Chapter 24 : A Secret Meet and Club Ambitions
I do not own Harry Potter
Author's Notes:
There, nice, long chapter for everyone to enjoy.
3k followers! That's absolutely crazy! To everyone that's reading, thanks for making this worthwhile. If not for you guys, I probably wouldn't be writing.
Harry's friends have been rather absent recently, but don't worry, they're back now.
|Pentonville Road |London |November 21st, 1993 |
"Ugh" croaked Harry, feeling nauseous and dizzy from his first side-along apparition
"It gets better" consoled Sirius, having transported Harry out all the way from the Chamber to London.
It was quite early in the morning, just about dawn, owing to the fact that Harry needed to keep up appearances at school.
"Alright, I'll wait 'round the corner, go ahead" the godfather patted his ward's shoulders and gave him an encouraging smile "You'll do fine"
"I have NO idea what to expect"
"Well you tend tp do surprisingly well when jumping into something absolutely unprepared, so don't worry" quipped Sirius, ruffling his hair "Now go, royalty tend not to like to be kept waiting" he added, not entirely joking.
Harry nodded and walked up to a newspaper stand, picking up a copy of the 'The Times'. He continued reading for a few minutes, skimming through the headlines, before another person at the stand, the only other, in fact, lightly whispered
"Follow me"
The Gryffindor did as expected, and walked behind the other, a few paces behind. They turned round a corner and entered a café with a 'closed' sign, but the door unlocked.
"There's a cup on the counter, it's a portkey." the stranger told him, before departing without another word, leaving Harry by himself.
He yawned. He'd been up since 4 am.
'Damn, better hope I don't do that in front of him'
The green-eyed boy walked over to the cashier's counter, and sure enough, on touching the singular cup placed there for him, he felt a familiar tug at his navel, before spiraling into the fabric of time and space.
Thud!
Harry landed flat on his backside. Merlin did he need to work on magical transport and landing.
"Ah yes, portkey landings are always tricky" a deep voice commented from a few feet away from the raven-haired boy's comically bad landing.
Harry jolted up to see - "King Ragnok!" he blurted, scrambling to his feet and bowing deeply, as instructed by Salazar "May your-"
"We can skip the formalities, son" dismissed the Goblin King, though not unkindly. He gestured Harry to join him where he was seated, on a rich, oak table next to a large window overlooking a breathtaking expanse. Even as Harry sat down, he couldn't help but turn an eye over to the sheer natural beauty. A couple inches of snowfall had occurred, covering the landscape in a sheen of white. In the distance, he could also make out the eponymous lake. This view was giving the Hogwarts castle from the boats a run for its money.
"Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada" commented the goblin, noticing where his guest had been looking. "Magnificent, is it not? This is a favorite vacation spot of mine. I can even walk outside freely, for most of the compound, at least"
"It is spellbinding, your majesty"
"I believe this is your first time in the States, Mr. Potter?"
"Second, sire" the boy in question contradicted. At Ragnok's silence, a signal for him to expand, he continued "I was too young to remember, but my father took us to Yellowstone National Park" he added matter-of-factly "As I understand, he wanted to give my mother and himself a break and just feel like a normal family, even if it was just for a day" he finished in a bittersweet tone. Boy would he have loved to remember that, but he considered himself fortunate just to have a verbal account of the outing.
"I had pleasure of meeting your grandfather Charlus one a few occasions, especially during Grindelwald's war. One of the most formidable men I knew. Never met James Potter, but I hear he was no less capable, and every bit as honorable."
"So I hear, your majesty. I am proud to say he was my father" Harry replied in earnest, a genuine smile on his face
"As you should be" affirmed Ragnok, before shifting his tone "But now, let's get to why we are meeting" he transitioned, leaning forwards, placing his elbows on the table between them "You say you bring grave news regarding Lord Voldemort?"
Harry sat upright, his own demeanor changing "I'm afraid so, your highness. Unfortunately, he is still alive"
The diminutive creature's eyebrow twitched ever so slightly, but apart from that he gave no outward indication of any shock "Indeed?" he questioned, leaning back into his chair and folding his arms against his chest "He is not dead, as we have been led to believe?"
