Chapter 12
Harry carefully peeled back the pages of the ancient tome, he could already tell this one was different. Not just because of Slytherin's title of "Some Simple Curses," but the man hadn't compiled a list of spells to teach people, no this book was a collection of essays written by Slytherin himself, for himself. Each new page he unveiled revealed a deeper and clearer understanding of the wizard's mind.
Daphne sat down next to him and glanced at the book, Harry noticed her almost constant frown reappear, she wasn't a fan of this outrageously amazing book. He knew it was because she couldn't read it, it didn't help that he struggled to explain it very well. Because Slytherin didn't list any incantations, nor wand movements, he describes his mental state and emotions. Harry never would have guessed the ancient blood purist was as emotionally in touch as this.
Slytherin described most of his spells like that, most were nasty and barbaric but still fascinating. The spells he had learned from other witches and wizards were much more routine, as he had learned the way that Harry had learned all of his spells.
But Slytherin's spells were like forces of raw self, his description of the loss of his first son and how that powered his "chest crushing curse," Harry knew far too little of the man to guess why he had made that connection. That he had was enough for him though, there was a small shred of hope that discovering these tomes would uncover some unknown side of Slytherin.
Daphne was fascinated by some of the tales he had told her, not that he could blame her, he had barely managed to stop reading the book himself. But Daphne had seriously enjoyed some of those antiquated curses, their lack of finesse and outrageous harm was hardly exciting. Tracey had been more reserved, mostly gasping and looking the right amount of disgusted, especially at the mutilation based curses.
Harry still read the books, he had decided not to practice those spells as they were immoral in every sense, he assumed their counters were long lost to the endless march of time.
Flitwick asked Daphne a question that she answered, Harry looked up trying to pretend he had been listening. As Professor Flitwick awarded Daphne with a modest share of house points he met Harry's eyes with a stern but friendly look, Harry smiled, he had been caught not listening. Not for the first time recently.
Harry still couldn't manage to ignore his new book for very long, when Flitwick began discussing the complexity of the cheering charm Harry tuned back out, turning to his newest source of magical tutelage. It wasn't until Daphne stood next to him that Harry realized class had been dismissed. Slytherin had been describing his trick for mental focus.
"Oh no," Flitwick said as he dropped the large stack of books he had been levitating. "Mr Potter, would you please give me a hand with these."
Harry smiled and pulled his wand out, before long the books were stacking themselves onto the shelf Flitwick usually stored them. He turned to regard his diminutive charms teacher, it was something he had expected, a polite rebuke over his lack of attention. Perhaps a demonstration of some Egyptian conjuration would give his teacher some peace of mind, or nightmares, those plagues were no joke.
"You wanted to talk to me?" He asked, he gave Flitwick another smile when he saw the tiny man bluster about for a second.
"Trying to be smart with a Slytherin, what was I thinking," Flitwick said. He walked over to his desk, he turned to regard Harry with a stern but not unfriendly gaze. "Take a seat please."
"Yes, sir." He hoped the formality would help be seen as simple obedience, he had after all been expecting to be pulled aside ever since he had submitted his essay, so whatever the reason he would be seen as cooperative. There was nothing in that essay to cause him any trouble unless his teacher thinking him advanced was troubling.
Flitwick jabbed his wand gently towards a chest beside his desk, it wasn't normally there, so Harry had to assume it was for this exact discussion. More than a dozen piles of parchment landed neatly on the desk, one, in particular, had opened and landed in front of Harry.
He could make out his own handwriting clearly. He frowned up to his professor, the display of magic was impressive considering just how much effect he had managed without a complex wand movement or incantation. Harry knew that wasn't what Flitwick wanted to see him for however, he waited politely.
Before long Flitwick cracked, a warm smile blossomed on his face. "Mr Potter, every single year without fail a student will submit me an essay like this one." He fingered one and dropped it on the desk in front of Harry. The name written neatly at the top was Lily Evans.
Harry felt his cheeks grow warm, the tiny charms master giggled. "Yes. Although your mother wrote that in her fifth year, I was always aware of her exceptional talent, it took her a while longer to explore it." Flitwick grinned at him with genuine delight on his face.
