Chapter 12: I see fire
Once the train pulled into the station, it didn't take long for Harry to get wrapped back up in the hustle and bustle that was Hogwarts.
Almost immediately, Ron Weasley descended upon him.
"Harry, mate!" He called out as Harry and Hermione walked through the entry hall. "How was your holiday? You weren't too bored, were you? Did you like the chess set? Oh and thanks for the book on Quidditch!"
"Ron…" Harry held up his hands. "One question at a time please, otherwise I'll just decide which questions to answer. In order; it was great, no it was not boring, thank you for the chess set and I'm glad you liked the book."
"Come on," Ron grabbed him by the arm. "We have so much to catch up on! I'll go get my board."
"Ron.." Harry put some steel into his voice. "We just got back. Can we get settled first? I promise we'll catch up tonight."
Ron first looked disgruntled but then brightened at the promise of later.
"Okay! I'll catch you later!"
Harry shook his head. Ron was fine but was just a little too exuberant. There was also the fact he always only invited Harry and ignored whoever Harry was with. He thought it was because of Hermione but there was something bigger because Ron didn't even address Neville or Susan, whom he had entered the castle with as well.
Hermione and Harry dropped their stuff in their rooms before grabbing their books. While Hermione had relaxed over break, she was now anxious that they had missed something in their homework, despite the fact they finished it all before they left. Knowing her mind would not relax until she had double-checked everything, Harry agreed to review their
assignments.
As they sat down in the common room, Neville joined them.
"Did you guys find anything about Flamel?" Neville was curious ever since Harry had told them what Hagrid had said.
"We did actually," Harry said as he brought out the book and showed him the entry.
"Philosopher's Stone!" Neville said. "That must be what the Cerebus is guarding, isn't it?"
Harry nodded and Hermione scrunched her eyes in thought.
"The question is: who is it being guarded from?" Hermione said. "That's what I want to know."
"Maybe Hagrid knows more," Harry said. "Do you think we should visit him again?"
"Let's wait for a few weeks," Hermione said. "He could still be on edge, given our last conversation."
Soon, classes were underway and the teachers showed they weren't going to let up. McGonagall was moving on to switching spells. She had them start by switching a quill with the air next to it, making it appear as if the quill teleported. As students got better, they were allowed to swap two items and start moving further away.
Like anything with school, Harry and Hermione turned it into a competition. Sitting in front of them, in the middle between them sat six goblets, three blue and three red. The goal was to completely have all six goblets in front of them. Hermione was quicker and quickly jumped to a two-goblet lead while Harry tried to keep up. Once he got going, Harry kept pace but could never gain on her. Laughing Hermione kept casting until finally, she overwhelmed Harry to collect every goblet.
"Beat ya!" She raised her arms in celebration.
"Oh yeah?" Harry flicked his wand and all six goblets appeared in front of him. "How about now?"
"Excellent work, Mr. Potter," McGonagall was watching them. "Swapping all six was truly risky but effective. Done wrong, you would have mixed up the goblets. Though Miss Granger is still the speedier caster, you have countered that with more power. 20 points to Gryffindor, you two."
"Shall we go again?" Harry asked, a glint of joy in his eye.
"You're on!" Hermione leaned in, ready for round 2.
It wasn't just McGonagall, Flitwick worked both of them hard in their lessons and used their special lessons to move them onto the second-year curriculum and beyond.
Flitwick was teaching them both disarming and shielding spells.
"Expelliarmus, when performed properly, disarms your opponent," Flitwick said. He taught them the wand movement and had them practice on a dummy he had set up. When they had mastered that, he moved on to shielding.
"There are many kinds of shields but the first one you'll learn is Protego," Flitwick explained.
"This spell will block most incoming attacks, assuming your intent is strong enough. A weak intent," he shot a spell at Harry's conjured shield, shattering it. "And a significantly powerful spell will break it. Now, I want you to take turns trying to disarm one another. One will disarm and the other will shield."
Hermione was first on disarming and she noticed something: Harry's shield was round but did not cover everything. Using her precise aim, she shot her disarming spell into a gap in his shield, disarming Harry.
"Excellent vision and aim, Miss Granger," Flitwick clapped. "Just because you have a shield, do not assume it covers everything. Imagine if that was a more dangerous spell."
"Can you shape the shield?" Harry asked
"A little but there will still be limitations," Flitwick conjured a protego in the shape of a kite shield with his wand. "The bigger the shield, the harder it is to reinforce."
Harry thought for a second and, picturing his shield, incanted "Protego!"
On his left arm appeared a round shield. Moving his arm, the shield moved with him.
"Let's go again," Harry said.
Typical Harry, Hermione thought as she rolled her eyes. "Expelliarmus!"
