Chapter 21: Detention the Third
Snape was standing at the open doors of his personal potions cabinet, the same one Harry had been accused of stealing from twice during his years at Hogwarts. Harry carefully shut the door behind him and stared expectantly at Snape.
Snape's eyes shot sideways, glaring at Harry. Harry barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and instead continued to stand at the door.
"What are you doing here, Potter?" he asked.
Harry stared at him. "I have detention, sir."
Snape stared at him. "No you do not."
Harry looked puzzled. "But you said I had one last detention and that it would be-"
"Sunday night, Mister Potter." Snape drawled, sounding bored. "However, since you have obviously cleared your busy social schedule to be here, I am not adverse to getting your detention over and done with. Sit down." Snape said, motioning to the chair. Harry walked forward and tentatively perched himself on the edge of the seat. He was wasting a perfectly good Saturday night on detention-he couldn't believe it. Well, as Snape said, at least it would be done with now, and he could spend tomorrow night on homework.
Snape pulled three bottles from the cabinet, locked it behind him and strode over to his desk.
"Potter, can you tell me what these are?" he said, smiling smugly across the desk. Harry looked carefully at each of the bottle. They were clear, each filled with a different colored liquid. He eyed the first one closely.
"No, sir." he answered, shoulders tense.
"No?" Snape said.
"No." Harry affirmed. He watched as Snape uncorked the first bottle.
"Sniff it, Potter."
Harry raised his eyebrows.
"It is not a poisonous gas, Potter. Do you think for a moment the Headmaster would allow such a thing to happen to you?" he sneered, his lip curling.
Harry pulled the bottle, which was filled with a watery orange liquid, towards him. He carefully raised the bottle to his nose. He sniffed twice.
"It doesn't smell like anything." he said.
Snape nodded. "But one drop, if placed in a drink, could kill you. Next." he said, pulling the orange liquid out of Harry's hands and pushing the next, a thicker purplish-looking potion towards him.
Harry sniffed it as well. "Vanilla." he said, glad to have identified something. Snape nodded again.
"It would take a little more, perhaps a few dashes, to incapacitate someone your size. Last one." and again Snape took the bottle from Harry. The third bottle was filled with a thick, slow moving, acid green liquid. Harry looked at it skeptically and sniffed. He shook his head and sniffed again.
"Pumpkin juice." he said. Snape nodded and looked almost pleased. Snape cleared away the remaining bottle and leaned forward in his chair, hands folded in front of him, making the smile on his face seem more twisted than usual.
"And do you know why I had you smell these three potions, Potter?" he asked.
Harry's eyes darted around the room, trying to think. Three potions, each with a different smell, color, and thickness. Snape had only told him what two of the potions would do, but why would Snape give Harry any hint as to their cause, unless-
"They're all poisons." Harry said out loud.
Snape snorted. "Of course they are. Why these three in particular?"
Harry again shifted his eyes downward to think. No smell, or a smell like foods Harry already ate, stuff that he had normally every day-
"You think someone will try to poison me?" he blurted.
Snape looked at him, his eyes squinted. "There have been recent thefts of my cupboards that have put both myself and the Headmaster on the alert. There are any of a hundred combinations the stolen ingredients could be used for, from a simply acne removal creme, to these three deadly and hard to trace poisons. We are simply being careful."
Harry looked at Snape, his mouth open. "But who at Hogwarts would try to poison me?"
"It may not be someone in Hogwarts. It could be someone acting through someone at Hogwarts." Snape said coolly.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked. Snape looked annoyed. "Sir." Harry added quickly.
"The Headmaster feels it could be a parent, or older sibling, working through someone still at Hogwarts. My stores of potions' ingredients are extensive, containing several hard-to-find herbs." Snape said, examining his hands.
Harry leaned back in his chair. It wasn't enough that the maddest wizard in the world was after him, wasn't enough that he had Draco attempting to make his life miserable on a daily basis, now he had a death-eater-in-training after him -
"Malfoy." he said suddenly.
Snape's eyes narrowed suddenly. "What, Potter?"
"It's Malfoy. I heard him talking to someone up on the roof this afternoon. He's the only one who'd do it, right under your nose." Harry saw a vein begin to twitch in Snape's forehead. "Sir." he added.
Snape pursed his lips. "Mister Potter, I am aware you have, in the past, been allowed to make unfounded, wild accusations against people, but I will not allow it to continue in this matter. Mister Malfoy has no more access to my supplies than do you."
Harry stared at Snape, waiting for him to make the connection. Finally, a light seemed to sparkle somewhere in the back of Snape's black eyes. "Although I admit it appears you have been able to gain entrance into my cupboard, Potter, Malfoy is above such an act."
Harry didn't protest against being accused of stealing from Snape, knowing he couldn't prove his innocence without incriminating Hermione and Dobby, but he did have a problem with Snape thinking Malfoy ever took the high road.
