Fore note: Lots of thank you-s and a lot of hugs to Seldes Katne for beta-reading Hearts and Hourglasses before it's posted on Sugar Quill! She's a wonderful person and a fantastic beta-reader!
Chapter Six: The Magical School Accreditation Team
As luck may have it, it was in Potions that Harry saw them again. He couldn't help himself but grinned when Professor Flitwick led them in. Rowena and Helga first then Godric following with Salazar next and Mr. Filch in the rear.
Harry sat up straighter as did everyone in his class. Harry kept an eye on Snape, who looked on guard; Harry silently prayed for a repeat performance by Salazar. He was disappointed when the Slytherin Founder was behaving himself instead.
"Class," squeaked Professor Flitwick, "These are Professors Regius, Hawthorn, Gloucester & Scaevola. They will be observing your Potions class with Professor Snape."
The Gryffindors greeted them politely, and Flitwick and Filch lead them towards the rear of the classroom. Harry looked back as they seated themselves and couldn't help but noticed how serious they all looked. They, in fact, looked so strict that even Ron decided not to go through with his plan of upsetting Snape. Ron didn't have reason to misbehave during class either since Snape was being uncharacteristically nice and even personally guided Neville in brewing today's lesson, Promethean Potion.
It was a particularly useful potion since who ever drunk it would be immune for some time against fire and some physical attacks.
"You first, Longbottom," Snape said when Neville's potion had turned a bright neon red. Neville gave him a frightened look, but obediently drank a little of it. He hiccupped after swallowing and shouted fearfully when Snape pulled out an iron poker from behind his desk.
"Save me!" Neville squealed and ran behind Hermione for protection. Harry was frozen, staring at Snape and wondering if he really would go after Neville.
"Potter."
"Yes, Professor Snape?"
Snape gave him a tight smile and held out the poker to him. "You test if Neville's potion was done right."
The Gryffindors relaxed as Harry walked over to Snape and took the poker. Harry had to pull twice before Snape would let him have it, and he swallowed reflexively at the dark vengeful look in Snape's black eyes. Harry definitely preferred Salazar Slytherin's friendly green eyes.
"It's all right, Neville," Harry whispered when he reached Hermione. Neville was still cowering behind her.
"Neville," Ron suddenly said sharply, "have a little more backbone, will you? Remember you're a Gryffindor!" Harry glanced at his best friend, startled by his words, then quickly shot a look at Godric who was frowning.
What could he be thinking, Harry thought, suddenly feeling as impatient with Neville as Ron was. Was this Snape's plan all along then... He could feel a burning spot on the back of his head where he imagined Snape's eyes were boring through. It would be just like Snape to make their class look disappointing in Godric's eyes.
Harry breathed easier when Neville came out from behind Hermione. Cowed by Ron's words, he straightened his posture and nodded bravely at Harry. "Go ahead, Harry," he said, without a quaver. However, he winced when Harry poked him in the stomach gently with the poker.
"... Hey!" Neville's eyes snapped opened, and he grinned. "I didn't feel a thing at all!"
The class broke out in laughter and cheers and began tasting their own potions. Harry had barely swallowed his potion when he felt something brush his shoulder. He glanced aside and saw Ron grinning at him and holding one his school books in his hands.
"You didn't even flinched when I smacked you!" Ron said with amazement, and Harry realized that Ron had hit him with his book.
"Let me try!" Harry grabbed his Potions book and hit Ron right on his head. Ron just shook his head, still grinning. "A pillow fight has much more whomp. This stuff is great!"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, and it would be really useful during Quidditch too against those bludgers."
Soon, all the students were testing the effects of the Promethean Potion by hitting each other. Hermione even tried to burn her hand by placing it directly in her cauldron's fire.
"Class," Harry heard Snape over the din, "the potion will wear off in six-"
"Ow!" yelped Neville, grabbing at his shoulder, where he had been daring people to punch him. Ron pulled back quickly before he could hit him a second time. Everyone was soon backing away from one another and nursing injuries.
