normal routine
Chapter 8
Normal Routine
The weeks rolled by quickly for the most part. We get a fair bit of homework and we have to use quills so my hands are always covered in ink. Doesn’t matter how much I dispel it it just keeps coming back. Ive spent a lot of time wither Hermione in the library studying up on all different kinds of magic, some that interest me a great deal. Ruins was always something that I wanted to do since the moment I found out that they are what create wards and that seems like a really nifty idea. I also think it may be the solution to a problem I didn’t think I would have. My fucking Walkman doesn’t work! Ive tried all the batteries and when I went home to see Sam on the first Saturday here it worked fine. So something tells me that magic interferes with electricity or something.
Well doing a little bit of research I found that a wizard in the early 1800’s found a way to store magic in containers. He idea being that if he could harness magic he would never have to worry about a depleted core. I can see how he would come to that conclusion. But after making a replica of what he made but on a smaller scale I found out that it works kind of like a battery.
So here I am, its two in the morning, in an abandoned classroom on the second floor and I’m finally listening to my music with the help of some nifty little home-made magical batteries. I had to fiddle around with the type of material to use and had to practically learn a new language in order to figure it out but necessity is the mother of invention and all that tripe. Either way I had my Walkman back and not a moment to soon.
I bundle everything up in my bag. The few books Ive been using as reference just been left scattered around the desk I’m using. The little carving kit Ive been using to etch into the glass tube that makes up the batteries casing. I had to make it indestructible because they are quite volatile. They have exploded on me once or twice. Luckily they are small so not to bad. The way you charge them up is quite interesting. I don’t know how the guy came about this but its brilliant. He uses the ambient magic to draw the magic and concentrate it in the container. Its genius. Why has the magical world not used this. I’m fucking eleven and managed to figure it out.
I’m on my way back to the fifth floor where the dorms are and end up getting turned around by the sodding stairs. Its a floor I don’t recognise. Ive not been here before. I hear something behind me. Fuck its Filch’ cat. Mrs Norris pops her ragged head around the corner and meows at me slightly. She darts off. I know where she's going. She's going to tell the old codger I’m here.
So I dart into the nearest classroom prepared to fined a place to hide and hope to fuck I don’t get caught. That never happened though. Nope. Closing the door rapidly behind me but quietly made me not notice what was in this room with me. Hearing a small growl behind me I very quickly realise that I have made the biggest mistake to date. Turning I see rows of yellowing teeth each the size of my bloody finger. Following the trail upwards I see beady black eyes taking a good look at me with interest. I hear a dollop of drool land on my shoe. I don’t feel anything, I’m kind of numb. Like a dear caught in some headlights. Its not until the head on the right of me gives a strong sniff that I shake my head clear. Unfortunately that's when I notices that there was a head to the right and to the left. FUCK. “Fuck.” Its barely audible but its enough. The giant three headed dog creature roars at me and I can honestly feel a little pee come out.
Not taking any more time to ponder the creature, its origins and why the FUCK its in a school and more I hurl the door open as quick as I can and closing it even quicker. I hear it barking and roaring on the other side and the door is shaking with its attempts to get at me.
Not having any time to recover because I can hear footsteps coming my way. Fuck, Fitch. I dash down the corridor I pass an alcove with a big window that will open up enough to let my skinny arse through. I know the tower I need is just off to the left. If I have the bottle to do it I could climb up there. Ive been park coring the whole castle like mad when I get a chance and I know from past attempts that its easy to scale the walls the old stone seems to have been layered a bit haphazardly. Or maybe its just because its a magical school and it doesn’t want me to hurt myself.
Taking the chance that my skills are enough I open the window and slide out onto the ledge. I can see the ledge goes all the way to a roof about twenty yards away. I can make that, the take the roof along then see what Ive got to play with. Doing just that I’m around the corner from the now open window. I don’t have it in me to look to see if he found me. I need to get back to bed before any one notices or checks.
