Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all these other great characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I just play with them!
14. An end to the summer –has anything really changed?
Professor Snape was pleased with Harry's help putting the rest of the ingredients away on Monday. Inventory had gone a lot quicker, too, with Harry writing everything down. It still irked him he did not know who'd taken the Gillyweed. He knew Harry wouldn't tell him, but he couldn't stop thinking about it. It certainly hadn't been Crouch, Harry wouldn't protect him. Longbottom, probably Harry's closest friend after Weasley and Granger, wouldn't have been capable of the feat. Ginny Weasley and that Creevey boy were rather infatuated with Harry, but he didn't think either would know about Gillyweed or would be able to break into the stores. Ludo Bagman had been an obvious supporter of Harry but although Snape would not put it above the man to cheat on the Tournament by helping Harry, he would've bought some in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley instead of stealing it. The most likely were the Weasley twins. But they knew a way out of the castle, he was sure of that, and could also have gone to Hogsmeade to purchase their own at far less risk. Of course, the Weasleys were notoriously low on money... It could've been them, except Harry had used the singular 'he'. The Weasley twins never did anything alone. No, he couldn't figure it out.
Enlarging and opening the last of the boxes, Professor Snape noticed Harry hesitated over something he had unpacked. He looked over to see what had caused the interruption. Ah, of course, the Boomslang skin. Last year's supply had been used by Crouch, but no doubt Harry was thinking of the lot that had disappeared two years earlier.
"I know who took that in your second year," he said quietly.
Harry almost dropped the jar. "You know?"
"Did you really think I believed the story she told Madam Pomfrey? The results of Polyjuice Potion when used for animal transformations are erratic enough that if her appearance were the only clue, I might've believed her explanation. In fact, the potion is so difficult that I wouldn't even have considered a second year student brewing it. Except, of course, for the Boomslang skin gone missing at exactly the right time."
"Then why didn't you do anything?" Harry asked, clearly confused.
Snape shrugged. He wasn't sure he wanted to explain, but he had started about it. Perhaps he himself should think before he opened his mouth. He really wasn't used to being on speaking terms with anyone anymore.
"I know you will not tell me who took the Gillyweed, can I ask the same from you? To not ever tell anyone, especially not Miss Granger?" he said, after a moments pause.
Harry blinked, then nodded. "Sure," he promised.
"Miss Granger brewed a working Polyjuice Potion in her second year. I have no idea where, but it must have been done in less-than-perfect conditions. Alone, for while I'm sure you and Weasley knew about it, I doubt she let either of you near it."
Harry nodded, confirming that.
"I'm not sure I could've made that potion in my second year if I'd had someone look over my shoulder helping me. I don't like her, but there's no way I was going to get her expelled for such a feat. Of course, nor can I encourage that kind of behaviour. She broke several rules and what she did was quite dangerous as well. Some animal Polyjuice incidents have been fatal. And finally, the last thing Miss Granger needs is another reason to believe she knows everything. I may tell her some day, when she's a lot older and no longer a student here. Until then, I will pretend to believe she botched a transfiguration spell."
"I guess I understand," Harry replied.
"Good, then let's get on with putting these things away. I want to get this finished before dinner," Snape said. Which was rubbish, they would easily be done in time, but there was only so much of this he could stand.
Tuesday came and went, and then it was Wednesday. Well, of course Wednesday followed Tuesday, that wasn't the problem. What was the problem was that it was almost time for school to start, and the rest of the staff started to return.
Poppy was the first, floo'ing in early in the morning. She reported in, then went at her own business, preparing the hospital wing for the new school year. Snape avoided her inquiries after Harry, and she didn't press the issue. He brewed many potions for her and she treated the students for most accidents that happened in his class. It would be too much to say they were on friendly terms, but she knew him well enough not to keep on about something he didn't want to talk about.
Then came Professor Sprout. He frequently had to work with her, too, since she raised many of the plants he needed for his potions. But she irritated him much more than Poppy did. She got on his nerves with her cheerful manner, she frequently refused to compromise and kept smiling merrily whatever he did –unless he had taken too many points from her students, then she'd just look at him with an accusing stare all through dinner. Fortunately, they had refilled pretty much all the ingredients that were grown here at Hogwarts at the start of summer, before she'd gone on holiday, and he would not have to work closely with her for some time to come.
Harry of course noticed he was terse again, but he didn't feel like explaining this time. Even so, Harry took his cue, and didn't go into much detail about the past weeks when Professor Sprout asked at the dinner table. Soon she gave up and started to give an account of her own summer instead. Snape tuned out, thinking instead of what the next days would bring.
Albus was supposed to return tomorrow. The Headmaster could be exasperating at times, and Snape knew an 'I told you so' was inevitable when Albus heard he and Harry had learned to get along, but like Poppy, Albus knew when to stop pressing him. Most of the time.
