Reviews:
Jaysto: Thank you, I shall aim to give you more reasons to giggle in public.
gigamans57: The way I see it, the underage rule is mostly just for muggle-borns anyway, not to mention that other countries might not have the same rules. Besides, anyone with a year's worth of study (but is still under twelve) can compete. But mostly, it's just like how you can have world class karate matches and yet you can also attend an under twelve karate match. It's basically just a kids version.
Mitkon2001: Honestly, I agree completely with you. I think it depends on many things like the spells that are coming at you, your environment and so on, but dodging and shields have their benefits and cons. For example, you can't dodge a wide area spell but you can't shield against a killing curse.
SevenSpirits: Glad you like it,
Mikeblade: Yeah, but I don't charge people. I offer people the option to give me money and in exchange I give them early chapters and the ability to vote in polls, but if you don't pay then you still get the same chapters, just at a later date. For example, on my pat-reon this story is already on chapter 33.
kingsoud : He basically doesn't want him to be raised by a 'dark family' like the blacks, doesn't want to risk another dark lord.
BeyondTheDive : Yeah, I always like a character who knows what his flaws are.
Chapter 29 -
"Alright, Black?" A sixth Slytherin year asked as he walked past Hydrus and his friend. Hydrus simply gave him a nod before continuing to walk, it seemed like these days there was a permanent grin on the young Slytherin's face. Ever since his retaliation against the Weasley twins and winning the international duelling tournament, Hydrus had been treated with great respect by the other Slytherins.
"I could get used to this," Draco smirked as he walked next to Hydrus, greatly enjoying the attention and benefits that came with being Hydrus Black's friend.
"It's about time," Hydrus said with a pleased smile on his face. "The house of Black is finally getting the respect it deserves," He said, seeming as happy as ever.
"You deserve it, Hydrus," Daphne said, walking on his left with her hand in his. "We all know you've been working hard for it,"
"Well, it's not like it'd be that hard," Pansy snorted. "What would a bunch of foreign brats know about duelling? Any British pureblood could beat them easily," She added with a roll of her eyes.
"I didn't see you competing there, Parkinson," Daphne glared at her, joined by Hydrus.
"Like I have any interest in duelling," Pansy replied, unable to miss that Draco and the others had slightly moved away from her. "What?"
"If the foreign competitors are not providing me with adequate competition, then perhaps it should be you that I duel next," Hydrus said, staring blankly at her.
"What?! But I'm not..."
"I think that would be a wonderful idea," Daphne said brightly to Hydrus before turning to Pansy. "If the national competition is surely so lacking, then you would be a great help for Hydrus. Perhaps tonight in the common room? A good old-fashioned duel. Oh, we could set up a betting system,"
"I could handle that," Theo piped in.
"I'm not duelling anyone and you are not betting on me!" Pansy snapped.
"Then show some damn respect to the duelling champion," Theo rolled his eyes. "Honestly, you run your mouth and then get surprised when we snap at you."
"Shut up, Nott!" Pansy glared at him.
"Draco, control your girl or I'll do it for you," Hydrus said coldly.
"Hey! I..."
"Pansy!" Draco hissed. "Shut up!"
"But Draco," Pansy said, sounding somewhat hurt, though she mostly sounded annoyed. "I just..."
"Shut up!" Draco told her. "Hydrus's opponents were obviously skilled wizards and witches, it's insulting for you to say otherwise. He is the duelling champion, and you'll show him the respect that he deserves. Well...it's that or Daphne jinxes you."
"Don't be ridiculous, Draco," Daphne admonished. "I'd use a hex or a curse, not a jinx. Totally different," Pansy huffed but didn't say more, thankfully.
It wasn't much longer before the group arrived outside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, a minute or two of idle chatter followed until the Gryffindors arrived. Hydrus noticed Weasley and Longbottom glaring at him, something that put a smirk on his face. The other Gryffindor boys looked like they had swallowed a particularly sour lemon. He noticed two of the Gryffindor girls, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, were staring at him with awe while Liv had simply nodded to the group. Meanwhile, Hermione had actually walked up to him.
"Hello," She said politely. "I just wanted to congratulate you on winning the tournament."
