Y/N awoke early the next morning as he usually did and made his way down into the common room. It was still dark outside, but he felt wide awake. He wasn't sure why, maybe it was still left-over adrenaline, but he felt like he had to be up and doing something. He opened his Bedazzling Charms book and flicked through to one of the spells he was slightly better at.
'Protego!'
He watched as the small silvery shield formed in front of him and shimmered lightly before vanishing. He'd made a point to perfect this spell having seen its effect the year previously when he hadn't even been able to touch Quirrell. The book also spoke of stronger versions, but he wasn't prepared to even try risking those right now.
He hadn't had a proper chance to test the spell though. He knew it made a shimmer but not much else, and he didn't feel brave enough to ask Hermione to hex him. He had a feeling that her spells would overpower his shield anyway.
He instead turned to the page for Stupefy. He'd been watching this spell carefully ever since he'd discovered the person in his dream use it. It was also a spell Quirrell had used against him, the red stunning spell he'd used to knock Y/N out, and any spell Quirrell or Voldemort knew was worth knowing. Even if only to know what it could do.
Growing up with McGonagall had made him immune to certain things. One of which was saying Voldemort's name. His mum had told him that on the night she had adopted him, Dumbledore had told her something.
'Fear of a name, only increases fear of the thing itself.'
And she had raised Y/N much the same. But she had also refused to raise him with the image that Voldemort would never return. She was hopeful, much as everyone else was, but too many rumours still existed of his existence. And after last year...
'I have to be ready,' Y/N growled as he attempted the stunning spell again. His wand let off a small red flash but nothing else. Heir of Slytherin, Slytherin's monster, Voldemort. He had to stop them.
He tried again, his wand flashed brighter this time, but still no spell. On and on his thoughts climbed. Mrs Norris hanging from the bracket. His mind saw Ves hanging there by her tail, still and lifeless. Then onto Hermione, her face, body, arms frozen.
'STUPEFY!' he was pretty sure his yell could have woken half of Gryffindor house, but he didn't care as the jet of red light soared out of his wand and impacted the wall across from him. He stared, his emotions calming, and for some reason he felt drained, as if he'd just run a marathon. He breathed out heavily, missing as the chair that had been hovering next to him landed back on the floor.
A moment later and something collided with his side.
'You did it! You did it!' came an excited voice from next to him as Y/N tried to regain his bearings. Hermione gazed up at him, her arms around his waist as she beamed. 'That's really advanced magic, Y/N!'
'Don't know how I did it to be honest,' said Y/N, looking at the small impact mark where his spell had hit. 'I didn't do that much different to usual apart from…' but he trailed off as he remembered his previous train of thought.
'Apart from…?' Hermione prompted.
'Nothing, not yet at least. Let me talk to mum first.' She looked like she wanted to argue, but instead dragged Y/N over to one of the sofas, pushing him down onto it before sitting next to him and opening one of their textbooks. She placed her head on his shoulder and together, they read.
Before long, Ron and Neville came down to join them and together they made their way down towards the Great Hall. Y/N took a slight detour heading towards McGonagall's classroom, wanting to stop in and see her first. Hermione followed him, subtly at first until he sighed and beckoned her to catch up.
'The other two not come with you?' he asked as she jogged towards him.
'Gave them the slip, same way you almost did me.'
'I wasn't trying to,' lied Y/N. 'Just need to speak to mum.'
Together they made their way towards her office. Y/N could hear hushed voices inside but couldn't catch what they were saying. He raised his fist and knocked on the office door. Both voices silenced at once and a moment later the door opened. There stood Professor McGonagall. She looked suspicious, but her face warmed the moment she saw who it was.
'Ah, Y/N, Miss Granger. Please come in.'
She stepped aside and the two entered. There, they saw Professor Flitwick, who smiled warmly at both of them as they approached.
'Sorry Professors,' said Y/N, 'didn't mean to interrupt.'
'Nonsense, Mr L/N,' said Flitwick, waving a hand. 'We were just finishing up anyway. Thank you for your time, Minerva,' and with a slight bow he swept from the room.
Hermione and Y/N sat down across from McGonagall as she re-seated herself behind her desk.
'And to what do I owe this visit?' she asked, looking around at them. 'If you are here to tell me about Gilderoy's stunt yesterday during the Quidditch match, I am already aware.'
'Ah,' said Y/N, staring down at the floor. 'Well, you see-'
'Don't know why you're getting embarrassed, Y/N. As far as I heard, after his spell, an unknown assailant cast a binding spell on Gilderoy. Whoever he happens to think it was is entirely up to him.'
Hermione laughed appreciatively and Y/N's eyes turned back up to his mother. She was smirking, which he returned.
'Well no, it's not that Professor. You see, I've been using the book you gave me last year for Christmas, practicing some of the spells in it. My latest has been the stunning spell. I wasn't able to even cast it until this morning…'
He paused, trying to think of how best to phrase this next part. Hermione was looking quizzically at him whilst McGonagall's face was impassive.
