Chapter Ten
Malfoy's Misstep
Harry woke up early and dressed before he went down to the Great Hall. Hermione was already there eating her porridge and she greeted him as he sat down. Ron had joined them a few minutes later when Professor McGonagall handed out their course schedules.
"Double Charms then Double Defense Against the Dark Arts," as Hermione read her schedule.
Harry saw Emily come in with some of her new friends as they sat down near the far end of the Gryffindor table. Harry, Ron, and Hermione finished their breakfast and left the Great Hall for their first lessons. Charms class was headed by Professor Flitwick, a very short professor who had to stand on a pile of books, and despite his short stature; he had the respect of the students and his peers. He handed them out their exams for the students to do. The exam lasted for the two hours they had for their class. Harry thought that he did rather well since he had more time to practice than he would have with the Dursleys. After class had ended, Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors of his year proceeded towards their Defense Against the Dark Arts class in which they, unfortunately, had with the Slytherins.
Defense Against the Dark Arts was headed by Professor Pierce, auburn haired and oval-rimmed glasses wearing, woman who had survived more than just a year as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor since her predecessors only lasted a year. She had made herself known to be kind and at the same time strict. She has a strict policy against those who call a Muggle-born the foulest name they could think of: "Mudblood." The previous year, she had made most if not all of the Slytherins loose points because they could keep their insult, also their wands, to themselves.
"Today," she spoke after class had begun, "we will do a quick review on how to conjure a Patronus before we start on a new lesson."
Each student was called up one by one to try to produce a Patronus. Only the Gryffindors succeeded on the first or after several tries. The Slytherins; however, all failed in learning how to produce one earning them extra homework to learn how to conjure one. The class was just as eventful as it was the previous year. They learned more about how to defend themselves and learned which spells to use or not use when they are defending themselves.
After class had ended, in which they had to write an essay on the proper way to defend themselves, the Gryffindors left class to go to the Great Hall for lunch. Nothing happened on their way towards the Great Hall due to the fact that Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherins had to stay behind since Professor Pierce wanted to give them extra homework. Harry, Hermione, and Ron entered the Great Hall and sat down at the Gryffindor table for lunch. Harry spotted Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherins from his previous class come in and they pushed their way through some first year Ravenclaws. Harry finished his lunch and he and his friends left the Great Hall for their next class, Potions.
Potions took place deep in one of the dungeons of Hogwarts and was headed by Professor Snape. Professor Snape is head of Slytherin House and he always favored his own house above all others. His favorite student is Malfoy and Malfoy could get away with anything in the classroom. Including how he can taunt Harry into getting into trouble but that doesn't seem to work.
"Today," Professor Snape spoke barely in a whisper, "we will learn how to mix the Ageing Potion. I will not tolerate anyone filling flasks of the potion for any other use or they will get an automatic detention and points deducted from their house," his eyes fell upon Harry and his friends which included Seamus Finnigan. "Now," he flicked his wand towards the door causing it to close before he tapped his wand on the board causing the ingredients for the Ageing Potion to appear, "your ingredients will be in the cupboard and before the end of class; we will test your potion on a tadpole. If you brew your potion correctly; it will become a fully grown toad. However," his eyes fell upon Neville, who was on the other side of class seated with some Hufflepuffs, "if brewed incorrectly; the tadpole may not be fully grown correctly."
Harry gathered the ingredients he needed and proceeded to brew the Ageing Potion. The potion was almost more complicated than the Polyjuice Potion that he, Ron, and Hermione brewed when the Chamber of Secrets was opened in order to find out if Malfoy was the Heir of Slytherin; however, Malfoy was ruled out as the Heir since he wanted to congratulate the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets during their second year. After adding the initial ingredients, Harry had to add the flobberworm mucus at the right time or the potion will not be correctly thickened.
"Your potion should now be bright pink. I want you to return any leftover ingredients and clean up before you continue to stir your potion after it has simmered for ten minutes," Professor Snape spoke above the bubbling of the cauldrons with a half an hour left of class.
Harry returned his left over ingredients into the storage cupboard and proceeded towards the basin in order to wash his hands before returning to his cauldron. After it had simmered for ten minutes, Harry had to stir the potion five times clockwise, ten times counterclockwise, and five times clockwise every two minutes for ten minutes. Harry's potion was almost the color it should be, ocean blue.
"Now that you had stirred your potion for the allowed time, we will test them on the tadpoles. You first Mr. Longbottom," Professor Snape addressed Neville, who gave out an inaudible whimper.
Harry knew that Neville was terrible at Potions. It was not that he was bad at them; it was Professor Snape breathing down his neck that made him do bad. Due to the fact that Professor Snape can frighten you when it comes to who's the authority in his class. Neville took a glass bowl that contained a single tadpole and placed a few drops of his potion into the bowl. To everyone's, especially Professor Snape, the tadpole turned into a fully grown toad. It climbed out of its bowl and proceeded to make an escape as it hopped its way towards the exit of the dungeon. Professor Snape looked towards Hermione and Harry knew that Professor Snape sees Hermione as an "insufferable know-it-all."
