Author's Notes: This story is a little diddy that's been floating through my mind for a while. I'm writing this for my enjoyment and for the enjoyment of others. I have no aspirations to become a professional writer and view scathing, sarcastic commentary as a sign of mental illness. (In other words, criticism is welcome if it is constructive. If you don't know how to do this, then learn the art as it is perhaps the most lucrative job and social skill one can hone.)
I hope you enjoy.
Thank you all for the wonderful comments—I do appreciate them. I can't comment on some of the inquiries, as an answer one way or another would give away the plot.
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Chapter 9 – Weasley's New ApprenticeHarry walked into the cavernous Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and took his seat. Snatching his book, quill, and a notebook from his satchel, he began to prepare for class, giving Ron and Hermione only a brief, but underlying friendly grunt, when they sat next to him. Taking out another parchment, his class timetable, he studied it with earnest. Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, and Care for Magical Creatures were his six selected classes for which he was to spend his next two years specializing.
A week ago Harry, Ron, and Ginny were escorted to Kings Cross Station to take the Hogwarts Express back to school. The six-hour trip was both long and exhausting; especially since rumor had it that Voldemort was planning an attack on the Express itself. The train cars were full of children and Aurors, with a few Hogwarts Professors donating their time-- including Bill Weasley, the newest Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Knowing the particular history of the position, Harry silently and fervently hoped that the misfortune surrounding it would not show itself again this year. The upside to the trip was that it appeared that Draco Malfoy and a few of the Slytherins who were part of the now defunct Inquisitorial Squad were receiving their just desserts through exclusion, ridicule, and overall torment. Although Malfoy and Parkinson were allowed to retain their Prefect status, Hermione had mentioned that she had overheard that the two were on probation.
He was in the process of putting away his timetable when someone kicked his satchel.
"Get your junk out of the aisle, Potter," an icy cold voice punctured the room. A highly polished fine leather shoe kicked the satchel some more, spilling the contents across the floor. "Well, at least you don't buy second-hand crap like those low-life Weasleys…"
"Pick it up, Malfoy," Harry said slowly as his green eyes gazed on his scattered possessions. He was in no mood for games and he, at this point, would just as soon use a wounding curse on the boy than look at him.
"Make me," Draco Malfoy said venomously. "Or was there something in there from your…deceased…godfather?" Draco proceeded to a few items, jamming his foot down on the satchel and a few nearby books, grinding them into the floor. "What? Are you not going to stop me, or are you too afraid?"
"Oh, I would," Harry said, "but then you would go running off to your beloved cousin…you know…the one who stole the Black name and estate from your Mother? That signet ring, I believe, should have gone to you…" Harry smiled as he watched Draco's face flush. There was indeed a small bit of resentment that Harry noted and filed away for future use. "I think it looks good on Professor Snape, don't you?"
"Mr. Malfoy, is there a problem?" Bill Weasley walked out of his office that adjoined the classroom. "Why are Mr. Potter's books all over the floor?"
"He was just picking them up," Harry said lazily, smirking at Draco. "He tripped over my satchel, spilling the contents. Apparently his mind was somewhere else. Perhaps he was thinking about the reward on his Father's head? What did the Daily Prophet say it was now, Malfoy? 10,000 Galleons?"
"You bastard…" Draco seethed, his pointed pale face twisted with rage, as he leaned forward towards Harry.
"Mr. Malfoy," Bill said firmly, "pick up the items and return them to Mr. Potter and go to your seat!"
Draco whipped around to Bill and nodded curtly, knowing that for now this battle was forfeit. With a flick of his wand, the papers, books and other personal effects levitated from the floor and packed themselves back into the satchel. Harry sat back in his chair and mouthed 'good boy' to Draco, snickering as the Slytherin sulked off. Deciding that Draco was not worth his attention any more, Harry turned to Ron, who was listening in on a conversation Hermione and Ernie Macmillan were having.
"I think she will be fine," Ernie said. "This is her first time teaching. I think that her classes will be much more practical instead of textbook only from Professor Enigmus."
