Harry Potter and the slytherin Prince

The second week of term was going smoothly for the Golden Trio. Malfoy had been unusually absent from insulting them, Voldemort had not been sending any visions to Harry and the Defence Porfessor actually knew what she was doing, but on Thursday afternoon the Golden Trio almost became extinct. Although Madam Pomfrey had cured the three unfortunate students who had eaten a part of the poisoned chocolate frogs, students were still avoiding any chocolate like the plague. Harry had even seen Malfoy bin a large box of cauldron cakes sent by his mother when he thought nobody was looking. As choclate was used as a stress relief product by the vast majority of the school it wasn't surprising that tempers were beginning to fray. Hermione was already borrowing large amounts of library books and lecturing Harry and Ron about studying, Ron was going manic as a) he was the new Gryffindor Quidditch Captain and didn't want to go down in history as the Captain whio lost them the cup and b) he had had to destroy his entire collection of chocolate frogs and Harry had even started dreaming about eating Dumbledore's Lemon Drops just to get at sugar.

Harry therefore wasn't surprised that he found himself sitting with Hermione in the library studying with Ron no where in sight.

'Harry have you found anything in 'Rare and Exotic Magical Funghi,' about the Veneficus Bean?'

'No. I found a mention in 'Poisons and their Active Ingredients,' it sounds like the sort of plant Snape would kill to have his hands on.'

'Harry Potter, i'm sure Professor Snape wouldn't kill to have a stupid plant.' Harry looks at Hermione in mock horror.

'Who are you and where is my best friend. The one who would never call anything to do with school stupid?' Hermione drops her books and the quill she was holding and takes a deep sigh.

'I'm sorry Harry. I'm just stressed. With the poisoning and all. I have been a little afraid to eat lately just in case...' Harry rummages into his bag and pulls aout a box of Honeydukes Finest Chocolate. Hermione gasps.

'Harry. You should of handed those in!'

'I forgot i had them until this morning when i was rummaging for a robe and they fell out with it. It was something Tonks picked up for me that time in Diagon Alley.' Harry shrugs and opens the box pulling out a small wrapped sweet. 'Here.' Harry holds it out to Hermione.

'I can't Harry. What if it's been poisoned like the chocolate frogs?'

'Hermione, my scar doesn't hurt and if it makes you feel better i've already had a few.' Hermione doesn't look sure but doesn't refuse when Harry pushes it into her hand. 'Look just eat it. It'll make you feel better.' Hermione looks around quickly then tears the wrapper off before putting it in her mouth.

'Mmmmm. Thanks Harry.' Hermione closes her eyes and leans back in her chair. Harry starts to laugh softly.

'You'd think with the entire student population having withdrawal symptons from chocolate that the teachers would do something about it in the fututre, but i think they can't be too happy until we all start eating it again.'

'Good think we don't get cavaties.'

'Yup.' Harry agrees eating a chocolate too. A shadow looms over them. Hermione opens her eyes to see Madam Pince glaring down at them. 'Evening Madam Pince. Fancy a chocolate?' Harry asks smiling faintly. To his eternal surprise Madam Pince takes a chocolate pops it in her mouth and walks away without once telling them off for eating in the library. Harry blinks. 'I think we need to do something Hermione. It's making the Professors ill too.' Harry looks at Hermione and sees her nodding shakily.

'It would explain why Professor McGonagall was mad in class today.'

Oh yes, that transfiguration lesson, Harry thought painfully.

Their day hadn't been going very well. Waking up late, missing breakfast, getting lost, although Harry still had no idea how they managed that one, and arriving at Transfiguration a few minutes late, the Trio's day had been going from bad to worse. Harry prayed that thier day would get better. After sitting down at three spare chairs at the back and earning a glare and a loss of 10 house points, Professor McGonagall rapped her wand on a wooden lecturn to get thier attention and started the lecture.

'Now that you have all deemed my class worthy of attendence...' McGonagall glares at the Golden Trio who squirm uncomfortably. 'Today i am going to begin the theory behind turning high mass inanimate objects into a single low mass inanimate object. Who can tell me the biggest probelm a witch or wizard can face with this type of transformation? Ms Granger?'

