Hey guys, sorry if this chapter isn't that great... I had a massive writers block for a while.
So this chapter doesn't have any real action in it, i'll put more in the next one.
I don't own Harry Potter, never did, never will.
"Fine, but either while we eat or after, I'm not going to miss breakfast." Andrew said as he made his way to the bathroom.
Harry sighed and raised his hand to his forehead, "It's only 5:55… Ron isn't that slow." Harry muttered as he went to wake his friend up.
Chapter 9: It's in your blood part 1
It was 12 am on a Tuesday morning and two students were out of bed. Two very sad children who sat in a cold, unused classroom staring at a mirror which tormented them with images they knew weren't real. This didn't stop them though; they were simply drawn to the illusion like moths to a flame. Andrew and his brother Harry sat on Harry's invisibility cloak smiling sadly at the torture that was their parents reflection in the before mentioned mirror. Andrew couldn't help but remember what happened over the course of the weekend following their current setting.
Friday 11:30 am 29th December 1991
Andrew, Ron and Harry made their way to Hagrid's hut for some tea and entertainment. Upon arrival, they gave a knock and heard their large friends muffled reply.
"'Ello? Oh 'ello you lot! Come in! Would yer like a spo' of tea?"
"Hey Hagrid, yes please." Andrew replied for the group.
Making their way inside, Hagrid had just shut the door when a large fire ball scorched the wooden object, narrowly missing Ron's head.
"Bloody hell!"
"Norbert! Tha' wasn' very nice!" the gentle giant scolded the now very large baby dragon.
Andrew and Harry stared at the beast wide eyed.
Norbert was growing at an incredible rate. Now about 4 meters long (13 feet) and an estimated 1.5 meters across (5 feet) not including his wings. Andrew stared at the large lizard cautiously as it eyed them with a sort of… hunger. Swallowing he sat furthest away from the beast and ensured Harry sat next to him, leaving Ron to be closest to the fire breathing devil creature. If it made a sudden move and grabbed Ron… well Andrew considered it to be a noble sacrifice. Grinning stupidly at his thoughts Andrew turned his attention to Hagrid while making sure to have the overgrown garden lizard in his sights.
"Hagrid, we've spoken to Ron's brother, Charlie." Andrew started.
"Oh tha's nice, how is ol' Charlie?"
"Fantastic. Um, Hagrid, we told Charlie about Norbert and guess what… he offered to take him off your hands and raise him with other Norwegian Richbacks." Ron said as he stared directly at the beast, ready to make a run for it just in case it made a move for him.
"Take 'im off me hands? Naw, Norbies no problem at all." Hagrid replied as he poured the tea into very large cups.
"Well, you can't honestly expect to raise him here." Harry stated wide eyed.
"Why no'?"
"Honestly? You're asking us why you can't keep a man eating, fire breathing, uncontrollable creature and all around nightmare inducing monster as a pet in a field right behind a school, where many ignorant first generation witches and wizards might think it a good idea to approach said beast in an attempt to get a better look or worse mount it?" Andrew asked horrified.
"Come on now, Norbert wouldn' 'urt a fly." Hagrid said trying to defuse the dark skinned boy.
"Hagrid… it's the best thing for him and the students." Harry said slowly.
"But wha' if the other dragons are mean to 'im? I mean he is a baby after all!" Hagrid said defensively.
"Then he'll gain a backbone, think about it Hagrid, if he were raised here, and didn't hurt anyone or did anything bad, what would happen the moment he flies into another Dragon and has to fight for something; food, territory, a mate… he'll be maimed, he'd be a wussy out there. It's a d…dragon eat dragon? World out there…" Andrew said using his extensive memory to explain what happened to animals he read about that were kept in captivity for too long before being returned to the wild.
"Bu'…"
"Sorry Hagrid, there's no getting around this one. Charlie and a few of his team members will be here in four days for Norbert. I'm sorry my large friend, but it has to be done." Andrew said as he slapped a hand on Hagrid's shoulder.
The moment his hand made contact Andrew heard something that made his blood run cold, his stomach drop and his eyes to double in size. A large territorial growl came from behind him. That's when other factors slipped into his mind.
