The Dark Apprentice Chapter 52

Chapter 52 Almost two months passed in a blur at Hogwarts and the second task of the tournament was nearly upon them.  The preparation for t

Chapter 52

Almost two months passed in a blur at Hogwarts and the second task of the tournament was nearly upon them.  The preparation for the task had been all too easy for Harry after he cracked the clue.  The options to breathe underwater for an hour were practically endless, and diving into human transfiguration was an interesting rabbit hole for him to dive down in, along with simpler options like the Bubble Head charm.  Barty had even suggested a less common magical herb called Gillyweed, but Harry had side-stepped it due to the debates of its effect in salt water vs fresh water.

The second part was a little more difficult in deciphering what exactly the Tournament officials might take from him.  Knowing that most of his things were protected by Parselmagic, and that it would take more than a small piece of magic, that would certainly notify him, if any attempted to break in, he ultimately settled on the idea that they may take a person.

The number of people at Hogwarts that he would sorely miss were very few, but Harry suspected his date to Yule Ball would be the likely target.  Of course, when Harry had mentioned this to Tracey, to warn her, she had the most amused grin, and had harassed him endlessly about the matter, to the point he threatened to let her drown.

When the amusement died down, she simply asked him if he had a plan, and he assured her that he had many.  The tasks would be more about speed than magical capabilities.  He had even gone diving with Sesha in the early hours of the morning.  They had avoided the Merfolk, due to rumors of Dumbledore being able to speak the language, but regardless Harry had mentally mapped a large portion of the lake, and could easily find Tracey when the time came.

Following the completion of the intricate ritual performed by Harry's closest friends, a noticeable acceleration in their magical development became apparent. Recognizing the amount of magic they had channeled, the young wizard wisely allowed his friends a three-day period of recuperation to fully absorb the residual magical effects and restore their personal reserves. Subsequently, demonstrating a thoughtful and individualized approach to their continued instruction, Harry commenced intensive one-on-one training sessions, meticulously tailoring each encounter to capitalize on their respective areas of magical aptitude and inherent strengths. This focused strategy aimed to refine their existing skills and propel them towards greater skills in their best magical subjects.

For Blaise, this was the Mind Art.  While nowhere nearly as gifted as Harry, the dark skinned teen was now able to resist his friend a little better with Occlumency. These defenses, while not impenetrable, now offered a measure of resistance against intrusions into his thoughts. Blaise harbored a growing confidence that he could effectively ward off the mental probes of less skilled individuals. 

Beyond the development of his Occlumency, Blaise had also experienced a notable enhancement in his reflexes. This newfound agility was increasingly evident in his practice duels with Tracey and Daphne, transforming their sparring sessions into more exciting encounters for Harry to observe. The dynamic of these duels had shifted, reflecting Blaise's burgeoning abilities and hinting at the further development of his magical prowess.  Harry had even noted that Blaise’s curses were becoming more effective, and seemed to take less energy to cast than before.

Daphne had demonstrably elevated her command over elemental spells. The subtle nuances and raw power she now wielded were a stark contrast to their earlier sparring sessions. During their more recent practice duels, Harry found himself increasingly challenged by her enhanced abilities. Daphne's fire spells, once easily countered or deflected, now blazed with an intensity that necessitated the deployment of some of Harry's more potent protective enchantments to avoid being severely burned. Similarly, her ice magic had reached a formidable level. Harry could no longer afford any lapse in concentration, as the Ice Queen's most powerful conjurations threatened to impale him with razor-sharp projectiles of frozen water, a truly unwelcome prospect. These intensified elemental attacks forced Harry to delve deeper into his own magical reserves, compelling him to utilize spells he might otherwise have reserved for more serious confrontations. The shift in Daphne's magical strength had transformed their practice duels from relatively straightforward exercises into demanding and engaging tests of skill for both of them.  Something Harry was very pleased about.

Above them both however, was Tracey.  Harry couldn't help but reflect on the remarkable transformation she had undergone since the ritual. While Tracey had never been particularly reserved, the change in her went far beyond mere extroversion. Her burgeoning talent in Transfiguration had blossomed into a truly formidable skill, a fact her peers were increasingly discovering in duels. But the transformation was more profound than just magical prowess.

