Catcher
A/N; This chapter is being a pain, I wrote this start once already and it has bugged me to no end, so I am sorry if it is a bit lacking in any way. If it is I may try to redo it later on.
Chapter 13; Return and Betrayals
[City of Magic]
Harry watched as his friend, Matt, and his mentor, Joah, sparred with their swords. The blades moving almost too fast for normal humans to see, even for some elves. Harry restrained his laugh as the best Swords Master in the City of Magic was tripped by a lightning fast swipe his legs. His friend laughed happily as he reached his hand down to the their elven trainer to help him up.
Joah stood ever gracefully and took motioned his palm towards his fallen blade to return it too it place on hip. Harry was above the standards of humans on Earth in sword fighting but his expertise was in Magic where even the top five Mages couldn't match him, even in a five on one battle. Both Matt and Joah could wipe him off the floor in most forms of weapons fighting. Though due to his alter self as a Lepra he could outfight them in second with hand to hand combat making him impossible to defeat as he in a open duel he would just dispense with blades and use charms on his limbs to give them the effect of stone to block the blades.
Joah and Matt were always trying to get a thrown dagger near him but had never actually managed to do it, Harry was just too fast for them. His Leprano senses made for an almost perfect reaction time.
As Joah noticed Harry's suppressed laughter he decided on revenge but no sooner had the twitch of a wrist been made to throw the small throwing dagger, Harry's fist soundlessly hit the ground at his side and he was flipping over in the air above where he had been sitting against the wall watching. The blade passed harmlessly under him as he arced over the top and onto his feet.
No sooner had his feet made the connection with the floor that he saw the next blade fly towards him, he twisted to the right, but then got an idea. He plucked the blade out of the air as it passed his face and continuing his graceful yet fast twist he threw the blade back at its owner. Before Joah could even blink in surprise at the unorthodox, even impossible move, the blade struck him in the upper leg. He fell to the ground and pulled out the knife.
Matt sighed and walked to Joah before waving a staff to close the wound. Harry barely felt the pull on his magic at the use of the staff. They had both found out that they could use each other's powers, though it took a lot of concentration to do so. Harry could control dragons and speak to them if need be, and Matt could draw on Harry's power but it tired them both out. The Elven Mages had made the staff for Matt at Harry's insistence so that Matt had almost full access to Harry's power through the staff as Matt had none of his own Magic to summon.
Once they had helped Joah to his feet they headed towards the docks. The Burning Wind sat in her usual place amongst the tall ships. Harry's ship by heritage was amazingly beautiful on day Matt and Harry would ride her into battle. Her three hundred magically fueled guns and four masts full of sails made her impossible to beat in a firefight. But not today. Harry and Matt had spent along time plotting their return to Hogwarts, they had needed a good excuse for their arrival and why no-one knew of them. In the end they had contacted Dumbledore about the still open Defence against the Dark Arts position that the students themselves were teaching with the guise of a man recently out of hiding since the last rise of Voldemort and his familiar, a black panther. It had worked and so today they would arrive at Hogwarts and with a slight bit of harmless time manipulation they would arrive during just after the sorting of the first years.
On the way Matt started on the topic that Harry feared most. "Are you nervous?" he asked
"What about?" but Matt wasn't fooled for a minute.
//You know what I mean Harry, your friends, are you nervous about finding out what they think of you?//
//Well I'm not nervous as such, they wont know I'm there. More anxious then anything else, you know, to find out if they trusted me not to turn evil.//
"We'll see," Matt said aloud and grinned at the confused looks on the elves faces. It had taken a while but they had soon stopped whispering and bowing to Harry, but they still watched them walk around and some that Harry and Matt recognised nodded to the two Lords. Matt had stopped calling Harry Lord Catcher when Harry had found Matt's name written in the City Ledger as Lord Dragon.
Three hours later they both stood in the middle of the City Square, the ruling council stood opposite them looking the part and with Harry and Matt sat five of the less senior Leprano, taking a trip with the two to help protect them by guarding the forests.
