Harry Potter and the Founders Vault
Disclaimer: As usual, I am not JK Rowling
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The Quidditch Club and the Unforgivable Curses
It was later on in the week after school had started that Harry and Harper had to move the snake eggs the Flamels had given them from Harry's trunk to the nursery in the Chamber, the two having a lot of discussions on how to do it and had concluded going very early in the morning and using Harry's Invisibility Cloak to hide them.
Now they had placed the eggs where they could incubate.
"So, from reading this, here the nursery will keep them warm enough and should they hatch, keep the baby snake inside," Harper said. "From the information the Flamel's gave us, the Horned Serpent should be first – around, maybe, Christmas, while the Runespoor will be a couple of months later, but this is all an estimate."
"We'll have to get down to the Chamber as much as possible to check," Harry said.
"We can make sure to check every day," this was Rowan; Rowan and Myrtle had followed the two down into the Chamber.
"Thank you," Harper said as they moved out of the nursery and into the outer area, the dueling room. Harper's eyes went to the sword and shield of Salazar, but quickly ignored it. She didn't want Harry to see her interest in them now that she was training with Hogwarts. He needed to be taken completely by surprise for her challenge.
"What was Sasha's reaction to the eggs?" Harry asked as she folded his Invisibility Cloak and put it in his backpack.
"Oh, she is very excited," Harper said, having been surprised by the giant snake's reaction, but Salazar had apparently had a lot of snakes in this Chamber, which had gone down to one over the years. Sasha was more than happy to have company again.
"Mistress," Harper heard, as they got to the main Chamber. "Are the eggs safe?"
"Yes, mama snake," Harper joked with the giant creature, who didn't seem phased by the nickname.
"Good, those two will be so wonderful to have. Master had them as well. In fact, he made his daughter's wand from shavings of the horn of the Horned Serpent," Sasha said.
"That's interesting," Harper mumbled, making a note never to tell Ron about the eggs.
"Now the next snake you should get…" Harper giggled as Sasha listed off some snakes; some she knew from Newt and others she had looked up since learning of her ability. There were a couple she had never heard of and made a mental note to look them up.
"What's going on?" Harry asked, seeing and hearing the hissing.
"Sasha is listing the other snakes we should get," Harper said, to a chuckle from her brother. "We'll work on it, Sasha. But we need to get to breakfast before we are missed."
Rowan and Myrtle had already flown through the ceiling into the awaiting bathroom high above; Harry and Harper had to climb up their former-makeshift ladder. Hermione had originally made it, but over the last year they had strengthened it and made it better. The Flamels had really enhanced their way in and out too, so the ladder no longer moved as they climbed and stayed steady against the wall.
"How exactly did Salazar Slytherin get in and out of the Chamber?" Harry asked once they were at the top and Harper closed the entrance. Harry could not see the Founders of Slytherin house climbing out a ladder like they did and back then, Sasha shouldn't have been big enough to lift him out the way she must have done for Tom Riddle.
"I'll have to ask Sasha," Harper said as she put her own backpack over her shoulder.
The two said goodbye to their ghost friends before heading out of the bathroom and towards the Great Hall. But before they entered Cedric came over.
"Hufflepuff table!" Cedic stated quickly, "we have a meeting we have been waiting for you two for," Cedric confused the two with this, but they went towards the Hufflepuff Table anyway. Hermione and Neville were already sitting there along with Susan Bones, but several Gryffindors they knew along with Ravenclaws and even some Slytherins were there, too.
"What's going on?" Harry asked Hermione as he sat next to her. Dean was on the other side of Hermione, so Harper took a seat next to Susan on the other side of Harry. Neville was across from her, and Cedric squeezed in next to her.
"Not a clue. They have just told us all to sit here," Hermione said, indicating Cedric and some other older students Harry recognized.
"So, I will cut to the chase," Cedric said, seeming to be the speaker of the group. "We have all been talking and while we think it's amazing the Tri-wizard Tournament is back and we're hosting it, we also think it's a rip off that the Quidditch Cup has been cancelled for one student to be able to compete."
"I can see that," Harry said after a moment, making Harper, Hermione, and Neville all look at him. Harry's dislike of this sport was very well known, after all, and the three had heard his rants more than others. "Honestly, I think it's a crime Quidditch is the only sport available here. Only seven people per house get to compete in a sport? There's not even a dueling team. If there was, me and Neville would be wining Hogwarts gold."
Neville gave a big smile as Harry included him in that and Harry held out his fist to Neville. "Bump it," Harper whispered to him, seeing Neville didn't get the gesture but Neville did as he was instructed.
"So, you agree that Quidditch should be reinstated?" Cedric said.
"I can't really see why not," Harry said with a shrug, noticing the relived looks from the other older students who Harry realized were all from the Quidditch teams now; even Ginny and the Weasley twins were standing nearby.
