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Chapter Twenty-Three
Dark Discussions

Christmas morning found all seven friends, as well as Lady Ravenclaw, gathered in the Gryffindor Room.  The four time travellers had set up a Christmas tree a few days earlier, showing the Anglo-Saxons one of their traditions.  Christabel in particular loved the tradition, and vowed to continue it in her family.  Lady Ravenclaw had provided the mistletoe, which she hung in the doorway to catch the students as they came in.  Harry and Gallatea, Ginny and Ardwick, and Ron and Hermione had all been caught, but luckily for Christabel she arrived late, and so was spared.  Not that Harry and his girlfriend had minded too much, but when they started to get carried away, Gallatea's mother had given her a disapproving look.  

The group sat around the Christmas tree with cups of tea in their hands, talking about what they usually did at Christmas.  The Weasleys were telling them how their family celebrated, and what they did when they stayed at Hogwarts.  Hermione told every one of the Muggle traditions, and how over the top they went.  They all agreed that Christmas for Muggles was too commercialised.  When it came to Harry's turn, he told them what it had been like when he was younger, not receiving any presents and being banned from touching the tree.  One year he had even been locked in his cupboard during the Christmas dinner for `being too noisy'.  Gallatea gave him a hug, and he told her how much better Christmas had been for him since starting at Hogwarts.

The group spent the rest of the morning telling funny stories about their families and previous Christmases.  They didn't have any presents, as that was a more modern idea.  Despite the Christmas tree, the four time travellers had decided they wanted to experience traditional Anglo-Saxon celebrations.  Ginny thought it would be a good section to include in her book.        

About half an hour before the Christmas dinner, which they were to eat in the Great Hall with the rest of the students, the boys went off to one corner to discuss their planned prank.  Harry had won the prank war by a long way, with his stunt at dinner.  The way he had planned the day, especially by lulling the students into a false sense of security, clearly showed his Slytherin side.  It was this cleverness, as well as the quality of his pranks, that had won it for him.  He had something similar planned for that day, and he just wanted to go over the last minute plans with the other Marauders.

*~*~*

Dinner was a magnificent affair.  The students had arrived at the Great Hall to find it decorated with icicles hanging everywhere, and snow falling from the ceiling.  To make the meal less uncomfortable, the snow disappeared as soon as it hit a surface.  Tiny ice faeries were fluttering about the Hall, greeting the students and playing with the snow.  The tables had vases of snow drops in the middle, and decorative wreaths were hanging around the walls and from the doors.

Before the food appeared, Gryffindor stood up to give a few notices.

“  Now, I know you are all hungry, so I will be brief.  Firstly, I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas.  To celebrate, we will be having a Yule ball tomorrow evening.  It will be a costume party, so I want you all to come up with something creative to wear.  If possible you should dress to match your partner, as there will be a competition for the best costumes.  In order for you to acquire your costumes, you will be permitted to visit the town of Hogsmeade tomorrow.  However, you must be back in time for the ball, which will start at seven o'clock.  My second announcement is concerning an event that occurred last week in the fifth year Care of Magical Creatures lesson.  We have discussed these events, and have decided to award Harry Potter an award for special services to the school.  What he did was very heroic, and he showed true Gryffindor courage.  I am very proud of him, as is Lady Ravenclaw.  I would like to thank him now on behalf of all of the staff for saving young Miss Ravenclaw's life.”

Harry smiled embarrassedly as everyone, bar Horatio and some of the Slytherins started to clap.  He bent his head to hide the blush in his cheeks.  He had just done it to save his friend, and would have done it for anybody.  He didn't like all of the attention.  Eventually, the noise died down and Gryffindor continued with his speech.

“ Now, I just have one more matter to mention.  To commemorate last week's events, we have a new school motto, which will be added to the Hogwarts crest.  After much discussion, we have settled on `Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus', which for those of you who do not know Latin, means `never tickle a sleeping dragon'.  Now, enjoy the feast, and happy Christmas!”