Once over the other side of the roof I see a drainpipe that I can make my way up a level. Its like that for another couple of roofs. Now I’m very high up and the only way Ive got to go is up. Now I can see the windows for the dorms but I think they are the girls dorms. Thinking that I need to tell Hermione and that it cant wait, plus it means can just walk down the stairs to my dorm. So I go up. I’m not going to lie it was terrifying at points but my grip was true and I make it up to the window ledge. Taking a deep breath trying to steady myself as that was physically taxing, I look down. Big mistake. I am really high up, one slip and I am fuuuuuuckked. Not wanting to waste time I knock on the window. I can see Hermione through a crack in her curtains around there four poster bed. She doesn’t move so I knock again. Louder this time and she starts to move. I think her eyes are open but I cant tell its so dark. I knock one more time just not as loud as the last. She comes over to the window and I’m so relieved. I give her a wave and ask her to open the window.
She opens it carefully. It swings out and I didn’t want to go for a flying lesson this early in the morning especially without a broom. I climb in and falls on her bed. I end up tucking the duvet in-between my legs and just try to catch my breath. My heart hasn't stopped racing since I walked into that fucking room.
“There is a three headed dog in the castle.” is all that comes from my mouth. She chuckles a little.
“What? You cant be serious?”
“Don't. I’m not fucking kidding the thing just nearly ate me.” still not really taking me seriously her reply was a bit condisending.
“And where was this three headed dog? Did you throw a bone and it ran after it by any chance?”
“third floor corridor second door on the right.” my voice is deadpan and I think its finally sinking in that I’m telling the truth. Another voice joins us from the dark.
“Is that whys its off limits?” I don’t recognise the voice but my mind was on what she said.
“It is off limits?” Hermione is shaking her head at me.
“Yeah Dumbledore said right at the beginning of the year. He said ‘stay away if we don’t want to die a most painful death.’” Fucking hell I really should pay more attention to things going on around me.
“Well I wont need told again. Like hell am I going near that thing again.” The strangers voice cuts in.
“How did you get up here. The stairs turn into a slide when boys try to come up.”
“That's a good point Harry. How did you get to the window, I didn’t see a broom?”
“I climbed.” Saying it like it was the most natural thing in the world. “I had no where to go as Filch was coming. So I hopped out of a window and alone the walls and here we are.”
“Harry that's crazy you could have fallen and killed yourself.”
“Ah but I didn’t. Anyway I want to go to bed and I’m sure you girls need your beauty sleep, you especially Hermione I mean jeez get that Tash sorted will ya. Its dark and I can still see it.” jumping out of the way of her pillow I head to the door and down the stairs. I expected them to turn into a slide like, who I think is Lavender, said it would. Make of that what you will. I’m to tired to care.
Next day I’m tired. By the time I was in bed and asleep I have no idea what time it was. Late or early depending on how you look at it. Hugging my cup of coffee at the breakfast table in the Great Hall. Hermione is next me eating some cereal. I only notice this because the crunch its making is going straight through me. I drink more coffee and try to ignore sickening it is to eat this early.
Its weird because I thought with time that I would be adjusted to the early mornings and start having something to eat. But nope. I still cant stand it and I hate having to come down here. One morning I really didn’t want to come down. I kept having this dream about these two women and a big bright white light. It was not my usual dream about the green light or the flashbacks. This dream felt almost comforting. The issue is, that just weirded me out even more. I still get it on occasion but I can never really make sense of it but I no longer panic at its uniqueness. I just enjoy the good vibes its giving me.
Today is Tuesday I think. Its hard for me to keep up with days they are starting to blend into one. I think if I keep having days like yesterday then I'm sure that will brake up the monotony. Who am I kidding that scared the living shit out of me. So Tuesday means Potions. Ive grown to like potions. Me ad Hermione tend to do well and Ive had no more shit from Snape, in fact he has been nothing but nice. He even has given me house points. Don’t get me wrong its not many but the fact is he isn't taking them off me so that's a plus. I cant say the same fro the rest of the Gryff’s. They get it just as bad as always.
