Harry spent most of the night thinking about Professor Jackson, and what he'd heard. After a few hours' contemplation, he'd decided that there was no way Professor Jackson could be the one behind the attacks. Sure Mrs. O'Leary was terrifying, but she was also incredibly nice and affectionate. Furthermore, if the monster was targeting Muggle-borns, then Professor Jackson himself admitted he'd be one of the first to be targeted. He decided he'd watch out for anything else strange about the professor, but that he wasn't likely involved.
Harry was cleared to leave the Hospital Wing early the next day. He went off immediately to try and find Ron and Hermione. He was desperate to share what he'd learned about Colin, and Professor Jackson. They weren't in the Common Room, or the library, but after a brief run-in with Ron's older brother Percy, Harry realized they were likely in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. It had been Hermione's idea to use the unused bathroom as their little base of operations to concoct the polyjuice potion, and was where they'd spent the last several months brewing it.
After making sure the coast was clear, Harry pushed his way into the bathroom, and heard Ron and Hermione's voices coming from a stall in the corner.
"Hey," he called out, "It's me." There was little gasp, as something clunked to the ground and Ron cursed slightly. The door to the stall opened and Ron poked an eye out, his wand in his hand. When he saw that it was only Harry in the room, he opened the door to the stall and let Harry in. Closing the stall behind him, he saw that they had the cauldron propped up over the toilet, a waterproof fire burning in the toilet's water.
"Colin's been petrified," He said, and was surprised by the lack of shock on either of their faces,
"We know," Hermione explained as she added Lacewing flies to the potion, "We overheard Professor McGonagall telling Professor Flitwick this morning. That's why we're here. We decided we needed to get started."
"Ok, but that's not everything," Harry said, "Listen to this,"
Without preamble, Harry launched into an explanation of what happened the night before, and everything he'd heard. Ron and Hermione listened attentively; their eyes wide in surprise.
"Bloody hell," Ron swore, "Professor Jackson is going after it?"
"But that's so dangerous!" Hermione gasped, looking taken aback,
"Any more dangerous than going after the stone?" Ron asked,
"Or what we're doing now?" Harry added,
"This is different," Hermione insisted, "We're going to go to Professor Dumbledore with what we find out. Professor Jackson is just our history professor! He can't go after the monster! He should be leaving that to a professional."
"Like who?" Ron snorted, "Lockhart?"
"Well," Hermione said, her ears going a little red, "Well yes!" Harry and Ron both groaned, "Haven't you read his books?" She demanded, "If there's anyone in the castle who's qualified to fight this monster it's him!"
"Don't believe everything you read Hermione," Ron groaned, "He's a quack. Tell us one thing that he's taught us this year. Go on,"
Hermione just bit her lip and turned her attention back to her work.
"I was having a thought actually," Harry said, steering the conversation back on track, "Do we…do we really need to be doing this?" he asked,
"What?" Hermione asked, looking stunned,
"What do you mean?" Ron asked,
"I mean," Harry said, "That this isn't like last year. The professors are actively trying to stop this thing, whatever it is. Do we really need to do anything? Shouldn't we just let them handle it?"
"But we are going to let them handle it," Hermione stressed, looking shockingly frazzled, "We're going to turn over whatever we find to Professor Dumbledore!"
"Yeah, I know that," Harry agreed frustrated that he wasn't getting his point across neatly, "What I mean though is, do we really need to be doing all of this?" He gestured vaguely at the cauldron in front of them, "Do we really need to be taking all of these risks. Ron and I are on thin ice as it is. I was all for it before, but now that Professor Jackson is supposedly on the task, I just don't know if it's worth the risk."
"Of course, it's worth the risk!" Hermione shrieked, her hands starting to shake slightly,
"I don't know Hermione," Ron said, rubbing the back of his head uncomfortably, "Harry might have a point, I mean, we only went after the stone last year, because no one believed it was in danger. Things are different this time, and Professor Jackson seems like he's a pretty capable bloke. Maybe we really should leave well enough alone," He added with an embarrassed look at his taped-up wand.
"We should just let the teachers handle things Hermione, we don't have to do anything," Harry said,
"Easy for you two to say!" Hermione finally cried out, enormous tears starting to stream down her face, "You two are safe! You aren't what the monster is after, you're not muggle-born. You're not a Mudblood!" And the dam broke, and Hermione collapsed against the stall wall, her head in her hands, as enormous tears started streaming down her cheeks.
