Harry Potter and the Curse of V'Ardian
Chapter 7
Of Centaurs and Snape
Standard Disclaimers Apply
oOoOo
"Harry, mate, wake up!" Ron whispered loudly, roughly shaking Harry awake. He had been having a terrible dream. He fought to regain his breath and looked up at Ron, who was hovering over him in concern.
"Ron," he said hoarsely.
"Are you okay?"
Harry sat up, nodding, and found that he was wide awake.
"Alright then, I'm going back to bed," said Ron. He had long since accepted that Harry had nightmares and knew not to question him until he was ready.
Harry watched Ron crawl back into his bed and waited until the sounds of soft snoring came from him.
Silently swinging his feet over the edge of the bed, Harry fumbled in the dark for his cloak and the map and left the dormitory. On a sudden impulse, his feet carried him to the astronomy tower, in a sudden desire to be outside.
The wind was cold but refreshing and Harry didn't mind it. He could see the Forbidden Forest dimly through the darkness- he was well aware of his new ability to see better in the dark- and all the way to Hagrid's cabin. Harry's heart sank and he felt a rush of anger. He pounded his hand into the wall and spun around, speeding down the stairs.
At the bottom he turned left, his pace slowing as he neared the entrance hall. But suddenly, he stopped. He had heard voices. He backtracked a few metres and saw a faint light issuing from a little-used passage way. Soft voices echoed out of the darkness and Harry slowly began making his way toward them. Long before he reached them he recognised their voices, but could not understand what they were saying.
Snape and, to Harry's immense surprise, Firenze, stood in a shadowy alcove off the passageway and Harry came to a halt beside a stone statue of a horse. The two appeared to be arguing.
"It does not matter," hissed Snape. "It is not what I came here to talk to you of."
"Patience is a virtue," replied Firenze softly, and Harry couldn't help but smile.
"Now is not the time for patience, I need information."
"The centaurs do not meddle in human affairs," replied Firenze softly.
"But you have been banished from your herd, or have you forgotten that. You are no longer part of the centaur society. The rules do not apply to you."
Firenze stamped his foot on the stone floor in irritation.
"Your manner does not persuade me."
Harry listened, ears straining for any hint of sound, and Snape's next words made him freeze.
"I have survived up until now because of my lack of manners. Tell me what you know of Lord V'Ardian."
Harry drew in a sharp breath as Snape finished. There was no reply from Firenze and Harry leaned around the statue to see Firenze contemplating Snape, a severe look on his face.
"I will not speak of such evil things."
Snape sneered.
"But you know who it is?"
"I cannot say, Severus. You know of course that only a vampire with magical abilities can be named a Lord of the V'Ardian clan. It was a mark of their family. They were, and still are, the most powerful clan of the ages. Though I can assure you, I do not believe he will pose any threat to you."
"Tell me why," Snape commanded softly, his voice menacing.
Firenze shook his head slightly and Harry could tell the conversation was over.
"Good night, Severus."
Firenze turned to go, but Snape called after him.
"Wait, damn it! I must find him before the Dark Lord does. You know why we must have him on our side!"
Firenze stopped, looking towards the ceiling as though he could see the night sky.
"You will find him, when the time is right, Severus. You must wait for him to come to you."
Firenze left then, and Harry waited until Snape had stormed off before he moved. He felt dread sitting like a growing bubble in his chest, mutating into all sorts of horrible thoughts. Was he Lord V'Ardian?
He dismissed the thought from his mind. He couldn't be. He wasn't evil.
oOoOo
Harry wandered the halls of the castle until he heard the distant sounds of students awakening and going to the Great Hall for breakfast. Uninclined to endure company, he headed off to the kitchens, intent on avoiding the other students.
On arrival however, he was not, as he had thought he would be, enthusiastically greeted by Dobby and the other elves, but met with an ominous silence followed by several squeaky voices demanding he leave at once.
"You should not be here! Please leave!"
"What? Why?" asked Harry.
The house elves glanced at each other in fearful silence.
"Evil!" whispered one, looking up at him as though expecting punishment. Again the little hands began to push him back towards the portrait hole.
Harry began searching the room for the one house elf he knew would help him.
