Magical Origins
Year 2: Fire and Ice
November came, and it mercifully passed without incident or attacks. Allowing the school to breathe a sigh of relief. However, something caused everyone to get excited the moment December arrived.
The Dueling Club was revived.
This was the first break to allow the school to keep the whispers and pointing fingers from behind Harry's back.
Ron, Hermione, and Lily were excited about this.
"I can't wait to learn how to duel. Even books don't teach you how…" Hermione began.
"You read too much," Ron said, darkly.
"We can't keep the book for too long. We're going to have to return it." Lily said as she was reading it.
"What! Why?" Ron said out loud.
"If Snape suspects what we're doing, all he has to do is ask Madam Pince about who checked out this book. Hermione, your name is currently listed as the borrower. Don't you think Snape will piece together what we're doing before we finish?"
"Then how do we explain we borrowed this book?" Hermione asks.
"We use this potion as an excuse," Lily said as she shows them a potion.
"The Draught of Peace?" Ron said.
"Of course, that's brilliant, Lily!" Hermione said.
"I've already copied it down. Hermione, when we're done here, you should return the book. Also, add a counter-clockwise stir." Lily added.
Hermione growled and tried to keep herself in check. Even she couldn't deny that Lily was far better than her at potions. Lily tends to do shortcuts or add instructions to an already completed potion. It was her way of experimenting with improving and exploring potions. Hermione insisted on doing things 'the proper way' and didn't do things like Lily.
"When is the first Dueling Club meeting?" Ron asks.
"Tomorrow." Lily said.
"Good, I can't wait to curse Potter." Ron said.
Lily rolls her eyes, knowing Ron didn't stand a chance against Harry.
Harry walks into the Great Hall with Blaise and could see that the idea seemed very popular.
"Daphne?" Harry said in his ice personality. "I'm surprised to see you're here. You too, Tracy." He walks up to them in surprise.
"My father would be disappointed if I didn't come. Besides," Daphne said as her cheeks turn crimson. "It's good to see you here."
Harry blinks.
"Do you know who is teaching?" Harry asks. The girls shook their heads.
"Hey, guys," Draco said as he walks up to them. Pansy Parkinson walked with him, as did Crabbe and Goyle.
"Hey Draco," Harry said, keeping his personality as cold as ice.
"Do you know who is teaching?" Blaise asks Draco. Draco shakes his head.
"Perhaps it's Professor Flitwick, I heard he was a five-time international dueling champion." Tracy Davis said.
"As long as it's…" Harry began but groans. Gilderoy Lockhart walked up a magical stage and threw his cloak into a crowd of girls. The Gryffindor chasers among them.
"Gather round everyone, can you see me, can you hear me? Excellent!" He said as he flashes one of his smiles at the crowd. "Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me, your excellency, Gilderoy Lockhart to reform the Dueling Club. To train you in case you ever need to defend yourself from any unprovoked attack." He paused as he turns to Artemis Wynter and smiles at her. She scowls at the mere sight of him. She was one of the few girls in the room to not fall for his charms. "The purpose behind this is to teach you what I have learned when I've had to defend myself. For full details, see my published works." Lockhart said as he walks on the stage like he was the star of the show. "Now, let me introduce my assistant. Professor Snape," Lockhart flashes another one of his smiles. "He tells me he knows a little about dueling himself and has agreed to help me teach you all how to defend yourselves. Do not worry, you'll have your Potions Masters back better than ever when I'm done with him." Lockhart said, causing several girls to squeal in delight.
"Now, Professor Snape and I are going to demonstrate how to properly duel," Lockhart said.
"Wouldn't it be better if Professor Snape finishes him off?" Draco mutters.
Snape had a smile on his face. It was the first real smile any of them saw. Almost as if Snape knew precisely what was going to happen, and it would IMMENSELY satisfying.
"First, we acknowledge our opponent," Lockhart said as both he and Snape raised their wands up. Harry had a brief impression that they were holding swords. Almost like a fencing match he'd seen on TV.
Both drop their wands arms and got into a ready position.
"Three…two…one…"
"Expelliarmus!" Snape said, and a red light erupted from his wand and hits Lockhart dead center. Launching him in the air. Lockhart did a full-body spin before landing painfully.
