The New Lightning Bolt

Chapter Seven

Another Bang

The light was gone and apparently the gravity was back on because all the objects came down. People landed on desks, cauldrons, and other people. Hermione landed in Ron's lap and they both blushed ferociously.

"Oh...um," Hermione cleared her throat, "Sorry Ron."

"S'okay," Ron said in a quick voice. He helped her off him and blushed still deeper.

"Draco!" Pansy screamed. She ran to him and gasped at his unconscious body. He was up against the wall with his feet hanging a couple of inches off the ground. His head was hanging down resting on his shoulder. But the weirdest thing was his left arm was sticking straight out and his hand was glowing with silver sparks falling from his fingertips. "Wake up, Draco," she said.

"Don't touch him," Snape barked taking one look at him. He looked over his shoulder and noticed Harry on the opposite wall in the same situation as Draco, but his right arm was extended outward and gold sparks were coming from him. "Him either," he said indicating Harry.

"Harry!" Ron and Hermione said in unison.

"I want every one to go to their common rooms now. Do not even think about getting your stuff. Just leave now. If I find anyone of you not in the common room I will deduct fifty points from each person." Snape said.

"But Professor-" Hermione began.

"Miss Granger, did you hear what I said?"

"Yes, but-"

"But what?"

"Shouldn't someone get Dumbledore?" she asked quickly.

"Yes, well...since you are so eager to help go get Dumbledore and then go straight to your common room. I will be sending someone to do a head count and if you are not back there in time then that means Gryffindor loses 50."

Every one hurried out the classroom stealing last glances at the two boys before speculating what happened. The Slytherins went to the left while the Gryffindors went to the right and up the stairs. Hermione set off to Dumbledore's office.

"Hermione, wait," Ron called from behind her. "I'm coming with you."

"You really shouldn't and I know nothing I say is going to change your mind so pick up the pace so we don't lose 100 points," she said as she started to jog.

"I hope Harry is alright. Do you know what happened?"

"I have an idea, but I'll have to go to the library to make sure," Hermione said.

"You could tell me at least," Ron said in an undertone.

"What?"

"I said...if you find it out, I'd be pleased."

"Maybe you could help me during lunch."

"In other words you want me to skip lunch. You know I don't skip lunch, or any meals for that matter." Ron said in between his gasps for air.

"I really need your help on researching if it's what I think it is. Plus there is always a first for everything," Hermione said.

"Oh, alright. I'll help you, but do we have to move so fast?"

"Quit whining, you baby. We're almost there," Hermione said.

They reached the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office and caught their breath. Ron was leaning against the gargoyle breathing very hard.

"Someone is outta shape," Hermione pointed out. "Sugar Quills."

Ron fell to the floor as his resting post came alive and moved aside. Hermione took an arm and helped him up and held on, pulling him until they reach his door. Hermione knocked and went inside after they heard Dumbledore welcoming.

"Ah. Hello Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said smiling.

"Hello Sir," Hermione said. Ron just raised a hand trying hard to catch his breath.

"What is it you wanted to talk about," Dumbledore said eyeing them.

Before Hermione could say anything Ron muttered, "Tickling your ass with a feather."

Both looked at him as if they heard him wrong. "I am sorry, Mr. Weasley. What was that you said?" Dumbledore asked.

"I said we could talk about the nice weather."

Dumbledore looked out his window. "It is much better without a sucking vortex of doom, but I doubt you ran all the way during the middle of a class to talk about weather," he said turning back to them.

"No, sir, we didn't," Hermione said eyeing Ron who had found his breath. "We just came from Potions and something is wrong with Harry and Malfoy. They were fighting and then there was a bright light. Professor Snape told me to come and get you quickly," Hermione finished.

Dumbledore stood up a little faster than he intended and walked to the door ushering them out with him. "Thank you Miss Granger. I need to get there immediately. Go to your common room please." They came out and the two Gryffindors headed to the common room. "Mr. Weasley..." Dumbledore said over his shoulder, "I heard what you said the first time." With that said he was around the corner.