Harry eagerly searched the page, seeing her looping flowing handwriting was strange, when she had worked with them she had a very casual way of writing. Perhaps she used this style when feeling particularly passionate.
He found a passage describing silent casting and the almost immediate effect of charmwork being useful when applied correctly, much in the same way he had stated it. That he and his mum shared that thought was assuring, she was an amazing witch if his dad was to be believed, formidable too.
"While I am delighted that you seek to deepen your understanding of this fabulous subject, I will require you not to read additional subject matter in my classes." His face crinkled into a smile when he glazed down at Slytherin's book, which should look to him like a copy of "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3."
"How could you tell?" Harry asked. He had either underestimated his teacher or severely overestimated his own skill.
"Many years of practice, students seem to forget that their teachers are more than old sacks of learning." He shook his head. "I won't ask you what you were trying to hide, the fact that you learned that spell and performed it exceptionally. I will explain the why though."
He peered over his tiny spectacles at Harry, Harry was impressed at how serious he looked. "Whatever you might find in that book could lead to utter chaos and who could tell if us teachers could do anything to help fix it, however, the spells we teach in class are simple and effective."
"I understand we move slowly, my advice is to play with those charms, we usually finish covering a charm in three or four classes. I'm sure in that time someone who was interested, could find a very impressive use for such spells." He said. Harry frowned, from the way Slytherin had been describing his spells he had figured some alteration would be viable.
"How do you change the spells?" he asked.
"You don't change them Mr. Potter, just altering them slightly. Here," Flitwick pulled his wand out, the short and thin wand gave an unmistakable swish and flick, but out of the end water shot. Not a stream or a flood, just a single small ball of water. As it made contact with the desk beside him it steamed up and evaporated.
"Just alter, slightly?"
"Well, I am rather accomplished with my charms. Start small and go from there, do not forget I will be available to you during classes for assistance."
Harry nodded. The possibilities were fascinating, this was close to spell creation and that was an exceptionally complex branch of magic.
"As for your essay, I must deduct ten points from Slytherin house, I did after all ask for an entire foot on the banishing charm." His smile took the sting from his punishment, he was clearly more pleased than anything. Harry smiled back, rubbing his hair. "However, it does raise a few questions. Are you training for the duelling circuit?"
Harry took a second to think of a response, if he said yes he would keep some suspicion off him, at least not give off the impression that he was learning things out of his control. Harry finally nodded.
"I have been considering it," he said, lying through his teeth. "My dad has spoken somewhat about his work, dueling sounds similar, without some of the risk." Truth be told, duelling did sound fun, however, he had in no way considered it. The tiny charms professor had a massive love for his sport of choice, Harry wasn't above using that.
"Well, your essay made me think of that, your's was far more combat-oriented than most of the others, not that it's a bad thing." He said, he lowered himself onto the table. "Mr. Potter, I find it hard to believe that a third-year would have these thoughts casually, charms, dare I say, are usually seen as a boring and simple branch of magic."
"As such, my students don't think about the spells all that often, you have however. It would seem that you are serious about duelling, if you wish it… I could give you some… pointers, take you under my wing so to say."
Harry gaped. Professor Flitwick was a globally renowned duelist, perhaps in his youth but still respected. Offering him some form of mentorship. He would have to be a fool to refuse. He nodded.
"There are some conditions however, strict ones. Break but one and I will no longer support you in this. Do you agree?"
"Yes, of course Professor." Unless he demanded something completely outrageous it would be easy to follow.
"Good, good. Well, most importantly, whatever I teach you will stay between the both of us, you will neither teach anyone else it nor use it on anyone outside of a formal duel. Am I understood?"
"Perfectly, sir."
"You will never use any unapproved spells, there is a public listing for each and every tournament. And should you be unsure I expect you to run any spells you may wish to use by me."
"Of course professor."
"Good. The skills I will show you are dangerous, I am trusting you with a great deal of responsibility. To add to that, I wish to submit you for the yule tournament, as you are still young you will be listed under the adolescent bracket. However, a top four finish will qualify you to the adult bracket, which takes place a week later."
"I believe that with some guidance we can manage that feat, once qualified for the adult bracket I will allow you to share it with your classmates. Until then you are to remain silent."