Harry was stunned for a moment, and shared a look of surprise with Ron, until his stomach tightened as guilt overtook him. Hermione was right, sure he was scared, everyone in the castle was scared, but deep down, he wasn't scared that he'd be targeted. It was well known that both of his parents were wizards. Ron too, came from an old, all-wizarding family. Neither of them would be targets to the monster. But Hermione's parents were both muggles. A fact that the likes of Draco Malfoy liked to reiterate as frequently as possible.
Colin's attack must have really driven home that Hermione was far from safe. That the threat to the Muggle-born population was very real. That the threat to Hermione was very real.
Harry should have known that Hermione would have been far more stressed than either he or Ron would be. Hermione was so determined to make the polyjuice potion, because she felt like she needed to be doing something, anything. She needed to be proactive, because if she didn't do anything, then she'd spend all her time and her energy worrying and fearing for her life.
Professor Jackson's words rang in Harry's ears, "Your friends are your support. They're your greatest source of personal strength. Never forget that." Hermione was his friend, as he was hers. Her strength was his strength, and his hers, as well as Ron's. They needed each other, and she desperately needed the pair of them, at that moment more than ever before.
Harry felt his fist clench in anger and determination and, after sharing another look with Ron, he slid down the stall wall next to Hermione. Ron stepped over the toilet and did the same. Ron leaned over and wrapped an arm around her, as Harry clutched her hand tightly in his own.
"We'll stick with the plan," Harry said fiercely,
"Course we will," Ron agreed, "We'll get to the bottom of this, tell Professor Jackson and let him and Dumbledore knock this stupid monster's fangs out. Dumb thing won't know what hit it,"
Hermione half-laughed and half-sobbed. And as Harry and Ron did their best to comfort their terrified friend, Harry prayed to whatever god that would listen, that Professor Jackson would be able to find and stop whatever was after his friend.
After a few minutes, Hermione had calmed down enough that only a few tears were prickling the corners of her eyes,
"What else do we need from the ingredients list?" Harry asked releasing Hermione's hand. Ron hesitated for a moment, before pulling his arm back as well. Hermione dabbed at her eyes with the back of her hand.
"All that's left for us to get is the boomslang skin." She said, her voice losing the quiver it had had a few moments previously, and she regained her usual composure as she talked, "Only problem is that the only place we can get it, is from Professor Snape's personal store."
The room fell silent, as the weight of that statement fell on them. Finally, Ron succinctly summed up Harry's feelings,
"Bollocks,"
BREAK
As it turned out, getting the boomslang skin was far easier than they had anticipated. Hermione used the distraction caused by Harry throwing a firework into Crabbe's cauldron, causing it to explode. Hermione told them that now that they had all the ingredients, all they needed was to let the potion simmer for a month, and then add some sort of piece of the person they were going to transform into.
A week passed by, and as Harry and Ron descended from their dormitory, they saw a large group of students gathered in front of the bulletin board, chattering excitedly amongst themselves.
"Seamus," Ron called out, causing the boy who was talking animatedly with Dean, to turn around and look at them, "What's going on?" Ron asked, pointing at the board,
"They're startin' a duelin' club" The Irish boy said in excitement, "I'm thinkin 'bout goin'. How's 'bout you two?"
Harry and Ron shared a look, before shrugging, "Couldn't hurt?" Harry said, waving Hermione over as she descended the stairs. "So long as someone who knows what they're doing is teaching it."
BREAK
"Had to jinx it, didn't ya Harry,"
"Stuff it, Ron," Harry said bitterly.
They watched in utter disappointment as Gilderoy Lockhart strutted along a large platform in the middle of the stage, looking absolutely ridiculous in baby-blue robes, and a wizards cap.
"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen." Lockhart said grandiosely, with a flourish of one arm. "And welcome, to the inauguration of Hogwarts' newest dueling club. Due to recent events, the headmaster, at my request, has allowed me the honor of teaching you how to defend yourselves." He then paused and flashed the audience a large, toothy grin. "As I have done myself in my many, many adventures, which you can read all about in my published works."
There were some ill-disguised groans at that.