Tracey now carried herself with a noticeable confidence, her head held high, and a distinct sparkle in her eyes. The once unassuming girl Harry had befriended just a year prior was evolving into someone altogether more compelling. There was an undeniable aura of self-assuredness that radiated from her, a quiet strength that hinted at the inner growth she had experienced. It was as though the ritual had not only amplified her magical abilities but had also unlocked a deeper sense of self, allowing her inherent potential to finally shine through. 

It was in these strengths that Harry’s attraction to the girl grew.  She pushed herself harder than the others.  From practically day one, Tracey had committed herself to learning as much as Harry could teach her.  Each adjustment she made, only made her more hungry to be that much better.  

The transformation in Tracey had not gone unnoticed by her fellow Slytherins. Previously, she had been a peripheral figure within the house, largely ignored or dismissed due to her half-blood status. However, her burgeoning confidence had thrust her into a new light. This newfound confidence was intrinsically linked to her constant presence beside Harry. She would often engage him in fervent discussions, relentlessly posing insightful questions about magical concepts that stretched far beyond the understanding of most of their housemates. Her eagerness to learn and her intellectual curiosity was palpable, and her persistent inquiries of Harry revealed a sharp mind previously underestimated by her peers. This close association with Harry, coupled with her intellectual vibrancy, had begun to shift the perceptions of Tracey within Slytherin house, prompting a reevaluation of the girl who had once merely fished for house gossip.

Even Harry, who possessed a keen understanding of magical talent and a history of surprising his own teachers, found himself impressed by Tracey’s rapid progress. Standing in the dimly lit Undercroft, he watched her duel with Blaise, a subtle grin of appreciation forming on his lips. It was only a matter of days prior that he had begun to impart the foundational principles of conjuration to her, patiently explaining the delicate balance of intent and willpower required to bring forth something from nothing. Now, witnessing her apply these nascent skills in a live duel was remarkable.

Tracey’s approach was not merely rote application; she demonstrated a creative and intuitive understanding of the magic. She conjured various forms with a flick of her wand, and then, with equally swift and precise transfigurations, she adapted these conjurations on the fly, keeping Blaise constantly on the defensive. A conjured shield would morph into a restraining vine, a simple orb of light would become a distracting flurry of sparks. Blaise, a capable duelist in his own right, found himself continually reacting to Tracey’s unpredictable and imaginative offense, struggling to gain the upper hand against her unexpected versatility. Harry observed the flow of the duel with a critical eye, noting Tracey’s confident stance, the focused determination in her eyes, and the fluid movements of her wand. Her creativity, combined with an almost voracious appetite for learning, was clearly manifesting in her magical development at an astonishing rate. The duel served as a tangible testament to her dedication and her natural aptitude for magic, exceeding even Harry's initial optimistic expectations.

Daphne at his side muttered, “She’s going to beat him.  I can’t believe it.”

Harry perceived the profound disbelief etched on her face, a reaction that transcended mere surprise at the impending defeat of Blaise by her best friend. What truly resonated in her gaze was the dawning realization that the established hierarchy between her and Tracey was rapidly eroding with each passing day. The dynamic between Blaise and Daphne had always been one of competitive parity, a nuanced rivalry where both acknowledged Daphne's superior skill, yet the margins remained slim. Tracey's potential victory over Blaise signaled a seismic shift, implying that it was no longer a question of if, but when, Tracey would surpass Daphne as well. This looming prospect hung heavy in the air, a tangible testament to Tracey's accelerating progress and the narrowing gap in their magical abilities.

Before Harry could add his thoughts, Tracey summoned one of her conjurations from behind Blaise knocking him forward, and slightly off balance, while simultaneously tagging him with the binding curse.  A disarming spell followed quickly, and Tracey screamed with excitement.

Harry and Daphne immediately began applauding the girl, but Harry was much more enthusiastic.  As he approached the girl, before he could offer his congratulations she had grabbed him by the front of his robes, and placed a fast kiss on his lips.  Temporarily stunned, Harry blinked a few times, while Daphne walked past them grunting, “Get a room!”

