The Master of Death

Chapter 19: Black Bats & Pink Toads

Harry sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. A cold wind blew through his hair, making it even more messy. He inhaled a breath of cool air and a small speck of rain hit his face. People rushed through the Hogwarts courtyard, heads bowed and scarves wrapped around their necks, to protect them from the windy weather. For the past hour, he had been listening to Professor Binns' monotonous voice talking about the giant war. Being outside is a relief. Harry was one of the few people who did not open their hoods to protect their faces from the weather.

Far above their heads, a Thestral flew towards the forbidden forest. Harry turned his head and looked at Death, who was standing beside him. The overcast sky and cold did not seem to bother him at all, even worse than Harry. He gazes into the distance, but Harry knows that Death is aware of him and his thoughts. The gusts of wind pulled the shawls and robes of the students who rushed past the place. The clothes of death did not move at all but still, her hair looked like that.

Harry had learned to associate the gesture with the wings of Death, which he sometimes noticed from the corner of his eye. The weather seemed to match Death. Harry sees a small group of chattering Hufflepuff walking past them, only to see Death's profile once again. Harry wanted to touch her now. But trying to get close to invisible creatures? Harry would look like a maniac if he did.

Death turned his head and grinned at him knowingly. Harry resisted the urge to stick out his tongue as he felt the tickle of Death. "You idiot," he muttered behind his scarf. The haughty grin of death did not disappear, but he emphasized a kiss on Harry's head. Favour throbbed through the bond, as Death's arms weaved around him. Harry had to refrain from smiling, but he did not quite make it and the corner of his mouth moved upwards. His resistance broke completely when Death's nose was still buried in Harry's hair and the creature began to snore familiarly.

"Hi Harry" said someone suddenly. Death raised his head and looked at the man. Harry also looked. A possessive attitude radiated through their connections while dealing with Cho Chang.

"Hei Cho," Harry replied and feeling Death looming over his shoulder, an icy chill spread across his back where the creature touched him.

"Um, hey," he said and bit his lip. "Is your summer fun?" he asked and shivered. Harry got the faint impression that it was not just the weather, but the gaze of Death that had something to do with it.

"It's okay" said Harry. "How's yours?" He had trouble ignoring the pointy emotions that spread through their bonds.

"Alright, I guess," he said and slightly blushed. Harry suddenly recalled their awkward kiss and the date he had experienced his younger self. The crush he had since his fourth year had disappeared entirely after a day at Madame Puddifoots. Suddenly Harry could feel Death's breath right next to his ears and neck and goosebumps running down his spine. Cho's shadow with a slit neck flashed behind his eyes.

"Listen Cho. I know it might be sudden, but I'm not as interested in you as I was last year" Harry said, hoping he'd get a clue. One more breath made his skin tingle. That bastard doesn't even need to breathe. Harry is convinced that Death only did it to ruin him.

"Oh," said Cho. His shoes seem very attractive to him now. "Good"

Harry had to admit that he didn't pity him. He should probably pay more attention to Cho because he's trying to keep up appearances.

"During last summer, things have changed, you know. I just want you to know. It's not fair to hide that from you" said Harry inwardly cursing Death, which caused him to take a flash of entertainment. It was not that he was complaining, when Death bit his skin right under his ears. Possessive bastard.

"Yes. I mean, I understand that. I mean, I think about it a lot, too" Cho said. Harry noticed with growing fear that tears were beginning to pool in his eyes. "I mean, a-with Cedric and..."

"Harry!" a voice called out to him from behind and Ron smashed into his shoulder. Harry could not express his gratitude at Ron's time and his lack of observation skills. A minute longer and he wasn't sure if he himself would succeed in killing Cho, like the emotions of Death that had flooded him. "-the Hell mate, the Hell mate, you can't just run away all the time" Ron stopped when he saw Cho, who was staring at the redhead with a puzzled expression, his eyes still glazed over but too shocked to cry. "Is that a Tornado badge?" Ron asked him after a while. Cho looked down and there were indeed white and blue pins on his robe. He lifted his head and looked at Ron.

"Yes" he said, still sounding confused.

"I think we should go back. Snape won't take it too well if we're late" Harry said.

"Yes. You might be right" added Ron and had already started walking away.

