Chapter Eighteen - The Duelling Captain
Security was visible everywhere on Platform 9 & ¾. Aurors were stationed at regular intervals looking very alert with hands on wands. Harry also recognized a few Order members here and there.
"Here we are," Sirius said. "You're sure you'll be okay?"
Sirius and Remus were supposed to join in the security arrangements.
"I'll be fine." Harry hugged Sirius. "I'll miss you. Stay safe."
"I'll miss you too, kiddo. Keep on your studies. Stay out of trouble. Don't let any Death Eaters get you."
"Stay out of trouble? What sort of Marauder are you?"
"I didn't say not to cause any trouble. I said stay out of it. Meaning don't get caught."
"Ah." Harry grinned. "Right-o."
Remus got a hug as well. "Stay safe."
"You too."
"Bye."
The two men headed over to talk to Auror Shacklebolt, who was in charge of the scene.
Harry boarded the train and went all the way to the end compartment. He took out his trunk, reversed the Shrinking Charm, and levitated it up onto the luggage rack.
If he were studying the implementation of Arithmancy, he would have put a selective Locking Hex on the door. It was possible to key the spell to deactivate itself if a Slytherin tried to open it. Another differentiation could limit it to only fifth years. The two in tandem would mean that only his friends could get inside. Alas, such refinement to magic was only learned in sixth year.
Leaving the door closed, Harry made his way back out to the platform. His eyes scoured the crowd anxiously. It was still relatively small but growing, and before too much longer it would be hard to find anyone. He hoped Laine got here soon. He hadn't seen her in over two weeks, and he missed her. Even if he didn't spend every minute with her outside of classes, it was nice to know that she was nearby and that he could see her if he tried. Being separated for the first time since they'd started walking out with each other had given him lonely moments during the holiday and anxious moments now that he was about to be reunited with her.
Suddenly there was a pair of gloved hands covering his eyes. He nearly panicked, but then his nose caught the smell of sandalwood.
"Guess who," said a mischievous voice.
"Father Christmas come to give me a late present?"
"Nope. Guess again."
"The Tooth Fairy come to make good on old debts?"
"Nope. Last try!"
"Is it a beautiful Slytherin girl looking for a kiss?"
The hands moved away. Harry turned around and saw Laine's face for a brief second as she wrapped her arms around him and mushed her lips to his.
While Harry could have gone on like that for an hour, all too quickly she broke away. Only then did Harry notice the three other people standing there.
Harry exchanged nods with Lucas. Laine's twin brother was a fairly quiet lad, and Harry intimidated him. He didn't try to, but Lucas was always a little nervous around him. Then he and Laine had started seeing each other, and Harry couldn't remember the last time Lucas had said more than two words to him at a go.
Mr. Slater was of medium height and build, with plain brown hair. His face was quite ordinary, and there was nothing distinguishing about him. He was the sort of person one would meet and then five minutes later wouldn't recall at all. He might have made an excellent spy by virtue of that trait alone. He was a historian, Harry recalled.
As much as her husband was unremarkable, Mrs. Slater was striking. She was clearly the source of her daughter's (and son's) good looks. Her magnificent hairstyle could only be accomplished through magic, and her makeup looked not so much applied as it did a part of her skin.
"Mummy, Daddy, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Harry Potter."
Mr. Slater gave him a once-over and stuck out his hand politely. "Good morning. A real pleasure."
"Nice to meet you, sir."
"Good strong grip. I like that. Don't trust a man with limp hands, that's what I always say. You've got to be firm; solid; dependable. Give the right impression right from the start, eh?"
"Absolutely, sir."
Mrs. Slater's examination seemed more critical. Harry was vaguely uncomfortable with her steadily growing expression of disapproval. He didn't understand what she could possibly find wrong with him. He had dressed neatly that morning, put on his best school robes, shined up his prefect badge, and been given the seal of approval from Shoshi herself.
"This is the great Boy-Who-Lived, eh?" she said, clearly not impressed.
Laine flushed a most unflattering red. "Mother, please don't."
"This boy defeated a Dark Lord, and now you're pinning your hopes on him in round two?" She shook her head. "You-Know-Who will wipe the floor, walls, and ceiling with him."
Harry felt his temper start to rise, but he really didn't want to have a confrontation here, on the platform. He especially didn't want to start rowing with Laine's mother on their first meeting.
"I've got some prefect duties to attend to right now. I'll see you on the train, Laine. Bye, Mister and Missus Slater. Nice to meet you."
"Mother! See what you did!" Laine yelled as Harry walked away.
"Can't even handle a mother!" Mrs. Slater called after him. "How are you going to face a Dark Lord?"
"Mothers are worse," he muttered darkly.
Harry went and waited just inside the train car. Laine was visibly out-of-sorts as she said goodbye to her parents. She hugged her father but not her mother. The angry scowl on her face as she approached the train made Harry glad it wasn't directed at him.
"Hi," he said as she stepped on board.
"Harry, I am so sorry about what my mother said. There was no call for it, and I had words with her."
"I certainly wasn't expecting that on our first meeting."
"I can't believe how rude she was. She's not the nicest person in the world, but I've never seen her be so mean to anyone without at least exchanging a few pleasant words first."
"Have I somehow offended her?"
"I don't think so." Laine wrung her hands. "I feel awful about this."
"You didn't say anything nasty."
"But you heard it because I wanted you to meet them."
"Your dad seems nice enough."
"Everyone says that. I don't know anyone who doesn't like him. I think he likes you."
"Well, fifty percent isn't bad."
"Better than zero percent."
"Yeah."
"I'll try to find out what's behind her attitude. Hopefully the next time will be more cordial."
"I can wait a fair amount of time for that."
"Is Easter far enough away?"
"Maybe. Depends how the OWL revision is going."
