So, here it is. The much anticipated (I hope) 3rd book in my Son of the Dark Lord series: Shadows of a Slytherin. Hope you like it. Thanks to everyone who helped, and a special thanks to DZ2 who came up with the title for this story.
Chapter 1: Disappointed Hopes
It was nearly midnight, and Harry was lying on his stomach in bed, the blankets drawn right up over his head like a tent. He had his wand illuminated, and was looking over clippings from the Daily Prophet. It was almost his birthday, but no one had mentioned a word. He had hoped, after last year, that he might get to do something special again. Last year had been such a nice change from his childhood when the muggles had completely ignored him.
Harry supposed he shouldn't be greedy. He did have a very nice birthday last year. But, then again, he would only turn thirteen once. Harry glanced back down at the Daily Prophet clips. With everything that had been happening, it was no surprise that everyone had forgotten about his birthday. Harry's eyes travelled over the clippings again. Under a picture of a particularly angry-looking Dumbledore was the headline.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE ISSUED OFFICIAL WARNING!
Yesterday morning Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was issued an official warning of behavioral misconduct from the Minister of Magic and the Board of Governors. During the past school year, Salazar Slytherin's legendary beast, supposedly hidden deep under the school within the Chamber of Secrets, terrorized Hogwarts. Albus Dumbledore did nothing to halt the attacks, nor did he provide the parents of Hogwarts students notice that this was occurring.
A total of four attacks throughout the year resulted in two petrified students, a petrified cat, a petrified ghost, and two students were even taken down into the Chamber itself. However, not one parent was notified. This reporter spoke to Mr. Finch-Fletchley about his son's attack:
"I was never notified of any danger to the students, nor was I informed that my son was petrified for over half the school year. I was merely told he would be staying during the Christmas Holidays. When I inquired as to the reason, and attempted to reach him via owl, the owls were returned to me. I lodged several complaints with the Board of Governors, and am glad someone has finally done something about this."
It is amazing that after such a troubled year, Headmaster Dumbledore has only been issued a warning. This reporter wonders what will be necessary to (ctd. page 4, column 1)
That particular clipping was from the July 1st prophet. Harry remembered how elated his family had been over the direct hit to Dumbledore's credibility and reputation. The article had generated an outraged response from the parents of students who hadn't mentioned the attacks. No parent wanted to send their child to an unsafe school. The second clipping was more personally satisfying to Harry, however.
Gilderoy Lockhart GUILTY!
Gilderoy Lockhart, author of countless books, has, as of this morning, been stripped of all awards and accolades and is spending time in Azkaban for repeatedly Obliviating witches and wizards and taking credit for their work. Lockhart was arrested Tuesday morning after none other than Mr. Harry Potter (also known as the Boy-Who-Lived), revealed that Gilderoy Lockhart's entire literary career has been built on lies and thievery.
On behalf of Mr. Potter, Lord Lucius Malfoy registered an official complaint with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement early Monday morning. Several memories were submitted in which Lockhart not only admits to his lies and illegal use of the Memory Modification Charm, but also attempts to use the charm on Mr. Potter and Mr. Draco Malfoy, son to Lucius. The two boys were able to stun Lockhart before he was able to successfully cast the charm, but it was a close call.
Lockhart's trial was conducted yesterday by the entire Wizengamot, during which both Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy provided evidence. Lockhart was found guilty of all counts and sentenced to ten years in Azkaban. Of course, with such information coming to light, this reporter wonders why he was hired by Albus Dumbledore to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. Surely Dumbledore would have researched Lockhart's background before hiring him? Such a search would most definitely have revealed these unsavory dealings. Perhaps Dumbledore is (ctd. page 3 column 2)
As Harry finished re-reading the second clipping, he was startled by a tapping noise. Throwing off his blankets, he saw an owl at his window. Harry ran over to let it in, and relieved it of its burden. As the owl was about to take off, Harry spoke to it.
