Chapter 22:  Library Detentions and Christmas Cheer 

            The rest of the week passed rather uneventfully at the castle, unless Fred and George's attempts at startling the mysterious new professor at every turn counted as being an uproar (though the Filibuster Fireworks in Burdock's split pea soup did cause a bit of a stir, even if the man merely blinked and muttered something about colorful food).  Harry had managed to escape the clutches of Madam Pomfrey, convincing her that he was able to walk about on his own without assistance.  Draco didn't leave until two days after the incident, and Harry assumed he was milking his injuries for everything they were worth.  In fact, Harry was surprised that Lucius Malfoy hadn't shown up at the school, ranting and raving about the mistreatment of his precious baby boy, though he had a sneaking suspicion that word of what had really happened hadn't gotten to the Malfoys. 

            Secret Santa's had been pulled, and needless to say, Harry was not so pleased with his selection.  He adamantly refused to give Ron the slightest hint of who it was, even though Ron had told him immediately that he had gotten the third year Ravenclaw girl, Pamela Mortensen. 

            "Come on, Harry," Ron pleaded, "One hint?  A letter of the first name?  Last name?  Please?  I told you!  It's only fair that you tell me." 

But Harry simply shook his head stubbornly.  "You'll find out at the end of this week, along with everyone else." 

"It's not me, is it? Because if it is, I can tell you what I want for Christmas."  Ron said hopefully.

"Nope, it's not you.  And besides, I already have your present." Harry said pointedly, trying to end this conversation. 

"Okay then, who is it?"  Ron persisted.

"No, Ron.  Just let it go.  Let's play some chess, okay?" Harry supplied, knowing that Ron's favorite game would take his mind off of pestering Harry for information.  In truth, Harry was curious about who had gotten him.  Please don't let it be Snape.  He shuddered at the thought of what the dour Potions Master might give him as a Christmas present.  An image of dark eyes glittering evilly down at him over a malicious smile, as the smooth voice said happily, 'Rest of the year in detention with Filch.  Merry Christmas, Potter,' jumped unbidden into Harry's mind, causing him to shiver again.  No thank you.  I think I'll pass on that, Professor. 

Actually, Harry wondered why neither he nor Draco had received any kind of punishment for causing a fight in the hallway.  Or, he wondered until after lunch one day when Dumbledore pulled both he and Malfoy to the side.

"Now, you two," he started, and Harry felt his heart plummet.  From the look on Malfoy's face, he was experiencing the same thing as well.  Dumbledore chuckled slightly.  "Don't act as if I'm about to sign for your execution, boys.  However, I must designate some kind of detention for fighting on school grounds.  I have already spoken to Professor Burdock, who has so graciously accepted your help in the setting up of his syllabus.  That entails spending a few hours in the library each day with the Professor until he has finished preparing for the upcoming semester.  Is that acceptable?"

Harry nodded in agreement.  That wasn't too bad of a punishment.  Spending time in the library was far better than cleaning out the Infirmary chamber pots without magic, even if it did mean having to help out a professor who was kind of creepy.  Kind of creepy is putting it mildly, Potter, and you know it.  The truth is the guy's scarier than Mad Eye Moody.  Well, at least he hasn't been throwing around curses at every opportunity and attacking suspicious shadows.  Malfoy nodded as well, despite the glower on his face, and Dumbledore's own face broke into a wide smile, his blue eyes sparkling as merrily as ever. 

"Wonderful!  Glad that's settled then.  Now, if you just go over and have a word with Professor Burdock, he'll let you know when he wants you to be in the library.  Very good, off you go." 

Burdock, on the other hand had been slightly less jovial about Harry and Draco joining him in the library.  "Meet me there after lunch.  I won't keep you too long; personally I prefer to conduct research on my own." He said brusquely before waving them away. 

Draco rolled his eyes slightly as they walked away from the reclusive professor.  "That man's worse than Snape."

Harry cast a surprised glance at his "enemy."  Draco snorted.  "Don't give me that look, Potter.  What the hell does it matter what I think of Snape, anyway?  He'll just keep giving Slytherin points and turning a blind eye to our misdeeds no matter what I might say about him."  With that Draco sauntered off, leaving a somewhat confused Harry. 

The week settled into almost a routine for Harry.  Up every morning for breakfast, and then, depending on the weather, a quick flight around the Quidditch field with Ron or a game of chess in front of the common room fire, then lunch, and then to the library for a couple of hours, where he and Draco spent most of their time lugging large volumes up and down the aisles to Professor Burdock.  To tell the truth, Harry couldn't even begin to guess what the silent Defence Against the Dark Arts professor had planned for them.  He had Harry and Draco bring him books on everything from how to cure simple boil curses, to how to fight off Lethifolds. [1]  He even had Harry dig up an old parchment on the uses of Muggle floor wax (which included protecting the house from Runespoors[2], while at the same time giving the rooms a lovely pine scent.) 

