And here's the thirtieth chapter of "A Year Too Soon"! Enjoy!
* Review Response:
Clavyus, DarkRavie, mizzrazz72, mwinter1, Kiki's Stories of Awesomeness, Fury074, rickyslater, Kuman, Yaw613, nkh1, hellfire45, TheGreatBubbaJ, paink1ller, spirouFr, thank you for your reviews, folks!
Jostanos, who knows, who knows...
EveApplefield, as far as I remember, that was actually in the book as well... Truth to be said, there are quite a few inconsistencies, both in the books and in the films that become apparent only when you think about it for a bit.
magitech, a fair question, and the one I don't have any answers to.
spacecowboy2011, assuming I can write it, romance between Harry and the twins should kick off soon.
Guest, that's an interesting idea. I'll see what I can do with it.
Dragonjek, I don't really want to spoil what's coming, but there won't be much interaction with the basilisk on the account that it is sentient with all problems that come with it.
* AN: As always, great thanks to my friend Skelekitty for his help in polishing this chapter.
Also, the next chapter will be later than usual - probably around mid-October - as I would like to work a bit on my other stories. They've been lying forgotten and abandoned for long enough.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own "Harry Potter" franchise. No profit is being made. Same goes for any books, video games, anime or manga I may or may not use for ideas.
"speaking"
"parseltongue"
'thinking'
written text
spells
A Year Too Soon
Chapter XXX: The 'Heir' Strikes Again
"Hello, and… Uhm… Welcome to the first meeting of the Defence Against the Dark Arts study group." Harry said awkwardly to a dozen students that showed up. Most of them, quite understandably, were his fellow Slytherins, but there also was a couple of Hufflepuffs and even a single Gryffindor in this small crowd. "As we all might have noticed, Professor Lockhart isn't teaching us well." He continued, now with a little more confidence in his voice. "But DADA is not a subject that we should be neglecting, and if our Professor isn't going to teach us how to defend ourselves, we have to learn on our own." This declaration was met with nods of agreement. After taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Harry continued: "Professor Snape allowed us to use this classroom as long as it remains intact and no one gets hurt during our meetings. So, please, be careful."
"How will we be learning Defense?" The only Gryffindor in the room - a third year girl whose name escaped Harry - asked. "Will you be teaching us, Mr. Potter?"
"Uhm… No?" Harry replied, suddenly feeling very sheepish. "I'm afraid, none of us know DADA well enough to teach others; we'll have to learn everything from the books. We do have a few copies of textbooks from the previous years here. We can research useful spells from them. And we can practice those spell on the old dueling dummy the elves found somewhere." He said, nodding towards what looked like a breastplate and a helmet on a wooden cross in the far corner of the classroom. The girl seemed to be a bit disappointed to hear that there will be no 'proper' teacher, but accepted his answer nonetheless. "Any other questions?" Harry asked then.
"When will the meetings be held?" Susan Bones, one of the Hufflepuffs that came, asked.
"I suppose, every week at this time should be good enough?" Harry replied. "And, perhaps, another time during the Sunday evenings work?" He asked. Then, remembering that there was a quidditch match this weekend, he added: "Not this one, maybe? I'm sure many of you wouldn't want to miss the game." That seemed to be agreeable with everyone present. "Anything else before we begin today?"
"How are we going to do it?" Theodore Nott, one of the Slytherins from outside of Harry's clique, asked. "I mean, you said there won't be anyone taking the role of a teacher, Potter. Do we just try to learn any spells from the textbooks that look interesting?" Harry paused for a moment to think about it. This was a good question and he hadn't actually thought this through when he created the study group.
