885Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the intellectual property associated with Harry Potter.
Hi all,
Here's the next chapter. Harry creates a new artifact and Gabrielle receives some bad news.
Chapter 74
3rd December
Harry held the boots up for inspection. His latest creation was almost finished. However, a significant challenge still lay ahead of him, as he needed to maintain the enchantments embedded within them. The boots' limited magical storage capacity presented a challenge, leaving Harry dissatisfied with their current state. Until he solved the problem, he wouldn't consider them finished.
"They won't last longer than five minutes in their current state," Harry muttered.
Nagini raised her head from where she was lying coiled on the floor. "Why create such a precarious contraption? Wizards and their reckless pursuits."
"Because it's thrilling," Harry retorted. "Just envision the potential once I perfect them. They'll surpass broomstick flying; mark my words."
"Another baffling wizarding pastime."
"Don't let Oliver hear you say that," Harry teased.
"Absurd. He doesn't speak the noble tongue."
"No. But he is so obsessed with the sport that I believe he could interpret anything related to Quidditch in any language."
Harry set the boots down and sorted through the papers scattered across his desk, which held the complex array schematic. After organising them, he began examining them. He sought to optimise the enchantments without sacrificing safety in order to increase their magic capacity.
While the current dilemma wasn't insurmountable—recharging the magic was feasible—it constrained the boots' operational duration and enjoyment. His new project had deviated significantly from his original idea. A spark of inspiration had sent him in a different direction, and he had spent the last few weeks designing the array schematic for the boots before making the first prototype.
He had given the artifact a tentative name: Zephyr Boots.
They were crafted from basilisk skin for aesthetic appeal, but the boots' true marvel resided within the soles—a concealed layer housing the runic arrays for his envisioned enchantments. There was nothing to prevent him from attaching another material to the basilisk skin to overcome the issue of its magical resistance. He had discovered this fact while designing the protective clothing for the order. While he hadn't added any enchantments to the clothing, he could do so later if his grandfather requested it.
The boots had three distinct features, each posing unique challenges in implementation to eliminate the risks. At the very least, reducing the risk.
The first feature would allow him to glide across the ground, as if he were skating on ice. There were several issues he needed to address in order to achieve a true frictionless glide across the various surfaces he envisioned using them on. He had already tested it, and the acceleration could reach terrifying levels.
Harry had spent some time designing a mechanism for activating and deactivating the boots. He shuddered at the thought of being unable to stop in time whilst travelling at high speeds. He chose to use voice activation to control all aspects of the boots. The Parseltongue runic script was particularly good at picking up spoken commands, so he used it to create the array for the control mechanism.
The second feature would allow him to bounce up to ten feet in the air. He could have gone for higher heights, but there was too much risk of things going wrong. He had added a modified cushioning enchantment to the bottom of his boots, allowing him to soften the impact of landing, but only if he landed on his feet. Landing in any other way would be extremely painful.
Harry added the ability to bounce along the ground spontaneously, which wasn't particularly useful compared to the other features. If he couldn't find another way to include more magical storage capabilities, he might have to give up this feature in the final design. But he had to explore every avenue before he got to that point.
The true beauty of the boots lay in their final feature. He had already tested it in the Room of Requirement, where he could request a room that was fully insulated with cushioning charms. However, he needed to put it to the test in a more realistic setting with more risks.
Harry grabbed the boots and put them on.
"Don't tell me you are going to go through with this," Nagini hissed.
"All right, I won't tell you."
"At the very least, bring your broom in case anything goes wrong."
Harry clapped his hands. "Great idea. I knew I kept you around for a reason."
"Between me and your mates, we shall have a hard time protecting you from your stupidity."
Ignoring her last comment, he exited the workshop trunk. Back in his dormitory, he grabbed his broom before heading over to the window and opening it. He took a deep breath before climbing onto the ledge and peering down at the ground far beneath. He was used to the heights because of Quidditch, so he wasn't afraid.
A gust of wind nearly knocked him off the ledge, but he clutched onto his broom. Okay, so that was a little scary.
"What are you doing, Harry?" Ron yelled from inside.
Harry turned his head. "Nothing's wrong, Ron. I'm just testing something out."
