Chapter 6
Of all the teachers that could have found them walking back from Hagrid's hut, Professor Lockhart wasn't the worst, but they still jumped a foot into the air when he appeared behind the big stone doors as they went into the castle.
"Why are you all so jumpy? Did something happen?" he asked innocently with his trademark smile . As Hermione was about to answer that it was nothing, Lockhart continued, "Well, besides the whole thing with Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy of course!"
Their faces fell. Lockhart talked blithely with his eyes following Ron. "Oh yes, Professor Snape came to me asking if I knew where Mr. Weasley was so that he could give him a detention. But of course I asked him why and he told me you were involved in a fight of some sort. Magic was involved, wandless magic."
"I can explain-" Ron started but Lockhart talked over him.
"I had a hunch about this but I couldn't be sure until I saw you again." He said with a mysterious smile and eyes that switched between Ron and Harry.
"Mr. Potter, you've been teaching your friends wandless magic haven't you!" He exclaimed. Harry's face went blank with surprise. Ron however was suddenly angry.
"What?! Harry didn't teach me wandless magic! My brother Bill did!" He said in a voice that carried in the echoing halls. Hermione shushed him. Lockhart looked like he just bought a winning lottery ticket.
"So you admit to using wandless magic on Mr. Malfoy then?" He pursued. Ron's red face went white.
"Well I uh," He floundered. Lockhart didn't give him a chance. The professor suddenly took on a clipped voice that sounded vaguely impatient.
"Detention Mr. Weasley. For the next five nights you will be reporting to me at seven." Then he walked away, leaving the three second years standing in the entrance.
"Seriously, detention for a week? It's the first week back! I can't trust another blond again, Lockhart lost all his points with me." Ron complained as they walked toward the common room for their things.
"That was pretty low. Why would he think Harry taught you wandless magic? Seems pretty discriminatory." Hermione said.
"Maybe he saw me use it." Harry suggested but Ron shook his head.
"No, it's because you're famous Harry. You saw how he was in the bookstore! You could do no wrong but I get called out in class and given detentions for things he didn't even see. Wish I was rich and famous so I could get away with everything too." He grumbled. Harry closed his eyes as Ron complained but opened them angrily.
"No Ron, you don't. It comes with a price you git. Wanna switch places? I'll give you my gold and name but you gotta kill your parents! How's that?!" Harry yelled. Hermione gasped and Ron looked like he was choking.
"I didn't mean-" He started but Harry cut him off.
"I'm sure you didn't! Stop acting like my fame is a free ticket out of everything! I'd give it all away for my parents! Don't you understand that?" Harry turned and walked away alone.
"Ron and Hermione walked in silence for a while until Ron whispered, "I was just mad at the situation. I wasn't saying he had it easy. I was just angry, really."
"Don't tell me that Ron. Tell Harry when he calms down. And if you want money, find a way to get it. In this world of witches and wizards I'm sure you can find money somehow." Hermione said and gave him a one armed hug. Ron returned it with a thoughtful look on his face.
When Harry walked into the greenhouse for Professor Sprout's Herbology lesson, Ron and Hermione were waiting for him. Ron looked guilty and Hermione stern.
"Harry look," Ron began. "I didn't mean to act like it was your fault I'm in trouble."
"It's alright mate. Don't worry about it. Sorry I snapped at you."
"Eh. No problem."
Hermione's stern face broke into a bright smile. She opened her mouth to say something but at that moment Professor Sprout walked in.
"Hello dearies! Time to get started so get your equipment on and grab a pot from the back." She said pointing to the numerous pots at the back of the greenhouse that had strange multi-colored plants in them.
Harry balled his hands into fists and released them and his dragonhide gloves flew onto his hands and his goggles fit gently to his face.
"Took me a bit to get that one right." Harry said with a grin to Ron while they both picked out a pot.
"Now does everyone have a pot?" Professor Sprout smiled at everyone nodding the affirmative. "Good. Today and for the rest of the semester we will be learning about these plants. They are called Drakeblood Fern and they have many uses, mostly healing potions and anesthetic. We are going to be caring for them, watering them and feeding them until they're fully grown!"
"Feeding them?" Ron muttered with an uneasy eye at his plant. The Drakeblood Fern had thick roots for such a small plant, and leaves in various colors, mostly reds. However the most interesting part of the plant was the stem. It looked like the snout of a sleeping dragon.
"Now all of you get a few of these scorpions and I will show you how to feed them." Professor Sprout said casually.
