That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.
William J. H. Boetcker
Chapter 21:Midnight strolls in the eve of chaos
Ginny was waiting for him in front of the portrait whole when he came back from his meeting with Dumbledore. He was glad to see a friendly face, and to be able to forget about war and destiny for at least a little while.
She smiled at him, and suddenly he didn't want to go inside, and face the crowded common room. Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to run away somewhere, with Ginny, and forget that there even was a wizarding world.
She must have felt the shift in his mood, because she stepped forward, and put a hand on his arm, and asked concernedly, "Harry, are you alright?"
He smiled slightly; she was the only person he knew who could read his moods quite that fast, and quite that accurately. "Yeah, Gin, just tired. And not really in the mood for people." He brightened suddenly. "Come on, let's take a walk!"
"A walk?"
"Yeah, a walk. I've certainly explored this castle enough, and always for the wrong reasons. I'm sure we can find an agreeable spot for a midnight walk. Come on, Gin," he quipped, "you know you want to."
She smiled at his sudden renewed energy, and couldn't say no. And truth be told, she wanted nothing more than to take midnight walks with Harry.
"If we get caught, I'll say you abducted me and was corrupting my innocence!" she teased.
"Ha, as if anyone here would believe you, miss Weasley!"
"What, that I'm not a perfectly innocent young girl?" she asked, blinking exaggeratedly.
"No!" Harry laughed, "That anyone could actually take you anywhere against your will."
"And don't you forget it!" she said, grinning. "So where are you taking me, this fine evening, Mister Potter?"
Harry laced their arms together, and started down the corridors. "Um, what are you on the mood for, Gin? A snack? Or we could go up a tower and watch the stars. Or maybe take a walk in the Rose Garden, I heard professor Flitwick is keeping his tiny faeries there, it should be a nice sight."
Ginny smiled at him, and he thought he had never seen a more beautiful sight in his whole life. He felt he could drown in her, and die a happy man. "I think the Rose Garden is a good choice, Harry. And inside the castle, so we won't be breaking too many rules."
"Since when do you care about rules, Ginny?"
"Since I lost 80 house points in my first day back? I don't think anyone would be very happy if we lost any more tonight."
"You're still upset about that, Gin? We'll get the points back; don't worry. With Quidditch, if with nothing else." He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "No one blames you. Everyone in Gryffindor knows what Snape is like."
She smiled up at him, and relaxed, enjoying the quiet of the castle, the long empty corridors, and the comforting warmth that was Harry, walking beside her.
"How did your meeting go, Harry? Could you talk things through with the Headmaster?"
"Yeah, actually. Fawkes was there and he pretty much kept us both in check. You now how Phoenix song won't let you get angry, or afraid, just... Calm and serene."
"Kind of like a breathing batch of calming draught, huh?"
He smiled at the analogy, "Yes, exactly. But it was useful at least. We talked about the war, and the Order, the ministry, Gringotts... It was very productive." He paused for a moment, not sure if he wanted to broach the next subject. "Dumbledore also said he wanted to help the two of us with Occlumency, Gin, if you're up for it... It's not easy to learn, but... He said it might help you with the things that happened this summer."
She nodded. "He'd talked about something like that a few weeks ago." Her voice suddenly took on a slight pleading, and she squeezed his arm. "Will you be there, Harry? I-I'd rather not do it alone."
"Of course, Gin. Because you want me to, if nothing else." She nodded gratefully, and the look in her eyes was enough to remind him of how precious his connection to her was. "Fridays after class, Dumbledore said. Is the time okay for you?"
She nodded in reply, and they continued walking quietly, side by side, the long empty hallways stretching on in the darkness, the silence around them almost alive. The castle itself was a living presence, tangible now that the students were gone, and that the two of them were the only people walking the halls.
They soon made it outside, and to the Rose Garden, where dozens of tiny lights flitted about among the flowers like golden flecks drifting in the air. Ginny couldn't hold back a small gasp at the simple beauty of the place, calm and inviting.
"They're beautiful," she whispered.
"Yes," Harry said, quietly. "It's nice to be reminded that there's still beauty in the world."
"It is. Come, Harry, let's walk."
The air was fragrant with the sweet smell of roses, and a gentle breeze was blowing. The air felt fresh, but not the biting cold of winter, and Ginny couldn't think of a more perfect moment in time. She could feel all her nerves attuned to the magic around her, flowing in the flowers and in the tiny specks of light. And she could feel Harry with every one of her senses, and the yearning in her heart was almost a physical pain.