"Is he okay?" Hermione Granger asks.
"Who cares." Lily and Ron said together. Harry looks over and sees Lily had her hand under her chin as if she was thinking. It was clear she was trying to learn something new, as well.
Lockhart jumped up and stood like he just performed a fantastic trick.
"There you have it! That was the Disarming Charm! As you can see, it very useful. Of course, I let Professor Snape hit me to show you all its wonderful effect!" Lockhart said to the crowd. Lockhart says nothing as he notices Snape did not look pleased. "Now, the idea behind a duel is to disarm your opponent. Get into pairs and practice! Professor Snape and I will walk around, giving advice."
Harry said nothing as he paired with Blaise. Draco and Pansy paired up as did Tracy and Daphne.
"Everyone ready, begin!" Lockhart shouted.
Harry already knew how to use defensive magic, and it showed as Blaise couldn't get any of his attacks past Harry's shield.
Sadly the rest of the students weren't having much luck. Barely two minutes' past before Lockhart was shouting for everyone to stop. Then it was Snape who took charge.
"Finite Incantatem!" Snape shouted.
"I think we need to teach everyone how to block unfriendly spells, do we have any volunteers," Lockhart asks. Almost immediately, all the students raised their hands. Lockhart smiles as he scans the room.
"How about Miss Morris and Mister Weasley," Lockhart said, looking at the duo who did not have their hands raised. Hermione Granger lowered her hand, looking disappointed. As did everyone else.
"I think that is ill-advised Lockhart," Snape said. "Mister Weasley's wand is broken. If we're not careful, we'll be sending Miss Morris to the Healer Wing in a matchbox." Ron flushed a deep shade of red at Snape's insult. "Perhaps someone from my own house, like Mister Potter."
Lockhart's smile grew even more prominent.
"An excellent suggestion Professor Snape. Mister Potter, Miss Morris to the stage." Lockhart called.
Harry and Lily look at each other before stepping forward. Not wanting to stand next to Lockhart, Harry instead approaches Professor Snape's side. Lockhart looked a bit offended as he wished Harry to stand next to him, not some no-name girl. Lily stood by and glares at Harry.
"I'm not holding back," Harry said calmly.
"I'll show you, just how much stronger I've gotten since our last match," Lily said out loud.
Harry said nothing, but a smile form on his lips.
"Come on, Lily!" Ron shouted.
"You can do it, Lily!" Hermione shouted as more Gryffindor's began to cheer Lily on.
The Slytherins did not miss a beat and cheered on Harry.
"Wipe that smirk off her face, Harry!" Daphne shouted.
"Put her in her place!" Draco shouted with excitement. Pansy and the others cheered as well as the Gryffindor's started cheering louder.
Harry said nothing as he looks at Lily with narrow eyes.
'The last time we dueled was at the end of the year to test our skills. We didn't use our elemental abilities, but my skills were clearly better. Could she have really closed the gap between us since then?'
"Now, Miss Morris, when Harry attacks you, do this…" Lockhart said as he drops his wand in front of him.
Lily ignores him and places her wand at the ready. Harry follows suit.
"Hold on, I didn't say…" Lockhart began.
Harry and Lily weren't listening.
'3…2…1…now!' Both of them thought at the same time.
At the same time, both of them attacked each other. Lily dodges Harry spell allowing it pass by her. Harry dodges as well, as it hits the wall behind him. However, they weren't done, both relaunch their spells. This time, they collided in midair. Then they redirected themselves.
Harry's spell headed to Lockhart, who pulled out his wand but was hit, causing him to fly backward. Lily's spell flew at Snape, who dispelled it before hopping off the stage.
Lily was the first to recover, launching another spell right at Harry. Harry pointed his wand out and quickly circles it around him.
Everyone gasps in surprise. Harry Potter had somehow taken control of Lily's spell and swinging it around like it was his own. Harry releases Lily's spell back at her and fires one of his back.
Lily brought her left arm up and places her wand in front of her. A magical shield appeared and manage to absorb the spells. Lily snaps her wand forward and fires another spell at Harry.
'She's actually pushing me,' Harry realized as he dodges her spell.
"Are those two really second years?" Someone in the crowd shouted.
