Aria spent the next few days trying to avoid not only Lockhart but Colin Creevey, who seemed to not only memorize her schedule but had made friends with Bella and Ginny as well. Nothing seems to give Colin a bigger thrill than to say, "All right, Aria?" Much to Raihan and Ron's amusement.
But Lockhart annoyed her more than Colin. Colin was a kid, an excited kid but still a kid. Lockhart was a braggart who had no idea what he was doing. He seems to be following her, always around a corridor.. and in classes he has been calling her to reenact scenes from his cases. Trying to wrap his arm around her even though Sirius had threatened him, trying to teach her how to use her fame, even though she angrily told him to his face that she would rather have her parents than all the fame and gold in the world.
Her and Hermione's friendship was being strained, the Ravenclaw just doesn't see how much of a fraud Lockhart was. Lockhart was unfortunately a perfect person for Hermione to admire, an adult who has supposedly done great things, even wrote books about it.. but also looked good at it. The two had a vicious fight in The Courtyard and poor Professor Flitwick got scratches on the face from Crookshanks when Hedwig had use gust to send the Meowth flying. The two girls haven't spoken to each other, Hermione spending time with her fellow Ravenclaws.
Aria was glad the weekend was here, she and the others had planned to introduce Ginny, Bella and Colin to Hagrid on Saturday morning after Breakfast.
But right now Aria was doing something else, entering the office, she shivers. The shadowy walls were lined with shelves of large glass jars, in which we floated many amazing but bizarre and revolting things. The fireplace was dark and empty, Snape looked up and closed his eyes.
"What do you want, Potter?" He hisses softly and Aria stood up quietly, green eyes meeting his black ones.
"Many things, Sir," Aria stated as she walks over, sitting down in the chair, "But unfortunately there is only one thing you can help me with," The potion master stares at her, "After just a week with Lockhart I worried for not just Slytherin but all of Hogwarts. He has no idea how to teach, this year are focus should be learning how to dodge, how to use the grass to our advantage, what is proper procedures to do with a duel..who knows how many blood feuds will be created because of that fool," she hides the smirk at the grimace Snape gave, "I know Dumbledore won't allow you to take over the class..and that there nothing we can do until he either quits or gets killed at the end of the year," she rolls her eyes at the look he gives her, "But there is nothing that he can do if you set up the Battling Club again,"
"How do you know about the club?"
"Lyn," Aria shrugs, "She told me that it was set up by you and Flitwick during her first year, after her and Snyde was caught by you two battling in the courtyard. But for some reason last year it was disbanded because of reasons, which I think is because the money went to the protection of the Cup. Now that they're gone, Dumbledore can't refuse if you ask him if you can set it up.."
"And why, Heiress Potter? Should I waste my free time when I already have so little. I have many potions that I need to work for Nurse Joy as Lady Dragoon already knows. We have had to suffer through worse teachers than Lockhart, year after year and I have never felt the need to step in..maybe for my Slytherins, but the whole school? No," he shakes his head, going back to scoring papers.
"If you do, the Ancient and Noble House of Potter will help you become Viscount Prince and take over the Noble House of Prince like you should have done," she watches with her emerald eyes as Snape freezes.
"What.." he hisses glaring at her as he slowly stands up.
"You heard me," Aria states calmly, "You should have taken over after the death of the Late Viscount Albert Prince since your mother, Eileen Prince was never officially disowned after marrying Tobias..but because Dumbledore ratted you out as a spy for his Order after the war, it was decided that it may have been your fault for the attack of the Prince Family,leaving Lorvina by herself but she couldn't take the mantle either for reasons unknown, so the League denied you access to not only the family but also the title. If you help make sure Hogwarts isn't even more of a laughing stock to the Regions, not only will the Ancient and Noble House of Potter but so will the Ancient and Noble House of Black will help you gain your title and money, but will ally our families to you, Viscount Severus Snape,"
Aria knew she was playing it on thick but she knew she had to get Snape on her side. Lyn was already busy thinking up a schedule to teach the others on how to start using Aura, which was much harder for them than Aria and Lyn, who can naturally use it. And while Flitwick was a master battler with his use of items, being a Champion of not only Galar but also Sinnoh and Kanto, he was unfortunately not loyal to Dumbledore.
