Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling
"What are we gonna do now?" Harry blurted.
"We could use dad's enchanted car?" Ron shrugged. "Can you cast a bedazzling hex over the entire thing? The invisibility booster on it is appalling."
"Won't the trace register the use of magic?"
"Yeah... maybe we should get closer to the train. They won't bother with looking for a caster among hundreds of kids," Ron said.
But as they were approaching the parked car, a small creature came into their view. It had bulging green eyes, a long, thin nose, and bat-like ears.
"Sir, my name is Dobby, I am a house-elf that came to Harry Potter's rescue!" the creature started.
Harry was looking at it bemusedly.
"Dobby? What? Who are you? What rescue?" Harry blinked. Ron was equally surprised.
"Harry Potter must not come to Hogwarts this year. There is a plot to make most terrible things happen in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!", the house elf exclaimed, then gasped, and started banging his head against the Ford Anglia.
"Dobby! Dobby! What are you doing?!" Harry lunged to stop the elf from hurting himself. Ron followed.
"Oh, Harry Potter is concerned with Dobby! He is kind and compassionate, unlike..." and he tried hurting himself again, although he was held back by Harry this time — "BAD DOBBY! Almost insulted his family, he did!"
"Dobby, what plot is happening? What are you talking about?" Harry wondered.
"Dobby has tried to reach Harry Potter before, but Harry Potter was always with other people looking after him and under fidelius charm — the elf yelped — Dobby is being called by the family he serves, sir! His family must not notice he is helping Harry Potter! Please, sir, listen to what Dobby is saying!" the elf yelled before disappearing out of sight.
...
"What on earth was that about?" Harry looked at Ron, as shocked as he is.
"No idea, mate. Reckon it's a prank?"
"I dunno... could be? I've got a bad feeling, though."
"We could always tell your mom or Dumbledore. House elves are not supposed to go out and do magic like this, too, not without permission from their masters. That's why I thought maybe someone decided to play a joke on you," Ron said.
"We should ask around, for sure. Let's just go for now. Dobby has cast magic here anyway, let's just make the car invisible. We are close enough for no one to make a direct connection, hopefully," Harry decided.
"The train is far gone by now. Let's hope we catch up with it and that no one sees us in the car..."
"You hope in vain, Mr. Weasley," a stern voice said behind them.
"Oh, no..."
The boys turned to see Minerva looking at them, almost as if she was ready to transfigure them into the spare parts for the car.
"You better get to explaining yourselves right now."
And so Harry told her about what happened — how the platform was blocked and how there was a magical elf warning them about a "dangerous plot at Hogwarts."
"Hmm. For once, I might agree with Mr. Weasley. This could be an elaborate joke, though not for certain. Dobby hasn't made mention of who his family is?"
"No, not that we heard."
"Of course. Well, in any case, the ministry has been clamping down on portkeys which aren't used anymore so casually, so we will have to side-apparate to Hogwarts."
"Wait, over such a long distance?" Harry blurted.
"Yes, but I have to take one of you at a time, just to be on the safe side," Minerva said.
Ron was eyeing his trunk uneasily.
"Worry not, Mr. Weasley. Your personal items will be taken care of," the old witch smiled reassuringly.
...
...
"Bloody hell. That was insane, apparating over half of Britain. I nearly threw up... Your mom really is something, Harry."
"I think it was brilliant! I haven't enjoyed myself this much in a while!"
"You're as mad as Dumbledore, how did you enjoy being pulled apart?!"
Who has brought me into Hogwarts again? The diary was likely intentionally taken in. It would be safely kept, I assume. Still, a daring move, bringing it to some schoolgirl's possession. Be it a servant or myself in some way, they should know better than to risk it needlessly, I hope.
It seems that my older self has been defeated by this time. I have been vanquished for over a decade. What's the year, 1992? The boy's name is Harry Potter...he's "The Boy-Who-Lived, huh...
There is much I don't know. How was I destroyed? Where is Dumbledore right now and what's the situation in Britain? More immediately, has the chamber been discovered? Thankfully, this girl is perfect prey to possess... I need to gather more vital information. A little bit of exploration...
"Guys, have you heard? Hagrid's announced that he will be retiring from his teaching position!" Neville shouted.
"What? Why?" Harry exclaimed.
"Apparently, it was due to "personal reasons", he refused to state why," Ron added.
"We have to visit him, guys. We have to ask him!" Neville urged.
"Yes, of course. It's just weird that it happened all of a sudden," Harry mused.
