Fan fiction: Harry Potter
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter. I own the original characters. Any similarities to persons living or dead are coincidental.
Rated R: For violence, some language, mature content, and eventual slash. Though I haven't decided how much, you have been warned.
Author's Notes: Joint Herbology/DADA assignment made in deference to one of my favorite stories, The Mirror of Maybe. Unfortunately it has been removed from ff.net. You can visit the Mirror of Maybe group by cutting and pasting this link: I'm sorry to say that this will be the last chapter I post on Fanfiction.net. When I posted my author's note explaining why I hadn't updated in a long time, it was removed and my uploading "priveledges" were removed for a time. Granted it WAS a violation of the Term of Service, however inadvertent, but my anger is not that the powers that be enforce the rules, merely that they enforce them inconsistently. I have seen many such author's notes that have not been removed or other violations of the ToS that have not been dealt with, yet I am punished within less than a day. What's worse is I am a paying memeber. Well if they wish to treat me that way without so much as giving me at least one warning, them I am perfectly willing to not pay them anymore money and use another fan fiction site.
Anyone wishing to continue to read this story can do so by visiting "http://groups.yahoo.com/group/knightsofmerlinskeep/" or "http://www.gayauthors.org/navigator/" or you can email me at navigator0047hotmail.com.
Chapter 10 | Chapter Selection | Chapter 12
Simon got his wish.
The very next day, it was announced that the Head Boy Alastaire Orichalum was resigning his position as Head Boy in order to concentrate more on his upcoming N.E.W.T.s. No one was really fooled by this explanation but no one said anything. At least not where anyone involved could hear.
Alastaire was still a Prefect, but he had made himself rather scarce, only acting as a Prefect when there was no one else and the need was great. It seemed that he, Oslo and Forest were all being ostracized by the Ravenclaws. Simon was too in away, but he didn't mind in the least. It was what he had asked for and the others were still quite friendly with him when they had to work with each other.
Simon took this newfound solace and applied it to his studies. He got the homework from both the second and third year students in his house and completed it simultaneously with his first year ciriculum. He had an idea and was going to present this extra homework to the headmaster in an effort to move through the years that he was behind as quickly as possible.
He would have asked the fourth years for their homework, but Simon knew that he had a penchant for putting just a little too much on his plate when it came to school. Plus he felt that the 'Less is more' attitude would sway the headmaster to his side.
By that weekend, he had all the homework finished to his satisfaction. Considering he was a perfectionist by nature, he hoped it would exceed the professor's expectations. He grabbed his bag full of scrolls and parchments and trudged down to the Great Hall for breakfast. The Headmaster was already there to his relief.
Rather than sit down, he marched straight to the head table, earning some rather odd looks by the entire school.
When he got there, seeing all the teachers eyes on him shook his nerve and he almost turned and left. The Headmaster beat him to the punch.
"Ah, Mr. Bergstead. A very good morning to you. You have something you wish to discuss?"
Simon's brain froze. This had to be simple, right? Then why was it so damned hard?
"Um..."
"Out with it, Bergstead," Snape snapped in his notorious venomous quiet.
"Yes, sir," he almost squeaked, "With you and Professor Flitwick, if you don't mind, sirs."
"I do not mind. Do you, Fillius?"
The diminutive professor smiled with delight, "Not at all, Headmaster. Shall we use the back chamber?"
"A capitol idea, Fillius."
The two professors stood and ushered Simon into the back chamber where they could speak in private.
"Now Mr. Bergstead, what can we do for you?" the Headmaster asked cheerfully.
"I- I was wondering if it would be okay, I mean I understand if it's not but I was just wondering..."
"Simon!" Flitwick snapped Simon out of his babbling, though his voice held no anger, "We can't say yes or no if you don't finish the question."
Simon blushed, "Yes, sirs. I was wondering if I might be put on a study track that would advance me closer to my year. I know it's only been one week, but I've gotten all the second and third year assignments done for all the non-elective classes. I haven't done some of the practical work unfortunatley, mostly because of a lack of supplies but the rest I have done and I even wrote up notes on them detailing exactly what happened, and I had some of my housemates verify them..."
"Simon!" Flitwick interrupted again, "Dear boy, you really must calm down. Your babbling again."
Simon blushed even further. It apparently didn't matter if it was Oxford or Hogwarts, his teachers made him nervous and therefore, he babbled.
"Sorry sir," he bowed his head, mostly to hide the red flush.
"So what exactly did you have in mind, Mr. Bergstead, or were we supposed to figure this out for you?" the Headmaster asked, clearly baiting the boy. Professor Flitwick threw him a rare but well deserved scowl which gave Albus even more amusement.
"Oh no sir," Simon's head shot back up, "I have it all worked out assuming you and the other professors agree to it. I can also modify it if you feel it's too much, but I assure you, I feel that I can keep up to pace with both the second and third years. I supppose I could even keep up with the fourth years, but I didn't want you to think I was taking on too much. I sometimes do that, but I'm positive I'll be able to handle the first three years with no problems. I even memorized the history texts Professor Binns uses for all seven years. I had some free time..."
