Chapter 18- Trouble for the Dunderheads

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Disclaimer:

All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners i.e. J.K. Rawlings, etc. the original characters and plot are the property of their author i.e. J.K. Rawlings, etc. this work is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Not for sale or profit but at least I can give it away, maybe?

Dumbledore erected stadium style seating on either side of the hall and then pushed push back all the tables. After erecting shields to protect everyone he sent in Flitwik to referee.

Flittwick said go and the duel was on.

Snape must've decided to end the duel quickly with me splattered all over the hall. Snape using common dueling techniques was expected after our first meeting in the common room, it was the curses that weren't funny. What one usually does is send one curse straight at you that is strong enough to disable a shield but another curse to the side they figure you will jump to and a third curse to the opposite side. That way anything you do has a good chance of knocking your socks off. If these can be chain spelled so much the better. He sent a 'Confringo' down the middle, a 'Sectumsempra' to my right and a 'Reducto' to my left. With a leapt to my left I sent a loud 'Stupify'. I was counting on Snape not expecting that I knew many spells or that I could cast them silently and of course still being on my feet after his initial barrage. After firing off the spell I made sure that I fell to the floor so that the 'Reducto' went through where I should have been standing and not where I am laying. My next spell was silent, 'Detestari et reverti' was more of a shield and was awaiting Snape's next curse.

In theory all that Snape needed to send was a 'Stupefy' to end the duel but after his previous curses I was really doubted the idiot would do anything that mundane. Snape immediately sent 'Diffindo' and 'Sectumsempra' to where I lay, apparently vulnerable to any spell or curse. The curses hit my invisible spell and reverted back to sender. Snape got to throw up a partial shield but it quickly collapsed allowing both of his own curses to striking. His wand arm was severely cut while the rest of Snape look like freshly ground hamburger as blood poured onto the stone floor. Snape's hate had intensified his curses, he got what he sent.

A simple 'Stupefy' insured that the duel was finished.

I bowed to professor Fitwick and return to the Slytherin table and Daphne. I received a number of death's stares from the Slytherin students as Madam Pomfrey rushed to Snape waving her wand, Snape would probably survive.

"Harry are you okay."

"Not to worry Daphne he never touched me."

"Very impressive for a first year, very impressive. You have to excuse me I need to have a word to your headmaster. I was not impressed with Snape's choice of spells on a first year. Before I go have you heard anyone being referred to as The Golden Trio?"

We just shook our head's as it appeared that once again nothing was going to be done. As Madam Bones headed off I heard, "What a loser! Neville could've finished them off in two seconds, isn't that right Neville?"

I could care less what Ron said, I was waiting on what Neville would say.

"You damn right Ron, Dumbledore's been showing me some awesome curses over the summer. Snape would be no problem at all."

The next piece a conversation I picked up on from the other redhead almost made me laugh out loud, "Oh! Neville you are just so brave."

/Scene Break/

Breakfast the next morning was interrupted as the Daily Profit was delivered. Rita Skeeter had done a job on Snape and Dumbledore. The article went on to say that the DMLE representative gave Dumbledore hell about the duel and over the trauma to the poor little first year. I was ever so glad that she did not use my name, all of the wizard out there where not that slow. Here at Hogwarts I was Mr. Slytherin in House Slytherin, end of thought. Even the Professors hadn't translated my full name. (BooBo time! Was trying for Dutch "The Spy/The Sneak but apparently de spion and DeSpion mean different things, sorry)

Daphne and I argued over what to do on Thanksgiving with Hermione and the troll. That part of history played out in the charms classroom once again between Ron and Hermione. Daphne went in the bathroom and drag out Hermione. Then we both drag her to our quarters and ensured she stayed there. We would sneak her back under the invisibility cloak later in the evening.

The next morning at breakfast Daphne and Tracy were snickering over the rumor mill current speculations which could only be total fantasy. Daphne's informant for the current and up-to-date news flashes, hot from the rumor mill, was Tracy.

My attention was drawn from my banger and eggs to their whispering, "That's the reason they are not here, it's because The Golden Trio… I heard… Giggle, giggle."

"What are you two giggling at?"

"Hush you, Tracy please continue." Daphne giggled.

"The reason their not here is because they're in the hospital wing. It seems that Dumbledore's great spells, you know the ones he's been teaching Neville, well they just bounced off the Troll's hide. So Neville, Ron and Gin-Gin, as she likes to be called by Neville, got the holy tar beat out of them. They say they don't have a bone that's not broken. And you got to see what the troll did to the trophy room earlier that night.

