AN: I do not own Harry Potter, that honor goes to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 8: Voices and Duels
"Harry! What happened?" Ron asked before anyone else could. The Gryffindor Common Room was packed with students, all waiting to question Harry.
"Hermione's spell said something happened and for the Headmaster to make his way to the second floor," one twin said into the silence.
Low mutters reverberated around the room as everyone stared at Harry. "I'm not sure. All I know for sure is that Peeves and Nearly-Headless Nick were frozen solid and found on the floor. I got spooked because I thought I heard something. It must have been the two ghosts arguing. When I found them, they were frozen solid and I could touch them."
"You scared the whole school because of that?" a snide voice called from a chair by the fire. Cormac stood and spit into the fire. A few of the closer girls gave him looks of disgust that he ignored.
"I honestly thought Hermione would run to find a professor, but yeah I spooked the school because of that," Harry said with a shrug. He didn't care what the others thought of him now that he'd found friends he could rely on. His response caused some of the older Gryffindors to snort with disappointment and depart for their dormitories. He heard the words Harry and broom in a couple of the quiet conversations around the room.
"That doesn't explain why Professor McGonagall locked the Great Hall down, Harry," Wood said after many of the students had left.
"No, it doesn't," Harry answered with a smile. "For that, you'll need to find that out from Professor Dumbledore who found me. Obviously, whatever made the two ghosts become petrified worried the Headmaster," he said with a bitter smile. He took sick pleasure at the looks of shock on a few of the students who stopped to listen after bad-mouthing him.
"Have a good night," Harry announced and shoved past two older Gryffindors near the door to the boy's dormitories.
Ron appeared with Neville a minute later. "Mate, what was that about?" Ron asked as he sat on his bed.
"You know more than you said," Neville accused as he started to pull off his trainers.
"I do, but not here," Harry answered as Dean and Seamus appeared in the doorway a moment later. They looked at Harry and his friend before sharing a glance. The boys didn't talk as they crawled into bed.
"Harry, what happened?" Ron whispered the next morning when Harry woke him.
Harry didn't sleep well. He kept dreaming his world started to gray out before all his senses stopped and all he could see was black. "In the Study Classroom later," he whispered back. He didn't want to repeat himself when he told his friends the real story.
"Harry, you look horrible," Hermione said with a frown. "What happened last night?" she asked in a low voice at breakfast.
"Later in the classroom," Harry shot back when he noticed a few Gryffindors turning their heads toward him.
"Spill the beans," Ron demanded as he closed the door behind him.
"Alright," Harry answered as he plopped into one of the chairs. "I need everyone's word nothing leaves this classroom. It's a lot more serious than any of the others realize."
"What?!" his friends gasped and found chairs beside Harry.
"Argus Filch was petrified outside Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom. I don't know how. I… uh… accidentally made Nearly-Headless Nick… well… headless. His head snapped off when I grabbed it to try and see the expression on his face," Harry admitted and felt his face warm.
"You beheaded Nick?" Ron goggled.
"Continue, Harry," Neville said as he sat forward. "The Mandrakes could heal any petrification once they mature."
"You're right, they could," Harry muttered when he realized Neville was right. "The worst part is four portraits outside the bathroom are all dead. The magic is gone and the witches and wizards were killed," he said into the silence.
"What!?" his friends cried. A loud, shrill sound came through the door from outside the room. Everyone except Harry jumped and turned to the door.
"What the?" Ron gasped as he fumbled for his wand.
"The Caterwauling Charm," Harry answered and drew his wand in a slow motion. He muttered the counter-curse causing the shrill sound to stop. "We might need a new classroom soon," he muttered as he walked to the door. No one was in the corridor when he poked his head out.
"What was that, mate?" Ron asked after Harry reapplied the charm and went back to his seat.
"The Caterwauling Charm makes that shrill sound when someone unauthorized enters a certain area. I set the charm up to work with the outside doorknob. You'll notice we don't have to use it because if you say the password the door opens. If you were to say, try to open the door, it would cause the charm to go off," Harry explained with a smile.
By lunch, the whole school knew the words written on the wall outside Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Some blamed Harry for trying to cause a scene but others looked pale and scared. When someone came back from the Hospital Wing, the entire school was shocked to hear Mr. Filch was petrified behind a curtain at the back of the wing. A headless Sir Nicholas and Peeves were also reported to have been spotted in the Hospital Wing.
Heavy yellowing letters with the official Hogwarts crests arrived for Harry and Hermione at the end of lunch, delivered by large brown owls. Harry noticed a knowing smile on Percy's face as the owls took off again. His heart beat faster and faster as he and Hermione tore into the letters. He skimmed over the cover page written in neat looping handwriting:
Hogwarts School Governing Board of Associated Witches and Wizards
Chief Governor Felicity Uquart née Nott
Dear Mr. H. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been offered a chance to take part in Hogwarts' Accelerated Program. By unanimous vote among your teachers and the goodwill of the Governing Board, we offer you this momentous chance to further your magical education. Enclosed are the permission forms required to enroll in the program and six short exams to test yourself with to see if you would be a fit for the Advance Course curriculum. The Governing Board recommends you treat this decision with the gravity it deserves and wishes you the best of luck.
You are required to:
Gain permission of your guardian(s) to enroll in the program.
Remain above a passing grade in all of your core classes while enrolled in the program.
Remain enrolled in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry throughout your entire magical education.
You may:
Remove yourself from the program at any time with the knowledge that the program will not be offered again.
Ask for specialized training when you reach O.W.L. coursework.
Apply to the Board for a magical tutor during the Summer Holidays and have reduced restriction on the Trace.
