Beta'd by: Bombadilo Baby.
Sorry about last week folks. I had a family Birthday, and just didn't seem to find enough to time write a (decent) chapter. Hopefully this makes up for it? (puppy-dog eyes). Let me know! :-D
Like many writers I know, any/all reviews, favourites, and follows are viewed with the highest regards.
A Bamboozling Weekend to You All!
-G
Harry met Draco's grey, adrenalin filled eyes. They stared at each other in mutual delayed shock. The blonde haired boy's hand even now still clasped tightly across his lips. Slowly Draco pulled away, inhaling a shaky breath. One by one they passed back through the re-opened doorway, barely allowing a whisper of noise from their feet (aside from the melody still pouring from Blaises' mouth), until the heavy locked slid back across the door. Sealing the sealing beast inside the room, mere feet away.
Silence reigned, until one of them whispered chokingly.
"Holy Fuck."
Chapter 19:
"Holy Fuck."
The silence was heavy as they stared with wide eyes, and hearts pumping loudly in shock.
"Why in Merlin's name is there a bloody three headed dog in a school?!" Pansy hyperventilated, voice croaky, blue eyes growing damp.
None of them answered. Greg, stood up a little straighter, though still shaky. "We need to move." He said in a mostly-steady voice, looking towards the nearest staircases.
Vince shook his head dazedly, as he tried to compose himself. "Dorm Room?" he suggested, though he was glancing nervously back towards the re-locked, thankfully silent, door.
Blaise stood slowly up from where he'd slid down to the cold stone floor in relief. "We should go now. I-I'm not sure, but" he stammered hoarsely, "I think we probably set off alarms going in there…" he trailed off.
Draco's eyes sharpened as he darted a nervous glance back towards the heavy door. "We should find Sev" he decided, not looking quite as sure as he sounded. "H-He's bound to find out anyway." He reasoned with the others anxiously.
Harry went deathly pale at the mention of his Godfather, but remained silent. He knew they were right. Severus always found out if he and Draco did anything at the Manor, but he was suddenly swamped with terrified dread to see the mix of fury and disappointment on his Godfathers face when they told him what they'd done.
Daphne nodded her head resolutely, straightening her uniform with shaky hands as she stood. "Let's go, then."
They walked in a huddled group down the dark corridors of the castle silently, faces pale.
It was only chance that they didn't cross paths with any patrolling teachers or students, when they finally came to a stop outside the entrance to Severus' office.
They stared at the door blankly, none of them moving to announce their presence, when it suddenly swung sharply open, making them skitter back in fright.
They looked up into the dark scowling face of their Potions Professor, which swiftly morphed into flickers of concern as he scanned the group of pale shaken first years before him.
Wordlessly he stood aside, opening the door widely for them to pass through into his warm, fire-lit, office.
They slipped silently through the entrance, standing closely together in the space at the centre of the room.
The door snicked shut behind them, as Severus strode over towards the group, dark eyes sweeping over them assessing.
"Explain" he dark voice brooked no argument.
Harry's eyes slid down towards his feet, unable to meet the gaze of his Godfather.
Goyle stepped forward determinedly. "We were out breaking curfew, sir." He admitted "Filch's cat almost caught us."
Vince piped up. "We didn't want to lose any points for Slytherin, so we ran to hide in the closest door we could find." His face paled further as he remembered. "We-We didn't know we were on the third floor, sir." He said earnestly, voice quivering.
Severus' face drew tight in alarm, horror rushing through the man as he realised what had happened. He stepped forward sharply, eyes dartingly sweeping the first years for any sign of injury.
"You reckless, imbeciles! Are you injured?" he demanded, eyes dark with worry "Was there any others with you?"
They all hastily shook their heads, eyes huge as they took in the usually stern professor.
Severus almost wilted with relief, though it was short lived, and closely followed by fury. "What in Morgana's name" he snarled, his back unfurling to his full height as he strode forward, cloak snapping at his heels "possessed you to run about the school at night, without supervision" he went on, heedless of their wincing faces "or even adequate knowledge or your whereabouts!" he demanded.
"Do you have any idea of the dangers you were in tonight?" he snarled, eyes flashing furiously, still filled with horror as his mind provided the various scenario's in which this night might have ended.
"200 points from Slytherin for your idiocy! You can be assured I will be writing home to each of your parents in the morning, and I will be seeing each of you for detention in evenings until Winter break. Nightly." He informed them, causing them all to pale further at the mention of their family.
He whipped out his wand, casting a series of complicated wordless health scan charms over the group. His scowl eased momentarily in relief as he was assured of their good health, aside from the obvious states of shock. Without of blink of his eyes he conjured a long lounge in front of the fire, several blankets and cups of hot fresh tea. With another sweep of his wand, the first years found themselves seated and bundled in front of the fire, hands wrapped around hot beverages, with a furious Potions Master stood before them.
"Now" he went on, darkly. "Explain. Fully." He insisted, crossing his arms as he waited for their answer.
