For copyright and disclaimers, please see chapter 1
5 - Classes, Week Four, Second Year
Sunday, September 19, 1999:
Hogwarts, Slytherin dorms: 02:50
"Huh!" With a jolt, Mattie sat upright in bed, panting slightly. Shaking her head, she muttered, "Weird dream," and glanced at her clock. Pulling her wand out of the compartment in her bed's headboard, she listened for a minute, hearing Sprink's snores. Parting the bed's hangings, she eased out, grabbing her robe, heading for the shower.
"What are you doing up at this godforsaken hour?" Lee asked, yawning as she left the loo. "Won't you wake Sprink up?"
Mattie ducked her head under the water to rinse, answering, "It would take a bomb to wake up Sprink. I've had to use a bucket of ice water to get her up." She twisted the shower to cold, adding, "I had a weird dream, and I need to work it out, so I hit the gym." Shutting the water off, she added, "Until the Huffies refurbished the gym, I did katas in the common room, now I just floo over. That way we don't get caught out by Filch." She dried a leg, adding, "Wanna come?"
"Sure. I've never floo'd before, though." Lee scratched an itch, asking, "What was the dream about?"
"The rooftops of Gotham; it's my hometown. Ever been there?" Lee shook her head, and Mattie smirked, adding, "I love Gotham, I was homesick the first few months here. Hogwarts was just too…"
"Weird? Like I've heard about Gotham? People like Joker and Batman can't really exist!" She bit her lip, adding, "Do they?"
Mattie gazed at her. "They do. Ask Sprink, or the Cortez twins, or Morton over in Hufflepuff what Gotham's like." Mattie straightened up, "Grab your wand, and something loose to exercise in if you want to join me."
Mattie recognized a fifth-year snoring at a table, a guttering candle illuminating his homework spread out before him. Motioning for silence, Mattie levitated him out of the chair and onto a couch, a conjured blanket spread over him as Lee quietly stacked his books. Blowing out the candle, she joined Mattie next to the fireplace, who whispered, "We watch out for each other. Use your wand, jab it at the fireplace and say 'incendio' to light the fire." Once it was lit, she took a small clay pot from the mantle, "This is floo powder. This fireplace is only connected to the internal Hogwarts network, and only Slytherins can use it. Staff fireplaces can go anywhere." Taking a small amount, she showed it to Lee, passing her the pot, then saying, "Toss it in the fire, the flames will turn green, and say clearly 'Hufflepuff gym'. Step through the flames; I always seem to stumble on the other side. Watch me." With a flick of the wrist, and the command 'Hufflepuff gym!' she was gone.
Mattie was waiting, brush in hand as Lee staggered out of the fire. She was dusted off, the soot being swept back to the fireplace. She glanced over; a fellow was working a weight machine. "Fellow insomniac?" she asked Mattie.
"Something like that," he answered, and she blushed, mumbling "Sorry."
"No worries, I've got better hearing than most," he replied, adding to Lee, "Jeremy Slater, and Flitwick's giving us a quiz Monday morning to review."
Mattie tossed her wand and towel against the wall, pulling off her robe and asking, "How were Hufflepuff's tryouts yesterday?"
"Pretty good, we'll give you blokes a good fight for the Cup."
Mattie grinned, "We'll find out in, when, March?" Jeremy nodded, adjusting another machine, and Mattie motioned to Lee, saying, "Let's find out where you are with tai-chi. I've only got one belt in it, though. Where do you stand?"
Lee bowed, "Only a green belt. How do you rank?"
"Officially, I've got one black in tai-chi, dual blacks in tai-kwon-do and Formosan karate, and a black in judo." Mattie grinned, adding, "Unofficially, since I can only test every five years, I'm working on my fourth degree in karate and TKD." She returned Lee's bow, and motioned for her to attack.
"Oh, god, my bruises have bruises," Lee moaned as she stepped out of the floo.
"Was this one of Wayne's 'light' workouts?" Terry Higgs looked up, and Lee nodded.
"Wimp. Quidditch just isn't enough exercise," Mattie said as she stepped out of the fire. "Doesn't anyone want to come running with me? C'mon, it's only five miles!" Groans and thrown parchment answered this.
"I wanted to room with her?" Lee asked as she headed down the stairs to her dorm.
