Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Captive Audience
Professor McGonagall hummed to herself as she studied mine and Harry's combined arms. Harry and I, accompanied by Ron and Hermione, decided to go to their transfiguration class early. Just on the off chance, McGonagall could undo Fred and George's efforts. Because as much as I didn't mind missing my classes, I wasn't thrilled by the prospect of repeating second-year. Even if it was only temporary. "What incantation did they use?" McGonagall asked as she finished running a long, thin finger over the part where Harry's arm and my arm became connected.
Harry shivered at the contact; suggested that he might find it ticklish. "Epoximise", I answered; not surprised when McGonagall nodded like she had expected that to be the spell Thing One and Thing Two had used.
"I take it your brother George was the one who cast the spell?" She asked; looking over Harry's and my heads as other students started filing into the room. Ron and Hermione were sitting in the front room on the claimed Gryffindor side of; watching the whole exchange. I had hoped this would have gotten sorted before classes officially started for the day. But I guess it can't be helped. If McGonagall could undo this, I wonder if she'd give me a note to excuse me for being late to Snape's class. I wonder if Snape would accept it.
But when she asked if George was the caster, I tilted my head to the side in mild confusion. "Yes", I answered slowly.
"How did you know that, Professor?" Harry asked as McGonagall ran another finger against our glued-together skin.
"Out of the two of them", she began to explain. "George is more proficient at transfiguration. Fred tends to rush his spells". And that was… an interesting observation I was going to save for later. While I never had any trouble of telling Fred and George apart (Lee didn't either now that I think about it), many people didn't see any differences between the two. Fred and George accepted it with good humor, but I knew that it grated on them from time to time. The fact that McGonagall could recognize one over the other through their spell work would thrill them. "And this is an impressive display of transfiguration", McGonagall continued as she gestured to our arms. "I could have been persuaded to give extra credit or house points for this if they hadn't used it on other students".
The classroom was increasing in volume as more and more chattering students entered and found their seats. I would definitely be late to potions at this rate. "So…" I started out slowly. "Is there a counterspell?"
McGonagall locked eyes with me and gave me a small closed-lipped smile. "No, Miss Weasley. Unfortunately, this specific variation of a sticking spell does not have a counter". My shoulders dropped. Damn it, Fred, and George. I bet they knew that. "But it is not a permanent spell. The magic holding you and Mr. Potter together should wear off by the end of the day". That was something at least. But it didn't tell us how we are supposed to survive until then. "Mr. Potter and yourself will have to decide whose classes you would like to attend. Naturally, I'm assuming you will both be attending transfiguration with the second-years this morning".
I slumped my shoulders in defeat as Harry adjusted his glasses. "Yes, Professor", he answered when I hadn't offered any response. Harry starts to move away from McGonagall; probably aware that the longer we stood talking to her and preventing the start of class the more attention we were drawing to ourselves.
But I wasn't quite done. With Harry coming up only slightly taller than my shoulder, I had no probably staying in place when he tried to move. "Professor", I whispered; not needing anyone in this classroom besides Harry to overhear me. I took a small step closer to our head of house just in case. "What should we do when one of us inevitably has to use the bathroom?"
I could feel Harry tensing next to me as he turned scarlet. It was unclear if he was embarrassed because I had mentioned it to McGonagall or because he hadn't thought of that potential issue until I had said it. McGonagall briefly looked away from us; her lips pressed together to smother a smile. But the wrinkling crows' feet at the corner of her eyes gave her away. "I'm afraid you two will become very well acquainted today", was McGonagall's answer as soon as her composure was solidified. The color drained from my face. I doubt Fred and George had thought about bathrooms, embarrassment, and emotionally scarring Harry for life when they decided to glue us together. But there were going to get an earful about It once this day was over. Reading my expression, McGonagall added, "If it would help, I believe I'd be willing to look the other way if something mischievous and rule-breaking were to happen to Fred and George. As long as no one is physically hurt".