The red spell shot toward Harry who, thanks to his seeker reflexes, caught the spell on the shield. Undeterred, Hermione shot spell after spell until finally, the shield failed and Harry's wand once again landed in her hand.
"Where did you think to come up with that?" Flitwick said.
"Your kite shield form made me think about medieval round shields and I pictured one on my arm," Harry said. "That way I could cast the shield but still keep my mobility."
"Then you have figured out the biggest key in dueling: mobility," Flitwick said. "The best defense is not being in the place where a spell is going to be. By being mobile, you are harder to hit."
Harry and Hermione switched and Hermione tried to conjure the shield.
"I can only get it to appear in front of me," She said.
"Picture it clearly on your arm, the way a shield would be," Harry said.
Hermione closed her eyes and clearly pictured the shield before casting the spell.
"Protego!" She shouted. The shield appeared where she intended. A moment's smile and celebration were all she had before…
"Expelliarmus!" Harry cast a red spell toward her. She caught the spell on her shield but the power of it shattered the shield. Before Hermione knew it, another spell was on her way. Remembering Flicwick's words, Hermione quickly sidestepped the spell, letting it go past her.
"Expelliarmus," Hermione shot back. Her red spell met with Harry's and they ricocheted off one another, forcing Flitwick to shield himself. Back and forth the two traded spells, no longer worried about shielding but instead dodging and trying to gain a hit.
"Expelliarmus," they both cried, Tired and unable to dodge, Harry's wand left his hand and another landed in his other hand: they had somehow managed to disarm one another at the same time.
"Good! Good!" Flitwick was hopping up and down with excitement. "I wasn't going to start movement training until February but you adjusted on the fly! I think we will stop the lesson here."
At that, both kids collapsed onto the ground. Flitwick conjured a few goblets and filled them with water. Without needing to be told, Harry and Hermione grabbed the goblets Flitwick floated in front of them, drinking deeply.
"I am very impressed with your development, both of you. Next, I will have you practice disarming and shielding at the same time. It takes a lot of concentration to cast while maintaining your shield."
Unfortunately, not every instructor was quite so fair. With the Potions Club thriving, Neville, Harry and Hermione all were finding brewing easier, even if the environment was not a healthy one.
They were working on the Concoction of Concentration when the bat descended on them.
"How can you possibly call this a potion?" Snape demanded. "You stir but you look entirely ridiculous and yet I'm sure you expect me to pass you with flying colors. So much like your father you are."
Harry had taken to smuggling samples of his completed potions out of the classroom. He could not expect Snape to be fair to him so he wanted to have some useful feedback to actually know how he was doing. Unfortunately, he had yet to find anyone. Madam Pomfrey was good at teaching the potions but couldn't help him analyze his potion or tell him how he could improve. Harry walked out of the dungeon at a loss, wondering who could possibly help him when Wood walked up to him.
"Harry!" Wood slapped his seeker on the back. "Hope you had a good break. We've got the game against Hufflepuff coming up so I hope you're ready to dive back into training."
As the match drew closer, Wood pointed out the seeker he would be facing.
"That's Cedric Diggory," Wood pointed him out in the Great Hall one day. "He's a third year and just made the team. He's a good bit bigger so you'll have to be quicker and I'd like to start doing some core exercises."
In his mission to make the best team possible, Wood had the entire team doing weight training and cardio exercises before every practice. Even if Harry hated it, he could feel the difference in how much stronger he was at the beginning of the year. Wood, however, was never satisfied.
Between Quidditch and classes, time was flying and before Harry knew it, it was time for the second match. Waking up to a dreary day, Harry groaned and got out of bed. The wind was howling and snow was thick on the grounds.
Going through the routine, Harry soon found himself on his broom, in the cold, floating next to the taller Hufflepuff boy.
"Good luck, Potter," Cedric said.
"You too, Diggory," Harry managed a smile. Madam Hooch's whistle sounded and the game began in earnest.
Harry shot up from his position and began to scan the pitch, keeping an eye on Diggory. Without warning, Diggory dropped out of the sky and Harry followed, thinking he had seen the Snitch. Coming up hot on Cedric, Harry was almost level when Diggory pulled up hard. Not realizing how close they were to the ground, Harry swerved and pulled up. Coming around, he saw Diggory smiling, realizing his trick had worked.
Two can play at that game, Harry thought. Putting on a look of concentration, Harry shot off toward the Hufflepuff hoops. Wind whistling in his ears, he could feel Diggory on his tail. Leaning in, Harry rolled and climbed over the stands.
"Fuck!" Harry heard Diggory shout as he nearly collided with the stands. Coming up next to Harry, he couldn't help but smile. "Well played, Potter!"
"Couldn't let you get away with that move, now could I, Diggory?" Harry laughed. "Now let's get after it for real."
