Chapter 4: Classes are in session:
As Professor McGonagall walked towards the 'Class 1' room for her first year Transfiguration lesson, she heard laughter. She recognised the voice of two boys giggling boisterously, and guessed that the "trio" were already half an hour early. Generally, she enjoyed transforming into a cat, to listen to comments from various students. She was not going to surprise everyone, this morning. As she walked in, she found a Gerbil sitting on a desk, which soon reverted to a teacup. She stood with her eyebrows raised, as she realised not even the famed Marauders and even Lilly Potter had this type of familiarity with magic. Minerva stood flabbergasted as Ronald Weasley then proceeded to change a pawn to a queen chest piece. Neville then continued to crunch his potato chips after which Luna then pointed her wand at Ronald.
"Crinus Muto!"
Suddenly Ronald was sporting electric yellow hair and Neville used his data slate (which was off and looked like a plane mirror) to show the former redhead what he looked like.
"Excellent! I am seeing some second-year spells already! Ms Lovegood, excellent work with the glamour spell. Please do leave his hair colour yellow, I would like to see how long the spell holds! How long have you all been practising?"
"The entire holidays? Uncle Remus thought us some magic. But we do have some handy things in our toolkit that allow us to do it far easier than most." answered Neville.
"An explanation would be welcome then, Mr Longbottom? Most students get difficulty transfiguring matchsticks. And that happens to be my class, this morning?" Minerva explained.
"Well, the explanation is simple. So, mum had some letters that she had sent to Lilly Potter, Harry's mum. I went through all of them and I picked up some fairly advanced theories. I would not mind sharing with you what I figured out. I already explained to these two over the holidays."
Professor McGonagall's face suddenly softened, as she nodded.
"In these letters, Harry's mum was doing utter cutting edge magical research. She had figured out how certain charms worked – and by that, I mean what was the muggle explanation for them. Lilly Potter's rule for doing complex dangerous magic relies on a couple of custom cantrips. Even dad and mum were openly using these techniques when they were fighting Death Eaters. That of course is before they were severely injured by good ole' Bella…"
McGonagall then sat down in a chair opposite the trio, as she listened intently. "Please continue?" she asked, as she found Neville's open acknowledgement of Bellatrix's torture of his parents to be in line with Gryffindor behaviour – he was brave and he would face the issue directly.
"Lilly's optimisations for magic include the speed of the wand tip. You must drag the tip at an even speed. Emotional states colour magic too. Do not feel anxious, and know that you can cast the spell with certainty before you even begin to reach for your magic. It doesn't matter if you have no experience with it, better to have confidence colour your magic rather than doubt.
Also, don't forget to let the intent of your thoughts reach into the magic. Considering that Beauxbatons do their spells in French, and other international magic schools use their local language of choice, you might as well consider that the language isn't so important. Every magical spell has a feeling. When you understand the feeling, magic can even become non-verbal. Lilly even suggested when you tap into the characteristics of the magic, you can make it wandless.
"This is Lilly's research? It is simple but…...so elegant!" asked McGonagall.
"What she explained to mum and dad? Yes. Our cores are still buzzing from our morning exercise, so we could be getting some help from there, also." Neville replied.
"It makes me happy to see Lilly's research being used. I taught her so many years ago and I knew she was something else. You already were given ten points for speaking on your godbrother's behalf last night. I enjoyed your bravery. For all three of you right now, five points each to Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw! How much of the syllabus do you know already?" Minerva asked.
"For me and Luna, we know all of the First and Second year charms for Transfiguration and Defence. We know the Charms spells too, but not with confidence. Ronald started later than us, and he got all the Defence and Charms spells in on the train."
"Well, what do you plan to do as you seem to know the material I am teaching?" asked McGonagall.
"Maybe if we are successful with the spells in class again, you can ask us to help the others? We know the spells, but we will need to still take notes on the Transfiguration alphabet. Flintifors!" Ronald gently replied before he executed the spell. The quill changed into a matchbox, as he steadied himself.
"Great idea Ron, but after Draco insulted my parents, Harry and Harry's parents, I will be skipping him and his entourage. Anyone else is pretty alright. Professor, do not ask us to help him and his gang. Since he comes from such a family of magical scholars, let him get his help elsewhere?" replied Neville.
Luna and Ronald nodded as Professor McGonagall hear talking from the corridor. She quickly transformed into a cat and stood at the front of the class, as the trio all giggled. Malfoy's mouth was already at work as he exclaimed, "Wait till my father hears about this! As for Lungbuttum, I am going to jinx him! And the other two mudbloods too!"
"Aren't they all purebloods?" asked a voice that Neville believed was Theodore Nott.
"You didn't see their shoes! They are all wearing muggle shoes. Mudbloods sympathizers!" Draco complained, as he honestly was conflicted – he secretly the shoes. They seemed comfortable and grippy. Draco, flanked by his supporters walked in to find the trio already in the class.
"So, the Mudblood sympathizers heard me eh? No big deal. Later we will settle this!" Draco yelled in his pubescent voice.
"Careful now, you are confident for a person who got kicked quite hard last Christmas? Where was your bravery then? Although, don't worry about me."
