Chapter 11

"How are you getting on, Harry?" Professor Wrickman asked.

Harry gave him a thumbs up in response as he worked on the Healing Draught in front of him. He added the acid-removed powdered nettles into the cauldron and kept stirring anti-clockwise. He didn't know how much time had passed, but he didn't care.

Harry had finally found his passion in Potions after three years of doing the originally dreaded subject. Professor Wrickman was just plain brilliant. He had formed a friendship with the professor after finding out he was his Mum's mentor.

After enough time had passed in Potions classes when he truly discovered his brilliance, he was invited to help Professor Wrickman with his private brewing after the Second Task. However it turned into private tutoring and the professor was encouraging him at every turn.

He worked vigorously on the potion in front of him, not letting himself be distracted by his thoughts. He picked up the glass of water behind him and swigged it down his throat. He let out a soft burp with the taste, not taking his eyes off the concoction. When the potion turned a sickly green he quickly added the porcupine solution which immediately sent sparks from the cauldron. He kept stirring until the colour changed to a dark blue and the sparks receded. Harry noted that it was almost a midnight colour so he tossed in the final touch. Balsamic vinegar. While mainly used as a sweetener in Potions it was vital for the Healing Draught. It would help to balance out the core of the Potion so it wouldn't exude noxious aromas when opened.

He was nearly finished. All that was needed now was flour to stabilise the ingredients that were added. He put in a small amount and kept stirring until a dark green colour appeared. He pulled out his wand and cast a stasis charm as he turned off the flame of the cauldron. He picked up the vials and started filling them. At the end he had twenty-eight vials filled.

"Ah," Professor Wrickman spoke with reverence as he investigated the vials. "Absolutely brilliant, Mr Harry Potter. These are Potion Master standard potions. And they are brilliant."

He took Harry's hand and gave him a vigorous hand shaking. "I am so proud of the result, Harry. You give your mother a run for her money, and that is saying something."

He looked at it again. "Would you like me to send one to Severus Snape? I'd like him to know what he's missing out on."

Harry grinned. "Send him one," he spoke with glee. He would love to see Snape's reaction when he sees a Potion he made, without any accidents.

IlIlIlI

In the Three Broomsticks, Madam Rosmerta was making a special drink.

When she had unruly customers they would normally be kicked out by either Hagrid or her loyal friend, Kingsley Shacklebolt. However tonight they were not in sight so she had to make her special drink to get a certain individual to leave. Albus Dumbledore himself.

Never in a million years would she have kicked the man out. He was always kind when he came in and would often give advice to her patrons. They had all loved him.

But this year had changed. Albus Dumbledore entered himself into the Triwizard Tournament and was showing off for everyone to see. He had been responsible for the attack that left her old friend, Lily Potter dead. Sure he may not have cast the spell, but under his Veritaserum testimony a few months back, it was revealed he willingly opened the door to You-Know-Who to attack them. And there was also the fact he left an innocent man to rot in Azkaban.

"What are you looking at?" She heard Mundungus Fletcher shout.

Not wanting a fight in her bar she called to Dumbledore and Fletcher to come up to the bar. They both came up and downed half of the spiked Ogden's in front of them.

The door of the pub opened and in walked the former menace of Britain, Lord Voldemort.

"Alby, I found you," he squealed happily. "I need you to tell me if this dress looks good."

Rosmerta held in a snort as she noticed Voldemort dressed in a horrible gold dress with green broomsticks dotted all over. Voldemort grabbed Dumbledore and Fletcher and was about to leave when he noticed her drinks. He grabbed both and force fed the remaining amount to both Dumbledore and Fletcher.

"Maybe this will calm you down my Alby bear," he crooned. He turned to Fletcher. "And you stay away from my husband. He is mine."

And he kicked the mumbling Mundungus Fletcher out before pulling a now groggy Dumbledore out of her pub.

Madam Rosmerta smiled. Maybe she should have just contacted Voldemort to tell him Dumbledore was in her bar and making moves. He would have pulled him out immediately.

IlIlIlI

Harry returned from the Chamber of Secrets with Fleur after spending a few hours with Vera the Basilisk.

"That was interesting, mon amour," Fleur said, still a bit shaken from seeing the Basilisk.

