Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to Warner Media and JK Rowling
Authors Note:
This story his been rated T due to some violent scenes and some bad language, though the bad language will be kept to a minimum.
Thanks to everyone who has supported this story so far by reading, reviewing and favouriting and following. Apologies for the long wait.
A special thanks to the following people as the latest to review, favourite and follow the story:
fhl1234, Alkinis, Supersyster, Kay Deutsch, Sytani, WizBali, Kyron120867 and LeoniusDong.
Harry Potter-Weasley Chapter Six:
Harry sat at the desk in first year boys dorm scratching away with his quill as penned a letter home to his parents and sister. He had already spoken with Ginny several times via mirror call in his first two weeks at Hogwarts and had informed her about his scar hurting, which had concerned her, and the giant three headed dog that had amazed her.
The letter was a particularly difficult one to write as it involved explaining in more detail the recent incident involving himself and Draco Malfoy and asking a favour of his parents that he wasn't at all certain would be well received.
Dear Mum, Dad and Ginny,
So far the school year has gone very well. I've had to deal with some stares from students due to my fame and this annoying scar on my forehead but apart from that and the dislike from Professor Snape I'm getting on well.
Ron and I made two new friends during our train ride to Hogwarts. Hermione Granger who is a Muggleborn and Neville Longbottom who is a Pureblood, both are fun and cool to hang around with.
Harry paused in the act of writing the letter as he thought on how to phrase the second part of it. He only intended a short letter and the next part was pretty important as Professor McGonagall had said he could only be on the Gryffindor Quidditch team if he was sent his broom by his parents.
"Ah ha!", he said aloud as he hit on a way of phrasing the request. Harry went back to scratching the quill on the parchment.
I know Professor McGonagall has already written to you and explained about my flying my broom when I was not supposed to but at the same time she will no doubt have informed you why.
It all comes down to a weird incident involving Neville Longbottom. You see, his broom somehow started to move on it's own forcing him off the ground and high into the air. Neville has never ridden a broomstick before and so he crashed into the side of one of the school buildings and fell off his broom breaking his wrist. Madam Hooch, the Flying Instructor took him the to Hospital Wing but didn't notice Neville had dropped his remembrall.
Draco Malfoy picked the remembrall up and made several nasty comments about Neville. When I confronted him and demanded the remembrall to give back to Neville he refused and flew off with it.
I guess I shouldn't have chased him on my broom but you know I hate bullies and bigots, so I went after him. He threw the remembrall with the intent of breaking it but I managed to catch it and in the process got caught by Professor McGonagall.
I thought the Professor would expel me when she led me indoors but instead she took me to see Oliver Wood the Captain of our house Quidditch team and introduced me as the new Seeker.
Wood was delighted though Professor McGonagall warned me that I could only join the team if my Mum and Dad agree to my having a broom sent from home. So I know it's a lot to ask and I know Mum won't approve of my disobeying the rules but I'm hoping you'll both understand why on this occasion and agree to my having my Nimbus sent here.
Missing you all loads, especially you Ginny. Ron says hi and thanks for the parcel of sweets you sent last week. Thanks from me too.
Love you and miss you all, Harry.
Harry set down his quill and ran an eye over the letter. He found the contents satisfying. True, he had left out the incident with the three headed dog but the last thing he needed was his mother worrying over something like that. She'd never let him have his broomstick if she found out.
The first lesson on that Tuesday of the third week involved Charms.
Once all of the students from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw were seated, Harry sitting next to Ron, Neville and Hermione and just in front of Dean, Seamus, Lavander and Parvati, Professor Flitwick flicked his wand at the chalkboard announcing "today class you shall be learning Flipendo which, as you all know having read your textbooks, is the Knockback Jinx used by opponents in duels to take their foe off their feet or send them flying backwards. First of all we must learn the correct movement and master saying the phrase".