"Okay. Want to head to the compartment? You claimed one, right?"
"All the way at the end. It's not locked."
"Let's go."
"I actually do have to go patrol a bit," Harry said. He was still upset by Mrs. Slater's hostility. He was no longer in a mood to snog. "Meet you there in a bit?"
"Okay." Laine leaned up and smooched him on the lips. "Bye."
Harry watched her walk away, appreciating the sway of her hips. He almost wanted to follow her and say he'd changed his mind about a snog.
Instead, he began to walk towards the engine car.
The first people Harry saw were the Slytherin Chasers. He spared a few minutes to joke around with them, but they were waiting for their girlfriends, so he moved on. In the next car, the first compartment door was closed, and Harry heard the sounds of arguing.
He knocked. "Everything okay in there?"
"Who wants to know?" came an irate voice from within.
"Prefects."
"Just a little disagreement."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," said a girl. "I was just telling this ignorant lump that he has the romantic capacity of a table lamp."
Harry allowed himself a small smile. "What'd he do?"
"Only forgot my birthday!" she yelled, and Harry could imagine her turning an accusing glare on the boy.
"Well, that was a mistake. Carry on, then."
"Thank you!" she called.
Harry continued down the train car as the girl resumed her tirade.
His next encounter was with Daphne and Astoria. The third year looked like her sister but was not a smaller copy. Her hair was a darker blonde, and her face was a little rounder.
"Hey, Daphne. Good holiday?"
"Lovely. You?"
"Couldn't have been better. It was nice to have the whole family together."
"It's the best part of Christmas," Daphne said with a nod.
"Get any nice presents?"
"I was impressed with yours. The pine scent is brilliant. Where'd you find the recipe?"
"Sirius found me a good book in the family library."
"How about you? Anything noteworthy?"
"Everything was very nice. Hi, Astoria."
"Hi."
"How was your holiday?"
"Good."
Harry glanced at Daphne. "Talkative one, isn't she?"
"You have no idea. I was just waiting with her until her friends show up. Do we have a compartment?"
"All the way at the end. Laine is probably there too."
"Is it going to be another snogging compartment?" Daphne asked with a wink.
"Maybe later. I want to see everyone and catch up."
"What are you doing now?"
"Patrol. Self-appointed."
"Trouble with you and Laine?"
"Trouble with me and Laine's mum."
"What happened?"
Harry shook his head. "I'll tell you later."
"Right-o."
"See you later. Bye, Astoria."
"Bye, Harry."
The rest of his patrol was uneventful. The train wasn't very full yet. Most of the students were still out on the platform. Other prefects were keeping an eye open out there.
He reached the engine car and turned around to head back. He was passing into the second passenger car when Draco came aboard.
"Good morning, mate," Harry said. "We're all the way back."
"Hi, Harry. I just put my trunk back there and walked up the platform."
"Run into anyone interesting?"
"I spent a few minutes chatting up Hannah Abbott. She has very large eyes, don't you think?"
"Yes. She's very pretty."
"I know you were interested in her at one point. You don't mind, do you?"
"Not at all. I never even snogged her. Thought about it a fair amount but never did."
"Oh good."
"I thought you were interested in Ginny."
"Ginny's a challenge. She thinks I'm a prat. I certainly have no idea why. I want to change her perception of me, and thus all the overtures."
"And you think paying attention to another girl will help you in that?"
"Maybe. If she sees me treat Hannah well, hopefully she'll realize I would treat her well."
"Maybe. You know she's not a pureblood. Your father would never approve."
"I'm not saying I intend to marry the girl."
Harry glanced out on to the platform and saw the Weasley family arriving at the last minute. Five redheads were hard to miss. Molly Weasley appeared to be the only parent present, and she was dragging one of the twins by the ear.
"Now I want you all to study very hard. Fred, George, you have the most important exams in only a few months. I know you're not prepared for them. Professor McGonagall has been keeping me apprised of your marks, and I am not impressed. Ron, the OWLs are going to determine what classes you're even allowed to keep taking. You've been doing better this year, but your marks still aren't as good as they could be."
The boys all mumbled and nodded affirmatively.
"Ginny, I wish you would write more. I want to hear about this Lucas fellow who seems so interested in you."
"There's nothing to say, Mum. He's just a boy."
"If you say so, dear.
Mrs. Weasley hugged each of her offspring fiercely.
"Stay safe. Look out for each other."
The Weasley children turned and headed for the train. Ron was headed towards Harry and Draco, even if he didn't know it. Draco pulled out his wand.
"Let's see if we can avoid Weasley just for once," Harry suggested.
"Whatever for?"
"Isn't he ultimately inconsequential to us? He's a right prat, but he's not Voldemort. He's not evil. There's more important stuff to do. We've got harder potions to brew. There's a bloody war on."
"He's a good outlet for my frustrations. You've got to admit, he asks for it."
"That doesn't mean we have to oblige him. You're always saying how his family loves Muggles and Muggleborns. Aren't they logically going to support the Ministry and Dumbledore?"
"The Weasleys have always supported Dumbledore. I wonder why none of them are in the Order, aside from Percy."
"Right. So why are we fighting with someone who should be on the same side as we are? Didn't the Sorting Hat talk about putting aside house divisions and coming together?"
"Didn't you say that was a fat chance?"
"I did. Lately, though, I've been wondering if Hat wasn't on to something. Look at the Ministry Youth. We've got students from all the houses, Weasley included. Yes, we all try to outshine each other, but it's through our competition that we all become stronger. Maybe we really can do this together."
"If you say so."
"I do say so."
"You say what?" asked Daphne, stepping out of a compartment. "I finally got rid of her. Merlin bless her friends with long lives and good marriages."
"Hi, Daphne," Draco said. "You look lovely."