"Don't leave yet, rest a while." He quickly got out some owl treats and offered them to the bird. "You can have some of Hedwig's water as well, if you'd like." The owl hooted happily and gulped down some of the offered water. It wasn't often he met such a caring human. As the owl was resting, Harry turned back to the parcel it had carried. It was a birthday gift from Hermione.
"At least someone remembered." Harry opened the parcel and found a card, a letter, and a wrapped gift. He opened the card first and read:
Dear Harry,
I'm on holiday in France at the moment and sent this from La Rue Magique. I was able to rent an owl (isn't he gorgeous?). I bought your present by owl-order: there was an advertisement in the Daily Prophet (I've been getting it delivered; it's so good to keep up with what's going on in the wizarding world). Did you see about Dumbledore and Lockhart?
There's some interesting local history of witchcraft here. I've rewritten my whole History of Magic essay to include some of the things I've found out. I hope it's not too long. It's two rolls of parchment more than required.
I'll be in London in the last week of holidays. Do you think you and Draco can come as well? I'll send another letter to him, but I thought I'd ask you both. I really hope you can come. If not, I'll see you both on the Hogwarts Express on September first!
Hugs from Hermione
Harry laughed as he put Hermione's letter aside and picked up her present. It was very heavy. Knowing Hermione, he was sure it would be a large book full of very difficult spells – but it wasn't. His heart gave a huge bound as he ripped back the paper and saw a sleek black leather case, with silver words stamped across it, reading Broomstick Servicing Kit.
"Wow, Mia!" Harry whispered, unzipping the case to look inside.
There was a large jar of Fleetwood's High-Finish Handle Polish, a pair of gleaming silver Tail-Twig Clippers, a tiny brass compass to clip on your broom for long journeys, and a copy of the book Draco had bought last year, Handbook of Do-It-Yourself Broomcare. Before Harry had much time to ponder the gift, two more owls flew through the still open window. He instantly recognized Luna's owl.
"Hello Neith. You're looking lovely. May I relieve you of your burden?" Neith hooted softly and buried her head under her wing. She was often shy around Harry. However, she held out her leg when he approached, and he untied the small parcel. He offered her treats and water, which she gladly partook of, before flying back out into the night.
Harry didn't recognize the third owl, but knew at one where it had come from. In addition to carrying a parcel wrapped in brown paper, it bore a letter with the Hogwarts crest.
"I know where you're from. It's no wonder you look regal. Would you like a treat as well?" The owl hooted in affirmation as Harry untied its parcel, then ate the treat before flying off. "I guess it didn't want water." Harry shrugged then turned back to the parcels. He could have sworn that the brown parcel was shaking slightly. Ignoring it for now he opened the parcel Luna had sent. He stared in confusion at the Snitch and the little leather band before reading the letter that had accompanied them.
Happy Birthday Harry!
I'm certain I'll be seeing you later today at some point, but I wanted this to get to you at midnight. I really hope dear Neith didn't wake you. I had a hunch you would stay up to welcome in your birthday, so hopefully I'm right.
I saw this at the store a few weeks ago and knew it was perfect for your Quidditch practices. It's a training Snitch. You put the band on your wand and release the Snitch. It will act like a regular Snitch, zooming around the pitch either until you catch it or touch the leather band. When you touch the band, the Snitch will return to you, instantly. I thought it would be useful on occasions when your practice ends early, or the Snitch hasn't shown itself for a while. Also, this Snitch doesn't have a flesh memory, so anyone can use it.
I look forward to seeing you soon, Harry.
Your Friend,
Luna Lovegood
Harry grinned at his gift before placing the band on his wand. It was a great gift. As soon as the band was settled, it magically altered to better blend in with his wand. He would have to make sure to thank Luna properly for this gift. He turned to his final gift. Oddly enough, it was from Hagrid. Harry didn't feel that he was close enough to the groundskeeper to warrant a gift, but obviously Hagrid thought otherwise.
