CHAPTER 24: SEEKER SHOWDOWN
The following day dawned bright and clear as Harry and the Slytherin team made their way to the Quidditch field, anticipation crackling in the air like static electricity. Draco's attempt to curry favor with the team by offering new brooms had been met with mixed reactions. While Marcus Flint, the captain, had begrudgingly accepted the gifts, recognizing the tactical advantage they offered, he remained steadfast in his commitment to fielding the best players, regardless of bribery.
Draco's insistence on participating in the tryouts to prove himself irked both Harry and Flint. While the brooms were technically gifts and therefore irrevocable, Flint's focus remained unwavering: winning. To him, Harry's prowess as a Seeker was paramount, and he would only consider including Draco in the team if he could surpass Harry's skill on the field.
As they made their way to the pitch, their path intersected with the Gryffindor team and the golden trio. Tensions flared as the two captains engaged in a heated debate over access to the pitch, each vying for the right to hold their respective tryouts.
The standoff came to an abrupt halt when Flint produced a note from Professor Snape, granting the Slytherin team exclusive use of the Quidditch pitch for their tryouts.
"'I hereby grant, Professor Severus Snape, the Slytherin Team, the Quidditch pitch for your tryouts to test your new Seeker,'" Flint read aloud, his tone triumphant.
"But I thought Harry was the Seeker," Adrian interjected, confusion evident in his voice.
"I am, but Draco wants to try to replace me," Harry explained, his frustration palpable.
Ron's attention, however, was drawn to the gleaming Nimbus 2001 brooms that the Slytherin team brandished. "Look at those," he exclaimed, pointing at the sleek brooms. "Those are Nimbus 2001s. Where did you get them?"
They all possessed the new brooms, except for Harry, who still clung to his trusty Nimbus 2000. Oddly, Draco had neglected to provide him with an upgrade, a fact that didn't escape Harry's notice.
"A gift from Draco's father," Flint replied, a hint of smugness in his tone. "You see, Weasley," Malfoy sneered, his arrogance oozing with superiority. "Unlike some, my father can afford the best."
"At least nobody had to buy their way onto the Gryffindor team," Hermione retorted, her words laced with disdain.
"Nobody asked you, you filthy little Mudblood—" Malfoy began, his insult cut short by Harry's warning.
"Careful, Malfoy," Harry interjected, his voice low and menacing. "You finish that word and you won't make it to tryouts because you'll be too busy bleeding."
"Don't threaten me, Potter," Malfoy spat back, his bravado wavering in the face of Harry's unwavering resolve.
"Or what?" Harry challenged, raising an eyebrow in defiance. "Are you going to tell Daddy on me? I'm really scared, but if it's all the same to you, I'd rather hurry up and get on with it so I can embarrass you again."
"You embarrass me?" Malfoy scoffed, his tone incredulous.
"If I wanted to make you laugh, I'd have given you a mirror," Harry retorted, his words dripping with sarcasm.
"Enough," Flint interrupted, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "Let's go."
With that, the Slytherin team made their way to the Quidditch pitch, leaving the Gryffindor team behind.
Over the next half hour, Harry proved his superiority on the field, outmaneuvering and outclassing Malfoy at every turn, despite Malfoy's supposedly superior broom. In the end, Malfoy fell victim to a Wronski Feint and plummeted to the ground, his pride shattered along with his arm and collarbone.
Word of Malfoy's humiliating defeat spread like wildfire throughout the Slytherin house and beyond, solidifying Harry's status as the undisputed Seeker of the Slytherin Quidditch team.
Meanwhile, Hermione and Ron found themselves walking along the corridor, deep in conversation, after Adrian had completed a detention signing Lockhart's fan mail.
"Have you ever thought that your brother has something strange about him?" Hermione asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Quite a bit, why?" Adrian replied, his interest piqued.
"I don't understand how he does better than me in class," Adrian confessed, his frustration evident in his tone.
"Oh, Merlin," Ron sighed, rolling his eyes. "You just don't like him because he does better than you in class."
"No, I just find it strange how well he does," Hermione countered, her brow furrowed in thought. "He always performs every spell perfectly on the first try. Don't you find that a bit odd? Nobody is that good. Most people need at least two or three tries to cast spells, but he always gets it right on the first try."