"SIMON!"
"Yes, Professor Flitwick?" he finally squeaked.
"If you babble anymore in this conversation I will dock points. I'd say for the rest of the day but I can't expect miracles. Now tell me again, you say you memorized the entire seven year ciriculum for history of magic?"
"Yes Professor, at least the ones he's using this year. I didn't know if he changed his texts from year to year but," Simon slapped his mouth shut as he realized he was about to babble yet again.
"No, he certainly does not. You memorized them? ALL of them?"
"Yes sir."
Albus chuckled, "Perhaps we should have him teach History of Magic. He might make it more interesting."
"If he didn't babble his way through it." Flitwick agreed, "You said you did all the homework for all first three years?"
"For non-electives. I didn't want to presume that you'd allow it so I didn't take on any of the electives."
Flitwick gave the Headmaster a questioning look.
"It would not hurt to see if he is up to par. Though we would have to have the other professors judge on their respective classes."
"Very well. Let me see your charms work."
Simon went to the table and carefully set out the various scrolls. He organized them by class and then handed the charms work to Professor Flitwick.
Even Dumbledore was impressed with the number of scrolls on the table.
"This may take some time. Simon, you are still a growing boy and should get some breakfast. Please ask Professors Snape, McGonagall and Sprout to join us in here."
"Yes Headmaster," Simon answered, already on his way out the door.
When he shut it behind him, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He then realized that most of the eyes in the Great Hall were once again focused on him. Fighting down his embarassment, he walked over to Professor Sprout, as she was not only the closest, but the least intimidating.
"The Headmaster instructed me to request you, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape please join him and Professor Flitwick in the back chamber."
She looked at him curiously then shruged and nodded to her fellow heads of household. They all stood, with Professors McGonagall and Snape giving Simon odd looks. Snape's was more of derision, but after two classes with him, he expected nothing less.
As they made their way to the back chamber, Simon walked the short distance to the Ravenclaw table. He was immediately accosted by several of his housemates.
"What did you do?"
"Are you in some sort of trouble?"
"Did you get detention?"
Simon just sat down and put his head in his arms on the table.
"Oh I think I made a terrible mistake," he groaned into the table, "Terrible, terrible mistake."
"Well what's going on, Simon?" one of the first years asked.
"My life is over, that's what's going on," he groaned melodramatically back.
Not able to get anything further from him, they left him be at the end of the table and gossiped amongst themselves about what might be going on.
After a few minutes, Simon's growling stomach got the better of him so he dished himself up some breakfast. He ate silently, begining to calm down now that he had time to think about things clearly. The worst they could possibly do was say no.
The door to the back chamber slammed open and Snape stormed out, giving Simon a venemous glare. All eyes turned to him as he looked at the remaining professors.
"Staff meeting, now," he growled as only Snape could. He looked at the Slytherin ghost, "Baron, summon Professor Binns."
The Bloody Baron took a quick look at Simon and gave the boy an evil sneer as he floated off to find Professor Binns. Simon stared blankly into the wall where the Baron had disappeared into for almost a full minute before Snape broke his trance.
"Mr. Bergstead," he said with a vile politeness, "Since we are being generous enough to interrupt our breakfast to discuss your academic future, the least you can do is participate in the conversation."
'No, THAT was the worst thing they could do.'
Simon felt as if he were walking on death row. The whispers from the other students made it all the worse. As he passed by Professor Snape, the Potions Master gave him a look of absolute disgust normally reserved for Gryffindors.
Simon sped up if only to put as much distance between him and Snape as possible.
The back room was now full of most of the teaching staff. Professors McGonagal and Sprout were reviewing some of the scrolls that Simon had written. Professor Flitwick had begun handing out several more to the other professors to review as well. Snape just stood in front of the now closed door as if he were preventing Simon from leaving.
After a few minutes, Professor Binns floated through the painting of a wisened witch. Her protestations went largely ignored as Professor Dumbledore called everyone to order.
"Mr. Bergstead has made a request that we allow him to advance into a higher year," he began, "In effort to prove himself capable, he has completed each of the homework assignments given for all of the first, second and third year non-elective classes. This apparently includes the joint extra credit third year assignment between Professor Weasley and Professor Sprout. Something which wasn't due until end of this term if I'm correct."
"I'd like to see that, Professor," the red-haired professor stepped forward.
Professor Sprout handed him a scroll as she shook her head, "It's at the very least 'E' level work as far as Herbology. I'd give it an 'O' but not without seeing the results of the practical portion for myself."
Simon didn't know exactly what the 'E' or 'O' meant but some of the other professors looked impressed and nodded approvingly, so he figured it couldn't have been bad at all.
"I suspect that the practical portion was not completed," Bill stated as he perused the scroll, "It was designed to take at least two weeks to complete."