"Hmm. This is interesting," Mattie said, folding the Reporter's front page over.
Attempt on Dolores Umbridge?
By: Gina McKenzie, staff reporter
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday at the new Cornelius Fudge Orphanage, opening speaker Dolores Umbridge, Deputy Minister of Magic, was grazed by a crossbow bolt that embedded itself in Education Minister Percy Weasley's thigh. The bolt was removed at St. Mungo's; Mr. Weasley is expected to be released Monday.
Minister Umbridge was treated and released to her home; Minister Fudge had this to say:
"This is a clear example of disruptive elements trying to overturn the stability and security that the Wizarding world has needed so desperately for the last few years. We in the Fudge ministry have laboured to bring this to every wizarding household, unfortunately miscreants persist in trying to bring down the very foundations of our society. We extend the best wishes for a speedy recovery to both Minister Umbridge and Minister Weasley, and rest assured that the DMLE is working tirelessly to bring the criminals to justice."
"Hmm. I wonder who's using a crossbow? They're not exactly common weapons." Mattie said.
"Only one I know of is the one Hagrid uses," Emma replied. "If he was aiming at Umbridge, he would have hit her, though."
Sunday, September 19, 1999:
Hogwarts, Quidditch pitch, Slytherin tryouts: 13:20
The Slytherin faculty (with the exception of Professor Trelawney, who wasn't present) cast an obscurus charm on the Quidditch pitch, Professor Snape nodding to Karen. She blew her whistle, then tapped her throat, muttering 'sonorous'. "Right-o. I'm Karen, your Quidditch captain, and this is the Slytherin Quidditch tryouts. We're looking for a beater and a chaser on the primary team, two chasers and a keeper on the reserves. Anyone who's not trying out, please leave the field, and keep an eye out for nosy parkers from the other houses. 'Quietus'."
"Wish me luck," Sprink said.
Mattie looked over at her, "You're already on the team."
"Yeah, but I wanna try for Beater. Something about knocking an iron ball at people appeals to me."
Mattie chuckled, "Good luck."
The common room grew quiet as Karen entered, standing in front of the fire. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Snake's Den, it is my pleasure as your Quidditch captain to announce the 1999-2000 team. May I have the current team members up here with me?" Mattie stuck a bit of paper in her book, and worked her way to join the others.
"Thank you. I am returning as one of your Chasers, as is Julie Dorney, (who waved). Her brother James is returning as your Keeper, and Frank MacDonald, in his last year is one of our Beaters. Our Seeker is none other than Mattie Wayne (who also waved), who holds a school record for the fastest catch of a snitch. Now, the new positions on the primary team: Making the move from Chaser to Beater is Sprink Tonks (who squealed), and our last Chaser is firstie Jeremy Pellew. See what you can get out of your Gryffie sister, mate!" There was a laugh at that, and Frank ruffled Jeremy's hair.
"Continuing on to the reserve squad, the Beaters remain…"
Monday, September 20, 1999:
Hogwarts, Great Hall: 07:58
"Rubeus Hagrid?"
"Who wants tae …well, if it ain't lil' Nymphadora! An' Kingsley!"
"That's my sister!" Sprink said, as the green-haired Auror cleared her throat.
"Mr. Hagrid, I must ask you where you were Saturday between nine and one p.m.?"
"In tha' Forbidden Forest wi' P'fessor Snape an' P'fessor Sprout, why?"
"Oh, stop all this bother!" Cornelius Fudge snapped, pushing between the two Aurors. "Hagrid, you're under arrest for the attempted murder of Dolores Umbridge. There's a cell waiting for you in Azkaban, take him there immediately!"
"Bu' I dinnae…"
"Minister Fudge, I must ask you allow us to complete our investigation," the tall black Auror said calmly. "If Mr. Hagrid is…"
"He's guilty! Who else uses a crossbow? Take him away, now!" Fudge snapped.
The two Aurors glanced at each other; then Nymphadora stepped aside, and motioned to Hagrid. With a scraping of wood, he stood, just as the Headmaster finished his whispered conference. "That will not be necessary, Hagrid. Please take your seat." He stood, fixing the Minister with a frown. "I have been assured that Pomona and Severus were with Hagrid during the period in question. Indeed, they never lost sight of each other, as the area they were in was particularly dangerous. Severus was gathering fresh potion ingredients, and Pomona was interested in particular bulbs. Hagrid was the only guarantee of their safety with the acromantula colony, you see."
