Harry Potter Junior Level: Year Two

Ch. 32

Back To Work

Previously **** Harry and Draco pranked their Dads with a potion in the tea. After drinking it, the men sprouted rooster feathers on top of their heads. Severus reacted strongly and scolded the boys rather harshly before punishing them.

A/N: Thank you to all the people who spoke up on behalf of the boys. I had some strong reactions to Severus' response to the prank. It is great to read your responses. You will see now, why he reacted as he did. It may not change your view of him but he did have a reason. Perhaps he will be able to redeem himself here. He's still Snape but I think he's learning to be more mellow, just a little. [Maybe?] :-)

As Severus sends the boys to the corner, Sirius shakes his head. Waiting a few minutes to let Severus calm his temper, he finally motions for Severus to come to the kitchen.

"What is it, Sirius? I need to monitor those two miscreants in the corner!"

"That's just it, Sev. They found a way to prank us without causing harm. I don't think they should be punished for this. Pranking is not all that wrong, it's just a way of showing affection, really. This was not done in anger or to be disrespectful, it was a joke. We can probably counteract the potion and you know this. Why are you so upset about one slight prank?"

"It brings back memories, I'd rather not have. You should know what I am referring to since you were the instigator of most of the pranks. Remember the green hair, the dress, the times you had my schoolbooks turn into mice and run around the classroom and what about the time you hung me upside down showing my pants? Those are not things I think of as showing affection and don't appreciate my son acting this way."

"Draco and Harry are not going to play cruel pranks as we won't allow them to. I apologize again for my pranks that upset you. You are right, those were not affectionate. The mice one was funny though. Remember Professor Blakely hopping on her desk and screaming until she was blue? That was the highlight of my term! She was such a nasty little thing. Always finding fault and making me serve detention."

"You were always causing disruptions in her class. Dung bombs, books charmed shut, windows flying open or shades rolling up and down on their own, as she lectured, need I go on? No? Well then, apology accepted. Maybe I did react too strongly with the boys. I'll spring them while you get the ice cream ready."

Walking back into the living room, Severus says "Boys, come out of the corner to me." When the children are again standing before him, he sees Harry has tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Sev. I didn't mean to make you upset. It seemed like a funny prank and I thought you'd laugh like Dad. Are you going to spank us now?"

"I'm sorry too, boys. I reacted the wrong way. You see boys, when I was a student, I had many pranks played on me and most were not funny. It's just that this prank brought back some memories I'd prefer not to remember. The pranks played on me were often to ridicule me or make me a laughing stock. Your prank was not intended that way and I should not have acted as I did. I apologize boys and I will try to see the funny side of pranks that don't cause harm to anyone. I shouldn't have punished you at all and no, Harry there's no more punishment. It's time for dessert, let's go have our sundaes, boys." Severus tells them as he takes each boy by the hand.

During their devouring of the sundaes, Harry asks "Dad? I know you pranked Uncle Sev some when you were a boy. Did he get mad at you too?"

"I was not very nice to him when we were boys, son. I'm sorry to say I caused him some bad times. He's forgiven me as I've apologized for them. Pranking can sometimes lead to trouble if you do something to cause someone embarrassment or harm in some way. That's why we have the rule that pranks can not be done during class time or to cause someone harm. Pranking to be funny is different. Do you see the difference boys?" Sirius asks, deliberately including Draco in his question.

"Yes Dad. Yes, Uncle Sirius." The boys answer, each thinking of how to prank without it seeming as it they are trying to harm or embarrass someone.

"Well then, let's talk about something else." Sirius says, grinning now.

"Severus, would you like to tell them the good news or shall I?"

"You go right ahead."

"Well boys, we have some news about starting the new school term. We are going..."

"We're going to have two weeks more of vacation?" Draco asks excited enough to bounce in his chair.

"Draco! Don't interrupt!" Severus reprimands.

"Sorry, Uncle Sirius."

"All is forgiven, Draco. As I was saying, the two of you are going to move back to your dorm room this term. With the new wards, Severus and I have decided it is safe enough and we know you want to be with your friends. Neville and Ron are going to be happy to have the two of you back, I'm sure. Oh, one more thing. I heard that Blaise Zabini will be back at Hogwarts this term. His parents have completed the work they were doing in France so they have moved back home. He's going to be in your room also."