"No, sir," Simon admitted, "I admit some of the practical requirements I was unable to complete, mostly because of time constraints or in the case of Potions, lack of needed ingredients."
"Well it's good to know that some students don't resort to raiding my pivate stores," Snape said sardonically, earning a reproachful look from the Headmaster.
"Well I am forced to agree with Professor Sprout," Bill said rolling the scroll back up and handing it back to the Herbology professor, "This is exceptional work. Even more so given that he has not had either mine or Professor Sprout's lectures. We haven't even begun these topics in our third year classes yet."
"And this Transfiguration essay is remarkable" Professor McGonagall added, "But I am forced to wonder when Mr. Brgstead managed to read all the books required to complete these assignments. I do not wish to doubt that all of this work is his own, but it seems improbable that anyone would have enough time in one week to be able to complete all of it."
"I would agree, Professor," Simon said, more than a little nervous that he would not be believed, "but my grandfather left me quite a collection of books and tomes, including some of the school texts. I have read several of the simpler ones over the summer. It was from those that I was able base my work."
"And you brought those books with you?"
"No ma'am."
"Then what did you reference for your work?" McGonagall seemed to be getting a little annoyed.
"If what he told me earlier was true," Professor Flitwick interjected, "Then I would say the he referenced his own memory. He claims to have memorized all the texts for History of Magic."
The only ones in the room at that moment who weren't surprised were Dumbledore, Flitwick and Simon.
"Mr. Bergstead," Professor Sinistra spoke, "You have only been in my class once and I knew immediately that you were brilliant, but to have memorized the entire ciriculum for History of Magic?"
"Perhaps we should test the boy," the ghostly Professor Binns interrupted, "After all if he memorized all seven years of texts, I see no reason why he should continue with History. There wouldn't be much more I could teach him."
Most of the other professors nodded, but not for the same reason as Professor Binns was thinking.
"And what would that accomplish, outside of proving that Mr. Bergstead has the ability to retain largely unused facts?" Professor Snape asked, his voice uncharacteristically calm, "If we are to allow him to advance even one year, I would like to be certain that he is adequate to the task. He needs to understand the concepts. Simple memory retention will not be enough."
"I agree with Professor Snape," McGonagall added, "I will support his advancement if he passes both a written and practical exam."
"And what say the rest of you?" Dumbledore asked.
All of the other professors nodded their agreement save for Professor Snape.
"As I am clearly in the minority," he said with a note of mild annoyance, "I will reluctantly agree to this, provided that he spend at least one hour every day in potions tutoring with either myself or a tutor of my choosing, until I am completely satisfied that he is caught up with his chosen year. Potion making is too exact an art to allow anything less.
"Which reminds me, what year are we going to let him advance to?"
"That is a good question, Professor Snape," Albus noted, "Simon, what year do you think you you would be capable of handling?"
More than several of the Professor had looks or mutterings of disapproval, and Simon could guess that they thought he would try and tackle the seventh year. Simon wouldn't have minded trying, but magic was still a completely new concept for him and though he had learned a lot from just reading his grandfather's books, he knew that something so esoteric and strange could not be completely comprehended without lots of experience.
"Well sir," he began, his voice meek, "I honestly do not know enough about magic to truly make an informed opinion. I do believe that I can handle at least through third year, though I would like to try for fourth. Perhaps if you gave me a comprehensive test that included material for all seven years and then used that as a guide.
"Truthfully, I mostly want to advance closer to my own age group so I don't feel so... out of place."
"An understandable sentiment," Dumbledore nodded, "And I appreciate your efforts at remaining objective. I think a comprehensive test would be in order, however, I must impress upon you that whatever decision is made, it will be final. You are an unusual circumstance and I believe we can try to accomidate you, but it can only go so far. Is that understood, Mr. Bergstead?"
Simon thought for a second, making sure he understood everything. A thought popped in his head at the last moment.
"Do they have summer school for wizards?"
Several of the professors laughed but it wasn't a mocking laugh. Dumbledore smiled and his eyes twinkled.
"Your tenacity will do you credit, however, I must unfortunately tell you no, there is no summer school. At least not in Europe. I do believe the Americans often provide summer programs but then, you would have to transfer to their school system."
Simon nodded. It was worth a shot.
"I understand. Whatever or wherever I end up is it until graduation."
"Correct. You will have two weeks to prepare yourself, but, you will not be excused from your current classes or assignments. It would not be fair to the other students. However if your professors are willing, they might allow you to optimize your time in their class. You will be given permission to access certain texts from the restricted section, but you may not remove them.
"By this evening, I will give you a study guide, but it is a guide only. Your professors may ask of you any tasks they would ask a respective student for that year and you must pass to their satisfaction. I will review your scores and decide, with the input of your professors, which year is best suited for you. You will be notified the evening our decision is made.
"If there is nothing else?"
"No sir," Simon knew a dismissal when he heard it, "Thank you all very much."