"Although I can see the value of hands-on application," Hermione countered, "I am afraid that we will spend too much time on auxiliary applications and not enough spending time on more advanced Runes and their interpretations. We just began understanding the directional significance last year. How the Runes are arranged and their proximity to others makes every difference. This can be a lot of rote memorization."
"Granger," Ernie said as he began preparing for class, "When you encounter Runes they won't be in a textbook. They will be on walls, on artifacts, on divination stones…"
"Now that would be cool," Ron said, "Divination Runes. If I could do that, I would be betting on every Quidditch match…"
"What sort of idiot would do that?" Hermione turned to Ron, "Really, this type of magic is very serious and should not be treated lightly. You're starting to sound like Malfoy."
"Malfoy?" Ron snorted. "Hardly…"
"No, it true," Ernie started to laugh, "he asked the same thing today when Professor Lestrange talked about various applications in her introduction this morning. She was so furious that she sent him straight away to Professor Snape with a note."
"Probably passing love letters already," Ron sniggered.
"You saw the Daily Prophet article too?" Ernie whispered. "I heard that she was arrested mid-summer…something about living in a Muggle area and not registering. My Mum works for the Ministry. She said that she had heard something, but it was covered up. That is very odd because of…well…you know who her brothers are…?"
"Dumbledore gave her the job to protect her," Harry added in a hushed whisper. "Just keep this under your hat Ernie." Harry took a deep breath and bit his lip, hoping that Ernie could be somewhat trustworthy with this little piece of information.
"So there is…" Ernie inquired eagerly.
"Just leave it be," Hermione said. "She's okay, not another Umbridge…"
"We hope," Ron said, finishing Hermione's thought for her.
~***~
The classes for the day were at an end, and the students were enjoying a few minutes of relaxation before dinnertime in the main courtyard lawn. Harry was resting on his stomach and reading over his Defense Against the Dark Arts syllabus, making careful notes of reports, tests, projects and other due dates in his calendar. He looked forward to Quidditch this year, but knew that keeping up with his full course load and playing the sport would be a delicate and difficult juggling act. Hermione sat next to him, with Ron at her side. She was reading 'Genealogy of Wizards' while Ron was taking a quick snooze, laying on his back with his arm draped over his eyes to keep out the waning afternoon sunlight.
"Isn't that one of the books from Sirius' house?" Harry asked, looking up from his notes and tilting his head sideways so he could read the title on the book's spine.
"There was a copy there," Hermione said. "I found a second-hand copy at Flourish and Botts. It is actually quite interesting…" Flipping through, she said, "Did you know that the Black family is known for animagi?"
"Well, that would make sense," Harry said. "Sirius, Tonks… there's two right there. I'd imagine that the odds would be rather slim."
"Dumbledore too," Hermione said. "Several families, Dumbledore, Black…"
"I wonder if McGonagall is in there too," Ron said sleepily, his eyes still closed.
"That is her married name," Hermione said. "I have no idea her maiden name." She flipped through to a large page with a chart, "Charms: Diggory, Couch; Defensive Spells: Longbottom, Potter…"
"Let me see that," Harry said, his interest piqued. "Dark Arts: Snape, Dolohov… gee, go figure there. Rune Divination: Malfoy…" Harry looked across the large yard to where Malfoy was sitting with his entourage. "Might be the reason he asked about the Rune thing before. I wonder if he is doing it himself?"
"Professor Enigmus never taught us that," Hermione said. "She kept to very practical areas. Professor Lestrange said that she might show us an example of 'clarification' where one uses Runes to get insight into present or past events. She said that it was hit or miss, depending on one's talent, but it would be a good exercise for relational reading."
"That does not rule out that he was taught it at home. He did not learn all those curses from Professor Flitwick either," Harry replied. "Hey, there's Bill and Fleur!"
"That's Professor Weasley to you, Harry," Ron chuckled as he got up onto his elbows for a better view. "It was neat that Fleur took a position in the greenhouses, although I cannot picture her getting her hands dirty."
"She might break a nail," Hermione said, not lifting her head from the book, "that just would be a shame…"
Ron and Harry watched as Bill laid out a blanket and a small picnic basket. The couple then sat on the blanket, side by side. Bill grabbed a couple of glasses and a small bottle of wine from within the small wicker basket, opened the bottle and poured he and Fleur each a glass. The couple talked while Fleur sat her dainty blonde head on Bill's shoulder, her giggles echoing through the courtyard, forcing Hermione to roll her eyes at the other girl's overly feminine antics.
