The Dark Castle

THE DARK CASTLE

-CHAPTER SEVEN-

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Harry was long gone in his own little world. The stuff in the bag hypnotised him. He took the cross in his hand but threw it down on the ground hastily when it throbbed.

“What the hell? ... What happened?” he asked. He turned to Damien for an answer.

“You’re involved in dark magic. The cross is warning you but can’t hurt you because you are no dark creature.”

“Ok. I dropped it because I was startled. I suppose I can hold a cross as well as go inside a church?” he asked and looked at the cross warily.

“Of course but I advice you strongly against it. Even if it can’t do you any harm immediately, it still do you harm in the long run. You may feel dizzy and illness. Even be weaken magically but only temporarily.”

“What for? I have nothing against God. I’m not the bloody devil!”

“I have no answer to that. We don’t know what God is thinking, or if he even exist...”

“He should due to the effect that the cross have,” he murmured.

Damien shrugged.

“Perhaps. It’s non of our business.”

“What is?” harry said and went back to the bag.

“A bloody fucking pole throe a Vampire’s heart kills it, right?”

“Yes indeed.”

“I’m just making sure. Things tends to turn out to be different from what I thought them to be.”

He picked up the knife.

“Nice, what’s its use?” he asked after he had inspected it.

“Killing werewolf’s. Often by tear out their throats but it works by heard too.”

“That’s why it’s silver... Is it true that silver kills werewolfs by them just making contact with it?”

“No. It’s myth. Only way is to stick it in the heart or throat.”

Next he found a necklace in silver with a B and D C entwined in what looked like a gothic pattern.

“I was supposed to give you that last night. As you can see it’s made of silver and it’s kinda sharp in the end. The letters are B for Blaze and DC for Dark Castle. Because of its sharpness it’s able to use against a vampire as a stake if you make it bigger, but only as a last option. You can also use it against a werewolf.”

“Alright. Thanks!”

“And it protects you, not to forget,” Damien said thoughtfully.

“In what way?” Harry asked interested. The thing had a lot of uses.

“If something is wrong and you need help it makes an alarm go on in the Dark Castle and we’ll come for you in full forces. It glows in the dark when you need light, just tell it to. And it turns hot and burn slightly when danger is near and you need to be on your guard.”

“Practical, I must admit.”

Damien smiled and nodded.

“Yes it his. However, please, only use it when your life is at stake, or else we give us away for nothing.”

“I’m not stupid you know,” Harry murmured. “What’s the gun for?”

“It’s for dealing with muggles. You know, we do raids in the muggle world sometimes. And go to their strip clubs and such.”

“Yeah... right,” he said and watched Damiens grinning face.

Harry walked back to the school without meeting anyone he’d rather not. He wasn’t entirely sure about what he had next on his timetable because he had lost it or something. Due to his help he meet Dean Thomas.

“Hello Harry. How’s your day? Quite a scene in the hall earlier, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah. I could have dealt with a nice and quiet morning but unfortunately destiny wasn’t on my side.”

“Destiny? I thought you’d say God.”

“Nah... That’s a muggle saying. But on to more practical levels, do you know what I have now by any chance?”

Dean looked thoughtful.

“I’m not sure. Do you take duelling?”

“Yes I do.”

“Alright then. I suppose we’re in the same group. It’s starting in four minutes. Join me?” Dean asked hopefully.

“I think I might... yes I’ll join you.”

Dean looked relived.

“Great! I rather not go alone.”

Harry nodded even if he didn’t understand Dean. He himself wasn’t shy, he wouldn’t mind being on his own.

He had to restrain himself from asking Dean rather sarcastical if he wanted to hold his hand because looked like a deer caught in the spotlights. What was he afraid for?

Harry got his answer all right. Snape entered the full classroom. The classroom lay on the third floor. It was a very big room with a lot of space. All needed for duelling.

They were a big group of about 70. It was sixth years, seventh years and some fifth years from all houses. Harry also noticed younger people and wondered what the hell they were doing there. Thank god Sor Wrigley made his entrance. Someone would end up dead if Snape were the only teacher around.

“Hello everyone. I’m sure you all know me by now. I’m Professor Wrigley. Over there is Professor Snape, I doubt that you –don’t- know who he is. Snape was kind enough too accept my request for him to help me out in those lessons. And he is a very skilled dueller. This class is for fifth to seventh years. But today I’m sure you’ve noticed a lot of younger people in here.”

Harry nodded slowly. So did a few others.

“They’re only here to watch due to their projects in DADA about duelling,” Sor explained.

“Get to the fucking point!” Harry heard Draco murmur.

“For today’s lesson we’ll begin with a soft start. I’d like for two experienced students to make a demonstration. Anyone you’ve got in mind Severus?” Sor asked.

“Right on hand like this I’d say that I got Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter on my mind,” said Snape coldly.

“Er...” Sor began.

“However, I remember the two of them being selected back in their second year so I’d say that they’ve proven themselves to be excellent duellers already. I’d suggest Cho Chang and Ron Wesley because they’re nearest,” said Snape calmly.

Harry’s eyes met Draco’s. They were both surprised over Snape’s speech. Unaware of it the two of them got side by side to watch Cho and Ron. Ron crawled on to the stage with a little help by Sor. Ron blushed over his clumsiness. Cho grinned at him. They were just about to begin when Harry was dragged over to the back of the classroom. He could see the same thing happened to Draco just beside him. Once they stood in the back they were released.

“Severus! Why did you do that for?” Draco wailed.

“Shut up! You’re giving me a headache with that baby schrill voice!” Harry scrowled.

Severus infront of them let a small smile slip.

“The reason why I dragged the two of you over here was because I’d like to ask you something.”

“Go on. I’m listening,” said Harry casually.

Draco nodded beside him.

“I’d like you to duel each other. You two are the best students at duelling, no question about it. The reason why I ask you us to make sure you’re all right with it. You seemed to have gained some sort of a friendship and I rather not see it destroyed over a silly duel. So are you up to it?” Severus asked.

Harry and Draco looked at each other questioningly.

“Are you up for it?” Draco asked him.

Harry nodded slowly.

“Alright. I want a fair duel, no bad or naughty spells, no bad intentions. It’s only a game. OK?” Snape said sternly.

“Yes,” both boys promised Severus.

“Let’s not humiliate or flame each other, alright?” Draco said.

“Who me? Do you honestly think I would?” Harry smiled innocently.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Draco murmured and Harry laughed at him.