Manipulations
Disclaimer: Not mine except for some OCs
AN: I tend to call this fic a Gen containing lots of slash with Harry and Draco as the main pairing. If you don't like slash please leave now. This is actually a repost of a story that went by the horrible title of Harry Potter and the Dragon of Bad Faith. Its been revamped to take in what happened in OotP and many things have changed drastically so its worth rereading the chapters.
Many many thanks to those who reviewed before. Hopefully you will like the reworked version as well.
I should also note that this is going to be a very long (over 600 pages in MSword is my guess) story so if you don't enjoy lengthy fics then you shouldn't read it.
PLEASE R & R
***
Albus Dumbledore's warm breath fogged the windowpane as he took in the courtyard activities. The morning had been cold and rainy so he had been surprised to find the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs already engaged in a most fierce, most strange competition. Not so hard, Harry. Dumbledore thought, stroking his long snowy white beard, as he watched the young wizard powerfully throw an odd orange ball to a net haphazardly attached to an oak tree. The force of the ball caused the net to fall with a thud and the air of rivalry gave way to one of hilarity. Their loud laughs could be heard even in Dumbledore's high tower office and he quietly chuckled with them.
"What are they doing? They should be studying for their exams."
Dumbledore turned to Professor Snape. The potions master looked like he smelled something rotten as he watched the scene unfold below. "They are playing basketball. Or at least attempting to," Professor McGonagall declared, briefly peeking over Dumbledore's shoulder. "It's a Muggle sport particularly popular in the United States. I imagine some of our new American students taught them the game."
"Ahhhh, yes...the Americans..." Snape sneered, spiting out the last word. "I do not know how much longer I can take this...this infestation. They are loud, crass and have absolutely no respect for authority. And they are influencing the rest of the school! Why, even my own Slyth-"
"Now, now, Severus," Dumbledore said patiently. "This is the time we need to stand united rather than divide ourselves." His smiling face became etched with sadness as he turned to his massive mahogany desk and stared at the single crumpled letter lying dejectedly amidst the quills and ink jars. He picked the letter up and once more read the crudely scratched words on the cheap muggle paper.
"What is that, Albus?" McGonagall quietly asked as she took a sip of her tea.
"This, Minerva..." Dumbledore slightly waved the paper. "...this is why I have called this meeting." He sighed heavily. "This is a letter from Harry Potter's uncle. It seems, that Petunia Dursley was killed in an auto accident."
McGonagall inhaled sharply. "That means..." She broke off, unable to finish the words.
"I'm afraid so. Harry does have one blood relative left. A cousin. Dudley Dursley. The protective spell could be effective. But this letter states that under no circumstances will Harry be welcomed back into the Dursley ho-"
"Give me a moment with him, sir!" Hagrid thunderously interrupted, suddenly coming to life from his corner stool. "I'm sure I could threa- persuade that slobbering git to change his mind!"
"What are you going to do?" Snape snickered. "Threaten to open your pretty pink umbrella inside their home and give them 7 years bad luck?"
Hagrid immediately jerked the aforementioned pretty pink umbrella to his side and was about to bellow back at him when a soft cough from Dumbledore quickly defused the tiff.
"I can appreciate your intentions, Rubeus, but the protective spells require Dudley to truly want him there. For all of Petunia Dursley's faults, she understood the importance of the protection she could offer and took it up willingly." Dumbledore gave a weary sigh and continued, "I have spoken with the Weasleys and-"
"If I may, Albus…" Snape casually interjected. "Hogwarts is already turning into a bloody summer camp. Why not keep him here?"
"That would be an option but would you want the task of looking over another student? l know you have certain…personal commitments over the summer. Plus, it could hardly be said that your relationship with Harry is amicable."
Snape waved a dismissive hand. "It will be fine. As long as Potter behaves."
"Alright then."
"Oh Albus, this is horrible. Our one trusted safeguard..." The Scottish witch sadly sighed to herself and started to take a sip of her tea before putting it down untouched.
"You-Know-Who's behind this!" Hagrid harshly declared.
Dumbledore smiled ruefully at Hagrid. "That is being investigated but this is looking to be truly an accident. Voldemort had no way of knowing about that particular protection."
"When shall we tell him?" Professor McGonagall asked.
Dumbledore paused. "After the final exams I think. No good can come of telling him now. I do not know how he will take the news."
"I would like to be there."
Dumbledore nodded to Hagrid. "Of course. Now Severus, how is Draco Malfoy managing? That is another situation that should be discussed."
Snape's face melted with uncharacteristic softness. "Well..."
***
"Perhaps a bonding spell would work." Hermione Granger said, thoughtfully examining the tattered net and ring they swiped from Filch's supply closet. "Step back." The crowd of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs moved behind Hermione to give her room as she pulled out her wand.