Receive specialized training from Board Approved teachers for any core or elective classes during standard schooling days. (Limited to weekends with Head of House permission)
Apply for early O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. examinations by the Ministry of Magic and the Hogwarts School Governing Board of Associated Witches and Wizards.
Please owl your decision with the completed acceptance form by December 1.
Best Wishes,
Felicity Uquart née Nott
Chief Governor of Hogwarts School Governing Board of Associated Witches and Wizards
"Wicked, mate," Ron breathed as he read over Harry's shoulder.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, please visit my office after lunch," Professor McGonagall said as she walked along the Gryffindor table, headed to the High Table.
"Yes, professor!" Harry and Hermione called out with matching wide grins.
"Fred, you wouldn't have visited our classroom earlier, did you?" Harry asked the twins before they left the Great Hall. The twin he wasn't looking at turned to him with a raised eyebrow.
"No?" Fred said with a quizzical look. "Should we have?"
"No, I was just wondering. Any chance either of you found a suitable classroom near the library?" Harry asked after a moment's hesitation.
"Since we know you won't join the Gryffindor team now you and Hermione got those letters, we'll trade you something different," George answered after looking at his twin.
Harry marveled at their silent communication and felt elated that they'd given up on him joining the team. "What do you need?"
"The spell that blocks the Unlocking Charm," the twins chorused.
"Could you imagine how useful it will be to hide some of our more sensitive experiments in a safe place?" Fred said with a grin.
"We'll need the charm to counter it too," George said.
Harry grinned and crossed his arms. "I don't know if what you found is worth it," Harry shot back with a grin. "Maybe it's only worth the charm and not the counter charm."
"What are you a Slytherin?" Fred asked with a grin.
"We'll tell you the floor and general area but I promise you won't be disappointed," George countered.
"Deal as long as it isn't in a disused bathroom. Hermione would have my head if we set up a classroom in one," Harry answered with a laugh. He would teach them the charm anyway if they asked. He was feeling in a good mood after receiving the letter.
"The room we are thinking of is off the Fourth Floor near the middle of the school. A short two minute walk to the library and away from the Study Areas that most of the students use. You do know you could cast spells in any of the three Study Areas? That is what the school provides them for," Fred said with a laugh.
"I know about them but the classroom we used was convenient to the Gryffindor Tower. How far are we talking from the tower?" Harry questioned after thinking a moment.
"Closer than you might think," George answered. "Maybe five minutes if you use the corridors and stairs, but..." he trailed off with a wry grin.
"Okay, the information is worth it, I'll agree to the trade," Harry answered with a laugh after the twins stared at him for a full minute without answering.
"Pleasure doing business with you," the twins chorused. "Three minutes from the common room if you take the secret passage by the statue of the blind house-elf and gaunt wizard."
"Doesn't that drop you off above the Hospital Wing corridor? There are some supply rooms… oh!" Harry muttered and grinned. "That is genius! No one goes down there because of the missing torch brackets. It's like four minutes from the kitchens and the room will have plenty of junk to transfigure into useful stuff like furniture."
"You noticed he mentioned the kitchens and comfort first," Fred said with a grin to George.
"Not a thanks or anything for our hard work," George muttered with a sad shake of his head.
"Come find us after your meeting with Professor McGonagall, it looks like Hermione might curse you if you don't hurry up," Fred said with a laugh and pointed to the bushy-haired witch standing by the door to the Great Hall. She glared at Harry when he looked up.
"We could be late!" Hermione scolded but Harry noticed her hands shook while clutching the letter.
"The twins came through for us with something I'd never thought of. They are going to show me after our meeting with Professor McGonagall,"
"That's nice," Hermione answered distractedly as she tried to comb her hair with her hand.
Professor McGonagall was waiting for them in her office. She gestured for them to take the two seats in front of her desk. A small fire burned in the fireplace beside her desk and a wooden door led off the side of the room. "Do either of you have any questions before I begin?" the professor asked as she sat back in her chair.
"No, professor," Harry and Hermione chorused.
"I would like to congratulate you on your hard work so far. I disapprove of how you've been treating your bodies but understand. When I was your age, I was offered the same opportunity. There is one fourth-year student who has decided to drop out of the program this year. As of right now, there are two students who are still enrolled. Percy Weasley is on a path of his choosing and wants to join the Ministry after he graduates. I asked him the same question I will be asking you both. Why do you wish to enroll in this program? You will be tested and pushed to limits neither of you can understand yet," Professor McGonagall questioned and sat forward.
"I want to do something good in my life! Change something for the better. I love learning and want to be the best," Hermione said in a breathy voice. Her grin stretched her face from ear to ear.
"How about you, Mr. Potter?" the professor questioned after she smiled at Hermione's enthusiasm.
"I'm a little more selfish," Harry admitted with a shrug. "I love magic and want to learn everything I can. If I don't make it through the program it won't bother me, but it's an opportunity I'd be foolish to ignore. I also want to be able to defend myself. Voldemort or any other dark wizard won't give me a chance to grow up if he comes to power again."
"I see," Professor McGonagall said and sat back in her chair. "As a favor to me, please watch out and assist each other. I and the other professors see great things for both of you, but if you hurt yourself as you push harder into more difficult subjects then you could forever damage your futures. As you read in your letters, there are a few advantages you gain. I recommend you apply for any and all resources available as they will alleviate the burden. Rest days are required by Madam Pomfrey who will require you both to make appointments every week for checkups. If you miss one, Merlin help you."
Harry snorted, feeling a little less confident about his choice. The professor looked them over and gave Harry a tight-lipped smile. "I recommend two rest days a week. However, I know how both of you are. I will give you detention if I decide you are working to hard to force you to take rest breaks until you learn," Professor McGonagall said with a glare. "You will not enjoy those detentions as I will transfigure you into rabbits and put you in a cage. Do not try me."