'When did I stand? Why do I feel a hot breath on my neck?... Oh God…' Andrew though darkly.
Not even turning to look at the beast, Andrew briskly walked towards the door and opened it.
"Okay, if you need me, I'll just be out here." He said shutting the door behind him.
A few minutes later Ron and Harry walked out and the three made their way back to the castle with Harry and Ron teasing him about what had happened in the hut.
"I'm not built for this crap." Andrew muttered.
Harry laughed at his brother's words.
Making it to the Great hall Andrew hadn't been paying much attention when he bumped into some, hard and landed on the ground.
"I'm so sorry, are you alright?" he asked as he extended a hand to the small girl.
"Yeah, I'm alright."
Andrew studied her face and knew he had seen her before; scanning through his memories he finally arrived at the welcome feast at Hogwarts. She was in his year, Slytherin, and her name was…
"Need help with something?" she asked coolly. It was then that Andrew realized he had been staring at the girl for the past couple seconds while holding her hand.
"Oh God, I'm sorry. I was just trying to place a name to your face."
"Alba, Jessica Alba." The small Slytherin… Jessica said.
"Awesome, I'm…" he didn't get to finish as he was rudely interrupted.
"I know who you are, Potter…" she said dismissively.
Andrew stopped and looked at her expectantly.
"What now?" she asked as she shifted on the spot, obviously feeling uncomfortable at his gaze.
"Wow, I think you're the first Slytherin who hasn't made a crude racial slur at me. Wanna be friends?" Andrew asked with a large grin.
Jessica Alba, the small framed dark haired, tanned skinned girl with an American accent gave the boy a skeptical look before giving a small grin and walking away from him.
"Hey, you didn't answer me!" Andrew he stated after her.
"Ask me again in three years and we'll see."
Andrew turned to see Harry looking just as confused as he was while Ron looked at him as if he had stolen the last piece of bacon off his plate. Andrew understood the betrayal and hatred caused by the theft of a delicious piece of perfectly cooked bacon off his plate all too well… Damn Dudley.
"Girls are…" he started.
"Weird…" Harry finished.
"You spoke to a snake!" Ron whispered angrily.
Andrew turned to Ron with his eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, so what?"
"They're evil!" Ron said wide eyed. "They all followers of You-Know-Who!"
"There's no proof of that." Harry stated.
"Yes there is! McNair, Nott, Zabini, hell even Malfoy's dad are all part of that group!"
"That's four that you've named, there are about 100 kids in Slytherin more or less. So let's say about twenty five of them join, that's only a fourth of the students joining him over three thirds, and besides if we judge every one of them, how would we make friends?" Andrew said shrugging.
"We've got the Gryffindors!"
"True, but that's cause we'll be staying with them for seven years, we're kinda forced to be friendly with them." Andrew stated again.
"Okay look instead of standing here debating uselessness, how about we get some lunch."
Agreeing the three boys sat themselves down and started eating a well, after a few minutes, the sound of flapping wings filled the large room, looking up, they saw Arcanum and Hedwig flying towards them.
Arcanum landed first in front of Harry, looking much better than she did earlier this morning, her eyes looked brighter and she looked well rested. Hedwig followed soon after looking rather pleased as she landed on Andrew's shoulder and nipped at his ear affectionately.
Harry quickly removed Hermione's response and offered his brother's owl some refreshments while Andrew did the same with Hedwig.
"Dear Harry
Things are going great at home, had a small family dispute, but nothing to worry yourself about. How is everyone? Have you finished your holiday homework yet? You know how important it is…
Anyway, everything Andrew told you about the Sorcerer's Stone is true and the whole elixir of life business. I'm really worried about this whole thing. Who is after the stone? Why did Dumbledore move it from Gringotts to Hogwarts? (Even if it were 'the safest place in London' wouldn't it make more sense to perhaps ask the Goblins to amp their securities on the stone? Why bring it into a school filled with children?) Besides it's fairly obvious where it's hidden.
Well I'm happy Charlie said he'd come for the… for Norbert but what aren't you telling me Harry? When is Charlie coming? And has this whole ordeal been Okayed by the headmaster?