Ron blushed. He cleared his throat nervously as Hermione looked at him. He had started a habit of saying one thing, usually funny, and then a completely different thing after fourth year. He learned that he could get pretty good laughs at his quick thinking. But the fact that Dumbledore heard him unnerved him a bit.

"What did you say the first time?" Hermione asked walking beside him up the stairs.

"I said tickling your ass with a feather."

"Ron! You are going to get into trouble if you keep that up."

"Dumbledore has been the first person who actually heard what I said the first time. I think he found it funny, besides that is just one out of a million that I have done. You didn't hear me and you were standing right beside me."

"True," said Hermione, "But you better be careful. Remember Professor McGonagall? She almost caught you."

"True, but I saved myself."

"Tsk. Barely."

They walked in silence to the Gryffindor common room.

***

Harry woke up and rolled his head off his shoulder. He felt like an elephant was sitting on his chest, he could hardly breathe. In fact he couldn't move any thing except his head. He tried to move his feet, but nothing happened. Am I paralyzed? Harry thought.

No, you're not. Open your eyes.

Harry opened his eyes and he saw shiny blue eyes looking in his. He smiled. He knew to whom those eyes belonged.

"Hello Harry," Dumbledore said backing away from his face. Harry looked away from Dumbledore to his arm, which was standing straight out. Why? Harry looked back to Dumbledore giving him a quizzical look. He went to mouth some questions when he caught sight of Malfoy on the other side of the room.

What's going on?

I don't know. We were waiting until you woke up.

For how long?

Five maybe six minutes.

"I know your talking, boys and I also know you are full of questions. I will answer them when we get you out of this situation. From what I understand all you have to do is touch the other person's hand. To clarify this up a bit, you need to touch the other person's hand that has the sparks coming from it with the hand ..." Dumbledore trailed off looking at their confused faces.

"Mr. Malfoy, grab Potter's right hand with your left. Mr. Potter, grab Malfoy's left hand with your right," Snape said.

"Well said, Severus," Dumbledore smiled. "You will need to fight the force keeping you against the wall and please don't do magic. Use this rope to get to the middle," Dumbledore said conjuring up a rope between them. He tied the ends around either of the boy's waist. Noticing the confused look about rope around them he added, "So you don't drop it. The magic that will happen when you touch hands will be harsh so no one can be in the room. We will leave you two alone and we won't come back just in case you are inches away from touching. And since you can't call us," he said pointing to his throat, "you are on your own."

"I expect you two will try your hardest because I would like to have my classroom back soon," Snape sneered. He walked out of the room followed by Dumbledore who winked at them. The door closed.

Great. Another rope connecting the Scar Head and me.

Swirl Head.

Good one, Potter.

Whatever.

Let's get this over with.

Each one pushed themselves up with the hand not extended outward. They sat up looking down at the floor.

Well, this defies Newton's law of gravity.

In the next step each of them stood up with some difficulty making them parallel to the floor and ceiling. The arms that had the sparks were becoming workable.

Look at that.

What?

The sparks.

What about them?

They aren't defying gravity.

Draco Malfoy looked at them. They indeed were falling to the floor and disappearing a few second later.

That's odd.

Come on. I want to get this over with, Harry thought to Malfoy. He grabbed the rope with his already outstretched hand and started to climb. This brought back memories of his schooling before he knew of Hogwarts.

***

He was eight years old and just getting out of class. Dudley had to stay back and talk to the teacher, Mrs. Hall, about his goofing off. Harry waited outside the door eavesdropping on the delightful sound of him getting detention, which only meant that he would have to spend tomorrow's lunch hour with her. This also meant that Harry could have one hour in peace. He wouldn't have to hide from Dudley and his friends. Mrs. Hall was always complaining to Harry how he smelt like garbage after lunch and she would always demand an answer, but Harry knew better than to tell on Dudley, his friends, and how they shoved him into trash cans every day. He definitely knew better than that. Tomorrow would be the day Mrs. Hall didn't yell at him.

Harry was so lost in his thoughts of a blissful tomorrow that he didn't see Dudley's friends walk up to him. It was only when he was covered in their towering, bulky shadows that he noticed they were there and that there was no escaping. Oh crap.

