Harry Potter Junior Level: Year Two

Ch. 39

*** Thanks to Jess for her help with events and places in Birmingham, England in this and the next chapter.

Mini Holiday

The day after his birthday party, Draco goes in search of his Dad. Finding him in the potion's lab, he quietly sits on a stool waiting for Severus to notice him.

After stirring the potion and covering it, Severus turns to his son.

"Well, what are you doing here? I thought you'd be off with Harry finding mischief."

"I came to say thank you, Dad. Yesterday was the best birthday I've ever had. I love my new jumper and I can't believe you gave me tickets to go see a real Quidditch Match! I wish tomorrow was Saturday the twentieth instead of it being the fifteenth and a Monday."

"You have school all week so you need to put the game to the back of your mind, son. You are quite welcome and I'm happy you enjoyed your party. It was actually enjoyable for me also. Don't let on to your mates as this news would stupefy them without the spell! I don't need to try to teach stupefied students this week." Severus jokes.

"Mum's the word, Dad. We don't have classes on Friday afternoons so could we leave for Birmingham, England then?"

"What about your weekend homework? When would you and Harry be doing the homework for the following Monday? Don't even try telling me you'll do it on the Sunday night we return. I know the two of you will be both too excited and also too ready to share your adventure with your friends to do schoolwork."

"Harry and I already talked to our professors for Friday and have the assignments for the following Monday. We plan to have the essays done by Thursday night, Dad. We'll just work on them in addition to our other homework. If we work on them all week, we'll have them done. Now, can we please leave early and not wait until Saturday morning?"

"I'll talk to Sirius and let you know. Now, I need an assistant to finish the skele-grow potions I'm brewing for Madame Pomfrey. I have four cauldrons brewing. If you'll assist me with this, I'll look the other way tonight when you sneak an extra pudding."

"You won't cast a stinging hex on my hand and send the dessert back to it's serving dish as you did Friday night? It was my official birthday and you STILL wouldn't let me have but one serving of a pudding! That really wasn't fair now that I think on it, Dad."

"You made up for it the next day. I believe you had three pieces of cake, cookies, crisps, candy and more yesterday. I knew you had much sugar coming the following day so I limited your intake of sugar the night before. You do know that eating too much sugar makes you hyperactive and ornery, right?"

"I'm eleven now, I can eat more without being a 'Wild Hare' as Uncle Sirius calls me. I won't bounce around and jump over the sofa anymore. That time I did, last summer, you walloped my bum until I couldn't sit without it burning. Then you stuck me to the chair and put me in the corner for twenty minutes!"

"After defying me by leaving our quarters without permission and eating half a chocolate cream pie in the Hogwarts kitchen you went wild. You knocked over the couch, broke two lamp tables, nearly collided head first with the brick fireplace, literally bounced off the wall leaving shoe prints... shall I continue? No? Well, now you see why I monitor your sugar intake. I don't need a tornado going through our living quarters again."

"I had a lot of sugar yesterday and I'm not acting hyper today. Maybe I'm growing out of it, Dad."

"That's entirely possible son or it could be the fact that I had to dose you with the calming draught last night. You collapsed on the couch in a sugar induced sleep so before I put you to bed, I had you drink a calming draught. You must not remember. Come, let's finish the potions and we'll walk to the Great Hall for dinner afterward."

By Wednesday, Harry and Draco are as Draco put it "drowning in homework".

"How did I ever think doing extra homework every day was a good idea? I'm so tired of writing and my quill is dull from all the extra use!" Draco moans to Harry.

"Well, sharpen it then. We have two more days to get through, well, one and a half really and we'll be free for the whole weekend. Have you finished the Charms essay yet? I'm finished with Transfiguration and Charms but not Potions. I saved Potions for last because it's the longest. I'll start it now and finish tomorrow."

"Dad gave us a four foot essay on the use of Mandrakes vs a plant of our choice. Now that's a difficult one to me. I don't know which plant to contrast with. I want to pick something easy! What are you using?" Draco asks.

"I chose the Moonflower as it is useful in potions. How about using the African Violet, that is a good one for potions too."

"Maybe. I'm going to keep thinking. Can I see your Charms essay?"

"Why? What do you need it for?"