"I wish we could stop time, Gin, and stay here forever." All the light banter from the corridor was gone from his voice, and she could feel another shift in his mood, and wondered what it meant. He stopped in front of her, and tucked a few tendrils of hair behind her ear, letting his fingers linger across her face, sending tingles running through her whole body.
"I can't think when you're this close, Gin." Harry said softly, his voice sounding pained.
"You don't need to think, Harry." Her eyes were glowing in the gossamer light and he wanted nothing more than to let go, and lose himself in them. But he couldn't help the knot of apprehension in his stomach, and the muted fear every time he looked at her. "Just let go," she said.
He let his forehead touch hers, and gently brought a hand to cup her cheek, letting the other run through her hair, and bringing her closer. Ginny felt she could hardly breath. And suddenly his mouth was covering hers, and her arms were around his neck, and she didn't need to breath, only to feel. It was a gentle kiss, drawn out, and savored. The whole universe seemed to hold still, and for one perfect moment, nothing in the world was as real, as important, as this.
Harry pulled back, after an infinite amount of moments, but held her close, and she luxuriated in the feel of his arms around her, and this perfect closeness.
"I can't lose you, Gin. I can't." There was real pain in his voice, and she realized, perhaps for the first time, the effort it took to open himself up for that kind of vulnerability, that kind of hurt, again.
"Harry..." she whispered softly. "We'll be careful. I can't live without you, either."
He leaned down once more, letting his lips slide against hers, and she was lost in the moment, every other thought leaving her head. And she couldn't hold herself back any longer and she laughed, her eyes sparkling with uncontained joy. "What took you so long, Harry? We shouldn't have wasted so much time!"
"Well, you said it yourself, I'm a bit of a wimp, in such matters," he smiled down at her, seeming to drink her up with his eyes.
"You are at that. But not anymore, now you're all mine, and no take back's allowed."
"Wouldn't dream of it, Gin. Not even for a second." And she couldn't doubt his word, even for a moment, as she saw the simple happiness in his eyes, and the way he was holding her to him, like a last lifeline in an insane world.
The next morning, Harry came skipping down the steps to the boy's dormitories, feeling, for the first time in a very long while, that maybe all was right in the world after all. He had a surprise waiting for him in the common room, where he found Ginny sprawled in one of the couches, dressed in comfortable clothes and tennis shoes, her feet dangling awkwardly from the sides of her seat.
"Gin," he said with a smile, "what are you doing up so early?"
"I," she said, getting up and stretching languorously, "am going running with my boyfriend. That is what you have been doing in the mornings, right?"
He felt a grin spread on his face at the title and answered, "Yes, I just never figured you'd be up for it so early in the morning."
She came forward, and, getting up on her tiptoes, gently kissed him good morning. "I want us to have something to do together, Harry. I loved training with you this summer, and I don't want to lose the habit. Plus, they say sports are good for you, so let's go. Come on. We don't have all morning."
"Okay, you're right. I have to meet professor Tedakis afterwards, but we should get a good 40 minutes in, if we leave now. You up for it, Ginny?"
"Bring it on, Harry," she said with a grin while at the same time, trying to fight down a yawn.
As it turned out, she kept up with him for all of twenty minutes, before coming to a sudden halt and gasping in between breaths "Tell me again why I decided to do this Harry?"
He laughed at her predicament. "Because it's good for you? Keep walking Gin, tomorrow you'll do better. I'll meet you at the steps."
After he finished one more lap around the castle, he found Ginny stretching in the front steps of the castle. "How are you, Gin? Starting up can be hard."
"I'm fine now," she said, smiling. "I actually feel pretty good, now that I can breath normally again," she laughed. "I'm actually wide awake, Harry! Even before my first class of the day! This is a complete first for me."
"So you'll be up at six tomorrow again?" he asked carefully.
She frowned slightly, and sat down next to him on the steps. "Of course I'll be here tomorrow, Harry. This is where I want to be. You can't get rid of me that easily."
He smiled then, and placed a small kiss on her lips, resisting the urge to let things spiral further. "Thanks Gin, it's actually pretty cool, having some company. It can get lonely out here in the mornings."
"Well, not anymore." She got up, and reached out to give him a hands up. "Come on, you'll be late for your meeting, and I need a shower."
They walked in together, making their way up in the castle.
"Are you free this evening, Gin?"
"Yes, why?"
"Well, we could meet after dinner, and get in some training and some sparing, to keep you sharp."
"Okay! See you at breakfast!" And with an excited spring in her step, she took the steps up to Gryffindor Tower two at a time.
Harry kept on walking, thinking ahead to the next hour. He wondered what this new training would entail, and felt a small trickle of excitement. It was so reassuring to finally be able to get help with this whole new aspect of his powers that had suddenly opened up under his feet. He knew he'd been dealing with it the best way he could, but it had still felt like wading through murky water.
