Chương 34: Chapter 38: 2-8: Threads
Disclaimer: Being neither British nor Japanese, it should therefore come as no surprise that I own neither Harry Potter nor Naruto, nor anything from their respective franchises.
Things remained relatively quiet for the next several weeks. A slight aura of nervousness still pervaded the castle, but for the most part everyone continued to go about their usual business. As Iruka and his students had expected, the Duelling Club's second meeting had been not more helpful than the first, and all had ended up deciding that it wasn't worth their time to attend further. In their training, all four children were making continued progress: They'd learned the basics of safely handling, carrying, storing, and maintaining shuriken and kunai, and begun including armed kata in their repertoire (holding blunt training weapons, of course). Iruka hoped to have them throwing shuriken by late March, and actually hitting targets somewhat reliably by November or December. Their physical and chakra training continued to progress as well.
It was the day after Luna's birthday party in the Room when the next oddity arose, and it truly was odd even by Hogwarts standards. Iruka had once glanced, during a visit to Hogsmeade, into Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, having heard various mentions of it among staff and students. The Hogwarts Great Hall, on the morning of the fourteenth, looked like Maito Gai had heard an exaggerated description of that establishment and decided to copy it while feeling particularly YOUTHful. Between the pink, the heart-shaped confetti, the pink, the flowers, and the pink, it made the word "gaudy" feel inadequate. A quick glance along the staff table made it abundantly clear whose idea the whole mess was, to Iruka's utter lack of surprise.
Gilderoy Lockhart sat there, grinning like a loon and wearing robes so eye-meltingly pink as to make the decorations in the Great Hall look tame by comparison. From the expressions on his colleagues' faces, it was clear that Iruka wasn't the only staff member less than impressed with the buffoon's efforts. While Iruka at least passably understood the playful romance-themed holiday being celebrated, he wasn't at all certain he liked an adult teacher bragging so publicly about how many cards he'd received from his mostly-underage students. And then he called in his 'Cupids'...
Where was a Yamanaka memory specialist when you really, desperately needed to forget something right now?!
Then, of course, the pink-clad peacock dragged Snape and Filius into his insanity, leaving the latter mortified and the former clearly contemplating what potions ingredients he could render the Defense Professor into.
The dwarves had all been ejected from the castle (after ensuring that Lockhart paid them everything they were owed) after an incident involving one of them being so determined to deliver someone's singing Valentine to Harry that he made the mistake of grabbing the second-year. Eighteen months earlier, this would have resulted in desperate but ultimately futile struggling by the young Gryffindor, but Iruka's lessons (and a potions regimen and proper diet on Madam Pomfrey's orders) had left Harry in greatly improved physical shape. The training on how to deal with an attacker trying to tackle you also helped.
Harry's bookbag had been torn asunder after the dwarf grabbed it in his attempts to keep Harry in place. When the young wizard had again tried to make his escape, the dwarf opted for a leg-tackle, and ended up eating floorstone for his troubles. Standing beside the ruins of his school supplies and a concussed diaper-clad dwarf, Harry had turned to a Prefect present and made a complaint of being assaulted. This was hard to refute given that the Prefect in question (Percy Weasley, as it happened) had witnessed the altercation along with a number of other students. After the dwarves were rounded up, paid, and given the boot, Lockhart had been given a stern lecture by Minerva, the school's resident expert on all things stern, regarding proper protocols for bringing visitors to the castle, harassment of the students, and quite a few other things that crossed her mind as she went on. It was very impressive, and continued for over ten minutes as Iruka (and some other members of staff) surreptitiously took notes.
To top it all off, Lockhart was also made to pay to replace Harry's ruined items. Needless to say despite how well it started for him, the DADA teacher did not have a happy Valentine's Day.
