Return Of The Elemental
Chapter 8 – Malfoy's Tricks
It had been three days since Harry had told Dumbledore and his friends what exactly he had been up to for the last two years of his life, about how he had been taken away by Merlin, how he was told that he was the last of a kind, how he trained 24/7 for almost everyday of those two years and how that he was now ready to bring down Voldemort and his Death Eaters, of course he didn't really tell them the latter part, but he was certainly proving it..
Harry had now caught nine Death Eaters and put them in his special cell at Azkaban. His captures were reported every morning in the Daily Prophet along with a report on the people he had caught, now in his cell along with Lucius Malfoy and Wormtail, were the fathers of Slytherin students: Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson, plus a few new recruits Death Eaters who Harry disarmed in a trice.
'What the bloody hell does he think he is playing at?' Hermione shouted to no one in particular at the Gryffindor table this certain morning.
'What do you mean Hermione?' asked Ron cautiously.
'What do you think I mean Ron? Harry. How is he doing this? He attends every class in the day time and then at night he doesn't go to sleep or do homework but decides to go and play cops and robbers with Death Eaters-'
'He plays what?'
'Oh it's a muggle term Ron' said Hermione still in a huff. 'And why does he keep avoiding us?' she added sadly, but she already knew the answer, and by the sympathetic looks on Crystal and Ginny's faces they knew to, Harry was trying to recover from a broken heart.
'It's alright Hermione' said Crystal, reaching over and patting Hermione's hand. 'Harry will start to come round once he knows-'
'Knows what' said Ron suspiciously, 'honestly sometimes I feel left in the dark with you three.'
'Oh it's nothing Ron.' The three girls then shared wary glances while Ron returned to his breakfast.
They were saved from the awkward silence when Professor Dumbledore stood up and spoke to the hall.
'Good morning everybody, I know this is on short notice, but the threat of Voldemort is becoming stronger and I feel that the Duelling Club short be started straight away, so after breakfast has ended please just wait outside in the Entrance Hall while myself and Professor Flitwick get everything ready. Do not worry about attending any classes today, your time will be spent here, that is all.'
Excited whispers filled the hall at the end of these words.
'Excellent, we had double potions and history of magic today' said Seamus Finnigan down the table.
The students who were keen to start the Duelling club started wolfing down there breakfast, they then stood up and waited out in the entrance hall.
'Hurry up Ron' chorused Hermione, Crystal and Ginny, who were standing up at the Gryffindor table waiting for Ron to finish his fourth helping of bacon and eggs.
'Alright, geez, can't a guy eat breakfast in peace.'
'Since when did you ever eat in peace Ron? You sound like a wounded rhinoceros when you're eating' Ginny said over her shoulder as she was walking out the doors to the crowded entrance hall.
'Ha Ha' replied Ron sarcastically. 'Hey do you think Harry knows where starting the Duelling club today?'
'I don't know' said Crystal, 'perhaps his already down in the dungeons wondering where everybody is.'
'Hang on, isn't that him in the corner?' said Ron standing on tip toes to see over the crowd.
'Where' Hermione said quickly.
'The one in the far corner wearing the hooded navy robes…. You know I think it is. Should we go see him?'
'Yes, we've got to find out how he is doing everything' said Hermione.
The four then set off towards the direction in which Ron pointed out, just as they were walking past the doors to the great hall, they were opened by tiny professor Flitwick who announced that they could all come in. After that Hermione and the others didn't have a chance of getting near Harry for they were dragged into the hall by many impatient students who wanted to start learning the art of duelling. They had no choice but to go with the current and head towards the platform that had been raised in the middle of the hall just like last time. Once all the students had gathered round professor Flitwick, who was already situated on the platform, spoke to the huge group.
'Settle down' he squeaked. The hall couldn't hear him so he they continued to talk. 'Well this is no good' the little professor said to himself. 'Sonorus' he cast the voice magnifying spell on himself. He tried again.