The next thing that happened was the arrival of the owl with the Daily Profits with bold headlines over the Troll and the injured students. The next thing that happened was the arrival of the Minister of Magic, Madam Bones and about ten Aurors. The Minister was yelling before he even got in the door...

"Dumbledore what the hell do you have on the third floor?" It looked like someone had learned to read.

The next thing that happened was the Aurors fired off half a dozen stunners at Quirrell who had stood up and drawn his wand. As Quirrell fell to the floor a growl was heard as a large black cloud drifted from his turban. The black cloud formed into a human shape and made a beeline out of the Great Hall. This day kept the rumor mill humming for the rest of the school year.

/Scene Break/

The Christmas break was fabulous at the Greengrass house but soon there was school once more. Before we knew it was end of year testing and the Hogwarts express and summer break. Daphne's parents had pretty much thrown up their hands into the air when it came to the two of us and zeroed in on their youngest daughter. We were kids so we took advantage of the pools and amusement parks and the ice cream parlors during the break. It didn't hurt that we had the phoenix air service for instant transportation. Since the traces on Daphne wand by the Ministry had long expired and I never had any, she practiced her spells and dueling usually with me being the practice dummy. Both Daphne and I had fabulous birthday parties but soon we had to discuss the Chamber of Secrets and our return to Hogwarts. We decided on another letter as a start.

To whom it may concern;

You're really going to enjoy this year. We think we can take care the Basslick that will be roaming the halls of Hogwarts so that should stop students from being petrified or killed. However I would highly recommend you're intercepting Geneva Weasley on the train to Hogwarts and a diary belonging to T M Riddle. You may also want to ask Dumbledore the correlation between the diary and a Horcrux. Good luck you'all.

The Golden Trio

P. S. Regardless how Dumbledore misdirection you, ask him if he remembers Voldemort aka T.M. Riddle and the number seven!

/Scene Break/

This time Daphne did not comment on arriving early for the Hogwarts express. We got a compartment with a good view of the platform.

"So do you think they will take the letter seriously this time" We had covered this ground many times before.

"If it requires action they will probably send in Percy Weasley to talk them to death. I can almost hear him now quoting some obscure Ministry regulation over dangerous magical creatures. Whoops! I'm wrong here come the Aurors!"

When the Longbottom entourage arrived on the platform they were greeted by about ten Aurors. Another ten Aurors were stationed on either end of the platform. There were also two oddly dressed and hooded men who the Aurors seem to defer to in the confrontation. Gin-Gin apparently objected causing Molly Weasley to engage her mouth. Ron was yelling that they couldn't do this to 'The Chosen Ones' girlfriend. The twins backed off from the luggage as the Aurors surrounded the carts. Each trunk was seized by an Auror and opened for searching. One of the Aurors found the diary in Gin-Gin's tote bag. As the Auror yelled" I've got it". One of the Aurors got distracted with his trunk searching and it spilled off the cart and onto the platform. The twins Fireworks took off in all directions causing Molly Weasley to scream louder then the noise made by the fireworks. Meanwhile the diary was handed to one of the hooded men who gave a thumbs up. At that point the entire Longbottom entourage was stunned, including Molly Weasley and the Aurors started carting them off. One of the hooded men now had the diary levitated into a odd looking box, he also departed. It was an overall good view from the train for everybody that was watching but not those on the platform. As the train departed the platform without Longbottom entourage, we laughed ourselves silly.

"Harry was that not a little bit excessive force being used?" Daphne choked out in between giggles.

"Daphne I think our magnificent and knowledgeable Dumbledore may have been covering up Horcruxes for his own manipulative ends. I think a letter we sent out was read by or sent to somebody who knew what a Horcrux is, AND that's why they use excessive force. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Dumbledore is not in a whole pile Dragon dung."

"You know Harry with the rumor mill is calling Longbottom's entourage the Golden Trio I wouldn't doubt that those three are in for a long bit of questioning at the Ministry."

I scribbled a note and called Hedwig who flamed in with a cranky chirp. "Please take this to Ragnot."

"So what's in the note?"

"Since they acted on our letter I'm confirming his representative will be met this weekend by me, as we previously arranged. His rep will have a portkey so they can bring a small army into the Chamber of Secrets to kill and harvest the basilisk."

"You two ever agree on a price or percentage?"

"Naw, he's going to lose some of his people so I told him he can have the whole thing just get it out of Hogwarts."

/Scene Break/

It was quite an interesting welcoming feast as Dumbledore was gone and so was the Longbottom entourage.

