After Harry returned to classes, a new DADA substitute arrived from the Ministry. Expecting another Dolores Umbridge, Harry was surprised. Post-Lockhart's disgrace, the Ministry sent Kingsley Shacklebolt, a bald Black Auror. His precise teaching made him a savior to male students, unlike Lockhart's frivolous lessons.
"Lockhart's textbook is done. Today, we study dark artifacts and countermeasures," Kingsley announced.
He won students over in days. Hermione mourned Lockhart, but Ron quipped, "Umbridge, Lockhart, now Shacklebolt. Looks alternate. Next, a heartthrob?"
"I don't judge teachers by looks, Ron! Apologize!" Hermione snapped.
Kingsley, calm and rational, lacked Lockhart's charisma. Harry asked for Dueling Club guidance, but Kingsley declined. "I'm busy with fifth- and seventh-years. The club's Flitwick's domain. Instead, I'll teach you a useful spell: Accio. Ask your seniors. It's deep magic."
Kingsley demonstrated Accio. Harry studied its theory, finding it practical. Kingsley's method—demonstrate, then self-study—suited Harry. He refined wand movements and magic flow, improving through practice. Banagher taught him Accio at the club, boosting his skills.
Meanwhile, Colin Creevy, recovered from petrification, pestered Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Zabini with a new, lighter camera. "You're fearless, hanging with Slytherins after that ordeal," Azrael mocked.
"Percy said Harry fought for us petrified kids!" Colin beamed.
"You believe that? It's all Percy's glory," Zabini grumbled.
"Percy says it wasn't him. I trust him and Harry! Please, a photo?" Colin begged.
"No autographs," Harry said coldly. "But… one photo, since you suffered."
Colin, thrilled, snapped a group shot. Harry treasured it. "Maybe Colin's not so bad," he admitted.
"He's not evil, just dumb for thinking you're a hero," Azrael teased.
"Why say that?" Farkas asked.
"Snape saved him, not me," Harry said, surprising Farkas.
At the Dueling Club, Harry saw Ron, Hermione, Luna, and faces of those who'd left.
In the Quidditch final, Slytherin vs. Gryffindor, Harry's Nimbus 2001 outpaced Fred Weasley's Bludger. He scored his fifth goal, ignoring Alicia Spinnet's block. Slytherin led 70-40.
"Thirty-point lead! Slytherin's lion spares no mercy! Broom superiority?" Lee Jordan roared.
"Commentate properly, Jordan!" McGonagall snapped.
Slytherin's golden era shone. Oliver Wood's defense stopped Harry occasionally, but Slytherin's aggressive formation overwhelmed Gryffindor's. Their Chasers faltered, craving points.
At a timeout, the gap widened to 80. Gryffindor needed the Snitch and a 40-point deficit to win. Wood shifted to offense, but Flint refocused Slytherin on the Snitch. Harry toyed with Gryffindor, dodging Fred, while Pucey blocked Cormac McLaggen. Draco nabbed the Snitch, clinching victory.
The win eased Slytherin's tensions post-Chamber. Harry and Draco's teamwork stabilized the house. McGillis, the pure-blood radical, launched fireworks. Draco got a kiss from Pansy. Theodore Nott, ever aloof, stayed apart.
Exams loomed. Banagher drilled Transfiguration and Charms; Harry practiced at the club. "Will Colin be okay for exams?" Harry asked Hermione. "He was petrified longest."
"Probably fine. Gryffindors don't stress studies," Hermione said, turning a scrubber into a hedgehog. Busy with Ron and Neville, she dismissed Colin. Harry considered helping him.
Three weeks before exams, Harry met Colin in the courtyard. "Past exam papers, if you want," Harry offered.
"Really!?" Colin grabbed them.
"Return them after," Harry said, smirking. (Will he spot the trick? Doubt it.)
"If I don't get a spell, can you teach me?" Colin asked.
"Ask your prefects," Harry said.
"I want you!" Colin insisted.
"Fine, courtyard, weekend," Harry agreed, wondering if he should've undone the papers' trap. Slytherins shared rigged past papers with juniors; Harry gave Luna a real set, but Colin's were tricky.
Galfgarion approached, holding a workbook. "Playing good senior, Potter?"
"Galfgarion," Harry said.
"Magic's banned here," Galfgarion warned.
"Any leniency?" Harry pleaded.
"Rules are rules. Teach him in the club or privately," Galfgarion said.
"Understood," Harry nodded.
Galfgarion frowned. "You dislike Colin. Why help?"
"He doesn't hate me," Harry said. "Pansy has Draco. I can't be her friend."
(Colin's better than Pansy.) Harry's Occlumency hid his disdain.
"No blood-based bias? Very Gryffindor," Galfgarion said.
"No, I just don't want to stand out. Slytherin logic, right?" Harry corrected.
Galfgarion sighed. "Treating everyone kindly has limits. Your body's only one."
He explained Slytherins prioritize their own, drawing lines to cope. "Most protect their circle without sacrifice. Understand Pansy's mindset."
"No such convenience exists," Harry argued.
"Exactly," Galfgarion laughed, handing Harry second-year past papers. "It's built on forcing sacrifice on others—like you. Slytherins don't want you to be that sacrifice. You're one of us. Sometimes, prioritize yourself, even over Gryffindor friends."