"Dobby!" he shouted when he saw him. Dobby was standing quietly at the back of the group, wringing his hands tearfully. His bat-like ears drooped in sadness, but his eyes were wide.
"Dobby is sorry, Harry Potter, sir! Dobby is sorry!"
And with that, the housel elves gave a final shove and the portrait was slammed in Harry's face.
Evil. Evil. Evil.
The word rang in Harry's mind, repeating itself over and over again.
oOoOo
"Harry, why weren't you at breakfast?" Ron asked.
Harry shrugged.
"Wasn't hungry. Anything happen?"
"Yeah, I asked McGonagall and she reckons Hermione's gonna be okay. She's still out of it, but she isn't hurt too badly."
Harry nodded, but Ron wasn't finished.
"I swear I'm going to kill Malfoy when he gets out!" he fumed.
Harry looked up, surprised.
"What, he's still at St Mungo's?"
Ron looked at him in concern.
"You really messed him up, Harry. I don't know what you did but I heard McGonagall talking to Dumbledore about it. Snape's furious."
"But I didn't do anything!" Harry defended.
Ron shrugged, not in the mood to argue.
"Whatever. Come on, we've got History of Magic first."
oOoOo
Harry immediately zoned out as he stepped into the classroom. He chose his usual seat at the back, preparing for a boring lesson, but when Professore Binns began talking it was in a voice that suggested he was in a very bad mood.
"This year, your lessons will deviate to a certain extent from the normal school curriculum. Normally sixth years study modern history of the wizarding world and although we will be doing this, it will be a different unit to that previously studied. Though this is not my choice," he said, frowning, "the Headmaster feels that it is important for you to know why the state of the wizarding community is as it is."
Harry frowned at the underlying tone in the old ghost's voice. Certainly there was annoyance, possibly at Dumbledore changing his tried and proven lesson plan, but there was also a hint of hesitation, of fear. There was a tense sort of expectation within the waiting students.
"This term we will be studying the rise and fall of the dark arts, and discussing the lives of two of the most well known wizards of our time, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and Harry Potter."
Whispers burst out all over the classroom as the Gryffindors turned to look at him. Suddenly he was standing, without knowing how he got there.
"Excuse me?" he asked loudly, causing Binns to look up and cease his droning.
"Yes, Perkins?"
Harry snorted in disbelief.
"You can't do that!" he said, as people continued to stare at him.
"I fail to see the problem, Mr Parker, I have permission from the headmaster. Now if you would take a seat, we can begin."
Professor Binns began sorting through his notes, ignoring Harry and Harry again felt an unnatural surge of anger. He wanted to hurt someone. Instead, he grabbed his bag and stalked from the room, ignoring the whispers and stares.
He arrived at Dumbledore's office within minutes and shouted names at the gargoyle until it jumped aside. Harry was furious that Dumbledore would allow something like this without even telling him.
He charged up the golden staircase and arrived in the outer room. Beyond the doors he heard Dumbledore speaking to someone, but when he realised that it was Snape, he opened the doors and stepped in.
"How dare you!" he said.
"Potter!" sneered Snape. "Have some manners and wait outside," he said.
Harry ignored him and looked at Dumbledore who was surveying him over the top of his glasses.
"How dare I what, Harry?" Dumbledore asked calmly. This infuriated Harry. Dumbledore knew exactly what he was talking about.
"You had no right to do that!" Harry hissed.
Snape seemed to understand that he was not needed in this argument and took a step back as though he were observing a play.
"They need to understand, Harry," replied Dumbledore.
"Understand what? They know enough already!"
"This isn't about you, Harry," said Dumbledore firmly. "This is about the students of this school being able to understand why our world is as it is and you are a key part of that reason."
"Don't you understand? I don't want them to know! I don't want my life in the spot light any more than it already is. You didn't even tell me. I had to find out with every other student! I don't want them to know!"
"Why not?" Dumbledore asked mildly.
Harry stared.
"Because… it's an invasion of privacy, that's why!"
At this point, Snape's curiosity seemed to get the better of him.
"If I might interrupt, Albus, but what is Potter complaining about this time?"
Dumbledore glanced at Severus.
"Why don't you tell him, Harry."
"Why bother?" Harry shot back. "He'll find out soon enough."
