Chapter 35 – Detentions Galore

Monday evening Harry had detention with Professor McGonagall. She complimented Harry on his cleanup duty with Professor Snape; evidently the headmaster had been summoned by the Potions Master to replace the door Harry had reconstructed. Somehow, Professor Snape had determined that the door wasn't very secure as some of the lesser residents of the dungeon had quickly chewed through it! Professor McGonagall asked Harry how he had done that and he explained that he had used the goblin staff to just reverse the spell.

While Harry wasn't sure, but he got the impression that Professor McGonagall had been impressed by his spell casting. She didn't have any specific tasks for Harry but she just handed him two small books and said he could read for a bit. Harry sat down in one of the easy chairs and looked at the books. One dealt with the topic of Animagi which was the ability to change oneself into an animal. Harry and the rest of the first years had seen their professor turn into a tabby cat and back during one of her first lectures. The other book dealt with the properties and characteristics of a Metamorphmagus. Harry found it a little intriguing that some wizards or witches had the ability to alter their appearances at will. He wondered why Professor McGonagall was having him read those specific books but she was busy grading some upper class papers so Harry didn't disturb her.

Twenty minutes before curfew Professor McGonagall told Harry his detention was over but that he could return at any time if he wanted to continue reading the books. Harry thanked her but did ask why his detention wasn't exactly a punishment. Professor McGonagall hemmed and hawed for a couple of seconds but said that Harry's magical condition had led to his adventuring out and he shouldn't be punished for a condition he had no control over. Harry thanked her for the consideration and said he would try to find time to finish those books. Professor McGonagall said that she thought he would be interested and wished him a good night.

Harry's detentions for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were scheduled with Madame Sprout, Professor Sinistra, and Professor Quirrell. Madame Sprout had a major repotting project for Harry but allowed him to ask for help during the Herbology class. Ron, Neville, Ginny, Susan Bones, and Hermione all pitched in to help Harry out after supper. For a couple of hours the six had trowels and dirt flying as they transplanted a variety of magical and non-magical plants. Madame Sprout was so happy at their efforts that she awarded extra class credit to Harry's friends. They were all happy with that outcome and had the added bonus of listening to Neville describing the plants they were working on.

Wednesday night had Harry sorting through a pile of old star charts that had piled up in a semi-abandoned classroom. Harry had to sort them by year and readability and toss the ones that were too tattered. While Harry wasn't allowed any help that night, Ron and Dean kept him company and kept him entertained with the jokes they both knew. Harry had to run back to the tower and grab a quick shower to get all the dust and dirt out of his hair. He was still shaking his wet hair out when he joined Hermione on the way back to Astronomy class. She looked at him sadly and performed the drying charm on Harry. "How do you forget you're a wizard, Harry?" was the only comment she made.

Harry laughed at her annoyed expression and then told her that he had sorted out a huge stack of star charts. Hermione made him promise to show her where that classroom was and how Professor Sinistra had wanted them separated.

Thursday night's detention was supposed to be with Professor Quirrell but he told Harry that he was too busy composing the final exams for different levels to "prop ... properly give justice to a deten … de ... detention". Harry breathed a sigh of relief until he was told to report for his detention with Madame Pomfrey.

Harry wondered what sort of detention Madame Pomfrey was going to give him. Cleaning out potion vials came to mind first off but Harry suspected that there might be even more disgusting things he might have to do.

When Harry reached the medical wing he saw that Hermione was there already, waiting outside the doors to the infirmary. "Come to watch me clean bedpans?" he jokingly asked.

"I don't know Harry. Percy had Lavender run up to my room with a note from Madame Pomfrey asking me to report here with for seven. I thought you were with Professor Quirrell tonight?"

"He's busy composing final exams. He transferred me over here. I don't know what is going to happen next."

Just then Madame Pomfrey opened up the doors and asked Harry and Hermione to come in. There were two desks set up next to her office and Madame Pomfrey just pointed to them. Harry and Hermione sat and wondered why ink, parchment and quills appeared before them.

