A/N: Even more story.....
CH8: Back into the Swing of Things
~"Snape's a slippery Slytherin slimeball," said Harry to the Fat Lady. The people behind him laughed, but Hermione was quick to reprimand.
"Harry!" she tutted. "Really!"
Harry shrugged innocently. "What?"
Shaking her head, Hermione led the first years through the portrait hole.~
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The next morning, Harry rose early for breakfast. Not wanting to wake anyone, Harry quietly got ready, grabbed the 'Biography of Merlin', and set off towards breakfast. The Great Hall was mostly empty, but he saw Lisa at the Ravenclaw table as she waved him over. He went to her.
"Morning," he said sitting on the bench next to her.
"Good morning, Harry." She handed him a piece of toast. "Sleep well?"
"Yeah, but then there was a giant pillow fight in the first year dorm and I was woken up to yell at them."
"Oh dear. Trouble from my brother already? It's got to be a new record."
"Actually, at Fred and George's first feast they managed to turn Dumbledore's beard bright orange."
Lisa spit out her orange juice as she burst into laughter. Harry joined her and they were both practically rolling on the floor by the time people started getting there. Finally, Hermione came down and called him to the Gryffindor table. Harry hugged Lisa good-bye. He picked up his book and headed back over.
"How are you feeling today, Harry?" asked Hermione as soon as Harry was seated at the table.
"Peachy." He grinned at her through a mouthful of toast. "Have we got our schedules yet?"
"Professor McGonagall's just passing them out now."
The professor called Harry and he went up to get his. As he saw what he had first, he choked on his toast.
"This is just cruel and inhumane," Harry complained as he sat down across from Hermione.
"Why? What is it?"
"We have potions first thing today. And Wednesday. And Friday."
"We have it three times?"
Harry just banged his head against the table. "Someone hex me now," came the muffled voice from beneath his arms. Hermione giggled at him.
"What's wrong with him now?" asked Ron as he came down to breakfast with George and Fred.
"We have double potions first thing today and twice more in the week," Hermione said.
"Noooo!" screamed Ron. The whole hall turned to look at him.
"I know Ron," said Harry finally removing his head from the table. "Why should we be poisoned and belittled first thing, again and again, ruining our whole year? I say we take a stand!" At this Harry banged the table with his fist.
Ron jumped right in with him. "Yeah, for students everywhere we must boycott the dungeons." They stood up together and put their hands over their hearts. There was shocked silence all over the hall. Up at the head table, Snape was smirking at them and Remus was shaking with silent laughter. Even Snuffles was smiling. That is, if dogs could smile.
But Harry took one glance in Snape's direction and sat back down. "Who are we kidding?" he moaned.
Ron sat right down, too. "You're right. We can't take on the whole greasy git's army."
"He'll poison our pumpkin juice. We'll find those slimy things in the jars on our pillows."
"I guess this is our last breakfast of sanity."
"This is sane?!?" broke in Hermione, but they ignored her.
"George?" whispered Ron, deathly quiet.
Now George got in on the act as well. "Yes, Ron?" he answered solemnly.
"Will you tell Mom to disregard the questionable magazines under my bed as she goes through my things?"
"Of course, my dear brother." Further down the table Ginny could barely stay sitting from the laughter.
Fred took over for his twin. "Harry, is there anything you want me to tell the Dursley's for you?"
"Ye...," Harry began, but changed his mind. "Actually, no. If Snape doesn't make me insane, the Dursley's will. But if they cart me off to a padded room in St. Mungo's would you please have everyone do the chicken dance before entering the common room. And change the password to 'DinkyDuddydums' after my favorite cousin, who from here on out, I give you full license to test your pranks on."
Fred and George looked at each other and gasped. "This means so much to us Harry, you have no idea," began Fred.
"You were always like another little brother for us to torment," continued George.
"And Ron, darling Ron...,"Fred trailed off, eyes watering. "Excuse us." Fred and George started sobbing on each other shoulders, sending Harry and Ron into fits of uncontrollable laughter, along with the rest of the room.
"Honestly, why do I put up with you two?" Hermione said over the noise off the hall.
Harry and Ron broke into identical, angelic grins. "Because you love us," they replied. Hermione just sighed and put her head in her hands causing the entire hall to start up with laughter again. The trio finished breakfast and was just about to set off to the common room to get their books for potions. As they stood however, Snape walked by.
"Don't be late for my class today. I have a real treat for you." He gave a half-smirk at the boys' horrified faces before stalking down the corridor.
Harry threw his arms into the air and looked to the heavens. "Why me?" he groaned. Ron and Hermione grabbed an arm each and physically dragged him from the hall, admist giggles from the other students.
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They arrived in Potion's class 5 minutes early. Malfoy was already there, waiting with his goons, Crabbe and Goyle.
"So Potter, have a good summer?" Malfoy drawled. Harry just ignored him. He was just trying to provoke Harry into doing something stupid. He took his normal seat and got out some parchment, a quill, and ink.
For the next half hour, the class listened to Snape go on and on about numbing potion. Harry sent Ron a note asking him if he thought Snape might be using that on the class right now. Ron snickered while he read it and Harry switched from taking notes to doodling in the margins of his paper. That is, until Snape's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Mr. Potter."
Snape sauntered up to Harry's desk. "Since you're so confident you don't have to pay attention, can you tell us exactly when you add the two ounces of Armadillo bile to your numbing potion?"
Harry thought for a moment. "No, I can't, Professor."
Snape gave an evil smile. "I knew you couldn't Potter. That will be 5 points fro - " But Harry cut him off.
