Chapter 3 ~ Tests, Dueling, and Inheritance
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On November 2nd the test was scheduled. I had prepared for the last two days to be ready for anything, the Headmaster might throw at me. People had whispered and gossiped about the 'chamber' incident, as it was now called. I am pretty sure most didn't believe my claim, which caused a few of them to say I was dark. The cat had to be chased out of the bag sometime.
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I waited patiently on the sixth floor for Dumbledore and Lucius Malfoy. They wwere the only ones allowed to watch the 'level test.' Students were forbidden from seeing it; they would be way too much of a distraction. Besides, it might not be a good thing for the student body to see what I was capable of. I was going to have to hold back my powers during the test anyway.
"Harry, are you ready?" Dumbledore asked a few minutes later.
"Yes sir,"
"Good then, I will explain the rules."
Ugh … this is going to take a while …
"… and so that's it."
"That's it? Three areas of challenge … knowledge of incantations and spells, the practical portion of that, and dangerous creatures … Sounds pretty easy to me."
"It is not easy Mr. Potter." Lucius Malfoy said with a sneer.
"We shall see about that." I said as I glared at the blonde. Dumbledore shook his head and sighed.
"Now, we shall begin."
The first part of the test was basically Dumbles asking me about third and fourth year spells. I was then asked to perform them, which I did flawlessly. Then it was the part that would be harder … creatures …
"Harry, tell me what creature this is." Dumbledore asked as he gestured to a dark skinned, winged, beast with skeletal features.
"a thestral,"
"Very good my boy. Now what about this one."
The old man pointed to the silhouette of a white creature with silver hooves.
"Unicorn,"
"You are doing well my boy. Now we shall go onto something harder. Lucius,"
"Yes Headmaster?"
"Open the box."
"Of course," the blonde said. He smirked at me and opened a box I hadn't noticed before. Out of the box came a vapor, before something materialized.
At first nothing happened, and then a blinding flash of light appeared. I had to cover my mouth to keep from crying out in pain as the light lashed out at my eyes. Then a void of blinding light surrounded me and I sank to my knees. This was horrible, this light, that I felt I couldn't get away from. This overwhelming … wait!
"Boggart," I coughed as I stood up. I closed my eyes and imagined the light shuddering and then exploding into stars.
"Riddikulus." I said as I cast the spell. The light faded and a ghostly figure stood in front of me. I glared at it, immobilized it, and locked it in the box.
"Very good Mr. Potter." Lucius said. You could tell he was reluctant to praise me.
"Harry that was a third year creature. Your Defense teacher would show that to you in third year." Dumbles said. I nodded, not really seeing where he was going with this.
"Now we shall see what happens if you fight something at the fourth year level." Lucius said with another smirk. Blinking, I nodded. The blonde man flicked his wand and the angry eyes of the thestral landed on me. I froze, [if my theories were correct] a thestral shouldn't even try to fight me. That spell … I didn't know what it was, but it was a barely legal dark spell. Damn you Malfoy …
I sidestepped as the thestral charged at me. I cast Incendio and the ground around the thestral caught fire. It snarled panicked, and gave out a screech. I ducked as it ran at me again. I had to think of something, or I would risk using much more powerful attacks. Whatever Mr. Malfoy had cast, it was making the thestral go crazy.
I cast Glacia on the floor to make the animal trip. It didn't do anything, as the enraged thestral kept coming. I cast a semi-powerful electric curse at the beast, to no avail. These lower level spells weren't working. I had studied mostly darkn spells, I would have to use them.
As the thestral kept charging black bolts of lightning shot out of my wand. The electric attack hit its target, doing a fare amount of damage. The creature roared and turned its angry eyes on me. I stared, into red eyes, and then remembered something.
Thestrals had black or grey eyes, this spell had to be something like the Imperius curse.
If that wasn't bad enough, I was fixed on those eyes. The blood red color reminded me of something … no someone else …
Snap out of it! This is not the time to be thinking about him. Get that creature free of the spell …
The creature did not stop. It dodged out of the way of the dark ice spell I cast and crashed into me. It's teeth clamped down on my left shoulder, making me grit my teeth in pain. Blood ran down my arm, beginning to spark and burn the ground. I quickly vanished it before it could do any more damage. It was a good thing that being bitten by a thestral was normal for even a hybrid. Their teeth would burn or electrocute you if you didn't get free quick enough.
