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Dumbledore approached Harry again right before the winter holiday break.
"Harry, my boy. I wanted to talk to you about your Christmas holiday and where you'll be spending it. I hope you know you're welcome to stay at Hogwarts during the holidays, if you want to," the Headmaster said.
Harry gave him a look that showed he questioned the Headmaster's sanity. "Please, Headmaster, call me Mr. Potter. I thank you for the kind offer but I will be spending the winter hols with my family."
The Headmaster gave him an annoyed look. "There are many adventures to be found while the school is empty, Mr. Potter. Also, the Weasleys will be staying for the break. Wouldn't you like to spend time with them?"
"Not particularly, no," said Harry, giving the Headmaster an even stranger look. "I would like to continue with my plan of spending the holiday with my father and my uncles. Now, if I may?" he asked, then turned and walked away without waiting for a reply. Dumbledore gave an annoyed huff behind him but Harry didn't care. The old wizard was batty. That's all Harry knew for sure.
Finally, the holiday started and Harry and his friends joined the train ride back to London from Hogsmeade. It was a fun time spent inside Harry's trunk, eating holiday treats prepared by Betsy and mailed to the children for this very reason. Betsy knew the school thoughtlessly didn't send lunches on the train for the children, even though many of the children would be out of funds and unable to purchase anything from the trolley.
They relaxed and talked about their holiday plans. Blaise would be in Italy with his mother and grandfather. Tracy and her family were going skiing in the Swiss Alps. Hermione and Daphne would both be spending the holiday at home, as would Harry and Dudley. Neville would be staying with Harry and Dudley until Boxing Day, when he would go home with his grandmother until term started. Neville was very shifty about it but he had family to visit on Boxing Day and his Gran didn't want to bother with bringing him back to the Dursley home afterwards.
Soon, they arrived at Platform 9 ¾ in London. The friends who were meeting their parents on the magical side said goodbye while the other students headed out to find their parents on the London side. Harry, Dudley, Neville, and Hermione were dressed in their mundane best as they stepped through the platform with their trunks. It seemed quite the hassle to bring the trunks back with them for winter break, but winter break did last a month. They could only practice magic inside the trunk. It really was the only way to complete their winter homework and make sure they were prepared for class in the new semester.
"Father!" cried Dudley as he ran forward to meet their dad. Harry was right behind them. He rushed forward and gave his father a quick hug before stepping back, just as Dudley had done. They were beaming at the man, who was beaming right back at them. Hermione was right next to them, greeting her parents.
"I thought we could all have dinner together at Decimo's before we take the long drive back to Hampstead?" Vernon said, inviting the Grangers along. They quickly agreed. Decimo's was a premiere restaurant and the couple had been dying to go. They just couldn't get reservations.
The drive to the restaurant was quickly over and the group headed inside. Dippy waited with the car, though Vernon insisted the staff take his order and deliver his food to the car.
Everyone settled in and ordered before talk turned to the children's year at Hogwarts.
"So, how is Loch Bean treating you?" asked Vernon Dursley in a booming voice. "Do you like your house placement? Ravenclaw is supposed to be the smart house, isn't it?"
"It's been going very well, father. We love Professor Flitwick. He's a wonderful head of house," said Dudley.
"Yeah. Our classes are easy. Remus keeps us challenged and makes sure we meet with Sensei and practice our fencing as we're supposed to do," said Harry.
"Yes, Remus even makes sure that we still have immersion days to keep up with our language skills in French and German," said Hermione.
"Are you ready for your exams?" Emma Granger asked. She was thinking of the midyear exams that the children always took at the Ministry of Education. It helped the children stay on track for their A-levels, something Loch Bean as a school for the gifted did not do.
"Yes, mother. I think we're very prepared. We've been studying every Saturday for the test. I feel ready to take the midyear exams. I'm sure the end of year exams will be harder, but we'll have a few weeks to revise for those after we return from Loch Bean before we take them," said Hermione, trying to sound mature.
The adults smiled to hear the twelve-year-old try to act so mature and responsible.
"Any problems while you were at school?" asked Dan Granger. He didn't like his little girl being so far away and so vulnerable on her own. He knew she had her friends but he wasn't so sure about the boys she constantly hung around with. He knew she spent time with some girls, too, but only a few.