"I can't, Professor, because you don't add two ounces of Armadillo bile to the potion, you only add one and 1/2. But if you had asked me when you add that, the answer would right after you add the three toads' eyes and stir it 45 times, but before the Alrates' spleen. If you time it right, it should be 21 minutes after the water comes to a boil."
Harry leaned back in his chair, enjoying Snape's shocked expression. "And, by the way Professor, if you know, or at least think, I won't know the answer to a question, why would you ask me it? Why not ask someone who would know?" The class stared disbelievingly at Harry, but Snape regained his composure.
"Go to the Headmaster's office. I'll meet you there after the lesson."
"Why, what did I do?"
"Just go!" he snapped, irritably.
Harry calmly collected his books. As he walked out the door, he heard Snape growl at the class to get to work and was glad he wasn't in there with him right now.
On his way to the Headmaster's office, Harry passed the DADA classroom. Remus called him in. He seemed to be in the middle of teaching a class of third years. Their eyes widened as Harry came in.
"Harry, aren't you suppose to be in Potions right now?"
"Snape kicked me out," Harry replied, leaning on the doorframe. "I'm suppose to be headed to Dumbledore's."
"It's only your first class!" Remus said exasperated.
"You've done worst than that, so you can't talk." Harry turned to the class. "If you get a chance, ask him about what happened after the Gryffindor/Slytherin game in his 6th yea- " Remus cast a silencing charm on Harry, but his class was already in giggles.
"Really! I'm suppose to be the teacher! Setting a good example! I don't need you telling them stories about my time as a student here. Half the things you know... most of those things, they have no proof we did, so ssshhh." He took of the charm.
"Oh come on, Remmy. My story is probably way more interesting than whatever you were teaching them about. Plus, it'll make the Weasley twins actually listen to you."
Remus just shook his head. "What did you do to Severus anyway?" he asked, changing the subject.
"I just answered a question right." He paused for a moment. "Though maybe I shouldn't have questioned his teaching methods."
Remus sighed. "You two need to work out this grudge between you."
Harry checked his watch. "I should really be going. Snape was ready to blow a gasket in the classroom, if I'm not in the Headmaster's office when he gets there it'll be like a second Hiroshima."
Remus stifled a laugh. "See you in class, Harry."
"Bye, Moony." And with that he started down the halls again.
When he got to the gargoyle, he started rattling off the name of every sweet, magical or Muggle, he knew. Finally he got it (Smarties) and was taken on the revolving staircase up to Dumbledore's office. He heard voices inside, so, not wanting them to think he'd been eavesdropping, he knocked on the door.
"Come in," said a voice.
Harry pushed the door open to find Dumbledore and about 20 ministry members all seated in a circle. It looked like the were in the middle of a meeting.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I didn't mean to disturb you. I'll just wait outs- " Harry started, but Dumbledore interrupted him.
"No, come in and sit down. We're almost done anyway."
"Albus, we are not almost done. We won't leave until you agree to....", said a middle aged man with brown hair, standing right in front of Dumbledore. He looked angry and put off by something.
"Fine, but he can still stay as this will concern him as well." Dumbledore looked at Harry. "Just take a seat."
Harry sat down in one of the empty chairs near the door and watched the proceedings with interest.
"As I was saying," continued the man with a questioning look at Harry, " is that you need to stop spreading rumors that You-Know-Who is back. It's not helping anyone."
"Shouldn't people be aware of his return, so they can prepare themselves in case of an attack?" Dumbledore questioned, calmly.
"He is not back!" thundered the man.
"But Voldemort is back," Harry stated, quietly. Everyone in the room looked at him.
"Excuse me?"
"I said," Harry began, a little louder this time. "That Voldemort is back."
The whole group flinched, except for Harry and Dumbledore.
"You can't seriously believe these rumors, kid? I mean there's no proof," one of the other ministry members spoke up.
"There proof. I've seen him. Twice."
The man at the desk looked taken aback, while Dumledore's eyes twinkled behind his half moon spectacles. He cleared his throat. "Oh, I had forgotten you two haven't met yet. Harry, this is Marvin Thirstin, the Deputy Minister of Magic, Marvin, this is Harry Potter." Harry stuck out his hand to Thirstin, but Marvin just stared at it in shock.
Harry lowered his hand. He looked over at Dumbledore.
"How come Fudge isn't here? Nothing happened to him did it?" he asked. He didn't want Fudge to be hurt, no matter how much he disliked him. Though, it may make him believe Voldemort was back if he was captured by him.
"No, the Minister's just in an important meeting and couldn't get out here," replied Thirstin. He was looking at Harry suspiciously. "You don't have any real proof that You-Know-Who is back, do you?"
"Just what I saw. Plus a couple of scars."
"That's what I thought. Why are you up here anyway?" Thirstin asked. He seemed determined to prove that Harry was up to something.
"I think I can answer that," interrupted Dumbledore. He grinned at Harry. "You have potions now, right?" "Yup. Professor Snape has a very short temper today."
"What did you do to your potion teacher?" asked one of the other people in the room. She seemed genuinely interested.
"I just answered his question," grumbled Harry.
"Well, it seems I have school related business to deal with. I'm sure you can find your own way out." Dumbledore started showing people out of his office.
"We'll continue this later, Albus," said Thirstin on his way out.
"Of course. Have a good day, Marvin."
After the last of the ministry people left, Snape came storming up the steps.
"Ah, Severus, come in," said Dumbledore. Snape walked up to the desk and sat down.
"Professor, we have to have a talk about this boy's behavior problem," he started, but Harry interrupted.
"I don't have a behavior problem," he said indignantly.