"I assume he will," Dumbledore replied quietly.
His manner incensed Harry, who took a deep, calming breath.
"Do you know what they're all talking about now? Harry asked quietly. "They're learning about my parents. They're getting to know stuff that even I don't know. It's not right that I should have to find out with all of them. I'm not going to sit in that room and listen to the story of how my parents were murdered. I don't want everyone to be talking about it when I walk past them and whispering about my life behind my back."
"But don't you see, Harry? That is why it is so important. They know you and they will see what is right and what is wrong. At this time especially, they need to understand that."
"But it's not fair!" shouted Harry. Dumbledore was not listening to him. "Are you going to tell them about how I didn't know what magic was until I was eleven? Are you going to tell them how I was abused by my relatives? Are you going to tell them about the prophecy?"
Snape blinked in surprise. Potter hadn't known about magic? He had thought Potter was spoiled by his relatives, not abused.
"If I believe that it is in the best interest of the community then yes, I will tell them about the prophecy, and about the Dursleys. They need to see how good can triumph over adversity."
Harry was livid.
"And what about me, Dumbledore? Am I not allowed any privacy at all?"
"I am afraid, Harry, that that is not your choice to make."
Harry shook his head in disbelief. With a last look at Snape, who wore a satisfied smirk on his face, Harry left his headmaster's office.
oOoOo
Harry didn't bother returning to class. His day had gone from bad to worse and he didn't feel like facing any one yet. Instead, he rushed up to his dormitory and scrabbled frantically in his trunk. With a relieved sigh he drew out the old book he had bought on his last trip to Diagon Alley. It had been expensive, but then again, it wasn't easy for someone like him to purchase a book like this.
He opened it and a scrap of paper fluttered out. It was the letter. He had wanted to through it out, badly, but something had held him back and he had neglected to do it.
He read it again.
Lord V'Ardian,
It is most urgent that I speak with you. Reply by this owl.
Short and to the point. Irritatingly short. He itched to know who it was from and if it was really addressed to him. Or if it was just a big joke.
He placed it carefully inside the back cover and considered the large black book. Most people would be unable to read it, if only for the fact that the pages were all blank. The only writing that appeared on the book was on the cover and it was worn away so that it was almost impossible to read.
Harry had found it in Diagon Alley in a small dusty bookstore of questionable allegiance. When the owner of the bookstore had seen Harry looking at it, he had immediately wandered over, obviously hoping for a good deal. The book had been stuffed away in a disused corner, out of sight of most of the customers. When Harry asked about the book, the wizened old man had replied that no one had been able to translate the script that adorned the front cover and this seemed strange to Harry.
He could read it perfectly well. Immediately a multitude of reasons popped into his head as to why this could be. The first was that it was in parseltongue. The second was that it was in some vampiric tongue and that he could understand it for this reason. He discarded the second idea. There were plenty of vampires around.
Upon coming to the conclusion that the book was written in parseltongue, he had purchased it. The shop keeper greedily asked him for a hefty sum of money, and Harry understood that most of it would pay for the old man's silence.
He had been disappointed when he got home, to open it and find that the pages were blank. It wasn't until a few days later that he had opened it wanting to find something that something had actually appeared.
Quickly after that he had unlocked the key to reading the contents of the book. The book showed him whatever he wished to see. At first he had wished to see defensive spells, but he soon realised that the boko held far darker secrets. And there were not just spells. There was information, thousands of pages worth.
Suddenly Harry had an idea. He wished to see information about himself. Looking down at the book he opened the cover to find a single picture covering the page. It was as though he were looking into a mirror. He saw himself exactly as he was now. But it wasn't just the first page. in the pages that followed was a detailed and thorough explanation of all Harry had ever done.
This seemed strange to Harry. He was only sixteen and this book held information on him, yet it looked as though it were hundreds of years old. A sudden, impossible thought occurred to Harry. Could it be that the book automatically updated itself? If it was true, then this ancient tome could very well hold every piece of information, every spell ever created.
The thought of holding so much knowledge intimidated Harry. Closing the book, he glanced around the dorm, seeing for the first time the two extra beds that now occupied it. One of the boys had come from Africa. Harry didn't know his name. The other was from Durmstrang. His name was William Dashwood. The name itself reeked of pure bloodedness. Placing the book on his sheets, Harry walked to the end of William's bed.