'Well if the new inanimate object has a lighter mass then you have to remove the extra mass somewhere.'

'Correct Ms Granger.'

The lecture started and quickly Harry set up his quill to take notes before starting a game of hangman on a spare piece of parchment with Ron. Hermione took her own notes, occasionally raising her hand and asking questions to clarify certain points, all the time glaring at the two boys. Near the end of the lesson when they were reaching three pieces of parchment for notes, they were each give a heavy rock and told to transfigure it into a small light pebble.

'Petrosia.' Harry incanted jabbing his wand at the rock.

'Harry, you're making the 'o' sound why it's actually a 'y' sound. pe-try-c-a.'

'Pe-try-c-a.' Harry tryies again. The rock shrinks down to a small pebble, but when Harry lifts it up he can still barely lift it. 'Ug. It didn't work.'

'Read your notes Harry it might make more sense.' Hermione scolds. Smiling sheepishly Harry pulls his parchment over and begins to read. Hermione turns to Ron who is busy jabbing his wand continuosly repeating the incantation over and over again. 'Ron, you're saying it wrong too. It's a 'pe' sound not a 'pee' sound.'

'Oh bloody shut up Mione. Stop correcting me!' Silence falls. Hermione stands up grabs her books and flees from the room. Ron looks over at Harry who is frowning. 'Oh stop frowning Harry, she deserved it. She's always on my case about proper incantation.'

'That's because she's your girlfriend and trying to help you actually pass your N.E.W.T.S.' Harry says before standing up and following Hermione out of the classroom. Luckily the bell goes just as he opens the door and McGonagall never noticed Hermione fleeing earlier as she was trying to understand how Parvati Patil was now grey to match her rock.

Coming back to the present Harry passes Hermione over another chocolate as she picks up her quill again as another shadw falls over the table.

'Hi guys. What you studying?'

'Hmmm.' Hermione frowns. Ron sits down.

'I'm really sorry Hermione. I am just a bit stressed out lately. I never meant to snap at you.' Hermione makes another disbelieving sound.

'You really were a prat Ron.'

'I know Harry. It's just... hey is that chocolate. Can i have one?' Ron suddenly smiles notices Hermione unwrapping a sweet. Harry sighs and passes one over to Ron. 'Cheers. I have really missed chocolate.' Ron closes his eyes when he puts it in his mouth. 'This is really really good!'

Repairs to the damage to the Trio's relationship was complete by Saturday morning at breakfast. Hermione was talking to Ron again even without Harry there to carry the conversation.

'We have to do something about this sugar shortage. Even the teachers are getting short tempered.' Hermione complains remembering the previous day in Charms when Professor Flitwick had deducted 5 points from Gryffindor for Hermione answering a question correctly. Ron simply nods his reply at Hermione and reaches into his bag pulling out a large box of chocolate frogs.

'Fred and George sent me these. I got 'em late last night.' Ron pulls out a single packaged chocolate frog. 'Harry.'

Harry turns quickly at the shout of his voice and automatically catches the object thrown at him. Looking down he sees a chocolate frog.

'Thanks Ron. Remind me to write to the twins and thank them too.' Harry says before tearing open the package and biting the head off the wriggling frog much to the surrounding students horror. After a few seconds students start badgering Ron about the frogs.

'Here Ron, give me Ron.'

'I'll give you 5 Galleons for a frog Ron.' Came another shout. Ron turns and smiles at Hermione.

'Problem solved.' Leaving Hermione gaping like a fish in disbelief.

Later that morning Harry was rushing with Hermione from Advanced Potions to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom on the third floor so they wouldn't be late. Snape had kept them a few extra minutes to give them a long list of books he wanted them to read. When they arrived, Professor Pentagon, Hannah Abbot and Ernie McMillan were already sitting down and waiting for them.

'Sorry we're late Professor we had Advanced Potions.' Hermione gasps trying to catch her breath. Professor Pentagon nods, then indicates two seats in front of her. Quikcly Harry and Hermione go over and sit down pulling out some parchment and quills.