Snape ignored him. "He deliberately undermined me in front of the entire class. I say this merits two months worth of detention."
"Two months!!!"
"What exactly did he say?" Dumbledore asked, seemingly amused.
"He was not paying attention and when I asked him a question, he basically questioned my whole curriculum!"
"All I did was answer his question. And right, I may add." Harry slouched in his chair. There was no way Snape would let him out of here with out punishment.
Snape opened his mouth to badmouth Harry when the door opened and in walked Remus.
"I'm sorry, but I heard what was going on and I thought I might be of some help," Remus stated. Snape shot him a dirty look.
"This doesn't concern you, Lupin. Potter was about to be assigned his detention for the next two months so..." Snape was interrupted again, but this time by Dumbledore.
"Do you really think one small comment deserves two months, Severus?"
Remus continued now. "How about you give him detention for two weeks and he can help me out for the rest of the term. That would be fair." Harry perked up at this and Remus turned to him. "You have the period after potions free, right?" Harry nodded. "If it's alright with you, Albus, I could use some help with my second year class. Kind of a teacher assistant."
Dumdledore pondered this for a moment. "Yes that seems alright." Harry's heart leapt. "But make it three weeks of detentions with Severus." It fell again.
Snape was grumbling under his breath. "Fine, but I'll be contacting you about the detentions, Potter." He got up and stomped down the stairs again.
Dumbledore had a small smile on his face. "If that is all, I believe it is almost lunchtime." Cued by his thoughts, a bell resounded throughout the school. "Yes, yes, don't want to be late. I'll see you two later." Remus and Harry left the office.
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Harry was still thanking Remus profusely for his intervention when they reached the Great Hall. Hermione, Ron, and most of the Gryffindor table called him over immediately.
"So, what did Snape do to you?" Seamus asked as soon as he sat down.
Harry started piling Macaroni and Cheese onto his plate. "Detention for three weeks." Fred and George exchanged terrified glances. Seeing this, Harry added "It could have been worse. If Remus hadn't come in I would have been given two months." Ron pretended to faint. Harry chuckled.
"How did Professor Lupin get him to cut it down?" asked Ginny.
"I'm going to be his teacher's assistant for the rest of the term," Harry replied.
"You're so lucky!" Hermione cut in enviously. "I would give anything for that experience."
Dean raised an eyebrow at her, but didn't comment. The rest of the lunch was spent with them anticipating how the rest of their classes would be.
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After lunch, the 5th years went outside for Care of Magical Creatures. As soon as Harry came near Hagrid's hut, he heard the cry of a bird. He recognized it immediately. It was the Phoenix's song. When he thought that, Fawkes flew out from behind the hut and landed on his shoulder.
"Hey, Fawkes," he whispered, stroking the bird. Fawkes trilled. The rest of the class, including Hagrid and the Slytherins, stared at him.
"Harry," Hagrid asked. "How'd yer do that?"
"Hmmm?" Harry looked at him. "Do what?"
"Call Fawkes to yer. He won't even come ter me."
"Oh, my wand has a feather from him." He looked at Fawkes. "Go sit on Hagrid's shoulder please."
The bird took off to it's new perch right away. Harid looked amazed.
The rest of the class passed with out incident. Hagrid taught them about the different healing powers of a phoenix and their advanced strength. The lesson was actually neither highly dangerous nor incredibly boring. It was a first for Hagrid. When they were dismissed, he pulled Harry, Ron, and Hermione aside.
"I want ter have a talk with you three. Come down after yer lessons sometime next week." They assured him they would be there and set off back to the castle.
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The trio split up at the Entrance Hall. Ron had Divination, Hermione had a study, and Harry had his first ever Arithmacy I lesson (since Hermione had already been taking the course for three years, they weren't in the same class). He met up with Lisa and they discussed how their days were going so far. Lisa laughed at Harry's run-in with Snape.
"I'm glad my emotional pain is so funny to you." He put on a mock insulted look making her laugh harder. Finally, they reached the classroom and went inside.
They walked in and sat down. The class consisted of students from different houses and years. There were about twenty-five in all. The bell sounded and the teacher came in. Professor Vector was a tall, middle-aged woman, with dark brown hair to her waist. She wore thin glasses that framed her light blue eyes. She smiled at the group.
"Ah, yes, new students. You are here to learn inner workings of numbers. This class will be hard, there's no doubt about that, but it could be greatly valuable in your futures. We'll get started right away." She went on to describe the finer points of the course. It seemed part of Arithmacy was to discover your personalities and events that will transpire through complex number patterns (Harry inwardly smiled at this: Hermione was always saying how amazing Arithmacy was and it was very close to Divination, which she despised), but it also was finding how different spells would affect one another with number consistencies. It was very much like Muggle Algebra and many counter curses were discovered this way. By the time the class was over, Harry was glad he switched from Divination. He and Lisa headed down to the library to work on an assignment Professor Vector gave them (find out you person, heart, and spirit numbers) and hoped to find Hermione there.
They were not disappointed.
"There you are, Harry!" exclaimed Hermione as soon they walked in. "I've been looking for you everywhere! Dumbledore wants to see you."
Harry's forehead crinkled in thought. "Again?" Hermione just shrugged at him and Harry set off the way he came, this time towards the Headmaster's office.
When Harry arrived at the office, Dumbledore called him in.
"Harry, come come." Dumbledore waved him to a seat.
"What did you want to see me about, Professor?" Harry asked, curiously.
"This was recovered from the false Moody's things. I believe it belongs to you." He reached into his desk, eyes twinkling, and pulled out... the Marauders' Map. "Very interesting thing this is and I'm sure you'll find good uses for it." The professor handed it over the desk and winked at him. A mischievous grin spread across Harry's face.