We brew a de-itching potion that will later get turned into a salve. We haven't done one of these before, so I’m pleased for the challenge. The whole premus got me thinking. I have had nothing but issues trying to get my hi-fi to work. When I got the Walkman up and running then I thought what else could I get to work. So after one weekend I shrank down the hi-fi that resided in the cupboard at home as I got a better one and brought it back. And I have spent countless days trying to get it to work. The design that seems to be most promising is the one where I have a large ‘battery’ of magic and connect it remotely via runes. The only problem is if I use the original power cable it seems that not all the components get the power they need. So my idea is to use a potion that can allow the storage of a small amount of magic. That way it can connect directly with the battery. My guess is that the magic needs a bit more guidance but its only a theory. First I have to try to find the brew said potion. Ive to been able to find anything of it in the library and I have looked extensively.
I have asked Sam if he could look for something in the bookshop in Diagon ally but he doesn’t know what he's looking for so it could be hit or miss. I know its mean to send him to London just to look for a book but in his words, ‘if it had been anyone else I would have thought them crazy.’ I’m not that much into books, not compared to Hermione anyway.
So when the lessons ends and we all start filling out. I stay behind and wait patiently. “Mr Potter. Surely you haven't forgotten what you do when class ends?” I give a chuckle. He really isn't as scary and as mean as he claims to be I bet he's a giant softy.
“No I just had a question on a few things. I'm trying to get some muggle stuff to work in the presence of magic. I found ways of making somethings work. If its only a small voltage needed I find I can manage very well but when it comes to something that works with the mains.”
“You say you have managed to get something's working. What would these be?” I go into my bag and I pull out my Walkman. I show him and he seems intrigued. Which is great if I can get him to actually help me along. Ive done well getting this far with my limited knowledge but someone of his experience will defiantly add some input. I help him to press the play button. I don’t think he has used one of these before. Music starts to blare from the headphones and a surprised look hits his face. I smile and show him the batteries. “You used a mixture of Celtic and Nordic runes, very interesting.”
“I also used a egyptian rune to keep the glass from breaking as any other interfered with the other runes. I found you can mix some but not others.”
“You seemed well adapt at runes. I think you would be better off with Professor Sinistra. She would be pleased to see such devotion.” I scoff
“Its not devotion. I want something to work so I try every avenue until I come to the conclusion that it wont work. But she isn't what I’m needing. I need a potion that I can use on the circuits but wont damage them and allow the board to receive charge from the battery. Does something like this even exist?” He shakes his head. Fuck I might have to invent one. How would I do that?
“Unfortunately I can not think of one off the top of my head. I will have a look into it. If you are willing to wait?”
“Yeah two heads are better than one.”
“would you be able to leave this with me. Its a very interesting bit of magic.” I’m a bit gutted at that, I love my music and hate going without it. I think he sees it but u hand it over anyway.
“Side A id dance, side B is country. A strange mix I know but I like to change it up or it gets boring.” with that I say my good byes and head off to lunch. I could only imagine how awesome it would be to be able to watch some TV in bed again. I’m so going to buy Aladdin on VHS. For some reason my old copy is a bit worn out. Don’t know how that happened.
Happy in my thoughts as a skip off to lunch, I hear the unmistakable sound of a blond bimbo. Fuck my life. This guy is so annoying, I’m starting to think he has a thing for me.
“Well if it isn't Scar head. What you doing Potter? Gaying up the school, you little puffda.” I've received a lot of this over the past few months, I’m looking forward to the winter break so I get a few weeks rest bite from these pricks. The insults are allays similar and honestly I no longer care. I just own it.
“Yeah sure Draco.” I’m being overly nice and trying to be all coy. Just turn it back on the is the bast way to get rid of them. “Shall I start with you first. Get it out and lets see what I’m working with.” his eyes go wide. This hid never learns. “Is that what you want little Draco.” I emphasise the little as much as I can. “want me to get on my knees for you? Is that why you wont leave me alone? I will you know.” I give him a saucy wink, “all you have to do is tell me I'm pretty and buy me nice things. Tash called this ‘releasing the gay’ I go completely over the top fem boy act. I even get close and run a finger down his cheek. He doesn't say or do anything he's just stood there. The others behind him not having a clue what to say.
I take this as my cue to leave “Maybe another time perhaps.” I blow them all a kiss and continue towards the Great Hall. I’m going to enjoy tell Mione what just happened.
