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For copyright and disclaimers, please see chapter 1

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6 - Classes, Week Two, First Year

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Sunday, September 6, 1998:
Hogwarts, Slytherin House, Common Room

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"Miss Wayne. My office. Now."

I stuck the quill in my Transfiguration text and slunk into Professor Snape's office. I stood and waited as he paced, then lowered himself behind his desk. He glared at me, then said, "Sit." He regarded me, then asked in his silky voice, "Are you aware of what the possible consequences of memory spell damage are?"

I swallowed, then said, "Professor Dumbledore said that I might have permanently damaged Spr … Miss Tonks' memory, sir."

He regarded me, then said, "You will write a formal letter of apology to Miss Tonks. You will give me the clinical history of two persons with memory spell damage. You will include cause, treatment and prognosis. You will give these to me no later than Friday noon. You will also report to me for a week's detention in my classroom at six p.m. Monday night. Is that clear?"

"Sir, I have Astronomy Monday night at ten."

"I am aware of this. You are dismissed."

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"So … What'd you get?" Karen asked.

"A week's detention with him at six p.m., I write a formal letter of apology to Sprink, and the clinical history of two persons with memory spell damage. Due Friday noon."

"When he says six, then, he means six. Not one second before or later," Karen warned. "It's also going to be tough with that clinical history, because of the privacy laws."

"So I can't do that?" I asked.

Karen shook her head. "It means that you dig up as much information as you can, and make a reasonable extrapolation. I'll give you your two persons, though. Gilderoy Lockhart and Neville Longbottom."

"Longbottom sounds familiar from somewhere," I mused.

"He just graduated. Neville teamed up with Blaise Zabini and Susan Bones in the big battle we had a month or so ago against the Dark Tosser. Bit ironic who they captured."

"Aunt Bella," Sprink said.

Karen leaned forward, and said, "Want the story?"

"Should I?"

Karen shrugged, "It's part of Slytherin history. Admittedly not one of the brighter bits, but there you go." I nodded, and she continued, "Back when Sprink's Aunt Bella was here at school, she somehow hooked up with the Dark Tosser. After Potter killed him the first time 'round, at age fifteen bloody months …"

"Getting his famous scar!" Sprink chipped in.

Karen nodded, "Getting his scar. She went to visit the Longbottoms, Neville's parents, in search of information. They didn't have what she wanted, so in order to convince them to talk …"

"And because she's psycho!"

"And because she's a obsessed, sadistic lunatic, she tortured them with the Cruciatus, in front of Neville. He was two or three, I think." A really big fellow sat next to me, extended his hand, and said, "Ian MacDonald. Seventh year and Beater. I can't speak for everyone, but I for one was glad to see some fresh blood when you were Sorted into the Den. The Dark Tosser and his toadies have cast a dark stain on our house that will take years to eliminate."

"If ever," another really big fellow said. He smiled at me, and said, "Frank MacDonald, sixth year and the better looking brother of this lout. I'm the other Beater. Neville's family over did the memory charms on him, not that I blame them."

"So how does Tonks' Aunt Bella fit in with … oh, same person? But I thought someone named Lestrange was captured by Neville?" I asked.

"Aunt Bella's full name is Bellatrix Black Lestrange. She married a year or so after graduation, but it was a forced marriage, ordered by the Dark Tosser." Sprink said.

"She was captured by Neville, who's a Gryffie, Blaise Zabini of Slytherin, and Susan Bones of Hufflepuff," Ian said. "All members of the DA, who kicked the bloody Death Eaters arse!"

"Oh, lord," I said, and shuddered. Sprink looked at me, and I said, "I'll show you later." I cleared my throat, and asked, "Where were you during the battle?"

"With the Quidditch teams," Karen said. "It was amusing when both our primary and reserve teams showed up. I don't think the other houses expected us."

"Well, we had to get our robes. House pride and all. Still, I'm glad every one of us were there," Ian said.

"Except for Draco. He did his part, though, and died for it." Frank said. "Draco Malfoy, everyone!"

"DRACO!"

"So, what's the deal with this other fellow, Lockhart?" I asked.

"Bloody prat," Ian said. "Turns out he had copied other people's experiences, then memory charmed them an' took the credit. Tried to do a memory charm on Weasley, and it backfired, 'cause the wand was broken. Weasley couldn't afford a new one."

"This was Ron Weasley," Frank clarified. "There's a bloody great lot of Weasleys, all poor as churchmice."

"Ginny's all right, though. For a Gryff." Karen allowed. "She managed to bag Harry, too, and keep him with the competition the way it is." She sighed, then added, "We can fantasize, though."

"Only reason you lot of girls go to the DA, to moon over Harry," Ian jested. "You saw what Ginny's like with a wand when she's pissed, and Granger's been teaching her jinxes, I hear."

Frank shuddered theatrically, then asked me, "You going Tuesday night?"

I shook my head, "Detention with Professor Snape. Is the DA every week?"

Frank nodded, "Every week at seven, Tuesday nights. Just about the whole bloody school goes, and it's great bloody fun, too."

Professors Snape and Potter came in, Harry with a box. He stopped, and looked around, saying, "Good morning, everyone." He took a folded bit of parchment from his pocket, and stuck it to the common room's bulletin board with a wave of his finger. He nodded at it, and said, "Notice for the DA on Tuesday nights. I hope you'll all be there. I also have a present for Miss Wayne. Where is she?"

I was somewhat hidden by the high wingback chair, so I waved. He came over to me, and presented me with the small box. I looked at him, and he said, "This is an Arthurian transformer. It converts magical energy to electrical energy. The Headmaster has also agreed to a temporary modification of the appropriate defensive charms. You should be able to work your computer with this."

"Not until all her assignments are complete," Professor Snape said.

I sighed and nodded, and Professor Potter said, "Of course. I was unaware they weren't."

Professor Potter exited, and Professor Snape then posted a notice on the board. "We will be holding Quidditch tryouts on Saturday the 19th. We need two Chasers, a Seeker and Keeper on the primary team, a full team for reserve. If any one is interested," he smiled slightly. "Please list your name." He strode over to our table, and said, "Miss Wayne, your transformer, please. I wish to help you avoid … temptation. Miss Bundy, a moment?"

I grumbled a bit, but handed it over. Karen got up, and disappeared into the professor's office. Ian said, "Well, let's get cracking, girl. Karen said you were going to try for Seeker. If you want to play Quidditch, one of the professor's rules is that you need your immediate homework done before you play or practice. Besides, I want to see this bloody machine of yours. What's left, and what are you having problems with?"

"Besides the detention stuff, I've got my final revision for potions, Transfiguration and DADA," I said. "That's not due for another week, though. Transfiguration is really giving me headaches."

Sprink said, "I'll go get the references for your detention from the library," and she started to shove her stuff in her bookbag.

Ian asked, "Frank, can you look over her potions paper?"

Frank said, "Sure, although you're loads better at Transfig than I am. When is that due?"

"Wednesday afternoon. It just doesn't seem to make any sense!"

"Don't worry about it, little sis. We'll help."

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"AARGH! I'm never going to get this!" I was trying to transfigure a teapot into a teacup with matching saucer, but the best, the BEST I was able to do was a lumpy … thing with a wide bottom and a spout on top.

"You've got th' incantation down fine. Your wand movement is correct, you shouldn'a have any problems with it," Ian said. He flicked his wand, resetting it, and said, "What are you thinkin' while you're doing it? Are you concentrating?"