'SETTLE DOWN, oops, sorry a little bit loud, is that better, good. Now professor Dumbledore has asked me to start a Duelling club, now I must first tell you that this club will be a lot better than the one that some of you attended when that fool of a fraud Lockhart was trying to teach' a certain someone's laughter filled the air, everyone present tried looking for the owner but to no avail, but that's not to say four people didn't know who it belonged to and they began to laugh silently as well. Professor Flitwick continued.
'Right now what I would like to do is to have a quick demonstration of a duel, so I'll just pick two volunteers' everyone then started raising there hands hoping to be picked but it looked as though Flitwick was looking for a certain someone, 'I say does anyone know where Mr Potter is?' as soon as this was said everyone who had there hand raised in the air shot them back down to there side in a flash, no way were they stupid enough to duel the man that had been putting so many Death Eaters in Azkaban.
'I knew Potter would be too scared to come and face me in a duel' said the sneering voice of Draco Malfoy.
'What was that Malfoy?' Harry said as he appeared out of nowhere next to professor Flitwick on the platform, he then pulled off his hood to reveal a tired and worn but smirking face.
'Oh excellent Mr Potter, I was hoping you would show up' Flitwick said whilst bouncing up and down with excitement.
'Can I make a suggestion professor?' said Harry innocently whilst leaning down and whispering in Flitwick's ear, he then stood up smiling.
'Yes, yes, yes. Superb idea Mr Potter, would you please come up here Mr Malfoy?'
Malfoy went pale and looked as though he was wetting himself. He had lost all confidence that he thought he had.
'Go on Draco, make him pay for putting our fathers to disgrace' whined Pansy Parkinson.
Draco then slowly walked up the steps to be on the platform, he then turned and faced a smirking crowd, they knew that Malfoy was finally going to get hurt and Harry was the one who was going to do it, or so they thought.
'Can I have your attention once again' shouted Flitwick, 'Mr Potter has told me that he would like for Mr Malfoy to set the rules for the duel, but only on one condition.'
'What's that then, only silly little jinxes can be used?' said Malfoy regaining some of his coolness.
'Oh no Malfoy, I want you to use any curse or spell you know, you can even use the Dark Arts, all that I ask is that I get to choose one person to duel with me' said Harry seriously, making the whole hall gasp.
'But that's not fair, then it'll be two against one' complained Malfoy.
'Don't you listen to anything Malfoy you stupid git' said Harry, everyone present laughed, even some Slytherins. 'I said that you make the rules so you can call upon as many people as you like that will fight by your side, all I want is one though.'
'Fine then Potter, I make a rule then that you can't use magic in the duel, lets see what you and Weasley can do then' the hall went into an uproar but they stopped when they saw the cool smirk on Harry's lips.
'That's fine by me, Malfoy, I'll just get my dueller then.' Harry then jumped down from the stage and walked past Ron, Hermione, Crystal and Ginny towards a small group of Hufflepuff 1st years. The 1st years saw him approaching and stood frozen to the ground not knowing what to do. Harry reached them and kneeled down and talked to a little girl whose name Lucy Simmons, it was common knowledge that her parents who were both Aurors were killed by Death Eaters two days ago.
'Hello Lucy' said Harry kindly 'would you like to help me with the demonstration? If I'm going to beat this guy I'm going to need the best dueller in the school aren't I?'
'Wh-Why are you cho-choosing me then?' Lucy said in a high pitched voice.
'Because I know that you are a very smart and strong witch and when those two are mixed together Lucy, they make an excellent dueller, so what do you say, will you help me?'
Lucy then looked over at the sneering face of Malfoy and a rage much like Harry's built up inside of her.
'Yes Mr Potter, I'll help' her voice very serious.
'Excellent, but you can just call me Harry? Now there's just one more thing we need to do before we go' Harry then secretly called for his staff and tapped the shocked girl on the head softly with it, he then made his staff disappear.
'What was that you just did?'