"I mean, I dunno. Hagrid's been awfully enthusiastic with some dangerous animals, you know. Maybe this is for the better?" Ron probed.
"Ron! It's Hagrid, there's no way he'd expose students to danger!" Hermione snapped.
"I'm just saying..."
...
...
There was a loud knocking on the door of Hagrid's hut.
"Hagrid, open the door! Open the door already!"
"I'm comin', fer crying out loud, stop yer banging!"
The four students barged into Hagrid's hut, as the giant man dragged himself back to his couch.
"Well, Professor Dumbledore did say yeh'd be comin' ter visit me once yeh heard the news. Yeh wan' some tea?"
After preparing tea for the four children, Hagrid settled himself on his large seat, sighing as he sat.
"Hagrid, we heard you wanted to resign from your teacher's spot. Is it true?" Harry asked.
"Well, I have bin considering it."
"But why? Why would you want to leave?" Hermione nervously followed.
"'s time I told yeh abou' Aragog. But please do not tell this ter anyone else, alrigh'? The trouble's gone, but Albus an' I might get in trouble if people catch wind o' it," Hagrid said. He told the group about the great spider, and how he brought him into the forest after he was accused of killing a student inside the school.
"Killing a student?" Nevile repeated.
"Her name's Myrtle. She's a ghost at Hogwarts now. She was killed when I was a student meself, an' one Tom Riddle blamed Aragog. Aragog was very tiny back then, couldn' have hurt nobody." Hagrid replied.
"Was Aragog .. behind that attack from before? The one that happened recently," Ron asked fearfully.
"He was, at least in part. He an' his nest got chased away by a raging manticore. I brought 'im a wife, tha''s why there were so many o' 'em. I could've endangered the entire school," Hagrid said heavily.
After a brief silence, he continued.
"I was naive. Thought Aragog would live out his life along his children peacefully in the forest an' this happens. I still think he couldn' have killed Myrtle, but he was too dangerous ter keep around. I can' be responsible enough ter teach is wha' I'm saying."
"But you learned your lesson, haven't you, Hagrid? Besides, no student was hurt during that charge." Hermione started.
"Professor Sprout was killed!" yelled Hagrid, sniffling.
"That had more to do with You-Know-Who than with you though, right?" Neville said.
"Professor Dumbledore said the same. I don' know, I'm not sure if I have the confidence ter teach anyone."
"We will be there to support you, won't we, guys?" Harry looked at everyone.
"Yeah, of course," Hermione said, Neville nodding.
"Hagrid, you know about magical creatures more than anyone," Ron joined. "Whilst you could have toned it down a bi—" he got elbowed by Hermione "I mean, you could have been more responsible, just from the fact that you're thinking about it this much tells that you'll be careful." he smiled.
"You little buggers—" Hagrid gushed. "Thank yeh..."
That time was a rather comfortable tea party indeed.
"What do you think killed Myrtle?" Harry whispered. The four were chatting along the hallway after a charms class.
"Beats me, could have actually been Aragog back then, too," Ron shrugged.
"But you heard Hagrid, Aragog was too little, and he also kept him locked in a cupboard, didn't he?" Neville whispered back.
"Well you can't— I mean, couldn't exactly trust Hagrid with keeping this thing properly kept could you?"
"You could have read Hogwarts: A History, you know," Hermione chimed in. "I'm surprised you didn't, Harry. You had enough time when you were in Hogsmeade."
"I wasn't too enthusiastic after reading History of Magic, you know. The book was fun, but not forever," Harry said.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "There were rumors of an alleged "Chamber of Secrets" opening and killing taking place because of it. It hasn't been proven, but there is a belief that Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders, left behind an enchanted chamber containing some kind of horrific power that will purge the school of who he considered unworthy of magic – muggle-borns."
Ron sniggered. "You don't honestly believe that, do you?"
"Not really, but I don't think male acromantula that young have enough poisonous venom, either. I don't think Hagrid's creature was responsible," Hermione mused.
"How could you possibly know that?" Ron blurted.
"I think I read it from some of Newt Scamander's advanced courses," Hermione said.
"Of course you did," Harry chortled as he earned himself a light hit from Hermione.
—
Noticing Professor Snape starting to pack up, Draco approached the group.
"Being disciplined by muggle-born, eh, Potter?" Draco said loudly, turning the attention of the hallway to him. He was with his usual Slytherin crew.
"Can't see it's any of your business," Harry said.
