Disclaimer - The world of Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling and various publishers. I make no claim to ownership.
Chapter 4: Duel at Midnight
The pair met up with Ron and Neville and proceeded to lunch. Harry had a sandwich and some pumpkin juice. Hermione had the same.
Harry, I think I can taste what you're eating! We'll have to be careful what we eat together. Some things might not go well together. I wonder what other senses we share.
Harry replied in her head: Well, sight; we can sometimes see what the other sees. I-I've had to cover my eyes… er try and close my mind a couple of times when you were in the shower. Harry blushed a deep red as he thought this to her. And taste, of course. Touch, that was very weird. I felt you flipping through the pages of a book once. And hearing at least, It was like stereo sometimes, when we're together. Probably smell, although that's a associated with taste. And of course, emotions. That's going to be the hardest to get used to. I'm sure you wouldn't want to feel the pain I feel whenever I think of the Dursley's.
Harry, don't forget about our magic. We can probably do some things much better together now. I know I seem to be able to tap into your magic a bit. Or is that just the fact that our magic has increased? For now let's just eat the same things alternating between bites. That way someone doesn't see that we are eating at the same time, but we don't have weird combinations.
Agreed, Harry replied.
Ron, unaware of the internal debate going on in his friends' heads, wolfed down several sandwiches, and dug into the desserts. Neville wasn't hungry, but had some pumpkin juice and a tart.
Harry asked Ron and Neville if they wanted to accompany them to Hagrid's place, that evening after supper. Both boys agreed readily.
The rest of the day they spent in Herbology and Astronomy.
After supper, the foursome made their way down to Hagrid's hut. Hagrid lived in a small wooden hut at the edge of the forbidden forest.
Harry knocked on Hagrid's door.
Several loud booming barks came from inside. Hagrid's voice could be heard. "Down Fang, down!"
Opening the door to let them in, Hagrid tried to hold back Fang. Fang turned out to be a gigantic Boarhound that leaped at Harry and tried to lick him to death.
"Get down Fang, yeh dozy hound! Come in, come in," greeted Hagrid.
"Hi Hagrid, I'd like you to meet my friends, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Neville Longbottom," said Harry.
"Another Wesley eh, I knew all your brothers. Biggest troublemakers I ever saw, those twins. Glad to meet you Hermione and Neville. I knew yer parents Neville, fine folk, sorry `bout what happened to them." Neville looked away for a moment, a sad look on his face.
"C'mon, sit down and have a spot of tea and some rock cakes. Tell me how yer classes are going"
"Hagrid," said Harry, "I noticed in the Daily Prophet that Gringotts had been broken into on my birthday. That's when we were there and the vault they broke into was the same one you took that package from. What was in that package?"
Hagrid gave Harry a shifty look and quickly replied. "I told you Harry, that's Hogwarts business and is between Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel."
"Nicholas Flamel, who is Nicholas Flamel," asked Harry.
"I should'na said that, ferget I said that," said Hagrid.
They could get nothing further from Hagrid, and they left after goodbye's, walking quietly back to the castle.
***
At breakfast, the next day the post arrived. An owl dropped a small package for Neville.
"Look everyone, Neville's got a Remembrall." Seamus said.
"When the smoke turns red, it means I've forgotten something," Neville replied.
Malfoy came over and grabbed it, but had to hand it back when Professor McGonagall spotted trouble brewing.
The schedule called for flying lessons, later that morning. Harry and Hermione were excited to finally get to fly. Ron had been flying at the Burrow for years, but Neville said his Gran refused to let him on a broom.
Unfortunately, the lessons were with the Slytherins, and Draco and his gang were there.
Madam Hooch was the instructor. She was a golden-eyed witch with short, grey spiky hair. Greeting everyone, she instructed everyone to command `Up,' to bring the broom to their hand.
Harry said "Up," and the broom leapt into his hand. Hermione's and a couple of others responded as well. Ron's came up, but it was a bit slow. Neville's rolled over a bit, but after a few tries, it also came into his hand.
Madam Hooch had them mount their brooms and corrected their grips, so that they wouldn't slide off. Harry was happy to see that Malfoy had been doing it wrong for years, despite his boasting and exaggerated stories.
"When I give the word, everyone is to kick off the ground lightly, hover a moment and touch back down." instructed Madam Hooch.
Unfortunately, Neville, being nervous, kicked off to soon and shot up like a cork from a bottle into the air. Losing his nerve, he panicked and slid off his broom, falling to the ground. Madam Hooch went white and hurried to the fallen boy.
