Chapter 10 - Discovered
"Harry Potter, sir, Dobby has your Potion. It is ready in the kitchens," Dobby squeaked, waking Harry one morning. It was late into the morning and if it hadn't been for Dobby poking him awake, he'd have slept right through his first class and as it was Potions, that would not be good.
"Thanks Dobby," Harry said groggily.
"Sir is welcome," Dobby beamed, "It will be used tonight, sir. Dobby will do it."
Harry knew he'd have to skip breakfast to make it to class on time. He pulled on some clean clothes, grabbed his Potions things, and ran to Snape's class, making it through the door right as the bell rang.
"Five points from Gryffindor for almost being late," Snape snapped
Harry bit his tongue and took his seat. He knew he was going to pay back Snape soon. The thought calmed him and even brought a smile to his face.
Hermione nudged him in the side and passed him a copy of the Daily Prophet. Harry took it and put it on his lap so Snape wouldn't see it. On the front of the cover was Fudge, looking distressed. The heading above the picture delighted Harry.
EX-MINISTER OF MAGIC, CORNELIUS FUDGE,
REISGNS BEFORE HE CAN BE THROWN OUT OF OFFICE
He wanted to read the article, but he didn't want to risk being caught doing so in Potions, so he set it aside to read after. The news kept his spirits high all class, even when Snape gave him bottom marks for his nearly flawless potion. As soon as he was out of the classroom door, he opened the paper and began to skim through the article.
After being brought before the Wizengamot with several charges of endangering the wizarding community, Cornelius Fudge announced to Daily Prophet reporters that he would be resigning as Minister of Magic...The results of Fudge's trial are pending. The position of Minister of Magic has been offered to Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry, but he declined, saying he would never leave the school...The Wizengamot now has to decide between many qualified persons that are willing to take the job...
Harry didn't read any more. All that mattered was that Fudge was out.
"Isn't that great?" Hermione asked.
"Absolutely," Harry agreed, "It's about time."
"I wonder who the Wizengamot will pick. I can't believe Dumbledore turned it down," Hermione said.
"He did last time, too. That's how Fudge got it," Harry said, as Ron came hurrying over waving a piece of parchment at them.
"Dad's been nominated!" he exclaimed, "Mum wrote to tell me. Him and three others. Dumbledore nominated him."
"That's fantastic!" Hermione said happily.
"The Wizengamot vote this weekend. We'll know then. The others are high up in the Ministry, but Dumbledore said he thought they needed someone focused more on the people than the publicity and galleons and that Dad already proved himself," Ron said, proudly.
"Don't hold your breath on that one," Malfoy sneered, "The day a Weasley is minister of magic is the day this world has gone to hell."
"Hey, Malfoy, where's your father again? Hiding from the ministry, isn't he?" Ron asked. That shut him up pretty well. A few students that heard laughed.
Lessons went by as fast as they ever did, which was pretty slow, and they received a lot of homework to make up for the missed week. Harry couldn't wait until dinner time. He told Ron all about his Love Potion and they couldn't stop laughing. He had known better than to say a word to Hermione though.
Harry and Ron tried not to look suspicious during dinner, but they couldn't help but throw glances at Snape, checking to see him empty the goblet. When Snape lifted it to his lips, Harry had to stifle a laugh. And moments later, Snape was kneeling before Professor McGonagall. Many were staring at the strange scene.
"Minerva, my dear. I no longer can hide my true feelings," Snape said in a sweet voice that in no way like his usual cold tone.
"Severus, get up. What's wrong with you?" she snapped, looking embarrassed.
"I love you, Minnie," he said. Then he bent to her ear and whispered something that no one else heard. After that, Professor McGonagall slapped him across the face and walked out of the hall.
Harry and Ron weren't the only ones who were laughing in the hall now. Every student either was staring at Snape in shock or breaking into fits of laughter. Harry now knew why Fred and George got such a kick out of making people laugh. It was good to see that they could still smile with everything that was going on.
Professor Snape seemed to come to himself with the stinging slap he received. He stood and looked around, his face going even paler than it was, which Harry didn't think was possible. He left the hall towards the dungeons with as much dignity as he could muster.