"Even if we will all be working with the same textbooks, it might be a good idea to share your findings with everyone." Harry said. Nott mulled over this for a second, before nodding. The green-eyed wizard waited for more questions, but it looked like none were coming. "Alright, let's get started then." He said, before taking a seat at one of the tables and picking up a second-year textbook that Professor Armstrong had used for her classes - he probably knew most of the things in there, but it wouldn't hurt him to rehearse the spells. Plus, Professor Quirrell hadn't been the easiest one to follow due to his constant stuttering even if he did teach the class decently. The others quickly followed his example, and soon everyone was perusing the DADA textbooks, looking for useful spells to learn…
All in all, Harry thought, the first meeting of the Defence Against the Dark Arts study group went pretty well. He himself might have not learned much today, but did help the second year to learn a few spells that they were supposed to know already but didn't, thanks to Lockhart being completely useless. And, much to his surprise, teaching Defense came to him much easier than explaining the intricacies of the Muggle world. He even enjoyed showing how to cast the spells correctly and seeing his underclassmen succeed in casting those same spells on their own.
He might not want to admit it to anyone, not even to himself, but he was actually looking forward to the next meeting of the study group.
~/ *** \~
Amelia Bones was already under the covers of her bed, ready to go to sleep when her house elf popped into the bedroom, telling her that Albus Dumbledore was floo-calling her. The witch certainly didn't appreciate being disturbed like this, but she knew that the Hogwarts Headmaster wouldn't be calling her at such an ungodly hour without a good reason.
"Tell him that I'll be there in a minute." The house elf nodded and popped out of the room. Letting out a heavy sigh Amelia got out of her bed and put on the first presentable robe she could find. Then she headed down to the floo room. "This better be important, Dumbledore." She barked at the man: being disturbed this late in the night left her in no mood for pleasantries.
"There is an emergency at Hogwarts, Amelia." The Headmaster said, wisely deciding that he should get straight to the point. "A student had been found petrified with Magic I'm unable to identify at this time. Next to him there was a writing on the wall, left there by a person claiming to the Heir of Slytherin, saying that school will soon be cleansed from those 'unworthy of Magic'." This vanished the drowsiness Madam Bones was feeling in an instant.
"Who was this student?" She asked, fearing to hear that it was her niece.
"Mr. Colin Creevy, a muggle-born first year from Gryffindor." Dumbledore replied. Amelia did her best to suppress a relieved sigh. She didn't know what she'd do if it was Susan who got petrified. Shaking her head to purge those thoughts, she asked her next question:
"Have you contacted the DMLE yet?"
"According to the deal we've made, I'm informing you about the emergency situation at Hogwarts first." The aged warlock replied. "I'm calling the Auror office next."
"Don't bother." Amelia told him. "I'll personally organize the teams to investigate this attack and, hopefully, arrest the perpetrator. Expect our arrival within an hour." Dumbledore nodded.
"Very well." He said, before terminating the floo-call. Madam Bones let out a deep sigh before turning on her heels and hurrying upstairs. She might not like working in the dead of the night, but she had work to do.
For Slytherin students Monday, November 16th, began at an ungodly hour in the morning as their Head of the House called for a meeting. As sleepy and grumpy wizards and witches gathered in the common room, they saw Professor Snape flanked by a pair of Aurors standing in front of the room's exit.
"Yesterday night a student was attacked within the halls of Hogwarts." The Potions Master began. "In order to find the criminal who did this and to ensure that the school is safe for everyone, the Headmaster and the DMLE are putting the castle on lockdown. Until the investigation is over, there will be no classes and no student will be allowed to leave their common room without a Professor or Auror escort. Your meals will be served here by house elves at the usual times." Raising his hand to silence the murmurs, the man continued: "Aurors have Headmaster's permission to question anyone they suspect to have been involved in yesterday's attack - with your guardian or myself present, of course. I expect your understanding and full cooperation." His speech was followed by a lengthy period of silence.
"Who this attacked student was?" A fifth year student asked, finally breaking this silence.
"Mr. Colin Creevy from Gryffindor." The Potions Master replied.
"Wait, what?" Draco Malfoy voiced his thoughts loudly from within the crowd. "Are you saying that we have to suffer this drama because some useless mu-..." That was as far as he got before Professor Snape silenced him with a quick spell.
