Harry Potter Junior Level: Year Three
Ch. 28
Time For Friends And Fun
"Drake, Dad requests you come to his office at three today." Harry tells his cousin.
"Why? What is going on? What does he want to see me for? Did he say?"
"You know he never discusses students with me. I can't answer that." Harry replies.
"I haven't done anything though. I've been keeping out of trouble since I was grounded."
"Just go Draco. That's the only advice I have. I know for certain not showing up will be a bad idea. Let's get our homework done and then we'll have the rest of the evening free."
"I won't if I have detention. Then if Dad hears of me having detention, I'll get a lecture on responsibility from him. My birthday is this weekend and I sure don't want to be on his bad side for my birthday. It's only the second birthday I've had with him."
"You are worrying like a girl. What do you have for your Astronomy lesson's homework for tomorrow's class?"
"We're to research the makeup of comets and pick one to discuss. I've completed that already. Let's work on our Potion's essay for tomorrow. I've done half. I chose my two plants to use but haven't written the part about which potions use the plant. What is it about using roots that is so popular with potions?"
"I don't know but I know I like gingerbread and ginger ale so ginger is a good plant. I chose it for one of mine. I haven't picked the second one yet." Harry answers opening his textbook to the section on uses of roots in potions.
An hour later, Draco knocks on his Uncle's office door waiting for the man to say "come in". Hearing permission, he opens the door and stands respectfully, hands behind him, in front of the Professor's desk.
"Have a seat, Draco." Sirius tells the nervous boy, motioning to a chair.
"Professor? What did I, that is, have I, I just wondered why, never mind, sir." Draco finishes, deciding quiet is the best option.
"I asked you here for a reason which we'll get to in time. First I have a few questions for you. Have you had much trouble in Herbology lately?"
Remembering the time, he and Harry were told if they caused any more trouble in that class, they would receive a paddling, Draco's hands begin to sweat.
"I haven't caused any trouble, sir. Professor Greystone hasn't given me or Harry detention or anything else in a long time. Did someone say I caused trouble?"
"No, so relax. I'm not asking to trap you into admitting anything. I've heard some rumors though and wanted to ask about them. Have you heard any talk about Harry being evil? Something about a curse scar on a person makes them evil? I was told that was a topic in Herbology. Is this true?"
"Yes sir, we talked of curse scars briefly when we were learning about the aloe plant. Some kids just go overboard with wild theories. Harry's scar is well known."
"That is true. Now I have a different question for you. Have you ever heard of Wizarding World?"
"Yes, sir. It's a brand new amusement park near Cornwall. It only opened last month. Some chaps told me it has both magical and muggle things. Only magical people can go on the magical side. I heard that there were exotic creatures there and fun rides too. I know the place has one of those curly twisting rollercoasters and someone said it has water rides too."
"Well, that sounds like the perfect place to celebrate a birthday, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, Harry would really enjoy it on his birthday."
"I was thinking more of YOU. Harry won't turn twelve until late July but you, my nephew/cousin are turning twelve this weekend am I correct?"
"Yes, sir. I'll be twelve on Saturday."
"Well, on Saturday you, me, Harry, Sev and six of your friends will all be celebrating at Wizarding World. Here, open this." Sirius says handing the child an envelope sealed with a wax seal.
Pulling out ten all day fast passes to Wizarding World, Draco just stares at them.
"What does it say on the ticket?" Sirius prompts.
"All Day Fast Pass, good for all areas of the park. Fast pass ticket holders are at the head of the line. Each ticket holder receives one free item from a food booth."
"Happy Birthday, Draco. This is from me to you. Harry has his own gift for you. Would you like to go share the news with your mates?"
"Dad won't go, Uncle Siri. He despises crowds and amusement parks. He told me so when I mentioned this parks' opening."
"He'll go. He was already aware I had plans to do this. He was putting you off the scent so you wouldn't request a trip."
"Thank you, Uncle Siri! I love my gift. I can't wait to tell Harry. He thought I was going to be in trouble when you asked to speak to me. I kind of did as well. I like this much better!"
"You are welcome. Off with you, I have papers to check and a boy to corral for supper. Pass on the message to my son, that I want his presence at supper, will you, please?"
"Yes sir, I'll tell him. Bye, thank you."
Chuckling to himself at how the boy's eyes lit up when seeing his tickets, he settles in to grade essays until time to meet Harry.