"No, sire" reiterated Harry
"And you have proof, young one?" Ragnok asked predictably
Here, Harry became contemplative. Should he divulge he is aware of horcruxes, or just tell him about his encounter with Quirrell? Deciding not to show his entire hand at once, he went with the latter.
"I saw him myself. In 1992, at the end of my first ye-"
"You have been sitting on something so temporal for so long?" Ragnok asked with a hint of shock in his voice. Whether it honest or there just for the sake of theatricality, Harry couldn't tell.
However, he (or more accurately, his 'team') had foreseen this question too. In a welcome departure from convention, there was actually a fair bit of deliberation before Harry decided to ask for a secret audience with the Goblin King himself. As a bonus, he even had a specific goal he wanted to meet.
"He wasn't 'alive', umm exactly. He was a wraith, and we had no proof except my own account. Our Ministry, especially with its current administration, would have summarily rejected any claims we made."
"Such foresight, such speech, and in someone so young" Ragnok highlighted with a hint of suspicion
"Well... It was what Headmaster Dumbledore thought...and speech...sire" he responded cautiously, sensing Ragnok was onto the fact that this entire thing wasn't Harry's idea
"Do not play coy with me son" the goblin added a little sternly "You have your backers, and I have no objections with that. Only don't try to use me, our kind has had enough of that" he snarled, making Harry recoil slightly "Wraiths of all kind exist in the magical world, what threat does this one pose than any other? What reason do I have to believe your story?"
Harry thought very carefully before speaking again. He'd have to choose his words wisely if he wanted to get something out of this. "Last year, he was attempting to get his hands on the Sorcerer's Stone. It was the 'secret object' being guarded at Hogwarts, and the object for which there was a break-in in the summer" he decided to depart with the secret of the stone, since it was destroyed now anyways. "I didn't act then because Dumbledore asked me not to. But earlier this year, I met him again, inside the Chamber of Secrets. Its where I killed that basilisk I had contracted Gringotts to quietly render... Inside the chamber, he almost came back. Again" finished Harry.
"Both believable stories, but the either could have happened without any involvement from Voldemort" Ragnok pointed out
"I have memories to back up the claims"
"Which can easily be forged"
"Or verified"
"Which can take years" the goblin rebutted again "What is one singular piece of information that you are capable of providing me which can leave no doubt in my mind that Voldemort is truly not dead?"
At Harry's silence, he started again "My apologies, but if th-"
"He made horcruxes" Harry said at once, desperate to make sure Ragnok did not end the meeting.
This time, he saw him clench visibly. The aged monarch bent as far back into his chair as he could and sighed exhaustedly, eyes closed, a thoughtful expression on his pallor.
"You are certain, Mr. Potter?" he asked, turning back to Harry
"I destroyed two myself" he asserted, looking at his host directly in the eye, ever the Gryffindor.
"And how many do you think he has?"
"6. Adding the soul piece inside his own body, he would have 7 fragments, the most magically powerful number"
"He could not have made more? or less?"
"I don't think so, sire. Any more than 7 seems too risky, say 13, the next magically powerful number. On the lesser side is 3 - if that's the case then we've won already, which I don't think so, and I have good reason to believe there's at least one more horcrux than the 2 I destroyed" Harry explained, alluding to Helga Hufflepuff's cup which Riddle had stolen "Voldemort showed constant appeal for intrigue and glory, so I think 7 is his stop. I think it would appeal to his 'grandeur'... but that's just my thinking... your majesty" Damn he always almost forgets to add that.
Ragnok on his part, seemed somewhat impressed "You have given this a lot of thought" he acknowledged "And I wonder how a schoolboy, barely a teenager acquires such information... but I suppose you are entitled to your secrets, as we all are" The concession made Harry breathe an inward sigh of relief. Revealing the horcrux secret was the furthest they had decided to divulge. Any information about the Chamber of Secrets' residents was strictly off limits.