"This is a substitute for your detention Mr. Potter. Miss Granger you may leave now if you wish but Harry must do an evaluation on the guest lecturer. I will be watching also and you are to treat this as any first year classroom situation. Notes, questions and that evaluation I mentioned." All anyone had to do to get Hermione's attention was mention a lecture and Harry knew that she wouldn't be leaving.

Madame Pomfrey went and opened her office door a bit. "Anytime you're ready Miss." She passed by where Harry and Hermione were seated and took a seat on one of the beds and pulled out a pad to write on.

Totally confused, Harry and Hermione looked to Madame Pomfrey's office and were astounded when Ginny walked out in her green robe! She looked very nervous but squared her shoulders and looked at the two.

"Part of my duties as a healer will be to explain medical facts and procedures to patients and their families as well as other interested parties. Madame Pomfrey thought that a small audience would be a sufficient starting place. Tonight, I'm to teach you a little medical first aid and when and how to recognize symptoms and those things you won't be able to treat yourself."

Hermione raised her hand at that point and Ginny recognized her. "Miss Weasley, is there a practical exam after this lecture?"

Ginny looked over their heads for an indication from Madame Pomfrey. "No but there will be a verbal test for spells and wand movements. It was related to me that there is at least one accident prone first years and that both of you need to have some knowledge of basic healing spells. Mr. Potter, you have a question?"

"I'm not going to have to show the results of horrible accidents I've been subject to, am I?"

"Not at this time, Mr. Potter, but you are free to volunteer to show the class if you wish."

'Thanks, Ginny.'

'I'm being evaluated Harry. For real!'

"Thank you Miss Weasley."

"If there are no further questions then we will begin with the basics of emergency care - breathing, blood control, and consciousness. While any number of situations may arise without any warning, you must do a quick and thorough evaluation to quickly…"

Harry and Hermione quickly started taking notes and wondered where their normally happy go lucky companion had disappeared to. Ginny (Miss Weasley) was all business tonight as she lectured to her best friends about what to do in an emergency. Harry and Hermione had listened on and off to Ginny's lessons with the mediwitch but this was their first opportunity to see her prove up on her knowledge.

Ginny did the better part of thirty minutes on what was considered the bare basics of magical first aid. She ran through the beginning list of spells and charms that should be applied to what problem to be most effective. When questioned by Hermione, a standby non-magical type of treatment was listed by Ginny in cases where they might have to deal with muggles.

All in all, Harry was impressed by how calmly Ginny was doing as an instructor. She didn't seem to panic at the questions and made an effort to present terms as simply as possible.

When the lecture was finished, Harry realized that he had been so engaged by the presentation that he hadn't even considered linking up with Ginny or Hermione. Ginny answered a few questions from Hermione and Harry but most were from Madame Pomfrey in having her make some small distinctions in what level of magic to use.

Ginny sat down with a big sigh of relief and let Madame Pomfrey do the quizzing on the two about what she had talked about. Surprisingly Ginny kept her shields up and Harry and Hermione answered all the questions to Madame Pomfrey's satisfaction. The mediwitch then handed out just one piece of parchment to each of them and asked Hermione and Harry to do a fair evaluation on Ginny's presentation.

That kept them busy for another fifteen minutes and then Madame Pomfrey collected the evaluations and went into her office. At that point Ginny rushed over and just hung on to Harry and Hermione in relief. "I'm glad that's over!" she said quickly.

"Was this a surprise for you?" asked Hermione.

"Yes, we had just finished supper at home when we got a floo dispatch from Madame Pomfrey. She told me a while ago that I had to do some sort of oral presentation before the end of term but she didn't say when or what type. The note said that I was to give a lecture on first aid and not contact either of you. Mum went spare when she found out that I was going to come in my old shoes and blouse. She made me go change and just got me all nervous. I didn't know who I was supposed to talk to until I walked out the door there."

"You did really well Ginny. I don't see how she could criticize you for anything."

"I hope she agrees with you Harry; if not I'll get to do it again with some other students. Or maybe something different - Madame Pomfrey didn't explain that part very well."

Hermione gave Ginny's shoulder a quick squeeze. "You did much better than some of our 'normal' professors do. I think you shouldn't have to worry about it."

