The lion with a thorn in his paw
Luna idly stood on Platform 9 ¾ her gaze wandering over the red and black train. She was going back, but now if she dared to hope... with friends. They were all in Gryffindor... but still it was nice.
"A knut for your thoughts?" Luna heard Harry say from behind her.
"Just thinking." Luna said in her usually dreamy voice.
"Do I have to offer a Sickle?" Harry joked.
"No, just thinking it's nice to have friends… it may make the mean things other people say easier to bear." Luna replied thoughtfully.
"Well, we are definitely keeping the first part, as for the second part…" Harry began as he cast a sidelong glance at Luna who locked her gaze with his in return. "Let's see if we can fix that," Harry said with a smile.
"That would be nice." Luna replied with a smile as she looked away and played with her interlocked fingers.
"Come on let's get on before all the good seats are taken." Harry said as he hefted both his and Luna's luggage into the storage compartments on the side of the train.
Harry, Luna, Hermione and Ron found a compartment and settled themselves in. Just as the train was pulling out of the station, owls bearing the latest issue of the Daily Prophet started flying in through the gaps of the windows. The Daily Prophet owl flew down onto the table in the compartment, it fluttered its wings before puffing out its chest trying to look important. It's head swiveled around the compartment and landed its gaze on Hermione. It stuck out one of its legs that held a pouch and Hermione deposited a few knuts into the pouch.
The first thing Harry saw was the front page and the picture made him very annoyed. On the front was a moving image of him and Cedric's last stand in blasted ruins of the camp. The angle was from an upward perspective, it turns out for the entire fight there was this Daily Prophet reporter hiding under a collapsed tent a few meters behind him. He had his wand he could have helped but NO, he was hiding and filming him burn his right hand off.
Apparently, when the film reel was finally supported by ministry statements and reports on the actions of those who attacked him, they had put that story ON THE FRONT PAGE. Hermione found reports on the Purity League and their total denial of involvement on the third page. The THIRD PAGE, Lucius Malfoy's pathetic statement that threw his own supporters under the bus was on the third page. As Harry watched the moving picture of himself cast his final desperate shield charm to a gust of steam erupting from a gap in his gauntlet he couldn't help but seethe.
Harry felt a poke on his left arm as he turned to see Luna looking up at him, her brows furrowed in worry.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Luna asked.
"It's nothing," Harry replied as he looked away. Luna somehow always seems to know when he was feeling down or angry. Quite a few reporters had arrived at his hospital room after he woke up. Harry tried to be polite as best he could but all the pestering questions and flashes of the camera quickly started grating on his nerves. Luna said a sentence to the reporters that he would remember to his dying day.
"Harry doesn't want to speak to all of you but he's just too polite to say it." Luna had said dreamily. That sentence if said by someone who didn't know him Harry would think they have some sort of mind-reading ability. It just showed how much Luna had managed to understand him in the short time they were together, she simply… got him, more so than anyone he had ever met.
In response to his words, he felt another poke on his arm as Luna continued to look intently at him, clearly not taking his answer as well… an answer.
"I just… can't believe someone managed to film the whole bloody thing." Harry replied.
At those words, Hermione immediately put down the paper and looked sheepishly at Harry.
"Sorry Harry, I didn't know you were bothered by it." Hermione said awkwardly.
"It's at least quite flattering Harry." Ron said as he peered down at the side behind the front page. "It mentions your Order of Merlin too." Ron added.
"Fantastic." Harry grumbled.
"At least it's nice everyone knows what kind of person you are." Luna said sweetly from the side.
"I just don't like the attention, the attention comes with some drawbacks…" Harry replied with a sigh.
"Like?" Luna asked as she cocked her head to the side.
"Hey Potty, just saw you on today's paper. Looks like your arm now matches your face." a snide voice said from the hallway.
Harry turned to see Draco Malfoy who had plastered the latest issue of the Daily Prophet on the glass pane of the compartment door.
"The Order of Merlin must be going downhill nowadays if they are giving out awards to the likes of you." Draco said.
"Stow it Malfoy." Harry snapped in response.
"Ohh touched a nerve have I? Don't worry Potter at least now your arm matches your forehead." Draco said as he laughed along with his usual minions Crabbe and Goyle.
Harry felt Luna shift on his left, he turned to see Luna glaring at Draco with a coldness he did not expect from her usual dreamy self.
"What are you looking at Loony? Although, seeing the state of you now Potter, I suppose Loony would be a perfect match for you." Draco said with a smirk.
Before anyone could retort a voice called out from the hallway. "Five points from Slytherin."
The group looked to see Cedric wearing his Prefect badge calmly walk into view.
"We're not even at Hogwarts yet!" Draco retorted red faced.
"You can't use magic outside of school. You are allowed to use magic here. The name Hogwarts is plastered on the front of the train, so yes I can deduct you points. This must be a record Malfoy, I don't think anyone has ever gotten their house negative points before the train arrived." Cedric said as he raised an eyebrow.
"Malfoy is always an overachiever." Fred said as he stepped into view from the right.
"Yeah haven't you heard Cedric, Malfoy managed to miss a snitch flying behind his ear." George added.
"Well it seems you are very good at exceeding our expectations Malfoy." Cedric said.
Harry noticed as Cedric spoke, Fred had slipped something into Malfoy's robes pocket.
"Head back Malfoy before you exceed our expectations again." Cedric said with a smile.
"My father…" Draco began.
"Will hear about this, yes I am sure he will." Cedric said cutting him off.
With that Draco turned and stormed off with Crabbe and Goyle in tow. Cedric, Fred and George didn't say a word; they just looked down the hallway at the trio as if waiting for something to happen. Then there was a loud bang and the sound of whistling as the cries of Draco, Crabbe and Goyle echoed out into the hallway.
"Oh dear it seems someone placed some sort of firecracker in Malfoy's pocket." Cedric said calmly.
"Huh, strange, who could have done that?" Fred said nonchalantly.
"The firecrackers are going to be ash by the time it's done, it appears the evidence will be destroyed." George added.
"Shame…" Fred said with a suppressed smirk.
"Well, I should probably put a stop to it… oh my I left my wand in my compartment." Cedric said as he slowly and calmly patted his robes.
"You should probably go and get it." Fred said as his suppressed smirk turned into an evil one.
"Yes, I should, don't go near him. That's a job for the Prefects. I'll be right back." Cedric said as he calmly turned and walked back the way he came.
It was a good ten minutes before Cedric returned, the Firecracker had somehow managed to remain firing for the entire time Cedric was gone. Cedric appeared looking to be in no hurry at all and calmly dispelled the firecracker saving Malfoy. Malfoy's robes however, were burnt and chock full of holes by the end of it.
"I assume you know the mending charm?" Cedric deadpanned, to which Draco gave him a red faced nod. Cedric saying nothing else turned and walked back to the compartment that Harry was sitting in.
"Thanks Cedric." Harry said gratefully.
"Don't worry about it, judging by the Daily Prophet I think I owe you more than a few favours." Cedric said waving off his thanks.
Harry internally winced at those words, though his face betrayed nothing. Harry felt a gentle squeeze on the top of his left hand. He turned to see Luna give him a reassuring smile and he felt his heart calm somewhat.
"Well, just beat Skytherin in Quidditch every chance you get this year and we'll call it even." Harry said with a laugh.
"That's pretty cheap, at least let me buy you a drink at Hogsmeade." Cedric replied with a smirk.
"Friends discount." Harry said with a laugh.
