A/N:Hello again everyone. Thank you once more for your continuing support of this story. 68 favorites 121 follows 40 reviews and over 7000 views; Wow. Thanks guys; I guess I'm my own worst critic seeing as you like the story as far, but I'll try to take all your reviews into consideration. That being said, I'll be taking the advice of 'Sfjoellen'. I don't have the time I had before, so this story will now be updated bi-weekly, to accommediate my new schedule. In other than that, the poll is now up on my profile; thank you to those who have voted, and to those who haven't, please do so if you want to see the pairing that you desire (or a pair close to your desire if the girls I listed aren't what you'd choose). This is my shortest chapter, which was done by choice. I decided to cut it here, and have the Final chapter for year one done in one go. I apologize for any grammatical errors, that I may have missed.
Please Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter or anything dealing with its franchise.
Chapter-7
Passing time, Dragons and Detention?
William was packing his bag after the ended of his first Charms class of the new term with the Ravenclaws. He had performed as well as he usually did with the 'minor animation charm', which caused an object to hop and dance around, and spent the rest of his time helping his fellow students at the request of the professor.
"Now, for those who didn't manage the charm, a foot long explanation of how the charm is executed, and practice it until our next session" said Professor Flitwich, as he listened to the groans of his students in reply. As he watched them starting to leave he spoke up again," Ms. Li, Mr. Cunningham, a moment of your time please."
William looked across at Su, and notice that she wasn't at all surprised at being called. He noticed out the corner of his eye, Daphne glancing at him before slowly starting to pack her things. As he got up and approached the diminutive man with Su at his side; Professor Flitwich looked over their heads from the stack of books he stood on, and spoke aloud," Hurry Ms. Greengrass, you wouldn't want to be late for lunch now would you?"
William glanced back and saw that Daphne was still there, seemingly getting up from the floor with a book in hand, and putting it in her bag," You're correct professor." He chuckled internally as she left, and turned back to the professor, however he noticed Su's continued narrow stare at Daphne's back.
When he heard the door finally close, the professor spoke," Good now we can speak, but before we begin," he slashed his wand through the air and William felt the air change, it felt like the air had become heavy and muffled against his ears," A silencing ward. To ensure this conversation stays between us." He answered the unasked question," Now Ms Li, your father has requested a favor from me in aiding you in your preparations for the Dueling Circuit. That was the agreement we had with each other before you came to school. However, it came as a great surprise to me when he recently asked me to do the same for Mr. Cunningham." He finished, looking at the young wizard.
"We used to train with each other after classes' professor." Su spoke softly, gaining the professor's attention," I showed my memory to my father of our sessions, and asked if William could be my partner for the Open Circuit; he agreed."
This was news for William. He hadn't spoken to Su privately yet, but he was happy to hear that he would be given such an opportunity. As he kept his excitement internal, Professor Flitwich spoke joyously," My, the Open Circuit, quite the ambitious endeavor, and as amateurs to boot; my old partner must see something great in the both of you to agree to that. You said you used to train? Why did you stop?" he finished, his expression filled with curiosity.
"We had converted an abandoned class room to a dueling room of sorts, however Headmaster Dumbledore decided to was too dangerous for us to be casting spells without supervision." William spoke up.
The professor nodded his head hearing that, and then asked," Have there been any accidents when you duel each other?"
"No professor," Su spoke softly," we don't use anything that can't be immediately countered or cured, and William is a fast learner, he's now able to cast a healing spell, so we were using class three lethal spells before the Headmaster stopped our sessions."
Professor Flitwich looked impressed at that, and then spoke in his high-pitched voice," Class three you say, hmmm…I can arrange a room for you two to use, and even train on the days I won't be able to give my assistance. You both seem able to handle yourselves without supervision, however I will need to see it for myself before I decide," Flitwich looked at William before he continued," I'm aware of Ms. Li's repertoire from her father, but he told me to ask you in regards to that. May I ask what you are currently able to do, Mr. Cunningham?"
"Are you obligated to inform the other professors about our sessions, professor?" William asked wanting confirmation before he answered; however hearing the professor chuckle came as a surprise to him.
"Ah Slytherins, the House where secrets and plots are the bread and butter that fuels their ambition." Professor Flitwich said as he chuckled. When he finally gained control, he spoke again," Though we professors enjoy talking about our students, gifted or not, we are not obligated to inform each other about specifics, though we tend to do so in order to keep an eye out for troubled or talented students. However, seeing as I will be working as your Dueling Instructor and not a professor, the Headmaster will be given a notification of our sessions, but he will not need to know what is being taught or shown in them."