'I just put a shield charm on you so that if a curse hit you, you won't get hurt, oh and one more thing, do you know the Petrificus Totalus jinx?' The girl nodded confidently. 'Excellent, I told you, you must be clever, it took me ages to get that jinx right' this made the little girl blush the colour of a cricket ball, 'right now here's what we do.' Harry then leaned in further and told Lucy his plan…
'Are you quite ready yet Potter?' shouted Malfoy from across the hall.
'Yep all done' said Harry standing up and lending his hand to the shy girl, she took it and Harry led her back through the astonished crowd. Harry then picked Lucy up and placed her on the duelling stage, Harry also jumped up and sized up Malfoy's small army. Standing behind Malfoy was all the younger versions of the people Harry had put in Azkaban, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, Parkinson and a wiry looking boy that Harry recognised as Charles Hinds.
'What's a matter Potter, are you scared? You did say I could make the rules, so I got a few friends that wanted revenge against you' said Malfoy drawing his wand out.
'No that's quite alright Malfoy, I've got someone else who would like some revenge themselves.' He ignored the laughs that were coming from the whole Slytherin house.
'Right now, I'll just get off the stage and leave you to it Harry' professor Flitwick said whilst walking off the stage, quickly being jumped upon by a worried Hermione.
'Professor, what are you doing, Harry and that little girl will get hurt.'
Flitwick just looked up calmly and smiled warmly.
'Miss Granger I think that the people you should be worrying about is Mr Malfoy and his group, now lets just watch dear, this will be quite good, for now where going to see how Harry captured some of his Death Eaters' he then spoke to the Duellers on stage, 'Now the duel is finished when the last person is standing, now on my mark, ready, set, DUEL.'
The duel began quickly with six simultaneous shouts of 'Sansuris' being fired at Harry, who quickly rolled down to his left and then back up again in one swift motion, ready in a Martial Arts stance to launch his own attack, while this was happening Lucy had already shot a well aimed Petrificus Totalus jinx at Pansy Parkinson which brought her down with cheers from the crowd, this enraged Malfoy madly, once he saw that one of his troops was already down he wanted to get the culprit, so he then turned his attention to Lucy, he raised his wand and shot the Stupefy spell at her, but a strange thing happened, once the red beam of light was cast it seemed to stop inches from Lucy's chest and dissolve into nothingness.
Potter, thought Malfoy. He then turned round to see that Harry was taking on Crabbe and Goyle in a fist fight and dodging Hinds and Nott's curses all at the same time and it looked as though he was winning to, Crabbe had a black eye and Goyle had blood dripping from his nose but Harry just looked fierce. Malfoys brain was working fast as he watched Harry bring down Crabbe with a lower kick place behind his knee joint and then be hit with the same jinx that brought down his girlfriend Pansy by Lucy.
It was now four on two and Malfoy was starting to become desperate, he conjured a sword and ran flat chat at Harry. Harry sensed Malfoy coming but was too late in turning round and could only watch as Malfoy's blade was swung across his chest, slicing his robes and making blood flow slowly out of the wound, he felt pain filling every particle of his chest, he then looked up to see that Malfoy was now heading towards a scared Lucy with a maniacal expression on his face. He did not hear the gasps filling the hall at Malfoys actions, or in Hermione's case, crying.
Harry had had enough… He let out a roar of anguish as a white light started to surround his body, he started relieving all of his life's worst memory's, visions of all things bad were flying through his minds eyes, the night his parents died, Cedric falling lifelessly to the ground, then a new image found its way into his mind, one that he did not witness, he saw Sirius being held by no more than four dark robed figures, he then saw Wormtail put his the hand that bore the once ring of strength around Sirius's throat, cancelling any oxygen to flow through his veins, Harry did not want to see anymore, so he released another roar and the light vanished.
He now stood before the frightened but awed crowd in nothing but a pair of loose fitting black pants, that bore his white Elemental symbol on the right side of his thigh, he had his eyes closed trying to calm himself, for Merlin always told him to never fight when he was angry, his shut down his whole body, ignoring the blood running down over his glowing Elemental tattoos, ignoring the burning sensation that he was feeling in his hair which looked like it was on fire due to all the colours entwining in each other due to the non existent breeze. He had found his calm, it was time.