"We bid you farewell young Lords." Spoke one of the Leaders, "We will keep Burning Wind ready for action and fully stocked for when you need her, and if you call for her or troops she or they will come to your aid as is your right by heritage and by our trust in you."
Harry just nodded and turned to the Lord of the Leprano, Jaoana, "Goodbye friend," The flaming feline said. "Remember what we said, it is about time that the Leprano reappeared in your world, do not worry to show the ones you know these five or yourself and if trouble arises call us and we shall come to your aid."
With that Harry and Matt bowed to the crowd who bowed back and Harry waved a hand in front of Matt and himself and a black circle of light appeared and Harry followed by Matt then the Leprano stepped through and left it to close after them.
* * *
[Hogwarts]
Outside of the enormous castle seven shapes walked out of the air. The sun had set and the lights of the building barely illuminated them as five of the smaller shapes bounded into the nearest part of the forest and the other two quickly walked up to the castle.
Inside the castle Dumbledore had almost finished his announcements when the doors opened. The students were shocked at the sight that came through the door. Many gasped at the sight of the black, seven foot long body of a panther that had the grace of a killer. The tail sweeping the floor silently behind it. It's master stood by its shoulder with an aura of power around him.
"Ahh, it looks like our new Defence teacher has arrived," came the headmasters voice, "Students this is Matthew Solem, you should give him the respect that you give all your older teacher even though he seems not much older then yourself. He is well versed in defending against the dark arts."
With that Matt and Harry left the hall to seek peace and settle into their new office and rooms.
* * *
The morning Harry woke early on and swiftly changed into his Lepra form, the flames licked at his form giving a gentle tickling feeling. There was no heat unless he wished for it. He leapt quickly onto his sleepy friend and licked at his chin in the way that he knew annoyed Matt to no end. With an undignified yelp Harry found himself on the floor again but couldn't help but laugh at the look of disgust on his friend's face.
"Come on Harry, we should get to breakfast and you can scare the students," Matt said after he had changed with a flick of the staff on his finger, easily transfigured into a ring, so that students didn't realise that their teacher couldn't do magic on his own.
It wasn't long before Matt or Professor Solem was seated in the Great Hall. Most of the students were already seated and some already half way through their meals. It was surprisingly quiet for the hundreds gathered in the room but the defence teacher wasn't surprised. The students sat wearily, careful of the prowling predator as it stalked the room. Matt almost laughed aloud when his best friend stopped silently behind a Slytherin third year and the rather short girl screamed loudly as she fled the room.
"Professor Solem!" Came the irritated voice of the Potions Master, "Would you please restrain that jumped up feline you call a familiar!" Snickers came from the Slytherin table and even some of the Ravenclaws. Before Matt could respond Harry had gathered the muscles in his legs and sprung in a graceful arc to land on the table in front of Snape. Gasps were heard throughout the hall at the sight of a Black Panther jumping the twenty- metre distance but they quickly quieted as they watched.
Harry bristled at his old Potions teacher. Damn sod he thought as he landed on the table scattering the mans drink across the table and spilling its contents across both Snape and the transfiguration teacher. Neither moved to clean it up as it soaked into their robes. Snape visibly paled as Harry snarled in the mans face.
Finally Snape gathered enough courage to speak up. "Solem, get this fur ball of yours out of my face. I thought you said it was trained!"
Harry snorted in his head knowing that Matt would pick it up. //What do you say you introduce the term Leprano to these wizards Harry and show them what it means to face one in its true form? The Lord did give you permission and this guy deserves a scare.//
Harry laughed before a plan formed in his head. He directed his thoughts outwards and called out to those listening.
//FUR BALL!// He beared his teeth slightly wider //How dare you speak against the race of Cats in such a way.//
Snape and everyone in the room were floored as they worked out where the sound came from. "The cat can talk, how is that possible Solem, it's just a stupid animal!"
//Just an animal?// Harry laughed and without warning jump upwards and away from the table with grace and power. In mid flight he changed to the Winged version and the as he landed he shifted to his true from.