Tracey laughed and immediately apologized, “Sorry, Daph.  It’s just nice to finally beat one of you!”

Harry grinned at the girl, but peered over her shoulder, as Daphne approached their fallen, disarmed friend, and revived him with two easy non-verbal flicks of her wand.  Blaise groaned as he took Daphne’s offered hand to help him up, and Harry turned his attention back to Tracey, “I can’t believe you managed to get the conjurations down so fast.  That was really well done.  I definitely wasn’t expecting to see that, and I don’t think Blaise was either.”

“It caught me off guard right out of the gate.” Blaise offered as he approached the two.

“Daphne you wanna go?” Tracey asked excitedly.

“I don’t think my pride can take it today.” Daphne countered with a forced smile.

Harry snorted at this, but said nothing, as Tracey turned to him, “How about you, Harry?”

Blaise rolled his eyes, “She gets one victory and thinks she is ready to take on the world.”

“He could use a good warmup before the task tomorrow!” Tracey defended, her cheeks reddening slightly.

“I promised Astoria I would have lunch with her in a bit.  I shouldn’t linger.” Daphne said dismissively, “But you two knock yourselves out.”

Blaise agreed, “I think I need some lunch and a nap after that too.  We can all catch up in the common room tonight.”

Harry shrugged, looking at Tracey’s hopeful eyes, before giving in easily, “Okay, you’re right.  A little warmup and some practice wouldn’t hurt.”

Tracey squealed as she surged across the room, with her wand in hand.  Harry turned to face his two friends, Blaise who was offering him a subtle grin, while Daphne offered him a blank look.  Shrugging he said, “Catch up with you lot later.”

Daphne looked like she wanted to say something, but Blaise beat her to it, “Enjoy getting all hot and heavy with your girlfriend, Harry.”

The green-eyed both felt warmth rise up to his cheeks rapidly, and muttered, ‘Piss off’, as he turned back to face Tracey.

Since the Ball, Harry and Tracey had navigated the territory of their burgeoning connection without explicitly defining it. Their interactions, however, spoke volumes. Stolen moments blossomed into shared laughter and lingering gazes. A considerable number of kisses had been exchanged, each one a silent affirmation of their growing affection. It became a familiar sight within the dungeons to see them together. When Harry wasn't engrossed in the demand of his advanced studies, he was invariably in Tracey's company.

The unspoken nature of their relationship hadn't prevented their peers from drawing their own conclusions. The general consensus amongst their classmates and acquaintances was that Harry and Tracey were, in all but official terms, a couple. This assumption permeated the social fabric of their school life. Whenever a curious or perhaps merely gossipy student broached the subject, inquiring about the status of their relationship, neither Harry nor Tracey offered a direct answer.

Harry didn’t know what was stopping him from asking Tracey to be his girlfriend, but he was grateful the girl had not pressured him. He was about as inexperienced as they came in matters such as this, and he appreciated her allowing their connection to unfold at its own pace, unburdened by labels of outside pressure. Their shared moments and quiet understanding seemed to speak a language more profound than any formal declaration.

There was also the matter of Tom.  Harry knew his mentor would give him a hard time about the girl, but as she grew more and more talented the teen hoped Tom might approve or at least, not protest.

A subtle undercurrent of anxiety persisted, a nagging worry that Tom might object to any romantic entanglements Harry might form during his time at Hogwarts. The most concerning scenario was the possibility of an outright prohibition, Tom potentially forbidding Harry from pursuing any such relationships. His reasoning, Harry feared, would center on the belief that romantic involvement would inevitably serve as a distraction, diverting Harry's focus and hindering his progress toward achieving his full potential. This apprehension cast a shadow over the prospect of forming a defined connection, a concern that Tom's ambition for Harry's magical development would overshadow any personal happiness or growth derived from these relationships.

Harry knew that Tom had given him many chances to just be a teenager and enjoy the magical world, but the teen also realized that his mentor's patience had a thin limit, and he may be approaching it.

