Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to J. K. Rowling and Warner Bros. The author does not claim or imply the rights to any item related nor belonging to the Harry Potter Universe.
Summary: Harry's been caught, and he must pay. Dungbombs!
Chapter X
Pranks and Punishment
"Just what were you doing in Hogsmeade, Mr. Potter?" Snape's icy tone cut down Harry's spine. These were the first words that were spoken since leaving the Three Broomsticks and they had already made their way halfway back to the school. "You seem to have a habit of disobeying rules and showing up in Hogsmeade a lot more that you ought to."
"I'm sorry," Harry mumbled.
"You sure will be," Snape growled. "I don't think you realize exactly how much trouble you are in."
"Awe, lay off him, Sev," LeSal said loudly. "Like you never broke the rules when you were his age," and he snorted a laugh. "Why, I can remember when you and Rosier took those dungbombs…"
But Harry didn't to hear the rest of the story, for Snape rudely interrupted, "I don't want you speaking, Salazar. You're not…well."
LeSal rolled his eyes. "I know…" and he leaned on Snape's shoulder. "But it's Friday." This did not appear to be a good idea. Harry held his breath as Snape stopped and curled his lip at his cousin. Tactfully, LeSal backed off but then looking into Snape's face, stated plainly, "I like Fridays."
LeSal then turned toward Harry as Snape accomplished an even higher look of disgust to which LeSal mockingly copied so that Harry could see. "You know, he wasn't always this bad," he said in a hushed tone. "Sure he was bad, but he's gotten much worse. I don't blame him, really, but we've both been through rough weather and I've figured out how not to make everyone around me miserable, but he just refuses to try. He's just built up these great stone walls around himself, and he won't let anyone in." He shook his head and sighed.
"You ought to get him to drink some of whatever you had," Harry dared to suggest in a whisper.
"No," LeSal said slightly louder, "it doesn't work that way. I find that if someone is depressed when they begin to drink, they will only become more so. So I daresay it would be a horrible idea. Besides, he refuses to touch the stuff." He then leaned over and confessed quietly, "But I did manage in getting him drunk once. He went down into the basement and played with his potions. Came up with a formula he had been trying to duplicate for months, but by morning, had forgotten how he'd done it. Sulked about it for weeks afterward, and ever since, he doesn't touch a drop."
At this, Snape, with a horrible look on his face, turned and pointed his wand at his cousin. "Petrificus Totalus," he muttered under his breath. This completely ruined the chance of any further conversation as LeSal was rendered completely immobile, including his jaw. "And this is a very good reason why you shouldn't drink too much," Severus said bitterly to his cousin. "Any fool would be able to deflect the spell I just cast on you. And an invaluable lesson for you too, Mr. Potter." Harry wanted to shrink away. "A good wizard never should allow himself to be put in such a situation as to be made vulnerable. Such as being under the influence of alcohol or sneaking off to Hogsmeade when one knows he shouldn't be there."
Severus was using the same charm to move LeSal and his staff that had been used on him two years before when Sirius had succeeded in knocking him out. This brought to mind how Snape had actually wanted Sirius to get the Dementor's kiss. Harry ceased to be scared now, but became angry.
"Oh, will you stop always trying to bully me! You'll just have to take me to Dumbledore and he'll have the final say, not you. And you can stop threatening me with expulsion. Fred and George have done more than sneak off to Hogsmeade, and as LeSal said before you so conveniently shut him up, you did some things against the rules yourself." Harry was almost taken aback by his own outburst and quickly began to wonder how far he'd get up the school lawn before Snape drew out his wand.
"So you think that makes everything okay?" said Snape in a silky tone. Unexpectedly, he grabbed Harry by his collar and stuck his nose right up to where it was almost touching his own. "Listen here, Potter. I've had to put up with a lot in the past five years. Had to put up a lot with your father too. You're just as cocky as he was. You've been pushing my buttons just asking for trouble. If you had only the faintest idea of what I'm capable of doing…"
Harry couldn't believe he was interrupting Snape, "In fact, I do. I know you used to be a Death Eater. All your friends were too. Most of them are dead now, killed by Aurors." He was staring right into those black, tunnel-like eyes. "So you're always saying how much I'm like my father. Well, it's a good thing, for I'd hate to be like you."
Snape let go. For a moment, he even looked lost for words. "You haven't the faintest clue to my past," he said at last.
"I know more than you think." Snape glowered over at LeSal. "And not just from your cousin," Harry added.
