Disclaimer: not mine
Chapter 8
"Where's he hiding?" Ventus gasped and turned around to see the masked boy. "All right! What did you mean about Terra being a different person?" he demanded.
"Exactly what I said, idiot. The Terra you know will be gone forever," Vanitas answered.
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" Ventus yelled angrily, the wind of the desolate world blowing his hair around wildly, tugging at his clothes.
"Stupid, or true." He held his arm out and summoned…
"A Keyblade?" Ventus stared and then summoned his.
"Good. Let's see what you're made of," Vanitas nodded, rushing in to attack.
The fight was almost too fast to follow as they clashed over and over but in the end Ven was knocked away, lying on the ground as Vanitas walked over to him.
"That really all you got? Man, you are worthless. I'd be going against the Master's orders, but so what? As far as I'm concerned, your job here is done." Vanitas gathered energy with his Keyblade and shot a large blue orb at Ven. Still lying on the ground, it collided with him in a blaze of blue fire, reflecting on Vanitas's mask, a dark smile hidden beneath its black veneer. The fire dissipated and the ground was scorched, but no body remained.
"Don't worry! You're safe."
Harry gasped, blinking up at the Infirmary ceiling in confusion. That dream…had felt more real than the others…because they were both in it? Why was he in the Hospital Wing? Oh….the game, he remembered trying to outrun the bludger, pain…and now here. Looked like he hadn't made it then. Wonderful.
"Well Mr Potter, it seems even if you aren't a player the Bludgers have it out for you," a brisk voice told him, and he groaned.
"Yeah, hate to think how much worse it'll be when I actually play. What's the damage?" he asked.
"The bludger broke your arm quite badly which would have been easily fixed."
"But?"
"Professor Lockhart attempted to heal you," she grimaced.
"Can I sue the idiot?" He sighed. "What did he do?"
"Vanished the bones in your arm, that was yesterday. I kept you asleep for the process of regrowing your bones, it isn't a pleasant procedure."
"Thanks you."
"Of course. Eat your breakfast and take your potions, hopefully you can return to your dorm by dinner."
Harry slowly sat up and found a tray of food plus two vials waiting for him. He looked up when the doors opened and his friends spilled into the room.
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He ironed his hands, he had failed! First the diary went to Hogwarts instead of the Aurors and now he'd failed to get the Great Harry Potter to leave the school! He would not fail again!
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Harry closed his eyes, trying to sleep. He didn't understand why she had decided to keep him overnight, something about an odd scan result. He opened his eyes to slits as the main doors opened.
Dumbledore was backing into the dormitory, wearing a long woolly dressing gown and a nightcap. He was carrying one end of what looked like a statue. Professor McGonagall appeared a second later, carrying its feet. Together, they heaved it onto a bed.
"Get Madam Pomfrey," whispered Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall hurried past the end of Harry's bed out of sight.
Harry lay very still, pretending to be asleep. He heard urgent voices, and then Professor McGonagall swept back into view, closely followed by Madam Pomfrey, who was pulling a cardigan on over her nightdress. He heard a sharp intake of breath.
"What happened?" Madam Pomfrey whispered to Dumbledore, bending over the statue on the bed.
"Another attack," Dumbledore answered just as quietly. "Minerva found him on the stairs.
"There was a bunch of grapes next to him," said Professor McGonagall. "We think he was trying to sneak up here to visit Potter."
Harry's stomach gave a horrible lurch. Slowly and carefully, he raised himself a few inches so he could look at the statue on the bed. A ray of moonlight lay across its staring face. It was Colin 'stalker' Creevey. His eyes were wide and his hands were stuck up in front of him, holding his camera.
"Petrified?" whispered Madam Pomfrey.
"Yes," said Professor McGonagall. "But I shudder to think ... If Albus hadn't been on the way downstairs for hot chocolate, who knows what might have…"
The three of them stared down at Colin. Then Dumbledore leaned forward and wrenched the camera out of Colin's rigid grip.
"You don't think he managed to get a picture of his attacker?" Professor McGonagall asked eagerly.
Dumbledore didn't answer. He opened the back of the camera.
"Good gracious!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed as a jet of steam hissed out of the camera. Harry, three beds away, caught the acrid smell of burnt plastic. "Melted," said Madam Pomfrey wonderingly. "All melted..."
"What does this mean, Albus?" Professor McGonagall asked urgently.