"Then might I suggest you begin immediately. Have a good day, Simon."
"Thank you, Professor."
Simon made a quick exit. There were only a few students left in the Great Hall and they all looked at him expectantly. Simon couldn't help but smile. He might fail miserably and not be allowed to advance at all, but at least he could try, and that's all he needed.
"So not in trouble, then?" a cheeky first year Gryffindor asked.
"I'll tell you in two weeks," Simon smiled even more as he left to fetch his books.
Kim was in the middle of charms class when it happened. As he imagined the spark's red color, he swished, flicked and concentrated his magic. It was at that exact moment that he felt the tingling sensation his parents had warned him about. It lasted no more than a second, but Kim knew exactly what it meant.
But unfortunately for Kim, the surprise had affected the magic he was trying to perform. Instead of a red spark, his wand shot out a yellow spark. And it was a big one. He didn't hear the loud bang that reverberated throughout the charms class room, but he sure felt it. Especially as the cuncussion was enough to knock him off his feet.
Shaking his head to clear it, Aaron couldn't help but laugh. Professor Flitwick, who had been standing on his usual set of books, was also knocked to the ground. He looked most annoyed with Aaron.
"Really Mr. Devlin!" he snapped as he picked himself up, "I would think that you would set a better example for the students."
"I'm sorry, Professor," he said as he helped Flitwick up, still chuckling, "I just remember doing the same thing twenty years ago."
"Yes, and you laughed then, too," Flitwick growled, "incorigable brat."
Aaron had to stifle even more laughs. It was a rare thing to get Professor Flitwick upset, it was even rarer to get him to actually say something in front of the students. Aaron imagined himself chalking up one point for his accomplishment.
He quickly signed to Kim.
[So what went wrong?]
[I got surprised by something,] Kim tried to be ambiguous.
[And that was?]
[It felt like a ghost walked through me,] he lied. He knew what it felt like to have a ghost walk through him as he had accidentaly done so through several of the Hogwarts ghosts already.
"Peeves!" Flitwick shouted, even more annoyed, "That bloody poltergeist knows better than to disturb a class."
[I don't know if it was Peeves, sir,] Kim was quick to interject before his lie got to far out of hand, [It just felt like a ghost. It might have been that I was concentrating to hard.]
Flitwick gave both Kim and Aaron a look, not sure if Kim had picked up any of Aaron's old habits yet, but then he shrugged.
"Well it's your first week. I have no doubt that some of you will cause even bigger explosions throughout the years. Alright everyone, that's good for today. Make sure you practice your sparks OUTSIDE. We don't want any accidents."
Kim was one of the first students out the door. Without even waiting for Aaron, he raced up to the owlery. When he got there, he jotted out a quick note to his parents. Aaron walked in just as he was tying it to a barn owl's leg. Without giving Aaron a chance to ask what was going on, Kim signed to him.
[I need you to tell her to take this to my parents and to wait for their reply. It's important.]
Aaron did so and only when the barn owl was well on her way, Kim relaxed. Aaron, putting one and one together stopped him short of leaving the owlery.
[Hold up,] he signed, not vocalizing his words, [I know this has something to do with your little explosion. What's going on, Kim?]
[It's nothing.]
Aaron gave a look of utter disbelief.
[Don't con me, kid. Something happened and I want to know what?]
Kim took a deep breath while he tried to come up with a plausible lie.
[I had just remembered something that I forgot to tell my parents and the spell got away from me.]
[And can I ask what was so important?]
Kim couldn't keep eye contact so he just shook his head, [It's private.]
Aaron wasn't fooled for one instant with Kim's lie, but he remembered how all three of them had acted in Diagon Alley when they had met Harry Potter. He decided that he would wait and see if anything else happened before pressing the issue. He motioned for Kim to follow him to their next class.
Professor Snape was not pleased at Kim's tardiness or his explanation and docked Gryffindor ten points as a result.
That evening, an hour before his bedtime, the owl returned to Kim in the Gryffindor common room. It dropped the letter off and then flew away before it could be sent out again. Kim opened the thick letter.
Inside, he found his parent's letter, a drawing of a crest and a platinum pin that bore the insignia of the Knights of Merlin's Keep. Kim stared at the pin hard. Only fully inducted members got pins, and they were usually gold.
Kim had to restrain himself from yelling out with joy. This meant he had been given a name among the Knights and he was a full member with all rights. Kim knew it was only a matter of time before that would happen, but to come so soon and the fact that they gave him a platinum pin really astonished him.
But it also scared him. They would not have done this without great need. As it was, Lord Morgan was not happy with his decision to induct Kim because of his youth, but the circumstances demanded it. However, Lord Morgan did not perform all of the initiation rites, stating that they would only do what was absolutely necesarry. Something big must have happened.
Kim pocketed the pin, reminding himself to hide it in his trunk. Then he opened the letter from his parents. It was long, and full of the usual rhetoric that was expected of parents who had just sent their children away to boarding school, but Kim knew better. The letter was written in a code.
