ANNOUNCEMENT: I have posted a poll on my profile regarding the length of chapters going forward. Please go and vote if you have an opinion because, otherwise, the result will likely end up being different from your preference. This chapter is an example of the "short chapters often" length of a chapter. The poll will be available for a month following the release of this chapter, after which I will be posting new chapters of the specified length (hopefully) at the specified interval.
SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT: I have recently posted both Lethal Injection and Tyrant Rising on Wattpad, so if you prefer Wattpad, you can read them there now. Or if you just want to check them out and help support me starting out on another site, that'd be cool too. To be clear: this is not me abandoning in favour of Wattpad, just me branching out and making my stories more widely available.
Review Answers:
Darkscythe Drake: Will we be exploring on how Harry and Venom's relationship develops in the closest coming chapters? Yes, I would argue we explore that pretty much every chapter. I'm not going to have them sit down and describe exactly their feelings toward each other and how that's developed, but their interactions will (I hope) show all you need.
Sectoid: Could Venom eat magical creatures and become magical himself? Can he make tendrils into runes and Harry powers them? To the first question, no. That's fundamentally not a part of Venom's power set, symbiotes can gain the abilities of creatures they fully bond with, but that's a physical power, not a magical one. To the second, again no. If Venom formed a tendril into a rune it would still need to connect to his body, which would ruin the shape of the rune. If Venom attempted to separate the tendril from himself it would crumble away and definitely wouldn't be resilient enough to hold magic.
Blaze1992: So Eddie is left to suffer alone then? By the way, WHERE IS HEDWIG? Plus why was there no reaction to the ship crash? For the first two questions, yes and you'll find out. The third question requires a slightly longer answer. There was a reaction to the ship crash, we just haven't seen that reaction because it was in the muggle world, which we have more or less left behind in the story.
Everyone Who Has Commented About the Guy Having a Gun in Chapter 1: Yes, I am aware it is extremely difficult to get a gun in the U.K. I was born and raised in England. That's why only the leader had a gun and it was a small easily concealable gun. Even though guns are very rare in England, it is possible to get your hands on one if you have enough money and the right connections. Someone who's relatively high up in a human trafficking ring operating out of London would have both. Even if I had every single person wielding a rocket launcher, it's fiction, calm down. Also, as an incredibly large, busy, and metropolitan city, there's a lot of sketchy shit happening in London. It's relatively minute compared to how enormous London is, and you're highly unlikely to ever encounter it unless you live there and are actively looking for it, but it exists.
Author's Note: I don't have very much to say this time, so just enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Venom or Harry Potter
For a moment, Harry and Venom almost transformed. The keen observer might have noticed a slight ripple that ran through Harry's clothing as if it had suddenly turned to liquid, but then the reality of the situation settled in.
Arranged in front of them were not only the Greengrasses but Luna, Hermione, Dumbledore, and a girl about his age with short spiky brown hair he had never met before. Beyond them, Harry could see a table piled high with a bewildering assortment of snacks, sweets, and desserts topped off with an enormous chocolate cake. The words, "Happy Birthday Harry!" had been written on the side of the cake in bright green icing.
Teetering next to the cake was a mountainous pile of brightly wrapped presents, on top of which sat a cage containing a magnificent snowy owl. A square of cardboard was attached to the cage, and with his enhanced vision, Harry could just make out the words, "Too Harry, From Hagrid" written on it in an untidy scrawl. As he was taking stock of his newly revealed surroundings, they were cast in a flash of green light as the fireplace flared behind him and Lupin stepped out, carrying a brightly wrapped gift of his own.
"You planned me a surprise party?" Harry demanded, wheeling on the grinning form of his guardian in a mixture of accusation and delight.
"Happy birthday," Lupin smiled, handing over his own present. Harry accepted the gift almost reverently, before nearly dropping it as Astoria and Hermione slammed into him, almost knocking him over with the force of their combined hugs. Daphne and Luna, although more restrained with their affection, were quick to offer their own embraces once Hermione and Astoria eventually released him. Harry couldn't help but be a little disappointed, not that he'd ever have admitted it, that Luna's hug had to wait until last because Daphne hugged him in such a way that the other girl had to wait. If he didn't know better, he almost would've thought she'd done it on purpose.