"And do you mind giving a small confidentiality oath on that professor? Seeing as you would already be volunteered to do so, it wouldn't be any additional burden on you, just making that clause official to help avoid any unnecessary or uncomfortable situations that may or may not arise." William said, and then he frowns apologetically at the Professor," I'm sorry if it sounds like I don't trust you, professor, but as you said…I am a Slytherin."
Professor Flitwich laughed and then spoke," Very well, Mr. Cunningham, very well. Give me some time to inform the Headmaster and find an available room. I'll give you my Oath before you both demonstrate your current skill level. Now, off you go both of you, lunch awaits" he finished, shooing them away.
As William and Su walked the halls, heading in the direction of the Great Hall, Su spoke softly," Now that we have a room, we can finally do those forty extra minutes."
William was silent as he thought back to what she was speaking about until he remembered," I agreed to fifteen extra minutes" he replied with a raised eyebrow.
"A minute for every day I had to wait." Su stated softly.
William, amused, answered her," I knew you were a closet sadist."
"I'm not a Sadist" Su Li said softly and defiantly while looking into William eyes seeing the laughter in them, before she turned away blushing and muttering," I just like…hearing you squeal…"
William's quiet laughter could be heard echoing through the hall.
It had been a week since the start of the term, and his encounter with the mirror and Potter. He was currently sitting in his usual seat in the library with Su sitting close enough that the slightest movement had them brushing each other, and that he particularly mind, and Hermione who sat across from him, with her foot touching his, as she seemed to be researching something with no luck of finding it so far. He was currently reading through old news articles about the Open Circuit that Madam Pince kept in her archive, in preparation of knowing what he training for.
The Open Circuit was the magical equivalent of a mixed martial arts tournament, a gauntlet and a good old fashion Roman coliseum death match. It consisted of competitors going through a maze of obstacles and dark creatures to reach the staging area of their assign match ups; each team was given fifteen minutes to reach the area upon the arrival of their opponent before they are disqualified. It ranged in difficulty as the age groups progressed, but death seem to occur with those of Age…not to say that death didn't happen in the lower groupings. While he was wary of entering such a competition, he couldn't ignore the opportunity to experience the diversity of magicks from all around the world, building a reputation for his House, and the connections…it was a-
"Uuggh!" the sound of a frustrated Hermione interrupted his thoughts. He looked up from the paper and at the girl to see her with her arms folded, glaring at a thick closed book, with a look of betrayal on her face.
"What are you looking for Hermione, perhaps I could be of help?" he said kindly, with a small smile on his face.
Hermione bit her bottom lip as she stared pass him, with a look of deep thought, before she spoke," I'm looking for information on a wizard called Nicholas Flamel."
'Nicholas Flamel?' William thought,' could she be looking him up as a cross reference for something in the Enchanting book I gave her? But I don't see how Alchemy and Enchanting relate. The only thing else he has notoriety for is the creation of the Philosophers' sto-' William eyes visibly widened, causing Su, who was watching him interact with his sister, to worry at his reaction.
"William are you alright?" Hermione spoke, not use to seeing the usually calm and controlled boy, react so strongly.
"I'm fine Hermione. Nicholas Flamel…is accredited for his works in the field of Alchemy; however it was his creation of the Philosophers' Stone that made him stand out from his peers. A stone that is said to be able to transmute any base metal into gold or silver; a stone said to be able to cure any illness or even give the user immortality by way of an elixir that is extracted from the stone; it's even rumored to be able to create flexible glass or even a homunculus." He replied,' Also it's currently sitting two floors down, behind protections that one could easily get pass if they know what they're facing. What the bloody hell is that old man thinking?...He knows who is going after it; He must know at least half the school knows about the Cerberus, so there's an a breach in its protection by the mire fact that students could seek it out, especially wanderlust Gryffindors…but he told them to basically go search for it at the start of the year…if he's not protecting the stone…then he's using it…he's using it as bait maybe?…but for whom…for Voldermort?' he thought.
"Hermione" He said in a serious tone, not realizing his sister had been thanking him profusely, and was in the process of leaving when he spoke," why are you looking him up anyway?"
Hermione bit her lip again, and he could see the debate happening in her eyes, before she spoke hesitantly," I-I really shouldn't say, but…but you did help us find out what he's after."
"Who is 'us' and 'he', Hermione" he said, subconsciously using the same tone he took when he had taught her and the others. This was no time to be subtle with her. His sister was walking blindly into a metaphorical game of chess, chance, and chase between a dangerous madman and a powerful senile old fool.