"I keep thinking how many physical laws this is breaking," I admitted. "Conservation of mass, quantum state, molecular conversion …"

"All muggle science?" Ian asked. I nodded, and he said, "I'll wager tha' your problem, lil' sis. You're not breakin' any magical laws. Nae, try this. Close your eyes, think of this as just a new part o' the muggle laws ye know. THEN try it again."

I nodded, closed my eyes, and thought. Physics and subatomic structure has some really weird laws. Could they fit in with quarks and substring theory? Maybe if …

"THERE YOU GO!"

I snapped my eyes open, and looked at it. It wasn't perfect, and instead of a floral pattern on white bone china, it was gray and black camouflage, with a yellow handle. Hideously ugly, but it was a teacup and saucer. I touched it, and it was hot. Ian reset it, then said, "Again, lil' sis."

Closing my eyes again, I thought, It was hot to the touch. That means thermal transfer of some kind. Could it be …

"See? I knew ye could do it! I can' say much for your taste, but ye did it!"

I looked at it. This attempt was somewhat different, more of a coffee mug and saucer, still in the camouflage pattern with yellow handle. Why the difference? I wondered. "Reset it, please. I'd like to try one more time. I'm wondering why there's a difference."

"And a colour shift, too."

"Hmm." I wonder if there's a book on the theory behind this? Probably. Now the first time, I was thinking about quarks. Could the different particles connect to the different shapes? I thought.

"Teacup again." Ian looked at me, then asked, "What are you thinking about when you do it? Can you do it with your eyes open?"

"I'm thinking about quarks." Ian scratched his head with his wand in confusion, then reset it back to the floral teapot. I looked at the blasted thing, then moved my wand, and it was a teacup. Still camouflage, but a teacup. I looked at it, then wondered, Maybe flavors of quarks? and tapped the teacup. It immediately started to cycle through the different colors of the spectrum. Ian watched it for a second, then tapped it with his wand.

"Very interesting. What were you thinking of then?" Frank asked.

"Different flavors of quarks. Ian, is there a book on Transfiguration theory?"

"Several. I'd talk to McGonagall, and I won't even ask what the bloody hell a quark is!"

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Frank handed me the potions assignment, and said, "You might want to talk to the Professor about this. I've marked what I know, but I'm not familiar with this chemistry you're referring to."

I looked at him, then asked, "What are the basic building blocks of matter in the magical world?" He blinked, and I said, "A gold goblet might contain water. The water is made up of two elements, hydrogen and oxygen, which has certain properties, like gold has certain properties. When you combine them in different ways, they have different properties."

He looked at me, then said slowly, "Like a brass cauldron and a silver cauldron. Each would affect a potion in different ways." I nodded, and he said, "A gold cauldron would have a third effect on that potion."

I nodded, "Silver and gold are elements, a pure form. Brass is a mixture of two or more elements."

"Like alchemy." James said, joining us. "It's an elective, but I don't know when Professor Dumbledore last taught it."

"My head hurts thinking muggles are teaching bloody alchemy to kids," Frank said.

I giggled, and said, "Let's get lunch. I'm hungry."

"Wait a minute! Let me put this away, and we'll join you," Karen called. She came out of Professor Snape's office with a book at least ten inches thick. Frank and Ian stopped, and looked at it, and she said, "Yes, that's it."

"Um, what is it?" I asked.

"The Slytherin Quidditch playbook," Frank whispered in a reverent tone. "Tha' means …"

Karen nodded, "Keep it quiet for now. We don't want the other houses to know yet, but yes, I'm team captain."

While we waited for Karen to return, I asked, "Professor Snape?"

"Yes, Miss Wayne?"

"Sir, may I have a few moments of your time this afternoon? I asked Frank to check my homework, and he suggested you were the best person to answer some questions I had regarding chemistry and alchemy."

"One o'clock. What is the status of the rest of your homework?"

"I've been going over Transfiguration with Ian, and it works, almost. I can't keep the color to stay, and I was hoping to ask Professor McGonagall about that," he nodded, and I continued, "Sprink said she'd get the references for my detention, so I still need to get that done. My charms homework is done, and DADA isn't due until next Friday, sir."

"Adequate. I will ask Minerva for you at lunch."

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"Post's here!" someone said, and I looked up to see the usual storm of owls. One circled, then landed in front of me. I stroked its head and told it, "Hello. May I?" It hooted, and held out its leg. I untied the letter, it took a drink of water, hooted again, and flew off.

Friday, September 4, 1998

Dear Mattie,

It's only been a few days, and we already miss you. Please don't worry about the problem in the sub-basement, steps are being taken to handle things on your side of the Pond (as Alfred might say). The American side is already finished.

In his last note, Professor Snape enclosed a permission slip for Quidditch. It's signed, and you need to pass it back to him. From what I understand, it sounds like it's no more dangerous than a Friday night out with the clan.

Please study hard, but don't forget to have fun.

Love,

Mom and Dad

PS: Dad has transferred another $10,000 into your account for Quidditch. If that's not enough for proper outfitting, please let us know.

"Cool," I said. "I've got a permission slip for Quidditch, and Dad's transferred some funds for my equipment."

"You'll need the full kit. How much have you got?" Ian asked.

I shrugged, and tapped my Gringott's bag. It showed 3424/0/23, so I asked, "A little over 3400 galleons. Is that enough?"

Ian spat pumpkin juice, and said, "For the whole bloody school!"

Karen said, "The problem is that some bits of kit have to be personally fitted, which means a trip to Quality Quidditch in Diagon Alley. When you see the Professor at one, give him your permission slip, and mention that you need to make a shopping trip."

"Assuming she makes the team," Frank said.

"From what I heard, she pulled off a beautiful Wronski Feint in her first flying class," Karen smiled. "I'm not worried."

"Did I hear the term 'Wronski Feint'?" Professor McGonagall asked, "When are your tryouts?"

"The 19th, Professor," Karen said. "When is Gryffindor's?"

"The next day. Of course, we didn't lose as many people to graduation as you did. Harry also said you have a natural aptitude for flying, Miss Wayne." I smiled, and the professor tapped Ian and said, "Budge over, there," and he shifted to give her room.

"Now then, Miss Wayne. Severus said you had some questions about the assignment, and that Mr. MacDonald here suggested you see me," She sat down, and said, "Let me see what you can do." With her wand, she transfigured a pitcher of milk into a teapot.

"Yes, ma'am. When I follow the instructions from class, I get this," and tapped the teapot with my wand. A rather conical white china teapot resulted. The professor nodded, and tapped it with hers to restore it. "However, when I think about it a different way," I tapped again, and the black and gray tea set appeared, "I get this."

"Most interesting. What are you thinking about to get the gray set?" Ian groaned, and the professor shot him a look.

"Quarks, ma'am. If I think about the different flavors, I get this," and tapped it again. The colors started to cycle again, and I tapped it with my wand. The tea set stayed a beautiful sky blue.

"What I cannae figure out is why the colour change, professor," Ian said.

"That is most unusual. What are your family colours, Miss Wayne?" the professor tapped it again, resetting it to the teapot.

"Gray and black, with yellow accent, ma'am."

"A possible reason, magic does follow along bloodlines," the professor mused. "We'll try it with traded wands," and handed hers to me. I concentrated, and got the conical pot again. The professor tapped it with mine, and it reset. I thought of my quarks, and got gray and black, with yellow handles. A last tap and it transfigured back to a milk pitcher. We traded wands back, and she told me, "You're still ahead of some students from my house. For now, I'll accept this, but I would like to know why the colour shift."

"If ye figure it out, tell me, please, professor," Ian asked. She gave a slight smile, then excused herself.