"Dumbledore will hear of your insubordinate, disrespectful, attitude," was all that Snape could come up with.
* * *
Dumbledore did hear all that Snape said. LeSal had been sent off to his apartment to recuperate, so there was no support that Harry could hope for. Snape had been talking for some time before Dumbledore put up his hand.
"I can't work this out for you," he said to both Snape and Harry. "Now what I do have to attend to is the that you, Harry, went to Hogsmeade, left the school grounds, without permission."
"I really am sorry, Professor," Harry began sincerely. "But after all that has happened this past week. I just feel so cooped up. I just…"
"I understand. And it is hard," Dumbledore said sympathetically. "But the fact remains, you broke some major rules. I would also think that after what has been happening, you would be more cautious."
This made Harry feel awful, and it showed in his tone of voice. "It won't happen again. I really am sorry."
"I know you are. However, being sorry is only half of the consequences. The other, unfortunately, is a hundred points from Gryffindor." Harry looked startled at this but Dumbledore continued talking, not giving him the chance to dispute it. "The other thing is that I want you to try and work on this problem that you and Professor Snape seem to be having." Harry had been thinking that the hundred points from his house was going to be the worst part of all this, but now he had the sneaking suspicion that it wasn't. "Severus, you told me that you were going to start a thorough cleaning and sorting of the potions store room, were you not?" No, not the worst, not by a long shot.
There was a hint of dread evident in Snape's voice as he answered that he was.
"Good. Then I'm assigning Harry to help you. He'll serve detention with you until it is completed. Though remember that he still needs to make it to Quidditch practices, right Harry?"
Harry nodded, glad that Dumbledore had made this point.
"Very well. And one more thing," Dumbledore added, making both Harry and Snape cringe. "Harry, you are not to leave school grounds without a professor being present."
"Yes, Headmaster," and Harry turned to leave, but then remembered something, "Sir?"
"Yes?"
"The Chudley Cannons are playing the Suffolk Steamers in a week at the Hogsmeade field."
"Oh, that should be fun." Dumbledore looked pleased. "I suppose that you'll have to see the game then?"
"I would like to. And I know some other students who would too."
"Dumbledore nodded. "Severus…"
Snape clenched his jaw and seemed to be trying to bore holes in the wall with his eyes.
"As I remember, you used to play Quidditch?"
He didn't seem too happy at having to admit this in front of Harry.
"I'll put you in charge of coordinating a group to see the game. You can have your cousin's help."
"May I say something?" Snape looked to be sweating under the collar. "I don't think I'm the best choice…"
"Of course you are. You used to love Quidditch. Go have fun." Then he said more seriously, "And I want you to go because I have complete faith in your ability to keep the students safe. Especially if Fudge should have occasion to try and spirit Harry away again."
* * *
Wednesday morning, they all marched from Professor Trelawney's tower across the Hogwarts lawn, lightly crusted with frost, to Care of Magical Creatures. Harry pulled his scarf up over his nose and most of the students had the hoods on their capes up over their heads.
They were expecting a new "project" and were slightly nervous about it since they had not taken the chance to find out what it was before. Harry looked over at the crowd of Slytherins approaching from across the field. They were unusually pleasant looking, talking and babbling to each other in a rather friendly manner.
"What's he doing here?" Ron snorted.
Harry took a second look and noticed that in the thick of the pack was Professor LeSal. He did not have his staff with him and without it, he seemed to blend in with the crowd of students around him. Especially since Crabb and Goyle were walking close at hand and were about the same height. Instead of his staff, LeSal carried what looked to be a large saddle, covered in a dark, course fur. Over his other arm, he had slung an ornate silver bridle. Draco Malfoy was at his side, carrying a second saddle and bridle. Some of the boys were staring at him rather jealously. The girls on the other hand, seemed to be much more interested in LeSal.
"Do you think I could have a chance to ride one of them, Professor?" asked Pansy Parkinson in a sweet tone that Harry thought completely impossible of her.
"Probably not today, Pansy, but perhaps later," Professor LeSal replied.
"How about if I stayed after class?" she persisted.
"No, Pansy," Draco informed with an heir of importance. "I'm going riding with the professor after class."
"He seems to doing much better," Ron commented harshly.
"Ron, are you still angry at Professor LeSal for lending that Firebolt to Dennis Creevey?" said Hermione. Harry looked over and noticed that LeSal's right hand was still heavily wrapped in gauze.
Hagrid had come around from behind his hut and stood by the Gryffindor students as LeSal approached with the Slytherins.
