I do not own Harry Potter, only the OC
Hello guys, Badger here. I am happy to see that people enjoyed the previous chapter. Now, I did have someone comment saying that everything is too similar to canon. I have stated a few times now, things will be close to canon until the end of third year onwards, where there will be large departures from canon. You just have to be patient.
I forgot to mention this last time, but in the previous chapter, I thought to introduce Blaise Zabini as a character who becomes friends with the Trio. However, I have stated before, due to all the characters I have added to the friend group I sometimes to forget to include them. So, Blaise won't be friends with the trio. He may have an appearance or two, but nothing more then that. Anyway, Here is the next chapter, I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 20
From bad, to worse
"Wait a minute" Daphne said "Are you saying that this kind of thing has happened before?"
It was the next day. Harry had explained to James and Daphne everything he had learnt from Dobby, as they made their way down the corridor, being careful of anyone who might overhear.
"Yes" Harry nodded "I tried to get Dobby to tell me what he knew, but he left when he thought he said too much…even before then he was incredibly hesitant to talk about it"
"McGonagall did mention that the Chamber was sealed until the Heir of Slytherin came to Hogwarts" James spoke up "My guess is the they are linked…I just want to know what the creature is!"
"Have you discovered any possibilities?" Harry asked
"A few, but nothing solid" James sighed "Luna sent a message to her father, asking if he could send her any books they have on magical creatures in hopes of something that we won't find in the Hogwarts library…I even have Jinx looking for anything she could find"
"It doesn't look like the professors are doing anything about the situation either" Daphne added "At least, not from what we have seen, so far…I just hope the Minister will have plenty of spare Aurors, as I fear they will be needed soon"
The Trio were interrupted, when they heard someone calling them. They looked to see Pansy standing in the doorway to one of the schools toilets. They made their way over, as Pansy made sure there was no one else around.
"What do we owe the pleasure Pansy?" James asked
"Lets speak inside" Pansy replied, gesturing to the toilets "Don't want anyone to possibly overhear"
James nodded, where they followed her inside, though Harry spoke up.
"Hang on, won't we get into trouble if we get caught in here?" He asked "This is a girls lavatory"
"Don't worry about it" James replied, as he leant against the sinks "No one dares to come into these toilets in particular"
"Why is that?" Harry raised an eyebrow
"Moaning Myrtle" Daphne spoke up
"Who?"
"Moaning Myrtle" James replied, gesturing behind Harry, which he missed
"Who is Moaning Myrtle?"
"I'M MOANING MYRTLE!" A voice screeched behind Harry, which caused him to jump
Harry looked behind him, to see a ghost hovering behind him. She seemed to be only a few years older then himself, with black hair done in double ponytails, with glasses and a Ravenclaw symbol on her robes, though it was hard to see as the grey shade of her ghostly form made it difficult to tell. Myrtle hovered above the group and began addressing them, but Harry in particular.
"Of course, I wouldn't expect you to know me!" She said "After all…who would want to know ugly, miserable, mopping, moaning Myrtle?"
There was no chance for a response, as Myrtle let out a loud cry, before she flew into a toilet, causing a massive splash. Harry felt extremely confused and looked at James with a look that expressed this.
"She's…a little sensitive" James shrugged, before he turned back to Pansy "What was it you wished to tell us"
"You asked me to spy on Malfoy" Pansy replied "I found out something, though it isn't much"
"Whatever the information, it can help us" James shrugged
"Right, well, Malfoy was talking to Crabbe and Goyle last night" Pansy said "He was talking about how he was surprised that the prophet didn't say anything about what happened with Mrs Norris and what was written on the wall…he believed Dumbledore is covering it up somehow…though apparently, according to his father, the chamber was opened around 50 years ago, though his father wouldn't say who it was that opened it, nor does he know what is inside the chamber itself"
"Well that confirms that it has happened before" Daphne spoke up
"Indeed" James nodded "But if it happened 50 years ago, then the Malfoys can't be the culprits as, if I am correct, the chamber was opened at least 20 years before Lucius went to Hogwarts…was there anything else?"