"A weekend of detentions with Mr. Filch, Mr. Malfoy." The surly wizard said. "Whenever school resumes that is." Draco, of course, tried to protest his punishment, but without a voice he could only he could only articulate his disagreement expressively. "Any other questions?" Professor Snape continued, once again addressing all of the assembled students. There were none. "Very well then. Dismissed. Mr. Potter, please stay behind."
"Sir?" Harry asked as he walked up to his head of the house.
"I'd like you to ask whether the site of this second attack can help Lord Slytherin narrow down the possible location of the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets." The man said.
"Of course." Harry said with a nod. "Where did the attack happen?" Harry asked then as the two of them approached Salazar's portrait. Professor Snape then proceeded to describe the stop where petrified Colin Creevy had been found.
"Hm…" The Magical painting hummed. "It seems to be fairly close to where this fake Heir struck first. It is possible that a new entrance to the Chambers is located somewhere in that area, but it also might be a pure coincidence. I'm afraid I can't help you more at this time." Thanking Lord Slytherin, Harry translated what he said to Professor Snape.
"I see… I shall instruct my fellow Professors to be most observant when inspect that part of the castle. Thank you, Mr. Potter." He said after a few moments of thoughtful silence. Then he turned around and walked out of the Slytherin common room.
It was eleven in the morning, when Harry was approached by Professor Snape again. Apparently, the Aurors wanted to question him on his (non)involvement in the attack on Mr. Creevy. With a sigh, the green-eyed wizard set his textbook aside and followed his head of house. A quiet walk through the corridors led them arrived to a classroom, where Headmaster Dumbledore and a tall dark-skinned Auror were waiting for them.
"Thank you, Severus." The old warlock said. Professor Snape then nodded and left the room, leaving Harry on his own there.
"Please have a seat, Mr. Potter." The Auror said. Once Harry was seated, the man continued: "I'm Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, and I'm here to ask some questions about yesterday's incident involving your fellow student." He took a moment to clear his throat - this clearly not being the first time he'd had this conversation - before continuing: "Professor Dumbledore made us aware of the vow you made after Mr. Filch's cat had been petrified, and that this vow will equally exonerate you in this case. Unfortunately, for such a vow to count as an evidence of your innocence, it has to be observed by an Auror in charge of the investigation firsthand. Will you please repeat it, Mr. Potter?" Nodding, Harry repeated his vow. "Thank you, Mr. Potter." Kingsley said then. "This confirms that you aren't this 'Heir of Slytherin' felon."
"Thank you?" The young Potter replied, not sure how to respond.
"Now then." The Auror continued. "Perhaps you've seen any of your housemates acting weird around the time the attack on Mr. Creevy happened?" Harry furrowed his brow as he thought back to the past few days. Unfortunately, he couldn't recall anyone in Slytherin who would not act like their usual self.
"No, I don't think so." He said finally. This was followed by a rather lengthy pause.
"Maybe something that unusual happening around the castle?" Mr. Shacklebolt continued. "Such an attack almost certainly required some preparations. Perhaps, there were some signs of the 'Heir' preparing his attack that you might have seen?"
"I don't think so." Harry replied after thinking about it for a few seconds. "But the attack happened on the night after a quidditch game, right? Perhaps, the 'Heir' had prepared his attack while everyone was at the stadium?" He supposed.
"That sounds quite reasonable..." The Auror said. "I'll see if investigating the students that hadn't come to watch the game yields any results." After a brief pause he continued: "I think this would be all for now. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Potter." The young wizard nodded.
"Now, Mr. Potter, let me escort you back to the Slytherin common room." Professor Dumbledore said as he rose from his seat. Nodding again, Harry followed the man out of the classroom.