Shaking these thoughts away he drew his wand, and stood across from Tracey who was bouncing on the balls of her feet in preparation.  Enjoying the moment that was soon to come, Harry offered the girl a smile, “I’ll give you three spells to take me down, and I won’t use my wand.  Then I will allow you three more spells where I can only defend.  After that…I’m coming for you.”

Tracey didn’t bat an eyelash as she said with a wicked smile, “That’s my favorite part.”

Harry blinked, and felt his brain short circuit, and in this time Tracey snapped her wand forward sending a stunning spell right at his chest.  He was so caught off guard, she almost took him out with the first spell, but after dancing with Tom in the dueling world for so long, he managed to shift his body just enough for the spell to go past him.  The next two spells followed just as quickly, but Harry wandlessly summoned two of Tracey’s rock conurations from the earlier duel to deflect both spells.

Tracey, however, pressed her advantage. Her wand moved with a practiced flourish, tracing a rapid, intricate pattern in the air. A faint tingling sensation prickled at the back of Harry's neck, a familiar feeling honed by the magic of previous rituals. This nascent sixth sense flared, warning him of an imminent magical effect. Reacting instinctively to the subtle shift in the atmosphere, Harry executed a swift jump, narrowly clearing a length of thick rope that had materialized seemingly from thin air behind him, expertly conjured and flicked towards his ankles by Tracey's precise transfiguration.  

Unfortunately for Tracey the next two spells were designed to incapacitate him, and he absorbed them both with a simple shield, before shaking his head and taunted the girl, “Now, now, that wasn’t very nice.”

“It almost worked.” Tracey grunted, and widened her stance in preparation for what was to come.

“Nearly.” Harry agreed, “Now prep-”

Before he could finish his words, Tracey transfigured pieces of debris in front of her, and sent them hurling towards Harry in the form of rocks.  With ease however, Harry pointed his wand forward and dissolved the magic, before he began peppering the girl with a few incapacitating charms at a time.  

The rhythm he created did not allow her to launch even a bit of offensive magic in return.  Instead he gradually picked up the pace of his spells as he walked towards her.  To her credit she held for nearly a dozen spells, before his speed overwhelmed her.  Her wand went flying, but for Harry that wasn’t the end.  Using a spell straight from Tom’s personal notes, he surged forward with supernatural speed, and placed a gentle hand on her throat.

Tracey’s eyes widened, as she realized Harry had covered 20 feet in less than a second, and had literally blurred before her eyes, before she was disarmed, and now being held by the throat.  Even with no pressure behind the grip, Tracey was dumbfounded.

“My mentor did this to me once. Last summer.” Harry said with a grin, “Terrifying isn’t it?”

“Not quite the word I would use.” Tracey said with a tone Harry didn’t quite recognize..

Releasing her, Harry took a step back from the girl's personal space, and summoned her wand.  The wand was mahogany, sleek and right at eleven inches.  It felt perfectly balanced in his hand, but the magic felt temperamental in his own hand.  Offering it to the girl he offered a smile, avoiding the previous topic, “You are doing really well.  A lot has changed since we did the ritual.”

Tracey nodded, clearly not at all deterred by her defeat, “It’s like something inside me that has always been there is awake.  I feel it all the time, and I have like…an understanding of it now. I don’t know how to really explain it.”

“You don’t need to.” Harry assured her, “I understand.  It was the same for me.  The ritual changed me, and I think for the better.”

Tracey offered Harry a soft smile, her eyes conveying a silent appreciation of the complex emotions swirling within them. With a gentle movement, she wrapped her arm through his, her touch a comforting anchor in the echoing silence of the Undercroft. Together, they began their slow, deliberate progress towards the hidden exit. The necessity for caution weighed on them, a familiar constraint in their unconventional training area. Each footfall was measured, each shadow scrutinized, yet despite the inherent risk, Harry felt a measure of confidence that they would slip away unnoticed by the rest of the students.

The preceding two months had fostered a deeper connection between them. The initial awkwardness and lingering tensions had gradually dissipated, replaced by an unspoken camaraderie and a comfortable familiarity. However, the tranquility of this particular silence, imbued with the quiet intimacy of their shared moment, was destined to be fleeting, a brief respite.

