The Lightsaber
Mayhem at Hogwarts
By: Aminta Defender
#03: Seeds of Madness

October 25, 1996

Outside of the Transfiguration Classroom

Draco fumed silently as the teacher prevented him from leaving. It wasn't fair. He had done the assignment and transfigured the stupid item. It was only review. It shouldn't matter that he had been distracted, Potter was always distracted. The worse trouble he ever gotten into were a few words of reprimand.

Potter wasn't there though. Potter was a sorcerer, a fugitive from the ministry. He finally had gotten into real trouble, while Draco was safe.

"Mr. Malfoy! Are you paying attention to me?" McGonagall snapped at him.

Drawn out of his musings he looked at her, "Yes, I'm sorry. I'll pay more attention next time. May I leave?"

Something was pounding through his head and while he could feel the power, just out of grasp humming through his body, he really wished that he hadn't drunk that bloody potion. He was in the same boat as the Potter, wasn't that something? He was a bloody sorcerer, but unlike Potter he'd never be as good. Already Potter had a weapon that the wizarding world had never seen. He was powerful and had survived the killing curse. Draco was nothing. Even Potter's friends somehow managed to be better than him, the proper pureblood!

"I know that having Mr. Potter gone must be quite a shock Mr. Malfoy, but just because you lack your favorite rival doesn't mean you can't pay attention."

It was the stupid headache that prevented him from paying attention. A sensory overload. His eyes grew wide as the words registered, he wasn't mooning over Potter.

"Bloody hell," he whispered, he was.

Unfortunately the Professor's keen ears picked up the curse, "Please, Mr. Malfoy refrain from using such language in my presence."

"Sorry Professor, may I go please?"

She sighed and gave him a stern look, "Very well Mr. Malfoy, but it will be detention the next time I find you not paying attention, no matter the extenuating teenage circumstances."

His face turned red and he angrily strode out of the classroom. McGonagall thought he was in love or something. That was an outrage. He hated Potter and his stupid friends. Blood traitors and mudbloods were people that no respectable wizard would ever associate with. He just wished the stupid headache would go away and the crazy urge to destroy everything in his path.

He walked into something hard and took a hasty step back, noticing the suit of armor. He cursed it and rubbed his head. Going back to the dorms and taking a nap sounded like a wonderful idea. He turned around, only to bump his foot into the suit's sword. Bed sounded like a wonderful idea.

"Don't be rude to Mike. It's not his fault you are attracting wrackspurts today," admonished a girl obstructing his path.

"Get out of my way," he hissed at her, being around her was making his headache worse.

"But I can't, you're in my way. So how can I get out of your way, where doing so would require you getting out of my way?"

He squinted at the strange student and noticed the hair and weird knickknacks, "Get out of my way Loony."

"Now that's just rude," she smiled, atrociously cheerful, "That doesn't matter though, I know how bad wrackspurts can be. They don't like leaving."

He groaned, "What in the world is that supposed to mean?"

She stilled a bit, "Not the world, the world is undefined and harsh. You call it the world but do you include the Arctic or does the world include the travellers above the world? You say the world, but space is infinite. Somewhere there is someone and you don't know who."

He stared at her exasperated, his skull feeling like it was going to burst open, "You're making my head hurt. Go away."

"No," shaking her head, "The nargles are strong with you. Find Myrddin Wylt and all will be clear, if you stop trying and start doing."

Exasperated, "And who is that?"

"Who, what, when, are all subjective. Some things transcends all, like magic, like nargles, like… sorcery."

His breath stilled and he stared at her, she was insane and she knew about him, "Sorcery? What do you mean?"

A small amused smile surfaced on her face, "You're a grumpy sorcerer with a headache. You have awakened to the power, broken free from the bindings of the wrackspurts. They're everywhere and they cling to you. Potter had many, but they didn't have roots that deep on him. Yours have roots long and old, grounding you, but once you're awakened, they have to leave even if they don't want to."

"And how do I get rid of… wrackspurts?"

She grinned, all seriousness gone, "Radishes!"

Watching her skip away, he wondered what had happened. He remembered her in his second year, he knew then that she was insane. His father had told him of her father, how he was crazy, the seeds of madness within him. A look into his eyes confirmed that. With Luna, for that was her name, there were no seeds, she was insane. Yet, for a brief moment she had been almost sane.