"See you" Harry said to Cho and then he turned around and followed Ron.

In line in front of Snape's class, Harry stands next to Hermione and Ron, who loudly argue about the incident with Cho. "...but Ron, he obviously wanted to talk to Harry..."

"How do I know? Not that he said I should go. And that stupid badge. I'm sure he's just a Tornado fan because they won the cup last year."

"Sometimes Ron, you're so dense."

"What's? And you're perfect" Harry ignored their quarrel and instead walked through the door, which creaked as it opened. Neville seems to want to be somewhere other than here. Ron and Hermine did not even realize that he was gone, still focusing too much on their quarrel. Harry went to the table in the back, located in a darker part of the room. Hundreds of bottles on the walls glistened in a gloomy light. Slowly the other disciples rushed into the room. Small groups of Slytherin and Gryffindor gathered around the table.

The door opened once more and Severus Snape entered, his robe fluttering behind him. "Now silent," he demanded and stopped in front of his desk. "Before we start with today's lesson, I think it would be wise to remind you that you are taking this important June exam, where you can prove, that you are taking the next important exam, how much you learned about brewing and the use of potions. Stupid, as part of this class for sure, I still expect you to receive at least accepted to your OWL, otherwise, you'll feel-" Snape stared at Neville - "my dissatisfaction." He turned away from the frightened Gryffindor and continued. “After this school year, many of you will definitely no longer study with me. I only teach the best, which means some of you will definitely say goodbye.Harry did not look away when Snape's eyes were glued to him.

Harry used to practice brewing often during his time as an Auror trainee because it had always been a subject somewhat weaker than him. He was confident he could make a decent potion now. After all, the good grades he got after completing his Auror training, did not just appear. Snape broke off their eye contact and turned to the classroom. "But up until that happy parting moment, we still have a year ahead of us" he said in a soft voice, "If you use your NEWT or not, "If you use your NEWT or not, I'd advise you to focus your attention on keeping my levels high.About expecting from my OWL students," Snape continued. "Today we will make a potion that is often requested at OWL's and is known as the Draft of Peace. It reduces fear and reduces nervousness, but be careful... One wrong move and your draft will trigger a deep sleep, which some will not wake up.” He swung his staff and words appeared on the board behind him. "The required pointers are listed on the board and you can find the ingredients here," Snape said, and the barn door opened as he flicked his wand a second time. "You've got an hour and a half .. start."

Immediately everyone rushed over and began to gather their ingredients. It was a difficult potion, at least if you don't have the memory of someone undergoing Auror training. With ease, Harry cut out the ingredients and added some of the needed moon rock powder. Occasionally regulate the heat of the fire with a flick of his wand. Somewhere in between Seamus confounds his charm for the heat setting and nearly sets Dean on fire and Snape snaps Neville when he accidentally pushes a bottle of hellebore syrup off the table, Harry rolled up his sleeves and took off his glasses. Otherwise, the steam made him see the entire room through the misty veil. Meanwhile, Death began to lurk the room.

As it turns out, brewing is mostly about accuracy and proper recipes. Snape's friend might not be very pleasant, but there was a reason that he was a master of potions. With Snape's instructions enhanced on the board, Harry had no problem with making the draft, unlike Ron whose quality spouted green sparks.

"The silvery steam will now come out of your potion," Snape announced when they only had ten minutes. Hermione's potion matched Harry's potion, but it didn't seem like many people had managed to concoct the potion flawlessly. While Snape slowly began to slide through the room and inspect each cauldron, Death manifested itself circling Harry's arm, cold scales pressing against his skin. Snape walked past Hermione, only glancing at her cauldron and he scrunched his nose at Ron's cauldron, but when he reached Harry's cauldron he stopped. He stared at the potion with unblinking eyes and an indecipherable expression. That he didn't say a word, could only mean one thing. There's nothing wrong with that. Harry grinned. Snape's dark eyes stared at Harry's face. He looked somewhat surprised, looking at his face without glasses but then his attention was distracted by Death. "Five points from Gryffindor, to bring a pet to my class," he said in a greasy voice. Ron's jaw dropped, and he looked at Snape with a look of disbelief. Harry on the other hand wasn't too bothered by that. He grinned and lifted Death onto his shoulders.