Harry jabs his wand, firing another spell at Lily before he flicks his wand then shoves it forward. He then follows suit with another flick of his wand. The trio spells did what one could not and overcome Lily's defense and hit her head-on.
"That's enough!" Professor Snape called Lily hit the ground. "The winner is Mister Harry Potter."
Harry was breathing hard. The exertion from using spells he wasn't entirely ready for. Lily grips her wand tightly and looks back at Harry. Harry flinches and takes a step back. Her orange mystic eyes have appeared once again, and she looked mad.
This time, Lily points her wand at Harry and releases an unrelenting jet of fire at him. The students screamed and tried to back away from the blazing fireball.
Harry brought his arm up in front of him and releases a turret of water. His eye shifts into silver orbs as he tried to pump as much magic as he could into his water.
Snape could be seen trying to dispel the fire with his wand. Lockhart started screaming like a little girl.
Harry was brought down to his knees. As sweat was pouring down from his face.
'This fire is more intense than the one I faced in the Third Corridor last year!'
Harry was beginning to feel completely overwhelmed. His water was vaporizing, and as such, his only defense was quickly failing.
'Focus, I need to make ice. Be solid, be still, it must radiate cold. Concentrate…'
Harry closes his eyes and tries to focus clearly on making ice. In the past, he's been able to make shards of ice but never ice full-sized blocks.
'I need more power!' Harry thought as he tried desperately to reach deep inside of him.
As if he had been hit by a tidal wave, power whelmed from inside. Causing him to feel like he was spinning in a water vortex. Only this was dark and vile magic.
A dark, sinister voice echoed in the back of his head.
'Kill her!'
Harry screams as he pushed with all his might to overcome the sinister presence.
Harry ice finally took form, and a powerful mist erupted throughout the great hall.
"Serpensortia!" Someone shouted. A loud bang was heard, and everyone screamed.
When the mist cleared, Harry could be seen on all fours, breathing heavily and sweat pouring down from his face. As if he had run a marathon. However, burn marks could be seen on Harry's face and arm. Steam could be seen rising from the scorch marks.
Lily had managed to sit on her knees and was also breathing hard. However, she wasn't looking at Harry, she was looking at an angry black snake that was mere inches from her face. The snake hissed as it eyes her carefully. Lily did not move as the snake was hissing menacingly.
"Don't worry Miss Morris, I'll get rid of it…" Snape said lazily.
"Allow me," Lockhart said as he rushes forward. His wand exploded, but the snake did not vanish. Instead, it was launch nearly ten feet in the air before it lands on the floor. This time, it was really pissed. It rose up and went to the nearest person it could find.
Justin Finch-Fletchley, a second-year Hufflepuff student, who was paralyzed with fright.
Harry stands up and walks forward while doing his best not to fall over.
"Enough!" Harry hissed. The crowd gasps out loud. Snape looks at Harry in surprise. The snake paused and looks at Harry before turning its attention back to Justin. "Leave him alone at once!" Harry hissed again in an angry tone of voice.
The snake did nothing but curl into a ball.
At that moment, Snape hits the snake with a vanishing spell, causing it to disappear at once.
Exhausted, Harrys' strength failed, and he fell forward. He was breathing heavy, and half his face was steaming from the burns he received. Even his right arm and hand had burn marks all over it.
Artemis appeared by his side and flicks her wand. She lifts Harry up as Professor Snape lifts Lily up, who had collapsed and lost consciousness.
High above a witch wearing white robes look down upon the whole event. She was sitting on the window sill and had a smile on her face she had black hair and fair skin, but her eyes where dark blue with lighting circulating in them.
"Well now," She says with a smile. "Those two are proving to be quite interesting. Though Mister Potter seems to have an uninvited guest inside of him." She smiles brightly as she watches them get carried away. "Grow and become strong. That is the purpose of a rival. And you two will become more powerful than you realize. Now, should I go cause some trouble? I'm bored." She said, in saying that she disappears from view.
Harry was sleeping peacefully until he woke with a groan.
"Mister Potter!" Madam Pomfrey said in shock.
"Not again." Harry groans.
"Indeed, am I going to see you all year?" She asks as she grabs some paste. "I've never seen magical fire burn like this before." She mutters as she puts some paste on his face.