Before they exited the Undercroft, the grip Tracey had on Harry’s arm tightened, and he glanced at his companion silently, who now had a nervous expression on her face.  Deciding to take the initiative he nervously asked, “What’s on your mind, Trace?”

The softly spoken  nickname he rarely used on the girl, seemed to give her the strength she needed to pose the question, “I’ve been thinking a lot about this over the last few weeks, but I didn’t really know how to go about it.”

Harry felt his stomach churn slightly, as butterflies appeared in his stomach.  The distinct feeling that she was about to ask about their budding relationship formed, and instead of making a fool of himself, he merely said, “We’ve become more than just simple friends or allies in the last few months.  You don’t need to walk on eggshells.  Ask me what you need too.”

“It’s just that…” She paused, trailing off with uncertainty, biting her lip, looking more nervous than he had ever seen her.  Before he could offer any more words of encouragement however, she managed to get it out, “I was wondering if you would teach me another ritual?”

Harry’s eyes widened at the unexpected question.  Of all the possible things he thought she might ask, this was definitely not it.  Instead of frowning however, he furrowed his eyebrows in thought contemplating the consequences of such an action, “You want to do another one?”

“One that will continue to help me grow.” Tracey said with a bit of excitement, or maybe reverence in her voice, “The last one helped me so much, and I think more would just make me even better.”

Harry thought over the question and her answer.  On one hand he was excited by the prospect of another his age delving into similar magic that he had.  It would be a way to test just how much of an effect it had on his magic vs others.  In a way it would tell him if he was truly special, or if it was only the effects of the ritual that was making him so formidable.  On the other he knew that the next few rituals he had either conducted, or the one he was currently learning was incredibly dark magic.

Seeming to sense his hesitance she asked softly, “I just want to be more like you, Harry.”

Taking a deep breath, Harry released a sigh, “I respect that.  My mentor wanted the same for me, and he pushed me…I wish I had an easy answer for you, but…”

Not knowing what to say, Harry trailed off, but Tracey seemed to sense the unspoken words, and asked quietly, as if she was afraid to be overheard, “But, it's’ dark magic isn’t it?”

Their eyes met, and Harry stared deeply into her chocolate brown eyes, that seemed to hold a soft glow ever since the ritual.  Knowing she would not judge him for this, not after everything she had seen from him, he offered her the slightest nod confirming her words.

Tracey seemed to visibly swallow hard, and hesitated before asking in a voice so quiet, he barely heard her, “What did you have to do?”

Shaking his head, Harry broke their eye contact, “Something I couldn’t ask you to do.  Something I wouldn’t want to teach you to do.  Trace, I know you want to be stronger, and I am not saying no, but the ritual I did, after the coming of age ritual, was…I was in a dark place.  Driven by the loss of my godfather.  Maybe, I can find you a different one.”

Stepping closer to him, where they were nearly nose to nose, Tracey spoke, “My whole life I have been overlooked by our world.  My parents are great, I love my family, but the rest of the Wizarding World didn’t even give me a second glance until I met you.  Until I allied with you.  Until I did the ritual with you.  Call it selfish, call it vain, but I like it, Harry.  I don’t want to be boring old Tracey, or plain old Davis.”

Her hand was on the front of his shirt now, just laying against him, as she spoke, “I am not afraid of the Dark Arts, not if I have a good teacher to guide me.  Like you did.”

Swallowing hard as he looked deeper into her eyes than he ever had before he offered her a nod, “I will do some inquiring. Our paths are different, but if you are serious about getting stronger…I think I can help you.”

Instead of a verbal answer he was rewarded with a kiss.

.o.

Blaise and Daphne walked together back to the Common Room, as the blonde witch thought about their progress over the last two months.  Truly the three allies had grown under Harry’s tutelage over the last two months.