"Very well, young man. Tell me about the two horcruxes you destroyed"
Harry decided to disclose the story, after all he was the one who came to help in the first place. So, he launched his tale about the happenings of his second year, the petrifications, the Chamber of Secrets (leaving out any mention of Slytherin's portrait) as well as his sudden alliance with the Tonks and their adventure at the Gaunt Shack. There, he revealed Voldemort was infact a half-blood, only to be surprised to see the other man seemingly aware already. Upon inquiry, he found out that an 11 year-old Tom Riddle, bound for Hogwarts had opened an account with Gringotts, wherein he had filled out the names of BOTH of his parents. In the subsequent years, he had not only changed that bit of information, as a preventive measure to mask his true identity, but had had his records wiped out from Gringotts entirely, as was his right. However, there remained an extremely small group of individuals who were aware of his ancestry from the start, and had passed on information about the 'unknown' Slytherin heir. While that original group had since all perished, Ragnok's predecessor, his mother, had passed on that bit of information before she died, and the current monarch had made the connection when he found out there existed no records for Tom Riddle in Gringotts. He'd discreetly, with a simple application to a low-level clerk, seen to that.
"I believe you, Harry" Ragnok stated, making his guest sigh with relief. 'Task one, accomplished' he celebrated inwardly
"In honesty, I believed your story even before you sat down" the goblin declared, continuing at Harry's puzzled expression "I always suspected your Headmaster thought so. You see, he has considerable finances accumulated over an illustrious life. While could understand the hoarding during wartime, he continued to manage his finances unusually conservatively, keeping large sums unused, only investing what he could liquidate quickly... always pushing for easily liquidate-able in commercial chambers of the government, as if there was still a threat of war and a need for large capital could occur at any instant... Your letter verified his peculiar conduct"
"I'm sorry your majesty" began Harry "but then, why your, umm-"
"-Reluctance? To gather information, for a start. But also, it was to gauge your sincerity, both towards the problem, and towards us" he stated simply
"Bu - I understand" Harry said with a smile "You wanted to find out as much as you could, and see if I was worth helping."
"Correct"
"So... am I...sire?" he asked tentatively
"Oh, most certainly. You've established that beyond doubt" Ragnok dismissed "What I am interested in, however, is what you expect of my nation?"
"Sorry about the bluntness, but its very likely Riddle with come back. And-"
"The goblin nation will not interfere" Ragnok declared in a no-compromise tone "It is in the 'treaty' we 'signed' with the wizarding world, we as a nation must have complete neutrality in any conflict. Besides, either side is capable of, and will, wreak havoc upon our country if we show even an inkling of outward support. I cannot, and will not expose my people to such ruin again. That is non-negotiable."
"I understand that, and I'm not asking for that" Harry clarified "Its why I requested a private meeting, so as few people are aware I even came to you as possible."
"A wise choice. There are spies everywhere, Mr. Potter, you will do well to be as discreet as possible. But anyways, so, if not outward support, I believe you come with a personal request?" he posed to the boy seated opposite to him
"Let's be honest, your highness, I don't think you want Voldemort to come back either. If he wins, that's going to be bad for goblins, much worse than it already is. I'll be the first to admit that we haven't been the kindest to your race, but we are much, much better than what Riddle and his goons would bring." Harry paused, trying to think of the perfect words "I guess... I'm trying to say... that avoiding Voldemort winning is important for both of us" he finished and looked at the monarch anxiously, worried if he had been a little too blunt
Ragnok chuckled "At ease, son. You needn't on eggshells around me" he assured, and Harry sighed in relief again "Why, yes, it is abundantly clear that it is the worst-case scenario for Voldemort to win. Your Ministry is aware of this. However, they, and as much as it pains me to admit, I, are both aware the goblins aren't worth pursuing" he admitted defeatedly "What magic we could wield was taken almost entirely with the prohibition of wand-wielding for our race. With what we have, even a skilled goblin is hardly a match for the dullest of wizards. We were renowned brewers once, but even that mantle has been lost in the recent decades... So, I can't give you men or capital, that is inviting catastrophe. Any books we might have are more than easily buyable, and with a wand, you don't seem to have need of our weapons either. Gringotts is open to you... so, again, yes, what is it that I can give you?"
Harry took a breath and exhaled sharply "There is a prophecy connecting me to Lord Voldemort" he said at once "And it doesn't matter if I don't believe in it or not. I know Voldemort does. And to be honest, I'm starting to believe it too" confessed Harry.
His parents had told him about the prophecy. He'd been angry at first, some garbage from a loon like Trelawny is what had led to him losing his parents. Everything that had happened to him, all because of a bloody prediction, which for all intents and purposes, could be just a puff.
But then, he, James, Lily and Salazar all thought about it.
