The Duelling Club
The news that Colin Creevey had been attacked and was now lying as though dead in the hospital wing had spread through the entire school by Monday morning. The air was suddenly thick with rumor and suspicion. The first years were now moving around the castle in tight-knit groups, as though scared they would be attacked if they ventured forth alone.
Ginerva Weasley, who sat next to Colin Creevey in Charms, was distraught, but the twins were unable to get through to her, no matter how often they asked her to talk to them. Percy then finally told them he was going to write to Mrs. Weasley and tell her Ginny was having nightmares if she continued on like she was, the male at a loss at what to do.
Meanwhile, hidden from the teachers, a roaring trade in talismans, amulets, and other protective devices was sweeping the school. Neville Longbottom bought a large, evil-smelling green onion, a pointed purple crystal, and a rotting newt tail before the other Gryffindor boys pointed out that he was in no danger; he was a pure-blood, and therefore unlikely to be attacked.
"They went for Filch first," Neville said, his round face fearful. "And everyone knows I'm almost a Squib."
In the second week of December Professor McGonagall came around as usual, collecting names of those who would be staying at school for Christmas / Yule.
The twins had not put their names on it this year, having agreed to spend Yule with Celestia and Xavier at Pendragon castle, not knowing that there were some other visitors as well....
Percy had also been invited, but the male merely shook his head, though he smiled at Celestia, thanking her and apologizing, since he had to study for his O.W.L.'s.
,, Mum won't be pleased about you going, but Dad should be fine with it." Percy had said, remembering that their father was still very much embarrassed about having dragged Arcturus Black of all people into a Fist-Fight.
-----------------
Potions lessons took place in one of the large dungeons. Thursday afternoon's lesson proceeded in the usual way. Twenty cauldrons stood steaming between the wooden desks, on which stood brass scales and jars of ingredients. Snape prowled through the fumes, making waspish remarks about the Gryffindors'work while the Slytherins sniggered appreciatively. Draco, who was Snape's favorite student, kept flicking puffer-fish eyes at Ronald and Harry, which made Regulus roll his eyes and remind his cousin to look at his own Potion with a slap to the back of the blond's head.
Regulus could not understand how Draco was still his usual self after Lucius had left with no other word after their Quidditch match.
The man wasn't disappointed about Gryffindor winning the match.....
He was disappointed in his son for behaving like he did on the field.
Taunting, unfocused, and arrogant.......
The Heir of the House of Black knew that the next time father and son met it would not be a pretty sight to witness.
,, Everything all right ?" Theo asked him, seeing his friend's usual quiet self being even more quiet.
Regulus sighed, nodding........
He did not want to burden his friends with his family's problems....
There were already enough to count without dragging his own worries and speculations into the mix.
Before Theo could press further, Goyle's potion exploded, showering the whole class. People shrieked as splashes of the Swelling Solution hit them. Draco got a faceful and his nose began to swell like a balloon; Goyle blundered around, his hands over his eyes, which had expanded to the size of a dinner plate - Snape was trying to restore calm and find out what had happened.
Regulus himself hissed under his breath as he held his hand, which got a nasty burn that was sizzling and tearing into his flesh by the potion instead of swelling it up.
,, Gah-!" Theo almost fell into his potion because both of his hands swelled up and distributed his weight, only saved by Regulus who held him back with his injured hand.
"Silence! SILENCE!" Snape roared. "Anyone who has been splashed, come here for a Deflating Draft - when I find out who did this--"
Draco hurried forward, his head drooping with the weight of a nose like a small melon. As half the class lumbered up to Snape's desk, some weighted down with arms like clubs, others unable to talk through gigantic puffed-up lips.
,, Black, you got burned, correct?" Snape asked, inspecting the boy's hand.
,, .. Yes, Sir........" Was Regulus's only reply, his injured hand shaking slightly because Snape made him hover it in the air.
,, Place your hand on the table and try not to move it as best as you can." The Potion Master instructed as he began cleaning the wound, before wrapping the hand in Bandages and giving him a potion to heal it by the end of the week.
Snape may hate the boy's father and in the beginning the boy himself, but he proved himself to be different....
He would have gladly paid money to see the face of Sirius Black when he heard that his own son got placed into Slytherin, instead of Gryffindor.
When everyone had taken a swig of antidote and the various swellings had subsided, Snape swept over to Goyle's cauldron and scooped out the twisted black remains of a firework. There was a sudden hush.
"If I ever find out who threw this," Snape whispered, "I shall make sure that person is expelled."
