Chapter 4: Assisted Advantages
Harry met Ginny and Luna in the Common Room to walk down to breakfast together. Luna noticed the smiles Ginny and Harry kept flashing at each other and had to stifle her giggles. The girls followed Harry's lead from the Tower to the Great Hall. Ginny and Luna exchanged a confused look as he turned to a tapestry, holding it up for them to enter a downward slanting corridor. Harry just grinned as they turned two switchback corners before coming to another tapestry. Harry ducked his head out before motioning the girls out into the Entrance Hall at the bottom of the stairs by the Great Hall. They sat down at the Gryffindor table with Neville and Hermione.
Ginny looked up at the Head Table to see Lily Potter talking with Professors Lupin and McGonagall. She didn't see, or feel, Professor Spears at the table. That struck her as odd. After a moment's thought, Ginny didn't remember seeing him actually eating anything the night before. Ginny shrugged to herself. A mystery for another day.
"Did you take the ramp shortcut?" Neville was asking Harry.
"Yeah," Harry nodded as he took a drink of his pumpkin juice. "After we get our schedules, I'm going to show Ginny and Luna the…flat object. You got Hermione, or you want to join us?"
"I'll know when we get our schedules," Neville answered.
"Eat quickly," Harry advised quietly to Ginny and Luna.
Soon Professor McGonagall was handing out the schedules to the Gryffindors. She looked suspiciously at Harry and Neville but didn't comment. As soon as Harry had his, he motioned for Ginny and Luna to follow him. They took the same hidden corridor back to the Tower to retrieve their books for the day.
"This place is huge!" Luna complained. "How are we going to find anything around here? Let alone be on time?"
"I think that's part of the experience, Luna," Ginny frowned. "But Harry knows something we don't"
"You're right, I do," Harry smiled. "We also have an advantage."
Harry looked around quickly before leading them into an alcove. He touched the third brick from the left revealing a door to a long corridor. He waved the girls in, making sure the door closed before pulling out a large piece of folded parchment. Ginny and Luna looked at him questioningly as he pulled his wand.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," Harry grinned as he pointed his wand at the parchment.
Ginny and Luna looked on with wide eyes as ink spider-webbed out over the parchment.
"What is that?" Ginny finally breathed out.
"This is the Marauders' Map," Harry chuckled at their faces.
"The what now?" Luna asked.
"It's a map of Hogwarts that shows where everyone is in the castle and most of the grounds," Harry answered. "My dad and godfather made while they were here with the help of Uncle Remus and another friend."
"That's bloody brilliant!" Ginny smiled.
"I know, right?" Harry looked at Luna. "What's our first class?"
"Transfiguration," she answered.
"Right this way, ladies," Harry grinned more as he pointed down the corridor.
It took them only five minutes to get to the classroom. Ginny picked a table at the front for them to sit at for class. They were the first ones to arrive, ten minutes early. After five minutes, Neville and Hermione come in. Harry and Neville shared a smug smile as he and Hermione sat behind Harry, Ginny, and Luna.
Ginny looked at Professor McGonagall's desk, expecting to see the stern professor sitting at, or at least standing behind, her desk but she wasn't there. There was a black and tan tabby cat sitting on the desk, however. Ginny looked at the door a little confused as the late bell rang, with no sign of their teacher.
"Wonder where McGonagall is?" Ginny whispered to Harry.
"She's sitting on her desk," Harry whispered back with a chuckle.
"What?" Luna asked quietly. "The cat?"
"Yup," Harry nodded. "Watch this," he grinned again at the girls before turning back to the desk, raising his hand.
Ginny and Luna were shocked when the cat looked at Harry with a slight glare and a frown.
"Professor, will we be studying how to become an Animagus in this class?"
The cat looked like it sighed slightly before jumping off the desk only to transform into Professor McGonagall before their eyes.
"Ten points to Gryffindor, Mr. Potter, for recognizing me. You are the first student to do so in at least fifteen years," McGonagall spoke a little begrudgingly. "And to answer your question, not for at least five years."
