Harry Potter: The Duelist of Hogwarts

Leaving Professor McGonagall's classroom, Sean felt a quiet buzz of intellectual energy. The unspoken test had been a stimulating challenge, a welcome change from the monotonous theory of most lessons. Blaise was waiting for him just outside the door, leaning against the stone wall with an impatient look on his face.

"Took you long enough," he grumbled, falling into step beside Sean as they headed for the grand staircase. "So, what did she want? Did she invite you to join her secret society of cat lovers?"

"It's a Transfiguration club," Sean corrected him as they descended the spiraling steps. "And yes, I was invited. It meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the evening, so it won't conflict with the Potions Club."

"A club for more classes? You're a machine, Sean," Blaise groaned dramatically. "Classes all day, club meetings at night... when do you breathe? I'd go mad." He shuddered for effect. "What's it even called? The 'Let's Turn More Things into Other Things' Club?"

"The Sprucewood Club," Sean replied. He appreciated Blaise's theatrics but didn't share his sentiment. For Sean, the clubs weren't just more schoolwork; they were opportunities, networks, and arenas to test and refine his skills. "Professor McGonagall named it after her wand wood."

"How sentimental," Blaise said with a roll of his eyes.

Their conversation carried them across the castle grounds. As they neared the greenhouses, Sean spotted two familiar figures trudging miserably toward the main entrance. It was Harry and Ron, looking like a pair of walking thunderclouds. Their robes were rumpled, their shoulders were slumped, and they radiated an aura of pure dejection. Sean knew they'd just come from their Howler incident, but he had no desire to get pulled into the Gryffindor vortex of drama, especially not when he was already running late. He offered a brief, noncommittal nod from a distance and steered Blaise toward Greenhouse One.

By the time they arrived, the air thick with the damp, earthy smell of magical flora, most of the second-year Slytherins and Ravenclaws were already there. Professor Sprout, their cheerful, soil-stained Herbology teacher, was handing out fluffy pink earmuffs. Sean took a pair, his eyes scanning the rows of terracotta pots. He knew at once what they would be learning today.

Mandrakes.

"Come in, children, come in!" Professor Sprout called out, her voice bright. "Everyone find a pot and stand before it. We're about to begin our first Herbology lesson of the term!"

Sean and Blaise found two empty pots in a corner and waited for the class to begin.

"Today," Professor Sprout announced, beaming at her students, "we are going to be repotting Mandrakes. Now, who can tell me the properties of the Mandrake?"

Sean's hand started to go up. He knew the answer, and points awarded at the start of term were often generous. But the Ravenclaws, as usual, were faster. A forest of hands shot into the air, and a girl in the front row was immediately called upon.

"The Mandrake, or Mandragora, is a powerful restorative," she said, her voice crisp and self-assured. "It is the primary ingredient in the draught used to return those who have been transfigured or cursed to their original state. However," she added, her tone becoming serious, "its cry is fatal to anyone who hears it unprotected. Extreme caution must be taken when handling them, especially mature specimens."

"Perfectly stated, as always, Katharine! Ten points to Ravenclaw!"

Sean lowered his hand, a flicker of annoyance passing over his face before he smoothed it into an impassive mask. Katharine Bishop. She was his main academic rival, the only student besides Hermione who consistently challenged him for the top spot.

"The Bishops are a force to be reckoned with," Blaise whispered conspiratorially, leaning closer. "Did you know one of them was just made a review editor for Animagus Today? They've already got someone on the board for The Golden Cauldron. Their family has been Ravenclaw for generations. They're all ridiculously smart."

"I can tell," Sean murmured, watching as Katharine, for just a fraction of a second, turned her head and glanced in his direction before quickly looking away. It was a fleeting, almost imperceptible look, but Sean didn't think it was accidental.

He put the thought aside and mechanically followed Professor Sprout's instructions, pulling on his earmuffs and beginning the process of repotting the ugly, humanoid-looking plants. He gripped the wriggling Mandrake firmly and pulled. Even with the thick earmuffs, the shriek was agonizing—a high, thin vibration that seemed to pierce straight through the bone of his skull and into his brain. He grimaced, his teeth clenched against the psychic assault as he quickly shoved the plant into its new pot and packed the soil around it.

It was easy to believe the cry could be fatal. It felt like a weapon. A biological weapon based on... sound waves.

He paused, his hands still deep in the rich, dark soil. The thought struck him like a bolt of lightning, a key turning in a lock he didn't know existed.

Sound-wave magic.

If it works on humans... what about a creature whose primary weapon is sight? A creature that kills with a look?

His mind raced, connecting disparate pieces of information with blinding speed. The Chamber of Secrets. The Basilisk. The petrified students. The crowing of a rooster, the only sound known to be fatal to the beast.

What if one rooster isn't enough? What if it's too slow? But a wall of sound... an overwhelming, continuous sonic assault...

He looked down at the ugly little plant struggling in its pot, and then he looked around the greenhouse, at the dozens and dozens of other Mandrakes. A slow, cold, predatory smile spread across Sean's face.

Everyone was searching for a sword to fight the Basilisk.

He had just found his sword and his shield.

(End of Chapter)

***

[Check Out My Patreon For More Chapters On All

Of My Fanfics!!] [www. [email protected]/meowthtl]

[+300 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter]

[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]

[Thank You For Your Support!]