A/N: This is another unbeta'd chapter. And we are racing through second year, it's Christmas and getting back to Hogwarts only took 10,000 words.
What type of detention you served under Lockhart depended on why you received your detention. Disrupting the class like Seamus and Dean meant you were given to Filch to work off your excess energy. Consistently under length homework or marks under 40 due to the deductions for spelling, grammar, legibility or under length submission meant you did your homework in Lockhart's NEWT classes. Neither of which consisted of more than 10 students all engaged in independent study of defensive magic and tended to stare uncomfortably at lower school intruders. Lack of understanding, the reason given on Harry's slip, meant remedial defence.
Remedial defence was an evening detention in Lockhart's classroom starting a 6pm and ending at 10pm during which you revised what ever Lockhart had failed you on until he decided you were competent. First year remedial classes were on mondays. Second years on tuesdays, third years on wednesday on up to fifth years on fridays. It was assumed that sixth and seventh years were expected not to need additional teaching having by that point achieved an Exceeds Expectations OWL.
As Harry had got his detention on wednesday afternoon he was forced to attend Defence lessons consisting of an exam on first year material and a review class on the first year material. Which struck Harry as being rather unfair if he was actually struggling with Defence.
When he arrived to at Lockhart's classroom he discovered he was the only person from his year assigned Remedial Defence for the week, although judging from Crabbe and Goyle's frantic note taking in this morning's review class he would not be alone if made to continue attending.
"Ah Harry," Lockhart said. "As you are the only student this week I thought we would use slightly more comfortable surroundings."
He lead the way into his office allowing Harry to see the fur lining of his navy boots and that when his powder blue robes billowed in the bracing draft that they too were fur lined. With an exaggerated shiver he set himself down in a plush arm chair near the fireplace.
Lockhart's office was decorated with pictures of himself at various events and photo shoots, a spare pair of sapphire blue robes hung by the door next to a royal blue cloak. Two floor to ceiling bookshelves burst with books with titles ranging from Lockhart's own works to someone called Slinkhard on 'Defensive Magical Theory'. A yeti's head was displayed between the two windows above Lockhart's desk.
"Now, Harry," Lockhart said, "would you be so kind as to explain what a restricted spell is?"
Gulping Harry stood in front of Lockhart's seat his mind scrambling, this did not sound much like the detention's Neville had described. "Um…" Harry stumbled, "Ah… a restricted spells are spells that are classified by the ministry as curses and spells that are intended to modify a human."
"That is a broad overview that includes many spells that are not restricted." Lockhart reprimanded Harry. "You covered this in your essay or should I be questioning whether cheating is occurring in your little group?"
"Higher order curses are restricted, such as bone breaking or rotting curses. Of course the highest order curses the unforgivable curses are banned." Harry said anger making his mind clear and voice strong. "Use of the lower order curses is acceptable on magical creatures and people but may be investigated if used on muggles. Spells such as the cheering charm and prank spells like nose to snout modify humans physically and mentally but are not restricted. Neither are lower order healing spells such as Episkey, the common minor healing spell, or Ferula, the bone binding spell, although higher order healing spells such as the bone mending spell, bone vanishing spell and flesh mending spell are restricted." Harry paused for breath. "The distinction seems to lie in the severity of the intended effect on the human and the difficulty of the spell. Non restricted spells can be cast by any fifth year with minimal risk of unintended side effects, do not force the target to act against their will and can be easily revoked often with the general counter-spell, finite. Restricted spells may force the target to act against their will, require specific counter spells if they can be countered, if incorrectly cast may permanently damage a witch or wizard, and in many cases require intensive study to correctly cast."
Satisfied with his answer Harry breathed deeply through his nose looking straight in front, Lockhart's ordinarily immaculate blond curls looked a little frizzy he noted absently.
"That is a verbose but I suppose acceptable answer." Lockhart said. "Who may use restricted spells at will?"
"Healers may use higher order healing spells, DMLE Officers, Aurors and Hit Wizards may use control spells and curses, and ministry employes in a muggle facing capacity may use the memory charm." Harry said wishing he had not read the book on lawful use of control magic.
