#homorphus charm

[braveclementine]

Chapter 9

Warnings: None, Readers under 18 can read this book. It is solely fluff- nothing sexual

Copyright: I do not own any Wizarding World characters that J.K. Rowling wrote. I do however own Elizabeth Kane (main character) and Trang Nyguen (best friend). There should be no use of these two names without my permission. I also do not condone any copying of this.

.💚💚.

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖉𝖆𝖞 in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Hermione explained a plan to me that I had seen in my visions. I listened patiently, fiddling with my fingers. When she finished, I questioned her under my breath.

"Do you know how many rules that's going to break? Some of those ingredients are going to have to be taken from Snape's private storage!" That was the part that I was feeling the most apprehensive about. I really, really hated the idea of stealing from Snape.

We couldn't talk anymore so Hermione didn't answer my questions. Lockhart had hauled Harry to the front of the classroom. He had Harry play the characters or the Magical Creatures (I refused to call them monsters as that would go against everything I believed) that he was trying to cure. Right now, Harry was playing the Werewolf. I looked on in boredom and amusement.

"Nice loud howl, Harry." Lockhart said, motioning with his fingers for Harry to howl louder.

Harry gave a loud howl, his cheeks turning bright red from humiliation. I bit the palm of my hand to keep from bursting out laughing. I could already see the Slytherins in the corner of the room dissolving into giggles- not trying to be quiet. Seamus and Dean were having a hard time keeping straight faces in the front row.

"-exactly-and then, if you'll believe it, I pounced- and like this-" Lockhart jumped up and landed on top of Harry. Harry's mouth shaped into an o like he'd had the breath knocked out of him. I winced. "-slammed him to the floor- thus- with one hand, I managed to hold him down-" His hand went down on Harry's chest. "-with my other, I put my wand to his throat- I then screwed up my remaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm- he let out a piteous moan- go on, Harry-"

The moan that Harry let out was certainly one to pity and it also pushed me over my self-control. I dissolved into giggles, managing to keep them silent which only made them worse. Tears leaked out of my eyes and I quickly put my head down on the desk.

"-higher than that." Lockhart said disapprovingly.

Harry made another attempt at the sound. It was definitely higher. Ron also dissolved into laughter. Even Hermione was having a hard time keeping a straight face.

"-good- the fur vanished- the fangs shrank- and he turned back into a man. Simple, yet effective- and another village will remember me forever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terror of werewolf attacks." Lockhart said, standing up and helping Harry up.

The bell rang and I quickly wiped my eyes so that Harry didn't know I'd been laughing.

"Homework- compose a poem about my defeat of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf! Signed Copies of Magical Me to the author of the best one!"

"I'd rather have an actual grade." I muttered, my good mood from Harry's performance gone.

Harry returned to the back of the room. Hermione had the permission slip out hidden behind her stack of books. Ron was standing up, facing his back towards us. I felt my anxiety heighten for no reason.

"Ready?" Harry muttered. I shook my head slightly.

"Wait till everyone's gone." Hermione muttered. "All right. . ."

She approached Lockhart's desk, a piece of paper clutched tightly in her hand. Like in Myrtle's bathroom, Harry and Ron followed her and I hung back near the back of the classroom.

"Er- Professor Lockhart?" Hermione stammered. "I wanted to- to get this book out of the library. Just for background reading." She held out the book slip. "But the thing is, it's in the Restricted Section of the library, so I need a teacher to sign for it- I'm sure it would help me understand what you say in Gadding with Ghouls about slow-acting venoms-"

It was a good argument if you looked at it from a logical standpoint. Of course, I'm sure he wouldn't even look at the name of the book.

"Ah, Gadding with Ghouls. Possibly my very favorite book. You enjoyed it?" Lockhart said, taking the slip from her.

"No." I muttered under my breath. Actually, it was a good book. He was a talented person. I just didn't like how he'd portrayed me in the newspapers. That was what I was mad about. His books were really good if I could look at them from a non-biased point of view.

Oh and his attitude of course.

"Oh, yes." Hermione said eagerly. "So clever, the way you trapped that last one with the tea-strainer-"

I agreed- silently.

Lockhart interrupted her again. "Well, I'm sure no one will mind me giving the best student of the year a little extra help." Lockhart said in a warm voice. I smoldered at that statement.

"Yes, nice isn't it?" Lockhart said suddenly, addressing this comment to Ron. I couldn't see his face so I looked to see what they were talking about. "I usually save it for book-signings." Oh, his peacock quill. It was very nice. I wish I could feel that I could afford one, but they were so expensive, nearly 25 gallons for a freaking quill! Okay, I could afford one but it wasn't as though I would use it! Not in the classroom anyways.

"So Harry." Lockhart said, giving the slip back to Hermione. I watched her fold the note clumsily and stuff it back into her bag. "Tomorrow's the first Quidditch match of the season, I believe? Gryffindor against Slytherin, is it not? I hear you're a useful player. I was a Seeker, too. I was asked to try for the National Squad, but preferred to dedicate my life to the eradication of the Dark Forces. Still, if ever you feel the need for a little private training, don't hesitate to ask. Always happy to pass on my expertise to less able players. . ."

Lockhart had been asked to join the National Squad? Really! That was amazing. I smarted a little that he thought Harry was a less able player. Harry was a very talented Quidditch player, much more talented than I could ever hope to be. He was the youngest Seeker in nearly 100 years! Pride filled me for a second.

Harry made an indistinct noise in the back of his throat and I left the room, the other three following me.

"I don't believe it." Harry said once Lockhart was out of earshot, "He didn't even look at the book we wanted."

"That's because he's a brainless git. But who cares, we've got what we needed-" Ron was suddenly interrupted by Hermione.

"He is not a brainless git." Her voice had gone up about seven octaves.

"Just because he said you were the best student of the year-" I started angrily and then we dropped our voices as we entered the library.

Madam Pince, the librarian often stalked around the library, looking for those doing magic or talking too loudly. She was an irritable woman but I thought she was handsome. She had flawless skin with thin cheeks so that her cheekbones showed. She rarely smiled, though when she did, she looked quite beautiful. She always wore the same green cloak and hat.

"Moste Potente Potions?" Madam Pince questioned, reading off the slip that Hermione was holding out. She tried to take it, but Hermione wouldn't let go. I frowned.

"I was wondering if I could keep it." She said breathlessly.

"Oh for Merlin's sake." I snapped and pulled it out of Hermione's grasp and handed it to Madam Pince. Hermione glared at me and I said, "We can easily get you another one. I'm sure he keeps a stack of signed photos in his pocket." I shot a look at Harry who grinned.

Madam Pince held the signature up to the light, probably trying to figure out if Lockhart's signature was good enough. She stalked off to go get the book and came back with a large, old book. It had a moldy look to it and I wrinkled my nose. Books shouldn't look like that. Hermione took it carefully and put it in her bag.

We left the library after that and we were in Myrtle's bathroom five minutes later. The four of us crowded around the book while Hermione flipped through it. There was a very good reason that this book was in the restricted section. There were disgusting illustrations that looked painful and gruesome.

"Here it is." Hermione said with an excited voice and stopped flipping through the pages. I leaned over her shoulder to get a better look at the ingredients, though I knew what most of them would contain.

"This is one of the most complicated potions I've ever seen." Hermione's voice had lost its excitement. I nodded solemnly next to her. "Lacewing flies, leeches, fluxweed, and knotgrass. Well they're easy enough, they're in the student store-cupboard, we can help ourselves. . . Oooh, look, powdered horn of a bicorn- don't know where we're going to get that- shredded skin of a boomslang- that'll be tricky, too- and of course a bit of whoever we want to change into."

"Excuse me?" Ron said sharply, "What D'you mean, a bit of whoever we're changing into? I'm drinking nothing with Crabbe's toenails in it-"

I giggled.

Hermione continued on. "We don't have to worry about that, though, because we add those bits last. . ."

Unperturbed, Ron turned to Harry and me, speechless. Harry spoke then, "D'you realize how much we're going to have to steal, Hermione? Shredded skin of a boomslang, that's definitely not in the students' cupboard. What're we going to do, break into Snape's private stores? I don't know if this is a good idea. . ."

Hermione shut the book with a snap, a strange glimmering look in her eyes. "Well if you three are going to chicken out, fine." Bright patches appeared on her cheeks. "I don't want to break rules, you know. I think threatening Muggle-borns is far worse than brewing up a difficult potion. But if you don't want to find out if it's Malfoy, I'll go straight to Madam Pince now and hand the book back in-"

I stared at her in shock, "When did I say I was chickening out!" My voice climbed three octaves. "I don't chicken out."

"I never thought I'd see the day when you'd be persuading us to break rules." Ron said, also in a state of shock, "All right, we'll do it. But no toenails, okay?"

I giggled again, feeling just a little lighter with Ron's humor. So that was what was worrying Ron the most- toenails.

"How long will it take to make, anyway?" Harry asked as Hermione happily opened the book up again.

"Well since the fluxweed has got to picked at the full moon-" Hermione started but I interrupted.

"I can get the fluxweed at full moon. There's a load of patches out in the Forbidden Forest. If you let me borrow the invisibility cloak Harry, I can get enough."

"That sounds like a plan." Harry and Hermione said together. Then, Hermione continued, "the lacewings have got to be stewed for twenty-one days. . .I'd say it'd be ready in about a month, if we can get all the ingredients."

"A month!" Ron exclaimed. "Malfoy could have attacked half the Muggle-borns in the school by then!" Hermione's eyes narrowed dangerously and he quickly added, "But it's the best plan we've got, so full steam ahead, I say."

Ron had a simpler plan though. As Hermione went to go see if there was anyone in the hallway, he whispered to Harry, "It'll be a lot less hassle if you can just knock Malfoy off his broom tomorrow."

I laughed again.

.💚💚.

𝕿𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖓𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙, 𝖎𝖓𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖆𝖉 of going to bed, I snuck through the castle, always double checking to make sure I wasn't being followed, and hurried out to the forest. I walked with a purpose, once I knew no one was following me, and made my way to where I knew the Centaurs would be gathering tonight.

I saw them in the moonlight, standing in a circle, talking. I stayed behind, not wanting to interrupt, and I climbed a tree to overhear what was going in. Sometimes, I interjected and spoke and that was when they knew I was there. Sometimes, they were in heated debates about humans and I would leave without making an noise.

It was freezing cold, considering it was November and once I was safely in the crook of the tree, I pulled my cloak around me. Then, I listened to what was being said below.

". . . Bane." Firenze was finishing off his sentence. He didn't sound angry- yet- but he sounded frustrated.

"We should not be sharing out knowledge with the humans." Bane said, rearing on his hind legs and kicking his front legs in anger. "You are setting yourself against the heavens, Firenze, by continuing to talk to the Kane girl."

I felt my heart plummet. I should leave. The Centaurs all knew that I stayed in the trees. They'd know soon that I was here, if they were looking.

"Since when has sharing knowledge ever been a danger to us!" Firenze thundered angrily. "The girl is the smartest of her type, and you know it even if you don't like it. And would you want to stop conversing with Hagrid? The human who protects the forest? Not every human is as terrible as you want to make them out to be Bane."

Bane opened his mouth to retort but then Ronan stepped in, "Bane, you must consider that the girl is not sharing her knowledge with anyone. It is for her and her only. She simply has a thirst for knowledge that we've never seen in any other human. The planets have not said that she is a hindrance or a danger to our community. I believe, personally, that her opinions enlighten us as well- share in knowledge, perhaps we could call it."

I felt a little bit of relief in my chest. While only Ronan and Firenze had said anything in defense, I still felt that it was better than nothing. I wondered how the others felt.

A large centaur, Ivagio, spoke next. He was a lovely brown color with large amber eyes and dreadlocks. "I have never found a danger with the Kane girl nor Hagrid. Both are a joy to the forest. I understand the concern of our knowledge, Bane, I do, but we've always conversed our ideas with Hagrid. You even did so last year, telling Hagrid that Mars was bright."

"Hagrid is kind, caring man." Bane spat. "But he also does not know the true meaning behind Mars being so bright. He does not realize-"

I interrupted. "He does not realize that Harry is going to die."

The centaurs went silent, looking up. Bane kicked his back legs, perhaps in frustration or anger. I doubted that he was embarrassed though.

"Elizabeth Kane." Firenze said giving me an almost smile, "Welcome back."

"Indeed." Ivagio said, "Welcome back. You've been gone long, though I must admit with this sort of reception, I do not blame you."

I shook my head and smiled. "I only stayed away so as not to intrude. Though I've had multiple invitations to come back, so I decided tonight would be a night to come."

Bane shot Firenze a look, pawing the ground with his hoof. Firenze was, indeed, the only one to invite me back, but this way it sounded like multiple Centaurs had wanted me back.

I dropped down from the tree. I was now at the mercy of the Centaurs, and they all knew it. I had no defense and no height.

I bowed just slightly and then said, "I will be heading back to the castle tonight so that you can continue your conversation. It's an important one, I do understand, and I will not give my input for this conversation since it's a biased opinion."

I gave them a small smile, turned, and walked away from them, and made my way up to the castle. I felt much better once I collapsed into bed. I was going to have to wake up early for Harry's game tomorrow. Hopefully, he would knock Draco off his broom- that would certainly be fun to see.

⬅️➡️

[ottogatto]

There IS hope for Remus and the other werewolves!

May I present you

The Homorphus Charm

The second Harry Potter book describe its effects thanks to Lockhart here:

"Nice loud howl, Harry - exactly - and then, if you'll believe it, I pounced - like this - slammed him to the floor - thus with one hand, I managed to hold him down - with my other, I put my wand to his throat - I then screwed up my remaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm - he let out a piteous moan - go on, Harry - higher than that - good - the fur vanished - the fangs shrank - and he turned back into a man. Simple, yet effective - and another village will remember me forever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terror of werewolf attacks."

So you'd expect that since it came from Lockhart, and most of his spells don't work, then this Charm never existed. But that's not what he says:

No one wants to read about some ugly old Armenian warlock, even if he did save a village from werewolves. […] I mean, come on -" 

"So you've just been taking credit for what a load of other people have done?" said Harry incredulously. 

"Harry, Harry," said Lockhart, shaking his head impatiently, "it's not nearly as simple as that. There was work involved. I had to track these people down. Ask them exactly how they managed to do what they did. Then I had to put a Memory Charm on them so they wouldn't remember doing it."

This means that all of what Lockhart said IS true, did happen, only it has been done by somebody else. Hermione and all those who found that Lockhart was a fraud may have concluded that the events told by the books haven’t ever existed, but we know that Harry and Ron know they happened, only Lockhart took the credit.

Meaning that there's a chance to find a Charm that will banish the monthly werewolf transformations. There IS a cure to lycanthropy. Only, like how people said a wand couldn't be repaired, they just haven't found the way to help werewolves yet, so they wrongly conclude that it's incurable (and I don't care what Rowling says out of the books).

Based on what was said, we have four solutions to find it:

We find the Homorphus Charm by research, tracking the Armenian Warlock's notes if possible

We find a way to bring back the memories of those who suffered Obliviation and we ask him how it's done

We find/create a Time-Turner or any device that allows to go to the past and we learn from the warlock, by will or by force, trying not to change the past a lot

We track down the village where the Homorphus was casted, ask who was present at the time, extract their memory, and use the Pensieve to run back to the scene where it happened and we learn/copy/etc from the warlock (remember, Penseives are objective and they can show things that even the owner of the memory didn't know)

The easiest seems to be the last one, though it's not guaranteed to be the most effective. A bit of Felix Felicis would be welcome.

Now the only thing we have to hope is that the Homorphus Charm works the way it sounds to work.

[purplelupins]

So for In the Woods Somewhere I wanted to clarify something; for each detail of the story, I do extensive research to make sure it’s as accurate as possible. For example:

• The potion she drinks is based on the Drought of Peace which alleviates anxiety and agitation.

•Lupin’s parents DID meet because of a Boggart.

•The Homorphus charm was an actual spell Lockhart tried to perfect.

•The Imperio lesson was added because itis actually part of the curriculum, as was the non-verbal magic.

[nerdwhoauthorinserts]

F/O x S/I Relationship blurbs (OLD)

Loki Laufeyson/Odinson/Friggason:

Certainly not a love at first sight, though Loki was intrigued by Blake after helping him escape capture by SHIELD. Mostly curious as to why a Midgardian would go through so much trouble to help him after what happened in New York.

Theirs was a slow burn, going from allies to friends to lovers over the course of a long stretch of time.

Blake’s feelings bubbled up first, though he hesitated to confess.

He first tried to win him over by making it a game. ‘I’m your anonymous admirer, if you can find out who I am, you win.’

It eventually ended in a passionate love confession, a poetic declaration of adoration he’d practiced over and over again in the mirror.

A moonlit night on a balcony at Avenger’s tower, Blake taking a knee after kissing Loki’s hand.

“You are truly the universe’s greatest mage, for you have bewitched me body, mind, and soul. To be at your side for evermore would be the greatest honor ever bestowed upon me. You are the most priceless treasure, I would sacrifice my life for you in a heartbeat, I’d give you the universe if I could, and I would regret it every day if I never told you:”

He stuttered a bit on the last part though.

“I- lo-... l- lo- I... love you, m-my prince.”

Jonathan Crane:

Like with Loki, it wasn’t an instant attraction.

Blake a normal civilian and Jonathan a super criminal, their paths crossed when Jonathan broke into his house.

They hit it off quite well all things considered. They had similar interests and have common views and opinions.

Eventually, their meetings ended up attracting attention, which resulted in Blake getting tangled up in Gotham’s criminal underworld. Meaning they ended up spending a lot of time together.

Soon finding common ground in places they didn’t even know they would. Both having abuse and neglect-ridden childhoods. Hell, both growing up in Georgia, even.

Their relationship was slow as well, but mutual in escalation. Slowly both growing feelings for the other over time.

There was no real ‘love confession’, but instead, a silent recognition of their mutual feelings in the aftermath of a plot gone wrong.

Newt Scamander:

One of the most risky of the relationships, especially at the start. Newt discovered Blake unconscious in the woods whilst in the form of a werewolf. Cursed with an unknown hex that forced him to either remain in lycan form or his animagus form, a Borzoi.

It was discovered fairly quickly that using the Homorphus charm could temporarily change him back to human form, so there was very little time they had together before he’d change into a borzoi again.

Blake’s love of magical creatures and a natural steady hand with animals was the first thing that Newt noticed. Along with his natural affinity for empathy.

Their love was one of the quickest to blossom, though make no mistake, it certainly isn’t weaker.

There was another love confession, but not from Blake. Newt’s confession was in the form of a small note he left in Blake’s pocket, which Blake did eventually notice and read. (Though it certainly took longer than either of them would’ve liked.)

Tomura Shigaraki:

Shigaraki and Blake knew each other for a while before they even met face to face. A friends/childhood friends to lovers situation.

Shigaraki met Blake by chance after Twice brought him to the league hideout as a potential recruit, though they didn’t recognize each other right away.

These two video gamer buddies recognized each other’s voices though and certainly had a “BRO?!” “BROOO!” moment.

Since they knew each other already, it was fairly quick to develop. Resulting in a confession from Blake after the ‘Shie Hassaikai arc’ began.

Despite having what many consider a ‘scary’ quirk, they stand by one another regardless. Blake being at risk for Shigaraki’s decay quirk and Shigaraki being at risk because of Blake’s unstable quirk. (Side-effects of the quirk make him a potential danger to every one around him.)

Honestly, this relationship gives heavy Romeo and Julietian vibes. It’ll probably end in tragedy tbh, but they don’t care.

Prince Stolas:

This one started very differently than the other two. With a on and off again fling that ended up turning into an emotional connection/real relationship.

Stolas, after the events of the seventh episode (part 1) went inside to discover that he was being summoned by a human in the living world. Wanting anything to get his mind off of what happened, he appeared, to Blake. Blake was in a very similar situation emotionally, wanting anything to get his mind off of something that just happened to him.

That night held far more physical and verbal affection than either of them had in years, resulting in Blake summoning Stolas and even Stolas just showing up randomly multiple times. Most of the visits didn’t even involve anything R rated, just spending time together.

It became abundantly clear to Stolas his heart had moved on, but the fact that it moved from an imp to a human was somewhat disheartening. If hell made fun of him for being with an imp, it would only be worse with a living human. But honestly? He didn’t care.

They basically tried to confess their feelings at the same time.

Both: “I just wanted you to-” Blake: “Uh, you go first.” Stolas: “Ah, haha, yes, *Ahem* Well-”

Blake basically followed him back to hell, determined with the thought that ‘If what we have is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.”

All of my other F/Os are WIP, lol

If anyone wants to ask about anything, feel free to shoot me an ask! I love talking about this stuff, lol.