Snape was looking right at Harry, and the bell that rang ten minutes later could not have been more welcome.
Regulus, Theo, and Blaise met up with their friends, Celestia's smile immediately dropping when she spotted Regulus' injured hand.
,, What happened?" The twins asked, also stepping forward, as Celestia inspected the hand, gently taking it between her own two as Chrome looked at it from her shoulder.
,, Harry Potter happened...." Theo replied, in a sour mood from having almost been doused in a swelling potion thanks to him.
,, He probably got your brother to steal one of your fireworks." Blaise informed them, making the twins sigh and apologize....
They would get Ronald for this.
,, Does it hurt ?" Celestia asked quietly, looking at Regulus.
,, I'm fine, 'Tia... Snape gave me a potion and took care of the wound himself, it'll be healed by the end of the week." Regulus told her, his heart warming at the sight of her worried about him.
Celestia knew that... but it didn't make her worry less....
After all, she had seen people she cared about die from less, because their Magic was unable to heal them in time.
So without much of a thought she lifted his hand up and placed a kiss to the Bandages, letting a small amount of her Magic flow into them briefly, so the wound would heal even faster...
Regulus opened his eyes wide, watching her as she did so.........
As she let go he offered a small smile, eyes shimmering with love and warmth.
He really was glad that Celestia had agreed to try this relationship with him.
,, I think I'm going to be sick, Gred." George said, deadpanning at the pair while pretending to gag.
,, Me too, Forge." replied Fred.
------------------
A week later news of another Club opening at Hogwarts had spread like wildfire.
So at eight o'clock that very evening Celestia made her way towards the Great Hall with her friends. The long dining tables had vanished and a golden stage had appeared along one wall, lit by thousands of candles floating overhead. The ceiling was velvety black once more and most of the school seemed to be packed beneath it, all carrying their wands and looking excited.
,, I wonder who'll be teaching us....." Blaise asked, looking at the stage.
,, Well... Professor Flitwick was a duelling Champion when he was younger.." Celestia said, hoping in the name of her Ancestors that it was not who she was thinking it was going to be.
,, As long as it's not-" The twins groaned, not even able to finish their sentence.
Gilderoy Lockhart was walking onto the stage, resplendent in robes of deep plum and accompanied by none other than Snape, wearing his usual black.
,, Somebody kill me now." muttered Blaise.
Lockhart waved an arm for silence and called "Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!
"Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little duelling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions - for full details, see my published works."
They looked at him in disbelief, just wanting Professor Snape to Hex him already.
"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," said Lockhart, flashing a wide smile. "He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry - you'll still have your Potions master when I'm through with him, never fear!"
,, It should be him who should worry..." Theo said, those around them nodding.
Professor Snape after all had originally applied as a DADA Professor......... and if Professor Flitwick's praise said anything, the man was scarily good at the subject.
Snape's upper lip was curling. Celestia wondered why Lockhart was still smiling; if Snape had been looking at anyone else like that they would have been running as fast as they could in the opposite direction.
Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed; at least, Lockhart did, with much twirling of his hands, whereas Snape jerked his head irritably. Then they raised their wands like swords in front of them.
"As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position," Lockhart told the silent crowd. "On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."
"I wouldn't be so sure," George murmured, watching Snape baring his teeth.
"One - two - three--"
Both of them swung their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent; Snape cried: "Expelliarmus!" There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet: He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall, and slid down it to sprawl on the floor.
Draco and some of the other Slytherins cheered, the same going to the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs.
Celestia's lips curled up in amusement.
If Snape would always be like this he'd definitely make it to third place on her favorite Professor's list, only surpassed by Professor Sprout and Flitwick.
Lockhart was getting unsteadily to his feet. His hat had fallen off and his wavy hair was standing on end.
A magnificent sight to those who couldn't stand him.
"Well, there you have it!" he said, tottering back onto the platform. "That was a Disarming Charm - as you see, I've lost my wand - ah, thank you, Miss Brown - yes, an excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind my saying so, it was very obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you it would have been only too easy - however, I felt it would be instructive to let them see..."
Most of the Slytherins and Ravenclaws winced at that..... Insulting Professor Snape was like a suicide sentence.
Snape was looking murderous. Possibly Lockhart had noticed, because he said, "Enough demonstrating! I'm going to come amongst you now and put you all into pairs. Professor Snape, if you'd like to help me--"
They moved through the crowd, matching up partners. Lockhart teamed Neville with Justin Finch-Fletchley, but Snape reached Harry and Ronald first.