"Oh, it's really not, you just naturally draw attention to yourself, you know," Draco replied sarcastically, his cronies sniggering behind him.
"Just drop it, Malfoy," Hermione snapped.
"Oh, the mudblood finally speaks?" the blonde boy said, now quietly. "Not gonna hide behind Potter, are you?"
"Say that again, Malfoy, say that again, I dare you!" Ron yelled.
"What's the problem, Weasley? Do you fancy Granger? Of course, being a Weasley, doubt you can afford much than... this..." he made a disgusted expression at Hermione.
All three boys turned to face Draco, though Hermione stepped in first.
"I'm not hiding from anyone, for your information," she spat.
"Oh, you won't have to hide soon enough, mudblood. I reckon your days are numbered," he leaned in to whisper.
"I know what kind of person you are, you won't drag me into this," Hermione replied.
As she was about to turn around, Draco quickly added, again, in a careful, low voice — "I can't really say the same about you — you resemble a rodent, more than a "person". Are you sure your dad's your real dad? Maybe he's some sort of magical creature. Maybe that's why you can do magic!"
Hermione went for her wand, and Harry, Ron, and Neville followed, but Draco was waiting for that — the blonde shouted with his own - "Expelliarmus!" as their wands scattered around him. The Slytherins cheered, as others looked in disbelief.
Harry was furious — he summoned his wand back with a wave, as Snape halted the scuffle.
"Potter, what are you doing?" the teacher asked coldly.
"I—"
"Potter's group drew their wands at me first for no justified reason. I performed a disarming charm, as I have a right to defend myself," Draco quickly interrupted.
"Is that true, Potter?"
"No, that's not how it happened..."
"That's exactly how it happened!" Nott added.
"Is that so? Twenty points from Gryffindor, I fear," Snape said softly.
"Listen to me-"
"Do not speak to me in such a manner. Another ten points, for your impertinence."
As the group was gloomily walking towards the Defense class, the Slytherins were cheering and jeering at them, whilst the rest of the people found in hallways whispered around.
Did Draco really disarm all of them?
Wow...
Is Malfoy actually powerful?
What happened?
What happened in the hallways was quite the talk of the day, and Draco was beaming.
"I can't believe this!" Hermione yelled.
"He got us. He probably did all of this intentionally..." Neville said.
"Not only that, he's probably going to be inflating the rumors himself..." Harry added.
...
"What did he say to you to get you so riled up?" Harry asked.
"He called me a... rodent... and insulted my father..." Hermione murmured.
"I'm going to kill him. I'm actually going to kill him," Harry snapped.
"You can count me in," Ron followed.
"Guys, relax. I think I've got an idea," Hermione said.
"Hello, Harry, everyone," Lupin greeted everyone in the group. "How did you like my first classes?"
"They were brilliant," Hermione gleamed.
"And much better than Quirrell, to be honest," Ron said.
"I have to agree," Neville added.
"Me too," Harry nodded.
"Thank you. I assume you are not here to praise my teaching skills. What's bothering you?" Lupin asked.
"Well, professor, I was thinking you should set up a dueling club, so we could get some practical experience," Harry started.
"A dueling club, huh?" Lupin wondered, a faint smile on his face.
"We have read there have been dueling clubs in the past, and that 2nd years or higher would be able to attend," Hermione said.
"And you are curious because you want to get practical experience? Lupin's smile was growing.
"Well, something like that, yes," Harry scratched his head.
"Word travels around, you know. Draco's particular enthusiasm about spreading it is not helping your cause," Lupin noted.
The group had an awkward smile. "I mean, I didn't exactly specify what kind of practical experience we were looking for," Harry leered.
The professor laughed softly. "Alright. I suppose the entire class might benefit from adding practical knowledge to their arsenal, considering how stale late Quirrell's teaching was. I saw his curriculum."
"Thank you!" Hermione gushed.
"But! Please be sure to at least try establishing an amicable relationship with the Slytherin house. Not everyone is an attention seeker, like some," Lupin winked.
As everyone was leaving Lupin's office, Harry stayed behind.
"Yes, Harry?" Lupin turned his attention to the boy.
"Mr. Lupin, I was wondering if you paid Sirius a visit. It's been a month already, and Minnie's telling me to be patient, but I really wanted to know from someone."
"I did pay him a visit a couple of days ago. Sirius is in a much better condition, but he still needs close care in the hospital. Azkaban has worn him down immensely, both in body and mind," Lupin said with a grim expression.
"Oh... right. But he will be fine, right?" Harry asked.
