Harry Potter Junior Level ch. 47

Proper Plans

After the mishap in Potions, Draco is not speaking to Harry. Angry at his cousin for getting him into trouble with his Dad, he's refusing to play or do anything with Harry outside of class. In Potion's class he has asked to work with Neville instead of Harry. Harry is now working alone. During this time, Harry has turned back to Ron for friendship.

Coming into his Dad's quarters after his last class, Harry calls out "Dad? I'm here. May I go out with Ron for awhile?"

"What about finishing your homework, Harry? You need to have enough time to get your essays finished for class." Sirius asks as he walks into the front room.

"It's Friday, Dad! Did you forget? I have all weekend to do homework. Please may I go out for a fly? I've been inside for three very long days, remember?"

"Yes I do remember since I'm the one who grounded you for your misbehavior in your classes. You are in school to learn not to cause mischief. Have you learned from this?"

"Dad, you were a maurader and caused all kinds of mischief and now you don't let me do anything! I don't think it's fair at all! You pranked people!"

"What I did and didn't do in school is not the topic here young man! You and your behavior is what I am discussing. Now answer me. Did you learn anything from this?"

"Yes Dad. I won't shove anyone in Potions or use a spell that isn't allowed in class anymore. Please Dad? You said I was grounded inside for three days and it's been three long days since I got to go outside except for going to the Herbology class."

"You won't shove anyone AT ALL young man, not just in Potions! You settle disagreements with words not actions. You are to go to class prepared, listen and learn what is being taught not misbehave. If we revisit this topic because of your behavior, I won't be just talking. Understand?" Sirius replies frowning at the child before him.

"Yes sir. Please may I go flying with Ron?"

"Go on, you have one hour. I expect you standing in this room by five o'clock. Don't test me or I'll put you right back on restriction. Make sure you dress warmly." Sirius replies giving the boy his 'I mean business' look.

"Yes Dad, I'll be here." Harry answers as he quickly goes to the closet for his broom, coat, scarf and gloves.

While Harry is occupied, Sirius walks down to Severus' quarters to speak with him. Knocking once on the door, he's surprised to see Draco open the door.

"Hello Draco, I thought you'd be out enjoying the fresh air after classes."

"I'm working on homework, Uncle Sirius. I can't do anything fun until my work is done for a week because of Har..." he starts to say before he's cut off by Severus' "Draco!"

"Sir?"

"Go finish your homework in your room and close the door."

"Yes sir."

Waiting for the boy to obey, Sirius raises an eyebrow at Severus before asking "What is that all about? He was punished because of something Harry did?"

"They were equally at fault in a ruined potion. I spoke with them after class, both were rather vocal about the mishap which is why I assigned detention Tuesday night. Then Draco continued to push me on why he was assigned detention. He complained and argued his way into a week long grounding. I don't put up with whinging and he knows it. Pay no mind to him. How was your meeting? We haven't spoken of it since you returned. Is there new information from the Order members?"

"That's why I'm here. Do you mind if I cast a silencing charm on the room? I'd rather not take a chance of anyone hearing of what I'm going to say."

"By all means, go ahead. Draco knows better than to eavesdrop, however." Severus answers.

"I'm sure he does. I don't want someone else overhearing if they happen to come by." Sirius answers as he casts "Muffliato"

"Why the secrecy, Sirius?"

"I wasn't in an Order meeting the other night as you believe. I never said exactly where I was going, only that I had a meeting and would be late returning. I received a letter requesting I meet someone in France. The person knew enough about me and my background that I felt it was necessary to meet with them. I had Remus along as protection. He was under a disillusionment charm just for extra precaution."

"That sounds very interesting but what does it have to do with me? I'm not trying to be rude, I'm just in the middle of brewing and would like to finish. It's under a ten minute stasis spell at the moment."

"You may want to increase that spell as this is going to be a bit longer conversation than ten minutes. My meeting was with Narcissa."

High in the air, Ron and Harry hover over the Quidditch pitch while they talk.

"I've missed hanging out with you, Harry. Ever since Draco became your cousin, it's like I'm not wanted. We were best pals last year. Where is he anyway?"

"He's grounded and besides he and I are not speaking. He got all mad at me and now it seems he doesn't want to be friends. I'm sorry I didn't get to be with you more. Draco kind of likes it to be just us much of the time. That plus we couldn't stay up in the dorms. Sometimes we hung out with you and you know it."

"Yeah but not much. So Harry, what did you do on your holiday? I went with the family to London. Mum made us all visit this old castle. Merlin, I get enough of castles being here all year why go visit one on vacation! We did get to see the Tower of London and the torture room was wicked! It had one of those blades that cut people's heads off! It was fixed not to work though. Percy -The Know-It-All informed us the machine was an instrument of torture and cruel. Well since it was in The Torture Room I kinda knew that it was for torture. I think he said it was called a Gillyteen. I wonder if that means it was used on horrible teenagers like him! Fred and George thought it was wicked just like me! I also saw a place where they used to hang people upside down by their feet from the wall. Man oh Man, Harry that place was bloody brilliant!"