Daphne giggled. "Thank you, Draco. Is Pansy on-board yet?"
"We haven't seen her."
"Then let's head towards the rear. Hopefully we'll bump into her."
Their next encounter was with the team Chasers, who were still waiting for their girlfriends. They were discussing the Christmas massacre.
"He's a maniac," Harry declared flatly, "a hypocritical maniac. Only the most awful creature could murder children. He's got to be stopped, for all our sakes."
"You-Know-Who is so powerful," Montague said. "How can we hope to go against his powers?"
"V-v-voldemort."
Both sixth years flinched.
"By Merlin's beard," Pucey swore. "Greengrass, you said his name."
Warrington couldn't even speak. He stared at his former girlfriend, dumbstruck. A good ten seconds passed before he turned to Harry.
"She said his name."
"I know that, Charles. I'm the one who taught her how to say it."
He turned back to Daphne.
"And you're not afraid to speak it? Knowing what can happen to you?"
"Nothing happens to you, Charles. I've said it about a dozen times, and I'm still breathing."
Pucey whistled in awe. "All right, Potter, I'm convinced. I'll raise my wand with you."
"Me too," Warrington said softly.
Montague nodded several times.
"Thank you," Harry said sincerely.
Harry and his little entourage headed on their way.
Harry poked Daphne on the shoulder.
"Hey! What's that for?"
"Thank you." He reached out and gave her a hug.
Pansy was waiting in the last compartment with Laine pouring over a fashion magazine.
"I just don't like this season's look," Pansy said. "It's so gaudy."
"I know. I think I don't care what the so-called experts say. I'm going to set my own style, and I'm not wearing any of this trash."
"You should see some of the clothes I got for Christmas," Daphne said, joining them. "Actually, I take that back. No one should see those hideous things."
Similarly light topics of conversation were the rule as the Hogwarts Express brought them back to school. Millie and Goyle eventually found the compartment to say hello, but there was no room for them to stay. Five Slytherins was already starting to feel cramped.
"They should have larger compartments than just six seats. People need to be able to move about," Draco complained.
Draco's whinging notwithstanding, they made it to Hogsmeade station in reasonably good health.
Harry and Pansy left to go see to the orderly departure from the train. When all the students had disembarked, the prefects made a final sweep through to make sure no stragglers were still on board. Feeling the pangs of hunger, they hurried to the last carriages and eagerly entered the Great Hall for the Returning feast.
As they moved up the aisle between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables, they were dive-bombed by a ball of grey fluff. A second-year girl wearing blue and bronze jumped up in the air trying to grab it.
"What is that thing?" he demanded.
"Supposed to be an owl, but he thinks he's a snitch. Got him for Christmas from my auntie."
"Crazy thing," Harry said as he and Pansy sat down.
"I'm so glad Benson isn't like that. He's much more dignified."
Harry turned to one of the boys who had remained at school.
"Hey, Crabbe. How'd the holiday go?"
"Badly."
"Bad?"
"Miserable."
"What happened?"
"Theo was completely anti-social. He locked himself in the dormitory and didn't eat for days. I had to sleep in the fourth years' dorm. Elves brought me my clothes and stuff."
"He didn't eat at all?"
"Not that I saw."
Harry exchanged a worried look with Draco. Theo wasn't exactly the stoutest of fellows in the best of times. Over their fourth year, he's gotten more and more drawn. This year was even worse, and they sometimes literally had to put food in his hand before he would eat.
"Have you talked to Professor Snape?"
"He hasn't been around much."
Wherever their Head of House had been, nothing was amiss at the high table. Snape even seemed in good spirits - in a relative sense, of course. He was chatting with Professor Vector, who was favouring him with her pretty smile.
Professor Umbridge wiped her mouth and stood up in front of the hall.
"Hem, hem. Your attention please. Hem, hem. Attention, please. All students who are taking Divination should report to the Arithmancy classroom immediately following dinner. There you will receive details of your new class schedule."
"Professor?" came a voice from the front of the hall.
"Sibyl Trelawney has been determined by the Ministry to be an inadequate teacher. The whole subject of Divination is quite wooly, as you know, and the Ministry has decided that it is not in the best interest of the students to continue teaching it. Students previously enrolled in Divination will now take remedial Arithmancy. Any student who might have been taking Arithmancy already will have special tutoring provided by another professor. I realize that this may disrupt some study plans, but we must correct the deficiencies in our educational system. Please give a warm Hogwarts welcome to Professor Timmons."
There was scattered applause as a woman of medium height rose to her feet and waved to the students with a smile. She had a hint of Far Eastern in her features but otherwise seemed very plain, with unremarkable brown hair that was severely pulled back, making her face seem stretched. She could have been thirty-six or sixty-three.
"Professor Timmons will get you all up to speed with Arithmancy. Fifth years, please don't panic."
Some of them had been doing exactly that.
"The Ministry realizes that one term is hardly sufficient to learn the whole three years of Arithmancy that will be tested on the OWL exam. For this reason, you will be granted a special dispensation by the Ministry to take the exam next year with no penalty. Those of you who feel particularly daring may, of course, attempt this year, also with no penalty.
"Professor Binns will no longer be teaching History. Students will not be able to catch up on their sleeping when they should be learning the great and noble tradition of wizardkind. I'm pleased to announce that a former Hogwarts prefect has agreed to rejoin us. Please welcome Professor Montague."
The oft-voiced idea that Abraham Montague, former Slytherin prefect and voracious student of history, should return to the school had been batted around for so long now that it seemed incongruous to Harry that it was actually happening. It wasn't until he saw the dark-haired man rise to his feet and wave at the students that he belatedly began to applaud as hard as he could. Maybe now he could stop panicking about his History O.W.L..
"That's a bit of luck," Draco said under the applause. "Too bad we don't have History until Tuesday. Where's dessert?"