That said the founder took his seat and clapped his hands.  A delicious meal appeared in front of the ravenous students and they all started to pile it onto their plates.  Not long after, the students at the Slytherin table started to choke on their food, before glaring angrily at the Marauders.  They could tell what was going to happen next.  Before they had chance to run and hide, their clothes turned bright red and they all grew long white beards.  Horatio, being the obvious target, ran over to Hermione, took her hand, and started to croon.

“ If I should stay,
   I would only be in your way.
   So I'll go, but I know,
   I'll think of you every step of the way.”
The rest of the Slytherins joined in for the chorus, holding hands and swaying side to side.

“ And I will always love you.
   Will always love you.
   My darling, you.”

Horatio took over again, pulling a bewildered Hermione to her feet and joining the swaying Slytherins, who continued to join in when Horatio reached the chorus.

“ Bittersweet memories,
   That is all I'm taking with me.
   So goodbye, please don't cry,
   We both know I'm not what you, you need.”

“ And I will always love you
   I will always love you.

At this point everyone bar the Slytherins was on the floor in hysterics.  The mere idea of Horatio d'Escargot singing a love song to a muggleborn was hilarious.

“ I hope life treats you kind,
  And I hope you have all you dreamed of.
  And I wish you joy and happiness,
  But above this I wish you love.”

Much to Hermione's consternation, Horatio pulled her into his arms and started to slow dance with her while the other Slytherins finished the song.  

“ And I will always love you
   I will always love you
   I will always love you
   I will always love you
   I will always love you
   I will always love you.”

As it was coming to a close, he gently placed his lips on hers, only to be pushed back rather forcibly by the unfortunate girl.

“ Darling I love you
   I'll always, I'll always love you.”

Once the song and dancing had finished, the strange costumes disappeared and Horatio's face turned a poisonous shade of red.  He was not happy.  Whipping out his wand, he started yelling at Hermione.

“ VICIOUS MUDBLOOD!  HOW CAN YOU DO THAT TO ME?  I CANNOT BELIEVE I WAS FORCED TO TOUCH SUCH A FILTHY CREATURE!  MY FATHER WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS, JUST YOU WAIT.  YOU WILL BE HUNG, DRAWN AND QUARTERED BEFORE THE WEEK IS OUT!”

Hermione had started to back away as Horatio continued his tirade.  No-one had ever seen him looking so angry, and he didn't seem to be calming down.  Hermione glanced at the founders and noticed they were unsure what to do.  Slytherin seemed to be smirking, but the other three were starting to look concerned.  Concern turned to horror as the screaming boy pointed his wand at the girl and yelled, “ CRUCIO!”

The students watched in terror as Hermione fell to the floor, writhing in agony.  Her screams filled the Hall and drifted through the castle.  The founders weren't sure what to do, as they didn't want to risk hurting the girl further.  Harry was the one that came up with a solution.  In the chaos he made his way to the back of the Hall and started chanting in parseltongue.  Luckily for him, Simbi and Nirah were wrapped safely around his wrist, so he was able to perform the snake magic.  A few seconds later, Horatio was blasted across the floor, his magic temporarily drained from his body.  It was powerful Dark Magic Harry had invoked, but luckily no-one noticed where it came from.  As soon as the curse was lifted, Ron ran over to the fallen girl and lifted her into his arms.  Looking at Gryffindor, he waited for a nod before leaving the Great Hall to take her to Lolide.  As soon as he left, the students broke out in whispers until Gryffindor stood up and called for silence.  Turning to the dazed Horatio, he started to talk angrily.

“ Horatio d'Escargot, considering your actions last week with the dragon, and the events we have witnessed today, I feel we have no choice but to expel you from this school.”

“ OBJECTION!” roared Slytherin, leaping to his feet and pointing at Gryffindor, “ On what grounds could you possibly be expelling the boy?”