Neville whispered only loud enough for Draco to hear:
"Worry about if you might survive the Storm-Bringers. Anyone you know died yesterday?" asked Neville quietly, with a knowing glint in his eye. Draco had not noticed the Ginger cat watching intently, far off at the front of the class. Neville could see all of them reaching for their wands and he whispered to Luna, "Shield!"
Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had managed to each cast some type of family spell but before they could register anything, both Luna and Neville had conjured solid, sustained Protegos. Ronald suddenly stood up from the chair, over the top of the shield and gently but firmly said:
"Expelliarmus!"
A scarlet bolt flew and took away Malfoy's wand as Ronald caught it. The rest of the students, outside the door looked on at the commotion, and Minerva McGonagall had jumped out of her Animagus form and was standing behind the three Slytherins.
"Excuse me!" she said, now quite angry.
Draco turned around to find the Lioness looking at him, as he gulped.
"I saw everything with my own eyes. Did you promise to instigate conflict much later on? Five points. Did you use the word Mudblood? Not in my class. Ten points. You, Mr Goyle and Mr Crabbe attacked? Five points each. That is a total of thirty points you have all lost your house. Please ensure you don't lose anymore. I will have a word with Professor Snape about your misconduct, no mistake. Now sit before I turn you three into frogs!"
The three students were now angry. Neville and his friends could shield? Many seventh years could not shield. Blaise had no particular expression on his face, but he was impressed. He realised that the 'trio' as they were being called, were not people to harass. Minerva continued:
"The rest of you please come in. Take your seats. Gryffindor on the extreme right, followed by Hufflepuff, followed by Ravenclaws and then Slytherins, please. Each house, take a row."
As the students filled up the class, and McGonagall noticed three empty seats at the back, in a cluster. She decided that the trio could go there, as they would require the least supervision. She generally preferred to keep either her weakest or badly behaved students at the front of the class. Even though they were from different houses, they were not of much concern. Better to have them in a place where they would reach others easily.
"Mr Longbottom, Mr Weasley and Ms Lovegood, you can take the three seats in the back, as there are forty three in my class. Ten points each to Mr Longbottom and Ms Lovegood for demonstrating an excellent shield. Ten points to Mr Weasley for exercising the right amount of restraint."
McGonagall then took Draco's wand from Ronald and presented it to Malfoy who had a sour look on his face.
"Do not repeat that behaviour in my class again or else…."
Minerva let the threat hang in the air.
Within the next hour, Neville, Luna and Ronald were helping other students with the spell. They had easily transfigured their matches into needles, and Professor McGonagall had used Ronald's hair colour as an example of partial transfiguration. She also noticed that Neville seemed to have no problem with the Slytherins, as he helped Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis with no problem. Luna seemed to get along with the Ravenclaws quite easily, and Ronald was shared between the Hufflepuffs and some of the Gryffindors who had probably met his siblings.
"Five points each to Mr Longbottom, Ms Lovegood and Mr Weasley each for assisting me and for demonstrating discipline and respect towards not only me but ALL of the students."
At this point, Ronald's hair resumed its reddish appearance. McGonagall had now confirmed with certainty it was either that their "Muggle Exercise" had done wonders for them, or that they were genuinely powerful if Luna's spell was an appropriate benchmark. Harry who had installed a small pinhole camera in the class transmitter sent a message to Neville and Luna's dataslate.
"Nice story to introduce mum's theory. Food is coming later. Keep an eye on everything, Slytherin has been unusually silent. They will retaliate soon, after what I saw in the papers this morning. Percy has been breaking up some small fights, with that shield practice we gave him over the holidays." Harry explained.
"How did it go?" Neville asked from the back of the class.
"He took on four seventh-year Slytherins and had them shitting their pants. There was a commotion in the corridor and the other fifth, sixth and seventh years had to stare at him. He fought with cover, threw objects at everyone, and tossed back their curses back at him. Penny was swooning over the moon!" Harry laughed.
"You like causing trouble, don't you? I suppose we too, now. You kinda…rubbed off on us!" Luna replied over the data slate.
As Daphne Greengrass packed her items away, she considered that she wanted to befriend Neville Longbottom. He had been decent to everyone. After all, many Ministry workers could not cast a proper shield, and Neville and Luna had done so quite easily. Ronald was third in the set from his capability, but his third position was ahead of the entire year by far. Daphne considered the magical capability of the "trio" and decided to reply to her father's letter.
Fillius Flitwick as a person with Goblin ancestry could feel the competence of the "trio". He, after all, medelled in small displays of wandless magic. As he walked by, he realised that Neville and Luna were already experimenting with the practice. And their wands – they were not Ollivander or Gregovitch creations. Somebody else had made them. There was no spell delay, and their wands triggered spells instantly. As Fillius quested the area, he even found that there was some type of powerful enchantment on Neville and Luna, who were actively using Occlumency to aid in their casting. Ronald seemed to be not too far behind, but he was not aware of the finer applications, nor was he surrounded by the enchantment. The trio reminded him of Lilly, as they had easily performed the Lumos and Nox quite easily. He decided to find out how much they knew:
"Ronald, Luna, Neville? I have a feather here. I would like you to demonstrate the levitation charm if you know it?" he asked.