Professor McGonagall began class after that. She was impressed that Harry and Neville could change their matchsticks into needles on the first try. Ginny was proud of the fact that she and Luna were next with only two tries. It took Hermione three, much to Malfoy and Parkinson's displeasure. It took the two Slytherins twelve tries just to turn the matchstick into a shiny silver. McGonagall then set the homework as a foot of parchment on the theory of the spell for those who had completed the transformation and two and a half feet for those that had not, like Malfoy and Parkinson.
When the bell rang, Harry checked which class was next and groaned. Ginny raised an eyebrow before looking at her table. Potions. Now, the groan made sense to Ginny as she and Luna giggled at Harry as he led them to another shortcut.
They entered the dungeon classroom ahead of everyone else. They chose seats close to the front again, even though Harry grumbled about being that in the front of the class. Ginny reached over taking his hand in a reassuring gesture as the rest of the class filed in. Ginny was about to ask Luna something, but the late bell rang. Out of the corner of her eye, Ginny saw a flash of red hair drop between her and Harry.
"Chosen your redhead, I see," Lily snickered quietly to Harry.
"Muuuuuummmm!" Harry groaned as he blushed.
Ginny looked over at Harry with a blushing smile as she heard Luna giggle quietly. Lily placed a hand on Ginny's shoulder with a wink before going to the front of the class.
"Potion making is both an art and exact science," Lily began. "There is a simple reason that we have the Potions lab here in the dungeons: it can be dangerous. Remember that above all else. Mix the wrong ingredients together and you could get hurt or hurt your table partners. This is not a class to play around in. If I catch anyone of you mucking about with someone else assignment to make them fail, you will have a weeks' detention scrubbing every cauldron in this lab. If I catch you doing it a second time, we will be having a chat with your Head of House. After that, we will see the Headmaster."
"Now, turn to page seven for the introduction of this class," Lily instructed as she started walking around the stations. "As the book states, this class partners with several of your other classes, like Herbology."
Lily stopped talking as she stood behind Malfoy and Parkinson whispering to each other. Ginny stared as Lily raised an eyebrow with her lips pinched tight.
"Uh-oh," Harry cringed. Ginny glanced at him. Harry's eyes were wide with fear. She was about to ask, but her answer came from the other side of the room.
"Mr. Malfoy! Miss Parkinson!" Lily hollered. Ginny saw Harry duck his head a little at the tone of Lily's voice. Ginny glanced at Neville, who had the same cringed look. "First of all, you will pay attention in my class! Second, while I am speaking, you will listen and take notes!"
Lily stepped closer to the two Slytherins, glaring. "And if I ever hear that word in my class again you will be seeing the Headmaster and a member of the Board of Governors! Am. I. Clear?"
"Y…yes, Profess…Professor Potter," Malfoy stammered out.
"Yes, ma'am," Parkinson nodded weakly with a gulp.
"Good!" Lily looked around the class quickly. "Mr. Finnigan, move your things over here. Miss Parkinson, move your things over to Mr. Thomas' station."
With quick movements, they did as they were told. "Now, then! As you can see, I do not put up with any nonsense in my class. And this is your only warning: you will not use the word 'mudblood' in my presence or you will face very severe consequences."
No one spoke a word as the student complied with Lily's directions. The rest of the class was rather pleasant, however, as Lily walked them through the basic relationships between ingredients and properties that interacted with each other to create potions.
After the bell rang, Harry and Neville stayed behind to give Lily a quick hug before leaving with girls for lunch. Harry checked their schedule at the Gryffindor table before they headed for Charms class.
Professor Flitwick was an interesting teacher. Short and cheery, but had the look of a sneaky individual in his eyes. Harry quietly told Ginny and Luna that the little professor was actually half Goblin on his father's side. Ginny nodded as her understanding of the professor grew.
"Today, we will not be using our wands in class," Flitwick's squeaky voice called. "We will be discussing the differences in the terms: spells, charms, hexes, curses, jinxes, and enchantments.