"I completely agree, I wouldn't have you thinking I'm not taking it seriously," Harry said. How on earth did he manage to get this lucky. If he wasn't careful Dumbledore might burst in and show him a few tricks, or Snape would smile. "Professor, can I ask you why?"
"Why do I want to help? Mr. Potter, I am a teacher, It's not every day that I am greeted with such an enthusiastic and thoughtful student as you. We Ravenclaw's pride ourself on more than knowledge you know, some traits that I feel you display almost in mockery of your sorting." The tiny dueling champion said.
"Professor, I thought I would have to resort to flattery. Thank you, sir." Harry meant it too, his professor had rarely been seen to give a student such treatment, he would make the most of it.
"Will you meet me in this classroom on Tuesday and Thursday nights at eight? I'm sure you don't need much help avoiding notice." Harry nodded and gave a small smile.
Harry found himself with a spring in his step after talking to Professor Flitwick, he passed his fellow students without even glancing at them, none had the blonde hair he was looking for. Or dark brown. It didn't take long for him to find them, they were gathered with a few other third year students in the library.
Daphne sat next to Tracey with an empty chair beside her, Hermione and Neville sat between a smattering of Hufflepuff students. Hannah and Susan smiled and waved at him as he made his way over. He grinned back, he had dearly missed spending time with the pair, they had a way of making him happy without trying.
Susan's shirt seemed a little too small for her, Harry couldn't complain as it allowed for him to get a good look at her impressive cleavage. Harry had managed to sneak a feel at the end of last year, well not exactly sneak, she had actually placed his hands over her shirt. It still counted though.
He sat down at the empty chair and Daphne quickly leaned in to whisper into his ear, "I've found someone who should join us, Luna Lovegood, her father runs the Quibbler." She said. Harry had heard of it, but knew it was hardly reputable, given its tendency to publish utter nonsense.
"She is one of your sister's friends, though not as close as Ginny Weasley or Colin Creevey." Daphne added, no doubt seeing Harry's doubt. The elation from his discussion with Flitwick seemed to fade away in that moment.
"And just how do you know so much about Rose's friends?"
"Just keeping an eye on certain individuals."
"Uh huh…" Harry knew very well how Daphne tried to have some sort of knowledge of just about everyone in the school, she had learned the habit from her mother. Harry knew little of Daphne's mother, but she seemed to place a great amount of weight in her lessons. "So what's the deal with Luna?"
"She is lonely and in need of friends, not to mention the Quibbler might be shambles but it's still one of the nation's leading news outlets."
"Fine, if you say so," he replied. He had no problems with adding more friends, but the finer details Daphne obsessed over were better left to her. After that day Luna had begun to join them in the library for studying, she quickly assimilated to the group dynamic with her outgoing and carefree attitude.
He knew she only asked for his input to be seen asking, some things still slipped past him, but he knew when Daphne was putting on a show. And she liked for him to be seen in charge. The thought reminded him of what Yaxley had said.
He wanted to get back at Malfoy for what he pulled with the chamber of secrets, he had sought out to attack him. Nearly resulting in his and his sister's death, and his own. Dwelling on that made him angrier than he had ever been before.
Harry didn't want that altercation to happen.
Harry had tried to apply Flitwick's lesson in other classes, experimenting with some more simple spells was much more interesting than obsessing over obscure spells. Well, he tried to convince himself of it, it was hard to not test some out. Discipline. He really needed some discipline.
It really didn't help that Daphne would constantly ask him questions about those spells, the ones he was trying not to think too much about, she even asked for demonstrations. She at least didn't seem to be obsessed with them, she was fascinated and intrigued but wary, she had a healthy respect for those curses. Harry was afraid he didn't.
The curses were potent and could very well save his life one day, could he trust himself with learning them, though? The few nastier ones he had learned last year had become fairly common use, he had used one against Slytherin's basilisk. Seeing the damage it had inflicted on the ancient serpent was impressive, so much that he wished he had used it more, to see what it could do.
But he had managed to ignore the allure of those pages, not without great effort, still a worthy effort for now. It was fortunate that he had since Malfoy had been hovering around whenever Harry was relaxed. As though he was trying to keep tabs on him.
Daphne assured him that Malfoy hadn't been saying anything, but she had noticed how intently he watched Harry. She was convinced he would try and attack Harry sometime soon, so was Harry. But he was willing to let Draco have his fun, he would be prepared.
