I Don't Want to be a Hero - Second Year
Chapter Sixteen
Dueling Club - Monday 26 Oct 1992
All the student body was abuzz: an announcement had been made at the end of breakfast that all morning classes were cancelled and that all students were to meet in the Hall of Armory. Very few finished breakfast as everyone speculated what the gathering was to be about. As soon as breakfast was ended all the students poured out of the Great Hall and made their way to the Hall of Armory.
The Hall of Armory was no less impressive than any other area of Hogwarts. Much like the Great Hall it stretched the length of a Quidditch Pitch (500 feet) with a cathedral ceiling and a red carpet down its centre. On either side were tall windows of stain glass that depicted the colourful histories of Merlin, King Arthur and his Knights, the Knights of St. George, and the first Great Gathering of 862 which was the union of all witches and wizards in Europe.
Between each of the tall windows were stands of armor from every great age of wizardom. Amongst those amours were the suits of the Knights of King Arthur including the King's own suit.
The Hall of Armory connected two major areas of Hogwarts - the Great Hall, student dorms, and classes from the living quarters of the other teaching staff that were not Heads of Houses, the house elves, the Infirmary, Hogwarts Library, and to the Courtyard of Merlin which was off limits to students. It was this other area where the previous Headmaster Albus Dumbledore lived with his companion Remus Lupin.
Today a large platform was at the centre of the Hall and there were benches under the tall windows between the armor for the students. As the students entered they were treated to the sight of two of their teachers, Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy dueling magnificently against each other.
Immediately the students gathered around the platform as close as the protective ward allowed them. All eyes watched, and there was no more buzz of speculation. Back and forth as spells and shields were cast their eyes bounced in syncopation. Finally, with a series of three hexes (Jelly Legs, GinanTonic, and Funny Bone) and a final, "EXPELLIARMUS!" Professor Snape sent Lucius flying backwards on his derriere down the length of the platform.
"Yield, Severus!" shouted Lucius.
Harry cheered for his father who bowed stiffly towards Lucius, and then strode gracefully over to him, and gave him a hand up.
"Thank you, Severus," murmured Lucius. He then looked out over all of the students. "The Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Voldemort…" most of the students cringed. "Tom… Riddle. A Dark Wizard is dead." He strolled up the platform. "Just because one dark wizard is dead does not mean that you may now sit idly on your arses eating bon bons while your house elf cooks you meals to fatten you up. Many of my students have commented that as the danger is over there is no need to learn defensive magic." He sighed, and stopped. "It does not help that our own Ministry For Magic has recently de-emphasised the need for such defence, and many of you no longer view my class as an important one." His silvery gaze raked over all of the students. "Defence is the art of learning to defend yourself against any and all threat. This is protecting yourself, your brothers and sisters. There are still factions in our world that mean you harm. They will hurt you or your family and friends, or even your own property. It is up to you to know how to defend yourself against those that do not mean you well."
Lucius then bowed towards Professor Snape who picked up the speech. "Therefore, myself and Professor Malfoy have begun this Dueling Club to hone your Defensive Magic. Not only will you learn to duel for the championship tournament currently held in New Zealand you will be instructed in the skill of silent casting." This was met by sudden exclamations of oohs and aahs.
One hand rose timidly, and it was not Hermione. Lucius nodded to the student, "Mr. Longbottom?"
"Sirs, what about casting without a wand?"
Professor Snape tried not to sneer in frustration. Instead, he replied, "This is dueling, Mr. Longbottom, dueling with wands. The talent of casting a spell without a wand is not something taught at Hogwarts due to the fact that it is rare for a witch or wizard to possess that degree of focus."
Neville nodded in understanding, and he was joined by a dozen other students that nodded as well.
Professors Malfoy and Snape began to separate the students into pairs and each in their turn ascended to the dueling platform to show their skill in spells and shields they had learned. Finally Harry and Draco were up on the dueling platform. Draco knew more offensive spells but Harry had been doing well in Defence Against the Dark Arts with various types of shields in addition to second year defensive spells. However, the first spell Harry cast was the one his father had cast…
"Expelliarmus!" shouted Harry.
Draco not only was thrown backwards but he went arse over teakettle and landed heavily on his back. Professor Snape went to help the boy to his feet but Draco scrambled away and jumped up with a breathless casting of…
"Serpensortia!" A snake was thrown from the end of Draco's wand.
"Draco!" snapped his father. Lucius tried to vanish the snake but he was inexplicably blocked by several tall seventh year students. To the surprise, and wariness of everyone, Harry began to hiss at the snake…
"Sya- hassa- she. Sya- hasi- heth. Sya- hasi- heth."
Lucius gaped as a frisson of remembered fear slithered down his spine. Professor Snape was as familiar with the sound of the language as was Lucius although neither knew the meaning. Professor Snape stepped in front of Draco, and cast, "Evanesco!" The snake vanished from the platform.
