Chapter - Halloween; Araya's Potion Final
The Gryffindors approached their last potions class with feelings of sadness and fear. Sadness because it was the last class before Snape returned. The fear stemmed from the exam Araya had set for them.
She was very thorough in her information on having gone through what the plants were to their appearance, temperature requirements and colour. While Snape had expected such details as well, he didn't tell them in advance.
To make it worse, Ron, Harry, and Hermione were running late and only just made it in time.
"Don't unpack." Araya told them, "You'll need all your things so make sure that it's all packed, grab an envelope and follow me." They all looked at each other, even the Slytherins were speechless, but complied. "We're going outside since it's such a nice day."
They followed her outside to the edge of the forest, "But Professor, I thought you said you were going to test us?" Hermione asked. Many of her classmates hissed at her.
"Oh you are. I haven't forgotten." Araya smiled. "Move in so you can all hear me. Alright, you all have an envelope." Neville's hand went up, and she handed him another. "Now, most of the time when you are envenomed you will not be in a well stocked lab. You'll have to find the ingredients you need in the woods." The class turned to each other. "There are enough ingredients in the sectioned off area for all of you, and no harmful creatures. Please open your envelope. You'll note one of four coloured dots on the sheet. Each is representative of a poison from an animal we've covered. Red for fire-newt; Green, slime-tongue rat; Yellow, sunshine shrew; Black, spitting gnat. It's very important that you keep your card, you will drop your potion onto the spot at the end of class, if it disappears, it worked." She took a breath, "Alright, if you use any supplies from your bags, other than your knife and cauldron, you will automatically fail." she said sternly. "You may share information - share, not give...there must be a mutual exchange. You now have just over an hour. I suggest you get started."
The class looked at each other, debating on whether she was kidding or not. None of them moved. "I assure you, I'm quite serious. You're wasting time."
"We're not allowed in the Forbidden Forest." Malfoy said. Others nodded in agreement.
"The area has been checked and cleared of harmful creatures and plants." Araya said, bored. "Barriers have been set to prevent you from wandering out of the safe zone, or them from wandering in. It's perfectly safe. Get going, I've covered everything you need to know to do this."
The Gryffindors put their things down and divided into colour groups to discuss what they needed, while the Slytherins tried once more to argue their way out of it. Araya looked at them with boredom, them calmly and coldly said, "This is not for discussion. You will do this assignment or you will fail. It's that simple. You now have 55 minutes."
Araya moved through the woods, watching the students' behaviour. Slytherins were pushing each other and anyone who got too close. The Gryffindors on the other hand were doing extremely well. Especially Neville, he was a key player, he kept telling others what plants to look for and twice told others that they'd grabbed a mimic.
"Time's up." Araya called. "Let's see how you did." She went through the class, "Goyle, it's not supposed to turn orange. Congratulations, you're in a coma." The class laughed. Araya continued her inspection, some had succeeded in making all their dots disappear, some had merely changed the colour of their dots. Most had the dot fade even if it didn't completely disappear. "Not bad, all of you. I'll also be awarding 20 points to Gryffindor for working so well together within the guidelines given." The Slytherins were even more upset, over this.
"Can't wait for Snape to get back." Malfoy huffed on his way back to the castle. "To be rid of her. She's not a real Professor."
"Oh you're just bitter because Neville did better than you." Ron taunted, "Besides aren't you supposed to be mute." Suggesting the effects of his poison. Malfoy was speechless with fury, but not for long.
"Just wait. Professor Snape will discount whatever that...girl...did. She's not a real teacher anyway." Malfoy hissed.
"Get off it. She's taught us more than Snape ever did." Harry said, "You're just mad that you got dirty."
"Wait until Professor Snape hears about what you just said Potter." Malfoy hissed, "Hope you like detentions."
"Whatever, Malfoy." Harry said, walking past him. "You still blew your exam and come Saturday, you're going to lose again. This is turning into a really good week." They walked away before Malfoy could think of anything to say.
The lunch hall was a buzz about the exams Professor Araya had given. The general consensus was that it had been fun, fair, but hard. The talk about what would happen when Snape returned grew until Halloween night.
Professor Snape sat at the staff table, beside Professor Dumbledore as usual. Despite knowing he was going to be there, Harry's stomach sank at the sight of the dark, greasy visage of Snape.
"Still had hope he wasn't coming back?" Ron said in Harry's ear.
"I guess." Harry said. "I was actually starting to like potions."
"Well I know I was." Ron agreed. "Let's go."
When all the students had taken their seats.