[mineclair]

Harry Potter Spells:

Aberto: Charm - a spell used to open doors

Accio: Charm - summons an object

Aguamenti: Charm - shoots water from wand

Alarte Ascendare: Charm - shoots the target high into the air

Alohomora: Charm - opens locked objects

Amato Animo Animato Animagus: Transfiguration - used as part of the process of becoming an Animagus.

Anapneo: Spell - clears target's airway if they are choking on something

Anteoculatia: Charm - causes the target to grow antlers

Aparecium: Spell - reveals invisible ink

Appare Vestigium: Charm - reveals traces of magic, including footprints and track marks

Aqua Eructo: Charm - used to create and control a jet of clear water from the tip of the wand

Arania Exumai: Charm - drives away spiders, including Acromantulas

Arresto Momentum: Charm - decreases the velocity of a moving target

Ascendio: Charm - lifts the caster high into the air

Avada Kedavra: Curse - murders opponent - Unforgivable

Avifors: Charm - turns small objects into birds

Avenseguim: Charm - turns an object into a tracking device

Avis: Spell - launches birds from your wand

Bombarda: Charm - creates a small, locally contained explosion

Bombarda Maxima: Charm - creates a large explosion capable of removing entire walls

Brackium Emendo: Charm - if used correctly, it is claimed that this spell will heal broken bones

Calvorio: Curse - removes victim's hair

Cantis: Jinx - causes the victim to burst uncontrollably into song

Capacious Extremis: Charm - expands the internal dimensions of an object without affecting the external dimensions, enhancing its capacity, and rendering its content lighter

Carpe Retractum: Charm - produces a rope of light used to pull objects towards the caster, or, of the target is fixed in place, to pull the caster towards the target

Cave Inimicum: Charm - produces a boundary that keeps the caster hidden from others

Circumrota: Charm - rotates objects

Cistem Aperio: Charm - opens chests and boxes

Colloportus: Charm - closes a door and binds it so that it cannot be opened

Colloshoo: Hex - sticks the target's shoes to the ground

Colovaria: Charm - changes the target's colour

Confrigo: Curse - produces a fiery explosion

Confundo: Charm - used to confound the opponent

Conjunctivitis: Curse - damages opponent's eyesight

Crinus Muto: Transfiguration - used to transfigure the colour and style of one's hair

Crucio: Curse - tortures opponent - Unforgivable

Defodio: Charm - allows the caster to dig and carve through the target

Deletrius: Spell - counters "Prior Incantato"

Densaugeo: Spell - enlarges teeth

Deprimo: Charm - charm used to blow holes in the ground

Depulso: Charm - sends the target away from the caster

Descendo: Charm - causes object to fall or move downwards

Diffindo: Spell - splits seams

Diminuendo: Charm - forces the target to shrink

Dissendium: Spell - opens the "One eyed witch" hump, which leads to Hogwarts and Honeydukes Sweetshop in Hogsmeade

Draconifors: Transfiguration - transforms the target into a dragon

Ducklifors: Transfiguration - transforms target into a duck

Duro: Charm - turns an object to stone

Ebublio: Jinx - causes the victim to inflate and explode into hundreds of bubbles

Engorgio: Charm - enlarges an item

Engorgio Skullus: Hex - causes the victim's skull to swell disproportionately

Entomorphis: Jinx - used to transform the target into an insectoid for a short time

Ennervate: Spell - counters Stupefy

Episkey: Charm - heals minor injuries

Epoximise: Transfiguration - adheres one object to another, as if they're glued together

Erecto: Charm - used to erect a tent or other upright structure

Evanesce: Transfiguration - vanishes the target

Evanesco: Transfiguration - immediately dissolves away an object, as if never existed

Everte Statum: Spell - throws the victim backwards, similarly to being thrown

Expecto Patronum: Charm - creates a Patronus

Expelliarmus: Charm - disarms your opponent

Expulso: Curse - provokes an explosion, unique that it uses the pressure to do so as opposed to heat

Ferula: Spell - creates bandages

Fidelius: Charm - hides a secret within someone

Finite Incantatum: Spell - stops any current spells

Flagrate: Charm - allows the wand to write or draw in the air with fire

Flipendo: Jinx - knocks an object backwards

Fumunculus: Curse - produces boils on the opponent

Geminio: Charm - creates a duplicate of an object

Glacius: Charm - freezes the target with icy-cold air

Glacius Duo: Charm - a more powerful version of Glacius

Glacius Tria: Charm - a more powerful version of Glacius Duo

Glisseo: Charm - causes steps on a stairway to flatten into a slide

Harmonia Necrete Passus: Charm - repairs a vanishing cabinet

Herbifors: Transfiguration - causes flowers to sprout from the victim

Herbivicus: Charm - rapidly grows plants

Homenum Revelio: Charm - reveals human presence in the vicinity of the caster

Homorphus: Charm - Lockhart's Werewolf "cure"

Illegibilus: Charm - makes writing impossible to read

Immobulus: Charm - renders target immobile

Impedimenta: Charm - slows an advancing object

Imperio: Curse - controls a person - Unforgivable

Impervius: Charm - makes an object repel water and mist

Inanimatus Conjurus: Transfiguration - conjure an inanimate object

Incarcerous: Spell - ties up the target with ropes conjured from thin air

Incendio: Spell - produces fire

Incendio Duo: Spell - a stronger version of Incendio

Incendio Tria: Spell - a stronger version of Incendio Duo

Inflatus: Charm - inflates the target

Informous: Charm - used to complete one's Folio Bruti

Locomotor Wibbly: Curse - causes the victim's legs to collapse as if they were turned to jelly

Lacarnum Inflamari: Charm - ignites cloaks

Langlock: Jinx - sticks a victim's tongue to roof of their mouth

Lapifors: Transfiguration - transforms the target into a rabbit

Legilimens: Spell - allows the caster to delve into the mind of the victim

Leviocorpus: Jinx - hoists people into the air by their ankle

Liberacorpus: Jinx - counter-jinx to Leviocorpus

Locomotor: Charm - levitate a target a few inches off of the ground and then move the said object in any given direction

Locomotor Mortis: Curse - locks opponent's legs

Lumos: Charm - creates light at wand tip

Lumos Duo: Charm - creates a focused beam of light from the end of the wand

Lumos Maxima: Charm - produces a blinding flash of bright white light from the tip of the wand

Lumos Solem: Charm - produces a blinding flash of sunlight

Magicus Extremos: Charm - partnership-based charm that temporarily increases the casters' spell power

Melofors: Jinx - encases the victim's head in a pumpkin

Meteolojinx Recanto: Charm - causes weather effects caused by jinxes to cease

Mimblewimble: Curse - ties the target's tongue in a knot

Mobiliarbus: Charm - moves unconscious bodies

Mobilicorpus: Charm - levitates and moves bodies

Molliare Charm - produces an invisible cushion over the target

Morsmordre: Spell - conjures the Dark Mark

Miffliato: Charm - prevents other from hearing nearby conversations by filling people's ears with an unidentifiable buzzing

Multicorfus: Transfiguration - used to change the colour and style of one's clothing

Mutatio Skullus: Hex - mutates the victim's head, causing them to grow extra heads

Nox: Spell - counter to Lumos

Nebulus: Charm - creates fog from the tip of the wand

Oculus Reparo: Charm - mends eyeglasses

Obliviate: Charm - erases specific memories

Obscurus: Conjuration - blindfolds the target

Oppugno: Jinx - causes targeted objects to attack a victim

Orbis: Jinx - sucks the target into the ground

Orchideous: Spell - conjures a bunch of flowers

Oscausi: Dark Charm - seal someone's mouth shut

Pack: Charm - packs luggage

Papyrus Reparo: Charm - mends torn pieces of paper

Partis Temporus: Charm - creates a temporary gap in the target

Periculum: Charm - produces a burst of red sparks

Petruficus Totalus: Curse - body-bind

Point Me: Charm - wand acts like a compass

Portus: Charm - turns an object into a portkey

Priori Incantatum: Spell - reveals a wand last spell/cast

Protego: Charm - cause spells to reflect back to the sender

Protego Diabolica: Dark Arts - conjures a protective ring of fire around the caster that only affects their enemies

Protego Horribilis: Charm - a powerful shield charm against dark magic

Protego Maxima: Charm - stronger version of Protego

Protego Totalum: Charm - protects an area for an extended period of time

Quietus: Spell - counter spell for Sonorus

Redactum Skullus: Hex - shrinks the head of the head of the target

Reducio: Spell - returns items to original size. Count Engorgio

Reducto: Spell - blasts solid objects aside

Reverte: Charm - returns objects to their original positions or states

Rennervate: Charm - awakens an unconscious victim

Relashio: Spell - releases user from bidding

Repairo: Spell - repairs things

Rictumsempra: Charm - tickles opponent

Riddikulus: Spell - use this spell and laugh to defeat a boggart

Salvio Hexia: Charm - protects against hexes

Scourgify: Charm - cleans objects

Skurge: Charm - destroys ectoplasm (remains of ghosts)

Sectumsempra: Curse - lacerates the target and causes severest haemorrhaging

Serpensortia: Spell - produces a snake

Silencio: Charm - makes something silent

Sonorus: Spell - amplifies voice

Stupefy: Spell - knocks out opponent

Tarantallegra: Spell - forces opponent to dance

Vera Verto: Transfiguration - transforms animals into water goblets

Waddiwasi: Spell - unsticks an object

Wingardium Leviosa: Charm - makes an object fly

[halothenthehorns]

THE ROGUE BLUDGER

THE ROGUE BLUDGER

Clh left me a comment about how they felt about how I portrayed House Elf's, and Sirius' attitude on the matter during the second book. First things first, I've never read JK's opinion on the matter, so if someone would point me to a sight where I could read that I will enjoy it as much as any other HP related thing. Mostly though, I don't see how Sirius' reaction is too far from how Ron acts. I don't mean for Sirius to come across hating the whole species, and his reasons for hating Dobby were pretty justified. You guys have yet to see him around any other elf. Plus the bit where he said his parents hurt Kreacher I don't find too out there, it's not unreasonable to think Sirius has seen them do that to Kreacher for one reason or another. I'll go more into details on this during the fourth book, just felt like addressing that now.

HPHPHP

Remus was happy to read the next chapter, wanting dearly to see if Hermione could pull off such an advanced potion, and ignoring Sirius and James protest as they complained they still didn't get to have their 'Smarts Debate.' Honestly, Hermione would win that easily anyways.

The narration begins by talking about Lockhart's classes, explaining that he hadn't done anything with live animals since the disastrous pixie incident.

"Thank Merlin," Remus huffed, "or something far worse could happen."

Apparently all he had been doing was reading from his books,

"So basically torture sessions, of unrealistic proportions," James summarized.

and acting out the most action packed parts for the class. He always called on Harry to work as his second for these,

"Why?" All five of them groaned.

and Harry had no choice but to do as told. So far he'd played several embarrassing parts,

"Dumb, dumber, and dumbest," Sirius huffed, the more he heard about this guy the more annoying it got!

and today he was being instructed on how to act as a werewolf.

"Did you at least do the thing properly," James asked, while grinning over at Remus who refused to look up, "you know, spout random facts, be a horrible liar-"

"Have a really bad habit for turning red in the face," Sirius added on.

"Knock it off," Remus snapped, still without looking up. Harry and Lily could see why, since the little of his face they could see had long since turned bright red at his friends teasing. Remus knew he would never understand why his friends joked about something like this, it was a serious problem that shouldn't be taken lightly, but he had never stopped them with any real force either. Their joking simply meant they liked him enough to mess with him, something he had never thought possible in his younger years.

Still chuckling at their antics, Harry corrected them, "No, I had 'turned' into an actual werewolf at the time, fur and fangs and stuff."

Remus gave Harry a puzzled look and then read on a bit curiously.

Harry would have refused to do it, if he hadn't had a reason for keeping on Lockhart's good side.

"Did you try refusing to do it the other three times?" Lily asked.

"Yes," Harry muttered, it hadn't worked any of those times though because then Lockhart had launched into a detailed account, reading word for word. Harry had decided to do it simply to make the man shut up. At least playing those dumb roles had made the process go by quicker.

The teacher was currently instructing Harry to give a good long howl, while Lockhart went on about how despite whether the students believe it or not, he'd slammed the werewolf to the floor,

"Actually, I don't believe that," James said, quirking a brow. Had this man ever even seen a fully grown werewolf? They weren't the kind of thing you could 'slam' into the ground without getting your head bit off.

and had used only one hand to hold him down,

"Definitely don't believe that," Sirius cackled.

while pulling out his wand with the other and performing the Homorphus Charm.

"What good would that do?" James asked, "That's a charm used to restore Transfigured objects back to their original form. It's most common use is on Animagus' when they get stuck for some

reason. It wouldn't work on a werewolf though."

"Why do you know that?" Lily asked, noting his 'most common use' mostly.

"We had to learn it," Sirius shrugged, "for all the times we screwed up our Animagus practice. Came in handy a few times afterwards as well."

Then he told Harry to start moaning, as if in pain, and how the werewolf had shrunk back down to its human form.

"And people believed that," Lily scoffed in disgust. "If it was that easy, werewolves wouldn't even be classified as dangerous. They'd be a class three!"

Harry looked puzzled, not understanding the classification thing, but then Remus said bitterly, "I wish it was that easy," and then kept reading before anyone could comment.

Ending his tale with how he'd saved the village from monthly attacks!

"Really, I want to know how his books are sold without being found in the fictional section," James demanded. "People can't really believe he did that!"

Harry shrugged, he had no answer for that, but he certainly didn't believe it.

The class was dismissed and Lockhart took to his feet,

"Wait, he actually slammed you to the ground!" Remus asked, not having interpreted that from his prattling.

Harry nodded, saying, "more like he pushed me, then he waved his wand in my face a lot, but he didn't let the 'crowd' lose full sight of him, he stayed on his knees in front of the desk. I fell back behind the desk, happily out of the way. Only time I can remember not being afraid of someone's wand in my face." He finished grinning wickedly.

and told them their homework was to write a poem of his defeat of the Werewolf. He'd give a signed copy of his autobiography to the best one.

All five of them looked disgusted that this was even counted as a homework assignment, let alone the horrid prize.

Harry wasn't pleased, but he stuck around after class along with his friends, Hermione clutching a piece of paper.

"Oh," James said, "so when Ron said the teacher would have to be really thick, he meant literally."

"Here I thought they were going to try and pull one over on McGonagall," Sirius sounded as surprised as his friend, "now all they have to do is just walk up to him, give him a cheap

compliment, and they'll be done with it."

"I'm kind of disappointed," Remus sighed, "I wanted to see them pull something on McGonagall to."

"That was the most useful thing Lockhart did all year," Harry laughed.

Hermione was blushing and stuttering the whole time she asked him to sign for the book, stating she wanted it for some extra research.

Lily sighed in both disappointment and disgust, saying, "really? She's still star struck?"

"This is the girl that's about to do a sixth year potion?" James asked in disbelief.

Harry shrugged, he had no defense for his friend since he and Ron had seen him as a fraud on the first day.

Lockhart just praised her for having read his book, asking if she'd liked that one the best? Hermione agreed, saying he was very creative indeed when he'd used a tea strainer to catch a ghoul.

"What on earth?" Remus spluttered in disbelief.

"Doesn't Ron have a ghoul in his attic?" James asked, "I think I'd like to borrow that."

"It might not be there yet," Lily reminded them, not necessarily knocking the idea.

"I'd really like to hear that full story," Sirius said eagerly, "if the wizard populace fell for that, maybe I could use it next time I go to the Leaky Cauldron."

Remus snorted in disgust, not doubting his friend would do this one bit.

Lockhart pulled out a huge peacock quill to sign for the note, and misread Ron's look of disgust as one of admiration.

"If it's anything like your look," James said to Harry, "then he's even dafter than I thought, and that's saying something."

Harry broke out of his shock at the remembered peacock quill and chuckled at his dad.

He signed away on the book, then turned to Harry and offered him private lessons as he remembered the first game was to be tomorrow.

"Oh come on!" James and Sirius groaned, not believing for one second that match would get pushed off for two or even three more chapters!

"My Quidditch match was awful," James groaned, "I want another go at reading."

"I haven't gotten one at all," Sirius muttered, sulking.

"How do you keep getting the good chapters!" James demanded.

"Just lucky I guess," he grinned.

Then he boasted that he'd been a Seeker for his house team as well,

"Was he really?" Harry asked in disbelief, not believing much of anything from him anymore.

"If he was," Sirius shrugged, "it wasn't while we were there."

"He'd be ah, a fifth year I think," James said, "so if we just so happened to pop by, we could find out."

saying how he could have played professionally,

"Still doubt that," James scoffed.

but would rather he spend his life fighting against the Dark.

"By entertaining them on their long dreary travels with my absurd stories," Remus kept going as if reading that.

Sirius choked and snatched the book away, then smacked his friend with it saying, "Jerk, don't give me false hope that man grew a brain."

Remus took it back, grinning like a fool before really reading.

He told Harry that he'd be glad to give Harry some pointers, he was always happy to help out less able players.

"Less able my arse!" James howled, "Harry could go and play for England now if he damn well pleased."

"Really James," Lily huffed, "I'm not disagreeing with you, Harry is good, but don't encourage him to drop out of school."

James scowl didn't lessen one bit.

Harry gave some non-articulate answer back as he followed after his friends, Ron was griping that the man hadn't even glanced at the book he was signing for.

"Prat," all five of them muttered.

Concluding that he was brainless. Hermione tried to argue back, saying he was anything but!

"First time Hermione's ever been wrong I think," Lily said sadly.

Harry phased them out as they went down to the library and came across the librarian, Madam Pince, who reminded Harry of an unfriendly vulture.

"I am forever turning to you whenever I want to describe someone," Sirius cackled.

She was clearly suspicious of why they would want this book as she tried to take the note away from Hermione, but she clung to it and mentioned how she'd like to keep the paper.

Lily face palmed, muttering something in disgust under her breath.

The boys simply looked more annoyed by Hermione.

Ron convinced her to give it up, reminding her they could get another signature just as easily, as Lockhart would probably sign anything that stood still too long.

"I believe that," James nodded.

Pince eyed the paper with suspicion, clearly looking for a forgery,

"She can," Remus sighed, "I knew a Ravenclaw who mirror imaged Flitwick's signature once, and when Pince did that, she saw it somehow. Kid had detention for a week straight."

"I wonder if that's some kind of magical ability, or..." Lily trailed off, now looking like she wanted to go up there and ask herself.

"Well, we're planning a trip up to the school, you can ask her then," James said.

but the note worked as she came back several minutes later

"Wow, even she doesn't know where every bloody book is in there. Either that, or she had to go all the way in the back," James laughed.

with their requested book. Hermione took it and stowed it away, and the three exited trying to look as unsuspicious as possible.

"You gotten any better at that?" Remus asked, "because the last time you tried that, Snape took away a book."

Harry shrugged and said, "well, no one took that book away, we made it all the way to Myrtle's bathroom anyways."

The trio headed down to Myrtle's bathroom and began scanning through the book, coming across some truly terrible things.

"Why do potions like that exist?" Harry asked in disgust.

"The one about being turned inside out doesn't have a practical use," Lily shrugged, "it's a threat potion more than anything, sometimes given as punishment for a short period of time."

"The ministry is barmy," Sirius muttered, but Lily was ignoring him, and continuing, "the other about the extra limbs sounds like a transformation potion, though since you didn't say the name of it I can only guess at what she could have been turning into."

Harry nodded, slightly agreeing with Sirius.

Hermione found the potion she was looking for, and went looking through the ingredients she would need. There were illustrations of the effects the potion would have,

"Pleasant," Remus shuddered, knowing very well how painful transforming could be.

and Harry really hoped the looks of pain on those people were being exaggerated.

"Nope," Lily said, "it is not a pleasant process at all."

Harry didn't look very pleased about this.

Hermione mentioned how this was the most complex potion she'd ever seen.

"Well duh," James laughed, "it's a sixth year potion!"

Listing off several of the ingredients that were going to be very hard to come by.

"I hadn't thought of that," Lily agreed, having mostly thought of the act, "where did she plan on getting the ingredients."

"I don't think you're going to like the answer," Harry said nervously, he only had a feeling after all, but it wasn't a good one.

One part mentioning some of the person they were going to change into. Ron seemed particularly grossed out by this, claiming he didn't want to put anything of Crabbe's in him, but Hermione ignored the outburst.

"Err, what did she mean?" Harry asked.

"It doesn't have to be toenails," Lily said quickly, as Harry looked a little queasy at the thought, "hair is most commonly used, but any bit of them like that will do."

Harry still looked a little green, but nodded all the same.

Then Ron pointed out that they weren't getting this stuff from the student's cupboards, they'd have to steal it from Snape himself.

All four adults spluttered in disbelief, though the boys for a completely different reason then Lily.