“ Salazar, he used harmful Dark Magic on a fellow student.  That is not acceptable.  I tolerate your teaching of the Dark Arts because I see the merit in using them for good, but when the most painful curse in existence is used on a fifteen year old girl for no reason whatsoever I can no longer stand for it.”

“ You can hardly class using a pain curse on a Mudblood a serious offense!  If it had been a pureblood, it would have been a different issue, but filth like that shouldn't even be in this school.  Mudbloods are worse than cattle, and should be treated as such.”

Gryffindor was fuming.  This argument had been coming for a while, as the two had had conflicting views on muggleborns from the start.

“ SALAZAR SLYTHERIN, HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT ABOUT A HUMAN BEING!  Witches and wizards, be they pureblooded, halfblooded or muggleborn, deserve the same respect and treatment.  They are all the same; they all have the gift of magic.  I understand you have a particular hatred for those you see as polluting our blood, but I cannot have you taking it out on the students, and encouraging your House to do the same.  We will settle this now.”

Gryffindor drew his wand and waited for Slytherin's answer.  The fact that he was prepared to us a wand showed he was going to use spells too strong for wandless magic.  Slytherin just smirked and took out his wand.  Getting into the accepted duelling position, they both raised their wands and bowed slightly, neither taking their eyes off their opponent.  Gryffindor threw the first curse, putting up a powerful shield to stave off any attack.  

“ Impedimenta!”

Slytherin ducked out of the way before erecting his own shield.  He sent back something he knew Gryffindor couldn't block.

“ Avada Kedavra!”

Harry closed his eyes in horror as the green light went speeding towards the other founder.  Much to his surprise, when he opened his eyes again, the man was still standing.  Looking over to Ginny, he could see her eyes were wide in disbelief and she was starting to shake slightly.  Harry turned back to the duel just as Slytherin yelled, “ Serpensortia!”

Seeing the snake on the floor, rapidly moving towards Gryffindor, he knew what he had to do.  Turning himself invisible, despite the risk of being seen, he moved over to the snake and started hissing to it.

*Please come over here*

The snake looked around in confusion before moving once again towards Gryffindor.

*STOP* Harry hissed quickly, delaying it long enough for Gryffindor to cast the counter curse.

After that the duel started to get nasty.  Slytherin kept casting Dark spells on Gryffindor, especially pain curses.  Harry and Ginny thought it was a bit strange that he wasn't using unforgivables any more.  Eventually, Gryffindor managed to get the upper hand.  With a last “ Reducto!” Slytherin was blasted from his feet, hitting the wall of the Great Hall and knocking him unconscious.  Gryffindor sent up red and gold sparks to indicate his victory before collapsing on the floor.  The students in his House started to panic, but Rowena quickly took charge.  Sending Hufflepuff up to the infirmary with Godric, she rounded up the students and sent them all to their common rooms.  Harry, before leaving the Hall, started hissing to his snakes.

*Guys, do you think you could go up to the infirmary and see if you could find out what is going on with Gryffindor?  I'd like to know why he collapsed*

*Of course* Simbi hissed back, *We would be honoured, little master*

*We shall be back later* Nirah added, before they slithered away across the room.

Harry made his way over to where the rest of his friends had gathered.  They all looked a little shaken, but none the worse for wear.

“ Gryffindor Room?” Ginny asked.  The others nodded in agreement and they all headed out of the Hall.

*~*~*

In the Gryffindor Room, the five remaining members of the group all sat down heavily in front of the fire.  Gallatea had telepathically asked Ron if he was coming back, and he told them he would be there soon with Hermione.  When they finally turned up, everyone quickly rushed to a still shaky Hermione and helped her to sit down.  Once they had ascertained that she would be all right, they started a very important discussion.

“ So, what did we miss?” Ron asked.

It was Christabel who explained what had happened.  She told him about the argument and the following duel, as well as about Horatio being expelled.  When she had finished, she turned to the group and asked something that had been bothering most of them.

