Danny decided to inform Dumbledore of the fact that Harry had detention the following Saturday and that he won a phial of felix felicis. It was a quick report as that was really all he learnt. The next day, Danny was floating down the corridor at lunchtime when Harry, Ron and Hermione ran over to him.
"Danny!? Hey!" they called happily. Danny stopped and turned to them with a smile.
"Hey guys. How was your summer? Good OWL results?" Danny greeted them. They nodded.
"Yeah it was good. We spent most of the summer at my house together," Ron answered. Danny nodded.
"Glad to hear it," Danny replied.
"How's your arm?" Hermione asked, motioning to the arm Danny had injured at the Ministry of Magic.
"Oh, it's fine. Wouldn't know I hurt it. Thanks for asking," Danny informed them truthfully. As Danny had kept his distance from Harry at the end of the previous year, he hadn't interacted with them as Phantom since the afternoon after Sirius died.
"How are you Harry?" Danny inquired carefully. Harry blinked before nodding.
"I'm fine," he muttered. Danny nodded.
"How was your summer?" Hermione interjected quickly.
"Dull, been trying to find those ghosts Voldemort recruited," Danny answered, ignoring Ron's sharp intake of air.
"Any luck?" Harry prompted. Danny shook his head.
"No. I caught one. But honestly, anyone could've. I've seen a lot of activity though. You heard about Ollivander the wandmaker?" Danny replied. The trio nodded.
"I reckon it was a ghost that kidnapped him. And there are other disappearances that have tell-tale signs of ghosts too," Danny informed them.
"That's terrible," Hermione breathed. Danny nodded.
"But I can't predict where they'll be so I have to search the old fashioned way. And there are a lot of places ghosts can hide," Danny added.
"Why are you at Hogwarts then?" Ron asked. Danny smiled.
"Security is tight around here. Call me extra security inside the castle itself that no one will know about or suspect. Also, if Voldemort sends ghosts here, I'm your best chance at stopping them," Danny admitted, keeping his more important reason to himself. Harry frowned.
"You're following me again, aren't you?" he grumbled. Danny chuckled.
"Old habits die hard Harry. It's not my orders but I do check in every now and then. I saw your lesson with Severus," Danny replied, it was best to say that than admit he was watching another student in Harry's year. Harry scowled.
"He deserved it," Harry muttered angrily. Danny shrugged.
"Maybe a bit. But he is a teacher Harry. But if you'd acted that way towards Umbridge last year from the start, you might have avoided so many detentions," Danny retorted.
"You're not going to tell me off? He's part of the order right?" Harry asked, surprised. Danny shook his head.
"I'd be a hypocrite to do that. Me and Severus don't generally get on either. But I do try to remember he's on our side. So, try to remember that too, yeah?" Danny revealed. The trio of students blinked in surprise and nodded. Danny smiled.
"Why don't you get on with Snape?" Ron inquired.
"He didn't really take to me when I was introduced to the order and later we had a disagreement about me watching Harry's occlumency lessons," Danny admitted. Harry flushed.
"You-er you saw them?" Harry muttered embarrassed. Danny nodded.
"We had a couple of arguments and we haven't been friendly towards each other since. Even when I saw you three had disappeared at the end of last year, we worked together, but not happily," Danny added.
"Huh, I thought I was the only one that hated Snape," Harry mumbled.
"I don't hate him. I just dislike working with him and talking to him," Danny corrected. Harry nodded.
"And hate is a strong word Harry. I understand why you dislike Severus, but hate is… it's a lot stronger and all encompassing," Danny warned. Harry shrugged.
"Snape made Sirius feel bad about staying at headquarters. He's the reason Sirius ran off against everyone's wishes," Harry growled. Danny blinked.
"Harry… I'm sorry you feel that way. But honestly… I think you are insulting Sirius's memory," Danny ventured. Harry blinked at Danny like he'd been slapped.
"What are you talking about!?" Harry hissed. Danny knew he was treading on thin ice.
"That sounds like you think Sirius only ran off to protect and save you to prove a point to Severus. He wasn't that kind of person. I doubt he thought about those things at all. He ran off to save you because… because he cared about you and loved you. He went after you because he was brave and strong not a sulking child proving a point," Danny explained. Harry hung his head.