After a successful demonstration., Fillius began to quietly ask the trio to demonstrate other first-year charms. As the trio executed the spell one after the other, Fillius Flitwick paid attention to the magical flow, and the usage of intent to control the spell. Luna and Neville were far ahead, and Ronald was not too far behind. Soon enough, Neville and Luna had demonstrated all thirteen year one spells fluently. Ronald had managed eleven at a decreased speed.
"Ten points to Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor! Excellent! Do you have the homework written down?"
All of them nodded.
"Excellent! Much talent in all of you. Off you go! You will take notes in my classes if you already know the spells, and you will assist others for extra points! I will inform you if attendance is necessary!"
Draco and the other Slytherins were seething with anger. Daphne was now jealous, but she appreciated the skill of the trio.
Before the Potions class had started, one thing was clear. The threesome was racking up a large number of points, and Slytherin was being left behind. Forty points each was a lot for only two classes, as students would take at least five or six classes to attain that much. Severus Snape had been paying attention to the points, and after Minerva had explained the altercation with Draco Malfoy. House Slytherin at the first year was separated by more than sixty points, because of Draco's penalty. Severus Snape had made up his mind that he would embarrass the new celebrities before things got out of hand.
Harry had been waiting for this day patiently. He had studied Snape's method of questioning and his mannerisms and worked out how to avoid trouble. The group had been briefed by Harry – there was to be no acknowledgement of whatever insults came their way. Their faces were to remain neutral and they were to respond with only "Yes Professor" or "No Professor".
"Neville, are we ready?" Harry asked over the dataslate.
"Yes. Wait until he accuses me of cheating, and then challenge him as a member of the sacred twenty eight. Why is he so…predictable...every year?" Neville replied.
"He is a creature of repetitive habits. Just watch. He will confess his sins when he proceeds with his questioning." Harry replied.
The group had set up their cauldrons and had taken out all the necessary tools and ingredients so that they could attempt whatever was required. It did not go unnoticed that they all possessed better equipment and some unusual extras that the other students had not seen before. The door slammed open and Severus Snape marched in, with his robe billowing behind him.
"There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. However, for those select few..."
Snape now stared at Draco Malfoy, and the boy was quite confident that he could do no wrong in this class.
"who possess, the predisposition... I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."
As Severus Snape looked around, he found himself rather shocked that the three "troublemakers" all possessed the new copper self-stirring I.C.W grade Cauldrons. Also on display were high-quality scales, ingredients that were clearly labelled, and enough knives to avoid contamination. They looked prepared, and had the students been members of his house, he would have been quite pleased. This only incensed him more, and after the long suspenseful pause he resumed speaking:
"Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not pay attention!"
Snape slowly looked at the equipment at the Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor table, amongst the students he wished to embarrass.
"Our new celebrities, Mr Longbottom, Ms Lovegood and Mr Weasley. Insufferable 'I know everything' types. One is already too much, and now we have three of them. I see they have taken liberties with their choice of equipment."
Draco and most of the pureblooded Slytherins, who had not lost family members giggled. The rest had lost their usual gusto and many of them were upset and angry. After all, today was the day that everything went wrong. To make matters worse, the three individuals of the moment sat with neutral expressions on their faces, and they did not seem uncomfortable.
"Longbottom! ? Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
"Draught of Living Death, Professor Snape," Neville replied nonchalantly, as he made a little note on his parchment. Neville smiled - Snape's confession was already underway.
"Weasley! Where do you find a bezoar?"
"Stomach of a goat. Typical Poison treatment, Professor Snape" Ronald replied as he followed suit.
"Lovegood! What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane"
"No difference, as both are Aconite, Professor Snape" replied Luna in her signature dreamy voice, almost as if she was having fun.
Harry who was listening in, made his preparations in the background, as he planned to truly embarrass Severus Snape. He called his favourite grandmother and had Grace apparate her to the end of the Potions dungeon wing, as he waited patiently for Professor Snape to make his misstep.
Snape continued to escalate the questions for the three students for the next ten minutes, as he went into fourth-year material. He had no luck as every question was answered perfectly, with minimal words, and with not an inch of attitude. Snape decided to try a different tactic:
"Longbottom, Lovegood, Weasley! Twenty-five points each for cheating and lying to a Professor!"
The Slytherins were now laughing until they saw Neville's wand go into the air, and even Snape was curious about this action.
"On my magic, as a member of the Sacred Twenty Eight, if I have been dishonest in answering Professor Snape's questions, let magic strike me dead. Let my accuser justify his claim, according to the old laws. Lumos!"
The whole class went silent as the purebloods realised that for the first time in history, Professor Snape had lost. The purebloods had not expected protocol to be invoked for an issue such as this? However, if Neville was capable and he felt slighted it was not unreasonable. Neville had sat down quietly, he had answered every question and he had addressed the Potions Master with respect. Professor Snape would have to give Neville a formal apology in the Wizengamot, as now there was no doubt that Neville had answered the questions from his personal knowledge, which was impressive.
"On my magic, if I have been dishonest, let my magic strike me dead." Luna replied.
"On my magic, if I have been dishonest, let my magic strike me dead." Ronald followed.