Harry saw up at the staff table that some of the teachers were trying to hide grins, without succeeding. Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he looked around the hall at the laughing students.
All during the rest of the week, the biggest topic of conversation was that of Snape's Monday evening performance. He seemed in a particular venomous mood, handing out detentions randomly to anyone that seemed to be near him.
Harry and Ron wore the subject out quickly and fell to thinking about the upcoming Friday, when the new Minister of Magic would be chosen. Harry was certain Mr. Weasley would be the one to get it.
"If Dumbledore nominated him, that pretty much settles it," he told Ron, as they and Hermione were doing homework in the common room the evening of the decision by the Wizengamot.
"The others are all big and up there in the ministry, though," Ron worried.
"He has just as much chance as them. Even more. Dumbledore's opinion counts for a lot. Don't you agree Mione?" Harry asked, "Hermione?"
She was staring off at the far wall, biting the top of her quill.
"Hey, Hermione, you there?" Harry asked, snapping his fingers. She started.
"Oh, what?" she asked.
"I said Ron's dad's got a good shot at becoming Minister," Harry repeated.
"Yeah," she nodded. Harry and Ron shrugged about to go back to their work when she jumped up.
"Harry! I think I get it now. It all makes sense. I cannot believe her!" Hermione exclaimed, "But, of course Dumbledore would have wanted. But, oh, Harry, you're going to be so mad!"
"Will you just tell us what you're going on about this time?" Ron asked.
"Aira," she said quietly, "She's not her. She's someone else."
"You really are good at explaining things, let me tell you," Ron muttered. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Do you remember when we eavesdropped on Dumbledore and Tonks that evening at Grimmauld place and Dumbledore said he expected Tonks on the train? Well, she was there," she said, and sighed when they both still looked confused, "Aira. She's Tonks. That's why she keeps following you around. I suppose Dumbledore put her up to it. I guess to keep an eye on you."
"No. Are you sure?" Ron asked. Harry was so mad he couldn't find his voice. He knew it all made sense and Hermione was rarely wrong about these things.
"There is a way we can check. Just use the Marauder's map. It will tell us exactly who she is," Hermione said.
Harry ran up the stone steps to his dormitory. He pulled out the map from his trunk and tapped it, muttering, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Lines appeared on the parchment showing every hall, room, and passage of Hogwarts. Harry looked to the room labeled Gryffindor Girls Dormitory, and sure enough, there was a dot labeled Nymphadora Tonks. Harry swore. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed it before.
"Is it her?" Ron asked. He and Hermione were in the doorway looking at him. He nodded and brushed past them, taking the stairs two at a time.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked.
"Dumbledore," he said shortly. He was about to leave the common room, when the one he wanted to see least came after him.
"Hey, Harry. Where you going?" Aira, or Tonks said.
"You!" he spat, "Get away from me! I really do mean it this time! If you take another step towards me, I'll hex you till you can't move."
"What'd I do?" she asked Hermione and Ron.
Hermione turned and walked away, while Ron shot her daggers. She looked thoroughly confused.
"Well, Tonks," Harry snarled, lingering on the name, "I don't think I need a babysitter anymore."
Now she looked shocked, "Oh."
"Oh...I can't believe you!" he yelled.
"Harry, I had to-" she began.
"Stop. I don't want to hear it," Harry said, leaving the common room. He wasn't surprised when she followed him.
"Harry, I really had no choice. I had to do this. They wanted to make sure you stayed out of trouble," she said.
"When you say they, you mean Dumbledore, right?" Harry asked angrily.
"No, it -er- well, yes," she said, "But he knows you have a tendency to get in trouble, so he had me come to male sure you didn't."
"You mean he hired you to baby-sit me!" Harry shouted. Tonks continued to give explanations and apologies as she followed Harry to the stone gargoyles. When he stopped, he saw that she had morphed back to her regular self.
"Skiving Snackbox," he said and the gargoyle slid out of the way. He hurried up the stairs into the headmaster's office, without bothering to knock.
"I can't believe you thought you could do this!" Harry shouted. Dumbledore looked up from his desk and stared at Harry in surprise.