With Flitwick's tutelage he had nothing to worry about from Malfoy, he doubted if he could be a match for someone like Yaxley, but he had overcome the odds before. Flitwick had been working him like a house elf, the part goblin professor was so passionate about duelling it almost made Harry sick. The frequent days in between lessons made it more bearable.
With Flitwick on one side and his study group on the other, he found himself with very little free time. To the point where when the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrived he was taken off guard. When he found himself in a mass of Hogwarts students watching as a group of monstrous horses dropped off an equally large building.
It hadn't taken long for the Beauxbaton students emerged, Harry knew little of the school other than it being the best the French had to offer. Their uniforms were pretty simple and unadorned, however the simple blue made for an impressive sight. Curves were hugged and emphasized, Harry even noticed Daphne and Tracey staring at some of the boys.
The first Hogsmeade weekend of the year approached, the very weekend the school had filled with strangers, and the school was abuzz with the news. Having never been almost everyone in his year was talking of nothing else, Hannah kept talking about some tea shop in dreamy tones. Susan wanted to see the shrieking shack. And by the glares Daphne sent them she want to see them dead.
So Harry found himself wedged between Susan and Hannah on one side of an old Hogwarts flying coach, with Tracey and Daphne looking sullen on the other side. Neville and Hermione had gotten a separate one with some other Gryffindor's.
Hannah and Susan were eager to point at anything they could see, Harry enjoyed it though, each time they did somehow they pressed their chest into his sides. If it weren't for his two closest friends watching on, he would have been having a blast. Before long the coach came to a stop and Daphne and Tracey swept out, allowing a surprisingly cold breeze.
The path way there was filled with Auror's and trained witches and wizard's. All eyes were alert and expecting some trouble. Harry paid little mind to them though, his dad would likely be out there somewhere, and he doubted a handful of emaciated death eaters could slip into Hogshead.
They dodged some of the busier shops for now, as students poured into them leaving little room to breathe let alone shop. So Harry found himself being led into a dusty old bar by Tracey. Daphne grimaced as she sat down at the table, and he couldn't blame her, the look the place went for was clearly supposed to be shabby. Susan cast a subtle cleaning charm on the table as she was hidden from the barman.
Tracey was walking back with a tray filled with drinks. She placed it on the table with a thud, and Harry gaped. Five full bottles of butterbeer were nice to see, his parent hadn't given him any but he had a reckless uncle. The five small glasses with a dark reddish-brown liquid were the center of attention.
Tracey had a devilish grin on her face. "I saved up all summer for this moment, my dad told me old Aberforth didn't care much for laws. Five firewhiskey's." Her grin was almost scared, Harry gulped. "You in?" She asked the silent table.
Hannah gave a nervous laugh but picked a glass up, which made Daphne sternly pick one up, so Susan followed suit. And four equally scary, stunning, pairs of eyes locked onto him. He picked the last one up, and felt the heat from the glass already.
"Drink it all in one go, that's what dad says," Tracey said, then she counted. "Three… two… one…" They all drank.
Harry felt his lips and mouth burn, not from any fire or anything, just from how strong it was. The burn seemed to flow effortlessly down his throat and melt his insides. He coughed and coughed, he quickly realized he wasn't the only one. Daphne had tears leaking from her eyes, Susan was pounding her chest. Hannah was gaping like a fish. And Tracey was trying to fan some air down her throat.
They all quickly realized the butterbeer might help. So they set about drinking them too. Somehow they hadn't been thrown out, Harry couldn't imagine they hadn't be obvious. As they all settled down from the experience Tracey let out a crazed giggle.
"That was amazing, your faces… Susan I thought you were going to explode."
"Well Harry nearly fainted with his."
"No I didn't." Somehow that made them laugh… at him.
"I can't believe we just did that, my mother would kill me, and you Tracey."
"Just don't tell her then Daphne."
"My aunt would stripe my hide."
They all laughed again. Despite the memory of that awful burning sensation they all wore matching grins, and they fidgeted. Clearly they didn't mind the experience as much as they complained. Tracey asked if anyone wanted to buy some more but they all declined urgently.
