Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Series (1997-2007) and any characters and original locations within the books belong to JK Rowling. I own my original characters and my plot twists. I am not trying to pass any of these characters or copyrighted ideas off as my own and therefore it isn't plagiarism or copyright infringement.
Chapter Ten – The Toad Faced Professor
Leo's mind filled with memories of the night before and the morning while he sat next to Hermione in Professor Binns' History of Magic lesson. He had fortunately charmed his quill to take notes while the ghostly professor droned on about the giant wars, which Leo had briefly studied in his third year. He held onto the quill as it moved and took notes on its own. He didn't want to be caught not taking his own notes. He was assigned the dormitory with a horribly arrogant Cormac McLaggen and three other boys that didn't introduce themselves. They dormitory was right next to Harry and Ron's so they all had the pleasure of overhearing the conflict between them regarding the liable nonsense being printed in the Daily Profit. At breakfast he approached Seamus and offered to switch dormitories with him, so that he wouldn't have to room with Harry, Ron, and Neville. Leo felt triumphant when Seamus quickly agreed to the switch.
He woke up from his mental fog when the bell sounded. On the way out of the classroom, he heard Hermione threaten, "How would it be if I refused to lend you my notes this year?"*
"We'd fail our O.W.L.s," Ron quickly retorted. "If you want that on our conscience, Hermione-"*
"Well, you'd deserve it," she snapped.*
Leo cleared his throat, "I have to admit that Binns is the most monotone and monotonous professor I've come across, however I could teach you how to charm your quills to take notes. Of course I don't know how you'd entertain yourself since you'd want to hold onto the quill so that no one notices its taking the notes for you. So, you wouldn't be able to play tic tack toe like you did today."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "You charmed your quill to take notes. Isn't that cheating?"
Leo shook his head, "I don't see it as cheating. I mean I still took my own notes in class, I just didn't have to concentrate on every boringly verbose sentence that ghost droned on with."
They all headed into the damp courtyard where everyone was congregating around the edges to avoid the rain. Leo followed the group to a secluded corner under a heavily dripping balcony and started discussing what Snape was likely to assign for their first lesson. Leo noticed a glaring Slytherin Prefect on the other side of the courtyard and left the group to converse with him.
Draco crossed his arms as he approached, "So, what are you doing here?"
"Well, my parents decided to move to the UK and wanted me to attend a school closer to our new home, so we met with Dumbledore and he agreed that I could transfer. I know it's quite irregular. Oh and before you ask about my damn accent, yes my father is French but my mother is English. So, English was my first language and French was my second. After moving here and being immersed in the language it came back to me." He looked down and mumbled, "It probably would've come back sooner if I hadn't used that translation charm."
"I see that you're still hanging out with that Mudblood, Potty, and the Weasel."
"Ah Draco, you still have an issue with others getting more attention than you. Even if the attention Potter is receiving, is negative because of the lies being printed in the Daily Profit? Oh, and one cannot forget the string pulling your father's managing with his gold." He pointed a finger at Draco's chest, "You enjoy the idea of having the power of being a prefect but are disappointed that Ron and Hermione were made them as well. I'm sure your father was proud of you because you're following in his footsteps. He wasn't Head Boy but he was a prefect."
Draco's eyebrow's rose, "How do you know so much about my family?"
Leo shrugged, "I already told you that I like to read. So, Draco we both know that your father returned to that graveyard when Voldemort attempted to kill Harry after killing the Diggory boy. By chance did you have more meaning to your threat of dogging Harry's steps this year?"
Draco's brow furrowed, "What makes you think I'd tell you if I did?"
Leo smirked, "I had a feeling you'd say that. Let's test those defenses of yours." He performed a silent Legilimens and entered Draco's mind. He quickly saw the conversation between Lucius and Draco. He watched as Draco noticed the big black dog and his father made a snide remark about it being Draco's awful cousin Sirius. Leo tsked in Draco's mind, "You really should work on strengthening those walls. It's far too easy for me to enter. Just imagine if it were the Dark Lord going through your mind?"
The bell sounded as he left Draco's mind. He walked back over to the bickering Hermione and Ron and chuckled under his breath as he thought, those two act like an old married couple. He was quickly taking a seat at the table with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, as Neville joined the table with Dean, Seamus, and Lavender.
