Magical Origins

Year 2: The Lockhart Problem

Harry walks down to the Great Hall and sits down. Artemis smiles as he sits down next to her. The rumor mill was telling everyone the two had become a couple. Others suggested Potter was sleeping with because he was her lord. Whatever the case, it didn't help that almost every guy in the school was both jealous and envious of him.

"Hey, Harry." The Gryffindor First Year said as he takes a quick picture of Harry. Both Artemis and Harry had to close their eyes from the flash of light. "Hey Harry, I heard you were the youngest Seeker for the Slytherin Quidditch team is that true?" The boy said in excitement.

Many Slytherin's scowls at the first-year Gryffindor. The High Table was full of teachers, so they really couldn't anything. Except for growl and scowl. Some even crack their knuckles dangerously.

"Who are you?" Harry snaps.

"Colin Creevey." He said excitedly. "I'm the first wizard to appear in my family. I heard all about you, of course. Are the stories true?"

"Ten points from Gryffindor," Artemis said. Hoping it would send the first year away. It didn't.

"Hey, can I get a signed photo?" Creevey asks in an excited voice.

"What's this? Who is giving away sign photos, other than me, of course!" Gilderoy Lockhart shouted as he enters the room.

"Oh, no," Harry said as he puts his head in his hands.

Professor Snape grabs Lockhart and sits him down at the High Table. Artemis nods her appreciation to Snape, but Creevey still wasn't leaving.

"Hey, can you straighten up, I want to get a good photo…"

"Detention." Artemis snaps.

"Is she your girlfriend?" Colin Creevey said.

Lily walks over and grabs Colin Creevey by the collar and literally drags back to the Gryffindor table. She then slams him into a seat before sitting across from him. She looks at him with an angry look on her face.

"What are you thinking?" Lily hisses as Colin Creevey.

"It's Harry Potter…" Colin began.

"You have no idea how much danger you were in, do you?" Lily hisses.

"That was stupid," Neville said. "Only a fool would approach the Serpent's Table."

"Never do that again. Of they'll flay you alive, do you understand." Lily snaps.

"But I…" Colin began.

"Do you understand." Lily hissed.

Colin paused to see everyone at the Gryffindor table was eyeing him with concern.

"I can't talk to him?" Colin said, slowly.

"No, not now, not ever," Lily said.

"You talk to him all the time," Hermione said.

"I play with fire. This first year just made himself a target. Now Slytherin is going to do something terrible to him." Lily snaps.

"Not to mention, he was watching their Quidditch practice. They're not going to take this lying down." Katie Bell said.

"I don't understand," Colin said, looking at all his fellow Gryffindor's.

"Gryffindor's and Slytherin's do not get along. It's dangerous. If the High Table weren't full of teachers, every Slytherin would have cursed you into oblivion." Lily snaps. "And now you've annoyed their star, they'll get payback. They always do."

Over at the Slytherin table, everyone was watching the Gryffindor's speak to the first year who didn't realize how much danger he was in or the amount of trouble he got himself into. Harry had a dark look as he watches the whole affair down.

"You might want to tell Professor McGonagall he'll be serving double detention," Harry said.

Artemis nods her head and gets up. She walked to the High Table and spoke to Professor McGonagall. All Professor McGonagall did was nod her head and dismiss Artemis. Artemis came back and sits down next to Harry.

"She said she'll take care of it," Artemis said.

"If he so much as approaches me again…" Harry said darkly.

"Don't go landing yourself into trouble," Artemis said in a warning tone of voice.

"I won't. I never get into trouble." Harry stated calmly.

"What do you have today?" Artemis asks.

"Lockhart," Harry said with a groan.

"I already had him," Artemis said.

"What was he like?" Harry asks.

"Terrible. Worse than Quirrell. He kept asking us questions about him. Then he held me back after class." Artemis stops as if she realized something. She bends down and whispers into Harry's ear. "I think he's been trying to charm or bewitch me." She said in a warning tone of voice.

"You sure," Harry said in a serious tone of voice.

"I can't be certain, only that… I don't remember what he talked to me about." Artemis said.

"Tell your father. This is serious," Harry said.

Artemis nods her head just as the bell rang. She got up and headed to the owlery immediately as Harry made his way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Harry arrived early, and to his surprise, he saw every girl in his year beside Lily sitting in the front rows. House rivalry seemed to have been lost to them as they stared dreamingly around the room.

Harry takes a moment to stare around the room and notice he was staring at nothing but pictures of Gilderoy Lockhart and his various awards.

The door burst open, and Gilderoy Lockhart walks down the steps trying to look marvelous than usual. He flashed a charming smile that caused nearly all the girls to faint.