"That sounds like a wicked place alright. I didn't know muggles could be that fierce. I had a good time on some of my holiday too. We went to the shore in Ireland and I met a real live Leprechaun! HONEST! Stop shaking your head! I really did! I can prove it to you. Look at this coin he gave me!" Harry says, pulling his lucky coin out of his pocket.

"That looks like it might be gold. It's not a galleon is it?"

"No, I don't know how much it's worth but it's a lot. It's lucky too. I haven't gotten in trouble in class, since the first day, when I have it in my pocket. The first day I kind of had trouble. Did you know I haven't turned in homework in two days and the professors haven't even said anything? Yesterday in Muggle Studies I didn't even answer any questions the professor asked me. I just pretended not to hear him and he left me alone. Since when do we get off not answering questions? Never!"

"That is a lucky coin alright! We ought to give it a real test though. I'll think of something we can do and let you know. Let's race! First one to the largest hoop wins. On three... One... Two ... HARRY! I didn't say three!" Ron shouts as Harry zooms past on his broom.

"Sorry about that mate! I just took off without even thinking. You can start ahead of me next time."

"I don't want to race anyway. You have a much faster broom than me. What d'ya say about going to the common room for a game of Wizard's Chess?"

"I can't today. I have to be home by five or I'm going to get grounded again. I've been grounded inside for the trouble in class, for three days. I tell you mate, nothing but classes and homework gets boring! Dad took all my games and toys and locked them up for the entire three days. He did leave a couple of books but no toys."

"I thought you said you hadn't done your homework though. You said you hadn't been in trouble in class but now you say you were grounded for getting in trouble in class. You aren't making sense."

"No, I said I haven't turned it in. When it was collected, I just pretended to be searching my bag for it. No one ever said anything about it. See? I told you my coin was lucky! When I keep it with me everything is good. I left it one day and got into trouble in Potions so I got grounded. I'm not making the mistake of not carrying it anymore. Let's start back to the castle. It's a long walk."

"We have brooms. Let's fly!"

"No Ron. I don't want to fly as we might be seen. My coin is lucky but it doesn't make us invisible. If we get caught flying anywhere but here or the Amusement Area, we'll get in trouble."

"Can you ask your Dad if he will let you spend tonight in the dorm with me? He might say, "yes" if you ask really nicely with a lot of "Pleases" thrown in. It works for my Mum. Just say 'Pleeeeeaasssseee' and say 'I Love You Mum' and she'll let me do what I ask. Try and see."

"I'll try, Ron. I don't think it would work if I said 'I love you Mum.' to my Dad, though." Harry says, giggling. "Sorry. I thought it was funny. If I don't show up then you'll know I couldn't come." He adds at Ron's disgusted look.

"Dad?" Harry asks noticing Sirius nearly finished with dinner.

"Hmm? Do you want another helping of Shepherd's Pie? We have enough left for another meal. You haven't eaten your salad. Didn't I take out the cucumbers for you? I meant to."

"Everything's good Dad and the salad is fine. I'll eat some of it, I promise. I can't hold anymore Shepherd's Pie though. Dad, I had a good time with Ron today. We haven't seen each other much except classes in a long time. I was wondering if I could spend the night tonight in the dorm. Please Dad? I'll go to bed on time and stay in the dorm and everything. Please? I want to be with Ron and Neville other than classes. Draco doesn't like Ron so he doesn't ever want to play with him. I miss being in the dorm at night and it's been a long time since I got to stay there. Can I go, I promise to do everything you tell me."

"Everything I tell you, hmm? Does that promise last until you are of age or just until you get back from the dorm? Just kidding, son. Yes, I suppose you can go stay the night tonight since it isn't a school night. You can go but I want you home tomorrow right after lunch. You have homework to do for Monday."

"Thanks, Dad!"

"The rules are as follows, Harry. You are to remain in Gryffindor tower until breakfast tomorrow. Absolutely no wandering around the castle tonight. You stay with Neville and Ron in your dorm room or the common room and that's it. I don't want to see or hear of you having been outside that dorm tonight. After lunch tomorrow, you come straight home. No whining about going to play or visit someone either. You will be busy working on your assignments. Is that understood young man?"

"Yes Sir. I won't be going anywhere at all other than the dorm. I just want to play with Ron and Neville and be in the dorm for a change. I'll do as you tell me and come home on time, I promise."

"Very well then all I have left to say is... be sure to enjoy yourself. Now go pack a bag, remember your toothbrush and hairbrush also."