Or at least seem loyal to him. From what she could tell from the stories Sirius, Remus, Marleen that Snape was loyal to himself, and her mother. She was hoping that she could use it to her benefit, getting an ally to keep a step ahead of Dumbledore.
"And Black will allow that?" Snape sneers, disbelieving her about the House of Black allying with him.
"I'm playing the long game, sir. Sirius can only hold the title of Earl Black for so long, thanks to his time in Azkaban. Long enough for Piers to grow up and to keep it out of Lucius Malfoy's hands. I had a talk with him and even if I decided not to take the mantle of Gym Leader I will still become Countess Potter when I turn 17, along with Piers becoming Earl Black..and we both decided our order of business will be making sure you get your titles as Viscount..and if you are willing to wait.."
Snape stares at her, and Aria had to hold back the grin, "Also if you're worry about your potions why not have students who are excellent, like say Ron, to help you. It can also be an apprenticeship for those who excel more in your class than the other dunderheads as you call them,"
Snape sighs, "We definitely need to get the grades up before the Trainer's Association comes knocking on our doors..very well," he then eyes her, "Don't make me regret this Potter,"
"You won't Professor," Aria says as she hops off the chair, "Thank you for talking to me and doing business,"
Entering the corridor, she blinks and pales a bit as Marcus Flint marches towards her like a man on a mission. The tall boy stares down at her, "Where have you been? I have been looking for you!"
Aria looked out the windows of the corridor, the sun was up completely, different when she first came down here. Remnants of the mist from this morning danced in the blue sky. Arira raises an eyebrow at him, knowing that she had woke up at the crack of dawn so she could talk to Snape.
"Come on, we need to get going for Royal Raid practice..Malfoy is trying to take your spot," Flint crosses his arms in anger, "His father had bought a bunch of Gear for us and said we can keep it if I give him a chance,"
"Buying his way onto the team, huh?" Aria rolls her eyes at that as she follows Flint down the corridor. They had just reached the entrance when there was a clatter behind them. Turning around she sees Ginny, Bella, and Colin dashing towards them. FLint eyes the two Gryffindors with suspicion but Aria elbows him.
"Hey guys..I know I said I'll show you to Hagrid's..but I'm being called for Royal Raid practice,"
"Really?" Colin squeaks, he pales when Flint eyes him and hides behind Bella who seems to be eyeing him up, "I never seen a Royal Raid besides on the telly..and the rules are so hard.."
Aria face palms as Flint seems to become bigger, making Colin scramble back. Aria had to hold Bella back as Flint grabs him by the shoulder and begins to explain the rules of Royal Raid. Shaking her head, she waves her hand to motion for Ginny and Bella to follow.
When they got to the stadium, Aria couldn't help but blink. Not only was the Slytherin Team there ( Pucey and his Tangrowth, Bole and his Octillery, Derrick and his Gravler, Bletchley and his Ambipom, Montague unfortunately left last year, leaving a space for a new Knocker) but the Gryffindor Team was there too (Wood and his Rhydon, Johnson and her Leavanny, Spinnet and her Weville, Bell and her Gastron, the Weasley Twins with their Heracross and Pinser). But there were two added people, Draco was there of course but McLaggen was no longer there. Behind the six members of Gryffindor was a smaller boy with messy purple hair and yellow eyes, "Leon?"
Leon jumps a bit, before he chuckles scratching behind his neck, "Uh..surprise?" he looks at her nervously but Aria just smiles.
"Looks like I finally got some actual competition this year with you Gryffindors," Aria remarks which makes Wood frown but the corner of his lips were turned upwards.
"That is if you are still on the team," Draco remarks, glaring at Aria, "Especially after the generous gift my father is giving the team," Draco smirks, kicking the chest that Aria was now just noticing. It opens to reveal Pokenium Gear.
Aria couldn't help but gulp at this while her team members were awed at the sight and the Gryffindors looked on in jealousy. Pokenium Gear was created by Lucius Malfoy for the Macro Cosmos Corporation. From her research, Lucius was almost kicked out of Hogwarts for illegal gear use..but he wasn't because of Rose. The then student who would become Minister of the Albion League and one day founder of Macro Cosmos saw potential in the Pokenium Gear, which uses the Aura of a Pokemon unlike regular items.