"Well I should probably finish my rounds, see you guys later." Cedric said as he gave the group one last wave before walking off.
The rest of the train ride was calm and uneventful. Hermione though realised that Harry and Luna were sitting closer and closer with every exchange of words. Soon Luna was practically leaning on Harry's arm but still somehow the pair acted like a pair of friends and nothing more. How this pair could be this clueless was beyond her, so she took out her book on Magitech gadgets and began to read.
When they finally reached Hogwarts and were settled into the great hall Harry was trying his best to look inconspicuous. His hand was starting to hurt, it was about time he had to reapply the salve. He could feel the dull throbbing ache of the burns. The Auror's glove had a pain dulling effect but it's effect was limited and for a wound this fresh the glove was ill equipped to handle it. The healers at Saint Mungo's said the pain was a good sign, if he felt nothing then chances are he would lose sensation in his arm. So with a steadily growing ache in his hand, he tried his best to look inconspicuous, he was in no mood to answer nosy questions.
"Hey Harry, is it true you got an Order of Merlin?" Harry heard Seamus ask.
"Yeah, but it's not your usual Order Merlin, I only got it because of an injury." Harry replied trying to ignore his throbbing arm.
"Oh it's the Auror's glove isn't it? Can I see it?" Seamus asked excitedly.
Harry tried his best to ignore the pain as he raised his arm showing the staring Gryffindors the black glove embroidered with gold chains. On the outer forearm embroidered with the same gold thread were the words.
For All That We Hold Dear
No Sacrifice Too Great
No Victory Too Costly
"Woah wicked…" Seamus said as he peered at faintly glowing words.
"They removed a few lines from the engraving." Hermione said quietly to Harry.
"Removed?" Harry asked, perplexed.
"Those words are the Auror's oath. They must have removed it the rest because you aren't an Auror." Hermione said.
"How do you know these things Hermione?" Ron asked furrowing his brows.
"I asked Mr Weasley about the words the night you got the glove, he told me it was supposed to contain the Auror's oath. When you become an Auror they give you a necklace made of Silver and Steel chains. Those words are inscribed on the chains along with their name, it's so if they… die, they can identify the body." Hermione said.
"Silver and steel chains?" Ron asked.
"The chains symbolise their service to the cause, chains to bind them to their duty. Their glove is black because they lost their arm to the darkness. The gold means glory in service and a light against the darkness. The silver and steel of the chains symbolises what they fight, you use steel for humans and silver for monsters." Hermione explained.
"That's a bit morbid…" Neville said from the side furrowing his brows.
"So what's the rest of the words?" Ron asked.
Hermione went silent for a moment at the question, she shut her eyes as if steeling herself.
"Come on out with it." Ron pressed, to which Hermione's eyebrow twitched in annoyance.
"The words are…" Hermione began.
For All That We Hold Dear
No Sacrifice Too Great
No Victory Too Costly
I am the light in the darkness
I am an Auror
From this day until my last day
With my end I collect my reward
A Duty Honourably Discharged
"My parents took that oath?" Neville asked softly.
"Most likely Neville." Hermione replied softly.
"Then those death eaters took more than my parent's sanity." Neville muttered.
"Neville…" Hermione said softly.
"It's fine Hermione, thank you… for letting me know. My Na'an never told me, most likely to never let me know that my parents couldn't live up to their oath." Neville replied softly.
"They did live up to it Neville, they gave everything for you, for everyone, for all that they hold dear. I am sure their duty is honourably discharged." Harry said kindly.
"Thanks Harry." Neville said with a weak smile.
"I lost my parents too Neville, your parents lived up to it just as much as mine did." Harry said.
To those words, Neville looked down and sniffled. He then raised his head and looked up at the ceiling blinking away the tears before clearing his throat.
"You alright Neville?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Neville said as he gave Harry the strongest smile he could manage.
Harry biting back the pain in his hand reached across the table and gave him a pat on the hand with his gloved hand. Seeing this Neville smiled back just a little stronger than before. Harry seeing this gave him another kind smile before pulling his hand back.
Harry inhaled as deeply as he could, hoping the feast would just bloody start so that he could get back to the dormitory and get the damned salve on his arm. The pain was getting worse and it was starting to make him break out into a cold sweat.
"Attention!" the magically amplified voice of Dumbledore said.
"Oh thank god…" Harry muttered as he gripped his arm just above the glove trying to ease the throbbing which was now way past an ache and was turning to pain.
"For all returning students, welcome back to Hogwarts for a new school year. For all our new students welcome to Hogwarts. I hope you will come to love this school as a second home as many before you." Dumbledore said.
"The speech, sorting… then feast…" Harry whispered as the pain started to feel like searing heat.
Harry stayed silent as the speech dragged on, everyone was looking at Dumbledore and no one noticed his pale and sweaty face.
"This year we will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament…" Dumbledore said.
"Tournament?" Harry thought to himself, he could barely think now let alone listen.
"On the note of school champions, I would like to acknowledge the actions of two of our students during the Quidditch world cup. Those of you who read the daily prophet are probably aware of their actions but I would like to speak on their bravery as an example to all that attend this great institution." Dumbledore said.
Cedric was receiving pats on the shoulder as Dumbledore brought up his and Harry's actions. Honestly, he felt he was more tagging along during that fight. Harry did most of the fighting with him mostly just firing spells that didn't even hit half the time. Harry's aim was much better, later they found the two of them had stunned half a dozen attackers and held up to a combined assault of fifteen wizards. It was no wonder his arm got as injured as it did…
"I would like to ask Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory to now rise so the school may see your faces. You truly have done Hogwarts proud!" Dumbledore said.
Cedric rose from his chair to the loud cheering of the Hufflepuffs, it was rare for anyone in their house to receive glory of any kind. He thanked his housemates for their praise and he looked over to the Gryffindor table expecting Harry to be standing bashfully. Instead he saw no one standing and the looks of confusion amongst most of the Gryffindors as they looked around trying to find Harry. Cedric got a cold feeling in his stomach as he quickly swept the Gryffindor table. It was then he spotted him, his head was down and next to him the Gryffindors were all talking to him with concerned expressions on their faces.
"Harry?" Hagrid said from the staff table.
"Potter?" Professor Mcgonagall said as she rose from her seat sensing something was wrong the moment she laid eyes on him.
Cedric without thinking clambered over the Hufflepuff's table in a bid to get to Harry, he saw Luna doing the same thing from the Ravenclaw table, her normally serene face twisted with worry.
"Harry! Harry!" Harry barely registered, the pain was now so great his vision was flashing white and it was all he could do not to scream. He should have applied the salve on the train, why did he think he could last till after the feast.
"What's the matter with him?" Hagrid said as he gazed at the pale and sweating Harry who was oblivious to all those around him.
"It's his arm, we should have applied the salve on the train." Hermione said in panic.
"Harry!" Luna said as she roughly shoved some random Gryffindor aside as she sat down next to him and saw him clutching his arm so hard his knuckles were white.
"Harry can you hear me?" Luna said as she leaned over and cupped his face in her hands looking into his unseeing eyes.
Harry knew he was about to pass out, but he couldn't just pass out at the table, that would be embarrassing... Then he noticed a pair of silver orbs in the middle of his vision. With his vision flashing white he thought his mind was playing tricks with him. Then he felt a pair of soft hands on the sides of his head. The sensation jogged some sense of lucidity back to him and his vision focused for a moment, just long enough for him to recognise the face in front of him.
"Luna… what… what are you… doing at the Gryffindor table…" Harry rasped out.
