Chapter 35:
How Not To Die
I don't know if it was his tone, his blatant smirk or my innate distrust of Defense Professors, but I was out of my seat, gripping my friend's arms and heading up the aisle before Professor Lockhart had finished speaking.
"Potter, what are you doing?" Macmillan demanded, standing from his seat and putting his fists on the table. Presumably to make himself look intimidating, all it did was keep him from getting to his wand when the attack began.
Screams rang out across the room as shapes feel from the ceiling and began attacking. I let go of my friends and twitched my arm, breathing just a little easier as my wand fell into my hand. Something landed in front of me and it was only because of my spars with the Jensens, getting used to fighting people with faster than human reaction times, that I managed to duck back before what looked, for all the world, like a zombie, could get a grip on me.
Even as I stepped back my wand rose.
Contrary to popular fiction, zombies are not shambling corpses that can be defeated by a well-placed rake. Depending on the age of the body used a zombie could chew its way through a steel door and give a Mountain Troll a run for its money in the strength department.
"Bombarda Maxima!" I shouted, aiming for center mass. Sure enough, the spell hit and the walking abomination's torso burst apart and its limbs went flying. I paused to catch my breath, as much power as I'd put into the spell I needed it, and glanced behind me to see how Pansy and Hermione were doing.
Despite me yanking her from her seat, and the suddenness of the attack, Hermione hadn't frozen. Her wand was out and a stone tentacle was wrapped around one of the zombies and she was using it to bludgeon another zombie. Pansy's focus seemed split between Hermione's situation and Professor Lockhart, who was watching the classroom with a look of detached interest.
Before I could say anything Pansy caught my eye.
"On three we finish off Hermione's opponents and then we make for the door." Pansy said. I nodded "One two, three!"
"Bombarda Maxima!" We cried as one. Our spells struck true, the zombies came apart. I stumbled, drained. I had power to spar compared to the average second year. Hell, I had power to spare compared to the average fourth year but Bombarda Maxima took a lot of power.
Pansy steadied me before I could fall, "You okay?"
I nodded, "Yeah. Thanks."
"Shouldn't we be getting out of here?" Hermione asked, eyes darting around, a frown etched firmly in place. Before I could respond Hermione's eyes widened and her wand snapped up. "Lapidem Vineam."
I whirled around, wand up and a spell on my lips, only find a zombie being crushed to death—re-death?—by Hermione's favorite spell. I blinked, uncomfortably reminded that I had been similarly restrained just a few hours earlier. When the zombie's chest caved in I turned away.
I forced myself to look back.
Something wasn't right. As easily as the zombies were dropping they couldn't have been very old, a decade at most. So shouldn't there still be blood? Or organs? Or anything other than bones and withered skin?
The insides of the crushed zombie in front of me were wrong. There were things that looked like organs but on closer inspection blatantly weren't. I frowned, come to think of it…
"Where's the music?" I said, looking around. The not-zombies were still attacking the other second years but they weren't doing any damage. They were herding the students, keeping them pinned, but falling short of actually hurting them.
"This is hardly the time to be talking about music!" Hermione said, finally ending her spell. The not-zombie dropped to the floor in a mess of jutting bones and awkward angles.
"I mean, where's the music that's controlling the zombies?" I said.
"Inferi," Pansy corrected absently, as she kept a look out.
"Semantics," I said. "To control zombies you need music, you need a beat. It takes the place of the zombie's heart beat and makes it think that the necromancer's thoughts are its own. Without it they would just do whatever they wanted. And since everyone else is still alive, I ask again. Where is the music?"
The room was suddenly filled with the sound of slow and steady clapping. The tree of us turned as one to look at Professor Lockhart. As the clapping continued the screams came to a stop as the rest of the class slowly started to calm down.
"Well reasoned Miss Potter, well-reasoned indeed," Professor Lockhart said, his voice once more filling the room, with what looked like genuine pleasure on his face. "I must say, I am impressed with you three. The sixth years were in here just before you and they did not perform half as well. Twenty points to each of you and another ten to Miss Potter for figuring out the secret to my little test."