Far worse was Minerva, who would also be arriving tomorrow. If there was one thing he did not want to hear from her, it was 'I told you so'. Next he knew she'd be expecting him to be nice to all the Gryffindors. And she did not know when to stop needling him, or, he suspected, did not care.
Harry had indeed noticed the change in Professor Snape when the other Professors returned. Not that he would've called Snape extremely friendly at any time, but the last few days he'd turned much more irritable again. Not to Harry in particular, and Harry didn't worry it was anything he'd done, but he was still a little disappointed. At dinner on Wednesday, Professor Sprout chatted cheerfully, Snape glowered, and Harry felt quite uncomfortable. Once again, he wished for the summer to be over and for the return of his friends, so he would be sitting among them and not with the staff.
Thursday morning, Harry was in the common room. It was still raining outside. He had just changed out of his muddy clothes, then used a spell to clean the mud he had dripped in the halls –with him as the only student in the castle, Filch would know exactly who to blame if he left it- and he was now carefully cleaning his Firebolt.
He looked up when the portrait swung open. To his surprise, Dumbledore stepped through the opening.
"Headmaster!" he said.
"Well, hello Harry, pleasure to see you again. Lemon drop?" the Headmaster said as he sat down in one of the chairs by the fireplace.
Harry grinned and accepted the sweet. Some things certainly wouldn't change, and he was glad for that.
"I'm surprised you came here, Headmaster," he said.
Dumbledore looked around the room. "Instead of asking you to come to my office?"
Harry nodded.
"Well, there are no students in the castle, and Fawkes is nearing his Burning Day again. I could've used an owl but it's two staircases and a corridor further to the Owlery than to the Gryffindor rooms," the Headmaster pointed out.
That certainly made sense. Harry put his Firebolt down on the table, then sat down and waited to hear what the Headmaster had come to see him for.
"First of all, I owe you an apology," Dumbledore started, once Harry was seated.
"You, sir?" Harry asked.
"I told you to return to the Dursleys. I knew they were not a pleasant people, but I didn't know how bad it was. Now or before."
Harry felt a little embarrassed. "You couldn't have foreseen this, sir," he said. "And even before, Mrs Figg was the one who knew the Dursleys. I don't know I like her much, but you couldn't have known what she didn't tell you. And I didn't tell you everything about them, either."
Harry wasn't sure why he was defending Dumbledore, while he blamed Mrs Figg. Of course, he liked the Headmaster much better. Also, here at Hogwarts he'd been older and Dumbledore certainly was not a friend of the Dursleys; he could've confided in the Headmaster and told more about how the Dursleys treated him.
"I understand that Professor Snape told you Mrs Figg served as your Secretkeeper, and she was to keep an eye on you too. I'm the one who selected Mrs Figg for that task, which makes it my responsibility. It certainly shouldn't have been yours, not now and certainly not when you were younger," Dumbledore said, sounding very definite.
"If you say so," Harry replied, a little unsure.
"I should've listened to Professor McGonagall, she didn't like the Dursleys the night we dropped you off there," Dumbledore added with a rueful smile. "I chose them because I thought you'd be safe there, safe from the Death Eaters, and so they could raise you normally instead of as The Boy Who Lived. Well, some safety that turned out to be, and I now see that you weren't raised 'normally' at all. She'll be mad at me even if you are not, and rightly so."
"I'm not angry at you, sir" Harry repeated. "You really couldn't have known everything."
"Well, thank you Harry," Dumbledore replied. "I honestly regret what happened, but I'm glad you do not hate me for it. You can of course stay here for the Christmas holidays and at the end of the year we'll discuss where you can stay for the summer, with your input of course. Which brings me to the next point, how did it go between you and Professor Snape?"
"I could not possibly hate you, sir," Harry replied, sincerely. "And, well, I think it went pretty much okay. Lots better than I'd thought, anyway." He gave a brief account of the past three weeks, while the Headmaster listened intently.
Dumbledore smiled broadly, his eyes glittering again. "I hoped it would work out," he said.
Harry briefly grinned back, then he remembered the previous dinner. "We got along when it was just the two of us, but I don't know if anything's really changed. As soon as Professor Sprout and Madam Pomfrey returned, Professor Snape became really irritable again."
Dumbledore sighed. "Yes, of course. Professor Snape has been like that for a long time, grouchy and unfair to everyone but those of his own House. I don't know if he'll ever be much friendlier to others. And of course he can't admit he was wrong about you to the entire staff, let alone the students. But you got through to him, and that's a start. Just don't expect any miracles in front of the entire class."
Harry nodded. "I suppose," he replied. Well, it was about all he could've hoped for. He wasn't sure what would happen the coming year, but he hadn't expected Snape to be friendly in front of everyone, or be nice to all of his friends.