"Voldemort fought Dumbledore for years, and lived. He 'dies' to me in 1981. He's since made two attempts at comebacks, and I've been at the center of both. Is something like destiny real? I really don't know. But it's clear that me and him are connected by something, either just Riddle's obsession with the prophecy which is self-fulfilling it, or maybe we are connected by some greater force after all. Either way, the prophecy's getting fulfilled. And not to sound arrogant, but at the center of Voldemort's every downfall, has been me. The first a literal miracle, then the other times, Dumbledore taken out of the equation altogether, and no matter who was with me, I always ended up facing him alone. The second time, you saw how big basilisk was, I was very lucky to survive and prevent him from coming back. And even then, I needed phoenix tears to live, because I'd been bitten by it... What I mean is that I think it really is going to be just me and him, and the victor will decide the future of our world, for better or worse. I can't leave that up to chance or luck, like I did last time. I can't count on anyone but myself, because I don't know when it'll just be down to me... I need to become someone who can lead people, because I don't know when we'll lose Dumbledore temporarily or permanently, and me and my, 'backers' as you put it both agree there's no one except me who is or could be capable enough. I need to become independent so I can take him on my own. And for myself, I need to the strength to be able to protect those who help me...what I'm saying is, I need to become stronger"
Harry took a pause. Even through the wrinkles and the facial hair, he could make out Ragnok's solemnity. With an inward 'here goes nothing' he spoke
"I have the potential, I know that now, I have the resources, and I have the mentors. What I don't have is time, sire. Voldemort could come back any day, and I need to be as good as I can be, as soon as I can"
Ragnok's face lit up in comprehension
"Its been rumored the royal family has housed one for centuries, used only a handful of times, and only by the family. I'm asking you to make an exception for me...I want you to let me use your time-turner"
"It's done now, all we can do is wait" spoke up Lily, breaking the silence that had followed since Harry had shown the Chamber's entourage - his parents, Sirius and Salazar, his memory from his meeting with Ragnok
"You did well, Harry" complimented Salazar "Extremely well"
"Yep, don't see how could have done any better" seconded James, patting Harry's shoulder
"Well at least we know one thing, they definitely have one"
"Really, Padfoot? Mighty smart of you"
"Oi! You didn't know about the rumor until I told you!"
Harry's little rant the night he had brought Sirius had stoked Salazar. The ancient wizard had realized the tremendous workload and pressure his student was under, and was determined to remedy it. Discussions had gone towards petitioning the Department of Mysteries for one, like they had so Hermione could enroll in all 5 electives whom, they figured, was being used as a test subject for side-effects. It was highly unlikely they did it so a 14 year-old girl could get her unreasonable demand. Really, if she was that practical, why not just NOT take Divination and Muggle Studies. As much as Harry wanted to justify her friend, he couldn't. Another reason was probably to rope Hermione into the DoM in the future, and work as a fully-fledged Unspeakable. The idea was, rather predictably, quickly shot down as it would involve disclosing the reasons, which again, was off limits. They even considered creating a time-turner from scratch, before Sirius remembered this rumor he'd heard his grandfather Arcturus talk about one time. It'd taken a while before the meeting was set up, but that was to be expected, since the goblin nation was dealing with an insurgency somewhere in their territory.
Harry yawned. "Alright, I've got double defense with Lupin, who we're still lying to by the way"
"He meets Sirius during the holidays, and inside the Black House. I'm still not sure of his loyalties" declared Salazar
Harry yawned again.
"Best you have some draught to get you through the morning classes" suggested Lily, though it was understood it wasn't a 'suggestion' as much as it was an order "And nap in the free period"
"Or he could just not go" advocated James "It's double defence, which he's ahead in, and I'm sure Moony wouldn't mind"
Lily glared at James "James Potter you will not be transferring your complete lack of discipline in school to my son-"
"Oh come on, Lils. Let him have this. I think he deserves a break" petitioned Sirius, walking over to the boy and standing behind him supportively
Lily looked over to Harry, who was giving her the best puppy-dog eyes he could manage. Salazar had made his thoughts clear already that Harry'd learn a lot more a lot faster with the 4 of them, and was looking aloof. James had that 'Oh, come on' persuasion stare on him, while Sirius was eyeing her expectantly
Another game of blink first ensued.
