Chapter 3 ~ Test Dueling and Inheritance Part II
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I awoke to a burning sensation. At first, I couldn't figure out its origin. Then I concentrated on the pain and realized it was coming from my arm. It felt like a thousand needles were being pushed into it and then pulled out viciously.
There was a loud 'crack!' I snapped my eyes open and gagged. There was a strange scent in the air, and it made me want to puke. The nurse came into the room and scowled.
"I have a potion for you to take Mr. Potter." She said, holding out a potion for me. I nodded and downed it immediately.
"That's a bone regeneration potion. It'll grow back the bones our 'dear' Gilderoy removed for you." Said Pomphrey. It was clear, to me even, that she hated him.
"It will take quitesome time to completely restore the missing bones. I shall have to keep you here for a few days Mr. Potter."
"What's that smell?" I asked, putting a hand over my nose.
"… smell Mr. Potter?"
I gagged once and then forced my mouth shut. The nurse looked around and spotted a bit of blood trickling from a cut on my right arm. Where it had come from was unclear.
"I don't know how you got it but that cut has got to be healed." Said the nurse. She brought her wand out from behind her ear and started to wave it.
I shook my head and glared at her. I picked up my own wand from the bedside table and canceled her spell.
"Mr. Potter, I have to heal this." The woman said.
"I shall do it myself. Right now we have to stop the bleeding." I said. She nodded and walked off. A few minutes later she came back and pressed a cloth to my arm.
"Let me know when it stops bleeding. I shall see what I can do after that." She said.
"I shall deal with this myself. I know what you want to do but it isn't going to help." I said. She grumbled under her breath and left the room. I growled in annoyance and pressed the cloth a little harder into my skin.
I conjured a glass of water and drank down the cool liquid. Then there was a noise and I looked toward the sound.
"Mr. Potter?" asked a voice. I could see something there but it was too dark to tell what it was. I muttered a quick lumos and Dobby's stout form could be seen.
"Mr. Potter sir?" the elf asked.
"Why are you here Dobby?" I asked, casting Muflito in case anyone was around.
"Dobby came to see Mr. Potter sir. Are you feeling alright?"
"Does it look like it? My bones were broken from the shoulder down, I fell off of my broom, and then my idiot professor banished the bones in my arm." I said. Dobby looked horrified for a moment and then smiled slightly.
"At least you are alright. Dobby told you not to come to Hogwarts this year."
"Why is that Dobby? Is there a danger worse than nearly losing the use of my arm?" I asked, a hint of sarcasm in my voice.
"Mr. Harry Potter sir … you should go home."
"Go home? Are you nutters Dobby? It won't be any better there than it is here." I said.
"But at least-"
"I am staying at school. I know you are trying to protect me Dobby. Honestly I should be flattered by that. But too many people have tried to protect me during my life, and they only end up hurting me instead." I said, my eyes going hard.
"Does Mr. Harry Potter sir hate Dobby?" asked the elf, tears forming in his eyes.
"No Dobby. I just wish you would stop trying to 'save' me. People think they know what's best for me. Sometimes it's better to let life run its course. Trying to save people can make things worse."
"I shall keep that in mind Mr. Harry Potter sir. Dobby must go now."
"Good bye Dobby." I said as he disappeared.
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In the morning I slipped out of the Hospital Wing unnoticed. The nurse looked for me but failed in her search. My bones had grown back, but were a bit weak. I am sure a bit of exercise to them would do some good. I would want to wait a few days for that though.
I groaned and sat up. Draco was reading in bed and I blinked at him.
"what time is it?" I asked.
"It's 7:30 in the morning and it's Monday." Said the blonde. My eyes widened and I made to stand up. Draco put the book down and scowled at me.
He held me down and said,
"It's alright Harry. Classes don't start till after lunch today. The 'Dueling club' is today."
"When does that start?"
"At nine. If you wish you can start getting ready now, but it is unnecessary." Said the Malfoy heir. I nodded and ran a hand through my hair. The nurse had untied it and let it flow loosely when I was in her care.
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Tom?
Yes Ginevra?
Today is the dueling Club. I can impress Harry.
Yes Ms. Weasley. I am sure he would like to see you duel. Do you remember what I taught you about dueling?
Yes Tom. I am going to make a name for myself today! Harry will be there to see it!
Don't get too cocky Ms. Weasley. You may have to duel him you know.