Jogging up the stairs to his dorm, he finds Harry, Neville and Jake playing exploding snap.
"Guess what?! We're all going to Wizarding World on Saturday. Uncle Siri gave me TEN Fast Passes to the park! That means I can invite six guests besides my Dad and Uncle Siri, Harry and myself. I want all of you to come. Will you come Jake, Nev, Ron and Quint?"
"Of course I'll come! You're having a birthday which means lots of good food, you just told me I get a free trip to Wizarding World Park and you want to know if I'll come? Are you nutters?" Jake asks with a head shake making the boys laugh.
"I'd love to come, Draco. I've not been to an Amusement Park before. I've seen adverts on the telly for them though." Quint replies.
"Will the Headmaster give us permission to leave school for the day?" Nev asks worriedly.
"I'm sure Uncle Siri cleared it with him or we wouldn't have so many tickets." Draco replies trying to keep the exasperation out of his voice.
"Ron? I haven't heard from you. Don't you want to come? I know there's been some times when you and I didn't get along but we've been doing well lately. Would you come?"
"You really want ME to go to your birthday fun?"
"I asked you didn't I? Don't be a nutter, I wouldn't ask if I didn't want you to come."
"Come on, Ron. It'll be great fun. We won't make you ride the roller coaster if you don't want to. I know you don't like them." Harry pleads.
"Yes, I'll come. Thank you for asking."
"Drake? You still have two more to choose. Who do you want to ask?" Harry questions.
"Would you guys think it odd if I asked Hermione? She's a friend as well."
"It's your birthday so ask who you want!" Harry answers for all of them after shooting Ron a quelling look.
"Great! I'm going to ask Hermione and then tell her to pick a friend. She's going to want a girl to be with, I believe." Draco answers.
"Oh, Harry? Your Dad said he wants to see you at supper tonight. He didn't say why but he wasn't acting mad about anything so I don't think you are in any trouble. You haven't done anything, have you?" Draco asks.
"No, I haven't. We've all had a good two weeks without getting detention, lines or any other punishment. For us, that's a long time!" Harry says looking around his group of friends with a smile.
"The New Mauraders just want to keep a low profile. We're psyching up the adults to think we're innocent kids when we are really sleuths!" Quint says raising a thumb in the air. All the boys follow with their thumb in the air as well.
"We'll be ready to check out our suspicions after Draco's birthday, won't we?" Harry asks receiving nods all around.
"Have you found anything yet of what a philosopher stone might be? I still can't figure out why Professor Greystone might be talking of stones when she is fixated on plants." Quint exclaims looking around at the boys gathered together.
"I haven't had time to look for any information yet. She just said those two words yesterday. She kept me after class again and this time she not only talked about curse scars, how much magic I had, how famous I was, but mentioned philosopher stone. I don't think from how she said it that it's a plant. It's something magical though. She said "magic in the stone." When I asked her what stone, she said "philosopher" and then came out of her trance."
"What do you mean she came out of her trance?" Draco asks.
"She sort of goes off into this strange place where she isn't herself when she talks. She whispers and mutters to herself and then says odd things. Sometimes she asks me odd questions like 'Does your scar talk?' I just listen mostly. This is not our normal conversation. The normal conversation is ' POTTER-BLACK DID YOU NOT HEAR WHEN I SAID...'. and then she gives me detention or lines or threatens to go to Dad. She's totally whacked, she is. That's enough about our whacked professor, let's talk of something else."
"We need to talk of how to get our homework done if we're to go off from the castle. We'll need it done by Saturday and that's only two more days. It's good we have a half day Friday. Have you started on the essay for Charms anyone? I've started Transfiguration and Herbology. Draco, you and I can work on Astronomy together as no one else here is taking that." Quint asks.
"I have Charms started but nothing else. I had Quidditch practice yesterday and had to hurry to get the rest of today's assignments done." Harry replies.
"Anyone else?" Quint asks looking around the group.
"I've finished Herbology and started Transfiguration." Neville adds quietly to the discussion.
"Good! That means we have three subjects started and if we work together we can get all this finished."
"Quint, we can't hand over essays copied from each other! If we hand over five essays just alike, I don't even want to think about what will happen! That's cheating."
"Harry, no one said we would copy them exactly. We are always helping each other with research. We'll just do that again. We'll sort this out by each of us researching for one class and then sharing the research. We each write our own essays." Quint explains.
