22. The duelling Club

"Good morning" I greeted my brother, he was in hospital wing since yesterday's match, Gryffindor won but my brother lost all his bones in his right hand due to a rouge Bludger and a git of a professor. In yesterday Gryffindor vs Slytherin match, a rogue bludger was attacking my brother for no reason definitely someone jinxed it, for god knows what, but looked like someone wanted him dead badly. I was on edge of my seat for whole match, praying my brother returns in one piece, he did eventually, he even won the match but with a broken hand, but Gilderoy Lockhart was planning something else as instead of mending my brother's bones he removed them, when no one asked for his help. Oh God, I'm so going to kill him .

"Good morning" My brother replied, I gave him, a glass of industria potion (kind of energy drink) which madam Pomfrey told me to give him the moment Harry wakes up.

"How are you feeling?" I asked him,

"All bones intact and full of energy" said harry with a smile while throwing his hand up in the air

"You heard about Colin" I asked him, while looking around at bed on which Colin was, his boody looked stiff, like he was on a body bind curse.

"Yeah, I saw them bringing him yesterday night" Harry replied grimly, while looking at Colin's bed. we both sat there in silent thinking about what the hell happened.

"Harry, you should stop playing" I asked him, breaking the silence.

"You know I love playing" he replied, with a guilty smile

"But yesterday you almost gave me a heart attack and I don't like seeing you suffering," I said honestly

"Hey, I'm sorry, it is just the only thing which keeps me sane in all the mayhem" my brother replied

"it's just yesterday that jinxed bludger was attacking you and I thought you would-" I tried to say but I was not able to complete my sentence as my brother hugged me firmly

"I know, who jinxed it" he whispered in my ear while hugging me

"Who" I asked him after ending the hug.

"it was Dobby, I'll tell you the rest of the story with Ron and Hermione, where are they?" Harry asked

"Then we should just go, Madam Pomfrey told me you can leave but you will have to come here and see her in afternoon" I said

"well that's good to know" replied harry

"The same weird Elf, visited you again, how nice of him" said Ron, sitting beside Hermione helping her in making the Polyjuice potion, fumes were coming out of it covering most of the chambers.

"he jinxed the bludger for you to get injured enough for you to return your home " asked Hermione

"Yeah" Harry confirmed

"that Elf is nuts" Ron mumbled, while cutting beans as Hermione ordered him, for preparing potion.

"How much time it will take" I asked Hermione

"I already told you, around a month, so I can prepare it around Christmas" replied Hermione hopefully

"In that time a lot of attacks can happen" I said nervously

"that's why we started as soon as when we heard about Colin" said Hermione now looking anxious herself.

"I bet it is that Malfoy git, all we have to do is get it out of his mouth that he is the Heir of snake pit" Ron raged

"according to Dobby, the chamber had opened before" said Harry

" I'm sure, it was Malfoy's father before him, now he has taught his son how to do it" Ron declared

"we will have to steal some of these things from, Professor Snape's stores" said Hermione with a terror in her voice.

"That's going to be tougher than infiltrating Slytherin common room" I said grimly

The mission of stealing Boomslang skin and the Bicron was not easy as we first needed to make a diversion, in which Snape is completely and utterly busy, for that Harry, I and Ron planned. Hermione was going to steal required ingredients, I was still over the moon for the fact that she was going to steal from a teacher's personal cabinets in a ongoing class.

First for making the diversion, Ron provoked Malfoy a bit over his Failure in catching the snitch in last match, which Snape didn't hear at first, but when he heard Ron, he started taunting Ron and my Brother as usual, at that moment all the Slytherin were so focused on Ron and my brother getting insulted that no one noticed me throwing a leech in Goyle's Cauldron, which in seconds caused a explosion, the very moment it happened the content spill over, Goyle and Crabbe who were now covered in their potion's content, Malfoy and Zabini's Hands were covered in it, as they were nearest to them, but after a moment Crabbe and Goyle started howling in pain as boils started sprouting over their faces, Snape dashed in a second to clean the mess, instructed Malfoy and Zabini to take Goyle and Crabbe to the hospital wing, in all this Hermione returned and gave my hand a firm squeeze for confirming that she got what we needed. Later Harry told us Snape was staring at him after the mayhem we created.

