Chapter 2 ~The Flora Attacks and Threats of Blood part 2
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Ginny Weasley was happy to be in Gryffindor. Most of her family had been Gryffindors and she was happy to join them. There had been a few in Ravenclaw, but at least that was something to be proud of. Rather be in the house of Knowledge than the house of the Snakes. Like, her crush, Harry Potter for instance. Why was he in Slytherin?
The second year was incredibly handsome. She was still young but she could see herself with him someday. How he'd adore her beauty and she'd love his strength. How he'd only see her and she'd love it. Such are the fantasies of an eleven year old girl.
Now she wondered what had put him in Slytherin. He seemed polite enough, not to mention handsome. Heads turned when he entered a room. They didn't have to be just girls either. At age twelve he was about 5'5 with hair to his waist and beautiful Avada Kedavra eyes. Most were afraid of his eyes, but not Ginny Weasley. She thought they made him look even more handsome.
The way he held himself was alluring. Such confidence could be seen in just the way he walked. This drew most of the female population to him, and a great many of the males too. The males seemed to envy him more though. If there was a gay network in Hogwarts it was well hidden. She just wanted the 'boy who lived' for herself. She had to make Harry hers, no matter what.
There were many things Ms. Weasley wanted. When she thought something belonged to her she got it. Even if she had to resort to learning spells that were considered dark, she would have him. Harry Potter would be hers, and she would be his Mrs. Potter.
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Harry found himself bored in most of his classes. He already knew most of the material. He could spout a spell without even batting an eyelash, he could answer most questions without a second thought, and he knew the first, second, and third year history books like the back of his hand. Why couldn't he just take some kind of test to advance to third or fourth year? There might be a way actually.
During my next potions class I stayed after to talk to Snape.
"Mr. Potter?"
"I wanted to ask you about advanced placement classes here at Hogwarts." I said.
"Why Mr. Potter? Do you feel that you passed the second year already?"
"yes sir, is there a way to advance to third year or something?"
"yes, there might be. You would have to go to Professor Dumbledore. I know teachers can give tests that may give you harder class work, but advancing to the next year … I am not sure."
"Thank you Professor." I said as I exited the dungeon classroom.
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I found myself at the foot of the stairs that led to Dumbledore's office. I cursed under my breath, not remembering being told any kind of password. I began to spout out the name of random sweets. The old man was a little crazy after all; he would probably use something like that. With all the 'different' sweets in the wizarding world it might take a while. This could be a great tactic when you're trying to keep things secret in your office, or do who knows what Dumbledore does in there.
I startled slightly as the gargoyle stepped aside. I didn't even remember what had triggered it. I had been saying the names of muggle sweets so it was kind of surprising. With Dumbledore, you never ask. The answer probably won't make sense, or you won't want to know.
As I made my way up the staircase I thought about what to say. Would it be proper to say:
'I want to advance to the next year or possibly two years.'
Or would it be better to say:
'I am not being challenged enough in my classes. Can I possibly be advanced to third year?'
In the end I decided to start a conversation and bring it up. This would probably be the best way to get me the answer.
I walked up to the oak door and knocked when the staircase stopped moving.
"Come in," came Dumbledore's reply. I plastered a smile on my face and entered the room. I ignored the stare of the phoenix that was perched near the door and sat down across from the headmaster. I sat down in a pink chair, what the fuck? This is Dumbledore, I suppose anything is possible. I will never understand his taste in colors; why pastel colors?
"What brings you to my office Harry?"
"I would like to request something sir."
"what is it my boy?"
"I … I am having trouble keeping up with the class work Professor."
"You are? I was under the impression you were the top in your year. Even better than Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy."
I forced a grin to spread across my lips, this was certainly going well.
"That is what the teachers say about me?"
"yes Harry. They tell me you could do well if I advanced you to third or fourth year."
"Really sir? That's the problem. The course work is too easy. I find myself having trouble staying motivated because of it."
"Harry, my boy, I think I can fix that." He said. I inwardly smirked but kept the grin on my face.
"Headmaster?"
"It will take some time to get ready though. I think I can have a test put together by the end of October. You will have to keep up your studies until then. Can you do that my boy?"
