...Again. I'll state that the demons/ancient dragons/global anarchy part is for much later. Calling it out of place and stupid is a very silly thing to say. It won't be out of place because I'll simply set it up so that it won't be out of place. It's that simple.
To a guest reviewer; I don't know where you got that idea, but most spells don't travel at the speed of light. Not even close. The fastest ones are on the level of a speeding arrow.
casual reader: I see no reason why I should explain Daphne's friendliness to Harry.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
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Lightning Dragon's Roar
A Harry Potter Fanfiction
By Zero Rewind
© 2014
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"You are a cancer
You are the dying
breed of the old age
The flames are rising
a burning empire
Grown on ignorance
The truth in our fire,
lit so passionate" - We Came As Romans - Present, Future and Past
Chapter 14: First Meeting
BY ORDER OF
The High Inquisitor of Hogwarts
All Student Organizations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs are henceforth disbanded.
An Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.
Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge).
No Student Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.
Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.
The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-four.
Signed,
Dolores Jane Umbridge, High Inquisitor.
"That's nice." I quipped in forced amusement, staring at the notice put in the Gryffindor common room. A few of the students I met up with at the Hog's Head were looking at the decree with disappointment. I gave them a sideways glance, and smirked. As if this was going to stop us!
"Though, talk about complete control and surveillance, eh?" I continued, a harsh glint forming in my eyes. I wanted to tear this woman apart, but I was still not combat ready. I wanted to be able to force Dumbledore to a standstill, at the very least. Right now, I could hold him back for a a minute or two before losing. Maybe I'd be ready after a month or two of practice.
These thoughts persisted until my Potions class started. We handed in the homework, before Snape began his lesson.
"You will notice." Professor Snape drawled. "That we have a special guest with us today."
The greasy haired man gestured towards the back of the class, where Umbridge was sitting, with a clipboard on her knee, smiling sweetly. I resisted the urge to punch the woman in the face. I glanced off to the side; Neville looked more enraged than I'd ever seen him in my life.
"It was insane, mate." Ron whispered, noticing my glance. "Malfoy said something about people whose brains were addled by magic, and Neville just flew at him in a rage. Dean, Seamus and I had to hold him back."
So Malfoy did that, huh? I wondered if the blonde Slytherin knew about Frank and Alice Longbottom's permanent stay at St. Mungo's, or if he just managed to get lucky with his insult. Either way, revenge was going to be swift, and harsh.
Professor Snape continued as if he didn't hear us. "We are continuing with our Strengthening Solutions today; you will find your mixtures as you left them last lesson." He sneered at Ron for a moment. "If correctly made, they should have matured well over the weekend."
He waved his wand at the board. "Your instructions are on the board. Carry on."
I followed the procedure, adding the salamander blood, followed by the pomegranate juice. Then, I infused the potion with my magic for exactly six seconds. That seemed to be a pretty good way to go about it. From past experience, five seconds of infusion was not quite enough, while seven seconds was a little too much. Six was pretty stable, all things considered— which was weird, considering Arithmancy enjoyed putting so much emphasis on the number seven, the supposed most powerful magical number.
Umbridge just stayed in her spot, scribbling away at the clipboard. What the hell could she possibly be writing? Probably something along the lines of "the kids are brewing dangerous potions. They're probably for the army that Dumbledore is raising." That's gotta be it. Actually, a Strengthening Solution seemed to be a pretty nice thing to have, come to think of it. Increasing my strength further than it already was, was definitely a smart move.
"Well, the class seems fairly advanced for their level." Umbridge got off her chair, gazing at everyone condescendingly. "Though I wonder if it is advisable to teach them a potion like the Strengthening Solution. I think the Ministry would prefer it if that was removed from the syllabus."
Wow, she pretty much reacted just as I'd predicted.
