CHAPTER 19-A Good Use of Bat Guts
Dinner that night was a mini-celebration for Draco's adoption. Albus had the House Elves provide a cake for the affair and everyone was in a good mood and enjoying themselves, until an owl flew in and dropped a message in front of Draco.
Draco reached over to pick it up when Severus grabbed his hand and stopped him. "I do think son that we might want to check this out for bad spells or port-keys before you open it, don't you think?"
Draco had been so happy with the recent turn of events that he forgot how his former father might react to his adoption. He drew back his hand slowly and moved away from the letter. Albus cast a few spells at it as did Severus, checking to see that it was not dangerous. "It is tinged with black magic but there are no dangerous spells attached to it Draco" said Dumbledore.
Draco reached out and took the letter, opening it, he began to read it aloud. It was from Lucius, he knew by the handwriting.
Draco,
This is to inform you that you have been disinherited. You are no longer my son. You are no longer a Malfoy and as such have no rights to any of the Malfoy fortune or estates. I have never been so disgusted with anyone in my life. What you have done is a disgrace to our family and to all pure bloods in the wizarding world.
If I see you again Draco Snape, know that I know you will be killed and I will not grieve for you.
I owe your Traitor Guardian a debt and will pay it with this word of warning; His mark has been marked and his days are numbered. The rat has visited and the rat now knows. Do not visit when the snake becomes inflamed.
He will receive no further warning from me and he is to consider the debt paid.
Lucius Malfoy
Draco had read the letter aloud and then looked at his father and closed with, "Well, I guess he is pissed off at us, ya think?"
Albus put his arm around him and asked, "Are you going to be OK Draco?"
Draco replied, "Yes, I will be just fine. Rejection always hurts, especially when you're supposed to be family. Let's face it, he was going to end up killing me anyway so this threat is nothing new. The minute I told him I didn't want to take the mark he would have beaten me to death.
I have a new Father that I respect, real friends and teachers who care. I don't think a person could ask for much more.
Everyone had tears in their eyes but raised their juice in the air as a salute to Draco.
"Now" said Draco to Severus, "Don't you think I should get some good behavior time off for this?"
Severus raised his eye brow and answered, "What do you think?"
Draco laughed and looked at his friends and said, "Hmmm I guess that means it's around that dumb lake again tomorrow." And with that they all laughed and enjoyed their dinner.
Draco then turned to his Dad and asked, "What is all the rest of this latter about? The debt, the inflamed snake, the rat?
"Don't worry about it right now Draco" said Severus, "Enjoy your day and we will talk about all the serious stuff later."
Albus got everyone's attention at the end of dinner and informed the kids that they would have a short special class tomorrow after lunch as Professor McGonagall desired to allow the rest of the students to test for their an Animagus. This time they will meet out on the front lawn, instead of the classroom, to which Draco mumbled "yes" under his breath. After that class you will continue with their detention," which brought moans.
That seemed to take their minds off the letter, and Albus gave the adults The Look. The look meant, let's not talk about it anymore until we are in the Order Meeting Room.
The kids spent their time that evening doing homework and looking up their Animagus, or three of them wondering what it would be. They also spent their time talking about what happened at the table that the adults thought they had not noticed.
"They are going to meet again soon" said the Twins. "That note said a lot more than 'Draco, I'm not happy with you'" they continued.
Hermione added, "That note said A LOT more than that. There was a mention of life debt, and if I am not way off base it sounded like they knew that Snape was a spy and Lucius was warning him that his life was in danger. What ever he was warning him about, the debt seems to be paid. What I can't understand is the part about 'the rat has visited and the rat knows' ...what rat?"
"We need to keep our ears pealed for the next meeting time" said Harry and Ron nodded.
In another part of the castle, Severus dressed in his best muggle outfit and walked to Alice's living quarters. They were going out, finally! While they were able to see each other and talk they had not been able to have real quality time with each other in quite awhile. He was looking forward to it and apprehensive at the same time.
It had been a long time since he had dated anyone, and he was still uncomfortable. In fact, Lily was the last one that he had experienced what he would call a quality dating. Usually it was just the date out of base need. Find a woman and spend time with her so you were not alone, or lonely.