Harry looked consternated. The other children watched him, waiting for him to respond. The adults noticed.
"It's the Headmaster. He has some kind of obsession with me. He even tried to tell me not to come home for winter break! He called me into his office to tell me he wanted me to visit with the Weasleys next summer break. He's been weird and I don't like it," said Harry, venting.
The other children nodded their agreement.
"He's up to something, father. I don't trust him," said Dudley.
"As you shouldn't!" blustered Vernon Dursley. "These administrative types enforce the rules on others and break them as they please. You keep your head down and stay away from him!" Vernon wouldn't have his boys being harassed at school. "I'll write the school governors, if I have to!"
Harry and Dudley both felt smirks grow on their faces. Once their father set his mind on something, he saw it done! They would see it done, too. They had been good students so far but it might be time for some pranking. It might give Dumbledore something else to focus on.
Harry and Dudley decided to confer with their favorite uncles on the best way to prank the Headmaster.
"Sirius, can we talk to you and Remus for a minute? It's about something important for school," said Harry. Sirius grinned. If Harry wanted to talk about schoolwork, he would have gone straight to Remus. This was about a prank.
Sirius and Remus went into the library with the two boys. It was one of Remus' favorite places. He could often be found there. It was one of Vernon's least favorite places. He rarely visited unless he was looking for someone.
"What can we do for you, pups?" asked Sirius. Harry and Dudley exchanged a look.
"Have you ever pranked the Headmaster?" asked Harry.
Sirius started laughing outrageously. Remus just shook his head.
"You don't start small, do you?" asked Sirius.
"No, we never successfully pranked the Headmaster," said Remus.
"That's not true! We got him every time we got the entire school. We just never got him on his own," said Sirius.
"I guess that is true," said Remus.
"How did you get him with everyone else?" asked Harry.
"We put runes under all the tables, including the head table. We actually had a specially rune under his chair. We turned everyone into giant bees and he was the queen. It was hilarious. We did the bee dance," said Sirius.
Dudley and Harry grinned maliciously. "We want to do something similar. Will you help us?" asked Harry. Sirius grinned a giant grin. Remus sighed and looked to the heavens but nodded.
"If I don't help, too, you'll end up blowing up the school," said Remus. Sirius just laughed and patted Remus on the back.
They spent the rest of the afternoon coming up with a plan. The boys would have to do the rest of the research themselves but Remus would help get the rune schemes right and Sirius would teach them to carve runes. Sirius gave them a stack of small wooden disks to carve the runes onto, so the carvings wouldn't permanently damage the tables. It was quicker and easier to install than trying to lay under the tables and literally carve each and every rune. This way, Remus could check them all before they went back to school and used them, too. Harry and Dudley both found a new passion in the magical language. They wanted to learn everything about them and spent the rest of break trying to do exactly that.
By the time the last day of break rolled around, the boys were pretty good with basic rune schemes. They could do quite a few prank-based rune schemes, from the notes Sirius and Remus had shared with them. They could also understand the basics of the language for other, spontaneous projects. Remus warned them not to carve any rune schemes without letting him or Professor Babbling check them. The chance for true, widespread destruction was too great.
The boys boarded the train to return to Hogwarts. They were ready to put their plan into action. Their friends noticed the grins on their faces.
"What has you lot so happy?" asked Hermione, suspiciously. Harry knew just how to distract her.
"Would you like to see the notes I took on Ancient Runes? Remus and Sirius taught us as much as possible during the break. I can't wait to study it more!" Harry said, enthusiastically.
"Yeah. I have some books here on the subject, too. I'll need them back but I'm glad to let you look on at them while we're on the train and to borrow them when I'm finished," offered Dudley, with a smirk on his face. Hermione practically squeed in excitement. She made grabby hands at both boys.
Daphne looked at them suspiciously. "Sirius and Remus taught you? Not just Remus? What are you really up to?"
The boys both laughed, nervously. "Nothing that bears consideration right now. At dinner tomorrow night, you might just find out," said Harry with a wink and a nervous smile.
Daphne harrumphed but let the issue pass. If Remus was involved, no one would get hurt. The boys weren't mean-spirited, so she wasn't worried they'd do anything malicious. It just piqued her curiosity to know they were keeping something from her. She looked at Hermione and saw the same emotions on her face. They both started giggling. The boys were completely perplexed.