"Well I don't feel too sorry for him right now," Neville grumbled.
Harry whirled around, somewhat surprised at the comment.
"Look at him," Neville explained. "He fits right in with that group."
"He does, doesn't he?" Ron added thoughtfully.
The group of Slytherins all quieted as they approached closer and returned to glaring at their Gryffindor classmates. Hagrid stepped forward.
"Uh, good morning, Professor Snape," he said rather plainly.
LeSal gave a fake smile and turned to a student at his side, "Vincent, will you please take this for me?" he handed the fur-covered saddle to Crabb who seemed to take it with a certain reverence into his large hands.
"Ready to begin?" said LeSal in a soft voice to Hagrid.
Hagrid drew in a long sigh then smiled over at the Gryffindor students. "Yes…uh, Professor Snape is gonna help me with the next unit. I don't bother too much with the beasts he's going to teach you 'bout, but he happens to be quite partial to 'em."
"I will be teaching you how to handle and care for Magus Mares," Professor LeSal broke in. "Can anyone tell me what exactly a Magus Mare is?"
As usual, Hermione put her hand in the air while Ron and Harry wished that they had completed the assigned reading. By now, they should have learned to do the suggested reading before they started a new unit in Hagrid's class. It seemed, however, that they weren't going to have to worry too much. Magus Mares? Didn't sound too dangerous. A big clue was the fact that Hagrid was not going to be handling them. Well, Hermione would tell them what they needed to know.
"Yes, Agatha," LeSal called out, pointing to a raised hand.
The Gryffindors were all dumbfounded to hear a different name called upon than Hermione. Harry looked over to see that most of the Slytherin girls were lowering their hands disappointed.
"A Magus Mare," Millicent began importantly, "is a horse with higher intelligence than a normal horse that possesses magical powers."
"They're companions for wizards, especially in earlier times when they could be taken out among the Muggles without question," Pansy Parkinson added. Harry swore she was actually blushing.
"And some have unicorn blood," said Mandy Brockelhurst.
"Very good," LeSal commented, and the girls smiled.
"Are you seeing this?" Ron said gaping.
"It's disgusting," Hermione grumped.
"They're falling all over him," Harry finally said.
Hermione nodded. "Poor LeSal."
"That's interesting that you should point out that some have unicorn blood, because some do. Magus Mares aren't all mares, which is a female horse. They can be male or female, however most are mares. And sometimes—but mind you, it's rare a Magus Mare stallion pairs with a unicorn mare. Can anyone tell me what can happen if this occurs?"
Hermione didn't even bother to raise her hand and they listened, amazingly enough, to Draco Malfoy's answer, "A dark unicorn."
"Precisely," and LeSal patted Malfoy approvingly on the shoulder. "And if you ever discover about a dark unicorn, distinctive with a black coat and twisted horn, it should be reported immediately to the Ministry of Magic. They are highly dangerous and illegal. Only a wizard with a firm grasp of the Dark Arts can earn their respect."
"So that's why Malfoy was able to answer the question," Ron whispered to Hermione. "His old man's probably got one."
Harry had to agree.
"So I want you all to remember that for your Defense Against the Dark Arts exams as well."
Professor LeSal then proceeded to catch one of the mares that were being held in the pen and had Draco saddle it up as he spoke. "Now I want you to pay close attention. The Magus Mares are much like Hippogriffs in that you must earn their respect before you ride one, though they won't claw you to death if you happen to upset one."
"That must be comforting for Malfoy," someone in the Gryffindor crow whispered and giggles passed around.
"Always make sure that their back is free of dirt before you put on the saddle, and it is generally good to groom them before you ride so that you can strike up an understanding. They will be giving you a ride on their back so you should do something for them in return. You'll notice with the bridle, there is no bit…" LeSal continued to explain about the tack and the intricacies of riding. "Now I'll let Draco demonstrate to you all." He nodded, and Malfoy swung himself easily into the saddle. He grinned down at LeSal. The first true smile, not laced with a smirk, that Harry had ever seen cross his face in his four and a half years at Hogwarts.
"When sitting, keep your heels down and your back straight and it will be easiest for you to stay in the saddle. Now it is a good idea to give her a pat and a kind word in her ear before starting out, or else she may just decide not to give you a ride and just throw you right off." LeSal turned to Malfoy. "You can take her out and ride around a bit, but nothing over a trot." Then turning back to the students, "You start by asking them verbally or with a nudge of your legs—never a kick.
