Come Together KeeperPawsOffMe Chapter 7
Argus Filch had heard a noise coming from the room he was just passing. The sounds of someone crying. He walked into the room, "Who's There?"
Draco tried to hide his red eyes from the caretaker. "It's just me sir, Draco Malfoy. I was just trying to get this stain out of my robes. I got it from my potions class. It's very hard to get out and if I don't my mother will be very mad at me."
"Well, there's no reason to cry about it, boy. It's just a stain, and I can help you with it. Let's have a look, shall we?"
"No, it's fine sir. I think I have most of it out now. I just needed to use a little elbow grease is all; there, good as new." Draco responded.
"Look here son; I know you think I am just a dumb person, who Professor Dumbledore keeps around to clean up. But I am not so dumb, as to not know when a person is trying to hide something. Your robes are not even wet. Don't insult my intelligence. Now, if you have a problem with some of the students in your class, or dorm, perhaps I can speak with Professor Snape, as you are from Slytherin?"
"NO! Please don't tell Professor Snape. I am fine; I just miss home, is all. I have never been away from home before. I will get used to it. I should be getting back, before curfew. Thank you for caring about me, but, I will be fine."
"Perhaps I should walk you back to your dorm, so that no one will stop and ask why you are out on your own."
Draco thought yes he would like the company, "Thank you sir, It would be appreciated. I don't want to get in trouble so soon after getting here."
They walked back to the Slytherin House, having a small conversation along the way. Argus knew it was more than home sickness, that was bothering the young Slytherin, but, it was none of his business so he shouldn't try and pry into this first years affairs. He would leave it open to Draco, if he wished to talk to him. "Listen son, I know it is tough being away from home, but, you never have to feel alone. There is always someone to talk to here. I'm here if you wish to talk about how much you miss your family."
Draco answered, "Thank you again sir, for your understanding, and your concern. I will think about taking you up n your offer. Just, please don't tell anyone else, as I don't want to look like a baby in my friends eyes."
"Of course not, I know how to keep my mouth shut. Now, you run along to your dorm, and I will see you later."
"Thank you sir; good night."
Draco opened the entry to Slytherin House. He never would have thought of Filch as being a caring person. However, he was going to have to watch himself, as he didn't want his father finding out about his feelings. He hoped Mr. Filch kept his word, and didn't tell Professor Snape what he found him doing. Snape was his Godfather, but, was also good friends with his father. He definitely needed to be more careful. There were too many ears in the castle all linked to his father.
CT-}
Hermione and Neville were sitting doing their homework, when Harry and Ginny walked over to them. Ginny asked Hermione, "Hermione, have you finished your DADA homework yet?"
"Yes, I have Ginny, Why?"
"Well, I was just wondering, if protego was such a weak protection spell, why are we bothering to learn it. I mean, it will not stop a spell as weak as Rictumsempra, the tickling charm. Why then are we bothering to learn it?"
Hermione thought about it for a minute. It was a good question. She had never thought about it that way. "I suppose, it is just part of the curriculum. Maybe it is because we are not yet strong enough for a better shield spell. I like the way you are thinking though Ginny. It tells me you are more concerned about learning, than you have let on."
"Thanks for the ego boost there Mione. But, this is why I think it's silly for us to be here. We are more knowledgeable than most third years and on some subjects even fifth years, and we are stuck learning things we learned four years ago. I think it's a waste of time, don't you?"
"Well, Ginny, if you want to know the truth, I think it really is, not doing anything to father our knowledge. I think it is more to get us to maybe help those who are struggling with there work. I have helped a few other first years with the wand movements, and the theory behind the spells. Potion's another area that I have helped some of the students in. Perhaps if you helped others with your experience, you would feel more useful here, and it wouldn't be such a waste of your time."
Ginny smiled at this, "I knew there was a reason I came to talk to you. I was wondering, if maybe you and the rest might want to start a study group, and help out more students that may need it. Ravenclaw may not need it, but, some Hufflepuff students may want to join, and maybe some Slytherin students as well. It wouldn't hurt to put up some flyers to see what kind of a response we get."
It was then Hermione's turn to smile. Ginny had come a long way from being the rebel she started out to be. This is going to be fun, "Ginny, that is a great idea. We all should sit down, and figure out who's the strongest and where, and help out those who need it. We should think of a name to call our group?"
"One thing at a time there Mione. First we need to know how many wish to join, what they need help in, and what their strengths are."