Bending slightly, he lifted the lid of the boy's chest, considering the contents. It appeared to be no darker than his. Less so, in fact. There was nothing to suggest that William would be a threat.
Harry lowered the lid. He glanced over at the other new boy's trunk. He had learnt long ago not to judge by looks alone. Quickly he examined the contents of the second trunk and again he found nothing out of the ordinary. He breathed a heart-felt sigh of relief.
Harry turned around and started as the bell rang, signalling the end of class.
Hurriedly he grabbed the book off of his bed and hid it in his trunk next to the book he had taken from the attic in Grimmauld Place. He realised he hadn't looked through it yet, and vowed to do it later that night. Picking up his timetable he noted with a sinking feeling that he had Defence. Oh, how the fates were cruel, mused Harry.
Rolling his eyes at the thought of what promised to be a terrible lesson, Harry descended the staircase. As Gryffindor tower was closer to their Defence room than History of Magic, Harry found himself waiting outside alone. Surprisingly, their new classroom was on the third floor, not in the dungeons as Harry had thought it might be. Looking around at the still empty corridor, Harry yawned and rubbed his stomach. He regretted missing breakfast, as he was now rather hungry. And he regretted getting up early. He was feeling quite tired. In fact, Harry thought he might be getting sick, though there were no outward symptoms.
Abruptly Harry was brought out of his musings by the arrival of Snape, who acted as though he didn't see Harry. It wasn't until he had unlocked the door and was already in the room that he called out.
"Inside, Potter."
Grudgingly, Harry obeyed, only to find Snape pointing with a bony finger at a seat in front of his desk.
"Sit."
His tone left no room for argument.
Harry bitterly took the directed seat, avoiding eye contact. He doubted the day could get any worse. However, he was left no time to imagine horrible ways of killing Snape, as the man himself was now leaning on Harry's desk, spiteful glare boring into the top of Harry's head.
"On Wednesday and Friday nights you will be learning Occlumency with me. I expect you in my office no later then eight o'clock. And as much as this grieves you, Potter, let me assure you that I dislike it much, much more. Do you understand?" Snape asked softly.
Harry very much wanted to tell Snape that he wouldn't be learning Occlumency with him again, because he was a terrible teacher. He himself doubted he would ever be able to do it. However, if he did succeed, he could not deny that it would be an invaluable skill. And he would do it just to prover Snape wrong.
"Yes."
"Yes, what?" Snape hissed angrily.
"Yes, sir." Harry repeated, his hands shaking in anger.
Suddenly Snape stood up and Harry wondered why. His question was answered however, as various students began entering the classroom. He noticed with a sinking feeling that they were with the Slytherins. Apparently his day could get worse. With a jolt, Harry realised Malfoy was back, the pale scar shining like a tear drop at the corner of his left eye.
He waited for Ron to enter, and motioned for him to sit next to him. Ron hesitated for a second with a glance at Snape, but took the place next to Harry.
The classroom quickly filled up, though nobody spoke. Harry noticed three new students in Slytherin, all of whom sat with surly faces. He had no time to wonder about them however, as Snape began his usual speech.
"You have all been accepted into NEWT level Defence Against the Dark Arts. Some of you," he glanced at Harry, "do not deserve to be here." Harry felt his ire rise. If there was one subject he was certain he deserved to be in, it was this one. "However," Snape went on softly, "we can only hope that those who are not skilled enough to be here will soon come to understand that fact and leave." Snape's eyes ventured over each student. "This class will not be easy. I fully expect that many of you will fail this term's exams. However, I will assume that you all want to be here, and we will move on. You are old enough to know what I expect."
Snape paused for a moment, his eyes flickering over Harry.
"This semester will be split into the theory and practical sections. In theory, we will be covering curses and their defence and also a short unit on magical creatures. Following that we will move onto a study of the Dark Arts and how to combat them. The practical unit this semester will be a chance for you to put into practice what you have learnt. You will each study the art of duelling and by the end of this year I will expect each of you to have attained a standard worthy of staying in this class.