He found his Professor leaning against the tapestry in front of the room of requirement, waiting for him. She smiled slightly when he appeared.
"Good morning, Harry. I see you've already started your day."
"Yep, just a quick jog. I figured since I finally acquired some good habits, I shouldn't stop just because I'm at school."
"Of course. Let's go in, then."
She was dressed casually, and he found it strange to see a Professor out of the robes that were the usual fashion in the wizarding world. The room looked like the she usually did for DA meetings when they would practice dueling, a large open space in the middle of the room, and no sharp objects on which someone could get hurt.
"Well," said Elektra. "This is a useful little asset you found here, Harry."
"I know. It can do just about anything. It's amazing." He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, now that they were here... Was he supposed to just carry on as usual, as if she wasn't there?
Elektra was silent for a moment, seeming deep in thought, and finally sighed, and said "Okay Harry, I have to be honest with you. I believe that any kind of apprenticeship needs to be based on trust, and this is something of the sort. I must admit that your situation is unique, and that I'll be learning with you as time goes by."
"I know, I read that unsealing your magical core is pretty rare," he said, nodding.
"It's more than that, Harry." She started pacing in front of him, in what he now recognized as her teaching mode. "Unsealing your core is possible, if you have certain magical characteristics. Your family was well-known for this ability – it was a common practice among wizards and witches of your lineage. In doing that, they acquired a certain number of sorcerous powers, while maintaining the ability to use a wand."
Harry nodded. He had read about sorcerers when he was researching what had happened to him. They were practitioners, but unlike wizards, had no magical core, only conduits, and relied therefore solely on ambient magic to cast. And while they couldn't use a wand, their ability to use their whole bodies as magical conduits for extreme forces was legendary.
They were also supposed to be extinct.
"That's why you don't have a wand, then?"
She smiled, her eyes twinkling, "Yes. I see you figured out what I am."
"I did, but I can't really wrap my mind around it... Sorceresses were supposed to have all died during some war in the Middle Ages when a Dark Lord went berserk, and didn't want competition."
"Well, he didn't get us all. There are still a few dozen of us around the world, a few families. But we keep ourselves hidden from the wizarding world, teaching our sons and daughters ourselves. However, we always kept in touch with the Potters, in case one of them wanted to go through with the ceremonies and needed training."
"Okay, so what is so special about my case?"
"Well, when you go through the rituals, there is a lot of work and preparation involved. You prepare your body for the added power that will be running through it, you prepare new conduits that can deal with the constant bond with magic... It takes years, Harry, of hard work and discipline, and it is still risky, even if what the rituals create is only a small, neat crack in your core. Even so, wizards have died in a backlash afterwards." She paused, and looked at him seriously. "What you did, Harry... Was violent. It tore your core apart. That is why you could suddenly feel so much power running through you. And that means it will be that much more difficult to form a stable bond, and to get your conduits to work seamlessly with your magic. However, on the bright side, it also means that if you do manage it, you'll have that much more power to work with, since you'll be able to call on ambient magic as well as your core."
"I don't understand, how does that work?" As his Professor spoke, Harry felt a wave of helplessness hit him. This was so much more real than reading something in a book, cloaked in academic language and so far removed from reality.
"Well, do you know how a sorceress' powers work, Harry?"
"Not really, only that you can't use a wand, and use ambient magic. But I don't really know how that works."
"Well, we don't have a magical core, as such – it's why we can't use a wand, you see? – but we are magical beings. Entirely magical – that means that our whole bodies can attract magic, and we can use our conduits to harness it and make it do our bidding."
"I understand – instead of using internal power, you pull in everything that's around you. And since everything in the world has magic to some degree or other, you have unlimited supplies."
"Exactly. The only limitation is the amount of energy the body can stand. And now, since you have unsealed your core, and are, little by little, assimilating your power to your body, becoming one with your magic, you'll also be able to do that. That's the objective. The end result of everything I'm going to try to teach you, Harry. It's a hard, difficult path, but the rewards are... indescribable."
She had that expression of sheer joy in her eyes once more, that made Harry feel as if he could follow her into Hell and back, to reach that sense of peace and contentment.
"Okay, Professor. As I said before, I'm in. What do you need me to do?"
She smiled slightly, nodding at him. "For starters, do your exercises. I want to see you doing the Custodium Imperium. I'll be able to sense how far along you are, and see what you need to work on. Then we'll meditate together, and I'll show you a few things."