"A… acromantula colony?" Fudge sputtered. "There's no such…"
"I understand it is a sizable colony of several hundred individuals. Some are the size of a small dragon," Dumbledore said. "They are, of course, meat eaters. Now, Kingsley and Nymphadora are welcome to stay while they continue their investigation. I would ask all faculty and students to cooperate fully, and they can take as much time as they need. Hagrid, please do not leave the school grounds without informing them."
Fudge sputtered, and the Headmaster smiled gently, asking, "You thought they would pitch a tent on the lawn? We can find a spare room somewhere for them, I'm sure."
Fudge turned purple, snarling at the Headmaster, "You'd better keep better control of your staff, Dumbledore, or I'll send Dolores back to straighten things out again." The staff and many of the older students shuddered, and Fudge turned to survey the Slytherin table. He frowned; then glanced around the hall, surprised when he looked at the Gryffindor table. Giving the high table a final sneer, he strolled out, staggering a bit when he walked between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables.
"Blech," the Fat Friar said, materializing. "I do hate being walked through."
Wednesday, September 22, 1999:
Hogwarts, Staff room: 07:42
Albus smiled, "A fairly short agenda this week. Was there anything else we needed to discuss?"
Harry asked, "I was just wondering if anyone else had noticed an increase in Miss Wayne's power? Her control is still weak, but she seems stronger."
"I had noticed that also," Minerva said. "I wonder if it comes from that muggle weapon her brother got for her last year."
Harry covered his face. "Another one? Severus, can't you convince her to leave some in her dorm?"
"I don't believe she dares with this one," he replied. Kelly looked at him, and he said, "I believe it is called a 'power ring'. There are only two others like it in existence." Harry and Kelly traded glances with Professor Croft, the muggleborn Ancient Runes professor, the blood draining from their faces.
Filius glanced at them, curious. "You've heard of them? I confess I hadn't before the end of term last year."
"That ring can destroy this planet, if it's what I think it is," Lara Croft said quietly. She glanced at Filius, her former head of house, and snorted, "Funny, all I can think is what an advantage it would give her in Quidditch. Sorry, my mind is just… reeling."
"I will require her to surrender it before the match," Severus said. "However, I think it more likely that her family's suppressed magic is manifesting itself in her." He glanced at Pomona, asking, "Has Mr. Morton indicated his decision regarding Miss Tonks and Miss Wayne's potion?"
"Not to me, although his tutoring sessions just started. His major difficulty is distinguishing between the different species and phyla. They're all 'Just green to him' (she finger quoted)." She sighed, "Poor boy."
The potion master snorted, "I will ask him this morning. He cannot procrastinate any longer."
Wednesday, September 22, 1999:
Hogwarts, Potions classroom: 09:00
The door slammed and locked on the tick of nine, the class instantly falling silent. Professor Snape appeared, black robes billowing as he turned to face the class. "Good morning. Today we will brew the Swelling Solution we discussed on Monday." He flicked his wand at the assignment board, adding, "Find your partner, and remember this is a shared grade." People started to get up, and he added, "One other thing," they froze, as he continued, "Miss Tonks, Miss Wayne, and Mr. Morton. See me after class."
Charlie shot a sympathetic look at Arthur as he left the chilly potions classroom. Sprink cleared her throat, asking, "You wanted to see us, sir?"
"Yes, Mr. Morton, what is your decision regarding the potion?"
"After our discussion about the testing and since you'll sign off on it, I'll agree, pending the test results, sir."
"Very well; Miss Tonks, Miss Wayne, please take Mr. Morton to your dorm, where he can shave. You will need at least two grams of his chin shavings, although five would be preferable, and two cc's of blood to compensate for the delay. Have you ever drawn blood with a wand before?" Mattie looked at Sprink, both shook their heads.
"Very well, I will request Narcissa to do it; you will all practice under her supervision." He steepled his hands, then looked at Arthur, adding, "Mr. Morton, with your consent, I will ask for an additional two cc's of your blood. I am working on a revised wolfsbane potion; I would like you and Miss Wayne to be my control group."
"I have no objection, sir, as long as you or one of the medical staff does it," and Mattie nodded her agreement.