Minerva answered the door, catching Severus off guard. "Well, are you coming in or are you going to stand outside fumbling around like a teenager?" she asked, with a smile on her face.
"What are you doing here?" he snarked.
"I'm babysitting tonight since Cassy is running a fever. I'm pretty sure she has an ear ache but Poppy won't be back for an hour or so to take care of it. Alice didn't want to leave her, especially with a House Elf, but there is nothing that can be done right now except comfort her, and keep her asleep."
"Wish I could help" said Severus, "But I am not very good with that kind of healing."
Alice came into the room looking very nice and said, "Ready to go?"
They walked through the castle, out the front doors and toward the far gate so they could apperate. All of a sudden they heard a bunch of wolf whistles. They looked up and all the kids were looking out the various windows in the Gryffindore tower. Severus smiled, his snarky smile, then waved his wand at them and kept walking.
"What did you just do to them Severus?" asked Alice.
"Well, let's just say that for the next thirty minutes they are all going to be walking around looking like puckered up fish."
"That's cruel" she said with a smile on her face.
"Yes, it is, just as whistling at someone like that is bad manners" replied Severus.
"I'm going to have to teach you how to loosen up a bit" smirked Alice as they apperated to their favorite dinner place.
The kids could hardly talk and looked very weird for the next half hour. Then when the charm wore off they all decided that somehow they would get even for that one. Being it was Snape though, they would have to give it a lot of very careful thought.
The next morning Alice found the team of kids doing their stretching exercises when she arrived. She didn't say a word but just watched as she prepared herself for her run. They took off jogging and ran out of air not much further than they did the first day but this time they rested then went back and encouraged the rest to catch up. Finally they all made it to the steps together and started the rest of their program.
Alice was proud of them in that she didn't have to make one correction or discipline anyone. They all, with the exception of Ginny, who was not released from the infirmary yet, made it all the way around.
They proceeded through the morning which seemed to go so slow because they were looking forward to the rest of the Animagus testing.
Class today was potion's and none of them were looking forward to it. When they arrived Professor Snape was already there writing the directions on the board.
"We will begin continue with your summer classes by reviewing those potions that many of you had trouble with last year. For some of you dunderheads it was like a foreign language and for the rest of you idiots it was a matter of just not listening. I really suggest that you not pull your shenanigans during the summer in my class because I will not hesitate to send you to Professor McGonagall for an attitude adjustment."
"Well, whispered Ron, sounds like the Snape we all know and love, is back." The rest of the kids cringed then nodded in agreement.
Harry could not for the life of him figure out how this man could change personalities so quickly. One minute you think that he is almost human and the next he became an ogre. What made it worse is that they had him for the whole three hours today and Harry just hoped he could get through it without getting into trouble.
As they progressed through the class they did notice that while his words were sharp and caustic, he did try to assist if you didn't understand or were just about to mess up. Harry figured that he was just trying to save the lives of his cauldrons.
Finally potions class was over and the students walked toward the great hall. "You know we learned a lot for just one three hour session today, maybe it won't be as bad as we thought it would," said Luna.
Neville agreed but added, "My mom has been working with me on some of those potions so I wasn't so nervous, except when he was breathing down the back of my neck. I sure wish he would stop that. Mom says that he is just trying to teach us how to work under pressure, but give me a plant to prune any day."
"I agree said Ron", I know that he is a parent to you Draco and to you Harry, but he still gives me the creeps when he comes up behind me and just stands there."
"Don't feel bad" said Harry, "I don't feel comfortable when he does that to me either.
We owe him a prank but I can't think of anything that we could pull and get away with. What about you guys?" he said, looking at the twins.
"Nope, no luck so far. In this situation we REALY don't want to get caught as that guy has a wicked wand and an iron hand and is not hesitant to use either one." Everyone nodded in agreement. "We have been watching him on this map we have and can't find an area that he frequents regularly, other than the Head Master's living quarters, that we could set up a trap."
"What map are you talking about" asked the kids.
"We will show it to you and explain it tonight in the common room, where there are fewer ears. Suffice it to say that we can tell where everyone in the castle is at any given time."