"Thanks, Dad! I love you. You are the most brilliant Dad in the whole wide world!"

"I love you more, now go on. If you want time to enjoy the dorm you need to get packed." Sirius answers while wondering why he's only the "most brilliant Dad in the whole wide world" when Harry gets his way.

Finishing up the fifth game of exploding snap, Ron checks to see that Neville hasn't returned from the loo yet. Seeing they are still alone, Ron says "I have an idea to check your lucky coin. On Monday, we can wag out on classes. With your coin, we can go flying again and no one will even know."

"The coin doesn't make us invisible, Ron. What if we are seen? Besides that how do we explain not being in class? You know they send attendance reports to the Heads and if my Dad sees I wasn't in class my bum will wind up in St. Mungos! Yours too probably! He checks those reports faithfully! Even if he happened not to check, I just know the professors would tell him I wasn't in class."

"I know of a way to get us a pass on going to class that will keep us out of trouble. They can't punish us for not going to class if we miss because we're sick."

"But we aren't sick. How are we going to get sick in one day? Madame Pomfrey and my Dad can easily tell if we're faking. Faking being sick will lead to sore bums also, just so you know. I tried it once. I put a hot flannel on my head to make me feel hot and clammy. I pretended my stomach hurt and I was feverish. Dad performed a charm and my temperature was normal. He took me to the infirmary and she did a body scan which came back normal. Dad made me tell them I was faking it and then he spanked me, right in front of Madame Pomfrey, for lying to them."

"Listen Harry, the twins have been working on a new prank product they call Sickly Sweets. I heard them whispering about it on our holiday. They have some candy that looks fine until you eat it. Then it makes the person sick for a little while. We could get it and use that to be sick. We really would be sick but only a little while. Then we could have the rest of the day to have fun."

"I'll think about it and let you know later. Nev's the one who seems sick. All that heavy wheezing he's done tonight. I hope he's alright in the loo. Maybe we ought to check." Harry answers.

"Let's give him another ten minutes. Sometimes he just needs to be in steam. He came back from the greenhouse this way once before. He says he has something called azzmath or something like that. He has medicine to help and he says going into a steamy room helps."

"Ron, that's called asthma. It makes you have a hard time breathing. I knew a kid who had it in my other school. Are you sure he has medicine to take? Maybe we need to take him to Madame Pomfrey tonight." Harry asks, concerned.

"Ask him. He's the one that told me about it. Harry! We could pretend to have that and be wheezing to get out of class!"

"No Ron that's not good. Nev might think we were being mean to him. We couldn't get by with that because professors would know we were fooling around. They just know." Harry answers Ron's questioning look.

"Merlin, Harry. You don't want to do anything fun with me lately. You've changed since Draco came. I'm waiting to hear you say you don't want to try the twins' prank product to get out of class!"

"I never said that I wouldn't do it. I said I'd think about it. Fine! Let's do it. You'll have to get the candy as I'm not allowed out of here until time to go home tomorrow and then I have to go straight home after lunch is finished."

"I plan to go get it tomorrow. They have plans to be out of their rooms and the dorm then. I can sneak in and get it while everyone is busy. I'll give you one to take at breakfast Monday."

"What exactly does the candy do?"

"I don't know exactly but it makes you look and seem sick so that's all we need to know. Let's play gobstones now. Don't talk about it around Neville."

Meeting Ron outside the doors to the dining hall, Harry asks "Were you able to get what you went for?"

"Yes, I got four. Two for each of us. We'll take one now and wait until later to see if we need another one. We can get out of all classes!"

"I need to go to Transfiguration and it's first. I have to have my apology essay turned in and show up for class. My Dad made me write four feet on the topic we were studying last week as punishment. I didn't get my Charms essay done or my Defense essay finished so I'd be happy to get out of those classes."

"Your Dad is getting to be more like all other professors. He assigns detentions and extra essays too much. He put me in detention last week for being late to Transfiguration. Just because I was late to a class for the fourth time this term! Professor McGonagall sent me to him and I had detention for two hours scrubbing the tables in the Astronomy classroom."

"He is head of Junior Gryffindor but I agree with you since I'm also doing extra essays! Come on, let's go to breakfast and get the day started. This candy looks a little odd, Ron. It's white with brown gooey liquidy filling. What is the stuff they put in it, don't you know?"

"I told you I didn't know. Be a pal and eat it with me, Harry." Ron says just before swallowing the candy.

Watching and seeing that Ron does not turn colors or have any reaction, Harry bites into his and then swallows the rest.

"That is just disgusting! We'll have to tell them to add some flavoring to this next time. Let's go eat." Harry whispers pushing open the doors to the dining room.

