Chapter 4, Canaries and Patronus

The three friends were on their way from the Great Hall to the Gryffindortower after dinner, they were discussing their day.

"I think Care of Magical Creatures is going to be fun this year." Hermione said ignoring the noises Ron made. "I'm glad Hagrid has finally found some animals we can enjoy."

"Enjoy? They are almost worst than the Blast Ended Skrewts. Did you see how they attacked me, all of them?" Ron looked absolutely appalled by Hermione's words, which made Harry laugh.

"They are cute little animals and they wouldn't hurt a fly. They wanted to make you feel better Ron." Harry chuckled. Ron shook his head.

"They attacked me and they are not nice creatures." Ron muttered under his breath. Harry felt a little bit sorry for his friend, Hermione apparently felt the same because she put her arm through Ron's.

"Don't worry Ron we will help you next lesson." She said while they walked to the Fat Lady.

"Dream catcher" Harry said to the Fat Lady who swung open after a friendly smile.

"Go in my dears." And that was what they did, they started their Potions homework. They needed to choose a potion they would make for their final exam this year. How more difficult the potion was the higher the maximum score you could get. They had spent the whole summer researching potions to decide which potion they would make. Harry already knew, he had chosen a difficult Healing Potion, it was used to counteract the effects of many form of torture like the Cruciatus curse. Ron had also chosen a rather difficult potion to Harry's surprise. Harry had not said a word when Ron chose a Tracking Potion, but he was impressed by Ron, Hermione had a good influence on him. If they did their potion perfect they would both get 110 %. Hermione on the other hand had not made a decision yet.

"Which potion do you think I should choose I could do the Obedience Potion which I can do easily but that is only worth 120 % or I do the Powercontainment Potion which is worth 150 %." Hermione asked both boys.

"Which potion do you really want to do Hermione" Ron asked looking up from his potion book.

"I would love to make the Wolfsbane potion but it is not listed so I don't know how many points I would get for it." Hermione answered looking a little bit flustered.

"You could ask Professor McGonagall if you can do that potion. Or you could always ask Snape." Ron said with a laugh Harry knew Snape would not like it if Hermione came asking about the Wolfsbane-potion. Harry decided he had done enough Potions for the day.

"Hey Ron do you want to play a game of chess. Than we can discus our little Canary problem." Harry said while he put his books aside, Ron looked up and followed suit. Hermione looked at her friends.

"Which Canary problem? What are you going to do?" She asked her face said that she rather not hear it.

" We want to take some revenge on Malfoy. Ron wanted to see him in yellow feathers. And I told him I could arrange that." Harry said after a quick glance around the common room to make sure nobody was listening. Hermione shook her head but leaned in eagerly to listen.

"First we need to decide how we are going to do it I think the Great Hall will be the perfect place." Harry started.

"No way Harry, you know what Dumbledore said no Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes outside the common rooms." Hermione said looking worried.

"Don't worry technical speaking this isn't a Wizard Wheezes, they haven't market it yet." Harry replied while he pulled out a big bottle, it contained a clear liquid.

"What is it?" Ron asked "and why isn't it not on the market."

"This my friends is L'eau de Canari and we are going to test it. Your brothers requested thorough testing on for instant Slytherin or Professor Snape." Harry said with a laugh.

"L'eau de Canari?" Ron asked with raised eyebrows, "does it do the same as Canary Crèmes?"

"Yes, your brothers discovered a small problem with their Canary Crèmes. Almost everybody recognizes them and that means nobody buys them anymore, so they decided to market it this way." Harry gestured to the bottle "just a few drops in anything and poof instant Canary." Both Hermione and Ron could no longer contain their laughter.

"Imagine what we can do with this" Ron said in awe "they won't know what hit them."

"I tried it in the vacation on Remus and Sirius, they searched the whole house for Canary Crèmes they were sure they didn't eat any Crèmes I think they still don't know how it could happen." Harry said still smiling.

"So you think we are allowed to use this?" Hermione asked sounding a little unsure.

"Yes it isn't a Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, so we can use it outside the common room and we are allowed to pull pranks on other students remember." Harry said revering to their fifth year. In that year they discovered, or rather Hermione discovered a small rule in the Hogwarts book of rules. That book had become Hermione's favourite book, it contained all the rules students needed to follow. The rule Hermione found was a rule on pranks. 

Rule 408, Tricks and pranks

A student is allowed to pull a prank or trick on an other student or a member of staff. The following rules must be respected.

