Magnolia Crescent
Chapter Forty-Six
Headlines and Losing Duels
Harry dropped his head to the table the next morning, causing Ron and Hermione to glance worriedly at him.
"Rough night?" Ron asked. Harry glanced up blearily, eyelids barely making it halfway.
"I wouldn't trade it for anything," he grumbled, the words barely legible in his sleep-deprived state. Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance before jolting Harry upright with a hard clap on the back. The Daily Prophet was tossed onto the table before him. "Care of Magical Creatures Professor is Half-Giant," he read off, blinking blearily at the paper. "That's nice," he mumbled, dropping back to the table again.
"Harry, you okay? I heard you got found in the dungeon halfway through the dance," Leo said, strolling over to the Gryffindor table and taking a seat. "And then you turn up looking like this. I didn't think memory charms were supposed to take this much out of you." Hermione gave a nervous glance to the Slytherin. He shrugged lightly. "It's Harry, anything gets around fast thanks to Malfoy. Especially if it has the potential to be embarrassing."
"I believe it. The git has yet to make it through a school year without causing trouble," Ron noted. As if on cue, the aforementioned git sauntered by the table, being sure to flash a new pin with the words 'Potter Stinks'.
"I am of the opinion that he's just jealous," Leo said with another shrug.
"Malfoy?" Ron asked, staring at Leo incredulously. Even Harry, in his sleep-deprived state, gave him a dubious look.
"How do you consider that?"
"He never shuts up about you. Seriously, all he does is talk about getting back at you and being better than you. Honestly, it's enough to drive a man mad," he said then swiftly changed the topic with a bright smile. "So, what do you want to do with the rest of vacation?"
"Well, for one thing, we need to talk to Hagrid," Harry said, sitting up and yawning while staring at the paper. "You'd think I would be enough to go after, but…. Oh! I also need to do my homework."
"Homework? I got that taken care of before the first day was even over," Leo admitted with an amused shrug.
"Really?" Hermione asked, eyes nearly bugging out of her head.
"Don't make such a big deal. It's not hard to fill up a twelve inch piece of parchment," Leo replied. "And who is Hagrid?"
"The games keeper and professor for Care of Magical Creatures," she explained.
"Never took that class," Leo said. "I've got Runes and Muggle Studies. For now, of course."
"What do you mean by that?" Harry asked.
"I'm hoping to take Alchemy in my sixth year if it's still available."
"Really?" Hermione asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, but it's only allowed if there are enough students interested, sadly," Leo admitted. "Anyways, are we going to get some dueling in over break? We've been a little lax on it," he said eagerly, rubbing his hands together.
"Actually, I have some homework to take care of as well," Ron said with a sad sigh, glancing down to the parchment on the table before him.
"Here, just copy mine," Leo immediately offered, reaching into his bag. Hermione glared at him hotly, clearing her throat a bit. He glanced up at her and winced right off the bat. "Never mind," he said instead, letting go of his bag. Ron's brightened face fell once more.
"Well, should we go check up on Hagrid?" Harry asked after a bit of silence. The Daily Prophet was still sitting before him.
"Last night, I still can't understand it. I didn't see anyone that would or could have brought it to her attention," Leo said, beginning to think on the article.
"Huh?" Harry asked, glancing at him in confusion. "To who's attention?"
"Rita Skeeter, of course," Hermione said, rolling her eyes as she straightened out the paper and pointed to her name under the article.
"After you left and Hermione vanished, Leo and I sort of just walked around, to be honest," Ron replied sheepishly, as if he were ashamed of that fact.
"And we stumbled upon Hagrid and Madam Maxine," Leo added. "He was talking about his heritage and we felt a bit odd eavesdropping and with Ron acting all shocked…."
"It's kind of a big deal," he said earnestly. The two shared a quick glance.
"Why is it a big deal?" Harry asked. Ron glanced at him oddly but Leo hurried to explain.