'Good morning. As you all know this is an extra class. The subjects and homework covered in this class are extremely difficult. If at any time you do not feel that you can cope please tell me and I will try and work with you. If even my extra attention does not help then I am afraid it would be wise to quit the course.' Hannah raises her hand. 'Yes, Ms Abbot?'

'Will we get lots of homework from this class, Professor.'

'There will be no essays for homework. This subject is taught by research and projects. I will give you help during our lessons but once we get started you will come to understand that your marks will be based on the amount of research you do. There will also be projects to hand in every few weeks. Lessons will consist mainly of practising Advanced blocks, hexes and curses. You can also use this classroom anytime it is free during the week and at the weekend to practise. I will leave that between the four of you too work out.' Pentagon stands up, draws her wand and walks out from behind her desk. 'Now, Our first topic is blocking. This is the most vital part of Defence. There are 4 forms of block. Can anybody tell me what they are?' Predictably Hermione's hand shoots straight up into the air.

'Flat, Circular, Square and Dome.'

'Well done Ms Granger. What are the differences between them? Mr Potter?'

'Um... well the flat block is just used against an opponent in front of you and doesn't take much skill to conjure, a circular and a square block surround you completely so you can block curses or hexes from all angles and the dome block gives you the ability not just to block yourself but others as well.'

'Well done. Which is the hardest block to conjure and why? Mr McMillan?' Ernie looks at the others before gulping and trying.

'The Dome blocks... um... they're the hardest to conjure because you are stretching your magic projection radius to a larger area.'

'Yes. Why is it difficult to stretch your magic to a larger area?' Hermione's hand shoots up so fast, that Harry feels the air friction. 'Ms Granger?'

'It uses up a lot of the conjurer's concentration and energy to feed the shield over a larger area. The block becomes more compliceted the more people you are trying to shield.'

'Correct. We are going to start with circular and square blocks today. Who can give me an example? Ms Granger?'

'The Protego Block.'

'Yes. Ms Granger come up and demonstrate.' Hermione gets up taking her wand out of her robe pocket as she stands opposite Pentagon and raises her wand.

'In this class, we are, at all times, going to conform to Duelling Regulations and Etiquette. Just to get you used to it. Ms Granger we bow first, then walk 5 spaces away from each other and then turn getting ready to attack. A duelling master is in charge to count down from 3 when we shall either throw our first spell or wait for our opponent to attack first. Mr Potter, if you would be so kind as to be the Duelling Master for the moment.' Harry nods.

'Begin' Harry says. Hermione and Professor Pentagon bow, turn and slowly walk five paces apart, then turn back and stand ready to fire. '3…2…1' Harry counts down.

'Rictusempra.'

A circular pale block comes up around Hermione, deflecting the curse before she drops it.

'Well done Ms Granger, i see you have had a lot of practise wiht that block. You may sit back down now. Who can tell me another example of these types of block?'

'Tetragonia.'

'Correct Ms Abbot. Please come up and demonstrate.' Hannah gets up nervously and stands in front of the Professor.

'Um... i've never used this block beofre. It was just mentioned in passing a few years ago.'

'You raise your wand in front of you, twirl it anti-clockwise until you see the shield appear. Depending on how much power you are focusing will depend on how quickly the block will come up. I will start off with a simple spell. Mr Potter, please be the Duelling Master again.'

'Begin.' They bow, turn, walk five paces and turn back to face each other. '3…2…1.'

'Rictusempra.' Hannah twirls her wand desperately, unfortunately no block is produced and next moment she is doing some kind of fancy jig. Quikcly muttering the counter-curse Pentagon turns and looks at the others.

'As you can see this block requires you to understand what will happen when you produce it. Does anybody know what the shield will look like once formed? Mr Potter?'

'It's completely see through, the four sides of the square just shimmer in the air.'

'Good. Ms Abbot. Imagine the block protecting you. You will discover that the more advanced the magic the more you actually need to be able to imagine the reult. Simply waving your wand and muttering an incantation will not work. If you find yourself having any difficulties go back to the theory and start again. Now we will try this block again, ready Ms Abbot?' Hannah nods. 'Rictusempra.'