Professor Flitwick uncovered a pile of pillows and informed the class "you will practise on these pillows until you have the movements and phrasing correct and then the room will be padded out for you to partner up and attempt the spell on each other". The diminutive professor smiled as he added, "do not be upset if you are unable to get the spell right on the first try. It is a trial and error process as with most spells". He turned to Hermione and asked "Miss Granger would you mind helping to hand the pillows out?".
"Of course Professor", Hermione said with a smile. Flitwick detailed two other students to help and soon enough each student had a pillow in front of them on their desks.
Professor Flitwick took out his wand, aimed it at his own pillow and instructed "watch as I demonstrate. Flipendo!". The pillow was sent flying across the room, landing near Harry's desk. The Professor nodded in satisfaction and declared, "and now for you to try. Follow the wand movement as I have shown and speak clearly".
For most of the students it took some time but Harry, Hermione, the Patil Twins and a few others managed it correctly first time.
Unfortunately for poor Neville he was left stunned for a moment as Seamus Finnegan shouted, "Flipendo!" only to aim his wand in the direction of Neville and the pillow to hit the pudgy boy at high speed. Fortunately, as the pillow was soft, Neville was not hurt and the lesson continued on without further incident.
"Seamus is a menace with that wand sometimes", Neville chuckled as the foursome headed to the Great Hall for lunch.
Harry, Ron and Hermione all laughed and agreed with this assessment.
It was a Friday afternoon. The three days since Harry had sent off the letter to his parents had passed by quickly and the foursome had just reached the Great Hall for lunch finding an empty space at the Gryffindor table and sat down, still chatting away about their lessons that morning.
"Oh yes a bacon sandwich, my favourite!" Harry enthused as he picked a sandwich up from one of the many plates scattered about and went to take a bite.
Harry was halfway through his lunch when the screeching sound of owls filled the air and the stout birds descended from the rafters of the hall to deliver that days owl post.
Harry was surprised to see his owl Hedwig together with Errol, the Weasley family owl. As the owl twosome reached the table he could see that, between them, they were carrying a brown paper parcel, long and thin in their talons and that Hedwig had a letter in her beak while Errol carried one in his.
Hedwig dropped her end of the parcel gracefully while Errol simply fumbled it from his talons and crash landed amongst the plates and bowls looking rather the worse for wear as he always did on long journeys.
"Good girl Hedwig", Harry stroked the white owls feathers and handed her some bacon. The owl took the bacon, nibbling it appreciatively and took a long drink of water before heading over to Errol with a concerned look on her face. As Harry watched, Hedwig tapped Errol with her talons and nudged him with her head seeming relieved when he began to move slightly.
Ron shook his head as he fed Errol some bacon and bread and gave him some water. "Mum and Dad really have to stop sending Errol on these long journeys, he's not up to it anymore".
Harry nodded in agreement as he opened the letter that accompanied the parcel.
It turned out to be a reply from his parents as he had thought it would be. Harry grimaced for a moment but then got on with reading it.
Dear Harry,
While we are concerned that you should not put yourself in dangerous situations, we are so proud of you for standing up to Draco Malfoy.
Harry gaped down at the first line of the letter in shock. He had been expecting a major rebuke, not praise!
He decided to read on as Ron
No doubt you are surprised by such a response especially from me but as you know sweetheart we dislike bullying intensely and to see you standing up for your friends is something we can only applaud. At the same time we urge you to listen to the teachers more and be aware of following the rules. We don't want to hear of any serious rule breaking and slacking in training otherwise we will take the broom back. Your father and I are so glad to hear that school is going well and that you have made new friends. Ginny sends her love, as do we.
Take care, love Mum and Dad.
Harry was flabbergasted. While his parents had sent admonitions about following school rules they were actually proud of what he had done!
Harry could not stop grinning as he showed the letter to his brother. Ron was equally amazed at the response and voiced this fact as he, Harry, Neville and Hermione exited the Great Hall.
The foursome were chatting away happily and failed to notice the two rather large Slytherin first years standing like statues, blocking the staircase.
"Ow, what the hell!", Ron exclaimed.
