CHAPTER 6 - SHER AND DRACO
Classes soon became as normal as they could get at Hogwarts.
Snape was now taking as many points from Gryffindors as he could, deriving obvious amusement when he did so, on account of Bertlemon. This was by no means infrequent for despite being quite tolerable at Potions, Sher seemed to have an unquestionable urge to experiment with various ingredients. The results were not always predictable (though Snape could always predict that they would end in disaster).
Once, the class had been filled with green smoke smelling of roses. Snape apparently did not like the sound of houses for he took 25 points off Gryffindor for that.
Another time, the fumes from Sher's cauldron had sent the whole class (excluding Snape, who had gone out for a moment and who, as soon as he saw the pitiable condition his class was in, immediately covered his face with a handkerchief) giggling silly. Snape put its worth at 50 points off Gryffindors.
Soon Snape was sincerely pitying Dumbledore's ex-Potions master for having had to put up with him for seven whole years. He was also now wishing longingly for the time the brat would become Headmaster again.
The Gryffindors who found such mishaps diverting, were not really bothered with the points it cost them. They felt it also took Snape's attention off Neville, whose mistakes were now not being announced to the class.
~*~*~*~*~
Care Of Magical creatures was more intriguing but not less dangerous than before. Hagrid had got with him a number of rare creatures. Only Sher and Hermione were impressed, for only they knew the existence of these creatures.
The first creature they studied was a 'Mandr', (which Harry thought looked like a cross between a Panther and a monkey) which was far more interesting than a flobberworm.
It had a long tail, a furry face with whiskers and it walked on four legs. Its fur was pale blonde, which gleamed, much like Draco's own hair.
"If its face was more pointed and if it walked on two legs, I'm sure I couldn't distinguish between it and Malfoy!" said Ron laughing.
Much to the class' amusement it seemed to have taken a fancy for Draco and imitated all that he did. Draco didn't notice it at first and when he did, he did not share the class' amusement.
He had been animatedly describing the new Quidditch move that he claimed would win him the match against Gryffindors. He made a sweeping movement with his hand. "WHOOSH!" he said.
"WHOOSH!" he heard an echo and turned around to see the Mandr's hand make the same sweeping movement. His face turned red as the entire class, including the Slytherins went into whoops.
Hagrid's beard twitched. "Mandrs are good imitators," he said, by way of explanation.
"I don't want it imitating me!" said Draco scowling.
Those who missed seeing Draco's scowl could see it the next instant reflected on the Mandr's face and the class laughed harder.
Seething with anger and hands clenched, Draco walked purposefully towards the Mandr. He raised his hands but found he couldn't bring it down. He turned around to see Sher wielding his wand, regarding him steadily.
"I don't think it's a good idea to slap a Mandr," Sher said calmly. "I believe you heard Hagrid say just now that they are good imitators."
Draco looked daggers at him, as Sher went on unhurriedly to undo the spell.
"I apologise, Sir. But I think it wouldn't have been a good thing for Malfoy to have paw-marks on his cheeks."
"I don't want you hurting animals in my class in future, Mr.Malfoy and it would do you a lot of good if you paid attention to my words," said Hagrid.
Much to the disappointment of the Gryffindors, they heard the bell from the castle signifying the end of the class.
Scowling, Draco made his way back to the castle with the Slytherins.
"That was bloody brilliant!" exclaimed Ron, clapping Sher on his back.
"Way to go!" cheered Dean and Seamus together.
Sher blushed scarlet.
"Good that you put Malfoy in his place," said Parvati approvingly.
~*~*~*~*~
That night saw celebrations in the Gryffindor Common Room. The news of Sher putting one over Draco had spread throughout the school.
The rumours were such that the Gryffindors had Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs ask them if Sher had bewitched the 'Mandr' to imitate Draco!
Fred, George and Lee decided that it called for celebrations. Hermione (now a prefect) also joined in the celebrations. But when the twins let off crackers, she drew the line and ordered the part to break up, which earned her the doubtful compliment of being compared to Percy.
In the boys' dormitory, the discussion continued.
"That was very impressive," said Neville admiringly.
"There have been only two occasions before this when I've seen Malfoy so bereft of words," said Ron.
"What happened then?" Sher was all curiosity.
"Once when Hermione slapped him."
"Did she really?" asked Sher unable to picture Hermione slapping anybody.
"Yes, when he insulted Hagrid," said Ron and Sher detected a hint of pride in his voice.
"And the second occasion?"
"When he was turned into a ferret,"
"He was what?" asked Sher amazed.
The entire story came out and it had Sher rolling helplessly with laughter.
"Wish I had been there," said Sher.
"Where did you study before?" asked Seamus.
Sher had been sufficiently coached by McGonagall, so he was able to reply without a bat of the eyelid.
"I was in Salem. My parents work for the Department of Mysteries and we have been transferred here unexpectedly."
"Is it something to do with You-Know-Who?" asked Dean Thomas in a whisper.
"Who is this You-Know-Who?" asked Sher, fed-up.
"Don't you know who?" asked Neville in hushed tones.
"NO!" said Sher. "How can I know who, when you don't even mention his name!"
"Voldemort," said Harry quietly.
At that, her felt a sense of discomfort descend upon the room.
"I think we better be getting to bed," said Harry.
Sher badly wanted to know more about Voldemort, but he thought it prudent not to press the matter right now.
~*~*~*~*~
A/N - Thanks to All our reviewers. We highly appreciate your comments and hope that you will continue to provide us with your views.