When Harry left the room of requirement an hour later, he ached on a level he had never ached before. It was as if his very magic, deep inside himself, had gotten a thorough workout. Elektra had been right - it was a difficult path. But at the same time, with her guidance, he felt he had progressed more in one day then in all the previous weeks combined.
He felt strange – and that was saying something, considering just how incredibly peculiar his magic and his body had been acting since his return from Voldemort's dungeons. All his muscles felt loose, and jet he knew he had worked just as hard this morning as he had any other. His head was clear, and everything around him seemed to have a slight shine to it, as if his eyes were starting to see what his magical senses felt. And he was hungry. Absolutely, ravenously hungry. With that in mind, he made a quick stop by the showers, and hurried to the great hall.
As promised, Ginny was waiting for him there, and he felt that same shock of unrestrained joy that seemed to hit him every time he looked at her after last night. He wondered what he had done right in his life to deserve such a gift. She seemed to feel his presence, and looked up as he approached, and gave him that small, mischievous smile that she reserved just for him.
"Harry," she said, "glad you could join us."
"Why, miss Weasley," he answered, "a gentleman always keeps his promises, doesn't he?"
"And might I ask how that is relevant to the matter at hand, you rascal?" she quipped.
"You know very well how, miss Weasley!" he replied indignantly.
"Do I, really?" she laughed.
Across from them, he noticed Hermione watching their exchange thoughtfully, a little knowing smile gracing her lips, and he was impressed once more by her sheer powers of observation. Their light banter wasn't much different from his and Ginny's usual interaction.
As he sat down and devoted his attention to eating, Ginny, who had already finished, lazily sipped a glass of orange juice, and skimmed the Prophets titles. And suddenly, he felt her senses shift, and saw a frown marring her features. She stopped turning the pages of the newspaper and carefully read a small article in one of the inner pages.
"What is it, Gin?" he asked quietly.
"The ministry mucking about, as usual," she answered, glowering at the page. "Harry, Fudge is going to ruin this war before it even starts."
She pushed the newspaper towards him, and pointed to the title of what she had been reading. In black block letters, it said, "New measure in the fight against violence", and lower, in smaller lettering, "Minister to push for a tighter application of protection against magical creatures laws in response to reports of attacks on wizarding population". The rest of the article was filled with the usual blabbering of the ministry's policy against dangerous creatures, and how a stricter application of the laws would help protect good wizarding families. It could have come straight from the mouth of Dolores Umbridge.
Harry frowned, "Where did this come from? What attacks? Why haven't we heard about this?" He stopped eating for a moment. "Damn, this complicates matters. I need to send word to Ragnok, and to John. We can't hesitate anymore. Gin, who wrote this bloody thing?"
"It's not signed, Harry." She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Harry, how could they have known? How could they time it just right?" Ginny asked, her concern clearly apparent in her voice.
"I don't know, there must be a leak somewhere... In the ministry and in the Goblin Council. They timed it more than just right, too... It was perfect. Ragnok called a meeting for today of the Goblin High Council. This is bound to cause quite a bit of a stir, and risks pushing them over the edge. Merlin, what a mess."
Harry hurried through the rest of his breakfast, then grabbed two pieces of parchment from his bag and quickly penned a letter to John Hellington and to Ragnok, and sealed them with a quiet spell. He then turned to Ginny, "Gin, can you swing by the Owlery and give those to Hedwig, I need a quick word with the Headmaster before class. I'm really sorry to spring this on you like this, but this time Fudge really stepped on it."
"Go on, Harry, I have a few minutes. Don't worry." She found his hand under the table and gave it a quick squeeze, letting it linger just a second too long, and then she smiled and got out of her place to do as he had asked. With the simple gesture, she had managed to put him at ease, and communicate her confidence that they would all be able to get past this glitch in their plans.
For his part, Harry got up, grabbed the newspaper, and quickly walked the long way to the Head Table, feeling the eyes of the other students and all his professors following his movement. He stepped up to the Headmaster, who had followed his approach with growing concern in his eyes, and showed him the article. He didn't need any words. His old professor understood the implications immediately.
"Professor, I told you that man was going to be trouble. The High Council is meeting today. Can you imagine what this will do to our support among the goblins? I told you the ministry was their main issue with us. This will strengthen that position a thousand fold," Harry said quietly, and slightly desperately.
Around them, the Professors were all watching the exchange unabashedly, even if they kept their voices low enough not to be overheard. He could hear the whispers among the students as well, but couldn't find any reason to care. He could let them talk.
"I understand, Harry. But you should have more faith in your allies. From what I know of Ragnok, he won't let this get in the way of his given word."
"Ragnok may be the High Councilor, but he has only one vote," Harry spat. "There is only so much he can do."
