Chapter 48

"Ten days until Christmas" Harry sighed.

The Gryffindor boys were sitting in the common room over their homework.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Kelsey wondered.

"Normally it should be, but for some reason I have a strange feeling. Dumbledore is bringing more and more Order members in the school. I haven't heard from Sirius since he went to Dumbledore and Snape is back, so his mission must be complete, but he still isn't back."

"Have you seen that Girl that works in the hospital wing?" Ron sighed.

"Don't let Hermione hear you sighing like this or she will hex you to kingdom come and after all that effort it took us to finally get the two of you together" Harry scolded his friend.

Ron turned slightly red and returned to his homework, before Hermione would overhear them. Where was she anyway? he thought.

Kelsey once again was deep in thought about the Muscail potion. He knew the girls were almost finished with it and only the last ingredient was missing – the Aquarius scale-

They had three days left until it needed to be added and he hadn't heard anything about it from Zara.

When they couldn't finish the potion this time they had to start all over and they didn't have enough vampire blood left for another try.

Hermione, Kayla, Ginny and Zara were once again in Myrtle's bathroom.

"Have you heard from your father yet?" Kayla asked the Ravenclaw.

"No I haven't. We're running out of time" Zara called sadly "But I will go and write to him tonight to make sure he hasn't forgotten about it."

The Ravenclaw girl was still very embarrassed about what happened earlier this month. After the counter-potion of Snape took effect she couldn't remember anything she did during her hormonal overdose.

The Creevy brothers had given her plenty of pictures of her catfight with Malfoy. She had been more than shocked and had destroyed them right away.

She didn't care that Colin and Dennis took pictures of the Slytherin every chance they got, but she didn't want to be reminded of her idiotic behavior with silly pictures.

Since then Filch seemed to stalk her. Every time she went somewhere alone Filch was lurking somewhere in the shadows and she could see the eyes of Mrs Norris shining in the dark like flashlights.

It was worst when she had to go to the dungeons, so she had started to wait for company before she went to potions classes.

The day after the incident with Malfoy, Filch had been waiting for her in front of the greenhouses and the way he looked at her made her shiver. She was sure that he wanted to talk to her, maybe even ask her out; so as soon as she saw him open his mouth she'd yelled "DON'T YOU DARE TO TALK TO ME YOU FREAK" and ran away.

Unfortunately the caretaker was not so easy to get rid off and it had taken a talk with Dumbledore to convince him that the shy Ravenclaw didn't want to be bothered anymore.

"Sorry girls but I have to get going. I'm going to meet Harry at the lake" Ginny sighed dreamily before she left the bathroom.

As soon as the redhead had closed the door from outside Hermione inquired about their Christmas present.

"I have the fabric and the pattern in my trunk and we can start with the dress robes whenever you want" Zara exclaimed.

"Why don't we do it right away?" Kayla suggested. "Ginny is occupied right now and this might be the only chance we get. I'd say Zara, you go and get everything and we meet in the Room of Requirement"

The other girls nodded in agreement and went to their different destinations.

An hour later, Zara, who had almost Ginny's figure, was wearing a wonderful dark-green dress robe.

"This green will look wonderful on Ginny" Hermione stated when she waved her wand a last time to finish the job.

"I hope she will like it" Kayla said, while Zara took off the dress robe and folded it together. "Trust me, she will" Hermione confirmed and flicked her wand at the little package so that it wrapped itself in magical wrapping paper.

Next morning during breakfast, Zara received a package from her father. She was sure what it contained, so she safely stored it in her pocket. Hermione had recognized the owl that was heading for the Ravenclaw girl and looked at her expectantly. A tiny nod from Zara confirmed that the last ingredient had arrived and that the potion could finally be finished.

On the weekend before Christmas, which also was the last Hogsmead weekend, the Gryffindors together with Zara lined up in front of Filch to get checked out. The Ravenclaw was clinging at Kelsey's arm, dreading to get so close to the creepy caretaker again. The handsome Gryffindor squeezed her cold hand assuring when they stepped in front of Filch. The look Kelsey gave him would have melted stone, so the caretaker swallowed the nasty remark and let the two pass.

When they reached Hogsmead the boys and girls parted to do some last minute Christmas shopping.