"But, sir, I heard him, up on the roof, talking to someone. I swear it!" he said.
"Why should I believe you?" he asked silkily.
"Read my mind, if you like." Harry taunted.
Snape sighed heavily and began to massage the bridge of his nose, "Potter, it is apparent you have still not grasped the essentials of Legimency. It is quite clearly not mind reading. Stand."
Harry slumped, realizing he'd blown his chance. He looked at Snape as he grudgingly rose to his feet. He barely had time to straighten his spine before Snape barked, "Legimens!"
Immediately, Harry stiffened his pose and closed his eyes, focusing on the box in the corner of his mind. Snape didn't seem to be getting through. It was working. Snape lifted the spell and stood back, looking at Harry.
Neither said a word. Snape merely nodded. "Legimens."
Again, Harry stiffened his spine. He could feel Snape trying to find out about this afternoon. Suddenly Harry didn't feel like sharing. He pushed Snape out of that memory and into a memory of his eleventh birthday, with the first letter arriving from Hogwarts. A few moments later, he opened his eyes.
Snape was staring at him. "Well done, Potter." he said. Harry's eyes opened wide. "You have finished your detention. You may return to your common room. No detours." he warned.
Harry nodded his head and exited the room. He was bursting, a huge smile on his face. He had done it! Not one bad episode, not one memory he hadn't wanted Snape to see, and he hadn't lost his cool. Hermione would be thrilled. He continued up the stairs two at a time and burst into the Gryffindor common room.
Ron and Hermione were sitting on the sofa next to the fireplace. Hermione was knitting, Ron idly flipping through a quidditch book. They had been chatting, but stopped when they spied Harry. He knew he had a ridiculous smile on his face, but for the moment he didn't care. He took two steps towards them and stopped.
I can't, he remembered. I can't tell them. I can't keep them up to date. He stopped ten steps from the couch, gave what he hoped was a friendly wave and turned to walk up the stairs to the sixth years dormitory.
He shut the door. Neville was sitting on his bed, apparently working on his Herbology homework.
"Hi, Harry." he said, looking up.
"Hi, Neville." Harry answered guardedly.
"What have you been up to?" Neville asked.
"Detention with Snape." Harry said.
"I thought it wasn't until tomorrow night."
"It wasn't supposed to be, but I showed up a night early, and so we got it over and done with."
"How did detention with Snape go?" Neville asked, setting his book down.
"Fine." Harry said honestly. "I'm glad to finally be done. Now I've just got to keep it from happening again."
Neville smiled. "Not too likely, Harry. It's only the start of first term. You've quite a ways to go without upsetting Snape again."
Harry chuckled. "Fair point."
"What are you doing up here? Ron and Hermione are still down in the common room, aren't they?"
Harry nodded, suddenly feeling a lump rise up in his throat. "Ah, yeah, yes they are, but I, uh, always get tired after a late detention with Snape." he lied.
Neville nodded. "Snape doesn't even assign my detentions in his rooms anymore. He always passes me off to Filch. I think he got tired of the other professors telling him how exhausted I'd get after a night of detention with him."
Harry smiled at Neville. "I think I'll just turn in early." Neville nodded and picked his book back up.
"I'll be here in anything pops into your head, Harry." he said, his attention shifting back the large tome into his lap.
Harry nodded and let loose the ties on his bed hangings. He pulled off his jumper and shoes and lay on the bedcovers, hands behind his head. Not having any friends was more than lonely. It was also boring. He sighed loudly and pulled his schoolbag up from under his bed.
He wondered what Professor Calabrone wanted to talk about tomorrow morning. He hoped it wouldn't take too long, as he was sure there would be quidditch practice. That was the one time he couldn't keep himself distanced from Ron, but fortunately, being seeker, he didn't have to interact during practice as much as the other players. Just the walk to and from the pitch, he told himself. He could be normal and nice during the walk, if a little distant.
He wondered how long it would be before Ron and Hermione would catch on. He hoped not much longer. It would become much easier when they started doing their part to steer clear of him. He kept thinking of mundane things to tell Ron tomorrow during their walk until he felt his eyelids slowly stop drooping.
Harry awoke from the sound of a soft pecking coming from one of the dormitory windows. Climbing out of bed, he saw the sun just beginning to rise. He blinked a few times, and saw Hedwig sitting patiently on the perch outside the window. He walked over and opened the latch. Hedwig dropped the letter into his outstretched hand. Not waiting for a treat, she gently pecked at his hand and swooped off, presumably in search of n early morning snack.
Harry latched the window again and walked back towards the bed. Everyone was still sound asleep, or so Harry thought.
"Whose the letter from, Harry?" came Ron's voice. Harry started, and saw Ron sitting up; not looking tired at all, his legs crossed.
"I don't know." Harry said honestly. "Why don't you go back to sleep, Ron. I'm going to. I'll open it later." To illustrate his point, he climbed back into bed, swapping his jeans for pajama pants in the process. His curtains swung shut again, and, after a few moments, he heard Ron sigh irritably and lay back down.