'My mind started wandering. I saw Voldemort from last year, I know he's not gone. I knew I had to be ready, I saw Mrs Norris again, then Ves in her position, then-' he didn't finish that part, but he could tell from the look on his mother's face. She knew who he had seen. Hermione, luckily, still looked confused. '-And I cast it, perfectly. But I also felt drained. Is that normal?'
Professor McGonagall did not answer at first. Her eyes were scanning Y/N's face, her brow furrowed. Once she spoke, she spoke slowly and deliberately, as if choosing every word carefully.
'Emotions are no small thing when it comes to casting spells, Y/N. Many spells have to be meant by the user, not meaning it or believing you can't do it will only lessen the effects. If you tell yourself you can't, you won't. You also need to remember that is quite advanced magic for a second year. Most students don't start researching those types of spells until third. I imagine the overwhelming emotions coupled with the powerful spell may have had an effect. However, there may be more to this. Allow me some time to speak to Professor Dumbledore. I shall recall you once I know more.'
'Thanks mum,' he said genuinely, and McGonagall smiled at him.
He moved to get up, but McGonagall held up a hand as she sighed. 'An official announcement will need to be made over the next few days, but whilst I have both of you I would rather you hear it from me. There has been another attack.' Y/N felt his stomach tighten and Hermione gasped.
'When?' he asked.
'Last night, Colin Creevy. He's in the Hospital Wing now. Petrified, much the same as Mrs Norris.'
'Did he have his camera-?' asked Y/N, but McGonagall shook her head.
'He did, but we have already checked. The film was burnt, the entire camera destroyed,' she reached into her desk drawer and pulled out the still faintly smoking remains of the camera and placed it on her desk. 'I wanted your opinion Y/N.'
'Mine?'
'Dumbledore said it himself, this is powerful dark magic, powerful enough both to petrify Mr Creevy and destroy his camera. Anything you can gleam…'
Y/N nodded and closed his eyes. He felt forward, reaching for the camera. And found nothing. He opened his eyes staring at the camera on the desk then without looking away, closed them again. Feeling forward.
'Nothing,' he said, opening his eyes again. 'Not even a trace of a spell.'
McGonagall's face looked as though that was the worst answer he could have given.
'Which means that whatever's doing this isn't a wizard or witch casting a spell,' she said.
'Something more like a monster..?' asked Hermione tentatively.
'Quite possibly, Miss Granger.'
They left McGonagall's office and Y/N breathed deep.
'And here I was hoping it was over and whoever it was felt like they'd bitten off more than they could chew,' said Y/N as he stared out of one of the windows.
'We have to go get Ron and start on the potion,' said Hermione, placing a hand on his arm. 'The quicker we do it, the quicker we can get some answers.'
'You don't genuinely believe it's Malfoy do you?'
'Of course I don't, but he's the most likely to know and also our easiest ticket in. Not knowing anything about the common room or passwords plays heavily into our hand if we copy Crabbe and Goyle. Then all we need is one or two others.'
'Suppose,' said Y/N. 'Let's go get Ron then.'
They rushed down to the Great Hall and told Ron in a hushed whisper about Colin's petrification and Y/N's examination of the camera. He agreed with them that they had to start the potion as soon as possible. They finished their breakfast and Hermione dragged them up to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
'Why here?' asked Y/N as she pushed him and Ron in over the threshold and closed the door behind him.
'I've told you before, no one ever comes in here. And we need a spare room for a month to brew the potion. Need to make sure we don't get caught.'
She dragged them across to one of the stalls and pulled them inside, a cauldron was already waiting in there. She locked the door behind them and sat down on the floor of the cubicle. Y/N took a seat across from her as Ron perched himself on the toilet.
'See you were already prepared,' said Ron, nodding to the cauldron.
'Got to be,' said Hermione as she began pulling ingredients from her bag. 'Knew we'd have to be ready.'
She pointed her wand at the floor under her cauldron and it started letting off a small amount of smoke, as though on fire. She was just bringing the temperature up, however when someone knocked on the door making all three of them jump.
'It's me,' came Harry's voice and Y/N climbed to his feet and unlocked the stall. Harry slipped inside and pulled it closed behind him.
'You gave us such a fright!' said Hermione as he headed inside. 'How's your arm?'
'Fine,' said Harry.
'We'd've come to meet you, but we decided to get started on the Polyjuice Potion,' Ron explained as they all shimmied up to make room. Y/N and Hermione were so close that Hermione only needed to move a little bit more to be sitting in his lap. 'Thought this would be the safest place to hide it.'
Harry began to tell them about Colin being petrified but Y/N cut across him.
'Mum told us this morning,' he said pointing at himself and Hermione. 'Wanted me to have a look at his camera.'
'And?' asked Harry excitedly, but Y/N shook his head.
'Nothing, no magic, no spells, just a camera.' Harry's face fell.
'The sooner we get a confession out of Malfoy, the better,' snarled Ron. Y/N raised his eyebrows but said nothing. He didn't want to start another argument right after Harry got back. 'D'you know what I think?' Ron continued. 'He was in such a foul mood after the match, he took it out on Colin.'
'There's something else,' said Harry, watching the cauldron. 'Dobby came to visit me in the middle of the night.'