There were many types of Gear, each color responding to a type. Black: Dark, Red: Fire, Purple: Ghost, Blue: Water, Light Blue: Flying, Pink: Fairy, Yellow: Electric, Green: Grass, Gray: Steel, Orange: Fighting, Brown: Rock, Light Brown: Ground, Light Purple: Poison, Lime Green: Bug, Magenta: Psychic, White: Ice, Gold: Dragon. Normal types could use any gear but it wouldn't have the same power as someone using the type that matches the Pokemon.
"How is that fair?" Johnson asked with rage in her brown eyes, "That the Slytherin Team can use Gear but the other teams can't. We all will have an unfair advantage against you. It's one of the reasons why we don't use Gear during Hogwarts Royal Raids, because the school couldn;t afford Gear..but thanks to you now only Slytherin gets them?"
"That's why my father has offered to pay for gear himself," the others turn to see Raihan, Piers, Hermione, Neville, Ron and Luna coming over. Aria eyes the blonde Ravenclaw..her eyes were a bit dazed and bits of her shirt was torn.
"Guess there's another thing I have to do," Aria thought as her friends joined beside Ginny, Bella and Colin.
"Oh look, a field invasion," Draco sneers as the others come over. He then turns his glare over at Piers, "And what do you mean Earl Black," he growls this out in anger, "Bought the other teams Gear?"
"It's exactly like I said," Piers mutters as he crosses his arms, "Father heard that the school was having problems, like not getting gear for the Royal Raid Teams..he heard that Luius was helping so the Slytherins and thus decided to put in his own money," he turns and smirks at Malfoy, "Its the only reason why Dumbledore accepted the little bribe that your father gave him,
Draco glares angrily, at the fact that his advantage was worth nothing at all now. Aria could tell he was hoping that the use of gear would have made Flint replace her with him..but now that all the teams were getting Gear now there was no way his father could take them away if he didn't become the Catcher.
"Fine! But I still want to try out for Catcher! It isn;t fair that she got to just get the position last year and didn't even need to try out for it," Aria rolls her eyes but looks at Flint and nods her head.
"Lets do this or he will never shut up about it," at this Flint nodded heading to the controls. She watches him press a few buttons. While he did so, she slips the bag that was on her back and rummages through it. Pulling out a pair of goggles and a yellow gear that had black markings. She releases Nimbus, placing the yellow and black gear onto his brown stripes while she taks her glasses off, giving them to Piers and slipping the goggles on. Pressing a button the lens glowed green.
"Where did you get that stuff?!" Draco sneers at her and Aria smirks at him.
"Oh these? These are birthday presents from Sirius and Remus," she points at the goggles, "These are to replace my glasses so no one can knock them off and they allow me to hear Lee so I can hear the scores going on. While this," she gestures at the Pokenuim Gear, "Well I'll leave that as a surprise,"
Draco sneers at her before pulling out a Pokeball, which makes her blink in surprise. Most of his Pokeballs have been Dusk Balls, since he had been planning on being a Dark Type Trainer. But when he throws the ball in the air, instead of a Dark Type Pokemon that came out but a small blue dragon that was now glaring at her black eyes. It possessed a large, round snout with its lower jaw being yellow, two teeth producing upwards. Three gray ridges cover the top of its head and continue downwards to cover its neck.
"A Bagon?" Ron gaped at the dragon type standing in front of Draco.
Malfoy couldn't help but smirk, "Good isn't she? Took me awhile to find her, father took me to the Crown Tundra..I guess your family could go if you you raise enough Poke..I guess you could raffle off some mons but nobody really wants a bug type,"
Aria growls, stepping between Ron and Draco, "Are we doing this or not?" she sneers at him, "And he expects to be an Earl..no etiquette...has Lady Malfoy not given him any training..at all..even Sirius who didn't like his family still took those lessons in heart,"
At that moment a large balloon appears onto the field. Aria recognizes it from not only her battling 101 classes from last year but many Royal Raid practices as well since they couldn't use regular Pokemon for just practices. After Flint handed both her and Malfoy a school issue Snag Machine, Aria crouches down into a runner's position eyeing the balloon that was shaped as a Magnetite. Nimbus shuffles on his paws, tail wagging behind. Malfoy sneers at her not even getting in position even as his Bagon growls, eyeing the balloon. Flint stands between them.