"I'd like to welcome Professor Snape back." Professor Dumbledore said. Cheers went up from Slytherin and half hearted applause from the rest of the students. "However, Hagrid will be leaving-" a gasp went up through the hall, "Calm down, he will be back." Dumbledore assured the students. Hagrid looked as if he was blushing, but it was hard to tell through all the whiskers. "Let the feast begin."
The feast went along smashingly. The ghosts entertained the students, and the mood was jovial. Professor Araya was in deep conversation with Snape.
She paused and stood, looked at the windows, pulled her wand and silence moved from the back of the room to the front of the staff table. The windows shattered seconds later, then all the dishes not made of metal, and spectacles. Araya, who had been the only one standing, fell.
The students looked around, trying to scream, panic taking hold. Dumbledore stood and motioned for the students to sit. He waited a moment, then waved and sound returned. "Everyone please. Prefects will you check your houses for injuries, then bring them up to Madame Pomfrey. Teachers, the windows please."
Frightened cries and whimpers circulated around, then a voice rose out of the crowd. "Sir, what happened?" A loud hum of agreement and confusion rolled around the room.
"Please quiet down everyone." Dumbledore said, "It seems that a shout spell went awry."
Harry however thought that there was a lot more to it. After all, Araya had not emerged from behind the staff table. He wondered if she was alright.
Madame Pomfrey whispered something to Dumbledore. "Alright, students, I'll ask the prefects to take your houses back to your dormitories, while all those who still need to be tended to will proceed with Madame Pomfrey to the medical wing."
On their way up to the tower, the buzz was, "That was no shout spell." A seventh year whispered,
"There's more going on. Look." Dean said, pointing to the window. Gryffindors rushed to the window to see. They could see Hagrid and two other Professors on the ground. "They're looking for someone."
"They're just checking to make sure none of the animals are hurt or spooked." the Gryffindor prefect said. "You know how Hagrid feels about his animals." She was a skinny, seventh year girl.
Harry wasn't convinced and neither were most of the students. He supposed that there wasn't any immanent danger or they would have been kept in the Great Hall. Like when everyone believed Sirius was trying to kill Harry and had broken into the school. He wrote to Sirius that night, asking him if this had happened in Hogsmead. There was too much energy to go to bed, so he, Ron, and Hermione sat quietly discussing what had happened. It was only the thought of next day's classes that drove them to bed. Even then, sleep was long in coming. Harry stared at the top of the canopy, was this another attack to get him? If it was, Voldemort was either getting bolder or more impatient.
"Harry?" Ron called quietly, "You still up?"
"What is it?" Harry whispered back.
"Did I imagine it, or did Dumbledore look worried?" Ron whispered.
"No more than I did, Ron." Harry said sleepily, "Where do you think Hagrid's going?"
"Don't know." Ron yawned, "We can ask him tomorrow." Harry was left to listen to Neville's snores, thinking. Harry was going to miss Hagrid.
Harry drifted into an uneasy sleep. Visions flashed through his dreams, divided by eerie green light. They circled so fast, his head hurt.
No, not his head, his scar. It screamed in pain. "You promised. You promised them to me." a wispy voice pouted, "Enough, you will be given plenty when I have him." Harry knew that voice. The pain was unbearable.
"Harry! Harry!" Ron's voice was coming through the green fog. Ron was shaking Harry, "Wake up!"
Harry opened his eyes, dawn's rays just cresting in the window. Ron above him, Dean, Neville, and Seamus close behind. Harry heard people coming up to their room. Fred and George were the first, with their wands ready.
"What's going on?" They asked. Looking around the room, "You alright?"
"It's Harry." Neville said, "He just started screaming."
Harry was in a fog, not clear what was happening. Ron then pushed his hair over his scar and handed him his glasses. "Harry, you alright?" Ron asked. Harry looked at him, stunned.
"Let me through." The Gryffindor prefect ordered, "Would you tell me what is going on?"
Fred and George blocked the way, "Not until you relax. Harry doesn't need anyone giving him a hard time."
"I'm...I'm alright." Harry said, finally waking up out of the fog. "S- sorry. I-I-"
"Harry, relax." Ron said, "Look can't you all leave? We don't need an audience." Fred and George went about clearing everyone who didn't belong out, except the prefect. Neville, Seamus, and Dean helped. "Why are you still here?"
"It's my responsibility to take care of everyone in Gryffindor." the prefect snapped back, "Harry, what happened?"
"I-I..." Harry was still shaking in fear and pain. His scar burned as bad as it had when he had faced Voldemort. "B-bad dream."
Ron knew what Harry's dreams were like and what they usually meant. Ron swallowed hard. "Can you move back and give him room?" Ron said protectively.