When Luna did finally get the chance to hug him, she leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "I'm not sure if it counts as your birthday too, Venom, but happy birthday."
Harry hadn't actually considered that, Does this count as your birthday too, Venom?
Hmm, it seemed the symbiote hadn't either, I suppose, technically, it would. We are bonded after all.
When's your actual birthday? Harry was surprised he'd never thought to ask before.
I'm not entirely sure, Venom admitted.
You don't know when your own birthday is? Harry couldn't imagine not knowing your own birthday.
I know it for the planet I was born on, obviously, Venom explained defensively, I just don't know what day that aligns with on your planet.
Oh, Harry had momentarily forgotten that his bonded didn't come from the same solar system.
Yes, 'oh,' Venom snarked, also, you might want to start paying attention to the party again. Refocusing his attention on the outside world, Harry realised that the spiky-haired girl had walked over and was holding her hand out to shake. Hastily, he proffered his own hand to reciprocate the gesture.
"My name's Tracey Davis," the now-named Tracey introduced herself, "I've been friends with Daphne and Astoria since we were little."
"Nice to meet you, Tracey," Harry replied, giving her his best smile and sighing inwardly at the by-now-familiar flush that resulted. You're sure you don't want to tell me what the deal is with that? He asked Venom, without much hope.
Yup, the symbiote answered gleefully, taking obnoxious delight in popping the 'p.'
I hate you, Harry groaned.
Love you too, Harry, Venom chirped back with obnoxious good cheer.
"I hear you've actually succeeded in coaxing some warmth out of our little Ice-Queen," Tracey mock-whispered, gesturing to Daphne, who's normally stoic expression was replaced with one of irritation.
"Stop trying to make that a thing," she demanded of her friend, getting only an impish grin in response.
I like her, Venom declared immediately.
Because she's a shit-stirrer like you? Harry asked, already knowing the answer.
"I think it suits you, Daph," Astoria piped up, her ice-blue eyes alight with too-innocent delight.
"It's like I'm always telling Remus," Harry broke in, noticing how Hermione and Luna had been left out by the shift into the other girls' familiar banter, "I'm personable."
"I'll bet," Tracey winked, a sly grin twisting the corner of her lip as she glanced sidelong at Daphne, who determinedly didn't notice her friend's antics.
"As much as I'm glad to see you all getting along," Violet interrupted, perhaps having realised that the exchange had somewhat swept past Hermione and Luna, "Harry should probably get to blowing out these candles, then we can start with some presents." It didn't take long to have the entire group settled around the table and, after an enthusiastic round of happy birthday, Harry took a deep breath and blew. Not too hard though, with Venom's enhancements he didn't want to risk blowing the candles straight off the cake. Fortunately, although the closest did wobble slightly, none of them actually turned projectile.
With the candles extinguished, everyone was eager to try a slice of the delectable-looking confection, apart from Hermione and Daphne who had become busily engaged in a discussion about Herbology. Violet, however, suggested that it would be best to take care of opening presents before everyone's hands became sticky with delicious cake. Although Luna pouted, there wasn't much resistance to the idea, and soon Harry was being handed the cage containing the magnificent snowy owl.
"She is a gift from Hagrid," Dumbledore informed him, seeming quite pleased, "he is the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, and was a dear friend of your parents." Harry nodded, although he remained entranced by the surprisingly intelligent amber eyes of his new owl.
Hagrid's the one who took the photo of your Dad and his friends that Lupin has in the flat, Venom reminded his host.
What should We call her? Harry asked his bonded excitedly, for the moment less concerned with the person he'd never met than with his magnificent pet. And before you say anything, no, We're not calling her anything alien that's unpronounceable for human vocal cords.
Fine, if you want to take all the good names off the table, Venom huffed in a manner hardly befitting a three-century-old extra-terrestrial killing machine.
How about Hedwig? Harry suggested, they'd come across the name while perusing their History of Magic book a few days earlier and it had struck Harry as possessing a certain quiet dignity.
It's ok, I suppose, Venom conceded, still grumpy about most of his suggestions being shut down before he even managed to voice them.