"Fine" relented Lily with a sigh "But 15 minutes and you go to sleep. You will use the time to rest, not chatter away!" she laid down in a no-nonsense voice.
Harry walked out of the Chamber three and a half hours later with a dose of energy draught, having gotten no sleep at all.
"Harry? Where were you?!" hissed Hermione, as her friend joined her in the library.
"Morning 'Mione" the boy under scrutiny casually greeted, sitting opposite her in what was quickly becoming 'their spot' in the library, much to the chagrin of Ron, who would grumblingly join them sometimes out of fear of missing out.
"Well?" she demanded, arms crossed and brow furrowed
"Well, what?" he asked innocently, knowing all too well how it would tick her off
"What do you mean, 'what'?" she whispered furiously "Ron says you weren't in the dorm, we didn't see you at breakfast, then you skip a practical Defence lecture, which you NEVER do... what do YOU think 'what'!" she fumed hushedly, but loudly enough towards the end to draw the attention of nearby readers
"This is a library, Hermione. Show some discipline!"
"Di -you!"
"Relax!" appeased Harry with a chuckle
"Don't you laugh, Harry Potter, this is serious!"
"Actually, that's my godfather" the green-eyed boy replied almost instantaneously, having heard, and made, that joke several times by now.
Hermione seethed and glared at him, making him snicker even more
"What?" protested Harry "This is fun!"
"Fun? FUN? Driving me insane is your idea of a good time? Do you have idea how worried I was?!" Hermione said with slightly moist eyes
Harry sobered instantly. He could tell her friend's reaction seemed ever so different from his regular teasing. In fact, seemed genuinely troubled.
"Hermione, what's wrong? I was just exhausted after Flitwick put me through the grinder and needed a break" he said, taking her hand in his.
The bushy-haired girl was a bit surprised by the still unusual physical initiative, but eased into his touch, feeling comforted, and even glad at the gesture.
"I thought you were mad at us...well me... specifically" the brunette explained
"What? No!" dismissed Harry, and feeling Hermione loosen noticeably "Why'd you think that?" he asked gently
"I thought that you blamed me for letting Pettigrew get away. I KNOW Ron does. Then I thought you just sick of me and him fighting all the time, and with me and this secret I've keeping about my schedule. And then you'd promised we'd do Runed together in the free period and didn't show up here either...Maybe you'd met up with Ron in the Courtyard, I don't know, we haven't talked since breakfast either... and that got me thinking I was the problem..." Hermione quieted down, but Harry understood. She was blaming herself, quite relentlessly it seems, that she'd upset him and that he wasn't talking to her.
"Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't realize the effect it could have on you". Harry pressed her hands
"So..." she asked tentatively
"SO" repeated Harry "As for your secret, let's just say I know how you're 'TURNING TIME'" he emphasized with a wink, as Hermione stared back in surprise "And-"
"Morning, Potter" a voice called out from behind him. The Gryffindor retracted his hands and turned to the source. It was Daphne, pointedly looking at him
"Bunking DADA, Potter? I thought you liked the subject" commented Tracey, swiftly sitting beside Hermione, leaving Daphne to sit with Harry, who looked at her friend a bit annoyedly, but sat down next to the seeker.
"What're you doing?" demanded Hermione with a furrowed brow
"Studying?" the younger Davis sibling answered in an obvious tone
"You've got the rest of the library for that. What're you doing here?" reiterated the sole female Gryffindor
"Relax, Granger. We come in peace" answered Daphne
"Where were you, Potter? We've been looking for you"
"And why were you looking for him?"
"I think Potter can speak for himself" said Greengrass, annoyed at Hermione always interceding whenever they spoke to the secret Black scion
"Guys" Harry spoke up urgently, wanting to avoid another round of bickering "let's not get distracted" he added, now accustomed to mediation, "what's up, Greengrass?" he asked, tilting sideways so as to face all three.
