There was an odd amount of students in class today.
Archer Shore was sick, so he did not attend potions. Harry stirred the Cauldron with his wand, throwing in bone dust and Jade Borage. He watched intently as the liquid bubbled into a dark green.
Everyone else was paired into twos. Draco Malfoy and Theo Nott. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Daphne Greengrass and Pansy Parkinson. Then there was Harry, who worked by himself.
He pulled his wand out of the Cauldron and dropped in some Ent Root. It fizzled and a strong, pleasant odour tickled his nostrils. He scooped it out and filled the glass bottle.
Potions wasn't his speciality, but it looked as it did in the textbooks. It also smelled like roses. He thought, remembering the final passage.
Harry looked over his shoulder and found Professor Snape tending to Daphne and Pansy, his dark eyes studying their potion.
The potion wasn't perfect, or even looked like the ''Draught Of Lies.'' No, the liquid was blue and held a stench so strong and putrid that it stung his throat from halfway across the room.
That is why Harry was annoyed, but not shocked when Professor Snape declared, ''This is adequate. 5 points to Slytherin.''
Professor Snape turned to gaze at him, and his voice somehow gained an even sharper edge. ''Back to work Potter. I do not give slackers a grade above D, no matter how they do in their final exams.''
''I'm not slacking off.'' He said quietly. ''Sir.''
''5 points from Gryffindor for your cheek.'' Professor Snape said, his voice like a whip. He didn't even look at his potion ''If you are not finished once class ends, I shall be seeing you in detention.''
In the corner, Draco and Theo watched, looking very smug.
He inhaled. ''But I've already finished.''
Professor Snape spent much more time criticising his work.
''What is the use of Ent Root? This is a simple question. Don't keep me waiting, Potter.''
He didn't ask the other students this. Harry knew that but didn't bring it up. ''To add power to the potion.''
''I did tell you to not keep me waiting. What is the number of Ent Root you used?''
''2. Just like it said in the textbook.''
''And why is it two? These are simple questions. You should know them immediately.''
Harry swallowed his retort. ''Because if I used more than two then it could make the potion dangerous to drink.''
''Dangerous?'' Professor Snape echoed. ''Explain how.''
Harry trudged into the depths of his mind ''Well it can make you dizzy, or even make you blackout.''
For the first time, Professor Snape turned to look at his potion. ''And are you proud of this slop? You should know far better.''
That is what the man said in every class, and for the hundredth time that year Harry had to watch his tongue. ''It looks like it did in the textbooks.'' The textbook was open. It showed the Draught Of Lies, a green potion, that was said to smell of roses.
''Then you need to have your sight checked. Instead of slacking off, you should be studying, if you wish to even consider passing my class.''
When the man whirled about and marched off, Harry glared at him for longer than he should have. At least I didn't get detention this time.
If Professor Snape was an accurate judge, then he should have been terrible at potions. It wasn't his best subject, but it wasn't his worst either, if his test results from last year was any indication.
Harry looked up in front, at the two of them. Ron stirred the cauldron while Hermione dropped in some ent root, their backs to him.
Professor Snape was just so much easier to deal with back then.
When class finally ended Harry Potter was one of the first to leave. He stormed out of the classroom, only to be stopped by a high, cold voice, in the middle of the hallway.
''I heard that you are doing so terribly that you are going to be held back for another year. Is that true, Potter?''
Harry sighed loud enough for both Draco and Theo to hear.
''No.'' He said dryly. ''It's not.''
''You sure?'' Theo asked, with a slight lisp. ''You're pretty stupid, ain't you?''
''Yes.'' Harry clipped out coldly. ''I'm sure.'' He turned to leave.
''And I thought you were brave, Potter,'' Draco said mockingly. ''But without Weasley and Granger, you're just a coward. Theo called you stupid and you're running.''
Harry was tempted to bring up Duelling Club. ''What do you want?''
''Oh, nothing much. I'm just shocked that the Aurors haven't come to get you yet.''
''They aren't going to either.'' He said icily.
''But they will,'' Draco said with cold humour. ''Everyone knows you did it. If you told me last year, that the whole school would turn their backs on their golden boy I would have laughed in your face.''
He grinded his teeth together. ''Nobody has turned their backs on me.''
''Hear that Draco?'' Theo said like a parrot. ''No way he actually believes that.''
Harry gazed at the two boys, through the lens of red-hot anger, and considered if he could take the two on at once.
Draco said. ''I want a rematch, Potter.''
He quirked an eyebrow. ''You want a rematch?''
