Chapter Twelve – Expulsion

Chapter Twelve – Expulsion

"What the hell are you talking about?" Asked a confused Harry.

"Justin just died, it's horrible Harry." Said Hermione.

"Was it an accident?" Asked Gabrielle.

It was Ron who answered. "I'll give it to you quick. Slytherin was crushing Hufflepuff but Justin had just spotted the Snitch. He was making a dash for it but just before he got there…"

"What, what happened?!" Asked Harry.

"Goyle cut him off and crushed his skull with the beater club."

"What?!"

"Harry, I've seen people get hit with clubs and it was nothing compared to what happened to him. Madame Pomfrey couldn't do anything to help, he was already dead."

Harry got up and immediately ran out of the library. The others tried to chase after him but there was no chance. Before their eyes he had transformed into falcon and was soaring down the hall. It was fortunate for Harry that everyone was at the match or otherwise he was sure to have been spotted.

Harry found an open window and immediately flew out to the Quidditch Pitch. He flew overhead and surveyed the scene. A group of students were crowded together and were trying to comfort each other. Harry could see the Slytherins being escorted off by Snape back to the castle. Using his keen eyes he saw that Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey were hovering over Justin's body. At that moment Dumbledore stared directly at Harry and it nearly made Harry fall out of the sky.

Harry, I need your help down here.

It was Dumbledore's voice inside of his own head. This is something that Harry had never read about in any of the countless books he had read. He wondered if Dumbledore could read his thoughts as well as projecting his own.

Yes, if you focus on me then I can read your thoughts.

But how?

We can discuss that latter, for now I need your help.

There are too many people down there, they'll see me.

Just land on my shoulder, they won't recognize you.

Harry hoped that nobody would notice the lightning bolt on his head. He knew that Malfoy had to know about his extra powers but he didn't want the other students to know. He quickly swooped down and landed on the shoulder of Albus Dumbledore.

What do you think Harry?

I can't believe this happened. I know Goyle is strong but from the looks of this he isn't human.

You're thinking the same thing I am. What happened to Justin is beyond human ability.

So, what are you suggesting?

The most obvious explanation would be that Mr. Goyle took a strength enhancing potion.

That isn't possible.

Oh really, why not?

Goyle is as dumb as rocks. It takes a highly trained wizard to create a strength potion.

You made one if memory serves me.

Well, I'm different aren't I? Are there any other possibilities?

None that are reasonable. We'll go test him for any traces of the potion. Hopefully Professor Snape will be able to detect any signs.

Snape!

Harry, don't even think that.

Snape is the only other person besides you and myself that could have made that potion.

I'm telling you to drop it, Severus had nothing to do with this.

If you say so.

Harry took one last look at Justin's body and took flight. Madame Pomfrey looked quite confused about the long silence of Dumbledore while a falcon was on his shoulder. As Harry flew up to the owlery all he could think of was Snape. There were no other explanations for what happened, Dumbledore so much as said it himself. It had to have been a potions master that made the strength potion and there were very few at Hogwarts. It would only make sense that Goyle would get it from the head of his house.

"You think it was Snape?" Asked Ron.

"What do you mean, of course I think it was Snape."

"I agree with Ron, we've thought it was Snape too many times. Every time we've been wrong about him."

"But what if it really is him this time?"

"I think the last few years have finally got to you." Said Ron.

"What do you mean?"

"You keep thinking that Snape is against you but there is nothing really there. I agree that he's a first class jerk but I doubt he gave Goyle a strength enhancing potion."

"Fine, I'll just have to confront him myself."

"Harry, don't." Said Hermione but she was too late. Harry had already rushed out of the portrait hole and was making his way down to Snape's office. Using his knowledge of the passages he was there within a couple minutes and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Came the voice from inside.

"Harry Potter, I need to talk with you."

Snape opened the door. "Ah Harry, just the boy I wanted to talk with."

"Yeah I wanted to talk with you….what did you call me?"

