A/N: This chapter is a bit longer then normal but Harry decided he just had to have a bit of fun. --GF and The Frau
Disclaimer: 18th verse, same as the first. However, Katie belongs to us. We needed an Irish colleen that could strut her stuff.
Chapter 18: Dueling Feet
Albus Dumbledore was one very unhappy and frustrated wizard. The monthly staff meeting was winding down. Every teacher there either sang the praises or complained bitterly about one student – Harry Potter.
McGonagall and Flitwick were thrilled that Harry was doing so well in his lessons. Snape and Trelawney complained that Harry was very cheeky in their classes, refusing to give them the respect they thought they deserved.
Quirrell said nothing, which didn't surprise anyone. Albus didn't know what to think about his DADA professor. Something seemed off ever since the man had returned from his summer vacation.
"My friends, surely you must know that this is a time of adjustment for Harry. We really don't know how he was raised. We need to remember that his history is unknown. Every attempt to get in contact with his supposed family has failed. Not even the Ministry has a clue as to where Harry has been for the last ten years. All we do know is he was raised with some knowledge about magic but for the most part he was, it seems, muggle-raised."
"Albus. What about all his talk about music? And his quoting muggle authors? It's unnerving," Minerva asked. "I never know what he'll spout next! And that rose! It hasn't faded yet!"
Snape snarled. "What do you expect from the son of James Potter? My complaint is he's very disruptive in class. He and Longbottom are going blow up the school one day, if we aren't careful." Snape started to say something else but stopped. Albus watched as an almost glazed look washed over his potion master's face.
"What's wrong, child?"
Snape shrugged and looked away, not meeting anyone's eyes. "Nothing Headmaster."
Albus leaned back, closing his eyes in comtemplation. "I don't think we should allow Mr. Potter to leave Hogwarts for the Christmas Break."
"Albus. We can't. Unless Mr. Potter signs up to remain," Minerva interrupted. "He has a right to return to his family."
"Then perhaps we should send a professor with him on the train to meet his parents and explain our concerns for his safety. Yes. I think that would be for the best."
0o0o0o0o0
The object of everyone's concern was hidden away in that little alcove practicing his music and emptying his crystal. A frown marred his youthful face as he tried to draw and funnel the ambient magic swirling in the castle. For some reason, it seemed extremely difficult to do what was once second nature to him. Something was interfering with his magic.
Goblins and house elves dotted the hidden places and shadows nearby. They had gotten used to protecting Harry as he played. Their magic hid him from prying eyes for which Harry was extremely grateful.
Harry couldn't wait to go home for the holidays. He was sure Dumbledore had done something, his magic had never been this hard to use.
At least, his music was still working even though it didn't seem to hold the magic it once did. The feeling of magic crawling on his skin was getting worse. Whatever was interfering was also interfering with the charm that Uncle Snuffles gave him. He just knew he was going to do something crazy soon. He hoped it wasn't something too embarrassing or dangerous.
As the Christmas Break drew nearer, Harry was still clueless about the plans the Headmaster was making. He was getting more and more fidgety. He was almost positive that the charm was being blocked.
0o0o0o0o0
The Leaving Feast was noisy and chaotic. Setting by Harry was his music case. Seamus Finnegan who sat across from Harry tossed a bit of roll at the young bard. "Harry! Sit Still! You are making me tired just watching you, boyo. Let's have wee bit music since you brought your case down."
Harry looked at the Head Table, then back to Seamus. "Here?"
"Why not? You're not afraid, are you, boyo?"
The gauntlet was thrown. Harry got a wicked gleam in his eyes. Here it is. The challenge. The break out, he had been dreading was upon him. "I'll play if you dance!" He smirked.
Seamus paled and countered. "I"ll be dancin' if you'll be playin' somethin' Irish," Seamus said, his lilt grew more pronounced.
"Deal!" Harry pulled out an Irish fiddle from his case and grinned evilly at the Irish Gryffindor. The rest of the table was stunned into silence as they watched this by-play.
"Have you ever heard of Riverdance, me boyo?" Harry smirked as he tuned his fiddle. "I'll be playin, let's see your feet a flyin'!" Harry quipped with a slight lilt.
Fiddle music caused the Great Hall to fall silent as all eyes turned towards the Gryffindor table. Seamus moved to stand in the center of the Hall away from the tables. He paused for a moment to catch the beat.
His feet started moving to the rhythm of the Irish melody. Someone started to clap in time. Then Katie O'Herlighy from Ravenclaw glided up to join him. With a flick of her wand, she transformed their shoes into proper tap shoes as he linked an arm with her. Their bodies remained stiff and expressionless as their feet beat a swift tattoo in the ancient tradition of Irish step dancing. It wasn't long before they were joined by other dancers.