"That's brilliant!" Sirius cackled, James and Remus nodding right along. It was high time that slimeball knew what it felt like to get his stuff taken. Hell they wouldn't be surprised if Snape hadn't stolen from Slughorn to make some of his potions in school.

Lily on the other hand practically screeched, "You're going to steal from a teacher!"

"Mum-" Harry began, but Lily cut him off saying, "No. Last year you bent the rules around a few times, and nearly got killed. Now, you are breaking them in half, and for what? Because you think that Malfoy did it? Even if he was, and he blabs it to your face, what would you do? Go to Dumbledore without proof? Harry no, this is one thing I will not approve of. That's even assuming a second year can make the Polyjuice Potion correctly, without the lot of you being poisoned or, or worse or..." she stuttered off as she realized Harry was looking beseechingly at her, and the other boys were giving her pitting looks.

Lily sighed deeply, took several deep breaths then continued in far calmer tones, "I'm sorry."

Harry smiled at once, clearly holding no grudge. Lily continued, "It's just, I hate that you feel you have to do all of these things. I wish you had someone there who would tell you these things. I wish..." she trailed off, then put another stern look on her face and finished, "but I did mean it. I disapprove. I do acknowledge though that these are things that have already happened, so I promise I won't yell again." Then she paused, hesitated for a moment, and added, "about this particular thing."

Causing all of her boys to burst out laughing, James saying, "I love your fiery temper." She smiled weakly at them, before waving Remus on. He had to get his breath back a bit, but did indeed still read.

Hermione lost her temper at him, snapping that if they were going to act like babies about this,

"Ooh," Sirius said, going a little wide eyed, "Hermione daring the other's into doing this."

"It was her idea in the first place," Remus reminded him.

"What's gotten into her this year?" James asked, bemused.

"She's a muggle-born," Lily said in exasperation, "of course she'd be the most worried about this."

All four boys turned to her in shock, then blushed slightly. They hadn't forgotten exactly, but Hermione was just so smart it was a little easy to forget.

that she could go put this right back! Ron quickly said that he had no problems with the plan, and Hermione returned to the book. Harry asked how long it would take for the potion to happen,

"Not going to answer that Lily," James asked.

"No," Lily said, "I want to see if Hermione knows first. It'll make me feel better."

Hermione estimated about a month.

Lily nodded, looking a might bit better. Had Hermione tried to rush the potion by any shorter amount of time, she would have been even more worried.

Ron was not pleased with that, stating dozens of people could be hurt by then, but when Hermione glared at him all over again, Ron agreed it was the best they could do.

"Ron's gotten much better at that," Sirius chuckled.

Then Ron turned to Harry and told him it would be far easier on everyone if Harry just knocked Malfoy off his broom tomorrow. The next day came up bright and early, the whole of the Gryffindor team at breakfast not looking very happy.

"It's normal to be nervous before any game," James said bracingly, he still had no doubt in his mind Harry and his team would do brilliantly.

Wood convinced them all to go into the locker room for a pep talk before the game, starting by pointing out that Slytherin had better brooms,

"Chipper as always," Remus laughed lightly.

but his team had better people on their brooms!

"Excellent sentiment though," Sirius beamed.

Pointing out that they had trained harder, in all the weathers, with George muttering in agreement that he hadn't been dry for months.

All five of them laughed at that.

Then Wood turned on Harry, telling him the match would come down to him,

"Ouch," Remus winced, "does he pressure you before every match?"

"Seems like," Harry shrugged, "but I don't mind."

to prove that it took more than a rich father to make it in this game.

'Which he should have anyways' James thought, knowing that wasn't anything of use, but he still wanted to be there for Harry in some way more than a vault.

Finishing with Harry had to get the Snitch, or die trying.

Lily sighed in trepidation, that didn't make her feel any better. She also dearly wanted to comment that this boy took a game far too serious, but didn't want to elicit a joke from Sirius, or even get snapped at for saying this.

She had no idea the boys might have agreed with her in that moment.

Spirits raised, the team went onto the field, and at a blow of the whistle, the fourteen players began.

The three boys looked very excited to hear this. They felt like it had been ages since they got to hear about a good game, which didn't involve worrying about Harry dying in the middle of the

match.

Lily still looked wary, Harry's track record in this game hadn't been that good, but she was willing to relax and hear about this.

Harry was the only one looking on edge. They put this down to the pressure he must be feeling, not knowing why Harry would be rubbing his right arm for some reason.

The Chasers began in earnest while Harry began flying around looking for his ball, when a voice called out calling Harry Scarhead.

"Scarhead," Sirius snorted, "I didn't think his insults could actually get worse."

Malfoy chose that moment to shoot past Harry, clearly showing off the speed of his superior model.

"Most likely," Remus grumbled.

Harry chose not to respond as a Bludger came pelting towards his head, and he had to either duck or get his head knocked off.

Lily shivered in disgust, hating that mental image.

George managed a quick praise to Harry for pulling that off while smashing the Bludger away and sending it towards the opposing team, but the black ball swerved in midair, and came pelting straight back towards Harry.

Remus voice grew very confused at the end of that.

"What?" Sirius asked, sure he had heard wrong.

"Err," James began, but he couldn't think of anything to say really.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Harry sighed, rubbing his right arm.

Lily went a little bug eyed, but Remus now read on quickly, knowing by now Harry's bad feelings were usually not wrong.

Harry moved to avoid it, and this time George swung out with his full strength, knocking the ball off course. The Bludger was back again at once.

"One game!" James cried in fury. "I want one bloody Quidditch game that doesn't make me hate the whole bloody sport!"

"Why. Are. You. Being. Chased. By. A. Bludger." Sirius said slowly and distinctly, like he was trying to stop himself from yelling like James.

"I, I've no idea," Harry said miserably, very much wondering the same thing.

Lily put her face in her hands, wanting dearly to cover her ears as well so she didn't have to hear this.

Remus said, "Okay, I officially hate getting Quidditch chapters. Next time Sirius, I'm just going to give it to you anyways."

Sirius didn't look any kind of happy as his friend began in a wobbling voice, the horrid mental image of Sirius being bludgeoned the most prominent thing in his mind.

This time Harry chose to fly away in earnest, wondering why on earth the Bludger was still tailing him. The point of that ball was to go after all of the players, why was it so focused on him? Harry made a path and spotted Fred, and was able to swerve around him as Fred took his turn and pelted the ball with his bat.

"Thank Merlin for the twins," Sirius sighed, "they seemed to have noticed the problem already."

"Had enough practice," James muttered darkly.

Fred's triumph was short lived, as the Bludger continued going after Harry who chose to fly off again.

"Who could tamper with a thing like that?" Lily moaned, her face still in her hands. "I know those are very powerfully charmed. It would take some real magic to pull this stunt off!"

"Thinking it was Lockhart?" Remus asked weakly, "Are we still wondering if he's faking it? I kind of gave up on that after the 'werewolf' incident."

"No, he's still an idiot in my book until proven otherwise," Sirius sighed miserably, "and there's no way Malfoy, or any student for that matter, could be powerful enough to do this."

Stumped and with no leads who could do this, Remus forced himself to continue.

The weather wasn't helping, as thick raindrops started pelting Harry's glasses.

"You didn't put a Repelling charm on them?" James asked distractedly. "That's like the only charm any player's allowed to use, exclusive to the face only of course. Otherwise the rain will blind you."

"No," Harry said, no one had shown him how to do that, perhaps Wood thought he knew how to anyways.

The commentary was continuing below, as Lee announced Slytherin in the lead.

"Well that's just peachy!" Sirius groaned, not even having wondered about the game anymore now that Harry was in real danger of getting hurt. Again!

Harry became all the more frustrated as he realized the Slytherin's brooms were clearly outmatched his own teams. Fred and George were trying their best to help, constantly circling around Harry and taking turns swinging at the cannonball like object, but Harry reflected he'd never find the Snitch as he couldn't see around their flailing arms.

"I don't care," Lily yelped, "you're much safer being surrounded by them!"

The boys nodded in firm agreement, Remus asking, "why hasn't anyone called a timeout yet? Clearly something's wrong."

Harry sighed in defeat, knowing full well no one called this particular game off.

Fred managed to point out that someone had tampered with the Bludger

"Then why wasn't the game canceled," Lily ground out in frustration.

"Because Quidditch isn't canceled, not for anything," James sighed, for once in his life wishing the opposite.

"But it's obvious something's wrong-" Lily still tried, but was cut off by Sirius reminding, "Same was true of Harry's first game and that broom, and no one called it off then, even if they'd been given the chance. Quidditch just isn't cancelled Lily."

She sighed in disappointment, but stopped arguing the point in favor of hearing how Harry survived this.

in between smacking the ball away from Harry's head again. His twin somehow managed to call a timeout at the same time as stopping the Bludger from an impending attack.

"Props for multitasking," Harry laughed, but he was the only one who did.

The message came through, and the Gryffindors got a quick break as Harry and the two Weasleys made it to the ground while still having to avoid the rogue Bludger.

"Did it follow you onto the ground?" James asked.

"No," Harry said, "but it circled around me, like some bird in the air."

All four of them shivered, hating that mental image, and still unable to come up with a person who could do this.

Wood took the opportunity to begin yelling at the twins, pointing out they were losing,

"That's what he's concerned about!" James yelped.

"I'm really starting to dislike this kid," Sirius growled.

"He didn't notice," Harry said quickly, not liking that mean look that was flickering across their faces.

demanding to know where they'd been as the Slytherins had used the other Bludger to knockout Angelina.

"Saving my son's life," Lily hissed, only slightly forgiving the comment because of what Harry said.

The twins protested they'd been above, saving Harry's head! They quickly explained that something must be wrong with the Bludger, and Harry glanced over to see their timeout was already almost over.

"Did anyone else notice?" Remus asked.

"Not really," Harry sighed, "I think they noticed a bit more after this time out, but no one stops this game."

All of them looked beyond angry.

Harry then told his captain to tell the twins to leave him alone, let him handle the messed up ball on his own, making the crack he wouldn't catch it unless it flew up his sleeve.

"Really!" Sirius yelped, "That's your plan! At least let them pretend to do their job!"

Harry shook his head furiously saying, "No, I could handle it. I did handle it! Mostly," he finished lamely at their astounded looks.

"Harry," James said weakly, "a game isn't worth your head being knocked off."

"I know-" Harry tried to butt in, but Lily interrupted first, "If you do, then why are you so insistent about this?"

"I don't want our team to lose another match." Harry said furiously. "I didn't get a chance at the tournament last year, and if we called a time off it would be over for us again! I handled this just fine and," he sucked in a deep breath as he said with confidence, "I won us the match." Finishing

with a horrible wince of pain for having dared to tempt his memories.

The four of them exchanged unhappy looks, but finally admitted there was nothing for it. If he said he could handle it, who were they to argue?

"Least it would be impressive if you pulled off a Plumpton Pass," Sirius muttered without any real emphasis. All of them knew they weren't going to be happy until this nightmare of a game was over.

Fred snapped that Harry was being an idiot, that Bludger was going to come away with his head.

Remus winced as he read that, not liking that mental image repeated.

The rest of the team tried to protest as well, and George then turned on Wood and told him this was his fault! He'd been the one to tell Harry get the Snitch or die trying, and Harry had taken that too literally!

Sirius pursed his lips, dearly wishing to agree, but knowing it might offend Harry. If the determined look on his face was any indication, he made a good call.

Wood relented, and told Harry he could have it his way. Turning to the twins and telling them to leave Harry be for this game.

James muttered mutinously, knowing full well as team captain himself once, he would never have made that call!

The game resumed, and Harry had to resort to some pretty out there methods of avoiding the weighted ball. As it was heavier then Harry, it couldn't turn as easily, so despite the laughing crowd, Harry managed a couple of goofy spins to keep it away from him for the most part.

"I do not see how this is funny!" Lily snapped in disgust.

he knew he must look very stupid,

"At least you're dodging, who cares how it looks," Sirius muttered.

and he couldn't hover for more than a second for fear of getting hit, which he was reminded of every time his hair was gusted as the Bludger missed again.

All four of them shuddered in disgust again, knowing that wasn't going to get any better no matter how many times it was said.

Malfoy of course took the opportunity to mock Harry, saying he looked like he was training for the ballet,

Sirius was far too keyed up to make a comment on that lame joke.

but Harry hardly cared when he noticed what was hovering above the blondes head. While Malfoy sat there laughing at Harry, Harry had spotted the Snitch.

James smiled meanly, feeling a slight bit better at this jerk who was more than likely going to get his comeuppance, and a face full of Bludger if Harry went for it.

Malfoy clearly hadn't seen it himself he was too busy mocking Harry,

"So we were right," James said, trying vainly to change the subject to happier topics, "he's a

rubbish player."

"I'll bet Harry never loses a match against him," Sirius agreed.

and Harry remained frozen in place as he feared if he went for it Malfoy might notice and grab it first. SMACK!

Remus choked, bug eyed as he spat that out.

Harry was rubbing his right arm in remembered pain and said, "It hurt, I'm not going to say it didn't, but it's just a break. Nothing worse than that."

They nodded, taking a deep breath Remus kept going.

Harry had hovered one moment too long, the Bludger had finally landed a hit, and smashed into Harry's elbow.

'I don't think I want Harry on the Quidditch team anymore' Lily thought sadly, though decided to keep that to herself since she thought the boys might get mad at her.

Actually, the other three boys did agree. Harry didn't seem able to go a single game without something life threatening happening, it made him too easy of a target apparently.

Harry's vision nearly blacked out right then from the pain of a broken arm, but his determination won out even as the Bludger came back around for another hit this time going for his face again,

"It didn't hit," Harry reassured at once, when they all looked ashen.

only one thought firmly seared into his brain, get the Snitch.

"Credit for determination anyways," James sighed.

Ignoring his throbbing limb, Harry steered his broom one handed and went for Malfoy, who froze up in fear as he seemed to think Harry was moving to attack him.

"Not a bad idea," Sirius nodded, using this as a distraction from the idea of Harry's arm dangling useless at his side.

Malfoy flew away, and Harry's free hand closed around the tiny golden ball. Now he was left holding onto his broom with nothing but his knees.

Remus stopped here to shake his head in wonder at his cub. "You can now tell people you can catch a Snitch with one arm tied behind your back," he told him.

Sirius smacked him, hard.

"Ouch, what! You two can makes jokes, but I can't!"

"No," Sirius shrugged, "I just really wanted a reason to smack you back for all the times you've done it to me. Taking away my joke was just a good excuse."

Lily smiled indulgently at them, almost envious of their ability to joke around while being equally as worried. Everyone coped in their own way she supposed.

Now there was nothing stopping Harry's broom from going towards the muddy ground below, which Harry never felt as blackness continued coloring his vision.

"How did that work out for you?" Lily asked uneasily.

"I think I lost conscious for a few seconds," Harry shrugged, "I wake back up and it's still raining on me anyways."

Lily nodded, slightly content with that.

Suddenly there was mud all around him, and Harry was only vaguely aware that he still had the Snitch in hand as he waved it around and claimed that they'd won, before passing out.

"I'm going to laugh if that was all just a dream," James chuckled, his son never ceased to amuse him.

"He's had some vivid dreams before," Sirius agreed.

"Hopefully he'll wake up with a teacher over him, waiting to heal his arm," Lily grumbled, still unpleased with the whole scenario even if her son came away perfectly fine.

Harry came back to quick enough, rain still falling on his face, and gleaming teeth above him.

"Oh no," Remus groaned, planting his forehead against the book in genuine pain at what could possibly happen next.

"I didn't mean him!" Lily yelped, "I meant McGonagall!"

"Next time when you're hoping for something, be name specific," James grumbled.

Harry's very first words were 'not him!' The guy just laughed, saying Harry had no idea what he was saying.

"He knows exactly what he's saying," Sirius growled.

"You never seem to though," Remus huffed.

Sirius gave him a confused look, unsure if his friend was making a joke at him or Lockhart, but Remus wasn't going to answer.

It was Lockhart, standing amongst the crowd of Gryffindors as he soothed Harry that he was going to fix his arm.

"No!" All five of them yelped in real fear.

"That moron can't handle a pixie, I don't want to even think what would happen if he tried that!" Lily hissed.

"With any luck, a puff of smoke will escape," Sirius said, "then he'll make up some lame excuse, and prattle Harry's ear off up to the Hospital wing."

Harry was still rubbing his arm in remembrance, he had a bad feeling about this. He knew one thing, his arm stopped hurting after Lockhart's spell. It wasn't for a good reason though.

Harry tried to say he'd rather keep it as it was,

The three boys chuckled weakly.

but he was in so much pain he couldn't move away. He also heard the distinct noise of a camera going off, and shouted out that he didn't want a picture of this Colin!

"Why would you take a photo of that," Lily asked in disgust.

"Kid's going to make a great photographer one of these days," Remus smiled, "he's certainly not squeamish."

"That wasn't my point," Harry huffed.

Lockhart ignored all of this as he pulled out his wand, and Harry still tried to protest as he said he'd much rather go up to the hospital wing.

"Because he's a pompous, big headed, arrogant-" Sirius began, while Lily finally cut him off saying:

"Sirius, I'm sure you can keep going for a year, but I want to hear this."

Wood had been one of the onlookers this whole time, and chose now to pipe up and say that Harry really should get help from the professional, but then turned and praised Harry for his marvelous catch.

"I really hate agreeing with him," James grumbled, thinking Wood was too happy for the circumstances. You could be happy about winning after all of your players were healed up!

Harry spotted Fred and George a ways out, still fighting with the Bludger and trying to force it back into its crate, but the ball was still fighting back.

"Whoever cursed that thing, I'm going to curse them into oblivion," James vowed.

Harry wondered why his automatic reaction was to correct his Dad. Why would he want to defend whoever did this?

Lockhart was ready now, rolling back his green sleeves,

"Jeez, wonder which team he was supporting," Sirius said vaguely.

and pointing his wand at Harry. There was no more chance to stop him, as Harry began to feel an odd sensation from the tips of his fingers all the way to his shoulder.

"That's not the feeling you should have," Lily said, real fear creeping into her as she wondered what this inept idiot had done to her son.

"Wish it had said the spell he tried," Remus muttered, "because I'd like to use it on him."

"He said Brackium Emendo," Harry offered brightly, knowing full well Lockhart deserved whatever his family was thinking up, though still having an issue with remembering why.

"That's, actually a real spell," Lily said in surprise.

"So why isn't the feeling he's having the right one," James said uneasily.

Lily bit her lip before waving Remus on, trying to figure that out herself.

Harry got the odd sensation that his arm was being deflated.

"Well," Lily began again, thinking out loud now, "I know that if you don't have enough magical ability to perform a spell properly it often does the opposite effect. That's why you don't walk in trying to do seventh year spells," Lily explained that part for Harry's benefit, "so if this dolt hasn't built up enough of an ability to perform this spell correctly..." she trailed off, puzzling, "what would be the opposite of mending broken bones?"

"I don't want to find out," James sighed as Remus read on, now a little curious himself, and having an abundance of faith Madame Pomfrey could fix it if, most likely, Lockhart simply broke

the bone further. Then of course, he'd just have to hurt Lockhart all the more for prolonging Harry's pain.

Harry was to terrified to see what had been done to his arm even as the crowd around him gasped in shock and the mad clicking of a camera doubled up.

"That can't be a good sign," Sirius muttered.

His arm didn't hurt anymore,

Lily perked up in surprise, perhaps Harry just had a unique reaction to the spell?

nor did it feel remotely like his arm.

"Not a good sign at all," James agreed.

Lockhart tried to brush it off as Ron and Hermione approached, saying he'd done all he could and they could take him up to the Hospital now to tidy Harry up.

"Tidy him up?" Remus asked, "What does that even mean?"

"Fix his screw up," Harry muttered.

"You remember what happened?" James asked quickly.

"No," Harry sighed, knowing he wasn't going to be able to hold the memory until the book said it, "but I know it wasn't good."

Harry got unsteadily to his feet, feeling oddly off balance. Sucking in a big breath for fear of what he was going to find, Harry finally glanced down at his arm and nearly blacked out again.

"Did he remove your arm or something!" Lily yelped.

Harry opened and closed his mouth several times, but now that he seemed to actually remember what he saw, he didn't seem able to spit it out.

Remus read quickly now.

Hanging from his shoulder was a loose pile of flesh. His fingers wouldn't move, his wrist wouldn't turn, nothing was happening.

There was a muscle twitching in Sirius' jaw as he finally realized what had happened.

Remus looked like he really was going to pass out.

James and Lily refused to react until Remus flat out read.

Harry realized that Lockhart had not in fact fixed Harry's arm, he'd removed all of the bones in it.

"He's dead," James vowed. "He is officially a dead man. He-" he spluttered out, most likely to outraged to finish his sentence.

"What I find most interesting," Remus said threw gritted teeth, "is how he managed to switch those spells! You're supposed to stop making those kinds of mistakes at fourth year, at the latest!"