"Excluding the afore mentioned people when is the use of restricted spells permitted?" Lockhart asked immediately.
"Imminent loss of life or limb." Harry said quickly hoping if he answered Lockhart's questions he would be allowed to leave early. He'd had quidditch practice yesterday and would again tomorrow. If he didn't finish two essays today he would be late with them.
"Does the presence of muggles modify the permitted circumstances?" Lockhart asked.
"No sir." Harry answered.
"Well done Harry." Lockhart said. Looking down at his watch he continued, "However it is only half past six." Harry took a moment to breath a sigh of relief, he'd have time to finish his transfiguration essay, start the potions essay and maybe look at history. "Which does not constitute a punishment."
Lockhart waved his wand in a lackadaisical manner, there was an almighty bang and roughly next to Harry there now stood a lopsided writing desk and uncomfortable and rickety looking chair. Lockhart then reached in to his robe pocket and took out a pile of letters bound with a pink ribbon.
"You will be serving your time answering my fan mail." The letters he held out to Harry smelt cloyingly of rose water. "The bottom sheaf contains a list of standard forms to common questions. Any questions that do not have as standard answer should receive a variant of 'Thank you for your letter, Mr Gilderoy Lockhart reads every piece of fan mail personally and enjoys receiving your correspondence. Yours Truly Glideroy Lockhart, Order of Merlin Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League, et cetera, et cetera."
He handed the bundles to Harry who sat on the rickety chair. It was as uncomfortable as he had expected it to be and unless he held his weight in exactly the right way it groan threateningly. The writing desk sloped to one side making his ink leak and forcing him to write at an angle. Close to the letters the smell was even more over powering his stomach turned and he felt dizzy from the fumes.
He though he must have fallen asleep because somewhere between answering Gladys Gudgeon's queries about Lockhart's position at Hogwarts and Lucinda Moonshine's letter everything got fuzzy and it was 10 o'clock.
"Give me the letters then." Lockhart said. Harry stood unsteadily picking the letters up. As he rose the chair and desk disintegrated sending his ink bottle hurtling toward the ground where it smashed firing shards of glass into Harry's legs and covering them and the floor around him with black ink. "Out!" Lockhart yelled.
Harry gratefully escaped. When he stumbled back to the common room he found Percy, Ginny, Hermione, Luna, Ron and the twins waiting for him. Percy took one look at him and hurried him to the nearest seat.
With efficient movement he rolled Harry's trousers up and removed his shoes. "Gryffindor Duty Elf!" He called. "This is going to hurt, Harry. Lu, Gin, hold his hands." Percy flicked his wand with a grimace and Harry cried out. Ron, Hermione and the twins swarmed him wrapping them all in a binding embrace and pushing Harry's face into Hermione's hair and shoulder while leaving his legs bare to Percy. Harry heard a pop and Percy's strained voice saying, "Episkey." The pain faded and Percy started talking to the elf arranging for Harry's garments to be cleaned and his shoes returned in the morning. "On up to bed the lot of you." Percy order hustling them towards the dorms.
Ron supported Harry up the stairs a bundle of books and parchment under his other arm. "You just need to rewrite the history essay at breakfast in your own words and read these transfiguration sections before bed. We'll write transfiguration during history and there'll be time before practice for you to rewrite the potions essay from these notes." Harry saw detailed notes laying out the full structure and what to reference shoved under his nose before Ron put them on his bedside table and handed him 'A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration' with bookmarks poking out of it in three places.
Sleepily he crawled into his bed and opened the book to the first book mark. He made it through the theory of Owls to Otters and complications of cross-species transfiguration before he feel asleep.
He woke to Hermione flopping down on his bed and shoving a bacon and egg sandwich under his nose. She waited until he grabbed it and sat up chewing before letting go. He inhaled his sandwich looking at the blurred shape in front of him until she placed something heavy in his lap.
"What's up?" He asked reaching for his glasses and seeing the largest of his books on his lap.
"Your history essay." She said. "Ron spent most of last night coaching me on this. I just need you to write the introduction and conclusions. I'll write the main body while you get dressed and finish the transfiguration reading."