"Thank you very much, Miss Granger," Hydrus said with a winning smile. "I appreciate it, it means a lot coming from a talented student such as yourself,"
"I...well...I'm sure I'm not that talented," Hermione blushed.
"I think you're simply being modest, Miss Granger," Hydrus took a step forward and leaned closer so he could stare right into her eyes. "You are a very talented witch," He said silkily, about to say more when Liv suddenly stepped in between the two.
"I suppose I should congratulate you as well," Liv said quickly. "So...um...congratulations."
"Hmm," Hydrus hummed, staring at her. "Thank you," He said, glancing back at Granger for a moment before seeing the irritated look on Liv's face. "You're interesting," He decided.
"Thanks for noticing," She said dryly, causing Hydrus to grin. Any further words were cut off as the door to the class opened to reveal Professor Quirrell, he stared at the students for a moment before gesturing them all to come in. The Gryffindors walked in first, followed by the Slytherins.
"The Gryffindors are amusing," Hydrus whispered to Daphne who simply smirked back at him.
"Alright, that is the end of our lesson," Professor Quirrell said. "Everyone may leave now, Mr Black, stay behind for a moment please."
"Maybe he wants your autograph," Draco grinned at Hydrus before leaving with the other Slytherins.
"You wanted to see me, Sir?" Hydrus asked as he walked over to Quirrell.
"Yes," Professor Quirrell said, looking thoughtful. "Doubtless, you've heard many congratulations already, yet I still feel the need to offer my own. Congratulations, Mr Black, duelling champion is indeed a most impressive achievement for someone your age."
"Thank you, Sir," Hydrus said with a small smile.
"Though, with that being said, there is always room for improvement," Professor Quirrell added. "I would still like to offer you those additional lessons if you're willing."
"Of course," Hydrus grinned. "Ready whenever you are, Sir."
"You have a free period, now, correct?" He asked but didn't wait for an answer as he pulled out his wand. "Now, given your nature as a snake speaker, I'd expect that your mother would have taught you the snake-summoning spell,"
"Of course," Hydrus snorted.
"Good, I'd have been disappointed if she hadn't," Quirrell responded. "Now, I will teach you to summon a different animal."
"Sir?"
"How do you feel about spiders?" Professor Quirrell asked. "The incantation for this spell is 'vocare aranearum', watch me, please." He waved his wand before jabbing it forward, summoning forth a large swarm of spiders which landed on the floor before forming a circle. "There is a similar spell that summons hundreds of ants which would then devour your target, obviously I'm not allowed to teach you that, though if you learn this spell quickly enough then I suppose I could be persuaded."
"I'll learn it," Hydrus said, a hungry look in his eyes as he stared at the spiders.
"Good," Professor Quirrell smirked. "Now, many people have a great fear of spiders or can at least understand why other people do, even in this country where you're extremely unlikely to run into a dangerous spider, with the obvious exception of magical ones like 'acromantulas' or the 'Green-vested throat puller'. The trick to this spell is not just learning how to summon the spiders, but also learning how to control them. Do you understand?"
"If I can't control the spiders then they're useless to me," Hydrus frowned thoughtfully.
"Exactly," Professor Quirrell nodded, "When one uses magic they must be in control of it,"
"Control yourself, control your magic, control your enemy." Hydrus recited.
"Ah, your mother's words?" Professor Quirrell grinned. "She's right, it's all about control. Do you have that control? Can you control your magic? Can you control yourself?"
"Definitely," Hydrus said determinedly.
"And today, we will be working on the levitation charm," Professor Flitwick announced. "Any questions, class? Ah, yes, Mr Black,"
"Sir, I already know that spell," Hydrus said matter-of-factly.
"Oh, in that case, perhaps you can demonstrate the spell for us?" Professor Flitwick suggested with a smile on his face.
"If you want," Hydrus shrugged before pulling out his wand and aiming it at the book in front of him. "Wingardium leviosa," He intoned, the book slowly began rising into the air until it nearly touched the ceiling, and then Hydrus slowly lowered it back down until it was eye-level with him. "Told you," Hydrus told Flitwick who was beaming at him.
"I shouldn't be surprised," Professor Flitwick chuckled. "One doesn't simply just become a duelling champion, do they? Excellent work, Mr Black, five points to Slytherin. I suppose I'll find another spell for you to learn. Perhaps the freezing charm, not the one that makes ice, mind you, I'm referring to the one that stops your target from moving. It's normally a second-year spell, but let's see if you can handle it."