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I tapped my wand on the Professor's office door at precisely one o'clock. The door opened, and he called, "Enter, Miss Wayne, and have a seat."

The door closed behind me, and I said, "Good afternoon, professor. I have a bit of news from home that I should mention. Firstly, I have a permission slip for Quidditch, and I received a letter from home regarding that … little problem."

I handed him Mom's letter and my permission slip. He examined the slip, then turned to put it in a file with others. Glancing over the letter, he asked, "Who is Alfred, and what is the 'sub-basement'?"

"Alfred was my step-grandfather, who was originally from England. The sub-basement is a family reference for my parent's … other jobs," I explained. "If I make the team, sir, I'll need to get some shopping done, especially a broom." I smiled, and said, "I'd like to get a broom, even if I don't make the team, sir."

He handed my letter back, and said, "I will inform the other three of this new information. I saw Minerva discussing your assignment with you, was she able to resolve it?"

"Not completely, sir. However, she did say she would accept it for now. I need to write the final draft of that homework, which should be done this afternoon."

He nodded, and said, "Mr. MacDonald was unable to resolve your questions regarding my assignment?"

"Yes, sir. I have had some training in chemistry, and the closest potions seem to come is alchemy. My understanding is that it's an elective that is not offered that often. For one thing, I would like to know the properties each potion ingredient offers. Is there such a thing as a periodic chart for potion ingredients?"

"Your two textbooks offer a generalized one, however, I believe you are looking for a more comprehensive one." He scribbled on a bit of paper, and added, "You may owl Flourish and Blotts for these volumes. The first is somewhat rare, they may not have it in stock. Until then, let me see your draft as Mr. MacDonald revised it." I pulled it out, and passed it over.

He mused over it, twirling his quill in his fingers. He jotted a few notes, and crossed out something. He passed it back, telling me, "You have the concept down. Work on integrating your existing knowledge with these properties. Give me a clean copy on Tuesday, and I will look into a shopping trip after our tryouts." I nodded, and he added, "For my reference, please request from your parents a comprehensive listing of skills you have been trained in, including those related to the … 'sub basement'."

"Yes, sir. This and the Transfiguration assignment will be done this afternoon. I then plan to work on the detention assignments," I looked at him, and asked, "Is there any chance of a shopping trip to muggle London, sir?"

"Unlikely. Why?"

"I'd like to get some early Christmas shopping done, sir. I also have some equipment that needs to be modified to work in both a magical and muggle environment."

"We shall see. Regarding your more … specialized equipment, I would suggest you contact the Weasley twins for modifications." I nodded, and he added, "If there are no further questions, you are dismissed."

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Sunday, September 6, 1998

Dear Mom and Dad,

I received your letter of the fourth today, and have passed on the permission slip to Professor Snape. The extra money is welcome, and should prove adequate in equipping me for Quidditch. We will probably have a shopping trip after tryouts on the nineteenth. I have also informed him of developments regarding the sub-basement, and he asked for a comprehensive list of my education and training. I'm glad that problem is being handled.

Classes are going as well as can be expected. My housemates have been very helpful in deciphering some of the more obscure problems for me.

I'd better get back to the homework! Love to everyone, and say hello to Aunt Barbara and Uncle Dick!

Your loving daughter,
Mattie

I folded it, and wrapped a hair for tamper detection in the letter, then sealed and addressed the envelope:

Bruce & Selina Wayne
Wayne Manor,
Gotham City, USA
c/o Ministry of Magic, Mail transfer office,
London, UK

I then wrote a quick note:

Messrs. Fred and George Weasley
Weasley Wizard Wheezes
40 Diagon Alley, London

Dear Sirs,

You may not remember me, but your sister Ginny and friend Mr. Potter introduced me to you during my school-shopping trip a few weeks ago (the little Yank with short black hair).

I have some muggle equipment of a very sensitive nature that needs to be converted to operate in both muggle and magical environments. Professor Snape referred me to your services.

I will hopefully be able to visit the Alley for a Quidditch-shopping trip after our tryouts on the 19th. If you are not interested in this work, I would appreciate a referral.

Please let me know if you have any questions by return owl. I would also appreciate a copy of your current catalog.

Sincerely,

Mattie Wayne
Slytherin House

PS: Mr. Potter asked me to include this phrase: "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

Another:

Quality Quidditch Supplies
23 Diagon Alley, London

To Whom It May Concern:

Please send me a comprehensive catalog, including broom listings. I am trying out for the Seeker position on my house team.

Sincerely,
Mattie Wayne
Slytherin House

And the last:

Manager, Book Orders
Flourish and Blotts
31 Diagon Alley, London

My head of house, Professor Snape, has recommended I purchase the following volumes:

Comprehensive potion ingredients, complete set, latest edition
Obscure potion charms, spells, hexes and jinxes, complete set, latest edition
Alchemy: an introduction, complete set, latest edition

I understand there may be a delay on the Alchemy volumes. I would also appreciate any information you have on a large bookbag with built-in expansion and lightening charms.

Please bill my Gringott's account #174750, not to exceed 100 galleons without my authorization. Please include a detailed invoice with my order.

Sincerely

Miss Mattie Wayne,
Slytherin House

I looked up, and said, "I need to send some mail. Can someone tell me how to get hold of an owl?"

Karen said, "Give me a minute to finish this letter home, and I'll show you where the Owlery is. All local?"

I shrugged, "One's to the Ministry, to transfer back home. The other three are to Diagon Alley. Professor Snape suggested I order some books and equipment."

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As we were leaving the Owlery, Ginny entered. She smiled, and asked, "How are things going, Mattie? Going out for Quidditch?"

"I don't know … it looks awfully dangerous …" I said, then grinned, and added, "Sure. It looks like fun. Maybe that, um, Chaser thingie?"

"Chaser thingie?" Karen sighed theatrically, then asked, "Tell me the Gryffs have it better this year, Ginny!"

"The quality sure has gone down since we started, hasn't it, Karen? It used to be players didn't complain about a bit of rain or snow, or if the game ran long. But now, NOW, the game is in a thunderstorm or blizzard, or lasts a week or two, and it's all whinging, it is!"

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Monday, September 7, 1998:
Hogwarts, Great Hall

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"Come on, Sprink! We're gonna be late for Herbology!" I said.

"Coming, I'm coming!" She stuffed things in her bag, and followed me as I ran to catch up with the other firsties heading down toward the greenhouses. As we entered Greenhouse One, I lined up next to a long bed of plants. As the bell struck nine, Professor Sprout came out of her office, and smiled at us.

"Good morning, and welcome to Herbology! Let me call the roll, and we'll get right down to it. Also, dears, if any of you have an allergy, please let me know. Now, let's get dirty! Charlie Adams? … "

" … and Mattie Wayne?"

"Here, ma'am." I waved, and the professor said, "I'd like to see you after class, Miss Wayne," I sighed, and nodded. Am I going to get this from every professor? I wondered.

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" …Oh, my. Look at the time! Homework, dears, the odd questions at the ends of chapters one and two, and read chapters three and four for next week. Wash up, and have a good afternoon!" Professor Sprout moved off, back to her office, and I followed, knocking on the open door frame.

"You wanted to see me, ma'am?" I asked.

"Oh, my, yes. Have a seat and shut the door, would you please, dear?" The professor took a large, thick book, with a seal or logo on the front, and stuffed it in what looked like a muggle file cabinet, sliding the drawer closed. My eyes widened briefly, then I sat up straight, and looked at the professor attentively. She turned to face me and sat, saying, "Now then, dearie. I presume Severus has gone over the possible consequences of misfired memory spells?"

