Harry Potter and the Unknown Power

Harry let his mind wander as his feet carried him to Gryffindor Tower. Good on Ron! The look on Hermione's face was brilliant! Harry chuckled to himself. He sobered as he thought, Though, with them together, I'll miss them. They'll want to spend time together, and they should. I don't begrudge them that. But, it'll be different. It will be nice though now that the bickering is over.

As he neared the portrait of the Fat Lady, he thought he heard a whisper behind him, and before he could even think, he instinctively ducked. A spell bounced off the stone wall next to him, leaving a gouge in the stone, and dust drifted to the floor. He spun with his wand out in a crouched position, "Protego! Who's there?" He heard a shuffle, and another soft whisper of a robe on the floor. He strained to hear if another spell was coming for him and then he had an idea. "Accio wands!" he called out. Three wands came zooming at him from the shadows and he caught them neatly. "Come out!" he said in a commanding voice. He felt much better now that he had disarmed the unknown attackers.

When no one stepped forward he glanced at the wands in his hand, and announced, "Malfoy, I would recognize your wand anywhere, which mean these two can only belong to those goons you call friends, Crabbe and Goyle. I think I will keep these and give them to Professor McGonagall. I am sure she will make sure that Professor Snape gets them in the morning."

Swiftly, before any of them could react he whispered the password to the Fat Lady who, winking, swung open just wide enough for him to wiggle through and shut immediately behind him nearly catching his robe in the doorway. He smiled as he headed up to bed.

He set the three confiscated wands in his bedside cabinet and slipped his own under his pillow, before changing into his pajamas. He cleaned his teeth and just as he was climbing into bed, shaking his head ruefully at Neville's loud snores, he heard footsteps on the stair; surely Malfoy didn't manage to get into the Tower? Then just as he leveled his wand at the door, Ron stuck his head in.

"Blimey, Harry," he whispered, startled, "I thought you said you wouldn't be jealous!"

Harry grinned, as he lowered his wand, "Nah, it's not important, I just thought you were someone else. So. Kissing Hermione, eh? Well?"

"It was brilliant. She is so wonderful, and beautiful, and smart. What on earth does she see in me? Though, truth be told, I am not complaining, mate, I will take what I can get," he said as he, too, changed his clothes and slid into bed. "So who did you think I was?"

"Not important, I will tell you in the morning, with Hermione, at breakfast."

"Okay," yawned Ron, "G'night, Harry."

Soon, as Harry was settling in his bed, he heard Ron snoring lightly. He glanced up at the dream catcher that Ginny had given him, hanging by a hook on the wall near his bed and smiled.

***

"...next thing I knew the wands were just heading my way! I didn't think it would work, but then I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth either, so I jumped through the portrait hole and the Fat Lady closed behind me," Harry said after demolishing a huge stack of pancakes, a mound of scrambled eggs and several rashers of bacon.

Ron looked at him enviously, as he slid two muffins into his pocket, "Brilliant, bloody brilliant. I would have paid a galleon to see the look on Ferret Face when he lost his wand. Crabbe and Goyle probably still don't realize what happened."

Hermione frowned over her Arithmancy book, "Usually the Summoning spell only returns one item at a time. I wonder how you managed to Summon three? Especially when you didn't know how many wands were out there?" She glanced at the door of the Great Hall where a surly Malfoy was entering the room, followed by Crabbe and Goyle, "Harry, you should really go tell Professor McGonagall, before Malfoy tells Snape; otherwise he is going to tell everyone you stole his wand."

"Right," said Harry, "I'll be right back." He got up and quickly made his way up to the Staff Table, "Erm, Professor McGonagall? May I speak to you, in private, please?"

"Certainly, Mr. Potter," she dabbed her mouth with her napkin and rose, leading the way to the little antechamber where the Triwizard champions had waited. She closed the door gently, and asked, "What can I do for you? Not having a problem in Potions already, are you?" She looked at him with a slightly softened expression.

Harry shook his head, "No, actually that is going surprisingly well.

"Last night after Ron and I visited Hermione in the infirmary, I went back to the Tower alone, and I guess I felt a spell coming my way and ducked. It left a mark on the wall near the Fat Lady. I summoned their wands when they wouldn't show themselves. I have them right here," he said, pulling them from his pocket. He held them up before handing them to her, "I kept them overnight, because they wouldn't come out of hiding even after I took them. I wanted to give them to you first thing. I guess you would probably know who they belonged to, right, Professor?" he asked quietly.

"I will have to ask the other Heads of House, but I am fairly certain I know who they belong to. A word of caution, Mr. Potter, you have made several enemies," she said holding up a hand at his protest, and slipping the wands into her pocket, "and I understand some of them were bound to be inevitable, but I must ask you not to walk the corridors alone, especially after dinner. There are some who would think they would be furthering their cause. I am sure the Headmaster would agree with me."

