章 39: Danger, Dueling, and Dark Discoveries

Danger, Dueling, and Dark Discoveries

Excitement filled the air as Gryffindor prepared to face Slytherin in their first Quidditch match of the season. Raja, sitting with Hermione in the stands, had an uneasy feeling as he watched Harry, broom in hand, preparing to take off. This match would be their most challenging yet, as the Slytherin team now sported new Nimbus Two Thousand and One brooms, courtesy of Lucius Malfoy.

As the game began, the rivalry between the teams quickly turned fierce. Harry zoomed around the pitch, keeping his eyes peeled for the Golden Snitch, while Gryffindor's team fought to hold off the Slytherin players. But suddenly, one of the Bludgers veered off course, hurtling straight toward Harry with a frightening intensity.

Raja's eyes narrowed. The Bludger was behaving erratically, as if enchanted to target Harry specifically. "That's not normal," he muttered to Hermione, who was watching anxiously.

With each passing moment, the rogue Bludger chased Harry relentlessly, nearly knocking him off his broom several times. Fred and George Weasley did their best to protect him, but the Bludger seemed almost sentient, swerving and dodging every attempt to redirect it.

"Harry! Watch out!" Hermione shouted as the Bludger came within inches of hitting him again.

Raja, unable to sit still any longer, discreetly murmured a protective charm under his breath. Though he couldn't directly interfere, he focused his energy on shielding Harry, subtly deflecting the Bludger each time it came too close.

Finally, in a daring move, Harry sped up and caught sight of the Snitch. Ignoring the Bludger, he dived at breakneck speed, reaching out and snatching the tiny golden ball from under Draco Malfoy's nose. Gryffindor erupted in cheers, but the victory was bittersweet.

The rogue Bludger struck once more as Harry slowed down, hitting his arm with a sickening crunch. He crashed to the ground, clutching his broken arm. Madam Hooch rushed over, but before she could summon a stretcher, Gilderoy Lockhart appeared, insisting he could mend the injury.

"Please, sir, don't!" Harry protested, but it was too late. With a grand wave of his wand, Lockhart accidentally vanished the bones in Harry's arm.

Raja exchanged a look of exasperation with Hermione as Lockhart's disastrous attempt left Harry with a rubbery, boneless arm. Raja joined the others in escorting Harry to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey set about regrowing his bones, warning him that it would be a long and painful night.

Harry's night in the hospital wing proved far from peaceful. Late into the evening, another student was brought in—Colin Creevey, who had been petrified. The news spread quickly through Hogwarts, and whispers filled the halls, fear mounting with each incident.

Raja, feeling uneasy, checked in on Harry the next morning, relieved to see that the bones in his arm had been successfully regrown. They sat together as Harry recounted the strange sensation he'd felt while in the pitch, describing the Bludger's relentless pursuit.

"Someone clearly wants you out of the way," Raja said, frowning thoughtfully. "We need to be on high alert. Hogwarts isn't safe right now."

Hermione, who had joined them, looked equally worried. "I read about the Chamber of Secrets and Slytherin's Heir, but I can't imagine who would want to target students… unless they're trying to fulfill some twisted goal."

Ron shivered, looking around as if expecting danger to appear at any moment. "Whoever it is, they're not messing around."

Raja felt the weight of responsibility as he listened to his friends. He knew that protecting Harry would be more challenging than ever, but he was determined to stand by him through whatever came next.

A few days later, an announcement appeared on the Gryffindor notice board: Professor Lockhart was starting a Dueling Club. Hermione was thrilled at the prospect, urging everyone to attend the first session.

"It could be useful," she reasoned, giving Raja a hopeful look. "Besides, we need to learn how to protect ourselves."

Reluctantly, Harry and Ron agreed, and Raja joined them, intrigued by the idea. In the Great Hall, a large platform had been set up, with Lockhart and Professor Snape standing on opposite ends, both holding wands. Raja noted the tension in Snape's expression, a hint of annoyance flaring in his dark eyes.

Lockhart announced the club's purpose with his usual flourish, then invited Snape to duel with him as a demonstration. Snape, looking mildly irritated, cast a quick spell that sent Lockhart flying backward, leaving the audience wide-eyed and amused.

"All right, let's have a pair of students up next!" Lockhart said, brushing himself off with an embarrassed smile.

