CHAPTER 17-SIX O'CLOCK COMES EARLY

After Severus left, Mr. Filch said to them, "There are stools for each of you at this table. You will remain seated on the stools while you work and not stand up unless you need a restroom break or assistance". Having finished giving instructions he went to the desk and sat in the comfortable teachers chair, put his feet up on the desk and pulled out his book.

The kids each found a place at the table then looked at the ten large barrels sitting at the end. The first one, which Severus had opened, contained dead bats that had to be dissected into ten different parts, starting with the eyes. It was going to take forever to get through processing all of the bats.

Hermione looked at Draco and Harry, back at the barrels, a smile began to spread on her face. "If we utilize the assembly line process, with each of us just dissecting and storing one item, then passing the bat on to the next person, we could finish this a lot faster. When you become proficient at one thing you can start doing it a lot faster."

All of them looked like a light bulb had turned on. They quickly divided up the duties, according to what everyone had experience with. It turned out that many of them had to clean bats in detention during first year. Once they started, the bat population began to diminish quickly.

It was during the all this activity that Filch looked up to see what they were up to. Sadly all he could see them do was distributing the bats and they had to get off the stools to do that. Professor McGonagall said they could talk as long as they kept it to a low rumble and it didn't slow their work down.

Filch was not happy that he couldn't punish them if they messed up but he would be able to use them to do his chores in a few days and that was good. Also, he was being paid extra for this duty and all he had to do was sit, read, and send offenders to the Professor when needed.

The kids felt that the only thing standing in the way of feeling good about their approach to the problem was their "posterior extremities". 'Sitting' was becoming more and more difficult. They were squirming continually trying to find a comfortable spot, but there were no spots left un-swatted to assist in their "sitting", and they were sure that someone had put nails in their stools, so they were left to suffer and endure.

Hermione was determined that by tomorrow she would know the "cushioning" spell. It had to be in the text books somewhere. The teachers probably didn't say anything about not using magic or taking their wands because they figured that the 'not-yet' second years would not know enough magic to make any difference.

Harry had the same idea, but he was thinking about a wand-less spell he could use to give everyone some comfort. He had forgotten to check if his book had been confiscated or not, but he doubted it. It resembled a text book so he could always hope.

When it was finally dinner time they had made quite a dent in the bat population.

Filch looked at his watch then stood up and told them they were excused for dinner.

The kids didn't need to be told twice, they stood quickly. They had taken their restroom breaks as many times as Filch would let them but it hadn't helped give their poor 'bums' much rest. Now they had to go to supper and sit on those hard benches.

They all planned on eating their dinner quickly, and some of them might not even stick around for dessert. They were required to attend meals, and probably eat, but they doubted they were required to eat sweets.

The kids were pretty quiet during the meal. The Adults tried to include them in conversations but they were just not interested and just gave short answers to their questions. Finally the teachers gave up. The adults knew they were tired, it had been a very traumatic morning for them and a very long day.

There was one moving moment during the meal when Cassy came in and went straight to Harry. She crawled into his lap with a very long face. The extra weight Harry could have done without but he would never deny Cassy.

Harry looked at her eyes and they looked really sad. "What's wrong little one?" he asked.

"I got a spanken" she replied, sticking her lower lip out just a little more.

"I'm sorry Cassy, "How many swats did you get, did it hurt much?" he asked her.

"Oh yessssss, I got hundreds of swats and it was t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e" she said, sticking the lower lip out even more.

All the adults, especially Alice, had to turn their heads down toward their food to help them from just bursting out laughing.

Just when Harry was going to react, her whole countenance changed. Her eyes lit up, her lip became normal size and her energy level increased. "But guess what Harry, when my spanking was over, Ms. Alice held me real tight and told me I was special. Special Harry! No one ever told me I was special she said to Harry. Isn't that neat Harry?"

Harry grabbed her and hugged her. The adults could see that his eyes were tearing up and he said, "Yes Cassy, that is very special indeed, and very true! You are special."

Severus had to turn away as he now knew the full impact of the words he had shared with Harry after he spanked him."

Harry continued, "What happened to the 'hundreds of swats'? You're smiling now so you must feel better uh?"

"Oh Yeh, I forgot," and the lip came back out and the long face returned.