"Happy hours are starting early," Ron said, looking at his watch. "I overheard Dumbledore talking to him before lunch about 'overt displays of affection.' Bill got her flowers this morning and gave them to her before breakfast. I suppose Dumbledore doesn't mind them dating, just that they provide a good example for us students."
"Really?" Hermione looked up from her book and watched the couple for a second. "First class this morning was Ancient Runes. I decided to get there very early to start copying any notes. As I entered the room, I saw Professor Snape at the front of the class, standing by Professor Lestrange's desk, throwing some roses at her. I think he said something to the effect of 'Will this do?' and then he stormed out when he saw me."
"Ah," Ron said, "That's how you lost five points this morning…"
"Yes…" Hermione admitted sheepishly. "He took them off as I jumped to the side to let him pass. However, I did win them back later," Hermione retorted, quite pleased with herself. "Plus five additional from Bill, remember?"
"Yes, yes…" Ron said, almost dismissively. A day without Hermione winning points for Gryffindor was as rare as a day when the sun did not rise. "Hey Mione, Harry…what do you call two curses and an elf beheading?" Ron asked in a riddle.
"I cannot imagine," Hermione replied. Harry simply grunted as he was only half-listening.
"A Slytherin date," Ron started to laugh. "Fred told me that one last week…"
"It's disgusting." Hermione frowned and returned to her book.
"Speaking of which," Harry nudged Hermione. "Here comes Snape."
"A little sunny out for him, isn't it?" Hermione asked rhetorically.
Snape stood in the shadowed entryway, surveying the courtyard, his eyes stopping on each student and resting on the trio for a long while—apparently trying to find any misdemeanor or transgression for which he could vigorously liberate points. They kept their heads down, watching the Potions Master carefully out of the corner of their eye. Slowly, the wizard's head turned and then locked straight ahead on Bill and Fleur. Snape stared at the couple for a few seconds, his head leaning to the side and his lip twitching slightly. Just as suddenly as he arrived, the Potions Master turned on heel and rushed back into the castle, his robes making a sharp 'snap' as he made haste.
"Damn," Ron spat, "the git is going to tell on them…" Ron jumped up and jogged over to Bill while Harry and Hermione remained behind.
"Bill…" Ron called out and then turned beet red and cursed himself for the slip when his eldest brother eyed him up. "Err… Professor Weasley…" he stammered, "Darn it, what am I supposed to call you?"
"Bill is fine in private as long as you don't shout it out," Bill said. "Do you…err…mind?" he asked, nodding his head towards Fleur who was looking at Ron as if he were a giant, unwelcome, bug.
"Sorry…" Ron said, "But I wouldn't bother you except that Snape was just in the door. He spotted you with Fleur and the wine. I think he's gong to…"
"Damn him!" Bill cursed. "Bloody git has been following us around all week! I've about…"
"Following you?" Ron asked. "Why on earth would he do that?"
"The wizard's a nosey slimy git," Bill said, perhaps a bit too loud as a group of nearby Ravenclaws started to giggle. "Sorry…I really should not say things like that. I think he's trying to catch Fleur and I so he can have us sacked. The bloke's a real weirdo, I thought that Lestrange would keep him busy."
"Well, judging from his continued foul mood, I don't think she keeping him overly preoccupied," Ron said.
"Oh, he is just upset," Fleur interjected in a semi-sad voice. Her English, courtesy of Bill's 'private lessons' had improved considerably over the year, although her accent was still quite pronounced. "I had overheard in the faculty lounge that he had asked Lestrange to marry him and she refused."
"Fleur…" Bill said warningly, "Some matters are not to be discussed with students." He looked at Ron, who was about to fall over. "Not a word of it, understand? I am afraid given the sensitive nature…it would be traced back to us and for THAT we could get in trouble."
"Lips are sealed," Ron said with a few gulps as he motioned his fingers over his mouth as he desperately tried to hold back his combination of astonishment, revulsion, and laughter. "Oh, this will be hard…" Ron's face turned a deep shade of crimson as he looked over to Harry and Hermione.
