Chapter 52 – Second Mail and Second Disaster
Harry hadn't made it more than a dozen steps away from the Great Hall when Ron suddenly stopped. "Harry, there's a blizzard outside. You can't even get to Hagrid's Hut with the weather the way it is."
Sagging with the weight of the snake and his forgetfulness, Harry stopped walking and started thinking about the future of his scaly companion. Putting the snake outside would be sure death for the reptile but he just couldn't take it back to his dorm room either.
Hermione came rushing out of the Great Hall then. "Harry, there's…"
"A snowstorm outside" finished Ron, Neville, and Harry together.
"So what are you going to do with…" Neville didn't even try saying the name, but just pointed at Harry's right shoulder where the snake was just looking around curiously. Hermione shuddered just a little bit as the forked tongue came out of the snake's mouth and seemed to lick Harry's ear.
"Quit doing zzzat. I'm not sssssupperrr." Harry finally thought of something to do and he raised his voice just a little bit. "Patchum!"
The Gryffindor house elf appeared next to Harry but backed a little off when he saw what was wrapped around the wizard. "Master Harry?"
"Do you know Patchum if there are sub-dungeons underneath the Hogwarts kitchens? That aren't connected to the Slytherin passageways?"
Patchum thought for a few seconds and then nodded. "There are three sub-levels that are no longer in use Master Harry. Do you want that creature released in there?"
"Only if you can make sure that he doesn't return to the kitchen area itself. I don't want him to hurt anyone, human or house elf, or want anyone to hurt him. Is that possible?"
"Yes Master Harry, I can take him there and create a ward that would keep him in those levels. I think there are enough rats and other things to keep him fed and content."
"Ok, let's go."
"You Master Harry?"
"I'm just going to make sure that he ends up in an ok place. I don't want to place you in any danger."
Patchum nodded his head. "You are a kind and great wizard Master Harry. Very well."
Patchum held out his hand and Harry rolled his eyes at what he had just volunteered to do. "Be right back. I hope." Harry grabbed for Patchum's hand as he spoke something softly to the snake. There was a small pop and then they were gone.
Hermione blew out a breath and realized that Neville and Ron were both staring anxiously at her. Neville looked at Ron first but then decided to speak up. "You have to tell Harry he's got a serious trouble now."
"For blasting Malfoy? Harry showed a lot of restraint after what that idiot did."
"No Hermione" said Ron. "Not for that. Nobody really cares about what happens to that git. It's about Harry being a Parselmouth."
Neville shook his head sadly. "Harry spoke Parseltongue in there in front of every house. And two Professors. It'll be all over school by morning that Harry's a Dark wizard. Everyone knows only Dark wizards can talk to snakes."
"But I thought he was just trying to keep the snake away from Justin" Hermione argued.
"Doesn't matter now. Everyone will think Harry was in total control of that thing from the moment that it left Malfoy's wand. There might be accusations that Harry is the Heir of Slytherin now and he's the one responsible for Colin being petrified!"
Hermione was about to respond to that when Patchum and Harry suddenly reappeared. Harry looked like he had just escaped from the deepest dungeons himself. He was covered in dirt and dust and cobwebs. Ron backed up with a shout as he saw a red spider crawl off Harry's boot and scuttle away.
Patchum turned and looked at Harry and smirked just a little bit before he cast a cleansing charm on the boy. Harry looked down at himself and grinned. "Thank you Patchum. For both favors."
"You're welcome Master Harry. I need to get back to my duties." Harry nodded briefly and then the helpful elf was gone.
The crowd of students that had gathered at the entrance to the Great Hall had watched Harry reappear out of seemingly thin air. Few people had seen the little house elf. There was a small murmur and then everyone that attended the Dueling Club started moving hurriedly away from the entrance hall. And Harry.
Harry noticed that few people actually looked at him and the ones that did were saying something very quietly to the witch or wizard next to them. Harry got the feeling that most of them were either scared or very suspicious about him.
Harry looked to Neville and Ron but neither one could meet his eyes. Neville finally stammered out that he had to get back upstairs and work on some homework and Ron quickly volunteered to keep him company. Both boys said 'goodnight' to Harry and Hermione and joined the last of the students heading up the Grand Staircase. Harry turned and looked at his girlfriend with a confused look.
'We need to go have a talk. And then see Professor Dumbledore if we can.'
Hermione tugged on Harry's shirtsleeve and he dutifully followed her to find the nearest empty classroom. Ten minutes later a white-faced Harry and Hermione were heading for Dumbledore's office.
