Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Harry yawned as he entered the abandoned classroom Ariana had chosen. He scowled as he saw said woman smiling at him.
“Right, good to see you up this morning. Are you ready to begin?”
Harry grunted. “I’ve been up since four. I had to train with elemental magic, practice glamour, run, and practice fencing.”
“What do you want? A metal? Did you think being Arawn’s heir would involve living in the lap of luxury, going on talk shows, and selling books?”
Harry looked down at the floor. “A little sympathy would be nice,” he muttered.
“Check the dictionary for sympathy. We have work to do.”
Harry walked over to one of the dusty old desks and waved a hand. The desk was instantly clean, and the wood was free of cracks and scratches. Sitting down, he gave Ariana his full attention. “What are we studying first?”
“You’ve gotten through fourth year, right?”
Harry nodded.
“Without a wand?”
Harry nodded again.
“Good,” Ariana said. “We’re gonna revise fourth year transfiguration, charms, and defense against the dark arts before beginning fifth year.”
“Okay,” Harry said. “When do I go to my normal classes?”
Ariana smirked. “You don’t. You’re all mine.”
“So, when do we start?”
“Now,” Ariana said. “First, I want to see you use transfiguration.” She held up a pin cushion. “Can you turn this into a hedgehog?”
Harry took the pin cushion and laid it on the desk in front of him. Clearing his mind, Harry visualized a hedgehog. As soon as he could see every detail clearly, he touched the pin cushion with a finger. The pin cushion became a hedgehog.
“Good,” Ariana said as the hedgehog scampered across the desk. “Now turn it back.”
Harry grabbed the hedgehog ignoring the sharp quills that stabbed into his hand. He carefully touched the hedgehog with a finger while visualizing the pin cushion it had once been. Instantly, the hedgehog became a pin cushion again.
“We’ll need to work on your need to touch the object to transfigure it,” Ariana said. “Can you show me a summoning charm?”
Harry looked around as he pulled quills out of his palm. Spotting a potions bottle, he held out a hand, palm up. The potions bottle zoomed across the room and landed in his hand.
“Very good,” Ariana said. “Let’s see some distance summoning.”
Reaching out with his mind, Harry visualized a jug of pumpkin juice and a goblet. The jug and goblet landed on the desk in front of him. Pouring himself a glass, Harry took a sip and offered the jug to Ariana.
“Show off,” Ariana said taking the jug. Conjuring a glass, she poured it full and took a sip. “Ready for defense?”
Harry gulped. He did not like the gleam in her eye.
**ROE**
A few hours later, Harry looked around the trashed classroom. The desk he had been sitting at had been reduced to smoldering wreckage due to a blasting curse. Harry wiped sweat from his forehead and winced as he touched a large knot.
Ariana flicked a hand, a bolt of red light flying towards his head.
a shield of silver light appeared in front of him. The spell struck the shield with a loud ‘gong.’
Harry skidded back several feet but managed to stay standing. He ducked a ball of flame that scorched the wall behind him before blocking another fireball with a wall of ice.
“No elemental magic,” Ariana snapped. “Just use wizardry.”
Harry gestured, levitating one of the desks and hurling it at Ariana.
Ariana dove to the side and watched the desk crash into the opposite wall.
Seeing a row of matches lying near the blackboard, Harry swiftly transfigured them into needles and performed a growth spell. The needles grew to the size of knives. Harry swiped his hand at her. The needles flew at her face and chest.
Ariana grunted as one of the needles plunged into her shoulder.
Everything froze. Ariana slowly pulled the needle out of her shoulder. As the blood stained her robes, Ariana touched the wound with a finger.
Harry’s eyes widened as the wound healed seamlessly. Taking a deep breath, He straightened and prepared for the next onslaught.
“Ready to go again?” he panted, feeling sweat drying on his skin.
