Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
A/N: Thanks to PenguinLord0029 and Gazaran, who beta this story.
New A/N (1/15/2021): So I accidently posted this chapter in the wrong order. I have now changed it so chapter 34 is 'Getting to Hogwarts', if you haven't read that go back to the last chapter.
Chapter Thirty-Five
First Day Back
Harry was smiling as he ate his breakfast; it just felt nice to be back in the castle again, he was hoping that he could explore the place that night so that he could familiarize himself with everything again. He could have done without Hermione chattering about Lockhart the whole time. It seemed like she had grown even more taken by this person and Harry assumed it had something to do with the fact that she had now read all of his books in preparation for his class. He sighed, not really sure what he should do about her growing fondness of Lockhart when Harry was sure that he was a complete git. Ron seemed to think the best thing to do was pick a fight with Hermione, telling her to shut up about Lockhart already. This had the two of them arguing while they walked to Herbology.
"Hey Neville," Harry said walking to his other friend, the one that was not constantly arguing with someone and talked to him.
"It looks like it was too much to hope for that they would stop fighting every ten minutes," Neville sighed.
"Obviously, but at least they didn't fight during the train ride," Harry chuckled and then turn to talk to all of Neville's friends that he was on good terms with. It wasn't long after that that Professor Sprout took them to Greenhouse three and they learned about Mandrakes, once again Hermione and Neville battling to see who answered the professor's question first.
"Well, that was as fun as ever, Hermione," Neville chuckled as they all walked back to the class.
"Yes it was," Hermione smiled at him, "and just so you're properly warned, I'm going to be trying extra hard in this class this year to get the top marks."
"Thanks for the warning," Neville laughed this time, "and for the challenge. That will only make sure that I will do better, too. I can't just let you beat me."
"Good, I love challenges," Hermione chuckled.
"And on that note, we've got to get to Transfiguration," Harry said. "See you later Nev …"
"Yeah see you," Neville said. "Are you planning on causing any trouble today after lessons?"
"Maybe," Harry chuckled. "I don't know what we're doing, but you're welcome to join us if you like."
"Cool," Neville said and head off to his next class as the other three went to theirs. Transfiguration had not become any easier after their time off and Harry was rather disappointed that he was barely able to transform his beetle into a button at all. Ron seemed to have just as difficult a time with this as Harry, but of course, Hermione produced several perfect buttons by the end of the class.
"You know, if you're serious about become an Animagus, which I know you are, than we're really going to have to work harder on learning Transfigurations," Hermione said after they got out of class and headed towards the Great Hall. She had cast the spell that Harry always did whenever they needed to talk in private to make sure no one could overhear them.
"I know, I'm trying," Harry sighed. "But it's a lot of work."
"Of course it is," Hermione said. "And we didn't really have time to work on any of this during summer break, but I think we're really going to have to put some effort into this class now that we're back."
"Great, just what I wanted to hear," Ron sighed. "But it should be worth it in the end, right?"
"Yeah," Harry smiled. "So do you really think that we need all ten of those books you gave me to pack in my trunk?"
"Of course I do," Hermione said. "I know most of them are on theory and I don't expect you to read them, but I would like a better understanding of this subject before we try something this drastic."
"Okay … but tell me again why I had to bring all the extra books?" Harry asked.
"Because my trunk was full," Hermione sighed. "I didn't even have room for Hogwarts, a History in there."
"Ah … too bad, so you don't have your favorite book with you," Ron chuckled and Hermione narrowed her eyes at him.
"Of course I do! I sent that book to Harry too!"
"Hey look, we're in the Great Hall," Harry said loudly, distracting Ron from what would have been another fight by the prospect of eating a meal. Hermione rolled her eyes at both Harry's obviously attempt at diversion and at the fact that it works perfectly on Ron.
"So what class do we have next," Harry asked as they walked out of the Great Hall.
"Defense," Hermione answered, her eyes brightening.
"Why did you outline all of Lockhart's classes with little hearts?" Ron said trying to take Hermione's schedule from her as she turned scarlet. She managed to get her schedule back from him and marched to the courtyard where she opened one of Lockhart's books, burying her nose into it without saying a word to either of her friends.
"Something tells be this is going to be a long year," Harry sighed.
"Oh come on mate, you know Lockhart is a complete git," Ron said shaking his head in disgust. "I can't believe that she actually buys all the crap he says."
"Neither can I," Harry had to admit, "but that doesn't mean you have to …"
However, before Harry could even finish his sentence there was a flash of light that nearly blinded him and a small kid with mousy hair was standing in front of him.
"Hi Harry, I'm Colin Creevey," the boy said and then talked about all sorts of things starting with being a Muggle-born and ending by asking for a photo with Harry and an autograph. Unfortunately, everyone in the courtyard seemed to hear this conversation, and even unluckier for Harry, Draco Malfoy was there.
"Everyone get in line, Potter is giving out autographs now," Draco sneered.
"Shut up Malfoy," was all Harry could think to say to that as everyone was either looking at him, laughing, or doing both.
