Chapter 9: Curious Things and Mysteries

"Good afternoon, Professor Snape," Harry said as he walked with some of his house mates on their way down the hall and passed by the man. The others with Harry gave out similar greetings following his lead.

Professor Snape had been acting different lately and not just because of his limp. People have been treating him more warily hoping to not get his ire. Harry was being only a little more respectful and polite than usual. He was pretty sure Professor Snape would sniff out a suck up and that would earn his ire.

"Afternoon," Professor Snape grumbled as he limped past them. He then growled out to a different group, "You there! Five points from Gryffindor. You know those items are banned from the hallways."

"Not fair!" Ron said with a frown. He left it alone though after that. All of Gryffindor knew Professor Snape was in an even fouler mood lately and didn't press their luck as much as they usually did with him. The professor merely glowered one last time as he continued limping away.

"I really hope that leg is hurting him a lot," Ron said with a glower of his own at the Potions Professor's back. The others with Ron nodded in agreement as they all decided to leave the area quickly but not too quickly.

"I'm really glad I'm not in Gryffindor…" Hermione started.

"I've heard Professor Snape has been extra tough on them in class," Susan said.

"I've heard they also keep bringing it on themselves," Hannah said.

Harry, after a moment, said to the others, "I'll see you all back in Hufflepuff. There's something I need to check now that I think about it."

"See you later then," the girls said to him in turn. Hermione hoped maybe he would share whatever it was later, but didn't press him. Harry nodded to them as he started to walk away. There was something on his mind.

[-] [-] [-]

One of the many skills Harry learned while with the Knights, and despite his age, was how to follow someone without being noticed. Harry found Professor Snape's limb rather odd. There was a very good healer at the school, yet for some reason Professor Snape hadn't gone to Madam Pomfrey for medical aid. Professor Snape kept limping around the school and would pause every so often to look around him. It was almost as if he sensed someone following him. Harry decided to continue more carefully.

Soon they were at what Harry knew was the Staff Lounge. Harry flattened himself against the wall as he looked around the corner. Professor Snape looked both ways quickly before entering the break room and Harry moved closer.

The professor gave a sigh as he grumbled aloud, "How the bloody hell are you supposed to keep an eye on all three heads?" Filch was busy wrapping the professor's leg. "I wouldn't have to worry about this if Professor Dumbledore listened to me," Snape griped.

"I know what you mean, Professor. The headmaster still refuses to let me bring back some of the old punishments. That would straighten out these brats," Filch said.

"It isn't the same," Professor Snape said as he winced while Filch tightened a bandage. "Careful…" the potions' master warned.

"Well, I ain't the school healer. Why don't you just go to her?" Filch griped.

"You know why I can't…" Professor Snape said as they fell into silence for a moment.

If he went to Pomfrey with this level of an injury, she would quickly heal him but have to make a report for Professor Dumbledore. The Headmaster would then call Snape to his office and question him while again ignoring Professor Snape's warnings. The argument would end with Dumbledore telling him to stop his investigation into the matter or something else along those lines and ignore all he was told.

"You know why the headmaster mentioned the corridor like that at the feast?" Filch asked. "I wanted him to say something, but not like that. I'm surprised we haven't caught more brats trying to sneak a peek."

Professor Snape gave a scoff. "I know what you mean… Telling curious children not to do something because it is too dangerous is just begging them to do so," he said as Filch nodded in agreement.

Harry then left quickly. He had the answer to the question he wondered about at the moment. It was curious that Professor Snape was visiting that corridor and trying to get past the dog. He wasn't sure what to think on the matter. It was suspicious, but he didn't think the Professor was trying to steal whatever it was. If he was, why would he easily share so much with Filch? What was it Professor Snape spoke to the Headmaster about? So many questions and things to think on and look into.

Harry rounded the corner shortly before Professor Snape grumbled to Filch. "The damn door is open! Close it," he ordered. Filch did so after he quickly looked up and down the hall to make sure no one was overhearing them.

[-] [-] [-]

Harry put down a book as he lay in his bed that night. He bought the book over the summer in addition to his school books. He had placed it in his trunk towards the bottom. He meant to start reading it sooner, but Hogwarts was exciting and he got wrapped up in it all. He looked over the cover of the old book again. It had light brown binding and gold letters spelling out the title, "Intention: The Key to All".