“No,” Ariana said. “It’s time to take a break.” Waving her hand in a long sweeping gesture, Harry blinked. It was as if nothing had happened. The room was as good as new. No scorch marks and no wrecked desks. Harry sank into a chair, shaking slightly. “I don’t think I can move,” he said tiredly.
Ariana sat down across from him. “You’ve done very well for your first day.”
“First day?” Harry asked.
“Yep, I’ve talked to the headmaster and your other professors. I’ll be taking over your wizarding education except for history. I suck at history.”
“What about potions?”
Ariana winced. “Yeah, that one you will still go to Snape for. I’m not good at potions. Well, not unless you want battery acid.”
Harry winced. “No thanks.”
“I thought not,” Ariana said. “I’ll let you go to lunch now, but I expect you back here by one.”
Harry nodded. “As you wish, Milady.”
“That’s mistress to you,” Ariana said. “Now get going.”
**ROE**
“Where have you been?” Luna asked.
“Dumbledore’s sister is training me.”
“Any chance she could train us in defense?” Daphne asked, taking a bite of fish.
“Why?” Harry asked.
“Harry,” a loud voice echoed through the hall. “You weren’t in my class this morning. Are you trying to avoid me?”
Harry turned and stared at the man coming towards him. “And you are?”
“Gilderoy Lockhart, honorary member of the dark force defense league, order of Merlin second class, and winner of Witch weekly’s best smile award five times in a row. Guess which one I’m most proud of?” He laughed loudly and slapped his knee.
Harry stared at the man. He was handsome. There was no arguing about that. He had perfectly styled blond hair, blue eyes, and a wide smile that showed off even white teeth. His robes looked to be tailor made and fitted his slender frame perfectly. He held out a hand and shook Harry’s firmly.
As Harry withdrew his hand, he had to resist the urge to wipe it off on his robes. He didn’t know why, but there was something about Lockhart. Every word and gesture seemed calculated to draw the most attention. As Lockhart began to speak again, Harry forced himself to pay attention.
“You can make up the test we took tomorrow. I understand being nervous to meet someone like me, but I assure you I’m just like everyone else.”
Harry cleared his throat. “Thank you,” he said slowly, “but Dumbledore’s sister is training me.”
Lockhart’s face fell. “Really?” he said with a forced smile. “I’d hoped to teach both the boys that are almost as famous as me.” He paused and took a deep breath. “I mean surviving a killing curse is no small thing and you need training by a true master to bring out your real potential.”
Harry cleared his throat. “As flattered as I am, I think I’ll stick with Ariana for now.”
“Nonsense dear boy,” Lockhart said clapping him on the shoulder. “I’ll go talk to her. I’m sure once I explain how much my knowledge can benefit you, she’ll be delighted for you to attend my lessons.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.
“So, that’s Lockhart,” he said sitting down next to Daphne.
“Yeah,” Daphne said drily. “Turns out he may not be a good teacher after all.”
“Well, looks aren’t everything,” Harry deadpanned. “Who’d have thought that.”
“That’s right laugh it up,” Daphne snarked punching him in the shoulder playfully.
“What did he do anyway?”
“He made poor Neville pretend to be a werewolf, so he could show us how he cured him,” Luna said. “I think he did it just to make Neville look stupid.’
“Wouldn’t surprise me,” Daphne said. “Not to mention that spell he mentioned using doesn’t exist.”
“The Homorphus charm,” Luna said helpfully.
“Yes that,” Daphne said. “Point is, either it’s temporary, or it doesn’t exist. Otherwise, why wouldn’t the public be using it to cure lycanthropy?”
“To be fair,” Harry said slowly. “The ministry seems keener to capture werewolves than cure them.”
“True,” Daphne said, “So, how has your morning been.”
Harry spent the rest of the meal describing his training with Ariana. As they rose to leave, harry turned to Luna.
“Make sure to tell me when potions and History of magic are. Ariana says she’s not good at teaching those subjects, so I’ll be taking them with you guys.”
Luna beamed. “At least we will still have some classes together.”
