Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
On Board
I found the golden trio sitting in their regular spots at Gryffindor table. The end-of-semester exams were over. That paired with the event on the horizon, each of them was of varying emotions. Hermione was calm as she slowly stirred brown sugar into her porridge. She kept a steady flow of conversation going with the boys sitting across from her. Even though they weren't really listening. I couldn't blame them. Listening in, it sounded like the other Hermione wanted to discuss test questions from their astronomy exam.
Ron was still half asleep as he sat hunched over his bowl; shoveling food into his mouth with half-closed eyes. Honestly, if there wasn't food in front of him, I doubt Ron would be awake right now. Harry was… the most active out of the three of them. His leg bounced under the table as he sat with one hand holding his goblet of pumpkin juice and the other ready to turn a page of a book he had opened in front of him. In partially masked anxiety, Harry nibbled on his bottom lip as he tuned out Hermione and ignored Ron's lack of table manners.
"Morning", I greeted as dropped down onto the bench next to Harry. "Anything good today?"
Hermione returned the greeting with a smile while Ron just grunted and Harry remained lost in whatever thought he was currently swimming through. "There's some cranberry muffins further down the table if you don't fancy porridge". Hermione shared.
"Oh, that sounds festive for the first day of the winter holidays", I agreed. Though I made no move to seek out the muffins. Instead, with social pleasantries over, I turned to why I was here. "Harry?"
… No response.
"… Harry…" I sing-songed.
Still, nothing. Hermione sighed but otherwise remained unbothered. Given what he was up against, no one could really hold his inattention against him. "He's really nervous about the second task", Hermione said. She glanced carefully to her left and right before leaning in; indicating that I should as well. "Specifically, about how he's going to breathe underwater for an hour. We haven't been able to find anything. Have you or Adrian thought of anything?"
I shook my head but paired it with saying, "We have a few ideas but…." I shifted my eyes back to the boy who lived. "Harry, Adrian really needs your help".
Something about those words, the phrasing, pulled Harry back to the present in a way a simple greeting could not. Looking up from his book, Harry set down his goblet and blinked as his eyes focused on my face. "Anything", he agreed without asking exactly what that help would look like.
"He won't ask you for it", I started; trying to think how I could make this request and still respect Adrian's privacy. "He's too… Adrian to speak up about this". And for some reason, that question grabbed Ron from his sleepy haze. My little brother turned away from his food and propped his elbow on the table to watch and listen as his chin rested on his palm.
"We all know about… Who Adrian was before". I luckily received three confirming head nods so I didn't have to say Regulus' name aloud. "Did Sirius tell how his brother died?"
This time, it was only Harry who confirmed. And when he did, he froze; face paling. "Oh", Harry realized; empathy kicking. He turned his whole body to face me on the bench. An action that had Hermione leaning in closer and caused Ron to wake up further.
"Adrian can't do this. We've been trying since we figured out the egg". Which wasn't the truth, but the golden trio didn't need to know that.
"Why?" Ron asked. "What can't he do?"
At the same time, Hermione asked, "How did Sirius' brother die?"
Harry swallowed his newfound worry before he answered her. "He drowned. Sirius told me… Well, after Adrian told Sirius how it happened… Inferi pulled him under and wouldn't let him go until…"
Clasping her hands over her nose and mouth, Hermione breathed out. Giving me time to answer Ron. "He can't swim. I mean, Adrian said he knows how to swim… somehow. That isn't the problem. He can't handle being in the water. Especially deep water". The sight of Adrian quivering with fear shot through my memory. A shudder escaped me before I could continue. "Adrian… He can't do this by himself".
"So, we'll complete the second task together", Harry determined; never sparing a second thought.
Suddenly, it felt like I could breathe a little easier. Even though I hadn't been struggling before. Although still present, worry melted off my face. It was probably a visible reaction judging by the kind smile Harry sent in my direction.
"But how?" Ron asked. "How can anyone breathe underwater for an hour".
"Adrian and I have a few ideas", I repeated. "And I'm hoping to come up with more". I already had plans to pick Flitwick's brain in case he knew any charms that couldn't be found in the library. "And… It may not just be Harry and Adrian working together, so who knows what plan we'll come up with".
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked after she lowered her hands.
Briefly, I pursed my lips. Fleur hadn't gotten back to me about what she thought of my proposal. So, maybe I shouldn't say anything, but I suppose it was a little late to make that choice. "Last week, I asked Fleur, the Beauxbatons champion, to team up with us. She hasn't agreed yet. But with three champions working together, maybe there's a way to keep everyone safe".
While Harry and Hermione mulled over the idea, Ron jumped right in. "Are you going to ask Krum?" He wanted to know. Almost eagerly.
"No. Maybe. I don't know". My answer changed three times. Blowing some air out through my mouth, I started reaching for the carafe of coffee. "I'd like to. Imagine how things could play out if everyone was on the same side. But I don't have an in with Krum as I did with Fleur. And he just doesn't seem as receptive as she did". Of course, Fleur also wasn't on board yet, so what did I know?