Now, the honesty of the three students had been confirmed and Snape began to sweat, as he had forgotten that the Longbottoms were very much purebloods. Now the Slytherins began to realise that the 'trio' were truly that accomplished. Suddenly clapping could be heard from outside the class, and the voice of Augusta Longbottom was now clear and loud.
"Potions Master, Severus Snape. Always brilliant, but always a sour man. I came directly here for you. Neville has been studying hard, and I had a feeling with what occurred yesterday, you would punish not only my grandson but his friends, who spent their holidays constructively."
The Slytherins realised that a trap had been set and their Head of Slytherin House had no explanation for his behaviour.
"That is why I came prepared with a litigation letter. Tonks and Findlay are a new law firm that I heard about recently, and I have already enlisted their services. You can either allow my grandson and his friends to study potions privately by letting them go, or I will have your behaviour reviewed by Gris Albanoz, Head Overseer at the ICW Potioneering Guild in France. After he is done with you, he will ensure that you can never teach again. He happens to be a recent acquaintance."
Augusta now thundered, "Now get over here you little snake, and understand the consequences. You are not a pureblood! You are a half-blood like many students here. Of course, that is not common knowledge, but good for your snakes to know. Or perhaps you can explain how your Muggle father Mr Snape is connected to the Great Wizarding Houses?"
Now many in Slytherin House were shocked. Draco was surprised, as he had always assumed that Godfather Severus was a pureblood. Augusta continued:
"You are not a member of the sacred twenty-eight, you are a commoner! Interfere with our affairs, and it will be a fucking blood war you insufferable cunt. March to the Headmaster's office immediately, and you better believe that if Albus decides to interfere, I will have the Wizengamot screaming for his retirement as Chief Warlock!"
Harry giggled as he texted Lorna: "Harry 1, Snivellius 0."
"Grandson, any words for this individual before he leaves?" asked Augusta. Neville looked at Malfoy with a knowing smile before he spoke, "Sure. If we look at Asphodel being a cure for snake bites….."
Severus Snape was now pasty white and in a full-on panic. How could Longbottom understand the double meaning of his words? No student had ever figured it out? Now he wondered why he had continued to mention that phrase every year. Was his guilt that eternal? Technically Severus Snape was correct. Neville Longbottom already knew the meaning of the expression, as the knowledge had come from outside the castle. Hermione had analysed the common questions and answers and she had sniffed out the implications, if only because she already knew that Snape and been responsible for Lilly's death. Hermione had always been a fan of Victorian flower culture, and the flowers and the choice of wording had been a dead giveaway.
"and we consider the meaning of all the flowers he mentioned…two possible meanings are that some type of snake killed a woman named Lilly, and he regrets her death. It could be a snake bite, but it could also mean one of his Death Eater buddies killed a woman named Lilly. Now his life is bitter and he suffers from the pain every day, as he lives with his burden."
Daphne Greengrass, who knew that Snape and Lilly were once friends, began to put everything together, and put on a controlled neutral face, while her other housemates looked on.
"Now considering that Lilly Potter told mum that she and Severus Snape were friends until fifth his Mudblood insults in the fifth year, this means he knows the real reason my godmother, Lilly Potter is dead. He knows the real reason why Harry Potter is not here, sitting with me right now."
Neville paused in a manner that was similar to Snape, for comedic effect.
"How he will survive...Professor McGonagall…..is another challenge...altogether?" replied Neville causally.
"Come, killer of my other daughter. Come. We will perhaps allow you to stay here after I make my demands of Albus. Excellent observations grandson. You will make a fine Lord Longbottom!"
The pureblooded Slytherins were now deathly afraid, as they realised their world was falling apart very quickly. Tonight would require an emergency Triumvirate meeting in the Slytherin common room.
A half-hour later Augusta was in the Headmaster's office.
"Are you telling me that you came directly to speak to a teacher without consulting me? And how could you know that Professor Snape would antagonize your grandson?" Albus asked.
"I do not require your permission for anything Albus. I am on the board of Governors for Hogwarts! But more importantly, individuals like Lucius Malfoy have spent a lot of time doctoring the system. I merely decided to exercise the privileges of my office and my status. I acted no differently from the darker families!"
"But Augusta, is this not overboard? Why is House Longbottom responding with such ferocity all of a sudden?" asked Minerva.
"Simple Minerva. I was inspired by how the Storm-Lord dealt with the scum. Albus is indirectly the reason why Frank and Alice are incapacitated. Too soft. No, the killing that happened yesterday? That is what we need. What about Harry, Lilly and James? All dead, because this man here wants to reform scum like this animal before me."
"Augusta! How can you say that to Severus? What has he done?" exclaimed Minerva.
"He is the reason why Lilly Potter was killed. If you believe I am framing him, ask him to refute my claim with a magical oath. Say it Death Eater – I Severus Snape did not undertake any action that contributed to Lilly Potter's death."
Albus Dumbledore was now in a vice-grip situation. This was one of his biggest secrets. And overnight it had come out in the open? Somebody was working with Augusta to push an agenda. Her memories indicated that she had gotten an anonymous tip-off. Of course, both Severus and Albus had not considered that she was wearing an anti-legillimency bracelet designed by Morgana herself, and that this inference from the fabricated memory was exactly what was needed to further advance Harry's plan. Harry and Sirius were now eating a pizza, and listening in. This particular plot had come from Harry. After Harry had texted Lorna and informed her of his "practical joke" she replied,
"Well done my apprentice. Welcome to the snake side of the force!"