"Now, allow me to introduce my assistant, Professor Jackson." he said, and gestured with a flourish to the other side of the stage, as Professor Jackson climbed up. There was an explosion of cheers from around the hall, a testament to how well-liked their newest History of Magic professor had become, in such a short span of time.
Rona and Harry shared knowing grins, while Hermione looked worried,
"Now Professor Jackson here tells me he that he knows a thing or two about dueling himself, and has sportingly agreed to help me out with a brief demonstration before we begin today's lessons. Now don't you worry," He added as hushed, worried conversations sprung up around the Hall, "I promise to take it easy on him, you'll still have your History professor once I'm through with him."
"I betcha Professor Jackson knocks him out in less than a minute," Harry whispered,
"A minute?" Ron whispered, "Try ten seconds,"
Professor Jackson looked like the cat that had gotten the canary, and not for the first time, Harry was reminded that Professor Jackson could be terrifying when he wanted to be.
As one, they raised their wands into the air, as though they were holding swords.
"Now, we have our wands in the accepted dueling position," Lockhart narrated, "And on the count of three, we will cast our spells, no worries though, we have no plans to kill one another,"
"Wouldn't bet on that," Ron murmured, looking at Professor Jacksons. Hermione's grip on the textbook in her arms was tight, that her knuckles were beginning to turn white.
"Oh, I don't like this," Hermione wailed softly,
"Oh come off it Hermione," Ron said,
"What if Professor Lockhart hurts him!" Hermione stressed,
"Hurts him?" Ron asked incredulously,
"I know he was in the American Magical Marines, but Professor Lockhart has so much experience! Dumbledore hired him for Defense Against the Dark Arts," She stressed, "Professor Jackson only teaches Magical History, there's no way he's prepared to fight off someone of Professor Lockhart's level."
"You don't know much about Professor Jackson, do you Granger?" Came a soft voice from beside them. Turning, the three looked to the small frame of Daphne Greengrass, watching Professor Jackson intently as he stretched his arms lazily.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, slightly startled. He'd never heard the girl speak outside of class,
"I wrote to mother, after our first class." Daphne explained, "Asked her to look into Professor Jackson for me. It's not every day we get an international wizard at Hogwarts. Did you know he was the U-20 World Dueling Champion when he was only 17?" She explained as calmly as though she were explaining the weather,
"The what?" Ron asked, confused,
"And those Magical Marines?" Daphne continued speaking, as though Ron hadn't said anything, "They're like aurors, but at the same time, very different. They work with the muggle military. They fight the wars they fight. Professor Jackson was one of the most decorated combat veterans of some war in Panama not too long ago. I don't believe there is anyone more qualified to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts in the entire castle, besides him."
"Then why isn't he?" Ron asked, looking confused,
Daphne shrugged, "That's a question for him, isn't it? Now please be quiet, I'd like to watch this."
They turned their attention back to the stage, just in time to catch Lockhart as he began the countdown.
"One" Counted Lockhart, and everyone in the crowd tensed, "Two," Professor Jackson's muscles tightened, and a vein in his neck throbbed, "Three! Expelliarm-ahhhh!" Lockhart's spell turned into a startled scream, as Professor Jackson was too quick, and his spell caught him, blasting him slightly backwards. The spell hadn't done any physical damage, but that didn't mean it hadn't done anything.
Harry laughed, as did the rest of the Hall. Ron was doubled over, tears in his eyes. Lockhart's pristine, baby-blue robes, had been replaced with an ensemble more befitting a clown. An enormous, oversized cow-spotted coat, an obnoxiously large, bright orange bow tie with yellow polka dot spots. Large checkered pants. And enormous, bright red clown shoes. But Professor Jackson hadn't stopped there, because he'd also painted Lockhart's face.
With another wave of his wand, Lockhart was abruptly thrown into the air, dangling upside down by his ankles. His large pants fell down over his face, revealing enormous, red and white, polka dotted bloomers.
The Hall was roaring with laughter.
Harry was having trouble seeing, he was doubled over where he stood, and his stomach was beginning to hurt from the laughter. Ron was howling beside him; the only person in the entire hall who didn't seem amused, was Hermione. Her arms were crossed and she looked far from amused. Looking over, Harry saw that Daphne was wearing a very satisfied smile on her face. She caught his staring, and arched an amused eyebrow, and mouthed,
"Told you,"
Professor Jackson lowered Lockhart to the ground, and with another wave of his wand, restored Lockhart back to his normal state. Hauling the blushing man to his feet. Lockhart looked torn between embarrassment, and apoplectic fury, his face was as red as a cherry, and there was a vein in his forehead that was pulsing. Professor Jackson whispered something in Lockhart's ear, who nodded at him, and seemed slightly mollified.
