Author's Note: I decided to get writing again, starting with this fic. I'm going to go through the first few chapters and fix them up, perhaps change something here or there for the evolved idea's I've had for the story. I hope you don't mind giving them a quick re-read, just in case some of these changes turn out to be important ones.
Also, as was said here before, I'm working off of my knowlege that I've learned from both the books and the movies. Esentially, it's the same, but I've glossed over what I've needed to in order to make this fic work.
Obviously, it's a Timeline? What Timeline? fic. Hopefully you enjoy it.
One Week of Hell Chapter 1: The Disasterous Outcome
Harry couldn't believe his misfortune. During summer vacation, he had to put up with the Dursley's comments and unfair, often cruel treatment of him. Each year he'd spent at Hogwarts, he'd had to survive mortal danger, battle hideous monsters, outwit puzzles like those he had never seen before. He had nearly died on countless numbers of occassions, but had shrugged it all off and continued with his magical training, honestly admitting that being able to learn magic was worth all of the hassles he'd had to put up with.
This, however, had to top it all.
It began in Defense of the Dark Arts class, which wasn't much of a surprise. Harry was minding his own business, copying down the notes as Professor Grendall, the new teacher, spoke them. His mind was drifting just a little, so that he was startled when he was called to the front of the class.
He grabbed his wand and proceeded to where the teacher wanted him, then blinked in startlement when, of all people, Draco Malfoy was called up as well. He grimaced, not knowing what was coming but knowing that he wouldn't enjoy it. Nothing that involved both himself and Malfoy ended up with pleasant consequences.
Grendall asked them to face each other, then turned to the class. "I'm going to teach you all a very important spell. It's a complecated defense spell, but one that may come very much in handy some day. I'm going to have Potter and Malfoy example the spell, since it is difficult to describe without visual aid."
Malfoy was sneering at him, and Harry's stomach clenched. He could only hope that he would be the one to cast the spell on the other. Otherwise, he could only imagine what Malfoy would do. He'd be lucky if Malfoy didn't take the opportunity to hex him with some other nasty curse.
"Now then, the two of you must face each other," Grendall stated. As they already were, he quickly continued. "Concentrate on the person in front of you, and make sure you keep your wand in the ready position. At the same time, I'll count to three for you and you speak afterward, say the word 'Sarcio'. Both of you must cast the spell at exactly the same moment. Understand?"
Relunctantly, Harry set his eyes on Malfoy. He could see a bit of confusion in the other's eyes, an echo of his own. He didn't like the idea of casting a spell before he knew what it did, but he had no choice. Grendall was staring at them with expectant faces. Certainly, the teacher wouldn't have them cast anything that could be dangerous. Still, that didn't rid him of the nervousness he felt.
"Sure," Harry said relunctantly.
"Bring it on," Malfoy returned, his familiar sneer returning.
Grendall counted down and, as instructed, the two spoke at the same time. Their wands exploded with light, the two beams hitting each other mid way between the two boys. For a breif moment, the light was so bright that Harry was forced to close his eyes. He felt a tugging sensation on his wand, but held onto it tightly. For a breif moment, his entire body felt as though it were on fire.
It lasted a bare moment before, suddenly, everything was back to normal. The light was gone and the strange sensation he'd felt was gone.
Harry blinked, seeing Malfoy completely unscathed. He, too, had been untouched by the spell. He turned confused eyes to Professory Grendall, but was interrupted before he could ask what had gone wrong.
"Now then, Potter, disarm Malfoy," Grendall stated.
Blinking, his confusion doubling, Harry turned to Malfoy. The other boy was scowling, obviously upset that he wasn't the one disarming, but remained quiet. Harry opened his mouth for the disarming spell, but found himself choking on the word. He tried again, but no matter how hard he tried to force the word out, it refused to emurge from his throat. It was an utterly frustraiting feeling, like forgetting what you were going to say right before you went to say it.
"Excellent," Grendall exclaimed. "Now, Malfoy, disarm Potter."
Having seen Harry's trouble, Malfoy's eyes narrowed. Harry saw him open his mouth, then utter a choked gasp. He tried again, with the same result.
"Wonderful! The spell worked perfectly then!" Grendall exclaimed.