"Just do it," Bill ordered. "Now scram before I start taking points off…" The elder Weasley smiled as Ron scampered back over to his friends.
~***~
Ron threw himself at Hermione's side, burying his face in the cool grass.
"So…" Harry asked, regarding Ron's rather odd behavior.
"He knows," Ron said, taking deep controlled breaths. "I guess Snape has been following him all week."
"Okay," Hermione said, "that is hardly such astonishing or surprising news that would make you want to bury your face in the grass."
"I can't tell you," Ron said flatly, looking up quickly and then putting his face back down.
"Can't tell us what?" Harry asked, curious.
"I can't tell you," Ron said.
"Is it about Bill and Fleur?" Hermione inquired.
"No," Ron replied. Taking a few deep breaths, he sat up. "Listen, Fleur overheard something in the faculty lounge and she told it to me. Some sensitive information-- nothing about us or concerning us, but stuff that could get them in trouble if I repeated it. Okay?" Ron felt somewhat better, more so, actually that he had a secret that he could not tell Harry, turning the tables somewhat.
"Okay," Harry said, now more than ever curious yet relieved that it was not some other deep hidden secret that someone neglected to tell him until all hell had broken loose and all that was left was the body count. Turning back to his book, something caught his eye across the courtyard. "Oh…" Harry motioned his head towards one of the entrances, "Snape's back…"
"I'll go tell Bill," Ron said, slowly getting to his knees. Halfway up, he noticed that Bill had conjured up a mirror and was using it to look over his shoulder, apparently spying on Snape in return. Bill moved the mirror around discreetly and then, all of a sudden simply closed it and sat it down, slapping his hand on his forehead like he made a stupid error. Ron could see Fleur's confused expression as Bill put down the mirror and Bill leaning over to whisper something in her ear. Fleur whipped around, presumably to stare at Snape, but Bill grabbed her .
"I think Bill knows," Ron said.
"Nice idea about the mirror," Hermione observed, stifling a laugh and a triumphant expression, as if his actions had inspired a final revelation.
"Yeah, I don't know why he didn't use it," Ron said. "Of course, looking at Snape and his general appearance, he probably can't see his reflection in a mirror."
"Actually, I thought Snape has looked considerably less greasy," Hermione remarked.
"From super greasy to somewhat greasy," Harry sniffed, "Oh yeah, Mione, a considerable improvement. I wonder if his teeth are still a tinged deep yellow…" He turned to Snape who was marching back to the entryway. It appeared that he was calling to someone.
Turning from the archway, Snape walked over to a dark, shadowed spot by the castle wall. Professor Lestrange now stood just inside the courtyard, carrying a large satchel; a few scrolls could be seen peeking out from the side flap. Snape conjured a blanket and laid it on the ground then motioned with his head for the witch to join him. Lestrange looked rather amused as she proceeded over and took a seat. Still standing, the Potions Master looked over again to Bill, his face betraying just for a moment his confusion, and then he sat down next to Lestrange who wasted no time in digging through her scroll-laden satchel for a large tome, pulling it out and opening it to where a large blue ribbon pre-marked it.
"Hey, it's the Slytherin version of you two," Harry said, jokingly. "She's reading a book ignoring him while he is just sitting there clueless…"
"Clueless, eh?" Ron snorted back, "At least I know when to grab a girl's hand."
"No clueless," Harry said, panning his eyes between the two couples. "You know what, I am getting the impression that he is copying Bill…"
"No way!" Ron said as he looked on, discreetly, as Snape summoned a House Elf. A few seconds later the elf returned with a picnic basket. "Damn Harry, you might be right…"
"Maybe that is where Snape got the idea of the flowers? Perhaps he saw Bill give those to Fleur this morning," Hermione concluded. "Now what is Bill doing?" She sat down her book and watched as Bill took the wine bottle and threw it up in the air. With a flick of his wand, and a spell that they could not hear from their vantage point, a shimmering blue light enclosed the bottle and with a quick sharp 'pop' a pearly white fluffy kitten tumbled, unharmed, to the ground."