Smiling gratefully he picked up the Ron's notes and scribbled out his conclusion and introduction before gulping down the milky tea Hermione had brought and getting out of his bed.
The remaining week of term passed in a blur of last minute assignments, excessive quidditch practice and youthful high spirits. Before they knew it they were stepping off the Express at Kings Cross carrying book sachets magically expanded by Percy to meet Mrs Weasley, a subdued looking Tonks and a formidable looking woman they didn't know.
Tonks and Mrs Weasley greeted them happily pulling them all into embarrassing hugs and kissing Ron and Harry in front of half the school before introducing them to the new woman. "This is my mum, Andromeda Cassiopeia Black Tonks. Mum these are Charlie's younger brothers and sisters, Percy Ignatius, Frederick Gideon, George Fabian, Ronald Bilbus, Harry James Potter, Ginevra Molly, Hermione Jane and Luna Selene Lovegood." Tonks said in a very posh accent. Once she was finished she grinned and asked in her normal voice, "Did I get them alright?"
"Fred and George were the wrong way round for birth order but you pointed to the right one. Hermione's name is a bit of a mess magically we've decided Hermione Catherine works best and magic seems to accepts it." Molly answered shooing them towards the near by floo station.. "We'll be taking the floo to Diagon Alley. Harry you're with Percy, Hermione and Luna you're together."
Mrs Weasley stood by the floo gate handing each pair some floo powder and looking like she was laughing at Mrs Tonks' disbelief at the speed and efficiency. "At some point I'll have to let the twins travel individually but at the moment this works well." Ron and Ginny just heard Mrs Weasley say as they spun away.
Once at Diagon Alley Mrs Tonks started powering them down the street talking about wedding plans. They just saw 'Dark Object Amnesty Weasley-Malfoy Alliance Defeats Dumbledore' blaring from a newspaper stand as she pressed on towards an area of the Alley they didn't know.
"I saw a darling set of dress robes true sky blue for the boys and a matching set in silver for the girls." Mrs Tonks said.
With a groan Tonks withdrew from her muttered conversation with Percy and said, "Mum we agreed. If we have to do a big thing Charlie and I want sky blue dresses with tarnished silver accents for Ginny, Hermione and Luna and grey dress robes with sky blue shirts and tarnished silver buttons for Bill, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Harry."
"It's so..." Mrs Tonks trailed off without finishing.
"It will look good on everyone and can be worn for more than just the wedding." Tonks said firmly as they walked into a understated shop.
The shop was light and airy with two empty tables and a officious looking woman occupied at a cabinet. There was nothing in the main room to indicate what it sold. It looked like the kind of shop that sold bespoke goods to the rich and landed, if you had to ask the price you couldn't afford it. The officious looking woman had stiffened at their entrance but still waited exactly one minute to turn from her busy work.
"Madame Tonks and party." She said. "Welcome to Corners Apparel. I am Madame Turner and I will be your tailor. I believe your party is a wedding party. Is this everyone?"
"The groom, father of the groom and best man are missing. They're due to come on Thursday." Madame Tonks said.
Madame Turner walked to one desk and drew out a book. "A yes I see. Second appointment due to the ages I wanted to fit each of them individually."
She took out another book and flicked to a section marked Weasley Tonks Wedding. It showed a silvery white dress shot with darker silver and sky blue next to light grey robes with sky blue flashing at the collar and cuffs and fastened with large tarnished silver buttons. Two dresses both sky blue one gathered at the waist with a long flowing skirt the other a simple sheath dress and two sets of dark grey dress robes were drawn on the reverse page.
"I will measure each to the children individually and inform you which design I would propose. Do you still prefer only one style of dress?"
"Yes." Tonks said at the same time Madame Tonks said, "If you suggest two styles I would like to see a preview on the girls."
Madame Turner nodded to Madame Tonks and took Percy into a separate room. After about five minutes she came out and said, "The adult style of dress robes without growth charms. And next?"
The twins and Ron walked in one after the other and each were suggested adult robes with growth charms. When it was Harry's turn he was embarrassed to be the only boy suggested child's robes.
"I would like to see a preview." Madame Tonks said.