Before long, five unsteady teenagers left the bar called "The Hogs Head" they each supported each other somewhat. Tracey was basically draped over Harry, who was lucky to have an arm around Daphne for some small support. Somehow each step was difficult to plan out, he couldn't figure out why. His parent had drank firewhiskey before and it didn't make them useless.
They staggered a little while longer, and found themselves looking out to the shrieking shack, Susan giggled and Hannah jostled her. Daphne sat herself down on a dry rock and held her head slightly. Tracey did something shocking once again.
She grabbed Harry's head and pulled it towards her for a kiss. Not a gentle kiss, a full one messy one, with tongues flailing. Harry didn't quite know what to do, but he was kissing her back, vigorously. He tried to yelp when he felt Tracey pinch his bottom.
Somehow they found themselves on the floor, giggling together. One of them had fallen and taken the other with them. Susan and Hannah were laughing and holding on to each other. Daphne just sat glaring at her shoes. Harry took the opportunity to get up and help Tracey back to her feet.
A loud clearing of a throat made them all spin towards the path leading to the shrieking shack. Harry felt his skin crawl, he had never seen his dad this angry. His dark brown eyes were fixed on him furiously, and his wand was in hand.
"Get back to the castle. Now." He barked.
"Dad, we were,"
"Now."
The girls wasted no time in getting out of the line of fire, they reached the well walked path in no time. Harry was transfixed by his dad's glare.
"What were you thinking? Those death eaters escaping Azkaban wasn't a random accident. You are smarter than running off… Harry damn it, you need to be more careful." His voice was firm and crisp, but Harry could hear how close to panic his dad was. He found himself falling in beside him, trying to think of the words that could make things better.
"I'm sorry, I saw all the auror's and thought it was safe." The sudden chill made his voice weaker than he wanted.
"Auror's make blunders all the time, half of my job is keeping that from happening. Harry, you're old enough and mature enough to know what's at stake here. Those death eaters wouldn't just kill you and vanish." His voice cracked at that.
Harry could see it now, being taken and held hostage for Jasmine. It hit him that he would be a massive liability for his sister.
"Never do something so stupid again Harry… I'm not young enough to not worry about heart attacks. Promise me you'll be careful, and I won't tell your mother that you clearly have been drinking."
He missed a step, only his dad catching him kept him from falling face first.
His dad escorted them all the way to the coaches back to Hogwarts, his face was a stern mask of control. Harry hated to have given him something else to worry about, it hadn't been long since he was mostly recovered from the dragon incident.
They were a subdued bunch as they got back to Hogwarts, Harry thought he missed something with Daphne and Tracey as Tracey kept her eye on Daphne, and kept out of arms reach. No one talked as they walked, they passed some younger students and some foreign ones. Before long they separated and made their way to the Slytherin common room.
Daphne didn't seem to warm up after Hannah and Susan left, so when she vanished into her room Harry and Tracey left her well enough alone. Harry went to his room to get one of Slytherin's books, then settled in with Tracey in the best seat in the common room. At least until the room filled up.
The next day it was clear that it wouldn't be back to normal again, Harry could feel the frost washing off Daphne as they greeted each other, but it was better than yesterday. A small and probably smug voice in his head said she was jealous, and wanted to be the one to kiss him. And while he certainly agreed with that voice, it felt a bit too confident, and with Daphne he had to be on edge.
Harry had been trying to get some space from his friends, the tension was getting a little bit intense when he came face to face with Yaxley. He could have groaned. The seventh year student smiled down to him.
"Hello Potter, you look like you need to work something out, and I need to talk with you."
Harry followed Yaxley down a familiar pathway and found himself in the room where the "Slytherin Elite" met. Yaxley strolled around the room, idly playing with things he passed.
"Malfoy has been emboldened by the recent news, Potter, I've heard he's planning something. And if I've heard it I'm sure Greengrass has too. Why haven't you done anything about him? You have reason to."
Harry frowned, he had plenty of reason to fight with Malfoy, but the only one that was substantial was his involvement with the chamber of secrets, and Yaxley shouldn't know about that.
"He can try anything he would like, I'm not going to curse him for existing."