"What spell did he actually use?" Harry asked.

"It's called Ossio Dispersimus," James said, "only used in the most severe crisis, when the bones can't be mended for some reason or another, and you have to temporarily take them out."

"So they will grow back," Harry said eagerly, his family didn't seem that concerned about this.

"Oh yes," Lily said at once, "take a bit of Skele-Gro, and your bones will come right back."

Harry nodded, then still deciding he was curious, asked, "How would you switch spells like that?"

"It's a rookie mistake," James snorted, "but something that can happen when you start learning spells, and then counterspells. If you aren't concentrating on the spell you're intending to use, you can accidentally cause another spell to happen."

"I'm not surprised," Sirius huffed, "that idiot can't focus on anything but his reflection. He shouldn't be trying any spells!"

"Just proves his incompetence all the more," Harry shrugged, "not that anyone should have

needed it."

Still furious, but calmed slightly by the subsequent discussion, they were all willing to keep going without shouting death threats, for now.

Madam Pomfrey wasn't pleased. She was yelling at the lot of them for not taking Harry to her the moment this had happened, while tossing Harry some spare pj's and telling him he'd have to stay the night. Harry was relieved when she promised she could fix his arm though. Ron had to help him put his shirt on, trying to stuff the rubber mess into a sleeve.

"Ew," Sirius wrinkled up his nose at the mental image.

Ron was yelling at Hermione that how could she stick up for Lockhart now! Hermione pointed out that anyone could make a mistake,

"I've never heard of anyone doing that after the age of sixteen," Remus sniffed, "by that time, any idiot can master the concept of focusing on one spell at a time."

"Can't believe Hermione is still sticking up for him," Lily sighed.

and reminding that it didn't hurt Harry anymore. Harry huffed that it hardly felt like his arm either as it uselessly flopped around at his side.

"Gross," James grumbled.

Madam Pomfrey came back with a bottle of Skele-Gro, telling Harry to drink it up, and warning Harry that regrowing bones was a terrible process.

Now it was Harry's turn to wrinkle up his nose in disgust at the remembered taste of that.

"What did it taste like?" Sirius asked, he'd never known anyone who had to take it.

"Nothing you'd ever tasted before, or wanted again," Harry grumbled.

The Skele-Gro tasted terrible and left a foul taste as it went down Harry's throat. Madam Pomfrey began heading back to her office once he'd finished, muttering furiously about dangerous sports and inept teachers.

"The worst part is, I can't even argue with her this time," Remus sighed.

Ron tried to look on the bright side by pointing out the look that had been on Malfoy's face when they won the match. Hermione asked how on earth he could have done that to the Bludger, and Harry said they could just add it to their list of questions they'd ask when they took the Polyjuice Potion.

"Sorry Harry," Lily sighed, "I just don't see him being able to do that. Those Bludgers are charmed especially so that they can't be tampered with. No student should be able to get past that."

Harry nodded, agreeing with his mom's opinion even without the feeling's reinforcing that she was right.

Then he hoped it at least tasted better than the Skele-Gro.

"Sadly not," James wrinkled his nose in disgust, "I had to take some once, Auror training protocol and all, and it doesn't matter who you change into. The stuff is awful."

"Gee, thanks dad," Harry said.

The rest of the team showed up then with proper drinks and candies to celebrate Harry's victory, George praising Harry on his win as well and telling Harry how he'd seen the Slytherin Captain yelling at Malfoy for not grabbing at the Snitch right above his head.

"With any luck he'll get kicked off the team!" Sirius said brightly, finally finding something good about this match.

Madam Pomfrey came back around then, kicking every one of them out and saying how Harry needed rest. So Harry had nothing to distract himself from the burning pain that was beginning in his boneless arm.

"Her intentions are good, honestly," Remus sighed, "but if I'm ever told to rest again, I really will smack someone."

James and Sirius exchanged smiles, knowing full well they had never indulged in Pomfrey's rules. They had always used James cloak, and snuck down to see Remus, and they wondered if Ron

and Hermione would do the same.

Harry managed to fall into a fitful sleep, and woke several hours later. At first he thought he'd been awoken by the horrible pain in his arm that felt like he was growing his own splinters.

"Ouch," they all muttered, not liking that description one bit.

Then he realized there was someone on his bedside, patting a sponge against his forehead.

"Hermione?" James asked, sounding more confused than confident.

"Why would she be there?" Lily asked.

"Because these two knuckleheads were thinking Harry's friends would sneak in to see him," Remus offered, "but I think Hermione doing that is a little odd."

"I think it just proves all the more how much she likes Harry," Sirius snipped, giving Harry a look he didn't understand one bit. Of course Hermione liked him, they were friends.

Harry snapped for whoever to stop it, then he recognized Dobby.

"Dobby!" They yelped in surprise. "What's he doing there?" Remus added on.

"What's he doing there?" James repeated when Harry looked uneasily around the room, his dad's voice coming out between gritted teeth as he guessed what Harry was thinking now.

"Ah, why are you asking me," he finally said, "I've no idea."

All four of them grumbled a bit, having a really bad feeling about this. The last time Dobby had been around, it hadn't been very pleasant, and they were just as weary this time.

The house-elf was obviously distraught, watching Harry with tears leaking out of his eyes.

"Wait," Sirius said, "so does that mean, did Dobby have something to do with paralyzing Mrs. Norris?"

"What makes you think that?" James asked.

"He's trying to scare Harry into leaving, I'm wondering if he might have pulled that stunt to keep that going," Sirius shrugged.

"No," Remus said, going a little pale, "but you're on the right track, I think. What if Dobby was trying to scare Harry away from the school because he knew something like this might happen."

"A house-elf knew a cat would be paralyzed?" James asked in disbelief.

"It's not out of the realm of possibilities," Lily agreed with Remus.

"Well then who paralyzed the cat, and is making Harry hear a voice," Sirius asked, throwing his hands up in frustration. They were pretty well into this book by now, and still had no real suspect.

All five of them sighed, letting it go for now.

Dobby was scolding Harry for having come to school, how he was still in danger and why hadn't Harry just given up when he missed the train?

"Well, guess I was right," Remus sighed, not looking very happy.

"Yes, yes, that does tend to happen sometimes," Sirius scoffed.

"Now I just want to know if I was right about why he did," Remus huffed, ignoring Sirius so that he could read.

Harry pushed Dobby's hand, and the sponge, away as he heaved himself upright.

"That's kind of creepy," James muttered, finding it much less endearing than a girl that was a friend of Harry's.

"It's like he adopted Harry," Sirius nodded. "If Dobby didn't have a family of his own, and Harry was of age, Harry could possibly bind Dobby to his family line."

"Is that really how it works?" Lily asked.

"It's more complicated than just saying it," Sirius smirked at her, "but something along those lines."

Lily huffed, unable to decide if he was being sarcastic, and none of the boys were helping.

Harry demanded to know if Dobby had really been the one to block him and Ron!

"How?" Lily asked in disbelief, "Exactly how powerful are house-elves?"

"Very," Sirius said with a straight face, "they're probably the most powerful magical creature that exist, which is why they were enslaved by wizards so many years ago."

"How were they enslaved if they're so powerful?" Harry asked.

"That's a long, really ugly history on the wizard part," Remus said, "we'll try and explain that later."

Harry nodded in content for now.

Dobby agreed it was him. He'd been so stunned to hear that Harry had still made it to school he'd messed up on one of his chores and forced to iron his own hands.

Lily winced in sympathy for the poor thing all over again, though honestly thinking she was still annoyed at him being the cause of all of Harry's problems this year.

Dobby said he didn't care though, saying how he thought it was worth it because surely Harry didn't have another way to get to school.

"Also proves my earlier point," James nodded, "he clearly has no idea how things work if he thought the train was the only way to get to school."

Dobby had been so surprised to hear Harry was at Hogwarts he'd burnt his master's dinner, and received his worst ever thrashing.

Lily's lower lip quivered in real pain for this creature now, saying, "I feel like an arse. How are there not laws in place to prevent this kind of thing?"

"It's not your fault Lily," James said at once, "exactly how many people are involved in that type of thing, and none of them have said a word either."

"Besides," Sirius shrugged, "I doubt there's anything you could do. Pass as many laws as you like, house-elves belong to their owners. You can't control the way they're treated."

Lily fired up at once, snapping, "Like you can't control the way people treat animals, or their own children! There are laws to prevent that kind of abuse! You see house-elves as less than them!"

Sirius' superior look faltered for the first time. He disagreed with nearly every aspect of his parent's life, but the one thing he'd never had a problem with was their treatment of Kreacher. He was a vile thing, hateful and spiteful to the extreme, to him anyways. So whenever he saw him being punished, never bothering to learn the reasons, he'd had no problems. Never having met any other house-elves besides the ones at Hogwarts, who he'd given about as much attention as the ghosts into their free time outside of politely giving him food, he had no reason to think otherwise about the species as a whole.

Dobby certainly hadn't changed his mind so far, he was being an absolute arse trying to keep Harry out of school. Now, at Lily's words, he suddenly thought of Harry at Privet Drive again, no

one taking the time to care what happened to him. Harry had tried comparing his life to Dobby's and Sirius had scoffed at the idea, there couldn't be any similarities, right?

He shook off his feelings and snapped at Remus to keep going, ignoring the curious looks from everyone else at what exactly had him quiet for so long.

Harry was more exasperated than anything as he told Dobby he'd better get lost before he got both arms back, or he'd probably strangle Dobby himself. Dobby said he was used to death threats, he got them frequently enough at home, then he blew his nose on a bit of his pillowcase.

"Wow, I kind of forgive him," Remus said sadly, "this is just sad."

James and Lily both nodded, Sirius crossed his arms and said nothing. Surely the elf was just trying to get Harry to pity him.

Harry asked why Dobby even wore that, and Dobby said it was a mark of being a house-elf, not being allowed to wear clothes. Dobby could only be freed from his slavery if masters gave him clothes, and they were very careful never to pass Dobby so much as a sock.

Harry went a little cross eyed for a moment, hating that feeling of significance that was gone as soon as he tried to understand why.

Dobby changed the subject then, saying he'd been sure his Bludger,

"His Bludger!" Sirius roared, "he tried to break your head open!"

"Sirius, you said you wouldn't add him to your kill list," Harry said weakly, "whatever he did remember? Dobby's got the right intentions...I think."

This calmed the others, slightly. They were still angry, but they had promised not to take it out on Dobby. He must have a reason for this if Harry said so.

Sirius though, was still furious. He'd only agreed to that because he thought Dobby wouldn't make another appearance, that his worst thing he'd done was make Harry's life even more miserable at the Dursley's, more than enough reason to warrant his fury, but he had given Harry the benefit of the doubt in pitying the creature. Besides, it not being his house-elf, he couldn't do anything about it anyways. Now, he was determined to find out whose elf this was, and silently planning on doing something to the stupid little thing. Maybe not kill him, he'd keep that promise, but he would never take anything threatening his godson's life without taking revenge back.

and Harry cut him off in outrage, demanding to know why Dobby wanted him dead! Dobby corrected he didn't want to kill him,

Dobby corrected he didn't want to kill him,

"What did he think was going to happen when he aimed a weighted ball at your head?" Remus demanded.

"Err," Harry said lamely, he had no response for that.

he only wanted to save his life. Better to go home with an injury,

"So he intended to send you home limbless!" James yelped in disgust.

"I don't care what the elf thinks," Lily huffed, "if you couldn't be helped at the school, you would have been sent to Saint Mungo's, healed there, and then come back to school."

"Like Dad said," Harry shrugged, "Dobby doesn't know how this stuff works."

"That's getting old," James muttered.

then to remain at school. Harry snapped that Dobby needed to tell him why Harry was in such danger.

"If he answers that, I actually will forgive him," Remus huffed in agitation. Clearly Dobby knew something he wasn't telling.

Dobby moaned that he still couldn't, but it was dangerous here! Harry was too important to be lost that way, as he still stood for so much good. How his kind had been treated so much better since the fall of You-Know-Who. Something terrible was happening at school now though, and it involved He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

"Why would that be?" James asked curiously, "people would treat their house-elf's the same without Voldemort being around."

"More of Dobby not having a clue what's going on," Sirius muttered in disgust.

Lily gave him a scathing look. She had thought she'd seen, for just a moment, something pass across his face. Now it was gone, and he looked as surely as any other time elves were mentioned.

Now that the Chamber had been opened again, terrible things were set to happen.

"Once more?" James asked in surprise. "When was it opened before?"

"I've never heard of that," Sirius agreed.

"Wish we had," Remus sighed, "we might have gotten more clues where it is."

"Are you lot crazy?" Lily yelped in disgust, "the 'monster' that's supposedly in there doesn't bother you!"

"Nah," Sirius said, "that's probably just fake, to scare people away from finding it. Slytherin might have hide something really valuable there, and I want to know what."

"So here's hoping Harry might find it," James said, going bright eyed for a moment.

"I want to slap all of you," she sighed, rubbing at her own temple. Harry fought back the urge to agree with his mother.

Dobby froze up as he realized he'd said too much, and he picked up Harry's cup and began cracking himself over the head with it as he scolded himself.

"This elf is weird," James said, "I don't get why that was a secret."

"Well, since we didn't know about it, I'd say it isn't widely known," Sirius shrugged.

"Wonder what happened before," Remus said thoughtfully.

Harry quickly took the cup back and tried to argue that what did this have to do with him? He wasn't even muggle-born, why was he in danger?

"That's another good point," Lily nodded, "his statues, should protect him. Why is Dobby so freaked over Harry in particular?"

"No good reason," Harry sighed.

Dobby pleaded with Harry to stop asking questions, just to please leave. Harry refused, wanting to know who had opened it before, who had done it now? Dobby still insisted he couldn't say.

"So he knows then," Remus said, raising a brow in surprise.

"Geez, I really want to know who Dobby's owner is," Sirius said, ulterior motives aside, he just knew that this elf's owner would somehow be important for Dobby to be knowing all of this.

Dobby froze up then, and Harry heard why. Footsteps were headed up, and Dobby took the chance to disappear again. Harry quickly curled back up in his bed to feign sleep as the door opened.

"Probably for the best," Lily said sadly, "he clearly couldn't tell you anything, or if he let something slip out he beat the crap out of himself."

"Here's hoping he doesn't come back," Sirius muttered.

Dumbledore came in backwards, looking like he was carrying some stone figure by its feet,

Remus stopped right there, glancing up briefly at the others who all looked as scared as he felt.

"A statue," Lily whimpered, "like a human sized statue?"

Harry nodded dumbly, knowing full well he wasn't going to like what Remus was fixing to read.

"Please tell me it was Lockhart," Sirius said weakly.

Remus sucked in a deep breath before reading.

and McGonagall quickly followed with the head. They laid it gently on the nearest bed while McGonagall tore off to go and get Madam Pomfrey. She returned demanding to know what had happened, and Dumbledore explained that Minerva had found him on the stairs.

"Him?" Lily yelped.

"On the stairs?" James said with unease, "It wasn't Ron was it?"

"No," Harry said with confidence.

"Stop interrupting me," Remus huffed, "I want to know who it is."

The married couple went silent at the rebuke.

McGonagall said how she'd found some food next to him, and theorized he had probably been on his way up here to visit Harry.

All five of them shivered in disgust, hoping dearly McGonagall was wrong.

Harry took a chance and glanced over to see it was Colin.

"Bloody hell," Sirius groaned.

"That poor kid," Lily whispered.

"Who would attack him though?" Remus asked, running one hand through his hair in frustration, "everyone hates Mrs. Norris and Filch, but who has a grudge against a first year?"

"Maybe it's random?" James offered.

"Or it really is someone against muggle-borns," Sirius said, fidgeting a bit and hoping he was wrong.

"You still can't tell a muggle-born just by looking at them," James disagreed, "so unless someone knew Colin, that shouldn't matter."

"I still want to know how!" Remus asked when it appeared they still had no new leads on the first question. "The only thing that can petrify people like that is a gorgon. I refuse to believe one is getting in and out of that school without being noticed."

They all sighed as they realized, despite a new victim, they had no more answers than before, and in fact more questions.

"My question is, what's the point?" James grumbled, "this can't all just be to scare the students. There must be an endgame to this."

"Let us know if you figure it out," Harry said miserably.

He was as petrified as Mrs. Norris had been a look of great shock on his face, barely visible underneath the camera he was holding against his eye. McGonagall was muttering in relief that it was just lucky Dumbledore had been on his way to get something to drink.

"I thought Dumbledore said McGonagall found him on the stairs?" Sirius asked, trying to distract himself again, "what, did she really fear she couldn't handle whatever on her own."

"Would you want to handle this on your own?" Remus shuddered.

"Do gorgons eat people or something?" Harry asked.

"They're not known to," Remus shook his head, "they're not categorized as beasts anyways. They haven't been known to make any appearance at any congregation of our kind, so very little is known about their habits."

"They're found in Greece," Sirius added, "there's never even been a sighting of them here."

Dumbledore made to remove his camera, and McGonagall asked hopefully if Colin had somehow managed to get a picture of who'd done this to him.

"Now that's interesting," James said thoughtfully, "has anyone ever brought out muggle things to see what happens when a gorgon stairs at it?"

"Don't even think about it," Lily snapped at once, "I don't even want to think of you lot out there trying those kinds of stunts."

The boys all huffed in annoyance, Sirius saying, "I told you Lily would be a killjoy."

"Be nice," James said at once, "she just means she doesn't want to hear about it, because she wants to come. Isn't that right Lily Flower."

Lily looked to the ceiling, as if praying for patience, and Remus took that as his cue to keep going.

Harry felt like he was going to be sick again, but he was learning to control the feeling the more it went on. It wasn't a gorgon, his instincts were sure of this, but he refused to allow another memory to blast him again. They clearly scared his family, so he would just have to wait and see to find out

what it really was, and in the meantime, ask as many questions as it took to take his mind off this pain.

Dumbledore opened up the camera,

Lily was tempted to point out that under normal circumstances, that would have ruined the film, but this was a magically imbued camera so perhaps there were charms in place to protect this?

Either way she didn't know cameras that well, and didn't want to delay in pointing this out to the others.

but they all yelped in shock with black steam came jetting out of the back of the camera, and Harry could clearly smell melted plastic.

"Well that answers that question," Sirius said, a little disappointed.

"I'm surprised Colin would have still gotten petrified though," Remus said thoughtfully, "after all the only sure fire way to not be hurt by the gorgon's look is to only look at their reflection. I guess looking through a lens wouldn't count."

"Again, something more to test," James grinned.

Lily twitched, and James automatically flinched back like he thought she was going to slap him again. Lily instead smoothed some hair back from her face, exposing a vindictive smile.

McGonagall was stunned as she demanded of Dumbledore what on earth could have done this. Dumbledore simply answered that this confirmed the Chamber was in fact open again.

"How does he work that out?" Lily asked grumpily, more than sick of this whole school being so vague this year.

"I wonder," Remus pondered, having noted something about a monster within the Chamber earlier, it didn't really add up though...

"What are you thinking Moony?" James asked.

He shook himself and said, "let me finish this chapter, it's only a bit left, then I'll explain."

McGonagall asked who,

"That's what we want to know," Lily grumbled.

but Dumbledore corrected it wasn't a who they should be worried about, but how.

"Okay Remus, how?" James demanded.

HPHPHPHP

Actual favorite chapter of this book, I tell even though no one asked.

[totesiriusmemes]

*modified homorphus charm followed by a colovaria charm followed by a new experimental charm* this is creativity. the gryffindor black is silver and green, forced out of his animagus form for 48 hours and can only talk to snakes. have fun, black.

hiss hiss, hiss, hiss hiss, hiss hiss hiss, hiss

(translation: oh no, i look as stupid as you and i can still talk to harry. try harder)

[darkobsidianquill]

Harry Potter and the descent into Darkness.

Chapter Eleven.

Harry set his bag down gently on the hard stone floor and bent down to rummage inside it for his bound notebook and the book on containment wards he'd taken from his trunk. He made sure that the glass jar was still wrapped up I the black robes at the bottom of the bag.

He opened his notebook and flipped through the pages to the section where he had made notes on the some of the spells he intended to make use of. The first one was the Homorphus charm that would force dear Rita back into her human form and prevent her from turning back for about an hour as long as he put enough power and intent into the spell.

He set the notebook, still open, to the side and then turned to the wards book. He had marked the page with the spell he wanted to use, so he was able to get to it right away. It would create a solid magical field around a space he designated, and no one would be able to leave or enter it until he canceled the spell. He didn't think that it was terribly likely that Rita would be getting away from him, but he figured the added precaution was wise, and it took very little effort to cast and maintain, so he saw no reason not to.

He reread the passage quickly and then began walking around the chamber, swishing his wand in the shape of the described runes as he went and muttering a chant under his breath.

Once he had walked the perimeter – which only took a minute since he wasn't warding a very large space – he returned to the center and forced out a focused wave of his magic to complete the spell.