"Severus? Give the oath please and let us be done with this fiasco. Severus?" Minerva asked. Severus Snape was now quiet and his eyes were now looking for an exit.
"Minerva, I am afraid that…."
"No Albus no, this? How could you! Do you mean my Lilly and James? And Harry? Because of him?" she said softly but dangerously. She slowly walked forward with her wand in her hand.
"And you! You would dare to call their names? And you, visited Harry's house? Give me one reason why I should tolerate the sight of you? I think I understand now. Sometimes, you must kill snakes so that the poison doesn't kill you instead. Albus, you better explain quickly before I start using my wand."
"I give you my magical oath on this. If I utter falsehood, let my magic take its leave. Minerva, the Dark Lord is alive and well. I don't know how but he is looking for a way to come back. I cannot speak the rest of this here. This knowledge must not leave this room. Severus Snape, regardless of his contribution to the death of the Potters, is part of my plan to combat Lord Voldemort. Severus is the only person I can ask for reliable information. He will be back sooner than you think, and if I do not have Severus, I will not be able to win. Why do you think the item is protected so well? I have to establish if it is truly him! Lumos!"
Now Minerva and Flitwick were gasping. So, Severus was indeed an indirect murderer. But the Dark Lord, still alive? How was that possible? And no wonder the protections for the Philosopher's stone had been so intensive. Would Lord Voldemort arrive to take it?
"As you can see Minerva and Fillius, nothing is simple. I have to balance titanic information and put the welfare of society ahead of ideological stances. And yet, this will not comfort your ears. Augusta, what do you want for your silence in this matter? No need to play games? Well played, I can tell you want to make a statement. What will allow me to keep Severus at this school? Name your conditions." Albus asked.
"I want potions removed from my grandson's school time here, as long as he is the teacher. And yes, I want these conditions for Ronald, Luna and the other Weasleys, by choice." Augusta asked, forcefully.
"Potions Master Severus Snape will be fair in his dealings with all other houses, concerning disciplinary actions, point allocations and his teaching. I want his oath, upon his very magic. Give me that, and I will drop this issue, and I will never mention it again."
"Severus, your oath. Upon the promise that you gave me," asked Albus. Severus Snape, a man who was never the master of his fate found himself giving the oath. Now he could never bully any non-Slytherin student knowingly, or else he would lose his magic. Slytherin would not be able to count on his discrimination, to bolster their points.
Slytherin would not win a House Cup in a long time.
Augusta left Hogwarts as her mission was now complete, and she decided that this evening she would have dinner with Harry and Sirius. She would explain how Albus and Severus had been left gasping for air. Now to add insult to injury, Sirius had written the word "Snivellius" and asked Grace to transport the note and stick it in his study. Sirius Black would remind Severus Snape of his existence. Sirius also hoped that by the time the Wizengamot session had arrived on Saturday, the other curveball would also screw Albus Dumbledore over.
It was now evening time, and Percy sent a message to the trio. He fetched Fred, George and Charlie personally and carried them to an abandoned Ravenclaw wing that nobody ever frequented. After all, this was where the Grey Lady resided, and it was rumoured that she did not like visitors. Percy had initially met Penelope here, after trying to chase down an escaped Scabbers, his pet rat, many years ago. Penelope was quite shocked when she was told that they were getting Pad Thai and Orange Chicken. Charlie, Fred and George were pleasantly surprised to find a rather attractive brunette waiting in an abandoned class. Charlie who already suspected the relationship merely extended his hand and offered a polite handshake.
"Welcome to the redhead gang, nice to meet you, Penelope. Although I knew since last year, you guys stare at each other too much."
Percy and Penelope giggled, and Fred and George found themselves utterly surprised that their brother could laugh. Suddenly, Neville, Luna and Ronald appeared.
"Well, well, well! The golden trio has arrived. Percy did you hear what this group did?" asked Charlie.
"Not really?" he wondered.
"They each scored an easy forty points each for their houses, in a single day. Highest scores for the junior group. Neville here also got Snape in trouble. By the way, Ronald was able to answer up to fourth-year potions questions under pressure. Percy, I adore you, but even you aren't that good." Charlie replied. Percy smiled as he approved. Harry was many things but he did not joke around with his studies. Nor did Hermione, and it seemed that they were parenting the rest at Hogwarts, directly.
POP!
Mipsy, Tipsy and Whootsy all appeared with four large pizzas, coca-colas, and Percy's Pad Thai and Orange Chicken which had been duplicated. The three elves popped back to their responsibilities, and Percy took out his dataslate and explained the situation to Ronald.
"So once again Ronald, congratulations. It is nice that you are serious. Maybe Fred and George will never change so I have given up. Come with me to the next class, I want a word in private."
Percy and Ronald walked into the next class, and he asked Ronald to take out his data slate.
"House Weasley is getting back into the game. I had not planned to tell you anything, but you seem responsible enough. We are in an alliance with absolutely powerful people. Hadrian and Jean are the people we met in our kitchen, but they are other people too. I was permitted to speak to you about this, from Hadrian."