"yes sir," I said.
"Harry I don't want you telling anyone about this. I will announce it to the school when you are to be tested. This kind of test has only been done a few times."
"A few times?"
"Yes Harry, it was before Lord Voldemort went to Hogwarts that the last one took place."
Now this was getting interesting …
Why hadn't this been done very often? Was it something the Ministry tried to ban?
I left the headmaster's office and made my way to Charms. We were supposed to work on making large objects float across a room. It was a warm up from last year. The floating charm Windgardiam Leviosa, had been a spell I learned before school started. It was a surprise to the Professor that I could perform the spell the first time he had assigned it in class.
As I entered the room others followed me. There was about ten minutes before class started. I took out the book I had been reading in the flying car and began to read it. These dar spells were fascinating. It told of how words can be spells. In languages other than Latin and English they could. This was magic that wouldn't be taught at Hogwarts, although not all words were related to dark spells. The power of words made for a dangerous student body. With all the paranoia having to do with the 'dark arts,' there was no way it would be taught here.
For instance, the Japanese word for fire, honoo. If you put your magic behind saying the word you could cast a fire spell. This spell was supposed to be more powerful than even the Flagrate spell. Or the Spanish word for wolf, lobo. With power behind the word you could conjure a wolf to help you fight. Or you could transfigure yourself into a wolf. Just about anything in Spanish or Japanese was like that. Because you were using just words the uses for the spells was practically limitless. The book called it word magic.
Professor Flitwick came in and stood on the pile of books behind his desk. He flicked his wand, and instructions for the day's assignment appeared. I glanced at the board and then went back to my book. If he asked I would demonstrate the spell. It's not like that spell was very hard anyway.
After Charms it was time for lunch. Lunch was a time I usually spent in the library. I put away my things and made my way to the library. Draco was at the table I normally sat at today. I briefly wondered why he was there but just didn't care. Sitting down, I took out the same book and began to read from it.
A few minutes later Draco tapped me on the shoulder.
"What?" I asked, not looking up.
"So what are you reading anyway? That's all you seem to do these days. You don't even come to lunch anymore."
"It's a good book." I said simply as I held it up.
"Unicorns? I never thought you would be interested in a creature that is considered so pure." He said. I shrugged and went back to reading. Draco would think it 'weird' that I was reading about 'light' creatures. The Malfoys [after all] were rumored to have been supporters of Lord Voldemort.
-separater-
The last class of the day was transfiguration. Professor McGonigall wasn't that bad, even though she led the house of the Lions. Today she had us transfiguring cushions into pillows. That's the problem though, the material was way too easy. Just another reason to either read or do the homework in class.
A quick look at the board told me that we had an essay do in a week's time. I brought out quill, parchment, and ink to start on it early. McGonigall was grading papers at her desk. Halfway through the lesson she began to patrol the aisles, checking the progress of the students. Many of the Slytherins had already performed the transfiguration successfully, and were working on the essay. There were always those who had trouble though. These included Pansy and the second year Slytherin dumbasses Crab and Goyle.
I raised my eyes from the book on fire magic I had been reading when she came to my desk.
"Mr. Potter may I see that book?"
"Sure Professor," I said. The book had been charmed so well it even fooled the teachers.
"This is a book on protective spells. I don't disapprove of the material but you should be doing the class work."
I made sure when I was placing [on my books] spells to hide the books' true nature to have the book present itself as a 'protective spells' book, to the teachers.
"I finished a while ago." I said, holding up the essay.
"There is a reason it is called homework Mr. Potter. Did you work on the transfiguration?"
I smirked and pulled the cushion from underneath some of my notes. I tapped it with my wand and it grew in size. Only seconds later it was a full sized pillow. She gaped at it for a moment and then smiled.
"It is always nice to see students who know the material." She said in a stern voice. I averted my eyes to the desk for a moment to keep from laughing. There was just something funny in her expression when she gave compliments.
"Thank you Professor McGonigall." I said. She handed me the book and went off to check on the rest of the class.
