Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter Characters or anything else from the books. I do own the plot and the new characters.
Author's Notes: This is an alternate universe fiction. There will be angst, action/adventure, drama, humor, and romance(eventually). This story is rated R so I don't get myself into any trouble with what I write. Thanks to those unsung heroes who proof read this story. This story will contain child abuse, violence, possible *slash*, suicidal characters, torture, murder, and right now I do not know what else.
( ) indicates a characters thoughts. Italics indicates telepathy or mind speech.
Synopsis: Harry returns to #4 Privet Drive after his day of shopping with Hagrid and is attacked by Vernon Dursley. At the same time Lucius Malfoy beats Draco for his attitude towards Harry in Madam Malkin's Robes. These events change the course of history in this universe. Read to find out more.
Chapter 5: Grudges
Draco allowed Brian and Tony to help him shower the next morning. He sat in the common room as he waited for them to come back to take him to breakfast. Hearing someone coming from the dorms, Draco stood up and headed toward the new arrivals.
Unafraid of tripping, after Professor Snape's lecture, Draco hurried toward his fellow Slytherins, only to trip over a stack of textbooks and plummet toward the stone floor. He threw his arms out to stop himself, however they only slowed his fall. A ragged gasp escape his throat in anticipation of his face being smashed against the floor. Draco held his breathe waiting for the impact that would come at any second.
The boy's head collided with something soft that grunted in response.
"You okay, Draco?" Tony gasped, Draco sprawled across him.
"Tony? What happened?"
"You tripped over some books,"
"Oh! Shit! Where's Snape?"
"What are you worried about? He's not going to give you a detention," Tony replied.
"You on the other hand, Mr. Roberts, will be receiving one," Professor Snape snarled as he stepped through the entrance.
"Professor, I tripped, Tony caught me," Draco wailed.
"What did Draco trip over?"
"A pile of books," Brian replied.
"Whose?" Snape snarled.
Brian opened the covers of several of the books.
"Crabbe and Goyle," Brian smirked.
"Very well, Roberts, Anderson accompany Draco to the Great Hall. I will deal with the imbeciles," Severus scowled as he stared at the door to the boys' dormitories.
Tony and Brian helped Draco to his feet, only to discover blood on his hands and the knees of his robes.
"Professor, Draco's hurt. May we take him to the hospital wing?" Brian asked.
Snape took one look at Draco and growled deep in his throat. Brian swallowed.
"Yes, and then to breakfast, if Madam Pomfrey does not keep him."
**********
Harry was sitting in the Great Hall, by himself, Kenny, Cody, and the Quads had gone to see their uncle. Fred and George were sending an owl to their mother and the other first year boys were still in the showers.
"If it isn't Scarecrow Potter!" Hindes bellowed as he, Crabbe, and Goyle entered.
A chill ran down Harry's spine as the three boys made their way over to him.
"Well, what do we have here? All alone, Potter?" Hindes snickered as he stopped behind Harry.
Harry started to shake as a hand came down on his shoulder. He flinched as the boy behind him painfully squeezed his shoulder.
"Stop. It hurts," Harry cried.
"Baby," Hindes hissed before slapping Harry in the side of the head.
Harry ducked his head and put his hand over his injured right ear.
The Slytherin was raising his hand to strike his target a second time when the Michaels Quadruplets came bursting into the Great Hall. The three Slytherins started to move away from the Gryffindor table but the four brothers blocked their path.
"Did you hurt Harry?" Randy growled,. He and his brothers had their wands out.
"You can't prove anything and you can't hex us. You'll get detention, if not expelled," Hindes snarled.
"Well, we're not in the corridors and it's not between classes," Nicky snickered as he pointed his wand between the other boy's eyes.
Fred and George having slipped into the hall unnoticed, watched the confrontation, ready to intervene if their house mates got in over their heads. They had trouble suppressing their laughter at Nicky's comment.
The tension and wands vanished as Professor Flitwick entered the hall. George and Fred hurried over to check on Harry as the Michaels brothers went into a huddle.
"Are you okay Harry?" George asked as he moved his friend's hand away from his ear.
"My ear hurts."
"It's red. Did Hindes hit you?"
"Yes."
"We'll let McGonagall know. She'll deal with him," Fred said, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"She won't do anything. No one say Hindes hit Harry," Andy growled.
At that moment hundreds of students came in for breakfast. The tables filled up as the teaches sat down at their table. Professor Dumbledore stood up to address the hall.
"Attention please. First years will be having half hour classes today and tomorrow, however they will have to go to all of their classes both days. This is to allow the new students a chance to learn where all of their classes are. Fifth year prefects will be escorting the first years to all of their classes today and tomorrow. Thank you. Enjoy your breakfast."
Plates and bowls of food and pitchers of juice and milk appeared on the tables and the students dug into their breakfast. When everyone had finished the prefects gathered the first years from their houses and led them out of the Great hall.
Harry and Draco did not see each other until their Potions class. A table had been set up against a wall, well away from the work tables, for Draco to sit at. Tony and Brian helped their Slytherin brother to his seat and took the places closest to him. Harry and Ron choose seats in the middle of the room. A strange odor filled the potions classroom.
Professor Snape burst into the room his robes flapping in his wake.
"Put away your wands, silly children. You will not be using them in this class. Nor will you be mumbling incoherent incantations. So I will appreciate you keeping your mouths closed."