"Thanks for being a good sport Professor Lockhart!" Professor Jackson called out, clapping the smaller man on the back, and Lockhart almost fell over, "Hope you understand, I thought we could all do with a bit of laughter." Professor Jackson flashed another roguish grin at the audience, "Let's have another round of applause for Professor Lockhart," Professor Jackson called out, and the hall broke out into polite applause.
"Now," Professor Jackson stepped forward, clapping his hands together, "That wasn't very sporting on my part, especially because Professor Lockhart was attempting to demonstrate a disarming charm, which is the subject of today's lesson," There were some muted groans from the older years at the pronouncement, but Professor Jackson just raised his hands calmly, and called for order,
"I know, I know," He placated them with a genial smile, "I know this is pretty basic, but a little review never hurt anyone. Especially for you fourth and fifth years. I know for a fact that this spell will be on you O.W.L.'s so I don't want to hear any more complaining."
"Let's split the students up, dear Perseus," Lockhart interjected, and Harry thought Professor Jackson looked like he wanted nothing more than to throttle Lockhart. "Break them up, perhaps a little interhouse unity,"
"Lockhart, I really don't think-" But Lockhart just talked right over him,
"Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students, why don't you team up. Slytherin's and Gryffindor's, you two together as well I would think."
"That's not a good id-" Professor Jackson started to say but Lockhart just began walking away, splitting the students up. Professor Jackson looked irritable, but ultimately decided not to say anything, and busied himself by separating a pair of Slytherin and Gryffindor fourth years, who were already fighting with one another.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stared at one another, figuring they'd simply just work with one another, when Lockhart came up and made the decision for them.
"Mr. Weasley, why don't you work with Miss Davis here," he said, pushing a squeaking Tracy Davis in front of a blubbering Ron, "Miss Granger, Mr. Zabini, there we go." He added and a dark-skinned boy stepped in front of Hermione, tilting his head in a polite greeting, "And as for you Harry-"
"Potter and I are already paired together…Professor," Daphne said, adding Lockhart's title almost as an afterthought.
Harry shot the girl a confused stare, but she just shot him a look before gesturing softly with her eyes. Following her look, he saw an annoyed looking Malfoy staring at him with a quiet fury, only a few paces away.
Stepping away briefly the pair positioned themselves beside Hermione and Blaise Zabini, who were already practicing.
"Why'd you do that?" Harry asked, confused and more than a little apprehensive. While the girl had never done anything untoward towards him or any of his friends, his past experiences with other members of Slytherin House had left Harry feeling very little love for the students of the serpent.
"Because it annoyed Draco," Daphne said simply, as she raised her wand and attempted to cast the spell. Harry felt his wand wiggle slightly, but maintained his grip,
"Oh," Harry said, unsure of how he was supposed to respond to that. Choosing instead to cast the spell himself, he was pleasantly surprised to see as Daphne's wand flew straight out of her hand, and flew through the air right towards him. Reaching out on instinct, Harry snatched the wand out of the air without even really thinking about it. All of his training as a seeker coming in handy.
Daphne blinked in surprise. "Well done," She said as Harry tossed her back her wand, and once more, Harry was slightly surprised. No one in Slytherin had ever said anything remotely nice to him in the past. But then again, he supposed, his only real experience with them was with Malfoy and his cronies, or with the Quidditch team. It was, perhaps, to be expected that not all of them had it out for him. Likely instead, there were many who simply wanted the same he did, to keep their heads down and mind their own business.
They went back and forth for a few minutes, with Harry successfully disarming Daphne, while she could barely even get Harry's wand to so much as wiggle around in his grip.
Daphne tried the spell once more, and again, Harry's wand did little more than wiggle. Daphne growled in frustration, before turning an annoyed look at her wand, as though it were responsible for her inability to cast the spell.
"You have to want to take the wand away." Harry said without thinking. Daphne's head snapped in his direction, and Harry mentally berated himself for saying anything.