Getting back into the swing of classes was easier than Harry expected. With all the reading and essay writing he'd done over the holiday, it wasn't that hard to slip back into an academic mindset. The only real change was that he went to lectures again and had stupid prefect meetings to find excuses to skip.
Harry had grown quite disillusioned with being a prefect.
It had its benefits, such as the swanky bathroom and shiny badge. Being able to give out detentions and take points was rather tally as well. He liked being a prefect, in general and in theory.
Just not in practice.
The constant pointless meetings and long patrols all took valuable time away from his studies. He estimated that if he weren't a prefect, he'd be able to bring up his marks in three classes and get another hour of sleep every night.
It was a very tempting thought.
There was a meeting scheduled for the first Monday back. Umbridge had called it, so Harry felt obliged to attend. She was waiting for them as they filed in.
"Hem, hem. Thank you, prefects, for your continued hard work. You are doing very well, and I have come here tonight because I need your help. No doubt you all heard of the senseless attack against the Home for Magical Children?"
They murmured assent.
"It is only right that we as a school come together to mourn this stolen innocence. I wish to lift the spirits of the student body with a public outpouring of support for the Ministry's war effort. We will gather together and rally."
The other prefects began to buzz with conversation. Umbridge let it go on for a few moments. Harry didn't know if cheering for the war was really the proper way to commemorate a bunch of dead tots, but Umbridge was the Ministry mouthpiece. If that's what she wanted to do, that's what they'd be doing.
"In addition to encouraging words, there should also be some other things to bring us together. Any suggestions?"
Diggory stood up. "We should remember their names. Read them out."
Umbridge nodded and scribbled a note. "Yes, we should. Thank you, Mister Diggory. Another idea?"
Hannah Abbott said, "A few students have lost family members. We should remember them as well."
"How very appropriate. What else?"
"Candles," Padma said. "We should light candles."
"Superb." Umbridge was practically glowing.
Harry raised his hand. "A live band or two. Everyone likes music."
"An excellent idea, Mister Potter. Someone else?"
The prefects looked around at each other.
"No other ideas? Very well. Thank you. Mister Diggory, as Head Boy, I will expect you to give a speech. I'll let you continue your meeting. Good night."
"Good night, Professor Umbridge."
There was a Ministry Youth meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening. Harry and Laine held hands as they walked with the others up to the Great Hall.
"Hem, hem." Umbridge's quiet throat clearing instantly caused everyone to settle down.
"This is going to be a special treat tonight, my dears. We are very privileged to have with us another one of the Aurors who guards and protects our society from the machinations of You-Know-Who. Would you please give a warm Hogwarts welcome to Auror Tonks?"
Harry and Draco clapped loudly as a young woman in Auror robes stepped into the room. She had bubblegum pink hair that was short and spikey today. She spied Harry and grinned broadly at him. She waved and was so distracted that she managed to trip over the stairs. She tumbled up and landed in a heap at Umbridge's feet.
"Oops," Tonks said. She began to pick herself up.
"Yes, well," Umbridge said, seeming a little flustered. "Welcome, Auror Tonks. Thank you very much for taking time from the good fight to come and speak with us."
"There's to be little speaking and more training," Tonks said briskly. "We all know why we're here. We begin immediately.
Tonks whipped out her wand and pointed it at Umbridge. "Petrificus totalis!
Umbridge stiffened up like a statue and fell to the floor with a loud thud. Harry suddenly remembered the story of how Professor Moody had ambushed the N.E.W.T. students last year. He ran to the end of the stage and took cover.
All of the students began to laugh. One didn't expect the Defence teacher to get ambushed.
Tonks leaned over Umbridge.
"The first lesson is this. Constant vigilance! How do you know I'm Auror Tonks? What if I were a Death Eater in a fabulously attractive disguise? The doors would be locked, you'd be helpless, and the students would now be at my mercy."
While she was taunting the Professor, she had her back to Harry. He whispered a Silencing Charm on his feet and crept up the stairs. He crossed quickly and placed his wand at the back of her head.
"Don't move."
Tonks stiffened up. "Is that you, Harry?"
"Maybe. Maybe you're Tonks. Prove it. Do your meta-thingy."
"Good lad," she whispered.
The pink hair changed suddenly to purple, then to black. She turned around, and Harry was face to face with himself.
"How's this?" doppleganger-Harry asked.
"Quite impressive. Now on the night we met, there were two people with me. Which one were you not related to?"
When she morphed into Remus, Harry knew it was her.
"Hi, Tonks."
"Wotcher, Harry." She turned to the students. "As I was saying to Professor Umbridge here, if I'd been a Death Eater in disguise, you'd all be at my mercy. Only Harry was quick-thinking enough to save his own life. The rest of you would be dead."
Tonks removed the Full Body Bind from Professor Umbridge and offered her a hand up. Umbridge declined and stood up looking a bit put out.
"There are a lot of ways to impersonate someone. Polyjuice Potion is the most common. Fortunately, the ingredients for it are rather hard to find. If you can't verify identity with questions, wait an hour and a half for the potion to wear off."
"That's right," Tonks said. "Polyjuice must be taken every hour to maintain the transformation, but I didn't come here to discuss potions. This is a duelling club, right?"
"Right," the students replied.
"Well, let's get some duelling happening. Now, in battle you're not going to be facing just one opponent. Most likely there will be many on both sides. It's not like duelling on a stage. There's going to be a lot of noise, a lot of confusion, and a lot of being scared out of your mind. For now I'm going to have you form teams of five."
Harry, Draco, Millie, Daphne, and Pansy were already standing together.
"Now, you there," Tonks said, pointing at Harry's group. "You and you there will go first. Everyone else, get to the back of the room."