"Of course Professor. This will be highly useful."
"I believe you have some work to do. Good night."
Harry bid Dumbledore good-bye and set off to the common room.
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Harry reached the portrait hole and walked in. The Gryffindor Quidditch team immediately hailed him and pulled him over to a corner.
"What's this all about?" he asked.
"Well Harry," began Fred.
"- after long deliberation -," continued George.
"- and many - "
"- oh so many - "
"- late night meetings, we decided - "
"- as a successor to our great previous captain - "
"- the amazing Oliver Wood - "
"- that you should be - "
"Oh really!" cut in Katie Bell, a 7th year chaser. "We chose you as the new Quidditch Captain, Harry." The twins looked slightly put off by her interruption, but beamed at Harry's startled face.
"Me? But...but...I," he stuttered. He couldn't form a sentence through his shock.
"Just say you accept," stated Alicia Spinnet, the last chaser, with a small smile on her face.
"Alright then, I accept," Harry said when he found his voice again. The rest of the team cheered. Harry was still reveling in his surprise when George chimed up.
"What shall be your first order of business, Oh Woody One?"
Harry paused. "Well, we need a new Keeper, so we should hold tryouts. How about next Saturday and we can make our decision by Sunday?" The group nodded. "I'll just make a sign-up sheet to post on the bulletin board." The team left with a few more 'Good lucks' and Harry sat down to his new task.
Harry finished the notice and checked it over again
ATTENTION
I am pleased to inform you that, due to our previous captain and keeper, Oliver Wood's, graduation, there is a position open on the Quidditch team. We are holding tryouts on Saturday and will be announcing our decision the following day. Anyone who wishes a trial should sign their name and year below.
I hope to see you there!
Harry Potter
Captain
P.S. Unfortunately, only second years and up are allowed to tryout, excluding special circumstances.
Harry walked over to the bulletin board and hung the sign up. A crowd formed around it immediately and exclaimed over what they read.
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The next morning, the trio left breakfast and headed to their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class. They arrived a few minutes early and Harry went up to talk to Remus. He told Remus how Dumbledore had given him the Map back and Remus congratulated Harry on becoming Captain.
"You're father was Quidditch Captain in his 5th year, too," Remus told Harry, which successfully brought a grin to both their faces. Then the rest of the class piled in and Harry took his seat.
"Alright. How is everyone today?" There was a general murmur of good cheer. "On request from Dumbledore, we are going to have a special lesson today." The class sat up straighter in interest. "We will be learning the Patronus Charm. Can anyone tell me what that is?" Hermione, Harry, and Ron's hands went up along with a couple of Ravenclaws. "Yes, Jenna?" he asked, picking, a short Ravenclaw girl.
"A Patronus is the opposite of a Dementor. It's a charm that counters the effects a Dementor causes."
"Excellent, 5 points for Ravenclaw. Now, this is a complicated spell to master. It will take lots and lots of practice. Now, Harry, would you help me with a demonstration." Harry got up slowly and walked to the front. "When I say go, please cast your Patronus." He reached down and picked up a suitcase, which was shuddering. Harry figured it must contain a Boggart. "Okay, one....two....three....GO!" He opened the case and a Boggart- Dementor came out. There was an intake of breath from the group. Harry thought of his most happiest memory. He raised his wand and shouted "Expecto Patronum!" A silver stag erupted out of his wand and the thing retreated backwards into it's case where Remus locked it in. The class cheered.
"Very Good, Harry! You've been practicing." Harry smiled feebly at him. The Dementors always left him weak and shaking. Remus handed him some chocolate and Harry nodded his thanks.
Remus explained how to conjure a Patronus and set the class to try. Hermione, Lisa, Terry, and Jenna all managed to get a small, silvery mist out. Ron, Seamus, Lavender, a boy named Ricky, one named Todd, and surprisingly, Neville, managed to get the ends of their wands to glow.
"Great everyone! With some more practice, some of you with be able to create a Patronus. If you can't, then don't feel bad. Most full grown witches and wizards have trouble with the spell. You should give it a shot in a few more years. For anyone who wishes to continue lessons, there will be special classes at 4'oclock on Wednesday. Class dismissed." Everyone piled out for, what Harry hoped, would be a fairly uneventful day.
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The rest of the day flew by and Harry grudgingly woke up the next day for Potions class. He ate breakfast in relative silence while pondering how he would survive. But the lesson was a surprise. That day they started brewing Pepper-up potion, a fairly complicated remedy for the common cold. Harry finished early, but when Snape came over to mock his skills, he could find no fault with the recipe. In fact his and Hermione's were the only two right in the class (not even Malfoy managed to get in Snape's good favor).
Harry left the class in high spirits that day for getting one up on Snape again. He parted with Ron and Hermione before setting of down the hall towards Remus's class. When he got there, Moony motioned for him to sit down at a small table next to the teacher desk.
"Now Harry, mostly for this you'll have to help out with demonstrations and the creatures I bring in. I'll also have you grading homework assignments and quizzes. I'm sure you'll have no trouble at all." The class began filing in, shooting Harry curious glances. It consisted of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff second years.
"Okay everyone. First I would like to applaud my new teacher's assistant, Mr. Harry Potter." They clapped, staring wide-eyed at Harry's scar. "Now, onto the lesson." They spent the rest of the period reviewing the basics of dark creatures, such as Kappas and Hinkypunks, cumulating in a small quiz Remus was going to have Harry correct later. After the day was over, when he was getting into bed that night, he reflected on the lesson. 'That wasn't too bad for a punishment,' he thought as he drifted off to sleep.
