25 Halloween

Luna and I had fun inside the Room. I taught her lots of magic that she may find useful, and it was a surprise she was actually a talented witch. She absorbed my lessons like a sponge and the practical lessons are like a breeze for her. I haven't seen her skills that much in the books and I only knew her as an able magician, but not on this level. She was talented in battle transfiguration which requires a lot of creativity, and she has a lot of it. The way of her thinking is so unorthodox and unpredictable, just like her nature. We began our time in the Room in learning spells. Then, after a week of studying, I introduced her to my way of training myself, bludgers.

It was hard for her at first since it's hard to predict where bludgers will move, but she finished the course before the week ended. It was our third week when she reached the level of battling three bludgers. I still try to expand her knowledge about spells since it will be a useful card for her when she duels. She can use it to her advantage and surprise people. We even duel sometimes when she asks, and we both learned a lot from that. I mostly use charms, curses, jinxes, and hexes when dueling, and learning from her just opened new possibilities for me. It's also helpful that I have Professor McGonagall's book with me. There's also my tutor sessions with Professor Flitwick, and boy was that very helpful. Learning from the champion himself has never been more productive. He said that my reactions and speed are more than acceptable, but my footwork and spellcasting needs more work. I told him I read dueling books a little, and he was very proud of me. My time with him became easier since he went into the practical approach. I was already at the level of an amateur by the end of our second week. I even do mock battles with him, and I admit I feel a bit of frustration when fighting him. Even with my chain casting, he was able to dodge, sorry, and block them all. Although he was quite surprised that I know chain casting. I promise I'll get there soon enough and defeat the professor eventually.

We even meet in the Ravenclaw common room so I can teach her more. It seems that aside from magical creatures, she likes transfiguration a lot. She said she finds it fascinating to turn objects into other things. I find it actually fun that she's not the only one learning. From her skills alone, I know I still have much to work on.

It was one evening just before the feast. We were going down from the Room to attend the Halloween celebration when we found the golden trio standing in a corridor with the floor flooded with water. They looked shocked and horrified as they stare at the wall. When we approached them, we both saw the familiar message written on the wall in red paint.

"The chamber of secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware."

I read as I stared at the three.

"So any of you knows what's going on here?"

I pretended to ask as I saw Mrs. Norris hanging on a torch. I have a decent relationship with Mr. Filch, so I removed her from being hanged. She felt like a stone and even her fur was very hard. If I didn't know, she would look like a replica.

"She's been petrified. Even the nargles are not approaching her." Luna just said. The three just stared at her like what she said was just ridiculous.

"I-it was not us! I swear!" Harry hastily said. Anyone would definitely find them suspicious because they were the first ones here. Although it would also apply to us as well because the others will find us with them.

"I know Potter. Petrification is a very advanced level spell, and a simple Finite will not be enough for this kind." I explained as I touched Mrs. Norris's fur again.

"Where were you then, Fred?" Hermione asked.

"If you're suspicious of me, then don't bother. I was with Luna here studying." I explained.

"I bet you two were snogging," Ron smirked. I will just pretend I didn't hear that. Luna is too innocent for that, and I won't be doing any of that with an 11-year-old. It's just wrong on many levels.

It was then that the others arrived. The house of Slytherin and Mr. Filch seeing me holding his cat.

"What's happening here, boy?" The caretaker said. It was then when he saw Mrs. Norris that he felt rage.

"What did you do to her!?" He held my shoulders and shook me.

"Mr. Filch, I didn't do anything to Mrs. Norris. I actually saw her petrified hanging on the torch, so I brought her down." I explained calmly. He knows that I don't hold a grudge against Mrs. Norris, so I hope he won't be angry at me. Even as a prank, this is just going overboard. He can't find one to blame as he just hugged his cat and wept.

Eventually, the professors arrived with the other students in tow. They all saw the message on the wall and ordered to go back to their dormitories. Well except me, Luna, and the other three. Gilderoy being a show-off he is, offered to use his office since it was the nearest place from here.

"I-is she dead?" A sobbing Mr. Filch asked.

"She's not dead, Argus. She has been petrified. A potion made of mandrakes from Professor Sprout will be enough to cure her." Dumbledore said as he turned to Professor Sprout. Mr. Filch looked hopeful at that.