"Oh," Hermione put her hands to her mouth, "That was incredible!"
"Looks like Snape's going to try it," Harry said, amused. Ron and Hermione turned and locked onto the dark couple sitting in the shadows. They could see Snape pointing at Bill, and waving his hand dismissively, as if the trick were of first year standard. He too, picked up a bottle (after emptying the contents into their glasses), but Lestrange grabbed his arm, apparently trying to dissuade him. Shaking her off, he set the bottle to the side and pulled out his wand. They couldn't help but notice that Lestrange scooted back to the edge of the blanket and held the book to her face. She wasn't reading it, but rather it appeared that she was using it for protection.
Snape tossed the bottle high into the air and yelled out a spell, his wand emitting a dark purple light. The bottle, like the other, basked in the spell for a few moments before it began its transformation. The smooth green glass container started to sprout black hair, then a tail at the end. As the ears started to appear, it exploded with an ear shattering 'CRACK!' Nearby students screamed and ducked for cover from the flying pieces of fur-covered smoldering glass. Hermione jumped as a furry, glass-like tail fell into her open book.
Ron picked up the twitching, smoking tail and pronounced, "So this is why Snape teaches potions."
The screams turned to nervous murmurs and then all of a sudden turned into silence when everyone realized what happened and exactly who was behind it. The entire population of the courtyard stared at the feared Potions Master who was now on his feet and staring everyone down in turn, daring even one to laugh. Professor Lestrange took out her wand and summoned the various pieces into the open basket as discreetly as she could. It was apparent that she was biting her lip, struggling not to laugh herself, her grey eyes occasionally looking up from her task to the wizard who stood before her. After collecting the glass, and finally herself, she slowly stood up beside the Potions Master and, with a quick snap of her fingers, folded the blanket and placed it in the basket. Snape quickly stalked off to the castle door and Lestrange followed behind.
~***~
"No one was hurt, and that's what is important," Dumbledore said kindly as he fed Fawkes a cracker. "I would not be upset Severus, the transfiguration is a difficult one and I daresay that you probably have not even attempted to transfigure anything in some time. Simply a matter of practice." "Isn't that right Minerva?" Dumbledore eyed up Minerva McGonagall who stood beside Severus. She simply offered a small smile and cleared her throat diplomatically, taking the question as a rhetorical one and wisely not answering.
"Come off it," Severus snapped, "You very well knew the only way I passed my transfiguration OWLs was because of the written portion!" He turned to Bill and leaned towards the man menacingly, "If you breath a single word of this…"
"Stop following me and I will consider it," Bill said, folding his arms defiantly. Addressing Dumbledore Bill added, motioning his head towards Snape, "I realize that he is probably put off that I got the position and he did not, but I will not tolerate him mirroring my every move! Everywhere I turn, especially when I am with Fleur, he is there lurking in the shadows. It has only been a week, but I will not put up with this all year!" He sniffed, turning to Snape, "Let me guess, you're trying to catch Fleur and I at something so you can get me sacked… that's it… isn't it?"
"No," Severus said, "This is very ridiculous…coincidence." Severus looked over to the portrait of Phineas Nigellus who simply slumped in his frame, his head in his hands.
"Severus, you were out sunning yourself. Well, not sunning yourself, you were sitting in the shade. However the only time you ever go outside during the day is during Quidditch Matches and most of those days you ask me to cast a spell making it overcast." Dumbledore said tiredly. "Really now…"
"Ruedella and I…" Snape began.
"Ahhhhh…" Dumbledore interrupted as an epiphany reached him. "Minerva, could you please excuse us?" He smiled politely at the Deputy Headmistress and nodded towards the door, indicating that she was excused from his large circular office.
"'Ahhhh'…what?" Bill asked, after he watched the witch's tall green and feathered hat disappear down the revolving staircase.
"You are trying to learn from Bill, are you not?" Dumbledore asked Severus. "Seeing how he interacts with Fleur…the flowers, the picnic…"
"You're trying to date Ruedella Lestrange?" Bill broke into a wide smile, playing dumb to the information Fleur blurted out earlier. "You are using me as a guide?"
Severus rose from his chair fuming. "If you two have had your fun, then I must be going to dinner."