"Time to split up the dream team, I think," he sneered. "Weasley, you can partner Finnigan. Potter--"
Harry moved automatically toward Hermione.
"I don't think so," said Snape, smiling coldly. "Mr. Malfoy, come over here. Let's see what you make of the famous Potter. And you, Miss Granger - you can partner Miss Bulstrode."
Draco strutted over to them, smirking. While Millicent Bulstrode stopped next to the twins, Theo, Blaise, Regulus, and Celestia.
,, Just go at it like practiced, Milly." Blaise encouraged the girl, which seemed a bit nervous...
,, You'll do fine, after all, you're the strongest out of us, girls, aren't you ?" Celestia said, smiling as she took the other girls' hands in her own.
Millicent smiled the tiniest bit, nodding as she squeezed Celestia's hands, before steeling her expression as usual and walking up to Hermione with a cold look in her eyes.
,, Black, you go up against Nott. And Grindelwald-Lestrange-" Snape said, making them turn towards him. ,, You go up against Skeeter."
All right, Celestia took everything back about him becoming one of her favorites.
Aiden stepped forward, frowning, while Celestia held no emotion on her face.
"Face your partners!" called Lockhart, back on the platform. "And bow!"
Celestia merely inklined her head, her eyes set on Aiden like a predator hunting its next meal, the boy now nervous....
He knew their relationship could be categorized as more than just tense at the moment, but he hoped she wouldn't go all out on him.
"Wands at the ready!" shouted Lockhart. "When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponents - only to disarm them - we don't want any accidents - one ... two ... three--"
,, Impedimenta." Celestia cast before Aiden could even think about firing a Spell.
The boy opened his eyes wide, his entire body now moving in slow-motion.
And when he thought it was already over. ,, Expelliarmus."
His Wand flew out of his hand and was caught by Celestia, the white-haired witch looking unbothered and bored as she turned to Professor Snape, the man had walked over as he saw her use the very same spell he used on Lockhart.
,, Hmm.... Good job, Mrs. Grindelwald-Lestrange... One might think you have practice with Defense-Against-the-Dark-Arts." He said, and Celestia could feel him trying to enter her mind, making her want to curse him.
How dare he.........
She pushed a fake memory of her watching his Hand movement closely as he cast the Spell forward in her mind, giving the impression that she had learned it from watching him while offering a polite smile.
,, Thank you for such high praise, Professor...." She said, trying her best to hold herself back from lashing out.
The Art of looking through one's mind was strictly forbidden, especially with children...... which is why Celestia had been trained to control her ability as best as she could, though it sometimes still happened that she heard the thoughts of others, it was not something she wanted.
And here was Professor Snape, trying to force himself into her mind, probably to spy on her for Dumbledore.
She quickly turned back to Aiden, giving him back his Wand and lifting the Spell from his body, before walking away, not wanting to be anywhere near Professor Snape at the moment.
,, 'Tia? You good ?" Blaise asked, turning to her.
He had finished his match against Hunter easily and was now sitting by the wall, Chrome and Fenris with him.
She said nothing for a moment, simply sitting down next to him as she let Fenris hug her, as she fiddled with her necklace..........
,, Snape tried using Legilimency on me." She told him, making his eyes widen in horror.
,, What !?" He whisper-shouted, unable to fully grasp it.
He knew Snape was suspicious, but trying to use Legilimency on someone of Celestia's Status, not to mention her being under the protection of the House of Black as soon as she and Regulus had agreed to the betrothal contract.............
Was that man insane !?
Blaise could already imagine the faces of Xavier Lestrange and Arcturus Black once they heard of this.
Their talk got interrupted by no other than Lockhart.
"I said disarm only!" Lockhart shouted in alarm over the heads of the battling crowd, as Draco sank to his knees; Harry had hit him with a Tickling Charm, and he could barely move for laughing. Harry hung back, but this was a mistake; gasping for breath, Draco pointed his wand at Harry's knees, and choked, " Tarantallegra!" and the next second Harry's legs began to jerk around out of his control in a kind of quickstep.
"Stop! Stop!" screamed Lockhart, but Snape took charge. "Finite Incantatem!" he shouted; Harry's feet stopped dancing, Draco stopped laughing, and they were able to look up.
A haze of greenish smoke was hovering over the scene. Both Neville Longbottom and Justin Flinch-Fletchley were lying on the floor, panting; Ronald was holding up an ashen-faced Seamus Finnigan, apologizing for whatever his broken wand had done; but Hermione and Millicent were still moving; Millicent had Hermione in a headlock and Hermione was whimpering in pain; both their wands lay forgotten on the floor.
