"Is your magic under control now, Harry?"
Harry nodded and spun his wand between his fingers. "I think so, Uncle Ted. But can you bring out the crystals so that we can test?"
Uncle Ted beamed as he took the board with the crystals from his trunk. "I brought it this time instead of Transfiguring one," he said. "We ought to get even better results from this than we did from the Transfigured set. Clearer ones."
Harry smiled at him and then glanced at Hermione when she made a noise of concern. She was standing near the far side of the classroom where he and Uncle Ted and Draco held their Defense practice, wringing her hands for a moment before she clasped them together. "Oh, Harry, are you sure that you're going to be okay?"
"I really am doing better than I was a week ago, Hermione. I haven't exploded anything in Transfiguration in that time, right?"
He thought the joke would make her feel better, but she just looked more anxious.
"I have shields ready to protect you if Harry does destroy something," Uncle Ted said calmly. "But I know that Harry has explained to you how these crystals work. To even get them to shine takes a lot out of a wizard or witch. I don't think he'll destroy them."
"Oh, I wasn't worried about being in danger, Mr. Tonks," Hermione said, sounding a little shocked. "I was worried about the effect on Harry, and whether he would drain himself trying to make the crystals light up."
"It's good if he does," Draco said. He was lounging against the far wall, and the protectiveness that had come from the ritual must have been wearing off, because he wasn't trying frantically to give Harry advice. He did keep his eyes thoughtfully pinned on Harry, though. "Remember, Granger? We talked about this. Harry was overflowing with power, and that's the reason he could affect the crystals at all. If he isn't overflowing with power anymore, then that means he's closer to regaining control of his magic."
"You don't have to sound so condescending, Malfoy."
"Learned it from the best, Granger."
Uncle Ted cut in before Hermione and Draco could really start, clearing his throat with a smile in the back of his voice. "Are you going to use a Patronus again, Harry? I was thinking you might want to try a different spell, so that you don't overpower it simply because you always do that with the Patronus."
Harry nodded and closed his eyes, sorting through the repertoire of curses Uncle Ted had taught him. Honestly, he didn't want to use something in front of Ron and Hermione that would make them worry about what magic he was learning. He'd already spent enough time fighting with his friends.
After a moment, he decided on the Blasting Curse. They learned it in their regular Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, after all.
"Ready, Uncle Ted," he murmured, without opening his eyes.
"Good. Now I want you to cast the spell you chose at the crystals, as hard as you can."
Harry spent a moment more thinking about the energy he needed to use and balancing the incantation on the tip of his tongue, and then he opened his eyes, spun on his heel as if he were about to Apparate, and shouted, "Confringo!"
The curse soared through the air, and Hermione screamed in alarm. Ron said something, and Draco yelled at him, but the words were lost in the noise of Harry's spell hitting the crystals.
There was an intense ringing shudder that seemed to travel all through the stone walls and floor of the room, and then pass over Harry, in a way that made his bones tremble. He watched as a dim white glow appeared in the crystal on the left, and smiled.
The next second, he slumped to the floor.
"Harry!"
"Henry!"
"I'm—all right," Harry said, and he was. He was breathing a little unsteadily as he forced his way back to his feet, but he could see and hear, and the rush of power had only left him drained, not fainting. He smiled at the faint glow again. "I think my magic is back to normal."
"It is, as far as I can tell," Uncle Ted murmured. He cast one spell on the crystal and another that Harry recognized as a diagnostic charm at Harry himself. "Very well done, Harry."
Harry smiled at the praise, and then went through hugs from Ron and Hermione. Draco sauntered over and gave him a quick look that probably seemed casual. Harry was the only one who saw how searching it was.
"I'm glad you're all right," Draco said.
"Thanks. Now you don't have to follow me around and watch me all the time."
He'd meant it as a joke, but Draco's face grew pinched. "To do so is an honor," he said. "Not something I wanted to be rid of."
Harry held up his hands. "Okay, okay."
Honestly, he thought that Draco had enjoyed the chance to lord his superior senses and sense of danger over his little brother, but there was no point in saying that, particularly in front of Ron and Hermione. Still, he smiled at his brother and tried to silently convey his appreciation.
Draco smiled back.
....
Do you want to read ahead by more than 60 exciting premium chapters?
Then join my p*atreon right now.
Link: p*atreon.com/Sonic_Spectre (Remove the *)
Free members can unlock upto 2 chapters.