Harry had been talking to Hermione so fortunately he had a plan what to get for Ginny. He already had ordered it last week and was now on his way to the post office to pick it up Intentionally it had not been delivered to Hogwarts, because Harry wanted it to stay a secret until the night of the Yule Ball.

While Harry went inside to pick up his order, Ron was standing in front of the new store next to the post office.

"What are you doing Ron?" Harry asked when he joined his friend in front of the shop window, the little package safely stored in his pocket.

"I still have no present for Hermione. I have some money saved from my birthday and I thought I could get Hermione one of those" Ron said and pointed at an item behind the window.

"You have to be kidding, mate" Harry called, utterly indignant.

"Why? What's wrong with it?" Ron asked.

"This is something you buy for a buddy not something you get as a first Christmas present for your girlfriend"

"It's not the first Christmas present I'm getting her" Now it was Ron's turn to feel indignant.

Harry heaved a sigh by the ignorance of his friend.

"Yes Ron I know that this is not the first present you get our friend Hermione, but it is the first Christmas present you're buying for your GIRLFRIEND Hermione."

"And what is the difference between Christmas presents and Christmas presents, please?"

"I had no idea you're that hopeless Ron. When you get something for your girlfriend you should make sure you get her something romantic, not a t- shirt of your favorite Quidditch team". Harry was lucky that Hermione wasn't around or she would have hit him on the head full force. Just last week she had given him almost the identical lecture when he had told her that he wanted to get Ginny a maintenance kit for her broom.

"So what do you think I should get her instead? I don't have the money for something fancy" Ron muttered.

"Come on mate. Let's go to the book store and see what we can find there" Harry said and dragged his friend down the street.

Half an hour later Ron left the store happily with a book clutched to his chest and the boys made their way to Honeydukes.

Kelsey was already in there, waiting for them. He had bought his present for Zara weeks ago, so he could just spend his few hours at Hogsmead enjoying himself.

The Gryffindor was wondering if Zara would get him anything for Christmas when Harry and Ron entered the store.

The boys spent some money on candy and decided to pay Zonko's a visit before they were supposed to meet the girls at the Three Broomsticks.

The girls already had ordered butterbeer and were waiting for the boys when Malfoy danced into the pub followed by Crabbe and Goyle.

Kayla watched the Slytherins walking over to their head of house, who was sitting in a corner together with Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick.

Malfoy stopped short right in front of the table, licked his lips and smoothed his robes.

"Did you see what Malfoy just did?" Zara giggled and pointed at the Slytherin.

Kayla and Ginny burst out in laughter while Hermione rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

Draco Malfoy was sitting on the Snape's lap and tried to pull the struggling potion master into a tight embrace, his lips pursed and ready to kiss.

"Don't be such a prude Sevvy... I know you like it rough" Malfoy called.

The attention of everybody in the pub was now focused on the potion master and Malfoy. Most of the students didn't know what to do. They wanted to break out in hysterical laughter but the deadly glare of Snape sealed their lips, so all they could do was turn red and gasp.

"GET OFF ME NOW YOU DUNDERHEAD" Snape shouted and pushed Malfoy off his lap. The Slytherin dropped on the floor with a thud.

Professor McGonagall's face was beet-red and Kayla wasn't sure if it was anger or suppressed laughter which caused that.

Malfoy slowly got up from the floor and rubbed his hurting backside.

"50 points from Slytherin and detention until Christmas break" Snape growled.

"You're going to return to the castle immediately Mr Malfoy and by the time I get back I want a 2 feet essay about the virtues of Salazar Slytherin, for what reason you think your sorry hide was placed in this noble house and how you have handled against each one of this values since the past two weeks. Now go and make sure this essay is finished or I will do everything in my power to make sure you get expelled TODAY"

Malfoy swallowed hard and scuffled out of the pub.

Right at this moment Kelsey, Ron and Harry entered and walked over to the girls.

"What happened here?" Kelsey wondered. Harry ordered three butterbeer and after Madam Rosmerta had brought the order Hermione recalled the whole situation.

Ron almost choked on his drink. "SEVVY?" he gasped. "Damn Malfoy is totally off the rocker. Nobody is safe around him anymore. It really hurts me to say it, but somehow I 'liked' the old Malfoy better. He was an arrogant and nasty git, but at least he was normal"

"Yes and I doubt this is good for him. I really feel ...sorry... for him if he has to return home like that" Ginny said.