"Harry-Ronald-and-I-think-Snape's-going-after-what's-on-the-third-floor-and-I-think-its-the-philosophers'-stone" Hermione answered automatically and rapidly at his tone.
William looked at her 'deer-in-the-headlights' look, and felt guilt and a twang of pain in causing her to have it. When he felt Su place her hand on his forearm and squeeze it, he took a deep calming breath and spoke to his nervous sister," I'm sorry, Hermione. I'm just worried for you…and your friends too" he said in an afterthought, before continuing," If what you think is true, and that's a big 'IF'…you three would be facing against a full trained wizard, whose only obstacle standing between him and wealth, power, and immortality, are three nosy kids. It would not end well. Leave whatever is on the third floor up to the Headmaster." He finished.
"I-I'll tell the others…thanks again for your help" Hermione said as she took up her bag, and started to sprint to go find Harry.
After she was gone, Su asked softly, "Are you alright?", looking at him with concern.
William sighed. Given the impulsiveness he witnessed within Potter, and Weasley's naivety; Hermione would be dragged into whatever those two did out of the loyalty she felt for them. It was a matter of when they would go, not if; there also was the fact Quirrell was potential working for Voldemort or himself to get the stone, and then there was the fact that the stone was too good of an opportunity to miss that would benefit his House greatly…William was conflicted. He could have Sashet continue to watch over and protect his sister, which would eliminate the second option of having her watch Quirrell to use his attempt on the stone as a red herring for his own break for the stone, and a cover if he succeeded. Family or House? Shouldn't they be the same?...so why does it feel like they weren't at this moment...
"Family sticks together…no matter what" Su said softly, while she gripped his arm in firm comfort.
"Stop doing that." William said, with no real annoyance in his voice.
"No." Su said softly and plainly with a smile on her face. She could see that he had reached a decision to whatever plan he had in regards to his sister and the stone that he thinks is here.
"Thank you, Su. I wouldn't have come to an answer so quickly without you" he said under his breath.
She smiled at the recognition from him, and then asked," So…Sister or Stone?"
William took a breath and regained control over his barriers, and then gave his reply to her question…
Hermione was still sprinting when she burst through the currently open portrait entrance to the Gryffindor common room, with a couple older students walking out and quickly sidestepping her as she passed them. She scanned the room quickly, and finally found Harry and Ron sitting playing chess, with a smug looking Ron as he looked to be currently winning against Harry.
"Harry…I found…out abo-…about Flamel" Hermione said as she bent over and taking deep gulps of air.
"That's great Hermione; I knew you could do it. What did you find out?" Harry said to her, causing her to feel her cheeks heat up briefly at the praise, before she controlled it with her growing occlumency, and then answered him.
"Nicholas Flamel is accredited for his works in the field of Alchemy; however it was his creation of the Philosophers' Stone that made him stand out from his peers. A stone that is said to be able to transmute any base metal into gold or silver; a stone said to be able to cure any illness or even give the user immortality by way of an elixir that is extracted from the stone; it's even rumored to be able to create flexible glass or even a homunculus." It was word for word what William had told her.
"So you think Snape's after the stone?" Harry asked her in a whisper so they wouldn't be overheard.
"It's the only logical explana-" She replied but was interrupted by Ron.
"Wait a minute, you told the slimy Slytherin about the stone!, Hermione, he'll tell Snape that we know and he'll be watching out for us!" he said angrily out loud.
"Be quiet Ronald!" she hissed out harshly which caused him to stop abruptly," If you had been listening you'd have heard me saying that he was the one who told me about the stone; and he won't tell Snape cause he doesn't really like him either nor does he thinks Snape's after it."
"Did he say that Hermione?" Harry asked curiously.
"No," She said with a frown, before continuing," but he doesn't usually say things openly, so you have to read between the lines; I may not agree with Ronald, but he is right when saying he's a Slytherin. So he's more guarded about what he says than the rest of us… from what I could get out of it, he thinks that someone is after the stone too, but not Professor Snape. He even warn me against going after who is after the stone and to leave it to the Headmaster, and I think we should listen to him Harry. We can't take on a fully trained wizard."
"See Hermione, he just wants you to get us to forget about the stone so he and Snape can get it" Ron said, and she sighed in exasperation. The boy just knew how to instinctively get her so infuriated sometimes.
"No, they're both right Ron." Harry said, causing Ron to look at him in surprise of his siding with Hermione.