After this morning's potion class, I was just sitting by myself and trying to do my Transfiguration homework on theory of wooden objects Transfiguration. Hermione went to the library, Ron went with Harry for Quidditch practice and I was on my own.

"Hey!" I heard a familiar voice from behind me, I turned around and saw a red head with a huge grin on her face, was coming in my direction

"what are you so happy about" I asked Ginny as she was now standing beside me.

"Nothing, I just pulled a prank on Fred" she replied with a mischievous grin, while taking the seat beside me on couch.

"it was you" I exclaimed as I remembered when this afternoon at lunch Fred had a Horn on his head and "I'm a baby unicorn" was written on his back in golden shining color, Ginny nodded.

"how and why?" I asked now curious about, how did she manage to pull a prank about which no one was aware of.

"earlier this morning he gave me a chocolate bar, when I was in common room, I happily took a bite without thinking once," answered Ginny " it gave me a horn like a unicorn I had to stay in my dorm for half an hour, I missed History of magic class,"

"that must have been awful" I replied while stifling a laugh, Ginny nodded but still she held her grin.

"it was awful but I got better of them, I managed to pull one on them, first I requested one of the senior students to perform a disillusionment charm on me, which they did when I told them my plan as Fred and George have pulled prank on most of the people, when Fred and George were having a lunch as my plan a senior Gryffindor engaged them in a conversation which gave me a chance and I snuck behind Fred and poured now powdered choco bar in his pumpkin juice as I took one bite I had a lot of chocolate left, then performed a simple spell on his back, left as I was in disillusionment charm no one noticed me", I laughed again when Ginny finished with a satisfied smile, I remembered how shocked Fred was.

"Other than that, how else is everything" I asked, when somehow I stopped my laugh.

"It is going alright" Ginny replied

"How many friends you have made till now" I asked, I didn't get much time to talk to Ginny, last time I talked to her properly felt like ages, as most of the time we have just waved hello, or sometimes good morning or good night.

"It is just Rose I talk to most, There was colin-" replied Ginny stopped midsentence and looked somewhat uncomfortable.

"he will be fine" I tried to comfort her

"He is nice to me even though he is a bit always asking about harry, he is a good friend" said Ginny, I just nodded while gently holding both of her hands.

I've been trying to talk to Granger for last few weeks but I haven't able to spot her alone as most of the time she was with her Friends either Potter twins or weasley or all of them. As far as I can tell she mostly visits Library in last four days, I have seen her there twice but always with her friends, maybe today luck will help me, I need to talk to her before she spilled my little secret, I was stupid to drop that bomb on her before any precautions, now I must confront her either make her believe or confirm what she already believes.

When I arrived at library Madam Pince was stacking books on shelves, when she noticed me taking out a book from her opposite shelf she gave me one of her piercing gaze then resumed her work. I proceeded to sit on table nearby window, after a few minutes I heard a familiar voice "may, I help you Madam Pince", Granger.

After a minute I stood up, I walked to the second raw where Madam Pince was working, when I reached the corner of shelves, I saw those brown bushy hair from behind, she was stacking the books in the shelves now, Madam Pince was nowhere near to be seen, Madam Pince must have already left for her desk.

I gradually walked where Granger was stacking books, she didn't know, I was there as she was rather busy in her work, I coughed a bit to make her aware of my presence, she turned around the moment she saw me standing there, she looked shocked but then her expressions changed in an instant from shock to anger.

"Hi" I said, praying that she won't just run away from me like last time.

"what do you want" she demanded

"I do not want anything" I replied trying to stay calm, "I just need to talk", after a dreadful long pause she nodded.