With delight, Harry saw that Tonks had pitted them against a group of Gryffindors that included Ron Weasley.
"Now here are the rules: no lethal spells. That means no Cutting Curses, no Slicing Hexes, or things of that nature. No otherwise illegal spells. No spells that are illegal in other jurisdictions. Other than that, anything goes."
Harry felt his adrenaline beginning to pump. Every time he was about to go into a situation like this, he was strangely eager.
"Take one minute to plan a strategy!"
That was easily thrice as much time as Slytherins needed to beat Gryffindors. The five formed a huddle. Everyone looked to Harry.
"Start with a Stunning Spell and immediately split up. If they start with spells, we'll dodge them, but if they don't start with shields, they'll get hit. Bludgeoners, Blasting Curses, and Banishing Charms. I'll try to transfigure the floor to ice so they lose their footing. We should build some stuff to take cover behind. We should use the stone of the floor."
"I can't do that," Pansy said despairingly. "I'm rubbish at those spells."
"You can shield."
"I'm no good at that either."
"Can you cast some low-powered distraction spells?"
"I think so."
"Then do it. Tickling Charms, Pinching Hexes, and Stinging Hexes."
"Okay."
"Millie and Daphne, you're pretty good at the other spells, so I want you to use them. Two of you cast at the same target while one of you shields. Draco, you're with me. Can we do this?"
"Up Slytherin!"
The initial volley of Stunning Spells took out Colin Creevey, who got hit three times. Weasley, Finnigan, and Thomas were sticking close together, and they parried back the two spells that came their way. Weasley sent a Blasting Curse towards the girls. "Confringo!"
Harry sent a Full-Body Bind at Myles Sheridan "Petrificus totalis!" who dodged and struck back with a Banishing Charm "Depulso!". Draco and Harry rolled out of the way to the right.
Weasley's group dropped their shields to triple curse the girls with the Binding Hex. Daphne's shield collapsed, and she was struck with a jet of light. Ropes appeared from nowhere to wrap her arms tightly to her sides and her legs together. She lost her balance and toppled over.
Harry cast a shield as Draco threw an Impediment Curse, "Impedimentia!" Sheridan blocked it.
Pansy cast a Tickling Charm at the Gryffindors and was quick enough to hit Thomas, who fell to the ground laughing. Millie risked not raising a shield and cast a Babbling Curse at him.
Weasley cast a volley of arrows. Millie tried to dodge and caught one in the shoulder. She yelled and dropped her wand. She scooped it up in her off-hand but fell to a Body-Bind from Finnigan.
Harry turned the floor under the Gryffindors to ice and raised one edge of it up. Gravity took over and dumped them on their rears. He was about to go to Pansy's aid, but he had to dodge a Jelly-Fingers Jinx. He turned back to give Draco some help with Sheridan.
All on her own, Pansy quickly fell to Finnigan's Binding Curse. Weasley still hadn't gotten to his feet.
Harry Banished Sheridan against the wall, knocking him unconscious. Draco nailed Finnigan with a Stunner.
Harry and Draco were the last two Slytherins standing. Weasley was the only Gryffindor remaining.
"I'll take care of him," Harry said. "You look after the girls."
"No, let's finish him together."
Harry and Draco both sent hexes at Weasley. He cast a Protego Recurve, and the Slytherins had to roll out of the way of their own spells.
Draco cast a shield and stepped in front of Harry, who brought a stone wall into existence. They ran in opposite directions around the wall. Harry raised his own shield as he went.
"Bombarda!"
The stone wall exploded, knocking Harry and Draco to the floor. Harry rolled out of the way of a Stunner and wasn't able to bring his wand into position before he had to avoid a Full-Body Bind.
Weasley seemed almost to be flinging his curses. There was an extra snap to his casting, and Harry could see the anger boiling behind his eyes.
Harry ducked out of the way of the next hex and cast his own right back. Weasley leaned left out of the way and spun around to send a Banisher at Draco, who was just getting to his feet. He wasn't quick enough to dodge, and he went flying back. Harry cast a fresh Protego and quickly ran forward, shoving Weasley to the ground. Weasley yelped and went down, losing hold of his wand.
"Accio wand!"
With Weasley's wand in his hand, the mock battle was over.
"Well done!" Tonks called out. "Drag those others off the field of battle. Next groups!"
As the next fight was waged, Harry and his group recovered off to the side. Harry was flying high from his victory. Next time they would do better. More of his team would not be knocked out.
"At least the team won," Daphne said philosophically. She stretched her arms above her head. "Ow! Those ropes really dug into my skin."
"Next time, move faster."
"I'll try, Harry."
Laine, Ginny, Arcen, Lucas, and Jeremiah managed to beat the group of fourth year Hufflepuffs they went up against. Lucas and Jeremiah were knocked out, but the girls and Arcen managed to persevere.
"Nice job, you three," Harry said as they left the combat field.
"Thanks, Harry," Ginny said, her cheeks flushed. "That was quite exciting."
"It's terrifying," Laine corrected. "I need something to drink."
"I thought it was fun too," Harry said.
Ginny nodded. "It was different. Tonks was right about battle being different from a duel."
"Voldemort wanted to duel, so I think it's still worth learning."
"No doubt, no doubt. It's kind of funny, isn't it? Sodding killer, but he went through the motions of a duel."
"I think he was just playing with me. If he'd just gone for the kill, he would have won."
Ginny shivered. "What an awful thought."
Once the last students had gotten clear, everyone's eyes were on Tonks again.
"Now, wasn't that fun?" she asked brightly. "That was a little taste of what it's like to be in combat. Spells can come flying at you from odd angles. You've got to be ready to deal with anything. I want you all to think about what you've learned and apply it to the next practice you have. I'm afraid I have to go. I'm due to go on duty in an hour."