"Whoever catches the balloon first wins and will be Slytherin Catcher," he raises his hand up staring at the both of them, before dropping. Aria leaps forward, Nimbus following behind her, "Nimbus Thunder Wave!' The Pikach quickly turns just as Malfoy and his Bagon begin to run, zapping the dragon. He snickers before using Quick Attack to catch up to Aria.
"That isn't going to work Potter!" Draco yells as the Gold Gear on the Bagon's chest turned on, the golden energy from within began to surround Bagon until she was covered, "Now headbutt that little rat!"
The Bagon to the other's surprise quickly ran over, faster than most Bagon's would have. Nimbus cries out in pain as his side from the headbutt but quickly rolls back into the game. Cheeks sparking he pats them before sending out a Thunderbolt to the large football (or Soccer ball if this was Unova/Alola) the balloon Magnetite sent out. Aria quickly rolls out of the way, her googles zooming in on the gear that Bagon has.
"Ok that is a Gold Thrust Gear," she mutters, rolling again from another football, "Known to use the Dragon Aura to make a Pokemon faster..no wonder Malfoy got it..Bagon's aren't known for speed..most Dragon Types aren't in their first form and until they got to their final form..well except for Hedwig but that's because of her Flying Type," she mutters but shakes her head. She needed to focus.
"Wow," Ron breathes out seeing Aria easily running circles around Malfoy, "Is it me or did she get better?"
Piers nods, "Not only has Lyn been making her do more exercise, Ma has been teaching her gymnastics. Aria has so much energy in her that she has a need to keep moving," the others look at him, understanding the meaning behind his words. So much energy means Aura, Lyn had explained to them that as Aria grows her Aura will grow along with her and her Aura was already high for a girl her age with it trying to keep her alive during the years at the Dursleys.
Aria looks back to see Draco huffing and panting while Bagon was getting angrier and angrier that she wasn't hitting Nimbus. "By the Gods did he not train the Bagon at all?!" That was dangerous…even she had to train Godzilla and Dobby hard after she first got them because they are the first form of Pseudo-Legendaries, and if you don't get them to listen to you now.. "Ok time to end this," Aria whispers seeing Bagon opening her mouth, a dragon pulse forming in her mouth, "Nimbus! Counter Shield!"
"Counter Shield?!" Malfoy snorts, running a hand through his hair, "Looks like you need to get back to the classes Potter! There is no such thing as a move call," his gray eyes widened as the Gear on the Pikachu's back began to light up, sending sparks of electricity in his body, "A Spark Core Gear?!" Nimbus smiles before he starts spinning onto his back, red cheeks glowing with intense energy being sent towards the sky just as Bagon releases a Dragon Pulse.
Aria primes a Snag Ball watching the bolts of lightning that were now dancing around the arena trapping the Dragon Pulse in its web, "Nimbus! Direct the Dragon Pulse to the Balloon!"
"Pika..Pika…Ka!" Nimbus spinning lands one paw onto the ground rolling his body towards the balloon, the barrier of electricity following the way his body was moving. He discharges the electricity, sending the purple energy flying towards the balloon. Malfoy cries in shock at the large explosion but before he could get a Snag Ball ready Aria was already throwing hers. The Slytherin Team cried out in cheers as the balloon Pokemon was sucked in.
"Winner Aria Potter!" Flint cries out walking over to the two, "Good idea for the Counter Shield, Potter. Glad to see that you've been training hard," Aria rolls her eyes standing up as Nimbus runs over to her and gets on her shoulder.
"Of course I have Flint, who do you think I am?" Aria smirks but then frowns when Malfoy stomped over.
"She cheated!" he cries out, making everyone turn to him in confusion. Her ears twitch as she heard mutters wondering what he was talking about, "Catchers aren't supposed to attack the Pokemon they suppose to catch! She attacked it!"
Flint rolled his eyes, "She didn't attacked it she sent your attack towards it..technically you attacked it," Flint smirks down at the little Malfoy, "Anyway this wasn't even a real match, just a try out to see who can be the Catcher and I'm not surprise that Potter did it. She's been training since last year, while I know you haven't trained at all by the looks of your Bagon.." he glares down at Malfoy, "If you want I have a position for a Knocker if you want but Aria stays as Catcher."
