Chapter 23 - Carpe diem
Harry didn't have much time to get to his nightly detention with McGonagall so he only said hi to his friends quickly before going up to his room to get his homework and books before leaving the common room again. But as he was about to exit the common room a small over awed looking first year in the company of Dennis Creevey stood in his way.
"Hi Harry." Dennis said, "Glen has something to ask you." And then to the boy Dennis said, "Go on Glen. He's not going to bite."
"I… I ummm… I sorry to trouble you Mr Potter." The small boy stuttered. "Its just Dennis said you might know why I can't throw my paper aeroplane out my window." The boy held up a folded paper aeroplane for Harry to see.
"Don't call me Mr Potter. Just Harry's fine, okay. What window are we talking about?" Harry asked.
"The one in my dorm. I like to fly the aeroplanes out the window sometimes but I can't get this one to go through." The boy replied.
"I guess I can have a real quick look at it. I am supposed to be in a detention with McGonagall soon so we can't take too long. Let's go." Harry replied. He was starting to have a very bad feeling about this. It could be nothing but if it was what Harry was thinking it would be bad, very bad for Harry's plans.
It didn't take long for Harry to examine the first year's dormitory windows to discover they had all been warded like his own dorm's window. The same with the second year's windows and the thirds, fourth, fifths and seventh's. All the windows in the boy's dorms were now warded. Harry hurried to the common room with his little entourage of Denis, Glen the first year, some of his first year dorm mates and a bunch of other boys.
"Hermione, I need you to do me a quick favour and check the windows in all the girl's dorms for wards." Harry said as he almost dragged Hermione away from her study books.
"Harry!" Hermione protested, "Can't this wait…"
"No, Hermione, it can't wait at all. I need to know now if I am trapped in this tower the next time Dumbledore comes here with Malfoy." Harry said seriously. Hermione stopped her protests and sprinted up the stairs to the girl's dorms. She returned shortly with a worried expression on her face that told Harry his suspicions had been correct. All the windows in the tower were now warded.
"Shit!" Harry swore. He pulled out the Marauder's map and checked it closely. "Ron, come with me now. We need to visit to the owlery real fast and then I have a special job for you." he stated before running out of the common room dragging a spluttering Ron in his wake.
"I'm sorry I'm late Professor." Harry said as he entered McGonagall's office.
"Yes… Well see that it doesn't happen again." McGonagall replied nervously.
Harry did not fail to see her agitated state nor how she avoided looking him directly in the eye. Harry pulled his homework from his bag and got to work on his charms book as he addressed his distracted Head of House again.
"I was delayed by one of the first year's. Seems he has a hobby of flying paper aeroplanes out his dorm window and into the Forbidden Forest." Harry said. "Kid kept calling me Mr Potter despite me telling him to call me just Harry."
"I imagine quite a few of the students look up to you Mr Potter." McGonagall replied as she nervously rubbed her hands together.
Harry regarded his head of house for a moment. She kept taking little glances at her office door. Harry replied. "It seems the Headmaster has corrected his mistake of earlier by warding all the windows in the Gryffindor tower. Curious how he came to do that just after I discussed his oversight with you Professor."
Now McGonagall could not even look in Harry's direction as she attempted to answer that comment. "What are you suggesting, Harry?"
"What I am hoping is that there is some other explanation other than you having betrayed my confidence by discussing with the Headmaster things I told you during these detentions." Harry stated tensely as he glared at his head of house, his eyes almost glowing in his agitation. One glance at those vivid green eyes so filled with pain and silent accusation was more than McGonagall could stand. She visibly winced before attempting to answer him.
"You have to understand Harry that I only did what I did for the greater good." McGonagall choked out.
"Don't give me that greater good bullshit that Dumbledore sprouts as a justification for his screwing with my life. I have had a gutful of that thank you very much. I thought I could trust you but the first chance you get you turn on me and rat me out." Harry yelled angrily.
McGonagall's face was ashen. "I did not tell the Headmaster everything Harry. He knows how hard this is for you. He really does care for you."
"Lies, lies, lies." Harry screamed. "Nothing but lies to get you to go along with his schemes."
"No, He really does care Harry." McGonagall replied as she wiped away her tears.
Harry merely glared at her in return for some time while she squirmed under his gaze.
"Harry." McGonagall said.
"I would prefer you to address me as Mr Potter, Professor McGonagall." Harry replied in a growling tone.
McGonagall looked quite flustered by his reply. "Mr Potter, I… I can understand you being upset with me but I can still help you. I can help you come to terms with Mr Malfoy so that the transition to being his mate is as painless as possible for you."
Harry gave a humourless laugh as he shook his head in disbelief. "As painless as possible eh? How about I save myself from all pain by totally avoiding the git. That way you don't have to bother 'helping' me." Harry's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"I am sorry Mr Potter but the Headmaster has decided…" McGonagall stated as little more primly as she regained some of her former character.