"Adhaero quercus"The net and ring immediately flew to the tall Oak in a perfect formation of a hoop. The crowd cheered. And just as quickly it fell to the ground. A disappointed moan echoed throughout the courtyard. Hermione's face scrunched and she bit her lower lip. She did not like it when her spells did not work, especially in public.
"Don't take it so personally!" Before she knew it Ron Weasley's strong arms were encircling her waist pulling her close against him. He laid small feathery kisses along the curve of her jaw. Hermione blushed as whistles and catcalls came from the Hufflepuffs. The Gryffindors were had become used to such blatant displays of affection ever since they had gotten together shortly after the start of their sixth year.
"Break it up you love birds!" Madam Hooch's voice boomed as she instantly appeared before them. "Gryffindors over there! Hufflepuffs over there!" She barked, leaving no room for argument. "You call this a basketball court?" Madam Hooch pulled her wand out of her robes. With a whispered incantation and a quick flick of her a wrist, a full sized basketball court instantly appeared in the courtyard. The students ooohhhed and aaahhhed. "Lets play ball!"
***
Harry was out of breath by the time he had reached his bed in the sixth year boy's dormitory. He threw himself on his bed, panting slightly. He stretched and flayed his hand through his messy black hair, fingers momentarily massaging his famous lighting bolt scar. It wasn't Quidditch but basketball proved to be a very fun game though physically exhausting. Harry wondered if he might be able to play the game this summer when he returned to the Dursleys. Urg! The Dursleys! Harry frowned, lazily lifting himself off his bed. In less than two weeks he was supposed to return to the Dursleys for the summer. He shuddered thinking about it. Harry was well aware that he needed to stay with the Dursleys but that didn't mean he had to like it.
Harry thoughts were broken as the rest of the sixth year Grynffidor boys loudly trampled into the room. Despite a huge defeat by the Hufflepuffs the Gryffindors were full of cheer. Harry couldn't help but share their infectious laughter as they reflected on their humiliating loss. Never thought the Hufflepuffs had it in them.
Hermione suddenly rushed through the door. Dean and Seamus, who had been changing, mockingly shrieked and held their robes up to cover themselves.
"If you wanted to see us naked all you had to ask." Seamus tossed his robe to the side, gyrated his hips at her and slowly began pulling his boxers down. Dean hummed stripper music as he wiggled his butt against his robe.
Hermione scoffed and Ron frowned.
"Like you guys have anything I want to see." Hermione retorted before pulling Ron in a quick lip lock.
"Now, now. This isn't the Astronomy Tower." Harry said, smiling as he watched them linger in an embrace. Hermione flushed a rather becoming soft pink.
"The Astronomy Tower is overcrowded. We like that abandoned classroom over by- "
Hermione turned a not so becoming beet red. "That's enough, Ron! I have some things to take care of so I won't be at lunch. I just wanted to remind you all that the final S.P.E.W meeting of the year will take place tonight at exactly 8 o'clock in the Great Hall. I expect you all to be there. And don't forget we will be eating at the meeting so skip dinner."
And with that, Hermione flounced from the room. She continued away from the boy's dormitory and settled herself in large comfortable chair in the Gryffindor common room. With a quick glance she ascertained that she was alone and pulled out a thin dusty tome. A sly smile crept onto her face as she began to read.
A few minutes' later four sets of eyes watched in rapt attention.
"Why she looks positively orgasmic!" Seamus whispered. "What do you do as foreplay? Read Advanced Arithmancy textbooks to her?" Harry, Dean and Seamus broke up in loud chortles and Hermione glared at them before gathering her things and leaving in a huff.
Ron shook his head and carelessly said. "No…Hogwarts: A History. Volume II."
The three boys froze and stared at Ron in amazement. Ron glanced at them and turned bright red, realizing what he had said. The others exploded into laughter and Harry patted Ron on the back. Between choking laughs he said. "Kinky, my friend. Very kinky."
He brushed Harry away and growled. "Don't any of you dare mention this to anyone." Ron blanched. "Especially, Hermione, she'll kill me!"
***
Draco frowned at the house elf gleefully wiping down the table in front him.
"Fucking hypocrites." He mumbled before placing his lips around the plastic straw that lay inside his glass of pumpkin juice. Straws...Draco reflected…are one of the more ingenious muggle inventions I have unearthed. No more unsightly pumpkin juice moustaches.
"What are you over there mumbling about?" A female voice rang out from across the Great Hall.
Ugg…there's that irritating American again. Draco thought before replying.
"I am a Malfoy. Malfoys do not mumble."
