After that the five quickly fell into a routine, attending classes, doing homework, going to study classes, doing research, keeping up with muggle lessons (Harry and Hermione), and having fun. Thanks to Susan they discovered that there wasn't really anything that they could do about Dumbledore's flouting of Harry's parents' will as the power and support that the old man had meant that to stick a charge would have to be much more serious. They also found out about Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. Harry, wanting to know more, instantly sent a letter to the ministry records department to ask for a trial transcript. No reply was forthcoming.
They could find no information on Remus Lupin. Harry actually knew someone by that name, but he didn't think that it was the same person as he had met the man in Paris and they had become fairly close, although they hadn't kept in contact. They also knew from a trip to Paris the year before that he had moved away and they didn't know where to. Without this knowledge they had no way of contacting him, whether he was the one they wanted or not.
The first real break from the new routine came on the Thursday of their second week at Hogwarts, the day of the first years flying lesson which Harry was very much looking forward too, although Hermione wasn't so much.
It was also the day that the five unleashed their first prank- with the help of Harry's map they had snuck around and charmed several doorways around the castle with a charm they had found that would change the colour of an item of clothing of anyone who walked underneath. They had found the charm in a pranks book that was hidden inside the Library's copy of 'Hogwarts a History.' One door charmed was that to the Potions classroom, as the beginning of their campaign against Snape. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
They headed to the boredom that was History of Magic, where they quietly began to plot their next prank and watch the results of the current one (They had realised that Binn's lectures came word for word from the book and had thus convinced Hermione that listening was pointless.)
When lunch came around they were hard pressed to keep the smirks from their faces as practically everyone in the hall (including them) was a host of psychedelic colour. Their amusement was increased by the fact that the loudly protesting Weasley twins were collared by McGonagall as soon as they entered the hall.
After Lunch was over, the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw first years hurried down the front steps onto the grounds for their first flying lesson. It was a clear, breezy day, and the grass rippled under their feet as they marched down the sloping lawns toward a smooth, flat lawn on the opposite side of the grounds to the forbidden forest, whose trees were swaying darkly in the 20 broomsticks lay in neat rows on the ground.
Their teacher, Madam Hooch, arrived. She had short, gray hair, and yellow eyes like a hawk. "Well, what are you all waiting for?" she barked. "Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up."
Harry glanced down at his broom. It was old and some of the twigs stuck out at odd angles.
"Stick out your right hand over your broom," called Madam Hooch at the front, "and say 'Up!'"
"UP" everyone shouted.
Harry's broom jumped into his hand at once, but it was one of the few that did.
Hermione's had simply rolled over on the ground, Hannah's jumped straight up and Susan's got halfway up before falling back to the ground. Perhaps brooms, like horses, could tell when you were afraid, thought Harry; there was a quaver in Hermione's voice that showed her fear only too clearly.
He placed a comforting arm on her hand. "Don't be scared Mione."
She looked at him, obviously panicking. "I can't do it Harry."
"Yes you can. 'You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.' C'mon, it's not that hard. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Think of something else." She did as instructed and visibly calmed down. He then continued. "That's it. Now put out your hand and say 'UP.' Make it come to you."
"UP!" The broom jumped and smacked into her hand. Hermione opened her eyes and beamed. "I did it!"
"Told you so."
For this he got a playful slap on the arm. "Thanks Harry."
Madam Hooch then showed them how to mount their brooms without sliding off the end, and walked up and down the rows correcting their grips. "Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard," said Madam Hooch. "Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle — three — two — one." She blew her whistle and the first years, some a little unsteadily, completed the exercise.
They did this again a few times before beginning to all fly around in a large circle. Harry was relaxing and beginning to really enjoy it when he heard a very familiar scream. His blood chilled in fear as he whipped straight around. He immediately saw that Terry Boot had ploughed into Hermione, presumably having lost control, and she had fallen from her broom. Before he even had time to register this, he was diving fast as a bullet towards her. His outstretched arms caught her around the waist and he gently lowered her the rest of the way down to the ground, jumping off his broom and hugging the shaking girl tight, his heart beating wildly.
He whispered to her comfortingly. "It's okay Mione, your safe. Everything's alright."
She sobbed into his shoulder. "Oh Hero! I was so scared!"
"Me too. Please don't do that to me again."
She looked up and gave him a watery smile. "Like you can talk. You get in more scrapes than me."
"Can't really argue with that." He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and looked up as she dried her eyes. The rest of the class was hovering near them and Madam Hooch was landing with Terry in tow. The panicked boy immediately ran over. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean too, Are you okay?"
"It's okay Terry; it was an accident and I'm fine."