"Thank you, Sir," Hydrus smiled, he waited patiently as Professor Flitwick began taking the rest of the class through the levitation charm. He was quite happy with his progress, in most of his classes he was on top and he was even getting extra lessons from one professor and now another was teaching him advanced spells, things were indeed going well for the heir of the Black family.
"It's ridiculous," Hydrus heard Draco complain for what felt like the hundredth time as they sat in the great hall. He was currently sitting at the Slytherin table with the other Slytherin's in his year, barring Daphne and Pansy who had decided to head to the toilet before coming here.
Today was Halloween, which meant that today Hogwarts was having a Halloween feast, the hall was decorated with floating pumpkins, each containing a candle inside. Fake bats and ghosts were decorating the walls, something that Hydrus thought was a bit stupid given the actual ghosts that occupied the castle. Pretty much all the ghosts had shown up to the feast, even Peeves had been allowed to attend, though he was to be kept in close contact with the Bloody Baron who was making sure the poltergeist would behave. Between the Baron and Hydrus, Peeves was on his best behaviour, which wasn't really much but he at least wasn't bothering anyone too much.
"Why must we celebrate these stupid muggle traditions?" Draco sneered, looking around.
"Food's nice at least," Crabbe grunted out, Hydrus couldn't help but somewhat agree with that. The food here was nice, the Halloween-themed food was amusing and there was much more variety of food than usual.
"I think that's the only saving grace," Theo snorted. "I'm with Draco, why do we have to celebrate it?"
"Exactly," Draco said quickly. "They don't make the muggle-borns celebrate the 'Day of the dead', why do we have to celebrate their stupid traditions? What's next? Do we have to dress up in costumes? They've no interest in our traditions," Draco sniffed before suddenly grinning. "Look at the Gryffindor table, Granger's not here."
"So?" Theo asked in a bored voice.
"Apparently, she argued with Weasley in charms and ran off," Draco smirked. "Pansy told me she was apparently crying in the bathroom."
"How interesting," Hydrus drawled, feeling as strongly about the subject as Theo, he glanced at the Gryffindor table and saw Liv was glaring at Weasley, who was shovelling his chicken legs into his mouth at a slightly slower pace than normal.
"Troll!" A voice shouted as Filch rushed into the hall, his cat held firmly in his arms as he looked around wildly, every pair of eyes in the hall staring at him. "Troll! It was leaving the dungeons, Headmaster! Troll! Big! Fat! Stinking troll!" He roared and suddenly the hall erupted into screams as many began panicking. This continued for a couple of seconds before Dumbledore raised his wand and a cannon-blast sound shot out, silencing everyone.
"Enough," He said, firmly and calmly. "Prefects will escort the students to their dormitories, teachers with me. The troll has apparently left the dungeons, we shall locate it. Calmly make your way to your dorms and stick together,"
"How the hell does a troll get in?" Theo wondered as they began following the prefects out.
"Someone probably let it in," Draco guessed. "Might have been those Weasles, they probably thought that it would be a fun prank or something. Bloody imbeciles."
"Shit," Hydrus's eyes narrowed once they were out of the hall. "Parkinson and Daphne weren't here, they don't know about the troll."
"Oh...well...I wouldn't worry too much," Theo frowned. "I mean, hopefully, if they come across it then Daphne will use Parkison to distract the troll long enough for her to get away."
"That's not funny," Draco replied.
"It's mildly funny but that's not the point," Hydrus said impatiently. "You two, come up with a cover story if anyone asks where I am, keep them distracted if you can."
"Wait, what?" Draco blinked.
"I'm going to go get Daphne quickly, she went to the toilet after charms so she'll likely be on the third floor," Hydrus said. "I'll get her and quickly come back,"
"What about Pansy?" Draco couldn't help but ask.
"What about her?" Hydrus replied before slipping out of the group of students and sneaking away.
Once he was far enough away he began rushing towards the third floor, almost running over a stray cat and accidentally running through a ghost on the way. Once there it didn't take him long to find the girl's bathroom, he quickly rushed in, his mouth open and ready to either offer an explanation for any girl that happened to be there or explain to Daphne why she had to come with him and potentially throw Parkinson at a troll. However, once he was inside, his mouth promptly snapped shut as he looked at the sight in front of him.