"Oh dear, broken wrist, everybody stay where they are until I get back from the hospital wing. If I see anyone flying, they'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say Quiddich!" she threatened.
As soon as she was gone, Malfoy picked up Neville's Remembrall.
"Give it here Malfoy!" snapped Harry.
"No, I think I'll leave it up a tree for him." sneered Malfoy as he mounted his broom and took off.
Harry quickly followed. He found he was a natural flier and loved the freedom flying gave him.
Hermione was beside herself. Harry, we're not supposed to leave the ground. Madam Hooch will be furious.
Come on Hermione, we can't let Malfoy get away with this! Are we in Gryffindor or not. If we let Malfoy get away with it, there'll be no end to his… But Harry didn't finish, as Hermione made up her mind and quickly kicked off on her broom.
Hermione was quickly beside him and apparently loved flying as much as him.
"Give it back Malfoy, or we'll knock you off your broom!" Harry snarled.
Malfoy looked a little nervous at seeing the two confident fliers accost him.
"Have it your way," he said, and threw it as hard as he could toward the castle.
Harry and Hermione wheeled as one and chased the glass ball.
Harry was slightly in the lead when he made a diving catch close to the castle wall. Returning to the ground, the fliers were immediately accosted by Professor McGonagall.
"What do you two think you were doing? Come with me!" exclaimed McGonagall sharply.
Malfoy and the Slytherins smirked. "You'll be on the next train home," he gleefully taunted.
Harry and Hermione trudged dejectedly behind the professor. At least we got to fly, and it was a glorious feeling! They both thought.
Entering the castle, McGonagall stopped at a classroom and asked inside for Wood.
Fearing they were going to be expelled; they were surprised to learn that Wood was a burly fifth year.
"Wood, I've found you a seeker! And not just one, but possibly two!" McGonagall happily informed him.
"These two? But they're only first years!" exclaimed Oliver Wood.
"They both chased a snitch sized ball and Harry narrowly beat Hermione in a diving catch close to the castle wall. Charlie Weasley couldn't have done as well. They're naturals, and they haven't even been on a broom before!" exclaimed the professor. "We could have a chance for the cup this year."
Wood looked like Christmas had come early.
"Ever played Quiddich guys?" asked the burly Keeper.
"Quiddich?" they both asked.
"No, this was my first time on a broom," Harry said.
"Mine too," followed Hermione.
"Oh, Quiddich is a wizarding sport," the professor replied. "Oliver will explain it all to you. Harry, your father was an excellent player and I see you and Hermione could be talented players yourselves. I hope my faith has not been misplaced in recruiting such young players. We really haven't had a player your age in a century."
"I want to hear you two are training hard, or I'll reconsider punishing you," stated McGonagall. The professor talked with the three Quiddich players a little more about the responsibility of being on the house teams and then left them to get acquainted.
***
Later, in the corridors between classes, Ron exclaimed "Seekers! First years never get to play on the house teams. You must be the youngest players…"
"…in a century! According to McGonagall, they've never had two such promising Seekers before." said Hermione.
"I don't know," said Harry, "we don't even know how to play. What if we're no good."
"You'll do fine Harry, it's in your blood, and besides I saw the spectacular catch you made. Hermione was just a tad slower, or she would have had it," Ron said.
"What do you mean, it's in my blood?" asked Harry.
"Your father was a Chaser, there's a trophy with his name on it in the trophy room." said Ron.
"It seems everyone knows more about me and my family than I do." Harry remarked dejectedly.
"Let's have a look at the trophy Harry," suggested Hermione excitedly.
Sure enough, there was a large cup with James Potter's name on it in the trophy room. Harry swelled with pride on seeing this. It was his first connection with his father.
***
At supper that evening, a surprised Draco Malfoy found that Harry and Hermione, instead of being expelled, were sitting down to dinner as if nothing had happened.
"Enjoying a last meal, Potter, Granger? When are you getting on the train back to your Muggle families?"
"You're a lot braver now you're back on the ground and have your little friends to back you up." replied Harry.
"I'll take you on anytime on my own Potter. How about midnight tonight, wizards duel, wands only, no physical contact. What's the matter Potter, never heard of a wizards duel?"
"'Course he has. I'll be his second! Who's yours?" said Ron.
Malfoy looked at Crabbe and Goyle, sizing them up. "Crabbe" he said, "Midnight in the trophy room, it's always unlocked."