"Hermione most likely has some of the research done for us." Draco says with a smirk. "She's also probably in the library so one of us should go check on her. We'll tell her the plans for my birthday and invite her to help research. She loves to do research."
"You do that since it's your birthday you are inviting her too. We'll compare what we have already and join the two of you later." Quint answers.
"I've supper with my Dad and I don't know how late I'll be. I can help do research tomorrow though. Whichever essay we need by that time. I'm going now to see what he wants." Harry informs the group.
"Well, I didn't expect to see you until six, you are an hour early. Come sit with me while I finish preparing the meal. I felt like cooking tonight. Is steak with the trimmings good for you?" Sirius asks his son who has just walked into the kitchen.
"Draco is really happy with your gift. He's already asked Quint, Nev, Ron, Jake and is planning to ask Hermione for Saturday. The guys are excited to go to the new park. So am I."
"He thought he was being called in for misbehaving. You did well leading him to that conclusion."
"I didn't, Dad. He just thinks he's in trouble when he's called to a Professor's office. Dad, let me chop the carrots, potatoes, you do the celery and onions. I don't want to cry and then have everyone think I got in trouble tonight. I'm not in trouble am I?" Harry ends with a questioning look to Sirius.
"You boys are becoming too suspicious. Just because I or Severus might want to see our sons or nephew, doesn't always mean you are in for a reaming out. Have you done something I should know about because otherwise, I have nothing."
"No, Dad. I would tell you if I did something. I know to do that now instead of wait for you to hear about it. There is something going on though it's not me causing trouble. Professor Greystone has been acting so strange, Dad."
"Is she? What do you mean? You've not caused any more problems as you just told me you haven't."
"She's kept me back after class a few times but not because I did anything. She wants to talk to me and it's strange. She starts out with these unusual questions and then she says odd things."
"Maybe you need to tell me more as I'm not following. What is she saying?"
"Well, at first she talks about my research for her latest essay then she talks about me. She talked about me having powerful magic. She asked if my scar talked to me. I thought that was a bit odd. She talked about curse scars being dark magic and powerful. Then the last time she talked of philosopher stone. I have the idea that might not be a plant but I'm not sure. I don't know why she talked of it as I don't know anything about them. Herbology isn't about stones as far as I know."
"When she talked of curse scars, did she say they were evil? Have you been having problems with other students because of her comments?"
"How did you know?"
"I hear things. Are you worried or bothered by this at all?"
"No, not really, Dad. You've told me from the time I was eight to ignore taunts and foolish children. I know I'm not evil and if they want to be afraid then that's fine. I have good friends and a whole Quidditch team who know I'm not plus my family. I was hurt for a day or two at first but after that, I didn't care. Those who are acting that way aren't my friends and don't know me. I know my scar is famous and what it means as you told me. I also know it's not anything but a scar from the fight. I'm not evil and neither is my scar. You know this too, don't you?"
"I certainly do as I'm the one who taught you this. I'm very proud of you, Pup. You stood up to taunting without losing your temper. You are becoming more mature by the day. A year ago, you would have retaliated in some way, probably hexed someone and wound up over my lap. Good job ignoring them!"
"Thanks, Dad. Dad, do you know of a plant called philosopher stone? I haven't had time to look it up to see what it is. You must know though as you know it all."
"I don't know 'it all', Harry! Thank you for the compliment, however. In answer to your question, I don't wish to interfere in your research, son. You find out and then we'll talk." Sirius answers, deliberately avoiding the topic. "Chop faster. I'm done with my part. We do want to eat sometime tonight and with all your talking you aren't chopping fast enough. Must you be so slow?"
"Daddd. I'm trying to chop carefully. You don't want me to chop wrong do you?"
"This isn't Potion's class. Everything doesn't need to be chopped precisely. Just chop them enough so we won't be choking, Pup." Sirius teases.
"I wonder if Uncle Sev chops his vegetables precisely." Harry muses aloud as he slices the potatoes and then cuts them into chunks.
"Sev does everything precisely! He is a stickler for neatness. What are you most excited to see at Wizarding World?"
"Draco and I want to ride the one called Snake Eyes. It's a roller coaster and it even goes upside down and backwards! We saw that on the tv advert the last time we went out in the muggle part of London. They were showing rides that would be at the park and announcing opening day. Would you go on that with us?"
"I will be staying off the rides this time. You and your friends will have more fun just the group of you. Sev and I will be chaperones, not participants."
The boys and girls are grouped around the two men listening to instructions.
