Chapter 56- Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
Classes had begun again and Harry and Hermione found themselves once again feeling the strain of their classwork.
In Ancient Runes, Professor Babbling introduced their project.
"I want you do to design a new rune cluster," Babbling said. "It doesn't have to work but if it does, you will get extra credit. We are finding new ways to make things happen with runes and I want to see what you can come up with. Form up into groups of four. I will take your proposals next week."
The Ravenclaws quickly grouped together which was fine except for the fact there was 9 of them in the class, leaving Padma without a partner.
"Padma!" Hermione waved energetically. "Want to join us? We need a fourth."
Padma gave them a resigned smile and walked over. Dean introduced himself as the fourth part of the group.
"Did you have any idea about what you would like to do?" Hermione asked the Indian girl.
"Well I did have a thought," Padma said. "When Parvati dragged me into muggle London, I was intrigued by the electricity around the area. We know that magic and electricity do not work together. I was wanting to investigate why that is and see if we can configure a way around it."
"No kidding," Dean said. "I have so much music at home that I can't bring here. I know McGonagall has that gramophone but it won't even work with Vinyl records. It's so frustrating."
"The gramophone might be a good place to start," Hermione said. "We can look at how that runs and see if there's anything we can use going forward."
"I like it," Harry said. They started dividing up work with plans on how to move forward.
In their core classes, McGonagall pushed them harder on animate to inanimate transfiguration while Lupin dove into Lethifolds, Vampires and other more dangerous creatures. Meanwhile, and Flitwick was becoming ruthless in his sessions with the duo.
"Welcome back," Flitwick stood in front of them with his hands clasped behind his back. "First things first: I have heard you two were the first to master the Patronus. May I see them?"
"Expecto Patronum," they both drew their wands and cast the spell. Flitwick giggled gleefully as their Patroni cavorted throughout the empty classroom.
"Marvelous," he cackled. "Simply marvelous for the both of you to master this spell so early. Now that that's out of the way, I am going to push you even harder. For the rest of the term, we are going to be working on intent and how the stronger intent can make for stronger spells. The best way to do this is with explosions.
"You told me you have studied Bombarda, Expulso, Confrigo as well as Piercing and Bludgeoning Hexes," Flitwick paced in front of them. "I have worked with Professors Babbling and McGonagall to transform this room into a perfect area to test."
Flitwick drew his wand and cast his strongest Bombarda at the wall, leaving nary a scratch on the wall itself.
"If I were to do that anywhere else in this castle," Flitwick turned back toward the surprised teenagers. "It would blow a hole in the wall. Now that everything can withstand your attacks- at least I hope- we can begin.
"As we are moving more into dueling techniques and strategies, I want you to pick out a wand grip," Flitwick waved his wand and had a box float toward him. "Move through these and try each one. Tell me which one you prefer."
Harry went through and tried each one before settling on a curved grip that he preferred while Hermione chose a ribbed one that gave her tighter control.
"Excellent," Flitwick said. "With yours, Mr. Potter, I would recommend you equip your holster at your belt, facing toward your navel. This will allow you draw faster. Miss Granger, you can either keep your holster on your wrist or clip it to your belt."
Hermione tried the belt but found she had better access to wand when it was on her arm while Harry equipped his wand at his belt.
"Now draw," Flitwick whipped his wand into action. Harry was impressed with the speed at which he could draw his wand. The grip even allowed him faster, more fluid wrist motions while Hermione found herself to have increased precision over her wand, increasing her accuracy. Harry deflected three cutting curses as Hermione intercepted four bludgeoners. The hairs on Harry's neck stood up and he pivoted to see a blue curse coming from behind. He tried to shield but it was too late: Hermione and he were on their stomachs, bound with their wands rolling away.
"Good evening, Mr. Potter," McGonagall appeared out of thin air and stepped forward. "Miss Granger. Impressive you managed to feel my spell coming but there was no way to block this one. The only way to stop my spell would have been to have something block it. Since there is nothing in this room which would block it, your only option would be Battle Transfiguration.