''You heard me right,'' Draco said. ''I want a rematch.''
He dropped one hand into his pocket, feeling his wand. ''Are you trying to trick me?''
''Not at all,'' Draco said coldly. ''Last time, the Professors were watching us, so I could not use the spells my father taught me. I want a rematch.''
''When?'' He asked. ''Now?''
''No, not now. The Forbidden Forest. 5. Before dinner.''
''The forbidden forest?'' Harry echoed ''And are you going to bring Theo with you?''
''I don't need Theo to beat you,'' Draco said confidently. ''And the Forbidden Forest is perfect, don't you think? I could knock you unconscious and leave you tied up. That is, unless you're sc-''
''I'm not scared.'' Harry cut him off. ''I'm not scared of you Malfoy. I'll meet you there.''
The last time a student had died, was just months after his ascension to headmaster.
Albus Dumbledore poured himself a cold glass of gillywater. Although the circumstances were much different. 30 years ago, two fifth years had an argument and settled it with a duel, but one particular spell misfired, sending a first year off the balcony, into her grave.
Even then the Aurors had come, as they surely would now.
When? He could not say, not until a letter arrived, and then, it was a matter of waiting.
''I will collect them, Albus.'' Professor McGonagall had said, with an edge. ''But I don't like this. Not one bit.''
''Nor do I, old friend.'' He said and made sure to smile. ''But in the end, everything shall be fine.''
Not long after, she returned, two Aurors on her heels. The first was short and middle-aged, who was very wide with thick wrists & giant fists. He smiled at the second, a girl that couldn't have been a day over 21, unusually young for an Auror.
''Ms Perkins.'' He said once Professor McGonagall had left. ''I had heard that you were training to be an auror, but I did not expect this. You have my congratulations.''
''Thank you, Professor,'' Sarah said, almost happily. ''But it's only because of you. You're the one who gave me a recommendation.''
''I'm sure you know why we're here, Dumbledore.'' Mr Dawlish said steely. ''We don't usually meddle in school affairs, but this time it's very serious.''
''Indeed it is.'' He agreed. ''No one should have died as Mr Creevey did, especially one so young.''
''We've read the reports.'' Mr Dawlish said. ''He was petrified, and life was drained from him until there was nothing left. I haven't seen the corpse, but I read that it looked like he had aged by a hundred years. Is that true?''
''It pains me to admit, but yes. Mr Creevey suffered greatly before he passed.''
''I would ask why anyone would do this, but I suppose we'll find out when we catch whoever did this.'' Mr Dawlish stared him in the face. ''Do you have any suspects?''
That is what Albus knew was coming. He said. ''I will be all happy to say when I find who is responsible.''
''No.'' Mr Dawlish said coldly. ''I don't think you understand. We're taking over the case now.''
''I understand, Mr Dawlish. But as Headmaster, I have dealt with all threats that have come from inside the castle.''
''Nobody has died before.'' Mr Dawlish leaned over the desk and their faces almost touched. ''You don't have much choice either. This is your castle, but we are Aurors. We find Dark Wizards and bring them to justice.''
Fawkes flew onto his shoulder with a piercing squark.
''All is okay, Fawkes.'' He said softly. ''I am sorry, but I can not allow that. It would only make my students restless.''
''Finding who did it is most important.'' Mr Dawlish persisted. ''If you don't let us, then I'll just get legal permission from the minister.''
''And I shall not stop you.'' He said easily. ''But my answer shall remain. Hogwarts is disconnected from the rest of the wizarding society. In a way, this island is a minuscule nation. When there has been a problem in the past, we have always dealt with them.'' He smiled at the Auror. ''As Headmaster, I must stop trespassers from intruding in on us.''
Mr Dawlish asked. ''And what does stopping intruders entail?''
''I dearly hope that it does not escalate.'' He said honestly. ''By the first of January, this will all be over.''
''And what if it's not?''
''Then I would have failed as Headmaster.'' He answered.
''I'm only doing it because it's you.'' Mr Dawlish said, sounding like he had drunk a bottle of rat poison. ''If you don't find who it is by then, we'll be back, and nothing you do will stop us. You could be the strongest wizard in the world for all I could care, you're still only one man.''
''I am delighted that we have come to an agreement. Shall I escort you two out?''
''Don't bother. We know the way now.'' Mr Dawlish said, back facing him. ''I just want to know one thing.''
''And I shall answer to the best of my abilities, Mr Dawlish.''
Mr Dawlish shot him a look, from over his shoulder. ''Do you have any suspects?''
