CHAPTER 2

Harry and Ron managed to complete their homework. It was a dreadful task, doing Snape's homework; he gave such a lot of homework and such a short period to do it. Now they only had to face detention. Snape had a special hatred towards Ron and Harry, and he always treated them horribly. He always banished Harry's potions even thought others made them worse than Harry (Neville). Harry had learnt his lesson; avoid conversations with anyone and focus very, very, VERY carefully on his own potion.

The day went by as usual. But that day went even more slowly. It was a dull day; an hour and a half with Binns, right in the morning, followed by an hour with Trelawney. "Ugh. Finding out about Snape's detention has made a day without him miserable!" groaned Ron. History had been more sleepy and boring than any other day. "Be happy, Ronald. The whole evening will be free an you can enjoy yourself. Have you forgotten? After lunch we have Flitwick's class. You were rather eager about today's class, remember? We are learning the Summoning charm." Hermione said, slightly cheering them. "Of course! Summoning charm! It will be the spell which I will use the most!" Ron exclaimed happily. "I am pretty sure, Ron, that by the time you go home for the vacation, you will forget how to walk!" said Harry with a mischievous grin. "Shut up Harry!" said Ron hotly, as he saw Harry burst into mirthful laughter.

All Harry's and Ron's cheerfulness ended when they entered Trelawney's class. The class as every other day, was boring and dull. They had to read each other's tea leaves without any doubts. They were revising what they had learnt from the beginning of the year. All their lessons were done, and Trelawney had a premonition that their yearly exams would start within a month and she wanted t make sure no one flunked in her delicate class.

After Divination, was lunch. The hour Harry and Ron were dreading. They went down to the Great Hall and sat with Hermione. "Eat fast, you two. You don't want to miss Charms." Hermione said. Harry took a slice of pumpkin pie and tried to eat. Even Ron, who loved eating, wasn't interested in the food. After having a few mouthfuls, they left for detention.

They went to the dungeons were Snape's classroom was. Snape had left a note on his table which contained the instructions for Harry and Ron.

Clean all the cauldrons using the brushes on the table.

Clear all the ingredients on the tables and store the unused ones and dispose the remaining.

MAGIC IS PROHIBITED

"Bloody hell!" exclaimed Ron as he peered into the cauldrons. "What a mess! Thank god we listened to Hermione and came here early! It will take us an hour to clear these cauldrons!" "Just look at these ingredients! It will take a long time to clear and sort them." Harry grunted. "Well, let's not waste time and get to work."

And so they worked and worked and worked. They worked with a determination to complete the work before Charms.

They worked with such intensity, it was like someone invisible was whipping them. Neither of them opened their mouths throughout detention, which was surprising, because Ron couldn't go for more than five minutes without talking or eating.

They finished their work and were exhausted, when they saw Fred and George coming towards the dungeons. They were whispering and snickering. And then they saw their little brother and his best friend panting against the table. "Well, well, well! What do we have here? Ickle Ronnie is it? Has Ronnie gotten into detention?" said Fred in a high, nasaly voice, that almost sounded like Mrs. Weasley to Harry.

"Go and torment someone else Fred! We just finished a lot of scrubbing and sorting. And we are tired and absolutely famished!" said Ron, as he clutched his groaning stomach. "See? Everyone can hear my poor, empty stomach." he moaned. "Ah, you're in luck Ron! We just got a few sandwiches from the kitchen, and I'm sure we could spare you and Harry some." George said. "Well, for once you have proven yourself useful! Gimme those sandwiches!" exclaimed Ron as he pounced onto the sandwiches in George's hand.

"Ah ah aah! Not yet Ronnie! You need to pay for 'em." said Fred. "What should we do?" asked Harry. He was so hungry and tired that he was willing to do anything for a few bites of food.

"No need to do anything, Harry." said the twins in unison. "This is just for ickle Ronnie." said Fred. The twins looked at each other and smirked. Ron gulped. He didn't want to make a fool of himself! But his stomach thought differently, as it gave a loud groan.

"What should I do?" asked Ron after he heard the groan. Harry shook his head, not knowing whether to feel bad for Ron, or to be ready to laugh at the plan the twins had thought of.