"Maybe we should give Snape a little hint what we actually did to him" Kayla suggested.

"Are you mental? If Snape ever finds out who did this, you're getting expelled and Malfoy, no matter which one, will surely kill you" Kelsey called.

"He would never find out who gave him the information, but we can't leave him like that. It's been weeks and he shows no signs that the potion is wearing off" Kayla said.

"She's right. As funny as it was in the beginning, he's starting to annoy me now. Even more than before. I never thought I might say that but it's true." Hermione stated.

"We have to figure out how we can let some information slip so that Snape doesn't recognize it comes from us." Ron mused.

"And when Malfoy is back to his old insufferable self we have to pray that he can't remember what happened" Harry sighed.

They left the Three Broomsticks and returned to the castle.

Kayla just put away her purchases when Hermione called her. "Did you figure out how we're going to inform Snape?"

"I thought I put a time-charm on a piece of parchment and drop it on the classroom floor" Kayla said.

"That's not a bad idea. The paper won't be visible for a while and Snape wouldn't know what class the writer was in"

"Monday would be the best time. We have potions first in the morning, so when I charm it to not reveal itself until afternoon we have a good chance that Snape doesn't find out" Kayla stated.

"But what if he recognizes your handwriting?" Hermione wondered. "I'm sure Kelsey can help me there. He charmed his pen for quizzes before in our old high school."

"What did he do that for?"

"To make sure the answers are correct" Kayla grinned. "When he finished the last question all the answers were correct no matter what he had written before"

Hermione scowled "And he never got caught?"

"No, our teachers there had no idea we had magical abilities and the ministry of magic couldn't detect magic we performed at home. I don't need to tell you that Kelsey charmed his pen before he went to school in the morning"

"I'm still not sure this will work. There have to be ways to detect if someone has tampered with the note"

"Hermione, there's nothing else we can do. We can't leave Malfoy like that forever and I cannot tell anyone it was me."

"Yes I know but surely Dumbledore would understand that it was just an accident."

"But Dumbledore is not here." Kayla sighed.

"Then maybe we should go to him" Hermione called. "Didn't Professor McGonagall say that they have set up a floo connection to his house for emergencies?"

"I wouldn't say this is an emergency, but we could try"

"Do you have an idea what fireplace we could use?" Hermione asked.

"Our common room is too crowded right now, but what about the fireplace in Hagrid's hut? I've seen him and Fang going into the Forbidden Forest when we returned from Hogsmead"

The girls left the dorm and crossed the common room. Fortunately no one of their little group was there so they could leave unnoticed.

A few minutes later they kneeled in front of Hagrid's fireplace unsure what to do now. Hermione finally plucked up her courage and called "Excuse me Professor Dumbledore we are in serious trouble and don't know what to do"

They both were sure they heard a distant chuckle and then the flames turned green.

The girls stepped into the fireplace and the familiar spinning sensation set in.

Hermione tumbled out of the fireplace and stood aside to make room for Kayla to follow her.

They were standing in what seemed to be Dumbledore's study.

Hermione grabbed the other girls hand and moved toward a group of leather armchairs.

"Hello Miss Granger, Miss Warren, how wonderful to see you again!"

Professor Dumbledore was sitting in one of the armchairs with his pensieve standing on the table in front of him.

He beckoned them to sit down next to him and asked "What problem do you have that you cannot discuss with Professor Lupin or Professor McGonagall"

"Excuse me Professor Dumbledore that we are disturbing you, but I did something terrible and don't know how to fix it"

Kayla was close to tears. Now that she was about to reveal what she had done to Malfoy, she was losing her nerves. It didn't matter that she didn't intend to give Malfoy the whole vial, but she'd done it and not even Professor Dumbledore could get her out of this.

The white-haired wizard gazed at her over his half-moon glasses and chuckled

"You are a very gifted student Miss Warren, but I am sure Professor Snape would find better projects for you than a slow-emotion potion"

Kayla and Hermione gasped, "How do you know" the perfect whispered.

"Oh Miss Granger, that shouldn't be our main question right now. I'd rather like to know, how you altered the potion to achieve this effect"

Kayla recalled the ingredients she had used to manipulate the potion, feeling slightly uneasy under Dumbledore's constant gaze.