Hermione waited for me to pour myself a cuppa before announcing, "I can talk to him".
"You?!" Ron asked a little too loudly. A few heads turned in our direction.
"Yes", Hermione answered stiffly. "I see him all the time in the library".
Helping myself to some milk and sugar, I only half listened as this played out. Though Harry looked on with mild bewilderment on his face. Would he have to take sides in this? Does he agree with Ron? Should he agree with Hermione? It must be difficult when your best friends fight. I could relate. The few times Fred and George fought always made me feel like my world was about to crumble.
"Just because Krum likes to read doesn't mean you know him well enough that he'll listen to you", Ron argued.
Hermione's hair began to bristle. "As a matter of fact, Viktor will want to know what I have to say because he asked me to the ball".
Harry looked gobsmacked. But at least he still had a filter. Ron, however, could always be trusted to put his foot in his mouth. "Why would he ask you?" Ron asked as he squinted his eyes and scrunched his nose.
Nostrils flaring, Hermione stood up with enough force that some of the tableware in our vicinity rattled. "And what is wrong with me?" She demanded to know. But she didn't wait for a response. Swinging her legs over the bench, Hermione's final words were directed at me. "I'll let you know what Viktor says", she promised before stalking off like a girl who had every right to be offended. And she absolutely did.
Reaching around Harry, I smacked Ron on the back of his head. "Wrong question, genius".
Ducking in case I decided to swat at him again, Ron just had to ask, "When is there ever a right question with her?"
The rest of the school might be done with classes until the new year, but unfortunately for me, Flitwick decided this was the opportune time to continue with my extra lessons. "Without classes to teach, I'll have the time to see how your independent studies are going and tackle those extra lessons I promised", Flitwick said as he rubbed his hands together; acting as if Christmas had come early.
At first, I wasn't thrilled by this idea. Fred and George were off mucking about the castle with Lee and I still had to keep my nose in the books. Adrian had so much on his plate and now I was somewhat too preoccupied to help. But it was hard not to gain interest when the first thing Flitwick said once we reached an empty classroom was, "Let's have a duel?"
Taken back, my hand paused from where it was retrieving my wand from my robe pocket. "Sir?" I asked in case I hadn't heard correctly. Except, as I looked across the room at Flitwick, I saw the short little wizard with impressive facial hair was already standing at the ready; knees bent, elbows loose, and his wand held in an en-garde position. So, clearly, I hadn't misheard.
"Yes, yes. Wand at the ready, Weasley". Flitwick prompted. Seemingly very enthused about this specific 'extra lesson'. "This will be a useful way for me to access your progression thus far".
"But, sir", I said; continuing to hesitate. "Aren't you a dueling championing?"
"Indeed, I am. But not to worry, Weasley. This is merely an assessment. A teaching tool. I'll not be unleashing my full skillset". Professor Flitwick sounded so sure… Please, Merlin. Do not let this be a Charlie Brown vs. the football type of situation.
"Okay", I slowly agreed as I broadened my stance and bent my knees. "Umm… I haven't dueled before, Professor. Not really". Because that duel against Adrian our fourth year definitively didn't count.
Professor Flitwick remained undeterred. "I'll give you pointers as we go".
Alright then. My hand slipped into my robe and I withdrew my wand from its safe spot. "Err…" I suddenly thought before I moved my wand into any sort of ready position. "Should I only use charms?" I asked. I mean, Flitwick was my charms professor and I was only doing this to work towards a charms mastery… It felt like a reasonable question to me.
"Charms and defensive magic as they often overlap", Flitwick answered. Neither his stance nor his patience ever waned. "Now, Weasley, when you're ready".
Sinking into my stance a little more, I finally copied Flitwick's wand form; thinking of what spell I should start with. Expelliarmus? Or maybe the knock-back jinx? But I need not have bothered. Flitwick was moving before I made any decisions. Waving his wand in my direction and taking a step forward, a red light shot out of the tip of Flitwick's wand and sailed straight at me.
Wooh! I yelled in my head as I started reacting. Taking a step back, I raised my wand; my magic bubbling inside of me. Protego. My mind whispered. And before I could utter the incantation, my magic responded. A protective barrier appeared out of my wand just in time to block Flitwick's spell; causing it to bounce off in a different direction well away from me. Staring at my raised wand; I took a breath. How did I…
"Excellent, Weasley", Flitwick praised. "I told you only casting nonverbal magic would be beneficial".
My eyes refocused on Flitwick. Was this his plan the whole time? I thought Flitwick's nonverbal magic rule was just to prepare me for the NEWTs.
"Now", Flitwick moved on before I could become too distracted. "In dueling, you do not want to be forced to be put only on the defensive. Dueling is like a dance. It ebbs and flows as you follow your opponent's movements. After blocking an attack, be ready to immediately return the favor. Pausing is the quickest way to give your opponent a win".