"I know. His mother is Priya V. Singh? I saw old versions of the Medi-bracelet around the workshop, during the holiday, So I think that she is his adoptive...mother?"
"Correct. That is a little piece of it. Yuletide, we will get all the information. Take out your dataslate." Percy instructed.
"As you know Harry and Jean built this. Tap this rune ten times quickly," replied Percy.
Ronald did as instructed, and the device suddenly changed. Ronald realized that his device had far more capability, and it was probably hidden for good reason.
"Tap Molly here." Percy instructed.
Beep-beep! Beep-beep!
Ronald was then greeted with a full picture of his Mother, Father and Ginny all waving to him.
"Hello, Ronald. I don't have to guess which house you were placed in, I can see the yellow on your tie. We have also heard you are giving Neville and Luna competition?"
"We have lots of brave people mum, somebody has to do the hard work?" Ronald grinned.
"Oh dear Ronald, as of lately you are too honest. How was your first day at school?" Molly asked.
"Well mum, it was…."
The conversation continued for some time and Ronald promised to message regularly. He also promised to call when he got spare time. He soon terminated the call.
"This is amazing! It is like your magical kindle and a smartphone put into one. I can talk to mum when I want? Is this an upcoming product from Hadrian and Jean?" asked Ronald.
"Yes. Hadrian and Jean invented this. It is meant to be a textbook replacement, once we get the other bits sorted out."
"So, I can message even Hadrian and Jean too?"
"Yes you can, but don't harass them too often. When we have the Yuletide meeting, you will understand. Let us get back to the other room and have some food."
The rest of the evening was spent eating and laughing, and the invisible Grey Lady found herself curious about the communication device. She decided that she would speak to "Nicky" and "Fabbie", and ask them to keep an eye on these particular students, as they seemed to possess powerful artefacts.
At the kitchen, the pair took notes about Molly's brand of nameless magic. While the magic was done with a wand, there were no names for any of the spells. Molly was quite capable of cutting vegetables and doing many complex skills by merely thinking about them. The pair soon realised that Molly might pass as a domestic woman for many, but she was extremely talented and sensitive to magic. She used her magic regularly and could easily be a fearsome duellist. Molly found herself surprised by the types of questions the pair asked her – many of these finer issues and observations were things that she took for granted, and it appeared that both children were fully aware of the finer applications.
Of course, Harry was no stranger to a kitchen. All the elves who were available, were on full duty as some test items had been sent to Bloodaxe and King Ragnok to critique. While the kitchen was not open to the public, they were working full steam ahead. They were responsible for preparing two hundred lunches on Friday for the Goblins. Harry enjoyed cooking and Hermione found that between Amba and Molly, she would have many tips and tricks that would allow her to experiment with her culinary projects. Her long term goal was to make Tofu and Seitan so close to meat, that you could not tell the difference. She also wanted some vegetarian protein blocks that were not necessarily a replacement for meat, but were flavoured in a manner that people would enjoy as standalone items. She already had some ideas as to where she could get big flavour from humble vegetables.
All of it would be manufactured via magic, and then it would be used for global relief work.
It was now 9:30 p.m. and the Slytherin house had gathered to hold their Triumvirate meeting. Only purebloods were allowed to bring issues to the table as advocates, and everyone else was required to listen. It was expected that younger students who were out of their depth, would learn the procedure from the others.
"Goodnight to the noble members of Slytherin House. I am Dux Jade Ethro. I will be conducting the meeting tonight. For those who do not know, our First Years, you only speak if addressed by me. Otherwise…..silence! You will observe the traditions and naming conventions and learn accordingly. Tonight, we are brought into Officium at 9:30 pm, with Legatus Cato, Legatus Darius and Legatus Marcella. As agreed, we are here to discuss the events that have befallen some of our house members and the blatant attack on Consul Severus Snape. The floor is now open."
As the conversation droned on and on, Daphne Greengrass sat on the couch. She observed as the darker families were running scared. They openly proclaimed that the Storm-Bringers would be brought to justice in the Wizengamot for their murders. House Slytherin's official position was that Neville Longbottom would be brought to justice by an inquisitorial squad. It would be Malfoy's job to lead the squad, and he would be responsible for hospitalising the Gryffindor. It was also acceptable to take shots at Luna Lovegood or Ronald Weasley and his family.
Daphne giggled for a little bit - she found that funny. She knew talent when she saw it, and they would not be able to take them. She understood that the situation had changed - now they were not the most powerful and they were The other neutral purebloods were quite displeased but decided not to take part in the conversation. Of course, she was aware that Pansy had it all out for her, as she openly addressed the floor, at the end of the exhaustive meeting.
"We have not heard from one particular house tonight. Daphne Greengrass of House Greengrass has not opted to say anything, in light of these events. Surely one of the oldest Pureblood families should address us?" Pansy the pug explained in her annoying voice.
"The Legatus finds this request agreeable," Marcella replied, as her eyes looked on in a calculating but curious manner.
"Daphne Greengrass, you are called to the floor." Jade Ethro barked.