Granger was here, he absently recalled Draco telling him that she was crying in a bathroom, she was currently hiding and trembling under a bathroom sink, with tear spots on her face, and her hair seemed more frazzled than usual. Parkinson was on the floor next to her, sitting against the wall, a small cut on her forehead, perhaps Daphne had already proceeded with operation 'Parkinson bomber'. Unfortunately, it turns out she might not have as the troll was still here and wasn't exactly focused on Parkinson.
The troll was a massive lumbering oath with massive two-toed flat feet with disgusting yellow toe-nails. It had grey skin, large black and grey boils on its legs, a bald head with very large ears and a big, wide nose. It wore a brown loin cloth and a brown jacket, both of which looked really worn and used and smelt almost as bad as the troll itself. In one hand was a giant, wooden club that was raised high in the air while the other was covering his face from spell-fire. Daphne was currently on the right of the troll, throwing spells at it, while Liv Cooper was also here and tossing spells from the left of the troll. Though it wouldn't do much good, the troll was obviously a 'mountain troll', the most violent type of troll, and like other trolls, it wasn't very smart but it was strong and magically resistant, meaning none of their spells would likely do more than irritate it, they were only first-years after all. Though with it's back to Granger and Pansy, the two of them were obviously safe for now at least.
Liv had shot some red sparks that hit the troll in his left eye, causing it to roar in pain, it raised its head slightly and Daphne quickly shot a spell up its nose, making it cough violently. The enraged troll took a wild swing with its club, Hydrus quickly raised his wand and aimed it at her.
"Carpe retractum!" A bright orange cord of light shot out from his wand and wrapped around her waist, pulling her to him, and causing the club to swing violently past her. He caught her quickly while absently sending a blast of fire at the troll. "You're welcome," He told her before walking past her.
"Our spells aren't doing anything," Liv called.
"I know," Hydrus told her without looking back, aiming his wand up in the air and sending out several brightly coloured fireworks at the troll's face. "Get Granger out of here,"
"What about Parkinson?" Liv frowned, raising her wand and sending a spell that bounced off the troll's round stomach, not seeing a safe way to get to Hermione with the troll currently blocking them.
"What about her?" Hydrus asked before jumping out of the way of the troll's club as it smashed the spot where he used to be, creating a large crack in the ground.
"Hydrus, you have a plan?" Daphne asked, sending several spells at the troll.
"Yeah, distract it long enough for me to think of one," He replied, joining her.
"Good enough," Daphne replied.
"Trip it!" He ordered, sending a cutting curse at one of the sinks, causing water to shoot out near the troll's feet before shooting some more water out of his wand, his stream of water hit the troll, covering all of it while adding to the collection of water on the floor. Thankfully, Daphne was quick to pick up on what he wanted.
"Glacius!" Her freezing spell hit the troll, causing the water on him to turn into ice whilst also freezing the water on the floor. The troll grunted and took a step back when Hydrus hit it in the head with a fireblast, causing it to trip and fall on its back with a loud bang that shook the floor. Hydrus knew that with the amount of noise they were making, it wasn't long before someone would hear and help would come.
The troll, obviously not in a good mood since he was covered in bits of ice and was on the floor thanks to a trio of eleven-year-olds, was not happy at all with just staying down, in a fit of anger he raised his club and smashed the nearby toilet stalls, he raised himself to his knees before reaching in and picking up a toilet and chucking it right at Daphne. Daphne jumped to the side but wasn't safe as the toilet smashed into a nearby stall door, sending wood everywhere, including one large piece that shot out and struck Daphne across the head, knocking her to the floor.
Hydrus froze as he stared at her, he barely noticed Granger's shriek or the way Liv was continuing to send spells at the troll, nor did he put too much care into the way the troll had gotten to its feet. His gaze was focused on Daphne, lying on the floor, her eyes closed with her hair sprayed out on the floor, a gash on the side of her head. He saw the blood drip out of the gash, slowly crawling across her head and dropping harshly into the ground. A large footstep shook the floor, he barely made out Liv calling his name when he turned his gaze back to the troll as it raised its club, preparing to strike him, hurt him, kill him, just like it tried to do Daphne. Had it killed her?
