Harry Potter
The Fight for Survival
By xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related concepts do not belong to me! I am merely borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment. All OC's and anything you dont recognize is copyrighted by me: xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Rating: K
Pairing: Marcus/OC - Fred/OC - Harry/Ginny
Genre: Adventure/Friendship/Romance
Warnings: Please do not flame me for anything.
Summary: In order to deal with the future, one must understand the past. As the final battle approches the safety of Hogwarts is called into question. But as danger looms, the fight for magic...may come with a price.
Author's Note: Chapter dedicated too: Crystal-Wolf-Guardian-967, DJScales, Forever Dreaming Grace, Purple Sunshine56, NewFanFictionFan, BamaRose and Fan of Fics. Im glad you enjoyed last chapter. Enjoy this new one.
The Half-Blood Prince
"Sorry I made you miss the carriages," Harry apologized, as he walked alongside Charlie; who was walking hand-in-hand with Marcus up the narrow winding lane towards the gates of Hogwarts.
The Slytherin smiled "Don't worry about it," she responded "It was either this...or get gawked at by everyone who passed! You know? I actually hate being the centre of attention for once!"
The other two stared at her, neither of them had ever expected those words to come from her mouth. Finally reaching the gates, they passed through and came to an halt beside Professor Flitwick who was checking names off on a scroll of parchment, he gazed up at them, a flicker of relief showing in his eyes at the sight of the two missing students.
"About time!" he squeaked "I've been looking all over for you two," he looked back at the parchment "Right. Names?"
Charlie frowned and exchanged looks with Marcus, as Harry addressed the small professor "Professor Flitwick, you've known us for five years"
"No exceptions, Potter..." the little Professor seemed to stutter nervously
"Why are there Auror's here?" Charlie asked, as a robed wizard passed behind her as the gates closed and the magical defences were reinstated
Marcus looked back at her "Their for security," he answered
"Security?" the Muggleborn questioned "Seriously? Oh come on! This is Hogwarts! Doesnt anyone trust Dumbledore anymore?"
A snide voice joined the conversation "Dumbledore can't protect the school for long..."
Charlie turned in the direction of the voice, and once again her cool blue gaze met the steely grey one from that morning. "No one asked you!" she snapped, irritated that he was injecting himself into their conversation.
"Charlie," Harry mumured "That's him. That's Aaron Logan..."
The boy whom Harry identified as the boy who had attacked him on the train, turned and had started to walk away.
"No," Charlie spoke, her voice louder than intented "That's Alex Malcolm!"
Ahead of them 'Aaron' stiffened and threw a glare of his shoulder.
"You're just looking for trouble, now" Marcus told her "Don't give him a reason to come after you, this year"
"He doesnt need a reason!" Charlie countered "He's going to try and get at me whether I know it's him or not" she smirked "Too bad for him, this year, im not going to be much of a pushover!"
Harry smirked "There's the Charlie we all know and love," he nodded
"Yeah!" Charlie grinned
And the three of them headed off once more, up the winding pathway towards the castle.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Meanwhile, in the Great Hall, the Sorting had ended along with the feast, and dessert was almost over as students all over the hall chatted with their friends. At the Gryffindor table, Riley, Hermione and Ginny grimmaced as they watched Ron scoff down his second helping of Jelly and Ice cream, each nervously watching the entrance for any sign of Harry and Charlie.
"Psst! Riley!"
Looking up the Gryffindor Genius glanced over her shoulder and locked gazes with Daphne, who was sitting just behind her "Yeah?"
"Where's Charlie?"
"Dunno," Riley shrugged "She nor Harry have returned yet, I mean, I know their together. But where..." she trailed off
"Don't worry," Ron spoke, from beside Hermione on the opposite side of the Gryffindor table "They'll be here in a minute" he stuffed more jelly into his mouth.
The Slytherins glared in disgust.
Hermione raised her book in her hands and slammed it several times into Ron's arm "Will. You. Stop. Eating." she said with each blow "Your best friends are missing!"
"Oi," Ron swallowed "Turn around, you lunatic"
Riley, Hermione, Ginny and the Slytherins looked around as Charlie and Harry hurried down the isle between the two tables and sat down between their friends. Harry was supporting a broken nose, and holding a bloody cloth to try and stop the bleeding.