"Don't do it, Harry," Ron insisted, waving his arms wildly. "Whatever is going on in your life, it cannot be so bad that you kill yourself. Hell, you have three beautiful girlfriends, you lucky bastard."
Harry nearly laughed. Did Ron believe he was trying to commit suicide? Couldn't he see that he was holding his broom in one hand? He suddenly felt the urge to prank Ron, even if it was a little mean-spirited.
"Don't try to convince me otherwise, Ron," Harry said, his voice full of emotion. "This world is simply too cruel for me to live in. Could you please say goodbye to my girlfriends and apologise on my behalf?"
"No!" Ron lunged for the window, trying to grab Harry.
"Flight Mode, activate," Harry said before jumping off the ledge.
"Harry!"
As Harry plummeted a dozen feet through the air, a rush of exhilaration and fear washed over him, sharpening his senses and making him feel more alive than ever. The lack of a broomstick beneath him added a thrilling element to the experience, making him acutely aware of the vast expanse of the sky around him.
With practised ease, Harry tested the limits of the magical boots, soaring through the air and performing aerial manoeuvres that demonstrated their full potential. Harry, who was already familiar with the boots' mechanics, found himself quickly adapting to their unique mode of flight.
This was the boots' third feature. He was able to fly through the air like a bird. It was the most complex aspect of the entire array schematic that he had to figure out. He began with the Ascendio Charm as a base. He used arithmancy to break it down into its runic form and then modified it. The most difficult aspect was making it possible to fly freely and move through the air in any direction.
A familiar white form streaked towards him, and Hedwig's curious gaze locked on him with keen interest. Harry greeted his feathered companion with a smile, demonstrating his newfound flying prowess with a mid-air cartwheel that elicited a flurry of barks from Hedwig in response.
Harry sensed Hedwig's competitive spirit and launched into an impromptu race around Gryffindor Tower, the wind whipping past them as they weaved through the air in a playful display of skill and agility. Though he couldn't match Hedwig's experience, Harry relished the thrill of the chase, pushing his limits as they took daring turns and swoops around the tower.
They stopped after a minute of flying, as Harry was conscious that the boots wouldn't last much longer. As he ascended back to the tower window, Harry couldn't contain his excitement. He waved enthusiastically to Ron, who had witnessed their thrilling flight.
"Hey, Ron!"
Ron took a moment to regain his composure. "Blimey, Harry. Don't scare me like that."
Harry chuckled. "It was hilarious. Did you really think I was going to hurt myself?"
"Shut it," Ron grumbled. "So, how are you doing that?"
"Magic!"
Ron scowled. "You know what I mean."
"It's a new artifact I've been working on."
Ron's eyes sparkled with interest. "That's brilliant. Can I give it a go?"
Harry shook his head. "Not until it's been properly certified. I'm off to surprise my girlfriends now. Are they still in the common room?"
Ron's face revealed a sly expression. "They were when I left a few minutes ago."
Harry looked at him with suspicion. But given his time constraints, he dismissed it as unimportant. He slowly descended until he could see through the large window into the common room.
Daphne, Gabrielle, and Susan sat by the window, having an uncomfortable conversation with Harry's grandmother. Minerva appeared in the common room a few minutes ago and made her way straight to them. They knew it would be a serious discussion when she cast a privacy charm over them, preventing them from being overheard.
Minerva fixed them with a stern gaze. "I have been made aware of the fact that Harry has been spending all night with the three of you in the Room of Requirement."
Susan paled. "How did you know?"
Daphne and Gabrielle exchanged resigned looks.
"I have sources within the castle who keep me informed," Minerva told her. "Now, would you care to explain yourselves?"
"We're sleeping with Harry," Gabrielle blurted out.
Minerva sighed. "So, you're all sexually active now? I wish you would have waited a couple more years at least. Are you taking your contraceptive potions?"
"Of course," Daphne answered. "We don't want to risk having children at our age."
"There is no way to eliminate the risk completely," Minerva said. "The potion isn't foolproof. Abstaining from sex is the best way to prevent pregnancy."
Gabrielle shrugged. "We enjoy being together too much to stop now."
"You don't have to say it like that," Susan said, blushing. "We've been discreet until now. I promise you, we're being careful."
"Why aren't you using Harry's trunk?" Minerva asked.