The request/order made sense, though. Why give us the chance of increasing our body strength in case we lost our wands? You know, because most of the students don't know shit about defense due to having terrible teachers— can't have them use potions to overthrow us, either. I shared a look with Hermione and Daphne. The two girls nodded back, having thought the same thing as me.
"If that is your wish." Professor Snape said a strange glint in his eyes.
"Now, how long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" She questioned. I went back to adding the last ingredient of my potion, and stirring counter-clockwise.
"Fourteen years."
"You applied first for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, I believe?" The disgusting woman gave him an appraising gaze.
"Yes." Snape confirmed.
"But you were unsuccessful?"
"Obviously." He sneered at her; and why shouldn't he? Fucking bureaucrats, man. Wasn't it evident that he didn't succeed, considering he was teaching Potions and not Defense Against the Dark Arts?
She kept questioning him about his following attempts to snag the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, and dared to ask why the Headmaster hadn't accepted his requests.
"I suggest you ask him." Snape said, looking a bit angry.
"Oh, I shall." The woman said threateningly with a smile, before walking to Parkinson and questioning her about the lesson.
Snape glanced at me. We shared a look. I beckoned him over with a nod.
"Something the matter, Potter? Can't even make your potion right?" Professor Snape sneered derisively, and walked over to us, his cloak billowing with every step.
"Oh, no, nothing like that." I answered politely, before whispering. "I was wondering, just how much strength does this Strengthening Solution give?"
"It depends on the quality of said solution." He pretended to look displeased at my obviously well made potion as he quietly answered. "I would say that yours would increase your strength fivefold. The duration of the increased strength depends on the amount of potion you drink. A small vial would guarantee around ten minutes."
Holy shit. Well, time to mass produce this stuff! Fivefold strength, on top of my lightning enhanced strength. Can you imagine how overpowered that was? More strength, also meant more speed, since speed was defined by how strong muscles were.
"Thank you for clearing that up, Professor." I said and pretended to glare back at the man.
"Ten points from Gryffindor!" He barked out, before hovering over other people, waiting for them to slip up so he can publicly humiliate them. Call me crazy, but I think Snape was just making the best of a bad situation.
No, wait, hear me out for a second! He's been forced to teach Potions instead of Defense Against the Dark Arts, and to pretend he's a douche bag to any one who's not in Slytherin. Granted, that was pretty easy to pull off, considering the things that Sirius and Remus told me about during what they affectionately refer to as 'the old days'. So, basically, Snape was dealing with a bunch snot nosed brats on a daily basis, teaching them a subject he doesn't really want to teach, due to his goal of becoming the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Who wouldn't lash out in that kind of situation? To hell with professionalism, and propriety in class. It was a miracle the man hadn't gone postal yet; he had an iron will, that's for sure. I probably would've gone on a killing spree.
I felt like I understood Snape a little more.
I wasn't really sure if that was good or bad. Leaning on 'bad'.
Hermione and Ron looked a mix of appalled and amused. I silenced them with a stare, not wanting anyone else to pick up on it.
"Those who are finished with the potion, turn in your samples at my desk so that I may correct them." Professor Snape said clearly, sitting at his desk and glaring hatefully at everything in existence.
I put the bare minimum amount of Strengthening Solution in a flagon, before handing it to Snape. The rest, I placed in a large round flask for personal use. I couldn't wait to see how far I could go, using those.
The bell chimed, signaling the end of the class. Hermione, Ron and I exited the class, and went to the Great Hall for a well deserved lunch. As I was taking my usual seat, I noticed Daphne and her friend Tracey entering the Great Hall, and beckoned them over to sit with us— pushing Ron out of the way with a grunt.
The two attractive girls leisurely made their way to the Gryffindor table, ignoring the queer looks they seemed to be getting from Slytherins and the Gryffindors, and sat next to me. Ron looked dismayed when Tracey sat next to him, but I felt that reaction was halfhearted at best, judging from the way he was stealing looking at an oblivious Tracey, who seemed to be as messy of an eater as he is.