"It's not like I'm going to copy it, Harry. Merlin, you are so suspicious! I know what my Dad would do to me if I handed in work someone else did! I wanted to check on something I've been puzzled about. The bubble head charm sounds fun to learn. Did you figure out the wand movements for it? I wish we could practice it instead of just write about it."

"Professor Flitwick said it was a fourth year charm and we weren't ready to attempt it but since we were both good at Charms we could research it. He didn't tell us more because he wants us to find the information. He's being nice to us and not making us do the essay on his lecture from this Thursday. We'd have to have work on the weekend if we had to wait for the upcoming class to do the essay."

"Shite Harry! You sound just like Hermione! You're all happy about getting to do an essay! He should've just let us out of assignments period!"

"Draco! Watch your mouth, someone might hear!"

"Who's to hear? We're in our dorm room! I'm ELEVEN now, I have to sound like an older boy not a little kid. You ought to start practicing saying swear words for when you get to be eleven. We're growing up, Harry. All the mates sound like this when they are not little kids.

"Whatever you say. I've got to get started on Potions. You go ahead and work on being an older boy if you like. See you, I'm going to the library."

"Bye Hermione! Enjoy spending all your time on schoolwork! I'm going to find someone that wants to have fun, to go to the Amusement Area with. I'm ready to challenge someone to a contest on the new Pac Man game machine Grandpa bought! Those bideo games are fun. I've made it to level eight twice now!"

"That's Video not bideo, Drake. Yeah, I like it too but if I don't get my schoolwork done, I get punished. I'm surprised you haven't been in trouble for not doing assignments and studying these past few weeks. If it were me, the professors would be sending notices to my Dad." Harry answers, refusing to rise to the taunting.

"Hmmm, I have ways to get around that. It's good that our Dads want us treated like ever other student. They send notes instead of go visit the Dads. See you!"

The fact that his Dad continues to send stern looks his way during class on Thursday, makes Draco squirm in his chair.

"Draco! Watch it, you nearly knocked the cauldron off the table! Hand me the wingless flies. I need six." Harry whispers, stirring the simmering potion.

"Huh? Seven of what?"

"SIX flies! What's with you, today? You aren't helping me and you can't seem to be still. Do you need a bathroom break or something?"

"No! I don't. Stop sniggering as it isn't that funny!" Draco shouts at his cousin which causes all murmuring in the room to cease.

"Mr. Snape! Control yourself as you are interrupting concentration! Ten points from Gryffindor for disruption and inattention! See me after, young man!" Severus says sharply as he gives his son a long hard look.

"Class dismissed." Severus calls out twenty minutes later after the students have handed in vials of the potion, cleaned their work areas and copied the homework assignment.

When Draco rises to begin to leave with Harry and Hermione, Severus calls "Draconis!" causing him to freeze in place as the other two send sympathetic looks his way.

"Mr. Potter-Black, Miss. Granger, you are dismissed." Severus announces, walking towards the three children.

"Yes, sir." Hermione answers, pulling Harry by the hand.

As the door closes behind the two children, Severus commands, "Follow me!" leading the way to his office.

"Take a seat, we have some things to discuss. First, what was the problem in class today? Your inattention and lack of cooperation earned you a score of poor for today. I watched you as you were to be helping Harry and you did very little. Are you ill? Do I need to give you an exam to see what potions you may need?"

"No Sir, I'm not ill. I feel well and don't need potions, honest!"

"Then it's something else. Out with it. Tell me what is on your mind."

"It's nothing, Dad. I'm sorry for today and I'll do better, I promise. May I go now?"

"No, we are not finished with our discussion. I received seven notices today. Two each from Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick and Professor Rasmaine as well as one from Professor Lupin. Would you like to know what those notices were about?"

"Not really." Draco whispers before he can stop himself. This earns a warning glare from his Dad.

"It seems three of those were repeat notices asking why I hadn't responded to the original and a second set of updated notices. Your marks are unacceptable. You have a Poor in Charms, Transfiguration and Defence! Then in Professor Rasmaine's class, you have a T! Explain how you scored a Troll in a class you had Outstanding in four weeks ago! You know Mathematics above that level and you score a TROLL? Why is it I didn't see the first notices? They were dated two weeks ago. I want an honest answer, Draconis! Don't make this worse by lying."