"It means," said Dumbledore, "that the Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again."
Madam Pomfrey clapped a hand to her mouth. Professor McGonagall stared at Dumbledore.
"But, Albus ... surely ... who?"
"The question is not who," said Dumbledore, his eyes on Colin. "The question is, how…"
And from what Harry could see of Professor McGonagall's shadowy face, she didn't understand this any better than he did.
Once they were gone he slowly and carefully got out of his own bed and made his way to Colin's, staring down at his frozen form. He wondered if any of the potions he could remember Ven using and seeing could help, but it wasn't like there were any helpful Moogles around to ask. He knew there was a spell for lifting status effects….but he didn't know it. He didn't particularly like the younger boy, but he definitely didn't deserve this.
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Draco looked up as Harry walked into the Great Hall, relieved to see he'd been discharged. The Hall was quiet, in shock over Creevey…or wanting to gloat but not daring to with the whole school there. He sneered as he heard the whispers and then stood up, walking towards Harry. "How's the arm?" he asked loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"Bones back where they should be," he glanced up at where Lockhart was sitting, glaring at the Professor.
"Hear about Creevey?" he asked, seeing people tense. Idiots.
"They brought him in to the Hospital Wing last night, so I saw," Harry answered. That was what he liked about Harry, he caught on quick, and if he didn't then he was willing to play along till he did, trusting him to have a reason.
More whispers broke out and Draco smirked at Harry. Good, they were actually remembering that Harry had been confined to the Hospital Wing so he couldn't have done it because there was no way to sneak out without alerting the Matron if you were a patient. He knew some people thought it was him and he didn't care, but he knew Harry was hurt by the rumours, no matter how well he tried to hide it. He led him over to the others and they sat to eat before heading to class.
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Severus barely kept from smirking as his godson quite publicly pointed out the students idiocy in trying to blame Potter for Creevey's condition. Children truly were dunderheads to even consider the boy was the one behind things. He'd heard the whispers in his own house, none of them believed Potter was behind the two attacks, but were happy to let him take the blame, assuming it was one of their own.
The only reason Draco had not been…censured for befriending the Boy-Who-Lived was because they assumed there was a plan behind it…not to mention Lucius' reputation and power, very few would risk his anger by daring to interfere with Draco.
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The atmosphere in the Castle had changed since the attack on Creevey. Ginny Weasley, the youngest Weasley, who apparently sat next to Colin Creevey in some classes, was distraught, but Harry felt that Fred and George were going the wrong way about cheering her up. He liked the twins and it hadn't taken much for the pair to agree to keep an eye out for Hermione and Neville among their Housemates…even when the main issue was their own little brother. The twins were taking turns covering themselves with fur or boils and jumping out at her from behind statues. They only stopped when Percy, apoplectic with rage, told them he was going to write to Mrs. Weasley and tell her Ginny was having nightmares.
Meanwhile, hidden from the teachers, a roaring trade in talismans, amulets, and other protective devices was sweeping the school. Neville Longbottom bought a large, evil-smelling green onion, a pointed purple crystal, and a rotting newt tail before the other boys pointed out that he was in no danger; he was a pure- blood, and therefore unlikely to be attacked.
"They went for Filch first," Neville said, his round face fearful. "And everyone knows I'm almost a Squib." That had Harry throwing his balled up scrapped bit of homework at his head for talking down about himself.
In the second week of December Professor Sprout began collecting names of those who would be staying at school for Christmas. For the first time, Harry had somewhere to go for Christmas. It was an odd feeling to know he was wanted. He would be heading to Longbottom Hall for the holidays and attending the annual Yule Ball at Malfoy Manor. He would be glad to get away from the Castle for a while with everything that was going on….and it'd keep him from using a fire spell on the Peacock.
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"Meet the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee!" Yuffie cheerfully announced as they entered the odd house.
"We missed you!" Aerith smiled at them.
"Well, if you ain't in top shape," Cid smirked from where he was seated at some kind of…computer?
"I knew it," Leon nodded at them, and Sora grinned.
"Knew what?" he asked.
"A while back, everyone suddenly remembered you guys, all at the same time."
"You...remembered? Wait! Does that mean you forgot about us!?" he demanded, arms crossed.
"Thanks!" Donald huffed.
"So where've you guys been all this time?" Yuffie asked curiously.
"We were sleepin'," Goofy explained.
"Where? In cold storage?" Cid demanded and they shifted nervously.