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Halloween is upon us and after numerous people telling me about it I know that today is the day that my parents died, I’m sorry I mean the day I defeated Voldermort. I’m not stupid I know so why do people keep on going on about it. Alice told me when I first met her all about how I survived and got the scar. I never knew anything of my parents before that and even though they are gone it is nice knowing that they loved me enough to do what they did. I would like to think that I could do the same if the time ever comes.
The Great Hall was decorated for the occasion all covered in spider webs and carved pumpkins everywhere. The lanterns that light the Great Hall giving off an eery yellow glow. It looked very festive.
I’m sitting at the Ravenclaw table with Alice as we speak and no one is really bothered by it. Ive done this loads of times at this point. The whole school seems to have this unwritten rule that we have to sit at our house tables and only our house tables. To not do so is this big fucking taboo. Never one to give a shit about rules whether written or not I ignore this and have come over many times to see how my cute blond friend and her sister are. I have astrology with Annie which is nice because while she's quiet in public on her own she's a right carry on. Lessons are fun with her. We seem to be breaking down a few barriers but its slow going. I want to sit on the Slytherin’s table just for shits and giggles but I don’t think I could survive that encounter.
Breakfast is its usual affaire with Hermione talking about something and me hugging my coffee and ignoring her. Alice has said a few things too and I make out ‘defence,’ ‘third’ and ‘post’. That got my attention enough to tern and watch the owls swoop in. a box lands on me nearly knocking over my coffee. Hedwig landing next to me with a letter. I untie it and give her some bacon. Its weird how she likes bacon so much but you learn something new every day.
Lessons are same old, but I actually find myself learning something. Its less of learning new spells and more realising the extent in which magic can be used. Some things I have never even thought about. I’m still a bit annoyed that I cant do Runes till third year but as you can tell that hasn't stopped me from learning what I can. At least when I do start it I will be well ahead. Arithmancy is hard but I’m getting to grips with it. Its main use is spell crafting but considering that I use my magic different it seems a bit mute. I get to drop that in third year so I with I will do so. I’m never going to be able to craft spells. I would however be able to possibly teach others to use magic like me. It would make some of the lessons useless but it would make doing magic that much easier. I tried to put this theory into practice with Hermione the other day.
I have told her about what I do and she cant seem to grasp her head around it. You don’t have to do something to get your magic to work just will, imagination and belief. Quite simple but not a concept wor Hermione can grasp. Personally I think she has learned already to rely on incantations, maybe if I could get someone younger and see if that would make a difference. Get to them before they do all the wand waving. I don’t eve think about what I’m doing half the time, its just become part and part of daily life. Hell, I don’t even have to dress myself if I don’t want to I could just transfigure my jammies. It would fail eventually but as long as I put enough power behind it, it will last the day. Probably unhygienic though so not something I do on the regular I was just really tired.
I still get stupid dreams. Some annoying little bitches I cant see properly because of the blinding white light behind them. Then there is the screams and flashes of light, add in the cold sweats from flash backs and you have one fucked up sleep pattern.
I don’t like the defence professor he's so scared of the simplest of things I struggle to believe that he is capable of defending himself. He may know the material but can you really learn when you don’t take the man seriously. Plus I always leave with a headache. My scar always starts to sting and its been giving me the biggest migraines Ive ever had not like I have had many but that is beside the point. Anyway, defence, not my greatest subject at this point. To attend anyway, the spells I’m still able to go with ease so I’m getting house points. But I’m to cool to worry about shit like that.
We are eventually finished classes and me and Hermione are in the front of the cue. She wants to get back to the spare classroom Ive been using with me. I told her about what I plan to do and she's really keen to see it. I can tell she was a bit bummed out that I didn’t tell her earlier so she could help but I learned early one that Hermione's form of help consists of dong it for you and I don’t really want to fall out for something she probably doesn’t even know she's doing.
“Can you believe that Ron?” Hermione asks me.
“I saw something going on between you two but I didn’t really pay any attention. What happened?”
“You never pay attention.”
“Its Arithmancy, you know! You know how much I struggle with it. You like to tell me all the time how much better at that you are.”
“I do not!”