"What's going on?" Harry demanded.
"Sarcio is a defense spell. There are three variations, Sarcio being the most short term. The other two are Sacium and Seracio," Grendall stated calmly to the class, as though both boys weren't glaring at him.
"What exactly does it do?" Malfoy questioned, a sharp edge to his voice.
"Well, it's quite simple. Say you and a friend end up in the middle of a Muggle city. You are afraid that you might use magic, even unwittingly, and cause trouble. Or, perhaps, you are in danger from an opponent who wants to learn a certain spell off of you. There are some people who hunt down those who know rare spells and force them into telling. With the use of the Sarcio branch, you can keep yourself safe in both situations," Grendall stated.
"It keeps you from being able to utter any spell-casting words without the help of the person whom you casted Sarcio with," Hermione added.
"Correct!" Grendall said, beaming. "Sarcio works for one week, Sacium for a month, and Seracio for a year."
"So we can't use magic for a week?" Harry asked, shocked.
"How the hell are we supposed to do our work in class?" Malfoy demanded.
Grendall looked taken back for a moment. "Watch your language, Malfoy," he said sternly, then grinned. "As Hermoine pointed out, the two of you can still use your magic. You simply need to cast your spells at the same time. Since Slytherin and Gryffendor have their classes together, that shouldn't be too difficult."
For a brief moment, Harry wanted to curse. Then he wanted to cry. Then he wanted to punch Professor Grendall. Then he wanted to punch Malfoy. In the end, he could only shake his head in disbelief, a sinking sensation in his stomach. There wasn't really anything he could do now that he'd been put into the situation.
"You should of told us that before we cast the spell," Malfoy growled.
Grendall shook his head. "I wanted to paint a clear picture of the spell to everyone by using an example. This could be a very important spell in life, especially with all of the things I've been told have happened in this school in the past couple of years. Besides, just partner up for your assignments and you'll do fine. I'll let your teachers know, of course."
Unable to help the thought, Harry wondered if Grendall had gone completely mad. Although they were only a month into their new year, Grendall had to know that he and Malfoy hated each other. Everyone knew that, especially since they'd gotten into no less than three fights resulting in detention already this year. The sparkes which flew between them were almost visible, and Malfoy had taken as many opportunities as possible to insult Harry or sabotague his spells.
Looking over at Malfoy, he saw unmistakable fury in those cloudy grey eyes. The blond looked like he was going to explode at any moment. Harry groaned mentally, closing his eyes with a grimace. If Malfoy's anger over the situation was that obvious, this week was going to be torture.
"Now then, take your seats and we'll get on with class," Grendall stated firmly.
Harry was a bit surprised when Malfoy made his way to his seat without a word. However, judging by his stiff walking and tense expression, it was taking all of his control.
Dispairing, Harry made his way to his own seat. Ron and Hermione gave him pitying glances as he sat down, but Harry could only shrug at the situation.
Hermione raised her hand. "Professor, certainly there is a way to reverse the spell? I mean, Harry and Malfoy can't possibly seek each other out every time they wish to cast a spell. I mean, trying to complete just their homework could be very difficult, especially since neither of them can enter the other's dorm."
Harry's head snapped up hopefully, and he saw Malfoy do the same. That hope was crushed when Grendall shook his head. "I'm afraid not. The spell is a form of ultimate protection for your spells. It cannot be reversed or cancelled. The two casters must simply wait until the spell has run its course."
"That's such an unfair thing to do," Ron growled, low enough that Grendall wouldn't hear but so Harry could. "Certainly, you should talk to Professor Dumbledore. To force you into a situation like this certainly can't be something he would approve of. Maybe he can think of some kind of solution."
Harry shrugged, remaining quiet since Grendall was explaining the spell's roots. He wasn't very inclinded to take down the notes, his mind caught up in the trouble he'd just found himself forced into. This next week was going to be a nightmare. Ron's idea of going to see Dumbledore was a good suggestion, although Harry couldn't think of it ending with anything other than Grendall getting into trouble. Honestly, what was Grendall thinking, forcing them into each other's company for an entire week? Harry knew that at least one of them would be in the hospital wing before the week was through.