Magical Origins
Year 3: The Lesson Learned
The winter holidays had finally arrived, and that meant a large number of students were heading home for the holidays.
Harry and Artemis were staying at Hogwarts, and to their delight, so was the Gryffindor trio.
Throughout the holidays, they were trying to rehearse their story to get Professor McGonagall to confiscate Weasley's rat. It seemed it didn't matter who it was, whether if it was friend or family, no one could get Ron Weasley to part with his rat. No matter what, the price was Ron's refusal to part ways with his rat.
It did raise questions as to why Harry Potter wanted Ron Weasley's rat so badly.
Harry and Artemis were in a jam as Ron Weasley refuse to accept any offer.
Today was Christmas, and Harry was eager to open his presents.
Harry opens Lily's gift, and unlike the previous two years, where she would send pranks and dangerous brewed potions, this time, she sent him a book.
Defense Magic for Duels
Harry flipped through the pages and was more than pleased by the well thought out gift.
Harry sets it down and opens Artemis gift, which another book containing information on the world of professional Quidditch.
Harry knew playing as a pro would be a dream come true. He has had only three matches, and he's had misfortune in every single one.
Harry paused as he looks at a long package. He slowly opens it, and his jaw drops in shock.
A Firebolt. A state-of-the-art racing broom that was publicly acknowledged as one of the best ever made.
Harry slowly pulls the card out and looks at a magical imprint of a dog's paw.
Harry grins, knowing at once his favorite Dogfather had sent him the best Christmas gift ever.
"Hey Harry," Artemis said as she walks in and drops her robes.
"Damn Artemis," Harry said as he tried to hide his crimson cheeks.
Artemis was wearing a new set of witches' lingerie that really accentuated her body.
Artemis giggles and pounces on Harry, causing him to fall back on the bed.
Much later, Harry and Artemis would be found strolling together to the Great Hall. They notice immediately that instead of the four tables, a large round table was in the middle of the room.
Harry arrived to see a beaming Lily, who began telling Harry that she too got a Firebolt. Harry half wondered if he shouldn't have told Sirius about his relationship with Artemis.
"Merry Christmas," Dumbledore said joyfully. "as there are so few of us, it seems foolish to use House Tables. Sit down!" Dumbledore said, beaming at them.
Harry took a seat. Lily and Artemis joined him on his other side.
They piled their plates with food and drinks and were chatting away.
The doors burst open, and Professor Trelawney came in as if she was gliding.
"Sybill, this is a surprise," Dumbledore said pleasantly.
"I have been crystal gazing…"
"Hey Lily," Harry said as he turns to his Gryffindor friend.
"What?" She said confusion.
"You know that new broomstick you got for Christmas?" Harry asked, amusedly.
"Yeah…." Lily said slowly.
"Well, we never did figure out who was the better Seeker. I'm thinking of some competition is in order." Harry said.
It seemed whatever problems there weren't that big as Lily grew a grin on her face that spoke trouble.
"Oh, I'm going to beat you so badly," Lily said, trying to keep herself under control and not go nuts at the thought.
"Get your broom. I'll meet you out at the pitch," Harry said as he stood up. Lily follows suit.
Harry quickly put on his Quidditch uniform and grabs his Firebolt. He was at the entrance when the door slides open before he could reach for it.
"Mister Potter, you have been given a broomstick?" Snape said in a cold tone that made Harry freeze in his track.
"That's correct, Professor," Harry said slowly.
"Who sent it?" Professor Snape said in a bold tone.
Harry said nothing. He knew he couldn't say, Sirius Black.
Snape suddenly reached out and grabs it.
"For safety reasons, we're going to inspect your broom until we know it's safe to ride," Snape said. He turns and left.
"Who told?" Harry hissed. His silver eyes appeared again as he was pissed off.
"If you must know, Miss Granger expressed her concerns," Snape said as he walks off.
The door slides shut, and Harry stood there, fuming at Granger.
Lily was pissed off at Hermione. She made that point well known for her. Their friendship had come to an end. Hermione had to run from getting scorched. Though her robes and books came under the line of fire in retaliation for her actions.
Hermione had to flee to the safety of Hagrid's Cabin to avoid Lily's fury.
Lily even refused to pay for Hermione's things when Professor McGonagall told her too and instead took detention for the rest of the holidays, and Lily told the Professors straight up, the first chance she got, she would burn Hermione till no one could recognize her.
The Professors took the threat seriously and moved Hermione to a closed-off area of the castle where she would sleep away from Lily.
Harry was just as pissed. Granger loved to stick her nose where it doesn't belong.
Hermione protested vigorously that she was doing what was best and thought that Sirius Black sent the broomsticks. That she thought he was trying to kill them.