"Are you sure Miss Granger?" asked Madam Hooch.
"Yes Professor."
"Good. Mr Potter, take 30 points for Hufflepuff for your quick actions. You fly very well. This your first time on a broom?"
"Yes professor."
"You're a natural." She turned to Terry. "You Mr Boot, are not. I suggest more practice."
His eyes widened. "What if I hurt someone else?"
"You won't lad. I'm not just going to send you off again without help." The two took back off.
Harry looked at Hermione. "You want to try again?"
Her expression set in determination. "I have to. If I don't now I'll never have the courage."
"Don't worry. We won't let you fall. Will we girls?" Susan and Hannah, still hovering nearby, (the rest of the class had dispersed back into the air) shook their heads emphatically. The four then took to the air.
x-x-x-x-x
By the time the bell rang to mark the end of the lesson, Hermione was flying fairly confidently. Harry was loving it more and more with every second. Slightly reluctantly, they hurried off to charms and when that lesson was over they met up with Cedric and headed back outside to enjoy the sunshine.
They were fairly close to the area that the flying lessons had taken place, and as such witnessed the Gryffindors and Slytherins hurrying out for their own lesson. They watched, frozen, as Neville took off too soon and fell from his broom. Hermione, winced as he hit the ground, knowing that could easily have been her.
They got up and began to move closer to see if he was alright. They approached as Madam Hooch was bending over Neville, her face as white as his.
"Broken wrist," Harry heard her mutter. "Come on, boy — it's all right, up you get." She turned to the rest of the class. "None of you is to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch.' Come on, dear."
Neville, his face tear-streaked, clutching his wrist, hobbled off with Madam Hooch, who had her arm around him.
No sooner were they out of earshot than Malfoy burst into laughter. "Did you see his face, the great lump?" The other Slytherins joined in.
"Shut up, Malfoy," snapped Parvati Patil.
"Ooh, sticking up for Longbottom?" said Pansy Parkinson, a hard-faced Slytherin girl. 'Never thought you'd like fat little crybabies, Parvati."
"Look!" said Malfoy, darting forward and snatching something out of the grass. "It's that stupid thing Longbottom's gran sent him."
The Remembrall that Neville had received that morning at breakfast glittered in the sun as he held it up.
"Give that here, Malfoy," said Harry quietly, angry at the slurs directed at his friend and the fact that none of his housemates seemed particularly eager to defend him. Everyone stopped talking to watch.
Malfoy smiled nastily. "Well if it isn't Potter. I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find — how about — up a tree?"
Cedric and the girls stepped forward to flank Harry and Cedric spoke. "How about you hand it over?"
Malfoy gulped slightly at the sight of the older boy but had already leapt onto his broomstick and taken off; he couldn't back out now without being seen as a coward. Hovering level with the topmost branches of an oak he called, "Come and get it, Potter!"
Harry bent, scooped up one of the unclaimed broomsticks and shot up after him. He heard Hermione call half-heartedly after him. "You'll get in trouble Harry!"
"Since when's that stopped me?"
He turned his broomstick sharply to face Malfoy in midair. Malfoy looked stunned.
"Give it here," Harry called, "or I'll knock you off that broom!'"
"Oh, yeah?" said Malfoy, trying to sneer, but looking worried.
Harry knew, somehow, what to do. He leaned forward and grasped the broom tightly in both hands, and it shot toward Malfoy like a javelin. Malfoy only just got out of the way in time; Harry made a sharp about-face and held the broom steady. A few people below were clapping.
"No Crabbe and Goyle up here to save your neck, Malfoy," Harry called.
The same thought seemed to have struck Malfoy.
"Catch it if you can, then!" he shouted, and he threw the glass ball high into the air and streaked back toward the ground.
Harry saw, as though in slow motion, the ball rise up in the air and then start to fall. He leaned forward and pointed his broom handle down — next second he was gathering speed in a steep dive, racing the ball — wind whistled in his ears, mingled with the screams of people watching — he stretched out his hand — a foot from the ground he caught it, just in time to pull his broom straight, and he toppled gently onto the grass with the Remembrall clutched safely in his fist.
Hermione ran over to him and hugged him before cuffing him round the ear. "Don't do that to me!"
He was about to reply when he heard. "POTTER! MALFOY!" Professor McGonagall was hurrying across the grass towards them. "Detention both of you! Mr Malfoy report to Professor Snape after dinner, Mr Potter report to me."
Harry ducked his head. "Yes Professor."
"And Mr Malfoy, 10 points from Slytherin for instigating the conflict." Malfoy made to protest. "No excuses, I saw the whole thing. And Potter, please go return that to Mr Longbottom."