"He's just mad because he can't get rid of my potion" Harry sighed at the snake. He watched with undeniable satisfaction, how Snape paled. For the amusement of Harry Death even raised his head, hissed and bared his fangs. That reaction caused Snape to take a step back. Harry followed the potion teacher with his eyes as he calmly walked to the next table and inspected Zabini's cauldron.

During the lunch break, Harry mostly ignores Hermione and Ron, but they argue again and are not even aware of Harry's lack of input. Earlier Hermione mentioned that she wished Snape would be better off to them, now that she was in the Order. Ron insisted that there was no concrete evidence that he had ever stopped working for Voldemort. It would actually be an interesting discussion if it wasn't held by two teenagers who barely knew what was going on, so Harry focused more on his food.

The next subject is prophecy. And with what Harry remembered about it, he wasn't too keen on it.

While Hermione took her things to go to the Ancient Runes, she and Ron moved towards the north tower where the Trelawney class was located. As soon as they climbed the rope ladder and entered through the trapdoor, Trelawney was glued to Harry. He pressed his hands to his heart and shook his head dramatically. "Oh, my poor and poor son. You are surrounded by the aura of Death." Harry snorted amusedly. With Death accompanying him, he didn't even know how right he was. These lessons are quite casual, they just sit on a pillow and interpret each other's dreams. Harry had no memory of dreaming at all last night, so Ron told him about his far-fetched dream. They were assigned to keep a dream journal for the next month and as they walked through the castle to go to Defense against the Dark Arts, Ron lamented the heavy burden of their homework.

"...essay to Snape and now we have to keep this stupid journal. It's only the first day, and who knows what this Umbridge will do" Ron said as they walked past portraits of giant dogs like wolves and fat witches, who seems drunk on wine in his paintings.

Harry sighed as they watched the first student already enter the classroom, for the most boring lesson they had ever experienced. Umbridge was already standing in front of her desk, a black ribbon on her head and dressed only in pink. She smiled sweetly as everyone finally sat down.

"Good afternoon class," she began. When the scattered muttering was the only answer he got, he clicked his tongue.

"That's not very convincing. I'll ask you to greet me by saying 'good afternoon Professor Umbridge'. Let's try again. Good morning class" he said.

"Good afternoon Professor Umbridge," said the class in unison, several pupils rolling their eyes.

"It's not that hard, is it?" Umbridge. "Get rid of your stick and get your pen out, please" Umbridge said. Harry did not even bother to take his wand out of his pocket. The pink toad knocked on the board with its very short stick and the chalk began to write.

Defense against the Black Arts, back to the basic principles

"We can kill him," Death suggested with a grin and Harry sighed. Killing Umbridge would definitely be satisfying even if it was a bad idea, as long as he planned to stay at Hogwarts. Who knows what Fudge will do when the pink frog disappears? Maybe send another Dementor or maybe even try to catch Dumbledore. Come to think of it, this might not be a bad idea at all. Butno. For now, he'll have to stay alive, if Harry doesn't want to attract attention. At least for now. Harry did not bother to start reading, instead, he looked at Hermione, who also did not open her book and raised her hand. "Yes, my dear," said Umbridge as the whole class looked at Hermione and she could no longer pretend not to notice. "Do you have any questions about this chapter?"

"Not to the chapter, no," replied Hermione.

"Well, we just read it," sweet Umbridge said. "If you need other information, you can ask it after the lesson."

"I have requirements about your course goals" Hermione said.

"And your name?" Umbridge asked with raised eyebrows.

"Hermione Granger."

"Well Miss Granger, I think the purpose of the course is very clear if you want to read with care"

"Well, not for me. There's nowhere that says how to use defense magic."

"Using defense magic?" Umbridge laughed with her tall feminine voice. "Well, I can't imagine the situation inside my class, which requires the use of a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You didn't really expect to be attacked in my class, did you?" Harry snorted hearing it.

Death grinned, seemingly sharing his pleasure. He sat at the table on Harry's left. Parvati involuntarily leaned back.

"We're not going to use magic?" Ron asked loudly.

"My students raise their hands if they want to say something Mr-?"