"As fine as he can be. Harry, Sirius is one of the bravest and strongest people I know. Rest assured that he will try his utmost to recover as much as possible," Lupin consoled.
"I hope so."
Lupin looked at the boy.
"I assume you've been told many times how much you resemble your father," he smiled. "Both in looks and, if gossip about is to be believed, partly in personality too."
Harry grinned abashedly. "I'm not sure if the second one's a compliment or a critique, you know."
"A little bit of both."
"I've heard stories from Minnie, but mostly from Hagrid. You said you were my parents' friend, right? Like Sirius?"
Lupin sighed. "Yes, Harry, I was. I was one of James' closest friends while he was here at the school."
"Can you tell me more about them?"
"In good time I will. But for now, go back to your friends, and don't make more trouble for yourself."
As expected, Dumbledore's involved in most places. I assume, aside from actual leadership, that he is the uniting moral icon for the so-called Order of the Phoenix. I would like to find out more, but this girl is quite feisty. Manipulating her is not so easy. Yet my grip grows stronger.
The chamber is still viable. Killing muggle-borns is not an option. I do not wish to see the school closed. Besides, it does little good, the basilisk is not so easily concealed nor controlled for... extensive usage.
As expected, he has a rough idea that the beast is the real culprit behind the murder. I sense the intruder and sensory charms everywhere. He's even put them in the pipes... they are exceedingly hard to work around. That stubborn old coot. Thankfully the chamber can only be accessed through parseltongue. I certainly don't imagine he expects an attack from a student powerful enough to disable his charms, and I believe this horcrux should be successful. Even I didn't expect my strongest horcrux to be used so casually. Still, I absolutely should offer some diversion.
Petrification magic is an incredibly powerful branch of dark arts. I expect the basilisk's stare would not be the first association in his mind, seeing how much political tension there is both between countries and internally, though he's bound to catch on. The ministry does not take kindly to him either, so hopefully, he can't have his pull quickly. I need to do as much damage as feasibly possible in a short amount of time, yes...
With Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch match nearing, Draco Malfoy was beaming. He had long wished to be the center of attention, and though not all school followed, he certainly was quite well off in his house. Once it was decided that he was gonna play the seeker for the Quidditch team, coupled with the news of him affording the team cutting-edge brooms, was the time his glory launched him into holding the reigns in his crew, with Nott becoming less of a prominent figure.
Not all went as planned, however. Once the match began, he knew he had a tough fight against Potter. He got lucky, at first. There was, for some reason, a stray bludger edging for Harry a bit ... too enthusiastically, like he was its only target. That didn't last for long though, as Dumbledore saw to it the moment it was realized the bludger was enchanted in some way to sabotage the boy. He failed to get the snitch in time.
Still, he was quite a good player himself, so he and Potter got into a rather close scuffle for the struggle of the snitch. Recent events still fresh in memory, the fight was vicious and most importantly— for Draco— spectacular for the crowd. Potter came out on top in the end, winning Gryffindor another match, but Draco was more than satisfied to catch the eye of the audience, being close to Potter in skill.
"I didn't know you were so skilled in Quidditch. You never mentioned it!" Pansy said in awe.
"Well yeah, I don't exactly go about flinging my abilities around, unlike Potter," Draco noted smugly.
"You still could have caught the snitch before him..." Zabini jabbed.
"In good time, Blaise. Next year, Potter will be biting my dust."
The fresh sporting fever was harshly interrupted by a peculiar, threatening writing on the wall, close to the petrified body of Colin Creevey — a quite enthusiastic student photographer who was enamored with Harry. His body lay near the wall, on which a mocking statement was written in blood-red color —
"Hogwarts is the safest place in Britain."
Colin was found by a patrolling teacher around the early morning hours, and the rumors and the air of fearfulness followed suit.
"What do you think it could be?"
"Petrification is really dark magic, how could someone breach Hogwarts and cast such a spell?"
"Are we in danger? What's gonna happen next?"
Professor McGonagall had to deal with letters from concerned parents since the news was spreading fast.
"I imagine the press will be all over this. We have been unintentionally feeding them with sensational news for a while now," Minerva sighed.
She was worried. Another breach in Hogwarts' defenses, two years in a row. She quickly mentioned Dobby's appearance and his warning to Harry to Dumbledore. "What do you think this is, Albus?"
