The Daughter of Voldemort

Chapter 7

 It had been a week since Dumbledore gave Harry and Veronica this new assignment. Tonight was going to be their first official class together. 

Hermione had immediately interrogated Harry as soon as he entered the Gryffindor common room later that night. 

"What happened? What did Dumbledore want? Are you in trouble? Where..." She went on for several moments asking tons of questions. Veronica, who had entered the common room right after Harry, stopped in her tracks to see what he would say. She and Harry exchanged a long glance before Harry decided that he didn't want to keep everything a secret from Hermione, no matter what Veronica thought. 

"He is having me take extra lessons. Don't ask why because I don't know," Harry kept his answer truthful but vague because he didn't know how much he should be sharing. At this point Veronica turned and kept walking. 

"What kind of classes?" Hermione asked, darting her eyes back and forth between Harry and Veronica, obviously noticing where Harry kept glancing. She didn't give Harry time to answer before she added another comment, "Do you think it is to help you in the tournament? You know, because you're so far behind the other champions in your studies?"

"Maybe," Harry said quietly even though he was sure that was not why Dumbledore wanted him to be more prepared. 

"That's kind of him," Hermione said softly, "not exactly fair to the other contestants, but I'm sure they are all taking extra classes as well, so it's probably fine. And you do need all the help you can get.." Hermione added. 

"Yeah, thanks for the confidence," Harry rolled his eyes.

Later that week, Hedwig delivered another message, this time during breakfast though, so she flew in with the other owls. 

Not sure if the two of you have set up a time for the next lesson, but I thought I might just suggest monday night in room 486. The two of you could meet in your common room at midnight (might be best to keep these lessons somewhat private). Harry, this would be a good time to break out that cloak of yours!

All the best,

Dumbledore

Harry glanced around the dining hall in search of Veronica. When their eyes met, they exchanged a knowing glance that confirmed their first lesson. 

Obviously Hermione was in on it as well, snatching the note out of Harry's grasp as soon as she saw he was finished reading it. 

"Oh," she said quietly, "guess I'm not suppose to be reading this," she grinned slightly and slid the note back across the table.

"Well it did say 'somewhat private'," Harry grinned back. The two of them shared a knowing moment, but neither of them brought it back up again. 

Three days later, Harry found himself slipping out of his dorm at five till midnight, the cloak draped over his left arm. When he reached the common room, although three minutes early, he found Veronica already seated in front of the fireplace. 

"Ready," Harry whispered, making Veronica jump slightly from his sudden presence. 

"Yeah," she said quietly, already recomposed and rising from her seat.

Harry unfolded the cloak and opened it so she could enter first.

"What is that?" Veronica questioned, touching the fabric with her fingertips.

Instead of speaking, Harry draped it around himself, letting his vanished body explain.

Veronica's eyes went wide and she smiled brightly, "Amazing!"

Harry opened one side of his cloak and she stepped in. Although there was a decent amount of space left between them, Harry's brain went slightly fuzzy at their close proximity. He led the way to the door while unknowing to him, Veronica focused intently on not getting too close to Harry. 

Harry expected the fat lady to make a comment asking who was there, but she didn't even wake up from her nap to notice her frame being moved. They padded briskly down the hall, not encountering anyone on their way. They found the empty classroom and slid the door shut before stepping out from underneath the cloak. 

They both stood in an awkward silence for a few moments, Harry looking anywhere but at Veronica while his head cleared from being so close to her under the cloak. 

"So.." Veronica began, running her fingertips along the edge of a desk, "I guess we will just pick up where we left off."

Harry nodded his head and Veronica wordlessly sent Harry's wand flying out of his hand. Harry stood, mesmerized by his wand resting on the teacher's desk at the front of the classroom. 

"Okay," Veronica said quietly, "bring it back."

Harry tried to focus on his energy like Veronica had told him to last time, but it was so much more difficult without Veronica amplifying the vibrations. 

Harry stood wordlessly with his hand outstretched in front of him for several minutes, Veronica simply watching from several meters away, "I see you haven't been practicing," she said with a smirk.

"I-I.." Harry fumbled for words, "I didn-"

Veronica smiled even brighter before cutting him off, "It's alright. It takes time."

"Why don't you do that vibrating thing again?" Harry said, his face still slightly flushed from being called out, "It worked for me last time."

"Nope," Veronica said shortly hopping on top of the nearest desk, "Too exhausting for me. Besides, you need to learn to figure it out for yourself."

Harry rolled his eyes and turned back towards his wand. Another few minutes passed before Veronica spoke up again.

"Try closing your eyes," she said quickly, hopping off the desk and making a few strides towards Harry, "Just stand still and focus inwards. Don't try any spells until you can feel the energy running through your body."

It was at least twenty minutes of Harry standing very tensely in the center of the classroom, getting angrier at his struggle with each passing second. After several different techniques suggested by Veronica, Harry threw his arms in front of him. With a huge grin plastered on his face, he examined his normal looking arms.

"I can feel it!" He said excitedly, but as soon as he looked up towards Veronica, the feeling vanished and the frown returned to his face.

"Good!" Veronica said excitedly, "The first time is always the hardest, now that you know what works for you, it will be easier the next time. Next time you feel it though, try the accio spell."

Harry went back to focusing and after just a few short moments he was able to feel his energy again. 

The two spent the next hour practicing Harry's summoning spell. Harry had sent his wand flying towards nearly every surface in the room and had been knocked off his feet a number of times. By two o'clock in the morning, Harry was only a few feet short of returning the wand to his hand.

"Same time next week?" Veronica said as Harry folded his cloak and draped it over his arm. They had made it back to the dorm without any unwanted encounters. 

"Sounds good," Harry said with a sideways grin as Veronica turned to walk up the stairs. 

"Good night," She called down the stairs in a hushed voice. Harry waved and followed suite, walking swiftly up the complementary staircase towards the male dorms. 

"Where the hell have you been?" Ron groaned in a tired voice, "Do'you have any idea what time it is."

"Ron-" Harry started but was cut off.

"Oh yeah. I forgot that the rules don't apply to you," Ron spat before rolling over and ignoring anything else Harry had to say.