"That's wonderful, Dad! I can't believe we get to live in the dorm again. Draco, Blaise is a good chap. You'll like him."

"Boys? One more point to make here. If your schoolwork suffers or you find yourself in trouble, you will be grounded to our quarters instead of staying in the dorm. Let this be a reminder to stay out of trouble and keep your schoolwork to the level you know we expect. Understand?" Severus asks.

"Yes, Sir." Both boys answer.

"Dad?" Harry asks moments later. "Draco and I enjoyed riding the Hogwarts Express so much at the beginning of this school year. Can we please do that again for the start of this term?"

"Yes, Dad! I'd like to ride the train again too! Could we please? We still have time to buy the tickets as it's three days until it leaves." Draco asks.

"No, it is too dangerous this time. There are too many risks involved to let you go by yourselves. You boys will come to the school with us in two days. This will give you the opportunity to settle in to your dorm room again. You agree, right Sirius?" Severus responds.

"I'm afraid I agree, Boys. The situation is different this time and I just don't feel it would be safe for either of you. Maybe next year."

"But DADDDDD!" Harry and Draco both exclaim.

"The decision is final." Sirius says sternly, reaching for his tea. Before he can lift it, the teacup flies up and upends itself over the top of his head. Sitting there with tea dripping down his face, he sputters. "Harrison James!"

"You look quite funny, Sirius. Isn't this a nice prank? It's just a joke after all." Severus tells him fighting a smile, until his teacup also upends itself spilling tea all down his face.

"Harry James Potter Black! Did you just pour tea on me?" Severus asks scowling his best Dungeon Bat scowl.

"It wasn't me, Uncle Severus. I didn't do it! I didn't do either one, Dad!" Harry exclaims wide eyed.

"Draconis Tobias Snape! Are you responsible for this?" Severus growls sternly, looking at his snickering son.

"I admit it. It was me. You two look really good dripping in tea!" He answers, pushing his wand back into his sleeve underneath the table.

"NO FAIR! THAT'S COLD!" Draco complains as he finds himself drenched in ice water from the conjured bucket that appeared over his head.

"All's fair, in the pranking business, my cousin. A word to the wise, don't take on fully grown wizards in a prank war, you will not win." Sirius tells the gasping child.

"Good advice, Sirius. All right my rebellious pranker. Go dry off and change clothes. You have one more hour to be together before Harry has to leave." Severus instructs the dripping and shivering boy.

Later that evening after Harry and Sirius floo home, Harry is packing what he wants to take back to school as Sirius appears in the doorway.

"Well Pup, did you enjoy Christmas and most of your Winter break? Are you ready to get back to work?"

"I enjoyed all the fun times and being with you, Dad. I didn't like being in trouble and I'm going to try not to be in trouble for a long time, if ever."

"That's great to hear, Pup. I'm sure you will do your best to stay out of trouble. I enjoyed being with you also. I love you my Pup even when you do find major trouble. Are you excited to be able to go back to the dorm?"

"Yes, Dad. I miss talking to Ron as we used to do. Just seeing him in class and at meals was hard. What classes will I have this time? Do you know?"

"Well son, the basics stay the same. You will still have Potions, Charms, Transfiguration. This term you will also have Defense again and Muggle Studies. There is one slot left in your schedule for you to fill. You may choose between Astronomy, Herbology, or Magical Creatures. Why don't you talk to Draco and the two of you decide."

"Would you want me to stay with your class, Dad?"

"I would be honored for you to stay with Astronomy but if you wish to take a different class, I will be supportive in whatever you choose, son. It's your decision to make from the three choices. Which one sounds the best to you?"

"I would enjoy learning about Magical Creatures, Dad. We've already had classes in the other two. I know Draco will agree but I'll still ask him. Why are we taking a Muggle Studies class this term?"

"The Headmaster thinks all students should learn their ways also. You will have an advantage since you were raised in a home with muggle and magical influences."