Mrs. Hall's door swung open and Dudley's friends abandoned Harry to see how Dudley made out. Harry took this opportunity to back up a couple of steps in hopes that they forgot about him like usual. They never even looked at Harry after school. They were always to busy walking home, throwing rocks, discussing the newest video games their parents spoiled them with, or remembering their latest bust on Harry to notice Harry trailing a safe distance behind. But Harry thought that this day he was not going to be so lucky and he was right.

"You," said Dudley pointing at the retreating Harry. Harry stopped. "You got me in trouble."

Harry looked perplexed. "How did I get you in trouble?" Harry asked in a slightly scared voice.

"You exist," said Dudley.

"I exist, eh?" Harry said finding his courage. "Are you sure you want to use the word exist, Dudley? It's an awfully big word."

"It's not a big word, you nit wit. There's only," he paused and counted on his fingers, "seven letters. But I wouldn't think you'd understand."

"Seven you say?" Harry asked. "Why don't you spell it?"

"E-G-G-Z-I-S-T!"

"Wrong. No wonder why you can't past English, you can't spell! It's E-X-I-S-oh crap!" Harry started to run as the furious Dudley started to speed waddle towards him. His friends, who weren't as big, followed pursuit and even passed Dudley as he stopped to catch his breath. Harry ran and ran until he ended up in the gym. Dudley's friends came in shortly panting. Harry looked around and saw that there was only one exit and that Dudley's friends were blocking it. Only one exit? Isn't that a fire hazard or something?

"Come here," Dudley demanded as soon as he waddled himself to the front of his gang.

"There's no where to hide. We'll give you a light pounding if you come to us," he said in a singsong voice.

"Ha! That's the only way you'll catch me, because you guys're too fat," Harry called still looking for an escape.

This statement obviously hit a nerve of Dudley's. He looked hurt for a second and then furious. "Get him!" he called. His friends went towards Harry with their pudgy hands outstretched neck high. Harry subconsciously touched his neck and then started to freak out.

Where to run? He could climb up on some equipment, but they could reach him. Then he saw the rope. He knew none of Dudley's friends could climb rope, as demonstrated one day in P.E. He ran to it and climbed with all his might to the top and clung to it.

"Get down, you wimp," Dudley called from the floor. When Harry didn't he grabbed the bottom of the rope and started to swing it side to side. Harry started to slip, but he held on. Dudley and his friends took turns trying to shake Harry off and only when Dudley's stomach grumbled did they quit their efforts and left. Harry stayed a little longer at the top fearing what would happen when he got home to number 4. Dudley would still remember to pound him and Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon surely wouldn't let him have dinner for being late. How he hated them all. All he could think of was growing up and living far away from them.

***

Touching, Potter.

Hey! My memories are mine. Keep out of them.

It wasn't my fault I saw that. You were thinking about it so much you broadcasted it into my mind.

Oh.

What are you waiting for?

What?

Grab my hand, Potter.

Harry hadn't realized that he climbed all the way to the middle of the rope. He was too preoccupied with his memory.

Oh. Ready?

I have been ready for five minutes now.

They grabbed each other's hand with the sparks falling from them and the magic was almost instant. The white light that had caused this was back and brighter than before. Harry shut his eyes against the light. A loud noise echoed through the classroom and then there was silence. The two boys were on the ground unconscious.

***

A loud noise echoed through the classroom and throughout the whole castle. Albus Dumbledore set down his teacup and stood up smiling. "I believe that is our cue, Severus."

"Took them long enough," Snape said looking at Dumbledore's clock.

"Now, Severus, I don't want that attitude when dealing with this situation. You know as well as I do that this process is very delicate."

"Well, I hope their 'process' didn't ruin any of their potion or I will have to start all over," Snape said regretting that he was being treated like a child.

Dumbledore looked over his half moon spectacles at Snape. He gave the "I mean it," glare and Snape gave him the "I know, I know," eye roll.

"It's funny, isn't it?" Dumbledore asked as he opened the door. He waved a beckoning hand to Snape who walked through the door. Dumbledore followed.