'Dobby? As in the house elf that got you in trouble over the summer?' asked Y/N and Harry nodded and told them in a hushed whisper about Dobby's warnings, his attempt to kill Harry with the bludger and stop him and Ron from getting the Hogwarts Express. And about the Chamber's previous opening.
'The Chamber's been opened before?' asked Hermione.
'This settles it,' said Ron. 'Lucius Malfoy must've opened the Chamber when he was at school, and now he's told dear old Draco how to do it. It's obvious. Wish Dobby'd told you what kind of monster is in there, though. I want to know how nobody's seen it yet.'
'Maybe it can turn invisible?' suggested Hermione. 'Or maybe it can disguise itself, pretend to be a suit of armour or something. I've read about Chameleon Ghouls.'
'You read too much, Hermione,' said Ron.
'Didn't see you saying that when she told us about the potion,' snapped Y/N. All three turned to look at him in surprise but Y/N stood up, unlocked the stall and wandered over to one of the chipped sinks. He placed his hand on either side of it and stared into the mirror.
What was going on? He knew he was annoyed with Ron but even then, it'd been such a small thing to snap over. He was on a short fuse at the moment, and it seemed as though the red head kept blowing it. He turned one of the faucets but no water came out, he moved over to one of the others and the water flowed freely. He splashed some on his face and his eyes turned towards the door.
He could just leave, go and be by himself, but was that what he really wanted right now? He turned and made his way slowly back over when he heard whispers coming from the stall.
'…his problem?' Ron whispered.
'Dunno,' answered Harry, 'he's seemed off for a little bit.'
'He's probably just stressed after the Quidditch match and Colin,' said Hermione.
'Doesn't give him an excuse to be an arse,' muttered Ron.
The door to the cubicle slammed shut. The three inside yelled in shock as the door to the bathroom swung open and Y/N stalked out. He wandered without aim seething to himself.
Did they not see it the same way he did? People were at risk; people were being frozen. It wasn't just animals. He'd been worrying about this for ages. Ever since the evening Mrs. Norris had been petrified. They'd gotten lucky with everyone being down at the Halloween feast, but whatever this thing was wasn't afraid of students. The legend reflected much the same message.
He zoned back in to realise he was down by the Black Lake. He wasn't sure how he'd managed to walk all the way here without realising, but here he was. Might as well make the most of it. He disrobed, folding them up and placing them onto a nearby rock. Now in just his underwear, he dived into the lake.
It was bitterly cold; he had a feeling it was like this most days but in the peak of November it was especially so. But he didn't care, he let the cold sink into his body. Heard his bones screaming out in protest, and he ignored them. It was helping him focus, his thoughts were racing but his emotions were gone, replaced by the chill. Then a hand wrapped around his waist and pulled him backwards, he let out a breath of surprise and water rushed into his lungs.
He broke the surface coughing and spluttering as he turned to see who had pulled him out. He saw a flash of red hair as a face swam into view. For a wild moment, he thought Ron had followed him, but then the face clarified into Ginny.
'What are you doing?' she practically yelled at him.
'I was going for a swim,' coughed Y/N leaning back and wiping his eyes, they were watering heavily.
'By just lying there in the water? It's the middle of November!' Ginny's robes were dripping and she looked like she was fighting the need to start shivering.
'I was fine Gin, honestly, I had it all under control.'
'Normal people just tend to wade into the water or dive better prepared. Not only were you not prepared, but you were essentially just sitting under the water. That doesn't sound prepared!' Tears were forming in her eyes as she yelled at him, and Y/N hung his head.
'Here,' he said and he pointed his wand at her robes and using the hot air charm he began to dry her off. Once he was done, he used it on himself and threw his robes back on. He sat down on the rock he had placed them on and Ginny joined him.
'What brings you down to the black lake then?' he asked her.
'Worried,' she muttered, not meeting his gaze. 'Colin…' she trailed off.
'Yeah, mum got me to have a look at his camera, but there's nothing wrong with it…'
''Got you to have a look at it'?' Ginny looked confused.
'Oh right, you don't know. I have this ability, apparently my dad had it too. I can sense magical enchantments, strong ones. It started off overwhelming at first, but I got used to it, now I can feel stuff on items.'
'Any item?' asked Ginny. She looked worried.
'Pretty much, I can feel it on areas too, but it's mostly spread out. It's why Hogwarts doesn't bother me. And if I know the spell, I can even recognise it.'
Ginny looked torn, as though she really wanted to ask him something but wasn't sure how.
'You okay?' he asked her and she nodded slowly.
'Can you… have a look at something for me?'
'Of course I can,' said Y/N, a bit taken aback but he straightened up.
'Place it down on the rock there.' but the moment Ginny reached into her pocket and pulled the item out, Y/N's head pulsed dangerously, and a sense of dread rushed through him. He staggered backwards. He knew what that was.
'You kept it?' he asked, his hand on his head.
Ginny had frozen halfway towards putting the small black diary down. She looked even more afraid now.
'Kept it..?' she asked slowly.
'I felt it in Flourish and Blotts when you got your books, it was in your Transfiguration one wasn't it?' Ginny nodded. 'I thought you'd give it to your dad so I didn't say anything. It's bad Gin, very bad.'