"What is the new potion, sir?" Sprink asked.
"New ingredients have become available, Miss Tonks. I will discuss this with you and your compatriots Saturday, but I will require blood and saliva samples from you during a full moon, without your having taken the potion."
Sprink blanched, saying, "I don't want to bite you, sir!"
"I have no desire to be bitten, Miss Tonks. I have worked out a way to do it in reasonable safety, which I will discuss with you Saturday." He motioned, adding, "Mr. Morton, water only when you shave, please."
Friday, September 24, 1999:
Hogwarts, Charms classroom: 13:02
Mattie ran in the classroom, saying, "Sorry I'm late, professor. The staircases just weren't going in the right direction."
"Quite all right, Miss Wayne, I arrived a moment ago myself," the tiny Charms professor said. Three other students followed her in, panting from the run up four flights to the third floor. "Now then, Miss Johnson, we were going over the flame-freezing charm in class. Why don't you start on that, while I attend to the others?"
Flitwick moved over, asking, "Now, Miss Wayne, you're still having problems with the colour-change spell?"
She nodded, "Everything comes out black and grey, Professor, even stuff I conjure." She scratched her back with her wand.
The professor raised his eyebrow, "Conjuring already? Let's see what you can do."
"So far it's just bigger stuff," she admitted. "A blanket's about as small as I can go," demonstrating with a large black blanket. "It only lasts about an hour, too," she added.
"Still… try changing the colour of the blanket to yellow whilst I attend to the others."
"Yellow I can just do, something like green or red, though…" Mattie flipped through her textbook, scrunched up her nose and waved her wand.
Saturday, September 25, 1999:
Hogwarts, Potions classroom: 18:32
"Miss Fook, what are you doing here?" Professor Snape asked.
"It's something to do with Sprink, and, well, she's my roomie…"
"Return to your dorm, Miss Fook. This does not concern you, although your concern for your housemate is noted." Lee left, grumbling, as Professor Sprout arrived with Jeremy Slater and a somewhat confused (but clean-shaven) Arthur Morton.
"I have come up with a more effacious version of the standard wolfsbane potion," the Potion Master said. "To test it, Miss Wayne and Mr. Morton have agreed to serve as my control group, and consume the potion, while Miss Tonks will forego her monthly dose. While confined with Miss Tonks, Mr. Slater and Miss Johnson will assist me in taking blood and saliva samples from Miss Tonks, their turns will occur later. Are there any questions?"
"What does it taste like?" Arthur asked.
"Bloody horrible," Amy Johnson said.
Mattie bit her knuckle as the agonized howl echoed through the small chamber, Arthur jumping next to her. Professor Snape stood next to the barred door, a long rod in his hands. "Force her head against the floor," he called into the cell, as he manipulated the rod, the snap of chains going taut echoing. He grunted, calling, "That's got it. Let her rest while I prepare for the blood sample." A snarl answered, and he pulled his rod back.
"Mr. Morton," he called, "Perhaps you'd like to observe for a moment. Do not, under any circumstances, put a body part through the bars. A single nip from Miss Johnson or Mr. Slater on a fingertip is all that is required to infect you." He unscrewed a section of the rod, donning thick rubber gloves to remove the soaked sponge from the end and placing it in a plastic bag.
Arthur gulped; then edged next to the heavy, barred door. In the flickering torchlight, he saw two large wolves, their eyes red as they bent over a third, chained by the neck to the wall, a ring keeping her muzzle forced open. "Jeremy?" he asked, and a large, tawny wolf howled, cantering to within two feet of the door. He felt Professor Snape's hand on his shirt, pulling him back. Looking up, the professor said, "Remove that shirt, Mr. Morton. It will need to be burned."
"Sir?" he asked as he pulled it off.
"The possibility of Miss Tonk's saliva on my gloves, Mr. Morton. Tomorrow morning, take an immediate hot shower of at least thirty minutes. I will send a house-elf with an appropriate cleanser." He looked in the cell, "Can you tell which is which?"
"Jeremy is the big brown one, and Amy is the one with the reddish pelt, right?" The potion master nodded, "Sprink's the one with the dark grey fur. How'd they get the muzzle on?"
"She changed and donned it before the moon rose," he replied. Calling into the cell, he said, "Put her on her back, I'm aiming for one of the veins in the inner thigh."