Shaking his head, he headed down the hall back to the dorms. When Crabbe asked him where he was, he just shook his head and slowly head up to his dorm. His eyes found the schematics for a lightsaber with the befuddling notations and two halves of a lightsaber. He remembered how he had taken it from Granger, her panic and his power. In the end though it didn't matter, she was still infuriatingly superior.

Even with the strange power of sorcery running through his veins, she managed to best him. He didn't have his own crystal. She, a mudblood, had made a crystal so perfectly green that it hurt him. He hated feeling so weak and the tempting song of power thrummed through him again. He wouldn't turn dark though, he knew the risks, the utter destruction his father had told of in bedtime stories. The danger was too great for he was in the same boat as Potter, and unlike Potter, he wasn't anything special, despite how he pretended to be.

Anger welled up inside him and he grabbed the two precious pieces the mudblood probably spent hours slaving over, they hit the wall with a resounding clang. The pieces didn't have the decency to break.

The anger left him as the situation bared down on him again. There was nothing he could do, he wasn't all powerful, he had no idea how to control his powers, and he could easily fall to the darkness that sang inside him. Furthermore Umbridge was taking charge of the school, intending to indoctrinate it in the ministry's belief. Anything sorcery related would soon be discovered and he had no grand weapon like Potter to wield when the Aurors arrived or worse, the ICW. Slowly he fell into a troubled sleep.

Gryffindor Tower

Common Room

Ron stared at the gobstones wishing for them to move. Next to him Hermione slowly flipped through her book, turning the pages every now and then. He knew she was worried and wasn't that something? No longer did he have to guess at her mood from the way she would chew on her lip or clench her hands or read a book in a frenzied state. No, he just knew now. Somewhere there were two other powers moving through the castle like old snakes.

The gobstones stubbornly refuses to move. They were evil stones, he just knew it. Somewhere within him was the power that Harry had and he just needed to find it. The problem was that he was hesitant. Sorcery was dangerous, it corrupted the user... Harry was fine.

Beside him, Hermione turned another page. He grimaced slightly as he turned back to the gobstones that refused to move. What was he supposed to do? If he tried to use sorcery he couldn't say it was some rash accident. He could become something worse than Voldemort. Not only that, Umbridge seemed to be always there and she was sickeningly happy. She was planning something and it would only be a matter of time before the Ministry tried to target him and Hermione.

"Hermione…" He started, but trailed off, to knowing what he was trying to say.

She heard him though, "Yes Ron?"

He looked back down at the gobstones, "Never mind," he mumbled.

She set the book down and he could feel her glaring at the back of his head, "Something is troubling you," she hesitated for a moment, "Is it sorcery?"

Shaking his head, "No… yes… I don't know. I guess I just miss Harry and now there are all these other things going on. The world has gone to hell."

She humphed, "Maybe you shouldn't drink random potions next time?"

He turned around to face her fully, "I didn't just drink a random potion. I'm like Harry now."

He could see her rolling her eyes and felt the waves of worry coming off of her, "It didn't help Harry now did it? He's not going to finish his education now. He won't have the chance."

"Not everything has to be about being educated Hermione, there are other things in life."

An eyebrow moved upwards slowly, "Like drinking dangerous potions?"

"No, like, like helping people. You know Harry, he defends people. Even when I was a prat last year he would've helped me. He'd help Malfoy if the snake was in trouble."

"First of all Ron, you're always a prat."

Crossing his arms, he leaned against the wall, "Well I can change. With my powers I'll be able to protect people and we can beat back Umbridge."

Something seemed to snap in Hermione as she left the couch and grabbed his arm, pushing him into a corner. She glared at him and Ron swallowed nervously. Hermione could be dangerous as a dragon when pissed off.

"Now Ron, explain to me exactly why you thought it was a good idea to drink the potion and to challenge Umbridge. Let me explain to you Ron that things aren't the same anymore. That… toad will expel us the first chance she gets. Not only is school life going to be hell, we're at the mercy of Draco Malfoy. At least he has the power behind his name to manage to avoid an investigation. What do you think will happen if he declares you are a sorcerer? He wouldn't even need proof!"

Her words hammered into him, causing him to wince, "I'm sorry okay, but I can't change the past and I have to do something!"