I sighed in defeat. It was a booby prize, but I realized that it was the best McGonagall could do. "Thanks, Professor", I said forlornly as I turned away and gestured with my free hand (you know, the one not glued to a second-year) for Harry to start walking. At this point, we had delayed McGonagall from starting the lesson and I knew I wouldn't be making it to potions today. The other second-years in the classroom had deceased in their chatter and were now whispering amongst themselves. It wasn't hard to guess what they were discussing.
However, McGonagall wasn't quite done. "One more moment, Weasley, Potter". She called us back. Her voice an octave more serious. With Harry taking long steps and me taking small ones, we pivoted around like we were an equine drill team. But McGonagall wouldn't say anything more until we stepped closer to her desk. Her eyes were hard and frosted with concern. "Mr. Potter, what I am about to ask Miss Weasley is a matter of delinquency. I would prefer to wait until the two of you weren't so… attached, but it is also a matter of urgency. I trust that you will respect Miss Weasley's privacy".
It wasn't a question, but Harry treated it like was. "Yes, Professor", he agreed; his face still flushed.
McGonagall lowered her chin once in a deep nod. She leaned ever-so-slightly over her desk and made sure her voice wouldn't carry to the other students. "Professor Snape asked for a meeting with myself and Professor Dumbledore last night."
And I immediately knew what this was about. My shoulders tensed and I balled my free hand into a fist; digging my fingernails into the heel of my palm to prevent myself from reacting too overtly. "Professor-" I tried to break in.
McGonagall held up one hand to silence me as she kept going. "Professor Snape reported that when he came back to his classroom last night, he found Professor Lockhart alone with you in a… well, in a rather inappropriate manner".
I looked away from McGonagall, casting my eyes to stare at the stone floor. It hadn't occurred to me that Snape would do something with what he had seen. Not sure why. Snape wasn't a very good teacher. I mean, it was clear that he didn't want to be one. But despite that, Snape took his responsibilities seriously. He walked in on something that was possibly nefarious and reported it. When I didn't offer any sort of confirmation, McGonagall added, "Of course, this conversation is more suited for closed doors and we will be revisiting this matter once yourself and Potter are able to separate. But it is vital that I know the state of your current wellbeing".
Harry inched closer to me so that some of his weight was leaning into my side. For moral support, I suppose. But I barely felt it. Of course, Snape would have done something. Told someone. Why hadn't I thought of that before? I had nothing prepared. When I didn't open my mouth or look away from the stone floor, McGonagall straight out asked, "Do you need to see Madam Pomfrey?" I shook my head. "Would you like to talk with a healer at St. Mungos?" My stomach churned uneasily. She was taking this so seriously…. I shook my head again, this time a bit slower. "Perhaps, you would like a visit with your mother."
"No!" I said before I could restrain myself. My head snapped up and my wide eyes found McGonagall's. I was holding my eyes so wide that my eyelids were straining and it felt like my eyeballs would pop out of my skull if someone were to smack me on the back of my head. McGonagall pressed her lips together, but not out of ire. Lowering my voice into a whisper, I said, "Please don't tell my mum". Because if Mum was told about what happened. She wouldn't get the truth. She'd get the version Snape saw. The one that only had me alone in a classroom with a male teacher that had no business being there. She'd hear about how I had been crying with Lockhart standing way too close. Mum wouldn't know about Lockhart being possessed by a psychotic teenager from the 1940s. Or Horcruxes. Or why Riddle had mistaken me as one. Which meant that she'd charge into Hogwarts; wand blazing with the sole purpose of ripping Lockhart to shreds. Lockhart, who was currently more Tom Riddle than he was himself. I didn't… I didn't want Mum coming near him.
McGonagall read my terrified plea as something else. The muscles around her eyes softened. "Alright, Weasley. There's no need to talk of this until you're ready. I will be checking in with you. But you can also talk to me whenever you want".
As if I was walking away from an edge, I released some tension I wasn't aware I was holding in my shoulders. "Thank you, professor". And then in a clumsy attempt to make her feel a bit better, I added. "I told Fred and George. That's why they did this". I raised my arm that was stuck to Harry's; Harry going along with the movement. The second-year boy was too busy studying my expression to really mind. "I think this is their way of helping".
