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 4
A little herbology...or more
The next day, Harry was back from hospital and very happy because he escaped so easily. When he returned to his room, he was welcomed by his friends, and the first thing he asked was:
-Did something weird happened in my absence?
-No, said Hermione. Palver has remained silent.
-Really? I thought you remained silent when he told that you're pretty.
-What? asked Harry.
-Do I really need to tell him about that? said Hermione.
-About what?
-Well, we think Hermione was a little ... let's say influenced.
-Last night. She seemed to be... attracted by Palver.
-Are you serious?
-Do you think I would possibly joke with such things? answered Ron.
-Then we must do something, and do it quick.
-We already thought to tell Dumbledore everything.
-Then it is all set. After classes, the first thing we do is to go at Dumbledore's office and tell him.
An hour later, ms. Sprout was teaching them how to plant some nasty flesh-eating mandrakes, which were very aggressive, and had some razor-sharp red spikes .
-I will never understand the meaning of planting all this junk! Said Ron, trying to grab one by its head.
-Watch out! warned him Neville, it will sting you if you touch its...
An ear-scratching scream howled the class, and Ron, the author, threw the mandrake right over the window!
-Its head. But I guess its too late to warn you now.
-I will never touch such a plant, even if I get paid!
-They just need a little affection,continued Neville , and took one mandrake gently and put
it into its bowl, covering it with some soil.
As usually, Malfoy was encountering serious problems, but Palver tried to help him:
-NO, not like that. You saw what happened to Ron. Let me do it.
You don't have any talent.
-Do you have more?
-Of course not, but I've read some clues in Neville's head.
-A, about reading. Did you influenced Hermione that much , as she started to like you ?
-I told you before, I cannot place thoughts into somebody's head. I just pushed a little more an emotion that was already there, that's all.
-Are you trying to say that she already... but she knew who are you ! She knew that you're a danger for everyone in this school! Then why was she so happy?
-Who knows? Anyway, the only thing which matters is that she will help me more than your incapable friends.
-But what about Harry and Ron? They are close friends, more than you could ever dream to be.
You cannot obtain more than them.
-Don't be so sure.
After the herbology classes, Malfoy ran after Harry and told him:
-You must listen to me!
-Why should somebody do such a mistake? You'll probably lie us, as usually.
-No, I really mean it. Palver is going to try to turn Hermione against you, and help him with his plans! I know we used to be enemies, but I think we should ally, just as long as he and his companions are in this school. He must be stopped. At any cost!
--That's what we're doing right now. Telling Dumbledore everything.
-Then hurry. He may be guarding the office, that's what he told me. He also said that Dumbledore must never find out what's happening.
-Should we trust him? asked Ron.
-I think we don't have a choice. For now, remember, only for now, we are allies. Can you make Crabbe and Goyle distract him?\-Of course I can but what could they possibly do against him?
-Well, they could buy us some extra time, to finish our job. Good luck!
-I can't believe I am saying it, but I wish you the same!
After a few hours, Harry and Ron were heading to Dumbledore's office and they arrived at the last corner, they waited a second, for Malfoy's signal.
-He should be already here, whispered Ron.
-Don't worry, he will come. He hates Palver as much as I we do.
Suddenly, a voice slowly arrived to them, trough the long corridor:
-Harry!
It was Draco. He was guarding one of the entrances.
-Is it clear?
-Yes, answered Malfoy. Crabbe and Goyle are on their places. Don't worry. Hurry!
Both of them started to run, and they were already there, when they hit an unexpected blue wall, which was invisible until then, and felt on the floor.
Instantly, a spooky laugh could be heard, and they saw Palver's face. He wasn't alone, his friend, Mike Trevize was with him, and he also has his wand, the same as Palver's.
-Nice try, Potter! You were almost there. Unfortunately, I expected you to come here, and I've prepared you some surprises.
That harmless, but impenetrable wall is the first one.
-Malfoy! yelled Harry. You've betrayed us! I should have expected this!
-No, it wasn't me! He told me tat he is tired and he'll go to sleep.
-And you believed me. What a fool you are! Leave him, Potter. He did all he could, this meaning nothing, and obviously he couldn't stop me.