"Spell is the generic term for all magic," he continued. "Charms are spells that don't change an object to make that object fly verses transfiguring it to do so. Jinxes are minor hexes that are meant to be humorous and not cause undue harm like the Tickling Jinx. Hexes, on the other hand, are minor curses that can be potentially dangerous, such as Fire Hex. Enchantments are the same as charms, but slightly more powerful in scope and include Transfiguration spells. Curses are a term that is generally applied to a very dark hex and are can be very dangerous. Any questions so far?"
Ginny raised her hand. "Yes, Miss Weasley?"
"What would Privacy Spells be considered, sir?"
"Ah! A very good question, Miss Weasley!" Flitwick smiled. "Privacy Spells would be considered enchantments because they do not affect an object directly. Five points to Gryffindor for that excellent question."
Harry nudged Ginny's elbow slightly. Ginny turned to receive a smile and a wink from Harry. Ginny smiled and blushed. She could just hear Luna stifle her giggle at her friends' interactions.
The next day was Friday with the morning classes starting in the greenhouses, much to Neville's delight. Professor Sprout took an immediate liking to him with his knowledge of plants and herbs. Harry nudged Neville teasing him about being a "teacher's pet". Neville had shrugged telling Harry to wait for Professor Lupin's class that afternoon.
History of Magic proved to be boring, even with a new professor. Ginny, however, couldn't really focus on the class as her scar was burning and being very distracting. More than once during class Harry and Luna had asked if she was alright as Ginny kept rubbing her scar, trying to alleviate the sensation. After about the third time, Harry started shooting thoughtful looks at Professor Spears as he watched Ginny's reactions to the teacher's movements at the front of the class.
After lunch, Harry asked Neville to show Luna where their next class was as he pulled Ginny into a hidden alcove. As the door to the passageway closed, Harry turned to Ginny with concern on his face.
"You alright, Gin?"
"I'm fine now, Harry," Ginny smiled gratefully at him.
"Next time we have History of Magic, we're sitting in the back," Harry told her with a significant look. "Something about Spears is setting your scar off, and I know it."
"Harry…" Ginny sighed.
"No, Gin. Friends look out for friends and your…" he trailed off.
"A special redhead?" Ginny smirked.
"Well…yeah," Harry blushed.
"Well, you're becoming pretty special to me, too," Ginny admitted as she squeezed his arm slightly. "Come on. Don't want to be late for your uncle's class, now do we?"
Harry groaned a little as he saw Professor Lupin standing by the door to the classroom as they entered.
"Potter curse catching up to you, I see," Professor Lupin whispered to Harry on his way to the front.
"Uncle Remus," Harry complained with a blush. Lupin only smiled as he wiggled his eyebrows at Harry. Ginny was blushing but trying not to giggle, because she of all people, knew it was the truth whether Harry wanted to admit it or not. But then, she was just as smitten with the messy blacked, green-eyed boy as he was with her. Not that she was going to say that out loud to anyone.
"Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts," Professor Lupin began. "As the name suggests you will be learning how to use defensive spells and some offensive spells should you come across any of the creatures we will be studying."
"You two coming with us?" Harry asked Neville and Hermione as he, Ginny, and Luna prepared to sneak out of the Common Room after curfew.
"Uh…no," Hermione shook her head. "And I don't think you…"
"We won't get caught, trust me," Harry told her. He held up the Map and a shimmering cloak. "These guarantee we won't be caught."
"What are they?" asked Hermione.
"This is a map of the school that shows everyone in it," Harry held up the parchment. He lifted the cloak slightly. "And this was my dad's secret weapon here at Hogwarts."
"But what is it?" Luna asked as she stared at it.
"Watch," Neville grinned.
Harry handed the Map to Ginny before swinging the cloak around his shoulders. Hermione gasped as Harry disappeared before their eyes.
"Wicked!" Ginny smiled broadly. "An Invisibility Cloak!"
"Very good," Harry laughed as he tickled Ginny from behind making her squeal. Neville laughed as Ginny spun around trying to find Harry. Suddenly, Ginny disappeared from view but could be heard laughing.
