Disclaimer: It all belongs to J. K. Rowling
Chapter 53 – Hermione's Folly
Monday morning came too early for the students especially one Harry Potter: today being his first day back in regular classes. It's really too bad that he couldn't continue with is private lessons but with Professor Dumbledore no longer in the school his potion's teacher Hogwarts Esteemed, Professor Snape now the Deputy Headmaster of the school as well as remaining Head of Slytherin and Potions Master, no longer had the time for the private classes. His friend and mentor, Remus Lupin, the DADA professor and now the Head of Gryffindor House was also unable to continue the regular private lessons forcing him to attend the regularly schedule A.D.A.D.A. class.
The only bright spot from this weekend was the fact that he was now rooming with two of the people that he considered good friends. He'd been asked to let Draco Black and Neville Longbottom move into his quarters for their protection and so he wouldn't be so isolated. He never wanted them in danger and appreciated their company. Yesterday wasn't a good day for him. That morning at breakfast he yelled at Hermione Granger; well she yelled at him first but he still managed to loose his temper which ended up with him publicly telling her off. Later that day he went to the interrogation of Ginny Weasley only to find out that she was a willing supporter of Tom Riddle, a.k.a. Lord Voldemort. That was shocking both to him and the rest of the Weasley's He was sure the rumors were going to be flying soon too since he didn't appear at dinner last night. Conjuring a shield he heads to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"Morning Harry," Neville greets him.
"Morning Neville, where is Draco?"
"He is meeting with Professor Snape about something; are you ready for classes?"
Harry with a wry grin and a dry chuckle asks, "Can I lie and say yes?"
Neville happy to see him able to joke about the situation, "Sure why not, did you get all the assignments finished. Don't want anyone to think you are getting special treatment now do we?"
"Yeah I got everything finished last night; wasn't that hard really since I've already learned a lot of this stuff. Having the free time I use to have helped but that is now down the drain since I have the same class load as everyone else plus I still have the extra training not to mention
I also have the meeting with Clayton two nights a week and I have the healer nights too. I don't know how I'm going to handle it all." Sighing 'I will though; I always do."
"You know if you need help we will be here for you don't you?"
"Yeah I know Neville, looking at the clock I need to go I have Healing this morning and then I will see you in defense."
"Ok See you later."
The morning went well Harry meet up with Neville and Draco for lunch.
"So Harry, what do you have this after noon?" Draco asked.
"I have defense with Neville and my first class with Granger."
"Good luck is all I can say."
"I don't think it is going to be to bad we are handing in those Essays and then I don't know what else we will do. What do you have?"
"I have History of Magic. So a good long nap."
Harry chuckles.
The three eat there lunch,"
Ready to go Neville?"
"Yeah, I'm ready can't wait to get this essay over with. The two walked into the defense classroom the group of students that were there looking at Harry, wondering what was going on. Neville and Harry took two of the available sits in the front of the room.
"Good afternoon class, I gave this speech to the Gryffindor's Saturday night after their grand display of idiocy an now I am giving it to you as well so listen carefully as there will be no second and third chances. Most of you are failing this class, yes I said FAILING this class. None of you seem to want to work at learning the material. It doesn't just deposit itself into you skulls you know; it often requires that you actually open the text read the material and PRATICE it! It appears that you do well enough when you have someone available to walk you step by step through the process but can't seem to grasp it through class time and homework. Each of you has until the end of term, which is just before Christmas break, to bring your grades back up to at least an Acceptable or you will be placed back in the regular class. I will not tolerate, anyone attacking anyone in this class; wands will be handed into me before class unless we are doing a practical lesson and then you will keep it. You will find on the board the new rules for this class.
1. Anyone found attacking a student will be immediately removed from this class.
2. Anyone found taunting or making rude comments about a student (this does include house rivalries) will get detention and a warning, 3 warnings and you will be removed from the class.
3. There will be no house rivalries in this class room, at the first sign of such behavior refer to Rule 2
Now everyone please hand in your essay's and read Chapter 21.
A week before Christmas break and the end of term Harry was going over the essay on a potion of their choice and since Harry, and Professor Snape were still working a potion to remove the mark with out killing anyone. He choose that potion to work on which gave him the chance to not have to use what little free time he had now.