"Now," his eyes flicked around the room, "everyone stand up."
Immediately everyone stood up and without warning Snape flicked his wand and the desks soared to the sides of the room. Harry noticed that his narrowly missed his head. Another flick over Snape's wand and the students also soared to the sides of the room. All except Harry.
Harry glared at Snape. Snape glared at Harry. Snape raised his wand. Harry dived out of the way.
The charm missed him by inches and Harry thankfully avoided following his class mates through the air. Before Snape could try for a third time, Harry hurried over to stand beside Ron, to the amused chuckles of the Gryffindors. Snape however, seemed not to appreciate this, but refrained, for the moment, from releasing his ire on Harry.
"Today is a double lesson. Double lessons are your practical lesson. I will be gauging your strengths and weaknesses so that I know how many of you are going to fail miserably."
Snape's glare settled on a few select students.
"We will have Gryffindor's against Slytherins, I think. A little rivalry to ensure you try your best. Weasly! Nott! Take your positions!"
"No!" whispered Ron, looking traumatised. With a grin, Harry gave Ron a shove in the back and he stumbled forward, looking at Harry as though he were a traitor.
Suddenly Harry blinked. He had felt dizzy. He shook his head and looked up, to see a muttering Ron stalking back towards him, the Slytherins cheering. Snape had a pleased smirk on his face. Harry shook his head again, confused.
"What happened?" he asked, receiving a glare from Ron.
"Don't pretend you didn't see it! That stupid git hexed me. Something I haven't even heard of!"
"Oh, right," Harry said.
What had happened? Snape called up another pair but Harry wasn't watching. He had suddenly zoned out and missed what was happening. He shook his head to clear the fuzziness out of it, just in time to see Seamus disarm Crabbe.
Harry half-heartedly clapped along with the Gryffindors. He really didn't feel well. He yawned and closed his eyes as Snape called out another name. Harry groaned as a wave of nausea passed over him. Maybe he should go and see Madam Pomfrey.
Harry groaned as the fifth pair finished. They really were pathetic. Half the class had gone and they'd only been duelling for about five minutes. Harry had to admit that the majority of the Slytherins' skills were far superior to the Gryffindors'. Harry sighed in boredom as Goyle and the African boy stepped forward.
"What's that new guy's name?" Harry asked Ron.
"Azi Shaka. His father's the African Minister of Magic," Ron replied in a whisper.
Harry nodded.
A second later Goyle burst out in boils and fell to the floor whimpering. With a sneer, Snape muttered the anti-curse and Goyle returned to his place in the circle amid cheers from the Gryffindors. Harry looked around and realized with an unpleasant jolt that he was the only one left. Well, him and Malfoy.
"Potter, Draco," said Snape.
Harry stepped forward slowly. He really wasn't feeling well enough to duel, especially against Malfoy. He took his position and realised that Snape had been planning this all along. He felt another wave of dizziness pass over him. What was wrong with him?
"Bow," ordered Snape.
Malfoy barely inclined his head, but Harry bowed long and low. Malfoy looked surprised and sneered at Harry, who merely raised his wand.
"Are you afraid, Draco?" Harry asked quietly.
Malfoy sneered, but Snape began talking.
"No harmful curses, only those you have learnt in school. Begin."
"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled, a second before stepping to the side. The spell Malfoy had fired at him missed him by a long way, but Malfoy was forced to conjure a shield. Harry grinned at the euphoria and adrenalin that was flooding his system. Concentrating, he murmured his next spell.
"Stupefy!"
A beam of red light shot out of his wand, directly at Malfoy. Malfoy smirked, confident because of his shield. Harry gave a small smile as Malfoy's shield shattered under his spell and Malfoy sank to the floor, unconscious.
It had all been over so quickly that half the students didn't even realise it was over until Snape let out a growl of frustration and stalked over to Malfoy.
"Enervate," he muttered. Malfoy's eyes flickered opened and he sat up, blearily rubbing his face. When he realised what had happened the look on his face became one of incensed fury. Snape stood back up and went back to his place in the circle.
"This class is not s joke," he said softly. "None of you would last five minutes with a Death Eater, should the need arise."
Harry snorted in disbelief, but Ron seemed to take more offence to this than Harry did.