I heaved the creature off of me and glared at it. I cast Duro to turn it to stone.
"That's enough, Mr. Potter." Draco's father said. I glanced at the statue where the thestral had been. The Duro spell was definitely dark, which meant it would probably be no good trying to bring the thestral back. It would forever remain a statue.
"Harry my boy, that was a very dark spell. Where did you learn it?" Dumbles asked.
I looked down at the wound on my arm and then back up at the headmaster.
"I learned it in a book sir." I said truthfully.
"No books in the library would have that spell." Dumbledore said.
"Maybe he got it from a book in one of the pure blood libraries." Mr. Malfoy said.
"Where Harry?"
"Something I found somewhere," I said simply. Dumbles rubbed the bridge of his nose and then pierced me with his gaze.
I could feel a tug on my mind as I snapped my eyes shut.
"That's it." I said with barely contained fury. I marched out of the corridor, staring sadly at the thestral statue as I went. I glared at both men before exiting, heading toward Snape's office.
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"Mr. potter, why are you here?" Snape asked as he opened the door to his office.
"I have a problem," I said as I gestured to my arm. After looking at me curiously for a moment Snape pulled up my sleeve to examine the wound.
"Mr. Potter, let's go to my rooms. This is much worse than I thought." Snape said as he went to the door. I followed, feeling kind of dizzy from the loss of blood.
Once we reached his rooms, he slammed the door and locked it.
"You were taking the 'level test' I presume."
"Yes."
"How could Dumblledore let something like this happen? I am going to have to speak with him about this in a very lengthy conversation." Snape said. I looked into his black eyes, surprised to see anger and hatred there.
"Professor?"
"The promise I made … it has been broken. I am just glad I never made an unbreakable vow. Lily trusted me; she never asked for that." Snape said as he looked at me.
Lily? My mother?
"Sir, what do you mean?" I asked.
"What did they have you do?" Snape asked, delaying.
"I was tested on what spells I knew from the third and fourth year, asked to cast some of them, and then identify creatures. I had to fight two of them."
"What creatures Harry?" Snape asked. I was about to snap at him when I saw his face. He had gone pale, the palor making his skin look pasty. Sighing, I prepared to tell the entire truth.
"A boggart and a thestral."
"And which one of them caused that bite on your arm?"
"The thestral sir,"
"I thought so, Harry, there is something I must tell you. I was planning on waiting until you came of age or whenever this came up."
I stared at him in wonder, as he gestured for me to sit down. I did so, as he did as well.
"Your mother was one of the very few wizards who could see thestrals. As you may know, only those who have seen death can see a thestral." The professor started. After I nodded he continued,
"She was given powers because of it. Thestrals, when they have found someone they deem worthy, pass on some of their powers. This is what is called a Thestral hybrid."
I stared in disbelief at the potions master. So I had been right …
"The 'powers' consist of necromancy, heightened senses/reflexes, and regeneration of the body. It seems, that you are not just a wizard. You would have reacted differently to the bite if you were."
"Sir?"
"Humans, or wizards, often times get scars right away when they are bitten by a thestral. You are the son of a thestral chosen, and also not human yourself."
"What do you mean sir? I have done research on thestrals. I …"
"Dragons and vampires can also become thestral hybrids. You must be one of those to have kept bleeding like that." Snape said.
"I still don't understand."
"Haven't you been getting strange urges lately? Blood lust, the healing you have witnessed from after you got here at the beginning of the term, and not being able to eat anything but meat."
"yes, but how does this …"
"You are definitely part dragon Harry. You may be more than just that but it is hard to tell. You are still pretty young, the traits won't really show up until a few years from now."
Sighing I pierced him with my avada kedavra colored eyes.
"The … that's not possible …" Snape said as he stared into my eyes. He crossed the short distance to me, and cupped my chin in his hand. He looked closely and blinked. I blinked, and then shut my eyes.
"The red rings around your eyes … it's just not possible …"
I was getting tired of this. I snapped my eyes open and glared at him.
