Chapter Nine

Fun in Potions

Snape burst into class after all the students, including the marauders, were in their seats for close to half an hour. Harry was levitating a parchment in the middle of the row leading to Snape's desk. Snape grabbed the parchment and glared at Harry.

"Potter I will not have interruptions in my class! As you have already taken almost half of my class time away from this class already with your actions today, I would prefer if you just kept yourself still and quiet! And for this I will take 25 points from Gryffindor!" Snape said venomously.

"I wouldn't do that, as the Headmaster said you would help with the next contest. Look at the parchment Snivellus, before you say anything." Harry said, sounding bored and inattentive. As he said Snivellus a few students began to laugh, quickly quieted by Snape's glare. Looking at the paper he smiled.

"Potter are these the girls you wish me to collect?" Snape said his eyebrow raised. "You seem to have picked some attractive women. At least you have taste." He said trying to get a angry response from Harry. He was very disappointed.

"First I didn't pick them. However I would say if they are all attractive that would be a problem, but seeing as brains and courage are a bit slim in Slytherin, I guess beauty will have to do." Harry said smiling, his arrogant expression returning to his face. "Malfoy, I know your wand is pointed at me now. Ask your head of house how well that works." Harry continued, and suddenly his arm was aimed at Malfoy with a wand in it. Snape looked and was as shocked as Malfoy. Malfoy had his wand pointed at Harry. Harry smiled again. "Silencio" He whispered, so low not even Snape could hear it. He then put his wand away and put his hand down, and placed it on Ginny's.

"Mr. Malfoy, explain these actions to me this instance!" Snape said, angry at having to discipline his own house. Malfoy tried to speak but not sound came out. "I said NOW MALFOY!" Still nothing. "Mr. Malfoy you disappoint me. 10 points from Slytherin." Snape then looked and noticed Ginny in his class and a smile formed. Finally a Gryffindor in trouble. "Miss Weasley, I am well aware of your involvement with Potter here, but that does not allow you to skip your own classes to be next to him. It seems that the marauder gang will not be able to be together all the time, which is just as well, considering you will never manage to take this class." As he said this, the Slytherins began to snicker. Ginny, looking as arrogant and bored as Harry, just smiled.

"Well Snivellus I'm afraid you are wrong." Ginny said.

"You see Ginny took all the OWLs a year early" Harry said.

"She chose to hang with the marauders instead of wasting time in fifth year" Serena said.

"So I signed up for all the same classes as them" Ginny said.

"She managed to follow our schedule to perfection." Serena said.

"Thanks to the Headmaster, who agreed that us three deserved to be together." Harry said.

"Seeing as how we all enjoy each others company." Ginny said.

"And we were likely to hex people at will separated." Serena said.

"I guess he figured this was safer for the school as a whole." Harry said

"So he decided," Serena said, starting to smile.

"That the marauders." Harry said, his smile broadening.

"Should stick together." Ginny said, her smile becoming mischievous.

"Agreed!" Harry and Serena said.

"Enough! I will not have you interrupting my class with this nonsense anymore! Miss Weasley you will leave this class now!" Snape said. This caused an interesting response. Ginny merely looked at Harry, then at Serena as they both nodded.

"Well Snivellus, if you insist." Ginny said and stood up.

"I guess that she is unwelcome." Said Harry rising as well.

"A cowardly move, to be sure." Serena said also standing.

"Agreed!" Said Harry and Ginny.

"So long Snivellus!" All three replied in unison as they left the classroom.

"Potter! Black! You will return to your seats this minute!" Snape screamed. All three stopped Harry turned around.

"We will return Snivellus, with the Headmaster as well, but not now." Harry said and they three walked out of the room.

"Agreed!" Ginny and Serena said laughing as they left the dungeon, leaving Snape gaping at them.

"Professor, I don't believe we will have enough time to make any potion in this class today. At least none from the book. What would you have us do?" Hermione said, still slightly smiling from the way the marauders acted.