"Harry, it's your name isn't it?"

"Um, yeah I suppose it is." Harry was a little confused. "I wanted to talk with you about what happened to Justin."

"That's also why I wanted to talk with you."

"Is this some kind of trick?"

"I'm afraid I'm not following you."

"First you call me Harry and now you're also being nice to me. For the last four years you've made my life a living hell and now you're being nice? What's the deal?"

"It's too complicated to discuss right now, let's just say that I've experienced some changes lately."

"No, I'm not just going to leave it at that. Tell me what's going on or I'm going to the ministry with your name on a very short list of people who could make that potion."

"You think that I did it? Why you sniveling little twit."

"There's the Snape I know, back from vacation?"

"Just stop. You don't know when to quit do you Potter?"

"Potter? I thought I was Harry."

"If you act like this then you're Potter. Now shut up so I can explain myself."

"Oh, please do. I need some entertainment after this afternoon."

"You're lucky that I don't think of you as a student anymore or else I would be giving you the biggest detention of your life."

"What do you mean you don't think of me as a student?"

"Let's just say that I think of you as an equal in my field. Now can I talk?"

Harry was now more confused than before. Snape thought of him as an equal?

"In a few months time I shall become a father."

"Who would be stupid enough to fall for you?"

"Potter!"

"Fine, the old you."

"I guess I can give you that. I'm sure an observant boy like you can figure it out if he knows what to look for."

Harry sat and thought it out. The strange conversation, the mood swings, and now the extended absence. "Professor McGonagall!"

"Yes, Minerva."

"How the hell did that happen?"

"I don't think that I will be discussing that with you."

"Aren't I your equal?"

"In some things yes, as a confidant about my love life you are still Potter."

"Fine, so you're going to be a father. How did that change you?"

"Let's just say that you reevaluate your life when you have another person to look out for. Now, do you understand."

"I guess I can accept that, now can we discuss why I came down here."

"You came down here to accuse me of helping with the murder of Mr. Finch-Fletchley."

"Fine, I'll hold off on the accusations for now. So, was it a strength enhancing potion?"

"Yes, and very similar to the one that you created."

"How so?"

"What is the biggest drawback to a strength enhancing potion?"

"It makes the body more dense and more than doubles the weight of the recipient."

"Was that the case with your potion?"

"No, mine had Billywig stings in it which made the person lighter."

"So did the potion that Mr. Goyle used."

"But I had to add a bunch of ingredients to make those ingredients combine. It would be almost impossible for anyone but a potions master."

"Do you know what I spend my free time doing Harry?"

"Back to Harry, eh? I have no idea."

"I try to recreate the potions that you make during our sessions. I can do some of them but the first potion you made I haven't come close to duplicating. I'm guessing that there are fewer than ten wizards that could create the potion used today."

"Well, then there are only a few suspects."

"That is true, but we don't have enough evidence to go to the Ministry."

"So what's going to happen then, aren't we going to do anything."

"The only thing we can do is to expel Mr. Goyle. He's too young and stupid to go to Azkaban so he will spend the next few years at St. Mungo's for observation."

"Wait, wasn't I going to be sent to Azkaban?"

"If you were convicted you would have been sent there. Like I said, Goyle is too young and stupid. You, on the other hand, have powers greater than most wizards alive today."

"Yippee. Well, at least I can't be tried as an adult in the Muggle world."

"It is getting late now, but I was hoping that you could help assist me analyze the exact ingredients of the potion."

"Sure. Oh, and congratulations on becoming a father. Ever thought of naming him Harry?"

"Potter!"

"Hey, Potter works too I guess."

The events of Saturday afternoon had really shaken Hogwarts. The Hufflepuff's moods were at an all time low. They had lost another leader less than half a year after losing Cedric. The Ravenclaw's and Gryffindor's were also feeling the effects. Justin was a kind person and was well liked by almost everyone. The people that didn't like him were all members of Slytherin. They seemed to be walking with an extra skip in their step.