,, Milly you can let go of her now, she's going to choke to death." Celestia said, her and Blaise helping Millicent up as Hermione fell face first on the floor, gasping for air.
,, Next time don't stop her." Blaise whispered, grinning slyly as Hermione shot the three of them a glare, watching as they went toward the rest of their friends.
"Dear, dear," said Lockhart, skittering through the crowd, looking at the aftermath of the duels. "Up you go, Macmillan..."
"Careful there, Miss Fawcett... Pinch it hard, it'll stop bleeding in a second,"
"I think I'd better teach you how to block unfriendly spells," said Lockhart, standing flustered in the midst of the hall. He glanced at Snape, whose black eyes glinted and looked quickly away. "Let's have a volunteer pair - Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley, how about you--"
"A bad idea, Professor Lockhart," said Snape, gliding over like a large and malevolent bat. "Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending what's left of Finch-Fletchley up to the hospital wing in a matchbox." Neville's round, pink face went pinker. "How about Grindelwald-Lestrange and Potter?" said Snape with a twisted smile.
Celestia was ready to actually slap the male.
"Excellent idea!" said Lockhart, gesturing Harry and her into the middle of the hall as the crowd backed away to give them room.
,, You got this easily, 'Tia." Theo said as Regulus helped her up the stage.
,, Thank you, Theo.." Celestia replied, Regulus nodding at her and showing support.
"Now, Harry," said Lockhart. "When Celestia points her wand at you, you do this."
He raised his own wand, attempted a complicated sort of wiggling action, and dropped it. Snape smirked as Lockhart quickly picked it up, saying, "Whoops - my wand is a little overexcited--"
Snape moved closer to her, bent down, and whispered in her ear. ,, Do not hold back, Grindelwald-Lestrange..." She nodded, her Bi-colored eyes landing on Harry who looked up nervously at Lockhart and said, "Professor, could you show me that blocking thing again?"
"Scared?" muttered Draco, from near the stage, so that Lockhart couldn't hear him.
"You wish," said Harry out of the corner of his mouth.
Lockhart cuffed Harry merrily on the shoulder. "Just do what I did, Harry!"
"What, drop my wand?"
But Lockhart wasn't listening.
"Three - two - one - go!" he shouted.
,, Stupefy." And immediately Harry was flung back the stage, landing on his back with a loud groan, most of the students snickering at the sight.
He stood up after a few seconds, pointing his Wand at her. ,, Locomotor Mortis!"
Celestia dodged it easily, stepping aside, before suddenly rushing forward, making Harry back away.
She stopped in the middle of the stage again, everyone watching her as she kneeled down and uttered another Spell. ,, Serpensortia."
The end of her wand glowed darkly. Harry watched, aghast, as a long black snake with Ruby red eyes shot out of it, fell heavily onto the floor between them, and raised itself, ready to strike. There were screams as the crowd backed swiftly away, clearing the floor.
"Don't move, Potter," said Snape lazily, clearly enjoying the sight of Harry standing motionless, eye to eye with the snake. "I'll get rid of it..."
"Allow me!" shouted Lockhart. He brandished his wand at the snake and there was a loud bang; the snake, instead of vanishing, flew ten feet into the air and fell back to the floor with a loud smack. Enraged, hissing furiously, it slithered straight toward Justin Finch-Fletchley and raised itself again, fangs exposed, poised to strike.
Celestia stood back up pointing her wand at it, ready to command it back.
What she had not expected was Harry stepping forward and shouting. "Leave him alone!" the snake only hissed louder at that, aware that the boy was not its creator.
Celestia quickly stepped behind the snake, signaling Justin to keep quiet as she grabbed it with her hands, making sure to keep its mouth closed so it wouldn't accidentally bite her.
Harry looked up at Justin, grinning, expecting to see Justin looking relieved, puzzled, or even grateful - but certainly not angry and scared.
"What do you think you're playing at?" he shouted at the boy, and before Harry could say anything, Justin turned and stormed out of the hall.
That was when he noticed that everyone was looking at him, either scared or like Snape with calculated eyes.....
Ronald and Hermione quickly got him away from the Great Hall, disappearing......
Though everyone was in great shock at the newly gathered information.
Harry Potter was able to speak Parseltongue.