"Harry has!" he said boldly.
Harry glared at Ron and then looked at Snape, who was sneering at Harry. Suddenly a great smirk filled his face.
"Very well. If Mr Potter thinks he is so…adept….at duelling, we will try again. Mr Malfoy, come here."
Malfoy swept over to Snape, his face still a brilliant red from having been beaten. Snape whispered something in his ear and an evil grin crossed his face before he turned back to Harry.
"Ready, Scarhead?" he murmured as he passed Harry. Harry smiled and whispered back.
"Ready to give you another scar."
Malfoy spun round abruptly and Harry saw the scar up close. It was identical to the one that lay on his own arm.
Harry stepped back to his position and Malfoy did the same. Again Snape gave pointers to the class.
"Sometimes there are spells that will help you that may not necessarily need to touch your opponent," he said. "Begin."
Before Harry could say a thing, Malfoy pointed his wand at himself and whispered a spell. A gasp went up around the room, but Harry could see nothing different.
Malfoy wore a huge grin as he quickly stepped to the side and began circling around Harry. Suddenly Harry felt another wave of nausea pass over him. The surrounding students were whispering excitedly, pointing. Snape was smirking happily at Harry.
Confused, Harry turned to face Malfoy and raised his wand.
"Expelliarmus!"
With a small 'oh' of surprise, Malfoy's wand soared out of his hand and landed in Harry's outstretched palm. There was a collective gasp from the watching students and Harry could have sworn he heard Snape growl.
"How did you do that, Potter?" Malfoy demanded, stepping closer. Harry shrugged, but then it hit him. No one else had been able to see Malfoy. Snape stepped next to them and ended the charm on Malfoy.
"Yes, how Potter?" Snape murmured.
"Er, I heard his footsteps. He was stumbling around like a great oaf."
The class laughed and Malfoy blushed. Snape frowned and turned to the rest of the class.
"As you can see, your eyes are not your only asset in a duel. However, an experienced or well-trained duellist will also learn that just because he is invisible does not mean he is invincible. All of you need to work on your duelling skills. A proper duel should be able to go for at least a few minutes, and it is important that you employ all of your available skill to meet the desired end."
But suddenly, someone interrupted Snape. It was Seamus.
"Sir, is it true that Harry duelled five Death Eaters at once?"
Harry frowned at Seamus and Snape's lip curled, but then he smirked.
"Let's find out, shall we?" he said, before scanning the Slytherin students.
"Malfoy, Ruiz, Bullstrode, Nott and Winters. You will all duel Potter, to prove to the rest of the class that he is no better than anyone else here."
"I'd rather not," Harry said shortly, glaring at Snape as he swayed slightly with dizziness. With the exception of Malfoy, they were the Slytherins that had won their own duels.
Snape sneered.
"Scared, Potter?" he asked softly. "Just do the best you can and it will all be over quickly."
Harry glared.
"I'm not feeling well, sir."
"Nonsense, Potter. You will duel."
Snape stepped back and the five Slytherins arranged themselves in front of Harry. Harry shot a filthy glare at Seamus, who grinned back, clearly delighted with the situation.
Harry returned his gaze to the Slytherins not a moment to soon as Snape gave the signal to begin. Harry immediately stunned Millicent Bullstrode and conjured a shield to deflect the other four curses, ignoring the urge to sit down or faint. Immediately the remaining student spread themselves in a circle around Harry. He dropped his shield and rolled, shooting a charm at Avery, who fell to the floor as dozens of ropes twined round him. Harry narrowly dodged a stunning hex from Malfoy and dashed towards Katherine.
Katheirne stepped back in surprise as Harry jumped at her, snatching her wand and flinging it across the classroom. The move made Harry sway slightly. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. Not a second later, and with a murmured sorry, Harry grabbed a fistful of Katherine's robes and pulled her in from of him, just in time to take another stunning hex. The students laughed as Katherine fell to the ground and Harry immediately disarmed a stunned Malfoy. Harry wondered how he could ever have been the Slytherin champion in second year. He was terrible.
Harry turned back to the only Slytherin left, Ruiz. He was new, from Durmstrang, and Harry slowly stepped away from him. Ruiz had done well in his duel against Dean and Harry knew he was the one to watch.