'Tetragonia' The time the square block comes up weakly vanishing once the curse hits it.

'Excellant, Ms Abbot. I would like you to produce the block one more time please. Aquadra.' Pentagon says, pointing her wand up into the air. Water shoots out of Pentagons wand and over Hannah's block drenching her. Hannah splutters dropping her block. The others smile appreciatively.

'Who can tell me the problem with that block?'

'It doesn't form a wall above you.' Hermione inputs.

'Yes. Who can tell me the extension of this block that does from a complete square around you?' Susan, Ernie and Hermione all look at each other and shrug. 'Nobody? Mr Potter?'

'I think I read it somewhere. Um….Tetragonia m… no it's... it's... it's japanese...' Harry looks up at the ceiling. 'Rokishagonia. That's it.' Harry looks back at Pentagon who is smiling kindly.

'Well done. I think that deserves 10 points to Gryffindor. Would you care to demonstrate?'

Harry nods relucatantly and gets up as Hannah sits down.

'Mr McMillan. Please be the Duelling Master'

'Begin.' Harry bows never taking his eyes of Professor Pentagon and turns around counting out five steps. He swirls back quickly and plants one foot behind him ready lifting his wand up in front of him.

'Furnunculus.' Pentaogn yells with no warning, clearly remembering being disarmed the previous week.

'Rokishagonia.' Yells Harry his face screwed up in concentration. A square block shimmers in the air causing Harry to look like he is standing underwater to the observer. It disappears as the curse hits it.

'Good effort. I think you should all write this one down. It can be very effective in battle once you have mstered it.' Harry gratefully sits down and the rest of the lesson is spent writing notes on square and circular blocks.

After a quick lunch Harry and Ron set off towards the Quidditch pitch dragging Hermione behind them.

'Do i really have to come?' Hermione whines. 'I have just borrowed a fascinating book from the library.'

'Mione, you're my girlfriend. You have to come watch me play. You can read the stupid book later.' Ron complains.

'Ronald Weasley, I'll have you know the book is on the Rights of Magical Creatures and is not stupid. It's actually quite thrilling to read about how those poor creatures were forced to serve us and the bonds that the Wizarding World has in place to keep them enslaved.'

'You're not starting up Spew again are you!'

'It's S.P.E.W. actually. I never stopped the campaign you just chose to ignore it.' Ron mumbles something before turning to Harry.

'You agree with me Harry, don't you?' Harry stops and holds up his hands.

'Don't look at me Ron. I refuse to take sides in your arguments.'

'Right, well i'll go get the practise Quidditch set out of the store room. You two can continue down to the pitch.' Ron says sulkily before stomping off.

'It's always Quidditch with him. Why can't he just have time for my books.'

'This is Ron we're talking about, who's greatest ambition in life is to play for or coach a major Quidditch Team.' They set off walking again to the Quidditch Pitch. When they arrive Harry places his broom on the floor, whilst Hermione goes up to the stands.

'Up.' Harry's broom shoots up into his hand.A few minutes later Ron comes back with the Quidditch set and Ginny arrives.

'I'll race you to the other goalposts Harry.' Ginny yells before mounting her broom and shooting off. Seconds alter Harry is in the air and leaning close to his broom. Whizzing past her he goes through the centre of one of the hoops as he couldn't move out the way in time. Ginny yells 'That's not fair, you're brooms better then mine,' before trying to catch Harry and hit him, but Harry wasn't the seeker for nothing and evaded capture easily enough.

'Ginny, Harry. Get down here.' Ron yells and they fly down to him on the ground where a group of Gryffindors are waiting to try out. A few others are sitting in the stands by Hermione pointing at them and giggling. Harry has a sneaky suspicion that they are actually pointing at him so makes a point of ignoring them all.

'Okay everyone. The positions available are 2 Chasers and 2 Beaters as Harry is now Seeker again as his life-time quidditch ban has been lifted. So. People who are trying out for chaser stand on the left and people trying out for beaters stand on the right.'

The group splits into the two groups. 7 people want to try out for chaser and only 4 people for beaters. Harry notices Colin Creevey has actually put his camera down and replaced it with a broomstick to try out for beater.