He could feel the magical walls that now surrounded him, as they resonated with his magic. He had no idea how talented Rita was with detecting magical auras or signatures, so he wouldn't know if she would be able to sense the barriers or not. He supposed he would find out if and when she was unfortunate enough to walk into one.

He snickered.

Satisfied that the cell was now in place, he set the warding book back into his bag and picked his notebook back up.

He read over the list of spells that he had been itching to try. He wanted to see what they were really like. What it felt like to really cast them. His heart was racing in sick anticipation and he was possessed with a sadistic glee at the prospect of finally having a living human target to try them out on.

A giant snake corpse was fine and dandy for target practice and absorbing some of the magical impact, but it didn't provide nearly as satisfying a target. Nor did it actually work for a large number of spells.

He ran his fingers over the surface of the bound parchment with a strange reverence as a giddy urge to giggle began to bubble up from his stomach. He was getting excited. So very excited.

A small voice in the back of his mind was protesting weakly. It was one thing to attack the corpse of a snake, but he was about to use these spells on a real, live, human being. A person.

A person who would not be leaving this room alive.

That was a fact that he needed to come to terms with, for sure, before starting. Because once he began, there was no going back. No changing his mind. He didn't intend to use the instantly lethal spells simply because he wanted to draw this out and practice as much as he could manage on the woman before she could no longer take any more. But in the end, he would kill her.

It wasn't even really anything personal. She was just convenient. Sure, he hated her. But he wasn't going to kill her because she had written those articles about him. He was going to kill her because she was there, and no one would be able to link her death to him.

He looked at the list one more time and felt his magic flaring up with eager anticipation.

He was set. There was no going back. He... he wanted this. Needed it. His skin was crawling with the raw need to feel her life slipping away by his hands. He wanted to see if he could really do it. He could feel himself being consumed with the intense hunger for death and pain that the dark magic left in him. He felt starved for it.

Being so close to actually committing the act was like standing in the middle of an desert, facing an oasis after depriving himself of water for a lifetime. He couldn't stop now. He wanted it too badly.

He set the book down beside his book and pulled out the jar, still wrapped in the black cloak.

He walked to the center of the room, not too far from the basilisk's corpse and set it down while slowly removing the cloth.

The beetle within instantly began flitting around the inside of the jar with mad desperation.

He pulled out his wand and pointed it at the jar. A silent incantation and a simple wand movement later and the glass melted away as if it were wax before dissolving into a cloud of wispy smoke. The beetle instantly bolted, but she was obviously confused as to her whereabouts or how to properly leave because she circled the space wildly for a moment.

Harry tracked her with his wand for a second before casting the homorphus charm and hitting her on the first try. The spell sent her suddenly increasing in size and then falling heavily to the ground in a sputtering heap.

She gasped and turned her head from side to side in obvious panic before spinning around in her place on the dirty stone floor to face him.

Her eyes were wide and consumed with desperation for a moment before she tried to take on an air of innocence.

"Harry," she said in a simpering voice as she tried to smile and began to try and pull herself to her feet.

He pointed his wand at her lazily and said "Adstringo,"

Her eyes bugged out as she her arms and legs were suddenly bound to her side by an invisible force. Next he flicked his wand and incanted "ponere" although it didn't seem to have any visible effect.

"Do you know what that was?" he asked with a smirk as he began to slowly stroll around her prone form on the floor. "The Ponere charm is a dark spell that allows me to put you into any position I wish, and you will be unable to move. Adstringo is sort of a mix between a binding spell, and a petrifying spell. Can't move. Can't talk. It's better than some lesser binding spells since it binds the person with magic, instead of conjuring a rope or a chain or something that could be cut through or banished. Of course, to maintain the binding, I have to continue to focus my magic. But... since I've now set the posable curse on you, I don't need you bound anymore so..."

He drawled off as he flicked his wand and released the thread of magic that had been holding her bound and released it.

Suddenly her face switched form frozen surprise, to pure panic and fear. "Harry... Harry please. Think about what you're doing. We're both mature, rational people here. It was never anything personal, I was just doing my –"

"Silentium!" Harry drawled lazily along with a flick of his wand. Her mouth continued to move, but there was no longer any sound coming out. Her panicked expression became rather indignant for an instant before returning to fear and caution.

He began to stroll over to her and her wide eyes tracked his every moment. He came up beside her and used his foot to roll her onto her back.

"You see, Rita... that's where you're wrong. I may be mature, but I don't honestly think I'm being particularly rational. And while I would argue that it was personal, this little encounter that we're having here has almost nothing at all to do with your idiotic little scribblings in the paper."

He crouched down and reached out, cupping the side of her head with his hand and moved her head so that he could look directly into her eyes. "Now before we go any further, I need to ask you a few... questions. And you will be answering them. How about a little... obedience," he said with a smirk and he brought his wand up to her temple. "Pareo!"

Her eyes glazed over and Harry felt the glee course through him. It was working and it was so easy.

Tingling precursors to the euphoria of dark magic began to dance through his belly and his head lulled back for a second as he let himself enjoy the curiously enjoyable tickling sensation just under the surface of his skin.

He refocused on his task and released the silencing spell he had cast over her a moment ago.

"Now Rita, I want you to tell me something. Does anyone else know about your animagus form?"

She blinked groggily and her head turned slowly. "Nn...noo," she said in a strangely tired voice. He grinned.

"And does anyone know that you've been sneaking into Hogwarts?"

"N...noo..."

"So... no one has any idea where you are?"

"No one," she said in a weak breathy voice before she squeezed her eyes shut and whimpered.

He ceased his support of her head with his hand and it ended up falling down on to the cold stone floor with a thunk.

"Good," he said with a grin as he stood back up and flicked his wand, releasing the obedience spell.

She blinked owlishly in confusion for a moment before looking back up at him with fear in her eyes.

"What was that?" she gasped. He could tell from the way she was moving her head and neck – the only parts of her body she currently had any control over – that she was trying to struggle away from him, but couldn't. It made him want to cackle with delight at how utterly under his control she was.

"That, was an obedience spell. Fairly tricky bit of magic. I wasn't sure I could pull it off. I've never had an actual subject to test it on. But... that is why you're down here, after all," he ended with a wicked grin.

Her eyes widened and she began to dart them around the room. He watched as she began to fully register that she had absolutely no idea where she was. The moment she caught sight of the basilisk was so entertaining to watch, he almost burst out laughing.

She screamed. Of course she screamed. But what really surprised Harry was how much the sound sent a thrill coursing through his entire being. The pure terror that filled that voice was like honey on his tongue.

"Wha-! What! What is that! Is that...? Where am I!"

Harry began to giggle but stifled the sound and started slowly strolling towards the basilisk.

"This is a basilisk, obviously. I mean, honestly Rita... how many magical serpents are capable of growing to over sixty feet in size? Not many."

"Wh.. how... where did it..."

"I killed it. In my second year, actually. It's remarkably well preserved, isn't it? Although I have been bringing about quite a significant amount of damage to it lately with all my practicing. It's sort of been my target dummy. It's been incredibly convenient in that regard, but it's just so unsatisfyingthrowing curses at something that's already dead."

He turned to face her, still sprawled across the floor and looking up at him with dawning horror behind her wide eyes.

"You... you killed that thing?" she said in a stuttered whisper.

"Oh yes. This is the Chamber of Secrets, by the way. Just in case you hadn't figured that out yet."

She gasped and her eyes darted around the large room again and landing on the enormous carved stone statue of Salazar Slytherin's head.

"The chamber..." she said in a whisper.

"It's been quite handy for me. It's beyond the normal wards of the school, and the room is unplottable. Nothing I do here can be detected by anyone else. The headmaster is completely blind to any goings on down here. And no one else can even get down here since only a parseltongue can open the door," he paused and smirked down at her. "That goes both ways, by the way. The doors are all closed and the only way to get out is for me to open them. Not that you could get away, anyway."

"P-please, Harry... we c-can work something out. I realize I was harsh... I was... I was so focused on the story that I didn't consider how it would effect you. But I.. I, see the error of my ways. I'll never write another thing about you, I swear it! We.. we can just put all of this behind us. We –"

Harry sighed in a bored tone and rolled his eyes while flicking his wand at her and casting another silencing charm.

"You have such an annoying voice," he drawled.

He walked over to her prone figure and crouched down, grinning evilly down at her. "You're missing a rather important detail here, Rita. You see... I'm not doing this because you wrote those nasty things about me in the Prophet. I'm doing this because I have been just dying to try out some of these really fascinating spells I found, but the darnn basilisk corpse over there just isn't any good at all for testing them out on.

"I need a living, conscious, human. The basilisk works as target practice, but I can't see if the spell is actually doing what it's supposed to be doing, unless the person has the proper organs to melt, or the ability to feel the pain in just the right way. So you see... you coming along was just so convenient that I simply couldn't pass it up," he said all this in a calm soft tone, as if he were trying to explain something complicated to a young child. The whole time, Rita's face grew more and more horrified and he could see her mouth moving with silent words of protest.

He chuckled darkly and placed his hand on her cheek and gave her a condescending pat. "You see, Rita. It's nothing personal."

He stood up and walked over to his notebook, still open on the floor.

"Now lets see... which to try first... Oo... this one sounds fun. And it won't leave any lasting physical damage. Best to start small first. Don't want to use you all up with the first few spells, after all. It's called Formidilio. Ever heard of it?It puts a person into a fit of terrifying visions until the spell is canceled. It's supposed to fill your mind with your worst fears... wonder what your worst fears are, Rita? Shall we find out?" he grinned down at her and leveled his wand.

Her mouth was working furiously, and tears were beginning to stream down her cheeks, but not a single sound was heard.

Harry made a lazy little shape with his wand and said "Formidilio!" in an equally lazy tone before taking a step back as if it watch a show.

At first her eyes just darted around in panic. The tears began to flow more and more readily and her face quickly contorted in a horrifying scream. Again and again she screamed and bellowed, but no sound was made.

Harry's grin was growing wider and wider and his eyes were on fire with sick delight. He bounced a few times on the balls of his feet before pulling out his wand. "Oh, I've just got to hear this!" he said in a strangely gleeful eagerness. He canceled the silencing charm and the cavernous room was instantly filled the Rita's terrified shrieking and howling.

She blathered nonsense and wailed in horror. The longer Harry held the curse on her, and more and more powerful the dark magic coursed through his insides. It was like a dull roar, slowly growing more and more powerful. He began to cackle madly with a sick, twisted delight as the addictive feelings coursed through him. His cackles grew so loud, that it began to drown out her own terrified screams.

Finally Harry saw the signs that she might pass out soon, and instantly released the curse.

"Can't have you passing out on me so soon," he said with a giggle, as he fought to regain a semblance of control. "I still have so much planned for you. Let's see... next up on my list isss... Ah. Tussio Praefoco. A spell that causes a fit of suffocating coughs. Good for rendering an enemy unable to properly aim or fight, without having to leave any lasting damage, or kill them. Pretty mild curse, really, but it could come in handy," he continued in a mild, analytical voice, and a disinterested look to him. However the second he trained his wand on her, the wicked glee returned to his eyes and Rita flinched and began to whimper again through her stifled sobs.

Five minutes of horrifically violent coughing and wheezing, that went so far as to result in coughing up quite a bit of blood, and Rita passed out from lack of oxygen. Harry released the Tussio Praefoco curse and Rennervated her back to consciousness.

"That one wasn't so bad..." he said through his smirk and he walked in a slow circle around her. Her tired, fear-filled eyes tracked his every movement as she sniffed and hiccoughed.

"Next one is quick and simple. Lets see how easy this one is to cast..." he said as he pointed his wand. She stiffened and her muffled cries were horse from the coughing.

"Eructo Cruor!" he shouted with blazing green eyes, alight with sick joy. Harry keened out and his head fell back as a rush of dark delicious magic shot through his body and out his wand, straight at Rita in a cork-screw shaped red jolt.

The second it hit her, she began to violently vomit blood, everywhere. Her body heaved involuntarily and she shook and cried out. It lasted only a moment, but the magical rush was so intense and Harry contemplated for a moment, doing it again.

He closed his eyes and took a calming breath, trying to recenter himself. He had to maintain some bit of control if he was going to get through all the spells he wanted to try before killing her. No fun in ending it all prematurely in a fit of madness.

And there were so many he had been just dying to try...

The next hour was spent going through all of the lesser curses he'd been curious about, but had never been able to really apply before now. Twisting and bending the magic to his will and reveling in the euphoric haze it put him in. Every nerve in his body was on fire with exquisite delight. He felt utterly intoxicated with it.

He cast viscus expello on her, which caused her to instantly expel the contents of her bowels. He cleaned her up more as a service to himself than to her. He cast vormica morsus, which caused horribly painful boils to appear all over her skin, and begin to erupt and burn. Her screams of agony only seemed to enhance the perverse pleasure he was taking in watching her suffer and writhe. Some part of him knew it was sick, but he just didn't care. He was too high from the magic coursing through him. It was all too amazing. Too euphoric to stop.

He cast exustio morsus next, which did no actual physical harm, but caused the illusion in her mind that she was burning alive. The pain was enough that she actually passed out after only a minute, and it took him a solid three minutes afterwords of throwing rennervates at her to get her to wake. When she finally did, he kicked her in the head to sooth his own irritated frustration at it having taken so long.

She was a blathering mess of tears, snot, and blood at this point, but Harry didn't seem to notice or care. He was getting excited again. He was drawing upon the nastier spells now and his eagerness was growing substantially.

The next thing he cast was actually a spell that would prevent her from falling unconscious. It was apparently a very commonly used spell when dishing out torture. When you're intention is to dish out punishment, it does no good at all for the person to simply pass out and escape the pain.

And constantly pausing in your curses to cast rennervates was too bothersome to keep dealing with.

The spell put a mild drain on his magic, since it would remain linked to him until he finally allowed her the respite of unconsciousness... or death. But it was minimal, and since it was a particularly dark bit of magic, the gentle tug on his magic was like a constant, dull, tingly warmth. He found he quite liked it, and it was a reminder that he was prolonging her suffering.

He knew that shouldn't please him. On some level, he still had some ability to acknowledge the moral base that 'normal' people lived their lives by... but he just couldn't find it in himself to actually agree with those ideas anymore.

That thought made him frown for the briefest moment before he shoved it away to refocus on his task.

The next spell he cast was far more hands-on than the previous batches. It was called skyrdda excorio, and it pealed back sections of skin, and shriveled the flesh beneath it. Slowly he shaved off layer after layer of skin from her legs, arms, and belly. Her screams were ear piercing, and yet they were also frighteningly lovely.

He got so lost in the moment that he realized if he didn't stop soon, she was likely to bleed to death, so he stopped and threw a few episci healing spells at some of the deeper gouges.

Fervefacio was a curse that literally melted flesh, and he began applying that to her fingers and hands. He watched with an perverse fascination as the skin, and muscle melted off her fingers, exposing tendons and bones. He couldn't help but think to himself that this would be an incredibly interesting way to learn human anatomy.

Rita's voice was hoarse by now, but her screams still came.

Next, just for the hell of it, he decided that he would try throwing a crucio at her. It was a foundation of the dark arts repertoire, after all, and it would be embarrassing if he could cast a exustio, but not pull of a crucio.

The moment he had cast the first one at her, he knew exactly why it was so bloody popular.

It certainly wasn't an easy spell to cast, but the way the dark magic utterly consumed him, and coursed through every vein of his body with the most powerful, dark, raw magic he had ever felt, left him breathless and panting on the floor. The greater the pain he threw upon his victim, the greater his bliss.

He was utterly stunned at how powerful it was. It had been weeks since a dark spell had sent him to his knees. Rita was still screaming and he realized through his haze that the spell was still active. His head was buzzing with noise and a whirlwind of pleasure and feelings that were too complex for him to make sense of at the moment. He realized that his breath was still coming in heavy pants and his back was arched off the ground. He forced himself to regain enough of his senses to cancel the spell, and both he and Rita collapsed.

Rita was crying and her body was twitching in pain-induced muscles spasms. Harry felt as if he had melted into a puddle of warm goo from the overload of feelings on his already raw senses. It was.. indescribable. It was so bloody amazing. How could anyone do any other kind of magic? But he supposed that's why they didn't teach the dark arts in schools. If people were exposed to this, they would never want to let it go.

Instead, they ban the teaching of it. And the Ministry bans the practice of it! To deny people from this delicious form of ecstasy was what should be criminal!

He recovered and looked over at the shaking, horrifically mutilated woman laying several feet from him in a puddle of her own blood and bodily fluids.

A giggle bubbled up in him, and he tried to stifle it, but it only turned into a snort, and then a chuckle.

Merlin, she was so weak. So pathetic. Not once could she even try to fight back. She had never stood a chance. She was nothing to him. Nothing at all.

He stood to his feet and stared down at her for a long moment. Watching her twitches. Observing the blood as it continued to pool and congeal. Examining the bits of skin that were pealed back and all shriveled looking.

So pathetic.

So easy.

He rose his wand and her eyes managed to catch the movement. Her cries and sobs renewed ten fold.

"Oh, dear sweet Rita. No worries, love. I think I'm done with you now. Would you like that? Shall I put you out of your misery?"

She continued to cry and closed her eyes, pitifully.

"I wonder if I can pull this off... they say its an incredibly difficult spell to actually perform. It is unblockable, after all. They say that very few wizards succeed in casting it their first time. Or even their second or third. If it doesn't work out, I suppose I can just keep trying though, hmm? You're not going anywhere, after all. They do say that even if it fails at it's intended purpose, the spell is still quite painful... I guess we'll only find out if I try, hmm?"

His eyes began to glow and the magic began to swirl around him. He called it to him, pulling it from the deepest recesses of his soul and relishing in the indescribably delicious, inebriating quality that it filled him with. He leveled his wand, straight at her head and incanted...

"Aveda kadavra."

– – –

Hermione Jean Granger was not stupid, or blind. She prided herself on being a very clever and very observant young woman.

Her strengths had always been with book knowledge, and she would be the first to admit that her social skills were still somewhat lacking in some areas. She didn't always understand other people, but she had improved a lot over the years. She was a fast learner, after all, and once she had friends, she made it a point to learn how they operated, so as best to be their friend.

Her friendships were incredibly important to her, since up until Hogwarts, she had never really had any good friends.

She would also be the first to admit that at the start of this school year, she had mad a egregious mistake, in regards to her best friend, Harry Potter.

She had believed, just like everyone else, that Harry had done something reckless and stupid, to get his name into that Goblet, and enter the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Even when Harry denied it, she didn't believe him.

Harry rarely had much regard for rules, and had very little respect for authority figures, especially when whatever they dictated didn't suit Harry's needs at the time. All of the other boys in Gryffindor had been absolutely obsessed with that ridiculous tournament. Every one of them had desperately wished they could enter. They all wanted eternal glory. They all wanted the prize money. They wanted the challenge, and the opportunity to prove themselves brave and strong.

So she had simply assumed that Harry would be the same as all of his dorm mates and have wanted the very same thing. Only Harry was Harry, and if anyone would find a way to get around the rules, Harry would.

But she realized just how stupid her assumptions had been. Once she got over her fury at Harry doing another stupid thing that would put his life in danger, she woke up enough to realize that Harry would never put his life in danger for something as petty as fame or money. Harry already hadfame and money, and he hated it. It was his modest, unassuming side that impressed her most about him sometimes.

Harry was humble. He was famous all throughout the magical world, but he never acted like it. In fact, any reminders of his fame only made him shy away from something.

No... when Harry stuck his neck out and put his life on the line, it was always for something that was worth it. He was always going out on a limb to save someone, even when it was almost guaranteed that the limb would snap out from beneath him and send him to his death along with whoever he was trying to save.

Harry didn't mind. Because any chance that he might save that person was worth to risk of personal injury.

But fame and glory? No... Harry wouldn't consider that worth the risk.

How had she been so blind? How could she abandon her first real friend over something so stupid and petty, when he was in such dire need of a friend?

She had realized her mistake after a month, but Harry wouldn't even look at her by then. She had tried on a few occasions to talk with him, but could never manage to get alone with him.

She had tried talking sense into Ron, but he had been stubborn and pig-headed. He wasn't angry with Harry for putting breaking the rules or himself in danger, like she had been; no Ron was angry because Harry hadn't shared whatever trick or spell he had used to enter the tournament with Ron. No matter what Hermione said to Ron, she couldn't convince him that just maybe, Harry really hadn't done anything, and someone else had rigged it so Harry was forced to participate.

Hermione kept herself distracted by throwing herself headlong into her latest passion – fighting for house elf rights, but that only took her mind off of her troubles with Harry when she kept herself busy. And Ron did nothing but openly mock her efforts with S.P.E.W.