"I'm going to call her Hedwig," Harry announced, opening the cage to allow the newly-named Hedwig to stretch her wings for a bit. He'd learned enough from hanging around Peckins that wizarding owls could be trusted not to simply fly off the instant they'd been set loose. Hedwig made a quick circuit around the room before coming to settle on Harry's shoulder, nipping his ear in an affectionate manner as he reached up to scratch the soft plumage of her chest.
"She's gorgeous!" Luna exclaimed happily, with Astoria nodding in rapt agreement. Hedwig preened at the praise, puffing up as much as she could without making it too obvious that she was doing so.
"She looks like Malfoy whenever he sees Daph," Tracey jumped in, prompting a fit of giggles from both Greengrass girls and a poorly hidden grin from Violet. Tiberius didn't even bother trying to hide his smile, although Hedwig fixed Tracey with a disapproving stare, seemingly aware that the comparison hadn't been a favourable one.
"You mean Lucius Malfoy's son?" Luna asked, her normally dreamy voice carrying a very slight hint of disapproval.
"Yeah, Draco," Astoria's voice practically dripped with derision at the name, "he's had a thing for Daph since we were little, always tries to strut like a peacock when they're together." Harry tried to convince himself that his displeasure at this revelation was purely a result of the fact that Daphne clearly wasn't fond of the other boy, but a quiet voice in the back of his head suggested otherwise.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, this voice was drowned out by the symbiote's much louder one, Wow, We've found the one person in the world Luna actually dislikes, he must be annoying.
Once the group had settled down, Dumbledore picked up another gift from the pile of presents, this one a rectangular package wrapped in vibrant purple paper with twinkling yellow stars that looked suspiciously like something the aged-sorcerer would wear.
"This gift is from me," Dumbledore announced, confirming Harry's suspicions. "I'm afraid I cannot stay long, so I hope you will all excuse me jumping the queue, as it were." Although sad that the elderly Headmaster couldn't remain at the party longer, Harry eagerly accepted the present and tore open the wrapping to reveal a smart leather-bound book with the words: "Elementary Elements: A Guide for the Inexperienced Elemental" embossed in fine gold lettering across the cover.
"Wow! Thanks, Dumbledore!" Harry enthused, eagerly thumbing through the book for setting it down on the table so he could give Dumbledore a quick hug in thanks. He could already see Hermione bursting with curiosity about the book, but she was managing to restrain herself. At least until they finished with the presents.
"You are most welcome, Harry, but I'm afraid I must return to Hogwarts and resume preparing for the start of term." After saying brief, but warm, goodbyes to the assembled adults and favouring the children with a warm smile, Dumbledore swept from the room.
Although sad to see Dumbledore leave, the rest of the gift opening was a lively and enjoyable affair. Hermione had gifted Harry a large book called: "Duelling Through the Ages," part of an anthology series detailing the history of notable wizarding professions; she was pleased, but flustered, by Harry's thank-you hug. From Daphne, he received a book of Egyptian Hieroglyphs, which unfortunately required a bit of explanation for the others in the room, but was still greatly appreciated. Although less visibly flustered than Hermione, Daphne was noticeably quieter for several minutes after his hug of gratitude for the gift. Luna, for her part, had bought Harry an enormous box of wizarding chocolate that had Venom practically drooling, the symbiote insisted on giving her a particularly tight hug in thanks.
Tracey's gift consisted of an array of bizarre wizarding sweets, although Venom was disappointed by how little chocolate there was among the assortment of fudge, toffy, and other treats. Despite this, Harry was still delighted by the gift and pleased when Tracey merely returned his hug without any strange behaviour changes, he'd been starting to worry he was doing it wrong somehow. From Astoria, he received a deck of Exploding Snap Cards, which were apparently just like muggle playing cards, except that they had a tendency to randomly explode. Although puzzled by why anyone would want a set of exploding cards, Harry appreciated the gift and was happy to dispense his customary thank-you-hug to the younger girl.
Last but not least, he received a very fine wizard's chess set from Lupin. Harry was very excited when he learned that, unlike muggle chess sets, the pieces of a wizard's chess set were enchanted to be alive, making playing a game very similar to commanding troops on a tiny battlefield.