"I'm sorry I brought you down there, but Vera demanded I take you down to visit," Harry said. "I didn't want to say no to a Basilisk."

"I can understand that," Fleur chuckled. "But it was strange to see her acting like an obedient dog."

Harry laughed. "I wasn't expecting it either when I visited her for the first time, but Vera just seemed to grow on me. She may be massive, but she's a gentle sweetheart, just like Hagrid."

Fleur laughed at that. She felt intimidated when she met Hagrid for the first time, yet he was smaller than Madam Maxime. But after one conversation with him she realised he was a gentleman with a big heart who would do anything for Harry.

They walked through the halls of Hogwarts. It was after curfew so they kept an eye on the map for patrolling teachers and Peeves.

"Would you like me to escort you to your carriage, Fleur?" Harry asked.

Fleur smiled. "Harry, you don't have to be romantic to me all the time."

"But I want to be," Harry pouted, with a lopsided smile.

Fleur smiled and gave her boyfriend a kiss. "Go to bed, Harry. I can manage my way down to the carriages. If I can scare a dragon, I can scare anyone."

Harry smiled. They shared one last kiss before they went to bed. Neither noticed the cat that was watching them from the corner.

IlIlIlI

Harry walked along Professor McGonagall, helping her with her luggage to her new quarters. He had been caught by her breaking curfew the previous night. Instead of docking points though, she gave him an easy detention helping her move her stuff into the Headmistress' Quarters.

He didn't mind though. He enjoyed being in the company of Professor McGonagall. She had always been good to him and didn't treat him like a celebrity. Unlike Snape and Dumbledore, she treated him like the student he was.

After the past few hectic months, McGonagall was only moving her stuff in now. She had made sweeping changes to the school the moment Dumbledore was dismissed. Bullying was no longer tolerated. Those who had gotten away with it for years quickly found themselves in numerous detentions each time they repeated their actions. Malfoy himself was on the verge of being expelled and Ron himself had been in a lot of trouble too for bullying and constantly missed homework. Without Hermione helping him he had become the worst student in the school next to Malfoy. Dark creatures from the Forbidden Forest had been rounded up and deported to reserves set all over Europe. And the teachers were being more professional and teaching a lot better than they used to.

"Well, that's the last of my luggage, Mr. Potter," Headmistress McGonagall said. "We've got half an hour left of your detention though."

Harry's heart sunk. What was she going to make him do?

"Would you care to join me for a cup of tea and scones?" she asked.

Harry was surprised. McGonagall had changed as well as Hogwarts. He had never heard of her inviting a student for tea before.

"Sure," he said. "I'd be happy to."

Five minutes later and he was sipping tea and eating a delicious scone with cream and jam. He was telling her about his new and improved Potions classes.

"I'm glad Professor Wrickman has captivated your interest in Potions," she beamed. "Merlin knows Severus didn't."

Harry sighed sadly. He would never forgive Snape for putting his interest off in the subject.

"I just wish he hadn't treated me the way he did," Harry said morosely.

"I've been complaining about that man for years," McGonagall revealed. "But nothing was ever done."

"Why not?" Harry asked, surprised to hear McGonagall complained about him.

"Albus would always make excuses that he was needed in the castle and wouldn't budge on his decision," she sighed. "And with the Board Of Governors being terrified of Lucius Malfoy, they wouldn't do anything against Severus. He was protected from both sides."

Harry had never thought of that. "Then why didn't you ever stick up for the students?" he asked, regretting the question the moment it left his mouth.

"I have tried my best," she said firmly. "But I couldn't do it openly. Lucius held too much influence over the school and Cornelius Fudge. I fought against Lucius and almost got him thrown into Azkaban, but before he could be paraded into the Wizengamot several pockets had been filled and he got off scot-free. He has held a long-time grudge against me because of that and would try any opportunity to get me out of Hogwarts."

"However despite all that I would like to apologise to you Harry, for not listening to you in First Year when you warned me that the stone would be taken," she said.

"You don't need to apologise Professor," Harry countered. "I didn't give you enough reason or evidence it was going to be stolen. You needed more information than just a warning from first year students."

"Maybe so," Professor McGonagall smiled. "But I'm also sorry I couldn't convince Albus to take you out of the Dursley home."