"Riiiiiiiight…"
"But if you must know, I was just saying to myself that the lot of you are a bunch of frauds. You all preach about the rights of the of the oh so downtrodden house elves and yet you still use them to clean and cook for your meetings. The hypocrisy of it all is numbing."
Draco waited for the indignant denial.
"I know."
He started slightly at the confession. Quickly arranging his face into a smirk he turned to his visitor who had moved to right beside him. Her large hazel eyes looked down at him with almost teary sadness before sitting next to him and slumping over the table. She ran her hands through her short unevenly chopped auburn hair.
"That's even worse." Draco continued. "To act out of ignorance is one thing. But this…" Draco waved nonchalantly at the house elves hurriedly preparing the Great Hall for the night's S.P.E.W meeting. "Well, lets just say there is a special place in Hades for the hypocrites."
"It's the only way we could get them to come."
Draco arched flawlessly manicured eyebrows. "Oh?"
"Hermione realized we needed House Elf representatives in S.P.E.W. But they wanted no part of it. Finally, we reached a compromise; we would let them do chores for S.P.E.W. In return they would attend meetings. I'm not really sure that it's doing any good actually but she likes to have them here."
"I think that should tell you about the nature of house elves. They like how things are."
"Is it nature? Or just brainwashing?"
"Jayne! Come help!"
Draco looked up to see Hermione Granger carrying a huge box into the Great Hall. A scowling Ginny Weasley carrying an equally large box followed. The girl beside him immediately jumped up and rushed to help them. Jayne Devon…Draco mused…How that goody wannabe Gryffindor ever got placed into Slytherin, I'll never know.
Hermione sighed with relief as Jayne helped her carry the box to a table. She thanked the Slytherin girl with a smile and turned to the gathering of students.
"Alright! I call this meeting of the Society to Promote Elfish Welfare to order. Everyone take your seats." The assembled students quickly complied. Everyone knew Hermione ran the meetings like a dictator and no one wanted to be on the receiving end of her wrath. Hermione did a quick glance around the hall, pleased to see the number in attendance.
S.P.E.W. had started out with only a handful of Gryffindors she had nagged into joining. At the beginning of the year she learned that all her hard work in knitting clothing for the elves was all for naught. Rather than dissuade Hermione, the information pushed her even harder to gain support. In the past year S.P.E.W. had grown to include members of all houses, though Slytherin only boasted two members, Jayne Devon and oddly enough, Draco Malfoy. Her American friend had recruited an especially large number of members. She had absolutely no clue how that girl ever got placed in Slytherin. That girl was Gryffindor, through and through. Hermione frowned when she glanced at the Gryffindor table and found a big empty space where her boyfriend and friends usually sit.
Just then, said boyfriend and friends ran into the hall, faces flushed, drenched in sweat. They quickly took their seats and beamed winsomely at Hermione.
"You're late!" She bit at them.
"We were so caught up in studying for our exams that we simply lost track of time," Ron frantically said.
"With a basketball?"
Ron looked down at Dean, who was attempting to spin the orange ball on his index finger.
"Dean!" Ron shrieked. "I told you to leave that outside."
Hermione shook her head. "I am so disappointed in you boys."
"But-but…it was a matter of honor. The Hufflepuffs are saying the Gryffindors can't handle their balls."
The whole group snickered, the loudest coming from the Hufflepuffs and a certain platinum-haired Slytherin.
"Stuff it, Ron! You have interrupted this meeting enough. Now…" Hermione turned to the students with a smile. "…since this the last meeting of the year there really isn't much on the agenda. First off, I want to say that I was extremely thrilled with the progress we have made this year. We should all take a moment to thank Luna Lovegood who provided us with much needed publicity." There was a polite round of applause. "But there is still much more to do. Now don't think that just because its summer vacation, that you can slack off your S.P.E.W. duties…" Hermione motioned to Jayne and Ginny who opened the two large boxes and pulled out thick muggle folders. They began passing them out as Hermione went on. "Inside these packets you will find a generous amount of leaflets and pamphlets to be passed out to your friends and family. They explain what S.P.E.W is about and how they can help."
Hermione paused, an euphoric smile flashed across her face.
"And now for the fun part! For the rest of the meeting we will be paired up. House elf and student. I want you all to take the time to get to know each other. Perhaps even correspond over the summer. After I call your names get together and enjoy the lovely-" Hermione sighed heavily and continued flatly, "dinner that the house elves have prepared for us tonight." She reached into her robes and pulled out a stack of cards and began to read off. "Hannah Abbott and Mackey..."
Draco smirked at the tiny bug eyed creature that gazed up at him in fright. "So, Spoony…are you a boy or a girl. I can never really tell. You all look the same to me."