Lily roared with such fury that one would think a dragon had been unleashed. She unleashed so much fire that Hermione's turn to run, her back had been burnt so severely it was hard to even move now, despite the numerous spells, potions, and salves from Madam Pomfrey to heal the damage. She had to be moved to Saint Mungo's to get treated. And to prevent Lily from carrying out her threat.
The days passed slowly with Harry and Lily both insistent that they get their Firebolts back.
When the rest of the students came back, Harry immediately told the Slytherin's that he got a Firebolt for Christmas, and Granger, being the rotten bitch she was, managed to convince the teachers to take it away.
The Slytherins were pissed off.
When Granger did come back from Saint Mungo's, she realized that all of Slytherin was looking at her with malice in their eyes. It didn't take her long to realize that she had been marked.
It wasn't just Slytherin's, Gryffindor too was in an uproar as well about Hermione's actions in taking away their prize Seekers gift and possible edge.
Hermione Granger had just become the outcast of Hogwarts. No house, not one person could tolerate her any longer. She had lost the support of her House and lost her friendships as well.
Harry was fuming as he walked the corridors. He was on his way to charms when he notices something.
Harry slams his shoulder hard into Granger's body, causing her to fall. She looks up and sees herself surrounded by Slytherins.
"Watch where you're going, Granger," Harry hissed.
"Is there a problem?" Professor Flitwick said as he comes out of his classroom.
"No, Professor, Granger was just clumsy," Harry said coldly. He and the rest of the Slytherins walked away and entered the classroom.
"We have a problem." Professor Flitwick said at the staff meeting.
"Is it about Granger?" Professor McGonagall said sharply.
"Yes, her actions have caused her to become the most hated person in Hogwarts."
"Once things cool down…." Professor Sprout began.
"Potter openly attacked her." Professor Flitwick said sharply.
"He did what!" Professor McGonagall said.
"You forget, while Miss Liliana Morris is upset at the loss of her broomstick, so too is Mister Potter. The two were owners of some of the best broomsticks in the world. Despite Miss Granger's intentions, it has only placed a target on the back of her head. Older students from other houses are also displeased with her." Professor Flitwick said in a sharp tone. His colleagues turn to look at him. "The moment Potter saw her, he didn't even try to hide it. He went straight for her. Knocked her down, and the Slytherins followed suit. They look ready to attack her where she stood. Had I not made my presence known, she could be back in Saint Mungo's."
"Speak to the houses at once," Dumbledore said.
"How do you reckon we solve this, Dumbledore? We're still stripping the brooms." Professor McGonagall said.
"Destroy them," said Dumbledore.
"What if nothing is wrong with them?" Professor Flitwick asks.
"I rather, not take that chance. I'll personally replace those Firebolts and give them new brooms."
"What of Miss Granger? She's no longer welcome back at Gryffindor Tower, and I'm sure Miss Morris will carry out her threat to burn Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall said.
"Explain that should student places harm upon Miss Granger, that student will be expelled," Dumbledore said.
"I doubt that will stop students from attacking her," Snape remarked curtly.
"What do you mean?" Professor Sprout asks.
"She had placed the mark on herself by damaging two houses. Yes, her intentions were pure…" Professor Lupin said. "However, the way she went to do it was not. She went behind their backs. She never told them her suspicions and instead told the teachers right away. She should have told them and convince them to turn their brooms in. While she made many valid points," Lupin said as he puts his goblet down. "all it did was hurt her. She has lost her friendship in Miss Morris, and Harry Potter hates her more than ever. Their houses are also upset because Quidditch isn't something you can dismiss out of hand. Both Gryffindor and Slytherin felt this was a personal attack on their house as well as to their housemates. Do not forget Mister Potter is loved in Slytherin, and Miss Morris is also well-liked in Gryffindor. Miss Granger has destroyed the bridge she's standing on and is sinking. Hogwarts may no longer be safe for her." Lupin finished.
"I'll speak to the houses immediately," Dumbledore said.
"You need to point it that Miss Granger was thinking of their safety, and this wasn't personal. Miss Morris and Mister Potter believe this was a personal attack on them." Lupin advised.
At the same time, Harry was leading Blaise, Draco, Daphne, Tracy, and Pansy through the corridors. They had hoods on, and shadow glamour charm on to conceals themselves.
What they were about to do would surely get them expelled if they got caught.
"Where do you think you're going, Granger?" Harry said as he grabs Hermione from behind.
"Help!" Hermione cried out, but Harry shoves her into the classroom. The others quickly follow inside.
They raised their wands and fired hexes and jinxes at Hermione, who took them all and was shaking violently on the ground, almost like she was being tortured. All Hermione could do was scream as they attack her.
It lasted a minute, but for Granger, it may as well have been an eternity. She was on the floor sobbing and trying not to wince out in pain.
Harry walks forward and picks up her wand.
