Competitions and Memories
"So all this secrecy was because of this…" Terry remarked curiously as he stepped over the threshold of the room they had prepared for the club. Professor Flitwick was present, watching attentively to see how they would organize the first day before leaving them to manage on their own. He had even asked a few older students to join and offer their help, like Penelope Clearwater.
All the invited students had received an invitation from Harry and the others. They were eyeing with interest the small golems lined up on an improvised ring in the center of the room, almost like soldiers ready for a demonstration.
"And what are you going to do with them?" asked a young woman who looked about a year older than them. Her Asian heritage showed clearly in her refined features and striking beauty. So much so that Draco found himself watching her for a couple of seconds, unable to hide his curiosity.
"It's a dueling club with golems," Harry replied with total calm. "We're also going to teach you how to create your own golems and the spell you'll need to control them," he added in the same even tone.
Of course, the students present weren't just anyone: Professor Flitwick had selected them among the best in Ravenclaw, and those he considered the most trustworthy.
Indeed, all of them were from Ravenclaw, but for a simple reason: they were the ones Harry and his group had become closest to since the start of the term. They still hadn't made many friends from the other houses, nor did they know their personalities well enough to invite them out of the blue.
With time, they would probably admit students from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. However, if word got out that Harry Potter was in a club, half of Hogwarts would surely want to join just because of his name. That was why they preferred to start slowly, with a small group carefully selected by Flitwick.
"Today we'll give you a demonstration, and then we'll teach you how to control the golems we already have prepared. The club is divided into two focuses: one is control and dueling, and the other is creation and the aesthetic or structural improvement of the golems. You can choose to specialize in either area, or participate in both, since they complement each other," Hermione explained seriously as she swept her gaze over the dozen or so students gathered there.
"By the way, you should know that these golem models are patented under our names. You're allowed to use them here or take them to exhibitions, but you may not sell them or teach the creation method without our permission. For that, we have a small security contract," she concluded, holding up a few scrolls.
"What kind of contract is it?" Terry asked, raising an eyebrow warily. "It's not like I plan to steal your method or anything, but I'd rather not end up under an Unbreakable Vow and die for saying the word 'golem,'" he joked, waving his hands in case there was any misunderstanding.
"Don't worry," Daphne interjected with a calm smile. "It's a contract that erases the creation procedure from your memory if anyone tries to ask you directly. It also prevents anyone from extracting the information with Legilimency. Once the danger passes, your memories return intact. My father usually uses it in high-level business deals."
"It's simply a security measure," Harry added. "We want to share this with everyone, but also take the opportunity to introduce these golems into the market in a few months, backed by our families. And the Black family is already preparing official competitions of golem duels, with quite attractive cash prizes."
Those words immediately caught everyone's attention.
"Competitions with prize money? I'm in," Terry said enthusiastically as soon as Harry finished speaking.
The others exchanged excited looks. It was obvious that joining the club meant they'd be practicing long before any future competitors.
After the introduction, Harry, Hermione, Draco, and Daphne split into small groups to teach more calmly. Each took charge of a handful of students, explaining in detail how to use the control spell and the basic principles of handling the golems.
The golems chosen for that first practice were simple models, designed without fingers or weapons. They could only move their arms and legs, making it easier for the students to get used to them.
Ravenclaw's concentration was impressive, and before long, all of them managed to make their golems walk without losing control or moving awkwardly themselves.
"All right, students. It's time to finish," Professor Flitwick announced, his expression showing a hint of pride at how they had handled their first session. "You have permission to use this room. I've already spoken to Professor McGonagall, and she gave her authorization. But remember—do not take your golems into the corridors or use them for pranks. We don't want the club getting a reprimand, especially if you're creating something this wonderful, understood?"
Everyone nodded respectfully before starting to leave.
Meanwhile, Harry, Hermione, Draco, and Daphne began gathering up the golems and storing them in a large trunk.
"This went pretty well. Looks like we'll have serious competition soon," Harry said with a satisfied smile.
"So you created the club just for that? To have rivals?" Hermione asked, looking at him incredulously for a moment.
Draco and Daphne turned at the same time to look at her with identical expressions of obviousness.
"Obviously. What else for?" Harry replied as if it were the most ridiculous question in the world.
"And what did we spend weeks making the golems for, then?" Daphne chimed in, raising an eyebrow.