He slowly opened his eyes to see that he was facing Malfoy who was whimpering and looked as though he was about to cry, he would leave Malfoy for now, he looked to scared to move so he turned to Goyle, Nott and Hinds, he took up his fighting stance and launched his attack….
It wasn't more then five seconds before Harry had brought down the three Slytherins, who were now lying unconscious before him.
Time for Malfoy, he though wickedly. He turned and faced the cowering ferret, he wanted someone else to bring Malfoy down, so he walked past the flinching ferret and kneeled down to look his duelling partner in the eye.
'Lucy, are you alright?' he asked worriedly.
'Ye-yes' she squeaked, 'that was amazing Harry. Now what are you going to do to that' she said whilst pointing at Malfoy.
'Well I was wondering do you still have one more Petrificus Totalus jinx in you.' The little girl nodded.
Harry then stood up and grabbed Lucy's hand and walked her in front of the still shaking Malfoy.
'Well Malfoy I think you out numbered, would you like to surrender?' said Harry teasingly.
Malfoy only nodded fearfully.
'Now Lucy' whispered Harry.
'PETRIFICUS TOTALUS' she yelled at the top of her tiny voice.
The whole school then watched as the power of the spell not only put a full body bind on Malfoy but blasted him backwards where he joined his unconscious gang. The duel was over, Harry and Lucy had won and the whole school was left speechless.
'Well done Lucy, I have a feeling that you will be a very strong witch one day, your mother and father would be very proud' said Harry sadly, whilst wiping away a tear that was slowly rolling down Lucy's cheek, 'If you ever need to speak to someone, I want you to know that I'm here for you, I know what it's like to not have any parents, I was also going to tell you to tell me if anyone is giving you a hard time, but from what you have done today I'm sure you will be fine.' Lucy glowed with pride as she listened to Harry.
'Thankyou Harry' she whispered before she went back to stand with her friends, who were all looking at her with respect.
'Excellent duel Mr Potter' Professor Flitwick said whilst walking up towards Harry, 'that everybody was what is called a team duel, as you can see Mr Potter and Miss Simmons won. Now we won't be starting with team duels but will move on to them later. But for starters we will be learning a few simple spells that will help us in a duelling situation, right so let's begin, but first…..' he then walked over to Malfoy and his mates, he put the counter jinx on the ones that were hit by the jinx that Lucy was using and then told them to take the ones that Harry had put unconscious up to the Hospital Wing. 'And speaking of the Hospital Wing I think you should make a visit there yourself Mr Potter that looks like a wound Mr Malfoy gave you.'
'Oh it's nothing professor' said Harry, quickly calling his staff, healing the wound swiftly and then with of a wave of Mione he was properly dressed again, he then dispatched his staff.
'Fascinating, you have certainly had a good change Harry' Flitwick whispered. 'It's alright Professor Dumbledore told me. Now why don't you help me and walk around everyone and try to help those that need it.'
'Sure professor.' Harry then jumped down off the platform and received a rounding applause from three thirds of the students at Hogwarts. He didn't have to much time to reflect on this though, he had just seen Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Crystal pushing there way through the crowd to get to him, he really did not want to talk to them, he was not even sure why, but all he knew was that he had to find an exit and quickly, he tried a to slip through a gap that was open to his left but it was closed down by a bunch of girls that were asking Harry if he was alright.
'Harry… Harry wait' pleaded Hermione.
Harry couldn't see her but it sounded like she had been crying, he turned to face the four people he had been trying so hard to avoid. He was right though, Hermione looked as though she had been crying, her eyes were all red and puffy and there wet spots on her robes.
'Uh hello guys… What's up?' Harry said nervously.
'What do you mean what's up?' Ron said incredulously, 'where did you learn to fight like that Harry? How many more things are you hiding from us?' This last remark earned him a few curious glances from close onlookers.