Harry gulped and heard Hermione do the same beside him. They knew the stern professor would do exactly what she threatened if she needed to. "Yes, professor," they both answered in low voices.
"The school will provide tutors at no cost to yourselves over the summer, however, you are responsible for any tutors during the term. The only days available are Saturday or Sunday to meet a tutor. I will need to sign off on anyone you choose and trust me when I say there will be plenty of people who attempt to contact you both."
"Nothing is free," Harry said after a moment. "What do Hogwarts, the School Governors, and or the Ministry get out of this?" he questioned as he looked at Hermione.
"Perceptive," Professor McGonagall said with a smile. "On the surface, there is no price, however, after you graduate everyone that has helped you will come knocking one day. Hogwarts gets prestige and funding from the magical community for raising famous and powerful witches and wizards. The Governors have an almost guaranteed source of income in the future years and the Ministry gets highly talented prospects to recruit from."
Hermione gasped and spluttered. "But education and knowledge should be free!" she huffed.
"Nothing is free," Harry shot back. "For knowledge, you must pay a higher price than anything else. Information is the key to making informed decisions so holding all the information makes it easier to outsmart your opponents. Everything is a battle; only the size, scale, and butcher's bill differ," he quoted with a shrug.
"A remarkably dark answer," Professor McGonagall said with a wry smirk. "However, Mr. Potter is not wrong." The professor sat back in her chair and picked up two stacks of parchments in her hand. "I have tests for you to see where you are in regard to the questions you will be asked on a mock O.W.L. exam. Do either of you have a checklist of what you have completed?"
Hermione blushed and nodded while Harry shrugged and nodded. "We do," the bushy-haired girl said and produced a folded and worn parchment from under her robes. "I don't know how well we'll do on a test though," she admitted.
Professor McGonagall took the parchment and unfolded it. Her eyebrows rose as her eyes scanned over the parchment. "This is quite the achievement and also far worse than I expected," she said and looked up. Hermione looked crestfallen.
"What do you mean?" Harry questioned as he crossed his arms. He thought they did remarkably well for the short time they'd been studying.
"Tell me, both of you, how many hours a day have been devoted to studying this checklist?" Professor McGonagall asked, her voice frosty.
Harry realized the problem and grimaced. "Six hours or so a day," he lied and glanced at Hermione. She had a blood-red flush to her face and caught Harry's eye.
"Sounds about right, professor," Hermione answered in a quiet voice.
"More like eight or more," Professor McGonagall said with a snort. "Mandatory two day breaks for both of you until I'm satisfied. Harry, you are to practice with the Gryffindor Quidditch Team once a week and Hermione you are to join me in my office on Sundays for a reading session. We will choose a book of your choice that is not coursework."
Harry spluttered and Hermione blushed redder. "Why do I need to practice with the team?" Harry asked, fearing he knew the answer.
"Just because you don't want to play doesn't mean I won't use you to make the others better. The Gryffindors will win this year and your natural skill will only help the team train if you don't want to play."
"That's unfair!" Harry gasped. He didn't mind going to the practices when he wanted to, not because he was ordered to.
"Tough, want a lemon drop?" Professor McGonagall shot back with a wintry smile.
Hermione broke out into giggles as Harry cursed under his breath. The professor gave him a stern but amused look. "Take the parchments and attempt the questions without using your books. This is not a graded assignment but a measurement for yourselves on your level of understanding on each subject. Take the week to decompress. I will expect both of you here next Saturday before the Quidditch match with Slytherin. I will grade the tests and give them back to you sometime Sunday depending on how well we do in the match."
Harry and Hermione left after talking to the professor a little longer. She congratulated them on their hard work and warned them again about overdoing it once more. Hermione asked to borrow Hedwig to send the permission form to her parents. Hedwig was in a much better mood after Harry visited her three times a week. She looked forward to making frequent trips to Flourish and Blotts for him for more books.
"You have time to show me the spot you picked out?" Harry asked the twins when he got back to the common room. "Professor McGonagall just assigned me to go to one practice a week with the team," he groused.
"Wicked! Wood's plan worked then," one twin said with a grin.
"We talked him into talking to Professor McGonagall," the other twin finished with a broad grin.
"So I know who to curse now," Harry muttered and tried to hide his smile. It didn't bother him, but he used it as an excuse to blow off some of the nervous energy bundled up in his stomach.
"Do it after the match. The Slytherins will start their antics up soon if they haven't already."
"Come on, Harry, Fred. We have a spell to learn and a new home to show off."
Fred and George led him out of the common room and up the corridor to the second statue on the left. George shook the wizard's hand and pulled down on the house-elf's ear to reveal a secret passage behind the wizard. The long, dark passage ended behind a worn tapestry depicting three witches standing around a bubbling cauldron.
"You could choose any of these," Fred announced and spread his arms wide. Four doors were on the opposite side of the dim corridor at even intervals. The corridor ended at a wall to the left and led out into one of the main fourth-floor corridors on the right.
"We recommend you choose the farthest one from the main corridor, which might make it harder for people to find you. No one comes down here for the most part anyway. If they do, they aren't looking to give you any trouble and it'll be in one of the first storage rooms," George said with a smirk.
"Have you checked them?" Harry asked as he looked up and down the corridor.
"Somewhat," Fred answered with a shrug. "Found someone's stash of Dungbombs that might have been there for the last century or so."
"If dressing up is your thing, we found a bunch of girl's robes and stuff in the second storeroom. Might have been from a theater troupe or something in the past," George added with a laugh.