Her sarcasm was evident as she replied, "Yes Ron we'll go ahead and do something. We'll topple the Ministry because of this unbeatable power in our hands," she shoved him back against the wall and he could feel the worry crashing down on him, "What do you even know about the Force? This… sorcery… it's dangerous. You are a danger to yourself and you have no idea how to defend yourself. Harry grew up in the muggle world, he knows all about Star Wars and the danger of anger, but I still don't think he's ready. What are you going to do Ron when you know you can kill a person with a thought and they're in front of you killing your friends."

"I'd save my friends! You guys are important Hermione!"

She shook her head, "But where is the line? Does it matter if they're just threatening us? Maybe they disagree with us? Should we go kill Umbridge and have the ICW descending on us? The fact is that it is too easy to get lost in your self-righteous world and forget that everyone is flawed. Everyone makes mistakes, but people can change. You have this power now Ron, but it won't matter if you're no longer Ron, if you become something that you would hate."

Her sad eyes stared into him, "I won't change Hermione. I'll still be the boy who insulted you in first year. I will still be the guy who spent all of last year being a prat. I want to be better so I can overcome my flaws, but I won't forget them. The most I'll do is grow up," laughing slightly, "I think I'm a bit overdue with that."

Shaking her head, she stepped back, "You say that now. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they."

He watched her leave and take the stairs for the girl dormitories. Part of him wondered if he had changed. When Harry had revealed himself to be a sorcerer he had been so angry, so afraid. Now it was Hermione's turn to be afraid. Musing, he wandered out of the common room, the portrait swinging closed behind him. Dinner would be soon and his stomach growled at the prospect. Hermione would come around, she'd see how powerful he was. The thought made him stop, for that was the worry that Hermione had. The old him would never have thought that. He had changed. Yet change wasn't inherently bad. Maybe the problem lay with Hermione, she was afraid, like he has been.

He'd train and prove himself worthy and strong. With sorcery he'd finally be able to protect his friends. Hermione would be the brains and construct masterful plans together. He'd be the cannon, a weapon of destruction, and Harry would be the figurehead, the one with the crazy ideas. The Golden Trio would be together again and conquer the world.

Turning around the corner, he slammed into Crabbe. The latter let out a low growl and threw him against the wall. Ron stood up gingerly, glowering at his opponent. Just yesterday, he and Goyle had beat him up, taking all of Harry's beautiful works. Anger rose within him and surged forward. The mysterious power, that had just been out of reach flooded him and burned through his veins. He stared at Crabbe his anger rising.

"What about a little game of tag Crabbe, a little match between sorcerers?"

Crabbe turned around to face him and smiled cruelly, "Prepare to lose Weasley."

Crabbe stormed forward, rushing into him. Ron twirled out of the way letting out a loud laugh. Power was in his veins and it sung with exhilaration. Nothing could beat him. He was the most dangerous thing in the castle and nothing could stand in his way.

Taunting with malicious glee, Ron turned to Crabbe, "I think it's you who should worry. I'm no weakling."

A furious snarl broke out on Crabbe's face and he stormed forward slamming his shoulder into Ron's stomach. He wheezed slightly, but snaked out his leg and tripped Crabbe. Both of them stood back up, warily circling each other, their bodies humming in excitement. Tonight they'd end their rivalry. It would be fitting for their first kill to be each other.

This time Ron shot forward and he darted quickly around Crabbe, causing the overweight boy to lose his balance. Infuriated, his opponent released a pulse of energy, shoving Ron backwards, but not off his feet. Behind Ron, a suit of armor fell down with a resounding crash. Both parties stood still in surprise, they hadn't expected that. The energy pulse had been weak, but the concept was new and unexplored.

"Today you'll die and then I'll destroy your family. Blood traitors… mudbloods… they'll all be gone," Crabbe hissed.

Ron spun around and grabbed the sword from the suit of armor, heaving it in front of him. When Crabbe charged he swung it clumsily, letting it move downwards as it's weight caused him to lean over. His muscles burned as he lifted again and the power within him flooded to his arms, lending him strength. Staring at Crabbe, he smirked and charged.

The boy cried out in pain as the sword cut his arm. Hissing he stepped back and unleashes another raw burst of energy which pushed Ron back. They continued their trend, each gaining and losing ground. Neither willing to admit defeat to their hated enemy. Anger blinded them to rational thought, the only objective was the annihilation of their opponent. As they fought though, they drifted.