Snape started out the double potions lesson with a speech on his expectation for his O.W.L. students and his requirements for those to continue on to his N.E.W.T. classes. He looked down his nose at several students including Neville and Harry and then raised an eyebrow as his eyes fell on Leo. "Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and sooth agitation. Be warned: If you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy sleep and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing."* Leo notice Hermione assumed the same attentive and stiff poster he had. "The ingredients and method," Snape flicked his wand, "are on the blackboard."* They appeared their as if being written by an invisible hand. "You will find everything you need," with another flick the door of the cupboard in the back of the room swung open, "in the store cupboard. You have an hour and a half…Start."*
Leo sighed copying down the directions and ingredient list to a piece of parchment. Quickly after finishing he took the parchment with him to the cupboard to retrieve all of the necessary ingredients. His friends had been correct about Snape assigning a challenging potion for their first day back. The Draught of Peace was a complicated and finicky potion. One had to add specific ingredients with the exact amount at the proper time, stir counterclockwise as well as clockwise, and make sure it simmered at the proper temperature before adding the final ingredients.
When there was only ten minutes left of brewing Snape's even drawl broke the silence, "A light silver vapor should now be rising from your potions."*
Leo noticed the silver mist rising from his potion as well as Hermione's. Harry's had huge plumes of gray steam and Ron's was spitting green sparks. He looked toward the front of the class and met the gray eyes of his identical twin, whose cauldron also had light silver mist floating over his cauldron. Snape swept by Hermione and Leo's potions looking down at both of them but had no comment because they were perfect. He stopped at Harry's cauldron and smirked, "Potter, what is this supposed to be?"*
Harry's back stood ramrod straight as he tensed, "The Draught of Peace."*
"Tell me, Potter," Snap's voice softer, "can you read?"*
Leo's eyes snapped up to Draco, who laughed at the comment before returning to the conversation before him between the Slytherin potions master and Harry.
Harry held his wand tight, "Yes, I can."*
"Read the third line of the instructions for me, Potter."
Leo watched as Harry squinted at the blackboard and read, "Add powdered moonstone, stir three times counterclockwise, allow to simmer for seven minutes, then add two drops of syrup of hellebore."* Leo watched as his face fell and realization set in.
"Did you do everything on the third line, Potter?"*
Harry looked down and whispered, "No."*
"I beg your pardon?"*
Harry's grip tightened on his wand and his teeth clenched, "No, I forgot the hellebore-"*
"I know you did, Potter, which means that this mess is utterly worthless. Evanesco."* With that spell the contents of Harry's cauldron vanished and Harry was left standing there glowering.
Snape turned to the rest of the class, "Those of you who have managed to read the instructions, fill one flagon with a sample of your potion, label it clearly with your name, and bring it up to my desk for testing."* He paused for a moment resting his eyes once again on Harry, "Homework; twelve inches of parchment on the properties of moonstone and its uses in potion-making, to be handed in on Thursday."*
Leo couldn't help but feel bad for Harry and wonder why Snape always seemed to single him out. He had witnessed it a few times while attending the Gryffindor potions classes the previous year. He carefully filled his flagon with the potion, labeled it, and marched up to Snape's desk with it. He stared into Snape's cold black eyes and wondered what the tactless and socially inept professor was hiding. He whispered, "One could construe your treatment of Potter as biased and unfair, however others may have seen it as helping him. You may be hoping by giving him a zero now, so he won't forget to read and follow all directions in the future. However, I think you're just holding a vindictive grudge against him and enjoy watching him squirm. If that is the case than you are a lesser man, than I would've thought possible." Snape didn't respond but once again attempted to invade his mind causing a smirk to flutter across Leo's features, "You may be skilled, but once again, one shouldn't probe other's minds without asking. If you attempted that on Draco, I'm sure you'd be successful, but I'm not one to allow other's in my mind."
Snape warned, "Since you're new, I'll give you a warning, but speak to me that way again and you'll be serving as many detentions as Potter."
Leo smirked as he turned and walked back to his desk at which time the bell sounded. He followed behind Harry out of the potions room. Leo was about to mention the unfair treatment by Snape in potions but Hermione beat him to it. Leo did learn that the enmity between Harry and Snape started the moment Harry arrived at the school. Leo had a feeling there was a puzzle before him and began grasping at the pieces. He knew that Snape was a member of the order and he seemed the same age as Sirius. Was it possible?
He interrupted their conversation during lunch, "Did Snape happen to attend Hogwarts at the same time as your parents? I mean I know that he was a first year when Draco's dad was a seventh year."