-----------------
By the next morning, the snow that had begun in the night had turned into a blizzard so thick that the last Herbology lesson of the term was canceled: Professor Sprout wanted to fit socks and scarves on the Mandrakes, a tricky operation she would entrust to no one else, now that it was so important for the Mandrakes to grow quickly and revive Mrs. Norris and Colin Creevey.
Celestia, Regulus, Theo, and Blaise used their free time to walk along the castle grounds, wanting to talk in private as Fenris and Chrome played in the snow.
,, I can't believe he's a Parselmouth..." Blaise muttered, in sheer disbelief.
,, How is it even possible? I mean Celestia I can understand, her father came from a Line of Squibs directly related to Salazar Slytherin, but Potter ?" The quartet shared a nervous glance.
,, Do you think it has something to do with that fateful Night of Samhain ?" Theo asked, referring to the Night when the Potters almost died and the Dark Lord had fallen.
,, It could......Though I don't know how it's possible..." Celestia replied, frowning.
It was impossible that Harry was a Parselmouth....
Not only had he no blood relation to Salazar, but the Dark Lord hadn't even grazed him that night..
No, Tom's last piece of his remaining Soul had split itself from his body and directly entered the wound on her wrist....
So how was it possible that he spoke the language of Snakes?
,, Don't worry........We'll find out soon enough." Regulus assured her, holding her hand. ,, After all you almost completely finished the books that Salazar wrote concerning the Chamber."
,, Now that we addressed it already, did you find out what it is ?" Theo asked, all of them had hoped that Salazar wrote down what kind of creature he had put in the Chamber of Secrets.
Celestia shook her head sadly. ,, No... Up until now the only thing I managed to gather was that Salazar build it in case the castle was attacked by Muggles after one of his Muggle-born Slytherins was lit on fire by his parents for being a Wizard."
It was a gruesome story.........
The poor boy had come to Hogwarts, excited to find out he was not a Freak, but held power......
Only to be killed by his parents and the other villagers, upon returning from his first year there..
Salazar had never forgiven himself for letting one of his students die and carried the guilt with him to his Deathbed.
The three boys frowned. ,, This once again shows that Muggles should never be trusted..." Said Blaise, disgusted.
,, Indeed.." Regulus and Theo replied, all of them slowly making their way back to the castle.
Fenris and Chrome followed close behind, both covered in snow but looking incredibly happy.
,, You two will need a bath......" Were Celestia's only words as she chuckled lightly.
Their fun though immediately got spoiled by Peeves. ,, ATTACK! ATTACK! ANOTHER ATTACK! NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! ATTAAAACK!"
Crash - crash - crash - door after door flew open along the corridor and people flooded out. For several long minutes, there was a scene of such confusion that Justin was in danger of being squashed and people kept standing in Nearly Headless Nick.
Celestia, Regulus, Theo, and Blaise quickly arrived at the scene, Peeves floating over to them.
,, Fenris keep close watch.." Regulus quietly ordered, the Asgardian Wolf sniffing the air and using his hearing to detect moving along the pipes.
They looked at Celestia, the girl shaking her head as she heard none of the creature's usual muttering.
It had escaped again.
Professor McGonagall came running, followed by her own class, one of whom still had black-and-white-striped hair. She used her wand to set off a loud bang, which restored silence and ordered everyone back into their classes. No sooner had the scene cleared somewhat than a Hufflepuff arrived, panting, on the scene.
"Caught in the act!" He yelled, his face stark white, pointing his finger dramatically at Harry.
"That will do, Macmillan!" said Professor McGonagall sharply.
Peeves was bobbing overhead, now grinning wickedly, surveying the scene; Peeves always loved chaos. As the teachers bent over Justin and Nearly Headless Nick, examining them, Peeves broke into song:
"Oh, Potter, you rotter, oh, what have you done, You're killing off students, you think it's good fun--"
"Peeves...." Celestia gently called out, shaking her head and telling him it was not the appropriate time. Peeves zoomed away backward, with his tongue out at Harry and a cheerful wave goodbye to Celestia.
Justin was carried up to the hospital wing by Professor Flitwick and Professor Sinistra of the Astronomy department, but nobody seemed to know what to do for Nearly Headless Nick. In the end, Professor McGonagall conjured a large fan out of thin air, which she gave to Ernie with instructions to waft Nearly Headless Nick up the stairs. This Ernie did, fanning Nick along like a silent black hovercraft.
,, Black, Nott, Zabini, Grindelwald-Lestrange, please leave as well." Professor McGonagall told them, at which they immediately left, all of them worried.
It wouldn't be long until the Beast craved more than just Petrifing students........