"I'm afraid the potion won't be brewed eight away, Albus. The mandrakes take time to grow and can only be harvested by December. We can only take Mrs. Norris to Madam Pomfrey until the cure was made." Professor Sprout sadly said. Mr.Filch then turned to us all.

"I'm watching all of you." He said before leaving. The trio looked scared at that.

"Now as for you five, what were you doing there?" Professor McGonagall interrogated while eyeing all of us.

"I must say I'm responsible for Mr. Potter ending up there Professor. He spent his detention with me in my office until the feast started, and I saw his friends leaving with him from my office." Gilderoy explained. Then the others turned to me, expecting an answer and alibi.

"I'm with Luna here studying Professor. It was almost time for the feast, so we left for the great hall." I explained. Luna spoke her piece too and managed to convince them without telling about the Room. Snape was different though. He looked at me suspiciously as I tell them my alibi. Sure, I lied at some parts but we're not the culprits, I swear!

"Very well. Now go back to your houses and sleep. You can continue enjoying the food from the feast there." Professor Flitwick spoke as he shooed us away. I'll have to change some plans too. It all went down the drain the day Luna found me, so I have to find a way to bring her with me without getting noticed. It was problematic that I'll have to show her my project too. I haven't work on my flying skills at all since the day Luna decided to go together with me, and I can't keep delaying my projects. I guess I have no choice then. Tonight though, I won't bring Luna with me. She should be busy or sleeping right now. With the danger of the basilisk roaming around the school, that should stop her from sneaking for a moment.

I waited for all the students to go back to their rooms before I went outside the dorm. The whole atmosphere was less lively compared to the great hall because of the incident. Still, they decided to enjoy the day since Halloween was also the day that Voldemort's war ended.

When night fell and everyone else went to sleep, I quickly went outside the dorm straight to the Room of Requirement. I quickly stepped inside and continued working on my project. My flight is almost ready, and I'm getting excited when I can actually use it. I drifted through the air and started to fly. I even practiced going full speed and doing maneuvers and hard turns. It took me 4 hours to nearly master the skill if only my mind can keep up with the stress. My mind arts training is a big help for that too. The mind pressure is slowly decreasing from painful to bearable. Satisfied with my progress, I went outside the Room just to find the Headmaster waiting for me.

'Fuck me.' I thought. I didn't really think that Dumbledore would know about this room. What am I even thinking? He's the Headmaster for Merlin's sake. Of course, he knows every corner of the school. I should've called Logan from his hunt to fetch me.

"I see you found the joys of this room Frederick." The Headmaster said with a grandfatherly smile.

"Good evening Headmaster. It's a surprise seeing you here." I sheepishly said. Of course you idiot! It's a goddamn surprise seeing Dumbledore here!

I calmed my anxious mind down with my Occlumency. The Headmaster decided to speak again while I'm sorting out my emotions.

"This room is a gift for students, this one. Imagine my surprise when I first found it. A room that gives you whatever you require it." Dumbledore chuckled while stroking his beard. He must be reminiscing his time in Hogwarts as a student.

"Yes, Headmaster. It's actually a wonder how the founders built this room. It took quite a time researching, but it is said that this used to be Ravenclaw's personal laboratory. " I explained.

"Truly knowledge knows no bounds. With Ravenclaw's belief that knowledge is the greatest treasure one can find, her curiosity led her to great heights. Tell me, how did you find this room?" He asked.

"I actually wanted a room that I can study besides the library and the common room. So I decided to search the castle for one. I wanted a room that I can use for myself. So the castle gave me one." I said.

"This must be the reason you're ahead of your peers. Some spells are very volatile and dangerous, and you'll need someone to supervise you. But with someone of your talent and heritage, I know you'll be fine. Still, do be careful Frederick." He said as I went outside the room.

"I'll keep that in mind Headmaster," I spoke.

"Help will always be given at Hogwarts..." Dumbledore said.

"To those who ask for it." I finished and he chuckled.

"Now, go to bed young man. Even if I'm an old man, I am still a person with authority here." Dumbledore said. Yeah, an old man but can casually play with Voldemort. An old man he said.