"Then you two will be willing to talk to Professor Dumbledore about it?" Cedric asked.
"Us two?" Harry paused at that.
"Why us?" Harper asked, getting she was included with Harry. "Neither of us are players, and Harry is known to dislike the game. Wouldn't it mean more coming from you all?"
"You two seem to have a special relationship with the Headmaster," Cedric said, and the two couldn't deny that.
"Plus, after everything last year it makes sense for the two of you to be the voice of the students," it was a Gryffindor named Angela who said this. "You were the ones who organized an entire school to save Buckbeak."
"They have a point," Hermione said to the two. "Would it hurt for you two to go to the Headmaster's office and have a word with him on behalf of the student body."
"I want it clear this doesn't mean my views on Quidditch have changed," Harry said to everyone, meaning understood.
"That means we'll do it," Harper added and got a bit of a cheer. "But not until lunch. We need breakfast right now, after all." The students understood as they thanked the two and went off to their own tables, leaving only Hufflepuffs and the Fab Four at the Hufflepuff table.
"We have our first defense class today," Susan said, the comment directed at Harper and Neville. They hadn't had defense yet.
"We do too," Hermione said. "Right before dinner. Everyone who has had Moody so far seems impressed though. It's great we have someone who really been out there to teach us how to defend ourselves."
"We'll see. Some people who work taking down criminals can make horrible teachers," Harry said, having heard a lot about Professor Moody who all students called 'Mad Eye' to each other. He knew Tonks did well, but she was early on in her career. This was someone hardened, who had lived through a war and the aftereffects.
"Well, we'll let you know, at lunch" Harper said, giving her brother a smirk. Harper and Neville had defense right before lunch, after all.
"And I got to get to Herbology," Harry said after he shoved down the rest of his breakfast. "NEWTs are difficult, and I got two this year."
"I got one too," Harper said as Harry waved off.
"It's still amazing you two are so far ahead," Cedric said with a laugh as the group the talked and ate some more, before they, too, had to rush to class.
-Harry Potter-
Defense Against the Dark Arts class for the Fourth Year Hufflepuffs and Slytherins was the last class before lunch. Harper sat with Neville, Susan, Daphne, and Tracey in a row as they waited for Professor Moody. Everyone was chatting a little, wondering what to expect as the man came in with surprising speed, considering he was missing a leg.
"You can put those away. Those books you won't need," Moody said in his gruff voice, and everyone was a little too fast in putting their books away. Harper closed her book and watched the man carefully. "So, I had a letter from Professor Lupin. Apparently, you all have had a good education on facing Dark Creatures but lacking in facing dark curses."
Harper tilted her head; she couldn't disagree they had done little to combat dark curses last year or any other year – at least in Hogwarts classes. Her defense class in Grand Canyon Academy of Magic had gone over appropriate shields and defenses to Dark Curses most wizards and witches should know, so she wondered if this would be similar, "…specifically, the darkest of curses," Moody concluded.
"What are you on about?" Daphne asked and regretted it when the artificial eye turned to her, unblinking.
"The Unforgivable Curses," Moody said. Harper kept her face poised but could see others seemed shocked. "The Ministry says you're too young to learn, well I say you need to be prepared. Constant vigilance!" His sudden call made most of the class jump, but he continued like he hadn't said anything at all. "Who can give me an unforgivable? How about you?" Moody pointed right at Susan. "Ms…?"
"Bones," Susan said.
"Amelia's niece," the Professor said back, and Susan nodded. "She did well during the war. Put away many a Death Eater. Well, don't disappoint your aunt. You must know one curse."
"Urm… my aunt told me about one. The Imperius curse," Susan said.
"Ah yes, yes that one is quite a headache for law enforcement," Moody said as he produced a gar from his desk; it contained a large spider – possibly a house spider judging by its size. "The curse can put anyone under your will. Many people claimed to be under the curse during the war. Made it very hard to tell who a Death Eater was and who wasn't," he pulled a face at this, "so many have gone unpunished for betraying their master. Now…" he took the spider out of the jar, holding it in his hand. "Imperio!"
Moody pointed his wand at the spider, which instantly seemed to bend to his will. "And just like that, he's completely in my control…" Moody waved his wand, having the spider go around the room, jumping on people; some people laughed, others screamed and hid. Harper watched, biting the inside of her lip, unsure what to make of this lesson "What should I have it do next? Jump out a window?"
The spider was very near an open window and suddenly everyone was very quiet.
"No?" Moody said, and made the spider return to him. "Complete control. There are some who say they only did the bidding for You-Know-Who under this curse. The Imperius Curse can be fought, and I will be teaching you how, but it takes real strength of character and not everyone has that. It's better avoid being hit with it if you can. Constant Vigilante!" Moody yelled that again, making the students jump again. "Now any who can give me the second?" again, he moved on like nothing had happened.
Moody was asking the room, but his eyes were still on Harper's table – directly at Neville, who noticed this and seemed nervous as he reluctantly raised his hand.
