"Page 72. Read. You. Ravenclaw students are known for their wit, correct? Prove it. You see an illustration of Asphodel before you. What are the common characteristics?" A single long pale finger pointed to a familiar Ravenclaw student. His auburn hair swayed slightly as he stood from the desk, he answered without looking at his book.
"Asphodel is a member of the Lily family, easily discernible from the particular flower shape, long slender leaves and well-drained soil which it resides in. Most often the root is crushed into a fine powder and used in conjunction with other alchemical reagents to create the famous Draught of the Living Dead and Wiggenweld potion which acts as a remedy." I don't think you could get a more perfect answer. Well, I don't know actually…. I have no idea if any of the information he said was correct. I mean from the illustration I could agree, but there was no information for its usage. However, Taka stated it with such confidence I couldn't help but believe it.
"Seems we have an overachiever in the class today. Minus five points from Ravenclaw. I did not request you to speak all day. Try to comply with basic instructions." Taka didn't say or do anything further that could relieve him of points… If anything he, maybe looked slightly satisfied after it. Weird.
"Fufufufu." A small giggle came from the cane wielding girl a few rows ahead. Snape didn't feel any reprimand was necessary. His discernment of what was and wasn't a violation of the class rules seemed to be getting further askew every day.
I could hear nearby students murmuring to each other.
"But isn't that Dumbledore's…"
"Maybe we'll be done with Snape soon enough-"
A rough bang erupted from the front of the classroom. Snape had dropped a thick leather-bound book onto his podium, capturing the classes' attention once more.
"Allow me to make myself very clear to you all. I do not care that he is Dumbledore's son. I do not care that you are the Director's daughter. I do not care that you are the-boy-who-lived. Your affiliations outside of this institution are worth less than dirt to me. You, all of you, are here to learn a valuable skill, a dignified skill. That of potion making. Tell me Potter; what would you get if you added the powdered root of Asphodel to an infusion of Wormwood?"
"The Draught of the Living Dead." The same question as our first lesson. He was mocking me. But I can't answer any differently.
"Correct. I suppose my method must be working. It only took a week, a reminder from a classmate and the answer to be spelled out to you. But I suppose geniuses really can get it right in the end."
"Hey-!"
"Ron, leave it."
"Parchment at the ready. I want three rolls on the uses, characteristics and habitats of common breeds of Asphodel. Along with illustrations. As much as it shames me to even make this comparison… Aspiring potion masters' must be familiar with the method but also with their ingredients and where to procure them. Know the looks inside and out, the place, everything."
"Begin immediately. Anything leftover will be homework."
I hate to say it, but he knew how to effectively teach. If only he weren't such a pain to deal with… This might actually be an interesting subject.
The once statue still teacher had come to walk slowly in front of the first row of students, watching over their work. His eyes seemed distant instead, like he was focusing on something else.
Snape made a second pass, a small gesture spreading his robes a bit further, the flowing robes were caught, the shadowy cloth refused to meet with the walking man. Revealing a single leg beneath the robe, one that was covered immensely with bandages. Red seeping through the white cloth as the injury continued to persist.
"Professor Snape!"
"Tch… All of you silence now. Not another word until the end of class." Snape glared in fury around the classroom for a few moments. Looking back to the desk where it was trapped. A tear. It looked like the robes had gotten caught on a loose nail in the furniture. He pulled it free with a few tugs. Too irate to calmly unhook the cloth.
"Professor, you're injured!"
"Not a single word or there'll be punishments handed out, am I understood?!"
Ron, Hermione and I had all shared a look. I guess this will have to wait till later.
The concerned student lowered themselves back into the seat, a wary look still plastered over their features. It was clear they were unable to focus on the work once more. I guess they'll have a lot of homework to catch up on… I guess I'll be the same if I don't get a move on with this…
…No good.
The revelation of this information had my mind racing. An injury like that. Snape's blunt refusal for help… Or it was more like he didn't want anyone talking about the injury in the first place; was that to prevent other students from hearing, or other teachers?
The fact it was bandaged and still bleeding now and then. It means it must've happened somewhat recently, but he had enough time to treat it… Was it the movement that caused it to open? Perhaps that was the reason he had been quite stationary today? Usually Snape paraded back and forth in front of the rows like a grave keeper watching over his cemetery. Instead he had just stepped in front of that row directly ahead of the lectern.
As I thought, I really do need to visit Hagrid. It'd be good to see the friendly giant again. That thought prevailed as I intended to get more of this bothersome homework out of the way, in the end I still had to complete two rolls of parchment.
My efforts were wasted.
[Scars of White]
The knocker rasps gently against dense oak, a wooden door that could only be hand crafted and suitable for a man of immense size. The door was much too thick and heavy to be anything less. The hut itself screamed of something established by idle hands rather than that of recognised craftsman or an organisation. Though that only served to give it a more homely aesthetic. I enjoyed it. I mean who was I to be snobbish over something like this? A scrappy, dingy cupboard is where I called home before any of this happened. The expected giant came thundering to the door in but a few short moments, two deceptively feminine oven gloves over his large hands. Probably large enough to serve as boots for any of the three of us.
