Disclaimer : I do not own Harry Potter, the property of J. , or the Foundation, the property of I. Asimov
=Characters normal dialogue;
" " =characters thoughts(or spells);
Italics = characters telephathyc dialogue;
Chapter 3
Defense against... Is this magic?
The next day was very promising for all students, because a new teacher of defence against dark magic was presenting himself and he seemed to be a nice guy.
-Good morning, my friends! I am your new teacher, and my name is Eto Demerzel, and I hope we will get along well, this year. Now, if you want, of course, we will start our classes with a demonstration: a duel between two students from different houses. Are there any volunteers?
No one answered, but there were some rumours, something about Harry to challenge Malfoy.
-Come on, Harry! Ron encouraged him. Give him a lesson.
-It will be my pleasure, answered Harry and said loudly:
-I want to be one of the combatants!
-Very well, answered Eto. The next one?
-It is a chance that I don't want to lose, and I will be able to estimate Harry's powers, said Palver to Malfoy. Watch what technology can do against magic:
-I want to be the second one! and rose.
-Good! Now, both of you go into those circles... that's it. Now, prepare your wands and get ready. I must warn you that you're not allowed to cast spells which can cause too much damage or unforgivable curses. Get ready... Start the duel!
Harry grabbed his wand and said:" Expelliramus!" and a yellow ray emerged from his wand and headed to Palver. Now, it was his turn. He was extremely calm, and said:"Protego!" and a blue sphere came out of his wand and created a shiny wall that absorbed Harry's spell. After that, he added:
-That's all you can do, Potter? Let me show you how it should be done:"shadow flame!". A creepy moon-shaped dark blade, with a red glowing aura, materialized from his wand and flew incredibly fast to Harry.
-"Protego" said Harry quickly, but his shield was incinerated and the blade hit him. A second after, he was knocked down and immobilized to the floor by some red chains, which were emitting a strong heat. Palver waited a few seconds and whispered:"Release" and the chains vanished. After this, he approached and asked Harry with a soft and calm voice:
-Are you all right? I hope you are still alive, aren't you?
-Yes...but...
-Stop right there! Yelled Demerzel. I told you not to cast powerful spells and look what you've done!
In the room it was deeply quiet, except for some angry voices, who were obviously, Ron and Hermione, running to see what happened.
-Let me go! I want to see if he's ok. Get out of my way!
-Harry,are you all right? asked Hermione worried.
-I hope so. But my arms are killing me, I almost lost their sense.
-Let him to be transported to the hospital, said Eto and removed them, while Harry was being lifted.
-What spell was that? asked Hermione , when Palver passed by her.
-It was one of my inventions, answered him proudly, and I meant no harm to Harry. He will recover soon. Sorry for asking, but what's you name? I never noticed you before.
-Hermione Granger. And you are…
-Preem Palver. Even if you are from Griffindors, I must admit you are pretty.
-Thanks, answered Hermione, and blushed gently.
Ron, who was close to them, interrupted them brutally:
-What are you doing here? Socializing with Slytherins?
-Please, Ron. We were just talking. Is this forbidden?
-No, but I suppose you could find new friends from your own house, if this is what you want, said him angrily.
-How can you say such a thing? And instantly walked away, crying.
Palver broke the silence:
-You must be Weasley, right?
-Leave me alone! And more of the point, leave her alone!
-Why? Am I not allowed to socialize with other house's students?answered Palver ironically.
-You are not a student, and if you leave us alone I will personally take care of you. Understand?
-Anytime. Choose the place, the hour, and I will satisfy you, even if duels are not allowed.
-And remember that we have your secret, Palver, and we can uncover it any moment.
-I am not so sure of that. In fact, I think it won't be necessary. If you let me do my job, I promise not to harm you, and your friends.
-Really? Are you so merciful? Come on, we can take care of ourselves, as always. And remember those words: leave her alone!
-I will think about it.
-You'll better do so!
When they returned to their rooms, Ron found Hermione crying in the Griffindors main hall, surrounded by a few girls, who were trying to help her. When Ron entered the room, she asked him quickly, with a harsh voice:
-How could you say such things? I thought we're friends!
-Me too. But why did you let that...that... I don't even know how to call him, because you know what horrible secret he's hiding... how could you talk like you did?
-Ron, you should know that he started, and I was just being polite!
-Anyway, you know what he deserves, and furthermore, you saw what he did to Harry. Remember?
-Yes, of course. But I am wondering why did he wasted his time to duel, when he could simply control his mind? Have you thought about this?
-Wait a second...
Ron's voice became low and his face was showing a deep fear:
-Did you ever thought that he already controlled somebody? Besides Malfoy, of course.
-Who?
-YOU!!! How could you feel something for him if you were not influenced? You know as well as I do, who is he. And even so, you weren't afraid to speak with him. How can you explain this?
-If this is true, how can we fight against such a person? I think we should tell Dumbledore everything we know.
-It may sound strange, but I agree with you. And we must do it fast. As soon as Harry gets back, we go to Dumbledore and tell him.
-Good. Now that we're friends again, I think it is time to go to sleep. It's late and I heard Filtch is checking the rooms. Good night Ron!
-Good night, Hermione!