"Ow," Harry said as the cooling cream was placed on him.
"You gave me a fright, Harry," Artemis said, Harry turns to look at her, but Madam Pomfrey moves his head back. "Face forward. I still have to apply this to you." She said.
"What happened?" Harry asks.
"That is something we all would like to know, Mister Potter." Someone called out. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Snape walk in.
"Not now, I'm still treating him. Miss Morris is in no better shape. She has burns on her hands. It will be a miracle if she can hold a wand again, Professor Dumbledore."
"Severus was kind enough to tell me what happened at the Dueling Club. Now, I would like to hear from you."
"Well I won, I remember that," Harry said weakly.
"Wait," Madam Pomfrey said as she continues to apply the cream on him. It took a minute before Harry's face and arm was covered in paste. "Now try not to speak so much, the paste still needs to work." She said as she gets up to treat Lily.
"Now, the duel has been explained, and you emerge as the victor. The both of you were able to cast nonverbally. Most impressive." Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Can't all witches and wizards cast nonverbally," Harry said.
"No, they cannot," Artemis said. "I'm just learning to cast nonverbally, and even I'm having trouble." She said in a small jealous tone. Though she did sound greatly impressed.
"Students learn nonverbal in their sixth year. It's not something a second year can do." Professor McGonagall said in a stern voice.
"Er… well, it comes easy for me." Harry said in a nervous tone.
"After you won the duel, Miss Morris attacks you with a fire spell. A potent and destructive spell. I understand this was after you were declared the victor." Dumbledore said in a soft voice.
Harry feels a lump growing in his throat.
"Lily was just sore, she lost," Harry said slowly. "She wanted to continue. We weren't really paying attention." Harry said in a quick tone.
"So I gather, given how the two of you attacked without Professor Snape or Professor Lockhart starting the match. Professor Snape tells me he was unable to stop the fire. How did you manage?" Dumbledore asks.
"I cast the Water Making Spell, I used Aguamenti." Harry lied.
"I tried that Potter, how did you make your work?" Snape said.
"I just pump as much magic as I could into it. I wasn't really thinking." Harry said.
"Now, I understand you two have dueled before," Dumbledore said in a slow voice.
Harry groans, Lily just had to say that out loud before their duel.
"We have, once. I won that one too." Harry said.
"Duels are forbidden without a teacher to watch over it." Professor Flitwick said in his squeaky voice.
"We didn't know. We both were the top students of our year, we wanted to see who was the best." Harry said calmly.
"Very well," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Will Lily be in trouble for…"
"No, but she will serve detention for her unprovoked attack," Dumbledore said before Harry could finish his question.
The teachers got up and left.
"You're a parselmouth!" Artemis said, unable to hold it back anymore.
"I'm what?" Harry said.
"A parselmouth. You can speak to snakes!" Artemis said.
"Oh, that was only my second time speaking to a snake. I merely tried to get the snake to not attack that Hufflepuff student, Justin… what's his name."
"I figured as much. But this isn't good." Artemis said.
"What do you mean?"
"Harry, all anyone of us heard was you hissing. We couldn't understand what you were saying. Many students seem to think you were egging the snake to attack him."
"Can't you…"
"No," Artemis said. "I'm no parselmouth. I can't verify your words. However, this is both good and bad."
"What do you mean?" Harry asks slowly.
"It's good because the House of Slytherin will think you're Salazar Slytherin heir. Slytherin himself was parselmouth. That means you're not someone they want to disrespect. It's also bad, as everyone will start thinking you're the one behind these attacks."
Harry falls back on his bed.
"Things can't get worse, can they?" Harry mutters.
Dumbledore leads his Professor to his office. They said nothing until they were in. Dumbledore sits behind his desk.
"The boy is lying," Snape said at once.
"Of course, he is," Dumbledore said softly. "It's also clear he has no wish to see Miss Morris leave this school. Most interesting, don't you think?"
"What do you mean, Professor Dumbledore?" Professor Flitwick asks.
"It's been over fifty years since a Gryffindor, and a Slytherin has had any kind of friendship. A strong friendship." Dumbledore said softly as he looks at Snape. "Don't you find it interesting that a Slytherin male and a Gryffindor female have become friends?" Dumbledore said with a smile on his face
Yes, Snape was getting a sense of déjà vu. It reminded him of the times he was friends with Lily Evans. Beloved Lily, kind Lily. Brilliant Lily. His friend, his love.