Hermione seeing his choice reading his work over his shoulder sees his choice and upbraids him on it, "Harry, there is no potion that removes the mark of evil. Snape isn't going to allow you to submit that."
Exasperated at Hermione, Harry replies somewhat sharply, "Hermione worry about your own paper and just leave me and mine alone."
Affronted and insulted that he'd speak to her so rudely when she was just trying to help save him from a bad grade she screeches, "How dare you I'm only concerned that you are going to fail."
"Like I said worry about yours not mine, I know what I'm doing, if I fail with this then I fail but at least I tried and there is nothing wrong with that."
Snape stalks into the room his robes billowing cape like behind him starts lecturing in his melodic deep voice, "Today will be brewing the Draught of Living Death – the ingredients are asphodel in an infusion of wormwood; bring to boil; 6 stirs clockwise followed by 18 stirs counter clockwise in the span of 10 minutes add finely chopped valerian roots, stir 5 times counter clockwise potion should be a deep green color then add the juice of sopophorous bean - stir clockwise 10 times/ 1 turn per minute followed by 21 turns counter clockwise potion should be a glistening silver. The potions effect is to cause someone to fall into a deep sleep that so closely resembles death that it takes a profession medi-witch or potions master to tell the difference. Now Begin."
Harry set about brewing the potion after collecting all the ingredients needed. While Harry is getting the things needed Hermione sabotages his potion by adding Doxy eggs to Harry's cauldron on her way back to her seat.
Snape seeing this calls out to Harry, "Mr. Potter don't added anything…"
Harry hearing his warning to late adds the Sopophorous bean juice to the cauldron which causes an immediate explosion that burns Harry's robes and knocks him unconscious. Draco seeing this grabs the burn healing paste from the first aide cabinet and starts to apply it to his face and arms. "Professor, we need to get him to the hospital wing. He is having hard time breathing."
"Leaning down Mr. Black, take him into my office and up to his room; I will get Madam Pomfrey to meet you there. I want everyone to go to the library and write up a 5 foot parchment on what ingredients work and don't work together."
Before anyone could leave he adds in a voice so cold that it would freeze snow, "Ms. Granger you will stay right where you are and not move. If you attempt to move I will immobilize you. Do you understand me?" Not trusting her to her word he wards the classroom door to prevent her leaving unobserved while he makes a couple floo calls.
After she acknowledges him and assures him the she isn't going to run off he walks into his office and makes to floo calls the first to Poppy and the second to Professor McGonagall.
VOFVOFVOFVOFVOFVOFVOF
Neville having a free period this hour was studying in the sitting area of their apartment when he spots Draco levitating Harry into the room and exclaims, "What in Merlin's name happened?"
"I will tell you just get Harry's bedroom door open."
Neville quickly opens the door then helps Draco lay Harry out on his bed.
There is a knock on the door followed quickly by it opening and Madame Pomfrey rushing in, "Out of the way Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Black I understand you witnessed the accident tell me exactly what happened."
"We were brewing the Drought of Living Death and the next thing I know Harry's cauldron exploded. His face and arms and the top of his chest were burned; I also noticed right away that he seems to be having a hard time breathing. I applied the burn healing paste right away and Professor Snape had me bring him up here. When we were laying him on the bed we noticed that he also has gash on the back of his neck and his arm."
"Very well smart thinking Mr. Black now would you please go and get some pepper up potion, a calming drought, and a dreamless sleep from the hospital wing."
"Yes, Ma'am," Draco said leaving immediately on his errand.
"Mr. Longbottom, would you please go get Professor Lupin and Mr. Potter's guardian ad litum and mentor he needs to be notified; and I don't care if he is in class tell him that I want him here."
"Yes Ma'am!" Neville replies as he rushes towards the Defense rooms.
Running as fast as he could to the third floor he flung the door open without warning causing it to bang loudly and startle the class and Remus who demands, "Mr. Longbottom what is the meaning of this?
"Harry in his room burned. Madam Pomfrey wants you now! Harry's room!" He said breathless in his hurry to get everything out.
Remus worried states, "Mr. Longbottom you are in charge of this class: they will read until the bell rings."
Rushing up to Harry's room, seeing Draco and Madam Pomfrey working over him he demands shortly in panic, "How is he?"