"I assume you read the book on it?" Harry and Hermione, freed from their incapacitation, nodded. "Excellent. Now can you tell me the key to doing it properly?"
Hermione, out of habit, raised her hand. McGonagall gestured for her to start.
"You have to have a clear idea what you want to create. The shape and composition. Otherwise the spells will blast straight through it."
"Excellent summation," McGonagall praised the brunette. "What are things you don't have to consider, Mr. Potter?"
"You don't have to be as precise," Harry said. "As long as you have the idea of composing a stone wall, you don't have to think about the exact stone as your intent will do the rest, giving the wall enough durability to withstand the attacks. You just have to put enough power into the spell to make the wall big enough."
"Perfect explanation," McGonagall said. "There is also no specific incantation beyond exaedifico. Your intent will shape the spell while your wand movement will dictate the size. Try it."
Typical for Hermione, she was first to grasp the spell, creating a waist-high brick wall in front of her. Next was Harry with a head-high limestone wall that had holes within it. He then got creative and cast a spell to harden it as well.
"Interesting," McGonagall pursed her lips, placing her hand to her mouth. "Why did you choose this design?"
"I still have a way to cast through it but it gives me cover at the same time," Harry explained. "It cuts off a little of my sightlines but I'm hoping it offers more protection."
"We'll see," Flitwick said. "Defend yourself!"
A flurry of spells launched toward them with each teenager forced into cover. Harry looked out but could not see Flitwick through his cutout.
"Bombarda," Flitwick's voice came from behind him, obliterating his wall. Hermione turned and saw Harry's wall explode outward and conjured another to protect him. Once again an attack came, this time from the front as McGonagall launched an orange curse toward Hermione's wall. The wall disintegrated and Hermione found herself launched backward. Another blue spell launched toward her. Harry quickly conjured a small wall to intercept it but was caught by a stunner on his left shoulder.
"What did you learn?" Flitwick asked Harry after he revived him.
"The hole in the wall narrows my vision too much," Harry said. "You were able to get around it and surprise me. When you did that, it put Hermione in a vulnerable position of trying to defense two places at once."
"Perfectly spotted," Flitwick said. "You forgot that mobility is always the preferred strategy. Only use walls when you feel you're surrounded or if you want to intercept a spell, like you did with Miss Granger.
"You have both come so far and do well matching me 2-on-1 which is why I am asking Professor McGonagall to join us," Flitwick gestured toward the Transfiguration Professor. "You need to find a way to turn even or even being outnumbered into a numbers advantage for yourself."
"I do have one question," Hermione said, still feeling the effects of being blown backward. "Is it possible to use transfigure the battlefield to make something disappear? It would make me feel better about creating a wall if I could remove the ground in front of it to create a ditch."
"Yes it is possible," McGonagall said. "But very, very difficult. I have seen wizards try this in the past and they vanished the ground on which they stood. Not a mistake I would advise you to make. Instead of vanishing, you need to transfigure the ground to lower itself while keeping its shape. Tough to do but doable."
"I think that will do it for tonight," Flitwick handed them both potions for the pain he inflicted upon them. "In addition to silent casting and controlling your power, I want you both to work on your speed in casting. You move well and now I want your spells to come out quicker. Before you leave, I have been tasked with delivering these."
A midnight blue case came from the corner. Flitwick held it with his wand and flicked the latches open. On bed of green felt sat two daggers of pure silver. The blade was straight and wider in the middle than it was at the handle, with intricate etchings on the blade. The handles were covered in green basilisk hide.
"Wow," Harry picked up his dagger. It almost felt weightless in his hands.
"They're gorgeous!" Hermione ran her finger down the blade.
"Nothing finer than goblin-made blades," Flitwick said. "They will never age, never dust or rust. Anything that strengthens it, the blade will imbibe. With the hide of the basilisk, I don't think it is a stretch to say these are the most durable blades ever crafted."
"You will not wear these during school hours," McGonagall said. "If I find you have been using them to threaten students, I will confiscate them. Am I understood?"
"Yes professor," they both said in unison.
"Take your pain potions and head back to your common room," Flitwick said. "It's almost curfew."
