Harry Potter and the Serpent Slayer

Chapter 14: Serious Talk

For the most part, Harry was able to relax after the Second Task and simply went through the motions of classes, studying, training and spending time with Cho. Some of the injuries he'd received during the Task would end up scarring according to Madam Pomfrey, because apparently merpeople's claws were slightly venomous that made cuts caused by them to be resistant to healing potions. So now Harry had a few more scars to add to his collections of burns on his torso, arms and- of course, the lightning bolt on his forehead.

Rita Skeeter released another article about Harry, again leaning on the falsified information that Harry was dating both Cho and Hermione at once. Cho was livid and promised to hex Rita into oblivion if she ever saw her again, while Hermione just laughed it off. Pansy Parkinson apparently didn't learn her lesson after the incident after New Year's as she led the Slytherins in trying to harass them during Potions. Malfoy however, seemingly had as he avoided joining in, and even averted his gaze when Harry glared at them.

The only thing that stopped Harry from beating the living daylights out of Snape was Hermione and Ron deciding to ignore him, as well as the threat of spending the rest of his school years in detention. Harry didn't want to stay behind after classes, especially when he'd just finished with Professor McGonagall. The insinuations that he'd broken into Snape's private stock almost tipped him over the edge, and the threat of being subjected to Veritaserum very nearly made Harry lunge at the Potion's Master to strangle him.

Harry, Ron and Hermione left the castle at noon the next day, heading towards Hogsmeade to meet up with Sirius. Cho wanted to come, but Harry didn't quite trust her with Sirius's identity yet and told her that he was going to be meeting with an old friend of his dad's to get to know him better. Cho looked disappointed, but Harry promised that they would meet up later when he was done so that they could go on a proper date. She looked better after that, and she gave him a kiss on the cheek before running off to join Marietta and her other friends.

They met up with Sirius, who took them to a cave hidden from public view. Sirius looked haggard and thin once he transformed back into a human, but he was grateful for the extra food they'd brought. Sirius's eyes widened at the sight of Harry though.

"Merlin's beard Harry, you've grown an entire foot or two since I last saw you," he exclaimed. Looking over him, he added, "and you're not skinny anymore. How tall are you now?"

"Um, around six-foot two, I think," said Harry.

"Looks like it's going to be more than that if you keep growing," said Sirius. "I don't know where you get that height from, James was only slightly above average and Lily was a head shorter than him."

"It's not natural growth," said Hermione. When Sirius looked at her curiously, she continued. "Harry went to Gringotts before the school year started and got himself a potion that gave him his growth spurt."

"You went and got an Enhancement Potion?" questioned Sirius in surprise.

"Yeah I- wait, you know about that potion?" said Harry, surprised.

Sirius nodded. "It's very old magic, almost nobody knows how to make it anymore and for good reason," he said. "I don't know how to make it, but the ingredients needed are very rare, and it takes about two-hundred and sixteen years to ferment before it's ready. How did you get it?"

"I... asked the goblins," said Harry.

"Just like that?"

Harry nodded, and Sirius stroked his matted beard thoughtfully. "Interesting, it explains the photo of you wielding that sword. So you finally managed to get into the main Potter vault, huh?"

"You've been inside?" asked Ron.

"Once, with James right before he and Lily went into hiding with Harry," said Sirius. "He showed me that fancy sword you were swinging around in the First Task. I gotta say, that Enhancement Potion must really be something if you could wield the Serpent Slayer the way you did."