Touched by Death – Chapter 8
Harry felt exhausted and tired. The Gryffindor had convinced Professor Lupin to start teaching him the Patronus Charm. He remembered Marcus telling him the spell required significant power, hence his magic would feel drained. Harry never really comprehended on what it would feel like with his magic drained. Harry had brushed aside the comment and felt like he could deal with it. It made Harry feel guilty that he didn't give Marcus' words more thought.
So far, all Harry had managed to make was the mist. Professor Lupin kept assuring him that this was very advanced magic. So that the Gryffindor could create the mist was a feat in itself. It took a while to get the mist to work, almost a month. It was weird that Marcus never mentioned what his corporal Patronus was. That made Harry backtrack in his thoughts, could Marcus cast a Patronus?
Another thing that kept nagging at Harry was his previous conversation with Professor McGonagall. His professor had increased the time limit for Harry to decide about Quidditch. The woman had decided that a week was too small of a window. So, she gave him approximately two months. The professor had explained that Madam Pomfrey had given the final decision. And considering Gryffindor wouldn't have another match for another month.
Harry wasn't sure if he was thankful for the extra time limit or not. The Gryffindor pretty much knew after the first week he was going to quit. The only thing preventing him from telling McGonagall his answer, was the backlash from the team. Harry naturally brought his concerns to Marcus to get his point of view.
The Slytherin snorted, "you realize you can just ask you Head of House to make the announcement to the team."
Harry blinked up at Marcus. "Why didn't I think of that?"
Marcus gave a small laugh, "well you are a Gryffindor. So, you answered you own damn question."
Harry gave a small huff before maturely sticking his tongue out.
"Despite your childish concerns over Quidditch, how did the conversation with your so-called friends about your classes," Marcus probed.
Harry groaned in reminder. He clearly remembered how that had gone. The Gryffindor had been the in the Gryffindor Common Room when Hermione confronted him about missing classes.
The bushy haired woman was affronted that Harry had dared to skip Divination, despite that she had started to despise the fraud woman. Harry had felt a headache coming on with the impending lecture.
Ron had seemed indifferent about the whole thing. It was more that Ron found it hilarious that Harry had skipped the fraud's class.
The Potter heir wasn't stupid, he saw the pitied looks from both Hermione and Ron. He knew they were just a fraction of scared as he was. Harry felt like his friends were more scared of this Grim. Harry didn't know what to think of it. That had been the beginning of his friends catching on what was going on. Harry knew that he needed to tell his friends that he dropped Divination and wanted to be a Healer. It was just that Harry didn't know how to bring the conversation.
It was by the fourth or fifth attempted lecture that Harry just snapped at his friend.
"I'm not skipping Divination, Hermione! I dropped the stupid class! Now lay off my back…" Harry had stormed out of the Common Room, fully aware that everyone was now looking at him.
Harry didn't look back behind him, knowing that Hermione would have a crest fallen look on her face. Usually Harry would have normally felt bad about focusing his anger at his friend. Hermione had been grating on his nerves for a while. No wonder Marcus hated to deal with most Gryffindors. Especially if they are so inquisitive as Hermione tended to be.
Ron didn't know what to think when he found out about Harry dropping Divination. On one hand he couldn't blame his friend considering his death was predicted in every class. On another hand, the red-head was mad that Harry left him alone with Hermione. His anger would go up later when Hermione would drop the class. Since he figured that Divination was a class that he could slack off with Harry.
This argument confirmed Harry's opinion to not tell Ron and Hermione about his healing lessons with Madam Pomfrey. The Gryffindor knew for a fact that his friends believed he wanted to be an Auror. It irritated him that neither of his friends had asked what he actually wanted. It was like another thing that was expected of him. Yet the only person that wanted to know about Harry and listened to him was Marcus.
Harry had to jerk himself out of his thoughts and memories and stayed silent.
"That bad?" Marcus asked.
Harry slumped back in the chair he was sitting in. "That's an understatement…"
"So, they know about your apprenticeship…" Flint left off, almost like a question.
Harry let out a snort.
Marcus looked amused, "I'll take that as a no."
Harry took comfort in that the Slytherin stayed in close proximity. "They know I dropped Divination."
Flint didn't look surprised. "But they don't know about you quitting Quidditch…"
Harry gave Marcus a scathing glare.