"Allow me to introduce you to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor." Gilderoy Lockhart as he walks past his portraits smiling brightly. "Gilderoy Lockhart. Order of Merlin; Third Class, honorary member of the Dark Forces Defense League and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming Smile Award." Gilderoy Lockhart said as he stood by his desk that had a large portrait of him doing a pose of looking great.

If Harry weren't warned what this class was about by Artemis, he would have thrown up. He shared a look with Blaise and Draco, telling them he thought this teacher was pathetic. They shared the same look.

"Now, let me give you a little quiz to test your knowledge," Lockhart said as he hands out paper to everyone.

Harry looks at it, and his face fell. It was questioned all about Gilderoy Lockhart. Not one question was about Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Harry firms a smirk and starts writing his answers.

"Time's up." Gilderoy Lockhart said after thirty minutes had passed.

Gilderoy Lockhart gathers the papers and looks at them.

"Now, let's see who got them right, let's try Mister Potter," Lockhart said as he pulls Harry's paper out.

"My idea Christmas gift isn't that I want to give a blowjob to my secret boyfriend," Lockhart said.

Harry had to muffle his mouth with his hands to prevent himself from laughing. He notices several students, Draco, Blaise, and Lily being among them as they tried to contain their laughter.

"Nor is my favorite food monkey balls!"

Again several more students tried to contain their laughter. Lily being the worse as she had her hand over her mouth to literally stop herself from laughing. However, it was hard as fits of giggles could be heard.

"My greatest achievement isn't licking a donkey's ass."

Lily couldn't stop it. She burst out laughing as did several other students.

"My dream isn't I want to tinkle like a princess."

This time several students roared with laughter.

"Nor do I like having big cocks shoved up my ass!"

Several students fell off their seats from laughing too hard.

"I like cocks. Well, I can't deny I don't dislike them…" Lockhart mutters. Several students, especially the muggle-borns roared with laughter.

"I like big butts, and I cannot lie… What?"

The classroom was on the verge of laughing itself to death.

Lockhart goes through the answers.

"Monkey, see what monkey does?" Lockhart mutters.

He puts down the papers and smiles.

"Well enough of that, let's give you some actual experience. Behold, the fearsome…" Lockhart as he walks to a cage that had a sheet over it. "Doxy Pixies!" Lockhart said.

Harry's eyes open wide. Doxy Pixies were small and fast. They were also venomous. A bite could put them bed rested for several weeks without proper treatment.

Several students laugh at the sight of the pixies, but Harry already had his wand ready.

"Laugh if you want, but these pixies can be devilishly tricky little blighters. Let's see what you can make of them." Lockhart said as he opens the cage.

In an instant, the pixies were unleashed upon the room, and all chaos was unleashed. The pixies shot across the room like rockets. Almost like they were bludgers. Lockhart tried to wave his wand and say some nonsense, but a pixie grabs it. He then bolts out of the room and into his office. Shutting the door behind him.

The sight of Lockhart leaving caused countless students to flee the room.

Harry and Lily were left.

"Immobulus," Harry shouted. Like a shockwave, his spell had all the doxy pixies frozen in the air.

"Harry," Lily said weakly.

Harry looks at her and sees a doxy pixie had bitten her hand. She falls to the ground as Harry cast a cutting curse at the pixie. Cutting it to pieces, killing it instantly.

"No, no… stay with me." Harry said as he grabs Lily, whose heart rate was beating fast. She did not look well.

Harry grabs her and throws her arm over his shoulder and starts walking out of the classroom.

"Artemis," Harry called out. Spotting the sixth-year walking down the corridor.

"Harry," Artemis said it was then he notices that Harry was carrying Lily.

"Help me," Harry said.

"What happened?" Artemis asks.

"Lockhart unleashed doxy pixies inside our classroom. One of them, bit Lily." Harry said.

"Give her to me," Artemis said as she quickly carries Lily in her arms. They went to the Healer Wing, where Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk.

"Madam Pomfrey," Artemis said as she lays Lily on a bed.

"My goodness, what happened?" She said, rushing over.

"She's been bitten by a Doxy Pixie," Harry said.

"Right, I'll get the anti-toxin." Madam Pomfrey said as she went to her healer cabinet.

"Miss Wynter, you must get Professor McGonagall immediately." Madam Pomfrey said.

Artemis nods her head and walks out. Harry sits down next to Lily and holds her other hand.

Professor McGonagall was in the middle of her lecture with some fourth years. So she was surprised to see Artemis Wynter enter her classroom and walks up to her.

"Miss Wynter, you are not supposed to be here. You have charms, do you not. Professor Flitwick will not be happy you're skipping his class."

"I'm sorry, Professor, but Madam Pomfrey sent me to get you," Artemis said.

Professor McGonagall had a stern look on her face.