"Well… um… the Cruciatus curse," Neville said, a little quietly.
"Your name is Longbottom?" Moody said, and Neville nodded. Moody made no other inquiries – although the ghost of a smirk appeared on his face as he'd asked.
"Well, this needs to be a bit bigger for you to get the idea. Engorio!" Moody's spell made the spider larger, and then he shouted "Crucio!"
The spider squirmed on Moody's hand and if it could speak, Harper was sure the thing would be screaming. Not wanting to look, Harper turned to see her friend was nervous and even upset by the spell. Moody continued it longer than necessary to show the spell.
"Stop it!" Tracey was the one to call this, but Moody didn't seem to be listening as he continued the curse on the spider.
Harper took her wand out of its holster and let it go; she knew it would sense the dark magic of an Unforgivable and send a curse right at Moody – which it did, something her wand seemed to like to do on their defense teachers. It was enough for Moody to stop the spell and look at Harper.
"Thunderbird tail feather. Hates dark curses," Harper said, but put a hand on Neville's shoulder and the boy gave her a smile.
"Yes," Moody said, his good eye squinting in concern at Harper for this. "Of course... I wasn't watching. CONSTANT VIGILANTE!" Again, the call made the students jump and Harper raised an eyebrow as she took control of her wand again, putting it back in its holster. "Maybe you, Ms. Evans, would like to give us the final Unforgivable curse?" Harper raised an eyebrow slightly at the fact Moody knew her name but hadn't the others, but besides that, didn't let her surprise show.
Harper could feel the eyes on her, since everyone knew what it was and her own connection to this one. "Avada Kedavra, the killing curse," Harper said, staring at the teacher.
"Exactly," Moody said and then pointed his wand at the spider. "Avada Kedavra!" a green light shot at the spider, it rolled over, legs curling, dead instantly.
"Not pleasant. And there's no counter curse. There's no blocking it," Moody stated simply. "Only one person has ever survived it. I believe you all know him, Ms. Evans."
"My brother," Harper said.
"Indeed," Moody smirked.
"But… that's not exactly true," Harper continued.
"What?" Moody asked.
"No blocking it," Harper said. "If you can get a solid object between you and the spell so the spell hits that object instead, you have effectively blocked it. There is no magical way to block it with a shield but there are ways."
Moody stayed silent for a moment, but then chuckled. "10 points to Slytherin for your cunning, Ms. Evans. Avada Kedavra, a curse that needs a powerful bit of magic behind it, you could all get your wands out now and point them at me and say the words, and I doubt I'd get so much as a nosebleed. But I'm not here to teach you how to do it."
"You also need the will," Harper whispered to her friends; it shouldn't be so easy to do the Unforgivable on even a spider. The fact Professor Moody was able to showed he had the will to use those curses and that worried her. Yes, a lot of law enforcement who had to track down people who use these curses figured out how to use them; fighting fire with fire, but being able to show it off in front of students without the life or death situation was odd.
"Something you'd like to say to the class Ms. Evans?" Moody asked and Harper frowned. Seemed his ears were good even if the rest of his body had damage.
"I was just saying for those spells to work you have to have the will. You actually have to want to kill or cause pain or control the person," Harper said. "It can't be half-hearted."
"Vey true, you seem very knowledgeable. Don't tell me, you're researching on your own?" Moody said.
"My brother and I take extra defense classes during the summer at home," Harper said; while their defenses classes hadn't shown them or touched too much on the Unforgivables, they had been a part of a packet of curses to know to avoid – especially since those curse would land you right in jail in all 50 states if used on a person and, most of the time, on animals as well.
"Well, good, good. Can't ever be too over prepared. CONSTANT VIGILANTE!" Moody yelled again. Harper now rolled her eyes at the shout. "Now, I wasn't going to start training you how to fight off the Imperius curse until next lesson, but since you have the knowledge would you like to try now?"
"Why would I?" Harper asked.
"Because if you successfully throw off the Imperius Curse on the first try, I will give Slytherin a 100 points," Moody said, and all the Slytherins in the room gave a whistle. After a moment, there was a chant of 'do it' from the students; even Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini joined in.
"Come on Harper, no one's will is stronger than yours," Tracy said, "or Harrys."
"This is peer pressure," Harper said, but gave a shake of the head as she went to head to Moody.
"You don't have to," Neville said, he alone not wanting Harper to do this; he still seemed off from the display of the Crutiatus curse.
"It's fine Nev, but I won't promise those points," Harper said as she stood before the professor. "Go for it, sir."
Moody held up his wand and pointed it at Harper. "Imperio!" Moody called; and the spell hit into Harper.
Harper knew what she was supposed to feel; she knew Moody will was supposed to start taking over her own, that she was supposed to become suggestive to his commands… but that didn't happen. The link she shared with Hogwarts, the one that had surprised her when she first got here in first year but now felt comforting and a part of her, surged; she felt extra power enter her body and into her mind. So, as Moody told her to start clucking like a chicken, she didn't move.