"I placed a relocation charm on the envelopes. I saw them on the professor's desks because they all scolded me for lack of effort. The originals went to Snape Manor not here. I didn't do anything to Professor Rasmaine's note because I didn't know she was sending one. I'll do much better and have my grades up for end of term reports. I can do it easily. I just get tired of homework and classes and want a mini holiday." Draco answers, somewhat defiantly.

"I see. So you used unsupervised magic to hide information in order to continue your willful disregard of the rules. You remember the rules, 'Pay attention and do as you are asked in class.' as well as 'All schoolwork comes before entertainment!"

"I just wanted to have fun, Dad."

"You may have fun AFTER you complete your schoolwork. After this weekend, you will bring me a report from every class at the end of each week. I have discussed this with your Professors. The report will inform me of your performance and behavior. As punishment, you are grounded to your dorm, the library and our quarters for two weeks and will continue if your grades do not improve. Nothing below Acceptable is allowed. You are too bright to score below an Acceptable. Also, for using unsupervised magic and the deliberate interference of school correspondence, you will receive a spanking."

"I'm ELEVEN now! I'm too old for spankings!" Draco protests, watching warily as his Dad approaches.

"As long as you behave in a manner that warrants a spanking, you will continue to receive one!" he hears as he feels himself lifted off the chair.

Two days later the boys are rushing into their very own hotel room.

"This Hyatt hotel is enormous and so elegant too! Did you see the gold light fixtures in the lobby? I can't believe we get to stay in a connecting room! I thought for sure we'd all be in one huge room with bedrooms like before." Harry exclaims after flopping down on the bed he's chosen.

"Yes, it's going to be fun to stay together and the best part will be tomorrow! Are you excited to go to the Quidditch game? I wonder if we'll get to meet any players."

"Maybe, Drake. Yes, I'm excited."

"Dad said we ride the train to the stadium. That'll be fun. I like how fast the trains go!"

"Like the Hogwart's Express train?"

"No, a subway train, Harry. Maybe we can get the Dads to take us to McDonalds tonight! I'd love a hamburger happy meal. What do you think?"

"I doubt it. I heard Uncle Sev telling Dad about a new Indian restaurant close enough to walk to. We had to bring dress clothes and I think that's why. It's a dress up kind of place. Stop pouting, Drake. You don't want to get in more trouble! Uncle Sev seems to still be upset with you. What happened after class yesterday? Were you put in detention for what you did in class? You were gone until curfew."

"Yes, I had to scrub cauldrons until curfew. I even had to eat supper in the lab! He found out about my grades and how I interfered with the notices. I'm grounded for two weeks starting Monday and have to have weekly reports from all classes."

"That isn't too bad, really. You can get the grades up easily, you're smart. What exactly did you do to the notices. You told me you had 'ways to get around' them."

"I got my bum busted with a ruler also, so that was bad. Scrubbing cauldrons and eating while standing up isn't easy. When I got scolded after class those few times, I placed a relocation charm on the notices. The Professors didn't hear me because I did it without speaking."

"When did you learn to do that? I don't know how to do that!"

"Over Christmas break. I practiced it every day until I could do it. I knew my grades were low and Dad would be hearing about it. I got in trouble for doing magic without permission too!"

"Drake, I think it's lucky we already had this trip planned with tickets to the game or you wouldn't have been going!" Harry says as the connecting door suddenly opens and Sirius steps through.

"Boys, I want you both to shower and change into your dress clothes including ties. We're going to an upscale restaurant for dinner. It's not far from here so we'll be walking. We leave in forty five minutes so that should give you plenty of time."

"Yes Dad."

"Uncle Sirius, where are we going? What kind of place is it?" Draco asks.

"The restaurant is called Blue Mango. It specializes in Indian cooking. I think you'll both enjoy it."

"Do they have hamburgers and shakes?" Draco asks.

Hearing the question from the other room, Severus walks into the boy's room.

"You will be eating healthy fare tonight. No junk food. They serve healthy meals with chicken, other meats, vegetables and I've heard they even have a few meals that are prepared at your table. No complaining, Draco. You are to be on your best behavior! Now, go shower!"