Harry looked up and down the corridor again, realizing something bothered him but didn't know what. "Thanks for the idea again. I'll pick one of these later. Do you want to head up to your lab to learn the Anti-Alohomora Charm?"
"We thought you'd never ask!" the twins chorused.
Harry spent an hour showing Fred and George how to cast the charm. Once he explained the theory to them, the twins got the hang of the spell quickly. He helped them transfigure the farthest stall into a secure closet made of Australian Buloke. They covered the top of the stall and removed the toilet with a Severing Charm. Harry made the wooden walls reach the ceiling and affixed two short shelves inside the twin's new closet.
"Wicked," Fred muttered as he tried to unlock the stall door with the Opening Charm. The spell fizzled out when it hit the latch.
"I'll do you two one better. Pick a password," Harry said with a smirk.
"Mischief," the twins chorused with a shared grin.
Harry squared his shoulders and focused hard on constructing the charm he wanted. "Permittae Verbum," he enunciated with a strong voice. "Mischief… Inrito Furus." He felt the magic settle on the door and grinned. "Give it a shot," he said and took a step back.
Fred and George shared a look before turning their wide eyes on Harry. "Just how much do you and Hermione know?" they chorused. Fred grinned and waltzed up to the stall door. "Mischief!" he said and reached for the handle. He almost fell forward when he intended to push open the door only to find the stall door had swung open.
"Wicked!" George said with a laugh. "We're coming to you for any of our future problems," he said with a feral grin.
"No kidding, we've got a few ideas we need to run by you," Fred muttered with a gleam in his eye.
Harry and Hermione took their time writing answers to Professor McGonagall's questions during the next week. They didn't cheat by using any of their books for reference but did use their flashcards to review before taking each mock exam. The Slytherins tried to disrupt the Gryffindors but got a bloody nose for their efforts. Fred and George shut down Miles Bletchley with a pair of disabling spells when the Slytherin Keeper tried to attack them in the halls. Draco tried to ambush Angelina near the library with his pet gorillas but Katie Bell interrupted their attempt. She cursed Malfoy and sent Crabbe and Goyle running. After three repeated failures, the Slytherins gave up and started a rumor campaign against Ron's lack of ability.
Harry mentioned to Fred and George that Ginny looked withdrawn and pale. He asked them if they knew how their little sister was doing in her classes. "Mate, she's ahead of almost all of them in Charms because of how hard she tried over the summer. She's loving Hogwarts," Fred said with a grin.
"You worry too much, she'd let us know if something was wrong," George commented with a shrug.
"All right," Harry said and put the issue out of his mind. He went back to his flashcard while Ron gorged himself beside him.
"The questions are getting too hard," Neville complained as they left double Potions on Wednesday.
Harry privately disagreed but patted his friend on the back. "We can go over any questions you have after this last class. I'm so sick of Lockhart," he muttered with a grimace. "I wonder if I could schedule my checkups with Madam Pomfrey when we have any Defense classes."
Hermione's attitude toward the flamboyant professor dimmed some when he told her she was wrong about something she knew to be correct. Lockhart dismissed her assurance in the next class that she was right about fledgling vampires even when she produced evidence from the library. Harry's dislike for the professor grew more when it became obvious Lockhart wanted to become his private tutor. The grinning professor assured him that he could teach him the ways of the wizarding world and powerful, advanced magic. Harry tried to laugh off the professor's offer and retreated from the classroom as fast as he could.
The Gryffindors were excited and screamed their support for their Quidditch team at breakfast. It got to the point that the Headmaster had to use a suspiciously familiar spell to get everyone's attention. "That looked like my firework charm!" Harry gasped as he looked down the table at the twins. Their wide eyes locked onto Harry's, confirming his suspicion that the spell looked familiar.
"The Gryffindors take the field for the first match of the term!" Lee Jordan's voice boomed around the stadium. "Ronald Weasley is the new Seeker to replace Casper Ward from last year. He and Harry Potter have been working hard throughout the entire year to provide the Gryffindor team the best chance of winning. Angelina will be using a Nimbus 2001 and Ron will be using his Nimbus 2001. Malfoy bought his way onto the…"
"Jordan! I'm warning you!" Professor McGonagall's voice boomed across the stadium.
"Sorry, professor. The new Slytherin Seeker played his way onto the team," Lee stressed with a grin in his voice. "Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint has gone with the same players as last year, save for Malfoy. Their new donated Nimbus 2001s by Mr. Malfoy will be pitted against the skill of Gryffindor Team."
"Madam Hooch takes the field!"
The difference between the school brooms and the Nimbus 2001s was evident early in the match. Angelina was the only Chaser that could keep up with the Slytherin Chasers. Wood took this into account and played a one-man defense strategy with Katie Bell as a mid coverage. It meant Angelina had to do a lot of the work for the Chasers but gave better protection for Wood if one of the Slytherin Chasers broke away with the Quaffle.
"Slytherins get the first goal of the game," Lee announced into the chorus of groans from the Gryffindors.
"Angelina takes the Quaffle and flies up the pitch. She dodges Flint and Pucey! Warrington is out of place and won't be able to catch her even on those Nimbus'!" Lee screamed as Angelina raced toward the goalposts and the Keeper Miles Bletchley.
"She shoots… she scores!" Lee yelled and did a little dance in the commentator's box.
Harry alternated between watching the skies for Ron and the Snitch and the amazing teamwork of the Gryffindor Chasers. He wished he felt comfortable buying the entire team Nimbus 2001s so they could dominate the entire field. Even with inferior brooms, they managed to keep up with and outperformed the opposing Chasers.
"How is Ron doing?" Hermione yelled to him over the cheers of the other Gryffindors.
"Playing exactly like Wood wants him to. High in the air and constantly moving so he can spot the Snitch. He might be a little too high but Malfoy is doing the same thing," Harry answered with a grin. "I can't wait to see how Ron does!"