'Right. We'll try out the chasers first. Beater candidates if you'll sit down for a while we'll get to you soon. Right first up. Katie, Ginny and you David. Harry you'll be keeper for a while. I need to be able to see how they are playing.' Harry nods and flies up to guard the goalposts. The three chosen chasers turn to Ron who hand Katie the Quaffle. 'Okay. All you need to do it start at the other end of the pitch, passing the Quaffle to each other as you come back and then aim at Harry.' They nod and after Katie has picked up the red ball they fly to the other end ready to start. Ron blows on the whistle Hermione had conjured earlier for him and they start. Almost immediately David drops the Quaffle and has to dip low to catch it. He doesn't improve as he flies towards Harry and actually manages to throw the ball at the people in the stands watching missing the goalposts entirely. Ron mentally crossed him off the list. Ginny on the other hand is very good.

I wonder where she got all the practise from as we never let her use our brooms, Ron thought.

'David, Ginny swap in with Demelza and Karen' The players swap positions and Katie takes them back to start the exercise again. Ron blows his whistle and they start. Demelza and Karen are much better then David but still needed a lot of work. In the end Katie goes to take the shot but Harry doesn't bother moving as it goes too high to score.

'Right. Karen and Demelza swap with Jules and Jimmy.' This turns out to be the shortest play yet. Jules promptly falls off his broom halting all play. Ron and Harry rush over as he comes around from knocking himself out on the floor.

'You alright mate?' After a dazed reply Ron turns to Harry. 'You'd better take him up to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey will be able to heal him there.'

'Are you joking i only just escaped!.'

'Come on Harry. I can't leave.'

'Sure.' Harry sighs. 'But if she locks me up for good when i break out i'm coming for you first!' Ron laughs.

'Okay.' Harry chants 'Mobilicorpus' and leaves the field, with Jules floating in front of him, up to the school. Katie flies down to Ron.

'Are we gonna wait or continue?'

'I'll be in goal for a while. I'll get Hermione to write down notes then when Harry comes back I can mix them up and see what happens' Katie nods. Ron mounts his broom and flies up to Hermione. 'Mione. Can you make notes on Jimmy's performance. I gotta go in goal for a while till Harry gets back.'

'I'm not keen on Mione either.'

'Come on. It's shorter and quicker to say. In the midst of a battle having a shorter name would save us a lot of time.' Hermione raises an eyebrow but nods. Ron lets out a deep breath and smiles at her. The other girls in the box come over.

'Harry is coming back right?'

'Yup.' The girls sit back down smiling. Ron looks disgusted over their behaviour but shrugs and goes to the goalposts. 'Oi. Demelza. Get back up here and be the third chaser for this one.' Demelza joins in.

Ron manages to change the chasers around 2 more times, getting them to work with different partners to look at all combinations when Harry finally comes back looking very angry. Ron flies over.

'What took you so long mate?'

'I told you what she'd be like. She didn't believe I hadn't had an accident and insisted that I have a full scan. Then she asks me about that heart problem a week ago and goes on and on about taking it easy and how dangerous Quidditch is!' Harry kicks a stone away.

'You are allowed to play though?' Ron sounds worried.

'Yes. I managed to fob her off, but i have to go back after trials to have another check up. She coundn't find anything wrong with my heart results and wants to keep an eye on it!'

'Come on. Get back on your broom and forget about it. We've nearly done with the chasers. This is the last play.' Harry snatches his broom from the ground and gets back in front of the goal looking murderous.

'Right. Final play. I want Katie, Ginny and Demelza for this. I'm gonna let a bludgers out to make it more difficult but otherwise same play as before.' They nod and get to the goal. Ron carefully unstraps a single bludgers and lets it go. It heads straight for Harry who has to spin on his broom to miss it. It changes course and heads straight back for him. Harry shoots off with the bludgers following him. Ron looks around for Dobby and instead finds the Slytherin team standing at the other end of the pitch with Warrington with his wand pointed at the bludgers sending it after Harry. The rest of the Slytherin team all dressed in green is rolling around laughing as Harry twists and turns in the air to escape the bludgers persuing him.