"Harry keeps it in his room, and we risk being discovered by his dorm mates if we try to sneak in," Daphne said. "Besides, the Room of Requirement allows us to get…a little creative."
Minerva fixed them with a flat stare. "Did you even consider that you're breaking curfew by sleeping outside your dormitories?"
The girls glanced down, feeling guilty.
"I'm afraid I will have to punish you by taking points and assigning detentions," Minerva stated bluntly. "Whatever you do, it must be within the curfew hours. Where is Harry?"
Susan began to respond, but her words trailed off as she saw Harry waving at her from outside the window, suspended in mid-air. "Harry?"
Daphne and Gabrielle looked out of the window and spotted him. Minerva appeared stunned for a brief moment before her mouth turned down into a snarl. "Harry James Potter, get down from there this instant."
When Harry saw his grandmother, he looked terrified. Realising he was in trouble, he quickly dove out of sight, no doubt hoping to avoid his grandmother's wrath.
"He's in for it now," Daphne remarked.
"Not the best timing, considering he was already in trouble for breaking the rules," Gabrielle added.
"All of us are in trouble," Susan reminded them.
Minerva silenced them with a look. "We'll discuss your punishments later. Right now, I have to track down the menace that is my grandson."
They watched her leave before their conversation returned to Harry's antics.
"I knew he was working on something new," Daphne said, "but I never imagined it would allow him to fly."
"Harry never ceases to amaze me," Susan sighed.
"I want to have a turn," Gabrielle said, a look of excitement visible on her face. "It looks like fun."
"Of course you would be excited, birdbrain," Daphne snorted.
Gabrielle screeched and jumped onto her. "Just wait until later, snake. I'm going to punish you severely."
Susan threw her hands up in the air. "You just can't keep your hands off each other."
Harry muttered under his breath as he approached the headmaster's office, frustrated with his grandmother. She had given him a stern lecture about how reckless he had been. She had assigned him detentions for the next month and deducted fifty points from Gryffindor. The only benefit was that she spent less time lecturing him about staying in the Room of Requirement with his girlfriends.
He grinned. It was worth the punishment. The time he had spent with his girlfriends over the past few weeks was the best of his life. He couldn't recall how many times they had spent exploring each other's bodies and experimenting with different positions. Furthermore, after he had spent a week alone with Gabrielle and Susan, the girls began to explore each other, resulting in some incredible scenes.
They needed to be sneakier in the future. He wasn't going to miss spending time with his girlfriends now that he had experienced it.
Harry looked around, and seeing that no one was about, he activated the glide function and began accelerating down the corridor. This was the way to get around. When he reached a corner, he gave a command to slow down before expertly drifting around it. When he saw someone in front of him, he abruptly braked and came to a stop in time.
"Mr Potter!" Snape snapped. "Watch where you're going. Twenty points from Gryffindor for your recklessness."
"Sorry, Professor," Harry replied, deactivating his boots. "Could you ease up on the punishment this time? I've already lost enough points as it is."
Snape thought for a moment before smirking. "Give me some extra unicorn blood in your next batch, and we'll call it even."
"Are you trying to bribe me?" Harry asked incredulously. "You have a deal."
"Very well," Snape relented. "Twenty points to Gryffindor for being a generous dunderhead."
Rolling his eyes, Harry continued down the corridor.
"Mr Potter!" Snape called out, and Harry turned around. "Call the twins off, Draco. He has suffered enough misery for the stunt he pulled in the Quidditch match."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't lie to me." Snape's gaze bore into him. "Even if I can't prove it, we all know who's behind it."
"Let's say it's them. Why would I have any control over their actions?"
"Draco is not having a good time. He's dealing with a situation at home. Lay off him."
"Fine," Harry sighed. "But if he tries something like that again, he'll regret it."
"It's not something you should be telling a professor," Snape said, with a dramatic snap of his cape as he walked away.
"I wonder if the cape is enchanted to do that," Harry mused.
Harry entered the headmaster's office and found Sheena conversing with Flitwick. "You wanted to see me, Headmaster?"
"Take a seat, Mr Potter," Flitwick gestured. "There's a matter we need to discuss."
Looking at Sheena, Harry asked, "Does this have anything to do with Master Footshredder?"