With a quick wave of Madame Turner's wand Harry looked like he was dressed the robes sketched in the book. "These are the adult robes. See the poor fit at the waist and shoulders where he hasn't grown into a man's shape yet." She flicked her wand again and he was dressed in another set of robes that seemed to Harry no different from the previous pair. "And these are the children's robes. See how they fit him cleanly across the shoulders and waist."
Madame Tonks nodded. "That's fair."
"Which of the girls is first?" Madame Turner asked.
Ginny was pushed forward and through the door. After another boring fifteen minutes she Luna and Hermione had each been measured and Madame Turner was presenting her suggestions. "I would say a sheath for Miss Ginevra and the gathered dress for Miss Hermione and Miss Luna." She flicked her wand and the three girls were dressed in the sheath dress. "See how neither Miss Hermione nor Miss Luna have the bust or waist for this dress. Neither have yet begun developing a woman's shape." She waved her wand again and they were wearing the gathered dress. "With this one, the neck line doesn't flatter Miss Ginerva's developing shape nor does the position of the gathering." She flicked her wand again. "If you want them all in the same dress this is what I would suggest; a square neckline as with the sheath dress gathered under the bust and flowing down as with the gathered dress."
"It's perfect." Madame Tonks said. "Why doesn't Percy take the kids to get ice cream while we get fitted and see Dora's dress." She asked looking at Mrs Weasley.
With a nod and, "Harry has his BAT magical test at Gringotts at five o'clock!" called Mrs Weasley as she let them lose on the Alley.
With only Percy for supervision they took their first furtive steps in to Knockturn Alley. If they were alone it would have been scary but with Percy and the twins they felt comfortable that nothing would happen a screaming hag or a wizard who looked too keenly at Ginny could be brushed off with nervous giggles turning into real belly laughs when tickled by the twins. Also there were some really interesting shops, Percy found a second hand book shop and was convinced to buy the twins a dubious looking potions text and them a transfiguration and animagi primer suggested in their book so he could by a small black title called 'Occluding your Secrets' that he looked shifty about.
He hustled them back to the Diagon Alley for half past four and they spent a boring half hour waiting for Mrs Weasley, Tonks and Madame Tonks to arrive. They were in a room off Gringott's main hall, Percy, the twins, Ginny and Hermione absorbed into their new books, Ron and Luna reading a copy of the Quibbler and Harry wishing he could join either Ginny and Hermione or Ron and Luna as he wrote his BAT before Mrs Weasley and Tonks arrived.
The others had been sympathetic about having to sit a BAT test but only so far. As Percy said, "We've all had to take it. It's rather dull but allows you make informed decisions on your electives next year and NEWTs in sixth." Which wasn't very comforting, what if he didn't have any talents what if he didn't have the raw power to progress past OWLs in any thing? He already knew Ginny and Hermione had a ridiculous natural talent at Transfiguration and Luna and Ron were similarly skilled with creatures and plants, as their teachers would frequently comment on it.
Mrs Weasley brushed a kiss over his head and glanced at both the hourglass in front of him and his paper. "Only ten more minutes Harry." She said before turning to the others.
Her delay had given them time to secret their books in handy pockets and fight a quiet but vicious battle over the lone copies of the Quibbler and Prophet under Tonks' watchful eye.
"Ten minutes." Tonks grinned, "You can take Harry's mind of his test and tell us what aptitude your BATs revealed. Percy?"
"Magical Languages," Percy said in his most pompous tone, "Charms and the normal Weasley talent in care for magical creatures and plants. I chose to take muggle studies, care of magical creatures, ancient runes and magical languages as my third year electives and took charms, transfiguration, history of magic, magical languages, ancient runes and muggle studies for NEWTs. I plan on applying for the Department of International Co-operation or the Goblin Liaison Office."
The twins had looks of unholy glee on their faces. "We got the same," they said simultaneously, "the Weasley talent, transfiguration, charms and warding. We're taking arithmancy, ancient runes and care of magical creatures. Potions, herbology, care of magical creatures, ancient runes, arithmancy, charms and transfiguration for NEWTs."
Ron nodded, "I've got the Weasley talent, magical languages and charms like Percy. I know I need to take care of magical creatures and magical languages but I'm not sure what to take as my third or if I'll take a fourth."