"Sivvers and Gladwell have been… talking with him, you might not like how it goes if you let them plan Potter." Yaxley's tone was dangerous. Harry felt the weight of, whatever, the magical contract had been on him. If Yaxley said the words, he would have to make efforts towards it.
The thought alone made him seethe, he had heard stories of wizards being bewitched and befuddled into acting certain ways, but he could see how easy it was to fall into the same traps.
"Duel me, now," Yaxley said, voice like a whip. "Let's see what you can actually handle."
Harry felt the restriction of the contract stopping him from declining, instead, he bowed as was expected. Yaxley casually shifted the furniture with a casual wave of his wand.
Harry stabbed forwards, as Flitwick had shown him, his wand exploding with light as he sent out a befuddling hex…
Yaxley settled on his heels next to Harry as he panted. "You really have potential Potter, more than your sister I'd bet." Harry glared down at his bruised and bloodied legs, Yaxley was a monster. "Honestly if I didn't know you were a third year I wouldn't believe it. Drink this."
A vial with a yellow potion inside dangled in front of him, he took it, before long his legs began to feel better.
"You were sorted into this house for a good reason, and not, as I'm reliably informed because the green matches your eyes. Embrace it Potter, before it's too late. We need to be united or else we will be swept away, you know what's coming." And with that Yaxley swept from the room.
Harry found himself dwelling on that parting remark all the way to the Halloween feast, Yaxley had implied he knew Voldemort was coming back. Harry felt it sounded like Yaxley was against Voldemort, but he couldn't bring himself to believe that. Not when his family had so eagerly supported Voldemort.
Daphne had clearly noticed his mood as she had made efforts to act her usual self, he gave her his most winning smile. Though she wouldn't know it, the gesture made him feel a lot better than the same from his other friends would have.
He took a minute to look around the hall, as he had been ignoring most of the festivities and found the entire hall crammed full of people. The Beauxbaton students had spilt onto two different house tables, as they had brought some younger students who wouldn't be participating. The Durmstrang students sat stiffly at the Slytherin table, Harry watched as most of them made frequent glances to their headmaster.
Harry had been too caught up in his own world to pay attention to who was tipped to be the champions for each house, whoever it was he would find out soon. Dumbledore stood.
The hall fell to an instant hush. All eyes turned and craned to see the legendary wizard descend from the top of the hall. His steps echoed in the silence. His hand brushed the Goblet of Fire as he began to address the students.
"It is time to find out who will be competing for eternal glory, we have three prestigious schools gathered under one roof, as such I ask you all to welcome your champions with the utmost respect. Their's is not an easy choice, the Triwizard Tournament is gruelling and brutal. Only the greatest will succeed."
The Goblet of Fire burst into roaring flame, dimming Dumbledore beside to a shadow. A piece of parchment flew out of the flames, and an excited buzz circled the hall.
"The champion for Beauxbaton is Florent Dupont." Cheers burst from the Beauxbaton students, Harry guessed their ideal choice was Dupont. He goggled when a young man with shoulders wider than any he had ever seen approached Dumbledore. He was taller than the headmaster too, his long stride took him to the chamber behind the staff table quickly.
Another gout of flame announced another champion being chosen, "The champion for Durmstrang is Valerie Mikander." Groans filled his ears as the nearby students from Durmstrang shared their opinions. Applause hastily drowned out everything, and Harry watched as a stunning red haired girl walked to the chamber to join Dupont.
The silence was sudden and thick, Dumbledore watched the Goblet as did the entire school. The minute wait took far too long. But finally, another flame erupted and one last piece of parchment landed in Dumbledore's outstretched hand. "The champion for Hogwarts is Julian Yaxley." Harry turned to watch Yaxley approach Dumbledore, he barely noticed the jeers and cheers. Yaxley had a smug grin all over his face.
He felt a slight kick against his leg, and looked to see Daphne smiling at him, Harry cocked an eyebrow at her but she just shook her head and mouthed later.
"I am sure you all wish to congratulate your new champions, first we must borrow them for a few minutes…" Dumbledore cut off as the Goblet spouted out one more piece of parchment, he caught this one at the last second his eyes wide. "Jasmine Potter, Come up Jasmine Potter."