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Dinner that night was relatively uneventful. I wasn't looking forward to the next day. I had Defense Against the Dark arts [or DADA as some students dubbed it] tomorrow. With Lockheart teaching the class it was bound to be ridiculous.
I was so tempted to charm his robes or hair. I wanted to see him freaking out. That would teach him to draw extra attention my way. No one did that and got away with it.
-separater-
I awoke to shuffling noises. Yawning quietly I asked,
"Draco?"
"Yeah, Potter? What's up?"
"You are up early."
"yeah, I couldn't sleep Harry. Do you mind if I shower first this morning?"
"Go ahead," I said with a gesture toward the bathroom we shared.
Somehow we had landed ourselves in a room together this year. It was just the two of us. How that happened I do not know. It was convenient though. We only had to wait for one other person to relinquish the bathroom in the morning, and there was no snoring to worry about. With Draco being my best friend it helped as well.
Slowly I got up and stretched. I felt strange. What Snape had done a week ago surely made an impact on my body. The purpose of the potions was to heal, not change me. Although, I still couldn't eat properly. Maybe he had something to do with it. No. Snape clearly didn't like me much but he wouldn't go to great lengths to sabotage my schooling.
Fifteen minutes later the bathroom door opened. Steam poured out of the tiled room and into our bedroom. I waved off a bit of steam and then made my way to the bathroom. I stripped and stepped into the shower. The water was just the right temperature as usual. Hopefully it would calm me down. I was going to kill Lockheart if we had to do another 'pop quiz.'
-separater-
I had still not been able to catch Harry's attention. It was beginning to frustrate me. Why wouldn't he notice me? Was I that plain and boring? Or was … no. There was no way he was gay. Was there?
Sighing I pulled out the diary that I had found in my cauldron. There was about fourty-five minutes until breakfast. I am sure I can write in it for a while. I had taken a shower the night before so that would not deter me.
Hello?
I wrote.
Hello Ms. Weasley. What bothers you now?
I blinked as the message was displayed. It was only the second week of term and I already wrote about my frustrations with Harry.
It's Harry again.
What about him?
I slowly caressed the page before writing,
I still can't get him to notice me. What's wrong with him? Is it me? Am I unattractive or something?
I doubt that is the problem. I have not had the pleasure of seeing your appearance however.
I just wish he would see me as someone other than Ron's sister.
There might not be much you can do about that. I gather, he has the same problem. Don't you have older brothers in the year ahead of you?
Fourth year.
I wrote.
Is that a problem?
Yes. We are just 'Fred and George's' siblings. There is no way to stand out at all.
You should make a name for yourself. Find something that forces people to notice you. There are spells …
No. I won't use spells for that. I want to be known for my raw talent.
That is your choice. I suggest the Quidditch Team if you can manage that. Do they have any open positions?
Not that I know of. Well … I can't …
Cannot do what?
I can't join the team this year. I am just starting out at Hogwarts this year. They won't let me.
I am sure they will. You just have to show them your potential.
You really think so?
I know so.
The sun streamed through the windows as I shut the diary. 'he' was right. I could make a name for myself. I just had to do something that the teachers and students would notice. Why not do what Harry had done the year before? I could make the Quidditch team and they would notice me. The best part, 'he' said I could do it.
-separater-
I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist. I walked over to the mirror and stared blankly. Even now there was a slight difference in my appearance. I could see thin rings of red around the green of my irus, my skin was slightly darker, my nails seemed sharper, I had better hearing, and my eyesight was much better. I had never worn glasses but it seemed abnormally clearer. As if I could see things others couldn't, which was weird.
Snape …
With one last look at the boy who didn't look like me anymore, I left the bathroom. Draco had just finished zipping up his jeans when I entered the room.
"Shouldn't you be dressed by now?" I asked. I had surely taken ten minutes or so.
"I had to do my hair Potter. Just because you don't take too long fixing yours doesn't mean the rest of us don't."
"Mine is longer."
"Yeah, so. I was taught to spend as much time as possible taking care of mine."
I bit back the laughter that threatened to bubble forth from my lips. That would only lead to angering the Malfoy. After which, we would get into a long drawn out debate about hair care. His family taught him to take care of it that's for sure.