He looked around the room.
"Golems, return to storage." As one the golems began making their way to Professor Lockhart's office. "Everyone please return to your seats. I know you've just been given a scare, but I assure you that it's going to be alright."
It took some coaxing, but everyone got back to their seats and slowly managed to return to something resembling calm. Though even without looking I knew that most of the class kept looking from Professor Lockhart to the ceiling and back.
"Alright, I'm sure a lot of you are wondering what that was all about." The force of the stares became a physical thing. "But, how about we see if anyone can guess the point of this," Professor Lockhart paused for a moment, "let's call it a demonstration." He looked around the room. "Would anyone care to venture a guess?" For a long moment no one moved or said anything, but slowly hands started rising. "Mr. Finnigan."
"To see," Seamus started hesitantly only to stop when his voice came from around the room as well. Professor Lockhart nodded at him encouragingly. "To see if we know how to fight Inferi."
"That is a good guess," Professor Lockhart smiled hugely. "Are there any others?"
"To see what we know about defense," Draco said, without waiting to be called on.
Before anyone else could say something I raised my hand.
"Yes, Miss Potter," Professor Lockhart said, his eyebrow raised inquiringly.
"You wanted to see how we reacted to an unexpected attack," I said, looking him right in the eye. "All the defense knowledge in the world doesn't help if we can't respond in time to use it."
"Exactly!" Professor Lockhart said passionately. "One of the most famous, or perhaps I should say infamous, Aurors Alastor Moody, espouses a philosophy of 'constant vigilance'. To always be ready, to always expect an attack and it is easy to see why he thinks this is necessary. We live in a dangerous world!" He slashed his hands for emphasis. "Our enemies are faster than us, stronger than us, and in more than a few cases they are smarter than us. But, does that mean that we are defenseless? That we can't hope to stand up as equals?" He looked out taking in the captivated faces of his audience, his voice steadily rising to a fever pitch. "No! Witches and Wizards have a long history of showing the world that we are not to be trifled with!"
I don't know who started it but the entire class shot to their feet and started applauding. Say what you will about Professor Lockhart—and as the year wound on there was a lot to say—but damn could he work a crowd.
"But," He said softly, once the applause died down. "But, it does mean that we need to respond quickly to changing circumstances. It means that we need to expect the unexpected and react without hesitation." He paused a moment to let that sink in. "Some of you may be wondering why I gave Miss Potter, Miss Granger and Miss Parkinson points, when they weren't the only ones who manage to fight back. They weren't even the only ones to destroy some golems, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Perks, good job.
"No, I gave them points because they were the only ones who reacted right away,without hesitation. Miss Potter was out of her seat before I even finished speaking!" Professor Lockhart said. "And as a former adventure I can tell you, that is the kind of reaction time you need to survive!" He leaned forward, eyes moving from enraptured face to enraptured face, a faint smile tugging at his lips. His voice once more moving towards a calm cajoling tenor. "Who's ready to learn?"
888
I admit I expected an uptick in interest after our little demonstration in Defense, but the form that interest took surprised me. Instead of excited whispers and energetic greetings we got sidelong glances and critical looks. It started with the second years but by the time we were sitting down for dinner the whole school was in on it.
We hadn't been sitting down for long when Professor Dumbledore came and escorted the three of us to his office. The trip was made in silence with Hermione Pansy and I exchanging worried glances. Thankfully the shifting architecture proved no challenge and we made it to the Headmaster's office in no time at all.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I've asked the three of you to my office," Professor Dumbledore said as we all found our seats. No one spoke for a moment, Dumbledore simply looked at us expectantly, while Pansy and Hermione seemed unable to form sentences.
I rolled my eyes internally, honestly it was just Dumbledore.
"If I had to guess I'd say it had to do with Defense class today," I said tapping my lip thoughtfully. "That or you've decided to give us your stash of candy. If that's the case, then yes I accept. But I must insist on taking all of Pansy and Hermione's share as they seem unable to open their mouths at the moment."
"Alex!" Hermione said just as Pansy said. "Potter!"
I smirked.