"We need to get him to the Hospital Wing." Dumbledore said.
"I'll get him sir." Hagrid said as he shifted Harry and picked him up.
"His salve it's in his luggage." Hermione said.
"The luggage should be at the dormitories already." Mcgonagall said.
"I'll get it!" Ron said as he swept his leg over the side of the bench prepared to run off.
"Ron, wait!" Hermione shouted.
"What?" Ron asked bewildered.
"We don't even know the password." Hermione said.
"Right…" Ron muttered, running his hand through his hair, his face now very pale.
"Wait I have an idea!" Hermione shouted, suddenly slapping her fist into her palm.
"DOBBY!" Hermione shouted.
With a crack, Dobby appeared in the great hall to the screams of shock of nearby students.
"Mistress Granger called?" Dobby asked with a bow, as he raised himself he looked to see Harry the pale and trembling in Hagrid's arms. Dobby's big eyes went wide in shock as he ran forward.
"Master Potter? What's wrong?" Dobby said frantically.
"Dobby, he needs his salve, it's in his luggage. It should be in his room..." Hermione said clearly and deliberately, her voice calm and steady.
"Yes at once Mistress Granger." Dobby said before Hermione could finish as he vanished with another crack.
"Wait DOBBY!" Hermione shouted, to which Dobby reappeared this time appearing on the table.
"Bring it to the Hospital Wing." Hermione said.
"Oh yes, of course." Dobby said sheepishly as he vanished with another crack.
"Now that, that's settled. Come Hagrid." Dumbledore said as he casted a sleep charm on Harry to spare him the pain.
Mcgonagall watched as Hagrid rushed away with Dumbledore in tow. She turned to see Hermione and Ron looking intently at her.
"Go on then, Weasley, Granger." Mcgonagall said with a nod, catching their meaning.
"Diggory head back to your table for now, the long way." Mcgonagall said as she gestured for him to go around rather than climb on the table.
"Yes professor." Cedric said sheepishly as he turned and began walking.
"You too Lovegood…" Mcgonagall began as she turned to where Luna was a moment ago to find the spot empty. She looked up to see the silver blonde girl following Hagrid and the rest out of the great hall.
"Let her go Minerva." Flitwick said as he walked over.
Mcgonagall turned to look at Flitwick questioningly.
"In three years I have seen Ms Lovegood make about three expressions on her face. I just saw number four, five and six. Besides she seemed to be able to get through to young Potter just now." Flitwick said.
Mcgonagall, understanding, merely turned to look at the entrance of the great hall just in time to see a swish of silver blonde hair disappear around the corner…
Luna was almost beside herself with worry, she was almost about to wring her hands but she instead clasped them together to still the shaking. When they eventually reached the Hospital Wing they found Dobby standing on Harry's luggage arguing with Madam Pomfrey.
"Poppy you have a patient." Dumbledore said calmly as he entered the room.
"Headmaster, yes at once." Madam Pomfrey said as she quickly gestured to a nearby bed.
Hagrid laid Harry on the bed and Luna rushed over the luggage. She popped it open and immediately went for the compartment that held the salve. She knew exactly where it was, she had helped him pack after all at Saint Mungo's. Taking the bronze metal container out of the compartment she quickly placed the container on the bedside table.
"I need a tub of cold clean water and a clean soft cloth." Luna said.
Madam Pomfrey froze at those words, she wasn't used to students giving her instructions. However, as she saw the smooth practiced movements of the young blonde girl and how she shifted Harry's position into one more conducive for treating the wound she couldn't help but go and fetch a clean tub.
"It seems Harry is in good hands." Dumbledore said calmly.
"What's wrong with him, sir?" Hagrid asked bewildered.
"Magical Discharge Burns, nasty stuff." a growl said from behind.
The group turned to see a man limp into the medical wing with a gnarled staff. His face was a mess of scars and he had a large magical eye spinning in his right eye socket.
"Alastor." Dumbledore said.
"Sorry I'm late Albus, got delayed." the man said.
"Blimey that's Mad-eye Moody." Ron said in a whisper.
"Alastor Moody? The Auror?" Hermione asked.
"That I am missy." Moody said with his face still facing Dumbldore. As he turned it revealed his eye was tracking Hermione through his head.
Moody limped over to where Luna was kneeling next to Harry and had his hand hanging over the side of bed. He watched intently as Luna slipped the glove off to reveal the burns which were now a mass of black scabs that looked like scales. White pus leaked from the gaps of the scabs and the flesh underneath was swollen.
"Merlin's beard." Hagrid said as he took a step back.
Moody didn't say a word as he gazed intently at how Luna cleaned the arm gently. Slowly clearing the pus out of the gaps of the scabs.
"It seems like Potter is in good hands." Moody said with a curt nod.
"Alastor, how should we best handle this? I was never an Auror and I confess myself ignorant on the daily rituals required to care for such a wound." Dumbledore said calmly.
"Just do what she's doing, it should heal in about a month. I heard from Mcgonagall what happened, if the pain is that bad, then it's a good sign." Moody said nonchalantly as he took a swig from his hip flask.
"Good sign?" Hagrid asked aghast.
"Yes, a good sign. It means he will keep sensation in his arm and it means there's no rot in the wound. Both of the above will stop him from feeling the pain, so yes it is a good sign." Moody replied as he stowed his hip flask into his robes.
"It won't be pleasant and most of the Aurors are highly resistant to pain thanks to our training. Potter doesn't have that luxury, so he needs this done twice a day on the clock, unless we want a repeat of tonight." Moody said.
"Very well, thank you Alastor, I am sure you must be tired from your travels, the feast is still going on perhaps you can head over for now." Dumbledore said.
"Some food wouldn't hurt, talk to you later Albus." Moody said with another curt nod as he turned and left.
When Harry came to, he heard Madam Pomfrey speaking hotly and quietly in the background.
"Honestly, no letter from Saint Mungo's, no package from the Hospital with more of the salve. What are they doing in London?" Harry heard Madam Pomfrey said hotly.
"I am sure they assumed Harry could take care of himself, it's hard to treat someone with the Auror's glove as a child." Dumbledore replied patiently.
"He IS a child, he tried to tough out Magical Discharge Burns for the entire feast. He should have reapplied it on the train." Madam Pomfrey replied.
"Maybe he was embarrassed, we all saw the burns, no doubt he wasn't willing to risk letting the other students see it." Hagrid said.
"So preventing embarrassments is grounds for negligence of your health and well being?" Madam Pomfrey replied hotly.
"Hagrid isn't saying that, you know how school children can be." Dumbledore replied calmly.
Harry tried to raise himself and get his bearing and he felt a gentle set of hands hold him up and steady him.
"Harry are you alright?" Harry heard Luna say.
"Yeah, I'm fine…" Harry said as he blinked the fog out of his vision.
"Potter you lay back down!" Harry heard Madam Pomfrey snap from across the room. Harry bewildered felt himself being pushed back down by Luna.
Only after a rigorous test of Harry's mental faculties did Madam Pomfrey allow him to prop himself up with some pillows. As Harry listened to Hermione's explanation on what happened, he let out a groan as he covered his face with his left hand.
"Well that's embarrassing…" Harry said glumly.
"I wouldn't say that Harry." Hermione said kindly.
The group conversed lightly for a while before Dumbledore came over and beckoned the other three to return to bed.
"Will you be alright Harry." Luna asked.