As he started to turn away, Harry saw a redhead hurry out of the hall. She clutched a diary to her chest and almost ran into Professor McGonagall.
“Really Ms. Weasley,” McGonagall said.
“Sorry professor,” the girl said quietly before hurrying away.
Harry glanced at Luna. “Who was that?”
“That was Ginny Weasley,” Luna said frowning. “You remember her from when we were little. She used to sneak into the broom shed and take her brothers brooms flying.”
“Yeah,” Harry said frowning. “I do remember that, but she was so fiery and full of energy. If that was Ginny, she has changed a lot. She seemed scared of something.”
Luna nodded. “We’ve only been here a day, but she’s not acting right. When I tried to talk to her, she was short with me.”
Harry shrugged. “We’ll try and talk to her later. Maybe she’s just having an off day. I’ll see you in the common room tonight.”
**ROE**
As Harry left the Great Hall, he heard someone call his name.
“Oi, Harry, wait up. I need your help.”
Harry turned to see Neville Longbottom rushing towards him.
“Neville,” Harry said. “Hi, it’s been a while. How’ve you been?”
“Not good. Things have been… complicated.”
“The attacks?”
“Yeah, but that’s not the only reason. I have a… stalker.”
“A stalker?” Harry asked, raising an eyebrow. “What sort of stalker.”
“A House elf,” Neville said angrily.
“Okay,” Harry said slowly. “Why would one of your house elves be stalking you? Does it have a crush?”
“Bloody hell, I hope not,” Neville muttered. “I don’t bat for that team.”
“So, it’s a male House elf that’s stalking you? Why?”
“If you would shut up so I can explain, I’ll tell you.”
“Touchy,” Harry said. “Sorry go on.”
“Is there some place we can talk?”
“Sure,” Harry said. He led Neville back to the classroom he and Ariana had been using. As they entered, Ariana looked up from the book she was reading.
“Ah, you’ve brought a friend. I suppose I can give you a few minutes to catch up, but then it’s back to work.”
“Taskmaster,” Harry muttered.
“What?” Ariana asked.
“Nothing,” Harry said quickly. “Neville was just telling me he has a house elf stalking him.”
“A house elf?” Ariana asked frowning. “Why would one be stalking you?”
Neville sat down at one of the desks. After taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he began to talk.
“It all started back in the summer right around my birthday. Hermione and I had agreed to write each other over the summer, just to keep in touch, but I didn’t get a single letter.”
“She did have a traumatic year,” Harry said just to show he was paying attention.
“That’s what I thought to, but she wouldn’t answer any of my letters. Anyway, I was sitting near my family’s greenhouses when I saw these eyes staring at me. They were big green eyes, and they didn’t look human. I called out and a house elf came out from behind some bushes.”
“Did he say anything?” Ariana asked.
“I knew from looking at him that he wasn’t one of ours,” Neville continued. “I asked who he was, and he said his name was Dobby.”
“Dobby?” Harry said slowly. “Did he say who he belonged to?”
Neville ran a hand through his hair. “He wouldn’t say anything about his family. He just told me not to go to Hogwarts. He kept saying I’d be in danger because something bad would happen this year.”
“He wasn’t wrong,” Harry said.
“No, he wasn’t. When I told him that I was going back to Hogwarts, he set our greenhouse on fire. Luckily Mum was close by, and she believed me when I told her it was a House elf, but I still got a warning for Underage magic.”
“Did your Mum catch the house elf?” Ariana asked.
“No, by the time we got the fire put out, he was gone. The rest of the summer went fine. Hermione started answering my letters and said she’d been worried because she hadn’t heard from me. Mum thinks maybe the House elf was stopping my mail.
Things were going great. I went to the alley and got my books. I met up with Ron and Seamus a few times. I almost forgot about Dobby until we went to the platform to get on the Hogwarts express.”
“What happened?”