"'Arry, Ron. And who's this little lady that's come fer a visit?" He said after a single moment, peering around at the surroundings as he asked. It seemed like he didn't want visitors, or just wasn't expecting them… Still, he was friendly enough. As expected of the gentle giant.
"Hermione Granger. Pleasure to meet you Mr. Hagrid." She extended her hand, though the scene just served to be amusing seeing the difference in hand size and his current predicament. Nonetheless, he took his oven mitt off and hurriedly, but gently, greeted her with two fingers. Two fingers which effortlessly covered her own hand for a greeting.
"Oh, the pleasure's all mine. Hagrid's just fine as is. Come on in; 'Arry, Ron and 'Ermione." The gentle giant led us into the interior of the small hut, a roaring fire greeted us at the hearth. Along with some meagre but cozy furnishings. Hagrid was a man that was at ease with little. As the former resident of a cramped space I could empathise with such an outlook.
"Yer… well. Ahem, you've caught me at a slightly bad time." He said in a hushed voice whilst pacing around the hut. "Ah, but sit down. Make yerselves at 'ome." Upon his direction we all took seats nearby the hearth, where he was constantly ambling back and forth.
"Is something wrong, Hagrid?" Hermione asked with a tender tone.
"It's well… Yer can keep a secret, right?" Even the giant's whispered words were exceedingly loud.
"Yeah, what is it?" I wonder if he's going to spill whatever's under the school himself?
"Well, ya see, I just 'appened to get my 'ands on-"
Graaaw…
A low growling sound came from inside the hut abruptly.
"Hm?" That noise seemed to be coming from… under the blankets spread over the couch in the corner.
"Oh, don't mind it. That's just Fang. Dopey ol' mutt." An old dog with a shaggy coat and leathery skin emerged his head from the covers. A long yawn emitting from not only the mouth but almost its entire being, it felt like the bones themselves were clacking tiredly. After yawning it slumped onto its flank and drifted back into a daze.
"What were you saying before, Hagrid? You got something?"
"Yeah! 'Ave I got somethin' interestin' to show ya! Just last weekend now, had some fortune at the Leaky Cauldron. Met a stranger, but that ain't the good part… Well, I suppose meetin' a good-un is a good thing in itself…" He continued to throw coals into the hearth, pacing about the room as he did so.
Looking closer, there was some strange blackish oval shaped thing in the roaring fire, nestled atop the burning coals.
"Well, we gots to chattin' me an' that man in the bar, we did. Frankly, I was 'ammered o'er a couple a pints o' grog, nice fella though. Yeah, he seemed like a pretty decent guy. Ne'er did get his name-" It looked like he was about to start rambling for a good long while, something my impatience didn't stand for.
"Hagrid! What did he say?" Meeting a stranger that never gave his name away but gave him good fortune? And Hagrid was drunk? He was loose lipped at the best of times… Seems too good to be true.
"Oh, oh right… We get to talkin' about magical creatures. Found out he were a dragon breeder, that's what yer lookin' at now." A giant hand pointed to the smouldering fire, specifically the black obsidian-like oval that lay atop the hot coals.
"Wait, so this is-!"
"It's only a bloomin' dragon egg!"
"B-But Hagrid… Are you sure this is allowed on school grounds?"
"Technically this is the Forbidden Forest grounds, my station an' all." He said whilst whistling, avoiding direct eye contact.
"…" That sounded like a terrible justification for it.
"I can't imagine he handed over a dragon egg for free." Ron added in a serious voice.
"'Course not. He'd be mad to. Though, he's also mad fer wagerin' it in my eyes…"
"Wager means you put something on the line as well. What did you offer?" Ron's eyes lit up a moment. He knew just how rare and costly dragons were, on account of his brother rearing them.
"Well I say wager, but I just ended up feelin' sorry fer the poor sod. Lost his dragon egg and didn't get the acromantula egg he bartered fer. Chap like that seemed real interested in a lotta beasts, he shown a lotta interest in Fluffy 'fore we got to the game. He was a good sport, so decided to show 'im a thing or two."
"Fluffy?"
"You wouldn'ta seen 'im. The main point is; he wanted some details 'bout a certain magical beast. Wanted tricks to neuter bad behaviour, some ways to pacify the creature right quick. One, I just 'appen to have in my possession."
"A certain hellish three-headed dog, perhaps?" Ron muttered under his breath.
"That's right… Wait, how do you know 'bout Fluffy? And he's not 'ellish, he's a bloody sweet'eart, he is!"
"And what did you tell him?" If we had something to stop it…
"Well 'course a big blubbering beast like Fluffy goes right to sleep when yo-… Ah, nope! Not another word. Ah Ha! I got the best o' my big mouth this time. No more questions." Why did he learn how to stop words falling out his mouth when I ask?
"Hagrid, what is that monster doing in the school?" Couldn't have put it better myself, Ron.
"He is not a monster… he just gets riled up right quick. 'Sides that there is the business of Albus Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel, not somethin' for you kids to be worried 'bout."