"Albus, I don't know how he found out," Tonks said as she entered after Harry. Dumbledore then seemed to know what Harry meant.
"Ah, Nymphadora, Harry. Please sit down," he gestured.
"I do not want to talk to you right now," Harry said.
"Then why did you come?" Dumbledore asked serenely. Harry wasn't in the mood for his contesting.
"To tell you that I think your getting me a babysitter was way out of line. I'm sixteen and if you think I need someone trailing me everywhere, you're wrong. I don't see any other students with someone accompanying them everywhere," Harry glared at Dumbledore.
"Harry, I did not ask Tonks to baby sit you," Dumbledore said.
"Then to spy on me or something," Harry said.
"Nor to spy on you," he said, "I asked her to make sure nothing happened to you. Such as five boys cornering you in the dungeons, or perhaps sneaking into forbidden places, such as Hogsmeade or the forest."
"It sounds very much like babysitting to me. And you pretty much tricked me into letting her in on my life," he said, ignoring the hissing portraits.
"Harry, I apologize, but I did what I thought was best," Dumbledore said.
"Well, I'm not so sure if you ever know what's best. If you take a look, you haven't been doing very well with it," Harry muttered.
"I have already apologized for the past, as I've said before," Dumbledore said calmly, "What more do you wish me to do?"
"Try leaving me alone," Harry said icily, leaving before Dumbledore could talk him out of his anger.
Harry stormed to the common room. He still couldn't believe Aira was Tonks, though it did make sense. He had trusted Aira, though. He had trusted Tonks. He never though Tonks would do that to him. By the time he reached the common room, he was no longer so angry, but more offended.
"Hey, Harry, you see Dumbledore?" Ron asked. He was standing outside the entrance, noise issuing loudly from behind the portrait of the fat lady.
"Yeah," Harry said.
"He didn't tell you?" Ron asked and Harry noticed he looked extremely happy. He could only guess why.
"Then they voted on it?" he asked, excitement filling him, "Your dad got it?"
"He did!" Ron exclaimed, "He got it. I still can't believe it. My dad, Minister of Magic."
"That's great! No one deserves it more," Harry said, happily.
"Wait till you see the common room. Fred and George's doing. They just sent a group of seventh years to Hogsmeade for stuff," Ron said.
"Frilly socks," Harry said the password. The Fat Lady swung open to reveal a crowd of celebrating Gryffindors. It seemed they were all pleased to have Mr. Weasley as the new Minister of Magic. Either that or they were just looking for an excuse to have a party. A poster of Mr. Weasley now hung on one of the walls. The tables were covered in food that had obviously been nicked from the kitchens.
"Punch?" George offered with a mischievous grin.
"I think I'll pass," Harry said.
"No need to worry, Harry. It's only a bit of Ogden's best we added in," Fred said.
"You spiked the punch?" Ron asked.
"Shut-up! You want Miss Perfect Prefect to confiscate it?" George asked, shooting a glance at Hermione, who was talking with Ginny.
"We put an age line around it anyway. No one under fifteen," Fred said, "So, you want some?"
Ron eagerly took the glass. Fred handed another to Harry.
"Ronald Weasley. You're a prefect!" Fred mocked his mother or was it Hermione.
"I believe you are too," Ron said.
"But no one expects us to live up to it," Fred shrugged.
Ron slammed his whole glass and Harry saw that that was a stupid thing to do as he began to cough and sputter.
"Take it easy, Ron. It is your first time drinking, you know," George said.
Harry took a cautious sip of his own. It burnt a bit as he swallowed it and seemed to settle heavily in his stomach.
"I think maybe we should go easy on that stuff," Ron said. Harry nodded.
By the end of the night, they had each had eight glasses from the punch bowl, which kept filling itself. That was enough to have Hermione looking at them strangely for their behavior. They were nothing, though, compared to Dean Thomas, who had apparently drank near twelve. He was chasing every Gryffindor female around the common room, confessing his hidden love for them. Seamus wasn't too far behind him, at nine, and nearly as bad. He was doing some weird jig on the table near the fireplace and singing. Many of the others were doing things of the same nature.