But that will only make things better.
Yes Ms. Weasley. You shall be able to demonstrate yor dueling prouess today.
Thanks for the confidence Tom.
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By eight fourty five myself, Draco, Pansy, Blaise, Knott, and the rest of the second year Slytherins walked into a large chamber. This was where the dueling club was going to take place. It had taken some convincing from Draco to get pansy here, but most of the other Slytherins were curious. If this was going to be led by Professor Lockheart it might be a bust. There was always the possibility one of us could duel him, and that was the reason I was here. It would be fun to show him how pathetic he was.
I smirked as I watched more students filter into the room. When it was as full as it was going to get Lockheart erected a stage at the front of the room. He stood on it and watched us. Him and his damnable smile …
"Now that we are all here I would like to start. Professor Snape shall be helping me." He said as Snape climbed onto the stage. His robes billowed around him, giving him a slightly scary appearance to most. It was going to be the blonde celebrity and the black clothed potions master. This would hopefully make things better. I had never really seen Snape cast harmful spells but that didn't mean he couldn't.
"To start off I think we shall have a practice duel. Snape and I shall show you how things work." Said Lockheart.
'This is going to be ridiculous.' Durante thought into my mind.
'You said it. I cannot wait to see what Snape does to Lockheart.' I sent.
'Yesssss that shall be entertaining.'
I broke the mind link and stared at Lockheart. By the movement of his lips he had obviously just been talking.
"… now with the rules out of the way we can start. Professor Snape I am afraid I am going to make a fool out of you." Said Lockheart.
Yeah right.
"We shall see." Said Snape.
"Impedamenta," said Lockheart. Snape stumbled a bit but didn't fall.
"Is that all you can do?" asked Snape with a snicker.
"Severus remember disarming spells and not harmful ones." Said Lockheart.
"I am aware of the rules." Snape said. Then he smirked and waved his wand.
"ColoVari,"
The spell hit Lockheart and he fellover in surprise.
When he stood up most of the students started laughing. I snickered and saw Draco doing the same. Lockheart's hair was now bright pink, reached his waist, and had ringlets in it. He blushed and then scowled at Snape.
"Remove it," he said. Snape shook his head and gave him a rude gesture. Groaning Lockheart sighed and pointed his wand at Snape.
"Mico Astrum," said the blonde. Sparkling stars shot out of his wand and blinded Snape. The black haired professor waved his wand in the air after he could see a bit better. With a simple swish he banished the stars. He then shot a spell at Lockheart without speaking. Lockheart's eyes widened as he fell flat on his back. He got up and sighed.
"I think that's enough." He said.
"I would like you to remove this spell." Said Lockheart to Snape. The potions master smirked and said,
"I think I will take something from your book, Mico."
Immediately Lockheart's pink curly hair began to sparkle. Lockheart conjured a mirror and gave out a cry of disbelief.
"Professor Snape will you please remove this." He said with wide, fearful eyes. He muttered a quick Finite Incantantum. It had no effect, his hair was still sparkly, pink, and curly. He glared at Snape and then pushed pink curls out of his eyes.
Snape stepped off to the side of the stage and sneered.
"Now we shall pair off students. I think we should have a demonstration duel …" said Lockheart.
"Which ones to use …" he mused, idly playing with a long strand of pink hair.
"I suggest someone from my own house ... Potter." Said Snape. I glanced at him and smirked. He gestured for me to get onto the stage, and I stepped onto it. I made sure to keep as far away from Lockheart as possible. If I was too close I might start laughing out loud.
"I think we should have one that I choose Snape … How about … Ginny Weasley." Said Gilderoy. I watched as the small redhead beamed and started making her way to the stage. Lockheart stepped off and she climbed on. She then pierced me with her blue eyed stare.
It was almost unnerving. The way she was looking at me …
Such admiration … and was that love …?
I shook my head and turned to the two professors.
"I would like you two to use the proper dueling style and then start." Said Lockheart. We both nodded and faced each other.
I felt a pang of uneasiness as I bowed slightly. She grinned and raised her wand.
"Colo-"
"I don't think so." I said as I jumped out of the way. She fired a weak bubble charm at me and I dodged that as well.
"Incendio," I said as fire erupted from my wand.
The girl managed to dodge it and I let the spell drop. There was no way she would be able to stop it.