"You should snap your wand yourself, Granger," Harry said. He throws it at her face. "You don't belong here."
In saying that, they run out the unused classroom knowing Filch would have heard Granger's cry.
They ran and did not stop until they were safely back in the Slytherin Common Room.
"Professors, you're needed at once," Filch said as he burst into the staffroom.
"What happened?" Dumbledore asks.
"It's the Granger girl; she's been attacked," Filch said.
All the Professors got up on the feet and quickly followed Filch through the corridors.
They found Hermione with ruin robes and on the ground sobbing.
"Take her to the Healer Wing," Dumbledore said. "The Four Heads, return to your houses, and try to figure out who attacked Granger."
Snape barged into the Slytherin Common Room and noted that it is vastly vacant, only a small handful of students present.
"Get everyone here at once." Snape barked.
The Prefects said nothing knowing something serious had happened. They quickly went through the dorms and pounded on the doors.
It took some time, many students were on the verge of sleeping.
"A student was attacked in the castle this evening, this kind of attack will not go unpunished. If anyone has any knowledge of this attack, step forward." Snape said softly.
No one said a word.
"No one…" Snape said as if he was testing the room.
"It's not our fault that Granger made enemies of the entire school. Why don't you ask her own house?" Harry said bluntly.
"Do you know anything about this attack Potter?" Snape asks coldly.
"No. Nor am I shedding tears for Granger." Harry said calmly.
Snape said nothing as he left.
"None of my students knows what happened." Professor Sprout reported.
"Nor mine." Professor Flitwick said.
"Mine is claiming innocence as well." Professor McGonagall replies.
"I think Potter was involved," Snape said.
Everyone turns to look at him.
"He knew at once it was Granger and expressed no regret what happened to her," Snape said softly.
"How can you be sure." Professor Sprout asks.
"The way he said it. If I had solid proof, he would be expelled." Snape says coldly.
"Proof is what we need. Not suspicion." Dumbledore said softly.
"This is only going to inspire future attacks against Miss Granger. We need to stop this." Professor McGonagall said in a worried tone of voice.
"Agreed, tomorrow I'll buy the Firebolts. They will be given back to Mister Potter and Miss Morris under the condition they will ensure no further action will be taken against Miss Granger." Dumbledore said.
The next day Snape return to the Common Room.
"Potter, outside," Snape said coldly.
"What now?" Harry mutters as he gets up and walks outside the Common Room.
"I didn't do anything, Professor," Harry said the moment they were alone.
"You are not in trouble," Snape said coldly. "Here," Snape said, holding the Firebolt in his hands.
Harry reach to grab it, but it was pulled out of his reach.
"The Firebolt is being returned to you, under the condition that you ensure no further attacks will happen to Miss Granger."
Harry sneered, he had new spells he wanted to test out against Granger.
"Fine, I'll tell the rest of Slytherin she's to be off-limits," Harry said.
"If she is attacked, you will lose your Firebolt." Snape remarks as he hands the Firebolt into Harry's hand.
Harry said nothing as he holds the Firebolt in his hands. He turns to walk back into the Common Room as Snape turns to leave.
"Harry, you got it back!" Blaise said in excitement.
"On the condition, we wouldn't touch Granger again," Harry mutters.
The Slytherins didn't care that Granger couldn't get attack anymore. They were happy that they got their Captain's best broom back.
"Miss Morris, come here." Professor McGonagall said as she enters the Common Room.
"What now?" Lily mutters as she gets up and stands in front of Professor McGonagall.
"I didn't attack Hermione," Lily said.
"I'm well aware of that." Professor McGonagall said. "Here." Professor McGonagall hands back the Firebolt.
"I can have it back, seriously," Lily asked weakly.
"Under the condition that no further action will be taken against Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall said sharply.
Lily grits her teeth, knowing full well that meant she couldn't burn Hermione.
"Fine, I won't burn her." Lily finally said.
"Miss Granger will return to the tower. If I hear of trouble, then rest assured, I will punish anyone responsible." Professor McGonagall said in a sharp tone. Lily knew she meant business.
Later that night, Hermione came back to the tower, and she went straight to her room, knowing her housemates could barely tolerate her.
"Lily?" Hermione said to Lily, but Lily turns over and ignores her. Hermione said nothing as she climbs into bed.
If Hermione thought her first year was terrible, it was nothing as bad as her current predicament. Despite her reasons, the entire school turns against her. She also lost her friends. All she could do was remember Lily's words all those weeks ago before this hideous debacle had started.
'Some people care more about their friendships than they do about rules.'
Author Notes: Wow, talk about harsh. I put this up as a way for Harry to not tell Professor McGonagall about the Rat. I also made the point if you think of something suspicious, you should rather say to the person about it instead of going behind their backs. That's what a true friend would do.