Harry scowled at the sight of Draco Malfoy and his two goons barring their way upstairs. "Well, well, well Potter here we are".
"It's Potter-Weasley Malfoy, as I've told you a hundred times. Now what do you want? we're a little bit busy right now".
Malfoy sneered. "Yes I can see the broomstick over your shoulder. You do know first years aren't allowed them...right?".
Harry smirked slightly, unable to help himself. "So much for what you know. Professor McGonagall gave me permission".
Malfoy snorted in disbelief and called out to someone nearby. "Professor Flitwick!".
The diminutive Professor hurried over and said, "yes Mr Malfoy what can I help you with?".
Malfoy gestured to Harry's broom. "Potter here has a broomstick. I thought I had better tell a teacher immediately".
Flitwick's face lit up as he eyed the broomstick. "Oh yes, I've heard all about it. Congratulations on earning a place on your house team Mr Potter-Weasley, very rare for a first year. Even your father James had to wait until his second year. He patted Harry on the shoulder as he walked past.
Harry grinned at the opened mouthed shock on the faces of Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle and pushed past the three of them as he and his friends headed upstairs.
"Hey Potter, hang on a minute!", Malfoy said loudly.
Harry sighed, wishing the loud mouthed Slytherin would leave him alone to enjoy his day. "What is it now?", he asked as some of his good humour evaporated.
"I challenge you to a midnight duel!", Malfoy declared with a furious look on his face.
Harry thought for a moment and then looked at his friends and brother. Ron was grinning and Neville seemed intrigued at the prospect as well. Only Hermione was shaking her head and mouthing "don't do it".
Harry looked back at Draco and asked "where to?".
"The Trophy Room off of the Entrance Hall, just over there". Malfoy gestured over to his left. Harry turned and eyed up the room which was filled with glass cases and stands.
Harry nodded. "You're on Malfoy. I'll enjoy taking you down a peg or two". He strode away from Malfoy and up the central staircase with Ron and Neville on either side.
"Finally somebody will dent his ego!", Neville said happily.
"About time you dealt with that bigot", Ron added with enthusiasm.
"Harry think about what you're doing!", Hermione hissed.
As the foursome reached the landing near the portrait of the Fat Lady, Harry looked at Hermione and said simply, "I know you disapprove Hermione and I know it's a risky thing to do but someone has to teach Draco Malfoy a lesson and since he's focusing so much attention on me then who better than me to dent his ego a bit?".
Hermione groaned. "If you're caught you'll be expelled. You'll probably get your wand snapped and end up unable to practise magic. Is all that really worth it just prove something to Malfoy?".
Harry's face was serious as he replied, "to me? yes it's worth all the punishments. My birth parents stood up against bigotry and and so do my adopted parents. What kind of person would it make me to ignore Malfoy and let him keep being such a rude, bigoted and arrogant sod to everyone?".
Hermione just shook her head and said "just so you know, I'll try and stop you".
Harry chuckled. "I have no doubt you will". In his head he added 'I also know that with my invisibility cloak you'll never catch me'.
As the foursome entered through the portrait hole they came face to face with Fred and George who grinning from ear to ear. Harry had a bad feeling. Any time Fred and George grinned in such a way it usually meant they had pulled off some prank or other. "You're not about to turn something of Ron's into a spider again...are you?", he asked them hesitantly. Ron said nothing and just shuddered at the reminder of the terrifying incident from when he had been four.
"Who us?", said Fred.
"Perish the thought dear Brother", said George.
"We merely couldn't help...", said Fred.
"Overhearing your plans to meet Malfoy in a duel", finished George.
Harry groaned and exchanged a look with Ron. He had the feeling that any prank against Fred and George was off.
"What is it you want?", Harry asked the Twins.
Fred and George gave identical smirks as George said "simply put, we won't tell Mum and Dad...".
"...If you and Ron back off pranking us over the sorting ceremony advice we gave", Fred told them.
"Just a little deal between brothers", George added.
"And we also won't tell Percy", Fred informed them.
"You blackmailing gits!", Ron hissed.