"Good," Dumbledore said. "I knew you'd understand. Which is also why I thought you'd manage in the first place. Now, I have a lot to do, but if there's anything you want to talk about, come see me."
"I will, sir," Harry promised.
Dumbledore left. Harry finished cleaning his broomstick, then sat down by the fire to read for a brief while until lunch.
He'd hardly opened his book when he received another visit. This time it was Professor McGonagall, who had also come here rather than sending for him.
"Harry, I am so glad you're okay. I knew something was wrong with those people when I saw them all those years ago." She shook her head. "I should've insisted we find some other family to take you in."
Harry blushed. He felt a little uncomfortable with his Professors apologising to him. And it didn't escape him that the only one who'd been close enough to really know the Dursleys had been the one to come up with the most excuses.
"You couldn't have known," he said again. "But I'm happy I don't have to go back there anymore."
Professor McGonagall nodded briskly. "That goes without saying. You did well coming here." She paused a moment, then continued. "I regret you found so few of us here."
Harry knew of course what she meant, even if she didn't name Professor Snape. And she was likely the last person in all of Hogwarts whom Snape would want to know they'd got along. He shrugged. "We managed," he said, non-commitingly
Professor McGonagall looked doubtful, then sniffed. When Harry did not elaborate, she reached into her robes and pulled out a small object.
"Something else," she said, briskly but with a smile. "With all the trouble with You-Know-Who, I didn't get to send you an owl earlier in the summer like I usually do, but I've chosen you and Hermione as the new Gryffindor Prefects this year."
Harry lighted up. He hadn't expected this at all. He knew Percy had received word early in summer, so when he'd not received any mail from Hogwarts except for the book list, he'd assumed he wouldn't be chosen. He'd thought he'd broken too many school rules, even if it'd usually been for good reasons.
"Thank you, Professor!" he said enthusiastically.
She handed him the small, silver badge with the large P. He took it, examining it and turning it over in his hands. No matter what Fred and George might think, he'd been disappointed when he thought he wouldn't be a Prefect. Sure, he liked to have fun but he also tried to do his best in school. He realised he was grinning like an idiot and turned red. What would Professor McGonagall think if he acted like this? Fortunately, she only gave him a fond smile. He pinned the badge on his robes with a proud grin.
Entering the Great Hall for lunch, he was met by Hagrid. The giant got up from the table, breaking off his talk with Professor Flitwick, walked over to Harry and gave him a big bear hug.
"So good to see you!" Hagrid boomed.
"You too," Harry replied, grinning, when he could breathe again.
"And a Prefect, too. Well, you deserve it," Hagrid said as he noticed Harry's badge, and slapped him on the shoulder.
Harry blushed again, then let himself be led to the table. He gave a detailed account of the incident with his uncle, but once again he brushed over the details of the past weeks. Although he did tell Hagrid lots about his flying sessions. Hagrid hadn't played Quidditch but he was interested in the game, if not quite as much as Ron.
After lunch he went down to the Dungeons like every day before.
"Now that everyone is back, you do not have to come here," Professor Snape told him brusquely. He had scowled all through lunch, sitting at the other side of the table next to Professor McGonagall. Harry had wondered about their seating arrangements, why did the two people who disliked eachother most sit next to eachother? Then, they'd probably had to discuss school business. But it hadn't improved Snape's mood, that much was certain.
"I don't mind, sir," Harry said as he started to set up a cauldron. As per Dumbledore's advice, and his own experiences these past weeks, he didn't start a discussion but simply started work like normal.
Professor Snape nodded just as brusquely as he had spoken, but thawed a little as the afternoon wore on.
At the end of the afternoon, Professor Snape sent Harry to the hospital wing with a large box of potions and antidotes for Madame Pomfrey.
Fortunately there was nothing in the batch he couldn't use a mobiliarca spell on, so all he had to make sure of was that he did not bump into anything. With the box floating next to him, he negotiated a winding staircase and turned the corner to find himself facing Peeves, hanging in the middle of the hall and blocking it. The poltergeist was holding a stick with which he'd been poking at a painting of a small unicorn fowl, which was running through the frame, blowing steam from its tiny nostrils. The sides of the painting were covered in Spellotape, preventing the little creature from running to the next painting.
"Get out of the way," Harry said.
"Oh, still so unfriendly," Peeves replied. "What do you have there?"
Harry was not about to tell him, but Peeves was pretty quick on the uptake.
"Oh, I think I know, all those potions aren't they? Hm, I don't see why they are needed, for most of the students it's an improvement, whatever happens to them in the potions lab."
"You really wouldn't do that," Harry said. "Not if you want to remain at Hogwarts."
Peeves cocked his head. "Ah, I can't be expelled that easy," he said. "And it's so much fun to see the students with all those warts, or boils, or looking all green." He twirled the stick as if to toss it at the box.