I'll see you and the others on Tuesday evening. That should give us enough time to sort out this whole Norbert thing.
Your friend
Hermione"
Harry read the letter and turned to Andrew to find reading Tonks' reply.
"Hey there, Andy!
Wow, it feels like forever since I've seen you guys. I can't believe it's only been a few days. Well how is everyone? Are you and Ron still trying to rip each other's throats out? Sigh, the battle for Alpha, always a pleasure to watch I must say.
Well let's handle the easier part of everything first; Norbert, the fire breathing garden lizard Hagrid's been keeping. Well I'm happy that he agreed, and that he'll be there to take Norby. Hagrid probably threw a fit didn't he? I'm sure he'll understand after a while. Far too dangerous to keep a DRANGON around a bloody school!
Now onto the harder part, the elixir of life. One, how can we be certain that's what this person wants? Maybe he wants to make some gold and leave the country. Secondly, how do we point out this person without drawing too much attention to ourselves? I've owled Hermione asking these same questions. She sent a reply almost instantly, but unfortunately because you and your brother are a danger to yourselves I am not allowed to divulge such secrets. But I'm sure she'll tell you when we get back on Tuesday.
Miss you guys like mad! Tell Harry and Ron I say 'Wotcher'.
Love
(Nymmie) Tonks"
After telling each other what the letters said they carried on with their food each one deep in thought.
Saturday 4 pm 30th December 1991
Harry had decided to go flying out on the Quidditch pitch since Andrew decided to get some of his homework finished early. He chuckled at the memory of his brother pulling at his dreads over the essay Snape had set for them. Reaching the Gryffindor's team lockers he walked straight towards his locker and pulled out his Nimbus 2000 staring at the beautiful broom he started shaking with anticipation. After watching his brother at the last match he had wanted to break-in his own broom for a while, now was the perfect time.
Increasing his speed, Harry quickly walked out onto the pitch and straddled his broom. Getting comfortable he pushed off the ground and soared into the air at breakneck speeds, he flew around the pitch at an incredible speed after getting accustomed at the feeling, which did not take long; Harry started performing some air stunts. Spiraling upwards then doing a sudden drop and pulling out of the fall at the last moment, he then flew over the pitch once more with a huge grin plastered onto his face.
Harry flew out of the pitch and headed towards Hagrid's hut when something caught his attention; Professor Quirrel headed into the Forbidden Forest, then Snape following him closely behind. Flying above the trees he decided to see what they were up to, the only problem was the vast thickness of the forest. He lost sight of them a few times before he noticed Snape push Quirrel viciously against a tree. Descending slowly and landing on a tree branch rather high up, Harry made sure to move as slowly and quietly as possible so they wouldn't spot him. He had just caught the end of Snape's threat at the Defense teacher.
"… try me, Quirrel."
"N-Now S-S-Severus, I-I'm only o-out f-f-f-for a s-str-stroll."
"In the Dark Forest? Quite an unusual spot for some tea, wouldn't you say?"
Harry watched the pair closely and saw Quirrel shivering as Snape's forearm pushed the nervous man against the tree hard.
"I-I'm s-simply collecting s-s-samples f-for m-m-my ne-next cl-class."
"Watch yourself, Quirrel. The Headmaster might be blind to your actions, but I will certainly be keeping my eyes on you." The potions master sneered as he slammed Quirrel's head against the tree and limped away from him.
'Limping? Why's he limping?' Harry thought curiously. He was just about to fly off when he heard Quirrel speaking again, only, he wasn't limping.
"Bloody Snape, he almost ruined our plans."
'Our plans?' Harry asked himself.
"Yes master, I understand he was your most loyal… But you have me now my lord… Of course, please forgive me… Thank you master… Yes master, I shall look for the creature now."
Quirrel constantly muttered to himself, it made Harry feel highly uncomfortable, mounting his broom, Harry shot off into the sky and headed towards the castle.
Should he tell someone what happened? Well he couldn't keep it from Andrew; he knew that, even if he tried. He settled for telling Andrew and Ron everything.
0-oo-0-oo-0-oo-0
Entering the common room, Harry found Andrew cursing his bottle of ink which seemed to have spilled onto his piece of parchment while Ron sat reading an old magazine about his favorite Quidditch team; the Cannons.