For once the gargoyle wouldn't step aside for Harry when he got to the entrance. He tried calling for Fawkes but that was unsuccessful also. The two could only conclude that the headmaster and his familiar were not in the castle at all. They turned to head back to the Gryffindor tower and Harry wondered how badly his good deed was going to turn out.
Xxxx xxxx
Not sleeping well was starting to become the norm rather than the exception for Harry Potter. As least tonight… this morning he understood what was bothering him. The fact that it was soon going to common knowledge around the school that he was a Parselmouth - and by unanimous opinion, a Dark Wizard. Harry hadn't considered what he had done the night before; he was just trying to save Justin from being attacked by whatever kind of snake that Malfoy had tried to attack him with.
Harry did smile at the memory of how Malfoy had become literally hoisted on his own petard but realized that he had just probably reinforced the Slytherin's hatred of him. And done himself no favors for getting along with Professor Snape either. Harry finally gave up any pretense of trying to get back to sleep and got dressed and carried his bookbag down to the common room. There was always homework to do. It seemed that the professors tried to stomp out any type of anticipation or enjoyment about the upcoming holidays by overloading everyone once December had started.
Wondering if he should just skip the Great Hall and get breakfast directly from the kitchens Harry remembered what the date was and groaned. Of all the possible days he could skive off from breakfast, this was the one day of the semester he should be in the Great Hall for the mail delivery. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid' Harry thought to himself.
'Quit talking about my boyfriend like that' came a sleepy voice from the girls' dorm.
'Oh sorry Hermione I didn't mean to wake you up.'
'You didn't Harry; my alarm spell just went off. I'll be down after I take a shower and change. Want to watch?'
'Yes… NO! Thanks for the fine offer though. I'm trying to get ahead on the reading we have for over the holidays.'
'Ok, I'll try to hurry.'
'Thanks Hermione.'
Harry picked up his bookbag and headed for the most isolated section of the common room. He was in no mood to see or be seen by his housemates and having to answer their questions. Which they probably wouldn't believe anyway; somedays it was just lousy being Harry Potter.
Hiding behind his History of Magic book, Harry read and listened to a number of his house mates head down for the morning meal. He heard his name mentioned time or two in passing but tried not to react to it.
A shadow finally blocked out Harry's light and he looked up to see Fred, George, Ron and Ginny Weasley staring down at him with some concern. "Ron told us all what happened at the Dueling Club" started the youngest Weasley. "And we wanted to let you know that none of us think for a second that you're a Dark Lord or Wizard" finished Ron.
"Unlucky, quirky, mischievous, handy with a spatula, and right on dangerous with a broom…" supplied Fred.
"…but never a Dark Lord" finished George.
Harry laughed easily at the sport. "Thanks. I needed a bit of support right now. I can always depend on you guys to tell me the truth. You may want to stick around for the second mail delivery this morning."
"Second mail delivery?" asked Ron. "But there's only one in the morning. Isn't there?"
"Little brother, you have no talent for recognizing genius at work. There's something happening this morning, isn't there Harry?"
"For some people" Harry answered slyly.
"Something we'd be proud of?" asked the twins together.
"No but you ought to enjoy the looks on some people's faces when it happens." That being said, Harry brought his book back up in front of his face and went back to reading. The Weasleys took the hint and walked off toward the portal wondering what was going to happen downstairs.
Five minutes later Hermione reached the bottom of the girls' stairway and started looking around for Harry. He wasn't in either of his two favorite chairs but she just closed her eyes and tried to 'feel' where he was. She grinned and headed for the quiet corner where Harry had gone to hide. Harry looked up as she got close to him and put a marker in the book he was reading.
"Good morning Miss Granger."
"And to you to your Honor." Harry stuck his tongue out at the girl as she knew he didn't particularly like that title. Hermione surprised him by quickly leaning in and licking his tongue with her own.
'Hermione!'
'There's nobody around this part of the common room to see us. Thought I would test and see if you were still feeling sorry for yourself.'
Harry looked up into the bright eyes of his girlfriend and finally smiled. "I'm much better now, thank you very much."
"Good, this is the day of the last of our classes for the semester. I understand the need for all classes to double up so the professors can get their final lectures in. But I'm almost positive that Ron and some of the others will think that they have Charms this morning instead of Herbology and Transfiguration."
"That would be almost be a sure bet. I looked outside before I came down here and the snowstorm looks like it turned into a full blizzard. We may have to dig our way into the greenhouses this morning."