"Spoony is a girl, sir," The tiny elf that had been assigned to him whispered.
"Well, Miss Spoony, why don't you hop up here so we can dine and become better acquainted." Draco patted the seat next to him and smiled charmingly at the little elf.
"No, sir. It just isn't right." Spoony looked tearfully about the Great Hall, where other students were trying to coax their house elves into dining with them.
"Nonsense, I insist." Draco picked Spoony up and placed her next to him. Spoony began to tremble and tears ran down her face. She reached into a crudely attached pocket on her tea towel dress and pulled out a red woolen sock, which she used to wipe her eyes. Draco stroked her back soothingly as he took a sip of his pumpkin juice. Spoony stopped crying immediately.
"What is that, sir?"
"Umm…pumpkin juice?"
"The long thing, sir."
"Oh! That's a straw. Muggle invention."
"It's marvelous!"
Draco smiled and reached into his robe, pulling out a blue-stripped straw. He set it in the glass of pumpkin juice set for Spoony. She gasped with joy and proceeded to blow bubbles in her pumpkin juice. Genuine mirth erupted from Draco and it echoed throughout the Great Hall.
"What the hell is he playing at?" Ron asked as he disbelievingly watched Draco Malfoy shake with laughter across the room, the tiny elf at his side giggling behind her hands. The table of Gryffindors and single Slytherin gaped at the scene before them. Hermione sighed and returned to her meal. "Well at least he got Spoony to stay. All the other elves fled in terror. Even Dobby."
"He's probably promising her that he will let her shine his shoes," suggested Jayne.
"I still don't know why he is even in S.P.E.W. God knows his family probably has more house elves then the rest of the wizarding world combined."
Jayne threw Ron a smirk. "Surely you jest. It's so obvious. It's all part of the Malfoy campaign to portray themselves as a peaceful wizarding family who loves all of God's creatures, great and small…including house elves and muggles. He even bought a muggle TV for the Slytherin common room. Snape threw a fit but let us keep it. We had to charm it to make it work without electricity. It's quite nice, actually. Almost makes being in Slytherin worth it. I so missed TV." Jayne shook her head as a wistful look crossed her face. "I still can't believe how backwards the wizarding world is over here."
"We aren't backwards!" Ron resentfully sputtered. "Besides, we can't have electrical things. The magic interferes…"
Jayne shrugged. "There are ways around that. Besides look at the decor…Hogwarts is so 18th century."
"Harry! Do you think we are backwards?"
Harry stared at his indignant friend whose red face was competing with his coppery hair, and thoughtfully chewed his bottom lip. "Well…we have running water and all. But I think a bit of electricity would be a nice touch. The torches and candles add a pleasant ambiance but it can be hard to read with such soft light."
Ron dismissed Harry with a wave of hand. "Simple spells and charms can take care of all of that."
"Perhaps. I also think that maybe some ink pens would nice. The quill and ink jar bit was kind of fun at first but now it's getting old. I'm tired of getting ink all over my fingers. And as much as I love Hedwig, using Owls to send messages really isn't all that efficient. Granted…it's a lot faster than the muggle post. But with a simple telephone, fax machine, or computer one can contact someone immediately. Oh! And what's up with…"
Ron glowered.
Hermione laughed, got up and hugged her boyfriend from behind as Harry blathered on and on about the many ways their wizarding world could improve itself.
Across the room Draco kept his ears on Spoony but his eyes watched the group across the room. Well, well, well. Draco thought. Somebody's got a crush, but is it on Granger or the weasel? Draco watched the Slytherin girl longingly gaze at the loving Gryffindor couple. He tucked this new piece of information away for future reference and possible use. His pale gray eyes glinted with amusement as he trailed them over the table's other occupants. They momentarily lingered on one Harry Potter and he was reminded of better times in his life. Draco bitterly looked away, damning Harry's black hair and bright green eyes behind unstylish glasses. It would not due to dwell. He shook the thoughts away and turned to answer Spoony, who was looking up at him expectantly as she happily sucked pumpkin juice through her straw.
"Oh yes, Miss Spoony. Hundreds of them. Malfoy Manor is an extremely large house. It takes as least ten house elves to clean the front hall alone. They work hard all day, all night and don't receive a single bronze knut."
Spoony made approving grunting noises. "Spoony thinks it sounds like paradise, sir."
***
Cheeky, head house elf of Malfoy Manor, would have told Spoony just how wrong she was as he stood in front of a giant marble fireplace in the Malfoy's private study. The towel that he used as a makeshift toga was soaked with tears. The little elf shook as the remnants of the Cruciatus Curse pulsated through his body.