"That's a bit strange," Adrian admitted, conceding Hermione's point. "But I think the new girl is odd, what's her name?"
"What? Rose?" Ron questioned.
"You mean the girl who keeps holding onto Harry's arm?" Adrian clarified.
"Yes, she's scared of everything," Adrian continued, prompting Ron's agreement. "Have you ever seen her not afraid of something?"
"What's wrong with her?" Hermione inquired, her concern evident in her voice.
"She keeps clinging to Harry like he's a teddy bear," Adrian argued. "What's up with her?"
"Adrian, you shouldn't judge her like that!" Hermione admonished, her defense of Rose unwavering.
"It's weird, Hermione, and so is she," Adrian persisted. "He's right," Ron chimed in. "She's really strange. She's like a five-year-old, even Ginny stopped being so clingy when she was eight. There's definitely something wrong with her."
"Yeah," Adrian nodded in agreement, his suspicion deepening. "She... what's that?"
The group came to a sudden halt as they spotted something dangling on a nearby wall.
"It's Filch's cat!" Hermione exclaimed, recognizing the feline.
Adrian stepped forward, his curiosity piqued, to examine the cat and the wall where the ominous message was scrawled in blood: "THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE!"
A noise broke the silence, and Adrian turned to see several students approaching the scene, their eyes wide with shock and fear. Among them were Harry and his friends, silently observing the unfolding events.
"Harry," Rose whispered, her voice barely audible.
"I know, Rose," Harry whispered back, his expression grave. "I know."
The Dueling Club buzzed with anticipation as students from all houses gathered around the grand stage, eager for the spectacle about to unfold. The tension in the air was palpable, mingled with the whispers of Polyjuice Rumors and the divisive rhetoric of Malfoy echoing through the halls.
Harry and Daphne strode into the Great Hall, their anticipation evident, though Rose trailed behind with a hint of reluctance evident in her demeanor.
As Lockhart ascended the stage, Harry couldn't help but groan inwardly, muttering to Daphne about his incredulity at Lockhart being chosen. "Why him of all people?" he whispered.
Daphne stifled a chuckle, replying, "He does love the limelight, doesn't he?"
Lockhart's theatrical entrance was met with mixed reactions, but all eyes were on him as he introduced the Dueling Club, accompanied by the reluctant figure of Professor Snape.
"Snape looks positively thrilled," Harry observed dryly.
"He always looks like that," Daphne remarked with a smirk.
"True, but today he seems even less enthused," Harry observed, noting Snape's distant expression.
As Lockhart and Snape prepared to demonstrate, Harry couldn't help but exchange a knowing glance with Daphne, both amused and apprehensive about what was to come.
The duel commenced with Lockhart's trademark flourish, but Snape's response was swift and decisive, catching Lockhart off guard with a stunning spell that sent him sprawling.
The hall erupted into laughter, save for a few die-hard Lockhart fans who watched in dismay. Even Snape himself couldn't conceal a hint of satisfaction at his victory.
Lockhart, undeterred by his defeat, rose with characteristic flair, attempting to save face with a half-hearted jest about his own prowess.
"An excellent display, Professor Snape," Lockhart declared, though the underlying tone of concession was evident. "But you must admit, I could have easily countered your move if I so desired."
Snape merely arched an eyebrow in response, his expression inscrutable as ever, leaving Lockhart to bask in the diminishing glow of his own exaggerated legend.
"Perhaps," Snape interjected, his tone tinged with suppressed anger, "it would be prudent to demonstrate defensive techniques as well."
Lockhart's expression faltered momentarily, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ah, yes, an excellent suggestion," he replied, masking his surprise. "How about a volunteer pair? Um, Adrian Potter and Weasley."
Snape's disdain for the idea was evident. "Weasley's wand has a penchant for chaos with even the simplest spells," he remarked dryly. "Potter's remains would likely need to be escorted to the hospital wing in a matchbox. Perhaps a volunteer from my house would be more suitable."
Malfoy seized the opportunity, a smug grin stretching across his face as he stepped forward, wand at the ready.
"Or perhaps the other Potter," Snape suggested, gesturing towards Harry. With a resigned sigh, Harry ascended the stage, meeting Adrian in the center.