"You're right," Harry whispered.
"But I don't think that. But if Snape hadn't made all those comments-" Harry resumed after a moment of reflection.
"Sirius would have still gone to help you. It was the type of person he was. Although, he might have listened to orders before escorting you to King's cross station if Severus hadn't made those comments. You want someone to blame, I understand. But Severus isn't at fault. I was. Maybe Dumbledore too. Voldemort, definitely. But… not Severus," Danny interjected gently.
"It wasn't your fault Danny," Hermione muttered. Danny shook his head.
"I still blame myself. Can't help it," Danny replied softly.
"Phantom! A word!" Snape called angrily.
"Uh oh. I'm in trouble for something. See you guys around," Danny mumbled and quickly floated after Snape into an empty classroom. He didn't notice the trio of students behind him share a look and discretely follow him.
"What's up Severus?" Danny asked, keeping as calm as possible.
"You told Dumbledore about Potter's detention!" Snape accused. Danny shrugged and floated into a comfortable, lazy position.
"I did. Is there a problem with that? Was it meant to be a secret?" Danny replied, not able to help himself in taunting the teacher.
"Yes! There's a problem! You're watching my lessons! I've told you not to!" Snape growled angrily. Danny gave Snape a cold look.
"And I don't listen to you. I thought I proved that last year," Danny retorted.
"Just because you can go anywhere you like doesn't mean you know best," Snape hissed. Danny gave a sharp humourless laugh.
"I'm not so arrogant to believe that Severus. But you can't say that those occlumency lessons last year went well. Nor can you say that you didn't treat Harry differently afterwards. I think you need someone objective to tell you when you're out of order," Danny responded.
Snape took a furious step forward.
"I think you need that more than me. Where do you get the idea that you know better than me? You're dead and a child," Snape hissed. Danny scowled.
"We're back to that again are we?" Danny retorted coldly.
"You can't deny that you're a ghost. And ghosts, while they usually are kind natured, live on after the living die," Snape replied. Danny scoffed.
"Kind natured? Where have you heard that? Ghosts I deal with wouldn't hesitate to hurt you," Danny reminded the wizard. Snape scowled.
"And I'm so glad that we have you," Snape sneered sarcastically. Danny scowled.
"You don't know what you're talking about Severus. You have a problem with me? Take it up with Dumbledore," Danny concluded having enough of the wizard.
"Stop watching my lessons!" Snape commanded. Danny raised an eyebrow.
"I'll do what I think I should. If that means watching your lessons, then you can't stop me," Danny retorted.
"I could banish you from my classroom," Snape threatened. Danny snorted.
"You can try. For the record, I only told Dumbledore you gave Harry detention, not why. I don't get why you're so angry about it. I wasn't the only one watching you know. It was in the middle of a lesson, Dumbledore would have found out either way," Danny replied cockily.
"It's the principle! You're watching me like… like a criminal! I am on the same side," Snape growled.
"I've told you. I'm not watching you! Get over yourself. I watch a lot of lessons. I don't see Minerva getting upset, or Hagrid. And before you ask, they know I watch their lessons," Danny grumbled. Snape pursed his lips.
"Do you criticise them?" Snape inquired stiffly.
"I did advise Hagrid a little last year. And I only said one thing to you! Geez, you'd think I'd given you a whole lecture!" Danny answered grumpily. Snape huffed angrily.
"Don't watch my lessons in future. If there's anything Dumbledore needs to hear from events in my classroom, I'll report it," Snape ordered. Danny shook his head.
"I told you. Sometimes I have to watch things to understand what's going on. Talk to Dumbledore. Now, I'm leaving," Danny concluded and phased out of the room. He frowned at the trio of eavesdroppers as they grinned sheepishly. Danny rolled his eyes.
"I'll let it slide this time since I eavesdropped on you guys. But better go now. Severus is in a bad mood," Danny muttered before floating down the corridor, no longer hungry due to his anger.
Yeah, Danny and Snape do not get along.
And Snape keeps using low blows against Danny without realising it.
Anyway, not much else to say. Let me know what you think.
Until the next chapter.