"We have a proposition" the Slytherin declared "the dueling club's tryouts are coming up. I say we practice together, improve all our chances"
"My chances seem fine to me" answered Harry tactfully
"Exactly. I've seen Harry duel, he's ages ahead of everyone!" seconded Hermione
"He's 'ages ahead'? Well I'd like to see that for myse-'" a semi-triggered Daphne began, before her friend took over
"We get you're better than us, you oughta be after Flitwick teaching you all these weeks" she conceded in a fast voice "and that we need you more than you need us. Even Daphne-"
"I can get through by mys-"
"In Pool 3" Tracey overrode again "Yeah, you can. But we're not gunning for that, and neither are you" she said with a jerk towards Harry, whom she was seated diagonally across
It had been announced that the Dueling Club was being reinstated, to be led by McGonagall and Flitwick. Try-outs would take place after the holidays, in view of the approaching half-yearly exams, and to give ample amount of time for students to prepare. The club was divided into three categories - Pools 1,2, and 3, Pool 3 was meant for beginners, the second for intermediaries, while Pool 1 was reserved for the best duelers in all of Hogwarts. This was done to make sure the students could progress at a suited pace. McGonagall would look after Pool 3, Flitwick would instruct Pool 2, while the top tier would be run jointly by both. Promotions and Additions would happen at the end of each semester.
"You're too good to waste time in the third tier, and so are we. We can practice together and jump to tier 2 from the start, without having to wait another semester or more." Daphne huffed "And I suppose to that for your...help we can help you back"
Not wanting the others to loom on how strained she seemed to admit wanting help, Tracey quickly expanded "You help to prepare for the tryouts, and Daphne will partner you in Potions and help you study for the half-yearlies. I can do the same in Arithmancy, which you only have an A in" offered Tracey
"Harry's already teaching me and Ronald, and he's-"
"Great, what time" Tracey asked chirpily
Noticing Hermione looking like she was about to blow a gasket, Harry quickly answered "See us at 6, third floor west wing"
RIIIIINNNNG!
A familiar bell rang, signaling it was time for class.
"See you at 6, Potter, Granger!" Tracey said in parting, as she and Daphne departed for Transfiguration
"Harry, are you su-"
"Tell me you don't want a new sparring partner" questioned the Potter heir, and Hermione's mouth shut as quickly as it opened. "Exactly. And - OH" he paused
"Harry?"
"Speaking of your sparring partner, this is going to go down SO well with him"
Neither needed Divination to predict what Ron's reaction was going to be like.
|Third Floor |Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry| Somewhere in the Scottish Highlands|21st November, 1993|
"Um, yeah - so" coughed Harry "how about we, uh-"
"Pardon me, Potter" interjected Daphne "But I was wondering if we could have a mock duel, first?" she proposed silkily, drawing scowls from the other two Gryffindors in the room, and a curious look from the boy she directed her question to, who was probably alerted by the tone. "Well, nothing, it's just really an assurance that we've placed our time and faith in the right person, see. If you really are capa-"
"Alright, let's go" answered Harry with a gesture to join opposite where he was, at the front of the classroom they were using, more calmly than she would have liked, slightly unnerving her. Still, keeping a straight face, she walked up to where he was pointing and assumed her preferred stance.
"I'll count down" volunteered Tracey before anyone else
"3"
"2"
"1"
"DUEL!"
At her call, both launched their spells, Daphne with a disarmer and Harry with a tripping jinx. Recognizing the incantation, the Slytherin initially scoffed, before blinking surprisedly, for there for too less time for any other reaction - the beam raced towards her at rapid pace, so quick that she did not have enough time for a shield. Instead, she spun on her heels to the side, with a grace achievable only with sincere practice, and the spell slipped past her, ringing against the dueling arena-shield Harry had put up, having bought his own ever since Flitwick began teaching him.
'Ok, maybe I did underestimate him'
She fired a second spell, a disarmer, noticing her opponent seemed content with letting her fire the opening salvo of the volley. A red jet of light sailed towards its target, but collapsing in its tracks as it thudded against a blue wall - Harry's shield.
Noting the sturdiness of the shield, Daphne upped the ante. With a rapidness of her own, fired three spells in quick succession, forming a triangular pattern. As they whistled past the room, the latter beams caught up with its predecessor, and all three jolted ahead together.
Harry ducked underneath and fired a stunner, before rolling on his side with support of his free hand. In a prone position, he fired a shield-breaker, before following it up with a disarmer as he positioned himself in his dueling stance.
Daphne was prepared this time, chanting 'Protego!,' as a light blue shield materialized at the tip of her wand.
CRASH! CRACK! ZAP!
She recoiled as the first spell made impact, before the second shattered her shield. She fell over as if shoved, and before she could react, she was struck with a red beam, and her wand sailed across the room and into Potter's waiting hand.