"Miss Granger, since you want to make a potion today, you will see me at eight o'clock for detention. There you will make your potion." Snape said, an evil grin forming on his face. "25 points for each child that just left my room, tell them that. 50 points from you for questioning my class." Hermione stayed quiet after this, indeed not speaking for the rest of class.

"Mr. Potter what do you think you are doing out of class?" Remus asked him, seeing him walk down the hall with the other two following behind.

"Are you a teacher or Moony?" Harry asked, and eyebrow raised in suspicion.

"Since I am not teaching right now, I'll be Moony." Remus said smiling as Harry relaxed his stance.

"Sorry Moony, but you know teachers are the enemy." Harry said smiling. "Snape tried to kick Ginny out of class. Me and Serena left with her to find someone who could get us into Dumbledore's office so we could get him to talk to Snape about it."

"Is Ginny in the class?" Remus asked.

"Yeah we all have identical schedules. Here take a look." Harry said, handing him his, the two girls following suit.

"All right, I'll take you to Dumbledore personally. I'm hanging on to your schedules for right now till we get through with this problem. And we will get it settled." Remus said, his eyes narrowing. Harry became worried, and as they started walking to the Headmaster's office, he began speaking to Remus.

"It wasn't our fault. He began accusing Ginny, and wouldn't listen even after we all said she had the class. He just said we were interrupting the class. He even blamed us for all of the problems during breakfast!" Harry said.

"Were you not, even in some small way responsible? I'm not singling you out, Harry, I mean all three of you." Remus said.

"Well we did hold the contest, and I know what you are thinking about that." Harry started. "Malfoy knew what he was signing, he just didn't know that we were holding it. Ginny got Cho to ask Malfoy, and being the arrogant git that he is he signed. That's why my name is second on the list." He looked around and began whispering next to Remus. "However being as your Moony right now, I can tell you this. The charm only did the dress. I really didn't do the face or the warts, so Ron and Hermione are safe. However they themselves are not guilt free of the situation" Harry laughed and Remus joined him.

"I see. Don't say that to me ever again. I'll let it slide this time, because it was funny. From now on consider secrets like that a secret from me too, as I'm not supposed to know things like that and stay quiet." Remus said, still smiling slightly. "Incidentally, your detention starts tonight at eight. All of you meet me in my classroom." He said as they reached Dumbledore's office. He gave the password 'ton tongue toffee' and all four walked up to the door.

"Please come in." Dumbledore said, smiling as they entered.

"How do you do that Professor?" Harry asked. It always amazed him when Dumbledore knew someone, most times who, was about to enter his office.

"It is the privilege of being a headmaster, Harry. What brings you three into my office with Professor Lupin?" Dumbledore asked.

"I am acting not only as a teacher, but guardian as well." Remus said. "It appears Professor Snape did not find any truth in Miss Weasley's schedule, not even checking to see if it was fact."

"Why does this require you to use your role as guardian?" Dumbledore asked.

"Because that is in the manner Harry told me of these events. I also believe him to be telling the truth." Remus said. Dumbledore nodded at him.

"I see, well Harry, Ginny, Serena, why did you come to me?" Dumbledore asked.

"We were hoping you could tell Snape that Ginny is supposed to be in that class. We only left because we didn't want Ginny to have to walk the halls alone, in case someone decided to pay her back for Malfoy." Harry said.

"I understand, Harry. You wish me to speak with Professor Snape, to set the record straight and not to punish him. Is that correct?" Dumbledore said. Harry looked confused.

"Professor, I had no intention of him being punished. I merely didn't want to loose my temper. I left Snape's class cause I was likely to start pranking him for kicking Ginny out of class." Harry said. "I figured you would prefer this instead of that. Did I make the wrong decision, Professor?"

"No, Harry. I was merely making sure this was not a prank for Severus. Forgive me for that. Let me see your schedules." Dumbledore said, which caused them all to look at Remus. Remus handed them to Dumbledore. "Why did you have their schedules, Remus?"

"I was making sure that they weren't trying to just avoid class myself. I wouldn't have brought them to see you if what they said about Ginny being in that class wasn't true." Remus said. "Severus seems to have a problem with the three being together. That is something you will need to discuss with him." Then he smiled as he added "After all, not everyone knows the real reasons that they should be together." Dumbledore smiled at this as well and nodded.