"Last time I told you, I am a muggleborn" I said, I'm going to hate myself for this "ut was prank", she gave me the look like-I-didn't-know.

"I'm sorry" I apologised for lying.

"It's fine, just please don't bother me again" she replied and resumed her work and ignored me like I've just evaporated in air.

"excuse me, I'm still here" I said annoyed, I don't know why it bothered me, the conversation was over, I should just move on.

"what now?" she half-shouted,

"just never bother the class again with your stupid explosions next time I won't stop myself from telling the Professor" I said warningly, I saw them but I thought just leave it there, I never thought about even considering it to tell her but her behaviour was getting on my nerve. She looked aghast, her mouth was open, she looking at me with complete shock, I felt satisfied with her expression, so just left her with her open mouth.

It was third week of December, the snow was always covering the ground. Now Granger and I whenever crossed path, she never looked at me not even once, I knew she always wanted to confront me, but she never got a chance, most of the times Tracy was with me at least when she was not with Greengrass because, Greengrass and I still don't get along well, other Slytherins with me were not on first name basis, I was always this slow with making Friends so I didn't mind, but I still had one.

"coming, Susan??" asked Malfoy, while sitting beside me on couch in Slytherin common room.

"For what?" I asked, While I was trying to write a letter to my mom.

"Duelling club, I'm going to make potter wet his pants, come if you don't want to miss the show," he said, as he stood up and patted on his shoulder, left.

I looked at my letter, I have written half letter, I quickly put it in middle of one of my textbooks, the stowed the textbook in my bag.

I found Malfoy at the staircase leading to entrance hall from dungeons, he winked at me when I reached him.

When we entered the Great hall, we saw all the dining tables have vanished from the hall, there was one huge golden stage along one wall, other Slytherin were standing, in almost middle of great hall, we walked towards them.

"who is going to conduct it" I asked Malfoy, who just like me was looking around

"No, Idea" replied Malfoy

"No, No – not him" I prayed as I saw a Blonde man with a huge grin plastered oved his face coming out of one of the Door along the wall with high table, I heard Malfoy swear as he noticed where I was looking.

"At least there is some hope" Malfoy said while pointing at another figure coming out of the same door, Long black greesy-hair, the clock billowing behind him as he walked towards the stage with murderous expressions on his face, I also sighed of relief as I saw him.

"Good Evening all" shouted Gilderoy lockhart cheerfully, while standing in middle of the stage

"Good Evening, Professor" some shouted, some muttered, I ignored.

"Show some enthusiasm" he shouted once again with his cheerfulness but without waiting for a response he continued "Today we are going to learn how to duel, how to defend ouseleves, that's what I, myself will teach you as I've defended myself countless time before, for more information read my published works"

"who reads his books" I asked Malfoy

"That mudblood" replied Malfoy with a disgust in his tone while pointing at Granger, who was very curiously looking at Professor Lockhart. I felt anger when Malfoy said those words, I wanted to punch him, kick his ass but he is just spoilt daddy's boy, so leave him be.

"I would like to introduce my assistant Professor Snape" Lockhart announced, it's good he was looking at us all not professor Snape.

"Does he want to die soon" I heard Nott saying,

"if that happens, I'll be most glad" I heard as Malfoy replied to him.

"Now, I and Professor Snape here will do a demo," said Lockhart, "Don't worry, you will still have your Potions master, when I'm done with him" he added with with a wink.

"Let's pray Professor Snape kills him" I said, all the Slytherin's agreed around me.

Lockhart and Professor Snape both bowed before each other, Lockhart did bowing perfect as he totally bended himself, but Professor Snape just half-bowed his head, then both of them turned around, both started walking in opposite directions, suddenly the little walk came to an end, both of them turned around but Professor Snape was way quicker for Lockhart.

"Expelliarmus" these was dazzling flash off scarlet light and Professor Lockhart was blasted off his feet, he flew backward of the stage, smashed into the wall, and slid down it to sprawl over the floor. Malfoy started cheering, I joined him.