'Look' hissed Harry, 'I'll tell you lat-'
'No you wont, you'll probably hide from us, don't think we haven't noticed Harry' Ginny hissed back.
Silence… Harry looked at Hermione and saw that she still had a few tears sliding down her cheek, she was also nodding to Ginny's last statement. Sighing Harry conceded defeat.
'Alright, I promise I'll talk to you tomorrow night, how's that? Will do it after your Quidditch practice.'
'Why not tonight' asked Hermione worriedly. 'You're not going after anymore Death Eaters are you Harry?'
Harry chuckled at Hermione's thoughtfulness. But then he became serious and the fire lit up in his eyes again.
'I'm sorry Hermione, but I have to, if I don't get them, then they'll get me. And to tell you the truth I'd rather the first one, wouldn't you?' she only nodded. 'Well I guess that's settled, why don't you break up into pairs and practice the spell that everyone else is doing, which happened to be the Petrificus Totalus jinx.
They all began to head off in there own direction whilst looking back at Harry cautiously, as if he was going to run away at any moment and break his promise.
Right, Harry thought, time to help. He then spent the rest of the day helping those who needed help perfecting their duelling abilities, most surprisingly though, all these people that needed help were 5th to 7th year girls who didn't listen to a thing Harry said but just looked at him with glazed eyes, on one of these occasions he looked up and saw that Hermione was looking at the girl he was helping with a scowl on her face, she then saw that Harry was looking at her and she turned away blushing.
What was that all about, thought Harry at the time.
'Alright everyone' shouted professor Flitwick over the din, 'that might do us for one day, I would like to thank Miss Simmons and Mr Potter for there demonstration today, I myself found it most enjoyable. Now if you just wait outside the Hall again I'm sure dinner will be served shortly. Dismissed.'
Everyone then started evacuating the Hall, shortly there was only Harry and his friends left inside the hall, Harry was slowly pulling his hood over his head, and was about to leave when Professor McGonagall came rushing up to him. She had a worried look on her face.
'Harry, a messenger sends word from the Ministry Of Magic, it is being attacked by You-Know-Who at this very moment, Professor Dumbledore has already gone and wishes for you to join him with the other Order members.'
Harry did not bother in asking what the Order was but quickly called for his staff and gave one last look at his friends, finally his gaze rested with Hermione for a few milliseconds before he raised his staff and apparated to the Ministry Of Magic.
Good Luck Harry, thought a teary eyed girl.
As soon as Harry apparated into the Ministry of Magic he had to dodge several misguided Unforgivable curses that were being fired by the many Death Eaters, he quickly threw up his most power shield that he could conjure with his staff that was still in his hand and then ran through the carnage to find his Headmaster. There were so many Death Eaters though that tried to stop Harry that he gave up in trying to find Dumbledore and just fought.
He first took a leaf out of Malfoy's book and conjured a sword from his staff, but it wasn't a normal sword, it looked as though it was fire in the shape of a sword. He then called for Tallis and his Earth Guardian appeared in front of the 7 Death Eaters beside him. He then spoke with a smirk to him.
/Ready for some fun Tallis? Now harm only the ones were you sense evil, ok/
/As you wish Harry, it is about time I got to some battle time/ Tallis than gave a great roar and ran forward and started mauling the first Death Eater that was blocking Harry's way.
Harry himself lunged forward sending an ice spear through a Death Eaters stomach, making the Death Eater gasp for air. He then sent another spear this time a lightning bolt through another Death Eaters throat, killing him instantly. He then thought that Taipan would like to be part of this battle as well so he called for him.
/Alright there Taipan, join in and take down those who you believe to be serving the Dark/
/Very well Harry, I must say, it looks as though Tallis is having a good time/
Harry then looked over to see that Tallis was swiping his huge paws at a couple of scared Death Eaters.
/It does doesn't it, well let's go/
Harry then dodged the Avada Kadevra curse and sliced his sword down the side of the culprit's torso making blood flow down to the floor as well as the unknown Death Eater. A blast of fire filled the Ministry as Taipan just missed a couple of Death Eaters.
