Fan Fiction ❯ The Second Serpent ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

Tobias's DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Harry Potter series. Though I am making inquiries as to how I can get Tonks. NYMPHADORA Tonks……………………….(eyes glaze over)

Belle's DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Harry Potter series….and yes…I'm trying to get him committed, but it's a slow process.

The Second Serpent

By Belle & Tobias

Chapter 3

"Damn!" I cursed, bursting through the shack's front door. I managed to contain most of the fire to the third year floor, since it was Hogsmade weekend, I summed no one would be behind. When I heard that girl screaming for help, I rushed in, and drug her out. Unfortunately, the windows shattered from the intense heat, raining down on us in a shower of glass shards. I had thrown my cloak over her, but my left arm was impaled. I had resisted the urge to scream as I pushed her to the stairs. Then a beam had collapsed, swinging down like a hammer. I was struck in the face and flung out the window, straight into the Whooping Willow. I was lucky everyone was distracted with the fire, while I cast a spell to freeze the willow and fly off. As a result, I was hurt badly.

I had burns over most of my body, and the glass shard was still in my arm. I think the willow had broken three ribs on my right and two on my left, and my left leg was broken in two places. I had to float above the floor, to make it to my cot, where I collapsed. I gritted my teeth as I wrapped my right hand around the glass shard. I swiftly yanked it out and screamed. I dropped the shard as I shuddered in pain. I slowly reached my hands out to my leg, and then shoved the broken bones back into place. I screamed again, and felt the tears come. I heard a flutter of wings and saw Hedwig there, sitting on a chair back.

"Hey girl." I sobbed, pulling off my belt and waving my right hand at the far cabinet. Inside, my medical supplies came out, and floated to me. They dropped on the cot next to me, and I quickly wrapped my arm. The burns on my face and my ribs, would have to heal naturally. I hoped my ribs were still in line, and as I didn't feel anything poking on the inside, I assumed they still were. The burns, well, I just hoped they didn't scar over. I waved my hands at the open door and some sticks came in. I used them to make a splint over my leg. Hedwig hooted, and I looked at her annoyed.

"I'll be fine, so don't worry. Go do something while I rest!" I snapped. She hooted angrily again, just to make her point about me needing medical help, and took off, out the door. With an impatient wave, I caused the door to slam shut. I laid back and fell into a deep sleep as my body began to heal.

*****

I sighed as Ron, Minerva, and I finished repairing Gryffindor tower. Most of the students were relieved that their rooms and belongings were repaired and I could tell that Ron was not happy. I caught his hand as we headed to our chambers.

"Calm down," I said as I stroked the back of his hand. He looked at me and pulled away quickly as if he were a twelve year old boy again.

"How did you know?" he asked and I smiled as I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled his nose down to meet mine.

"Because, I know you Ronald, that and your face is as red as a tomatoe," I said as I tweeked his nose.

"I know it must be frustrating to be away from the bedroom for so long, but would you mind keeping these displays away from my door?" a voice asked and I blushed as I held onto Ron tighter so he wouldn't see my red face.

"Well Severus, I suppose we could, but we thought you were gone and we were planning on shagging on your desk," Ron said and I gave him a look.

"Ron!" I started to cry but Ron placed a silencing charm on me and smiled at Severus before dipping me and kissing me senseless.

When my wits returned Professor Snape was gone and Ron was smiling proudly, as he removed the silencing charm.

"I hate it when you do that, Ron," I said as I started to our room. He chuckled as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.

"You love it," he said.

"That is precisely why I hate it when you do that," I said as I tickled his side.

*****

I awoke to the sound of footstep on the ground. I froze, listening intenetly. I could not see, since night had fallen, and I didn't bother lighting the torches, using the glow of the half-moon to see as much as I could. I could hear two sets, but no words were exchanged between the two. They began to get louder, and I realized they were heading this way. I slowly raised my right hand, and pointed it, open palm, towards the door. When I heard the doorknob click as it began to turn, I cried, "Petrify!"

A blast of red light shot out of my palm, blasted threw the door, and hit the person on the other side. The man let out a shout, and I heard a lound THUMP as he hit the ground. The other person paused, but didn't fire back with a spell.

"Harry?" called a familiar voice and I groaned. It sounded like Dumbledore.

"Is that you Albus?" I called. The door slowly swung open and Dumbledore walked in, steping over a man in dark black robes.

"Yes, Harry, and I also have Severus with some healing potions. Would you be so kind as to lift your spell?" he asked. I nodded, and waved my hand at Snape. "Retracto."

Snape was instantly on his feet, with his wand in his hand. He looked at me and snarled.

"Good to see you again, too, Snape." I said and fell back on my cot. He snarled but pulled out several viles from his pouch. I turned my gaze back to Dumbledore who was smiling softly.