"You're just jealous," Colin said.
"Jealous," Draco scoffed. "As if I want a scar on my forehead, I don't think having one makes you all that special."
"As for that, I think you're quite right," Harry said. "Though something tells me that you don't really believe that or you wouldn't have come to bother me right now. So why don't you …"
"What's this that I heard about someone giving out autographs," a new voice said, and Harry shuddered. Though he had only heard this voice once before he could easily recognize who was here and that he did not want this man here. Harry turned and was faced with the glittering white teeth of Lockhart who was wearing turquoise robes. "Ah, Harry my boy; I should have known it was you."
"But …" Harry started to say, what he was not sure but he never got a chance to think of anything.
"Why don't you take a picture of me and Harry together and we'll both sign it afterward," Lockhart said beaming at Colin, who happily took the picture, neither one of them seemed to noticed that Harry didn't look very please about this at all.
"Good, now that that's all done, can I have a word with you Harry," Lockhart said and again did not wait for Harry to answer; he just dragged him away from the others where they could talk in private. "Harry, Harry, Harry … It seems like I have given you the bug. Got a little taste of fame with me in the bookstore and now you want make a name for yourself.
"But it's not as simple as that. You cannot go around signing autograph Harry my boy; it is much too early for that. You're classmates will think that you're …"
"Sir, I didn't want to sign the …" Harry started to say, gritting his teeth. He wasn't sure how much more of this he could take.
"Of course not Harry," Lockhart said giving him an exaggerated wink and then went on to prattle on about his own fame and how Harry should wait until he was older to try and collect on his status. Harry had to bit his lip to stop himself for snapping at Lockhart, which he only did because he didn't want one of his professors angry with him, but by the time class started the blood was boiling in his ears and he wished that he could have gotten away from Lockhart for the day, but unfortunately his next class was Defense.
He stepped into the classroom and took the seat at the back of the class where he was joined by an appreciative Ron and a reluctant Hermione. Though Harry didn't have high hopes that this class would be any use to him, he was still disappointed after he read the questions on the surprised test that they took. Every single questioned was about Lockhart and that might have been fine, but none of it had anything to do with Defense Against the Dark Arts. There was no valuable information on here at all. After making up answers for the fifty-four questions, he looked at Hermione, who seemed to have been finished too. He sighed, knowing that there was no way that she would have made up answers, and judging about her smile he was going to have to have a serious talk with her about all this. His suspicions were confirmed when Lockhart informed the class that Hermione got all the answers right, giving her a smile.
Then Lockhart started the practical part of the lesson, and again Harry had a small amount of hope that he would be able to learn something this year, but as soon as he saw the Cornish Pixies, it all vanished. It didn't help at all that Lockhart didn't even seemed to be able to handle them as he ran out of the room asking Ron, Hermione and Harry to recapture the Pixies that he had let loose in the classroom.
"Argh, he's completely useless!" Ron grumbled as he tried to curse a pixie but it dodged his attack.
"Immobulus!" Hermione said, and froze two pixies in mid air. The boys looked at one another before they copied the spell she used and it only took a few minutes after that to round up the remaining pixies.
"He's not useless, Ronald," Hermione huffed.
"Hermione, he can't even take care of a few pixies!" Ron groaned.
"Do not be ridiculous, I'm sure he just wanted … er … us to have some hands on experience," Hermione said, looking like she was trying to think of some logical explanation for what had just happened.
"Hermione, I didn't say this earlier because I didn't think it matter, but I'm pretty sure that Lockhart is just a big fake," Harry sighed.
"And what makes you think that?" Hermione said, looking annoyed.
"Oh come on Hermione, you are one of the smartest people I know, how can you be so blind to this person," Ron groaned. "Just because he's good looking and said that …"
"It has nothing to do with that, Ronald!" Hermione said now looking furious and scarlet of course. "He's done lots of incredible things, which you would know if you opened a book for once in your life!"
"I really wished you would have just let me handle this. mate," Harry sighed as he watched Hermione stalk out of the classroom.
O
"Hey," Harry said as he sat next to Hermione at her favorite table at the library, she gave him a quick look that told him that she was still angry and then returned her focus on her book. Harry sighed, and wondered if it would not be better if he just let this drop, it had been a few hours since Ron and Hermione talked, but clearly she was not ready to listen yet.
"Just say whatever it is you were going to say," Hermione sighed, her face was still directed towards the book but something told him she was actually focusing on him.
"Fine," Harry sighed, again. "But remember you asked for it."
"It's about Lockhart then," Hermione said looking at him coldly.
Harry nodded his head. "I was just going to say that Moony is pretty sure that he's not the one that's done all the things he's wrote about. He hasn't had time to research the matter much, but let's just say that after Wanderings with Werewolves, he had been checking out facts about Lockhart and they don't all add up."
Hermione frowned at that. "So what are you saying? Do you think he's a fake?"
"After meeting him in person … yeah, I do think he's a fake," Harry said. "I just wanted to give you more facts about this situation so that you can make an informative decision."