"And there is only so much we can do, Harry," the Headmaster said quietly. "The damage is done, now we can only wait for the repercussions, and try to figure out how this happened. I will see what I can find in the ministry – I will put our best people on the case, to try and find out where the order came from, see if there's an enemy agent in our midst. I trust you asked Ragnok to do the same among his people. There were really only a very limited number of people who knew about our arrangements, Harry. We will find out how this happened."
"Okay, professor. But I still think something needs to be done about Fudge."
"I know, my boy. You've said so enough times," the old man said with a smile.
"I've also asked John to make some discreet enquiries around the Prophet – see who the mysterious reporter is, and where he gets his information."
"Very well – he knows not to draw attention to himself," Dumbledore said. "Now, Harry, I believe you have lessons to attend, if I am not mistaken?"
Harry smiled sardonically, and turned his back on the Headmaster, rolling his eyes. He always had to have the last word.
Harry had spent the whole day ready to jump out the window, he was so anxious to hear about the results of the High Council. None of his classes had been able to hold his attention, and he had come nearly to blows with Professor Snape during an interminable double period. He had run through every relaxation technique he knew, had called on his magic, but nothing seemed to work. He hated knowing that events were out of his control.
Hermione had been watching him throughout the day, and he was surprised she still hadn't asked what was bothering him. He stopped a moment to wonder if he would have told her... Perhaps, if only in the hopes that their strained relationship might lighten up a bit.
He stepped inside the Dueling classroom, and felt a sudden spark of glee. Maybe here he would be able to unwind – some serious sparring would be just the thing. He really hoped the professor was as good as Ginny said he was – he needed the distraction. The classroom, was the first thing Harry saw. And it wasn't really a classroom at all. There were benches set around the walls, were they could sit side by side, but no tables. The floor, instead of the hard stone he was used to seeing in the rest of the castle was covered in a slightly flexible material, that might soften a harsh tumble – but wasn't too soft that they would lose traction. It was really the perfect place to learn some serious dueling, Harry thought.
All the students settled down around the room, and waited for the arrival of their newest professor. They didn't have to wait for long. He strode into the room, dressed, not in the usual heavy robes, but in a long sleeved T-shirt, comfortable slacks and what Harry recognized as muggle combat boots. Professor Agilius certainly did not look like a wizard. However, the way he held his wand lightly between his fingers, ready to cast at a moment's notice quickly relieved anyone of that notion.
"Good afternoon," he said, "I was asked by your Headmaster to teach all of you how to Duel."
He paused, letting his eyes wander among the students seated on the benches. "I tried to explain that that was a futile notion, seeing as you are all still in school, but he insisted." There were a few laughs at that, but Harry wondered why the Professor thought that. He didn't see the contradiction in the two.
"That being the case, the first thing you will all have to realize is that in this classroom, you must forget everything that you have learned, everything that you think is possible or not, every expected way you are supposed to react to a given situation." Ha paused, letting his eyes roam the classroom, never stopping on one particular student, but seeming completely aware of all of them. "Who can tell me what is the best way to stop a stunning curse?"
It was a fairly basic question, and half a dozen hands shot up in the air. Harry wondered what was the point behind it. It was obviously not a purely academic discussion – any second year student knew that a Stunner could be blocked with a Protego.
The professor pointed at Susan Bones, who promptly said, "A Protego shield."
"That can indeed stop a Stunning curse, but it is not the best way to do it."
Most hands came down. Hermione kept hers in the air, and the professor called her. "A Contego shield requires more power and skill, but is stronger."
"All true – but it is not the best way to stop a stunning curse." He paused, and no one else raised their hands. "No one?"
Quietly, Harry said, "Not getting hit is the best way to stop any sort of curse."
His Professor turned to look at him, one eyebrow raised slightly in surprise. Once he recognized who had spoken, he nodded in understanding and said, in a serious voice. "You are correct, Mister Potter. Can you explain why?"
Taking a deep breath, Harry said, "For a number of reasons, really... You don't waste the time or energy casting, you can attack while your enemy is expecting you to defend, you don't get caught up in nasty side effects you had no way of anticipating, but really, mostly because there are curses that can't be stopped, and unless you can read the mind of your opponent – something not many people can do – you never know what's coming at you."
"Precisely." The professor turned his still blue gaze back to the class and continued, "You must see dueling like a dance - a dance upon which your very survival might depend one day. Each move must be graceful as well as deadly. Speed, agility, force and power. Those are your friends, those are the things that we will be training this year. Each of you will develop his or her own style, and work on it until it is as near perfection as possible. Everything about this class will be practical. This will be the ultimate application of all your knowledge, of everything you know or think you know about magic. Do you understand?"