Later, in the hallway outside Potions, Ron was cursing softly under his breath and clutching at his head. "Why'd he only tell us *after* that it doesn't work properly with non-metallic objects!"
Harry nodded in agreement and winced, his shoulder was throbbing in pain where Ron had hit him several times with his book. Only Hermione emerged from the classroom unscathed.
"Well," Hermione said with a knowledgeable expression, "Professor Snape did say that the potion only works against fire and some physical attacks, and I did read the lesson in advance."
"You could have warned us," Ron complained, groaning loudly, "Harry, I wish you didn't hit my head so hard!"
"Sorry, Ron." But Harry didn't sound apologetic. His own shoulder was also hurting.
Hermione wasn't sorry either. "You two shouldn't have started hitting each other so quickly. Didn't you even wonder why Professor Snape took out an iron poker? The Promethean Potion is only effective against-"
"Wait a minute, will you, Hermione?" Ron said scathingly, "Let me get out a scroll and pen to write everything you say down. That way I don't have to do Snape's assignment later."
"Oh! You idiot!" Hermione left them in a huff. As she disappeared up the stairs, Harry stared at his angry best friend.
"Ron," Harry started then stopped when Ron shook his head. "I know, I know, Harry," he said, suddenly looking very tired, "I shouldn't have acted that way to her. I'll go after her right away and apologize."
Harry just nodded silently as Ron went after Hermione. He decided to let them have some time before coming up after them. Suddenly, the door beside him swung open.
He looked aside to see Salazar coming out rather sneakily and closing the dungeon door quickly. He spotted Harry. "Hello, Harry," he murmured, looking around. The serious strict facade he had been wearing throughout Potions fell away when he saw that he and Harry were alone in the hallway. Mischief twinkled again in bright green eyes.
Harry grinned at him then turned serious. "What are you doing out here, Professor Scaevola?" He said politely, keeping his expression bland. "Shouldn't you be with the others?" They, Flitwick and Filch had been talking with Snape when the Gryffindors left the classroom.
Salazar's face filled with mock horror. "Did they tell you to keep an eye on me too?! Don't believe everything they say about me! They exaggerate I tell you!" Then, he chuckled, patting Harry's right shoulder fondly. "Don't worry, Harry, I'll behave. I just came out here to clear my head a bit. I don't take very well to potion fumes."
Harry's eyes widened, surprised. "You don't like potions?" He asked curiously.
Salazar shook his head. "That's the girls' forte, not mine and Godr-," he broke off, rolling his eyes ceilingward, "Gloucester's." Salazar seemed very amused by Godric's new name. Harry was about to ask him about it, when the door opened again and out came Professor Flitwick.
"Oh, there you are, Professor Scaevola!" Flitwick said in his tinny voice, "Professor Gloucester wants you back in." Salazar snorted at the mention of the name again and said in a lazy tone, "Tell him, I'm not going back in there to listen to him complain about Severus' method of teaching. Remind him he's not a Potions Master."
So, Godric is defending his House. Harry thought that it was very nice of him to do that, and suddenly he wanted to see how Snape was reacting to Godric's criticism. ... Oh well. Harry decided it was good enough to know that Snape was getting trouble from one of the Founders.
Meanwhile, Flitwick agonized on whether to go back in and tell Godric what Salazar told Flitwick to tell Godric or to persuade Salazar to return to the classroom as Godric had asked him. Harry felt Flitwick wouldn't hesitate on what to do if it had been Rowena Ravenclaw who made the order.
Fortunately for Flitwick, Salazar acquiesced, saying, "Never mind. I'll go back in." Flitwick looked relieved and went back in. Salazar looked back at Harry and smiled. "Well, I must be off to be bored with the others." He gave Harry a farewell pat on the head. "I hope to see you again soon, Harry."