"Where have you been?" Draco asked
Charlie shook her head "Riley, can you help him?" she pointed at Harry
"Sure," Riley nodded, removing her wand "Hold still." she instructed Harry and raised her wand "Episkey!" there was a crack, and Harry's nose returned to normal.
Harry cringed in pain "Ah! That hurt..."
"It was a broken nose, that was snapped back into place" Riley nodded "It was supposed to hurt"
Charlie smirked "Maybe next time, you'll heed my warning about going looking for trouble in a Slytherin compartment"
"Technically it was a Ravenclaw compartment," Harry responded
Charlie pointed down the Slytherin table to where the newly disguised Alex Malcolm was sitting "Technically..." she mocked "...it was both" she swivelled around in her seat, as her Slytherin friends pulled her into a conversation that didnt include cross-houses. Leaving the Gryffindors to fill in Harry on what he and Charlie missed while they were walking up to the school.
Ron shrugged "Sorting Hat urged us all to be brave and strong in these troubled times," he answered "Easy for it to say, huh? It's a hat, isnt it?"
Harry nodded in agreement.
Up on the stage, Dumbledore stepped up to the podium, as the owl on the front of it stretched its wings. Silence fell. "Very best of evenings to you all," the Headmaster spoke, addressing his students "First off, let me introduce the newest member of our staff...Horace Slughorn."
Professor Slughorn, in gown acknowledged the applause that the students were giving him.
"Professor Slughorn, I'm happy to say," Dumbledore continued "has agreed to resume his old post as Potions Master"
A hushed silence fell. If Slughorn was the new Potions Master, what did that mean for Snape?
"What about Snape?" Millicent asked "You don't think he's been kicked out do you?"
Her friends shook their heads, why would Dumbledore kick out Snape?
"No way," Charlie defended "Professor Snape, is probably one of the best professors at Hogwarts. Dumbledore wouldnt get rid of him, unless he had a real good reason!"
"Then why has he lost his role?" Pansy asked
Charlie shrugged, she didnt know.
"Meanwhile, the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts," Dumbledore continued "will be taken by Professor Snape"
While the rest of the hall fell silent, the Slytherins exploded in cheers that their Head of House was still at the castle and teaching the one subject he had been after for years. Snape did not stand up at the mention of his name, merely raised a hand in lazy acknowledgement at the applause coming from his house.
"Well, there's one good thing," Harry said savagely "Snape'll be gone by the end of the year"
"What do you mean?" Ron asked
"The job is jinxed. No one's lasted more than a year...Quirrell actually died doing it." Harry explained "Personally, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for another death -"
Riley glared "Harry!" she snapped "You may not like Snape, but he's a good guy!"
"Good guys, arent Death Eaters!" Harry countered in a low voice
"He's Charlie's godfather!" Riley hissed "That's good enough proof that he is on our side! He would never harm Charlie, or hand her over to the Dark Lord. If he did, he would have done it by now!"
Hermione sighed and nodded "She's got a point," she agreed "Maybe we should trust him. Charlie does."
"She's in Slytherin," Ron responded "Of course she trusts him!"
Riley exchanged looks with Hermione and shook her head in despair, talking to Harry and Ron was like talking to a brick wall.
"Now as you know," Dumbledore went on "each and every one of you was searched upon your arrival here tonight. And you have the right to know why."
The hall fell silent once more, as they listened intently to what Dumbledore had to say.
"Once there was a young man, who, like you sat in this very hall, walked this castle's corridors, slept under its roof. He seemed to all the world a student like any other. His name?" Dumbledore asked, before answering his own question "Tom Riddle"
Charlie glanced up as mumurs flickered around the hall, the other students exchanging glances at one another
"Today, of course..." Dumbledore began "...he is known all over the world by another name. Which is why, as I stand looking out upon you all tonight I'm reminded of a sobering fact. Every day, every hour, this very minute, perhaps dark forces attempt to penertrate this castle's walls..."
Charlie felt eyes on her...but she didnt dare look up.
