Real life intruded and I didnt finish off the whole chapter. However, this the bit I did finish. All the disclaimers apply , and as usual, comments would be appreaciated.
Thanks to Lantaana for the beta and support.
Harry barely made it back in time to prevent his fifth year Slytherin/Gryffindor from hexing each other into the next week. The shouts alerted him to the situation from three floors below and he automatically lengthened his uneven seeker's gait. For once the staircases did not hinder his progress, perhaps sensing the agitation in his magic. He rounded the last corner in a rather pirouette like hop and stood unnoticed for a moment assessing the scene.
Sylphede Lewisham, an unexpectedly black haired Malfoy cousin was on the floor pinning down what appeared to be a blond haired Gryffindor. The girls rolled around and the second party turned out to be none other that Miranda Bones, whose arrival in Gryffindor broke century's worth of tradition. Once on top Miranda used the Slytherin's long braid to force the other girl's head into the floor. On the third thump, Sylphede kneed her opponent in the back and scrambled onto her feet. The crowd, which until then stood by motionless let out a collective sound of surprised glee and a few Slytherins cheered. Harry chose to make his presence known then, before the fight escalated further.
"Well Miss Bones, Miss Lewisham, now that you've finished demonstrating your level of maturity in front of both your houses, maybe we can start today's lesson? Twenty point off each of you and detention with your house head, at their discretion." With that Harry walked to the classroom and opened the door with a wave of his wand. "Since you've both collected a sufficient number of scrapes, you will demonstrate the diagnostic charms we've covered last week, on each other." The girls stared at him with twin looks of horror, but neither dared open her mouth. "As soon as the class is settled, you may come up to the front of the room and begin."
That ensured that the students would be ready quickly. Nothing was better than fresh blood in getting them motivated. Harry shuddered to think that he was once of their number; blood-and-gossip thirsty, inept even in the basics and thoroughly preoccupied in things that would lose all importance upon their graduation. "I suppose this is how Severus felt when he started teaching", thought Harry as the two bruised girls made their way to the front of the class as though going to receive the Dementor's Kiss. Halfway there, Sylphede balked and started opening her mouth with the familiar expression of a disgruntled Malfoy on her face.
"I assure you Miss Lewisham, there is no way for you to avoid this unless you wish to lose 50 points for your house and to have a forthright worth of Mr Filch's company. I am sure your cousin would more than likely agree with my measures as well. Is that clear?" With a toss of her head, the girl continued on to the raised platform.
Harry let the girls go after each had demonstrated uses of the Desafinado charm in conjunction with other healing spells, and let the class go early after getting slightly homicidal at their level of laziness. "Do read the introductory chapter on healing potions. Professor Snape has generously agreed to be my guest for the next three lectures."
Once the collective groans stopped echoing off the walls, Harry made his way down to the kitchens and tickled the pear. The cacophony of the place assaulted his ears as he made his way to a small table behind the stove. Recently he began coming back to his old hiding place and the elves readily welcomed him back. For all the time he and Ron had spent in the kitchens, this particular corner had always been his private oasis. That's where he went when he needed to get away, to think, and now he took his sweet time nursing a bottle of butter beer and letting his thoughts run wild.
The new strategy against Voldemort was the soundest one they'd had yet. The sheer logic of the process made it a virtually foolproof framework. All they had to do now was find the best applicable spells, and find a way to block the Dark Mark. Not too tall an order for Hermione and Severus. As for himself, he dreaded keeping everything from Dumbledore. For all of his twinkling and seeming obliviousness, the man was a master Legilimens and above all nosy. If he were to find out, the order would get involved; bringing with it Moody and Sirius, and all would go to hell. He knew those two entirely too well. They'd bait Severus and the older Malfoy until both sides left in a huff.
Speaking of the Slytherins, the conversation with Ron would be thoroughly uncomfortable. He'd be surprised if his friend didn't just tell him to follow his own advice. Then he'd have to recount his entire grisly set of reasons and get hurt again for his trouble. Then again, Ron would be well within his rights to tell him off. On the other side, it wasn't his fault that his best friend actually had a chance at a happy affair. Lucius actively returned Ron's feelings, even if he chose to be blind and wallow in misery. Besides, Ron had lovers before, he didn't have the fate of the Wizarding World resting with him, and Lucius was not Snape. There was a good chance for him, and Harry felt obligated to make him see it. With that in mind, he emptied the butter beer and thanking the house elves left the kitchens. He'd talk to Ron tonight. For now though, it was time to check up on Killian.