1. The prank or trick must not cause any permanent damage to the victim, including death.

2. The prank or trick must not cause any permanent damage to property other then that of the perpetrator.

3. The prank or trick must end within 5 days, the perpetrator must provide antidotes if needed.

4. The prank or trick must not influence the teachings in this school.

5. The perpetrator is responsible for cleaning up any residue of the prank or trick.

Individual tricks and pranks can be forbidden, requests have to be accepted by the Headmaster

Hermione found good use for the book. if you know all the rules it is easer to find loopholes so you can be a good prefect by always following the rules but at the same time having fun she said.

"So we can do this." Ron started, Harry put up his hand to silence him two second years came walking to them.

"Hermione, can you help us with our potion assignment? None of us understands any of it." The young girl asked, Hermione was used to it they always asked her for help.

"I will help you when I am finished here, Rose." Hermione answered the two girls, they both looked relieved and walked away.

"They really like you, do you know that Hermione?" Ron said proud. "But further with the task ahead, how are we going to do it."

"Very simple," Harry replied with a smile "we are going to spike the Slytherin pumpkin juice."

"But if they see one of them change they won't drink or eat any more?" Hermione asked.

"Don't worry the twins have toughed about that there is a time delay, it takes the body about 2 minutes to completely absorb it and they won't know were it came from they will go and look for the Crèmes so the pumpkin juice will not be suspected immediately." Harry explained. "Ron and I will do it Friday evening, you have to make sure nobody finds out were we went."

"Ok, you leave Hermione. Go and help your little friends." Ron said after Hermione kept looking at her watch and the group of seconds years in the corner. Hermione left the table immediately and Ron picked up the bottle.

"That must be enough for the whole house," Ron said "does it have any taste?"

"It tastes sweet and a little bit like vanilla," Harry said "I tried it when I got the first sample."

"How many things have the twins send you to try?" Ron asked curious.

"A whole box full of new inventions I'll show you later." Harry said. "But first we need to plan, we will go to the kitchen before dinner on Friday and just wait for the fun to start. And no lets concentrate at this game of chess I feel lucky tonight."  an hour and four lost games later Harry gave up.

"I just can't beat you, but one day you will loose I promise, you will loose." Harry said, his finger pointed at Ron's chest. "You just wait."

***

The next days went by swiftly before they knew it, it was Thursday their first Defence lesson. They were the first ones and took seats in front of the class, they talked as they sat waiting for Remus.

"What kind of a teacher is Professor Lupin, Lucius was very angry when he heard he would be teaching, I know he is a werewolf." Anna said softly, Anna had become a sort of friend, she and Hermione got along very good and the two of them talked a lot about everything. Harry suspected that Hermione liked the idea of having a female friend, she had good contact with Ginny but Ginny was more like a younger sister.

"Remus is cool, he is one of the best Defence teachers we ever had." Harry said enthusiastically

"Thank you Harry, I'm glad I'm cool," a soft voice said from the door. "but it would be better if you called me Professor Lupin when we are in class." The four friends looked up to the door. In front of the door stood Remus he was dressed in dark blue robes, he looked very young as he stood there in the door laughing at Harry. Harry was happy that Remus looked that young it didn't happen to often that the young side of Remus came out in front of strangers.

"You must be Anna." he said to Anna offering his hand. "I heard you are a good student. I hope you will do well in today's lesson." After those words he looked around, the room was slowly filling with students, Gryffindor had these classes together with Ravenclaw.

"Please sit down," he started the lesson after he closed the door after the last student he began with reading out the names.

"I know that all most all of you remember who I am and why I left the last time. I imagine you have some questions about that. I think it will be wise if I explain something about it. First of all, I will be absolutely safe, I use the Wolfsbane potion, I understand you all learned about it two years ago." Remus sat on his desk looking at his students.  "Professor Snape or Professor Dumbledore will be there when I drink the potion so I can't forget it. I also will be locked in my office. If there are any questions please ask them, I want to be sure that you feel safe." Nobody dared to ask anything, until Harry realised something.

"Eh Professor who will be replacing you on the days of the full moon?" Harry asked afraid of what the answer would be.