"It's a known fact that most giants are rather brutal. So, that stigma usually gets passed down into the half-children. Which is rather dense," Leo said, glaring at Ron.
"What?" he demanded.
"Nothing," he said, brushing it off and appearing in a rather cold mood. "Let's just go see our Professor," he said, standing to his feet. Harry and Hermione stayed put and glanced at Ron.
"What happened last night?" Harry asked, finally starting to feel more awake.
"We wanted to ask you the same thing since you and Sirius went missing last night. The whole school was turned upside-down," Hermione said, watching him with worried eyes. Harry grimaced, glancing out over the Great Hall before standing rapidly, racing after where Leo had already disappeared. Ron and Hermione scampered to catch up.
"Leo, are you okay?" Harry called when he got closer. They were near the main castle doors.
"You're asking me? You got oblivated and then hunted down your godfather – all night from the looks of it – and you're asking if I'm okay?" Leo said, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Um, yes?" Harry answered, unsure. Leo merely shook his head. "What is going on with you and Ron?" he asked instead.
"Nothing. Last night was cool, it was just something he said," he admitted, appearing to avoid Harry's eyes.
"The giant thing – you like giants?" he asked and Leo smirked. He opened his mouth to reply but quickly closed it when Ron and Hermione caught up. A terse silence fell over the group that was only broken when Ron managed to change the subject.
"So, if we want to get some dueling in before classes start again, do you think you could help me with my homework?" Ron asked rather disjointedly.
"It depends on the class," Leo replied.
"Potions?" Ron asked, looking abashed at his own answer.
"So, what? Because I'm in Professor Snape's house, that makes me the go-to potions guy, huh?" Leo asked, pushing open the door to the grounds. He exhaled, trying to decide what he would do. "I've got your back. I guess if I want any work done in dueling, then I kind of have to help."
"It would be a good start," Hermione said, causing Leo to frown.
"Look, potions is all about following directions – it's really not that hard," he said, immediately rambling about the homework assignment.
"Thank you!" Ron breathed, clasping his hands together and jumping in front of Leo to stop him. He finally stopped talking and gave a slight shrug while Harry knocked on the door to Hagrid's hut. He looked around, hardly believing that they had made it all the way across the grounds while he had been yammering on about homework.
"Well, you asked for my help," he replied. Inside the hut was eerily silent and there was no response. Harry knocked again and this time heard only Fang barking from within.
"Hagrid?" he called.
"I was hoping for a different kind of help," Ron muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"I take it you get this a lot?" Leo asked Hermione, motioning to Ron. Instead, Hermione ignored him and helped Harry figure out why Hagrid wasn't answered. "Ouch," he mumbled as they knocked again. "Looks like he isn't in the mood to talk."
"I kind of figured that, to be honest," Harry snapped. Then he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in though. "I suppose we should head back," he suggested, dropping his hands to his sides and turning back to the path. Behind him, Leo pulled out a quill, a roll of parchment and his wand. He tapped the quill and parchment with wand to charm them.
"Look, the basic stuff you need to know is right here. Read off what you need to know and the spell does the rest," he told Ron.
"That's cheating," Hermione said in a low voice. Leo turned to her, one eyebrow raised.
"We are in a magical school; since when is it cheating to use magic on your magical homework?" he asked.
"We have to right those ourselves," she hissed. Beside them, Ron was going through the book with glee while the quill worked for him.
"I don't recall that in the rulebook," Leo replied smugly, with a matching grin.
"There's a rulebook?" Hermione questioned, looking as if everything she had ever known was suddenly wrong.
"No, and that's my point," he replied with a slight nod of head.
"Is this a school spell?" she asked instead, watching the quill move across Ron's parchment.
"That looks like the same things Rita Skeeter used during the Weighing of the Wands," Harry recalled, staring at the quill for a moment. His mind immediately went back to the event but he couldn't remember it very well. He shook his head to dislodge the memory and Ron rolled up his scroll with a happy smile. By now, they had made it to the castle doors once more.
