Chapter 19 – Battle Training
Harry ran his fingers nervously over his robes. He felt a sweat break out on his skin as he stood beside Professor Pandoran at the front of her classroom. Fifth year students were slowly trickling into the room. The expressions on their faces varied from apprehensive, to excited, to scared senseless. They all eyed Professor Pandoran curiously, and gaped openly at Harry.
Harry shifted on his feet and swallowed.
You agreed to this, Potter, Harry reminded himself.
"Hi ya, Harry!" Colin Creevey exclaimed as he bounced to the front of the classroom. "What are you doing here?"
Harry opened his mouth to reply, but was cut short by Pandoran.
"You'll find out soon enough, Mr. Creevey," Pandoran replied. "Please take a seat."
Colin shot Harry an enthusiastic grin, then sat down in the front row. The classroom was nearly full, and the buzz of whispered conversations was becoming louder and louder. Harry noticed the top of a blonde head hidden behind an upside down book. Luna Lovegood. Harry realized he hadn't seen her at all this year. She had been among the group that went to the Department of Mysteries with Harry. Although he found Luna to be rather eccentric, Harry appreciated the support she had shown the previous year. Her gaze drifted up and she looked dreamily at Harry for a few seconds, then returned to her book.
Harry continued to scan the room and felt a smile spread across his face as Ginny ran into the room, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling. Harry watched as she scurried into the seat beside Colin and whispered something in his ear. Colin chuckled and shook his head. Ginny looked up at Harry and winked. Harry felt his cheeks flush slightly as he smiled and nodded his head at her.
Professor Pandoran cleared her throat and clapped her hands together.
"All right, fifth years. Let's get started."
The chatter silenced and all eyes were directed to the front of the room.
"Welcome to Battle Training. As most of you are already aware, I will be your training instructor. Although I am sure it is unnecessary, please allow me to introduce my assistant, Mr. Harry Potter."
A new scurry of whispers washed over the students as Harry inclined his head towards them formally.
Pandoran cleared her throat, bringing the whispers to a halt.
"Mr. Potter is the top student in Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. His knowledge and skills in Defense exceeds many adult witches and wizards. I am honoured to have such a skilled student as my assistant. As such, you are expected to treat Mr. Potter with the utmost respect; treat him as you would any other instructor in this school. Any behaviour otherwise will result in the appropriate consequences."
Most students nodded their heads in agreement, although Harry noticed a few students in Slytherin robes scowling. Harry smiled inwardly.
Pandoran turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter, will you please explain the format of the course?"
Harry nodded and clasped his hands behind his back. He straightened himself to his full height and glanced over the students. They all looked back at him expectantly.
Harry delved into his explanation, his voice strong and confident. As with the D.A., Harry fell into the role as teacher flawlessly. He went through the expectations of the classroom sessions that would start each lesson, and then explained the physical training routine. Harry then outlined how the battle simulations would be organized before turning to Pandoran.
"Have I left anything out, Professor?" Harry asked.
Pandoran smiled broadly. "Not at all." She then turned to the class and said, "Let's begin with a little review. Please partner up and practice disarming spells."
The students partnered up accordingly, and Harry and Pandoran strolled among the students, offering suggestions as necessary. Harry smiled as he approached Ginny and Colin.
"I can't believe you're teaching us, Harry!" Colin exclaimed. "Wait until Dennis finds out! He'll be so jealous!"
Harry shook his head and grinned at Colin's enthusiasm. He turned his gaze to Ginny, who was staring at him silently.
"What?" Harry asked.
Ginny's face flushed. She shook her head and shrugged. "Nothing. You just really suit this role well, Harry. I'm happy for you."
It was Harry's turn to blush. "Thanks, Gin."
"It was fantastic!" Colin Creevey exclaimed to anyone who would listen Tuesday evening in the Gryffindor common room. Colin, Ginny, and several other fifth years were seated together on the floor giving the details of their first battle training session. A group of students of all ages gathered around them to hear the particulars. "I couldn't believe it when Harry hexed Pandoran right in front of us!"