It was nearly two in the morning and Fred had just managed to talk Colin out of going to find Vincent Crabbe to fight him, when Professor McGonagall entered the common room, looking angry. George quickly cleared away all of the punch with a swish of his wand.
"All of you to your dormitories!" she shouted.
"But fessor, werr havin fun," Dean's speech was slurred, "You know fessor, you look real nice t'night. I ever tell you--"
"Yeah, I think we'll go to bed, now," George interrupted Dean.
He pulled him away from Professor McGonagall by his robes and toward the dormitory stairs, leaving her looking confused. The other students followed discontentedly. Harry found he needed to hold onto the wall for support as he walked, so that he didn't fall over himself. Ron was in front of him, wobbling uncertainly.
Just as Professor McGonagall left them, Colin Creevey stumbled over nothing at all and fell into the couch. Hermione went to help him up and when she tried to help him up, she realized he was passed out. No one bothered to help him up to his bed. He wasn't the only one left there. Apparently a few third years got hold of the punch, because they were snoring in the corner of the common room.
The next morning, Harry woke feeling sick and very glad it was a Sunday, without classes. He looked at the bed beside him and saw Ron's greenish face looking back at him.
"What happened?" Ron asked.
"No idea," Harry muttered. He pulled the blanket over his head to block out the sunlight. His head was throbbing.
"Did I get into a fight last night?" Ron asked.
"I can't remember a damn thing," Harry said.
"Will you two please shut up? You're making my head hurt more," came Dean's voice from across the room. Then came hurried footsteps that went to the door. Harry saw Neville nearly trip over something and flee out of the room. The thing he nearly tripped over was Seamus, who lay sprawled across the middle of the floor.
"Rise and shine everyone!" came the cheery, unwelcome voice of Fred Weasley.
"My, you all are looking very well today," George said, laughing.
"Get out," Dean muttered. Harry wanted to chuck a pillow at him but couldn't find the strength.
"Do you boys even remember any events of last night?" Fred asked, tauntingly. Harry tried to remember. As far as he got was George giving him some punch and him finishing it.
"Dean almost confessed his love to McGonagall. Should be very happy we stopped him. Look here at Seamus. Couldn't find his bed," Fred said.
"And Ron, the way you were going on about Hermione..." George said.
"What?" Ron jumped up and seemingly regretted it as he laid back down with a moan.
"Just kidding on that one, little bro," they laughed.
"Well, you've had your first drink boys. How do you feel?" Fred asked.
"Like shit," was the general murmur.
"Well, that is to be expected. But you all are in luck. We have a special deal for you. We have a hangover potion. Invented by ourselves. And only five galleons a glass," George said.
"Five galleons!" Ron exclaimed hoarsely.
"Only to you boys. For everyone else, it's eight," Fred said, "You're lucky we're so kind."
"I'll take one," Harry mumbled.
"Me too," Dean said.
"Me," came the low voice of Seamus from the ground.
"Harry, I will pay you back. I swear," Ron begged.
Fred passed a steaming glass to each boy and George collected the galleons. Harry swallowed it quickly, ignoring the foul taste. His headache soon melted away and his stomach settled.
"How goes it?" Fred asked.
"That was great," Harry said, the others agreeing.
"Good. You were our first testers. Never tried that one before. Tell us if you have any side effects later," George said, smiling slyly.
"You mean you don't know if it's safe!" Ron exclaimed.
"Ron, you feel better?" George asked.
"Yeah," Ron said.
"Then shut it," George said.
"Well, we must be going. I'm sure the seventh and fifth years will want in," Fred said.
"Can't forget those third years, either. They looked pretty bad," George reminded him.
"Hey, what did I really say to McGonagall?" Dean asked worriedly.
"Remember how Snape went on to her last week?" Fred asked. Dean paled and dropped his hands to his face. The twins laughed.
"Just kidding, Thomas. George was kind enough to stop you," Fred said. George took a deep bow.
"Hey, Seamus. Now, last night, you promised to show us that jig you were doing on the table. The girls got a kick out of it," Fred said. Seamus groaned. After a few more minutes of taunting, the twins finally left them.