Harry Potter trudged around the outskirts of Hogwarts and peeked into the Forbidden Forest. He had been waiting, feeling the hairs on his arms stand.
Last year, Draco Malfoy had challenged him and Ron to a duel. The boy never showed. Instead, Argus Flinch did.
Like I'm about to let that happen. Harry thought, a cold breeze rippling through his robes. There was a grey pouch by his side, the buttons done up tightly. Inside, was an invisibility cloak.
Once he finally entered a cold chill rose his spine. He walked over broken bridges, swerved around caves with jagged ends, and snuck by strange camps surrounded by centaurs, but Draco was nowhere to be found. The Forbidden Forest was massive, and it wasn't like there was a specific meeting place.
Of course, he could have waited by the entrance, and that is what he did, momentarily. But Draco never appeared, so he must have already entered. That or he isn't even here. A familiar voice said.
Harry sighed. He surveyed the area. There were a family of massive spiders up in the trees, a four-legged creature he did not recognise sleeping in a pile of grass, and finally, a snake slithering by a water stream.
The snake was very small, with eyes the same emerald as his. When noticing him approaching, it barred their fangs.
''Have you seen a blonde boy here?''
Harry doubted that this snake had, but it would be worth a try.
The snake closed its trap. ''You can….understand?''
''Yeah.'' He said. ''Have you seen anyone else here?''
''Yes. Lots of snakes here. Lots of us.''
''I mean someone like me.''
''No. no one like you. Not in a long time.''
Harry twirled a wand between his fingers. Was Draco even there? As he turned to look back at the snake, he already knew what was coming.
''Behind you!''
Harry whirled on his heel in time to deflect the curse, but he was too sudden and twisted his right ankle.
A giant boy came stalking out from the bushes, too old to be Draco Malfoy. A sixth year, he remembered. A Slytherin too.
''Pustulae Corporis!''
Blisters emerged on his body, from head to toe. Harry pointed his wand at himself, the blisters opening up. In the depths of his mind, he remembered the counter-course. ''Sana Corpus!'' And they vanished. He returned fire. ''Torto Naso!''
Clint's nose bent, contorting into a grotesque angle, and with a crack, blood spurted out. Harry watched, unease mixed with a feeling of surprise. This was the first time he used a spell like this on a person. But he steeled himself for the worse, as the boy marched forwards, unbothered.
Clint said coldly. ''That was a dark curse.''
Harry backed away slightly. He did not know Clint, apart from rumours. ''Listen, don't go near the Traver twins. They love messing with the new students. Even the other Slytherins are scared of them.''
''What do you want?'' Harry asked, pointing his wand at Clint. ''Draco asked you to do this, didn't he?''
''Terrae Motus!''
The ground began to crumble, and by the time Harry had sidestepped, there was a wide, narrow hole in the ground.
He tapped the tree with his wand, no longer speaking.
The branches fell from the trees, now alive, like tiny humans with spears and swords. They charged Clint, but all were blasted away, apart from one, that was kicked into the water stream.
Harry battled his hardest, but Clint was a better duellist than Draco, and much more dangerous. He was pushed on the back foot and knew he could only use, ''Protego'' so many times.
He clicked his tongue and aimed at Clint's right arm ''Duturas Sanguine.'' And they froze, losing their function. He let his wand drift, stopping at the chest.
Clint simply offered a cool smile.
A silhouette crept up behind him.
Harry felt a wand press against him.
''Crucio.''
Harry gasped, crumpling into the mud and writhed in pure agony. It burnt, it burnt everywhere, like boiling hot water had been poured over him. Like the worst, most excruciating pain, he had ever felt, but he did not scream.
Jamie Travers loomed over him like a dark shadow. ''Crucio!''
A scream pierced through the air, over the sound of cold laughter.
''How'd you let a little second-year do that to you?'' Jamie asked, looking at the way his brother's nose had bent. ''Look at you? I don't know whether to laugh or be embarrassed.''
Sprawled across the floor, Harry was about to fire off a curse, but not before James stomped onto his fingers. He took his wand and hurled it into the grass.
''He's tougher than I thought he would be,'' Clint said coldly. ''I'm already not in a good mood. Don't push it.''
Jamie just grinned, showing off his black, rotting teeth. ''We can fight after. Remember, we're getting paid for this.''
''Paid?'' Harry held onto his hand, feeling the bruises and bumps. ''Draco paid you?''
''I think you should shut your mouth,'' Jamie said. ''We were told to hurt you, not how much we should hurt you.''