Harry saw people nodding all around the classroom, but wondered if anyone really understood. He saw now why Ginny had been so taken by the professor – he went beyond the simple, obvious way to use magic, and thus opened their eyes to a much larger range of possibilities.
Yes, he could see how all of that would appeal to Ginny. And if he was honest with himself, it quite appealed to him as well. He wondered if he was going to get a shot at someone in this class, he was simply itching for a fight.
"Today," the professor went on, "I will be facing each of you, to estimate your level of skill in the subject, and different styles, weaknesses and strengths – if there are any. I will then be able to separate you according to needs and leave you to duel each other. So let us begin. I will go around the class." He pointed to a slight girl in Hufflepuff colors that Harry knew from sight but couldn't remember the name.
The girl was visibly trembling as she stood up in front of the class, and stood in front of the Professor, not seeming quite sure what to do with her wand.
He gave a small, ironic smile, and said, "For us to duel, you will have to actually use that, you know."
The girl blushed crimson, stuttered something unintelligible, but seemed to gather what little confidence she had and raised her wand. Harry wondered for a moment if anyone would have the guts to be the first to attack.
The Professor was gentle with most students, but Harry saw he was mostly toying with them, trying to get them to react with something other than shields and counter curses. It was a wasted effort, most of the time. Harry kept a careful eye on what sort of curses he was using, and what defenses he'd use on the very rare occasions he could get someone to cast something back at him.
Just before Hermione was up, Harry whispered, quietly, "Try attacking first, Mione. Stay on the offensive."
She gave him a tightlipped smile and stood up, making her way to the middle of the classroom. The Professor had only just finished nodding that the duel had begun, when she whipped her wand in a complex fashion, and launched with a series of curses – mostly disarming stuff, Harry saw, coupled with some minor explosion and blasting curses.
For the first time, he saw the Professor smile, as he sidestepped neatly from most of the barrage, and quickly put up a shield to block the rest. While the shield was still forming, he continued his circular movement, and started an attack, which took Hermione by surprise. She recovered quickly enough to cast her own shield, and held out the barrage.
Harry knew she could hold on to that shield for as long as she wanted, but if she didn't start casting again, the whole thing would be pointless. She seemed to realize that at the same time he did. At the first interval she dropped her shield and started casting, and Harry muttered, "Move!" But it was too late, just as her stunning curse left her wand, she was caught by a disarming spell.
Professor Agilius gave a slight bow, and handed her back her wand. "Good spell work Miss-"
"Granger," Hermione answered.
"You need to work on your footwork, however. As most people here."
Hermione nodded graciously, and took her seat. "Your turn, Harry," she whispered.
Harry gave a feral smile, and felt that slight rush of adrenaline that he associated with getting ready for a fight, or a Quidditch game. He shrugged off his heavy robes, held his wand lightly in his right hand, and stepped to the middle of the floor. He stretched his neck muscles, relaxed his shoulders and felt his magic rising to the surface, ready to be used at a moments notice.
"Mister Potter," his professor said, nodding. His eyes seemed to flash, and he answered Harry's smile with one of his own. This time, there was no pause. As soon as Harry was in place, he started casting. Harry, relieved beyond measure to finally have an object to release his tension on, an activity he could lose himself in, didn't stop to think, and let instinct take over.
He twirled away from the first barrage, and came out of the turn casting. He felt the rhythm of the fight, his power, held tightly under control, answering to his will. Not waiting to see if his response had hit the mark – knowing instinctively that his adversary was above such simple tricks – he reversed direction and erecting a shield wordlessly to stop the spells flying towards him, started casting his own offensive spells, keeping things simple, stunning and binding spells only.
Smiling as he felt magic rushing around him, swirling in him, he let his instincts guide him. So long, he seemed to be holding his own, not having to rely solely on shields to defend himself. Then, his professor stepped up the rhythm. And suddenly, he had to keep moving constantly simply to stay out of the way of the spells flying towards him. While his opponent contented himself with occasionally sidestepping curses that came too close for comfort.
He let all his training come to the surface, felt the rhythm of the battle shift, and tried once more to start an offensive. But just as he felt he was back on track, the older man stepped up the battle once more. Harry held on for a few more seconds, but suddenly, as he dove under a curse, he landed out of balance, and as he scrambled to get back up, saw the disarming curse and felt it hit him square in the chest.
He stopped struggling to get up, and laughed quietly, as he tried to get his breath back. This had been fun. His professor walked up to him, not even slightly ruffled, Harry saw, and offered him a hand up. Smiling, Harry took him up on the offer, and got back up.