During the time between Halloween, and the first task, Harry kept to himself, all the time. He seemed to avoid contact with anyone else, at all costs. He went to classes, and rushed through his meals in the Great Hall, and then quickly disappeared to his dorm room, or the library. He avoided everyone like the plague, and no matter what she did, she couldn't find a way to apologize.

The events of the first task had been a considerable shock. She hadn't known what to make of the fact that Harry had used parseltongue of all things, to survive. She had never heard that dragons spoke parseltongue before. She even looked it up in a large number of books afterwards and found absolutely no references to it anywhere.

She wondered where Harry had figured it out from.

The task with the dragons had made Ron finally realize that the tournament wasn't all glory and fame. It was danger, and horrific burns, and complex spells that, as forth years, they couldn't hope to be familiar enough with to survive.

But despite his realization that Harry just may not have entered the tournament after all, his overall freaked-out-ness over Harry's use of parseltongue had kept him from going to Harry right away.

Hermione was actually surprised when Ron came to her, asking if she would go with him to try and corner Harry so they could apologize. Harry hadn't wanted to accept it. He was angry. He was so angry, and betrayed and Hermione was consumed with the most horrifying fear that she might have completely screwed things up, forever. That she had lost her first, best, friend.

She cried herself to sleep so many times as her mind was consumed with what-if's and if-only's.

Therefore the day that Harry told her that they were 'alright', she had been so incredibly elated and happy that she had finally been forgiven, and things could finally begin to go back to the way they were before.

But they didn't.

Not really. Harry was... different. During their time apart, she had noticed several changes, but attributed it mostly to him being alone. He was more studious, and got all of his homework done alone, and without anyone else's assistance. He had also begun to perform considerably better in classes.

This trend remained the same. It was as if Harry had suddenly rediscovered his magic. He had always been so easily distracted before. It would take him many many times, practicing repeatedly, to accomplish any spell introduced in class. Now he was able to get them with only a few attempts. He answered questions in class easily, and actually seemed interested in the subject matter.

She had actually been rather excited in the beginning. She finally had someone who could hold an intelligent conversation with about magical theory! And it was Harry! She was elated to have this new thing to share with her friend.

Despite him having taken her and Ron back as friends, and despite their new connection on an intellectual level, Harry remained distant. He was quiet and contemplative. He would still join in on conversations at meals, and in the common room, but it always seemed so forced.

He acted like he was paying attention to them, but she suspected that he was just humoring them. She doubted Harry was even legitimately aware of all the work she had done lately towards spreading word on the house elf enslavement! When she did speak to him about it, and he spoke with her on it, it was as if he wasn't even listening. When he did respond, any sign that he actually cared about it seemed entirely faked.

At least Ron's open disregard for the house elves was honest. Harry's faked care bordered on insulting! How could he not care?

And he was spending so much time alone, working on preparations for the next task! It was also strange that he refused to tell her anything about it. Now that they were friends again, she had expected him to ask for her assistance with spells and research, but he insisted on doing everything alone.

She dismissed it at first, since he had had to do all of his preparation for the first task alone, so he probably felt comfortable doing the second task alone too. But they were there for him now! Why couldn't he just ask them for assistance? And why wouldn't he tell them what he was doing?

She just couldn't understand it.

Since they were all going to be staying behind for the holidays, she thought it would give her a chance to spend more time with Harry, but the opposite had been true. Harry was gone so much during their winter break. And she had absolutely no idea where he was going.

He kept telling them that he was going to the dungeons to work on a potion he was brewing, but several time she had gone down to offer her assistance, only to find the room empty.

The fact that Harry was clearly hiding some things from her concerned her, so she was considerably relieved when he trusted her enough to reveal what was probably an enormous secret. An utterly shocking secret at that.

Harry... her Harry... was gay.

She really had not seen it coming, and she had to admit that a tiny piece deep inside her was a bit disappointed by it. When Harry had first saved her from the troll, all those years ago in their first year, she had developed a bit of a crush on the raven-haired boy with piercing green eyes.

She had gotten over it quickly, but there had always been a lingering feel in her. She knew it was especially silly now that she was beginning to develop surprisingly strong feelings for Viktor.

She had never expected that to happen... but it had. The Bulgarian quidditch star had sought her out in the library frequently since first term, and she never quite understood why he bothered.

But he did. And while it was shocking, it was also flattering. And Viktor was quite good looking, even if he wasn't much of a conversationalist. His English was improving though...

And Harry. Sweet Harry. Gay. While she was surprised, she certainly had nothing against it. She was surprised with how easily he spoke of it, she was most impressed with how he handled being unwittingly outed, after the holiday break was over.

But during the actual holidays, when Hermione had hoped that she would finally get to spend some time reacquainting herself with her friend, Harry had remained distant. Hermione ended up spending her holidays working on S.P.E.W. and nagging Ron to be responsible for once in his life and actually get his homework done before the last day of their break.

Christmas arrived and the gifts were predictably thoughtful. The dance was that evening, and it was absolutely lovely. Hermione was utterly stunned to watch Harry with Fleur.

Where had that shy little boy gone? He had been replaced with a roguish young man who was brimming with confidence. He had a cocky swagger to his step, and a devilish grin on his lips almost the whole night.

And the way he moved! How had Harry learned to dance like that? She had been impressed with his leading at the dancing lesson, but that had only covered the traditional waltz. Harry caught on to more modern dancing with surprising ease and a fluid grace she had never seen in her friend. The way he and Fleur moved together on the dance floor sent flutters through her stomach a few times, and she had been forced to divert her eyes and turn her head to hid her blush.

If she hadn't known that Harry fancied boys, she would have seriously wondered about the way he and Fleur were dancing.

Fleur was clearly enjoying herself tremendously, and Hermione actually wished, for the briefest of moments, that she could have been Harry's date for the night. But she was still undeniably enjoying herself with Viktor, so she quickly pushed that thought away quickly.

The night would have been perfect if not for Ron being... well, Ron. He wasted the dance acting like a pig-headed idiot, who was too embarrassed and stubborn to actually enjoy the dance himself, but was then bitter and angry that his friends had enjoyed themselves despite him. He was also clearly jealous and upset that Hermione had gone to the dance with Viktor. What exactly that meant, was debatable.

If Ron fancied Hermione, he was too thick to realize it. And too stubborn to do anything about it. Hermione was certainly not going to stand around and wait for her emotionally stunted friend to realize what his feelings meant.

Following the winter holidays things with Harry began to get even more strange. He continued to disappear for long periods of time and no one could find him. He was even more withdrawn than before, and she often caught him scowling or glaring at someone when he thought no one was looking.

He snickered and chuckled under his breath at things that he never would have found humorous before. He had even chuckled when Malfoy had thrown something into Seamus's cauldron one day in potions and it had gone and exploded on him.

Hermione just didn't know what to make of the changes. On one hand, Harry was doing better in his classes than ever before, and was dedicated to his studies. But his personality seemed to be fundamentally shifting.

Ron was far from pleased by the changes in their friend. Harry no longer seemed to care about going flying or talking about Quidditch. He almost never agreed to play exploding snap, and even less often agreed to play chess. As far as Ron was concerned, it was as if he had lost his friend all over again.

But Hermione was worried about a lot more than just Harry suddenly not caring about Quidditch. In recently months, she had taken to worrying a lot about some strange ticks that Harry had picked up.

As the afternoon would draw nearer, Harry would begin twitching as if he was eager for something. He would sit through his last block of the afternoon with his knee bouncing up and down rapidly, and gnawing away at his fingernails. He would shift his position in his chair, over and over again, never able to sit still for more than a few minutes at a time.

He would scowl at the professors. Scowl at his classmates when they asked questions that caused things to drag on. Scowl at the clock on the wall. But the moment someone actually spoke to him, he would throw up a calm, genial mask. He would smile, and joke and act as if nothing was wrong at all.

He always rushed through his dinner, and those anxious ticks would quickly make another appearance. Whenever something came up that prevented him from running off and disappearing to wherever it was that he disappeared to, he would get a tight pinched look to his face, and his eyes would take on a sharp glare.

She saw him lose his temper only a few times, and it usually only happened when he didn't think that there was anyone nearby to witness it. Someone – usually a Slytherin, but it had occasionally been someone from one of the other houses – would say something to push Harry's buttons and he would lash out... violently. Hermione had only born witness to this three times, but each subsequent event had been more intense then the last and it made her stomach clench uncomfortably to see her nice, sweet, Harry, react so angrily.

She could only assume that there had been more instances than the ones she had witnessed. One thing she was sure of was that something had happened between Harry and Draco Malfoy, because the blond, egotistical pure-blood had been avoiding Harry like the plague for two months now.

Hermione kept telling herself that the stress from the tournament had to be effecting Harry. The pressure, and the fear of the danger it posed. The fact that someone had to be out to get him. That this someone had placed his name in the cup for a reason, and that reason was most likely to get Harry killed.

She hoped that once the task was over with, some of the secrecy would leave with it. She had believed her hopes granted when Harry finally told her and Ron about him having become an animagus, the day after the 2nd task.

She was hurt that he hadn't told them before then. Shocked that he had managed to keep such a huge thing secret for more than a year! But she finally thought she understood why Harry was always running off and disappearing. He had been training to become an animagus. Finally things made sense.

But they didn't. Not really. And most confusing of all, he was still running off to Merlin knows where every single evening, even though it was now a week and a half since the second task. Harry no longer had to train for that task, and he wouldn't have any idea what the third task was for more than two months. He had also mastered his animagus transformation, so that wasn't the reason for his absence either.

So if Harry wasn't training his animagus ability, and wasn't training for the third task. What was Harry doing?

What other huge secret was he keeping from them? Having become an animagus seemed huge to Hermione, and it only made her wonder... what else was Harry working on? Was it just as monumental as his other secret? Would it be just as shocking?

And why did he still refuse to share it with her or Ron? Why was he lying and making up lame excuses for his disappearances?

And for that matter... where on earth was he going!

She had tried to follow him a number of times over the past two months, but had never had any luck. He would always lose her right away. It was obvious that Harry was using his invisibility cloak to sneak around, which really only brought up more questions.

Hermione had feared that she had lost her first and best friend after her terrible mistake on Halloween night. She had hoped that Harry had forgiven her, just before the winter holidays, and had been optimistic that things would finally go back to normal. But now she wasn't so sure. She wasn't sure if things would ever go back to normal.

And she had a sinking suspicion that Harry would never truly trust her again. Would he ever openly share his secrets with her again? Would she ever regain his trust, or had she truly blown it?

These were the thoughts going through Hermione's mind as she watched Harry enter the Great Hall for lunch that day. Harry never skived off classes, so the fact that he had missed History of Magic and Charms that morning was decidedly odd.

She watched him speculatively as he walked with a strange, fluid grace towards the table. His head was bowed low but as he approached she caught a glimpse of his face, and his eyes were bright and wild.

He seemed to be fighting off an almost crazed grin that sent a shiver down her spine. As soon as he sat down and rose his head to the others, the expression was gone and replaced with a look of fatigue.

Had she imagined it?

She had never thought of Harry as a particularly good actor in previous years. He always wore his emotions on his sleeve. He often brooded quietly to himself, but Hermione prided herself on being able to read him pretty well. But that had all changed his year. Now she wasn't sure if she could read him at all.

"Are you feeling better, Harry?" she asked, hesitantly.

He looked over at her and gave her a soft, kind smile and nodded his head. "Yeah... loads, actually. The nap really did me good."

She smiled back, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. She was worried... really worried. But for once in her life, she had absolutely no answers. She didn't know how to fix this. All she could do was keep watching him and try to find out what it was that was going on with Harry. What was bothering him... and what he was hiding.

– –

Harry laid down in bed that night still feeling the rush from his earlier activities. He was practically jumping out of his skin, and seriously doubted that he would be sleeping anytime soon. He needed to calm down and relax. He knew the best way to do that was to slip into his mindscape and relax in his companion's arms, but he was anxious and hesitant to do just that because he knew that as soon as he went in there, he would have to face his realization earlier that morning that his companion was probably a lot more than just some of Voldemort's power.

Finally accepting that he couldn't hide from the truth any longer, Harry pulled his bed hangings closed, lay back into his bed covers and mountain of pillows and slipped into his mindscape.

It was dark there now and the mist stretched far and wide. It wasn't pitch black, but more like the mild illumination one would find during twilight. The 'sky' or 'ceiling' gradually faded into blackness. The corner where the once-small 'dark spot' resided, was a void of blackness, but there was nothing scary or unsettling about the area. It was comforting, if anything.

Harry made his way to where the black silhouetted form of his companion was standing, facing away from him. As Harry drew closer his companion turned slowly.

Hello... Harry, the breathy voice echoed through the expansive space and Harry had to suppress a shudder that the voice sent through his spine. His companion stretched his arms out, becoming Harry forward and he quickly made his way over.

His companion pulled him down into the couch-like area that they spent most of their time, whenever Harry was inside his own mindscape. His companion was sitting back first, and Harry lay back into him, his back to the solid black silhouetted body of his companion. Black arms wrapped around Harry's middle and pulled him back into the other being chest.

The gesture was intimate, calming, and instantly relaxed Harry's frazzled nerves.

No matter what came of this discussion, it wouldn't change anything. Not really. Harry knew he would not give this up for anything.

You are... troubled...

Harry sighed and nodded his head.

"I... what are you? Exactly?" Harry asked after a long silent moment.

Do you truly... not know?

Harry pulled his lip between his teeth and looked off into the dark distance.

"I don't know... maybe. Can you just answer the question?" Harry said with a pouty scowl.

I suppose. I am... a sliver... of Voldemort's... soul.

Harry blinked. His soul? Harry frowned. "How did you end up in me?" he asked.

When... he tried... to kill you. I broke off... The act... of murder... it can shatter the soul... if you so desire it. You can take those pieces... and magically bind them... to an object... or... person.

"But why would he do that?" Harry asked, in bewilderment.

As long... as some portion... of the soul... is bound to this world... none of it can leave. Even if... the body has... been destroyed.

Harry leaned back and processed this latest revelation. Honestly rather stunned. "That's why he didn't die. Because you were in me."

Yes... But I don't think... that he... realizes this. My binding... to you... it was unintentional.

Harry paused, going over in his mind the different questions he now had, swirling around in it. He was a little surprised at how little it bothered him to realize that a portion of the Dark Lord's soul was inside him. Rationally, he knew this should really be freaking him out and yet... it wasn't.

"Do you have his memories? His knowledge?"

I... possessss ssome... fragments... and only from before.. I was split off.

"Are you really a separate person from him? You say 'him' like he's not you, but you're a piece of his soul."

He and I... are one... in some ways... and are two, in others. I only represent certain... fragments of who... he is... the parts... he considers... weak. He tried to cast those pieces out... to become stronger... I have also spent... the last thirteen yearsss... with you. I have seen through your eyesss... even when... I was kept behind... walls. Kept separate... I was still with you. I have exsssisted separate from him... for many yearsss... so I am not... entirely him.

Harry nodded his head and began to lazily trace his fingers along one of the black arms, wrapped around his middle. "That makes sense..." Harry mused quietly. "So... do you know what his task is? What this thing is that he has to do?"

He is the Dark Lord...

Harry waited, expecting for there to be more, but when it became clear that there wasn't, he pressed on. "Is that supposed to mean something to me?"

Magic herself deemed him so. He mussst work towards the task... that the Lord of Dark Magic is always tasked with.

This, Harry had not expected. He had never realized that Voldemort being called the 'Dark Lord' had more meaning than him just being a very powerful, and arguably overly egotistical dark wizard. He had always figured that Voldemort had simply claimed the title of 'Lord' because he thought himself worthy of it because of his greater magical power level and desire to lead. Harry had never realized that the title actually meant something.

"And what task, exactly, is that?" Harry pressed on, getting more eager and curious by the minute.

Maintain... balance... Control... and restrain... the Light. Keep magic... out of the hands... of those not deemed worthy... when they steal the magics... from us... the End will come...

"I... don't think I quite get it..." Harry said, slowly.

It is.. old. Old ways... old magics... old laws... laws that wizards have forgotten... that the Light has forgotten... they have lossst their way. Lost sight of where... our magics come from... the deal that was struck... the agreement our ancestors agreed to... Their ignorance... will cost us the power... to save ourselves. They will bring the End upon us all...

Harry nodded his head very slowly, although admittedly, this really hadn't cleared up much of anything. He was still greatly confused, and knew he was missing a lot of the context necessary for any of it to ever make sense. He also doubted that his companion could ever effectively clear it up for him. He was good company, but a conversationalist, he was not.

"Alright... er... thank you. Can you tell me the prophecy?"

Unfortunately... the precise wording of it... did not completely stay... with me.

"But there was a prophecy, right? And it was about me?"

Yesss...

"It said I would defeat Voldemort?" Harry prodded, disbelievingly.

It said... you would have... the power to do it...

"But it didn't say that I would?"

I... do not know... The full prophecy... was kept hidden from usss... Voldemort never... learned the entire... thing... only half...

Harry scowled lightly.

"Well, who knows the whole thing?"

Dumbledore...

Harry's scowl morphed, instantly, into a deathly glare. Of course it would be the old man. Harry wondered if Dumbledore was the only one who knew. If he was, that would make it exceedingly difficult for Harry to find out any details about it.

Harry sighed and let his head fall back onto his companion's shoulder.

"Is there anywhere I can look to find more information on this old magic? The stuff about the Dark Lord's task, or the er... agreement or whatever else you mentioned?"

His companion remained silent, and Harry wondered if he would get an answer at all.

The chamber... there is a book...

Harry perked up instantly. "Really? Which book?"

It is... hidden.

...I will show you how... to find it...

Harry's excitement and curiosity was peaked. He began making plans for spending Saturday down in the chamber reading this new hidden book, when he suddenly remembered that he was supposed to meet Sirius down in Hogsmeade the next day. He almost growled in annoyance, but managed to hold it in.

He hadn't seen Sirius since the firecall the week after Halloween, and he hadn't seen his godfather in person since the previous spring when Harry had helped him escape on Buckbeak. If he really was going to get to see Sirius in person, he should be excited about it. And he was... really. He just had a lot of other things going on in his life.

Harry huffed out another sigh and let himself sink back into his companion's arms, willing himself to relax. He needed to sleep. He was still a bit wound up from his session with Rita that morning, and if he didn't start focusing on clearing his mind and calming down, he wouldn't get to sleep for hours.

Merlin it had been an insane day... He had had a vision where Voldemort spoke with Nagini and Harry began to discover and make sense of the man's motives in a way he never had before.

He had discovered that Sirius was going to sneak into Hogsmeade somehow the following day. He had come to understand a bit more, the extent to which Dumbledore had fucked with his life and had a moment of insane rage at the damned old fool. And then... bloody hell... he had killed Rita.

He had murdered someone today.

It was strange how blasé the sentence was uttered in his mind. How little effect it had on him to think the words. How little meaning it had.

There really was something wrong with him... wasn't there?

"Is this because of you? Because I've... I don't know... accepted or... embraced you?"

Is what... because... of me?

"The way that I've changed... the... it was so easy for me to kill Rita today. I don't even feel the slightest bit bad about it. I'd do it again without any hesitation. It was easy."

That may... be the influence... of Voldemort... of Me...

Harry nodded his head again in a strangely calm and accepting manor.

"Okay."

Does that... upset you?

"Oddly enough? No."

[hyperspacial]

the homorphus charm has a heart in it because i love Chiara so damn much

[aidanchaser]

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Everyone Lives

Table of Contents beta’d by @ageofzero

Chapter Ten The Rogue Bludger

Lockhart’s classes had gotten worse than the pixies. They were as boring as Professor Binn’s lectures, and for Harry they were twice as embarrassing.

After the disaster with the Pixies, Lockhart had proceeded to teach only by reading passages from his books, and occasionally he would ask for a volunteer to reenact dramatic fights with him. Of course, Harry didn’t need to volunteer because Lockhart called on him every single time, no matter how many times Harry said no.

Harry’d used lots of excuses — “My throat’s sore from the screaming last time,” or, “I caught a cold in Quididtch practice yesterday,” or, “Why don’t you ever ask Ron to do it?” — and sometimes they worked. Today, however, Hermione told him he needed to play along without protest. They needed Lockhart to be in a good mood for their plan to work.

Harry was ready to reenact a ghoul banishing or a moderate household pest escalated to the level of a Shakespearean drama. He was not, however, ready for Lockhart to open up Wanderings with Werewolves and begin reading.

He inevitably called Harry to the front of the class to play the part of the werewolf. Harry cast a glance at Hermione who gave him an encouraging nod. He tried not to groan as he got to his feet.