Justin Finch-Fletchly from Ravenclaw glared at Harry, "What are you playing at, Snape?"
"It was going to attack you!" Harry defended himself.
"Yeah because you told the snake to attack me!" Justin yelled back. He then turned away, and pushed through the students behind him, and left the Hall of Armory.
"I… I… didn't," Harry mumbled. Fear raced down his spine suddenly as he wondered what had happened. He stopped breathing in panic, and fell to the floor.
"Harry!" Severus pushed aside Draco and ran for his son. He knelt beside him. As he tried to revive him Lucius ushered the students back to their dorms.
As the students all walked past the blond haired wizard, Lucius caught Draco by his collar, and drew him off to the side near a stand of 15th century armor; the helm turned towards father and son as if to listen. "What is wrong with you, Draco?" he demanded.
"Harry hit me!" Draco defended himself lamely.
"Ah. So that insult justified the summoning of a poisonous serpent?" inquired Lucius sarcastically.
"It was just a snake, father!" Draco cried as he tried to yank himself from his father's grip on his robes' collar.
"It was a Blue Krait you dim-witted child," snarled Lucius. Draco's brow furrowed in puzzlement. "One of the world's deadliest serpents, Draco. Had it bitten anyone here Severus would not even have time to think of brewing an antidote."
Draco, suddenly realising what he nearly had done, sagged in his father's grip. He felt light-headed. "I nearly killed Harry." Lucius let go of his son who stumbled slightly, and then he turned back to the dueling platform to look at his friend. "Father, Harry was speaking Parseltongue."
Lucius nodded. "I am unfortunately familiar with the sound of that language, Dragon."
"Because Voldy was a Parselmouth," whispered Draco. "Father, does that mean Harry's evil?"
Harry blinked his eyes as he took in a deep breath. His head and shoulders were being held up by his father's arm. "Dad, I told that snake to leave Justin alone. Didn't anyone hear that?"
"No, Harry. You were speaking a language none of the students understood. It is called Parseltongue or the Language of Serpents." Harry had no idea what his father was telling him. "You… are able to speak to snakes… snakes are able… to speak to you, son."
"Is that a bad thing, dad?" asked Harry as he pushed himself up away from his father's hold.
Severus shook his head. "No, Harry, it is not. It is simply an extremely rare talent." He sighed. "Unfortunately, there are many who believe that the ability to speak Parseltongue is a Dark Art due to the fact that it was a talent that Voldy had."
Harry dropped his head into his hands, and moaned. "Everyone is going to believe I'm Dark, now!"
Severus wanted to assure his son that peoples opinion would not change just because Harry was now a Parselmouth but he could not. It would not be the truth, and he would never lie to his own child.
"Harry, you are a good person, and you have friends who know your compassion…"
"Uncle Severus is right, Harry," insisted Draco as he walked over to his friend. "My father told me that it's only because Voldy could talk to snakes that such a rare talent was considered bad."
Hermione, who should have left with all the other students, had returned, "Salazar Slytherin was a Parselmouth, Harry. Maybe you're a descendant?"
Severus huffed. Lucius rolled his eyes, then smirked at the witch, "There are quite a few centuries between ourselves and Salazar Slytherin, Miss Granger. Nearly every child with a Pureblooded family member could likely be related to one or all of the Founders."
"Parseltongue did not originate with Salazar Slytherin," Severus corrected as he aided his son in standing on his feet. "Merlin had the talent of speaking not only to snakes but to birds, horses, dragons, thestrals, and unicorns, amongst the most noted. The Gift of Speaking to Animals was bestowed upon him by the Lady of the Lake."
Harry slightly raised his arms, jumped off the platform, and slapped his hands against his thighs. "But, why me? How come I have to have a talent that everyone thinks is evil?"
Hermione shook her head, and grasped the hand Draco held up to aid her in getting off the platform. "Really, Harry, could you sound anymore whiny?"
Severus chuckled softly, and smirked. Under his breath he whispered, "Five points for accurate observation, Miss Granger."
Harry frowned at the bushy-haired witch. "What do you mean, Hermione? Everyone DOES think it's evil. Dad said so."
Draco glared, "But it's not, Harry. It's really cool that you can talk to snakes."
Harry grimaced as he recalled Justin Finch-Fletchly running out of the Hall of Armory. "Justin thinks I tried to make the snake kill him."
Severus stepped up behind the trio of friends. "Enough. It is time for lunch, and then I shall see all of you for Potions." He nudged Harry's back. "Go."
Harry, Hermione, and Draco walked into the corridor and made their way to the Great Hall. This area of the castle seldom saw students so when a muted, sibilant hissing stopped them in their tracks it sent shivers down all of their backs.
"What is that?" asked Draco as the hissing returned, then faded.
"It's sounds huge," whispered Hermione as she stepped closer to Draco.
Harry had cocked his head sideways as though listening. He then replied darkly, "It's saying it's hungry."