"Alright Draco." I said as I slipped a pair of black jeans and a plain black t-shirt over my nude form. I finished the outfit off with my black dragon hide boots. I picked up my brush and let it glide through the long locks of my obsidian hair.
If there was one thing I had in common with Malfoy it would be the way I saw my hair. Cutting it was sacrilege to me. It just didn't feel right. While most of the school used special shampoos and such to tame theirs, I just used muggle products. There was no need to do anything else. It always hung straight and never tangled once I had combed or brushed it. What I would do, was use a headband to keep it out of my face.
After getting the tangles out I took the leather strap from my bed side table. I held it for a moment as Draco stared at me.
"What are you doing?" he asked. I chuckled and turned to him. He was tugging a shirt on at that moment. Smirking I tied the strap around my head to function as a headband.
"Doing my hair, as you would put it." I said. He growled and pulled on his robes. I did the same and we both left the dormitory.
-separater-
Breakfast was rather uneventful. I went through the motions of eating almost robotically. I made sure to steer clear of the hashbrowns and toast. I hadn't been able to eat either of them since the first night. It was strange really; they tasted like ashes and refused to go down my throat. What was happening to me?
I was the first to leave the great hall from our house table. I picked up my bag and pulled my robes tighter against my shoulders. I had History of Magic first today. Hopefully I could get some reading in before the ghost of a teacher's voice threatened to put me to sleep. Even though I did well in his class [I was ready to advance to third year maybe fourth] it was still hard to stay awake.
I found a seat near the back of the room and sat down. The book on fire magic was the first thing to come out of my bag. After placing it on the desk parchment, ink, quill and the textbook followed shortly after. Snapping the book open I began to read. It was always fascinating to see what spells could do. For instance saying a spell with one inflection could light a fire, while another could kill a person. This nature of spellcraft made this particular book, considered dark.
History of Magic started a few minutes later. It was boring as always. I flipped open the book and began to work on the essay due in two weeks. If I could finish that I would be able to keep reading the book on fire magic. The assigned essays weren't that difficult but the professor expected the times and dates of the events to be correct. That was why I needed the book now, not because I didn't know the material. Points were taken off if the dates were incorrect or referenced wrong.
I had a free period now. I watched as the rest of the students filed out of the classroom. I had packed up my things before everyone else. I waited until they all left and made my way to the library. Hopefully I could find some information on what was happening to me.
Durante popped out of my robes and hissed at me in the darkness of the corridor.
/What are you planning Malo?/
/I need to figure out what's been going on with me./
/I might be able to help with that./
/How?/
/Tell me the names of books. I can help you weedle out the absurdities./
/Alright./ I replied as I grasped the handle of the door to the library.
Durante quickly slid back into my robes as I entered the room. I made my way over to my usual table and put my bag down. I stood and walked over to the bookshelf that held books on magical creatures. Hopefully I could find something here. So far, there had been nothing. There was no text that described the way my skin had turned orange or the blood lust in a way that didn't immediately scream vampire. I am pretty sure I am not a vampire; but it was a possibility nonetheless.
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I slid quietly into the library and my heart skipped a beat as I saw 'him.' Harry Potter sat at a table in a secluded corner. I numbly walked to another desk as he came to stand in front of the bookshelf nearest to the table. It had been dubbed the "magical creature bookcase" by most students. What could he be looking for?
There was no time to figure this out. I pulled out the diary and flipped to a page that was clear of old ink stains.
Hello?
Yes Ms. Weasley?
I am watching Harry right now.
Yes and what does this have to do with me?
What do I do? He is so handsome and I want to go over and …
And what?
I don't know … Kiss him maybe.
That is up to you. Being so forward for someone such as yourself may not be wise.
Why?
You, yourself are a girl. Do you even know if he likes you?
No.
Then, do you see my point?
Yes. But how do I find out?
I do not know Ms. Weasley. I am not really that good with relationships.
What do you mean Tom? Aren't you … haven't you …
I put down my quill as my cheeks flared. Why was I asking him this?
I am not familiar with the kind of relationship you are describing.
Was scrawled across the page when I looked again.
I can accept that. Tom?