“Nice loud howl, Harry,” Gilderoy said — Harry growled — “No, a howl, Harry.” Harry mimicked a pitiful wolf howl, and Lockhart moved on. “Exactly, and then, if you’ll believe it, I pounced — like this —” He leapt at Harry. “— slammed him to the floor —” And Harry dropped, face red with embarrassment and fury, “— thus, and with one hand, I managed to hold him down — with my other, I put my wand to his throat — I then screwed up my remaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm — he let out a piteous moan — go on, Harry ”

But Harry could keep quiet no more. He pushed Gilderoy off him and got to his feet. “You can’t hold a werewolf down with one hand! It would bite your hand off. And the Homorphus Charm doesn’t work on werewolves! Everyone knows the proper way to treat a werewolf is with a Wolfsbane Potion.”

Hermione looked like she might throw her book at him. The rest of the class sat in shock. If they had been bored before, they were paying attention now. No one had ever undermined Lockhart’s authority like this. But before Lockhart could tell Harry to sit down, or correct him, the bell rang.

Gilderoy Lockhart got to his feet and dusted off his robes. “Homework — compose a poem about my very accurate and true defeat of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf! Signed copies of Magical Me to the author of the best one!”

The class left with a quiet murmur, but Hermione lingered until everyone was gone. Ron and Harry waited at the door.

Hermione nervously approached Lockhart’s desk. “Professor Lockhart, er, I was trying to understand what you say in Gadding with Ghouls about slow-acting venoms, and —”

He sighed heavily. “And is my other favorite student about to tell me how venom from ghouls cures boils and burns?”

“No, not at all, I thought your defeat of the ghouls was clever and wonderful, really, especially with the tea-strainer,” Hermione said, and Lockhart seemed to perk up a bit at this praise. “I found a book that would help me understand it better, but it’s in the Restricted Section of the library, so I was wondering if —”

“Anything to help out the best student of the year,” Professor Lockhart said, and signed the parchment without even looking at it.

“Th-thank you,” Hermione said, and quickly went to rejoin Harry and Ron.

“That easy?” Ron snorted. “Really, Hermione, he doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

“I can’t believe he actually said the Homorphus Charm would cure a werewolf,” Harry seethed. “No Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher should say that. I can just imagine what Mum and Dad would say if they knew how awful he really was.”

“Your parents are Order of Merlin, aren’t they?” Ron whispered as Hermione handed the permission slip to Madam Pince. “Ask your dad to teach.”

“No way,” Harry whispered back. “My dad would be so annoying as a teacher. You think Lockhart plays favorites? I know my dad would try to come to all my Quidditch practices, and be in the dorm all the time — no way. I’m not asking my dad to teach.” Harry did love his father, but Sirius and James wanted to be so involved in Harry’s life that he thought having them at school would be something of a nightmare.

“You’ve got to ask him though,” Ron said, as Hermione led them to the location of Moste Potente Potions.

“He’d want to know what we were doing all the time,” Harry sighed. “He’d want to know why we had this book, what we were doing with it. He’d probably offer to turn into Snape and go with us!”

“That wouldn’t be so bad,” Ron laughed.

But Hermione wrinkled her nose. “He sounds like a terrible teacher.���

“He can’t possibly be worse than Professor Lockhart,” Ron said as they took the potions book out of the library.

Harry shrugged. “Well, if you’re so sure, you can ask him yourself tomorrow.”

—————————— ✶✶✶——————————

When tomorrow did arrive, Harry was not excited. He stayed in bed for thirty minutes wondering if there was anyway to save himself the embarrassment of losing to Malfoy. He saw no way out of it other than to get it over with.

He nibbled at his breakfast, while Ron asked all kinds of questions about how much Harry’s parents knew about Defense Against the Dark Arts. Apparently, he was quite set on asking them to teach, despite Harry’s warnings.

And on the other side of Harry, Hermione was making a list of all the things they would need in a Polyjuice Potion.

Ron paused in his questions and leaned over to look at Hermione’s notebook. “Bits of whoever we’re turning into? How do you imagine we’ll get our hands on that?”

But Hermione’s response was interrupted by Sirius’s shout from the entrance of the Great Hall.

“Harry!”

Harry’s ears disappeared into his shoulders.

“You’ll be fine,” Hermione said encouragingly, and stood up.

With his heart in his stomach, Harry got up from the table. Hermione and Ron walked with him to greet his parents, Uncle Remus, and Sirius, then they walked down to the Quidditch pitch together.

“Are you feeling alright, Harry?” Lily asked as they walked. She pressed a concerned hand to Harry’s forehead.

“I’m alright,” he mumbled and pushed her hand away.

“You’ll be great,” James said and squeezed his shoulder.

Harry made a vague sort of “Hm” that was neither assured nor disappointed as he went off to change into his Quidditch robes. As he was walking away, he heard Ron ask, “So, you guys are all Order of Merlin, right?”

In the locker room, Wood gave his usual speech about how this had to be the year they won. George whined about it raining again, and Harry morosely fitted his braces onto his arms before they walked onto the pitch.

There was, finally, one thing that made Harry less sure of their impending loss and more determined than ever to win, and that was seeing Draco’s arrogant smirk as the teams mounted their brooms. Finally, when faced with a challenge, Harry prepared to give this game his all and make everyone see that Draco was a terrible Seeker, Nimbus 2001 or no.

Madam Hooch blew her whistle and the players kicked off the ground.

Harry went straight up, prepared to keep an eye for the Snitch from a distance. Malfoy shot under him, more interested in showing off the speed of his broom than finding the Snitch first.

“Alright there, Scarhead?” Malfoy taunted over his shoulder.

Before Harry could thinking of a quick-witted retort, a Bludger came straight for him, and he barely managed to get out of its path.

“Close one, Harry!” George sped by and knocked the Beater back at Slytherin. It traveled a few yards from the force of the bat, but came whizzing right back at Harry.

Harry ducked under it, and George tried knocking it at Malfoy, but again the Bludger came right back at Harry.

Harry zipped towards the other end of the field, and he could hear the Bludger zooming straight for him. He went past Fred, who intercepted it and knocked it away, but again it went back for Harry.

“Is it supposed to be doing that?” Lily asked James.

“No,” James frowned, “it’s been charmed somehow.”

“We should stop the game,” Sirius said. “It’s cheating.”

“You saw the box opened and the game started. No Slytherins have touched that Bludger.” James shook his head. “It’s not right, but there’s no foul to call. Can’t say I even know what charm to use to stop it.”

“We could just explode it,” Sirius suggested.

“Or try Finite,” Remus said.

“If you want to be boring about it,” and Sirius shrugged.

Remus got up to tell Madam Hooch to stop the game, but James grabbed his arm. “We can’t interfere with the match. One of the teams could call for an inquiry, but it would forfeit the match. We can’t ask Harry to do that.”

“Of course we can,” Lily snapped, and gasped as Harry made a particularly sharp dive to avoid the bludger. “That thing will kill him.”

“No one’s died in Quidditch,” James said, though he sounded at least a little nervous.

“Not since the early nineteenth century, anyway,” Sirius said.

Lily looked about ready to leap onto the Quidditch pitch, so James quickly said, “Not because of the game — it was an entirely unrelated incident with the trees storming the stadium.” And he shot Sirius a stern glare for stirring up Lily.

On the field, Harry wasn’t sure he’d be able to find the Snitch if he had to dodge the Bludger the whole time, but it wasn’t letting up. He’d told Fred and George to back off; they couldn’t keep it off him anyway, so they might as well defend the team from the other Bludger. But between the rain and the nauseating turns he had to keep up in order to avoid the rogue Bludger, there was no time to look for the Snitch.

“Training for the ballet, Potter?” Malfoy taunted after Harry finished a particularly complicated spin to dodge the Bludger.

Harry took a moment to glare at Malfoy as the Bludger whistled past him. And then — he couldn’t believe it — flitting right over Malfoy’s laughing head was the Snitch. But how to dive for it without alerting Malfoy it was there?

His split second pause was a mistake. The Bludger slammed into his arm. He could see Malfoy laughing at him, but he couldn’t hear anything over the ringing in his ears from the intense pain in his arm. He thought he would pass out, but no, he had to get that Snitch.

He shot forward at Malfoy, holding his hurt arm against his chest. Malfoy misinterpreted the sudden approach as an attack and dove out of the way. Harry stretched out his good arm and grabbed the Snitch. Then his broom skidded to the ground and he laid down in the mud beneath the rain.

When Harry managed to open his eyes again, he expected Madam Hooch, or Oliver Wood, or even his parents over him, but instead he saw Professor Lockhart. Even though he wanted to pass out again, he tried to sit up.

“No, not you. Where’s Sirius?” Sirius was the best at healing spells. Or Madam Pomfrey. Anyone but Lockhart. He looked around for help, but most of the Quidditch team was helping Fred and George wrestle the Bludger back into the box.

“Not to worry,” Lockhart said. “I’m only going to fix your arm.”

“It’s fine, thanks,” Harry said through gritted teeth.

“We can take him to Madam Pomfrey,” Oliver Wood said, and dropped his broom.

“No need, just lie back, Harry. It’s a simple charm I’ve done countless times.”

Even his mother wasn’t very good with healing spells, so Harry knew they were anything but simple. He was about to very angrily tell Lockhart no again, when he heard the click of Colin’s camera.

“Colin, please stop. Professor — where are my parents?”

“They’re coming,” Angelina said, and Alicia helped him sit up.

“Stand back, everyone,” Lockhart said. Harry tried to say no again, but Lockhart twirled his wand and he felt a strange tingling sensation in his arm. The crowd gasped, and Harry didn’t dare look down. It didn’t hurt. He didn’t feel anything in his arm, actually, but he didn’t want to know what everyone was gasping at.

“That can sometimes happen,” Lockhart said. “The important thing is —”

And then he heard his mother. “Harry! Harry, are you alright— oh!” It was a cry of alarm he knew well, from his injuries when he was younger, and an anger in it he also knew well — usually aimed at Sirius.

He opened his eyes just in time to see Sirius punch Gilderoy Lockhart in the face.

Then Remus grabbed Sirius and said, “You can’t go around punching people! Do you want to end up in Azkaban?”

“It’s not a crime to punch idiots in the face!” Sirius growled. “Look at Harry’s arm!”

Harry finally looked down at his arm and thought he was going to be sick. His arm was as limp as a rubber glove. The bone certainly wasn’t broken anymore — there were no bones at all.

“The important thing,” Lockhart said, holding his nose, “is that Harry isn’t in pain anymore. I just couldn’t bear to see how hurt he was, and had to do something immediately.”

“You’re an absolute idiot!” Lily shouted. “How dare you! How dare you try to treat my son when you’re only a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, when there are plenty more qualified wizards nearby, when his family is nearby — Who do you think you are?!”

James gently took her arm and tried to lead her away, but she refused to stand down.

Gilderoy Lockhart looked like a woman had never yelled at him in his life. “Madam,” he tried in an appealing tone, which also had an oddly stuffed sound to it, because his nose was dripping blood, “I understand you’re upset, but I am Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly’s Most Charming Smile Award. I assure you that I am perfectly qualified to perform a simple healing spell on a broken arm.”

“Oh, is that what you did? Simply healed my son’s arm? How would you like me to vanish all the bones in your nose off?” Lily pulled out her wand, and Harry seemed quite sure his mother would hex his professor. He had no complaints about this.

James grabbed Lily’s arm again, very aware that Colin was still snapping photos and Dumbledore had arrived on the Quidditch pitch, lead by Professor McGonagall.

“Lily,” he said quietly, “I think we ought to get Harry to the hospital wing.”

This seemed to be the only thing that brought any sense back into Lily. “Yes. Right.” She stuffed her wand back into her robes, but her face was still red with fury. Harry was a little disappointed with his father for stopping her. He would’ve loved to see Lockhart without a nose.

Sirius leaned close and whispered into Lily’s ear, “And, for future reference, there are no bones in the nose.”

—————————— ✶✶✶——————————

Lily did not end up walking Harry to the hospital wing after all. She had a few more words with Dumbledore, who, realizing the publicity of the situation and the volume of her anger, calmly lead her away to his office, and motioned for an unusually sheepish Lockhart to follow. James and Sirius went along to keep Lily from getting violent, which meant that it was Remus who walked Harry to the infirmary along with Ron and Hermione.

That left Remus, Hermione, Ron, and Harry to listen to Madam Pomfrey’s tirade, which was arguably easier to listen to than Lily’s.

“You should have come straight to me!” she said furiously. “I can mend bones in a second — but growing them back — it’ll be painful. You’ll have to stay the night.” She set a pair of pajamas on the bed for Harry, then disappeared into her office. Ron drew the curtains around the bed and Uncle Remus helped Harry into his pajamas, since it was rather impossible to do with one arm.

“Can’t stick up for Lockhart anymore, eh, Hermione?” Ron said as he helped Remus pull Harry’s limp arm through the pajama sleeve.

“Professor Lockhart,” Remus corrected automatically, but even he sounded like he thought the title was ill-placed, and Harry laughed.

He did not laugh, however, when Madam Pomfrey gave him a cup of Skele-Gro. It was disgusting, and he nearly spit it out. After choking it down, he quickly gulped down a glass of water.

The Quidditch team came in to celebrate, with sweets and pumpkin juice, which perked Harry up, until Madam Pomfrey came storming through.

“This boy needs rest. He’s got thirty-three bones to regrow! Out! OUT!” And Ron and Hermione were shooed off with the rest of the Quidditch team, leaving only Uncle Remus behind, laughing quietly.

“What’s so funny?” Harry asked.

“When I spent days in the hospital, your father and Sirius and Peter all came to keep me company. They probably made enough noise for an entire Quidditch team.”

This reminded Harry of Lockhart’s lesson the previous afternoon, and he shared the story with Remus, who frowned.

“Yes, he was highly inaccurate, but you didn’t need to make a scene about it, Harry.”

“He was wrong! He’s a terrible teacher. Ron says Dad should be our teacher.”

“Goodness, no,” Remus laughed. “He and Sirius would be equally awful teachers. As smart as they are, and gifted in Defense Against the Dark Arts, there’s much more to teaching than knowledge in a subject.”

Harry and Remus laughed together about this for a moment, just until Harry’s parents arrived. They did not look very happy with each other, but Sirius looked thrilled. Harry couldn’t imagine what had happened in Dumbledore’s office.

“How do you feel?” his mother asked, and Remus stood so Lily could sit.

“I don’t feel anything yet,” he said. “Did you hex Lockhart?”

“Professor Lockhart,” Remus corrected wearily.

And Sirius burst out laughing. “Not anymore.”

“You got him fired?” Harry asked in shock.

Lily sighed heavily. “Not exactly.”

“It was brilliant,” Sirius said. “Your mum was incredible. She scolded Lockhart all over again, embarrassing him in front of Dumbledore, and then scolded Dumbledore for hiring him in the first place, and demanded Dumbledore hire someone else. And then Dumbledore told her, in his quiet and calm Dumbledore way —” Sirius put on a very solemn and serious face “ —‘There were no other applicants for the position, but if you’d be willing to fill it, you are more than welcome to.’ And Lockhart looked so furious!” Sirius started laughing so loudly, Madam Pomfrey came to kick him out, which only amused him more.

“Getting kicked out of the hospital wing? I would never,” he laughed.

Madam Pomfrey was not amused. “You’re more harm to my patients than you are helpful, if I remember correctly, Mr. Black.”

“I’ll keep him out of trouble, as usual.” Remus smiled gently, and led Sirius into the hallway, leaving Harry alone with his parents.

Harry stared at his mother. “You said you’d do it? You said yes?”

James folded his arms over his chest. “I told her not to. I told her she didn’t have to.”

“It’ll be fine,” Lily said and held onto Harry’s good hand. “Lockhart won’t be leaving. He’ll be staying on as an advisor, and of course I’ll need to use his books as the foundation for the coursework, even if they are terrible, but I can’t ask the students to get new ones. Really, James, if you don’t want me to stay, convince Remus to take the position.”

“He wouldn’t,” James sighed, and twisted his wedding band around his finger. “What am I supposed to do for the next seven months by myself?”

Lily gave an exasperated sigh and counted each task off on her fingers. “You could clean the house, take care of the garden, take care of Remus’s potion, make that practice Quidditch pitch you’ve been talking about for years, practice cooking since you dislike mine so much — honestly, there are a million and one things you can do. You’re being overdramatic.”

James did not seem to think he was being overdramatic. “What about Christmas?”

“You can come here for Christmas.”

“What about Valentine’s Day?”

“You can write a letter. I’m sure it will be lovely.”

“What about Easter?”

“James, really, you can visit on weekends. We’ll take Saturday trips into Hogsmeade. You could even buy a cottage there if you wanted to.”

That was the only suggestion that seemed to mollify James at all.

Around dinner time, Madam Pomfrey asked them to let Harry sleep. Lily kissed Harry’s forehead and told him she would see him in class Monday afternoon.

Harry was only allowed a bit of chicken broth for dinner. Solid food was not good for the bone regrowing process, so Madam Pomfrey said. After his broth and tea, Harry fell asleep surprisingly quickly. It had been a long and exhausting day.

He awoke in the middle of the night to a sharp pain in his arm and a house-elf sponging his forehead.

“Get off!” he said, and then he recognized the large eyes and snivelling house-elf. “Dobby? What are you doing here?”

“Harry Potter came back to school,” Dobby said sadly. “Dobby warned and warned Harry Potter. Ah, sir, why didn’t you heed Dobby? Dobby was so shocked when he heard Harry Potter was back at Hogwarts, he let his master’s dinner burn! Such a flogging Dobby never had, sir….”

As Dobby sobbed into the filthy tea cloth, Harry sighed and leaned back onto his pillows. “I’m sorry, but I’m not leaving.”

“Harry Potter must go home! Dobby thought his Bludger would be enough to make —”

Harry sat back up suddenly. “Your Bludger? You made that Bludger to try and kill me?”

“Not kill you, sir!” Dobby wailed. “Never kill you! Dobby only wanted to save Harry Potter’s life! Better to be sent home, grievously injured, than to remain here, sir! Dobby only wanted Harry Potter hurt enough to be sent home!”

“Yeah? And why’s that?”

Dobby sobbed into his tea cloth again. “If only Harry Potter knew what he meant to us, the lowly, the enslaved, we dregs of the magical world. Dobby remembers how it was when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was at the height of his powers, sir. We house-elves were treated like vermin. Of course, Dobby is still treated like that, sir, but mostly life has improved for my kind, since you triumphed over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Harry Potter survived, and the Dark Lord’s power was broken, and it was a new dawn, sir, and Harry Potter shone like a beacon of hope for those of us who thought the Dark days would never end, sir…. And now, at Hogwarts, terrible things are about to happen, are perhaps happening already, and Dobby cannot let Harry Potter stay here now that history is to repeat itself, now that the Chamber of Secrets is open once more —”

Dobby froze, suddenly. He’d said too much, so he grabbed Harry’s water basin and smashed it against his head. Harry looked frantically to Madam Pomfrey’s office, but there was no movement. He needed answers, fast.

“Tell me, Dobby, what do you know about the Chamber of Secrets? Who opened it before?”

“Ask no more of Dobby, sir, please. Dark deeds are planned in this place, but Harry Potter must not be here when they happen. Go home, Harry Potter, please.”

“If you can’t tell me,” Harry said, and winced as he tried to move his arm, “is there another house-elf who can? Another house-elf who remembers when Volde —” Dobby looked terrified, so Harry quickly corrected himself, “— He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was in power?”

“There are many house-elves who still remember,” Dobby said, and sniffled, “but many of them are not free.”

“Do you know about a house-elf named Kreacher? He was supposed to help You-Know-Who with something a long time ago. I read about it in a letter. Is it about the Chamber of Secrets?”

“Kreacher serves the house of Black,” Dobby said, “but I do not know if he is free to speak. His masters are —”

Dobby froze again, and Harry wondered if he was about to hit himself again, but instead, there were footsteps in the hallway outside the infirmary.

“Dobby must go!” and then there was a crack as the house-elf apparated away.

Harry sighed and fell back into his pillows. He’d been so close to answers. He would have to look more closely at the book Sirius had given him as soon as he got out of the hospital.

The door opened suddenly, and Dumbledore and McGonagall carried in what looked like a statue. They set it on the bed and then Professor McGongall disappeared into Madam Pomfrey’s room.

Harry pretended to be asleep, and heard Madam Pomfrey whisper, “What happened?”

“Another attack,” said Dumbledore. “Minerva found him on the stairs.”

Harry lifted his head as much as he dared to see who it was. His heart sank into his stomach. Little Colin Creevey was lying on the bed, camera pressed against his face.

“Petrified?” Madam Pomfrey asked.

“I’m afraid so,” Professor McGonagall said. “You don’t think he managed to get a picture of his attacker?”

Harry heard the pop of the camera backing, and then smelled the burnt film and the hissing of steam.

“Goodness gracious,” Madam Pomfrey said. “It’s melted. What does this mean?”

“It means,” Dumbledore said calmly, “that the Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again.”

“Who would do such a thing?” Professor McGonagall asked.

“The question is not who, but how.”