"What's impossible sir?" I managed to growl.
"You seem to have traits of both a dragon and a vampire. I never thought that was possible."
"And is that bad?"
"I am not sure. As far as I know you are the first to have both. I may have to do some research into your mmother's family line."
I sighed, and shifted my gaze to my arm.
"Now that you have been bitten by a thestral your thestral powers will begin to manifest. I have a book that you can read on the thestral branch of necromancy. You will have complete cell regeneration and be more attuned to the dark arts than ever before."
"That's nice, but what am I supposed to do about this?" I asked as I gestured to my injured arm. It had begun to throb and was bleeding once more.
"I have a few potions you can take, and I shall give you some thestral blood. Other than that, we must wait. I am not sure what will happen, since you are more than one creature that can handle the thestral hybrid process."
"Great," I said as I blew my bangs from my face.
Snape fetched the potion he had mentioned. After drinking it I started to feel better. He cleaned my wound and used the same paste as before. I bit down on my toungue to keep from screaming. I was mildly surprised to discover fangs where my teeth had once been. Snape stopped and looked at me.
"Stop trying to tear your toungue off, unless you wish to have to speak in a different way than normal."
I unclenched my teeth and glared at him. I drank the bottle of blood he held out for me and licked my lips.
He gasped, not expecting the fangs.
"So it has started, and much sooner than I would have imagined."
He finished dressing my wound and tied bandages around it.
"This should be healed by tomorrow. I believe you have a quidditch match against Ravenclaw tomorrow."
"yes sir."
"Do Slytherin proud Harry."
I smirked and looked away.
"So, no potions or other advice?" I asked.
"Other than … do you know any concealment spells or anything to change yor appearance Mr. Potter?"
"yes, sir. That won't be a problem."
"Then I guess you should get going. You ran out on the headmaster and Lucius didn't you?"
"yes, Lucius made me do something I really hate him for."
"What was that Harry?"
"He cast a spell on a thestral to make it attack me. I am sure it was something similar to the imperius curse. In the end, I had to use the Duro spell against it."
"Duro? No matter … wait! You killed a thestral?"
"Unfortunately sir," I said. He stared at me dumbfounded for a moment, before a smile spread across his face.
Snape smiling, did hell just freeze over?
"That will be your first project. I want you to raise that thestral from the dead Harry."
"Why would I do that? Won't he hate me for it?"
"Not necessarily. You did not kill him intentionally."
"I guess …"
"Because you killed him, you have created a bond between the two of you. Once you manage to resurrect him, he can help you with your powers."
"Sounds useful,"
"You better return to wherever the headmaster is before he sends a search party for you." Snape said. I growled and glared at him.
"I am serious." The professor said. Grumbling I made my way to the door. As I gripped the handle I thought of something.
"Sir?"
"yes Harry?"
"What was the promise you made to my mother?"
"It was to protect you, and … to keep your heritage a secret. I was not to tell you until you came of age. For magical creatures, which is what you are, that is sixteen."
"Thank you sir."
"Call me Severus Harry, she wanted me to be your godfather, but your father wouldn't have that."
"Goodbye Severus," I said as I left his rooms.
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I found the headmaster and Lucius back in Dumbledor's office.
"Come in Harry," the headmaster said as I knocked on the door.
"Sir?"
"Now that we have had time to evaluate the results of the test … you shall be a fourth year my boy."
I blinked and leaned against the wall.
I allowed my green eyes to sweep across the room before looking at the other occupant in the room.
"I have decided to keep you in your room. You already have only one roommate, and there is no point in moving you now. You may choose to move to the fourth year dorms next term." The blonde man said. I nodded and looked at Dumbledore.
"That is pretty much it Harry."
Smirking I made my way to the door.
"Harry?"
"yes Headmaster?"
"I have lost you haven't I harry?"
"You lost me when you left me with the muggles Professor." I said as I left.
"Lucius,"
The blonde man raised an eyebrow.
"It looks like the light has to find a new savior. There is still a chance …"
"He will never stay with your side old man." Lucius said as he left the room.
I was startled slightly as a hand landed on my shoulder. Turning around I looked into Mr. Malfoy's silver eyes.