However, what was there was the blonde egotist Lockhart. We had forgot about him or we would have included him in our letters. Our trunk had numerous books from our last life so we had little reason to shop for school books or pay attention to the reading list provided by Hogwarts.

A couple of days later while Daphne and I were sitting by the lake watching the squid snatched toast out of the air that was thrown by some third years…

"Harry, we the Weasley twins…"

"Would like a favor from you…"

"We know that Ron is a bit of a bother…"

"And Longbottom has his head in the clouds…"

"Because Dumbledore is up to something…"

"We were wondering if you could tell us what's going on."

I didn't know what the Weasley twins were up to so I Phoenix spoke to Daphne, "Shall we give them a bit of their own medicine my dear?"…"

"I'll start Harry."

"Might I ask what you're looking for…"

"And what might it be in it…"

"For us two insignificant gods."

"Merlin George were in trouble they can twins speak…"

"So Fred will conduct our negotiations."

"Harry in many ways our family is not wrapped too tight. We have a mother who is pushing Gin-Gin to marry Longbottom for his money. Gin-Gin wants to marry Longbottom only because he's The-Boy-Who-Lived. Ron wants attention so bad he will kiss anybody's posterior and currently thats Longbottom's. We truly believe Longbottom is full of himself and he's more of a squib than a hero."

"Fred and George I don't disagree with you but why are you approaching us?"

"Honestly we want to escape and be our own men but without some outside help were doomed. Father will get us a job at the Ministry at paltry wages but we want to open our own business and make some real money. We've been asking ourselves why Dumbledore has been training Longbottom. We figure this is going to be a one on one fight between Longbottom and a significant somebody. How are we going to open a business and survive if two factions are fighting each other. That brings us to our mother who is slightly overbearing and is demanding we go to work for the Ministry at paltry wages. A break with the family must be worth our while. Regardless whether this makes any sense we would like some information and our instincts say that you Lord Slytherin/The Sneak, Harold can give us information so we can avoid or overcome this whole mess that lies ahead."

Using Phoenix mine speech again, "Daphne think we should scare them a little bit they seem honest enough." Daphne just nodded her head.

"Guys, should I be a wagering man, I would look to the black smoke that left Quirrell when he was stunned by the Aurors. I would wager that Quirrell was possessed by somebody trying to come back. Now who in recent history would be trying to come back that would upset Dumbledore?"

"Not him!" said both twins simultaneously.

"Yes, I would wager it would be Voldemort." I tried to keep us stoic face as they reacted.

"Let us get back to you Harry, we need to think about this."

/Scene Break/

The year was quiet and was smoothly rolling along when the idiot Lockhart decided to start a dueling club. The idiot couldn't just operate an incompetent club approved by Dumbledore he had to bring in Snape and Flitwick.

Of course I could also be classified as idiot for showing up out of curiosity. It was their first day and the idiot Lockhart got maneuvered by Snape into using me. Lockhart was running his mouth and trying to look pretty and have Longbottom and myself in a dueling match.

Yes I knew it was stupid but I am nowhere close to being Saint Potter. Between the Longbottom entourage taunts and Snape's insults how could a friendly duel between Longbottom and myself be much of a problem, advanced yes, a problem no. Until Snape suddenly made it a formal duel with with no restrictions and…

"I'm not sanctioning any part of this! Get your own referee I'm going to get Dumbledore!" Flitwick stormed out of the room.

I could see his logic. Flitwick surely knew of the advanced training of spells that Dumbledore was giving to Longbottom. It should be obvious that somebody could get seriously hurt.

"As an important member of the Defense league I will assumed the position of impartial referee. " Lockhart proclaimed as he pranced around the stage.

"I will course be Longbottom's second." Snape sneered.

That meant with Snape as Longbottom's second…That meant if I beat Longbottom… I had a fight Snape. Yep, I'm stupid.

"I'll be acting as Lord Slytherin's second." Daphne growled. I was sure that she knew this was a set-up, but...

"The combatants have taken their positions. Are the parties ready? G0!" Lockhart was oblivious to what was really going on.

From the first spell I recognize the Phoenix library. While they were properly executed I noticed the lack of power. I had yet to do anything except dodge, sway or jump over the spells.

"Come on and fight you slimy, yellow, Slytherin snake." Was Longbottom's first and last comment. I sent a 'Bombarda'. Neville erected a shield only to have my curse blew him and his pathetic shield off the dueling platform. Snape was all sneers as he took Longbottom's place. I was wondering how masochistic Snape really was? This was to be our third encounter.

