Chapter 8:

The day after Harry wrote to Ron and Hermione he received replies. Hedwig had appeared in the dorm that morning waking him up. He had told them that he was staying at Hogwarts and his plans for this summer, which he had started yesterday. (After two hours spent on his Transfiguration work he explored the castle for a bit. Not in depth but a quick skim of the quiet halls. It would be helpful to know if anything changed during the summer. Then he ate and wrote to his friends.) Harry checked his watch. It was to early to go down for breakfast so he had time to read the letters. Ron's letter was ripped open first.

Bloody Hell Harry,

Staying at Hogwarts for the summer? I don't think any student has had that chance before. But are you sure you want to spend it in the library? I guess learning more spells is useful but we already spent half the year in there. Be sure that Hagrid doesn't rope you into helping with anymore of his pets. I think exploring more of Hogwarts sounds brilliant! Maybe you'll find a secret passageway that the twins don't know about it's like they have a map or something.

Harry paused for a second. A map of Hogwarts, why did that sound familiar? He shook it off. Then continued Ron's letter.

It sounds like you'll be having a better summer than I am. Mom has us all helping with chores and the twins are causing explosions left and right. Ginny won't stop asking about you either. She's very excited to start at Hogwarts this year. I'm really glad that you're staying at Hogwarts instead of with the muggles. From what you said I don't think anybody would like your Aunt and Uncles. Do you think you still might be able to visit? It's bloody strange not seeing you and Hermione everyday. You better not get yourself into any more danger without us. Whoever thought summer could be boring? So write back soon with some exciting news.

Bye,

Ron.

P.S I attatched my letter to Hermione to Hedwig. I hope that's okay with you. Our owl Errol is bloody useless.

Harry laughed. He really missed his loyal friend. He really hoped he didn't have to wait till September to see him again. Maybe he could ask Dumbledore if it was okay for them to visit or vice versa. Maybe he could actually celebrate his birthday this year! Though he was pretty sure nothing would beat last years. Still smiling he opened up Hermione's note.

Hi Harry,

I was very suprised to see Hedwig waiting for me in my room last night. I thought I was going to have to send it by post which is so much slower. I didn't expect you and Ron to write until next week at the earliest. So I was excited to recieve your letter, even more to read what you wrote. Honestly Harry, I was very worried when you left King's Cross. Your relatives do not seem like nice people. My parents seemed to think the same. I've told them who you are in my letters of course, but when they saw you leave with your Aunt seeming slightly upset they asked me for details. I was actually coming upstairs to write a letter inviting you to stay until you could go visit Ron, thinking maybe your relatives would like my parents more because their muggles. But Hogwarts in the summer! I'm excited to hear I had almost as much an influence on you as you and Ron did on me. I'm happy to hear you're going to the library. Tell me all about your research in your next letter! Exploring the castle is very practical as well. I have a feeling our next few years at Hogwarts won't be any calmer than this past one. And you have the teachers to help! I've already started on my summer work. The essay Professor Flitwick assigned has been my first, Transfiguration was close behind. But you can actually practice the spells and not just learn them in theory. I have to say I'm jealous! Other than that it seems like you'll have a very exciting summer. I hope I can see you before school starts, Ron says he's still planning on inviting you over this summer. He invited me too, so I'll have to ask my parents in the morning. Ron said he warned you not to get into any trouble and I agree. Save that until we're by your side! Though I'd rather we didn't have any at all. Have fun at Hogwarts!

Sincerely,

Hermione

P. S Give Hagrid a hello for me! I miss everything about school, especially my friends.

Hermione wrote the same as she spoke, trying to find a way to say all she wanted too within the little space she had. He was going to be depeding on her advice a lot in the future, Ron's as well. Harry smiled tucking both letters under his pillow. He would definitley write back after the day was done. He had devised a schedule for hisself with help from Minerva and Proffesor Dumbledore. Scretly in his mind he was already calling them Minnie and Albus like he had heard his dad do in his dream. Which reminded him he needed to find out what happened to the other people at the meeting. Another thing to add to the list. His schedule was the following.

8: 00 AM Wakeup (he had a magical alarm set)

8:30 AM Breakfast

9:00-12:30 Summer work with a Teacher (Not all assigned work. So it was Sunday with McGonagall. Monday with Binns. Tuesday with Flitwick. Wendseday with Snape. Thursday with Sinistra. Friday, check up with Madam Pomfrey. Saturday was free because Sprout didn't assign summer work and there was no defence teacher.

12:45-1:30 Lunch

1:30-2:30 Meeting with Dumbledore (He would ask him any questions and Dumbledore would answer as he pleased. They also discussed Harry's dreams.)