//Severus Snape, I, a Lord of the Leprano challenge you to what you wizards refer to as a duel.// The room bristled with emotion as people stared at the beautiful flaming form of the Leprano that now stood with lightning bolts caressing the flames as it challenged the Potions Master.
All Snape could do was stutter, but finally collected himself enough to stand. Still with his assurance in his mind of his ability to beat this parlor trick he swept down to the gap between the now filled tables. Dumbledore resigned to the fight, he knew little of the race of Leprano's but knew them to be wise and devoted to the light. He glanced at the new Defence teacher and met the young mans eyes. The man looked into his eyes but the ages professor couldn't penetrate the young mans mind. He nodded slightly and stood and with a wave of his hands the floor rose and the tables moved sideways to allow the newly formed platform to set itself.
The Lepra stalked onto the platform and waited for the Professor. It didn't take long for the man to walk confidently up onto the stage but it was the time that Harry needed to scan the mind of his old professor and find out what he needed.
//Matt, if you would.// he spoke only to matt, using their mind link rather then the telepathy of the Lepra.
Matt stood up at the front, "Let this Duel to Exile come to be. Severus Snape do you agree to the consequences of this Duel?" Snape nodded even though a Duel to Exile was normal, nobody expected him to agree. The Loser would not be able to return to the place of battle till the winner decided it.
Matt paused, to commence the battle he had to ask the same question of Harry out loud and that meant giving away his identity.
//I also agree to the terms of a Duel to Exile and except the consequences of this agreement.// though it was an old method it still held in the eyes of the onlookers. Matt glanced at the old headmaster and saw that he had picked up on the fact that the Leprano was still unnamed and that he had refused to give the name.
"Then, BEGIN!" Matt yelled.
Barely a second passed before the Lightning on Harry's back flew into the air. Snape made the mistake of watching it go before he realised as it disappeared that it was just a distraction. He looked back at the Lepra to see it gone. Not invisible. He heard the growl as he spun around.
"God this cat hates me." He muttered to himself as he yelled out, "Glacio!"
A stream of ice shot from his wand as he danced back but even from the distance of ten metres he felt the heat of the Lepra radiate outwards and his spell turn to vapour.
Useless he thought, he needed something better. He'd realised from the start that he mistook the creature for the power it possessed and now he was beginning to doubt his ability to win this battle. He doubted that the headmaster would allow him to be exiled but he didn't want to lose in front of the students. He lack of concentration cost him.
A loud roar of fury from Harry and a stream of fire arced the stage circled by no less then three Lightning bolts. Snape didn't get the wits up to dodge and the blast hit him in the chest. He seemed frozen there for a second before he flew into the air carried on the blast of heat and electricity. He hit the wall with a crunch and was held there for another second before he hit the floor when the attack let up.
Harry pulled in the flames and then the wings so he stood on the platform looking like a slightly large Panther. A couple of seventh years Slytherins were moving to their head of year. Harry roared briefly and it froze the two boys who were in effect a year older then Harry. He leapt up and jumped over to the doors where Snape lay. His jaws open to show his teeth, the sharp teeth open.
//Wake up Snape// Harry spoke sternly, //This fight is lost by you, but you will never get the grace of exile.// He spoke aloud for everyone to here and his jaws clamped onto the mans wand arm breaking the wand in the process as well as his two lower bones in his arm.
//Harry, its over, don't kill him// Matt's voice was tinged with anxiety. He could feel the emotions of betrayal and anger and murderous envy from across the link.
//This man is nothing more then a traitor and he'll die as one.//
* * *
What do you think of that then...sorry to all you Snape lovers out there, but I don't really like him all that much and not many stories have him being a totally bad guy. That my logic for it, would love to hear your views on it though. I won't change it though.
Thanks as always to my reviewers and I am sorry for the massive delay.
Rogue1615; That's how I like to have the Muggles, People do normally have them running around screaming or just dying, its about time to have some sort of resistance from them.