The score remained close but Slytherin was in the lead throughout the entire match. Ron made a few feints that Malfoy was baited into chasing him for. Harry grinned as the Slytherin boy's face grew redder and redder with anger. Malfoy hurtled insults at Ron and got beaming smiles in return.
"The Snitch!" Harry cried out five minutes later and stood up. "By the Gryffindor goalposts."
"You think Ron will see it?" Neville questioned and stood beside Harry.
"As long as he gets in front of Malfoy, he should be able to get it," Harry answered with a shrug. "We've worked on so many stretch drills that Ron might try and catch the Snitch in his dreams now." The Snitch disappeared in the bright light of the sun when Harry tried to keep track of it.
"How insufferable will Ron be if he gets the Snitch?" Hermione asked with a small laugh. "His head is already the size of his broom."
"We could always hope it won't be too bad," Harry answered and Neville nodded. "It looks like Ron's seen the Snitch."
Ron dove for the ground from high above the stadium. Malfoy took a moment before shooting off after him. It was clear Ron saw something because he was aimed at the Ravenclaw seating area by their tower. The Gryffindors held their collective breaths as the two Seekers flew at something only they could see at the new Nimbus 2001's top speed. Ron kept his lead as he leveled out near the Ravenclaw stands. Harry grinned when he saw Malfoy trying to control his broom as he came out of the steep dive. He felt proud of Ron and knew it was less about Harry coaching him and more because his friend put hours of practice into flying.
"Ron is leveling out to catch the Snitch! Malfoy is leagues behind him and falling back," Lee shouted.
"He's got this," Harry said with a grin. "Gryffindor Wins!"
Harry's prediction came true less than a minute later when Ron grabbed the Snitch uncontested. Malfoy tried to blame Ron for jinxing his broom but Madam Hooch ignored the red-faced boy and called the game.
"Gryffindor wins!" Lee screamed and danced around the commentator's box. Professor McGonagall had a huge grin on her face as she tried halfheartedly to calm Lee Jordan down.
"I did it! I did it! I got the Snitch!" Ron bellowed as he clutched the golden ball in his hand when Harry, Neville, and Hermione joined the Quidditch team in the locker room.
"He's been like that since he got it," one twin spat and rolled his eyes.
"We thought about cursing him but he'd probably not even notice," the other twin said with a laugh.
"Well done, Ron!" Hermione said and gave the stunned boy a hug.
"Well done, mate. All that hard work and you showed Malfoy who was the better flyer," Harry said with a grin.
"You still won't get me on a broom," Neville declared as Ron yelled his excitement into the small room. "Not even for all the Galleons in the world and especially if I acted like that when I got a silly golden ball."
Harry and Hermione laughed, used to the round-faced boy's awkward humor. The hardcore Gryffindor fans all howled in protest at the Snitch being called a silly golden ball. Everyone went up to the Gryffindor common room to celebrate. Fred and George opened a few of their Butterbeer bottles and passed them around. Harry enjoyed the party for a bit before retreating to the Study Classroom to review the tests they turned in before the Quidditch game. Staying true to the spirit of the test, they answered all the questions without using reference material, however they made a copy of all the questions to check over later.
"Why do you think Percy didn't use a tutor over the summer?" Harry asked into the silence. He and Hermione were going over the Potions questions from the tests. His stomach felt queasy as he realized how much more he could have said on each of the questions and wondered what he would be scored. He was talking about anything that came to mind to calm his nerves even though he knew the tests wouldn't be marked against him.
"He might want to complete all the courses without help or more likely it will look better when he enters the Ministry. I might do the same," Hermione admitted with a blush.
"I could care less about the Ministry. I think I'll take a tutor even if it is nothing more than to get exposed to more magic," Harry mused as he flipped the page. "I'm kind of upset at myself. There is so much more I could have answered on some of those questions."
"I know I got at least two answers partially correct and maybe one wrong," Hermione admitted with a sigh. Her face turned red and her eyes watered. "We tried so hard."
"I know," Harry said with a sigh and closed the book. "At least we can learn from this and get better," he consoled himself and stared at the yellow wall. "I found a possible place closer to the Library. It is on the other side of the Study Rooms by the North corridor on the fourth floor. I'll see if it is worth converting to our needs. How about let's make a list of things we want to have on hand or have for comfort instead of depressing ourselves with this."
"We won't know what we got wrong," Hermione muttered as she flipped through a few pages in a hurry.
"We'll know tomorrow how we did and can go from there," Harry suggested with a tired sigh.
"I can't wait to send in our acceptance forms!" Hermione gushed and closed her book. "I couldn't sleep all night thinking about it."
At lunch the next day, Professor McGonagall passed them letters to meet her after lunch in her office. Both Harry and Hermione tried to contain their excitement. Ron was still riding the high of winning the match and was basking in the fame that came with it. He kept retelling the same story of how he spotted the Snitch and flew faster and faster to catch it. Malfoy was in a horrible mood and insisted Ron did something to his broom. The other Slytherins gave the blonde boy a wide berth in the corridors.
Harry spotted Daphne's barely concealed smirk when she thought no one was looking. The Great Hall was booming with conversation and excitement as they talked about the Gryffindor versus Slytherin match the previous day. At the end of lunch, Harry and Hermione sprinted for Professor McGonagall's office. They waited outside with shaking hands while looking at a battered pocket-watch Harry found in one of the Storage Rooms he checked over the day before.
"Right on time," Professor McGonagall announced with a small chuckle. "Have a seat as I know both of you have been waiting."