Harry shook his head yes, "They were in the same year. My mum and dad were Gryffindors and he was a Slytherin. Dumbledore told me that my father saved Snape's life once."
His hypothesis seems valid from that statement, "Do you suppose that the reason why Snape treats you the way he does is because you remind him of your father? I mean it's apparent that you remind Snuffles of him. Also you remember that the two of them were a bit of troublemakers in school. If Snape detested your father in school, he may be singling you out because of it."
Hermione furrowed her brow, "Well, that's possible."
Leo walked into the open classroom for Defense Against the Dark Arts from Ancient Runes with Hermione. Ron and Harry had divination after lunch, which was a lesson Leo always thought one couldn't learn. One was born with prophetic dreams, the ability to spew accurate prophecies, or the inner eye and thus one couldn't learn how to be a seer. Leo wasn't kidding himself in believing that he was gifted with any of those abilities, but the magic of predicating the possible outcome using formulas and numbers of Arithmancy made sense to him. The toad faced Ministry spy was already sitting at her desk in the same horrible, bright pink cardigan she wore the day before. She watched as the Gryffindor and Slytherin students piled into the room.
She went through the basic necessities and understanding her preferred teaching style, which included the students responding with, "Yes or No, Professor Umbridge." She explained that she would be filling in the holes left by previous instructors in the subject by providing ministry approved education. Leo rolled his eyes as he read the course aims:
Understanding the principles of underlying defensive magic.
Learning to recognize situations in which defensive magic can legally be used.
Placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use.**
She then proceeded to assign everyone to read the first chapter 'Basics for Beginners' from the required text Defensive Magical Theory after verifying everyone had a copy. Leo cracked the book open and began reading wanting to gouge his eyes out as it was all review and useless information. He looked up from the page and noticed that everyone was staring at Hermione's raised hand. Which lead to her asking about the aims and why using spells was not covered, and later exploded into the discussion of how they were supposed to learn the practical application of spells without practice. The first time using the spells would be during the practical portion of the final exam. It ended in Harry exploding about Lord Voldemort's return and his murdering Cedric Diggory, which seemed to fluster the overly feminine and perky professor.
After Harry was sent out of the room to Professor McGonagall, Leo quickly cast a couple of quick transfiguration charms to change his robes to Slytherin and a pin into a prefect badge. He also temporarily shortened his hair, and with a couple of quick flicks he managed to make Draco's hair grow, his robes change to Gryffindor ones, and shot a silent silencing spell at him. He then proceeded to raise his hand as the discussion continued. Leo smiled at having the opportunity to play a wonderful joke on Draco.
"And your name is?"* she asked pointed at Leo.
"Draco Malfoy, I'm a Slytherin Prefect."
"Well, Mr. Malfoy?"
"I was wondering how you purpose Cedric Diggory died? I assume the Ministry Magical Law Enforcement department has investigated this. How was it ruled an accident instead of murder?"
"It is not my place to comment on an open investigation," she curtly nodded.
"So, if it's still being investigated and the cause of death has yet to be determined. Then one may assume it is just as likely that he ended up dead due to the killing curse. Is there any way to determine if one of the unforgivable curses were the cause of death?"
"These questions are not pertaining to the current assignment. I suggest you desist with your inquiries, Mr. Malfoy before I have to assign you a detention as well," she warned.
Leo smirked, "You wouldn't dare assign me detention Professor. I know you work for the Ministry and everyone know that my father has the Minister in his back pocket. I mean with all of the gold we've been giving the Ministry over the years, you all should be working for us. I dare you to give me a detention because if you do, my father will hear about it."
"I will not have students undermining my authority in my classroom. I may be familiar with your father Draco, but that familiarity doesn't give you the power to speak to me in such a manner. Do not think I will not give you a detention."
At that the disguised and silenced Draco started banging on his desk and jumping up and down to get everyone's attention. Leo looked back at him, "What's the matter Leo? Cat's got your tongue?" He then silently removed the curse.
Draco pleaded, "Professor, he's not Draco. I am."
Umbridge turned a wonderful shade of red, "I will not tolerate your insolence. You two come up here!"
Leo sauntered up to the front of the classroom and stood before her desk. Draco appeared beside him and Leo could feel his glaring eyes on him. The room was quiet for the second time with her pulling out a piece of pink parchment, writing on it, and sealing it. She handed it to Leo, "Since both of you are claiming to be the Slytherin Draco Malfoy, take this to Professor Snape for me please."