"But Harry, imagine if we stopped him by getting the stone first and giving it to Dumbledore. I bet he would let us use it, Hermione even said it could make gold" he said trying to make him see reason.
"Gold isn't worth risking your life for Ronald, let alone all of ours against whatever defenses the Headmaster on the third floor besides the giant three-headed guard dog." Hermione stated, using her occlumency so she wouldn't start yelling at the stupid boy.
"We'll leave the stone to the Headmaster, Ron. As long as he's here; Snape won't be able to get it. Now, how about we play another game of chess..."
"Come Hermione, how are you going to win against her if you don't fight back?" a male voice called out as he watched his sister, and his best friend, to which he would vehemently deny if asked, spar against each other.
The addressed girl panted as she tried to catch her breath, she gave the boy a glare, and then pointed her Vinewood wand at the lithe girl a distance away from her, who was slightly breathing heavily from the continuous casting she did, before she started to launch her offensive," Ictus; Ictus; Incendio" she launched two 'stinging curses' on either side of the girl, and then a 'fire spell' at the girl in hopes that she would shield.
She was disappointed however, as she watched the Asian girl stepped in line of one of the incoming stinging spells; sidestep it, then launched her own counter by casting aloud in her soft voice" Flipendo".
Hermione saw the bright red-yellow spell coming to her and casted," Contego". A round metal shield formed from her wand in front of her, intercepting the spell, however her arm reverberated from the force behind the spell.
"You don't have to block a spell when you can avoid it Hermione." She heard the boy watching the spar say as the girl continued to cast the same spell at her waning shield and magic. Having had enough, she moved out of the way of the next volley that would've gotten through her defense, and started casting again," Immobulus; Expelliarmus; Incarcerous; Stupefy" . She then watched as the nimble girl moved out the way of the two transparent spells; burnt the fast approaching conjured rope; and stood in place as the red bolt was slightly off aim. Going for broke, she took aim and casted," Reducto". She saw the surprise in the girl's eyes, however it was once again rebuffed as the girl stepped away from the incoming spell. Hermione sighed at that and called out," I yield".
"'The Duelist's Hello', and a Fourth year spell; someone's been reading ahead. Well done Hermione, you certainly are a fast learner. What do you think Su?" the boy said, internally feeling proud of his sister and her performance.
"She did well and is learning fast…maybe it's in her blood" Su quipped.
William chose to ignore the comment and helped his sister up as she caught her breath. It was currently the ended of April, and the pass four months had been quiet, well…as quiet as a castle with hundreds of teens could get. William had Sashet with Hermione full time now, and though his ability to keep tabs on Dumbledore and other potential threats was now non-existent; he had survived thus far. His and Su's training with the professor had been progressing smoothly; the small man had been overjoyed at their display of skill, and was bouncing in glee when he showed his wandless and water manipulation abilities; after getting an oath of course. The professor had them work together; with William, given his innate talent for transfiguration, had him working with a defensive-counter offensive style of dueling, where he would harass the enemy and provide distractions and cover for Su, who he had take on an aggressive-suppressive style, in which she was to use her spells to keep the enemy on the defensive and reactive. It suited them just fine and they slipped into their roles quickly; however that hardly helped when they dueled against the small professor. He was fast, acrobatic, and deadly with his chains and repertoire. He had taken simple spells, like the 'cheering charm', 'cracker jinx' and the 'wand-lighting charm'; to interrupt, distract, and blind them, then attacked with such fierceness, the duel was finish before it started. It certainly was a learning experience, and an eye-opener to the opposition he would face, both in the Circuit and in Dumbledore.
In the Snake pit, he had been forced to play nice with 'Lord' Malfoy, who had demanded a Lord Chamber for him and his fiancée from Dumbledore, which was in his rights, and had taken to flaunt his new power among his peers, and going as far as threaten to," bring down the might of his House", on any who opposed him. Given his current position as, the 'talented mudblood', the respect he had gain in the House was strong enough that he didn't face open attacks; it was, however, nowhere near enough clout to openly oppose a 'Lord', and not face repercussions, both in the House and in the Wizarding Britian as a whole. With the bias against, 'his kind', he wouldn't be surprised if he was faced with time in Azkaban on trumped-up charges. In other matters, He had taken to both spending time with Daphne's group, and using her to get information on Dumbledore; things ranging from records of his family, his time in school, grades, friends, his brief time touring the world and a small list of people known to be part of his…'bird-watching club'. It wasn't much, but he was starting to create a picture of the man.