"Thank you, Harry," Hermione rolled her eyes, she could see the smirk that he was trying to hide. Then she sighed, she didn't want to believe that Lockhart was indeed a fraud, but she also knew that Remus was a valid source. She supposed she was going to have to try and watch him closer in the next class. "If that's all, I really would like to finish reading this."
"Is that one of the Transfiguration book that I gave you?" Harry asked and Hermione nodded her head.
"I've already finished my homework and I thought this was something good to look into," she said excitedly. "I've already learn so much. I think if you and Ron read this it would help you in class …"
"I'll give it a read, but I'm not sure Ron would be up to it," Harry chuckled and he was about to get up so he could rejoin Ron and Neville, who were playing wizarding chess (Neville was actually pretty good, or at least he was better than Harry and Hermione) in the courtyard. "You know what; there is actually something I have been thinking about over the last few weeks."
"Am I going to like this?" Hermione said cautiously.
"Well, it involves magic beyond our years and probably a bit of sneaking around and other good stuff like that," Harry smiled at her.
"Then count me out," Hermione said. "I think we should stick to just one of your crazy schemes at a time."
"It's not like that," Harry chuckled. "You wait here and I'll go get the guys …"
"But Harry …" Hermione tried to call after him but seeing as they were in the library, she couldn't raise her voice. It was a half an hour later that Harry, Ron and Neville return to the library, and judging by their faces, Harry didn't explain to them what he was up to either.
"Come on Hermione," Harry said and when she got up to follow him, they went to the back section of the library that hardly anyone goes to and Harry put up the charm that made it so no one else could hear them.
"So, what's with all this secrecy?" Neville asked.
"Sorry, but you know I don't like explaining things twice," Harry shrugged.
"Yeah, we know," all of his friends said.
"Okay, so like I said to Hermione, I've been thinking about something for the last few weeks," Harry went on. "I just thought it was sort of annoying that I would have to ask if I could use the Marauder's Map any time that I wanted to use it …"
"They tried giving it to you, but you declined it," Ron pointed out.
"Because I didn't earn it," Harry said shaking his head. "No, my family might have made the map, but Fred and George are the ones that inherited it."
"So what are you saying?" Hermione asked having a feeling she knew the answer to this.
"Well, I was thinking that we should make our own map of course," Harry smiled. "One that is similar to the Marauder's Map, but also one that we made on our own. I was actually thinking we could add to it. Maybe make it so you can, I do not know, say someone's name and it would standout somehow. Also, maybe we could make a few of them, one for each of us and we could use it as a way to communicate!"
"Harry that sounds really complicated," Hermione tried to frown, but Harry could see that he was getting to her; she wanted to rise to the challenge.
"The Marauders made the map before the end of their first year," Harry said. "Padfoot said they spent a whole month on it making sure they did it right."
"Besides, think of all the research you'll get to do on this project," Ron added. "I mean, I can't even think of all the things that would have to go into this map to make it work, but I know it won't be easy."
"I kind of like the sound of this, especially the communicating to one another part," Neville said. "I don't get to see you guys most of the time, it would be nice to at least be able to write something every now and then."
"Okay fine," Hermione said being won over rather easily as she thought of all the spells she could learn by doing this. "But I'm not going to be the only one doing the research. And this also means that we're going to have to put a halt to our Animagus project until we finish this."
"That's okay, I'm not sure how much we could have advanced with that right now anyway," Harry said. "It would be nice to do something that we can accomplish quickly."
"Are you going to tell the twins about this?" Ron asked.
"Well, I wanted to use the Marauder Map as a tablet for our map if that is at all possible, so I think we must," Harry said. "I just wanted to run it by all of you guys first before I said anything to them."
After that, Hermione said that she was going to do an initial search for everything they might need to accomplish this and kicked the boys out of the library. She said that it was just better if she worked on this alone, but they should make a list of things that they wanted to add to their map and she will see if it was plausible later on. Neville decided to call it a night and headed off toward his common room as Harry and Ron did the same.
"Harry," Ron said thoughtfully. "You said the Marauders made their map in their first year."
"Yeah," Harry said.
"But their nicknames were on the map and they didn't have that until their fifth year right," Ron said, "you know, after they transformed."
"That's true," Harry frowned at that. "Maybe they added that afterwards … or hey, they could have known what their animals were going to be before that …"
"But wouldn't Moony have realized that something was up, if they started calling themselves that," Ron pointed out.
"And he didn't know about that until after they transformed," Harry finished Ron's thought, nodding his head. "I don't know what to tell you."
Ron shrugged than and the two boys spent the rest of the night playing wizarding chess and otherwise goofing off.
A/N: So I'm going to have Ginny and Luna become Animagi, too. Again I wasn't sure what form they would be, but I was thinking that Ginny would be either a hawk or horse and Luna would be an eagle or lynx. I'm going to put up a poll this time and whatever has the highest vote would get it. In two weeks I will make my decision however, if I get enough suggestion I'll add them to the poll.
