Magical Origins
Author Notes: In case some of you haven't reread this story, the previous chapters have been re-edited, so they should be better read now. Also, I already have Umbridge's fate planned and written out. I hope everyone enjoys the chapter! I think I'll be writing somewhere over a hundred chapters for this story with an epilogue! The previous chapter has been fixed, and no mention of Cedric's death is written. Confused with a previous story.
Year 5: Imposing Will
Harry lies in his bed, trying to think about the next course of action. Getting people to agree to learn defensive magic was the easy part. The hard part was actually trying to find a place to meet without the risk of being discovered.
The Chamber of Secrets was an ideal place to hold any secret organization, given the fact it was nearly unbreachable. It was far outside the reaches of Umbridge and the Ministry. Even Filch didn't know anything about the Chamber of Secrets, and he knew more about the secret passages of Hogwarts more than any person.
The problem was the only real entrance they knew was located was formally Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, which Harry and Lily turn into the personal chambers, and it was sealed off so only they could have access.
Harry and Lily already talked about potentially finding another place to make their chambers. Some rooms were closed off and not in use. Harry already found a beautiful place behind a statue. It was impossible because of the fact the statue made it impossible to see the hidden entrance, but the room wasn't big enough to house thirty people; maybe a dozen.
"Sirius mentions something about a large room hidden by a mirror on the Fourth Floor," said Lily.
"Fred and George already told me that room is no longer accessible," Harry said bitterly. "caved in so no one can get or out."
Lily slams her head in the table as they were running out of ideas and options to hold their defensive meeting. The Perfect meeting didn't go so well, and neither did the Captain meeting. Everyone was on the same page, but they couldn't figure out a time or place to meet, and with the first Quidditch match approaching, they were running out of time and options.
"Harry Potter, sir," said a high pitch over-excited voice.
"Hello, Dobby," Harry said without looking at the bizarre and strange House-Elf that was his who was so crazy over him.
"Are you okay, Master Harry? You look troubled," said Dobby.
"That's one way of putting it," Lily mutters as she looks over the Marauder's Map to get more ideas.
"We're looking for a place to hold our defensive sessions, and we have over thirty people Dobby," said Harry as he looks around the basements. The basements at night were mostly unoccupied, so, therefore, it might be possible to hold the defensives meeting in one of the unused dungeons.
"Dobby knows the perfect place!" Dobby shouted in a high pitch voice, causing Harry and Lily to look down upon the house-elf.
"Where?" Lily asks cautiously as she wasn't precisely sure Dobby's place was 'safe.'
"It's known as the Come and Go Room," said Dobby. "Dobby heard about the room from the other Hogwarts House-Elves. It's also known as 'The Room of Requirements,' for it appears when the users have most need of it even if they aren't aware. Many students have stumbled upon this room Harry Potter, but few ever find it again."
"What makes this room so special?" asks Lily.
"The room takes the form of what the user desires," said Dobby. "Dobby himself has found anti-toxin for Winky when she is very drunk. Dobby knows Mr. Filch has found extra supplies from this room, and – "
"and if you really need to use the loo, would it appear as a chamber pot?" Harry said, recalling what Dumbledore said last year about a strange and bizarre room he has never come across.
Lily would have slap Harry on the head for such a remark, but she too remembers Dumbledore's words.
"Dobby expects so," said Dobby. "it's a very amazing room. Full of wonders and secrets."
"Where is it?" Lily asks at once.
"Dobby knows where it is," said the house-elf. "Dobby can show you right now."
"Don't rush it, Dobby," said Harry. "Filch and Umbridge are patrolling the corridors for any sign of trouble. If we're caught, then I'll be out of Hogwarts faster than you can catch a sock."
Dobby understood his master's warning.
Harry gets up and grabs his invisibility cloak as Lily grabs the Marauder's Map.
"Dobby stay out of sight from anyone else, and we'll follow," said Harry.
"Understood Master Harry," said Dobby.
Harry and Lily walk out of their hidden sanctuary before following Dobby the House-Elf. They wanted to avoid Filch, Umbridge, and Mrs. Norris. Years of exploring the castle and wandering after dark had taught the two that Filch had a sixth sense when students were wandering the castle grounds and breaking the rules.
Dobby was a quick little house-elf, but Harry and Lily were able to track him to the seventh floor, far from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Tower. On the other side of the wall, was a Tapestry showing Barnabas the Barmy trying to teach trolls to dance ballet.
"Here it is, Master Harry," Dobby said once Harry and Lily remove the cloak and allowed themselves to be visible for Dobby.
"How do we get in?" asks Harry.