"Hold out the seat for Ruedella and try to talk to her instead of sneering at students," Bill offered to the departing black clad wizard
Severus reached the exit but it was closed. Turning to Dumbledore, he was about to say something but noticed the elder wizard's amused expression, "I take it you are not finished humiliating me yet?"
"Severus, Severus," Dumbledore chided, "I am simply trying to help." Pointing to the chair, he asked, "Please, sit down."
The Potions Master returned to the chair, eyeing up Bill Weasley warily. "I do suppose that I was trying to glean a few…ideas…"
"What, no backhanded arranged contracts?" Bill said, "A smart bloke like you can figure a way around this."
Severus looked at the younger wizard, unsure if he had just heard an insult or compliment. "Let us say that other, more straightforward, avenues are blocked."
"And getting her flowers and throwing them at her in her classroom is not going to open many more paths either," Dumbledore said. When he saw Severus about to protest, he added, "Dippet's portrait is in the Ancient Runes classroom." Turning to Weasley, the Headmaster asked, "Now, Bill, I know I asked you to take a little extra time this year with Longbottom and Harry. I was wondering if there was any more free time…"
"You want me to coach him on…" Bill began but then trailed off. Severus whipped his head towards Dumbledore, mouthing 'no' over and over again. "Well…err…" Bill rubbed his neck; rather unsure what would be appropriate to say.
"Your discretion would be most appreciated," Dumbledore said.
"I…err…" Bill started and then reluctantly turned his head to look Severus in the eye. The Potions Master refused to look at him.
"Oh for Merlin's sake, I DO know what to do with a witch once I get her into my bedroom," Severus growled, finally turning his head towards the younger red-headed wizard. "I don't need help in THAT…"
"Are you sure?" Bill teased. Seeing Severus flex his fingers and the vein in his temple throb, he added, "I suppose I could go over a few things…I guess."
"Now that is lovely," Dumbledore said. "A wonderful sense of cooperation. I suppose Bill, that you and Severus can make your arrangements and discuss compensation on your own."
"Compensation!" Severus roared, "This is extortion!"
"I will not ask for monetary compensation," Bill said, "That would be too gauche."
"What DO you want then…" Severus clenched his teeth.
"I am so glad that you see the value," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. "I am sure that in no time Ruedella will put down that book."
"She does not need to put down the book!" Severus said, "All I need her to do is sign her name!"
"Sign her name?" Bill asked, "Just whip up a little potion…"
"The contract would detect magical interference," Severus said. "I might be able to use bloodroot, but the risks of poisoning her while trying to evade the charms is too high."
"I was being rhetorical," Bill said rubbing his forehead. He flashed a concerned looked to Dumbledore, who was wearing a thin smile. "OK, here's what I want. First, for you to stop following Fleur and I around."
"I do have better things to do," Severus shrugged. "And…"
"Take points off from Malfoy if he calls Hermione Granger a Mudblood," Bill said. "The boy is getting way to aggressive and I fear it is a matter to time before he tries to seriously hurt her…"
Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Normally, Bill, this would be out of bounds. However," he looked over his glasses to Severus, "Malfoy is now on the verge of becoming dangerous. In a few months he will be of age and we both fear he will receive the Mark on his seventeenth birthday. You need to tighten your reins on him, and a few others we have discussed in the past, before something terrible happens."
"Agreed," Severus said with a nod, "I will balance this as much as I can afford."
"And Harry," Bill said. He paused watching Severus tighten up and lock his jaw. "I will admit that the boy sometimes requires a good kick in the arse. But, if I hear one more word about how you denounce Sirius Black or blame Harry for Sirius' death, it will be you and I, with wands drawn, in the middle of the Forbidden Forest." Then he added, "During the day."
Severus seethed for a moment, his black eyes boring into Bill's blue. Wrinkling his lips as if he smelled something distasteful, he said, "I suppose the numbskull did kill himself, despite my warnings for him to keep low. Is there anything else or is your little wish list through?"
"That will be sufficient," Bill said, leaning back in the chair. "So, when would you like to begin?"
~***~~***~~***~~***~~***~~***~~***~~***~~***~
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