2:30-6:00 Free Time

6:00-7:00 Clean up (showers) before Dinner

7:00-7:30 Dinner

7:30-9:00 Free time in Common Room till Bed

9:00 Bed

So that morning after Harry finished reading his letters he headed down to Breakfast. He took a seat next to Professor Flitwick, who sat with him across from Hagrid. Serving himself some eggs, bangers (sausages) and toast, before pouring some Pumpkin Juice Harry dug in.

"How'd ya sleep Harry?" Hagrid asked.

"Good I guess. Hermione and Ron wrote back, they told me to say hi," he replied.

"That's good. How they enjoying their summa'?" Hagrid asked.

"I'm guessing Ms. Granger already finished all of her assignments?" Proffesor Flitwick asked chuckling. He struggled to reach a plate of muffins so Hagrid passed them to the short man.

"It's only been three days. She's been spending time with her parents so she can't spend as much time on work as she'd like. With the time she has had even she couldn't complete all her assignments. She did say that she had completed Charms and Transfiguration. Ron seemed happy to be home too, but he did say life wasn't as exciting as at school," Harry said then took a sip of Pumpkin juice.

"Everyone seems to miss Hogwarts during the summer, though they don't all miss the classes. But I can't say it is much more exciting here than anywhere else. I believe that this year was an exception," Proffessor Flitwick said, "I suppose it runs in your genes. Potters have a knack for trouble."

One of the things Harry loved most about spending the summer at Hogwarts was that many of the teachers knew his parents. He asked them for as much about them as he could, plus the things he was starting to remember seemed to help. Harry was getting the sense that his father was a prankster, like the Weasley twins, with his other friend who Harry had seen in his dream. His mom seemed to be a lot like Hermione, but she was also supposedly a spitfire. Both were the tops of their year.

Harry nodded. Till breakfast was over he made small conversation with the other teachers. Then he headed back upstairs to grab some parchment, ink, quills and the books he needed for his time with Proffesor Snape. Something he wasn't very excited about at all. He headed down to the dungeons to find Snape standing over a cauldron. Quietly he sat down at one of the desks and waited till the black robed man spoke.

"What are you staring at Potter? Get to work! Don't expect any special treatment either. You may have a somewhat valid reason for staying at Hogwarts over the summer but that doesn't mean you shall get any other special treatments. Just like any other student you are to do this on your own, no questions asked. You shall sit in silence until Lunch while I brew. Understood?"

"Yes sir," Harry said.

He got his quill and parchment and started. The assignment consisted of explaining the difference in the brewing of antitidotes, poisons and magical solutions. They had brewed examples of each not so long ago in this very dungeon. Opening his textbook and trying to remember everything he'd learnt was hard. A page into his essay he got distracted.

Harry wondered again why Snape hated him so much. The other teachers were happy to answer his questions just like for every other student. The only difference was he asked them in person and his peers asked them by owl post. If his father saved Snape's life why did he hate him? Did Snape know his mother too? Harry had learnt they were in the same year at Hogwarts.

He decided he would figure it out later. The sooner he got this essay done the sooner he could send it with Hedwig and ask Hermione to check it over. Then he could solve the mystery behind Snape's hatred.

Now determined to get it done, Harry found the essay much easier than he had previously thought. He was done around a half hour before Lunch. Setting down his quill and closing his inkpot he looked up at Snape. The Professor now had several different cauldrons brewing at once. He was stirring one and seemed quite focused. That was till he noticed the lack of the scratching sound of quill on parchment.

"Why aren't you working? You still have another half hour to go!"

"It's because I've finished, sir."

"Do you really expect me to believe that?" Snape said snatching the essay of Harry's desk. As his eyes flicked from side to side reading the words Harry had written they widened in suprise.

"Did you perhaps ask Miss Granger for her essay and copy it?" asked Snape.

"No sir. Hermione's still working on your essay. She's on holiday with her parents and hasn't had as much time as she would like for school work."

Snape looked at Harry right in the eyes. He seemed to reevaluate him for just a second. Then he realized his potions had gone to long without attention. With his black cloak flying behind him, he looked like a giant bat sweeping across the dungeon back to the overheating cauldrons, then he added the next ingredient with seconds to spare.

"Very well, Potter. If you have nothing more to add to you essay then open up your book and read chapter 12. I'm not sure if you'll have the ability to understand it but you've suprised me before."

Harry gaped for a moment. Had Snape just given him a compliment? He opened up his book as instructed. He would've like Potions much more if the teacher wasn't the way he was. Harry had been interested in the class from the minute he bought his books. He read three pages about the uses of Flobberworm mucus before Snape spoke up.

"You are dismissed Potter. I expect to see work of the same quality as this in the future now that I know you are capable."

"Yes sir," Harry said slightly surprised, "Will you be coming to eat?"

Now Snape seemed surprised, "No, I have potions brewing that need attention. Now go before someone else comes to bother me looking for you."