"… piece of worthless crap! I outta throw you in the fire and watch your stupidity shrivel as the flames consume your inky arse!" Andrew was now pointing at the parchment angrily.
"Guys come over here." Harry beckoned them towards the couches that rested in front of the fire place.
"I'm busy." Andrew replied.
Ron had already joined Harry on the couch and sat watching Andrew with a small hint of a grin on his face.
"Andrew, it's important." Harry sighed. His brother sure was a passionate guy especially when it involved him making mistakes.
Andrew turned and saw Harry watching him expectantly. He turned back to his ruined Potions essay and gave it an ugly glare. "I'll deal with you when I get back." He whispered dangerously at it, and glared at it again, as if expecting it to shiver in fear.
He then walked over to the single couch and planted himself on it and waited for Harry to continue.
"Alright, here's what I've got to tell you…"
Harry explained to the two boys what had happened. When he finished he saw both boys looking thoughtful.
"This is certainly interesting." Andrew said as he rubbed the invisible stubble on his chin.
"But what does it mean?" Ron asked watching the two boys closely.
"Snape's limping, Quirrel's possible mental health problems? I'm not 100% sure myself, but I'd bet it has to do the stone." Harry replied while Andrew nodded in acceptance of his brother's assumptions.
"Should we tell someone?" Ron asked again.
Harry was about to suggest Dumbledore when Andrew spoke up.
"No, it wouldn't help."
"Why not?"
"We're first years, two of which grew up in a non-magical background. They'd think we're imagining everything. No, we should Hermione and Tonks to get back, get Norbert the hell out of here and then decide how we're about to handle this whole stone business." Andrew replied staring off into nothing.
They then sat in silence for a few minutes before Ron asked another question which even Andrew had to admit was a good one.
"Okay, so how do we get Norbert through the castle at mid-night without being caught by the teachers or prefects?"
Sunday 11:30 pm December 31st 1991
"Hey Andrew would you come over here already!" Fred Weasley yelled at the boy who sat staring at the flames in the common room.
Amongst the small amount of students who stayed behind, there were about nine people in the common room celebrating the end of the year. There was Katie Bell, the Weasley twins, Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas, Percy Weasley (who refused to part take in the little celebration), Ron, Harry and Andrew.
It wasn't huge, but it was nice. Andrew joined the festivities and spoke to his teammates and roommates. He discovered Katie stayed because her parents had decided to go to a convention which bored the heck out of her, so she figured she'd stay and spend Christmas and the New Year at school. Andrew felt sorry for her but didn't say anything and simply nodded. Dean and Seamus were bored and decided to stay at the school in a spur-of-the-moment type of decision.
They looked at the huge watch in the common room and noted it was now 11:58 meaning they had to get ready to commence the count-down. Looking for Harry and Ron, he found the two sitting at a table playing a game of exploding Snap.
After pulling the two boys into the action Andrew noticed a huge digital timer set above the entrance of the common room. Everyone started counting along loudly.
"10…9…8…7…"
Andrew turned and grinned at his two friends and joined in the counting.
"…4…3…2…1… Happy New Year!"
The yell shocked some of the paintings in the common awake; it would have been a brilliant moment if McGonagall hadn't walked in at that exact moment. What made it worse was the twins had charmed everything in the room to explode and send confetti flying through the room. Professor McGonagall was unfortunately covered in the majority of it, which of course meant the party ended earlier than expected.
Once the boys settled in the room Andrew looked over at his brother's bed.
"Hey Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"Happy New Year, bro."
"Happy New Year Andy."
"You too, Garfield." Andrew stated grinning, even though he knew Ron wouldn't see him.
"Happy New Year Harry, you too Arse-rew."
Andrew chuckled at the insult.
"Eh, not bad, but not really all that impressive."
A few snickers were heard from everyone who listened to the conversation; Andrew smiled and stared up the ceiling.
'Happy New Year, Mio.' He thought tiredly before falling asleep.
0-oo-0-oo-0-oo-0
Somewhere in London, a small 11 year old girl with bushy brown hair, reading a book way too advanced for her age looked up at her pink ceiling and smiled warmly.