"In this class I will attempt to teach you the fine and majestic art of potion brewing. If you have your wits about you, you will learn to brew elixirs capable of doing what no charm or incantation can," Snape said as his eyes searched the room.
Harry, his stomach rumbling and his hands shaking, took this opportunity to pull a bag of biscuits from his robes. He had been told to eat something it his hands started to shake or he got a headache.
"POTTER! What is that?" Snape bellowed as he swooped done on the boy and snatched the bag from his hands.
"Biscuits, Professor," Harry replied.
"There will be NO EATING in my class!" Professor Snape thundered, tossing the bag on his desk.
"Ten points from Gryffindor."
"P-p-pro-fessor. . ." Harry began his hands trembling.
"Quiet Potter. That will be another ten points."
Severus turned and continued instructing the class on what behavior he would not tolerate in his classroom. Harry, his head pounding, crossed his arms on his desk and laid his head down.
"Potter, ten points for sleeping in class. Get your head off that table," Snape snarled.
Harry lifted his head and stared at the professor, his face blank. His head dropped back to his arms as a moan escaped his lips.
"Anderson, Kenneth, you know your way around the castle, take Potter to the hospital wing. Weasley I know you want to go with your friend, but you will join Daniels at his table," Snape growled as the boys nodded and got up to follow his instructions.
Kenny helped Harry to his feet and led him into the corridor.
"Here, eat this," Kenny said as he opened a chocolate bar he pulled from his robes.
Harry didn't move to take the candy, so his friend crammed a piece of the bar into his mouth. Chocolate oozed from between Harry's lips as the candy melted in his mouth. Kenny stuff the bar into Harry's mouth a piece at a time. He was rewarded by a slight improvement in his friend's condition.
"Okay, let's get you up to the hospital wing."
Harry did not respond, however he was able to stagger along with Kenny's help.
"What has Mr. Potter gotten himself into?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"He got sick in potions and Professor Snape took his snack away. I fed him a chocolate bar on the way up," Kenny replied, helping Harry into a bed.
"I'll have to speak to Professor Snape about that. Harry will be fine in a few hours, once he eats and gets some rest. You may return to class," Madam Pomfrey said chasing Kenny out so she could take care of Harry.
Kenny hurried back to the dungeons only to discover the class was over and his classmates were gone. Looking into the classroom he glimpsed Professor Snape throwing a vial against a wall. He quickly left.
Percy was heading into the dungeons when Kenny met him.
"Come along, Kenny. It's time for lunch."
Kenny followed Percy up to the Great Hall and joined his friends at the Gryffindor table.
"How's Harry?" George asked.
"Madam Pomfrey said he'll be fine after he eats and rests for a couple hours."
"I hate that stupid git. He maybe Draco's godfather , but he didn't have to snatch Harry's food from him," Ron growled.
"Ron, if Harry had gotten even crumbs in a potion he could have done something serious to someone. There's no telling what could have happened," Percy fired back.
"He could have sent Harry out of the room to eat. But no, he just took the food out of Harry's mouth and Harry can't afford to lose any weight," Ron snarled.
"What was that smell in the classroom any way? It smelled like lilacs and oranges," Cody added.
"Well, that was a prank that we lost last year. We hide it in the potions classroom and it didn't go off until the class before yours," Fred replied.
"We'll have to see what went wrong with that one," George said.
"We'll have to-"
"Make it up to-"
"Harry too,-" the twins sighed.
"Get Hindes for him. I can't believe the teachers didn't nail him for smacking Harry," Cody mumbled.
"Well, it was Hindes, Goyle, and Crabbe's word against Harry's and Hindes said it was an accident. We can't prove he did it on purpose," Kenny said.
"Well, lunch is here. Let's eat," Ron said as his stomach growled.
Harry did not rejoin his friends until dinner.
**********
Tuesday night as the clock struck two found Fred and George hurrying through the dungeons as they tried to avoid Professor Snape after having raided the kitchens. For once they were raiding the kitchen for someone other than themselves. Several sixth year Gryffindors had discovered Harry's snack stash and eaten the lot. Harry was presently sitting in the common room nibbling on the meager pickings they had scrounged to hold him over until they got back.
The twins, racing away from the professor, were headed for a secret passage closer to the Slytherin dorms, sacks of food slung over their shoulders.
They nearly collide with three of the Michaels quadruplets running the other way.
"What are-"
"You doing here?" the twins asked.
"Trying to get out of the dungeons," Nicky whispered.
"Where's you're brother?" George asked.
"Ricky's in the common room keeping an eye on Harry," Randy hissed.
"Turn around-"
"Snape's coming -"
"Behind us-"
"There's a way-"
"Out of the dungeons-"
"Further down-"
"The corridor." Fred and George tried to turn the three younger boys around.
"Can't go back. The Slytherin prefects are standing in front of the passage's entrance."
"Bloody hell," Fred and George hissed.
"Swear you won't tell what's about to happen," Andy whispered.
"What are-"
"You talking about?"
"Just swear you won't say anything," Nicky growled as he stepped between the twins and grabbed their arms.
Randy and Andy each took one of the twins free arms.
"What's going on?" George asked.
"Just hurry up and swear that you won't tell," the three quads growled.
"Okay, we swear, we won't tell anyone," the twins chorused.
**********
Ricky and Harry were sitting on the couch in front of the fire, waiting for the twins and Ricky's brothers to return.