Harry took the papers, thinking, (I can't sacrifice friends like Ron.) Galfgarion and Percy wouldn't either. Their influence shaped Harry. As long as he sacrificed for others, he'd remain Slytherin's lion.
At the year-end feast, Dumbledore awarded 20 points each to Zabini, Azrael, and Farkas for friendship. "This year, the Heir of Slytherin brought terror, but he was defeated, and Hogwarts' darkness lifted. I commend Percy Weasley."
Percy stood, grimacing. "He broke prefect rules, facing punishment, but showed juniors mistakes are human. His great error was heroic."
(Really?) Harry thought, shocked at Percy's rigidity.
"For defying darkness and protecting juniors with skill and effort, Gryffindor gains 200 points!" Dumbledore said.
Gryffindor roared, tying Slytherin for first. Percy, sour-faced, was mobbed.
"Courage is hard to sustain," Dumbledore continued. "True bravery isn't always loud. Wisdom against evil is courage. For Ravenclaw's cunning and Gryffindor-like bravery, Luna Lovegood earns 200 points!"
Harry, Banagher, Ron, Hermione, and Percy clapped, but Ravenclaws were stunned, doubting Luna's feat.
"For Ron Weasley," Dumbledore said.
(Here it comes!) Harry grinned.
"Doubt and malice spread this year, exploiting weakness. Ron's trust in friends overcame it. For his loyalty and destroying the dark artifact, Gryffindor gains 200 points!"
Gryffindor exploded, taking the lead. Ron, red-faced, was tousled by Fred and George. Harry and Zabini laughed.
"Lastly, one student," Dumbledore said. Slytherin tensed. "We adults failed. Lockhart, meant to face the Heir, attacked students. One boy stopped him, protected friends, and risked himself to save victims."
Screams rose from Lockhart's rare fans. Kingsley listened intently.
"For his spirit and protecting friends, Harry Potter earns 200 points!"
Slytherin and Gryffindor tied for the Cup. Zabini and Azrael tackled Harry. Dumbledore's gleaming eyes unnerved him. (Feels like his plan…)
Sharing pudding with Farkas, Harry watched Dumbledore struggle with Hagrid's rock cake, looking like a silly old man—yet unfathomable.
In the Headmaster's office, Kingsley faced Dumbledore, praised for his teaching. Dumbledore's phoenix eyed him, nearing its burning day.
"Good tales for Mad-Eye. Hogwarts nurtures fine talent," Kingsley said.
"Stay another year," Dumbledore urged.
"I'm an Auror, not a teacher," Kingsley declined. Diligent, he fixed teaching flaws and respected colleagues, save one.
"I wish you success at the Ministry," Dumbledore said.
"I pray Hogwarts stays safe," Kingsley replied.
Dumbledore asked, "Your view on Harry Potter and Percy Weasley, as a defense expert?"
Snape had warned Kingsley of Harry's rule-breaking and dark magic. "I didn't focus on them or know them pre-incident. Snape or McGonagall know their personalities better," Kingsley said, then added, "Ron's stable, unremarkable."
"His ordinariness is his strength," Dumbledore said. "Ordinary people crave heroics in crises but live simply otherwise. Ron's exceptional in that."
"Mad-Eye would envy him," Kingsley said, pitying Ron's label.
"True ordinariness embraces happiness," Dumbledore mused.
On Luna: "Her odd behavior suggests counseling," Kingsley said.
"She's always been quirky, per Flitwick," Dumbledore replied.
"Why did a Ravenclaw pull Gryffindor's sword?" Kingsley asked.
"The Hat values desire. Luna chose Ravenclaw's wisdom but acted bravely, aiding Slytherin and Gryffindor. The Hat saw her courage," Dumbledore said.
"Did you rig it?" Kingsley pressed.
"The Hat's beyond my tricks," Dumbledore chuckled. "Children surpass our rigid expectations."
Kingsley nodded, moving to Percy. "He's neurotic but excelled. The incident hit him hard—a setback for a flawless youth."
"Perfectionists crumble when facing flaws," Dumbledore said. "They struggle to rely on others."
Kingsley, once similar, agreed silently. "He'll overcome, with his pure love for family," Dumbledore added.
"McGonagall won't let talent die," Dumbledore said.
On Harry: "He's knowledge-hungry, improved by experience," Kingsley said.
"He's always been driven," Dumbledore noted, eyes sharp. "Did he seek dark magic?"
"No," Kingsley said.
"You're wary of him. He seems stable, given his ordeal," Kingsley said.
"Seeking power in crises is human, especially after facing a Basilisk," Dumbledore said. "Even Mad-Eye would hesitate. Any means are justified."
"But dark magic fuels malice, promising ruin for the unprepared. We must guard Potter," Dumbledore warned.
Kingsley closed his eyes, hiding his thoughts. "Why not teach him to control dark magic, not shun it?" he suggested.
"No. No heroes exist in darkness," Dumbledore rejected.
Kingsley saw Dumbledore as a teacher, not a politician. Leaving, he watched Harry, in green robes, wave with friends in red and crimson. Kingsley flew off on his broom.
Chamber of Secrets ends. Next: The Lost Relics of Time, not Prisoner of Azkaban.
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