"Yes Professor."
The five friends hurried off, with Cedric exclaiming as soon as they were out of earshot. "Harry that was awesome!"
x-x-x-x-x
At dinner, a scowling Malfoy approached the Hufflepuff table, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.
"You got me detention Potter. When my Father hears of this…"
Harry interrupted him. "You got yourself detention all by yourself Malfoy. I notice you're a lot braver now that you're back on the ground and you've got your little friends with you," said Harry coolly.
There was of course nothing at all little about Crabbe and Goyle, but as the High Table was full of teachers, neither of them could do more than crack their knuckles and scowl.
"I'd take you on anytime on my own," said Malfoy. "Tonight, if you want. Wizard's duel. Wands only — no contact. What's the matter? Never heard of a wizard's duel before, I suppose?"
Harry looked at him incredulously. "Of course I have. And if I haven't it wouldn't be that hard to figure out; I'm not stupid you know. I'm simply wondering why on earth I would want to duel you."
"Oh so you're a coward then." Malfoy sneered.
"No, I just have no reason to fight you. You're the one with dented pride, not me. If you're that desperate for a fight go talk to the Gryffindors; I'm sure one of them will be happy to oblige."
Malfoy scowled and stomped off.
x-x-x-x-x
After dinner, Harry headed to the Transfiguration classroom and knocked on the door.
"Come in." He cautiously entered and stopped in front of the Professor's desk. "Ah good, Mr Potter." She handed him two piles of parchment. "Take a seat. Your detention is to copy up these records for me." Harry took them and sat down, pulling out a quill and ink then beginning to work.
He had worked in silence for around half an hour when McGonagall spoke again. "That will do Mr Potter, you may go now." Harry quickly packed up his things and was about to exit when the Professor said. "You're a good flier, your father would be proud."
Harry immediately stopped and spun around. "My Dad?"
"Yes James was quidditch mad. Did you not know?"
Harry shook his head. "All I know about my parents is their names, jobs and dates of marriage, birth and death. Oh, and how they died…" He looked down for a moment then continued, looking up at her hopefully. "I don't even know what house they were in."
"They were both Gryffindors. Your mother was very intelligent, indeed many wondered why she wasn't in Ravenclaw." 'Like Hermione' Harry thought, but was so desperate for the information she was giving him that he dare not interrupt. "Lily was a kind and selfless person and she was prefect and later Head Girl. She had a temper though. It was generally directed at your father."
"Why?"
"James was a troublemaker. He was clever when he put his mind to it but he didn't often. He had a thing for Lily and asked her to date him at least once a week from 4th year onwards. Lily always said no because at the time he was a bit immature had a big head and she didn't like that. He grew up in 6th and 7th year though and made both Quidditch Captain and Head Boy. Lily finally said yes around Christmastime and they fell in love, got married and had you."
Harry thanked her sincerely then made to leave. He stopped momentarily and asked one last question. "Professor, would they have minded that I'm not in Gryffindor?"
"Of course not. They would have been proud of you no matter what."
x-x-x-x-x
The next week was Hermione's birthday and the night before saw Harry and Cedric sneaking around the castle to set up a prank as a surprise for her. Their plan was to have bubbles come from the ceiling at different times in different rooms. They had wanted balloons but figured that would give them away so had settled on bubbles instead.
They were in the History of Magic classroom when Harry noticed the Headmaster and Hagrid approaching on the map. There was nowhere to run to so there was nothing they could do but hide in the supply cupboard in the corner and hope that they wouldn't be spotted.
To their horror, just as they had hidden and extinguished the light from their wands, they heard footsteps enter the room and the door close. They then heard the Headmaster's voice and froze, barely daring to breathe. "Now Hagrid, What is so important that my office was not a safe enough place to speak of it in?"
"The portraits're gossips Headmaster. I jus' wanted to tell yeh tha' I'm Worried bout Fluffly. I mean is he really safe enough? Jus' play him a bit o' music an' he'll go straight off ter sleep."
"Do not fear Hagrid my friend. Fluffy is not the only protection- the other teachers have supplied something too. Nicholas would not be most displeased if the protections placed on his stone were inadequate."
"We don't want Mr Flamel unhappy sir. Well, if yer sure…"
"I am my friend. Come; let us return to my office for a time."
The two boys held their breath as they heard the door open and two sets of footsteps fade away. They stayed like that for a few minutes more before Cedric dared cast Lumos so they could see the map. "Thank merlin." He whispered. "They're gone."
Cautiously, they exited the cupboard and then the room, heading for their last destination of the night; the Charms corridor. Cedric had just finished casting the necessary charms when Harry, who was keeping a close eye on the map, swore. "Filch is coming. We can't hide because Mrs Norris'll catch us for sure."