"Sure, fighting among ourselves is fun… but can you imagine a battle in front of an audience, like in the ancient coliseums?" Draco added, his eyes glinting with competitiveness.
"And what about reviving old traditions and giving alchemy a fresh start?" Hermione insisted.
"That's just a bonus," Harry concluded with a shrug and a smile, while they all kept packing the golems away, visibly satisfied.
…
Today was the day of the Quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor, so all the students were climbing excitedly into the stands to find a good seat. Of course, over in the Ravenclaw section, Harry and the others were already sitting there calmly, as if the general commotion didn't affect them in the slightest.
"Have you ever thought about joining the Quidditch team?" Daphne asked, turning toward Harry with curiosity. "You're the best flier out of all of us. I'd even say out of all the first-years. In flying lessons, you leave everyone behind without effort."
"First-years can't join," Harry replied calmly. "They can't even bring their own brooms. Besides… it loses a bit of the thrill when you can fly without needing a broom," he added with a faint smile.
"True… and how are your flying lessons going?" Daphne pressed, genuinely interested.
"Fine. Even though the speed doesn't compare to a broom, it feels like a different kind of freedom," Harry answered, his expression softening as he remembered other times. Before coming to Hogwarts, his mother had taught him how to fly on his own, and now he could levitate about ten meters off the ground.
"Ah… I'd like to learn too," Daphne confessed, a trace of envy in her tone.
"It's better to keep your feet firmly on the ground. It's safer," Hermione interjected quickly, as if just thinking about flying gave her chills.
"Actually, very few wizards could do it. But people stopped researching or looking for new methods because of… well, you-know-who," Draco commented in a slightly serious voice. "Even though my godfather can do it, I don't have the nerve to ask him how."
"Are you going to join the Quidditch team next year?" Draco asked, changing the subject naturally.
"No. My godfather insists so much on that that, just to spite him, I'm not going to do it," Harry said, a playful smile spreading across his face.
"Our godfathers really are… completely different," Draco observed, letting out a short laugh.
"And they hate each other with a passion," Harry added, making a face that made the others laugh.
"I wonder what happened between them," Draco mused, as if thinking out loud.
"It's better not to know. But I'm pretty sure it was all my father's fault, my godfather's, and their friends'," Harry replied, his expression turning more serious. "The first time he saw me… I felt a hint of hatred in his eyes. I must have reminded him too much of my father."
"And you still approached him to ask about potions?" Hermione asked, a little surprised, remembering that day from a couple of years ago.
"To be honest, it annoyed me how he looked at my mother for a moment. So I stayed there, waiting for him to say something nasty… hoping she'd send him flying into a wall," Harry confessed, with such a calm smile that everyone fell silent, a bit unsettled by how calculating he could be when he wanted to.
"You really are… ruthless," Hermione murmured, shaking her head in resignation.
"Well, I have to say my godfather was lucky," Draco said, trying not to laugh.
"And what will you do if your mother meets someone… special? Will you keep interfering?" Daphne asked, a curious spark in her eyes.
"Of course not. I only scare off annoying flies and idiots. If someone truly worthy and honorable shows up, I'll give them my blessing without a problem. But I wouldn't like to see someone like my godfather… or that idiot Lockhart, going anywhere near my mother," Harry said with total composure.
Everyone fell silent, looking at him with expressions that clearly showed they couldn't argue with that.
"Honestly… if anyone manages to win Aunt Wanda's heart, it must be because they saved the world or something like that. Like one of those Muggle comic book superheroes," Daphne said, crossing her arms. "Because if some fool makes her angry… I feel sorry for them."
While they were talking and paying no attention to the match, the bludgers started behaving strangely until, all of a sudden, they both changed course and shot straight toward Harry.
"Even if someone does make her angry… before she acts, I'll deal with them myself," Harry said with absolute calm, as if he hadn't noticed the danger.
"Hey, watch out!" Terry shouted from the far end of the stands.
Harry lifted his gaze toward the bludgers speeding toward him. With a relaxed motion, he raised his hand and closed his fingers. Both balls exploded in a flash of red energy and a sharp crack, turning into a rain of metallic dust.
His green eyes glowed with a scarlet gleam as he looked, just for a second, toward the professors' stands.
"Yes… exactly. Even if he says otherwise, if someone comes near his mother, he'll destroy them without hesitation," Draco murmured quietly to Hermione and Daphne.
They both nodded at once, unable to disagree in the slightest.