"I'd love to take Magical Creatures! Hagrid has such brilliant animals, I think. I'm going to talk Draco into that one. Maybe Ron and Blaise will choose it too. I'll owl them, if it's okay. Hedwig is ready to get out of the house some, I think. She's been inside all day today."

"I'll leave you to your correspondence, then. Bedtime at nine, remember?"

"Yes Dad. I'll be in bed by nine."

Four weeks later:

Having been back at Hogwarts nearly four full weeks, the boys and their friends are anticipating the upcoming weekend to enjoy a little time away from classes.

"Harry, have you finished your potions essay yet? The one where we had to list the steps to make a Wildeye potion?" Ron asks, Wednessday evening as the boys are changing back into casual clothes for the evening.

"I finished it last night. I had to get it done early so my Dad could read through it. He's examining all my homework now that I'm staying in the dorm again. He requires me to tell him all assignments and then show him when I've completed them. I got punished last week for skipping the essay for Muggle Studies. He grounded me to my room in our quarters after classes for two nights, remember? He made me do twice the number of pages assigned, too."

"Yes, he's awfully strict about homework. Who wants to write an essay on muggle timeturners and how they came to exist anyway? Boring topic."

"Ron! You didn't even learn that the muggle timeturners as you call it are things muggles use to tell the time called watches. You need to pay attention better than that!"

"Don't start on me, Harry. Hermione is bad enough, I don't need you too. Can I see your essay for Potions? I want to make sure I listed everything."

"It's in my blue Potion's folder on my desk. Just be sure to put it back in there when you're done with it. I'm going to shower. I'm all hot from flying in the Amusement Area. The new flying room with the double high ceiling is terrific! Uncle Sev would not be happy with me if I didn't have my assignment. He gets more strict with me and Draco than the rest of you. We get in trouble two times, once with our Dads and once with the Professor. If Uncle Sev punishes me as Professor Snape I get in trouble at home too. The same goes for Draco if he gets in trouble with my Dad in school. We tried to tell the Dads that wasn't fair but they said if we get in trouble at school we get in trouble at home too."

"I can't get used to you calling the Evil Dungeon Bat, Uncle Sev. He doesn't seem like anyone's Dad or even an uncle kind of guy. He's so strict and stiff."

"If you could come to Spinner's End in the summer or Snape Manor, you'd see he's different away from Hogwarts. When he doesn't have to be Professor Snape, he's much easier to talk to and be with. He's even taken us to some fun places before. Once he took me and Draco to the muggle restaurant called McDonalds. Maybe this summer you can come visit me and we'll go to see Draco while you visit." Harry replies walking off towards the showers.

The next afternoon as the students settle into their seats for the double potions class, Professor Snape instructs them to take out their essays.

"The essay that is due today is on the steps to create the Awakening or Wildeye potion and also to write one foot on comparing it to the Sleeping Draught. Please have these essay's on your table to be collected. As they are collected, you are to gather materials for brewing. We will be working in groups of four. Starting on the right side the first two tables are a group, the two behind are a group, and so on. Gather and elect two partners to read directions, gather ingredients, and the other two will prepare the potion. Tomorrow, we will reverse the group so the other two prepare the potion. You may group now."

Draco and Harry turn around to the table behind them and ask Neville and Ron to join them.

"I'll gather ingredients if you brew this time Harry." Ron quickly speaks up to his plan. "Neville, you can help brew this time and Draco and I can work together tomorrow."

"I'd rather have you and Ron work together today and Neville and myself pair up tomorrow." Draco whispers urgently to Harry. "Ron works better with you than me. He got me in trouble last time we paired up, for blowing up the cauldron. I got punished for not watching out for what he was doing!" Draco explains after Harry gives him a questioning look.

Nodding in understanding, Harry announces," Ron, you and I will pair up and let Neville and Draco be our assistants. We'll be their assistants tomorrow. Alright?"

"Fine by me, Harry. I need to watch and learn what to do first." Neville whispers.

"Good, it's settled then. Neville, if you and Draco will get our ingredients, Ron and I will be looking at what we are to do." Harry answers, having taken the role as leader of the group.