Harry bit down on his lip as the pain in his arm increased, and he knew he had to get answers. If he couldn’t get them out of Dobby, he would get them out of his book, and if he couldn’t get them out of his book, he would get them out of Kreacher. Even if he had to ask Sirius Black for help.

—————————— ✶✶✶——————————

June 28, 1976

Dear Regulus,

I spoke to my mother, and asked her to calm Auntie Walburga down. She said she would talk to her, but my father and your mother seem to be quite firm in their decision. Uncle Alphard has tried to speak on Sirius’s behalf as well, but it sounds like Auntie is ready to blast him off the tree, too, if he says much more.

I’m so sorry. I know you must feel how I felt when we lost Drommie. But we’ll carry on. We’re the youngest ones and it seems that we must bear the burdens of our older siblings’ mistakes. I remember how hard it was to be at home right after we lost Drommie, and you’re welcome to spend your summer holiday with Lucius and I. The manor is positively splendid, and there’s an entire farm of peacocks I’ve been dying to show you. They’re beautiful creatures.

Don’t worry about Sirius too much. Family sticks together, and if he refuses to stay, he isn’t family. I know it’s hard to hear, but the sooner you can accept that, the easier the loss will be to bear.

I’ll write a formal invitation for you. Lucius is hardly home — his work in the ministry keeps him so busy — but he’s quite the conversationalist when he is home. And Bella loves to stop by. It would be wonderful to have you. Please accept the invitation.

Love, Narcissa

[sloaners]

(while I wait for my wrist to stop being weird, I'll inflict more of my Team Hiruzen Hogwarts AU on you all; here comes the derail canon train, choo choo; no one is safe)

----

"I still think the Orochimaru kid is the Heir."

"Potter can literally talk to snakes."

The rumor mill could not decide on who the Heir of Slytherin could be. Harry was just relieved he wasn't the sole target and that nobody really wanted to cross Orochimaru. Or Tsunade. Or Jiraiya.

Actually, no one wanted the ire of any of the exchange students. They all remembered what happened with Lockhart on the Quidditch pitch.

Harry smiled as he took a moment to replay it in his head.

---

Tsunade looked up and watched as Orochimaru entered the Great Hall and wandered towards her. He was holding a rat tightly in his hand. It looked like it was desperately trying to free itself as it squeaked in terror.

Tsunade really didn’t want to know, but it was probably her job as a good teammate to ask, “What are you up to now?”

“Hmm?” Orochimaru looked at the rat as if he just noticed it for the first time, “Oh, I thought I’d use it in a dissection.”

“Huh, alright.” She was about to turn back to her reading when she paused, suspicious. "Hold on. Where did you get that rat?" she asked.

"I found it," Orochimaru said.

Tsunade arched a brow. "Uh huh. And where exactly did you find it?"

"...In a cage in the dorm room."

"In a cage—Oro, that's someone's pet! You can't just take someone's pet!"

"I see. That's bad?"

"Yes, that's bad."

Behind them, they heard Ron Weasley ask, "Has anyone seen Scabbers?"

Tsunade and Orochimaru looked at each other and then the rat. The rat continued to squeal.

Tsunade started to quickly usher Orochimaru towards the door as she hissed, "If we leave right now, maybe he won't notice us."

They booked it out of the entryway. Tsunade made a hurried greeting to Luna Lovegood as they escaped down the hall, "Good morning, Luna, you never saw us, okay?"

Luna bobbed her head. "Okay. I'll pretend I never saw you with a man-rat."

They paused in their escape. "A man-rat?" Tsunade asked.

"Oh yes. He's a rat but also a person. Likely transformed in a Norwegian anti-witch campaign covered up by the British Ministry and the luxury hotel industry, who to this day refuse to admit the existence of Potion 87." Luna hummed in thought, then added, “Or he’s an animagus hiding in a boy’s dorm.”

Well. The second option sounded as sensible as any other magic shit. Tsunade sneered at the rat. "Ugh. Of course the rat's some secret magic pervert."

Orochimaru looked down at the rat in newfound scrutiny. It renewed its efforts to escape and he squeezed tighter. "Fascinating. And how shall we make him a person again?"

---

Harry watched as Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Luna Lovegood trekked back into the Great Hall. They marched right up to the staff table, with Jiraiya scrambling out of his seat to join them.

He squinted. Was Orochimaru holding—

"Hey, what are they doing with Scabbers?" Ron asked, alarmed.

Harry shrugged, "I don't know. I guess they found him?"

Hermione placated Ron. "I'm sure they're bringing him to a professor first for a good reason. Let's wait and see what happens."

They turned to watch the staff table.

"Professor McGonagall," Tsunade said, "we have a question. Is there a way to reveal a person as an animagus when they are in their animal form?"

"Well, yes. One would use an untransfiguration spell that is a distant variant on the Homorphus—."

"Ah, yes," Lockhart interrupted, "The Homorphus Charm. Very complex. I had to use that on the Wagga Wagga Werewolf in order to—"

"Thank you, Professor Lockhart," McGonagall snapped. She glared at Lockhart until he reluctantly returned to his oatmeal, sulking.

She continued, "...It is a distant variant on the Homorphus Charm. Does that answer your question?"

Orochimaru held up the rat to McGonagall, "May we have a practical demonstration?"

"That is not exactly the most appropriate request during breakfast,” McGonagall chided.

"Please?” Luna insisted with wide eyes, “It would clear up so many wrackspurts, Professor."

“Uhh, yeah, what she said,” Jiraiya said, “please?”

McGonagall caved to the four pleading looks and sighed, "Oh, very well. Just this once."

The moment Professor McGonagall performed the spell, the rat transformed into a rather ugly and mousey man.

McGonagall was so startled she stunned him with her strongest hex. And so did half of the staff table.

Tsunade kicked the stunned man in the head to make sure he was out. Insisting he join in, Jiraiya also kicked him in the head.

After a long moment of shock, the entire Hall erupted into shouts.

"Who is that?"

"Good lord, it's Peter Pettigrew!"

"He's supposed to be dead!"

"I thought Sirius Black killed him!"

"That guy was Scabbers?" Ron shrieked. All of the Weasley kids looked completely grossed out. The thought made Harry's skin crawl, too.

The shouts eventually died down to animated chatter as the staff worked to deal with the mess. Students from every House mingled around the Gryffindor table, offering baffling condolences to Harry. Even some Slytherins rolled up to comment.

"Wow, Potter," said Blaise Zabini, "maybe your godfather isn't such a bloodthirsty murderer after all."

Harry blinked, "I have a godfather?"

The students around him gave varying stares of disbelief. Even Malfoy looked incredulous. "Honestly, Potter, no one told you?"

Harry sighed, deeply annoyed. "I don't get told a lot of things, Malfoy. Story of my life."

"Sheesh," Jiraiya wandered over to chime in, "what kind of assholes don't tell a kid about his own family?"

Zabini frowned, "I hope Black gets good representation for a retrial. My mother knows some good solicitors."

Susan Bones from Hufflepuff piped up, "And you could write to my auntie at the Ministry about it. She would help you too."

Harry smiled, "Thanks, I think I will."

Then they heard Madam Pomfrey suddenly gasp, "He has a Dark Mark!"

And the shouting started again.

---

Harry watched as a group of aurors hauled Pettigrew away through the Great Hall. As other aurors began to question the still-hysteric students and staff, Harry turned to Hermione and asked, “Could you help me write a couple letters?”

[themonsterblogofmonsters]

Loup-Garou

Native to France, the Loup-Garou is the result of early attempts to cure the Lycanthropic curse. Based on the idea that the madness was the result of the transformation (overall wrong, though not entirely incorrect, see Argenta Ramson-Silver’s piece Lunatics and Lunacy: Werewolves and Moon-Madness in Magizoology Monthly for more) attempts were made to ensure that a werewolf would not transform - keeping them from sight of the moon, potions to prevent shapechanging, and spells such as the Homorphus Charm all used liberally to try to keep the transformation from happening. Due to the view of the curse even in medieval times, many Werewolves willingly underwent such experiments in the hope of being cured. 

Unsurprisingly, the experiments that created the Loup-Garou were unsuccessful, instead mutating the curse in new ways, and a way that has since become self-sustaining and persistent. Those subjects experimented on never resumed human form, and those which escaped during the experiment proceeded to live their lives in a state midway between human and animal, method and madness. Their offspring were born in a similar state, and while humans cannot be infected other werewolves can, with the exception of Metamorphmagus Werewolves.

Some have speculated that, with advancements such as the Wolfsbane Potion, a captured Loup-Garou given the potion might regain their human mind. Sadly, most Loup-Garou’s captured are adult specimens, well beyond the point of neuroplasticity that would allow them to properly pick up any human language. Cubs are almost never found, being too well protected and well hidden, but many speculate that the cubs of a Loup-Garou, if held under the Homorphus Charm and given Wolfsbane may regain human form. Whether the magics would be adapted into their biology by the wild magic of childhood and the mutative magics of the Loup-Garou or would need constant aid to remain is unknown, and while many wixes may speculate, few are willing to treat magical children in a way that might risk an Obscurus. 

Instead, Loup-Garou are often relocated to areas such as Brocéliande Forest  where the agreements between the local LaFee family and the local Fae Queen keep them safe from any attacks, and ensure the Loup-Garou are kept out of trouble.

(Image One, Image Two)

(Read about the Loup-garou in lore Here and Here. Image is of a Werewolf from the Witcher 3.  I hate that I have to include this but PLEASE DO NOT DELETE THE IMAGE SOURCE OR MY CAPTION.) 

[nerdwhoauthorinserts]

   Blake was afflicted with a curse that forces him out of his natural ‘normal’ human form. This curse is fairly old and forgotten by much of the wizarding world, save for a few of the richer families who could afford to gather the remaining old tomes that contained the spell, of which there are few.

(More info under the cut) [Also note: I do not support JK Rowling or anything she has said regarding the LGBT+ community. I separate the art from the artist here, and consume Harry Potter and other media I enjoy critically.]

   The curse basically forces the victim to remain in the form of their animagus throughout the day, but if the victim is afflicted with lycanthropy, it can also affect that; This circumstance will force the victim into their animagus form during the day, and lycan form during the night, every night.

   Thankfully, those lycans afflicted will retain their reason, memories, and intelligence unless said night happens to be a full moon. The moon will force them into the werewolf mindset regardless, but the physical change will be the only present reaction of lycanthropy for the remaining nights.

    Sadly, there is no counter curse, cure, or any such thing. The only thing that seems to work is the Homorphus charm, which will only work during the times when the afflicted is in lycanthropic form. When the charm is used, the afflicted will be forcibly changed back to a human until daytime, wherein they’ll change back into their animagus, and back to a lycan the next night. Because of this, the charm has to be preformed every single night in order to maintain a human form.

   It’s thought this curse was meant at first to be a punishment of some kind, or perhaps a way to more easily apprehend criminals, as wizards with this curse are known to be completely unable to cast spells when in either animagus or lycan form. However, after it was discovered there was no reversing it, they abandoned the spell and at tempted to cover its existence so that nobody could weaponize it.

   This curse was abandoned by the wizarding world before it was given a proper name or title, though it’s thought to have had a name at some point. If it did, it was most certainly lost to time.

   Thus, my S/I, who ended up becoming one of the afflicted few. A borzoi animagus and a werewolf at the same time, it obviously goes without saying that he has a tough time dealing with this all.

   Basically, this idea for a harry potter self insert came to me in a dream, and I decided to use it since I thought it was a cool idea. lol

   Constructive criticism obviously appreciated.

[ginniewheezie]

🔌🔌🔌I'm a female, I like hiking, writing, and my adorable puppy!

Misuse of Muggle Artifacts OfficeCase Number: 627Classification: Major Disruption

Officials responded to a scene outside St. Mungo’s late yesterday evening. Case #627 had cast a modified homorphus charm on her dog, enabling it to speak English. The scene developed when Case #627, not knowing what to do, brought the dog to St. Mungo’s, where the dog then protested loudly the entire way. Several muggles witnessed this talking dog. Memories were modified and the canine returned to it’s normal state.

Consequence: 2 week wand suspension and a fine of 4 galleons

want one?

[warmhappycat]

WAIT WHAT IS THE HOMORPHUS CHARM IS THERE A CURE FOR LYCANTHROPY WAITING RIGHT UNDER OUR SNOUTS!?

Harry had such a hard life you guys

[crimson-moonlight-blog1]

Defense against the dark arts

Defence Against the Dark Arts Class information Professor Galatea Merrythought (Hogwarts, 1895 - 1945) Quirinus Quirrell (Hogwarts, 1991 - 1992) Gilderoy Lockhart (Hogwarts, 1992 - 1993) Remus Lupin (Hogwarts, 1993 - 1994) Bartemius Crouch Jr (Hogwarts, 1994 - 1995) Dolores Umbridge (Hogwarts, 1995 - 1996) Severus Snape (Hogwarts, 1996 - 1997) Amycus Carrow ( Hogwarts, 1997 - 1998) Unidentified ( Hogwarts, 1998 - ? ) Rionach Steward (Ilvermorny, 17th century) Classroom Class 31 Class 104 Classroom 3C Temporary Classroom Required textbooks The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble Gilderoy Lockhart's collected works Break with a Banshee Gadding with Ghouls Holidays with Hags Travels with Trolls Voyages with Vampires Wanderings with Werewolves Year with a Yeti Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard Dark Arts Defence: Basics for Beginners Confronting the Faceless Required equipment Wand Books Parchment Quill [Source] "Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom. No cursing allowed." —Notice outside the classroom[src] Defence Against the Dark Arts (sometimes written as DADA) is a subject taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In this class students learn how to magically defend themselves against Dark Creatures, the Dark Arts, and other dark charms. Offensive magic is also taught in this class, such as how to duel, which requires the use of both offensive and defensive magic. The subject is core class at Hogwarts. The position of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor here was once rumoured to be jinxed, as no teacher could hold the post for more than a year. Tom Marvolo Riddle (Lord Voldemort) jinxed the position because Dumbledore did not give him the job when he applied for it. The subject is also a class at Ilvermorny. It began teaching the subject in the 17th century. Defence Against the Dark Arts is a required subject from first year to fifth year. The curriculum of the class varies greatly depending on what the professor at the time deems appropriate. Due to the jinx on the teaching post that was present before Lord Voldemort died, many teachers have been appointed to this post. The lessons generally have a practical approach, with many of the teachers (except Dolores Umbridge) believing that when it comes to the Dark Arts a practical approach is the best way, with theoretical assignments given as homework. In the fifth year Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations are taken; as such, students are spent learning new topics and possibly revisiting the past four years of lessons (depending on the teacher). As part of their Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L., students must sit a written exam one of the questions asks to describe the five signs of a werewolf and after students must complete a practical exam of; counter-jinxes, defensive spells, Riddikulus, and the Patronus Charm (for bonus points). To advance to the N.E.W.T. class a student must first achieve a high O.W.L. score of either 'Outstanding' or 'Exceeds Expectations'; most teachers set the bar at 'Exceeds Expectations'. Also, due to the course being directly related to the Dark Arts itself, dark wizards who wish to teach would typically apply for this course, notably being Lord Voldemort and Severus Snape. Location and curriculum Classrooms Defence Against the Dark Arts classes take place on the first-floor, Class 104 in the North Tower and Classroom 3C on the third-floor. In Classroom 3C, an iron chandelier hung from the ceiling, as well as a dragon's skeleton. On one end of the classroom stands a projector that is activated by magic. Several desks and tables can be found in the classroom as well as some sets of large windows. Lesson times Year Day Period First Monday second Second fourth Thursday first Wednesday fourth Third Monday fifth Thursday fourth Friday third Fourth Thursday fourth/fifth Fifth Monday fifth/sixth Friday sixth Sixth Monday morning Seventh unknown unknown First year "The class everyone had really been looking forward to was Defence Against the Dark Arts, but Quirrell's lessons turned out to be a bit of a joke." —DADA lessons with Quirrell as the professor[src] Dark creatures Curing werewolf bites Gnomes Doxies Snails Imps Bowtruckles Ghosts Gargoyles Hags Fire Crabs Gytrashes Spells Curse of the Bogies (Mentioned) Knockback Jinx Vermillious Verdimillious Wand-Lighting Charm Smokescreen Spell Green Sparks Red Sparks Periculum Second year "It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind. You may find yourself facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm will befall you whilst I am here. I must ask you not to scream. It might provoke them!" —Lockhart introducing Cornish Pixies[src] Dark creatures Second year lesson on Cornish Pixies Cornish Pixies (Experienced first-hand) Various creatures, including Yeties Fire Crabs (Revision) Imps (Revision) Gargoyles (Revision) Spells Disarming Charm Tongue-Tying Curse Homorphus Charm Verdimillious Duo Vermillious Duo Tickling Charm Banishing Charm Petrificus Totalus Cushioning Charm Melofors Jinx Third year "Professor Lupin had complied the most unusual exam any of them had ever taken; a sort of obstacle course outside in the sun." —Third year exam in 1994[src] Dark Creatures Third year lesson on the werewolf Boggarts Grindylows Werewolves Hinkypunks Kappas Red Caps Vampires Salamander Spells Students practising the Riddikulus charm on a Boggart Riddikulus (Expelling boggarts) Seize and Pull Charm Freezing Spell Lumos Duo Charm Patronus Charm (Taught only to Harry Potter) Orbis Jinx Fourth year "When it comes to the Dark Arts, I believe in a practical approach. " —Barty Crouch Jr (disguised as Alastor Moody) on his approach of the subject [src] Dark creatures Erklings Red Caps (Revision) Dugbog Blast-Ended Skrewt Spells Fourth year lesson on the Imperius Curse Cruciatus Curse (Witnessed on spider) Hex-deflection Counter-curses Imperius Curse (Witnessed on spider, resisting) Killing Curse (Witnessed on spider) Freezing Spell (Revision) Aqua Eructo Fifth year "Your previous instruction in this subject has been, disturbingly, uneven. But you will be pleased to know, from now on, you will be following a carefully structured, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic." —Dolores Umbridge's excuse of depriving students of practical defence[src] Official curriculum Conflict avoidance Counter-jinxes and Defensive Charms (Discouraged) Fleeing Iguanas Vampire bats Theory Dumbledore's Army Harry instructs members of the D.A. in defencive magic Stunning Spell Patronus Charm Reductor Curse Diminuendo Tickling Charm Petrificus Totalus Disarming Charm Shield Charm Other jinxes and hexes Sixth year "You will now divide... into pairs. One partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Carry on." —A N.E.W.T. lesson on nonverbal spells[src] Dark creatures Dementors Inferi Spells Nonverbal spells Resisting the Imperius Curse Levicorpus (Revision) Disarming Charm (Revision) Stunning Spell (Revision) Changes to curriculum "You have had five teachers in this subject so far, I believe. Naturally, these teachers will all have had their own methods and priorities. Given this confusion I am surprised so many of you scraped an O.W.L. in this subject. I shall be even more surprised if all of you manage to keep up with N.E.W.T. work, which will be much more advanced." —Professor Snape on the curriculum's instability[src] "Moody" demonstrating the Killing Curse on a spider during a fourth year lesson Due to the constant changing of teachers, the curriculum of Defence Against the Dark Arts varies from year to year. Each teacher has his or her own priorities, and his or her respective efficiency proportional to his or her beliefs and methods, such as Quirinus Quirrell and Dolores Umbridge believing that theories are enough (which is, in fact, more hindering), while the more effective Remus Lupin, "Alastor Moody" and Severus Snape have a more balanced belief in theory and practical defence. Gilderoy Lockhart, fraudulent and incompetent, is one known teacher who taught nothing to the classes of his respective tenure, aside from nonsensical and unrelated materials, considering that he was hired solely for the purpose of ousting him as a fraud to the world. In the 1997-1998 school year, the class was changed to Dark Arts. During the 1995-1996 school year, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, had gotten into his head that Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was using the students to create a private army of young wizards to overthrow the Ministry. As such, he implanted Umbridge to become the teacher of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes, which he believed to be the main source of training (e.g. defensive spells) for Dumbledore's would-be soldiers. Umbridge supplied a syllabus based entirely on theories on avoiding conflicts instead of facing them, all of which was simply reading out of the textbook, believing that this would be sufficient in passing the examinations. This misguided belief deprived the students on any useful lessons as even the theories are inaccurate, thus leading to the formation on Dumbledore's Army, which taught more practical defence that students from all grades found more useful. Umbridge would later claim that the spells Harry taught were deemed by the Ministry inappropriate for students at their ages. During the time between Voldemort's jinx started to take effect and broke there was at least one professor per year. Therefore, between c. 1965 and 1990 (the year before Harry began studying at Hogwarts) there could be around twenty-five different professors in the position. Severus Snape served as a substitute teacher during the 1993–1994 school year, when Remus Lupin was feeling ill. Unidentified Professor (1998–Unknown/Incumbent)