"What? No," Harper said, shocking the man. Harper knew she made a mistake at that point. She should have pretended to go along with it and look like she was fighting it off, but the entire thing surprised her. She had never felt Hogwarts defend her like this and she knew this had to be part of her and Harry's connection to the magic of this place. No one could control them while they were inside this building.
"What?" Moody seemed in total shock and for those seconds seemed like someone else entirely. "Well… you are surprising Evans," he seemed to compose himself quickly as there was a cheer from the Slytherins in the room as they started to chant 'points, points, points'. "Fine, fine… a deal is a deal. 100 points for Slytherin."
The Slytherins went into a roar of cheers and started to clap. As Harper went back to take her seat, several got up to pat her on the back and tell her good job. As she sat, Daphne turned to her. "How did you do that?" Daphne asked but Harper shrugged her shoulders; she, of course, knew what had happened, but she wouldn't tell her friends here this. She needed to talk to Harry first.
"Enough, enough!" Moody yelled, waving his wand to make a bang to get their attention. "I think it's time I tell you all about the Unforgivables and how to avoid them, what to know about them, and best of all, constant vigilance!" And so, the rest of the lesson, they spent taking notes on the Unforgivables.
As they exited the classroom at the end of the lesson, Harper could hear the excited chatter from others; most talking about the class, a lot about her display and she knew that would go around the school quickly. Her eyes were on Neville though. He didn't look good.
"I wonder what's for lunch. I am starving," Neville mumbled, but didn't sound convincing.
"Are you okay?" Harper asked, putting an arm around Neville.
"Fine," Neville said, his voice a little louder than normal.
Before Harper could say more an odd clanking noise came up from behind them and they turned to see Professor Moody coming up to them. Neville's eyes went wide and whatever color was left in him, drained away.
"It's alright sonny," Moody said. "Why don't you come to my office? Come on…."
"Unless he's in trouble, I think he should stay with his friends," Harper said, keeping her arms around Neville. Tracey came besides Daphne, giving Neville a nod and a warm smile.
"Agreed," Daphne said, going to Neville's other side and taking his other arm.
"No trouble at all. Just thought a nice cup of tea would do him good," Moody tried.
"Thank you, sir, but I would like to stay with the girls," Neville said, and Moody nodded, backing off as the four left.
-Harry Potter-
Finding Harry and Hermione after the class, the four said their goodbyes to Tracey and Daphne and instead of going to the Great Hall, went to the Room of Requirement. The other three had started to put their own style into the room; Hermione, happy to learn she could practice conjuring here, had made a nice homework section with bookcases, and had put out some of her alchemy equipment. Meanwhile, Neville had put his exercise equipment that the Flamels had given him, and Harry had added a dueling room to the place.
Harry had been spending a lot of time in the Vivariums as well. Harper had heard him mumble once or twice about needing small dragons.
"Seriously? The Unforgivables? I almost can't believe it," Hermione said.
"I just… that spell…" Neville started, but then stopped.
"You don't have to tell us," Harry said, realizing there was more to Neville's reaction than they knew. "Dobby!" There was a pop and Dobby appeared in the room. "Hi. Do you think you can go get us some comfort food please?"
"Absolutely, Master Harry," Dobby said.
"Oh, and where is the headmaster?" Harper added.
"Master Dumblydoor is with Mistress McGonagally in his office," Dobby said. "The password to enter is Cockroach Cluster." Dobby popped away.
"Cockroach Cluster?" Harry asked.
"It's a sweet... candy," Neville mumbled.
"Did he really call Professor McGonagall 'McGonagally'?" Hermione asked, a small smirk on her face.
"He does call the headmaster 'Dumblydoor'," Harper shrugged.
"True. Why did you want to know, anyway?" Hermione asked.
"Well, we promised we'd go speak to the Headmaster," Harry spoke up, knowing why Harper had asked where he was. "We'll be back soon."
"Go. Neville and I will have a nice lunch here," Hermione said, giving the siblings a nod as the pair left the Room of Requirement.
"I can't believe you fought off the Imperius Curse so easily," Harry said to Harper when they were alone, heading upwards to the Headmaster's office.
"The thing is, I didn't," Harper mused as they walked, making Harry look at his sister in surprise. "When Professor Moody cast the curse on me, I felt extra magic enter me from Hogwarts itself. The school magic protected me."
Harry took a breath as Harper told him that.
"Do you think she would protect me too?" Harry asked, wondering the same thing.
"You have the same connection as me. I don't see why not," Harper said. "But I am sure you will find out this afternoon."
Harry paused as he knew Harper was probably right – there was no way their new defense teacher wasn't going to try the same thing on him; he also knew he had the same connection with Hogwarts as well. The only reason he did not dream with her was because of his dreams with Merlin, Arthur, and Godric instead.