"Thank you, professor," Harry smiled even as he knew the reminders of their failures would be felt for days to come. Flitwick never forced them to the Hospital Wing but he did give them enough bruises.
"They're an excellent teacher," he said once.
"Excellent job with your first Battlefield Transfiguration," McGonagall said. "I want you to practice it often, to become more confident when you do it. Have a good night and we will see you tomorrow bright and early with Mr. Diggory to run diagnostics on your broomsticks."
"Good night, professor," Harry and Hermione slipped out, each leaning on one another to cover their limps.
"They're getting better," Flitwick said as the door closed. "I couldn't fathom third years doing as much as they are."
"Part of the beauty of their dynamic," McGonagall said. "They push one another to be better and fight hard to keep up with the other. It's never a heated competition but it is a competition all the same.
"Oh and by the way," McGonagall regarded the diminutive Charms Professor with a smug smile. "You owe me another bottle of scotch."
"Really!?" Flitwick returned her smile. "What for this time?"
"You said Valentine's Day their relationship would be out in the open. It came out in the open on Christmas."
"Keep winning like this and I'll have to tell Albus he can have you take over for Trelawney as Divination Professor," Flitwick cackled at the horrified look on McGonagall's face.
The next morning found Harry and Hermione in Professor McGonagall's office with Cedric and the Charms Professor.
"So the first thing you have to look for are any spells," McGonagall said. On a table in her office sat the Firebolt. "Specialis Revelio."
McGonagall waved her wand and a nothing happened.
"If there were any spells, you would have seen them light up in the color of the spell used," she said. "From there you would have to identify which spells and try to break them down. That's very advanced magic. Only curse breakers really specialize in it."
"After that, Professors Flitwick and I both looked closely to see if there were any runes carved into the broom. After that, we looked for anything tied to you, Mr. Potter."
"How do you do that?" Hermione asked.
"We took some of the pieces of the old broom," McGonagall said. "When you ride a broom, especially as often as you rode that one, there are traces of your magical signature on it."
"Using that," Flitwick picked up the thread. "We did a series of tests to see if there was anything on the broom that reacted to your magical signature."
"Do you have any more tests to do to it?" Harry asked.
"No, actually," McGonagall said. "We even asked the headmaster to examine the broom. He could not find a ward of ill-intent, any manipulation with the braking or acceleration charms nor could he find anything but a perfectly good broom."
"Do the scans to this one," Cedric held out his broom. "Match to Harry's?"
"Hmm," McGonagall held the broom aloft and conducted a series of scans. "Yes they are a perfect match. Congratulations Mr. Potter, Mr. Diggory. You both have a very generous benefactor."
"So do you think they are safe to use?" Harry asked, his voice and eyes both hopeful.
"I believe so," McGonagall then lifted the corner of her lips. "However, I would like to watch you fly them to be sure."
"What do you say?" Harry cocked an eye at Cedric. "Shall we test them? You know, for science?"
"Sure," Cedric smiled. "Wait… what's science?"
Hermione giggled at her boyfriend's exuberance and Cedric's confusion. Like he was shot out of a cannon, Harry was off toward the Quidditch Pitch. Hermione rolled her eyes with a smile and followed at a sedate pace, following the two sets of footsteps in the snow down to the pitch.
"Start with a race?" Harry asked Cedric as McGonagall took a seat in the bleachers next to Hermione.
"One lap around the pitch," Cedric said. "First one to touch the center ring wins."
"You're on," Harry hopped onto his broom and kicked off. He could hear Cedric do the same. They both did a few warmup laps, each of them testing the broom's ability to roll, turn and pivot. Harry never had an issue with his Nimbus but this Firebolt was like going from a sports car to a super car. The cold air was whipping through his hair, making his robes look more like a cape as he flew through the air. If he had paid any attention, he would have heard himself whooping and hollering with every lap. Once they were used to the brooms, they took up positions.
"On the count of three," Cedric's face looked as full of glee as Harry felt.
"One," Cedric said.
"Two," Harry said.
"Three," They both said and kicked off.