Snape quickly regroups and stands up straight.
"But Albus, these two barely could tolerate each other when I picked them for their first-year supplies." Minerva McGonagall said.
"I think… the adventure they had at the end of last semester brought them together. It seems Mister Potter cares a great deal about Miss Morris. He sees her both as a friend… and a rival." Dumbledore explains.
"What do you mean, Albus?" Minerva said.
"Mister Potter excels greatly in all his classes. He has little to no trouble with his assignments. He's clearly advance as he was able to cast nonverbally without trouble. The same is true for Miss Morris. She, too is ahead in all her classes and excels with astonishing feats. The fact that she too has little trouble in her classes and advances far ahead than her peers speaks volumes of her talents and abilities. Not to mention, she too can cast nonverbally." Dumbledore said. "The two have an interesting relationship. They see each other as friends… yet at the same time, they see each other as rivals. Without even realizing it, they push each other to become stronger and better."
The three Professors saw a mental picture of Harry and Lily with their backs together, their wands were raised, and they did nothing.
"Dumbledore, is such a relationship safe?" Professor McGonagall asks as she was the first to recover.
"It seems so," Dumbledore said. "They've got strong, haven't they. By the time they reach their fourth year, we may run out of things to teach them. This friendship of theirs may be the best thing that has ever happen to them."
"You mean?" Snape said slowly.
"That's correct. As one grows, it pushes the other to grow as well. Imagine a race, both opponents are skilled and talented. However, everyone around them can't compete with them. If one pulls ahead, the other will try to pull ahead. This is a good thing. They will make each other strong." Dumbledore said in a happy tone of voice. "It's our job to ensure they have a positive influence on their abilities. I have never seen a student as gifted as those two."
"Their growth is amazing, Dumbledore. They're only second years, and yet they've already completely master Nonverbal Spell Casting, that's something many sixth and seventh years can't even do." Professor Flitwick said in amazement.
"It also is a problem," Dumbledore said sadly. "Many witches and wizards will not like these two progressing the way they have. They will make many enemies. I want you three to give them private lessons to better prepare themselves."
"You must be joking," Snape said softly.
"I am not. The two of them will face dangers they are not ready for. Not just from wizards and witches, but political as well. Even I wasn't as advanced as them at Hogwarts. By the time I was in my fourth year, I had started learning seventh-year spells. They're already pulling ahead. Now Severus, show me your memory of the incident." Dumbledore said.
Professor Snape nods his head and pulls his wand to his temple before place placing it in Dumbledore's pensive.
"Observe," Snape said as the Professor gathered around the pensive.
They watch the duel in great interest. The two showed great offensive spell work, but also great defense as well.
"It seems, Miss Morris, can only hold her shield for a small amount of time," Dumbledore said as he watches Lily's shield absorb Harry's spells.
"What kind of shield is that?" Professor McGonagall asks.
"I do not know," Dumbledore admitted.
Harry Potter then seems to grab Lily's spell and took it as his own. This caused the three Professor to have their eyes nearly pop out of their sockets. He fires it back at her while launching his own.
"His skills are far above a second year!" Professor McGonagall said in shock.
They then watch Harry fire a trio of spells at once. They watch Lily's shield shatter, and she was walloped as she falls to the ground, beaten.
"This is where it happens." Professor Snape said as they watch him declare Harry Potter, the winner.
Lily had raised her wand, and a powerful fireball erupted from her wand. They watch Mister Potter cast a shield, but he soon disappears in the engulfing flames. All they could do was watch as the fire grew more substantial and bigger.
Dumbledore pauses the memory and looks carefully.
"Albus, what's wrong?" Minerva McGonagall asks.
Dumbledore instead places his hand in the fire and withdraws as if he was a pain.
"This is extraordinary," Dumbledore said as he turns to them, showing his burn hand.
"Impossible!" The three Professor shouted in shock.
"Memories cannot harm a person. It's not possible." Professor Snape said.
"Albus, what does this mean?" Professor McGonagall asks her mentor.