The book was very fascinating. When he got it at Flourish and Blotts, the clerk was surprised he found it somewhere in the store. "It's really just seen as a conversation piece if anything. That's why it isn't printed anymore or really seen as valuable. There are still copies scattered around, but that's it," the man said to him as he rang him up.

Harry decided that decision by the wizarding world was stupid. The book was fascinating and had a lot of interesting information well thought out and explained. He realized what the problem was after reading about the author.

Not only was the author a muggleborn, he was also a Hufflepuff. Most decided this meant he didn't really understand what he was talking about. While they didn't run him out of society, they didn't really give him much credence when it came to magic studies. The tome was also from a long time ago when muggleborns were underestimated even more than they were now.

The book mostly talked about how intention was a huge part of magic. It mentioned how it was important for silent casting. Harry knew this was true, because they had seen Tonks cast silently a few times.

Hermione, being the inquisitive cutie she was, immediately asked questions. She sort of left it once Tonks told them it was stuff they learned about in sixth year. Even Hermione didn't think she was ready for sixth year material in her first year. She would probably wait until third year for that level of material.

The book Harry was reading went even further with the intention thing then silent casting. It talked about how you could completely change the results of a spell based on your intention with it. The author even said you could, with enough practice, cast a spell with a completely different spell's effect.

One example the author shared was casting a jelly leg jinx which in reality was a blasting curse. He even theorized you could cast the curse of death which instead acted like a stunner, thus giving the appearance of death but actually just stunning the target. It was not something he recommended trying on another human though.

Harry had read more in the book. While it was a lot about spell casting, it even said that intention and practice could be the key to unlocking more wandless magic. There was even mention of a ritual to help you commune with your core and better understand your own magic. It was mentioned to be careful with doing such a ritual, but how wonderful the results could be. The book was extremely interesting to Harry. He really liked magic, especially if it could be very useful.

Harry planned on reading more of the book and practicing some of the things it mentioned in the future. He liked the idea of silent casting. It may be a sixth-year skill, but did that mean you had to wait that long to practice it? He didn't think so. It would probably be a lot of hard work for someone so young, but he was a Hufflepuff and hard work was never something he would shy away from in his life. He was pretty sure wandless magic was a good way off for him though, but he would read all about it anyways.

The green-eyed boy gave a yawn and a stretch. It was time for sleep now. He would be focusing on DADA tomorrow along with Hermione to see if they picked up on anything from Professor Quirrell.

[-] [-] [-]

Harry sighed. Hermione couldn't help but nod in equal sentiment from next to him. After their talk regarding Professor Quirrell over Halloween, it seemed to become even more obvious he was up to something and faking his stutter. It seemed so obvious; Harry was wondering if they were both suffering from some form of confirmation bias. If you believe something hard enough, you will find proof you are right, even if you are completely wrong.

"Was it really always this obvious?" Hermione whispered to him.

"It seemed so to me," Harry whispered back.

"What are we whispering about?" Hannah asked jokingly from the other side of Harry.

"The stutter," Harry replied. Hannah had a questioning look on her face. "We'll tell you later," Harry said to her. She nodded and they went back to pretending they were paying attention to the class.

Once they were dismissed, Hannah and Susan left quickly with everyone else as was usually the case. Everyone was eager to get out of the classroom. Harry and Hermione hung back a little.

Hermione gave out a frustrated sigh. "I can't believe him!" she said with almost a growl when they were alone. She really didn't like teachers slacking. "I think you're right, Harry. It can't be real."

"Yeah. I just wish I knew why he was faking it," Harry said.

"I guess we'll tell the others back in the dorm?" she asked. Harry nodded. She sighed and shook her head. "I'm going to the library," she said before marching off.

Harry gave a smile and a chuckle at she retreated in a huff. She really hated how wasteful she felt the class was, even before finding out about the stutter. She always made a habit of going straight to the library to look over the day's chapter again.

Later that day after Hermione returned, their dorm gathered up together and Harry and Hermione explained it all to Hannah and Susan. Susan gave a few blinks as she gave a thoughtful look. "I think you two are on to something. I don't know what though. It does seem rather obvious thinking about it now," she said.