"But in the end, their greatest weapon is you..." Dumbledore's gaze swept over them "Therefore I cannot emphasis strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is, and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we remain safe. The castle's magical fortifications have been strengthened over the summer, we are protected in new and more powerful ways, but we must still guard scrupulously against carelessness on the part of any student or member of staff..."
Riley glanced over her shoulder at Charlie, who was staring at the table top, a far off look in her eye.
"...I urge you, therefore, to abide by any security restrictions that your teachers might impose upon you, however irksome you might find them - in particular, the rule that you are not to be out of bed after hours. I implore you should you notice anything strange or suspicious within or outside the castle, to report it to a member of staff immediately. I trust you to conduct yourselves, always, with the utmost regard for your own and each other's safety"
Charlie's gaze met Riley's as they both smiled at one another.
"But now, your beds await, as warm and comfortable as you could possibly wish, and I know that your top priority is to be well-rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say goodnight. Pip pip!" he nodded.
Blaise sighed "That was cheerful," he commented
Charlie nodded, as the dull sound of scraping benches echoed "Come on then Draco, the first years have no clue where to go"
And the two darted off to full fill their prefect duties.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
The next morning in the Great Hall, during breakfast, the 6th year Slytherins were approached by Professor Snape who was handing out timetables; although this year it seemed alot more complicated. Draco, Nathan and Blaise were immediately cleared to continue with their chosen subjects, before waiting behind to see what the girls were doing first. Millicent and Pansy were next, and once cleared bid goodbye to their friends as they headed off for Ancient Runes together. Daphne was next, and waited behind with the boys for Charlie, before she headed off for Potions.
"Care of Magical Creatures," Professor Snape nodded "Jennifer will be pleased to see you back with an 'Outstanding'. And Defence Against the Dark Arts with 'Outstanding'. Transfiguration is going to be a problem, Professor McGonagall will not accept anyone with lower that 'Exceeds Expectations' in her NEWT lessons"
Charlie looked indifferent "That's okay with me," she nodded "As long as I can take, Defence, Potions and Care of Magical Creatures. I don't really care about the rest"
"Professor Slughorn doesnt usually take 'Acceptable' level in NEWT potions," Snape explained "But for you, im sure he will make an exception"
The young Slytherin scrowled "Im not going to use it to my advantage," she grumbled
"If you want to continue with Potions, maybe you should consider it" Snape responded "or this year will be completely worthless for you to continue with, you simply do not have enough credits to continue"
"I have 'Exceeds Expectations' in Herbology," Charlie pointed out
"You wish to take Herbology?"
Charlie shrugged "Something to fill my timetable," she answered "Can I go now?"
"What of Potions?"
Glancing over her shoulder, as Riley was cleared, Charlie sighed "Fine...but only this once. I want little to do with Serenity as possible"
Snape chuckled in amusement, as he tapped the blanket timetable in his hand and handed it to his student. But before Charlie could take it, he pulled it back out of her grip "Mr. Flint has been allocated as your new study partner," he informed her "he will be attending your classes with you, it would do you well not to try and give him the slip, understand?"
"Yes, sir" Charlie nodded "What about Adrian and Nikki?"
"It has been suggested that Mr. Pucey shadow Miss. Spirit," Snape responded "and Mrs. Young, will be kept under my watchful eye...now off to class with you"
Charlie nodded once more, grabbed her overhead bag and headed off to Potions with Daphne, Draco, Nathan, Blaise and Riley.
They met Marcus and Adrian in the Entrance Hall and the seven off them headed down into the Dungeons.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
"...he just told me not to try and give you the slip," Charlie finished, as she entered the Potions classroom behind Adrian and Riley, her arm looped through Marcus's "Adrian's going to be shadowing Riley and Nikki's going to be kept under his watchful eye, whatever that means"
Marcus nodded "Nikki's not completely over what happened to her," he told his girlfriend
"Yeah, I don't expect her to be," Charlie nodded "Its not exactly something you can bounce back from!" she quickly claimed the table right at the back of the room and dropped her bag onto the table. Riley and Adrian set up camp in front of them, as Slughorn started the lesson. It would have seemed Dumbledore had already explained the situation behind why there were two ex-students in the class with the sixth years.