"Guess we'd better get down and get some warm breakfast into us then." Hermione noticed Harry's reluctance to get moving. "It will be ok Harry; just focus on me and ignore everybody else."
"That might not be quite so easy; it's the second mail day."
Hermione's mouth opened a little in shock and then she remembered what Harry had planned for this morning. "Now we really need to get down there."
"Ok but would you mind if we sat a lot closer to the other end of the Gryffindor table? Nearer the doors; I might have to evade people for a while."
Hermione nodded and held out her hand for Harry. One of the nicer things about having a public relationship was that Harry and Hermione could both enjoy holding hands as they went through the hallways together.
The pair made it down to the Great Hall and found a couple seats close to the hall end of the Gryffindor table. They had just started eating their breakfast when Dumbledore stood at his place at the teacher's table and made some announcements. "Due to the very inclement weather outside, Herbology classes for today and tomorrow are cancelled. Also the Hufflepuff Quidditch practice is postponed due to no one being able to actually see the pitch. I also have been informed that there will a special second mail call this morning so the first classes have been moved back a half hour. And lastly, for any and all of those students who are leaving earlier than the Hogwarts Express Monday morning- Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!"
Dumbledore clapped his hands once and then sat down. That signaled the opening of the owl ports and the regular morning delivery of mail and presents as was the norm for the week before holidays. Harry caught sight of Errol and watched as the Weasley's owl wobbled it's way though the Great Hall and made it almost to his delivery point. Unfortunately he collapsed right on top of Ron Weasley's head and flopped off into his half-eaten breakfast plate. Ron's indignant voice carried quite clearly to the place where Harry and Hermione were chuckling.
Professor McGonagall came down from the teacher's table to talk to Harry. "The headmaster and I were most distressed to hear what happened at the Dueling Club last evening. He would like to see you both in his office after breakfast. Mr. Potter, you have been assigned a two hour detention with Professor Burbage this evening starting at six. I tried getting it for tomorrow night but Professor Burbage is herself leaving tomorrow afternoon for the holidays. I shall see you both for class at the regular time."
Harry coughed rather loudly when he saw Professor McGonagall turn and start to leave the hall. When she returned to ask if there was a problem, Harry was undecided as to what to say to her. Hermione finally gave him a mental push and Harry started speaking. "I'm sorry Professor McGonagall, but it may be best if you returned to the teacher's table until after the second round of mail is delivered."
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow at the odd suggestion from the second year but studied the pair. "I believe I just have time to go get another cup of tea. Thank you Mr. Potter, Miss Granger."
Harry watched the teacher return to the head table and have a word with Dumbledore before she sat back down. 'It looks like the headmaster didn't inform his wife about what is going to occur next Harry.'
'Good maybe she'll be upset with him instead of me.'
It was only a few minutes later when everyone heard the owl ports opening again. Everyone looked up and there were hushed cries of amazement as 25 Grey Ravens entered the hall and circled over the area for about five minutes. There was also a lot of explaining going on up and down the tables as the older students told the younger ones that the Grey Ravens were used exclusively by the goblins at Gringotts.
The ravens started dropping out of their pattern as they landed one by one to deliver their messages to individual people. Harry thought of the letter of explanation that was contained in each envelope. He had been glad that Hermione had worked with Remus and Griphook in getting the precise wording down.
To: _, representative of the _ family.
Enclosed within this envelope is a bank draft drawn on the estate of James and Lily Potter. It is presented to you as final payment and settlement of an owed loan or other type of financial arrangement that had originally occurred between your family and the Potter family's in the year _. The draft includes the repayment of the original sum as well as all fair market interest accrued since the original date of the debt. Acceptance of this draft constitutes final and irrevocable payment and claim on any financial obligation owed by the Potter family, its estate, and its heirs.
Griphook, Gringotts Financial Manager for the Estate of James and Lily Potter.
Hermione was the one to watch the various Ravens land in front of students from different houses. She 'told' Harry their reactions to the letter and the bank drafts. Some of the drafts were very large and had a student or two quite speechless with shock. The Ravens had landed at every table, even the Slytherins, to discharge the debts Harry had felt obligated to pay. Harry risked a glance to the teacher's table and saw that the Grey Ravens had delivered their letters to three of the people seated there. Professor Vector, the Arithmancy teacher, met Harry's eye and bowed her head slightly; Harry nodded just the littlest bit back.
Hermione wondered if many people would dare to ask Professor Snape how much he had received. The Grey Raven that had landed in front of him and then hurriedly flew off after Snape grabbed the letter. Professor Snape's face had taken on that funny purple color again that people remembered from his first day's class with Harry Potter. His hands were literally shaking as he held the letter and bank draft very tightly. Snape finally stood up and stormed out of the hall to the accompaniment of a large number of murmurs.