"Harry, I need you to promise that you won't tell anyone what you're about to see, not even Ron or Draco," Ricky said.
"Why?"
"It's something that we shouldn't even show you or the twins. Our uncle will kill us if he finds out we let anyone know about it. So you have to promise not to tell anyone."
"What are you going to show me?"
"Harry, Fred, George, Randy, Nicky, and Andy are in trouble. We can talk more about this on Saturday. Please, I need you to promise not to tell anyone."
"Okay, I won't tell anyone."
Ricky sighed as he moved to the middle of the floor and closed his eyes. A golden light surrounded the boy and was followed by a loud pop as the golden light expanded around him.
Fred and George saw golden light surround them and felt a pull at their chest.
The light faded and they found themselves standing in the Gryffindor common room surrounded by the four brothers.
"How the. . ." Fred, George, and Harry stammered.
"It's an ability we have. We can teleport ourselves to where any one of us happens to be. It's a cross between apparition and portkeying. We basically use ourselves as portkeys., but we can only teleport to a location where at least one of us is," Andy explained.
"Yeah, and I wish the bloody Sorting Hat would have put one of us in each house instead of all in the same house," Ricky moaned.
"What are you talking about?" George asked handing Harry a flask of juice and several biscuits.
"We thought it would be great to drive the professors nutters. Only our Uncle Logan can tell us apart all of the time," Randy said.
"Even Mum and Dad can't pull that off everyday," Nicky added.
"Why would you want to do that?" Fred asked.
"Well, we planned on ditching our house colors and coats of arms before pulling any pranks or making sure we were all wearing the same robes and ties. That way it would make it really hard to take house points or give one of us a detention," Andy explained.
"We figured if we were careful the professors would either take points from all four houses of not take points at all," Randy added.
"Oy, you little demons. Too bad you all got put in Gryffindor. You would've driven Snape nutters with each of you in a different house," George snickered. Harry and Fred joined him.
"Done with your snack, Harry?" Fred asked.
Harry nodded as he yawned.
"Time for bed then," George said as the seven boys headed up to bed, George carrying an exhausted Harry.
**********
Draco, Brian, and Tony sat at the Slytherin table waiting for the rest of their house to arrive. Everyone from the other houses had all ready taken their seats.
The hall filled with laughter as the Slytherins entered. The Slytherins' hair and skin had been dyed the colors of all four houses.. No students hair was the companion house color of their skin color. Suddenly the colors changed and several Slytherins now had gold hair and scarlet skin.
"GO GRYFFINDORS!" they bellowed.
A roar of laughter exploded from the seated students as the Slytherins scowled.
The colors changed again. This time several students had hair and skin dyed the bronze and blue of Ravenclaw.
"RAVENCLAWS ROCK!" the Slytherins sporting the Ravenclaw colors screamed.
The laughter was interrupted by a bellowing voice.
"WHAT IS GOING ON?!!!" Professor Snape screamed.
"Professor, it happened after we showered this morning," Malcolm Hindes growled
"Is this why you are later to breakfast?"
"No Professor. We are late because each of us was doused with ice water as we left the dorm," Malcolm replied.
"And why aren't the three of you dyed?" Snape growled, turning his fiery glare on the three students at the Slytherin table.
"Professor, we were up and showered before everyone else," Tony answered.
"Professor Snape, I believe the student or students who perpetrated this prank, took Headmaster Dumbledore's announcement to not interfere with Misters Malfoy, Potter, and Daniels to heart. If I am correct, Misters Roberts and Anderson have been assisting Mr. Malfoy in all of his activities. Proximity to Mr. Malfoy would afford them protection from the pranks," Professor Anderson commented.
"We can not have this. All of you up to the hospital wing after you eat," Professor Snape howled before storming out of the Great Hall.
The rest of breakfast was interrupted by bursts of laughter from groups of students.
**********
Tony and Brian started snickering as they led Draco into the potions classroom.
"What is it?" Draco asked.
"Professor Snape is going to be furious. The walls are striped in Gryffindor House colors. Wait a second they're changing. Now they're Ravenclaws," Brian replied.
"They'll probably cycle through all of the house colors," Tony added.
Professor Snape entered and scowled at the walls as the rest of his first year Slytherin and Gryffindor class entered.
**********
The week passed quickly as the first years began to learn their way around the castle and their classes held their interest. The enchantments on the entrance to the Slytherin dorms and their showers had been altered to allow the student to avoid being dyed or soaked by use of a password. The potions room walls had been disenchanted. Professor Snape, however, was still in a foul mood.
The first weekend of the year brought an explosion of noise and activity as the students burned off the stress of the first week of school.
Students rushed through the halls excited to be free from classes for two days. Cody, his bear in his left arm, was dashing after his cousins when he slammed into a seventh year Slytherin prefect. The first year crashed to the floor and hid his bear in his robes.
"What did you just hid!" the Slytherin said as the other five Slytherin prefects joined him.
Cody recognized the speaker as David Hindes' older brother Malcolm. He groaned.
"I didn't hide anything," Cody replied.
"Don't give me that. I saw you stuff something in your robes. Hand it over."
"Let's search him," a sixth prefect snickered.
"Leave me alone," Cody cried as he tried to scramble away, only to run into one of the fifth year Slytherin prefects.
"You're not going anywhere Gryffindor," the female Slytherin smirked.
"Now get out of your clothes. We want to know what you're hiding."
