"These
wisps of smoke, come originally from ancient cemeteries and pyramids,
found in far away Egypt," some of the Slytherins' expressions of
excitement appeared on their curious faces, "it's true, they
prefer living in low areas near the ground. Now, whenever they see a
person, they attract their attention somehow, and then disappear.
Shortly after vanishing, they reappear suddenly behind the person,
taking the form of a mummy, and scare him away. It may not be easy to
finish it off, because a Forbet that is turned into a mummy, is
highly frightening, and gives you cold senses of loss and
fear."
"Many of you might suggest that the presence of a
Forbet is similar to that of a Dementor, the scary soul sucking
creature," at those words, the whole class winced. The presence
of Dementor was almost like dying alive.
"There is one way to
finish a Forbet off, and drive him away from you. Forbets prefer
darkness, and hate light, like Devil Snare. So, it is very useful to
think at this stage of battle with a Forbet. Here is the solution.
Shortly before a Forbet reappears behind you, you will notice some
kind of yellowish flickering shadow dancing on the floor you're
standing on. At this moment, you have to just act, without even
thinking, because you'll be scared to death if you don't. You have to
light a fire on the yellow shadow then. That way, the Forbet will go
through the excruciating pain of the sight of pure white light, which
is a combination of wand flames, and the shadow's yellow color.
Eventually, it won't stand it, and it'll go away, leaving you behind
until another Forbet comes another time seeking revenge."
The
majority of the class giggled, including Hermione, even Harry did.
"And now," said Harry, holding a small cubic
sort of music box, in his sweaty fist," a demonstration."
Slowly
and carefully, Harry lifted the top purple cover up. Quickly, a
silvery translucent wisp of smoke ascended, and flew out of the box.
It hovered for a moment, and then turned to Harry, grabbing his
attention. He grabbed his wand firmly, which lay on the desk beside
the bottle of ink, and got ready.
The whole class witnessed the
wisp of smoke disappearing from in front of Harry, and going into the
unknown.
"Watch closely," whispered Harry, vigilant for
any sign of yellow shadow on the ground.
Then, it happened, he
felt some yellow light reflecting on his glasses. And when he lowered
his head, he found a yellow shadow flickering, shaped like a ring.
Without thinking, he muttered, "Lacarnum Inflamari". At
once, flames were shot directly at the yellow shadow from the tip of
his wand. There was ring of fire rising higher and higher, turning
into blinding white flashes of light. The whole class held their
hands up, to cover their eyes. Then, Harry heard the Forbet's cry
from behind him, but did not turn around to see the awfully
frightening mummy. He could see the cold creeps spreading through the
class, making everyone's face turn pale. Momentarily, the ring of
fire shot beams of pure white light at the horrifying mummy. Clearly,
Harry heard the mummy's cry of pain and pleads for mercy. Moments
later, he felt the mummy fade from his surrounding and stagger away.
Harry took a deep breath, and took a look at the curious scared eyes of the class. Hermione, who was looking terribly pale, began clapping. Soon, the whole class was applauding, after Harry's brilliant performance of getting rid of the cunning Forbet. Harry was feeling loads better after they clapped, and came into reality again, after being almost unconscious from the fright of the Forbet.
"Wow!" shouted Dean Thomas. "That was excellent
Harry!"
"That was amazing Harry," added Seamus
Finnigan.
"Brilliant!" oddly, this was Sandra Sanderson, the
Slytherin sixth year.
Harry was lost in his mind; seeing each
pupil clap as hard as they can cheered him.
"Thank you, thank you," Harry was bowing to the class, showing his respect, gratitude, and appreciation.
Later on, the
applause subsided, until it eventually stopped.
"Now,"
began Harry, pulling a briefcase out of a dark brown drawer,"
this is full of music boxes that contain Forbets. I don't want you to
freak out, because if you lose control , the class won't be swarming
with mummies, because I'll be getting rid of them by then. So, each
one of you will kindly take a box, go to a corner or stay in his or
her place, and start practicing. If you need any help, I'll be around
you. And don't forget to act quickly the moment you see the yellow
shadow. Good luck."
Harry could discern the looks of worry
and fright on the students' faces. However, they came forward to
collect the music boxes.
He carefully observed how each
student reacted to the Forbets, being so scared and frightened, they
would've wet their pants. Over by the corner, he watched Malfoy's
white blonde hair move back as the wind emerging from the music box
moved him backwards. He smirked for a moment, and when the Forbet
disappeared from his sight, he looked so worried, that he had his
eyes wide open, careful for any sign of yellow shadow. Malfoy kept
spinning around himself, looking closely to the floor in all
directions. Suddenly, he saw it…the yellow shadow danced like
leaves on a tree would. It was forming some sort of ring. At that
moment, Malfoy was pretty stunned, and couldn't move. It was like
his feet were a tree's roots, stuck to the ground. His eyes were
wider now. However, he remembered what he had to do. Quickly, like a
lightning bolt, he took out his wand, and murmured "Lacarnum
Inflamari", pointing it at the ring of yellow shadow. Soon, he saw
the fire blasted from his wand combine with the yellow shadow,
forming a ring of pure blinding white light. The cries of the
transformed Forbet (mummy) came from behind him. He dared not to turn
around, but just wait till it vanished and staggered away. At last,
the mummy strolled away, yelling loudly, like a starving lion would.