'Happy New Year Andy.'
Tuesday 6 pm 1st January 1992
Today was the last day of the holidays and Andrew hasn't too happy about it, he had grown accustomed to waking up late and slugging around, but he did have fun watching Ron and Harry freak out about their potions essay just as he had done two days ago.
The rest of the day was spent by the boys taking it easy; they didn't do anything besides walk around or find something… peculiar. The lake beside the school for instance, it had a giant squid. The three boys had just been out for a little walk when Harry noticed something break the surface. When the boys turned they were momentarily stunned as the giant red, squid swam passed them, Andrew could have sworn he saw the Squid wave at them in greeting.
Before the boys realized it, the sun had started setting and that meant they would be seeing Hermione and Tonks in two hours. This gave the boys a new found energy and determination to do something in that time… five minutes later saw the boys were in the common room.
"I'm so bored!" Andrew complained loudly.
"Me too!" Ron agreed.
"I've got an idea." Harry said snapping his fingers.
"Yeah?!" the two boys replied sitting up quickly.
"Let's figure out how we going to get Hermione on board for Norbert's escape."
With a loud groan the two boys pulled themselves up and started discussing their plans.
When they hadn't come up with a single suitable reason for Hermione to help them tonight the boys noticed the time and that it was time for supper.
0-oo-0-oo-0-oo-0
They made their way out of the common room, still in deep thought about everything that is until they reached the common room and a bullet in the form of Hermione Granger tackled Andrew to the ground in a fierce hug.
"This is what I get for making friends with a girl…" Andrew muttered darkly as he had the breath squeezed out of him.
"Andrew! I missed you! What have you been doing? Did you finish your homework? Of course you did, you're almost as smart as I am…" Hermione said quickly, as she let go of her best friend and hugged Harry and Ron but not as violently.
"Hold on, 'almost as smart'?" Andrew repeated questioningly, raising an eyebrow.
He was ignored as Hermione asked the other two boys the same questions she had posed to him. They were then interrupted by a certain Hufflepuff they all missed.
"Wotcher everyone!" Tonks greeted happily.
"Hey Tonks." They replied simultaneously,
"Hey Nymmie, you get it?" Andrew asked with a huge grin.
"Yeah, but I'm still not sure how you're gonna pull this off." Tonks said as she pulled out the thing Andrew asked her to receive.
"You'll see." He answered mysteriously.
"What are you two… is that…? Is that a Whoopee Cushion?!" Hermione whispered looking scandalized.
"Yup, and you're about to witness the Potter boys pull a prank on everyone's favorite potions professor." Andrew said with an evil grin.
Harry looked at Andrew and his eyes widened.
"No! Remember the last time we pulled a prank?!"
"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about…" Andrew answered looking away.
"Oh really, then let me remind you. Rosie Walkman, grade 3?" At Andrew's clueless face Harry retaliated.
"The matchstick… bloody hell, Andrew! We set her hair on fire!"
At that statement Tonks, Hermione and Ron all had different expressions; Tonks looked at the small dark skinned and the little messy hair boy with a sort of new found respect, Hermione looked absolutely shocked and devastated while she gripped at her own hair protectively and Ron looked at the boys wide eyed while he tried imagining how they managed to do that.
"Come on, you know that wasn't supposed to happen… who would have thought deodorant would be that flammable?" Andrew said trying to make a valid excuse.
"What do you ruddy mean that flammable?! It says so…! On the bloody can!"
"Yeah well her hair grew back didn't it…?" Andrew said looking at the ground.
"We wouldn't know, she moved away after the incident!" Harry replied angrily.
At this point Andrew addressed the others listening to the conversation.
"Harry had a thing for her…" he replied pointing his thumb in Harry's direction.
"'Hand a thing…'? No, I did not!"
"Dude, we were nine… you were in love with chicken and ice-cream on the same level you were 'in love' with Rosie. Besides I'm not setting anything on fire this time around… when are you gonna let that go anyway?!"
Harry leaned in closely.
"Never…" he whispered.
"Alright, if you're gonna be like that, I'm calling in a favor for what I did for you on March 23th 1990." Andrew declared in an official tone.