"I can tell that you have been the best thing that has happened to my son. Don't mess that up." The blonde said. I nodded and shrugged off his hand.
"I will make sure Draco is well and safe." I said.
"you better, I wish for you to train him." The Malfoy said. I gaped for a moment before composing myself.
"Train him sir?"
"yes, I have talked with some of the other Slytherin pure blood families. We wish for you to train our children."
"Which ones?"
"They shall come to you. I suggest you start as soon as you are able. Next term might be easier to start training however. I am sure that the fourth year work will occupy you for a while Mr. Potter."
"I suppose." I said as I made my way to dinner.
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"So how did you do?" Asked Draco.
"I am a fourth year now. I am sure our 'esteemed' headmaster will inform the rest of the school of the details."
"He probably will." Draco said with a snickewr.
Sure enough Dumbles stood up near the end of dinner.
/What is the old goat doing now?/ Durante asked as he slid from the neckline of my robes. Draco gaped as I put a finger to my lips.
"I will explain later." I whispered as I cast a mufliato to drown out our hissing.
/He is probably going to announce my 'triumph.'/
/Triumph? How did you do Malo? You had the test today right?/
/yes, Durante. I am now a fourth year./
/Really? So are they going to give you class work that will actually challenge you?/
/I hope so. There is no way to be sure./
/Listen to him./
/Alright, but I don't want to./
I ended the spell and turned to Dumbles.
"… he shall be staying in his current dorm for now. We will give him the chance to move into the fourth year dormitories next semester." Said Dumbles.
I really didn't miss much. Ugh … why does he always have to take forever to explain everything?
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I awoke and stretched out my stiff muscles. I pulled absently on my dark hair to wake myself up. I made my way to the shower and turned on the water. Stripping, I let myself be lulled by the mild temperature.
Today was the quidditch match against Ravenclaw. As I dried off I could hear Draco moving around in our bedroom.
"I see you're ready." The blonde said as I came back into the room.
"Pretty much," I said as I let the towel fall to the ground. The blonde stared openly at my lean form; it was almost irritating how much he was looking. This much with someone who I considered my best friend … I would hate to know what anyone who truly fancied me would do.
I pulled out my usual attire for the quidditch matches and practices. It consisted of tight black jeans, a tight form fitting black t-shirt, and dragon hide boots that were lighter than the ones I normally wore. This way, I would have no problems with my clothes either getting in the way or falling off. I Brushed out my hair and braided it to keep it out of the way as well. The finishing touch was my green and silver quidditch robes, which I spelled to stay on.
"I guess I'll shower then," the blonde boy said. I nodded and took out a book on electric magic. I had finished the book on fire and the book on wind magic a few days ago. I was on the third chapter when Draco came back into the room.
"A book on Thestrals Harry? At lleast it's not some creature of the light." The blonde said as he read the title of the book. I put it away and watched him as he dressed. He shifted uncomfortably and turned away.
"Just cause I can't deny that you look good doesn't mean you have to keep staring at me." He said.
"I can't help look at something that is near perfection." I said seductively, coming closer.
"Stop Potter,"
"Does it really bother you that much?" I asked as I rose an eyebrow.
"yeah, this morning it does. You're different since after that test."
"How?"
"Your eyes have red rings around them. Your hair seems a bit darker, you are an inch or so taller, and your eyes are just …"
"Has anyone else noticed this? Did Pansy or Theo mention anything last night after I went back up here?"
"Not that I know of. They might have noticed though. I know Blaise can tell."
The Zabini boy sometimes hung out with me and Draco.
"I hope that's all." I said.
"You are using a glamor right?"
"yeah,"
"I can see through it because I have creature blood. I suspect that Blaise has creature blood or is a necromancer. Not sure which though."
"Thanks Draco."
"For what?"
"Telling me. I will have to make sure I strengthen the glamor."
"Are you one of us, a creature?"
"Yes, at least three creatures actually."
"Three?"
"Thestral hybrid, dragon, and vampire."
"I should tell-"
"If you tell your father I won't teach you anything." I said.
"Teach? So he told you?"