"Yes" Pansy replied "Apparently, when the chamber was last opened, a Muggleborn died…Malfoy believes that it won't be long until another is killed…he also expressed his hopes that it will be Granger…that is all I have been able to find out so far, like I said, it wasn't much"
"As much as Granger irritates me, I wouldn't wish death on her" James sighed "Well, its something, it confirms our theories and strikes Malfoy of the suspect list…for the time being"
"How long do you think it will be until someone is killed?" Harry asked
"Can't say" James replied "Though, according to Malfoy's beliefs, it doesn't seem that Dumbledore is trying to cover the incident up"
"Why isn't he doing something about it?" Harry asked, even more irritated with the Headmaster
"Who knows" Daphne replied "This is why we informed Amelia Bones and the Minister…hopefully they'll do something if it happens again"
...
Soon, the Trio found themselves with the rest of the students, gathered round one massive long stage in the center of the Great Hall. Apparently a Duelling Club had been set up and there was excitement across the Great Hall, though there was question of who was running the club.
"Gather round!" A familiar voice rang out
"Oh no" James groaned "Why him of all people?"
"Can everyone see me?" Lockhart asked, as he walked to the center of the stage "Can you all hear me? Good…Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this duelling club, in case you ever need to defend yourself…just like I have had to do on countless occasions, for full details, see my published works"
With a flourish that both Harry and James suspected he practiced in the mirror, Lockhart spun and removed his cloak, before he deliberately threw it into a small crowd of girls, who practically swooned at being able to hold the cloak belonging to Lockhart.
"Now, I would like to introduce my assistant…Professor Snape!" Lockhart declared, gesturing to the other end of the stage
The students looked to see Snape slowly stand up onto the stage, approaching Lockhart.
"Snape looks pissed" James commented, to Harry and Daphne, noticing the small scowl on his face
"He has to work with Lockhart" Harry replied "That would be enough to make anyone pissed"
"That, and I don't think he likes being referred to as an 'assistant'" Daphne added
"Professor Snape has been kind enough to help me give you a short demonstration" Lockhart continued "I don't want any of you youngsters to worry…you'll still have your potions master when I am done with him, never fear"
"Damn" James said "Yeah, now he is definitely pissed"
Harry and Daphne snorted as Lockhart and Snape met at the center of the stage. They brought their wands up in front of them, before they lowered them once more and bowed to one another, they then turned and walked about 20 paces, where they faced each other once more, getting into their duelling stances. Lockhart's stance didn't even look effective, he just looked like he was posing dramatically, whilst Snapes looked professional and minimised the possibility of being hit. The room was silent, as the students watched.
"One three" Lockhart said "1…2…3!"
Lockhart went to raise his wand, but was cut off by Snape.
"Expelliarmus!" He yelled
He jabbed his wand forward, where a jet of red light shot from his wand and hit Lockhart, knocking his wand from his hands and shooting him across the stage, before he landed hard on his back. Many of the boys laughed, whilst the girls looked shock at the 'Legendary' Lockhart being defeated by a simple disarming spell. Snape, himself, could barely stop the smirk on his face. Lockhart slowly got up, picking up his wand, before he spoke again, in a cheery voice.
"An excellent demonstration Professor Snape" He said "Though, I have to say, it was pretty obvious what you was going to do and if I wanted to stop you, it would've been too easy"
"Perhaps" Snape drawled, in forced calmness "It would be important to first teach the students how to block unfriendly spells, professor"
"O…of course" Lockhart stuttered, before he composed himself "A brilliant suggestion professor Snape, I will do say next lesson…now, we have a box here, I want you to write your name on a slip of paper that will be given to you, along with the name of the person you wish to duel…if you wish to take part…we will draw about 10 slips of paper, before we end todays lesson"
There was a massive crowd of students that gathered around the box, to hand in a slip of paper, with the student they wish to duel. Once they were done, Lockhart pulled out the first slip of paper and read out loud.