"No," Leo finally admitted.
"So, it's a spell you learned outside of class. That seems a bit unfair," Hermione scolded, crossing her arms.
"And your natural born talent is fair?" Leo asked, watching her fluster with calm eyes.
"That's different!" she insisted. "It's not something that I have control over."
"Actually, in my mind, it's always better to use what you have to the best of your ability," Leo said. "Kind of like what Harry did in the first task," he added, a satisfied smile on his face.
"That's" Hermione began, narrowing her eyes at him. "You fight dirty," she said instead, leveling her gaze with him. Leo shrugged, a rather harmless smile on his face.
"That I do. What, did you think I took Fleur on with pure magical talent? Heck no, I cheated," he admitted. Hermione glared at him so hard that if looks could kill, he would be beyond Madam Pompfrey's help. He fidgeted under her gaze for a time as they made it through the castle.
"Ah, there you are," a new voice said. They spun around to see none other than Fleur herself striding towards them with her Beauxbatons group in tow. Ron immediately hid behind Harry but they were completely safe. Instead, she latched onto Leo's wrist and dragged him away.
"Hey, wait. I thought we were going to practice today," Ron hollered. Leo looked between the groups helplessly.
"I'll catch up at the usual place," he called back. Harry frowned, musing over the next task.
'Well, I do have the Bubble Head Charm, but I wouldn't mind having – ' he thought, interrupted by Hermione's grouchiness.
"Trouble maker," she seethed, shaking her head. They headed straight for the empty classroom and were surprised to find Neville and Luna already practicing.
"Hey, Neville. Hey, Luna," Harry greeted, waving at the pair.
"Where is Leo?" Neville asked right off the bat.
"He's dealing with a bit of fallout," Hermione replied and he audibly swallowed at her tone.
"So, who wants to take the first crack?" Ron asked nervously when Hermione took the floor.
"Good luck, Ron," Neville said, sitting off to the side with Luna.
"I think her temper is growing," Harry muttered to Neville who nodded in agreement. "So, you wouldn't happen to know any or," he paused to glance at the Herbology book in Neville's hands, "anything on plants that might help me stay underwater for a long time?"
"Hmm," Neville mused, flipping through book. Spells and flashes of light began to flash and echo around the classroom. "I know of something that might work. It's called gillyweed."
"Oh!" Harry said, eyes going wide. "I've heard of that. Actually, do you know where I can find some?"
"Well, the best place would be Diagon Ally. But, maybe the potions cupboard though I wouldn't recommend that. Unless you are really desperate."
"I could always ask Sirius, to be honest," Harry thought, glancing over to where the duel was going and found Ron sprawled on the floor.
"I give up," he murmured, clapping his hands on the back of his head.
"Was she too rough on you, Ron?" Leo asked, smirking despite the heated looks he was receiving.
"Oh, shove off," Ron griped, dropping onto the bench beside Neville with a groan. "Did you see that? She wiped the floor with me!"
"Well, suppose you make a pretty good mop then," Harry said, chuckling. Ron sighed, a small smile pulling at the corner of his lips.
"Best watch it, Harry," Neville warned, watching Hermione carefully. "I'm afraid she might do the same with the rest of us if we're not careful."
"Anyone else want to practice?" Hermione asked, watching the group with a raised eyebrow. When no one moved after a few moments, Leo pushed off the wall and cracked his knuckles.
"Sure, I'll have a go," he said, shrugging. Two minutes later, Leo was staring up at the ceiling, swearing that stars were floating just there. "I think she's got her anger out now," he moaned. The others chuckled, watching Leo try to grasp reality from the ground.
Sorry that these have been so sparse and short lately. I recently started going to school again and haven't had much time to work on anything while SWD had been working a separate story of his. Don't worry, we haven't forgotten about you, just been sidetracked.
~LE