"Yeah I think so, thanks Luna." Harry said as he gazed at Luna's face that was illuminated by moonlight from the nearby window and in that moment it struck him how pretty Luna was. Her silver blonde hair and silver eyes seemed to glitter in the moonlight, while her pale skin seemed to shine with a pale lustre.
"You look really pretty in the moonlight Luna." Harry blurted out without thinking, to a look of shock and then a light blush from the girl.
"Oh I'm sorry I… I didn't mean…" Harry sputtered red faced.
"It's ok... you are very sweet Harry." Luna said her smile wide, her eyes soft and warm.
"Come on now." Dumbledore said again from the doorway.
Luna turned to look at Dumbledore, before rising from her seat. She then leaned in and placed a quick kiss on Harry's cheek.
"Get some rest... I'll see you in the morning, my lion with the thorn in his paw." Luna said shyly as she spun around and skipped towards the door.
Harry struck dumb gazed at Luna as she turned the corner and out of view, Dumbledore remained for just long enough to give him a wink with a twinkle in his eyes.
The next day Harry awoke to find Luna sitting at the foot of his bed with a tub of water waiting. Seeing him awake Luna snapped the copy of the Quibbler she was reading shut and gently propped him up with some pillows.
"What time is it?" Harry asked groggily, as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"About an hour before class starts, come I need to tend to your hand." Luna said as she pulled the tub of water closer.
Harry watched as Luna gently cleaned his hand as she sat next to him on the bed like so many times before in Saint Mungo's. To him personally, the arm looked disgusting, it looked like it was going to rot off and frankly he was just glad there wasn't a stench.
Under her practiced hands soon, his arm was covered in the white salve and he felt the dull ache start to fade. The sight caused an indescribable warmth in his chest as he looked at her. He felt something more for this girl, more than what he usually felt with a friend. As Luna gently slipped the glove on his hand and Harry on impulse gently clasped her hands with his gloved hand. Harry watched as Luna looked up surprised, her wide silver eyes locking onto his.
Harry raised his gloved hand and gently cupped her cheek, he watched Luna's cheeks go slightly pink as she leaned her head slightly into his hand.
"You're really pretty…" Harry said softly.
"You mentioned last night…" Luna replied as she placed her right hand on his gloved hand.
"I feel people don't say it enough." Harry said as he leaned in slightly and watched as Luna did the same.
"I don't really care about what most people say." Luna replied.
"Am I most people?" Harry asked, they were so close now he could feel her breath on his face.
"No." Luna replied in a whisper as she shut her eyes and leaned in.
Harry did the same and he felt his lips touch hers. Harry felt Luna seemingly melt into him as she leaned in and he felt her hand reach up behind his neck. Harry in turn used his gloved hand and gently pulled her head closer. Then in a moment they separated, Harry let his gloved hand fall and ran his thumb over the side of her cheek.
"Luna do you…" Harry asked his heart hammering in his chest.
"Yes." Luna replied softly.
Harry smiled and pressed his forehead against hers. The pair's eyes locked and then a small giggle escaped from Luna's lips which was then joined by Harry.
"Come on we're going to be late for class." Harry said as he pulled back.
"Meet me for lunch?" Luna asked shyly, her face flushing pink again.
"Definitely." Harry said as he placed a peck on Luna's cheek to another small giggle from her.
"Come on." Harry said as he reached into his luggage and took out his books.
As Harry stood up he held out his hand and Luna took it with another pink faced smile as the pair walked out of the Hospital Wing.
When Harry got to his first class Defence Against the Dark Arts, he found himself in the same class as the Slytherins. His lifted spirits from his new relationship with Luna took a dive at the sight. No doubt he would receive ridicule for all but collapsing in the middle of the great hall. You know maybe it wouldn't be so bad, maybe the Slytherin's would grow a conscience, Harry tried his best to hope.
"Hey Potter, up so soon? Sure you don't need another two months in the Hospital Wing for that scratch on your arm?" aaaand there it was, well it could be worse. Draco wasn't that good at his snide remarks, at least it wasn't Snape that was having a go at him first thing in the morning.
"Stow it Malfoy." Ron snapped.
Before Draco could reply the door of the room slammed open with a loud bang. From the doorway emerged the hunched and scarred figure of Alastor Moody. His very presence silencing the class as the grizzled and scarred vetaran of the Second Wizarding War limped to the teaching table. He unceremoniously dumped a stack of papers on the table and turned to face the class and took a moment to examine every face in the class letting the tense silence drag on unnerving everyone in the room.
"I'm supposed to take roll call but frankly I couldn't care less if you decide to turn up. If you aren't interested in learning how to keep yourself from ending up as food for the worms, be my guess and leave." Moody said as he gestured to the open door that was still ajar. The class was silent with no one leaving.
"No takers, alright then, now I have been informed all of you took the magical potential test last year." Moody said, to a silent class.
"Erm yes Professor." Hermione replied softly.
"Name?" Moody shot at Hermione causing her to flinch.
"Hermione Granger, Professor." Hermione said stiffly.
"Good, at least I know one person in this class isn't a deaf or mute." Moody said as he fished out a piece of parchment out of the stack.
"This is your results from your tests, this means frankly nothing to most of you. All this paper tells me if any of you have the potential to be an Auror. Your scores are ranked on a scale of one to a hundred. If you possess a score of 70 or higher only then are you allowed to apply for the job of an Auror when you graduate. As far as wand based magic goes as long as you don't have a score of below 10 you aren't a squib, the range from 10 to 100 doesn't mean a damn thing unless you are using a magic amplifier. I will explain more on this later, so for now LISTEN UP!" Moody said as he roared the last two words making the whole class jump.
"Now first in ascending order, Parvati Patil, score 37." Moody began and Harry looked as Pavarti looked down devastated as she heard she was the weakest in the class. The Slytherins broke out into sniggers as they heard the weakest witch or wizard was a Gryffindor.
"Pansy Parkinson, score 38." Moody continued to which the Slytherins immediately clammed up at those words. Harry turned to see Pansy in shock, she was from a pure blood family as compared to Pavarit who was half blood. To find out her score was so low must have struck a great blow to her pride. Despite her usual snide remarks, the sight of her teary red face couldn't help but elicit a pang of pity from Harry.
The names rattled on, with numbers slowly climbing. Neville got a score of 55, Seamus got 59, Ron got 63, Crabbe got 66, Goyle 67, Hermione got 78.
"Draco Malfoy score, 82…" Moody said, Draco smiled smugly for a moment as he heard his high score, his smile disappeared when he realised that only one person was left, Harry. Now everyone's attention was on Harry as they waited to see exactly how powerful the Boy Who Lived was.
"Lastly, Harry Potter with an impressive score of 97 out of a hundred." Moody said as he unceremoniously tossed the parchment onto the table.
Harry received pats on the back from the nearby Gryffindors to the dark looks from the Slytherins, especially from Draco.
"Blimey you're the highest by a score of 15." Seamus said eagerly.
"Yes, yes, I am sure everyone is either pleased or devastated. Like I said earlier with wand based magic, the difference is marginal. The difference in power comes from skill as far as wand based spells go. You can have a score of a hundred but if you have no idea what you're doing someone with a score of twenty will wipe the floor with you." Moody said gruffly as he walked over to the chalkboard.
"This brings us to our first lesson. That score all of you heard stands for MP also known as Mana Points, I have no idea where this name came from, all I know is that the muggles came up with it. For the sake of a clear explanation we will take the lowest score here and compare it with the highest one." Moody said as he wrote Patil and Potter on the board with their corresponding scores.
"It's ok Pavarti…" Harry heard Hermione say soothingly from behind.