"Scorpions!" Lavender Brown squealed while scurrying back from her plant as if it would suddenly grow a tail and sting her.
"Yes, of course scorpions! Drakeblood Fern feeds off the venom of certain animals and bugs. After a healthy diet of scorpions we'll move on to fire ants and snakes." At this announcement Ron perked up.
"This plant eats snakes? Wicked!" Harry grinned at his friend's enthusiasm.
"No, Mr. Weasley, this plant eats the venom of snakes. You will have to remove the venom glands and feed them to the plant but don't worry about that yet. First are scorpions and small ones at that." Professor Sprout said and flicked her wand at a chest that opened slowly.
When Harry got in line to get a scorpion it seemed like everyone in front of him was too scared to get one themselves. Professor Sprout's face held a long suffering look as she magicked a scorpion out of the chest for each student. Soon it was Harry's turn but when the professor waved her wand Harry stopped her.
"I can do it, professor." He said and flicked his hands at the chest. A small scorpion floated up out of the chest and above his palm. He winked at Ron and went back to his station.
Feeding the plant was a bit morbid but also fascinating. Harry had to float the scorpion above the Drakeblood Fern until its eyes opened and it snatched the scorpion right out of the air. Harry winced as he heard crunching sounds coming from the plant for a moment afterward. Harry looked over at Hermione who was using her wand to float her scorpion over her plant. When the fern snatched the arachnid out of the air, Hermione made a small 'eep!' sound and jerked back as if the plant took it from her hand.
Harry was seeing how far his fern would go to take his floating scorpion when Ron nudged him. Harry looked up at him and Ron inched closer.
"Hey mate, do you think there's any way to make some Galleons around here? Maybe helping professors or something?" he asked quietly while looking around for listening ears. Harry knew this wasn't something he wanted other people to hear due to Ron's family's financial situation. Harry's uncle Vernon always wanted Harry and Dudley to have an industrious mind and find ways to make money whether it was mowing lawns or helping the neighbors with their trash. Harry had too many chores around the house to want to do anymore for money but sometimes he saw Dudley mowing someone else's lawn for candy money.
"Honestly Ron, helping any professors would probably just get you house points. And I don't think you can leave Hogwarts for any type of part time job. I'd say just wait for the summer mate." Harry said. Ron nodded but looked unhappy.
"Yeah I guess," he muttered.
"Ron, think about it. You don't really need money while you're here. I heard some upper years talking about going to that village next to the train station-"
"Hogsmeade?" Ron prompted.
"Yeah that's the one. But second years can't go. If you work for some money over the summer, you'll have it when we can go to Hogsmeade." Ron started to perk up at that.
"That's true! Maybe I can see around 'Catchpole for ways to work." Ron suggested but Harry shook his head.
"Isn't that village all muggles?" He asked and Ron clicked his tongue.
"Yeah mostly."
"What about the Daily Prophet? Do they have a classified section?"
"What's classified?" Ron asked.
"Like a job section. A part of the paper for people looking for help." Harry explained and Ron shrugged.
"I don't know mate. I don't read the Prophet much." Harry looked over at Hermione who appeared to be taking notes.
"Hermione!" he called and when she looked at them they waved her over. Ron was quick to tease.
"Are you seriously taking notes?" He asked rhetorically. "This is a practical class!" Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Yes it is a practical class but we're going to be assigned an essay afterward so I'm starting early." She snapped back.
"Good on you." Harry said but Ron waved him off.
"Enough about that. Hermione, does the Daily Prophet have a classified page? Like for jobs?" He asked and Hermione narrowed her eyes with a small smile.
"When did you learn the word classified Ron?" She asked and Ron almost answered before he cut himself off and snarled at her. Hermione covered her giggles with her hand.
"The Daily Prophet's 'classifieds' page is called 'Odd Jobs' and it's usually the last page. Though recently it's been mostly ads for magical furniture. Who would want a self-cleaning couch commode, honestly?" She said with a wrinkle of her nose. Harry grinned.
"My cousin Dudley might. The only reason he gets up from watching the telly is to use the bathroom. I'm sure he wouldn't get up for that if he didn't have to." Ron laughed loudly enough that several students looked at them.
Why do you ask about that?" Hermione asked.
"I wanted to look for a summer job." Ron answered with a shrug. Hermione beamed.
"That's actually a great idea! And you might even be able to get an early apprenticeship with the right one! Brilliant thinking Ron!" Ron blushed and looked away.