Ginny smiled a bit then. "I've been paying attention to how Harry talks to people and the way he instructs in a gentle way. I liked that a lot so I tried giving my presentation that spin."

Harry was amazed at the compliment. "I don't think I do anything special in talking to people. Just basic one on one instructions; the kind I'd like to get." Both Hermione and Ginny agreed with that and said that's probably why Harry did it so well.

Ginny leaned in to quietly whisper to Harry. "Now that class is officially over, are you still going to show the two of us your accident results?" The girl just danced away smiling as Harry reached out to do some serious tickling.

Madame Pomfrey came out of her office and just turned her evaluation sheet around for everyone to see. There was a great big 'O' at the top and Ginny just smiled as both her friends congratulated her!

"That was a very good presentation Ginny. Mr. Potter and Miss Granger are good students but a part their success depends on how well the instructor does his or her job. You've proved you could perform well in a stressful situation. I'm pleasantly surprised by the maturity you just exhibited. We'll talk more tomorrow but I think you may have a promising career in front of you. If you choose to pursue it."

"Thank you Madame Pomfrey." The three students watched Madame Pomfrey return to her office and then they walked out the main doors. Harry grabbed Ginny up in a small hug and spun her around as she laughed. Hermione waited until Harry had released her and then grabbed Ginny up in a hug of her own. She told Ginny she was kind of sorry she had to floo home as it seemed like a good night to stay up and talk a little.

Ginny said she would talk to them once she went home and told her parents the good news. Harry held her again for a small bit and told Ginny he was proud of her. Hermione, not to be outdone, said she agreed with that and gave Ginny a kiss to her forehead.

Ginny was happy with the special attention and told them both she was going to hurry home and write in her diary as it was a special day for her. Harry and Hermione watched as she flooed away and then hurried to return to the Gryffindor tower.

Xxxx xxxx

Potions class Friday morning went better for Harry than he had hoped for. Professor Snape made only one comment on his new door by saying he didn't want to see any writing or carving done on either side of the new entrance. The class was busy mixing up another minor potion. When the potions teacher came around to check Harry's and Ron's station, he stared at Harry for a bit but didn't say anything. Seamus and Dean's potion bubbled over through no fault of their own and Snape unloaded his anger on them until they had got it cleared up.

Dumbledore had cancelled their bond training for the rest of the semester to give the three more time for studying and homework. While the Quidditch playing season was officially over, Wood still wanted everyone to practice to keep their skills up. Harry was walking off the practice pitch when he saw Hermione and Ginny come down the path to meet him.

"All tired out then?" asked Hermione.

"Never too much from flying", Harry answered. "It's just too much fun to get tired of it. Well, maybe when the weather's rotten."

"So, who is Harry serving tonight?" asked a smiling Ginny.

"Professor Flitwick", said Harry sadly. "I'm trying to figure out what he might want me to do."

"There's all those books on the higher shelves of his classrooms that probably haven't seen a proper dusting for a while", Hermione said.

"Do you think that we might come and keep you company?"

"What about the group study session Ginny?"

"I forgot that for a second. Guess we'll talk to you when you're done."

The three continued talking until they arrived back at the tower. Ginny went up to Hermione's room while Harry took a quick shower. He remembered the drying charm for his hair this time when he finished.

He was still figuring out what to wear when Ron and the twins entered the door. Ron looked at the state Harry was in and turned quickly to bar his sister from entering. "Harry isn't dressed yet. No way are you allowed in now!"

"Ron!"

Harry hurried to throw a set of slacks and shirt on before Ginny decided she could get around her brother and enter. Harry just sat on his bed and watched as 20 seconds passed and Ginny did just what he thought she would do.

"Hi Harry."

"Hello Miss Weasley. Did it ever occur to you that this is a boy's bedroom and some of us might not be totally covered if you barge in?"

"You should put a locking charm on the door to keep the riff-raff out then."

George leaned over Ron's shoulder to comment. "And almost everyone here knows you've been getting past those from the time you were five."

Ginny was staring at her brothers and Harry decided to change the subject before a family squabble started. "Have you guys made anything out of that green goo?"