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I sat next to Karen, and asked, "I have a Quidditch question."

"Sure, Mattie, what is it?"

"Right now, you, Frank and Ian are the only current team members, right?" She nodded, and I asked, "Can you get them over here, and cast one of those privacy spells?" She gave me a finger to tell me to 'wait one', then moved off to collect them.

After Karen had cast the privacy spell, I asked, "Would a copy of Hufflepuff's Quidditch playbook be useful?" Karen almost fainted, and Frank caught her, while Ian muttered, "Obscurus". I grinned, and said, "I thought so. If it's the book I think it is, I know where it is right now. If I can break in, I can copy it, but I'll need help, and I've got my first detention with Professor Snape tonight."

Ian said, "He's in his office right now. Grab your things, and we'll meet outside his office."

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Karen knocked, and I heard the professor say, "Enter." He raised his eyebrow, and said, "What do you want?"

Ian said, "Professor, we have a Quidditch dilemma. Would you ward the door?" With a flick of his wand, he did so, and Ian continued, "Mattie has a possible location of the Hufflepuff Quidditch playbook, but she has detention with you tonight, sir."

"Explain, Miss Wayne," he asked.

I nodded, and said, "Professor Sprout asked me to see her after class. When I went to see her, she put away a very thick book that looked similar to the one you gave Karen. It had a logo on the front, and a pale yellow cover."

The professor tapped a sheet of paper, and a logo appeared. "Did it look like this?" he asked. I looked at it, and nodded.

"Sounds like their book," Frank breathed.

"Sir, this is a target of opportunity, only good for a short time. We do not know when or if it's been moved. I can break in, copy the book with 'Duplicus Totalis', replace it, and they'll never know I was there. However, I have two problems."

"Detention with me, tonight. What else?" the professor asked.

"I'll need someone to neutralize any magical defenses, and then restore them exactly the same way. I don't know how to do that yet, sir."

"I can do that, sir," Ian said.

"If I agree to this, why send you instead of Mr. MacDonald?" the professor asked.

"Two reasons, sir. You know what my mother's profession is. I know her tricks, and I have the right equipment here. Secondly, and no offense to Ian, but he moves like a drunken elephant."

"None taken, lil' sis. I'd like to know what your mother's profession is, though," Ian said.

The professor raised his eyebrow at me, and I nodded. He said, "Professional thief, Mr. MacDonald." Karen began to giggle, and I smiled.

"What is your plan, Miss Wayne?"

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At six p.m. sharp, I knocked on the door of Professor Snape's classroom for my detention. I heard people passing say, "Poor kid, detention with Snape." I heard a "Come", and entered.

"Miss Wayne." The professor locked the door, and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Yes, sir. I've got my clothing and equipment in my bag, and I'll meet Ian at the greenhouses at eight forty five."

"You should have nautical twilight by then. There is a meeting of the Heads at nine in the Headmaster's office. I shall try to delay it as long as possible. How long do you anticipate this taking?"

"The muggle defenses I saw were pitiful. The magical, I don't know. Based solely on the muggle, no more than twenty minutes. I don't know how long Duplicus will take, though. How long would it take to get through your defenses, sir?"

"I am rather more paranoid than Professor Sprout. Her more valuable plants are in a different greenhouse, which is more heavily warded. Assume … an hour for her defenses. As for mine, they would take several hours to get through, and a good bit of power. Total would be … ninety minutes, shall we assume? I shall endeavor to stretch the meeting until eleven, then."

I nodded, and then asked, "What about Professor Sinestra's Astronomy class, sir?"

He gave a faint smile. "She is a good Slytherin, and will accept your 'detention' tonight with me. Next week, however, you will be in class." He glanced at the clock. "You are ostensibly scrubbing cauldrons. However, I do not wish to damage your hands. Work on your homework until eight thirty."

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The clock chimed at eight thirty, and I looked up. Professor Snape finished writing on a scroll, then said, "I will leave you to change. Knock on my office door when you are ready, and I'll let you out."

I started to pull equipment out of my bag, and said, "Thank you, sir, but that's not necessary. I can let myself out."

"I have not given you the password for the door."

I smiled, "Sir, how many entrances are there to this room?"

"Two, why?"

I shook my head, and said with a smile, "Six, sir." I motioned, and said, "The four air vents. If you would turn your back for a moment, please?" He did so, and I quickly shed the school skirt, socks, blouse and shoes, pulling the black outfit into place. I buckled the equipment belt, then said, "Thank you, sir. May I leave this here?"

"Behind my desk. After you return, and wish to make a normal exit, use the password 'Serpensortia'". I nodded, put the mouthguard in (my teeth tend to chatter) and pulled down my mask, then swarmed up the stone walls, pausing a moment to open and slide through the air vent. I paused to reseat the ventilation grille, then slithered off.

------------------------

I checked Ian's location, to make sure he hadn't been followed, then slithered up and cupped my hand over his mouth. He started, and I pulled up the mask, and spit out the mouthguard. "It's me. Did you think I'd leave you?"

He relaxed, and looked at me, "I can barely see ye, lil' sis. You ready?"

"Almost. I've checked, but can you detect anyone inside, or any defensive spells?"

"Let me check again." He waved his wand, then said "No."

"Watch the door. I'll open it from inside." I reinserted the mouthguard, then reconsidered and spat it out again, "Ian. Put these gloves on."

"Why?"

"Fingerprints. Watch the door." I moved off, reinserting the mouthpiece while Ian struggled with the latex gloves. Scampering up a drainpipe, I squeezed through an open vent in the roof, climbed across the ceiling, then dropped to the gravel walk next to the door. I checked the door for alarms, then opened it. Ian sidled in, and I closed it. Putting my finger across my lips for silence, he nodded. I tapped my holstered wand, and moved my finger, and Ian nodded. He waved it, mumbling something, then smiled.

I scampered over to Professor Sprout's office door, and stopped a few feet away. Ian waved his wand and held up his hand to stop. I waited while he worked. Finally, with a sparkle in the air, he waved me forward. I pulled out my picks, and had the door open in seconds. I stopped, and Ian repeated his scan, motioning me to wait again. Once again, the sparkle died, and we moved forward. I closed the door after us, then pointed at the professor's file cabinet, and waved my finger. Ian checked, and smiled again. I popped the lock, and gently pulled the drawer open. It squeaked a bit, and Ian started.

I held up my hand, and sprayed a bit of silicon on the drawer tracks. I noted the position of the book, and checked for any traps. Waving Ian over, he checked for traps, then motioned for me to go ahead. He smiled, and I pulled it out, laying it on a clear area. I pulled off my hood and spat out my mouthpiece, then smiled.

"It does look like it, lil' sis," he whispered. He checked the book for traps, and then said "What next?"

I smiled. "We each copy it, then I replace it exactly, and we back out the same way, step by step. We'll talk once we're outside." He nodded, and motioned 'after you'. I whispered, "Duplicus Totalis" as I tapped the book. My wand glowed for about thirty seconds, then went out. I waved at Ian, and he copied it as well. I gently picked it up, replacing it, then gently closing and locking the cabinet. I reset a piece of paper that had been knocked out of alignment, then motioned for him to get to work.

------------------------

Outside, Ian sat on the ground to rest. He grinned at me, and said as he pulled off his gloves, "By Merlin, are they always that difficult!"

I shook my head, and replied with a grin, "No, this job was too easy, it could be a fake or a trap. We're not done yet. We split up now, and make our way back to the common room. I'll meet you there." I vanished into the night.