After that lesson they all went back up to the tower to wash and then walked out to the courtyard. Harry saw that clouds had started to drift in from the west, and it became noticeably colder than even a few days ago. He resolutely talked to Ron about Quidditch while clutching his sweater while Hermione read one of Lockhart's books on the stairsteps. Ron was going on at length about one of the moves a Chudley Cannons chaser did once when he broke off suddenly. Harry looked in the direction Ron was staring and saw a small boy with mousy brown hair and big eyes carrying a muggle camera. The boy was staring at Harry, or rather Harry's scar.
"Um, all right Harry? I'm Colin Creevey. I'm in Gryffindor too,``he said fervently and stepped forward with a gesture to his camera. "Do you mind if I, um, take a picture!" He asked the last part a bit too loudly and Harry looked to see if anyone else was around.
"A picture?" Harry asked and Colin rolled on.
"Yes! To prove I met you. I was told that you beat You-Know-Who when you were a baby and that's how you got that scar like lightning and you're famous!" He said oblivious to Harry's growing disinterest. "One of my dorm mates said my photos can move with a potion. Isn't that amazing? My dad's a milkman so I never knew about any of this before I got my letter. So what do you say Harry? Can I have a picture? Maybe you can sign it!"
"Not interested." Harry said with narrowed eyes.
"W-wait-" Colin started but another voice called out from the shadows.
"Signed photos Potter? Without me?" It was Lockhart again. Harry glared at Colin before bringing his eyes up at Gilderoy Lockhart walking out to the courtyard in resplendent battle robes of royal blue and shining silver plate. Harry hated how impressive battle robes looked on the foppish man. His tall lithe frame filled them perfectly and the deep blue cape billowed in the chill wind. Colin looked as if Christmas came early.
Lockhart then took the camera from Colin and handed it to Ron who rolled his eyes.
"Make sure you get my good side!" He said with a chuckle as he put his hands on Harry and Colin's shoulders and beamed for the picture. Harry was the only one not smiling, though he did see Hermione wink at him with a grin.
When the picture was taken Lockhart signed it and gave it to Harry along with his quill and an expectant look. Harry begrudgingly signed a quick 'Potter' and handed it to Colin. Lockhart sent him off happily then rounded on Harry.
"Potter, Potter, Potter. Why am I continuously finding you in these situations? I know you love fame but you need to tone it down or people will get the wrong idea about you." He chided, somehow talking and beaming at the same time.
"Sir, It's not like that." Harry tried to explain but Lockhart shook his head.
"Oh I know what it's like, Harry. You get one taste of fame and you keep chasing it. But you're setting yourself up here Harry. Truly, it would've gone pretty badly if I hadn't stepped in just now." He said with a nod toward some Slytherin upper years sitting nearby watching them. When they noticed Lockhart looking at them they got up and walked away. "Impromptu photo ops are never the way to go, Harry. Remember, celebrity is as celebrity does." He said sagely.
When he let up Harry snatched his bag and quickly walked in the opposite direction toward the dungeons for Potions.
"I can't let that Colin kid get close to me for the rest of the year." Harry muttered to Ron as they walked.
"Now Harry! That's not very celebrity of you." Ron joked, making Harry groan. Hermione came up on Harry's other side with an impish smirk.
"I'll make sure you don't have to deal with taking any more pictures, Harry. All you have to do is sign my copy!" She said laughing. Harry yanked her ponytail and they play-fought all the way to their next class.
When they made it to Potions most of the other students were already standing outside the classroom door, including Malfoy. The grey eyed boy saw them and grinned maliciously to his two cohorts, Crabbe and Goyle.
"Everyone form a line! Potter is signing pictures!" Malfoy called out to the crowd of second years. Crabbe and Goyle laughed sycophantically and some other Sytherins smirked. Harry rolled his eyes and Hermione whispered a quick "Ignore him".
"Didn't get enough at Diagon Alley, did you? No one cares about your scar here in the dungeons, Potter." Malfoy sneered as he walked closer to where Harry stood. Ron glared at the approaching Slytherins as Harry gazed on with a bored expression.
"The only one that seems to care about my scar is you Malfoy." Harry replied.
"I dont care about you stupid disfigurement!" Malfoy countered hotly, a pink tinge coloring his pale face.
"Sure you don't Draco." Harry said condescendingly. "And why are you so stuck on what I'm doing anyway? Get out of my business and I bet you wouldn't get mad nearly as much."
Malfoy opened his mouth to reply but at that moment Professor Snape appeared and commanded them all to enter the classroom. Malfoy glared at Harry and rushed inside.