"Very well. Children, please come with me and Professor Lupin, we will fix this problem." Dumbledore said and they followed them back to the potions dungeon. When they arrived, the Gryffindor's cheered, but were quickly silenced by Dumbledore. Before he had a chance to speak Snape began talking, his smile widening.

"Ah, Headmaster, I'm so glad you are here. It seems one of our prefects has a problem with my class." Snape said calmly.

"I did not have a problem. I only stated the obvious! You took points away from me and gave me detention because you can't control your own class! Why didn't you first tell Professor Dumbledore about Malfoy trying to curse Harry?" Hermione began, shocking the entire class. Never before did she not side with a professor.

"Severus, is what she said true? Did Mr. Malfoy try to curse Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Well Mr. Malfoy did have his wand out." Snape said.

"Professor Dumbledore, Malfoy's wand was pointed at Harry, sir." Neville said quietly. He looked almost afraid, and for good reason as Snape began glaring at him.

"I see. Mr. Malfoy, there is no attacking students in this school. I believe one weeks detention is in order. I will be dealing with you punishment myself. Also remember your speech that shall be made at lunch. If it is not given I will give you one week for every muggle born student in this school, who you insulted." Professor Dumbledore said. "Now Miss Granger, I want to know what you said to Professor Snape."

"I merely said that from reading the book, we did not have enough time to prepare a potion." Hermione said.

"The child said such things in an insulting manner." Snape said his face turning into a sneer. No one expected what happened next.

"I DID NO SUCH THING! I EVEN TRIED TO SAVE YOU FROM HARRY! I DEFENDED YOU! HE'S RIGHT YOU ARE A SLIMY GIT! I HOPE HE PUTS YOU IN YOUR PLACE, YOU SORRY EXCUSE FOR A TEACHER!" Hermione screamed, causing everyone to gasp except three.

"Classic." Harry said.

"Brilliant." Serena agreed.

"Amazing." Ginny said, astonished. They looked at each other and walked right up to Hermione, looking her directly in the eyes.

"AGREED!" They shouted in unison.

"When should we start?" Harry asked.

"As soon as possible I feel." Serena said.

"I agree but it is for Mione." Ginny responded.

"Hermione?" Harry asked.

"When?" Serena asked.

"Where?" Ginny asked.

"How?" Harry asked. This caused Hermione to blush as they were treating her as a member of the marauders.

"That's up to you three. I told you, I'm not involved." Hermione said, laughing at the three.

"Ok. Hmm.. Bloody hell. Here comes another week of detention." Harry said, then flicked his wrist, grabbing his wand, He smiled. He flicked his wrist again, remembering the boggart that Neville fought, suddenly Snape was wearing Neville's grandmothers clothing. This cause the entire class to laugh. Putting his wand away, while Ginny froze him and Serena floated him to the front of the class. Conjuring a sign that said 'I am the class clown' all three smiled and signed the sign. They then walked to Dumbledore and Remus.

"For Hermione." Harry said.

"For Gryffindor." Said Ginny.

"For a weeks worth of detention all around!" Serena said, causing all three to laugh.

"Oh Professor you might want to take the silencing charm off Malfoy, as I did that to keep any curse he was going to give away from me." Harry said smiling. He looked at Remus. "So three weeks with us at eight o'clock? How are you going to stand it." He said then looked at Dumbledore. "He deserved this. For Hermione to act like that it had to have been horrid. Even you know this." Dumbledore nodded his head.

"Three weeks Mr. Potter. However that is not my business here." Dumbledore said. "Professor Snape, Miss Weasley is a sixth year student, and is currently in all of Mr. Potter and Miss Black's classes. You may only remove her from a class if the other two are not in it." He looked at the three. "Now I'll say 50 points each, for showing that even teachers make mistakes. 100 points each for trying to control yourselves. 100 points each for loyalty to your house. Miss Granger 100 points for standing for truth and your beliefs. Now you should have points for your house to loose again. Please do try to control yourselves better from now on." Dumbledore smiled. "Also, please unfreeze your Professor before the next class comes in."