"You can't make me. You're not a professor. Leave me alone or go get a professor," Cody shot back looking for someone to help him.
His cousins were nowhere to be seen and he was surrounded by Slytherins.
"That's a detention for arguing with a prefect. I've got the perfect spell for this," Malcolm cackled and cast a charm that stripped Cody to his apple green boxers.
The Slytherins burst out laughing at Cody shivering on the cold stone floor. Several first and second year Slytherins stumbled away from each other, opening a path for Cody to escape. The boy grabbed his clothes and dashed between the amused students.
Cody raced down the corridor toward the Gryffindor tower only to run into Professor Snape.
"Ten points from Gryffindor. No running in the halls."
"Professor Snape. . ." Cody began.
"Ten more for running around in your boxers. What are you doing with your clothes off?! Never mind. Get back to your dorm and get dressed!"
"But Professor . . ."
"I don't want to hear it. Get going now!" Snape growled and stalked off, leaving a watery eyed eleven-year-old in the corridor.
Cody sniffed, wiped his nose on his arm, and ran down the corridor.
**********
"We discovered our teleportation ability when Cody got stuck out in the blizzard. We had already discovered out telepathy and one of us had gone with each of the four search parties. Andy's search party was the one to discover Cody. I wanted to get there and help and all of a sudden I was next to Andy. Ricky and Nicky followed quickly," Randy said.
"What's your range?" George asked.
"The farthest we've ever teleported was a hundred and fifty kilometres. Uncle Logan is planning on doing more tests at the end of the school year," Ricky replied.
"Too bad, Draco and Harry are up in the hospital wing getting checked out," Fred added.
"You two can fill Harry in later. It's a good thing he's not here right now, other wise Draco and Ron would have been around and we wouldn't have been able to say anything," Nicky said.
"Have you guys seen Cody?" Kenny asked as he joined the six boys under the tree.
"No. Weren't the two of you supposed to walk around the lake?" Ricky asked.
"Yeah. He went to get a heavier cloak and I haven't seen him since. I think we need to start looking for him," Kenny replied.
"I'll check the common room and dorms," Nicky said.
"I've got the hospital wing," Andy shouted.
"We'll check the kitchens and dungeons," Fred and George called.
"I'll check the library," Ricky said.
"Which leaves me to find and tell Uncle Logan. Thanks guys," Kenny growled as the boys rushed toward the castle.
**********
"Okay, Draco, you can get dressed. You've lost a little weight but I don't think it's anything to worry about. If your weight doesn't go back up and your appetite doesn't change, we'll have to look into the weight lose more closely," Dr. Jacobs said as he handed Draco his shorts.
"Are you ready for me, Harry?" the doctor asked.
"Yes," Harry replied from behind the screen.
Dr. Jacobs stepped around the curtain and began his examination of his second patient. Harry was still unhealthily underweight, however, he was gaining weight every day. He was also able to eat more and go longer without a snack. The malnutrition he had suffered for ten years would take much longer to correct.
"How have you been feeling?"
"I haven't been as tired the last couple of days."
"And have you been snacking when you need to?"
"Yes. I just have to make sure I eat something before potions. Professor Snape won't let me eat in the classroom."
"Well, it is not safe to allow anything to fall into a brewing potion. Anything could happen if a potion becomes contaminated."
"I wish the professor would have said it that way instead of yelling at me and taking house points."
"Well, Professor Snape can be quite antagonistic. I don't see any problems. Just let someone know if you lose your appetite."
"Yes, sir."
"Okay, go ahead and get dressed and you and Draco can do whatever you want."
"We have flying lessons Thursday. Will I be able to go?" Harry asked.
"Of course, just be careful," Dr. Jacobs replied as Harry pulled on his shorts and he left the boy to get dressed.
**********
Harry led Draco out of the infirmary.
"Can we go out side for a while? I want some fresh air," Draco asked.
"Sure. Do you want to get the house elves to make us something to take with us?"
"Yeah. That sounds good."
Hi Draco, Harry. Brian and I were just coming to get Draco," Tony said as he and his cousin arrived in the hallway.
"Hi. Draco and I are going outside for a bit. We're gonna get the elves to make us a basket of food," Harry said.
"Has Cody been by here?" Andy panted as he skidded to a halt in front of his cousins.
"No. Last I heard he and Kenny were going for a walk," Tony replied.
"Yeah. Cody went for a cloak and never came back. We're looking for him now," Andy gasped.
"We'll help. Draco, Harry go get your food and go outside. You can keep an eye, no offense Draco, out for Cody while we search the castle," Brian said.
"Okay, good luck," Harry and Draco replied as they headed down the corridor.
The three cousins took off in different directions in search of the missing Gryffindor.
**********
George and Fred were racing through the dungeons looking for Cody. They slid around a corner and ducked into a secret room.
Fred pulled a piece of parchment from his robes and unrolled it. George pulled his wand and pointed it at the parchment.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," George said activating the parchments enchantments.
"If we ever find out who Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are we have to thank them for this beauty," Fred proclaimed.
"You've got that right. Now do you see Cody anywhere?"
"No, keep looking."
"Hey, what's that in Ron's dorm. Oh, never mind, its Scabbers. I thought it said something else for a second."
"Where do we look now? Wait a minute what's that up on the third floor. It says Fluffy. Who or what is a Fluffy?"
"I have no idea. Let's go find out, maybe we'll find Cody along the way."