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The next few weeks were not the most pleasant for Harry. His somewhat violent takedown of the dwarf (really quite gentle, by shinobi standards) had grown in its retellings through the Hogwarts rumor mill, as tends to happen. While a portion of those who witnessed or heard about the incident recognized that Harry was merely defending himself as best he knew how, teenagers and preteens aren't exactly known for their level-headedness or critical thinking skills. Many students now apparently believed that he had, in order to interrupt a singing Valentine, savagely beaten a perfectly innocent dwarf to death. Some of his schoolmates, particularly a group of second-year Hufflepuffs, had taken to avoiding Harry whenever possible, or at least giving him a wide berth in the corridors. A few had even begun to speculate that he was the Heir of Slytherin. The Weasley twins, always sharper than most adults gave them credit for, had quickly taken to preceding Harry down the halls, often calling out things like "Make way for Harry Potter, vanquisher of ill-tempered Cupids!" and "Beware the approach of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Serenaded!" It helped to both lighten Harry's spirits and cause a few of the less-committed Harry-fearers to realize the absurdity of what they had been led to believe.
Iruka adjusted the taijutsu portion of his lessons in response to the whole mess: Due to the looming threat of the Heir of Slytherin, he'd been focusing on techniques for defending against a lethal threat, techniques that tended to be on the more violent and damaging side. He now began putting more emphasis back on techniques suited to less severe encounters, and on providing his students with a proper continuum of force to work with. Hopefully, the next time a non-threatening person tried to tackle one of them, they'd be able to deflect and restrain their attacker without causing serious injury.
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As Easter Break approached, the three second-year members of S.E.N. were considering their choice of electives for the coming years. Neville had received letters from virtually every member of his extended family giving their (often conflicting) advice on which subjects were best to take and why. Hermione, even with her academic mania calmed somewhat, was still talking about finding a way to take all five courses. Harry was just plain lost. None of them, it turned out, were particularly clear on what each elective entailed and what careers each might be useful in.
"Enter!" Minerva's voice rang out in response to Iruka's knock, and enter he did, followed by his students. "Good afternoon," she greeted with a slight smile, "Iruka, children. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
"Well," the chuunin replied, gesturing to the second-years, "these three were talking about things, and asking for my advice, and I found that I simply don't know enough to really help them, so I figured you'd be the best person to speak to. Luna came along because they're all friends, and it's information she'll need eventually anyway."
The older witch nodded, and with a wave of her wand conjured additional chairs; unlike the overstuffed armchairs the Headmaster favored, his Deputy provided simple, utilitarian wooden chairs with high backs and surprisingly comfortable seats. "Please, sit." They did. "Now, what is it you were discussing that you required additional information on?"
"Well," Harry chimed in, "we were talking about picking our electives for next year. Hermione wants to take all of them, Neville's got loads of letters from his family saying what he should and shouldn't take, and I'm just confused about what the classes are really about and what they're used for."
"I tried to help," Iruka continued, "but I'm still new enough to this country to not really have the complete picture, so to speak."
"I see," Minerva replied thoughtfully, "and it's likely that some of the other second-year Gryffindors have similar questions. I shall have to make it clear to them that I am available to answer their questions on the subject."
"As you are aware," she continued, "there are five electives available beginning in Third Year, of which all students are required to take a minimum of two."
"The Study of Ancient Runes is, in earlier years, primarily a language course. Students learn to decipher various runic languages, and to scribe and engrave runes themselves. In its later years the class begins to cover the usage of runes in magic, a topic not entirely dissimilar to the 'seals' you are all familiar with. Runes are primarily used in the creation and anchoring of long-term and permanent magical effects upon objects and locations. A thorough grounding in Runes is therefore essential for any profession involving the creation of such effects, such as warders and enchanters, or the dismantling of existing effects by cursebreakers and the like."
"Arithmancy begins with basic numerology, the study of the magical properties of numbers and how they interact with each other and with magic and the world. At more advanced levels, the course covers the calculations involved in understanding magical effects. These calculations are essential in the crafting of new spells and potions, and in analyzing existing magics. Aspiring warders, enchanters, and cursebreakers again will find this field essential, but so will spellcrafters, Potions masters, and others that seek to research magic and its many mysteries."
"Care of Magical Creatures is essentially a counterpart to Herbology. In it, students learn about many forms of magical fauna, though some creatures are discussed more in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Obviously, anyone who might wish to work with magical beasts of any sort would be well-advised to take this class. This not only includes the more apparent careers, such as dragon-handling or magizoology, but also wandmaking and others that utilize parts or products from magical creatures. A Potions master would thus benefit from such knowledge, as would a master Herbologist." At this last point, she looked meaningfully at Neville, whose expression showed that he clearly understood the message and would likely be signing up for Care as an elective.