Harry couldn't have had better timing as he caught a glint of gold in his eyes, floating near the Gryffindor posts. Knowing Cedric had seen it too, Harry took off. Despite being the leaner player on the quicker broom, Harry was flying into the wind which leveled the playing field between the two Seekers.
On they flew, chasing the ball as it tried to escape. Closer and closer they pulled, neither Seeker giving an inch. The crowd held their breath as both seekers dove toward the ball.
A cheer erupted in the stands as Diggory shot up, the Snitch clasped in his hand. Hufflepuff went wild and Harry looked around, falling off his adrenalin rush. The Chasers had done their job, they only lost 200-150, but Harry had failed. Diggory beat him.
Heading toward his teammates, Harry hung his head.
"No hard feelings, Harry," Wood flew up and wrapped an arm around him. "You did great."
"It's a part of the game," Fred said.
"We couldn't expect you to win every game," Katie said.
"That was one of the closer matches I've ever had," a new voice joined his teammates. Harry turned to see Cedric Diggory.
"I've never had another seeker feint me the way you did, Potter," Cedric extended his hand. "I think people will be talking about this one for a long, long time. I can't wait to see how you develop going forward. You have a lot of talent."
"Thank you, Diggory," Harry shook his hand. "I look forward to our rematch. You can be sure I'll be training extra hard in anticipation. And it's Harry, not Potter."
"Then call me Cedric," the older boy said. "Oh, and Susan Bones told me you're looking for someone to look over your potions, something about Snape being unfair? I'm really good at Potions. Bring them to me and I'll take a look."
"Thank you, Cedric," Harry inclined his head toward the Hufflepuff team. "Now go celebrate with your team and house. You've earned it."
After a shower and a change of clothes later, Harry found Hermione waiting for him outside the locker room.
"You played well," Hermione said, gently laying a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Sorry you didn't win."
"I don't think I want to head back to the Common Room quite yet," Harry let the stress of the match roll off his shoulders. "Maybe we can go see Hagrid?"
Knocking on the door, Harry heard Hagrid shout "In a minute!" before coming to the door. Opening the door, Harry was confronted with suffocating heat.
"'Arry! 'Ermione!" Hagrid beamed. "Good ter see yer! Come on in!"
Stepping over the threshold, Harry suddenly wished he was wearing some cooler clothes… like a swimsuit.
"Hagrid," Hermione trained her eyes on the fireplace. "That isn't what I think it is…. Is it?"
Sitting on the fire was a black egg.
"Beau'iful I'nt it?" Hagrid looked at the egg with a reverence that was both touching and unnerving. "Won it in a game o' cards last nigh'."
"Hagrid," Hermione's voice went positively shrill. "You live in a wood house!"
"Wait…" Harry was finally catching on. "You're telling me... you won a dragon egg... in a card game!?"
"This book here says it's gonna either be a Hedebrian Black or a Norwegian Ridgeback," Hagrid wasn't paying attention to anything but the egg. "Look at the time, you should be getting back to the castle."
Back in the suddenly comfortable cold, the pair wondered what to do. Night had fallen, and the only light remaining was that of the full moon.
"We can't let him keep that," Hermione said. "We can't have a dragon that close to the school."
"I agree but what do we…" Harry stopped short. They were on the edge of the forest and he heard a twig snap. Turning toward the sound, he saw the most tragically beautiful sight of his entire life.
Trotting toward them was a unicorn, its pearl white coat gleamed in the moonlight. As the creature turned, Harry could see it limping. There was a gash on its leg, blood running into the snow. Cautiously, Harry approached the animal.
"Harry," Hermione was both terrified and awed. "Unicorns don't like being approached, especially by males."
"It's hurt, Hermione," Harry said. "We have to help."
Stepping forward, the unicorn slowly bowed its head before collapsing on the snow. Thinking nothing of the consequences, Harry ran toward the animal. Hermione, ever the rational one, rolled her eyes and shot sparks into the air with her wand before approaching.
Harry was on his knees, examining the wound on the animal. Not knowing what to do, Harry pulled off his black cloak and put pressure on the wound, trying to staunch the flow of blood.
"What happened to you?" he asked the beautiful creature.
Another twig snapped behind him. Harry turned and saw a… something… in a cloak, moving toward him. Red eyes gleaming, it advanced toward Harry. Pain lit up on Harry's forehead, burning through his scar. Harry screamed and threw his hands up to his scar, trying to claw the wound, to make it stop burning.
Hermione stepped in front of Harry.
"Incendio," she shouted. A stream of flame shot out of her wand, forcing the creature back before advancing again. Paralyzed by pain and fear, Harry watched helplessly as the creature advanced on Hermione. Forcing the pain into a corner of his mind, Harry found to strength to stand. He conjured his favorite blue flames and pushed them toward the creature.