"I should have known you'd have a high price", Harry muttered. He looked from one to the other and asked "does that discount pranking you for any other reason?".
Fred and George seemed to consider this for a moment before then giving stereo shakes of the head. "No it wouldn't be fair", Fred spoke for them.
Harry and Ron grimaced as Hermione pointed out the obvious for them. "I'd say the pair of you haven't got much choice".
Harry pulled Ron aside. "Hermione's right", Ron stated reluctantly.
Harry nodded. "The one thing I wish she wasn't right on as well". He sighed. The two of them turned to face Fred and George.
Ron stuck out a hand first, followed soon after by Harry. "Deal", Harry said with gritted teeth as Fred and George shook hands.
As Fred and George walked off whistling jauntily Harry muttered "gits" under his breath.
That Friday night, Harry, Ron, Neville and Hermione waited down in the Common Room, ostensibly working on homework. In reality only Hermione was truly working away while the others waited nervously for the room to clear of students in order for them to set off for the Trophy Room and a midnight showdown with Malfoy.
Hermione herself had once again reiterated the fact that she would stop Harry exiting Gryffindor Tower if she could and so was currently ignoring the three boys.
Slowly and painfully the time crept towards eleven forty five pm. As one, Harry, Ron and Neville stood from their seats. Hermione raised an eyebrow and made to stand up.
Harry nodded to Neville who 'accidentally' swept a hand against Hermione's ink pot causing ink to spill all over the table.
"Argh!", Hermione cried out and tried to blot up the ink while moving her parchment out of the way to avoid it being splashed.
Harry slipped the invisibility cloak on and stalked towards the portrait hole, followed closely by Ron and Neville.
The three boys had just exited Gryffindor Tower when Harry felt something tug at his cloak which was pulled free. He gulped hard and spun around, to find himself staring at an irate Hermione.
Hermione had her hands on her hips and was glaring. The effect was uncanny as it reminded Harry of his mother. "I told you I'd stop you", she declared. She tugged on Harry's arm pulling him back towards the portrait hole while Ron and Neville tried to stop her resulting in Harry feeling like his arms would be yanked off.
Eventually, Hermione won the tug of war and pushed Harry to the portrait hole in triumph only to gasp in horror "oh no!".
Harry looked up at portrait of the Fat Lady...except she wasn't there. The frame was devoid of people instead showing the scenery and a blank space where the Fat Lady should be standing.
"Bad luck Hermione, can't drag him back now", Ron smirked triumphantly.
"This can't be happening", Hermione muttered as Harry, Ron and Neville made to walk away.
Harry felt bad for Hermione, after all his friend had just been trying to do the right thing. He made a spur of the moment decision, "come with us", he said sincerely.
Hermione gave him a look that said 'you've grown two heads'. Harry chuckled at his friend's expression as he elaborated, "better to be with friends and when I've duelled Malfoy we can all find the Fat Lady together. She must be somewhere about".
"But couldn't we just do it now?", Hermione pleaded, "you could avoid the duel and stay in the Common Room instead".
Harry shook his head. "I know you mean well Hermione but this is something I have to do, you know?".
Hermione sighed. "Fine I'll come with you but...be careful okay. I don't trust Malfoy as far as I can throw him".
Harry nodded. "My feelings to. Don't worry, I'll be on my guard".
The foursome set off down through the castle managing to evade several resident ghosts, the Head Boy on his patrol and the perpetually sour faced Caretaker Argus Filch.
As they surveyed the Trophy Room Harry heard Hermione gasp. "Harry!". Harry hurried over and grinned at the sight in the case before him. There was a plaque bearing the name "James Potter, Head Boy of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 1977-78, Special Award for services to the school".
"Wonder what my Dad did?", Harry mused out loud.
The foursome waited feeling the boredom as the minutes dragged by. "What's the time?", Ron yawned as he scratched his chin.
Harry glanced down at his watch. "Half past twelve. Curse that sod Malfoy, he tricked us".