“The barrier was sealed when me and Mum tried to go through. Got a few good laughs from the muggles when I crashed my trolley into it. Mum ended up apparating me to Hogsmeade and walking with me up to the castle.”
“I’ll agree that it is suspicious after he set your greenhouse on fire,” Harry said, “but what makes you think it was Dobby?”
“Because he told me,” Neville said darkly. “You see, after the barrier incident, things were going fine. I started my classes, and I was doing well. Mum was really pleased with my grades. We were all freaked out when the cat was petrified, but no one was too worried. The only wrinkle was this kid named Colin Creevey who kept following me around taking my picture. He kept asking where you were, but I told him I didn’t know.”
“Neville,” Ariana said gently. “What happened next?”
“Sorry,” Neville said. “I’m rambling, aren’t I? Anyway, during the first Quidditch match I was sitting in the stands and got hit in the head with a bludger. When I woke up in the hospital wing that night, Dobby was standing beside my bed.”
“That would be creepy,” Harry said.
“It was,” Neville said, “Especially when he just kept staring at me. He asked why I had gone back to Hogwarts and said he thought his bludger would stop me. That’s when he told me about the letters and the barrier.”
“What else did he say?” Harry asked.
“Nothing,” Neville said. “About that time, they came carrying Colin into the hospital wing and I pretended to be asleep.”
“I’m sorry for everything that happened to you,” Harry said after a moment. “I’d like to help you, but what do you think I can do?”
“Well, you are fae. Aren’t House elves fae? Can’t you stop him somehow? I’m afraid next time he shows up, he’s gonna kill me.”
Harry ran a hand through his hair. “Dad,” he called tentatively. “Can I have a word?”
Arawn appeared in a swirl of shadow. “What’s up?”
“One of these days you’re gonna have to tell me how you hear when I call,” Harry said.
“Maybe, but that’s for later.” Spotting Ariana, Arawn walked over and gave her a hug. “Good to see you, it’s been a while. How’s he doing?”
“We just started this morning, but if he continues to progress at this level, we should have him up to speed by the end of the year.”
“That fast?”
“You and Niamh taught him the basics. Without having to revise, that’ll shave a lot of the time off. Right now, we need your help with a killer house elf?”
“Don’t push him too fast. I’d rather it takes a bit longer and have him be the best he can be than rush through it and make him a danger to himself and others. Now, what’s this about a killer house elf?”
Neville told his story again. After he was done, Arawn nodded. “What did you say his name was?”
“Dobby,” Neville said.
“Dobby!” Arawn called, his voice reverberating unnaturally in the room.
A small creature appeared with a loud ‘crack.’ Harry stared at it.
The creature was about three feet tall with long bat-like ears, a long pencil thin nose, and green eyes the exact size and shape of ping pong balls. The only clothing it wore was a dirty pillowcase with rips for arm and leg holes. At sight of Arawn, the creature threw itself to the floor.
“Great lord calls Dobby,” he said in a high squeaky voice. “Dobby is not worthy.”
“Don’t do that,” Arawn said holding out a hand. “Stand up, you are not in any trouble my little friend. I just need you to tell me why you’ve been torturing poor Neville over there.”
Dobby’s eyes widened. “Is Neville Longbottom under sirs protection? Dobby is so sorry.” Rushing over to a table, he began bashing his head against it as hard as he could. “Bad Dobby,” he screeched.
Harry reached out and lifted Dobby off his feet with one hand. “Stop that,” he said sharply.
Dobby turned and stared at Harry. “Yous be the Great Harry Potter,” he gasped. “Dobby has heard of yous.”
“Okay,” Harry said. “It’s nice to meet you to, but can you please stop hitting your head on things?”
“Yes,” Arawn said firmly. “There will be no more of that while I am here. Now we’ve got that out of the way, why are you trying to kill young Neville.”
Dobby gave Arawn a horrified look. “Dobby would never try and kill Neville Longbottom or Harry potter. Dobby just hoped that if Neville Longbottom was injured bad enough, he would be sent home.”