"What was that?" She asked, though not unkindly,
"Erm," Harry stammered, regretting having said anything at all, then decided he couldn't say nothing, so he plowed ahead, "The spell, when you cast, you have to kind think about how much you want to take the other person's wand away." Harry explained, Daphne seemed to consider him for a moment, before nodding again and trying again. When she cast the spell again, it was a much better result. While Harry's wand didn't soar through the air, it did pop out of his hand, falling to the floor in front of him.
Daphne, however didn't grin, or even seem pleased at all.
"Better," She said in that same soft voice she always used, "But it still didn't come to me,"
"It's the end of your wand movement," Harry said, unable to stop himself. "You're too loose. It needs to be more of a sharp jab. Keep your wrists tight, like your smacking something."
Daphne nodded, before trying once more, this time with great success. Harry felt his wand fly from his hand and soar through the air. Daphne reached out, but she wasn't as coordinated as Harry was though, and couldn't quite catch the airborne wand. It clattered to the floor, and Daphne's cheeks went a little flush as she scrambled to pick it up.
"Well done!" Harry said honestly, as he jogged over to Daphne, her cheeks were still flushed and she was having a hard time meeting his gaze. Without a word she thrust Harry's wand into his hand.
"Thank you," She said, her soft voice even softer, "You're a very good teacher, I've been having trouble with that all year,"
It was Harry's turn to flush slightly, as he didn't know what to say, thankfully he didn't have to, as a voice called out,
"Couldn't agree more Daphne," Professor Jackson was striding over. Part of his waistcoat was smoking slightly, and his right shoe was still slightly on fire. Professor Jackson, following Harry's gaze looked down, swore, and then with a wave of his hand, summoned a jet of water and dowsed his foot. Oddly enough, however, his foot wasn't wet when the water disappeared.
Professor Jackson looked up and beamed at Daphne, who preened at the attention, "Excellent work Daphne, take five points for Slytherin, and you," He said, turning his beaming face on Harry, "Take fifteen point for Gryffindor, for some excellent tutoring and for furthering 'inter-house relations' can't believe that moron's idea might have actually worked," Professor Jackson muttered under his breath.
There was a loud 'BANG' and the three turned to see Lockhart was standing on the stage, his wand in the air and smoking like a starting pistol.
"Well done everyone, well done. Now how about something fun! A little demonstration, see how much you've learned, let's see here," he said tapping at his chin, before his eyes met Harry's. Harry felt his stomach clench in foreboding, "Mr. Potter!" Lockhart said with a cheer, and Harry didn't even bother surprising his groan. He felt Professor Jackson pat him consolingly on the back as Harry shuffled towards the stage.
"Now who should he-Oh, yes Mr. Malfoy, would you like to volunteer?"
"Oh yes professor," Came Draco Malfoy's silky voice, sounding innocent as could be, "I'd love to…test myself against the likes of Potter."
"Excellent!" Lockhart clapped happily, and Harry looked back and saw that Professor Jackson looked like he had eaten something particularly sour, but otherwise kept his mouth shut,
"Don't worry, Harry," Professor Jackson said in his ear as Harry climbed onto the stage, while Lockhart babbled about something, "I'll make sure this is fair,"
Harry nodded, and positioned himself on one side of the stage.
"Scared, Potter?" Malfoy hissed from the other side of the stage, quiet enough so that the teachers couldn't hear him,
"You wish," Harry said back, equally menacingly.
"On the count of three," Announced Lockhart, "One-two-" But Malfoy was moving before the countdown had finished,
"Serpensortia!" he cried out with a flourish. The end of the wand exploded as, to Harry's horror, an enormous black snack appeared, falling to the floor of the stage with a great, large 'THUD'
The snake hissed, and raised its head menacingly, its neck rearing back and its large fangs bared, ready to strike at Harry.
"Don't move Harry," Professor Jackson said quickly, stepping out onto the stage his wand raised, but Lockhart was quicker,
"Allow me!" he said with a bellow, before he brandished his wand in a flourish. There was another tremendous 'BANG' as the snake was launched ten feet into the air. It fell back on the stage, but the spell seemed to have only succeeded in making the snake even more infuriated. It hissed even louder, before turning and advancing on a terrified looking Justin Finch-Fletchley, Harry's muggle-born partner in Herbology.
