Chapter 7- Tuesday blues
The trio wandered mindlessly towards the Great hall. It was a beautiful bright day, and it seemed that nothing could change their good mood. Hermione hadn't mentioned once about getting home, infact, she seemed to have forgotten all about it.
The Great hall was full of smiling faces, and gentle morning conversation. The trio found seats away from everyone else, and started happily, on their breakfast.
After a few minutes, the post arrived. Owls flew in from every direction, giving letters to their owners. Harry was surprised to see that Hedwig had brought him a letter. He took it from her, and read it to himself:
Dear Harry,
I'm glad to hear you are having fun at school, and aren't getting too many detentions. I'm sorry I haven't written to you sooner, but your father and I are very busy at the moment with work, as you know. I received an owl from your sister yesterday, telling me about a certain prank on a certain Professor. I'm disappointed in you. You really ought to respect him more. He is your professor, and I know your father has told you stories about him, but he isn't as awful as your father makes out. As you can tell, I'm displeased with your behavior, unlike your father who found the incident rather amusing.
The real reason I am writing to you, is to invite you home for Christmas. I know I told you your father and I would be working, but I think you and Erin are old enough to take care of yourselves, even if we can't be home the whole time.
I'd also like you to think of what you would like for Christmas. Your father tells me there are some new broomsticks in Quality Quidditch supplies, that he thinks you would like.
Write back soon.
Love Mum
Harry lifted his head to face Hermione and Ron.
'Mum wants me to come home this Christmas.' Harry whispered, disbelieving. He grinned like a five year old, and rolled up the letter.
'That's great, mate.' Ron smiled. 'Great.'
'I can't believe it.' Harry said. 'I'm going to meet my parents.'
The trio sauntered towards defence against the dark arts, each with a smile on their face. Even though they had had Umbridge last year for DADA, it was still their favorite subject. To Harry it was special, because it was the one lesson he was better than Hermione in, which was saying something.
They ambled into the classroom to find the class already seated silently, and to their great dislike, Snape standing at the front.
'So you've finally decided to bless us with your presence, have you?' Snape scowled, and was met with three confused faces. 'You're late.' He elaborated, in a stern voice.
'No we're not.' Ron argued. 'The bell hasn't-'
The bell rang load and clear.
'Sit down.' Snape scowled. 'And 30 points from Gryffindor. I don't allow lateness or rudeness.'
They took the only remaining seats, right at the front of the class.
'Now as I was saying.' Snape said, harshly. 'Your attempt last lesson was abysmal, and I expect some better work this lesson.'
Snape paused for a moment, and you could have cut the tension with a knife.
'This lesson we will be working on patronus's.' Snape said, in a tone of utter loathing. 'I doubt any of you will grasp them, but I have been asked by the headmaster to cover them.'
Snape them went on to explain what they were, and Harry just grinned to himself. This was one thing Harry could do with ease.
'Now get up and show me how appalling I know you all are.' Snape ordered.
The class rose from their chairs, and started chanting the spell hesitantly. Most people managed to get some silver smoke to issue from their wands, but not very much, and it definitely didn't resemble an animal.
'Daydreaming are we Mr Potter?' Snape sneered over Harry's shoulder. 'Or is the work too easy for the likes of you? Of course, you must be some kind of genius, as you never usually feel compelled to turn up for lessons, let alone work.'
Harry just shook his head at Snape.
'I'll be seeing your progress at the end of the lesson, Mr Potter.' Snape said, simply, and swept away.
At the end of the lesson, Snape brought in a boggart in the form of a dementor, and put it at the front of the class. Everybody stared at it.
'Miss Bones, would you care to try first?' Snape stated, rather than asked.
Susan Bones walked slowly forward and said the incantation, but only a little silvery smoke emerged from her wand. She tried again, and again, until she was sick and shaking.
'That'll do.' Snape muttered with little concern in his voice. 'I didn't expect any better. Miss Granger? Care to dazzle us with your excellency? You are supposed to be the brightest student at Hogwarts, though I honestly can't see how...'
Hermione walked forward, her body shaking angrily. She placed herself in front of the boggart, and took a large breath. She shouted the incantation, and a jet of smoke floated from her wand. Her patronus wasn't as good as Harry had seen it before. It was a thin dusty outline of an otter, and didn't even make the boggart flinch.
'Sit down, Miss Granger.' Snape said. 'That was better than I expected from anyone in this class, but it was still rather awful.'
Hermione took her seat, and Harry and Ron gave her concerned looks.
'I just can't do it today.' Hermione muttered angrily. 'I'm just too angry with Snape.'
'Just ignore him.' Harry soothed.
'Feel the need to talk in my lesson, do you Mr Potter?' Snape asked. 'I trust you've mastered this spell then. Why don't you come up here and surprise us all.'
Harry strolled to the front of the class determined, his wand in his hand. He stood bang in front of the dementor, and raised his wand.
'Expecto patronum!' Harry yelled.
A large silvery galloping stag, emerged from Harry's wand. It glided around the boggart, until the boggart disappeared. The stag then did a victory lap of the class room, before Harry called it to him. Harry gave the stag a small bow, and the stag nodded his head, before disappearing.
The whole class was in shock.
'Wow Prongs.' Dean whispered from the second row. 'I never knew you could do that!'
'Prongs, eh?' Snape said, with deep dislike. 'Class dismissed.'
'That was really something, Harry.' Ron grinned after class.
'Yea, you really showed Snape.' Seamus said. 'He couldn't make one bad comment about it!'
'How did you do it?' Dean asked. 'You hardly ever turn up to DADA. Where did you learn that?'
'Out of a book.' Harry lied, looking at his feet.
'Why?' Seamus asked. 'You never study.'
'I wasn't studying, I was...' Harry stuttered. 'I-I have a fear of dementors. Yea they, erm, really give me the creeps. So I learnt that spell incase I ever came across one.'
'Good idea.' Seamus grinned. 'Do you know a spell Ron could use to scare off spiders?'
'Very funny.' Ron muttered, rolling his eyes.
'Just a minute.' Harry said, searching his pockets. 'I've lost my wand. I must have dropped it last lesson. I'd better go back. I'll catch up with you later.'
Harry rushed off in the opposite direction, until he reached the DADA classroom. He found his wand under a desk, and quickly departed the room, before Snape found him in there and had an excuse to gave him detention.
He ran until he reached the end of the dark passage, which lead to one of the main busy corridors. He would be safe there. He was just about to turn the corner, when someone caught his eye.
It was a girl. She had long fiery hair, and deep amber eyes. She had a thin but curvy figure, which Harry couldn't help but admire. Her face was bright and cheerful, and her mouth formed a friendly smile. Harry thought she was beautiful.
The girl passed him with a group of her friends. She had confidence in her stride, and a look which suggested that she knew something you didn't. She was entrancing, and it was as if everything went in slow motion as she walked by.
Harry watched her walk past, and admired everything from her long creamy legs, to her long brown eye lashes.
It wasn't until she rounded the corner, that Harry realized who she was. He followed her and her group of friends, and saw them stop outside a charms room. He snatched the Marauders map quickly out of his pocket, and said the magic words.
He skimmed the map, until he found himself. He looked just across the map, and there it was. A dot labeled: Ginevra Weasley.