“I see,” Arawn said. “Why?”
Dobby opened his mouth to speak but choked on his words. He tried again, but with the same result. “Bad things happening at Hogwarts,” he gasped out. He lunged for the table again, but Harry stopped him by grabbing the back of his pillowcase.
Arawn stroked his chin. “Bloody binding spell,” he muttered. He sighed. “It’s alright Dobby, I understand you can’t tell me anything.”
Dobby at once relaxed.
“What do you mean binding spell?” Ariana asked.
“A dark wizard found several families of brownies in the black forest about a thousand years back. He performed a spell to bind the brownies in service. Brownies love to do household work, but they can be very angry when mistreated. The wizard’s spell stopped them from defending themselves and made them dependent on the wizards magic to survive by severing their connection to Elphame.”
“And you did nothing?” Ariana said sharply.
“I wasn’t here, and Niamh tried, but she didn’t have the magical knowledge to free them. She was gonna keep trying but…”
“Crap happened,” Harry said.
“Exactly,” Arawn said.
Arawn turned back to Dobby. “Does whatever you’re trying to protect Neville and Harry from have anything to do with the attacks happening here? Just nod or shake your head for an answer.”
Dobby hesitantly nodded.
“Alright,” Arawn said slowly. “Now we’re getting somewhere. Does a member of that family who caused the attacks go to Hogwarts?”
Dobby nodded again and began struggling to reach the desk. Harry held the back of his pillowcase firmly.
“Is that person responsible for these attacks?”
Dobby shook his head.
“But a member of their family is?”
Dobby nodded.
“Is that student directly related to the person responsible for these attacks?”
Dobby nodded.
Arawn began to pace, thinking carefully. The person responsible for the attacks was not necessarily the one carrying them out. He needed more information.
“Is the person responsible for the attacks the one attacking people?”
Dobby shook his head.
“Are they working together?”
“Dobby doesn’t think so,” Dobby said finally. “The person hurting people is not doing it because they want to. Theys being made to hurt people.”
“I see,” Arawn said. He turned to Ariana. “I want you to pull back on Harry’s training. I want him to attend classes with his classmates until Christmas break. That’s only a few weeks away.”
Ariana frowned. “You said you wanted him as prepared as possible for Voldemort.”
“I do, but Harry and Neville may have a better chance of finding out who is being controlled. Harry knows enough fae magic to hold off most wizards and Voldemort’s soul is nowhere near the castle. I checked as soon as I got here.”
“Fine,” Ariana said, “But what do you want me to do?”
“I want you to meet with Harry every morning. Go over defense and transfiguration with him before his day begins. If Harry gets here at six, that would be enough time to go over a lesson of each before he goes to breakfast.” He turned to Harry.
“I’m sorry to put this on you son, but we need to find out who is causing these attacks and clear your mother’s name.”
Harry nodded. “I agree,” he said, “but what do we do with Dobby?”
Arawn looked down at the small elf. The creature stared down at the floor miserably. It was clear he expected to be punished for everything he’d done.
“I’ll take him back to Annwn with me. I may be able to find a way to bypass the magic that binds him. If I can help Dobby, perhaps I can help the others.”
Harry hugged his father.
“Be careful,” Arawn said ruffling his hair. “Don’t get yourself killed. You have no idea what your mother would do to me if you died.”
“Good to know your priorities are in the right place,” Harry snarked.
“As long as we understand each other,” Arawn said with a grin.
Arawn hugged Ariana. “Try and keep him out of trouble.”
Ariana smiled. “That’s what big sisters do.”
As Arawn vanished with Dobby, Harry glanced at Ariana. “Big sister?”
“Well, Arawn did raise me for most of my childhood.”
“Does this mean you’ll go easier on me during our training?”
“Oh no,” Ariana said smiling wickedly. “I’m gonna be even harder on you.”
Harry winced. “I thought so.”