''So Draco did tell you.'' He growled ''What are you, his lapdog?''
Jamie swung his foot back and struck Harry in the face, the heel scraping across his cheek. The taste of metal filled his mouth, and a few of his teeth hung loosely.
''A fucking lapdog?'' Jamie was now atop Harry, large hands wrapped around his throat. ''I could fucking kill you here, and there's nothing you could do about it! We could leave you here to die, and there'd be nothing you could do about it! Do you fucking hear me?''
Clint approached, whose face was blurry to Harry, but he could still hear his trepidation.
''We're not going to kill him. We've done enough.''
''We've done enough!'' Jamie snapped. ''Are you trying to tell me what to do, are you?''
''I'm not telling you what to do,'' Clint said carefully. ''But this is Harry Potter we're talking about. If we kill him, everyone will be breathing down our necks. But if we leave him and take his memories, there won't be any problems.''
Jamie inhaled through his nose. ''It's your lucky day. We're gonna let you go, and you won't even remember what happened''
Harry sat up, with a struggle. His wand was near, but out of arms reach. ''You're going to let me go?''
''That's what I said,'' Jamie said casually. ''Like I said it's your lucky day.''
Then, Harry stretched an arm out and his wand flew back to him.
''And I really was going to let you go,'' Clint said, then the two brothers boomed. ''Expelliarmus!''
The first spell was deflected, but the second one struck him directly in the chest, sending him tumbling into the water stream.
Harry sunk into the water and held his breath, holding it until he couldn't. He splashed about, a cold, stabbing pain in his lungs. He could not swim, but he tried to rise from the depths, only to be struck by a rock.
Blood floated in the stream like gas.
He opened his mouth, but could not cast the incarnation. Water filled his mouth and nostrils, strangling him until everything was just a blur.
Am I really going to die? He thought, descending further. Like this, drowning?
And suddenly, there was a loud pop, and before Harry knew it the water stream had vanished. In an unfamiliar stretch of the Forbidden Forest, he skidded across the dirt. He coughed uncontrollably and gasped for air.
Harry fell to his side, mud seeping into the cuts and sores. It stung, like a thousand needles, but he simply lay there and knew one thing.
Draco had won.
''That's the headmaster for you,'' Sarah said, once the two of them exited the castle, through a giant, black door. ''He hasn't changed one bit.''
John Dawlish shook his head. ''He isn't your Headmaster anymore.''
''I think he'll always be the Headmaster to me,'' Sarah said unhesitantly. ''You went to Hogwarts, didn't you?''
His answer was short and crisp. ''A lifetime ago.''
''You don't like him.'' She noted. ''I don't know why though. I can't ever imagine someone else being Headmaster but him.''
John sighed. ''I don't dislike the man.'' He said. ''The world just holds him in high regard, too high regard. I'm sure he's a good man, but no one's perfect.''
He was very much expecting his partner to vehemently disagree. She didn't. ''Is that Harry Potter?''
John whipped his head about and blinked to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Of course, Harry Potter attended Hogwarts, but now, he exited the Forbidden Forest, drenched and very cut up.
The boy looked back at them as if saying, ''Who are you?''
''I had thought that students weren't allowed in the Forbidden Forest'' He said in his most professional voice. ''Did you get attacked by one of the creatures in there?''
All the boy said was, ''Yeah.'' He was missing a few teeth.
''And why would you go inside then?'' He demanded.
''I don't know,'' Harry said and walked by him.
As a father, John couldn't let it go.
''Just make sure to go and see Madame Pomfrey,'' Sarah said before he could. ''She'll be able to fix you up.''
''I know,'' Harry said and disappeared inside the castle.
''Children these days don't think,'' John said. ''The Forbidden Forest is dangerous, even for older wizards
''I did dumb things when I was a kid too,'' Sarah said. ''I think he's learned his lesson. I hope so, anyway.''
There wasn't much to be done.
In the last months, several new spells had been added to his repertoire, zero of them helpful now.
Harry could not see himself, as he limped into the Gryffindor tower, but he didn't need to.
The smart thing to do would be to go and see Madame Pomfrey, but then there would be questions. Lots of questions.
Why didn't I ask her about any healing spells? What am I going to say, that I fell into a ravine?
Inside the empty dorms, he changed into a new set of robes. After drying his hair off, and slinging a bag over his shoulder, he returned to the common room.
It had to be dinner, with how empty the tower was. That was good for him. Less people, the better.