-Then, maybe I will do it, answered Harry.
-Not as long as Hermione is my ally. And what an ally!
-You liar! She will never help you.
-Don't be so sure. After all, why not ask her personally?
And Hermione appeared from behind a wall, next to him.
-Harry, said her, I am really sorry! But I couldn't do anything.
-You will pay for all this! Ron, let's give him a lesson.
-In this case, what do you suggest? Do you have a spell powerful enough to hurt me? And besides, Hermione won't let you do it, will she?
-Of course I won't. Harry, don't make me harm you, answered Hermione, and her face turned pale.
-You won't do such a thing,will you ?
-She is not herself, Harry. I guess we have no chance, but to surrender.
-More than that, you'll have to join me. And there are two ways to do that: willingly, or forced by me. What do you choose?
-None of those. Well, I think it was a very nice conversation, replied Harry with a pretended funny voice, but I think we should leave. Bye now!
And when they tried to go away, Trevize threw a spell and blocked the corridor:"Impenetrablis!" and another wall, appeared in their way.
-You have no choice, Harry, said Hermione, almost crying. Don't force him to curse you again!
-No. Even if we have no chance, we won't give up without a chance. Ron, get your wand!
-As you wish, said calmly Palver. You have chosen the painful path. When he was already to cast a spell(or warp some energy, as well), a string voice interrupted him:
-What's going on here? Who... what are those spells?
It was Dumbledore, and judging by his face, he was very angry.
-Well, answered Palver, the inevitable happened. And after those words, he lowered his voice:
-We were just talking a delicate problem.
-Don't believe him, said Malfoy, he is lying … He is... but he couldn't say anything more, and under the Palver's mind influence, passed out for a while.
-How dare you to cast such a spell against my students? Surrender your wand immediately.
-I am afraid I won't. And don't dare to threat me.
Dumbledore's face turned dark of anger and he cast the only spell that Palver didn't thought about: "Obliviate!". Unfortunately, he wasn't fast enough. Palver cast the shield and the mind spell remained useless.
-I think you are going to share Potter's fate. What a pity! You were a great headmaster.
"Shadowflame!".
The red glowing blade appeared again, and headed straight to Dumbledore. However, this time
he faced an equal opponent, because in the same time, a little mosquito that was flying by, was transfigurated into a big rock, which was struck by the blade, and disintegrated in a second. Thanks to it, Dumbledore remained untouched.
-It seems you control the arts of Dark Magic surprisingly well. But it won't be enough.
Hermione, succeeded to escape from the mental influence, and said:
-Be careful, he masters mind spells and technology, not magic! He is not a wizard!
-You shouldn't have said that much, but now it really doesn't matter. So, you want it to get serious? So be it! "Energy warp!". A large purple circle formed on the floor, raised and became a sphere. Then, the sphere started to roll, straight to Dumbledore. The situation seemed to be lost, but in the last moment, Ron, who was very precautious that night, threw the invisible cloak, which was folded into his pocket, right in front of the sphere. The sphere hit the cloak, and the cloak turned into ash, in a powerful blast of green sparks, and even the walls cracked a little. After this, many things happened, quick as a flash: Harry cast the Expelliramus spell, and disarmed Palver, whose wand flew and landed somewhere next to Hermione, who took it and with her own wand, cursed Mike:"Stupefy!", leaving him motionless, for a while.
-Bloody hell! We maid it!
Palver was alone, and treated by four wands.
-I must admit you were fast. But don't think that if you disarmed me, I am powerless. I can still control Hermione. And instantly, she changed sides, turned her wand to Dumbledore and said, with an unrecognizable voice:
-Leave him alone!
But this time, Dumbledore was controlling the situation, and he disarmed her:,,Expelliramus!". Her wand flew off and she was pushed to the wall.
-Now, let's finish it: ,, Obliviate!" and the spell finally hit its target. Palver lost all his memories, and remained still.
-It is over now. Harry, get those wands on the floor and see how feels Hermione. Ron, you too. I will take care of Malfoy, who seems to wake up. And about Mike... he will be obliviated. Is this ok to you?
-Of course, said Harry.
-Then, let the obliviation... begin!