They shared a nervous look between them, before Draco nervously started. "Weasley challenged me to a wizards duel after class today." He admitted, looking down. "I wasn't thinking clearly at the time, sir. He'd just attacked Harry, unprovoked, in class, and then came after us to insult my family. I ended up agreeing." He scowled briefly, remembering Weasley's behaviour. "I just wanted to get him back for trying to hurt Harry, and insulting my family! I didn't actually duel him! We just, sort of . . . covered him in green slime and made sure he was caught by a Prefect. Percy Weasley found him in the Trophy's room around midnight, before dragging his back to the Gryffindor common room." he admitted. "We were on our way back then, but we honestly didn't mean to get stuck on the third floor corridor, Sev." He said quietly, grey eyes phasing out, as he shivered on the seat. "It's my fault. I-I'm sorry." He whispered, tears slipping down his face.
Harry straightened, green eyes determined as he faced his Godfather. "It wasn't all Draco's fault. We all agreed to help, and went with him after curfew." He admitted, shakily. The others all nodded in confirmation.
Draco looked up in surprise, sharing a brief grateful look with the rest of his housemates.
Severus snapped sharply at them, drawing their attention back. "Indeed, you did. I expected better from you all. Any issues you have with Mr Ronald Weasley, or any other student, in the future, will be brought immediately to me or another teacher. As was clearly stated at the start of the year. This behaviour is unacceptable, and will not happen again. Is that understood?" he insisted.
They hastily nodded, several eyes growing damp.
"I will ensure that Mr Weasley is also, suitably punished for his involvement, but know that this idiotic suggestion in no way condones your own behaviour." He scowled.
"I assume you have questions. Ask now as, thanks to your poorly chosen behaviour, I now have several tasks needing my immediate attention." He snapped.
They shrank back, shoulders hunching. Daphne timidly asked the first question, voice tremulous. "Sir. . . why? What on earth-? Why was there-?" her voice shook.
Severus sighed, looking suddenly weary. "I trust you are enquiring about the creature you saw tonight?" he confirmed. "This in confidential information." He went on, slowly. "all I can tell you is that it has been placed as a security measure. But no student should have ever been able to access its location through that door. It is something that will be rectified immediately." he stood from his chair, walking towards the door.
"Come. I will escort you to the common room." He ordered.
They hastily stood, following after their Head of House as he strode down the dungeon corridors.
He opened the hidden passageway in the Slytherin common room. "I will be expecting you all in my office, at seven o'clock sharp come morning." He informed them, sternly. "To discuss the ramifications of your actions further."
His scowl eased slightly as he saw their subdued faces. "Thank you for coming to me tonight, though, I will expect you not to leave it so late in the future. As a teacher, and your Head of House, you should know that I will always do my upmost to assist you." He said, gently, dark eyes solemn. "Go to bed, now." He went on, sighing "I suspect you could all use a good night's sleep before tomorrow." He said, ushering them up the stairs to their dormitories.
A subdued group of Slytherin's made their way to Severus' office the next morning. The common room had been in turmoil, with many of the Slytherin students furious, demanding to know who knew anything about the loss of points. They'd managed to sneak out un-noticed, though they all knew it was only a matter of time before the Slytherin's found out who was responsible.
Pansy knocked timidly on Severus' door, before stepping back closer to the others.
It swung open almost immediately, and they froze upon hearing several very familiar voices from within.
"Enter." Severus called out, as the room fell silent.
They edged their way into the room, legs moving stiffly as they suddenly became the centre of attention. Their eyes widened in confirmed horror upon seeing all of their parents assembled (or his Guardian, in Harry case).
Narcissa was the first to move, breaking the silence. She stood swiftly from her chair, rushing over to enfold Draco in her arms.
"Thank Merlin, you're alright." She murmured, strong arms tightening around the young blonde boy.
Harry stood awkwardly to the side as another pair of parents stepped forward towards Pansy. A tall dark haired lady with bright blue eyes was followed by a slightly shorter man, whose sharp golden eyes were fixed on his wife and daughter.
Pansy's mother embraced her swiftly, hand carding through her hair briefly before stepping aside to make way for her Husband. The man raised his eyebrow expectantly at Pansy, who was shifting nervously under her Mother's arm.
"Sorry, Da." She said quietly.
"I should expect so." He replied, golden eyes fixed on his daughter. "If I hear you've stepped one toe out of line again, young lady, you'll be hearing from me." He reprimanded, before clasping his hand briefly on her shoulder, causing Pansy to fling herself into his arms.
Harry turned away, suddenly feeling awkward for eves dropping on the families. He stood slightly apart from everyone, as the families talked quietly together, when his eyes sudden met another's across the room.
Harry froze, eyes transfixed as the tall dark man approached.
He stared up at his silent man. ". . . Godfather?" he asked, nervously. Dreading the man's reaction.