"Nicholas Flamel? Who's that?" Hermione jumped onto that immediately. Considering she didn't dredge that name up… perhaps not a very well-known figure in the wizarding world? Not like everybody Dumbledore has business with would be well known. Though, that certainly would make things much easier.
"…I should not have said that. I shouldn't have said that. Me an' my big mouth. Listen; 'Arry, Ron, 'Ermione. Don't ask any more questions, there's a reason 'eadmaster Dumbledore gave that warning. That place is strictly off limits, you understand?" His voice gave a certain sense of urgency.
"But Hagrid, someone's trying to break into there…"
"I'd like to see 'em try. That there is guarded by not only Fluffy, but trials composed by the finest professors at this academy."
"And what would they be?" She asked innocently.
"That's- …Really, again? 'Ermione yer not making a very good first impression 'ere…" Hermione looked away. It was hard not to take those words to heart from Hagrid, he was clumsy but never meant bad. Taking advantage of his carelessness wasn't something we took much pride in…
"But think about the vault, now the troll attack, it's only a matter of time before something else happens. Something that might put everyone else in the school at risk, whatever is on the third floor is important, we need to know Hagrid. A teacher might be behind it. I think it might be Snape…" Slytherin home room was the closest to the dungeons, yet he never arrived with the other teachers during the troll incident. What was he doing that resulted in such an injury?
"'Arry. Those professors of yours 're all men and women 'and-picked by the great Albus Dumbledore 'imself. Snape 'imself started teaching donkeys years ago. I won't say he doesn't 'ave problems, but the man's a qualified professor and one of Dumbledore's most trusted aides. Yer out of line with the accusations. Carry on an' it'll only bring ya trouble, take it from me. I know it far too well." What did that mean?
"Hagrid, we're not saying it because we dislike Snape. I mean we do, but it's more than that… In potions today he revealed a cut on his leg due to a mishap in the classroom. He covered it quick as anything and all. Why would he do that if he didn't get it doing something suspicious?" Ron stepped in.
"There're plenty a reasons. He's a grown man, 'haps he was embarrassed? Maybe he didn't want students to worry 'bout his condition? It could even be to prevent adverse 'ffects on the materials in class. Man's a potions master for Merlin's sake, gotta be careful 'round such things. Men like Snape 'ave always been the same, like that." Hagrid was resolute in his defending of the bony, ghastly, pain-in-the-neck that was our Potions professor.
"Fine, maybe it isn't Snape but that doesn't mean that it couldn't be another teacher."
"Ya shouldn't second guess the work of Albus Dumbledore. All the staff is to 'is selection, after all." Wait… But that didn't mean…
"Not everyone." Hermione noticed as well. It was an agreement between schools, I could hardly see a proposal like that being one-sided. Meaning Headmaster Dumbledore didn't have full decision-making privileges concerning their staff.
"Blimey! Ya think one of 'em foreign professors…?"
"I'm just saying it's a possibility. Only a teacher could've led a troll into the school. Do you know of any student which could possibly attempt to break into a Gringotts vault? Please, Hagrid. We need to know the truth." As strong as those two were… That's still got to be impossible. I wonder how much stronger the older students are, or are Taka and Alice exceptions in that regard?
"No, ya don't. And that's final. If it worries yer so much, I'll have a word with 'eadmaster Dumbledore. But that is where your involvement in this matter begins and ends. Yer kids for Merlin's sake, this isn't yer burden to bear. What would yer parents say, all of ya?" In retrospect… I don't know quite why I was so gung-ho about finding more information. It was interesting, but this isn't my main goal. I was goaded into investigating by both of their words. They looked down on us, it was for good reason, but it didn't feel good. Not in the least.
Why? This is unlike me. I've been belittled before, countless times. So often, that it feels strange not to be. But their words in particular, they lit a fire under me. One that wishing, hoping, even magic couldn't put out.
"Come to think of it… why didn't we just warn Dumbledore or another teacher?" I said aloud. More to myself than anyone else.
"You noticed as well, didn't you?" Hermione replied.
"Taka even told us to drop it… But that just made me feel even more-"
"Frustrated?"
"…Yeah."
"Nothing that the shrimp said before him helped either. At least he was looking out for us in his own way." Ron added, his arms relaxing behind his head. Ron got like this at times. He dissociated from problems, he was literally and figuratively trying to wash this issue from our hands.
"You really don't see it?" Hermione stared at Ron.
"What?" He asked, indignantly.
"They're working together. Ayanokouji's words were what pushed us to actually meeting Hagrid and gathering more information. He planned this." A grand conspiracy, huh? Ron's going to tell her she's mad. And I have half a mind to do the same, but… I checked around the hut once again. Nothing looks out of the ordinary… None of them are present.
"Just because they went to the third floor together doesn't mean that. Besides, he actively tried to shut down the shrimp's words. Can't you see that?"
"Have you ever heard of reverse-psychology? Why are you being so obtuse?!"