That seemed a bit more like Snape. Harry put his things away and headed upstairs towards the Great Hall. Lunch today was only him, McGonagall and Hagrid. All the other Professors were busy. So Harry quickly ate and made his way to Dumbledore's office.

"Good Afternoon, Professor."

"Ah, how has your day been Harry? I believe you were working with Professor Snape today?"

"Yes sir. He was surprised when I finished my assignment and told me to read another chapter in the book."

"Do you like Potions, Harry?" asked Dumbledore gesturing for the standing boy to take a seat. "It was never my favorite, I must admit."

"I thought it would be interesting, but the class this year was difficult. But for some reason the assignment this summer wasn't."

"Professor Snape probably was surprised to see there is more of your mother in you than he believed. She was quite talented at Potions, she was just second in her class at that and top in Charms."

"She was?"

"Yes. As you've heard before both her and your father were exceptional students. Your father didn't enjoy schoolwork but did well all the same. Especially in transfiguration where he tied for the top of the class. Your mother was the top of her class in almost everything bar potions and transfiguration. You are quite similar to them both," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Thank you. My mother sounds kind of like Hermione," Harry said smiling.

" A bit like Ms. Granger, but not completely. I do believe your parents would have been very pleased with your choice of friends."

"That reminds me sir, what happened to all of my parents friends? The ones from my dreams."

"Now that Harry is a very long and sad story."

"Please, I need to know."

"Very well, but first have you had anymore dreams?"

Harry shook his head and looked at Dumbledore questioningly. The headmaster sighed, "I did hope I would not have to tell you this for quite some more time. Your parents friends…."

Dumbledore told Harry the long story of the Marauders. How all four had been the best of friends in school and joined the Order of Phoenix, an organization formed by himself to fight Voldermort, after school. Then the Potters had been targeted. Harry sat through the long explanation of the Fidelous charm. He stayed silent through the shock of hearing about Sirius's betrayal and Peter's death. After Dumbledore finished Harry sat for a minute absorbing it all.

"So what happened to Mr. Lupin, Remus, is he still alive?" Harry asked.

"Mr. Lupin tried to gain custody of you after your parents deaths. He would have been one of your parents' first choices, but there were complications I cannot explain without his discretion. Since then he has been traveling, being unsuccessful in keeping a job in Britain."

"Is it possible for me to meet him?" Harry asked.

"I shall contact him. I believe he has been back in Britain for the past few months. Hopefully, you can meet him before the end of July. (AN: at this point it's the beginning of July/end of June)"

"Thank you, sir."

"I am so sorry Harry. A boy of your age should not have to know this, you already have a heavy burden on your shoulders sir."

"I needed to know."

"Yes, I just wish that you did not have to learn of any of this for at least a while longer. You have a lot to think about, and I've already taken an hour of your free time."

"Do you know where I could find someone to keep an eye on me at the quidditch pitch?" Harry asked as he got up and left.

"I believe Minerva could use some fresh air. She's been inside grading papers all day."

Harry left the staircase and didn't even reply to the Gargoyle's goodbye. He walked to the dorm to grab his broom then headed back downstairs to the first floor where he headed to McGonagall's office. The teacher had been working so hard that she had already finished Exam papers and was looking over the list of Muggleborns she needed to visit. She looked over her square glasses when Harry walked in with his broom.

"Sorry to bother you Professor. I've just come from my meeting with Professor Dumbledore, he told me you might be available to watch me on the pitch."

"I suppose I could take a small break. How did your meeting go? Anything of interest?" she said setting her stuff down and following the boy outside.

"You were my parents teacher, right?"

"Yes, I've told you this before."

"So you also taught Mr. Lupin, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew?"

McGonagall gasped unbelieving the poor boy knew, "Yes, and I'm sad to see the way their friendship ended. Now get on that broom, I have a snitch you can use. We need to win the house cup this year."

Harry smiled, he had questions but he was still processing what he had learnt. He supposed McGonagall didn't want to talk about it much either. Mounting his broom he took to the air. Below him he saw his teacher release the snitch. For the next hour and a half Harry zoomed through the pitch practicing catching the pitch as well as different maneuvers. What he had learnt was in the back of his mind. By 5:00 McGonagall called him down, explaining she was due to start visiting Muggleborns the next day. He put his broom in the broomshed along with the snitch.

Harry walked into the castle sweaty and hungry, yet not tired. With still an hour of free time before he needed to start cleaning up he decided to explore a bit more. Still in the entry hall he wandered around searching for anything that could trigger that familiar feeling of magic in the air. He always felt that at Hogwarts, but triply so near a hidden secret of the school where strong magic was present. Turning a corner he heard a merry laugh, one he had heard from the Hufflepuff Table several times in the past, the Fat Friar. Following it he saw the ghost fly through a door.