"Now then Ms Patil with her score of 30 to 40 makes her in the bottom 30% of the magical population and Potter's score makes him in the top 0.1% of the magical population. The highest score ever recorded is by your Headmaster Albus Dumbledore with a score of 98 out of a hundred. Now then, this number is derived from the power you can create with a wand. The difference between these two is a score of 60. A difference in 60 MP can't even be seen in a simple Lumos spell, Potter's light and Patil's light will look identical." Moody said as he pointed at the pair of them.
"The difference is when you introduce magic amplifiers, the current Mark VII has an amp rating of 15 X, that means it amplifies your score by 15 times. So with a magic amp and we compare the two of your outputs Patil will have an output of 555 MP while Potter will have an output 1455 MP. That makes a difference of 900 MP, that's a difference of nine perfect scored wizards. The difference of 900 MP will make a Reductor Curse go from turning a wall to ash to turning the wall, the room behind it, along with everyone in the room into paste. That's why I say it makes no difference to most of you unless you become an Auror, because only Aurors have access to Magic Amps. This also means that anyone with a score below 70 is a waste of a Magic Amp, that means this score will determine whether you are eligible to apply for the job of an Auror." Moody said as he wiped the numbers off the chalkboard.
"So Ms Patil, if you were more skilled than Potter and the two of you were to have a duel with just your wands, I'd put ten galleons on you." Moody said with a nod, to which Patil gave a small smile and seemed to sit up straighter.
"Essentially, this doesn't matter." Moody said as he waved his wand and torched the paper.
"If you are interested in any of the statistics, the lowest ever recorded MP for a wizard is 22 while the highest ever recorded for a squib is 10. 30 percent of the population lies in the range of 20 to 40, 50 percent lie in the range of 40 to 60, 25 percent lie in the range of 60 to 80, 4 percent lie in the range of 80 to 90, 0.9 percent lie in the range of 90 to 95 and only 0.1 percent of the population possess a score of 95MP or higher. As for the Aurors, the average MP score of an Auror is a score of 74MP and I am sure all of you are aware how capable the Aurors are in combat. Their abilities are not due to their power, it is due to their skill." Moody said gruffly as he limped towards the students' desks.
"Now then judging by how Ms Parkinson looks like her whole world is collapsing around her, I come to my next point." Moody said as he stopped right in front of Hermione's desk.
"Ms Granger I heard from Professor Mcgonagall that you are one of the best students in the year." Moody said.
"Thank you, Professor." Hermione replied with a blush.
"Why are you thanking me? Your achievements are yours and yours alone." Moody replied to a smile on Hermione's face.
"I also hear you are muggle born." Moody added, to which sniggers emanated from the Slytherins.
"Did I tell a joke? Or does the punch line escape me?" Moody said as his head spun to the Slytherins, silencing them.
"You lot shouldn't be laughing considering most of you have a lower MP score than Ms Granger here." Moody growled.
"The Mana Point system was created by muggles, a system by which so many young wizards and witches are obsessed with." Moody said as he walked over to Draco's table.
"You see Malfoy, I know your family quite well, afterall I put your aunt Bellatrix Lestrange in Azkaban." Moody said as Draco glowered up at the scarred man. His gaze locked with the unflinching gaze of the veteran Auror and as expected Draco caved first and looked down at his desk.
"I know your father Malfoy along with Crabbe and Goyle here. They said they acted under You Know Who's orders only because of the Imperious Curse… but I remain unconvinced. So I will be keeping an eye on you three." Moody said as he roughly gestured to his magical eye as he took a seat on Ron's table knocking over Ron's ink vial. If Ron cared he didn't show it, he along with the rest of class were gazing intently at Moody. Idly Harry thought even Snape could not inspire this kind of tense silence.
"I am sure your fathers filled your heads with many convenient truths." Moody said emphasizing his last word, his voice dripping with mockery.
"So tell me, why do you all think Pure Blood matters so much?" Moody asked in a challenge. The Slytherins stayed silent, no one daring to say a word.
"What's wrong? I heard Slytherin house has more incidents of Muggle hate speech than the rest of the houses combined. So what? You only dare to say it when no teachers are around?" Moody asked.
"Do any of you have a spine? Or does the sorting hat sort you into Slytherin based on whether all of you have a spine made of Gillyweed?" Moody asked looking around the classroom. Still silence was his answer.
"No takers? Hmph disappointing." Moody said in contempt as he stood up and began walking back over to the chalkboard.
"You would just punish us if we said anything." Pansy said scathingly. At those words the class tensed as they watched Moody slowly turn and face the now very pale faced Pansy.
"Ten points to Slytherin, for the only Slytherin in the room with a spine." Moody said, to the gaping mouths of the class.
"So tell me Ms Parkinson, you who descend from an illustrious line of Pure Bloods, why do you feel Muggle Borns are lesser than Pure Bloods?" Moody asked.
"Because Muggle Borns steals magic from Wizards, that's why there are squibs. When a Muggle Born is well… born they take Magic from Wizards and Witches turning them into squibs." Pansy replied.
"An interesting theory, even if it's wrong." Moody replied.
"It's not wrong!" Pansy retorted hotly.
"Is it now? Do you know how many squibs are born on average every year in Britain?" Moody asked, Pansy was silent as she looked down.
"5." Hermione replied.
"Very good Granger, 5 points to Gryffindor. Then can you tell me how many Muggle borns are born every year?" Moody asked.
"Approximately 30." Hermione replied.
"It seems that your theory's math is off Parkinson, but that is not all. You see when the MP system was first invented, Section 10 commissioned a project to be done on the Muggle population. The project is called project Magica Fons, now does anyone know what that is?" Moody asked, Hermione's hand popped up immediately.
"Anyone else?" Moody asked, off handedly looking around the class, Neville raised a shaky hand in response.
"Yes, Longbottom." Moody said.
"I'm not sure what the project was, but I know what those words mean. It's Latin, it's the same language we use to construct our spells, it means the Magic Source." Neville said.
"Excellent, rare to see anyone who can understand Latin nowadays. 5 points to Gryffindor." Moody replied with a nod.
"Now Granger, perhaps you could enlighten the class what Magica Fons is." Moody said.
"It's a project that tested every muggle in Britain using the MP test." Hermione replied.
"And the results were?" Moody asked.
"They found no individual with a MP score of 0, every Muggle was found to have a score ranging from 1 to 10." Hermione replied.
"5 points to Gryffindor, this means that magic and the ability of its use exists in everyone, muggle, squib, wizard and witch. So then came a theory, for you see when a pair of squibs are married or when they marry a muggle they cannot produce magical children. Many squibs see this a great shame so many leave the magical world to live among muggles. The thing is we have no idea what happens when a muggle bearing squib blood is born many generations later. It is theorised that muggle borns have squib ancestors and judging by how fast the muggles breed, it is not hard to imagine that the muggles all bear squib blood to an extent. Hence, with this in mind and the fact that the MP test reveals some trace amounts of magic potential in muggles it can be assumed that all muggles are… squibs." Moody finished to a silent class.
"Every student is required to know this on the day that they receive their MP scores. In the past it wasn't required so some felt this score was proof Magical superiority. What's more they took the small traces of magic within muggles as proof that muggles were stealing magic from wizards and witches. The idea of magical theft was born in the days of You Know Who and we all know the damage that was done from that. So now all of you are required to know this so we don't make anymore lethal mistakes. But judging by those ass hats in the Purity League, it looks like we got our work cut out for us." Moody snorted in disgust.