The snake's fangs were raised, as it coiled itself back and prepared to strike. Everything seemed as though it were moving in slow motion. Out of the corner of his eye Harry saw Professor Jackson moving, leaping forward his wand outstretched, his eyes wide in panic. Harry wasn't sure what caused him to do it; maybe it was the panic at seeing the snake attack someone he was acquainted with, maybe it was instinct, but for the third time, Harry shouted out,
"Stop!" Immediately, the snake stopped its attack, and turned towards him, "Leave him alone," Harry said forcefully. The snake, to Harry's immense surprise, did as was told. It fell flat to the floor, unmoving.
Harry, breathing heavily, looked up at Justin, a grin on his face. He had been expecting a grateful smile, maybe even a 'thank you,' what Harry had not been expecting, was for Justin to glare at him, looking at Harry as though he'd just killed Justin's dog.
"What do you think you're playing at!" He said at Harry, and before Harry could say anything in his defense, Justin turned on his heel and stormed out of the Hall.
With the hall utterly silent, Professor Jackson stepped forward, and with a small wave of his wand, the snake disappeared in a puff of black smoke. Then, before Harry could say anything more, Ron and Hermione climbed the stage and grabbed Harry by the shoulder and quickly began moving him out of the Hall, Harry dimly registered Professor Jackson dismissing the club, as Ron and Hermione led Harry out of the Hall.
"Come on," Ron said under his breath, "Move! Quickly!"
"What's going on?" Harry demanded, confused as to why everyone was acting so strangely. But neither Ron nor Hermione said anything, instead, once they were out of the Hall, Hermione pushed open the door to an unused classroom, and Ron hurried Harry inside. Once inside, Ron closed the door.
"You're a Parselouth!" Ron exclaimed, "Why didn't you tell us?"
"I'm a what?" Harry asked, even more confused.
"A Parselmouth." Ron said, stretching out the word, "You can talk to snakes!"
"I know I can." Harry said, looking between his friends, "I mean, I've only done it twice, but I found out last year, before I found out I was a wizard. I accidentally vanished this glass at the zoo and released a boa constrictor, it thanked me and told me that it was going to Brazil."
"A boa constrictor told you it was going to Brazil?" Ron asked, sounding bewildered.
"Yes!" Harry stressed, "But so what? Who cares? So what if I can speak to snakes, this is a magic school, I bet there are loads of people here who can do it."
"Oh no there aren't" Ron insisted, "It's not exactly a common gift. Harry this is bad."
"But why?" Harry asked, exasperated with everyone acting like he had done something wrong. If it hadn't been for him, that snake would have attacked Justin, and Harry was getting annoyed that people were acting as though he'd done something wrong. After he said as much Ron gave him a confused look,
"Oh," He said, looking relieved, "That's what you said to it?"
"Of course it was, what did you think I said?"
Ron shrugged, "How would I know, it just sounded like a bunch of hissing to me," He said, before turning and looking at Hermione who nodded in agreement.
Harry gapped at the pair of them, "What do you mean it sounded like-you couldn't understand what I was saying?" Harry asked,
Ron shook his head, "Sounded like you were speaking Parseltongue to me, like you were just hissing at the snake, egging it on you know? It was really creepy…"
"I spoke another language?" Harry asked, "But it didn't-I thought that I was-How could I speak another language without knowing it?"
"Because magic is bullshit," Came a voice from the door, and the three of them jumped in surprise. All three rounded on the door, and saw Professor Jackson standing in the doorway, leaning against the doorjamb casually.
"Professor Jackson," Hermione squeaked out, but Professor Jackson didn't answer her, his attention focused solely on Harry. Pushing himself off the doorjamb he approached Harry, grabbing him around the shoulder and leading him to a couple of abandoned chairs in the center of the room. Harry allowed the professor to push him into an empty chair, as Professor Jackson pulled up a chair of his own.
"How are you holding up?" Professor Jackson asked, leaning forward and resting his arms on his knees.
Harry avoided the professors gaze, suddenly feeling nervous,
"Yeah, I figured as much." Professor Jackson nodded sagely, "Not every day you find out you can talk to snakes,"
"Why is everyone acting like I did something wrong?" Harry demanded, hot anger bubbling to the surface, "If I hadn't said anything, then Justin would be joining the Headless Hunt, but everyone is acting like I might as well have turned my wand on him myself."