"Watch your tounge Potter, or I'll show you how much my skills have improved Occulamency." Snape warned. I smirked, and turned to look at him.

"Then I shall show you have far my own skills have advanced in Occulamency. I'll have you believing you're a twelve year old girl." I said. Snape looked skeptical.

"Such skill are even beyond, Professor Dumbledore." Snape snapped. I looked at Albus.

"Think we can get Professor McGonagall to braid his hair?" I asked, and Dumbledore chuckled. Snape snorted, and walked towards me with the six vials. I waved him away.

"I don't need it." I said. Snape frowned who looked at Dumbledore. Albus sighed.

"Harry, I can see you are hurt rather badly, even in this light. I also saw you crash into the Whooping Willow. I dare say you may even need more than what we have brought." Albus said. He frowned, and raised his wand, saying, "Torca Ignis!" before I could stop him. I cursed and raised a hand to my eyes, adjusting to the sudden change in light as the torches were lit. I heard them suck in a breath each, and knew my secret, at least part of it was out.

*****

I listened to Ron singing in the shower as I looked out the window. I was sure of what I saw. It was a man of my age, floating in mid-air. However it wasn't a Wingardium Leviosa enchantment, the person was obviously in charge of his flight and the Wingardium was a spell that could not be cast on oneself. I grumbled as I went into my libarary, the books that lined the walls were filled with all forms of Magic and I quickly went to the levitation section. I took a pile of books off the shelves and placed them on the desk in the middle of the room and I began to read.

"He may not have been Harry, but he was real," I said as I got up and quickly went into the transformation and diguse section and grabbed several texts. "I'll find out who this man is and I'll make him regret trying to be Harry."

*****

Professor Albus Dumbledore had seen a lot of things as headmaster of Hogwarts. He had seen his brightest pupils become the darkest yet, and his most cowardly become the bravest of the lot, but he had NEVER seen anything as he saw in Harry Potter. Harry's burns seemed to be running backwards in time, healing themselves before Dumbledore and Snape's very eyes. They could only assume this was happening under the bandage on his left arm and the splint of his left leg. Seeing the look on their faces, Harry Potter sighed.

"I guess I have some explaining to do." He said.

*****

"Hermione, if you stare at those books any harder they're going to burst into flames," Ron said as he placed a glass of pumpkin juice in front of me and I smiled as I looked up at him.

"Sorry, Ron, I'm just…frustrated about this," I sighed and rubbed my head.

"I noticed, it looked a bit like when you were trying to figure out the Chamber of Secrets," he said as he stood behind me and began to rub my shoulders and I let out a slight sigh.

"Oooo, lower, yea there," I directed him and I sighed happily as he continued to rub my back.

"You might want to get to bed," he said and I looked at him.

"Would this have anything to do with the Howler your mother sent you?" I asked and he laughed.

"No, that was about Fred and George, she sent it to the wrong address, they got the letter to me about wedding arrangements," he chuckled. "What I meant was that you should get to bed, sixth years tomorrow." I groaned as I covered my face.

"I nearly forgot. Damn it all," I moaned as I got up. "I'll continue this tomorrow." I started to bed and I looked at Ron as he grabbed onto my waist. "Oh no you don't, for that stunt with Snape you shall have to 'entertain' yourself tonight." I smirked at the look of horror on Ron's face.

****

"And that's what I did for five years until I moved to Austraila, where I've spent the remaineder of my time away." I finished. Dumbledore and Snape were staring at me, until Sanpe whispered, "Bloody hell."

"Indeed." Dumbledore said. "Harry, the things that you have done, the implications ALONE, are phenomenal."

"I know." I said. I swallowed. "How many of the staff now know of my return?"

"Only myself and Severus. However, Ms. Granger believes that you may have come back as some sort of guardian angel." Dumbledore said, merriment in his voice and his eyes twinkling with amusement. I chuckled.

"I guess I should count myself lucky. Any clues as to how the fire started?"

"There was some sort of muggle device there. It apparently it was the cause of the fire. There were numerous spells which allowed it top function inside Hgwarts grounds." Snape said and I sighed.

"We should go Harry." Dumbledore said and they stood. "How long till you are fully healed?"

"One week at the most. Bones take longer to heal than flesh." I said and looked at Snape. "I have one spell to do though." I waved my hand at his arm. "Remarvo Dakmarco!"

Snape cried out and clutched his arm, but it worked. I saw the Dark Mark appear in the room before fading away. Snape took and deep breath and slowly rolled up his sleeve. The Dark mark was gone from his arm.

"Thank you…………………………&# 8230;………..Harry." he said. I smiled.