"Professors Snape, Flitwick and McGonagall will take over those classes. I don't precisely know if you will have classes the day after the full moon. But I do know that Professor Snape won't substitute this class, he has first year Gryffindor and Ravenclaw at this hour." He answered with a smile, he gave a small wink to Harry before he walked to the board

"If there are anymore questions don't be afraid to ask them." he looked at the class nobody reacted. "This year I will be teaching you al kinds of shielding. I know you already learned some but the most difficult ones are left for me to teach. We will begin with the Patronus. What does the Patronus do?" Remus looked at the class, Harry noticed all the hands had gone up in the air, it was expected from this class. Last year the school had been under attack from the Dementors, those who could conjure a Patronus were asked to help with the defence. The Dementors were defeated when all the Patronus from the staff and a few students were combined. Ginny, Ron and Hermione had learned to conjure their Patronus when they first heard of the escape of the Dementors.  

"Ok Terry would you please tell the class what it is." Remus pointed at Terry Boot.

"A Patronus is a guardian which can act like a shield. It is a projection of your happiest, most positive feeling." Terry answered.

"Very good, where do you use the Patronus for?" Remus asked again all the hands shot up in the air. "Seamus would you please answer this question."

"It is mainly used to drive Dementors away." Seamus answered.

"Almost correct  Seamus but there is a group of things it can be used against not only Dementors. Does any one what that is?" Harry knew the answer and put his hand up so did Hermione and Ron a few Ravenclaws too and to Harry's surprise Neville. Even tough Neville had become a reasonable good wizard, he was above average all of his classes except Potions, he still didn't like to answer questions.

"Neville?" Remus looked friendly at Neville.

"A Patronus  is used against everything that is based on negative feelings. Curses and creatures. It doesn't work on Potions because they work from inside out" Neville said softly

"Very good Neville." Neville looked like he was going to burst with proud.

"Who knows what shape the Patronus takes?" Harry put up his hand again, this time Remus pointed to him.

"The form is deferent for each person, it is always somebody of something that is of great influence on your live, it can be your parent or your lover. It doesn't change, so it can be that today it doesn't make sense but one day you might know what it stands for."

"Very good Harry. I will now demonstrate the Patronus."

"Expecto Patronum," a sliver stag and a big silver dog shot out of the wand and started to walk in front of Remus. Harry was very surprised, Remus had both Prongs and Padfood to protect him. Behind him he heard some whispering

"There are two and why does he have a Grim as Patronus?" it was Terry talking to his  friend. Harry looked at Ron and both of them started laughing. Remus looked a little annoyed at the two boys.

"Please tell me what is so funny about my Patronus that you have to laugh." He said sternly. Harry tried to stop laughing but couldn't.

"Terry wondered why there were two and why one was a Grim. I found that funny revering to cute little Padfood as a Grim." Harry looked at Remus, Remus knew the story of  Harry's first few encounters with Padfood. He also started to laugh.

"I'm sorry Terry, your question is very logical. I'll explain. My Patronus consist of two animals because they represent two of my best friends, they had very big influence in my life. And the reason Harry laughed was, because although he looks like a Grim Padfood is not a Grim and Harry once also made that mistake."

" He is no Grim, he is merely an ex-convict by the name Sirius Black." Ron muttered under his breath. Remus's keen hearing heard Ron muttering.

"Ron would you repeat your comment out loud." Remus looked very annoyed now.

"I said that it was only an ex convict by the name Sirius Black." Ron said still smiling. The class looked at Professor Lupin in shock.

"Yeah I know Sirius Black and he happens to be part of my Patronus. But we are not going to discus why. Ok let's go on with the lesson. today we are going to practice the spell and focusing on a happy thought. I would not worry if you can't do the spell. it is very hard to find the right emotion and concentrating on that. But we will try." Remus said looking at the class, Harry looked around he wondered who would be able to do it.

"I know there are a few of you who have done this before." Remus smiled at Harry Ron and Hermione. "I want those of you who can create a Patronus to step forward and show the class your Patronus." To Harry's surprise the three of them were not the only ones, Lisa Turpin a Ravenclaw girl also stepped forward. She had not been able to do it last year. But than again a lot of students had started to learn certain spells on their own.

"Ok we will start with Ron if you will conjure your Patronus and explain to use why it is that form." Remus pointed at a free space he had made for this purpose.

"Expecto Patronum" Ron yelled and out of his wand came a bird it flew in front of him it was a beautiful dove. It stayed there for a few seconds before disappearing again. Harry knew Ron's happy toughed was the first kiss he and Hermione shared. The class applauded and Ron became red.

"Ron, what can you tell us about your Patronus?" Remus asked

"Nothing, I do not know why it takes on this form. I have been thinking about it all year but I haven't found the answer yet." Ron said still a little red. Remus nodded.

"Don't worry one day you will know why it takes on this form. Ok Lisa you are next."