"Harry, are you feeling ill?" she asked, ignoring Ron, "Would you like me to take you to see Madame Pomfrey?" Harry still looked dazed.
"I think she's busy enough." Harry said, "I-I'm feeling better now. Really."
Ron kept his look passive, wanting to get her out so he could talk to Harry. "We'll keep an eye on him and let you know if anything else happens."
"Really. Promise." Dean said, kind of blushing. "It's kind of weird having a girl in here."
"Alright. But you will get me if anything else happens." she said. They looked at her and nodded. "I'll be in the common room. I can't go back to sleep anyways."
After she left, Ron turned back to Harry. Ron patted Harry's hair over his scar again to cover it.
"Ron?" Harry asked confused and annoyed.
"Trust me Harry." Ron whispered. Ron cast a meaningful look at their dorm mates.
"Harry, are you sure you're alright?" Neville asked, "Maybe you should have gone to Madame Pomfrey."
Seamus yawned, "You've looked better."
"I hope it doesn't upset your game." Dean sat down on his bed.
"Guess this didn't turn out to be your week after all, Harry." Ron said, patting his arm.
"Why does all this weird stuff happen to me?" Harry growled. The boys agreed to play exploding snaps, as none of them could get back to sleep.
"You think I could sleep in class, unnoticed?"
"Not likely, Harry." Dean said, half laughing. "Breakfast?"
"I'm in." Neville replied.
"Me too." Seamus said, "Harry what, if anything, should we say?"
"Tell them..." Harry looked at Ron, "Tell them I'm fine. That I-I-um..."
"-had a bad dream. Halloween events caused you to remember what happened after the Triwizards Tournament." Ron jumped in. "Right, Harry?"
Harry looked at Ron and nodded 'yes'. "Yeah, I'll pass on breakfast. See if I can talk to Madame Pomfrey."
"I'll come with you." Ron said. "I did promise to keep an eye on you."
Ron and Harry waited until most of the Gryffindors would have left for Breakfast. Ron went down to check first before Harry came down. Hermione was waiting for them.
"I brought some toast up for you guys, in case you're hungry. I heard you didn't want to go to breakfast." she said.
"Was Dumbledore there?" Harry asked quietly.
"Yeah." Hermione said.
"Could you get him for me? In the Hospital please?" Harry asked, "I think I need to talk to him."
The Gryffindors approached their last potions class with feelings of sadness and fear. Sadness because it was the last class before Snape returned. The fear stemmed from the exam Araya had set for them.
She was very thorough in her information on having gone through what the plants were to their appearance, temperature requirements and colour. While Snape had expected such details as well, he didn't tell them in advance.
To make it worse, Ron, Harry, and Hermione were running late and only just made it in time.
"Don't unpack." Araya told them, "You'll need all your things so make sure that it's all packed, grab an envelope and follow me." They all looked at each other, even the Slytherins were speechless, but complied. "We're going outside since it's such a nice day."
They followed her outside to the edge of the forest, "But Professor, I thought you said you were going to test us?" Hermione asked. Many of her classmates hissed at her.
"Oh you are. I haven't forgotten." Araya smiled. "Move in so you can all hear me. Alright, you all have an envelope." Neville's hand went up, and she handed him another. "Now, most of the time when you are envenomed you will not be in a well stocked lab. You'll have to find the ingredients you need in the woods." The class turned to each other. "There are enough ingredients in the sectioned off area for all of you, and no harmful creatures. Please open your envelope. You'll note one of four coloured dots on the sheet. Each is representative of a poison from an animal we've covered. Red for fire-newt; Green, slime-tongue rat; Yellow, sunshine shrew; Black, spitting gnat. It's very important that you keep your card, you will drop your potion onto the spot at the end of class, if it disappears, it worked." She took a breath, "Alright, if you use any supplies from your bags, other than your knife and cauldron, you will automatically fail." she said sternly. "You may share information - share, not give...there must be a mutual exchange. You now have just over an hour. I suggest you get started."
The class looked at each other, debating on whether she was kidding or not. None of them moved. "I assure you, I'm quite serious. You're wasting time."
"We're not allowed in the Forbidden Forest." Malfoy said. Others nodded in agreement.
"The area has been checked and cleared of harmful creatures and plants." Araya said, bored. "Barriers have been set to prevent you from wandering out of the safe zone, or them from wandering in. It's perfectly safe. Get going, I've covered everything you need to know to do this."
The Gryffindors put their things down and divided into colour groups to discuss what they needed, while the Slytherins tried once more to argue their way out of it. Araya looked at them with boredom, them calmly and coldly said, "This is not for discussion. You will do this assignment or you will fail. It's that simple. You now have 55 minutes."