"We very much appreciate your time, Auror Tonks," Umbridge said. "Don't we, students?"
"Yes, Professor Umbridge. Thank you, Auror Tonks."
"My pleasure," Tonks said. "Bye!"
She waved to Harry and Draco as she left the Great Hall. As soon as she was out of sight, there was a loud crash and a stream of swearwords.
"Stupid suit of armour! Who put that there?"
Harry tried not to laugh, but he couldn't help it. Tonks was definitely Tonks.
For the rest of the meeting, Professor Umbridge kept them fighting in teams. Harry's group went up against some of the Ravenclaws and did quite well. The fourth year Slytherins wiped the floor with the Gryffindors, prompting a lot of dirty looks back and forth.
"Mister Potter, please remain. The rest of you are dismissed. Enjoy your lunch."
Harry approached Professor Umbridge's desk, wondering what she could possibly want.
"I won't keep you long, Potter. Are you free this evening?"
"Yes, Professor."
"Would you please come by my office after dinner?"
"Am I in trouble, Professor?"
"Certainly not," she said with a titter. "No, I just wish to have a conversation with you where we are not constrained overly by the clock. I'll see you tonight. Now let's get down to lunch."
Despite being intensely curious as to what Professor Umbridge could want to talk about at length, after lunch was the first lesson with Professor Montague, and Harry was far too interested in what topics would be covered. They were in a different classroom than normal.
"Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, Professor Montague," the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs said in unison. They'd had lots of practice when dealing with Umbridge.
"Today marks a new direction for us all. Professor Binns had a certain style to him that I cannot hope to emulate. As well I should not, considering that's what got him sacked. I had Professor Binns when I was a student, and I promise you, my class is not going to be anything similar. Class participation will be a major portion of your mark. Yes, Mister Malfoy?"
"Without being disrespectful, Professor, isn't our mark this year based entirely on our OWL score?"
"It is. I hope you will not let that fact deter you from taking part in the discussion, because I would hate to dock my old house any points. Rather, I would see you all participate because that will provide an opportunity to earn points. Surely Professor Snape still gives a pop quiz every lesson?"
They nodded.
"That is what we shall do here. Now, our topic is the goblin rebellions. I assure you, this will be asked about on the OWL. To summarize the wizard-goblin relationship over the past thousands of years is difficult. There has always been enmity, but it has ebbed and flowed over time. Things have been particularly peaceful for the past five hundred years with one exception. There were a few riots in the eighteenth century, which we will cover today. There had been frictions brewing for nearly a decade, since the trade dispute of seventeen-forty. Eventually hostilities broke out. Wand legislation was passed, restricting ownership of a wand to humans only. Having always obtained wands from wizards, without any wandmakers of their own, they were unable to fight back with magic. The last of the goblin armies was finally destroyed in seventeen-seventy-six and a treaty forced upon them."
Harry took fevered notes. Professor Montague spoke quickly, and the chalk that was dictating his notes onto the board scribbled furiously to keep up with him. This was loads better than old Binns; Harry didn't think about falling asleep once.
That evening after dinner, Harry and Laine walked together to Umbridge's office. He kissed her and watched her walk away. Only when she was out of sight did he turn to the business at hand.
The door was slightly cracked, so Harry knocked as he opened it.
"Good evening, Professor."
"Come in, Mister Potter. Come in," she said in a syrupy sweet voice. "Do sit down."
Harry tasted bile in the back of his throat. The room was nauseatingly pink. Umbridge was seated behind a desk that was meticulously neat. Not a thing was out of place. Where Lockhart had kept pictures of himself, Umbridge collected china plates with cats on them. Unlike the paintings on Muggle plates, these cats moved and played, though a good few were sleeping.
"Will you take a cup of tea?"
"Thank you, Professor," he said. The guest chair was not cushioned. He hoped she wasn't going to keep him here too long. He accepted the tea cup she passed to him. She poured for herself and raised the cup with one pinky out like the upper crust.
"To the Minister's good health," she toasted.
"Er, yes," Harry replied. "To the Minister."
"How are you, Harry? Do you still enjoy being a prefect?"
"It's a lot more work than I ever realized."
"Which is why only excellent students are usually chosen. The time taken away from study would ruin a lesser student during the OWL year. Are your classes going well?"
"Yes, Professor."
"What is your best subject? Defence, I hope?"
"It always has been," Harry replied.
"I notice you have done quite well at your drills in class," Umbridge said, "and you had quite a good showing at the meeting last night. You seem to have a natural proclivity for fighting the Dark Arts."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Your skills are strong. I have a further role for you to play. Your Ministry needs you. What would you say if I offered to make you Captain of the duelling club?"
Harry didn't bat an eye. "I'd say you'd made a good choice, Professor; however, before I accept, I would like to know what my responsibilities would be."
Umbridge seemed to glow with satisfaction. "To lead, Mister Potter. To help those members who are less skilled than yourself. To keep up the intensity when the Aurors are not running things."
Harry already helped his friends with their wandwork. He'd even managed to teach Pansy a few Charms, and she was rubbish at Charms. If the goal was to train up for the inevitable showdown with Voldemort, Harry could certainly be intense about that.
"I accept."
"Wonderful."
Umbridge reached into the drawer of her desk and took out a small box. She slid it over to Harry, who opened it curiously. Inside was a badge made of gold and silver with a pair of crossed wands on the shield.
"You have free reign, Captain Potter. Help me get these children ready for the struggle we now face."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Captain Potter, you will also have to give a speech at the rally."
Speech? Harry didn't give speeches. How was he supposed to find time to write a speech between all his other commitments? He only had a few days.
Harry made his way down to the dungeons feeling slightly dazed. He wasn't supposed to be a captain until sixth year Quidditch. His new badge was made of gold and silver. Gold. Gold was reserved for the Head Boy and Girl badges. This was going to get noticed.