Harry smiled and said, "Listen Ms. Special why don't you go try the long face on Grandpa, you need some practice."

"OK" Cassy said, and with that jumped out of Harry's lap and headed toward Albus for some more sympathy.

Some of the kids did not eat dessert, but nobody said anything, they just watched them walk silently out of the great hall toward the dorm.

Some of the adults felt bad for them but not bad enough to make it any easier for them. They had to know this was not a normal, "break the rules" thing. They had nearly caused injury or even death to many people and they had to know there were consequences. None the less, they knew the kids were suffering tonight, and they felt bad for them.

They had no classes that morning so there was no homework. Since Hermione had the time she decided to try and find that cushion charm. She lay down on her stomach in front of the fireplace and made it through all the books she had by the time the rest of the group had arrived. She couldn't find the charm she was looking for and was left frustrated.

Draco asked her what the problem was and she shared with him what she was trying to do.

"I have some more text books in my trunk I'll go get them for you" said Draco.

"So do I", said Ginny and Luna.

Harry went to check his trunk and was relieved to see that his wand-less magic book was still there. He looked at the contents and was thrilled when he saw a "cushion charm" listed. He settled down to practice on himself in hopes he could help out the others tomorrow.

Severus went back to the class room to check on the bats and the quality of work that the students put into the process. He figured that the kids were not happy and what better way to take out your anger than mangle a few bats.

When he arrived he saw that four of the ten barrels were empty. He knew for sure now that they had destroyed hundreds of galleons worth of product, and they would definitely be a sorry group of teens when he finished with them.

When he checked the pickled product, all ten different pieces of the bats had been processed properly. He was in shock. The process was just as it was supposed to be and the product looked to be in very good shape. It was even dated, labeled and placed on the shelf behind the older product.

How in the world could they have finished four barrels in a half a day, and with sore bums?

He had agreed with Albus that they didn't know enough magic to use their wands in the process so there was no need to confiscate them. Perhaps, just perhaps, they were wrong. But... the product looked to good to be done by magic. At least Severus knew that he probably could not have accomplished what they did with magic.

But still, just in case, he was going to take their wands tomorrow. Not because he wanted them to suffer, yes, perhaps a little bit, but also using magic was not always reliable and could easily damage this expensive product.

If they didn't use magic though, then how did they accomplish what they did?

He then went to his parents living area for after dinner drinks. When he arrived he shared with them what he found. "If they didn't use magic, then how in the world did they accomplish what they did?" he asked.

Albus just smiled and shook his head. Minerva smiled also but added, "We all know that they are gifted, so if you want to know I guess you're going to have to watch them somehow, without them knowing."

"You know, I just might do that" laughed Severus.

"Speaking of kids" said Minerva, "Did you guys catch the act being put on by our little Cassy?" Everyone broke out laughing.

"Harry sent her to me next, and her hundreds of swats became thousands" laughed Albus.

"Yes thats quite a fish tale when you consider Alice only swatted her six times lightly with her hand," they all laughed again.

"Severus, you can let Harry know that we found Dudley" said Albus. "He is with his Aunt Marge and will be staying there. We didn't talk to him at all as we didn't want Marge to know about us. Dudley already knows not to talk about magic it so we didn't obliviate him."

The kids were just getting ready to go to bed when Hedwig showed up pecking at Harry's window. Harry opened it and took the note giving Hedwig a treat. She decided not to stay but go hunting, so out the window she flew.

Harry unfolded the parchment and read the note;

Harry,

Just wanted you to know that they found Dudly. He is fine and staying with his Aunt Marge.

SS

Harry continued to practice the cushioning spell and was finally able to achieve a thin cushion. He would work some more on it after everyone went to sleep. He was really proud of his achievement but if he had to use it tomorrow he had to figure out a way to keep it secret. Since the rest of them were not expecting it then hopefully they would just chalk it up to a teacher taking pity on them.

By that time his eyes were drooping and he knew he had to get some sleep. Harry was happy with his efforts. He had managed a full cushioning charm and was ready for the next days detention. He wasn't so sure he was ready for fitness class, not even knowing what he would be required to do. Whatever it consisted of, he was sure it would not be pleasant.