He looked at what day his mother signed the letter. It was the ninth day of the month. Kim remembered that meant every fifth character was the real message. He took out a quill and parchment and scratched out the note. When it was finished, he re-read the new letter carefully.
His mother was brief, but very much to the point. She told him his name among the Knights and what it meant and about Lear and how the Key was believed to have been found and recovered by a wizard. She also mentioned that the Matron gave permission for Kim to go to Dumbledore in the event of an emergency. He was to show his pin to Dumbledore and answer all his questions as concisely and honestly as possible, but only if it were a true emergency.
Her last instruction was to keep them up to date on what was going on with Harry Potter. He would not need to write out his reports in the code, but keep it vauge enough to not arouse suspicion in case his letter was read.
Kim folded up the secret note once, took a good look at the crest that he now knew was his and then tossed both of them into the fire. He watched until he was satisfied that nothing but ash remained.
Tomorrow, Tilhører would begin his duty in earnest. The listener would be listening.
Every free moment Simon could muster was put to use in his quest to advance. He studied during breakfast, lunch and dinner, free time and whenever he had available time in class. Most of the professors were willing to let him do so when he was finished with that day's assignment so it was a great boon. Professor Flitwick even spared him a few extra minutes to explain the differences between Wingardium Leviosa and the Mobile spell. (Mobilcorpus and Mobilarbus from PoA, used on living things as opposed to inanimate objects.)
Professor Snape was one of the few who did not allow it, but the potions required all session to brew anyway. Simon also noted that Snape had not berated him for anything that week. In fact he seemed almost pleased when he noticed how Simon had organized his desk everytime they brewed a potion.
Simon memorised every book that he was allowed to access from the Restricted section. He figured the fewer times he would have to bother Madam Pince the happier he would be and her mistrusting glares he got those few times that he did were proof of that.
By the end of the two weeks he had studied so hard that he managed to give himself a headache and nose bleed. Something he promised himself not to do since graduating Secondary school. Oh well, it was for a good cause. At least that's what he told himself as he marched himself to the hospital wing. After the dressing down he got from Madam Pomfrey, he decided that the cause was not that noble and to avoid hurting himself further.
It was now Saturday and the day of the tests had arrived. Professor Dumbledore owled him a schedule that morning at breakfast. The history test was first. If he passed that, the other professors had a minor written exam each. Then in the afternoon, the practical exams would begin, starting with Potions.
Simon ate a healthy breakfast and then went out for a quick jog to get his blood flowing. He returned just in time to grab his supplies and return to the Great Hall where the testing would take place.
"Over here if you please, Mr. Bergstead," the Headmaster indicated a desk that sat right before the head table, "We shall conduct your written examinations here."
Simon set his bag down next to the wall as he noticed that quill, ink and parchment were going to be provided. He presumed, correctly, that they were bewitched with anti-cheating spells. Simon didn't mind. He didn't need to cheat.
It took him a good chunk of the morning to finish the History exam, but by the looks of Professor Binns and Dumbledore, he guessed that he was just slightly ahead of what they expected. Professor Snape practically swooped in with his examination. Simon guessed that he was determined to try and keep Simon down as many grades as he could. Simon just breathed in and out a few times, then plowed right into the questions.
This exam was hardly minor in Simon's opinion, but he said nothing. He was determined to beat Snape at his own game if he could. He didn't expect to get everything right on all of the test, but if he could just to show Snape up, then he would. He thought every answer carefully before writing it out. By the time he was finished, it was half an hour before lunch time.
Professor McGonagall handed Simon her test with no preamble, motioning for him to hasten. Simon guessed that whatever he couldn't finish before lunch, he wouldn't be allowed to start after, so he wasted no time in trying to finish all the tests he could.
Unlike Professor Snape, the other professors were apparently trying to legitamately guage his competence rather than sabotage it, so the tests were quite easier. In the end, he ran out of time before he could finish his charms exam, but as he looked at the questions that he couldn't answer, he knew that it didn't matter. He didn't know what the answers were anyway. All of the other exams he managed to finish.
He shook his hand to stretch it out and managed to pop a few joints.
"See Madam Pomfrey for a salve before your practical exam, Mr. Bergstead." Professor Flitwick's tone made the order perfectly clear to Simon. But the look on his face showed great pride. Simon couldn't help but smile.
"Yes, Professor."
After lunch and the brief visit to the hospital wing, Simon returned to the Great Hall. The house tables had been removed and there were several stations that Simon would take his practical exams. Snape had a two large stone tables, one set up with six standard size 2 cauldrons, the other full of jars of ingredients. Simon was curious for a second as to the location of the seventh cauldron but that was soon answered as he came closer. It stood on the floor due to its size. Simon surmized it was a size 5 or 6. What shocked him was that it was solid gold.
Snape sneerd at him as he recovered from his obvious shock.