Lockhart had barely said, "GO" and I was on the receiving end of a dozen deadly and dark curses. Snape was good at what he did but he had not mastered one area that I had. I was able to throw curses through my focus ring and my wand simultaneously. This could be the same curse or two different curses. Mostly I was hopping, skipping and otherwise evading the plethora of curses he was throwing. On some of the really nasty curses I had to use the shield 'Protego totalum' but I quickly dropped it in favor of moving from the next curse's path. My focus ring was working to send 'Signatum est revertere im malum dolor non est alius'. It was a long spell and was interrupted many times by Snape's bombardment but finally I was able to send it and it connected, right through his shield.

Snape collapsed to the floor screaming in a fetal position. I was trying to basically relax and calm the adrenaline that was pumping in my system. Even though I was watching Snape twisting and screaming on the floor my entire body and system was still on high alert as I stood over Snape attempting to safely get to his wand, which he was laying on. The crashing open of the door and the red spell or curse that was cast made me automatically react. I think the phoenixes were right in that I'm not a killer nor do I enjoy inflicting pain, so the spell I sent to the new threat was not lethal.

Dumbledore's eyes widened as he recognized a Phoenix library spell but it was too late. Dumbledore was blasted backwards with a disarming spell as his wand flew toward his assailant, me. Dumbledore had just lost "The Wand of Destiny".

As I levitated Snape with my focus ring so I could 'Accio' his wand with mine Daphne entered my mind with a comment, "And you wanted to keep a low profile? Do you realize that you just blasted the great, invincible Dumbledore onto his scrawny butt?"

The adrenaline left and I fell to the floor laughing my ass off. I finally got up, stuffed Dumbledore's wand in my back pocket, threw Snape's wand at Lockhart and headed toward Daphne. I got surrounded by powerful arms in a hug and met some sweet lips on mine.

"Might it be a problem for me to ask for my wand back Lord Slytherin?"

I stepped back from Daphne, "Not at all old boy, here you go." I tossed Dumbledore what used to be his wand back to him. I know the allegiance had been transferred, at least that's one wand that could not be used against me.

/Scene Break/

The rest of the year was totally boring as far as school went. We arranged with the goblins to have our NEWT testing done at the bank during the summer. Longbottom's entourage of course had returned to school. Weasleys running of the mouth had intensified but we continue to ignore it, him and them.

/Scene Break/

Before we knew it all of the summer fun and amusement parks were gone, our NEWTs were done and were again sitting in a compartment on the Hogwarts express watching the platform. This was turning out to be quite boring start to the year. Nothing happened.

Tracy entered the compartment dragging along Hermione and Luna Lovegood. Then to our surprise Susan Bones entered dragging Hannah Abbott.

Do you mind if we join you? Harrah asked,which was okayed by Daphne.

Now not trying to be a male chauvinist pig but only a male can understand being in a compartment filled with gossiping females. I found not much of interest but the chatter continued on until Luna had a comment. "Harry, how are you going to respond to all of your relatives this year?"

"Luna the only relatives I have are the Greengrasses and I know of no need to respond to them."

Susan Bones piped in about that time, "You're lucky Harry. My Auntie was complaining the other day about all of Harry Potter's relatives crawling out of the woodwork trying to get a hold of his fortune. It's causing Auntie a whole bunch of problems."

I looked to Daphne and she nodded. A Little bit later we excused our selves and moments later flashed to Gringotts.

"Ragnot what's this about my relatives try to confiscate my property?"

"While nobody has ever found a body Dumbledore has stated to some of your relatives that he can produce somebody that can testify as to your death."

"That interfering lousy jerk! How much is he trying to get out of the situation?" I was slightly upset.

"Harry dear, why don't you calm down and talk with Ragnot and come up with the typical Goblin underhanded plan. I'm sure Ragnot can teach them all a lesson if the price is right. Is that not a possibility Bank Manager Ragnot?"

"Lady Potter, gold to the Goblins is like Grease to the axle wheel. I am most willing to discuss greasing the wheels of justice."

"Daphne I defer to your cunning and Ragnot's expertise." I knew when I was out of my league.

We returned to the train before it got to Hogsmede station. As usual we had a new DADA instructor who seemed to know his business. Daphne was doing her Hermione thing in the library and I was doing my physical exercises. Our favorite time was alone in our room and so the school year was smoothly progressing.

Snape had survived my, "Marked of evil return in pain as you have shown others" but I had racked up about twelve years of detention for skipping his classes. He of course would not take points off me as Slytherin house would suffer from the point loss.