The dungeon was already filled with vapours and odd smells.
"Now then, now then, now then," Slughorn called for attention "Scales out everyone, and potion kits, and don't forget your copies of Advanced Potion-Making"
The class immediately dived for their things; before crowding around the front of the class as Slughorn wanted to show them a few potions he had already created "Now then," he repeated "I have prepared a few potions for you to have a look at, just out of interest, you know. These are the kind of thing you ought to be able to make after completing your NEWTs. You ought to have heard of 'em, even if you havent made 'em yet..." he beamed at the class "you will all notice that attention to detail in the preparation is the prerequisite of all planning"
Footsteps sounded from the doorway, as Harry and Ron finally turned up.
"Ah," Slughorn smiled "Harry, my boy, I was beginning to worry. We've brought someone with us, I see"
"Ron Weasley, sir." Ron answered, promptly "But I'm dead awful at Potions, a menace, actually, I'm probably just gonna..."
Charlie smirked "Can't be any worse than me, Ron" she pointed out "I've gone the last four years with an advigilator in class, to make sure I don't blow myself up again"
Riley grinned and nodded in agreement.
"Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine," Slughorn told him as an added bonus "Get your books out" he turned back to the rest of the class, but Harry stopped him.
"Sorry, sir, I havent actually got my book yet, and nor has Ron" the Gryffindor explained
Slughorn waved him off "Not to worry. Get what you want from the cupboard," he motioned to an old cupboard at the back of the room. The boys hurried head, and Slughorn turned to the rest of the students "Now, as I was saying, I prepared some concoctions this morning. Any ideas what these might be?"
Two hands shoot into the air.
"Yes, Miss...?" Slughorn looks towards Hermione
"Granger, sir" the girl responded, before stepping towards the potions "That one there -" she pointed at at what appeared to be plain hot water bubbling inside a cauldron "is Veritaserum. Its a colourless, odourless potion that forces the drinker to tell the truth..." she explained
Slughorn nodded "Very good, very good!" he beamed happily "Now, this one here is pretty well-known," he pointed to a second potion "Can anyone tell me -"
Riley's hand hit the air, followed by Hermione's.
"Miss. Spirit?" Slughorn asked
"It's Polyjuice Potion," she answered, her gaze lingering on the slow-bubbling, mudlike substance in the second cauldron. "Its really difficult to make. But allows one's self to transform into another person for at least an hour..."
Slughorn beamed excitedly "Excellent! Excellent! Now, this one here...yes, my dear?" he paused, looking at Hermione
"Its Amortentia," the bookworm answered "...the most powerful love potion in the world. It's rumored to smell differently to each person according to what attracts them. For example, I smell, freshly mown grass, and new parchment, and...spearmint toothpaste..." she trailed off, and backed away from the potions table.
Charlie and Riley exchanged identical and amused grins.
"Amortentia doesn't create actual love," Slughorn chuckled, as Hermione backed away "That would be impossible. But it does cause a powerful infatuation or obessions..."
As Hermione pulled back, the rest of the girls within class moved forward, and despite their bodies loud protests, so did Charlie and Riley.
"...and for that reason, it is probably the most dangerous potion in this room" he finished, putting the lid ontop of the cauldron and the vapours disappeared. Blinking, the girls whom had moved forward stepped back.
Marcus and Adrian smirked in the Muggleborn's directions.
"Shut up," Charlie told them, as she resumed her rightful place, before turning to Slughorn, "Sir? You havent told us what's in that one" she pointed, at a small vial of gold liquid.
"Ah, yes," Slughorn nodded, picking up the vial "What you see before you, ladies and gentlemen, is a curios little potion known as Felix Felicis. But it is more commonly referred to as -"
"Liquid Luck!" Hermione and Riley answered, at the same time
Charlie frowned and turned in her best friends direction.
"Yes, my dear's," Slughorn nodded "Liquid luck. Desperately tricky to make, disastrous should you get it wrong. One sip and you will find that all your endeavours succeed." he paused "At least until the effects wear off"
Charlie, Riley and Daphne exchanged looks.