"I know, Miss Weasley", McGonagall assured me. "That is the only reason why I will not be giving them a week's worth of detentions".
McGonagall's class was terribly boring. I mean, the second-years were working on material that I had already covered when I was in their year. Even if I kind of enjoyed watching Ron transfigure his beetle into a button that still had legs. The second-years had herbology for their second class of the day. Since I didn't want to try and work as a teacher's aid while glued to a second-year, I made the executive decision that Harry and I would join Hermione and Ron in the greenhouses. Where I was bored all over again. At least, Sprout didn't make me participate. By now, the other second-years had caught on to the reason why a fourth-year was in their classes. Neville Longbottom seemed particularly empathetic to my plight. While Malfoy was heavily amused. For me, the third class of the day was a history of magic, while the golden trio had Defense. There was no discussion between Harry and me about what class we would be attending. Waving goodbye to Ron and Hermione, Harry led the way to the History of Magic classroom.
"We have potions next class", Harry said as we slid into my and Adrian's usual seats. If we squeezed together, I'm sure there will be enough room for Adrian. "So, can we go to your next class?" I wasn't surprised by the question. Honestly, I didn't really want to face Snape. Partly because I didn't want to hear what he would have to say and Harry's and my… predicament. But also, because I didn't want to see him after what happened last night. Things weren't as bad as Snape seemed to believe. But still… I didn't want to have to pretend as if something had happened.
Going to the fourth-year Gryffindor's charms class was a given. But I didn't answer Harry. Too distracted by my peers filing in. I'm not sure how we beat them to Binns' class, but somehow Harry and I had managed it. I saw Fred and George first. They were walking with Lee, Angelina, and Alicia; smiling and laughing. But even from a distance, I could tell that it was a façade. When they looked over in my direction, I scowled and they grinned. It was tempting to use the sticking spell they used on Harry and I on them. But I wasn't sure it would be revengeful enough. Half the time, they acted like they were tied together. I doubt making it so they physically were would inconvenience them at all.
Right behind my fellow Gryffindors was Adrian. He marched in like a colonel off to war; the echoing slaps of the soles of his leather shoes hitting the stone floor serving as a warning to everyone not to get in his way. It was a matter of seconds. Probably even less than that. When Adrian spotted me. "He looks mad", Harry commented as Adrian picked up speed; heading straight for us.
"Yeah", I agreed; watching my boyfriend's approach. Just what did Fred and George tell him? "I apologize for what you're about to hear. Please, keep it to yourself".
Harry didn't get the chance to either agree or disagree. Adrian was upon us before Harry could verbalize a response. Taking the space on my left side; I was effectively sandwiched between Harry and Adrian. Adrian's schoolbag dropped with a careless thump onto the floor next to him; drastically unlike Adrian's usual pose. Twisting in his seat, Adrian reached out and snagged my left arm into his gasp. I shivered at the contact with his cold skin. "Adrian?" I asked.
He acted like he hadn't heard me. Holding my arm up he rolled up my sleeve and started eyeing my skin like it was a critical piece of evidence in a murder investigation. Even though his grip was unwavering, Adrian gently turned my arm so he could study it from every possible angle. "Adrian?" I tried again.
Still, Adrian didn't reward me with a response. And he's the one that's always accusing me of being weird. "What is he doing?" Harry whispered from my right.
I shrugged. Because the hell if I knew. But apparently, Harry's words reached the older boy when mine did not. "What I'm doing is making sure that Holly hasn't been injured after her brothers came up to me before potions to tell me about an event that happened last night between her and.. and…"
"Lockhart?" Harry supplied.
"A pathetic excuse of a wizard", Adrian finished in a growl.
I blinked a couple of times; wanting to look away from Adrian to glare at Fred and George. Whatever story of events they had told my boyfriend, they clearly hadn't done anything to de-escalate him. But that was impossible. There was no way I could look away when Adrian's eyes were making me think of tornados. "You could just ask me if I was hurt", I said in a flat voice. Adrian snorted in a coarse manner as if suggesting that I wouldn't have told him anything if he had asked. I frowned. Damn it, Fred and George. Although, this time the entire fault wasn't all on them. "Are you satisfied?" I asked Adrian with the same flat voice.