"Awsome" said Ron.
Ginny was released from the hospital wing and joined them for lunch. They all gave her a hug and welcomed her.
After lunch they all headed outside. They were excited but apprehensive. After yesterday they didn't quite know what to expect. Once everyone had arrived outside, in the front of the castle, Professor McGonagall joined them with the remaining three potions.
"Good afternoon class, let's hope that we do not get a repeat of yesterday, although it was quite a sight to see and I look forward to seeing your form again Mr. Malfoy, I'm sorry, Mr. Snape."
Draco blushed but felt good that she didn't seem to be upset with him for hurting her.
"Ms. Granger, if you will come forward to our 'New' mirror, let's see out what your form might be.
Hermione came forward and drank her potion. It just a few seconds she felt like she was shrinking and her sight changed dramatically. When she looked in the mirror she was looking at a beautiful Owl.
"We should have seen that coming" said Ron, laughing. Hermione turned her head toward him and snapped her beak a couple times. Ron quickly got the message and became quiet with not even a smirk on his face.
"You are an Owl, as you can see Ms. Granger" said Minerva. "You are a bird of prey who can become almost invisible in certain conditions because of your camouflage. You have binocular vision. This means that your eyes are used together. You have a wider field of view, and your sight enhances faint objects at great distances. You also have very precise depth perception. You can turn your head one hundred and thirty five degrees and look behind you without moving your whole body. Best of all, you can see in the dark."
Hermione seemed to be very pleased with her form as she smiled from one ear to another.
"Mr. Weasley, you are next" said Minerva.
Ron came forward slowly, like Draco he had concerns over what form he might take. He was always overshadowed by his brothers, wore hand-me-downs, and had accomplished very little to set himself apart from the rest of the kids in his family.
He drank his potion and within seconds a wondrous magical animal appeared in the mirror. Ron was not sure what it was, but it sure looked weird.
Minerva saw his confusion and explained, "Ron, you are a Griffin, a magical animal. You have the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. You have wings and you are especially powerful. They were known through time as being the guards of the treasure, the royal guardians of throne rooms. In other words Ron, this is confirmation that you are the first Mate and protector of Harry in this conflict that is coming. You are very, very special indeed."
Ron was in shock! He felt that he had never really been important, always disposable in some ways. Now, as he looked at himself in the mirror, a new feeling began to grow from within and he felt he really had a purpose in life. He knew right then that he would need to learn all he could to stand beside and protect Harry.
His image seemed to remain longer and everyone seemed to look at Ron a bit differently.
"Harry, it's your turn" said Minerva.
Harry came forward and drank his potion and within a few seconds there was a loud POP and in front of the mirror appeared a Golden Phoenix. Everyone was in shock including Severus who was hidden under the 'disillusionment charm' not far away from them.
Minerva was silent for a moment then turned to Harry and said, "Harry has the Golden Phoenix as a form which first and foremost means one 'Having Great Value, and Goodness'. You are able to burst into flame when you die and rise again from the ashes. Your tears are tears of healing and you can carry great weights. You will only bond with someone of great strength who is of the light as are you."
"Harry we will have to ask Professor Dumbledore about it because I have never heard of a 'Golden Phoenix' before."
Harry turned back to his human form and was in shock just like the others experienced with their form. But before he could turn away his form changed again. He heard everyone gasp, as they took in air, and when he looked back in the mirror the sight he saw was very unusual.
He was in human form but was clothed with warrior battle gear made of dragon scales. Green eyes shown through the helmet but they were glowing with a feint golden glow. In his hands was the sword that hung over Professor Dumbledore's desk, "The Sword of Griffindore."
Harry didn't quite know what he was looking at but when Minerva finally found her voice she said, "Harry, you are also a Dragon Rider. That probably explains why Draco is such a large dragon. Let me look at your palm Harry."
Harry held out his hands and on his right palm he saw a gold circle of skin. "That marks you as a Rider Harry" said Minerva. "The normal mark would have been white but the gold mark tells us that this transformation will be temporary, possibly just for this one up-coming war with the Dark Lord. There has not been a rider in a thousand years, and they only came during times of peril to bring peace to the world."