"You are absolutely right, Minerva."

Harry turned around and saw Professor Dumbledore standing near the door.

"Would you like a lemon drop?" he asked holding out a small paper sack. Harry shook his head. He waited as the Headmaster selected one and then carefully tucked the sack into one of his many pockets. Harry felt an unexpected spurt of irritation as he met Dumbledore's eyes, but carefully squashed the thought, unsure if the irritation was his or Voldemort's. He focused on what Dumbledore was saying, "Harry, surely you can understand the risks right now? Hogwarts is as safe as I can make it, but to quote a certain grizzled old Auror, 'Constant Vigilance' is a necessary thing. If you must be in the halls after dinner, please be sure to have Miss Granger or Mr. Weasley with you. If they are unavailable, due to their Prefect duties, then please ask another member of your House to accompany you."

"Yes, Professor. What will happen to the owners of those wands, Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked with some irritation coloring his words.

"They will be deducted fifty points apiece for attacking a student in the corridors and a months worth of detention for not being forthcoming in their error," said Professor McGonagall grimly, "They will serve that detention with myself or with Mr. Filch. I believe Argus has some start of term chores that need to be completed."

"Thank you, Professor," Harry looked at the old wizard, and grimaced. His emotions were still in turmoil over the Headmaster's action last term. He respected Dumbledore and knew that he would be a key figure in his future. And on the other hand, he was still angry at being treated like a child, when he had done as much as any other Order member in their fight against Voldemort. Harry drew a deep breath, and chagrined, he looked into Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes, remembering the last time he had seen them that they had looked tired and sad, "Erm, Headmaster? I'm sorry, about your office, last term," Harry said, avoiding Professor McGonagall's questioning look.

"Forgiven, Harry, and long ago. Now, I believe you have Defense Against the Dark Arts this period, Mr. Potter? You best be on your way, Professor Leonard doesn't take lightly to insubordination. Professor Leonard has many valuable lessons to impart, and I believe a good deal more important than your previous professor. I daresay Mr. Weasley has already taken your things to class for you," said Dumbledore, pulling his half-moon spectacles off and wiping them absently on the sleeve of his robe. "And Harry? My door is always open to you."

Harry threw the door of the antechamber open and sped down the empty Hall, noting that Ron had indeed taken his bag, Thank you, Ron! He raced up the stairs and ran flat out for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, dodging the odd student in the corridor. He skidded to a halt outside the door, straightened his robes and slid into the empty seat beside Ron just as the bell rang. Hermione was just behind them sitting with Neville, with a questioning look on her face. Harry shook his head and mouthed, I'll tell you later.

Mere seconds after Harry had pulled out his book and quill, Professor Leonard, wearing closely tailored grey robes, came into the room with an odd fluid grace, marred by the slight limp he favored on his right side. His mane of gold and grey hair was pulled into a club and tied with a bit of grey ribbon at the nape of his neck. Harry watched fascinated as he fixed each student in his golden eyes. Again, Harry felt that sense of calm and peace steal over him.

"Class," he said in his low grumbling voice, as he placed his worn leather satchel on the battered wooden desk, "I am Professor Leonard, and we have much to cover. Your OWL results were most satisfactory, and most of you managed to exceed expectations. Cumulatively, the scores were higher than they had been for several years. For those who got an Acceptable, I will offer special tutoring to help bring you up to speed in the evenings on the days you have class after dinner in my office.

I see you have had a basic introduction to most things, and a very thorough grounding in Dark Creatures, curses and hexes. Your professor from last year left carefully and very detailed notes on her assessment of your skills," he said holding up a twelve foot pink parchment. The class giggled nervously. Harry rolled his eyes, I'm sure she called me a liar and a poor student on my assessment. Professor Leonard went on, "What I am going to teach you now is how to get out of tight situations and how to set up a solid defensive position. We will be learning techniques that first year Aurors cover, as well as a number of Muggle techniques." Malfoy snorted, and Leonard studied him for a moment, "Let's see," he said, running his finger down the roll, "Mr. Malfoy? Can you tell me the best offense in a duel?""

"Any spell that will throw the opponent off, like a Befuddlement Charm, or Expelliarmus," he said confidently.

Miss Patil, same question please, can you tell me the best offense in a duel?"

Parvati jumped, and hastily stuffed her copy of Witch Weekly under her desk, "Erm, the Stunning Spell?"

"No, though it is quite effective. Let's see, Miss Patil?"

"No, though you are closer than Mr. Malfoy. One more try... Mr. Potter?"

"The best offense is a good defense. A Shield Charm or a Protection Charm," Harry said.