Malfoy was calm again, but still in the last phase of his shock.
Over
by the third row, Harry watched Hermione get rid of the Forbet. She
was certainly quick and clever to finish it off. Although she was
pale at first, she later managed to get rid off it. Harry was quite
impressed with her spectacular performance; she was the quickest in
the class to get rid of the Forbet or perhaps the mummy. As always,
Harry gave her a thumbs up, a wink, a smile, and moved to another
corner.
Overall, half of the total number of students succeeded
in this rough task. Getting rid of a mummy who was originally a
Forbet was very difficult and needed skills. Even Harry himself found
difficulty when he first battled with the Forbet, before teaching the
class about it. He now knew that it would come in N.E.W.Ts in his
seventh year. He also wondered if he was going to take the Defence
Against the Dark Arts N.E.W.T. examination; he had a feeling that he
wouldn't be the teacher next year. Probably, Professor Dumbledore
would've found another grown up teacher. And yet…and yet…how
fancy it would be if Harry carried on being the Defence Against the
Dark Arts teacher.
"Well done, good job, all of you!" Harry
gave this kind compliment, to all who have battled with the Forbets,
even the ones who have failed. "I must say that today's practice
was absolutely perfect for beginners. Don't you agree?"
Several
of the students nodded in agreement, except perhaps Malfoy, who had
his head between his hands, trying to get into reality. It was like
he was in some kind of trance, after fighting the mummy away.
"And
to those who failed to get rid of the mummy in the right time, I
don't blame you, but you did a terrific job too," commented Harry
kindly.
Sighs came out of every tired mouth. Pain, fright, fear,
and madness can take over a person, if they don't finish the
transformed mummy in time. Everyone here, now, experienced this
matter. What made it so frightening, even if the students didn't
turn around to see the mummy's scary ugly face, was how cold it
became. Just like the dementor's presence, the Forbet could
frighten someone to death.
"Well now, let me see…fifty points
to Gryffindor and another fifty to Slytherin," this was the part
where everybody liked most of the lesson. They almost jumped out of
their places when they heard Harry add fifty points to each of the
houses.
"Allright, I think we've had enough for today,"
said Harry, turning around to face the blackboard, "please copy
this down, and by the way, it's due on Wednesday."
With waves
from his wand, letters, words, phrases, and sentences appeared on the
undisturbed blackboard. It was their homework assignment.
The blackboard read:
1-What is the creature a Forbet transforms
into when reappearing?
2- Where do Forbets come from?
3- What
do you set on fire to get rid of the Forbet?
4- What is the
Forbet's weakness?
5- Where are Forbets usually stored when not
set free?
6- Give three examples of issues that occurred with
famous witches and wizards, in which Forbets took over their mind:
(See page 327)
The homework assignment seemed quite easy to the majority of the class, except perhaps question six, in which they had to depend on themselves and read the chapter.
"Um…" began Harry, taking a look at his watch, "there
are only fifteen minutes left till the end of this lesson. So, kindly
start on your homework."
Obediently, but tired and weak,
everybody took out their old quills and started answering the
homework questions. Malfoy was so exhausted that he kept staring at
the class clock, waiting desperately for the bell to ring and end
this wearisome lesson.
However, stunningly, Hermione was already
done with the homework. She answered the questions while Harry as
writing them down.
Hermione slowly got out for her seat, held the
roll of parchment, filled with tiny neat writing, and walked to the
front of the class where Harry sat down on his chair, preparing his
next lesson for the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw first years.
"Here
you are Harry," whispered Hermione softly, handing her homework in.
Harry looked at the page full of writing, and then, he raised his
head to look at Hermione.
"You're finished?" he asked in
amazement.
"Yes, can't you see?" replied Hermione
quickly.
"I know, it's only that you're too quick. When did
you have the chance to answer them?"
"While you were
writing," answered Hermione, taking a breath.
Harry stared at
her for a moment, smiling.
"You're such a gifted girl," he
complimented, taking out a quill to correct her homework.
"Thank
you Harry, and you're amazing too. Very excellent teacher, that's
who you are," said Hermione confidently.
Again, Harry stared at
her. He was lost in those wonderful moments of time, looking at her
beautiful lighted face. She definitely was the prettiest and smartest
girl he's ever seen in his entire life. Cho Chang was and still is
nothing compared to his best friend, Hermione. He recently realized
that. Why haven't I noticed her before?—thought Harry to himself.