"Yes, and I agreed. But I will take that back on your account if you tell him. I shal tell him if I choose to."
"Alright, let's kick some arse out there." The blonde said as he took my arm and dragged me out of the room.
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"And another quidditch match shall begin!" Lee Jordan said.
"Shake hands captains an team mates." Madam Hooch said. Flint shook Oliver Wood's hand, while I shook the hand of the female seeker from Ravenclaw. Her name was Cho Chang, she was somewhat pretty and was a year ahead of me in age.
"I want a clean match. Begin!" the woman said as we all soared into the air.
I closed my eyes and sighed. The match started and I was on the move. I spotted the snitch and went toward it. The Chang girl was right beside me. This was going to be interesting …
"And Flint stops a goal from being made on the Ravenclaw side. As much as I don't care for Slytherin, they have talent." Lee Jordan said. Professor McGonigall was about to tell him to focus when she thought better of it. I swerved to try and lose Cho. It didn't do all that much, she followed me anyway. What the …
Then it hit. Without warning something big and black soared toward me. Cho saw it and got out of the way, but I wasn't so lucky. I grit my teeth as it hit me on the wrist. There wasn't much pain but I knew to stay away from whatever it was now.
"Watch it Potter," Draco said as he hit the object into the other direction.
"Huh?"
"That's one crazy bludger. I could swear it was only after you. Cho was just in the way." The blonde said.
"Watch it!" one of the other Slytherin beaters said as he beat the same bludger away from me.
"Whatever you do stay away from that bludger Harry." Draco said as he left. I nodded and looked for the snitch again. Unfortunately Cho was already after it. I growled under my breath and circled around until I was behind her. I watched as the snitch flitted away from her.
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I let that mask of sharp focus take over my features once more as I rose into the air. This was my team, albeit for only this year and the next. That was all I would need. I would train another Keeper next year, that would work fine with me.
Harry was good but way too young. Even with him being a fourth year now you usually had to be at least in fifth year to become a Keeper. I had gotten the position last year because we didn't have any other choice. He was more suited for the place of seeker than anyone I had ever seen on the Slytherin team, in my four and half years of being on the team.
My eyes kept drawing to our youngest seeker. Harry was chasing the snitch with the other seeker Cho, beside him. She was somewhat pretty but most of us on the team were gay, she had no chance. Besides … she was way too young. He swerved and tried to lose her, which didn't work. She knew what she was doing, Cho.
As he swerved again something soared toward him. I kept myself from blinking as the object got faster. Cho was able to avoid it but harry was grazed by it. I found out what it was a few seconds later.
Young Malfoy beat the object away and was now talking to Potter. I couldn't hear what they were saying but this wasn't good. Harry was never that careless …
What was going on?
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I tried to go after the snitch again but was distracted by the bludger. I dodged out of the way as I could hear the crowd erupt in cheers.
"Score for Slytherin! Ten to zero." Jordan said as the score changed on the score board.
I paid them no attention as I got out of the way of the bludger again. I made sure to keep the snitch in my sights, but also had to keep avoiding the bludger. Cho was right on my tail, making me edgy and shifty.
The girl must have seen her chance because she accelerated forward all of a sudden. I followed and circled around her. The bludger was being taken care of by Draco and another one of our beaters. I ducked down to avoid a particularly nasty blow, that the bludger would have done to me. Cho turned and grimaced at the sight of me.
"Harry, this isn't safe. I am not on your team but I won't keep doing this." The girl said.
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As Harry ducked out of the way to avoid the bludger again I growled. Someone was messing with my team, something which none did without injury. I gaped as he nearly fell off his broom to avoid the bludger again. This was it. I signaled to Hooch to call a time out. I wasn't going to keep this up, with my players in danger …
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"Harry, stay out of the way. Draco, Knott, Delores, you will keep the bludger away from him." I said. The two beaters nodded but the girl blanched.
"I am a Chaser, not a Beater Flint." She said.
"I trust you Delores. That should be enough. I know you don't care for Harry that much but do you want him injured?" I said, attempting to appeal to her soft side.
"Fine," she said.
I turned to Harry and the Malfoy boy.
"Stick close to his side Draco. I don't care if you have to keep bumping Cho out of your way. I won't have him injured and unable to play."