"How do you think you did on your exams?" Blaise asked. He was interested to know. Blaise came from a pureblood family, like Daphne, but his family would never think to allow Blaise to study muggle subjects as well. Blaise couldn't help but think it was a good strategy, especially when he learned about the studies you could undertake in business. He was very interested in that and so was his grandfather. It was something that was being looked into.
The children all shrugged. "I expected it to be harder to be honest," said Dudley.
"Yeah, I feel like we were massively overprepared," agreed Harry.
Hermione looked consternated. "It was disappointing. I think we should have taken the end of year tests and skipped ahead to the next year. Even with our Hogwarts studies, the only real challenge I have experienced educationally was from Remus."
Daphne agreed. Between her mother's preparations in magical education and her studies with Mr. Lupin, Daphne felt the only real challenges she experienced were in either her physical education classes or her lessons with Mr. Lupin. He was a fantastic teacher.
Even Neville agreed. While he was an excellent student, he was probably the worst student of the bunch. None of them ever made less than an O on any assignment but Neville really did have to study. The rest of the students just wanted to.
"Mr. Lupin is the best teacher I've ever had," said Dudley. "I can't imagine learning without him," he said, honestly.
A knock sounded on the door.
"Enter," called Harry. The door opened carefully. Draco Malfoy stepped inside.
"Draco, be welcome. How were your holidays?" Harry asked congenially.
"Much obliged," said Draco, making himself comfortable on the only open seat. He greeted everyone then turned to Harry. "My holidays were enjoyable, if too short. And yours?"
Harry smiled. "Productive. I learned much and have much to share."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Do tell?"
Harry and Dudley exchanged smirks. "Let's just say we had a very useful introduction to runes. Maybe we'll show you our work sometime," said Harry.
Draco looked intrigued. "Is there a timeline for this showing?"
"Perhaps tomorrow. I think you'll know when the showing is underway," said Dudley, nonchalantly. The rest of their friends exchanged looks.
"I will look forward to it," Draco said, drolly. The children all laughed and started chatting about different subjects. Draco headed back to his compartment after an hour or so. Then, they got another visitor.
A knock sounded and the door opened with a bang. Everyone in Harry's compartment jumped, frightened out of the state of restful relaxation that had descended over the group.
"Good gods, man! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" asked Blaise. Ron Weasley blushed and looked chagrined.
"I just wanted to stop in and say thank you. For saving me from the troll. I talked to my sister about it and she said I was a dolt for not doing it sooner. I thought you'd just know I was thankful. I am you know. Thankful," Ron said, awkwardly.
Harry looked at Ron a little coolly but he nodded his head in acceptance.
"Ronald Weasley, of the house of Weasley. Thank you for acknowledging the life debt you owe to me. I accept your gratitude and hope this can be the beginning of a new relationship between us." Harry stood and offered Ron his hand. Ron's mouth was open in shock but he automatically accepted the hand anyway. A sheen of silver energy shimmered around the two boys for a moment. Ron dropped Harry's hand.
"What did you just do to me? What life debt? I don't owe you anything other than what I just gave you!" shouted Ron.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Magic seems to think differently. Didn't you see magic accept the troth between us?"
"Yes, but, but. What does this mean? I'm telling my mother," Ron said, his face turning red.
"It means you owe me a big favor. You can't do anything to harm me or mine, through either action or inaction, for the rest of your life; if you do, you'll die. That's it," Harry said, shrugging.
Ron's face faded to a bright pink. "That's it? What kind of favor? What do you want?"
"I don't know yet. I probably won't call the favor in for a long time. There's nothing you have that I want or need right now," said Harry, shrugging. "Maybe I'll never call that favor in. We won't know until we know."
Ron relaxed a little further. "I'm still telling my mum. We'll see what she says about all this. Just, thanks for saving my life." With that, Ron turned and fled the compartment.
Harry smirked at his friends.
They all laughed. "It's good that git owes you. Might be the only thing that keeps him in check," said Blaise, with a cunning glint in his eyes.
"Harry gave Blaise a half smile. "Yes, it might just come in handy yet. We'll see how things progress,
They all relaxed back in their seats and continued the ride to Hogwarts. Harry's problems with the Headmaster started up almost as soon as he arrived.
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