"Say no more, everyone class dismiss. Come with me, Miss Wynter."

Harry looks up to see Professor McGonagall enters the room with Artemis in tow.

"Mister Potter, and Miss Morris, what happened?" She said in a worried tone.

Harry told her what Gilderoy Lockhart did and how quickly he lost control of his classroom when he unleashed a cage full of Doxy Pixies. He then explains he used the immobulus spell to stop the pixies from doing any more damage, but one of them had already bitten Lily.

"That man is a problem. Endanger students with venomous pixies. Cornish Pixies would have been a better choice, but Doxy Pixies. Madam Pomfrey, how is she?" Professor McGonagall said as she turns to the school's healer.

"She'll live. Had Mister Potter not taken quick action to rush her here, she would have been worse."

"Wait, I forgot about Neville," Harry said as he tries to turn back.

"Come with me, Mister Potter." Professor McGonagall said as she follows him down the corridor.

Neville was still handing by the chandelier, and he just stared at the pixies that were floating around him.

Professor McGonagall waves her wand, and all the Doxy Pixies flew back to their cage. A second wave and Neville came down.

"Professor," Neville said as he looks at Professor McGonagall.

Harry walks forward and grabs his bag. Now that he looked around, a lot of students had left their bags. He steps forward and grabs Lily's bag.

He went back to the healer wing and lays Lily bag next to her.

"Mister Potter," Professor McGonagall said as Harry turns to look at her. "Fifty points for Slytherin for your quick action. Had you not done what you did, we would have lost a gifted student." Professor McGonagall said.

Later that night, Lily was wide awake, and she was sitting up reading her Fire Elemental book. To say it was her favorite book was an underestimate. She was eager to try some of her elemental abilities.

"Lily," Hermione said as she and Ron walk in.

"Hey, guys," Lily said as she closes her book and sets it down.

"Are you okay? Everyone is saying you were poison." Hermione said.

"I wasn't poison, I was bitten," Lily said. She holds up her right hand to show the bandages. "Apparently, Doxy Pixies are venomous. Their bites can be lethal if not treated correctly." Lily said.

"Lockhart is a nutter, what on earth is he thinking of releasing Doxy Pixies?" Ron said.

"Don't be rude, Ron, you've read his books. You know all the amazing things he's done…"

"He says he done," Lily said quickly.

"Don't be ridiculous, Lily, you know how amazing he is," Hermione said.

"I overheard Harry talking to Wynter," Lily said.

"Wait? When?" Ron said quickly.

"A couple of hours ago. They didn't know I was awake." Lily said.

'The Fire Element inside of me burns out all poison. It's clear… I'm getting stronger. But I'm not strong enough yet.' Lily thought to herself.

"Wait, why was Potter here?" Ron said. "Did he try to curse you as you were lying down," Ron shouted as he stood up.

"Quiet." Madam, Pomfrey shouted.

"Relax Ron, for your information, it was Harry's quick thinking that saves me. He rushed me to the Healer Wing immediately. No, apparently, Artemis Wynter's father serves as one the Hogwarts Board of Governors. She sent word to him immediately. The board is calling for an inquiry on Lockhart's action of reckless endangerment."

'Not to mention Harry's not returning to his class again. Neither am I for that matter.'

"They can't kick out Lockhart, he's the best teacher we got," Hermione said in a defensive voice.

"No, he's not." Ron snaps.

"Don't be foolish, you know what's he's done, are you honestly saying that…"

"Guys, please… stop," Lily said as she sighs. "I need rest, so I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay, by the way, what book are you reading?" Hermione said as she grabs the book and tries to open it. Only it wouldn't budge open for her.

"It's charmed, so only I can read it," Lily said calmly.

"What is this?" Hermione asks as she sets the book down in a disappointed voice.

"A Spellbook of Mastery," Lily says with a half-truth.

"Where did you get one of those?" Ron said in an excited voice.

"What are those?" Hermione asks.

"Those are rare books. They contain thousands of spells and potions. That book alone cost millions of galleons. They're not cheap." Ron said in an excited tone voice. "Some of those spells and the magic it contains are rare. Spells that have never been seen before. If I could sell just one spell from that book, I wouldn't have to worry about money again." Ron said with envy.

"Where did you get this, Lily?" Hermione asks.

"It was a gift I got at Christmas last year," Lily said truthfully.

"Sell it," Ron said.

"What? Why?" Lily said in shock.

"Lily, if you sell it, you'll never have to work or worry about money again. Those books are rare, and people would sell their entire life savings to have one." Ron said.

"I'm not selling it. I'm learning a lot from it." Lily said defensively as she grabs the book from Hermione's hand and holds on to it.