Heh, Ron was always a bit slow, wasn't he? He's a good guy, though. All the luck to him.
"Did you read the announcement?" Daphne asked lightly as we all scarfed down our lunches.
"They put one in each common room, then?" I mused, looking over at the other tables, and nodding at the members of our new study group. They all relaxed in their chairs, reassured that we were still going through with our own plans. It felt a little exciting, really. We were sticking it to the man.
"Yep, everyone was all annoyed about it, too." Tracey said, while loudly munching on some crackers. Hermione was looking aghast, not believing that there could be a female version of Ron.
"She's getting desperate." I noted, glancing at the teacher's table, and then back at my friends. "We're still going through with it, of course. No doubt about that."
"Just what I wanted to hear!" Fred popped in from behind me. And where there was Fred—
"Our dear ickle Harry's following in our footsteps!" George said, wiping at his eyes with my napkin. Dick! I wanted to wipe my mouth. I grumbled and grabbed Hermione's clean napkin and wiped my mouth with it, ignoring her protests. When in Rome...
"Look! He's even antagonizing the Evil Prefect! I'm so proud." Fred pretended to cry.
"Did you know that she's been called She-Who-Knits by the Hogwarts' elves?" George whispered conspiratorially.
"Really?" I looked amused.
"No." Fred said.
I frowned.
"But they're really scared of her!" George hastened to add.
I perked up, looking mollified.
"Speaking of house elves." I said, grabbed my book bag and got up. "I'm going to get a soda from the kitchens."
"You're addicted, mate!" Ron said between mouthfuls. Hermione looked reproachfully at me.
"You're one to talk! Remember the first week?" I reminded with a laugh. "You drank like ten cans in the span of a few minutes, and then asked for more."
"You're just jealous I could do it, and not you." Ron turned up his nose at me.
"...That's beside the point." I couldn't fight off a smile. "See you later, guys."
"Actually, I could do with one, too." Tracey got up as well, much to the hidden disappointment of Ron. As I walked away, I heard Hermione begin to grill Daphne on how she knew me. Tracey hurried after me.
"So, Potter." Tracey began awkwardly.
"Let me guess." I answered wryly. "You want to ask me what my intentions are towards Daphne."
"How did you kn— I mean, uh." The auburn haired girl stammered. "No I don't."
"Right." I said skeptically. "In any case, my intentions should be pretty easy to guess, no?"
Tracey said nothing, merely staring at me.
"What?" I looked at her askance. "I've had my eye on her for a while. She's never been a jerk to me. I remember, last year, she didn't wear those stupid badges that Malfoy handed out during the tournament."
Tracey shifted guiltily at the mention of that, probably having worn one herself.
"Plus, she's very interesting. I got to know her a little on our date, and I liked what I saw. Fair enough for you?" I continued.
"I suppose." The girl conceded with a shrug. "Just don't hurt her, okay? She's not had the best life."
How vague and mysterious. I knew better than to ask, of course.
"I'll keep that in mind." I promised. "Sheesh, it's like you're having us married off, already."
Tracey nervously laughed.
We got to the portrait leading to the kitchens. I let Tracey tickle the pear, since she seemed to enjoy doing that. The portrait swung open, revealing the hundreds of house elves working their collective butts off. Holy crap, if Muggle companies had access to these guys then their economy would be shot to hell.. Free labor. Simple as that.
"Harry Potter!" I heard a familiar elf squeak. I looked to the side to see Dobby jumping around excitedly as if Christmas has come early.
"Hello, Dobby." I smiled at the little elf. "How are you doing?"
"Dobby is doing fine, Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby said.
"Glad to hear it." I said. "Can we have some sodas, please?"
"Dobby will fetch them at once!" The elf skipped off.
"Strange elf." Tracey lightly commented.
"He's great." I spoke. "Very loyal."
"So, have you thought about where we're going to meet?" The Slytherin girl asked curiously.