By five thirty the next morning the kids had managed to get everyone out of bed, even though it took some drastic measures like cold water with some of them. Ron was one that just refused to get out of bed so they dragged him to the shower and turned it on cold. He woke up cussing and spitting but at least he was awake. While cruel, it was probably better than showing up late since they were already in trouble.

They all arrived on the front steps, dressed in sweat-clothes and trainers right on time. Professor Longbottom took one look at them and thought to herself that this was going to be a long summer.

First, she taught them how to do their stretches so that they would not hurt themselves. It was not easy to do because their bums were still very sore and they had to sit to do many of them. Once they were ready she told them that they were to jog one time around the lake.

They looked at her like she had lost her mind! Harry said, "That is a big lake! You want us to run around the whole thing?"

"Yes", replied Alice. "You probably won't be able to make it today, and may have to walk part of it but by the end of one week you will all be able to run the distance. Now get started!"

They all groaned but took off at a jog as they started around the lake. Harry and Ginny both made it about half way around before they just ran out of air and had to walk. When they looked back they saw that the rest of them were staggered along the way at different distances, all very red in the face.

Professor Longbottom had passed them twice as they struggled around the lake. After about forty five minutes they struggled back to the stairs in front of the castle and collapsed. As Harry looked out he saw the professor making her fifth trip around the lake and she was going backwards, urging Neville along as he was the last one.

They stayed there until she quit running and returned to them. She told them that the trip around the lake was one mile. She also told them that as of tomorrow they were a team and they would all run as a team. No one would be left behind and if they did then the one leaving people behind would run or walk laps after dinner.

She was not as concerned about time right now as she was getting them to help each other. If the few could motivate the rest then they would increase their distance and time through the effort. Speed was not as important as accomplishment.

They thought they were finished so they started to go into the castle for breakfast. The Professor had more good news for them and called them back. "Running is just a part of your fitness. Once you finish your run and until further notice you will come back here and do sit-ups, leg twists, and leg lifts." She proceeded to show them how to do them and told them that this week they had to do twenty five of each.

By the time they finished they were exhausted and didn't know how in the world they were going to work the rest of the day. She then told them, "You can now go to breakfast then take your showers and be in class by nine o'clock" With that she walked away smiling to herself.

The kids dragged themselves into the great hall, sure they would not be able to eat a thing since they were so tired. But once they got there and the smell of the food hit their noses, even Hermione had seconds.

They then went to the dorm and hit the showers thinking that a shower never felt as good as it did today. They were ready and on their way to class by eight forty-five. Ron looked like he was in a daze and Harry chalked it up to being so organized that there was not a minute to think about anything else but the task at hand. Harry had experienced it, because he lived with the Dursley's, but Ron had never experienced having every minute of his day planned for him.

Today was a special day because after their regular classes they had two hours after lunch for specialized classes. Today was with Professor McGonagall and they were all hoping it would be the beginning of their Animagus training.

They were not disappointed and for the first hour the Professor handed out books for them to read and explained the rules. "These are the rules we will abide by but the most important rule is that you will never, never, never, attempt this transformation without Professors Dumbledore, Snape, Lupin or myself present. When you sign this form you will be signing a wizard's vow, which if you break, you will suffer the soap charm in your mouth continuous for one week. I saw Madame Pomfrey use this one and thought it to be a great deterrent."

All the kids agreed it would not be something they would want to endure. Harry never let on that he had experienced this spell and although he was sure that the professor knew, she never told the rest of them about his punishment in the infirmary.

Once they had read and signed the rules she brought out ten tiny bottles of potion and handed one to each of them. "When you take this you will turn into your Animagus form if...hear me...if you are able to do the transformation and not everyone is able."

"After today we will have to take your training slow and it will probably take you all about a year to complete the process. It is very difficult and very dangerous so don't get the idea that tomorrow you will be turning into your Animagus, you won't. The process today will be a bit painful but it won't last long. If you are able to transform, you will be able to remain in your form for only a couple of minutes. I have placed this mirror in the front of the room so you can see yourself."

"If you are able to transform" she continued, "look at yourself and try to remember the details so that you can create a picture in your mind of what you will need to look like. We will also have pictures of you we will develop from your memories, so that you will always have a reference."

With that said she motioned to Ginny and said, "Why don't we start with you."