Lisa's Patronus turned out to be an eagle she told it was because the eagle was the house mascot of Ravenclaw and that Ravenclaw was her home and her life. Hermoine's Patronus made the whole class laugh, Ron and Harry already knew what it was and had teased her repeatedly with it.

"Why is your Patronus Hogwarts castle Hermione" Remus asked surprised.

"I think because it stands for everything I want to become it will always be a special place for me in my heart." Hermione replied after the laughter died down. Finally it was Harry's turn he summoned his happiest toughed: the day he heard Sirius had been cleared and Harry could live with him.

"Expecto Patronum" Harry spoke softly a beautiful silver stag appeared Harry put his hand up the stag walked to him he could almost caress it. Harry felt the love for the stag, and then it disappeared. the whole class was silent.

"That was awesome" Dean said in awe. "But why do you have the same stag as Professor Lupin has?"

"The stag is my father who was an Animagus. He was also a friend of Professor Lupin." Harry replied softly. Remus looked at Harry nodded to him.

"You can sit down the rest will start practicing and if they need some help you can help." Remus said and he walked between the benches giving the students some help. Harry walked to Neville

"How are you doing?" He asked the boy. Neville looked relaxed.

"I really going to like this lesson look I can do this spell" Neville said sounding very happy.

"Expecto Patronum" Neville bellowed, out of his wand shot a whisk of silver smoke. Harry was really impressed there were not many people who could do it the first time.

"I'm very impressed Neville." Harry said

"I am too Neville, but I expected you to do well," Remus stood behind Harry, "your parents were very good at this too." Neville looked at Remus surprised.

"You knew my parents?" He asked, his eyes big as saucers.

"Yeah, I knew your mother very good and your father too. Stay after class and I can tell you about them, Harry if you want to stay you may, I think you will like the stories too." Remus said before he walked to the front of the class.

"The class is nearly over, your homework will be to write about what you expect your Patronus will look like, if you have now idea then you can write about your parents Patronus." Remus looked around while the class slowly emptied.

"Harry, are you coming?" Ron asked from the door.

"No I want talk to Remus." Harry looked at Remus, who shook his finger at Harry.

"I toughed I told you to call me Professor Lupin when we were in class," he laughed when Ron shook his head and left the classroom, "now you are allowed to call me Remus" he added.

"Come sit down and I will tell you about your parents. Neville what do you know about your parents?" Remus called a house elf and ordered some lunch when the three sat down.

"I know not much about the time they spent on school, my grandmother don't like talking about my parents."  Neville replied.

"I will tell you both the story of when I first met them. It was the first time I would go with the Hogwarts Express, I was very nerves to get on the train. I did not know what I could expect, if I could make any friends and what house I would get into. I found an empty compartment and sat down, after five minutes two boys who could have been brothers were ushered in to the compartment by a beautiful girl, a little bit older than me.  She introduced her self and the boys, told me to keep an eye on them and left to go sit by her friends. That was the first time I met Sirius, James and your mother, Neville." Harry looked in shock at Remus.

'Why did Neville's mother ask you to keep an eye on my father, where did they know each other from?" Harry asked surprised.     

"Neville's mum and your dad were cousins, they practical grew up together." Remus smiled at the boys.

"But that means Neville and I are related." Harry sounded surprised.

"Yes Neville's mum is the closest relative you have on your fathers side. We didn't tell you because of the situation it is safer that not everybody knows who your Wizarding relatives are"

"That's cool Neville, we are second cousins or something like that." Harry said very proud, Neville looked in shock.

"Harry did Sirius ever talk about Poison Ivy or Phoenix?" Remus asked Harry, Harry shook his head.

"Why would he talk about poison ivy?" he replied.      

"Let me explain. Neville, you have your gift for plants from your mother, she was the best Herbology student to ever walk the Hogwarts halls. Everybody expected her to become the next Herbology teacher here. Her nickname was Poison Ivy curtsey of Sirius Black." Remus smiled at the boy.

"My parents knew Sirius Black?" Neville asked surprised.

"Yeah, Sirius Black and James Potter grew up together, both living in Godrics Hollow, your mother also lived there. They were the only Wizarding children in town so they played together a lot. Your mother and Sirius were like water and fire. They loved each other like siblings would, but at the same time they could not stand each other. If your mother lost her temper Sirius would be covered in poison ivy, hence the nickname Poison Ivy."