“Oh yeah you do. But that's not what you were say what was happening with Ron?” Not wanting to wind her up too much no matter how much fun it is I let her tell me about Ron.
He was sitting on her left and I was to her right. He always tries to copy her work which is why he sits there. I guess today she wasn't having it and she put on this anti cheat spell she learned on her work so its giving him all the wrong answers. It was half way through the lesson when he finally noticed that the answers were wrong. The he started saying some mean things to her but Professor Sinstra put a stop to I as she was literally right there.
“If he had just asked at the start I would have helped him, he had no reason to try and copy.” She seemed to be disappointed by the whole situation.
“He’s been like that in every class. He's just a waster. Coasting by trying to do as little as possible. We both know you get out what you put in but some people, like him, don’t care they just happy being shit at stuff.”
“That's a bit harsh, isn't it?”
“A little but you cant tell me I’m wrong.”
“That's true, its still a shame thou… hey watch it.” barging right in-between me and Hermione Ron goes storming past up and runs down the hall.
“Shit, I think he may have heard us.” I feel a bit shitty now. Its one thing to call someone a waste when they are one but you don’t really do it to behind their back. At least when they can fucking hear you.
“You think?” Sarcasm from Hermione, that's salt in the wounds. “Should we go after him?”
“Na, he will be fine. Hopefully it will encourage him to be less of a dick head all the time.” I don’t think Hermione looks convinced but she doesn’t move to follow him. We continue to the great Hall. I wave at Alice when I see her and she points to seats next to her and I put up two fingers then point to the twins. She nods and knows I will pop by in a bit. Ive got a nice friend group at the moment. Me and Hermione are inseparable and we love to hang out with Alice. Then there is the twins, Katie and Angela and not to mention our captain first and foremost Oliver Wood. I have to say it like that its law after he did this speal to the twins about him being their captain before their friend. It was hilarious.
I had Snape tell me that the potion will be ready by seven that evening and I needed to decant it and label it for storage. He will meet me there so he can take away any excess. With it being a bit volatile he didn’t really want it getting into the wrong hands. I remember him telling me that and I knew by the look on his face he was thinking about the twins. It was only two days ago Snape was sporting a beautiful bright pink mohalk. He couldn’t prove it was them but he knew it was. It was priceless Snape’ face could turn milk.
I was nattering to Fred when the doors to the Great Hall burst open and in runs Quirril screaming at the top of his lungs “TROLLS. T, T, TROLLS. IN THE DUNGEON. Thought you should know.” The the arse hole faints on the floor. What happens over the next thirty seconds is pure carnage. All the lower years scream and shout, to older years look a little unsure but the ones that are are also screaming like twats. Don’t get me wrong I don’t want to go near a troll any more than the rest but screaming is hardly going to help at all.
Dumbledore getting a grip on the situation gets our attention and calms the panicking students. Ordering us to follow our prefects back to our door. To keep with the group and hold up in our dorms. Personally I think its a bit stupid all the kids are here why move them only to put them at risk to do so but I’m not a professor so I follow suit. I get this nagging feeling like I’m forgetting something though.
“Hermione?”
“Yeah?”
“Did you see Ron at lunch?”
“No. I haven't seen him since he ran off.” she gets this look like she's just realised the same thing I did. He wasn't at lunch and he doesn’t know about the troll. I stop and think for a second. The line of people keep going and I get it. They should us a spell that can make your wand point north like a compass. If instead of looking for north I look for Ron, it should in theory point me in his direction. Pulling my wand out I place t in my palm and I pull my magic. The wand raises up off my palm about half an inch, spinning wildly until it settles on a location. Its pointing down the hall and it looks like he's on this floor which makes life a bit easier for us.
Running down the hall me and Hermione follow my wand until we get to a corner and I come to a stop. Mione is about to say something but I put a finger to my lips. Edging around the corner I see the ugliest thing I could imagine. Stranding tall at a good fifteen feet a troll makes its way down the hall. And if that wasn't perfect as it was I hear a door creek. Turning to look I see Ron coming out of a bathroom only to some face to face with this fuck off beast.