Keeping an eye on Ian, I distracted Ginny and Shadow with thrown pebbles, as they were about to catch him. I crawled through a vent, re-entering the Potions classroom to get my bookbag. The professor had left me a note with a small vial on top:

Put one drop on each hand and rub together for the appearance of blistered, cracked hands.
SS

I smiled, changed, then placed the note and vial on his desk, the note turned over, to show I had read it, and followed instructions. Whispering 'Serpensortia', I left the classroom.

------------------------

Karen looked at me as I came in, and said, "Where have you been?"

"Detention, scrubbing cauldrons." I showed my hands, and she smiled. "That's too bad. Did you have a good night, otherwise?

"A very easy night. Where's Ian?"

"Showering. Shall we wait for him?"

------------------------

In a private corner of our library, Ian said, "Go on, lil' sis. We couldna have done this without you." I took a breath, then tapped my wand to the stack of paper. We watched as the stack glowed, then a book appeared.

Karen gave a little 'yip' of excitement, but I held up a hand. "Check it for authenticity, it could be a fake. See if it's got genuine Hufflepuff tactics and intelligence on our tactics. Are there any spells on it? Don't make assumptions."

"Sorry." Karen said, "You're right, of course. I got caught up in the moment. We don't play them until May, so we've got time. Their first game is against Ravenclaw on November 28, we'll see how well it matches up."

"What if they make changes? Ian, can you link that update spell to the original?" I asked.

"I think so, but there may be an alarm for that type of spell," Ian said.

Frank said, "We can research that. Let's keep this quiet. Just the four of us, and Professor Snape."

Karen nodded. "Our first game is against the Gryffies. Let me get our book, we'll compare what we know against what Hufflepuff says about them."

"Here's ours." Karen said, as she plumped down the book. Frank flipped to the Gryffie section, while Karen did the same. "Hmm. Ginny's Seeker, no surprise there. She was reserve Seeker while Harry was primary last year. She's the last Weasley here, it used to be almost their entire family played on the Gryffie team."

"Good players?" I asked.

The others nodded, and Karen said, "The Weasley twins are infamous, not only for their pranks, but because they were excellent Beaters. They could have gone pro. Fortunately for us, she's the last one until an older brother has a kid. Let's see what else is here…"

------------------------

Tuesday, September 8, 1998:
Hogwarts, Great Hall

------------------------

"Pass the eggs, please," someone said. I passed them on, and Frank asked, "What do you firsties have this morning?"

"History of Magic," Sprink said.

"Take something else wit' you," he said. "As long as you whisper, he'll ignore you. Binns is the only ghost instructor, he's deadly dull, and he hasn't updated his syllabus since before he died. I only know of one person that's gotten an OWL in History, and that's Granger. She got one in every course she took." He shook his head, "Amazing student, but a bloody know-it-all."

------------------------

The pearly instructor floated through the blackboard, and said in a monotone, "Good afternoon, and welcome back to History. We will be covering more recent events. In 1503, Alferta the Flatulent was presented a dilemma when she assumed the Goblin throne. As we covered in our last class…" There was a 'thunk' and a head hit the desk, a snore issuing from the drooling mouth.

Sprink passed me a note: 'Three HOURS of this?'
I scribbled, 'Work on your Herbology. It's not like Binns is paying attention to us. How's the rest of your stuff?'
'It's OK. Can I copy some of your stuff?'
'If you want to, but I've got enough muggle stuff in mine that it may not work for you. Besides, I need to finish my detention stuff.'
'Yes, I heard. Scrubbing cauldrons with Professor Snape. Only four more nights, though.'
I shrugged, and replied, 'Very educational.'

A Gryffie on Sprink's right passed her a note. She nodded, and dug about in her bag, extracting her Charms assignment, and scribbling a note back. She leaned over and whispered to me, "What's that copy spell?"
"'Duplicus' for a single sheet, 'Duplicus Totalis' for everything." I whispered back.

Binns droned on, "…arguments for integrating the first kingdom into the second were as follows: First…"

Charlie Adams passed me a note. 'Heard you got a detention with Snape. How's it going?'
I showed him my hands, and scribbled, 'Scrubbing cauldrons until 10:30 last night. How's your homework going? Anything for DADA?'
'Yeah. You got Charms done? What's that copy spell?'
'Duplicus' = single sheet, 'Duplicus Totalis' = everything'
I scribbled. 'Trade?'

"…However, the countervailing arguments were as follows. First…"

------------------------

I munched on a carrot, and passed Sprink my DADA homework. "Copy your notes onto the bottom of that, and I'll go make copies for the twins and Charlie. Come up with a rationale for using an Unforgivable?"

Ian spit out his tea, and asked, "Why would you want to use a bloody Unforgivable?"

"According to Professor Harry, there's a reason to use one. I can't think of one, though."

"Neither can I, and I don't want to risk Azkaban to find out," he said. "Stick with ones like 'Protegro' for defense."

"Ooh, goodie! I don't have that one!" Sprink said as she jotted it down.

------------------------

"Settle down, settle down. Pass your homework forward." Professor Snape walked along the row, collecting the assignments, and dumping them on his desk. "Today, we will be continuing with useful personal potions. This particular one is used for various dry, itchy skin conditions, as well as various plant based contact poisons. What is the ingredient that counteracts dry skin, Miss …Wayne?"

"Infusion of sandalwood, sir."

"Strength, Mr. Adams?"

"Ten percent of the base, sir."

"In a base mixture of … Miss Tonks?"

"Milk, preferably, sir."

"Other base, Miss Cortez? Either one?"

"Distilled water, at fifteen percent strength, sir."

He gazed at us, then tapped his wand on the blackboard. The formula appeared, and he snapped, "Begin."

------------------------

I tapped on Professor Snape's classroom door at precisely six p.m. He called "Enter", and then said, "Miss Wayne, punctual as always." He waved his wand, sealing the door, and inquired, "Your hands?"

"They are fine, sir, thank you for asking. Will I be scrubbing cauldrons tonight, sir?"

"Ostensibly, but only if you wish to. Tonight I thought we might discuss various spells that would be useful for events like last evening's." I grinned, and he said, "Have you contacted the Weasley twins yet?"

"I owled them Sunday, sir, but I haven't heard back from them yet." He nodded, and I added, "I'm going to regret saying this, sir, but I do think I should scrub at least a couple, for accuracy's sake."

"Very perspicuous. Do those in the sink while we talk." I took off my robes, and rolled up my sleeves as he said, "In honesty, how long have you been pursuing your mother's career?"

"Only the last few years at my previous school, and never for profit. I did so only when there was … justice to be served. I never changed a fair grade, either, sir."

"A matter of personal honor, then. Muggle schools keep grades on one of these … computers?"

I nodded. "Security is only as good as the weakest link, sir, and in nine of ten cases, that's the human in the chain. For instance, they might choose a password of … their husband's name, and then leave mail from him on the desk. People are fundamentally lazy, sir."

"So I've noticed," he said dryly. "What observations have you made regarding Hogwarts?"

"Sir, with a bit more training, this castle is wide open to me. My major deficiency is the spells and charms. Physical security is, for me at least, almost non-existent. Professor Sprout only had three locks protecting that book. Three!"

"How would you protect it?" he asked.

"If it could stay in a static location, with an assortment of physical monitors, mantraps, passwords and paralysis spells like 'stupefy', sir. With it mobile, a changing assortment of hiding places and obscuring spells, as well as passwords." I shrugged, "Even then, it's not a guarantee. You still need to access it, which is a security hole. If you don't access it, then it's of no value to you."