Harry flattened himself to the handle and felt the broom reach its top speed. Before he knew it, the end of the pitch was coming. Harry turned and guided the broom into a tight turn, feeling the G's as the broom kept tight to the turn. Cedric was right with him. Ending the turn, Harry pressed further into the broom and shot ahead of Cedric. Cedric pulled in behind Harry to draft him, before pulling out inside of him. They exited the turn together neck-and-neck. Heading toward the middle post, each extended a hand.
"Who won?" Harry asked as they slowed to a pedestrian pace.
"Who cares?" Cedric laughed. "I can't wait to play you with this thing."
"Last game of the season," Harry fist bumped Cedric. "We'll be playing for the Cup, won't we?"
"You know it," Cedric reached over and ruffled his hair. "Just don't fall off your broom this time, okay? Hey I'm going to go inside and get warm. You coming with?
"Go ahead," Harry said. "I've got something else in mind."
Harry pulled the broom around and shot toward the stands. McGonagall, satisfied the broom was not cursed, followed Cedric back insidewent back inside.
"Will you join me for a broom ride?" Harry asked the brunette girl in the stands.
"Oh no… no," Hermione waved shook her head vigorouslyhim off. "You go ahead. I'd rather watch from here."
"Please?" Harry gave her puppy dog eyes. "It'll be like Buckbeak but much, much smoother."
Harry extended his hand. Hermione knew she was going to say yes before he finished. Those damn eyes, she thought.
"You're too cute for your own good," Hermione said as she took his hand and threw her leg over the broomstick.
"It'll be great," Harry said. Hermione could feel Harry's grin, even if she couldn't see it. "You'll see."
Harry leaned forward into her, making the broom accelerate a little. Hermione put her hands over her eyes as the stadium passed underneath.
"It's okay," Harry squeezed his arms tighter. "You can take control, even. Here."
Harry's calloused hands took her hands from her face and put them around the broom.
"Place one hand over the other," Harry told her. "Keep your dominant hand on the broom and let your other one guide the turns. Then lean your body forward to accelerate."
Hermione pushed the broom down, making it dive toward the lake.
"Good," Harry said. "Now ease back and pull up."
She did as instructed and the broom leveled out.
"You've got the basics," Harry said. "You're in control now."
Harry punctuated his words by bringing her closer to him, hugging her close. She could see his breath over her shoulder, felt his heart beating in time with hers. She couldn't tell where he started and she ended, forgetting all about the broom underneath them.
"I love you, Hermione," Harry said, his arm pointing to something in front of them. "I'm glad the Firebolt wasn't cursed so we could experience this view together."
Hermione followed his hand and watched as the sun set behind the mountains, its golden glow reflecting off the snow. As she watched, a white speck grew larger in her vision. Before she could react, the speck turned and Hedwig formed up on her left. To her right, she heard a screech where Buckbeak had joined them without her noticing.
"Not something you see every day," Harry said. He pointed again and underneath them was a herd of unicorn, their rescued one in the lead, galloping to keep pace. "Walt Disney eat your heart out."
Hermione leaned forward, shaking in laughter at the ridiculously cute ensemble that accompanied their flight. Harry's hands quickly came forward and righted the broom.
"As nice as this is," Hermione said. "It's getting a little cold. I think I'd like to go inside."
"Me too," Harry turned toward Buckbeak and extended his arm. "Wonderful to fly with you, Beaky. We'll have to do it more often."
Buckbeak flew closer and brushed his arm with his wing, banking away toward the enclosure with the other hippogriffs.
"Thanks for the company, Hedwig," Harry smiled at his familiar. She screeched and banked back toward the forest to begin her nightly hunt. "And thank you for joining me for that ride, Mione."
"It was… fun!" Hermione said. "I'm so glad you convinced me to join you."
"I love you," Harry said as they landed and dismounted. He held her tight to keep her steady as her legs looked a little wobbly after her first actual broom flight.
"I love you too," Hermione said. "Please keep challenging me. I'm coming to find it's my favorite part of knowing you, Harry Potter."
"Same to you," Harry said. "I love the way you push me."
Hermione snuggled in close to Harry as they marched back toward the castle.