The twin headed toward the third floor, wondering how and where Cody was hiding from The Marauder's Map.
"This is the door to the corridor Dumbledore warned us about," George whispered.
"It's locked. Alohomora!" Fred said and the door sprang open.
The twins walked through the door. A low growl caught their attention and they looked up as the door closed and the lock clicked.
"THREE HEADED DOG!" Fred and George shrieked as two of the dog's heads thrust forward and sniffed them, drool oozing from their mouths.
The boys back peddled until they ran into the wall.
"Who's there Fluffy? You didn't let a professor, prefect, or Slytherin in did you?" A shaky voice said from the darkness.
"We're Gryffindor third years," George squeaked as Fluffy's hot smelly breath made him gag.
"George? Fred?"
"Yes, we're looking for Cody Daniels. He was supposed to meet his cousin Kenny for a walk but never showed up. We're worried about him," Fred replied as George crumpled to the floor retching at the dog's breath.
"Back off Fluffy, they're friends."
Fluffy licked Fred before backing away to reveal a small shadowy figure standing under a torch hung on the wall.
"Cody? What are you doing up here with that beast?" George grumbled from the floor.
Fluffy dropped his heads to the floor and whimpered.
"George! You've hurt Fluffy's feelings," Cody whined.
"Feelings! That thing scared the daylights outta me," George growled.
"Fluffy's just a big puppy. He was protecting me," Cody replied as he stepped out of the shadows.
"Come on, pet him. He won't bit as long as I'm here."
The twins slowly made their way over to their friend who was scratching the middle head's ear.
"Scratch one of the head's ears. They love that, but I can only do one at a time," Cody added as the twins reluctantly followed his directions.
Fluffy started purring as the three boys scratched his ears.
"Once Fluffy gets to know you this is a great place to hide. Filch won't even come in here. Mrs. Norris will, but she won't let Filch get near me," Cody chuckled.
"What?" The twins chorused.
"She likes me. I've given her some milk and cream and some treats. I got seperated from my cousins one evening when we were exploring and got lost. Filch found me and started yelling and shaking me. I was so scared I was crying. After that Mrs. Norris wouldn't let Filch near me. She's actually led him away from me several times. I have mice shipped in for her once a week, she loves them."
"No one's ever made friends with Mrs. Norris," George chuckled.
"You may have to join us on some of our excursions," Fred snickered.
"Well, I have a knack with animals. I've never been bitten or stung by anything. How'd you find me anyway?"
"Do we tell him George?"
"Why not. I don't think he's going to rat us out if he's been hiding up here where Dumbledore told us not to come."
"If you're like the professor say, I'll help you get back at those Slytherins as much as you want. They've no reason to hurt Harry and Draco, or me."
"What did they do to you?" George asked.
"They stopped me in the entrance hall because they saw me put my bear away. I wouldn't tell them what I had so the seventh year prefect gave me a detention. Then to make things were he cast a charm that stripped me to my boxers. I ran off and Snape took twenty house points."
"Bloody gits," the twins growled.
"Let's get back to the common room and let your cousins know you're safe," Fred sighed.
"Let's tell him how we got here first," George said.
"We've got this map, made by four people who called themselves The Marauders," Fred continued.
"Would they happen to be Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs?"
"How'd you know?" the Weasley boys exclaimed.
"We found a book by someone called The Prince of Pranks in our uncle's room. The book had hand written comments from The Marauders throughout it. The book lets you add comments to it by adding new pages behind the pages you're making comments about. It's called 'The Encyclopedia of Pranks for All Occasions' and we had fun reading it. Maybe, I can sneak it out and bring it up to the dorms."
"Well, let's get back and let everyone know you're okay," George said.
The weekend passed quietly as the Gryffindors made it a point to never allow Cody or Harry to go anywhere without an escort. The two boys were not thrilled with being followed everywhere, but they appreciated the company, especially when heading to The Great Hall for meals. Cody did not get the chance to get the book he had told George and Fred about. The Quads disappeared Saturday night and were unusually cheerful all day Sunday.
**********
Monday morning found the students and staff sitting down to breakfast minus the potions master. Professor Snape stormed into the hall with 'Mary Had A Little Lamb' being sung from somewhere behind him.
"Headmaster, this is unacceptable. Someone has placed a charm on something that is following me reciting nursery rhymes and singing children's nonsense songs. I spent the entire day yesterday trying to banish the spell," Professor Snape snarled. He stalked passed the Gryffindor table glaring at all of the students until his eyes fell on a small brown haired first year. The boy looked familiar. It hit the potions master where he had seen the boy and what he had been doing.
"Mr. Daniels, follow me please," Professor Snape grumbled. "Do not worry, I am not going to do anything. I just need to speak with you for a moment."
Cody got up and followed the professor out into the corridor.
"Mr. Daniels, I failed to allow you to explain yourself Saturday. Please tell me what happened."
"Okay. I was heading back to my dorm to get a cloak for a walk around the lake with my cousin Kenny. I had my bear with me and I stuffed it in my cloak. Prefect Hindes saw me and wanted to know what I had. All of the Slytherin prefects were there as well as a lot of other Slytherins. I wouldn't tell Hindes what I had and told him to get a professor. He gave me a detention and cast a charm that took my clothes off," Cody answered.
"Mr. Daniels, I am sorry I did not let you explain Saturday. I can not return the points I took from you Saturday or cancel your detention for arguing with a prefect. However, you will serve your detention with me next Saturday and I will deal with Mr. Hindes and the others. Return to your table," Professor Snape said.