"Alright, you two. Enough flirting," giggled Luna. "Let's get exploring."
"Have fun," Neville waved as Harry and Ginny's heads appeared next to Hermione, making her jump and screech out a high-pitched gasp. Neville and Luna laughed as Hermione tried to catch her breath. "I'll borrow them some other time and take Hermione out with me."
"Suit yourself," Harry shrugged as Luna slipped under the Cloak with Harry and Ginny. "See ya later."
Harry directed with Map as the girls steered them through the empty, dark corridors. They had to lean against the wall or hide in an alcove a few times as Prefects and a few teachers patrolled the halls. With the Map and Harry's knowledge of the secret passages, they made it to the sixth-floor terraces with very little problems.
"It's gorgeous here, Harry," Ginny quietly told him as they looked out at the half-moon lit grounds.
"That's why I brought you up here," Harry smiled. Ginny smiled coyly as she bumped his shoulder with hers.
"Part of the Potter Charm?" Ginny asked with a smirk.
"Only for redheads," Harry half-joked. Ginny stifled a giggle as she bumped Harry again.
Luna was sitting a short distance away looking at the Map as Harry and Ginny flirted with each other. She looked at the Entrance Hall strangely as she spotted two names moving toward the door. As she looked closer, she became even more confused. One name she knew, the other she didn't.
"Don't mean to intrude," Luna smirked as she looked up at Harry and Ginny. They looked almost startled as they looked over at Luna. "Lost in your own world?"
"Uh…sorry, Luna," Ginny cleared her throat. "What's up?"
"Do either of you know a Tom M. Riddle?" Luna asked as she looked back down at the Map before standing to look over the edge of the terrace.
"No," Ginny answered, confused.
"Not that I know of," Harry shook his head. "Why?"
"Because Professor Spears and Tom Riddle are headed into the Forbidden Forest," Luna pointed out to the grounds as a dark figure moved quickly toward the trees.
"I only see one person," Ginny mused as she looked down at the Map.
"That's weird," Harry pondered. "Maybe we ought to wait for a bit to see them come back."
"I think you're right, Harry," Ginny agreed as they shared a look.
"Something I should know about?" Luna asked. After another look and a shrug from Harry, Ginny sat down next to Luna.
"My scar has been burning every time I'm around Professor Spears," Ginny answered.
Luna looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. "Maybe it has something to do with this Tom Riddle and not Spears per se?"
"She has a point," Harry nodded.
"Maybe," Ginny shrugged. "We'll just have to try different things like sitting in the back of the class to see if that helps."
They waited, watching the Map for over an hour. They were discussing a few of their classes thus far when Luna spotted the names reappear on the map. The three of them watch as the figure of Professor Spears hurried out of the Forest back toward the castle. The half-moon shone brightly as it glinted off something on the Professor's chest.
"Is that silver paint?" Harry asked confused.
"If it is, it's still wet," Luna commented.
Ginny grimaced as the Professor neared the doors. Even being so far away she could still feel the burn slightly in her scar. Harry looked at her with concern. Ginny waved it off. She looked back at the Map as Spears and Riddle entered the castle.
"Could this Riddle have an invisibility cloak?" Ginny wondered aloud.
"It's possible," Harry nodded. "We'll keep an eye on Spears for now. If he does something funny, we'll go to my mum or Uncle Remus."
Ginny and Luna nodded their agreement.
A/N: The rotation is all out of synch, I apologize. No idea how or where to even start fixing the old rotation. So, "new" rotation (cross your fingers), Fam Mat, Birth Bond, Heart, Essence, maybe my X-Men stories (if I need a short break from HP again. Those will be done, it just might a bit.), Ever Love, and since I am in two comps (one is only if needed ATM, the other is ongoing), there will be sporadic one-shots again like Explain Yourself! (Spoiler-gonna work that into a new story for later). If the rotation should change again, I will let you know. As always, Thanks for the R/Rs.