Remember, asterisks are used to show when one author leaves off and another picks up!
Strange reviewer – men in white coats!! Muahahaha…two of the authors of this fic, including me, made a parody of "Into the West" (Return of the King). Why do the therapists call? Across the school…all grades are falling! White-coated men will carry you hooooome! Hmm, I think I'll put it up on fanfiction.net!
Chapter Four
One week later, they were all at the King's Cross Station. Harry, after witnessing Ron vanish through the wall, hurriedly moved forward, and nearly collided with Dobby.
"You…going back to Hogwarts when the Dark Lord is at his height of power…NO!"
Harry looked at Dobby angrily. "Dobby, WHAT did I say about not trying to save my life again?!"
Dobby twitched his easy but remained adamant. "You shall not PASS!"
Harry sighed, "I won't give you socks anymore if you don't let me pass…"
Dobby looked at him fretfully. "No sir! Anything but that…"
"Then move aside," said Harry.
Dobby moved aside and disappeared, and Harry scurried through the platform, eager to start his journey homeward bound.
*Suddenly, the platform fell beneath him, leaving a gaping chasm of darkness. Harry's stomach dropped, and then, he felt as though he passed through fire…and water…
Harry's eyes flew open and he bolted upright. It was very early in the morning; the skies were still dark. Harry though back over his dream and chuckled softly. Clearly, the return of Sirius as Sirius White had addled his mind. Harry frowned; since when would Dobby be able to say something as strong as "You shall not pass!", let alone defy Harry? Harry rolled his eyes and fell asleep once more.
**********
Harry, Ron, and Hermione slowly ate their breakfast. As they did this, Snape entered the kitchen looking pretty angry, and he kept muttering under his breath about something that clearly did not please him.
"Professor?" asked Hermione quietly. Ron and Harry stared at Hermione and then rolled their eyes.
Snape glared at the trio, who all looked confused. Hermione, however, understood.
"Um, Professor, did Dumbledore tell yo that you have to…baby-sit…us during the rest of the summer?" clearly Hermione did not like the idea at all.
Snape studied Hermione. "Yes he did," he replied stiffly. "And you all had better be—"
"It's a joke, Sn—Sir," said Harry irritably. He still did not forgive Snape for the way he was treated last year. "Dumbledore told us…I mean he fooled…I mean…" Harry could not word the events without putting either Dumbledore or Snape in a bad light.
"Actually, Harry, I apologize—I was mistaken." Dumbledore entered the kitchen with a plate, and he began to pile scrambled eggs onto his plate.
The trio—and Snape—froze. Ron stammered, "Wh-what do you mean? You said it was…Gandalf's Fool Day, or whatever!" Snape looked disgusted at the foolishness.
"I'm afraid someone had messed with my calendar. Gandalf's Fool's Day is in fact today. So, I suppose I have reason enough to say that my joke yesterday…was a joke in itself!" He smiled. "My children, you will be under Professor's Snape care for the rest of the summer."
All four listeners opened their mouths in protest, but froze. Perhaps Dumbledore was joking again! The four studied Dumbledore, who's eyes twinkled, but he did look serious.
Snape sighed. He did not—or really could not—argue. He angrily marched out of the kitchen. As soon as he left, Harry, Ron, and Hermione burst in protest *after Dumbledore left.
"Ugh! I can't believe Dumbledore!" Harry sighed.
"Harry," Hermione scolded him. "It can't be that bad. Hopefully." She, too, didn't like the idea.
"Yeah, right!" muttered Ron.
Hermione just looked at them in disappointment.
**********
The next morning, Draco Malfoy rolled out of bed. A knock came from the door. With a sigh, he yelled, "Come in!"
"Er, sorry Master sir. Bust Master Lucius wants you downstairs in fifteen minutes, sir," said the house elf with a blush, as she wasn't used to seeing Master Draco in only his boxers. (*AN* Several other authors of the cult puked here…a bit difficult to read…)
"All right. Tell him I'll be down soon. Now get out!" said Draco.
"Y-y-yes s-sir," with that, the house elf scuttled out.
As soon as the house elf left, Draco hurried to the bathroom. He knew if the wanted to get through Hogwarts, he could never make him angry. But he had heard the Dark Lord had punished Lucius. He smirked. He knew Lucius would follow the Dark Lord. But as for himself? He didn't like to be a follower like his father. He really didn't have an opinion. He simply didn't care. Sure, he hated Mudbloods…especially Granger. What does she do all day? Study? He snorted. He hardly studied and still managed to by second in his year. Realizing that fifteen minutes where almost up, Draco hurried to his father's study.
The study was decorated beautifully. His mother really did have taste even if she was an airhead. The room was set with dark mahogany furniture and a secret bookshelf. Only the books on there were old and…illegal. Their library contained all of their other books that were actually legal.
He slipped into the room and nodded to his father in respect. He smirked inwardly; like the had any respect for Lucius!
"Ah, Draco. How have you been my dear boy?" said Lucius quietly and thoughtfully.
Draco narrowed his eyes. What was Lucius up to? Besides, his ear looked like it was going to fall off any minute. "I'm fine, Father, how are you?"
"Pretty well. Now Draco, what is your rank at Hogwarts?" said Lucius.
Draco swallowed nervously. "Second, Father."
"And who's first?"
"Hermione Granger."
"Granger…as in the Mudblood Granger?" said Lucius thoughtfully.
"Yes, sir."
"Ah…I see. Tell me Draco, how could a Mudblood beat a Pureblood? A Malfoy, at that?" said Lucius with his eyes glittering maliciously.
*Draco halted, loosing his aloof arrogant smirk for a moment. Then, he quickly regained it. "I believe she cheats, Father. The Mudblood is such a total teacher's pet." He paused. Then, "Little slut," he added, just for good measure.
Lucius smiled. "What if we got rid of the girl?" he said. "After all, we can't have a Malfoy lose to a…to a Mudblood!" He said that word with such venom that even Draco was alarmed.
To tell the truth, Draco didn't really care about his rank. Really, he secretly dreamed of becoming a fisherman, but Lucius would never go for that. Draco didn't know what to say; he didn't care at all about the Mudblood Granger, but killing her?
Lucius had noticed Draco's alarm and silence at the surprising suggestion. He snickered, then burst out laughing. Now, Draco was positively terrified; was his Father…okay?
"Gandalf Fool's Day!" he cried, his eyes filled with mirth, yet slightly put-out.
Draco stared, and his eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Fool's day? Father, you hated that day! And," he added, as an afterthought, "I believe that was yesterday."
Lucius' laughter slowed until he suddenly frowned. His eyes seemed distorted. Then, to the right, a door opened. Lucius turned.
Draco gasped. "Father…you…your ear!"
Lucius smiled, looking slightly insane now. "The Dark…Dark…Lord…knows…"
A house elf shuffled inside from the open door. "Master, Sir…Draco! Your father…he not all right! The curse…" The frantic house elf wondered how to say it without getting punished. "Cru-cru-cru…tus? Sir, he lost…sanity…He-Whose-Name-Must-Be-Hyphenated did it!"
Draco stared. After all, would this house elf be trusted? But Lucius, at that moment, began to mutter incessantly as though he was talking to the Dark Lord.
A/N: Review! I'll write the songfic for Into the West later. Thank you to those who can actually stand nonsense thus far!