Okay… Okay… I repeated to myself as I readied my stance once more. If Flitwick was truly going to teach me how to duel, maybe I could do this.
"Wand at the ready", Flitwick warned. "And- Cast!"
Petrificus Totalus! My wand cut through the air as a white light raced toward Flitwick. Of course, he easily blocked it. Allowing me to throw up another shield charm as he sent what looked like a stunning hex in my direction. And then I moved on to leg lock jinx and then the confundus charm. My legs started moving in coordination with my wand movements and Flitwick's attacks. It was like a dance, I realized. Flitwick moved. I moved. And when I moved, Flitwick moved.
Soon, we were circling the room instead of staying in one spot. "Good, Weasley. Good", Flitwick said in between blocking and casting spells. He didn't sound like he was tired in the slightest. I, on the other hand, could feel my magic begin to slow as my heart raced. "I want you to try to throw me off guard. A move that will leave me open".
How the bloody hell was I supposed to do that? I asked myself as I continued to block and move along with Flitwick. The only way to get Flitwick in a vulnerable position would be to make it so he couldn't block. My eyes wandered to Flitwick's feet. Maybe… "Glacius!" I yelled as my wand traced peaks and valleys in the air. A blue light soared out of the tip of my wand. Except for this time, it wasn't aimed at Flitwick.
The spell made contact with the stone floor under Flitwick's feet; instantly freezing it. But instead of slipping and sliding like I was hoping the outcome would be, Flitwick was out of the way before he was in any danger.
I couldn't come up with another plan fast enough before an invisible force tugged and my naval and my feet were pulled off the floor as I was flung forward. A nonverbal summoning charm!
Flitwick cut off the spell before I rammed into him. I felt the moment when magic was no longer propelling me forward. My feet landed under me. Unfortunately, it was right on the spot where I froze the floor.
Wooh. Wooh. Wooh! I inwardly panicked as my feet slipped and slid in different directions as I tried to find balance. Oh, I never was good at ice skating. And then it was over. My feet slipped out from under me and I landed on my back. "Ow", I complained once the world was finally stilled.
"An outstanding first attempt", Flitwick declared as he appeared in my line of sight. "Five points to Gryffindor. I see you've been taking your independent studies seriously".
Slowly, I sat up and rolled off the frozen floor so I could stand up with one less obstacle; fighting the urge to rub my tailbone as I did so. "If that was holding back, what's your full skillset?" I asked; turning my eyes back to Flitwick as my heart rate started to return to normal and my magic simmered down.
Keen acumen sparked in Flitwick's eyes. "You'll find out for yourself", he answered. I think it was meant to cause anticipation, but I felt it to be more ominous than anything else. "Especially if you continue as you have been". Flitwick pocketed his wand and I did the same. Thank Merlin there wasn't going to be a round two anytime soon.
Flitwick clapped his hands once to make sure my attention was on him. "You're ready to learn some advance charms now".
"Advanced charms?" I asked for more information.
Pleased, Flitwick bobbed his head. "Yes. Ones not included in my NEWT curriculum. But they are spells any charms master should know".
Professor Flitwick's words processed slowly in my head and not because they were difficult to understand. This was… this path… was starting to feel real. "Professor Flitwick?"
"Yes".
"By chance, do any of those charms make it possible to survive underwater?"
Flitwick's mustache wiggled as he let out a humorous dry exhale through his nose. "The champions are supposed to attempt the tasks on their own, Ms. Weasley". There wasn't a smidge of surprise in his voice.
It was easy to look Flitwick in the eyes and maintain my gaze there. "We can't leave Adrian or Harry to face this tournament by themselves". And not just because I knew what may be lurking around the corner. "That's not YUP's way".
A smile grew on Flitwick's face. One that was even visible through his mustache. "I suppose that is not the United Party's way either", Flitwick agreed. He moved first; walking around me and the now thawing floor to reach the door. "Shall we consult my professional library?" He asked as he opened the door and gestured for me to go ahead of him. "I'm not sure what spell theory would support underwater travel", Flitwick shared as I walked through the doorframe. "Though, recently I have been curious about just how much water a water-repellant charm could handle".
Flitwick joined me and we walked together in the direction of his classroom. I had to adjust my pace to match his shorter stride continually. But I didn't mind. This felt… nice. Very similar to when Mum would teach me a new recipe; interesting, challenging, and safe.
"Like Moses parting the Red Seas?" I thought aloud as Flitwick and I walked; imagining what I thought Flitwick meant by bringing up the water-repellant charm.
"I'm not familiar with a Moses", Flitwick admitted.
"Oh", I said; pulled out of my musing that I hadn't entirely meant to vocalize. "It's a story from some of the muggle religions. Moses was a man who made the Red Seas split so he could lead his people to safety and escape from an evil pharaoh".
"Hmm", Flitwick thought; raising a fist to his chin as he did so. "Perhaps this Moses was a wizard". And I suppose that is one way to interpret it.