The glare didn't faze Marcus, who sported a smirk in response. "I'll take that as a no."
Harry's face grew hot as he mumbled, "shut up…"
Marcus barked out a laugh, "least I don't have to deal with any bothersome Gryffindorks…"
Harry almost pouted, "yeah… and leave me to their mercy…"
Harry had been all nerves as he stood outside his Head of House's classroom. It felt very similar to when he had met with the Professor over a month back. A change he was very thankful for. For this instance, Professor McGonagall had been expecting him.
"Mr. Potter, I am assuming you have made your decision," The professor inquired.
"Yes, Ma'am. I want to quit Quidditch, so I can focus on Madam Pomfrey's lessons."
Professor McGonagall didn't look surprised by her pupil's decision. Though she was a little down heartened, knowing that Gryffindor would lose their winning streak. Despite that Slytherin had won the previous year.
"May I ask a favor, Professor?" Harry asked hesitantly.
The professor's eyebrows rose in curiosity. "What would that be, Mr. Potter?"
"Could you tell the team that I quit? I don't want another confrontation like last year," Harry's response was filled with nerves.
"Confrontation? Explain that," McGonagall asked.
"Well last year almost all the upper years had targeted me upon learning I could speak to snakes. Which included several people from the team," Harry answered.
That was when Harry for the first time saw McGonagall shocked. "Why was I not informed about this?"
The Potter heir immediately felt guilty. "To be honest, I didn't think you believe me. You didn't believe me about the Stone. I just assumed you wouldn't this time, either. It was my word against them."
Minerva was flabbergasted, "I can't tell you how much I am sorry that I gave you that impression, Mr. Potter. A student should never feel unsafe in this school and I am sorry that I let you down. Do you recall who those students were?"
Harry softly smiled, "Thanks, professor. I'm sorry I didn't go to you, I really didn't know who to go to. But I had one of the prefects from another house to help me. So, I don't think names are useful now."
Professor McGonagall almost hated that her student had to mature because of his peers. She hated that she couldn't be there for one of her students. Though it didn't escape her notice that it wasn't a Gryffindor prefect that helped her student. She was going to have a word with all her Prefects about this. "Who helped you, Mr. Potter?"
Harry had to fight within himself if he should admit that Marcus helped him. "Marcus…" the Gryffindor said quietly.
The Transfiguration professor looked thoughtful. "A very talented young man. I may see if I can convince the Headmaster to approve of Mr. Flint to be Head Boy next year."
Harry looked shocked beyond belief. Did his Head of House just compliment a Slytherin and to the point of giving him a high position? Or really a higher position than he already had. "I think Marcus will greatly appreciate that…"
McGonagall nodded, "I will speak to the House of Gryffindor tomorrow about your resignation. Now, off you go, Mr. Potter. I believe you're scheduled to be in the Hospital Wing in ten minutes."
Harry looked panicked before mumbling a quick thank you and practically ran out the door.
The strict professor let out a soft laugh.
Minerva did not know what had become of her lions. It was a behavior that she would not tolerate. Gryffindor was known for Loyalty after all and she knew that Godric must have been ashamed to see what had become of his house. She didn't doubt that Godric would be the only founder ashamed to see what one of the four houses had become. The Transfiguration professor was certain that all four founders would have been disappointed and angry. If there was one thing the founders had cared about, it was their students. And that had not changed over the centuries despite the founders' deaths. The strict professor was not blind to see the prejudice from three of the houses the previous year. But there was only so much she could do unless a student came to her. There were only a few incidents that she personally witnessed, and they would realize how strict she could be.
Which now brought to what was happening now. McGonagall had asked to speak with the entire Gryffindor Quidditch team and it appeared that Mr. Potter's friends were there too. Minerva wanted to sigh with annoyance.
"I believe I requested to speak to the Gryffindor Quidditch team, not two nosey third-years," McGonagall's nose flared.
"We wanted to know why Harry dropped Divination…" Hermione started.
"Then I believe it is Mr. Potter that you should be asking," Minerva cut off Hermione. "Off you go since I did not request your presence."
Hermione wanted to protest before Ron nudged her. She bowed her head in defeat before dragging Ron out of the Common Room.
"Before I was interrupted, I have an announcement for you all. The Gryffindor Seeker has resigned from the team…" Minerva started to speak.