"Bet he was never going to show up", Neville said sounding angry, "he's a coward that Malfoy".
Ron held up a hand from nearby and made a shushing motion. "Quiet guys. I can hear someone coming".
"Is it Malfoy?", Harry asked as the three of them moved to stand next to the redhead.
Ron shook his head as cocked his head to listen better. "Don't think so...oh my god it's Filch!".
"The tip off said they would be in here somewhere Mrs Norris", Filch growled menacingly.
As the familiar figures of the Hogwarts Caretaker and his cantankerous cat Mrs Norris appeared at the opposite end of the Trophy Room Harry hissed "run!".
The other three needed no encouragement as they followed him fleeing from the room at breakneck speed through the twisting and turning corridors of Hogwarts.
Gasping for breath, Harry halted in an unfamiliar location. Resting a hand against the rough stonework he worked to get his breath back. He was happy to notice that Ron, Neville and Hermione had all kept up with him and were standing nearby.
"Everyone alright?", Harry asked breathily and with a touch of concern.
"What do you think!", Hermione snapped as she punched Harry hard on the arm.
"Ouch! what the hell Hermione?", Harry demanded as he rubbed the sore spot.
Hermione put her hands on her hips and glared. "That was for almost getting us caught by Mr Filch". She punched his other arm causing another yelp, "and that is for dragging me out of the Common Room after curfew!".
"But you followed us!", Ron argued and also received a punch on the arm.
Neville raised a hand from his spot near a closed door. "Hey guys I can hear voices inside the room", he stated with a frown.
Harry, Ron and Hermione joined him by the door and strained their ears to listen only to feel perplexed at the apparent conversation taking place within.
"I can't do it! I know you need me to but I'm not strong enough I tell you!".
"It's Professor Quirrell", Harry said feeling confused.
"But I can't hear anyone talking to him", Ron murmured.
The conversation continued. "Alright. I'm sorry, I will do as you say just please don't hurt me again!".
There was movement inside the room and the door handle rattled.
"Under the cloak!", Harry hissed. The four of them dived under the cloak and watched as the door to the room opened to reveal the familiar turban clad figure of Professor Quirrell looking distinctly rattled. The professor looked left and right before striding off down the corridor with a face as pale as if he were a ghost.
The foursome reached Gryffindor Tower in silence, a silence which was only broken as they crossed the Common Room to the boys and girls staircases. "What do you suppose that was all about back there?", Harry voiced.
Hermione glared at him. "I'm not very interested right now. I'm off to bed before you, Ron or Neville have another bright idea to get us killed or even worse...suspended!". She flounced off down the stairs to her dorm room.
"Mental that one", Ron muttered.
"That a bit harsh", Neville commented.
Harry merely shook his head wondering about Hermione's priorities.
The events of that day played over in Harry's mind as he lay in bed. He tossed and he turned but no matter what he did he just could not get comfortable despite the softness of the bed and pillows. He was furious over the set up orchestrated by Draco Malfoy and this fury was topped off with worry over the one sided conversation between Professor Quirrell and the unknown individual. Just what had Professor Quirrell promised to do? and why was he being made to do it?.
As the next day was a Saturday Harry slept in until eleven. The sleep had done wonders for him and yet the events of the previous day still plagued him.
While Harry, Ron and Neville ate their breakfast (Hermione had eaten earlier and gone to the library) Harry pondered over the set up and the mystery. He finally decided to set the mystery to one side for the time being and concentrate on the most pressing issue, revenge over Draco Malfoy.
"Guys?". Ron and Neville looked over at Harry as they broke off their conversation. Harry eyed each of them, "it's time we pranked Draco Malfoy".
"Way past time", Ron agreed.
"I'm with you all the way", Neville added his support.
For the rest of the weekend Harry, Ron and Neville were engrossed in the discussion, planning and implementation of the prank against Draco Malfoy. The rest of the Gryffindor's wondered at their suspicious behaviour including Hermione to whom they gave assurances that nothing was amiss.