"I must confess to being somewhat biased regarding the subject of Divination," Minerva continued hesitantly, "as I have never seen any convincing evidence of its validity. There are, supposedly, seers and prophets, but those with such gifts are by all accounts extraordinarily rare. Without the necessary innate talent, I fear that Divination is not a subject which can be readily taught, and I have always found it something of a wooly subject to be perfectly frank. Obviously, if any of you did have the Sight, then training to make best use of it could be beneficial to you, but without that I cannot honestly recommend the class."
"Muggle Studies is a course intended for those raised entirely in the Wizarding world, to help them better understand our nonmagical neighbors. At least in theory, sufficient study should help students of the subject to pass as Muggles without arousing suspicion, and to function in their society without a reliance on Confundus Charms and Memory Charms. Given that two of the three of you are Muggle-raised, I don't see the class being of any real use to you, although Mister Longbottom might benefit from it, particularly with you to advise him. Alternatively, you could simply teach him about Muggle life yourselves, a sort of self-study if you will, and any or all of you could still sign up to take the O.W.L. and possibly N.E.W.T. exams in the subject in a few years."
Iruka broke in at this point. "From what I've heard, it seems like the current Muggle Studies curriculum may be more than a little outdated. The nonmagical world changes very rapidly, but to my knowledge the textbook is at this point decades old."
Minerva looked somewhat sheepish, though she made a good effort at concealing that expression. "I am afraid that certain... political interests with influence in both the Ministry and the Board of Governors consider Muggles unimportant and have for quite some time been blocking attempts to modernize the Muggle Studies curriculum. Thankfully, the Wizarding Examinations Authority enjoys a considerable degree of independence, and while they will give passing grades to those whose knowledge of Muggles comes solely from the course materials, the examiners for the Muggle Studies O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. are aware of more accurate and up-to-date information and will mark accordingly."
Hermione looked less than pleased, but firmed her resolve. "I'd still like to take the courses, Professor," she stated. "Even if I don't have the Sight, or the Gift, or whatever it is, it would still be interesting to learn about Divination, and while I obviously don't need to learn about Muggle life, taking the class could teach me about Wizarding perspectives on the Muggle world."
The Gryffindor Head looked upon her star pupil with a fond smile and a quiet exasperated sigh. "Given your exemplary academic record thus far, I will permit you to make the attempt on a trial basis. Actually scheduling such a courseload alongside your existing classwork and extracurricular activities may prove difficult, however. There is a solution that is employed on the rare occasions where it is necessary, though I shall have to speak with the Headmaster before promising its use."
With that, Hermione eagerly signed up for all five electives, while Harry and Neville each ended up selecting Runes, Arithmancy, and Care. They had both, after some discussion, decided upon the classes they felt would be most useful and give them the most options in the coming years.
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It was the next day that Iruka received a message via 'House-Elf Express' that Luna had found something he needed to see. He was soon approaching a group of windows in a second-floor corridor, his youngest student standing nearby like a somewhat surprised-looking signpost. "You said you'd found something, Luna?"
She nodded. "Yes, Iruka-sensei, you and the Headmaster told us to watch for anything out of the ordinary, and I'm rather certain that spiders don't ordinarily behave like that." She pointed towards the corner of the far window.
Looking closely, Iruka could indeed see a remarkably orderly line of spiders quickly making their way up to and out through the open window, even seeming to use an anchored line of silk to abseil down the castle wall. Given the presence of several different varieties of spider, and the fact that spiders were generally known to be solitary to the point of cannibalism even within their own species, this phenomenon definitely qualified as odd. Flippy was soon on her way to summon Headmaster Dumbledore.
"Most unusual," the elder wizard commented at the sight, "this is indeed most extraordinary behavior. I shall speak with Hagrid and Professor Kettleburn directly, to see if they may shed some light on the cause, but for now we may consider this a possible clue. Well done, Miss Lovegood, well done indeed. Ten points to Ravenclaw for your keen observational skills."
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A brief meeting with the whole of S.E.N. followed in the Headmaster's office. The news of the spiders was shared, drawing a comment from Hermione that it tickled at her memory somewhat, but she'd need to look over her notes and sources to figure out if it was something relevant.
