Harry Potter: Junior Level Year Three

Chapter 2


As the two happy boys arrive at the Quidditch Pitch not too far from the house, Draco says "I can't believe Dad. All that talk about keeping safe and not flying too high and on and on! We've been flying a long time now and he needs to trust we know what we're doing out here. The fun of flying is trying new things, he'd know that if he ever did something besides research and potion making! Uncle Sirius wouldn't be so stiff! Your Dad knows about fun."

Harry looks towards the boy he thinks of as almost a brother before whispering " Yes, my Dad can have fun but he limits my fun, too. Can Uncle Sev see something small from this far away?"

" What are you whispering for? He can't hear us out here! I doubt he's even looking now. He watched us to be sure that we only went as far as the Quidditch pitch as he said we could. Why? What is it you are hiding in your shirt? It's not the cloak is it?"

"Draco. I said something small! How could I hide the cloak under my shirt and sneak past Eagle Eye Snape? He'd see that outline and confiscate it before I could open my mouth! The Invisibility cloak is safely tucked under my nightshirt and clean underwear in my overnight case. Even if Uncle Sev happens to look he wouldn't see it since I turned it to the invisible side when I put it in. I had to wait until Dad was showering to sneak in and take it from his bedroom cupboard. He only allows me to use it with permission and I knew he wouldn't give permission to bring it. You did owl me to say bring it so I did. I don't know what you had planned but I have an idea for what we can use it for and we need this too." Harry says as he pulls a round object from under his shirt.

" I don't have any plans for it but I'm sure that together we can come up with something good! A small ball? Why do we need that? Wait, it's a magical object isn't it? What does it do?"

"This, Draco, is what we will use for our grand adventure tomorrow. It's something Fred and George designed to stop the child block on the floo. All we have to do is throw it in with the powder and it will allow us to use the floo even if there's a child block on it."

"I know for certain Dad has the child block on our floo system. I don't like it either. I'm eleven years old now and I've been using a floo by myself since I was seven. I don't know why he thinks I would up and go somewhere he feels is not safe. I do know how to take care of myself." Draco complains as he scuffs his shoe in the grass.

"Don't feel so bad. My Dad has a block on our floo also. Ron said his Dad did also and that's why the twins designed this. They are great inventors and they're only thirteen! Come on, let's go have a fly and hit the bludger back and forth. We'll see how long we can go before we lose it."

"Aren't you going to tell me where we are going to go after unlocking the floo?"

"Later Draco, right now let's play ball! I want to see if you can keep up with me in a race afterwards."

"Harry, I can beat you in a race! I have many times! What makes you think you can outfly me now? I have the faster broom!"

"Maybe, but I know some new moves that you don't so we'll just see who can outfly the other!" Harry returns haughtily.

"Forget the bludger, let's race! Show me your moves Oh Great One. You can start first. Go on, fly!" Draco replies with a huff.

"Never mind the race. You are all mad now so let's just hit the bludger back and forth or chase a snitch. Do you have a snitch in there with the other brooms?"

"I keep them inside so they won't get lost. Are you sure you don't want to race?"

"I'm sure."


While the boys are enjoying their time together Sirius is meeting with Narcissa.

"What exactly do you have in mind, Cissy? You want to just jump back in after nearly two years of being out of Draco's life? I admit I'm not as knowledgeable about parenting as you but that seems a little harsh on the boy for you to just show up."

"No, no, I don't plan to just reappear. I was hoping you could bring him here. We could meet in town at a cafe for lunch and I could talk to him. I just need to explain what went on and why I fled the way I did."

"Are you thinking of trying to take him from Severus? He and Severus have a strong relationship and are also magically bonded. You can't do this, Cissy."

"I'm not planning to ruin their relationship, Sirius. I just need to see my baby again. He and I can settle our problems and I can be involved in his life once more."

"What about that little one in there? Where does she fit in all of these plans? You said she is your child now so ..."

"Draco always wanted a brother or sister, now he has one. I can make this work, I have to, Sirius. I have to for Draco and myself. Don't you understand?"

"NO, I don't. You vanish and leave that child in a broken quivering emotionally scarred heap. He's spent two years recovering and trying to forget Lucius' treatment of him that he sees you as allowing. I've witnessed his breakdowns and don't want to see him emotionally hurt again. He's growing into a happy, well adjusted young boy who has a good Dad now. In his mind, you are a distant memory. You have another child to love and raise, leave Draco alone."

"Would you abandon Harry if you were in my place? Something occurs to make you have to leave him and not contact him for years but you get a chance to contact him again. Would you not take the chance, Siri?"

