...
Four minutes passed. Harry stood frozen staring at the door. Finally his brain kicked into gear. Snape had issued him a goal. Harry needed to devise a plan and execute it quickly.
What questions will Snape be likely to ask when he returns? Probably the same one from twenty minutes ago. But this time Snape was likely to follow the question up with a punishment for going to Hogsmeade while Sirius Black was still loose and after him.
Harry knew Sirius was innocent, but he wasn't prepared to share that information today. Proving Sirius's innocence was going to take proof. Harry was determined to prove his Dogfather's innocence. Snape had told him that contriving such plots required anonymity if they were to be pulled off and nothing was going to stop Harry from achieving this goal and the privilege of a new home. If it meant he had to deal with being punished then so be it.
But Snape had also made a stance on his proclivity toward rewarding achieved goals with privileges. Harry likely had an hour, two at most before Snape returned. Maybe, just maybe if he achieved the goal Snape had just set him he'd get off light.
Harry was nervous about using magic to complete a detention. If Snape caught him... But last summer, and again today Snape had reminded him that he is a wizard and that magic should be used to achieve goals.
"Tergeo." Harry repeated the cleaning spell several times, pointing his wand at various stains and splatters on the first table. He'd spell one table clean every ten minutes until Snape returned.
With the first table done Harry gathered the ingredients, cauldron and stirrer needed for brewing a calming draught. He was still a ball of nerves from the run back from Hogsmeade and soon Snape would be back to rile him up before seeing if he could give a passable lie. A calming draught would be necessary if he was going to get through round two, especially considering the number of things he was keeping from Snape at the moment.
Harry brewed the draught and spelled tables clean. As he worked he visualized the potential conversations and lies he'd be telling. He used a cooling charm on the potion, drank it and quickly, but calmly put everything away.
Snape sat at his table, drumming his fingers. 80 minutes had passed. The boy had better have devised better lies by now. If not he was going to find it mighty difficult to sit this evening.
"At least the brat is capable of learning some lessons," Snape muttered in his mind as he was assailed by the aroma of calming draught and the gleam of tergeod tables. "Time for intimidation." Snape walked over to his desk and pulled out the paddle he had used on Harry the previous spring.
"It is time we deal with your punishment for endangering your life. I believe the standard is six swats."
"Danger sir? I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what you are referring to. I've been working on my Transfiguration essay. I can go get it if you'd like to see it.".
"Is there someone that can verify this? Did anyone see you working on it?"
"I'm sorry sir, no I was alone. The common room tends to be noisy, even with just the first and second years around."
"Then shouldn't Madame Pince be able to confirm your presence in the library?"
"I'm sorry sir, I wasn't there either." Harry drew a finger across his scar, "People whisper and stare, sir. It's easier to work alone. I found an empty room and I've been using it for studying. I didn't see any people in that part of the castle today, but perhaps one of the portraits could confirm I was there."
Snape gave a small nod. "Bravo. This performance was much better than your earlier one. You still need the acting classes, but you did well enough to get your punishment cut in half. Now over the table."
Harry complied and prepared himself for the three hits. At least this time he had more clothing to protect him and Snape seemed to be skipping the hand spanking; that was a relief.
CRACK! "Hisss! Ow!" Harry's vision faded for a moment as all of his senses were on the pain in his rear. Perhaps there was a purpose to the hand spanking. The paddle was a shock to the system when there was no prior build up.
Harry waited for the second hit, but it didn't come. The paddle rested on his bum and Snape spoke, "What precautions did you take to protect yourself in case you came across Black today?"
"I practiced diffindo and bombarda, sir."
"Hmm. A lie. But a well stated one. One more to go." Snape pulled the paddle back and swung down again.
Harry was more prepared for this one. By bitting his lip he managed to let out no more than a whimper.
"Risking your life and taking no precautions to protect it is not allowed. You have a brain and the ability to use it. Failing to do so again will earn you six to your backside, good lie or no. Now stand up. You're about to get a lesson in protective and defensive spells."
Harry gave his bum a rub to help dissipate the sting. Robin pulled out his holly and Phoenix feather wand in preparation for his first lesson in defense from Batman.