"Just think about what you need," said Dobby. "if you really need it, then the room shall open her doors for you."
Harry does so and could only think of how he needed to prepare to fight a war so he could survive and create peace within the magical world once again.
"Harry," said Lily.
Harry looks up and could see a door before them, one that wasn't present just moments ago.
Lily and Harry open the door and steps inside, and sure enough, they were utterly taken off-guard upon the room's appearance. There was literally a shelf of books with titles Harry's never dreamed or heard about from anywhere. Dueling spells, spell tactics, and their usages, defensives magic, and spells that could defeat the Dark Arts.
Harry wanted a book on Occlumency and Legilimency, and sure enough, a book called Mind of Shadows appears, and Harry grabs it at once and looks at the secrets of Occlumency and Legilimency.
"Thanks, Dobby," said Harry. "this room could be what we need."
Lily had grabbed a book on potion-making, 'Secrets of the Alchemist,' and sits down to read eagerly.
"Dobby, I want you to keep a close eye on Umbridge," said Harry. "I want to know every move she makes before she makes that move. I also want to know which students are talking and supporting her little reign."
"Leave to Dobby, Harry Potter," Dobby said before he disappears in a slight pop.
"That elf is far too devoted," said Lily.
"I know," said Harry. "I do feel guilty for using him like that, but it's kinda hard to not use him when he wants me to use his services."
The two began to read their books and were enjoying what they were doing so much; they didn't even realize how much time had passed. The two also didn't get any sleep that night, and it was going to show. Lily quickly brews a Tiredness Potion so they would be able to stay awake for the rest of the day. Hopefully, because of the harsh weather, they wouldn't have any classes today.
They arrived at the Great Hall to eat breakfast when they notice something strange among the student body. Too many students were talking and seemed greatly upset.
Harry sits down, and Daphne and Blaise immediately round him up.
"Are you going to appeal?" Daphne asks at once.
"Appeal what?" Harry said in confusion.
"To reform the Slytherin Quidditch Team!" said Daphne.
Harry looks at his friends, becoming aware everyone at the Slytherin table was looking at him to see what he was going to say.
"Slow down and tell me what is going on," said Harry.
"You didn't see the notice?" Blaise said in surprise.
"What notice?" asks Harry.
Blaise and Daphne share a look with one another.
"There was a notice posted on the bulletin board this morning," said Daphne.
"I didn't look at it," Harry admitted having not been to the Common Room for some time. "I just came straight here."
A seventh year hands a notice to Harry as Harry takes the notice and looks at it carefully.
It was a new Educational Decree, number twenty-four that ban all student activities and organizations, such as clubs and gatherings. The threat of expulsion was clear if any student was found to have taken part in any club, organization, or team without the High Inquisitor knowledge and approval.
"You have got to shitting me right now," Harry mutters that was unfortunately heard all down his table and most of the Great Hall.
"We have got to request to reform the Quidditch Team," said Blaise.
"She won't," said Harry.
Harry knew enough of the foul toad to know she wasn't going to let him reform the Slytherin Quidditch Team.
"What do you mean she won't?" said a female Slytherin sixth year.
"I doubt she has any intention of allowing the Quidditch teams to reform," said Harry. "she wants us to grovel at her feet. She has no intention of Hogwarts having the Interhouse Quidditch Tournament."
Many Slytherins heard this and were angry. They won in their third year and went the last tournament undefeated. They had hoped to regain their streak and crush the other houses once again. To hear that Umbridge only wanted to see the school grovel before her, made them angry.
True to Harry's word, when the Quidditch Captains present themselves before Umbridge to reform their teams, Umbridge flat out refused, stating she needed 'time' to think it over before giving them an answer.
Lily's anger could be felt by everyone in the room, causing both Roger Davies and Ernie MacMillian, the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff Captains, to back away slowly, knowing that Lily was close to turning Umbridge into a crispy toad.
Umbridge, who was expecting the students to beg and grovel so she would allow the teams to be reformed, was taken back by the Gryffindor Captain. Lucius and Snape both warned her not to make her angry. Students in the past who have angered her have never walked away the same. Umbridge's countless portraits of her cats along with her plates slowly started to melt around her as Lilian Morris was giving off radiant power that made her bones scream as she felt she was being melted from the inside out.
"Perhaps I heard you wrong," Lily said in a would-be polite voice. The hint of malice and fury could be heard in her voice, causing Umbridge to literally cringe under the young witch. "I'm sure you're saying there is no trouble in reforming any of our teams."