"The worst part is whatever is going on he will get away with faking it. No one else for the job really," Hannah said with a sigh.

"It sounds like we will have to take our DADA study more in our own hands," Harry said.

Tonks then came in and said to them, "That's how it's always been for that class really. You should find a time and place to practice the spells and look up more information. If you want a good grade in the class for your fifth year or want to take the NEWT for it, you should start studying it on your own."

She looked to them a little seriously as she said, "It can be risky so be careful. The best option would be a private tutor, but a good one is hard to come by even for someone raised in the magical world outside of Hogwarts. You would still have to cram during the Holiday and summer break. You aren't allowed to bring a private tutor to Hogwarts."

Hermione frowned to that. She looked to Harry in silent question. Harry was in thought before he shook his head to her quickly. Hermione got the message. It wasn't time to bring Tonks in on their concerns regarding Professor Quirrell.

"Something on your mind? Hermione?" Tonks asked.

Hermione took on a thoughtful expression for a moment. She had to think up something to ask. Fortunately, there were always many things on her mind and so she picked something to ask. "I was wondering if there were other magical abilities like your Metamorphmagus talents. Meaning other magics that are given to you from birth or inherited," she asked.

"My abilities weren't inherited, but I believe it is possible that any children I have are more likely to be metamorphs. There are abilities like that though. The Inner Eye, which is what seers call their ability to give prophecies, is the most commonly known even if it is fairly rare. You also have Veela and their Allure," Tonks said.

"Allure?" Hermione asked.

"It is essentially super powered magical charged sexual attractiveness. It works really well on men, but can also affect women. Veela appear extraordinarily beautiful to everyone. People will do what they can to try and get their attention no matter how stupid or dangerous. I've heard strong will power is a way to avoid being over taken by it."

"Older more experienced Veela can turn it on and off. When they are younger, it can just happen suddenly. This ability is severely lessened when you get to people being an eighth or less Veela. By that point, they are just naturally seen as a bit more attractive than their peers. No innate magical enhancement," she explained.

Tonks gave a sigh. "Honestly though, there are many magical abilities that could be inherited, but have been around for so long they're normal for most and don't see them as such anymore. Though I would say one of the rarest inherited magical abilities is Parseltongue," she said.

Hannah and Susan gave a shudder to that. Tonks frowned to them. "I know what people think of that, but it isn't really evil," she said.

"But. You-Know-Who was a parselmouth…" Hannah said quietly.

"He was also a magic user. Would you say all magic users are evil simply because he was?" Tonks asked. She didn't like Hufflepuffs acting that way.

"Well... No. That's different though?" Hannah said unsure.

"What is Parseltongue exactly?" Hermione asked.

"The ability to speak with snakes. Salazar was probably the most famous and that's why Slytherin has a snake as their mascot," Tonks said.

"Wait… I've done that before," Harry said in shock.

"You have?!" Hannah asked in worry as she tried to lean further away from Harry but wasn't moving from her spot.

Harry gave a slow nod. "I didn't know what it was until now. I had a conversation with a Boa Constrictor in a zoo this summer. I also accidentally vanished the glass and he left. It was actually a bit funny and a little sad. He kept talking about how he was on his way to go see Brazil," he said.

Hermione gave a chuckle to that. "That really is quite the journey," she said. She wanted to make sure Harry knew she wasn't wary of his ability like Hannah was.

Hannah frowned in thought and worry. Tonks gave her a stern look before she turned to Harry and said, "As Hannah… decided to demonstrate for us. People see it as a dark art."

Hannah blushed and Susan looked to her a little in concern. "Is this going to be a problem?" she asked her friend. Susan really didn't want there to be a line drawn in the sand between her roommates.

"I… I don't think so. I mean…" Hannah started. She looked up to Harry and said, "You're Harry Potter. You're in Hufflepuff…"

"Like I was trying to say. It isn't really bad being a Parselmouth. That doesn't mean you're any more likely to go dark than the fact you are born a witch or wizard," Tonks said.