"I trust that there will be no mistakes with these potions, Mr. Bergstead. Though the school provided these regular cauldrons, this gold cauldron is one from my personal supply. I will be most displeased if you damage it."
Simon gulped.
Professor McGonagall scowled her displeasure at the potion master's obvious intimidation of Simon, but could say nothing. The other professors next to her seemed to also be in a rather annoyed state at Professor Snape, but he noticed none of it, or he was very good at ignoring it.
"Shall we begin?"
Simon took the parchment that had the potions list on it. Some of the more advanced ones would require brewing all day, but only one required that he actually attend to it regularly. The others could just simmer for a few hours. Simon decided to start on those first and then he would check up on them periodically throughout the day. Snape seemed both annoyed yet impressed by Simon's choice.
He went to the ingredients table and instantly recognized the organization. He silently thanked God for Snape's unwavering consistency when it came to dealing with potions. He pulled out the ingredients that he needed for the first potion. Setting them out in the order and portions needed, he replaced the jars so he would know where to find them again. Snape was again impressed but annoyed.
The first three potions were started and now Simon had to begin the one that required use of the gold cauldron. Again, he pulled out the ingredients necessary for the potion, but had to ponder where he was going to get the water to start with. The pitcher on the table seemed to only have enough for the other potions.
After a full minute, Professor Snape cleared his throat.
"Lost already, Mr. Bergstead? You could always start the other potions."
"But this one is rather elementary even though it requires a gold cauldron," Simon replied with a furrowed brow, looking at the cauldron rather than the professor, "If I don't brew that one, I am sure to fail."
"Well then use what water you have left and brew the potion."
"Then I won't be able to brew the other potions and I'll still fail."
"Hmm.. Maybe if you hadn't bothered with the more advanced potions first you could have passed at least the second year potion. Tyipical Bergstead arrogance if I ever saw it. Tut tut, Mr. Bergstead, I'm disappointed."
Snape's voice and facial expression told Simon he was anything but disappointed, but Simon had a bout of inspiration that he knew would disappoint the potions master. Simon gave the potions master a plotting smile.
"Creo Aquula!" he yelled with a flick of his wand. A stream of water shot from his wand and filled the cauldron. Snape scowled like there was no tomorrow. So focused on annoying Professor Snape, Simon missed the other professors chuckles.
"Finité!" he yelled again when the cauldron was full enough. Snape was apparently out of tricks as Simon ran into no more snags while he started the remaining potions. He monitored and tended the one that he knew would turn bad if he left it unattended until it was done. He filled one of the flasks that Snape had set out for the finished product.
"Evanesco!" Simon evaporated the rest of the potion. Several of the other potions were now also finished and he bottled them up as well. Now all he had to do was occasionally tend to the remaining three throughout the day. He could now move on to the next practical exam.
Each professor had their turn with Simon. None of them made it easy for him but they had not gone out of their way to make it more difficult like Professor Snape had. Professor Flitwick even gave Simon extra credit for his intelligent use of the create water charm, much to Professor Snape's ire.
Professor Weasley's practical exam had to be the most difficult, Simon mused. He had to duel the professor. Simon came out a little worse for wear in that one he was sure but he had thrown in a few good spells. Professor Weasley was most impressed with his use of Accio on his shoes. It had managed to not only trip the red-haired professor, it left him shoeless throughout the remainder of the duel.
Only when Professor Weasley finally managed to disarm Simon did he call the duel over. Simon was twitching a little as he pulled himself up from the floor.
"Finité Incantatum," the Headmaster called out, cancelling Bill's twitching curse. Simon sighed in relief as Bill handed him his wand back.
"Not bad, Mr. Bergstead," he smiled. Simon caught his breath and tried not to blush as he looked the Professor in his wonderfully blue eyes.
"I won't lie, you are definitely not what I'd consider seventh year material but given your lack of experience, you did quite well."
"Thank you, Professor," Simon really tried not to blush now, only it was more due to the compliment.
He quickly broke eye contact and hastily made his way to the stone tables where his remaining potions were just finished brewing. One of them looked nothing like it was supposed to and Simon frowned. He could have sworn he had that one right, but there was no time to figure it out. Professor Snape was waiting. He bottled the potions and cleaned the cauldrons, double checking that the gold cauldron was absolutely spotless. Snape seemed very satisfied that Simon had paid extra attention to his cauldron.
"Very well, Mr. Bergstead," Dumbledore said already clearing the other exam stations away with his wand, "We will review your performance and inform you of our descision within the week. You will begin your new year, if any the following Monday."
"Yes, Professor. Thank you."
"You are quite welcome. Now why don't you go enjoy the rest of your day."
"I will, Professor," Simon smiled.
Simon woke up by the lake feeling very contented. He became even more contented when he noticed that Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger had apparently joined him.
"The sleeper has awakened!" Hermione quipped.
Simon stretched and yawned, "I don't feel like the Kwisatz Haderach, but thank you anyway."