"Good night housemates. The Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Greengrass like many of the other houses here tonight continue to remain neutral because the events do not affect us. Power is the Slytherin way. Power invites those who are ambitious and cunning to rise and challenge the existing structure. I have seen no evidence that anyone can challenge the Storm-Bringers. And the other issue is that we are assuming that they are responsible. We have no confirmation on that.
So let us assume that it was truly them.
Now…..I don't think our mystery wizard and witch care about any of our rules. You have no guarantee that they will not appear here one day and kill without mercy. What are you going to do when they cut your body parts off? Bast spells with your big toe? Ha! We do not know if he has a personal army either. I overheard someone in Ravenclaw, I believe his father was on the scene. Several groups of people were killed with perfect coordination. So, one person could not cover the ground alone, and we must ask how many people are involved? It is more than two? Five? Ten?"
Suddenly the entire room was silent. This was a rather terrifying thought. Daphne continued.
"There are rumours of new magical ink that is used for portrait making. We suspect he is the developer. I am talking about more than twenty thousand units a month and seven galleons a piece. My father was in France recently and he saw the product for himself. And yes, it is far better than the Azul Marino. All the other parchment ink producers are running pretty scared. In three years, he will be wealthier than every single magical in England – the whole of Europe is buying the ink. We have no idea of his business operations elsewhere. How long has his family been in business? What other specialised products are they selling? So, we don't have money to compete with him, either."
"That is impossible? How could he make that many items with magic?" Malfoy interjected.
"Sion Draco Malfoy! Observe the protocol. You are speaking out of turn!" Jade barked.
"To answer your question scion Draco Malfoy, I actually don't know. If we knew, then we would have that kind of money. They studied their magic, researched it, and they are reaping the rightful rewards. One of the other concerning things is that the conversation has been centred on the young Lord. Don't forget we all use Medi-Spray, now. The Greengrass business has been booming as we have been acquiring many unusual potion ingredients, to supply the French I.C.W. guild directly. If the titanic amount of wealth house Greengrass has seen recently is related to the Medi-Spray, and I wonder how many galleons the Storm-Priestess is making? Magical Hospitals all over the world are using tanks of the potion!
If any of you were observant and aware of current affairs, you would have opened the meeting with these points and discussed how to cut them off from their money. Although their reach is outside Magical England, and they operate internationally. Technically, not even the Minister of Magic could touch them.
I suppose, I must thank Heiress Parkinson for allowing me to share our personal information, which is not necessarily a show of support, but perhaps proof that we are better at working on our own time. And the rest of you, after receiving such information will surely make use of it? Or will I have to provide you with a pick me up again? How interesting, that I as a neutral, was the only person to offer something substantial.
Not impressed with all the feelings vented this evening, and no real solutions were present. To answer Ms Parkinson's question, I did not see the point of wandering in circles. Most importantly, the legal precedent could be the most dangerous. Any attempt to amend the law to convict him might strip away all our privileges. He might be a full Lord. Imagine if the law is applied to everyone here? Or what about if extradition is needed to deal with the issue? International politics is very complicated."
Slytherin House was whisper quiet.
"As for my housemates who lost parents and other relatives, I am very sorry for your loss. All I am merely saying is that I have always believed that we must keep polite relationships with those who are not like ourselves for society to work. What happens when the people who you have offended, decide to become even more ruthless than us?
We neutrals have warned the rest about these issues so many times.
Now you have poked a sleeping dragon and you are all running scared. Look, you can't ask me to be a Slytherin and then fault me for not being concerned about an issue that is not related to me? I am supposed to seek your interest and not mine? I must be a Gryffindor eh?"
"You sound like a supporter!" yelled Pansy.
"Me? I am a supporter of myself first. And let us not deceive ourselves here. We do not have friends in Slytherin house. We mostly have political allies, except a couple of trusted family friends. Although with the kind of power they have, are you sure you don't want to send an offer for a marriage contract?" Daphne laughed.
There was dead silence in the room, and many of the witches seemed to have almost thoughtful looks on their faces. Suddenly most of the pureblooded scions of the many "Great Houses of the Wizengamot" began to feel like low-status, unimportant men. Daphne continued:
"As for Neville Longbottom, I do think their family was in great mourning and Dame Longbottom wants blood. Attacking Professor Snape was a demonstration of their commitment. I am reminding you, that Neville Longbottom can shield better than many of you here, from what I saw. Perhaps we should try and attack him. Let me know how it goes. Dame Longbottom has been hitting ferociously in the Wizengamot lately. I love when the women show their teeth, regardless of political stance!
By the way, the Gryffindor year five perfect laid down the law on supposedly four of our best duelists, this morning. So if you attack Ronald Weasley, I hope you can deal with Percy Weasley. And then are you truly brave enough to attack the Weasley twins? Whoever has the misfortune of doing that, will have to suffer being pranked for the rest of their years at Hogwarts."
As Daphne sat back on the couch, Cato spoke once again:
"Heiress Daphne Greengrass, your intelligence is noted. We appreciate your contributions. This had given us much to think about. As Slytherins, we will consider how to move forward, with all the information that was provided tonight. I do believe Heiress Greengrass had brought a valid point forward – no viable strategy was truly discussed tonight.
May I remind everyone that regardless of opinions, we are to present a unified front, and anyone breaking this rule, will be punished severely? As Heiress Greengrass has stated, Power is truly our way. Perhaps we will see that power being wielded on Saturday. This concludes our nightly discussions. We are now in exitius." Cato replied.