"Not sure. I was thinking about the Chamber of Secrets..."
"Woah!" Tracey looked a little excited. "Brilliant."
"Well, see, I'm not too sure about it, though." I disagreed. "It's not exactly the most accessible place. Plus it's as dirty as the Hog's Head, what with the still rotting basilisk down there. Dreadful stench, by the way. Plus, it would take way too long for over twenty-five students to get there."
"Dobby has brought Harry Potter's sodas." Dobby piped in, holding two cans of pepsi. I wondered where he got them from.
"Sweet!" I cheered, grabbing the cans and handing one to Tracey. "Thanks, Dobby!"
I took a sip, relishing the taste.
"If Dobby may, Harry Potter sir." the crazy house elf said.
"Go ahead."
"Dobby knows the perfect place for the Great Harry Potter, sir!" He squeaked out happily.
"Indeed? Do tell."
What followed was absolutely mind blowing. A room on the Seventh Floor that shifted itself to your exact needs? Now that is bad-ass. Tracey looked as astonished as I am. I could already imagine the training I could complete. Oh man. Were there limits to this? Could the room create enemies to fight? What kind of obstacles courses could it make for me? The possibilities were endless.
I wanted to go there right at that moment, but I had my Defense Against the Dark Arts class to deal with. If I skipped that like I was skipping my Divination and History classes, I would surely gain more of the Ministry's attention. While I was now confident in being able to take down an Auror or two, having an entire platoon of them going after me just because I skipped class was not what I wanted in life.
"All right." Tracey said after we left the kitchens. "So, we know where we're going to have the meetings."
"Definitely." I had to compose myself, my excitement had Tracey a little unnerved. "You tell Daphne, her little sister and Pucey about it. We're meeting there at seven."
"That sounds fine. What about you?" Tracey asked.
"Well, right now I have my Defense class. I'll tell Hermione to tell everyone else about it." I shrugged nonchalantly. "That's her job. She organizes these things, and I attempt to teach you guys stuff."
"Fair enough. Remember what I said about Daphne." The auburn haired girl warned.
"Yeah, yeah!" I hurried to my class.
As per usual, Umbridge had us reading from Slinkhard's useless book. I continued my antics of pretending to read and nodding every ten to twenty seconds. Even though the class was already used to this by now, some of them still sent me amused smirks.
"Mr. Potter." Professor Umbridge called out. I looked up from my book, looking surprised.
"Yes, Professor?"
"I have heard some disquieting rumors, Mr. Potter." She said. Now everyone was looking at us.
"Rumors, you say?" I repeated.
"Indeed."
"What have the students been saying about you, Professor?" I asked, faking a look of concern. She was probably going to ask me about the study group I formed.
"I— What—" Looks like that question got her off her game.
"Do not worry, Professor." I gave her a fake smile. "I wouldn't trust whatever comes out of the rumor mill. Last year, they said I was a liar who somehow cheated his way into the Triwizard Tournament— the one I won, if you recall." I said in what I thought was a soothing tone.
I continued before she could say anything. "There was also some strange rumor about Draco Malfoy, as well. It's probably nothing."
"Draco Malfoy, you say?" Umbridge's beady eyes rested on me. "Care to share, Mr. Potter?"
"Oh— well, it's not my place, Professor. I don't wish to disturb the class." I said, smiling politely at the woman I wanted to break in two.
"Fret not, Mr. Potter. I shall make an exception in this case." Umbridge said in what she thought was a soothing voice.
"All right, if you're sure, Professor." I seemed to hesitantly consent. "Well, I heard a few of the upper years that graduated last year that were talking about Draco, and they said that... Well... I mean, it just can't be true, right? There's no possible way."
"They said, what, Mr. Potter?" She pressed on.
"Well, they said he was part veela." I said with as much disbelief as I could muster, ignoring Lavender's shocked gasp. "But it can't be true, right? Do veela males even exist?"