"Well, elf. I think I have made myself understood. You had best better train the elves or I shall have you wishing for the Avada Kedavra."
"Yes, Master Malfoy, sir." The battered elf choked out.
"Very well. Now send someone in to clean up that mess you made."
"Yes, Master Malfoy, sir."
Lucius noted with amusement at how quickly the elf scampered from the room, despite the obvious pain he was in. He turned his attention to the letter in front of him and pursed his lips in a furtive smile, his fingers mindlessly twirling his snake tipped cane.
"Torturing the house elves again?"
She stood posed in the doorway, wearing a blue diaphanous evening gown that hugged her body in all the right places and brought her blue eyes out to a most startling hue. Her long dark blond hair was loosely laid on her sholders and gently flew about as if a gentle wind caressed her. The effect created by a simple spell she had created. People did not believe it when she told them that she was not a Veela and many a man and more than a few women spent most of their lives daydreaming of nothing but Narcissa Malfoy. However, Lucius Malfoy was not like most people and regarded his wife with cool indifference.
"And if I was?"
Narcissa stomped across the room. "For Merlin's Sake! I have guests out there! In case you have forgotten you're not supposed to be here. I could hear that damn elf scream 'Please stop, Master Malfoy' even across the Manor!"
Lucius was nonplussed. "Hmmm. Perhaps I should punish him for disturbing your little party."
"Damn it, Lucius. Not all of those people out there are your friends. What if one of them reports this to the Ministry? The Aurors will come looking for you again!"
"Let them come," Lucius said airily. "It's quite easy to escape Azkaban since the Dementors have deserted the place."
Narcissa scowled in response.
"You know, my dear, you look absolutely horrid when you do that."
Narcissa immediately relaxed her face into a look of detached boredom. "Well, I shall soon leave so you can continue with your twisted little fun. I just wanted to show you this."
Narcissa shoved a ragged looking magazine at him.
"What's this? Narcissa, you know I don't read this trash!" Lucius scornfully looked at the copy of The Quibbler she had handed him.
"Rosalind Parkinson took much delight in giving me this. Go to the back page."
Lucius humored his wife and turned to the back page.
"Oh! I see that fool Gilderoy Lockhart has been exposed as an extra-terrestrial. That explains so mu-"
"Not there! There!"
Narcissa pointed to a photo showing one Draco Malfoy casually leaning against a light post, widely grinning and holding a sign that said: S.P.E.W. Lucius briefly skimmed over the accompanying article.
"Nice photo. He is looking well. Too well."
"Lucius, this is serious! Hasn't the Malfoy name has been sullied enough? Do we have to be a laughingstock too? He is only doing this to get back at you!"
"He has made his decisions and I have made mine."
"Good Gods! He is our only child and heir! Just get over your damned issues for now. It will pass!"
Lucius' face darkened. "My issues? Have you forgotten with whom I am associated? What this whole war is about?"
Narcissa did not back down and lifted bitter eyes to her husband. "How could I forget? But I am working very hard to restore some bit of honor to the Malfoy family; sucking up to muggle lovers…mudbloods…halfbreeds-at your behest I might add! It's making me ill. If they learn about Draco it could undo everything. Have you even thought about how it looks?"
"I'm sure you will find away to twist it around for our purposes. Now return to your party. As you said people are getting suspicious and it wouldn't do for you to be gone so long."
Narcissa left in a huff as Lucius tore the photo of his only son from the magazine and threw the rest into the fireplace. It truly was, after all, a very good picture of Draco.
He again looked at the sheet of parchment. Things were turning out even better than he dreamed. He only hoped the situation would be taken advantaged of in its fullest.
The door softly clicked open and in walked Cheeky with a bucket of soapy water and a sponge.
"Sit that down, Cheeky. You won't be needing it just yet." He blessed the terrified elf with a apologetic smile. "Narcissa tells me that your screams disrupted her little gathering. Most unfortunate, that."
Across the Manor, Narcissa visibly shuddered as the sharp tortured screams pierced the air once more. With a beatific smile frozen in place she directed her guests to the gardens where they might take their drinks in a more peaceful environment.
***
The final week at Hogwarts began with a quiet efficiency. Everyone was cranky and apprehensive as they worried about final exams. Despite everyone being on edge the days went on with virtually no troubles. The Slytherins vested no energy in picking fights. Even Snape appeared to be drained and didn't even blink when a first year succeeded in turning his entire class a brilliant shade of blue by way of an exploding cauldron. The days passed with great tedium and by Wednesday night Ron Weasley couldn't take it anymore. There had been no great mystery, no big showdown to mark the end of the year. Where was the excitement?