Hannah frowned to that in thought. Hermione frowned as she decided to stick up for her first friend even more. "It sounds to me believing someone is evil simply because they have Parseltongue as an ability is just as bad as thinking all Hufflepuffs are dumb just because they are in Hufflepuff," she said.

Hannah sighed. "Okay… Just… Please Harry… Don't go around speaking in snake to everyone or something," she said.

"No problem. I didn't even use it intentionally the only time I have," Harry said.

Hannah seemed a little more at ease and then blushed a little in shame. This was Harry. He was a friend and one of her roommates. She knew him fairly well by this point. Harry made a point of being fairly open with them right from the start.

"Is it going to be a problem for you, Susan?" Tonks then asked. She was fulfilling her duties as RA and making sure there wasn't an issue with her charges. She also really hoped her cute firsties weren't about to fight with each other.

Susan quickly shook her head. "It is a bit of an odd revelation, but I don't think it is a problem," she said. She then turned to Harry and said, "Though… You probably shouldn't go around sharing it with others too easily. Maybe some more of our house mates eventually, but still be careful."

"Thanks. I will. I'm just glad I learned it isn't something common in the magical world now, instead of later when it might have been a problem. I thought it was something regular in the magical world," Harry said.

"Like I said. It is rare," Tonks said.

Hermione gave a frown in thought. "Has anyone ever thought to look more into it? I just wonder because there are medical and healing symbols that use snakes. The most well-known being the Rod of Asclepius. In the muggle world, that symbol was adopted by a lot of health organizations. I know it is rooted in Greek Mythology for muggles, but like many things as I've learned, that symbol could actually have roots in the magical world as well," she said.

"Huh…" Tonks said in thought. "I don't know. Perhaps that is something to look into carefully." Hermione's eyes lit up in excitement. She had yet another thing to research and it looked like she wasn't the only one thinking this.

"I hope so. I'll look into it as well. I want to change how people see things for the better. This is something else I can add to the list. I really would like it if this ability could be used to help heal people," Harry said.

Hannah, to her silent shame, felt more relieved hearing those words. If Harry was wanting to know more about Parseltongue for the purposes of helping, then it was even less likely he was secretly dark. She hoped he found something and proved it to everyone else as well.

[-] [-] [-]

As November continued in full swing, most of the school was getting pumped for Quidditch season. Quidditch was the best sport ever according to some. Harry thought it more complicated than anything really. The sport consisted of two teams and played on a field while using brooms with three hoops on each end.

A team consisted of three chasers, two beaters, a seeker and a keeper. The chasers used a red rubber ball called the Quaffle, which they used to score a goal in any of the hoops worth ten points each. The beaters used bats to smack two hard rubber balls at any player trying to knock them off balance or their broom, while also sometimes guarding their own.

The keeper kept the opposing chasers from scoring a goal. The seeker was the oddest position. They tried to catch a small golden ball with wings which ended the game and scored their team 150 points regardless of if that won them the game or not, which it usually did but wasn't guaranteed. The game did sound kind of fun, but really odd. Then again, most things in the wizarding world could be classified as odd, but fun.

The first Quidditch match of the season was coming up soon and everyone was excited for it. Slytherin and Gryffindor in particular since they would be the opening game. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were also getting excited for the first game and many were rooting for Gryffindor, even if there were again worries about their seeker this year. Harry learned Gryffindor was actually a pretty good team, but they had yet to find a really good seeker to match the rest of the team's skills.

While most were getting pumped for Quidditch, Harry and Hermione were on their way to meet with Hagrid again. It was just the two of them this time. Harry smiled as he knocked on the door to Hagrid's hut.

"Good ta see you two again! Come on in," Hagrid greeted them as he answered the door. "Are you two excited about the upcoming game?" he asked with a grin.

"A little bit. I'm curious about the sport. It sounds like something you have to see to really get though," Harry said.

"Aye. That it is. Yer father played for Gryffindor. He was a great Chaser. One of the best. Made him mighty popular with the girls, but as I have pointed out before… heh heh… That didn't impress your mom much. Though she did later finally admit she liked watching him play," Hagrid said with a friendly grin.

"I think it sounds dangerous…" Hermione said with a worried frown.