Dumbledore chuckled and pushed forward a dish of hard candies. I helped myself to some as he started speaking.
"Yes, that is part of the reason we're here. Though I admit it's not the main reason," Professor Dumbledore said.
"Oh?" I mumbled around three pieces of candy. Mmm Lemony!
"Miss Potter, have you been practising Necromancy?" Professor Dumbledore asked gravely. The candies suddenly found themselves lodged in my throat.
"W-what?" I coughed, eyes wide.
"Have you been practicing Necromancy?" Professor Dumbledore asked, his eyes boring into mine.
"No!" I said, finally managing to swallow the candies. "Why would you...oh is that why everyone is looking at us like that?" Necromancy was an odd grey area when it came to Ministry law and Wizarding customs. With the White Council as long as you didn't raise a human you were technically within the law. The Ministry laws on Necromancy were even more lax than that. As far as they were concerned as long as you didn't raise a wizard or attack someone with an undead horror, the Ministry would leave you be. Culturally though Wizarding Britain found Necromancy distasteful at best abhorrent at worst.
Personally, even though it was legal, the thought of actually raising a zombie sent a shiver of disgust up and down my spine. My first exposure to zombies came in the form of a movie in my last life. A movie that at the tender age of five, I was far too young to be watching. Ever since then zombies have held a special place of Hell No in my heart.
Professor Dumbledore studied me for a long moment before smiling, "It gladdens my heart to hear your say that. Still, I must ask, why do you know so much about Necromancy in the first place? It's not exactly something the average student, or even the average Ravenclaw, researches."
"After what happened last year I thought it would be a good idea to look into what the Dark Lord could do," I shrugged. "Afterall knowing what he might do is the first step towards protecting myself from it." That and horcruxes had to be Necromantic in origin. Soul Jars were and they had striking similarities to horcruxes despite their obvious differences.
"Of course," Dumbledore smiled sadly before shaking his head. "Well then, next subject. I trust that if the three of you pick up your after class activities again, you will insure your grades stay on par?" That, it seemed, was enough to jolt Hermione into actually saying something.
"Of course! Class work is important, I would never let my grades slip!" Hermione said. Pansy and I simply nodded.
"Good!Good!" Dumbledore said. "It's always nice to hear such dedication from students. It often feels like less and less people take their education seriously." He sighed. "But look at me ramble on, I'm sure you have things to do. Miss Parkinson, Miss Granger if you could wait in the hallway for a moment? I have something to discuss with Miss Potter."
As they made their way out Pansy gave my shoulder a squeeze and Hermione smiled reassuringly.
"Ms. Maliwan does good work," Dumbledore commented. I blinked at him in confusion. He smiled."Your new robes Miss Potter."
"Ah, yeah," I said. "Cost an absurd amount, but I think they're worth it." Seriously, the Maliwan family may well make the best defense robes but their prices were exorbitant.
"Expensive yes, but with Bellatrix Lestrange after you I can't say they aren't a good idea." Professor Dumbledore sighed and looked me straight in the eye. "Miss Potter, Bellatrix is a dangerous woman and your success in escaping her this summer aside, it would be foolish in the extreme for you to seek her out."
"Believe me sir, I have no intention of going anywhere near her ever again," I said with utmost sincerity. Not that I expected that to stop her from getting to me. I was the freaking Chosen One, fate would conspire to bring us together, but that didn't mean I planned to go looking for her. Honestly who did he think I was, a Gryffindor? "Last time was bad enough."
"Good," He nodded. "Now, I've spoken with your Aunt and Mrs. Jensen and we've all agreed that your appointments with the Pack Therapist should continue so I will provide you with a Portkey that will take you to and from the Jensens' house every other weekend starting next Saturday."
I twitched. More therapy, joy.
After the kidnapping this summer and worse the video of the my escape, Aunt Petunia and Mrs. Jensen had both decided that I needed professional help. I hadn't been to worried at first, trained therapists that were actually aware of the supernatural had to be rare. So actually getting one to me or vise versa would be difficult, right?
Sadly, I was mistaken and my therapy started within a week.