"What's funny, sir?"

"Body language...I just waved a hand towards the door and you went through it."

"I wouldn't call it body language, but sign language," Snape said as they rounded a corner. "What you did back there was the universal sign for the other person to either a) go before them or b) leave their presence."

"Professor! What was that loud noise?" Professor McGonagall asked as she stepped out of her classroom.

"Nothing to be concerned about, Minerva. I will tell you at lunch," Dumbledore said. Professor McGonagall nodded and went inside to tell the eavesdropping students to get back to work. They resumed walking to Snape's classroom. "What is the difference, Severus? They are both means of communication."

I thought he would drop it, thought Snape. He sighed before continuing the conversation. "It is true that they are both means of communication, but sign language is meant to be read and understood while body language is meant to be analyzed and criticized." Honestly...you'd think the greatest wizard would already know this. Snape sighed again.

Dumbledore smiled. They walked down the drafty corridor in silence until they were a couple of feet away from their destination. "I do like having these talks with you, Severus."

Snape was speechless, not because of Dumbledore's statement, but because the door to his classroom had been blown off. He looked inside. The desks, chairs, cauldrons, and every thing else were gone, but there were many rings lying on the floor along with the two unconscious boys. He stole a quick glance at his office, where it held precious potions, and thanked himself for getting a steel door on it.

"At least they didn't ruin their potion," Dumbledore mocked.

"Where did every thing go?" Snape said as he knelt by the boys. "And why is there jewelry on my floor?"

"If I am not mistaken, the magic that happened was a combination of many things. Before the first bright light incident, everything was floating or hovering, am I correct?" Snape nodded. "From what you told me they were trying to intimidate the other, but they were actually tapping into one another's powers. That is exactly what happened here, but more extreme. They must have had to have done many transfiguration spells to turn every thing in the room into rings."

Snape picked one up from the floor and examined it. "Quite expensive looking rings."

"There is a lot of magic residue in here, Severus. I think I will need the rest of the teachers in here for analysis and removal."

"I think we should start now."

"My thoughts exactly. We shouldn't do any magic in here, except for the removal part, nor around them. They probably have magic residue on themselves and we'll get it off when they wake up. Severus will you do the honors?" Dumbledore said pointing to his throat.

Snape walked over to him and pointed his wand at Dumbledore's throat. "Intracomitus." (A/N: I made that up for the school's intercom system, which we will pretend they have for my own stupid amusement. Thanks for playing along!)

A bell rang through out the castle and Dumbledore smiled. "Teachers and students, May I have your attention? Classes are dismissed for now and the rest of the day. Enjoy. Teachers will report to Professor Snape's classroom immediately," Dumbledore said and then nodded at Snape.

"Finite Incantatem," muttered Snape.

"Well, I guess there is nothing else to do but wait."

"Don't you think we should have escorted Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy out of the classroom before we let the whole school out?"

"Hm. Yes I think we should have. What do you propose we do?"

"Doesn't Potter have an invisibility cloak?"

"That would be an excellent idea, Severus. We can get one of his friends to retrieve it for us, but I do believe it is in use right now," Dumbledore said as he turned to the open doorway.

"What are you talking about, sir?"

"You can take it off now. You aren't very good at keeping quite," He said to the open doorway again.

"That's because he stood on my foot," Hermione said pulling off the cloak revealing her and Ron. Snape took and involuntary step backward. Footsteps were heard from outside and soon teachers started to file in.

"Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, what are you doing here?" McGonagall asked.

"We came to see Harry and the bloke," Ron said in an undertone.

"What was that, Mr. Weasley?"

Before Ron could respond Hermione said, "He said we came to give Harry's cloak." She held up the invisibility cloak for emphasis.

"I see," she said eyeing them suspiciously. "Thank you. You can leave now."

"I think they should stay, Minerva. We are not doing any magic near this place and I think it would be best if they escorted Harry and Draco to the hospital wing underneath the cloak as to not let any other students see," Dumbledore said.

"If you think it's best," Professor McGonagall said.

"Take one at a time and do not do magic on them. Let Madame Pomfrey know too," Dumbledore said.