Had Ron been waiting up for him? That didn't seem likely. But neither did Ron looking fully awake this early in the morning. Harry lay in bed, listening for some sound of movement, but soon enough Ron's light snoring filled the air.
Harry fingered the letter, and slowly ran a finger under the seal. It was from Lupin. The first letter he'd received from him since his birthday. He pulled out the folded piece of parchment and read-
Harry-
Hope your classes are going well. I've heard about all the detentions. Though it may be difficult, it is the most natural way for you to continue your lessons with Professor Snape. I hear you're making progress—that's wonderful. Keep in mind that although Snape doesn't exactly have the most positive methods of teaching, he is rather effective.
I hope everything else is going well. Have you spent much time in the presence of Professor Calabrone? She is an amazing resource on all things related to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Go to her with any questions.
As for myself, well, I am keeping far above busy with the Order. Things have fortunately been fairly quite, but don't let that fool you. Voldemort is full of plans and schemes. Take care and keep your head down. Write to me if you have time.
RJL
Harry read the letter through twice, a smile on his face. Lupin's letters, though they never said too much, always cheered him up. Had Snape really been telling people he, Harry, was doing better at Occlumency? That was an odd picture- Snape looking down at the ground, reporting to Dumbledore and rest of the Order that 'Yes, Potter is making some progress'. Harry smiled again. Well, he'd take Lupin's suggestion later this morning about Calabrone. Pressing the letter back to his chest, Harry felt his eyes droop and close.
Soon enough, the sunlight was peeking through the hanging. Groaning, Harry got up and rubbed his eyes. Still no one else was stirring, though it was getting on to breakfast time. Harry scrambled into his jeans, slipped on his shoes, and took off before anyone, especially Ron, had time to wake up. He had even left his bed hanging down to make it look at those he was still there.
When he arrived in the Great Hall, he noticed he was one of only students up and about. Only a few of the seventh years were up talking and, of all things, studying. Harry shook his head and walked to the Gyffindor table. He pulled a plate towards him and began eating. Just as he was finishing his last bite, Ron and Hermione entered the Great Hall, accompanied by Ginny, Neville, and a few other Gryffindors.
"Hey, Harry." Hermione said brightly. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Where are you going?" Ginny asked, as Harry stood up and made towards the door.
"I've got to meet with Professor Calabrone." he said, not looking at Hermione or Ron. Ron didn't move out of the way as Harry tried walking past him, forcing Harry to push against his shoulder.
"Sorry, mate." Ron apologized unconvincingly. Harry ignored him as best he could and kept walking.
Approaching the DADA classroom, he raised his hand to open the door.
"Come in!" came Professor Calabrone's voice.
"Harry! What are you doing here so early?" she asked, sounded honestly surprised. "I didn't think teenagers, witches and wizards included, rose much before noon on the weekends. That is almost five hours from now."
Harry grinned. "I went to bed early last night, so I'm up now, if that's all right."
"Oh, absolutely." Calabrone said, smiling. "Come in, come in. Have a seat." she motioned to a chair the front of the classroom, where a large space had been cleared.
"For the third years." she said. "I've taken a page from Remus' book and started to work on boggarts with them. I've the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws on Monday, first thing. Harry, what's your boggart?" she asked suddenly.
Harry answered immediately, "A dementor. At least it was my third year, and I can't think of anything that would have changed that."
Calabrone looked impressed. "And not the madman out to kill you?" she asked.
"Dementors suck all the happiness out of you, Voldemort just tried to kill me." Harry said.
"I was actually speaking of Lucius Malfoy, but I suppose Voldemort is equally frightening." she said, a smile playing on her lips.
Harry looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"To me, a true madman at least has the excuse of dementia, paranoia, and a thousand other things to explain his behavior. A sane wizard, such as Lucius Malfoy, acting of his own free will, and believing in the awful things he believes in, is far more frightening to me." Calabrone said passionately.
Harry though about it. "I don't think I ever thought of it like that. You're right. At least I know everyone's on my side against Voldemort, but lots of people, until the end of last year, thought Malfoy was a great guy."
Calabrone nodded. "Now, before we begin my side, do you have any questions for me?" she leaned back in her chair and stared pleasantly at him.
"What is your boggart?" Harry asked, aware that it may be a very personal question.
She smiled. "A silver bullet."
Harry stared at her. "But, you're not, you can't be, are you?" he sputtered.
She laughed lightly. "Not, I'm no werewolf. But there are other things that can be killed with a silver bullet. It may be quite irrational, but then, if it made sense, I most likely wouldn't fear it."
Harry nodded. "Ok. Next question. Why am I here?"
"Ah." she said, withdrawing her wand. "Does this look familiar?" she asked, pulling a faded piece of parchment, filled with Celtic symbols out of her robe.