"What should I do if I am protected? Pretend to be under his control?" Harry asked.
"Do you think you could?" Harper asked and Harry gave a nod at that. He was way too strong-willed to pull off being mind-controlled. "Maybe make it look more like you fought it off more than I did. Or don't. It came as a surprise to me I couldn't act. You doing it won't be the biggest thing." Harry gave a nod, knowing he had options he had to think. He also had to decide how good of an actor he was. "Cockroach Cluster."
Harry almost was shocked as Harper said it before realizing they were in front of the Griffin that protected Dumbledore's office. The statue moved, showing them the staircase and the two went up to the familiar office area.
The door to the office was slightly ajar, so the two could see Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall were sitting talking to each other. They seemed to be having lunch, and tea with them. Harry gave a knock on the door and the pair seemed almost startled as they turned to the doorway.
"Sorry to interrupt," Harry said as he pushed open the door slightly to show he and Harper were here. "But we are here on behalf of the student body."
Professor Dumbledore tilted his head slightly, a twinkle in his eyes.
"Really?" Albus asked the two. Minerva, meanwhile, remained silent.
"We've been selected to talk to you about an issue. Apparently, we are the unofficial President and Vice President of the school," Harper said, almost chuckling as she said this and wondering slightly why the Head Boy and Girl weren't selected to do this, but then also wondered who the Head Boy and Girl was this year. It didn't seem to be a big deal this year or any year except for when Percy made a deal out of it.
"Well come in," Albus said, waving his wand and two chairs appeared for them. The tea pot poured two more cups of tea. "Help yourself to some food. Now what issue is it that brings you two to me?"
"It's about Quidditch," Harry said and Professor McGonagall, who had been taking a sip of her tea, coughed it up. "I know. I have not changed my opinion on the sport – if you can call it that…"
"Harry," Harper said giving her brother a little shove. "It's just, a lot feel it's unfair to cancel something everyone – well almost everyone – enjoyed for one person in the school to compete in a tournament. We know this tournament is bringing together three schools and people are excited about it, but a lot are upset not to be able to play or watch Quidditch."
"Sports do bring people together too. Quidditch is a safe place for houses to play out rivalries and also bring excitement to the student body," Harry continued. "I am a sport person, if not a Quidditch person, and I always found it unfair that only Quidditch was played here. Everyone deserves a chance to be able to be a part of a team, to work together."
"I see your points," Albus said. "And we looked into continuing the Quidditch Tournament along with the Tri-wizard Tournament, but we found it impossible. Quidditch takes a lot from every member of the staff; resources, scheduling when teams can practice and use the field, and safety – especially with Madam Hooch taking a year sabbatical we just don't have the ability to keep it going."
"Madam Hooch is taking a sabbatical? Who is teaching the first years to fly?" Harper asked. Harry and Harper hadn't done the flying lessons here, but they knew Madam Hooch was the one who did them for the First Years and older students, should they volunteer to continue.
"The Head of Houses are teaching safety to the first years," Professor McGonagall supplied.
"What if the students took some of the responsibility teachers usually did?" Harry asked. "The captains of the Quidditch teams could certainly help with scheduling. There are students here who know the rules backward and forward to be referee in Madam Hooch's place."
"Ron Weasley for one," Harper added. "And Seventh Years currently have the spell knowledge to help with safety concerns. Although I do sort of remember being dragged onto a Quidditch pitch and no one doing anything…" Harper added this with a sly look to Professor Dumbledore.
"That would help," the Headmaster mused, not commenting on Harper's rebut, "but there is also one other concern. After the second task, the Quidditch Pitch will need to be repurposed for the Third Task, meaning we only have a half of year with the pitch intact – not enough time to do a full tournament," the Headmaster didn't add anymore onto the reason why the pitch would be needed so the pair knew not to question it.
Harry and Harper frowned at each other – the Headmaster had a point on that one; while schools in America had multiple sporting events, they didn't host every single game playing with other schools. Their field were also easy to set up and take down appropriate equipment. Quidditch was a lot harder to use for anything else; if the hoops had to be taken down and the field changed, it would not be easy to complete the normal inter-house championship, which went right to the end of the year.
"Okay, maybe the normal interhouse championship is off, but maybe there is a way to let people who want to play Quidditch, play Quidditch" Harry said, his mind working quickly.
"Please explain," Professor Dumbledore said.
"A Quidditch Club," Harper said, getting where her brother was going. The pair were also so in sync, they were almost like the Weasley twins at times. "Just people who love the sport, playing against each other, and people who want to watch, watching."
"Anyone who would want to play has to be able to. It can't just be the normal house teams," Professor Dumbledore pointed out.
"The club could have people sign up as teams. You tell us when we can use the pitch and we can do multiple games. Although we might need some type of time limit," Harry mused, knowing Quidditch games could last for a while until one of the Seekers caught the Stitch. Sometimes a match could last all day, even here at school.
