AN: Babysitting can be hell, but at the same time amusing, such as when you've got one kid screaming and crying and another cackling their head off but at least they're laying down and leaving each other alone for bedtime so you ignore it and keep singing. Because the singing is the only thing keeping them there. And no the crying and cackling had nothing to do with each other. I recently quit babysitting but does anyone else have some interesting babysitting moments to share?
Anyway that random note aside, hope you enjoy the chap, and I'd love to hear your thoughts.
0o0o0
As soon as Harry entered Dumbledore's office Hermione ran towards him, tears in her eyes and blubbering apologies. He wrapped her in a hug trying to soothe her, but he was still running off the high of his recent meeting.
"Woah, Mione, no need to apologize! I actually wanna thank you. Today was the best day of my life!"
Hermione pulled away from him in horror.
"But-but… What about Voldemort?" she asked.
Harry grinned, "We had a swell chat. Even came to a truce!"
Hermione stumbled to a chair and stared blankly in front of her.
"What have I done?"
This is when Dumbledore finally seemed to see fit to intervene.
"My dear boy, what do you mean you came to a truce?"
"I meant what I said and I said what I mean."
"Mr. Potter, what does this truce entail? How can you be so sure he'll honor whatever deal you made?" Dumbledore was beginning to look upset.
"Well that's between the two of us now isn't it?"
Dumbledore continued to question him for quite some time. He eventually gave up though, when Harry pointed out someone really ought to take the catatonic Hermione to the hospital wing.
0o0o0
The next morning Harry skipped into the great Hall, over to the Slytherin table, and sat beside Malfoy. He ignored everyone's murmuring with a cheery smile.
"I need you to teach me about politics and how to fill out paperwork."
"Why me?" Malfoy asked shakily. He was feeling quite hesitant around Harry after the incident.
"Because if I ask our buddy I'll just get an earful of how evil paperwork is. The ranting does lose its charm eventually. As you of course aren't aware our truce involves me doing his paperwork. Does wonders for his homicidal urges if I might add."
Malfoy swallowed, "All right."
"Good boy!" Harry bounced to his feet and finally went over to his own table for breakfast, much to the blonde's relief. That is, until he realized this meant he was going to have to start spending hours every single day alone with Potter if he had any hope of getting anything through that thick skull. He whimpered, dropping his head to the table.
He couldn't just half ass this. If Potter really was doing paperwork for the Dark Lord there could be some serious consequences.
0o0o0
By the end of the first lesson Malfoy was pulling out his hair.
When an owl dropped a thick stack of papers in front of Harry about a week later, well… Malfoy was ready. He lunged for those papers with a manic sort of desperation. He had to get them. He had to! No way was Potter filling those out. It would spell the end of the world as we know it.
But maybe that's what we need because Harry made quick work of him, and started giggling to himself as he looked through what dear Tommy sent him.
This was going to be fun.
0o0o0
EXTRA:
"I believe it would be for the best if you were to teach Mr. Potter occlumency."
"No"
"Severus-"
"No"
"For Lily, Severus. I'm worried about what sort of influence Voldemort may be having on the boy's mind."
How dare that old coot so blatantly try and use her against him like that.
"I will not be subjecting myself to that thing's mind. Believe me when I say he is not the one being influenced."
And with that, Snape swept out of the office to terrorise the castle's populace, and stay far far away from the Boy Who Lived. He had a pretty good idea what the supposed "power he knows not" was, and it certainly wasn't love.
AN: Oh and suggestions for future chaps welcome.