Professor Snape glided to the front of the classroom, his black robes billowing behind him. The dour man tapped his wand against the blackboard and instructions appeared on it. Professor Snape then swooped his dark eyes across the dungeon before stopping at Neville who had his cauldron upside down and was inspecting the bottom.
"Sit down and be silent! Mr. Longbottom, five points from Gryffindor for not having your ingredients out in a timely manner." Neville squeaked and hurriedly opened his bag, casting frightened glances at Snape. "Today we will begin with strengthening solutions. From now until Halloween we will be concocting different solutions for several different situations. On Halloween I will be testing yours so make sure you are paying attention!" Snape ended with a severe look toward Neville and Harry who was a table behind him. His eyes narrowed as they fixed on Harry.
"Potter! What wings would I need to add first for a Girding potion?" He barked suddenly, making Harry jump and stutter. Hermione's hand shot into the air, but Snape predictably ignored it.
"Er, doxy wings?" Harry guessed, looking quickly at the blackboard and inwardly cursing his reluctance to study before class. Snape's eyes flashed and his lip curled into a sneer.
"Doxy wings Potter? Are you even listening to me at all? Did you think you could fly through my class by the skin of your teeth like last year? Five points from Gryffindor. Zabini, educate him." He said, whirling to face a dark Slytherin boy who was looking at Harry with a small smirk.
"Fairy wings are needed sir." Zabini answered with a condescending wink at Harry. Harry gritted his teeth. This is why Potions was the worst class at Hogwarts.
"The instructions on the board are for the Swelling solution, Potter. I would have thought you knew that given how swollen your head is." Snape said in a low voice before raising his voice for the rest of the class. "Actually read the instructions before throwing things into your cauldron at random. You have 45 minutes. Go." There was a flurry of movement as the class hurried to chop ingredients and light the burners under their cauldrons.
After a gruelling Potions class Harry made his way to the first floor for History of Magic. Ron yawned preemptively as he sat down and made a pillow out of his books. Professor Binns floated through the blackboard as he did every lesson and immediately started to drone on about some goblin rebellion in Hogsmeade. Harry picked up his book bag and looked through it for his History text. He flipped through several before he saw Hands of Gods. He took it out and put his bag down. Hermione looked over at him and the book he opened, pride and disapproval warring on her face.
"Shouldn't that be the History of Magic book, Harry?" She asked, disapproval winning out. Harry grinned and leaned over.
"We both know I'm not going to stay up long enough to take notes on whatever happened in Hogsmeade in 1059. So, what's this about wandless transfiguration?" he answered and Hermione's nostrils flared.
"Don't you dare try it Harry!" She ordered in a furious whisper. Her face was turning red at the mere thought of disobeying a teacher. "Professor McGonagall said it was dangerous!"
"I know that Hermione, calm down." Harry sighed. He flipped to a page in Hands of Gods. "I'm just wondering whether it's just Transfiguration or Conjuration too. Imagine things just appearing with a snap of your fingers?" Harry said in a low but excited voice. Hermione looked thoughtful.
"I haven't tried it yet." She admitted. Harry shrugged.
"Me either, until now." He thrust his hand out in front of him and faced the palm up. The words of Silvers Silverstone gathered in his mind.
Will it to happen. Picture a marble of glass. Do you see the center as a swirl of blue and green? Do you see through it as if looking through a window? Do you feel the weight of it in your palm? Speak your mantra and bring that marble into existence!
Harry pictured the marble in his mind. He saw it clearly. Hermione looked on with her hands halfway outstretched to stop him. Harry thought of the words for his mantra. This marble is in my palm. The rush of magic blazed through him.
"This marble is in my palm!" He whisper-shouted. Then suddenly a marble the size of a golden snitch appeared in his open hand. It's center swirled with blues, greens and reds. It's weight was as heavy as lead. Harry let out a surprised gasp as his hand suddenly dropped the heavy marble and it rolled to the ground. He tried to catch it with his foot but it rolled in front of him and bumped into Parvati Patil's desk in front of him. Her head jumped out of her palm and she looked around quickly before looking down and noticing the marble. Harry tried to get her attention without Binns noticing.
"Parvati!" He whispered, casting surreptitious glances at Binns who droned on unknowingly. Parvati looked behind her and raised her sharp eyebrows at Harry. "That's mine. Please?" Harry reached his arm out and Parvati nodded. She picked up the marble and looked at it closely. Harry kept his hand out impatiently.