"I just wish something would happen!" Ron shouted unexpectedly in the middle of his Potions homework. The startled Gryffindors gathered in the common room glared at him before returning to their studies. Unfortunately, for Ron something did happen the very next morning.
The only sounds that littered the table were the quick scrawling of quills and unsuppressed yawns of the students. Ron and Harry sat together huddled as over their potions notes; worried about the test they would take today. Hermione was next to Ron, idly nibbling on a piece of toast as she worked on an Arithmancy essay.
A clear, yet hushed seductive voice caressed Hermione's ear. She turned to the voice and was bestowed with a lusty leer as the voice passionately continued. Hermione became as ridged as ice and she twisted to glare at Ron in a cold fury. Her frosty stare froze him on the spot.
"Herm…What…"
"How could you?" Hermione tearfully whispered. She clutched her satchel and ran from the Great Hall.
Ron chased after her, his things forgotten.
Harry bit his lip in confusion. He was used to them arguing. It would seem strange if they didn't. But this was just odd.
"Does anyone know what that was all about?" Harry asked. Dean and Seamus looked up from their books and shrugged.
"I saw the whole thing," Colin Creevy brightly said between gulps of porridge. Everyone in the vicinity turned their eyes and ears to him.
"Well…" Colin slowly began, pleased to be at the center of attention. "Hermione was writing, occasionally mumbling something about the proper use of sixes. Then she into a block of ice. Just like that!" Colin snapped his fingers. "She turned to Ron and said. 'How could you?' Then she ran out and Ron followed. Boy…I thought she was going to kill Ron. I wish I hadn't left my camera in the dorm. That would have been a great shot-"
"What was Ron doing?" Lavender Brown asked from where she sat with a concerned looking Ginny Weasley.
"Nothing. Just studying."
"That's it?" Harry asked. "Nothing else?"
Colin paused in thought. "That's it. Well, there was that one thing that was kind of odd."
"What?" Harry queried impatiently.
"Well, Seamus here suddenly started reading aloud. It was strange. It almost seemed like he was reading to Hermione and was acting all moony as though he fancied her."
Seamus paled as Colin took a deep breath and began a poor imitation. "The year 1734 was known as the Year of the Squib when over seventy percent of the new incoming class where discovered to be lacking magical-"
"Seamus!"
"You didn't!"
Harry and Dean shouted at the flushing Irish lad, cowering behind a copy of Hogwarts: A History. Volume II. Seamus frantically gathered his things and fled from the table as Harry and Dean advanced towards him.
Shortly later that day a breathless Harry and Dean entered the Potions classroom for their exam. They had chased Seamus around Hogwarts but had lost him in the maze of corridors. Harry sat at his desk, his previous worries about the Potions exam replaced by a growing concern for Ron who had yet to arrive. Harry massaged his scar as he always did when he was nervous. This was a habit he had picked up during the course of the year. It was oddly comforting.
"Attempting to conjure the spirit of the Dark Lord, Potter?" Snape sneered down at him and continued. "Its true that the Dark Lord was especially good at Potions but I don't think even he could help you today." Snape threw the class a wicked smile that caused a violent shudder. Just then the door opened and in walked Seamus, who took a seat at the front of the class far away from Harry and Dean's angry glares. Snape began instructions for the exam and didn't even seem to notice Ron's absence.
An hour and half into the exam, Harry looked up to see one of Madam Pomfrey's assistants hand a note to Snape. Snape looked over at Ron's empty seat and then at Harry. Everyone noticed this interaction and a hushed murmur flowed over the room.
"No talking!" Snape snapped and motioned for them to continue with their exams. "You've only twenty minutes remaining."
"She's killed him!" Dean hysterically whispered to Harry. Seamus whimpered in the front of the class.
"I said no talking, Dean Thomas. Ten points from Gryffindor!" A pause. "And Ron Weasley is far from dead."
Harry swiftly finished his exam and laid it on Snape's desk.
"Ron?" He whispered.
Snape glowered at him and then said. "He's in the Infirmary."
Harry ran to the infirmary. His mind was clouded with nasty images of a disfigured Ron, with tentacles for hands and bats for ears. God only knows what hexes a raging mad Hermione could inflict. Despite all this graphic imagery Harry was totally unprepared for what he saw when he finally reached the hospital. Madam Pomfrey quickly ushered him into a small room where a young naked red headed boy merrily jumped up and down on a bed, a chocolate bar firmly gripped in his hand.
Harry turned to Madam Pomfrey. "I don't understand. Where's Ron?"
Madam Pomfrey smiled then proceeded to admonish the young child.
"Ronald Weasley! I told you to keep your clothes on! Now lay down and eat your chocolate."
Harry's jaw dropped and he gawked at the small child as Madam Pomfrey struggled to pull a hospital gown over his head.