"I can think of a few things, though I'm uncertain which one it is. The simplest way of looking at it is a threatening jab at the school's integrity. Considering Hogwarts'enchantments, and especially considering Dobby's warning, I believe it is more than just that... Mr. Malfoy has called an urgent school board meeting, which you can no doubt assume will entail vigorous attacks on my competence, and I believe ms. Skeeter will be more than glad to exploit this unfortunate event," Albus said thoughtfully.
"Before I allow their narrative to take poisonous roots, however, I will make a move of my own." he continued. "Please inform Mr. Colin's parents of their son's condition, and explain that he shall be well within weeks thanks to our mandrake treatment. Penny and Pomfrey are hard at work to treat him. I will allow them to visit their son. — I am aware, Minerva, that this alone is a dangerous move now; but I can't deny the family the right to see their boy. Now then, I must act swiftly." he wished Minerva good luck, thanked her, and went directly to the ministry.
...
...
"Well, I must say I didn't expect your visit this soon, Albus," Fudge noted.
"I'm afraid the circumstances demand it, Cornelius," Dumbledore replied.
"Yes, yes, I've seen the morning edition of the press. Terrible, terrible thing," Fudge shook his head.
"My, I would think you had other means of finding out earlier than the press," Dumbledore said with a glint of a smile.
"Well, naturally, but the press quite left an... impression on the reader."
"No doubt, seeing how the assistance of Ms. Skeeter was taken."
A STUDENT ATTACKED ON HOGWARTS GROUNDS! PARENTS RAISE MASSIVE SAFETY CONCERNS! WHAT IS THE HEADMASTER DOING?
The glaring title sat quite protrusive on the minister's desk.
"Let's not waste each other's time with pleasantries, Albus. We both have tight schedules. What did you want?"
"I wanted your help, Cornelius. More accurately, I wanted Auror's Department involved."
Cornelius raised an eyebrow. "How exactly do you want the department involved?"
"It has come to my notice that many talented members have filled the auror ranks recently, most of them Hogwarts graduates, no less," Albus said. "I believe your law enforcement activity does not demand some of their numbers at the present moment, and as such, I would like their presence in Hogwarts until this threat is resolved."
Cornelius was taken aback. "You want the Ministry's members at your school?" he said quickly in shock.
"Yes, however unlikely that may seem to you. I require the ministry's assistance."
"Quite a daring attitude, Dumbledore. I don't hand over my officers whenever someone pleases, I will remind you, not least to you," Cornelius snapped.
"Which is perfectly understandable. However, I informed you of the Dark Lord's assault a little while ago, which you so humbly wrapped into news outlets and media as a triumph over the dark forces. Still, you must be aware of the threat, even if Voldemort is incorporeal and very weak. People are on edge, Cornelius. They've become aware that he is still influencing matters and feel unsafe."
"I'm more than aware of that, Albus. But he hasn't returned to his body, and now he has even less of a chance of being found and retrieved by some lunatic!"
"And yet the chance remains. Need I mention the situation of foreign affairs? Trouble in Scandinavia, India, Brazil... surely you are more informed than me of their gravity?"
"Enough of the lectures, Albus! Take care of your own school, and if you're not able to, we will find someone who is."
"Spoken almost as if directly out of Lucius' mouth. One of my friends has been kind to inform me he may be the unfortunate source of recent rampant corruption in the Department of Control of Magical Creatures. One of my other friends has had the capability to gather tangible evidence of it."
"How dare you..."
"Our cooperation need not be sour. Your publicity would benefit from working with me. I would make sure of it," Dumbledore reminded.
"I will not hand you my aurors! They exist to keep order, not as your personal army to call!"
"Cornelius... as you have mentioned, neither of us has the time to chatter much. Need I remind you that the ministry has skeletons in its closet, as do you," Dumbledore's gaze pierced the minister.
"That's it, isn't it? You just revel in threatening me, trying to control me, that's what this is all about? Isn't it?!" Cornelius yelled, his face red with rage.
"CORNELIUS!" Dumbledore roared. "Your love of office is blinding you before the glaring problem! I am less interested in your seat than I am in the Quibbler's snorkacks! Listen to me, or you will eventually go down ruined, with the memory of a failed minister who crumbled in face of a global threat!"
As the air settled and Fudge's face grew from red to pale, Dumbledore went on.
"Do not force my hand, Cornelius. This need not end in bad blood. I ask for Nymphadora Tonks, Merula Snyde, Ben Copper, and Alastor Moody. Tonks still needs supervision, after all." Dumbledore warned.
"M-Moody?... ... This time I will indulge your whims. But do not dare threaten me like this again!" Cornelius said, his voice shaky, himself looking deflated.