Professor Leonard smiled that slow, lazy grin at him, "Excellent, take five points for Gryffindor. Right, so stand up and put your books away, wands out." They pushed the desks to the wall and waited. "You cannot fight if you are taken down immediately. A good Shield Charm will protect you from most jinxes and curses. The drawback is that they must be renewed. There are others that we will get to be first the basics. We are going to practice the Shield Charm against the Tickling Jinx.

"Focus on the image of a large shield covering you from head to foot, and from shoulder to shoulder to be sure a stray hex doesn't get by you. Picture your shield and hold that thought as you cast the spell. For those that are casting the Tickling Jinx, focus the power of the spell into a tight beam and try to force the spell through your partner's shield. A word of warning to you all, those are the only two spells I want used in this class today, is that understood?" Professor Leonard paused, a confused look on his face as his eyes settled on Malfoy. "Mr. Malfoy? Where is your wand?"

Malfoy's cheeks flushed, as he snapped defiantly, "I've misplaced it."

Professor Leonard quirked an eyebrow at him, "Misplaced? Did you misplace yours as well, Mr. Crabbe, is it? And Mr. Goyle? I see, well, ten points from Slytherin for each of you for not being more careful, and more importantly, not being prepared for my class. Sit over there, observe and take notes, then, if you please, so you will be ready for next time," he said pointing to the row of desks in the corner of the classroom.

The three Slytherins sat on the desks in the corner and pulled out parchment and quills, and looked sulkily at everyone in the class. Harry and Ron grinned at one another, before assuming the dueling stance. Harry felt confident that most of the Gryffindors would be fine; they had practiced Shield Charms during the DA last term.

Cries of "Protego!" and "Rictusempera!" were heard for the next hour. Harry was able to hold off Ron's jinxes well and then he really concentrated on being able to break through Ron's shield. There were moments when he thought it would give way, but Ron managed to hold on, and fend him off.

At the end of the period, there were more than a few Slytherins on the floor laughing hysterically, while most Gryffindors were on their feet, successfully blocking the Tickling Jinx.

"Excellent, excellent! Five points to everyone who blocked the jinx completely, everyone else practice for next time, please. You three, stay behind, please. I want a word," Leonard said pointing to Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.

Harry grinned at Malfoy as he walked through the door while Malfoy scowled in return. "That was a great lesson, it helped that we have practiced that one for ages, though," said Ron as they continued on to the hall.

"I wonder if all of our classes will be like that, a mix of lecture and practical. I think it helps to discuss the theory, then work on the spell for some students," said Hermione. "I found his suggestion of visualization to be extremely helpful. Muggles do that, too. I wonder what sorts of Muggle techniques he will be teaching?"

Neville came panting from behind them, "Harry, thanks! I don't think I would have managed today if not for you and the DA. Are we going to keep doing that this year?"

"I don't know, Professor Leonard seems to be a competent teacher, maybe we can discuss that later, if we don't progress to anything more difficult," said Harry. Neville nodded and fell into step with him, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Hermione asked, "Neville, your new wand, how did that work out for you?"

"It was brilliant. I think this one is much better for me than Dad's. We both have dragon heartstrings, but his was oak and mine is willow. Mind, Gran is still upset that his wand got broken, but I managed to pick up the pieces before we left the Dep-, erm, the Ministry," he shot a worried look at Harry, as though trying to gauge his reaction.

"It's okay, Neville. Look," Harry stopped and faced Neville squarely, not noticing the streams of students milling around them, "I am sorry that you got caught up in that mess, that LeStrange cursed you, and that because of my "saving people thing" I put you all in danger. It won't happen again," he promised.

Harry was astonished when he saw the look of pure fury on Neville's face.

He was so mild mannered that most Gryffindors flinched if he so much as raised his voice, but this was beyond anger. "Harry Potter! Don't you ever let me hear you talking like that again! I went because I wanted to, and for you to think that I wasn't willing to go on my own terms is insulting! We all went because we wanted to, and if I recall correctly, we insisted upon going, even after you told us not to!" Neville took a steadying breath, his face flushed with anger, "You did not put us in danger. We took a risk, but we went with our eyes open. We knew there would be Death Eaters there. Bloody hell, Harry, we even knew that Voldemort himself would be there, and we went anyway. I have my own reasons for wanting to fight, you know! So you can take your bloody "saving people thing" and shove it!" Neville spun on his heel and stormed through the hall, not noticing as he knocked people aside on his way. Several first-year students noted the dark expression on his face and jumped out of his way. The hall that had suddenly gone silent during Neville's tirade was now buzzing with whispers, and several students were eyeing Harry as though he, too, was going to start shouting.

Harry stood flummoxed in his spot, mouth agape, and cheeks enflamed, wondering what happened. Neville just dressed me down, how on earth did that happen?

"Looks like the mouse just roared, Harry," commented Ron dryly.