~/ *** \~
The classes finally resumed four days after the attack on Mr. Creevy and the Aurors remained within the castle until the end of the week. For all the good that it did. The crimson-robed wizards and witches have had just as much success in trying to determine who the 'Heir of Slytherin' was as did Hogwarts' Professors. That is, none. Nor were they able to locate the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets which, supposedly, was the staging ground for the 'Heir's' attacks.
Once the Aurors left, life at Hogwarts quickly returned to normal. And, unfortunately for Harry, he once again was a valid target for the Headmaster's attention. The man's seeming obsession with being in control of his life was... becoming rather bothersome…
"A lemon drop, Harry?" Dumbledore offered as soon as the young Potter entered his office. Harry refused the man's offer, of course. "Do you know why I've summoned you, my boy?" He then asked once Harry took a seat.
"Does it have anything to do with the 'Heir of Slytherin' business?" Harry asked.
"Alas, we still have no idea who they are or where the Chamber of Secrets is." Dumbledore replied. "No, Harry, I summoned you here for a different reason. December is almost upon us, and I feel it is a good time for me to remind you that the Yule party is a dangerous place for someone as young and inexperienced in politics as you are, my boy. I must earnestly insist you do not attend the upcoming one and stay here throughout the Christmas break." Ah, right, Harry thought. The invitations to the Yule party would be arriving shortly. He had honestly forgotten about this, thanks to everything that was going on at Hogwarts.
"Sir?" The younger wizard spoke. "Hasn't the previous year shown that having some fun at the party will not spell the end of me?"
"That may indeed be so. But your hasty and foolish decision to attend the event frequented by the people you are ill-prepared to deal with could've spelled the end of House Potter." Dumbledore countered. "It would take but a single scheming highbinder to trap you in an unfavorable, inescapable contract that would see you knutless and without a home or future. No, as your guardian, I cannot in good conscience allow you to expose yourself to such a risk unnecessarily."
"But, Sir!.." Harry tried to protest.
"My decision is final. I forbid you to attending the Yule party or leaving the castle during the break." The Headmaster said firmly. Still, Harry wouldn't be a true Slytherin if he simply walked away from a defeat without making his 'enemy' suffer even a little bit.
"In that case, Headmaster, it falls to you to explain to Dowager Longbottom and her esteemed guests why I'm not allowed to attend the Yule party this year. Especially when I've attended the previous one." Let the man deal with the political backlash of his own making, Harry thought. And given the close relationship between Houses Potter and Longbottom the backlash would be quite something…
"I'll handle that." Dumbledore replied.
"Was there anything else, Sir?" Harry asked, his voice making it clear that he wasn't happy with the man right now. Indeed, he'd rather have fun with his friends at the party and visit Diagon Alley over the holidays. Alas, the Headmaster, acting in loco parentis for him, really did have the power to force him to stay in the castle for the whole holiday.
"No, no, that would be all, my boy." The old warlock replied. "I believe, I've taken enough of your time as it is." Nodding, Harry stood up and made his way out of the Headmaster's office. Once he was riding the spiraling staircase, he allowed himself to let out a heavy sigh. Where did the man's overwhelming need to keep him away from social events of Magical Britain come from? At least, that wouldn't be a problem next year: as the sole member of the Noble House of Potter he could request emancipation upon his thirteenth birthday, and he fully intended to do that.
In the meantime, though, Harry was going to have a little revenge on the Headmaster for disallowing him to attend the Yule party. He was a Slytherin and he wasn't accepting a defeat without making his opponent's victory as costly as possible. Thankfully, he had already thought of an idea how to achieve that. He needed to talk to Neville. Hopefully the Longbottom scion would be able to influence his grandmother into putting Dumbledore under extra pressure for his decision.
~/ *** \~
Saturday morning greeted Slytherin students with a very interesting note on the notice board: the Dueling club was being revived at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, the one doing it was none other than Gilderoy Lockhart himself, which raised a question of just how useful this club would be - the man wasn't exactly known for his instructional lectures after all… Still, the note promised a demonstrational duel between Professors, and that was enough to draw even Harry's attention.