"Alohomara!" Harry said, remembering Hermione using the spell. It came in handy a lot. Harry followed the staircase behind the open door down to a hallway, in the center of which was painting of a fruit bowl. He walked up to the painting and could feel the magic emitting from it. Sort of like the magic that could be felt near the barrier to Platform 9 and ¾. He reached his hand up to touch the bowl, running his fingers along the outline of the fruit. When his fingers brushed the Pear a giggle echoed from the fruit. It turned into a green door knob. Harry turned and the door swung open revealing someplace familiar but not.

Stepping in Harry saw the door close behind him. In mimic of the Great Hall, which he supposed they were right below, four tables were set out. A fifth, the teachers table, looked over them. The ceilings were high and arched as in the hall above but that was where the similarities ended. Right beside the door was a giant brick fire place. The walls hung with pots and pans and other kitchen utensils. Stoves lined the walls as well as several other tables where food was being prepared.

The creatures bustling about were stranger than Harry had ever seen. Humanoid with arms and legs they were about a head shorter than Harry. (He was 11 and short for his age). They had large floppy ears and wide orbs for eyes. Their skin was wrinkled and came in all the different colors that humans came in. They all wore the same sack like robes with the Hogwarts crest. What he supposed were the girls had hair and they were all working nonstop.

"Sir? We be getting you something?" A small girl creature pulled on his robe. Harry started for a minute to speak then stopped thinking on what to say.

"What is this place?" He finally asked.

"These is the Hogwarts Kitchens sir. We's be making the food for the students and teachers. Dinner be in just over an hour sir."

Harry looked around. The creature were cutting up meat and veggies. He saw a sheperd's pie being made. Several creatures were cooking and baking. Another was setting the teachers table with plates and utensils. Pitchers of pumpkin juice and other drinks were being set on the tables by the elves.

"Who are you guys?" Harry asked.

"We's are the Hogwarts house elves!" Yelled one from the stove.

"We's be making your food, cleaning the castle and working to make the students happy," explained the girl elf near him.

"Why don't I ever see you then?" Harry ask.

"We's not wanting to be seen, sir. A good house elf does only work with not been seen."

"I'm Harry. What's your name?" Harry asked the girl elf still standing by him.

"I called Hepsy. We knows who you are Harry Potter. All the elves knows yous be staying for the summer," she told him excitedly. "You be wanting anything before dinner, sir?"

Harry thought. "It it's not too much to ask do you have any treacle tart?" he asked.

Several elves bustled up with a basket of treacle tart. It was way to much for Harry to eat but he thanked them profusely anyway. They all looked extremely pleased with themselves having served him. Thanking them once again Harry promised to come back and ask if he needed something then said goodbye and left. His muggle watch said he still had a half hour.

Outside the door he looked down the hall to both ways deciding where to go. Munching on a piece of treacle tart he set off towards the right. In a few steps he reached a dead end. All that was there was a stack of barrels. A bit disappointed he could see nothing more Harry sighed. At least he had discovered the kitchen, he thought.

As he turned back towards the stairs to climb back into the Entrance Hall, Harry felt something behind him. Floating out of the barrels was the Fat Friar, who he had followed down here in the first place. The Friar spotted him as well and floated over.

"Hello Mr. Potter, may I ask what you're doing down here?"

"I was exploring sir. I met some of the house elves and saw the kitchen," he explained.

"Ah the kitchens. One of the parts of Hogwarts where Helga Hufflepuff worked hardest. Hufflepuffs are some of the more frequent visitors to the kitchens. Not a lot of others know where it is," The Friar chuckled.

"Your common room is down here isn't it? I know Ravenclaw and Gryffindor have theirs in the towers. So Hufflepuff and Slytherins are farther down," Harry reasoned.

The Friar was surprised by Harry's question but nodded. Noticing his surprise Harry agreed he wouldn't pry more into it. He wasn't sure how the Hufflepuffs would feel but he knew the Gryffindor's would be extremely upset if another house happened to walk into their tower.

"What do you ghosts do during the summer?" Harry asked. He knew that during the school year ghosts mostly helped students by answering any questions. They also communed with each other often. But he didn't know a lot about the ghosts otherwise. Did they leave the castle during the summer? Did they have any other jobs?

"Not much. Most of us stay in the castle. Some dare to travel, visiting their old homes and other friends."

"So which ones have stayed this summer?" Harry asked.

"The Grey Lady of course, and the Bloody Baron. Nearly Headless Nick is gone again trying to find the Headless Hunt and let them get him to join. Moaning Myrtle as well."

"Moaning Myrtle?" Harry knew the others were all house ghosts but who was Moaning Myrtle.

"The Ghost of a student. She lives in the bathroom, on what floor I just can't remember," the Friar explained.

"Thanks," Harry told the Friar looking at his watch and realizing he was out of free time.

"My pleasure," the Friar bowed and floated away.