"Harry Potter, sir, Dobby has your Potion. It is ready in the kitchens," Dobby squeaked, waking Harry one morning. It was late into the morning and if it hadn't been for Dobby poking him awake, he'd have slept right through his first class and as it was Potions, that would not be good.
"Thanks Dobby," Harry said groggily.
"Sir is welcome," Dobby beamed, "It will be used tonight, sir. Dobby will do it."
Harry knew he'd have to skip breakfast to make it to class on time. He pulled on some clean clothes, grabbed his Potions things, and ran to Snape's class, making it through the door right as the bell rang.
"Five points from Gryffindor for almost being late," Snape snapped
Harry bit his tongue and took his seat. He knew he was going to pay back Snape soon. The thought calmed him and even brought a smile to his face.
Hermione nudged him in the side and passed him a copy of the Daily Prophet. Harry took it and put it on his lap so Snape wouldn't see it. On the front of the cover was Fudge, looking distressed. The heading above the picture delighted Harry.
EX-MINISTER OF MAGIC, CORNELIUS FUDGE,
REISGNS BEFORE HE CAN BE THROWN OUT OF OFFICE
He wanted to read the article, but he didn't want to risk being caught doing so in Potions, so he set it aside to read after. The news kept his spirits high all class, even when Snape gave him bottom marks for his nearly flawless potion. As soon as he was out of the classroom door, he opened the paper and began to skim through the article.
After being brought before the Wizengamot with several charges of endangering the wizarding community, Cornelius Fudge announced to Daily Prophet reporters that he would be resigning as Minister of Magic...The results of Fudge's trial are pending. The position of Minister of Magic has been offered to Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry, but he declined, saying he would never leave the school...The Wizengamot now has to decide between many qualified persons that are willing to take the job...
Harry didn't read any more. All that mattered was that Fudge was out.
"Isn't that great?" Hermione asked.
"Absolutely," Harry agreed, "It's about time."
"I wonder who the Wizengamot will pick. I can't believe Dumbledore turned it down," Hermione said.
"He did last time, too. That's how Fudge got it," Harry said, as Ron came hurrying over waving a piece of parchment at them.
"Dad's been nominated!" he exclaimed, "Mum wrote to tell me. Him and three others. Dumbledore nominated him."
"That's fantastic!" Hermione said happily.
"The Wizengamot vote this weekend. We'll know then. The others are high up in the Ministry, but Dumbledore said he thought they needed someone focused more on the people than the publicity and galleons and that Dad already proved himself," Ron said, proudly.
"Don't hold your breath on that one," Malfoy sneered, "The day a Weasley is minister of magic is the day this world has gone to hell."
"Hey, Malfoy, where's your father again? Hiding from the ministry, isn't he?" Ron asked. That shut him up pretty well. A few students that heard laughed.
Lessons went by as fast as they ever did, which was pretty slow, and they received a lot of homework to make up for the missed week. Harry couldn't wait until dinner time. He told Ron all about his Love Potion and they couldn't stop laughing. He had known better than to say a word to Hermione though.
Harry and Ron tried not to look suspicious during dinner, but they couldn't help but throw glances at Snape, checking to see him empty the goblet. When Snape lifted it to his lips, Harry had to stifle a laugh. And moments later, Snape was kneeling before Professor McGonagall. Many were staring at the strange scene.
"Minerva, my dear. I no longer can hide my true feelings," Snape said in a sweet voice that in no way like his usual cold tone.
"Severus, get up. What's wrong with you?" she snapped, looking embarrassed.
"I love you, Minnie," he said. Then he bent to her ear and whispered something that no one else heard. After that, Professor McGonagall slapped him across the face and walked out of the hall.
Harry and Ron weren't the only ones who were laughing in the hall now. Every student either was staring at Snape in shock or breaking into fits of laughter. Harry now knew why Fred and George got such a kick out of making people laugh. It was good to see that they could still smile with everything that was going on.
Professor Snape seemed to come to himself with the stinging slap he received. He stood and looked around, his face going even paler than it was, which Harry didn't think was possible. He left the hall towards the dungeons with as much dignity as he could muster.