“ What happened to Horatio?  I mean, when he had the Cruciatus curse on `Mione, and he was blasted across the room.  A simple `Reducto' would have produced the same explosion, but the spell wouldn't have been broken.”

“ That was me,” Harry confessed.

Six pairs of incredulous eyes turned in his direction.  He smiled sheepishly and explained.

“ I read it in my snake magic book.  It's a Dark Arts spell that has to be recited in parseltongue, using at least one snake for a focus.  Luckily I had Simbi and Nirah with me.  It basically sucks all of the magical power out of someone for a short period of time.  I have a feeling it would be banned in our time, but there's not much point in banning it as so few people can speak parseltongue.”

“ So what do you mean, it takes their power?” Hermione couldn't resist asking.

“ It sucks out your magical energy, pulling it into the caster.  It leaves the victim unable to use magic until their energy has recovered.  They are effectively Muggles for about 24 hours before their magical energy has built up again enough for them to perform simple spells.  It takes about a week for the effects to fully wear off.  It was the only way I could think of to stop the spell…”

The rest of the group was looking at him in awe.  Hermione, though, showed signs of another lecture.  Harry jumped in before she could say anything.

“ Before you say anything, Hermione, I know it's a dangerous spell, and I wouldn't use it under normal circumstances.  But I thought it was an emergency, and I didn't want to see you hurt.  Can you understand?”

Hermione reluctantly nodded her head and smiled.  It was Ginny who asked the next question.

“ Does anybody know how Gryffindor survived the Killing curse?”

Ron and Hermione, not having heard about that, started violently, glancing quickly at Harry's scar.  I was Gallatea who explained.

“ He's immune.”

“ What do you mean?!” Ron exclaimed.  Sighing, Gallatea continued.

“ I'm not supposed to talk about it, but all of the Hogwarts Four have managed to acquire immunity necklaces.  The man who created the Big Three, the Imperius, Cruciatus and Killing Curses, created ten necklaces that resist the effects.  He kept one for himself, and the founders, being the most prominent witches and wizards of our time, were each given one as a gift.  I only know about them because my mother has promised to pass hers down to me when she dies.  The other five are all for sale in Hogsmeade, but no-one can buy them, as they are prohibitively expensive.  Even Horatio's family doesn't have enough money.”

“ I think I've read about them somewhere,” Hermione added, “ They were the only known block for the Unforgivables…”

“ Unforgivables?” Ardwick asked.

“  That's what we call those three curses.  Using one on another person qualifies as an immediate life sentence in Azkaban.”

“ Wow!”

“ Yes, I know.  In our time, all of the necklaces have been lost, and are thought destroyed.  Harry is the only known person to have survived the Killing Curse without a necklace.  When you say they are for sale in Hogsmeade, how expensive are you talking?”

“ I had a look at them the last time I was there with my mother,” Gallatea said, “ And I think they were a whole five galleons each!”

“ FIVE!”

“ Nobody has that much money!”

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny looked surprised at their friends' outbursts.  To them, five galleons for something that powerful and useful was nothing to pay.  Harry alone had taken about fifty galleons out of his account when Ginny had told him he would need more money.  He turned to his friends.

“ Five?  Is that all?”

Gallatea, Ardwick and Christabel looked at him as if he was insane.  Hermione caught on first.

“ Of course, why didn't I think about that?  In a thousand years, the value of money will have dropped greatly.  In our time, something that seems relatively inexpensive, would seem a fortune here.”

“ You mean to say, in this time I'm rich?!  That's great!  See, the amulet did bring us great personal wealth!” Ron exclaimed.

Harry was looking at his confused girlfriend.  Thinking Accio Money Bag, he waited for his gold to turn up.  When it came flying through the door, he turned to the Anglo-Saxons.

“ Just to give you an idea of what we mean, take a look at this.  I took this out of my vault back at home.  It was just a tiny portion of what is actually in there.”

Tipping the fifty or so galleons onto the rug, he turned to see his three friends slumped in their chairs in a dead faint.

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