"I'm clean enough. I took a shower last night, Dad." Draco answers, crossing his arms stubbornly.

"Don't push me, young man! Would you like a repeat performance of yesterday afternoon?" Severus asks walking closer to his stubborn child.

"No Sir. I'm good. I don't need another performance." Draco answers, taking a step backwards from his glaring parent.

"Then do as I say. Go take that shower! You are on extremely thin ice, my boy. I'd watch my step, if I were you."

"Yessir."

"Let's leave the boys to get ready, Sev. I'll give you the shower first and I'll be available for the boys while you take a hot relaxing shower." Sirius says meaningfully.

"I think that's exactly what I need right now. I'll take you up on that. Remember boys, we leave in forty five minutes so be ready."

"I'll be sure we're ready, Uncle Sev. I think Indian food sounds interesting." Harry answers as Draco is gathering his underwear and bathrobe.

Walking into the restaurant, the boys are surprised by the aromas floating by as they wait to be seated.

"Something smells really good, Uncle Sev. What is it?" Harry asks as Draco frowns at him. Determined to be irritable and not like the food, Draco doesn't want Harry to be appreciative of it either. As they were dressing for dinner, he complained about Harry being a "brown nose" to their Dads and not going along with him to get McDonalds.

"I'm not able to distinguish one meal from another just by smell, Harry. I can assure you that the food is very aromatic and has excellent taste also. We'll try several dishes so you can decide which you like best." Severus answers with a side glance at his recalcitrant son.

"Right this way Sirs. I have just the table for you. Boys, the table is by the wall aquarium. You may enjoy the fish while you wait to eat. Here we are, now may I have your drink orders?"

"I haven't even seen what you have yet!" Draco complains.

"We'll have a bottle of red wine, we will all have water and the boys will have a cup of tea including milk." Severus gives the order while ignoring Draco's huff of annoyance behind him.

"Very good. Now, let me recommend one of our TAK A TAK dishes. The children will enjoy watching that prepared."

"Thank you, we will most likely order that as well as others. We need a few minutes to look over the menu and discuss the choices." Severus replies.

"Sirius, I think you will enjoy the Fish Curry as I know you like fish. I'll have that also. I'm going to order two of the Masala Gosht Tak A Tak for all of us to try. For you boys, how about the Chicken Korma? It's chicken with gravy and more."

"You know best, Severus. I've not tried Indian food in years and have forgotten what is best. You order and I'll enjoy. Harry, you love chicken so this sounds great doesn't it?"

"Yes Dad. It comes with rice too. I like chicken with rice. Uncle Sev, why do they call it TAK A TAK? That's a strange name."

"I'm going to let you find out for yourself the answer to that question, Harry. You'll figure it out soon enough."

"It's probably called Tack AH Tack because they put tacks in it so you swallow them, say AH! and die." Draco mutters to Harry which unfortunately Severus hears.

"Draconis, we are here to enjoy a nice meal. I am giving you this last warning and then if you continue with your attitude, we will take our discussion to the loo. Sit up in your seat not slump, show good manners and act as an eleven year old should. I'm seeing behavior that will NOT be tolerated. Am I clear?"

"Yes sir." Draco answers.

The boys don't have to wait long after Severus orders their meal, before Harry has his question answered. A man brings a large silver saucer to their table along with a small cooktop. Placing the saucer over the burner, he begins slicing tomatoes and other vegetables onto it while pouring some sort of cooking oil also. The boys watch fascinated as the cook, twirls the vegetables over and around each other through the oil. Folding in some chunks of meat he begins to both stir and chop with silver utensils.

"Look Drake! They look like forks and spoons plus spatulas all in one! Oh! Listen!" Harry exclaims as the cook taps the utensils through the food.

"Do you hear that, Drake? That sound? It's going TAK A TAK, Tak A Tak! It reminds me of the song from the Lone Ranger video we watched! Remember?"

"I hear it too! It does have that same pattern to it! Do you think The Lone Ranger and Tonto will show up?"

"No, you nutter!" Harry snickers. "They're make believe."

"Uncle Sev. I know now why it's called Tak A Tak! It's the sound from the spoons on the saucer!"