The creature screamed, falling back as Harry heard the sound of hooves. From the peripheral of Harry's vision, Harry saw a four-legged creature charge, making the cloaked creature retreat in earnest.
His head clearing, Harry looked up into the face of a creature he thought was mythical: a Centaur.
"Good evening, younglings," the Centaur said, his blue eyes moving from Harry to Hermione to the injured Unicorn. "It is not safe to be near the forest, especially for you Mr. Potter. Yes, even among Centaurs, you are famous."
"What was that thing?" Harry asked
"Something we Centaurs dare not speak about."
"Why was it here?"
"It was hunting this beautiful creature you are trying to help. I am Firenze, by the way."
"Greetings, Firenze. I am Harry Potter, as you know, and this is my friend Hermione Granger."
"So small and yet so brave, filled with an abundance of kindness," Firenze's gaze seemed to penetrate through Harry. "Fascinating."
The bushes rustled again and two more Centaurs emerged from the tree line, a strong black one with red eyes and a brown-bodied centaur with grey eyes.
"Firenze!" The black one boomed. "You should not be here. You've seen the stars, it is not for us to interfere!"
"Bane," Firenze answered. "I could not stand by. Mother Magic is moving and hence the stars are too."
"You know we cannot get involved," the brown one said
"I fear there will come a day where we have no choice but to get involved, Magorian."
"Excuse me?" All three turned to Harry who bowed to them. Shock looks appeared on all three centaurs; a wizard had never bowed to them before. "I am sorry to have caused an issue. Could either of you help this unicorn?"
"Help is on the way, young one," Firenze said as the other two Centaurs retreated into the tree line. "Your companion summoned it. Be careful, Harry Potter. Do you know what is held up at the castle at this very moment?"
Harry nodded.
"Slaying a unicorn is one of the most vile acts one can do," he explained. "Drinking its blood can save you even from being on the verge of death but it comes at a great cost. For by drinking it, you condemn yourself to a cursed life, a half-life."
"Who would do that to themselves?" Hermione asked.
"Can you think of no one? One who would cross into the darkest realm so that he might return to a regular existence? One who has yearned to do just this thing for the past 10 years?"
A weight fell on Harry's chest. Voldemort, he thought. Voldemort is not gone. He's here, in this forest, waiting to move on the Stone.
"Be cautious, Harry Potter," Firenze said as he too retreated. "Your quest is a noble one but there is more on your shoulders than you can know. Do not bear this burden alone. If you do, it will crush you."
As Firenze faded back into the forest, Hagrid ran up to them, a crossbow in his hands, Professor McGonagall in tow.
"What're yer doing here?" Hagrid said. "We saw yer sparks!"
"We found this unicorn, it has been hurt badly," Hermione gestured toward the unicorn, Harry once again trying to staunch its bleeding. "There was another creature that was hunting it but we drove it back with the help of a Centaur."
"Glad yer okay," Hagrid grumbled. "Centaurs are no' the easiest creatures to deal with in the best of times, downrigh' nasty in the worst. Don' worry, I'll get 'im patched up."
"I will take you back up to the castle," McGonagall said. "Thank you for signaling for help but it is dangerous to be anywhere near the forest come nightfall. You should know this."
They walked back toward the castle in silence. Hermione looked over and saw the far-away look in Harry's eyes. She didn't understand Firenze's warning but clearly, he had. At the Fat Lady's portrait, Hermione turned to McGonagall
"Professor," Hermione hesitated. She hated betraying Hagrid like this but she could not keep silent. "This afternoon, we stopped by Hagrid's and…"
"I know Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "I discovered it when I went to investigate the sparks you shot up. We will make sure to take care of it safely and discreetly."
"Thank you, professor," Hermione said.
"Mr. Potter," Harry, still wide-eyed, snapped up to look at his head of house. "You played well today.
"I was once told a piece of advice that I will tell you: you can do nothing wrong and still lose. That is not failure, that is life. I hope you remember this lesson as I have."
Harry nodded and stepped through the portrait hole. Quidditch seemed like an odd thing to worry about when your parents' murderer was loose on the grounds, looking to acquire an item that promises immortality.
(A/N: One, I didn't want Snape to referee because I don't know what good that would have done except add needless consternation.
Two, I know it's controversial to have Harry lose a Quidditch game under normal circumstances but I wanted to introduce Cedric and build up his character. In a game that windy, his size made enough of a difference. I wanted Harry to face the experienced Diggory and learn what it means to lose. It was also a good way to introduce Diggory and start building a bond there.
I also didn't want them to be punished for helping Hagrid and punished by going to the forbidden forest.)