Yes?
Do you think he likes me?
It is hard to say. He may, he may not. There is always a chance he likes blokes.
What are you insinuating Tom? He cannot be gay.
I only meant it was a possibility. I never hinted that he was.
I hope not.
I wrote before snapping the diary shut.
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I hissed incoherently under my breath as I scanned the titles. A book on parseltongue caught my eye.
/This one./
/What is it?/ Durante whispered.
/Parseltongue Magic by Aritha Zelgar./
/That's about Parsel Magic from the light point of view. It'll do you no good Malo./
/Are you sure?/
/Yes./
Another book caught my attention. I must have paused for a while because Durante asked,
/What is it Malo?/
"Mufliato," I muttered with a flick of my wand. This spell would allow us to talk without fear of being overheard.
/This one is on thestrals and thestral half breeds./
/Who is the author?/
/There isn't one listed on the spine or cover./ I said as I took the book out and examined it.
/Open the book. Make sure you cast your transfiguration charm on it before trying to read it./
/The 'charm' Durante?/
/yes, that one. You wouldn't want anyone catching you with a book like this. It would ruin the 'boy who lived image.'/
/Fuck the image./
/Just do it. It's for your own safety in the end. Dumbles wouldn't approve anyway./
I chuckled at that. Durante didn't like Dumbledore or his phoenix Fawkes much. The nickname of Dumbles he made up himself.
After casting the complicated transfiguration spell I opened the book. The pages were burnt at the edges and it looked very old. There was still no author listed on the pages. I flipped through them to try and find one but came up with nothing.
/Read the first page to me Malo./
/It's pretty long./
/I can handle it. I can only read Parseltongue. It is a curse of only being a lower class poisonous snake./
/Pythons are very poisonous./
/Not in the magical world. There are many worse snakes to run into./
Going back to the first page I read:
/Thestrals don't normally mate; they create offspring in a different and more productive way. By passing on their abilities to those who can see them, they create new thestrals. These new thestrals are often called thestral hybrids. The resulting creature has the abilities of a thestral and may have some of their characteristics./
/It is possible for a thestral hybrid to have more than one other blood type. Normally wizards are the only ones who can see a thestral. It has been rumored that dragons and sometimes vampires can as well. The resulting transfer of abilities still creates a thestral hybrid. This in turn however, may create a necromancer among other things./
/The most common …/
/Stop there. Is there a table of contents?/ Durante asked.
/Yes, hang on./ I said as I found the right page.
/Go to the first chapter. It might go more in depth into these 'hybridssss./
/Yes, Durante./
/The most common thestral hybrid is a wizard. When a vampire or a dragon [which are the only other known creatures who can see thestrals] see one they may also get the same powers and abilities. Whether or not a thestral passes on its legacy is up to that thestral./
/With a dragon they may experience a change in the color and structure of their wings. [especially applied to a humanoid or dragon/human or dragon/wizard hybrid] The wings will become more skeletal and grow in size, while still allowing for easy retraction in time of need. While thestrals do not have fangs they heal differently than most creatures./
/When they heal their skin turns a bright orange color. It is then shed and is replaced by the slightly scaly black as before. Also hybrids may find their eyes becoming fully red in darkness. This however, depends on if the one given thestral powers is not a wizard./
/If a vampire their skin will get darker. It will be easier for them to walk around in the sun, but, they will still have an aversion to light. With a vampire, the eyes will eventually turn red and stay that way permanently. A strong glamour can be used to hide this if necessary. They will also find their claws and fangs much tougher and stronger than before. Thestral power also makes them completely immune to the powerful burning rays of the sun and fire./
/Take this book with you Malo. Check it out and read it later./
/It might have more information than this. This could be what I have been searching for./
/yes, Malo. You had better get this over with quickly. You only have eight minutes to get to lunch. I am not letting you go without meat today./
/Durante, you're acting like a mother again./
/I do not care. Go …/
/I'm going./ I said as I took down the mufliato spell and checked out the book.
-separater-
I made sure to pile many different types of meats on my plate. Draco slid into the seat next to me and raised an eyebrow.