In the privacy of his bed, Harry called for Sirius on the mirror.
"What's going on, Harry?"
"It's kind of crazy."
"What's happened? Is it good or bad?"
"Good and bad, I suppose. Professor Umbridge just made me Duelling Captain."
"Well done, Harry! Congratulations!"
"I'm supposed to help her run the meetings and show people how to do things."
"It's good that she's trusting you so much. You've planted yourself in firm opposition to Voldemort, so her favour means the Ministry is firmly onboard with the war effort."
"More politics?" Harry asked with distaste.
"Everything is politics."
"That sounds like something a Slytherin would say."
"Slytherins do say it. They say a lot of things. This one happens to be true."
"So I guess I have to take it."
"You don't sound too pleased."
"I was, when I thought it was because I'm the best dueller."
"It would never be that, even in peace time."
"Everything is political."
"Indeed."
"Well, I'm going to enjoy my shiny new badge. It's silver and gold."
"Gold too? She really wants to make a statement, doesn't she?"
"I guess so."
"Just don't let her talk you into doing something too silly in the name of the good fight. Talk to me first, please."
"No problem, Sirius. I won't let her railroad me."
"Any Marauder can outwit a Ministry bureaucrat."
Harry said good night and went out to the common room where he stared at his homework in a daze.
"What's wrong?" Laine said.
He showed her the badge.
"What an honour!"
"Yeah. I don't know how I'm going to keep up with lessons. She wants me to give a speech."
"A speech? For what?"
"At the memorial service on Saturday."
"I look forward to it."
"I've never given a speech."
"Do you want some help?"
"Yes, thanks."
Laine put her homework to the side and pulled out a fresh piece of parchment.
"Let's get to work."
Harry smiled. How lucky he was to have such a wonderful girlfriend.
Professor Umbridge stood up at breakfast and called for attention.
"Hem, hem. On Saturday, there will be an assembly in the Great Hall after lunch. Attendance is mandatory. Several entertainers will be performing."
The Great Hall immediately began to buzz with conversation as the students discussed the assembly.
"Assembly?" Draco said, drawling slightly. "Sounds dreadful. Perhaps I'll be able to do a spot of homework. It might be less boring."
"I told Umbridge to get a band or two. I wrote to Edgar and asked him if Wand Smasher is available."
"Are they?"
"Haven't heard yet."
"That wouldn't be too bad, I suppose. Still, it's going to be awfully boring."
"You're telling me. I've got to give a speech."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I'll expect you to applaud."
"You know we will, Harry," Laine said.
"Why do you have to give a speech?" Daphne said.
"I'm Duelling Captain."
"So why not have an exhibition duel?" said Draco.
"There's a thought."
"Can you let us wipe the floor with Weasley?"
"That's a good thought too."
Harry worked out the fine details of his proposal during classes and went to Umbridge's office before lunch.
"Yes?"
"Professor, I've got an idea for the assembly."
"Come in, Mister Potter. Please sit down. May I offer you anything to drink?"
"No, thank you."
"Very well. What is your idea?"
"I know you asked me to give a speech in my capacity as Duelling Captain."
"Indeed. As a leader in the school, your words carry much weight."
"Wouldn't it have more impact if we were to show everyone what we do rather than tell them? We could have an exhibition match."
Umbridge considered the idea, tapping her quill on the inkwell.
"I like it. May I trust you to see to it?"
"Of course."
"Very well. I look forward to it."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Was there anything else?"
"No, ma'am."
"Then you are dismissed."
At lunch, Harry reported his success to Draco, but Millie dominated the conversation with some interesting news from Care of Magical Creatures.
"So get this! Hagrid's on probation!"
"What?" Harry said.
"Yeah. Umbridge came down to the lesson today and gave him the news. He's got until the end of February to show improvement or he's sacked."
"I guess his review didn't go so well."
"Guess not. Maybe we'll get Grubbly-Plank back. She knew what she was doing."
"I hope so, for your sakes."
"For the sake of my OWL result, more like."
The so-called interesting and misunderstood nature of the ferocious and deadly specimens he procured for class notwithstanding, Harry knew Hagrid was a bit of a joke to the students. He knew his subject, but he was a horrible teacher. Every essay came back marked "E-" and never had any comments. There was a rumour that he didn't even read the essays, and Millie had tested it one time by launching into a vigorous argument that Quidditch would be a much more exciting game if the players were all riding thestrals. Harry found himself quite persuaded, but it only earned an E-.
Would Hagrid be the third teacher to go? Harry hoped Hagrid would still be able to stay on as gamekeeper and Keeper of Keys. The big man loved Hogwarts, and it seemed a shame to sack him all together. Professor Umbridge had already cancelled one whole subject and sacked two teachers. Binns still occupied his old classroom, giving his lectures even though nobody was listening aside from a few ghost students. Nobody had seen Trelawney since the end of last term.
Umbridge was definitely shaking things up at Hogwarts. She was altering the curriculum and reshaping the castle culture. The Ministry Youth was very popular, despite being one of the only extracurricular activities now permitted. Everyone enjoyed the chance to cast spells and duel in a sanctioned manner. It was even good for bringing down the number of clashes between students in the hallways between classes. Now the conflicting parties simply settled the score on the field of contest.
Harry was a bit nervous as he walked into his first duelling club meeting as captain. Laine squeezed his hand encouragingly as he climbed up on the stage with Umbridge.
"You'll do fine, Mister Potter," she said brightly. "I have every confidence in you."
That was a hell of a thing to say to someone. "Yes, ma'am."