Even with her considerable progress in her own magical development, a familiar pang of jealousy would occasionally surface as she observed Tracey's burgeoning skills under Harry's direct tutelage. While Harry had been careful to avoid any overt displays of favoritism, Tracey had, since the Ball, become almost inseparable from him, consistently positioning herself near him during lessons, breaks, and even mealtimes. This close proximity allowed Tracey unparalleled access to Harry's guidance, enabling her to ask questions, seek clarification, and absorb his knowledge in a way that she could only observe with varying degrees of envy. Tracey seemed utterly unfazed by the subtle glances and occasional hushed whispers from their classmates, displaying a single-minded focus on learning from Harry and showing no indication that she intended to relinquish her coveted position by his side anytime soon. This constant visual reminder of Tracey's privileged learning environment served as a persistent, if minor, source of frustration.

“She’s really coming into her own.” Blaise said mildly as they exited the Undercroft and made their way towards the Dungeons.

Daphne hummed at his words, not giving a committed answer, something Blaise clearly caught onto, “I’m happy for her.  She’s really dedicated herself to being better after Christmas.  Harry seems to be in a better mood, and he shows more face around the Common Room, which is good.  If we can keep pace, then if Harry does get expelled, we should be able to stand on our own.”

“Harry isn’t going to get expelled.” Daphne said through gritted teeth, ignoring his words about Tracey, “The British media would create a political firestorm that would seriously hurt the reputation of Hogwarts.  Unless he does something incredibly illegal and fails to win the tournament, there is no way Dumbledore expels him.”

Nodding his head, Blaise shrugged, “It’s a win, win, for us.  Harry was right, if he wins his influence as the youngest TriWizard Champion in history will be immense.  He will be more than King Snake at that point, and will have influence over the whole school.  Tracey was smart to make her move, they will be calling her Queen Snake if she keeps growing at this rate.”

“That would be a ridiculous nickname.” Daphne said snappishly.

Chuckling, Blaise shook his head, “And here I thought green was your color.”

“What?” Daphne asked, confused by his words.

Blaise rolled his eyes, before saying, “You need to be careful with Tracey.”

 “What do you mean?” Daphne asked, still puzzled.

Stopping and glancing around the mostly deserted halls, Blaise leaned in, speaking quieter than before, “Harry and Tracey are for all intents and purposes a couple now.  Her influence in the Common Room is beginning to grow whether you notice it or not.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Daphne said, gritting her teeth in irritation.

“It means, you have to stop giving her the cold shoulder.” Blaise said pointedly, “If she hasn’t noticed yet, she will eventually, and Harry does not strike me as the type to tolerate teenage girl drama.”

“There is no drama between Tracey or I.” Daphne denied coldly.

Folding his arms, Blaise just gave her a pointed look before saying, “Good, let's keep it that way, because I don’t know how Harry would react to it, and I am telling you as a friend, that is one game you don’t want to be a part of.  We know how dangerous he is, and I know he’s an attractive prospect in a lot of ways, but with Tracey’s dad being an Auror, I don’t say it ends well.”

Daphne hadn’t considered how Tracey’s family might react to Harry.  Of course to most of the world they had no idea what he was capable of, but she was also aware that at least in the eyes of the Ministry he was a persona non grata until he won the Tournament.

Having known Roland Davis as long as she had, Daphne doubted the man would be impressed with Harry’s penchant to bend the rules.  Add on to the fact that Tracey’s mother was a very simple woman, and would not approve of anything out of the ordinary going on with her daughter.

In contrast Daphne’s family could care less.  Until she was down the aisle, or prepared to take a husband, she would be left largely to her own business.  By the time they tried to wrangle her in, she would be well out of their grasps.  It was only now she thought about how much easier Harry could’ve made that though.

“You’re right.” Daphne said with a sigh, “It’s just a strange adjustment.  A lot has happened in the last two months.  I hardly recognize her sometimes.”

Blaise put a reassuring hand on the girl's shoulder, “Like I said, she’s growing into her own.  For the sake of our friendship, this alliance, and the future that Harry is likely to bring, it’s a good thing.  We will all need our wits and strengths in the coming days.  More importantly than though, we will need each other.”

“You sound like a Hufflepuff.” Daphne grumbled as she walked past the protesting Blaise.

Despite the annoyance she held towards the topic, she couldn’t help, but accept the wisdom of Blaise's words.  Only bad things would come from any conflict with her best friend.  Taking an internal breath, Daphne continued towards the dungeons, her mind focused on the upcoming lunch with her sister.