"Now," Snape continued, his voice carrying a note of warning, "while Slytherin Potter may have experience in dueling, having emerged victorious in the last Japanese War Duel, this will be a chance for the other students to witness true dueling prowess."
Whispers rippled through the crowd as the significance of Harry's past exploits became apparent. Shock and awe mingled among the students, many surprised by Harry's willingness to engage in such dangerous contests.
Adrian, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, made a mental note to inquire about the Japanese War Duels from Hermione later. He and his brother squared off, wands poised for action.
"Scared, Snake?" Adrian taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.
Harry's response was cool and collected. "Yeah," he retorted, his tone deadpan. "I'm not sure what kind of contagions you might be carrying."
"I don't have any diseases!" Adrian snapped, his frustration evident.
Harry raised an eyebrow, feigning concern. "So your appearance is natural, then? My condolences."
The crowd erupted into laughter, the tension of the moment momentarily broken. As the two opponents turned, readying themselves for the duel, it became increasingly clear to onlookers that Adrian's bravado belied his lack of understanding about the perilous nature of the Japanese War Duels.
Harry stood poised, his confidence tempered by a healthy respect for his brother's abilities. Though they had never dueled before, Harry knew better than to underestimate Adrian.
"Until three," Lockhart's voice cut through the tension, "and I want you to focus solely on disarming. One, two, three."
Adrian wasted no time, his wand aimed squarely at Harry, but before he could complete his incantation, a beam of light shot from Harry's mouth—a reflexive response ingrained from years of non-verbal spellcasting. Adrian's wand flew from his grasp, sending him tumbling backward.
As Adrian regained his footing, Harry held his brother's wand aloft, a silent testament to his victory. With a resigned expression, Harry tossed the wand back to Adrian, who caught it with a mixture of irritation and determination.
"Expelliarmus!" Adrian shouted, his determination evident as he unleashed a barrage of spells at Harry, who effortlessly sidestepped each one with practiced ease.
But when Adrian attempted another spell, Harry decided it was time to end the charade. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected the spell and countered with one of his own, sending Adrian sprawling to the ground.
"I said disarm only," Lockhart's reprimand echoed across the hall.
Snape's praise, however, was reserved for Harry. "Well done, Mr. Potter," he acknowledged, awarding Slytherin ten points for Harry's exemplary performance. Turning his attention to Adrian, Snape's demeanor hardened. "However, Gryffindor loses ten points for your lack of discipline and respect."
Adrian's protests fell on deaf ears as Snape asserted his authority with a mocking smirk. "Oh, but I can, and I just did," he retorted, leaving Adrian to stew in his indignation as the lesson came to a close.
Lockhart interjected, his voice cutting through the tension like a well-honed blade. "Now, let's not dwell on that," he said with a flick of his perfectly coifed hair. "How about we pair up and put our spells into practice?"
The room buzzed with activity as everyone found partners and began their exercises. Harry, however, found himself in the role of instructor, guiding Daphne and Rose through their spellwork. Rose, though adept, hesitated in her actions, mindful of potentially harming Daphne. Similarly, Daphne, while skillful, held back for fear of injuring her friend.
Lost in their concentration, they were oblivious to the brewing conflict until shouts pierced the air. Whirling around, they witnessed Malfoy and Adrian locked in combat, while Ron and Neville struggled to restrain Crabbe and Goyle. Meanwhile, Millicent Bulstrode had Hermione Granger in a tight headlock.
"How did this happen?" Daphne's voice betrayed her astonishment.
"Right now, it's not the time for questions," Harry said, pulling both girls close. "Let's just embrace the chaos."
Later, in the Gryffindor common room, Adrian found himself surrounded by Hermione, Ron, and other members of the house.
"You gave Malfoy a good thrashing," Ron remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice.
"Yeah," Adrian replied, a fleeting smile gracing his lips. "By the way, did any of you catch what Snape was rambling about with those Japanese War Duels?"
Angelina Johnson leaned forward, her eyes alight with interest. "The Japanese War Duels are quite something. It's essentially a dueling tournament, but your brother probably competed in the underage version."
Adrian frowned, perplexed. "Sure, he won, but why all the fuss?"
Hermione chimed in, her voice thoughtful. "Winning such a prestigious tournament is impressive, but perhaps there's more to it. Snape's reaction suggests there might be something significant about it."