"Fuck what the Headmaster has decided." Harry yelled angrily.
"Mr Potter, language!" McGonagall barked.
Harry was about to reply to this when he heard a slight bing coming from his pocket. The marauders map was warning him about the proximity of Severus Snape. Harry face twisted in rage. He hurried grabbed his things from the desk and stuffed them into his book bag.
"Mr Potter, where do you think you are going?" McGonagall asked.
"You think I'm going to stick around for Snape and Merlin knows who else to catch me here?" Harry replied.
"Mr Potter, you can not leave." McGonagall replied trying her best to sound forceful.
"Just watch me." Harry replied as he hurried to the door.
But just before he reached the door it swung open suddenly to reveal a sneering bandaged face of the potions master. "Stay where you are Potter. The Headmaster will be here shortly with Mr Malfoy. Then we will be having a little discussion."
"Like hell we will. Move aside Snape, I'm leaving." Harry snarled at the man.
"You arrogant little brat. Who do you think you are talking to a member of staff like that?" Snape hissed angrily.
"You're not a member of staff at the moment. You're suspended. You should not even be in the castle until the Board of Governors hearing." Harry retorted.
"That's one of the things we will be discussing tonight, Potter." Snape replied smugly. "You will be dropping your compliant tomorrow."
"I don't think so, Snape." Harry spat back.
"Think what you like Potter. The Headmaster…" Snape replied with a smug sneer.
"Screw the Headmaster. You are going to be answering for your actions for once Snape. Get use to the idea." Harry said.
"Mr Potter!" McGonagall yelled.
"Arrogant fool. What passes for thoughts in that oversized head of yours. Shall I take a look? Legi…" Snape spat as he banished his wand at Harry but he slumped unconscious to the floor before he could complete the legimency incantation. McGonagall rushed to the door and looked out to find Ron Weasley standing in the corridor wand in hand and a shocked look on his face.
"Mr Weasley, attacking a teacher is the most serious offence." McGonagall stated crossly. "You will be expelled…"
"It wasn't me!" Ron protested.
"No it was me who stunned him Minerva when I saw him about to curse Potter there" Amelia Bones replied as she stepped from the shadows behind Ron Weasley. "It seems your summons arrived just in time, Potter."
"Yes Madam Bones. Your arrive is most timely." Harry replied as he exhaled a deep breath in relief.
"I will be having words with the Headmaster about Professor Snape being in the castle tonight Mr Potter. Rest assured of that." Madam Bones growled out as she strode forward.
"He's been here all the time madam Bones. He never left." Harry replied.
"What!" Madam Bones gasped, "And the Headmaster knew of this?"
"Dumbledore told me it was his decision when I pointed out to him that Snape should not be here. There have been several attempts by the Headmaster to trap me with Snape and Malfoy. This is just the latest." Harry said sneering at the unconscious potions master.
Madam Bones looked fit to burst. Her glare turned towards Professor McGonagall. "Minerva, I am surprised you would involve yourself in something this shameful."
Minerva McGonagall was strung deeply with the criticism.
"Madam Bones," Harry interrupted, "Snape said the Headmaster and Malfoy were on their way here. I would like to avoid them if possible."
"Yes, you run along now. What I have to say to the Headmaster and your professors isn't for your ears anyway. I am also suspending your detentions and all other punishments until the Governors meeting. Owl me instantly if anyone tries to influence you again and I will send a squad of Aurors to arrest them. Off you go."
"Thanks Madam Bones." Harry said as he grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him down the corridor towards the Gryffindor common room.
As soon as they were out of sight of the McGonagall's office Ron said, "Blimey Harry. That was brilliant. Snape out cold and Dumbledore in for a right rollicking from Madam Bones. Even if I did almost get expelled."
"That was entirely too close for comfort. Thanks for escorting Madam Bones up to McGonagall's office. I am surprised my owl got to her so fast." Harry replied as they stopped in front of the portrait of the fat lady. "Broken nose" Harry said but the portrait did not open.
"We changed it mate." Ron stated, "Carpe diem" And the portrait swung open. "It was Hermione's turn to choose the password. Luckily for you Madam Bones was having dinner in Hogsmead when she got your message."
"Thank Merlin she was." Harry replied.
The two boys climbed into the common room and joined their friends in their favourite chairs near the fireplace.
"What's it mean anyway?" Ron asked, "Carpe diem"
"Honestly Ron, you spent five years learning Latin incantations you should know what it means." Hermione huffed.
Harry took pity on Ron and everyone else as he decided not to let this escalate into one of Hermione's and Ron's arguments.
"It means 'seize the day', Ron." Harry said, "Its an old roman saying. It means to make the best of the time you have and not to waste time on meaningless things like arguing over the meaning of Latin phrases."
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Hermione, you don't know what just happened. I have more important things to be thinking about than Latin. I'll let Ron tell the tale. I am going up to bed. I'll see you in the morning." Harry replied as he pulled himself out of his chair and headed towards his dorm.