" I would never abandon Harry! Alright, I'll talk to Severus about all of this. It's his decision what he wants to do. If he does not want to tell Draco anything, then you will just have to abide by it. Legally, you are no longer his mother. Severus had the Minister of Magic declare himself Draco's only parent. He didn't hear from you and after a year he went to the Minister to strip you of your parenting rights to his son. He had Lucius stripped of his rights not long after Draco coming to live with him. The boy's memories allowed that process to go forth quickly."

"I was never an unfit parent towards Draco! Why would the Ministry remove my rights as his mother?"

"You abandoned the child, Narcissa. To this day, he hasn't heard a word from you. He may think you are dead. Abandonment is a reason to sever someone's parental rights as well as being abusive as Lucius was towards your son. You will have to work to regain any trust from Severus before you are allowed near Draco. Try to see this from that point of view."


"Harry, that's the fifth time you hit the bludger through the hoop. So, tell. Do you think you'll be a beater when you try out for Quidditch next year?"

"I'm going to try out this year not next year and I'm going to play seeker."

"Harry, you know we aren't even allowed to try out until we're twelve! How do you plan to get around that rule?"

"I plan to show them what I can do and they'll accept me. I can fly fast plus I know so many new moves that I can use. Watch this!"

Seeing his cousin zoom off, Draco watches as Harry spins, twists, flies nearly sideways on the broom before flying straight at the ground.

"Harry! Watch OUT, you'll crash!" Draco yells frantically as his best friend seems not to be pulling up from the dive. Seeing the boy pull up at the last minute and then land safely, he flies over to land beside him.

"Merlin, Harry! You had me holding my breath at the end. That was bloody BRILLIANT! How long have you been practicing that move?"

"Every time Dad is gone I convince the newest house elf to let me go fly. She doesn't watch me outside because I told her not to. She thinks I'm her master so she does as I say. I haven't told her no one at Black Manor is the master. I hope she doesn't find out either or my flying alone is done."

Just as he finishes, a rolled piece of parchment labeled "Harry" pops into view in front of him. Staring at it uncomfortably he doesn't reach for it until Draco says "You better take it and read it or it will swat you in the back of your head until you do."

Nodding, Harry reaches for it unrolling the parchment to read "Harrison James Potter-Black! Report to me immediately and tell Draco to come also! S.S."

"Draco, I thought you said Uncle Severus couldn't see us from your house when we first came to the pitch."

"I said, I doubted he was looking now. Why?'

"We've just been ordered inside and he just called me Harrison James Potter-Black also. What do you think that means? It doesn't sound good to me. He only calls me that when he's mad. Do you think he saw me do the stunts?"

"I don't know if he saw or not but I do know it means you have to move fast be in more trouble than you're in now. Come on, put up the broom and let's go."


Entering by the side door, both boys stop to wipe their shoes on the mat before walking in to search for Severus.

Not seeing him in the kitchen or front room they walk to the family room. Seeing Severus sitting in a chair staring at the fire while holding a glass of something reddish both boys stop in the doorway swapping looks. Harry motions for Draco to enter first following a few steps behind him.

Draco asks "Did you want to see us, Dad?" as he walks in front of his Dad's chair.

"Yes boys. Have a seat on the couch. Do you see this glass?"

"Yes sir."

"What do you suppose has me sipping firewhiskey at four in the afternoon? Care to take a guess at what I saw that causes me to need a calming draught or in this case a nip of whiskey? You know I don't imbibe often."

"I'm going to guess it was a bogart in the shape of ... " Draco begins, trying to lighten the tension he feels, only to stop at the fierce glare he receives for his cheek. "Uhh, well maybe that isn't it."

"What I saw was two young boys flying so recklessly it's a wonder they stayed on brooms. Draconis, you know I do not approve of those twists you were doing during your flying unless you are supervised. I saw where you leaned off to the side and nearly slipped while hitting that bludger! I've told you several times, including just yesterday, not to fly so recklessly!" Severus begins after spending a few seconds glaring at his cheeky child.

"Harrison, I know for a fact, Sirius has forbidden that type of stunt I saw you pull. I do remember how he reacted to such behavior at the Quidditch Meet we attended together in Birmingham. I saw you today, flying straight towards the ground at top speed only to pull up and land at the last moment! Have you lost all reasonable thought? Do you have a sudden craving for time in St. Mungos? Either of you?"

"No sir." Harry answers quietly, beginning to wish he hadn't tried to show off to Draco.

"No sir, I don't want to go to hospital. We weren't trying to do anything dangerous. We were just having fun. It was exciting to fly with someone again Dad. I'm sorry for worrying you and for being cheeky." Draco answers biting his bottom lip nervously. The use of both their formal names has him worried.

"Both of you put yourselves in danger and I warned you before about safety. I don't talk just to hear my own voice, boys. Draconis put your nose in the corner." Watching his son obey he then calls to the boy he now thinks of as a nephew. "Come here Harrison."


Slowly walking the few steps from the couch to stand in front of his uncle, Harry has trouble meeting the stern gaze now focused on him.