"You represent strength, stamina, intelligence and you will have sensory powers. You will have very strong magic and Harry you will probably have a telepathic bond with Draco, and possibly Ron. Draco being the dragon you will ride and Ron being your protector."
Minerva walked over to the steps and sat down, being completely overwhelmed. "We need to talk more about this at our next class but right now I am very tired and need to think", said Minerva. "Mr. Filch, please escort them to detention if you will".
The kids were still in shock when Filch walked over to them and said again, "Follow me please." They followed him to the dungeons and all took their seats in preparation to tackle the rest of the bats. Nobody said much of anything for quite awhile as they took up where they had left off with the bats.
"Awsome" said Draco. "You know that we are all interrelated, we are a team, a team that looks like it has been planned for a very long time."
One of the twins passed a note that had been folded up and hidden in his palm to the person next to him as he passed his bat to be processed, giving the person a look which said, 'read but do so secretly'. The next person read it and passed it on and so it went until everyone at the table had read the note.
The twins had pulled out their map on the way back to the dungeons and noticed that Snape was already in the classroom sitting in the second row of desks. They thought this was strange since they figured if he was going to be there he would sit at his desk. What was even stranger was that when they arrived he was not there.
When the Twin walked over to put his book bag down he checked it again and saw that the professor was there and where he was sitting. He had quickly written the note and hid it in his palm.
They all kept up normal conversations but looked at each other with a questioning look. Then the Twins got a funny look on their faces. George stood up and took the pot of blood and guts that were left over and were to be given to Hagrid for fertilizer later, and carried it over to the desk where the professor was sitting. "Let's start a new pot, if this one gets any fuller we're going to spill it, and I don't think Mr. Filch would be happy about that. "You have that right Mr. Weasley," said Mr. Filch.
The kids knew he was up to something but continued to act like nothing was happening. They quickly filled another pot and Fred said, "I am going to take these two pots to Hagrid, I'll be right back. Then he moved very fast over to where the first pot was and it looked like he tripped on a desk leg. When he did, he accidently, or not so accidently, hit the first pot, knocking it and the second one over onto the seat of the bench when Snape was sitting.
What with all the commotion and noise that he made no body noticed Severus jumping up from the bench, barely catching himself from ripping into them with his anger. He was covered with blood and guts of bats, stinking blood and guts of bats. He quickly made his way out of the classroom under the cover of all the people jumping up to help Fred who said he hurt his knee
During the commotion George went to the bag and checked the map once again, in time to see Snape leaving the classroom and walking quickly toward his living quarters.
Hermione took out her wand and said, "Scourgify" cleaning up the mess. They all went back to the table, settled down and started cleaning more bats. Filch went back to reading his book, assured that the mess was cleaned up.
"I sure hope Hagrid isn't too unhappy that we spilled his fertilizer" said Harry, trying to keep a straight face. "But from the looks of things there will be plenty more where that came from."
The prank had worked, and it would appear that no one was the wiser for it. They all felt like they had evened the score for the 'fish face' they had all sported the night before.
Harry felt that things were good! They were all going to be Animagus, he didn't have to give away the secret of his wand-less magic since 'sitting' was much easier today, and they had pulled a nasty prank on Snape. It was turning out to be a wonderful day.
Being motivated, they really buckled down and worked hard on the bats finishing them off right before Filch dismissed them for dinner.
When they arrived at dinner Professor McGonagall asked them, "How many more days do you think it will take you to process the bats?"
Hermione answered her, "Oh we finished them today, we'll need a new project for tomorrow."
The kids looked proud, whereas Severus looked downright miserable. Not only did he have to take two baths to get the stink off, he could not figure out how they had processed those bats so fast. He knew they had pulled something over on them but he couldn't say a word. There was no magic and when he had pulled Draco aside and asked him how it was going, Draco responded with, "We are working hard" and his eyes told Severus that it was the truth.
The kids smirked to themselves, Severus silently ate his dinner and the rest of them just shook their heads in wonder of the story that Minerva had just told about their Animagi transformations.