"I think I will get things going … SerpantSorcia," said Ginny. My eyes widened as a black snake appeared. The snake slithered toward me and I stared blankly. Should I try to stop it?
The snake jumped off the stage and into the crowd. They parted immediately and Ginny and I moved to where it had landed. The snake hissed menacingly as I glared at it.
/Back off./ I said. Ginny's eyes widened and the snake stopped to listen to more.
/I order you to return to where you came from./
The snake hissed in amusement and turned to Draco. His eyes widened for a second before the snake lunged at him. I grit my teeth and muttered a quick Duro. The snake turned to stone just a few inches from the blonde. I waved my wand and the snake statue shattered into fine dust. I glared at Ginny and left the room.
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After Harry Potter left murmurs erupted around the chamber.
"He can talk to Snakes?" asked a Gryffindor boy.
"That's the ability that You-know-who has." Said Hermione.
"He's the heir of Slytherin …" said another Gryffindor fearfully.
An uproar of angry voices now permiated the room. The 'boy savior' was the 'heir of Slytherin? Their savior was on You-know-who's side? Had he been the whole time …
Ginny smirked. She thought she had done well with that duel. There was technically no victor, but that didn't matter. She had managed to startle Harry Potter, and she could bet she impressed him too. Tom had taught her that spell, and it was damned useful.
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Ginny made her way to her dorm and sat on her bed. She dragged the diary out of her trunk and opened it. She closed her curtains and sighed contentedly. She pulled out her quill and started to write in the diary.
Tom?
How did things go Ginny?
They went great! Harry … the look on his face …
You must tell me all about it.
I used some minor spells. Then I used SerpantSorcia just like you told me to. He is a Slytherin after all, that should have impressed him.
And?
It looked like it did.
Really?
His eyes widened as the snake appeared. Then I let it do what it wished.
What it wished? What did your serpant do Ginevra?
It attacked Draco Malfoy. But …
But?
Harry started hissing. The snake was amused and lunged for Draco ...
What did he do?
He turned it to stone.
Stone? Did you catch the name of the spell?
Duro.
The Duro spell is a 'dark spell' Ms. Weasley.
It is? He is a dark wizard then?
Not necessarily. Did he use any other spells against you?
No. He used a spell to turn the snake to dust though.
He seems to be a powerful wizard for his age. What year is he again?
He just became a fourth year.
Fourth year?
He took a test and got advanced to the fourth year. It was big news when it happened.
I think I know of what test you speak. I thought it was banned by the ministry …
I don't know. Apparently not considering he is now in fourth year instead of second.
I need to find out more about this Harry Potter.
I can tell you anything you want to know. I watch him like a hawk.
Really? … Do you know exactly how powerful he is?
No … That is just about the only thing I can't tell you. I doubt that Dumbledore knows that for sure.
Pitty … He seems interesting …
Tom?
Yes?
Your time is unable to mingle with ours right?
As far as I know … Why do you ask?
I was wondering … You aren't falling in love with Harry are you? You better not be. He is mine!
No Ginevra.
Good.
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I stood in a dark room. There were torches along the walls, but not many. A tall, black haired, blue eyed boy stood in front of me. I was disappointed. I always drempt of red eyes … this wasn't …
"I am what you seek Harry Potter." The boy said. I blinked and shook my head.
"The one I wish to see has red eyes. Besides … I doubt you are Lord Voldemort." I said.
"You might be surprised …" the boy said with a smirk.
I gave him a weird look.
/You might find him a lot closer than you think./ he hissed in parseltongue.
/What?/ I said in surprise.
/I just think you may not want to rule out all of the possibilities./ he replied.
The boy and the room began to fade. I reached towrd him, but dropped my arms to my sides when I figured out what I was doing. The last thing I saw before things went black was red eyes. The very same red eyes that always haunted my dreams …
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A/n:
I am stopping here. This is where I will probably differ from cannon the most. I am going to use the same people who get petrified in the original second book though. I am doing this cause I don't think I can bring Harry to care about anyone other than Draco enough to make it work. I don't want Draco to get petrified.
As for the Christmas Holidays … I am not sure what I am going to do about that. I might write it in, I might not. I kind of want to get to the 'chamber' part.
I shall try to explain the changes from the original book as best I can. I will dedicate a chapter to the person who can guess what the last part of the chapter means.
R and R