"Draco please tend to Professor Lupin, I can handle the rest of this on my own." Pomfrey calmly states.
"Draco what happened?"
Draco hands him a vial of calming draught and as he swallows it goes on to tell him what happened in potions class and what they'd done to help Harry since adding, "He is resting now and from what Madam Pomfrey said, we got the salve on him in time that there won't be any scarring from the burns. The only thing she is worried about is his breathing! Since we don't know what was put in the potion we were making we can't tell if that is the reason for his breathing or not."
"Madam Pomfrey how is he?" Remus asked
"He is in a magical induced healing coma induced by the fumes from whatever the potion became. Although this sleep is healing I want/no need to know what was added to that potion for it is affecting his breathing. I have put a monitoring spell on him to alert us of any changes in his condition. I would also like Mr. Black to stay with him to also monitor for visible changes. I will get Professor McGonagall to open the floo to his rooms so that I can come directly in.
"Madam Pomfrey is there anyway to move him to Potter Manor? I know the manor will be more restful for him. Even with the Weasley's there it's less stressful for him he doesn't have to worry about people stabbing him in the back and sabotaging his efforts. As you know the Weasley's are staying there, Molly would be more than willing to help nurse him and I know he would be more comfortable staying there than here."
"You would have to be willing to open the floo to me. Or have that deranged house elf come get me if something were to happen."
Remus shares a half smile with her, "How about both; but the only way into the manor will be the hospital wing floo and only you will have the password. Maybe if you know someone trust worthy we could bring in a private nurse. Since I know he won't want to impose totally on Molly. She tends to get a bit possessive of him. I don't want him left here over the holiday and I have to be at the Manor unless we get Draco to stay here too. I can't have him at the Manor alone with the Weasley's; Harry barely got them to agree to a truce."
"Professor Lupin, I think I know someone but they will need to be paid and it can't come out of the school funds even if it was a school accident."
"I will pay what ever it takes."
Sighing she says, "let me contact them."
Down in the dungeons Snape is questioning Hermione and is quickly running out of patience, "Ms. Granger what did you put in Mr. Potter potion?"
Hermione answers calmly looking totally innocent, "Nothing he must have made a mistake."
"I saw you place something in his cauldron now what was it? Tell me and it won't be so bad on you."
Trying to get him to go easy on her she tried her innocent wide eyed slightly scared look, "I didn't do anything."
"MS. Granger, I'm losing my patience with you, if he dies, I will make sure you pay for it. And not just a slap on the wrist, or a Dementors kiss, now tell me what you put in his cauldron."
"I didn't put anything in there; he has never made that potion before so he must have just messed it up himself."
"That Ms. Granger is where you are wrong; he has made this potion before at least 3 times before to be more specific and in my presence. He made it perfect the very first time and every time after. "
McGonagall walking in see the very hostile professor interrogating Hermione in a very intimidating pose, "Professor Snape what is the meaning of this?"
"Headmistress, it seems that Ms Granger has carried her petty jealously into assault, I saw her toss something in Mr. Potter's cauldron yet she won't tell me what. His cauldron exploded and he was burned and is having difficulties breathing and still she denies her culpability."
"Ms Granger, I suggest you tell us now."
Tearfully trying to garner sympathy from McGonagall Hermione whines, "He is lying I didn't do anything, why don't you believe me; and if he saw something why didn't he stop Harry from adding anything more."
"I tried to Ms. Granger but he had already added it. Now tell us what you put in it."
"I didn't do anything."
Reaching for a vial that contains a clear liquid he inquires menacing, "Care to say that under Veritaserum?"
"You can't give that to me without my parent's permission," Hermione states in superiority.
"You're right Ms Granger I can't give you veritaserum with out their permission but I can take my memories out and place them in a Pensive and show them to MLE; which will clearly show you putting something into Harry's caldron. So just make it easy on yourself and tell us what the ingredient was, or face the Aurors."
Hermione again declares, "I swear I didn't do anything wrong. I never would harm all these other people just to get to Harry."