Harry was surprised that his potion was brewed correctly as his frog, among others, tried to make their escape out of the dungeons, but only to be stopped by Professor Snape with his wand saying that he needed the toads' tongues for other uses in his other Potions lessons. By the end of class, Professor Snape had given them an essay to do on the properties of the Ageing Potion and what are the consequences if it was brewed wrong. Harry, Hermione, and Ron left the dungeons and entered the Entrance Hall as they made their way towards the Grand Staircase that will take them back towards their Tower. The staircases were very unusual at Hogwarts since they don't stay in the same place for long. They like to move when they feel like and the most experienced students know which route to take to get to their destination if their first route is blocked.
They entered through the portrait hole of the Fat Lady as a couple of fourth year Gryffindors entered through the entrance after giving the password. Hermione took a seat near the empty fireplace and began to start on her Defense Against the Dark Arts essay knowing that she may not have time after supper since she, including Harry, would have patrol duties since they were both Head Boy and Girl. Ron, on the other hand, couldn't believe that Hermione would do her homework since they could do it another day, but it was pointless to argue with her and Harry near better. Harry took a seat on the floor near Hermione as he pulled out his Defense Against the Dark Arts essay and began to write as he leaned against the chair that Hermione was sitting in. Ron took a seat opposite of them after he had put his books away in his dormitory.
Crookshanks had joined them as he came down from the girls' dormitory staircase. He made his way towards Hermione as he jumped onto the armrest and rubbed Hermione's cheek with his head. Hermione took the time to stroke Crookshanks as he purred loudly with each stroke she made on him. Crookshanks crossed over Hermione's lap and stepped down towards Harry with his front paws on Harry's shoulder while his hind legs were still on Hermione's armrest. Crookshanks gave Harry a face rub like he did to Hermione; however, Harry gently nudged Crookshanks away. Crookshanks, sensing this, jumped to the ground and proceeded to lie on the rug in front of the empty fireplace with his eyes on Ron. Harry could guess that Crookshanks had the same look that Hermione has when he and Ron were doing their homework incorrectly.
Harry had a worried look on his face as he did his essay. He could tell that Ron was trying to avoid his eye as Harry look out of the corner of his eye and caught Ron looking at him before he looked away. The common room slowly filled over the next few hours with Gryffindors dropping off their books and exiting the common room while a few started on their homework. Harry, Hermione, and Ron exited the common room and proceeded towards the Great Hall as the sun slowly started to set. They climbed down the flights of stairs until they heard a scream a flight below them. They looked over the banister and saw a group of Slytherins, with Malfoy and his cronies in front, cornering several first years which included Emily.
"What do you think you are doing?" a Hufflepuff girl asked.
"Show some respect towards a prefect," Malfoy sneered.
A grinding was heard and Harry knew that the flight that they were on was about to change position. Malfoy made his way towards Emily and pushed her hard. She tumbled with the gasps of those watching, with the Slytherins chuckling, down towards the end of the now moving staircase. The contents of her backpack emptied with her books, ink bottles, quills, and several rolls of parchment came down as she got a hold of one of the pillars near the end of the banister. There were screams of horror as Emily's body was hanging off the end of the moving staircase as it moved towards its next position as it came closer to crushing Emily. Harry did something that was completely stupid; he jumped over the banister while ignoring the screams of the witnesses watch the scene. He lands perfectly on the moving section of stairs and only lost his balance as he landed in which he griped on the banister to hold his balance. Harry's Seeker reflexes came in and he grabbed hold of Emily as the section of stairs made its way towards the next position. After Harry had pulled her up, he embraced her as the thud came from the section of stairs they were on as the staircase stopped. Harry released her and she sank at the bottom of the flight with his face as pale as a ghost. The first years that were with her came to see if she was alright. Hermione came down another flight of stairs, she too had a pale face to match Emily's, and she came to comfort Emily.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked and all Emily could do was nod. Harry turned to face Malfoy and Harry's anger was shaking. "Give me one good reason that I shouldn't give you detention for the rest of the semester or from docking points from Slytherin."
"You only got the badge because you are famous. Saint Potter; the champion of Mudbloods everywhere," Malfoy sneered clearly having forgotten that Harry was Head Boy.
"Mr. Malfoy," a voice spoke behind the group of Slytherins. It was Professor McGonagall and she had a terrified and at the same time a stern look. "That was a clear disregard for someone's life no matter what their blood status is. You will receive detention and fifty points from Slytherin. As for you Mr. Potter," she turned to Harry, "you did something that would boarder line insane; however, due to your bravery. I award Gryffindor twenty-five points and I expect to see you in my office later, Mr. Malfoy. Also Mr. Potter earned the badge and it's not because of fame or the number of O.W.L s you received," she walked past them as she made her ways down the stairs.