There was an uproar from their professor's last words. Minerva honestly didn't expect any better. Though she was a little surprised that both the Weasley Twins didn't say anything. It was more like the red-heads were watching their teammates' reactions. McGonagall realized that they either knew or had a suspicion that Mr. Potter would quit. The Transfiguration professor was very thankful she had decided to speak to both Weasley Twins on who actively tried to hurt one of her lions. Minerva was well aware that Mr. Potter had no intentions of revealing who his attackers were. McGonagall was not going to let it go unpunished despite that she knew that Mr. Flint most likely humiliated Mr. Potter's attackers. She already knew that she was going to let go one of her prefects. And she needed to speak with Filius and Pomona about the behavior of their prefects.
"Silence!" she barked at the Gryffindors.
The common room immediately quieted down. Nobody was brave enough to dare to anger their professor.
"Now that I have your attention, I will clear up some things. You do not have any say if any of the team decides to resign. That is their decision and only their decision. I am appalled at all of you. Gryffindor is supposed to be loyal and in this past year I have yet to see that loyalty. Three of you will be temporally suspended from the team and prefect privileges revoked. I will appoint another Gryffindor prefect in your place. And you will be serving detention with me for two months. Gryffindor House will be losing 150 points and you better hope it does not happen again. And if I find that any of you attempt anything on Mr. Potter, you will not like the punishment."
Minerva glared hard at her students and was glad to see that the ones who went after Mr. Potter looked nervous. Maybe she should have the detentions split between her and Severus. But she knew the looks were also of anger. McGonagall was silently thankful she had least chosen wisely for the Headboy, which was Percy Weasley. The young man had honestly been shocked when he realized what his house had done and it surprised Minerva as it was the first time she saw Mr. Weasley lose his cool. Yet it was no surprise that Mr. Weasley wanted retribution for those who hurt his brother (in his eyes).
Harry was caught by surprise when he was corned by two certain Weasleys.
"Harry, our dear friend…"
"So nice of you to speak with us this fine day," George finished.
Harry snorted, "what's up guys?"
"Well we had the most interesting conversation…" Fred started.
"with dear Professor Minnie…"
"Something about a certain player…"
"Decided to bail on us," George grinned.
Harry groaned, "don't tell me that Professor McGonagall asked who it was last year."
"I must admit, Gred, it was a very serious question," George said theatrically.
"Very serious indeed, we almost didn't have it in us," Fred grinned.
"I hate both you…" Harry muttered.
Harry received two identical grins in response.
"Though I must say…"
"Professor Minnie takes it very seriously…"
"When one of her lions is injured," George finished.
The younger Gryffindor couldn't help himself, he let out a small laugh. It was always interesting to hear Fred and George finish each other's sentences. Seeing as it confused most people and had to watch it like a ping pong match.
"Feel free to include us…"
"On your masterful plan…"
"Quite ingenious it is, don't you agree, Forge?"
"Alright guys," Harry laughed. "Honestly I could have dealt with people being hostile. I love Quidditch don't get me wrong. But I wouldn't be able to have the career I wanted if I stayed to play it. And I have more time for studies for once."
"Oh dear me, Gred…"
"Are we having another bookworm Granger?"
Harry snorted, "maybe another Prefect Percy."
"Did our innocent little Harry…"
"Just make a joke…"
"About our dear older brother," George laughed.
"Maybe you guys could learn something from him," Harry teased.
Just the horrified look at the twins faces made the third year double over in laughter.
The twins instantly sobered up and their eyes grew mischievous.
"I believe that our…"
"dear friend still has not included us…"
"in his grand masterful plan…"
"I agree Forge, it is very rude…"
"Very rude indeed."
Harry rolled his eyes at the twins' antics. "Well to calm your nonexistent fears. I am not going to be an Auror, Curse Breaker, or Dragon Trainer. I'm training under Madam Pomfrey."
"A very noble profession…"
"Very noble indeed…"
"Harrykins is growing up…"
"It's so heartbreaking," George said as he wiped an imaginary tear away.
Harry rolled his eyes as he muttered, "whatever…"
The twins started to laugh when Harry noticed his next class was in five minutes. It made the boys laugh even harder when Harry accused them of doing this on purpose. It was as Harry was practically running out the room that he didn't realize he had two visitors, not aware that both of them had been eavesdropping.