"T-that's Ron?"
Madam Pomfrey grunted with satisfaction after winning the clothing battle.
"Sure is! Well, I would say a 3 year old Ron."
Harry sat in a chair and couldn't help but smile back at the small boy who cheerfully grinned at him, chocolate smeared all over his face.
"What happened to him?"
"He was brought in about an hour ago. He was found in the gardens playing in the mud. Naked as the day he was born. We still don't know how he got this way. Ron just shrugs when we ask."
"You can change him back, right?"
"Unless we find out how this occurred the only option is to use a mandrake restorative potion. Unfortunately, the antidote for this kind of transfiguration must be freshly brewed and the process will take ninety days. Until then he will remain a child."
Madam Pomfrey peered at Harry who was pensively watching Ron drift off into slumber.
"Do you know anything about this?" Her eyes thoughtfully examined Harry's face.
"Errr, no."
No. Harry thought. Just that an extremely well versed witch is very very mad him.
Madam Pomfrey looked unconvinced but said, "Well, please let me know if you learn anything. Anything at all. Since we don't how he was transfigured the mandrake potion is our only option. Anything else might cause severe complications." Madam Pomfrey patted the tiny redhead's back. A light snore rose from curled up bundle. "Poor little tyke…"
Madam Pomfrey shooed Harry out so that Ron could get some rest but promised that Harry could visit later that evening. He immediately went to the Arithmancy classroom and lingered in the hall as Hermione finished her exam. She was the first student to leave and Harry pulled her into a secluded alcove before she could react.
"Come to mock me as well, have you?" Hermione spat at him.
"Of course not! But listen to me. You have to change him back! She says it's going to take ninety days! He's already missed his potions exam!"
"What? She who?" Hermione's brow wrinkled in confusion. "And who missed their exam?" She continued disapprovingly.
"Now listen, Hermione. I know you are mad at Ron. And you have every right to be. But this is really too much-"
"Harry James Potter! What are you talking about?"
"Ron…I just saw him in the infirmary."
Hermione went as pale as a ghost. "Ron?" She sputtered. "What's wrong with him?"
Harry stammered over his words as he realized that Hermione honestly had no idea about what had happened.
"Ron's…He's a boy."
Hermione gave Harry a very condescending look. "Of course he is a boy."
"No, I mean a little boy. I just saw him, he was only three years old."
Hermione was horrified. "How?"
"I don't know. I thought you…"
Hermione glumly shook her head.
***
By the time dinner had rolled around all of Hogwarts knew of Ron's condition. Almost everyone believed that Hermione had cursed the poor boy in a flash of blind fury. Practically all of the lower years and most of the Hufflepuffs cringed if she so much as looked at them. When a flighty second year fainted after Hermione sneezed, she gathered her things and wearily left the Great Hall to research aging spells.
Harry was especially despondent. He already missed his best friend and his mind raced with theories of how Ron could have been transfigured. Plus, in just a few short days he would be returning to the Dursleys. Even the night's dinner-chicken and ham pie, his favorite-held no appeal and Harry merely pushed it around on his plate despite his grumbling stomach.
The obvious answer to the problem was Voldemort.
Voldemort and his supporters had been extremely quiet since it had been revealed he had risen. Too quiet. Naturally there had been a major initial panic in the wizarding world. It more than doubled when all of the captured Death Eaters escaped from Azkaban. But then there was, well, nothing. Nothing at all. Eventually the fear ebbed away and many wizards told themselves that Voldemort must be too weak to actually do anything. Harry realized that he too had been lulled into a sense of complacency, having not felt Voldemort's presence in a very long time.
Still, he suspected that something was brewing. At the beginning of this year the regular student population was surprised to learn that there would be over 10 new transfer students to attend Hogwarts, all of them American. The professors had been frustratingly evasive about their presence and the new students themselves were not forthcoming with many answers. It was not until Hermione had befriended one of them, Jayne Devon, through a mutual passion for house elves rights, did they learn that their parents had come to work for the Ministry as part of an international coalition against Voldemort. That the professors were none too eager to disclose this seemingly simple explanation led Harry to believe there was much more to the matter at hand.
But he could not see how it all fit in with what happened to Ron. Harry suddenly remembered Draco Malfoy staring quite oddly at Ron and Hermione during the last S.P.E.W. meeting. He allowed himself the briefest glance over to the Slytherin table where Draco Malfoy sat alone, his nose buried in a transfiguration textbook. Crabbe and Goyle, who had been Draco's grunt men for nearly 6 years, never leaving his side, now sat far from him, on the other end of the table, openly flirting with Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson, who had been long marked to be the future Mrs. Draco Malfoy. But Draco ignored them and they ignored him. Unfortunately Draco chose to look up at that moment and the two boys looked at each other for several seconds. Draco broke the stare off with a sneer and returned to his book.