"So this is what I offer to each of you today," Slughorn continued "One tiny vial of liquid luck to the student who, in the hour that remains manages to brew an acceptable Draught of the Living Death. The recipes for which can be found on page 10 of your books..." everyone scrambled to open their books "I should point out, however, only once did a student manage to brew a potion of a sufficient quality to claim this prize. Nevertheless, good luck to you all"
Charlie and Riley returned to their separate tables "Oi, Adrian!" the Muggleborn Slytherin called. Adrian turned. "Can I have my Potions partner back?" she pointed at Riley
"No," the former student responded
"Not cool, Adrian!" Charlie grumbled "Fine. If I blow Marcus and myself up, im blaming you!"
The brewing started, but it seemed everyone was having difficulties on line 1, which clearly told the students to cut up one Sopophorus bean, which was proving extremely difficult considering the bean was layed in a hard shell and was impossible to slice through. Charlie laughed, as she caught the bean as it rolled around on her desk "Potions is so fun," she smirked, ducking as a bean shot through the air and hit the wall behind her.
"Sorry!" a 6th year Ravenclaw shouted
"Its okay," Charlie responded, looking back down at the bean "Now, you listen to me..."
Adrian glanced back "Talking to Sopophorus beans, Charlie?" he asked "Really?"
"Wow, big word for you, Adrian" she teased
"Bite me!"
Charlie smirked "Name a time and place," she retorted
Marcus chuckled at his girlfriend's spunky attitude, "I see your back to normal," he commented
"Mhmm, define 'normal'?" she asked him, as Marcus wound his arms around her waist in hopes of helping her proceed onto line 2 of the instructions.
Marcus smirked "Yeah, thats a difficult one,"
"Bite me!" she mimicked Adrian
"Don't tempt me," Marcus whispered, dipping his lips to her ear, before pulling back as Slughorn turned in their direction.
At the end of the lesson, Slughorn moved around the students checking their potions. He stopped at Harry's and dropped a small leaf into the dak liquid, as the Gryffindor friends gathered around to watch the leaf disintergrate. "Merlin's beard!" Slughorn rumbled "It is perfect. So perfect I daresay one drop would kill us all"
Hermione looked mortified at being out shone in class, she was used to Riley outshining her, but Harry? That was a different thing all together!
"So here we are, then, as promised" Slughorn smiled, addressing Harry before the whole class "One vial of Felix Felicis. Congratulations. Use it well"
Harry took the vial, as the class applauded his victory.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
After Potions, Charlie followed her Gryffindor friends up to the Entrance Hall, as her Slytherin friends followed behind "Hang on!" she accused, grabbing Harry's arm as he tried to hurry off away from her "Let me get this straight! You're taking instructions from something someone wrote in a book?"
The look on Harry's face, told her instantly, that he knew what she was getting at. "Its not like that, Charlie" he defended "Its nothing like...you know, Riddle's diary. It's just an old text book someone's scribbled in"
"But your still doing what it says!" the Muggleborn argued "Didnt the Chamber of Secrets teach you anything? Ginny did exactly the same thing as your doing now, and look what happened to her!"
Harry groaned "I just tried a few of the written instructions," he tried to explain "Honestly, this is nothing like -"
"Charlie raises a good point," Riley interrupted, snatching the book from Harry and reaching for her wand.
"Hey!" Harry complained, reaching for the book.
The Slytherins held him back.
"Specialis Revelio!" the Gryffindor Genius muttered, tapping the book with her wand.
Nothing happened.
"Finished?" Harry asked, struggling against the Slytherins "Or do you want to wait and see if it does back flips"
"Lose the attitude, Harry!" Charlie snapped "We're just making sure!" she took the book from Riley, and opened it to the front page "Wait a minute..." she paused
Hermione frowned "What is it?" she asked
"This..." Charlie spoke, flipping the book over and presenting it to her friends. On the front cover, scrawled in black ink were nine words:
'This Book is Property of the Half-Blood Prince'
A/N: Followed the DVD mostly. Defence Against the Dark Arts will be next chapter. Promise.
Review (please)
~*Kara*~
All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Chapter updated 24/03/2011 at 03:50am