"I've known Taka for longer. He purposely told us to avoid this because it's dangerous, we aren't as strong as them. That's the reason. Nothing else." I hate to agree; but he was right to say those things, both of them were. The fact that they were justified made me all the more dissatisfied! But from Taka's own words, the reason he told us to avoid the third floor doesn't stick… It could be as simple as an error in communication, but that didn't fit Taka either.
"But-"
"You've been acting strangely whenever Taka comes up in conversation. Ever since that time." Ron stared at her, his finger tapping impatiently against his arm. The blazing fire reflected in his eyes.
"Of course I have… I mean, didn't you see him?" She bit her lip slightly upon remembering, worry filling her eyes.
"I can't understand. We'd be dead without his help. Maybe, me and Harry could've ran away or never came in the first place. But you know it as well as I do. Hard as it might be to admit; you would be dead without Taka's help. Seems like a shoddy way to pay someone back for that fact by holding it against him."
"I-I don't hold it against him… I just… Whenever I look in his eyes, I'm reminded of that scene. I can't help it…"
"Again, that just sounds like you deflecting the blame onto him. That's twice he's saved our lives and twice you've harboured a grudge for it. If anyone's not trying to be understanding, it's you."
"Surely there were ways where he didn't have to be so… cruel…"
"Not from where I was standing."
"But…!" Hermione was slowly getting worked up. I could understand to a certain degree. Ron didn't have that club come anywhere near him during that incident. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl, heart shiver and legs lose their feeling. There was no coming back from that. I very nearly died. From the whim of a single creature, no more than a swing of its club. To it; we were no more than insects, that was the feeling I got. And it never failed to send shivers down my spine. Despite all of that… Taka beat it. Then fought a living hellhound before our eyes without missing a beat.
I accepted it before. Because I wanted a simple explanation. But now… I can't close my eyes and remain ignorant.
A human, the same as us, that can look down on creatures like them. Able to threaten their lives on a whim. Is there anything scarier than that?
Because I can't think of anything.
Not a single thing.
A tense atmosphere was beginning to form in the room. The building heat seemed to be a prelude to an explosive argument between the two of them. The increasing temperature thanks to the fire was also getting to my senses. It felt like my cool was gradually being burned away. Just how long would it be like this?
"Alright, alright. 'Nough of that. You're both friends, aren't ya? It sounds like a complicated problem… 'Ermione, why don't ya pay a visit to Headmaster Dumbledore when ya get the chance? He's takin' care of the kid, I'm sure he'll make everythin' right as rain."
"…"
"Come to think of it… Does that Taka know 'bout this as well?"
"…Yeah, he was with us. Along with another student."
"Make sure ya give the same warning to 'em. That ain't no place for kids to be roaming 'bout. Anythin' more than that is the job of us teachers, not students like yerselves."
"…Understood." The natural end of the conversation reared its head. The heat and haze within the hut was also becoming a bit too much for me to handle.
"Make sure ya come back soon… Don't let anyone know, but a few more days, I think it'll hatch!"
"We will Hagrid."
"Now 'urry back to your rooms. Curfew is right 'round the corner… And no more snoopin' 'bout the third floor!"
"Okay…"
"It was nice to meet you, Hagrid." Hermione offered a polite nod as we escaped the confines of the sweltering hut.
"And yerself 'Ermione. Get to yer rooms real safe now." He said in a gentle tone before ushering us out of the doorway.
We shut the door to the cabin, trailing the gravel road back to the castle proper. An awkward silence threatened to hang over our heads. One that wouldn't last long.
"…"
"…"
"…I'm telling you, they're working together." Hermione said with a quiet confidence, a confidence she couldn't back with evidence. I knew because I was under the same impression for a time.
"Can't you drop it? You realise you're talking about someone I've shared a house and room with for a month before now. I've known him longer than you two. Taka might be strange and awkward, but it doesn't give you the right to just make those assumptions." Ron was strangely defensive, I never got the feeling they were all that close. Maybe, I just couldn't see it. The twins and Percy never appeared all that involved with Ron's affairs either. Maybe they were close because of that? Hard to say for certain.
"But-" Before these two can begin the argument anew, I decided to let my thoughts be known.
"Sorry. Can I be honest with you for a sec?" Turning to the boy who had quickly become my best and first friend, not just here but in my whole life. I wanted to at least be honest with him, if I could.
"Not you too, Harry…" Ron looked discouraged, and beyond tired.
"Taka is definitely strange. Do you really think a normal person should be able to fight off a troll and that monstrous dog alone, without magic? I didn't question it because I'm not up to snuff with the magical world. But, think hard Ron, does any of that make sense?"
"That's- …I don't know. What I do know is that he saved us. We should be grateful for that and forget the rest." Ron gave it a second's thought before shaking his suspicions away. A mixture of Taka's involvement and the danger of this situation were the most likely discouraging factors.
"Thank you, Harry. I knew someone else would-!"
"I'm not saying I agree fully with Hermione either." I wasn't on either side here. I didn't hold Hermione's same distrust of Taka. He saved us that was inarguable… But I also didn't look past the convenience that was Taka's ability. He was strange, abnormal. But that didn't make him an enemy or something to be irrationally scared of. When you think about it, he had saved us time and time again… Strange, weird. Those were just colourful terms people threw around. How long had I been called the same by people that should be my family?