"Now that that's settled we can move onto the next part of the lesson, who can tell me what the unforgivable curses are?" Moody asked.
Later at lunch Harry was eating quietly as he thought about what had been taught in Defence Against the Dark Arts. He still couldn't believe what Professor Moody did. He went on a ten minute lecture on the dangers and punishments of using the unforgivable curses. Then he proceeded to use the Imperius Curse on each of them. Thus far only Harry managed to resist it to a marginal degree. Unfortunately his resistance came halfway through a jump and he ended up falling hard, hurting both his knee caps.
Then there were the MP scores the class received. The Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs had classes immediately after the Gryffindors and Slytherins. So while they were getting the Imperious Curse they were getting their scores. He had just found out Padma Patil had a MP score of 59, which was much higher than her twin. It puts into perspective how different witches and wizards are even among people as similar as identical twins. He looked at Fred and George who were chatting and laughing with Angelina Johnson. As he watched the twins he was curious about their MP scores.
"Hey Fred!" Harry called down the table, he saw the Weasley twins turn to see Harry and they walked over.
"Hey Harry what's up?" George said as he sat down next to Harry shoving Ron over to the side.
"What are you and Fred's MP scores if you don't mind me asking? Are they similar?" Harry asked curiously.
"Ah come to gloat now Harry? Your score has been making the rounds you know. They say you have the highest score ever recorded on a student." Fred said with a smirk.
"I wasn't…" Harry stammered, now firmly regretting his decision.
"Just yanking your wand Harry." Fred said with laugh at Harry's sheepish expression.
"Our scores are identical, we both got 69." George said.
"Identical? Hmm, interesting…" Harry said as he contemplated the scores.
"What are you thinking about Harry?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Fred and George have identical scores but the Patil twins have greatly differing scores. You would expect the results to be similar, not completely opposed." Harry explained as he brought his closed gloved fist to his lips thoughtfully.
"Magitech is a new science Harry, a lot about it is not even fully understood. Mr Weasly is part of the first generation of Magitech Engineers and he's not even close to retirement." Hermione said.
"I know but you would think there would be some patterns to magical potential." Harry muttered.
"I heard magical potential is based on your soul." a dreamy voice said from behind.
Harry turned to see Luna dreamily smiling at him and he couldn't help but let a smile of his own creep up. The pair just sat still for a moment just looking at each other in silence oblivious to everyone else.
"Ooookay… looks like I'm in someone else's seat. We'll just leave you two to it." George said as he swung his legs over the sides of the bench with a knowing smile.
"Wait did something happen between the pair of you?" Ron asked bewildered.
"Erm well…" Harry muttered now, suddenly feeling really embarrassed.
"Oh Ron…" Hermione said as she pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation.
"Well yeah…" Harry replied softly, idly in the back of his mind Harry thought how he never realised how heavy a person's tongue could feel until now.
Harry turned back to Luna to see her shyly clutching her books against her chest. Her head slightly lowered and her silver hair casting a shadow over her face. Under the shadow cast by her hair her eyes seemed to shine like a pair of silver stars. Harry saw the expectant look in her eyes and realised she was waiting for him to confirm it. So Harry reached out and gently took her hand. He gently pulled her towards the seat next to him, when Luna took her seat he put an arm around her waist and gently pulled her closer so they were shoulder to shoulder. Luna blushed as she leaned against Harry and gently rested her head on his shoulder.
"I'll take that as a yes…" Ron said as he averted his gaze in embarrassment.
"I'm happy for you two." Hermione said from the side beaming.
"Thanks Hermione." Harry said.
The group enjoyed their lunch with copious amounts of stares on the new couple especially from the Ravenclaws. Afterall Luna "Loony" Lovegood is something of a running joke and embarrassment to the house that prides itself on it's house members' intelligence. Especially since Luna likes to talk about what is in their minds are imaginary creatures like Nargles and Crumple Horned Snorkacks. They watched in mute fascination as the famous boy who defeated He Who Must Not Be Named chatted and laughed with the blonde oddball on his arm.
As Harry and Luna walked out of the great hall hand in hand, Harry could feel the stares. Usually he hated when he drew everyone's attention but for this he didn't mind at all. Let their mockery fall upon him. Afterall, what strikes him cannot strike those behind him.
Harry sat down and leaned against a tree that lay next to the great lake. Luna sat down and snuggled up next to him. Harry wrapped his arm around Luna's shoulder and pulled her closer. He felt Luna nuzzle her head into the crook of his neck and he could smell the sweet fruity smell of her hair. Harry planted a kiss on Luna's head and took in the sweet scent. Luna let out a small giggle and snuggled even closer.
"Thank you Harry…" Luna said with a sigh.
"For what?" Harry asked, looking down to see a pair of silver shimmering eyes looking up at him.
"Thank you for accepting me." Luna said.
"I'm only sorry I didn't find you sooner." Harry replied as he reached down and cupped her cheek. Luna smiled as she shut her eyes and leaned into his hand.
"No, I'm glad you didn't…" Luna said as she reopened her eyes.
"You're glad?" Harry asked, perplexed.
"I wouldn't know how precious this is if I always had you." Luna replied with a misty eyed smile.
Harry not knowing what else to say simply leaned in and planted another kiss on Luna's forehead. The pair continued to enjoy each other's company for the half hour that remained of the lunch break. They chatted about Nargles, Heliopaths and all the other creatures that made Luna's eyes shine with an almost childish wonder. As Harry listened to her talk about the invisible Nargles that stole her belongings and infested the most peculiar of things. Although he was pretty sure it was the students that were stealing her stuff and though he was not totally convinced about the Nargles he couldn't completely discount it from his mind. The muggles afterall could not see Dementors, yes they created ways to see and even fight them. They could in fact fight them even better than wizards considering their weapons were potentially lethal against a Dementor as opposed to the gentle light of a Patronus that could only drive them away. So how did anyone know if these creatures truly existed or not?
As Harry enjoyed his first date with his new girlfriend trading the occasional snuggle or kiss he found the half an hour fly by. With great reluctance the couple walked back to the castle and prepared to part till dinner. Harry and Luna traded one last tender kiss before they went their separate ways.
Harry entered a classroom he had never entered before. It was the classroom for Muggle Defence Principles, apparently it was a strictly non magical class. It was also a required class for being an Auror, at the moment Harry did not have any concrete plans to be an Auror. It was just that he wanted to take classes that would make him a more effective fighter and that objective made him take classes that coincided with those required for being an Auror.
As he entered the classroom he saw the classroom was filled with a mere six students from the four different houses as indicated by their differing coloured ties. He saw Seamus Finnigan who like him did well in Physical Efficacy and Ron who had just barely scraped past with him barely passing the two and a half kilometer run. He didn't recognise the other three who were each from different houses. Everyone was looking around the massive room. The room was enormous, easily being able to fit a hundred students in the room and the floor was made of perfectly square tiles that stretched out across the whole room. On the back wall was inscribed an image of a mountain and below were inscribed words in blocky dead letters.
When you see the peak
In your mind you have already fallen
So climb
At the base of the inscription was a man wearing what Harry recognised as a Section 10 uniform. The class did nothing as they watched in silence the man never turning to face them. This lasted for a while as seconds dragged into minutes, still not a word nor movement. It was a tense silence not too much different from what Harry had experienced in Professor Moody's class.
"Excuse me, Professor?" Harry asked, ensuring his voice was loud enough to carry out across the room.