Malfoy growled but didn't say no to the position. Aria rolls her eyes but smiles as her friends surrounded her, patting her back and giving her and Nimbus congratulations for keeping their spot, "It not surprising Aria got in on pure talent, not buying her way on the team," Hermione said sharply, eyeing the case of Gear in disapproval.
The anger flickered on Draco's face but it disappeared as soon as it was shown. He narrows his eyes sneering at Hermione, "No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Round Ears,"
Aria knew at once that Draco had said something really bad, even if she really didn;t understand it. Hermione's ears were pointed as much as everyone see seen since leaving Surrey. In fact Surrey was the only place she knew where people had round ears, and that's because she knew they had actually cut the tip off the ears. She shivers remembering when her Aunt Petunia had taken her and Dudley to the cutter when they were eight..the Cutter had absolutely forbid cutting Aria's ears much to her relief but Dudley wasn't so fortunate. It was the only time she ever saw her Aunt tell Dudley he was going to do something when he told her he didn't want to do something. It was the only time she ever felt symphony for her cousin as he cried out in pain and the blood that spilled.
But Aria's mind was brought back to the present when Ron tackled Draco to the ground, the other member of the SLytherin team stared at Malfoy in shock either not expecting Ron to attack Malfoy or for what Malfoy had said to Hermione. Spinnet shrieked, "How dare you," while the Twins tired to pull Ron off of Malfoy.
"You'll pay for that Malfoy," Ron yelled, knuckles bloodied from breaking Ron's nose, "I don;t know how I don;t know when but you will pay for it!"
"And what are you going to do about Weasley?" Draco sneers pulling his arm out of Flint's hold when the Captain help him up (even though he looked like he really didn't want to), "Your father can't do anything! Once my father hears about this he'll have you expelled,"
"Oh really..Bad Faith," Bella sneers, making Aria blink a bit. The short time she knew Bella, the girl was happy, hoping for adventure. But seeing the look of anger and hate on her face, was such a surprise.
"Don;t call me that," Draco said with a grimace on his face but Bella smirks.
"Oh what? You don't want people to know about your great family? Or as it really known as the people who were kicked out of Kalos..so just really a bunch of people who decided to make it a family," she rolls her eyes smirking at the pink that was now rushing to Draco's face, "Usually those who earn that name die but I guess grandaddy had enough time to..get it on to say when he was kissing the helm of a baby murder,"
Now this time Draco looked like he was about to tackle Bella when a cough was head. Looking over, the group turns to see the Ravenclaw Team standing looking at them with a mix of amusement and annoyance, "Hello chaps," Vinh Chung, the Ravenclaw's Catcher. With her long dark hair in a ponytail, she rolls her eyes at them, "Get out, it's the Claws turn at the stadium.
Flint nods his head, looking at Wood with an apology on his face for wasting his time. Wood shrugs, "It's fine Flint I was at least able to teach them some new moves but please don't do this again," Oliver glares at his fellow captain before he and the Gryffindors head out. Aria used that time to grab Ron by the arm, who looked like he was about to tackle Malfoy again. Leon came over and grabbed his other arm and started pulling him away.
"We better get him to Hagrid's," Aria said, nodding her head to Vinh in thanks. The pair supported him out of the stadium, Hermione who was shaken, was pulled away by Ginny whose red eyes shine in anger while Piers, Raihan, Neville, Colin and Bella followed after them. Neville pushes down the camera that Colin was holding in his hands when he went to take a picture.
Walking across the grounds they came up to the gamekeeper's cabin and knocked on his door urgently. Hagrid appeared at once, looking very grumpy but his expression brightened when he saw who it was, "Bin wonderin' when you'd come ter see me- come in, come in, thought you mighta bin Professor Lockhart back again," Aria flinches at that but it seemed Hermione was too upset about what Malfoy said to her.
Helping Ron into the one-roomed cabin which had an enormous bed where Norberta the Tyrunt who hatched last year was sleeping on. A fire crackled merrily in the other corner where Fang the Stoutland laid in front. Hagrid raised an eye at Ron's bloody knuckles but Aria quickly explained as she lowered Ron in a chair.
"So who were you fightin?" Hagrid asked as he wrapped bandages around Ron's knuckles.