"What…? Then what are you saying?"
"Both of them are strange. You didn't even know that he was Dumbledore's adopted son, did you? Despite living together?"
"…No. Mum and Dad just told me that he had some unique circumstances. Felt like a topic I shouldn't bring up, so I never asked him."
"Alice's reaction in class was strange looking back at it. She fainted after his name and relation to Dumbledore were revealed. But wasn't bothered at all whilst sitting right beside him…"
"And Dumbledore asked Taka to look after her in the infirmary…"
"They definitely have some strange relationship we don't fully understand. But that wasn't where I was going, I got a bit sidetracked… This'll make more sense if I-"
I decided to explain what was setting me on edge for so long. "Say, do either of you remember how strange it was that they knew we were on the third floor despite not seeing us?"
"A little. But they could've just heard us, also Taka's weird like that he's never been snuck up on before. Even when my brother's tried." That's creepy but useful, like he has eyes in the back of his head…
"That would be fine if he were the one to have noticed first. Alice pointed us out. As for hearing us, their conversation didn't suddenly stop or anything. I think I have an explanation for it. I was hoping to have some more confirmation now, though…"
"Confirmation?" I nodded towards the two of them, urging them to approach a bit closer.
"I can't be the only one that's noticed the butterflies and how they act around Alice." No, the thing that grabbed more attention was Alice. An innate or learned sense of magic that surpassed Hermione's and she wasn't at all surprised by any of the things that Taka did. Sure, Taka was alien to me. But Alice looked at that same alien and acted as if it were commonplace, in my eyes that made her just as strange or even stranger. Add her obsession with butterflies and their constant presence…
"Butterflies? You're going to have to be a bit more specific, mate…" He tilted his head quizzically.
"You can't see them?" Maybe, I was the strange one? I had been taken with insects so often that I now found myself looking for them as we walked. A habit developed over years. What was once fear of finding them beneath an upturned stone in the garden became curiosity and hope to find them in the same places. What was once my source of displeasure, became a great motivator. Those same insects were never far from Alice, her cane even had one encased in amber where the hand rests.
"I don't know, I hate bugs. Try not to look at them that often." Ron stated with no hesitation. The Dursley's often said the same thing. Well, usually it was suffixed with some sort of insult. Not the time to think about that…
"Hermione?"
"I'm the same, I dislike them… Thinking back, Ms. Sakayanagi said something to that effect. 'I left a butterfly there.'"
"If those two are working together, why is there not a single butterfly in sight? Same in the cabin and out here."
"How can you say for sure?"
"I noticed after Hagrid told us to warn a teacher. If they really did plan for us to come here, then they would need to gather the info from us as well. Overhearing the conversation would be the easiest way. I kept an eye out throughout the conversation."
"What if these butterflies are hiding?" Thinking back to the movements from the third floor, that was unlikely…
"I doubt it."
"Explain your reasoning, don't expect people to believe you if you just say no."
"…" It was embarrassing to admit. Especially since it's so obviously strange. They both hated it as well… But I don't really have a choice. "I like watching bugs. It's something I've done since I was younger, I gardened a lot. On the third floor, that was how they knew we were there before seeing us. The butterfly came around the corner first, yet it didn't have an artificial movement pattern or seem scared of us, it continued fluttering its wings undisturbed. If a human were controlling its actions, then that wouldn't be the case." The flight pattern would become disturbed, altered by our presence, it would notice and take deliberate actions after realising we were there. That never happened.
"So she can see through them, or at the very least have some information of their immediate surroundings. That's what you're getting at?" Hermione said, massaging her chin between her thumb and forefinger.
"Yeah."
"…A huge leap in logic. You'd have to assume she can control them, they have their own movements, she can eavesdrop through them etc. etc. It's way too much to say with certainty." I couldn't disagree. But intuition taught me differently. I knew I was onto the trail of something with it, I just couldn't prove my working.
"How else do you explain it? How else will they get the information? You don't plan to tell them, neither do I. Ron definitely won't, I don't think he even wants to be doing any of this from the start."
"Damn right I don't." He said in no uncertain terms.
"T-They could be hiding nearby." Hermione quickly looked over her shoulder, scrutinizing the nearby trees. The closest dense foliage was towards the Forbidden Forest, nothing substantial enough to hide behind was in close proximity to the hut. At least, not close enough to eavesdrop the conversation we had with Hagrid, definitely not for two people…
"It's going to be hard to hide both of them, especially when Alice is immobile. Can you see anything out of the ordinary here?" Hiding wasn't easy, the number of times I had hidden from Dudley and his friends… Innumerable. I was caught on plenty of occasions. That was as a rather nimble twig of a child. Alice didn't have that luxury. Outside of magic… If she really didn't want to get caught, she would've hidden themselves on the third floor, but they didn't… Unless they deliberately wanted to get caught by us?