'It's not that bad,' she said defensively, and she stuffed it back away in her pocket.
'The fact that you can even say that worries me more Gin, what is it?'
'It's just a diary. It's fine, don't worry about it,' she quickly got to her feet. 'I've got to get to class anyway.'
'But it's Sunday-' began Y/N, but too late, she was already almost running back off towards the castle.
Y/N sat back down on the rock, thinking. That diary was very powerful, and very dark. Ginny had insisted there was nothing wrong with it, but he had a feeling that wasn't entirely her saying that. It was a difficult position. He wasn't willing to let Ginny hold onto it but he didn't feel like it was his place to tell on her, he didn't want her to get a Howler too.
'I'll give her time,' he muttered. Maybe now that he'd told her what it was capable of, she'd come to her senses. Then if not, he could tell someone, that would be alright, wouldn't it? He span on his bottom, turning his eyes away from the castle and gazing out across the sparkling surface of the black lake.
His mind was clearing now, he felt bad for the way he'd left the trio. Hermione was probably worried sick. Speaking of.
He hadn't felt the diary pulse as he'd most likely been in the lake when it had, but pulling out his journal and turning to the most recent page, he saw Hermione had indeed written to him.
'Where are you?'
He pulled out his quill and paused. Did he want to see her right now? His mind was filled with images of her face, her smiling, her worried, those deep chocolate brown eyes. He jotted back.
'Black Lake'
And snapped the book closed. Around five minutes passed but he felt someone place a hand against his side to get him to budge up. He did so and the bushy haired girl sank onto the rock next to him. She hesitated for a moment before leaning in and placing her head on his shoulder. He raised his arm and wrapped it around her.
They sat there for a while, just gazing out across the surface of the lake. Everything felt right at the moment. He knew they still had to talk about what had happened, but for now he just wanted to enjoy her being there. He cared about her, more than a friend, more than his best friend, but now wasn't the time. It would come, hopefully once the beast was dead.
Y/N squeezed his ring and Pippa took off to the sky, floating lazily around the lake as she flapped her silver wings, Hermione did the same and soon her Otter splashed happily into the water.
'I called him Sammy,' said Hermione as she watched the otter splash away.
'You named him?'
'Course I did, you named your ring and I guess it rubbed off on me. Plus, it's special, it was from you. I wanted to name it.'
'Well I like it,' said Y/N, watching the otter dive happily in and out of the water sending out small ripples. 'Sammy suits him.'
Hermione lifted her head from his shoulder and scooted closer, wrapping her arms around him in a side hug. He returned the gesture and sighed, still watching the lake as Pippa began dive bombing Sammy.
'You want to talk about it?'
'Not really,' responded Y/N. 'But I owe you an explanation.'
'You don't owe me anything if you don't want to talk. Just know that I'm here.'
Y/N nodded, detached himself from her arms and sat crossed legged on the rock as he turned to face her, she did the same and watched him closely.
'I think…. I think I'm scared,' Y/N said, 'normally it's a lot more overwhelming, like when I… in Lockhart's classroom… anyway,' he shook himself slightly, 'but I'm really worried about whatever this thing is. It's already gotten Mrs. Norris and Colin, and still no one's seen it. No one knows what or where it is. My emotions are just everywhere.'
'Is that why you slammed the door in the bathroom?'
'No, that was because I heard all of you whispering about me. I got angry, both at what Ron said and the fact that it was even being done in the first place. Ron's commented about me being able to do magic without realising before and I've seen it once or twice, guess it was just another instance of that.'
'I'm really sorry Y/N. I was trying to stand up for you-'
'I know you were 'Mione,' he said, seizing her hand and cutting her off. 'It's not you, it's the other two.'
'You've done magic without meaning too before?'
'Yeah, first time was before I even came here. I had a nightmare a lot as a kid. Still get it occasionally but less often now. I woke up one morning and was angry that I still didn't know what it was about. My cupboard door went flying open. Then I had the dream again the night after Lockhart's first class. I got angry again and went down to the common room. Ron came down to check on me and said the furniture was hovering around me.'
'Is that why you asked McGonagall about Stupefy this morning? Did the same thing happen then?'
Y/N nodded.
'I felt angry, furious. I knew I had to stop whatever was hurting people. I did the same thing I had every other time but I guess because I was so angry…'
'Can I ask what your nightmare's about?'
Y/N paused and took a deep breath before nodding.
'I'm out there,' he gestured towards the gates of Hogwarts 'And there's something ahead of me slithering through the trees. I follow it as closely as I can but end up losing it. At least that's how it used to be. I end up on the main road to Hogwarts and I hear someone shout 'Hell yes I do! In the same way I defy yours Bellatrix!'.'
'Who's Bellatrix?' asked Hermione.
'Never met her,' said Y/N. 'But from what mum's told me, she's a powerful Death Eater, one of Voldemort's favourites. But then all I see is a flash of green light and I wake up.'
'Green light?'