"Good work, Mister Potter. Now can you tell me what you did wrong?" Harry tried thinking back on the last few minutes, but he had been running largely on automatic reaction, and wasn't quite clear on where he had made a mistake.
His professor didn't wait for his answer. "The moment you felt you were having a bad landing, you should have had a shield up. Casting a shield as cover must become as natural a response as breathing. You may sit down," he said with one last piercing glance in his direction.
Harry took his seat, grinning when he saw Hermione's astonished expression, and wondered when he'd get to duel his Professor again. He was looking forward to the challenge.
Elektra was seated on her desk, going over her lesson plans for the next day, when she saw Michael coming through her door, a strange glint in his eyes.
"Elektra, I just had the second student in this school who had had at least some training in the Curator Tractus. This is getting ridiculous. How am I supposed to teach them with everyone else? How come no one gave me a simple warning?"
She smiled at his discomfiture and said, "Let me guess... Harry, of course, and... Um... I'd say little Ginny Weasley."
"You knew!" he growled. "And you didn't tell me?"
Her smile grew, "Well – Let's just say I had a very strong suspicion about Harry, and if there are two, Ginny was the logical choice. They've become very good friends this summer."
"So, will I have any more nasty surprises?"
"Oh, come on, Michael," she said, rolling her eyes, "Teaching gifted students is hardly a nasty surprise. And they can't be that far along, they've had little more than a few months practice."
"Maybe, but they're good. Both of them. They have that spark, you know, that makes the great duelist."
She rolled her eyes again, "The one you keep telling me I don't have?"
"No," he replied, in a tone that implied they'd had this conversation a thousand times, and he fully expected to have it a thousand more, "what I keep telling you is that you think too much, and that in a duel you don't have time to ponder every action."
She grunted a noncommittal reply, and asked "So, why are you here then? I have classes to prepare."
"Really?" he asked, strolling into the office and plopping down on one of her armchairs. "Too bad."
She rolled her eyes once more, but decided that she could join him near the fireplace at least for a while.
"Come on, Elektra, tell me about Harry."
"Why the sudden interest, Michael?" she asked, frowning.
"I just had my very first Sixth year class. As usual, I started testing them, hoping against hope to see some potential. I really don't know what Dumbledore's great idea was - you can't teach children how to duel when they still have to write essays." Elektra reached out with a foot and kicked him on the leg. "Right, back on track. So, after the usual series of students, I get my first surprise. I don't know if you have her in class – Hermione Granger?" She nodded. "Well, she obviously used her brains, because she decided that the best defense was a good offense. However, she kept to the basics, no fancy stuff, and no footwork at all. But still, some creative thinking, I can work with that."
"Michael," Elektra snapped, "you're digressing. Again."
"Yes, luv, sorry." He smiled innocently at her, and continued, "Then here comes Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, the one who escaped from Voldemort... So, I decided to test him for real, not just poke to see what came out. Elektra, he's the real deal – his instincts are excellent, he really understands the technique – it was an actual duel we had. Well, he lost, of course, but he has incredible potential. I was already hopeful when I saw the Weasley girl yesterday, but to have two... Can you imagine, Elektra? Two more Curators?"
"I'm glad you approve. When Dumbledore found out, he nearly died of a heart attack."
"Of course I approve! Doesn't change the fact that you should have told me, I didn't even put up any barriers when I dueled him. If we hadn't been using such low grade stuff, people could have been hurt. And I still don't know what to do with them in class – certainly can't pitch them against regular students."
"Well, I'm sorry, Michael, but it wasn't my secret to tell. And I'm training him. I have to respect his confidence."
He raised his eyebrows in surprise, "The rumors are true? What the other professors are saying? That he's unsealed his core?"
Elektra frowned at him. "You have a brain, Michael. Draw your own conclusion." But then she relaxed, and said. "He's a Potter – you know what that means."
He exhaled, and made himself comfortable in his couch. "It's even better, a Curator that can manipulate magic. Voldemort won't know what hit him. I wonder if Miss Weasley has any hidden talents. We could train them as a team." Suddenly he straightened up and asked, a concerned frown crossing his features. "Actually, I wonder where those two learned what they did..."
"Books, Michael, can you believe it? He learned everything from books. And he understood enough to teach someone else. I still can't believe it."
"It's impressive all right. I wonder if they'd accept to meet in private a few days a week, to speed things up... I'll try to work with them in class, but it's not the same as real training."
"Harry is desperate for training. He'll jump at the occasion. Take care to be honest, that boy can't stand to be lied to, or manipulated. And he has a temper to rival his mother's."