'Ah Harry, I see that Minerva gave you my message, excellent, we are being over run Harry, if we don't do something now then I fear the Ministry will be taken by Voldemort' said Dumbledore hurriedly.
'Is he here professor, is Voldemort here?'
'I don't think so Harry, I cannot sense his power. And Harry one more thing do you think you could tell you guardians not to kill, we want to capture as many of Voldemorts followers.'
'Yes sorry professor, there just excited that's all.'
They both then sent the Stupefy spell at approaching Death Eaters.
/Tallis, Taipan your not killing anyone are you/
/No Harry/ replied his guardians dully.
/Good, now remember that doesn't mean you still can't have fun/
Harry then saw a group of 10 death Eaters closing in on a red haired man who was standing in front of a small witch.
Mr Weasley, thought Harry. He then snapped back into action and threw his left hand up and sent a powerful gust of wind that blew back 2 black robed people that were attacking him from the left into a wall. He then raised his staff, Capsis Ferno, he roared at the 10 Death Eaters that were closing in on Mr Weasley, a huge fire then spread around the 10 and rose 15 metres in the air capturing the mob in a fire shell. He then did the same to another group this time capturing them in a mound of Earth, he then froze another 2 that looked like they were about to apparate back to safety.
Taipan was slicing the Death Eaters with his spiked tail and then stomping on there wands so they could not retreat, Tallis was doing his bit also, catching Death Eaters arms and legs in his sharp teeth making the culprit's scream in protest, they could not catch everyone though and soon all that was left in the Ministry were struggling Death Eaters and dead Ministry workers who were lying in pieces across the marble floor. Harry started feeling helpless, he didn't even notice the crowd that was beginning to surround him.
'You cannot save everyone Harry' said Dumbledore clasping Harry shoulder, 'you have saved a lot of people tonight you should feel proud.'
'That's funny cause I feel useless, what will we have to do professor? What is it going to take to stop Voldemort' a collective shudder went through the collection of people. Dumbledore only sighed, he knew it was time.
'Harry when we get back to Hogwarts I would like for you to come to my office, I have something I must tell you.'
Harry nodded his understanding, he then had a question for his Headmaster.
'What will happen with the captive's professor? Do you want me to make another cell in Azkaban?'
'That would be greatly appreciated Harry but first I believe that the Aurors would like to question those that were caught.' Harry was about to leave when Dumbledore continued. 'Umm Harry before you go back to my office do you think you could call off your guardians?'
Harry wondered what he was talking about until he saw that Tallis and Taipan were both roaring at one last Death Eater that looked too frightened to apparate. He then walked over and froze the poor git. He then turned to his guardians.
/Excellent work fella's, now when you go back try not to tease Blaze and Lockyer to much/
/Yes Harry/ they said in that mock dull tone again before they vanished.
Harry himself then turned round and nodded to the shocked Ministry members before apparating back to Hogwarts to wait for Dumbledore in his office.
It was another ten minutes before Dumbledore arrived through his fireplace into his office. He quickly brushed of the ash that had found its way onto his purple robes. He then went around his desk and sat down and faced Harry with a sad look on his face.
'Harry I must not delay any longer, I must tell you something that I and I alone know… you see a prophecy was given a long time ago, a prophecy concerning you.'
Dumbledore then revised the prophecy to the young man before him.
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…
Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…
And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…
And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…
Dumbledore then watched Harry as he took in the new information, but was shocked when Harry stood up swiftly.
'Thankyou professor, it looks like I'll have to step up my training wont it' Harry said this more to himself than Dumbledore. Goodnight Headmaster.'
'Harry wait, aren't you shocked to hear this news?'
'Not really, to tell you the truth, what with all the things that have happened in my life, I expected something like this to come up, but don't worry sir, I will train my hardest to defeat him.'
He then turned and left a smiling Dumbledore behind.
'I know you will Harry, I know you will.'
Flyin Eagle