"It doesn't matter. This is great. Everyone's together again!" Aerith told everyone.
"So, um...we're trying to find Riku and the King. Have you seen 'em?" Sora asked hopefully, but they all shook their heads. "Right."
"Sorry. But let us know if there's anything we can do to help. Okay?" Aerith told them, and Sora nodded.
"Okay. Thanks."
"Don't go thankin' us just yet," Cid grumbled.
"Hollow Bastion's got a problem. A big problem," Leon told them.
"You mean, like Nobodies? And Heartless?" Was there no end to the things?
"That's right!" Yuffie sighed.
"Sounds like you could use our help."
"Then let's cut to the chase. Sora, Donald, Goofy. We were hoping the three of you might give us a hand around here," Leon looked at them and Sora patted his chest proudly.
"Like we're gonna say, no?" he grinned.
"...I forgot who I'm dealing with," Leon smirked.
"Hey...what do you mean by that?" Donald demanded.
"Just think of it as a sort of 'Leon compliment'," Aerith giggled as Leon opened the door.
"Follow me to the bailey, there's something you need to see." He left even as Merlin appeared.
"Oh! I thought it was you. Right on time!"
"It's Merlin!"
"Sora and the gang said they're gonna help out!" Yuffie told the Wizard who smiled.
"Splendid! We'll count on you!"
"Right!"
"Ah, yes. Did you give them the cards, dear?" Merlin asked Aerith who started.
"Oh!" She took out three cards from her dress. "Here...they're presents for you. Leon thought you might like to have them."
Sora accepted the card and flipped it so he could read it. "Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee Honorary Member!"
"Membership cards!" Donald stared at his.
"Kinda cool, huh?" Goofy asked them and they nodded.
"Hey, thanks, Leahhh...huh?" he turned, blinking, where was Leon? "Oh no! We're supposed to be at the bailey!" he bolted for the door.
"Just a moment, Sora," Merlin caused, and Sora turned to him. "What about your magic?"
"Huh? Oh, that's right..." he crossed his arms, trying not to let them see how ashamed he was. How could he just lose it all?
"Maybe you forgot it while you were asleep!" Yuffie offered, trying to help.
"Now, what am I to do with you?" Merlin shook his head but smiled. "I suppose I'll have to lend you a few spells. But be careful with them!" he warned and Sora nodded, just relieved to be getting some magic back.
"Thanks, Merlin!"
"To the bailey, and fast!"
They took off running for the bailey to catch up with Leon, wondering what he wanted them to see.
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"I wonder who'll be teaching us?" Hermione wondered as they edged into the chattering crowd. "Someone told me Flitwick was a duelling champion when he was young - maybe it'll be him."
"As long as it's not -" Harry began, but he ended on a groan: Gilderoy Lockhart was walking onto the stage, resplendent in robes of deep plum but thankfully accompanied by none other than Snape, wearing his usual black.
Lockhart waved an arm for silence and called, "Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent! Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little duelling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions - for full details, see my published works," he grinned charmingly and many of the girls practically swooned, Harry's group rolling their eyes.
"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," said Lockhart, flashing a wide smile. "He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about duelling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry - you'll still have your Potions master when I'm through with him, never fear!"
"Wouldn't it be good if they finished each other off?" Ron muttered nearby.
Snape's upper lip was curling. Harry wondered why Lockhart was still smiling; if Snape had been looking at him like that he'd have been running as fast as he could in the opposite direction.
Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed; at least, Lockhart did, with much twirling of his hands, whereas Snape jerked his head irritably. Then they raised their wands like swords in front of them.
"As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position," Lockhart told the silent crowd. "On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."
"I wouldn't bet on that," Harry murmured, watching Snape baring his teeth, hearing Draco snicker.
"One - two - three -"
Both of them swung their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent; Snape cried, "Expelliarmus!" There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet - He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall, and slid down it to sprawl on the floor. The Slytherins and even some of the other students cheered.
Hermione was dancing on tiptoes. "Do you think he's all right?" she squealed through her fingers.
"Who cares?" asked Harry and Justin together.
Lockhart was getting unsteadily to his feet. His hat had fallen off and his wavy hair was standing on end. "Well, there you have it!" he said, tottering back onto the platform. "That was a Disarming Charm - as you see, I've lost my wand - ah, thank you, Miss Brown - yes, an excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind my saying so, it was very obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you it would have been only too easy - however, I felt it would be instructive to let them see . . ."