Araya moved through the woods, watching the students' behaviour. Slytherins were pushing each other and anyone who got too close. The Gryffindors on the other hand were doing extremely well. Especially Neville, he was a key player, he kept telling others what plants to look for and twice told others that they'd grabbed a mimic.
"Time's up." Araya called. "Let's see how you did." She went through the class, "Goyle, it's not supposed to turn orange. Congratulations, you're in a coma." The class laughed. Araya continued her inspection, some had succeeded in making all their dots disappear, some had merely changed the colour of their dots. Most had the dot fade even if it didn't completely disappear. "Not bad, all of you. I'll also be awarding 20 points to Gryffindor for working so well together within the guidelines given." The Slytherins were even more upset, over this.
"Can't wait for Snape to get back." Malfoy huffed on his way back to the castle. "To be rid of her. She's not a real Professor."
"Oh you're just bitter because Neville did better than you." Ron taunted, "Besides aren't you supposed to be mute." Suggesting the effects of his poison. Malfoy was speechless with fury, but not for long.
"Just wait. Professor Snape will discount whatever that...girl...did. She's not a real teacher anyway." Malfoy hissed.
"Get off it. She's taught us more than Snape ever did." Harry said, "You're just mad that you got dirty."
"Wait until Professor Snape hears about what you just said Potter." Malfoy hissed, "Hope you like detentions."
"Whatever, Malfoy." Harry said, walking past him. "You still blew your exam and come Saturday, you're going to lose again. This is turning into a really good week." They walked away before Malfoy could think of anything to say.
The lunch hall was a buzz about the exams Professor Araya had given. The general consensus was that it had been fun, fair, but hard. The talk about what would happen when Snape returned grew until Halloween night.
Professor Snape sat at the staff table, beside Professor Dumbledore as usual. Despite knowing he was going to be there, Harry's stomach sank at the sight of the dark, greasy visage of Snape.
"Still had hope he wasn't coming back?" Ron said in Harry's ear.
"I guess." Harry said. "I was actually starting to like potions."
"Well I know I was." Ron agreed. "Let's go."
When all the students had taken their seats.
"I'd like to welcome Professor Snape back." Professor Dumbledore said. Cheers went up from Slytherin and half hearted applause from the rest of the students. "However, Hagrid will be leaving-" a gasp went up through the hall, "Calm down, he will be back." Dumbledore assured the students. Hagrid looked as if he was blushing, but it was hard to tell through all the whiskers. "Let the feast begin."
The feast went along smashingly. The ghosts entertained the students, and the mood was jovial. Professor Araya was in deep conversation with Snape.
She paused and stood, looked at the windows, pulled her wand and silence moved from the back of the room to the front of the staff table. The windows shattered seconds later, then all the dishes not made of metal, and spectacles. Araya, who had been the only one standing, fell.
The students looked around, trying to scream, panic taking hold. Dumbledore stood and motioned for the students to sit. He waited a moment, then waved and sound returned. "Everyone please. Prefects will you check your houses for injuries, then bring them up to Madame Pomfrey. Teachers, the windows please."
Frightened cries and whimpers circulated around, then a voice rose out of the crowd. "Sir, what happened?" A loud hum of agreement and confusion rolled around the room.
"Please quiet down everyone." Dumbledore said, "It seems that a shout spell went awry."
Harry however thought that there was a lot more to it. After all, Araya had not emerged from behind the staff table. He wondered if she was alright.
Madame Pomfrey whispered something to Dumbledore. "Alright, students, I'll ask the prefects to take your houses back to your dormitories, while all those who still need to be tended to will proceed with Madame Pomfrey to the medical wing."
On their way up to the tower, the buzz was, "That was no shout spell." A seventh year whispered,
"There's more going on. Look." Dean said, pointing to the window. Gryffindors rushed to the window to see. They could see Hagrid and two other Professors on the ground. "They're looking for someone."
"They're just checking to make sure none of the animals are hurt or spooked." the Gryffindor prefect said. "You know how Hagrid feels about his animals." She was a skinny, seventh year girl.
Harry wasn't convinced and neither were most of the students. He supposed that there wasn't any immanent danger or they would have been kept in the Great Hall. Like when everyone believed Sirius was trying to kill Harry and had broken into the school. He wrote to Sirius that night, asking him if this had happened in Hogsmead. There was too much energy to go to bed, so he, Ron, and Hermione sat quietly discussing what had happened. It was only the thought of next day's classes that drove them to bed. Even then, sleep was long in coming. Harry stared at the top of the canopy, was this another attack to get him? If it was, Voldemort was either getting bolder or more impatient.