"Hermione Granger challenges James Badger!" He said
James sighed, as Hermione got up onto the stage. Harry patted his shoulder, as he got out his wand and made his own way onto the stage. Everyone watched as James and Hermione met at the center of the stage and brought their wands up.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?" James asked sarcastically
"I want to prove I am better" Hermione replied "Maybe then you will respect me"
"Believe me Granger, I have respect for you" James smiled, before it disappeared "I just don't like you, do you want some advice Granger?"
"What's that?" Hermione asked
"Choose your next fights carefully"
Hermione hummed with disinterest, as they brought their wands down and walked 20 paces away from each other, where they got into their duelling stances. Not that Harry wanted to be biased, but he knew who was going to win. Hermione's stance looked pretty basic and sloppy, whereas James looked professional, as if he had used it many times before, almost like he was holding a sword.
"Now, on the count of three, cast your spells to either disarm or stun your opponents" Lockhart said "And only to disarm or stun…I don't want any accidents on my watch…understand"
"Yes" Hermione nodded
"Crystal" James said
"On my mark" Lockhart continued "1…2…3!"
Hermione immediatley sent a disarming spell at James, who effortlessly dodged, before he sent a small stinging hex, at lightning speed. Hermione's eyes widened before she only just avoid the spell, before she sent a freezing spell. James blocked the spell with a shield charm, before he fired a disarming spell back at her followed by a spell that no one in the room had heard.
"Pulset Inscius!"
Hermione wasn't able to counter the spells and, within a second, found her wand flying out of her wand, before everything went dark.
"James Badger wins" Lockhart called out, as Snape went to wake Hermione
"Huh, what happened?" Hermione asked, when she woke up
"You lost Miss Granger, please head back into the crowd" Snape answered
Hermione glared at James, before she went off the stage. James rolled his eyes, before he went back into his spot with Harry and Daphne.
"Well done" Daphne said, when he got back into place
"Thanks" James replied "It may have been quick, but she is lucky I went easy, otherwise she wouldn't have lasted the first spell…not to mention she would be quite injured"
"Even still, you were brilliant" Harry said
The Trio watched as more students went up on the stage against one another. Each duel lasted up to ten minutes, before the final duel was called.
"Draco Malfoy challenges Harry Potter" Lockhart called
Harry's eyes widened as Malfoy go onto the stage, smirking, as he removed his wand from his robes.
"You've got this Harry" James said, nudging him forward
Harry took a small breath, before he got onto the stage, flicking his wand out its holster, like James taught him, where he met Draco in the center, wands up.
"Scared Potter?" He sneered
"You wish" Harry replied
The two brought their wands down and repeated the process they had seen others do and stopped twenty paces away, getting into a duelling stance.
"Now, you know the rules…disarm or stun" Lockhart said "On my mark…1…2…"
"Everte Statum!" Malfoy yelled, before the end of the countdown
Harry was unable to react, as the spell hit him and sent him flying backwards, giving him a small stinging pain in his chest, before he landed hard on the stage. Crabbe and Goyle laughed, along with a few others, until Harry immediatley got back up, a look of anger and determination on his face, as he brought his wand back up.
"Depulso!" He yelled
Malfoy's eyes widened, but before he could block the spell, he was hit in the torso, which caused him to go flying across the stage, before he landed on his back, in front of Snape, who looked at the blonde haired boy, in slight disgust. He picked up the boy and threw him forward.
"I said disarm, or stun only!" Lockhart yelled
Malfoy sneered, before he used his next spell.
"Serpensortia!"
Malfoy jabbed his wand forward, where a snake shot out and landed on the stage. Unfortunately, it didn't pay any attention to Harry and went after Justin Finch-Fletchley. Harry's eyes widened, before he called out to it.