In his personal life, puberty was a pain. His voice fluctuated frequently when he talked, and he becoming very much aware of the female form. His dreams were becoming more frequent, and featured Su more and more as they spent time together. He had trouble concentrating one time when they had a spar over the weekend, and Su had came in wearing knee-length black tights. That day he realized just how flexible the girl really was, as he watched her stretch. Besides his growing hormones, He had taken to giving Nymeria short summaries of his time at Hogwarts to appease the woman, and in return, she held true to their deal and had given him progress reports on the 'business'. It was a small risk that could cause his plans to be known before he was ready, but she was vague and it was worth it; especially when she sent a copy of the blueprints for his Hold. It was an estimated six thousand hectares in diameter, with it then cut into thirteen sectors, which was estimated to House over three thousand homes, with a large section in the center of the blueprint designated as 'Cunningham Castle'; Nymeria's use of humour in creating thirteen sectors was not lost on him. The architect seemed have had it created to make it suit modern standards, and had the blueprint designed for an Urban community; which suited him fine, but he had plans in making his Hold as self sufficient as possible. So he used his wand, and colored two sectors on opposing sides in yellow to indicate agriculture areas, and he did the same in coloring areas between each sector in green, to indicate parks. While it would cut the amount of housing available, having areas where people could relax would benefit morale in the long run. With that done, he sent her back the copy, along with a note for her to start scouting areas that passed his criteria list. In regards to his sister, with the present threat that she would possibly face in the future, he started training her ahead of what he planned, after Flitwich had secured them a room. It had taken a bit of convincing on his part so that she didn't invite Potter and Weasley, which allowed them to train alone, and with her occlumency strong enough; he had started to teach her a few of the spells and dueling techniques found in their Family's grimoire. Though the spells and styles were tailored for him, he was teaching her that and the same basics Su had beaten into him, until the planned time he told her about her heritage, and found tomes with spells that suited his budding enchantress of a sister.
"What time is it" Hermione said, breaking him out of his musing. With a flick of his wand, it showed that it was minutes to curfew."Oh! I have to run! When will our next session be, William?"
He looked at the visibly excited girl curiously, and then spoke," Same time next week I suppose."
"Alright" she answered, and with that ran out the room.
"I wonder what that was about" he heard Su speak softly, as she walked away from him, only to turn when she reached a distance with her Cedar wand at the ready.
"Best two of three?" He asked as his hybrid wand of Ebony, Blackthorn and Red Oak appeared to shoot into existence from his forearm, and he caught it with practiced ease.
"What does the winner get?" Su asked softly.
"Anything." He answered plainly.
"A kiss" Su said softly, fighting the blush that threatens to show on her face.
"A what? Why?" William said, caught flatfooted. That wasn't what he expected her to ask for at all.
"I'm curious about it…and I want to try it" Su said softly, the blush now visible on her face.
"Sure" William replied, blushing lightly himself.
They waited for some unknown signal; then the room was suddenly filled with creatures, flames, and the explosion of spells colliding with various objects. Both internally not minding if they lost this time around.
Elsewhere in the castle down by the entrance hall, stood two individuals, invisible to anyone who would happen to walk by, as they waited for their other companion.
"Where is she Harry, I don't want to miss seeing whatever Hagrid wants to show us" one of them spoke.
"She'll be here in a minute Ron, she said she wanted to study some more in the library." Harry answered. While he had taken to studying with Hermione; the girl had a drive like nothing else and had already started studying for the End of year exams weeks ago, while encouraging both him and Ron to do the same. Though she started to leave them to their devices while she went on to study by herself, she would nag them every now and then to study.
"There she is now" he heard Ron say beside him. He looked at the girl as she approached the door, looking around the empty space, and as she drew closer, he noticed she sported a light sheen of sweat, probably from the run to get down from the library. He lifted the cloak he and Ron were under so that she could see their feet and spoke.
"Hermione, over here" he said in a loud whisper. The addressed girl heard him and quickly ran to them and under the cloak.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry; I almost lost track of time" She said to them, as they adjusted to fit her between them.
"How can you lose track of time reading a text book, it bloody stops moving as soon as you pick one up" Ron spoke.
"Language Ronald," Hermione admonished him before continuing," And if you picked one up for more than five minutes, you'd know what I'm talking about"
Wanting to stop the argument that would surely start Harry spoke up," Let's hurry up and go, Hagrid is waiting for us".
They started their way in short order towards the hut that housed the gentle giant. As they stopped in front of the door, Harry took the cloak off them all and knocked twice, and they heard loud movements from the other side of it, before the opened wide, showing the large, tall bearded groundskeeper.