Over the first few days after the death the Slytherins decided to display their power by beating up any individual they came across. It didn't matter if they were Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw. Harry knew that the majority of his friends could take care of themselves but he feared for Gabrielle's safety. He had taken to walking her to everyone of her classes. She didn't seem to mind but it was obvious that Godric was severely bothered by this. Harry didn't care though, he just wanted to make sure that his friend was safe.

It was Thursday afternoon when Harry realized that people seemed to be happy walking the halls again. Well, not really happy but they didn't have the look of fear in their eyes. He had slept in that day so he didn't have any idea what was going on. He spotted Dean Thomas at the end of the hall and decided to ask him what was going on.

"The Slytherin's are under house arrest."

"Why?"

"Snape has been trying to control them lately but it hasn't worked out. He finally asked Dumbledore to implement a house arrest on them."

"So, what does that mean?"

"The teachers are going to go there to instruct the students, the Slytherins won't be out in the halls anymore. They can barely leave their common areas for anything, if any of them do need to leave then they will be escorted by several teachers."

"Are you serious? What about Quidditch?"

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this Harry but they canceled the rest of the games."

"Because of Justin?"

"Yeah, Dumbledore felt it would be the right thing to do."

"I guess so, but I really wanted to play. Wait, Slytherin no longer has class with us?"

"Nope, and they have to change everyone's schedule to accommodate for teachers having to instruct them alone. We now have Care of Magical Creatures with Ravenclaw."

Harry felt his stomach tighten. "Ravenclaw?"

"Yeah, you look like somebody just hit you in the stomach."

"You think I look bad now, wait till class." Great, just great. Now I'll have to see Cho on a regular basis.

Harry had been given some time off from his studies for the week after the incident. This was mostly for the benefit of the instructors. They had a lot going on and needed some time to recoup. Harry spent his time working on his invisibility and is proud to say that he has perfected it. He decided to wrap up his cloak and would give it to Ron as an early Christmas present.

"Merry Christmas." Said Harry as he handed the package to Ron.

"You dolt, Christmas isn't for a few weeks."

"I know, but I think it would be better if you had this sooner rather than later."

Ron eagerly opened the package. He looked shocked as he held the cloak in his hands.

"But Harry, this belonged to your dad."

"Yes, and I'm entrusting it you for the time being. This is not a permanent gift, rather it is a lone."

"But won't you be needing it."

Invisiblis

"You bastard, I thought you were telling us everything."

"Hey, I have to have some secrets. Besides, this one took me a long time to get right. I only just got it down a few days ago."

"Where are you, I don't like talking to you while I can't see you."

"I was just going to pop up to the girl's dormitory and watch Hermione change."

"You do and you die."

"You're too gullible. You honestly think I would do that?"

"I honestly think you have done it."

"What do you mean?"

"Hey, I've heard you creep off in the middle of the night before. I know you've been going off to spank it while watching the girls."

"Bullshit, I've never done that. I'd never even masturbated till this summer."

"Now that's bullshit. You can't expect me to believe that."

"Hey, it's true. I did it for the first time when I was at Fleur's."

"Woah, woah, wait a minute. Do you have the hots for Fleur."

"Hey, I never said that."

"No, you just said that you masturbated with her down the hall from you. You're trying to tell me that you didn't do it because of her?"

"I'm not going to say anything because anything that is told to you will be told to Hermione."

"You don't think I can keep something from her?"

"No, not a snowball's chance in hell."

"Fine, then I'm for sure going to tell her what you said." Ron then threw on the invisibility cloak and Harry realized he wasn't wearing his glasses. Rather than trying to guess where Ron was Harry decided to let him go. Harry knew that it wouldn't be hard for Hermione to figure out his feelings for Fleur. He had been missing her lately and he couldn't deny it.

It had been during one of his trips down to see Sirius that he and his godfather talked about the subject. Harry came to the realization that he liked her. There was no denying that he had feelings for the girl but there was also no proper protocol for asking out a teacher.