A/N; This chapter is being a pain, I wrote this start once already and it has bugged me to no end, so I am sorry if it is a bit lacking in any way. If it is I may try to redo it later on.
Chapter 13; Return and Betrayals
[City of Magic]
Harry watched as his friend, Matt, and his mentor, Joah, sparred with their swords. The blades moving almost too fast for normal humans to see, even for some elves. Harry restrained his laugh as the best Swords Master in the City of Magic was tripped by a lightning fast swipe his legs. His friend laughed happily as he reached his hand down to the their elven trainer to help him up.
Joah stood ever gracefully and took motioned his palm towards his fallen blade to return it too it place on hip. Harry was above the standards of humans on Earth in sword fighting but his expertise was in Magic where even the top five Mages couldn't match him, even in a five on one battle. Both Matt and Joah could wipe him off the floor in most forms of weapons fighting. Though due to his alter self as a Lepra he could outfight them in second with hand to hand combat making him impossible to defeat as he in a open duel he would just dispense with blades and use charms on his limbs to give them the effect of stone to block the blades.
Joah and Matt were always trying to get a thrown dagger near him but had never actually managed to do it, Harry was just too fast for them. His Leprano senses made for an almost perfect reaction time.
As Joah noticed Harry's suppressed laughter he decided on revenge but no sooner had the twitch of a wrist been made to throw the small throwing dagger, Harry's fist soundlessly hit the ground at his side and he was flipping over in the air above where he had been sitting against the wall watching. The blade passed harmlessly under him as he arced over the top and onto his feet.
No sooner had his feet made the connection with the floor that he saw the next blade fly towards him, he twisted to the right, but then got an idea. He plucked the blade out of the air as it passed his face and continuing his graceful yet fast twist he threw the blade back at its owner. Before Joah could even blink in surprise at the unorthodox, even impossible move, the blade struck him in the upper leg. He fell to the ground and pulled out the knife.
Matt sighed and walked to Joah before waving a staff to close the wound. Harry barely felt the pull on his magic at the use of the staff. They had both found out that they could use each other's powers, though it took a lot of concentration to do so. Harry could control dragons and speak to them if need be, and Matt could draw on Harry's power but it tired them both out. The Elven Mages had made the staff for Matt at Harry's insistence so that Matt had almost full access to Harry's power through the staff as Matt had none of his own Magic to summon.
Once they had helped Joah to his feet they headed towards the docks. The Burning Wind sat in her usual place amongst the tall ships. Harry's ship by heritage was amazingly beautiful on day Matt and Harry would ride her into battle. Her three hundred magically fueled guns and four masts full of sails made her impossible to beat in a firefight. But not today. Harry and Matt had spent along time plotting their return to Hogwarts, they had needed a good excuse for their arrival and why no-one knew of them. In the end they had contacted Dumbledore about the still open Defence against the Dark Arts position that the students themselves were teaching with the guise of a man recently out of hiding since the last rise of Voldemort and his familiar, a black panther. It had worked and so today they would arrive at Hogwarts and with a slight bit of harmless time manipulation they would arrive during just after the sorting of the first years.
On the way Matt started on the topic that Harry feared most. "Are you nervous?" he asked
"What about?" but Matt wasn't fooled for a minute.
//You know what I mean Harry, your friends, are you nervous about finding out what they think of you?//
//Well I'm not nervous as such, they wont know I'm there. More anxious then anything else, you know, to find out if they trusted me not to turn evil.//
"We'll see," Matt said aloud and grinned at the confused looks on the elves faces. It had taken a while but they had soon stopped whispering and bowing to Harry, but they still watched them walk around and some that Harry and Matt recognised nodded to the two Lords. Matt had stopped calling Harry Lord Catcher when Harry had found Matt's name written in the City Ledger as Lord Dragon.
Three hours later they both stood in the middle of the City Square, the ruling council stood opposite them looking the part and with Harry and Matt sat five of the less senior Leprano, taking a trip with the two to help protect them by guarding the forests.