Michael looked at her as if she had just sprouted the most ridiculous statement in the known universe, and she smiled slightly. She was, after all, talking to Michael Agilius. He who never lied – or shut up for that matter.
"You know that I wasn't happy to come back here, Elektra. But I'm starting to think you may have been right all along. This is where we are meant to be."
"I never doubted it, Michael."
"I know, and you never let me forget that, either."
Ginny entered the room of requirement, and smiled at the results of her request. She had asked for an internal garden, and that was what she got. The smell of exotic flowers hit her nostrils, and instantly she felt herself relax. She loved flowers. She loved their colors and their smell and the fact that they could cheer up the gloomiest of places.
She knew Harry would arrive anytime, and couldn't help the small flutter in her stomach, or the shiver of delight to run up her spine. They were finally here. Together. She could hardly believe that after so much waiting, so much hurting, so much heartache, they were finally here.
She looked up as he opened the door, and simply took him in as he walked towards her. The slender grace of his movements, the slightly stifling feeling of magic that she had come to associate completely with Harry, and those startling green eyes, where she felt she could drown.
"Hey, Gin," he murmured, while at the same time letting his hands cup her face and his lips reach hers. There was a quiet intensity to his kiss, like a man dying of thirst that finally reaches water. She felt his tongue teasing her lower lip as he deepened the kiss, and let his hands trail down her back. As always when Harry was this close to her, Ginny realized that she could hardly breath, that his presence took up all of her senses, and left her completely oblivious to anything else in the world. She felt the tension leave his shoulders as she brought her hands up around his neck.
"Harry," she whispered, after what could have been an eternity or a single moment had passed.
"Yeah?"
"Nothing," she smiled at him, running her hands through his hair, watching as his eyes half closed at the close contact.
"Have I told you how lucky I am today, Gin?" he whispered, bringing her closer to him, and relishing the contact.
"Not today, no," she answered in the same tone, not wanting to break the quiet intimacy of the moment.
"Well, I am."
Ginny smiled at him, and took his hand, walking through the rows of wild flowers letting the smells and the colors wash through her, taking away all the tension of the day.
"Do you have any news, Harry?" she asked finally, when she couldn't wait any longer.
"Yeah, Ragnok sent word." Harry sighed. "He doesn't like to talk about his problems or the difficulties he encounters, but from what I could gather, the Council meeting was particularly tense. I still can't believe the Minister managed to time this thing so perfectly. There must be a Death Eater really high up in the Ministry hierarchy."
"Or maybe Fudge is up to his old tricks, accepting bribes. He's well known for that."
"Maybe. But Dumbledore is determined to leave him in place... I still think he can't last, and then we won't be able to control the manner of his departure. The risk of ending up with a Voldemort sympathizer will be much greater."
"I know, Harry. But that's a different problem, for a different time. How are things with the Goblins?"
"Well, Ragnok is still in charge, and he managed to adjourn the meeting until next week. But his majority is sleeping, they don't like what's going on."
Ginny scowled, "I don't like what's going on, either." She paused a moment. "You know what they need, Harry? A strong, symbolic gesture, that proves to all the Goblins that you're on their side. A public disavowing of the ministry. Something... Something like S.P.E.W. , only for Goblins."
Harry looked at her incredulously. "S.P.E.W. ?"
She gave him a gentle slap on the arm, and continued. "I'm serious, Harry. S.P.E.W. is a good idea; only the House Elves aren't ready for it. Goblins are."
"I don't know, Gin. I'm not sure they'd like it... Too much like charity, they are a proud people."
"I know that, Harry." She paused. "It would have to be joint venture. Something you did together. Like a rebellion, only pacific and supported by strong members of wizarding society."
Harry sighed, and stretched. "I like the idea, Gin. Maybe start small, with a press release protesting against Ministry policies. I'll talk to Hermione, and send word to John – he's good at this sort of stuff. And see what Ragnok has to say." He turned around, concentrating, and the room around them started shifting. "At this very moment, however, Gin, I'm not in the mood to think about this sort of thing. Right now, I want to release some tension."
Ginny eased her wand from her pocket and felt a feral smile spreading on her lips. "Lets spar!"
So, it took me a little longer to get this done - mostly because I wanted to get a head start on the next chapter, and I'm having a hard time with it. But here it is, and I'm happy with it. I hope you all enjoy!
On a side note, I'm in the market for a new Beta - a native speaker (which I am not), or someone really good with grammar. Hopefully someone who's familiar with the story and can point out huge plot holes. If someone is up for it, drop me a review or send me an e-mail at: cathy_cbs at hotmail dot com.
Cheers
Cathy