Ginny nodded her head in agreement. "It really was brilliant. The training room is amazing. I can't believe something like that exists in our school." She stretched her legs out in front of her. "The physical training is going to be a nightmare though. Looking at Pandoran, I would have never thought she could out-run me, out-push-up me, or out-sit-up me. I hope I'm in the same shape as her when I'm her age."
The group of fifth years nodded their heads in agreement.
"Tell us more," Dennis pleaded. "What was the training room like?"
Harry sighed as he glanced at the crowd of students on the floor gathered around the fifth years. Every now and then they would gasp and turn their heads to look at Harry. He was sitting at a table at the opposite end of the common room, trying to work on his homework. Ron and Hermione sat with him, although their attention seemed to be drawn to the group on the floor as well.
Hermione glanced at Harry as he sighed yet again. "I'm sorry, Harry. Everyone is just excited. You've had a couple weeks to get used to this whole battle training thing. It's still new to the rest of us. Things will get better once everyone has had their first session."
Harry eyed Hermione. "Can't you make them go to bed or something? You are a Prefect, after all."
Hermione sighed. "Harry, it's nine-thirty and they're not doing anything wrong."
Harry ran his fingers through his hair and glanced at the group. He felt a strange sensation in his chest as he watched Ginny talk animatedly to the group. He turned back to the textbook in front of him and continued reading.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me."
Harry raised his head and saw Parvati standing in front of him with her arms crossed.
Harry swallowed and glanced at Hermione and Ron. Hermione bit her lower lip as Ron raised his eyebrows at Parvati.
"Pardon?" Harry asked.
"How could you not tell me?" Parvati demanded. "I'm your girlfriend and I have to find out from Creevey that you're Pandoran's assistant?"
"Um, Ron, don't you have something to show me in your room?" Hermione asked Ron quietly, pulling on his robes.
"W-what? N – no – " Ron stammered, his ears turning pink. Hermione frowned at him and nodded her head toward Harry and Parvati. "Oh right! I forgot. I got a new … book. You have to see it."
Harry watched Ron and Hermione stand up and scurry from the table.
"Well?" Parvati asked, her voice low.
Harry ran his fingers through his hair, exasperated. "I don't know what to say, Parvati. It wasn't something I was ready for everyone to know until they had to."
Parvati narrowed her eyes. "Did Ron and Hermione know?"
Harry nodded. "Well, yeah. They're my best friends."
Parvati pursed her lips together. "Did Ginny know?"
Harry swallowed and nodded. This was not going well.
Parvati moved her gaze to the group on the floor. She glared and returned her gaze to Harry. "As your girlfriend, you should feel as though you can tell me anything, Harry."
Harry sighed.
Some things are just too complicated to tell.
"I'm sorry, Parvati. You're right. I should have told you."
"I even asked you why you had so many meetings with Pandoran. You could have told me then, instead of being vague and saying you were helping her with something."
Harry groaned with frustration. He could feel anger building up inside of him. "I've already apologized, Parvati. What else do you want me to do?"
Parvati put her hands on her hips. "Is there anything else you should tell me?"
Harry stared at her.
Well, you see…there's this prophecy that says I either have to kill Voldemort, or be killed by him…it's no big deal really…the whole future of the wizarding world rests on my shoulders, that's all…
Maybe not…
"No, Parvati. There's nothing else for me to tell you."
Parvati surveyed Harry through narrowed eyes, and then plopped down in the chair opposite him.
"What are you working on?" she asked resignedly.
"Charms homework," Harry replied, feeling his anger subside.
"Well, I've finished mine. Let's see what you have so far, and maybe I can help."
Harry sighed and pushed his parchment towards her, glad that their first fight was over.
"Please tell me it's not true, Potter."