"Most interesting. Use 'scourgify' to clean those, and we'll begin."

------------------------

Wednesday, September 9, 1998:
Hogwarts, Great Hall

------------------------

"Good morning, everyone!" I told people as I sat down.

"Why are you so chipper during the week, and so bloody hard to get up on the weekend?" Sprink asked, nursing a cup of coffee.

"Some of us just live right," I said. Frank snorted, and I said, "Seriously, exercise, meditation, and knowing how to move and breathe right does wonders."

"BREATHE right? Ian said.

I nodded, and lowered my voice. "When we were out the other night, you were sweating like you had run a marathon. I tracked you in, deflected Ginny off your scent, got my stuff out of the professor's office, and then came to the common room. Karen, what shape was I in?"

"Calm and relaxed, not a hair out of place."

"Ian, when I broke into Greenhouse one, how long was I gone?"

"Thirty seconds, maybe. How'd you do that?"

"Climbed the side of the building, across the glass roof, through a ventilation shaft, across the ceiling and down next to the door." The bell rang, and I said, "I'll talk about this tonight, if you want. I've got to run to Charms."

------------------------

"… and Miss Wayne." I waved, and Professor Flitwick said, "Oh, there you are. Please see me after class, Miss Wayne." I nodded, and he said, "Pass up your homework, please, everyone."

The bell rang, and the professor said, "Homework, everyone! The even questions for chapters five and six, and practice the Bubble-Head and Cheering charms for next week!" I scribbled that down, then made my way to the front of the class. Sprink waited for me, and Professor Flitwick smiled, and said, "By now you've probably had every professor in Hogwarts asking you about memory charms, haven't you, Miss Wayne?"

I smiled somewhat, and said, "Yes, sir."

"Well, then I won't repeat it. I'd just like you to know that Ha …Professor Potter and I will be making a trip to Inverness sometime this weekend. I'm quite looking forward to seeing this Internet thing. Any suggestions?"

"Time will just fly by sir, so you might want to have only two or three things to look up. The Internet is somewhat addictive, at least for me. Also, the problem is not finding one or two gold nuggets, like in our library, but grading, and finding the best ones of the thousands of nuggets you do find on the Internet." I thought a minute, and added, "You might want to bring a muggle pen and paper, sir. I find it's handy for making notes."

As we walked to lunch, Sprink said, "Now I'm looking forward to seeing this!"

------------------------

The bell rang, and Professor McGonagall called, "Pass up your homework, please. How did everyone do on his or her teacups? I know several people had problems." She waved her wand, and everyone had a teapot. She said, "Mr. Adams, let's start with you."

------------------------

At six p.m. sharp, I tapped on the professor's classroom door. He called, "Enter, Miss Wayne."

I put down my bag and shrugged off my robes as the door locked, saying, "Good evening, professor. I wanted to hand in the letter to Miss Tonks." I fished it out of my bag, and he took it, twirling his quill. After a minute, he said, "Acceptable. The clinical history reports?"

"I have a rough draft, sir. It needs polishing, though." He waved to me, and I passed it to him. This took quite a bit longer, even though it was only twenty pages.

"Expand the bibliography, tighten it up and give me a clean copy. If you can do so by Thursday evening, you may have your transformer back." I smiled, and he asked, "What were you discussing at breakfast?"

"Spr … Miss Tonks was wondering why I was so chipper during the week, and so groggy during the weekend, sir. I mentioned that I meditated, exercised and breathed right, but the bell rang before we could get into it."

"I see. Elucidate, please."

I moved to a table, and sat on it in a yoga position, "Sir, most people breathe through the lungs. You should properly breathe from the diaphragm, which increases the oxygen in the blood, giving you more energy. I do an hour of meditation and stretching exercises, so I get up at three, to exercise, shower and dress, and I then have three or four hours to study in the common room before the others stumble in. However, that sleep debt needs to be paid, so I go to bed early and sleep in on the weekends."

"Hmm. What do you do to exercise? Run?"

"I prefer to run, sir. However, I have to leave the dorm in order to do so. Usually, though, I do isometric exercises in the common room, which don't take as much room." He looked blank, so I smiled slightly and said, "Stretching and toning exercises. Resistance exercises against the walls. Is there a gymnasium here, sir?"

"There is, but I believe it is somewhat out of date. You would probably be better suited to use the Room of Requirement." I looked at him, and he added, "A room that will become whatever is required. You have merely to imagine it. The DA meets there on Tuesday evenings."

------------------------

Apparently my exercises and katas unnerved the professor. He pursed his lips in thought, then said, "I would not wish to oppose you on a dark street, Miss Wayne. Your clan utilizes these same techniques?"

"Professor, I would not last more than a minute in a brawl against my parents, or any of my clan." I smiled, then said, "Would you like to find out?"

"How so?"

"Simple, professor. With your permission, I'll try to grab your wand before you hex me."

"Agreeable. 'Ric…'"

I sprang, snatched the wand, then rolled with it in my hand. I tossed it back to him, and asked, "Which was that?"

"The tickling charm, 'rictusempra'. You are aware that most of the staff here can perform some wandless magic?" I nodded, and he asked, "You say that you would not last more than a minute in a brawl?"

"Against my clan, no, sir. Against a street criminal?" I flipped a chair up, and punched a hole in midair with a knuckle strike. I smiled, and added, "People underestimate me, sir."

"I shall endeavor not to do so again, Miss Wayne."

------------------------

Thursday, September 10, 1998:
Hogwarts, Headmaster's office

------------------------

"Good morning, Professor." I turned, and said, "Good morning to you, Mr. Hat."

The Hat replied, "Thank you, my dear, and a good morning to you." It added, "Such a polite young woman, Albus. I do believe she'll perform wondrous things."

"As do I. A good morning to you also, Miss Wayne. How do you feel?"

"Slightly nervous, sir."

"Ah. Because of last week?" I nodded, and he looked at me over his spectacles, and asked, "Do you plan to repeat the experience?"

"No, sir!"

"And if you decide to play a prank or two, you'll seek out those more experienced, I would wager?" I smiled, and he chuckled, saying, "I daresay I will find out in good time. How is Miss Tonks?"

"Slightly jealous, sir. Not everyone gets private lessons with the Headmaster."

"True, true." He sighed, then said, "I do miss teaching, the stimulus of young minds, the challenge as they explore." He sighed again, then said, "Now, all I get is dreary bookwork and the occasional pupil such as yourself that I can winkle away from the staff. Ah, well," he smiled at me, "Shall we begin?"

------------------------

The clock chimed the half, and we both sat back in our armchairs. The Headmaster looked a bit sad when he said, "That's the week's lesson, then."

"You look like you'd like to continue, Professor."

"Yes, yes, I would. Tell me, Miss Wayne, how are your parents and the … problem that we uncovered?"

"The last letter I had told me that it was being handled, Professor, but nothing more detailed than that. Aside from that, they enclosed a permission slip for Quidditch." I blushed, and said, "My housemates think I'd make a good Seeker."

"Well, if you do make the Slytherin team, my dear, I wish you well."

"He mentioned that he'd like to see a faculty game. Did you play, sir?"

"Yes, I Chased for Gryffindor starting in my second year. 1852 it was. Ravenclaw took the house cup, but Hufflepuff took the Quidditch cup, as I recall." He smiled, and added sadly, "Just a bit too old for that now, I'm afraid. We were in a rebuilding year, just as Slytherin is now."

The door opened without invitation, and Minister Fudge bustled in, followed by his two toadies. I stood, and said with a warm smile, "Thank you for the lesson, Professor, and have a nice day. You too, Mr. Hat." I nodded at the three newcomers, and left.