They rarely talked, and except for when Burdock pointed out what he wanted to have brought to him, the two-hour library sessions usually passed by in a relatively companionable silence.   Even Draco seemed to settle comfortably into the silence, only trying to start an argument with Harry once during the first session, a scuffle which had been efficiently quelled by Burdock's dark glare at the two boys, who looked down at the ground and went about what they were supposed to be doing. 

            The Friday before Christmas, Harry found the nerve somehow to ask Burdock a question.

            "Er…Professor?"  He twisted the folds of his school robes nervously.  Draco looked up from the book he'd been perusing (Arthur Jensen's 100 Tips on How to Impress Your Friends and Embarrass Your Enemies), his gray eyes puzzled at the sight of Harry approaching the thus far unapproachable Burdock.  Burdock stopped his writing and looked up at Harry as well, though his expression was unreadable. 

            "Yes, what is it, Potter?"  His voice was as easy to read as his voice, and Harry swallowed hard. 

            "I…was…er…I was wondering if tomorrow…" Harry stammered, cursing himself for not being able to speak in a full, coherent sentence.  Burdock merely arched an eyebrow in a way reminiscent of Snape, and Harry swallowed hard.  This isn't making it any easier, him acting so much like Snape…  "I was thinking, that, since tomorrow's Christmas Eve, if we are going to need to come back to the library…" 

            Draco snorted and returned his gaze to his book.  Burdock raised both eyebrows this time.  "Of course not, Potter.  It is Christmas, and I certainly am not Scrooge," This time it was Harry's turn to raise his eyebrows at the mention of the Muggle character, but Burdock ignored that and continued, "I do believe Headmaster Dumbledore has planned some sort of expedition into Hogsmeade for those who wish to do a bit of last minute shopping.  You are freed from your detention duties by 2 o'clock this afternoon."  With that, Burdock looked back down at his parchment, barely acknowledging Harry's stammered 'Thank you,' and continued writing. 

            The next day, Harry and Ron waited in the Main Hall with Fred, George, and Ginny for the rest of the group going into Hogsmeade to join them.  They were bundled up in their winter robes and scarves, chattering eagerly about what they planned to buy in town.  Fred and George were, of course, going to visit their favorite joke shop. 

            "We've got to come up with some new ideas to get this Burdock chap." Fred explained.

            "Yeah, if anyone needs some Christmas cheer, it's Burdock." George said with an evil grin.  Harry groaned inwardly, deciding he didn't want to know what sort of Christmas cheer the twins had in store for the silent professor. 

            "Well, I want to visit the robe shop.  I need to have my hems let out a bit." Ron explained.  Harry looked up at his best friend who now towered about five inches higher than he.  It seemed Harry was to forever remain short, unless, by some miracle, he was hit by the same growth spurt that plagued his redheaded friend. 

            "Now, you see, I would get new robes.  But, wait a minute, you probably couldn't afford those, could you, Weasel?" The sound of a new voice caused them to turn their heads and see Draco, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle (of course) emerging from the stairs leading to the dungeons.  Ron growled something undecipherable, and Harry rolled his eyes.  Not again. 

            "Hey, Weasley, don't that many patches in one set of robes negate their purpose of protection against the elements?" Draco continued.  Ron seemed about to move forward when the doors to the Hall opened, allowing a blast of cold air to hit everyone inside.  Ginny jumped back, hiding behind the twins and wrapping her arms around her against the cold.  Everyone looked to see who had interrupted the almost fight. 

            "Percy?" Ron was the first to speak, "What the bloody hell are you doing here?"

[1] Lethifolds can be found in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

[2]  Runespoors can also be found in FBWFT (I love that book!)  And, it's not really mentioned if floor wax is used to protect houses against them, it's just something I made up.  Let's call it artistic license, okay?  ^_^

A/N:  Hey everyone, it seems I am still alive and breathing out here!  Yep.  It's amazing.  Anywho, I feel really bad for not having posted sooner than this, things just happened here.  Let's just say the defecation hit the ventilation all at once and leave it at that.  But, besides that, here we go, another chapter.  (And there was much rejoicing.  yaaay…)  I guess it wasn't much of a surprise that Percy showed up…but what the hey, right?  Okay, so sorry about the looooong wait, and the not so much appearance of Snapey in the past chapter (he'll be showing up soon, no worries!).  And yes, I do know that I didn't actually say who is Harry's Secret Santa.  But, here's a secret…it's a surprise!  Mwahaha!  Hope you enjoyed, and hope to have another chapter up soon.  Don't worry, I haven't given up on this!