Flitwick nodded gravely. "Indeed."
"He wanted me here to update him on your combat ability," Sheena explained.
Harry sat down and the headmaster handed him a letter. His expression darkened as he read the contents. The situation had escalated, with Harry being officially challenged to a fight in the goblin arena. Failure to respond within a week would result in dire consequences for Master Footshredder.
"Why did you get this letter?" Harry questioned. "Shouldn't it have come to me?"
"He didn't want to use an owl, for fear that it would be intercepted now that the situation has escalated," Flitwick replied. "He used a goblin method to pass on the letter to me."
"Can they really force a minor into such a fight?" Harry asked, his concern evident.
"The goblin pushing for this match is taking advantage of an old goblin tradition," Flitwick said. "Once an apprentice has reached sufficient mastery in their training, they have to showcase their abilities in the arena. Refusing to compete was considered the height of dishonour, and their master would be executed. The practice was slowly weeded out due to the sheer number of deaths."
Harry grimaced. "Then why can they compel me to fight if it isn't used anymore?"
"It's still legal, but no one usually enforces it. I believe a faction within the Goblin Nation is after you or Master Footshredder."
"So, I have to compete, or Master Shredder dies?" Harry asked, feeling sick.
"You don't have to do anything," Flitwick assured him. "My master said to ignore the goblins and carry on as usual."
Harry stared at the headmaster. "But you feel the same as me. I won't let Master Footshredder suffer for my sake."
Flitwick grimaced. "If it were solely about Master Footshredder's life, I would advise ignoring it. I won't endanger a minor. My master has lived a long life and isn't afraid of death."
"So, what's the real issue?" Sheena leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "Is there something more you're not telling us?"
Flitwick hesitated before responding, "The director wants the match to proceed. He suspects the goblin faction is up to no good and wishes to investigate their intentions. He believes they might attempt something even if Harry emerges victorious and wants to catch them in the act."
"That's absurd," Sheena burst out. "There's no way Harry should risk his life for internal goblin politics."
"The director assures me that Mr Potter's safety will not be compromised, regardless of the outcome," Flitwick reassured them. "Of course, we must seek permission from his grandparents first."
"I believe I can persuade them," Harry said confidently. "I have methods to defend myself even if things don't go my way."
"Before we proceed," Flitwick said, "I want to assess your skills in action. Your opponent also possesses the Velocier ability. Fortunately, he is a juvenile like yourself, so the skill gap shouldn't be too significant."
Sheena slapped her thighs and stood up. "Then what are we waiting for?"
They went straight to the defence classroom. Sheena and Harry had been using it for after-class training, so it was perfectly set up for their spar.
Harry was taken aback when Flitwick, not Sheena, picked up the wooden staff. Using his wand, Flitwick resized the staff to a more suitable size for himself.
"Did you expect Professor Williams to face you?" Flitwick twirled the staff effortlessly. "To be prepared for your opponent, you must face someone who can use Velocier."
"That makes sense," Harry agreed, grabbing a wooden staff of his own.
"How far have you progressed with your Velocier skill?" Flitwick asked.
"I can comfortably use level six now."
"You've made impressive progress. It took me a decade to reach level eight."
Harry shrugged. "I had plenty of motivation to improve."
"Are you ready?" Sheena asked impatiently. "Or shall we spend all day chatting? I'll be the referee and stop the spar if it becomes too dangerous."
Flitwick and Harry squared off, gripping their staffs firmly. The seasoned half-goblin was a skilled fighter with numerous duelling accolades and extensive training. Harry, though less experienced, was determined and full of energy, eager to prove himself against the older opponent.
"Begin," Sheena announced.
Both opponents immediately activated the Velocier skill. Harry dialled it up to level six knowing Flitwick had the edge over him.
Harry moved quickly and agilely, his staff whirling through the air as he searched for an opening in Flitwick's defences. The two opponents met in the middle, the sound of their staff's meeting echoing through the classroom. Flitwick parried Harry's strikes, his years of experience allowing him to anticipate each move. He launched a series of rapid counterattacks, forcing Harry to retreat as he struggled to keep up with his movements.