Professor Jackson snorted, "They're acting like that, because this school's cultural and magical history curriculum is a damn joke," He said, leaning back and resting an arm over the back of the chair. "I swear to the gods I don't know what Dumbledore was thinking, keeping that damn ghost around as long as he did, that man had been teaching outdated material when he was still alive and things only got worse after," He shook his head disparagingly,
"Anyways, Harry, what do you know about Parseltongues?" He asked,
"Nothing!" Harry almost shouted, but Professor Jackson just waved his hands placatingly,
"Relax Harry, relax, I'm not accusing you of anything," He assured Harry. "Alright, to give you some context, Parseltongue's were made famous by Salazar Slytherin, he was the first to reportedly be able to do it. It's why Slytherin's symbol is a snake." Professor Jackson explained.
Harry felt his stomach clench, "Then if I can talk to snakes, then they," He said, referring to the students they'd left behind in the Hall, "All think I'm the heir of Slytherin or something…don't they?"
"Something like that," Professor Jackson nodded, "But they'd be wrong." At Harry's look, Professor Jackson explained,
"It goes like this, Magical Britain has this deluded idea that only Salazar Slytherin and Voldemort," Ron and Hermione both flinched, and Harry goggled at the fact that Professor Jackson had used the man's name, but Professor Jackson ignored the reactions, "-Were the only ones to speak Parseltongue. That is objectively untrue. They were not, the only ones born with the ability. They were the most famous to be sure, but they certainly weren't the only ones with the ability. I can say that I personally know two people who are capable of speaking to snakes. Along with salamanders, spiders, and I even had a friend who could speak to trees. I'm serious," He laughed at Harry's look,
"The point I'm making, is that you're not inherently dangerous, or prone to darkness like you're no doubt thinking, simply because you can speak to snakes. Did you know that I never actually had to learn ancient Greek, or even Latin?" Harry just stared at the man, who raised his hands defensively,
"Cross my heart," He said, crossing his fingers over his heart, "I just woke up one day and was able to do it. Didn't even mean to speak it the first time I spoke Greek. It just sort of slipped out. What I'm saying Harry, is that magic is weird. Even after all we've been able to learn about magic and its natural properties, we still know next to nothing. It's sentient in its own way. Has its own thoughts and desires, and sometimes it does things, just because. If you can speak to snakes, then you can speak to snakes; there is nothing wrong with it or you."
Harry nodded at the professor's words, but he would be lying if he said that the words helped. From the look Ron was giving Professor Jackson, it was clear that he didn't agree with what the History of Magic professor was saying. And Hermione was chewing her lip nervously, as though she too was feeling conflicted.
Harry just couldn't be sure. He'd known that Voldemort had been able to speak to snakes, and Salazar Slytherin was one of the most well-known dark wizards of all time. In the back of his mind, he could hear Hagrid saying,
"There isn't a single witch or wizard, who went bad, who wasn't in Slytherin,"
And then he remembered the sorting hat, and what it had told him,
"You could be great you know, and Slytherin could help you on your way to greatness,"
Was this another sign that he should have gone to Slytherin? Was he destined for…for terrible things?
Professor Jackson looked between the students, and clearly understood that they were having a hard time believing it. He sighed, and stood up,
"Look, Harry." He began, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder, "When it comes to magic, sometimes it's nice to just say 'thank you' and accept the gift it gives you. But remember," He placed both hands on Harry's shoulders and kneeled down, looking Harry in the eyes. Professor Jackson's own brilliant, sea-green eyes bore into Harry's imploringly,
"It's not the circumstances of a man's birth. Or the gifts he's been given that determine his fate. It's what he chooses to do with the gifts he's been given, which determines whether or not he's good."
He gave Harry a pat on the shoulder, before he strode out of the room, the door closing behind him with a soft click.
Harry just stared at the door. He wished that he could believe Professor Jackson, he wished he could believe that just because he had the same…gift as Salazar Slytherin, that didn't mean he didn't belong in Gryffindor, that the sorting hat had been wrong.
But he just wasn't sure anymore.
Maybe he'd feel better if he could talk to Justin, explain the situation a little; explain that he hadn't been trying to sick that snake on him, maybe then he would feel a little better. He resolved to track down Justin the following day, and explain the situation. With that thought, he gestured to Ron and Hermione, and the trio left the classroom, and began making their way back to Common Room.