"It can be. Especially when ya get to the pros, but all teams have really great healers. Madam Pomfrey is one of the best healers you'll find, so any injuries that might result from the game are usually easily taken care of," Hagrid said.

"Still sounds dangerous… But I do want to watch at least the first game," Hermione said with a smile as she took the offered tea cup from Hagrid.

"What do you think, Harry? Any thoughts on trying out next year? I've heard ye are pretty impressive at flying," Hagrid said.

"I don't know. I'm getting a broom, but while I love flying, I'm not sure about playing Quidditch. Draco and a few others said I could probably be a good seeker with my build and how I was in Flying Lessons," Harry said.

"I can see that," Hagrid said nodding. "Then again. Cedric is really good, so you would have a challenge trying to replace him on the Hufflepuff team. But like ye said. Flying ain't the same as playing Quidditch."

"I'll agree you're really good at flying, Harry. And it is obvious you love it," Hermione said. She then gave a warm smile as she added, "You did teach me how to fly and got me over my fear of heights when on a broom at least."

"That sounds like a story," Hagrid said with a grin.

"Harry gave me private lessons. I was foolishly worried about looking bad in front of the whole of our year during the lessons. When we were on our own though, it was different. I really came to like flying. I will never do so alone though. I really prefer company when flying," Hermione admitted. She left unsaid how much she hoped that company would almost always include Harry. She had wonderful and embarrassing dreams regarding private lessons with Harry.

"Good to hear. Flying is wonderful, especially with great company. I'm lucky to have that flying motorcycle. I'm a bit on the big side for brooms, so I wouldn't get to really experience it otherwise for the most part," Hagrid said with a hearty chuckle.

"She really came to like it. We got a little carried away that first time," Harry said.

"Really?" Hagrid asked.

Hermione blushed cutely. "We ummm… Almost got caught out past curfew, by Filch," she said avoiding eye contact at the moment while daintily sipping her tea.

"How did you two avoid that?" Hagrid curiously asked. He was very much an eager audience.

"We kind of… broke one of the rules by accident. We dived into a room that was on the third-floor corridor. I still don't know why such a large three headed dog is allowed in the castle with such a small room," Harry said.

"Ye met Fluffy?!" Hagrid asked almost white with panic.

"That's its name?!" Hermione asked in shock. She would have laughed at the cutesy name if Hagrid didn't seem so worried.

"Yeah. Why wouldn't ye name him? I take care of him," Hagrid said. He then frowned as he said, "Ye weren't supposed to find him…"

Harry was a little worried so he quickly added, "We didn't mean to. We were worried about Filch finding us. Besides… Hermione was able to get inside that room with just an unlocking charm. It isn't like we blew a hole in the wall or something."

"It shouldn't have been that easy to get inside," Hermione said with a frown of her own.

Hagrid gave a heavy side. "No. It shouldn't have been. I'll have ta talk to the professors about that. Since ye two got in there by mistake, I'll leave yer names out of it," he said.

"Thank you, Hagrid," Harry said with more relief than he liked.

"But you two best not be poking yer noses around that there place again. Fluffy is Dumbledore's and Nickolas Flamel's business. Not for you two," he said.

"Believe us! We don't want to go there again if we can avoid it. We were lucky he was asleep at the time. Harry barely kept me from screaming in shock and waking him up," Hermione said as Harry nodded in agreement.

"That ye two were," Hagrid said.

"So. Are you looking forward to the game?" Harry asked in an attempt to change the subject. He still made a mental note to look up Nickolas Flamel out of curiosity, but he knew not to press the matter. The last thing he wanted was to get on Hagrid's bad side unnecessarily.

Hagrid grinned in appreciation on the change of subject. "Aye! Rooting for Gryffindor obviously. You two just wait and see! This will be our year! Even with the seeker troubles… The game should still be fun to see, but Slytherin will probably play extra dirty. Their captain, Marcus Flint, emphasizes playing dirty. They always try to find a way to keep the referee… distracted," he said.

"There's just one?" Hermione asked.

Hagrid nodded in reply.

"That's odd. Most muggle sports have multiple referees so there are more eyes on the game and players are less likely to get away with cheating," Harry said.