"Yes, Headmaster," I said as I went away. I was flying on the ceiling on my way to the dorm since that way was easier to sneak. The ceiling was also high enough to not be reached by the torches. No one even bothers to look up.

Dumbledore already knew where I keep disappearing to. I even bet he was ordering the elves to watch over me. I already told him I won't be following my grandfather's footsteps, but one can only wonder what the future may hold.

The next few days after that, the students' moods became gloomy. They can't even go to other parts of the castle alone. Who knows who could be the next target. It even became more depressing when the students heard about the legend of the Chamber of Secrets. The muggleborns were most frightened at that. They seemed more scared to go alone, so they mostly stayed inside the dorms after classes.

It went like that until Gilderoy made an announcement that at least lifted the atmosphere up. Dumbledore permitted him to make his own dueling club, and Flitwick immediately offered to be the supervisor after Lockhart as soon as he heard it. After all, Lockhart is the DADA Professor and the club technically belongs to him. But Flitwick's reputation as a dueling champion backed him up and Lockhart agreed with him.

"Gather around! Can everybody see me? Can you all hear me?" Gilderoy said in his usual narcissistic voice. Students quickly followed him and assembled around the dueling stage in the center of the hall. Unlike in movies, there were more stages set up so other students could practice dueling while the teachers supervise them. The students were more determined since the attacks began. They all are eager to learn protective magic to defend themselves.

"In light of dark events in recent weeks, Professor Dumbledor has granted me permission to start this little dueling club. To train you all up, in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself has done on countless occasions. For full details, see my published works." He said as he took off his cloak and threw it to his admiring fans, generating shrieks and shouts from those eager to get his cloak.

"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Flitwick." He took again as the short professor stepped up the stage. He may look small, but he was a demon while fighting. People won't help but underestimate him, and they'll be proved wrong, harshly.

"He asked me to assist in doing this club. Since he is a dueling champion himself, I wholeheartedly agreed. You may witness the best battle you'll ever see as two legendary men dance in the art of dueling." The man said in his narcissistic voice again. They did the wizarding bow for dueling before going to their positions. After a count of three, everything just went fast as the short professor rained down different spells to Lockheart. He flew across the room before quickly got up. The students were amazed knowing that the Ravenclaw head was actually a champion and his prowess in his art. After a short demonstration, he taught us how to block and parry spells. They also made other students duel on the other stage, with both of them supervising them all.

After some time, the two teachers had two volunteers go up the stage. Professor didn't pick me though since I'm already more advanced than the other students. It would be overkill. Lockheart called Harry Potter to be a volunteer, and Professor Flitwick called someone in Hufflepuff. I can say Harry was actually decent in dueling. If only not all of his attention were in Quidditch.

Flitwick didn't make me fight the other students. Instead, he let me fight him, again. I don't know if I will go all out here, but I'm sure Professor knows what to do.

"Shall I treat this as our usual lesson, Professor?" I said as we met on the stage while doing the wizard bow.

"Of course, Mr. Frederick. We're all here to learn." The short professor smiled.

When we reached our positions, we took our usual stance and counted. Even the other students were watching now.

Lockheart counted to three until our battle began again. I tried poking the Professor to check his defenses, but it seems he noticed. He deflected my spells back to me, which I immediately parried before delivering more.

'Petrificus Totalus'

'Stupefy'

'Incarcerous'

'Rictumsempra'

I never noticed I am casting non-verbally, so I just continued fighting him. I specialized in curses and hexes, so I capitalized on it. There's a little transfiguration too and conjuration as chunks of rock were used to block spells. After a few more hexes, I saw an opening and abused the hell of it. I first did a few stunning and movement restriction spells to hinder the professor before chain casting. The professor proved to be a monster as he immediately blocked and deflected them all. He quickly retaliated with a chain casting of his own. The only difference was that he didn't use too much movement in his wand, so the spells were cast very rapidly. I was barely able to keep up until a banishing charm knocked me off my feet. The battle ended with a quick Experlliarmus from the short Professor. I didn't know that all of the students, even Lockhart, were all watching me and Professor Flitwick. Our duel caught the whole attention of the club. I even noticed that the other professors and Dumbledore himself was watching. It's a weekend after all, and there are no classes for the day.