Harry sighed as he recognized the familiar sneer behind him. He was sitting at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall after his morning workout with Pandoran.
"What's not true, Malfoy?" Harry asked, not bothering to turn around.
"That you are assisting Pandoran in battle training."
Harry turned and stared hard into Malfoy's pointy face. They glared at each other with mutual loathing. "What does it matter to you, Malfoy?" Harry sneered.
"Because I refuse to take orders from a filthy half-blood like you."
"Well, I suggest you drop out of battle training, then," Harry said, returning to his cereal bowl.
Malfoy scowled and stormed away. Tonight's session promised to be interesting.
Harry once again found himself at the front of Pandoran's classroom watching students filter in. The major difference, of course, was that tonight he was facing students in his same year. Harry wasn't sure how he'd be accepted by his fellow classmates, but the encouraging looks he got from the former D.A. members helped to qualm his worries.
At least three-quarters of the classroom was former D.A. members. From Gryffindor, there was Ron, Hermione, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Parvati and Lavender. From Ravenclaw, Padma Patil, Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner, and Terry Boot. From Hufflepuff, Ernie MacMillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbot, Susan Bones and Zacharias Smith. The remaining students were from Slytherin.
Harry narrowed his eyes as Draco walked in, with Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson in his wake. Draco shot Harry a disgusted look and slouched into a desk at the back of the room.
Pandoran and Harry went through the introduction to the course as they had the previous day. After Harry had explained the basics of the course, Professor Pandoran addressed the students.
"Now, it seems that inter-house rivalry is particularly excessive among sixth year students at Hogwarts. I ask you to put aside your differences and learn to stand together. We must be united in our fight."
Draco snorted.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Malfoy?" Pandoran asked.
Draco darted his eyes to Harry, obviously debating how he should answer.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I find it difficult to put aside house affiliations when the poster-boy for Gryffindor is your assistant," Draco replied haughtily.
Harry clenched his fists together as he shot a steely glare to Draco.
Pandoran stared at Draco, her face unreadable. "I have already explained why Mr. Potter was chosen for this task. I do not appreciate you referring to him as a poster boy for anything. I remind you to watch your manners, Mr. Malfoy."
Malfoy scowled and muttered, "I'm sick of this Gryffindor favouritism."
"That will be ten points from Slytherin, Malfoy. Do you have anything else to add to make it fifty?" Pandoran snarled.
Malfoy crossed his arms across his chest and glared at Pandoran. "No, Professor."
Pandoran nodded. "Good. I don't enjoy taking points from anyone, particularly my own house."
Every head in the room snapped towards Professor Pandoran. Harry felt his jaw drop as he stared at his professor. He had never taken the time to even wonder which house Pandoran had belonged to in her day. He would never have guessed Slytherin.
Professor Pandoran smiled blandly. "Apparently, this information comes as a surprise to you. I understand many of you have particular feelings about the house of Slytherin, but such broad generalizations are not only unfair, but also untrue. Despite your preconceived notions, I assure you, I am Slytherin, through and through," Pandoran replied, her eyes traveling over the students as she spoke. "Now, shall we begin?"
Harry scanned his team as they huddled around him in the Training Room. Harry had been slightly disappointed when both Ron and Hermione received green badges, placing them on Pandoran's team. He was relieved, however, that Parvati was on his team. Harry knew that Ron and Hermione would forgive him in a heartbeat if he disabled them in the battle; he was not sure Parvati would. In addition to Parvati, his team consisted of Neville, Seamus, Michael Corner, Terry Boot, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbot, Zacharias Smith, Gregory Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson. Goyle and Parkinson looked completely lost without Malfoy there to order them around.
Everyone stood in the centre of the large empty classroom of the Training Room. The students had just taken their shield potions and were awaiting direction from their team leaders. Harry waited silently for Pandoran to choose the setting.