"We bid you farewell young Lords." Spoke one of the Leaders, "We will keep Burning Wind ready for action and fully stocked for when you need her, and if you call for her or troops she or they will come to your aid as is your right by heritage and by our trust in you."
Harry just nodded and turned to the Lord of the Leprano, Jaoana, "Goodbye friend," The flaming feline said. "Remember what we said, it is about time that the Leprano reappeared in your world, do not worry to show the ones you know these five or yourself and if trouble arises call us and we shall come to your aid."
With that Harry and Matt bowed to the crowd who bowed back and Harry waved a hand in front of Matt and himself and a black circle of light appeared and Harry followed by Matt then the Leprano stepped through and left it to close after them.
* * *
[Hogwarts]
Outside of the enormous castle seven shapes walked out of the air. The sun had set and the lights of the building barely illuminated them as five of the smaller shapes bounded into the nearest part of the forest and the other two quickly walked up to the castle.
Inside the castle Dumbledore had almost finished his announcements when the doors opened. The students were shocked at the sight that came through the door. Many gasped at the sight of the black, seven foot long body of a panther that had the grace of a killer. The tail sweeping the floor silently behind it. It's master stood by its shoulder with an aura of power around him.
"Ahh, it looks like our new Defence teacher has arrived," came the headmasters voice, "Students this is Matthew Solem, you should give him the respect that you give all your older teacher even though he seems not much older then yourself. He is well versed in defending against the dark arts."
With that Matt and Harry left the hall to seek peace and settle into their new office and rooms.
* * *
The morning Harry woke early on and swiftly changed into his Lepra form, the flames licked at his form giving a gentle tickling feeling. There was no heat unless he wished for it. He leapt quickly onto his sleepy friend and licked at his chin in the way that he knew annoyed Matt to no end. With an undignified yelp Harry found himself on the floor again but couldn't help but laugh at the look of disgust on his friend's face.
"Come on Harry, we should get to breakfast and you can scare the students," Matt said after he had changed with a flick of the staff on his finger, easily transfigured into a ring, so that students didn't realise that their teacher couldn't do magic on his own.
It wasn't long before Matt or Professor Solem was seated in the Great Hall. Most of the students were already seated and some already half way through their meals. It was surprisingly quiet for the hundreds gathered in the room but the defence teacher wasn't surprised. The students sat wearily, careful of the prowling predator as it stalked the room. Matt almost laughed aloud when his best friend stopped silently behind a Slytherin third year and the rather short girl screamed loudly as she fled the room.
"Professor Solem!" Came the irritated voice of the Potions Master, "Would you please restrain that jumped up feline you call a familiar!" Snickers came from the Slytherin table and even some of the Ravenclaws. Before Matt could respond Harry had gathered the muscles in his legs and sprung in a graceful arc to land on the table in front of Snape. Gasps were heard throughout the hall at the sight of a Black Panther jumping the twenty- metre distance but they quickly quieted as they watched.
Harry bristled at his old Potions teacher. Damn sod he thought as he landed on the table scattering the mans drink across the table and spilling its contents across both Snape and the transfiguration teacher. Neither moved to clean it up as it soaked into their robes. Snape visibly paled as Harry snarled in the mans face.
Finally Snape gathered enough courage to speak up. "Solem, get this fur ball of yours out of my face. I thought you said it was trained!"
Harry snorted in his head knowing that Matt would pick it up. //What do you say you introduce the term Leprano to these wizards Harry and show them what it means to face one in its true form? The Lord did give you permission and this guy deserves a scare.//
Harry laughed before a plan formed in his head. He directed his thoughts outwards and called out to those listening.
//FUR BALL!// He beared his teeth slightly wider //How dare you speak against the race of Cats in such a way.//
Snape and everyone in the room were floored as they worked out where the sound came from. "The cat can talk, how is that possible Solem, it's just a stupid animal!"
//Just an animal?// Harry laughed and without warning jump upwards and away from the table with grace and power. In mid flight he changed to the Winged version and the as he landed he shifted to his true from.