Hermione broke out into a minor fit of giggles which caused Ron to frown. Simon wasn't supposed to make his girlfriend giggle.
"The what?" Harry asked, not noticing Ron's displeasure.
"Kwisatz Haderach. It's a reference to a muggle book called 'Dune' written by Frank Herbert."
"It's nice to know that I'm not the only one around who reads," Hermione said, placing her arms around Ron, noticing his slight jealousy, "Though I have to admit, it wasn't one of my favorite books."
"Mine either," Simon replied, "I think my favorite book would have to be Patrick O'Brian's 'Master and Commander'. Rather I like his whole series of books.
"I would have never thought you'd be interested in books about the sea." Hermione said.
"And that's true enough, but I like it more for his portrayal of the friendship between Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin than anything else. The two men are so different yet they manage to cultivate a very deep friendship." Simon sighed as he mused about his favorite characters, "What I wouldn't give to have a friendship like that."
"Well you've got us, haven't you?" Harry asked, wanting to see how Simon would react.
"As much as I appreciate the sentiment, Harry, it takes years to build a friendship like that."
"Or mountatin troll" Ron muttered prompting ear to ear grins from both Harry and Hermione.
Simon raised an eyebrow at the three, knowing there was much more behind that statement.
"Do I really want to know how a mountain troll fits into this conversation or is it better if I just accept it and move on?" he asked with an amused smirk.
"What do you think, should we tell him or leave him thinking us strange." Harry asked his two long-time friends.
"He'd have to swear never to tell anyone else. I don't doubt Old McGonagall would take away points even after so long if she found out what really happened." Ron said, "Not to mention the detentions she'd hand out."
Hermione squeezed him in her arms, "I don't think she'd be that angry, Ron."
"Hermione Granger bold-faced lies to a teacher, our head of house I might add, and you don't think she wouldn't be angry?" Harry asked, prompting Hermione to turn very red.
Simon sat up straight, "Now I must hear this story!" he exclaimed, "Hermione lying to a teacher? I can't believe it."
Herminone buried her head into Ron's chest in embarassment as Ron and Harry explained what had happened in their first year. Simon was flabbergasted.
"Wow!" he finally managed, "I never dreamed such creatures could exist. And to take one on when you were so young."
"Truthfully it was Ron who did most of the work," Harry replied, "I just distracted it."
Ron's ears went pink at hearing Harry describe him as the hero.
"Even still." Simon shook his head in amazement.
"Now you musn't tell a soul, Simon." Hermione chided, "We could still get into very serious trouble."
Simon held his hand to his heart. "I swear to God and on my parents graves that I will tell no one... At least not until you've graduated."
"Fair enough." Harry said.
Simon yawned and lie back on the ground. "Oh I'm so tired. I worked myself to exaustion these past two weeks, getting up early and staying up late."
"So what was that all about anyway?" Hermione asked. "Rumor has it your trying to advance yourself into seventh year."
Simon chuckled as he sleepily closed his eyes.
"Close," he replied, "Remember when the Pofessor's had an impromptu staff meeting two weeks ago? I had asked them to advance me into a higher class. To prove that I could handle it, I did all the homework assignments given out the first week for years one through three."
"Blimey! You are worse than Hermione." Ron said, promptly getting smacked in the stomach none to lightly by his girlfriend.
Simon just laughed in response. "I admit that I'm an over-achiever, but I wanted to be closer to what my year would be if I had started four years ago. So Professor Dumbledore and the rest of the staff agreed to test me to see what year I would be advanced to. They gave me the last two weeks to study and today was the test day."
"You studied seven years of magic in two weeks?" Ron asked disbelievingly.
Simon's eyes shot wide open but he remaind lying on the ground. "No, no, no. I couldn't have possibly studied for all seven years in just two weeks. I'm smart but I'm not that smart.
"Professor Dumbledore gave me a study guide. Starting with that, I asked various seventh years what to expect on the end of term exams. From that point I guessed what would I would most likely be tested on and studied those topics. I already know I aced history, but even though I'm sure I did well on the rest of the exams, I doubt they would place me higher than fourth year.
"Personally, I would hope they won't. There is a lot more to magic than I could possibly learn in seven years, much less three. I am confident I could catch up with you guys eventually, but I don't want to miss anything on the way."
Hermione smiled with delight. "It's such a relief to finally have a friend who thinks the way I do.
"Yeah," Ron said, "You're both mental!"
"Ronald Weasley, you are such an insensitive jerk!" Hermione yelled and stormed off.
"Hermione, wait!" Ron ran off after her, "I didn't mean it like that!"
Simon looked at Harry with some mild worry, but soon relaxed as he saw that Harry was quite amused by the event.
"As I said, It'll last forever or they'll try and kill each other by year's end." He said with a grin. Simon grinned slightly in return.
"I hope he won't be angry with me."
"Well he might get a little jealous because you and Hermione relate so well, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. She really likes him a lot and deep down he knows it."