Umbridge wanted to belittle the little girl but found herself staring into the calm before the storm. Umbridge was having trouble holding her wand! She couldn't even cast a spell if she wanted to. The room was also getting dangerous hot that her belongings were actually starting to melt from the heat, yet none could be seen or felt!
Lily stares into Umbridge's eyes, and finally, Umbridge realized she was outclassed and wouldn't walk away unless she gave in and reformed the teams.
"Of – of course," Umbridge said in a shaky voice as she tries to present a pleasant smile. "there is no trouble at all. Of course, you all may reform your Quidditch teams. After all, the Interhouse Quidditch Tournament is a long-standing tradition of Hogwarts, and it won't be broken."
In saying that, with a shaky hand, Umbridge signs the documents that allowed all four houses to reform their Quidditch Teams.
They each took their approval slips and leave. The moment the door closes, Umbridge collapse in her own chair, trying to wipe the sweat that was now pouring down her face like a river.
Once Umbridge had calmed down, she bit her thumb and knew she would have to rethink her strategy. That Gryffindor girl was far too powerful and too intimidating. The entire student body was varied of her knowing they didn't want to be on the receiving end of her fire spells. In her second year along, she burned nearly every sixth and seventh in Slytherin, with most of them having to be sent to Saint Mungos for intense magical burns.
The girl didn't understand who her betters were, and that was a problem. Umbridge would not allow a mudblood with no magical family to insult her! She would find a way to get back at her and make her pay.
Harry returns to the Slytherin Common Room, where everyone was awaiting the news on the reformation of their Quidditch Team. Harry holds up the reform in the air for all to see, causing the Slytherins to cheer.
"How did you convince her?!" asks several Slytherins.
"I didn't," said Harry. "she pissed off, Lily."
This caused the entire house of Slytherin to fall silent. The third-year and above knew it was a fatal mistake to upset the Dragoness of Gryffindor. Many of them were trying hard not to imagine a pissed off, Lily Morris. They could already see a blazing inferno her with a dragon at her command.
"Did she get burned?" asks Tracy Davis.
"No," Harry said with a laugh. "but Lily melted all her belongings and intimidated her!"
This actually caused almost everyone to let out a few laughs. Many were glad that didn't happen to them, as many of them remember what happened to their seniors who tried to get the better of her.
Quidditch was official back, and that caused everyone's mood to brighten as they were eagerly awaiting the first match against Gryffindor. A win over the Lions would put them in a favorable spot.
As the reformation happen, the Quidditch Captains also had to find a date that would best collide with their training, but the weather was a factor they couldn't control. The winds were blowing much heavier than usual with heavy rain and an occasional thunderstorm. No team could go outside to practice without the risk of being blown off their brooms.
Harry and Lily decided to spend their time in the Chamber of Secrets and cleaning it so the thirty plus students could use the Chambers against the Umbridge and her little reign.
Harry thought it was ironic that Salazar Slytherin built the chamber to rid of Muggleborns, now it was being used against his last heir. Harry also wonder how Lily was a parselmouth when she wasn't even descent of Slytherin.
Harry and Lily were going to use the Chamber of Secrets for their little group, the Room of Requirement was more their own personal thing and a place for them to escape the school.
After a week of cleaning, and with Kreacher's and Dobby's help, the Chamber was ready to be used. Harry created hidden entrances near all four houses to ensure they could come and go as they pleased. As it would look strange if they all suddenly gathered together for unknown reasons, Harry had to keep the appearance that there was no group. Filch would instantly get suspicious if he knew countless students were wandering the school corridors at night.
They had to use the secret passages of the Chamber of Secrets to move around the school without being seen. Harry has already heard of Professor Twelenary inspection and Umbridge sense weakness and immediately attacked her every second and belittle her in front of the class.
Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil were distraught with Umbridge's bullying methods on Professor Twelwanry, but there was nothing they could do about it as Umbridge was looking for an excuse to punish anyone. Sadly neither girls were interested in Defensive Magic, as they were more interested in the latest gossip and dress robes.
Using Kreacher, Harry sent word to Olivia and Artemis for healing spells and potions to learn for his group, and they return, giving him several books on the subject of healing from nasty curses, mostly from the dark arts.
Thanks to Dobby's keeping close tabs on Umbridge, Harry knew she was trying to press some new Decree to give her even more power. Once again, Percy Weasley came to the rescue.
'Educational Decree Number Twenty-Five'
"Disturbing reports by Madam Dolores Umbridge and several Hogwarts students have reported that many of the teachers at Hogwarts, play 'favorites,'" says Cornelius Fudge. "many teachers bully the students and turn a blind eye to other misbehaviors some of the students caused. To ensure the best education is provided to the Students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, under the effects of now Educational Decree Number Twenty-Five, the High Inquisitor will now have the power to control all forms of punishments, and disciplinary actions on the student body to ensure such actions are no longer tolerated at Hogwarts."