''Avada Kedavra'. Mum told me about it, the killing curse. Just kills wizards and witches. Apparently, it's the same thing he used on Harry's parents and pretty much everyone Voldemort wanted to kill.'
Hermione looked sick.
'But then, this year, when I had it again, I heard more. I saw the cloak, but I had my wand this time. I cast Lumos and managed to follow it, and I heard more of the conversation. He said the same line about defying but also cast Stupefy at the end of it.'
'So that's why you were so keen to learn that spell?'
'That and the fact that it seems useful, but yeah. That played a part as well. But that wasn't all I heard. The voice said, 'You will not take Y/N!'.'
Hermione clasped her hands over her mouth, her eyes swimming with tears.
'Mum had told me before that she thinks it was my dad, but that kind of confirmed it.'
'Oh Y/N,' said Hermione softly, and she leant forward pulling him into a hug. He returned it, but not for long.
'Let me finish or I don't know if I can continue.' Hermione nodded and sat back. 'Then I heard his voice. Voldemort's. He said something about his death eaters not being able to stop a child getting away from him. I burst through the trees to confront him just to see the green light again.'
'I assume the child in question was you?' asked Hermione and Y/N nodded.
'From what my mum said, my dad had asked Dumbledore to look after me, he knew Voldemort was after him and my mum. Voldemort even told me why last year. So, he got me inside the castle grounds, and then was killed right outside of them from the looks of it. That same night, Voldemort was destroyed when trying to kill Harry. Mum told me about needing to drop him off with his aunt and uncle and how she couldn't watch that happen to two boys.'
'So, she took you in?' Hermione was smiling widely now, and Y/N nodded again.
'Best mum I could have ever asked for,' he said quietly. 'We don't get along all the time; no parents and kids ever do. But she looks after me, and I'd hate to have gone through what Harry has to.'
'I can't believe I've never asked you any of this before,' said Hermione.
Y/N shrugged. 'I don't exactly introduce myself with 'my dad was killed by Lord Voldemort'.'
Hermione laughed then slid over to sit next to him again, wrapping her arm around his waist. He did the same around her shoulder and they sat there together for a little while longer.
'I really appreciate you telling me all of that, Y/N. I'm glad I can understand you a bit better now. I promise you can talk to me about anything,' she squeezed his waist.
'I know 'Mione, and same to you. I'll always be by your side.'
()()()()()()
As December rolled around, the Quartet spent much of their free time in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom preparing the potion. Well, Hermione and Y/N were preparing the potion. Ron and Harry merely watched and chatted. Y/N was doing his best to not snap at Ron, he didn't want to wear them down too much and he too didn't need to keep causing arguments.
'Do you think it works?' asked Ron displaying a small bronze ring on his finger that was supposed to ward against evil. The school had been undergoing a sort of underground trade of these. Y/N had mentioned one or two to McGonagall but he didn't want to snitch on too many people at risk of being caught. He normally wouldn't have at all, but he'd noticed a few Slytherins selling cursed items thanks to his sense.
'Nope,' said Y/N, not looking up from 'Moste Potente Potions' as he stirred the cauldron.
'How come?' asked Ron.
Y/N tapped his head. 'It's not even enchanted Ron, I told you to take me with you if you were going to look at those things. I can tell whether they're real or fake in a second, all you've got there is a bronze ring.'
Ron cursed and yanked the ring off his finger, throwing it across the bathroom.
'Cost me 7 sickles,' he muttered as he turned back to Harry and continued their conversation.
Within the next few days, McGonagall swept around the common room, asking students to put down their names for remaining at Hogwarts over Christmas. Harry and Y/N did at once, but to their surprise so did Ron and Hermione. Shortly after however, Hermione explained that she had overheard Malfoy talking about staying at the castle for Christmas too, and she thought it would be their best chance at using the potion.
The second week of December brought their potion to a halt however, they now needed the Bicorn horn and Boomslang skin. Both of which, they could only retrieve from Snape's private stores.
'What we need,' Hermione said as the lesson crept closer, 'is a diversion. Then one of us can sneak into Snape's office and take what we need. I'd probably best do the actual stealing-' Y/N opened his mouth but she glared at him, a glare so fierce he closed his mouth immediately, '-You'll all be expelled if you get into any more trouble, and I've got a clean record. All you need to do is cause enough mayhem to keep Snape busy for five minutes or so.'
'Think we're at greater risk than you are,' growled Harry as Ron and Y/N grimaced.
And so, on Thursday afternoon, the quartet found themselves down in the dungeons. Harry and Ron shared a workstation whilst Y/N and Hermione were at the next one. They were all waiting for the right moment, which was difficult as Malfoy had apparently chosen this lesson to torment Ron and Harry by flicking Puffer-fish eyes at them.
Snape spent the lesson completely ignoring him and instead picking on whatever Gryffindors he could get his hands on. He tried with Harry, but Harry wasn't paying attention, so he swept off towards Neville instead. That was when Hermione tapped him, he in turn tapped Harry and Ron and Hermione nodded to them all.
Harry stooped down behind his cauldron, pulling out a firework he had borrowed from Fred and tossed it underhand to Y/N, who tapped it with his wand and muttered 'Incendio.'