"Malfoy. He called Hermione Round Ears.." Aria said with confusion in her tone, "But I don;t get it..she doesn't have round ears. The only people I know who have round ears are the people in Surrey," Aria turns her gaze to Ron, "But it has to be bad with your reaction,"
"It is bad," Ron growls out, "It's the most insulting thing he could think of," Ron said rubbing his hand in pain. "Round Ears is really foul name.." he looks up at Aria, "You know how after the Demon Gods were sealed that the people who took over were mostly their human children..well they believe that those who didn't have the gods blood in them..the ones who were pure human should be their servants and slaves..just like how they were to the Gods..Malfoy's family is one of the families that still think..all because they are known as God-Blooded..which is stupid now..most people have traces of the Gods in them these days..if they keep trying to marry their cousins they would had died out,"
"Keep telling that to the Black Family," Piers rolls his eyes thinking about his family, more importantly his grandmother, "And honestly the whole God-Blooded is just a excuse they pull out just so they can say that only they should be allowed to have Pokemon," crossing his arms he nods his head, "They are threatened by people like Hermione who can do things they wish they can do," Hermione went a brilliant shade of magenta.
"It's..a dirty thing to call someone," Ginny mutters rubbing her arms, "Like how people call us..thieves.." her red eyes looked down at the ground while Colin looked around with wide eyes.
"Well. I don' blame yeh fer tryin' ter beat him up, Ron," Hagrid said loudly, "But yer lucky Bella was able to stop him, I doubt old Lucius would be happy about the broken nose..spect he would've come marchin' up ter the school if she'd didn't"
Ron grumbles but nods his head in agreement, Aria turned to Hagrid, "So what did Lockhart do to you to make you so upset?"
Hagrid grumbles and crosses his arms, "Was giving me advice on how to keep Torchic in the pen..and then go on about this adventures..If one word of it was true, I'll eat my kettle," he shakes his head at Norberta who gave him a confuse chirp in concern.
It was unlike Hagrid to criticize a Hogwarts teacher, and Aria looked at him in surprise. Hermione however, now back to her old self said in a voice somewhat higher than usual, "I think you're being a bit unfair. Professor Dumbledore obviously thought he was the best man for the job," the others besides Bella, Ginny and Colin looked at her weirdly for saying that about Dumbledore.
"He was the on'y man for the job," Hagrid grunted, offering them a plate of treacle toffee, which Aria happily took it and munched on it, "And I mean the on'y one. Gettin' difficult to find anyone fer the Battling 101 job. People aren't too keen on taking it. No one lasted long fer a while now.."
"It was nearly lunchtime and Aria, having only had a bit of toffee since dawn, was keen to go back to the castle to get something to eat. They said good-bye to Hagrid and walked to the castle, but Aria blinked as they barely stepped foot in the cool entrance hall when she heard something, something that chilled her to the bone marrow.
"Come…come to me…come to me…O, he who seeks power..he who has broken my bonds. Speak the words, "I wish darkness unto the world." Utter that prayer unto me..and unleashed my power!"
"What?" she said loudly looking around in fear. Nimbus on her shoulder looks at her in confusion.
"Ari?" Leon turns to her, "Is everything ok?"
At that moment a large roar echoed through the halls, many cowering down, covering their ears in pain. The whole ground started to shake, the windows rattled, outside trees were uprooted and the pokemon..they cried out in fear..they flew and ran..trying to get as far away from the castle as possible.
Aria looked with wide eyes, clutching Nimbus close to her as they slowly got up..she looks to the others and sees Piers pale face, clutching to Raihan like a lifeline. And Aria knew right away..
Whatever Piers saw at Serene Hollow..it has come to Hogwarts.
Ok sorry for the long wait I wanted to take a break so I wouldn;t get burned out I do want to keep writing this series. Anyway welcome to the new chapter I'm absolutely tired so I won;t say much Gears are of course base off Dragon Booster Gears and are just..another word for items..I just think the name Gears are cool..will put more on that later..
Vinh Chung is actally Cho Chang..I hated her name..hated her name so much! So I gave her a new one..she will show up more in this book and have a more important role in book 5, but I will give you little preview..her dad is the Ambassador for Johto.
And oooh the voices have come..and its quiet different than in the original huh..hope you all enjoy please leave a comment and have a good night everyone