Harry felt his face flush as he sat in the left chair and sat forward. His hands shook harder so he clenched his fists to try and keep his frayed nerves from showing. Hermione sat beside him and breathed hard, her eyes locked on one of two envelopes on the desk in front of the professor.
"I finished both of your tests last night and struggled this morning on how to proceed. I spoke to the Headmaster this morning about what to do with the two of you," Professor McGonagall said with a tight-lipped smile. "The questions you were given are to push you and show you how much more you need to learn. They are ten-year-old O.W.L. questions released by the Ministry for this very purpose. Both of you… well… I suppose you want to see how you did?"
Harry and Hermione glanced at each other before turning back to the professor. Hermione gulped and Harry thought the room was warmer than it had been a minute ago. "Yes, professor," he managed to get out. His palms were sticky against the rough leather of the arm-chair.
"One for each of you," Professor McGonagall announced with a smile. She waved her wand and floated a letter to each of them.
Harry broke open the letter with the Hogwarts seal and gulped. Sweat beaded on his forehead. His hand shook as he drew out the yellowed parchment and read. His heart beat faster as he looked at Hermione. A cold ball settled in the pit of his stomach.
"I… I failed with Poors and one Dreadful," Hermione muttered, tears falling from her eyes. She looked at Harry.
"I failed as well… Poors in all subjects except History of Magic. I got a Dreadful," he announced feeling disheartened.
"I would like to remind both of you that you are second-year students. Second-year students who would have passed their O.W.L.s with remarkable results if you'd been given this test at the end of the term. That is an achievement you should both be proud of. Twenty points to both of you for your hard work. I know your skill levels and magical ability from last year and it has grown by leaps and bounds in a matter of a few months. That is nothing to cry at, Miss Granger. You will be recognized as Magical Prodigies if you decide to release this information." Professor McGonagall had a shining film over her eyes as she spoke. "Harry, your mother would have been so proud."
Harry felt a little better about the Poor marks when he realized the professor was correct. They were second-year students and could pass their O.W.L.s with a little more work and time. They had more than two and a half years to improve and learn. Hermione's tears stopped as a small smile stretched her face.
"The Headmaster and I will watch you closely over the next few months and during the rest of your schooling while you are at Hogwarts to ensure you have the best education we can provide. Both of you will focus on solidifying your magical knowledge in the meantime. It is a… trying time for the Headmaster with what has happened. I will act in his stead for any questions and guidance you might need. You have until the end of the term to finish the list I gave you," the professor instructed with a broad smile. "I am so proud of both of you. Keep it up."
Harry and Hermione ran back to the Study Classroom to find Neville asleep on the sofa. A stone pot lay on the floor under the sofa and dirt was scattered all over the floor. The friends shared a smirk as they looked at the sleeping round-faced boy. "Let's go over what we got wrong!" Harry suggested and heard his voice crack.
Time flew by as the second Quidditch match of the year approached. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were at each other's throats because the Slytherins started a whisper campaign against Cedric Diggory, the new Hufflepuff Captain, and Seeker of the team. Harry only knew it was the Slytherins because of a snide comment Malfoy made to his cronies. The arrogant Slytherin's reputation took a hard hit when he lost against Ron and the Gryffindors. Draco looked for any way to regain his lost reputation and vent his frustration.
Malfoy and Ron got into an argument after double Potions one Wednesday. The Slytherin boy threw a firecracker in Ron's cauldron, causing it to explode and cost Ron the points for his class that day. Ron called Malfoy an unskilled hack of a Quidditch player that required daddy to buy his way onto the team. Draco, red with rage, tried to curse Ron but Harry was quicker.
"Protego," Harry called as he whipped his wand out of his dueling holster. The shield blocked the spell and sent it harmlessly into the wall. "Carpe Retractum," he called and whipped his wand in a quick motion. An orange spell flew from his wand and hit Malfoy's robes. Harry jerked his wand backward and catapulted the screaming Slytherin toward him, face first. Malfoy hit the floor and skidded to a halt in front of Harry. "My mistake, I didn't mean to pull trash toward me. Here, let me help you back to where you were," Harry sneered and pointed his wand at the wide-eyed boy. "Depulso," he muttered and swept his wand with a forward motion. Draco screamed as he was flung backward and hit Crabbe in the chest with his head.
"Harry, Harry, you can't attack other students," a smiling voice called from up the corridor. "He may have attacked your friend but you are far more skilled than he is," Gilderoy scolded with a bright smile.
Harry felt his eye twitch as he fought himself from using the Banishing Charm on the professor. "Sorry, professor, he attacked my friend," he explained in a dull voice.
"Yes, yes, I saw. Ten points from both of you for attacking another student and a detention for both of you. With Argus out of commission, I think cleaning the trophy room will be good for you Mr. Malfoy. Harry, I will need a word and your time so you will serve your detention with me," the professor said with a larger smile.
Harry wished he'd cursed the professor when he realized what the detention entailed. "Fan mail? I'm replying to fan mail?" he asked, horrified.
"Yes! I have many ardent admirers that need to be responded to. Remember when you are famous… well more famous… but not as famous as me," the professor said with a bright smile," that you should always spend time and reply to your fans." Gilderoy pulled out a decorative peacock feathered quill and an inkpot. "Separate the letters out by category. Some are less than acknowledging of my talent but those malevolent writers are few and far between."
Harry hated every moment of the detention. He swore he would never get caught by Lockhart again if he was doing something he wasn't supposed to. The professor boasted the entire night about his achievements and all his adoring fans. Harry had to read aloud many of the letters from adoring witches, many who professed their love and desire to marry the famous wizard. One witch went a little too far in Harry's opinion and Gilderoy had to confiscate the moving photo from Harry's frozen fingers.