"Hang on. Lily, that book doesn't contain Dark Magic does it." Ron said in a worried tone.

"What?" Lily said in shock.

"Some books contain powerful and dangerous dark magic in it. You're not learning dark magic, are you?" Ron said in a worried tone of voice.

"Don't be silly, I have no interest in dark magic," Lily said with a laugh.

Lily couldn't bring herself to tell them what the book she was reading was to help her abilities as a Fire Elemental.

Harry waited under his invisibility cloak for Granger and Weasley to leave before he walks forward. However, Lily's eyes shifted to her Mystic Eyes, and she was staring right at him. Her orange eyes blazing as if there was a fire in them.

"How long you've been there?" Lily asks.

"Long enough," Harry answers as he removes the cloak. He walks forward and sits down. Lily smiles at him.

"You haven't told them," Harry stated in a matter of fact tone.

"Have you've told anyone?" Lily asks.

"Only one person knows, Blaise. But he won't say a word. He figured it out after what happened last Halloween. Though I'm sure, he doesn't know about you." Harry said.

Lily smiles.

"Someone whispered in my ear at Gryffindor Tower," Lily said.

"What?" Harry said.

"All they told me was to keep quiet about my elemental abilities," Lily said.

"Back up, what do you mean by whisper?"

"I can't really explain it. All I know is I reading in the middle of the common room. Then I felt someone besides me. I look, but no one was near me. But I heard a voice in my ear. 'Do not tell anyone about your elemental abilities. Some snakes wear lion coats.'" Lily said as she repeated the words.

This was the first Harry ever heard of such an ability.

"This happened when you were in the middle of the room," Harry said slowly. Lily nods her head.

"And no one else heard it," Harry said slowly.

"All they heard was the wind howling. I kind of spook them when I jump out of my seat. I quickly lied to them, saying I merely forgot something, and it wasn't important."

"Reminds me of the note I got," Harry said.

"Note?" Lily asks.

Harry explains the note on how this person was able to bypass Dumbledore's defenses just to get a message to him.

"Whoever this person is, must be incredibly powerful and skilled. Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of the age, yet to bypass his own defensives." Lily said in surprise.

"Not to mention they got into Gryffindor Tower without being seen or heard just to give you a message. He must be powerful." Harry said slowly.

"She," Lily said.

"What?"

"The voice I heard was a female. I know for sure whoever is doing this, is a witch." Lily said slowly.

Harry's eyes open wide. He then folds his hands together and leans on them.

"Someone who knew at once we were elementals as well as knowing which element we possessed," Harry said slowly. "Able to bypass Hogwarts security without raising the alarm. Also, I had the Elemental Books we needed. I don't like this." Harry said slowly.

"You don't think this person is doing this to help us?" Lily said.

"There's a catch, there's always a catch. What do they want in return?" Harry said.

Lily sighs.

"The Book of Shadows," Lily said slowly.

"No one knows how many there are. Nor who first created them. However, I do know this." Harry said. Lily looks at him with a confused look.

"The ones who have the greatest of the Books of Shadows would be the Kirin Tor, according to legend have over a thousand Book of Shadows," Harry said.

"You know you're really nice," Lily said softly.

"Don't tell anyone. I do have an image to uphold." Harry said.

"I wish you could be yourself more often. It's hard for me to deal with your Slytherin personality. Or is that your ice personality." Lily said.

"There's something else I need to tell you," Harry said. Harry then told her about Dobby and his warning.

"You think this house-elf, Dobby closed the barrier preventing you from going to Hogwarts."

"I'm certain of it. But I have no proof. Also, I don't know which family he serves." Harry said slowly.

"Family?" Lily said slowly.

Harry then told how the Magical world worked. About the twelve families and the vassals. By the time he finished, the sun had set, and the moon was glowing above them.

"So, you're a Lord, and Artemis is your vassal," Lily said slowly.

"That's right. I'm sure you would have guessed it by now, but there are a lot of people who want to get their hands on Artemis. Even hurt her. They cannot, for such actions would mean my family would bear down upon them."

"Does this make Artemis your slave?" Lily asks.

"In a way, it does. But she chose this life. I did not force it upon her." Harry said.

"You're into slavery? You know the muggle world has long…"

"It's not the same," Harry said. "A Vassal serves willingly. Artemis chose this life for herself long before we set foot in Hogwarts. Besides, I could never do that." Harry said slowly. "They are families who serve as allies to my own and support me when I need it. I'm sure they're countless families who would love to throw me under the bus."

Lily looks like she wanted to speak more, but Madam Pomfrey's office light lite up, forcing Harry to throw the cloak over him and disappear from view. Lily lays down and pretends to sleep. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep for her.


Author Notes: I hope everyone enjoyed and had a great new year.