"Are you turning into a complete carnivour?" he asked. I shook my head and put a small handful of cheese slices and some lettuce on my plate.
"I just don't feel like eating much else today." I said. It wasn't a total lie. I wouldn't be able to keep this up for much longer though. Draco knew me too well for that.
"I don't think so. You've been doing this since last week, when term started. I hope whatever Snape did to you hasn't fucked up your body too much."
"I have a few theories. I would rather keep them to myself until I have more information."
"Alright, I guess that's fine. I just … Harry, I worry about you." The blonde said as he placed a hand on my shoulder. I blinked and smiled a rare smile at him.
"I'll be fine Draco." I said as I dug into my food.
-separater-
The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom was full by the time Draco and I made our way there. We were ten minutes early and there were few seats left. I could see Hermione and Pansy sitting next to each other at the front of the room. By no means did they like each other. They were probably just fighting over who would get the first glimpse of the bumbling blonde professor first. If you could even call him that.
I smirked and tapped Draco on the shoulder. I pointed to the girls and we shared quiet chuckles. Finding a seat near the middle of the room we sat and prepared for another bizarre lecture. Lockheart mostly liked to talk about himself during his lessons. He would describe how he managed to slay this creature or cure this random witch of some magical illness. It was all a load of bullshit if you asked me or Draco. Both of us saw through his corny smiles the first we got sight of him. The fact that he talked so highly of himself didn't help his case. It just made him look worse.
Today, he brought a large cage with him.
"Today we will be learning how to tame Cornish Pixies." He said. Anything else he said I ignored. He opened the cage and the pixies flew out of their confinement. They smirked and then went after us. Lockheart tried to reassure us they were harmless but I didn't believe him.
"Pesky Pixie Pestanomie." He said. Before he could move his wand it was taken and thrown behind his desk by one of the pixies. Groaning he went to look for it. Presumabley that is.
"Use what you can to round them all up." He said.
Fifteen minutes later most of the students had escaped his classroom.
"Could I ask you four to clean them up and put them away for me?" he asked as he turned his smile on myself, Draco, Ron Weasley and Hermione.
"I …" the only witch said as she smiled back.
"Fine," I said. Taking out my wand I said,
"Incendio,"
The fire creation spell made the pixies freeze for a moment and then they began to laugh. I smirked and moved my wand in a complicated pattern. The fire was charmed to follow them until they tired out. They would eventually get back into the cage.
Hermione cast an immobulus on a few of them and floated them back into the cage. Draco used the accio charm to summon some and put them away. Ron tried to follow the blonde's example only to have the spell backfire on him. He fell to the floor with a few drops of blood trickling from his nose. I held back a laugh and Draco snickered at the red head's folly.
"Ms. Granger take him to the hospital wing. I think these two can handle it From here." Lockheart said. Nodding the brunette helped the Weasel up and led him away. I looked at Draco and we both smirked.
"Flipendo, imobulus, accio." We both said at the same time. The remaining pixies were blasted, immobilized, and summoned to our hands. We deposited them into the cage and left the classroom.
"That was way too easy. Did you see Longbottom's face as he was flown to the ceiling?" asked the blonde as we made our way back to our room.
"Yeah, I think Ron's reaction was better. The way blood poured from his nose as he fell on his ass …" I said. Draco smirked and pushed me. I pushed him back and slapped him on the arm.
"Don't start something you aren't going to finish Malfoy." I said as I started to sprint toward the portrait hole.
"I'll get you back for that Potter." He vowed as he followed me.
-separater-
A/N:
I am going to split the chapter again. I will end it eventually. I promise [unless anything changes my mind] that the next chapter will end the Flora Attacks and Threats of Blood.
I hope all of you are liking this story so far. I am going to be taking a few of the major points of the second year and then changing them to fit the story. I might leave some shit out so …
If you're looking for an exact replica of the second year I suggest you find another story.
Thanks to those who reviewed.
I would like to take the time to mention a few people I am greatful to:
Skylerblack,
Ashie-slytherin-greenflames,
Draky,
…
Damn I cannot remember the rest at the moment. I am having internet issues. Sorry. I will list more in the next chapter.
R and R