Normally I would laugh when a boy screams like a girl but I think its the one time that you have the right too. I would have shit myself too. He runs back into the bathroom as quick as he can only to have the troll, who's attention he got when he screamed follow him in. not paying to much attention to the door the troll makes a hole in the wall big enough to get itself through and proceeds to try ad demolish the bathroom and Ron at the same time.
Not thinking at all bout what a stupid idea it is I run over there and start shouting at the troll to try gets its attention. I succeed. Not knowing what else to do I raise my wand. Thinking of that banishing spell there were teaching in defence I put as much power into it as I can muster. Pulling my magic as hard as I can I fire. The spell is enough to send debre flying bit the troll just takes a step back and rebalances. It roars like it took great offence to that spell and starts to come for me.
Getting the guts from somewhere I stand tall. Kid gloves off then. Raising my wand again, I’m not thinking about pushing or just trying to get away. This thing was about to kill someone and now its coming for me. I think about a sword, the sharpest imaginable. I push that thought into my wand and into the large stones that's littering the floor. The stone turns into a beautiful katana. Larger than any human could wield but its not for a human. Pushing more magic through the link I take control of the sword like it was in my hand. The scraping as it rises up attracts the attention of the troll for a second. It moves quickly with one big swing in bedding itself in the wall to my right with a loud ting.
The troll isn't moving its body but I see its head looking around. Slowly it’s head and most of its shoulders start to slide off the rest of it. Hitting the ground with a massive squelch. It made my stomach churn. Hermione is running to get Ron and make sure he is okay. I just stand there and try to make sense out of what I just did. I just killed a fucking troll. I’m not sure whether or not I should be happy. I’m happy that we are all safe but did I have to kill it. It was trying to kill me but does that make it right. It probably doesn’t know any better, trolls aren’t know for their intelligence.
The professors come running up with Mgonnigall in the lead, Dumbledore not far behind.
“What is the meaning of this? You should be with the rest of your house in the common rooms or dorms. Explain yourself this instant.”
“Sorry Professor. Ron was at the bathroom when we found out about the troll. We went to warn him but the troll was already here.” Thanks Hermione I just froze.
“That is all well and good miss Granger but you should have came to us first so we could have helped Mr Weasley. Can you explain how three first years manage to not just take down but to completely… incapacitate a mountain troll?”
“That was me Professor.” I raise my hand a little and try to avoid her eyes. “I try to get its attention off of Ron as he was in a corner and it started coming for me. Other spells weren’t working and that was the only other thing I could think of.”
“Its okay Mr Potter, your not in trouble. You two take Mr Weasley to the hospital wing. Ten points will be taken from Gryffindor for not following school guild-lines. Five points each for you both for helping a fellow student and” she looks around “Shear dumb luck.”
So that's what we do. We take Ron to the hospital wing. There isn't anything wrong with him he is a little banged up with a few scratches but otherwise he's fine. Its a pretty sedate walk there but I can see by the look on Ron's face that he has something to say. So I help him out a bit.
“What's the matter, you keep looking at us weirdly.” He's a bit taken aback by this but spits out.
“Why did you come for me? You guys hate me.” He's got a nice big snarl going.
“Its not that I don’t like you its that you don’t help yourself. I get it that you wanted to be friends at the beginning of the year but instead of just being cool about it you were a bit of an arse. And it hasn't really changed much. Just chill and be yourself, man. People will like you if not then fuck them, who gives a shit really.” He looks thoughtful. Maybe I’m not really sure I don’t really know the guy.
“Thanks.” was the only other thing he said to us.
“No problem. Sorry we were bitches earlier.” Hermione jumps in too.
“Yeah sorry I will try to help you a bit more in lessons if you like?” He nods but looks happy at the prospect. He says his goodbyes as do we and we go back to the common room. I need some time on my own to process what I just did. Thank fuck its Friday, that means I can go see Sam tomorrow and tell him. He will probably think I’m a badass but I cant help that thinking killing the thing may not be the way I should have gone about it. It was technically an animal and I don’t really like the thought of hurting or killing an animal if I’m not going to eat it. Seems a waste, we might not like up but it exists for a reason it must be part of some ecosystem somewhere.