"Same to you, Sir," Harry said softly as Salazar went back inside the dungeon. As the door swung closed, Harry discovered that he was beginning to like the Slytherin Founder more than his own House's Founder.
Supper that day was nosier than usual. Students, surprisingly enough were talking about their lessons and comparing them. The Magical School Accreditation Team, as most of the students called them, was dining with the faculty and staff at the head table.
Harry kept raising his head to watch the Founders eat.
"Can you believe it?! Fred said excitedly, "McGonagall actually taught us Mind Switching in Transfigurations!"
Hermione squealed, "Mind Switching?! You're so lucky!"
Harry was puzzled. "Mind Switching..."
Ron grimaced. "Who'd be crazy enough to want to switch minds?"
Who indeed? Agreed Harry silently, then said aloud, "That sounds very dangerous." He shuddered suddenly. What if Voldemort decided to switch minds with me- Don't think about it! There was some sort of connection between Harry and the Dark wizard, and he didn't want Voldemort getting ideas from him.
"It's not too dangerous," George told Harry, "the people who are going switch minds have to be both willing to do it."
"Yes," added Lee, "it's a tandem spell. Both parties has to cast at the same time or it won't work."
"Oh, okay." Harry was reassured. There was no way he would ever be willing to switch minds with Voldemort.
Hermione was asking Fred, "But isn't Mind Switching really advanced magic? It isn't included in the curriculum."
"And how would you know that?" Ron asked her.
"I borrowed and read Percy's school books in his last year here. Learning Mind Switching counts as extra credit," she answered.
"That's right." George gave Hermione a look of admiration. Harry felt Ron, beside him, tense. "That's why we were excited," Fred continued, "McGonagall is teaching us really advanced magic!"
"It must be because of the Accreditation Team," said Lee, "The teachers are out to impress them."
George nodded, then looked a little puzzled. "They weren't so gung ho about it the last time though, just told us to behave a lot..." But he let it go quickly and grinned. "But that was six years ago and when in second year, you really can't tell yet which spells are hard to do from the ones that are really hard to do."
Hermione contributed eagerly, "Professor Snape also gave us an advanced lesson today in Potions. The Promethean Potion is supposed to be one of the last potions to be studied next term."
"Ow!" Said Lee feelingly, "Then Snape got you too, didn't he?"
"Yes," chorused Harry and Ron. There were similar affirmations from the other fifth year Gryffindors.
"We were going to warn all of you about that next term," said Fred.
"You look like you're the only one okay about it," said George to Hermione, who was sitting across from him.
"Don't worry about her," muttered Ron darkly, "Hermione was the only one Snape didn't get.
With that, Ron and Hermione were not on speaking terms for the rest of the evening. Harry was tempted to shake some sense into Ron. He couldn't believe that Ron was actually being jealous of George. Harry didn't even want to know whatever Ron was thinking was going on between his older brother and Hermione.
In the Gryffindor common room, students were still talking about their lessons except for Ron who had gone up ahead to the fifth year boys' dormitory to sulk. Hermione, Harry knew, was just as upset as Ron and was trying to distract herself by asking the Weasley Twins and Lee Jordan to teach her Mind Switching.
Harry was just glad that Ron wasn't there to hear George suggest to Hermione that they pair up to do the spells while Fred and Lee demonstrated first.
"This way," George said jovially, "you can be sure their minds really switched, and that we're not only pulling your leg."
"Oh," Hermione remarked, "I wouldn't be so sure about that. Lee is unofficially the third Weasley Twin."
"Ouch!" Lee winced exaggeratedly, "I'm not sure whether to be flattered or insulted."
Fortunately for Lee, before the Twins could pounce on him, the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open, and Professor McGonagall climb in.
"Gryffindors!" called out McGonagall commandingly. Students looked at her curiously, stopping whatever they were doing. She sounded like she was announcing the arrival of someone important like the Headmaster.
Harry immediately came to attention when Godric Gryffindor entered the common room.
Chapter 6 has ended. Please go on to the next chapter.
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