Professor Snape followed the Gryffindor into The Great Hall and went straight to the head table. He spoke to Dumbledore before going to his seat. He stood behind his chair and glared at all of the students.
"It has come to my attention that a student has been harassed, by prefects. All Slytherin prefects are hereby banded from all future Hogsmeade Weekends and visits. They will be charged with ensuring that all first and second year students enjoy their weekends. Six hundred and fifty points will be deducted from Slytherin for the disgraceful act of tormenting a follow student after being warned by the headmaster not to harass this student. We do not have an exact list of all the students present during this harassment so weeks of detentions can not be given out. However, if this happens again, every Slytherin that can not be cleared of the harassment will be give a weeks worth of detentions to prevent a third incident," Professor Snape bellowed before taking his seat.
"I agree with Slytherin's head of house. This incident is disgraceful. We can not have students who are willingly putting the health of other students in jeopardy, especially after being warned not to. Hopefully, the perpetrators will have learned their lesson and this will not happen again. Tuck in," Albus said as the table were filled with food.
The week went quickly. Draco became more withdrawn as Thursday drew closer. Nothing could draw him out as the day of the first flying class dawned.
**********
The Slytherin and Gryffindor first years were going to learn to fly brooms in the same class. Draco, unable to attend the flying class due to his blindness, was surprised when Brian and Tony did not head down for the class.
"Why aren't you guys headed down for the flying class?" Draco asked.
"We know how to fly. We've already passed the test that Madam Hooch uses to qualify you to fly. We're supposed to meet our cousins down by the lake for an afternoon snack and to let Odin, Isis, Ra, and Sif run around," Tony replied.
"Who are Odin, Isis, Ra, and Sif?" Draco asked as his friends helped him off the couch.
"Odin and Isis are wolves and Ra and Sif are golden panthers. They're animal friends, familiars of our Uncle Logan," Brian answered.
The three boys left the dungeons and headed out to the grounds. The four animals were waiting on the steps for them. Each of the wolves and panthers sniffed Draco before rubbing its head against his body.
A scream shocked all seven members of the group.
**********
Harry was standing next to a school broom, waiting for his first flight.
"Now hold your hands over the broom and in a commanding voice say - UP," Madam Hooch instructed as she walked between the two lines of first years.
The students all cried 'up' and most were rewarded with their brooms just turning over on the ground. David Hindes' broom wobbled before slowly rising into his outstretched hand. Harry's broom, however, leaped into his hand, bringing a smile to the small boy's face.
Following the professor's instruction, the students mounted their brooms. However, Neville lifted off and his broom climbed, swooped, and zoomed over the open field.
"Come down, Mr. Longbottom!" Madam Hooch bellowed as the broom climbed before starting a loop.
Neville lost his grip on the broom at the top of the loop. He tumbled to the ground with a shriek of fright. The boy screamed in pain as he hit the lawn.
Madam Hooch raced to his side. "Broke arm, couple of fractured ribs, possible concussion," she said as she help Neville to his feet. She warned the others to stay on the ground while she escorted the injure Gryffindor to the hospital wing.
Hindes snatched a glass sphere from the ground and held it up.
"Hey, Shortbutt dropped his remembrall. I think I'll put it up from him. Like up a tree or on top of a pennant," Hindes snickered as he mounted his broom.
"Give that here Hindes!" Harry snarled.
"Why don't you come get it, Potter?" Hindes flew into the air cackling at the small boy beneath him.
Harry mounted his broom.
"Stop, Madam Hooch said to stay on the ground. You'll get expelled if anyone sees!" Hermione yelled.
Harry ignored her as he followed Hindes into the air. Hindes spiraled upward laughing as Harry caught up to him.
"Hand it over, or I'll knock you off that broom," Harry growled.
"Bloody hell, Harry's a natural flyer!" Ron and Seamus bellowed as Harry darted at the Slytherin, nearly knocking him off his broom.
The smirk on Hindes' face vanished as Harry turned for another pass.
"If you want it so bad, CATCH!" Hindes screamed as he throw the remembrall at the castle wall.
Harry leaned forward and raced after the falling sphere. Reaching out as he hurtled toward the stone wall, the small first year Gryffindor dove and snatched the ball out of the air. He spun around and came to a screeching halt inches from Professor McGonagall's office window.
Draco, Brian, Tony and the animals raced across the courtyard as the transfiguration professor came storming out of the castle. Harry landed as the professor reached the amazed students.
"Harry Potter, follow me," Professor McGonagall said turning and leading Harry back into the castle.
Draco, Brain, and Tony joined the students standing in the courtyard. The Slytherins were laugh at Harry, who they believed was about to be expelled.
Madam Hooch returned minutes later and dismissed everyone to their common rooms.
**********
Harry never reappeared until dinner, when he joined his friends at the house table. This angered most of the Slytherins and brought Draco, Tony, Brian, Daniel, Joshua, Christopher, and Eric to the Gryffindor table.
"So what happened, Harry?" Tony asked.
"I'm not expelled. I'm the new seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team," Harry replied.
"It will be posted on the school bulletin board after dinner," Oliver Wood the team captain announced.
Everyone around Harry congratulated him.
"To bad you'll have to use a school broom," Seamus mumbled.
"We will not discuss that. Professor McGonagall is seeing to that problem for Harry," Oliver said, glaring at the first year.