Helping himself from the platter of sausages, Harry adds them to his plate of fried eggs, toast, fried potato pieces, beans and a banana. The banana is to satisfy his Dad on his fruit requirement for each meal. Between bites of breakfast, Harry whispers to Ron "Are you feeling alright?"

"So far, nothing. It better start working when we get to Transfiguration or we'll have to go to plan C."

"What's Plan C and what happened to Plan B?"

"I don't know but I'll keep thinking. Plan B was to fake being sick with Asthma but you didn't like that one." Ron whispers back.

"You two need to finish eating or we'll be late to Transfiguration!" Hermione tells the boys as they slowly eat their breakfast.

An hour later in the double Transfiguration class, Harry's stomach begins to turn somersaults and he feels himself sweating. Looking over at Ron who is at another table, he sees Ron has turned a slight green color. Suddenly feeling as if his stomach is about to erupt, Harry blurts out "Professor! I'm going to be sick!" and leaps to his feet running for the nearest loo. Hearing a noise behind him, he sees Ron pass him galloping for the bathroom.

"Ooooohhh, that wasn't good. I'll never eat beans again." Ron moans coming from the stall to join Harry at the sink.

"I feel so sick, Ron. My head is pounding out of my skull, my stomach is doing acrobatics and is sore from having...you know."

"Good, the candy worked. Now, we just have to get out of class. We'll go back and she'll see how we look and dismiss us."

Sure enough, Professor McGonagall takes one look at the ashen-faced, sweating boys and tells them "Mr. Weasley, Mr. Black, go to the infirmary at once. You aren't looking well."

"Yes Ma'am, thank you, Ma'am." Harry answers gathering his schoolbag and following Ron out of the classroom.

"Great! Now we'll stash this school mess in our rooms and go fly. Can you get to your room?"

"Dad's in classes until noon so I can get in and out. I just have to not be seen. I'll meet you on the Pitch in ten minutes. I'm actually feeling a little better now."

"Yeah, me too. Maybe the worst is done. We'll have to get sick again though when we are coming back in. Otherwise, it will look suspicious when we were so sick and then aren't. We can't risk being caught not being sick."

"I think I follow you, Ron. I'll do whatever we have to do to not go to Defense and Charms. I can't show up without my homework or I'll get skinned by my Dad. Uncle Remus said the last time I didn't have my assignment, he would take me to Dad if it happened again. Oh! Did you tell someone to let the professors know we were sick?"

"No, did you?"

"No. I just now thought of it. Shouldn't we tell someone?"

"Maybe McGonagall will let them know. She's the one who told us to go to the infirmary."

"Yeah, maybe. I'll be down there soon. Don't get caught, Ron."

"I won't so you don't either. Bring that Invisibility Cloak and we'll use it to get back in later."

"Okay, we do need to hurry. Classes change in fifteen minutes!" Harry answers after he casts the tempus charm.

As his students come in and settle into their seats, Remus notices Harry is missing. After waiting to see if the boy is just late, he calls Draco up to the front.

"Draco, come here a moment, please."

"Yessir?"

"Have you seen Harry or Ron Weasley today?"

"Yessir."

"Would you care to expand on that just a bit?" Remus asks with a smile. "Neither of them have shown up for class. That's not like Harry."

"I don't know where Harry is at this time, sir. He was in Transfiguration but he's not here and I haven't seen him or Ron in the corridors either. I wouldn't know where they are right now, sir."

"Yes, Hermione?" Remus asks the child currently bouncing and waving her arm back and forth like a metronome.

"Professor, I couldn't help but overhear you. Harry and Ron became ill during Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall sent them to the Infirmary, sir. Draco knows this but he and Harry are being obnoxious to each other and he won't say anything nice about Harry."

"Thank you for the report, Hermione." Remus answers before casting a silencing charm around himself and Draco while giving the child a stern glower.

"Young man, you just lied to me! Do I need to pay a call on your father tonight?" Remus asks the slightly nervous boy in front of him.

"No sir, please don't. I didn't really lie, sir. You asked me if I had seen Harry and Ron. I told you I saw them in Transfiguration but not in the corridors. I truly don't know where they are right now."

"Just so you are aware, skirting the truth is the same as lying. That is called a 'lie of omission' when you knowingly leave out important details. I won't punish you or report you this once. Next time, I suggest you answer me correctly even if you are having a disagreement with someone. It could be the person is in danger! You may return to your seat, Mr. Snape. "

"Yes sir, I apologize, sir." Draco replies, ashamed at having been scolded by his easy going uncle. Dropping his head to avoid the stern brown eyes boring into him, Draco walks to his seat.

Ending the silencing charm, Remus announces "All right class, let's begin. Today we'll be discussing the use of our lessons in Martial Arts to defend yourselves. Let's review what we've learned this term. We'll begin with Mr. Anderson. Come to the front and demonstrate one technique for disarming an opponent."