He nudged Ginny, "I've got the Weasley talent, transfiguration, charms and warding like the twins. I'm going to take care of magical creatures, ancient runes and arithmancy. I don't know if I'll take a fourth."
Ron nudged Luna, "I've got seer talent, magical languages and care for magical creatures and plants. I want to take ancient runes, care of magical creatures and magical languages. I'm supposed to take divination but I'd rather take muggle studies."
"Healing, transfiguration and warding." Hermione said quickly, "I'll take ancient runes, arithmancy and care for magical creatures and pick up healing in sixth year. "
"So what has Harry got?" Tonks asked.
"Transfiguration, that'll be from James; he was brilliant at it by all accounts," Mrs Weasley said reading from Harry's paper which had rolled itself up when he finished and now held a list in his spidery handwriting he knew he hadn't written. "Charms, which will be from Lilly; she was apprenticed under Professor Flitwick before they went in to hiding. Magical languages isn't a Potter talent but Lilly was a muggleborn and the talents are always a little wild for a few generations."
"So Harry will be in magical languages and ancient runes with me and Lu." Ron said.
"That would be preferred. No reason not to explore an aptitude." Mrs Weasley said. "Do you understand what the electives being discussed are Harry?" She asked. Mutely Harry shook his head and Mrs Weasley sighed. She put his test in her handbag, gave Tonks a brisk but affectionate hug, wrapped her arm around Harry and lead them out the bank towards Diturn Alley, waving to Tonks as she separated from them at the public floo point. As Mrs Weasley walked she talked, "Magical languages is a class that teaches five common and three uncommon magical languages over the course of OWLs and NEWTs. I didn't take it but both Arthur, Bill and Percy say that the first class is a test to see which uncommon languages you have an aptitude for. The OWL course focuses on Mermish, Gobbledygook, Elven and your uncommon language. You learn the tools to help you learn other languages.
"Ancient Runes teaches the five common runic languages. They are used in spell creation, potion creation and warding in post NEWT education. It's a very useful class if your interested in any of those fields and a lot of the skills will over lap with magical languages.
"Arithmancy teaches the mathematics behind spell and potion creation. It's also useful for warding. Given how often I find you deep in Bill's old books you will enjoy it.
"Care of magical creatures is a very broad topic. Everyone from wand makers to dragon keepers to kneazel breeders have to take the OWL. You learn how to identify and care for creatures ranging from flobberworms to unicorns to arctomantulas in Seventh year.
"Divination is the the field of magic concerned with telling the future. There is little point taking it if you don't have a gift, read a good primer, for example Cassandra Trewlaney's 'Curse of the Prophet' on the bottom shelf in the living room and you'll know as much as you'll need in most circumstances.
"The last elective is muggle studies. According to Arthur the syllabus is at least fifty years out of date but it is required to have the OWL if you want a position that will require interaction with muggles such as DMLE officer, oblitivator, ambassador or a position within the embassies." She stopped speaking as the entered a tiny cafe. The sign hang over the door called the places 'Hag's Hole'.
The outside was a grubby looking single door that had seen better days crammed between an apothecary and a shop selling pots and pans. The window in the door was cracked and grimy and the door when forced open showed only a steep set of stairs. Following Mrs Weasley they trooped up the stairs in silence to a slightly less grimy door. This one opened easily to a room full of tables and chairs most of them occupied. After the silence of the stairs the loud chatter and clatter of cutlery and crockery was almost a shock.
Mrs Weasley pressed them into a large booth and grabbed a handful of menus to hand out. "What do you think?" She asked looking at Harry.
Harry blinked and realised she was still talking about electives. "Arithmancy sounds alright and if you think I should take ancient runes and magical languages I will." He said. "This place is awesome."
"Arthur and I will want to talk to all five of you without the twins or Percy during the holidays but I wanted to let you think about the options before we throw them at you. Sign up forms will go out towards the end of the term and need to be handed back before Easter." Under her breath they heard her say, "Dumbledore always meddling." With a smile she continued, "Isn't it. Good wholesome food for days like this." She tapped the menus and they fell to pursuing the food available to them.