Harry felt his stomach drop. The jeering from his house was deafening. Jasmine walked over to Dumbledore looking worse than he felt. They shared a brief exchange before Dumbledore ushered her onwards. Before long Harry noticed eyes turn towards him. Dumbledore finished his address to the school and left into the chamber.
Daphne kicked him again and stood, she began to walk out of the hall, Harry hesitated but followed her, Tracey rushed along beside Daphne, when the doors behind them closed Daphne began to talk, and fast.
"This isn't good. They will take this out on you Harry, your sister managing to steal some of Slytherin's spotlight. They are going to do something."
"Who's they?" Tracey asked.
"Malfoy, Sivvers and Gladwell." Harry replied. Daphne gave him a sharp look then nodded.
"Among others," She added. "This isn't going to end well Harry, are you ready?"
Harry didn't know what he was, he didn't want to fight some idiots because they didn't like his family. But he also knew if he didn't make a stand things would get out of control.
"Ready? What do you mean? Cant we just hang out in the chamber for a bit?" Tracey asked.
Harry sighed, Daphne was waiting for him to answer, all the while leading them to the common room. "No Tracey. I need to make a stand or else I'll be dragged into a fight." He was more than confident in his skills with a wand, he could handle Malfoy and his feeble friends.
The issue would be if more than them wanted to make a scene, if Yaxley wanted to make him pay…
"You wont be alone." Daphne whispered.
"Of course not." Tracey agreed. "I might not know what Yaxley is up to with you two, but I won't stand by and watch you be hurt. I still need a sober kiss Harry."
When they reached the common room they settled down facing the entrance, Tracey tried to lighten the mood, but her attempts were weak. Daphne paced while toying with her wand. Harry just focused on what Flitwick had been teaching him, about flowing from one spell cast into another seamlessly and focusing on his opponent, not their wands.
It must have been thirty minutes before the common room entrance opened. A flood of sound washed into the room, but only one person stepped through. Yaxley. Tall and proud, he strolled into the room and found Harry's gaze. A small smile graced his lips, his eyes flicked to either side of Harry and he nodded. Harry could tell he was happy with the way it turned out.
Yaxley pulled his wand out, the common room door opened again and some younger students rushed through. They didn't stop to watch or blend into the room, they all rushed to the rooms. Harry watched as Astoria Greengrass cast her sister a terrified glance, His stomach wanted to empty.
As the room filled Harry saw the prefects and members of the "Slytherin Elite" took up guard by the bedrooms and other exits. Harry could recognize most of the upper years gathered, not many under their fifth year. Both Pucey's siblings gave him a reluctant shrug. It wasn't until Malfoy flanked by Sivvers and Gladwell approached that Harry realized he was there yet.
Harry watched Malfoy do a quick headcount then grin, Bole stepped out from where he had been guarding the bedrooms and stood alongside Malfoy. The sixth year member of Slytherin's elite was giving Harry a none too friendly grin. His wand bounced against his palm, eager to be used.
Harry knew this could get out of hand if they were too outnumbered, there were seemingly no shortage of dissenters. He stood up. A tightness in his muscles seemed to loosen. As if facing four hostile wands was more relaxing than waiting for them.
Daphne slid in beside him, her warm breath tickled his ear as she whispered to him. "I'll keep them off Tracey, you just worry about whoever is in front of you." Somehow Harry knew it would be Malfoy and Bole. His mind raced, Bole had never made such an open show as this, he had no idea how dangerous he was. All he knew was Yaxley thought he was insufficient.
He couldn't afford to look weak. Not now. His sister's safety might depend on it even if they won. He had to hit hard and not hesitate.
"Your sister has cheated her way to insulting this house, again, Potter." Malfoy said, his voice firm and confident. "Dumbledore might be so far up her arse that shes choking on his beard, but you will do for now." Bole chuckled next to Malfoy.
Tracey made an angry sound beside him. Harry half turned to put a hand on her arm, trying not to let his anxiety show, there was more to this than just winning. He had to put on a show.
"My sister is many things, a cheat isn't one of them." He said, he couldn't be seen to strike first. He had to get one of them to make the first move. "Unlike some others, I could mention." He flicked a glance to Gladwell, who snarled at him. His face was twisted with rage.
"You don't even belong in this house, you're too weak to be a true Slytherin." Sivvers hissed, "Two half bloods and a cowards daughter… you're pathetic."