//Severus Snape, I, a Lord of the Leprano challenge you to what you wizards refer to as a duel.// The room bristled with emotion as people stared at the beautiful flaming form of the Leprano that now stood with lightning bolts caressing the flames as it challenged the Potions Master.
All Snape could do was stutter, but finally collected himself enough to stand. Still with his assurance in his mind of his ability to beat this parlor trick he swept down to the gap between the now filled tables. Dumbledore resigned to the fight, he knew little of the race of Leprano's but knew them to be wise and devoted to the light. He glanced at the new Defence teacher and met the young mans eyes. The man looked into his eyes but the ages professor couldn't penetrate the young mans mind. He nodded slightly and stood and with a wave of his hands the floor rose and the tables moved sideways to allow the newly formed platform to set itself.
The Lepra stalked onto the platform and waited for the Professor. It didn't take long for the man to walk confidently up onto the stage but it was the time that Harry needed to scan the mind of his old professor and find out what he needed.
//Matt, if you would.// he spoke only to matt, using their mind link rather then the telepathy of the Lepra.
Matt stood up at the front, "Let this Duel to Exile come to be. Severus Snape do you agree to the consequences of this Duel?" Snape nodded even though a Duel to Exile was normal, nobody expected him to agree. The Loser would not be able to return to the place of battle till the winner decided it.
Matt paused, to commence the battle he had to ask the same question of Harry out loud and that meant giving away his identity.
//I also agree to the terms of a Duel to Exile and except the consequences of this agreement.// though it was an old method it still held in the eyes of the onlookers. Matt glanced at the old headmaster and saw that he had picked up on the fact that the Leprano was still unnamed and that he had refused to give the name.
"Then, BEGIN!" Matt yelled.
Barely a second passed before the Lightning on Harry's back flew into the air. Snape made the mistake of watching it go before he realised as it disappeared that it was just a distraction. He looked back at the Lepra to see it gone. Not invisible. He heard the growl as he spun around.
"God this cat hates me." He muttered to himself as he yelled out, "Glacio!"
A stream of ice shot from his wand as he danced back but even from the distance of ten metres he felt the heat of the Lepra radiate outwards and his spell turn to vapour.
Useless he thought, he needed something better. He'd realised from the start that he mistook the creature for the power it possessed and now he was beginning to doubt his ability to win this battle. He doubted that the headmaster would allow him to be exiled but he didn't want to lose in front of the students. He lack of concentration cost him.
A loud roar of fury from Harry and a stream of fire arced the stage circled by no less then three Lightning bolts. Snape didn't get the wits up to dodge and the blast hit him in the chest. He seemed frozen there for a second before he flew into the air carried on the blast of heat and electricity. He hit the wall with a crunch and was held there for another second before he hit the floor when the attack let up.
Harry pulled in the flames and then the wings so he stood on the platform looking like a slightly large Panther. A couple of seventh years Slytherins were moving to their head of year. Harry roared briefly and it froze the two boys who were in effect a year older then Harry. He leapt up and jumped over to the doors where Snape lay. His jaws open to show his teeth, the sharp teeth open.
//Wake up Snape// Harry spoke sternly, //This fight is lost by you, but you will never get the grace of exile.// He spoke aloud for everyone to here and his jaws clamped onto the mans wand arm breaking the wand in the process as well as his two lower bones in his arm.
//Harry, its over, don't kill him// Matt's voice was tinged with anxiety. He could feel the emotions of betrayal and anger and murderous envy from across the link.
//This man is nothing more then a traitor and he'll die as one.//
* * *
What do you think of that then...sorry to all you Snape lovers out there, but I don't really like him all that much and not many stories have him being a totally bad guy. That my logic for it, would love to hear your views on it though. I won't change it though.
Thanks as always to my reviewers and I am sorry for the massive delay.
Rogue1615; That's how I like to have the Muggles, People do normally have them running around screaming or just dying, its about time to have some sort of resistance from them.