Classes soon became as normal as they could get at Hogwarts.
Snape was now taking as many points from Gryffindors as he could, deriving obvious amusement when he did so, on account of Bertlemon. This was by no means infrequent for despite being quite tolerable at Potions, Sher seemed to have an unquestionable urge to experiment with various ingredients. The results were not always predictable (though Snape could always predict that they would end in disaster).
Once, the class had been filled with green smoke smelling of roses. Snape apparently did not like the sound of houses for he took 25 points off Gryffindor for that.
Another time, the fumes from Sher's cauldron had sent the whole class (excluding Snape, who had gone out for a moment and who, as soon as he saw the pitiable condition his class was in, immediately covered his face with a handkerchief) giggling silly. Snape put its worth at 50 points off Gryffindors.
Soon Snape was sincerely pitying Dumbledore's ex-Potions master for having had to put up with him for seven whole years. He was also now wishing longingly for the time the brat would become Headmaster again.
The Gryffindors who found such mishaps diverting, were not really bothered with the points it cost them. They felt it also took Snape's attention off Neville, whose mistakes were now not being announced to the class.
~*~*~*~*~
Care Of Magical creatures was more intriguing but not less dangerous than before. Hagrid had got with him a number of rare creatures. Only Sher and Hermione were impressed, for only they knew the existence of these creatures.
The first creature they studied was a 'Mandr', (which Harry thought looked like a cross between a Panther and a monkey) which was far more interesting than a flobberworm.
It had a long tail, a furry face with whiskers and it walked on four legs. Its fur was pale blonde, which gleamed, much like Draco's own hair.
"If its face was more pointed and if it walked on two legs, I'm sure I couldn't distinguish between it and Malfoy!" said Ron laughing.
Much to the class' amusement it seemed to have taken a fancy for Draco and imitated all that he did. Draco didn't notice it at first and when he did, he did not share the class' amusement.
He had been animatedly describing the new Quidditch move that he claimed would win him the match against Gryffindors. He made a sweeping movement with his hand. "WHOOSH!" he said.
"WHOOSH!" he heard an echo and turned around to see the Mandr's hand make the same sweeping movement. His face turned red as the entire class, including the Slytherins went into whoops.
Hagrid's beard twitched. "Mandrs are good imitators," he said, by way of explanation.
"I don't want it imitating me!" said Draco scowling.
Those who missed seeing Draco's scowl could see it the next instant reflected on the Mandr's face and the class laughed harder.
Seething with anger and hands clenched, Draco walked purposefully towards the Mandr. He raised his hands but found he couldn't bring it down. He turned around to see Sher wielding his wand, regarding him steadily.
"I don't think it's a good idea to slap a Mandr," Sher said calmly. "I believe you heard Hagrid say just now that they are good imitators."
Draco looked daggers at him, as Sher went on unhurriedly to undo the spell.
"I apologise, Sir. But I think it wouldn't have been a good thing for Malfoy to have paw-marks on his cheeks."
"I don't want you hurting animals in my class in future, Mr.Malfoy and it would do you a lot of good if you paid attention to my words," said Hagrid.
Much to the disappointment of the Gryffindors, they heard the bell from the castle signifying the end of the class.
Scowling, Draco made his way back to the castle with the Slytherins.
"That was bloody brilliant!" exclaimed Ron, clapping Sher on his back.
"Way to go!" cheered Dean and Seamus together.
Sher blushed scarlet.
"Good that you put Malfoy in his place," said Parvati approvingly.
~*~*~*~*~
That night saw celebrations in the Gryffindor Common Room. The news of Sher putting one over Draco had spread throughout the school.
The rumours were such that the Gryffindors had Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs ask them if Sher had bewitched the 'Mandr' to imitate Draco!
Fred, George and Lee decided that it called for celebrations. Hermione (now a prefect) also joined in the celebrations. But when the twins let off crackers, she drew the line and ordered the part to break up, which earned her the doubtful compliment of being compared to Percy.
In the boys' dormitory, the discussion continued.
"That was very impressive," said Neville admiringly.
"There have been only two occasions before this when I've seen Malfoy so bereft of words," said Ron.
"What happened then?" Sher was all curiosity.
"Once when Hermione slapped him."
"Did she really?" asked Sher unable to picture Hermione slapping anybody.
"Yes, when he insulted Hagrid," said Ron and Sher detected a hint of pride in his voice.
"And the second occasion?"
"When he was turned into a ferret,"
"He was what?" asked Sher amazed.
The entire story came out and it had Sher rolling helplessly with laughter.
"Wish I had been there," said Sher.
"Where did you study before?" asked Seamus.
Sher had been sufficiently coached by McGonagall, so he was able to reply without a bat of the eyelid.
"I was in Salem. My parents work for the Department of Mysteries and we have been transferred here unexpectedly."
"Is it something to do with You-Know-Who?" asked Dean Thomas in a whisper.
"Who is this You-Know-Who?" asked Sher, fed-up.
"Don't you know who?" asked Neville in hushed tones.
"NO!" said Sher. "How can I know who, when you don't even mention his name!"
"Voldemort," said Harry quietly.
At that, her felt a sense of discomfort descend upon the room.
"I think we better be getting to bed," said Harry.
Sher badly wanted to know more about Voldemort, but he thought it prudent not to press the matter right now.
~*~*~*~*~
A/N - Thanks to All our reviewers. We highly appreciate your comments and hope that you will continue to provide us with your views.