BREAK
Harry stormed out of the library in a blind fury. When he woke up that morning, he'd been planning to talk to Justin during their Herbology lesson that day, but there had been such a heavy fall of snow, that their lessons for the day had been cancelled. He'd tried looking for Justin at the library only to find out that Justin was apparently hiding out in the Hufflepuff Common Room, terrified of running into Harry. Harry had only found out, because he'd run into a group of Hufflepuff second years, who had accused him of being the heir of Slytherin.
He'd left before he'd done something he'd regret, or maybe he wouldn't have. Certainly, it would have been nice to give that Ernie bloke a real reason to be so scared of him.
"My own mum was Muggle-born, and so is one of my best friend's why would anyone think that I would want to hurt them," Harry grumbled angrily to himself, as he stomped through the castle. Not even a run in with Hagrid had been enough to lift his mood.
Climbing the stairs, still grumbling under his breath, he turned down a long corridor. So caught up in his own thoughts he wasn't watching where he was going. His foot caught on something lying on the floor, and Harry fell face first on the floor. Pulling himself off the floor, he hurried to gather his fallen books and papers, before turning to look at what he'd tripped over, only to nearly drop his books again in surprise.
There, lying face up on the floor, stiff as a statue, was Justin Finch-Fletchley. His eyes were wide in shock, and his arm outstretched as though he were pointing at something. Something moved out of the corner of his eye, and Harry looked to his right and his mouth dropped open in shock.
Nearly Headless Nick was slowly rotating over and over in place, in a slow sort of pirouette. His body, which had once been pale and translucent, was now black and smoking. His head had fallen half off his head, and was hanging on the thin strand of skin still attached to his neck.
Harry began backing away slowly, he wasn't sure what he should do. Part of him wanted to run, to get as far away as possible, or should he call for help? The decision was made for him, however, when Peeves, floated up from the floor, and Harry's blood ran cold.
"Oh ho ho," Cackled the poltergeist, "Why what do we have here? Potty wee Potter, lurking around in the dark, what kind of trouble are you getting up to-" But he stopped mid-word, as he glanced down, for the first time seeing Justin on the floor. Turning his head, and seeing the petrified form of Sir Nick, Peeves screamed.
"ATTACK! THERE'S BEEN ANOTHER ATTACK, NO ONE IS SAFE! NOT ENOUGH GHOSTS! EVERYONE RUN!"
All along the corridor, doors began to slam open, as students and professors began spilling into the corridor, it wasn't until Professor McGonagall came bustling into the corridor, that the chaos began to settle down.
She gasped in shock, her eyes flitting from Justin's prone form, to the smoking form of Nick.
Someone pushed their way to the front of the crowd, and Harry felt his heart sink as he watched Ernie, the boy from the library come to the forefront. His face was pale and he was panting slightly. His eyes darted from Justin to Harry, before pointing a finger at Harry and screaming,
"Caught in the act!"
"That will do Macmillan!" Professor McGonagall said harshly, and Ernie closed his mouth.
"Professor-" Harry began desperately, "Please, it wasn't-"
"This is out of my hands now, Potter," Professor McGonagall said, though her tone was tinged with regret. She ordered prefects to get Justin to the Hospital Wing, and put Macmillan to work by fanning Nick's body away up the stairs. With the cleanup taken care of, Professor McGonagall led Harry away. They marched in silence for a long while, before finally coming to the end of a long corridor, and standing in front of an ugly looking gargoyle.
"Lemon Drop," Said McGonagall, and the gargoyle leapt away from the doorway it was guarding. "Climb those stairs Potter," McGonagall instructed, "Dumbledore will call for you when he's ready."
Harry stared at his professor, before swallowing thickly and stepping into the doorway, which turned into a sort of magical escalator. Carrying him up and away.
And into the office of Albus Dumbledore.
AN: Hey there all! Well, because I have no self-control, I've finished up the second year. I think it's fun and interesting and a different take on this than I normally see. I think the themes have been appropriately established and fleshed out. But I could be wrong. Well, I don't have much else to say other then, what did you think? Is Percy going to stop the monster? Is Ginny going to be taken to the Chamber? And who do you think those women in the photo were? Give me your theories! I've been greatly enjoying seeing what you all think is going on. As always, thanks for the love and support. Stay safe, and stay healthy,
Love,
LilDB