"They do." Hermione blurted out before apologizing. I tried not to smirk.
"I see." I gave Professor Umbridge a winning smile. "It's very unlikely, of course. Wouldn't you agree, Professor?"
But Umbridge looked like she was sick. I'd known about her anti-creature crusade in the Ministry thanks to Remus. Apparently she had drafted quite a bit of legislation against werewolves. That was why it was very difficult for him to find a job.
In any case, the damage was done. Lavender and Parvati were likely to spread that rumor far and wide. That was just the beginning of my payback against Draco, really.
"Professor?" I tried again, when she didn't answer.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"Are you all right? You seem somewhat distracted."
"I am fine, Mr. Potter. Return to your reading." She instructed before beginning to scribble furiously on some blank parchment. The rest of the class was spent in silence, though Ron was giving me a look of pure, unbridled awe.
As we left the class, I turned to my classmates.
"Seven O'clock, Seventh Floor. Tell the others." I informed them, before turning to Hermione. "Think you could figure out a way for everyone to communicate a bit more easily?"
"I might." Hermione supplied, biting her lip in thought.
"Get it done, then." I ordered, before briskly walking away, heading straight to the Come and Go Room.
I was exactly where Dobby had told me to go. I saw a painting with a wizard getting smacked by trolls while trying to teach them ballet.
"Barnabas the Barmy, indeed." I chuckled, before walking in front of the wall three times, thinking about a big training room with an obstacle course. Just as Dobby had said, the wall seemed to shimmer before a door formed. It was quite an unassuming door, all things considered. Something that others would simply pass by without suspecting a thing.
I entered the room, and was struck with shock. The room— it was way too big to be called that— was exactly like I imagined it. There was a large open area that could easily fit everyone, with a few bookshelves to the side, most likely filled with Defense textbooks. Next to that area, there was the obstacle course that Dumbledore had created for me a while back. Floating threateningly around it, were a few bludgers, likely to attack anyone who was crossing the obstacles.
I began to laugh maniacally. The things I could do with this place...
A few hours later, I wiped the sweat off my brow, feeling sore but beyond satisfied. The training session I just had was the best in a long while. Dumbledore had stopped the sessions once the detentions were over, so as to avoid scrutiny from Professor Umbridge; but he did leave me with a few ideas to work with to better my control over lightning. Ideas like creating various shapes with my lightning, as well as a few others.
"I could use a chair right now." I breathed a little hard. I felt a shift in the air, and a chair formed in front of me.
"Nice." I pulled it to the side, before grabbing a water out of my bag. I sat down and took a long swig, feeling refreshed. I stayed that way for a few minutes, staring at the room around me in silent contemplation.
There was a knock on the door. I willed the room to provide large number of chairs, as well as a large table to go with it. The room easily complied, providing with enough seating for thirty people.
"Come in!" I called out.
The door opened, and in gradually entered the members of the defense study group. They all stared at the room in wonder. Hermione automatically went for the bookshelves, while Ron was looking at the obstacle course with the wild bludgers, and then my slightly tired appearance. He moved to sit next to me.
"You ran that course, already." It wasn't a question.
"Heh, can't get anything past you, can I?" I winced and rubbed at my side. I lifted my shirt, showing Ron a large bruise. The redhead grimaced.
"Bludger to the ribs." I explained quietly, and covered myself back up. "It'll remind me to dodge, next time."
No one saw our exchange, being too busy checking out the room. After a while, Daphne came to sit next to me.
"You stink." Daphne said immediately.
"Thanks for noticing." I deadpanned.
She snorted.
"Harry, this is perfect!" Hermione exclaimed holding a stack of books and dumping them on the table, before beginning to read.
"Pretty sweet, isn't it?" I said, as more and more people entered.
Around ten minutes before seven, everyone was here. I willed the room to make the door disappear, and it did, to the wonder of the others.
I cleared my throat, gaining everyone's attention.