Malfoy gave Harry a look of sheer revolt before he turned heel and left in the opposite direction with the rest of his gang of Slytherins following him. Harry turned to face Emily, who was still shaking, as she tried to stand up but couldn't. A few first year Ravenclaws returned Emily's belongings that fell out of her backpack. They were stained from the ink bottles that had shattered when they hit the ground.
"We need to get you to the hospital wing for a Calming Draught, Emily," Hermione said in a soothing voice.
"No need," a voice spoke and it came from the portrait of a shepherd tending his flock. "Madam Pomfrey is on her way."
Madam Pomfrey is the school's nurse. She is nice and strict when it come to caring for the students. Madam Pomfrey came up the stairs a short time later with a goblet and helped Emily while she drank it.
"This will calm your shaking and so that you will be able to sleep," she said in a soothing voice.
Emily was able to make her way down the stairs with little trouble; however, the look at what she had just gone through was still in her eyes. Madam Pomfrey had to leave since she said that she had some other patients to take care of. They all made their way down the staircase into the Entrance Hall and into the Great Hall. Upon entering, Harry could tell that everyone was looking at him. Had his act of heroics spread through the school already? Emily had joined her friends at the Gryffindor table while the Ravenclaws who returned Emily's belongings went to their table. There was complete silence as Harry made his way down the Gryffindor table. The talking resumed only after Harry sat down.
"That was completely stupid Harry. It's almost as stupid as the time you grabbed onto that troll's club when you and Ron saved me," Hermione said in an exasperated voice.
"It was that or seeing her get crushed," Harry replied in a voice only she could hear and with that Hermione kept silent.
After Harry had finished eating, he, Ron, and Hermione, exited the Great Hall and awaited for their patrol duties for the night. The Great Hall slowly started to empty as the students started to return to their common room leaving the prefects behind. Professor McGonagall came out of the Great Hall after all of the prefects had assembled and she started to hand out pieces of parchments to the prefects and to Harry and Hermione.
"Your patrols and if there is any trouble. Report to a professor or to the Head Boy or Girl. Mr. Malfoy in my office please," she said after she handed out the parchment she had.
"What do you have?" Harry asked Hermione as the prefects went to their patrol routes and as they climbed of the staircase away from the Entrance Hall.
"I have the Astronomy Tower and the seventh floor," she replied.
"I have the North Tower and the Grand Staircases," Harry replied grimly at the sight of the 'North Tower.'
"I guess I'll see you in the common room or if not in the morning," Hermione said and she left for the Astronomy Tower.
Harry proceeded towards the North Tower and a place that he would have dreaded to go towards. The North Tower once held Divination, a branch of magic that foretells the future, and Harry has done terrible in the class. The class was once taught by Professor Trelawney; an odd professor who was almost sacked by a member of the Ministry of Magic, Dolores Umbridge, who only had two predictions come true. The only two predictions that she made that had come true was the time that Lord Voldemort would return and a prophecy that had foretold a great battle between Lord Voldemort and another, who turned out to be Harry. Harry proceeded through the corridors that lead to the North Tower and he seemed to find that the patrols were boring and he would rather be in the common room. However, remembering when Hermione scolded Ron for not standing up to his twin brothers, Fred and George, Harry decided to continue his duties since he had earned his position. He had reached the North Tower and climbed up the latter that lead to a trap door and the Divination classroom. He opened the trap door and peered into the room to find that it was deserted. Harry slowly left the North Tower with only his footsteps echoing through the corridors. Harry climbed down the flights of stairs so that he can work his way from the ground floor and make his way back to the common room.
Harry continued his patrol with only his footsteps echoing, the sound of the staircases moving, the occasional rattle of a suit of armor, and a cackle. Harry knew that the cackle was only the school's poltergeist, Peeves. Peeves loved to make anyone's life at Hogwarts miserable, especially the school's caretaker, Argus Filch. Argus Filch hated Peeves and he has raised a war with the students at Hogwarts for causing trouble. Filch has a dust-colored cat with lamp-like eyes, Mrs. Norris. Mrs. Norris has an uncanny ability to bring her master wheezing to her and Harry had guessed on numerous occasions that Mrs. Norris could see through Invisibility Cloaks. Harry slowly made his way up the flights of stairs as he continued through the Grand Staircase. Harry heard the chatter of voices behind him and he guessed that it was students on their ways towards their Astronomy lesson. Harry made his way towards the portrait of the Fat Lady after he had finished his patrols and he met Hermione just as she said the password, sneezewort, to the Fat Lady.
"Anything unusual?" she asked after they had entered the common room.
"Nothing," Harry replied with a yawn.
"I guess I'll see you in the morning, Harry," she said after a yawn.
Harry watched her disappear up the staircase to her dormitory before he left to go back to his dormitory for a well earned rest.