Dumbledore's face relaxed to a more serene one. "You will not regret this, Cornelius. Now, let's not waste any more time — I have brought a reporter of my own if you will. She is close in narrative skills to Ms. Skeeter, I believe. I trust her report will build quite nicely on the previous sensation," he chuckled.
Lucius Malfoy was furious. He had counted on the initiative with this, yet Dumbledore responded so readily and aggressively he was caught off guard.
He looked at another issue of Daily Prophet – Dumbledore was shaking hands with Fudge, both of them smiling!
HOGWARTS HEADMASTER AND MINISTER OF MAGIC COOPERATE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS! AURORS DEPLOYED ON HOGWARTS GROUNDS!
He threw the newspaper away in a rage. The board of governors meeting went as you would expect after this little heroic publicity. He barely had his say in it, as most were applauding Dumbledore's efforts.
Worse, if his sources were correct, Newt Scamander has been sniffing around in the department for magical creatures. He was sure to conceal his traces well, but this is Scamander at work. Did Snape blow the whistle on him? Was he disloyal to the Dark Lord? Has Dumbledore mentioned this to Fudge?
"Curse you, old bastard!" he yelled. A frightened-looking elf took this raging fit as a chance to venture somewhere.
Harry was a little bit worried. He heard some strange sounds as he was roaming the hallway, the day Colin Creevey was petrified. Was it the voice of the attacker? Has he been imagining things?
"Come to me... come to me..." What a creepy occurrence...
His musing was interrupted by an elf named Dobby. He had the pleasure of meeting him before.
"Harry Potter is still at Hogwarts! Harry Potter is not safe here, no sir! He must leave!" Dobby startled the boy.
"Dobby, what are you doing here?" Harry whispered.
"Dobby has tried to get Harry Potter out of school, but he was not lucky. Dobby is worried for Harry Potter."
"Get me out of school ho—" he realized — "did you enchant that bludger?! You could have killed me!"
The little elf gasped. "Dobby would never kill Harry Potter! Harry Potter is a hero who defeated the dark lord! Dobby wants the best for Harry, sir!" he jumped.
Harry crouched to speak to the elf. "Dobby, what is going on? Why are you so scared for me? And why can't you tell me? Am I being targeted?"
"Dobby wishes he could, but he can't! He serves a family, he does, he can't speak against them!" Dobby gasped, then lunged for the wall to punish himself, although Harry stopped him this time.
"Dobby, I'm really thankful for all your worry, but Professor Dumbledore is here, and he's dispatched a squad of Aurors to guard the Hogwarts grounds. I think we're safe."
"Harry Potter is thankful to Dobby!" the elf gushed, now shivering in tears. He gasped once again. "Dobby is called back again by his family, sir! He will come back to Harry Potter again!" and with that, the elf vanished.
"What a strange little guy," Harry said.
Today is the day, Sirius is coming back. He's coming to Hogwarts to see him, no less! Harry hasn't had a wink that night. He was jittery in class too, nearly tripping a cauldron over at Neville. And he finally had it going well with Snape, well, good being a very relative term, after that little escapade with Malfoy.
Professor Lupin had finally set the dueling class officially scheduled, receiving strong support from the staff due to recent events. Some of the aurors will be present at various points to teach or observe the students as well, whenever they are free.
How did that old bastard deploy Aurors so quickly?! What connections did he use? He wasn't this good with the ministry before!? Perhaps being a headmaster... No. It wouldn't be enough. Curse this girl, she's so useless! I need to know more!
Worse, he has increased teacher patrol as well, it seems. There's the portrait problem too... Plus, reinforcing the charms once destroyed to free the beast takes time. I need a turnaround, quickly. He might be onto me already, but I can't tell yet.
"Yes, what do you want, Granger? Awfully rude of you to speak to me so casually..." Malfoy sneered with his usual group. They were in the great hall.
"Draco Malfoy, I challenge you to an official duel," Hermione said curtly, in a loud voice so people could overhear. Before giving him a chance to respond, she turned around and went back to Harry, Ron, and Neville.
Harry was grinning ear to ear. He saw Malfoy whispering something to Nott, as he looked at Lupin who had the faintest trace of a smile on his face. But Minnie wasn't where she was usually, at the teacher's desk. Where on earth could she be? She's the last person to miss her duty. Wait...
But then a hand rubbed his back. "Harry, Sirius wants to say hi. Let's go outside," Minerva said in a cheery voice.
"Huh?!"