With the gift-giving complete, the attention turned to the delicious birthday lunch laid out on the table, and once the plates had been thoroughly cleaned by the enthusiastic party, Harry, Luna, Daphne, Astoria, Hermione, and Tracey headed out into the garden to play enthusiastically. Many hours later, when the guests had all returned home and Lupin had departed to face his monthly affliction, Harry entered his room a very weary, but very happy, eleven-year-old boy. His plans of collapsing into bed were momentarily put on hold when Harry noticed the package wrapped in plain brown paper sitting on the bed.
That's strange, Venom noted suspiciously, Harry nodded in agreement, feeling his Other shifting slightly on his form, ready to transform in an instant if needed. Carefully, they placed Hedwig's now cage on the desk before approaching the package.
It looks like another present, Harry observed, although I don't know why whoever it's from didn't give it to me during the party. What do you think it is?
Only one way to find out, Venom replied as the pair crossed the room, picking up the strange package and squeezing it to try and determine what lay beneath the wrapping. It's soft, so probably clothing of some kind, Venom announced.
Why would someone go through the trouble of sending me anonymous clothes? It didn't make any sense to Harry, presents didn't get much more banal than clothes. Tearing through the wrapping, Harry pulled out a cloak of strange silken material. It was incredibly smooth and slightly cool to the touch, and the light shimmered on its surface in a way that practically screamed magic. Wow, Harry marvelled at the cloak, letting the fabric slide through his fingers like water, what's this made of, you think?
I don't know,Venom admitted, I've never seen anything like this before. Holding the cloak up, Harry was disappointed to see that it appeared to be much too big for him as if it had been made for someone at least a foot taller. Deciding to try it on regardless, he wrapped the cloak around his shoulders and was surprised to find that it actually fit him perfectly. Pulling the cloak closed, Harry looked down to examine the effect and gasped.
My body's gone! He almost panicked for a moment before he realised he could still feel everything that had apparently disappeared. Cautiously, he poked a hand out through the cloak and watched in amazement as it appeared seemingly from thin air.
It's a Cloak of Invisibility! Venom marvelled, There's not even an outline or an air distortion, that's even better than my camouflage! Not particularly useful if it just turns you into a floating head though. Harry couldn't help but agree, although being able to appear as a floating head would definitely have its uses, it wasn't quite as useful as being able to become invisible at will.
Maybe I should drape it over myself? That way it'd cover my whole body, Harry suggested, already reaching to pull the cloak up over his head.
Surely no one would design a cloak you have to wear like a blanket, Venom pointed out, that'd just be stupid. Have We tried looking for a hood? Once Venom had suggested it, it did seem like the obvious thing to do and reaching back Harry discovered that the cloak did indeed have a hood. Pulling it up over his hood, Harry crossed to the mirror in order to inspect his reflection or, rather, the absence of it.
This is easily the coolest gift We got today, Harry grinned, before shooting an apologetic look toward the happily sleeping form of Hedwig, apart from Hedwig, of course. It'd be nice if We could hide more than one person with it, though.
If we go with the draping idea We might be able to, Venom mused, especially since the Cloak did seem much bigger when We first unwrapped it. Harry nodded, turning to inspect the remnants of the Cloak's wrapping and spotting a small piece of folded paper, half-hidden by a dangling fold of the torn wrapping paper. Maybe it says who it's from? Venom suggested as the pair crossed the room and picked up the paper, unfolding it so they could read the message written inside.
"Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well," Harry read aloud, "that's annoyingly cryptic." Despite his words, he couldn't help but stroke the silvery material of the Cloak with a new sense of appreciation, it had been his father's. This Cloak was now the only thing he'd ever owned that had belonged to one of his parents, even if it didn't turn him invisible, it would still have been one of his most treasured possessions.
That's Dumbledore's handwriting, Venom pointed out, after giving his host some time to digest the revelation regarding the Cloak's origin.
It is? Harry asked, momentarily surprised that Venom was able to make such a certain identification. In response to the question, Venom merely superimposed several images of previous messages received from Dumbledore, pointing out the identifying idiosyncrasies shared between them and the handwriting on the note. But why wouldn't he give it to us at the party? Why the secrecy?
Perhaps he thought either you or your dad wouldn't want everyone to know you have it? Venom suggested after a moment's deliberation.