"Harry?" Ron called quietly, "You still up?"
"What is it?" Harry whispered back.
"Did I imagine it, or did Dumbledore look worried?" Ron whispered.
"No more than I did, Ron." Harry said sleepily, "Where do you think Hagrid's going?"
"Don't know." Ron yawned, "We can ask him tomorrow." Harry was left to listen to Neville's snores, thinking. Harry was going to miss Hagrid.
Harry drifted into an uneasy sleep. Visions flashed through his dreams, divided by eerie green light. They circled so fast, his head hurt.
No, not his head, his scar. It screamed in pain. "You promised. You promised them to me." a wispy voice pouted, "Enough, you will be given plenty when I have him." Harry knew that voice. The pain was unbearable.
"Harry! Harry!" Ron's voice was coming through the green fog. Ron was shaking Harry, "Wake up!"
Harry opened his eyes, dawn's rays just cresting in the window. Ron above him, Dean, Neville, and Seamus close behind. Harry heard people coming up to their room. Fred and George were the first, with their wands ready.
"What's going on?" They asked. Looking around the room, "You alright?"
"It's Harry." Neville said, "He just started screaming."
Harry was in a fog, not clear what was happening. Ron then pushed his hair over his scar and handed him his glasses. "Harry, you alright?" Ron asked. Harry looked at him, stunned.
"Let me through." The Gryffindor prefect ordered, "Would you tell me what is going on?"
Fred and George blocked the way, "Not until you relax. Harry doesn't need anyone giving him a hard time."
"I'm...I'm alright." Harry said, finally waking up out of the fog. "S- sorry. I-I-"
"Harry, relax." Ron said, "Look can't you all leave? We don't need an audience." Fred and George went about clearing everyone who didn't belong out, except the prefect. Neville, Seamus, and Dean helped. "Why are you still here?"
"It's my responsibility to take care of everyone in Gryffindor." the prefect snapped back, "Harry, what happened?"
"I-I..." Harry was still shaking in fear and pain. His scar burned as bad as it had when he had faced Voldemort. "B-bad dream."
Ron knew what Harry's dreams were like and what they usually meant. Ron swallowed hard. "Can you move back and give him room?" Ron said protectively.
"Harry, are you feeling ill?" she asked, ignoring Ron, "Would you like me to take you to see Madame Pomfrey?" Harry still looked dazed.
"I think she's busy enough." Harry said, "I-I'm feeling better now. Really."
Ron kept his look passive, wanting to get her out so he could talk to Harry. "We'll keep an eye on him and let you know if anything else happens."
"Really. Promise." Dean said, kind of blushing. "It's kind of weird having a girl in here."
"Alright. But you will get me if anything else happens." she said. They looked at her and nodded. "I'll be in the common room. I can't go back to sleep anyways."
After she left, Ron turned back to Harry. Ron patted Harry's hair over his scar again to cover it.
"Ron?" Harry asked confused and annoyed.
"Trust me Harry." Ron whispered. Ron cast a meaningful look at their dorm mates.
"Harry, are you sure you're alright?" Neville asked, "Maybe you should have gone to Madame Pomfrey."
Seamus yawned, "You've looked better."
"I hope it doesn't upset your game." Dean sat down on his bed.
"Guess this didn't turn out to be your week after all, Harry." Ron said, patting his arm.
"Why does all this weird stuff happen to me?" Harry growled. The boys agreed to play exploding snaps, as none of them could get back to sleep.
"You think I could sleep in class, unnoticed?"
"Not likely, Harry." Dean said, half laughing. "Breakfast?"
"I'm in." Neville replied.
"Me too." Seamus said, "Harry what, if anything, should we say?"
"Tell them..." Harry looked at Ron, "Tell them I'm fine. That I-I-um..."
"-had a bad dream. Halloween events caused you to remember what happened after the Triwizards Tournament." Ron jumped in. "Right, Harry?"
Harry looked at Ron and nodded 'yes'. "Yeah, I'll pass on breakfast. See if I can talk to Madame Pomfrey."
"I'll come with you." Ron said. "I did promise to keep an eye on you."
Ron and Harry waited until most of the Gryffindors would have left for Breakfast. Ron went down to check first before Harry came down. Hermione was waiting for them.
"I brought some toast up for you guys, in case you're hungry. I heard you didn't want to go to breakfast." she said.
"Was Dumbledore there?" Harry asked quietly.
"Yeah." Hermione said.
"Could you get him for me? In the Hospital please?" Harry asked, "I think I need to talk to him."