"Ahem… some of your fans may be more keen on getting your attention than others," Gilderoy said with a small cough and slid the letter and photo into a separate, smaller pile on the edge of the desk.
Harry endured another thirty minutes before Lockhart would let him leave. Listening to Lockhart boast how he would catch whoever petrified the caretaker grated on Harry's nerves. While he was saddened the cantankerous old caretaker was petrified, the image of the dying portraits stayed with him more. Harry nicked three letters out of the hate mail pile to look over later. All three wizards claimed Gilderoy was a fraud and cheat for stealing another wizard's work. Gadding with Ghouls was specifically mentioned as not having been a threat to the small village in Turkey.
"Harry! I have an excellent way to show you my dueling skills," Lockhart announced one morning at the start of his Defense Against the Dark Arts class. "You have done such a good job being my assistant, I feel you and all the other students should learn the noble art of dueling," Lockhart said as he beamed at the other students and threw his arms wide to a smattering of applause.
"This weekend, on Saturday at three, I will host a little Dueling Club. Professor Dumbledore gave the all-clear for me to guide you through the difficult and dangerous task of learning dueling. With my expert knowledge, you will soon be able to battle against the most difficult opponents," the professor boasted.
Lockhart pulled Harry aside. "I hope you will join us next Saturday. It will give you a small taste of what I can offer you," he tempted with a beaming smile. "Off you go to your next class and I'll see you Saturday!"
"You think Lockhart could beat Professor Flitwick?" Harry mused with a snort. The Gryffindors were huddled around a large poster of Gilderoy's beaming face and the announcement of his Dueling Club. It required all students to be second-year or higher to attend.
"Could I take pictures of you dueling, Harry?" Colin asked from the back of the group with an excited giggle.
"I'm not sure that would be wise," Harry hedged as he looked at his friends. They gave him knowing smirks back. Colin Creevey tried to get Harry to pose for pictures whenever they met in the common room or in the corridors. It annoyed Harry to no end. "Have you looked into starting a school paper?" Harry questioned the first-year. He wanted Colin to focus on something other than him.
"Oh yes! Professor McGonagall said I needed to be a second-year to start any official clubs, but I've already started to gather a lot of material!"
Harry suppressed a shudder when he remembered the enthusiastic boy snapping photos at everyone during the last Quidditch match. They found Colin dangling from the rafters by his ankles with his robes tied around his feet after two older Slytherins took umbrage to his excessive use of his camera. They were nice enough to not break his camera in spite.
"You sure you don't want to come?" Ron asked as he sat down and draped a towel around his neck. He'd finished a hard workout while Harry focused on trying to read over Neville's Potions homework and give him pointers. Hermione disappeared into the library that morning to plan hers and Harry's continued progress and topics to pursue.
"Nope, I can't see anything good coming from going to the Dueling Club. I know enough already from the books I bought."
"I'm not sure if I should go, too," Ron said with a sigh as he pulled his wand out of his pocket. "The unicorn hairs are sticking out more and my spells fizzle. I should have got a new wand with the money dad gave me."
"Did you sit on it again?" Harry asked with a smirk.
Ron's face turned red but he didn't answer. "I heard Professor Snape will be teaching the class too," Neville said with a shudder. "I definitely don't want to go."
"Wait, Professor Snape will be teaching the class and not Lockhart?" Harry asked looking up from the parchment in his hand.
"I don't know for sure. I heard Malfoy and Parkinson muttering about it at the end of Potions yesterday," Neville answered with a shrug. "Why, does that make you want to go now?"
"Actually, yes, I can waste an hour or two to see if it's true. We know Professor Flitwick won't be able to make it but it would be cool to see how skilled the Potions Master is with a wand."
"Mental," Ron and Neville chorused together and made Harry laugh.
"Can everyone hear me? Can everyone see me? Good!" Gilderoy Lockhart called into the large dungeon classroom. Harry recognized it as one of the classrooms they used for the written exam parts of the end-of-term exams. A wide, long table with white tablecloth ran across the center of the hall. Twenty dueling circles were drawn around the room in chalk. The long table was a foot off the floor and creaked under Lockhart's weight as he walked from one end to the other.
"I'm so glad all my favorite students have joined me today!" Lockhart said with a beaming smile. His eyes locked on Harry's and his smile widened. "Our brightest wizards and witches of the age come together for my little dueling exposition and club."
A bang made a few people jump and Harry draw his wand under his cloak. He turned to see Professor Snape stride into the hall, his face a blank mask as his eyes swept over the room. They landed on Harry and a gleam seemed to emanate deep within the professor's eyes.
"Welcome, Severus! My partner for the club," Gilderoy declared. Professor Snape glowered at all the students, cowing them into silence. "Don't look so down. This will be brilliant!" Gilderoy exclaimed with a laugh.
"A historic tragedy," the Potions Master commented with a sneer at Ron who stood beside Harry.
"Come, come, let us show everyone what we will be learning in the Dueling Club, Severus," Lockhart suggested and cat-walked to the other side of the dueling table and spun with a flourish of his cloak.
Professor Snape grunted and stepped up on the short table. He flicked his hand outward, causing his wand to appear in his hand as if by magic. Harry held his breath and looked between the two professors. He hoped Lockhart would be sent to the hospital wing for the remainder of the term.
"The Disarming Charm is a useful and powerful tool in your arsenal when dueling against a fellow witch or wizard. Enunciate Expelliarmus as ex-PEL-lee-ar-muss," Lockhart informed the students and took his time pronouncing the incantation. "You start in the dueling stance, wand forward shoulders squared, and feet set with a little bounce to your knees. This will allow you a better range of movement. Are you ready, professor?" he asked with a boyish grin.