"You're right of course, but, just thinking of it, gets me excited, being able to share our knowledge with the rest of the students. Do you think any of the Professors would sanction this club, to make it an official school club?"
"Maybe, Professor McGonagal, ot Professor Flitwick. They would be our best choices. You ask Professor McGonagall, and I will ask Professor Flitwick. I have him first thing in the morning, and you will see her, before I do."
"OK, Gin. I still don't know why they split us up like they did. I figured all first year Gryffindor students would be in the same classes."
"Probably don't want us showing up the Professors, if we all were in the same class together. It's got to be hard for them to have a set pattern for teaching, and the students know as much about it as they do."
"No, that's not it. It's because if we are together, we are stronger than the rest of the class. They are keeping us apart, to tear down our strength. If we were together in our classes, the rest of the class would soon learn what we know, and it would make us all stronger. Ginny, this makes it even more important for us to get this club started. Maybe we can't help them in class, but, after class, it'll then be our turn to become instructors."
"Ya, well, it could be that too. I will start with the flyers. Come on Harry, we can work on those together. Oh, thanks Mione for listening to me, and showing that I am here for more than learning. Maybe if we can get enough students to participate, we can branch of, and have a study group for each subject?"
"Ginny, get out of here. You're starting to make my head spin. I need to finish this homework. Look, Neville finished his already. He never finishes before me."
Ginny was laughing as she walked off with Harry. They talked briefly with the Fred and George who liked the idea as well. They helped Harry and Ginny with the flyers. They magically made copies of them, and were ready to disperse them when they got the ok of their Head of House and a second Professor to sanction the club.
Minerva and Filius both were in favor of the club, and both wished to sanction it. Return answers from the flyers were more than they had anticipated. All four houses up to third years were interested.
With the response they received, it was decided that what Ginny suggested was probably the best, having the students broken up by classes. The two Professors were amazed at the level of proficiency the students were putting into this club.
Minerva and Filius watched as the confidence of the classes grew with each week. Minerva passed on her study to Albus, and he took an interest in this club as well, he joined a few of the club meetings under the invisibility cloak he had that had belonged to James Potter. He liked what he was seeing. The young friends were helping all of the students they were tutoring. The biggest surprise was Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle. They were very low on the learning scale at the start of the year, and were way behind in their studies. Now they were up with the rest and were enjoying themselves in class. Even Mr. Malfoy joined in with the study group. Mostly because he liked being around his friends, but now, he felt a surge of energy that was missing when he first got here.
Albus asked to speak to the students in charge of the study groups one morning, excusing them from their fist class. Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Neville, Ron, Fred, and George, all went to the Headmasters office to see what he wanted. They were called into the room, and took a seat.
"Good morning to you all. I hope you are having fun this year. I wanted to congratulate you all, on the job you are doing with your study groups. The turn around for a number of the students is much more than we would have expected. Not only that, but, their confidence level is also much higher. That being said, I would like to ask you all, if you are learning anything at all this year? I know that Miss Weasley had her concerns at the start of the year. What I don't want, is for you all to be bored. I also want to apologize for my actions before your coming to Hogwarts. I tried to separate you, and put Harry in a home, that may not have been a home for him. I tried to keep Miss Granger out of the Wizarding World, for as long as possible. I can see now, that it was a huge mistake on my part. Harry, I would still like you to get to know your Mother's sister, and her family, but, do that when you feel the time is right. Miss Granger, you have shown me that a muggle born witch is every bit as smart as a pure blood. No, I take that back. You are more brilliant than a pure blood. And your ability to share your knowledge with the rest of the school is refreshing. It is therefore my pleasure to also become one of your sponsor's and would like to know if there is anything I can do to help?"
Ginny jumped right on it. "Yes, sir, there is. There are two people we would like here to help us for advanced training. Although we are enjoying helping these students, our own learning has become stagnant. What we would like is to have Remus Lupin, and Nymphadora Tonks here to continue our training. If it is truly your desire to see us grow, then what we ask is not a difficult decision."
"Well, it is a bit a problem, seeing as to Mr. Lupin's Condition, but, if Hogwarts can procure you all a safe haven for training, where no other student will be involved, I will look into it."
"Thank you sir. That is more than I could have hoped for."
"You're welcome Miss Weasley. Now, if there are no further questions, you should be heading for your second class. I will get back with you all."