"Okay, I'm sorry to break this family reunion up, but you guys need to get back to your house tables. You can talk all you want after dinner," Percy said sending the Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws back to their tables.
**********
Friday morning found Professor Snape's mood much improved as the singing charm seemed to have stopped following him around. It had however, attached itself to Malcolm Hindes, who was suffering ridicule from most of his house mates. The Slytherin head of house smirked as he passed the seventh year prefect sitting at his house table.
The day went smoothly and Harry, Ron, and Draco accepted Hagrid's invitation to his hut for tea. While their dorm mates found other things to occupy their free afternoon.
While talking of their second week of classes, Harry noticed an old copy of a newspaper, The Daily Prophet. The front page contained an article about a vault at Gringotts being broken into on Harry's birthday.
"Hagrid, someone tried to rob Gringotts the day you took me to get my school things," Harry exclaimed.
"Had to be dark wizards," Draco replied.
"Wonder what they were after?" Ron asked.
"It says the vault was emptied earlier in the day."
"It don't concern ya, so leave it alone," Hagrid said.
Ron and Harry stared at Hagrid as Draco shook his head.
"Now, how 'bout takin' some of these rock cakes back with you?"
"Hagrid. . ."
"Let it go Harry. We've got others things to worry about," Draco interjected.
"Yeah, like Quidditch practice," Ron piped up.
"Not to mention Cody has detention with Professor Snape tomorrow," Draco added.
"Okay. So what are we doing tomorrow. Oliver has me practicing on a school broom in the morning, which means I have the afternoon free."
"We'll talk to The Quads and their cousins. I think they had something planned, but I don't know what," Draco replied.
**********
Saturday morning dawned cold and wet as rain drenched everything. Quidditch practice was cancelled, despite Wood's insistence that they could practice in the downpour. Professor McGonagall would not risk Harry's health.
"So, Cody, when do you have detention?" George asked.
"Right after he finishes breakfast," Professor Snape said as he stopped at the Gryffindor table.
"Where do I need to meet you, sir?" Cody asked.
"At the front doors. You will need to change into warmer clothes and bring your winter cloak with you. I do not want you to become ill," the potions master instructed.
"Yes, sir," Cody replied as the professor started for the head table.
"So what have we got planned for today?" Harry asked as he loaded his plate.
"Well, the twins and the quads have something planned, but they won't say anything. The rest of us are planning on playing some games," Kenny said before stuffing a fork full of scrambled eggs into his mouth.
"What kind of games?" Ron asked stuffing a sausage into his mouth.
"Yes, Ron, we will play Wizard Chess. Don't worry, Draco, we've got games you can play too," Kenny added.
When breakfast was finished the Gryffindors charged up to their dorm to gather their things. The Gryffindors and their friends headed for a playroom that the twelve cousins had discovered during their summer at Hogwarts.
Cody, wrapped in his winter cloak, stood at the entrance to the castle.
"Are you ready to go?" Professor Snape asked as he joined the Gryffindor.
"Yes, sir. Will you please tell me where we are going?"
"I have to purchase some things in Hogsmeade. You will be accompanying me. We will be gone most of the day."
Cody stared at his potions teacher, a puzzled look on his face.
"Yes, this is your detention. I could go by myself, however, I feel this will be educational for you. This will be a more suitable punishment for your slip of edict with a prefect than the normal detention tasks," Professor Snape replied as he led the boy out of the castle where a coach was waiting for them.
Cody followed his professor around as they purchased books, potion ingredients, parchment, inks, and quills.
"How are you holding up, Mr. Daniels?"
"I'm doing okay, sir. I am a little tired and hunger," Cody remarked.
"I thought you might be. It is time for lunch. We will eat at The Three Broomsticks," Snape replied, leading his charge toward the tavern.
**********
George, Fred, Andy, Randy, Nicky, and Ricky sat around watching the labeled dots moving on The Marauders' Map.
"I'm telling you I saw one of the labels for a dot change!" Nicky snarled.
"That's impossible," Fred said.
"We've never seen the labels change," George added.
"It changed!" Nicky growled.
"Did you see which one?" Randy asked.
"No, but it was in the Gryffindor tower."
"Well. . .BLOODY HELL! IT DID CHANGE!" George howled.
"Bloody hell! It's Scabbers," Fred screamed.
"Scabbers is Wormtail?" Andy gasped.
"Wait, it's changing again," Randy hissed.
"PETER PETTIGREW?! He was killed by Sirius Black!" Fred and George chorused.
"Apparently not. He must be an animagus," Ricky added.
"That means Sirius Black may be innocent," Nicky said.
"We better grab him and keep him from running off," Andy growled as the six boys headed for the first years' dorms.
Kenny was in their rooms as his cousins and the Weasley twins entered.
"Hey, guys. What's up?" Kenny asked as he was digging through his trunk.
"We're after our-"
"Brother's pet rat."
"Scabbers is-"
"An animagus."
"He's actually Peter Pettigrew," Nicky finished for the twins.
"You mean he was the spy? He caused Harry to lose his parents?" Kenny snarled as he leaped over his bed and grabbed the rat as it tried to scurry under a bed.
The six boys stared at Kenny as he stood up, holding the rat by it's tail.
"What do you mean 'He was the Spy'?" George asked.
"Well, one of three people; Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, or Peter Pettigrew was passing information to Voldemort. The spy 'ratted out' the Potters. That's how Voldemort found them," Kenny explained.