Professor McGonagall, on the other hand, was staring at the two students at the far end of the Gryffindor table over the top of her glasses. It was an intimidating stare that her incoming students had all received at one time or another. A lot of students in the hall suddenly looked at the recipient of the withering look. Harry eventually shrugged his shoulders and held his hands up in surrender. That brought a laugh to almost everyone and a rarely seen smile to the face of Professor McGonagall.
Before that laughter stopped, Susan Bones got to her feet, waved her envelope, and called out so that everyone in the hall heard her. "Thank you Harry!"
That phrase was quickly followed up by Neville Longbottom and then the recipients from all four houses stood. Verbal thanks rang out from Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff students while the three from Slytherin just stood. In defiance to the glares that were coming from one very upset Draco Malfoy!
Harry was embarrassed by the public support and was reluctantly pushed to his feet by an insistent Hermione. He looked around and cleared his throat twice before saying anything. "You're welcome, I guess. Merry Christmas?"
The hall rocked with laughter as Harry sank down in his seat with embarrassment.
Xxxx xxxx
A timid Harry and amused Hermione waited at the doorway to Dumbledore's office. He and Professor McGonagall were in the midst of some type of discussion when they noticed the two students. The headmaster waved then in and finished his discussion with McGonagall.
"That's twice the henhouses have been raided and roosters have been killed along with some hens. I shall ask Filius to install some stronger wards against wild creatures."
"It's too bad the blizzard had wiped away any tracks of the predators. Hagrid might have been able to track them down and deal with them himself."
Harry wondered how desperate or hungry a beast would be to go out hunting in weather like the current blizzard. He then noticed that both the adults were just staring at him with some interest. Harry decided not to volunteer any information and the room sat in silence for a few minutes.
Professor McGonagall finally couldn't hold her tongue any longer and came to stand before Harry. "You do realize Mr. Potter, that there a various number of rules and procedures that say that a student may NOT give monetary rewards or gifts to any member of the Hogwarts staff."
Harry calmly looked up to the older witch and replied. "As I understand it, whatever came this morning was not a reward, gift or bribe. Some sort of repayment of debt if what Neville Longbottom told me is correct. And my name really doesn't appear on any document so you really can't accuse me of anything illegal or inappropriate, can you?"
Dumbledore finally gave in to his laughter and McGonagall whirled on him instead. "You could have warned me!" But she smiled and did a formal curtsey to Harry. "Thank you for the pleasant surprise then Lord Potter. I shall donate some of these funds back to St. Mungo's." With than being said Professor McGonagall went around the desk and placed a careful kiss to the top of Dumbledore's head before she left the office. The three watched the door closed behind her as she descended the circular stairway.
"So how many other bank drafts were sent out Harry besides the ones that came here?" The question from Dumbledore had Harry thinking for a couple of seconds before he replied.
"About three dozen more to here in the British Isles with another handful being sent out to overseas recipients. The real problem is the letters of debt that are being sent out to the Family heads on the day following New Years'. Those give notice of the debt owed to the Potter family and a request of immediate remittance of arrears or the establishment of a two year payment program before legal action is enjoined (is that the right word Hermione?) against the family and/or its assets. There should be some very interesting letters waiting for Griphook and me when I get back from holidays. I may have to ask Professor Flitwick to teach me a spell that checks and sees if there any dangerous contents in my mail."
Dumbledore nodded but then became serious again. "I hear we have a new scavenger living in our dungeons. Please give me your versions of the events at the Dueling Club."
Harry and Hermione talked for about twenty minutes about the events that led to Harry walking out of the Great Hall with a conjured snake draped around his person. "That was quite remarkable Harry. Thank you for demonstrating restraint in responding to Mr. Malfoy's attack. I think he will receive a few more nights of detention for placing a number of students in danger. It was unfortunate that you had to resort to Parseltongue in settling the situation but this morning's events may counteract some of that unfavorable impression."
"So, if I may ask headmaster, how did Harry develop this particularly unsavory skill?"
'I'm unsavory?'
'Hush, you know better!'
"I believe Miss Granger that Voldemort inadvertently gave him that talent at the same time as that infamous scar. I'm sure it wasn't an intentional present but something in the backlash that destroyed the Dark Lord after James and Lily died."