"Do you think we should come watch this duel?" He asked Flora and Hestia who had joined him at the notice board moments ago. "I'm not really sold on Lockhart teaching us how to duel properly, but a duel between Professors should be interesting to watch." The twins had to agree with him there: such a duel ought to be quite entertaining.
"Sure, why not?" Flora replied with a shrug. "And if it turns out that the instructions we're given at this club leave much to be desired we can always go back to studying Defense on our own." Harry nodded.
"That sounds reasonable." After a brief pause, he added: "I guess, I should inform the rest of our study group that there will be no meeting tomorrow." Again. First, there was the quidditch match. Then, the entire castle was put on lockdown due to attack on Mr. Creevy, and now this… It was almost like Fates themselves were against the DADA study group.
In short fifteen minutes after dinner ended, the Great Hall had undergone quite a transformation as it was prepared for the first meeting of the Duelling club. Gone were the long dining tables and a large golden stage appeared in along one wall. The floating candles were rearranged to provide most light over the said stage and the area directly in front of it.
Alas, the impressive preparations weren't likely to make the club decent, with it being led by the buffoon that called himself the DADA Professor. And, speaking of the devil, Gilderoy Lockhart, resplendent in robes of deep plum, walked onto the stage, and waved an arm for silence.
"Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!" He called. "Headmaster Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little dueling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions - for full details, see my published works." Ignoring the lack of reaction from the gathered students, he continued: "Now, without further ado, let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape. He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin."
Something was telling Harry that his head of house wasn't there out of the goodness of his heart. Rather, it looked like the Potions Master thought this was a convenient opportunity for him to hit the man with a curse or two without any repercussions. And, indeed, as Professor Snape walked onto the stage, he gave Lockhart a look that could send almost a grown man running away as fast as he could. The blond wizard, however, remained totally oblivious and continued with his 'lecture':
"Traditionally, a wizarding duel starts with opponents bowing to each other." With that he turned to face the head of Slytherin and they exchanged bows. Well, Professor Lockhart did - with much unnecessary twirling of his hands - Professor Snape simply jerked his head irritably. The two wizards then raised their wands and pointed them at each other. Once again, Lockhart did quite a bit of unnecessary movements in order to look cool. "As you can see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position." The blond wizard continued. "On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course. One. Two. Three..."
"Expelliarmus!" The Potions Master intoned as he sent a beam of scarlet light at Lockhart, who was waving his wand in an exaggerated manner and couldn't summon a Magical shield to defend himself against the incoming 'attack'. Of course, he could've simply dodged it, but the thought of doing that failed to enter his mind. Thus, he had his wand ripped out of his hand while he was blasted off his feet and almost thrown off the stage. The previously silent students were now cheering for Professor Snape, worrying about Professor Lockhart of just being wowed by the first wizarding 'duel' they've witnessed.
"Well, there you have it!" The blond man said as he got back to his feet. "An excellent Disarming Charm - as you can see, I've lost my wand and, thus, was defeated. An excellent idea to show this spell to our students, Professor Snape." And then Lockhart went on to say that he saw the Disarming Charm coming and let himself be hit to show what it can do - quite an obvious lie to those who paid attention to what he had been doing with his wand at that moment.
And, beyond that, Harry noted that the Disarming Charm was covered in the second or third year's Defense textbooks and, thus, it was already known by at least a half of the students that came to see what this Dueling Club was about. Yet, Lockhart intended for everyone to practice it in pairs.
"Let's go." Harry said to the twins.
"Are you sure?" Hestia asked him.
"Yeah. We can practice the Disarming Charm somewhere less crowded." The young Potter replied. "And with Professor Lockhart in charge, I highly doubt any other useful spells will be covered tonight." The girls thought about it for a moment, before finally agreeing that as long as Professor Lockhart was in charge, there wasn't much they could learn here.
And thus the three of them quietly slipped out of the Great Hall...
That's all, folks!
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