Pandoran met Harry's eye and he nodded. With a flick of her wand, Pandoran chanted, "Hogsmeade, one." The village of Hogsmeade appeared around them, causing several gasps among the students.
Harry glanced at Pandoran and noticed her already giving instructions to her team. Harry eyed up his teammates, deciding where each member would best fit in. Harry had no idea what skills Goyle and Parkinson had, but knew they would not be near that of the other members.
"All right," Harry said quietly. "Here's the plan. Parvati and Terry, I want you to partner up and go along the right side of the street, checking each store along the way. Hannah and Seamus, do the same along the left side. Neville and Pansy, I want you to head down the alley on the left and try to loop around behind the other team. Michael and Gregory, take the right alleyway and do the same. Justin and Zacharias, you've got our backs. Make sure that the other team can't get in behind us; keep the path to Hogwarts clear. I'm going to try to make my way straight up the road. Remember, use whatever you can for cover. If you come across fallen teammates, only revive them if it is safe to do so."
Harry glanced over his shoulder and saw Pandoran's team dispersing. He turned back to his teammates. "Ready?"
All of his teammates nodded, even Goyle and Parkinson.
Harry nodded. "All right. Good luck."
Harry watched as his teammates disbanded to their appropriate locations. Harry followed Parvati and Terry to the right side of the street. They pressed themselves up against the side of the building. Harry nodded at them silently, as they crept up to the door of the Three Broomsticks. Harry inched past them, continuing his journey up the main road. He paused as he watched Hannah and Seamus disappear into Zonko's Joke Shop on the other side of the street. His team appeared to be in place.
Harry peered around the corner of the entryway he was standing in to the street ahead of him. He saw a stretch of carriages lined along the street. After a quick glance around, he darted to the closest carriage and squatted beside it. He crept along its side and peered inside it. Empty. He continued along, his eyes constantly darting up and down the street around him. No sign of Pandoran's team yet.
Harry continued along, catching glimpses of Parvati, Terry, Hannah and Seamus as they went in and out of shops along the street. Harry had just reached the last in the line of carriages. He paused and listened hard. He could hear footsteps to his left. He peered around the edge of the carriage and saw the edge of a cloak disappear on the opposite side of the carriage. Harry ducked down and looked under the carriage, watching the bottom of the robes moving away from him. He quickly glanced around to see if anyone else had appeared on the street. It seemed to be empty. Harry edged along the carriage, following the footsteps. As he reached the opposite end, he peered around. Vincent Crabbe was staring dumbly up and down the street.
This is too easy, Harry told himself. Was it some kind of trap?
As Harry debated whether or not he should give his position away by hexing Crabbe, he heard a voice shout, "Stupefy!"
Harry listened as Crabbe's body fell to the ground. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps and the flash of spells filled the street. Indeed, it had been a trap. Pandoran's team had been waiting patiently, and had now descended on Harry's team mercilessly.
Harry peered around the carriage and saw Seamus lying next to Crabbe; Seamus must have been the one to stun Crabbe. Harry darted to the next carriage as Parvati and Terry burst out of the shop behind him. They looked at Harry, their faces flushed.
"What should we do?" Parvati asked, her eyes wide.
Harry looked at her and shrugged. "We fight."
Harry darted out from behind the carriage and came face to face with Dean. He shot several spells in his direction before ducking behind the carriage again. He glanced at Parvati and Terry who were both squatting behind the carriage.
"It seems that most of Pandoran's team are out in the open. Use these carriages for cover and you should be able to land a few spells. I'm going to look for Pandoran," Harry instructed. Parvati and Terry nodded.
Harry darted out once again from the carriage and ran across to the other side of the street. He ducked behind a park bench as a shower of spells landed around him. He glanced up and down the street quickly, taking in the various duels occurring around him. He watched as Ernie MacMillan easily took down Gregory Goyle. Harry threw himself forward and cast a spell in Ernie's direction. Ernie fell to the ground.