Harry had enough. Last time he might've won just by arguing, but then he hadn't been responsible for an entire box full of antidotes, either. He pulled his wand out of his robes.
"Expelliarmus," he called out.
The stick clattered to the ground and Peeves flew backwards, tumbling against the wall, looking shocked. Without further ado, Harry pulled the tether he had on the box and continued on his way.
"That was mean, you don't play by the rules!" Peeves called after him, accusingly, but Harry ignored his protest.
Friday the only noticeable event was the arrival of Mrs Figg –Professor Figg, Harry thought, although he wasn't sure he could think of her like that. Harry managed to avoid her, even if he was perhaps a little obvious about it. Oh well. He'd treat her respectfully in class but he didn't care to be any more friendly than he had to.
Saturday was a busier day. Harry hadn't had any plans of his own, since it was still lousy weather and he'd finished all his own work, but the teachers were very busy with the final preparations and Harry made himself useful where he could. He ran errands, helped Professor Sprout take the last plants out of stasis, went with Hagrid checking the boats the first-years would be using, and sent out a few express owls for Professor McGonagall. Several first year students had waited until the very last moment asking for details on what to bring and how to get to platform nine and three-quarters. It was almost unbelievable that four years ago, he himself had gone to King's Cross station not knowing how to get through the barrier.
Dinner that evening, the last night before the students would arrive, was more formal and elaborate than usual. All teachers and staff were attending, including Filch, who normally did not eat at the staff table. Not that he much any friendlier than usual, but he was there. As was Professor Trelawney. Harry had not seen her at all, and he'd almost forgotten about her. She had forgotten him as well, apparently, because she blinked in surprise when she saw him, and only after a few moments seemed to remember. Harry greeted her friendly enough but then made sure he sat at the other end of the table. To Harry's surprise, even Professor Binns floated down and sat with them, although of course he did not eat.
The food was wonderful and even the mood was pleasant. Those who'd been away from Hogwarts and who were usually more inclined to speak carried the conversation, but even Professor Snape did not scowl as much as usual. Harry enjoyed his meal and the adventures among the Giants Hagrid told him about. For once, they were finished much quicker than he liked.
Sunday was quiet, almost everything had been finished in time –regardless of what it'd looked like the previous day- and to Harry's great pleasure the weather had finally cleared up. He spent some time flying and had a leisurely day, apart from being impatient and excited waiting for evening when the Hogwarts Express would arrive. Professor McGonagall had suggested he ride with the carriages out to the platform, and Harry had jumped at the opportunity. So now he was waiting on the platform in Hogsmeade with Hagrid, who would take the first-years across the lake, as always. He heard the whistle before he saw the purple engine, then it came into sight. It rolled into the tiny station, slowed down, and pulled up to the platform.
AN: Consider this story finished, but yes there will be a sequel covering the school year. I don't like writing a chapter at a time, but I didn't want to wait until I finished writing the entire fifth year either! I'm sorry for the (very) open ending… it was that or make everyone wait until I get done with all the rest! : )
AN2: Thanks for all the reviews so far! Thank you all who enjoyed it, there will be more but it may take a while.. I put a lot of time in my stories and obviously still slip up in places ::grin::
I've fixed the nephew/cousin part, I don't know why I mixed that up. Thanks everyone for pointing that out!
I did kinda forget Sirius.. although I don't hate him he's not one of my favorite characters either, I guess Harry would've written to him. If people missed him I'll try to put him in the sequel but don't expect to see a whole lot of him!
Kateydidn't, I don't know what to do about differences between the movie & interview info, there are several inconsistencies within the HP realm, book/movie, interview/movie, etc… this worked for my plot so I'll stick to the movie version! Moody/Crouch told Harry that bit about using Dobby earlier, right after he took Harry into the castle & before Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall come in. No, it doesn't mention Hermione didn't allow Harry and Ron near the potion, but it doesn't say they actively helped, either… Plus Harry couldn't get his regular 2nd year potion right in the classroom the day Hermione steals the Boomslang skin…. I suppose they might've cut some ingredients, but more likely they lent only moral support. Would you have let them touch it? ;)
Zardiphillian Beryllix, I got punctuation in the summary, do you mean the punctuation in the title? FF.net strips it out, I've been doing my best to fix that but I can't. If there's a trick to do it, let me know.
Draculella, yes, I remembered Professor Binns is a ghost. But since he's so set in his ways he kept right on teaching after he died, I figured he'd also keep going home for the summer, assuming that's what he did when he was alive. We know from the Death Day party ghosts aren't bound to stay in one place as they are in many other books. Oh, and guess who's *really* going to be upset having to change his curriculum the coming year? I haven't decided yet whether his lessons are finally gonna be interesting or whether Binns is gonna be able to make even lessons about Grindelwald and Voldie's earlier reign sound boring, but either way, goblin rebellions & stuff are out!