"Neville, you gather the six snake fangs and the standard ingredient, while I get the billywig stings and wolfsbane sprigs. Oh, we need a copper cauldron also, I'll pick one up from the cabinet while I'm over that way. I'll meet you back at our table."

"Why do we use the copper cauldron, Draco? Everyone else is gathering the pewter ones we always use." Neville asks as the boys return with the supplies.

"Because, it brews faster if you use copper than any other kind."

"You know potions as well as Harry, don't you?"

"Well, think who my Dad is, Neville. Before he was my Dad, he was my Godfather and I spent many days with him as he researched and brewed potions."

As the boys begin their preparations by crushing the snake fangs into the mortar, Harry reads over the directions once more. Smiling to himself at Draco's ingenuity of bringing a copper cauldron, he drops the six dried billywig stings into it. Taking the ground snake fangs, he realizes it isn't the proper consistency yet. Checking the directions once more, he whispers to Neville that he needs the standard ingredient mixed into the mortar.

"Neville, you have to crush these more finely and add the four measures of the standard ingredient in and crush that together. We must be careful to do this right. We want a good score on it. It has to sit before we can bottle it up." Harry whispers.

None of the students speak in normal voices during brewing. Professor Snape has allowed the children to begin to brew occasionally but only if everyone is quiet during the task. Loud voices or sudden movements distracts others which could lead to accidents, he has explained to the students. None of the students want to go back to just sitting and watching a selected few get to participate in Professor Snape's demonstration of proper brewing of a potion so all abide by his declaration as much as possible.

Checking the directions, Harry whispers to Ron, "Set the heat at medium, wait for the temperature reading to turn orange and then add this mixture into the cauldron."

Watching Ron carefully, Harry sees him do as told. After thirty seconds he says " Ron, turn the heat off. Okay, next we are to add four measures of this crushed mortar into it and stir three times clockwise. You add the ingredients, I'll stir."

"Harry is it supposed to be dark blue?" Neville whispers anxiously. "Hermione and Blaise' group have a light blue potion."

"Maybe they are further along than we are, Nev. Don't panic yet." Harry answers glancing at Draco questioningly.

"Could be mate. How far along are you? I've lost where we are in the steps." Draco answers.

"We just added the first set of crushed ingredients and heated it, now we're ready to add the rest and stir." Harry answers hopefully.

"Let's add the rest and stir and hope everything works for us." Draco answers peering into the cauldron.

"Okay, that's done. Now what?" asks Harry.

"The directions say to wave your wand over it after you stir three times clockwise, leave to brew eight hours before completion. We add the wolfsbane after it brews."

"How does it look, Draco?" Harry asks after waving his wand over the cauldron. "Does it look the right color and consistency to you? You've brewed this before but I haven't."

"It looks perfect to me. Shall I call Professor to come check it?" Draco asks the group.

"Yes, might as well get it over with." Ron whispers back.

"Raising his hand and looking around, Draco sees his Dad checking another group's potion. He doesn't look happy with what he is seeing. Marking a grade down in his black book, Professor Snape waves his wand and the group's cauldron disappears. Noticing Draco's hand, he walks up to their table.

"Well boys, do you have a question or are you ready for me to check your work?"

"We're finished Professor, except for letting it brew eight hours and adding the wolfsbane." Harry informs him as Ron waits nervously to hear the evaluation.

"So, Mr. Potter-Black you brewed this?"

"Yes sir. Ron was my partner in brewing with Draco and Neville as our assistants. Is it acceptable sir?" Harry asks after a few minutes pass with Severus just looking at their work.

"Why did you boys choose the copper cauldron today?" Severus asks Harry.

"Draco suggested it as it takes less time to brew this potion in copper than any other cauldron, sir." Harry answers.

"Excellent work boys. Mr. Weasley, Mr. Black, you both receive a score of Excellent for your work. Mr. Snape and Mr. Longbottom, you receive Excellent for your assistance. Tomorrow you will brew the potion as Mr. Black and Mr. Weasley assist you. We don't need any of this potion at this time so I will vanish it. Madame Pomfrey has enough Awakening potion in the infirmary stockroom. Good work, gentlemen. You may clear and clean your table now." Severus tells them as he casts Evanesco on the potion to vanish it.