Snape's gaze settled on Harry and Draco, and he summoned them to the platform. "This should be… interesting," Raja murmured, watching closely as Harry and Draco took their positions.

The duel began, and Draco wasted no time in casting a curse that sent a snake slithering toward Harry. The serpent coiled, its eyes gleaming dangerously as it faced Harry. But before anyone could react, Harry spoke to the snake in a strange, hissing language, his words unintelligible to everyone but himself.

The snake froze, and silence fell over the room as everyone stared at Harry in shock.

"Did you… did you just talk to it?" Ron whispered, looking horrified.

Harry's face paled, and he backed away, realizing he'd inadvertently revealed his ability to speak Parseltongue—a rare and unsettling trait, often associated with dark wizards. The murmurs in the hall grew louder, and Raja's gaze flicked around, noting the suspicious and fearful expressions on many students' faces.

"This doesn't mean anything," Raja whispered to Hermione, hoping to reassure her. "Harry didn't ask for this ability. It's just… part of who he is."

But the whispers continued, and Raja could feel the shift in the atmosphere. Harry's life at Hogwarts had just become far more complicated.

Word spread quickly about Harry's Parseltongue ability, and within hours, he found himself at the center of countless rumors. Some students whispered that he might be the Heir of Slytherin, speculating about his connection to the Chamber of Secrets. Harry looked miserable, his shoulders slumped as he walked through the halls, avoiding the stares.

Raja, Ron, and Hermione stayed close, offering their support and brushing off the rumors, though even Hermione seemed unsettled by Harry's newly revealed talent.

"Don't let them get to you, Harry," Raja said firmly. "They're just looking for someone to blame, and unfortunately, you're an easy target right now."

Harry sighed, nodding, though he looked far from comforted. "I didn't even know I could do it. I just… it just happened."

Hermione glanced at Raja, a worried frown on her face. "But Parseltongue is so rare… it's no wonder people are afraid. It's associated with some dark history."

Raja's jaw clenched. He understood the stigma, but he also knew that Harry was nothing like the wizards who'd used Parseltongue for dark purposes. "History is just that—history. You define who you are, Harry. Nothing else."

Harry managed a small smile, though Raja could sense the strain he felt. They continued walking, resolute in their decision to stand by Harry, regardless of what others thought.

As December arrived, so did the first snowfall, covering the grounds of Hogwarts in a shimmering blanket of white. But the festive atmosphere did little to ease the tension within the castle. The attacks continued, each new incident casting a shadow over the school and deepening the fear among students and staff alike.

One evening, as they sat in the common room, Harry confided in Raja, Ron, and Hermione about the strange voice he had heard in the walls—the voice that seemed to follow him, whispering sinister promises.

"It's happened a few times now," Harry said, looking uneasy. "I can't explain it, but it feels like it's coming from the walls."

Raja exchanged a look with Hermione, both of them visibly concerned. "Harry, if you're hearing a voice no one else can, that might mean something more serious is at play. Hogwarts is ancient, full of magic beyond our understanding."

Ron shivered. "But why would it be talking to Harry?"

Raja hesitated, then decided to share a theory. "The voice could be connected to the Chamber of Secrets. If the legends are true, then whatever creature lies within may be responsible for the attacks. And… it may be trying to reach out to someone who can understand it."

Hermione looked at Raja, her brow furrowed. "But Harry doesn't want to do any of this. He just wants to live his life."

"I know," Raja replied gently. "But for now, it seems the castle has other plans."

Despite their concerns, they resolved to keep searching for answers, combing through books in the library and listening for any further signs of danger. Raja, meanwhile, kept a close watch over Harry, determined to protect him from whatever dark forces lay in wait.

As the holiday season approached, Harry decided to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas, joined by Ron, Raja, and Hermione. Despite the festive decorations, an air of tension lingered, and even the Christmas feast felt subdued.

In the quiet of the common room, the four friends sat by the fire, sharing hopes for the new year and memories from the past. But each of them knew that beneath the laughter, a darkness lingered, lurking in the shadows of the castle.

Raja placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, offering silent support. Whatever came next, he would be there, standing by his friend and protecting him from the shadows that threatened to overtake Hogwarts.

As they watched the flames flicker, they resolved to uncover the truth of the Chamber of Secrets—no matter the danger, no matter the cost.