"That's exactly right, young man. I'm stir frying this meal and blending in the sauces, spices and vegetables with your meat. Does the smell entice your senses?" the cook asks, with a smile for Harry and Draco.

"I don't know what 'entice my senses' means, but it makes my nose quiver and my mouth water!" Draco answers as Harry adds "and my tummy growl too!"

"Very good, young men. That is what I was hoping to hear. Indian cooking is a delight to the senses and the tummy. Now, if you'll be so nice as to pass me a plate of rice, I'll spoon some out for each of you. Masala Gasht Tak A Tak is ready for you to consume."

"OH! Dad! This is so good!" Draco whispers after taking a bite.

"I'm happy to know you approve, Draco. Here's the rest of our meal. Try the chicken, also. What do you think, Harry?"

"I love it, Uncle Sev. It's spicy but kind of sweet all at the same time. I like both dishes. Dad, we have to buy something to make Tak A Tak at Hogwarts. Maybe we could magic it from here!"

"Harry, SHHH! We're among muggles, son! No discussions of that sort tonight, remember?"

"Sorry, I forgot. We can buy some to take with us though, can't we? I'm going to want to eat this again long before we get to come back here."

"Well Sirius, I see Harry isn't a difficult eater. Unlike some who only want burgers and shakes." Severus whispers a few minutes later after glancing at the two boys.

"I'm lucky all right, his Mum made sure he ate a variety of foods. He often has to tell me to try something new! Draco is just a normal kid, Sev. They like one thing and want to stick with it. Don't fret over it. Minerva says they will outgrow it. Harry was stuck on spaghetti for two weeks straight when he first came to live with me. Then he gave it up and began to eat anything served. Once, just as a test, I cooked liver with mushrooms and onions. I wanted to see what his reaction would be to that meal. He ate it without a word but afterwards sicked up for ten minutes. I found out later, he's allergic to mushrooms. I've never fixed that again."

"Why do you suppose he didn't say anything about being allergic? Didn't he know?"

"He knew and he also knew he despised liver. He ate it to please me because I cooked it. Made me feel so low!"

"The boys are enjoying this, Sirius. Nevertheless, I don't believe we should mention they are eating lamb. It might not go over well. They do love animals so. I'm pleased Harry was able to get Draco out of his mood. That boy was getting close to another sore bum! After all the trouble we went to for us to take off for the weekend and provide tickets to a match just for him, he acts out."

"He's excited, Sev. Remember how they behaved at Disney World? They both became much younger and often brattier. I believe it was the excitement. I predict once they sleep tonight they'll be much more themselves tomorrow."

"We'll take them to McDonalds for breakfast. That ought to cheer Draco up. I'd like to go to the Bull Market early before we catch the train. There'are some shops I want to visit. We might even find something the boys enjoy seeing also." Severus replies, sipping the glass of wine.

"We ought to have wine at the school, Sev. You mellow out after a few sips. The students would be so thankful." Sirius teases.

"You wouldn't be when your son wound up in the infirmary with injuries related to a potions accident."

"Probably not. Still it would be nice to have some wine with dinner every now and again. I'll mention it to Albus. We'll see what comes of that. You just never know with him, how he'll respond. Do they make a lemon drop wine? I'm sure I could convince him to serve some if he could have his favorite flavor in one!"

"The old man is a little quirky, wouldn't you agree? At times a grown man and at times a young boy."

"That's what makes him unique, I suppose. I think we're about to lose two young guys to sleep. They both are nodding off. We'd best finish up and get them back to the hotel and bed." Sirius replies with a nod towards the boys.

"That was my purpose for ordering the warm tea. It puts them to sleep." Severus answers with another sip of wine.

^^^^&&&&&******A/N. Sorry this chapter is a little late. I've been dealing with some banking problems. Some kind person decided to hack into the bank account and try to remove me of my money. They nearly got it all in ten days. Then it took three weeks to get this resolved. You hear of Identity Theft all the time but until it happens to you, it doesn't seem to be real. My advice to all of you is to have separate accounts in TWO different banks. It doesn't matter how many accounts you might have if they're in one bank, they are frozen until the situation is resolved. I usually don't share life events with you but I thought I would just this once to warn you.

Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think of the chapter. :-)