'Oi, Warrington. Cut that out!' Ron yells. Warrington casts a rude gesture at Ron and moves the bludgers closer to Harry. As Harry flies past the spectators Hermione stops the spell with a 'Finite Incantatum' and it stops chasing Harry and heads for Katie instead. Ginny pulls out her wand and shoots her famous Bat-Bogey Hex at Warrington and they start the play without a second thought for him. Rons attention is pulled away from the Slytherin team as the three chasers make a wonderful fly towards Harry and have Ginny scoring. Once they all land the Slytherin team comes over.

'What do you want Warrington?' Ron asks. Malfoy pushes himself from the back of the group

'I'm the Captain Weasley. It's our turn.'

'No. I booked the pitch for Gryffindors tryouts today. Look at the list and check.'

'Professor Snape gave me permission for Slytherin to practise now.'

'Not allowed this year. That's why the list is up and cannot be changed as your Head of House kept on pushing other teams off the pitch. New rules this year. So get lost.' Ron says. Malfoy goes pink. Crabbe and Goyle who are also wearing green robes step forward flanking Malfoy and crack their knuckles.

'Weasel. Do not talk to me like that!' He pulls out his wand and points it at Ron. Harry and the other all pull out their wands shortly followed by the rest of the Slytherin team. Harry steps forward.

'Malfoy. Get lost. You are not practising at this moment. You can go sit in the stands. We'll only most likely be another hour and you can practise throwing insults at us. As trust me you need all the practise you can get.' Malfoy and harry stare at each other for a few more minutes.

'Come on team.' Malfoy sweeps away with his team following him to a Slytherin stand. Ron turns back to the others.

'Okay beaters. We're going to let the other bludgers go. Ritchie and Mia you are one pair, Colin and Dennis you are the other. Ritchie and Mia you are beaters first. You other two of you get up there and dodge them. Beaters your job is to keep them away from the others. When I blow the whistle you switch over. Understand?' They nod 'Up you go then.' They all fly off. Ron unstraps the other bludgers and watches it fly away.

After half an hour and numerous switches, there is one broken arm, a small bump on the head and the two new Beaters are picked. Ron looks exhausted and Harry is not happy about having to escort more players to the hospital wing.

'She'll keep me in there till dinner. She'll run every test available. Please don't make me go.' Harry pleads with Ron and Hermione to the amusement of the ohters still standing around.

'You said you told her you would go back after tryouts. If you do not go back she'll come looking for you. Best get it over with.' Hermione says reasonably. Harry mutters under his breath and then escorts Dennis and Mia off. Ron gets everybodies attention.

'Right. The two new chasers are Ginny and Demelza and the two beaters are Colin and Ritchie.'

'Yeah' Colin shouts fisting the air. The Slytherin team take to the pitch. 'Right we'd better get out of here before Crabbe and Goyle start taking their own team out.' This causes many giggles and laughs as they all leave.

Ron and Hermione go up to the Hospital Wing later to see Harry sitting on a hospital bed still in his Quidditch outfit. Dennis is sitting on the one next to him with his arm in a sling.

'Hi, Dennis. She fixed it?'

'Yeah. 3 fractures. I'm not allowed to use it for a few days though so she tied it up out of the way.'

'Has Mia been treated?' Hermione asks Harry.

'Yup, she left ages ago.'

'What she doing with you Harry?' Ron asks.

'Just checking the results of the second batch of tests to make sure the first set wasn't wrong.'

'Don't get angry Harry. You do generally end up in here after Quidditch.' Madam Pomfrey comes back over with a vial.

'Mr Potter you're perfectly healthy. Just drink this vitamin potion and you may leave.'

Harry downs the vial before he has time to taste it and gets up. All four of them leave the hospital wing.

'The one good thing about being in the hospital wing was that Crabbe hit a bludger at Malfoy and broke his nose. He came up here a while ago. It was not pretty. His robes and face was covered in red blood.' Harry grins 'I bet Crabbe is going to regret it later when Snape catches up with him.' This causes Ron and Hermione to laugh. 'Almost as good as the bouncing ferret.' Their laughter follows them down the corridor.