CH8: Back into the Swing of Things
~"Snape's a slippery Slytherin slimeball," said Harry to the Fat Lady. The people behind him laughed, but Hermione was quick to reprimand.
"Harry!" she tutted. "Really!"
Harry shrugged innocently. "What?"
Shaking her head, Hermione led the first years through the portrait hole.~
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The next morning, Harry rose early for breakfast. Not wanting to wake anyone, Harry quietly got ready, grabbed the 'Biography of Merlin', and set off towards breakfast. The Great Hall was mostly empty, but he saw Lisa at the Ravenclaw table as she waved him over. He went to her.
"Morning," he said sitting on the bench next to her.
"Good morning, Harry." She handed him a piece of toast. "Sleep well?"
"Yeah, but then there was a giant pillow fight in the first year dorm and I was woken up to yell at them."
"Oh dear. Trouble from my brother already? It's got to be a new record."
"Actually, at Fred and George's first feast they managed to turn Dumbledore's beard bright orange."
Lisa spit out her orange juice as she burst into laughter. Harry joined her and they were both practically rolling on the floor by the time people started getting there. Finally, Hermione came down and called him to the Gryffindor table. Harry hugged Lisa good-bye. He picked up his book and headed back over.
"How are you feeling today, Harry?" asked Hermione as soon as Harry was seated at the table.
"Peachy." He grinned at her through a mouthful of toast. "Have we got our schedules yet?"
"Professor McGonagall's just passing them out now."
The professor called Harry and he went up to get his. As he saw what he had first, he choked on his toast.
"This is just cruel and inhumane," Harry complained as he sat down across from Hermione.
"Why? What is it?"
"We have potions first thing today. And Wednesday. And Friday."
"We have it three times?"
Harry just banged his head against the table. "Someone hex me now," came the muffled voice from beneath his arms. Hermione giggled at him.
"What's wrong with him now?" asked Ron as he came down to breakfast with George and Fred.
"We have double potions first thing today and twice more in the week," Hermione said.
"Noooo!" screamed Ron. The whole hall turned to look at him.
"I know Ron," said Harry finally removing his head from the table. "Why should we be poisoned and belittled first thing, again and again, ruining our whole year? I say we take a stand!" At this Harry banged the table with his fist.
Ron jumped right in with him. "Yeah, for students everywhere we must boycott the dungeons." They stood up together and put their hands over their hearts. There was shocked silence all over the hall. Up at the head table, Snape was smirking at them and Remus was shaking with silent laughter. Even Snuffles was smiling. That is, if dogs could smile.
But Harry took one glance in Snape's direction and sat back down. "Who are we kidding?" he moaned.
Ron sat right down, too. "You're right. We can't take on the whole greasy git's army."
"He'll poison our pumpkin juice. We'll find those slimy things in the jars on our pillows."
"I guess this is our last breakfast of sanity."
"This is sane?!?" broke in Hermione, but they ignored her.
"George?" whispered Ron, deathly quiet.
Now George got in on the act as well. "Yes, Ron?" he answered solemnly.
"Will you tell Mom to disregard the questionable magazines under my bed as she goes through my things?"
"Of course, my dear brother." Further down the table Ginny could barely stay sitting from the laughter.
Fred took over for his twin. "Harry, is there anything you want me to tell the Dursley's for you?"
"Ye...," Harry began, but changed his mind. "Actually, no. If Snape doesn't make me insane, the Dursley's will. But if they cart me off to a padded room in St. Mungo's would you please have everyone do the chicken dance before entering the common room. And change the password to 'DinkyDuddydums' after my favorite cousin, who from here on out, I give you full license to test your pranks on."
Fred and George looked at each other and gasped. "This means so much to us Harry, you have no idea," began Fred.
"You were always like another little brother for us to torment," continued George.
"And Ron, darling Ron...,"Fred trailed off, eyes watering. "Excuse us." Fred and George started sobbing on each other shoulders, sending Harry and Ron into fits of uncontrollable laughter, along with the rest of the room.
"Honestly, why do I put up with you two?" Hermione said over the noise off the hall.
Harry and Ron broke into identical, angelic grins. "Because you love us," they replied. Hermione just sighed and put her head in her hands causing the entire hall to start up with laughter again. The trio finished breakfast and was just about to set off to the common room to get their books for potions. As they stood however, Snape walked by.
"Don't be late for my class today. I have a real treat for you." He gave a half-smirk at the boys' horrified faces before stalking down the corridor.
Harry threw his arms into the air and looked to the heavens. "Why me?" he groaned. Ron and Hermione grabbed an arm each and physically dragged him from the hall, admist giggles from the other students.
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They arrived in Potion's class 5 minutes early. Malfoy was already there, waiting with his goons, Crabbe and Goyle.
"So Potter, have a good summer?" Malfoy drawled. Harry just ignored him. He was just trying to provoke Harry into doing something stupid. He took his normal seat and got out some parchment, a quill, and ink.
For the next half hour, the class listened to Snape go on and on about numbing potion. Harry sent Ron a note asking him if he thought Snape might be using that on the class right now. Ron snickered while he read it and Harry switched from taking notes to doodling in the margins of his paper. That is, until Snape's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Mr. Potter."
Snape sauntered up to Harry's desk. "Since you're so confident you don't have to pay attention, can you tell us exactly when you add the two ounces of Armadillo bile to your numbing potion?"
Harry thought for a moment. "No, I can't, Professor."
Snape gave an evil smile. "I knew you couldn't Potter. That will be 5 points fro - " But Harry cut him off.