"Good, it appears at least one of you isn't content to languish in silence like a herd of mute sheep." the man replied as he turned to receive a face that was only slightly less scared than Mad-eye Moody.
The man walked across the room his strides brisk and filled with purpose as he crossed the distance.
"You who spoke, your family name only." the man barked.
"Potter." Harry replied stiffly, already having flashbacks to Defence Against the Dark Arts.
"And you?" the man said as he shot a look at Ron.
"Weasley." Ron muttered in reply.
"Are you a mouse? LOUDER!" the man roared causing the class to jump.
"Weasley." Ron said a bit louder, his face going slightly pale.
After that the rest of the class introduced themselves as Finnigan, Blotcher, White and Scorfius.
"Good, I am Lieutenant Walker of Section 10 from this day forth in my class you will call me Sir and all of you are only known by your family names. Am I clear?' the man said loudly and very clearly to a smattering of soft yeses.
"LOUDER! AM I CLEAR!" Walker roared.
"Yes!" the class echoed frightfully.
"Good, now you Potter why are you here? Why did you take this class?" Walker asked.
"To learn how to better protect myself." Harry replied.
"Why?" Walker asked.
"Erm because if You Know Who shows up I need to be better prepared." Harry replied.
"I don't know who." Walker replied.
"I'm sorry?" Harry asked, perplexed.
"I don't recognise that name, use the real thing." Walker said coldly.
"Voldemort?" Harry asked as he felt the class flinch. As he said Voldemort's name he saw the barest hint of a smile creep on the sides of Walker's face.
"Now why would you want to defend yourself from Voldemort? Just to protect yourself?" Walker asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, of course not. I mean if Voldemort comes back he's not just going to come for me. I heard stories of how his death eaters went for families as much as they went for the person in question. If I can't even defend myself what hope do I have in protecting others?" Harry replied.
"Good, step forward and stand on the line." Walker said gesturing a black line in front of what looked like to be a patch of dirt sitting at the corner of the room.
"You Weasley." Walker said, looking to the slightly pale Ron.
"Same as Harry…" Ron said.
"I do not know a Harry." Walker replied coldly.
"I mean Potter." Ron stammered in reply.
"And that reason is?" Walker pressed.
"Protect my family." Ron replied.
"From?" Walker snapped.
"You Know Who." Ron replied on instinct and he immediately went pale realising what he has done.
"Who?" Walker asked, his face hardening.
"V...Vol...demort." Ron stammered.
"You wish to fight the fight as an equal against the greatest dark wizard to ever live and you fear to speak his name?" Walker asked, as Ron gaped and said nothing.
"You would point a blade at Voldemort's throat but your hands quiver. You will stand no chance against him if you bow to just his name." Walker growled.
"I wish to fight Voldemort." Ron said just a bit stronger than before.
"Better. Get in line Weasley." Walker said as nodded in Harry's direction. Harry watched as the white faced Ron walked over and stood apprehensively on the line.
"You Finnigan?" Walker asked.
"I want to learn to protect myself and my family too, not too sure against what exactly, considering… V...Voldemort's gone." Seamus said, stuttering on the name.
"Oh Section 10 has some troubling reports on that, he is out there you can rest assured. Fate has a habit of awakening forgotten horrors to spite us." Walker said as he gestured to Seamus to join Harry and Ron.
The Hufflepuff boy White replied along the same line stammering on Voldemort's name and was sent over to the line. For the Ravenclaw and the Slytherin boy however their answers were different. The Ravenclaw wanted to learn more on Muggle techniques which was an alright answer considering he was from a house that valued knowledge. However, Walker did not ask him to stand over at the line which was a troubling sign in Harry's view.
The Slytherin was next and he said he wanted to be an Auror. When pressed as to why, the Slytherin said he wanted to be able to use a Magic Amplifier. This was also not that surprising since Slytherins were often power hungry and it appears that this one wasn't that different. Again Walker did not ask them to stand over at the line.
"Very well, Blotcher and Scorfius, you are dismissed. You have failed this class and you will no longer attend this class from this moment forth. Please give this Excuse sheet to your heads of houses and they will let you choose a new class for the rest of the school year." Walker calmly said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out two slips of parchment.
"What? But why?" Blotcher the Ravenclaw exclaimed.
"The question is determine not what you fight for. It is to determine for whom you fight for. You fight for yourself and your thirst for knowledge." Walker said to Blotcher.
"And you fight for your own thirst for power." Walker said to the Slytherin Scorfius.
"What's wrong with that?" Scorfius snapped in response, his face now red with anger.
"Nothing. You two fight for your own personal desires, personal desire is a fickle thing. It will not give you the strength to pass this class, your weak convictions will flag and fail you. I will not let you commit to a class that I know you will fail, you have your OWLs next year, go take a different class. I wish you good fortune in your exams. You may go." Walker said calmly as he walked over and handed each of them a slip of parchment.
Scorfius opened his mouth for a moment red faced about to yell something in response.
"You may go." Walker said again a clear edge in his voice, silencing the angry Slytherin. With a huff he turned and left followed by a red faced Blotcher. Who as Harry noted was red in the face more due to embarrassment rather than anger.
Walker then turned to the four remaining slack jawed students before calmly walking over and standing in front of the pile of dirt.
"This class will not be easy, I lose students every year, there are some years where no one graduates. There are no grades in the class, there is only a pass or a fail. In the eyes of the Ministry examination board a pass is an Outstanding for both OWL and NEWT level Muggle Defence Principles. So in this class it is all or nothing, very much like real life combat. You will not be able to take another subject if you fail halfway which means you will have one less OWL by the end of it if you drop out from this class. However, I will say this most of those who fail do not fail because of a low performance, they fail because they give up and walk out themselves. You will get a performance score at the end but it will not be known to you, only the Auror's office will be aware. In the event you apply as an Auror, that score will help determine whether you will be accepted.." Walker said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out three sets of parchment, one less than the four that remained.
"So decide now, I only have three here so if you all decide to withdraw someone is going to have one less OWL." Walker said, Harry could smell it, it was another test. So in response he crossed his arms and looked right at Walker.
The Hufflepuff wavered for a moment before reaching a shaking hand out and taking the parchment. He then head lowered not saying a word shuffled out of the room shame faced. Seamus had a defiant look on his face and though Ron's face was pale he did not move to take the parchment.
"Is this another test?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.
"One born of opportunity, I know a potential pass when I see one." Walker said as he gave Harry a look.
"Now each of you take one of these." Walker said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out one more slip of parchment.
"But we don't want to leave." Harry said, hesitating.
"Oh I know, just take it and open it." Walker said with a smile.
Harry reached out first and took his parchment. He opened it and at the top of the parchment read a single word "Excuses" and below words appeared showing the thoughts in his mind he most often thinks when things don't go his way.
Unlucky
The Professor is crap
The lessons are boring
I'm just not cut out for this
This is too damn hard
"What is this?" Harry asked.
"Your excuses, if you fail it will be because one of those lines overcoming your mind. Now look below you, you see that pile of dirt?" Walker said, as he gestured to the pile of dirt on the floor.
"Yes?" Ron asked furrowing his brows.
"Bury your excuses in the dirt where they belong, there they will lie until the day any of you decide to go digging them back up when you decide to drop out." Walker said.
The trio buried their "Excuses" into the dirt and watched as the soil magicallcally seemed to absorb the slips of paper.
"Good now we may begin. First up the agility course." Walker said as he tapped into an interface on a nearby table and immediately the squares in floor shifted forming some sort of obstacle course. There were sheer inclines, blocks to vault, sheer cliffs to climb, trenches of sand and pools of inky black water.
