Chapter 9

The next couple of weeks passed uneventfuly. As ususal there was no interuption of lost points from Gryffindor by Professor Snape. Harry took most of the blows. It seemed to become a daily ritual for Harry to walk in and Professor Snape giving him points off from everything to not having the right size flame under his caldron to not raising his hand to answer a question.

At the end of the class Snape picked Harry out of the leaving students and had to stay late to listen to the potion master's snide remarks.

Professor Lupin was able to tell the situation between the teacher and student was getting very tense as the Halloween holiday approched.

Ron and Hermione would wait for Harry to exit the dungeons and then head to the common room.

"So what did old Snape say today Harry?" Ron asked.

"The same thing he keeps saying. That I'm not his son. I should stop looking at him like I am. That there is no way a relitive of his would ever end up in Gryffindor house, and how I'm living a lie."

"Harry, maybe you should speak to Professor Dumbledore. I'm sure he had talk to Snape and tell him to back off a bit." Ron said.

Harry just shook his head and went silent.

"Harry, for once Ron is right. If you want we can go with you." Hermione chimed in.

"No that's alright. I really don't want to talk to anyone about this." Harry said.

The three looked at each other and walked into Professor Lupin's Class room and took their seats. Professor Lupin was quick to start class that day. Harry heart lifted a bit as the class began.

Lupin set quickly into the task of explaining some dangerous beings such as vampires, the Manticore and curses.



Most of the students took notes readily. Harry's mind drifted back to the look on his father's face. He gave a shudder and then was woken from his thoughts by a jab. He turned and saw Hermione who pointed to Professor Lupin.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Potter, are you alright?" Lupin asked.

"Oh, fine sir. Just a bit tired after potions."

"Alright then Mr. Potter, please come here. I need your assistance."

With those words Harry smiled and moved from his chair and up to the front of the class.

"Now Harry, don't be scared. The creature under the tarp can sense fear."

Harry nodded as Professor Lupin uncovered the cage. Harry stepped back from the cage as the other students gasped at the sight before them.

"Everyone keep your wits about you..this is an Erkling. Do not fall under it's spell. It will try to attract you to it."Lupin replied.

The Erkling started it's spell and some of the students started to move. With a wave of his wand Lupin silenced the creature and the students shook their heads clear.

"This is one of the many creatures that try to lure people away from their families. They are dangerous and as some of you have found, very enticing. Now a I've preformed a silencing charm so it is not dangerous now. I want you to study the creature and tomorrow I want a one scroll essay on it."

The students began to take notes and the bell rang. Harry stared at the Erkling for a while and was broken from his thoughts by Hermione.

"Come on Harry, let's get started on the homework."

"Oh. Alright Hermione." Harry sighed as the creature was covered up and they walked out. Ron waited and the three left for the safty of the Gryffindor common room.

As they walked down the steps from Lupin's class they noticed two seventh years outside Professor Flitwick's class practicing spells.

"Oh this should be good. Looks like they are practicing memory charms." Harry said.

"But, they are not supposed to do magic in the halls. What if someone catches them. Gryffidor has lost enough points this year." Hermione replied. "Hermione, don't get involved. They are seventh years. Flitwick may have told them to practice." Ron said.

"But guys, that is dangerous." Hermione answered with frustration.

Suddenly there was a blast from one of the wands and a yelp. The trio hurried down the hall to the sight of the accident.

"Oh dear, this isn't good. Hurry, let's get out of here." One of the seventh year boy's said.

"Come on I don't want to get expelled for this." The other student said as they turned and ran past the trio.

"Oh this can't be good." Ron gulped.

"We always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." Harry answered back.

They turned the corner to see what had happened. Hermione gasped at the sight.

Professor Snape was sprawled out on the floor. His eyes closed. Hermione bent down to check on him.

"He isn't dead is he?" Ron asked.

"No, he's alive. I think he was hit by a spell." Hermione replied.

Ron sighed and Harry elbowed him.

"Hey, what was that for mate?"

"I know what you were thinking. You were hoping he was dead."

"No I wasn't. Well. Sort of, but he's alive."

"Well we can't leave him here. Come on guys, let's try to get him into the classroom."

"Oh great, we are gonna get caught trying to hide an unconscious snape in a classroom. Wonder how this will look." Ron said as he rolled his eyes.

"What type of charm do you think he got hit with?" Harry asked Hermione.

"A strong miss guided one." Hermione replied as she used her wand to float Professor Snape into the classroom.