Leo took the sealed scroll and walked out of the room with a glowering disguised Draco behind him. Once they were in the hallway Draco huffed, "Snape will know that you're an imposter."
Leo chuckled, "Only if he uses Legilimency on us because my Occlumency is stronger than yours and I can keep him out. So, I'm guessing we're headed to Snape's office?"
Draco rolled his eyes, "Yes, now could you please change us back?" He took the lead and Leo followed him into the dungeons where Snape's office was.
Leo crossed his arms, "No, I strongly think you deserve that detention for abusing your prefect powers. Also for threatening Harry the way you did. I understand you've got this jealousy thing with him, but you need to realize that he watched someone die before his eyes. Plus with his temper flair ups one has to wonder if the half-blood master of purebloods is messing with him."
"I'll have you know that I will not be serving any detention, because I, unlike you, am a prefect," Draco announced continuing on.
Leo chuckled and quickly flicked his wand at Draco returning his hair and robes back to normal. He smirked for a moment wondering how long it would take Snape to determine the correct Draco. He quickly went through Draco's memories he'd previously obtained. He pushed those memories to the forefront. So when Snape attempted to peer within his mind he'd be able to present a valid case that he's Draco. Snape couldn't tell the difference between their magical auras because they were identical.
They arrived at the door to Snape's office and Draco knocked as Leo stood next to him. Snape opened the door and looked left then right but kept his face completely indifferent. Leo held out the scroll, "Professor Umbridge sent us to you because we undermined her classroom authority."
Draco looked at him, "That wasn't me, that was you Leo."
Leo kept his face completely serious, "I'm not Leo. Nice try."
Snape looked between the two and opened the door, "How about the two of you come inside so that we can take care of this situation." The two of them followed Snape into his dark and dismal office, which had several items in jars on shelves surrounding his large centrally placed desk and both took the seats in front of it.
Leo felt his mind being probed and he pushed Draco's memories forward for him to see before pushing him out of his mind. He watched as Snape then concentrated on Draco. He once again assessed both of their appearances, "Well, since I cannot tell the imposter and Umbridge states clearly that Draco Malfoy has a detention, we must hold up her request. However, since I know that one of you is Leo Rosier and that you've likely impersonated Draco to get him into trouble, you two will serve detention together, tomorrow at 5pm."
Leo pulled out his wand and with a couple of flicks returned his hair length and robes back to normal, "Fine, you got me professor, however Draco deserves the detention because he's been abusing his prefect powers to bully others. I understand you tend to look the other way when things like this happen, however I assume that you have been on the receiving end of a bully in your youth and understand the importance of nipping it in the bud. I do find it quite unfair that you tend to bully Harry but turn a blind's eye to the true bully of this school, Draco."
"I will not have a student question my motives," Snape drawled.
"Ah but you'll continue to push Harry's buttons when he's already under so much stress. I will tell you something that you and Padfoot have in common. Harry's not his father and the two of you need to stop treating him as if he were. You're harsher to him because I'm guessing that his father was horrible to you in school, much like Draco here is to Harry and his friends, but mainly Harry. Also you're biased to your house because you have a deep rooted hatred for everything Gryffindor."
"You are quite clever Leo; perhaps you should've been in Slytherin."
"I disagree, professor. My courage is too strong, and I wouldn't want to be in the same house as my clone. It's confusing enough being in the same school. I mean Umbridge gave Draco detention because I spoke up against her lack of evidence that Cedric Diggory's death was an accident and questioned her knowledge on the investigation-
"0nly because you impersonated me," Draco interrupted.
Leo continued on not giving the interruption any notice, "Imagine how much worse it would be if I were surrounded by Nott, Goyle, Crabbe, and Malfoy. I mean they're all waiting to grow up to be Death Eaters like their fathers."
Snape stood up from his desk, "Dismissed. I will see you two down here tomorrow for detention."
A/N: I know I keep on turning things toward Leo, but I really cannot completely rewrite the book or I'd be blurring the gray lines of fan fiction into the realm of creative theft, which isn't my desire.
* All of this dialog is quoted from chapter twelve of The Order of the Phoenix (2003) and thus belongs to JK Rowling, page229 - 249 of my copy respectively.
** These course aims are found on page 240 the copy of The Order of the Phoenix (2003) that I have in my possession.