Silly Incantations

By Barbi Bee

Chapter 9

Analogwatch: How about we assume they traveled by

thestral and carriage to the apparition point, OK.

Imhilien: Thanks for reviewing again, you always say exactly what I need to hear. Have you been practising Occlumency again?

Early the next afternoon, Severus went to the foyer to await the arrival of his guests. He found both Hermione and Harry Potter amongst those who had friends and relatives who would be attending one of the last two performances of the school play. In Hermione's case, she was waiting for her mother and grandparents. Harry was waiting for his aunt, Petunia Evans (having reverted to her maiden name after leaving Vernon) with whom he now lived happily in Glasgow during the school holidays.

The sound of the Thestral's carriages outside indicated that the first of guests had arrived. Those waiting opened the main doors and went out into the courtyard to greet the new arrivals. All around people were being hugged and kissed by family members they hadn't seen for a few months, others were shaking hands and clapping each other on the back in a more manly display of affection.

Hermione and Harry were among the former group and Severus the later, that is until Hermione brought her mother to meet him. Mrs Granger having heard many good things about her daughters friend and mentor, swept him into an embarrassing hug that had both Hermione and Harry laughing at his discomfort. The fact that Alan and Rima joined them made things even worse and for a few brief moments the evil, old potions master emerged taking points off Gryffindor and snarling as only he knew how. Realising what he had done, he apologised and gave back some of the house-points he had taken, though not all as he felt Harry and Hermione should not have laughed at a teacher in public.

Harry and Hermione also apologised as they realised that Severus was right, even though he was their friend - as their teacher he deserved their repect. Harry then took the opportunity to introduce his aunt to the others. Petunia was a little in awe of Alan as she was something of a fan, but apart from that she was just glad to be able meet Harry's friends and their relatives under such a happy occasion.While she had been with Vernon there had been absolutely no chance of such a meeting taking place, not with Vernon's hatred of all things magical.

Harry and Hermione escorted their guests to the Gryffindor dormitories, where rooms had been made available for them, and at the same time Severus took Alan and Rima down to his quarters in the dungeons. Hermione having bespoken a picnic lunch of Dobby, the house-elf, the group meet later for lunch up in the quidditch stands. After they had finished Harry and Severus gave the muggles a display of broom skills followed by a quick game of catch the snitch.

At least it started out as a quick game, but when other students, staff and visitors saw them it was decided to have a proper game (with time limit - because of the play). The two teams were adults versus students and the stands were crowded with muggle guests, seeing for the first time a sport they had been told so much about. Severus and Harry were the team seekers and their search for the ever elusive snitch along with the often sneaky tactics of the other players made for a very exciting match. A match won narrowly by the adult team with a final score of Adults 360 - students 230. The 150 points for capturing the snitch making all the difference.

The six muggles had dinner in Hogsmead that evening as they were to attend the shows final performance. The Three Broomsticks was chosen as a good place to dine, besides Elizabeth Granger had heard stories about the place from Hermione and really wanted to see it. Petunia was also curious to see the place her nephew had spent so many leisure hours in and was anxious to try the Butterbeer. Severus had arranged for a Thestral carriage to be at their disposal for the evening, so when they were ready to leave the Wizarding pub they would not need to make the long walk back to the castle.

The next morning,Dumbledore announced that the Muggle guests could visit the classrooms if they wished and see the students at their lessons. Petunia, Elizabeth,the MacGregors (Elizabeth's parents) along with Alan and Rima decided to take advantage of this offer and began discussing which classes to attend. Potions was at the top of the list with transfiguration and charms next, they would decide on any other subjects after lunch.

As luck would have it, the seventh year NEWTs class was in session when the group reached the dungeons. Assigned to brewing Medical Potions for the Hospital Wing, the students were all hard at work chopping ingredients and stirring cauldrons. Hermione was the first to notice the visitors and called Professor Snape's attention to them. He greeted them and assigned each of them to a student so that could get an indepth look at the "exact science that is potion making".

After the class was over the group of muggles went to Professors MacGonagal's classroom to witness first year students transfiguring beetles into buttons. From there they headed to Charms class where Professor Flitwick had his Fifth year Ravenclaws perform various summoning spells.

Lunch was next on the agenda, after which they took in Professor Atkinson's Drama class. It proved to be something of a bad idea on Alan's part as he was called upon to help teach the mixed sixth year class.Improvisation was the topic for the day and to have not one but two famous muggle actors teaching them was an absolute bonus for the students. A bonus they were more than happy to take advantage of.

All to soon the day came to an end and it was time to start getting ready for the dinner that was to be held in the Great Hall prior to the night's performance.