Harry took a step back and his face paled, he frantically ran his fingers through his hair in a nervous gesture, trying to find a way out of his predicament.
"That's low…"
"Hey you wrote the rules."
The others were watching the scene feeling both anxious and curious as to what favor Andrew had done for Harry.
"…Fine." Harry muttered.
"Excellent, now we just need a few suckers…" Andrew started.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked dangerously.
"Oh you know, so it can't be traced back to Harry and I."
"Andrew no! You can't do that!"
Hermione's voice wasn't heard as Andrew quickly made his way over to the Slytherin table.
'He'd never suspect his own house.' He thought cleverly.
"What's he going to do?" Tonks asked watching the boy head towards the snakes.
Harry sighed. "It's hard to believe because of his attitude but Andrew, well he sorta holds a grudge, like python on a rat. He's still sore about what Snape calls him during our potions classes."
"Which is…?"
"Potter two." The three Gryffindors replied simultaneously.
Tonks winced at the name, it was both insulting and a personal jab at Andrew, it was no wonder his so excited about this.
Andrew meanwhile had chosen his target and had moved in like a hawk.
"E-Excuse me…" He said softly.
'Act weak and vulnerable but not pathetic. Don't make eye contact, keep a straight face, and finally, make them think they're in control.' He thought to himself.
The large boy turned to face the small boy and sneered.
"What is it, Potter two?"
'Oh no, you didn't just say that to me. Memorize the face; I'll get him next time.'
"Well I-I was just wondering, that is to say, um…"
"What?!"
Andrew saw his opportunity and struck.
"D-Do you know the s-spell to make something invisible, and if you do, could you um… demonstrate it, please?"
"Pfft, as if I'd waste my magic on a piece of trash like yourself." The large boy said.
'Moron…'
"O-ok, if it's too advanced for you, I guess I could a-ask someone more… experienced…"
"More experienced?! I'm a seventh year Slytherin who could turn a bird into a lizard and have it serenade its prey!"
"R-Really? That's so cool!" Andrew was getting a migraine, acting like a star struck fan-boy for the Slytherin buffoon. "Well could you do it on this?" he produced the Whoopi Cushion from behind his back.
"What is that?" the boy asked, trying to act uninterested.
'Ah, a pureblood, this is gonna be so epic!'
"Can you keep a secret?" Andrew asked, trying his best to act like an over trusting child.
"Suuure" the boy replied rolling his eyes.
"Well, while I was here for the holidays, I noticed Professor Snape not being to sit properly for a while, I'm not sure of the exact reason why, but I always noticed him and Dumbledore giving each other these secret looks…"
"Secret looks?" the boy asked, now he was hooked.
"Yeah, sometimes they'd blush, or Dumbledore would wink or something, and one time I heard noises coming from Professor Snape's supply room, but as I got to the door, Headmaster Dumbledore walked out and when I asked if everything was alright, well he just looked away and told me that they were wrestling… So I think Professor Snape must have fallen and hurt his bum, so this is something he can sit on to ease the pain, I mean, he probably can't wrestle with Headmaster Dumbledore anymore, and I suspect that's why he looks so grumpy. Can you believe people their age still wrestle?" Andrew felt sick, not only for the various disturbing images he had just provided himself, but also for acting like such an immature child, but he needed to get this prank down.
The seventh year Slytherin looked pale and green at the same time, no doubt fighting the images that kept invading his brain he grabbed the cushion and muttered a spell Andrew hadn't heard properly before handing it to the boy and ushered him away.
As Andrew turned away he heard the boy's friends ask him what Andrew wanted to which he replied.
"Trust me, you- you don't wanna know."
Harry walked back to his friends who stood by the door watching him, as he arrived Harry was the first to speak.
"The innocently-stupid routine? Really?"
"Worked like a newly greased engine." He replied grinning.
"I still think what you're doing is wrong." Hermione replied.
"Mio, call down… look how about you go sit down there still a few kids coming in so we'll be there shortly."
With an angry 'hmph' Hermione stomped towards the Gryffindor table and sat down, all without turning to Andrew.
