Pineapplehead: Well, this chapter goes to you. I'll try to use as many of your items as possible. Believe it or not, your very last review was 150th. See, reviewing 10 times in a row (on 10 diff chapters) pays off! You can fight me for Alan Rickman, but I must warn you, I've study both Karate and K-razy.
Lady Lightning: Thanks!
Saimhe: Not all Slytherins are bad! And side comments are always fun.
Alamarang: Actually, you were 153, better luck next time. And I thank you for the high praise!
Saavik: Everyone loves rampaging Snape…and Blaise turned out much cooler than I originally planned. Yeah, Draco's staying evil in this one. We already have a "good" Slytherin (i.e. Blaise), so there's no need. Hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
Alecatq: You would be #155. Sorry! Though I do like the "item."
Kateri: Sometimes, Draco just has to be a prat. Like now…thanks for reading!
Chaser: Do you want Blaise in Gryffindor? I've gotten a few calls for it; still debating.
Xikum: *snickers with Harry conspiratorially* matchmaker? Who? Hehe…sorry…so you want Blaise in Gryffindor too? That's two…we'll see.
Lei Dumbledore: There are two things I write well (according to reviewers): fight scenes and Quidditch matches. Don't know why…well, the fight thing is because I'm a martial artist…don't know where the Quidditch thing came from.
Takari4ever7: I didn't like it either to begin with…now I can't get enough. Go figure!
Lee Lee Potter: He'll probably learn to control it eventually, but it's still new to him. And we won't be hearing from Sirius for a while. I did get a few out quickly, but that may change, depending on what happens at work.
Luna Rose and Phoenix Child: As I said before, y'all are good people! And what was that about stupid Slytherins? Tsk tsk…
Iniysa: Hmm…I've never had a need for beta readers…or do I? *looks at writing for errors* lol….j/k…yer good people too. I'll keep that in mind!
Celtic Angel18: Welcome to the story!
Sparrow: That is one thing I do try to do (keep everyone in character), sometimes it's difficult. And Ron will get a girl courtesy of dracoqueen456. Thanks for reviewing!
Sk8reagle: What about computers? I hope you don't forget either!
Jarvey: Thanks!
Little Suzi: The charms haven't been removed yet. Lily sent Dumbledore the information needed to dispel them. Snape can see through them, but only in his peripheral vision.
Radcliffe-Lover: Yes, till then…er, now!
This one goes to Pineapplehead, for being the 150th reviewer (after reviewing 10 times in a row in 10 diff chapters). The item specified is a graphing calculator. There were others, such as a US coin, a pink bathrobe, a tiger cub, Elmer's glue, glittery purple ink, "So Long, Farewell" from The Sound of Music, a Q-Tip, and *grumble, growl, scowl* Severus in a pink tutu *slaps self for saying it*. Might I go on record saying 1) that is a mental image no one needs and 2) that's just not something I could lower myself to do. I have too much respect for Alan Rickman to do that to Snape. I may include some of these others as well., but the graphing calculator was in the 150th review, so that's going in for sure.
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Blaise sat with the Gryffindors for lunch, receiving glares from his housemates. Ron was still asleep in his food, mumbling something about "Q-Tips and a pink bathrobe." Harry laughed at him, while Ginny giggled with Blaise until Dumbledore stood.
"I am pleased to announce that the trial run for inter-house exchanges has gone well. Starting today, each house will accommodate one other member from another house. Mr. Zabini was kind enough to offer to be the test subject, and for that, I award Slytherin 10 points." Some of the glares disappeared, and Harry smiled. They could use all the help they could get. Because of the shut out, Slytherin had fallen behind severely in points. Dumbledore settled everyone down and continued.
"We will now choose the other students that will switch. First, if anyone would like to volunteer, please stand up." Harry shoved Ron out of his seat, and when he stood, the Headmaster smiled at him. "Mr. Weasley! Please come up here!" Ron shot a look of contempt at his friend and shuffled up to the front. Several other students stood as well, and in the end, the Headmaster only had to choose one other Slytherin. "Mr. Malfoy, please come join us." His eyes bugged out, but he stood, sneering the entire way at Weasley, whose face was red with suppressed laughter. Harry surveyed the lot and saw a few people he knew.
He knew the three Gryffindors, Ron, Dennis Creevey, and Lee Jordan (no doubt dared into it by the Weasley twins). Draco was sneering at Millicent. Finch-Fletchley waved at him, and the first-year Hufflepuff next to him gawked, but was then reprimanded by Owen Cauldwell. Harry only recognized one of the Ravenclaws, Cho Chang, as she stood next to two younger Ravenclaws. He hadn't seen them at the sorting, so they were probably third years.
"Now, I have asked the Sorting Hat to choose which house you will be in for the rest of the term, based on your personality and the house traits. Much like the Sorting, but backwards!" Dumbledore always seemed so cheery, Harry thought.
~My luck, I'll get Weasley~
~Ron's not that bad~
~Indeed, but most of my time will be taken up protecting him~ Harry snorted, but covered it up with a cough. He waited as the Gryffindors approached the stool. Ron went first, and placed the hat on his head. After a few moments, it shouted,
"RAVENCLAW!" Applause filled the Hall as he sauntered over and took an empty seat next to Padma. Apparently, she hadn't forgotten about last year's incident at the Yule Ball, and scoured at him. Ron, for his part, actually apologized, which Padma had not been expecting. She was stunned for the remainder of lunch.
Next, Dennis Creevey stepped forward and put the hat on. It only took seconds before,
"HUFFLEPUFF!" Fred and George fell out of their seats! Lee was going to Slytherin! Harry looked at Lee; for him, Christmas had come early.