Not willing to turn away a gift when he had had so few in his life, Harry tore off the top layer of paper and glimpsed something green and leathery, but before he could unwrap it properly, the parcel gave a strange quiver, and whatever was inside it snapped loudly – as if it had jaws.
Harry froze. He didn't think that Hagrid would send him anything dangerous on purpose, but then, he had no way of knowing for sure. He set the parcel on his desk and placed a few large books on top of it to weight it down before running to Draco's room.
Harry was surprised to see light coming from under the door, so he knocked lightly. Moments later, Draco pulled open the door with a grin.
"Did you get Mia's letter?" He held up the letter he was holding before noticing the look on Harry's face. "Harry, what's wrong?"
"I got an odd gift from Hagrid, can you help me with it?"
"Why did that oaf send you a gift?"
"No idea, but I swear it tried to bite me. Can you help me open it to see what it is?"
"Sure, but let me get my wand." Draco retrieved his wand and followed Harry back into his room. Hagrid's present was now rattling on the desk, desperately trying to throw off the books. Draco gasped.
"What is it?"
"Don't know, do I? I'm going to free it, then, maybe together, we can subdue it. If not, I'll go get my Father."
"Good idea. On three then?"
"Sounds good." Harry ran to the desk and looked to Draco. "One…Two…THREE!" Harry shoved the books off of the gift just as it rattled again, causing it to fall out of its wrapper on to the floor. It was a book. Harry had just enough time to register its handsome green cover, emblazoned with the golden title The Monster Book of Monsters, before it flipped onto its edge and scuttled sideways along the floor like some weird crab.
"Harry, did your book just walk across the floor?" Unable to say anything, Harry just nodded. He had no idea how they were going to attack a book. "Hey, maybe Dobby can take care of it! Dobby!" It took a couple of seconds before Dobby appeared with a POP!, wiping his eyes sleepily.
"Master Malfoy called for…YAWN…Dobby."
"Yes, I'm sorry to wake you, Dobby, but we need help. Can you capture the book Harry was sent?" Draco pointed to the book that was just coming out from under the bed. Dobby nodded and snapped his fingers. The book was levitated into the air, and appeared to be bound, as it was struggling.
"Dobby suggests binding it with a belt until Master Harry can open it."
Harry pulled a belt out of his closet and did as Dobby suggested. "Thanks, Dobby. Please, go back to sleep, we're really sorry we woke you."
"Dobby is always happy to serve the young masters." With a quick bow, Dobby popped away. With the Monster Book safely stowed away, Harry turned back to Draco.
"So, what are you doing still up?"
"Mia sent me a letter, look." He shoved the letter under Harry's nose. After focusing on it for a moment, Harry snorted.
"My Dearest Dray?" Draco blushed and pulled the letter back.
"I think I should read it to you." Draco skipped over a few paragraphs and read out:
Since Professor Snape was kind enough to arrange for us to travel by Floo, I was provided with a pamphlet on underage magic when we arrived in France. Their policies make much more sense than ours. I'm allowed to use magic, as long as I don't do so in the obvious presence of Muggles. It's been really helpful. When we all went shopping, I carefully shrunk the packages to make everything more manageable. I've also used magic to clean up a little bit, and my father loves that I can help him shave. Don't you wish you could do that on a regular basis? I know I do.
"She said a bit more, but it really got me thinking. We can do magic whenever we want at home. I'll have to ask my father why Mia can't. I don't understand at all."
"Good point. It certainly doesn't seem fair that we can do magic and she can't. I really glad that she gets to practice this summer." Draco yawned loudly, causing Harry to laugh. "Perhaps we'd best get to sleep."
Draco nodded. "I'll see you in the morning, Harry. And Happy 13th birthday." Harry started, then turned to look at the clock. It was 12:30. He had been thirteen for half an hour without realizing it.
"Thanks, Draco. Good night." Harry went to sleep glad that his birthday hadn't been forgotten by everyone.