"I do not know. But it's safe to say, Miss Morris's magic is more powerful than we originally realized. These flames, I have seen them only once before. That was two years ago, now they have reappeared. This requires me to investigate this matter greatly. I only have suspicions as to what this means."
"If the mere memories of this fire can bring harm, then we better fall back to a safe distance." Professor Flitwick said.
"Quite right," Dumbledore said.
The four Professor fell back to where Lockhart was panicking before Dumbledore reassumes the memory.
They watch the fireball grow in size, and the blazing heat was intense.
"I can feel it." Professor McGonagall said in surprise.
"This can't be possible." Professor Snape said in shock. Professor Flitwick was stun in disbelief.
'It's just like that day. This fire, this power, this feeling… it's just as the day when I met Miss Morris.' Dumbledore thought to himself.
"Here it comes," Snape said.
Suddenly the fireball disappeared with a loud bang, and vapor mist exploded across the Great Hall.
"Serpensortia!" Someone cried.
Here, Dumbledore paused the memory and walks through the crowd.
"Mister Weasley," Dumbledore said as he looks at Ron with his broken wand. It was clear he was aiming it at Mister Potter, but the Snake landed near Miss Morris.
"Watch what happens," Snape said. Dumbledore nods his head as the memory reassumes. The mist clears, and they finally could see Harry Potter on his hands and knees. Sweat was pouring down his face, and half his face was burned as was his right hand and arm. This included his shoulder and parts of his chest. Lily was on her knees, looking at a snake that was mere inches from her face. To her credit, she didn't show any fear, but she made no quick movements either.
They watch Snape offer to get rid of the snake, but Lockhart jumps forward and does it instead. Only the snake was launch into the air before landing on the ground, very pissed off. It turns his head to the closest person to him, Hufflepuff Second Year Justin Finch-Fletchley.
Harry walks forward, trying hard not to stumble or fall over. Then they heard it, the unmistakable hissing of a Parselmouth. Snape vanishes the snake just as Harry falls forward and loses consciousness.
"That's all," Snape said.
"Let us return." Dumbledore.
The memory faded, and they all were back in Dumbledore's office.
"Your hand Albus," McGonagall said in shock.
It was still burned.
"I'll have Madam Pomfrey look at me later. Now, what do you think."
"Miss Morris should be expelled," Snape said quickly.
"Really, for what?" Professor McGonagall said.
"She nearly killed Mister Potter. Not to mention, she endangers other students. Such action should not be taken lightly." Snape explains.
"Indeed, her magic is clearly powerful. I think a weekend of detention will do." Dumbledore said.
"What about Potter!" Snape hissed.
"Don't act like you care about the boy Severus!" Professor McGonagall said. "You barely tolerate him enough even if he is in your house!"
"Let them rest. In the meantime, speak to them, also don't let them duel again without our supervision." Dumbledore said.
"Then what should we do?" Minerva McGonagall asks.
Lily groans as she wakes up. She looks around her and sees she was back in the Healer Wing.
"I see you're awake, freckles," Harry said.
"Harry!" She said but groans as she holds her side. "Why do I feel…"
"Drained? Because you are drained. You were reckless."
"Oh yeah… sorry…"
"What were you thinking?!" Harry hissed at her.
"Oh, don't bite my head off…"
"You showed off your abilities. It will be a miracle if the school doesn't find out what we are…"
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Lily said.
"You remember the warning, you know the danger we'll be in if we reveal ourselves," Harry said.
"We can't hide forever. Sooner or later, the world will find out we're…"
"Not yet. Not now." Harry said.
Lily sighs.
"You're really afraid. Just answering me one thing."
"What?" Harry asks.
"Were you really talking to that snake?"
Harry grits his teeth in frustration.
"I did. I'm a parselmouth. I've already heard Weasley spreading around that I'm the next Dark Lord because I'm can speak serpent tongue." Harry hissed.
"Good. I knew I didn't imagine it," Lily said emphatically.
"You going to judge me too." Harry snaps.
"I am not judging you, Harry, truth be told I understood every word you said to that snake. I, too, am a Parselmouth!" Lily said.
"What?" Harry said in shocked.
The room was filled with silence after that.
Author Notes: Thanks to AresLaw for beta this chapter, more beta chapters coming soon.