Adrian narrowed his eyes at me. The grip he had on my wrist tightened. "No, I am not. What I want is to get you to a private room where I can inspect every inch of you to determine for myself if you're as unharmed as you want to claim".
Blood rushed to my cheeks and I refused to look over my shoulder at Harry. Or at anyone else in the classroom for that matter. Please, if there's a Merlin in the afterlife, don't let other people overhear that. Because, just like that, our relationship that hadn't progressed past innocent kissing sounded like it was a lot more… risqué. "Adrian", I mumbled; leaning in slightly. "There are children present".
Adrian rolled his eyes. "There are always children present". And he was right. As reincarnated souls attending school, it sometimes felt like we were older than all our peers. Except in this situation, I was only referring to Harry…
"I'm fine", I insisted with a little more force behind my tone. "Snape came back before anything could happen and he has told McGonagall and Dumbledore about it". Adrian was fell silent, and Binns started lecturing. Not that we were going to pay attention. I doubt anyone would be. When Adrian remained silent, I added, "And Fred and George glued me to Harry together so it will be impossible for Lockhart to catch me by myself".
It was another moment before Adrian sighed and dropped my wrist. "So, they told me". He said as he looked away. I wanted to rub the skin around my wrist. But considering that I only had the use of one hand, there was nothing I could do. Adrian exhaled loudly through his nose; nostrils flaring like a bull. I took a quick glance at Harry. All the second-year did was adjust his glasses and shrug; teen drama still being a relatively new concept to him. This was probably the most interesting history of magic class he's ever attended. "Flint's family runs the most successful law firm in Wizarding Britain", Adrian stated. To me, it sounded random and I shook my head a little. Trying to figure out why Adrian was talking about Flint. "Lord Flint himself has never lost a case". And then I picked up on where Adrian was going with this. I shook my head faster. "He's expensive but he could get Lockhart thrown out of Hogwarts and incarcerated faster than anyone else".
"Adrian, no", I tried to put my foot down. Tried being the keyword.
"Maybe Flint would talk his father into giving us a discount if I explained-"
There was no way I was going to listen to any more of this. With my left hand, I grabbed Adrian's right hand. "Adrian", I said. Maybe it was the desperation in my voice. But whatever it was I managed to gain his attention. Stormy grey eyes focused on me. "Don't do that. I don't what Flint, let alone his father, knowing about my business". Adrian opened his mouth like he was about to argue. Seeing this, I was quick to talk over him. "I'm fine. And if you promise not to tell Flint or hire any lawyers, I'll let you…" Glancing nervously around the classroom, I lowered my voice for only Adrian to hear. "Inspect me like you want to as soon as I don't have a twelve-year-old attached to me".
Adrian got some color in his face. Like a man trying to distract himself, he faced forward with his cheeks puffed out. "I'm going to kill him", Adrian grumbled. I didn't need to guess who he was referring to.
"No, you won't", I said as I copied Adrian's posture. Binns was still talking; completely unaware that there was an extra student in today's lesson or that one of his students was plotting homicide. "Because if you did, you'd be the one getting locked up in Azkaban and I'd be forced to live without you. Which are two things neither of us wants".
Adrian didn't reply. I suspect because he didn't want to give me the win by agreeing, but didn't want to hurt me by disagreeing.
"Um…" Harry whispered from his spot on my right. But both Adrian and I heard him. "So, you two really love each other? Ron thought-" Harry cut himself off as if he remembered he wasn't supposed to tell me what my little brother thought. Pity, I would have liked to know.
I wasn't prepared to answer Harry. Adrian, on the other hand, had no problem. "Unfortunately," came his answer.
My line of vision swung over to the brooding Slytherin; my heart fluttering. Damn it all! Why can't we have one date-relationship milestone happen in a normal way?