But Harry wasn't to be underestimated. He had not spent all of his time and energy training over the past few weeks doing nothing. With a burst of determination, he launched a flurry of strikes, catching Flitwick off guard and forcing him back. Once he had gained momentum, Harry unleashed a devastating series of thrusts aimed at piercing Flitwick's guard. But they were expertly parried and Harry was forced to retreat when he couldn't keep up the intensity.
Flitwick advanced again, and the two opponents traded blows, demonstrating impressive skill and strategy as they battled for control of the match. Sheena was mesmerised by the speed with which they were fighting. Harry had never fought at full speed before, and she wasn't sure she could have matched it. The little brat had been holding out on her.
As the battle raged on, Flitwick's experience began to show, or perhaps he had been holding back from Harry all along. He expertly manoeuvred around Harry's attacks, exploiting gaps in his defence and landing powerful strikes that left him reeling.
Flitwick launched a sweeping attack, intending to knock Harry's legs out from under him, but Harry jumped over it. Harry retaliated with a powerful overhand strike, but Flitwick raised his staff to block the attack. However, the power and momentum of the attack stunned Flitwick, and Harry took advantage of the opportunity.
Harry thrust forward and struck Flitwick in the stomach, knocking the headmaster to the floor. He charged forward to finish Flitwick, but the headmaster leapt back to his feet, looking unharmed.
"It appears that I must take this seriously," Flitwick said, rubbing his stomach with a grimace.
Harry's mouth dropped open. "You mean you weren't before?"
Flitwick grinned. "I was matching your speed. It feels a little embarrassing to use my full speed against you, but if I don't, I might lose this match."
Flitwick blurred forward. His speed had increased significantly, and Harry was immediately on the back foot, forced to defend against fast and powerful strikes that began to overwhelm him. He tried valiantly to keep up, but the staff began to slip through his defences. After another minute of struggle, he was disarmed, and Flitwick pressed the tip of the staff to his throat.
Sheena started clapping. "Headmaster Flitwick is the winner. That was a great fight, chaps."
Flitwick lowered the staff. "Indeed, it was, Mr Potter. Your progress since Master Footshredder finished teaching you is impressive."
Harry smiled. Despite their differences in age and experience, they had fought with equal determination and skill, each proving themselves worthy adversaries.
"I have no doubt you will be prepared for your opponent in the arena," Flitwick said. "Let me persuade your grandparents. You still have a week left before you need to respond to the goblin's challenge."
4th December
Harry sat among his friends in the bustling Great Hall, engaging in animated conversation over lunch about his groundbreaking new artefact. They discussed the potential applications of the Zephyr Boots. However, Harry was adamant about not experimenting until he perfected the final design.
"When do you plan to finish the prototype for the Zephyr Boots?" Blaise asked, looking unusually excited. "I would like to try it out as soon as possible."
"It's not just about the artifact itself—it's about your capacity to endure the physical demands and the discipline required to wield it safely," Harry emphasised. "Training in a secure environment is essential to minimising the risk of accidents."
Hermione huffed. "Even after all that, I still think they are too dangerous."
"It's a bloke thing," Terry explained. "You wouldn't understand the thrill of danger."
"That is incredibly sexist," Gabrielle said, defending Hermione. "But I suppose girls have more sense than boys."
"Life is not worth living without risks," Harry argued.
Gabrielle was about to respond when she frowned and glanced down at her pocket. She took out her two-way mirror and activated it.
"It will be difficult to convince the Ministry to allow you to sell such an artifact," Susan said. "Even without mentioning the danger, it could potentially replace brooms in terms of popularity someday."
Tracy's eyes gleamed. "Consider the potential new sports that could be developed solely around the boots. Perhaps a new version of Quidditch without broomsticks."
"That is a fantastic idea," Harry said, having not thought that far ahead. "Maybe we should—"
"No!" Gabrielle screamed, interrupting him.
"What's the matter, Gabi?" Daphne asked, concerned.
Harry tensed, sensing that the situation wasn't good.
"Maman told me Papa is in hospital," Gabrielle said, raising her head. Tears were already forming in her eyes. "He had been poisoned, but they are having trouble identifying the poison so that the antidote can be administered. If they don't treat him soon, he's going to..."
Gabrielle trailed off. The group of friends let out shocked exclamations.