"Of course Professor." Ginny said.

"Yes I agree." Serena said.

"Do we have to do it before this class is over?" Harry asked, causing the whole class, and Remus to laugh. Dumbledore nodded, and Harry understood. "Alright professor." Harry waved his wand, unfreezing Snape. He flicked his wand again and the sign he was holding mounted to the wall, with an irremovable charm on it. "Better now Professor?" Harry asked Dumbledore.

"Yes Harry, thank you. Now pay attention in class. Goodbye." Dumbledore said, as he and Remus left the room. Harry, Ginny, and Serena sat next to Hermione, talking through the rest of the time about the events in class. When it was over they filled Ron in on the way to transfiguration, who instantly wished he had taken advanced Potions. Professor McGonagall also seemed to be happy, as her house now had points again. When class was over she stopped Ron, Harry, and Ginny.

"I wanted to first apologize Potter, for not being able to get the ban taken off of you. They will not let us remove it. Your firebolt will be returned to your dorm this evening however. Mr. and Miss Weasley, you will need to get a team together, soon. We will definitely need to beat Slytherin with the way they are being treated right now." She said.

"Well, that's a problem, Professor." Ginny said still smiling.

"Oh and why is that?"

"Well Me and Ron talked amongst ourselves and we agreed, No Harry, No Quidditch." Ginny said.

"You can't be serious! Both of you?" She said, shocked.

"Yup. We stand by our friends. If one can't play, then none will. We have talked with the team from last year and they all agreed to this as well." Ron said, smiling as well.

"So if you want any of the players from last year, we will require Harry to play." Ginny said smiling. She took Harry's hand and turned to leave the room. "Sorry Professor, if we don't hurry we will be late for class. Bye!" She said as they left the classroom, the teacher stood smiling.

"Now that's house loyalty!" She said.

As Harry and Ginny were walking with Ron, Serena walked up to them, putting an arm around Harry's and Ron's shoulders.

"Well, you three, what was that about?" She asked.

"She apologized for not being able to take the ban off me." Harry said.

"Yeah, and me and Ron stuck to our 'No Harry, No Quidditch' rule!" Ginny said.

"Hardest thing I've ever done, really." Ron said, though he was still smiling.

"Ok lets talk happy things then." Serena said. "What are the competitions and who is going to be in them from Gryffindor?"

"Well who is unknown at the moment. What they are competing for is, School beauty, which I'm sorry Ginny, but I think you will win from guys reaction to you Serena." He looked at Ginny and she shrugged and laughed. "That's the male only thing though. Um Smartest witch, which I'm sure is going to end up being Hermione. and the last, has to be a Slytherin." Harry said, laughing again.

"Why?" Serena asked.

"And why am I not involved?" Ginny asked.

"Well I will need your help in handling things Ginny. I wanted to put you in the beauty category, but I'm only allowed to pick one, and guys just drool over Serena. Its mainly cause me and you are dating, mind you. They are afraid to look at you cause they think I'll hex them or something." Harry said with a laugh, squeezing Ginny's hand. "And the last is one quickest to try and bed the school!" He finished barely able to keep from laughing long enough to get out the whole phrase. All of them laughed at this, and Ginny looked at Serena.

"Parkinson!" Ginny said, laughing.

"Agreed!" Harry, Serena, and Ron said together, shocking them all. They looked at Ron in surprise.

"What? I happen to agree with you. I didn't know you two were going to say it too!" Ron said defensively.

"Ron, you dog! Did you have a go at Parkinson?" Serena asked, which made them all laugh harder, even Ron.

"Not if my life depended on it." Ron said. They laughed the rest of the way to Care of Magical Creatures. They had a wonderful lesson with Hagrid, learning about griffons and promised to come and see him as soon as the three marauders finished up detentions. Hagrid laughed and said to stay out of trouble. They all smiled and agreed, though the marauders knew this was impossible.