I guess that makes sense, Harry conceded, momentarily wrestling with the idea of pulling the Cloak back on and exploring the house and grounds by moonlight. In the end, despite Venom's urging, he disregarded the idea and settled down for a well-earned night's rest.
August passed in a delightful haze as Harry and Venom both settled into comfortable routines, enjoying the chance to spend time with those who were quickly becoming more family than the Dursleys had ever been. Whether it was exploring the seemingly endless grounds of the Greenhouse with Tracey, Daphne, and Astoria, delving into the impossible variety of magical wonders pervading Diagon Alley with Luna, or discussing various books through letters with Hermione, each day was filled with joyful new experiences.
The pair also continued to grow closer to Lupin, although the unspoken presence of the secret he insisted on keeping from them continued to drive a wedge between Venom and their quiet guardian. Harry was convinced that the man would tell them in due time, but Venom was simply less trusting than his young host and lacked the sentimental connection that helped convince the boy. Also, although Venom would never admit it, Harry suspected their continuing inability to soundly defeat Lupin in a spar played a significant role in the symbiote's distrust.
Every training session seemed to bring them a step closer to securing victory and acceptance as Lupin's equal in combat, but at the beginning of each following bout, Lupin appeared to have taken a matching step further away. After three successive spars, it became apparent that Lupin had been holding back significantly more than the bonded pair had initially suspected during their initial training matches. Despite this, however, Harry could feel that they were getting closer to defeating their caregiver and mentor. Each match ended in a narrower defeat, with Lupin growing increasingly fatigued after securing each victory.
The frustration of their continued inability to defeat Lupin was joined by the continuing vexation of attempting to decipher the Theban Lexicon. Although the book they had received from Daphne was a great help, many of the hieroglyphs depicted in the Lexicon were either too advanced or too obscure to appear. Fortunately, they had been able to make some progress in translating these symbols using principles of cryptography Venom had picked up from one of his previous hosts, but the task was laborious and continued only at a snail's pace.
From what they had been able to decipher thus far, the book contained many spells, although most required complicated rituals and were far too impractical to be of any real use. The most complicated of these rituals seemed to describe how to imbue an animal with the power to turn it into one of the fallen gods they had encountered under Karnak Temple. Neither Harry nor Venom had any interest in creating any more of those monstrosities, so they were happy to leave the esoteric knowledge unlearned for now. They were, however, interested in deciphering the magic they were currently studying. Unfortunately, this interest was not currently matched by any actual progress in their translation.
I'm telling you, it's obviously the person being burned to death with the magic, Venom insisted for what felt like the hundredth time as the pair studied the infuriatingly inscrutable series of small images at the top of the page.
And I'm telling you, Harry replied with equal certainty, that the person is clearly being protected from the fire by the magic. The magic in question was called "Volcati," that much, at least, they had been able to translate. What it actually did was still a matter for debate.
Look, first picture: person is fine, Venom pointed to the perfectly normal seeming individual in the first of the series of images with a tendril. Second image: Volcati does whatever it does, Venom indicated the image wherein the person was shrouded in the symbols they had come to recognise as the book's way of depicting a magical effect. Third image: person is very clearly on fire, the tendril jabbed vehemently at the final picture, which did indeed depict the individual on fire.
Yes, Harry acknowledged with as much patience as he could muster, but the person isn't writhing in agony or doing anything else a person who's burning to death would do. So, obviously the magic protects you from fire.
By setting you on fire? Venom sounded far from convinced.
A soft CRACK interrupted their silent conversation, followed almost immediately by Lupin's hoarse voice, "Harry?"
"In the kitchen, Moony," Harry called, confident that Venom would be able to hide the Lexicon before Lupin made his way into the room. Within moments, the heavy silver book had disappeared, just before the older man entered from the sitting room. "Any luck tracking down leads on the guy? Baldrick?"
Lupin frowned, "Yes and no, one of his chief lieutenants turned up headless in an alleyway a few months ago. The police believe it's an opening gambit by a rival trafficking ring, but there doesn't seem to have been any other incidents between them and Baldrick's Adders."
I think that one was us, Venom admitted, almost sheepishly, but, in our defence, they were trying to kidnap us.