"One of the so-called favorites is that Granger girl," reports Draco Malfoy, a fifth-year student at Hogwarts. "she such a know-it-all and likes to shout out answers in class and correct others when we try to study. The teachers don't do anything because she's so 'intelligent.' No one at Hogwarts likes her, but the teachers let her do as she pleases, and she doesn't get punished when she tells every student they're wrong for not knowing the answers."
"She literally tries to force us to obligate to her study schedule and makes everyone study her way," says Ronald Weasley, another fifth-year student. "she's a nightmare who tries to control everything and everyone! If we don't do things her way, she throws a fit and jinxing and hexing at everyone who disobeys her! The teachers should have expelled her years ago, but they do nothing!"
Harry read the paper and knew Percy told Fudge on how Snape bullies and lets his House get away with almost everything. There was some truth in what was reported. The fact was, Fudge and his administration were using on the 'bad' to influence their control over Hogwarts. Hermione Granger was known to be very academic to the point others had a hard time studying with her, but the paper went to a greater extent on her behavior. Lily was the one who jinxes and hexes people, even burn them when they got on her nerves.
Hermione didn't appear for a few days after the paper came out, given the fact how it painted her in a negative light. No one really felt any sympathy towards her because the article was right about one thing, she did try to force people into her study sessions and routine.
Lily, who had received a homework reminder from Hermione, burned it in front of her stating she didn't need the stupid binder. Hermione was distraught when Lily destroyed the homework binder as her dog had been killed.
Harry knew the first meeting had to be held soon, and with Quidditch practice sill on hold for all four houses, Harry decided to take advantage of the weekend when he told all the members to head to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom after dinner. He also warned them to make sure they weren't being followed. Fred and George said they had it covered as Filch and Umbridge wouldn't know about the meeting date or a large number of students heading to the second floor.
Harry got the feeling the two were up to something, and it was devilish, not that he cared.
Harry didn't bother attending dinner that Friday, as he and Lily were by Moaning Myrtle's bathroom with Harry hiding inside the bathroom under his invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map. Lily was inside as it wouldn't be strange for Lily to be inside the girl's lavatory.
Almost after dinner was over, several loud bangs could be heard coming from the third floor. Filch reported that Peeves had bomb Umbridge's office, and her office was damaged. Umbridge took off with Filch running after her with his one leg as his other had nasty cramp from running so much.
Lily made sure those who knew about the meeting and were clear to enter the bathroom went him, though Creevey would attempt to sneak in due to his curiosity, and stupidy to but into affairs that he wasn't supposed to know.
Everyone was surprised by the hidden entrance, even more, surprise to go down the tunnel. Reaching the body, almost everyone was disturbed to see a bunch of rat skulls lying around.
Once everyone had made it threw, Harry and Lily slide down with the entrance closing.
Harry looks around to see countless students had their wands out with the 'Lumos' spell around them.
"You didn't say anything about animal skulls down here!" Marietta Edgecombe shouted in anger as she was literally trying to stay out of the pit.
Harry raised an eyebrow at her. "You knew a basilisk has been living down here for centuries, what did you think it's been eating?"
"We brought you here because you're all going to have to get used to living here," said Lily. "this place will need to get cleaned up, but its where we'll be safe even from Umbridge or any of the teachers. Not even Dumbledore can come down here unless he's invited."
"If You-Know-Who knows how to get down here," said Luna. "can't he enter too?"
"No," said Harry. "After what happened in our second year, I changed the way to enter. You still need to be a Parselmouth, its just different on to approach the chamber. He can never enter these chambers again."
"I thought there would be more to the Chamber of Secrets than a pit of rat skulls," said Terry Boot.
"Follow us," Lily said as she walks ahead. "It's easy to get lost down here, so stick close until you know where these corridors."
The group of students follows Lily as she makes her way down the corridor with the other students looking around in bewilderment, and in somewhat fear as if they were expecting something to jump out and attack them.
Lily had conjured her Wil'o Wisp spell as little balls of fire floats around them granted light in the dark tunnel. They came across another door with several serpents, and Lily speaks in Parseltongue, commanding the door to open. The snakes begin to move as everyone looks at Lily in complete utter shock and confusion. Unable to believe what they just heard. No one was more surprised than Hermione, who has been one of Lily's longest friends, and she didn't know her serpent tongue.