Harry already found out from Sirius that he had told her in a rage what they had done to him.

"The day after your parents died," McGonagall wiped away a small tear. "Albus sent me to Privet Drive to see what kind of home he would be sending you to. I must say though, that is the worst family I have ever come across. I have never seen a man that fat in my life. Your Aunt was highly unusual. She spent the day boasting about your cousin to anyone she encountered and spoiling him with sweets. When Albus showed up that night I tried to convince him not to leave you there but he wouldn't listen. Hagrid then showed up with you and Albus left you on that DOORSTEP."

She was now raging. "I tried to move forward to at least ring the doorbell but Albus bloody Dumbledore installed a magical barrier that prevented me from doing so. Even my cat form didn't work. I stayed there all night and only left after that giraffe of a woman opened the door and took you in. I spent the rest of the week in mourning. It still disgusts me that people celebrated Voldemort's downfall when your parents were killed."

Harry had never seen Professor McGonagall like this before. Unlike the strict disciplinarian she appeared to be, she was on the verge of tears and feeling overly emotional. Harry did the only thing he could think of.

He hugged her. As he held his teacher, he wondered how life would be different if he lived with her. His parents will had stated that if anything happened to the first three guardians whom were Sirius, the Longbottom's, and Remus, custody of him would be handed over to Minerva McGonagall.

"Thank you, Harry," she mumbled. "Now get back to the Common Room and do your homework otherwise you'll get detention."

Harry smiled at her cheekily before leaving.

IlIlIlI

"Harry, how are you old bean?" Fred grinned at him as he entered the Common Room .

"I'm doing perfectly well my good man," Harry responded back in his own fake posh accent. "But I must point out that you err when you call me old bean. You, my friend are two years older than me."

Harry laughed at the fake look of horror on Fred's face from being called 'old'.

"You wound me, Master Potter," Fred gasped. "I think my heart is going to give out. It's too old to cope with the strain of your insult."

The students surrounding them moved away. The first sign of a major prank nowadays was when Harry Potter talked like that to the Weasley twins.

"Hello, Gryffindor, may we grace you with our presence," George announced coming into the Common Room alongside Colin whose blonde curls were strangely completely flat.

The Common Room emptied fast. Everyone knew that when Harry Potter, Colin Creevey and the Weasley twins were in the same room there was going to be chaos.

"What happened to your hair, Colin?" Harry asked.

"Part of a prank me George did to Zacharias Smith made this happen," Colin said smugly.

Harry cringed. Other than Malfoy, Zacharias Smith liked to bully Colin for his Muggleborn status. He hoped that Smith hadn't pissed off Colin too badly. Since he and Colin joined the Weasley twins in pranks, the quiet boy was vicious when it came to pranks. Then again, Professor Moody had told him once "never mess with the one who's enjoying a quiet drink in the corner. Chances are they're the most dangerous bloke you'll ever encounter".

"George, how about it?" Fred asked, his eyes gleaming.

George smiled widely. "Everyone necessary is here. And since we scared off everyone we don't have to worry anyone can overhear us."

Despite that, Harry cast a Parselmagic spell he learned in the Room of Requirement within their vicinity so no one would hear them.

"How about we have a pranking competition?" George said. "Me and Colin on one side, and Fred and Harry on the other."

Harry was delighted to hear that. But he had one condition. After being with Professor McGonagall the other day, he made it very clear that McGonagall was to remain untouched. Fred and George were quick to agree. Both of them were still terrified of her after they pranked her with catnip their First Year.

IlIlIlI

Harry and Fred worked all night sorting out their pranks. Harry used his secret weapon, a house-elf named Dobby to dose Colin and George with a Dreamless Sleep Potion with their drink so they wouldn't plan throughout the night.

He and Fred managed the basics of their biggest prank before going to extreme attempts, which found them in the Forbidden Forest convincing an old friend's of Fred's to take part. The old friend agreed to go after Dumbledore as the old man attempted to subdue him the previous year.

IlIlIlI

The following day in Hogsmeade Albus Dumbledore was hiding from Tom. He was crouched down behind the Madam Puddifoots building between two trash cans.

"Don't let him find me, don't let him find me, don't let him find me," he begged, his eyes closed and hoping that somehow his prayer would be answered. "Let someone else find me, let someone else find me, let someone else find me."