"Stop!" He said
Much to his surprise, the snake actually stopped and turned to Harry curiously, almost tilting its head to its side.
"Leave him alone" Harry said
The next thing Harry knew, the snake was hit by a spell, which caused it to burn up into ash. He blinked slightly, before he looked to see everyone looking at him in fear. He felt confused, as he looked across the stage, to see Snape pointing his wand at where the snake was, with James standing next to him, wand in hand. Snape had a small look of fear on his face. James also had some fear on his face, but it was the amount of shock present that concerned Harry the most. What had he done?
…
Harry entered the Slytherin Common Room. He left the Great Hall, as he couldn't handle the looks he was being given. He stopped though, when someone grabbed his arm. He turned to see James and Daphne standing there, with James holding his arm.
"You're a Parselmouth" James said, in half statement, half question
"I'm a what?" Harry asked
"You can talk to snakes?" Daphne asked
"Yes, I mean, before first year, I accidently set a snake on my cousin Dudley at the zoo once" Harry replied "But what is so bad about what happened, I'm sure people here can do it"
"No they can't Harry" James said, before he began pacing "This is bad"
"What's bad?" Harry asked "All I did was tell the snake not to attack Justin"
"So that's what you said to it" Daphne sighed in relief
"You were there" Harry said, in confusion "You heard me!"
"Harry…" James sighed "You were speaking Parseltongue…snake language"
"I was?" Harry asked "I didn't realise…how…how could I speak a language I don't even know about?"
"I don't know Harry, but that isn't the problem" Daphne replied
"She is right" James said, as he stopped pacing "Salazar Slytherin was also a Parselmouth…he could talk to snakes too…but its not something that can be taught, you have to be born with it…only those who are born into, or have a relation to the Slytherin family can speak Parseltongue…and has been labelled as dark magic…now that this has happened…I fear people will believe you are the Heir of Slytherin…or at least related to him"
"But I am not!" Harry exclaimed, before took a moment to think "I…I can't be"
…
There we are guys. Chapter 20. I hope you enjoyed.
I hope you liked what I have done. As I didn't want to do the whole Polyjuice Potion side plot from canon, I thought it would be a more interesting way for them to find out what they need to know. Now that they know that Malfoy isn't the Heir of Slytherin, what will they do? Also, I kept everything with Moaning Myrtle the same.
I also hope you enjoyed what I did with the Duelling Club. Of course, James went against Hermione. Yes, the fight didn't last long, but a wizard who has known magic all his life and has probably used it for years, versus a witch who found out about magic when she was 11 and has only used it for just over a year. Seems obvious who would win. As for Harry against Malfoy. It was a last minute decision, but I was going to have Harry go after Ron, but I would then need to find a way for Harry's Parseltongue ability to be discovered, but couldn't think of another way, so kept it canon. With the ending, I originally had an idea which I was going to add, but decided against it, as it didn't seem like the right time to do so. I won't say what it is, you will just have to wait and see.
Now, there is a question I have for you guys. I was writing down what I am going to add into the story, whether its canon or non-canon. I then came across a scene from Deathly Hallows. Remember Dobby's death? I do. I was thinking about it, then I had an idea. If you had to keep one alive, Dobby or Jinx, who would it be? I will set up a poll and I want you to vote who you want to die. WARNING: Your choice WILL matter. One of the House Elves will not make it to the end of the Fanfiction. So who will it be: Dobby, the eccentric House Elf who becomes Harry's friend, or Jinx, the adorable House Elf who practically raised James and has a protective streak for her master. Their fate rests in your hands.
That's all for now, I hope you enjoyed and I will see you in the next one.
Pairing Poll results, so far:
James/Pansy: 4 James/Harry: 9 Harry/Susan: 11 James/Daphne: 9 James/Tonks: 3 Harry/Fleur: 5 Harry/Tonks: 4 James/Luna: 9 James/Astoria: 2 Harry/Daphne: 8 Harry/Astoria: 1 Harry/Ginny: 1
Badger out