"And yet, we have bested you at every opportunity." Daphne's words cut Sivvers deep, she almost recoiled from them. She snapped her wand up, and a red streak flew toward Daphne.
Harry reacted faster than anyone else, he nudged Daphne to the side and sent a bludgeoning hex at Sivvers, he wouldn't be seen as weak or taking it easy on his enemies. The spell hit, and blood shot out of her nose and mouth. She fell holding her stomach. Gladwell stepped over her to start firing his spell back. He fired nasty stuff past Harry.
He didn't have time to worry about Gladwell as Bole stepped forward to send a bone breaking curse at Harry. He couldn't dodge it, so he tried to block it with a shield charm, it took the hit but it was a close thing.
Bole sent another, and another. His lithe arms were deft with a wand and his movements were fast. But he didn't have enough power to completely break the shield. Harry pushed forward, he cast another bludgeoning hex which Bole managed to block. He tried something nastier, from The Heir of Slytherin's book. It connected. Bole fell face first into the ground. He kicked and squirmed, but couldn't move his upper half.
His grip on his wand went slack and Harry banished it to the other side of the room. The crushing curse had done its job, he let it go. He waited to see Bole breathe, he had risked more than breaking a rib using that.
Tracey screamed, Harry spun and saw Malfoy standing over her staring at him. Tracey was bleeding profusely from a wound in her chest. Harry could almost swear he saw bone.
Daphne and Gladwell were still throwing spells at each other, Daphne was limping. Harry took a single step towards Daphne then Tracey screamed again, Malfoy's foot was pressing into the wound.
Harry returned Malfoy's glare. Tracey needed him, and he wouldn't let her down. He sent a bone breaking curse at Malfoy's head. Luckily Malfoy moved. Harry didn't let him settle though, he sent anything he could that would hurt Malfoy at him. Malfoy's shield was strong, far better than Bole's.
Gladwell yelled out, but Harry paid it no mind. He aimed his spells at different parts of Malfoy to make him work to not get destroyed. It took six spells but he finally landed a hit, a bone breaker at his leg. Malfoy took a single step then collapsed under the pain of it. Harry took a step forward.
Blonde hair stopped his march. Daphne tried to block his path, Harry pushed past her, firing a cutting curse at Malfoy. He scrambled out of the way of it, but not the next one. Harry stood on Malfoy's broken foot as he made to peer into his face. "You'll regret this."
"ENOUGH." The sound of Severus Snape's voice snapped Harry back to reason.
The gathered crowd was muttering and looking uneasy, Harry noticed that a few must have slipped away as there were less than before. Daphne tugged at him, and he let her pull him away from Malfoy, they settled near Tracey. Daphne set about putting pressure on Tracey's wound.
Harry almost wanted to kick Malfoy, but Snape had reached him.
The teacher's wand moved swiftly. Gladwell and Sivvers both sat against the wall looking mortified. Bole stood nearby breathing heavily, his glare stabbed at Harry.
Malfoy stood before long and swept out of the common room, into the rest of the school somewhere. Snape approached Tracey and began healing her wound. Harry noticed her wound was scarring already, Snape seemed angry about it. He whispered to Tracey before handing her a potion vial.
He looked over Harry with a guarded look, then started to help Daphne with a cut on her leg. Harry reached down and lifted Tracey in his arms, she didn't fuss at all. Daphne grabbed her hand as she walked with them, Harry tried to drop Tracey off in her bed. But tears were freely flowing from her eyes, she looked so scared.
"Please stay, for tonight."
Harry didn't even consider denying it. And Daphne quickly set about getting Tracey's bed ready for three. Harry held onto her and sat down on the bed, Tracey's eyes widened but she smiled into his chest and put an arm around him. Her other hand was gripping Daphne's tight.
"You'll have to sleep with your clothes on tonight Harry," Tracey said, her mood getting better. "Unless you'd rather him naked Daphne?" Daphne cast her a glare, then they shared a laugh.
Harry smiled, but inside he was scared.
He had wanted to torment Malfoy, and not for what he had done or was doing, he wanted to do it so other's knew not to mess with him.
He had actually wanted to…
Tracey shifted against him, somehow he knew he wasn't sleeping tonight.