This led the four students and one ninja to head to Gryffindor Tower. Iruka and Luna stood outside waiting while Hermione checked her accumulated research notes. After about fifteen minutes, the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open once again to disgorge the trio of second-years, mid-conversation.
"...figure out who's attacking people, and get them out of the castle for good." Harry's voice was firm, bold, and reassuring.
"Any luck?" Iruka asked.
The three Gryffindors shook their heads. "I've got a few ideas," Hermione replied, "but they're more along the lines of which books we need to check again. We need to head to the Library."
Down the five trooped, ensconcing themselves at Hermione's favorite table as the bushy-haired witch pulled books off the shelves and distributed them among the group along with advice regarding where to look and for what. Half an hour passed in near silence, with only the rustling of pages and the occasional soft mutter the only sound, before Neville's voice echoed through the Library with a string of words that would likely have drawn a sharp rebuke from his grandmother.
Waving off an incensed librarian, Iruka turned to his now chalk-white student. "You have something, Neville?"
"I hope not, Sensei, I really, really hope not." The boy turned the book and pushed it forward for them all to read the passage he was indicating with a shaky finger:
'Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which may reach gigantic size and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it.'
"A snake, capable of killing instantly, that scares spiders and can be killed by a rooster." Neville's composure was still cracked, but he had pulled himself together as the rest read. "It matches too well to be a coincidence. The big things this doesn't explain are where it's coming from, who's controlling it, how it's getting around the castle, and how the petrifications factor in." They all descended into quiet thought.
"Pipes!" Hermione said suddenly. "Sensei, you and Harry heard it in the walls, right?" Both nodded. "Maybe it's slithering through the plumbing! That'd let it get around the school without being seen. Assuming there are hidden exits, it could even pop up somewhere to attack." The silence following this statement was significantly more worried.
Harry was the next to provide an insight. "The petrifications... What if that's what happens if you see its eyes, but not directly? Mrs. Norris could have seen its reflection in the water pooled outside the toilet, Colin through his camera, Justin through Nearly-Headless Nick who got the full blast of it but couldn't exactly die again, and the previous time would be reflections off the lake, the window, and the mirror the girl was checking her makeup in."
Iruka's eyebrows rose. "That makes sense. The indirect viewing must filter or weaken the gaze somehow, not enough to make it harmless but enough to petrify. Then, once the victim is petrified, they can't see anything so the gaze can't affect them further. Good thinking Harry, Hermione, and good find, Neville. Flippy!" The elf popped in. "Go to Headmaster Dumbledore immediately, and inform him that we think we know what is responsible for the student petrifications, and we'll meet him in his office directly unless told otherwise."
Flippy nodded somewhat fearfully and departed on her errand as Iruka and his students quickly tidied their workspace and made for the Headmaster's Office. They had gotten as far as the Library doors when Headmaster Dumbledore's voice echoed throughout the castle. "ALL STUDENTS AND FACULTY, ASSEMBLE IN THE GREAT HALL IMMEDIATELY."
A look passed among the group as they turned towards the Great Hall. "There must have been another attack," Hermione said with growing trepidation, "but something must be different this time. You don't think..."
Iruka's face took on a stony cast. "If someone has killed a student, I promise that it is the last mistake they are ever going to make."
A/N: What's going on? I'm sure most of you can guess, but still, cliffhangers are a tradition in Iruka's home setting. So, the pieces are coming together and our heroes are beginning to see the picture, but they don't know everything yet. I wanted to make sure that all of them got to contribute in some important way, which is why Iruka noted the importance of the roosters, Luna spotted the spiders, Hermione directed the research and later realized the Basilisk's use of plumbing, Neville identified the monster, and Harry figured out the petrifications.
The key factors in how nobody figured out until now that it was a Basilisk are: They didn't have confirmation that there even was a monster; they didn't know it was serpentine (even if they should have suspected); they were looking for something that petrified rather than something that instantly killed; they may well not have had the clues of the dead roosters and/or fleeing spiders. Maybe if Dippet and the Ministry hadn't been happy to blame the whole mess on Hagrid and Aragog and treat it as a problem solved, deeper inquiry might have produced some results.
Fic Recommendation: "New Plan" by dunuelos - A short story of the Third Hokage putting some of Naruto's detractors in their place.
Posted 12 August 2018
Current WIP Chapter: 63
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