Ah, it's no use! I can't tell whatever they're planning. Who's to say a single thing they've done was a misdirection or not… I'm getting a headache already.
"Out of the ordinary…?" Ron muttered under his breath just loud enough for me to make out.
"Think of something, Ron?"
"Not fully… Did either of you guys have some items confiscated from your luggage?"
"Ah, that… No, I didn't bring much other than the list they provided. Hermione?"
"I was under the impression this was all I needed, so no. I had no issues."
"I was mostly the same, but I heard some of the other kids had some stuff confiscated. Had to go see Filch and McGonagall to get it sorted."
"Okay… why do you bring it up?"
"…Well, I was just thinking Taka might have gotten something confiscated. Dumbledore asked about needing to see him in his office, right? Then pair it with…"
"You onto something?" Ron's intuition was usually right on the money. From what I could tell he was never formally taught wizard's chess or games like that. He had a knack for puzzles. Things like this that just served to give me a headache were more in his wheelhouse.
"I think… No, I'm overthinking things. There's no proof, besides the item I have in mind wouldn't be capable of eavesdropping. Never mind the controls… Yeah, no way. It's so unlikely it might as well be impossible. Let's just leave it to Hagrid. We shouldn't get involved anymore." He threw his arms behind his head again… So much for that, I guess.
"…I still think it's too early to decide they aren't working together, or that they know what we've found out. This morning was too much of a coincidence." Hermione dragged the corpse of a topic back to life.
"So much for just letting sleeping dogs lie…" Sorry, Ron.
"Snape's injury…" Those razor-sharp claws, they could easily cause a cut like that. I doubted a troll would do the same, more likely to break a bone or just… kill a person in one go. If it was any creature that caused that… Fluffy would be the most likely, assuming Snape was the one those trials were keeping at bay.
"Just when we needed a culprit, one falls into our lap. Too convenient. Way too convenient."
"You don't think it was him?" Hermione turned to the redheaded boy.
"I hate Snape as much as anyone else. I'm just saying it's way too convenient. Especially if you're operating under the assumption that Taka and the shrimp are working together, both of which were in the same classroom as us. I don't even know why I'm helping your point…" Ron said before huffing a sigh.
"True… I looked past it because they weren't in the group responsible for the mess. What an idiot! Of course! They could just use magic to cause it."
"Hold on, I don't mean to burst your bubble, Harry. That might be the case, but Snape was there as well. You don't think he'd notice someone casting spells in a class where he specifically said there would be no wand-waving? It's hard to get a single infraction past him, purposely setting a trap in his own classroom sounds all but impossible." Hermione gave a cold hard reminder of the truth. Could hardly get a single thing past the guy. And he seemed to have it out for both him and Taka, weirdly enough.
"It's either that or a genuine accident…"
"Right back to square one…" We all sighed disheartened by the current state of affairs. The only thing we could do was head back to the common room and start the day anew. Maybe, something would change within that time…
[Scars of White]
We had returned to the common rooms to the same hubbub that had become commonplace this week. Upperclassmen students were corralling the younger students and asking them to sign forms. New equipment. Club equipment and the furnishings of the common room were all expenses paid by the students. As such everyone was supposed to contribute.
To be honest the money we had received didn't even feel real. Not only was it a number on some paper, but it was much more money than I had ever handled at once, I imagined the gold piled in the family vault was greater, but the point still stood, I didn't even know what to do with it. As such; I didn't mind donating towards this cause, after all it would benefit the entire house. I couldn't help but notice a certain Japanese student with violently dyed red hair barged past those asking for signatures towards the dorm rooms, he was the same year as us if I'm not mistaken.
The higher years had even set out some roaming blackboards that showed students who had donated the most. Sakayanagi stood at the top with a whopping £700. That was 70% of the monthly allowance we were provided. I couldn't help but feel that the gesture was antonymous with her character. Despite the fact she couldn't use most of the equipment they would be purchasing Alice had provided the most of us first years. When asked why she smiled lightly and said, 'sadly this is the most I can contribute to the house, I can only apologise for that.' Talk about a silver tongue…
For some strange reason… The twins weren't at all involved in the current affairs. Instead, they took it upon themselves to introduce some of the upperclassmen students. That was when we met him…
"And this right here is good ol' Manabu Horikita. Us lads just call him Manny!"
"I've never once responded to that nickname." The boy was quick with a rebuttal. He had a voice that wasn't so much harsh as it was always poised. His intonation was even, something like this didn't really shake him. I'm guessing that was a side-effect of prolonged contact with the twins.
"You just did!" The two redheads shared a laugh at the bespectacled boy's expense.
"Sigh…" Turning aside it seemed that he had noticed Ron, Hermione and me in particular. "You. You're Harry Potter. The boy-who-lived. Most children have grown up hearing the stories of your heroics. So much so that it was even prevalent back in my home."
"Uhm, thank you?" I had no idea how to respond to that… Was it a compliment? Sure didn't feel like one…
"There's no need for thanks. It's merely a fact. Though, it seems those rumours and stories… were greatly exaggerated." His eyes were like that of a lion, even behind the smooth glass frames of his specs they pierced straight through my own gaze, looking deep inside.