"We're still trying to figure out what is in it. Seems like it has a lot of plant qualities but there's a lot of spot magic that's hard to track down."

"Spot magic?" asked Harry.

"It's a little hard to define but spot magic is where the magical qualities are present for just a second or less. Not enough time to tell what kind of magic it is or what its' effects are. The kind of stuff you find in unstable potions sometimes but this is like a repeating charge that just comes and goes."

"Can't you just measure the intervals the magic is active and put a freeze spell on the sample then?" That question came from Hermione who had been listening to the conversation from the doorway.

Fred and George thought for a second and then went over to pick up Hermione. "That was brilliant. Are you sure you don't want to come and help us? We never thought about approaching it that way."

"Guess you'll just have to put Hermione's or Harry's name on the product then. Or give them some of the profit you make." Harry heard the teasing in Ginny's voice and saw the look of horror on Hermione's face.

"Let's get to supper before it's too late. I've still got a detention to serve tonight." Harry grabbed up his shoes and put them on without bothering with socks.

Hermione and Ginny led the way down to supper. The three Weasleys and Harry trailed behind them talking about some of the properties that they had found out about the strange substance. It was a kind of fascinating topic and Harry wished had a little more time to watch their experiments. Or maybe not. Harry remembered the candy that he had tried back at the Burrow and the effects it had on Ginny and him. Harry was glad that Ron was being the guinea pig for this round!

Supper was its usual wonderful combination of tasty and filling. It had taken Harry and the twins about two weeks at the start of the semester to break Ron's habit of stuffing his pocket with extra biscuits for a late night snack. He wasn't quite so scared of missing a meal now that Harry and Neville both had alarm clocks that they used; usually setting them up together on Ron's nightstand. That seemed to be the only way to guarantee getting Ron out of his bed.

Professor Flitwick stood up after his meal and beckoned Harry to join him in the walk up to his classroom. Flitwick asked Harry about his goblin staff and Harry said a couple of runes had appeared slowly over the last week. One was the rune for protection and Harry found out after looking it up that the other rune stood for air.

"It might be that the staff has recognized your level of proficiency in those areas Mr. Potter" said Professor Flitwick. "It could also be an indicator that you can do more complicated spells in those areas."

Harry was really happy to hear both of those possible conclusions. He wondered if he could be paroled during the coming summer to see Wrotkill for some training and instructions on the goblin staff. 'I wonder what shade Uncle Vernon's face will turn when I ask that question?' he thought.

The Charms classroom looked the same as normal to Harry but Professor Flitwick pointed to the big pile of books in the corner. "I've assigned an end of term research problem for the sixth years to develop an original charm that would be useful to the common wizard. They've unfortunately taken that as permission to research the history of obscure charms from my library. What I'd like you to do Mr. Potter is to sort out those books in the proper order and check the preliminary list they have submitted to me against the Master List of Charms in that biggest volume."

Harry sent a quick mental message to Hermione that he had access to a Master List of Charms but didn't have any writing instruments. The growl of frustration that came back to him made him smile. 'If we ask nice, maybe he'll let us look at it over lunch sometime.'

'Try to remember as much as you can, Harry. We'd both appreciate it.'

It took Harry about 45 minutes to place Professor Flitwick's books in proper order on the shelf. Harry then took a look at the names and functions of the proposed charms and started looking through Professor Flitwick's master textbook. He had been for only about 10 minutes when there came a knock on the door and Dumbledore entered the classroom.

"Filius, I'm afraid I'll have to borrow Mr. Potter for the rest of his detention this evening. Something has come up and he'll be needed by Hagrid and I for a different service."

"Very well Headmaster. Mr. Potter, perhaps we can continue this in the morning. Come and see me in my office after breakfast tomorrow."

"Thank you Professor Flitwick. Sorry I didn't make much of any headway."

Professor Flitwick left the classroom with Dumbledore and Harry. The last Harry saw of him Flitwick was headed for the Ravenclaw common room. Harry turned to ask Dumbledore why he was needed.

"We're both on a mission of aid tonight Harry. You'll need a cloak and bring your goblin staff along. Go get changed and I'll meet you by the north path doors. We going into the Forbidden Forest."