Lockhart stood up, brushing off dust from his robes, a girl gave him his wand.

" Thanks miss brown -- students it was a disarming charm, Professor Snape I could've easily deflected the spell but I thought otherwise, students needed to learn how to disarm your enemy" said Lockhart while grinning broadly, I just smacked my head.

"it would have been better if students learnt how to defend themselves from an unknown spell, first" said Snape sternly, Lockhart just laughed like Snape has joked.

"Enough demonstration!, I'm going to come amongst you and pair you up" shouted lockhart

Lockhart and Snape moved through the crowd, Lockhart was teaming up bunch of students but Snape asked Malfoy to partner up with Potter, Malfoy obliged happily.

"Want to team up" I heard Greengrass, without looking at her, I nodded.

"do we have to bow and all" asked Greengrass

"we should respect the manners" I replied smiling.

"You all have to disarm your opponent just disarm" I heard lockhart instructing us, then he counted down from three to one.

"Rictumsepra!" Exclaimed Greengrass, she was quick but for me it was slow, a jet of silver light came in my direction but lazily, I stepped away.

"You have got some nice reflexes," Shouted Greengrass impressed with my skills, I smiled.

"Tarantallegra" I exclaimed while pointing my wand at Greengrass, a jet of purple light erupted from my wand in her direction but she wasn't quick enough, the spell hit her, her legs were now, jerking out of her control, I started laughing.

"I said disarm only" lockhart shouted, "stop, stop" but professor Snape was quick as he, in instant canceled everybody's charms including Greengrass.

"Git, disarm only" Greengrass shouted

"You started it with a different spell" I defended myself. I looked around Bulstrode had Granger in a headlock, Granger was whimpering in pain, soon enough Emma Potter pulled Bulstrode away from her. Malfoy was panting, looking lividly at Potter, the weasley was frighteningly looking at his partner apologising for something his wand has done, Nott and Zabini were Glaring daggers at each other, Tracy looked like she was going to kill pansy.

"I think, I'd better teach you how to block unfriendly spells first" said Lockhart standing flustered, he looked around at Professor Snape who staring daggers at him, and quickly looked away "Let's have a volunteer pair – what about you Longbottom and finch-fletchly-

"A bad idea – professor lockhart" said Snape gliding over like a bat " Longbottom causes devastation with simplest of spells, We'll be sending what's left of finch-fletchly up to the hospital wing in a matchbox" longbottom's round face was now pure scarlet " how about Malfoy and Potter" snape added with a twisted smile.

"Which one" shouted Emma potter, with a fake confused expression

"Harry potter" Snape confirmed without any snide comment.

"Fun begins" Greengrass whispered in my ear

"Why both of them hate each other" I asked her, before now I never had a interest in knowing

"I don't know much there rivalry started on train in our first year, Malfoy offered potter to be his friend, Potter denied" replied Greengrass,

"Malfoy don't like getting rejected" I said

"Right" Greengrass confirmed

"Serpensortia" Malfoy shouted, a black snake shot out of Malfoy's wand, Harry looked paled at the sight of snake, Professor Snape had a twisted smile, he lazily offered to disappear the snake, taking pleasure in misery of potter, but as always Lockhart jumped and brandished his wand at snake, a light shot at the snake, but instead of vanishing, the snake flied into air at least ten feet, then landed on floor, the snake hissing violently, it slithered towards Justin Finch-Fletchly, it's fangs were exposed, the snake was hissing furiously.

Suddenly, Potter hissed something at the snake, the snake backed off, but everyone was looking at potter in surprise and some even in horror.

"what are you playing at" Finch-Fletchly shouted at potter. Even Professor Snape was looking at Potter in Confusion.

"why everyone is acting so weirdly all of a sudden" I asked Greengrass

"I'm not surprised you don't know so just act as everyone is acting, I'll tell you later and don't ask anybody else" she replied, I just nodded and did as she told me to.