Harry fiddled like a mad man as the music demanded the dancers step faster and faster. He ran through "Reel Around the Sun," and swung into "Firedance" seamlessly.
Music flowed faster and faster as Harry played. Then he gave a signal only the dancers seemed aware of. For as suddenly as he had started, he stopped. The dancers stopped in mid step like proud statues. Applause erupted from muggle born and those half bloods that were aware of muggle dancing. Those of pure blood were too stunned to react.
Pulling out his wand, Harry hit his music case and commanded, "Riverdance, finale, full orchestre."
Stepping up to Seamus, Harry smirked, as the case started to play. "Ready for round two, boyo? Can't have you have all the fun, now can we?"
Seamus grinned. Katie moved to stand between the two. Turning her head from side to side, she glanced flirtatiously at the two.
0o0o0o0o0
Meantime, the professors at the Head Table were stunned by the display. Never in all their years of teaching had they seen such a wanton display. Although dancing wasn't forbidden, this was hardly what the Wizarding World would consider proper. The students weren't quite touching each other and the yet the frenetic movement was somehow disturbing.
Before anyone from the Head Table could stop the students from restarting their display, Harry and Seamus were at it again. This time, they seem to be challenging each other like two young bucks circling each other warily as the Ravenclaw seemed to be encouraging the challenge.
Albus, with his eyes twinkling madly and a bemused smile on his face, watched as house rivalry was ignored. Students from different tables joined in the revelry. Some didn't really know the style but they seemed to be able to pick it up quickly. The only ones not joining in were the Slytherins. They were sneering at the vulgar display. However, if one looked beneath their table, several pairs of feet tapped in time to the music.
Snape felt something pull at him. There was some kind of magic flowing within the music that seemed to be calling to him. He couldn't quite catch it. It kept slipping out of his grasp and as it did, it hurt.
McGonagall, the Scots woman that she was, wondered at the boy's talent. 'I wonder if he could play the pipes? I haven't heard a good piper in ages.'
Quirell had disappeared as soon as the music started, his face deathly pale. It seemed as if something in the music didn't agree with him.
As suddenly as the music had started, it stopped. Again, the dancers froze in mid step. Breathing heavily from their exertion, they smiled and bowed to Harry, then to the Head Table as they returned to their seats.
Albus stood, clapping. "That my boys was magnificent! What a way to end a school term. 50 points to Gryffindor and 10 for each dancer who joined in. Now it is getting late and you must be up early for the train. Good night and Happy Christmas to you all. And Mr. Potter, could I see you before breakfast in the morning?"
0o0o0o0o0
Harry met the Headmaster in his office, first thing in the morning. He wasn't sure why he had been summoned but he knew it couldn't be good. Last night had been fun and it had helped calm him. 'At least, it hadn't been too embarrassing. Seamus sure could dance! It was fun playing for an audience again.' He really did miss his brothers backing him up. Wonder what the old coot wants now?
"Ah Harry, my boy. I glad you are here," Albus said, ushering the boy into his office. "I need to tell you that I'm sending Professor Snape with you on the train. He is to meet with your parents. We are a bit concerned about your safety away from school. We can't be too careful, my boy."
Harry looked a bit confused. "Are you doing this for every student or just me because of my bloody scar?"
Albus blinked a bit taken back. "Language Harry. And in a way it is about who you are. We have no idea who raised you and we are a bit concerned where you live away from school. You are very important to us. We must know that you are safe and protected."
Harry smiled. "That's alright, sir. Thank you for your concern but Professor Snape must have more important things to do then baby sit me. I'm a big boy and can take care of myself."
"Oh, he's more than happy to do this service, Harry," Albus reassured him with a twinkle in his eye. "I would never forgive myself if anything happen to you."
Harry almost snarled at the old interfering coot. 'Yea Right! You were the one that left me on a door stoop like a bottle of milk or the early edition of a newspaper. That's no way to treat a baby that just lost everything important in his life. So can we say fat chance?'
Instead Harry smiled and left. When he got to his dorm, he finished packing and waited until everyone had left. Calling for a goblin to take his trunk, Harry placed a note on his bed.
Dear Headmaster, Thank you for your concern, but I find I really don't need an escort as my father has already provided one.
I will see you when the term starts next year.
Have a holly, jolly Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Harry
'There that should settle their hash. Time to blow this popsicle stand!' He stepped to a floor length mirror and ran his finger around the frame, watching as the glass turned to swirling clouds of mist. Stepping through, he never noticed that the tracking spell that Dumbledore had placed on him, slid off unable to pass through. As soon as Harry disappeared into the mist, the mirror returned to normal.
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Thanks for the reviews. We love them. Just remember, flames are a no no. Until next time. --GF and The Frau