"What's a wizard duel, and what's a second?" whispered Harry.
"A second is supposed to take over if you die," said Ron casually. "But people only die in proper duels, you know, with real trained wizards. The most you'll be able to do is shoot sparks at each other.
"I don't like this Harry," complained Hermione. "We could get in trouble for being out of bed after curfew.
"No one asked you to come Hermione," Ron replied.
"You don't care if you cost us house points?" complained Hermione.
"And it's none of your business." replied Ron.
***
All the same, Harry was uneasy. Hermione was right, but he couldn't back down now.
I'll be there with you Harry, in case Malfoy tries something, Hermione thought inside Harry's head.
Thanks Hermione. I know we're not supposed to be out of bed after curfew, but Malfoy can't get away with challenging us. He'll think we're cowards if we don't call him on it.
Let's hope it isn't a trap Harry.
We should tell Ron what's going on between us.
I don't know Harry, he seems such an insensitive git sometimes.
He'll find out sometime, just by the way we act, and he is my friend.
Alright Harry, maybe tomorrow.
It's almost time Hermione, let's get Ron and go. Harry whispered in her head.
They pulled on their dressing gowns and put their wands in their pockets. Creeping out to the common room, they found Hermione waiting.
"What's she doing here?" complained Ron.
"I'm coming too, to keep an eye open in case Malfoy cheats." said Hermione.
"Let's hope Filch or his cat doesn't spot us first." Harry whispered, as the trio sneaked out the portrait hole.
Neville met them halfway there, after being released from the hospital wing.
"How's the arm Neville?" Harry asked.
"Madam Pomfrey fixed it up right away, but made me rest until now."
"Sorry, Neville, got to go," said Harry, edging away.
"Don't leave me here, the Bloody Baron's been by twice, and Peeves is around somewhere, causing havoc. I've forgotten the new Password." moaned Neville.
When they reached the trophy room, Malfoy wasn't there.
"I knew it, Malfoy set us up!" Hermione exclaimed.
They heard Filch approaching with Mrs. Norris, his cat. "They've got to be here somewhere, my sweet"
"Quick, up here," Harry urged.
They clambered up a set of stairs into a dark corridor.
"Do you get the idea this isn't used very much?" said Ron softly.
"This is the third floor, we're not supposed to be here! It's forbidden!" cautioned Hermione.
They heard Filch and his cat approaching and they took off running until they reached the end of the corridor. There was a locked door in front of them.
"That does it, we're trapped!" moaned Ron.
"Oh move over!" exclaimed Hermione. "Alohomora" she whispered, and the door swung open.
The quartet quickly slipped inside and closed the door. Panting, they waited until they heard Filch abandon the chase. Turning around at the sound of a deep growl, they were confronted with a gigantic three-headed dog. The dog had just awakened and had noticed them. With a growl from the three heads, it charged. Frantically they pushed the door open and fled the room, stopping only to slam and lock the door just in time.
"What were they thinking, keeping that monster locked up like that?" shuddered Ron.
"You weren't paying attention?" admonished Hermione. "It was guarding a trap door in the floor."
"I was paying more attention to its heads!" exclaimed Ron. "There were three of them, and they would have made quick work of us!"
Sneaking back to their common room, they quickly made their way up to bed.
"We're lucky we weren't killed, or worse, expelled!" said Hermione.
"She really needs to sort out her priorities," Ron said to Harry and Neville. Neville was shaking so hard, they thought he'd faint.
"C'mon Neville, you're a Gryffindor, that was a great adventure," said Harry.
Neville gave a faint smile, "Maybe they should have sorted me into Hufflepuff.
"Nonsense Neville, you've been protected by your grandmother too long. You're braver than that. You're worth ten Malfoys," Ron stated. "That git was too afraid to show up. All he was interested in was snitching on us to get us into trouble."
Hermione heard that through Harry's connection and agreed.
Harry, we should help Neville overcome his shyness and lack of confidence.
You're right Hermione, Neville's a really nice guy. He needs to learn to defend himself from bullies. We should be able to support him and show him he belongs. After all, the Hat sorted him into Gryffindor as well as us.
Yes Harry. We really need to get to bed now, it's late.
Goodnight Hermione, see you at breakfast.
Harry thought he knew what that dog guarded. The small package that Hagrid retrieved from vault seven hundred and thirteen.
Hermione caught this thought and silently agreed.
***
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