They handed Dumbledore the cloak and moved to pick up Harry. Ron pried their hands apart. "Disgusting," he muttered. Ron put his arms underneath each armpit and Hermione grabbed his knees. Dumbledore threw the invisibility cloak over them and smiled as he heard them shuffle their feet trying to get into each other's step rhythm. Once he knew they were gone pretty far he turned to look at the teachers.

"We had a little problem with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter. I think most of you know they can do wandless magic and it should be kept secret, or like the kids are saying today, be kept on...the down low? Am I right?" Some of the teachers smiled and nodded while others snickered. "Though the magic might be news to some, everyone knows they can speak telepathically. They were having a fight via the mind and tapped into each other's powers. Everything in the room was floating except them and that's when them swapped some powers, thus explaining the first bang. Their bodies rejected the other person's magic and held them at bay on those to walls," he said as he pointed. "When they came into contact again another bang was issued and everything in the room was transfigured into rings. I want these rings analyzed. I want to know what metals they are made of and the purity of them and I want to know which rocks they used. I found rubies, diamonds, emeralds, blue topazes, and amethysts from only one ring," he said as he displayed the one in his hand to the teachers. "I believe there is much more. I also need the magical residue analyzed for it's stability and I want to know what the best way to get rid of it." Dumbledore nodded and they got started.

A few minutes later Hermione entered carrying the cloak followed by a reluctant looking Ron. Dumbledore smiled as he took the cloak from them again. Ron pulled Malfoy up from the armpits and Hermione took his knees like she had done with Harry. Dumbledore threw the cloak over them and smiled at them finding a walking rhythm. (Seems like he smiles at every thing, doesn't it?) He sighed and smiled just for the hell of it. (Muwhahaha.)

"Do you realize our stuff was transfigured into rings? Snape told us to leave our stuff in the room and get out of it. Now my books are jewelry," Hermione said as the exited the room.

"I bet they'll find away to change it back." Ron groaned. "Why do we have to carry him, or touch him for that matter, Hermione?"

"Quit whining and pick up the pace. The faster we move the faster we could get rid of this piece of shit-I mean Malfoy."

"Same difference. Couldn't we just throw or drop him on the ground and roll him to the Hospital Wing?"

"I never thought there would come a day where I could actually correct the All Knowing Hermione," Ron said wistfully.

"What are you talking about?"

"All Dumbledore said to us was not to do magic on them. He never told us he couldn't be seen. He told Professor McGonagall."

"Whatever, Ron."

"Your just sour because you know I'm right. Come on, say it."

"Say what? That you're an impossible moron?" Hermione asked.

"No. Say that I am right. Come on, say it." In a girly voice he mocked Hermione, "Oh Ron, you are sooooo right. I was sooooo wrong. I can't believe I made a mistake. Thank you sooooo much for correcting me."

"Bite me."

"Do I sense hostility? Don't worry, Hermione. There is a first for everything."

"Dumbledore implied the message to us," Hermione snapped.

"Don't be a sore loser, Hermione. I was only joking," he said as he pushed open the door.

They walked over to a bed and plopped Malfoy on top. The invisibility cloak followed him and they were expose up to their waist. Madame Pomfrey who had been waiting for their arrival went over to them and helped get the cloak off them and untangle it from Malfoy.

She took one look at his hair. "Poor dear." She pushed the hair out of his left eye and gave him a look of concern. Ron pretended to barf behind her back. Hermione threw the cloak in his face and stormed out of the room. "What's wrong with her?" Madame Pomfrey asked as the door slammed shut.

"She's just mad that classes were cancelled today," Ron lied. Madame Pomfrey rolled her eyes.

Ron took the rest of the day looking for Hermione. He sent Ginny to look in her dormitory room, but she wasn't there. She wasn't even in the library. Around dinnertime he stopped looking and nourished himself. It was only when he had his third serving when he remembered why he was so hungry. For the first time Ron had actually skipped a meal. He spent all lunch hour looking for Hermione. Well, Hermione, he thought bitterly to himself, I guess there IS a first time for everything.