The entire common room scattered as everybody returned to the safety of their dorm rooms. The darker houses were incensed, but nobody could move against Greengrass – after all, she had offered information that nobody else had, and a favour was owed. Nevertheless, Pansy continued to contemplate how she might punish the blood traitor and the half-blood, respectively. The neutral half-bloods and purebloods, on the other hand, were considering that their parents would have to support Lord Cyrus and Lord Davis in the Wizengamot. They represented the only safe place that was left for them.
Later into the night, Daphne authored a letter to her father, as she sat over the dimly lit study desk. She wanted to inform her father about some of the unusual things that she had seen, and the results of the Triumvirate assembly. Crucial in this report, was the apparent alliance between the Longbottom, Lovegood and Weasley families, along with their unusual stunt with the squid and Severus Snape. Also included were the rumours of the trio's business activities, their instinctive capability with magic, and the knowledge of Snape being Lilly Potter's killer. As she prepared the letter for her owl Zeus, she considered how she might speak to Neville privately.
Tracey on the other hand was lying down on her bunk, and writing her "romance novel." As the resident pervert in Daphne's life, she often inked lewd stories on parchment that were supposedly "rough drafts" of her "final masterpiece". In these stories, Daffy Redbush (a moniker for Daphne Greengrass), the Ice queen pureblood princess of Slytherin, was supposedly in love with the forbidden golden boy of Gryffindor house, Larry Mopper (Harry Potter). She would often break protocol and ask the "smoking hot muscular studmuffin" to appease her carnal desires, as she considered how to break the torrid secret escapade to her conservative pureblood parents. These utterly graphic and descriptive short stories were often mentally scarring for Daphne, as Tracey spared no detail as to which body parts and which positions were considered applicable for "maximum toe-curling." The read-aloud session had become an annoying but hilarious joke that Daphne tolerated because secretly, she hoped that Tracey would publish the book, and annoy the hard-line prudish conservatives with her overnight success.
"So Daffy, say Harry Potter was real and he asked you to shag, would you shag him rotten?"
"Tracey, for the love of Lady Magic, can you not be perverted for once?"
"How do you like it better? Should the scene be against the wall, or over a table?"
"Trace, I am not shagging anyone until I get to know them. Slytherin has some fairly nice looking guys, but all of them are mini-death eaters. I don't think any of those guys would know a joke if it was slapping them in the face. And for the record, I don't think I will ever grow a big chest and arse. Hey, girls can have smaller assets and look just as great too you know. Please don't write me as this voluptuous sex doll?"
"Confirmed. Larry is shagging a small, but finely made Daffy against the wall. How about it happens in a Slytherin dorm room like this, to make it exciting? Daffy, for the love of Lady Hecate, what has you so upset?"
"Have you seen how good the trio are, at magic? They easily know most of the first-year spells. And did you see Neville's and Luna's shield this morning? All three of them are earning a lot of points, and Slytherin is falling behind. They are the friends we need to have, but I am not sure how to corner the group of them?"
"Well, I have an idea about that, not to fear Daffy."
"Which is?"
"Merula was giggling this morning. When I asked why, she said that her older sister had offered to carry her to the owlery this morning. We are talking about 6 in the morning by the way. On her way from the building, she noticed Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and Ronald Weasley running around the quidditch track. Neville Longbottom can make almost a whole lap without stopping. Like, he is super-duper fit. If I wasn't into chicks, yeah I would do him!"
Daphne rubbed her face. Tracey was exhausting.
"Of course, Merula's older sister Phoebe has a thing for Charlie Weasley, so she was quite happy to see him too. The whole Weasley family were out taking a run, and they had on strange brightly coloured clothes. If I had to guess, sounds like sportswear I showed you. And oh yes, they were all matched in their house colours."
"Why would they be running at that Hecate forsaken time in the morning Trace?"
"Well, here is my idea. How about if we offer to keep them in the loop about Slytherin's plan to hospitalize them, and we can get some secret magical tutoring? Seems like a fair deal. And maybe we can ask why they are running too?"
"Well, well, well the pervert sometimes has good ideas. I have to admit, I want to see the inquisitorial squad attack Neville, I want to see him finish the whole lot of them. I hope he does something nasty to T.C.D.M"
"I would love for him to become bald. I want someone to curse his silver hair off. Anyway Daffy, let us go to sleep."
"Er…Trace? How are we going to wake up at that time? And on which day should we go?"
"As for which day, I think Friday is good, because of the free time in the morning. People will sleep in, as class starts at half ten. As for how we will awake at that time, I have a muggle alarm clock that is mechanical. You wind it up, and it rings a bell, at the right time. No electricity, no electronics. Here, have a look?"
Daphne examined the item and was quite surprised at the quality and wondered how it was constructed. When she asked, Tracey clarified:
"Not too sure. Remember I only know about some muggle things. But it is a highly complex set of gears and springs. Anyway, let me wind it up. I think about seven will work for us, tomorrow."
"I have to admit, I do like the intrigue. Maybe having secret friends is kind of fun? Maybe mother was right. Night Trace."
"Night Daffy."