"Your mother has always been the one of the very few girls in Hogwarts that could withstand Sirius charms." Remus laughed. "I think the other one was Harry's mother." Harry watched Neville from the corner of his eyes, Neville looked curious, eager to know everything, Harry felt sorry for the boy he knew nothing about his parents, even though his family raised him.

"What was my mother like?" Neville asked.

"Your mother was very smart, always top of her class, she was an excellent flyer, Chaser on the Gryffindor team. But she also was very bossy, she could scare anybody, even Sirius. We were very surprised that she fell in love with your father, he was the complete opposite of your mother." Remus answered.

"Your father was also a good student his specialty was Defence Against the Dark Arts and Astrology, your father just loved the stars. You unfortunately inherent his Potion skills, your father just could not do Potions no matter how hard he tried. He was also very shy, silent and unfortunately very clumsy. But once you got to know him, he was the best friend you could have, always helping people, all the girls adored him and the boys liked him because he was so easy going. It was in their 6th year we found out Phoenix had a major crush on Frank, Neville's mum and dad." Remus added after Harry gave a question look.

"Sirius and James teased her merciless for two months, Frank didn't notice anything until they put some banners in the Great Hall which said Phoenix and Frank forever. Phoenix was so angry she hung Sirius and James from their brooms with poison ivy, they spent two days in the hospital covered with one of the nastiest rashes I have ever seen."

"Oh, this is nice some blackmail material about Sirius." Harry said while he drank his tea.

"Yeah, he hate it when you remind him of it. Phoenix finally asked Frank out after that and the rest is history. It turned out that your mother made your father less shy and your father made your mother more easygoing, they were perfect for each other. You look like your father and also have his character." Remus said to Neville Harry was thinking about something.

"Remus you said you expected Neville to do good with the Patronus, because his parents could do them." Harry asked, Neville nodded questioning.

"Both Neville's mum and dad could produce very powerful Patronus, Frank's was a starry sky and Phoenix had poison ivy. So I expected Neville to do well on this too."

"What were my parents Patronus's?" Harry asked curious he wanted to know what they were.

"Your father had Moony and Padfood, just like Sirius had Moony and Prongs." Remus replied a toughed full glaze on his face. A question came to Harry's mind one that had been there since the first time he had seen Remus Patronus.

"Why is Wormtail not part of the Patronus? " Harry asked Remus softly.

"We wondered that too when we first did it. Peter's Patronus contained only Wormtail, we toughed it was because he was not as powerful as Prongs, Padfood and Moony, now I know it was because Wormtail would never have protected us." A very sad look came over Remus face it made him look so much older than he was. Neville looked blank to the two in front of him, he looked like he knew something was going on, something he was not part of.

"Who are these people you're talking about, in class you also talked about Padfood." Neville asked quietly, he sounded like he didn't want to interrupt.

"Padfood is the nickname of my godfather, Sirius Black, Prongs was my father's nickname and Moony was Remus's nickname. Wormtail is the nickname of Peter Pettigrew who as you probably know was an Animagus rat." Harry said the last part with disgust in his voice.

"I'm sorry" Neville looked really sorry for Harry.

"Don't worry, I can talk about it now, I spend a whole summer talking about my family. But I still wonder what my mum's Patronus is." Harry said he put his hand on Neville's shoulder.

"We found your mums Patronus very funny, just like you laughed at Hermione's, I was so surprised when I saw hers, because she is not first person I know with Hogwarts as there Patronus." Remus said laughing, "your mother had also Hogwarts as Patronus." Harry's mouth dropped

"You mean Hermione and my mum have the same Patronus, you're kidding." Harry said still very surprised.

"Yes, I think it has something to do with being Muggleborn, Hogwarts is very important for Muggleborn wizards and witches." Remus replied he picked up a sandwich from the plate in front of him. "Come you must eat something you have lessons in half an hour. What is your afternoon class?"

"We have our extra classes," Harry replied, the 7th years had some extra classes like duelling, flying and Apparating. "Today we have flying, Madam Hooch asked me to help her with the class, in four weeks time we can get our Flying licence." Neville became very white.

"I almost forgot, I really don't think I'm going to survive this afternoon." Neville said depressed.

"Don't worry, Neville think about it, your mother was a chaser, you must be able to stay up on the broom." Harry said with a smile, "You just wait, you are going to do fine. But we need to go now I need to pick up my broom," Harry said "Remus thanks for lunch and we will talk again, I need to get some nice things to tease Padfood with."

"If any of you wants to talk about your parents you can come to me." Remus said while they left the classroom.

"We will," Neville replied when the two of them rounded the corner.