*****

I stood in front of my class, the seventh years and sixth years were looking at each other excitedly and I felt like screaming. They didn't grasp the concept of this activity even though I had spent most of the year teaching them to get them ready.

"Alright, follow me, we'll be leaving the building now, I want you all to be as professional as you can manage," I said and I began to lead the students out of the building. I rubbed my forehead as I tried to piece everything together. The dreams about Harry, the flying man, the bomb, and all the years of 'peace'. I sighed as I tried to make the puzzle pieces fit. It wasn't working and I decided to try again later, when it was safe and not now with two classes of overgrown children participating in a possible life or death practical.

*****

I yawned as I sat on Trelawny's tower. She was predicting some students deaths, again as I watched over the grounds. It had been another month sicne the tower incident, and I couldn't help but wonder how a Slytherin got into the Gryffindor common room. There were numerous ways of course, short of flying in a window and then back out again. After all, I'd gotten into the Slytherin dungeons numerous times. Hedwig was flying nearby, and it certainly was beautiful day for flying. I wished I could fly but I didn't want to be seen. But then it was dusk, so maybe I could fly to Hogsmade tonight, and go soaring through the clouds………………………..

"Okay, class, pay attention!" I heard Hermione's voice call out. I looked down and saw her leading a group of sixth and seventh years. "This is your first practical test! When Professor Hagrid gets here, we'll go into the Forbidden forest! Now there are only a few things you must do to pass this test. One, do not get hurt or killed! Two, do not KILL anything attacking you, merely drive it off. And three, do not, I repeat, DO NOT leave anyone in your group behind."

I couldn't help but grin. So Hermione was taking her N.E.W.T. level students inside the forest. I think I'll tag along. This could be amusing…………………

*****

"'Hi Hermione, sorry I'm late, the hippogriffs have been gittery all mornin'," Hagrid said as he came up to me and I noticed something in his eyes.

"Do you think we should cancel the practical today?" I asked and I ignored the groans from the students. Hagrid looked thoughtful for a moment before he shook his head.

"No need ter cancel it, still yeh all need to be extra careful, this is no game," Hagrid warned the students and many nodded excitedly. "Go ahead Hermione." I nodded my thanks and turned to the class.

"As you all know you must go into the Forbidden Forest and come out alive, now you must be on the look out for most animals. The centaurs and unicorns will report any inappropriate behavior to us," I instructed the students. "Any question?" A few hands went up and I called on the young man.

"Professor what about the giant spiders that live in there?" he asked and I sighed.

"The spiders have agreed not to hurt you, still try and avoid them," I said and I continued to answer a few more questions before allowing the groups to go off.

"Yeh think they'll be alright?" Hagrid asked and I nodded as I patted his arm.

"We've taught them well Hagrid, they should be fine," I said.

*****

"Joey, stop antagonizing the spiders!" a Ravenclaw girl hissed at a red-haired Slytherin. I shook my head.

"But Professors Granger and Hagrid said the spiders agreed not to hurt use! So what's the big deal?" he asked.

"BECAUSE I NEVER AGREED TO NOT EAT YOU IF YOU CAME INTO OUR DEN." Argogg said, coming out of a huge hole in the ground. I groaned.

"B-b-but we didn't!" squeaked a Hufflepuff girl, "We followed the map!" Arggog laughed.

"WE CHANGED, TO THE WHOLE WORLD! KILL THEM!"

"ARGGOG!" I cried, flying down. I heard all the students gasp.

"It, can't be him!"

"No WAY!"

"Wow! He's handsome!"

"It's Harry Potter!"

"Remember me?" I asked. Arggog snarled.

"I DO, FRIEND OF HAGRID. IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO DIE."

"I think not." I said. I threw my hands intot he air. "Wary Marasis!" The paralyzing spell explode around me, freezing everything in place. I picked the kids up and flew off, before the spell wore off. I soared up and saw Hedwig flapping and hooting madly. I hurried to her and saw her flying above the forest edge, where everyone else was gathered. I sighed. I guess it was time. I flew down and set the students down. The spell was wearing off and they began to move as everyone gasped at sight of me.

"Harry? Is it really you?" I heard a soft voice ask. I sighed and turned around to see Hermione standing there. Before I could say anything, I heard Dumbledore's voice ring out above the crowd.

"HARRY! THE PERSON WE HAVE DISCUSSED HAS TAKEN CONTROL OF ARGGOG! THEY IN TURN ARE SENDING THE SPIDERS TO ATTACK HOGWARTS!"

I whirled around and saw hundreds of spiders racing from the woods towards us.

"Everyone get inside!" I cried.

"What about you?" Hermione cried. I smiled to myself.

"I can handle a few spiders." I said and was tackled by a spider leaping from the woods.

*****