"Two hours or until the Stitch is caught," Professor McGonagall added. "This way we can do multiple games on weekends. I would say five-a-day give or take sounds about right."
"And you'd need a staff advisor," Professor Dumbledore said turning to turning to his deputy.
"I volunteer," the Transfiguration teacher added. "I was Gryffindor's Quidditch Captain in my day, after all," she added, a little smugly. Harper and Harry shared a look at that, surprised by this revelation.
"Well then, that's settled," Professor Dumbledore said. "I will support the creation of this club for this year only. Next year, it's back to our normal tournament, given the Tri-wizard Tournament is only for this year."
"Thank you," Harry and Harper said together, finishing off the tea they had been offered and standing up. They needed to go and tell the others.
-Harry Potter-
Finding Cedric and several of the others from that morning's meeting in the Great Hall, word quickly spread on what had happened. Of course, some seemed disappointed that the normal championship would not happen but were happy at least the game would be played, and soon excited chatter went around the Great Hall faster than anything else.
"So, I need a team," Cedric said. "Harper, want to be my Keeper?"
"Aren't you just going to use the Hufflepuff team?" Harper asked.
"Nah, we are some of the bests in the school, and this will have players of all talents in it. Better to have a new team," Cedric said. "Come on, let me share this with you."
"Harp," Harry said looking at his sister, but Harper shrugged.
"Why not?" Harper said. "You'll have to get my broom back from the Weasley twins though."
"On it," Cedric said, jumping up, kissing Harper on the cheek, and running towards the twins. "Don't give me that look Harry. It could be fun. Maybe you should try it." Harry gave a frown, but lunch was almost over and they had to get to their afternoon classes.
-Harry Potter-
That afternoon, Harry and Hermione sat in Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
Dean was with them as well, being Harry's friend and Hermione's boyfriend, he sat with the two more in classes now. Everyone was whispering, with some talking about what they heard from the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins, while others were talking about the news of the new Quidditch Club.
Professor Moody came strolling into the classroom, his artificial leg clunking, telling everyone to put their books away but no one had taken them out. They had at least expected this.
"Right then," Professor Moody said. "I've had a letter from Professor Lupin about this class…. seems you've had a pretty grounding in tackling dark creatures – you've covered boggarts, Red Caps, Hinkypunks, Grindylows, Kappas, and Werewolves, right?"
There were mumbles of yes from the group.
"But you're behind – very behind – on dealing with curses," Moody stated. "So, I'm here to bring you up to scratch on what wizards can do to each other. I've got one year to teach you how to deal with Dark–"
"What are you saying?" Ron called out, and Harry could see the glare from Hermione at Ron interrupting a Professor; Harry gave a smirk at that.
Professor Moody's artificial eye turned to stare at Ron. "You're Arthur Weasley's son, eh?" Moody said. "Your father got me out of a very tight corner a few days ago… Yes, I'm saying just one year. Special favor to Dumbledore… one year and then I am back to my quiet retirement."
"And the curse continues," Dean whispered, and Harry had to find that funny.
"So, straight into the curses. They come in many strengths and forms. Now according to the Ministry of Magic, I'm supposed to teach you counter-curses and leave it at that. I'm not supposed to show you what illegal Dark curses look like until you're in the Sixth Year. You're not supposed to be old enough to deal with it till then. But Professor Dumbledore's got a higher opinion of your nerves, he reckons you can cope, and I say, the sooner you know what you're up against, the better. How are you supposed to defend yourself against something you've never seen? A wizard who's about to put an illegal curse on you isn't going to tell you what he's about to do. He's not going to do it nicely, and polite to your face. Contant vigilance!" As before, the sudden call made the class jump. "No, you need to be prepared. You need to be alert and watchful. You need to put that away, Miss Brown, when I'm talking."
Lavender jumped and blushed as some of the class giggled. She had been showing Parvati her completed horoscope under the desk.
"So… do any of you know which curses are most heavily punished by wizarding law?" Professor Moody asked and everyone knew where this was going. They all had heard about the other Fourth Year class, after all.
Hands went up, but Professor Moody went to Ron.
"Er," said Ron tentatively, "my dad told me about one… Is it called the Imperius Curse, or something?"
"Ah, yes," Moody mused. "Your father would know that one. Gave the Ministry a lot of trouble at one time, The Imperius Curse."
Moody took out a glass jar and took another large black spider out of it. He pointed his wand at it and muttered, "Imperio!"
The spider leaped from Professor Moody's hand on a fine thread of silk and began to swing backward and forward, as though on a trapeze. Moody jerked his wand and the spider rose onto two of its hind legs and went into a tap dance. Everyone was laughing, aside Ron who had backed up slightly.