"'Arry, Ron, 'Ermione, you all made it just in time. Come in, come in" Hagrid spoke in this kind, but loud voice as he stepped to the side and waved the three in.
"We wouldn't miss…whatever it is, for the world, Hagrid" Harry said kind as he walked in and took a seat in one of the large chairs around an equally large table. The hut was a clottered of various pieces of furniture, but mainly was home to various furs and hairs from different creatures.
"Hagrid, what kind of egg is that?" He heard Hermione say, as he looked in the direction she was point at, and saw a large egg, slightly bigger than the pictures he'd seen of ostrich eggs, that was sit in a cauldron of boiling water. It was of a dark brown color with blurs of black in various areas.
"Merlin! Hagrid, that's a dragon eggs isn't it" Ron said, his face filled with awe. "My brother Charlie works with them on a reserve, and it looks like one of the pictures he sent us."
"Your right 'bout that Ron, this 'eres a dragon egg I won it off a stranger down by the pub in 'ogsmead". Hagrid said as he put on a pair of large oven mitts, and took the egg out of the water, hissing slightly in pain, and placed it in the center of the table.
He knew from the look Hermione gave him, that she arrived at the same answer,' what were the chances of some just happening to have a dragon egg to offer the man who loved dangerous creatures', " Hagrid…" Hermione said cautiously," did the stranger ask you anything?"
"Well, o' course 'e did. Asked me what kind o' creatures, I liked; 'Old 'im the scarier the better. Then 'e asked me 'ow I 'andle them; and I 'old 'im there's a simple trick to it, you just gotta know what they like. Take Fluffy for instance, play a little music for 'im, and it puts the great brute right to sleep" he answered happily.
While both he and Hermione were godsmack by the fact the large man told them and potentially a stranger how to get by the stone's protection, they heard a series of cracking sounds and looked down at the egg to see it opening to reveal a small baby dragon." Look at that, that there's a Norwegian Ridgeback." Hagrid said, and watched as the dragon turned to him at the sound of his voice," look at that, 'e already knows 'is mummy. I think I'll call 'im Nobert; 'ello Nobert" he said, while playing with the little dragon.
"Hagrid, you can't be thinking of keeping…Nobert, are you" Harry asked.
"Well o' course I'm keeping 'im" Hagrid answered.
"But you can't Hagrid, you live in a wooden house on the grounds of a school filled with children. You could get into trouble if someone found out." Hermione said, trying to convince the man.
"Not to mention it's against our laws," said Ron. "Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' convention of 1709, everyone knows that." It took the three of them the better part of an hour to convince the large man that he couldn't keep the dragon, and he finally agreed, the stated he would inform the Headmaster instead of Ron's original idea of writing to his brother.
As the three of them walked back under the cloak, Harry spoke up," You know what this means right; Snape now knows how to get pass Fluffy. He can get the stone."
"Harry, we don't know that he was the stranger; it could literally be anyone. Why the Headmaster would trust Hagrid with something so important, I'll never know." Hermione argued against his point.
"Oh get off it Hermione. Merlin knows you're only defending Snape because of your boyfriend is in his House." Ron said.
"William has nothing to do with this Ron" she replied indignantly, and then continued with a blush that they couldn't see in the dark night," And he isn't my boyfriend. I'm just saying we can't blame Professor Snape because he's the only one we think is after the stone; there could be others, it is famous after all."
"All the more reason we should get it to Dumbledore" Ron argued.
"Who do you think put the stone on the third floor in the first place, Ronald." She replied while sighing and rolling her eyes," William is right. We just need to leave it to the Headmaster. As long as he's here, the stone will be safe." She finished, ending the argument.
Harry listened to both his friends as they argued, and realized that Hermione was right. Snape hadn't tried anything until Dumbledore was distracted by the Troll on Halloween. As long as he's here, the stone would be safe.
A month passed by quickly and all the students could feel the pressure of the Final Exams looming over them as it drew closer. Harry was walking out of Transfiguration class with Ron, and was heading to lunch. Hermione had taken to disappearing a lot recently, sometimes till after curfew on some days. She said she was spending her time studying and practicing spells for the exam. And while he did join her on occasion, he spent most of his time with Ron.
As they approached the Great Hall, his musing was interrupted as he felt himself being shoved roughly to the said," Move out of the way of your betters, Potty". He heard a pompous voice say.