"How does that make Pettigrew the spy and not Black?" Fred asked.
"Black is sitting in Azkaban right now and he never got a trial. If Pettigrew was innocent he'd have let Dumbledore know he got away from Black as soon as he entered Hogwarts where he would be safe," Kenny answered.
"We see your point," Fred and George said as they glared at the rat.
"I think it's time to play some baseball," Kenny smirked as he swung the rat.
"Fred, George grab your beater bats. Randy, Nicky run down to Uncle Logan's rooms and grab our baseball gear," Kenny continued as Andy looked out the window.
"It's stopped raining. We can go out and play," Andy said as his brothers dashed out of the room.
"Baseball?" George asked.
"An American game similar to Cricket. We'll teach you how to play. Ricky can you go get the guys from the game room? We'll field the balls and let Harry and the Weasleys have some batting practice," Kenny said.
"I'll go get the suits of armor we charmed to be pitcher and catcher," Andy said as he raced out of the room.
Kenny pulled his wand and transfigured Scabbers into a baseball with a pink nose and a rat tail.
"Isn't the ground-"
"going to be too wet?" the twins asked.
"We can still play. Let's get going." Kenny dashed out of the room the rat-ball clutched tightly in his right hand.
**********
Harry gripped the bat before looking over his shoulder at the suit of armor crouching behind him. He turned back to the suit of armor that was preparing to throw the next pitch.
The ball came toward Harry, he swung as the ball crossed the plate and connected, the ball bounced down the third base line. Andy, covering third base, grabbed the ground ball and tossed it back to the pitcher.
"Try again, Harry. But really whack it this time," Andy called.
Logan stepped onto the field as the next pitch hurtled toward home plate. Harry blasted the ball into the outfield where Daniel and Joshua charged toward the ball as it came down.
"I've got it!" Josh bellowed.
"I've got it!" Danny screamed back.
"I've got it!"
"I've got it!"
"I've got it!"
"I've got it!"
The two boys continued screaming at each other as they closed the distance between themselves and the ball's destination.
"Okay, you can have it!" both boys yelled as they turned and walked away from each other.
The ball hit the ground and bounced twice before rolling to a stop at Logan's feet, the tail jerking and the nose twitching. George and Fred collapsed to the ground laughing hysterically as Josh, Danny, and their cousins fell to the ground, unable to stop laughing.
Ron and Harry looked at their friends as if they were crazy.
Logan picked up the rat-ball and held it up by the tail. He walked across the field to where Harry was standing as his nephews staggered to their feet and joined him.
"All right who transfigured the rat and where did you get it?" Logan asked.
"I transfigured the rat, but it's not a real rat. It's an animagus. Peter Pettigrew to be precise," Kenny spoke up between guffaws.
"Where did you find it?"
"Our dorm room."
"Scabbers!?!" Ron shrieked.
"Sorry, Ron, but he cost Harry his parents, not Sirius Black," Andy replied.
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked.
All of the boys went silent at Harry's question. Cody and Professor Snape appeared behind the Anderson Quads but remained silent.
"I'll tell you what we know. I know Hagrid explained that Voldermort killed your parents." Logan gave Harry a sympathetic look.
Harry nodded as the Weasley brothers cringed at the dark lord's name.
"What he did not tell you is that you and your parents were under a spell to keep you safely hidden. The spell uses another person as a secret keeper to hide your location. Sirius Black was thought to be the secret keeper. The day after your parents were killed, Sirius Black supposedly was tracked down by Peter Pettigrew and blew up a street, killing twelve muggles and Peter. He was sent to the wizards prison Azkaban where he has been ever since," Logan explained as he juggled the ball that had once been a rat.
"So, maybe Peter escaped," Ron said.
"Then why would he hide for ten years? We'll find out if this ball is an animagus or not right now. I promise Ron, if it's just a rat, nothing will happen to it," Logan transfigured the ball back to a rat before levitating it and casting another charm.
Blue-white light erupted from Logan's strangely silver wand. The light engulf Scabbers and everyone watched as the rat slowly transformed into a short balding man. All of the boys drew their wands and pointed them at the man.
"Pettigrew," Professor Snape growled.
"Well, Uncle Peter, we'll just take you to Professor Dumbledore and he can straighten this out with a truth potion," Logan sneered.
The sixteen boys and Professor Snape looked at Logan, shocked expressions on their faces. Draco, sitting in a chair under a nearby tree was completely lost.
Brian and Tony hurried over to Draco and whispered into his ear as their uncle headed for the castle, their friends and cousins trailing in his wake.
Harry tripped and fell to his knees as he ascended the stairs to the castle's front doors. He cried out in pain and clutched his right knee as Logan stumbled, barely remaining on his feet. Fred and George helped Harry up as everyone continued.
(What the bloody hell just happened. Potter fell to the steps and Anderson staggered as if he'd hurt his leg. The same leg Potter hurt.) Severus thought as he followed everyone into the entrance hall.
"George, Fred take Harry to the hospital wing and get his knee looked at. When Madam Pomfrey is finished with him, all three of you come to the headmaster's office. Kenny come with me. The rest of you, including Draco and Ron, go wait in my quarters. We will discuss this later. Professor Snape will you accompany me to the headmaster's office?"
"Of course," Snape answered. (I would like to know more about everything. Especially that incident on the steps.)