"Because the War Duels aren't your typical dueling match," Katie Bell interjected, her voice serious. "There's only one rule: no interference. Other than that, it's a free-for-all. They can use any spell or weapon they want, including the Unforgivables."
Ron's eyes widened in shock. "The Unforgivables? That's insane!"
Fred nodded grimly. "It's all fair game in that tournament."
George chimed in, adding another layer of complexity. "And the Japanese approach magic differently from us."
Adrian leaned in, intrigued. "What do you mean?"
"They focus a lot on offensive spells from a young age," Fred explained.
"Yeah," George agreed. "They probably know curses we'd consider dark. So, when Harry was facing them, he was probably up against some ruthless little dueling prodigies who would stop at nothing to win."
"So, Harry could've been seriously hurt or worse," Adrian mused, his mind trying to grasp the gravity of the situation.
"I heard the last English participant lost a leg," Katie added somberly.
"If Harry won and came out unscathed, he's got to be one hell of a duelist," George concluded.
"He can't be that good," Adrian protested, struggling to accept the idea.
Katie fixed him with a serious look. "Adrian, he blocked your spell with a Protego charm, a spell most second-years haven't even heard of. And then he casually swatted your spell away like it was nothing."
Angelina shook her head in disbelief. "I can't do that, and I'm in the same year as you, Adrian. Oliver, can you do that?"
Oliver Wood, the Quidditch captain, shook his head. "Nope. They don't teach us that until seventh year."
Adrian's frustration reached a boiling point. "So how in Merlin's name did Harry pull it off then?!"
Hermione, ever the voice of reason, interjected with a gentle scolding. "Watch your language, Adrian. And as for how Harry does it, I'm not entirely sure. But there's something special about him. Every time we learn a new spell, he seems to master it effortlessly."
Katie Bell nodded in agreement. "It's uncanny. Most of us need a few tries to get the hang of a spell after memorizing all the wand movements and incantations."
Ron chimed in, adding another layer of intrigue. "But Harry doesn't bother with incantations. He casts all his spells nonverbally."
Oliver Wood's eyes widened in astonishment. "Nonverbal magic? That's incredible! We've barely scratched the surface of that in our classes. Do you think he'd be willing to give me some pointers?"
Hermione shook her head. "I doubt it. Harry tends to keep to himself. The only people he really spends time with are Daphne Greengrass, Rose, Tracy Davis, and occasionally Blaise."
Oliver's shoulders slumped in disappointment. "That's a shame. Learning nonverbal spells would save me so much time, especially during Quidditch season."
Angelina grinned knowingly. "Time that could be better spent on the pitch, right, Oliver?"
Oliver's expression brightened at the mention of Quidditch. "Absolutely. Quidditch is always a priority."
With a shared understanding, the group returned to their respective conversations, each contemplating the unique talents and mysteries surrounding Harry Potter.
As the conversation shifted, Adrian couldn't shake off his fascination with Harry's abilities. The more he thought about it, the more intrigued he became.
"Hey, Hermione," Adrian began tentatively, "do you think there's any chance Harry might be willing to share some of his techniques with me?"
Hermione regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. "It's worth a shot, I suppose. But he's not one to open up easily. You might have to find a way to approach him without making it seem like you're prying."
Adrian nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. "I'll figure something out. It's just... I've never seen magic like his before. It's like he's operating on a whole different level."
Katie, who had been listening intently, leaned in with a curious expression. "You know, Adrian, I've been thinking. Maybe there's a reason Harry's so skilled. I mean, he did survive the Killing Curse as a baby. Who knows what kind of effects that could have had on him?"
Adrian's eyes widened as he considered the implications. "You think that's why he's so advanced?"
"It's possible," Katie replied with a shrug. "Or maybe he's just naturally gifted. Either way, I think we've only scratched the surface of what he's capable of."
The conversation lingered on Harry's extraordinary abilities, each person in the group harboring their own theories and speculations. But one thing was certain: Harry Potter was no ordinary wizard, and his journey was bound to be filled with even more surprises and challenges.
WELCOME TO LORDARESARCTURUSBLACK ON P.A.T.R.E.O.N
FOR EARLY ACCESS TO NEW CHAPTERS JOIN US ON P.A.T.R.E.O.N LORDARESARCTURUSBLACK