He started sobbing, desperately hoping there was some salvation out there. He did not hear the sound of a large blue object coming up in front of him. Albus eyes shot right open when lights flashed in front of him. For a split second he thought his prayers had been answered until he saw what the lights belonged to.

For in front of him was Arthur Weasley's Ford Anglia. A very angry Ford Anglia.

Albus Dumbledore ran for his life, the Ford Anglia hot on his heels. Engine revving, fumes spitting out, and apparently all fixed. He ran down narrow alleyways to get away, but the small Anglia was able to squeeze through those alleyways and was chasing him throughout Hogsmeade.

Eventually Tom found him. Tom, believing the car was trying to kiss his husband, ran behind the car screaming at it to stop chasing his husband.

IlIlIlI

Up at the school, chaos was also ensuing.

Ron Weasley was running for his life from food that came to life and was trying to eat him. Students who had pissed off Harry and Fred, such as Marcus Belby, Flint, Malfoy, Smith, Montague and others had their clothes vanished off them in the great hall leaving them naked. Selected teachers were walking backwards. Crabbe and Goyle had both been victims of a Riddikulus spell that transfigured them into Gargoyles stationed at the entrance of the Great Hall.

Colin and George tried to do some pranking but were unsuccessful as Harry had pranked them -through Dobby- to disapparate into the centre of the now built maze on the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch. However, due to the magic that had already been infused into the maze, once every few days from that point onwards they would reappear at the centre of the maze. It would stay like that until the TriWizard Tournament was finished.

But the ultimate prank Harry and Fred did, courtesy of Fred himself, was setting off fireworks in the Great Hall, upending tables, destroying food and leaving burn marks everywhere they hit. There was too much chaos that the furious McGonagall called a free day from classes because of the turmoil.

Harry felt her eyes bore into him and he struggled not to twitch, going along with the screaming of students and pretending to avoid the fireworks that plagued the school throughout the day.

Harry felt particularly vindicated when he and Fred managed to sneak away to Hogsmeade to see how Dumbledore fared throughout the day.

The Ford Anglia had finally captured Dumbledore, who was trapped in the trunk along with Tom who was enjoying the situation.

"You did a good job, boy," Harry said, patting the side of the car. The Ford Anglia nuzzled into his hand.

Dumbledore heard Harry's voice talking to the car thanking it for its service. "POTTER!"

"I think that's our cue to leave, Fred," Harry muttered. "Can you possibly go deep into the forest before you let those fools out?"

The car replied in the affirmative. Dumbledore heard Harry's request and was now screaming and crying to let him out.

The Anglia went into gear and went into the forest, honking all the way. The centaurs wouldn't go near the Anglia. Despite being a Muggle item, the Anglia was feared by all the magical creatures of the Forest. The Acromantula colony were more than willing to leave when McGonagall had the forest cleared after becoming Headmistress, loudly proclaiming they wanted to get away from the blue menace.

IlIlIlI

The school was finally cleared of mayhem before the end of the week.

George and Colin were desperate to prank Harry and Fred in retaliation, but because of poor timing, they would just reappear in the maze before the prank took effect every time.

It wasn't until late the next week that Crabbe and Goyle returned to their normal selves from being turned into gargoyles. Both convinced Malfoy did it because of their jokes that he was on his way to becoming a Weasley, they turned on him. Malfoy spent a week in the Infirmary.

Professor McGonagall knew differently though. Harry was aware the portraits, ghosts and teachers were watching him, Colin, and the twins. However, with no concrete proof that they did it, they managed to avoid getting caught and being put in detention. He made sure to stay under his cloak every time he snuck out to visit Fleur or Vera the Basilisk.

IlIlIlI

Once Draco Malfoy was released from the Hospital Wing, he was extremely angry.

Desperate to take his anger out on someone, anyone, he targeted the first living thing he encountered. Mrs Norris.

Except it wasn't Mrs Norris. To his horror the cat he kicked turned into an extremely angry Headmistress McGonagall.

"Come with me," she ordered. Instead of giving him a chance to follow she dragged Draco by the ear to her office.

Less than an hour later he was surrounded by three very angry women. His mother, the Headmistress, and Mrs Weasley.