"I can't, Professor, because you don't add two ounces of Armadillo bile to the potion, you only add one and 1/2. But if you had asked me when you add that, the answer would right after you add the three toads' eyes and stir it 45 times, but before the Alrates' spleen. If you time it right, it should be 21 minutes after the water comes to a boil."
Harry leaned back in his chair, enjoying Snape's shocked expression. "And, by the way Professor, if you know, or at least think, I won't know the answer to a question, why would you ask me it? Why not ask someone who would know?" The class stared disbelievingly at Harry, but Snape regained his composure.
"Go to the Headmaster's office. I'll meet you there after the lesson."
"Why, what did I do?"
"Just go!" he snapped, irritably.
Harry calmly collected his books. As he walked out the door, he heard Snape growl at the class to get to work and was glad he wasn't in there with him right now.
On his way to the Headmaster's office, Harry passed the DADA classroom. Remus called him in. He seemed to be in the middle of teaching a class of third years. Their eyes widened as Harry came in.
"Harry, aren't you suppose to be in Potions right now?"
"Snape kicked me out," Harry replied, leaning on the doorframe. "I'm suppose to be headed to Dumbledore's."
"It's only your first class!" Remus said exasperated.
"You've done worst than that, so you can't talk." Harry turned to the class. "If you get a chance, ask him about what happened after the Gryffindor/Slytherin game in his 6th yea- " Remus cast a silencing charm on Harry, but his class was already in giggles.
"Really! I'm suppose to be the teacher! Setting a good example! I don't need you telling them stories about my time as a student here. Half the things you know... most of those things, they have no proof we did, so ssshhh." He took of the charm.
"Oh come on, Remmy. My story is probably way more interesting than whatever you were teaching them about. Plus, it'll make the Weasley twins actually listen to you."
Remus just shook his head. "What did you do to Severus anyway?" he asked, changing the subject.
"I just answered a question right." He paused for a moment. "Though maybe I shouldn't have questioned his teaching methods."
Remus sighed. "You two need to work out this grudge between you."
Harry checked his watch. "I should really be going. Snape was ready to blow a gasket in the classroom, if I'm not in the Headmaster's office when he gets there it'll be like a second Hiroshima."
Remus stifled a laugh. "See you in class, Harry."
"Bye, Moony." And with that he started down the halls again.
When he got to the gargoyle, he started rattling off the name of every sweet, magical or Muggle, he knew. Finally he got it (Smarties) and was taken on the revolving staircase up to Dumbledore's office. He heard voices inside, so, not wanting them to think he'd been eavesdropping, he knocked on the door.
"Come in," said a voice.
Harry pushed the door open to find Dumbledore and about 20 ministry members all seated in a circle. It looked like the were in the middle of a meeting.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I didn't mean to disturb you. I'll just wait outs- " Harry started, but Dumbledore interrupted him.
"No, come in and sit down. We're almost done anyway."
"Albus, we are not almost done. We won't leave until you agree to....", said a middle aged man with brown hair, standing right in front of Dumbledore. He looked angry and put off by something.
"Fine, but he can still stay as this will concern him as well." Dumbledore looked at Harry. "Just take a seat."
Harry sat down in one of the empty chairs near the door and watched the proceedings with interest.
"As I was saying," continued the man with a questioning look at Harry, " is that you need to stop spreading rumors that You-Know-Who is back. It's not helping anyone."
"Shouldn't people be aware of his return, so they can prepare themselves in case of an attack?" Dumbledore questioned, calmly.
"He is not back!" thundered the man.
"But Voldemort is back," Harry stated, quietly. Everyone in the room looked at him.
"Excuse me?"
"I said," Harry began, a little louder this time. "That Voldemort is back."
The whole group flinched, except for Harry and Dumbledore.
"You can't seriously believe these rumors, kid? I mean there's no proof," one of the other ministry members spoke up.
"There proof. I've seen him. Twice."
The man at the desk looked taken aback, while Dumledore's eyes twinkled behind his half moon spectacles. He cleared his throat. "Oh, I had forgotten you two haven't met yet. Harry, this is Marvin Thirstin, the Deputy Minister of Magic, Marvin, this is Harry Potter." Harry stuck out his hand to Thirstin, but Marvin just stared at it in shock.
Harry lowered his hand. He looked over at Dumbledore.
"How come Fudge isn't here? Nothing happened to him did it?" he asked. He didn't want Fudge to be hurt, no matter how much he disliked him. Though, it may make him believe Voldemort was back if he was captured by him.
"No, the Minister's just in an important meeting and couldn't get out here," replied Thirstin. He was looking at Harry suspiciously. "You don't have any real proof that You-Know-Who is back, do you?"
"Just what I saw. Plus a couple of scars."
"That's what I thought. Why are you up here anyway?" Thirstin asked. He seemed determined to prove that Harry was up to something.
"I think I can answer that," interrupted Dumbledore. He grinned at Harry. "You have potions now, right?" "Yup. Professor Snape has a very short temper today."
"What did you do to your potion teacher?" asked one of the other people in the room. She seemed genuinely interested.
"I just answered his question," grumbled Harry.
"Well, it seems I have school related business to deal with. I'm sure you can find your own way out." Dumbledore started showing people out of his office.
"We'll continue this later, Albus," said Thirstin on his way out.
"Of course. Have a good day, Marvin."
After the last of the ministry people left, Snape came storming up the steps.
"Ah, Severus, come in," said Dumbledore. Snape walked up to the desk and sat down.
"Professor, we have to have a talk about this boy's behavior problem," he started, but Harry interrupted.
"I don't have a behavior problem," he said indignantly.