"I'm very sorry Professor. I just wanted to teach Malfoy a lesson he wouldn't forget and slip a drop or two in his pumpkin juice, but he attacked me and dragged me in a corner and I was scared. I thought he would... so I slammed the vial in his mouth and he drank more than intended" she mumbled.

"And for what reason do you think Mr Malfoy deserved this kind of lesson?"

"He caused the cauldron explosion that injured Kelsey and Professor Snape didn't punish him" Hermione explained. "Yes I know that Professor Snape turns a blind eye on most of the Slytherins' antics, but this was surely not right"

"We never thought that the potion would last that long" Kayla sobbed. "I'm sure I'm going to get expelled for that"

"I wouldn't go that far my dear. Mr Malfoy didn't get hurt and when we administer the counter-potion immediately he will be back to normal before Christmas break"

The girls stared at the former headmaster in disbelief.

"Of course I will have to inform your parents about this Miss Warren. And I will leave it to Professor Snape to set up the right punishment for you"

Kayla pinched her eyes together and sobbed even louder.

"No need to cry my dear. I will make sure that it won't be more than detention, although I can't influence what this detention will be and for how long. It has to be a punishment after all. Now return to the school and I will take care of everything else" Dumbledore said.

As soon as the girls had left he called Severus.

The potion master was furious. Not only was a wretched Gryffindor responsible for Malfoy's state but to add to the misery the former headmaster was refusing to expel her.

The fact that Malfoy had attacked the girl was secondary; the girl had the potion in her pocket so she had the intention to use it even before he attacked her.

Potter, Weasley and Granger had been terrible enough, but now together with the Warren twins they were unbearable.

He wished he had a say in who his daughter picked as her friends, but unfortunately he had no control over that.

Why couldn't she be sorted into my house, he thought for about the thousandth time after his meeting with Dumbledore.

Now he not only had to cancel the effect of this potion, which wouldn't be an easy task, but also hide his knowledge from Lucius. If his former companion would ever find out who did it, the girl would be as good as dead.

He walked along the shelves in his workroom, picked jars and boxes and placed them next to his cauldron.

He had to make sure that the counter-potion was ready before Christmas break or Malfoy surely wouldn't return to school after New Year's.

A few minutes later, in the cauldron in front of him bubbled a blood-red potion and the Severus withdrew to his private chambers.

Deep inside, he was amazed by the creativity of his student. Not in his wildest dreams he would have imagined that a fifth year could have altered a harmless potion to have these effects.

I knew why I wanted her in my advanced class, he thought and a rare smile crept on his face.

Nonetheless he had to come up with a punishment, a severe punishment to say the least, which he had to present the headmistress and Lupin.

Dumbledore had insisted that he couldn't just do as he pleased but had to get the approval of McGonagall and the head of Gryffindor.

What does this old fool think? I'd hand her over to Filch to do as he pleases?, he mused, but by the thought of the glances the old caretaker was still giving his beloved daughter, his stomach churned.

He had volunteered for hall duty during the Yule Ball, because this gave him the perfect chance to have an eye on Zara and he was determined to cast a full-body bind on that Warren boy if he would do anything stupid.

When he tried to relax on his leather couch and waited until he had to stir the potion again, his thoughts trailed off to the Dark Lord and the planned attack.

He knew very well that if this attack succeeded, he was a dead man. His days as a spy for Dumbledore were over and there was no way to escape the deatheaters when they should break into the school.

After he had dozed for about an hour, he returned to his workroom and stirred the potion 13 times counter-clockwise and watched as it turned into a dark blue.

It would have to simmer for another 49 hours until the final ingredients could be added. Dumbledore had ordered him to make sure that Malfoy wouldn't remember who had administered the potion and that this information couldn't be retrieved not even under Verita serum.

Malfoy had managed to not getting in trouble over the rest of the weekend and after the potions class in the morning, Snape administered the counter- potion.

He knew that it would still take a day or two until the other potion was cancelled, but he didn't want to make the counter-potion stronger.

The hormonal system of a teenager was crazy enough without somebody messing with it, so he had to make sure that Malfoy changed back slowly to avoid unwanted side effects.

Malfoy had still detention for his appearance at the Three Broomsticks, so Snape had the perfect chance to watch the chances in the young boy's behavior carefully.