"Is this a remembrall Harry? Did you get this from Neville?" She whispered. Harry shook his head.
"Er, no. I made it just now." He answered and Hermione cast a quick look his way. Parvati looked closer at the marble, surprised and impressed.
"But you don't have your wand out." She commented, finally giving the marble to Harry. It was warm and the colors changed to purple and gold. Harry looked at it curiously, he didn't give the marble color changing attributes when he made it.
"I know." He answered with a sphinx-like smile. Parvati's jaw dropped and she looked like she was going to reach for the marble again but Harry pulled back.
"How'd you do that?" Parvati demanded in a voice louder than a whisper. Harry shushed her. Other students started to look at them. Lavender looked on with a grin when Parvati made a grab for the marble in Harry's hand, making him dodge and hold it out of her reach with a laugh. Ron woke up and looked around at them sleepily.
"Mr. Black! Is there a reason you're interrupting my class?" Professor Binns called out. Harry and Parvati froze.
"Um, no sir." Harry said and sat down. Parvati sat down and buried his red face in her book. Hermione looked between them both scandalized.
"If there's nothing else, kindly give back Ms. Vishnu's remembrall and pay attention. 2 points from Gryffindor." Binns gave Harry a ghostly vexed expression before continuing his lecture. Parvati looked back at Harry triumphantly and held her hand out. Harry gave her the marble ruefully. Lavender instantly scooted over to whisper with her, giggling. Harry abandoned his wandless conjuration efforts for the rest of the class.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room when Ron suddenly jumped up, making Hermione spill ink on her Herbology essay. She glared at Ron's retreating back.
"I forgot about detention with Lockhart! Bloody hell I'm late!" He exclaimed while exiting the portrait hole.
"I hope Professor Lockhart hexes him." Hermione grumbled vindictively while attempting to salvage her ruined essay. Harry's lips twitched but he smartly said nothing and got out fresh parchment for his friend.
Ron made his way to the second floor and was soon standing before Lockhart's office. He knocked sharply and received a clipped "Enter". He opened the door to the many portraits of Lockhart gazing down at him with his jolly smile, some still curling their golden hair. The scent of vanilla assaulted his nose and made Ron think of sugar cookies. Lockhart was at his desk fastening his boot on the table top. He looked over at Ron and narrowed his eyes. Ron thought his serious demeanor was way scarier than his jovial act.
"Tall, a little skinnier than I'd like." He muttered, giving Ron a onceover. Ron looked at his teacher with confusion.
"What are you doing?" He asked. "Sir," He added when Lockhart raised an eyebrow at him. Lockhart nodded and stood to face Ron.
"For your detention I need you to assist me in sorting my equipment box. You will not use magic, wandless or otherwise. It's over there." He pointed to a large lilac trunk with silver buckles. With a swish of Lockhart's wand the trunk opened, causing a smaller trunk to rise inside it and open as well, and then another.
"Wicked," Ron commented, watching the trunk open seven times. He walked up and looked inside and saw a large room, much larger than the trunk should allow, filled with monster parts, weapons and equipment.
"Go ahead Mr. Weasley. Take the parts out and put them in the first trunk. The equipment goes in the second trunk. All together, please. Weapons go in the third trunk. Charms in the fourth." Lockhart then sat at his desk and started to write what Ron saw, answers to fan mail.
Ron went down the ladder in the trunk, turned around and almost screamed. An acromantula head looked directly at him with its many eyes and sharp mandibles. Ron tried to calm his rapid pulse when he realized the head was not attached to a body. He walked past it and picked up a thin golden sword. It was light, but sharp. Ron felt a hum in the blade. He brought it up the ladder and addressed Lockhart.
"Where did this sword come from?" He asked. Lockhart looked up and grinned.
"I had the goblins craft that one from cursed Galleons that I got paid after a botched Chimaera hunt. The quest giver was beside himself when he caught me in his fiance's bed the morning before I killed it. The cursed Galleons were his way of getting back at me." Lockhart shrugged and gave Ron a roguish wink. "Careful not to nick yourself on the blade. Your manhood will shrivel up and your bowel will empty from the inside out." Ron shook his head, nonplussed. He carefully returned the sword to the proper trunk and went back down.
And that's how the night went for Ron. He would take a weapon or piece of armor and Lockhart would tell him how he got it. Lockhart didn't seem to mind his curious charge. In fact, he seemed to relish being a well of stories and the subject of awe. When he let Ron go back to his dorm, Ron found that he couldn't wait to return the night after.