"Alright group, we are in the muggle area so you know what that means. No discussion of school by name or magic in general. Stay together if possible or at least in pairs. Harry, Draco, each of you know our expectations and may inform your friends. Check back with us at least once every hour. You have until twelve thirty to enjoy this side of the park. At that time, we'll meet at the Dragon's Lair for lunch. Your tickets allow one free treat from a snack area so you may use that whenever you are ready. Stay safe, stay together with at least one other person and have fun!" Sirius tells the group.
"Remember to conduct yourselves as young ladies and gentlemen with use of your best manners. We don't want reports of any misbehavior. Any misbehavior will lead to forfeit of the next ride and time spent with us boring adults." Severus adds with a severe scowl to the group.
"We'll behave, Dads." Draco says as the rest nod. Hermione adds "We'll stay safe as well, sirs. We are much older now so we know how to take care of ourselves and each other."
"That's all we ask. Enjoy yourselves." Sirius answers motioning the group to leave.
"Ron, do stop scowling! I'm not going to embarrass you or get in your way. I'm just going to have fun. Hermione is my friend too and she asked me to come today! Stop being a major git!" Ginny informs her brother.
"I agree with Ginny! Stop pouting and let's go ride something!" Harry says poking his friend in the side enough to get a smile out of him.
"Draco, it's your day so you pick the first ride we get in line to ride." Quint tells the birthday boy.
"I want to ride the Snake Eyes first. Is there anyone who does not like roller coasters besides Ron? This one goes high, has loops and runs backward on one part. If you don't want to go, I won't mind."
"I'll stay with Ron and we'll find something closer to the ground to do." Nev answers having been watching the coaster riders hang upside down at the top of the highest loop.
"Okay, we'll be back soon. Let's meet here at the broomstick sign in fifteen minutes." Draco tells his friends as he points to the tall broomsticks with a sign in between showing a map of different areas of the park.
Settling into the seats Draco between Harry and Quint, Jake between Hermione and Ginny, Draco calls out " This coaster is so great! Did you notice the seats are made to look like snakeskin? We are sitting inside a snake!"
"Yes, I saw that too. Very well made as it looks just like a snake and we're in its body. The outside of our section has the head attached and back behind us is the tail. Each car is a separate snake! That's so cool!" Harry answers.
"Everybody check your belts and be sure they are clicked in well. This one is going to be fast! We got first choice of seats with the Fast Pass entry! We didn't even have to wait in a long line either!" Quint calls out.
"You're so lucky to have a Dad and Uncle who will let you come to these parks. My Dad doesn't even come home on our birthdays." Quint tells Harry and Draco.
"Is he still in France?" Harry asks as the coaster begins to roll.
"Last I heard, he was working in Africa on business for the government. I haven't heard from him since last summer though. OOOH! We're heading up the loop! Hang on, girls!"
Down below, Nev asks "Ron, would you like to go on the Flying Warlock? Look, it's just seats that swing in a circle and move the height up and back. That looks better than a coaster, don't you agree?"
"Yeah. I can do height just not anything that goes backward or hangs upside down. Let's go on them. I want the dark blue seat with the lightning bolt on the side. How about you?"
"I'll take the green frog one. That way I'll be right beside you." Nev answers as the two boys get the tickets checked.
"Hop on then boys. You get first choice of seats. I'll come around and check to see that you are harnessed in and the front is locked." The ride operator tells them.
Meeting back with Ron and Nev, the kids compare rides.
"That coaster was great! It was so smooth it felt like flying." Draco tells the two boys.
"Are we supposed to say flying?" Nev whispers to Harry worriedly.
"Muggles use that expression, it's okay, Nev." Harry whispers back.
"I liked that coaster, Ron. It was fun to hang upside down. You would like it too." Ginny tells her brother, eyes twinkling at her teasing.
"Hmm, no thanks, Gin. What'll we do now?"
"Harry, what would you like to ride next? You choose next and then everyone gets a turn." Draco asks.
"Well, look over there. Do you see that ride? It's like a swing but it's up high. See how it swings all the way up on one end and then the other? It's shaped like a broomstick. We could all ride that together."
"Yes, let's go get on that one! It sure makes it easier to move in jeans and T-shirts instead of what we have to wear at school." Jake tells the group. "I'll have to remember to thank Professor Black again, for altering some of Harry's for me. I don't have any of my own. My Mum doesn't approve of jeans. He even found a swimsuit for me to bring. A shirt and trunks for the water park side. We'll do that today too, right?"