Both looked at each other in panic. "Run!"
Harry stuffed the map into his pocket, they extinguished their wands and they fled. Unfortunately it wasn't going to be that simple. They hadn't gone more than a dozen paces when a doorknob rattled and something came shooting out of a classroom in front of them.
It was Peeves. He caught sight of them and gave a squeal of delight.
"Shut up, Peeves — please — you'll get us thrown out."
Peeves cackled. Wandering around at night, Ickle Students? Tut, tut, tut. Naughty, naughty, you'll get caughty."
"Not if you don't give us away, Peeves, please."
"Should tell Filch, I should," said Peeves in a saintly voice, but his eyes glittered wickedly. "It's for your own good, you know." The poltergeist, seemingly in a bad mood, smirked evilly at them "STUDENTS OUT OF BED!" Peeves bellowed, "STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR!"
Ducking under Peeves, they ran for their lives, right to the end of the corridor where they slammed into a door — and it was locked."
Cedric hurriedly cast 'Alohamora' and they dashed inside. Harry pressed his ear against the door to listen.
They could hear footsteps, Filch running as fast as he could toward Peeves's shouts.
"Which way did they go, Peeves?" Filch was saying. "Quick, tell me."
"Say 'please.'"
"Don't mess with me, Peeves, now where did they go?"
"Shan't say nothing if you don't say please," said Peeves in his annoying singsong voice.
"All right —please."
"NOTHING! Ha haaa! Told you I wouldn't say nothing if you didn't say please! Ha ha! Haaaaaa!"
And they heard the sound of Peeves whooshing away and Filch cursing in rage.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief as the caretakers footsteps faded away, turning around to look at the room they were in. He got a nasty surprise.
It wasn't actually a room at all; it was a corridor. It wasn't just any corridor either. It was the forbidden corridor on the third floor. He was looking straight into the eyes of a monstrous dog, a dog that filled the whole space between ceiling and floor. It had three heads. Three pairs of rolling, mad eyes; three noses, twitching and quivering in their direction; three drooling mouths, saliva hanging in slippery ropes from yellowish fangs.
It was standing quite still, all six eyes staring at them, and Harry knew that the only reason they weren't already dead was that their sudden appearance had taken it by surprise, but it was quickly getting over that, there was no mistaking what those thunderous growls meant.
Instantly, the two once again fled, not stopping until they reached the safety of the common room. By silent agreement, the two white faced boys headed up to bed.
x-x-x-x-x
The next morning the five met in the Great Hall at breakfast. "Happy Birthday Hermione." Said Susan. "I'd give you your present but I can't without giving away what Harry's got you."
Hermione glanced curiously at Harry. "You didn't have to get me anything Susan."
"Course I did. You're my friend and I wanted to get you something."
Hermione made to reply but was distracted as mass of bubbles suddenly flew from the ceiling, as if blown by an invisible giant. She looked at the two boys and raised her eyebrows quizzically. Both grinned in answer.
Cedric then leaned forward. "You'll never guess what happened last night." Quietly, so as not to be overheard, the two related their story. As they finished, all trying to remember where they had heard the name Nicholas Flamel before, the post arrived.
For once both Harry and Hermione forgoed their morning papers, tucking them away in their bags for later. Two owls, one of them Hedwig, landed in front of Hermione bearing packages. From her parents, aunt and uncle she discovered a box set of My Story books, along with two cards and a letter.
She then turned to the other owl, detached the box that it was carrying and looked at the tag. To Hermione, Happy Birthday, Love Harry. Carefully, she opened the box to find a small kitten inside. She lifted him out beaming. "Thank you Harry! He's gorgeous! I love him." She hugged both boy and cat tight.
Harry actually thought that the kitten being gorgeous was definitely a matter of opinion as the little ginger cat was bow-legged and had a rather squished in face. However he wisely kept his mouth shut as he knew that his best friend had fallen in love with the kitten when they visited the shop in Diagon Alley (this being why he had asked their parents to buy him for her in the first place.) Instead, he asked. "What are you going to call him?"
"Crookshanks. His name is Crookshanks."
With this pronouncement, Cedric, Hannah and Susan handed over their presents to her, these being a basket for him, some cat toys and a yellow and black collar. Harry also added a new charm to her bracelet; a replica of Hogwarts that one of the seventh years had helped him by transfiguring.
The friends then hurried back to the common room to leave Crookshanks in the girls dorm, although not before seeing a scowling Professor Snape enter the hall with bubbles in his hair and covering his robes.
x-x-x-x-x