"I will when I see one Malfoy" he replied. He noticed the other Gryffindors and Slytherins watching the confrontation, and it was growing into a crowd as the other first years of the other houses came inside from their Herbology class. In the crowd, he noticed Hermione's friend, William, watching with a calm expression on his face next to the group of Slytherins that usually stayed away from Malfoy.
"You will address me with my title, Potter, or you could face the consequences" Malfoy said as he took out his wand. While his two bodyguards follow suit.
"Which one? ,'Malfoy-The Slimy Git', 'Malfoy-The Pompous Prat' or 'Malfoy- Wait Till My Father Hears About This'" Harry asked with sarcasm in his voice, while he held his wand in hand. Out the corner of his eye, he notice Ron had done the same.
That comment seemed to make Malfoy snapped," Diffindo" he casted. Harry reacted instinctively, and dived to the right, away from Ron and watched as the spell sailed pass where his chest had been and towards the crowd, heading to a Ravenclaw girl that looked like Parvati, but was intercepted by a translucent blue shield. Before he could look for whom casted it, the crowd started to move for cover, and he heard Malfoy cast the same spell from behind him. He reacted and rolled to the side, making the light-blue charm splash against the stone floor, hardly leaving a mark.
He got up and noticed that Ron was down with Goyle on top of him, punching him in the face, he was about to cast a spell when he heard a stuttering voice say, "F-flipendo". The spell hit Goyle, and had him flying head over heels off of Ron. He looked, and saw shy Neville with his wand out and looking wide eyed at what he had just done.
"Diffindo; Diffindo" Harry heard two different voice casting from behind him, but then he heard a familiar voice shout, "Contego". He heard a gong like sound, and turned to see a metal shield had blocked the spells, and then looked up to where the voice came from at the staircase and saw Hermione running down it towards him, with her wand pointed at him.
"Harry, Focus!" she said as she drew level with him, face against Malfoy and Crabbe. He nodded and cast as she did,"Defodio; Immobulus". Harry had cast the first spell that came to find…the 'gouging spell' he had used on the Troll, and watched in shocked amazement as it blasted a huge chunk off Crabbe's left shoulder, causing the boy to howl in pain. While Hermione's powerful 'Freezing charm' hit Malfoy right at the bridge between his eyes.
"Aaaaah!, You mudblood bitch; you'll pay for that." He said in a muffled voice from the ground he fell face first on.
"Draco!, why you little mudblood,' Confractus!'" Harry heard the high-pitched voice of Pansy casting. A poisonous purple looking spell sailed through the air towards them, however it was intercepted by a flock of hummingbirds that continued their flight towards the girl, and started attacking her briefly, before they vanished.
"That's quite enough. Ms. Parkinson" Harry heard a cold voice say, as the air became increasingly colder. He turned to see William giving Pansy a calm stare, but held a sense of promised pain if she casted again.
"Yes. I must agree with Mr. Cunningham. That is quite enough" harry turned and saw the figure of Headmaster Dumbledore standing at the top of the staircase with Snape, who rushed to the bleeding Crabbe and started to heal his shoulder; Harry also noted that the air was no longer bitingly cold. "Explain." He demanded those present while his eyes bore into Harry's, seemingly looking through him, and then they held a disappointed look, which cause Harry to look down at the ground.
"It was Potter sir, he started it. He insulted Lord Malfoy's honor. When Malfoy started to honor duel him, they were interrupted by the Mud-I mean, Granger, sir. So Pansy came to the defense of her fiancé." Harry turned and looked at Nott, as he stood at the doors to the Great Hall. He wasn't sure, but it felt…rehearsed, to him.
"I see…I will have to-" the Headmaster said with a twinkle in his eye, however he was interrupted by William.
"Professor, while it is true that Lord Malfoy, is within his written rights to demand a duel, there was no oral challenge to claim it as such nor was there an official impartial judge for the challenge, therefore it was nothing but a school yard brawl between two well known rivals. This does no need to leave your scope of authority." He stated, stepping forward while looking at the Headmaster.
Harry could see Dumbledore's eyes twinkle again as he stared at William, however his attention was taken by the sound of Snape's monotone voice," Mr. Cunningham, coming to the defense of Gryffindors after they attacked your fellow Housemates?".
"No Professor Snape, just fellow muggle-raised who should be aware by now of the potential scope of the situation they could have been dragged into." Harry heard William say, but he wasn't looking at the Snape, but at him and Hermione. Said girl fidgeted slightly under the stare he gave them, but he heard him continue," then again, it really should be up to the educational system, to inform us about the customs in the wizarding world. Right, Headmaster."