"Hem, hem. Settle down, please. As you undoubtedly are aware, I have awarded Harry Potter the position of Duelling Captain. He's the best amongst you, and I expect you all to listen when he speaks. The things he tells you could mean the difference between victory or defeat. He has personally fought more against the Dark Arts than the lot of you put together. This fight against the Darkness is his passion. He wants to join the Aurors, and I intend to see that it happens. This leadership role is just the thing to help him get started and let us benefit from his wisdom at the same time. Harry?"
Umbridge began to clap, and some of the students rotely followed suit. Harry felt weird about having people applaud him, but he tried to smile and be genial.
"Hello. Professor Umbridge is right. The Dark times are here again, and we all need to do our part. Our teachers have tried to get us to understand, but we still only truly see when awful things happen. That horrible incident at the Home for Magical Children should turn the stomach of all decent people. Every one of us ought to be angry enough to fight so that doesn't happen again."
The applause started again, a little more enthusiastic this time.
"It's an ugly world we're going into. Let's be ready to deal with it. We'll begin with some target practice."
Harry waved his wand, causing the house tables to break into many pieces. With another wave, each piece transformed into a target.
"Impressive, Mister Potter," Umbridge said approvingly.
"Would you mind making them move around? I can't affect them all at once."
"Certainly."
Umbridge's spell set each target to bouncing gently around in a limited area.
"Pick whatever spell you need to work on and cast as much as you can. We'll change up spells in twenty minutes."
Harry walked up and down the lines with Umbridge, studying each person's casting and offering advice to several more egregious casters. Several times, Harry wanted to say something, but Umbridge kept on moving.
Didn't she notice Finnigan's elbow sticking out?
Harry couldn't take it anymore.
"Finnigan, your arm is all wrong. You're not getting a good release because you need to also unbend your elbow in the second sweep. Try it like this."
Harry demonstrated.
"That's what I'm doing."
"No, you're not. Here. Go through it slowly, and I'll show you."
Finnigan went through the movements at half speed.
"Here," Harry said, pushing on the elbow with his fingers. "Right here. You're locking now, but not in the drill. You're trying to cast too quickly. Making sloppy movements doesn't make the magic any better."
Finnigan gave it another go, and his bolt of light hit the third circle, an improvement over the sixth.
"Thanks, Potter."
Umbridge was smiling and nodding approvingly at him. Harry took that as his cue to turn around and go back up the line, pointing out the things he'd let go. Twenty minutes flew by.
Ginny needed a bit of help with her Blasting Curse. He tapped her on the shoulder.
"You're making an extra flick at the end. It'll ruin the spell every time."
"Thanks. I can't seem to stop myself."
He watched her carefully as she tried again.
"You have wonderful taste in jewelry, Harry. Laine showed us all the locket you gave her. It's beautiful."
Harry grinned.
"I'm glad she likes it enough to show it off."
"She even let us try it on. It's really heavy."
"You tried it on?"
"For a little bit. All the girls did except Michelle."
"She didn't want to?"
"Laine wouldn't let her."
Ginny's wand suddenly erupted with the flash of the Blasting Curse. The bolt of light shattered the target.
"Well done, Ginny. Good show."
Harry turned and strode back up the line.
"Good work, everyone. All tired out yet?"
"No!" came the resounding response.
"Good. More drill! Pick a different spell. Twenty more minutes."
After working on the second and then a third spell, the club did start to get fatigued. That was what Harry had been waiting for.
"All right, everyone? Now that you've had a bit of a workout, we're going to start the real part of tonight's activity. Groups of a dozen or so. Teams of two. Spread out and self-regulate a combat. Go."
As the club sorted itself out and began their matches, Harry took a moment to gather his thoughts.
It was clear to him that they needed to prepare both for group combat and individual duels. The group affair could easily wind up as a one-on-one situation.
He decided that each meeting would include groups. The five-on-five that Tonks had used worked well, but he could easily use lesser numbers. More than that was possible, but fundamentally no different. In a battle, one would likely not even be able to keep track of four other people.
Actually, in combat, you may be with some people you know and some you don't.
"Attention, everyone! You may not always wind up fighting with your best friend. Switch partners! Team with someone from another house!"
Harry hoped that enforced diversity would help build teamwork, coordination, and communications skills.
It was also possible - in fact, probable - that one would be outnumbered, so Harry knew he would be setting up some handicapped matches.
I'll send the three Weasleys up against six upper year Slytherins. They'll be crushed.
Harry let the meeting go on for another hour before he called a halt.
"Good work, everyone. That's enough for tonight. I'll see you all next time. Dismissed."
UMBRIDGE APPOINTS POTTER DUELLING CAPTAIN
by Rita Skeeter
Harry Potter keeps on accumulating titles. He's the Boy Who Lived, the Youngest Seeker In A Century, Youngest Triwizard Winner in History, Hogwarts prefect, and now Duelling Captain. He laughs with a bit of embarasment when he is read the list.
"I just want to help people. If I can help them get better at casting magic that can potentially save their lives, you bet I'm going to do it."
The Ministry Youth club is helping young duelists hone their skills. Captain Potter was one of the first to sign up when Security Officer Dolores Umbridge established the group. Harry is one of the most skilled members. He's put in a lot of practice just to survive this long in his short life. Now he puts his learning to another good use.
Some of his friends are nearly as talented, and he has harnessed them to help everyone improve faster. "I had help getting as good as I am, and my friends continue to help me as I lead the duelling club. They can run smaller groups when instruction needs to be a little more direct."
Professor Umbridge praised Potter's abilities. "Some people simply have a feel for fighting the Dark Arts. Captain Potter is such a wizard. His drive and determination to stamp out evil is admirable in a man so young. I am proud to help him on his crusade."
Laine Slater (4th Slytherin) had this to say: "Captain Potter really knows what he's talking about. He's helped me learn so much. I think we're all really lucky to have him to show us. The Aurors are too busy to come here all the time, but we've got Harry. It's definitely the next best thing."