"After lunch, we'll go see the magical menagerie side and then come out on the side with the water park." Draco answers.
"Mums can be hard to deal with sometimes. My Mum didn't want me to come today as she thinks I'm too young for this park alone. Harry's Dad talked her into it. I'm ten now, almost eleven and will be in your school next fall. If only they had started the Junior Level over this year, I could have come." Ginny answers as she walks beside him with Hermione on her other side.
"You'll be with us next September? That will be nice. You'll be in the class with my little brother, Seth. He'll be eleven in May." Jake tells her.
"Which brother is that, Jake?" Harry asks, having been listening. "The blonde or the black haired one?"
"Seth is the blonde, David is the black haired one and he's only eight. Then, my sisters, Sarah and Savannah are seven."
"Twins? I have twin brothers. They're awful." Ginny says to the boy beside her.
"I know your brothers. Everyone in school knows of the Weasley twins if they don't know them personally. They're not awful, they're so good at pranks. Draco, you should have asked Fred and George to come today." Jake calls to the boy ahead of him.
"Dad wouldn't have allowed it. Ginny is right, you know, they are awful. Fun, but awful. They'd get us in so much trouble if they were here." Draco calls back having followed the conversation. "They have trouble following rules if you haven't noticed."
"Is there a reason your Dad searched the pockets and jackets of you and Harry before we left school?" Quint asks Draco.
"He was checking to make sure we weren't carrying our magical sticks if you know what I mean. We've had a problem with sneaking them out at other times and he wasn't taking a chance." Draco answers with a grin.
"Harry can do ma.. uh, things.. without the wan.. uhh stick, though." Quint remarks having to struggle not to use the forbidden terms.
"Yes, but I know what my Dad would do to me If I did, Quint. I won't be doing any of the 'you know what' today. I do want to sit comfortably and not be grounded."
"Let's go get on the swings that you and Nev rode after this one." Hermione calls as they climb into the next ride. I rode the swings like that one other time at another place and it's a lot of fun. It feels like we're flying.
"I want to do those too. Who's with me?" Harry asks. Hearing all of the others say "I am!" he smiles.
"Do we need to check in with the adults?" Nev asks.
"No, it's not twelve thirty yet. We still have an hour left. I saw them wave to us as we left the Snake Eyes so they're nearby. In fact, I see them now. Look down to your left. There they are at the Wizard Hat Inn. See them at the table closest to the statue of a wizard?" Harry tells his friends.
"I see them. They are sitting with some lady I don't know." Nev answers.
"That's probably my Mum." Ron explains. "We knew she was coming as she has a surprise for Draco for later."
"Your Mum has red hair. This lady has dark hair." Neville answers.
"Harry? Can you tell who it is?" Draco asks from the far side, not being able to see.
"Not from here. I can't see that well as she's blocked by a post of the building. It's probably just someone's Mum that is waiting for her kids like they are waiting for us."
"So, this Professor you are telling me of has talked to Harry about the Philosopher's Stone? Doesn't that make you uneasy?"
"Most of what she talks about makes me uneasy." Sirius answers. "She is a strange one, for certain. I don't like how she is acting lately though. I plan to talk to her once again on how to speak to my son. Bringing up curse scars in class and then singling him out specifically is not how I want my son treated. He has enough to deal with already being just who he is and then she does this."
"Well, maybe your Headmaster can take care of her."
"He's oblivious to the problems. We have both spoken to him more than once about her and her ways with the boys. It goes directly through his stubborn head and never sinks in. At least the boys have stopped pranks and disruption in her class. She may be quirky but we won't allow misbehavior." Sev answers.
"I can see how that wouldn't help the situation. What did you tell Harry?"
"Only that he could research 'philosopher stone' as he called it. I said once he researched it, we could talk about it. He isn't sure if it is a stone or a plant right now. I want him to discover on his own not tell him. He may not be able to find much information which means I won't need to explain what it is." Sirius replies with a smirk.
"You shouldn't withhold information from a child, Sirius. That doesn't help."
"Maybe, he's my child though and I'll decide what and when to discuss certain things. Let's just enjoy our cold drinks and not squabble today. I want to enjoy the time away from school and enjoy the kids."
"Well, there are certainly many kids with you, to enjoy. I've added another."
"Yes, you sure did." Sev answers glancing down to his side.