"Are you sure this idea of yours will work?" Tonks asked turning to the dark boy.
"Which one?"
"Both of them." Ron replied.
"Yeah I'm sure. Now, who to choose next, oh yes, Ravenclaw."
"Well I'm going to head to my table before I know what you're up to… you know plausible deniability and all of that." Tonks said as she walked away to her own table.
"Then there were three…" Harry said as he facepalmed himself softly.
Andrew made his way through the crowd of blue and black until he found his target a girl within a group but was quiet, judging by Snape's character profile, he would have teased this girl in class. Suddenly Andrew felt a pang of guilt hit his chest, he couldn't use her, he just said Snape probably torments her, and if he remembered correctly (which he always does) this girl was Su Li, his year, so she would have to face seven years of torture because of him, no… he couldn't do it to her.
He looked around and found another worthy adversary. He had to tread on careful ground though, Ravenclaws were known for their brains, if he wasn't careful he'd be caught out in a minute.
Meanwhile with Harry and Ron.
"What's he doing?" Ron asked Harry as they watched Andrew stop moving and take a few breaths.
"Changing character."
Harry's simple reply caused Ron to look at his best friend and was surprised to see Harry grinning in a way he had never seen him grin before… impishly.
"So what was the favor Andrew called you out on…?"
"Even if I wanted to tell you Ron, trust me I can't." Harry replied.
"That bad?"
Harry turned to face Ron; no emotion was visible on his soft features before he replied seriously.
"Worse."
Back to Andrew.
"Hey may I ask you something?" he asked a girl who seemed older than him but not by much probably a year or two.
"Yeah? What's wrong cutie?" her friend asked in a flirtatious tone which would have made Andrew blush a deep red but instead he shifted on his spot slightly.
"Ooh, we've got ourselves a squirmer ladies." The friend said again, which caused Andrew even more discomfort.
"Ignore them, what may I do for you?" the girl then asked, she was about a foot taller than Andrew while he was about Harry's height, she had dark black hair and pale skin with bright blue eyes.
"Right, err, I was wondering, have you ever been pranked by the twins?" he asked after regaining some of his pride.
"Yes I have a few times, though I doubt they were specifically meant for me. Why?"
"Well I'm working on a prank that I need your help with."
"Really? How?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
'Okay, so far so good, now let's bring it home.'
"Well, if you would just cast a sonorous charm right here, it'd be all I need." He said as he knelt on the floor and gestured towards the mouth piece of the cushion after a few seconds of looking for it.
"Why?" she asked cautiously.
"Trust me." Was all that Andrew said, he waited for her to make the first move.
"Alright." She said shrugging, she brandished her and casting the spell over the mouth piece though she didn't know what the boy had planned.
"Thank you!" he said quickly and rushed away before she noticed how he hadn't said it was the twins he was planning to prank and that she had actually assisted him in embarrassing a teacher.
Andrew made his way back to the two other boys while filling the cushion with his breath.
"You ready?" He asked Harry while grinning.
"Always ready for a good prank." Harry replied grinning back.
"You want in on this, Ron?" Andrew asked turning to the red headed boy.
"Nah, I think I'm just going to sit this one out." Ron said backing away from the two boys slowly.
As he made his way to the table and sat in front of Hermione, her curiosity got the better of her.
"Why are you not helping them?" she asked Ron.
"Cause I already live with two pranksters at home, and if it's taught me anything, it's 'get out while you can'." Ron replied as he watched the boys whispering to each other.
0-oo-0-oo-0-oo-0
"Alright, so everything's set, but how do we levitate it over to his chair without being able to see it?" Harry asked his brother as the last couple of students arrived at the castle.
Andrew then dug in his pockets and withdrew a long, thin black thread and tied it around the object.
"There, now we can see it, and if you levitate it high enough, no one will notice it." Andrew said proudly, he then placed the cushion down on the ground and Harry muttered the incarnation loud enough only so Andrew could hear it.
"Wengudrium Leviosa."
They watched the thread go higher and higher. When they decided it was high enough to be noticed, Harry then flew it across the Great hall and then lowered it carefully into Snape's seat. They then quickly went off to join the other Gryffindors before the feast begun.