"So, that's the no, what's the yes?" Harry asked, eager to both divert the occasion away from their past victim and learn what progress Lupin had made in his investigation of the man behind the biggest human trafficking operation in London.
"When they found the body, the lieutenant had a pistol on him, the police managed to identify which gun smuggler was responsible for bringing it into the country, although by the time they identified her she'd already gone to ground." A hint of satisfied triumph smoothed Lupin's normally care-worn features.
"And you found her?" Harry prodded, getting a pleased nod from his guardian.
"I did indeed, it didn't take much persuading to convince her to dib Baldrick in when she still thought I'd let her go, and as she unfortunately saw me using my wand to handcuff her, she doesn't remember either the agreement or that she let slip the information." Harry had grown very familiar with Lupin's tendency to bend the letter of the law ever so slightly in service of justice, one of the few remaining reminders of his more mischievous younger years.
"Does that mean you know where he is?" Harry inquired excitedly.
"Yes, although it'll take another day or so to perform proper reconnaissance and prepare a plan to extract him," Harry's heart sank slightly at the news, as he realised that meant Moony probably wouldn't have time for their final sparring session before he and Venom left for Hogwarts. "In the meantime, however, we have a sparring session to get to." Harry's head snapped up, finding a sly grin twisting the corners of Lupin's lips.
"Don't you have to start preparing to take Baldrick now? What if he moves when he hears the police have his arms dealer?" As much as Harry wanted a final chance to defeat Lupin before he left for Hogwarts, he didn't want his guardian to jeopardize so important a mission just for him.
"Baldrick is well aware of police procedure if they have information on the location of a suspect they send a plainclothes operative to watch the site until a task force can be assembled. He'll be watching for anyone he doesn't recognise loitering around his base," Lupin explained, "If he doesn't see anyone for 24 hours he'll relax and assume the smuggler hasn't betrayed him, meaning he'll take his time in preparing a new base before he moves."
"Alright then, I'll try not to bruise you too badly before you go scouting," Harry grinned, ribbing his guardian slightly as he walked over so Lupin could apparate them to the dojo.
"And I'll try not to pull a muscle kicking you 'round the ring," the older man quipped back, apparating the pair of them away before Harry could formulate a response.
That's just cheating, Venom complained, not even attempting to hide his admiration for the underhanded tactic.
Completely, Harry agreed, but that just proves he knows he can't win in a fair contest. The friendly banter between ward and guardian continued until the pair were facing each other within the familiar confines of their sparring ring, when their attention turned to performing their warm-up stretches in preparation for the coming spar. Finally, with their warm-up completed, the pair settled into their combat stances.
Lupin assumed the same stance as he had in their first bout, presenting his profile toward Harry, arms raised in preparation to guard, feet spaced shoulder-width apart. Harry sunk into his own slightly deeper stance that he and Venom had developed upon incorporating some Leopard-Style Kung Fu in order to make better use of their speed and power while compensating for their current diminutive size. Lupin had initially been very surprised, and impressed, by his young ward's initiative, although he had also cautioned against attempting to combine too many fighting styles at the risk of creating an unwieldy self-defeating mess.
"Ready, Harry?" Lupin asked, his voice calm and level, breathing steady.
"Ready," Harry responded, his unblinking eyes fixed on Lupin.
"Begin!" Lupin cried, immediately snapping his leg upward to try and catch Harry in the chest, hoping to take early control of the fight. Despite the older man's speed, however, Harry was faster. Before Lupin's foot had made it more than halfway off the ground, Harry had closed the distance between the pair and lashed out with a blindingly fast leopard fist aimed at Lupin's solar-plexus, even as he brought his knee up aiming to smash the delicate tendons in the back of Moony's thigh.
Despite the blinding speed and ferocity of his student's assault, Lupin managed to leap backwards out of range of the striking knee, even as he brought his arm up to parry Harry's darting punch. Without wasting a moment, Harry shifted from the traditional leopard fist to strike with his palm against Lupin's parrying arm, amplifying the momentum of the manoeuvre and disrupting the taller man's guard. Lupin grunted with exertion, using the imparted momentum of Harry's unexpected strike to twist into a scything kick aimed at the boy's midriff, which Harry jumped over, moving swiftly out of reach and beginning to circle around the ring.