"Huh?"
"I see no fight in you. Disappointing." He turned his back almost immediately, losing interest in whatever he had seen here.
"Hey! Manny, where are you going?"
"…"
"Don't let him get to you Harry. Our Manny's too serious for his own good. Even got his own secretary." A small statured girl with her hair in two buns as if mimicking a certain famous mouse quickly gathered by his side, holding a clipboard and all.
"Who is he?"
"He's a third year, same as us."
"And one of the strongest duellists at Hogwarts."
"But he's only a third year, how's that possible?" Hermione asked almost immediately. It was strange, as far as I was aware Hogwarts continued to the seventh year. If they were also allowed to duel on the same stage, then that would make him evenly matched with students four years his senior.
"In our bracket that is. First off; duels are divided into year groups. First years can only duel one another. The same can be said for second years. Third years can challenge up to fifth years. Sixth and seventh duke it out between each other. Other than that… What can I say? Some people have just got it. And whatever 'it' is, our Manny's got it in spades. Maybe take a trip to the Remembrance Hall sometime. I'm sure you can find some of his highlights." Remembrance Hall? It sounded like some strange utility room, was it like the magical equivalent of a movie theatre? If that's the case they must record the footage somehow, the name of the room itself makes it sound as if memories themselves were playing… Ron did mention some sort of contraption that could view memories, this must be the same thing. I wondered; was there a dedicated viewpoint for the memories?
"If that doesn't strike your fancy, you could always wait for the next duel to come around. There's no doubt he'll have a match lined up." Fred said with a measure of confidence.
"Hey, secretary! Does Manny have a duel lined up for this month?!" George on the other hand shouted straight to the mousy looking girl. Said girl didn't look much older than us. I found it fun to notice these differences between the twins. Even though they looked the same. George was much more boisterous and louder, whereas Fred was kind of laid back. Though, Fred quickly joined in on the fun whenever his brother was concerned.
She begun to check the clipboard in her hands almost instinctively before looking up and realising it was one of the twins that asked. In short order she hugged the clipboard to her chest and stuck her tongue out at the two of them.
"Oh, don't be like that! Just because we were talking about your Manny-boo." The girl flushed a deep shade of crimson and hid her face with the clipboard.
A quiet, low snicker escaped into the brief silence. One that surprised most of the people occupying it. He had his head turned away, but I could've sworn it was…
"Horikita-kun!" The taller boy and his subordinate were escaping the room, I wasn't privy to anymore of the conversation.
"Such a busybody. Reminds me of someone else…"
"Why are you looking at me? What…?" The twins stared at Hermione for a good second… They had a point. Now that I had seen it, I couldn't quite get the picture out of my mind, the idea of someone crowding around me all the time with a clipboard in hand was just stifling. Can't say I see the appeal.
"Whatever, onto more important topics. They said the sporting events would start in the last week of this month." Hermione commented once again. Looking towards the twins for confirmation.
"Right you are, Hermione! Plenty of opportunities to get some points on the board. Those duels I just mentioned are one way. Us two are on the Quidditch team, first game's gonna be against Slytherin. Make sure you come watch."
"You're forgetting brother, might as well have those two come to try-outs. They're going to be twigs forever if they don't get a bit of exercise now and again."
"Amen to that, brother."
"When are try-outs?" Something compelled me to ask, I was rather excited. The mere mention of flying, there was nothing I wanted to try more than that. When talking about magic, flying was a no-brainer.
"We haven't even had our first broom lesson yet!" Ron exclaimed.
"Relax, you should have it in a few days. That gives you nearly two weeks at the very least."
…?
"I can see the confusion, Harry. Quidditch matches are seen as one of the highlights of the last week. Most of the other sports are surrounding it. Quidditch and duelling are about neck and neck for most popular spectator sports. The big matches take place at the end, usually the last day or two. Sometimes on the weekend as well."
"I see…" In all truth it was the duelling that had me more worried. As my thoughts were imprinted upon my face, Fred turned to me.
"Don't worry about the duelling aspect yet, you only get one duel for first year."
"Only one?" Ron and Hermione had dynamic looks on their faces. Ron appeared to be somewhat looking forwards to it, whereas Hermione was a mixture of apprehension and anxiety.
"Yeah, at the end of the year. Against another first year. Guess who I fought?" He ever so not subtly looked towards his other half.
My eyes tracked the same path, to George's utter dismay as he wore a particularly sour expression.
"Yep, won that one and all!"
"Oh c'mon, I got you back in the next year."
"Who's on the win streak, now?"
"Oh, you are so going down next time. I'll even the score again!" George exclaimed.
"If you can… I might very well keep my streak going."
"We can do it right now, if you aren't scared Freddie-"
"We'll be ready to duel at the end of the year…" I couldn't help the words falling out of my mouth. Would that serve to shorten the gap between us… even a little bit?
"Ready is an overstatement. Most of the first-year matches are pretty dull, fun if you're the one doing it though."
"…What was his like? You know Manny-boo or whatever his name was." It was petty but using this embarrassing nickname was my revenge for his rude greeting.