Harry saw up at the staff table that some of the teachers were trying to hide grins, without succeeding. Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he looked around the hall at the laughing students.
All during the rest of the week, the biggest topic of conversation was that of Snape's Monday evening performance. He seemed in a particular venomous mood, handing out detentions randomly to anyone that seemed to be near him.
Harry and Ron wore the subject out quickly and fell to thinking about the upcoming Friday, when the new Minister of Magic would be chosen. Harry was certain Mr. Weasley would be the one to get it.
"If Dumbledore nominated him, that pretty much settles it," he told Ron, as they and Hermione were doing homework in the common room the evening of the decision by the Wizengamot.
"The others are all big and up there in the ministry, though," Ron worried.
"He has just as much chance as them. Even more. Dumbledore's opinion counts for a lot. Don't you agree Mione?" Harry asked, "Hermione?"
She was staring off at the far wall, biting the top of her quill.
"Hey, Hermione, you there?" Harry asked, snapping his fingers. She started.
"Oh, what?" she asked.
"I said Ron's dad's got a good shot at becoming Minister," Harry repeated.
"Yeah," she nodded. Harry and Ron shrugged about to go back to their work when she jumped up.
"Harry! I think I get it now. It all makes sense. I cannot believe her!" Hermione exclaimed, "But, of course Dumbledore would have wanted. But, oh, Harry, you're going to be so mad!"
"Will you just tell us what you're going on about this time?" Ron asked.
"Aira," she said quietly, "She's not her. She's someone else."
"You really are good at explaining things, let me tell you," Ron muttered. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Do you remember when we eavesdropped on Dumbledore and Tonks that evening at Grimmauld place and Dumbledore said he expected Tonks on the train? Well, she was there," she said, and sighed when they both still looked confused, "Aira. She's Tonks. That's why she keeps following you around. I suppose Dumbledore put her up to it. I guess to keep an eye on you."
"No. Are you sure?" Ron asked. Harry was so mad he couldn't find his voice. He knew it all made sense and Hermione was rarely wrong about these things.
"There is a way we can check. Just use the Marauder's map. It will tell us exactly who she is," Hermione said.
Harry ran up the stone steps to his dormitory. He pulled out the map from his trunk and tapped it, muttering, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Lines appeared on the parchment showing every hall, room, and passage of Hogwarts. Harry looked to the room labeled Gryffindor Girls Dormitory, and sure enough, there was a dot labeled Nymphadora Tonks. Harry swore. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed it before.
"Is it her?" Ron asked. He and Hermione were in the doorway looking at him. He nodded and brushed past them, taking the stairs two at a time.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked.
"Dumbledore," he said shortly. He was about to leave the common room, when the one he wanted to see least came after him.
"Hey, Harry. Where you going?" Aira, or Tonks said.
"You!" he spat, "Get away from me! I really do mean it this time! If you take another step towards me, I'll hex you till you can't move."
"What'd I do?" she asked Hermione and Ron.
Hermione turned and walked away, while Ron shot her daggers. She looked thoroughly confused.
"Well, Tonks," Harry snarled, lingering on the name, "I don't think I need a babysitter anymore."
Now she looked shocked, "Oh."
"Oh...I can't believe you!" he yelled.
"Harry, I had to-" she began.
"Stop. I don't want to hear it," Harry said, leaving the common room. He wasn't surprised when she followed him.
"Harry, I really had no choice. I had to do this. They wanted to make sure you stayed out of trouble," she said.
"When you say they, you mean Dumbledore, right?" Harry asked angrily.
"No, it -er- well, yes," she said, "But he knows you have a tendency to get in trouble, so he had me come to male sure you didn't."
"You mean he hired you to baby-sit me!" Harry shouted. Tonks continued to give explanations and apologies as she followed Harry to the stone gargoyles. When he stopped, he saw that she had morphed back to her regular self.
"Skiving Snackbox," he said and the gargoyle slid out of the way. He hurried up the stairs into the headmaster's office, without bothering to knock.
"I can't believe you thought you could do this!" Harry shouted. Dumbledore looked up from his desk and stared at Harry in surprise.