"Harry, I want to remind you that you are well loved. Neither Sirius nor myself wants anything to happen to either of you boys because of foolish, reckless behavior such as you exhibited outside. I'm going to give you five reminders on your bum young man. Bend over my lap."

"Please don't Uncle Severus. I promise I won't fly like that again!" Harry tries, hoping to talk his way out of his punishment.

"Would Sirius let something like this go without punishment?" At Harry's head shake he then asks, already knowing the answer "Would he put you over his knee? Verbal answer, young man."

"Yes sir." Harry whispers.

"I told you both to fly safely. That flying I saw you do was anything but safe! Would you rather be restricted from flying for two weeks and have to spend the rest of the weekend inside?" Severus asks the boy in the corner as well as the one in front of him.

"No sir." both boys answer together.

That's what I thought. Now over my lap so we can get this over with!"

After expressing his displeasure to both youngsters, Severus tells them to go clean up.

"Both of you go take a bath and put on clean dress clothes for dinner. I'll take you to London to an Indian restaurant. I know you both like Indian food. I think a nice meal of our favorite Indian dishes would be good tonight. We won't speak of your behavior any more tonight, boys. Just know I do this to remind you to think of your safety, not to be cruel."

"I love Indian food! Let's go get ready, Harry." Draco replies, having taken his punishment without much emotion.

"I'll be there soon, you go on." Harry tells his cousin as he turns from his spot in the corner, wondering why Draco isn't as upset as he himself is over the spanking.

"Uncle Sev?" Harry asks after wiping away the tears he tried desperately not to let fall.

"Yes?" Severus asks after handing the boy a conjured handkerchief.

"I didn't bring dress clothes, sir. Dad didn't tell me you were going to go out to a nice dress for dinner restaurant."

"That's easily remedied, son. I'll send Dimitry to your place." Sev replies before calling for the elf.

"Sir wants Dimitry?"

"Yes. Please pop over to Black Manor and ask Dobby to give you muggle dress clothes for dinner out. Harry didn't know to pack any."

"Yes sir, Professor Snape, sir." Dimitry replies popping out.

"Go on and clean up, Harry. I'll have your clothes laid out on your bed when you come from the bath."

"Yes sir." Harry answers before heading for the stairs to follow Draco to his rooms.


"I'm sorry Drake. I didn't know he could see what we were doing and got us both smacked! Five swats may not sound like much but Merlin, your Dad swats hard! My bum is numb."

"I accept your apology and my bum is numb too! I got the same as you and I didn't even try to impale myself into the ground the way you did!" Draco answers grinning as he says it.

"Oi! I didn't 'try to impale myself into the ground'! I was pulling up! At least he didn't find the floo ball! I would be in for more swats if he had! Do you think he'll tell my Dad about this? After all I already got smacked for it."

"I don't know Harry. Dad's hard to figure out sometimes. I didn't expect a smacking, just lines maybe or early bedtime. He hasn't walloped me in awhile so I didn't think of it."

"I'm really sorry I caused you that trouble. Maybe I should just go stay at home with Dobby."

"No. You are staying the weekend and we're going to have adventures. Are you, Harry Potter- Black the brave child prodigy or are you a baby snivelling coward who runs home to an elf nanny at the first sign of trouble?"

"I'm not a snivelling coward and you know it! Don't call me that!" Harry replies balling his fist threateningly.

"Good, because my cousin has fun ideas. I may not know what your idea is yet but I want to go along whether we get in trouble or not! So I got a few smacks on my bum, who bloody cares? Go to your rooms to bathe and I'll meet you back here when you are ready. I haven't been to a restaurant in a long time. Maybe we can get something sweet for pudding on the way home if we are on our best behavior." Draco answers as he walks towards his bathroom.


"You alright there, Harry?" Severus asks the child who is now somewhat green tinged in his face.

"Yes sir. Floo travel over long distances makes me queasy. Could I have some water before we walk out of the station?"

"There's a fountain and a loo right across the lobby here. Why don't you both use it and then we'll walk to the restaurant. It's four blocks from here so it's not that far."

"I don't need to go, Dad. I'll walk with Harry and wait for him though."


"Look at this Harry! The plaque says the restaurant is underground! I like the ironwork and scrolls on the windows here at street level. When we go in the windows must be high."

"Let's go inside boys. Remember your manners please." Severus says as he ushers the two before him through the bright red door.

"Oh! Look at that. It's like being in a tunnel with the curved ceiling. Those windows we saw outside, we were seeing the tops of the inside wall decorations." Harry whispers as the boys walk beside Severus into one of three dining areas.

"We'd like a corner table, please. Water all around and a glass of red wine for myself." Sev answers the questions while the two boys scan the menu. Looking over the menu himself, he selects his order and waits for the boys.