"Very good, Harry," Lupin praised, "although I must admit, I'm surprised you didn't attempt to capitalise on the opportunity to grapple while you had me off balance." Harry laughed slightly at the remark but kept his focus firmly on his opponent.
"We both know you're still a better grappler than me, Moony," he reminded his teacher, "I'm not going to let you draw me into a contest you have the advantage in." Before Lupin could respond, he darted in for another assault, aiming a sweeping kick toward Lupin's right ankle, before transitioning to an attempted stomp on his left foot when Remus moved his leg backwards to avoid the strike. The strike wasn't technically one a trained martial artist was supposed to employ, but as Lupin often reiterated, there were no rules in the field.
As his weight shifted forward in time with his stomping movement, Harry's arm lashed out in a vicious uppercut, aimed at the juncture of Lupin's neck and jaw in a debilitating strike intended to incapacitate his opponent and bring the fight to a swift end. Lupin countered masterfully, raising his foot to meet Harry's descending stomp and guiding the strike off to the side as he caught Harry's rising blow with his crossed forearms. Harry grinned, bending his arm and bringing his other hand up to grasp his fist and drive his elbow into Lupin's sternum, sliding along the base of Moony's guard and sending him stumbling back several steps.
Despite the blow, Lupin's hands flashed out, grasping Harry's wrist and elbow and twisting his arm into a painful lock that threatened to dislocate his shoulder. The very force of Harry's strike helped Lupin drag the boy off balance, twisting the pair of them to the padded mat which formed the floor of the sparring ring. Unfortunately for Lupin, the impact with the ground, coupled with the lingering effects of Harry's strike, prevented him from making immediate use of his grapple.
His own impact ably cushioned by Venom, Harry planted a foot and twisted his body, rolling into Lupin and forcing him to release his hold or risk breaking his wrists. Continuing the motion, Harry rolled to his feet and spun, raising his leg to slam down on Lupin and secure the victory he could practically feel. Lupin was far from idle, however, and Harry was forced to abandon the strike and shift backwards as Moony windmilled his legs in an elaborate twisting movement that brought him back to his own feet.
Almost, Venom practically snarled, the taste of victory igniting the savage love of combat which always lurked beneath the surface of the symbiote's consciousness. We almost have him!
But this is where he got us last time, Harry cautioned, remembering the pain and frustration of their last training bout with Lupin, where their overconfidence had allowed their instructor to turn the tide at the last moment and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Lupin was breathing heavily, his arms slightly tighter around his chest as, despite the adrenaline, the lingering effects of Harry's landed elbow hampered his efforts to draw oxygen into his lungs. He opened his mouth, probably preparing to offer more praise or advice to his student, and in the moment of minute relaxation as Harry's brain interpreted the familiar gesture, he struck. A punishing jab rocketed toward the momentarily off-guard boy's solar plexus, threatening to steal away the victory they were so close to securing. Harry and Venom moved in unison, their arm blurring from view as it rose to parry the blow, but they were only partially successful.
The strike was diverted from its debilitating target, but it slammed instead into Harry's shoulder, a flash of blinding agony flaring through their side as the joint popped from its socket with a sickening pop. Lupin paused, his concern for his ward momentarily overriding his discipline and focus, and the bonded pair saw their chance.
With a mixed roar of pain and triumph, a leg swung out in a rising kick that slammed into the back of Lupin's knee, knocking his leg from underneath him and sending him tumbling to the ground. Fortunately, the pair had the presence of mind to hold back enough to not shatter the tendons and knee cap, but Lupin was going to have a serious limp until they could get somewhere he could cast a healing spell. Knowing that the kick alone wouldn't be enough to end the fight, especially with Lupin rapidly regaining his composure, the pair skidded to their knees the base of their hand stopping an inch from Lupin's exposed neck in a chop that could otherwise have shattered his larynx.
For several moments, Lupin and Harry remained frozen, eyes locked and focused despite the pain coursing through them both. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, Lupin relaxed, allowing his battered body to relax against the floor of the sparring ring.
"You win, Harry," Lupin gasped, "exceptionally well done."