They were probably looking for him, however. If the Traver twins followed Harry's footprints, then maybe he would be found in the tower, barely able to even lift his own wand.
Harry turned to the window, catching a figure who was trudging over to the Tower. For a moment, he thought it had to be one of the Travers, but when he saw who it was, he inhaled through his nose, annoyed. Of course, it's her.
Once Hermione Granger had stepped into the Gryffindor tower, he had already entered the boy's bathroom, behind a locked door.
Why was she here? Harry wondered. He would have much preferred for it to be anyone else.
Ever since that day, He had not spoken to Ron or Hermione. He still watched them, as they did him, but never more than that.
At first, it was strange, and there were several times when he had almost tried to talk to them, but a voice that sounded oddly like Emily would say, ''If they were your true friends, then they would have stood by you.''
Harry slumped on the toilet, eyes low. In times like these, there was only one place he could go to.
It almost seemed like Emily was waiting for him, as Harry materialised out of thin air. She studied him and the two stood in silence.
He finally asked. ''Do you know any healing spells?''
''I'm no expert in healing magic, but I know of a few. I only wish that I could cast them now.'' She looked at his hands, which twitched and trembled. ''Is this the doing of the cruciatus curse?''
Harry said, very surprised. ''Is it that obvious?''
''I know the signs.'' She tried to hold his hands, but couldn't. Her fingers slipped through, as always. They returned to her side. ''How long ago was this?''
He shrugged. ''I don't know. An hour maybe.''
She nodded. ''Then I don't need to worry. You're in the clear.''
''The clear?''
''The cruciatus curse is not only one of the most painful experiences you can go through in life but at times there may be side effects. Such as seizures, although they usually happen very shortly after.'' She paused momentarily. ''I am sorry. I have been crucio'd before, and it is nothing I wish to go through a second time.''
He said impulsively. ''You've been crucio'd?''
''Yes.'' She murmured. ''When I was a third year, there was a situation. But this is about you, not me. What happened?''
The knots in Harry's stomach tightened, as he began, not leaving anything out. She listened without interrupting, and once he was finished, it was like a heavy burden had been lifted.
''Draco Malfoy has been causing you trouble for a long time, has he not?''
''Yeah.'' He said. ''Even before Hogwarts, but he's never done anything like this.''
''And I am sure things will only get more extreme from now on.'' She looked serious. ''You two will only get older.''
''Well, Draco isn't really the problem.'' He said. ''It was Jamie and Clint.''
''But Draco is why Jamie and Clint attacked you.'' She said, and that was the truth. ''What will you do now?''
That is something he already knew. ''I guess I'll just have to get ready.''
''They may be looking for you at this moment,'' Emily said. ''They did try to erase your memories, and I am sure they will again.''
''Yeah, probably.'' He mumbled. ''I'll be careful this time.''
She sighed softly. ''Are you planning to duel them?''
''Yeah.'' He said. ''What else am I going to do?''
''I don't know if that is the best step you could take,'' Emily admitted, in a soft and sleek voice.
''Then -- then what else am I going to do?'' He spluttered. ''You said that they were going to be looking for me.''
''I didn't say that you should do nothing.'' She said calmly, ''You already have a good grasp of magic, and I wouldn't be surprised if you are the best duellist in your year. But they are older, and one even knows the cruciatus curse. Fighting them head-on is not a good idea.''
Harry's frowned, but no longer spluttered. ''Then what should I do?''
Emily's answer came swiftly. ''You have leverage.''
He says, ''I do?'' With a dose of surprise.
''They did not erase your memories.'' She said, ''I'm sure that they will try to again. You saw them cast one of the unforgivable. You could use that as leverage.''
And then, it clicked. She went on.
''Do you know how to make a pensive?''
''No.''
''That isn't a problem .'' She said with a brilliant smile. ''I can teach you.''
Without realising it, Harry smiled back.
''But I think it would be best if you stay here for the next few days.'' She told him. ''Until you are ready.''
He asked, his left eyebrow raised. ''I can't just stay in here. I want to, but I can't.''
''I did not say you could never leave.'' She clarified. ''You, of course, have needs that I do not. But until you are ready, it will be much safer here. In the castle, there will be a target on your back.''
''You're right.'' Harry said, ''But what am I going to say when I get back?''
''That could be a problem. Do you have an idea for a cover story?''
His smile widened. ''I do, actually.''
''Good.'' She murmured, and a glint that Harry couldn't decipher flickered in her eyes. ''I know today has been difficult, but by the time we are finished, I can guarantee you that they will regret everything.''