"Thank you, Professor Snape." Harry answers happily. To be given a score of Excellent in brewing was rare. Acceptable was the score given to most students if they didn't receive Poor or occasionally Dreadful. Harry hasn't received a Dreadful on a potion or essay this term. The spanking he received the last time he did, was enough to keep him paying attention to his work.

Listening to the lecture part of their class, Harry dutifully takes notes on how to brew the sleeping draught. His research for the essay comparing the two potions helps him understand more of what the potion is used for. Hearing Professor Snape say "For tonight's assignment, I want you to write two feet explaining what type of situations a wizard may use a sleeping draught. Be aware it is different than a calming draught. Those who assisted today, you will be brewing tomorrow. Class dismissed. Mr. Potter-Black, Mr. Weasley, stay behind."

Surprised at this command, Harry glances up at his Uncle to see a stern frown on his face. Wondering just what could have happened between the time they received Excellent on their brewing and the end of the lecture, Harry packs up his notebook and quill set.

Waiting until the last student has left the classroom before speaking, Severus calls the two boys to his desk.

"Boys, I've read through your homework assignments and have a question for the two of you." Stopping to look at the two boys, he sees confused expressions on the two faces before him. "Your assignment was to list the steps to brew the Awakening or Wildeye Potion and also to write one foot comparing it to the Sleeping Draught which you were to research on your own. Here are your two essays, Mr. Potter-Black. I'd like you to read over them first and then have Mr. Weasley do the same."

Reading through Ron's first, Harry doesn't see anything wrong with the list of steps to brew the potion. It's only when he reads the essay portion does he notice a problem. Glancing up at his Uncle, he bites his lip nervously. The essay Ron has written is extremely similar to what he himself wrote. Even down to the same phrases to describe the effects of the sleeping draught. Harry used the phrase "A sleeping draught could have been used in the muggle story of Sleeping Beauty. Someone used something to put the princess in a deep sleep. Sleeping draughts are instantaneous and are often used in medical conditions."

"Here Ron, you read them now." Harry says passing the papers to Ron. Staring at his Uncle's waist instead of his face, Harry tries to think of what to say about this situation he's found himself in. Without having to be told, he can guess why his Professor is upset with them.

When Ron finishes reading and hands the papers back to Professor Snape, the two boys stand waiting for the unavoidable scolding to occur.

"Well boys, what conclusion did you reach after reading your two essays? Mr. Weasley?"

"Uh, well sir, I found that Harry and I each listed the same steps to make the potion. Did we list them wrong, sir?"

Not bothering to respond to that inane statement, Professor Snape just gives the boy a glare and turns to Harry. "Well, Mr. Potter-Black?"

"I saw that we think very much alike, sir." Harry answers, not meeting his Uncle's stern look. He knows what his Uncle wants to hear but isn't about to throw his friend into the burning cauldron of his Uncle's temper.

"So neither one of you wishes to explain why your two essays are exactly the same, even to the exact words?" Snape asks, his voice having dropped to a dangerous level.

Swallowing twice before answering, Harry whispers "No, Sir. I don't know what to explain."

"This is cheating and plagiarism, boys. Now in this school, cheating is a major offense! I could take you both directly to the Headmaster for this. I believe, I will turn this matter over to your Head of House to take care of, instead. I'm absolutely positive Professor Black will know what to do to take care of this problem. You both are to report to your dorm and stay there after we finish this discussion. Your punishment from me is twenty points each taken from Gryffindor and detention tomorrow afternoon at one o'clock here in the lab. You are dismissed."

"Please, Uncle Severus, I mean Professor Snape! I did not do this. I swear to you I didn't! Please sir, can't the points lost and detention be enough punishment?" Harry asks as Ron flees the room leaving Harry to face his furious Uncle.

"My decision is final. You will report to Professor Black and he will assign any future punishment. This is a serious matter, young man. You seem to be dismissive of what occurred but I assure you, your Father and I will not be! Go to your dorm now, Harry." Severus softens his tone, calling the child by his first name as he sees tears begin to fall.