STANDARD DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
*~~~Chapter 24~~~*
by
Firestar
Harry was in Tranfiguration class the next day when he was called down by the Headmaster. Walking to the gargoyle, he was about to say the password when the old man's voice called, "Just come in, Harry."
Harry stepped into the office, settling down in a chair. He was offered both lemon drop and tea, which he politely declined. After a while, Harry asked, "You wished to see me, Professor?"
"Yes, Sebastien," the Headmaster said, eyes twinkling. "One thing I have become aware of is your excellent skills in schoolwork. Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagal has both spoken to me many times about your strong working skills. Professor Lupin has asked me to congratulate you on you test (Harry had recieved full marks), and Professor Sprout has informed me that your Herbology has improved since you've joined the Potions apprentice with Professor Snape. Because of all this, I was wondering..." At this, Dumbledore leaned in closer. "Would you like to take the NEWTs one year early?"
For a second, he thought his ears had decieved him, but then Harry realized that Dumbledore was still waiting for an answer. "I- Do you think I'll be able to do it, sir?"
"I KNOW that you will be able to do it with your academic skills."
"I-" Once again, Harry was at a loss for words. "Of course I'll accept," he said finally. "Er... but wouldn't that change my study plans and schedules?"
The Headmaster nodded. "You will take the test in June, so you have approximately five months to prepare. You will have extra lessons on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and the weekends at eight p.m. On Mondays and Wednesdays, you have Quidditch practise. On Tuesdays, you will see Professor McGonagal, Wednesdays- Professor Fliwick, Thurdays- Professor Sprout, and Fridays with Professor Lupin. I understand you were supposed to meet with Professor Snape on certain days for the Potions apprentice, but these will be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays. Will that be alright?"
Harry nodded, slightly dazed. "Er... yes, sir, that will be alright. Um... is that all, sir?"
"Yes, you may leave, Sebastien."
With a final nod, Harry left the room. He knew that the reason Dumbledore had asked him to take NEWTs early was because of Voldemort. Because he was the Boy-Who-Lived, he had to train early. He didn't mind the extra lessons, but god, he hated being treated differently. He had hoped that being Sebastien Frostpine would give him a chance to be normal, but he was wrong after all. It seemed, that no matter who he was, Harry Potter was always different.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A month passed. It was now February. The training with the different professors had each gone exceptionally well. The only bad thing was that Harry had little or no free time.
On Sunday morning, he grinned when he realized that he had a few hours of time to just hang around and do nothing. Smiling, he went down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
He was walking back with Draco when Ron and Hermione stopped them. "Hey, Sebastien, Malfoy," the redhead said. "We're sneaking into Hogsmeade. Are you coming?"
"RON!" Hermione admonished. "I keep telling you, we're NOT ALLOWED! And now that we don't have an invisibility cloak...."
"I have an invisibility cloak," Harry said, speaking up suddenly.
"You do?" Draco asked. "Why didn't you tell me? Where did you get yours? I don't think those are on sale anymore."
"It slipped my mind," Harry said. "My... godfather gave it to me." Quickly summoning his cloak, he threw it over his, Draco's and Ron's heads. "Coming, 'Mione?"
Hermione sighed, throwing up her hands in exasperation. "What am I going to do with you guys?" she asked. "I'm coming, someone has to keep you out of trouble."
"Hey!" Ron said indignantly as they sneaked off towards the secret passageway.
Walking into Hogsmeade, they were careful to be quiet. There were no customers yet: it seemed that all had not come out yet. They sneaked along to the Three Broomstick through the back alley. The alley was eeriely silent, almost as if the volume had been turned off. None of the usual banter could be heard.
Harry sighed, breathing in the fresh air. He shivered slightly as he approached the popular pub. He was just about to pull the door handle of the back door when he felt the invisibility cloak slip off him. He turned around, immediately drawing his wand, but he felt something being held under his nose. He frailed his arms around wildly, kicking, but to no avail. His air supply was slowly beginning to run out. At last, he couldn't stand it any more and took in a deep breath, falling into blissed darkness.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*~Firestar~*: Okay, okay, I know the chapter was short and wasn't very well done, but please forgive me. I had no time, and I didn't want to keep my readers waiting for too long. Now, for some news.
The Winner of the April Fool Challenge was:
Severus Snape and the Weasley Prank by Danielle Hickman, a.k.a. Ari_Griffin
Age 17
Country: United States
Setting: Hogwarts
Quote: ALL
Link:
Congratulations on winning, Ari_Griffin!
Thanks to Lillinfields, Kaaera, Fishnetfairy, and several others for their submitted stories.
If you didn't win, its alright, there will be more challenges in the future. I'm hoping that more people will participate in the future. And another round of applause for Fishnetfairy!!! :o)
Now, for a few Polls. I'm having a bit of trouble deciding the future of this story. Therefore, I will post a few questions here and ask of your opinions:
Question #1:
When should I make Severus find out that Sebastien is really Harry?
a. In front of the Potions Class
b. Alone (potions apprentice time)
c. Slytherin Common Room
d. Harry tells Sev the truth when they are working alone
Question #2:
How would Draco react when he finds out who Sebastien really is?
a. angry
b. understanding
c. shocked, then angry, then understanding
Question #3:
Do you think I should make the Founders come up more in the future?
a. yes
b. no
Well, those are my questions for today. When you review, please tell me which letter you would prefer, and most important of all, WHY. You have to tell me WHY you chose the answer you did. I'm not going to count the votes this time, you're going to have to convince me of what to do. Lol, thanks a bunch, guys! See ya,
Firestar
~Flames of the Emerald Phoenix~