"Always," Professor Snape sneered and moved into a high-ready stance. Harry's book mentioned the unpopular stance because of the difficulty in which the caster had to aim fast attacking spells. The author did mention the stance was superior to many other stances for sweeping or falling wand movement spells in the initial moments of the duel.
"On one… two… expaaaah," Lockhart screamed but was thrown backward when Professor Snape's scarlet spell slammed into his chest. The blonde professor flew backward and bounced twice on the table before coming to a stop near the end. His wand flew high in the air and floated down to the Potions Master's outstretched hand.
The students gasped as the two professors squared off to duel. A few cheered, Harry among them, when Lockhart lost spectacularly. "That was worth coming to see," Harry muttered to Ron.
"Brilliant," Ron whispered back and shot a look at Hermione who had a worried look on her face. "Wish it broke his nose too."
Hermione heard Ron and shot him a scathing look. "Oh, I hope he is all right. That was a powerful Disarming Charm," she muttered and stood on her tip-toes to try and see better.
Gilderoy coughed and sat up. A brilliant smile appeared on his face as he stood and bowed. "An excellent display of the Disarming Charm. I couldn't have done it better myself," he praised as he turned to Professor Snape. The Potions Master glowered at him but tossed him his wand. "Now, gather round, gather round. We'll have everyone square off. Grab a partner and find an open dueling circle. There, there! Don't push!"
Harry shrugged and turned to Hermione with a smirk. A fierce look in her eye told him she'd accept his request but a sneering voice cut through the din. "I think one more example should be shown, professor Lockhart," Professor Snape said and walked to the center of the dueling platform. "Potter, step up here. You strut around the school as if you own it. It's time to show off your skill."
Harry froze and turned to look at Professor Snape. He realized what the gleam in the professor's eye meant. It was a clear provocation and Harry knew he would lose if he stepped up on the dueling platform, however, his heart beat faster. "I don't strut, professor," he answered and moved to the front of the students. A collective gasp ran around the room as he took his place at the far end of the dueling platform, facing the older wizard. He was reminded again how large the professor was, both in size and magical strength. A fierce grin tugged at the corners of his lip.
"Do not smile yet, Potter," Professor Snape warned and adopted a mid-striking stance.
Harry grunted and tried to remember the counter-stance the book recommended. The mid-striking stance was popular with Aurors because of its flexibility. He brought hit wand up and rotated his wrist a little as he'd read before sliding his right foot forward. The oily-haired professor's eye twitched in response.
"You know a few dueling stances! Well done!" Gilderoy called from beside the table. "Disarming Charms on three. One… two… three!" he shouted with a red spark exploding out from his wand.
"Protego," Harry cast as soon as Lockhart said three. Professor Snape's spell felt like it was already in the air by the time the Gilderoy finished the word. A physical blow struck Harry's stomach as he felt himself slide backward an inch as the scarlet spell bounce off his transparent shield.
"Tarantallegra," Professor Snape spat, casting a gray spell at Harry.
The bright spell flew across the stage and hit Harry who was unable to get another Shield Charm up in time. His legs flopped around as he used the momentum of his flailing legs to flop out of the way of another spell. "Finite!" he cried and jumped to his feet. The spell removed the jinx on his legs, allowing him to land on unsteady legs.
"Now!" Gilderoy called and started to step onto the stage between the two duelists.
"Impedimenta!" Professor Snape cried and hit Gilderoy with the Impediment Jinx. He flicked his wand and blocked Harry's Tongue-Tying Curse.
The duel went downhill for Harry from there. It was clear Professor Snape was toying with Harry, causing many Gryffindors to boo and curse the Potions Master. Harry couldn't care less, as he knew the professor could run circles around him with his eyes closed. Every spell he was able to block or dodge meant Professor Snape would send another, faster spell at him. Harry found himself on the ground with his legs flopping around when his opponent cast a different spell at him. "Serpensortia!" Professor Snape hissed.
A large black snake shot from the professor's wand and landed on the platform. It hissed and immediately slithered toward Harry. "Finite!" Harry cried and rolled away, trying to keep some distance between him and the fast-moving serpent. "Depulso!" he cried, hitting the snake as it lunged at him, fangs flashing. The black snake flew backward toward Professor Snape who flicked his wand.
Hissing and writhing, the snake flew higher into the air before dropping back onto the platform. It hissed and turned on the closest student to it. Katie Bell jumped back, startled when the snake lunged at her but missed.
Harry acted without thinking, "Stop! Don't attack her" he yelled and cast an Exploding Charm at the snake. The snake's head exploded, spraying everyone around the snake with greenish blood.
Silence descended over the whole room as everyone stared at Harry, open-mouthed. "Parseltongue," Professor Snape whispered and raised his wand again, aimed at Harry's face.
"Enough!" Gilderoy yelled and jumped in front of the two duelists. "That is quite enough! That will be all for tonight."
Ron and Hermione grabbed Harry by either arm and all but ran him out of the room. Harry was confused and tried to pull away. "What are you doing?" he questioned but Ron refused to let go.
"Why didn't you tell us you were a Parselmouth?" Ron spat as he rounded on Harry at the end of the corridor.
"Parselmouth? I can't speak to snakes. What are you talking about?" Harry questioned, looking between his pale-faced friends.
"Harry, you hissed at that snake before… before killing it," Hermione said in a slow, breathless whisper.
"It was going to attack Katie again," Harry explained with a shrug. "Yeah, I used and Exploding Charm to end a very dangerous threat to a fellow Gryffindor."
Hermione pursed her lips and eyed Harry. "Mate, you were talking to the snake. You sounded like a snake. It looked at you when you spoke to it!" Ron shouted. His hands shook as he clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Mate, this is really bad news!"