The fireworks didn't need the fire to be able to start, but Fred had told him it made a lot more spectacular. And, after making sure no one was looking, he threw it straight into Goyle's cauldron. He moved around Hermione to get between her and the cauldron just as it exploded.
The potion flew everywhere, covering half the class in the half formed swelling solution. Malfoy got a face full, and his nose began to swell like a balloon. Goyle's eyes were becoming enormous, and Y/N was gazing down at his hand which was beginning to grow into a comically large cheer glove. It didn't actually feel that bad, it was just an odd sensation as though his hand was being filled with air.
'Silence! SILENCE!' Snape yelled. 'Anyone who has been splashed, come here for a Deflating Draught, when I find out who did this…'
Y/N walked forward and took the Draught from Snape, drinking it quickly and watching as his hand returned to its normal size. Snape threw him a sharp look but not much more. He made his way back over to his desk as Hermione too returned, the front of her robes sticking out slightly.
Y/N bit his tongue to avoid making the joke that had risen to his mind and watched as the rest of the class got their antidotes. Then, Snape swept over to Goyle's cauldron and pulled out the remains of the firework. The entire dungeon went deathly silent.
'If I ever find out who threw this,' Snape whispered, 'I shall make sure that person is expelled,' Snape was staring right at Harry as he said it but he had no proof, not least of all because it hadn't been Harry.
The bell rang ten minutes later and the quartet swept as quickly as they could out of the dungeon without drawing attention to themselves. They shut themselves back in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom and Hermione threw the ingredients into the cauldron, sat on the floor and began stirring. Y/N leant against the stall next to her.
'He definitely knew it was me,' said Harry, 'I could tell.'
'Technically it wasn't you,' said Y/N. 'Told you Incendio made them even more glorious. Fred and George really know their mayhem.'
'It'll be ready in two weeks,' said Hermione, beaming up at them. Y/N placed a hand on her head, running his hand through her hair.
'You're honestly the best,' he said smiling down at her, and Hermione went scarlet.
'Snape can't prove it was you,' said Ron, looking at Harry and Y/N. 'What can he do?'
'Knowing Snape, something foul,' said Harry.
()()()()()()
A week later and the quartet were moving their way through the entrance hall when they saw a gaggle of people stood around the notice board, reading a notice that had clearly just been put up. Seamus and Dean were near the board and they beckoned excitedly to the quartet.
'They're starting a Duelling Club!' said Seamus, looking excited. 'First meeting tonight! I wouldn't mind duelling lessons; they might come in handy one of these days.'
'What, you reckon Slytherin's monster can duel?' said Ron as he stepped forward to read the notice. Y/N sighed, and Hermione placed a reassuring hand on his arm.
'I'm going,' said Y/N. 'Knowing how to properly use the spells will prove useful. Especially against some of the normal Slytherins.'
'Well, if you're going then so am I,' said Hermione matter of factly as she steered him towards the Great Hall.
'Hey, don't forget about us!' said Harry as he and Ron jogged after them.
And so that evening at eight o'clock, they made their way down to the Great Hall. The four dining tables were gone and instead a large stage had appeared across one of the walls. The thousands of candles overhead were still alighting them all.
'Wonder who'll be teaching us?' said Hermione as she crept in. 'Didn't you say Flitwick was an ex-duelling champion?' she asked Y/N and he nodded.
'Mum told me all about it. Apparently undefeated when he was at school here, and even held that title for a good few years until he challenged Dumbledore.'
'As long as it's not-' began Harry, but he groaned as the other three span to follow his gaze. Walking onto the stage was Gilderoy Lockhart, his robes a deep plum purple, followed by Professor Snape. Lockhart waved a hand to get everyone's attention and called out to them all.
'Gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!'
'This is not going to be worth it,' said Y/N darkly and Hermione smiled but shushed him.
'Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little duelling club to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves, as I myself have done on countless occasions, for full details see my published works.'
'I miss the house tables,' muttered Y/N and Hermione elbowed him.
'Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape,' continued Lockhart, flashing that annoying smile. 'He tells me he knows a little bit about duelling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin. Now I don't want any of you youngsters to worry, you'll have your potions master back when I'm through with him, never fear!'
'Snape's going to kill him,' muttered Harry.
'I think I'd be okay with that,' Y/N whispered back.
Snape's face was twisting into an evil smile. If they weren't in Hogwarts, Y/N would probably be worried for Lockhart's safety. Well, worried was a strong word. Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed, Lockhart's rather extravagant and Snape sort of nodding his head a little. They then raised the wands in front of them.
'As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position. On the count of three we shall cast our spells, neither of us will be aiming to kill of course,' said Lockhart.
'Wouldn't bet on that,' said Harry, looking at Snape.
'One, two, three!'
Both raised their wands, Lockhart seemed to elect to go for some form of a wand twirl which just gave Snape plenty of an opening to act.
'Expelliarmus!'
There was a flash of scarlet and Lockhart went flying and crashed hard against the wall. Y/N laughed harshly, but it was masked in the crowd owing to the collective screams and gasps from most of the females present. He was quite relieved to see that Hermione hadn't been one of them.