"Reducto!" shouted Ruiz, but Harry side-stepped it easily.
And suddenly it was on. Harry and Ruiz began trading spells as though there were no tomorrow. Harry caught Ruiz with a stinging hex and Ruiz replied with a weak banishing charm that sent Harry back a few paces. The spell left Harry feeling light-headed and he stumbled as he stood up. The Slytherins laughed but the Gryffindors looked at him in concern.
Harry shook his head to clear it and dodged a disarming spell.
Then came a pause in the duel as both Harry and Ruiz evaluated their positions, returning warily to opposite ends of the duelling area. Harry was panting slightly and Ruiz wore a satisfied grin, obviously confident he was winning. Suddenly his smile turned into a smirk and he raised his and. Harry replied by doing the same.
"Serpensortia!" Ruiz yelled and Harry lowered his wand, a sudden feeling of mirth flooding him. A grey snake burst from Ruiz's wand and landed on the floor in front of Harry, wriggling towards him and hissing menacingly.
And then Harry laughed. It started as a small chuckle, deep in his stomach, getting louder as he approached the snake. Ruiz, Harry realised, didn't know he could talk to snakes. He lowered his wand and watched in shock as Harry bent and picked the snake up. The snake curled around his neck as Harry stopped laughing and glared at Ruiz, holding the head of the snake next to his mouth.
Ruiz paled then, as Harry began hissing at the snake, a harsh sort of breathing sound that left the occupants of the room trembling in fear. It was a scary sound. Then, suddenly, it stopped. Harry lowered the snake slowly to the ground, his glare never leaving Ruiz. As soon as it touched the ground, the snake shot at Ruiz, who stepped back in alarm. He shot a curse at the snake but missed, and tripped over the hem of his robes. Harry followed the snake over to Ruiz, where the boy lay cowering in fear, the snake raised up on his chest, hissing venomously.
He bent down and picked the snake up, transferring it to the floor. Ruiz looked up at him in fear and Harry smiled.
"Stupefy," he said, his voice the only sound in the silent room. Harry stepped back shaking his head again to clear it, but he was given no time.
"What was that, Potter?" hissed Snape, reviving Ruiz, who scuttled away from Harry as quickly as he could. "Class dismissed!" yelled Snape, before turning back to Harry. "You will stay behind."
Harry watched the other students leave and motioned for Ron to wait outside the door. Snape slammed the door behind the last student and Harry wearily took a seat. He wanted nothing better than to get out of here and go to sleep.
For the second time that day, Harry found Snape towering over him, a look of fury on his face.
"Why did you do that, Potter?" he breathed.
Harry shrugged.
"The guy shot a snake at me. You told us to use all of our available skills. I told the snake to-"
"You told that snake to attack him!"
"No!" said Harry indignantly. "I told it to scare him, but not to harm him. Do you really think I'm stupid, Snape?"
Snape drew in a deep breath.
"You will address me as sir, is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," replied Harry dutifully. He stood up. "Can I go now?"
"Very well," sneered Snape, and Harry began walking over to his books. Halfway there however, the dizziness overcame his sense of balance and he dropped to his knees. He heard Snape sigh in disgust.
"Get up Potter, for goodness sake. What is wrong with you?"
"I told you I wasn't feeling well," replied Harry through gritted teeth. He tried to stand up but overbalanced again and landed on his hands and knees, panting heavily. At this point in time, Snape seemed to begin believing him and become concerned.
With an exasperated sigh he knelt down next to Harry.
"Potter, you must tell me what is wrong so I can help you," said Snape, sounding as though that was the last thing he wanted to do.
"I'll just go to the hospital wing," gasped out Harry.
"Very well. Can you walk?"
Harry nodded, but waiting a second before standing up. He swayed on the spot but Snape grabbed his arm to prevent him from falling. Harry fought the urge to wrench his arm out of Snape's grasp and took a few steps. He grabbed his books off the desk and Snape let go of him.
As soon as the contact with Snape ended, Harry blacked out.
oOoOo
A/N: Please review! Thankyou to everyone who has reviewed! More chapters coming soon!
Chapter 8: Of Illness and Innocence