"I wish we would do something like that as well, but most see that as part of the game now," Hagrid grumbled.

The three continued talking about other things after that. Their topics ranged from Quidditch to Mid-terms to the holidays and more. Hagrid said Hogwarts was nice during the Christmas Holidays, but he understood them wanting to head home. "Most of the students do head home. Some stay though. It is usually older students who are more often than not muggleborn who choose to stay," Hagrid said to them before they eventually left to head back to the castle.

[-] [-] [-]

Hermione sighed again as she read the letter from her parents regarding Christmas break once more. She wasn't sure how she wanted to handle this. She read it again and frowned deeper. There was something here she found very worrying.

She had been warned by some, muggleborn students have an additional challenge due to their home life. They usually end up having to choose magic or their family. She had thought it wouldn't be a worry for her so soon. She was thinking that was part of the reason the older students chose to stay at Hogwarts as Hagrid mentioned.

"What's bothering you, Hermione?" Harry asked as he sat down next to her on the couch.

"My parents… Just read this," she said handing him the letter to look over. It didn't take Harry long to read through the letter. Hermione knew he finished when he handed it back to her.

"I have mixed feelings… The convention and seminar is very good for their business and important. I also realize they want to spend some time with me for the holidays and I want to spend it with them as well," she told him.

She then sighed. "But… I know how those things go, Harry," she said sounding a little sad and worried. "I've been with them before on such trips, usually in the summer. I'll end up spending most of my time alone reading in the hotel room. Not any beaches to lounge on while they're out this time," she said.

Harry nodded to her in understanding.

She kept her further worry about this to herself. Her parents had never chosen to go to some seminar during Christmas Break before now. Hermione felt as if her parents were moving even faster and further ahead with their own lives now that she was at Hogwarts.

She didn't really want them to just wait for her, but she couldn't help feeling they were partially writing her off. She also felt it would be really bad if she chose to stay at Hogwarts for all of Christmas. It would also be really lonely for her since her roommates were all going home for the holidays.

"I want to spend time with them. But I also want a proper Christmas. I don't want to spend it in a hotel room on an otherwise boring trip. Is that asking too much?" she asked with a troubled look. She loved reading, but she was realizing there was more to life now that she had friends.

Harry gave her a hug that she soaked in eagerly. "How long does the convention last?" Harry asked her quietly. The note hadn't said any dates, but he had the impression an early letter did.

"It will be the first half of the holiday break," Hermione answered taking in his warmth.

Harry nodded to himself as he broke off the hug. "I have a possible solution. It is for you to decide if you want to try it or not," he started.

Hermione motioned for him to continue.

"You could spend the first half of the holiday break with the Knights and me. We could then make arrangements for you to meet your parents. You can have a late Christmas with them without it being spoiled by all of the time you spent in a hotel alone. We don't have the most lavish lifestyle, but it would be a proper Christmas and you could see your parents as well. Hogwarts doesn't allow you to leave half way through break after all," he said to her.

Hermione blinked in thought. She then bit her bottom lip in deeper thought.

"It is just a suggestion. I know you might be a bit apprehensive to visit and stay with me in the Rust District. Think on it some at least," Harry said as he stood about to leave her to her thoughts.

Harry was surprised when Hermione quickly grabbed his hand. "Is it safe?" she asked. Her honey brown eyes looked deep into his emerald eyes.

Harry nodded to her. "Even if you weren't by my side the whole time," Harry said to her reassuringly with a smile.

Hermione then seemed to let out a breath and relaxed. "I'll do it. This seems like the best solution. I'll get an actual Christmas and then I will get time with my parents," she answered.

"I won't have to start pulling away from them so soon..." Harry barely heard her mutter the last part.

Harry smiled to her. "I'll contact Boss and we can start making the arrangements. Just need to know the actual dates of the convention and seminar," he said to her. He was a lot happier and excited then he let show at Hermione choosing to spend part of her Christmas with him and the Knights.

Hermione was just as excited and happy. She wasn't as controlled in her emotions though. She stood up and gave him a very tight and heart felt hug. She knew Harry would probably never know how much this meant to her. "I'll write my parents right now," she said with a smile. This was going to be a wonderful and exciting holiday break. She just knew it.