Lockhart was slowly getting to his feet; his hat had fallen off and his hair was on end.
'Well. There you have it!' he said as he staggered back into position on the stage. 'That was a disarming charm. As you see, I have lost my wand, ah, thank you Miss Brown. Yes, an excellent idea to show them that Professor Snape, but if you don't mind my saying it was very obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you, it would have been too easy, however I felt it instructive to let them see.'
Snape looked as though he was about to strangle Lockhart, so the Defence teacher quickly turned his eyes towards the crowd. 'Enough demonstrating! I'm going to walk amongst you now and pair you off. Professor Snape, if you'd like to help me?'
They both moved off into the crowd. Y/N was hoping for once that Lockhart found them first, but instead it was Professor Snape who arrived.
'Let's split up the dream team I think,' he drawled as he looked at Ron and Harry. 'Weasley, you can partner Finnigan. Potter-' Harry side stepped towards Y/N and Hermione, but Snape's smile widened, 'I don't think so. Mr Malfoy, come over here, let us see what you make of the great Potter. And you L/N,' he held Y/N's gaze for a half second, 'can partner Miss Granger,' and he swept off.
Hermione and Y/N turned to each other in shock. Had Snape just done him a favour? Another one?
They stepped apart and raised their wands in the position Lockhart had shown them. Y/N couldn't wipe the smile off his face, he'd be lying if he said he hadn't been thinking of duelling Hermione. He wanted to see what she could do. He looked across towards Harry and Malfoy and saw a rather large Slytherin girl who had been partnered with Dean.
'Hey, 'Mione,' he whispered, nodding his head towards her, 'think she'll do for the potion? She seems to know Malfoy.'
Hermione followed his gaze and her face gained a mischievous light. She nodded and slipped away. A moment later, she returned just as Snape and Lockhart finished pairing people off, shoving something away in her robe pocket.
'She had some loose hairs on her,' she said beaming as she placed her wand back in front of her face. Y/N smiled back just as Snape and Lockhart swept back onto the golden stage.
'Face your partners!' yelled Lockhart, 'and bow.'
Y/N bowed low to Hermione and saw she had done much the same. They straightened up, not looking away from each other.
'Wands at the ready! When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent, only to disarm them, we don't want any accidents. One, two, three!'
'Expelliarmus!' both Y/N and Hermione yelled. The two scarlet bolts flew forward and collided with each other causing them to ricochet off. Hermione's even knocked one of the floating candles off centre.
'Come on then, Granger,' growled Y/N, but he was smirking.
She returned the gaze as the two cast again.
Hermione's wand flew from her hand and Y/N caught it.
'Ha ha!' he called as Hermione half pouted. 'What do I win?' he asked, smirking at her.
Hermione walked forward, grabbed the front of his robes and dragged him down before planting a fierce kiss on his cheek. Y/N felt his face ignite and he almost fell over as he staggered back in shock. As he did, Hermione reached out and snatched her wand back.
'Expelliarmus!' Y/N's wand now flew from his hand and the bushy haired girl caught it. She was smirking victoriously as Y/N spluttered. 'Now I win, what's my prize?' and she winked at him.
Y/N took a second to collect himself, but sadly it was a second too long as Snape's voice called out across the crowd.
'Finite Incantatem!'
And the sounds of spells came to a slow halt. Hermione moved over to Y/N and wrapped her arm around his.
'You'll pay for that,' he muttered to her.
'All I hear are threats. I'd see that as a challenge, if you were actually decent competition.'
'You did not-' but Hermione shushed him as she shook with supressed laughter.
Lockhart was moving through the crowd now checking on the students. He swept past Y/N and Hermione with only a cursory glance, and even that was mostly on Hermione. He didn't seem to want to look at Y/N.
'I think I'd better teach you how to block unfriendly spells,' he said as he clambered back onto the stage 'Let's have a volunteer pair, Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley, how about you?'
'A bad idea, Professor Lockhart,' said Snape as he almost floated over, 'Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending what's left of Finch-Fletchley to the Hospital Wing in a matchbox. How about Malfoy and Potter?' said Snape, his smile twisting.
'Oh no,' said Y/N.
'Excellent idea!' said Lockhart who scanned the crowd and caught a glimpse of the pair, beckoning them forward.
Y/N watched as Lockhart wandered up to Harry and sort of waved his wand loosely before dropping it. Snape crept over to Malfoy and began whispering something to him, and Malfoy's smile grew.
'What on earth is Lockhart showing Harry?' Hermione asked, gazing at the two.
'I think he tried Protego but then put some of that 'Gilderoy Charm' on it, and in doing so it didn't work,' said Y/N.
A moment later and both teachers straightened up, moving off. Harry and Malfoy raised their wands.
'Three, two, one, go!'
Malfoy raised his wand immediately and cried 'Serpensortia!' and a snake burst out of the end of his wand colliding with the floor. Hermione squealed and clutched Y/N's arm harder. As Snape began walking forwards.
'Don't move Potter, I'll get rid of it,' he said, but he was clearly in no rush.