"Think it's funny, do you?" Moody growled. "You'd like it, would you, if I did it to you?" The laugher died down at that. "Total control. I could make it jump out of the window, drown itself, throw itself down one of your throats…" Ron shave a shiver and Harry was reminded from last year that spiders were Ron's greatest fear. "Years back, there were a lot of witches and wizards being controlled by the Imperius Curse. Some job for the Ministry, trying to sort out who was being forced to act, and who was acting of their own free will. The Imperius Curse can be fought, and I'll be teaching you how, but it takes real strength of character, and not everyone's got it. better avoid being hit with it fi you can. CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" The class jumped at that.
"Anyone else know one. Another illegal curse?" Moody asked, and Hermione's hand went into the air. "Yes Miss…?"
"Granger," Hermione said. "And the Cruciatus Curse."
"Cruciatus Curse," Moody sighed, making the spider bigger, like he had with his previous class and then aiming his wand at it. "Crucio!" The spider was in instant, and obvious, pain and it was disturbing to see. Harry, though, watched the Professor's face. He seemed almost blank, but there was a slight movement as if he was enjoying this. It disturbed Harry.
"Pain…" Professor Moody looked up at the class, stopping the spell on his own accord this time. "You don't need thumbscrews or knives to torture someone if you can perform the Cruciatus Curse… That one was very popular once too. Anyone know any others?"
Harry put up his hand, knowing where this was going.
"I thought you might step up for this one," Moody said, a smirk on his face.
"The killing curse," Harry said simply.
"Avada Kedavra!" Moody called, pointing his wand at the spider and a green light came out of it. Harry didn't flinch as he looked at it. It was the first time he had seen this curse. The curse that had killed his biological parents. He remembered, as a child, having dreams of a green flash, and of screaming and laughter. Now he knew what it meant, what his mind had been telling him. Of course, as he'd grown up, the dreams had faded but this was an unpleasant reminder of them.
"The last and worst. Avada Kedavra…" Moody stated, his fake eye fixed on Harry while his normal eye looked around the classroom, "the Killing Curse. Not pleasant. There's no blocking it with magic. Only one person is known to survive it… and he's sitting right here..." Harry gave a slight nod at that. He paused to allow the effect to sink in.
"Now, Mr. Potter. Your sister gave quiet a display earlier. Managed to throw off the Imperius Curse on the first try. If you can do the same, I will reward you for the same points I did her. 100 points," Moody stated.
Gryffindor gave a cheer out at this.
"Come on Harry. We can't let Slytherins have such a big lead so early," Dean said, next to Harry.
Harry sighed and, without complaint, got up and moved to the front of the class. He had thought about rejecting this offer, knowing Harper had faced it, but didn't want to look a coward. He was also curious about if he would have the same defense.
"Okay," was all Harry said to the Professor.
"Imperio," Moody said, pointing his wand at Harry, who wasn't as shocked as Harper, having been expecting… something. He had known this might happen due to her, but he felt the increase of magic from the bond with Hogwarts. He felt it surrounding him, protecting him. It felt warm. It felt right. Like a mother hugging her baby.
Moody ordered him to do squats and Harry just stood there. He knew didn't want to pretend to be under his control. "Do squats," Moody said.
After staying silent for a moment longer, hopefully long enough to make people think he was fighting off the curse Harry said, "I don't think so…"
There were cheers from people in the room as Moody removed the curse and gave Gryffindor the promised 100 points.
Harry took his seat besides Hermione, who he noticed was giving him looks, but Harry shook his head and Hermione gave a nod. She knew there was something up but would trust Harry and Harper to tell her when appropriate.
-Harry Potter-
After dinner that night, and after discussing their shared experience now of fighting off the Imperius curse, Harry and Harper went to the Room of Requirement solo. They looked at the statue Hogwarts sometimes talked through, but she seemed quiet today. Harper had the field guide of Jayden Blue out though.
"See, he knew Ominis," Harper said, pointing at the words in the book from Jaiden Blu. "Apparently, Ominis is blind."
"This is wild," Harry said; the two had been very curious about the only living survivor of Salazar Junior, besides Tom Riddle himself. "We should send Hedwig out with a letter. Maybe she could find him."
"Good idea," Harper said.
"And this Quidditch Club is getting crazy," Harry said. "The Fourth Year Gryffindors want our own team. The girls have apparently agreed to be the Chasers, Dean and Seamus the Beaters, and Ron the Keeper. They are begging me to be the Seeker."
"You should do it. Loosen up a little," Harper said.
"Neville has even joined a team and Hermione is joining a Ravenclaw girl team," Harry said, having been surprised by Hermione's decision there. "Something about having to be a kid when you can be."
"Really? Interesting," Harper said. "Those books you have about spells to use in sports. Is there a Quidditch one?"
"Um… yeah, but I don't have it. Why?" Harry asked.
"If I am going to play, might be worth looking into fun ways to practice or something," Harper said with a shrug.