"I'm assuming you all found the place to your liking?"
"It's brilliant!" Lee piped up, and got a few murmurs of agreement.
"It's strange." Fred commented. "We once hid from Filch in here, but it was a broom cupboard..."
"You wouldn't be wrong." I answered. "This room takes the form of whatever you need."
"Wicked." Both twins chorused.
"Anyway, I figure we can start things off simple and—" I noticed Hermione's hand was up. "What is it, Hermione?"
"I think we ought to elect a leader." Hermione asked.
"That's pointless." I said automatically. "I'm the leader."
"Yes, but a vote would make it formal and give you authority." She argued.
I sighed. "Sure, whatever. All in favor of me being leader?" All hands rose. I gave Hermione an amused glance.
"Happy?" I asked.
"No." She said. "I also think we should have a name for this group, something to promote unity."
"...Fair enough." I agreed. "Any suggestions?"
"Can we be the Anti-Umbridge League?" Angelina asked hopefully.
"While I like the sentiment, I don't even like saying that bitch's name." I countered, and got a few nods of agreement.
"How about the Ministry of Magic Are Morons Group." Fred suggested, making a few of us laugh.
"Harry's Hookers?" I suggested lightly, making a few students choke.
"I was thinking." Hermione said disapprovingly. "More of a name that didn't tell anyone what we were up to, so we can refer to it outside of meetings."
"The Defense Association?" Cho inserted helpfully. "The D.A. for short, that way no one can tell what it is."
"That's a good suggestion," Ginny said excitedly. "Only let's make it stand for Dumbledore's Army because that's the Ministry's worst fear, isn't it?"
There was a murmur of agreement and some appreciative laughter.
"I would've preferred to be your Hooker..." Daphne whispered in my ear mischievously. I blushed.
She knew just what to say to a guy, didn't she?
"All in favor of the DA?" Hermione asked, and most of the hands rose. "Motion passed!"
She took the contract out and wrote "Dumbledore's Army" across the top. She then pinned it on the wall.
"We ready?" I asked, and got nods in return.
"Good!" I smiled. "Let's start out with a simple spell. Since this is our first meeting, and Hermione hasn't yet made a proper plan—" The girl in question flushed. "I figured I'd start us off by a simple but very useful spell. The Disarming Charm, Expelliarmus."
"Oh, please." Zacharias Smith scoffed, looking highly skeptical. The boy in question folded his arms. "I don't think Expelliarmus is going to help much in a fight."
"Is that so?" I challenged. "All right then. Guys, give us some room. First lesson will be a practical one. Ron, can you call the match?"
"Sure."
Everyone except Smith and I stood off in the side. He didn't look so sure anymore.
"So!" I cheerfully began. "Here's the deal. Use every spell you know on me. I'll only use Expelliarmus. Easy enough?"
"All right then." He drew his wand and slid into a stance. I decided to emulate Dumbledore during my first fight against him, and simply stared Zacharias down, channeling lightning into my muscles surreptitiously. He looked a little incredulous, if a bit insulted at not being taken seriously.
"Okay." Ron stood in the middle. "Ready... Go!" He backed off.
Zacharias waved his wand, sending out various schoolboy jinxes at me. I easily dodged every single one, making him up the speed of his spell casting.
"Reducto!" Dodged. "Langlock!" Badly aimed. "Locomotor Mortis!" Jumped over. "Flipendo!" Sidestepped. "Depulso!" Dodged. "Stupefy!" Ducked. "Confringo!"
The wall behind me suffered an extensive amount of damage as I avoided every single spell the boy sent with ease. Smith kept up his assault for another thirty seconds, before stopping, all spent.
I finally pulled my wand out.
"Expelliarmus." His wand flew into my hand. There was a deafening silence, only broken by Smith's ragged breathing.
"So," I said conversationally, twirling the boy's wand without a care in the world. "What's this about Expelliarmus being useless?"
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Well, that's done.