McGonagall having heard enough declares, "Have it your way Ms Granger, I will be contacting your parents and Clayton to let him know what has happened this time. You have been warned over and over again to not do anything to Mr. Potter. I believe this justifies as attempted murder even in the Muggle world, but the MLE will be make the final decision on whether or not to press charges. I'm also going to ask Professor Snape to extract his memories of this class and hand over to the MLE when they arrive. If and when Mr. Potter wakes up it will be up to him to press additional charges against you but I assure you that until you are certified to not be a danger to yourself or others you will not return to this school."
She takes a deep breath before adding, "You leave me no choice but to suspend you from this school pending a psychological evaluation. This was worse than irresponsible Ms Granger I am very disappointed in you. You were a prefect and in line to be head girl but now you will be lucky if you are still a student here when all this is said and done... When I contact your parents it will not be in a letter I will be going to there home to see them. And I will take all the memories of your fights with Mr. Potter that I have witnessed myself and will share them with not only your parents but the court as well. You Ms. Granger are going to have to face the consequences of you actions. Go pack your belongings and meet me in my office in 30 minutes we will be leaving from there."
"You can't do this to me, all I have ever wanted was to be the best, and Professor Snape is showing favoritism to Harry by letting him get away with doing an essay on a potion that doesn't even exist."
"Ms Granger I know what potion Mr. Potter is working on; it is you who does not know what you are talking about. The potion in question does exist how else do you think he removed the Dark Mark from my arm. He has been doing research on it since the students were found with the mark: he is attempting to save those that didn't have any choice but to take it from a lifetime of incarceration. So next time, if there is a next time, please mind your own business."
His face stilled and took on a look that even the Death Eaters feared, hard and cold that promised lots of pain, "Now one more chance to tell us what you placed in his caldron."
"Doxy eggs." she said as she left to room to pack her trunk.
Snape goes quickly to his potions cupboard and pulls out a vial with a dark purple liquid in it while exclaiming to McGonagall, "I need to get the antidote up to him fast." With the necessary potion in hand he runs up the back stair to Harry's room while calling out, "Draco?"
Draco replies, "Yes Professor?"
"Is Madam Pomfrey still here?"
"Yes she is in the bedroom with Harry. Why is there something wrong?"
"Yes, I need to get this antidote in him."
He quickly enters the bedroom where Pomfrey inquires, "What is it Professor Snape."
"The potion was contaminated with Doxy eggs I have the antidote here; it should ease his breathing."
"Yes it will thank you for bringing it up, lets give it to him so that he can be moved."
"Moved to were?"
"Remus is going to take him home to Potter Manor so that he can rest without people gawking at him. I may not like the idea but he has a point Harry will be more comfortable there than here or in the hospital wing. Now don't fret we have a private nurse that is willing to be with him until he is better plus he has that deranged house elf that come get us in a flash if anything happens."
With a heavy sigh Snape concurs, "Lupin is right he will be more comfortable at his home. I will make up potion box for him to take with him that way the nurse won't have to leave to get anything or have to send out for anything but the most obscure potion. And if they need more the elf as you said can come get us. Thank you Poppy for everything."
"Professor, he should be fine now that we know he inhaled. I will be accompanying them to the manor to settle him in and show the nurse what to be aware of."
"I need to speak to Professor Lupin before they go. Good Day." as he leaves.
"Draco are you ready to leave for the holiday? Remus asked
"Yes, I'm ready to leave, are we going early?"
"I will be leaving with Harry in about 30 minutes and since you only have 2 days left of classes I was going to speak with the Professor McGonagall about you leaving with me. I don't really want to leave him alone."
"Remus, can we speak?"
Remus flustered and worried, "Yes, Severus, Draco make sure Harry has everything that he is going to need, when he wakes up."
"Yes, sir."
"Severus, you don't look to good," States after taking in Snape's appearance.
"Ms. Granger put Doxy eggs in his potion."
Beyond shocked Remus yells, "WHAT!?"
"Yes she claimed she got upset because he made up a potion and she wanted to teach him a lesson."
As Draco puts together a trunk for Harry and himself for the holiday Snape fills Remus in on what he learned from Hermione and Minerva's decision on how to handle the situation.
A/N: The next chapter we meet the nurse and then Hermione's parents are brought in. Plus Harry goes home to Potter manor with Mrs. Weasley.
I want everyone's honest opinion on this chapter did it not give you enough information or did it jump around to much?
Thank you everyone that reads this story.
Kay