"yes Flint," the blonde said. Harry didn't look too happy with this decision but I could tell he knew it was necessary. He nodded and we all got back into the air.
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I searched for the snitch as Draco flew beside me. Cho was on my other side, trying to locate the golden object as well. We both spotted it at the same time. This was unfortunate because the bludger got in my way. Draco tried to bat it away but hit Cho in the process.
"Sorry," he said.
"It's alright, I'm not injured. Just keep that thing away from Harry." Cho said. Malfoy nodded and turned back to me. He was too late though …
I rolled to avoid the black ball, but that was to no avail. It followed me, movement for movement, and eventually slammed into my right arm. I hissed as my arm went limp. A crack could be heard, and I let my lifeless arm flop at my side. I would just have to use my left arm now, the dominat anyway. What the fuck could make a bludger chase me like this?
Draco was immediately at my side as the bludger drifted away.
"Are you alright Harry?"
"I think so," I hissed as I forced myself to focus. If I could just catch the snitch then it would all be over …
The bludger came at me again. I tried to swerve but something stopped me in my tracks. I had no idea why, but I couldn't move. When the bludger hit there was a loud crack, and I barely contained my scream of pain. It fucking hurt like hell, and I was sure that all of the bones from my right shoulder down had been snapped. This was just great! It was probably one of the Gryffindors in the crowd. They were just looking for a way to beat us in the upcoming match in the next few days. What better way then to take out the seeker …
At the very least, that would postpone the match. We had no replacement for the seeker position.
I looked down to see a smirking Ron Weasley in the stands. I scowled at him and brought my eyes back to the pitch. The snitch was above Cho's ear, and she hadn't even noticed it!
I sped toward the girl, ready to end this match. Her eyes widened as I came toward her, but she got out of the way. She realized too late that I had seen the snitch and tried to follow me. This was not going to be a match won by Ravenclaw. They may have been up in goal points, but I was going to beat them fair and square.
I heard a whirring sound and a curse as the bludger tried to do more damage to me again. I put up an invisible shield around me and Cho, to try and stave it off. It worked but I was thrown backward by the impact. I closed my broken hand around the snitch as I began to fall. I kept a tight grip on my broom but no longer had the energy to save myself from falling …
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"And ... Wait! What's this? Harry Potter is Falling …" Lee said as he watched on in horror. The entire crowd held their breaths, even Ron. The boy fell to the ground and collapsed. Somehow he wasn't injured any further but his arm looked horrible! The damned bludger had probably broken every bone in his arm and fingers!
I snapped open my eyes as the bludger came once more. I wasn on the ground, why was it still after me. Draco landed quickly and sent an Incendio toward the bludger. It erupted in flames and the ashes fell to the ground.
"harry?" the blonde asked as he knelt beside me. I nodded weakly and opened my right fist.
Resting in my palm was the golden snitch. Lee Jordan must have noticed because he immediately started speaking.
"Harry Potter has caught the golden snitch! Slytherin wins 170 to 40!"
I sat up and grimaced as some students and teachers came near to me and Draco. One of them, was Gilderoy Lockheart.
No …
"Let me through. I can fix this." The blonde professor said as he pushed his way through the crowd. They parted reluctantly and he smiled at me.
"I will fix that Harry."
"I think I can take care of it." I said.
"Nonsense. Let me-"
"Episk-"
"Brackium Emendo."
The second spell was from the blonde idiot, and unfortunately was fully cast. Harry's eyes rolled to the back of his head as a squelching sound could be heard. He tried to move his arm and cringed as it made a squishing sound and refused to move.
"What did you do?" he asked, turning furious eyes on the professor.
"Uh well … you won't be feeling any pain."
"He has no bones left to feel." Hagrid said as he glared at Lockheart. When had the half giant come over?
"Get him to the Hospital wing." Someone said before Harry's vision went black …
-separater-
A/N:
I am splitting this chapter. I know, you guys must be really annoyed with me. My computer doesn't like saving large documents right now. I don't really have a choice.
There should only be two parts this time. I will let you know in the next chapter if that is going to change.
R and R
Thanks for those who have reviewed.