All of the students, especially first years, were in awe of our fight. They never realized that magic can be used to such extent. The room was filled with colors of every spell that came out of our wands. They all dreamed to be able to cast spells like a true duelist. Of course, I lost to the Dueling Champion, but it only made me more determined to beat him. I even saw Cho within the crowd, so I just smirked at her. She knew I became a sort of apprentice under Professor Flitwick, but she's still amazed at how far I've become.

"Thank you for the battle Professor, you surely are a beast." I thanked the half-goblin.

"You are actually quite talented yourself young Fred. I may even think you will eventually surpass me." He chuckled.

With another wizard bow as a sign of sportsmanship, I stepped down the stage. It was quite amusing seeing the students unconsciously make way for me while staring. Like how Moses divided the sea as I passed through. I have already established myself as the Ravenclaw with the highest grade just below Hermione. But now, I surely made a reputation of being the only student that can battle the Duelling Champion himself.

"You looked awesome back there." Cho praised.

"Professor Flitwick was surely quick in his spells. I was overwhelmed." I shrugged.

"That's to be expected. He's the Dueling Champion." Cho continued.

"You had your battle yet?" As soon as I asked her that, she was called to step on the stage. She was faced with a Gryffindor. In the end, she won by having more knowledge about spells. The Gryffindor just charged and continuously chanted the same spells. Must be because those are the only ones he knew. The other students were practicing blocks and basic footwork like what Professor Flitwick instructed. It's quite disappointing that there was no dueling club in the school. Students didn't have any experience in battle magic. You can only grasp the subject in DADA. Not that it was very helpful, of course. During my stay here, we only studied the book. I hope Lupin was the same as in the books. He was the most competent teacher that taught DADA in Harry's time in the school.

During the club activity, everyone was paired with different people to practice dueling. I was practiced with different people too. But they were intimidated by me because of my fight with Professor Flitwick, so I just gave them a wizard's pride by not going easy on them. I was not ruthless when I fought them, but I'm not exactly quite merciful either. Still, many people get scared whenever they are faced with me. Things were becoming lively as students get livelier by learning the art of dueling. Unfortunately, all things must come to an end as the session of the Duelling club finished. The students were not happy at that too since the club turned out to be very fun for all of us here. Before the end though, both Professors instructed the students that no dueling shall be done inside the school premises without a teacher, or a prefect supervising them. If conflicts can only be solved by dueling, they should ask a staff's permission to oversee them. Anyone who does not abide by the rules shall be kicked out of the club and shall never have its privileges again.

The club ended as every student went back to their dorms. the great hall was mostly empty when Daphne talked to me.

"Hey, Daph. Good to see you here." I said as she watched me.

"Hi, Fred. You looked quite cool there with Professor Flitwick. How are you so good at dueling?" She asked.

"It's because of Professor Flitwick. I aced his charm class so I had the privilege to study with him." I shrugged. Me having my own private lessons with Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick was already known across the students. I didn't like having a private lesson with Gilderoy and spend the whole time answering his fan mails, so I didn't try doing good in his class.

"I really need to pay more attention to class then. Maybe have Professor Flitwick another student study with him?" She sighed, but there's a fire lit in her eyes. She must really like the lessons back in the club.

"Well, I wish you good luck then. I hope you can join me soon too." I said as I walked away, but Daphne stopped me.

"Wait. Here's the invitation to Mom's birthday. The party will be held next month during Winter break. I hope I see you there." She said as she handed me a white envelope with a seal of Greengrass family insignia.

"Thank you, Daphne. I'll see you there." I smiled as I continued walking.

I have nothing to do except improve myself during my stay in Hogwarts. I can only work on my plans once I am an adult, so I am stuck here doing nothing for two more years. Grandfather and I have long since talked about it, and he's having me take over his properties so he can test me as a proper heir. Once I proved myself worthy, he will pass the position as Head of the House to me.

'There's two more years until I can put everything to motion. For now I can only play the waiting game and improve myself.'

I thought as I went back to the Room and finish my projects. My flight will be ready soon.