Snape was looking murderous. Possibly Lockhart had noticed, because he said, "Enough demonstrating! I'm going to come amongst you now and put you all into pairs. Professor Snape, if you'd like to help me -"
They moved through the crowd, matching up partners. Lockhart teamed Neville with Justin, and Snape paired Harry with Draco.
"Miss Granger - you can partner Miss Bulstrode," he announced, giving both girls a warning look to behave.
Draco strutted over, smirking teasingly. Behind him walked a Slytherin girl who reminded Harry of a picture he'd seen in Holidays with Hags. She was large and square and her heavy jaw jutted aggressively. Hermione gave her a weak smile that she did not return, but at a look from Draco she grimaced, giving a very weak half smile to Hermione.
"Face your partners!" Lockhart call, back on the platform. "And bow!"
Deciding to have fun, Harry and Malfoy bowed rather theatrically to each other, both trying not to laugh.
"Wands at the ready!" shouted Lockhart. "When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponents - only to disarm them - we don't want any accidents - one ... two ... three -"
They began playing around, not trying all that hard, and not just to disarm.
"I said disarm only!" Lockhart shouted in alarm over the heads of the battling crowd.
Draco sank to his knees; Harry had hit him with a Tickling Charm, and he could barely move for laughing. Harry hung back, with a vague feeling it would be unsporting to bewitch him while he was on the floor, but that was a mistake; gasping for breath, Draco pointed his wand at Harry's knees, choked, "Tarantallegra!" and the next second Harry's legs began to jerk around out of his control in a kind of quickstep, making him laugh too.
"Stop! Stop!" screamed Lockhart, but Snape took charge
"Finite Incantatem!" he called, a slight smirk on his lips; Harry's feet stopped dancing, Draco stopped laughing, and they were able to look up.
A haze of greenish smoke was hovering over the scene. Both Neville and Justin were lying on the floor, panting; Ron was holding up an ashen-faced Seamus, apologizing for whatever he'd done; but Hermione and Millicent Bulstrode were still moving; Millicent had Hermione in a headlock and Hermione was whimpering in pain; both their wands lay forgotten on the floor. Draco got up and said something Harry didn't hear, but the girl let go and Harry steadied Hermione.
"Dear, dear," said Lockhart, skittering through the crowd, looking at the aftermath of the duels. "Up you go, Macmillan ... Careful there, Miss Fawcett ... Pinch it hard, it'll stop bleeding in a second, Boot. I think I'd better teach you how to block unfriendly spells," said Lockhart, standing flustered in the midst of the hall. He glanced at Snape, whose black eyes glinted, and looked quickly away. "Let's have a volunteer pair - Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley, how about you -"
"A bad idea, Professor Lockhart," said Snape, gliding over like a large and malevolent bat. "Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending what's left of Finch-Fletchley up to the hospital wing in a matchbox." Neville's round, pink face went pinker. "How about Malfoy and Potter?" said Snape with a twisted smile.
"Excellent idea!" said Lockhart, gesturing Harry and Draco into the middle of the hall as the crowd backed away to give them room.
"Now, Harry," said Lockhart. "When Draco points his wand at you, you do this." He raised his own wand, attempted a complicated sort of wiggling action, and dropped it. Snape smirked as Lockhart quickly picked it up, saying, "Whoops -my wand is a little overexcited -"
Snape moved closer to Draco, bent down, and whispered something in his ear. Malfoy smirked, too.
Harry looked up with a fake nervous expression and asked, "Professor, could you show me that blocking thing again?"
"Scared?" Draco taunted, so that Lockhart couldn't hear him.
"You wish," Harry shot back out of the corner of his mouth.
Lockhart cuffed Harry merrily on the shoulder. "Just do what I did, Harry!"
"What, drop my wand?" he rolled his eyes.
But Lockhart wasn't listening. "Three - two - one - go!" he shouted.
Draco sent a disarming spell at Harry who dropped and rolled out of the way, firing his own spell from one knee, surprising Draco who couldn't defend, his wand soaring away. Draco stared in surprise before smirking at him. "Nice shot."
"Thanks," Harry grinned at his friend.
"Yes, well, as Mr Potter and Malfoy showed, that is the basics of duelling," Lockhart announced. "I do believe that is enough for a first lesson."
TBC…