Harry slumped a bit at the mention of his parents. It continued to be a very touchy subject that often brought immediate tears to Harry's eyes. Hermione opened up their connection and poured some of the affection and support she felt for Harry right back to him. Harry smiled and pressed his hand to Hermione's before the headmaster dismissed them both.
Xxxx xxxx
The rest of the day passed quietly for the pair. Transfiguration class went smoothly but Professor McGonagall made it a point to ask the most difficult questions to Harry to prove she wasn't practicing any favoritism because of the debt settlement. Hermione 'helped' him out on the few points he wasn't sure of.
Fred and George held a mock celebration for Harry when he returned to the common room at the end of the day. They awarded him a mock medal "for services to Gryffindor house" in providing "reoccurring opportunities for a greasy git to stroke out with indignation." Hermione noticed that the majority of the first and second years that were present did not look at Harry with fear and loathing as the twins embarrassed him. She would have to think of some way for her and Harry to properly reward Fred and George for helping Harry's image.
Harry left promptly at 5:30 pm to head for his detention. He tried going in a roundabout way to avoid other students but he unluckily ran into a group of Hufflepuffs. Harry tried waving to the few students he knew but Justin Finch-Fletchley screamed in terror and ran the other way. The rest backed away but formed a barrier to keep Harry from following the second year. Harry stopped, shook his head sadly and turned down another corridor.
When he arrived at the Muggle Studies classroom, Harry was told by Professor Burbage that he was supposed to read and review her lesson plans and assignments. Harry was given a couple of thick folders that covered the first and second years' classes. If he had any comments, suggestions and comments, he could interrupt her reading and grading tests to discuss the matter. Otherwise he was told just to make notes on the sheets themselves. The plans were for the spring term of the lower classes.
Harry asked her why she had asked for him and was told that he had a unique viewpoint from growing up muggle himself and now being able to look at it from a wizard's viewpoint. Harry bent to the task and made a number of notes on the margins of some of the sheets. He did interrupt the professor once to explain that the House of Lords did not mean more to the British government than the House of Commons and again to point out that large planes did not use electricity to make them fly. Professor Burbage made notes on his explanations and thanked him for his input. She also offered Harry the opportunity to come to her classroom at any time and speak to her classes. Harry thanked her for the compliment but thought that Hermione might actually enjoy that opportunity more. He thought he would let her know when he got back to the Gryffindor dorms.
The end of the two hour detention arrived very quickly and Harry found that he enjoyed looking at the way that at one least class was organized and presented to beginning students. Harry wished the Muggle Studies teacher a pleasant holiday and began his walk back to the Gryffindor tower. The blizzard was still blowing fiercely outside and the torches and lamps danced occasionally with the wind that came through the sometimes drafty walls. Harry turned down a corridor where all the lights had been extinguished and he reached for his wand.
A 'Lumos' spell lit up the corridor and Harry stared at shock at the scene in front of him. Two figures were frozen right in front of him; one on the ground and one floating in midair. Harry turned around and increased the power to his spell; he wanted nothing sneaking up on him from the dark. Harry looked at the rest of the corridor; there was nothing and nobody else there. Harry crept closer to one the figures; he was appalled to see that it was Sir Nicholas that was frozen with an expression of horror on his face. Ghosts could be petrified! That realization led Harry to move so that his back was against one wall. Harry swallowed with effort and then raised his voice. "Fawkes!"
The phoenix flamed into the corridor a few seconds later and sang a song that didn't sound nearly so cheerful for a change. "Please go fetch Dumbledore back here. Some more have been petrified." The phoenix circled the area once and flashed away.
Harry made his way back to see exactly who the student was who had been petrified. He was kneeling beside the body when running feet came down the corridor and he saw Professor Flitwick and Cedric Diggory appear.
Harry simply said "It's Justin" to the two. He then felt himself grabbed up and thrown bodily down the hallway. Harry landed hard on his head and saw a pair of shoes a little groggily in his vision.
"Mr. Diggory, NO! Do not attack Mr. Potter again. Seize his wand if you must do something but leave him alone."
"But we caught him next to the body Professor! Justin has been running scared of Potter all day! He's got to be guilty!"
Harry regained a sitting position and calmly handed his wand up to Cedric Diggory just as Dumbledore appeared in the corridor. Dumbledore looked at the scene before him and grimaced. A student and a ghost petrified, Professor Flitwick standing next to the student's body and Harry Potter sitting on the floor and being held at wand point by a prefect. The headmaster almost broke his vow to never swear in the presence of a student. This was truly heinous!
'Harry?'
'Hermione, do you know a great lawyer? I've stepped into it again!'