Snape ignored him. "He deliberately undermined me in front of the entire class. I say this merits two months worth of detention."
"Two months!!!"
"What exactly did he say?" Dumbledore asked, seemingly amused.
"He was not paying attention and when I asked him a question, he basically questioned my whole curriculum!"
"All I did was answer his question. And right, I may add." Harry slouched in his chair. There was no way Snape would let him out of here with out punishment.
Snape opened his mouth to badmouth Harry when the door opened and in walked Remus.
"I'm sorry, but I heard what was going on and I thought I might be of some help," Remus stated. Snape shot him a dirty look.
"This doesn't concern you, Lupin. Potter was about to be assigned his detention for the next two months so..." Snape was interrupted again, but this time by Dumbledore.
"Do you really think one small comment deserves two months, Severus?"
Remus continued now. "How about you give him detention for two weeks and he can help me out for the rest of the term. That would be fair." Harry perked up at this and Remus turned to him. "You have the period after potions free, right?" Harry nodded. "If it's alright with you, Albus, I could use some help with my second year class. Kind of a teacher assistant."
Dumdledore pondered this for a moment. "Yes that seems alright." Harry's heart leapt. "But make it three weeks of detentions with Severus." It fell again.
Snape was grumbling under his breath. "Fine, but I'll be contacting you about the detentions, Potter." He got up and stomped down the stairs again.
Dumbledore had a small smile on his face. "If that is all, I believe it is almost lunchtime." Cued by his thoughts, a bell resounded throughout the school. "Yes, yes, don't want to be late. I'll see you two later." Remus and Harry left the office.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry was still thanking Remus profusely for his intervention when they reached the Great Hall. Hermione, Ron, and most of the Gryffindor table called him over immediately.
"So, what did Snape do to you?" Seamus asked as soon as he sat down.
Harry started piling Macaroni and Cheese onto his plate. "Detention for three weeks." Fred and George exchanged terrified glances. Seeing this, Harry added "It could have been worse. If Remus hadn't come in I would have been given two months." Ron pretended to faint. Harry chuckled.
"How did Professor Lupin get him to cut it down?" asked Ginny.
"I'm going to be his teacher's assistant for the rest of the term," Harry replied.
"You're so lucky!" Hermione cut in enviously. "I would give anything for that experience."
Dean raised an eyebrow at her, but didn't comment. The rest of the lunch was spent with them anticipating how the rest of their classes would be.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After lunch, the 5th years went outside for Care of Magical Creatures. As soon as Harry came near Hagrid's hut, he heard the cry of a bird. He recognized it immediately. It was the Phoenix's song. When he thought that, Fawkes flew out from behind the hut and landed on his shoulder.
"Hey, Fawkes," he whispered, stroking the bird. Fawkes trilled. The rest of the class, including Hagrid and the Slytherins, stared at him.
"Harry," Hagrid asked. "How'd yer do that?"
"Hmmm?" Harry looked at him. "Do what?"
"Call Fawkes to yer. He won't even come ter me."
"Oh, my wand has a feather from him." He looked at Fawkes. "Go sit on Hagrid's shoulder please."
The bird took off to it's new perch right away. Harid looked amazed.
The rest of the class passed with out incident. Hagrid taught them about the different healing powers of a phoenix and their advanced strength. The lesson was actually neither highly dangerous nor incredibly boring. It was a first for Hagrid. When they were dismissed, he pulled Harry, Ron, and Hermione aside.
"I want ter have a talk with you three. Come down after yer lessons sometime next week." They assured him they would be there and set off back to the castle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The trio split up at the Entrance Hall. Ron had Divination, Hermione had a study, and Harry had his first ever Arithmacy I lesson (since Hermione had already been taking the course for three years, they weren't in the same class). He met up with Lisa and they discussed how their days were going so far. Lisa laughed at Harry's run-in with Snape.
"I'm glad my emotional pain is so funny to you." He put on a mock insulted look making her laugh harder. Finally, they reached the classroom and went inside.
They walked in and sat down. The class consisted of students from different houses and years. There were about twenty-five in all. The bell sounded and the teacher came in. Professor Vector was a tall, middle-aged woman, with dark brown hair to her waist. She wore thin glasses that framed her light blue eyes. She smiled at the group.
"Ah, yes, new students. You are here to learn inner workings of numbers. This class will be hard, there's no doubt about that, but it could be greatly valuable in your futures. We'll get started right away." She went on to describe the finer points of the course. It seemed part of Arithmacy was to discover your personalities and events that will transpire through complex number patterns (Harry inwardly smiled at this: Hermione was always saying how amazing Arithmacy was and it was very close to Divination, which she despised), but it also was finding how different spells would affect one another with number consistencies. It was very much like Muggle Algebra and many counter curses were discovered this way. By the time the class was over, Harry was glad he switched from Divination. He and Lisa headed down to the library to work on an assignment Professor Vector gave them (find out you person, heart, and spirit numbers) and hoped to find Hermione there.
They were not disappointed.
"There you are, Harry!" exclaimed Hermione as soon they walked in. "I've been looking for you everywhere! Dumbledore wants to see you."
Harry's forehead crinkled in thought. "Again?" Hermione just shrugged at him and Harry set off the way he came, this time towards the Headmaster's office.
When Harry arrived at the office, Dumbledore called him in.
"Harry, come come." Dumbledore waved him to a seat.
"What did you want to see me about, Professor?" Harry asked, curiously.
"This was recovered from the false Moody's things. I believe it belongs to you." He reached into his desk, eyes twinkling, and pulled out... the Marauders' Map. "Very interesting thing this is and I'm sure you'll find good uses for it." The professor handed it over the desk and winked at him. A mischievous grin spread across Harry's face.