"Albus, I don't know how he found out," Tonks said as she entered after Harry. Dumbledore then seemed to know what Harry meant.
"Ah, Nymphadora, Harry. Please sit down," he gestured.
"I do not want to talk to you right now," Harry said.
"Then why did you come?" Dumbledore asked serenely. Harry wasn't in the mood for his contesting.
"To tell you that I think your getting me a babysitter was way out of line. I'm sixteen and if you think I need someone trailing me everywhere, you're wrong. I don't see any other students with someone accompanying them everywhere," Harry glared at Dumbledore.
"Harry, I did not ask Tonks to baby sit you," Dumbledore said.
"Then to spy on me or something," Harry said.
"Nor to spy on you," he said, "I asked her to make sure nothing happened to you. Such as five boys cornering you in the dungeons, or perhaps sneaking into forbidden places, such as Hogsmeade or the forest."
"It sounds very much like babysitting to me. And you pretty much tricked me into letting her in on my life," he said, ignoring the hissing portraits.
"Harry, I apologize, but I did what I thought was best," Dumbledore said.
"Well, I'm not so sure if you ever know what's best. If you take a look, you haven't been doing very well with it," Harry muttered.
"I have already apologized for the past, as I've said before," Dumbledore said calmly, "What more do you wish me to do?"
"Try leaving me alone," Harry said icily, leaving before Dumbledore could talk him out of his anger.
Harry stormed to the common room. He still couldn't believe Aira was Tonks, though it did make sense. He had trusted Aira, though. He had trusted Tonks. He never though Tonks would do that to him. By the time he reached the common room, he was no longer so angry, but more offended.
"Hey, Harry, you see Dumbledore?" Ron asked. He was standing outside the entrance, noise issuing loudly from behind the portrait of the fat lady.
"Yeah," Harry said.
"He didn't tell you?" Ron asked and Harry noticed he looked extremely happy. He could only guess why.
"Then they voted on it?" he asked, excitement filling him, "Your dad got it?"
"He did!" Ron exclaimed, "He got it. I still can't believe it. My dad, Minister of Magic."
"That's great! No one deserves it more," Harry said, happily.
"Wait till you see the common room. Fred and George's doing. They just sent a group of seventh years to Hogsmeade for stuff," Ron said.
"Frilly socks," Harry said the password. The Fat Lady swung open to reveal a crowd of celebrating Gryffindors. It seemed they were all pleased to have Mr. Weasley as the new Minister of Magic. Either that or they were just looking for an excuse to have a party. A poster of Mr. Weasley now hung on one of the walls. The tables were covered in food that had obviously been nicked from the kitchens.
"Punch?" George offered with a mischievous grin.
"I think I'll pass," Harry said.
"No need to worry, Harry. It's only a bit of Ogden's best we added in," Fred said.
"You spiked the punch?" Ron asked.
"Shut-up! You want Miss Perfect Prefect to confiscate it?" George asked, shooting a glance at Hermione, who was talking with Ginny.
"We put an age line around it anyway. No one under fifteen," Fred said, "So, you want some?"
Ron eagerly took the glass. Fred handed another to Harry.
"Ronald Weasley. You're a prefect!" Fred mocked his mother or was it Hermione.
"I believe you are too," Ron said.
"But no one expects us to live up to it," Fred shrugged.
Ron slammed his whole glass and Harry saw that that was a stupid thing to do as he began to cough and sputter.
"Take it easy, Ron. It is your first time drinking, you know," George said.
Harry took a cautious sip of his own. It burnt a bit as he swallowed it and seemed to settle heavily in his stomach.
"I think maybe we should go easy on that stuff," Ron said. Harry nodded.
By the end of the night, they had each had eight glasses from the punch bowl, which kept filling itself. That was enough to have Hermione looking at them strangely for their behavior. They were nothing, though, compared to Dean Thomas, who had apparently drank near twelve. He was chasing every Gryffindor female around the common room, confessing his hidden love for them. Seamus wasn't too far behind him, at nine, and nearly as bad. He was doing some weird jig on the table near the fireplace and singing. Many of the others were doing things of the same nature.