888
Dumbledore
People are complicated. No matter what you do, no matter where you go, this fact holds true. The face people present to others are often times simple, but their actual selves are rarely easily categorized. Students, for example, often present a particular version of themselves when dealing with Professors. Or Headmasters for that matter.
"Miss Potter?" I asked, as the silence dragged on. "Are you alright?" I was aware of the mask Alex wore when she spoke to me. From simple observation I knew it was different from the mask she donned when conversing with other Professors. Though it bore a startling resemblance to her dealings with Professor Quirrell.
"Fine," Alex said, her face a show of polite interest. "Thanks for asking."
When dealing with people you had to account for their masks. You learned to recognize them. You studied their interactions with others to determine their true selves. You account for their masks and you learned to work around them. That is, I believe, one of the secrets to truly succeeding in life.
What you didn't do was accept the masks as truth.
"Talking about your experiences can be hard, but I have found that it can help." I said softly.
Alex's eyes narrowed almost to slits before she remembered that she was trying to be polite. "Oh? Have you ever had therapy?"
"Yes," I smiled at her surprised look. "Give your comments at dinner last night. I'm sure you are aware of the roll I played in the downfall of Grindelwald?" I waited for her to nod before steeling myself to continu. "Those were the hardest years of my life. My contribution to the war did not start with the duel with Grindelwald, but it did end there."
My mind flashed back to the look on Gellert's face as I raised my wand for one last spell. A look of betrayal and heartbreak and most horrifying of all, love.
"Professor?" Alex asked, snapping me back to the present.
"My apologies," I had to clear my throat before continuing. "After our fight I found it necessary to seek help. It was not an easy process but I did find it helpful." Alex looked towards the floor, eyes scrunched up in concentration. I kept silent for a moment, giving her a chance to think.
After a long moment she raised her head.
"Thank you for sharing that with me, it's couldn't have been easy." Alex said, a thoughtful look on her face.
"I just hope it helps," I retrieved the new Portkey from my desk and floated it towards Alex. "This Portkey will take you directly to the Jensens' estate and back."
"Yes sir," Alex said as she tucked the hair scrunchy up her sleeve.
"Well, I've kept you long enough," I said.
"Have a good night sir," Alex said as she made her way out.
"You to Miss Potter," I said.
888
Dumbledore
I slumped back into my chair and closed my eyes. Relief and sadness coursed through me with near equal measure. Gellerts face appeared before me once more only to be banished by the chiding trill of a Phoenix's call. I opened my eyes in time to see Fawkes land in front of me and loosed an admonishing caw.
"You disapprove?"
Fawkes nodded.
"I suppose you're right, sharing that story with a child have been the wrong thing to do but, despite my best efforts, I would be hard pressed to call Alex a child." The last year seemed to have undone all the effort I went to in insuring that she got to have a childhood. She was far too mature for her age, but then having gone through what she did, who wouldn't be? "Besides she seemed to take it well enough."
Fawkes trilled admonishingly.
"Ah, so it's not my telling her the story, but my telling the story at all that you disapprove of. Is that it?" Despite all our years together divining the exact meaning of Fawkes' intent could still be challenging. At Fawkes' nod I smiled and continued. "What is an old man's pain if it helps ensure a child's happiness?"
Just as importantly, what is an old man's pain if it stops her from turning to a dark path? Necromancy was an abomination. A violation of life and all to often the tool of choice for aspiring Dark Lords. It was the path that Tom walked. It was path that Gellert walked. It could not be the path that Alex walked.
At least, not yet.
Fawkes whapped me on the head.
At other times Fawkes' intent was rather clear.
I sighed and gave Fawkes one last pat before going to bed. It had been a long day in a series of long days that was promising to be a very long year.
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As always questions and comments are welcome! Anyway on to my questions.
Not many people mentioned the Malfoy-Bellatrix scene last chapter so I'm wondering what you thought about it? Was Bellatrix to crazy? To sane? Just right? Were the Malfoys steamy or just creepy?
For those of you who have read the summer chapters in one go, how do they flow? Do they drag? I know that my updates at the time were slow and small which is why I'm specifically asking those who read them in one go.
