The Time-Meddlers [Harmione]

6. Preparations

The famous diadem worn by Rowena Ravenclaw, on which is inscribed the phrase, 'Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure,' was rumored to bestow wisdom when worn. However, it was never located among Ravenclaw's possessions after her death, so no one has seen it for over 1,000 years.

"What are you reading?"

Harry's best friend's voice caused him to look up from the tome he was rereading. He'd been wondering if Ravenclaw's Diadem could possibly be one of the missing Horcruxes. He grinned at Hermione. "Surely you recognize this book."

She looked a bit more closely at it, and immediately smiled at him. "Hogwarts, a History. I didn't think you'd reread it. I thought I was the only one."

"It's a fascinating book. I was just reading about Rowena Ravenclaw. She was supposed to have something to wear on her head that made her wise."

"Her tiara," she stated.

"You mean diadem," Harry corrected.

"They mean the same thing," she said with a grin.

"Do you know if any books have a picture of it?"

"I haven't seen any, but there are probably some in the library. Why?"

"No reason," he answered quickly.

"Harry, people have been trying to find it for 1,000 years. Don't tell me you think you will?" she said in her sometimes annoying know-it-all tone of voice.

Not wanting to argue with her, and knowing that he couldn't explain his true interest in it until she was her 'old self' in a few weeks, Harry replied, "No, I don't."

"Good," she replied, though she didn't seem convinced. "Besides, I think using something like that would be cheating. You're supposed to learn by studying and gaining experience, not by wearing a magical device."

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Over the next week, Harry and Hermione collected memories of Snape from Gryffindors of every year, most of which told them that McGonagall had done the same. They had decided not to include Fred and George, since their memories would probably contain a provocation for Snape's behavior. They also asked each donor to keep it a secret so that Dumbledore wouldn't find out about it and interfere.

Mainly because he really wanted to play Quidditch again, Harry decided to let the 'remembrall incident' during flying lessons happen exactly as it had the first time around, and, just as before, McGonagall put him on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. However, Harry had different plans for the aftermath.

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Harry was sitting with his friends at Gryffindor table when Malfoy showed up, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.

"Having a last meal, Potter? When are you getting the train back to the Muggles?" he asked, ignorant of what had actually happened, believing that Potter was being expelled.

Harry repeated the words he'd said the first time around. "You're a lot braver now that you're back on the ground and you've got your little friends with you."

"I'd take you on anytime on my own," said Malfoy. "Tonight, if you want. Wizard's duel."

Loudly, so that his voice would carry, Harry replied, "That sounds like an excellent idea, but not tonight. Professor Lupin, could you come here?"

The D.A.D.A. instructor got up from the staff table, looking puzzled. Harry noticed that now almost every eye in the Great Hall was on him. Draco and the others were all looking at Harry strangely. Once Lupin was close enough, he said, "Malfoy here has just challenged me to a wizard's duel, and I'd like to accept. I was hoping it could be for extra credit."