'Allow me!' shouted Lockhart. He waved his wand at the snake, causing it to fly ten feet into the air and then come crashing back down. Now it just looked angry, and instead of Harry it turned its eyes onto Justin Finch-Fletchley, but stopped dead in its tracks as Harry hissed at it. But it wasn't normal hissing, and it made the snake stop dead and turn its eyes onto Harry
'Of course he's a Parselmouth,' muttered Y/N to Hermione. 'One more thing to add to the list.'
Hermione gasped, looking up at him. 'You mean he can talk to snakes?' she asked incredulously.
'You got another explanation for what he's doing?'
Harry looked up, smiling at Justin, but Justin had apparently not taken kindly to the hissing.
'What do you think you're playing at?' he yelled before turning and storming out of the Great Hall.
'We need to get him off that stage, now,' said Y/N. Hermione nodded and together they swept through the crowd, Ron was already there tugging on Harry's robes. Harry stepped off the stage and followed them out of the Great Hall. They dragged him all the way back up to the common room where Ron pushed him into a chair and said, 'You're a Parselmouth. Why didn't you tell us?'
'I'm a what?' said Harry.
'A Parselmouth!' said Ron. 'You can talk to snakes.'
'I know,' said Harry. 'I mean, that's only the second time I've ever done it. I accidentally set a Boa Constrictor at my uncle and cousin at the zoo once. It told me it had never seen Brazil.'
'A boa constrictor told you it had never seen Brazil,' said Ron faintly as he sank into a chair alongside Harry.
'Harry, mate, this is bad,' said Y/N looking at him.
'What's bad?' said Harry, Y/N could hear his voice rising. 'What's wrong with everyone? If I hadn't told that snake not to attack Justin-'
'Had a feeling that was what you told it,' said Y/N.
'What do you mean? You were there, you heard me-'
'We only heard you speaking Parseltongue mate,' said Y/N, 'snake language, we don't understand it. You could have been saying anything, and it doesn't exactly sound like a friendly language if that was telling something to stop. You sounded excited.'
'I spoke a different language? But how can I speak a language without knowing that I can speak it?'
Ron was shaking his head and Hermione looked worried. Y/N was trying to keep a clear head for Harry's sake, but even his mind was racing.
'D'you want to tell me what's wrong with stopping a massive snake biting off Justin's head? What does it matter how I did it so long as Justin isn't snake food.'
'It matters,' said Hermione quietly from behind Y/N, 'because being able to talk to snakes is what Salazar Slytherin was famous for. That's why Slytherin's house symbol is a serpent.'
Harry looked dumbfounded and his mouth fell open.
'Exactly,' said Ron, 'and now the whole schools going to think you're his descendant or something-'
'But I'm not,' said Harry, Y/N could see his panic.
'We know that mate,' said Y/N, cutting across Hermione. 'But sadly no one else does.'
They moved off to bed shortly after. Or at least Ron and Harry did, Y/N sank onto the sofa and Hermione settled in next to him.
'He could be Slytherin's descendant you know,' she almost whispered and Y/N sighed.
'I know, I knew exactly what you were going to say. But you saw his face. He needed reassurance then, not empty words. He knows as well as we do that there's still a chance, but he had to know we were still with him.' Hermione nodded and leant her head on his shoulder.
'We should duel more often,' she said quietly.
'Why, didn't get enough of kissing me the first time?' he teased.
'Are you saying you didn't like it?'
'Are you saying you didn't?'
'If I didn't like it I wouldn't have done it.'
'Well maybe it'll be my turn next time,' he had said this last comment without thinking. So caught up in trying to wind her up that he hadn't realised what he was saying. He felt his cheeks begin to burn as he chanced a glance at her, but he could see she was smiling, almost wistfully.
'Maybe I'll have to take you up on that offer,' Hermione got to her feet and stretched. 'It's a good thing we got those spare Slytherin hairs, now we just need someone for you.'
'Don't know if we'll be able to,' said Y/N, fanning his face. Luckily, Hermione was turned away from him, staring at the fire. 'I think most of the others are going home. Worst case I'll stay in the bathroom and guard it. Can't be too careful.'
'Might be an idea to just have you do that anyway, saves us going looking. I'll need to find out who this girl is anyway, and I may need to fabricate a lie for her if she's going home for Christmas. Anyway, night Y/N.'
'Night 'Mione. Sleep well, try not to think about me too hard.'
'I'll try my best,' she called over her shoulder as she disappeared towards the girls dormitory.
Y/N lay awake in bed thinking about the interaction he'd just had with his best friend. That had been flirting, that had definitely been flirting. And they'd both reciprocated. Not only that, but that kiss at the duelling club had been something more. That wasn't just a friendly peck like it usually was.
'Was that just a distraction? Or was there more to that? Maybe both…'
His thoughts wouldn't do him too well right now, he needed to push them out. Once the beast was gone, once the threat had passed, then he could worry about Hermione, maybe even invite her over for the summer again? Then he'd have plenty of opportunities to ask her.
He knew now that he had to though, even if he did end up getting rejected. This felt like more than friendship to him, and he definitely thought he felt the same back from her. But he was going to ask Hermione Granger to be his girlfriend.