"So this is the plan then", Harry said as he, Neville and Ron hid inside a storage cupboard in the Entrance Hall.
"First of all, Neville you'll use the charm to tie Malfoy's shoe laces together. Ron you'll then use the charm to make Malfoy smell and once that's done we'll swap out his favourite sweets for one's that will make him constantly burp and pass wind. After that bit of embarrassment the ultimate part of the plan will follow involving a bucket of treacle and a wind charm to blow feathers all over him. Muggles call it tarring and feathering".
Harry, Ron and Neville were soon in place. Harry waited in the Great Hall, ready to swap the sweets while Neville and Ron took their places near the exit to the Dungeons and entrance to the Great Hall respectively.
Soon enough, Draco Malfoy appeared accompanied by his two goons. "Ligare Calceamentum Laces", Neville murmured as Malfoy passed his hiding place.
Malfoy cried out in surprise as his shoe laces tied together and caused him to topple face down on the cold stone flooring.
"Malfoy!", Crabbe and Goyle exclaimed and reached out to help him up.
"Get off idiots!", Malfoy hissed irritably as he shrugged them off.
Hidden from sight, Ron waved his wand, a wide grin on his freckled face as he muttered "Olfacies Horibilis".
"Urgh Draco!", Crabbe sprang away from Malfoy who looked annoyed with.
"What's up with you?", Malfoy demanded as Goyle also stepped back holding his nose.
"Draco you smell...horrible!", Crabbe exclaimed.
"How dare you!", Malfoy snapped. He pushed them away and strode on through the doorway into the Great Hall.
Everywhere Malfoy walked students pulled faces or held their noses. He couldn't understand their strange reactions and tried to ignore them as he strode over to the Slytherin table.
Near the Slytherin table, hidden under his cloak of invisibility, Harry reached out and swapped the dish of Malfoy's favourite sweets for an identical dish as the Slytherin table briefly emptied of students.
"What is up with these fools?", Harry heard Malfoy mutter as the blonde haired boy sat down and reached out for a bonbon, popping it into his mouth and chewing contentedly.
Harry watched with glee as Malfoy ate several more sweets and only then began to sniff the air and realised in horror that the bad smell was coming from him. "What...", Malfoy had no time to voice anything else as a loud belch escaped him. He clamped a hand over his mouth in mortification. The blonde haired boy tried to speak again as students returned to the house table only for his speech to be interrupted by another belch and a fart.
Laughter swept the Great Hall as Malfoy continued to belch and fart uncontrollably while Professor Snape scowled and Crabbe and Goyle looked confused as per usual.
Harry sniggered and retreated the Great Hall entrance ready for phase four of the plan to embarrass the Pureblood bigot.
"Sod this!", Malfoy shouted in between belches as he ran from his seat towards the Entrance Hall. Once the blonde haired boy was within a foot of the doors he cried out in shock. Harry watched with satisfaction as the thick treacle spread from the bucket to run down Malfoys shoulders, down his arms and legs and down his front and back. In no time at all Malfoy was covered in the treacle. Gales of laughter swept through the hall even from the Slytherins.
The laughter increased as Harry, Ron and Neville aimed their wands in syncronisity and murmured "Obtestor Plumis", three lots of feathers flew from their wands coating Malfoy head to toe in feathers which combined with the treacle to give the Slytherin student a patently ludicrous appearance.
"Whoever did this...I'll...I'll...", Malfoy never did declare what he would do instead turning and fleeing from the Great Hall to the sounds of raucous laughter.
"He shoots he scores!", Harry, Ron and Neville high fived each other and grinned widely before joining in the laughter of the other students.
As the three of them joined the rest of the Gryffindor's Hermione gave them each a stern expression. The expression held for barely a moment as she cracked up laughing.
In between hearty laughs Hermione said, "I don't know which one of you did it...but well done, it was brilliant!".
Harry, Ron and Neville exchanged looks of surprise and satisfaction. "We're definitely having a bad influence on her", Harry commented to which his friend and brother could only nod agreement.