"What catches your eye, Harry?" Draco asks.

"I like the Tikka Marsala Chicken as it has a creamy sauce to it. I don't like really hot and spicy dishes. May I have that Uncle Sev?" Harry answers, noticing Severus is listening.

"Yes son, fine choice and for you Dragon? What would you like?"

"I want to try the Madras Lamb. It's in the middle of the right column Dad." Draco replies seeing Severus searching the menu.

"Draco, that is going to be extremely hot. Didn't you see the notation of 'hot curry sauce' written here? I see something more suitable and it's lamb also. Look to the left and find Korma Lamb. It comes with a cream sauce, I know you like that."

"Yes, I'll take that. Are we getting rice?"

"We'll get rice for each of us and I'm ordering a platter of Vegetable Samosa also."


"What may I get for you gents tonight? Would you like to start with a starter platter?"

"Yes, that would be good. We'll have the Vegetable Samosa, Sheek Khabob, Paneer Tikka and Onion Bajee for the starter platter. I would like an extra platter of Vegetable Samosa plus three bowls of rice also. For the main dish I will have the Duck Jalfrezy. The boys will order for themselves."

"I'd like to try the Chicken, umm the one called Tikka Marsala Chicken, please." Harry orders as he points to the item on the menu.

"I want the Korma Lamb with the cream sauce, sir." Draco answers when the waiter says "And for you, young man?"

"May I keep the menu sir? I want to read more about the dishes." Harry asks the waiter as he answers Draco's quizzical look.

"You may keep it as long as you wish while here, young man."

"I didn't mean I would take it with me! I only wanted to look at it here!" Harry replies getting irritable.

"Harrison." he hears Sev say in a warning tone.

"Thank you sir for allowing me to peruse this fine menu longer." Harry says switching into his best manners voice, causing Draco to have to sip water to stifle the giggles.

"You are welcome. I'll have your starter platter out in a few moments, sirs."


"What did you want to read the menu for, Harry? We've already ordered our meals."

"I want to know what some of those dishes we ordered on the starter platter are, Draco. I've not heard of them before. What were they again, Uncle Sev?"

"Vegetable Samosa, that is a pastry filled with steamed vegetables. Then we'll have a sample of Sheek Khabob, Onion Bajee and Paneer Tikka also. Why don't you read the descriptions to us so my son will be educated also."

"I'm educated Dad! I know what Vegetable Samosa is already." Draco replies frowning.

"Listen anyway. Go ahead Harry."

"Paneer Tikka is a dish of cottage cheese soaked in sweet and sour vinaigrette, marinated in fenugreek yoghurt and has black onion seeds barbecued in tandoori. I'm not sure what all those are but I'll try it. I like sweet and sour chicken." Harry tells his uncle.

"Good job. Don't be afraid to try something just because you don't know if you like it. You'll find you like many things you never knew about if you try them."

"Yes sir. I like trying new dishes but some of them don't do well in my stomach. I can't eat much hot and spicy dishes."

"What about the one with the onion. What was it called again, Dad?" Draco asks.

"Onion Bajee, I think you'll like it Dragon. Tell him Harry."

"Onion Bajee is fried onion. We've had those before but it was just called fried onion. The Sheek Khabob is minced lamb. I know I like lamb. All this is making me hungry. I hope he comes with the dishes soon." Harry answers.

"Dad, what is on the duck you ordered?" Draco asks. "May I try some?"

"You may both try some but I warn you, it has chilis on it. I ordered Duck Jalfrezy, duck cut in strips with green chilis, peppers and tomatoes. Draco why are you gulping your water in that way?"

"Just thirsty I think, Dad." Draco answers, not wanting to tell his Dad the name Jalfrezy struck him as funny.

"Hmm, well save some for your meal, you'll need it. Here comes our starter platter now so prepare to taste everything, boys." Severus replies narrowing his eyes at his son.


Later that night before Harry goes to his own bedroom to sleep, Draco pulls him down on the bed to whisper.

"Alright, I've waited all day and now I have to know. I'll not sleep if I don't know. What are we going to use that floo ball for? TELL!"

"Ron, the twins and his sister are going to be somewhere fun tomorrow about one o'clock. We're going to join them there and hide under the cloak. Mr. Weasley can't see us that way. It's your job to find out how to distract Uncle Sev so we are able to sneak off. He has to be busy for at least three hours so we can have fun and come back here without him knowing. Plan that while you are laying here. Good night, Draco. I had fun tonight. I've never seen you drink so much water."

"It was the chilis on the Duck. So hot! I needed some icicles to suck on actually. It's a good thing you didn't try it or you'd be awake all night long."

"I knew better since I know what hot food does to me. See you in the morning. It's a shame we can't stay in the same room."

"Dad says we'd talk and not sleep."

"He's so right but we won't let him know it." Harry whispers before leaving the room.