"Was he a target because he is the new French Minister of Magic?" Padma asked.
Harry sprang into action. He grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet before hugging her. He spoke into her ear. "We need to go to France. There is only one magical hospital in France, right? In Paris?"
Gabrielle pressed her head against his shoulder and nodded weakly.
Harry turned to face his friends. "I'm going to France with her. I will keep you updated on the situation."
"Wait a moment," Daphne exclaimed, rising to her feet. "We should ask for Professor Snape's assistance. He has expertise in a wide range of poisons."
"Do you think he'll agree to accompany us?" Harry asked sceptically.
"You just need to offer him the right incentive."
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Harry nodded. "Come with us, then."
Susan hugged Gabrielle before they made their way to the high table.
"What's the matter, Harry?" Minerva asked Harry, observing the distress etched on Gabrielle's face.
Harry swiftly explained the urgent situation, prompting Minerva to rise to her feet. "I will accompany you to the hospital. Since it's Sunday, there's no need to worry about missing classes."
Daphne approached Snape, who was watching the commotion with interest. "Professor Snape, can you join us? Your expertise may help identify the poison affecting Gabrielle's father."
Snape raised an eyebrow. "Why should I involve myself in this?"
Daphne folded her arms. "As your apprentice, it's your duty to look out for me. Gabrielle, my girlfriend, is deeply distressed, and it deeply affects me as well."
"Nice try," Snape said. "Any more compelling arguments?"
"Pierre is the French Minister of Magic," Harry interjected. "Assisting him could earn you an invaluable favour."
Snape wiped his mouth with a napkin as he considered his words. "Good enough reasoning, I suppose. Let me gather my supplies, and we shall depart."
"I need to grab something as well," Harry said, hurrying away.
They arrived at a hospital in Paris. Unlike St Mungo's, the magical hospital was secretly connected to a Muggle hospital and had a hidden entrance. It was referred to as the Georges Pompidou European Hospital, one of the best hospitals in Paris.
As they made their way to Pierre's hospital room, they were met by a vigilant presence of French Aurors safeguarding the ward. Fortunately, they recognised Gabrielle, and escorted the group to Pierre's room.
Emotions ran high as Gabrielle sought solace in her mother's embrace, the weight of the situation evident on both Apolline's and Fleur's faces. Pierre lay in bed, his condition critical, whilst a Healer performed diagnostic charms with little success.
Stepping forward, Snape's authoritative voice cut through the sombre atmosphere. "What are his symptoms?"
Apolline sent Minerva a questioning look.
"This is Professor Snape," Minerva said. "He teaches potions at Hogwarts. He has plenty of knowledge about poisons, so he may be able to help Pierre."
Apolline nodded. "Healer Matisse, please cooperate with Professor Snape."
Harry stood in the corner and started flipping through the pages of the book he had brought. It was a parselmagic book focused on healing, and he had been learning some of the minor healing spells. In general, they were more powerful than standard healing spells but were difficult to master. To perform even the most basic spells, they required intense concentration and often involved lengthy incantations. They weren't effective in emergencies but could diagnose and treat a wider range of medical conditions.
Harry had briefly considered taking Nagini but realised that detecting poisons wasn't part of her ability. Poisons were an external source and she could only detect internal anomalies related to a person's magic.
"Who could have done this?" Gabrielle asked, watching as the Healer and Snape discussed her father's condition.
Snape, frustrated, pushed the Healer away and began casting his own diagnostic charms.
Apolline's expression was grim. "The Aurors are still investigating. Before being hired, all of the chefs who prepare Pierre's meals underwent rigorous background checks. Nobody knows how someone was able to slip poison into his food. His security is top-notch."
"Was it Obsidian?" Daphne asked.
"They are at the top of the suspect list," Apolline confirmed.
"I can't find any sign of the poison used," Snape said, frowning. "The symptoms of the poison are similar to a withering curse, but I can't—"
"I can help," Harry said, rushing over to Pierre's bedside. "I discovered a useful parselmagic diagnostic charm that can detect the properties that comprise the poison."
Snape paused, staring at the book Harry was holding. "Well, get to it. If you can identify the properties, I will have a better chance of determining the poison."
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Harry heads to Gringotts to fight in the arena.
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