The moments of silence were broken by the loud noise of
the ringing bell.
It was time for Harry to dismiss the
class.
"Dismissed," he said happily, "and mind you, do your
homework, don't leave it till Tuesday night."
Fleetingly, the
class nodded, and then Crabbe and Goyle opened the door, to exit.
Joining them was Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Sandra Sanderson, and a
group of Slytherins. Following them, were the Gryffindors, including
Dean Thomas, Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown, Neville Longbottom,
Seamus Finnigan, and then at last, Harry and Hermione.
Harry shut
the door behind him, and then joined his fellow friends to their
second lesson of the day. But he thought he saw something coming out
of the keyhole…a puff of smoke.
"What's that?" asked
Hermione as she carefully approached the smoke.
Harry studied it
for some seconds, and then got his wand out.
"It's a Forbet,"
he said calmly, " I bet you anything Malfoy left an extra music box
open."
"Well then, let's see you get rid of it!" said
Hermione, excited.
Half a minute later, the wisp of smoke finally crept out of the keyhole, circled Harry for a moment, and then disappeared from his sight. Slowly, he took a few steps forward. He waited…but nothing happened. Then, he felt something shine his shoes. There, on the ground, danced the yellow flickering shadow. Immediately, he lowered his wand so that the tip of it would be inches above the ground, and said "Lacarnum Inflamari." His wand shot flames of fire to the ring of yellow shadow. The two sources of light an heat were interfering now. Hermione, who was right in front of Harry, shrieked, as she saw the mummy transforming behind Harry. Its face was green, greasy, and it was all covered with dirty torn bandages. Its eyes were red, like blood. It had a pointy nose, and two fangs coming out of the edges of the mouth. Hermione's face was white, and the hair on her hands stood up. Soon, there was a ring of white light, and this was the point where the mummy started crying from pain. The ring of pure white light shot beams at it, and then, Harry clearly heard the mummy's voice subsiding in intensity. At last, the mummy was gone.
Harry was on his knees, taking a
deep breath, and putting his eyes back in focus. Hermione, still
shocked, helped him up.
"Did you see that?" asked Harry,
knowing Hermione's response.
"Yes," she replied, calming
down, "you were brilliant!"
Again, Harry's eyes turned
slowly to her.
"Thank you Hermione,'' he started, "imagine
if it was you who was fighting the Forbet."
"Thank goodness it
wasn't," commented Hermione, "but…are you ok?"
Harry
nodded, "I'm fine."
He looked at his watch.
"We've
got to go, we've got Care of Magical Creatures next," said Harry
in a hurry.
Instantly, the two ran to the school gates, heading
to the castle grounds. On their way to Care of Magical Creatures,
they saw Peeves floating silently above a house-elf statue. He seemed
so quite, which was highly unusual. Harry and Hermione were a bit
curious. So, they decided to ask him about the reason of this
quietness.
"Hello Peeves," started Harry, "is something
wrong?"
Peeves gave him a sorrowful look, and didn't
talk.
"Why are you quiet?" asked Hermione, looking even more
curious.
Peeves came down to face the two.
"'ts me uncle
Gadzy, he decide to show up an' come 'ere," spoke Peeves, very
disappointed.
Harry and Hermione gave each other a vague
look.
"And…that's supposed to be…bad?" asked Harry.
"'ts worse than horrible. Uncle Gadzy used to 'it me when I
was a kid, for jokin' at dinner. I was a human, you know, just like
you two lads. But, me uncle Gadzy thought it was funny to turn me
into a poltergeist. 'e sent me to Hogwarts, when I never even got a
letter form the headmaster. I was never accepted. So, I became what I
am today. An' now, he's comin' back to pay his nephew a little
visit. God, I hope he smashes his brain before arriving'"
Harry
was quiet for a couple of seconds, thinking thoughtfully about
Peeves's situation.
"Well," started Hermione, " we can't
do anything about that, can we? I mean…this is how you were
punished. Honestly, I never knew that you were a human in the past,
but…now…I understand why you behave that way. You've been a
joker since your youth, and continued on. Unfortunately, your uncle
Gadzy didn't like that habit. Therefore, he wanted you to pay the
penalty. But…this was very harsh of him."
"Correct, miss,"
said Peeves, looking so sad.
Harry nodded sympathetically. Although Peeves was the master of disaster at Hogwarts, and the biggest source of bother to everyone, he was a human in the past. He had feelings that still existed throughout his childish-joking behavior. Still, it was loads of fun having Peeves around. Harry couldn't help imagine the school without him He was even better than Fred and George.
Several seconds of silence…and then, Peeves flew away. Harry and Hermione had to run like rockets to reach the Care of Magical Creatures class in time. Only twenty seconds were left till Hagrid began his grunting.