"Weasley" said Ron and stuck his hand into the air. Umbridge looked at Harry for a moment, as he did not raise his hand but instead leaned back in his chair to watch. He would not let her the satisfaction of having power over her, even if it was only a decision of when she was allowed to speak and when she should be silent. Umbridge turned to Hermione.

"Yes, Miss Granger do you want to ask me something else?" she asked.

"Yes. Isn't it a point of defense against black magic to get us to practice defensive spells?"

"Are you a ministry-approved education expert, Miss Granger?" professor Umbridge said with his voice too sweet.

"No but-"

"Then I'm worried, that you're not qualified to decide what 'core' teaches it. Witches who are much older and smarter than you are developing our new study program. You will learn something about defense spells in a safe way, without any risk. Yes, Mister-?"

"Dean Thomas."

"Well, Mr Thomas?"

"If we get attacked, I mean it's not without risk."

"I repeat; do you expect to be attacked during class?" Umbridge asked.

"No, but-" replied Dean but Umbridge didn't let it finish.

"I didn't want to criticize the way this school was led up until now," a fake smile appeared in his frog-like mouth, "But you were exposed to some irresponsible magician in this matter, totally irresponsible - not to mention half dangerous. - heredity." Harry tilted his head and thought that killing him by placing him in front of Remus on the full moon would certainly be interesting.

"If you're talking about Professor Lupin, he's the best we've ever been" Dean begins to get angry.

"Hand, Mr Thomas! As I said, you have been introduced to spells, which are complex, do not fit your age group and are potentially deadly. You have been afraid to believe, that there will be dark attacks every day. ."

"No, we haven't-" Hermione began.

"Your hand is not in the air" Umbridge cut him off once more. Hermione raised her hand and the professor turned around.

"It's my understanding, that my predecessor, not only did the illegal curse in front of you, he actually did it to you."

"Yeah, well, but you insist, that we don't have to learn spells to defend ourselves, even though we've been attacked in our class" Harry said loudly, "Who knew this wouldn't happen again.My part, expect to be attacked."

"Master Potter" said Umbridge. "Who do you think will attack children like you?" said sweet.

Harry tilted his head and started counting with his finger. "Hmm yeah, okay let's see. Quirrel tried to kill me in my first year at Hogwarts and in my second... Despite the fact that Lockhart tried to eliminate Ron and I, he managed to remove the bone in my arm. Then there's Lupin, who's very good, but he has to lock himself in every full moon. Then it was the year that Death Eaters taught us" Harry explained. Everyone looked at him. "And oh yeah, this summer I was attacked by two Dementors, but the Ministry managed to hide it from newspapers like.. ." Harry pretended to think out loud, "What's his name? Maniac tried to kill me as a baby... Oh yea. Lord Voldemort," Harry finished. He grinned in his heart. Ron gasped; lavender Brown screamed; neville fell out of his chair, but Professor Umbridge did not move at all. He looked at Harry with dark satisfaction.

"Ten points from Gryffindor." The people in their class were staring at Harry or Umbridge. "Now let me explain a few things clearly" Umbridge said. "You have been told that a certain Dark Lord has been raised from the dead and is free once again. That's a lie." Harry almost laughed at the statement.

"Yeah, I'm sure Cedric Diggory will agree with you" he said cynically.

"Mr Potter's Detention. Tomorrow afternoon in my office.at 5pm," The students were very calm as Umbridge turned towards them. His magic turned furiously. "Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident."

"Yeah," said Harry and grinning sharply, "I know the feeling of unintentionally casting a murder curse. It's not that you have to want it to work," he said cynically. Harry returned his smile as Umbridge looked at him as if he would shout at him every second.

"Come Mr. Potter" he said, and Harry knew he had almost lost control. Harry pushed his chair back and leisurely walked to Umbridge. He noticed her grinning, as he took out a small pink parchment scroll from his wallet and took out a quill pen. No one is talking. Harry knew everyone was watching him. The only sound was the scratches of Umbridge feathers on the parchment. "Bring that to Professor McGonagall" he said in a honey-like voice after he sealed the letter with his wand.

"It is with pleasure, Professor Umbridge," said Harry scoffed and then left. Harry already knew what the note was about and McGonagall just confirmed her suspicions. Detention, every day of the following week. He left McGonagall's office with biscuits in his hands and his words of warning stuck in his mind.