~Great~
~Hey, just think, you could have Creevey. He's in the Harry Potter fan club~
~The what?~
~Nevermind~ Harry just smirked at no one, but Snape knew it was meant for him. Next was the Slytherins. Blaise was already in Gryffindor, so Draco sauntered over, eyeing the Ravenclaw table. (A/N: We all know what's coming right?) The hat set on his head seconds before,
"HUFFLEPUFF!" Silence filled the Hall as Draco's pale face flushed crimson. With as much dignity as he could muster, he stood and walked over to the Hufflepuff table, sitting as far from everyone as possible. Millicent huffed and slunk to the Ravenclaw table, sitting uncomfortably close to Ron. The Hufflepuffs, who were still snickering (along with everyone else in the Hall), were called forward. Finch-Fletchley put the hat on and was placed in Gryffindor. The first-year squeaked and jumped forward, and was put in Ravenclaw. Cauldwell walked over sullenly to the Slytherin table. Cho was put there as well, though she didn't seem as upset as Owen, and Gryffindor got Greg Wilson, which sent John Michaels to Hufflepuff. That done, the Headmaster placed the hat next to his seat and smiled.
"Well, I must say, this will be interesting. Now, I'm sure those Quidditch players who switched are wondering about playing, eh? Well, have no fear, you will still play for your real house team, as well as retain your real house robes. Though, any points that you gain or lose will go to your new house. I will warn you," he shot a warning look at Malfoy, "That if any point losing is deemed intentional, then it will be taken from your real house." Lee scoffed from the Slytherin table, but smiled all the same. Harry smiled and clapped Blaise on the back, and raised his eyebrow at Hermione.
"Told you we worked it all out." She leaned in, whispering.
"You said that—"
"I said we had worked it out, then we took it up with the Headmaster. Well, he did this morning. I was asleep."
Hermione chuckled, "We all were."
~You know, breakfast was quite agreeable without the Gryffindors this morning~
~Yeah, you just have fun with Lee. He never loses points on purpose, it just happens~
~Oh, I will remedy that. Make no mistake~
Harry laughed and looked over at Fred and George. They had put their heads together and were whispering, shooting glances at Lee every now and then. Harry scooted closer, catching the words "tiger cub" and "glittery purple ink." He promptly scooted away, not wanting to hear anymore incriminating evidence. He laughed and stood, escorting Hermione to the library to finish their homework. Ginny and Blaise followed, chatting about Quidditch and Hogsmeade. They spent the rest of the afternoon in the library, Harry completing his potions assignment, Hermione, her Arithmancy. At one point, Harry looked up, rubbing his eyes, and saw Hermione hunched over something.
"Whatcha got there, Herms?" She looked up suddenly, and Harry saw what it was: a calculator.
"I thought electronics didn't work in Hogwarts?" he asked suspiciously. It was unlike Hermione to charm something to cheat.
"Oh, it's a wizard's calculator. It comes with a measurement converter and astrological graphing capabilities." Harry raised his eyebrows.
"Can I borrow it for Divination some time?" She beamed at him.
"What will you give me in return?" Harry snorted.
"Herms, the sly and cunning thing doesn't work with you. Stick to smarts and sweetness." She huffed, giving him a smirk.
"Fine Mr. Almost-Slytherin. Be that way. See if I talk to you." She grabbed her book and turned away. Harry smiled; he loved challenges. He stood right behind her and began massaging her shoulders. She promptly dropped her book under his ministrations, and groaned softly as he worked out the knots in her shoulders.
"You are way too tense, Herms."
"Fine, you win, are you happy! Can I study now?" He stopped and grinned.
"I am happy! And yes, you may study now." He sat back down and finished the last 4 inches of his potions essay. He looked over to the next table, where Blaise was helping Ginny with her Transfiguration. He was actually quite good, and Ginny looked up, smiling at him. Harry smirked to himself; things were going well. Now all he needed was a picture of Draco sleeping in the Hufflepuff dorms and all would be right with the world. He was about to sign his name to his essay when a scream filled his head.
~Get him out of my house!~ Harry couldn't help but laugh out loud, and Neville looked up.
"What's so funny, Harry?"
"Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about all the havoc Lee is causing the Slytherins. Can't you just see Snape?" The whole table erupted into laughter, but were quickly silenced by Madam Pince. Hermione flashed him an impish grin, which he returned. That was the last thing he remembered before a searing pain shot through his scar and erupted in his head. He collapsed on the floor, writing in agony. Hermione screamed, and he felt himself being picked up by four hands. He saw Blaise's face, then Neville's, as they ran with him to the Hospital Wing, followed by Hermione and Ginny. The older girl snapped into prefect mode.
"Ginny, go get the Headmaster! The password to his office is Bertie Botts!" The younger girl nodded and sprinted down the corridor in search of Dumbledore. As Blaise and Neville burst through the doors of the Hospital Wing, they found Madam Pompfrey in a heated discussion with Snape over Lee's latest prank, which had landed two Slytherins in the Wing. His eyes bulged uncharacteristically as he saw their load, and resisted the urge to move in to help. That would raise interesting questions, so he merely dashed to the dungeons to fetch potions, hoping the Headmaster was already on his way.
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Crap, did it again. Oh well! :) That just means more reviews from irate readers! Almost at 175…hurry!
NOTICE: In your review, name one object (anything you like) and the 175th reviewer will have the next chapter (after the review) dedicated to them personally, and I will include the item somehow (promise it won't be hokey…unless it's something totally off the wall). If it ever gets that high, I will also do that with 200th reviewer, 225th, etc…so review away people!