Ever since Harry had been injured by Were-Lupin, they (himself and the chamber entourage) had agreed to tweak his strategy. The focus was, in the short and intermediate term, to focus on hitting on the break. Harry's reflex and burgeoning reaction time would be used to land quick counterattacks. The focus was, summarily, shifted onto less complicated and quick-to-cast spells, such as disarmers, stunners, body-binds and tripping jinxes. Drilling the basics and providing him with an effective move set while he practiced the higher skills. These days, in his mock duels with Flitwick and McGonagall (and Sirius in the chamber, unbeknownst to the other two), Harry rarely used anything beyond those five, with the exception of the shield-breaker, the sole somewhat advanced spell, and too only for his current level.
Daphne bit her lip as she rose up. She'd just had her arse handed to her and she knew it. She walked over to her opponent and collected a wand, mumbling a small 'thanks' as she joined Tracey, ignoring the Weasel's sniggering.
To be honest, she'd expected to lose, considering Tracey's information was usually correct (owing to her obnoxiously nosy nature). but this was not something she was seriously considering. In about 15 seconds, Potter had won, effortlessly done two spells she couldn't cast, AND asserted just why he was in-charge.
And worst of all, he was being completely normal about it, as he started saying something about the stunning spell.
Oh, it would have been so much easier if he could act like a conceited, egomaniacal celebrity, and she could hate him in peace... But no, he was nothing but modest, and even understanding. Ironical as it was, not being able to find a reason to be mad at him seemed to make her, well...be mad at him.
With everything that had happened in the past few months, the now 14 year-old had to admit, as much as it frustrated her, that Potter wasn't at all what she expected him to be. He wasn't at all what she would have preferred him to be.
"Umm, Harry?" a nervous voice called out from next to him
"AAH!"
"AAAA!"
"Neville?! What are you doing here?!" exclaimed a flummoxed Harry, having just landed from a flight around the Hogwarts Grounds. They were at one of the terraces of the castle, somewhere in the west wing of the main building.
"H-Hi, I, wa-wanted to a-ask you something"
"Sure, what's up Neville?" he asked amiably, noticing the stuttering and the fiddling thumbs of his fellow Gryffindor
"W-well, I was in the l-library, studying about the Puffapods Sprout showed us and I kind of..." he mumbled something incoherently
"What?" questioned Harry, unable to decipher what the other boy had said
"Well I was reading how to harvest them and then I kind of her wa y gs wa ta abo"
"What? Neville, speak clearly!"
"I overheard you guys talking about training for the dueling club!" the blonde boy yelled out at once "And I want to train as well! I-I promise, I'll give it everything!"
Harry immediately knew what his answer was going to be.
It made him squirm with guilt, but it was better than saying yes and letting his already timid friend get humiliated. He looked at the other boy with a mixture of sympathy and sadness.
"Neville, I can't-"
"Please, help me" Neville replied desperately, breathing shakily
"Neville, listen to me... I CAN'T" stressed Harry "not while you haven't sorted out your wand"
"It's my dad's!"
"And that's precisely the problem! Your DAD'S! NOT YOURS!"
"I-I, can't let it go, Harry" shivered Neville "It's-it's all I have! My o-only connection to him..." he faded towards the end
Harry could see the struggle in his classmate's eyes, unwilling to let go of what was undoubtedly a cherished item.
"I told you before, and you saw it on your own when you used my wand... it's just not a match, mate" the seeker recalled the instance in the past where he had demonstrated how the other's current wand wasn't suited to him. After a brief pause, he gently began again "Neville, I get it"
"No, you don't, Harry!" exploded the Longbottom heir, startling his fellow Gryffindor "That's just it, no one gets it! Nobody can EVER get it! This - this, NO!"
And without a word, Neville sprinted away.
Harry was positive he saw the boy crying on his way out. There was definitely a lot more to the story, and he could already place a good guess on what it was.
Only Neville, and Neville alone could work through this problem, as sad as the situation was.
But Harry wasn't going to leave him hanging. He hurried off to his dorm, three urgent letters to send-off, one to within the castle, and two to Diagon Alley.
And that's a wrap!
I'll leave it up to you to guess whom all the three letters went to ;)
See you next time!