"Well I admit she's kind of nice, but definitely not my type."
Harry raised an eyebrow at the other boy, who had already closed his eyes again.
"So what is your type?" he asked trying to be non-chalant.
Simon's eyes opened fully but he did not look at Harry directly.
He thought about what to say, the sorting hat's words echoing through his mind. 'Your kind is not regarded well in this world' it said. He knew that the hat was talking about his sexuality. Apparently the wizarding world was just as unaccepting of gays as the Muggle world.
"I can't honestly say," he replied, his words meaning more than they implied, "But I don't think my type would be someone too much like me. I mean, it's kind of silly to date oneself, don't you think?"
"And Hermione is too much like you?"
"Close enough. From what I've heard about her, she could easily be the posterchild for Ravenclaw. I've only been here for three weeks and already I've been voted by my housemates as 'Most likely to be Rowena Ravenclaw's heir'.
Harry felt a chill down his spine when Simon mentioned being an heir to one of the founders, his encounters with Slytherin's heir once again in his thoughts. Simon did not notice Harry's sudden uncomfortableness as he was trying to talk himself out of his own less than comfortable state.
"Apparently, the one who held that honor before me was the one who nominated me. Thank goodness it was an unofficial and unscientiic poll. I'd shudder to think if everyone in my house thought that. Can you imagine the pressure of having so many people look at you as some sort of idol?"
Harry snorted in disgust. Simon looked at him in curiosity and got a mild glare in return.
"I think I can imagine that quite well, thanks," he said derisively.
It took Simon a second to comprehend why Harry was so upset.
Oh my God," he said as he sat up, "Harry, I am so sorry. I didn't mean it like that... I mean, I did, but I didn't mean to say that you didn't, I mean... Oh shit I'm such an idiot!"
Harry did a take when Simon swore. Though he had only known the other boy for a short time, he knew enough about him that he did not like profanity in the least. But he did have to agree with Simon on one small point; his statement was pretty idiotic.
Simon took a deep breath to collect his thoughts so he could explain himself. "Look, I admit that I'm not very good in social situations. I always end up saying exactly the worst thing someone could say. I could repeat the entirety of the U.S. Constitution, backwards, and in several different languages but I still can't manage to keep my foot out of my mouth."
Harry's annoyance dissipated at hearing Simon's words and more so his tone. The other boy was truly sorry.
He sighed.
"I'm not going to lie to you, Simon. That I'm supposed to be the wizarding world's saviour is not something I'm happy about. All I did against Voldemort was survive, nothing more. I don't know what you've heard or read about me, but I can assure you that whatever it was, it's far from the whole story. I admit, I'm a little sensitive about these things, so I tend to maybe overreact a little but I know you didn't mean anything by it."
Simon looked at Harry's sheepish smile and returned one of slight embarassment. The two just sat there for a time smiling at one another. After almost a minute, Simon felt himself go flush with embarrassment.
"Umm... I should probably take a nap before dinner." he said nervously as he stood.
He wasted no time in heading towards the castle. Before Harry could even object, Simon had already passed him and was well on his way. Harry did manage to catch the slight bulging in the boy's pants as he passed. He also noticed that Simon was trying his best to readjust himself as to better hide it on his way back.
Harry couldn't decide whether he should be happy or sad. Simon obviously enjoyed their little staring contest, but he seemed so freaked out by it. He definitely liked Simon in more than a platonic way and he hoped Simon felt the same way, but after seeing what happend between Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan, he didn't want to get his hopes up.
Dean and Seamus had fooled around for most of their fourth year, but for Seamus, it was just a little experimentation. He found that he difinitely liked girls but Dean had thought there was something more. Thankfully his roommates managed to work it out without any noticable fallout but with Simon the situation was totally different.
For one, Harry only knew him for less than two months. Dean and Seamus has been good friends for three years and still were. Secondly, Dean and Seamus we not only in the same year, but the same house which put them in the same dorm room. Though Simon was Harry's age, he was a Ravenclaw. No midnight sneaks into the other's bed for them. Lastly, Harry honestly didn't think Simon could keep it to himself. Oh he was sure the boy would keep their secret about the mountain troll, but this was a whole different ball of wax.
Simon was a very emotional person and everyone knew it. If Harry propositioned him and Simon was in fact not gay, it could be very bad for Harry. If Simon was and they tried to have a relationship, what would happen if it didn't work out? And if it did, how could either one of them keep it a secret?
The most frightening thing to Harry was what would happen if it got out that either one of them was gay. Harry felt that he could deal with it. Most of the Gryfindors would either not care or support him and all would back him up in a fight out of principal, but he knew nothing of the other houses. Did the Ravenclaws have a similar house bond?
Harry sat by the lake thinking about his problem until it was dinner time. Then he took his woes with him back to the castle, hopefully where he could sort them out on a full stomach.
Chapter 10 | Chapter Selection | Chapter 12