Harry turned quickly and saw Ron approaching him, a grin plastered across his face.
"This is bloody brilliant, Harry!" Ron exclaimed as he sent a curse in Harry's direction.
Harry grinned as he deflected Ron's spell. "Good to see you don't play favourites, Weasley," Harry replied, sending a curse in Ron's direction.
Ron laughed as he ducked behind a tree. "And give up my one and only chance to take down the Boy-Who-Lived? Not bloody likely!" Ron shot another spell in Harry's direction.
"You won't be taking me down today, mate!" Harry exclaimed, sending a curse at Ron. This time, it met its target.
Harry felt slightly strange as he ran over his best friend's body in pursuit of his next target. Ron's gonna kill me for that one, Harry smiled to himself.
Harry's attention was diverted by a flurry of activity to his left. Pansy and Neville had just emerged from an alleyway several metres away from Harry. Pansy had run straight into Malfoy. Harry scowled as Pansy smiled up at Draco and batted her eyelashes. 'Some teammate,' Harry muttered to himself. Apparently, Draco was not moved by Pansy's flirtatious behaviour. He shoved her to the ground, and cursed her on the spot. Neville shot a spell at Draco, which Draco blocked.
Harry moved forward slowly, not wanting to draw attention to himself.
"You think you can get me, Longbottom?" Draco snarled, sending a curse at Neville. Harry watched proudly as Neville blocked the spell easily and cast one in return.
Draco laughed as he dodged Neville's spell. "Too bad you've got that potion in you, Longbottom. I would love to send you straight to St. Mungo's so you can be with your dear mommy and daddy."
Neville did not respond to Draco with words, but with a flurry of spells and curses. At last, one of the spells connected, leaving Draco in a heap on the ground. Harry watched as Neville stepped beside Draco and glared down at him.
"It's too bad you drank the potion, Malfoy. I'd like to send you to your father's bedside in Azkaban. You deserve to be there as much as him," Neville muttered quietly.
Harry smiled as Neville's gaze met his. Harry was about to congratulate Neville on a good fight when he felt the unmistakable jolt of a spell. Harry felt his body fall slowly to the ground.
"You should have seen him!" Lavender gushed. "He was brilliant!"
Once again, the Gryffindor students had gathered together on the floor in the common room to regale their tales of their battle training. Harry joined in this time, proud of his fellow classmates.
Harry nodded. "I agree with Lavender. Neville kicked some serious butt tonight."
Neville blushed deeply and grinned widely. "You guys are exaggerating."
Lavender punched him lightly on the arm. "We are not! You nearly took out all of my team! First Susan, then Padma and Draco. I couldn't believe it when you got Hermione."
Neville's smile faltered as he glanced at Hermione. "Sorry, Hermione. I couldn't let you get away with taking down my team leader."
Hermione smiled. "You got me fair and square, Neville. No need to apologize."
Ron shook his head. "I missed all the action. Thanks a lot, Harry."
Harry grinned as he punched Ron on the shoulder. "It's not like you were going easy on me."
Ron grinned. "Well, I guess I'll let Hermione take the fame this time."
Hermione snorted. "What fame is that?"
Ron sighed dramatically. "The fame of being the only wizard to take down the unbeatable Harry Potter, of course."
Hermione rolled her eyes and Harry threw a cushion at Ron's head.
"I can't believe I'm saying this," Seamus began, "but I can't wait to see Malfoy tomorrow morning. Did you see him leave tonight? He was so mad he couldn't walk straight!"
"Was that before or after Pansy slapped him for cursing her?" Dean asked laughing.
They continued their laughter and their tales until Hermione insisted that everyone go to bed. Harry sighed as he glanced at his watch. He had not done any homework, and he knew he would regret it tomorrow. However, Harry so rarely had the opportunity to sit around and enjoy the company of his classmates. Surely one night of acting like a normal teenager could be allowed, even for the Boy-Who-Lived.