"Of course Professor. This will be highly useful."
"I believe you have some work to do. Good night."
Harry bid Dumbledore good-bye and set off to the common room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry reached the portrait hole and walked in. The Gryffindor Quidditch team immediately hailed him and pulled him over to a corner.
"What's this all about?" he asked.
"Well Harry," began Fred.
"- after long deliberation -," continued George.
"- and many - "
"- oh so many - "
"- late night meetings, we decided - "
"- as a successor to our great previous captain - "
"- the amazing Oliver Wood - "
"- that you should be - "
"Oh really!" cut in Katie Bell, a 7th year chaser. "We chose you as the new Quidditch Captain, Harry." The twins looked slightly put off by her interruption, but beamed at Harry's startled face.
"Me? But...but...I," he stuttered. He couldn't form a sentence through his shock.
"Just say you accept," stated Alicia Spinnet, the last chaser, with a small smile on her face.
"Alright then, I accept," Harry said when he found his voice again. The rest of the team cheered. Harry was still reveling in his surprise when George chimed up.
"What shall be your first order of business, Oh Woody One?"
Harry paused. "Well, we need a new Keeper, so we should hold tryouts. How about next Saturday and we can make our decision by Sunday?" The group nodded. "I'll just make a sign-up sheet to post on the bulletin board." The team left with a few more 'Good lucks' and Harry sat down to his new task.
Harry finished the notice and checked it over again
ATTENTION
I am pleased to inform you that, due to our previous captain and keeper, Oliver Wood's, graduation, there is a position open on the Quidditch team. We are holding tryouts on Saturday and will be announcing our decision the following day. Anyone who wishes a trial should sign their name and year below.
I hope to see you there!
Harry Potter
Captain
P.S. Unfortunately, only second years and up are allowed to tryout, excluding special circumstances.
Harry walked over to the bulletin board and hung the sign up. A crowd formed around it immediately and exclaimed over what they read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, the trio left breakfast and headed to their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class. They arrived a few minutes early and Harry went up to talk to Remus. He told Remus how Dumbledore had given him the Map back and Remus congratulated Harry on becoming Captain.
"You're father was Quidditch Captain in his 5th year, too," Remus told Harry, which successfully brought a grin to both their faces. Then the rest of the class piled in and Harry took his seat.
"Alright. How is everyone today?" There was a general murmur of good cheer. "On request from Dumbledore, we are going to have a special lesson today." The class sat up straighter in interest. "We will be learning the Patronus Charm. Can anyone tell me what that is?" Hermione, Harry, and Ron's hands went up along with a couple of Ravenclaws. "Yes, Jenna?" he asked, picking, a short Ravenclaw girl.
"A Patronus is the opposite of a Dementor. It's a charm that counters the effects a Dementor causes."
"Excellent, 5 points for Ravenclaw. Now, this is a complicated spell to master. It will take lots and lots of practice. Now, Harry, would you help me with a demonstration." Harry got up slowly and walked to the front. "When I say go, please cast your Patronus." He reached down and picked up a suitcase, which was shuddering. Harry figured it must contain a Boggart. "Okay, one....two....three....GO!" He opened the case and a Boggart- Dementor came out. There was an intake of breath from the group. Harry thought of his most happiest memory. He raised his wand and shouted "Expecto Patronum!" A silver stag erupted out of his wand and the thing retreated backwards into it's case where Remus locked it in. The class cheered.
"Very Good, Harry! You've been practicing." Harry smiled feebly at him. The Dementors always left him weak and shaking. Remus handed him some chocolate and Harry nodded his thanks.
Remus explained how to conjure a Patronus and set the class to try. Hermione, Lisa, Terry, and Jenna all managed to get a small, silvery mist out. Ron, Seamus, Lavender, a boy named Ricky, one named Todd, and surprisingly, Neville, managed to get the ends of their wands to glow.
"Great everyone! With some more practice, some of you with be able to create a Patronus. If you can't, then don't feel bad. Most full grown witches and wizards have trouble with the spell. You should give it a shot in a few more years. For anyone who wishes to continue lessons, there will be special classes at 4'oclock on Wednesday. Class dismissed." Everyone piled out for, what Harry hoped, would be a fairly uneventful day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The rest of the day flew by and Harry grudgingly woke up the next day for Potions class. He ate breakfast in relative silence while pondering how he would survive. But the lesson was a surprise. That day they started brewing Pepper-up potion, a fairly complicated remedy for the common cold. Harry finished early, but when Snape came over to mock his skills, he could find no fault with the recipe. In fact his and Hermione's were the only two right in the class (not even Malfoy managed to get in Snape's good favor).
Harry left the class in high spirits that day for getting one up on Snape again. He parted with Ron and Hermione before setting of down the hall towards Remus's class. When he got there, Moony motioned for him to sit down at a small table next to the teacher desk.
"Now Harry, mostly for this you'll have to help out with demonstrations and the creatures I bring in. I'll also have you grading homework assignments and quizzes. I'm sure you'll have no trouble at all." The class began filing in, shooting Harry curious glances. It consisted of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff second years.
"Okay everyone. First I would like to applaud my new teacher's assistant, Mr. Harry Potter." They clapped, staring wide-eyed at Harry's scar. "Now, onto the lesson." They spent the rest of the period reviewing the basics of dark creatures, such as Kappas and Hinkypunks, cumulating in a small quiz Remus was going to have Harry correct later. After the day was over, when he was getting into bed that night, he reflected on the lesson. 'That wasn't too bad for a punishment,' he thought as he drifted off to sleep.