"Food for thought for the future," Harry heard Dumbledore say to William, then he turned to him," Taking into consideration Mr. Cunningham's account, you will not have to face any serious charges, Ms. Granger." Harry noticed Hermione give a sigh of relief as Dumbledore continued," However, I will have to take fifty points from you, harry, and Mr. Longbottom for instigating, aiding and abetting a fight, and dueling in the hall. The three of you will sever detention tomorrow night with Hagrid,"
"But Professor, Neville didn't-"Hermione started, however she was interrupted by the Headmaster raising hand, palm facing her, and him saying.
"While I commend your actions in helping a friend, Ms. Granger, one must always take the repercussions of one's action into consideration. He will also be serving detention with you two" He then turned and looked at Harry, and continued in a sad grandfatherly tone," Harry my boy…I'm very disappointed in you. To use such a dark curse…where could you have learnt such as spell?" Harry glanced at the sheepish and reprimanded looking Hermione, then at William, only to see the boy gesturing at himself, and he spoke," William taught me a few spells once, Headmaster Dumbledore."
"Its true professor, I did teach him. However, I wouldn't call that dark. After all, there is no light or dark magic, only Intent and the will to use it." William stated, causing the Headmaster to turn sharply at the boy, and they stared at each other.
It lasted for a second or so before the Headmaster cleared his throat and spoke," Now that the commotion has ended, all of you to lunch. Chop chop". He then turned and walked back up the staircase briskly.
Harry saw Snape sneering at him, as he levitated both Crabbe and Goyle behind up the stairs, with the now mobile Malfoy walking in his wake. As the other first years begin to mutter and gossip, he looked around and noticed Ron sitting at the side wiping the blood off his face, while Neville stood seemingly talking to him, and Hermione approaching William. As he drew near them, he heard William saying to her,"-ffindorish Hermione. You read what a 'Lord' is and entitled to in this world, and where they see us in it."
"You can't expect me to have let me curse Harry in the back like that" she said defiantly.
"If Potter wants to turn his back to an opponent that is his prerogative." He said.
"Thanks anyways for the help Hermione…you too William" Harry said, as he stood beside Hermione.
"I didn't do it for you, Mr. Potter. It was to keep Hermione safe…tell him, what would have happened if I allowed Dumbledore to finish with only Nott's side of things, Hermione" He said calmly, while staring at Harry.
Harry looked at the fidgeting girl, as she spoke, "Honor duels are one the legal rights of a Lord to demand satisfaction should either their Family name or person is disparaged against. Because it is a legal issue, a party interrupting one can be charged; I could have faced being fined a sum of one hundred galleons to a year sentence in Azaban."
"You-you can't be serious!" Harry said surprised.
"That is the world you now live in, it would be wise to learn about it, and your History, before you act like a Gryffindor. Just be glad that all she got was the lost of a few points and detention, Mr. Potter." William said, as he turned and walked into the now steadying filling Great Hall.
As Harry entered with his friends, they passed the hourglass showing the points held, by each house. The once leading Gryffindors were now third in the running, and he could feel the glares from his House mates as they learnt the cause of the huge loss as the gossip spread. Compared to what could've happened to Hermione; Harry was indeed glad, that it was just a few house points, despite now being the pariah of his house.
And there you have it. I had intended to have the trip to the forest as apart of this chapter, so forgive the sudden end. Wasn't entirely happy with this chapter, but let me know what you think, yeah?
- In regards to William's 'OP'ness lol...It is intentional. I want to make him the 'big fish in a little pond' for my future plot to have some validity; a reason why he will be a pain for Voldemort, and why Dumbledore sees him as a future threat. Will he be above his peers? yes, but as I explained, it wasn't due to any sudden spider bites or time travel, but self-preservation and a desire to improve from a young age, and have the power to defend himself, and those he holds himself responsible for.
-Is William taking Harry's place against fighting Voldemort? No, I have no such thoughts in doing so. But this will be AU, so expect differences. Hell I killed Malfoy two chapters back, if that didn't scream change to you, I don't know what will? What, you want me to get on of the girls pregnant or something?...hmmmm...
-Cutting before I finished the fight between Su and William, and the result of whether or not she got that kiss? I did that because...I just could. lol no, serious though, I wanted to show progression in their relationship, but make it kind of like when we were all young, and snuck behind the house or what not with our crush and kissed them. So I made it happen off scene...trying to go for that kind of thing. Did it work?
-Fights? when I write them, they seem longer than when I actually read them back, so in the future I'll drag them out a bit more.
Please Review and let me know your thoughts. Till next time