'It tried to kill her,' A voice whispered in his ear. 'Hurt her. Kill her. Killed her. Hurt her. Killed her. Killed her. Hurt...him. Kill him. Hurt him. Kill him. Kill!'
Hydrus's wand rose and a blast of fire shot out, hitting the club, and leaving a flaming club in the troll's hand. It blinked stupidly at the now hot weapon in its hand, Hydrus didn't wait long enough for it to learn that holding hot things was bad and quickly moved into action.
"Carpe retractum!" He cast the 'seize and pull' charm again while moving to his left, looping his orange cord around the club before sending the other half of it around the troll's head. The cord pulled and the club bounced right off the troll's thick head, by this point Hydrus had positioned himself at a good enough angle for his next spell. "Depulso!" His banishing charm hit the troll's club, sending it once more at the troll's head, knocking the troll back, making him stumble onto one knee before Hydrus cast the spell again, repeating his earlier results, being hit in the head with a club the third time was what it took to knock the troll down onto it's back for a second time.
"I...wow!" Liv blinked, staring at Hydrus with wide eyes.
"Is...is it dead?" Hermione asked after a couple of seconds when the troll didn't seem to be moving, she gingerly climbed out from under the sink while Parkinson slowly got up.
"I...I don't..." Liv's reply was cut off when Hydrus shot a levitation charm at the troll's fire club and raised it into the air, tilting it so the heavy part was downwards. He slashed his arm downwards and the club shot down and slammed into the troll's head. "Hydrus, I..." She trailed off when he raised the club again before repeating the same thing, slamming the club hard onto the troll's head. "Hydrus, stop it! It's knocked out!" She shouted at him, not that he appeared to hear as he raised the club again and slammed it on top of the troll a third time, then a fourth and a fifth.
"We need to stop him!" Hermione yelled, wincing when another club strike dented the troll's head.
"Why should we?! Let him kill it!" Pansy yelled back, though she was noticeably trying not to look.
"Goddamn it!" Liv cursed around Hydrus's eighth strike. She took a deep breath, shoved her wand into her pocket, rushed forward and shoved him against the nearest stall door, causing his spell to end, even if she did time it quite horribly as the club was already in the air and ended up landing on the troll again. Her eyes widened when she saw Hydrus's narrowed gaze turn on her, she felt his wand poke into her stomach a second later. She raised her right hand and pressed her palm against his forehead, trying to act quickly as his wand was starting to feel hot and she didn't fancy a stay in the hospital wing.
A gasp escaped Hydrus's mouth, his head suddenly tilting upwards and he slumped against the door, sliding down it and sitting on the floor. He blinked repeatedly, staring up at her with complete and utter bewilderment. She removed her hand and took a step back, taking a deep breath as she did so. He stared at her for another moment before he shot up, quick as a viper, grabbing her hand with his free hand and shoving his wand into her neck. She froze and remained completely still when he placed her hand back on his head.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, sounding quite worried. Hydrus ignored her and pulled Liv's hand off his head, staring at it like it was a particularly confusing puzzle. He put it against his head again and frowned, he tried a second time, then a third.
"Do it again!" Hydrus told her impatiently. "Do it!"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Liv said quickly.
"Don't lie to me!" Hydrus shouted, shoving her hand away and growling at her. "How did you do it?! Tell me!"
"I didn't do anything,"
"You..." Hydrus stopped himself just as the sound of footsteps made its way into the room, Liv took a step back as she stared at him. Liv gulped, Hydrus looked ready to rip her throat out and she didn't want to tip over to that point. He glanced at Daphne before looking back at her. "This is not over," He told her, lowering his wand before the doors quickly opened, revealing Professor McGonagall, Snape and Quirrell. The trio looked stunned as they took in the sight of a damaged bathroom, a flaming club covered in what appeared to be blood, a seemingly dead troll with a dented head that was also covered in blood and four students with various states of damage. "She needs medical attention," Hydrus cut them off before any of them could say anything, diverting their attention to Daphne.
Professor McGonagall quickly conjured a stretcher and levitated Daphne into it before turning to the other students.
"The three of you will follow us to the hospital wing, there had better be a good explanation for this."