Harry felt a twinge of relief and a surge of confusing disappointment. Unbeknownst to Draco, he finally become the of Harry's existence. Oddly enough, Draco had achieved this through no action of his own. When Harry had returned to Hogwarts after spending the Christmas holidays at the Burrow he had felt a strange sort of peace when he first saw Draco Malfoy. Much of the anger, frustration and grief he had harbored melted away with a mere thought of him. That Harry was so comforted by the Slytherin was a source of discomfort in itself and Harry did his best to avoid him at all costs. It was Harry's luck that Draco seemed to do the same.
***
A hidden figure cautiously watched Harry leave the Great Hall. When the coast was clear Seamus Finnegan quickly ran to the Gryffindor table and stuffed several rolls into his robes as he shoved a piece of chicken and ham pie into his mouth. He washed it down with a glass of pumpkin juice, half of it flowing on to his robes as he gulped. Lavender Brown and Pavarti Patil threw him disgusted looks.
Rolls in tow, he rushed from the Great Hall to find a place where he might hide from Harry and Dean. He hadn't even reached the stairs when a pair of strong hands grabbed him from behind and flipped him around. Seamus found himself looking into the very annoyed face of his best friend.
"N-now now listen Dean…"
"Seamus Finnegan! I am so asham-what ever possessed you?"
Dean frowned at him waiting for an answer.
"I…I…I…" Seamus' face slacked when saw an exceptionally pissed off Harry Potter rush towards them.
"How could you betray Ron like that?" Harry roared, his lighting bolt scar freakishly white against the angered magenta of his face. "How could you do that to Hermione?"
Seamus frantically looked back and forth between Dean and Harry. A crowd of students eagerly gathered around to see what the fuss was about.
"Well, you see…" Seamus began in heaping frenzied breaths. "I just…didn't think she'd freak like that…"
"You're right, you didn't think!" Harry snarled. Several students braced themselves, never having seen the Boy Who Lived so angry. Dean miserably shook his head and in a disappointed voice said, "I can't believe you. I thought you were better than that! That's something…something…a Slytherin would do!"
"That's right!" Lavender Brown crossly agreed, pushing her way to the front. The Gryffindor girl really had no clue what was going on but Harry and Dean's indignation were good enough for her.
"Must have done something wickedly clever!" A fourth year Slytherin girl merrily called out from the back of the crowd, sending Seamus approving glances.
Before another word could be said the crowd parted and through it walked a very stern McGonagall, her eyes steeled with disappointment.
"Fighting in the hall! My own Gryffindors! Amongst themselves!"
McGonagall glared at the crowd, which quickly dispersed and turned her hard gaze to Harry, Dean and Seamus, who had the grace to look ashamed. After a long pause she shook her head.
"As much as it pains me to do this-five points from Gryffindor each! Now tell me, why are you fighting? I thought you were friends?"
"I-" Seamus began but stopped at the murderous looks of Dean and Harry.
"Very well…" McGonagall said in the tense silence that followed. "You should be lucky that the term is almost over else you would have detention as well. Dean, Seamus, be on your way. Harry, I would like a private word."
Seamus and Dean quickly scuttled away. Harry nervously waited for the additional lecture sure to follow. He was surprised when McGonagall turned to him with gentle yet somber eyes.
"Dumbledore would like to see you in his office tomorrow at noon, after your last exam. The password's Lemon Kiss."
"About Ron?"
McGonagall looked even more distressed and shook her head. Harry felt faint when she pulled him to a soft one-armed hug before turning away.
"Umm, Professor?" Harry called after her.
"Yes, Harry?"
"Have you learned anything about Ron's condition yet?"
McGonagall shook her head and said. "I'm afraid not. He's obviously been transfigured but I know of no transfiguration spells that would do this. There are some anti-aging potions that can malfunction in such a manner but Snape does not find any evidence of such potions."
Harry couldn't help but snicker. He doubted that Snape, who did little to hide his contempt for Harry and his fellow Gryffindors, was trying very hard to help Ron. McGonagall gave Harry a weary smile.
"Don't worry, Harry. Ron will be fine. I am told me the mandrakes are especially potent this year." Harry weakly nodded and headed to the infirmary to check on Ron.
AN: Some Spoilers for the next chapter: Harry learns about his aunt. Draco does something strange to Harry. Harry finds out where he will be living but more importantly who he will be living with.
I must say, it was pretty painful writing Sirius out of this chapter.
The next chapter will be up as soon as I finish getting it current with the new canon.
Please Review!