"Now the most important thing about the Magus Mare, is their ability to conduct magic. While on one, your spells are given more power—even more so with a unicorn, though it is rare when a unicorn, or half unicorn will allow you on its back. They also stay with you if you use a port key or Apparate. Now, Draco!" he exclaimed, "Don't crack your head open trying to show off."
"Please do," Ron mumbled.
Malfoy had just jumped the mare over a stack of firewood.
It wasn't long before class was over. Harry wanted to stay behind and visit with Hagrid, but he was assigned to help Snape with the potions storeroom for an hour before lunch. On his way back to the castle, Malfoy nearly ran him over as he continued to tear around the school lawn on the back of the Magus Mare.
* * *
That hour in the dungeon seemed to take forever to pass. Snape would turn around every now and then to snarl at Harry for not carrying a certain grotesque jar with enough care. Then, when he would slow down to show he was being more careful, he'd be reprimanded for taking his time.
"We haven't got all day, Potter."
"No, no, no. Don't you know your alphabet? Quag-grease goes before Rats' Teeth!"
Snape was about to bark some new order when he looked up to see Dumbledore standing in the room. Harry hadn't seen him come in and was beginning to wonder if he could Apparate within the walls of the school.
"Severus, I need you in the teachers' lounge. I have an important announcement to make to the staff. If you could find Argus, that would be helpful. I believe that he's down here somewhere at the moment." Dumbledore looked very depressed. "And Harry, you can go on up to the Great Hall. I'll be making an announcement during lunch."
Harry was alarmed and by the look of it, Snape was too. "We haven't…lost anyone, have we?" Snape asked quietly.
"No. This isn't about Voldemort," and with nothing more, he left.
* * *
Harry was snacking on some grape tomatoes when Hermione and Ron arrived.
"So how did it go?" Hermione dared to ask.
"Horrible, as expected. But I got out early. Something's up with the professors. Don't know what though."
Food appeared and still the head table remained empty. Time passed and their plates cleared, ready for dessert, when Dumbledore, followed by the staff, filed out. The students had sensed the dark atmosphere and the hall fell silent.
"My dear students," Dumbledore began. "As you know, we've been on guard against Voldemort for some time." They all seemed to hold their breath. "I and your professors have been at odds with the Ministry of Magic in this matter. Up until now, it has not greatly affected us.
"This morning, I was informed by the Minister of Magic, that I was relieved of my post as Headmaster."
"No," many gasped together, and there was clearly discontent reverberating around the room.
"However," Dumbledore continued. "Your wonderful professors refused to continue teaching if I stepped down. As a result, I am being forced to remain. Understandably, the Ministry has become extremely upset and severed all funds to Hogwarts." He paused for a moment as the staff all stood up around him. He then continued, "I thought I would inform you of the circumstances and make you all aware of the great sacrifices that your professors are making as they will now be continuing to work without pay. We will also not have the ability to continue with some of the extracurricular programs. Things will get tight, but we'll be working hard in order to see to it that you are all able to continue attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
After this, there was an applause then Fred and George stood up and said, "Let's hear it for our professors!" And there was an even louder applause.
Dumbledore smiled and sat down before the hall returned to a dull roar of voices.
"When did you guys slip in?" Ron asked his brothers who seemed to be beaming from ear to ear, clearly putting what Dumbledore had just said behind them and moving on to more of their sort of important things.
"We just came from the kitchens," Fred informed.
"Paid a visit to Dobby."
"Do you know he used to work for the Malfoys?"
"Anyway, he hates Draco." George took a sip of his pumpkin juice.
"Despises him," Fred added. "But of course, you could expect that."
"So he agreed to help us." George slammed his empty goblet on the table.
"Help you with what?" Harry asked warily.
The twins just grinned. "You'll see."
"Now's not the time…" Harry said slowly. "After what Dumbledore just said…"
"Ah, it's perfect timing. Let all the professors know that some things will remain the same. Besides, as they say, laughter is the best medicine."
They immediately swiveled around to look at the Slytherin table. Dessert had appeared. At once, Harry recognized the yellow pastries.
"You didn't!"
Fred beamed. "Yup."
Intently, they watched as Draco picked up his pastry—and bit into it.
There was a startled cry that went up from the Slytherin table then some chirping that made the whole hall turn their attention to where Draco sat, or where—more precisely, an overgrown canary was perched. The bird popped quickly back into a boy who was already high tailing it for the door, leaving a trail of yellow feathers and roaring laughter in the wake of his hasty retreat.