"I'm sorry, Mrs Malfoy," McGonagall said. "You're son has been caught bullying several times this year. But this is now the final straw. I'm afraid Mister Malfoy will have to be expelled."

Narcissa Malfoy was absolutely incensed. She only calmed when she felt Molly's hand on her shoulder.

"You know what I think the problem is," Molly said.

"What?"asked Narcissa.

"I think Draco wants to be expelled so that once he's out, he can marry Ron," she explained.

Draco went rigid with horror. No they wouldn't, would they?

"You're right Molly, our boys must really be in love," Narcissa crooned.

Molly turned to McGonagall. "Headmistress, I'd like to withdraw my son from Hogwarts."

Minerva nodded. She was on the verge of expelling Ronald Weasley too. The boy missed a multitude of classes due to oversleeping. And when he got up, he would just go to the Great Hall and eat for hours, if he wasn't playing against himself in chess. And wouldn't do any homework at all. She knew he only did it because Miss Granger berated him into doing it. But now neither she or Harry Potter would acknowledge the boy he suffered terribly.

"We can make that arrangement for you if you want Mrs Weasley."

Before the night was over Draco Malfoy was expelled from Hogwarts and Ron Weasley had been withdrawn too.

Two weeks later there was a small ceremony in the backyard of the Weasley home. As both boys had been withdrawn from Hogwarts they were declared adults. As they were now legally adults, their forced marriage was going to happen a lot sooner than expected.

Molly and Narcissa had written their vows for the boys to say to each other.

"I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, vow never to harm my husband in life or in death. I will forever stay faithful to him and will never leave his side," Draco said monotonously. Draco had gotten drunk before the ceremony and was not truly understanding what he was saying.

Ron had also gotten drunk. " I, Ronald Bilius Weasley, vow never to harm my husband in life or in death. I will forever stay faithful to him and will never leave his side."

"Then by the powers vested in me and my magic, I now pronounce you married," Harry Potter said, letting the sparks fly out of his wand as a halo bound the now married couple tight before disappearing.

"That was so beautiful," came a voice from the back. "Isn't it amazing how much equality there is these days, Sevvy."

Severus Snape -actually Fanny- was dragged to the ceremony by Lavender Brown, who wanted to see Draco and Ron get married and was taking pictures of the unhappy couple to show back at school.

Severus' face was a dark red, and looked like he would explode any second.

"Do you think I could convince that gorgeous Harry Potter up there to give me an autograph and a kiss on the cheek."

That was enough for poor Severus, who promptly threw up on the ground, shaking violently, wanting nothing more than to strangle that smiling Potter spawn as he signed an autograph for the delighted Fanny.

"Can I get a kiss on the cheek, please Harry Potter."

"Not on the cheek, sorry Fanny," said Harry. "But I'll give you an air kiss." And he brat did so.

"And now to give my girlfriend a kiss," Harry said, pulling Fleur close and planting one on her.

As usual when it came to Fanny infuriating him, Severus Snape passed out in anger.

Once Severus got back to his lab later he decided to open the package he was pulled away from earlier. After casting every diagnostic spell on the unmarked package delivered to him, Severus Snape slowly and carefully opened the package. There was an envelope inside addressed to him and inside the package with a simple filled vial of what looked like a perfect Healing Draught. He pulled out the vial and investigated it carefully for any signs of tampering but there was none.

He opened the letter inside the envelope and read.

Dear Severus Snape
I am Professor Allen Wrickman, current Professor for Potions at Hogwarts. A former student of yours who is now mine made this Potion Master standard Healing Draught. He and I agreed that it would be best to send this to you so you could see what you were missing out on.

Yours Sincerely
Prof. Allen Wrickman.

P.S.- the student in question is Harry Potter.

"Potter made this," he was astonished. Deciding to sample the taste he took a small taste. However, that was all it took to wake up Fanny.

"What's that Sevvy?"

Before he could get rid of the contents Fanny had read and seen everything.

"Harry Potter made this," Fanny beamed. "And he sent you one, oh Harry Potter is just a dream."

Furious, Severus breathed in and out. But it wasn't enough. "POTTER!" he shouted before fainting again the second time that day.

AN: The Third Task is coming next Chapter. However, I am very busy as of late but I will try to get it up before the end of February.