------------------------

"Settle down, settle down," Professor Snape said as the classroom door slammed. "Pass your homework forward." He collected the homework, and dumped it on his desk. "Today, we continue with general household potions. This is a general cleanser suitable for food surfaces, such as washing dishes. It is not to be used for scrubbing the loo." He tapped the board, and said, "Begin."

------------------------

At precisely six o'clock, I tapped on Professor Snape's classroom door. I heard 'Enter' and the door swung wide. It closed behind me, and I smiled, "Good evening, Professor. Will we be continuing with the stealth and tracking spells?"

------------------------

Friday, September 11, 1998:
Hogwarts, Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom

------------------------

"Good morning, everyone. Let's see who we have with us today." He tossed his robes aside, and loosened his tie. He added, "Miss Giles from Ravenclaw is out sick today. I most emphatically DO NOT want you practicing these spells. I will go over these with her privately. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?" I looked around, and nodded.

"Good. I have discussed this lesson with Professor Dumbledore, and gotten his consent. We believe that you should have the correct information about these spells. There is too much misinformation floating about. However, YOU WILL NOT USE THESE SPELLS."

I had never seen Professor Potter this way. Charlie raised his hand, and asked, "Sir, are these the…" he swallowed, "the Unforgivables?"

"Yes, Mr. Adams, these are the Unforgivables. They will earn you a one-way trip to Azkaban prison FOR LIFE if used on another human." He looked around, and said, "I've been to Azkaban. Its on a little tiny rock far out to sea. It is a thoroughly depressing place. There is no hope, no joy and no sunshine on Azkaban. It is a gray, gloomy place. I was there for a few hours, and I wanted to kill myself. They confiscate visitor's wands, both to prevent escapes, and so people don't use the Killing Curse on themselves. People go mad within weeks of being sentenced there. My godfather was sentenced there."

He was quiet for a minute, then took a breath, and said, "This will not be a pleasant class. I know people in this room that have relatives that have been, or are, in Azkaban. To eliminate any preconceptions you may have, they are not all from Slytherin. I know them from all four houses." He sighed, and said, "My apologies to the Slytherins. If anyone has a weak stomach, you are excused for the infirmary. Before we begin, does anyone have questions?"

He removed a cloth that had been draped over a table, revealing three rats in wire cages. He selected a white rat, and said, "This is the first, the Imperious Curse. This is the only one that is possible to throw off, with a large amount of willpower. I have been under it, and have managed to throw it off. Using this curse, you can make your subject do literally anything, including kill. To your subject, your orders seem like the most logical, common sense thing in the world. There is no time limit on this spell, it will go until cancelled." He pointed his wand at the rat, and said, 'imperio'.

The rat stood on its hind legs, bowed, then did a modified dance step, including twirls and kicks. The professor let it go on, then said, 'finite incantatum'. He set the huddled, shivering rat aside. He addressed the class, saying, "This is also the only one I have permission from the Ministry to demonstrate on a human. I will not make you do anything embarrassing. Do I have a volunteer?"

Sprink hesitantly raised a hand. The professor smiled, and motioned her up front, telling her, "You don't have to answer this, but would you like to give a reason for volunteering?"

"I … I wanted to see what my Aunt did to people. Sir."

"All right. I won't ask anything else. The way to throw this off is to keep telling yourself that the command is the most stupid, idiotic, insane idea you've ever heard of." Sprink smiled weakly, and the professor asked, "Still want to do it?" She nodded, and the professor snapped his fingers, and music came on. "I'm going to have you sing the school song. Even if you don't know it, the verses will be in your head, because I know it. I'll go three times 'round. Try to fight it, and here we go. 'imperio'."

Sprink sang in a pleasant alto:

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something, please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."

She took a breath, and continued,

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something, please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,

For … this is silly, and I can't sing!

Now … Now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."

With a third breath, she sang,

"Oh this is stupid, please don't make me sing,

I'll die of embarrassment, Oh Merlin I'm an idiot.

Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."

"Finite Incantatum. A round of applause for Miss Tonks! That was excellent! You managed to fight back and even skip several lines! Let's see, she skipped four lines, so I think a round two hundred points for Miss Tonks and Slytherin." He held up his hand, and said, "That is the only one I am doing, and I will repeat myself. DO NOT USE THESE SPELLS. Even in fun, this is very serious, and we are not playing games."

"Who wrote that song?" someone asked.

"I have no idea, but I'm glad the whole school didn't sing it at the welcoming feast."

"Oh, Harry, it's not that bad," the Headmaster said as he came forward. "It's quite a catchy little tune." He turned to face us, and said, "I know that some of you are thinking that this would make a nice prank. Please be assured that WE WILL KNOW if you use these spells, and you will not like Azkaban. Your age will not be a factor, nor will your excuse that 'It was only a joke!' You have been warned."

The headmaster left, and the professor took a deep breath, and then said, "The next one is the Cruciatus. This is used to torture by changing the blood acidity, meaning your blood will eat away at your organs and veins. It is time sensitive, meaning it lasts as long as you hold the spell. Voldemort has used this on me, and I will tell you, a few seconds feels like an eternity. You pray for death." He looked around, and said, "Once again, I will offer the option of the infirmary. This will not be at all pleasant. Any takers?"

There was a horrible, breathless anticipation as he moved the second white rat forward. It seemed to know something was going to happen, and skittered madly about its cage. He closed his eyes, then held his wand and said, "CRUCIO!"

The rat made a horrible, keening cry, and collapsed; its legs and tail twitching, its body spasming. After what seemed an eternity, it stopped. Harry put his wand down, and rested his face in his hands.

"Professor? Professor Harry?" someone said.

He took a deep breath, then said, "At least you're the last ones I have to do this with." He shoved back from the table, then reached to a small bottle. "This is post-cruciatus potion. It helps to repair the… the damage." He took the eyedropper out, then cradled the rat against his chest, and murmured, "I know it hurts. I'm sorry. This will help. Come on, take some. That's it. A little more…"

"Professor, how long was that? It seemed like forever."

He continued to nurse the rat, and said, "I know. I held it for five seconds." He asked the rat, "Feeling better now? Let me put you back." He turned to face us, and said, "There is a trick to successfully casting the cruciatus curse. I will not tell you what it is, because even the attempt will land you in Azkaban."

He moved to slide the third, gray rat forward, turned to face us, and said, "This is the last one, and I for one am glad it's almost over. This is the Killing Curse, 'avada kedavra'."

He took a breath, then said, "There is no way to block this curse, no way to deflect it. If you're lucky, you can dodge it. There is only one known survivor. Me." He held up his hand, and said, "I have no idea how, although there are several theories." He brushed back his hair, and said, "It got me this curse scar, which I assume is the point of impact. I don't know for sure, I was only fifteen months old when Voldemort tried to kill me." People flinched at the name. "Ready? Here we go…" The rat collapsed, and Harry said, "That's funny. I haven't done anything yet." He took the rat out of the cage to look at it, then sucked in a breath. He put the rat on the table, then said, 'revelo animagi'" A short, pudgy man with thinning hair appeared on the table, and Professor Harry roared, "STUPEFY!"

Holding his wand on the unconscious man, he said, "I need three people to take a message. Miss Tonks, to Professor Snape. Mr. Leaddore, go to Professor McGonagall, and Miss Wayne go to Professor Dumbledore. Tell them that I have Pettigrew at wandpoint." He waited, then snapped, "He's a Death Eater! MOVE!" I scrambled out of my seat, and ran.