Rational thought long gone, the day might've have actually resulted in death if it hadn't been for the staircase. Standing a mere foot away from each other, right by the stairs, the fight ended through no action of their own. The stairs split and pivoted, bringing them far away from another.

Ron felt the anger leave him as Crabbe met up with Goyle and was dragged away. He couldn't understand where the anger had come from. He felt… empty. Something was wrong with him, something was different and evil within him. It was eating him up from the inside. He was a monster.

"Ron," whispered a soft voice besides him.

Surprised Ron whirled around and came face to face with Hermione. Her eyes searched his face and he looked at his boots, finding them surprisingly interesting. Patterns swirled on them and let him avoid the eyes of Hermione. Anger poured off of her as well as worry.

"Ron, look at me please," she pleaded.

He clenched his eyes shut as he heard her, "You're mad aren't you?"

There was a pause, "I'm livid Ron, but you're still my friend."

He felt the small smile creeping up his face, "Thank you. Is dinner soon?"

The anger in Hermione's eyes faded and she let out a small laugh, "That's why I was looking for you."

Ron smiled ruefully and walked up to her. He winced as his feet hit the ground and pain blossomed within them. A small groan escaped him and Hermione looked at him disapprovingly.

"You're lucky that you're just sore. It could be a lot worse."

"Not really, I won't be able to move."

"Umbridge could have caught you fighting."

Ron quickly shut up. Painfully trudging behind Hermione, they entered the Great Hall to view the roaring feast. The stars in the enchanted ceiling sparkled merrily and wispy painted clouds moved slowly through the picture. The hall was decorated though in green, bright festive green and silver… with snakes. Food all of a sudden didn't seem that important anymore.

"Hermione, please tell me I'm having a nightmare. A terrible nightmare."

She let out a frustrated growl at him and dragged him to the Gryffindor table, which was also green. Ron sat down, glaring at the offending carrier of food. The stomach won out though and he helped himself to a generous serving of mashed potatoes. Then the kidney pie…

"Oh Ronnie we warned-"

"You not to eat that-"

"Didn't you Gred?"

"Maybe not, too late now Forge."

The fork with a generous serving of kidney pie stopped on the way to his mouth. Ron glared at his brothers and with the temptation of food gone, he could feel a slight warning regarding the food. The fork fell to the floor along with numerous others in the Great Hall. Where students once sat, feathery green canaries stood.

Beside him Hermione laughed, having not touched the traitorous kidney pie. Slowly he began to molt and contribute his share to the forming feather carpet. Shooting a last dirty look at his brothers, Ron resumed eating.

Lower Dungeons

Potion Classroom

Daphne watched her head of house slowly filled a vial with a livid green potion. As he worked, she stood to the side quietly, wondering what she had done to receive detention. Everyone was acting weird lately.

Finally the potion master straightened and turned to her, the dark eyes regarding her, "I'm sure you're wondering why you're here Ms. Greengrass."

Clasping her hands behind her back, "Yes sir."

An eyebrow raised slightly, "I was wondering if I heard correctly, you are starting a study club?"

She watched him warily, trying to not let her nervousness show. She was a Slytherin and perfectly capable working the flaws in the system. Her head of house had years of experience though. Nobody knew where he truly stood. Dumbledore had protected him, yet he was a close ally of those rumored to be in You-Know-Who's inner circle.

"Just a study club sir, we're planning to review the defense text."

He turned around and picked a book off an old dusty shelf, "I'm sure Ms. Greengrass that those are your intentions."

"Yes sir, we're hoping to ensure better standards in the lower years. Some of the older students have agreed to help us."

A terrifying smile emerged on the Professor's face and he handed her the book, which looked brand new, "Spoken like a true Slytherin."

He had… complimented her, "Thank you sir, may I inquire what the book is for?"

"I feel it may be useful," he paused and looked around the classroom, "You can start scrubbing the cauldrons over there."

She nodded and spared a glance down at the cover, "The Principia by Isaac Newton, huh."

With a small sigh, she tucked the book into her bag and grabbed a rag, it was time to clean some cauldrons.

"One last thing Ms. Greengrass, I'd try the classroom up the stairs from Umbridge's new office."

"Thank you sir," she said, wondering who the man truly was.

The cauldrons still waited for her though and while grateful, it was an arduous task. Her professor couldn't have found a better use of her time.

It has been a while hasn't it? Anyway I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. Here's to hoping for more frequent updates.

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