Suddenly strong arms were wrapped around him, and he was pulled forward.
"Harry" Severus' voice fell roughly on his ears.
Harry was startled "Godfather?"
Severus' arms tightened. "Don't you dare do something like that again." He murmured, so quietly that Harry almost didn't hear him.
Harry's heart suddenly felt constricted in his chest. "I-I won't." he promised, burying his head further against his Godfather's chest, hands tentatively coming up to wrap around his Guardian. "I'm sorry." He whispered, trying to keep tears from falling as he suddenly realised something: this was someone who actually cared about him, who would actually worry about his safety.
Harry tucked his head in further, to hide the tears that slipped down then, as Severus rubbed his back reassuringly. Though Harry suspected he knew.
Eventually Severus eased away, hands still grasping Harry's shoulders.
"Take a seat, Harry. There's some questions we need answered before you all go to classes." He said.
Harry nodded, pulling away to join Draco, Vince and Daphne on the lounge. Pansy, Greg and Blaise were still stood with their parents near-by.
"As I was just explaining before you children arrived, I had a delightful discussion with Mr Weasley last night." Severus told the room.
Lucius snorted disdainfully as he peered out the charmed dungeon window.
"Despite trying to deny involvement, Ronald did eventually admit to instigating your little midnight duel." He said, turning to Draco. "Though this in no way excuses your behaviour in response. His House has had fifty points deducted, and he will be serving detention with Filch nightly for the next fortnight." He informed them.
Lucius turned back to the group, peering down at his son. "Indeed. I have certainly taught you better, Draconis." He said pointedly, grey eyes firm.
Draco shrunk away reflexively, shame returning at his own thoughtless actions which had put his friends in danger.
Narcissa rested a hand on her son's shoulder, reassuringly, easing some of his guilt.
Severus continued. "What we need to know is how you gained access through that door on the third floor, and how you all managed to escape unharmed." Severus concluded, eying them seriously, waiting for one of them to bring forward an explanation.
One of the Mother's, Harry thought it might be Greg's, was muttering disbelievingly to herself about three headed dog's and schools.
Daphne had gone pale as she opened her mouth to speak. "That was me, sir." She admitted, shrinking under her parents disappointed gazes. "I used the alohamora charm. But I would never have opened the door if I'd realised which one it was!" she swore, eyes adamant.
Severus scowl darkened upon hearing this information, and he flickered a glance at Minerva. "And once you were in the room?" he queried, the other adults also quiet as they listened to their explanations.
This time it was Blaise who answered. "Music, sir. I remembered what my Mother had told me once, regarding the calming magical beasts, like Hydras. I sang." The dark haired boy said quietly. His Mother froze upon hearing this, the hand she had around her son stilling, before it resumed rubbed reassuringly up and down his shoulder as she listened to the conversation. Her eyes as hard as flint.
The room was silent. "Do you mean to tell me that a simple, first-year spell was able to open such a dangerous door?" demanded Vince's father, breaking the lull. "Why were such protective measures even implemented at Hogwarts?!"
All the adults around the room also looked furious at the prospect.
Minerva turned to Severus in worried confusion. "Someone must have broken the barrier, Severus. Though no student here should have been capable of such magic." She rationalised with concern.
Severus was frowning in contemplation, tapping his long fingers slowly against his thigh, gazing absently at Harry. "The wards were only broken tonight, which means that, unless you have allowed anyone else entrance to Hogwarts, they should still be somewhere on the school grounds." He reasoned.
The adults gazes sharpened at this revelation.
"What's the dog guarding under the trap door?" Harry asked curiously, the question slipping past his lips without thought.
The Teachers froze, glancing towards the other adults in the room, before silently deciding unanimously. "That information is not appropriate for minors, Mr Potter." The Headmistress informed them, slowly. "I'm afraid I'll have to ask you children to step out for the moment. You can all talk with your parents after breakfast, please go prepare yourselves for your classes." She instructed calmly.
Harry opened his mouth to argue, but fell silent as he noticed the stern expression on Severus' face.
He nodded reluctantly, waiting for the others as they murmured quiet goodbyes to their parents, feeling another twang in the direction of his chest as he watched the families before him. At least until he caught his Godfather's gaze once more, and the flicker on concern in those dark eyes.
Harry smiled shakily at his Godfather, with an awkward-jerky wave, before they all trod back out of his Godfather's office. Harry's thoughts all circling nervously around how angry Severus might be once they had a chance to talk properly about last night.
It wasn't until the door clicked shut behind them that he felt some of the tension, he hadn't known he'd been carrying, ease up around his chest.
Vince sighed, rubbing his face wearily. "My Pa's going to be so mad." He moaned.
Draco froze in horror suddenly realising something important.
Everyone turned to him curiously, then with growing alarm as they took in his expression.
Draco moaned loudly. "There's no way I'm getting a broom for my birthday, now." His shoulders slumped heavily. ". . . . bollocks." He cursed under his breath.