"Each course is designed for each of you individually to push your limits. No one will have an easier time than the other. I will make sure of that. Now you are not students, you are my trainees, if and when you graduate you will be more than you were before you stepped into this room. If you graduate you will be sons of battles a thousand times lost and mark my words you will lose here. Again and again and again…" Walker said to the stiff trio.
Harry swallowed a lump of saliva, idly in his mind he thought "What the hell did I just get myself into?" But just as quickly he thought of the words he buried and decided if Voldemort was going to come for him, he wouldn't stand a chance if he can't even beat an obstacle course. So he would do what must be done, a thousand lost battles? Well everyone starts from somewhere…
"You're the first Potter." Walker said.
So Harry went along the course scaling the inclines wading through the deep sand that seemed to suck him in. Climbing into a hole filled with rancid water just for him to emerge gasping from the other side. He could already feel the fatigue which was strange, usually he could go on much longer without tiring. Then he got to the sheer cliff and he grabbed onto one of the notches designed or him to climb. He pulled himself higher and higher and felt the fatigue mount with each pull of his arms. He was only half way up the ten meter wall when he felt his arms turn to lead, there was something definitely wrong with this course. He tried to pull himself up but he found his arm trembling and he just barely got up one step. Then he tried again and this time his hands gave way and plummeted down landing hard in the sand pit below. Harry's vision swam as he felt the mounting fatigue grow with each passing second.
"Stand up Potter." Harry heard Walker say.
Harry tried as he tensed his back but his body would not obey, it felt like his body weighed ten times heavier as usual.
"RISE POTTER!" Walker roared.
Harry could see the face of Walker shouting down at him and he tried again this time with a strangled shout of his own he dragged himself to sit upright.
"Good, NOW STAND!" Walker roared again, and so Harry stumbling and staggering, slowly managed to get himself onto his feet.
"Now walk off the course." Walker said, Harry staggering along his vision swimming from the fatigue, those ten steps felt like miles but still he persevered. Then the moment he stepped out from the course most of the fatigue vanished. He was still a little tired and sore from the fall but he felt fine.
"What?" Harry asked, bewildered.
"This course saps your strength temporarily, it is to train your body AND mind. If you are weak of body, you are weak of mind and vice versa. Now head back to the beginning." Walker said as he gestured to the start of the course where Ron and Seamus were waiting.
"Now go again." Walker said calmly, Harry spun his head in Walker's direction gaping. Wordlessly Walker gestured to the pile of dirt in the corner of the room. So Harry grimaced and walked over to the start of the course.
Throughout his attempts when he seemed ready to break Walker would shout at him, one time he said if this would break him he might as well take the fast way down the astronomy tower and save Voldemort the trouble. The next time he told him to think of someone worth fighting for, someone he could not fail under any circumstances. So he thought of Ron, Hermione and Luna, with their faces in his mind he rose again and again until he had nothing left to give. By the time Harry was done he was on his knees on the floor more tired than he ever has been in his life.
So this continued for all of them, Ron by the end was panting on the floor and Seamus was throwing up in the corner from exertion.
"Good try today, there is hope for you three yet." Walker said.
"Thank you… sir…" Harry panted from his position on the floor.
"Especially you Potter, five attempts that's a new record for a first timer in this school. I see that glove is well deserved." Walker said, gesturing to the Auror's glove on Harry's right hand.
"Now then it seems as usual my class is filled with Lion cubs. Hopefully all of you will still be here when you graduate. So your homework for this week." Walker said calmly.
"Homework?" Seamus said as he turned to face Walker his eyes bulging.
"Yes Finnigan. Homework. Each of you have core weaknesses to your physical abilities. I will be giving you equipment for you to train everyday. For you Potter you lack upper body strength so I will be giving you this." Walker said as he dropped a dumbbell in front of Harry and handed him a slip of parchment. Harry opened the paper to see a list of exercises with a number below them, each with detailed pictures on what to do. Ron got a set of ankle weights to train stamina by running and Seamus got a weighted vest for him to do sit-ups and crunches.
"Your next lesson will be done on the assumption you have done all of this. So I suggest you do it diligently." Walker said.
When Harry and the other two finally dragged themselves out of the classroom, they were suddenly starkly aware why this class was always the only one in the afternoon and why it was three hours. If they had to do anything else after this Harry was sure he would just collapse on the desk and snore his way to the end of the lesson. The moment he walked out he saw Luna skip towards him and he instinctively reached out and pulled her into a hug, burying his face into her hair and breathing in the sweet scent of her hair.
"Harry?" Luna asked, surprised.
"Sorry Luna, I'm just really tired… do you have any more classes today?" Harry half asked and half pleaded.
"No, that's why I came over, I heard this was your last lesson too from Hermione." Luna explained as she looked at him her normally dreamy face now coloured with worry.
"I'm fine Luna, can we go down to the lake again, I could… really use some rest." Harry said.
"Of course." Luna said before leaning forward and planting a tender kiss on Harry's lips which he returned blissfully. At this point Harry was way too tired to care about the embarrassment of kissing his girlfriend in the hallway. The pair pulled apart and looked at each other breathlessly. Harry was almost about to lean in again but he was interrupted by a voice behind him.
"Well this is interesting." Walker said from behind them. Harry almost jumped out of his skin when he heard that voice.
"Hi… sir…" Harry said cautiously.
"What is your name young lady?" Walker said kindly, not at all like the harsh man he was inside the room.
"Luna, Professor, Luna Lovegood." Luna replied a bit unnerved by Harry's reaction.
"I am not a Professor Ms Lovegood, I am but a soldier nothing more nothing less. I assume Potter here is your dearly beloved." Walker said with a wry grin.
"Erm…" Luna stammered blushing crimson.
"I'll take that as a yes, oh Potter it seems I now know just what buttons to press when we meet again next week. " Walker said.
"Buttons?" Harry asked cautiously.
"Don't look so wary Potter, all I do can only make you stronger and strength is what will protect those that hold dear. You will not fail if it is worth it in the end. I give no mercy to the strong, you will endure, because you must endure." Walker said as he cast a sidelong glance at Luna.
"Remember this well Potter, you can be made to bow, you can be made to bend but you must choose to be broken. That is why if you drop out, you will scrabble in the dirt to find that slip of excuses and you will give that to your head of house with your own shaking hands. Because you chose to be broken." Walker said as he leaned down locking Harry in his gaze. Harry could only gaze into the hard unyielding eyes of the man before him, but he could not muster the strength to speak.
"Enjoy your afternoon Potter, Ms Lovegood." Walker said as he raised himself back up and walked away.
Harry watched as the scarred man wearing a perfectly ironed uniform disappeared around the corner of the hallway. He turned and looked at Luna who was looking at him questioningly sensing a change. Harry smiled and pulled her into another kiss savouring the feeling of her lips on his. As he pulled away Luna still had that questioning look in her eyes this time with a flushed face.
Come on let's find a spot by the lake...
Authors Notes:
Well hope you guys liked this chapter. Thanks to everyone who left a review. I really appreciate you guys taking the time to leave your thoughts. With the next chapter the story will start to move into the Triwizard Tournament so hope you guys are looking forward to that.
By the way if anyone is wondering about Harry's MP score no it's not just something I put in to make him talented and perfect. There is a hint for this in this chapter, so if you are wondering go have a look and see if you can find it :)
So once again hope you enjoyed it and leave a review if you liked it. See you guys in the next chapter!