"Canary Creams!" I shouted at the statue, then ran up the stairs, and burst into the Headmaster's office. "Headmaster, Harry has Pettigrew at wandpoint! He wants you!" I turned and ran, and he ran after me.

Professor Snape was there with his wand aimed at Pettigrew. Professor McGonagall ran in shortly after the Headmaster and I arrived. After they had their wands pointed, Professor Harry called, "'ravelous sticus', then 'mobilicorpus' to float him into a chair. With the other three holding their wands on the now naked Pettigrew, Professor Harry flicked his wand, levitating Pettigrew's left arm, and said, and "You may be wondering how I recognized the rat as Pettigrew. The rat had a metal right front paw, like Pettigrew has a metal right arm. I was there when Pettigrew reincarnated Voldemort. Pettigrew is a rat animagus, which means he can turn into an animal form. Lastly, if you look at Pettigrew's left arm, you'll see what looks like a tattoo. That's the Dark Mark, which looks like this." He flicked his wand, and a sketch of a skull with a snake coming from his mouth appeared on the board. He lowered Pettigrew's arm, then said, "incarcerous mettalicus", and steel chains wrapped Pettigrew.

Dumbledore said, "Harry, if I might use your fire, I will call Kingsley Shacklebolt about Mr. Pettigrew."

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After Pettigrew had been taken out, Professor Harry sat on a table, and said, "I don't know about you people, but I vote to start the weekend a bit early. I could use a flight to clear my head. Anyone else up for a picnic on the Quidditch pitch instead of facing the Great Hall?" He smiled, then called, "Dobby?"

With a 'pop' a small creature with a pencil-like nose and bat ears appeared, squeaking, "Yes, Master Harry? What can Dobby do for his Master Harry?"

"Dobby, could you get a picnic lunch for forty or so and bring it to the Quidditch pitch in ten minutes or so?" He turned to the class, and said, "Just in case you might be wondering if Dobby is under the Imperious: 'finite incantatum'". Nothing happened, and Harry asked, "Dobby?"

"Dobby is happy to serve his Master Harry!" with a 'pop' he vanished.

Harry said, "Dobby is a House Elf. There are about a hundred at Hogwarts, and they refuse to change that phraseology. They are the ones who do the cooking, cleaning, laundry and bed-making here. You'll study them with Professor Hagrid when you have Care of Magical Creatures in third year." He shifted, and said, "Another useful spell for all of you: the summoning charm, 'accio'. Just tack on what you want, like this: 'accio firebolt'." Harry's broom came zooming out of his office, and he added, "By the time we get to the pitch, the food will be there."

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Saturday, September 12, 1998:
Hogwarts, Slytherin House, First year girls' dorm.

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"Um, hello," a soft voice said.

I looked up from my thoughts, and the head of a ghost poked through my bedcurtains. I smiled, and said, "Hello. I don't think there's any risk to invite you in. You don't plan to, um, possess me or anything, do you?"

"No. I don't even know how." He grinned slightly, floated through the curtains, and added, "I'm still new at being dead. Wow, that's a weird sentence." He offered his hand, saying, "Draco Malfoy."

"Mattie Wayne." I shook hands, then said, "Eucch."

"I agree. Your hand felt like … hot fudge." He looked at me, then added, "From your expression, it was a similar experience for you."

"Like … half-melted ice cream. I'm not getting any sense of cold from you, though."

Draco nodded, then asked, "This is going to sound stupid, but what's the date?"

I checked my watch, then said, "Just after midnight, so it's Saturday, September 12th. What do you remember?"

"Last thing? A flash of green light from my father's wand, and a whooshing sound." He paused, then said, "That BASTARD! He killed me!" I heard an interruption in Sprink's snores, and I said, "Shhh!" He kept grumbling, "Killed by my own father …"

"Draco!" I whispered, and touched his shoulder. He looked at me, and I said, "I've got to know. The question everyone wants to know…"

"What it's like to die?" He nodded, then said, "I did too. It didn't hurt, but it's like I just, um, woke up from a deep sleep. No sense of time, really, but about two months have passed. Wow." He scratched his head, then said, "Everything's a range of gray. No colors. This is a dorm at Hogwarts, but aside from that?"

"Slytherin, first year girl's dorm. For what it's worth, the Headmaster told us what you did at the welcoming feast. A lot of people miss you."

"That's good to know. Obviously, Potter won, and the Headmaster's alive, but what else? How many died?"

"Total of four, including you, from Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Four Death Eaters, including Riddle. A few serious injuries."

He relaxed for a minute, then asked with a tone of dread, "Was one of them Blaise? Blaise Zabini?"

I shook my head, and he relaxed. "Purple eyes?" He nodded, and I continued, "No, she captured some woman named Lestrange, and is now running her father's apothecary. I got my potion stuff from her."

He closed his eyes for a minute, then asked, "Who died?"

"A teacher named Hooch, a lady named Rosemerta, and some other guy nobody ever heard of. For the Death Eaters, besides what's his name, there was a father and son named Goyle, and some guy named Nott."

Draco closed his eyes in relief, and whispered, "Thank Merlin, my plan worked."

"Plan?"

"Not fun, plotting to betray housemates to the other side. Especially when everyone else is running their own four or five sided schemes at the same time." He looked at me, and asked, "How did you get sorted into the Snake's Den?"

"It was a tossup for the Hat between us and Gryffindor. I think it got pissed at my Occlumency. I took twenty minutes to Sort." He grinned, then I asked, "Who do you want me to tell about your, um, reappearance?"

"Dumbledore. Professor Snape. You can trust both of them. What's Potter doing now, and could you write a letter for me to Blaise? I, um, I can't hold anything solid yet."

"Harry's a professor now. DADA." Draco nodded, and I said, "I don't mind. Was she a girlfriend?"

"Yeah. We hoped to marry, but in order for our plan to work, we had to have a nasty, public, split. She got the 'good' snakes, and I got the Junior Death Eaters." He sighed, and said, "The things we had to do. At least she's safe. Anyway, just those four for now, please."

"Let me get a pen and paper."

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Saturday, September 12, 1998

Miss Blaise Zabini
c/o Zabini Apothecary
20 Knockturn Alley, London

Miss Zabini,

I'm writing this for Draco Malfoy, who appeared in my dorm this morning. If you'd like to reply to him, I'll pass on messages, as he can't hold solid materials, being a ghost.

Mattie Wayne
Slytherin House

Blaisling,

I love you, and I miss you so. I wish I could hold you, but I can't even pick up a quill. I'll learn, but for now Mattie was nice enough to agree to serve as our intermediary.

I understand you captured Bella. Hopefully you weren't injured, she's a nasty one. She claims to actually enjoy crucio! Fortunately, you didn't have to deal with her except at wandpoint. Lucky you!

I'm pathetic. There's so much I want to tell you, and I can't articulate it. All I can talk about is that bloody battle. Yeah, the Dark Tosser defined our generation, but I wanted so much more for us. Marriage, kids, the whole lot. Right now, I just want to run my hands through your hair and kiss you senseless, like we used to do.

I want to apologize for the nasty things I said to you. I hope you realize that I didn't mean it, but if we were going to save lives, we had to break up. Merlin, that HURT! Now, I've gone and hurt you again by dying on you. I'm sorry about that. At least I didn't suffer.

If I can figure out how to travel, I'll come to see you. If not, can you come to the Quidditch games? We play the Gryffs November seventh, and we can have some private time.

Mattie's a not-so-innocent firstie, and it's after midnight. She needs her sleep, so I'll close now. Write soon, love.

All my love,

Your dragon.

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