It was nearly two in the morning and Fred had just managed to talk Colin out of going to find Vincent Crabbe to fight him, when Professor McGonagall entered the common room, looking angry. George quickly cleared away all of the punch with a swish of his wand.
"All of you to your dormitories!" she shouted.
"But fessor, werr havin fun," Dean's speech was slurred, "You know fessor, you look real nice t'night. I ever tell you--"
"Yeah, I think we'll go to bed, now," George interrupted Dean.
He pulled him away from Professor McGonagall by his robes and toward the dormitory stairs, leaving her looking confused. The other students followed discontentedly. Harry found he needed to hold onto the wall for support as he walked, so that he didn't fall over himself. Ron was in front of him, wobbling uncertainly.
Just as Professor McGonagall left them, Colin Creevey stumbled over nothing at all and fell into the couch. Hermione went to help him up and when she tried to help him up, she realized he was passed out. No one bothered to help him up to his bed. He wasn't the only one left there. Apparently a few third years got hold of the punch, because they were snoring in the corner of the common room.
The next morning, Harry woke feeling sick and very glad it was a Sunday, without classes. He looked at the bed beside him and saw Ron's greenish face looking back at him.
"What happened?" Ron asked.
"No idea," Harry muttered. He pulled the blanket over his head to block out the sunlight. His head was throbbing.
"Did I get into a fight last night?" Ron asked.
"I can't remember a damn thing," Harry said.
"Will you two please shut up? You're making my head hurt more," came Dean's voice from across the room. Then came hurried footsteps that went to the door. Harry saw Neville nearly trip over something and flee out of the room. The thing he nearly tripped over was Seamus, who lay sprawled across the middle of the floor.
"Rise and shine everyone!" came the cheery, unwelcome voice of Fred Weasley.
"My, you all are looking very well today," George said, laughing.
"Get out," Dean muttered. Harry wanted to chuck a pillow at him but couldn't find the strength.
"Do you boys even remember any events of last night?" Fred asked, tauntingly. Harry tried to remember. As far as he got was George giving him some punch and him finishing it.
"Dean almost confessed his love to McGonagall. Should be very happy we stopped him. Look here at Seamus. Couldn't find his bed," Fred said.
"And Ron, the way you were going on about Hermione..." George said.
"What?" Ron jumped up and seemingly regretted it as he laid back down with a moan.
"Just kidding on that one, little bro," they laughed.
"Well, you've had your first drink boys. How do you feel?" Fred asked.
"Like shit," was the general murmur.
"Well, that is to be expected. But you all are in luck. We have a special deal for you. We have a hangover potion. Invented by ourselves. And only five galleons a glass," George said.
"Five galleons!" Ron exclaimed hoarsely.
"Only to you boys. For everyone else, it's eight," Fred said, "You're lucky we're so kind."
"I'll take one," Harry mumbled.
"Me too," Dean said.
"Me," came the low voice of Seamus from the ground.
"Harry, I will pay you back. I swear," Ron begged.
Fred passed a steaming glass to each boy and George collected the galleons. Harry swallowed it quickly, ignoring the foul taste. His headache soon melted away and his stomach settled.
"How goes it?" Fred asked.
"That was great," Harry said, the others agreeing.
"Good. You were our first testers. Never tried that one before. Tell us if you have any side effects later," George said, smiling slyly.
"You mean you don't know if it's safe!" Ron exclaimed.
"Ron, you feel better?" George asked.
"Yeah," Ron said.
"Then shut it," George said.
"Well, we must be going. I'm sure the seventh and fifth years will want in," Fred said.
"Can't forget those third years, either. They looked pretty bad," George reminded him.
"Hey, what did I really say to McGonagall?" Dean asked worriedly.
"Remember how Snape went on to her last week?" Fred asked. Dean paled and dropped his hands to his face. The twins laughed.
"Just kidding, Thomas. George was kind enough to stop you," Fred said. George took a deep bow.
"Hey, Seamus. Now, last night, you promised to show us that jig you were doing on the table. The girls got a kick out of it," Fred said. Seamus groaned. After a few more minutes of taunting, the twins finally left them.