"I'll send you the catalogue. Owl order it," Harry said, but he had turned back to Jaiden's journal, reading more of this student from hundred years ago talk about Ominis and some other student named Sebastian. "What do you think happened to the writer of this? Or this Sebastian guy?"
"Well Sebastian went to Azkaban," Harper said, making Harry look up. "Read through the journal, you will see. There something interesting in there about a chamber Salazar Slytherin apparently made. Not so sure about that one."
"I will read through it," Harry said.
"So, can I use Hedwig to order the book?" Harper asked.
"Ask Hermione for Warwick. We need to send Hedwig out looking for Ominis. And you really need your own owl," Harry said.
"What's this about an owl?" Cedric's voice interrupted, the pair turning to see the Sixth Year coming into the room. "Hope you don't mind me coming in. I liked working on making this room good last year and the swimming pool was nice."
"Not a problem," Harry said, knowing Cedric had put a lot of work into this room. It was as much his as the Fab Four's. "And what are you carrying?"
Cedric lifted up what was in his arms. "Your brooms. The Weasley Twins have decided to skip the Quidditch Club and concentrate on trying to get themselves in the Tri-wizard Tournament," Cedric said giving the brooms to Harper and Harry. "And really, an owl?"
"Harper takes up too much of mine, writing to you," Harry said, getting up as he took his broom. "Harp, going to take the field guide to read a bit," Harper gave a nod as Harry left the room, leaving the two alone.
"Interesting," Cedric said. "Well two of my buddies are going to be our Beaters. They're not on the Hufflepuff team, but nice guys and I know they have some talent. Edward, Luna Lovegood, and Ginny will be our Chasers."
"Ah, the pranking crew," Harper said, knowing Cedric was going to keep the position of Seeker.
"Which is why I signed, our team up with Professor McGonagall. Called us the Marauders. Hope Harry, Sirius, and Professor Lupin won't mind," Cedric said, having been given a brief history of Harry's father's friend group.
"I think they would love it," Harper said, knowing Remus and Sirius, obviously. "But I can ask them in our next letter. We've got to get to the Common Room before curfew."
"I'll walk you," Cedric said, holding out his hand, which Harper took. The two leaving the room and heading for the dungeon. Harry, who had excused himself to the side room, followed them out a few minutes later, so not to miss curfew.
-Harry Potter-
Harry had found himself so completely focused on the field guide he stayed up late reading it back in his dormitory and fell asleep with it in his hands.
He knew the familiar experience of his dream training, so was looking around for one of his mentors – only to find Harper standing there.
"Harp? What are you doing in my dream?" Harry asked.
"Your dream? This is my dream!" Harper protested. "Hogwarts usually…"
"It's actually both of your dream," a female voice interrupted Harper, and Rowena Ravenclaw was before them – although they both knew this was Hogwarts taking her founder's form. "Harry, so good to have you in a dream with Harper. I keep my hands off you due to your special training, but tonight even your mentors know you needed to come here."
"I think I know what this is about," Harper said, seeing Harry's confusion at this one.
"Yes, as you notice you two have some immunity to spells inside the castle; especially mental spells such as the Imperius Curse," Hogwarts spoke, her expression serious.
"So, you did protect us," Harry said.
"Yes and no," Hogwarts spoke. "It was the magic of myself protecting you, but I didn't do anything, not exactly. You pulled the magic into yourselves subconsciously. You have felt the link since the first day you arrived here, but you haven't explored it well. You don't realize the power you have inside the castle."
"Wow," Harper said, not thinking she had done anything, having believed it was all Hogwarts.
"Which is why you two are here right now," Hogwarts said. "Automatically protecting yourself is fine, but there is a real power you have access to. You learn correctly and you can enhance the magic of your spells. Use the wards to your own advantage. Have the magic of Hogwarts take you wherever you want to go inside the castle – abilities you may need someday. I am going to run you through the basics of your place as true heirs. I think one dream like this every few weeks should be enough for the two of you to understand."
"More dream training," Harry mumbled, but he was smiling. "Can never get a restful night sleep. First for you though Harp."
"Yeah," Harper said, giving a smile and hiding the fact she had been training with Hogwarts with swords; Harry could not know that yet after all.
"I must warn you though, before we start," Hogwarts stated, drawing their attention back to her. "Not everything is what it seems this year, and not everyone is who they claim to be. Constant vigilance…" those familiar words made both Harry and Harper pause, looking to each other. This seemed like a very ominous warning.
Post Chapter Note: Phew, well that was a long one. Originally, I was only going to have the class with Moody from Harper's perspective, but my beta felt it wrong not to include Harry's side of things too, so I added that – a bit of a copy and paste job from the book though, but it still worked. I needed to include Harper's side for the Neville aspect though, given we all know the class is important in his development as a character and the Hufflepuffs share their Defense classes with Slytherins here. Also, how did you like the twist of the Quidditch Club?
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