"Ah, Manny caught your attention?"
"…Well he's a bit…" George started. My curiosity took the better of me.
"What?"
"You'll see when you watch a match of his… He doesn't work the crowd, I can tell you that for sure."
"Fred is underselling it. Manny's probably the most boring, least entertaining magician to ever watch in a duel. But he's good at it. Really good. You'd understand even more if you face off against him." Boring but good? Did he just use the same spells over and over again or something?
"Huh…"
"Forget about that! Let's talk about Quidditch. You gonna give it a go?" George shook the topic from my head, wobbling my shoulders back and forth as he asked.
"I mean… I want to…." I was beginning to feel nauseas.
"Oh, c'mon Harry. Let's do it. If you come, I'll give it a go as well!"
"No reason to get too worked up about it, exceedingly rare for a first year to get picked for the team. I do hope you'll surprise us; little brother, Harry. You could always give it a go as well, Hermione."
"Absolutely not! Those things are death traps, do you know how many broom related collisions happened in the last year alone?!"
"Dunno, wasn't in one?" They answered synchronously.
"Idiots." Hermione having said her piece walked towards the girls' dormitory.
"So high-strung, I can't imagine living like that…"
"Maybe we should help her relax a little bit… You thinking what I am, brother?"
"There's only one thing to think at this time."
"Hehehe…" The two giggled to themselves mischievously.
"Don't. She's not going to like it a single bit." Ron replied before they could concoct whatever scheme would come to mind. Apparently, they were quite the pranksters. Ron had told me all about the type of stuff they got up to at home. It was interesting, that kind of home life sounded like a lot of fun…
"I thought you'd like the idea, little brother. Gone soft on us?"
"Hardly, I'll just be the one that has to hear about it after." With Ron and Hermione's newfound friendship that wasn't far from the truth. Though, I thought it was even more likely that Hermione would request Ron stop their antics. Which I doubt would have any affect at all, even their parents couldn't quite rein in the twin pranksters. Anyone else would have an even worse chance of it.
"Oooh! Our little Ronald's found a girlfriend, that's sweet."
"Get bent." Ron answered immediately, his face morose. He truly meant it.
"I'll tell Mum you said that."
"Ah, wait!" Recognition and fear lit up Ron's features.
"Hahaha!" The twins ran towards their dormitory and no doubt towards their rooms to prepare a length of parchment. Or at least pretend to. Their younger brother quickly following suit.
"Hey, don't go running around the common room!" Percy attempted an assertive, authoritative tone that none of the other siblings paid any heed to. He was left waving his fist and shrieking pointlessly. Unfortunate guy. His fault for always having a stick up his butt. I imagine living with the twins' constant mayhem must be hell for someone like Percy.
…
And there I was left, in the common room. There were plenty of people around, but I felt isolated.
I was glad. What that guy said had immediately irked me.
It was taking a lot of effort to not remember and despise what he said.
No fight?
Disappointing?
I didn't ask for any of this!
You think I don't hate that each and every person I come across acts as if they know me, ask to shake my hand, be my friend when I barely even know who they are? When I constantly have to question whether their friendship is a real attempt at a connection or if it's just a chance to get close to the newest exhibit they see. For a second of fame.
But above all; questioning my will to fight?
You know nothing…
Fighting wasn't how you survived.
No. Life wasn't as simple as that.
Look at my own parents…
If I had fought back all those years, I wouldn't even be here today. It was precisely because I had allowed my adoptive family to walk over me… I had managed to live to see this day, to experience this bliss. To finally learn the truth of my parents.
I'm not here to impress you.
I just want a reprieve from those suffocating years at the Dursleys'. I've finally made my way to this school. I had distance between us for the majority of the year. If I talk to Headmaster Dumbledore, I might be able to extend that stay. Remove myself fully from their lives and them from mine. It wasn't like either of us wanted or needed the other. They profited off of my labour and I needed a place to stay. That was the extent of our relationship. We were less of a family and more a collection of loose parts.
Taka had managed to receive Dumbledore as an adoptive parent. Maybe I could do something to the same effect. I didn't know the extent of their relationship or even why it came about. It might sound rude, but that wasn't what I was interested in.
I just wanted something similar.
I have no intention of returning to that place, not when this vast free world has been extended before my eyes. Laugh at my lack of will to fight, be disappointed. I don't care.
There are very few things worth fighting for in this world.
More time in the place my Mother and Father loved. More time with my friends.
That was something worthwhile.
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Word count: 8412
A bit of introspection for Harry. I think the constant verbal and physical abuse from the Dursleys would make him more repressed and believe fighting against things is a good way to end up in an early grave.
I see Harry as the troubled hero archetype. His past weighs him down whilst his body naturally rushes forwards to face these challenges. That's why he's so urged on by Alice's provocations but not by Manabu's. Simply one is worth fighting for; that being the safety of Hogwarts. Whereas Manabu's was seen as a slight for not having a competitive spirit. Something he would naturally lack due to a lifetime in Dudley's shadow.
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