The serpents move, and the door opens, revealing the main chamber. Everyone walks in seeing statues of Salazar Slytherin
"Welcome to the Chamber of Secrets," said Lily.
"When could you speak parseltongue?!" demanded Hermione.
"I've always been able to," Lily said simply.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Hermione demanded in frustration.
"You never asked," Lily said simply.
Hermione was huffing and puffing over the fact Lily kept this a secret from her.
"That's what you meant," Ernie said in sudden excitement. "back in our second year, in the library when you tried to tell us you weren't going to hurt Justin. You told us you weren't the only parselmouth in the school. You indirectly told us that Lily was a parselmouth."
"You told them?" Lily said with a raised eyebrow.
"The Hufflepuffs were freaking out that I was the Heir of Slytherin and convince I was plotting to attack Justin. I simply told them you were my best friend, and there was another parselmouth in the school," Harry said as he waves his wands to removed some of the infested waters that still had the basilisk blood.
"I thought we were your best friends," said Blaise.
"You're my closest friends in Slytherin," said Harry. "Lily and I have done a lot of crazy things together, so we're a lot closer."
"I bet you two are," Blaise said with a grin.
Daphne sends a hurling hex upon Blaise for his mind returning to the gutter once more.
"Still, I don't see how the Ministry past that new decree so quickly," said Hannah. "It was almost like they knew of our defensive group."
"They didn't know about our defensive group," said Harry. "they just knew I was apart of this group. To act quickly, Umbridge requested to have full control over the student activities. Percy Weasley is helping reshape Hogwarts to his own liking as he's the one making the speeches."
Upon hearing the former Gryffindor Head Boy was ruining Hogwarts, everyone looked angry no more than the Weasley Twins.
"Fred," said George. "I think we didn't make Perce suffer enough."
"I think you're right," said Fred.
"How many of you have actually experienced in dueling?" Harry asks the group bringing them back on track.
Only a couple of students raised their hands. Harry looks at them and wonders just how far their skills in dueling were.
"Alright, I'm not going to start teaching you anything to serious or advance yet, so we're going with the basics," said Harry. "three years ago at the dueling club, you learned the spell 'Expelliarmus' Snape used to disarm Lockhart. The Disarming spell is a simple and basic spell but useful."
"Oh please," Zacharius Smith said, rolling his eyes. "I doubt the Disarming Spell is going to work against You-Know-Who."
"Then disarm me if you think it's beneath you," Harry said as the countless students quickly parted ways like the sea splitting to give Zacharius Smith a clear shot at Harry.
Zacharius Smith stood there completely dumbfounded at this sudden development.
"What?" said Zacharius Smith losing his tongue.
"Disarm me," Harry said, pulling out his wand.
Everyone was looking at Zacharius, who stood there, unsure of what to do. Slowly he pulled out his wand and shouts, "Expelliarmus!"
The red light launched from Zacharius Smith wand and hits Harry, who didn't even move or get disarmed as he was still holding his wand.
"Pathetic," said Harry. "try again."
Smith stood there clearly not liking he was being put in the spotlight, or he was getting humiliated. He raises his wand again and shouts, "Expelliarmus!"
Only for Smith to get blasted off his feet and lands against the Chambers wall before some cushions appear to give him a soft landing. Harry had nonverbally blasted Smith before Smith could even launch his spell.
Smith was slow to get to his feet.
"The Disarming Spell does more than just 'disarm' your opponent," Harry explains as everyone turns back to give him their attention. "think about the spell carefully. 'Disarm,' what is it you are trying to disarm from your opponent. Their wand? Their movements? Or their spell? I actually used this spell to disarmed the killing curse from a Death Eater."
"You what!" shouted Hermione.
Others looked shocked at this piece of information, as well. The Killing Curse was an unblockable curse with no spell capable of defending against it, was this a lie?
"Witches and wizards are in a serious state of decline," Harry said in amusement. "do none of you have any imagination on how to use your spells? You just learned and don't relearn or rethink its uses?"
"The disarming charm is more powerful than people tend to think," said Lily. "think carefully, 'Disarm,' what does that mean? It can blast people off their feet, send their wands flying away, disables spells, even momentarily. The spell requires much time and practice to master. Once you get the disarming spell under your belt, you will be able to move much faster in defensive magic."
Harry waves his wand as several dummies appearing holding a wooden stick that mimics the appearance of a wand.
"I don't expect you all to master this spell right away, but I want you to practice so you can understand its uses," said Harry.
Everyone quickly breaks off to face their dummy. One by one, they all cast the spell as Harry and Lily were overseeing their progress. Harry and Lily would stop some of the students and offer advice so they could master the spells better and quicker.
